DAN bNNS OBL

a!" "
it

“Hit

‘ ... M1; _

 

 

Hi”

. 1891. by UEADLE AND ADAMS.

Published Every
Wednes‘hy' 9»: WILLIAM sr"

minimum:
3 “

 NE V YORK.

AGAIN AT YOUR PERIL. DOCTOR DAIRMID!"

(fiezzdle (f- V70”? 7773, (17’11Mz's7‘w7’s,

)
l
t
i
r

‘

  

Ten Cents a Copy.
$5.00 a Year.

1%.

'\

OR, THE

Night-Hawk Chiefs Right Hand

BY JUSEPd‘EfBADGER, JR.

CHAPTER I.
FISH-HAWK AND EAGLE.
“ SUB! there’s no mistake, Pony?"
“ Dead sure. Mace! Look at ’im now,
pin’ high 'nough fer to climb a ladder, an—”
Muscular fingers clooed on his arms, cutting
his muttering: short. While the first speaker ven-
tured a little further from their cover. though
keeping well within the deep shadows which
enveloped themouth of the narrow alley. He
lured up and down the street, drawing a.
reach of relief .- he saw only one pedestrian
within the limits of his horizon.
Only a short belt-block away now, pausing
under the lamp at the corner,

. weed i
1 himself ogeum the iron post I: he mania

hot to let theoool hreenetmm them
mmmudbmw. m'

 

 
   

2

The Soft-Hand’s Clutch.

 

 

A wolfish growl came from the lips of the
shorter night-hawk.

" He’ll hang there until a cop sights him, then
where’ll we be? Bilked, that’s what! But you
would have it so.”

“ Button up, Pony, and see that you let him
have it—for keeps i”

There was no response to this stern speech,
for the lesser ruflian saw that their intended
victim had parted from the lamp-post and was
Once more approaching their ambush.

lVith his tall, shapely figure clearly outlined
against the hazy circle of light, the two thugs
could note his slightly unstead steps as though
he was partially under the in uence of liquor.
.And there was a grim sort of contemptuous
so tisfaction in the low tones of Pony Keefe as
he pushed back his coat-cuffs.

“Ain’t it jest pie, though? Ef it wasn’t too
dark here to see my own doin’s, blamed ef I
Wouldn’t be ashamed to slug ’im !”

“Button, I tell ye!" grated his companion,
flashing keen glances up and across the
street. -

He could see nothing to arouse his suspicions.
The hour was late, and that )ortion of the town
seemed deserted. Their mar {ed prey was draw—
ing near, clearly unsuspicious of impending
peril. If armed, which was unlikely, he was
hardly in fit condition to make good'use of his
weapons. Their cover was almost perfect, and
once within reach of their strong arms, escape
seemed impossible. ,

Yet Mace Wilson was strangely uneasy. It
was not that the black deed itself 'awed him, for
he had been born in sin and reared in crime. It
was rather a wild-beast instinct that warned

‘him of danger; not sharply enough to make him
abandon his evil work, but quite sufficient to
se 5 his always keen senses on the alert.

Pony Keefe, on the contrary, had thoughts
only for the rich prize so nearly within their
clutches. His little eyes glowed covetously as
his bull-dog jawssquared. He gave his billy a
vicious smug, crouching low beside the damp
brick wall, is powerful left arm crooked as
though already arroting his victim.

Neither night- awk looked at his comrade.
Each had his part outlined, and each felt con-
fident that the other would not be found lack-
ing when the moment for action came. And
with a last searching glance over the street,
31sec Wilson also crouched for the deadly

ash.

The unsuspectin wayfarer drew nearer, the
sound of his boot- eels changing as he stepped
from the brick pave to the rocks of the alley
crossing, the slight descent making his gait
still more unsteady, and fortunately causing
him to lurch toward the street, just as Pony
Keefe measured his distance and made his leap,
cutting the air with his billy as he came.

The blow took effect, but was much less
vicious than had been intended, thanks to that
sudden lurch. It was enough to stagger the
man, his crushed hat flying into the gutter as
he gave vent to a gasping cry, instinctively
throwing up his arms to guard himself.

With a curse Pony Keefe was 11 n the vic-
tim, one hand fiercely clutching a his throat,
his other wielding that cowardly weapon. And
Mace Wilso , too, sprung forward, the three
men going (1 wn in a heap.

" Do him upl Don’t let him yelp out like——”

The savage words came from Mace Wilson,
but he never completed the sentence.

A tall, athletic figure leaped lightly forward,
stooping as he reached that little heap of hu-
manity, a single blow from his clinched right
hand knocking Wilson end over end into the
dark alley.

“ You. too!”

Pony Keefe gave a yell of angry pain as his
billy was wrenched from his gras just as it
was descending for a death-blow. . en he was
caught by the arms and swung bodil into the
air, flying over the broad shoulders o the new-
comer, to fall flat across the horse-car track in
thecenter of t 0 street. And as he scrambled
to his feet, con sed, bruised. half—stunned, the
shrill trilling of a police-whistle rung out upon
the night-air.

It needed no more. With a thief’s instinct,
he sought safety in flight, distorting his figure
and contorting his face as he flashed a glance
backward, already preparing an alibi in case
he should elude his pursuer.

The rescuer sprung after him, but as suddenly
checked the impulse. ,

A faint moan, hardly louder than a breath,
came from the gutter in which the assaulted
man was lying.

“It looks botchy, but I’ll know who to ask
into my parlor if it comes to that. Just
now—

He was facing the dark alley, and his preter-
naturally keen senses warned him of life and
motion in that quarter. With catlike activity
hesprung aside and forward at the same mo-
tion, his right hand drawing a pistol from about
his middle. ‘

He caught sight of a bent figure shamblin
down the alley, and though another secon
blended that shadow with others, the interval
was long enough for hand and e e to act in con-
cert; Mace Wilson was cover by that grim

 

muzzle, and a simple contraction of that finger
would have wiped out his earthly score for all
time.

, The action was purely instinctive, and such
as only a natural-born snap-shot can make; an
instance of the body acting more swiftly than
the brain, for the weapon was lowered undis-
charged the instant its holder saw that the foot-
pad was in full flight.

“ (to it, ye crimilc!”he muttered, with a dis-
gust that was not entirely impersonal. “ And
I thought I’hit you fair!”

The revolver vanished from sight, and the
man turned to bend 0Vcr the prostrate figure in
the gutter, pausing to flash a quick glance
down the street as a well~known sound came to
his cars.

It was like the echo of that trilling whistle
which had so startled Pony Keefe and his com-
panion in crime, but a few seconds earlier.

“ ‘ When this cruel war is over!’ " softly
whistled the geod Samaritan, not deigning to
answer the signal just then, though he caught
sight of its maker hastening up the car—track,
club or. pistol drawn. “Beg pardon for dis-
turbing your Siesta, my dear sir, but—I really
thought those rascals were ficughs of the first
water!"

If the policeman was rather late in putting in
an appearance, he was apparently gifted with
more than ordinary keenness of vision, for while
still some little distance off he swung forward
his pistol-hand and cried out sternly:

“ Throw up your hands, or ,I’ll turn ye into a
riddle!” ,

“Consider them up. partner,” coolly re nd-
ed the other, without t ing the trouble to turn
his eyes in that direc ion. “Just play we’ve
gone through the whole programme, and lend
me a hand with this gentleman. will you?”

“ Who is he? Who are you ?” demanded the
official, advancing, but with weapon still cover-
ing that dark spot. “Who blew that whistle?
If you— Steady, my covey!”

“While the grass is growing, the horse is
starvin !” laughed the stranger, but with a
touch 0 impatience in his tones as he added:
“ And while you’re playing Recorder, this poor
devil may be losing his grip on life! A dead
man on your beat, officer! ‘hat would hardly
win on a step, would it?” ’

“ f I run you in—”

“That would be the last feather, surely!”
with a short, hard laugh, as he rcse erect, both
hands ab0ve his head as he strode toward the
officer, adding curtly: “ Don’t make me ‘ pull’
you my dear fellow. The chief told me I
might look for aid and backing in his force, but
if this isa fair sample, I reckon I’ll play alone
hand from now on."

He step d out where the rays of the full
moon cou d strike his face and broad bosom,
then 0 ened his coat 'sufilciently to show a gold—
en ba ge pinned over his heart.

The policeman started, his armed hand drop-
ping quickly, his manner changing with almost
udicrousabruptness.

“Is it—you are—”

“Dan Dunn, at your service, sir,” was the
curt interjection.

“ I beg pardon, sir,” muttered the humbled
officer, hanging his head for a moment. “ It
was so dark, and I only saw—”

“ Drop—it. See what can be done for the
tleman will you i”

Dan Dunn turned about and once more bent
over the unfortunate in the gutter. But the
gloom where he lay was too great for anything
ike a .satisfactor examination, and without a
seeming effort he ifted the figure in his arms,
bearing it out across the car-track, depositing
it where the full light of the moon fell upon

gen-

11:.

‘A handsome face, despite the twin streaks of
blood which trickled from the gashes cut by
that ugly implement in the muscular grip of
Pony Keefe, and the policeman uttered a sound
of mingled pity and indignation as he bent over

it.

“ You know him, then?” asked Dan Dunn,
with something peculiar in his own tones as his
keen e ed scanned that facs.

“ Li 9 a book, sir,” was the prompt response.
“ It’s Berry Barfort, as white a lad as ever trod
the streets of St. J o! If he’s croaked— W40
~slugged him? I’d rather run them in than will
the badge Chief Crodor wears this night I”

“ They didn’t stop to leave their cards with
me,” dryly responded Dan Dunn, kneeling be-
side the still unconscious man, his trained fin-
gers passing rapidg yet thoroughly over the
lacerated scalp. “ ot so bad asi might have
been!” with an air of relief as Barfort shud-
dered and gave a feeble moan. “ N o bones
broken, and— Lend a hand. partner, and we’ll
get him down to the Pacific House.”

“ Wouldn’t it be best to take him to his
boarding- lace ~‘ It’s only a few blocks up-
street, an -—”

“ And less than half as for to,the hotel,” curt-
ly interrupted the other. “ I prefer to take him
there, unless you serious] object.” .

Therewas no reply to t is bit of sarcasm, and
between them they lifted Berry Barfort to his
feet, all the easier that the young man was
ginning to recover his consciousness.

 
 
  

3

CHAPTER II.
RENA COVENTRY AND DR. DAI‘RMm.

“YOU are cruelly tyrannical, Dr. Dairmid!
What right have you to deny ine admission to
the chamber of my father? Stand aside, sir,
and permit me to pass!”

Instead, the man caught the white hands
which would have brushed him aside had they
the power, holding them firm] , his dark eyes
filled with a smoldering fire t at flatly belied
the forced calmness of his tones:

“You are the cruel onc, Miss Coventry;
cruelly unjust to one who Would make a carpet
of his heart for your little feet to trample
over.”

Rena Coventry tried to break that grasp, her
blue eyes flashing through the tears which she
had been shedding before the the entrance of
lthis, her jailer, as she had begun to regard
iim.

“Must I add ruffian, as well, Dr. Dairmid?
Unhand me, sir!”

“ I can bear even that better than share your
unavailing grief, Rena," he uttered, joining
both of her wrists in one of‘his strong white
hands, passing his freed arm about her waist
despite her aversive shrinking and leading her
back to the chair which she had abandoned at
his entrance. “And Share it I must if I allow
you to rush into his presence without warning.
The shock would surely kill him!”

“ll'i‘thout warningr” and there was bitter
sci r.i in her voice, for the moment overmaster-
ing all other emotions. “those fault Would
that be? Who has kept me all these bitter long
hours from my poor father’s bedside? Who—
who but you ?”

With gentle force Dr. Dairmid placed the
maiden in the deep eas -chair, standing before
her, his hands behind is back, but in such a
p sition that she could not rise to her feet with-
0 his permission. ‘

His dark eyes met hers without flinching. His
strong face was (pale, but it was habitually
without color. nly the reddish glow in his
large dark eyes told how strong were his emo—
tions just then.

A few called Dr. Dairmid handsome. Many
termed him fine-looking, and they were the
nearest correct.

In hight he was little if any above the average
of his sex, and at a passing glance he seemed
even/shoter, thanks to his unusually dpowerful
build. His shoulders were broad an square.
His chest deep and round, with great lung
power. His body full, but with only a suspicion
of portliness; that might come with advancing
years, but as yet had no more than cast its sha-
dow before. His limbs were very muscular,
though there was nothing in them to justify the
idea of clumsiness.

His hair, worn a little longer than common,
and inclined to curl at the end, was thick and
fine, black as the wing of a. raven. His beard
would probably have shown the same lustrous
hue, had be permitted itto grow. As it was,
his smoothly—shorn cheeks, his firm lip,'and
slightly-cleft chin had a peculiar bluish tinge,
showing beneath the healthful pallor which was
one of his marked characteristics.

His face is not so easy to describe, though an
enumeration of his different features might
be readily made. It was a face which one will
see oftenest in the Roman priesthood: not
among the higher ranks, but in remoter
parishes, and among the younger members of
that order. .

Not that Dr. Dairmid was either a Catholic
or a priest;there was little of religion and less
of saintliness in his composition, as after events
will prove; but such was the impression he al-
most invariably left with a stranger, after a
first meeting.

Whether unconsciously or not,his garb added
to this impression. Of somber black, fitting his
flguresnugly, the coat buttoninglbigb, and the
vest beneath it covering all save is narrow col-
lar. The material was fine, even costly, but
somehow the garb added to his priesth appear-
ance, even among those who best new his
every-day life.

Rena Coventry knew somethirgof this, and ‘
it only added loathing to the half-fear that
burned in her blue eyes. still bright andlustn'ous
despite the ma . tears she had shed of late.

A perfect bonde, as Dr. Dairmid was a
com lete brune, Miss Coventr was more than x
fine cokingzshe was beautifu , as even her 0“ n
sex had’ long since b n forced to admit, 11; se-

cret if not with open ess.

Her form was as perfect usher face was love-
«ly; tall, queenly, just escaping the charge of
voluptuousness in its developmi at.

Her dress was a plain traveling costume of
simple y, as though she had but recently ar—
rived rom a long Jour ey, for its folds were
rumpled and creased, Wit signs 0‘ travel.

“ And why have I done this. Rena?” demand-
ed Dr) Dairmid, the glow in his eyes deepening,
a faint smile disturbing his red lips.

“ Why—I ask that once more, you cruel
monster !” flashed the maiden, starting for~
ward, only to shrink back from his proximity.
“ Why am I denied admittance to fny poor fa-

 

ther? Why have you he 1: me. here by force,
when—and you say he is i ——ill unto death I”

\

. 4

1- . o , ,
‘7‘...“ 3, r u" “.-

   

~

    

'.

 
 

The Soft-Hand’s Clutch.

3

 

 

Her voice choked, and her flushed face paled
again as it bowed forward upon her hands. The
hot tears trickled through her slender fingers,

 

l
l

force me to give you my secret reason for keep-
ing you so long from the side of your sick
parent. I have done this at his express com—

trembling like melting jewels with the emotion { inand. and—”

which agitated her hands, before falling into
herlap.

Again that faint, puzzling smile ilitted across
the lips of the doctor, but instantly vanished,
to leave his face colder, graver than before.

. And his voice was absolutely without emotion

,.

as he added:

“ He is ill. Ill even unto death, as you say,
Miss Coventry. And in saying so much, you
are answering your Own questions.”

“ And you speak falsely in saying so!” flashed
the girl. lifting her head to meet his steady
gaze. “Who should be with_him, if not his
only child? W'ho could—let me go to papa! I
will go!”

Swift as thought those white, powerful hands
shot forward and clasped her wrists as Rena
sought to push him aside. Firmly he held
them, preventing her from rising as he spoke
more rapidly:

“You shall go—but not right now, Rena.
You shall see him but it must be when and how
I determine. my dear child.”

“ You? Who gave you the right to say must
and shall to me? \Vhat right have you to—"

“ The best of rights, Miss Coventry,” with a
half smile and slight inclination of his head.
"‘As your honored parent’s physician, who holds
himself accountable for his restoration to health
.and strength.”

“ You are not—where is Doctor Garfield?”

“ In attendance upon such of his patients as
still place confidence in his treatment, let us
hope,” with another fleeting smile. “ N o doubt
your father will explain his reasons for making
such a change.”

“ There will be another change, as soon as I
do see him, sir!”

“True; and for the worse, unless you can
command your feelings far more perfectly,
Miss Coventr ,” was the swift retort, his tones
growing bar or and colder, despite the deepen-
ing glow in his great eyes. “ It is this extreme
excitability of yours which must excuse my
keeping you so long from the bedside of your
honored parent. As his phys1cian—”

“.You claim the right to keep me a prisoner
:in in own house all this time?”

“ ven longer, if I believe the cause exists,”
with a cold b0w. “ I hoped to lead you to your
father this evening, but I shall not do so until
you have far better control of your nerves, Miss
Coventry.”

Rena sunk back into her chair, shivering,
with a fresh dread of this strange being. She
had only disliked, hated, loathed him before,
but now she was beginning to actually fear
him.

Standing as before, with hands lightly clasped
‘behind his back, his dark orbs fixed steadily
upon her changing countenance, Doctor Dair-
mid added, in cold, measured accents:

“ I make no attempt to deny your charges,
Miss Coventry. I_ freely admit that I have
ruled you with a rod of iron ever since you
reached this, your saddened home, yester even-

.mg.

“ Why? By what right—”

“ The right of a physician who is fighting
hand to hand with im death l”was the swift
response. " The rig t granted me when Knox
Coventry called me in to save him from death,
.if mortal skill could avail l"

“ He’is my father-I could not harm him—my
leve—’

“ It is part of my duty to see that you do not
harm him, by lessenin his chance of rall ing
from the shock, Miss oventry. And, unp eas-
=ant as you insist on making this part of in
duty, I am not to be driven from that stem -
point. If I see that you can be trusted to—”

“ I will be calm. I will not even utter a
word. Only permit me to go to my poor, dear

father 1”

She uttered the words with enforced compos-
ure, and thou h the doctor smiled slightly, he
quietly signed is negation.

“ Your eyes belie your tongue my dear child,
and I begin to fear that I shall have to keep
you on probation for yet another night. I dare
not run too greata risk.”

Rena turned pale as a corpse, but a hot light
leaped into her eyes.

‘ You dare not—you shall not do that!" she
exclaimed, passion struggling through her en-
forced composure. “ I have borne with your
insolent assumption of authority too long as it
is. I will bear no more.”

“May I ask what you intend doing, dear
child 1” '

“Claiming my rights! I mean to see my
father, with or without your permission! I
have waited too long as it is. Now—permit me
to pass on to my father’s chamber, or I will
send for an ofiicer of the law to protect me in
my rights 1” '

“Bid your messenger fetch a deaf officer,
then, Miss Coventry,” he bowed, his dark eyes

ow.
‘3“ What do you mean by that sir?”

“ You force me to say what Ihoped to avoid,
Miss Coventry,” more coldly than ever. “ You

if Kw- :'¥.,:r  -.

l

 

t. “ You are falsifying, sir i” with swift indigna-
ion.

“ I am telling you the simple truth. Your
father. as he felt his brain yielding anew, begged

; me with tears in his eyes to keep you out from

his chamber; away from even the sound of his
voice while his delirium lasted, lest you hear—
[Must I go on, Miss Coventry?”

With a new, strange fear stinging her heart,
Rena gazed pantingly into that dark, emotion-
less countenance. Never before had she so fully
realized its icy pOWer. Never before had she so
utterly feared this man as in those fleeting mo-
ments.

“ I do not believe—I will not believe your foul
insinuations 1" she managed to utter, though she
hardly recognized her own voice.

“ I regret that fact, M iss Coventry, even more
than you will regret it in a few minutes more,”
was the grave response. “ It makes open speech
necessary, where I had hoped to preserve a dis-
creet silence.

"In all I have done, I have acted strictly in
accordance with the instructions your father
gave me when he first felt that his brain was
about to fail him. He made me swear to keep
you apart from him no matter how long his de—

irium might last. e bade me see that you did
not even approach his chamber until he himself
gave permission; and not even then unless I felt

ully assured that he could bear that meeting
without again losing control of his powers of
mind. He even went so far as to swear that he
would rather die without seeing you than to run
even the remotest risk of having you learn from
his wild ravings what he knew he must, sooner
or later, tell on of his own volition.”

“ You are ying—I do not—I will not believe
you i” panted the maiden, hardly conscious of
the words she uttered, and feeling a terrible
pain at her heart; for, though she denied, she
could not keep from believing, in part, at least.

“ I know it is hardly considered polite to con-
tradict a lidy, even for her own good,” sli htly
smiled Dr. Dairmid, “ but in this case am
part] justified. You do believe. How can you

elp ut believe?” with a sudden warmth in his
voice and manner that caused, the poor girl to
shrink still deeper into the easy—chair. “ Un-
less I had some such great and urgent reason,
would I dare keep you—as you curtly put it—a
prisoner in your own house? “’ould I dare,
even for the good of my patient, restrain you
from the side of our sick parent? I might feel
I ought to do so ut I could not stand in your
path. ' Only such an excuse would justify me;
only to keep you from learning from his raving
lips that your father even now shivers under
the shadow of the scaffold 1”

CHAPTER III.
THE POWER or LIFE OR DEATH.

VERY im ressive was the voice with which
Dr. Dairmi pronounced these words, and some-
thing of pity shone in his dark eyes and showed
itsel in his swarthy face as those blue eyes
gazed incredulously up at him. Only for a
single breath; then Rena Coventry s rung to
her feet and flung her weight against him, t -
inglto escape, her indignation breaking forth

ot : ’
‘_‘ You dare! You? My father under— Oh,
this is too much!”

For a moment the doctor, strong though he
was, was staggered, but quickly rallying, his
hands closed upon the maiden’s shoulders, push-
ing her back once more into her seat.

“ Not for my patience, where your welfare is
concerned, Miss Coventry,” he said, purposely
mistaking her meaning, his countenance graver,
more serious than ever as he firml met her
scorching gaze. “Not for the life 0 your fa-
ther, which you are madly menacing by giving
way to such wild emotions."

‘ I will go to him—I will tell him all you have
so foull accused him of—”

“ An thereby insure his madness or death?”

The poor girl shivered, shrinking back as far
as possible, yet unable to remove her eyes from
those lowing orbs.

Dr. airmid saw this, and for a brief space
appeared to take pleasure in exercising his mag—
netic power; but then he smothered the glow,
and briefly veiling his eyes, broke the spell.
With a faint moan Rena Cowntry bowed her

 

 

head, once more weak and trembling with fear, 5
though in her heart she kept denying that hor— :

riny base and foundless charge.

Under the shadow of the gallows! Her fa-
ther! Noble, true. loving, generous, kingly
finpx Coventry? It was a lie! Worse than a
ie.

“ It is almost as hard for me to s eak the
words as it can be for you to hear t em, my
dear child,” he added, In Softer, more kindly
tones. “ Only the sternest necessity could make
me give them utterance, at this moment: though,
worse luck! I have long known the time must
surely come when the bitter black past must be
laid bare before your eyes.”

“ I will never believe such foul slander,” said
Rena, lifting her head and steadily meeting his
keen, half-startled gaze. “ I know you are ly-
ing throughout, when you dare accuse Knox
Coventry of crime. I swear that the time shall
come when you will repent of this. But now—
I demand once more to be ermitted to o to
the bedside of my father. do not ask; de-
mand it as my right. Do you still deny me?”

Dr. Dairmid hesitated a dark flush slowly
creeping over his strong ace, a perplexed look
coming into his eyes as he stood before the pale,

)roud woman, pinching his lower lip nervous-
ly between his thumb and forefinger.

“ Because, if you still deny me, I will try my
utmost to alarm the servants,” added Rena,
pushing back her chair so that she could arise
without coming into actual contact with his
person. “ Unless you have also exerted your
authority in that direction, I think I can trust
them to protect the ri hts of their mistress.”

Dr. Dairmid bowed is head in token of sub-
mission, though he made no attempt to clear
the way as he slowly uttered:

“I have done my duty Miss Coventry, as far
as you would permit. have only to warn you
that any unusual excitement may kill our fa-
ther outright, or else send him back to unacv.”

He said no more, for Rena Coventry was not
listening to him. She brushed her skirt aside
as she darted past him to the door, only to reoriil
with a little cry as it swung open to reveal a.
tall, dark figure standing on the dimly-lighted
threshold.

The figure of a woman-tall and supple in
build, sober] dressed, with a cap of Some soft
gray materia on her head, and glasses over her
e es.
y“ The patient is asking for you, doctor,” this
woman uttered, in low, yet peculiar] harsh
tones, giving no signs of seeing the mai en.

“ He is no worse, nurse?” hastily asked the
physician. ‘

“ Better, I think. He also asked if his daugh—
ter was read to visit him. What word. shall I
ca back, octor?"

“ y that we are both coming, nurse,” quick-
ly added the doctor, as he moved forward and
gently but firmly restrained Rena from spring-
in past that almost ghostly figure. “ For his
sa e, I beg of you, Rena!”

The nurse bowed stiffiy, then turned away.
Dr. Dairmid said:

“ Pardon me. if I have not sinned beyond all
forbearance, Miss Coventry. cu bear with
you the power of life or death, remember! And
for the last time I must remind you that unless
you can retain your composure, I shall consider
myself justified in using force to keep you from
the bedside of m patient.”

“ He is my fat er.”

If she could go through to the end with as
much composure as she was now exhibiting; but
that Dr. Dairmid knew was impossible.

“ Do your best, my dear child,” he murmur-
ed, givin her an arm as he slowly paced along
the corri or leading to the sick chamber at the
opposite side of the great house. “ Prepare

ourself to receive a great shock, though his
grace is not nearly so badly distorted as at first.
And I he to remove all tracesin a short time,
unless—i you are as true and lovinga daughter
as I’ve been led to believe.” _

A curious termination, one would think, but
however much Rena Coventry might have mar-
veled at another time, she ave no sign now.
Possibly the never caught t 9 meaning of his
words.

Now that the last obstacle to seeing her fa-
ther seemed removed, she had thoughts for no-
ing outside of that. All else was banished from
her mind.

It had been such a strange home—coming! I

A telegram had reached her in St. Louis,
where she was visiting a school-girl friend, bid-
ding her return by the first train, as her father
was seriously ill. Nothing more definite than
that. And quickly as was the distance between
the two river cities covered, the interval was
one of almost unbroken torture.

Her love for Knox Coventry was all the more
intense from his being her only survivmg

.arent, and cold, stern, methodical as all his

usiness associates found him. the now retired
merchant had never turned a hard or unpleas-
ant side toward her: the y were more like brother
and sister. than father and daughter.

She was met at the Union Depot by Dr. Dair-

Dr.Dairmid apparentlyread her thoughts, for mid, who hastily evaded her first questions,

he gravely added :

‘ Would I dare utter the words if they had
no foundation in truth, Miss Coventr ! Would
I so vilely perjure myself, simply to 9 covered
with shame and confusion the moment you suc-
ceeded in gaining speech with your parent?
No!, I admit that I am mad—or so on would
term it, no doubt l-but I am perfect y sane on
this point.

A . .i  .

hurrying her into the carriage which bore them
to the Coventry Place, on South Ninth street.
And when the building was entered, and she
was eager to reach her father’s bedside, it was
only to find herself restrained, kept alm0st a
prisoner in her own chamber, denied all access
to her loved one, until it seemed as though her
overtasked brain must surely give way to that
terrible anxiety.

, a. .

0

-M“---~:.g~ and. .

4

The Soft-Hand‘s Clutch.

 

 

 

That was more than four-and-twonty hours

a roi

gAn age of fear, of haunting doubts, of angry
rebellion against the man who dared deny her
admission to her suffering parent.

To all, but the one answer: wait!

Only her maid, Clara Sand s, could be in-
duced to give her any positive nforination; and
Clara apparently knew so very little!

Only that Knox Coventry had been stricken
with ;paralysis an hour before that imperative
telegram was sent after his daughter. Only
that their old family physician, Dr. Garfield,
had been changed in favor of Dr. Dairmid.
Only that the poor old gentleman was fright-
full changed in face-—“a sight to see, miss!”
as lara soobin ly declared.

And now—at ust she was to see him!

She was just thinking this as Dr. Dairmid
checked her at the very door of the sick—cham-
ber, taming her pale face to the ball lamp,

azing keenly, almost harshly into her eyes, as
he murmured:

“ Remember!
death in our hands, Miss Coventry!
her—all epends upon you, no w l”

“ He is my father,” was the sole response, as
Rena twisted her arm from his fingers and
quickly opened the door.

There was only a dim light in the sick-cham-
ber, but its rays were sufficient to reveal that
gray—almost white—head lying a ainst the
snowy illows. Only so much, at rst, for a
white c oth was partly crossing the face of the
sufferer, concealing nearly all else, aided by the
long, patriarchal beard.

But at the sound of the opening door, slight
though that was, the patient made a movement
that caused the cloth to slip down, and Rena
gave a quick, gasping breath of pain as she
caught a glimpse of the gainfully contorted
face, the right side of whic was drawn askew.

“Remember!” whis red Dr. Dairmid in her
ear, as she briefi receiled, inexpressibly shocked
by that awful c ange in the handsome face she
loved so passionate! .

“ Father—my dar ing!” the maiden softly ut-
tered, gliding forward and droppin to her
knees b the low bed, tenderly touc ing her
blanche lips to that distorted cheek.

“ Rena—forgive—pray for me !”huskilygasped
the patient.

Despite her terrible struggle for composure,
a low, choking sob rose in her throat, and her
head bowed upon the cover. Dr. Dairmid
caught her arm, almost an rily repeating his
warning word, but it won] have been better
had he acted less promptly.

That touch, that voice, that hot breath 11 11
her cheek, reminded the poor girl of all she ad
suffered of late, and with an almost fierce ges-
ture she shook off that hand and faced him with
flashing eyes.

“ Touch me again at your perii, Dr. Dairmid!
You have gone too far—you have overloaded
my atience!” .

‘ on are endangering the life of my patient
by__”

“ Your patient? Yours no longer, sir i” and
Rena proudly faced the hysician, waving him
back with one comman ing hand. “ You are
discharged from this instant. I will send for
our own family physician, and—”

A hollow groan from the sick man out her
short, and Rena turned to see the nurse lightly
hiding his painful] distorted face from view
with the white clot . As she did so her free
hand pushed the den hter back as she leaned
forward, her tones co d and harsh, though so
low: .

“ You are risking his life, miss. I must pro-
test, as his nurse, against such rash disputes in
his presence."

“Don’t—don’t anger—him, .pet!” came bro-
kenly from the sick man. “ Pity—have mercy,
Dairmid!”

Rena. stood like one dazed, turning paler than
ever as she distinguished these broken words.
What did it mean? \Vhat could it mean?

Her proud. haughty parent begging mercy of
such a man as this?

“ You can take your hour now, Martha Pro
vest,” coldly remarked the doctor, turning to
the nurse, who silentl courtesied in response
and as noiselessly le t the chamber. ‘ And
you, my dear sir, may rest assured that your
prayer shall be granted, provided' Miss Coven-
t will permit me to make my word good.
M 35 Coventry?”

Rena started, brushing a hand painfully
across her brows, but though she looked toward
him, it may be doubted whether she so much as
saw his face just ,then. For the moment she
was completely dazed, utter] bewildered.

What frightful power di this man wield
over Knox Coventry?

“More than once you have questioned orgy
rightto be here, Miss Rena Coventry. I h -
tsted to tell you whyI came; why I am still
here; but now I tell you that I came and re-
main because I alone of all the men in this
world can cure your father! 1 alone can bring
him back to life and health! I alone can restore
him to life, or—”

“Or what i" mechanically murmured the
frightened maiden, as the physician paused,

You hold the power of life or
ltemem-

,n

 

with a cold, hard, merciless smile upon his
ips .
“ Or send him to the gallows!”

CHAPTER IV.
DR. DAIRMID TIGHTENS ms GRIP.

“ SPARE her, if you can show no mercy to me,
Dairmid!” hoarsely panted the 810k man, caus-
ing the cloth to drop down upon his silvery
heard as he moved his head painfully.

Although his words were directed to the man;
his eyes—-one so full of love, of remorse, of hor-
ror, the other almost closed by the contracting
muscles of that side of his face—were turned
upon the white, frightened face of his daughter.
And, with a sobbing cry, Rena fell upon her
knees at his side, her arms about his form, her
check lovingly pressed to his, her tears dampen-
ing his pillow as she sobbed :

‘ I will not—he lies! Say that I may order
him away, father!”

Knox Coventry only lowered his lids, moan-

 

 

ing piteously. And as she heard this, a cold, '
sickening dread began to fill the heart of the ‘

poor girl. Why did he not join in her passion—
ate denial of that base calumny? Why did he
not give her permiSsicn to have the :crvnnts
eject this abominable villain from the house?

Even then With all those questions unanswer-
ed, the lovai daughter would not yield to con-
viction. "ven then her love was proof against
all doubts of her father’s perfect honor.

“I will po~the instant Knox Coventry bids
me (is art.”

Col , measured, emotionless came the words.
Dr. Dairmid stood with lightly folded arms,
gazing from one face to the other. just the
ghost of a smile playing about his strong
mouth.

Quietly as he spoke, Ren'i's heart sunk lower
than if he had broken out into fiercest defense.
Des 'ite her lo alty, she felt that he must have
imp icit belie in his own power, baseless though
it would prove when all was made clear. And
yet—

“ Don’t—don’t anger him, Renal” huskily
breathed the invalid.

“ Then I am to stay, Knox Coventry?”

“ Sta —-but have mercy!”

“ An you, Miss Coventry?” mercilessly per-
sisted the doctor. still in that cold, mechanical
tone of voice, much as though' a machine was
articulating the words. “.Do you still com-
mand me to leave your presence and your
house? Shall I go—to send a substitute?”

There was no response. Rena still clasped
the trembling form of her father in her arms,
still pressed her cheek to his; but her eyes were
closed, and there was a. horrible grip tightening
upon her heart. It seemed as though she must

rish under it and fora brief space she felt
Egrself hoping that the end might come thus.

For she could no- longer doubt, though her
love seemed but increased by that terrible con-
viction. If that merciless villain was 1 ing, as
she had so loyally maintained, woul Knox
Coventry ask for mercy; while bidding the man
who so deeply insulted im stay?

For a little while Dr. Dairmid was silent, as
well, intently watching his victims, as though
wishing to make sure his victory was complete
before taking another step. Then he deftly re-
sumed his professional manner and voice, gent-
ly touching Rena on the shoulder:

“ You are undoing all my skill has wrought,
so far, dear child, and though I can, as a phy-
sician, make all due allowwce for a daughter’s

rief and anxiety over a loved parent, I must
insist on your controlling yourself better, under

unity of banishing you from the sick-room.
You agree with me, trust, Mr. Coventry?”

“ An thin , only—get it over quickly!” pant-
sd the nvalifi.

'With a noiseless step, Dr. Dairmid brought
an easy-chair from a corner, placing it a little
distance from the bed, but in such a position
that father could see daughter without the ef-
fort of turning his head or eyes.

“ You will find it easier sitting than kneeling,
dear child,” he spoke softly, just touching) the
maiden on an arm with a finger-tip. “ O lige
me? For your father’s sake, remember.”

Rena shrunk from that touch, light as it was,
and clung still more closely to her father in II.
lent misery.

No words could fitly describe what she was
suffering just then, even while the first terrible
shock had in a measure benumbed her. And
thou h she fought against it with all her re-
main ng powers of mind. a hideous picture kept
floating before her: a gallows, such as she had
once noticed in a pa r, but with her idolized
parent standing in t 0 place of the wretched
criminal. Wit horrible clearness she could
distinguish his every feature. And in his eyes
wasa terrible reproach ' they seemed to be say-
in his death must lie at her door!

ind grinning over the shoulder of her father
was the itiless face of Dr. Dairmid, the death—
hood in is hands, hovering above the head of
the doomed man. And from his lips seemed to
come the words:

“Under the shadow of the gallows! And you
could have taken him away from a shameful
death to complete safety!”

Dr. Dairmid drew back, forcing a smile, but

’1"   
" .,s‘-«‘ Ht, “I
a: ‘1‘”- .. L- a... . it

 

with his darkeyes filling once more with that
ugl reddish light. He had thought the Victory
a1 ut won. Was it all to do over? W'as he to
be bathed in the end by this weak Woman?

“IVill you add your wishes to mine, Mr.
Coventry?” he coldly uttered. “Will you beg
your loving daughter to be seated? You are
suffering too much i‘or—”

“I am in Hades!”hoarsely uttered the sick
man, turning his face away from both daughter
and enemy. “ Go, Rena, pet! Do not anger
him—for my sake, if not for your own i”

Stunned, stupcfled, feeling like one shut out .

from all light now that her father turned from
her of his own accord, the poor girl rose blindly
to her feet. Yet she shrunk from the guiding
touch of the doctor, even brushing his white
hand aside, then sinking inertl into the chair.

Though the invalid had spo en with greater
force and clearness than at any time since that
painful interview began, Dr. Dairinid bent over
him with undisguised anxiety. He tested his
pulse, then pon ed out a few drops into a spoon,
gently urging (.oveniry to swallow the dose.

“ Is it poison, curse you!” almost fiercely
panted the sick man, but turning lis ltead fill’i
taking the potion, muttering huskin as he drew
the cloth once more about his marred cheek : “ I
almost wish it was l”

Dr. Dairmid ventured a low, soft laugh, then
said, smoothly]:

“ Another and than mine must offer it,
then, dear sir. You are far too valuable a.
patie’nt for me to wantonly lose you—just
yet!

There was a sudden and ugly change as he
added those two little words, and with a ho!-
low groan Knox Coventry shrunk deeper into
bed. It needed no more than that to prove
how completel this cold-blooded schemer had
drawn him in his power.

The doctor turned toward Rena, folding one
arm, his hand supporting an elbow fingering
his under lip, a favorite attitude of his. She
felt his steady gaze, but Would not lift her
eyes to meet it. They were fixed almost pita-
ously upon the half-hidden countenance of the

sick man.

“ What shall I say to you, Rena?” the doctor
uttered, at length, his tones grave, almost sad,
it seemed. “ It is hard enough at the best, and
you are making it still harder. Have you no

it i”
P “yAnd you?” asked Rena, her tear-dimmed
eyes flashing vividly as they met his for an in-
stant.

“ I am pitying—myself,” with a little bow,
and a faint smile that was hidden by his white
hand. “ After all, it must be told, and waiting
longer will hardly make the truth any more

alatable to either of us three. Did you speak,

r. Coventry?"

It was only a smothered groan of pain or men—
tal agony. It was not repeated, and Dr.
Dairmid resumed in a colder, less emotional

tone:

“ It will hardly be all news to you, Rena
Coventry, since you are a woman, with all a
woman’s insight and instincts. I love you !”

It was a. confession in rfect keeping with all
that had«gone before. old, hard, emotionless.
Not the faintest indication of the volcanic fire
which lay smoldering fiercely, ominous] under
that cruh of trained composure. nly a
slightly deepened glow in those big black eyes;
nothing more.

Rena Coventry shivered as the words smote
upon her ears. Love? And that iceblooded
monster? It was worse than profanation of a
holy term!

“ You have it all in those three little words,
Rena,” still in that cold, measuredtone of voice.
“I love you! A single breath is sufficient to.
give them birth, but an eternit would be all
too short in which to complete y define what
they mean, to me.”

“ And I—hate you even more intensely than
I despised you at first sight !” flashed the maid-
en, with sudden energy. “ I loathe you!” and
she sunk back into her chair again with a.
shiver as a. faint moan came from the bed of the.
invalid.

.Dr. Dairmid never fiinched. He even smiled
slightly as though rather pleased than other—
W188 a havmg aroused her even thus far.

“ And I—have loved you as man seldom
has loved before, ever since we first met each
other,” be evenly resumed. “I fought a inst
it until I saw how fruitless that was. told
myself that I was worse than an idiot to couple
love and myself together. even in my dreams. I
knew that you more than disliked me. I be-
lieved that you hated me. I was too proud to
even think of being despised; no one worth call-
ing a man can ever fall so low as that!

‘If anything could havesaved me,the knowl-
edge that your heart was given to another man
must have done so. But that knowledge only
seated my love more deeply, only made me-
think and plot and ponder the more rsistently
to displace or undermine Berry Ba ort in your
aflections. You see,” with a short, hard laugh,
as Rena covered her face with her hands,“ I am
sparing myself as little as I am ring you.

“And why should I spare eit or!” with the
first approach to powerful emotion in his voice

i

 

 

0A....

‘4‘? ,

 

 

 *M-_

.4»...

-.. ~x. .-.. «g...

 

...._.-—

 

5' the half-laughing policeman.

The Soft-Hand’s Clutch. 5

 

 

as he took a single step nearer the cowering
maiden his hands reaching toward her as

l
I

though longing to clasp her form tightly to his  _
heavmg chest. “W'hy should 1 keep on the fist. “You haven‘t forgotten them,1f you have

mask which I have forced myself to wear
1hrough all these months? Why must I keep
myself before your eyes as a block a stone, 0.
Tnere image of a man, instead of sE’owing you
how hotly the blood leaps through my veins?

“ {on Coventry, I love you! I would tear
Lhe heart out of my breast and lay it throbbing
1 t your feet to spam, if by so doing I could
make you believoin my love! I Would rather
die than cause you the slightest pang of pain,
or_”

He stopped short as the maiden lifted her
face, gazing steadily into his flushed counte-
nance. There was such intense scorn in her
eyes, and though never a syllable crossed hvr
lips, he could only too rcadily interpret her
meaning.

Only for a single breath did his confusion last.
Then he was once more his former self, cold,
emotionless, a man of marble so far as outward
seeming went.

“ Yet I am simply uttering the truth, mydear
child, though you believe it not. I do not blame
you so much, after what has transpired since
your bclovul parent’s stroke. 1 have given you
pain, but not because pain was my own choice;

i
l

E
1

because ] could never hope to win and Wear you ‘

without.”

“ You .’ 1 would die ten thousand deaths, first!”

Dr. Dairmid permitted the ghost of a smile to
flit across his swart face before replying:

“ Unfortunately, dear Rena, it is not your
own life or death that hangs in the balance. I
belie-:0 you would die—Women are curious crou-
tures, after all! But- what of your fut/101‘?”

“You dare not harm him, even if you have
the power," retortcd Rena, trying nony to
maintain her steadiness, but with poor success.
“Even, do I say? You have no such powcrl
You are lying, from first to last!”

“Harsh words from such sweet lips, little
woman,”returned llairmid. softly. “Lips that
should (1031 no blows harder than kisses; utter
..o sounds more harsh than sighs of love! And
I have faith to believe that the day is coming
when what I just uttered in clumsy jest sl all
prove sweetest earnest. I believe 1 can make
\‘ou love me, even as I love you, my angel. And
l'or'snch a delicious reward, I am content to
wait and labor. I will give you time to consult
your father bc-fore I come back for the answer
Wlll('ll is to send me to Paradise or that father—
;0 (‘rehcnna by the hempen route."

With a curt bow, he turned and left the sick-
chamber.

 

CHAPTER V.
A snar'r THAT BANKLED.

As Berry Barfort shewed unmistakable signs
of recovering his Scattered senses, Dan Dunn
signed for the liceman to take the part of ex-
planation on imself for the time being, the
detective slouching his hat and keeping his face
from the moonlight as much as possible without
too 0 en] betraying his intent.

This si ent order was pron ptly obeyed, for
the policeman seemed anxious to remove any
unfavorable impression which his earlier con-
duct might have made on the detective; a. fact
which spoke volumes for Dan Dunn, by the
way, for, as a rule, men of his guild and the
gentlemen of the locust are hardly to be classed
as brothers in love.

Vi'hatever purpose Dan Dunn may have had
in thus actin was foiled by the young fellow
whom he had saved from the clutches of the
night-hawks, who stubbornly objected to re—
traoing his steps down Francis street, in which
direction lay the Pacific Hotel.

“ I’m all right, officer,” he declared, with just
enough thickness of speech to brand him as par-
tially drunk, though thOSe heavy blows and
sub uent blood-letting bade fair to shortly
sober lim 011'. “I’m going home. Any man’s
liar that says I’m (2 run I Stubbed my toe on a
banana-skin, I tell you!”

 

“ What’s the last word from Eric Alvord and
his pretty wife, Berry i” added the detective,
with a soft laugh as he released that unclosing

me, suron .7"

“ David Tostivan l”

“Then, but no longer,” swiftly amended the
detective. “I’m just plain Dan Dunn to my

1 friend 5', and you two gentlemen are included in

that list, I trust?”

“ .iighty proud of the chance, sir,” nodded
the policeman.

“Thanks. I’ll look you up when off duty,
pardncr. Just now—will you take a little walk
with me, Barfort i”

“ To the world’s end, if you say so,” was the
prompt response.

“ Only as far as the Pacific. Good-night, ofii-
cer. If any fellow comes to ask your advice
owra broken pale, tell them to try a hair of
the same dcg, and direct them to Room 41, sec-
ond flocr, south!”

Dan Dunn lockedarms with Barfort, and the
two men walked down Francis strcet,to the
corner of Third, where stood tLe hctel at whi< h
the detective had a room. The policeman fol-
lowed thcm at a. respectful distance, to make
sure no further attempt was made by the ni ht-
hawks. But his servu‘es were not callcd or,
and as the two men ascendcd the steps under the
hcavy portico, he turned away to walk his boat
and kccp a watchful eye open for the twu thugs
who had dared insult him by ussailing a gentle—
man w1thiu his territory.

The hour was quite ate, and there were no
guestsin the office. Dan Dunn asked for his
key, passed a caicless word or two wiih the
night—cluk, then led Barfort up to his room,
performing all so cleverly that the blood-
marked face and disordered clothing of his
griend passed unobserved by the young man on

uty.

A few minutes later the twain were seated in
comfort, each with a lighted cigar, tak< n from
a. neatly-embroidered case which the detective
carelessly dropped on the white counterpane—a
fact of which he was hardly conscious at the
time, but which was destined to prove of strong
significance are the‘ end. -

Berry Barfort had washed his face and ar-
ranged his soiled garments. Dan Dunn had
deftly attendtd to the cuts in his scalp, pro-
nouncing them nothing serious, though he might
have to be careful about donnzng his silk hat for
a day or two.

“ hen it really was something more than a.
slip and a fall?” hesitated the young man, his
face flushing a bit as he added: “ I had a little
load on, you know, and—— \Vell, what’s the
odds?”

There was no immediate response. The de-
tective sat steadily gazin into the face of the
man whom he had save from robbery, if no
worse, his own countenance grave and almost
stern.

Under ordinary circumstances it was a face
pleasant to look upon, for Berry Barfort was a
more than ordinarily handsome man: but just
now he wove a gloomy, almost sullen ex-
pression, as though life had little worth battling

or.

A little above the medium hight, with a Well-
proportioned form, giving evidence of no mean
degree of muscular powers, yet not too heavily
built for activit '. His hair and thick mus-
taches were dar brown, almost chestnut in
color, but looking black in the gailight. His
eyes, now downcast and va‘led, Were of the
same hue, large, bright, lively as a rule. His
age was probably seven or eight-and-twenty.

As the policeman had intimated, he was head-
bookkeeper and cashier in a wholesale house on
Third stru t.

The man who was sitting opposite Barfort
also descrch more the n a passing notice.

Dan 1) arm hehad callcdhimself ;DavidTosti van
as Barfort had addressed him. lie was tall,
if full six feet tray be considered as such. His
broad shoulders, roundul chest, thin flanks.

long limbs and small extremitics, were thise of '

The policeman glanced toward the detective an athlete of the higher class, combining great

for further instructions, but none came imme-
diately. Dan _ _
lorry Barfort roughly jerked his arm free from
the officer’s grasp. A_sbflrp_pang from his
laccrated scalp gaw his buzzing brain a new
turn, and he seemed to suspect these men of
being enemies, sibly the thugs from whom
he had so recent y escaped.

“Aha l” and be aimed a blow at the face of
“You’re after

‘ the boodle I pulled out of Fatty Argyle, are ye?

.of cobwebs.
strange one, yet-—

Well, here’s your changc —— hot from the
mint!”

The policeman nimbly dodged the blow, and
Berry Barfort swung around to send its mate
at the second of his supposed assailants. Dan
caught the first in his hand, holding it powerless
while he pushed back the brim of his hat, baring
his handsome face to the'moonlight.

“ You don’t really want to slug me, Mr. Bar-
fort f" '

The young man stared, brushing his free
hand across his face as though to clear his brain
That face was not an altogether

l

 

strength, activity and endurance. His propor-

Dunn seemed irrcmlute, and I tions were just, therefore he was easy and

graceful in all his motions.

His features wore strong yct clear-cut and
regular; his skin smooth and pure as that of a
maiden, yet with a healthy tinge of the sun that
seemed to shine through his gold-yellow hair,
his mustache and im rial. His eyes are not so
readily described. ust now they seemed blue
as the summer sky. At other times they were
steel-gray. as hard, as cold and unyielding.

His garb was plain, of good material and
business-cut. He wr re no jewelry, beyond a
slendi r gold chain to his watch.

These two men had mct on only one occasion
before this night, to their knewledg . That
was in the sister city at the month of the Raw,
and at a certain Wedding which. as the more
important parties therein declared, would never
have coinaabout only for the good services of
Dan Dunn, the self-styled cowboy.

“ You asked about Eric Alvord,” abruptly
remarked Berr Barfort, with an evident ef-
fort to cast of! iis gloomy thoughts. “ He was
well, when last I saw him. So was his wife,

 

Linnet. They asked particularly about you;
had I seen you! Could I give them any idea
whither you had taken yourself! and only fore-
stalled me in asking the same questions.”

“ I owe thcm thanks for the remembrance.”
gravely responded the detective, a softer light
coming into his eyes for the moment. “ But if
I am to meet them soon, I trust they will not
ask me about you I”

Barfort flushed, his brows contracting, for he
could not mistake the meaning underlying this
speech. It stung him, coming from one who
was little more than a stranger.

“ Awfully cheeky, am I not?” with a faint
smile, leaning across the little table to gently
touch the arm of the other—a little action, but
it brought their eyes together. Barfort saw
only sincere regard in those of his rescuer,
and his own better nature assertcd itself, at
once.

“ I know what you mean, Dunn,” he said,
soberly. “ You think I’m going down hill, and
I don’t know but what you’re ri ht!”

“ Down brakes, pardner l” wit a soft laugh.
“If that won’t serve, try a rough-lock on each
wheel. It’s well worth the trouble, isn’t it?”

“ l’m not so mighty sure of that,” was the
glonmy response. “ I’m not so sure I’ll even
thank you for chipping in when those rascals
had me foul. It would have been over by
this!”

“ Don’t you think you’re trying to crowd all
eternity into a vrry small compass, pardncr?
0v: r—so far a 3 this life is Concerned, perhaps;
but is there nothing beyond?”

“ I know I’ve found my hell on earth,” was
the curt response.

“ 1 saw you in the ante-room,” adroitly shift-
ing grc und as he saw that he could make no im—
prcs~ ion, as yet, in the former direction.

“ You mean that you saw me at Argyle’sl"

Dan noddcd assent.

“ I saw you, and saw how keenly you clipped
the claws of the rampant jungle king, too. Do
you often hit ’cm so heavy, ardncrf”

Berry laughed harshly as e retorted:

“ Did you ever hear the old saving: ‘ Unlucky
with woman, lucky with cards’?”

“ I heard asayirg this samenightwhich made
a deeper impression on my mind,” was the grave
response. “' Shall I tell you what it was!”

“ If you think it worth while. I have no
choice either wa .” ,

Dunn smiled aintly at this, but for all thcre
was a look of anxiety in his honest eyes as thsy
rested on that moody countenance.

“ Never mind what led me into the bar, under
the gaming-rooms at Argyle’s. It was not
a boliy to qucmh my thirst, though I did the
customary, of course. Enough that I was in
therc,and that I caught some words dropped by
a couple of gentlemen who evidently knew
you.”
Barfort started, lifting his eyes, but said noth-
ing as he waited.

" That was what first attracted my attcntion
-—your name. It looks rather cheek to say as
much, but up to that moment I ha forgotten

that such a personage lived in St. Joseph as

Berry Barfort.”

“ What did you hear?”

“After your name, a hint that you were play—
ing the high roller, up-stairs. Then one of the
gentlemen shrugged his shoulders and Sf' id:

“ ‘Ratl:er their bookkeeper than mine. I’ll
take evens that, there will be another emigrant
bound for Canada inside the year.’ ”

Distinctly Duin re pcattd those words gazing
into the flushing face of his friend. ‘arfort
tried to laugh, but it was a failure, and his
tones were husky and unsteady as he asked:

“ Anything more?”

“ The bot wrs not accepted.”

Barfort shrunk as if from a blow, us the de—
tective quietly spoke that brief sentence. Then
his face palcd and‘ his eyes glowed as he leaned
across the little table, souarcly meeting that

aze.

“What impression did c... this leave on you,
Mr. Dunn l”

“ Hardly an agret able one, when I remem-
bered that my best friend calkd ’you his friend;
his wife also regards ) ou highly. ’

“ And you think I'm going to the devil as fast
as hard drink and high pla can driveme?”with
a laugh that brought a stil graver shade to the
face of the detective. “ Maybe so; I’ll not take
the trouble to deny it. And yet—man l” with a
sudden outburst of mental pain. “Can’t you
see it? Can’t you see that it’s’ more than love cf
drink or lust for gold that is driving me on the
rccks?”

“ I see that you are in trouble. and I know
that l‘d dearly like to help you out of it. But—
I can’t do much without your Own help."

CHAPTER VI.
DAN DUNN TAKES A SNAP-SHOT.

AT those words Dunn reached across the
table, silently inviting Berry Barfort to clasp
the hand in good fellowship.

The offer was not accepted at once. Shaking
his head, the young man, his brain still dizzy
from the injuries he had received, sunk his chin
upon his cbe st, staring at vacancy.

The Soft-Hand said nothing. He knew that

 

6

If

to press matters would only result in harm, and
leaning back in his chair he watched the tiny
circles of blue vapor floating upward in the gas—

h ht.

5Though the hour was late,he had no pressing
business on hand, and was content to wait for
what, he felt confident, would come, sooner or
later. And he was right.

Berry Barfort was young enough to feel the
need of a strong man to lean upon, and from
what he had learned from his friend, Eric Al-
vord, a rising young lawyer of Kansas City. he
knew he Could find none more capable than this
same detective; such from choice, as he knew.

“ Tostivan—Dunn,if you’d rather,” he abrupt-
ly exclaimed, leaning upon the table and gazing
steadily into that cameo-like face.

“ Dunn goes, pardner !”

“I don’t like to pour my troubles into the ear
of a stranger—”

“ You’re Alvord’s friend; and he is my heart-
brother.” .

The face of the young man brightened at this
quiet interruption. It was Just what he needed
to fully open his heart, and he no longer felt
that he was talking to a stranger. Just then it
seemed as though they had known each other in-
timately for years and years!

“ I don‘t want you to think worse of me than I
deserve, though the best is bad enough, Heaven
knows!” ' _

“ Then it’s time for a change, don’t you think,
pardneri”

“If it isn’t too late! But, I‘ll makea clean
breast of it, and at the end I’ll ask your opinion.
It’s 'ust this way, you see:

“ ike all other young men, I take a drink
occasionally, and I playa little at_odd spells.
Not because I love liquor, for I hate it! Not be-
cause I’m so anxious to make a rich stake, for
I’m sensible enough to know that more goes over
the table than ever comes back.”

” Then there’s hope in oodles for your pard-
nerl”laughed Dunn. . '

“ I should have said that 1 once did this; for
more than a year I have never touched liquor
nor bet on a card—until this night.”

“Why this night in articular, ardner?”

“ Because I was m ——because had to have
some sort of excitement or blow my brains out!”
almost fiercely ejaculated the young man.
“ Let me tell you-don’t make it come any hard-
er by chipping in, I beg of you, for it’s worse
than drawmg teeth as it is! '

“ Not for one ear, 1 said. That was when I
first met—when first became acquainted with
a certain young lady of this town,” he added,
in calmer tones, though his brows were con-
tracted as in pain. ‘ It was on her account
that I swore otl’. Not, mind you, because she
asked me, for she never knew that I had a bad
habit. Just because I couldn’t love her and
gamble and drink at the same time.”

“ Then you have ceased to love the lady?”

Barfort fiinched like one sharply stung, but
passed the question by without a definite an-
swer.

“ Six months ago I plucked up courage enough
to tell my love, and that night I felt the world
all too small to contain me! And from that
hour up to night before last, I would not have
changed places with the richest, Wisest, most
powerful in all the land! You understand, of
course? We were engaged to be married.”

With strange moodiness came this announce-
ment. The SoftHand kept silence. How could
he offer his congratulations to a man who wore
such a despondent face?

“ Her father was rich, but I pledge you my
word I neVer gave that a thought, though, as
his only surviviu child, I had often enough
heard Re—the la y called an heiress. And I
was so wholly in love that I never once stopped
to consider how he would regard my, suit, poor
as I was and am.” .

“Who could be richer?" softly interrupted
the detective. “ The lady loved you, as you
loved her. That made you on a par With her
father.”

“ Well, I was kindly received, and after cer-
tain explanations which I hardly need enter on
here, my suit was granted. Owing to Circum-
stances over which none of us had full control,
there was no definite period set for our mar-
ria e: but I was content without that.”

“ Well, I should remark!” smiled the listener,
cordially. _

“ And a happier man never lived than Berry
Barfort, upto- Let me tell you just how it
all hay )encd. Mir—her father was suddenly
taken iii; a stroke of paralysis, it was given
out. His daughter was absent from town on a
visit. A telegram was sent for her immediate
return, though this I only found out afterward.
Indeed, there was an air of haste and even mys-
tery over the whole affair!” with a frown.

" Nothing in niyline, of course?" ventured the
detective. ’

Berry Barfort did not immediately respond.
His face was filled with conflicting doubts.
Dan Dunn’s interest began to take another
shape, but when the young man spoke, his face
altereda ain:

“No, don’t mean that. But let me tell it
after my own fashion, and you can then give
your decisionz— ‘

 

 

myth: '_\V"- q}, 4 :~  Milt}:   I H

The Soft-Hand’s Clutch.

“I was very busy, closing up my books for
the half-year. I did not hear of this sudden
sickness until the next day after it happened.
Then I hastened at once to his house, to offer
my services, but I was denied admittance!”

“ By his orders?”

“ So I was told, but I doubted it then: I know
now it was a lie! I know that a cunning, cold-
blooded devil in human guise kept me out! I
know— Listen to what happened afterward,
and then judge for yourself.

“That same evening—day before yesterday,
if you count this a new day—his daughter
reached home. I heard of it shortly afterward,
and of course I called at once, never doubting
but what I would be received for a few m0-
ments, at least. instead—her maid checked me,
and said her young mistress was too deeply agi-
tated to see even me.

“ What could I do”! I left a line on a card,
saying I would call again in the morning, and
went my way.

“ I did call, and not oncc~for then the foot-
man told me his mistress was still abed, after a
bad night with her parent—but twice; and for
the third time I was denied admittance. This
time it was by the physician in attendance, not
the old family doctor but the ice—blooded
scoundrel of whom I spoke a bit ago.

“ I wanted to knock him down, and I’m only
sorry now that i didn’t yield to the impulse!
Only the memory of a sick man above prevent—
ed me from doing it right then and there.

“ I asked after the nvalid’s health. It was
about the same. I asked if his daughter was
able to see me for a moment and he shook his
head. I was ing to brush him aside, when he
closed and loc ed the door in my very face!”

“ Pretty tough, wasn’t it?”

“ I swallowed it, because I couldn’t break
down the door, with a seriously ill man lyilnlfi
within earshot. And—well, I was taken
aback, as you may imagine. I was stupefled, I
reckon!

“ Just after noon I called again, and again I
was met by that internal doctor who barely show-
ed his nose througha narrow crack in the door.
No, I could not see the lady. She was quite ill
herself, and had positively forbidden any ad-
mittance whatever! I gave my name. though I
knew the rascal recognized me, but it was the
same thing. Positively no callers admitted.
And the door closed. And from beyond it I
distinctly heard that devil laughing! And—as
Heaven is my judge l” as he brought his clinch-
ed fist heavily down on the table between
them; “ I believe that I could distinguish her
laugh mingling with his I”

The detective was startled, and could not
help showing as much by his change of counte-
nance. \Vhatever else he may have expected,
it certainly was not this.

“ You are sure of this, pardner?”

“As sure as I can be of anything! which did
not happen right under my own eyes,” was the
gloomy response. “ 1 could almost make oath I
heard her sweet voice mingling with his!”

“ Almost—but not quite! hat’s all the dif-
ference between heavx. n and its antipodes, pard-
ner, and if I were in your place I reckon l’d
tr to bring the certainty around on the other
si e of the pole. If you don’t, what must you
believe? That the young lady has not only
ceased to love you, but that she is literal!
heartless; else how could she laugh in the ha ,
while her father was dying in the Chamber ?”

“ Haven’t I asked myself the same thing, ten
thousand times over?” almost savagely demand-
ed the lover, his face darkening. his eyes ag10w.

“ Didn’t that ver doubt drive me into making 3
a dog of myself t is very night? It did! I had :

to do something to keep from thinking. for that
could only end in driving my brain wild. And
so—well.” with a hard and reckless laugh as he
added: “Fatty Argyle’s coffers had to suffer,

 

 

 

 

though I only know it from the fact that those j
two thugs took the trouble to follow after me. a
I could alm0st wish they had done their job up |

a little quicker—before you had time to chip in,
Dunn.”

“ After all, pardner, you’re not half the gam-
bler those fellows at the bar fancied you.”

“ What do you mean by that?”

“Just what I saw, Bar-fort,” with a faint
smile. “ A thoroughbred gambler never gives
up a stake until it iswon beyond all dispute. A
true blood will not throw up his hand while
there is even the ghost of a chance left for turn-
ing a trick. But you—you seem ready to throw
up every claim to the prize—and such a glorious

rize, too !——the moment dyour antagonist says
he’s got an invincible han .”

“ What more could I have done?” gloomily
asked Berry.

‘ ‘ Demandcda sight for your money, of course,"
laughed Dunn.

“ It’s eas to talk,but you’re not in my place,”

retested arfort, seeming to take a gloomy de-
light in looking at the darkest side of the pic-
ture. “If you were—curse it all, man!” flash-
ing out hotly. “ Do you know what all this
means? Can you even begin to realize-just
think of it a minute, will you? Denied admit-
tance, not once but re atedly, and I engaged

to marry the 'rl. Th nk of it i”
“ And you t k of it, in another light, pard-

"H v, .‘

 

 

 

' 
ner,” returned the Soft-Hand, growing grave

and earnest once more. “ Try to think that all’s
not near so black as your hot temper has paint—
ed it. Try to think that your ownears deceived
you. Try to think of the daughter closely con-
fined to the bedside of her suffering parent,
never kn0wing that you had asked to see her,
never having time to think of aught but her
sick, perhaps dying parent. Try to think all
this, and then ask yourself how little true man-
hood you have shown in filling yourself with
bad whisky and worse than wasting your hours
over the gaming-table. Try to think of all tbls,
my dear fellow, and, my word for it, you‘ll end
a mighty sight wiser than when you began.”

Dunn ceased speaking, not because he had no
more to say, but because Berry Barfort bowed
his head on his folded arms as they rested on the
little table between them, his whole frame trem-
bling with powerful emotion.

For a few moments the detective watched
that bowed head, his eyes beamin softly, his.
face wearing almost a tender 100%. Then a.
change came over him,as sudden as it was com-
plete, though nothing of this was visible to out—
ward inspection.

Bis trained ears caught a faint sound just out-
side the chamber door, and though his back was;
turned that way, he knew that a spy was crawl—
ing up to the open transom. And a few seconds.
later he said:

“ Barfort, what if I was to show you good
cause to suspect a plot?”

Swift as thou ht he turned on his seat, his
right hand arm with a revolver at the report.
of which a sharp cry rung through the house!

CHAPTER VII.
THE SHADOW or IE]: GALLOWS'.

Tm: instant Dr. Dairmid crossed the threshold’
and closed the door of the sick-chamber behind
him, Rena Coventry sprung forward and turned
the ke in its wards.

Wi a gasping breath of relief she turned to--
ward the bed, to see its occupant apparently
struggling to rise, one trembling hand stretched
appealin 1y toward her, the other lying as.
thou h a "eady dead at its owner’s side.

‘ a l

“ Don’t—I thought—”

In an instant Rena was at his bedside, gently
lowering that silver-crowned head to its pillows,
frightened by the awful distortion of the face-
whose every inc and feature she so revered, for
the moment forgetting her own tortures: only
to have them recalled by t c broken speech
which came from those quivering lips.

“ I thought—I feared my little girl was run-
nin away—from the miserable sinner who—”

er lips touched his, checking his words. She
trifd to smile, to answer him soothingly, but in
va n.

A sound from without startled them both,
and half-expectin an assault upon the locked
door, Rena turne her head to lance in that
direction. And as she did so nox Coventry
huskily murmured:

“If it’s only be! If he’s only fallen down-
stairs to break his neck! Pray for it, Rena!
Pray that the foul fiend may claim his own be—
fore Craig Dairmid can return to— Ah .”’

A sharp spasm of pain seemed to cut his fierce
appeal in two, and under can of this the poor
daughter strove hard to become composed. It
was hard, for the manner and speech of her
father lent color to the terrible accusation hint-
ed at by Dairmidl

By signs rather than words the invalid made
her comprehend his meaning, and Rena brou ht
the remedy he required from the little iiig t~
stand near at hand. The directions written
thereon told how much to administer, and, de-
spite her shaken nerves, Rena literally obeyed.

She held it to his lips, and their gaze met.
She tried to force a smile, but it was a piteous
failure. Knox Coventry must have read some-
thing of all she was suffering, for his own eyes
closed and he averted his face with a low-sound
that was born of remorse rather than weakness

rfiam.

e felt blindly for the cloth Used to conceal in
 his distorted face, and in silence Rena
guided his hand, then smoothed the white folds
Eeego‘re lightly touching her cold lips to his fore—

“ He shall never return, father!” she forced
herself to utter, in steady tones. “ I will wait
upon you. I will see that word reaches our
true friends. And if he persists in intruding
upon us, I will charge him with—3’

Knox Coven caught her wrist with his
free hand, huskily muttering:

“No, no, you must not!
W0‘lld—”

The world seemed to stick in his throat, but
Rena understood only too clearly what he would
have said. It was true! That itiless villain
really held her poor father in his gitter grip!

With her last frail hope banished, Rena bowed
her head on the coverlet, feeling as though
death would be a welcome boon just then. She
was poorly fitted to battle with such a Crush—
ing wei ht of shame and grief, after those long
hours 0 sleepless anxiety and suspense.

“ Rena, my poor wounded bird!” huskily mut.
tered Coventry, his sound arm moving until.

It would — he

 

(1'


3 l

 

 

-.»...s4.’.k..._._ -

 

 

:wtwnsr v

 

 

..,.-.:

_..~_ .__c._‘~$;

 

.. -c_..~.‘,..-,.i . ._.

 

 

 

 

 

 

H Soft-Hand’s Clutch.

\ . 7

 

 

his hand rested lightly on her bowed head, even i and Rena sprung to the little stand in breathless :

though his face was still averted. “ And_ I am
worse than powerless! I can’t help you—1 must
wound you still more deeply! Oh, why did I
not ,die when that sickemng stroke fell upon
me?’

“Don‘t, papa!” sobbed the girl—woman no

longer, now that they were alone together. ,

“ Try to forget~try not to think of—”
She could not pronounce that name.
Knox Coventry seemed to gain in strength as

his daughter fell off in hers, and though his ‘

tones were low and hoarse, so different from his
old cheery, mellow voice before all this trouble
came upon them, his sentences ran on without
breaking for breath or pain, as before.

“ If I only could, Rena, pet! If I only might
forget everything3 save your true love and our
past happiness. ut, I can’t. .1 must recall the
bitter, black past, at least far enough to make
you comprehend how com lletely I am in the
power of—of Crai Dairnii .”

Rena lifted her ead, forcing back her tears,
stillin her shaking nerves by a desperate effort
of wil . She bent over until she could meet
that one opened eye, her own orbs filled with
painfully eager questioning.

Knox Coventry fiinched visibly, but managed
to meet her gaze. And in his eye was something
that told Rena her blind groping after hope was
worse than useless.

Slowly she drew back, followed anxiously by
her parent‘s eye, and ,the invalid gave a sigh of
intense relief as he saw her pause at the easy-
chair, to wheel it close to his side.

Pale, her face like a frozen mask of wax, Rena
Coventry seated herself, taking the sound hand
of the sick man between her own. He shivered
involuntarily at the touch, for her flesh seemed
furned to plastic marble. it was so cold, so life-
ess

“Father you are strong enough to talk!”
Rena asked, 'ving a little start at the unnat-
ural sound 0 her own voice, but forcing herself
to continue: “ You can bear to tell me all,
now?”

“ And you, Rena? You can bear to listen?”

“ I think so. I think I have already suffered
all that a girl can suffer, and still live. It is not
myself: it is your strength, father.”

‘ All through me!” groaned the sick man,
closing his eyes ani turning his face away.
“Why did I not die outright when this cursed
stroke lay me hv-lpieis ( -n my back ?”

Rena sighed involuntarily. if death could be
summoned at will, how much longer would she
be drawing the breath of life?

“Tell me all, father,” she forced herself to re-
peat. “Tell me everything, without reserve.
i‘he time for concealment is forever past.”

“ You will hate me! You will curse me,
Renal”

“ Don’t make my burden any heavier, father.
You are my father, let what may come. and I
love you—love and honor you despite all I”

There was a touch of fire in the conclusion,
but Knox Coventry did not turn his face. He
smothered a groan in its birth, and as though
afraid to let the maiden say more, he huskily
uttered:

“It is all true. Rena—all that merciless de—
mon hinted at! He has me foul. He can spare
my life, or he can send me to—to the—”

‘ When I have heard everything, I may be-
lieve that, but not before,” bravely interposed
Rena, as his voice choked. “ Tell me what hold
Doctor Craig Dairmid has over you, father.”

“If it was only death, I wouldn’t ive it a
second thought. I have only you to old me
back, Rena. Only you! And—if I had only
acted promptly! If I had only improved the
few moments granted me before this awful
stroke fell!”

Rena shivered afresh, for she could not help
catching his meaning.

“ Would that have saved you, father? Would
Doctor Dairmid have been content with your
death? Would he not still have sought his re-
ven e, on your memo , on me?’ '

“ e would—he wi l!” with another half-
smothered roan.

“Then w gnot pluck up courage and fight
him to the itter end?” cried Rena, her e 'es
flashing with brief fire. “ I will help you. To-
gether We may still baffle him 1”

“You (lont _
know how thoroughly he has spun his cunning
meshes. I can’t escape, save through— No,
Rena,” he added, with forced composure.
“ There is no hope, no escape for me, unless.
Will you, can you save me, child?” . _ I

He turned his head, a Wild light glittering in
his one fully open eye, his face painfully thtch-
ing, his hand clutching her arm with marvelous
force for a half-para! zed man. His forced com-

sure was gone. e seemed to have lost.all
fgeling for his child, and to think only of him-
self, of his own danger.

“ I cannot die! Save me, Rena, daughter!
Save me from that monster! Save me from
the—from such an awful, shameful death! See,
1 beg of you, my child, my poor little darling»
Save me—for you can, if you will only—”

His voice choked, his face turned p le, an
awful rattling rose in his throat. He re eased

, her arm to motion toward the restorative drdps,

know him, child. You don’t ’

haste.
! She thought he was dying, but even as the i

cry for help rose in her throat, she choked it 1
‘ down. He would come, and better death than i
1 his presence!

She did not stop to count the drops; what ‘
matter if a mistake should prove fatal?

! Knox Coventry swallowed the potion, then
I lay still and motionless on his pillow, only the
! twitching muscles on his afflicted cheek telling .
of remaining life. And Rena stood beside him.
Eilent, white as death itself, clasping his claminy
1 and.
F If he died, she would follow him speedily. In
the grave there was rest and oblivion. Craig
; Dairmid could not harm them there!
i The poor girl had been so sorely tried; she
‘ was worn out with anxiety and loss of slee , i
even before this last crushing blow fell. Litt e 3
wonder,then, that such vuld,unhealthy thoughts '
should run riot in her overtasked brain.

But the end was not fit. Knox Coventr ;
ressed her hand as it c his fingers. E
ong breath caused his broa bosom to rise and i

fall. Then he spoke:

“Try to for at what I said, Rena, little pet.
I was mad— could only see my name—your
name,and your sainted mother’sname—dragged
in the mire by that pitiless demon! Forget—I
will not be so meanly weak again. will—you
shall not sacrifice yourself for such a miserable
wreck as Knox Coventry!”

“ If that would save you, father!” murmured
the or girl. scarce realizing how much her
wor smightim ly.

“ Will you? an you, darling ?” panted Cov-
enty, his eyes—for in his excitement the pain-
ful istortion roduced by his stroke seemed to

row less and ess—glowing with unusual fire,
is breath comin quick and short. “ Will it

not be too hard or you? Can you bear with
Craig Dairmid for the sake of savin my—our
name from never-dying degradation -

Then the poor girl realized what it all meant,
and with a sickening pain teari at her heart,
shutting off her breath, she fel back, saved
011:1); from an ugly fall to the floor by the easy-
c a r.

Her eyes were open but they did not see
the awful change whic flashed into the face
of the man who so breathlesst begged her tosub-
mit to worse than death for his miserable sake.
If her sense of hearing remained, it failed to re-
cord the despairing groan which welled up

from that laborin chest. It was death in life!
How long this sted Rena Covent never
knew, if she ever tried to recall it. hile it

did last, she was conscious of nothing that
went on about her. She did not know that
there was a sharp, impatient rapping at the
door of the sick-chamber. And only when a
voice—the cold, hard, hated voice of Dr. Dair-
mid—rung through the frail barrier, did she
start into life and reason again. '
' To behold a hideously-convulsed face, show-
ing pur le against the snowy pillows. To hear
a.horri le rattling as the sick man tried to fill
his lungs with fresh air. And, behaving her
father was in his last throes, she sprung to her
feet, screaming for help, and crying:

“ Father—do not die-do not leave me thus!
I Wln-I will save you, if I can, let the cost
be what it may i” .

CHAPTER VIII.
PITILESS as FATE.

“ RENA—Miss Coventry—open the door!”

It was the voice of Dr. Dairmid, stern and
commanding, yet plainly excited to a rare
degree for one of his habitual self-control, and
his words were emphasizedby the sharp rap-
pin s which followed.

“ 'ould you have your father’s death at
our door, child?” he impatiently added. “Must
break the door downi’

Rena sprung across the chamber, turning the
key  op ning the door, to start back as
Dr. Dairmid sprung across the threshold. Ap-
parently he .neither saw nor gave her a thought
u . his anmety for his patient, for he was

uickly leaningpver the sick man, deftly af-
tifl'dlng lnm relief from that terrible suffoca-
on.

Just what he did, Rena never knew. She
sunk to the floor, her face bowed upon her
tremblin hands. She did not even know when
Martha revost, the nurse, entered the cham-
ber. She was stunned, broken down for the
time being. -

She shivered slightly as a firm but gentle
touch rested on her shoulder. She shrunk back
a little as she looked up to encounter the dark
eyes of Dr. Dairmid, but she offered no resist-
ance to his lifting her up and leading her to the
easy-chair. once more pushed back from the bed
on which Knox Coventry was lying so still and
deathlike.

Only for his eyes. They were both open, the
contortion almost gone from his face, now ghast-
li pale. His gaze followed her, and in his eyes
t 6 poor girl seemed to see a itiful prayer that
she mi ht even yet save h from open dis-

 

 

 

grace, f not from death itself.
Perhaps it was this silent prayer that lent her

strength for what was yet to come. Perhaps
she had already suffered all that a maiden con (1
suffer, and no longer felt the cruel blows dealt
her by this man who dared speak of his love!
Noiselessly Dr. Dairmid took up a position

i where he could view both his patient and his

intended prize. For a few moments his dank
eyes passed from one to the other, but always to
linger longest on the pale, rigid features of the
maiden.

If he did not love her, after his own fnslik n,

‘ then his dark eyes were admirably trained to

flash forth lies.

Yet there was something of anxiety in them,
though his face was like a waxen mask, so far
as betraying emotion was concerned. It may
have been that, as a physician, he feared what
might lie behind that stony, unnatural calm.
Would she come through the fiery ordeal with
her full senses? Would her brain withstand
such heavy and repeated shocks?

“Rena,” he said, at length, his tones low but
almost painfully distinct. “Miss Coventry.”

Her eyes moved from the face of her father,
meeting his burning gaze unflinchingly,showing
that she heard if she did not reply‘in words.

“I. wish to say,in the first p ce, my dear,
that unless he receives another severe shock,
your father will recover.”

“ For what? Better death—~better a death
like this, than on the scaflold!” painfully
groaned the sick man, closing his eyes with a
shiver.

“ I trust it will never come to that, Mr.
Coventry,” responded the physician, never re-
moving his gaze from the daughter’s face. “ It
never will, unless—unless you so decide, Rena,
mfilovel”

ven now the maiden did not re ly or speak.
She shivered a little as though sym thy
with the invalid, but nothing more. oting
this, Dr. Dairmid stepped forward, taking those
white, cold hands between his, pressing them
firmly and preventing their esca as Rena
shrunk back, a tinge of color leap ng into and
out of her face.

“ You must hear me out, Rena,” Dairmid
added, his dark eyes flash' with grim pleasure.
“ Too much has been said his ni ht to let the
rest go over for another day. on must hear
my poor excuse, even if it cannot fully justify
my conduct.”

“ I will hear you, Doctor Dairmid,”mechani-
cally answered the maiden, her eyes again meet-
ing his without flinching. “ Only release my
hands. Your touch is disagreeable."

The villain dropped her hands, starting back,
his swarthy face turnin purple. for the words
cut him more deeply t an he had ever been
stung in all his life. Nor did the uneasy mur-
mur from the sick man serve to appease him,
for he turned with an angry gesture:

“ Hold your ce, Coventry! If this is your
doing—if you ave done or said aught to make
your daughter hate me, I’ll—”

“ It is not hate, Doctor Dairmid,”interposed
Rena, still with that strange calmness, that im-
passive look upon her face and in her great eyes.

‘ I think it is utter contempt. You are far too
low and degraded for a lad to hate.”

The man of evil quick yrecovered his bal-
ance, and broke into a short, hard laugh. After
all, was it not better so?

“Hatred or. contempt, Rena Coventry, it
proves that you can at least give me a thought.

hat is enough for a starter, and I have faith in
my powers of pleasing to feel your scorn will
eventually change to undyin love.”

“If I thought so, I woul wonder why life
was given me.”

“ To bless my life, little lad !” he cried. com-
ing forward and once more ing possession of
her hands.

“ I am still in ignorance of all that may have
passed between you and your father, Rena. I
do not know whether or no he told you that I
hold his life in the hollow of my hand—that
with a single word I can hurry him to the gal-
lows, to die a death of shame!”

“ He told me that, but I know you are 2. ak-
ing falsely. He is my father. I won] not
even take is oath that he could be guilty of a
ca ital crime.”

‘ Have it that way if Iyou can draw any com-
fort from it, Rena,” wit a faint smile. " I’m
only too willing to pass it over without enter-
ing into details. I will pass it over for all time,
if you are wise and daughterly enough to pay
me the (price I demand for my silence.” .

“ A n if I refuse?”

“If I fail to shake your refusal, yrur father
shall die on the gallows! I will hound him to
the doom his crimes so richly merit! I will
show him as little mercy as you are now show—
ing my love.

‘For I do love you, Rena, darling,” with a
sudden change of tone as he sunk on one knee
before her chair, still keeping her hands tightly
clasped within his own strong palms. “ I have
loved you ever since we first met, and with
growing strength with each day that rolled
over my head, until now—now love you so
completely that, even to win the empty joy of
calliiég you wife, I am lowerin in self as an
hone man was never lower ! Ram brand-
ing myself a dastardly scoundrel, rather than

’

‘1
o

 

w..nr~.-.-~p—»~ v ‘1.»

l
.
,

  

.x»~ *1 ' _ ,; ..
~. Q. \ 3‘, ~ _ ',V',.vvl‘ .. .. gt

 

man!”

“ Scoundrel! Villain! Degraded wretchl Is
there no more-fitting term i” coldly uttered Rena
Coventry. “ Then why try to show me how deeply
you have fallen? Words alone are unable: only
your own conduct.”

it she would only burst out into passionate
resistance! lt' she would we( p, wring her hands,
struggle against his pmver, though never 5:»
hopelessly! Anything would be preferable to
this corpse-like composure. -

So Dr. Dairmid felt, and it was only by an

actual effort of will that ho infruined front.

shrinking back in his puzzled awe. For awe it
was, and he could not deny the fact.

ilnly his stel-lilie ncrv:=s kept him from uttcr
defeat just will n he had felt victory was fully
nasal-id. Not one man in ten thousand could
have a: adronly concealed his disoomfii ure. but
Craig Dairmid was no commonplace Villain. In
his way, he was an artist.

" We can agree on one point, then," and he
forcrd a smile. “I am a miserably-ilegradeil
VVI'Cti'll. No one can so fully realize this us ruy~
ucll‘. But, what other course is tlnre open to
me! If .[ acted the gentleman DCVtI' so perfect-
ly, Would I ever stand the ghost of a chance to
win your love? You know I never would! You
know that by any leas heroic means I could
never win from you the empty title of bus
band.”

" Are you so sure you can win even that?“

‘ As sure as mortal man can be sure of ought
in this world,” was the prompt response. ‘
iziight fail were you alone involved, but I will
wm you through your love for your father—the
father whom I can leave to die in outward
honor and respect, or send to the grave of—
l’artion me, liena,"bowing his head over her
lauds, dropping a burning kiss upon them be-
fore adding: " You are driving me mad with

' 5. our icy cold'iwss! Have pity on me, my love,
my idol l”

, “ You are showing such mercy to him I" with
a, flash of emotion, as she jerked her hands from
he lllli",i‘,‘fltlll‘lly relaxed grasp, pushing her
chair ban; a little, bus making no eiiort to

Dr. Dairniid arose to his feet, putting his
hands behind him as though the better in resist
temptation. His flush was gone. Lin lime was

hard as of‘old, and there was no longer a sign of.

emotion as he spoke again:

‘ "‘ You are right and I was wrong, Rena Cov-
entry., It is too early in the game to think of
kisses, 1332: Th they shall come in good season.
Until 'th ,' will control myself. content With
knowing that, flutter as you may, you can never

. , eiiffapo my powei save over the disgraced grave

5 your parent.

" I haw, said enough to show you my power.
I have pomted out the only method through
which you can preserve the life of your fate. r,
and keep the name of your saluted mother from

, "awful disgrace.” , ’ ~. ‘

At that title the unnatural composure of the
poor girl gave way,vand With alsobbing groan
she sprung across to the bed, sinking on her
knew and priming her now burning lips to the
pale face of her father. '

“Spare her, you dembn 2” grouped Coventry,
winding his one well arm about that pitiluliy
shivering formls “ You‘ll murder her. too !”

“ She will be all the better ior this ” col.in re-
torled the doctor, viewing the case from a med~
ical standpoint. “I wanted to break tint un-
natural calmness. If 1 had failed, she would
have been worse than dead before the dawning
of another day. Now—she Will be ready to lie-
ten to reason in the morning.”

“Let it go over until then, Dali-mid,” ' faintl
muttered the sick man. “I can‘t hear much
we excitement.”

. “ d our life isfar too precious to me for
idle illicri ca.” returned Dairmid, with a heart-
less laugh; a: he gently touched Reno. on her
bowed head, adding: ‘iMiss Coventry, please
try to compose yourself. I am about to summon
yonrmaid, to see you safely in bed. Of course
$31?” ould not care to have her suspect ought of

" (it), little pet,” urged Coventry, pushing her

. away, but with n. lov ugl anxious igbt in his
. cyan as Silolll‘ti'd her lieu 'l “ It is beat ion, Go,

" and try to sue p. Mayhup all will come out Wall,

[even yet ” t ' v

.1 ‘ , " It certai, ly wil'. if Miss Coventry can bring
'liertelf to re ' -t «lispassionately OVel‘ the mat-

ter,” id the doctor. ‘ I 'will not press you too

ham (or an anew-r, Rena. I have waited for
three years. I run waists.an dayslon er,kn0w-

1 Jul; that, the end will lici‘iiy way. And arsh and

‘ - cruel as I have turn to you this night, my dar-
ling. believeme, I M ii neveroeaa: tryin ‘ tomake
amends in the minor—your future «1 min,
little woman.” " ' ,

I ~ He did not pair-'0 for an answer, but opened

4 e door and called, on Clara. Sandy: Rma’s

:xmpid, who we: in waiting not far off. (the maid

came ' promptly, and the doctor slipped a‘ little

jacket into her hand as he whispered a. few

I ,‘wgordsinto her ear, unheard b theothers. 1

 t He took Roma‘s hand dra ' it through his

1.339%”! the stooped mm a his. on the
,_,m¢mwmx He Rhett-from

\. ,

 
  

 

  

 

 

l of her own room.

I He laughed softly as the door closed and the

] key clicked in its lock. -
; “It comes mighty hard, but you’ve got to

. bend, my dainty beauty 1”

 

' CHAPTER IX.
i A FREE-AND-EASY sroar.

IT was cnlya glimpse, but that was enough

i for eye so keen and hand so thoroughly trained
as those of Dan Dunn. Unlya. glimpse of a
' c arse, brutal far'eiit the open transom (mom

and glowing as their owner spied u n the de-
tective an'l his new ly-met friend. halt, brief as
that glimpse Was, Dan Dunn recognized Pony
Keefe, the lesser of the two night hawks from

furl!

The Soft—Hand‘s pistol exploded as it was
swung iipwurd, apparently without the slight—
est attempt at taking aim, but, with a. wild
howl of mingled fright,anger and pain, Pony
aim-to lost his hold and tumbled to the hall

oor.

Hardly less surprised Was Berr ' Barfort, but,
before he could do more than lift his bowed
(head, the Soft-Hand grasped him by the shoul—

er:

“ Take it easy, pardncr!
all the hurry Work!”

“ Who was it? What—"

“ Some fellow wanted to know who lived here,
and I just sent him my card. I reckon-— (lo-
ing, eh?” chuckled the detective. cutting him-
self short as fresh sounds came from beyond the

Let that crook do

house, for cries and slamming doors were an-
dible, more 01 less distinct; but Dan Dunn paid
no attention to these. lie was more cl iseiy in-
terested in the movements of the eavesdropps‘r.

He had not shot io kill, and so was not sur—
firised to find how quickly the rascal l" covervd
fio n his tumble iron the transom. He heard

in his pain and anger.

Then ('lll'lli} loo Sounds of: spreading alarm,
and‘iliom‘ook was still. I’lainly asif he could
see it‘ all with his eve» Dun Dunn knew what
was going on—knew that Pony was listening to
8101! he had a chance {to csa-apc by the usual
wav. ‘ ' v

“ Llo for'him l" excitedly cried Bax-fort. divin-
ing a [urtlon of the truth. “ We can catch him
if We try at once i" . ‘

“ Not so mighty sure: but do we want to
catcu him Washed Dan, his keen Sense. of hearing

sounds of his 0m Voice.

lHe heard the flour of the apartment adjoining
his own open and qllH'Kly close again, with a.
slum that denoied more haste than prudence.
As by instinct he il‘ivmed the purpose of the
crook. and, still with hand holding Berry Bar-
‘fiort under control, he crossed over to the win-

ow.

pnrdner, but if ou’d rather trust your own
eyzs’ght, why~ I reckoned that would be
about the belt of itl"With a soft laugh as he
touchcd the catch and pushed up the window.
It was before the compulsory use of fire-es-
capes, so far as the city in the shadow of the

was partly supplied with tolerable substitutes in
the shape of small iron-work balconies on the
south face of the tall building, and one of these
him directly beneath the room from which the
croo was now making his escape. And, as
Barfort eagerl. leaned cut of the window. he
caught sight of ony Iwel'e just dropping over
the edge of the balcony, to hang b his muscular
,llalldtl an instant, then drop swift y to the pave
below us thebookkeeper uttered a sharp cry of
excited anger at the prospective escape.

“ He's got my mark, pardner,” repeated the
Soft-Han . ii htening his grip on the arm of
his friend as e drew him back fromthe win-
dow. “ I know where'to look for him if I Want
him. Now—"i

sharp at i-k upon his door cut the detective
short. He claserl the Window, hurriedly mut—
tering to Barfort before answeijng the min-
mone: ' ' v

‘ ve it to me. pardner. We don’t want to
tell e erybody our secrets, do we?” ‘

He turned the key and flung open the door,
revealing both the landlords, neiiher of them
full‘ydreuedwo, meat had been their hasteto in~
vet igate the cause of the unwonted disturb—
ance. , r
“ Who shot? What’s the row, anyway?”
splattered “Uncle Jimmy” Cable. his close-
crOpped gray beard quivering as his jaws work-
ed nervously, not from fear, but through pure
excitement. I . ‘x ,

His 3mm. Price Wllkie, tall, port] , built
on a grand scale throughout. never coking
mmhundsome in cwarthy beauty than new,

   
  
 

  

    

  

 

  
   
 

    
   

said nothing in in “but his dark eyes were
H mnt'enongh for dom,dupfto

    
 
 

the door, with little, bead-like eyes snapping ‘

whose ovil tilons he had rescued BeiryBar— -
l

deer.
Evidently the pistol shot had alarmed the '

him scraml l a to l is feet cursinir and 'i‘owlnw ‘
i a is o

doing him good service just then, despite the ‘

“I marked our man for future reference,,

Blacksnake Hills was conL'crned, but, the hotel 1

A hast trampling alongtthe corridor, then at

the fact 

see you become the happy wife of' another  chamber, only parting from her at the threshold ‘ of his vest hanging from one arm and his trow-

sers being turned wreng side in front, upheld
f by a single suspender! '

Dunn coolly faced the twain, backed as they
were by a number of startled guests, as well as
several of the house attaches.

“ Any of you gents really smell powder?” he
drawled, stilling a yawn which was a perfect
counterfeit.

' “ 1 do, sir!” spluitm'od Uncle Jimmy. “ Right
‘ horn, sir! -You've been trying to-—what.°? Con—
found it, sirl I'll—I‘ll—” '

“ Then I reckon I’ll have to play the immor-
tal Georgefllaughed the cool sport. “ Yes,I
(lid. shoot off my little gun, though I hardly ex—
pected to flush so big a covey. Sorry to kick up
such arumpus, but—just charge it in my bill,
please.”

Uncle Jimmy could find no words suitable for
reply, but Wilkie pushed him aside, his voice
deep and even menacing as he spoke:

“ Thisis a reputable establishment, M r. Dunn,
and no man can turn it into a free-and-easy
while I’m at its head. Fxplain your conduct.
511‘, or I’ll save the trouble of calling a police-
man by pitching you neck and crop through
the windo~ l”

Dun Dunn turned to where the card of “ rules
‘ and regulations” was fastened to the door,
seemingly to make sure of his position, then
said:

“I fail to find anything here that denies
a guest the right to defend himself and property
against the evil wiles of midnight thieves or
assassins, landlord. And, really, don’t you
thinkit would be a: little bit tinigh to spoil a.
window with a guest, simply fer—- Big par
i don, my dear sirl" with great anxiety. as he
3 pointed to the floor just without his door, where
was visible 3. little pool of blood. “ You’ll soil
your Socks, if you ain’t careful!" _

Price Wilkio recoiled and Uncle J itmny gave
a. snort through his little n:.-se as he also noticed
3 the telltale marks. B. fore they could say aught,
, the detective, having gained his purpose, quiet-
" ly added; ‘

." Jesting aside, gentlemen, I took a snap-shot
. at a rascal who was trying to crawl through the
transom. I shot to scare, more than to kill, but
i maybe I bit harder than I intended. If so—
jdou'itless you’ll find the fellow lying round
I lwse. somewhere.”

l Alread Wilkie, still unconSt-ious of what a
; peculiar 'gun he was cutting ill his novel style
E of dress, was tracing the red marks to the door
lot the adjoining chamber, crying as he did

50:

l “ Doctcr Dairmid’s room! Surely, it was not
w

l Without stop wing to try the knob. he gave n.
i thrust with his road shoulders that burst open
‘ the door. '

Dan deftly smothered the share ejzu-u‘ation
that leaped to the lips of his trimmat that
name.drawing Barfort back from the Open door
to hastily whisper: ,

“Lock your tongue, pnrdmr! Not a word
while ears are so plenty! I’ll ex plain when we’i e
more alone.”

The blood-drops were traced to the Windm",
still raised, and Wilkie gave an angry ciy us
he found the little 3alcony vacant.

“Down and around, fellows!” he thundered
to his employees, his big black eyes fairly nglow
with one as he came back into t'. o onnmbe r.
“ He con n’t have dropped so i; r \vitbmzt
breaking a leg! Pick him u and hold him

 

For the first tinie the big {chew noted his
ridiculous manner of wearing his nether {gar-
ments, and as a keen-eyed lad guest gave a lit.
tle shriek of dismay at the gig t. it llxie dodged
behind the door, begging is pnrtnir to clear
the corridor. .

This was nickly done, though more through
the rumoro a dead or crippled thief lyiiiy; on
the pavement below than through the has! y el-
forts of genial Uncle J immy Cable.

Neither Dan Dunn nor Berry Barlort joined
in the rush, for they know well enough that the
wounded man was not so readily to be run
dowu. And the detective closed his door before
hurriedly explaining. ‘ ,

But before he had completed, Wilkie 38““
pounded at the door, this time dressed with a.
ittle more regularity, to ask :

“ You're sure—it couldn’t be the doctor,
think i” ‘ '

“ The fellow who mistook a. transom for the
door? Are your M. D.'s so awful hungry for
fluent: as that cornea to?” demanded Dan

nn. his brows arching in who eat surprise.

“It’s no 'matter for eating, sir,” frowned
Wilkie. “That room be pugs to Doctor Craig
Dairmid. If it was really him you shot—-” .

“I haven’t the honor of knowing Doctor
Crai Dairmw. but if it was really that person-
age e can savo a. fee by curing himself.”

“’What do you mean by that ’

. " '1“ ‘t I simply markedihim ,for future recog-
nition.“ '1 like a bold map, but there’s such it
thi in being entirely too cheeky. itetrurk
mat is was a case in point, and 30—! shot an
inch or twoglif his cheek away! ’ 14' lie-Doctor

Craig D‘;

 

  

 

 

tight until— Well, if I ain -— And ladies,
tool” ' '

id, or Doctor‘mybody rise—j

 
  

m‘.,‘(:A, , .

 

Jul um...” . w....-.. ,4.-.

 

 

 

 

 

   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
 
  
  
  
   
   
   
 
    
   
   
  

         
         
       
     
   

   
  
   

  
  
  
   
 
 
 

   
  
  

   
 
 
   
 
  
  
     
 

~ <~WM1H"‘~K a.

 

4.1-x.

a..4w.'_.....~...i....i_..- . .. __. A

 

The Soft-Hand’s Clutch

 

up a row over it, just give him my address,
will you, landlord?”

Feeling that he would gain little information
from this free-and-easy sport, Wilkie hastened
awa and Dan Dunn reclosed his door.

“ f course it wasn’t Doctor Dairmid, pard-
ner, but I’m ’wa off my base if that precious
rascal hasn’t ha a finger in this little pie!”

“ What? You know him?” ejaculated Berry
Barfort, in surprise.

“ I’ve heard of him before to-night, and I
may say I like him premous little more than
you do, pardner. Precisely, Barfort,” laughing
softly as his companion flushed hotly at the sig-
nificance underlying those words. “I didn’t
care to let on at the time, but I had no difficulty
in placing your impudent physician.”

“ Then you know—you guessed who I meant
b _”

“ Isn’t it my business to know things?” still
laughing, but in such a manner that the con-
fused and bewildered lover could hardly take
offense at either words or manner. “ I know
pretty well how matters are running, though
there are a few points which ivould be all the
better fora little more light. Maybe you can
give me this, maybe you can‘t. And it may be
that I can show you a thing or two.‘

He broke off abruptly as the sound of feet
came echoing through the corridor. A frown
darkened his handsome face, and he hurriedly
muttered before going to the door:

“ Let me do the engineering, Barfort. VVe’ve
either got to get out of this, or postpone the ex-
planation until the row cools ofi‘. If— 'What
sort of chambers have you?”

“Quite enough. We can go there, if you
like.”

“ Agreed. But don’t let anybody else suspect
it. I’ll cover our tracks if a glib tongue can
bring it about.” .

There was time for no further confldences,
for Wilkie was once more at the door, nervous-
lyimpatient to clear up the myster for the
good of his house. And, apparently, an Dunn

ad thought better of his first decision, for he
joined heartin with the landlord in his denunci—
ations and his wish that the impudent varlet
should be brought to punishment.

“ You see, landlord, it takes a 00d while to
get my mad up to bailing pitch, ut when the

auge does show that mark—go’way trouble!
there’s the porter? Call a bell-boy! I want a

hack just as quick as the law allows! Confound

(

such a town, anyway! Do you keep burglars
on tap, landlord? Did Iring for one, say?”

Storming and fuming, Dan Dunn made his
way down to the office, declaring that he would
bring the rascal to 'ustice if it took a leg, and
as he hustled Berry arfort into the summoned
hack he stern] cried:

“ To Chief roder’s office!

through or bu’st in I 11 Put this thing

 

CHAPTER X.
DAN DUNN INSPECTS A PICTURE.

DAN DUNN and Barfort were soon in the
hack, and it rolled rapidly away from the hotel.
rattling and bouncing over the then ill-paved
streets, making conversation anything but easy;
yet Dan Dunn contrived to remark:

“ The ang is pretty highly worked up over
the row, gut those I particularly wished to hear
me say what I did, if any of them were about
could only - judge from what they saw and
heard.”

“ I hardly understand you,” said Barfort.

“Say our curious caller was only one of a
regular gang. Say some of his pals were lurk-
ing about to cover his flight, or to learn just
how much we knew or what we intended to do.
Say they heard me order coachee to drive to
the chief—I should say marshal, but let it go at
that. Wouldn’t they take a short-cut to his of-
ficel f they wanted to learn more? Or wouldn’t
they cut after the fe110w I marked, to run him
out of the way of nipping and peaching?”

The Soft-Hand seemed to think his explan-
ation sufficiently comprehensive, for he broke
off, looking keenly out of the window, as though
marking their Course and progress. Berry sat
opposite the detective,his head aching, his heart
sore, his troubles coming back upon him with
poignant force. Then he Spoke:

“Must I take an open part in this, Dunn?”
laying a hand on the detective’s knee. “I’d
rather my employers didn’t hear all that has
hap ned if it can be avoided.”

T ere was no immediate response, Dunn still
watching through the wmdow, but as they
sharply rounded a corner, he called to the
driver: .

“ You needn’t stop at the office, driver. Keep

' right on to the next corner, turn to the left,

then drive to No. — Francis street.”

Barfort uttered an exclamation of surprise.

“ That’s my boarding-place! How did you
know?”

“Business, dear fellow.” laughed the detect-
ive. “It’s part of our trade, don‘t you know?”

it But why—n

“ Can’t you manage to puzzle it out by your-
self, pardner? Because, if you’ve no serious ob-
jections, I want to do a bit of thinking my own
self. Nothing so very mysterious, by the way:

 

simply to decide just how much I ought to tell

you of my past work and future lans."

Thou h brusque, there was no ing in this at
which arfort could take offense, and giving
over the vain attempt to solve the riddle, he
sunk back in his seat, maintaining silence until
the hack drew up in front of the number men-
tioned—one of a long row of brick buildings.

Dan Dunn spared the driver the trouble 0
opening the door, and as he slipped a bill into
the ready palm, he whispered a few words.

“ From even my wife, boss I” nodded the driv-
er, hurrying aw ay.

A few minutes later the two friends were
seated in a small but comfortable room in the
second story. Barfort was gazing curiously in-
to the handsome face of the man opposite. try-
ing to solve his doubts b the soft gaslight.

Dan Dunn saw as muc but he seemed in no
haste to gratify his curiosity. His face was
grave, and there was a slightly troubled look in
his eyes.

“ I can‘t help thinking there’s more in this
night’s work than we see on the surface, Bar-
fort,” he at length observed, their gaze meeting
squarely. “ I can tell you something new, be—
yond a doubt, but can you reciprocate? That’s
what's troubling my brain just at present.”

A hand crossed the table and joined that of ,
the detective in a warm, earnest grasp. And
there was deep emotion in the voice that said:

“ Try me, Dunn. If I fail, be sure it Will
come through no fault of my heart or brain.
You saved my life to-night—though that don‘t
count for so mighty much l” drawing back with
a hard, forced laugh that more clearly betrayed
his wretchedness than groan or moan.

“ I reckon I did, pardner, if I do say it in -
self. It was something deeper than mere rog—
bery that led those two crooks to follow you
from Argyle’s to-night. I’ll tell you what makes
me think so, if—Barfort, give me your word to
keep secret anything I may tell you! Until I
give you leave to let the cat out, of course,”
with a faint smile.

“ ive you my word, Dunn. I’d swear to it,
if on d rather.” .

‘ Your word is glenty, of course. Now—this
Dr. Craig Dairmi is a new band in the game,
but I’m be 'nning to believe he’ll turn out one
of the m important in the whole pack l”

“ You think—”

“ I’ve seen him in mighty bad company,
though I couldn’t actually connect him with my
game. On one occasion saw him 'ust parting
from one of the thugs who tried to 0 you up a
bit ago. And that brings me back to my ro-
per starting-point. Somehow I’m all mix up
to-night.”

Dan Dunn swiftly brushed a hand across his
brow, as if to clear his wits. Then, leaning on
the little round table between them, he said : .

“You haven’t forgotten the bit of detective
work I finished off in Kansas City, just before
Eric Alvord married Linnet Meredith? That
was purely personal, as you know, and I sim-
ply mention it to explain why I have taken up
the detective branch as a profession. The taste
I got then , Iproved more than was good for me,
perhaps. didn’t have to work, So far as mone ‘
is concerned, and when I left Kansas City
never had the ghost of an idea of ever following
the business as a regular thing. ' But when—it
was down in St. Louis, by the way—I struck a
fair clew to a certain gang of evil~doers, and
the chief asked me to see what I could do to-
ward breaking them np, the temptation proved
too strong for me, and I regularly enlisted on
the force.

“ My clew brought me up here. 1 know that
one section of the gang is working this town.
N ight.Hawks, they are called. both in and out
of their own circles. It is a wide-spread or an-
ization, With a good many sub-chiefs, but I rm-
ly believe that the man who may be called the
real head-center is now in St. Joseph. That be-
lief has brought me here, as I hinted before.

“ It was purely in the way of business that I
called at t e Argyle place to—ni ht, where I
‘chanced to catch your name, as mentioned.
And when I went up—stairs, I naturally looked
for on." v

“ ou know what drove me there,” moodin
muttered Barfort. ,

Dan Dunn nodded assent, but took no further
notice of the remark.

“ I saw that you were playing recklessly,
though you were winning largely. I saw you
drink far more than was good or a man who
neededa 090! .head and clear wits to et away
with his Winnings. And 1 saw more t an that,

“ I saw two ugly rascals watching you with
mischief in their eyes. I knew them well
enough to be pretty sure what would be the
outcome. They both belong to the gang, unless
I’m ’way off. And when they saw you pushing
up your last bet—you said you were oing to
cash in when the deal ended, remember.—I saw
them leave the house.

“You know the rest without telling. I saw
nothing of them, when I struck the street, so I
could only follow you and trust to luck to get
in my work before they had time to lay you out.

 

It was a little risky, I admit,” with a short
laugh, “ but I didn’t want to make myself any

 

. » 7m, 7. . .7 W. A We .7 .ix- .. r u“—

more conspicuous than I could help, though I
hardly think any of the gang suspects my being
a detective.

“You know what followed. 1 might have
joined you at first, seeing what happened after,
but I couldn’t know that. For the fellow who
took the trouble and risk of spying upon us in
my room, was one of the thugs who tried to rob
you on the street.”

Barfort started incredulously, but before he
could speak, Dan Dunn abruptly changed the
subject.

“Enough of that; what interests me more,
just now—what sort' of man is this father of
your lady love, pardner?"

“ What—I hardl follow you!”

“Who is he? W at is be? Is his record per-
fectly square? Are you dead sure he has no
awkward passages to cover in his past life?”

Barfort flushed hotly before those curt, blunt
queries. Something akin to resentment shone
in his eyes as he replied:

“What do you mean? There isn’t a more
purely honorable gentleman in town than—than
the one you are alluding to!”

“Than Knox Coventry, you started to say,”
with a soft laugh.

“ You know him? You know—confound it
all 3” with a laugh that was half anger, half em-
barrassment. “ What don’t you know?"

“ That‘s precisely what I’m trying to find out,”
coolly. “ Don’t you fly off the handle too sud-
den, pardner. I know that he is reported ill,
with aparalytic stroke. I know that he is re-

uted rich, and a retired merchant. And

nowing so much, gained simply through busi-
ness methods and by catching u each little ru—
mor as it flies, it was easy enoug to fill out the
little blanks you left in your story. See?"

Barfort nodded assent, but plainly dissatisfied

still.

“ I had already marked Dr. Craig Dairmid
down as a crook. I had some reason to believe
him mixed up with the Night Hawks. And that
is why, apart from friendship, I took such an
interest in your troubles. And why, too. I asked
you about Knox Coventry’s past. For, unless
he has fallen into Dairmid s grip in that way I
can’t account for the doctor’s actions as you e-
tailed them.

Barfort rose from his seat, pacing back and
forth, his head bowed, his brows contracted, his
whole manner that of one fighting against strong
doubts. Dan Dunn said nothing, his face grave
and cold as he leaned back in his chair, waiting
for the decision.

After all, why should he worry? Aside from
pure friendliness, he could have no interest in
the afiair. And if Berry Barfort declined his
help, he alone would be the loser.

The young man paused abrupt] before a
wardrobe, out of which he took a sma l morocco-
covered book. With this in his hand he came
back to the table, speaking rapidly:

“ I was an idiot for taking offense, Dunn, but
I never respected a man more thoroughly than
I do Knox Coventry. Whatever deviltry there
maybe at work—and I can almost take oath
that Dairmid is playing some rascally game!—
be sure Knox Coventry has no part in it."

“ I never met the gentleman to my knowledge,
pardner. My only interest in him comes through
your story, and the fact that Dairmid has a
position in his house. Let it drop if you prefer,

right now and here.”

‘ I’ll tell you all I know about him and his
affairs, since you’ve asked the questions,” was
the quiet response, as Barfort unlooped the
cover, showing a small photograph album.
“First: this is the picture of Knox Coventry.
Is it that of a man with a secret? Is he one to
be even suspected of having a blotted record?"

The book opened where a handsome, patriar—
chal face was inclosed, and the detective bent
over it with undisguised interest, though his
face, so far as expression was concerned, might
as well have been a mask of marble. And as
the detective gazed upon this, Barfort resumed
his restless pacing. to and fro.

What would he have thought had power been
given him to read the workings of that brain,
just then? Though no outward sign betrayed
the fact, Dan Dunn’s pulse was quickened, his
blood tingling sharply. For in that noble coun-
tenance, as though through a thin vail, he was
tracing the lineaments of the very man whose
trail he had followed to St. J o'seph! The very
man whom he had good reason to believe stood
at the head of the lawless gang known as the
Night Hawks!

And yet—was it only fancy? Only a strong,
yet misty, resemblance? Did the l( ng, heavy
beard make all the difference?

More to rest his eyes and clear than of a cer-
tain indistinctness, born of his painfully intent
gaze, Dan Dunn softly turned over a leaf or
two, choosing the moments when Berry Barfort
had his back turned, intending to return to that
puzzling face when his eyes were rested. But
as a loose picture slipped from between two
pages further on, an involuntary cry escaped
the lips of the really startled detective, causing
garfort to turn abruptly with a sharp ejacula-

ion.

“Beg pardon, old fellow,” uttering the first
words that occurred to him as he looked up to

. 9'

.ur-.,-,_ , .. m.

 

  
   
 
  
    
 

.20

The Soft:Handl~s Clutch,

 

 

 

note the flushing face of his friend as Barfort
noticed the photograph. “ It just slipped out
by chance. Didn’t know you were an admirer
of the dizzy burlesque!"

“ I didn’t mean—I didn’t know it was there !”
hastlly picking up the card. “it is the picture
of Miss Coventry 1”

CHAPTER XI.
IN THE NIGHT HAWKS’ NEsT.

DAN DUNN was not mistaken when be pro-
nounced that rashly curious eavesdropper to be
none other than one of the two Night Hawks
who had so desperately assaulted lierry Barfort
while on his way home after several hours of
high and successful play at Fred Argyle‘s.

Pony Keefe caught a glimpse of the two faCes
at the o )ened window to his right, and natural-
ly anticxpating another shot or immediate pur-
91. it on the part of the detective, he paused only
i v up: enough to let his body down to the full ex-
t it of his muscular arms, then let go to risk
bioken bones on the sloping pavement below.

lie struck heavily, but saved himself from
falling, though he gave a little shiver as he saw
how narrowly he had escaped being impaled on
the iron pickets guarding a sub—passage. And
then, striking towavd the river as the shortest
route to darkness and a chance to throw pursuit
astray, Pony made rapid time during the next
few minutes.

It had all happened so suddenly that he as yet
had no clear idea as to the nature of his hurt.
He knew he was suffering sharp pains. He
knew that he was bleeding freely, and he me-
chanically lessened the danger of being trailed
by tightly pressing a large kerchief against the
torn cheek. But as yet he could not say whether
the ball had done more than makea flesh wound,
or if his escape had indeed been as lucky as it
seemed on the surface.

He crossed Second street, then cut over back
of the Francis street depOt, taking the railroad
track for some little distance down the river-
bank, before slackening his headlong pace
enough to look whether he was being pursued
too hotly for safety.

- “ I don‘t see nobody, but that devil—bad luck
spill over me!” with a grating curse at the
thought. “Who’d ’a’ thought to see him turn
up right here i”

The bare memory served to put wings to his
heels, and Pony eefe covered the next few
hundred yards with even reater rapidity than
he had recorded at the beginning of his flight.

He kept to the rails as long as that route af-
forded the greatest security against meeting a
policeman, then veered to the right, following
the curve of the river as near as practicable
without losing too much time.

“Ef the devil does pull up nigh me, he’s got
to he more of aduck then I be afore he claps the
uippers on!” doggedly muttered the thug.

Only a thoroughly desperate man would have
entertained the idea even for an instant, with
the Missouri at such a. high stage, and the “ tak—
ing-off place ” located on the outer side of such
an enormous curve, which would necessitate a
fight against the swift current for at least two
miles: but Pony Keefe was desperate while at
his best, and doubly so now that he felt Dan
Dunn was hot on his track.

“If itwvas anybody else! If it was jest a
common man! But him—I’d ruther hev a full-
growed tiger at my back i” .

The words came pantingly as Pony Keefe lay
trenching in a water-worn gully leading to the
river, one hand on his pistol, the other still

ressing the blood-sodden handkerchief to his
acerated cheek. His low forehead and little
eyes were lifted barely high enough to permit
him to watch the course he had taken while
catching breath for another burst. Each min-
ute of grace was giving him back some of his
scattered wits, and as he saw nothing to tell of
pursuit, the Night Hawk began to plan for the
future.

His wound was giving him acute pain, and
the loss of blood was beginning to tell on his
bodily powers, remarkable though those were.
And when I. little time more brought no signs
of his enemies the thug crept cautiously down
the gully until he could reach the sullen waters
rolling past its mouth. He wet his ’kerchief
thoroug ly, washing his torn cheek, fingering it
gingerly enough until satisfied that the lead had
done no worse than tear the flesh over his
prominent cheek—bone, then clip a. bit from his

ear. m
“Marked like a hog, cuss him!” he grated,

 

viciously, then hastily covered the wound with ‘
a plaster of the stiff blue clay, bindin his hand— i
kerchief snugly over it, much after t e fashion I
of a man with the toothache.

This done, and making sure no enemy waslurk-
ing near the gully in wait for his reappearance, ,
Pony Keefe struck out across the level part of i
St. Joseph, locallv known as " Pateetown,” l
avoiding the more brightly lighted streets,which
was one or to do than than at the present day,
for Edison‘s “midnight sun” was yet a boon to
be craved.

Crossing the net-work of rails and passing
or or “ Liniment Creek” by one of the least used
foot-spans, Pony Keefe socn drew near to the
outskirts of the town in that particular direc-

tion. Directly in front of him loomed up the
curious bluffs of brick clay, marked by natural
steps much after the fushiui of the artificial
pyramids, and presenting in general outline
much the same appearance from a distance.

Pony Keefe evidently had some particular
destination in view, but he had received too
thorough a fright to forget his precautions even
after so long a time without signs of chase. He
was cautiously reconnoitering the ground be-
fore advancing, when he suddenly came upon a
man who uttered a low whistle, just in time to
save himself from a shot:

“ That yr 11, Pony 1”

“ Little thanks to you, Mace I’Vilsonl” with a
vicious snarl, fingering his weapon as though
powerfully tempted to risk at least one shot.
“I’m only wonderin’ you’ve quit runnin’ this
soon!”

“ I was knocked at least half-way, and have-
n’t had time Since to spell the right road back
agnin,”grimlylaughed the taller ruilian. “ You
had it all your own way, of course, pardncr?”

Pony Keefe only growled in response, brush-
ing past his mate and aiming to softly rup at a
little door to one Side of the dimly-lighted
saloon, whose front bore the appropriate title of
“Hole in the Ground.” The bmlding itself was
half-hidden at the sides and rear by the steep
clay bluff, into which an excavation had been
made to secure a level foundation of sufficient
Size.

After an exchange of signals, so cautious as
to be audible only to the cars of the doorkeeper
and the applicant, the barrier was opened and
both Keefe and Wilson promptly slipped inside.
All was utter darkness as the door swung to be-
hind them, but this gave them neither trouble
nor uneasiness. They pressed silently forward
and upward, pausing at another door, to repeat
their signs and signals. Then they stepped into
a cool, close-smelling chamber, carved out of
the clay bank itself, somewhat above the level
of the saloon which served to cover the en-
trance, and perfectly hidden from any but the
most thorough search.

There were half a dozen persons present when
the two thugs entered, one of whom, tall, ath-
letic, stern-faced, they silent] salutc d.

At his shoulder stood r. Dairmid, his
smooth-shorn face flushed as by drink, his dark
eyes glowing like balls of fire in the dim light
as he watched the new-comers.

“You’ve been in a row, Pony?” coldly uttered
the tall man, noting the blood-stained cloth
which enveloped the head of the lesser rascal.

“All in the way 0’ business, boss,” was the
quick response.

“ What about that business?”

“ I done the best I knowed, boss, but it was a

'flzzle, clean through.”

Dr. Craig Dairmid ground a savage oath be-
tween his teeth, but when he would have start—
ed forward, the chief checked hi with an arm
of iron, inuttering‘a few words wh ch only they
two could catch.

“ A failure, was it? For your own sakes, my
fine lads, I trust it became such through no
fault or blundering of your own!”

“ That’s for you to say, boss,”sulkily respond—
ed Pony Keefe, gingerly touching his bandaged
face. “We done all we knowed, leastways I
did.” with a half-angry glance toward his com-
rade of that night’s work. “ He kin talk fer
himself, I reckon !”

“ After you is manners, Pony,” grimly laughed
Wilson.

“ Tell what you kn0w, Keefe,” harshly com-
manded the chief, sinking back into the rude
chair from which he had risen at the signals.
“Cut it as short as you can, without omitting
any essentials.”

The wounded rascal obeyed, evidently stand-
ing in no little awe of this tall fellow. H e told
a straight story of haw he and Mace Wilson
hnd'kept on the track of Berry Barfort through
all that evening, up to the time of his leaving
the gamblin -room, a heavy winner.

“We mar ed his course, then cut around to
a dark alley, layin’ fer the high-roller. We
reckoned we hed him dead to rights, an’so we
did, fu’siaofl'. I hit him fu’st, but I reckon his
plug bat an’ a drunken slip 0’ his foot fooled
me a bit. But he went down, an’ I was jest
lendin’him one when—they was a reg’lar cyclone
hit us, boss 1”

“ And hit me under the jaw so hard that I
turned end for end i” commented Mace Wilson.
“And when I stopped playing cart-wheel,1t
sounded as though ovary cop in town was sound-
ing his call!”

“ An’ inc—boss, it cuts me mighty deep to say
it,hut I was picked up by that same cyc one an’
tossed like a chunk clean over its head an’ past

1 the middle 0’ the street!”

“Don’t try to stretch it too far, gentlemen,”
frowned the chief.

“ It’s straight as a string, boss. I kin lie, but
I ain't tryin’any of it on you! He handled me
like I didn’t cost a durn cent, but I was goin’
at him, fer all, when I 896 anyway one big cop
runnin’ that way. I lit out, ‘0’ course. but I
stopped nigh ’nough to watch ’em a hit, an’
when I see ’em walkin’ the high-roller down to
the Snifl'pic House, I jest shadowed ’em, for I
wanted to git even—bad J ’

/

 

 

“Did you get that hurt when you took your
tumble?“

" From the same critter, but not jest then,
boss. I see ’em go in the hotel; not the cop; he
went back to his beat, I reckon. 1 brushed me
up a. bit, an’ sneaked inside. It wasn’t sech a
mighty resk, fer I used to pick my teeth thar,
one time, an’ I hed cheek ’nough to pull me
through cf I run up ag’inst any 0’ the insiders, I
1'6(‘k( )ncd. " '

Just at this point there came another signal
from without, and 'all was silent until the proper
responses were made to the challenges from
within. Then the door swung open and a slen—
der, foppish young fellow entered the secret
chamber. Even while saluting the chief, his big
blue eyes alighted on the bandaged face of Pony
Keefe, and he cried:

“ Well, I declare! I was just about to make
report that you’d snapped your bull neck short
off, dropping out of Doc’s window up at the
Pacific, Pony!”

Dr. Dairmid started forward with an angry
oath.

“ My room 2
you scoundrel?”

He was caught by the chief and jerked sharp-
ly back with a power which he could not resmt.
And that stern grip held him motionless while
Pony Keefe hurriedly recounted his adventures
in the hotel.

“ Room or no room, I hedn’t time to stop fer
that, l)0c,” headded. “ It was the shortest way
out, an’ the only way, I reckon. You know why
I picked the lock in the fu‘st place. I could
ketch a word now an’ then, from in thar, but it
didn’t tell me plain enough. It was risky at the
door, but I could hear better. An‘ when I done
heard—wal, I couldn‘t jest b’lieve it ’thont hav-
in’ a peek at the face 0’ that devil on ten wheelsi
An’ sv—I see him, an’ be see me, an’ be shot me,
tau—boss,” with sudden desperation, curiousl

iXed with abject fear as he more directly a -

i‘essed his mas er. “ Boss, let me off fer a bit,
won’t you? Gi’ mea furlough that’ll take me
clean out 0’ the kentry. Ef you don’t do it, oath
or no oath, I'll her to jump the job or git pulled
by that devil in kids!‘

“What do you mean by that?” frowned the

“'hat were you doing in there,

chief.

“That I’m all broke up, an” I cain’t help it,
boss. Look at my mark!” and he tore the
bandage from his face. Afore day comes, all
the cops in town’ll be huntin’ fer me. An’ that
he’ll be at the head of ’em, too! Let me go,
boss! I ain’t no good no more. Icain’t. sarve
you an longer, an’ of I’m held here I’ll git
pinche , too might tight!” _

“,Who is this m n you’re so terribly afraid
of?‘

“ The same who broke up Brocky Sam an’ Kit
Melady’s gang down at Kaw City, boss,” lower-

ing his tones with a shiver of fear as be cast a ~

glance orer his shoulder, seemingly in dread of
beholding that feared personage. “You know
him: Dan Dunn, the Soft-Hand Sport!”

An oath, fierce and grating, escaped the
Night Hawk chief.

CHAPTER XII.

Da. DAIRMID PRESCRIBES roa DAN DUNN.

“ IT’s gospel truth, chief,” interposed Kid
Price, the foppish little fellow who had ex ress-
ed surprise at the soundness of Pon eefe’s
neck. “ That was what brought me ( Own here
at this hour. I spotted the gent, and thought it
best you should know of his presence in town,

articularlv as he went. off in a back with Berry

arfort. To lay complaint before the city mar-
she], he gave out, but that was only a blind. I
shadowed them past the office and round about
to the place where Barfort hangs out when at
home.”

“ An’ though you know I’m true blue, boss,
ef that devil nips me, I feel like he’d turn me
clean outside ’thout half tryin’ !"

Dr. Dairmid, once more his usual cold, un-
moved self, n0w spoke up: '

“ Better send him down to the Lake Nest,
chief, until he gets over his scare. He can do
the work there just as well as Anson. But now
——I’ll see you later!”

“ Where to in such haste, Doc i”

“ To find Mr. Daniel Dunn. and apologize to
him for the liberty taken by the insolent varlet
who used my room as a cover,” coldly smfled
the doctor, with a peculiar glitter in is dark

eyes.

For a. brief Space he and the chief looked at
each other, then the latter nodded assent to
what he saw in those coldly-blazing orbs. Any
and every man then present might be fully

 

trusted, but there are some thi-gs which had

best be he t under c0ver. .And the meaning
which the ‘ight Hawk chief saw there was
among that list. .

Dr. Dairmid quickly found his way to the
open air, walking hrl§k1y uptown. t was a
long stretch to the Pacnflc House, but he did not
careto take a back, if one might be found at
that late hour so far down-town, and the horsc
cars were still more objectionable. He wanted
both quiet and Solitude for- thought.

Enough has been shadowed forth to show
that Dr. Craig Dairmid was one of a certain
number playing a bold and dangerous game for

 

‘ . n}, f
;\ -, ,.; *. Vale“?

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

of course, and by night we’l

The Soft-Hand’s Clutch.

11

 

 

high stakes. Unless space has been waste], it
has been shown that the doctor was something
above the average run of scheming rascals,
lu l](l‘ original, and if not absolutely heartless, at
least without scruples as to what means he em-
ployed in order to secure his coveted ends.

But despite all this, there was something not
far akin to fear in his brain as he reflected over
what the lesser Night Hawks had reported
shortly before.

He had heard of the cool sport who brought.

a dangerous gang of evil—doors to giief in Kan-
sas (.‘it}', only the year before, and the fact was
all the more clearly impressed upon his mind
because one of the schemers worst punished had
been an intimate friend of his; a dashing voung
speculator and real-estate broker, Nicol Faulk-
ner by name.

“ And he’s in with Berry Barfort, now?"
scowlcd the doctor, his hands clinching with
ugly significance as he strode rapidly alon the
dark. deserted streets of Pateetown. “V hat
does he know? How much does he suspect? Or
is it only an accursed chance? That’s what I
want to know. That’s what I will know,un-
less—’

He did not complete the reason even in his
own mind. Another idea was taking its place,
and his face beemne harder, more ,piti‘less as
the details gradually found shape and ranged
themselves in order. -

“ Why not? I’d be a fool to run any unne-
cessary risks, with such a big stake in the bal-
anew!

There was nothing of all this to be read in
the face of Dr. Craig Dairmid as he languidly
.entered the office of the Pacific House, to find
PriCe Wilkie still out of bed and who immedi-
ately greeted him with an excited manner very
different from his usual dignified repose.

He hurriedly detailed the exciting episode of
the night, adding:

“ it was an ugly chance that led the rascal
through your room,-doctor, but I’ve had a new
lock put on and the carpet shall be changed in

’ the morning. Until then you won’t mind tak«

ing another room?” ,

‘You say the fellow only passed through?”
asked the doctor, as he moved toward his
chamber accompanied by the landlord. “ He
hadn‘t time to meddle with any of my traps, I
trust?”

' “ I think not—I’m almost sure not,” was the
hasty response. “I’ll stand good for any loss,
~ have everything

put in apple-pie order, so—”

“ Don’t hurr yourself on my account,” cool-
1y interjected J ail-mid. i‘ I expect to be absent
for a few days. Not out of town, but watching
by the side of a very sick patient. Doubtless
all will be arranged by the time I can come
back.”

Wilkie had no difficulty in divining who that
patient was, but he contented himself with ask-
ing how the retired merchant was progressing.
Dr. Dairmid briefly replied, without imparting
any particular information, however.

\Vilkie pointed out the bloody tracks and pro-
fusely apologized for not having everything set
in order at once, but he could not be sure when
.the doctor would drop in and—

“ It don’t matter in the least, dear sir,”
blandly smiled Dairmid, after a hasty examin-
ation of his belongings, to pronounce them all
right. “1 will leave early. I want to catch
an hour or two of sleep while I can, and this
room suits me better than a strange one. I’m a
bit peculiar that way, old as I am. And so—
By the way, my next door neighbor: have you
run him out of his room, too?"

Price lVilkie shook his head, a frown wrink-
ling his brows.

‘ I‘m not so sure but I ought to. though l” af-

ter tellin how Dan Dunn had driven off to lay .

a complaint before the police. “ ’Ijheimpudence
of the fellow! Turning my house into a shoot-
infigallery l”

aving learned all he wanted just then, Dr.
Dairmid mana adto dismiss the landlord, lock-
ino' his door be ind him, begging that the cor-
ri or might be kept as silent as possible until
he had time to fall asleep. at least, for he sorely
r uired rest.

e yawned heavily as he spoke the parting
words, but never a man was more entirely

.awake than he the instant he was left alone.

He turned his gas low, and pulled down the
blind at his one window. He aused before a
door in the side of his room, w ich looked as if
it might lead into a closet, butOWhich was really
a possible mode of communicating With the
chamber adjoining his; the same in which we
have seen Dan Dunn and Berry Barfort a little
earlier that same ni ht.

Dr. Dairmid bent is eye to the keyhole, but
all was dark beyond. Despite the assurance of
Price Wilkie that the chamber was unoccupied
at present, the doctor pressed an ear light]
over the little hole, holding his breath win 0
listening with all his powers. Not a sound.

“Give me an hour, or even half that long,
Daniel. and mayhap I’ll set a little trap that
will take you out of my pith—if indeed you are
in it!”

He took a small case of instrumentsput of his
breastrpocket, opening it and selecting a pe-

 

culiar instrument for a doctor to carry. \Vith
this tool he quickly shot back the bolt of the
lock, then turned the knob and cautiously
pushed the door 0 ien a bit. No sound from be-
yond. Little by little he opened the door, until
he Could slip inside the other chamber.

A single glance assured him that he was the
sole occupant, and he moved with more celerity
thereafter. Though the light coming from his
chamber was dim enough, still his sight was
keen, and he quickly noted each and every oh-
jcct in the room, his eyes resting longest on an
embroidered cigar-case lying on the white COVer-
let of the unrunipled bed.

A sli ht ejacu ation escaped his lips at this,
and pic in; it up he opened it, to find the case
half full of cigars. He next examined the curi-
ous monogram worked on one side, reading
them slightly incorrectly, thanks to his belief
that its owner was really named Dunn.

“Daniel T. Dunn, eh?” he muttered, a cold
smile crecpingto his lips as he moved back to
his own chamber, drawing the door to behind
him but not latching it. “A smoker, or he
wouldn’t carry this. lVell, why not (ha! way?
It’sa vile and filthy habit,Daniel! You’d ought
to be punished for turnin your mouth into a
furnace and your nostr‘ s into smoke-stacks.
Ollghf—and—shall I” u

There was an ugly significance in those slowly-
breathed words that was admirably suited to
the reddish glitter in his dark eyes. No honest
man could have heard the one or seen the other
without ashiver of dislike and suspicion. Taken
together, they branded the physician as a mur-
dererl

Having come upon the vehicle he sought, Dr.
Dairmid out little time to waste, for he knew
not at what moment the rightful owaer of those
cigars might return to the hotel, and his game
was too heavy to risk waiting for another and
possibly surer chance.

With deft fingers be selected several little
bottles from his pocket medicinecase, carefully
mixing them in certain proportions, until he
had possibly half an ounce of colorless liquid in
readiness.

With a delicate hypodermic syringe he ro—

ceeded to fully im regnate each 0 the three
cigars which he ha discovered in t e case, tak-
ing particular care not to break the wrapper or
leave any marks sufficient to awaken suspicion,
then re acing them in the same side of the case
fil‘om w ich he hadtaken them, closing the metal
0 as .
“ Ytrust you are too stingy to offer a cigar to
a friend, Daniel,” the heartless villain laughed
softly to himself as he passed through the door
and carefully placed the case just where he had
found it. “ Because I’m only shooting at you.
Still, if the 11 does scatter a bit what matter?
They say this country is gettin over-populated,
and I don’t know a quicker or ess painful death
to die!”

His work accomplished as far as lay in his
ower, Dr. Dairmi returned to his own cham-
er, deftly relocking the door, confident that he

had completely covered his tracks.

“ Sad, of course, but if a man will dro dead
of healrt disease while smoking a cigar, w o’s to
blame?” he laughed as he turned off his gas,
leaving the room in perfect darkness.

And none too soon, as a few moments more
proved. The sound of a rapid, spriiigy foot
came echoing faintly from the stairs, and as
the doctor listened intently, his eyes shone red] y
through the gloom. For the steps paused op-

site the next chamber. He heard a key turn
in the lock and then withdraw as the door
opened. He heard it close, heard the ke turn
once more, and then he saw a tiny ray 0 light
stream through the keyhole of the door in the
side wall.

He silently drew off his shoes, creeping on
tiptoe to the door, abruptly pausing as he heard
the knob faintly rattle as though the occupant
of the other room was making sure the bolt was
sprung.

An instant later the little ray of light was
cut off, and he knew an eye was stooping to the
keyhole. His .blood seemed to sto flowing for
an instant with sudden fear. ad he made
any mistake? Had he left any signs behind him
by which the-—

His breath came again and his blood shot
tingling throu h his veins as a soft, mellow
wh:stle came rom the other chamber. The
keyhole was once more unobscured, and he
heard the man moving a chair or the little

table. .

Stilling his breath lest it betrs. him, Dr.
Dairmid bent an eye to the kevho e, knowing
that in thadarkness which filled his own room
he ran no risk of betraying himself as the other
had done. And an ugly light came into his
eyes as he saw Dan Dunn standing by the side
of the bed .an‘unlighted cigar between his lips,
and just slippin the embroidered case into his
breast ket w ere he habitually carried it.

“ Wl lhe smoke it now?” flashed through his
busy brain at this si ht. “Is he going out
again, at this hour? ill be smoke it in his
room? Do It. you scoundrelly bloodhoundl”he
grated vicious 

o draw baa hastily but silently, fearing he
had unwittingly betrayed his presence, for Dan

 

 

Dunn turned squarely toward the closed door.
No sound fol10wed as the scheming villain
waited in breathless sus ense.‘ Perfect silence
for a score of seconds. lien he heard the bed
faintly creak and shortly afterward the sound
of a dropping shoe or boot on the carpeted floor.
Einboldened by this, he again stooped with
eye to the keyhole, to see Dan Dunn lighting a
Cigar at the gas-jet before turning it out.
“Good enough, gentle Daniel l” the murderer
softly breathed in unholy glee.
terious death for the newspalmrs!”

CHAPTER XIII.
THE ROOT or ALL EVIL.

THERE was wholly unfeigned surprise in the
face of Dan Dunn at Berry Barfort’s words,
but there was a touch of genius in his manner
of retaining possession of the photograph in
question, despite the hasty effort which his host
made to-recover it.

Seemingly unaware of that wish, the detec-
tive caught up the card and rose to hold it
closer to the gas-jet, his whole manner that of
one who wishes to explain how such an awk-
ward mistake became possible. Only that could
be read in his handsome face, but what conflict-
ing Yassionslay beneath the surface!

‘ fo ot—I never knew the card was in
there,” added Barfort, passing around the table
in order to gain the side of his friend, his hand
quickly closing over the pictured face and hid-
ing it from view. “ Not that I don’t—but it’s
hardly the thing, you know, Dunn.”

“ I beg your pardon, dear boy, a thousand
times over,” said the detective, forcing a little
embarrassed laugh as he resigned the photo-
graph, and actually blushing a bit under those
dark eyes. “ Not only for taking a second look
—I couldn’t help that, you know, for how else
could a fellow find an excuse for making such
an extraordinary mistake? But—help me out,
Berry, can’t you?”

Dan Dunn dropped back into the chair he had
vacated, the picture of half-amused anger and
perplexity, and so (perfectly did he carry out his
suddenlv—conceive rate. that Barfort never once
doubted his complete sincerity.

He slipped the card into a breast pocket,
leaving the album still open on the table.

“ \Ve’ll let it drop at that, Dunn. It was a
strange bit of carelessness on my part, and
when I saw the card,.and heard you speaking of
it in such terms, why—”

“ That’s what cuts me deepest, pardner,” in-
terposed the Soft—Hand Sport, his face flushing
anew, his 1i 5 curling as thoughin self-contempt.
“ I’m all 0 to-night! I don’t often make such
a bad break, but the fact'is I only caught a
glimpse of the face, and, like an idiot, I mis-
took it for that of a rather noted burlesque
actress' maybe you’ve heard of her? Harlequin
Hat or ’Hattie, I think it was?”

Barfort flushed up, but it was with offended
pride, as the keenly watchful detective had no
difficulty in deciding. ,

“ I never had the honor of meeting the—the
lady you mention,” he somewhat stifliy respond-

 

“ I’m not saying you’re greatly the loser for
that, dear boy,” the sport laughed, lightly.
“ Not that I behave all rumor has to say, as a
rule, but I reckon Hattie was a rather bad lot,
all in all. Handsome—or I could never have
made such a monstrous mistake, even through
a side-glimpse.”

“ Never mind. I’m not blaming you, only—
let’s drop the subject, please. Tell me what you
think about that other; the picture of Knox
Caventry, I mean.” ‘

There was no immediate response. Dan Dunn
sli a hand into his breast-pocket, where he
ha itnally carried his cigar case, giving a little
exclamation as he failed to find it, but his face
almost immediately clearing up again.

“ I remember, nowl I left it on thebed inmy
room. I say, pardner, you don't happen to
have a s are weed about our clothes ?”

Berry arfort produc a box of cigars and
what with selecting and lighting one of these,

Dan Dunn secured time enough in which to col- ,-

lect his thoughts and to demde on his course.
When this was done, he wasted little time but
came bluntly to the point:

“ What do I think of that icture, eh? That
if good, he’s very, very good, and if had, he’s
just horrid l”

“ There can be no ‘ if ’ about it,” frowned the--

other. “ Knox Coventry is a gentleman clean
through and back againl I’d stake my life on
his perfect rectitnde without the slightest fear
of losing.”

“ Then ‘ good’ is the term of course, pardner.
I never meant to hint otherwise, but my wits
seem off on a vacation to-night and my ton ue
wags backward. Yet—you must remember
that all I know of the family is what I’ve gath-
ered through casual gossip on the street and in
odd nooks where people were discussing the
news. I heard something about a fortune, or a.
will, or—is that tabooed, also?” he innocently
asked! as he caught arother frown contracting
the brows of his friend.

Be Barfort hesitated a little before reply-
in . e was naturally reserved, proud and sen:
sitive. His main faults were a hot temper and.

‘ ‘ Another niys .

.3“: Y.-

-

12

The Soft-Hand’s Clutch.-

 

a_leaning toward jealousy. As a rule he kept
his fears and hopes to himself, but just now he
sorely felt the need of a friend in whom he could ;
glide his troubles: heavy and sore they were, i

Dan Dunn saw as much, and promptly took i
advantage of the chance.

“Barfort, my best and closest friend calls '
you his friend. You’re in trouble, and I’d ask ’
nothing better than to help you tide it over. I
don’t say I can do this, for as et I’ve only a '
ghostly glimmer of the actual acts; but 1 do
say this much, and I say it strong! l

“ If on can briu yourself to trust me whol-
ly, ful v, Without t 'e slightest reserve, I’ll do ,
my level best to see you through, Of course, é
whatever vou may tel me lies strictly between ‘
us two. But—I’d rather drop the matter right 1
now and here than to receive only a partial ex» l
planalion.”

There wasa deep earnestness in his manner, i
,even more than in the words he uttered, that ’
sti'ongl impressed the young man. If he hesi-
tatedn we only fora single breath. Then he ‘
grasped Dan Dunn’shand and pressed it cordial~
ly as he broke out; ‘

"I'll (innit; and try to thank you when I’m l
more my a

“ Then we’ll go into the case as though it was .
simple busineSS,”nodded the detective.' “ M’” s
Rena Covent is an heiress in her own right; ’
lbelleVe. Te line just what that means, as a 7
“after.” '

Barfort flushed a bit, as though taken aback g
by this blunt beginning, but the bargain “"19 0f !

 

his own making, and he did not refuse. I (388

“ You heard ari’ ht, Dunn. Miss COVentry is
an heiress, apart rom what she will naturally
inherit from her father, as his only surviving
child. This fortune—J never aske its exact
amount. but I know it is considerabl more
than a million—was left by a great unc e, who
died a misanthrope, as he might be called.

“ I never took the trouble to investigate
closely, but I believe he was a, stern, rigid,
austere old fellow, whose two daughters both
sloped from home with men whom he would not
favor. He disinherlted them,and refused to!
see or have any communication with them !
whatever, up to the hour of their death. The
both died, leaving no children. He was a wi -
ower. Knox Coventry was his nearest blood
relative, though I’m not sure if they ever met
in the flesh. 1

“The old fellow died, and his will shovmd;1
something of what he had suffered in life. His !
entire fortune was left tothe daughter of Knox 1
Coventry, on certain conditions. She was to .
wait for it until her twenty-first birthday. If ,
she married before that date, she was to lose 1
everything. If she ran away from home to
marry, the same. If single at the age of
tWenty-one, and her father was dead, she could
at oncevcome into possession. If he stilllived,
she was to wait until she wedded. with her
father’s full and free consent, and if she never
married, the fortune was to revert to certain
named charities at her death.”

“ Rathrr complicated, don’t you think?”
laughed Dunn.

“ I’m no lawyer, you kuOW,” smiling faintl .
“But I think I’ve given the gist of the will.
You see, his own children ran away from him
when they were still very young, and I sup ose
he wanted to guard against this in Miss ov-
entr , as far as love of money could do so.”

1 “ nd, her father could in no case finger the
e, cy?
erry Barfort shook his head in negation.

“ Save by giving his daughter to a man who
who would permit him to take a goodly slice
gupposing he wanted it," added the Soft-Han

 

l

r .
pgarfort flushed up again at this slow speech,
and 1his tones were verging close on anger as he

criet :

“I won‘t hear to any hints of that temper,
Dunn! For the last time I tell you Knox Cov-
entr is the very soul of honor! Why, man,
I’d Just as soon think my father—rest his soul!
--could have been guilty of a mean or dishonest
act as I would Knox Coventry 1"

“You may be right, pardner,” was the cool
retort, “but there is a mighty big change come
over the whole place, and you can’t deny it. If
Knox Coventry is all you claim, why does he
consort with such a dirty scoundrel as you
glut Craig Dairmidl Wh does he permit him

rule in his house, as ru e he surely must, to
shut you out; and you the accepted lover of his
only daughter?”

“ He is too ill—”

“ Take it that way, if you like it better,” with
a lighter tone of voice. “Still, ‘there is a
change. and no ch nge comes without a cause
behind it. And if' Doctor Dairmid isputtin on
frills without a commission. the sooner we nd
it out the shorter will be his reign. But, mind
you, dear boy," growing earnest again: “ don’t
get into a row with the fellow if you can pos-
sibly avoid it. Wait until we can get albtho
facts together.

“First, you want to lie down and catch a l
little slec to steady your nerves and clear your
brain. hen eat a solid meal. When you’ve
got that far along, call at Coventry Place. Ask

 

i

stepped

for Miss Coventry, and insist on having an in-
terview. Don’t boil over if you are refused ad-
mittance, as you were before. Keep cool,
whatever else on do. Sa that you must see
the lady. Stick to it al day if you can’t get
there any sooner, and if the bell gives out, and
your knuckles can’t stand the ressure, use a
dornick. Keep asking, and 0 there! When
you dowuse your eyes as wel as your tongue,
my lad! Don’t leave without a ful and perfect
understanding, if it takesa week! Buffy—keep
a stiff curb on your temper, especially if Dr.
Dairmid shows up.”

“ I’ll break his infernal neck ,1”

“ Then I’ll bear witness against on at the in-
quest, and help hang you for an iot!” bluntly
retorted Dan Dunn, rising to his feet, a smile on
his lips but a stern light in his eyes. “ I mean

 

Not n ith pure fear, for he was bold enough un-
der ordinary circumstances, but his nerves were
in poor condition for withstanding these repeat—
ed shocks.

“ You don’t mean—”

“ That some guy and festive critter thought
to give us a bit of a scare, pardner,” cut in Dan
Dunn, slipping the knife into his outer pocket.
“I hardly reckon it was anytbin worse than
that, and such being the case, it’s hardly worth
while to waste more time over it. If anybody
asks you how that hole came in the door, tell
’em you don’t know. Good-night, pardner.
Go in and go to bed. Sleep hearty, and wake
up cool enough for business. Make your call.
Follow the line I marked out and let me know
the results when I e't around this way again.”

Without giving arfort time to utter a word.

 

it, Barfort, in spirit if not in letter. There‘s a
deep game going on, and Dairmid has both ,
hands in it up to the elbows. If you want to 9
keep him from winning, you’ve got to play cool 
and play keen. If you let your temper slop
over—good-by—may I see Rena f” '
Barfort caught his extended hand, gazing,|
anxi usly into his eyes. .
“ You know more than you see fit to tell me, !
Dunn! Is this keeping the compact you forced ‘
me into, a bit ago?” {
f‘IJill lpromisc‘to lay bare all my secrets?” !
With a soft laun'h, as he returned that pressure.
“it I (llii, I’ll keep my word. But then isn’t
time for more talk just now. You want to
catch a little nap before boarding thc— I
sincerely trust it will prove lion, not lion—
" a

Hypo you want (U insult me, Mr. Dunn?”
flashedBarfort, hotly _ ' H l

“ Not a bill 0t 1‘. th‘ar il'liOW~," with. a soft l
laugh. “ Simply to test “your temper; It’s too
peppery, pardner. Try to sleep Some of it off,
or I fear We’ll both r 're't th‘e ‘advlce I gave
you a bit ago. 1: might e Seine satisfaction to
your ! acted, thumping the doctor, but I’m
dubious about the ultimate benefit. Under-
stand,ladi’

If that had really been a slip of the tongue,
Dunn covered it fairly Well, and Barfort ac-
cepted his explanation as i'enuine. Perhaps it
was just as well that his wits were rather mud-
dled, af‘er all! , _

Though Dan Dunn protested against his tak-
ing the trouble when his few leisure minute's
might be so much better employed, Berry Bar-
fort insisted in bearing his new ally company to
the outer door at least. As his room was in the
second story, this did not take long, but Barfort
outside, drawing the door to behind
him, the more surely to guard ‘against their last
Words being overheard by any curious ears
within. .

Directly in front of them stood a private
lamp, still burning, despite the full moon now
sailing through a clear sky overhead, and its
beams threw their ‘flgures into plain relief for
the moment.

Dan Dunn, for the moment, was completely
of! his guard, and failed to note the dark figure
skulking across the street until it sprung into
swift motion. Then he struck Barfort sharply,
knockln him of! the end of t! e step, himself
leaping ack as a glittering circle swept past
the lamp, to strike the door with a peculiar
thump!

 

CHAPTER XI'V.
A wasrnn PRESCRIPTION.

THERE was no time to count force or measure
distances, and both Dan Dunn and Berry Bar-
fort fell as they left the narrow steps, one of his
own volition, the other from a sharp blow on
his chest. And the detective, in addition, only
regained his feet after turning a back somerset
over the low fence which divider! one section of
the brick row from its next neighbor.

Berry Barfort had fallen partially into a little
half—circle of bricks, guarding a basement win-
dow, but he was on his feet the first, uttering an
indignant oath as he glared about for his false
friend, as he now deemed the detective. ‘And
only for the fence between him, it is more than
probable that Dan Dunn would have felt the
weight of that hard-clinched fist before he could
have given an explanation of his conduct.

“ You tricky scoundrel!” panted the oung‘
man, but Dunn was looking down the imly-
lighted street where a nimble figure was just
fading out of sight.

“ Go it, Kid!” he uttered, thinly-veiled ven-
geance in his tones, low and even though they
were. “ I can‘t match your heels, with the
start you’ve got, but I’ll— HellO, pardnerl”
with a short laugh as Barfort leaned over the
fence and tried to grasp him. “ Beg pardon for
tumbling you over, but I didn’t have time to ask
your leave!”

“ What in blazes—”

“ It did resemble a little wheel of lightning,
didn’t it?” still with a peculiar laugh as he
brushed aside that angry arm and lightlyleaped
over the fence to step up to the door and jerk a
keen-pointed knife from where it was still quiv-
ering in the wood work. “ Was it meant for

 

you, or am I to consider it a compliment?”
Barfort turned pale, his eyes widely distended.
I

‘I, ,J...  .

in reply, Dan Dunn passed through the little
gate and strode rapidly down the street, his
keen eyes glancing into the dark alley at the
mouth of which he had last seen the fleeting
knife-thrower, but without making any dis¢0v—

cry.

“Maon I’ll iun up agaii st you again, Kid
Price!” he muttered with a fleeting smile as he
passed on. “ if I do, shall I give you back your
dainty toothpick? And—point foremost?”

it was no great distance down to the Pacific
Hotel, but while covering it the Soft-Hand
Sport crowded a great deal of th‘nking into the!
minutes consumed. Not of Kid Price and his.
knife-throwing: that was dismirscd if not for--
gotten immediately after passing the month of
the alley into which the would-be assassin had
dived in hasty flight. But of those two photc—

gygnhs and the memories which they awak—
ened. . “
But nothing 'of all this showed in his hand
tome face as he entered the hotel and called for
the key to his room. Only the night-clerk Was-
in the room, and though he seemed inclined to
talk over the shooting affair of a‘ at? hours be-
fore, even bending so far 'as to press a choice
cigar upon the sport Dan Dunn wasted little
time in passing on to his chamber. ‘

He had a matter of far more importance than
the escapade of Pony Keefe to think over,.and
he wanted to be alone with his thoughts. Yet a-
life of danger and many treacherous snares had
taught him a caution which was rarely forgot—i
ten, even while seeming the most reckless, and
eager though he was to get at the truth of the
real or suspected discoveries he had so unexpect-
edly made that night, Dan Dunn put them aside
until he was fully at liberty to take them up in
due order. .

He struck a match and turned on the gas,
then glanced at once toward the door which of—
fered a possible mode of communication with
the next room: the same which, as he had that
night learned for the first time, was rented by
Dr. Craig Dairmid. .

His lips closed tightly, as thou h to smother
an ejaculation, and a steely glow eaped into his
bluegray eyes as he saw that the door had
plainly been tamperedwith during his absence,
thong . of course, he could not be positiveit was
the work of a personal enemy. It might possi-
bly be that one or both of the landlords had
opened or caused the door to be opened ; butihat
it had been opened since his departure in com-
pany with Berry Barfort, he had indisputable
evidence.

Knowing that he was bound on a perilous mis-
sion, which would be doubly dan erous should
his true character be discovered, an Dunn had
taken a very sim le precaution to know if any
attempt was ma e to enter his room by unlaw-
ful means.

Across the crack between door and easing, he-
had drawn frail white threads in three different
places sticking both ends fast with paste. One
and al of these Were' broken, though too fine
and too short to attract the notice of any one
save the one who had placed them there.

To make sure that they had hem broken by
the door opening, and not simply loosened at the
ends, Dan Dunn approached the door, his hand
accidentally touching the knob and making it
rattle. He quickly c0vered this, in case the
next room should be occupied by an enemy, by
0 nly shaking the knob, then stooping to peer
t rough the keyhole.

He could see nothing, but he had not expected
to see aught. It was simply to convey the idea,
if any one was in lying in wait, that he was
making sure of his own privacy. And then he
moved away, softly whistling a bit from an
opera, 9. parently wholly at ease.

Thoug his suspicions were fullyawakened,he
picked up his cigar-case and pooketed it with-
out a thought of danger from that Source. He
was looking for some cunning trap, but with-
out seeing aught to arouse his suspiCions afresh.
Apparently, his few belongings were precisely
as he had left them.

“ Who came in that way, then?” he mused,
sitting fora moment on the edge of the bed,
unbuttoning and kicking off his shoes. “ Is any
one in there now. waiting for me to fall asleep?
No one unless it may be the gentle doctor!
Well, we’ll see what comes of it, anyway!”

He silently passed to his own door, unlocking
it and leaving it ajar a trifle. without n aking a
sound to betray himself. Then he want to the

 

 

 

 

«way-a». u. .. a W

 

 

 

.m. . «I a... 1...;

 

 

  

- dearly like to have a mementov—wh

. also kept vigllfipusuli

offered
.. U polathe

The Soils-Hand’s Clutch. '

’13

 

 

gas-jet, lit his cigar, turned 06 the light and
flung himself on the bed to think and to wait.

That was his greatest weakness; the love of
tobacco. He could do more and clearer reason-
ing by its aid. And he' felt the need of every
help, just now.

So much had happened! He had made so
many startling discoveries that night! Or—
were they discoveriesil \l'ere they anything
more than empty fancies, born of a tired brain?
Would they fude away into naught as soon as
he had “ caught up” with his‘lost sleep?

He had been powerfully struck by the pic-

ture which Berry Barforc pronounced that of ,

Knox Coventry, and felt that he would give a
small fortune could he see acounterfeit of the
same face, minus that long silvery beard which
so completely vailed the more decided features.
But the sight of that other photograph: young
rarely beautiful, smiling, full of race and
seeming innocence: had fairly electri ed him!

“I’d ‘make oath in open court it was taken
from life—and that life belonging sole-1y and
surely to Harlequin Hat! lf—if the artist had
only selected the right side of her face; It was
taken thus on at least one occasion, and I’d
not 9" and
he gave a start at the thought. “ f I’d only
have thought of sending a line to the chief!
I‘ll do it first thing in the mornin !”

Just then he heard a slight )und from the
adjoining chamber.
profoundly quiet throughout the hotel, he would
never have observed it, though his ears wore on
the keen alert all the while. As it was, he
could not be sure it was occasioned by anything
more than a mouse, or some such harmless,
cause; but there was far too much at stake to
run any chances, and he silently slipped from
bed to the floor, touching Kid Price’s knife with
a hand as he stole to his chamber door, crouch-

..ing down where‘he could‘peer through the nar-

row crack prepared beforehand.

A few seconds later he had his reward. He
heard the next door carefully open, and then
close. He caught sight of a dim y-outlined fig-
ure in the corridor, and never moved until it
. .rept silently awaylin the direction of the stairs,
to pause again when at a little distance.

Carefully widening his loophole, Dan Dunn
1-: Hr a. man stoo ing to slip on' his shoes. Then
thanks to the ight turned low at the head oi
'the stairs. he distinctly recognized the face and
figure of Dr. Dairmidl

As the schemer vanished from sight, the de-
tective closed his door and locked it,,returning
to his bed, to weigh the curious circumstance.

"He was in there when I came. He must
have heard, if not seen me. He steals away in
his socks, as though he was afraid of bein
lizard} By whom? By moi It looks mightily

l e i ‘~

“ That door was opened, almost certainly
from his mom. Again, why? Was I right in
connecting him with the gang to which Pon be-
longs? Pony must have heard Barfort cal me
by name. Pony got awa , with my mark. Did
Pony eet the doctor?
migh cause him trouble? if so—that would ac-
count for his trying to get me down first! But
bowl I have nothin here that he could—"

an Dunn sta to his feet as thou h
somethin had suddfly released a wer ul
spring. 9 struck a tch and igni the gas.
He took the case from his pocket and opened it
to inspect the contents.

“ If he wanted to poison me, who knows-is
that so!”

Careful as Dr. Dairmid had been in “putting
up ” his “ prescription,” he _had not counted on
having it inspected so soon, though when he

stole from his chamber be firmly believed the '
detective was eithér dead or dyin from the ef— 1
e have seen i

facts of one of those very ci are!
how he. fell into this m take, through the
curiodty of the night clerk. ‘

As Dan Dunn took out a cigar to inspect it,
he noticed that it was damp, while he always
preferred a thoroughly seasoned weed. And
guided by what he had seen, by what he suspect-

od, he came very near the truth. although un- '

derother circumstances, he would never ave
noticed the change in his cigars, or would have
attributed it to the heat of his own body.

" It may still be that. but l’ll take no chances,
doctor!” he grimly mutterid, as be carefully
wrapped up case And all, securing it with; .
'st'ring. “1 ll make sure by having a chemist

J test them before night.”

He turned off the gas, pushing up the shade
in front of his window. Day was Justdawning,
and as his room fronted the south, a little of the
gray'da-vn crept in through the glam;enough
.to relieve the darkness.

Dan Dunn returned to his bed. but without
the least notion of going‘to sleep, though he
knew that he must shortly secure some reposeif
he was to keep his wits clear and his brain in
working order. On the hi ht before he had
over 0 difi'mnt claws
and trails of t 0 Night swks.

Hedi! not lack food for thought tho h be
found it no tgsk tenements-artisan mam
an one ntw eresoinany. ,o ,pn
y elm: m fwelucidafion: but on one

beeamsmoreand doomed.

   
 

If all had not been so |

id the doctor think I ‘

 

l

l “ I’ve got to leave this ranchl I’ve got to gs:

l bury Dan Dunn and blossom forth into a he

i and entirely different character!” he muttered,

; as he rose, put on his shoes and left the room,

1 but without taking any of his few belongings

with him. “ My board is paid ahead, and they

can store them until I come back to life again.”
He passed through the office without spe :king

to any one, and at once left the building by the

l

front or main exit, to stop short with a cold ,

smile directly in front of a foppishly-dressed
: young fellow.

“ Hello, Kid!” and he slipped the knife from
his pocket, thrusting it into his hand. “ You
i lost this last night, i believe?”

CHAPTER XV.
TORTURED WHILE TORTUBING.
As far as possible, Berry Barfort acted upon
‘ the parting advice of his friend in need, though
; he found it altogether out of, the question to do
more than fall into a troubled and uiirefreshing
doze. He tried conscientiously, but it was of no

 

and his nerves too tensely strung.

He left the house quite early, without stop-
i plug for breakfast. and both as an aid to pass-
, mg away the hours which must of necesswy

. an
9 up his body, he visited a bath-house.
This gave him something of an appetite, and

'\

l
' steady, each syllable coming clear cut as of

ice.
“ Rena, what do you mean?”

“ That I am sorry you forced your way into
my presence, Mr. Barfort. That I ho ed and
prayed you would wait in patience unti I could
collect my thoughts enough to tell you what a
vast. what a complete change has come over life
for both you and 1. Even now I pray it may
not be too late. If y on ever loved me—”

“If I—you dare ask or doubt that. Rena?”
with hoarse impetuosity, as he covered the space

; between them and clasped her tightly to his

l

swelling chest, raining kisses that sitorched on
face and neck.

There was a faint, brief struggle, as though
she would escape him even then. A sobbing cry
parted her lips, but too flint and weak to pass
through the door which she had closed behind
her on entering the room. And then, yielding

‘ to his fierce embrace, her eyes closed.

l

Even in his madness Berry Barfort saw this,

i and he believed the victory was fairly won.
avail. His brain was too thoroughly excited , The thought served to quell his fierce jealousy,

i
l

l

and though his caresses ccntinued, his almost
savage pressure relaxed.

“ If I ever loved you, Rena? You could doubt
that? I will not believe itl You know I love

ela s before he could call at Coventry Place, v you, and you only. You know I would gladly
dfiin hopes of cooling his brain and building igive”my life to save you from a single pang

of——
With a sudden effort such as he had never

,1 a restaurant did the rest. 80 that, about mid- : deemed possible for a woman of her physique,

[ forenoon, one who had met that pale, unsteady,
i hag ard-eged fellow leaving his boarding-place,
wou d har
; athlete who eft the pave and crossed the trimly-
; kept lawn to the front door of the fine residence
i occupied by the Coventrys, father and daugh-
‘* ter.
} There were no outward signs of life about the
. place, though Berry Barfort h rdly paused to
l noteas much. Now that his ate was so near
‘ at hand, he had thoughts for nothing else.
I Outwardly he was composed enough. though
2 his dark eyes were more than usually brilliant.
andhhis jaws were squared by his clinched
tee .

Ascending the granite steps and creasing the
shaded rtico, he touched the bell, awaiting
the rash t with enforced composure. And when
the call was answered b: the footman, he nod—
ded briefly, as usual an quietly asked:

“ Your mistress, 01‘; of course she is in l”

The servant flushed a trifle and was hardly
. as proneigt to answer as in brighter hours, but he
manag to stammer:

“ I think—I’ll see, sir.”

“Thanks,” and Barfort pushed the door fur-
ther open, passing into the vestibule as though
it was all a matter of course. “ Tell Miss Cov-
entry that Berry Barfort is waiting,will you,
Johnl”

He passed into the parlor to his right his
heart hrobbing so thick and fast that a blur
came before his eyes. He had counted so sure]
onserious Opposition to his entrance, after
experience of the past day, that this, easy and
speedy success came perilously nehr to breaking
down the stern restraint which he had placed
upon his emotion.

So stroneg was he moved that it seemed to
him his loved one must bevery near to him.

 

, a hand across his eyes to clear his vision, the
i bare thought doing little to restore his shaken
nerves - '
, He was alone in the room; the same apart-
, ment in which he had dared to breathe his first
, word of love to the ears of Rena Country.
And it was here tnht he won the sweetest. most
fiecious confession man can ever gain in this

i e. .

a This, and a thousand only less tender memo-
ries flocktd to him in those first few minutes,
and fight against the weakness though he might
and did, Berry Barfort felt his reserver powers
rapidly weakening. It was so easy to resolve to
has con] and under guard. lt,was so vastly
, di erent when the critical moment came.

He took a seat and tried to compose his whirl-
ing brain. He s rung to his feet as he reco -
nized the chair: i was the identical one in whi
. Rena Coventry was seated when he came back

to tell her that Knox Coventry had consented

to make them both happy by granting his
prayerl
He could see her now as he saw her then;
i just a little ler than ordinary. with a half-
smile, half-q ver about her red lips: with a shy
yet eager light beaming from her glorious blue
aye: as they turned upon him to read the ver-
c

The sound of an opening door caused him to
turn quickly in thatdlreetion, and with a quick,
gasping breath hestarted forward, both hands
extended, his face irradiated, for the instant
forgetting all his doubts and jealousfears: for
he saw before him his peerless love.

‘- Rena—may light, my lifel” he paqionately

uttered. ,
Only to stop short. his wildly lo lug heart
stillln as the maiden, cold. .agoststern,

wave him back with a jaws hand. ,
“Not that-never more woods of imam.
bold and

Burma”, she uttered,  voice

      

v ,z  

perhaps within that very room, and be brushed

l
I
l

l have recognized the quick-stepping l

 

l
l
l

 

   
 

with them I

We

Rena Coventry tore herself from his embracié,
staggering back a pace or or two, but straig
ening up almost to rigidness the next instant,
waving him back with a glittering weapon in
her hand!

“Back, Mr. Barfort!” her voice clear and
resolute once more. “ Back, or I’ll fail dead at
your very feet!”

He stood like one petrified, scarce behaving
the evidence of his own senses. ,

Could this be the sh , tender girl whom he
had wooed and won? ho had seemed all mod-
esty all grace, all love while in his presence?

‘ llot you, but myself 1” she added. turning
the gleaming dagger until its keen point was ,
hidden in the lace that masked her swelling

m.

“Rena-Miss Coventry l" he gasped, longing
yet fearing to sprin forward and wrest that
dangerous toy from er white hand.

“ Never more Rena—never more aught but
the address of a complete stranger, Mr. Bar-
fort," with just the faintest show of a tremor in
the name. “ Will you not believe me without
forcing me to say more! Will you notgo—if
you ever loved me, go l” ‘

With a desperate effort at self-control Barfort
succeeded in uttering, his tones harsh and un-
natural: .

“ In whose favor, Miss Coventry l”

The maiden shrunk back a pace as though re- '
coiling from a heavy blow. Her face turned ‘ ‘
paler than ever, and Barfort, shocked by his I '
own speech. started forward, believing her
about to fall. Instead, she swiftly
around the cententable. drawing her superb 3
form rigidly erect and coldly crying: *

“ Touch me not, Berry Barfort, if you are a
gentleman!” . '

'A more cruel blow could hardly have been
formed. Barfort paused, white ass. dead man,
feeling benumbed in every limb. A mist came
Over his eyes,and he failedtonoie how Rena '
Coventry steadied herself by droppings trem~ '“
bling hand to the table. To him she seemed
cold and pitilessly hard. '

"I should not have said that, perhaps,‘llr.
Barfort,” she added. her speech slow and pain-
fullydistinct, so tensely drawn were her nerves.
“ But, after all, it may be just as well. If I can
make you hate me~if I can make you despise
me, even i” , '

5“ I, do not understand!” muttered the bewil-‘r
dered lover. " ‘ '

There was a brief pause, during which Rom
Coventry lowered her eyes to the dagger which
she had placed on the table between them. Slick
seemed to find it no ens task toaelect wort],
befitting her duty. Or ndlng them, mshape -;’
her sentences so as to fully express her H .,
without being unnecessarily cruel to. ’ 
who so truly loved her. , -

“I feel as though i was liviugadreaml 'A 
horrible, (hideous nightmare! Benaéb” j

“Never that word, Mr. Barfortl” almost ‘
harshly interposed the maiden, lifting a“ hand to ,
command his silence or to keep him frmnaip-
preaching her more closely. “The time for
that is gone, never torehirn. You and I met
be as though we had never met. I give you .
back your vows,”and as she spoke the wads‘
shedrew a silken thread from her cores e and _
snapptd frdm it a glen ing jewelmusginm,
acrossthetablstowardt oyonngman. “ " 2

‘ restore our ring.” *

Rena Cov

entry nk back as he  
‘"“ad‘£“‘;id‘&£m’l‘lo?fhia ‘
gm 0 ' 1:
flags? ground it‘to a shape as mum '

a faint cry parted bel' blanched lips as his  "
eyes rose to challengo hers. bathe m
ask if it was of fear for her false 

i ,

’v{\

   

 

   
  
    

 

14:

or a pang of pain at this harsh desecration of
that once blissful tie.

“ That is the best use I can put it to, Miss Cov-
entr l” . .

“ f you can destroy memory as easdy, Sir,

on are to be envied,” with a painful catch in

er breath, which she hastily sought to cover
before he could note or attempt to take advan—
tage of it. “ Be it so. I thank you for so
promptly aiding me in this painful duty.”

“ Painful—Rena, am I mad, or are you simply
trying nae l” .

‘ Neither, Mr. Barfort," still in that cold,
mechanical tone. “ I am simply telling you
what you ought to have learned before. I made
a terrible mistake when I accepted your honest
love. I am not, I never was deserving of it.
I do not love you. I can never love as the wo-
man should who is fated to become your
wife.”

“ Rena—have you no mercy?" he hoarsely
gasped.

“ I do not love you,” still so coldly, so merci-
lessly as be deemed her forced composure. “ I
can never marry you. Then—is it not best and
most merciful to plainly tell you this before it is
entirely too late? Would you claim as wife one
who could not give you everything?”

“ You did love me! You dare not look into
my eyes and repeat those cruelly false words,
Rena Coventry!”

“Grant that I once loved you, if you will.
But I do not love‘ you now. have changed—
cbanged in body and brain and soul!” with a
sudden but brief outburst of real emotion.
“ And with that change—Mr. Barfort will you
not show a little pity on your side? ill you
not be] me through a painful task? At least
preten to believe me when I repeat that all is
over between you and me. Try to grant me one
pra er: That from this hour, we may never
wil in 1y meet each other, in or out of society.
Or, 1 we do meet, let it be as perfect stran-
gets!”

“ Do you really mean all this, Renal” hard!
aware that he was repeated]?7 using that forbi -
den name. “Are you firm y bent on severing
every tie that bound us together? I ask this
quite as much for your sake as my own. It is
hard—very hard to think or reason, while you
are tryin me so hideously! Yet you must have
some 00 reason for your strange conduct.”.

“ ave I not told you?” her voice giving a
little shiver asof pain or weariness. ‘ Must I
repeat it all? Must I say once again that if ever
I loved you, that love has died?"

With a swift movement Berry Barfort passed
around the table and caught her in his arms be-
fore she could evade him. He looked into
her eyes with fierce scrutiny, as he hoarser
muttered:

“ N ow—rheart to heart, eye to eye—repeat
those words, Rena Coventry! Say again that
your love for me is dead—if you can I”

Slowly, painfully, et without a tremor in her
voice, came the wor s:

“My love is dead—dead and buried beyond
all resurrection!"

“ GiVen to another, you mean!” and he re-
leased her with a save. e laugh, to add. “ I’ll
wringr the whole truth from his evil lipsl ’

“ Spare him —have mercy l” gasped the maid-
en, a hand to her heart as she reeled, then sunk
to the floor with a choking cry.

CHAPTER XVI.
BEATEN AT ALL POINTS.

WITH those fierce words, Berry Barfort had
turned to rush from the room in a mad desire
to find Craig Dairmid and wreak upon him the
vengeance which, even in his mad jealousy, he
could not inflict upon this fair, false woman.

He did not see Rena reel and fall, but the
sound caused him to turn in alarm, just as the
door opened and Clara Sandys rushed shrieking

 

- into the parlor.

“ He’s killed her! My poor darling—help!
help!”

She dropped to her knees and lifted the fair
head to her bosom, sobbing and shrieking at in-
tervals. Berry Barfort, staggered by the sight
of that ghastly white face, and still further be—
wildered by that hysterical charge of murder,
shrunk back involuntarily.

He had undergone so much during the past
two days that his nerves and brain were. in poor
condition for, meeting and coping with such an
emergency, and before he could rally himself,
Dr. Dairmid sprung into the room and caught
the fainting maiden from the frantic grasp of
the hysterically-acting maid.

“ Are you mad, woman l” he almost savagely
grated, lowering the unconsciousmaiden to the
floor. “ Don’t you know that to lift the head of
a fainting person is rank suicide?”

“ You devil!” hoarsely cried Berry Barfort,
striding forward with a light of murder in his
eyes. “ l'ouch that angel—"

DF. Dairmid deftly brushed his stroke aside
as he leaped to his feet, whistling sharply as he
did so. And almost immediately a stout police—
man entered the room with baton drawn.

“ Show him outside the house, officer," coldly
uttered the physician, waving a hand toward
the bewildered young man that there might be
no mistaking his meaning. “ If he will go

The SoftfHand’s Clutch.

 

quietly and decently,you can set him free when
fairlv clear of th<‘-—”

“ I’ll kill you l” panted Barfort.

“ J ust mark his threat, will you, ofl‘icer‘l”
coldly asked the doctor, without the slightest
change of tone.

The policeman caught Barfort by the arm as
it drew back to level another blow at that hated
face, and he whispered, not unkindly:

“ Don’t make me give you the collar in sober
earnest, young gentleman. He’s in the right,
so far; you’re off your boat don’t you see?”

There is something peculiar about the touch
of the law, after all! Had any one out of uni—
form touched Barfc rt just then, in his more
than half-crazed condition, a savage blow
would almost surely have hurled him back. As
it was, Berry jerked back his free arm, but the
oiiicm' lL’VGl' iiinched 0r lifted his club. His
gaze was stern, though respectful, and he need-
ed no other weapon just then.

As for Dr. llairmid, after calling the atten-
tion of the policeman to that wild threat, he
turned back to Rena Coventry, kneeling at her
side and bending all his attention to restoring
her senses.

If these had ever entirely deserted her, they
quickly gave signs of returning. A faint,
broken sigh came to her lips, and with a hasty
word to Clara Sandys, who was still acting like
one half distracted, sobbing hysterically and
catching her breath after whu t, under less grave
conditions would have been actual] laughable,
he lifted that superb figure in 11K: muscular
arms, bearing the maiden from the room with
as great seeming ease as though shehad weighed
no more than an infant .

Barfort gave a half-groan, half-curse as he
saw his loved one—for it seemed to him as
though his love was tenfold stronger now that
he had forever lost Rena—held so tenderly yet
manfully to that false, evil breast. He started
forward as if to tear her away, but the sine wy
fingers of the tall policeman closed upon his arm
and held him werless until the physician and
his patient ad vanished from the apart~
ment. Then, in firm but kindly tones he ut-
tered:

“ Will you please come with me, Mr. Barfort!
I’ve got to see you safely clear of the place, you
know. Orders is orders with men of the force,
and I’ve got to do it.”

Barfort brushed his free hand across his ach-
ing eyes, azing vacan into that strong face.
He seeme like one under the influence of strong
drink, and thou h the officer could detect no
scent of liquor, e reasoned that this must be
the case. 4

“ You see, sir, if you cut up rusty, I’ll have
to run you in, and that would be a pity. You’re
a gentleman. You know we poor devils have
got to e the line mighty close, and I’m sure
you Wouldn’t want to get me into a box by fail-
ing in my duty, nor et to put a bad taste in
the mouth 0’ me by ma ing me give you the col-

3’

“That devil in—I’ll kill him yetl” muttered
the poor fellow, never knowing what passed his
lips as he sluggisth yielded to the gentle force
exerted by the officer.

“Youthink so now, sir, but you wouldn’t
bags the heart to do it, after all. Steady——

l

Thev left the parlor and turned toward the
front door, where the footman, pale and uneasy-
eyed as he watched the motions of the young
man, gave the officer the hat which Berry had
left on the rack, then opened the door to give
them free exit.

Like one in a dream—nightmare, rather!—
Berry Barfort permitted the'ofl‘icer to guide him
dpwn the granite steps. along the graveled way
to the street. He seemed utterly crushed by the
weight of misfortune, and as he watched him
more closely, the officer began to alter his first
opinion. There was more at the bottom of this
than strong drink.

When they reached thestrcet. where travel
was never great, and which was entirely free
from passers-by at that minute, the officer
paused to utter:

“I hope you’re not laying it up ag’inst me,
Mr. Barfort? I’m on special duty here, and
when the marshal detailed me, he said I was to
look to Dr. Dairmid—”

The sound of that hated name seemed to act
like a restorative on the dazed brain of the iyoung
man. He flung back his head as t ough
tossing off a crushing weight, pulling the collar
down lower On his neck, drawing a full, deep
breath like one just rousing from a troubled and
restless slumber.

“ What happened in there?” he demanded,
with a swift frown, as his eyes were caught by
the bright buttons and gleaming badge. “ Who
are you? Am I to consider myself under ar—
rest?”

“ Not a bit of it, sir,” briskly responded the
officer. “ I only come this far to ask pardon for
havin ~to do a bit of disagreeableduty. I’m on
specie —-”

Berry Barfort did not wait to hear him out,
but turned sharply and strode away at a rapid

ace, never once glancin back or toward the

case which, up to that our, he felt held all
that made life worth the living to him.

 

 

 

“ Taper off, young gentleman!” grimly mut—
tered the policeman, as he shru ged his.broad
shoulders. “ You’rc a fine sampIe of our bloods.
And I’m only wishing you’ll be able to outrun
the man with the poker.”

He would have been more firmly confirmedin
his fancy that delirium tremens was on the,
point of claiming another victim could he have
followed Berry Barfort on his trip rip-town.
And more than one person who met and passed
him felt much the same.

That flash of energy did not last long. He
had scarcely passed beyond view of the mansion
where lived his idol when the dull yet brain-
racking stupor once more fell upon him. Not
so complete! as to deprive him of the power of
walking. ot so deeply as to banish the one
frail hope to which he could cling: the memory
of Dan Dunn and his pledge to see him safely
through the slough of despond if mortal wit and
mortal courage could accomplish as much.

But while kee ing in motion, heading as
directly as possib e for the Pacific Hotel, where
he hoped to find the detective, Berry Barfort
looked and acted like a man under the influence
of liquor, despite his haggard, almost ghastly
countenance. His bloodshot eyes had a glass ,
fishlike expression if expression it may be ca 1-~
ed, that but served to highten this impression.

More than once he was greeted by friends in
passing, but if he heard them he gave no sign,
and With half-smiles and significant nods they
would pass on, to tell the next friend they met
that Barfort was “ slugging the decanter worse
than John L. 1”

Through all this the unfortunate young man
kept steadily—so far as his poor remnant of
mind was concerned—to his purpose, and only

used when he reached the entrance to the

aciflc House.

It was now well along toward the dinner
hour, and as customs there was quite a little
group of men and newsboas thered around‘
the sand-stone stepsleadin e main entrance
tothe hotel.‘ Barfort, wit a misty he that
Dan Dunn might be among them, pan. to use
his eyes, leaning heavily against one of the.
carved pillars. .

He was diml conscious of being addressed,
and he mutter somethingr in response, though
what that was he neVer kneW. He saw that
his detective friend was not among the number
and wearin ascended the steps, making his way
to the office, unhearing and,unheeding the low
comments which followed his passage. Alm0st
without exception he was deemed drunk by his
self-constituted 'udges.

In the office e found, amon others, Price
Wilkie, over whose big, ood-loo ing face came
a shade as he recognize the youn man. He
associated Barfort with the person or whom he
was now asking in a husky voice, and he had
not yet recovered from the contretemps of the
past night. To think! He, the proud, the
pompous the stately, to be caught by ladies in
such a humiliating dishabille ! It was too
mEXChd! h f ' it 1

n , y way 0 passing, was manya .ong
day before the gallant landlord was penmtted
to, forget that adventure by his malicious
friends.

“ No, sir, Mr. Dunn is not in this house,” he
stiffly uttered, gazing over the head of the in-
quirer, which was easy enough, thanks to his
herculean proportions and altitude. “ I am
very sure Mr. Dunn will never come back to
this establishment as a guest. His name has
been blotted from the register. His duds are
packed,awaiting his orders. When ytu hap-
pen to see him, please intimate as much. Good—
day, sir! Porter, show Mr. Barfort the way
out, please I”

But that was going a little too far, even for
Price Wilkie. Where he simply intended to
show his sense of injured dignity, he verged on
insult, and Berry Barfort flashed up, once more
his old self.

“ Porter, show Mr. “'ilkie where he mislaid
his sense of common decency,p!easc!" he retort-
ed, with almost an exact imitation of that pon-
derous voice, flashing a defiant, yet scornful.

glance into that flushing countenance, at the

same time tossing the grinningnegro a dollar.

“ YES, sah; anything else, sah?” murmured
tho bowing and scraping servant. “ Dinner,
sah? Take you’ hat, sah? Bar, sah? Wight
dat way, sah l” -

“ Never mind Price, sir.” wl‘eezed the asth-
matic voice of the genial Uncle Jimmy Cable,
as he came bustling forward. “ He didn’t mean
it, but—it’s all those ridiculous breeches, Sir!
Ha! ha! Best joke I’ve met in a hundred
years!”

Barfort foi'Ced a smile as he brushed past the
elder partner, for even in his present wretched
state he could not affront Uncle Jimmy; he was
everybody’s friend, and everybody who ever
knew him at all was his friend for life, as well.

The ohsequious queries of the porter gave his
whirling brain sufiicient impetus to carry him
from the office in the direction of the billiard-
room. where was the bar as well, though he
moved' in a purely mechanical way, without
knowledge or reason.

Now that he knew not where to look for Dan.
Dunn, in whom it seemed his only trust was to:

 

 

 

1“ ,,_i.»4 '

 

 

 

f2

 

. -. Scum." .-

 

 

«a.

.. pa... “fin

.‘M‘

The Soft-Hand’s Clutch. ."

.l Oi

 

be placed, that terrible stupor came back with
even greater heaviness

Like one in a dream he made his way to the
Well-appointed bar, and only came to himself
when the fiaxen-haired, curled-iiiustached Ado-
nis behind the mahogany counter gently remind-
ed him that his order was filled, touching the
cool glass to his hand.

Mechanically Barfort lifted it toward his lips,
but the instant its scent reached his nostrils he
hurled glass and all to the. floor, rushing out of
the big room like one fleeing from Satan him<
self.

 

CHAPTER XVII.
A GLIB-TONGUED ABIGAIL.

JUST how and where he passed the rest of that
miserable day, Berry Barfort never fully real-
ized, though, in after times he picked up a few

oints here and there, through which he be-
ieved he had been guilty of nothing worse
than aimless wanderings in quest of the unfind-
able.

He awoke the the next day in his bed, weak
and sick, but in his sober senses. He managed

' to eat a few bites, then hastened to report at his

post of duty. Here his reception was cold, at
first, but when he partially confided his troubles
to the firm, both of whom had known and loved
his dead father, his shortcomings wereoverlook-
ed, and he V: as ofiered a vacation for as long as

‘ he wished.

But this kindness Barfort hesitated about ac-
cepting, at least until after further reflection.
Until he heard from or saw Dan Dunn, he felt
that he would be all the better for close em-

loyment at other than strictly personal af-
airs.

But another day came and waned, Without
word or sign from the detective, and Berry Bar-
fort felt wholly alone in this big world as, just
before the dusk of evening, he slowly approach-
ed his boarding-place.

Through the general report, he had learned
that Knox Coventry “ was just about the same,”
but beyond this he had no information con-
cerning the inmates of Coventry Place. He
was fighting with his temptation to make an-
other effort that evening to see and soften Rena,

when-

' “Thank oodness gracious! I thought you’d
never come, r. Barfort! I’ve been waiting and
waiting until—if my hair hasn’t grown gray as
a—a badger, then it’s a blessed mercy, so it is,
now 1"

The young man started and stared, at first
hardl recognizing that neat, trim little shape,
but t en his face flushed and his sunken e es
filled with an eager anticipation as he exten ed
both hands:

“ Clara—it is you, then? You bring me some
message from— ’

Rena Coventry’s maid shrunk back, her head
drooping and something like a whimper coming
from her pouting red lips.

“ Don’t—I’ll run away! I’ll—-I’ll'—oh, poor,
dear Mr Barfort! Just to think—and him that
kind and free-hearted and generous and—is any-
body looking, Sir?”

The tender-hearted Abigail seemed on the
point of going into a display of hysterics when

'this womanly» thought 'checked her emotions

long enough for a quick, half-fri htened glance
around them lest curious or vu gar eyes were
watching; but the young man never noticed her
truly feminine tactics. He turned still paler, a
sickening dread grasping at his heart and almost
depriving him of breath.

“ Rona—Miss Coventry—she is not—she is
well, Clara!” he managed to pant, a dull blur
coming before his eyes.

“ Too well, sir, if I wasn’t her own maid
which oughtn’tto say it!” almost snapped Clara,
all symptoms of hysterics vanishing before the
pronounciation of her young niistress’s name.
“So well that-if I should he took faintly, sir,
promise me you’ll hurry on and never notice,
nor don’t call a policeman unless—but this isn’t
his beat, sir, and really 13m feeling much bet-
ter after all, sirl”

With a strong efi’ort Berry Barfort partially
regained his startled composure, and drawing
her hand through his arm_he moved along in
his original course, speaking quickly, almost
sternly: ‘

“ Did Miss 00ventry send a message by you,
Clara?” . - ‘ 0

“Saints above! I should say she didn't, sir!
Why, if she was to ever find out that I even
dreampt of telling you what— But I don’t dare
do it now I’ve got the chance i”

There were more signs of hysterics, and Bar-
fort frowned as he cast a swift glance about
him. Though the street was comparatively un-
frequented at that hour, unpleasant attention
might be drawn upon them at any moment.
And quickly forming a resolve, he took the first
steps toward putting it into execution Without
askin leave of his com nion. And almost be-
fore lara Sandys cou d divine the truth, she
was passing into the front door of his boarding-

lace.

“ Be calm, Clara, unless you want to create a
scene,” he whispered, as the girl held back a bit
about ascending the flight of stairs. “ You

I

.J.’ ~
' 1",} I l v. “‘1 m.

 

have some information which I must receive,
whether or no. Be as sensible as you are kind-
hearted, and you’ll never have cause to regret
it!"

Clara deftly shook d0wn her vail until her
face was shadowed, and never a word passed
her lips until she heard the door of Barfort's
chamber close behind them. T beii:

“ It was just what I needed most, sir, and
though I dare say you’ll rather abuse than thank
me for my pains and trouble and—”

"‘ Tell me about Miss Rena, Clara,” eagerly
interposed Barfort, as he placed a chair for her
accommodation, seating himself on the ed e of
the bed. “ Tell me just what you meant y—
How is she? Is there no ray of hope? ls every-
thing indeed lost?”

Clara hung her head a bit, nervously twisting
the one glove which she had taken off. She
seemed wholly at a loss what to say, or how to

ut into words the impulse which had led her to

ie in wait for the rejected lover of her beauti—

ful young mistress. And Berry Barfort was
far too greatly upset to give her the cue she
hoped for.

‘ I never thought it’d ever come to this, Mr.
Barfort, sir ” she at length desperately made a
plunge. “ couldn’t believe my own two eyes
and same number of ears. sir, but—Miss Coven-
try is a horrible impostor, sir! She is, if it kills
me! So now I”

With an almost ludicrously theatric valor the
maid faced the consequence which might follow
her treasonable speech, but Berry Barfort could
not doubt her entire sinceri‘tg, though he felt
his heart sink within him. as it not simple
confirmation of his own experience? And who
so like! to know the secret truth as this trusted
servan i

“ What do you mean by that, Clara?” he
forced himself to utter.

“ That it’s a sin and a shame and I don’t care
who hears me say it, sir! But I trust and hope
and pray that you haven’t an wicked creatures
who prowl around with th r two ears glued
over your ke hole, sir?” she added, in a hoarse
whisper. as s e glanced fearfully toward the
door. “ Not that 1 care, sir, but I wouldn’t
wish Miss Rena to know that I m telling on her,
sir! I’d be in mortal fear of my own lifel”

Berry Barfort flushed, not altogether with
anger at the hint thrown out against his idol.
He felt a sense of shame at yielding to this
temptation, but he doggedly crushed it down.
He would grovel in the very mire if by so doing
he could cast any light on the strange alteration
in his loved one.

“You’ve said too much not to say more,
Clara,” he uttered, with enforced quiet. “ You
were waiting for me. You have something to
tell. I am waiting tohear ou. Tell me every-
thing, without reserve, C bra, and you shall
never count your time and trouble thrown
away.”

That there might be no mistaking his mean-
ing, he dropped a bank—note into er lap, and
though the maid vehemently declared that she
would never, never stoop so low as to touch it,
somehow the money vanished from sight while
she was making the assertion.

“ Miss Coventry is well, Clara?” frowned Bar-
fort at the delay.

“ Too well, sir, though you mayn’t believe me
when I say it. And I was so pitiful for her,

or thing! And I was so angry with you, sir.
or causing her such awful pain and distress and

fainting and—all the time she was playing off,

sir!"

“ Be careful, Clara!” flashed Barfort, but with
that cruel grip rowing tighter and closer about
his heart. “ ou are speaking of your lady
mistress who—.—”

“ VVho’d nip me to death by inches if she was
ever to even dream that I was telling you the
solemn gospel truth, sir, and I don’t care if the
whole united world was to hear me say what she
can’t deny without—Mr. Barfort, promise me
on your sacred word of honor as a. gentleman
—and you’ve never treated me lire anything
else!”

Barfort rose and filled a glass of liquor at the
serviceable wardrobe, never saying a word un-
til Clara, under compulsion as as she took ains
to assert, had swallowed the stimulant. hen
he coldly uttered:

“ New drop your nonsense, Clara, and tell me
preCisel what reasons you had for waylaying
me. h do you accuse your mistres of such
harsh things? Why are you turning against
her? How has she wronged you deep y enough
to turn you against her? Mind, Clara: I want
the Simple truth; nothing more. nothing less.”

Either the strong liquor or this plain speech
banished the afiectations of the maid, for she
spoke directly enough thereafter, with only an
occasional lapse.

” Miss Rena hasn’t wronged me, sir, in my-
self, but I couldn’t stand finding her out and
never letting you know. She was acting all
through that scene with you, yesterday. And
after you was took away with the policeman, or
by the policeman, she all to laughing over it
with that ojious doctor who—it’s gospel truth
if you kill me, sir!” shrinking a little from that
fiercel. -fiushing face and lowing .eyes.

Wit a desperate effort arfort restrained his

Vi . .
.i ' .0

"1- 11(539“ ‘ 3 ‘ s‘” «'4‘ >1.“ 4 r  "'

 

niad passions, silently motioning for her to con-
tinue.

“ You won’t believe me, I know, sir, but the
change begun even before Miss Rena went to St.
Louis. She wanted then to find some fair ex—
cuse for getting off with the old love before she
took up with the new. And though her poor
father is lying on what may be his deathbed this
very minute, sir, what do ycu think 3"

“ Be careful, Clara!”

“Would I dare to say such a thingif it wasn’t
Gospel true?"with a touch of offended dignity
that lent weight to her words. “ When all you-
’ve got to do is to use your own eyes to see for
your own self what a hidgeous change has come
eyer her since she fell under the spell of them
ugly black eyes which—and I only hope and
pray he won‘t murder you nor me for telling of
it, so I do, now.”

" You mean Doctor Dairmid, Clara?”

“ Him for one, and a perfect stranger to me
for another, sii~,”was the quick response. “ And
what I wanted to tell you all the time is just
this: Miss Rena is going out to the mask ball at
New Ulm Gardens this very evening that is— so
there.”

Berry Barfort sat like one suddenly turned
to stone at this trui astoundin declaration.
Rena Coventry atten a mask be! at New Ulm
Garden? She—his love. his idol, his all—go to
such a low resort? For low it was, at that date,
and a place at which no reputable woman was
to be seen after dark, and especially at one of
the masked dances, though there has been a vast
change for the better since.

“ Impossible! You are lying, woman!” he
gasped at length, springing forward and clutch-
ing her by the shoulders. glaring almost madly
into her paling face. “ Tell me you are lying,
or l'll—’

“ Murder me if you will, Mr. Barfort,” Clara
Sandys slowly uttered, unflinching] meetin
his scorching glare. “ I’ll never lie 11 out it.
swear to you that she is going to the Garden,
this very evening!” -

Despite his nearly crazed brain Barfort could
not doubt her perfect sincerity longer. There
was truth in her eyes, in her tones. If there
was any mistake—and surely there must be!—
Clara Sandys was ignorant of it. She had im-
plicit faith in the foul charge she made against

er young mistress.

He released his painful
back to sink upon the , covering his face
with his trembling hands. This was the bitter-
est blow of all, terribly as he had been tried of
late. It was hard enough to hear Rena Coven-
try say that she had ceased to love him, but to
know that she was so lost to all honor, all mod-
esty all——”

“ I will not believe it!” he hoarser panted,
liftin his head.

“ or would I, if I hadn’t bean! and seen with
my own ears and eyes this very day that is!"
sobped Clara, her composure fleeing. And I did
love and honor and respect her so awfully! And
I blamed you for being so cruel hard-hearted as
to— Mr. Barfort,”rallying, gazing eagerly at
his busily-pale countenance through her tears
as e added: “ You oughtn’t to take my bare
word for it. sir, when you can see for yourself
with so little trouble. Go out to the Garden
this very night and 100k for a navy-blue domino;
not a character dress, exactly, butyou’ll know
it by her fine figure and the two red hearts
sewed on her shoulders. I put them there with v
my own fingers, sir, and I said then that I’d tell
you how to know her, even if she was to wear a
mask !'

asp and staggered

 

CHAPTER XVIII.
CARRYING COALs 'ro NEWCASTLE.

'A LITTLE earlier on that same evening, a tall
man paused irresolutely in front of Coventry
Place, glancing from the building to a bit of

per which he held in one curved palm. then

ick again. To stroll idly onward the next mo
ment as a strong, dark-garbed figure came out
and down the steps toward the street.

This latter personage was Dr. Craig Dairmid,
and though he cast a passing glance toward the
slouching fellow whose broad back was all he
could see, there was nothing of suspicion in.the
100k. And turning in the opposite direction,
the doctor strode rapidly away. _

“ May the foul fiend hear you company, Dair-
mid 1" grimly muttered Dan Dunn, ash covert
glance in a little mirror held before him in one

1m told him this much. “ You turned up just
in time, too! I’d rather have you out of the
way, but I couldn’t waste many more minut(s
on an uncertainty!” _

Dan Dunn, for a certainty, but a vastly dif-
ferent looking creature from the handsome,
neatly- arbed detective whom we have thus far
had to ea] with.

He had sacrificed his neat imperial, and by
the dexterous use of cosmetic had turned u one
end of his mustache, leaving the other to rocp
naturally, though the whole affair had a rough,
strageg appearance. His skin was darkenedr
particularly about his left eye, which was paint-
ed to represent the “ genuine hand-painted ar-
ticle,” being heautifu 1y blackened as though
froma fight in which the secdy-looking sport

' had come of! second best.

 

l. ‘, .iu‘..-u...r,.~....-u_'.... r... “m...” i-.. M

 

 

"1?? Screw. *

 

 

   

up behind. His garb was flashy, or had been in
-. its new state; just now it V! as stained, dingy,
5"? ap )arently on its last legs.

* massive gilt chain hung about his neck and

'  ,
He wore a slouch hat, worn and soiled, the her teeth were clinched behind those ruby
soft brim pulled down over his eyes and cocked Ii 3

i “ It touched her! It is her!” he breathed to
! himself, silently drawing back where his own
i face was cast into the shade as the light from
. the window parted on his broad back. And his

crossed his bosom. Several pincthCk rings ! face seemed to grow longer, his entire expres-

e‘t . ’l adorned his dirty hands, and his knuckles were
jg;- spotted by bits of black court-plaster. A big
glass “diamond "shone in the broad gilt ring
which confined his scarf. v
, In a word, a really artistic counterfeit of a
‘- ‘ fourth-rate sport, who aspired to something bet-
ter, but without knowing just how to carry out
that aspiration.
"Now for it, myladyl" he nodded, leaving

   
 
 
  
    
 
   
  
   
 
  
 
  
   
  
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
  
    
  
   
     
   
  
     
  
  
   
   
   
  
  
   
  
   
    
   
   
  
    
  

path to the front deor. “ i’m open to bet long
odds that I've marked down the turn, but a man
can’t pull in stakes until the deal is made. We’ll
see— what we’ll see 1” .

W i :n a strong band he tested the bell, putting
on an air of nonchalance, with thumbs stuck

his half closed eyes take aim along his nose at
the footman who answered his bold sum-
mons. '

“ Ah, cully, you ain’t paid fer hurry in’ yer
pegs, is yer?” he drawled insolently as a look of
so rcme disgust came over that dignified face.
“ ‘f I was boss 0’ this re nch, reckon I’d stufl’ ye
on quicksilver fer a—stop the music!” at the
same time checking the closing door by deftly
thrusting his massive, thick-soled shoe into the
o ~nmg.

“ l’ll call the police—-”

 ' “ An‘ I‘ll ram four knuckles so far down that
' red lane that you’ll dream you‘re the lion an’
l'm the feller that turned him Outside in’ards,’
cullv, ef you don’t play heap whiter’n thatl’
growled the sport, sending out a strong hand to
thrust both door and attendant back far enough
to admit his person. “ Ax me in, like the tony
eat I be, why don’t ye, critter? Ax me fer me
fieerd, Johnny-go—slow. At me will I take a
little wet while the leddy o’the shebang keeps
me waitin’ fer to hev time to prim her frizzes
an’-— Who’s chawin’ you, cull) l”

The frightened strvant was turnin to seek
safety in fli ht, when he was arrestet by that
steel grip. he disguised detective whirled him
around until they stood face to face, his free
hand flipping a bit of dirty cardtmurd before
his face, ticklincr his nose at each passage.

“ Thor’s me eerd, cully, an’ you want to
fetch it back ag’in when the leddy o’ the ranch
hain’t got no mo’ use' for it. Fer why: it’s the
last rose 0’ summer, an’ frost’ll coine heap
sooner’n I ’ll git any mo’. See! Sate ? Ketch
on, cull y l” I

“ I’ll—I’ll take it to—” stamme red the sorely-
Irightened flunkey.

“ To fetch it back ag’in. mind ye, why. of ye
don’t want nigfer to n p of! one 0’ them griddle-
eakeb you u. for listenin’at keyholes. Mebbe
it’d make a keerd, by tannin’, ef nobody coal ‘1:
turn it into a puss—which is a sayin’, ye w t
to know, cullyl An’ no w—see how mighty live-
lyyou kin ck up them hurls o‘ yours. An’
fetch back t t keerd, mind ye i”

' Thrultingthe cardinfo the sxrvant’s unsteady
hand, Igm Dunn entered the parlor in which
Berry arfort had won and lost his idol.

The curtains were drawn before the windows,
but he ulckly pushed them back, letting in a
mellow cod of ight.

A “ It’s risky,
afalr look a this beautiful heiress.” he mut-
tered,‘with a grim smile. “ That’s all I ask: a
 full, fair view of her face. And if I can only
f have one side, give me the m‘r hf. for choice!”

He had time for no more. he s ervant paused
uneasily at the door, card in hand, his tones-far
steady as he mumbled:

“ Miss Coventry begsto be excused, sir. Miss
' Coventry does not recognize the name on the
card air. And—and she told me to~to be sure
i you didn’t take—”

“The house in my pocket who I moseyed,
ehf’mughsd the detective, as he a vancod with
a slouch. ” Qi’ me the keerd, cully, an’ I‘ll stick

/ dorm me. ortographlc signature name-title.
Never thought 0’ that, but— 'l’har !" after has-
.  thy making a few marks on the card with a
5; gstuboypeucil. thrusting it into the reluctant
hand of the servant, turning him about with a
push in thegirectiou of the stairs. “Jest per-
 ‘ itely hint to the leddy that of Ihe don’t mind
 might much, I’ll’ jest wait onfel she kin

, find time 0 run down hyar. An’ of on kin
pick ’em up handy, cully. mebbo it w dn’t do
, \, rio hurt of you was to tote back a little wet in a
" glart mug an’a little smoked hog in a skin»

1’

Slowly, but..evldently afrald‘to .refuu- “the
' servant made his way up~3falrs, and Dan on
retreated into the parlor, smiling grimly.

“It’s lucky Marshal Croder drew of! his
'apocial at my request! I reckon Miss Ema

entry would give me la char 1:, too quick!”

(Taking advan of the one at the rear of
.~ the partly-opens, door, Dan Dunn saw that
tall, quoeuly again descending the min, his
tolled card ly

foresaw imWni"3':"m thathur
‘mecammhu'pwgfamiméo 

.)

  

 

the pave and striding briskly up the graveled l

under his arm—pits as his head went back to let -

maps, but'whstl want is to get ,

j sion to change, until he looked the hang-dog
l rufflan to perlection!
| “ You sent me this card, sir?” coldly asked the
| young lady, as she paused at the entrance,
i flashing ii keen, comprehensive glance over
i that athletic figure, to linger longest on his
l ace.

b " Ef you‘re MiSs' llena Coventry?” with a rude
: 0W.

“ I am Miss Coventry. I sent word that I did
not know you. I bade the servant show you
i the door, and-”

“He wanted to show me, ma’am,” with a
faint grin and another bow, deeper, more fawn-
ing than the first. "Ilo said that he hated to
, do it, but orders was orders, an’——~"

' “You refused to go! You dared send up
this—this card again?” tossing it toward its
owner.

“ With it bit 0’ scratchin’ onto it, ma’am,"
deftly catching the bit of pasteboard and glauc-
ing at its face as if to make sure he had the
genuine one, then slipping it into a pocket.
“ Which—mebbe you never tuck notice 0’ that,
ma’am l” anxiously. ,

“ I saw something, but it was all Greek to my
eyes. Now~”

With a finger pressed to his lips, the disguised
s rt stole on tiptoe to the door, peering past
t e slightly-recoding lady, and then drawing
back with a grin of satisfaction as he saw the
sootman at his regular position near the front

oor. ' ,

“ Now, ma’am, ef you’d stoop so low as to be
so kind as to condescend to step this way jest
the weeniest mite fer ten seconds or tharabouts,
mebbe I mou 'ht tell ye a bit 0’ big news what
fetched me al the way from St. Lousy by me
lonesome self, an’———”

“You have nothing which I care to hear,
sir," coldly interposed the young lad . but step-
ping into the room as she added: “ If you are
neither drunk nor crazy, I am puzzled to ac-
count for your st: ange and insolent persistence.
Must I summon help to eject you, sir?”

U p to this moment Dan Dunn had failed to
make sure of his main point in entering the
hours, for. whether through design, or by mere
rChflDCP, the lady had kept her right profile
turned from him, at least enough to leave him
in doubt as to the real facts. But now he pass~
ed swiftly past her finger on lips and eyes
aglOW as he rescue the door, to glance again
at the quiet footman. ,

“ Yo see, ma’am,” with a low laugh that had
in it a curious tinge of grim triumph. “they

intrusts is consumed. Au’ though 1 do reckon
I never run up a‘ ‘inst a blggcr-lookin’idjitthen
that same, it don t do no harm to make double-
sure. Ari—I‘m from head-quarters, ma’am,”
his tones Sinking still lower, but every word
coming clear and distinct for all that. “ I was
sent by the head-center——the big mogul—you
know?"

“ That you surely are crazy i” shrinking back
just enough to be noticed. “ I Will leave you,
to send force to drive you into the street.”

“I’m goin’ jest as soon as I tell you what
word was sent by the chief to this house. To
i you, ma‘am, of I couldn’t find—you know who!”
' do get y muttered the counterfeit messenger.

“ r .n’ t at word was this:

“They’s a bloodhound on the trail. an’ he
means business clean through an’ back ag’ini
He‘s right here in St. J 0, an’ he’s got onto the
little game the boys istr iu’ fer to rush through!
An’ his name is Dan unn~the same darned
critter that sent BrockySam—”

“ I fail to understand you, sir,” coldly inter—
rupted Min Coventry, retreating towprd the
door, her eyes ablaze but her face white as if
carved from snowy marble. “ I will listen no
longer to tyour crazy msunderings. If you are
not out 0 this house before I can summon help,
I will cause you to be turned over to the po-
lice!” . 

“ Don’t take all that twuhle on my a’co t,
ma’am,” laughed the satisfied detective, bo ng
with mock humility as he tirtoed after her, but
turnin toward the front rinstead. “ I’ve
done w atI come all this lo ammo way, fer, an’
now I‘m off to kerry buck word o’how you see
fit to 'celve the chief’s warnin’. Day-day,
ma’aml May you never hev a Wuu ’
then this, when you’re dry an’ hun an’ dead

. wore out for lack 0‘ sleep! Which I thcvparflu’
prayer 0' yours to command, ma’aml hon I
cal ‘t help myself. that lll" ‘ '
last words were uttered in u. littlolower
tone of voice, but not solow as to escape those
gap nty 0.53. airthe :udcglon llth of  testi-
' c . n .u mov yco passion, cyou
lady'hna‘stencd' after the ill" fled detects:
checking him just the f 1: opened the
door for lit-free ops rad ‘
'. “ Take thiapoo follow,”hervvoloo soft and
.  ".1 you I

 

   
      
   
   

  
  
  

 

ain’t no trustin’ to outside looks when heap big ,

mental-y oxpec

 

www.m-

though you have sadly frightened me. No
goubt, you thought you were acting all for the
est.

“ l jest reckon I was, ma’am,” with another
low bow. “ An way, let what may come of it,
I’ve done what etched me here 1”

With the yellow coin clutched in his dirty
hand, the disguised detective slouched down the
granite steps and along the gravel walk, never
turning his head to glance back until fairly in
the street. Then it was to see the door fast-
closed and all quiet at the mansion.

“I’ll keep your alms, Miss Rena Coventryl”
he grimly laughed, slipping the coin into his
pocket, aftt-r noting its date. “ I’ll wear it as a.
charm ugainstthe evileycl And yet—I could
almost wish I had failed 1” with a moody frown
darkening his face. “ W'hat will Barfort sa ?
How will he bear up against what I’ve got {0
tell him?" '

 

CHAPTER XIX.
rim son-11AM) SPORT 18 DISGUSTED.

A SHADE of sadness and regret came into the
face of the disguised detective at this reflection,
for the di5covery which he had completed while
pretending to steal his second glance at the foot~
man back in Coventry Place. was one which he
knew must fall with (rushing weight on the
young bookkeeper.

“ I‘ve got as much pride in running a cun-
nin crook to earth as any man born to the
pro ession, I reckon, but—I wished it had
proved my memory for faces a 1191"

Dan Dunn was a good friend, and nothing
proved the fact better than this wish. For
now he knew that he was on the right track.
He knew beyond a doubt that the clew which
he had accidentally stumbled upon in St.
Louis. and painfully relocated in St. Joseph,
was indeed the true one. He felt confident
now of reaping arglorious success, and destroy-
ing at least one important branch of the wide-
spreading league of Night Hawks. .

“But maybe I could ave puzzled itout with-
out running foul of Harlequin Hattie. I would
gladly chance it, if only for poor Barfort’ssakel
It’ll break him all up! . And I don’t know as I
can blame him for it, either; to one who has
never seen below the shell, Hattie is a darling
—-a humming-bird right from paradise l"

A low laugh esca his lips a moment later,

as he thought of h s daring “bluff.”

“‘Did she see through the paint and dirt, I
wonder? Her caution seeins to hint that way,
for I’m dead sure I sent her the correct sig-
nals,” drawi the panelled bit of card ,from
his pocket an pansnng to scan it by the light
of an early lamp on the corner, then to tear
it into tiny bits and scatter them far and wide
as he resumed his regress.

“ Plain enough or a blind Night Hawk to
read, and Bar uin Hat was never called
short-sighted. S e knew me, I reckon, or she
would have dropped in a few questions at least.
Well,” with a s rug of his broad shoulders,
“ what matter? I knew it was carrying coals
to Newcastle. I knew that Pony Kevfo must
have spread his discovery broadcast, long ago.
And so-I risked only a life, and I won-what?
Death to one poor fellow, I’m sadly doubt-

in l” '

fibers was nothin strange in this constantly»
currence to Berry arfort in the detective’s
mind, since he was now actuallyon his way to so
cure an interview with that young gent leman.
This, apart from the terrible nature of the dis-
covery which he had made concerning the

oung woman whom Bax-fort .onl y knew as
Pena Coventry, is quite sufficient to account
for his thoughts. '

As already stated, Dan Dunn’s call at Coven—
try Place’took place on. the same evenin as the
interview between Berry Barfort an Clara
Sandys, and at about the same hour. In still
plainer words, it was the second evening fol-
owing the night on which took lace the e-
culiar adventure at the Pacific w th

once,
Pony Keefe. ‘

A much longer interval than Dunn intended ‘
when he bade good-night to hisfriend in trouble, '

but unforeseen instructions from Head outrun
had'reached him at an hour which won] permit
no delay, and after the class espial evidently
kept on the movements of the yr ung man. and
of which he had already received startling in-
formation, he hardly dared send a written mes-
sage to Barfcrt, lest it fall by chance into the

wrong hands. ' .

“ 1 isn’t as if I’d- run of! an'X left him entire-
ly friendlcm,” the detcchvimlfled. as he briskly
strode along. “ I hardly t ink any real trouble

0

can come to him with Robert Tumbull playing ‘

shadow, and I found no notice at my new
otel ”

As he drew nearer the row of buildln ' in
which Barfort roomed. his pace slacksmflnd
his eyes raved keenly about as though in mo.
of reeognlslna some per—
son. But the street fora block or five seemed
utterly deserted, and a frown wrinkled his

we. . , .
“Where is he, anyhow t I never knew him to

.i,

“1.!”

 

 

I Girls—$3.)“, Li . .

W

C

iii-WWW»: uwchrvv=moWzam< mu

 

a...

‘i‘
i



>,

 

    
   

     
 

 

Wfl‘flfflw‘w“. - ..._

&

W20“.

   

 

._..t~.r .-»- “

/'

   
   
  

 

 

 

 

.w--....... - ..-

 

«we

«3r;

swim. kw?ij £arim'v‘1‘thm-m' 4 ~34.“

 

A»...

:l‘
J

i
a.
W;
' i:
g.
a g?"

 

 

 

' siri” replied the bewildered costumer.

 

J A'i‘fiiléiséft

name Clutch.

 

l I
He broke into a clear, mellow whistle as he 5 little peculiarities as only a skilled horseman : Little by little Clara Sandys completed her

lounged past the row of buildings, crossing at
the next corner and coming up on the opposite

alcrt. But there was no answer to his cunning
signal, and his frown grew still deeper.

“ it’s not Barfort’s business hours, and it’s too
early for him to start out after supper. But he
isn’t in yonder, or’ Robert would be in sight.
V. nat next? Drop it! Wait until morning?
\Vell, hardly!” with sudden resolution as he
again approached the boarding-house. “ \Von-

i knows how.

i A little undersized, one would say, at first
side of the street. seemingly the most careless of ,‘ glance, and by no means a. marvel of eauty to
tramps, but with every sense on the keenest ‘; the arti<tic eye; but before he had driven her a

r dozn blocks, the (letective recognized an ani-
, mai of no ordinary merit. Wonderiully swift

‘ at trotting to be found in a livery stable for '

hire. i'uliof fire yet ansWering to the lightest

l

recital, givinga glimpse of her real incentive,
perhaps, when she spoke of her young mistress’s
actually striking her in the face. And as proof,
wLen Barfort again recoiled, she called his at»
tention to a discolored spot on her smooth
check.

it might have been the ghastliest of wounds,

’ and still Ben v Bai‘i‘ort would hardly have re~

, touch of the bit, with room in plenty for the ‘

; workings of her lungs.
“ She’ll serve the purpose, I reckon,” mutter-
i ed Dan Dunn, when he had learned this much,

der if I’ll shock the bell-boy here as terribly as 1 little dreaming of all the little mare would be

1 did that top-lofty flunky at
Place!”

His summons was promptly answered by a
youth in many buttons, and With his hat slouch-
cd to shadow his painted eye and the street-
lainp shining brightly on his broad shoulders,
the disguised detective felt reasiinably confident
of securing an answer before the young fellow
could take alarm at his trampish, sneak~thief
appearance.

“ [as Mr. Berry Barfort in his room 1” he asked,
abruptly. “I have an appomtment with him,
but I may be a little ahead or the hour. If you
have no objections 1’“ just run up to his room
and wait.”

“ He’s gone out for the evening, sir,” was the
hasty interruption.

“You are sure?
we?” sharply.

“ Mr. Burfort didn’t, but—may I ask your
name, sir?”

“ Dunn—Dan Dunn, for short.”

“ Mr. Barfort didn‘t leave no word, sir, but
another gent did. Leastways he gave me this,”
taking a Sealed envelope from his pocket, but
hesitating a little about releasing it. “ He said
that a gent by that name would be like to call
in. and would 1— Thank you. sir 1”

He eagerly thrust forward both hands, one to
deliver the message, the other to accept the sil-
ver dollar which Dan Dunn silently offered.

The detective turned away and strode briskly

Coventry

Did he leave no Word for

to the corner, where he pauscd under the gas—.

lamp to tear open and read the few words which
were written on the inclosed slip of paper.

There was no address or name appended of
either writer or recipient, but Dan Dunn knew
that the first was his most trusted man, the lat-
ter himself. And the words ran thus:

"Gone to New Ulm Garden, after talk in rooms
with lady’s-maid. Ihave follOWed him, according
to orders."

In the lower corner was added, in small let-
ters, the name and address of a dealer in
masquerade goods, ecstumes. etc.

Mennrizmg tLis, Dan Dunn tore his name
from the enVelope, folding the scrap inside the
note, striking a match an using the paper to
light a fresh cigar, making sure that only ashes
remained when he was satisfied with his light.
And with adnik frown on his face he strode
away to the address given.

This was readily ound, and a glance showed
him the little sh was empty. Entering, he
laughed softly as the owner' regarded him with
thinl disguised suspicion.

“ ot a bad get-up, is it, my friend! And
yet, don’t you known I rather think I’ll be safer
With a mask, at least until I feel my way. Give
me a plain onerblack will answer. And -you
don’t mind earning a bill about that size?" deft~
ly dropping one of five dollars before the aston-
ish d old man. “ It won’tobite you, Sir.‘ And
there’s nothing worse than a bit of a joke. be-
hind it. Berry Bartort came to you for his rig-
out, I believe? Well, that’s for a plain hint as
to his costume.”

“But he didn’t wear any, that 1 know of,
‘ ‘ Just a
, plain mask and a long black domino. ”

u ,, . . . .

Is that sol With an air of dam pointment,
but makin no effort toward rec iming big
money. “ h it wouldbe something more
conspicuous, but maybe 131) smoke him, even
so!

He left the shop and hurried to a livery
stable, where h. whis word in the ear of
the rcprietor quick y brought a bright smile
to ll e. coupled with a hasty order for “ Brown
Bess ” to be put to at once.

‘ “ It isn’t everybody that I’d_ trust her to.
pardner, for she's worth her weight in minted
gold!" the proprietor said, heartiin clnsping the
and of the disguised detective. “ Only weak-
has: is a bit tender about the cars; she don’t
like ’em for a crntl But even then, if you
make her know there’s a man pushing on the
ribens, she’ll shut her eyes and go over a-
throu h 'em like a mind" ,

lie urried himself to hasten the harness-
ing, and in a very short space of time Dan
Dunn was whirling out of the stable, seated in
a frail-look: but strong road-wagon. on his
way out nort of town to the then notorious
New Ulm Gardens.

“There’s no fool like a on: lover and if I
had the chance I reckon d fog] strongly tempt-

' calicd upon to do and endure before the end of

that night’s adventuresw “If I was only as
well satisfied with Turnbulll Why didn’t he
say more? Why not tell the reason of this
breakl But maybe he didn’t have the time to
spare—of course that’s it!”

Though the decision left him as much in the
dark as ever concerning the real motive which
had taken Barfort and his spy out to the Gar—
dens, it gave the detective some satisfaction.
His “right hand” had not fallen into such
grave fault, after all!

" He couldn’t know, that Barfort was going to
New Ulm, until he shad0wed him to the 003-
tumors, of. course. Then he had to hark back
to the boarding-house to leaveasign for my
finding. Then to again catch on—good boy,
Robert!"

So far all was satisfactory enough, and hav-
ing reasoned it out to that point, Dan Dunn
gave his thoughts to the motives governing his
hot headed young friend.

“ It’s not so much the oing, but the why?
I thought he was in too eep trouble for such
folly, 'ust now! And then—the lady‘s maid,
eh? ho but saucy Clara Sandys? Did Miss
Rena 'Coventr , alias Harlequin Hattie, send
her to call on ariori i”

Over this and kindred Wonderin s and doubts,
the detective busied his brain whi 9 driving out
to New Ulm. located in a fairly pleasant valley
north of town, several miles from the business
part of the city.

Long before he reached the place. he caught
the sound of brass instruments, and knew that,
early as was the hour, the fun was already
waxing fast and furions. He noted the bril-
liant lights scattered around among the trees,
and showing still more clearly roundabout the
dancing pavilion. -

He drove up near the wide gateway. but re~
ferred to secure his rig outside, rather t an
take her in to be stabled. There were several
other vehicles and saddle-horses hitched hard
by, with one or two of the“speciul police”
keeping an eye open against an unlawful ap-
propriation in the dusk so Dan unn felt no re-
luctance to hitching there. Although he had
no particular reason for so doing he took the
trouble to turn around, leaving rown Bess
with her nose pointed toward town.

There was no fee demanded at the gate and
without putting dn his mask he enter the
grounds, keeping a keen lookout for Robert

umbuii, occasionally making an apparently
careless gesture with his hand, ike one clumsily
trying to keep time with the music. In reality
he was givinu‘a signal which he knew Robert
Turnhuli would instantly recognize in case his
eyes caught the gesture. But before he really
dared to hope for such a thing, his “ri ht
band” was at his elbow,speakina in guar ed
tones, but outwardly paying no at ntion to the
shabby sport.. V

“ In the pavilion, watching for some person.
I have a ticket. to save time and trouble. Will
be at hand, in case of need.” I

“ Good boy..Robert!” bummed Dan Dunn, hi
fingers closin over the bit of pastaboard as he
turned leiure y toward the pavilion. '

. CHAPTER XX.
N0 FOOL LIKE A JEALOUB Lovnn.

Bunny BARFOBT was fairly stunned by the
disclosure made him by Clara Sandys, the con-
fidential maid to Rena Coventry.

He fought against conviction, even while
forced to admit that, unless Clara was speaking
the simple truth, she looked and acted very
much in earnest. And then. as she herself said,
how would she dare give utterance to such an
atrocious lie, and particularly one which could
3e stpereadily tested beyond the question of a

011 t

“ It’s gospel truth sir,”sobhnd the girl. hiding
her eyes in a tiny erchief for a brief space.
“ It cuts me clean to the bonetosay such a cruel
thin of such a lovely-tiger-cat, siri”her e es
flash ng flreasthe handkerchief lowered. " or
she’s past that, for all her dainty purring and

her—

She short as Bsrfort' flung up his
hand. 'ghgpgrunk back, thinking he meant to
strike her; it was simply a gesture for mercy to

himself, poor fellow.
Every wordshs uttered inst Rena Country

 

cut himtotheheartwitht e pangof ad ' r

. tearing to the seat of life. And yetth all

on to whisper ing to that effect in the ear 1
of Berry Esquire!" muttered Dan
Dunn, b above his breath.“ he watched

f‘mtlher moutbhwdvin’g her

mm

' ousv. t at most venomous 0.! all

this in a still keeper : the ltingof jeal-
mz adde l

rs
He swore he Would not believe.nnd yet-4»-
lisvodl ' ‘ 1,, i  

 

‘ on, covering his face with a plum cloth 

cognized it. y this time his first stupor was
yielding to a fierce, ('l azy yearning to learn the
truth. Ayi if it killed him—and just then he
felt that confirmation of this horrible story
would surely cause his death—he would probe
the matter to the very bottom! .

“ And if it is true—if she does go to that in-
famous place in company with—did you say
Craig Dairmid?”

But Clara Sandys, frightened half out of her ,
wits by his sudden frenzy, was already opening
the door, to flee swiftly down the broad steps
and through the front door before he could ar-
rest her by word or touch.

“Let her go!” grated Barfort, returning to
his chamber and hurriedly securing a loaded
revolver from a little trunk in the wardrobe.
“ I’ll see for myself. If she has lied, I’ll kill her
for traducing an angel so pure and— If?”he
cried, forcing a laugh that was more painful
than groans or curses of despair. “ She did
lie! Rena would never fall so low as to attend
a dance at that infernal place 1”

He fought hard to make himself believe this,
but without altering his sudden re solve to put it
to the test without delay].1 And the more often
‘he swore his blind faith the purity of the no
man whom he had loved so dearly, whom he still
so madly worshiped, the oftener he caught him-
self picturing the dread vengeance which he
would hurl upon her disgraced head when he
had fully unmasked her.

A far clumsier shadow that Robert Turnbull
could have kept him under watch while making
his few preparations for the trip to New Ulm
Garden. He did contrive to mask his intense
emotions while procurin a plain black domino,
something after the fas ion of a monk’s robe
and cowl. for even in his madness he tried to
avoid awakening suspicions which might, should
that horrible tale prove false, cast even the
faintest shadow upon the name of his once
prom bride.

Great as was his haste, he could not reason
clearly enough to look for a horse or a b gy
in which to reach the Garden, but WI.le w at
seemed an age 'for a car on the Union Rail-
way. And while waiting thus. as after he
sunk into a corner of the slewly— irogrcssing
horse-car, slouching his hat over is face to
hide his ghastly pale features, his thoughts were
turned on Rena Coventry and her possible
shame. ‘

For it meant no less, if indeed Clara Sandys
had spoken truth.

Of recent years, there has been a change
made for the better in the conducting of the
pleasure resort popularly known in St. Jone
as " New Ulm." But at the time of which t 3
record of real life treats. matters were far dif-
ferc ntly arranged.

Not that the Gardens were wholl evil. Many
a picnic in the daytime, general y organized
by the German citizens, was spent in gerfect
propriety and innocent enjoyment. , at
varyin intervals, the mans ement as then con-
stitute , were wont to give ‘ mask balls,” which
were about as bad as they could well be.

No respectable woman would even think of
attending them. Noiman of ood standin in
the community would dare 8 mil: that be ad
taken part in the wild orgies called a ball.
Young “ bloods” might laughingly hint at
sights and scams in which the had taken part,
either as participants or simp e spectators, but
even they were generallyapt tomakesurewhoso
ears were drinking in their confessions. _ ,

Not one of these “balls” took place without ‘
being recorded in red letters. At each and an, _
at a late or an earlier hour. fights were sure to.
take place,and more thin one grave beausiielt
witness against the then-o bominntion.‘ . '

It was ted beyond the city limits. It was
licensed by the county for a term of years, and .
even in the darkettcuses, it was difficult if t ,
impossible to secure witnesses who would .
to the truth. And the then-ma meat would,
point totheir long list of "spec policeman
as asurety mm disorder.

To such a , then. Clara Sandy: declared .
Miss Benn
carted by‘whoml

 

a

ventry was going that’ni‘glit, or 3‘ I

“I’ll know!" with a vicious click cf his mi 

which mused a nervous psi-“to start and

draw up his feet as he glanced undertheneatfor

a stray cur. “And-who'll know I” »
Poor fellth

was .
d'r nggoigdhg: {gins tbtis night. 1‘” ‘_  '
When 0 rnnc wasnoc Barr-yr
Barton debatinde from itr car and  .,
hastily‘on to the Gardens. He pawd 
thosim. undid other: who clue on flu Im~
car with him, to uni-oil his disguise anddipit

With all his faults—Ind ' f

  

 

'18

The Soft-Hand’s Clutch: -

 

.—

 

hefore passing through the gateway into the
grounds.

With the many lanterns and lights scattered
about the grounds, marking the shooting—
stands, the “ring game” and a thousand and
one similar schemes for gathering in the loose
coin of the guests, Barfort had nothing to do,
though under different circumstances the scene
might have given him a degree of amusement.
He hastened at once to the pavilion and paid
for a ticket admitting him to the dance-
room.

Even this early the floor Was fairly crowded,
couples in almost every garb, ancient and
modern, rich and shabby, rags and laces, were
swiftly circling in time to the really good in-
strumental music. And around the edges
others were gathered, laughing, smoking, drink—
ing, chatting as though resolved to gain the
most possible amusement before the inevitable
“ circus "should open.

Fearing, doubting, yet ever watching for
that superb figure which he knew he could
recognize even Without the distinguishin marks
given him by the faithless maid, Berry arfort
never noted the prOgress of time. He could not
have told whether he had been but an hour, or
if an eternity had elapsed before a galvanic
shock ran through his frame, driving the hot
bloodtohis brain with such force that a red
mist overspread his vision and caused him to
reel back, kept from falling at full length only
by a post near the edge of the pavilion.

With a desperate effort he fought back this
blindness, and unconscious of the fact that, in
seeking breath, he had torn (fl? his mask, Bar-
fort once more sought for that couple, one of
whom he knew was none other than his false,
fallen betrothed.

The con is had passed him by during his
dizziness, ut he soon caught sight of their
forms as the floated gracefully amid their less
accomplishe companions of the waltz. He
noted the navy-blue garb, and even caught a
passin glimpse of a small spot of blood—so it
seeine to him then—on the shoulder of the
woman as she turned in the danco. Her face
was closely masked,as was that of her com-
panion; not Dr. Craig Dairmid, for this figure
was too tail to be the physician.

He was dimly conscious of reasoning thus,
but then his whole attention was given to the
woman. The dance was bringing the graceful
couple nearer his position, and forgetting all
else in his awful grief, Barfort unconsciously
pressed forward, inch by inch, until—

Just while a slow turn brought the woman’s
face toward him, Barfort noticed her start and
lose step, hastily lifting a hand to keep her
loosened mask from dropping down and leaving
her features exposed to ,view of those about
them.

'Her partner deftly swung her out of the
circle, using almost within arm’s-length of
Berry arfort; so near that he could distinctly

recognize the tone of the woman as she laugh--

ingly spoke to her mate.
And it was the voice of Rena Coventry!

CHAPTER XXI.
HOT WORK WHILE IT LASTS. .

“ JUST think! if my mask had really fallen!”

“ Just think! how that dazzling revelation
would have forever blinded one and all whose
eyes beheld the forbidden fruit!”

Commonplace enough the words were, and
probably even more extravagant speeches were
being made by masculine lips to feminine ears
at that very moment: but Berry Barfort never
knew what the words themselves were. All he
heard were the voices—the voice, rather!

For, despite the savage jealousy which had
filled his bosom when he first scanned that tall,
graceful yet athletic figure whose arm was
twined about the form of the woman who had
been—and still wasl—more than all the world
else to his heart, Berry Barfort forgot the very
existence of the man in his breathless, frightful
yet strangely fascinating scrutiny of the Vi oman
in blue. ‘ -

In coolerand saner moments he would unhesi-
tatingly have sworn to perfect recognition of
that superb figure. In some respects he had an
artist’s eye, and surely be had studied that face
and shape sufficiently long and thoroughly to
enable him to recognize it at once and un er any
disguise! He reco nized it now, and almost the
instant his eyes res u on the couple.

Yet—it was so horrib e! It was soul-murder
to even think of such a being as Rena Coventry
in such vile company and Viler place!

He forgotail else. He saw nothing but that
one glorious shape, rhythmical] floating nearer
and nearer the place where he elt bound b a
spell such as only death itself could break. or
t e instant he even forgot her degrading sur-
roundings as he mechanically moved forward,
inch by inch, unconscious of the fact himself.
He only knew that he was gazing upon fhefigure
of the woman whom he loved to madness.

Then he noticed her start, and an electric
shock seemed to pass through him. He believed
Rena Coventry had caught sight of and recog:

 

r \ .I ~ :f:.'k"".: , ,i
Lt ’ .3... f #134.- vhi’ls’e ,)l; a .' ~u

 

 

 

nized him. He saw her hand swiftly rise, and
he believed it was in a plea for mercy, until he
saw it hold her loosened mask more securely
over her face.

Was it fate that broke his stupor just at that
juncture? W as it fate that led to the trifling—
in itself—accident just as the circling waltz
brought them nearly opposite where he stood in
wait? '

Berry Barfort believed it must be so, and this
belief in a measure prrpared him for the voice
which he so surely recognized : the voice of one

whom, up to that night, he had deemed pure and ,
' of seconds it seemed as if the blackened-eyed

iinsullied even in her lightest thoughtas anangel
in heaven: the voice of the woman to whom he
had given his purest, strongest, best part of life:
the voice of Rena, daughter of Knox Coven-
try!

He knew that he could have made no mistake. f .
It was a horrible certainty. The whole world i and none too soon did the detective’s “ r

contained no other such voice, to his ears. Yet
—he fou ht against conviction, even whiledoin
all that %a in his power to bring the frightfu
truth to lig t.

Without a sound or word b which his ur-
pose could be divined and guar ed against, ar-
fort rung forward and with a sWeep of his
hand airl tore that sable. mask from the fair
face of—G’od of pity!

The face of Rena Coventry.

“False—false as hell!” came hoarsely from
the gallid lips of the crazed lover, and now that
don t could no longer fight for an existence, his
fingers curved into claws with which to tear the
other mask away; the semblance of innocence.
of urity, of true womanliness, by means of
w ch she had forever wrecked his life.

With a faint shriek the unmasked woman
shrunk back, deftly covering her face with the
ends of the scarf which she wore, and her
athletic companion stepped swiftl between her
and Barfort, sending his tightly-c inched fist in
advance, backed by all the weight of his broad
shoulders.

Barfort was knocked clear off his feet and
through the instinctively-dividing ranks, to fall
heavily on the polished oer.

“You curl” thundered the masked stranger
as he whi pcd forth a gleaming revolver an
followed t e falling form with the muzzle.
teach,you what it is to insult a lady while under

A shabbily-dresscd figure shot in between the
weapon and its intended victim, and almost as
loud and full as clear as his own tones came
the stern wor s:

“ I want you, Horace Haylock I”

The tall mask visibly rccoiled, and it seemed
as if he tried to turn his weapon upon this new
actor, but if so, his time was too short.

Dan Dunn ducked his head out of range, at
the same time striking a swift blow forward
and upward, his knuckles coming in contact
with the wrist of the pistol-hand, henumbing it
and sending the weapon itself circling brightly
through the lamplight, to fall harmlessly in the
midst of the startled dancers.

Only for that— only for having to check his
rush in order to save his own life—the detective

would have closed with his prey before a hand .

could have lifted to interfere. As it was, the
tall mask recovered sufficiently to leap aside. at
the same time giving vent to a shrill whistle
which the detective instant] recognized. It
was the danger-call of the Nig t Hawks!

“Down him, lads! down them both!” shrilly
shouted the mask, as he darted away throu h
the confused crowd, his eyes fiXed on a dar -
blue dress as it deftly slipped away through the
Jam.

Like an echo burst a clear signal from the
.lips of the detective, as he turned to strike aside
those who were cr0wding in between himself
and the prostrate Barfort.

“Don’t lose your knife again, Kid!” he grim-
ly laughed as he recognized the dandy crook
within long arm’s-length, and struck him be—
twecn the great blue eyes, hurling him ondlong
into the fat stomach of a stupeficd mask just
beyond.

A leather-covered slung-shot bummed vicious-
ypast his car, just touching the skin of his
cheek and seeming to scar it as if redhot, then
curving down to resound on his chest as its fur-
ther flight was check (1 by the thng about the
wrist of its rufiianly user.

“ You, too, cully’i" cried Dan Dunn as he half-
turncd, to send his fist straight into the ugly
face of Mace Wilson. “Now 1 have hit you
fair, pardner!” _

So far it is possibleto give the details, for
even those who had apparently been ready and
waiting for the“c1rcus,” seemed taken aback
by its sudden outburst, and thus far they had
acted independently, so far as they had taken
action at a 1. But now the evil gang began to
act in concert. as though determined to carry
out the shrill commands of the tall mask.

Dan Dunn anticipated this from the outset,
and had taken what measures he could to uard
against being worsted, though he ha not
reached the Gardens in time to make his pre-
cautions of much avail.

He knew now, what he had only suspected be-
fore: that Berr Barfort had been lured into a
trap from whic he was never intended to escape

w v‘ u‘.

 

“I’ll I

 

i

 

with life. And knowing this, his first thoughts
were given to that luckiess person go.

Having partly cleared the way by temporarily
disabling at least two of the evi gang, Dunn
sprung to where Barfort lay like one dead, still
insensible from the effects of that terrible
blow. And with a heavily-loaded, supple-han-
dled billy gripped in his left hand, he faced the
Night Hawks as they surged forward.

Une burly ruflian reeled back with flattened
nose. and a mate went down at the same time,
his senses knocde out if his brains were saved
by the thickness of his skull. And fora score
sport possessed a dozen arms, each one filled
with the power to knock strong rascals right
and left»

But no one man could long withstand such a.
savage rush, let his powers be what they might?

g t

hand ” perform the duty assigned him.

With a crash and a jingle of breaking glass
the central chandelier fell to the floor, almost in
the midst of a frightened bevy of shrieking
women and bewildered men, the oil spreading
swiftly, and the angry flames leaping up with a
dazzling glare!

In swift succession two other clusters of lamps
were cut down, the fall of each adding greater
terror and confusion to that which already
reigned almost su reme. Even the Night Hawks
were disconcerte , and scattered like chaff be-
fore the frantic rush of the less guilty partici-
pants in that eventful masquerade.

“ Police! Croder’s making a raid!”

It was the voice of Robert Turnbull, but only
Dan Dunn recognized it then, and into his paint-
ed face there came a grim smile at the very au-
dacity of that expedient. He knew -—and so
would those rascals, when they took time for a
soberthou ht—thatthecitymarshalhad noright
to lead sue a raid as this wild yell heralded.

But the very audacity of the ruse proved its
success, and with cries and curses of angry
fri ht, the stampede became almost general.

reed from his close-pressing enemies, Dan
Dunn stooped and picked up the limp body of
Berry Barfort, swinging it across his shoulder
as though its weight was naught. ' _

A single glance showed him in which direc-
tion the gang was for the most part fleeing, and
though it gave him a renter space to cover in
the brightlight, he an esitatingly dashed across
the floor now beginning to blaze up from the.
broken lamps, leaping to the ground at the
op ite end of the pavilion.

ven as his feet left the flooring, he caught. .

the rallying yell of the Night Hawks, and knew
that he was still far from safe. If Berry Bar-
fort was only conscious! if he could only use his.
is s for flight his hands for fighting.

e course he had deemed best to take placed
the pavilion almost directly between them and
the gate, just outside of which was hitched his
gallant little mare, Brown Bess. Only for that!
if he could only gain the wagon, he would ask
no further odds.

All this flashed through his brain with the
rapidity which only such peril can inspire, and
by the time his feet touched the ground, after
lea ing from the pavilion, Dan Dunn was cool
an clear-witted as ever,ready to catch at and im-
prove the slightest chance for life and liberty.

Althou h the detective could not be sure of it,
Robert urnbull had never lost sight of his
chief, even while busiest at work. And now,
that work accomplished as far as lay in his
power, the gallant little fellow still further
proved his value as an aide.

“ Covsr, boss!” he cried in guarded tones, as
he dodged aloag under shelter of the shrubbery
so as to intercept his chief. “ They’re coming
hot-foot, but try if we can‘t swap off on ’em 1"

There was no time for full speech, but Dan
Dunn instantly divined the scheme which the
wiry little detective had in View, and at once
acted upon it. He leaped into the thickest part
of the bushes, then turned abruptly to the right,
crouching as low as the nature of his burden
would permit, runnii g swiftly for a few yards,
then pausing where two trees rose from the
same root, dropping Barfort to the ground and
drawing a 'brace of revolvers.

The time for child’s play was ast, and from
this time on he meant to ive ful value to all
who claimed it by crowging him. So_ far he
had dealt blows, not to kill but to save life.

The instant he saw that his chief caught his
idea, Robert Turnbull be an to act his part,
veering to the left in an a rupt angle, sending
out the peculiar rallying cry of the Nip! t
Hawks, following it prompty With a ri: gli‘;;’
yell as he addcd:

“ This way, mates! Yendcr they go—dm-n
’em all!” again altering his course a point as he
caught sight of several frightened maskers in
frantic flight through the scattered trc es, fear-
ing arrest and consequent exposure as witnesses,

- ifnothin worse.

And with sava e yells and oaths and threats,
the evil garg fel blindly into the audacious
snare, still led on by the wiry lure, unconscious
that every serond ihus wasted was being im-
proved to the utmost by their most dreaded
enemy in trying to preserve the life which they
had been sworn to extinguish that very night.

s

l

 

t,

«. a m

 

 

 

«a

 

The Soft-Hand’s Clutch.

19

 

 

CHAPTER XXII.
A CHASE BY MOONLIGHT.

DAN DUNN saw that the ruse of his noble lit-
tle aide was working far better than he had
dared to hope, but he also knew that any mo-
ment might show the Night Hawks how thor-
oughly they Were being befooled.

“Then they'll be hotter than ever!” with a
short, hard laugh, as he put up his pistols and
bent over the prostrate form at his feet. ‘

As he did so, a faint groan came to his ears,

'and Berry Bai'fort made an attempt to regain

his feet. Dan Dunn encouraged him in this, at
the same time time pressing a small pocket- .
flask to his lips. Hardly knowmg what he was
doing, Barfort swallowed it little of the brandy,
but the fiery taste itself did far the most to re-
vive him, through disgust. .

“ Not that—never again !" he hoarsely gasped,
s itting angrily. “It brought me to this—'

erciful heavens!” with n. bitter groan as the ‘
awful truth flashed back upon his wakening ,
brain. ,
“Brace up, pardner,” shar 1y uttered Dan 1
Dunn. “ It was all a lie, I tel)! you! Nothing
but a cunning bit of trickery!”

“ You thin '—”

“I know—that if we don’t at out 0’ this ‘
cursed hole in two minutes, we’lfnever leave it ;
on our own legs! Come—if not for your owu 1
life, then to save mine I”

With one strong arm about the still weak .j
and tremblingK young man, a weapon read in 
the other, his een eyes ever on the alert, Ban ;
Dunn hurried away toward the ate in haste to l
reach his rig before the gang con d discover the !
w111-o’-the—wisp dance w ’ch Turnbull was lead-
ing‘them.

ortune favored him in this, though wild
curses and yells came from about the miniature
lake bey nd the pavilion, just as they passed
throught ewide entrance in com y with a
number of others. Almost certain y the Night
Hawks had discovered the trick, or their mis-
take, however that might prove to be. But
Dan Dunn act all swung Barfort into the seat,
then snapped he alter and sprung after him.
And as the little brown mare plunged forward
through the moonlight, the detective laughed
exultantly.

“Sold again! and we never paid the cost,
neither!”

As the words passed his lips, Dunn glanced
over his shoulder. but there were no signs of
organized ursuit. Though the enemy had
doubtless discovered their mistake, it was clear
that they had not as yet picked up the lost

seen .

“ When they do, I’ll not have a lifeless handi-
cap on my back!” nodded the detective, his
teeth clicking audibly as he looked ahead.

To sudden? tighten the ribbons, for a dark
figure dashe out into the road just ahead of
the little brown mare. and for an instant Dan
Dunn believed at least one of his enemies had
headed them off. , .

“Never mind pullingiup for me, boss!” came
the cheery mice of obert Turnbull, as he
flung up a hand to push back his slo‘nched hat.
‘* Let her went! ’11 take a back seat for
once!”

He deftly swung himself in at the rear, sit-
ting with his feet curled tailor-fashion beneath
his bOdy, his breath fanning the check of his
chief as he muttered:

“They smoked the trick, but not the little
'oker, boss! But that goes without sayinp~ since
i’m here Without being carried 1”

“I’ve got it all down. Robert,” gravely re—
sponded the detective, just flashing a single
glance back to that thin, middle-aged face.
“ But I’m sorry for one thing. that I called the
chief by name, without running him in at the
end of it!” _

“ Maybe you‘ll do that yet, boss,”w1th a touch
of grim triumph in his tones as he thrust an arm
past the face of his chief. “If I hadn’t thought
as much—I could have dropped the fellow with
a ill, just as easy 1”

‘ What! you surely don’t mean to say-—”

“ That our game—both man and woman—are
in yonder carriage not a quarter ahead of us
Mr. Dunn!” quickly but positively interjectei
the little shadOW. his thin forefinger covering
a rapidly-iiioving object in their front, hardly
to be distinguished as a .carriage under the
moonlight and the dust which hung over the un—

ved road.

The little brown mare squatted low as the lash
touched her flank, then dashed ahead, trotting
smoothly but with marvelous ease and rapidity,
considering the load she was drawing. ‘Dan
Dunn fixed his gaze on the spot indicated by
Turnbull for a few moments, to measure their
chances of overtaking the fugitives'whfle thus
heavily handicapped. And a short, metallic
laugh crossed his lips as he noted how steadily
they were gaining ground.

“ She can do it, I reckon, Robert, unless they

lay whip livelier than they are now doing.

ou keep an eye on them. I don’t want to
snap a spoke or wrench a wheel in this rough
track 1”

From that moment he never gave another look

to the carriage in front until after the smoother

 

streets inside the city limits were reached,

? trusting Turnbull to guide him aright, and giv-

ing1 all his care to the little mare and the ve-
hic e.

Fortunately for all concerned, perhaps. Berry
Barfort hardly comprehended the full meaning
of the words his companions uttered. Once
more that dull, sleepy stupor was creeping over
his brain. Once more he was yielding to the
terrible blows he had received of late.

He sat steadily on his seat, but that was all.
He never once thought of Rona Coventry being
in the carriage ahead of them, though an occa-
sional glimmer of curioSity as to the outcome
would flit across, his half-paralyzed brain when
he dimly recognized the fact of the race: but
that was all, during the earlier portion of the
chase.

Not until the suburbs were were fairly'enter-
ed did the persons in the carriage—an open
phaeton, with a driver on the front seat and a
man and woman in the other—seem aware of
the chase. The man rose up to look back, and
as the little brown mare dashed past a brilliant
light, he seemed to recognize the detective, for
he sunk down quickly, and the driver began to
use his lash in earnest, sending his spirited team
ahead with a dash that slowly but perceptiny
lessened the gains so far made by their enemies.

“ Shall I take the ribbons, Mr'. Dunn?” softly
asked Turnbull. .

“ Not yet,” instinctively divining t‘he purport
of that quer . “ I want them all alive and
sound in lim . I’ll shoot only as a final re-

The little brown mare did nobly, trotting as
free and as fast as at the start, despite her handi—
cap in weight. And then, after a few more
blocks had been d, she once more held her
own with the pair ahead. _

As though to ard against being halted by
the lice for an awful Speed, the phaeton kept
to t e darker, more secluded streets, their evi-
dent hope being to eventuallv distance pursuit.
But they undervaluc d the little mare. She hung
to the scent like a brown host!

Dan Dunn smiled grim y as he saw the fugi-
tives turn into N intb street, and he wondered if

they would have the audacity to draw up at the 1
Coventry mansion; but the phaeton dashed ‘

straight on, as though its occupants had not the
all htest interest in the building.

own Ninth into the level bordering that por-
tion of the city popularly known as Pateetown,
dashed the fugitives, and after them, less than
three squares to the rear, sped Brown Bess,
sending jets of vapor from her distended nos-
trils, but in no other wise betraying her exer-
'tions.

Dan Dunn paled a bit as he recalled what the
owner said about the one only weakness of the
little mare. He knew that, night and day.
there was considerable switching and making
up trains going on, both at the depét grounds,
for the narr0w gauge and for the bridge across
the Missouri River. '

His jaws squared even more as he saw the
fugitiges turn to the right, apparently guessing
or hoping something of the truth. And‘ he
muttered a word of warning to his companions
as the little mare tossed her head and snorted
sharply at the shrill whistle of a train, just then
backing in from the bridge switch.

He saw the driver ahead playing his whip in
lively fashion, plainly intending to cross the
track before the train could shut them out.
\Vhich he did, with considerable room to spare,
but Dan Dunn was forced to rein in. Even with
the steadiest sort- of animal, he could not make
the crossing in time.

“ Can’t we cut around and strike the trail
ahead 1” asked Turnbull.

“If we knew they didn’t mean to cross the
bridge!” .

There was a possibility of that, and Turnbull
leaped out to run ahead on foot and guard
against such a fatal mistake. And then, as Dan

Dunn plied whip and forced the frightenedmarc I

across the track at the earliest ossible moment,
fearing to be again cut off y the train, the
active little shadow regained his seat behind,
saying: ‘
“ They’ve kept right ahead. “'onder where
the ’re making for?’

here was no reply. Dan Dunn was too anx-.
ions to make up for lost time, and the same in-
centive seemed to cause the little mare to fairly
fly. Once more they sighted their game, and
once more began to draw closer and closer to—
what?

By this time the town was fairly cleared, and
it seemed certain that the fugitives were think-
ing of trying the open country again, and a few
minutes later Dan Dunn ejaculated in grim
triumph:

“ If they’re heading for the
to take the Bluff road!”

-.__.

CHAPTER XXIII.
HOW THE CHASE CAME TO AN END.

DAN DUNN spokethis sentence almost entirely
on the evidence of his own cars, for just then
all his care was demanded by the frightened
little mare. Though no alarming whistle was
splitting the air, the short, sharp pantings of a
switchengine were to be heard, and just in her

 

lake, they’ll have ‘

front the moonlightglistened upon a double line
of friction- lished rails.

Without ooking the detective knew that the
train was not being made up on this line, but
further ahead, where the road they were fol~
lowing made an abrupt bend to the right, or
west.

“ If you had neither eyes nor ears, wouldn’t
you be a darling I” he muttered, half in fierce
rage, half in admiration for the gallant little
greature who had borne them so far and so
ast.

“ Bluff road or a fight!” laughed Robert
1Turnbull, his small hands closing like twin
1 Vises on the muscular shoulders of his chief, as
i the light wagon swayed and leaped wildly as
1 the mare bounded across the feared track.
5 “ They can’t make it, for— >Holv smoke!” his
1 tones rising almost toa shout as he started to
‘ his feet, regardless of his own peril in his in-
! tense excitement. “ He‘s going to try it!”

l At that moment the fussy but powerful little
engine sent forth a rapid succession of shrill,
maniacal screeches in warning, and with them
blended another shriek—the voice of Rena Cov-

l
1 entry!
| Berry Barfort heard and recognized this, even
Lamid that wild and ear-splitting concert. It
i broke the curious torpor which had dropped
I upon his brain when he learned the worst con~
coming this once-idolized creature. And with
' thatmadlove seemingly revived in full force,

he ve vent to a choking cry at once warning
an appealing.
“Study him, Bob!” grated Dan Dunn, his.

own hands full in controlling the dancing mare,
keeping her from whirling short to the left and
upsetting or smashing the rig.

But Turnbull required no directions. Al-
ready his wiry arms were fiun ever the shoul-
ders of the awaking lover be] ing him power-
less, rendering it impossxbie for him to, rise, and
in case of need ableto weaken him in a single
breath by shutting off that valuable adjunct,
one bony wrist forming a perfect garrote. .

“ God of mercy!” gasped the half-crazed
lOver. as be for the first time fully realized the
peculiar situation. “ Save her—save her from—
She will be crushed to death!”

And so it seemed to both Dan Dunn and
Robert Turnbull just then.

The sw1tch-engme was backing down a long
line of freight-cars engaged in its almost in-
cessant duty of ma ing up trains, and though

yelps, the engineer did not‘see fit to check the.
speed of the cars in the least. perhaps because
he was fully aware how universally understood
were the perils of “ the Death Trap,” as this
particular crossing was called. And no doubt
e expected to see both teams turn off into the
1 other road, or else draw rein to wait for a
l more favorable opening for crossing over the
‘ double tracks.
But the driver of the phaeton, doubtlessu ed
; on b the man whom Dan Dunn had called or—
! ace aylock, lashed his spirited team furiously
! and sent them at a full run up the 810 , bent on
i placing for the second time a. serious arrier be.
{ tween themselves and their pursuers.

Only a man drunk, mad or thoroughly des-
perate would have risked the feat, for failure
meant certain death, and the crossing was by no

! means an easy one under the most favorain cir-
! cumstances. Should one or both of the horses
slacken speed, should one or both flinch or balk
1 at rails or because of that truly diabolical
3 screeching, death and mutilation alone could be
! the result.

‘ And not only this, but—
! “They can’t do it! And this ends our trail,
1 Robert “gratineg cried thedetective, something
i like a shiver running through his frame.

l “ Whip, you devil!” paiitcd Turnbull, uncon—

' sciously shouting the guiding words aloud.

l “ You’ve got tc—(h'd they—didn’t they 3”

For a moment even his ferret-eyes were at
l fault, so terribly close was the rearmost car to
i the swaying phaeton.as its wheels hounded over

' the double-track, to be lost to sight and—”

“ Safe, b the eternal!” added Turnbull, as
there fioate to their cars a loud, mocking shout
from the further side of the crossing. “ By the
skin of thcir teeth, boss!"

“Lost! by the ears of this infernal brute l”'
exclaimed the detective, cutting Brown Bess
viciously with the lash,causing her to change
from dancing to racing, but with his powerful.
. sinews forcing herto makea graceful curvethat
saved them from wreck.

“ Ma be not lost.” laughed Turnbull, holding
Berry Bufort and himself in the wagon by skill
and strength combined. “ Maybe only gone ro-
fore; a bit! I can keep on the scent, if you like,
sir.

“ Do it—we’ll follow just as soon as possible,”
hastily uttered the detective, instantly divining
the purpose which his cunning man had in
VleW.

Without another word Turnbull relaxed his
grip on the young man and dropped over the
back end of the wagon, running swiftly back to-
the crossing, where the long line of freight-cars.
had almost come toa pause, blocking all passage,
as it a peered. But the human shadow never
paused in his rapid pace, springing up and.

 

l
l

 

it still kept up a constant succession of warning , ‘

\

.-v.._:;\_,.- 2. .-—>= ..

'1
X
‘l

 

 

A

brace up and he]

20

 

 

The Softjiiand’s Clutch.

catching an end-ladder with one hand and a I far from the truth, though he resolved to make

brake-rod with the other, lifting himself and
shooting through the narrow space between two
cars as adroitly as Harlequin ever penetrated a
star-trap. ’

The more perfectly to comprehend what has
passed, as well as to understand what is yet to
be narrated, a few lines of description must find
place right now and here.

As stated, the chase had led through the city,
from its northern to its southern extremity. At
that time the present system of stock-yards was
only a dream of the future.

1* our miles to the southwest of St. Joseph lies
Lake Contrary,once noted for its rare good ilsh-
Mg, and ever noted for its abominable means of
approach.

After leaving the city behind, there were two
roads by which (when rains had not spread a
bottomless sea of mud, too thin for hoofs, too
thick for keels) the lake might be reached. One
was known as the Bluff road, rocky, hilly,
thoroughly disagreeable; the other the Bottom
road.

These two roads divided near the lower end
of the machine-shops, which occupy the larger
portion of what was originally the ExpOsition
grounds, the first—named following along the
edge of the towering range of bills, the other
making an abrupt turn to the West, leading
over the two tracks entering the yards from the
south.

These tracks are only a few feet apart, and
run along an earthen ridge some ten feet above
the level on the northern side, and still higher
above the southern exposure.

For seVeral rods one driving from town to the
lake, must keep close along the roads, then
turn sharply up and OVer the unguarded rails,
to descend and pass between the still standing
high board-fence of the old Exposition grounds
on the right, and the fence of a field on the left,
forming a narrow lane that extends for some
little distance, making extremely close quar-
ters for a skittish horse.

To make matters still worse, every train that
is made up, most, time and again, be pulled or

ushed past this crossnng, frequently for half an

our at a stretch completely blocking the way.
And owing to the difficult approaches on both
sides, no less than the narrow space on the level
raise, where teams are unable to pass each
other without almost surely locking wheels or
risking a wreck in the ditch, which, on either
hand, speedily split} the two tracks, this cross-
ing has for years been termed the “Death-
Trap.”

With a cleared space for maneuvering his
frightened beast, Dan Dunn could spare one
hand to restrain Barfort while trying to make
him realize the situation, keeping the brown
mare circling around or turnin in graceful
curves, thus. the‘more surely guarding against a.
perilous plunge as that diabolical engine sent
out its 113!) screeches, and at the same time
holding eVerything in readiness for a desperate
dash over the crossing the instant an opening
should be presented.

“ Brace up, man! You’ve got to!” the detec-
tive harshly cried, gripping his half-crazed
friend until it seemed as though his finger-tips
must pierce holes through his garments.

“ I saw her! She’s dead—mangled under the
cruel wheels!” -

“ You lie, Barfort 2” persisting in seeing what

in in body and harsh speech Would elfect.

‘ They got safely across the track, but she‘s ten
thousand times worse than dead if you don‘t
me to tear her from the
pOWer of that devi in human shape!”

Again that ear-splitting screech half-craz (1
Brown Bess, who was just circling around to
face the little monster as it came puffing and
spitting fire down to hitch on to the train once
more, having cast its first batch of cars off on a
flying switch. Again Dan Dunn won the vic-
torl‘gy, though only after a tough struggle.

ut the time was not entirely lost. Those
fiercely impatient words .of the detective had
made an impression on the tortured lover, and
he was already beginning to rally his wits and
his powers of body.

“ Fell me—l’ll do what you sa "he managed
to utter with a touch of his old-time energy.
“ Anything to save—”

“Then take the ribbons and hold the little
devil!” grated Dan Dunn, as he leaped to the

round and can ht Brown Bess'by the head,

olding her he] ess with his steel-like arms
though her hea was now facing the moving
train.

With marvelous celerity Dan Dunn stripped
off the coat he were and wound it tightly
around the mare’s head, effectually blinding

. her.

“Ready with the whip if she balks when I
say the word, pardner! And if worst comes,
'ump where you think you’ll land softest. We-
ve got to get over that infernal— Look at
that l”

. A genuine curse hissed through his teeth as he

:saw the engine take away two cars, leaving the

way still blocked and the and seemingly as far
‘off as ever! .But then, as the engine gave an-
‘other whistle, differently modulated and divid-
ed, he jumped at a conclusion which was not

 

still more sure.

“ Keep her level, pard !" was all he stopped to
say, darting forward and reaching the train,
With difficulty extracting the bent coupling-pin
from a car which stood nearly half over the
crossing.

This done, he rushed back, leaping into the
wagon and taking the lines just as the cars be-
gan to bump-bumpbump one against the other
as the engine backed up and hitched on,the
shock sending that portion of the train back of
the uncoupled car slowly grinding along the
rails. And then, as the dummy, cr pony-engine
puffed ahead, thinking to draw up the whole
string nearer the upper switches, Dun Dunn
plied whip until the velvet skin was scored to
the quick, sending the blinded mare up the
slope, over the iron rails and beyond, his cxul-
tant yell mingling with the angry shouts of the
brakemen and the vicious screeches born of the
indignant “pony ” driver.

“More ways than one to kill a cat, pardnerl”
laughed Dan Dunn, his face growing harder and
colder as his keen eyes failed to catch even a
glimpse of their valuable game.

The fugitives had busily improved the advan—
tage won at t such imminent peril, and had
already cleared the long lane.

“ But Robert is on their track, and if they
don’t run‘ far enough to burst his lungs, he’ll
track ’em to their nest!”

Barfort asked something, but if Dan Dunn
heard, he never heeded or made reply. He was
sending Brown Bess at dangerous speed over the
narrow, single-t rack road hardly Worn smooth
since the last rains, and he needed all his skill
and wits to guard against a catastrophe. '

Through the lace, out to where the ever-hun-
gry river had swallowed up form after farm in
its annual floods, and where it was now hourly
eating huge bites out of the sandy soil. Twice
that season the fence on the left of the road
had been moved, and for the third time it was
in danger of going down-river. But where the
space was narrowest Dan iiuhn saw fresh wheel-
tracks, and urged Brown Bess forward, reckless
of danger in his lust for capture. Then—the
earth seemed to be yielding to their weight and
swallowmg them bodily!

CHAPTER XXIV.
IN THE MAW or THE MAD MISSOURI.

WITHOUT the slightest warning sound, a huge
mass of undermined soil was torn from its rest-
ing-place, just as the fast-trotting little mare
reached the center of the slide.

As Dan Dunn felt the wagon tipping sharply,
he divihed the awful truth and let the lines slip
loose, striking Brown Bess a vicious blow across
the back, hoping against hope even at. And
witha wild scream the mare plunge forward
and away from the river, pawing furiously at
the crumbling earth with her hoofs——but all
was in vain!

And realizing this, Dan Dunn caught Berry
Barfort in his arms and hurled himself as far
away from the horse and vehicle as that one
second wouldpermit.

E ven this would not have been granted him,
had the slide been of less magnitude; ten feet
wide and half a hundred long, in fact. If it
had been less, there would have been no time for
struggling or own thought!

And even as it was, the two men were dashed
into the sullen river with enough sand and dirt
showering over them to bury a score, only for
the swift current which as rapidly dissolved its
particles. ,

The mad plunge separated the friends, despite
the desperate grip which Dan Dunn had fasten-
ed upon Barfort, an’i the detective, strangling
and half-suffocated, more from the shock than
aught else, Was the first to reach the surface.

His hat was gone, his hair clipped too short to
interfere with his eyes, but they seemed filled
with sand, and too much blinded to see aught of
his surroundings.

A sweep or two of his wet hands sufficed to
clear his vision partially, and then— neither
horse, wagon nor friend were visible!

Though the ( urrent was sweepin him rapid-
ly down-stream, his immersion had not lasted
so long but that he could mark the point where
that frightful plunge had taken place; but that
was all! He alone appeared to have survived
that deadly slide.

Even as the dread belief flashed into his still
dizzy brain, Dan Dunn caught sight-of a pale
facerising into the bright light of the full moon,
and with a wild cry he recognized the face of his
friend!

There was no answer. There came no motion,
no signal in recognition. And then, suddenly as
it he appeared, that white face faded away,the
yellow waters covering it over as with the pull
of death!

With an eflort that raised his body more than
half out of water, Dan Dunn shot forward,
turning over to sink below the surface, sweeping
his limbs about in fierce ener y in hopes of
touching if not clutching the rowning man.
And just when he was on the point of rising for
lack of breath, one foot struck a sinking object.

That was enough; With adesperate effort the ‘

detective turned head downward and grasped
the body, bringing it to the surface with him.

A few has‘y gulps of grateful air, then Dan
Dunn gave his efforts to Berry Barfort, holding
his head above water. He could do no more,
but fortunately that proved sufficient for the
time.

It was because the terrible concussion with
the water had driven the breath out of his body,
that the young man sunk helplessly. And now
that the needed air entered his lungs, compressed
by the strong arm of the detective oneimoment,
then to slucken the next, his never entirely-lost
senses began to return to their duty.

“ Steady, pardner!” panted the detective, as
Barfort instinctively began to struggle, threat-
ening to drown them both in their weakened
state. “ Float and trust to me, or Rena Coven—
trv is lost forever!”

He had spire breath for no more, just then,
but he counted on the magic of that loved one’s
name, and it did not fail him in this crisis.
Those aimless struggles ceased, and Barfort
turned his head with a gleam of understanding
in his eyes.

Dun Dunn saw a half-submerged log floating
alongside them, on! a few feet away, and he
managed to gain this, to which they both clung
in gratitude. It was floating perilous'y close to
the washing bank, but for the moment neither
man had a thought for that. Each moment of
this support was adding to their recovery.

The current was rapidly sweeping them down-
stream, but that Could not be avoided, though
land was so near them: not twenty feet away,
in fact; but so far as escapin from the water,
the shore might as well have een beyond their
powei s of vision.

The Missouri River is proverbially the mean-
est, most deceitful, erratic and treacherous
stream in any part of the civilized globe. And
those who know it best are apt to believe they
know it least.

Its bottoms, also, are known far and wide as
among the most fertile and productive farming
lands in the great West; but after promising to
speedily enrich their owners, they have only, too
often ended in ruining both him and his bright-
est hopes, thanks to that yellow flood of moun-
tain-born waters. _~

These bottoms have, in places, $011 that meas—
ures yards in depth before the subsoil is reach-
ed. It only needs to be “ tickled with a 1:00 to
laugh with a harvest.” But that very richness,
—consisting of sand in combination with river silt
and layers of decayed leaf-mold, offer 3 but
slight resistance to the high flonds, and many a

r fellow has seen farm. house, outbuildings
and all swallowed up in less than a single day!
And then tried to console himself that his life
had been spared.

The worst washing occurs when the river is
falling, after a high stage, undei mining the
banks and biting out huge slices at a mouthful.
And owing to this, the banks, instead of having
a margin, or even a slope, are shelving and over-
hanging as they rise.

This was why Dan Dunn and Berry “Barfort
made no attempt to reach land, after their senses
had returned sufficiently for them to begin con-
sidering ways at d means. They both knew that
the water ran deep at the base of that treacher-
ous bank. They knew that the current, rushing
along that base, forced by the wide bend the
river made at this point, would sweep them
from a footing even should thr y succeed in win-
ning one for an instant. ()r, if f cting was per-
chance secured, they knew that any ettem t to
draw themselves up that overhanging ank
would result in bringing an avaiancre of earth
down upon them, to crush to death beneath its
weight, or be buried so deeply under the slide
that suffocation would be their portion long be-
fore the swirling waters could melt away the
burden of sand and leaf-mold.

“ This is horrible l” gasped Barfort, with a
despairing groan. I

“ But it might have been worse,” quickly in-
terposed the detective, with a glance up the
river toward the spot where their chase had
come to such an unexpected end. “ We might
be pinned down to the bottom, like poor Brown
Bess and the wagon!”

Barfi rt made no re ly. He was not thinking
of his own danger. is thoughts were all of
Rena Coventr and her fate. It was rorrible
to be cut of! mm further efforts toward her
rescue—from the awful fate she had apparently
chosen for herself. .

“ Robert is on the scent, pardner,” Laid Dan
Dunn, reading aright that 1001: of mental
agoriy and trying to give what consolation lay
in his power. “ And he’ll stick to it like a born
bloodhound until the game takes to earth! We’ll
get there yet, and I just know it!” ‘

There was an echo of triumph in his tones,
born of a discovery which he made at that in-
stunt.

A couple of hundred yards below them, light-
ed up by the declining moon, he noted an ob-
struction to the mad current and speedilyreco -
nized the truth ; a tree had been undermine ,
falling into the river, but with its roots still
holding fast in the earth, its trunk sloping up
the bank, offering a fair chance for them to es-
cape from the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 


i
g

NW, , , ,Q

. u... ,...._....‘..h..‘..

 

The Soft-Hand’s Clutch.

 

v

“If it don’t give way with us!” gloomin 

muttered Barfort.

The poor fellow must not be blamed too seri-
ously. Remember all that he had been called
on to undergo during the ast few days! |

Dan Dunn spokea few rief sentences of en-
conra ement; there was time for no more, since
their cat was too far out, thanks t) a smrland
miniature “ suck " a short distance above, which
had veered it several yards further from shore,
and the men would have to abandon it and swim
in to catch upon the tree, top or trunk, or roots,
as might be. !

With one hand gripping his friend by the col-
lar, Dan Dunn pushed off from the float in time
to cover the distance without any great ex nd-
iture of strength or breath, for he was stil dis-
grustful of Barfort's powers, not of body, but of

rain.

Fate favored them even more completely than
he had dared hope, for his feet struck com ara-
tively solid bottom by the side of the allen
trunk, and he drew Barfort up to a secure posi-
tia; the first thing. And with this off his mind, .’
it am not take him long to see a way out of the ‘
tsnvle of roots, .

_ no poi‘n'teo this out to Barfort, and sending
him on in advance, in readiness to save him in "
case of a slip or a breaking root, ten minutes
later found them on dry land, breathle, but l
sound in limb.

And none too soon, as events speedily proved.
For hardly had he recovered his breath, when '
Dan Dunn heard voicesapproaching,and caught 1
sight of a number of men on foot and hearing I
weapons, coming down the bank of the river, ;
plainly in close search of—whom? !

Picking Barfort up in his arms, he vanished 1
under the trees.

 

CHAPTER XXV.
ON A panoraoos sonii‘r.

1y a thing from which he would recoil if it seem-
ed essential to his own safety.

“ He’ll down me too quick—if he’s smart
enough!”

A fleeting smile crept across his close-crop d,
terrier-like face at this thought, but R0 ert
Turnbull never slackened his machine-er run-
ning. If Horace Haylock hadindeed discovered
his pursuit, at least an effort would be made to

. dispose of him by surer means than running
, away, but he must risk that rather than losing

the scent.

The carriage with its
of sight, but Turnbull never altered his pace for
that. He knew that his peril did not he at or
near that point, but further along where better
cover offered. And running swiftly as ever he
came to the point where the hungry river was
feeding on the helpless shore.

Even as he ran, his keen eyes noted a narrow
crack lying along the recently-shifted fence,
and he slackened his pace sufficiently to mark
it curving in an irregular semi-circle, each end
drawing closer to the ed 9.
was only a question of time when that huge
mouthful would be claimed by the sullen wa-
ters, and a thought of the peril which his chief
might rush blindly into actually brought him to
a full stop; but only for an instant.

He knew that it 3

21

Haylock would press on Without pausing
either for his driver to report or some signal
which would warn him of more dan erous pur-
suit than that single footman could t reaten.

So, keeping well under cover, though at times
he had to bend almost double as open spaces of-
fered themselves along the fence, Turnbull man-
aged to kee from losing very much ground,
slackening his killing efiorts as soon as he saw
the carria e draw up in front of the two-story
frame bui ding known as“ Dunford’s,” or the
“ Lake House.”

freight had passed out  “ Thanks, Haylock, for not keeping right on

to the Club House or to Pettipier’s!” panted
Turnbull, pressing a hand to his side to relieve
“ a stitch " born of his extraordinary exer-
tions.

By the lights burning on the covered lery
running along the front of the building, 8 saw
Haylock leap out of the carriage, after tossing
the Jim 8 back to the woman, and hurry past the
house itself in the direction of the lake, only a
few yards away.

Turnbull was on ground slightly higher than
the leveloccu pied by the Lake House, and owing
to this, to had a fair view of what followed,
even without adv ancing nearer the scene.

He saw half a down men quickly surround
the carriage, apparently acting as a friendly

“ Business!” he muttered, springing forward I guard, for Rena (‘oventry showed no signs of

beside the fence. “ Dunn knows enough of
this river to keep his eyes open, I reckon I”

That spurt carried him around the tum, and
his keen sight showed him. the phaéiton just at
the edge of the timber. It s owed him still
more, thanks to the bright moonlight. Horace
Haylock was ’once more standing up in the car-
riage, looking back as though to ascertain if
chase was being made.

It'was only a glimpse, but that was sufficient
to ut Turnbull on his guard. For, despite the

REGARDLESS of the fact that the slightest g‘di erence in size, he knew that with his own

slip or miscalculation on his part would surely *
cast him down to be slowly ground to death be- l
tween iron and steel, Robert Turnbull crossed ,
the still moving barrier and alighted safely on I
his nimble feet just in time to avond a fall into i
the ditch at the side of the road. I

He avoided this, however, and his first glance 1
ahead showed him the rapidly retreating car. |
riag'e in which was the game they had chased so ’
long and closely. Brie as had been the delay
the fu tives had improved their chance so well
that a ready the haéton was at the further end
of the lane, and lieving himSeli in little dan-
ger of being recognized s ould Horace Haylock
glance back, Turnbull darted after the carriage
with the lightness and pace of a professional
sprinter.

“ It’s got to be greyhound, not slow-tracking I" ‘
flashed through his busy brain, as though to ex-
cuse this seeminglysuicrdal burst of speed at the .
very beginning of what promised to be along
and trying chase. “ At least as far as the forks ,
in the road 1”

The human shadow cast frequent glances
ahead at his dun erous game, though for the
most part he us his eyes in guarding against ‘
trip or stumble over lumps of dried “gumbo,” !
or even more disastrous “ chuck-holes,” cut
dee ly during Wet weather by the wheels of ,
loa ed wagons bringing wood or produce into ;
town.

On one of thesa occasions Turnbull saw a tall 
figure standing up above the rest of the dimly- 1
outlined Equipage, apparently gazing back to '
seeif the enemy had as yet succeeded in passing
the Death-Trap. He instinctively stooped 10w-
er, to lessen the risk of being espied, and his
purpose if not his identity divined, but hedr red
not break off in his hot chase, Just et.

Not far ahead of where the g aeton could
now be seen, there was offered a c 01cc of roads.
One could turn to the left and find comparative-
ly smooth traveling as far as the lake itself, on ,
the pleasant shore of which were built the vari- ,
ous hotels dependent on the transient custom
of fishing, hunting and picnickingparties. Or,
by striking deeper into the heaVily-timbered
bottom to the right, any one of half-a-dozen
rude roads gradually crawlrd snake like under
the shad0ws, some ending in tanglednvessm
where cordwood was ranked in.skirmishing or-
der, but the rest Igenerally ml’etlllg’ together as
the upper end of ake Contrary was neared.

It was more than likely that the party under ,
command of Horace Haylock would choose the 1
road leadin to the lake proper, both because it
offered thele st impediment wrapid travel and
from the fact that if necessary he could keep
right on in a fair road whigh, by striking the
base of the ridge below king’s Hill, would
bring them back to town without havmg to
double on their own trail until after the Death-
Trapwas left behind them.

“ But I’m taking no chances, ou want to un-
derstand,” reflected the human loodhound. ,

Yet no man knew better than hewhat long !
chances he was then and there acceptin ,though ‘
in a different sense. He knew that i the tall ’
athlete whom they had tracked all the way from !

 

~. New Ulm Gardens was indeed the personage ;

whom Dan Dunn firmly believedwhen he made '
that daring attempt to arrest him in the ve 
midst of his evil gang, that bloodshed was har -

‘ cess

shape standing out clear against the river and
sky beyond, it was not to be hoped that he had
escaped detection.

A brave man‘s brains work swiftly when an
emergency arises, and swiftly as Robert Turn-
bull was racing he had not covered ten more
rods before his plans were roughly marked out.

“It’ll lose time if they do turn ofi.‘ toward the
head of the lake instead of keeping on to Dun-

, ford’s, but what of it?” he reflected, with a grim

smile, as he left the road and swung himself

‘ across the “ snake” fence intoa field of growing

corn. “On such roads I can run two feet to
their one and still keep my eyes open l”
As is the case with all such fences, built of
rough rails, in zig-zag fashion to avoid the ne-
ty of spikes or posts save the regulation
“ stake. and double riders,” weeds, both old and
new, elderberry-bushes, pawpaw routs, bri-
ers, all tangled together and lace with wild
grape, hop and cucumber vines, formed a toler-
able screen the year ’round along the fence, for
p10wing was impossible in the many angles.

Shielded by this, as the corn was far too low
to afford perfect cover, the human bloodhound
raced until past the point where, if at all, he
felt confident an ambush would be laid for him.
And at the same time he was able to cut off
much ground, thus gaining on the chase with-
out subjecting himself to actual danger.

Turnbull crouched lower behind his thick
shield as he caught the sound of hoofstrokes,
ringing out sharply on the hard road of dry
0 ay.

A moment later the phaéton came into view,
and his teeth showed grimly as he saw that it
contained but two persons, instead of three.

Horace Haylock was driving the foam: flecked
span, and the w0man in navy-blue was alone on
the back seat. The driver had disappeared.

From his covert Turnbull strained his eyes
eagerly, but the slouched hat of the driver con-
cealed his features, and he could not say wheth-
er he wore a mask or not. But he caught a fair

1 im so of the woman’s face and at once reco -
P 1

nized her as Rena Coventry.

“A face to drivea man mad for lovel” he
grimly muttered, as be straightened up to mark
his best course. “ If he didn’t know what lay
behind that beautiful mask of yours, Harlequin
Hat l” "

Horace Haylock was driving at goodly speed,
but not pressing his team as he had while the
emergency seemed greater. -Tbere were no
signs of the single rig in chase, and his driver
could be depended upon to dispose of the foot
man, if, indeed, he was real] in chase, which
was at the best more than dou tful.

Robert Turnbull believed that this was about
the substance of his big game’s reasonings, but
still there was no use in running more risk than
was absolutely necessary. The road to Dun-
ford’s was now perfectly straight, and the li hts
before the building were already in sight. he
road run between cultivated fields, without
tree or bush to sliade the level stretch, and he
could not take that road without risking detec-
tion at the first backward glance. ,-

It was difficult traveling in the edge of the
soft, pIOWed ground, but the distance was not
very (great, and he felt fairly confident that he
won] be granted a breathing-s 11 when the
lake was reached. It was b y likely that

i

I, . ., ., ,5 *4;

‘ along the fresh wheel—tracks in the sand close ?

!

 

alarm, nor did Horace Haylock cast a look
backward, th0ugn he must have brushed el~
bows with nore than one of the fellows.

He saw Haylock advance to the shore end of.

the long, narrow pier, by which a platform,
surrounded by gay, paintedboats, could be
reached, that shore if the lake being too shale
low for even askiff to be launched from dry
land. At each corner of this platform burned
a big lantern with red slides to distinguish the
landing from those of the other hotels further
down the lake. And by the light thus afforded,
Turnbull distinguished a boat just reaching the
pier, out of which a stout figure leaped to meet
Haylock.

“ Doctor Craig Dairmid, or I’ve gone blind l”
ejaculated T urnbull, in a burst of amazement
as that shape came under the combined lights
of the colored lanterns. -

There could be no mistake on this point. That
figure was too strongly individual for an error,
particularly in one so sure-Sig ted as Dan Dunn’s
right-hand man. And Turn 11, his eyes glow—
ing with a reddish light under the shade of his
slouched hat, crept rapidly but silently. nearer
the t where the carriage still stood sur-
roun ed by those rough, tough-lookin fellows.

All about the Lake House, save or an oc—
casional tree, was cleared away, and the fence
behind which Turnbull alone could hope to
keep covered from observation, made an a rupt
angle several rods from the house. Nearer
than this he could not advance without be-
traying himself to open inspection, and so he'
crouched down in the corner, making his‘keen
eyes serve for both sight and hearing as far as

possrble.
He saw that Rena Coventry had covered her

.face from inspection by means of her light,

w

fleecy scarf, serving very well for a veil in the

uncertain moonlight.

He saw Horace Haylock and Dr. Dairmid
rapidly a preaching, followed more leisurely
by two ot er men, rough-clad, having the ap-
pearance of beatmen or lake (2 we lers.

He saw Dairmid lean into the carriage to
speak to the woman, but failed to catch even a
word, strain his ears as he would.

Then‘ Dr. Dairmid drew back, swinging his
right hand as if in a signal, which was promptly
obeyed; for as he moved rapidly away, taking
the road over which Haylock and Rena Cov-
entry had recently come, near] a dozen men
followed his lead, all armed wit some sort of
weapon! .

Haylock sprung into the phaéton, taking the
lines and driving rapidly away in the opposite
direction, or down the lake-shore.

“ Which?” muttered Turnbull, his face show-—
ing pale and hard as he rose from his covert.
“Back to help the boss, or—orders are orders,
and I’ve got mine!”

Once more he was off on the trail of Horace
Haylock!

 

CHAPTER XXVI.

ran NIGHT HAWKS HUNTING Tania PRIY.

As he made the signal which Turnbull noted,
Dr. Craig Dairmid uttered certain words which
were intended to mask their actual mission,
and to throw the worthy Dunford and his fam-
ily into error.

“ You hear, men?” he uttered, in his deep, so-
norous tones. “ This isn’t the first time a gang
of footpads have given trouble along the lake
road. Follow me, and we’ll make sure it is the
last.” ‘

That was all, but it was sufficient for his ar-
pose. Added to the excited and exciting ta e of
attempted robbery, if not murder, told by Hor-
ace Haylock, it would suffice to cover any deed
of blood which might transpire that night!

After the first few rods were covered, Doctor
Dairmid checked his followers in order to assure
himself whether the were all part of the Night
Hawks, and to be t oroughly trusted. A very

q

u

'the first examination over the remains!” grim-

.22

The Soft-Hand’s Clutch.

 

m

few moments sufficed for this, and then he sharp- !
l y gave his orders:

“ You will wait for my word before making
any move, lads. If I see the right quality of
game, I’ll give ample warning for you to make
sure your cartridges are not thrown away. And
when I do bid you open, keep it up until the
devil himself couldn’t live through the hail-
storm!” -

“ You bet we will, boss!” grimly uttered one
of the number, bearing a repeating Winchester
under his right arm. “ l’vc had a taste of that
same divil down beyant, me own silf, sure l” ;

Doctor Dairmid led the way until drawing
near to the neck of timber under cover of
which Horace Haylock had left his driver to cut
off the shadowy figure of which he had twice .
caught a glimpse since crossing the Death-Trap.
And as a human shape suddenl stepped from
the shade into the moonlight, t ere was a sud- :
den rattle of wea ions as it was covered by the
ea cr Night Haw s.

‘ Hold, ye devils!” angrily grated the doctor, :
instantly recognizing the signal which that fig- "
ure was making with uplifted hands. “ It’s the 1
man the chief told about: his driver!”

He sprung clear of the gang, responding 'to
the signal, then hurrying forward to receive the
report.

“ Never a glimpse of man or beast, boss!” was
the rapid explanation as the two men met.
“ Reckon it was all a mistake on the chief‘s
part. Anyway, a rat couldn’t have slipped past
me without——see?” as he significantly tapped
the bulging shape of a heavy revolver in his
side )ocket.

“ 4‘ nd nothing of that infernal detective? No

signs of him, yet?” a ked Dairmid, with a dark

frown of mingled hatred and perplexity.

“Neither hide nor hair, sir,” with a low
laugh as of a pleasing memory. “Reckon we
stirred up a bucketful of mad when we dodged
that engineer, and he‘s slopping it all over Dan
Dunn and company, just to even up matters!
Shouldn’t wonder if he holds him out of the
Trap the rest of the night, or just Opens it
enough to tempt him into a bit of high and lofty
tumbling, with death or broken bones fora mat-
tress to ’light on i”

“ I’d like to be there to witness it—and hold

ly laughed Dairmid, singlin out two of his
men, both armed with ri es, and adding:
“ Each take a side of the road and keep about
My yards in advance. Watch for footmen as
well as a light wagon. That devil may have
crossed alone, rather than be balked after so
so long a chasel If you sight any person, halt
them and hold them covered until I come up.

In this order the little stretch of woods was

assed through without making any discovery. 1
'or was aught to be seen of their longed-for
piey when the ground lay clear and open be-
fore them. As far as the turn in the mad a
rabbit could not have stirred unseen by some ‘
pf Itlihose eager eyes, thanks to the clear moon— ,
ig t. .
y the Lord! I begin to believe
that’s t e solution!" suddenly cried the driver, ,
his eyes aglow with an evil light as he hurried-
ly told how, in passing the narrowest neck of
land at the river’s curve, his horses had almost
balked before the stinging lash sent them
plunging forward. “ I niore’n half-expected to
go down with a big slide, and if they have
made the crossing, that’s what’s stopped ’em l” l

“ Ef so, they’re heap ways below this!” grim-
ly laughed one of the party, whom his mates
called Bill Flick. “ Bait fer cats—that’s what!”

Hardly knowing whether to hope for this situ- ,
ation or not, Dairmid hurried on with his men .
at his heels, vainl looking for their hated and
feared enemy. ntil— . l

“I knew it!” cried the driver, pointing to
where the fence was broken for several yards, l
the earth gone where the latest road had been '
lessthan an hour before. “ That’s the very spot '
where my team balked l” i

With excited cries the gang surged forward
though slackeningDpace as they neared the still
dangerous spot. airmid leaped lightly over i
the fence to make a closer examination, and ‘
his strong face grew still harder as he distinctly 1
made out several gushes in the crumbling ,
bank which had unmistakably been made by 1
the hoofs of a horse pawing madly in the vain ‘
attempt to keep from going down to death with l
the slide. ,,

Even this‘ did not satisfy him, though not an- ‘,
other man resent but was 'flrmly convinced I
that the li e—trail of the feared detective had
broken short of! right where they had their 2
eager gaze riveted. He crossed the fence above
the reek and bent low over the damp sand of ‘
whic this portion of the road was composed.

“ You see, boss!” muttered the driver, gain- ;
ing his side and lpointing out with a finger the ,
signs which his eon eyes could read. “There L
are my wheel-tracks: these are my herse’s, only 3,
partly blotted out by the sand scattered over ;
them by Brown Bess. Look at hertracks! Full i
trot, and with a stride big enou h for double ;
her size! Look atthe narrow whee -tracksl And
there they end.”

There could be no further doubt and Dr.
Dairmid drew a long breath of reliefs: be ad-

5

.5
~o

: cf a tree or sech hcs

‘ as he let the bush fly back.

 

mitted as much. Yet—with a sudden fear—
was it not within the bounds of ‘possibility that
at least Dan Dunn had escape with his life?
Might he not have fallen clear of the rig, to
reach safety by swimming?

lie recalled one instance of a similar escape
the year before. If one man could escape with
life, why not another? And that other the Soft-
Hand Sport, whom many men firmly believed
to carry acharmed life.

“it’s all right, cf you say it, boss, grufiiy
muttc-red Bill Flick. “ We’ll do the huntiu’,
but all the some it’s durned foolishness to even
think sech a redicklus ideel The ole Mizzoury
don‘t let up on her grip so easy as them—no she
don’t!”

“ No more’n you kin let up your grum’lin’,”

‘ growled his brother Tom,as the party imme—

diately hurried down the river-bank, keeping as
near the edge as was consistent with safety,
searching for any signs which might show their

1 game had indeed escaped the hungry flood.

The searchers, for the most part men who
lived at or near the lake, and who were perfect-
ly familiar with the workings of that treacher-

{ ous stream, made no useless pause where scaling

the crumbling bank was an impossibility. A
passing glance was enough to give all such

| places, and for the most part their gaze was

directed to the water itself, where, at each snag
or sawyer. they looked for the drowned mare or
wagon, though the chances were against any
such iodgment while the current rzin so swiftly.
“ Thcy ain’t no show this side 0’ the timmer,”
declared Tom Flick, )ositivcly. “ An only thar
lzetched in a slide or— Be
durned ef thar hain’t one now !” his voice rising
in the excitement roused by the discovery.
No need of his pomting hand, for the eyes of
all that gang were now upon the object—a half-
dead tree, with top buried in the muddy cur-

‘ rent but with its butt still attached to the shore,

thanks to its vast mass of snake-like roots.

“ Right thar we’ll hit some signs, or we never
won’t this Side 0’ jedgment day!” cried Flick,
darting down the bank, rushing to his doom.

Pullmell the others followed, but the brush
and roots and stumps bothered them more than
the a ile “lake bottomer,” and he was several
rods in advance of the remainder of the party
when he paused topeer down the treacherous
bank, one hand grasping a slender sapling to
keefi from toppling downward.

A most instantly a wild yell arted his lips as
his'keen eyes detected “sign” or truth 1 A ray
of moonlight was glistening across a slender
yellow thread that, among the roots, looked
ike a golden snake!

Sliding his hand along the sa ling as his
weight bent it over, the reckless fe ow dropped
down upon the mass of roots to stead himself
Then he ent and
untangled a heavy chain of what looked like

old—torn from Dan Dunn’s neck as he helped
err Barfort up the bank.

“ yar’s yer sign, boss!” he cried, with a
laugh that was abruptly cut short by the earth
crumbling down upon his head.

And then the tree tore looSe from the bank,
plunging Flick into the water, strangling his
wild shriek of horroras it rolled over and swept
him under the muddy surface with its snaky
roots!

And as his mates glared in stupefied horror,
the mass went floatin down the river. But
nothing could be seen 0 poor Tom Flick.

CHAPTER XXVII.
DR. DAIRMID LOSES ONE RECRUIT.

IT was instinct rather than reason that led
Dan Dunn to catch up his almost helpless friend
and hasten with him in his arms away from the
bank of the river where they had so narrowly-
éscaped death. But before he had fairly se-
cured snug cover, he saw that his instantaneous
acting on that impulse had almost surely pro-
lon ed if it had not actually saved their lives.

or as be cast a keen glance over his free
shoulder, he recognized the face and figure of
Craig-Daimid. '

That sight gave him a. fair idea of the truth,
and fearin for his shaken friend more than for
himself, t e detective cautiously pressed _on
through the dense shade, seeking a secure hid-
ing-place for Barfort.

is progress was slow, both because the enem
were drawing rapidly nearer, and the ran
undergrowth far from easy to penetrate in
silence.

1n the darkness his knee struck against a ret-
ten, moss—covered 10 in the midst of a dense
patch of pawpaw ashes, and a backward
glance showed him that they were completer

idden from view of the party under Dr. Dan'-
mid.

Ho stopped short, lowering Barfort with his
feet to the ground, one arm supporting him,
his other hand ready to instantly close over his
lips to smother any incautious ejaculation if
made. Then he hurriedly whispered:

“ There was no time to spare for ar ment.
pardner. ‘I reckon our game has turne back a

ck of curs to threw an off the scent for good;
at we’ll fool them all, even yetl”

“ Save her—don’t let her drift to wreck on—”

“ You play your part and I’ll play mine,

 

‘

, , ,_ ' g... p. ‘ -
{bx ‘. . ." :f snihr‘le '. :- ’5 r —i-' r  ~ ll

 

Barfort. Between us I reckon we’ll save the
lady, if she’ll permit us. Now—you want to
hug this log mighty close and still for a bit,
while I see what I can learn from our friends
out yonder. Don’t move from here, for if they
should hit on our tracks, where we left the
drink, w e may have to make a running fight for
it, and I couldn’t afford to lose time hunting
you up.”

Dan Dunn thought best not to mention Dr.
Craig Dairmid. Though Berry Barfort was so
weak and worn, any such allusion might cause
him to break out after a fashion which, to say
the least, would be imprudent.

Viewed from that standpoint, it was rather
fortunate that the young man was so worn out,
in mind even more than in body. lie made no
objections to the psi is assigned ' him. lie asked
no questions, but sunk down beside the mossy
log, obedient as a sleepy child. ,

Under less pressing circumstances Dan Dunn
might have hesitated about leaving him in such
a condition, but just at that juncture the yell
of discovery given by luckless ‘om Flick, as his
keen gaze detected the metal chain tangled up
in the roots of the undermined tree by means of
which the two friends had escaped the hungry
flood, rung with startling clearness through the
night, and he felt the stern necessity of learning
its full purport, in self-defense.

With the instinct of a true scout, Dan Dunn
marked the location of the mossy log so accu—
ratcly that he could, in case of need, reach it
without the aid of eyesight, then crept swiftly
through the tangled brush toward the river-
bank, all the more eaSily because of the loud
cries and wild excitement which appeared to
reign supreme among the pack of Night Hawks.
“Hans off, cuss ye all!” hoarsely cried Bill
Flick,amid the crashing of brush and trampling
of heavy feet. “ It’s my brother—it’s my own
twin brother—an’ I’ll save him or v e’il go down
in a. hea l”

Dan unn came to a point from whence he
could witness what followed, and he caught his
breath shar )ly asthe full truth flashed upon him.

He saw tie lake-bottomer break away from
those of his friends who seemed bent on check-
ing his suicidal impulse, then rush to the edge of
the river and lunge headlong into the swiftly
hurr ing flo< . And as a few hasty steps car-
ried Tum to the bank, with the Night Hawks all
below him, Dan Dunn recognized the tree by
which he and Berry Barfort had escaped the
river, floating down-stream, and the black head
of a man rapidly overhauling iti

On shore, having to almost run in order to
keep pace with the drifting tree, were the Night
Hawks and Doctor Dairmid, far too excited for
thinking aught of spies, and shrewdly guessing
as much, Dan Dunn hastened after them, seek-
ing to solve the mystery.

“ If it’s anything of our rig, I want to know
it!” he muttered below his breath in explana
tion. “ Maybe the wagon was uncovered by the
water and lodged, after we got out i”

Half-crazed by grief, Bill Flick reached the
floating mass and unhesitatingly dove beneath
the surface, groping around that snake-like
tangle of roots in search of his twin brother,
never givmg a thought to his own peril, though
more than once a currcnt-twistwd root lapped
ominously about his body, threatening to hold

him beneath the surface until death claimed

him, as its fellows had in the case of Tom Flick.

Twice the frantic brother was forced to rise
for breath, but only to sink again and again the
instant he could replenish his ungs. As he had
sworn, he would tear his twin from those horri-
ble roots, or he would join him in death!

Then the long limbs of thefloating tree struck
some obstacle under the surface, causing the
whole drift to quiver and slowly roll over, its
mass of roots sweeping the shore a its ‘trunk
swung around in the current. And as the mass
revolved, the body of the luckless man was re-
leased from the death-trap, flung almost into the
arms of his brother! .

Bill Flick instantly caught the body—dead,”
he knew by instinct! And with a d rate ef-
fort he drew it with him upon asof mass of
earth which had fallen from the higher bank,
aflggdhad not yet been dissolved by the swirling
“ Bend 8. saplin’ or fetch a len’th o’ grape!” he
Famed, hoarsely, even in that emergency cooler
than his partners on the dry land.

The hint once given, compliance was prompt
enough, especial] on the par of those who
lived in the tang edbottomsa They Were used
to every imaginable make-shift, and the words
had scarcely passed the lips of the endangered
man before strong arms were tearing down a
long grapevine from its hold upon a slender
white elm-tree. _

A few swift slashes with a knife secured the
requisite material and nimble fingers twisted
stout loops in the ends while hurrying back to
the river-bank. And, thanks to this celerity,
both brothers were saved from being swept
awa by the current which had already licked
up a most their entire resting-place.

Bill Flick secured the grapevine about the
body of his brother, and the drowned man was
quickly drawn up to the level-while the other
end of the same vine enabled Bill to resist the

jv
J!

 

 

 

u... «A. .w‘

 

__ _ z“-

 

.,=vswama. , .i

.*1

. ,.-. «vynw ..

 

'

!

Themgoft;and’sCuh.

23

 

 

water which was tugging at his own 1e 3. And
in another score of seconds he was swift y drawn
up out of danger.

Not a word of thanks did he utter. He sunk
on his knees by the side of his twin, silently
feeling of his heart, his pulse, bending his ear to
his livid lips. He knew that it was too late to

do aught more, and alnbst savagely pushed Dr. ,
Dairmid back as the physician would have ex- 

anlined the cor ise.

“ Back—ban 3 off, durn ye, Doc. !” he grated,
his eyes glowmg like those of a dangerously-
angered wild beast through the gloom which
overhung the grim scene. “ Don’t ye dar’ to
tech him! Don’t ye, Doc.! Fer ef it hedn’t ’a’
bill for you an’ the likes 0’ ye pore Tom wouldn’t
be layin’hyar, dead an’ one—wharf To hell,
whar you‘d ort to be fil in’ his shoes this min—
nit!”

Despite his iron nerves, Dr. Dairmid shrunk
visibly from that fierce outburst, but his tones
were cold and even when he uttered:

“ You are crazed, Flick. Did I bid your bro-
ther act so rashly l” .

“ You bought his soul with your money,
Doc.,” retorted Flick, rising to his feet, his voice
ominously low and even, his face looking as ale
as that of the corpse lying at his feet. “ on
tempted him to his death. You made him fer-
.git his own mother that begged him to stay
white an’ honest an’ true to the right—begged
it as she lay on what we all reckoned was her
death-bed, Doc. A'u’ pore Tom he swore it

should be so. He was her favoryte, though we ;

was twin-brothers. An’ mother tuck what he
said fer truth. An’ she don’t know no better
this black night, Doc., ’long 0’ your money.
Mebbe this very minnit she’s prayin’ to her God
that Tom’ll keep straight, an’—”

Stron emotion choked his speech, and with
the instinctive dread which all of his class seem
to feel of ridicule for a weakness, the bereaved
twin turned abruptly away, hiding his face in
the loom.

V lthout a word of reply Dr. Dairmid knelt
beside the drowned man and made a quick but
thorough examination. He knew beforehand
that it was labor spent in vain, for no mortal
could live so long under water, even if those
cruel roots and rolling mass had held without
bodily injuring their victim. But he knew that
some of his men would feel he had neglected a
dut without he did so much.

is silence as he gave over and rose- to his
feet was answer sufficient for those eager,
troubled looks, and even Bill Flick did not see
fit to ask a question, though his burning gaze
was riveted upon the dark face of the physician
as he drew his form erect.

“ He’s dead, Doc. I knowed he was dead the
minnit I tetched him in the water. We was
twins, ye know, an’ they’s a hea in that. I
knowed it was only a shell that was totin’
back to dry land. A shell that I’ve got to lie
over miles deelp, Doc, or else kill the motherthat
fetched )01‘8 cm into this world: an’ her mak-
in’ pore om al’ays her favoryte o’ the hull kit
0’ young—’unsl”

-‘ It’s hard, Flick, but—"

“ All’ who done it all, Doc?” with fierce pas-
sion bursting through the thin crust of enforced
composure. “Who but you an’ them that’s
rowin’ in the same boat? Who but—may God
.._ef they is a Godl—rain his blackest cusses
down on your head an’ the heads 0’ them that
train with you. DUO! Maythe hull kit an’ b’il-
in’ 0’ ye die a dog’s death . ike that your cussed
money fetched pare Tom Into! May everythin‘
go wrong with your plans an’ your plottin’s on-
. )7

“Steady, Flick!” harshly cried Doctor Dair-
mid, a hand on his revolver as he sternly con-
fronted the half-crazed brother. “ Remember
who and what you are cursmg, my fine fellow!”

“You an’ the hull gang, Doc!” with sullen
ferocity, though he visibly shrunk back from
that commanding figure. “Ef it wasn’t fer
that, pore Tom wouldn’t be a dead body this
night! You led him like a dog With a chain
’bout his neck,through his love 0 your money—
led him to his death! But on cain't lead me
the same road no longer! rom this time on
I’ve got nothin’ to do with the ng, an’ ef——”

He stopped shcllrt as Doctor ail-mid covered

' with a re vo ver.
h‘fl‘YOu mean you‘ll sell us out, Bill Flick!”

“ I mean that I’m done with the hull business,
Doc,” sullenly. . ,

There was an ominous muttel'mg’ among the
majority of the gang of Night Hawks, and they
closed about the trio: the octor, the dead and
thelivin twin. ,

“ Is thagt all you mean, Flickl ’ coldly demand-
ed the leader. “ 1n throwmg off your allegiance
to the family, have you any thoughts of selling
out their secrets? Don’t answer in too great a
hurry, Flick.t flIt ma be nxen more seriousthan

ou fanc a rat g ance .

y He miiyst have been a dullard indeed who
could fail to read aright the menace which un—
derlay this cold, even warning. And dee
though his grief undoubtedly was, Bill Flic_
had reason enough left to comprehend the peril
by which he was surrounded. ' _

“ Look at pore Tom, Doc,” his voice shaking
with the emotions which he could not entirely

I

i crush down, desperately as he tried. “ Dead—.-

| drownded like a dog with a stun’ tied ’round his
neck fer aig-suckin or sheep—killin’—an’ him his

i pore ole mother’s favoryte! Look what j’inin’ -

l the Night Hawks hes fetched him to! All fer a
‘. few dirty dollars more’n he could hope to make
‘ by honest fishin’ an’ seinein’ l" .
“And you, Bill Flick?" persisted Doctor Dair-
mid coldly. .
, “ I won’t blow, nur nothin’ like that, but ef it
; kills me, Doc, I’ll stick to What I said fu’st-off,”
j sullcnly. “ I’m quits with the gang from this
1 night on! N ow—make the wu’st on it!’

CHAPTER XXVIII.
BERRY BARFORT BREAKS DOWN.

CROUCHING down in th midst of a dense
clump of pawpaw bushes, an Dunn heard all
of this, and by cautiously separating the huge
! drooping leaves, he saw a goodly portion of what
‘ occurred as well.

l He particularly noted the face and figure of
‘ Bill Flick, until, as he silently crawled away
until beyond earshot, he muttered to himself:

“ I’ll know you among ten thousand, William!
And if the doctor don’t prescribe a dose for you
much of a muchness with the one he kindly put
ilp for my benefit, free of charge, maybe I’ll look
you up before long!”

Only for his anxiety concerning Berry Bar-
! fort, the detective would have ingered long
!

 

‘ enough to see how matters ended with the half-
cra ed twin; but under the circumstances he
deemed it best to beat a retreat with his friend
while the coast was clear.

“ I’d give a finger just to have him safe up-
town !” with a frown and a sparkle of fire in his
eyes as he hurried back to the mossy log where
he had left the youn man. “Alone, I’d nip
Dairmid this very nig t, and find out how he
comes so far away from his honorable patient!”

Dan Dunn had no difficulty in reaching the
log, thanks to the precautions he had taken be-
fore hastening after the excited gang of Night
Hawks. He found Berry Barfort, just as he
left him, save that he had fallen into a half-
sleep, half-stupor, worn out in brain even more
than in body.

Though he. himself had not passed through so
much without feeling the effect of his exertions,
Dan Dunn was still fresh and strong. And with-
out risking an arousing then and there, he lifted
Barfort to his broad shoulders, hurrying away
from that 5 ct, still dangerous, owing to the
proximity o the evil gang.

Not until the edge of the timber was reached
did Dan Dunn pause for either rest or ex lana-
tions, though is rapid motion throu the
switching brush and low hanging lim 8 had
pretty thorogghly awakened his friend. But
now, he! ing arfort across the fenceinto the
, field, he ollowed after and hastily uttered:

“ No time now to tell you what I discovered,
pardner, but it was no bad news. I reckon the
gang will decide that we are both of us bait for
the fishes, but it’s just a_chance that they may
strike out for town b this route. So—until
we’re really safe, we’l make the best use of
what cover is offered. See?”

“ And Re—Miss Coventry i”hesitated Barfort..

“ ls doubtless safe and sung in her own cham-
ber before this,” the detective had no samples
about saying. “They sent this gan from the
lake after us, then took the Bluff roa to town.”

In his present dazed, worn—out condition, Bar-
fort accepted the answer without a word of
question. Great as was his love—even more
passionate now than when the skies were smiling
—-for Rena Coventry, he was too nearly broken
down to (go againsta strong mind like that of
the frien ly detective.

Keeping inside the field, fairly well covered
by the fence and its fringe of wild growth, Dan
Dunn made as much 3 d as possible. under
the circumstances. He ept an arm around the
unsteady form of his companion, changin sides
occasionally, lending him much-neede
Only for this the poor fellow would have given
out long before the railway-crossing was
reached.

Only once were they forced to lose time,
thanks to the coming of Dr. Dairmid, in com-
pany With three other men on foot, heading for
up-town. While they passed Dan Dunn took
particular pains to keep Berry Barfort from
recognizin his hated enemy, fearing an Olll'r
burst whl could only end in killing or death
for themselves.

The Death-Trap was passed without delay,
the fussy little “ pony” having apparently ceas-
ed its labors for the night. Or, as Dan Dunn
half-angrily suggested, because there were no
more passing teams to annoy! -

After this, thanks to the change of hotel:
which the detective had made after their mis-
adventures at the Pacific House, their journey
was not greatly prolonged. And as the huge
bulk of the World’s Hotel be an to loom up be-
fore his eyes Dan Dunn felt a most like uttering
a rayer of thanksgiving. .

or the. last mile or more he had almost liter-
ally carried Berry Barfort, and that was no
in; t task, even for his muscular arms and tem-
pered sinews. '

He. paused for a few minutes outside of the
massxve, structure which has known so many

!

 

aid. -

 

 

changes and passed through so many vicissi-
tudes, tryin to “ brace 11 " his worn-out friend
in order to essen the ris of having to answer
annoying questions. Thanks to the aid his
strong arms had lent, this was not impossible,
and then, disgmsing their dilapidated and dis-
reputable appearance as much as possible, they
entered the office arm in arm, Barfort sinking
into a chair while Dan Dunn hurriedly Whisper—
ed a few words of explanation to the astonished
clerk on duty.

As he had come to the house bearing the best
of references, among them that of the mayor
and the city marshal, then head of the police
force, the clerk raised no objections to permit-
ting them both seeking a chamber.

Once inside his room, with the door locked be—
hind them, I)an Dunn drew a long breath of re—
lief ns he sunk into a‘chair.

“ Thank the fates for so much!” he said, forc-
ing a smile as he saw how strangely Berry Bar—
fort was gazing into his face from the bed. “ l
have enjoyed some tolerably lively nights in
my time, but this rather surrounds the bakery
—-eh, pardner?” ,

“ But—she isn‘t in this house?”

“ Well, no doubt she’s more comfortably lodg-
ed and sound asleep hours ago,” briskly respond—
ed Dunn, though there was a new anxiety com-
ing into his brain as he saw how strangelythose
sunken orbs glowed.

He expected to see the lover complete! brok-
en dowh, but this was something new. ad he
suffered so much that his brain was turned?
Did this Wild glitter betoken a crazy mind!

“ And that reminds me: we're rather late for
turning in, but we can call dinner breakfast,
don’t you see?” rising and bustling about, but
covertly making a close study of this unexpect-
ed phase. “ And as we’re both too dog-tired to
sleep easily, how would a bit of a night-cap an-
swer? You’ve sworn off, I know, but circum-
stances alter cases, and if on really want to
help Miss Coventry out of t e ugly tangle into
which her enemies have led her, you’ve got to
follow my orders. See?” -

“ I can’t sleep—I don’t think I’ll ever sleep
again!” muttered Barfort, burying his face in
the pillows with a moan of agony bitterer than
death at the sound of that loved name.

“I’ve felt that wa time without end, pard—
ner,” cheerily laugh Dan Dunn, though there
was precious little mirth in his heart just then,
as be unlocked a substantial sachel in the'little
closet, taking from, it a flask of brandy and a
small vial of colorless liquid. .

“ What is that!” abruptly demanded Berr
Barfort, lifting his head, his eyes still filled wit.
that ominous gleam. “ Poison l”

“ Not a bit of it, pardner,” with a start of un-
disguised astonishment at the idea thus suggest-
ed. “ Only a patent sleep-persuader of mine.
You need a sound snooze, and ou’re going to
catch it, too, if I have to call a the house force
to hold your mouth open while I administer the
dose!” .

There was a kindly roughness in his tones, for
he fancied he saw Barfort’s eyes dimming a bit
at his first blunt words, and he knew that
dreamless sleep would work wonders in such a
case as this.

“ Tell me—what do you make of all this hor-
rible mystery?” Berry Barfort asked, his tones
husky, and yet more natural than before. --

“ ill you promise on honor, to take this
draught directly afterI answer you, pardner?”
quickly questioned the detective.

Barfort nodded assent, and Dan Dunn briskly
responded: ‘

“ I think that there is some horrible mistake
been made. I think that the woman you saw
and thought was Miss Coventry at- New Ulm,
was an entirely different  I‘ think I
know who she really is, and give you my word,
as a man and a friend, that 1 ll show her to you
for just what she is, before another day comes
to an end!”

He quickly dropped out a certain quantity of
the drug into a small dose of brandy, then held
it out as he said:

“ Not another word out of my head this bless-
ed night, pardner! Keep your promise, and
drink that off— pleasant dreams be thine l”

Barfort gulped the potion down, then pain-
ful] uttered:

‘5 nless all that has happened to-night in a
foul, cheating lie, I hope and pray that I may
never woken to life again l"

Without another word he turned his face to
the wall.

Dan Dunn pulled off his wet shoes and socks,
but did not venture to ask him to disrobe fur-
ther. He covered him up snugly, believing that
on such awarm night there was little risk of his
taking cold.

He turned the (gas-jet low, seating himself be-
side the bed, pon ering silently overall that had
happened since their first encounter. .

And when the steady, regular breathing of
Bax-fort proclaimed his falling under the influ-
ence of he potion, the detective put out the
light and lay down on the floor, muttering
gloomin to himself:

“ Poor devil! And there’s still worse to
come! How will he bear up under still another
and a heavier blow!”

, l . ‘ . I _ ,

I

24

 

 

CHAPTER XXIX.
EITHER KILL on cons.

CONFIDENT that Berry Barfort would not
overcome the effects of that sleeping draught
for long hours, the Soft-Hand Sport himself
quickly dropped off into a restful, profound
slumber that lasted for hours after the rising of
the sun.

There was nothing so remarkable in this, con-
siderin the night was so nearly spent before he
had a c nce to close his eyes in sleep, and how
heavily his physical pOWers had been taxed since
the last setting of the sun. True, it might have
profited his case more had he the power of dis-
pensing with rest or sleep altogether, but a man
does not cease to be mortal, with all that im-

lies, simply because he wears the glittering
badge of a detective!

Hence it was nearly noon before Dan Dunn
opened his eyes, ave a yawn that almost dislo-
cated his jaws, ought vigorously against the
temptation of another nap, and rose to his feet
with an anxious glance toward that silent figure
lyiviegilon the bed.

' at if that rimly-despairing prayer had
been answered? hat if Barry Barfort should
be taken at his word, and never :more waken to
life in this world?

He lay so still, so death-like, that for an in—
stant the Soft-Hand Sport actually feared to
put his doubts to the test, and when he conquer-
ed that half-superstitions fear, a soft sigh part-
ed his lips.

“ Wouldn’t he be better off if death had
stolen upon him as he slept?" the detective won-
dered, noting what sad havoc trials and grief,
doubt and mental torture had wrought in that
once handsome face. “ If plain doubts can al-
ter a man so completely, what will conviction
do? Kill him—or drive him to the insane
as lum?”

n silence lest his movements arouse the un-
fortunate lover, Dan Dunn changed his clothes
for a more respectable looking suit. taken from
the closet, and these fresh garments, with a
liberal wash and vigorous ‘ dry shampoo”
made him look another man from the muddy,
ragged, disreputable, broken-down sport of a
few minutes earlier.

With a last glance at Berry Barfort, who was
sleepin quietly and dreamlessly, if his outward
appea nee coul i be trusted, the detective gent-
] turned they key in Its wards and opened his

oor. To give a little ejaculation of surprise,
for the figure of a man partly fell across the
threshold as the door swung open!

“ Morning, boss!” r

“ You, Robert?” ejaculated the Soft-Hand
Sport in his amazement.

It was indeed the human shadow whom he
had last seen shooting between the two cars
forming that long freight train at Death-Trap
crossing, looking something the Worse for wear,

,but fairly wideawake and ready for whatever
duty might offer.

Dan Dunn drew back and Robert Turnbull
entered the chamber, taking in the whole in-
terior at a single glance, then facing his superior
to terser deliver his report.

“ Followed them, sir, down to Dunford’s. There
they met Doctor D., sent him with a gang to
cover their back trac . The chief drove on, by
the Bluff road, return rig to the house on South
Ninth, where they called it a. day’s work and
knocked 011'. I waited until I felt sure of this,
then called in Abel Thompson to act as my
substitute while I came down here to see if you
had returned. Found you had. Heard you
snoring, so took a ‘lean ’ on your door, know-
ing that it’d W‘ ke me up when you unlocked.”

. ‘You saw the chief enter that house, to re-
main?”

Robert Turnbull nodded a prompt assent.

“ He only waited to send off the team by the
regular coachman. From that I reckoned it
was a livery team, or such. Then he joined the
young woman, who was waiting for him at the
front door. They both out! red. I made sure
they did not come out, either of them, until I
gave Abel his instructions. They were to keep
all eyes open, and if a man answering to the
shape and size of the chief was to leave the
house, Abel was to shadow him wherever he
went, dropping word at the station for me.”

“ Better than I could have done myself 1”
nodded the detective. “ You should have
aroused me, instead of trying to rest in such an
awkward position, Robert! Not a word; you
lie down—the bed is wide enough for two—and
crowd all the sleep you can into the time it’ll
take me to go to the post-office and back
a sin."

ive minutes later the Soft-Hand S rt, look-
ing bright and fully himself again, s own no
signs of all he had undergone the night ast
past, left the hotel and Walked briskly along to
the car line. just the ghost of a smiie flitting
across his lips as be detected a shabby-looking
fellow plainly dogging his movements.

Although the spy betrayed himself so hastily,
it was proof sufficient that the Night Haw s

were bent on making the best possible fight.
And that they were no mean adversaries he
realized when be reflected how careful he had
been to cover his change of quarters, and how

I

' plenti

 

little he had been about the hotel since leaving
thaPacifio.

“ Was he set on watch before our little trip
of last night 1” the detective mused while watch-
ing the tactics of the spy, who made no at-
tempt to board the car at the turn-table, the
line extending no further in that direction, but
cutting rapidly across the wide open space of
unimproved property, plainly intending to cut
the car off when it made the turn to head up-
town, all the time keeping a keen if covert
watch to make sure the detective did not aban-
don the car at the corner. “ Or have they
found out how we gavn the hungry Missouri the
slip last night?”

he spy jumped on the car, keeping on the
rear plathrm as he puffed at a huge cigar, ap-
parently the most unconcerned soul in all the
city instead of being a tracker on the scent of
such a dangerous enemy to him and his. And
after marking his shape and figure for ossihle
recognition in a different guise, the So t-Hand
Sport gave himself no further trouble in that
direction.

It may not have been forgotten that, after his
first glimpse of the photograph which Berry
Barfortnamcd as the portrait of Rena Coven-
try, but which Dan Dunn firmly believed repre
sean a certain persona e known in police cir-
cles as “ Harlequin Hat, ’ or Hattie, the detec-
tive hinted at sending a dispatch to Headquar-
ters for further information concerning that in-
dividual.

This he had done, shorib after astoundin
Kid Price by slipping that knife into his ban
and bidding him steer clear of losing it again so
carelessly. And though a dispatch came
promptly in reply), apparently confirming his
worst suspicions, an Dunn had not as yet re-
ceived his final proofs. He expect them that
morning, and was about to call for the same at
the post-c flice.

He left the car as it swung around the curve
at Sixth and Francis, walking the short distance
to the O era House block. He paused at the
general elivery, handing in a card on which
Were writtena few words. Aftcr a slight delay,
a flat ackage was delivered to him, together
with a etter, both directed in the familiar hand
of St. Louis’s chief of police.

Dunn fell back to one of the desks attached to
the wall for the public accommodation, and
quickly tore open the package, giving its con-
tents a keen lance before slipping it into an in-
side pocket. he letter he did not open, turning
to see the spy only a few feet from his present
position, an eager light in his eyes as though, in

is anxiety to glean news, he had been trying to
inspect the detective’s correspondence at long
ran 0!

T e Soft-Hand Sport gave no sign until he
was almost within arm’s-length of the fellow,
then he ta ped him on the arm, cooll uttering:

“ I’m gomg back to the hotel, par rer. You
can save five cents car-fare if you’re minded to
take my word for it.” .

Without pausin to hear what the startled
rascal might say, unn left the building and
boarded the first car going his direction. He
was the only occupant, at first, and this gave
him a chance to hastily glance over the letter
which, under advice of the head of the detective
a ency, the chief of police had written him.

here was a dark frown on the detective’s
face as he placed the letter with the photograph
inside his vest. Though this information bade
fair to greatly simplify his own mission to St.
Joseph, it would prove a terrible addition to the
mental burden which poor Barfort was already
stag ering under. '

“ ow will it end?” mentally asked the Soft-
Hand Sport. “How will the nor fellow bear
up under this deciding blow’l ill it kill? It’s
either that or cure 1”

Dan Dunn saw nothing more of the spy dur-
ing his ride back to the hotel, and though he
smiled faintly wh‘eneVCr the thought struck him,
he really cared little one way or the other. He
knew that the really valuable game could not
escape him, thanks to the precautions he had
taken in advance. A few of the lesser lights
might steal awa undisturbed, but they counted
for little when t eir leading lights were so sure-
ly in the toils.

Nothing of this sort was troubling him just
then. His whole mind bent on finding how he
could best break the black truth to his sorely-
afilicted friend though that would have been
simple enough had Berry Barfort been in any-
thin like a sound condition of body and mind.

“ t’s risky, but there’s no other way,” finally
decided the detective, as he left the car at the
terminus and strode briskly toward the hotel.
“He’ll have no baby talk after the pledge I
gave him. Well, it’s just as I said first-off;
either kill or cure!”

Gaining the hotel, the Soft-Hand Sport learn-
ed that the occupants of his number. had not
put in an appearance, and he at once sought out
the head-waiter, slippin a gold coin into his
willin alm, bidding him arrange a good and

gurmeal for three hungry n en.

“ Overlook it yourself, please, and add to the
list a couple of bottles of cod wine such as you
can honest] recommen to a friehd,” added

 

Dunn, with rue diplomacy.

Theme-Heads”. Clutch-

 

Although he felt that there could be little
chance for treachery under the circumstances,
he decided to run no outside risks, and patiently
waited to bear the order compau to his room.
Now that the Night Hawks Were ully aware of
his business thue in St. Joseph, they would
hardly stop at trifles if aphance ofiered itself by
improving whii h they might throw him off the
scent for good and all. ‘

The head-waiter, after noting the value of his
tip, laid aside his dignity for the time beinmand
himself saw to the meals bein arranged and the
wine procured. And Dan unn smiled with
the satisfacticn of a thoroughly hungry man as
he led the way up-str irs to his chamber.

A single rap on the par 91 sufficed to waken
Robert Turnbull, tired though he was from his
long and muscle-testing chase of the night be~
fore. He opened the door, and tie food was
quickly arranged on the little round table which
stood in the middle of the room.

Dan Dunn generously “ tipped” the servants,
then closed and locked the door behind them, af—
ter which he approached the bed and gently
shook the quietly slumbering lover.

That sleep was not lightly broken, though
Barfort lift! (1 his head with a far more calm and
ma ural look in his reddened e 'esthan Dunn had
dared to anticipate. But t e burden of his
trouble was plain enough from his first words:

“ You romised—tell me all about—”

“ I’ll te 1 you everything, pahlner, after you’ve
washed the Cobwebs out of your eyes and played
your part with Robert and I at this little stop-
our-hungry,” interrupted Dunn, his tones a
mixture of authority and coaxing. -

“ I can’t eat—I can’t wait!” groaned the un-
 lover.

‘ ou’ve got to do both, or find out what you
lack without help of ours, Barfort,” coldly re-
torted Dunn, believing that force would serve
his ends better than coaxing just then.

And he was right. Weak, broken in spirit as
in body, Barfort could not assert himself, and
in a few minutes more was looking much the
better for a vigorous bath, and actually show-
ing some interest in the ap etizing viands which
Dan Dunn heaped upon is plate. After the
first reluctant bites, his appetite returned, and
he ate heartily for the first time since that bitter
black trouble had come upon him.

_ CHAPTER XXX.
THE RECORD or HARLEQUIN HAT.

KNOWING that the blow must fall, Dan Dunn
dela ed it only until Berry Barfort had eaten
his 11, positively declining to taste the wire
which was offered him.

“ God helping me,” he gravely declared, “ I’ll
never touch lips to spirits in any shape or form.
Just when I most needed my strength of bod
and mind I lost both through drink. Don’t as
me again, unless you wish me to rank you with
my enemies, Dunn.” ‘

‘ I’m glad to hear you talk that way, for at
least two reasons. One is that it’s manly talk.
The other—I’ll let it simmer yet a bit lon er be-
fore offerin g it for inspection,” laughed unn,
his eyes glowing with satisfaction at this evi-
dence of returning strength, no less of body than
of mind.

“ Instead, tell me what you promised,” urged
Barfort. '

“ You‘want me to explain what I meant when
I told you that the woman you saw at New Ulm
was a person entirely different from the lady
you gave your low! I’ll do it l” quickly to
check the eager questions which rose to the lips
of the lover. “ On condition thaltgou keep still
until I have given you the reco , in brief, of
that ycun woman. ’

“ But— heard her voice! I saw her face!”

“ And so I fancied I rec ized a face I knew
once upon a time,”nodded t e Soft-Hand Sport,
briskly. “ You proved my mistake then. Let
me see if I can’t prove you never really loved
that woman we met at the mask ball.”

Barfort sunk back into his chairsilent but un—
easy. Overtasked though his brain had been of
late, it was still clear enough to notice that Dan
Dunn refrained from distinctly declaring that
the woman in the navy-blue garb at New Ulm
was not Rena Coventry. Was he simply using
craft to soften a heavy blow to be resently
dealt? Did he mean that he, Barfort (1 only
loved an ideal which had no substance!

Dan Dunn saw something of this in that hag-
gard, anxious face but he could take no fur—
ther precautions. The truth must come out in
the end, and Barfort would never be stronger
to bear it than right now.

“ The face you saw at New Ulm pardner,
was that of a notorious advenmress, known to

 

police-annals as Harlequin Hat or Hattie, more ,
r

om her marvelous abilityto alter her face and
figure without seeming disguised cr made-up to
the sharpest eyes. than from the fact of her hav-
ing been an actress of the lower grade: playing
in burlesque and, I believe, actually taking the
part of harlequin on several occasions before
she was old enough for her sex to betrayitself
in that garb. But that part of her record don’t
count, just new. ' '

“ As she grew older Hattie grew worse, from
an honest standpoint. She became associated

with some of the most dangerous crooks in the.

“a

 

 

 

 

.. u........_..,.~._..w

 

3h

u as   f 4' ‘h-qt‘

 

 

 

   
 

' deed no hope ren aining.

 

land, and soon developed into a magnificent
confidence—woman, though it was a long time
before the police dropped to the truth of her do-

in s.

‘5 At that time Hattie went sailing around un-
der the wing of afine-looking old gentleinansup-
posed to be her father.
proof to that effect was ever 0
who shortly after became most interested in
II:.-ttic.”

Burfort seemed about to speak, his face
paer than ever as he rocnlledlunv peculiarly
Dunn had questioned him about line): Coventry
.-.ftei'examniing that gentleman‘s photograph.
llut the (iclective lifted a finger in warning,
and the agitated young man subsided, billing
life time. .

“Tho first open exposure of Harlequin Hat-
tie followed a sensational scene wu.cli took
place at a prominent hotel in Richmond.
Never mind jUStwhut that Scene consisted of.
EnOugh to say that, though Hattie drillcd sov-
cral helm through the anatomy of a. gay South—
ern spozt,_l o llurly refused to prosecute her, or
even to l:- unit itnt h- r dainty land worked the
knife. But ciin iiiif‘llllltllfl proof was strong
enoughtog-‘vethodwe' tire is fair excuse for
looking i'p Ler rw moi, and before the your grew
old, Harlequin Hattie had the questionable sut— '
isfacth 11 ct knowmg thz.t copies of her char‘ru
ing face were adorning every rcgues’ gallery in
the States.

“ 1 saw one of them in St. Louis, just a few
days before 1. Incl; you, llaillhel', and it was this
wondvrlui Ti'seulblalil‘o to the photograph I ac-
cidentally s w in ) our possession, that same
night, that led to my believing the woman who
sat for them at different times, must be the
same individuuli"

“II will not belirve that While the bare ghost
of a hope remains l” '

“ That’s Vv u= lc, pardner,” noddul Dunn, em-

bati 'aiiy. “Neither would I in your case.

ut—if it should prove to be So: if I was to find
out t ::li I hu~l Le. n shamefully deceived by the
woman to \w hon I had surrendered my hen rt of
hearts; I Wu: Ll smithtr that false passion if
I died while in the act of crushing out the last
dying spark! \ And so would you pardiier, or
you’re lessa man than I take you or!"

BarfortbOWed his head on the table, shiver-
ing violently. He knew now th t third was in-
, He Lee I, as surely
as if the very Ward? had pasxed the lips of the
detective, mat this Hnl‘lt uin little and
Rene. Coventi y were one and t 0 same person!

Dan Dunn maintains] silence for a brief
space, fee in; that it was well to lot l’inrfl rt 1
struggle with the terrible trutn for a limo. Ho ;
drew a long breath of relief hiinsm", fvl‘ l 0 ball '
not dam! hi do for a recmticn like tLia. Kn..w- ’
in how terribly weakened the lover was by all I
be ad undergone in mind and bony, he would i
hardly have been surprised to see Bax-fort drop f
dead in his chair i.t Us rrvrlatlon.

“ All of this lisp, ened before I took any
specinl intuest in Huilwquin Hattie or htl'
record,” the duo LIVO resumed, his tone quiet I
and even. “ i (at interest was aroused when"
another lllODstl‘ us cri.;.e occurred in bit. Louis,
where I was “V'ng in peace With my old fnt' r.
It was tho brutal murder and T1 vbbcry of an o (1
man, one of but) few friends we—fi. ther land I—
liad made. And that will explain why I took
up the case, asa defective once more.

“ Every bit of evidence ointni to t‘lO head
members of a widisprea u'g- :n‘z tion of
criminals known as the Night ii . wks. And
when this murder was fully invem; guted, proof
pointed very positively toward Harlequin Hut
and one Horn 0 llaylock, a prominent member
of, if not the ritual chief, of the western divi-
sion of the Night Hawks. .

" Never mind thsv details. Just now. It would
tire you to hear how each faint thread was

 

gathered up and carefully epun into a, strong ~

ciew which, no I hope and trust, will in the end
drag the redobanded assassins to the halter!

Enough that I found aclew which, as I believed :
from the very first, prawn true in all respects. g

1 followed that clew through many other towns,

but it finally brought me here to St. Joseph. ,

And though my suspicions led me to ,mowmg
certain persons and certain houses, vou gave me
my first positive information, though wholly
unconscious of tl.at fact.” .

Barfort shchrcd anew, but Dan Dunn quiefly
We ton:

‘PI fancied I recognized the face of Knox
Coventry. though the full beard he wore puzzled
me to be sure. I lmmv l recognizi'd the taco of
the woman you called Miss Coventry, but I “we

both her and you the benefit of the faint doubt,

and covered my slip as best I could.

‘ I lost no time in wiring to Headquarters, ask~
1 them to send me by registered mail a copy of
Harlequin Hat’s photograph, and to send me a.
statement detailing her latest known nut to St.
Louis, with such other particulars as I might
need to convince yea I was right and you were

wron . . . .

“ while waiting for these proois. I disguised
myself after a fermion and called on Miss Rena
Coventry at her _
Ninth yesterday, late in the afternoon. Ipre.
Mild to be a manger sent from the chief of

 

I say supposed, for no ,
illered ttzo persons 3

father‘s residence on South ,

 

i the Night Hawks, to warn his people of danger
l threatening from one Dan Dunn. And though
I I knew they must already be aware of my prea-
l ence and business in town, thanks to Pony Keefe
, and his keen ears, I forced an interview with
the young woman.”

“ You saw her? _You swear it was Rena Cov-
entry i” hoarse] y demanded Barfort, lifting his
head and gazing fixedly into that handsome
face.

“I saw Harleqin Hattie.” was the deliberate
response. “ She was plainly suspicious, and dc-
clincr‘ito recognize the signs of the family which
I gave her, but I made sure there was no mistake
bct'zmo I took my departure. I swear by all men
holds holy that the woman who answers to the
name of Rena Coventry, is really and truly
Harlequin Ilat, advmturcss and confidence wo-
man, ii‘ not an actual murdercssl”

As he finished speaking these positive words,
Dun Dunn d: cw from his breast to photograph
which he had that day received. placing it in
tho trembling hand of the sorely-shaken lover.

Barfort gave a shivering groan as he caught
sight of that face: so sweein smiling, so rarely
l‘ivrly in expression, so perlect in feature. But
then—with n. sharp, choking cry he (115th a
band across his e; cs and turned the carzl so that

the light fell more clearly athwart its polished '

surface. And not yet daring to trust his eye-
sight, he rose and rushed to the window, into
which the bright sun was shining, to make sure
it was no flaw in the paper orthe portrait itself.
And as he realized the glorious truth, Berry
Barfort fell upon his knees, antlng:

' “I thank Thee, Fatherl evor again will I
doubt Thy perfect justice and mercy 1”

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE BURSTING OF A BOMB.

“ KILL or cure,I tnought. but crazy’s got it 1”
ejaculated the Soft-Hand Sport, as he also hur-
riedly vacated his seat, making a‘signal which
Robert Turnbull had no difficulty in rightly in-
terpreting.

Knowing as he did that there had been no
mistake on his part, Dan Dunn could only ex-
plain that strange prayer by the sudden failure
of an overtaskel brain, and be ex ected to see
Berry Barfort attempt to hurl himself head-
long from the open window, or make some
Other desperate stroke at his own ruined life.

But before either of the two detectives could
pass around the obstructin table to close 'with
and overpower him, Berry arfort rose to his
feet, a strange smile upon his face is glad yet
tremulous echo in his voice as he held out the
photograph and demanded: ~

“There-is no mistake, Dunn? This is really
the picture of the woman you call Harlaqul
Hattie! ln the name of high Heaven I beg 0
you to tell me the truth—the whole truth 1”

Still Iearlul, though with his doubts a. little
shaken by that joyous glow, Dan Dunn slipped

 

! one strong arm about the young man as he held

both ban and photograph with his other fin-
gers. And though he knew there could be no
mistake, he first looked, then replied:

‘f I take my oath that is the picture of Harle-
quin Hat, taken at St. Louis directly after
one of her arrests and convictions."

I“ Thank a. merciful Providence for that!”
With fervor, as he shook the card from his fin-
gers much as one might draw awa from con-
tact With a venomous serpent. ‘ For I can
swear by. all that mankind holds sacred! it is
not the p.cture of Miss Rona. Covcmry 2”

“ll. ,il, in "be it isn’t, pardner.”gently re-
sponcul Dun unn. morotiian ever convinced
that Lust and chpair had 0vvrthrown the
reason Of his young Iriend. “ Anyway, we’ll
play it that way until——”

, .lJ‘r“. ry Baffin t‘cu: linn short by a little laugh.
turning and laying it. mind on each shoulder as
he gamd with glowing eycs int.) thme of the
Soft-Hand open. And they, in slo‘v, even,
picked words and tones ho uttered :

“You think I um cmzy, Mr. Dunn. You
believeatbis shorlt has finished the mic begun
by Craig Duirmid: but yiu are w 0113. I am
; as sane_as you or our good friend here. And if

you wi.l resume your seat, l’ll undertake to
prove as much to you.”

1 Without a word ban Dunn complied, but
, when the three men were once more seated at
the little table, he spoke earnestly enough:
' “ If you have Jumped at a hope, Barfort, be-
cause of the differenca in expressionas shown
‘ by this card, remember how Harlequin Hat
: came to be nicknamed :' through her marvdous
sldllln making up her face and person to repre-
sent others, with almost lightning rapidity.”
l “ There is 0. still more important point to be
. discussed first,” commented Barfort, looking
f years younger and wonderfully improved in
all respects Since gazing upon that lctured
face. “ You still declare this is a t re-
, presentation of Harlequin Hat! You are not
mistaken? Be perfectly sure of this, I bag of
youfiur. Dunn!" '

T e Soft-hand Sport silently turned'the pic—
ture over, showing a number of lines, words and
figures. printed on the white surface.‘ Berry

Bar-fort mien y caught it u {and read, his eyes
all aulcw. is face slowly ushlng, his breath
coming quick and short. ., w

l

 

3."..."m3- » 

25

 

 

 

 

It was a terse but comprehensive record of the
adventuress known as Harlequin Hattie. It
gave a long list of aliases, in addition to her

i ht, weight, dimensions and—a birthmark!

erry Barfort laughed softly as he came to
this, turning to the smiling face itself to con-
firm the descripiion. It was correct. The po-
sition plainly snowed the right side of the wom-
an’s face. The lower half of her right ear-lobe
was missing; one would hardly note this unless
having his attention called to the fact, but then
there could be no mistake about the mark.

“Then I swear we have bitterly wronged Miss
Coventry l” declared Barfort, with difficulty
keeping his voice free from powarful emotion,
as his forefinger touched the slight disfigure-
tion. “ I can make oath that Miss Coventryhas
no such birthmark as thisl”

“ To the best of Yyour knowledge and belief,
pardncr,” laughcd Jun Dunn, though there was
precious little mirth in the sound.

“ Without the slightest shadow of reserva-
tion, sir!” flashed Barfort, steadily encounterin
that half-pitying gaze. “ If this be the correc
rapresciitaticn of tho vile woman you declare
Hiriequin flat, I swear that it was never taken
from the face of Miss Rena Coventry 1"

There was a. brief silence. Dan Dunn frowned
a bit, and would have given a goodly sum could
he have accepted that resolute affirmation. But
with future events staring him in the face, this
was out of the question. Better end the matter
at once and for all time.

“ It’s hard,pardner,” he slowly uttered, gently
dropping a cool palm on the fevercd hand of hi
friend as it rested on the table between them.
“ It looks as if I really wanted to trample you
back lilnto the mlilre, just as you begin to beheve
you av oug t your way out of it to d
ground. gyBut—” ry

“Say what you will, Dunn, I know I am in
the right as surely as you are mistaken,” confl~
dently smiled Barfort. “Miss Coventry bears
no such mark as this icture and record declares
identifies HarleQuin at.” ‘

“ It is barelya mark, pardner," with the ghost
of a smile. but cordially returning that friendly
grip. “ No one who wasn‘t looking sharp for
something of the sort Would ever notice it, on
face or card."

“You forgot, Dan,” his face irradiated with
perfect faith once more, “ 1 love her. She is my
promised bride!” ,

Every moment was but making the stern
duty harder for a. friend to perform, and Dan
Dunn at once plunged in over head and ears.

“ You know how I was startled by that pho-
tograph of yours. You Lave been told why,
and what were my first steps to make sure there
was no mistake on my part. But now—listen,
pa‘ dner, though I’d ive a good finger if an-
other pair of lips had tell the story i

“ I told you how I paid a visit to the house on
South Ninth. I tcld you how I managed tosecure
an interview with Miss Rena Coventry, and I

said that before she ended that interview I I

int-do sure of lf‘y object in risking the trip.

“ I swear that the woman I saw in the house
claimed as ltis residence by the person known In
St. J useph us Knox Coventry, was Harlequin
flat! I declare that the woman you
speak at Now Ulzu Gardens; the woman from

~ whose face you snatched the mask; the woman

we chased down through town to Deaterrap
cruising; the woman whom Robert,here,f0 —
lowed from, the crossing to tLe lake, from the

l'ikearonnd by the Bluff road to the housemn f‘

South Ninth, is the very persou from whose
i’icr this picture was taken by order of the po.

lice.” 2' 
The color slowly died out of Barfort‘s face at a. .»

this coniprchensiio statement, but though .c
new 1‘. ar came into his voice, it was not basal
on in i ( lll hideous (locus.

“Tr-xero is some horrible trickeryin it all, 
“Iknowthat RenaCoven- . ’

then l" he declared.
triy has no such mark, through accident or burn
w t

li her. Her ri ht ear,“ her lift, is perfect ~ " if

in shape. Then—
——who is taking her plat-cl. 'What has—"

His voice choked. He could not pronounce
the hideous fear which was springing up to an
the place so long claimed by those haunting
doubts. But so. enuine was is emotion that,
despite himself, an Dunn was povverf‘ullylm~

p He him» that he had made no error himself. x

He knew that the woman w o mponded when,
he called to the name of .
marked by a peculiar fold in her r1 ght earlobe:
asif the lower edge had born pnshrd u ’
the lobe itself, leaving a slight crease. bickeri-
lng the upper half of the lobe, givmg it the Ip-
arsnce of having been SeVEI‘fd, the lower m"
ion removed entire] . A slight disfiguratlon.
but one which coul
eyes on the watch for st such a clew. ,
Yet—was it lmpossi lo that, after all. Bony
Bariorthadmade still another mistake, Was
it outoftho question that a w man as bold and
skillful at “making up " as Harlequin W'
could remove the real heiress to take berm
Was that the real solution?
“Look at the picture once more. Barfort.
Does it so closely resemble Miss Coventry h.

 

 

 

 

owing this as firmly as I do _

lss Coventry, was? ~

not be mistaken by ken: 

feature, leaving that ear out of the question!” ' »

A;

  

 

 

 

 

, .
my  «WE-.- .

('1'

:  '~ *7 Mi"‘:~"‘
w, m .. ‘.

 

  

 

 
   

     

‘1 .

 

 

    

 

w The Soft-Hand’s! Clutch.

 

 

“There is a resemblance,” deliberate] . “ It
seems a strong one at first glance. ut the
closer one examines the icture, the less perfect
the likeness becomes. 0 l” with stern decision.
“ This icture was never taken from the face of
Miss oventry! And if, as you declare, you
saw this birthmark on the woman who-—”

Rapid steps echoed outside the chamber, and
a sharp knocking followed at the closed door.
Dan Dunn swiftly secured the photograph. then
unlocked and opened the door, sharply ejaculat-

in :

5 You, Thompson! \Vhy have you left your
station on South Ninth?”

“ I put Jamison on watch, sir, and come in a
run to tell you that Knox Coventry is dead!
Died last night, as I heard it, sir!” the shadow
hastily explained.

CHAPTER XXXII.

DAN DUNN GETS DOWN TO BUSINESS.

Ir a dynamite bomb had suddenly ox loded
in their very midst, the three men could ardly
have been more com letely dumfounded than
they were by this trn y startling bit of news.
And for a few moments even the Soft-Hand
Sport seemed incapable of asking a question.

“It come about something ike this, sir,”
added Abel Thompson; a ta] ,. slender man of
middle age, with the reddest of hair and the
bluest of eyes. “ I managed to pick up a nod-
ding sort of acquaintance with the coachinan
and a bit a o, notin a rather curious sort of
bustle in an about t e house, I took leave to
tackle the fellow, who was ready enough to be
pumepled. And then he told me what hap-

n .
pe“ Last night late, or this mornin early, ra-
ther, the old gent was suddenly ta en worse;
had another stroke, the man said. There was
nobody with him except the nurse, I believe.
He hinted that she was sound asleep at the
time, but when I pinned him down he ad-
mitted that this was onlya guess of his own;
he didn’t like the woman Overly well, it seems.

“ The nurse alarmed the house, but it was all
over in a flash. The old entleman was dead
before a doctor could be rought, though he
was said to be sleeping in the house at the
time.”

“Dr. Craig Dairmidi” asked Dan Dunn, his
eyes gleaming vividly.

“ So the fellow said,” nodded Thompson. “He
also said that everything possible was done, but
in vain. And then—”

“ Well i” sharply demanded Dunn, as his man
hesitated.

“ It sounded so much like a lie that I hardly
knew whether you’d care to hear it or not,’
bowed Thompson, apologetically.

“ Let me be the judge of that. What did the

That

fellow tell you?”

“ That there was to be no funeral here.
the body was to be embalmed as quickly as pos-
sible, and taken to St. Louis for burial, he even
went so far as to declare that he heard they
were to remove it this very evening, sir!”

Berry Barfort, who had seemed stupefied by
this wholly unexpected tidings, now started to
his feet with a hoarse cry.

“ Rena— oor girl! I must go to her!”
_ But Dan unn swiftly interposed, forcing the
half-distracted man back as he made for the
door, with a flash of his steel-gray eyes bidding
Robert Turnbull close and lock the barrier at

once.

“You’ll do no such thing, Barfort,”sternly
uttered the detective, holding the lover helpless-
ly in his strong grasp. “ You’ll remain quiet
right here until I give you permission to
leave.”

“ But—think of the poor girl. heartbroken by
-—confound you, Dan Dunn!” flashing hotly as
he glared into those glowin eyes. “W hat
right have you to stop me? \ hat right—”

“A double right, sir. First, as 'our friend
and well-Wisher. Second, as an o cer of the
law with power to clap irons on even you, if
you threaten to step in between me and my
sworn duty l” '

it But__’

“Not another word until I’ve got more time
to spare. Turnbull, see that our friend don’t
break his neck by juin ing out of the wind0w,
will cu? Thompson, hold you responsible for
the cor."

If there was a joke underlying all this, it was
a very grim one. an Dunn was most intense—
ly in earnest just then, for he believed the
crisis was far too great to waste time in soft
speech.

He opened his valise, taking therefrom a
number of folded slips of paper, together with
a fountain pen in readiness IOl‘ usv. He hur—
riedly but clearly filled in a few. blanks on at
least a dozen different papers, then rose and
spoke rapidly to his men.

“ You. now what to do with these, lads,” he
said, givmg some of lthe slips to Turnbull and
the remainder to Thompson. “Don’t let the
grass grow under your feet! It’s pure business
from this to the end 1”

. The men took the apers and left the cham-
ber without a wor coverin their haste as
much as pcssibie until fairly c ear of the hotel,

 

to guard against unwonted curiosity, then us- 1
ing all the speed they had at command to com- ,
plete the work begun by their chief. l

“ Now, pardner, I’ll talk a bit to you.” turn— I
ing to Barfort, who was struggling betwixt an- 
ger at such cavalier treatment and anxiety on l
account of his loved one. |

“ There’s no need of words, Mr. Dunn,” with
forced Composure. “ I am going to offer Miss
Coventry my assistance and sympathy in her .
sore trouble.” 2

" Of course you know right where to find the ’
lady?” softly asked the detective, a faint smile g‘
flitting across his face as he gazed keenly into '
that swiftly-changing countenance. ,

Barfort wasstaggered as bya heavy blow full
in the face. Unless he granted that the woman
who answered the detective’s call the evening
before—the woman who lacked the tip of her ,
right ear, and which birthmark branded her as
Harlequin Hattieu—was Rena Coventr , where
indeed was he to look for the bereave daugh-
ter?

“ You see what I meant, at least in part,
Barfort,” coolly resumed Dunn, easily enough
reading that changin countenance. “Unless
Miss Coventry has foo ed you to the top of your
bent, she is not now to be found at the house on
South Ninth.”

“ Where then? Not—surely not—”

He could not force the terrible word from his
throat,but Dan Dunn had better command over
his vocal organs.

“Murdered? Not a bit of it pardnerl First,
because that would be entirely too risky since
they know I’m on their track. Unless— But
you are sure you wasn’t fooled when you last
met the lady? You are sitive it was Miss
Coventry, and not a cunning substitute!”

“ I am sure of that!” Barfort quickl replied;
but even as the words passed his lips, e began
to doubt.

Was he so sure, after having been so plainly
befooled out at New Ulm? If Harlequin Hat
could cheat both his eyes and ears then, what
safeguard had be against another dece tion,
only a little more elaborate? And his oubts
showed clearly in his changing expression.

“ If there is really another woman in the case,
asI begin to hope for your sake, pardner, be I
sure there was dust thrown into your eyes on t
that occasion as well as later,” nodded Dan !
Dunn, briskly, throwing far more hope and en- 
couragement into his tones and looks than he 1
felt in truth. "You were hardly fit for judg-
ing, then, and Harlequin Hat is a marvel at
changing herself into another when she has a
reason for so doing. Still—I’m believing they’re
only after the fortune which you say comes to
Rena Coventry on her next birthday. They
can secure that just as easily without painting
their, hands red,and so why run the risk of mur-
der?

Barfort made no reply. The subject was too
hideous for him to argue its pros and cons.

“ I begin to think that, after all, they had a
double object in scudin you out to New Ulm
last night. I believe t at was why Dairmid
was at the lake!” with sudden conviction in his
tones as the new light flashed upon a point which
had given him no little uneasy thought. “It t
was to carry Rena Coventry to a secure hiding-
place and—” I

He hit his tongue in checking the words which ;,
leaped for exit. He dared not trust Barfort too
far, in his present condition.

“ You think—you know—"

“Let me think, and maybe I’ll know more!”
impatiently muttered the Soft—Hand Sport,
knittin his brows, his keen wits busily at work.

Not for many minutes. Time was very pre-
cious now, since this unexpected complication
had arisen, and he dared not linger too long.
Yet, brief as was that period, it brought him a
Little more li lit, and the detective began to be-
lieve he he]. the clew by means of which the
whole astounding scheme was to be unraveled
and confounded. '

He would have given considerable if he had
Berry Barfort safely off his hands just then,
for with the lover in such a thoroughly excited
state. he dared not risk disaster to his plans by
letting him go at will. Against such cunning
and audacious schemers, he could not afford to
neglect a single point.

His decision was quickly made. lle would
take Barfort u town with him, and then con-
trive to place im in hands which could and
would put him out of troublemaking!

Of course hesnid nothing about this sudden
resolution, but made Barfort as presentable as
possible with his own limited wardrobe, and i
then they descended and left the hotel in com- }
panv, making for the end of the car-line nearest
the iuilding.

Before this was reached, Dunn impressed up- ‘
on his companion the importance of concealing .
his agitation. It might Well l-c that they were l
being shadowed, though he failed to detect any 
such attempt, and word might reach their cun- ‘
ning game enough in advance to work them ill. ,

Barfort promised, and kept his word fairly
well. until Dan Dunn himself broke cut most I
unexpectedly, leaping recklessly from the car'
and rushing across a vacant lot to halt a lumber
wagon in which two men were seated. ‘

 

 

“ I want to have a little talk with you, Bill-
Flick 1” sharply uttered Dunn, at the same time
showing his detective badge and a revolver.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
DAN DUNN‘s GRIP.

THE “lake-bottomer" shrunk away, his sal-
low, quinine-tanned face gaining an expression
not unlike that which we attribute to a cornered
fox; a sort of furious despair, in which chances
are about even as to a tame Sin-render or a fight
to the death.

“ I hain’t—ye don’t got no right nur nuthin’
fer to—”

Dan Dunn deftly sent his left hand through
sundry significant motions, plain enough to one
posted in the silent langua 9, but hardly to be
detected by a stranger. Bil Flick clearly recog—
nized at least one of those secret signals, and
his face grew more deathlike than ever as he
huskily panted : ‘

“I cam‘t—thar’s pore Tom—an’ him waitin’
fer his coffin! ’

By this time Berry Barfort had reached the
spot, and the Soft-hand Sport briefly directed
him to wait with the driver of the team while
the detective led Bill Flick a little apart for a
few confidential words. Barfort nodded assent,

 

though he was thoroughly puzzled by the whole.

affair.

“ Don’t you play the fool. Flick,” coldly added
the detective, as e motioned the fisherman to
alight and hear him company out of earshot of
his companion. “If brother Tom is to have a
decent send-ofl, you want to listen to reason as
1 shovel it at you. Don’t spoil everything by
making me give you the collar, Bill 1”

In silence the fellow left the wagon and fol-
lowed the detective a few steps into the vacant
lot, though his covertly rovin glances betrayed
a strong temptation to risk afi on one desperate
dash for liberty.

“Don’t ou try it Bill,” quietly uttered the
Soft-hand port. “ It would be a pity to plant
both twins in one grave. especially when you
come to think of the good old mother who—

“ Don’t, boss l” shivered the haggard-e ed
man, his gaunt face contorting with more t an
bodil pain.

“ hether I do or don’t depends altogether on
your own good sense, Flick,” added Dan Dunn,
facing the fisherman, and forcing their eyes to
meet. “ And it rests with you whether your
poor old mother ever learns the truth of how her
favorite twin died 2"

" I’ll measure the heart 0’ the critter as dar’s
to tell her!”

“ But if that man kept too far from the bars ‘

of your cage, Bill? If your arms were never
long enough to reach him? Wouldn’t it be easi-
er and surer to clap a seal on his lips before he
told just how it came about, and what Tom was
when he got his discharge? Or did Doc cow you
clean out of your manhood last night?"

Flick gave a gasping cry as he gazed into that
coldly smiling face. He caught a glimmer of
the truth. and this was promptly confirmed by
the detective himself.

“I heard and saw it all, Bill. That gentleman
yonder and myself were the men your gang
was hunting last night. We got out of the
drink by means of the very tree on whose roots
your twin met his death. And I was near
enough to hear and see all that passed after you
brought out his body.”

“ Then you know—I‘m goin’ a’ter a coffin fer
—fer Tom.”

“ Tom can wait a little longer, for the sake
of as nico an overcoat as can be. found in St. Jo,
Flick. Don’t be an idiot, man i” with a warning
frown as the fi<herman shrunk away as though
he would turn in headlong flight. “ Ycu can’t
outrun a bullet, and I’ll kill you as I would a
wild wolf if you don’t hearken to reason!”

“What kin I do, boss?” almost whimpered
the poor wretch, though to his credit be it said,
none of his fears were for himself. “ Thar’s
pore Tom waitin’ fer—”

“And who have you got to thank for it, Bill
Flick z" sharply interjected the detective, keep-
ing his main point steadily in view through all.
“Whose gold lcd oor Tom cut of straight and
honest paths? W 0 led him against the wishes

and hopes and prayers of his good old mother?

Who made of him a criminal first, a corpse
afterward?”

“ I know—I hain’t fergot!” huskily muttered
Flick, his sunken eyes flaming with savage re-
sentment.

“ So do I know, Bill,” laughed Dan Dunn, his
tone and manner changing as by magic. “I
know, too, that those very tempters are coming
to grief just as surelyif in a little different
fashion. It’s foolish, perhaps, 'to tell you as
much, but I’ll give you a sweet _cud to chew on
while waiting for me. I’m gomg to clap the
nippers on Doc Dairmid before this sun sets!”

Devil toast him through all eternity!”

grated Flink, viciously. “ E it wasn’t fer him
an’ his cussed gold, .ore Tom wouldn’t—”

“ Wouldn’t have alien from grace and taken
his twin-brother Bill with him l” quickly supple—
mented Dan Dunn. as the fisherman chec ed
himself abruptly. “It’s too late in the day for
you to keep the truth covered up, Bill. I learn’
ed enough last night to not only put you behind

 

 

33¢. flames».-. ..

 

 

turn was“; -. -A . .

 



 

The Soft-Hand’s Clutch.

2’?

 

—.—

the cold checkerboard, but to blast the very
name you bear. And if you don’t want your
old mother to hear the whole truth—”

“ It’d murder her! Don’t—fer God a’mighty’s
sake 1”

Dan Dunn placed a hand on each shoulder of
the shivering wretch, forcing their eyes to meet,
speaking gravely, earnestly:

“I’ve got to win the game I‘m playing against

the gang, Flick, even if it costs a dozen innocent j

lives like that of your mother. I believe you
can help me twist a rope about Dairmid’s neck
if youtwill. Do what you can to help me in

this, and I’ll not only let you go free, with no- ‘

thing to fear from your connection with the
Night Hawks, but 1’] make sure your mother
shall never blush for the way her favorite son
died. I’ll make it appear that he was lost while
serving the officers of the law, trying nobly to
bring the sinners to justice.

“ But if you refuse to give me what help and
information I may ask for, PM not only send
you to the en, but I’ll publish your twin bro-
ther’s actua record all over the country!

“ Now—not another word on that point. I’ve
already lost too much time talking you over.
Think of what I’ve said, and be ready to fight
or knuckle b the time I come back.

“ Who is t at fellow in the wagon? Does he
belong to the gang?”

“Jest a neighbor, boss,” was the humble re-
sponse. “ He don’t b’long to the gang. Eb
jest”rid up ’long 0’ me fer to help fetch the cob
fin

Dan Dunn felt assured the fellow was telling
the plain truth now, and without further cere-
mony he signaled Barfort, curtly saying to the
countryman:

“ You wait at the wood-market for Flick,
stra er. He’ll be with you in an hour, at the
outsi e.”

Signing Barfort and Flick to follow, Dan
Dunn struck out for the World’s Hotel, enter-
ing and roceedin at once to his chamber.
Once insi e, he spo e rapidly and to the point.

“ Flick, I’ll leave you in charge of this gen-
tleman until I can get back to receive your an-
swer. Barfort, this is the man I toid you about
who lost his brother on the very tree by means
of which we at out of the wet last night. He’s
a member 0 the Night Hawks, bossed by Dair-
mid and Horace Haylock. Kill him rather than
permit him to slip through your fingers, but
treat him white as long as he remains docile.
And, if you like, you can persuade him to tell

on just what he knows about the movements of
Eoctor Dairmid and his ang around the lake.”

Bariort romised to ollow instructions, and
then the etective hastened once more awa
from the hotel, eager to resume the work which
he had dropped so hastily on catching sight of
Bill Flick.

“Was it lost time?”he mused, as he swiftly
strode uptown, trusting to his legs rather than
to the sluggish cars. “ Was it a foolish notion?
Or was it an inspiration?”

Time Would tell, he knew, and the chance
was well worth the time he had spent on the
lake-bottonier. . .

This might have been different if he had been

laying the game single—handed, but such was
Eardly the case, though his brain ordered each
and every move against the enemy. He knew
that both Robert urnbull and Abel Thom son
were working under high pressure. An he
knew, too, that his careful arrangements both
at the mayor’s office and With the city mar-
shal, as the head of the police department was
at that date known, would greatly facilitate
matters. So far as humifii foresi ht could
serve, every contingency was provi ed for in
advance. _ _

Being afoot, Dan Dunn could strike directly
for his destination, and so make quicker time
than he could by taking the cars and following
its many crooks and turns; but SWiftly as he
covered the ground, he was none too soon for
tireless Robert Turnbull.

IVhen only a couple of s ares from Coven-
try Pliice, Dan Dunn met iis right-hand man
in company with a constable, and even before
he was nigh enough to exchange words, a brisk
nod told him all was Igoing right.

“All ship-shape, l! r. Dunn,” quietly uttered
Turnbull. “ Will you take the lead now, or—”

“ Goon as you’ve begun,” curtly interjected
the detective. “ I’ll just make sure our game
is still on the premises, then give you the office.
And you, officer,” with a keen, searching glance
into the constable’s face. “ You know that this
is an important arrest?" '

“ Alivefor choice, sir,” was the grim response
as be permitted the detective to glance over his
warrant. “But dead if he Won’t be taken any
other way!"

“Alive it must be!” frowned Dunn. “Look
tothat, Turnbull, will you? The doctor knows
too much to be cut off right in his prime! Ar-
rest him, but take him alive and unhurt!" I

Turnbull silently nodded his understanding,
and Dan Dunn hurried on in advance, to learn
from his men on guard about the manSion if
Dr. Dairmid was still on the premises. They
reported in the affirmhtive, one of their number
declarin that he had seen the doctor not‘ten
minutes fore. And on this information Dunn

l
1 gave Turnbull and the officer a sign to go ahead
I without further delay.

His silent orders were promptly obeyed, Turn-
 bull keeping close at the heels of the constable,
I whose services it had been thought best to
; secure, but holding himself in readiness to take
‘ the lead in case of actual need.

Their summons at the front door brought a
‘ prompt response, and without a word of explan-
ation beforehand the two men secured an en-
: traéice. Then the constable asked for Dr. Dair-
I mi .

; “He’s 11 -stairs, sir,” faltered the frightened
servant. ‘ He’s—he‘s attending to the master,
' sir, and I don’t think—”
‘ “ You’re not paid for thinking,” bluntly in-
! terposed the officer as he took a step t0ward the
! broad staircase. “ Follow after and point out
I the room where the doctor is engaged. Refuse
‘ at 'our peril, my man!”
I is was a natural] gruff voice, and unluckily
he made it still gru er and louder as he wished
I to. thoroughly impress the frightened fiunkey
, With his im rtance. In that silent house,
! sounds fieate far and penetrated dee .

Dr. Craig Dairmid might have Been very
busy embalniing his patient, or he might have
already completed his pre ations, but certain
it is that he was very muc upon the alert. He
can ht the echo of that harsh voice, and instant-
ly ivmed danger. But if suspicious, he was
also hold in his own way, and as quickly as pos-
sible he left the sick chamber and locked it af-
ter him as he flashed a stern, searching glance
, at the two men who were rapidly mounting the
stairs. to meet him at the head.
th“ nho are you? How dare you intrude upon

8—.—

“You are Dr. Craig Dairmid,” curtly inter-
jected the officer, a bit of pa r in his left hand,
a revolver gripped in his rig t. “ I have a war-
rzfint”for your arrest, alive or dead. In the name
0 .—

 

you ass?” harshly demanded the physician, his
black eyes glowing ominously.

“ For kil ing one Knox Coventry, and—”

With a hoarse, fierce roar the herculean doc-
tor dashed forward, his muscular arms shooting
out and his heavy fists knocking both men be-
fore him down the stairs. And then he leaped
swiftly after them, clearin their bodies in his
stride, to fling o n the rent door and—be
cau‘ght in a steel-h e pair of arms!

\ .ltb a desperate Vigor he fought for liberty,
but in vain. Dan Dunn hurled himto the floor,
then snapped the irons on his wrists!

CHAPTER XXXIV.
BERRY BARFORT BRINGS A CLEW.

DAN DUNN bore the doctor company in that
heavy fall, but he was as quicky up as down,
laughing lightly as he gazed upon his prey, now
lfielri‘lessly ironed, with his arms bent behind his

ac .

But before he could utter the words of tri-
umph which ‘rose in his throat, he started
sharply back, the wind of a bullet seeming to
scorch his skin as it fairly grazed his right

temlple. -

T e almost fatal shot came from the landing
at the top of the broad flight of stairs, and
Dan Dunn caught sight of a pale but still beau-
tiful face through the tin cloud of blue smoke
as it began to lift towari the ceiling. He in-
stantly recognized Harlequin Hat, and only
pausing longenough to see that Robert Turn-
uilldwas lifting himself from the carpet, he
one :

“Look to Doc, Robert! Kill him if you can’t
hold him I" ‘

Brief as was the delay, it was long enough
for that fiendisth beautiful countenance to fade
out of Sight, and though the Soft-Hand Sport
took the ight in three agile leaps, he was just
in time to see a door close near the further end
of the hall. _

He sprung to this, catching and turnin the

knob, but the door was already locked. hen
quick as thought itself, the detective turned
back to the nearest door on the same side of the
passageway, opening it and flingin up a win-
dow, leaning 81' out as he soun ed a shrill
whistle.
. He flashed a keen glance along the side of the
building, noting that two windows marked the
room in which Harlequin Hattie had sought
refuge, but contrary to his expectations neither
of these were being utilized as a possible avenue
of escape.

He had scarce] done as much, when his sig-
nal was answer , and two of his men came
running across the green lawn, looking u at
his Window and holding themselves in readiness
to take his instructions.

“Watch that room, lads!” cried the detec-
tive, in tones purposely loud enough to reach
the ears of those who might be inside the apart-
ment indicated. “ One go around the corner
and make sure that neither man nor woman
gets out that way! Lively, now!”

This done, be lowered the window and se-
cured it, then tiptoed to the door which he had
left ajar on entering the apartment. He hoped
rather than expected that Harlequin Hattie
would attempt to escape by way of the passage,

 

 

“ On what pretense? For what alleged crime,-

thinking to accomplish this while her enemy
was busied in givmg his men on the outside
their instructions. But not a sound to indicate
an such attempt came to his ears and after a
brief ause he left the room an once more
gain that locked door. .

As be bent an ear to the keyhole, Dunn could
distinguish faint sobs within, but he did not
make the mistake of attributing them to Harle-
quin Hat. She was made of far different
metal!

lie substituted his eye, and a faint smile

, crept into his face as he saw the de. crate wo-
1 man standing behind a table, pisto in hand,
i the muzzle bearing full on the door, in readi—
l ness to send a bullet into the bosom of the de-
‘ tective should he force an entrance.
i Tiny though his loophole was,it was sufiicient
for the Soft-Hand Sport to see that Harlequin
Hat was still in the same “ make-up” as when
he had called to secure a glimpse of that tell-tale
ear, though Berry Barfort Would hardly have
recognized this pale, fierce, hardened face as
that which he had learned to love so ardently.
If Dan Dunn had never before looked upon it,
he would still have pronounced it the face of a
criminal whose sins were finding her out at
last! '

Still without a sound to betray himself, the
detective stepped to one side of the door, then
clear] uttered:

“ T e game’s played out, Hariequin—”

The spiteful re rt of a pistol drowned his
words, and a b et tore its way through the
thin panel, just above and to the right of the
knob, where the body of the speaker would nat-
urally be 511 posed to stand in range. Dan
Dunn lauth mwkmglzas he noted the tiny
white splinters fly and en he cried:

“Try the wall, Hattie, if you really wish to
kiss flours truly by proxy! But—don’t you think
this allfoll on {pur art?”

“You de l! on loodhound!” viciously
cried the woman at bay.

“ ‘ Call me pet names, darling !’ But that isn’t
business, Hattie,a.nd ou’re an old stager enough
toreah‘ze the fact. ’ve got the irons on Doc.

gang besides the chief and yourself. I reserved
those choice morsels for my own delectation.

make up your gentle mind to bear me company
for a waenty bit 0’ while.”

“ You know where I am, if you mean me by
Hattie,” was the calmer response, after a brief
pause. “I deny your right to arrest me, or to
enter this, my private apartment. I know not
who you are, but I am prepared to defend' my
life and honor—”

“Oh, Hattie!" moaned Dan Dunn, in a tone
of assumed anguish.

steadilcflir ursued the woman beyond the bullet—
pier oor, craftin trying to smooth over the
dangerous admission she had made in the first
hot rush of angry despair. “I hardly know
what I am saying. But—true as high Heaven
records my wonis now! I’ll kill you if you at-
tempt to force your way in here! I’ll shoot my-
self, rather than fall into the hands of an un-
known rufiian l”

“Clap the muzzle to your right car, then
Hattie, and perhaps you may be able to steal
your way through the gates of Paradise unde—
tected through that luckless little birthmark!
Only for that——”

his attention and cut his mocking speech short.
Fearing lest by some means Doctor Dairmid
was breaking away from custody, the Soft-Hand
Sport sprung to the head of the stairs, pistol in
hand. Rather than lose his prey now, he would
cri ple or even shoot him dead!

Igirtunately his fears were without foundation
in fact. Doctor Dairmid was sitting in a cor-
ner. under charge of the sturdy constable, who
was something the worse for his ugly fall
and roll down-stairs. but still able to keep his
legs one hand stanching the blood which flowed

Dairmid with a revnlver, while Turnbull held
two men in check at the threshold. ' 

A dark frown shot into the face of the Soft—
Hand Sport as he recognized Berry Barfort and
Bill Flick in those two men, bcth eager-faced,

detective.

“ I’ve got news—wonderful news!” he cried,
as he glanced up to catch sight of Dan Dunn on
the up r landing. “Bill Flick says—”

Wi hasty gesture Dan Dunn checked his
eager s h, and with another signed Turnbull
to admit both men. Barfort leaped sn'iftl y up
the flight, his face aglow with mingling hope
and fears as he said:

“ You know last night? Flick says that Dair-
mid and some other men brought a young lady
down to the lake, and—”

Dan Dunn clapped a hand across those eager
lips then said to the lake-bottomer:

“ ell me, ‘Bill, and sing {Iour song mighty
low! , What did you see? 0 hearsay, mind

on !’

“ I jest see that they bed a leddy ’long. I see
them take a boat an’ pull out as ef they was go-
in’ 'crost the lake, or makin’ fer the bayou.

 

I’ve sent out warrants for every member of the-

And, Hattie, I reckon ,I’ll have to beg you to‘

“ I am half-crazed by grief and loss of rest,”

A sudden bustle iii the entry below attracted.

free y from his broken nose, the other covering

and Barfort begging instant admission to the.

 

-;L.—..‘-..

 

w,

28

That’s all I see my own self, boss,” was the swift
respons¢ .

Dan Dunn frowned darkly. This information
fell in fair! well with his own recent suspicions
as to what ad become of Rena Coventry ii, as
B irfort so positively declared, the woman now
in the house and laying claim to that name was
an iinpostor. But could he afford to give time
to hunting down a mere chance?

He ran dewn the stairs and bluntly asked
Dairmid if there was any truth in the rumor.
Tne prisoner only showed his teeth in an ugly
smile of hatred and deflance. '

“ i could make you sing, Doc, but maybe it’s
hardly worth while. You will keep, with those
bracelets on, and there may be others to be
found in a better humor. Utiicer, keep him un-
(ler your pistol. Shoot him if he tries to make
a break, or if any one else tries to help him get
the better of you. Robert,” turning to Turn-
bull, ” you come and help me go through the
house. We want the chief worst of all!”

Bill Flick gave a start, but shrunk back a bit
as Dan Dunn caught at the involuntary gesture,
his face turning a sickly white.

“ Remember poor Tom, Flick!” quietly warn-
ed the detective. “ You started to sa some-
thing; what was it? Don’t spit out a e, Wil-
liam !"

“ I wouldn’t dast—to your own face, boss,"
huskily muttered the fisherman. “ 1 jest ’lowed
to say that I met the chief goin’ down the bot—
tom—lake road as I was comin’ up a’ter—”

“ You are sum?” snarpr demanded the Soft-
IIand Sport. “ If you lie to me, Bill Flick, [’1!
hunt you to the very gallows!”

“ I sw’ar it, boss, by the dead body 0’ pore
Bill 1” earnestly. *-

“ Good enough! You and Barfort will go
with me. Robert, you make it a point to see
that nobody leaves the premises while l’m gone.
Help the officer carry Doc up to the chamber
where Knox Coventry is lying, and hold him
there until I get back. ’ .

And after inting out the chamber in which
Harlequin at had taken refuge, Dan Dunn
ism kthe house in company with Barfort and

lie .

 

CHAPTER XXXV.
A FORLORN HOPE.

JUST beyond that chamber door, Harlequin
Hat was listening with an eagerness that seemed
born of despair. Her face was ghastly in its
pallor. Her eyes were filled With a hunted
light. For all her motions were so catlike and
silent, she was suffering enough to have driven
nineteen out of every twenty women crazy.

Not for herself alone, though it was bitter as
death to look at shameful defeat just when vic-
tory seemed assured. For the on] being on the
face of the earth whose life an liberty were
precious to her.

She heard Bill Flick exeak about meeting the
chief on the bottom-roe to the lake, and readi-
ly divined the purpose of the detective in put-
ting Turnhull in charge of the premises for the
time being. lie, Dan Dunn, was to follow hot
on the heels of her loved one, guided by the
treacherous fisherman!

“Does he know? Was he one of the chosen
few? Is there no means of warning Horace of
danger? There must be—there shall be J” this
woman with but a single redeeming trait men-
tally swore as she drew back from the keyhole,
her blazing orbs seeming to scorch the tear-
;sitained, fear—paled face of her maid, Clara San-

ys.

“ Stop your whimpering, little fool!” Harle-
quin Hat harshly muttered, as her slender lin-
gers closed on the shoulder of the terrified maid,
shaking her violently. “Do you want me to
murder you by inches?”

“ Don’t—I wish I had—”

Harlequin Hat brought her .other hand into
play, lifting the trembling girl by the shoul-
ders, holding her thus“, with their faces nearly
on a level. Her Own eyes fairly burned with
passion, and her face, beautiful in repose, was

ow a mirror in which her true nature was to

e read only too clearly.

“Don’t you ush me too far, Clara,” she said,
her voice low at full of menace. “You want
to play rat? You think to save yourself by
'throwin me over? You fool—worse than
fool!" With intense bitterness flaming in her
eyes and slipping from her tongue. “if you
fail me now, I’ll make sure you are not forget-
ten when peguday comes! Ill fix it so you’re
lum wit the worst of us all! I’ll swear to
Bar ort you. concmted that scheme to draw him
out to New Ulm and—”

“ I’ll do it—I’ll do anything, ma’am l” gasped
the thorou hly frightened maid, closing her eyes
to escape rom that cruel glare.

Harlequin Hat slackened her flerce grip,
fetchin a smile to her face and a soft pleading
toneto er lips'as the light! touche the tear-
danipened features 0 the gir .

“Forgive me, Clara, dear, if I spoke harshly,
but I was thinking of—of him 1” her voice
breaking and tears dimming her eyes for the
moment. “Help me to save him from those
cursed bloodhounds! See!” and with the words
she tore the jewels from her-fingers to thrust
them into the hands of the startled maid.

 

The Soft-Hand’s Clutch.

“Take these—and thisl” adding a silken purse
from the table beside them.

“ But—what can I do, dear lady?”

Harlequin Hat made no immediate reply. She
went to the Window of her room, which was
located on a corner, looking to the south and the
east. She did not lift a Window, for she could
see the men whom Dan Dunn placml on guard
still in open sight, even then with faces turned
to ward her apartment.

She bit her lips until the red blood tinged her
teeth and marked her white chin. She bowed
her head and covered her eyes the better to con-
centrate her thoughts.

Was there no method of escape? Was it im-
possible to leave the house without arrest?
Could she devise no means of stealing away to
warn Horace Haylcck that all was lost?

Alone, she knew that there was not even the
ghost of a chance. But might not Clara prove
successful? Could not she steal outside and send
or carry word to the chief in time to save him
from the grip of that pitiless bloodhound, Dan
Dunn?

At that reflection Harlequin Hat lifted her
head and sprung to her feet, once more all
action, all nerve and desperate resolve. There
was a chance, and she would test it. If it failed
her, she would force a passage through the house
at the muzzles of her revolvers!

“ Clara, swear that you will play the part I
give you, or, true as there is a sun shining in the
sky this minute, I’ll murder you as I would a
snarling cur that tried to bar my passage!” she
uttered, her voice cold and deadly, her eyes
glittering fiercely. “Swear that you will not
sell me out! Swear you will play your part to
the furthest possible moment!”

“I’ll do what i can, Miss Rena,” faintly re-
sponded the maid, trying to avoid betray-
ing the deadly fear which was gripping her
heart.

“ Good enough, little one!” with a low, strain-
ed laugh that told how intensely she was being
tried. “ N ow to work, and l’ll read your lines
over while we’re dressing for the play 1”

Already Harlequin I at was removing her
outer garments,and by her orders Clara Sandys
imitated her example. so far as partially disrob-
ing was concerned. Then the mistress hurried-
ly explained:

“Put on my clothes, Clara, and try to forget
the maid in the lady! Pity you’re not an inch
or two taller, but remember you’ve got only
men to fool—sharpeyed enough, I admit, but
still only men.” _

She was not idle while sa ing these words.
She flung opena closet-door, raggingtherefrom
asmall trunk. From this she took a suit of
masculine garments, even to slouch hat and top-
boots. And while hastily donning these she
gave Clara her final instructions.

“It’s our only chance, girl, but I’ll pay on

ten thousand-fold if you make a success 0 it.
Hide your face in my thick vail. Slip down-
stairs and out at the side entrance, unseen by
any one in the house if possible. If any one
should .try to stop you, fight through in spite
and make all the racket you can!
. “If you get safely outside, run across the
lawn and be sure you are seen and heard, then!
I want them to catch you, or at least start in
chase! Fight mainly to keep your face hidden.
Then, when you can’t keep it up any longer,
simply swear that I sent you out to call the
police. Swear that I told you we were being at-
tacked and robbed by thieves!”

“If—if they should try to—shoot met” fal-
tered Clara.

“ Don’t be a fool, girl!” impatiently flashed
Harlequin Hat, drawing on her boots and cover-
ing her head with the soft hat, its wide brim
shading her features as she crossed the room to
listen at an adjoining door before inserting the
key and cautiously opening it. “Go out this
way. They‘ll be less likely to see you before
you can get to the side stairs. Remember!"
gripping the vailed maid fiercely by the arm.
“ If you fail me through fault of your own, l’ll
smar your life away on the gallows if I have
to bear you company in my own person! Suc—
ceed, and I’ll make you rich enough to keep a
dozen maids of your own for life!”

No talk of faith and fidelity. Only vicious
threats on one hand, lavish rewiird on the
other!

Would either prove efl'ectual, Harlequin Hat
could not avoid asking herself .as she closed and
relocked the door, hurrying across to the angle
of her room whence she could gaze out at both
of the men on uard below. Would Clara San-
dys do her best And even if she did try all she
knew to win her reward, would it be of avail!

“It will—it must!” hissed the desperate ad-
venturess through her colorless lips as she felt
of the weapons at her waist. “ But if it should
fail, 'I‘ll shoot a age through the curs if one
woman can do t at much! I’ll avenge my love
before that terrible grip closes upon his throat!”

Each moment was an age to that doubt-tor-
tured woman.
whisperin her secret to one of thoso blood-
hounds? as she really stealing unseen to the
side door? Would she— ‘

Harlequin Hat caught her breath sharply as
she saw a richly-garbcd, heavily-vailed figure

A
. I

Was Clara Sandys alreadyl

rushing away from the building, straight across
the smooth-cropped lawn, apparently heading
for the side gate.

And she caught the warning cry which broke
from one of the men on guard beneath her win-
dows—she saw him break into a swift run after
the fleeingfigure, whose voice was now lifted in
shrill, piercing shrieks as she fled across the
grass!

Harlequin Hat sprung to the rear of her
apartment, dashing up one of the windows there
not daring to make sure her second guard had
joined in the chase, though trying to pray that
he might. At best Clara could not conceal her
identity long, and discovery meant fresh suspi-
cion on the part of her enemies.

Fortunately for her, there was a low terrace
coming close to the rear of the house, but had
the distance been twice as great, the thoroughly
desperate woman would have dared the leap for
the bare chance of warning Horace Haylcck in
time to flee from capture.

She leaped lightly through the window and
rushed swiftly to the stables hard by, just cast-
ing a glance over her shoulder to see Clara
struggling desperately in the rip of her two
guards. ’ hen, just as the men discovered their
mistake, a fiery young steed dashed out and
over the lawn. leaping the picketfence, Harle-
quin Hat sending back a defiant laugh as she
sat her barebacked steed like a centaurl

 

CHAPTER XXXVI.
DIVING INTO A DEATH-TRAP.

DAN DUNN lost no time in acting on the
chance clew which Berr Barfort brought him,
thanks to Bill Flick, the fake-bottomcr.

He quickly picked up half a dozen men on
whose nerve he could depend, and arming them
with rifles and revolvers, started in two teams
for the lake. Taking boats at Duuforri’s, with—
out stopping to answer any of the curious ques-
tions poured upon him by the worthy host of
that name,he struck across the lake for the
mouth of the bayou. And not until the long,
deep, river-like stretch of water was fairly en-
tered, the gently-rising point of land lying be-
tween it and the lake proper shutting off all
view from the further shore, did the Soft-Hand
Sport see fit to question Flick more closely con—
cerning his knowledge of the tri Dr. Dairmid
made to Lake Contrary the ni ht efore, and of
the Night Hawks’ Nest which e now knew was
hidden somewhere in that re ion.

Flick had little newto 0 er. He had only
known that a lady was with Dairmid when he
crossed over in the direction of the bayou that
night, but that no such person was with him
when he returned. As for the Night Hawks’
Nest, he could give a little more information,
though he had never visited the place since it
was taken possession of by the evil gang into
which, mainly through the avarice of his twin
brother he had been drawn as a private.

The Nest was nothing more than a rude one-
story “stick-and-daub ” cabin, containing but
a single room, originally owned bya small gang
of Woodchoppers, but deserted by them when
their contract was completed.

By the time Flick ,imparted this much infor-
mation, they reached a shallow offset from the
bayou proper, locally known as “The Right
Arm,” and at a signal from their guide, the
men, one boat closely following the other, turn-
ed into this channel.

For a short distance there was plenty of wa-
ter, the banks rising abrupt] s veral yards
high, covered ovet with a ense
vines and bushes, with patches of rigrs,and
wild roses. Then the distance between the
banks wulened, the water shoaling at the same
time, moss, weeds, snags and old lily-roots or
stems covering‘the surface and making it no
easy task to im 1 the boats over or through the
obstructions With oars, after the usual fashion.

“ J es’ sock ’em in an’ pull hard as fur’s ye kin
drive, then let the oars hang fer the moss to
slip off as the boat crawls ahead,” advised
Flick, catching a stem or two of the peculiar
growth and with difllcultfy breaking the slander
stem, surrounded by sti , harsh and pointed
leaves, if leaves they may be called. “It’s a
heap wuss then even the lily-stems when the
pads come atop in summer, an’—you see‘ yen’
cottonwood, boss?" interrupting himself to point
out the top Of a tall tree rising in view just
around the curve in the shoaling arm. “ Waal,
right thar by the root o’tha tree’s whar Doc
: must ’a’ left his boat of he tiic the lady to the
Nest as you reckon.”

“ hen the Nest itself must be close at
hand?”

" Nigh half a mile furder up, but right thar
they’s a sort o’mud-bar which ye cain’t easy
! yank a boat over. an’ though they’s deep water
i a bit furder on, it don’t take long to reach the
, eend o’ the Arm. An’ it’s nigher to the cabin
by land then ef ye went clean all the way up
I yender,anywa .’

A few stro es more carried both boats
around the curVe, and Dan Dunn curiously in-
, spected the tall cottonwood, standing With half
i its roots eaten off by the water in flood-times

its base partially overhanging the water. an
rude steps cut in the sandy bank as though the

 

rowth of '

 

 

 

 

h‘

*7.

 

 

 

 

The Soft-Hand’s Clutch.

29‘

 

 

snot was used quite frequently for landing pur-
JOSES.

I Dunn was seated in the bow of his boat, with
Bill Flick directly behind him. kneeling 0n the
narrow water—board iii the bottom of the skifl".
Barfort was in the second boat, seated in the
stern. Two men plied the cars in each boat,
while two others held rifles for themselves as
well as for the men thus occupied.

“ Look— Ah I Now I hev got it!” suddenly
screamed Bill Flick.

The cause was no mystery. Just beyond the
cottonwood tree, in the edge of the dense brush
through which he must have been forcing his
way when the voices in the boats or the sound
of rowing startled him, stood Horace Haylock,
rifle at shoulder and smoke thinly masking its
muzzle!

Dan Dunn felt the wind of the missile as an
unconscious movement on his part saved his
own life. He heard the wild scream from his

ide’s lips, but he never paused to look back.

e sprung over the bow of the boat, at the
same time lifting the muzzle of his repeater,
thinking to wing the desperado before he could
do further harm; but he sunk over his knees in
the ooze, and his im tus pitched him headlong
on his face, driving his rifle half its length into
the mud.

It was never known for a certainty whether
Horace Haylock meant to kill the detective. as
his most dreaded enemy, or if he intentionally
sent his lead deep into the chest of the man
who he knew by instinct was playing traitor
to himself and the Ni ht Hawks.

Enou h that, after is single shot, he turned
andfl like a man who feels capture means
death or worse—a lifelong imprisonmentl

The men in the boats were thrown into con-
fusion by this totally unexpected attack, and as
Dan Dunn was temporarily out of the race, the
desperado vanished from sight before a single
shot could be returned. And though blood was
tinging his lips, Bill Flick was the man to say:

“ Run—chase—cut off—lake!”

With a deSperate flounder and mud-tinctured
curse, Dan Diinn extricated himself, leavmg his
rifle behind as he dashed up the bank and took
the trail like a bloodhound. ‘

Thus havin an exam le set them, the men
hastily land and set 0 in chase, several fol-
lowing after the detective, the rest branching
of! to reach the lake by the shortest course,
thinking that their game might have a boat on
that side, and would endeavor to distance
them by pulling direct across to the further
shore.

Despite his disadvantage at the start, Dan
Dunn was close enough to the fugitive at the
beginuin to hear his mad crashing through the
wwdsand stunted undergrowth, and he strained
every nerve to overtake Haylock before he
could reach the log cabin and barricade himself
inside. Though such a m0ve must prove fatal
in the end, that was not what the detective
wanted most.

“ Alive, Horace!” he mentally vowed. “ I’ll
take you down-river to make your last speech
and d ing confession while standing on the little
trap— cor—mind that, now 1”

Suddenly he ceased to catch the sounds so far
made by the fugitive, and seeing no Signs of a
clearing near at hand, the Soft-Hand Sport
drew his revolver and held thumb on its ham-
mer, ready to bring down his game by a snap-
shot if such'should prove necessary to save him-
self from a vicious attack. But Horace Haylock
h'ld not stopped at bay, but, entering a path
where the brush was less dense, bewas still rac-
ing for life, dear to him despite his many
crimes. _

Dan Dunn was just in time to catch a glimpse
of the desperado as he threw himself over a rail
fence into a field which had not been plowed or
planted that season, a few dried corn—stalks
still standing up here and there.

Instinctiver the detective flung forward his
pistol-hand, the silver bead showing distinct
against the dark shoulders of the fugitive, and
askin but a quick contraction of the finger on
the t ger to end the chase then and there. But
Dan unn never fired. Instead, he replaced
the weapon and cleared the hi h fence with a
bound that was deer-like in its e asticit .

Better for his hopes if he had risk a shot,
trusting his skill to cripple without killingl
For tho h be cleared the top rail beautifully,
one foot .anded in a deep .cow-track at the
edge of the plowing, turning his ankle and
causing him to fall in a. painful hea with ter-
rible force, fairly knocking the breat out of his
body. _ .
And. though he quickly recovered himself,
precious moments were thus lost, to say nothing
of the sharp twinge which warned him his an-
kle had not entirely escaped injury.

Dashin the dirt from his eyes, he saw Hor-
ace Hay ock almost across the narrow field,
running like a frightened deer, plainly making
for the rude bridge which crossed a sluggish,
muddy slough. ,

Furious with rage, Dan Dunn sent an un-
steady shot after the fugitive, but his obscured
sight failed him just then, and a mocking yell
came back frOm the lips of the desperado as he

 

lightly scaled the further fence with safety
almost within his raspl

That shot guid Barfort and the rest of the
force who had kept after Dunn, and theyswarm-
ed over the fence, Barfort lending the detective
an arm until he a sin warmed to the chase.

Horace Hayloc crossed the dirt—covered
bridge of logs, then ran with unabated s
across the sandy, willow—covered point of and
which alone separated him from his boat, be-
yond which, again,lay what is locally known
as “the head of the lake.” His intent was to
take to the water, rowing across in a diagonal
course to the point on the further shore where
the various rude roads,already mentioned while

describing the chase given the phai'éton by Rob- .

ert Turnbull, all united in striking the lake-
shore. From thence he could readily make his
way up-town, long before his enemies could
return to their boats, pull down the bayou and
cross over to their teams at Dunford’s.

It was a scheme that promist fair, but even '

before he reached the spot where his boat lay,
Haylock saw several men armed with l‘lflES
recklessly wading out into the shallow water
below him, ready and able to pick him oi? in

case he made the attempt to cut across as he in- .

tended. And just coming in sight near the

rude bridwe he saw Dan Dunn and his men, 

hunting him like bloodhounds!

By this time the detective no longer felt his
sprained ankle. His blood was up to boiling
pitch, and he would have run on his stumps just
then, with that criminal before his eyes. He
saw that Haylock was leaping into his boat. too
excited to rush it out over the shallow bottom
before flinging himself in to grasp the cars. But
though he lost time in shoving his light skifl' to
where it floated free, he was still too far ahead
to be arrested without shooting.

So the others reasoned, and they believed the
same when Dan Dunn snatched a sin le—shot
Winchester from one of them. sending t e lead
skipping viciously past the skiff, now heading
further. up toward the head of the lake, the
sooner to reach cover.

Throwing out the empty shell, and carefully
inserting) a cartrid e, which he took from his
pocket, an Dunn bed to the water’s edge.

By this time the fugitive had reached the im-
mense bed of moss, as it is called, which every
season fills the upper portion of the Mike to
within a few inches of its surface. it was slow
work and hard to row through this. and leaping
to his feet be converted one blade into a paddle,
sweeping the water in waves to the rear. first on
one side, then on the other, making much faster
progress than before.

“ He’ll get away if we don’t rope him fast
with a bit 0’ lead, bossl” excitedly cried one of
the men, handling his weapon eagerly.

Dan Dunn made no reply in words, but raised
his rifle after a keen glance to measure his dis-
tance. He followed the motion of the boat,
though this was hardly perceptible from their
position, as it was almost exactly “ stern-on.”

hen his finger touched the tri ger, and a cry of
wonder simultaneously burst rom his followers
as they noted the result of that single shot. .

The lead struck fair at the rear edge of the
keel, and a report that sounded like a miniature
echo of the shot accompanied the little puff of
blue smoke from under the shattered stem. The
explosive ball had literally ripped the boat’s bot-
tom open from stern to stem!

“ Lookl don’t dive— Merciful God!” ped
one of the men who was more familiar wshathe
lake and its peculiarities than the rest.

Horace Haylmk, seeing his boat filling with
water and sinking beneath him, dropped die
and joining his handsover his head,dove arout
beyond the bows, sinking from sight with an
audible splash.

The spray settled down, the waves rolled aside,
but the head of the desperado did not reappear.
Instead—only a’ few feet from where he first
struck the water. his feet, wildly waving, just
broke the surface.

The terrible moss held him in its death-grip!

 

CHAPTER XXXVII.
rm: DEAD ALIVE.

“ WHAT is it? What does it all mean! Why

don’t he come up?” cried the puzzled detective,
as he watched those feet convulsiver waving
just above the troubled surface, every few sec-
ond? vanishing from sight, but to reappear
aga n.
“ It’s got him—the moss!” shiverin ly ex-
plained t e man who had involuntarily s outed
forth a warning to the desperado not to make
an effort at divin , for his life. “ He’ll never
come up—’thout he p from the outside. A frog
couldn’t dive that way and keep from being
drowned by the awful stuff!“

For the first time realizin the awful
truth. Dan Dun dropped his a and rushed
forward, sfilashing the shallow water high. He
felt that e would a thousand times rather
Horace Haylock had esca his chase than
meet his death after this fashion—felt that he
would give a hand to save him from the

* Note :——A literal fact.

death-trap into which he had so recklessly
hurled himself.

“ You can’t do it, bossl”eamestly cried the
man, reaching his Side and pointing to where
the dense mass of moss began to show itself.
“No man can wade or swim through that.
And—~it’s too late now!”

With a trembling hand he pointed to where

ter, lying still as the element surrounding it.
Dan Dunn saw this, and knew what it meant.
Horace Haylock had ceased his desperate efforts
to tear himself from that horrible death-trap,
his agony at an end. There might be a faint

I one foot was visible on the surface of the wa-

, hope of iestoring him to consciousneSs if he
could be that instant removed from the water

‘ and manipulated by untiring, practiced hands;
1 but that was impossible.

1 Dan Dunn turned about and made his way
through the mire to dry land, hoax-sely utter—
ing to hi~ men:

“We can‘t let him stay there. Go fetch the
lightest bout across the Neck, then pull up
here and bring the poor wretch ashore. ’

There were six of the men now, excluding
himself and Barfort, for those who had taken
the shortest roin to the lake-shore in hopes of
3 cutting off the fugitive Night Hawk had hur—
ricd up on witnessing the catastrophe. And as
the detective uttered these words, they hastened
back to the Right Arm, to sling a boat on poles
and drag it across to the lake.

Dan Dunn sunk down on the
fast-deepening twilight, burying

round in the
is face in his

hands. Dead—and he had sworn to capture
him alive! Dead—and through the shot fired
by his hand!

Berry Barfort stood near, troubled no less
sorely, though from an altogether different mo-
tive. Where was the secret Nest of the Night
Hawks? Was Rena Coventry hidden there, a
captive? Ifso—

‘ Brace u . man 1” he hoarser cried, as his
fingers close on the bowed shoulder of the de-
tective. “We must find the Nest! We must
find Rena, or—”

him short, and both men instinctively glanced
after the half-dozen men who were oing to the
Right Arm, naturally thinking t at one of
these had fired or was being fired at. But only
to see their mistake. And then another shot
came to draw their eyes to the right.

report came, a third was heard, and Dan Dunn
instantly divined somethin of the truth.

“ It’s meant for a signa , and l’m betting it
comes from at or near the Nest itself! Come
Barfort! Look to your tools, but hold fire until
I give the word l”

A motion of his hand sent his men running

utes’ struggle with the dense brush, briers,
vines and stunted second-growth, the Soft-Hand
Sport burst out into a little clearing where he
caught sight of a gaunt figure 'ust in the act of
flrin another shot with revo ver pointed to-
war the sky. And that figure was none other
than Bill Flick!

Bill Flick, alive though his front was a mask
of blood which was still ebbing through the rude
bandage his own hands had improvised. His
face was ghastly lo, and his eyes Seemed to
have sunken deep into their sockets. But there
was a 'm pleasure in his voice as he pointed to
a yout ful—looking figure in masculine garments
lving with upper body supported by a stump
close at hand.

“It’s 9. her, boss! An’ I reckon she’s—”

“Harlequin Hatl” ejaculated the Soft-Hand
Sport, starin as though unable to realize the
startling trut . “ How came you here?”

“ You bloodhoundl”g the woman, feel-
in for the weagms of which she had been rob.

by Bill Flic when he came upon her, crip-
pled and nearl fainting as she dragged herself
toward the litt e cabin in hopes of warning her
loved one to flee from worse than death.
kill you if—say he is not dead! Say you have
not harmed him—mv love, in husband!”

“If you mean orace sylock, Hattie,”
gravely began Dunn, only to step short as

sideways from the supportin stump, vel‘
with her face in the dirt, sob ing andgxlnooanigg
as though her crime-hardened heart must burst.

Dan unn saw that one of her legs was
broken, and with a fierce frown he turned to—
ward Bill Flick. to be met with:

“I never pulled onto her, box. It was jest
that way when I fu’st ketched sight. She was
crawlin’ to’rds the cabin, callin’ out to the chief,
an’ she was so clean played that she couldn’t
even kiver me when she pulled. Then I tuck
her guns, an’ fired to show you the wa here.”

Dan Dunn hurried to the cabin, on y to meet
Barfort coming out of the door, sore disappoint-
ment written on his face.

“Not here, and no signs of her!” the lover
huskily muttered. “Make her tell! I’ll have-
the truth out of her if I have to tear—”

“Go slow, pardner,” coldly interrupted the
Soft-Hand Sport, once more his old self. check-
in the half-erased lover with a hand of steel.
“ he’ll tell all she knows, I reckon, as soon as
she fairly realises how completely the game is

 

The clear echo of a rifle or revolver shot cut.

Even as they fixed the point from whence the

toward the same quarter, and after a few min--

‘ ‘ I’ll

the woman divined the truth and flung herself ‘

la»—

 

30

The Soft-Hand’s Clutch.

 

 

lost. But she’s a woman, and a crippled woman
at that; crippled in body and worse hurt in her
heart 3”

As it was almost certain there were no others
of the ev11 gang at or about the Nest, Dan
Dunn again ordered his men to make all haste
in conveying a boat across the Neck to secure
the body of the Night Hawk chief, which they
. were to bring at once to the cabin.

When this step was taken, Dan Dunn knelt ‘

beside Harlequin Hattie, forcing her to drink a
liberal potion from his pocket-flask.
he placed her in an easier position, straightening
her broken leg, satisfying himself that the in-
ju{7y was not a particulary serious one.

hile thus occupied, he frankly told her how
Horace Haylock had come to grief in his
de erate dash for liberty, making no attem it
to eny his own firm resolve to capture t e
criminal who was so dear to her lawless
heart, but swearing that he would have
lost a hand sooner than have his prey escape
him in such a manner.

Harlequin Hat listened in silence, choking
back her bitter grief as few women could have
done, and sullenly refusing to utter a word un-
til she could see for herself that all was lost.
But when, long after night had settled over the
scene, and the lonely spot was lighted up by the
red glare of a huge fire which Bill Flick
kindled, the men slowly entered the circle of
light, bearin between them the ghastly corpse
of Horace aylock, once chief of the Night
Hawks, she broke down completely and made
full confession.

Barfort hung on her lips with breathless in-
terest, but neither he nor Dan Dunn could fair-
fly comprehend her meaning. Bill Flick had
better success. He stole away from the spot,
and a few minutes later his voice was heard,
lifted in an exultant shout.

“ Hyar she am, boss? Leastways hyar’s the
’tater—pit ma’am was tryin’ fer to tell ye
’boutl”

The words hardly passed his lips before Dan
Dunn and Barfort were at his side, and then.—
was it a ghostly voice?

“Helplsave us! Oh, Be —Berryl"

As if by instinct the lover ound from whence
that well-known voice proceeded: a. small
wooden spout rising from the earth in the cen-
ter of a c ump of bushes, and kneeling beside it,
he called aloud to Rena Coventry, his loved
one, his true!

Dan Dunn and Bill Flick were far more
practical. They looked for the proper entrance,
and soon discovered it though hidden with
such jealous care. An tearing open the dirt-
covered door, the Soft~Hand S ort sprung into
the pit, striking a match and olding it above
his head to recognize—

The original of that first photograph which
had cause him so much uneasiness while view-
ing it at Berry Barfort’s boarding-house! The
man whom Dr. Dairmid had proclaimed dead!
The man who was to be embalmed and shipped
to St. Louis,tobe buried by the side of his Wife!

“ Cut us loose. please, and take us out of this
horrible hole l” Knox Coventry said. in tones re-
markably strong for a dead man. “ Barfort!”
as that worthy came tumbling into the little

it. “Thank heaven you’ve come at last!
very day spent in here has seemed an
eternity !”

But Berry Barfort never heeded if he heard.
His arms were tight wrapped about Rena, his
lips smothering her sobs o tremulous joyl

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
CASTING LIGHT ON DARK PLACES.

DAN DUNN was the first one to abandon the
pit, and a Very brief time spent in weighing the
situation decided his course of action.

Horace Haylock was dead. Harlequin Hat
was a captive, crippled. Dr. Dairmid was in
irons and under perfectly trustworth guard.
Warrants had been issued for all t a other
. :members of the gang, so far as the detective
had been able to trace them out. Robert Turn-
bull, though by some strange means as at only
to be surmiéed he had rmitted arlequiu
Hat to elude him, was at t a head of affairs in
town, and could be depended on to see that no
very great mistake was made.

Dan Dunn wrote a few lines on the leaf of his
note-book, gave it to one of two men, biddin
them take the boat by means of which they had
recovered the body of the Night Hawk chief
and row stones to Dunford’s. They were to
take one of the teams and hasten to town, then
drive back with a. doctor whose name was writ-
ten, one of the two men coming to act as guide,
the other to report all to Turnbull.

When this was set in motionLDunn and his
men set about making all thin s as comfortable
as possible for a, night on the eck. Then, little
by little, the remaining mysteries were cleared
awa .

Hdrace Haylock was reaflggen?hew to Knox
Coventry, though there had at sli ht com-
munication between them. for while 0 a mere
lad, the nephew had fallen among an] compan-
ions, quickly proving himself an adept at all
daring breaches of the law.

Horace Haylock, as he called himseu, though
he was known by a different name when a lad,

 

And then ‘

degree, and this facia resemblance was in the
end put to the test without being detected even
by a daughter’s love.

Hayiock met Harlequin Hat, and they were
married. Each loved the other with a fierce,
reckless passion which death itSelf could not en-
tirely kill. And when Horace saw how perfect—
; ly his wife resembled his cousin in figure, and
how readily she could change her face, be con-
ceived the audacious plot which, but fora series
of accidents, would almost surely have proved a
I complete success.

Clara Sandys, seduced by her lust of gold,
aided them materially. She furnished hoto—
graphs and portraits,by studying,r which orace
was enabled to have a beard and wig made to
imitate that worn by Knox Coventry. She
even introduced both Horace and Hattie into
the house to perfect themselves in minor details.
And then, thanks to Rena’s visit to St. Louis,
the first stroke was delivered.

I
[possessed the “faniil features” in a marked
!
l

the secret pit on the Neck. Horace took his
place, and pretended to be stricken down by
partial paralysis. the more surely to battle the
eyes of Rena. Dr. Dairmid was taken in as
physician, instead of the regular family physi-
cian. Harlequin Hat layed the role of nurse
as Martha Prevost. fiena was sent for, an
then kept from seeing her parent, to still fur-
ther break her nerves and make her more ready
to bend to their cruel v ill.

Enough has already been said to indicate
the original plans of the schemers. Rena was
to be made believe her father was a vile crimi-
nal, in peril of his life, unless she would forever
renounce Berry Barfort and agree to marry
Doctor Dairmid. This was to force her into re-
'ecting Barfort, and thus keeping him from the

ouse, as Well as from the wedding which was to
follow as soon as the next birthday of the heiress
came to pass.

But Rena was not to play the part of bride in
that ceremony. She was to be removed much
as her father had been before her, as soon as it
was sure Barfort had received his dismissal.
Harlequin Hat was to go through the empty
form with Doctor Dairmid, who was to receive
a goodly‘share of the plunder by way of pay-
ment. hen when the fortune was secured,and
as much of Knox Coventry’s property converted
into cash as might be done without too great de—
lay. the schemers were to flee, leaving orders for
their victims to be restored to libert .

The reader who has followed us this far knows
why the original plan was modified, and need
hardly be told over again, at this point.

With Dan Dunn on their track,they dared not
risk so long a delay.

For this reason they suddenly gave out that
Knox Coventry was dead, and would be em-
balmed and taken to St. Louis, there to be bur-
ied beside the bride of his younger days. The
coiiin was procured. A false body was arranged,
fitted with a mask of wax over a laster cast
taken from the face and head or orace Hay-
lock in his mile of Knox Coventry.

By pleading the necessity of haste, they hoped
to carry through the deception, permitting only
a few intimate friends of the real merchant to
view his remains, and they only throu h the
glass late covering his suppdsed face. he re-
semb ance was perfect enough to deceive even
the keenest—eyed. -

Partly to leave the road clear for Doctor Dair-
mid to convey Rena Coventry to the secret Nest
on the Neck, Berry Barfort wasolured to New
Ulm Gardens, where Harlequin Hat he (1 to
completely disenthrall him by making him be-
lieve his loved one was entirely lost to all sense
of propriety. They even calculated on the Soft-
{Iand S ort also attending the ball, and in case

e shou d, both he and Barfort were to be killed
or beaten to helplessness by the gang provided
for the occasion.

It was Rena Coventry Who met Barfort in the
parlor that day, and she tremblingly, sobbingly
confessed that she suffered ten-fold the torture
she was forced to inflict: but, what could she
do? Her own father. as she believed, hsd con-
fessed his crimes and begged her to save him

'from a shi-mofnl death—be ed her by the sa-
cred memory of her sain mother, his depart-
ed wife!

Part of what is condensed here, was learned
from Rena and her father, part from the lips of
Harlequin Hat, whose fiery spirit seemed utter-
aquenched by the death of her idolized hus-

nd.

Bill Flick told how he had contrived, badly
hurt though he was, to crawl from the boat and
13) the bank. He found the rifle which Horace

aylock cast away and saw why the Night
Hawk chief had ma 9 no stranger or more per-
sistent effort to heat back his enemies and take
revenge. The shell of the cartridge he fired had
jammed in the attempt to eject it, thus render-
infithe weapoh useless for the time being.

arlequin Hat explained how she effected her
escape from the house on South Ninth, riding
at speed to warn her husband of danger, taking
the rough road around the head of the lake, not
daring to use the easier and shorter route by
we. of Dunford’s, lest some of Dan Dunn‘s
_e as should recognize and intercept her.

 

 

Knox Coventry was drugged and conveyed to .

 

She might have. succeeded, only for her horse
fallin over a root, rolling over her and break-
inga eg, besides rendering her insensible for
many minutes. She told how she had dragged
herself over the terrible stretch tc—fail in the
end!

 

As soon as her injured limb Would permit it,
Harlequin Hat was taken to St. Louis to answer
for her crimes. Dr. Duirmid and others of the
Ni ht Hawk gang had preceded hcr thither.

‘hey were brought to trial, and though the
crime of murder could not be fastened upon
either of the two principal prlsoncrs, they
were each given a long term in the Peniten-
tiar ‘.

Kid Price, Pony Keefe, Mace Wilson and a
dozen others were also convicted and duly sen—
tenced.

Dan Dunn, however busy did not forget the
service rendered by Bill Flick, and “brother
Tom” received a burial which is, to this day,
Often talked about by the “lake-bottomers.”
And Tom’s mother never knew that her fa-
vorite son had died while leading a criminal

ife.

As for Bill Flick, he still resides near the lake,
contentrdly fishing for a living.

Dan Dunn attended to his professional busi-
ness at St. Louis and “put it through ” in ample
time to attend the quiet wedding in which
Berry Barfort was made supremely happy, and
Rena Coventry was made Mrs. Berry Barfol't.
The ceremony took place at home, and onlv a
few particular friends were in attendance. One
of them was venerable Dr. Garfield, once more
installed as family physician.

But shortly after this weddingmu‘hich oc-
curred on Rena’s attaining her majority, strict-
ly in accordance with the terms of the misan—
thropic will which had been at the bottom of all
their trouble-Knox Coventry left St. Jose h
to make his home with his children in ‘t.
Louis.

This was mainly to avoid the disagreeable
notoriety which became attached to him when
his reported death had to be explained away.

Clara Sandys vanished, no one seemed to
know whither. And she may have altered her
occupation, since she never applied to Rena for
" a character!”

Dan Dunn is still in harness, and Robert
Turnbull serves him just as faithfully as ever.

And as one of his gifts to his happy bride,
Berry signed a pledge of his own drawing up,
never to drink, gamble or—be jealous!

THE END.

 

Nam DIME LIBRARY, NUMBER 816.

Hullaln Bill’s Had Trail;

on, THE

Road-Rider Benegade’s Bun-Down.

 

 

BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM.

As Chief of Scouts under General Carr, with
headquarters at Fort Advance, on the Northwest
Texas border, Buffalo Bill, in this stirring story,
plays

 

A Daring Double Role!

—that of Buffalo Bill in his true character, and in
the disguise of a red-skin to deceive the “ hostiles ’
and get at their renegade white chief, who, also,
was playing a twofold game as

Outlaw and Good Cltizen !

A man of mystery at Fort Advance was a sergeant
——a remarkably fine soldier and brave man—whose
history was involved in secrecy and doubt; but with
the advent of his lovely daughter, and the

Calamity of Her Disappearance!

the story opens out into a double or treble romance
that involves scouts, troopers, officers and the in
vlucibie road-raiders known as “The Red Hands."
It is then that '

Bul‘alo Bill Becomes a Bedouin!

bent on one mission—to wipe out the outlaw scourges
of the trails, and to save the several woman Victims
of their unknown camps by uneq: aled

Strategy, Daring and Devotion i

All of which is the warp and woof of this fine por.
ttaiture of Wild West life. people and events. while
the unraveling of the three mysteries that link the
fort sergeant with the outlaw leader and the young
Death Face chief add to the story elements of oom-
manding

Interest, Excitement and Wonder.

Everybody should read and enjoy this new “apo_ _
pearsnce” of Buffalo Bill! ‘

.s.
t

 

 

2*

,4

~ BEADLE’SiéDIMErILBRARY:

Published Every lVednesday. _ Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

 

BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM.

The Last of the Pirates; or. Doom Driven.

The Water Wolves’ Detective; or, Trapping the
Grave Ghouls.

The Coast-Raider’s Death-Chase.

Arizona Charlie. the Crack-shot Detective.
Invisible Ivan. the Wizard Detective.

The. Red-skin Sea Rover.

Revello, the Pirate CruiSer; or. The Rival Rovers
The Real Rapier; or, The Sea Rover’s Bride.

The Jew Detective; or, The Beautiful Convict.
The Cowb'iy Clan; or, The Tigress of 'l‘exas,

{305
3‘01

791
748
704
655
Cu O
662
658
(3.33
6 ii)
635
4530
6'25
615
610
605
'600
593
5"?
531
560
5:33

‘2‘
“l
u:

I
5

The Rovl-r’s Ret ibution.

The Ex-Buccaneer; or. The Stigma of Sin.

The Sea Thief -

Red Wings; or, The Gold Seekers of the Bahamas.
The Three Buccaneers.

The Red Flag Rover; or, White Wings of the Deep.
The Shadow Silver Ship.

The Silver Ship; or, The Sea. Scouts of '76.

The Sea Rebel: or. Red Rovers 01’ the Revolution.
Conrad. the Sailor Spy; or. True Hearts of ‘76.
The Outlawed Skipper; or, The Gantlet Runner.
The Man from Mexico.

)Iark )lonte, the )lutineer; or. The Branded Brig.
The lioonied Whaler: or. The Life Wreck.
The Fleet Scourge; or. The Sea Wings of Salem.
The Savages of the Sea.

The Sea Chaser; or, The Pirate Noble.
Chatard, the Dead-Shot Duelist.

El Moro, the Corsair Commodore.

J The Scouts of the Sea.

489 The Pirate Hunter; or. The Ocean Rivals.

‘ Ocean Tramps ' or, The Desperadoes of the Deep.
' Bob Breiit,the Buccaneer; or. the Red Sea Raider.
. The Lieutenant Detective: or. the Fugitive Sailor.
The Sea Insurgent: or. The Conspirator Son.
Ocean Ogre, the Outcast Corsair.

The One-Armed Buccaneer.

The Fatal Frigate; or, Rivals in Love and War.
The Sea Sword; or. The Oce in Rivals.

The Sea Siren: or. The Fugitive Privateer.

The New Monte Cristo.

i The Convict Captian.

. The Giant Buccaneer; or, The Wrecker Witch.
Afloat and Ashore: or. The Corsair Conspirator.
‘ Sailor of Fortune: or. The Barnegat Buccaneer.
The Coast Corsair: 01'. The Siren of the Sea.
The Sea Fugitive; or, The Queen of the Coast.
Ocean Guerrillas; or, Phantom Midshipman.
The Sea Desperado.

336 The Magic Ship: or. Sandy Hook Freebooters.
325 The Gentleman Pirate; or. The Casco Hermits.
'318 The Indian Buccaneer: or. The Red Rovers.

307 The Phantom Pirate; or, The Water Wolves.

281 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 Queen Helen, the Amazon of the Ovarian .

21‘) Red Lightning the Man of Chance.

231 The Kid Glove Miner; or. The Magic Doctor.

224 Black Beard. the Buccaneer.

220 The Specter Yacht; or, A Brother's Crime.

.216 The Corsair Planter; or, Driven to Doom.

210 Buccaneer Bess. the Lioness of the Sea.

205 The Gambler Pirate; or, Lady of the Lagoon.
.198 The Skeleton Schooner: or. The Skimmer.

.164 Me 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 story.
162 The Mad Mariner: or, Dishonored and isowned
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.
.134 Darke Dan, the Colored Detective.
131 Bucks in Sam, the Texas Trailer.
128 The Chevalier Corsair; or. The Heritage.
121 The Sea Cadet; or The Rover of the Rigoletts.
116 Black Plume; or, The Sorceress of Hell Gate.
109 Captain Kyd. the Kins: or the Black Flag.
"‘14 Montezuma. the Merciless.
Q Merle, the Mutineei ; or. The Red Anchor Brand.
\ Freelance. the Buccaneer.
8 The Pirate Prince; or. The Queen of the Isle.
I The Cretan Rover; or, Zuleikah the Beautiful.
2 The Dare Devil; or, The Winged Sea. Witch.

BY CAPT. FRED. \VHITT'AKER.

614 The Showman Detective; or, The Mad Magician.
609 The Texas Tramp; or, Solid Saul.
445 Journeyman John. the Champion.
412 Larry Locke. the Man of Iron.
«406 Old Pop Hicks, Showman.
378 John Armstrong, Mechanic.
826 The Whitest Man in the Mines.
‘310 The Marshal of Satanst-own; or, The League.
.303 To Notch Tom, the Cowboy Outlaw.
‘56 Oh Cross-Eye, the Maverick-Hunter.
2!) The Lost Corvette: or, Blakeley’s Last Cruise,
254 The Three Frigates;_ or. Old Ironsides' Revenge.
277 The Saucy Jane, Privateer.
272 Seth Slocum. Railroad surveyor.
265 Old Double-Sword; or. Pilots and Pirates.
253 A Yankee Cossack; or,The Queen of the Nihilims.
241 Alligator Ike: or, The Secret of the Evergladc.
242 The Fog Devil; or, The Ski r of the Flash.
230 The Flying Dutchman of 1 .
226 The Mad Hussars; or. The 0's and the Mac’s.
215 Parson Jim, King of the Cowboys-
2ii Colonel Plunger; or, The Unknown Sport-
206 OneE e. the Cannoneer.
198 The an in Red; or, The Ghost of the Old Guard.
187 The Death’s Head Cuirassiers.
174 The Phantom Knights.
159 Red Rudiger. the Archer.
13% Nemo, King of the Tramps.
115 The Severed Head; or, The Castle Coucy Secret.
108 The Duke of Diamonds.
98 The Rock Rider; or. The Spirit of the Sierra.

96 Double Death; or, The Spy 0! Wyoming.

‘39 The Irish Captain. A Tale of Fontenoy.

55 The Red Rajah; or, The Scourge of the Indies.
39 The Russian Spy; or, The Starry Cross Brothers.

!

BY “7M. G. PATTEN.
795 Old Night-Hawk, the Crook Shadower.
768 The Prince of New York Crooks.
756 Old Burke, the Madison Square Detective.

‘ 747 Double-voice Dan‘s Double Disguise.
‘ 715 Doubh-W'oice Dan on Deck.
. 70-3 Double-VoiCe Dan, the Always—on-Deck Detective

Lasso King‘s Leaguemr. Buck Taylor in Texas. ‘

 

 

696 Double-Voice Dan, the Go-it Alone Detective.
65“.) The Spai'kler Sharp.

676 Hurricane Hal. the Cowboy Hotspur.

669 Old True Blue. the Trusty.

663 The Giant Sport: or, Sold to Satan.

056 Old Plug Ugly. the Rough and Ready.
646 Gold Glove Gid the Man of Grit.

611 Aztec Jack, the esert Nomad.

631 Colonel Cool. the Santa Fe Sharp.

6022 Captain Nameless. the Mountain Mystery.
571 Oil Dismal. the Range Detective.

515 Hustler Harry, the Cowboy Sport.

BY CAPTAIN HOWARD HOLMES.

903 The Bogus Broker’s Right Bower.

788 The Night—Hawk Detective.

779 Silk Ribbon‘s Crtsh-out.

766 Detective Zach, the Broadway Spotter.

.’ The Dark Lantern Detective.

736 The Never-Fail Detective.

724 Captain Hercules. the Strong Arm Detective.
711 Dan Damon, the Gilt-Edge Detective.

701 Silver Steve, the Branded Sport.

694 Gideon Grip, the Secret Shadower.

684 Velvet Van, the Mystery Shadower.

67:4 The Dude Desperado.

671 Jason Clew, the Silk-Handed Ferret.

664 Monk Morel, the Man-Hun’er.

654 S01 S hinx. the Ferret Detective.

612 Red ard and Yellow.

608 Silent Sam, the Shadow Sphinx.

592 Ca tain Sid, the Shasta Ferret.

579 Oh Cormorant. the Bowery Shadow.

569 Captain Cobra. the Hooded Mystery.

559 Danton. the Shadow Sharp.

550 Silk Hand. the MohaVe Ferret.

513 The Magnate Detective.

5'32 J ack Javert. the Independent Detective.
5'23 Reynard of Red Jack: or, The Lost Detective.
512 Captain Velvet’s Big Stake.

505 Phil Fox. the Genteel Spotter.

496 Richard Rednre. the Two Worlds’ Detective.
487 Sunshine Sam, a Chip of the Old Block.

480 Hawkspear. the Man with a Secret.

4‘18 Coldgrip in Deadwood.

460 Captain Coldgrip. the Detective.

453 Captain Coldgrrligs Long Trail.

447 Volcano. the co Spy.

441 The California Sharp.

434 Lucifer Lynx, the Wonder Detective.

421 Father Ferret. the Frisco Shadow.

413 Captain Coldgrip in New York.

407 Captain Coldgrip‘s Nerve: or. In'un Nick.

400 Captain Coldgrip: or. The New ork Spotter.
39:2 The Lost Bonanza: or, The Boot of Silent Hound.
382 The Bonanza Band: or, Dread Don of Cool Clan.
374 Major Blister. the Sport of Two Cities.

365 Keen Kennard. the Shasta Shadow.

35'! The Des erate Dozen. 1‘

347 DenVer 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.

278 Hercules Goldspur, the Man of the Velvet Hand.

BY J. C. CO‘VDRICK.

752 The Sus ect S ort of Daisy Drift.

626 Ducats ion, t e Nabob Sport Detective.

612 Sheriti! Stillwood. the Regulator of Raspberry.
59% The Dominie Detective.

591 Duke Daniels, the Society Detective.

560 Shadowing a Shadow.

563 Prince Paul. the Postman Detective.

557 The Mountain Graybeards: or, Riddles’ Riddle.
519 Old Riddles. the Rock Ranger

499 Twilight Charlie, the cod Sport.

473 Gilbert of Gotham. the Steel-arm Detective.
45-: Rainbow Rob, the Tulip from Texas.

436 Kentucky Jean, the S ort from Yellow Pine.
41.2 Blue Grass Burt. the old Star Detective.

390 The Giant Cupid: or Cibuta John’s Jubilee.

BY GEORGE C. JENKS.

772 Cs tain Corden, the Twister Detective.
755 W1 d Pete the Broncho~Buster Detective.
726 Fearless Sam. the Grand Combination Detective.
719 Boston Bob. the S rt Detective.

572 Jauntv Joe, the ockey Detective.

554 Mad Sharp. the Rustler.

5:39 Rube Rocket. the Tent Detective.

526 Death-Grip, the Tenderfoot Detective.

507 The Druihmer Detective.

43-2 The Giant Horseman.

898 Sleepless Eye. the Pacific Detective.

BY J. W. OSBON.

759 The S on from St. Louis.
518 Boys Richard. the Thoroughbred.

BY LEON LEWIS.
797 .Pistol Tommy. the Miner Sharp.
785 The Down-East Detective in Nevada.
773 Buffalo Bill‘s Ban: or, Cody to the Rescue.
699 The CowboyvCoui-iers.
686 The On-the- lug Detectives.
624 The Submarine Detective: or, The Water Ghouls.
484 Captain Ready. the Red Ransomer.
481 The Silent Detective; or, The Bogus Nephew.
456 The Demon Steer.
428 The Flying Glim; or; The Island Lure.

BY DR. NOEL DUNBAR.

730 Duke Despard. the Gambler Duelist.
604 The Detective in Rags: or, The Grim Shadower.
500 The True-Heart Pards.

BY DR. FRANK POWELL.

746 The Dragoon Detective“ or A Man of Des .
158 The Doomed Dozen. ’ ’ any

51

u
H

 

l

 

BY NED BUNTLINE.

657 Long Tom. the Privateer.

633 The Sea Spy.

621 The Red lrivateer; or. The Midshipman Rover.
584 Fire Feather. the Buccaneer King,

517 Buffalo Bill‘s First Trail.

361 Tombstone Dick. the Train Pilot.

Andros. the Rover; or. The Pirate's Daughter.
1222 Saul Sabberday. the Idiot Spy.

111 The Smuggler Captain: or. The Skipper’s Crime.
Captain Seawaif. the Privateer.

23 The Red Warrior; or, The Comanche Lover.

18 The Sea. Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle.

16 The White Wizard; or. The Seminole Prophet.
14 Thayendanegea,the Scourgezor. The War—Eagle.

BY JACKSON KNOX—“Old Hawk.”

778 The Butler Detective; or. 01d Grip’s Grip.

770 The Showman Detective.

762 Old Grip, the Detective.

740 Captain Clew, the Fighting Detective.

732 The Hurricane DetectiVe.

643 Castleinaine, the Silent Sifter.

616 )lagnus, the Weird Detective.

606 The Drop Detective. .

595 Wellborn, the Upper Crust Detective.

562 J cram. the Detective Expert.

574 Old Falcon’s Double.

561 The Thug King; or, The Falcon Detective‘s Foe.
546 Falconbridge. the Sphinx Detective.

5'36 Old Falcon's Foe: or. The Detective’s Swell Job.
515 Short-Stop Ma 'e, the Diamond Field Detective.
509 Old Falcon, t e Thunderbolt Detective:

501 Sgringsteel Steve, the Retired Detective.

494 T e Detective’s Spy.

485 Rowlock. the Harbor 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.

424 Hawk Heron‘s De my.

336 Hawk HerOn. the alcon Detective.

,BY PHILIP S. WARNE-

802 Dan Dirk, King of No Man’s‘Land.
583 Captain Adair. the Cattle King.
567 Captain Midnight, the Man of Craft.
544 The Back to Back Pards.
522 The Champion Three.
502 Bareback Buck, the Centaur of the
472 Six Foot Si; or, The Man to “ Tie To.
431 California Kit, the Always on Hand.
404 Silver Sid; or. A “ Daisy " Bluff.

380 Tiger Dick‘s Pled e; or, The Golden Serpent.
359 Yellow Jack. the estizo. '

338 Jack Sands. the Boss of the Town.
299 Three of a Kind; or Dick, Despard and the Sport.
2‘30 Tiger Dick’s Lone and. .
251 Tiger Dick vs. Iron Despard.

207 Old Hard Head: or. Whirlwind and his Mare.
171 Tiger Dick. the Man of the Iron Heart.

114 The Gentleman from Pike.

80 A Man of Nerve; or, Caliban the Dwarf.

54 Always on Hand; or. The Foot-Hills Sport.

29 Tiger Dick. Faro King; or, The Cashier's Crime.

4 The Kidnapper; or, The Northwest Shanghai.
1 A Hard Crowd; or, Gentleman Sam’s Sister.

BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID.

$7 The White Squaw.

254 The Hunter‘s Feast.

228 The Maroon. A Tale of Voodoo and Obeah.

21% The Wild Huntress: or. The Squatter.

‘213 The War Trail: or, The Hunt of the Wild Horse.

2974 The White Chief. A Romance of Mexico.

we The Ritie Rangers: or. Adventures in Mexico.
74 The Captain of the Rifles; or, The Lake Queen.
66 The Specter Barque. A Tale of the Pacific.
55 The Scalp Hunters. A Romance of the Plains.
12 The Death-Shot: or. Tracked to Death.

6 The Headless Horseman.

MISCELLANEOUS. '

566 The‘ Dauntless Detec-Live; or, The Daughter
Avenger. By Tom W. King.

542 The Ocean Drift; or, The Fight for Two Lives
ByA F H 1

A:
-)
O

c:
H

.0.» .hr ‘1‘...--_... — ..

Plains.
i i

. . 0 t.
534 Green Mountain Joe: or. The Counterfeiter's
Cave. By Marmaduke De '.
366 The Telegraph Detective. y George H. Morse
353 Bart Brennan; or, The King 01‘. Straight Flush .
By John Cuthbert. '
350 Flash Falcon. Society Detective. By W. J. Cobb.
312 Kinkfoot Karl, the Mountain Scourge. By Mot»
ris Redwing.
275 The Smuggler Cutter.

lay J. D. Conroy. 1
261 Black Sam, the Prairie bun ‘

derbolt. By 001.

J o Yards.
190 The. Three Guardsmen. B Alexander Dumas.
179 Conrad, the Convict. By rot. Gildersleeve.
166 wlet. the Robber Prince. By S. R. Urban.
15'2 antain Ironnerve. the Couiiterfeiter Chief.
146 The Doctor Detective. B Geo e Lemuel.
144 The Hunchback of Notre ame. y Victor Hugo.
140 The Three Spaniards. B Geo. Vi alker.
133 Body the Rover. By, Wi iam Carleton.
1% The Blacksmith Outlaw. By H. Ainsworth.
110 The Silent Rifleman. By H. W. Herbert.
102 The Masked Band. By George L. Aiken.
78 The Mysterious S y. By Arthur M. Grainger.
76 The gueen's Mus eteers. B George Albany.
68 The ighting Traplper. By{I apt.J. F. 0. Adams.
60 Wide Awake, the obber 'ng. By F. Burnout.
32 B’ho of Yale: or, The Sorapes of Collegian.
11 Mids ipman Easy. By Ca tain Marryatt.
10 Vidocq, the French Police py. By himself.
9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover.
6 Wildcat Bob. By Edward L. Wheeler.
4 new issue every Wednesday. ..,
Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale 17 all -_ j.
Newsdealers, ten cents per coply, or sent by ma 1 on ' ‘
receipt of twelve cents each. EADLE & ADAMS, ,  i
Publishers, 98 William street, New York.

\

n

, r v. ,..
.' ._l . ...__,14:

  

 

I V BEADLE’SrDIMErflBRARY.

Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

BUFFALO BILL NOVELS.
By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.

812 Buffalo Bill's Deatli-Knell.

794 Buffalo Bill’s Winning Hand.

787 Buffalo Bill’s Dead Shot.

781 Buffalo Bill‘s Brand.

777 Buffalo Bill‘s Spy Shadower.

769 Buffalo Bill‘s Swoepstake.

765 B iffalo Bill’s Dozen; or, Silk Ribbon Sam.

761 Buffalo Bill’s Mascot.

757 Buffalo Bill’s Double.

750 Buffalo Bill‘s Big Four.

743 Buffalo Bill‘s Flush Hand.

739 Buffalo Bill’s Blind: or, The Masked Driver.
735 Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men.

731 Buffalo Bill‘s Beagles; or Silk Lasso Sam.

727 Buffalo Bill‘s Body Guar .

722 Buffalo Bill on the War- ath.

716 Buffalo Bill's Scout Shai owers.

710 Buffalo Bill Baffled; or, The Deserter Desperado.
697 Buffalo Bill‘s Buckskin Brotherhood.

691 :iuf‘falo Bill’s Blind Trail; or, Mustang Madge.
667 Buffalo Bill‘s Swoop; or, The King of the Mines.
649 Buffalo Bill’s Chief of Cowboys; or. Buck Taylor
644 Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza; or. Silver Circle Knights.
362 Buffalo Bill‘s Gri ): or. Oath Bound to Custer.
329 Buffalo Bill’s Ple ge: or. The League of Three.
189 Wild Bill‘s Gold Trail; or, The Desperate Dozen.
175 Wild Bill's Trump Card; or, The Indian Heiress.
168 Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot.

By Buffalo Bill.

807 Wild Bill, the Wild West Duelist.

800 Wild Bill. the Dead-Center Shot.

839 Buffalo Bill's Gold King.

599 The Dead Shot Nine; or. My Pards of the Plains.
414 Red Renard. the Indian Detective.

401 One-Armed Pard; or, Borderland Retribution.
397 The Wizard Brothers: or. White Beaver’s Trail.
394 White Beaver, the Exile of the Platte.

319 Wild Bill. the Whirlwind of the West.

304 Texas Jack. the Prairie Rattler.

243 The Pilgrim Sharp; or. The Soldier‘s Sweetheart.
83 Gold Bullet Sport; or. Kni hts of the Overland.
52 DeathoTrailer. the Chief o . Scouts.

By Leon Lers, Ned Buntline, etc.

773 Buffalo Bill‘s B'm; or. Cody to the Rescue.

682 Buffalo Bill’s Secret Service Trail.

629 Buffalo Bill‘s Darin Role; or, Daredeath Dick.
517 Buffalo Bill‘s First rail; or. The Express Rider.
158 Buffalo Bill, Chief of Scouts.

117 Buffalo Bill 3 Strange Pard; or, Dashing Dandy.
92 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King.

BY WILLIAM H. MANNINfi.

808 TheCrook-Detective’s Pull.

790 Plunger Pete, the Race Track Detective.

774 Steve Starr. the Dock Detective.

764 The New York Sharp’s Shadower.

738 Detective Claxton, the Record Breaker.

714 Gabe Gall, the Gambolier from Great Hump,
703 Spokane Saul. the Samaritan SusEect.

692 Dead- Shot Paul, the Deep-Range x lorer.
655 Strawberry Sam. the Man with the
646 Dark John, the Grim Guard.

638 Murdock. the Dread Detective.

623 Dangerous Dave, the Never-Beaten Detective.
611 Alkali Abe, the Game Chicken from Texas.

5% Rustler Rube; the Round-Up Detective.

585 Dan Dixon’s Double. '

575 Steady Hand. the Napoleon of Detectives.
563 Wyoming Zeke, the Hots ur of Hone, suckle.
551 Garry Kean, the Man wit Backbone.

539 Old Doubledark, the Wily Detective.

531 Saddle-Chief Kit, the Prairie Centaur.

521 Paradise Sam. the Nor’-West Pilot.

513 Texas Tartar, the Man With Nine Lives.

506 Uncle Honest. the Peacemaker of Hornets’ Nest.
498 Central Pacific Pa- 1. the Mail Train Spy.

492 Border Bullet, the Prairie Sharpshooter.

486 Kansas Kitten. the Northwest Detective.

479 Gladiator Gabe, the Samson of Sassajack.

470 The Duke of Dakota.

463 Gold Gauntlet. the Gulch Gladiator.

455 Yank Yellowbird. the Tall Hustler of the Hills.
449 Bluff Burke. King of the Rockies.

442 Wild West Walt. the Mountain Veteran.

437 Deep Duke; or, The Man of Two Lives.

B7 The Rivals of Montana Mill.

415 Hot Heart, the Detective S v.

405 Old Bald , the Brigadier 0 Buck Basin.

385 Will Die Turpin, tne Leadville Lion.

297 Colorado Rube. the Stro Arm of Hots ur.
279The Gold Dragoon, or. alifornia Bl hound.

BY HAROLD PAYNE.

806 The Grand Street Gold-Dust Sharpers.

798 Detective Burr‘s Luua ic Witness; or. The River-
side Drive Death~Mystery.

792 The Wall Street Sharpcr’s Snap.

784 Thad Burr‘s Death Drop.

742 Detective Burr Among the New York Thugs.

734 Detective Burr’s Foil- or, A Woman’s Strategy.

728 Detective Burr. the Headquarters Special.

713 Detective Burr’s Spirit Chase.

706 Detective Burr’s Seven Clues.

698 Thad Burr, the Invincible; or, The “L ” Clue.

690 The Matchless Detective.

680 XX, the Fatal Clew: or, Burr's Master Case.

BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS.

804 The King Pin of the Leadville Lions.

786 Chicago Charlie’s Diamond Haul.

776 Chicago Charlie, the Columbian Detective.

758 The Wizarl King Detective.

723 Teamster Tom, the Boomer Detective.

709 Lodestone. Lem, the Cham ion of Chestnut Burr.
695 Singer Sam, the Pilgrim tective.

688 River Bustiers; or. the Detective from ’Way Back
673 Stuttering Sam the Whitest S art of Santa Fe.

irthinark.

666 Old Adamant, the Man of Roc .

618 kansas Karl, the Detective King.

’ Prince Primrose. the Flower of the flock.
Huckleberry, the Foot-Hills Detectiv .

552
58

 

 

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR.

796 The Frisco Detectlve‘s Thug-Tangle.

789 Sam Cary. the River Sport.

780 The Dead Sport’s Double.

771 Prince John, Detective S ecial.

763 Dandy Don, the Denver etective.

754 'l he Man from Texas; or, Dangerfield, the
Doctor Detective.

744 SWeepstakes Sam, the Silver Sport.

720 The-Secret Six- or, Old Halcyon.

712 The Man of Silk.

705 Bantam Bob, the Beaut from Butte.

693 Kent Kasson, the Preac ier Sport.

683 Bob Breeze, the Rounder Detective.

675 Steel Surry, the Sport from Sunrise.

668 Solemn Saul‘s Luck Streak.

661 The Get-There Sharp.

651 Silvertip St»ve, the Sky Scraper from Siskiyou.

645 Gopher Gabe, the Unseen Detective.

636 Dandy Darling, Detective.

627 Mossback MOSe, the Mountaineer.

617 il‘he Grivaack Sharp’s Even up.

597 Big Bandy, the Brigadier of Brimstone 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.

547 The Buried Detective; or. Saul‘s Six Sensations.

541 Major Magnet, the Man of Nerve.

5‘15 Dandy Dutch. the Decorator from Dead-Lift.

527 Dandy Andy, the Diamond Detective.

514 Gabe Gunii, the Grizzl from Ginseng.

504 Solemn Saul. the Sad {fan from San Saba.

495 Rattlepate Rob; or. The Roundhead‘s Reprisal.

488 The Thoruu hbred Sport.

474 Dadd Dea -Eyc, the Desoot of Dew Drop.

466 Old ongh 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.

438 Oklahoma Nick.

433 Laughing Leo; or. Sam’s Dandy Pard.

426 The Ghost Detective: or. The Secret Service Spy.

416 Monte Jim. the BIacx Sheep of Bismarck.

409 Rob Roy Ranch; or, The Imps of Pan Handle.

403 The Nameless Sport.

395 Deadlv Aim, the Duke of Derringers.

387 Dark urg. the Ishmael of the Hills.

379 Howling Jonathan, the Terror from Headwaters.

372 Captain Crisp. the Man with a Record.

367 A Royal Flush: or, Dan Brown’s Big Game.

360 Jumping Jerry, the Gamecock from Sundown.

355 Stormy Steve. the Mad Athlete.

351 Nor‘ West Nick. the Border Detective.

345 Masked Mark, the Mounted Detective.

339 Spread Eagle Sam. the Hercules Hide Hunter.

. ‘1 Chis Charley. the Gold Nugget Sport.

324 Old orked Lightning. the Solitary.

317 Frank Lightfoot. the Miner Detective.

302 Faro Saul. the Handsome Hercules.

292 Moke Homer. the Boss Ronstabout.

286 Pistol Johnny; or, One Man in a Thousand.

283 Sleek Sam, the Devil of the Mines.

257 Death' Trap Diggings: or, A Man ’Way Back.

Elephant Tom. of Durango.

241 Spitfire Saul. King of the Rustlers.

233 The Old Boy of Tombstone.

201 Pirate of the Pincers: or. .10 uin’s Death Hunt.

197 Revolver Rob: or. The Belle 0 Nugget Camp.

180 Old ’49; or. The Amazon of Arizona.

170 Sweet William, the Trapper Detective.

165 Joaquin. the Terrible

154 Joaquin, the Saddle King.

141 E ulnox Tom. the Bul'y of Red Rock.

127 81% Scott, the Masked Miner.

119 Alabama Joe; or. The Yazoo Man-Hunters.

105 Dan Brown of Denver: or. The Detective.

Big George; or. The Five Outlaw Brothers.

Captain Cool Blade: or. Mississippi Man Shark.

67 The Boy J0ckey; or, Honesty vs. Crookedness.

64 DoubleSight, the Death Shot.

50 Jack Rabbit, the Prairie Sport.

47 Pacific Pete. the Prince of the Revolver.

45 Old Bull s-E 'e, the Lightning Shot.

40 Long-Hairs Pards; or. The Tarters of the Plains.

30 Gospel George; or, Fiery Fred. the Outlaw.

28 Three-Fingered Jack, the Road-Agent.

(O
a.
CD

88

BY \VILLIAM B. EYSTEB.

783 The King-Pin Tramp.

767 The Sport of Silver Bend.

718 Uncle Bedrock‘s Big Bounce.

707 The Rival Rovers.

687 Double Cinch Dan. the Sport With a. Charm.

677 Mr. Jackson. the Gent from Jaybird.

659 Gilt-Edge Johnny; or, Roldan and His Rovers.
650 Luck Lester’s one Hand.

634 Old andcart‘s Big Dump.

622 The All Around 8 rts.

603 Desert Alf. the an With the Chugar.

590 Gentle Jack. the High Roller from Humbug.
578 Seven Shot Steve. the Sport with a Smile.

568 The Dude. Detective.

558 Hurrah Harry, the High Horse from Halcyon.
549 Belshazzar Brick, the Bailiff of Blue Blazes.
533 Oregon. the Sport With a Scar.

525 Fresh Frank. the Derringer Daisy.

503 The Dude from Denver.

478 Pinnacle Pete; or. The Fool from Way Back.
459 Magor Sunshine. the Man of Three Lives.

429 Ha r Tri ger Tom of Red Bend.

402 Snapsho Sam; or. The Angels’ Flat Racket.
396 The Piper DetectiVe; or. The Gilt Edge Gang.
375 Royal George, the Three in One.

356 Three Han some 8 rts: or, The Combination.
344 Double Shot Dave 0 the Left Hand.

333 Derringer Dick. the Man with the Drop.

300 A Sport in Spectacles; or, Bad Time at Bunco.
268 Magic Mike, ‘be Man of Frills.

229 Captain Cutsleeve; or, The Little Sport.

214 The Two Cool Sports; or, Gertie of the Gulch.
192 The Lightning Sport. ‘

182 Hands Up; or. The Knights of the Canyon.

160 Soft Hand,.Sharp: or. The Man with the Sand.

 

 

145 Pistol Pards; or, The Silent Sport from Cinnabar 1

ALBERT \V. AIKEN’S NOVELS.

Dick Talbot Series.

741 Dick Talbot’s Close Call.

737 Dick Talbot in Apache l and.

733 Dick Talbot. the Ranch King.

729 Dick Talbot's Clean-Out.

72') Dick Talbot in No Man’s Camp.

384 Dick Talbot in the Rockies: or. Injun Dick.

354 Dick Talbot: 01. The Brand of Crimson Cross.
349 Dick. the benrieman Road-Agent.

107 Dick Talbot. of Cinnabar.

93 Dick Talbot. King of the Road.

41 Dick Talbot in Utah: or. Gold Dan.

38 Dick Talbot’s lron Grip; or. The Velvet Hand. 5
36 Dick Talbot; or. The Death-Shot of Shasta.

35 Dick Talbot at the Mines: or, Kentuck. the Sport.
34 Dick Tnlbot’s Foe; or. Rocky Mountain Rob.

33 Dick Talbot at White Pine; or. OVerland Kit.

Alken’s Fresh of Frisco Series.

660 The Fresh in Montana; or, Blake's Full Hand.
652 The Fresh’s Rnstle at Painted City.

647 The Fresh at Santa Fe; or. 'l‘hn Stranger Shn rp.
556 Fresh. the. Sport: or. The Big Racket at Slide Out.
537 Fresh A iiinst the Field: or. Blake. the Lion.
529 The Fres of Frisco in New York.

497 The Fresh in Texas; or. The Escobedo Millions.
461 The Fresh of Frisco on the Rio Grande.

173 The Fresh in Arizona; or. California John.

130 The Fresh in Mexico; or. Captain Vowano.

97 The Fresh in Big Walnut (lamp; or. Bronze Jack
77 The Fresh of Frisco.

Alken’s Joe Pllenlx Series.

799 Joe Phenix's Great Blue Diamr nd Case; or, The
New York Sport at Long Branch.

793 Joe Plieiiix’s Decoy: or, The Man of Three.

760 Joe Phcnix‘s Lone Hand.

749 Joe Phenix‘s Big Bulge.

745 Joe Phenix’s Mad Case.

708 Joe Phenix‘s Siren; or, The Woman Hawkshaw.
700 Joe Phenix’s Unknown; or. Crushing the Crooks
681 Joe Phenix‘s S ecials; or. The Actress Detective

637 Joe Phenix in razy Camp.

632 Joe Phenix's Master Search.

628 Joe Phenix’s Combine ; cr,the Dandy Conspirator

620 Joe Phenix’s Silent Six.

601 Joe Phenix‘s Shadow ; or.the Detective’s Monitor

419 Joe Phenix., the King of Detectives.

391 Joe Phenix‘s Still Hunt.

161 Joe henix‘s Great Man Hunt.

112 Joe henix, Private Detective; or. The League.
79 Joe henix, the Police Spy.

Alken’s Miscellaneous Novels.

775 King Dandy. the Silver Sport.
753 Gideon’s Gri at Babylon Bar.
717 Captain Pat cGowen, the Greencoat Detective.
674 Uncle Sun Up, the Born Detective.
670 The Li htweight Detective.
665 The F sco Detective; or, The Golden Gate Find.
613 Keen Billy, the Sport.
607 Old Benzine the “ Hard Case " Detective.
594 Fire Face, the Silver King’s Foe.
586 The Sllver Sharp Detective.
577 Tom, of Califrrnia: or, Detective‘s Shadow Act.
570 The Actress Detective: or. The Invisible Hand.
562 Lone Hand. the Shadow. -
520 The. Lone Hand on the Caddo.
490 The Lone Hand in Texas.
475 Chin Chin. the. Chinese Detective.
465 The Actor Detective.
440 The High Hor c of the Pacific.
425 The Lone Hand; or. The Red River Recreants.
408 Doc Grin. the Vendetta of Death.
381 The Gy sy Gentleman: or, Nick Fox. Detective
376 Black Beards: 01. The Rio Grande High Horse
370 The Dusky Detective: or. Pursued to the End.
363 Crowningshield. the Detective
320 The Genteel Spo tter; or The N. Y. Night Hawk.
252 The Wall Street flood; or. The Telegraph Girl.
203 The Double Detective: "(The Midnight Mystery.
196 La Marmoset. the Le tcciive Queen.
101 The Man from New York.
91 The Winning Oar: or. The lnnkeeper’s Daughter.
84 Hunted Down: or, The League of Three.
81 The Human Tiger: or. A Heart of Fire.
75 Gentleman George: or. Parlor. Prison and Street.
72 The Phantom Hand; or, The 5th Avenue Heii ess.
63 The Winged Whale: or. The Red Rupert of 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 Detecti ve: or, The Wiic es of NY.
31 The New York Sharp: or, The Flash of Li htning..
27 The Spotter Detective: or. Girls of New ork.

LATEST AND NEW ISSUES.

an Dan Dunn. the Soft-Hand Sport; or The Gam-
bler Broker's Short-Sto . Bv Joe. E. Badger, Jr.
810 Fire-Eye. the Thug’s error: or, Cockney Bob's
Blg Bluff. By Wm. G. Patten.
811 The Man in Red; or. The Island Rovers. By
Lieut. Ha Denies Perry U. S. N.
812 Buffalo Bil ‘s Death-Knell; or. The Red Hand
Riders of the Rockies. By Col. P. Ingmbam.
813 The Sham Spotter‘s Shrewd Scheme; or. De.
tective Burr's Diamond Drop. B H. Payne.
814 The New Yorker Among Texas ports; or, De.
tectlve Tomlinson‘s Still Hunt. By A. W. Aiken.
815 The Soft Hand‘s Clutch; or. The Night-Hawk
Chief‘s Right Hand Man. By Jos. E. Badger Jr.
816 Buffalo Bill’s Red Trail: or. The Road-Rider
Renegade‘s Run-Down. By Col. P. lngraham.
817 Plush Velvet. the Prince of S otters; or, Bounc-
ing BoweryLawyer Sharks. y Ca t H. Holmes
818 Gentleman Dave. the Dead Game .port; or, The
Card ueen of Silver Seam. B Wm. R. Eyster.
819 The Rval Monte Cristos; or, he Frenchman's
Play for High Stakes. By 001. P. Ingraham.
A new lame every Wednesday.

Bondlo’s Dime Library is fort shale 13:1;
lewsdealers. ten cents per cop . or non y m
receipt of twelve cents each. EADLE & A “S.
Publishers, 118 William street. New York.