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Copyrighted. 189'). bv BEADLE AND ADAMS. bi man!) ECOND CLASS MATTER AT THE NEW YORK. N. Y.. P ST OFFICE. February 6. 1597.

 

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Published Every GBechZe & fldanms‘, 9311bl ZS}L87’S Ton Cents a. Copy.
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Rafael Rickerly’s Ruse.

CHAPTER I.
UNDER A SPELL.

LIKE a castle on the Rhine stood Crag Eden,
nearly half a century ago one of the grandest
old manor-houses in the State of Virginia, but

‘ now only a ruin around which cluster bitter
memoriei‘ and of which weird legends are told.

. Perched upon a mountain cliff, overhanging

' a swiftly-flaming river, it stood watch and ward
over the homes of the Wealthy planters below.

Crag Eden had been built in Colonial times,

_ by an English nobleman who had come to

_ ‘ ° America to make his home, {or the ban of exile

' was upon him, and upon his deecendents fella

THAT ALTERNATE THE DARING YOUNG MA TOOK. curse that affected the five; of many people, we
REIN HE TEREW THE HORSES, BUGGY AND HIMSELF OVER THE CLIFF! story of which and the retribution which ensued

 

 

form the scenes and incidents upon which my
story is founded.

Three-score years ago the lord and master of
Crag Eden was as handsome a young man as
ever won the heart of a woman. He was tall,
well-formed, a perfect athlete, and rode with a g
recklessness that soon won for him the name of j
" The Mad Rider.“ 1

His nature was cheerful, he was generous
hearted and utterly fearless; so it was no wou—
der he won the heart of half the girls in the
surrounding country, for, added to his personal
fascinations, he was the master of Crag Eden—
a baronial home in its size and appointments.
It overlooked the quarters of a couple of hun- I
dred slaves,that lay at the foot of the mountain, '
and with several thousands of acres of land sur— 1
rounding it constituted the wealth of Raynor
Rickerly, who, at twenty-one, had become the
sole heir to the estate.

One afternoon Ra nor Rickerly stood upon
the tower of Crag den, which overhung the
river, hundreds of feet below, gazin% as it was
often his wont to do, upon his fertile elds, with
the slaves at work in them, and listening to the
strains of melody that floated up to his ears, as
they sung at their toil.

The grand forests, the hills, valleys and
mountain fastnesses, with the highways ruu- ‘
ning through them and the homes of aristo-
cratic Virginians dotting all, lay before him.

Suddenly he started, his face flushing quickly,
and then turning pale, as his eyes fell upon a
small caravan that wound out of the forest into
sight, half a mile away,,upon the other shore of
the river.

There were wagons, and horses, and a caval-
cade of a hundred people, all in picturesque
dress and appearing like a party of masquera—
ders.

Into a meadow sloping to the river they
moved, and here they halted: the gayly—painted
wagons were formed in a semicircle, the horses
were staked out, tents were pitched, and the
travelers had gone into camp.

Biting his lips angrily, the handsome face of
Raynor became more and more clouded, as he
watched the camp scene.

Then he saw a horseman ride 11 to the larger
tent, over which floated a. blue ag, and, after
a moment's halt, he rode down toward the
river.

Into the swift current he urged his horse, and
the splendid animal soon swam across to the
other shore.

Still watching him, Raynor Rickerly beheld
him strike into the highway that encircled the
mound-like hill upon which Crag Eden was
situated and turn into the masswe gatewa
that led up to the mansion by a steep and win -
ing road.

Soon after a servant appeared and stated that
“ A Gypsy wished to see the master. ”

“ Conduct him here,” was the command.

Ere long a dark-faced young man, clad in a
picturesque garb, stepped out upon the tower
and confronted the master of Ci’ag Eden.

He gazed upon the young planter with a
strange expression, while he said, almost
haughtily:

“ You are Raynor Rickerly T’

“ Such my friends call me, but those who are
not should be more polite,” was the calm re—
joinder.

“ A Gypsy never chooses his words; but I
came not here to quarrel with you, but to de-
liver a message.”

“ From whom 3"

“ From Roma Leigh, the Gypsy Queen."

“What message sends she to me?”

“That you will meet her at the place where
before she has met you, at sunset, this day.”

' “ Well?"

“ Your answer:m

“ I will not come.”

.  Do you see the land where the Gypsy camp
“Lyesy

“ It was purchased by Roma Leigh.”

The young planter started. and said, quickly:

‘- What do you tell me?"

“She purchased the land through an agent.
It belongs to her, and there will camp the R0-
mana Gypsies until you obey the command of
Roma Leigh and meet her."

“ The command i’“ haughtily repeated the Vir—
ginian.

“So I said, for the request comes from a
queen, hence is a command.”

“ Ah!" and a sneer crossed the lips of Ray-
nor.

“The Queen will remain in camp onder, un-
der the shadow of your home, until you obey
her command and meet her. What message
shall I return to her?”

“I will come,” was the response, and, as the
Gypsy turned and left the tower, a‘bitter impre—
cation was crushed between the teeth of the
young Vir inian. who, for some reason was un-
der the spe l of a neen of a vagabond race.

For some time aynor Rickerly stood upon
the 'ower, after the departure ot' the messen-
ger.

“ Who is that fellow that she has dared to
trust?” he muttered.

# Then he saw the Gypsy rider descend the road

The

to the valley,reuch the river, ur e his horse into
it and once again ride up to t e large tent in
the camp.

A woman stepped out and met the messenger,
who dismounted and led his horse away to stake
him out upon the meadowland.

“ She has played a bold game in purchasing
that land. I would not have sold it for a bun-
dred times the price had I suspected the pur-
chaser: but I was deceived.

“ Well, I must meet her; I dare not re use,
and I have just time to reach the place.”

Leaving the tower Raynor Rickerly was soon
mounted upon a superb horse and (lashing swift-
ly along the valley highway to the rendezvous
where he was to meet Roma Leigh, the Gypsy
Queen

7 Planter Detective.

CHAPTER II.
ROMA LEIGH.

THE woman who had sent the messenger to
Crag Eden, sat behind a gauzy curtain eagerly
watching his going and his coming.

She was certain ya beautiful woman, and yet
she was a mere girl in years. Her beauty was
of a barbaric kind, reminding one of an Egyp-
tian queen.

Her face was bronze in hue, her hair as sable
as a raven’s plumage, her form as perfect as that
of a Venus. '

Her costume, too, was of oriental splendor,
being composed of blue velvet, silver lace and a
jaunty head-dress, shaded with a black plume,
while her neck, arms and fingers blazed with
precious gems, diamonds, rubies, sapphires,
Opals and pearls, whose sparkle rivaled the light
in her glorious eyes.

“ What said he, Incah?" she asked, of her
messenger, rising in an indifferent manner as he
approached, as though she had not been seated
behind the screen gazing with eager, anxious
face upon his going and coming.

“ He will meet you, Queen.”

“ Did you use threats to compel him i”

“ I told him, as he at first refused, that you
owned this land, and here would be your home
until he came.”

“ Then he said he would meet me, Incah?"

“ Yes, Queen."

“ I thank you.”

But, as she turned away, Incah asked:

“ May I not accompany you, for I fear that
man ’3”

“ No, for I do not fear him. I will go alone."

Incah departed, and soon after the Queen left
the camp, crossed the highway and turned into
a forestpath. ‘ ‘

Hardly had she done so when Incah darted
across the road and, entering the forest, fol-
lowed on the track of the young woman.

She. had gonehalf a mile when the path wound
around a large rock which had crashed down
from the mountain above.

Here she halted, and, concealed by the rock,
waited.

Suddenly a form appeared before her, and
stepping into the ath, she confronted the man
who was dogging er steps.

He shrunk back before her angry eyes.

“ Incah, how dare you follow me?" she de-
manded.

“ Pardon me, Roma Leigh; I crave humbly
your pardon; but I feared harm to you from
that ”man, and I wished to be near to protect

on.

She drew by a quick gesture a jewel-hilted
stiletto from her bosom as she answered:

“ I have no fear—see! and I know its use.”

“ But he is a man of wondrous stren h—one
whom you have forced to the brink o desper-
ation.’

“ Incah, it is not for my life you fear, but
that I may fly with that man, giving up my
people and all for him. You dread my love for
him, not danger to myself. I have given on
my pledge, and a Gypsy’s pledge is as sacre as
death. f to-day I fail with Raynor Rickerly,
then I keep my pledge to you.

“ If you doubt me, then I break that pledge.
If you belieVe me, go 1”

She pointed back along the path they had
come. The man bowed, turned and withtut a
word retraced his steps.

She watched him until he was out of sight,
and then went on her way along the pathway
at the base of the ridge.

Fully a mile she walked, and turning into a
path that led up the hill, soon came to a rustic
arbor that sheltered the point of a cliff from
whence a fine view could be obtained.

The arbor was rudely made,evidently built
by frequenters of the place, and held a bench or
settee of canes—by no means an uncomfortable
resting-place.

Standing upon the very verge of the cliff,
with no dread, although a sudden dizziness, a
misstep, would dash her to the rocks a hundred
feet below, the Gypsy Queen kept her eyes upon
the dark forest bordering the river—bank a mile
away.

Soon a cry of joy escaped her, for, out of
the forest, came a. horseman, who rode down to
i the river, where there was a ford, knee—deep.

Crossing the stream he came on at a swinging
gallop, wound around the cliff, and, halting in

 

 

 

a glen, hitched his horse and ascended the path
leading to the arbor.

The Gypsy Queen had pressed her hands hard
upon her heart, as he drew near, as though to
still its beating, and then, tottering to the set-
tee, sunk upon it.

But, overwhelmed with some deep emotion as
she seemed, the moment of his approach she
was calm, and as frigid as an icicle.

Raynor Rickerly held out his hand, but the
youn woman drew back.

“ hat, Roma, you refuse my hand?” re-
proachfnlly.

1 “"Does your heart go with it, Raynor Rickerv
yl

His face flushed.

“ You do not answer.’7

“ Roma Leigh, 1 cannot marry you.”

Her face for an instant was the picture of
despair; but she choked back her emotion as
she said:

“ Your promise 9"

“It was given two years ago, Roma Leigh,
before I was of age, before my father’s death.
He left in his will that which bound me to an—
other, and I must obey his dying command or
lose my inheritance."

“ I am a queen, a Gypsy Queen, and I possess
riches beyond your own.”

“It cannot be, Roma Leigh.”

“ Your promise?”

“I am held by a promise to my dying father
even more binding and sacred.”

“ It is not that; but you will not, as you once
promised when you loved me, to make me your
wife, and if disinherited for so doing, to ally
yourself with my people, to become by mar-
riage the King of the Romans G psies. -

“ Look at me, Raynor Ricker , and say if I
am not more beautiful than I was two years
ago? Am I not a woman now, where then I
was a girl’! Have not our tribe enriched them-
selves far more in those two years?

“ We have wandered afar, and in all those
wanderings I have dreamed of you. I was told
that you would forget me, and when no longer
I received your letters, I wrote and asked you if
I had lost your love.

“ Your reply almost crazed me, Raynor Rick—
erly. I had refused Incah, and other noble
young men among our people for your love. So
hither I came again, and I was told that you
loved another.

“ I sent for you to come here and now you
cast me off—you tell me that ma Leigh is
nothing to you now, that another will a your
wife, after I have made you my very ido .

“ Speak, Raynor Rickerly, and say if, after
the past between us, you now refuse to make
me your wife, for so deeply do I love you that I
would give up my people, fly with you to the
uttermost parts of the earth, where I might
dwell with you in happiness.”

The man seemed greatly moved by the wo—
man’s earnest appeal, and yet decisive was his
voice as he answered:

“ It cannot lie—never can be!” I
“ Who is it that you are to wed, Raynor Rick-
erl ?" ’

And there was intense scorn in her voice.

“ It matters not, Roma, who she is."

“Hal ha! hal”

The laugh was mocking and discordant.

“ You need not tell me, for I know. Ihave not
come here blindfolded, Raynor Rickerl , for I
know all. You are to marry Agnes Ash y, and,
as she is an only child and an heiressther fath-
er’s many acres that join your own Will become

ours.
y “ So be it, Raynor Rickerly, as you have
chosen; but the heart that held your image,now
shall hold only a demon of hate and reveng’e.

“ It may not be today or to-morrow that I
will strike, butl some day it will come, for the
Gypsy wronged in love always becomes an
avenger.

“ Roma Leigh will force you to recall in hit-
terness and sorrow the words you have this day
uttered, proud Virginian l

“ This spot, this arbor, which We built as our
trysting-place in the long ago, shall henceforth
be sacred in my memo as the scene of my vow
to make our heart an er as mine now does.

“Go! yuor Richer] l Roma Leigh, the
Gylpsy Queen, would be a one !”

be last words were uttered haughtily, and,
without response. the Virginian turned an de-
scended the path to where he had left his horse.

Like the wind he rode homeward, and during
the long hours of that night, he paced his room
in hitter meditation. .

When the morning came he glanced from 1118
window and a cry of joy escgped his lips—the
Gypsies had disappeared—ha

" Folded their tents like the Arabs,
And as silently stolen away."

CHAPTER III.
How HE was WON.

AGNES ASELY was one of Virginia’s fairest
daughters, and came of an old family of wealth
and good blood. From her earliest girlhood she
had been a belle, and her heart was as light as a.
bird’s.

Beautiful she was, ssing a beauty that
was spirituelle yet ful of life, and as- she grew

 

in years toward twenty sbe counted her lovers
.b y the score. 1

She had admired the handsome young master ‘
of Crag Eden from her girlhood; but had loved 1
him from the day he had saved her from death ,
at the risk of his own. l

it was in this way: Raynor Rickerly was 3
driving a pair of young horses to a buggy.

x; Only a few days previous had the bits been rst ‘
put in their months. |

They were thoroughbred racers, but he had ’
taken a notion to drive them.

All had one favorably until he came to where
the road orked. One trail or way was little
more than a bridle-path, leading around a hill ‘
upon a narrow led e that overhung the river,
{i ty feet below, an ending in an abrupt hill, at
the top of which it again joined the main high— '
way on the ridge.

Carts had gone around the ledge, and horse-
men, but never a pleasure vehicle; but the thor—
oughbreds, with a sudden bound, wheeled into
the narrow way and dashed on at full speed.

In vain did Raynor, strong man and splendid
driver though he was, try to check their head-
long flight.

On that day Agnes was out for a stroll in the
woods, hunting for wild flowers and ferns when
the gardens about Viewlands, the Ashly home,
were filled with the most fragrant of exotics.

The attendant of Miss Ashly was a young ,
negress, ood-looking, and with a bandana upon '
her heaii and Black Pink, for such was her
name, had her arms laden with wild flowers,
ferns and mosses.

Comin down the steep hillside, mistress and
’maid hag sprung upon the ledge just as the
runaway thoroughbreds came in sight.

The carpet of pine needles on the ledge had
'broken the sound of hoofs and wheels, and the
maddened horses were almost upon Agnes
Ashly and Black Pink before they saw them.

Then there came a warning or from Raynor,
but the hill was steep, and coul not be easily
scaled, especially by limbs that were weakened
with fright; there was no room‘to turn out and

*to pass, for bare] two feet at that point were
between the whee s and the edge of the cliff.

At the cry of warnin , Black Pink let fall the
flowers, dropped on her nees,clas ed her hands
and raised her eyes in prayer, whi e hei'mistress
sunk upon her knees and covered her face with
ger hands, as though to shut out the appalling
‘ anger.

The young Virginian saw all at a lance. An-
other moment mistress an mai would_ be
crushed to death; but one alternative would
save them.

That alternative the daring young man took.
With his whole weight upon one row he threw
the horses, buggy and himself over the cliff!

There were wild snorts of fright from the
horses, 9. shriek of alarm from Agnes, then a
heavy plunge and—silence!

But, Agnes Ashl was herself now at the
peril of another. pringing to her feet she
rushed to the edge of the cliff and looked down
into the river, to utter a cry of joy as she saw
the bold driver running toward the nearest
landing-place, while the thoroughbreds were
struggling wildly where they had fallen, and
were mixed up in inextricable entanglement
with harness and buggy.

Along the ledge she ran, to where a path led
to a landin , Black Pink following as fast as her
fri ht wou d allow.

hey; met Raynor calmly walking up the
path, atless,drip1pin'g and galefaced, w ile a
wound was upon is forehea .

Agnes tried to speak, but could not articu—
late, and, seizing his hand, she kissed it!

She heard a groan from his lips, saw him
shrink from her, and Black Pink told what the
matter was for she cried:

“ Lordyyll/Iissy A is, dat arm am broke!”

" My arm is bro on, Miss Ashly, but it is
nothing when I see you safe.”

“A broken arm, a wound on the head that
looks severe, a pair 01 horas lost and a. buggy
:crushedl Are our lives worth so much, Pink?”

“ Yas, missy; massa holds me to be wu’th
‘two thousand dollars, and data colts and buggy
huin’t wu‘th half that, while de doctor won’t
charge much for settin’ Massa Rickerly’s arm,”
was the unexpected ly, and both Raynor
and Agnes laughed at t is view of the affair.

“ I am so sorry and I regret the loss of your
‘fine horses as we ,”said Agnes, as they walked
on up the ath together.

‘ “ The evils can 0 without a regret, for
devils they ware to rive. I got this broken
arm in tryingto cut them free from the bar-

none.
“But the doctor will soon patch me up, Miss
Ashly, so I beg of you not to mind the affair,
so long as you are safe.”
"You Will go to in home, for we can send

you at once to Greg den, and I will have a
message for the doctor to meet you there: that
is. if you Will not accept the hospitality of
Viewlands." _

‘Thank you; I’ll go on tolmy home.”was
tie reply; and, an hour after, Raynor Rickar-
i y was in his own room at Crag Eden and un
der the tender mercies of the physician.

 

'Was it a wonder that this act increased the

The Planterwpetective.’

already strong liking and admiration of Agnes
Asbly for him into strongest love?

It certainly did; and more:——when Raynor‘s
father left it in his will that his son and heir
was to make Agnes his wife, the young man
obeyed the wish With no regret, and one day, a
month after the departure of the Gypsies from
their camp near Crag Eden, the young master
brought his wife to dwell in her new home.

At the request of Raynor, the marriage was
a private one. If people wondered at this, they
wondered more at the changed manner of the

oung planter. Even before his marriage he
had become moody and silent; his merry na-
ture seemed to have a shadow upon it.

Ever courtly to all, yet a stern, almost sullen
man in the very strength of his splendid young
man ood, when life should have been gayest.

Agnes could not account for it, and was
almost awed in her lover’s presence even before
she became his wife.

Then they were married, and, although grand
old Cra Eden was most beautiful, the same
shadow welt there; some blight seemed to have
fallen upon the young master 5 life.

Visits of congratulation were never returned
and though some repeated them, the newly wed
pair made no si n.

The young wi e was never seen, as before her
marriage, dashing about the country on horse-
back or driving herself alon the highways.
She attended the country churc for a few Sun-
days, then ceased going, while Raynor Rickar—
ly was never seen off his own estate.

Black Pink, who had accompanied her mis-
tress to Crag Eden, was asked, in her visits ~o
her kindred at Viewlands, the reason why 7' .
and Mrs. Rickerl had turned hermits. l:- ,
shook her head sad y, but could not answer why .
Then her visits ceased, and Crag Eden, its mas-
ter and mistress were looked upon with awe,
and weird, mysterious rumors were in circula-
tion regarding them.

CHAPTER IV.
A GYPSY Dons NOT ronanr.

YEARS passed, and the “ Hermite of Crag
Eden " were known far and wide.

Planters riding alon the valley highways to
their homes on moo t nights wou d look up
at the grand old pile on the hill-top and shake
their heads, for the report had gone abroad that
the master of Cra Eden was mad.

Children dreade the place,and Ra nor Rick-
erly was used as an ogre by which 0 frighten
naughty boys and girls into obedience.

Hunt Ash] y the father of Agnes, had gone to
his last test; in the family sepuloher a year
after the marriage.

It was said that his heart was burst by the
treatment of his daughterandson—in-law, whom
he had idolized: but he left to Agnes all his
wealth, and upon the day of the funeral the
family—carriage of Crag Eden had been seen ap-
proac ing Viewlands.

In itnwere Ra nor and his wife—a stern, pale-
faced man, look ng years older than he was, and
a woman whose sad,face revealed sorrow and
suffering.

Cold hows they gave when spoken to, and,
arm in arm, followed the body to the grave, the
man in deep black, his wife in mourning and
heavily vailed. .

A sol) came from beneath that somber vail as
the clods fell u n the coffin, and the form
quivered; but t a husband’s strong arm was
about her, and a moment after she was led
away to her carriage, and people who saw them
shook their heads.

It was said by the slaves that Raynor Rickar-
ly looked after each detail in the mana ement
of his estates, and that he was growin r ch.

About his own rounds he would 1‘ do, often
with his wife, and a had been seen by arties
fishing on tho river-hank. or hunting on t 8 low-
lands: but this was on rare occasions.

TWO children were ail last born tothein. They
were twins, and boys and the neighbors hoped
that this would bring . aynor and his wife again
into society.

But it did not. On the contrary they seemed
to keep still more closely to their hermit—like
existence.

Thus more years went by, and one ni hi; it
great wail of anguish went up from a s rong
man’s heart, for Agnes, the wife and mother,
had died. ‘

The doctor who had attended her, had said
that she slowly faded away——that she had died
of a broken heart; but Raynor Rickerly, as he
stood alone at the new-made grave, in the bury-
ing-ground of his people, discovered, to his sor-
row, that this was not sol

Only the husband, the two little boys. in their
Seventh tyear, and the old slaves on the View-
lands an Crag Eden Plantations, had attended
the funeral. ,

All had returned to their homes except th
husband, for Black Pink had led the two Weep-
ing children away, leaving the stern, white-
foced man to mourn over the grave alone.

The sun was_touching the mountain-tops in
the west, and shadows of the coming night were
creeping over the valleys, as Ra nor stood with
folded arms gazing down nmm t e grave.

Suddenly ere came a w rrying sound, and,
l

I’ ' ." l .

.. 1‘»
l 1 \,~ .

 

3

could he believe his eyes? rm arrow, to which
was attached a. card, buried itself in the new-
made grave.

The man started, drew the card from the end
of the arrow, and a groan was smothered as he
read:

“ Roma Leigh, the Gypsy Queen, taunts you over
the grave of your wife.

“ But the end is not yeti”

Strong man that he was, Raynor ltickerly
reeled under this blow and sunk upon the grave
in a swoon.

It was night when be revived, and making
his way from the sacred spot he reached his
home.

Half an hour after thirty faithful negro men
left the quarters, some mounted, some on foot,
all armed, and went away in the darkness of the

ni ht.

fiy noon they be an to return, singly and in
tries, and they had ut one report to make, and
what it was caused Raynor Rickerly to mutter:

“ Could I have found her I would have killed
her."

More years and Royal and Rafael Rickerly
had reached their twelfth year.

They were handsome lads and had been train-
ed by their father in every athletic sport, while
their studies had by no means been neglected.
They were the very ap 16 of their father’s eye,
and he seemed never appy with them out of
his sight.

In another year he had promised to travel
with them abroad, to complete their education,
and the two youths held high anticipations of
the leasures in store for them.

“ ome, Royal, let us 0 to the river for b.
swim," said Rafael, one a ternoon.

But Royal was engrossed in a book and de-
clined, so Rafael went alone.

Night came and he returned not. The ser-
vants were called, search was made and tho
missing1 boy could nowhere be found. All
throng the night the grief-stricken father and
two hundred slaves searched, but without avail.

Morning came, and the slaves of both estates
were turned out ; neighbors joined in, and every
valle'v and glen, every mountaintop was thor-
oughly gone over.

he river was dragged, cannon-shots were
fired over it, and yet the body was not found.

It was two weeks before Raynor gave up the
search, convinced that his son ad been drowned
and the body borne away by the current.

Then, from a small town in the Far West, a
letter came to him.

It was in an envelo rimmed with mourning,
and he broke the sea with feverish haste.

The hand he know, yet could not recall.

Then he read:

“ Roma Leigh, the Gypsy does not forget. \

“She stole your chi , and he died here yester-

dsv.

"‘ You will find his grave in theceinetery here, and

it is marked simply:
“ ‘Li'r'rLii: RAFAEL,
“ ‘ Aged Twelve Years.’

“ Once more Roma Leigh says—The end‘ls not
yet!”

1. No groan escaped the man as he read these
mes.

He had already believed his child dead, and
now he knew by whose hand his fair young life
had beentaken, for he did not believe that he
had died a natural death.

“After all my coward fears, since I heard
that woman’s vow of revenge, and which made
me hide like a hunted wolf in my den, which
caused me to impart my secret and my dread
to my lost wife, this devil has struck mo twice
in the heart.

“ She has made me feel, and, my God! if she
felt as I do, how fearful must have been her
sufleringsl

“ But I will cower no longer, for I will Send
my boy, all I have into the navy, and I will go
on the search for that woman fiend.

“I will seek no aid of the law, but will find
her, and my revenge will make her regret that
ever she was born.

“ So shall it be, for I vow it before God! ay,
by the ashes of my blessed Agnes and my be-
lovcd child!” ‘

CHAPTER V.
A HADMAN’S anvnnon.

THE grave, to which Roma Leigh had direct~
ed the man she hurt so deep , was opened, and
the body of the youth was me to a resting-
Eaceb the side of the dead mistress of Crag

den, n the family burying-ground of the
Rickerlys.

Soon after, Ravnor Rickerly and his son left
Crag Eden and Viewlands to the care of an
overseer, and went, it» was said, to travel in
foreign lands; but within the year the name of
Royal Rickerly appeared as anewliy-appointed
midshipman at the United States ava Acad-
emy, and those whom curiosit or interest
caused to make in uiry were to] that Raynor
Rickerly was trave ing abroad.

In truth, letters bearing a foreign postmark
were passing regularly throu h the village
post-office in Virginia, a few in Ice from Crag
Eden, addressed to the overseer in charge of the
two plantations.

..

\

 

 
   

4:

 

 

This overseer, Homer Scott, must have been
selected by the master of Crag Eden as a conn—
terpart of himself, for he was a stern man,
though ever kind to the slaves, and a thorough
manager, while, when asked about the master,
he very bluntly gave reply that he considered
it no one's business to know, and until Mr.
Itickerly gave him orders to instruct his
(iiieighbors about his movements, he would never

0 so.

From the time of the visit of the Romana
Gypsies to the neighborhood of Crag Eden, when
Raynor Rickerly and Roma Leigh had met at
their old trysting-place in the arbor on the cliti’,
no one had seen any of that dark—faced, roaming
peogle in Virginia.

T e taxes on Queen Roma Leigh’s land had
been regularly paid and in his search for the
woman, after traveling for ‘some months with
Royal and then leaving him at the Naval
Academy, Mr. Rickerly had gone to the one
from whom the tax-money had come.

That person was a lawyer, knew his client as
Roma Leigh and could on] say that he received
the money at stated times fsi'om her.

“ From where?"

He had not even noted that, but would look.

The letters were in the Gypsy Queen’s writing,
which Raynor Rickerl knew well, and simply
lnclosed the money, whi e they werepost—marked
at a dozen different places.

These places Raynor Rickerly jetted dOWn,
and then his search began.

At not one of those towns did any one know
an ht of the Romana Gypsies.

dvertisements were putin the pa are, asking

the whereabouts of al Gypsies, t at a book

imight be written of them, and oflering an in-

centive in the Way of payment to any person
sendin valuable information.

This ‘ blind " caused Raynor Rickerly to re-
ceive hundreds of letters from all parts of the
country.

He ascertained from them the whereabouts of
a. few of the Gypsy bands, and then again went
on the search.

Thus three years passed, and one night Ray-
nor Rickerly, as untiring as a bloodhound, and
as relentless, arrived at a seaport on the Eng~
lish Coast, where he had heard there-was a band

of 

He not been misinformed, for in a glen
without the town a band of these wandering
people were encamped.

It was said that they were the remnant of the
real Romana tribe, and could count their wealth
by the scores of thousands.

Their number was not large, a couple of hun-
dred all told perhaps. They dressed in a. cos-
tume that was striking and picturesque. They
had roamed the earth over, people said, and, as
firoof of this, the blue flag over their ruler’s tent

ad in its center a golden globe, and with a red
line to mark their tracks over sea and land, for
when their humor pleased them to visit other
shores, the sea was no obstacle, a vessel was
chartered and their ceaseless pilgrimage con-
tinued.

The Queen of these wanderers was a remark-
able woman. She was very beautiful, her form
almost rlish though it was said she was verg—
in on t irty-tive years of age.

or dress and Jewels an empress might have
envied, but, despite her personal beauty, the
almost constant smile upon her face was re-
pelling rather than winning, and her eyes shone
with aluster that would have looked better in
the orbs of ati css.

She was ma ed, and her husband was like a
very slave in his devotion to her even more
subservient than were any others of her peo le.

“ A messenger to see you. Queen,” said er
husband, approaching her tent accompanied by
a man dressed as a laborer in the coal-mines,
whose face was smeared with soot, and hair
and heard unkempt. .‘

“What would you with Rome, the Gypsy?”
asked the woman, imperiously.

“ I am a poor man. Lady Queen, and live
with my old mother. She is troubled much by
dreams and forebodings of evil, so would con-
sult your knowledge as to the future’s store for
her and. me, of good and evil. Here is gold,
an 112’: no sma’ sum for a poor man.

“ You will have to go to her, for she is cri
pied and canna’ come to you. Her home is t e
red cottage on the hill where are the five
maples in the yard. It stands alone, Lady
Queen. Go there before set of sun, for mother
will be waiting your coming. ”

The man spoke hastily,” thou h impressed
with the (power and presence 0 the Gypsy
Queen, an was anxious to get away.

The sum he gave was generous, and Roma
said that she would go within the hour.

Just before sunset she knocked at the door of
. the“little red cottage, with thefive maples in
the yard.”

An aged voice bade her enter, which she did, ,

to find an old woman within, seated in an easy-
chair near a table. upon which stood a. decanter
of wine and two
“ You are the
t I Yes."
“ Be seated, and
you talk, for it is said

ypsy Queen?” she asked.

' wine with me before
soften the tongue of

    

 

the fortune teller against bitterness toward the
one whose future she foretells,” said the woman,
in a trembling voice, and she filled the two
glasses with Wine. ‘

Roma Leigh dashed oil? the Wine with the air
of one Who loved the intoxicating Cup, and the
old woman also drained her glass, but slowly.

“ What would you know, mistress?"

And Roma threw herself into a. large,clumsy-
looking easy-chair in front of the old woman.

There was a rattling, clicking sound, and in-
stantly steel arms crossed over the neck, body,
and clasped the feet of the Gypsy. .

She was a prisoner in the chair, in the grip of
an infernal machine!

At the same moment the old woman arose; a
wi of White hair and a ca were removed; spec-
tac es were dashed from or eyes; the neck-
erchief and gown were cast aside, and the tall
form of a man confronted her.

“ Raynor Rickerly I”

The name came in a shriek from the Gypsy
Queen, while her eyes became bloodshot With
terror, for the stern face, almost fiendish now
in its look of joy, was that of the master of Crag

‘denl

“ Yes; I am Re. nor Rickerly, Roma Lei h
curse of my lifel hriek howl. weep, beauti ul
monster tha you are! You at last, after years
of search, ar in my power.

” That chair is the infernal invention of a
madman, and I bought the toy that it mi ht be
your death—couch. The Wine you dran was
poisoned. It will kill you in just one hour. You
will die slowly, and my presence will be your
anguish.

“ Ay, call for help, shriek while you can; but
no one will hear you, no help will come!

“ You poisoned my wife, you killed my son,
and this is my revenge!

“ Your threat made a coward of me, because
I feared for her I loved; I forced her to live like
arecluse. I told her all—all What you and I
had been to each other. and your vow of re-
venge filled her soul with terror of evil as it had
mine.

“ Our fears were not uncalled for; you mur-
dered her, ou murdered our noble boy, and you
said that t e end was not yet.

“ You meant that my other son should die,
and that I, a broken-hearted man, should 0
down to the grave in despair, and you we (1
have kept your vow.

“But, monster of cruelty that you are, you
aroused a spirit of implacable revenge in me,
call it madness if you will. I have dogged you
to your death; I have nerved myself to kill you,
to cruelly, relentlessly kill you.

“ I could hardly keep my hands ofl.’ your
throat, ou beautiful fiend, when, dis ised as a
miner, visited your camp to-day an sent you
here—here where you now are dying before my
9 es!

y“ Now die, and I will gloat over your agony.”

He stood before her With folded arms, his eyes
upon her terror-stricken face, and his ears deaf
to her pleadings for mercy.

Slow y the minutes asscd, until at last, the
head of Roma Leigh ell forward; the Gypsy
Queen was dead.

 

CHAPTER VI .
A B n A v s: n 0 Y .

As quietly " as a thief in the ni ht ” the
master of Crag Eden came back to s ome
which for over four long years had not echoed
to the ste of a. human being, for it had been
closed by t e overseer, and even the old family
servants had gone to take up their home in the
slave quarters.

One noon the overseer, Homer Scott, had re-
ceived a letter from Washington City.

It read:

“ I will return at once. Ramon RICKERLY."

The overseer smiled, as though the tidings
were pleasant to him.

_He was an honest man, had been a good and
faithful steward, and had nothing to fear from
the master’s coming.

Black Pink was at once looked up and told the
news, for she had develo d into the house-
keem of Crag Eden, an Darius, the butler,
Tip , the ho l, Patience. the cook, with
the coachmhn an stable assistants, were all
called into a general consultation.

The result was that a. we on rolled up to the
mansion with their traps, t e overseer had gone
ahead to open the doors, rusty from disuse, and
Crag Eden at once became a busy scene.

The windows and doors wereopened,sweeping
and dusting indulged in, and the place was no
half in readiness, after its long assertion when
a carria e from the town ‘ rolled up just after
dark an Raynor Rickerly stepped out.

His hair had whitened in the time he had been
away- his face was sterner perhaps, but he had
a kin greeting for all, and said, with a look of
real leasure to Black Pink the next day:

" be old place needsoverhaulinibadly, Pink,
and the furniture is Worn and mot eaten. We
must fit it up and refurnish it, for the young
master uates soon, and the place must look
chee to welcome him as he will have a leave
at home for two months. ’

Black Pink was in an ecstasy, and she quick-

~ /

 - l

Thfilantsr Petectxe-__

 

   

 

ly reported the prospects in the servants7 hull,
addin :

“ 1 gecar', masa must be in love ag’in. 1 iii.
he’ll never git no one like my poor missy was.

“Wal, I hopes he won’t change his mind
about flxin’ things. ”

To the joy of the servants he did not, for a
general overhauling of the place was begun.

Carpenters, painters and upholsterers were
sent for and came from the city to go to work,
and Raynor Rickerly overloo ed them with
real pleasure, glad it seemed, that all would be
so cheerful about Crag Eden when Royal, his
son, would return.

The stables were refilled with horses, a new
carriage and buggy was bought, the flower
gardens, which had not been wholly neglected,
were soon in blooming condition, and half the
house was refurnished.

At last all was in readiness for the coming of
the young sailor.

The neighbors, many of Whom had said un-
kind things about Raynor Rickerly, still held
aloof.

They had called him a madman, n miser, had
said that his cruelty had killed his wife, and
driven even his son Rafael to take his own life
to esca e his harsh treatment, and naturally
they he d aloof, not caring to call upon the re-
turned master of Crag Eden.

They wondered at the change and were
anxious to know what the upshot of it all would
be.

Some six weeks after hisown return, Rickerl y
received a letter from his son. It was dated at
the Naval Academy, and read :

“ I stood number one in my clas ,and take all first
honors. Will have a two-months‘ leave to spend at
dear old Crag Eden With you, so expect me within
a week, for I shall stop in Washington a few days.

“ Your attached
I 5‘  Vb

Raynor Rickerly dashed a tear from his eyes
as he read the letter and then he called Black
Pink and Darius and read the letter to them,
and within an hour it was all over the two
plantations that the young master would soon
arrive. .

That young gentleman meanwhile had left the
Academy with flying colors, tarried awhile in
Washington, and then taking the train to the
neareststation to Crs Eden,had, upon being
unable to find a suita le conveyance tocarry
him home, hired a boat and a. couple of ne—
groes to row him there.

They pulled hard, hoping to reach Crag Eden

.befor nightfall; but the current was sWift and

musc es are human machinery, so they were yet
several miles away from their destination when
darkness settled down u n the land and water.

“ Do you see that lig t ahead, boys?” asked
Royal, addressing his two oarsmen, who turned
an glanced in the direction indicated.

“ Well,that is Riverdale,the plantation home
of Colonel Burbank, and Crag Eden is but a
mile and a half from his landing, so pull with a.

will, if you don’t want to miss one of Mammy V

Black Pink’s grand suppers.” and the memory of
the good thi s of his childhood,which Black
Pink spoiled im With, coming over him, he
lapsed into deep meditation.

Suddenly he was startled from his reverie by
a. wild scream; then followed in a. man’s hoarse
vowe:

“ Do that again, girl, and I’ll knife you! Full,
boys! ' I’ll keep my hand over her mouth so she
can’t screech a sin 1”

Out from an or the shadow of. the lsnd_shot a.
boat, almost upon the one in which sat Midship-
man Ro s1 and his negro crew, and which it
was evi out had not been seen by the speaker.

“Ls. alongside of that boat, men, for there
is devi try being done I" cried the young mid-
slii man. _

omethinfi in his tone compelled instant obe—
dience, trig. toned as the negroes Were.

The next instant the two boats came together
with a crash, Royal Rickerly sprun into the
one that had so suddenl been chec ed in its
pro . .s, and two pistol-s ots rung out on the
nig 1: air.

 

CHAPTER VII.
nmsuiriuN RICKERLY.

Wunx Midshipman Royal Rickerly so dar-
ingly boarded the boat, he had not thought of
the chances for or against himself in a struggle
with what miglht prove to be desperate men.

At the Nave. Academy he had been noted for
his pluck. his courtly manners to is fellow-
cadets and officers, and as one who ad taken
alll'azin in 

He ha h hisba es, and, thanks to his fa-
ther’s good training, he had come off victor,

anda man whom he once fought with was his ,

friend afterward. ' 2

He stood at the head of his class. and yet not
a fellow-cadet envied him the position they felt
he had won. _

His purse was open to his friends, and many
a poor fellow had received help from him with-
out show.

On a cruise he had gone aloftin a e and se-
cured a sail, and once in a storm he d sprung
overboard to save a sailor who could not swim,
and the two were with the greatest difficulty

\ o. .:

  

     

‘-

 

 

 

 

 

3-1;»

The Planter Detective.

' 5

 

rescued by the life-boat, and the middy had
made light of his danger.

Now, after over four years7 absence, he was
returning to his boyhood’s home as a young
naval officer.

He was returning to a home that had been re- '
garded With awe in his childhood, and where he
had looked upon his beautiful dead mother’s
face and lost his twin brother whom he had
loVed with all his heart.

HIS stern father he had ever dearly loved,
for to him he had ever been gentle and kind.

Handsome as an Apollo, strong as a young .
giant, and the bearer-off of the first honors
from his fellow—cadets—such was Royal Ricker- J
ly, t AB heir to Cra Eden, the young sailor »
up )u the threshold 0 manhood, for he was only i
8L; hteen.

And, with the fearlessness of his nature, hear- ;
in: a cry for help, a cry in a woman’s voice, he
had counted no odds and sprung to the rescue.

There were three men in the boat, two at the
oars, one in the stern, and the latter held a form
in his arms. He it was who had fired the first
shot and it had been well aimed.

But a second shot came from the midshipman,
and the one he aimed at fell forward without a
moan upon the form, now motionless, he held in ‘
his arms.

The oarsmen, in alarm had dropped their oars
and turned upon the midshi man, one with a
knife, the other with a isto ; but, before the
latter could fire a secon shot he was struck a
:stunning blow by an our in the hands of one of
the negroes, and he fell overboard and sunk
from sight, while his remaining comrade, with
knife upraised, was checked byn thrust from
the midshipman’s sword.

" Pull ashore, quickly, lads, with both boats,
for the lady has swooned, perhaps has been
slain, and I am wounded."

As he spoke Royal Rickerly sunk down in the
boat as though from weakness.

The negroes needed no second bidding, and
were soon at the landing, while people were seen
rushing to the spot with lanterns, alarmed by
the lirin .

“ W ha is all this?" cried a stern voice, as a
gray-haired gentleman came upon the scene,
with half a dozen negroes following with lan-
~(PI‘I’IS.

“ Dese dead men, sah, was carryin’ off a lady,
s ih, and when she cry for help dat young officer
he attack (is robbers and dare was a scrimma e,
massa, and he ani wounded, maybe kilt, for e
«do look like it.”

But Colonel Burbank was bus before he
negro oarsinan had finished his exp anation, nd
Till:ng the form in the stern of the boat, still
grasped by the dead kidnapper, he cried:

“ Great God! it is my own child! These men
were kidnappers! Thank Heaven she has only
zwogned, but I fear her brave preserver is

ca .

“ Who is he, m man?”

“ 1 don’t know '5 name, sah, for he hire us at
de willage to row him up do river, and he live
at Crag Eden Plantation he say.”

“ Yes, he wears a naval uniform—it is young
Rickerly .’

“ Here, my men, hear him to the house with
me, and do some of you boys stay here with
these dead bodies.

“ Ephraim, go as though you were chased by
ghosts after Doctor Loverin and then come
back by Crag Eden and tell r. Rickerly that
his son is at my house, having met with an ac-
cident.”

The negro darted away, the two oarsmen
took u the limp form of Royal Rickerly, and
Colone Burban , raising his daughter in his
arms, started for the mansion, two hundred
yards away.

“ Father, I am all right now, so let me walk,
so as not to frighten mother.” :

 

Colonel Burbank muttered a ffrvent prayer
of thanks, as he heard the low-spoken words. 1
and instantly obeyed, while he drew the heavy ‘,
blanket from about her person. i

“ I had only faintedusir, and yet I seemed ,
conscious though I could not speak. I hope the i
one who came to my rescue is not badly i
hurt.”

“ I hope so, from my soul, Violet; but, here
we are and your mother to greet us.” ‘

A few words of ex lanation were given the
frightened mother by or daughter while Colo-
nel Burbank had.the midsbi man'horne into a
guests’ chamber, Just as Dr. overing cameinto ,‘
the room.

“ What is it. colonel, for I met Ephraim just
outside your gate, and he sent me here, but
gave no reason.” ’ '

“ Doctor, on are the most welcome man in
the world. y daughter was kidnapped; this
young man went to her rescue, and has been

ad! wounded, so I leave him in your hands.”

“ I nd your dau hter?” asked the man of
medicine, as he coo y threw aside his coat and
opened his surgical-case.

“ Painted, but is all right; but, I beg you to
lose no time.”

The doctir was already at work. He had
drawn ofl? the uniform coat, cut away the shirt
and found the wound.

“ Here it is, and a close call the lead made to

his heart. I only hope it is not fatal, as his un—

consciousness would indicate—ha! here is a

second woun I, and this is what has caused him
to faint, for see how it bleeds!" and the surgeon
turned at once to the second wound, which was
in the arm. “It has cut an artery, but we’ll
soon have it caught up,” he muttered, and he
worked with a rapidity and skill that soon stop-
ped the flow of blood.

“ The bullet cut its way through, you see,
colonel, and I thought the blood on the arm was
from the wound in the body, for I did not ex-
pect two.

“ Now to this wound,” and be probed the one
near the heart.

The youth flinched, and the doctor smiled.

“ Ah! that is good indeed, for the bullet

i glanced on the rib, which checked its force,

and—here—it—is!" and the doctor extracted
the bullet with the utterance of the last word.

The wounds were dressed, the baggage of the
midshipman was sent for to the boat,and he
was made as comfortable as possible, just as
there came the rapgd clatter of hoofs upon the
gravel drive, and aynor Rickerly sprung from
his horse.

His face was as stern as death and as livid as
a dead man’s.

His voice was metallic in its tone, as he said
to Colonel Burbank:

“ My son is here and wounded l"

“ Yes, sir, but the doctor gives every hope
now thank God!

“ My little dau hter was kidnapped by an
ovemeer, whom I ischarged, with two confed-
erates. and she would have been carried off, but
for your noble boy, who, on his way home by
the river, came upon the scamps and boldly at-
tacked them.

“ He killed two, even after being wounded
and the third was knocked overboard by one of
the negro oarsmen, and I sincerely hope is
drowned.

“ I will call the doctor to see you."

Mr. Rickerly made no response, but simply
grasped the hand of the colonel.

His face lost its fearful expression, and as the
colonel turned away to call the physician, he
muttered:

“Thank Heaven, I made no mistake.

“ I feared,after all,that I had failed,that she
yet lived and this was her work.”

CHAPTER VIII.
THE PLEDGE or A GIRL.

Tan: body of the kidnapper, whom the negro
oarsman had knocked overboard into the river,
was found lodged against some rocks a mile be-
yond the scene of the short, sharp combat upon
the water, and was buried, with the remains of
his comrades in crime, on the other shore of the
river.

Upon the body of the discharged overseer
were discovered some papers which told of his
plot to kidnap Violet Burbank and keep her in

iding until her father paid a large sum of
money for her return, and his deviltry would
1181;?! met with success but for the brave young
in y.

The two negro oarsmen, before they went back
to the village with handsome rewards for their
services, were glad to be allowed to go in and
press the hand of the young sailor in farewell.

In the neighborhood Royal Rickerlv at once
became a hero, for the news spread like wild-
fire of his daring rescue, and many were the
hopes expressed for his speedy recovery.

At the urgent request of Colonel Burbank, the
master of Crag Eden remained at Riverdale and
a room was given him adjoining his sons’, while
Black Pink came over as special nurse.

The father was most devoted, leaving his son
only long enough to ride to Crag Eden and back
each day, and seeming never to tire of his
watchful care. 4

He dined with the colonel and his family, and,
as they had never met him, and had been in-
fluenced in their views regarding him by the
gossip of the neighborhood, they were surprised
to find him so courtly of manner, and so bril-
liant a conversationalist.

They had moved into the neighborhood when
Mr. Rickerly had been living with his wife at
Crag Eden as hermits, and had been led to re-
gard him as a perfect ogre, who was cruel to all
about him.

They found him indeed a stern, silent man,
unless drawn out of meditations that seemed
painful, but, otherwise, a charming companion,
and a father who idolized his son.

Did he meet others he was cold, haughty and
silent. but to the Burbanks never so.

Violet Burbank was a girl of fifteen, or soon
would be, and a perfect little fairy that seemed
to at once win the heart of the stern master of
Crag Eden.

She was lovely of face, graceful in form, and
endowed with true nobility of character.

She had traveled ,much with her parents. for
she was an only child, and her mother had de-
lighted in educating her.

She had gone to a favorite seat of hers on the
river-bcnk, the day of the kidnapping, and hav-
ing been up late the night before at a young
folks’ party in the neighborhood, had become
sleepy and dropped off to sleep. ,

 

u

 

It had seemed to her that she had inhaled
some delightful perfume; but she awoke with a
start, was half-dazed, found it was dark and
that she .was enveloped in some rough garment,
and was being borne along in some one s arms.

She had seen the boat of the midshipman und
uttered her cry for help. and then what followed
she only half~remenibered.

Such was her story, and she ended by saying:

“ 0h, Mr. Rickerly, if it had not been for

our brave son I Would have died of fright, I
'now.” ‘

“ He is a noble boy, and I have written to the
Secretary of the Navy of what he did," Colonel
Burbank added.

Dr. Lovering was m0st faithful in his duty to
the wounded sailor, and Black Pink was as de-
voted as a mother could have LL43“. so that it
was not very long before Royal rallied and be—
gan to improve rapidly.

As he grew better Mrs. Burbank brought
Violet in one afternoon, and said pleasantly:

“ l hardly think an introduction is necessary,
Mr. Rickerly, to my daughter.”

The youth smiled and held forth his hand,
which 7iolet took and said:

“ We have met before, Mr. Rickerly."

“Once.”

“ No, this is our third meeting, for six years
ago we met one day when l was riding on horse-
back. My hat blew off and was carried into the
river; I heard a plunge; you had jum ed in, all
dressed as you were, swam after it an brought
it to me. ave you forgotten it?”

" Oh. no; how could I when you thanked me
so meek] for the little act?”

“ But did not come here to talk, but to read
to you, for mamma has said I might, so what
shall it be?”

“ What do you refer?"

“I had selector one of Cooper's sea tales, as
you are a sailor.”

“ How thoughtful of you i”

Violet o ned the “ Red Rover,” which Royal
had read, iut had never thought half so inter-
esting as when read in the low, musical voice of
Violet Burbank.

After a month‘s stay at Riverdsle, Mr. Rick-
ei'ly carried his son home, and, beautiful as was
grand old Crag Eden, it, seemed really glorxmy
to Royal, for it was not gladdened by the face
of the little fairy he had of late seen so much of.

A week after Royal was allowed to be up Mr.
Rickerl y invited Colonel Burbank. his wife and
daughter and Dr. Lovering to dine at Crag
Eden. They were received in full dress by the
master and by the midshipman in full uni-
form.

The guests were almost awed by the urandeur
of the old home, added to the stories told of it'
but they were impressed, also, by the splendid
furniture. the paintings, statuary and the
massive silver service at table.

The servants were perfectly trained, the cook-
ing was delicious, and the wines in the cellar of
Crag Eden were of the best.

The ice having been broken, to so put it, by
Royal’s return home. he rode about the neigh-
borhood, often with Violet, madeafew acquaint—
ances and won the admiration of the youn
maidens and the envy of the bean: bv his ban -
some appearance and the fact that he had al-
ready proven himself a hero.

At length the time drew near for him to re-
port to his ship,which was to start upon a four-
years‘ cruise in foreign waters.

He had rowed down the river to so good-by
to the Burbanks, and had found Vio et seated
in the arbor on the bank.

“I have my orders, Violet, so have come to
sav good-by.”

e saw her start, try to speak, her lips quiver
and tears come into her eyes.

She was but a girl, but she loved—yes, loved
this handsome youth with the intensity of a
woman.

And be?

He took her hand in his. and said:

“ Violet, instead of going to China seas. as I
was first ordered, Iain now to report on board
a vessel that goes at once to the cosstof Mexico,
for war has broken out between our Govern-
ment and that."

“Oh, Royal!”

“ You are but a girl, Violet: I a boy, as it
were: butI love you. and ask your love in re-
turn; and more, I ask you to promise to be true
to your love for your sailor led and become his
wife when he returns, years hence, for I may be
long away i”

For answer she put her arms around his neck,
kissed him. and said: .

“ I willbe true. Royal.“

This was her pledge. and their engagement.
It was’ sanctioned by the colonel, his wife, and
by the stern master of Crag Eden.

The next day Midshipman Royal Rickerly
had joined his ship, and the master of Crag
Eden was left alone, once more.

“ Tl“; -: house is like a sepulcher now, Pink,”he
said, grimly, as he sat at dinner the following

da .

‘ylt is mighty lonely, sah, ’deed it is,” and
Pink wiped a tear from her eyes. forin her heart
came a foreboding that some day it might be
still more desolate.

The Planter Detective.

 

 

CHAPTER IX.
ran LOST LIEUTENANT.

“ MR. RICKERLY, I am informed by this Mexi-
can pilot that good water can be obtained from
a fine spring that can be found one mile up the
lagoon we see yonder.”

The speaker was Lieutenant Edward Hi gins
commanding a schooner-of—war in the nite
States Navy, and the one he addressed was
Royal Rickerly, a iiiidshipman, but acting as
third in command of the vessel.

The scene was off the coast of Mexico a
lea ue, with Frontera in sight.

he schooner had rendered good service thus
far during the fight between the United States

  

shipman Royal Rickerly been sent home as de-
serving of mention for brave deeds, and as the
grim master of Crag Eden read the accounts of
how his brave boy had distinguished himself,
his heart was glad within him. Black Pink,
Darius and the other house-servants had been
called into the library to hear the news.

There was another who read the news with
equal interest, and that one was Violet Bur
bank, for the colonel took all the papers hear-
ing upon the war, having once been a gallant
army officer himself, and he, too, felt an interest
in the doings of his future son~in—law,

Royal had been absent for nearly two years,
and, excepting to occasionally ride over to
Riverdale, the master of Crag Eden want no-
where and appeared to be almost as great a re-
cluse as over.

At Riverdale, however, he dined now and
then, and in return the colonel and his family
were invited once each month to take dinner at
Crag Eden.

The letters which Planter Rickerly received
from his son were always conned over in the
Riverdale household; but those received by Vio-
let from her sailor lover were not made public,
although paragraphs here and there were read
aloud, where they did not touch upon love inat-
ters.

Then came the news that “ for gallant ser-
vices rendered, in landing With a force from the
schooner, and capturing a quantity of stores,
arms and prisoners, Midshipman Royal Ricker—
1y had been promoted to the rank of lieutenant
in the Navy of the United States, by order of
the Secretary of the Navy.”

This good news thrilled the hearts of Crag
Eden's master and the dwellers in the pretty
home of Riverdale.

The plantation people of Crag Eden and View-
lands were iven two days’ holiday and a feast,
while Mr. Rickerly invited the Burbank family
over to dine with him, when the health and suc-
cess of the gallant lieutenant was the toast.

This news of his promotioii,and the joy it had
given at home, had not reached Royal Rickerly
on the day when Lieutenant Higgins ordered
him to go ashore after water, which was much
needed by the vessel.

Mails were slow in those days, and dispatch-
boats to the fleet were the only means of carry-
ing messages and mails, and a vessel off on ser-
vice had to await the coming of orders, or her
return to headquarters, before receivmg tidings
from home. .

And then, too, sail, not steam then was the
motive power of our war-ships.

In the two years since his leaving Crag Eden,
Royal had developed into a splendid—looking
man.

A painting, by a brother-officer, which he had
sent to Violet. revealed him as larger, more
manly, and shaded his upper lip with a mus-
tache, while his face was darkly bronzed by ex-
posure to the Southern sun and Gulf breezes.

One would hardly have recognized him as the
midshipman who had carried off first honors
from his fellows, two years before.

He had proven himself, also, to be a. skilled
seaman, and in an engagement with a Mexican
brig, which had been captured. nd several
fierce fights in the boats and ashore, he midship-
man had won the admiration of his brother
officers and men.

Knowing the danger of landing with a small
force upon the Mexican shores. Lieutenant Hig-
gins had sent half of his crew of eighty men

under Royal, in the four boats, with a small .

howitzer in the bow of one of the cutters.

Hardly had the boats pulled shoreward, with
the Mexican pilot and the young commander in
the leading one, when a vessel hove in sight.

It proved to be a United States dispatch- j
schooner, bearing the mail and orders for the ‘
fleet scattered from the Rio Grande to Yucatan, ’

and, after signaling the commander, boarded
the schooner-of-war.

He had orders for Lieutenant Higgins to leave
the schooner in command of the next officer to
him in rank, and to go in the dispatch vessel to
take command of a brig for a special cruise.

The order also came promoting Royal Rickar-
ly to a. lieutenancy, and a large batch of mail
was left for the young officer. '

The boats had gone into the lagoon, so could
not be recalled by signal, and Lieutenant Hig-

ns_was forced to at once take his departure,

eavmg the command to an oflicer in whom he
i had not the greatest confidence, for, though a

brave man, he was not skillful, and lacked
judgment. ‘
Away sped the dispatch-schooner, leaving the
little vessel-of—war at anchor, and soon after
i night came on and shut out the departing sail
I from sight.
' Then the dim shore line disappeared in the
gloom, and the sky became overcast, betokening
i a storm.
i The commanding officer grew nervous, and
,‘ aced the deck with the air of one who did not
i ike the position he found himself in.
I The Mexican pilot, whom they had had on

I board for two weeks, was ashore, so that in ,
i case of a gale, the schooner could only stand ‘
3 out to sea. and not run into some harborage .
and Mexico, and thrice had the name of Mid- 9

near.

If he did this he would have to leave the
boats.

There were known to be small Mexican cruis-
ers in some of the small ports along the coast,
and if the schooner was seen to have sent her
boats away with half her men, then they might
run out and attack her.

As the storm threatened to come from the
Gulf, and the sea would be too high forthe boats
to come off, with otherattending circumstances,
it was not to be wondered at that the officer in
command was anxious.

Had another been in command, Lieutenant
Higgins, in fact, he would, doubtless, have felt
his way in with the lead-line, to an anchorage
in the lagoon ; but this was not thought of, and
as the storm was near at hand, the lieutenant
was about to give thr- order to get up theanchor,
set sail and beat off—shore, whena loud hailoame
from over the waters.

Then cars were heard pulling rapidly, and
soon a boat came in sight in the gloom.

It was the cutter with the howitzer, and it
was crowded with men. «

The iiiidshipmaii in command had a sad story

erous exican pilot into an ambus of Lagoon
Pirates, and, though Midshipman Rickerly had
landed with his force and fought them desper-
ately, he had been killed and the men had all
been cut down except the few who had escaped
in the cutter.

Hardly had the story been told, when, sudden-
ly, out of the darkness, came a large schooner;
another instant it was alongside, and after a
short, fierce fight, the American vessel was a
prize to a Mexican cruiser which had run out of
a lagoon and captured herl

Then the anchor was gotten up, sail was set,
and the twovessels the Mexican leading, ran
for a haven just as the threatened storm swept
over the seas with terrific fury.

CHAPTER X.
DEAD OR ALIVE.

THE master of Crag Eden sat alone in his
handsome library, enjoying a cigar after break-
fast. He was waiting for his mail, for Hector,
the coachman, had gone to the village after it,
for Saturday was the mail da for Crag Eden
and the plantations in its neigh orhood.

Hector soon arrived, and a bundle of letters
were brought, along with rolls of newspapers.-

The latter were supposed to contain the latest
news, so Raynor Rickerly opened one, started,
sprung to his feet and ordered his horse. His
face was pale, his hands trembling, and, ten
minutes after, with the mail pouch in hand, he
was dashing st breakneck speed down the Crag
road toward Riverdale.

Colonel Burbank, his wife and daughter, saw
him coming, and their faces paled, for they
knew something must have happened to cause
the master of Crag Eden to ride at such head-
long speed.

Springing from his horse, he handed the
paper to Colonel Burbank, and said, hoarsely:

“ Read that, for I cannot.”

The colonel read as follows, while Raynor
Rickerly threw himself into a chair, and buried
his face in his hands:

“THE SCHOONER-OF-WAR COMANCHE LOSTl

 

“ WHETHER Fouxbnnsn AT SEA, DRIVEN Asnoan,
on CAPTURED UNCER’I‘AINI

“ Fate of the Crew Unknown]

“The dispatch schooner, Carrier Dove, arrived at
the dag-ship of the Gulf squadron yesterda and
reported visiting the Comanche, schooner-o -war,
1 at her station on the Mexican Coast on her run to
Sisal, and deliveringorders on board.

"On her return run the Carrier Dove failed to
find the Comanche at her station. and knowing that
a fearful tornado had swept the Gulf. forcing or to
take refuge in a lagoon. she made inquiries regard-

 

? lag the fate of the cruiser, and learn 0. from fisher-
i men and others, that the cruiser had been seen at
her anchorage when night came on, but in the morn-
] in: was not visible.
“ It was hoped by the offlcersofthe dis atch boat
that the schooner had run out to sea; at others
i talked with and that this was not the case. and one
I fishing-crew asserted that they had seen a vessel-of-
war, supposed to be a Mexican, run out Just before
the storm and attack the American, with what re-
sult. however, no one knew.

“ If this was the case. then the American was
doubtless captured by' the Mexicans. though the
authorities in Vera. Cruz. under a flag of truce Sent
in, deny this to have been the cue.

to tell for the party had been led b the treach- ,

“ A boat was sighted ashore from the decks of the
Carrier Dove, and it was sent for

“ It reveal to be a cutter from the Comanche, and
a how tzor was mounted in her bows. .

“Some (1: brls was also picked u . among it a box
from the Comanche. and this won (1 lead to the be-
lief tiiat the brave little craft bad foundered with
all on board, while she also might have been driven
ashore. ‘ I

“ The Comanche has figured extensively during
the war under her commander, and she carries
twelve guns and a crew of ninety men. 7

“ It is upon this vessel that Royal Rickerly, of
Virginia, is an officer, and, for gallant servrces ren-
dered, the Carrier Dove took to him his promotion
to a lieutenancy the very day of the vessel‘s loss.

” It is to be hoped that it the vessel was wrecked
l her crew escaped and will turn up; but if she was
captured those of them who are alive are now .n
1 Mexican prisons,and we all have had reason to know
i what that means during our war with Mexico.

" if the schooner was swamped at her anchorage,
i then there is little hope that any of her crew es-
, caped; but we hope for the best.”

[ Such was the article that Colonel Burbank
L read, in a low, quivering voice.

The father‘sat silent, stern and with covered
face during the reading.

Tears came into the eyes of Mrs. Burbank as
she gazed pityingly upon Violet, whose white
face was perfectly calm, her hands clasped
tightly showing how hard it was to control her
emotion. '

The colonel’s quivering vowe as he read
proved how deeply he felt. _

A dead silence followed the reading} and
then, as it was becoming unbearable, iolet
said in the calmest tones:

“ It is not so bad after all.“

“ Not so bad!” repeated her father, as all
gazed upon her.

“ No, for while there is life there is hope.
See, there are three chances for, and three
against. Swamping, which is the worst—being
wrecked, where there is a good chance of escape
—nnd being captured, where they must be pris-
ouers.

“ Now 1 take the chances for life against:
death, and believe Royal will come out all
right, for it has been pretty well proven he is
hard to kill.” ‘ ‘

“ Brave words, my noble girl, and they give
me hope. Why, you have a courage that
shames me, for I looked to the worst at once
and held no hope,” and Raynor Rickerly
I grasped the hand of Violet and wrung it until

she winced. (

“ I agree with you, Mr. Rickerly; Violet has
given me hope when I saw none.”

“And I, too, hope for the best, so let us not
despair until we know that all are lost,”Mrs..
Burbank said.

The face of Raynor Rickerly brightened at
once.

It did not seem so bad after all, and the colo—
nel ventured that the schooner might have
stood out to sea to escape a lee-shore in a hurri-
cane.

“ And if she was captured, our Government
will demand a speedy exchange,” Mrs. Burbank
ventured.

Violet said nothing. She dared not venture
more. She had hope, and she had given it for
the benefit of Raynor Rickeriy, and yet she felt
a foreboding of evil; but she would hear up un-~
til she knew the truth.

The other papers were then read, bearing up-
on the affair,and what hope possible was gleaned
from them. _

The mail for Riverdale now arrived, and a.
letter came from Royal to Violet. .

Then Mr. Rickerly looked over his letters and
found one also from his son.

These letters were read, and then treasured
more than others had been, for they might be
the last they would ever receive from the young

 

sailor.
Suddenly Mr. Rickerly started to his feet, and

said: .

“ I will start at once for Mexico. If my boy
is dead, 1 must know the truth. If he is a pris-
oner, he must be gotten out of Mexican pl‘lSODSi
Yes, I will return home and depart at once.” '

A glad light shot into Violet’s eyes at this,
and, as she held up her lips to kiss him good-by,
she said: .

“God bless you! Bring him back With you
even if he is dead.”

An hour after Raynor Rickerly had started.
for Mexico.

 

CHAPTER XI.
THE nnxwm PILOT.

THE ilot of the Comanche was a Mexican
who had been picked up in a fishing-smack one
night off the coast. .

He had been offered the alternative of becom-
ing a prisoner to the Americans, or to serve as.
coast pilot under good pay.

His patriOtism was not deep-seath enough
for him to accept imprisonment, so he decided;
on the good pay and becamethe pilot.

He really rendered valuable aid until after-
pay-day; then he piloted the boats to a spring a
short distance inland, by way of a lagoon, car»
rying hisearnings in his pockets.

The truth was that the pilot was ‘a 13300:;

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1

 

 

The Planter Detective,»

 

 

irate—a species of human sharks who lived on '§

exicans if they must, but who preferred to ‘
live upon foreigners if they could. ;

This particular pilot was a member of a well— v
organized band of cutthroats, and had planned ,
well, for the capture by the schooner was all pre- !
arranged, and the Americans had simply car—
riedout his programme, and he had,when the tide
set inshore at ni ht, dropped a board or a bot—
tle overboard wi h written statements of what
was going on on the schooner—of-war. These
messages were picked up by his watchful com- 1
rades, and so it was that the pirates were well- 1
informed. ‘

The water seemed to have gotten out of the ,
casks very rapidly; but erha s the Mexican ,
could havo explained this, an of course he i
knew just where the casks could be refilled. i

As he hinted that a force of Mexican cavalry ‘
might be scouting near, it was best to send a ‘
good number of the crew along with the water-
boats. ‘

This was done, and Royal Rickerly had taken 
command. 

With half her force ashore, of course the .
schooner would become an easier prey to a
Mexican cruiser then lying at Contreras.

The pilot had sent his silent messengersashore !
the night before, so when into the lagoon he
led the boats and the dark shores shut out the
VleW of the Gulf and the schooner astern he j
knew his game was secure.

The landing was made. The casks were slung ‘
upon hand—barrows, and leavmg a guard of two 3
men to each boat, the party took up the march
for the spring.

“What a spot for an ambush," muttered 

_ R0 al as he saw that the way led between two

hil s, densely covered with mesquite trees.

Hardly had the words left his lips, when, as
from the ground, u s rung half a hundred men
on either side, an rom the chaparrals was
poured a withering vollev.

“ Stand firm, lads! Fire!” came the order
from the young officer, and his men, though
greatly rattled, for half a dozen had fallen
head, and as many were wounded, rallied about

nn.

There was but one thing to do, and that was
to retreat.

R0 al had seen the Mexican pilot fall at the
first re, and to retrace their way was all that
could he done.

The barrows were turned into stretchers for
the dead and wounded, and the retreat was be-
gun.

Shots were heard toward the boats, and the
sailors were urged to a “ double-quick;” but it
was no rout; the coolness of the young leader
prevented that.

The Mexicans followed, like a pack of coyotes
after a wounded buffalo, for they fired from
either side and also from behind.

The shots at the boats were now incessant,
and the sailors saw, as they came in sight, that
th 11' comrades stood at bay before treble their
lldw'wl'.

' lie the boats!” shouted Royal.

“ Ay, ay, sir!” responded the «coxswain in
charge.

“ Train that howitzer upon these Mexican
devils and fire!”

The howitzer was aimed at the following mass
and fired.

It did good execution; but a rush was made,
a hand-to—hand fight was begun, and then the
brave sailors broke, for they saw their gallant
young leader fall.

They reached the cutter, the remnant of the
force, shoved off and retreated with all haste
down the stream toward the open water to try
and regain the schooner.

The pirates followed in their boats, and a run-
ning‘flght was begun.

It is known that the cutter reached the vessel,
and what followed, so we will turn to the scene
ashore.

There were a dozen dead, and more wounded,
who had been left upon the land, sti-ewing the
path f I cm the Scene of attack to the shore.

-In the first heap was the Mexican pilot. Mid-
shipman Royal had believed him dead; but
when the Americans retreated, he raised his
head and gazed about him. Then s run to his
feet and placing his fingers to his lips, he gave
three sharp, long whistles.

They were answered, and soon a horseman
arrived. He was a. young man, very dark,
with long, waving black hair that fell upo'n his
shoulders, a silken sable mustache with droop-
ing ends, and eyes amazingly bright and pierc—

in .

fie was gor eously attired in the caballaro
costume of exico, and his broad sombrero
tlnkled with a fringe of gold-pieces.

In his sash were two Colt’s revolvers, just
then coming in use, and he wore a jeweled knife
and sword of rare workmanship and beauty.

He was a dashing, handsome fellow, but the
look of a devil shone in his dark face and pierc-

n eyes.
a rode up to the pilot and said:

“Torres, you have done well; but these fel-
lows have more steel than gold.

" The schooner however, will have less force
to fight with, so the cruiser can readily capture

 

her, and that will be much in favor of Muerte
and his men.

“ Now to see that these men get no mercy.

“ Ha! they have allowed one boat’s crew to
escapel”and thrusting the spurs into his horse
he rode toward the shore, as he beheld the cutter
pulling rapidly away.

Over the line of retreat, caring nothing for
dead or wounded, he rode, followed on a run by
the traitor-pilot.

But suddenly his horse was reined hack, and
the eyes of the young Mexican fell upon one who
barred his way.

That one was Royal Rickerl , the daring
young midshipman who had been eft, as his men
believed, dead upon the field.

A wound was upon his forehead, and from it
trickled a stream of blood.

The midshipman still grasped his sword-hilt,
but the blade was broken, and the revolver he
held in his hand was unloaded.

Still the oung American sailor fearlessly
confronted uerte, the Mexican Marauder.

CHAPTER XII.
ran RECOGNITION.
THE young officer had not been fatally
wounded, as was supposed.
He had fallen from a wound on the head, but
the bullet had glanced on the frontal bone, run
under the scalp and cut its Way out again. He

 

‘ recovered his senses to find the path to the shore

strewn with the dead and dying of his crew.

He saw the cutter flying down the lagoon,
closely pursued; then he knew that all was lost.

Soon the Mexicans began to return along the
path of the fight, and his face paled as he dis-
covered that they were 'robbing both dead and
wounded, and were slaying the wounded as
well.

With an effort he rose to his feet, and, as he

did so, the clatter of hoofs caused him to

turn, and he beheld Muerte, the Mexican, al-
most upon him.

The Mexican seemed fairly startled, and gazed
upon the American with evident amazement.

He simply sat in his saddle and gazed fixedly
at the American.

“ Who are you?" he asked, after a moment,
speaking in Spanish that was perfect.

“ I am Roval Rickerly, acting lieutenant in
the United States Navy. Who are you 1’” and
Royal also spoke Spanish perfectly.

At first the Mexican made no reply, but re-
peated in a dazed sort of a way:

“ Royal Rickerly?”

“ So i said.”

“ You ask who I am i”

“ Yes, for I suppose ou are a Mexican ofil-
cer, and I am your pr soner— Hark! do you
not hear that cry for mercy! Do you not see
that your red-handed devils are killing my
wounded men! Can it be that a Mexican ofli.
cer allows this?”

“ I am not a Mexican officer.”

“ You are a monster, if you do not put an
end to that butchery of brave men by cowardly
fiends."

The Mexican placed a small silver bugle to his
lips and blew several notes sharply,at which all
the cut-throats paused in their diabolical work

and looked at him.

He gave another signal, which seemed to be
an order, by high notes. and the whole band.
stepped forwardxas if to form in rank.

“ You are too late, for they have killed every
wounded man.”

“ Except yourself.”

“I am ready to face my fate, whatever it
may be,” was the fearless resiionse
f  Royal Rickerly?”said the Mexican, thought-

u y.

“ So I said, senor.”

“ An acting lieutenant in the United States
Navy?”

“ 1 ani.”

“ An officer of the American schooner lying
ofl‘ this coast!”

“ Yes, and I came ashore for water, under the
lead of a treacherous pilot, as I now find him to
be, for he now appears as your friend.”

“ He is,” and turning to the pilot, the Mexi-
can chief said:

“Go, Torres, and have the men collect these
dead bodies and bury them."

“ Bury them, senor?”

“ Yes, I said so, and let it be done well, and
every paper, valuable and piece of gold found
upon their bodies I wish to have given into in
keeping. for they are to be returned to th s
youu oflicer.” -

“ ive up our booty, Senor Captain?”

“ Torres, 1 thought you knew me well enough
not to question. Will you obey f"

The young Mexican, as he spoke, drew a re-
volver from his sash.

It was a quiet movement, but one the traitor
pilot appeared to understand, for he darted
away with the speed of a deer.

“ You are wounded, senor?” said the chief,
not unkindly.

“ A flesh-wound that stunned me, but did not
harm the much.”

“ 1 do not like a wound in the head, and my
sur eon shall examine yours, for'it may bring
on ever.”

 

'7

 

Again the silver bugle was raised to the lips,
and a musical order given.

In response a man came quickly out of a
clump of mesquite trees. where the. MeXIcan
wounded had been carried. and they were not a
few.

The stranger was attired as though he might
be a Mexican ofllcer: but his sleeves were rolled
up, and he appeared as though he had left off
work to obey the call.

“ Senor, see to this wounded officer," ordered
the chief.

The surgeon at once step ed up to Royal and
examined the wound care ully.

A peon attendant had followed with a case of
instruments, and taking a probe the surgeon
thrust it into the wound with a not gentle hand,
but the young American did not flinch.

Then be pressed the bone, looked at the
wound where the. bullet had cut its way out
through the scalp. and turned toward the
chief.

" Well;m

“ The skull is not fractured, Senor Captain,
and the wound is slight and will soon heal.“

“ It is well, so dress it with all care and
quickly.”

Royal Rickerly sat down upon a fallen tree
and the surgeon dressed his wound with consid—
erable skill and care.

“ It is done, Senor Captain.”

“ Thank you.”

And the surgeon and his assistant returned
to the temporary hospital among the ines-
quites.

All this time the Mexican commander bud
remained in the saddle, as though ready to dart
away ; but now he rode nearer to the American,
who arose at his approach and said:

“ I have to thank you, senor, for this lxind~
ncss; but I regret that my poor, brave men
were compelled to die.”

“ It was the fortune of war.”

“ I have heard tbnt the Mexicans were often
merciless to prisoners, but. I had hoped that it
was not true."

“ Now you know to the contrary. sefior."

“I am sorry to say that I do: but, may I nsl:
your name and your rank in the army 9"

“ I am not in the army, senor."

“ Ah! in the navy r"

kt N0.”

“ Yet you have a command i"

“ True: one afloat. another ashore.“

“ And yet you are not a Mexican oilicer?"

(I No.”

“ I cannot understand."

“ Permit me to explain. Ashore I am Muerte,
the M urnuder——chicf of a band of bundits'”

It  Ill

“ Afloat I am Muerte. the Lagoon Pirate.”

“ Ha! I have heard of you."

“ Doubtless. 1 am not altogether unknown
afloat and ashore.”

“ I have heard of you as the veriest cut-throat,
and if you are the man, then I need not wonder
that my brave fellows were butchered after
they were wounded. "

“ You are severc. senor; but I have another
name, one I am never known by now.”

” It is nothing to me. since I now know yOu as
Muerte, and yet it is hard to believe that a man
 your face is the monster you are said to

e.
The Mexican laughed as he said:

“ I would have you know my other name,
senor.”

“ Well?"

“ If is Rafael li‘ickcrlg/—ynur own (win-Inw-
(her, Royal!” was the startling announcement.

CHAPTER XIII.
A sraANGr. DESTINY.

“ MY brother! you! you, Rafael Rickcrly,my
twin brother?"

The words fell slowly from the lips of Mid-
shipman Royal. ‘

‘ The .Mexican had dismounted and ad-
vanced.

“ You do not believe it," he said.

H No.”

“ You do not think that I am Rafael l”

“ I do not. My brother Rafael is dead."

“ You think so.”

“ I know it.”

“ How do you know it?"

“ I saw his body buried.”

“ That is no proof. You saw a man’s body
buried. but it was not my body.”

Roval shook his head.

“ You stilldoubti

“ How can I but douth I saw one buried
whom I believed to be my brother.”

- “ What motive could I have in claiming to be
your brother! Let us drop Spanish, and see
howl speak English." '

“ You do speak it perfectly. "

“ Well, to convince you, let me Iayvthat I was
supposed to have been drowned, was I not?”

H Veg.” ,

“ But, long‘after, our father got word that]:

 

-had been stolen from my home by some Gyp-

sies.” »

“ True.”

“ As to why I was taken we will not now
speak, but I was carried to the West. My fo-

r i

\

 

8

ther was written to that I bud died; and more
—he went to the place and found a grave said
to have been mine.

“ A youth‘s remains were found in it, but it

, was impossible to recognize more than the color
of hair and size of ‘he form, and so it was taken
home and buried as my body.”

“ Thut is true.”

“ Our old home was Crag Eden, situated upon
a cliff ovurhanging the river, and I can tell you
much to prove to you thatI am Rafael, so that
you can no longer doubt.

“ I did not die, as the Gypsies said, but was
taken by them into N e w Mexico, Where, after a
long while, I made my escape, for I wanted to
return to my home; but I did not break away
from them until I had taken the life of a vasy,
and that, with the life of thieving and wicked-
ness I h id been compelled to lead, made me
hardened, I fear.

“ After numerous adventures I reached the
sea-coast at Corpus Christi, and there shipped
on a vessel bound for New York.

“ It was wrecked on the Florida Coast, and
in despair I joined a band of wreckers and
dwelt with them a couple of years.

“Well, that made a thorough sailor of me,
but it did not improve my character, I assure
you.

"I then joined a band of Cuban fllibusters,
having felt my unworthiness to return home,
for I had neglected opportunities of escaping
when [should have done so.

" We 8]]de disastrously in Cuba, and I fled
i0 Mexico in an open boat with a few compan-
ions.

“ Simehow Fate seemed to lead me on for
evil, as those who were my comrades were bad
I'n~llows, and it was not long before I took to
smuggling along the coast.

“ l soon became a junior ofllcer, fought a duel
with my chief and killed him, after which I
stepped into his shoes.

" So it went with me, Royal, from bad to
worse, until now I am Muerte the Marauder
ashore, and Muerte the Pirate, afloat, for I
have a band of Mexican cut-throats on the land,
and several trim vessels in the lagoons that are
a terror on the Gulf shores.

“ I have a ranch as well, and live like a gen-
tleman when I so please; but, I like this life of
d, viltry and adventure, and, having become a
Mexican, am of course the foe of my own race.

“ Will you believe me now, Royal—believe
that I am your unfortunate brother, who has
gone to the had, while you have become a man
of honor?

“ I knew you when I saw you face to face,
and I tell you that I was flooded with memories
that nearly broke my heart.

“ Do you fear to take a robber‘s hand in wel-
come Brother Royal?”

“ o, no, indeed, my poor. dear Rafael, for
now I know that you are my brother. Fate has
been unkind to you, and a cruel destiny has
driven you from the right.

“ I do not condemn you, Rafael, but the un.
fortunate circumstances that have made you
what “you are. Ah! what a life has been

ours.‘

h Agd Royal Rickerly grasped his brother’s
an .

“ And our father?"

The lips of the young outcast quivered as he
spoke.

“ He is well, and lives alone at Crag Eden."

“ Dear old Crag Eden!”

“I have much to tell you, Rafael, of the dear
old place and the changes that have taken place
there, and—"

" Come, I have forgotten my hospitality in
the joy of our meeting. Come with me to my
den, and you will not find it uncomfortable,l
assure you.”

He led the way as he spoke into the chaparral,
and there were a number of wild-looking men
gathered together overlooking the surgeon, who
was still dressing the wounds of those who had
been brought to him.

The Mexicans scowled at Royal Rickerly,
and one or two made an insulting remark about
the “ accursed Gringos. "

But a word from the young chief silenced
tlgiam, and a horse was ordered for the American
1 cer.

Just then a man dashed up upon horseback
8 ii J said:

" One boat escaped, Ca tain Muerte.”

"It Will make little iflerence, except that
you men lost the chance of a little more blood-
etting, and the cruisers people will have to do
it for on to-night."

“ hat! will a Mexican cruiser attack our
schooner to-night?" cried Royal.

“ Yes, and take her; but we are going to have
a storm so we will ride on."

And the Mexican chief led the way further in—
to the interior, Royal Rickerly riding in silence
by his side.

 

CHAPTER XIV.
ran BROTHERS.

Tan “Den” of the Marauders, as Muerte
Called his retreat, was a hill in the midst of a
dense chaparral.

K The approach was by two paths cut through

 

The Planter Detective.

' the dense undergrowth, and one of which could

be used as a way of retreat in case of an at-
tuck.

The bill arose sharply from the midst of the
Chaparral, was dotted with ‘ heavy timber only,
and hung several acres in size was a good place

A for the retreat of u-robber hand.
There were small cabins made of saplings on ‘

the bill, a large spring of finest water, a meadow
land for the stock, and a lookout-tree, or rather,
a rude ladder leading up into a large tree, where
there was a perch from which a man could ob-
tain an extensive view not only of ihe land, but
of the Gulf and coast for miles.

As it was night Riyal Rickerly could only
guess at his surroundings, and, as the Storm
came on with great violence, he was willing
cncugh to find a retreat in the cabin of the guer-
rilla chief.

“ You are welcome, my brother, to my hum—

ble home, for this, and the cabin of my little ,

vessel are all the homes I have,” said Muerte, as
he led the young officer into his cabin.

it was by no means so humble a home as the
wordsof Captain Muerte suggested, for it was fit-
ted up With innumerable articles of luxury and
comfort, and a peon servant soon set before the
two brothers, so widely different, so strangely
met, a most sumptuous repast, with finest Wines
that Royal Rickerly could not but praise.

“ And this is your home, Rafael?” said Royal,

“ Of course. now that you have met me, you
will give up this wild life and return to Amer-
ic '2"

“ Why should I?” l

“ For every reason, for father is very rich,
Crag Eden is far more charming than ever, and
you Will find a warm welcome there.”

“ A robber?”

" No one need know this, for I tell you.
Rafael, your secret Will never be hinted at by
me.

“ Yes, you must come, for you will have all
that heart could wish, and you can marry some
lo‘v‘elyy girl, as I intend to do, and be happy.”

on?”

“ Yes, for I am engaged to the daughter of
Colonel Burbank, of Riverdale.”

“ I remember Rivei'dalo, and Colonel Bur-
bank, too, for I have often seen him pass along
the highway near the river, and we met him
hunting."

H Yea-1)

“ And I remember his little daughter, too,
Violet was her name, I think, and you remem—
ber how we used to sit in the thicket and see her
ride by on her little pony, and I said she was my
sweetheart."

“I recall it now, Rafael; but let me tell you
how I met her and became engaged to her," and
Ro a1 Rickerly told the story of his adventure
and love affair with the pretty young heiress of
Riverdale.

The P.rate of the Chaparrals listened with
the doc st interest to all, and sighed, as though
sad at t e thought of how different had been his
life from that of his brother.

“ Alas, Royal, it cannot be for me to lead a
life of happiness in dear old Virginia.

“Let me tell you frankly that I fear I am
doomed to this existence forever. ”

“ No, no, Rafael, for you are not to blame for
tha est.

“ ou did not bring your evil life 11 on your-
self, for you were simpl the footbal of cruel
circumstances, and shoul not reflect upon your-
self. what you could not help.

“ You are an American, not a Mexican, and
can go back home with honor, for no whisper of
mine shall hint of your past.

“ You must do it, Rafael, and Crag Eden shall
be yours, and I will take Viewlands when I
marry, and I am only sorry that Violet has not
a sister for you to fall in love with; but unfor-
tunately there are few such beings as Violet. ”

The young Mexican’s face lost its look of,reck-
less de ance that seemed habitual to it, and be-
came strangelv sad-looking, as he listened to his
brother’s words.

At last he sprung to his feet and said:

“ We will see, Royal, we will see: but now I
am a Mexican, and must do my duty as such.
and I must hold you a prisoner of war until I
can release you as I wish.

“ There,that is our hammock, so make your-
self comfortable or the night, as i must go my
rounds.

“ Remember, you are a prisoner, but my
guest as well, and need have no dread of the

uture.”

He pressed Royal’s band and left the cabin,
drawing hiscloak closer about him as he stepped
out into the darkness and storm.

Dawn came and the storm was over.

Royal Rickerly awoke to find that his brother
had not returned during the night; but by the
time that he had refreshed himself with a bath
of cold water brought by the peon servant from
the sprin , the young captain rode up.

He loo ed travelstained and weary, appear-
ing as though he had been up all nig‘ht.

Greeting his brother with most indly man-
ner, he called to the peon to have breakfast, and
then said :

i

|

“ Royal, I have bad news for you.”

“  y!

" Your schooner was captured last night.”

“ l feared it."

“ Yes; a Mexican cruiser lay in the port and
had no crew, so I furnished the men from my
band.

“ The Government is very willing to accept
the help of pirates, when they need iheir aid,
then it helps me with the Junta to be of service,
while I get a. better chance to strike a. blow for
our own good."

“ Tell me of the capture of the schooner.”

“ Well, the boat esca ed from my men and
reached the schooner, w ich, fearful the storm
would drive her ashore. her commander was
. Ireparing to run out to sea, when suddenly the

exican cruiser boarded her."
1 “ And carried her?"

‘ “ Cert inly."

“ She had but half a crew, and it was a sur-
prise,” said Royal, apologizing for his brother
' ofilcers having been captured with his vessel.

“ Oh, they fought well; but it was no use, for
i Mexicans never attack a superior force, and in
fact are seldom willing to take even chances.”

’ “ And the prisoners, where are they ?”

“ In the port a league from here, if there were
any survivors. ”'

“Any surv1vors l” cried Royal Rickerly, in a
tone of horror.

“ Well, I told you that they fought well, and
more, you had an opportunitv of judging that
Mexicans prefer to carry out the old saying that
dead men tell no tales.”

Royal Rickerly was d "eply moved.

The day before he had been an officer on a fine
little vessel-of-war. and a few hours had made
him a prisoner, slain many of his brother offi-
cars and men. how many he could only guess, and
lost to them their cruiser.

It wasa sudden and sad ending; but it was
one of the fortunes of war and must be ex .ct-
ed, and in his misfortune Royal Ricker y at
least had the satisfaction of knowing that the
disaster had found for him his twin-brother,
whom he had so long mourned as dead. _ '

CHAPTER XV.
A MEXICAN DUNGEON.

ALL day the Mexican Bandit Chief Was away
from his retreat, and Royal Rickerly was left
to his own thoughts.

lie was told by his brother that he could walk
about the hill, and all in the cabin was at his
dis osal for his amusement.

here were books in plenty, Spanish, French
and English publications, a guitar, which he
played well, and innumerable little things,
sougenirs doubtless of robberies upon sea and
Ian .

There were several exquisite paintings, and
an easel and palette suggested that the Mexican
chief amused himself by ainting at times, and
some excellent sketcheso landscape and marine
views bore the name of Muerte, showmg him as
the artist.

Of course,Ro al’s thoughts were none of the
pleasantest; bu he was determiner] upon one
point and that was to make his brother return
with  to Crag Eden.

The peon served him a very tempting dinner
at noon, and a siesta in the afternoon refreshed

him.

Then he drummed on the guitar, sketched, for
hedpossessed the same talent that his brother
di ,and made a faithful picture of the retreat of
the outlaws. I

At last, as the sun neared the horizon, his
brothers. red.

He cargapfifly had been on the go all day, for
he looked very weary, and had little to say.

But he was kind and seemed to wish to hear
R0 altalk. .

t an early hour they retired and never
awoke until called by the peon for breakfast.

Muerte sprung to his feet in the best of
humors.

He appeared to be wholly refreshed,-and en-
joyed his breakfast. '

b

 

bus the days passed until a week had gore
and one night Muerte returned from a long
ride with a clouded brow.

The two brothers seemed now to thoroughly
understand each other, and Royal had won
from Rafael a pledge to go home with him when
they could do so.

Now Muerte looked troubled, and said:

“ Royal, I fear our conversation about leav-
ing here soon was overheard and reported, for
no one knows here who his friend is.” ‘

“ Ab! and can it get you into harm? ’

“ I think not; but 1 would like to sa now,
while I have the Opportunity, that shou (1 you
be prevented from leaving {ust now, and make

our escape, Iwish you to p edge me your word
hat you will not, under any circumstances,
speak of havin found me.” ,

“ But, Rafae , I—”

“Hold! 1 mean just what I say, for I do not
wish to have my existence known until I give
you rmission to tell.

“ have reasons for this, Royal, and you must
do as I ask you.”

There was a determined look in the face at
Muerte, and his brother replied: i,

 

 

   

   

l

“Of course, Rafael, I will give you the pledge,
for I wish you to go with me. ”

“ It may not be possible, for, if the Mexican
commanders have their way, they will put us
both in prison, you as an American prisoner, I
as a Mexican who anticipated deserting.

“ If we a re thus treated, you may be sure that l
we will not be allovwd to be together: but 1 2
have friends, and to escape will he the one thing ‘
to ho e for, and if we do, it will not be together i
that it can be done.

“ I may come afterward, if you escape; but I i
wish your pledge not to speak of my being alive, ‘
until—”

“ Not even to my father, Rafael?”

“ Not to a soul.’

“ I will do as you ask; but do you expect
trouble?"

_ 2: Yes, 1 may as well be frank and admit

“ But why ’l"

“ I said that our conversation had been over-
heard, and it was reported to the Mexican com-
mander.

“ He naturally feels that I would escape with
you, and, with my knowledge of Mexican move-
ments, that I would be invaluable to the Ameri-

cans.

“ It would therefore be better toexecute meas
a pirate, than have me go to the enemy as a
traitor, you see. ”

Royal Rickerly made no reply.

After all was his scheme to esca e, carrying
his brother with him, to fall throug with?

He hoped for the best.

But, even as he hoped a party of horsemen
appeared in sight, riding out of the pathway
from the Chaparral, and they came up the hill
toward the cabin.

The face of Muerte changed color at sight of

them.
“ They are Mexican Regulars ” he said.
Roya .made no reply, and the Mexican

Lanceros came on up to the cabin.

There were two officers and a score of men,
and the’oue in command glanced at Royal Rick-
erly then at the Mexican chief.

“ You are Muerte, captain of the Marauders?”
he said, looldng at a slip of paper he held in his
hand.

“ I am Captain Muerte, the ally of the Mexi-
can Regulars when they need me,” was the re-

P Y-

“ Ten days ago you captured some prisoners,
a party that landed from an American vessel-
of-warl” V

“ I captured an officer, sefior; the men were
slain.”

“ And the officer?”

“ Is here," and he motioned to Royal Rick—

erl .

‘yYou did not send him to headquarters?”

“ Why should I, for was he not my pris-
oneri”

“General Escobedo thinks differentl .”

“ What would the Senor General scobedo
have?”

“ That I return with your prisoner, and also
arrest you, Sefior Captain Muerte."

“ Hal do you mean this?”

“ Most certainly.”

“ On what charge, senor, am I arrested?” and
the eyes of the young outlaw leader flashed.

“Upon the charge that you intended to ar-
range tho escape of this American prisoner, and
thereby betray to our foes the coas wing of our
army, which would enable them to land and do
us much damage.

“You are a pirate, Senor Muerto, so the
general expects you to sell out to the highest
bidder for your services.”

The young chief made no reply.

To resist was useless. for though he had men
within the call of his bugle, who could rally
around him and fairly sweep the party of
Regulars of! of the earth, there was a power he-
hind them that he dared not confront.

So he smiled, and said:

“ I accept the situation as it a
Captain; but you will find that
easily put down.”

Then, turning to his brother, he continued:

“ Senor Americano, we must submit for the
present, but when General Escobedo knows the
true situation, I think there will be no trouble.

“ Now, Senor Captain, we are your pris-
oners.”

“I have orders to iron you both, senor.”

“ Hal but so be it.

“ I do not fear steel and lead, so why should I
the contact of irop.”

He held out h1s hands, and in an instant a
La ncero had dismounted and clasped a pair of
handcuffs upon the wrists.

Midshipman Royal Rickerly uttered no word,
and in silence submitted to t e indignity of the
irons, as had his brother, the Mexican chief.

He knew that resistance would but makeuhis
situation worse.

Then they were mounted upon Mexican
horses, and aken awa from the robber camp.

That night ~Roya1 R ckerly was placed alone
in a. Mexican dungeon, and he could not but
recall the lines of Dante:

" He that enters here

ears, Senor
uerte is not

i can frontier.

 

Leaves Hope behind."

The Planter Detective.

9

 

l

CHAPTER XVI.
IHOPE YET.

TIME dragged its weary length along, after
the departure of Royal Rickerly for the Mexi-

He had made hasty arrangements for his
departure, but carried with him Darius as his 1
valet.

The journey in those days was a long one; ‘

. but a host was taken down the river from i

Pittsburg, and upon arriving at New Orleans, [
a vessel was found ready to sail for the mouth :
of the Rio Grande.

Joining the army of reserve, Raynor Ricker- I
ly discovered the situation to be far worse than '
he had been led to believe.

He was told that the schooner—of—war, upon
which his son had been an officer, was supposed
to have gone down at sea.

He suggested that she might have been cap-
tured, but no news of such a happening had
come into the American lines.

At his earnest eutreaty a flag of truce was
sent into the Mexwan camp, asking if the
cruiser had been captured.

The reply was returned that no such vessel
had been taken b the Mexican Navy.

The master of rag Eden was in a quandary,
and his distress was great.

But he was not a man to give up a half-flu-
ished work.

So he chartered a vcsssl, at his own expense,
put a good crew on board and ran along the
coast to the mint where the little cruiser’s post
of duty had een.

He made inquiry of all vessels-of-u'ar and
merchantmen he fell in with, and upon reach-
ing the fleet urged the commodore commanding
to send ashore and make all inquiries of the
Mexican authorities.

The reply was that had such a vessel been
taken, the prisoners would be in the hands of
the Mexican authorities, and no such report of
prisoners having been taken had been received
at headquarters.

The vessel under the command of the master
of Crag Eden fairly haunted the Mexican Coast
for a month or more, and no news of the miss-
inficrew could be picked up.

no night a flshing-smac was captured as it
was endeavoring to slip by in the darkness.

The skipper was none other than Torros, the
treacherous Mexican pilot, who had been anx-
ious to discover what that vessel wanted off the
coast, and so had determined to find out.

He had seen that she was unarmed and had
but few men on board.

Perhaps he could lead her into a trap.

As most. Mexicans of the lower class look
alike, and Torres had shaved off his beard, cut .
his long hair short undotherwise disguised him-
self, he did not fear being recognized as the
schooner—of-war‘s treacherous pilot.

Besides, he was very well convinced that the
grew of that vessel were in no position to harm

1m.
So he allowed his little smack with three men 1
on board to be cnpturé' d.

She had a cargo of fish, and was not an unac-
ceptable prize.

Torros was taken before Raynir Rickerly,
who uestioned him closely.

He ad seen such a schooner, oh yes, for he ,
had sold fish on board often.

“ Did he remember her officers?" ,

“ Oh, yes, and h» described them perfectly.”

“ Where was the schooner?"

“ That .he (lid not know; but there had been a |
heavy storm one night, sweeping down from the
Gulf, and the next morning the schooner was
not at her anchor.” *

“ Had she been lost?”

“ That was what he thought, or else been
ordered away by her Government.”

“ Were there any Mexican cruisers on the
coast?"

“ None to hunt, sefior,” was the reply.

So Torros, the cunning scamp, was paid for
the information he had not given, he sold his .
fish and was allowed to go, and he had discover- 1
ed all that he cared to know about the mysteri-
ous unarmed vessel which had haunted the i
coast for over a month. i

Despairing of ever getting tidings, and fear- 1
ing, yet hoping against such fear, that the '
schooner and all on board had gone down at 1
sea, or had been captured, and her oflicers and 1
crew were in Mexican dungeons, the master of i
Cragj Eden determined to retrace his way home- '
war .

He had 8 ant considerablomoney, and he had
gained litt o more information than he had
known at the first.

So back to Crag Eden he and Darius wen‘ded
their way, and one Sabbath evening, soon after I
nightfall,a knock at the door of Riverdale Man- i
sion ushered in Ra nor Rickerly.

A bright fire If ogs blazed u on the library
hearth, and Colonel Burbank, n slippers and
dressing-gown was asleep in his easy-chair.

His wife, still a. lovely-faced woman, was
reading, and Violet was seated on the floor, her .
eyies upon the fire, for she was ina deep rev- '
0 6.

The moment that the master of Crag Eden

 

entered, every eye glanced behind him, to see if
there was another one there.

But the face of Raynor Riclzerly had grown
sterner in the four months that he had lmn
away, and his hair had whitened considerably.

“Mr. Riskerly!" and Violet was at his side,
her hand grasping his.

“Welcome home, Ricknrly,” cried Colonel

[ Burbank, springing from his chair, while Mrs.

Burbank also greeted him, her eyes glancirg
piteously into his own, and then at herdnnct
tei‘], for she read what the returned father had 1:)
t: .

“When did you return Washed Colonel flur-
bank, as he felt the silence growing painful.

“ But an hour ago I arrived at Crag Ed Ill, so
came right over.”

“ It was kind of you; but do you bring good
news, Rickerly?”

“ Alas, noi”

. “He is nct deadl Iknow he is not dead,"

. moaned Violet.

“ Heaven grant it be so: but I know nothing.
absolutely nothing,” and in a low. earnest mun
he went on to tell of his search for his ii.i~siiig
son.

“ And no one has been seen, or heard of from
the schooner?"

“ Not one.”

“ This would look as though she had one
down at sea with all on board," said Co onel
Burbank.

“ No, not as our war is with Mexico, for l'
have learned much regarding our foes, and it
may be that she was captured by night, and all
who were not slam put in prison.

“ And again, she may have been driven
ashore, and the officers on.) «row become pris-
oners, and that men as no escape for them until
the end of the war."

“ Heaven grant it may soon end,” ferz'neritly
said Mrs. Burbank.

As for Violet, she had said nothing.

She had begun to pace the room, and to and
fro, behind the cl airs of those who sat l . L mg
the fire, she walked. '

At last she came to the chair of the music: of
Cra Eden, and said:

“ 0 not despair, kcep up hope, for sent-31mm
I feel that the one we a llove is not dead.

“Yes, my heart bids me hope, and l Wl‘l hope
on forever.”_

 

CHAPTER XVIT.
nAcx TO (‘AI‘TIVITY.

SEVERAL days after his return from M» rim, ‘

the master of Crag Eden again rode hastily
over to Riverdale, for he had receiwd his mail,
and there was both joy and sorrow commingled
in his fate, as he entered the sitting—room where
Colonial Burbank, his wife and daughter, were
secite .

“ He is not dead; he has turned up, only to be

, lost again i”

Such Were the startling words that greeted
the family, and in an instant all was excite-
ment. while Raynor Rickerly sat down and
unfolded the paper from which he had gleaned

‘ some Ver',’ important information.

Then aloud he read as follows:
“ A MYSTERIOUS ClRCUMSTANCEl

“Tau: now am AND RECAPTURE or A GALLANT roman
ormoaal

“ The following news comes to us directly from
the American flret off the Mexican Coast, and from
a very reliable source:

“’1‘ e American brig-of—war Mohican was sent on
a special mission to a certain oint on the Mexican!
Coast. where it was said a sc ooner was being m;—
ted out as a privateer to wage war upon our com--
merce at sea.

“The orders of the Mohlcan‘s commander were
to hide in some lagoon, set watchers arllfln‘, am!
when the Mexican schooner ran out, to give chaos;
and attack her.

“The brig found a secure hiding place, mu“. m
were set ashore to watch the entrance to the hu—

. bor where it was said the schooner was liming

armed.

“ One of these men on duty was approached h,
a man wearln a Mexican sombrero and cloak, and
yet he spoke nzlish without an accent.

“ He asked to be taken at once on board the but,
as he had important business to communicate
her commander.

‘The seamen went with him, and he was soonh
the cabin of the bl‘lE.

“ There he made t is statement:

“‘ I am Midshl man Royal Rickerly. and (scan-ii
from a Mexican un eon only a few days ago.

“‘ I s eak Spanis peifect y. so passed for an:
army 0 car on leave, and I found out that this
presence of your vessel in this lagoon is known, and
arrangements are being made to attack herln Don‘s
tomorrow night.

“ ‘ There is a Mexican schocm r ready for scan]!
except her crew. now lying at an isolated anchor-
age in the harbor, and ashore are a party of Ameri-
can ofiicers and seamen held as prisoners by the
Mexicans.

“‘Ican lead a boat expedition to-night to seize
the schooner, and twenty men can do ibis. while
forty more can land and release the prisoneram
hundred in number.

“ ‘The schooner is a fine one, well-armament!
to lie very fast, and is fitted out for a six months‘
cru so. i

“ ‘ By capturing the craft to-nlght you save your-
self from being attack: (1 at your anchorage bv an
overwhelming force tc-morrow night, and you it

10

The Planter Detective.

 

 

 

l
lease a hundred prisoners, get a fine prize that is to i

go against American commerce. and you strike, the
enemy a severe blow; but all should be done
proiiiptiy.‘

"The captain of the brigr was plaid to get the
chance. to curry out so hold a pii t. and he at once
gave the elders for lhe men to take the boats, all
fully armed, and sent for two of his officers to ac»
company the daring young iiii4isnipmaii. whom the
captain also had the pleasure of informing he had
been promoted to a iieuvenuncy.

“As to the fate of his vessel. Lieutenant Royal

Riclu-i'ly suit nothing stating that he “will” give
full particulars at another time: but I hat, I h:- w-hm .11.
or nail lil'BU captured by the Mexicans there seemed
little doubt.

“Under his Mexican garb the young American
wore his naval uniform, though it was decidedly the
worse for wear.

" lie was darkly bronzed and seemed haggard af-
ter his imprisonment; but was full of pluck and
eager to i-‘trike a. severe blow against the )lt‘X’Cfllll-l.

“ l'l ilf an hour after his arrival on the brig, LieuA
tenant Royal Rickerly left her side with four boats
crowded with men.

“The launch, with twenty men, was to attack the

schooner, while the remainder of the force, under
Lieutenant Rickerly. were to land. march upon the
adobe building in which were the prisoners and set
them free.

“ The boat party had been gone. little over an
hour. when a hail was heard off the shore. and a
voice in English asked to have bouts sent ashore,
as there were a number of Americans there who
had escaped from the Mexican prison back in the
town.

“ Treachery was at first feared, but A young om-
cer knew some who were on board Ihe brig, called
them by name, and the boats were. sent ashore and
soon over a. hundred prisoners were on the vessel‘s
decks.

"The offl:er stated that they had killed their
guard and escaped, Without causing an alarm, for
they had heard of the presence of the brig on the
coast.

" The escaped prisoners also stated that the
schooner was ready for sea: but that they feared
trouble to the shore party, if their going had be-
come known.

“Lieutenant Rickcrly had not been a prisoner
with them. nor did they know where he had made

imprisonment, and the resources of the young
officer for taking care of himself were well

- known, and it was agreed that he would soon
' turn up again.

The master of Crag Eden did speak of going
again to Mexico, but he was dissuaded from this
step by Colonel and Mrs. Burbank, who felt that
it would be a useless move on his part, as no
good could possibly be gained by it.

it was late when Raynor Rickerly mounted
his horse and rode back to Crag Eden.

There he read to Black Pink and the other
house-servants, the account in the newspaper,
and every one of them were so hopeful that
“ Mai so l’toyal would turn up all right,” that
the father gained hope most thoroughly, and
muttered to himself:

“ If that woman lived now, and he was miss-
ing, then I would dread indeed; but she is in her
grave, thank Heaven, and the risks he runs are
not from accursed plots against his life.”

And so time went by and a month had passed,
but no news came of the missing young sailor.

The papers had been unable to glean any more
news of the unfortunates who had made the
boat attack, and it was, as usual, not known to
the Mexicans, or at least they said so, though
they were compelled to admit the escape of the
party who had reached the brig, but claimed
that the attack on that vessel had been made by
lagoon pirates.

Each day that passed brought a more anxious
look to the face of Raynor Rickerly, who
longed for tidings of his son, and began in his
heart to dread the worst, while Violet, in spite
of her assumed cheerfulness in the presence of
her parents and of the master of Crag Eden,
was wont to take long walks and drives alone.

i and at such times she would seek a quiet retreat

his escape from, or ought about the fate of his ves- ;

sci and crew.

" Hardly had all gotten on board the brig, when ‘

distant firing was earn, and it was rapid, heavy

and fierce.

" An hour after. as the crew of the brig were on ‘

the alert to Welcome back the victors, as they
hoped. boats were seen approaching, but no schoon-
er appeared in si ht.

"That the lan force had failed all believed; but
the captain hailed as they drew near in the dark-
ness

“ No answer was returned to the bail, and expect-

ing that they might be foes, attempting to board ,

himnnder the guiso of his own boats, tne captain
sent his men to quarters with a rush.

" And just in time, for those in the boats were ‘;

Mexicans, and there were a hundred of them, too.

“ lhey reached the deck of the brig, and but for
the coming of the escaped prisoners another story
would have to be told, for with her \Veakened crew
the craft would certainiv have been captured. ‘

"As it was. the Mexicans were beaten ol‘f With
difficulty, and then. to save his Vessel, as other
boats appeared in sight. the briz’s commander got
up anchor, set sail and stood out to where, he had
good room to maneuver. ‘

“ He did not desert his bouts until he knew the
shore party must have all been captured, and he
saw that there were a number of small vessels get-
ting ready to run down with the armed schooner to
attack him. '

“ As the bar had not depth of water enough upon
it for the brig to cross, there was no need of seek-
ing the aid of larger vessals from our fleet, so the
gallant captain was forced to leave three~score
brave fellows behind him, though as an offset he
brought away over a. hundred escaped prisoners. _

“It is to be hoped that Lieutenant Rick! rly Will
not be recognized by any one who knew him as an
escaped prisoner, as his late would be death, and
that at once, we fear.

"We hope, in our next issue, to be able to give
our readers more news about this unfortunate and
thrilling atfni‘. and our deepest sympathies are
with the brave Lieutenant Royal Rickerly, who as-
caped from a Mexican dungeon but to return to it
almost immediately.

“Lieutenant Rickerly will be remembered as a
young officer whose name has frequently appeared
connected with daring deeds during the war thh
Mexico."

A silence that was painful fell upon all when
Raynor Rickerly had finished reading this
strange account, and it was only broken by
Violet, who said, firmly:

"' I told you that he was not dead, and that I
hid hope.

“ Even now my hope has not gone, for Royal
will return; it was not intended for him to die
in a Mexican dungeon, I am sure.”

 

CHAPTER XVIII.
A MAN’S REMORSE.

FOR 8. long time the four persons in the li-
brary at Riverdale, sat talking over the fate of
the young sailor. _ .

His having escaped from a Mexican prison
once gave them hope that he could do so again,
while his being captured with the boat party
would doubtless keep him from being reco ized
as an escaped American, especially as it d d not
a pear that he had been imprisoned at the scene
ofhis last adventure. . ' '

Of course there was a DOSSlblllt that he
might have been wounded, or kille ; but this
those who hoped would not think of. ' .

At any rate he would have company in 111!

and give way to her sorrow in tears.

One afternoon Raynor Rickerly was return-
in to his home from a ride to the town.

is face was stern, his brow thoughtful, for

he was riding along a road he had not been over
for many years.

The last time had been before his marriage,
when he had gone to meet Roma Leigh, the

, Gypsy Queen at their trysting—piace.

What had impelled him to take that road,
miles back when he came to where the highway
forked, he 'knew not, for it was full two miles
longer than the one direct to Crag den.

Reaching a path that branched of! into the
forest, be halted.

He remembered it but too well.

it was the path that led to the arbor on the
cliff. the scene of his many meetings with Roma

‘ Leigh.

 

Night was yet an hour away and still im-

' pelleil by an ungovernable impuise he rode in-

to the path.

It was over rown now, for then his going
and coming an hers had kept it well-worn.

He went slowly along, and the impulse was
upon him to revisit that old scene on the cliff.

He had not been there since the day when
Roma Leigh had made her threat to cause him
to rue the day when he cast her naide.

But why should he not trample bygone mem-
ories under his feet?

Why should he allow the memory of that wo-
man to haunt him?

True, she had died a fearful death, a death of
appealing for mercyto him,and he had been deaf
to her appeals. ,

But had she not poisoned his wife?

Had she not stolen his son and put him to
death, as he believed?

If had felt revengeful, it was because she had
struck him in the heart, by taking from him
those he lovad.

He remembered how, fearing her, he had
lived like a. hunted wolf in his home, how his
wife had been afraid to go away from Crag
Eden, and they both had felt dread of evil to
their two splepdid boys.

ad that fear had not been without cause.
hat. four had been realized most fear-fully in
the taking away of his wife and one son.

“ If in revenge I killed her, then my sufler-
ings demanded that It should be so."

Such had been his argument with himself, to
ease his conscience.

But Raynor Rickerly could not drown re-
morse, and though he felt his secret was known
but to himself, he suffered. i

The memory of the dark-eyed, beautiful
queen would come to him often in the silent
hours of the m ht, and groans of anguish would
surge up from is heart as he recalled her fear—
fulldeatb, while he stood gazing mercilessly up-
on er.

He had hovered up his tracks well.

Her murder could never be traced to him,
for he had taken good care of that.

The secret was locked up in his own breast,
and it would go to the grave with him.

“ If it were not for Royal, my noble boy, I
would not care how soon the grave shut over
that secret forever,” he muttered, as he rode
along the path. .

Dismounting at the foot of the ridge, he
ugoihed his horse to the same tree where years
cotehe had many a time fastened the animal he
d hr to the trysting—place.

The tree had grown much in the years that

(

 

 

 

had passed since then, and he could with diffi—
culty make his way along the path leading to
the cliff.

At last he came in sight of the lookout, on
which was the arbor.

With ax, hatchet and nails, Roma Leigh
himself had built that arbor.

And they had built it well, indeed, for it had
not become a ruin in the many years that had
passed since then.

Vines had grown upon its sides and creeping
over the roof had made it a perfect retreat, the
entrances being almost closed.

-AS he neared the arbor lie paused, and with
his handkerchief wiped the sweat from his brow,
for thoughts, not the heat, had brought it
there.

He knew that a. few more paces would bring
him to a spot but too well remembered.

He would stand where Roma Leigh had so
often stood with him, gazing out over the mag-
nificent scene before them.

Had that scene changed in the years that be
counted, changed as he had?

He would see, and nerving himself to enter
the arbor he stepped quickly forward.

Then be halted suddenly, uttered a wild cry
and staggered, rather than run, back down the
path he had come, sprung into his saddle and
fled like the wind as though he had seen a
ghost.

CHAPTER XIX.
THE SPECTER.

WHAT had caused the sudden flight of the
master of Crag Eden from the old arbor on the
cliff had been a. being upon whom his eyes had
fallen when he had stepped into the little ro-
treat, so filled with bitter memories of the past.
to him. .

Standing just outside of the arbor, upon the
edge of the cliff, and seemingly unmindful of the
fact that a. sudden dizziness would dash her to
death far below, was a woman.

A woman, and yet a child, it seemed she was,
for scarcely out of her teens she seemed.

A bronzed complexion, tinged with the glow
of perfect beak-13,3. form that was the perfection
of symmetry, hair as black as midnight, eyes of
splendor and full of passion, small hands and
feet and the bearing of a queen, for such was
this lovely being.

Her dress was rich in the extreme, the bodice
fitting close, the skirt falling just; below the
knees, the shapely limbs being incased with
morocco leggings.

About her waist was a. sash of woven gold,
and her neck fairly blazed with strings of pre—
cious stones, while jewels were u on her fingers,
in her hair, and gemmed pins hei)d up the waves
of sable hair. ’

A dirk with gold scabbard and jeweled hilt
was stuck in her sash, and in her hand she car-
ried a. long black staff on one end of which was
aspear-like head, making it a dangerous wea-
pon, and upon the other a small ivory skull and
cross-bones.

This strange woman had not heard the ap-
proach of Raynor Rickerly, but seemed to be
wholly lost in reverie, from which she was
awakened most rudely by his about of terror,
for such it seemed.

She started, turned quickly, and threw her
staff in rest, as though to stand upon the defens-
ive against a foe.

But she heard the rapid fall of feet, and
springing through the arbor beheld glimpses of
the master of Crag Eden fairly flying down the

nth.
p She watched his flight until he disappeared,
and then quiet] followed on after him.

What was in her thoughts her face did not re-
veal, but there was a strange smile curling her
full red lips. ‘ _

In the mean time Raynor Rickerlyhad reach—
ed the highway. _

He then slackened his desperate pace and
glanced nervously about him.

But seeing no one following, he became more
calm, and said bitterly:

“ Fool! fool that I am! .

“It was but the fancy of my fevered brain,
called up by my thinking of her, and the fact
that I was seekinga spot 1 have not dared to
go to in many long years.

“ Why, I am the veriest coward to allow my
fears to get the better of 'me thus.

“ I will go back and— No, night is near at
hand, and I will await the marrow.

“ Then I will go to the cliff, yes, I will go
every day until I school myself to feel that I
could stand even the sight of her specter, if
such things could be.”

He had now turned a bend in'the road which
brought him again into the main highway run-
nin alon the river-bank.

Ego coul also see Crag Eden upon the lofty
ridge that overhung the river, and knew that
he would have to ride half a. mile down the
banks to a. ford, to reach his home.

But he again came to a. sudden halt, for not
far from him he beheld a camp.

It had not been there in the morning when he
left Crag Eden. ‘

It; was a. lovely spot for a camp-ground, and
a picturesque encampment it was, With its odd

 

..4,.-.....4. . , A,

 

 

The PlanterfiDetective.

 

tents, gay wagons, staked-out horses and many
people, who were grouped about under the trees
or around the camp-fires, upon which were be-
ing co. lkC (1 their evening meal.

in the center of the camp was one tent larger
than the others, and upon it strange devices and
unknown characters Were painted.

“ My Godl it is the camp of thc Romana Gyp-
Si’ol

“ They have come again to their camping-
ground, which Roma Leigh bought, and under
the shadow of Crag Eden.

“ In Heaven’s name, Why have they come
here?

“ ‘Nhat can their devilish motive be now?

“ Hal have I forgotten the specter I saw on
the cliff!

“ In the name of Heaven, what accursed mys-
tery lies at the bottom of all thisl—for now I
almost believe, as I see these people here. that
It was the specter of Roma Leigh, the Gypsy
Queen.

“ it certainly cannot be her in the flesh, for
did I not kill her?

“ Yes, and more, this specter was young and
beautiful, just as I had known Roma Leigh in
the far bygone.

“ Ah! here is one of the accursed Gypsy tribe,
and I will question him.”

As he thus said, a man came along the high-
way, leading a horse from the river-bank, where
he had been to water the animal.

He was clad in the picturesque garb of the
Gypsies, and gazed at the face of Raynor Rick—
vrly with seeming interest.

“ Good-day, my friend, are you one of these

'«G ypsiesl" said Raynor Rickerly.

“ Does not my face tell you so?"

“ Yes, and your garb also; but when came
you here?

“ At noon.”

“ And why?”

“ To cam .”

“ Do you‘know upon whose land you are on-
ramped?"

“ Yes.”

“ To whom does it belong?”

“ To my tribe, the Romans Gypsies."

“ I am not so sure of that.”

H I am.”

“ Who is your chief?”

“The Romans. Gypsies have no chief.”

“ Your king then i”

“ life have no king, except by courtesy.”

“ Who is your ruler?”

“Our Queen.”

Royal Rickerly started, but asked:

“ And her name?"

“Roma Lei h.”

Again the p anter started, and his voice sunk
1‘10 ii whisper, as he said:

“ Roma Leigh?”

It Yes-’V

“ Why, that was the name of your old Queen.”

“It is the name of our Queen now.”

“ It strikes me that I heard that she, your
Queen, was dead.”

“ A Gypsy Queen never dies.”

“ About how old is your Queen?”

“ Gypsies live not by years, and our Queen is
ever young, ever beautiful.”

“ Is she in camp now?” and Raynor Rickerly
looked nervously toward the large tent.

“ No, she has gone for a walk in the forest, but
she will soon return.

“ Would you have your fortune read by our
Queen 9"

“ No, no, not this evening.

“ I thank you—good-night,” and with an
anxious glance in the direction he had come, as
though he expected to see a specter, the master
of Crag Eden rode on, while he said in a. voice
hoarse with emotion:

“ After all, that woman vet livesl

“ It was no specter that saw.

“ God above! what is there of evil in store
for me now i”

 

CHAPTER XX.
HAUNTED.

To his grand home rode Raynor Rickerly
and yet even the brilliantly—lighted library and
its luxurious surroundings could not drive from
him the memory of the form he had seen upon
the cliff, standing in the shadow of the arbor.

His dinner remained uneaten, but he drank
:far more than was his wont, for he was a. tem—
perate man, hoping that wine would drown re-
collection.

But it would not, and at last he retired to his
bedchamber to see if he could not forget all in
slumber.

His room overlooked the river and the valley,
and the camp-fires of the Gypsies shone bright—
ly before him as he gazed out upon the scene.

“ They must go soon,” he muttered, and he he-
took himself to bed.

But sleep would not come to him.

Each time that he seemed about to sink into
repose he saw the form of Roma Leigh, the
Gvnsy Queen.

He did not See it as upon the cliff; but he be-
held her seated in the chair which he had pur-
chased from a madman, its inventor, to clasp
Esra: its iron arms and there hold her, unto

as. t .

' near the cliff.

 

1

 

He dared not sleep, for the vision be beheld, 5 Queen. and she stood upon the very spot where,

with tho anguished, pleading face of Roma. Leigh .
was before him. 

So he arose, dressed himself, and returning to
the library, paced t0 and fro until just at dawn,
utterly worn out he sunk into an easy—chair and 1
became lost in deepest slumber. ‘

There, several hours after, Black Pink found l
him. i

She guessed that he was worrying about his ‘:
son, over whose fa ‘e hung deepest mystery.

Breakfast was served and he ate heartily.

He seemed to have made up his mind to some .
decided course. l

After the meal he Ordered his horse, mounted I
and rode away. I

He crossed the river at the ford, and reaching
the Gypsy camp called to one of the band and
said that he wished to see the Queen.

“The Queen will see no one,” was the answer.

“ Why not?"

“ Such are her orders.”

“ Go and say that Raynor Rickerly, the mas-
ter of Crag Eden, demands to see her.”

“ It Will be useless.”

“ Go 1” and the planter handed the man a piece
of rold.

1* e went away and soon returned.

“ The Queen will not see you.”

“ Go and ask her, then, if she will sell to me
this plot of land that my own lands surround?”

“ Our camp-ground?”

‘ t Yes. 77

“ She will not.”

“Go and ask her and tell her I will pay her
price for it, be it what it may."

The man departed, but came back with the
word:

“ Roma Leigh will sell at no price; she would
not exchange it for your whole plantation.”

The planter bit his lips, but said:

“ How old is your Queen?”

“It is not for Gypsies to ask the age of our
Queen." _

“ Is she not one who has seen two-score
years i"

“ Ask her.”

“ I will if she will see me.”

“ She will not see you.”

“ Is there not one of your people here whose
name is incah?”

“There is.”

“ I would see him."

“ He will see no one.”

“ I must see him.”

“Would you force yourself upon one who is
wrong here?” and the Gypsy put his hand upon
his head.

“ Is be mad?”

‘ l Yea.”

“ How long will you remain in camp here?"

“ It is for our Queen to say.”

The planter turned away, and retraced his
road to Crag Eden.

Then he ascended to the tower, and, with
spyglass in hand, sat hidden from view, with his
eyes upon the Gypsy camp.

For along time he sat thus, and then he sud-
denly raised his glass.

“ No, no, it is not Roma. Leigh,” he muttered,
in a. disappointed way.

In the afternoon, as the shadows began to
lengthen, he descended from the tower and or-
tiered his horse.

He armed himself, and was soon riding away
toward the ford.

Crossing the river, he turned into a th that
led through a. valley and not by t e Gypsy
camp.

A ride of a. couple of miles brought him out

 

 

Dismountin , he hitched his horse and began
the ascent of t e ridge.

His face was white and sat, his whole look
that of a. man who had made up his mind to
some stern purposo.

' Hle approached the arbor on the cliff unflinch-
ing y.

At last he reached the spot, stepped into the
afbléll‘, and beheld the one he had come there to
see .

It was Roma Leigh. Notthe beautiful, youth-
ful girl he had seen the do. before, just as she
had been when he had first nown her and won
her love, but the Roma Leigh he had last Seen
in the agonies of death in a foreign land.

Every feature of her face, as there seen, was
engraven on his heart.

Her dress, her jewels, her hair, and her ex-
pression as then, he could never drive from his
memory.

Now she was before him, in look, in dress, in
years and anguished expression as on that fear-
ful day when she had taken her seat in the fatal
chair.

It was Roma. Leigh as she had been when she
had, as he had believed, died by his hand in re-
venge for the sorrows she had brought upon
him, the wrongs she had done him.

Who then had been the beautiful girl of the
day before, who had stood upon that vary spot?

Was it a fancy of his favored brain, or was it
some tri 21:, to first show him the beauty he had
cast aside, and then let him behold the one he

 

had killed?
But there she was, Roms Leigh, the Gypsy

i

a J

as a young girl, she had appeared the day be-
fore.

Ho gazed upon 1 er like one spellbound.

lie liud nervod himsvlf to l’iico tho worst, but
now, when before her, his heart seemed to sink
within him.

Certainly she was dead, he thought, whtn he

ad left her in that cottage in a foreign hind.

How then ('huld. it he that she was now be-
fore him, seemingly her rial Self?

He was true from Hupi-rsiitinu; but ho was
now puzle d beyond all coinprclieiision, for two
Roma Loinhs hull appeared bci'oio liiin within
twenty-four hours, hmh upon the same spot—
nne young and beautiful, the other stiil beauti-
ful, but upon whom two-score years had
fallen.

The woman stood with her eyes fixed upon the
scene before her.

She did not appear to be aware of his pres-
ence.

\Vith a great cil’ort he mastered himself and
ste )ped forward.

I 6 would speak to her; be she flesh and
blood, or be she spirit, he would speak to her.

But his tongue clove to the roof of his mouth,
after he had moved nearer to her.

She bud turned at his step, and her eyes were
fixed up .n him.

She had not started at Sight of him.

She had betrayed no emotion whatever; but
her eyes seemed to pierce his very soul.

He tried hard to find utterance, yet could
not, and about her seemed to hang an at—
niosphere that chilled him.

It was as though he was in a vault.

But Raynor Rickerly had nerved himself to
face the worst.

He had come to that spot in the hope that he
would meet the one who was now before him,
and again he made an effort to speak, and his
tongue found utterance.

But his voice seemed not his own as he said:

“Roma Leigh, I believed you dead; but we
meet again.

“You have again dogged my steps, so your
fate be upon your own head, mutderass, devil
that you are.”

As he spoke he thrust his hand into his bosom
and drew forth a pistol.

But the woman did not flinch, and the words
that came from her lips were unnatural in
sound.

“Raynor Rickerly, how dare you appear in
the presence of the dead, the presence of the
woman you put to death!

“This spot is sacred to the spirit of Roma.
Leigh.

“Gol go ere the curse of the dead full upon

l
yum

He tried to speak, be stretched forth his
hands, but no utterance would pass his lips, and
the blood surged into his brain until he reeled
and fell his length upon the mossgrown rocks.

When he returned’ to consciousness Roma.
Leigh was not there, the sun had set, the shu-
dows were deepening, and tottering down the
ridge-path be mounted his horse and rode home-
ward muttering to himself over and over
again:

“ I am a haunted man !"

 

CHAPTER XXI.
THE GYPSY QUEEN‘s PROPHECY.

As Raynor Rickerly had not been over to
Riverdule for several days, Uoloncl Burbank
grew anxious about him, fearing that the sus.
pense regarding his son’s fate might have made
him ill.

So he said one morning at breakfast:

“ Violet, why not ride over to Crag Eden this
morning and see how Mr. Rickerly is l”

“ I was thinking of doing so, father, for I was
anxious to know if he has any more news,” re-
plied Violet.

“No, for bad he, he would havo been over;
but, by his not coming I fear that he is ill."

An hour after Violet was upon her way to
Cra Eden, and upon reachin the mansion
D as told her that his master ad been called
away from home for seven: days, he thought
byimportant letters received from Baltimore.

“He had heard nothing more of Lieutenant
Rickerly ’l"

“ Not a word, missy.”

“ Please tell him, as soon as he returns, to
come over to Riverdale, as we are all most anx-,
ions to know what he has heard from Mexico.”

“ I’ll tell him, missy; but did you know do
Gypsies was here ag’inl"

“ The Gypsies?"

“Yes, missy, de same as hsv’n’t been here for
man‘yfa long year.”

“ here are they, Darius?”

“ You kin see ’em, missy, from the tower, if
you wants to. ”

Violet s rung from her horse and ran into the
mansion, arius following at a gait more in v
keepin with his age.

Reac ing the tower, the young girl saw the
Gypsy camp and gazed at it with deepest inter-
est.
The negroes had told her many strange I

I

 

 
 

12'

 

The P1anter__Detective.

 

 

 

gends of the wandering people, and her parents
had also spoken of the wondrous beauty of their
queen, Roma Leigh.

That there had ever been a word between the
master of Crag Eden and Roma Leigh, not a
soul in the neighborhood had ever discovered.

The young planter had guarded his secret
most thoroughly indeed as far as the Queen of
the Wanderers was concerned.

“ I have half a mind to go to the Gypsy camp
and have my fortune told,” murmured Violet,
as she stood gazing down upon the picturesque
scene.

“ They do say that these strange people can
trad Signs in the stars that govern the lives of
mortals and I may be able to know of the fate
of poor Itoyal.

“ I will go.”

She spoke the last words aloud, and, having
also caught her drift about the Gypsy camp,
Darius said quickly and with deep earnest-
ness:

“ Don’t do it, missy, don’t do it.”

“Don’t go to the Gypsy camp, Darius?"

“ Yes, missy."

“ Why not?"

” You is goin’ to find out about do future,
missy, and do good Lord never meant for us to
see into that, or he’d ha’ made us all to read de
stars and signs as Gypsy folks do.”

“ I wish to see their famous Queen, Darius."

“ Yas, missy; and she were a beauty in de
days gone by.

“ I has seen her often afore you was born.
and date was some of us as thought she loved
young masss.”

“ Royall” .

“ No, missy; not Mars’ Royal, for he were not
born then, but Massa Raynor.”

“ He knew her, then ?”

“ He g t his fortune tole one day, and arter
that de Queen ust ter often come along the
roads to watch him go by, and it seemed that
she loved him, for after he got married to Missy
Agnes Ashly, of Viewlands, the Gypsies didn’t
come here only once or twice.

“ But the Queen must be gettin’ to be along in
ago now, for that were over twenty years ago,
missy.”

“ Have you seen her this time?”

“ No, missy, but I s’pects massa have, for he
went over to de camp, and he have been so
fretted ever since they come, for he didn’t eat,
and he didn’t sleep, so I s‘pose de Queen tole him
suthin’ he didn’t want to hear.”

“ About Royal?” quickly asked Violet.

‘LI dunno, missy; but was fearful it were
so.

“ I will go at once to the Gypsy camp.”

And hastily descending the tower Violet Bur-
bank monnted her horse and half an hour later
rode up to the G sy camp.

A man with ong, gray hair and a striking
face, but with erect form and clad very gor-
geously, walked toward her as she halted on the
edge of the camJ). '

“ What won] the lady i” he asked, with a cer-
tain politeness that was marked. ‘

" To see your Queen."

“ You come, lady, from the Crag Eden
home?"

“ No, I merely went there to see how Planter
Rickerly was, but he is away.”

“ Absent?” asked the man, nickly.

“ Yes, he has gone to the div.”

“ And you would see our Queen?”

H  77

“ You would have her read the future for
you?"

“ I would know certain things which it is said
her art can discover.”

“I am Incah, lady, the Gypsy king, though
our People are ruled y a woman, not a man.

“ will tell the Queen ,your wish and let you
know if she will see you.

The man departed and disap
the tents, while Violet sat upon
voust awaiting his return.

It was some little time before he returned, and
he said :

“ Dismount. lad ,for our Queen will see on."

Violet tremble violently, but accept the
pol itely offered aid of the Gypsy king and sprung
to the ground.

A dark-faced lad ran forward to take her
horse, and Incah led the way to the large tent,
the uarters of the Queen.

“ ' lady without asks admission, Queen Roma
Leigh,” said Incah, as be reached the tent.

Instantly the curtain was raised and Roma
Leigh bade Violet enter with the words:

“ You are welcome, Miss Burbank, to the
home of the Gypsy Queen."

“ You know me ?" asked Violet, with surprise,
while in utter astonishment she gazed upon the
one before her.

She had expected to behold a woman of forty
years of age, at least.

Ins d she beheld a young girl, certainly not
onto her teens, and with a ace of wondrous
beauty.

Every feature was rfect,the eyes were mar-
lgels of log]inesg.fan lwtllie freefithough bronzed

ysnou oor ie to nshof rfect
health. ’ pe

Her form was perfection, her every movement

Q

red among
er horse, ner-

 

graceful, and her costume rich enough for the
favorite of the Sultan’s harem.

The tent was a perfect scene of luxury, a
divan serving as a sleeping—couch, and silken
curtains hanging upon all sides, with velvet
rugs upon the. floor, and innumerable articles of
brLc-u—(n‘ac from many lands.

“ You know incl” said Violet again, as she
sunlginto a most comfortable seat.

“ Yes, I know you as Violet Burbank.”

“ Yet we never met before?”

“ In my dreams only have I seen you before.”

“ You have dreamed of me, then?”

H Yes.”

“ Yet how did you know me?”

“ You came before me in my dreams as one I
would some day meet, and {our name I read by
the stars, as Violet Burban .”

Violet was puzzled, for the maiden looked to
the soul of truth.

“ You certainly know me,” she said, and then
added: “ And you are Queen of the Gypsies?”

“ I am Roma Leigh, the Queen of the Romans.
Gy sies.”

‘ But you certainly cannot be the Roma Leigh
about whom I have heard stories told, for she
was here before I was born."

“ I am Roma Leigh."

“ Yet you seem scarcely as old as I am i”

The Gypsy smiled and said, as though anxious
to change the subject from herself:

“ You came to ask me about one you love i”

Violet started.

The maiden seemed to have read her very
thoughts.

“I came to ask you, if in your power, to tell
me all that I would know about the fate of one
I care for as a friend.”

“ As a lover, for I can read in your eyes the
difference between friendship and love.

“ You refer to Royal Rickerly, the heir to
Crag Eden 2‘"

Again Violet started, and she began to feel
impressed in the presence of the girl, as though
before some supernatural being.

“ Yes, I would know all that you can tell me
of—of—him.”

“ Royal Rickerly?”

H Yes. 77

The G ps arose and stepped beneath what
appears to e an umbrella, which hung in one
corner of the tent, and beneath which was an
altar-like table, before which was a stool.

Upon the stool she knelt, her elbows resting
upon the altar and her face in her hands.

Then from the umbrella fell a sable curtain
all around her until she was hidden from sight.

A few moments of intense silence followed,
and then slowly the sable curtains rose, drawn
by some invisible hand, and the kneeling form
was again revealed.

Violet did not speak, and ere long the Gypsy
Queen raised her head, looked about her in a
dazed kind of way, and, rising, approached her
visitor.

“ I will tell you what I saw of your life, and
his, lady.

“ I saw where your paths met in childhood,
where years afterward he saved you from
threatened danger, and love sprung up between

on.
y “ He went far away to serve his country, he
was taken by his foes and thrown in prison.

“ He escaped, but to again become a prisoner.

“ But he lives and you will meet again, and
yet, for I must tell you the truth, shadows
hover over your life and his, and even from
your red li bitter curses mav some time come
iipon the y when Royal Rickerly won your
ove.

“ I can say no more, Violet Rickerly, so ask
no more.”

The {oungegirl was deeply impressed, more so
than s 9 car to admit.

The Gypsy Queen did indeed seem able to
read one s Ii 9: but had she read the future as
she read the past? ’

Would there be shadows fall upon her, as
Roma Leigh had said?

Who could tell?

With a dread in her heart Violet Burbank
mounted her horse and rode slowly homeward.

CHAPTER XXII.
THE PLO'r'mR.

WHEN Raynor Rickerly left Crag Eden, he
had gone, as Darius had said, to Baltimore.
But the business that called him there was of
a nature that he did not care to have known.
He had been driven to the verge of despera-
tion by the mystery overhanging Roma Leigh.
whom he believed dead, slain by his hand, and
who yet appeared to be alive. r
It was a. mystery, to be solved in but one

we .

file must know who this Roma Leigh was in
reality, who appeared as a ghost. as it were,
then in the character of the Gypsy Queen as he
had last seen her.

He had sought her life in the past, and he
would do it again, for it must not be that she
should live.

If ,he had failed before, he would not on this
occasion. '

 

He had felt remorse, and another act against
life could not make it worse, especially if he got
others to do the deed.

The Gypsy Queen, be she the Roma Leigh of
old, or another, must be removed.

She knew his secret without doubt, if no
others did, and must be silenced be she whom
she might.

So to Baltimore went Raynor Rickerly, the
master of Crag Eden.

He sought quarters at a fashionable hotel,
but then sauntered out to a second - hand-
clothing store and made some purcha ses.

A costumer’s was next found, and when that
night an old man, with gray hair and heard, a
stooping posture and bubbling gait, left the
rooms of the plantar, no one would have sus-
pected him of being the master of Crag Eden.

He wendedhis way to one of the lowest quar-
ters of the town, down by the harbor, and en-
tered a. sailors1 inn.

Here he held a conversation with the landlord,
and the result was that he was shown to a pri-
vate room.

Passing to and fro, in a nervous manner, he-
waited for full an hour befora knock came upon.
the door.

Instantly he assumed his stooping posture and
said in a voice, disguised to that of quivering
a e:

g‘ ‘ Come in.”

Two men entered. A look at them was suffi—
cient to reveal their character, or rather their
lack of all character.

They were roughly dressed, their faces had‘
the stamp of utter wickedness, and one seeking
to employ rascals for evil work would never
have passed them by.

They eyed the supposed old man with the look
of men who suspected treachery.

Their guilty deeds had made them suspect
that the one they came to see might be a detec-
tive, one who had deceived the landlord of the.
inn, that he might catch them in a trap.

“ Did the Ian lord send you to me?" asked the»
disguised planter.

‘ Yas, ole feller,” said one rudely, and they.
still kept their stand near the door.

“ Well, sit down, for I need your aid and am
willing to pay for it."

“ What ter do?”

“Are you squeamish?”

“ Thet depends.” »

“ On what?"

“ Ther lucre and ther job.”

“ You appear to be men yvho would not ’be
particular."

“ Waal, ther way ter find out what we’ll do,
is ter show yer hand."

“ Suppose it was blood-letting?"

" Thot hain’t onpossible ter do.”

“ A woman l”

’ “ ’1} life's a life, be it man, woman, or young
un.

“ Well, I want you for some work in which
there is a life to take, and perhaps others in
the taking of that one.”

“Life comes high, old man." said the second
visitor, s asking for the first time, and eying
the plan .r as closely as he could in the dim
light of the room, for the lamp had been so
placed as to fall upon the two villains and not
upon the plotter.

“ I said I was willingato pay,” said the plan-
ter, still speaking in t e voice of one who was
very old.

“ What does you call pay 3"

“ How much do you want for taking a life?”

“ A woman?"

[6 Yes.”

“ A clean thousand cash.”

“ You shall have it.”

“ Darn it, Kit, why didn’t yer say more?”
growled one of the men, and Kit came up smil-
ing, as though to remedy his mistake with:

‘Yer see, a man’s life are wu‘th six hundred,
and a kid’s four hundred, for it kinder are a
mercy ter take a young ’un out 0‘ future misery '
in this world. _

“ Ef it’s an old woman, ther price, as I said,
were a thousand dollars fer each, for ther work
hain’t so easy ter git rid 0’ females, while of it '
are a young (girl,then ther job are wu’th a clean
five thousan .”

“It is a young girl, and yet I hardly know
just what she is.’ ,

And the planter became thoughtful, for he re-

flled Roma Leigh as he had known her in
ough, and again with two-score years upon her
ea . , '

“ Waal, out with it as for who she be, and say
how many more there is ter ring in, old man.”

“There is the woman I speak of, and if you
find her alone, no one else; but“ there are oth-
ers to protect her, you may have a fight on your -

“We’ll find her when thar hain't no chance
of a row.”

“ You must have more aid.”

“ We’ll git another partner.”

“ Will three be enough i”

“ Yas; fer any work we has ter do.

“’Tain"t safe ter trust too many, and when .
we gits ther work did we kin knife number
three of we wants ter and make the pay short 3
division, for we two is partners ontil death.”

fill-‘4!

 

 

 

m. z- ‘

 

 

 

one I wish you to remove is a Gypsy."
“ A Gypsy!"
‘ Yrs.”

“ It‘s dangerous work, for of they suspects who
did it. they is worse than bloodhounds."

“ You must look to that yourselves.”

“ \thr is she?”

“ in the cump of her tribe in Virginia.”

“ Give us the locality, tln r name 0’ ther Gyp,
and When yer Wish it done.”

“ The sooner the better, and hero is a map of
the locality of the camp, instructions how to
yum-h it and the place where you will be ni0~t
likely to to find the woman alone.

" As to her name, it is Ronni Leigh, the Gyp-
sf: (gm-en, and 1 will pay half down,au'. deposit
With the landlord here the balance subject to
your a -r.,-oinplislung your purpose."

" it's a go, and count on us, for we never
fails," wns tic sardonic remark of one of the
villains as he took the directions given him by
the planter who was plotting to remove Roma
Leigh from his path.

CHAPTER XXIII.
BRIBED TO KILL.

ROMA LEIGH, the Queen of the Romans. Gyp<
sies, be she the one who had won the heart of
{synor Rickerly in the long ago and whom
the revengeful planter thought he had killed or
not, was wont to visit daily the arbor on the
cliff, where she had stood the day she had ap-
peared like a ghost to the master of Crag
Eden.

Whatever had brought the Rimana Gypsies
again lo the \icinity of Crag Eden, they cer-
tainly appeared as though they had come to
make a lengthy stay.

The wagons had been placed in regular posi-
tion around the camp, the tents had been pitch-
ed in picturesque manner, a guard was kept
walking aboutconstuntly, and the children had
been given a place near by to play.

There were Workers among the old men and
women who made many odd and pretty little
things for sale, the young men Were busy as
horse traders, fishermen and hunters, and the
maidens seemed to spend most of their time in
beautifying themselves and adding to their pic—
turmquecastumes.

ltuua Leigh, the Queen, named about at her
own sweet will.

Near hers was the tent of Incah, the captain

 

, of the tr1lw.and he seemed to be the veriest

, slave of the Queen‘s will.

it was the wont of Roma Leigh to stroll alone
in the forests.

At such times a huge dog attended her. a
savage-looking brute, that was guard enough
one would think for his mistress.

She otherwise went alone, and her steps were
almost invariably turned in the direction of the
arbor cliff. ’

What her pleasure was, not one of her people
asked: if she was content to while away the
hours there, alone and in her own way, it was
her own sweet will and concerned them not.

One afternoon Roma Leigh left camp alone,
excepting that her dog trotted at her heels.

She carried a portfolio with her and wended
her steps toward the arbor-cliff.

She followed the path up the ridge until she
reached the arbor, and there sat down upon
the rustic seat that time was crumbling away.

Her dog lay down near for awhile,and then,
as though assured that his mistress had come to
remain for some time, went ofl‘ in search of a
rabbit with which to tempt his appetite.

One looking upon the Queen could never be-
lieve her other than a young girl.

She certainly had not the appearance of one
over twenty years of age at furthest.

She looked very beautiful as she sat there,
though there was an expression upon herface of
firm resolve strangely pronounced in one of her

seemin years.
Opening the portfolio she took out a half-flu-
it;th sketch. \

ltwas a scene from the cliff, of the valley, the

distant river and the overhanging hills, and the

work showed no rude band with the pencil.

Arranging her portfolio so as to serve as an
easel, the Gypsy Queen set to work upon her
sketch, and remained patiently at her task,
which seemed one of evident pleasure to her.

So engrossed was she that she failed to see a
horse pass along the path at the base of the cliff,
bearing a rider upon his back.

The rider halted, gazed up at the cliff, and

" :said:

“ How often have I wished to make my way
up there, and I will do so now.”

Suiting the action to the word, the rider rode
along the bottom of the ridge toward the path
that led up to the arbor.

Nor did the Gypsy Queen observe that there
Ever]: others nearer to her than the one on horse-
v ac .

These others were three men.

Two of them were the precious pair of villains
:seen in the inn in Baltimore.

The other was just of a kind with them, for
:his face was stamped with a scoundrelism that
no amount of re ntance could ever obliterate.

1‘th crept o of the thicket like jackals, and

W i
“That is your own affair, not mine; but the

 

1?

 

 Planter Detective.

neiselessly moved to a position from whence
they could see the Gypsy Queen.

“ We has her," whispered one.

“Yes, and we kin tumble her over ther cliff,
and it will be thought she fell over," said an—
another.

“ Thi-r very thing; but we must make sure,”
the third remarked.

“ She’s sittin7 within four feet 0’ the edge.”

“ Yes, and we kin jist creep up, grab her
quick and over she goes."

“ lint about them precious gems we has seen
her wearin‘?“

“ “'9 might go ’round to wbar she tumbles
and take a. few: but it won’t do to take ’0111 all,
for the thing wouldn’t be thought it accident,
yer see, and we needs ter look out fer our lives
as well as our pockets.”

This advice seemed to be good, and the trio of
assassins again moved slowly toward the unsus-
pecting Gypsy Queen.

She continued her sketching, while they ad-
vanced with dead] y intent.

And up the path came the rider, who had dis—
mounted to ascend on foot.

Neither of the three, the Gypsy, the assassins,
or the third party knew of the existence of the
other, excepting the murderous three, who had
their eyes upon their victim.

Up the hill path came the rider, slowly and as
though in no hurry.

Suddenly a wild cry rung out, muttered
curses and the sound of a death-struggle.

The rider-bounded forward and came in view
of a thrilling scene.

T we men were on the cliff, struggling, striving
to hurl a woman over to her death.

But she, with the tenacity of death clung to
them no tuat they could not release her hold.

One cry of alarm had she uttered when seized,
but, quick as a flash she had realized the deadly
intent of the assassins and clung to them, fight-
ing with the energy of despair.

n vain did they strive to break l‘cr hold, and
at last one of them said to the third man, who so
far stood by, unable to aid:

“ Breai: her arms, for it will be thought it
were done by the fall.

“ We dares not knife her, mates.”

“ Unhand herl”

The words were uttered in a fearless, clarion
voice: but they were spoken not by a mau,but
by a woman.

It was the rider who had suddenly come upon
the scene and rushed to the rescue of the Gypsy
Queen, so near her death.

CHAPTER XXIV.
AN‘UNLooKnn ron TERMINATION.

Tm: one who so boldly rushed to the rescue of
the Gypsy Queen was a young girl.

It was, in fact, Violet Burbank.

She had been, as was often her wont, extend-
ing her afternoon ride alone, and had taken the
path that led around the base of the cliff.

Few ever went that way, for it led through
the Wildlands of Crag Eden Plantation.

The negroes shunned the spot, for it was said
by those who handed down Weird legends, that
a murder had been committed once, by a man
who got rid of an heir that stood in his way by
throwing him over the rocks one day when they
were out hunting together.

The Indians had a legend too, that two chiefs
of a tribe that once inhabited that part of Vir—
giniu, had fought a duel for the possession of a
beautiful White captive.

She had watched the duel, and when the vic-
tor came to claim her, had sprung from the
cllfl? to her death.

There were the marks of two graves at the
base of the clill’, which gave credence to these
stories, and so the negroes said that the cliff was
haunted by the spirits of the murdered heir and
the captive maiden.

Vlf let Burbank had heard these stories, and
she had never gratified her curiosity by going
to the top of the cliff.

Upon the afternoon that she did do so she was
governed by a strange impulse that urged it.

She had not expected to find a soul there, and
by day, certainly not even the specters of the
dead who had there lost their lives.

What was her amazement then, to hear a wild
scream.

Sue started, the captive suicide at once com-
ing to her mind, for she knew that the cry was
in the voice of a woman.

She however saw three men, and beheld their
strug 18 with a woman.

Vio at was utterly fearless, and without con-
sidering odds against her rushed to the rescue
of one of her own sex.

She had a small pistol, a present from her
father, who told her to never ride out alone
without it, and she had,up0n leaving her horse,
turned back and takenitfrom the saddle-pocket
where she carried it.

With this in hand she ran forward and dashed
upon the scene. .

The three men started with alarm, and two of
them turned toward her. the other still retain-
ing his hnld upon Roma Leigh.

Could Violet have fired then, she might have
done good execution; but she retained er pres-
ence of mind, and seeing that she might miss

 

 

 

her man and kill the Gypsy, she wisely leu'erod
the weapon.

But she kept up a bold front and called out:

"Release that woman, or I will kill you.”

The trio of scamps were taken aback.

Home. Leigh had not been hurled over the
cliff, as they had hoped,

Then, too, they had a second maiden upon
their hands, and one too that was armed.

Could it be that she was not alone, that other
help was neurl

This thought flashed through the minds of the
three.

They did not wish to fire, for that might at-
tract attention to their presence.

But they must get rid of both now, to save
thems‘elves.

“ Rush on her, Kit, and we’ll toss ’em both
over.

“ It’s got ter he did,” cried the leader of the
trio.

“ She’s armed, though.”

“ Durn it, risk ther gal‘s shootin’, for it’s a
{ope-cud mighty quick, ef yer don't and we is

u ’.

With this the speaker tried again to hurl
Roma Leigh over the Lil”, while his comrades
made a rush together upon Violet, hoping thus
to destroy her him.

But she sprung to one side, still with presence
of inznd enough to get the Gypsy out of the line
of her shot, and then She drew trig er.

“ (hiss her! she’s hit me!” crie one of the
men, as he turned half round and his left arm
dropped broken to his side.

lint the next instant his comrade had reached
the brave girl, who still stood her ground, her
pistol clubbed as a weapon.

At the same time be grasped her in his pow-
erful arms, and thrust one hand over her mouth
to smother the cry that burst from her lips.

The wounded man also now reached lwr, and
she was dragged rudely toward the mill, Wlirru
their comrade was struggling desperately will.
Roma Leigh, who fought for her life must sav-

- agely.

But they were three stron%, brutal him
against two women, and such a ght could not
lust long, and the end was near at hand.

Another moment and Roma Leigh and Violet
Burbank \v (mill have been hurled to dumb,
Winn suddenly, with a sharp yelp, Nip, the
huge dog of the Gypsy Queen, rushed upon the
Scene and sprung at the throat of the nearest
rulilun.

It was the man whom Violet had wounded,
and who llllll gone to help his leader, as best he
could, to hurl the Gypsy Queen to her death.

He released his old, staggered backward,
and dog and man went togeth: 1' over the cliff,
their heavy thud as tlzey fell reaching the ears
of those who were struggling so desperately
above.

Still it was two powerful men to two of the
weaker sex, and the end must come but one
way, if no he] came.

But help di come, and from an unexpected
source, and in a most remarkable manner.

It came in the shape of a pistol-shot. and the
aim had been deadly, for the bullet found the
lirninol’ the desperate villain who was strug-
gling with Violet Burbank.

Together they sunk to the rocks, the man
dead, the youngr irl unconscious. for, with he]
at hand, she had ost her splendid nerve whic
had so well upheld her.

As,th0ugh knowing how deadly his aim had
been, the rescuer did not pause to notice the re-
sult of his shot, but sprung forward and grasped
the man who held the Gypsy Queen upon the
very verge of the clifl’.

He dared not attempt a shot there, so close
was the fellow to his intended victim.

But the rescuer tore away his arms, and in-
stantly a fierce struggle began between the two
men, the assassin striving to hurl the Gypsy
Queen by a la~t efl’ort over the cliff.

And, but for a quick grasp of her clothing by
the rescuer, he would have done so, and Roma
Leigh was thrown backward with a force that
caused her to fall heavily upon the rocky shelf
near the arbor.

Then it was that the struggle was begun bo~
tween man and man.

CHAPTER XXV.
THE RESCUER.

Tim Gypsy Queen arose from her fall consid-
erably shaken up by it.

She knew, however, that, but With the force
she had been hurled by the rescuer she would
have been sent rr cling over the cllf! by the last
effort of the mun in whose powerful grasp she
had been held.

She was panting like a hard-run deer from ,
hei- effort to save her life, and her head was
dizzy as she arose to her feet.

But she must go to the aid of the one who had
so daringly come to hers.

Bu as she advanced fairly stag ering with
the e act of her strug is, she saw or rescuer ‘
flrllie from the groan and the assassin too
ms in.

“Have you killed him, sir?” she asked.

I

l

14

The Planter Detective.

 

The rescuer turned, gazed with intense admir-
ation into the beautiful face of the Gypsy Queen,
and said:

“ No; I merely stunned him with my blows.

“I reserved him for hanging, which should
be his fate.

“ I will tie him here to this arbor.”

Roma Leigh drew from her waist a silken
sash that served the very purpose, and then,
while the rescuer securely bound the prisoner’s
hands and feet and then fastened him to the
arbor, she ran to the side of Violet Burbank,
who still lay unconsoious upon the rocks by the
dead body of the dead desperado.

By the time that he was securely bound, the
riiflian recovered from the stunning blows given
him by the new—comer upon the scene, and
scowled upon his victor with a look of fury.

“What hes yer tied me fer, young feller?”he

grow led.

The one he addressed laughed and answered in
an off-hand wu y:

“ For keeps.”

“ It are a shame, for I were pertectin’ ther 1

gals from them other fellers.”
_ Again the victor laughed, for he seemed to
Enjoy the position taken in the affair by the ruf-
an.

But he said:

“ Well, I have a different opinion, my fine
rascal, and you'll find a jury will agree with me
and hang you.”

The man turned livid at this, and said:

“ It’s big money in your pocket ter let me go. ,
oung feller, but first “

“ Go off with ther gals,
fix me so I kin git, and ’11 give yer a clean
thousand.”

“ I am not in need of money, and if I was I’d
not let you go, so hold your tongue.”

With this the speaker went toward where
gorilla Leigh knelt over the form of Violet Bur-

an .

But the Gypsy Queen had chafed the hands
and face of Violet, and brought her to conscious-
ness, for she arose as their rescuer approached
and, as her eyes fell upon him sprung forward
with a glad cry, while there came in joyous
tones the words:

“ Royall Royall it is you!”

She Would have fallen again had he not caught
her in his arms, and then for a moment neither
spoke.

Growing calm at length Violet said:

“ Royal, thank God you have come back, and
it is to you that I owe my life, for those men in-
tended to hurl me over the clifl,” and she shud-
dered at the recollection. ‘

“ And to you, sir, Roma Leigh, the Gypsy
Queen,owes her life,” and the woman laid her
small hand upon his arm.

“ I am the one to be thankful for having been
near to aid you both.”

“Roma Leigh can never forget it,” said the
Gypsy impressively.

“Nor can 1, Royal; but how came you here i”

“ I was on my way home, took the path from
the h ighwn vin thevalley, that brought me along
ixy the cliff, and nearly got a man and dog on
top of my head.

“ I heard the struggle going on above, rode
up the path with all speed, as far as 1 could,
and thus came upon a scene that certainly
startled me.

“ Pray tell me what it all means?”

“ I can only tell you that I was riding, came
along the cliff prith, and determined to visit this
spot. about which there are weird legends.

“ I came to the top to find this girl, who is
Roma Leigh, the Gypsy Queen, struggling for
her life, and came to her rescue.

“I fired, and am sure I hit one of the men,
for his arm dropped to his side.

“It was the one that the dog sprung upon and
bore over the cliff.

“ Then two of them turned upon me, and but
for you, Royal I would now be dead.”

“ As I would also, sir;but I can only tell you
that this is a favorite retreat of mine, for the
camp of my people is not very far away, and I
was sketching the scene from the cliff, when
three men rushed upon me.

“Their words told me that they had come
here to kill me, and they sought to throw me
overthe cliff.

“ This brave and beautiful lady saved me
then, and your coming rescued us both.

“ Did I not tell you, Violet Burbank, that you
would see your lover again?” and Roma Leigh
turned to Violet, who turned crimson at her
bluntly-spoken words.

A strange look crossed the face of Royal
Rickerl y also at the words of the Gypsy Queen,
and he said, somewhat hastily:

“ Let us go from here, for see the shadows of
night will‘soon fall.

“ I will see you home, if you will permit it,
Miss Burbank.”

“ Miss Burbank,” muttered Violet, and then
she thought that the resence of Roma Leigh
had caused him to be istant, and said:

‘With pleasure, Mr. Rickerly——I mean Lieu-
tenant Rickerly, and a warm welcome you will
find from my parents; but your father, I be-
lieve is absent in Baltimore.’

‘ I am travel-stained, as you see,and my bag-
gage I sent on by stage, while I came on orse-

 

l
: back, from a town some miles away, having
purchased a horse I took a fancy to.
“ I am glad that I did so, for it brought me
by this cliff in the very nick of time.”
Violet and Roma Leigh also congratulated
lthemselves upon the happy circumstance of

Royal Rickerly’s coming by that way on horse-
v back, and the former gazed upon the young
:sailor with an expression of admiration she
2 could not conceal.

[ He had grown since she had seen him last, for
‘ his splendid form had developed grandly.
1 His face was bronzed to the hue of Roma i
, Leigh’s by long exposure to a. Mexican sun, and
‘ his features were stamped with resolution,
di nity and sternness beyond his years.
6 were a riding suit which was indeed

travel-stained, for by boat, stage and horse he i

had come a long journey from Mexico.
' “How much you Will have to tell us all,
Royal, of your adventures: but come, let us
leave this dead spot.”and Violet glanced ner-
vously at the dead body of the man who had
meant to murder her.

“ Yes, this is no place for ladies,” said, with
a smile, Royal Rickerly, while he added:

“ I will send for that prisoner.”

“My people will come after him, sir, and
also bury the dead,” Roma Leigh remarked
quickly, but with a certain significance of tone
which, though it did not then strike R0 a1
Rickerly and Violet, they afterward recalle .

Stepping up to the prisoner, Royal Rickerly
saw that he was securely bound, and then the
, trio started down the ridge path to the glen.

l The horse of the sailor was found, and then
‘ they came to where Violet had left the animal
‘ she had ridden.

But she refused to mount' until they reached
apath where Roma Leigh turned oil? to go to
the camp of her people.

Here they parted with the Gypsy Queen, and
raising Violet to her saddle, Royal Rickerl
sprung upon his own horse and they dashed 0g
towalrd Riverdale just as twilight fell upon the
eart .

 

 

CHAPTER XXVI.
THE RETURN.

THERE was a great joy in the heart of Violet
Burbank, as she rode up to Riverdale Mansion
in the gathering gloom, and beheld her father
come forth to meet her, evidently anxious about
her long stay, for she brought With her an es-
cort whom the colonel would be most glad to bid
welcome home.

“Ah, Vi, I was getting very anxious at your
late stay;but I see that you have an escort,"
said the colonel, taking the young sailor for one
of the planters near, as in the darkness he did
not recognize him.

“ Father, do you not see who it is that comes
with me?” cried Violet.

One glance at the splendid-looking man be-
fore him, and Colonel Burbank grasped the
hand of the sailor, while he cried:

“ Rickei‘ly ! can I believe my eyes?

“ But how changed in the time that has passed
since you left, for you are no longer the youth
who left us three years ago.”

“ And how happy we are to see you, Royal,
m boy 1”

l‘ravel-stained and weary as he was, Royal
Rickerly was ushered into the mansion to re-
main to tea, while a servant was dispatched to
Crag Eden to give notice to the servants there,
for the planter was still absent, and the heir to
the grand old home had returned and would ar-
rive in a couple of hours, for he had decided to
go home that night.

After as warm a welcome from Mrs. Burbank
as he had received from the colonel,Royal Rick-
erly told in a modest way of his meeting with
Violet in the very nick of time at the cliff.

“I was riding slowly along the path at the
base of the cliff,” he said, “ when I heard a
strange sound, like the flight of a covey of vul-
tures, and my horse shied violently.

“ Looking up, I beheld two forms flying
downward.

“ They struck with fearful force, as I looked,
and I saw that they were a.man and a dog, the
latter clinging to the formerI to the last.

“ Of course they were both killed by the fall,
and hearing a struggle going on above on the
cliff, I rode with all haste up the ridge, and
was happy in being in time to serve Miss Bur-
bank and the Gg‘psy Queen, whom it seems the
men had attacked, to either kill for her jewel,
or to kidnap for a ransom, and your daughter
had boldly gone to her rescue."

Just then Violet entered the room, having
changed her riding-habit for an evening dress
in which she looked most lovely.

She heard the last words of the young sailor,
and quickly told her story, of how she had con-
queret‘ her superstitious dread of the clifl’, to
£0 and see the View from there, and had seen

oma Leigh in the clutches of the three wicked
men, and, without thought of her own danger,
had gone to the rescue of the Gy sy Queen.

The des rate situation that to lowed she told
in a thril ing manner, as also how her heart
had iven a bound of joy when a dark form

 

 

had ashed to her rescue.
Then she had swooned away, and upon re-

turning to consciousness had found Roma Leigh
bending over her, while in their preserver she
recognized Royal Rickeriy, her lover.

The colonel and his wife listened with deep
emotion to the story of their daughter. and
they seemed to fully understand that but for
the timely coming of the oung sailor, Violet
would have died a fearful oath.

Tea was then announced, and after they had
returned to the library Colonel Burbank said:

“ Now, Lieutenant Rickerly, we wish to con»
gratulate you upon your success as a sailor,
and also upon your double escape from captiv-
ity.

“ We have watched your gallant career with
the deepest interest and must learn new from
your lips of your adventures since the mysteri-
ous disappearance of the vessel that you served

n.

“ Yes, tell us of our esoape, sir,” said Mrs.
Burbank, while Vio et urged:

“ Pray, do; and let me say that not once did I
ever give up hope that on would return; but
how changed you are in the time that has.
passed.

“ You look as I had pictured you, and yet it
seems that I will have to get acquainted with
you over again.”

And Violet laughed as though amused at the
thought.

“ Yes, you have changed, Rickerly; your face
is almost stern now, and you look like one who
had seen much of life and passed through
stran e scenes;but to your story.”

An the co.onel gazed upon the face of the
sailor as though he sought hard to read it to his
own satisfaction.

“ Of the vessel I can tell you nothing, sir, I
maysay, for I left her to go ashore with a party
to fill our water-casks.

“ We were betrayed by our Mexican pilot, at-
tacked from an ambush, and I verily believe I
am the only living man of the party.

“ I was captured 'by a Mexican marauder
chief, half-bandit, half-pirate, and he meant to
serve me well, but was arrested for having
treated me well, was suspected as a traitor, and
we were both seized and carried to a prison,
where we were kept for a long time.

“Of the poor fellow I can tell you nothing,
for we were separated there, and my cruel treat-
ment began.

“ I was thrown into a dungeon, poorly fed,
and I believe was to be starved, in fact; but an
earthquake one night split the wall of my dun-
geon, so that, with hard work, I was enabled to
get out before dawn.

“ I speak Spanish well, as I believe you know,
and in the confusion and excitement caused by
the earthquake managed to get clothing with
which to hide the uniform I wore.

“ I made my escape thus, and seeing a chance
to rescue other prisoners, as an American ves—
sel-of—war was on the coast, I laid a plot to do
so, which, however, turned out disastrously, for
the party were attacked, the prisoners had es-
caped without our aid, and I again found my—
self in a Mexican dungeon.

“ Fortunately I again found means to escape,
gained the coast, put to sea in an open boat
and was picked up by a vessel bound to New
Orleans.

“ From there I made my way homeward with
all speed, determined to ask leave to remain at
home for a few months, in case, as I believe, the
war is about over, to resign my commission in
the navy and settle down at Crag Eden.”

“ I am really glad to hear you say this. Rick-
erly for the war is about at an end, and I think
you have had your share of danger and suffer-
ing,” Colonel Burbank remarked.

“ Yes, and I coincide with my husband, Lieu—
tenant Rickerly, for you indeed have had an
eventful life in the short while you haVe lived,”
said Mrs. Burbank.

“ And what does Miss Burbank say ’4?" asked
Royal Rickerly with a smile, and he seemed to
await the answer with the deepest interest.

“ I thinkwitli papa and mamma, that you had
better remain at home, for you have won all the
honor and glory you can get now, as the war
must end soon.

“ Yes, I say remain at home,” and Violet
blushed at the request she made of her lover,
who responded gallantly:

“My fate is in your hands, Miss Burbank,”‘
and rising he bade all farewell. and mounting
his horse rode slowly toward Crag Eden.

He was received by Darius, Buick Pink, and
the other servants upon his arrival, with every
manifestation of delight and over and _over
a ain he had to listen to t eir praises of his 1m-
p oved appearance.

In spite of knowing that he had taken tea at :
Riverdale, Darius had prepared for his master
a most tempting supper, and while the young
sailor with real relish enjo ed the edibles, the
faithful old negro heard 0 his adventures in
Mexico and that night, before he retired to rest,
retaile the whole story to his fellow-servants.
who regarded their young master as a most.-
su rior being.

I: was late when Royal Rickerly retired to-
his room for the hi ht. and even then he did not .
seek rest until near y dawn.

He seemed anxious to look ovér his room, “ex-—

 

 

 

 

4‘
‘5

 

The Planter Detective. ‘_

 1.?

 

amine the little souvenirs there, and read over
old letters and papers.

But at last he went to bed and slept soundly
until quite late.

Then Darius entered the room with the news
that the master had returned home and would
join him at breakfast very soon.

A few moments more and Royal Rickerly met
his father in the library.

“ And you are my noble son?

“ Why, Royal, how greatly the years have
changed you," and Royal Rickerly was deeply
moved.

“ And you, father, are changed, for gray
hairs are upon your temples, and a few crow’s-
feet in the corners of your eyes.

“ Yet, now as I recall you in the past, time
has dealt kindly with you indeed.”

They adjourned to the breakfast~room, and
there for a long time talked over the past and
the present.

As they walked upon the piazza to enjoy their
cigars, some horsemen were seen riding up the
roadway to the mansion.

“ What can they want here ?” said Royal Rick-
erly and his face grew a trifle anxious.

“ guess I can tell you, sir, for I really have
regretted to make known how lucky was my re-
turn last evening, merely stating that I had
taken tea at Riverdale.

“ But these men doubtless are a constable and
his posse on the search for information regard-
ing my killing a man yesterday afternoon, and
making anot er a prisoner, while a third was
also slain, in an attack they made upon the
Gypsy Queen and Miss Burbank."

“ Good God 1 an attack upon the Gypsy Queen
and Miss Burbank?

“ And you killed the men!

.“ One is a prisoner, you say, a prisoner?”

The words fell in almost terrified accents from
the lips of Raynor Rickerly, and he fairly tot-
tered to a chair on the piazza and sunk into it
his face livid as though some fearful dread ha
seized upon him.

 

CHAPTER XXVII.
THE MYSTERIOUS MURDER.

IT was certainly a surprise to the master of
Crag Eden to see several horsemen approaching
his home, for he discouraged all visitors, except
from Riverdale.

' stable took his words down as they were ut-
tered, for the party had now adfiourned to the
library, at the invitation of Mr. ickerly.

“ You say that Miss Burbank fired upon one
of the men?"

“ Yes, sir, and broke his arm, she thinks, as it
fell to his side.”

“ This man was attacked by the huge dog he-
longing to the Gypsy Queen, and they went
over the cliff together?”

“ Yes, sir, and their fall attracted me to the
scene on the cliff.” ‘

“ You shot the man who held Miss Bur-

AL I did.” I

“ Do you know where your bullet struck
him i”

“ Of course. in the head.”

“ Killing him instantly l”

“ Certainly.”

“ And then?”

“ As 1 said, I sprung upon the man who was
draggin the Gypsy Queen to the edge of the
cliff an aftera short struggle mastered him.”

" You did not kill him?”

” I did not, sir.”

“ You are sure?"

“ Perfectly. ”

“ Might not you have knifed him, or shot
him, and in the excitement not known it?"

Ro a1 Rickerly laughed.

“ l h , my dear sir, I was not excited, but as
cool as now am.

“ I have been in too many scenes of death to
lose my nerve when all was going my way.

“ I stunned the scamp by a few blows, and
the Gypsy Queen said that she would send her
men to guard him, so 1 left him.”

“ Yet he is dead.”

It Dead?”

“ Yes, sir.”

“ Well, if there are no injuries upon him, he
died of fright, that is all.”

“ There are injuries upon him, a knife thrust
in the heart.”

(I  I”

“ Yes, sir.”

“ Where is he?”

“ At the grave, and I would ask you to ride
there with me.”

“ Certainl .”

Raynor Rickerly also said that he would go,

. and soon the party set off for the scene of the

But R0 a1 Rickerly did not understand why ' tragedy.

he shoul be so moved by the fact that they

They found there a large number of planters,

 

were coming to see about the affair on the
arbor cliif of the day before.

He looked at his father in amazement, for the
master of Crag Eden seemed tor a moment un—
manned.

But rallying quickly, he said:

“Why, ow foolish I am, my son, to show
emotion, when really I knew that no harm
befell Violet, or you would have at once told i
me, and as for the Gypsy Queen her death is a i

ood riddance, as I suspect those people of being ‘
ittle else than wandering marauders.”

“No harm did befall Miss Burbank, sir, nor l
the Gypsy Queen either, for I was so fortunate
as to rescue both.” 

“The G sy Queen is not dead, then?” ex-
citedly said r. Rickerly.

_“’l,.‘lot unless she has died since yesterday, I
sir.

“ And you saved her?”

“ Yes, father, I was so fortunate.”

“So fortunate? Why, you were—but never 1
mind, for here come those horsemen and we
must See what they wish,” and Mr. Rickerly
turned away, more to hide the emotion his face
revealed than to glance at the horsemen who
were now riding into the yard about Crag:
Eden.

They were three in number and halted for a
moment to speak with the negro who opened
the gate for them.

Then they came on, dismounted and ascended ‘
tothe iazza.

Mr. ynor reco ized one as an officer of the
law, whom he had ong known slightly, and the
others he did not remember to have seen.

and a dozen Gypsy men, the latter under
guard.

By the side of the open graves lay the bodies
of the slain men, the same who had attacked the
Gypsy Queen.

As Royal Rickerly was reco nizeel a shout of.
welcome greeted him for all ad read of his
exploits in Mexico, and he had been given up as

9.

ea . -
After saluting those who pressed forward to
greet him, he turned to Colonel Burbank, who

I was also present, and said:

“ There seems to be some mystery, sir, about
the death of this third man?"
d_“iYes, but it is clear in my mind as to how he

let .

“The constable got the story of the affair
from Violet, and then went to see you, and that
should be satisfactory.

“ But the Gypsies were found burying the
three bodies and they reported that you had
killed them all, so the trut was wanted to clear
them.

“ Have you told your story?”

“Yes, sir.”

“ Have you heard the story of the Gypsy
Queen, Constable Creighton?” and Colonel Bur—
bank turned to the officer.

“ I have, sir.”

“ What is it?”

“ It tallies in everything with what has been
told by Miss Burbank and Lieutenant Rickerly,
eXcept that she dors not know whether the
‘ third man was mortally wounded or not.”

“ He was not; but what do the Gypsies who
found him say i" asked Royal Rickerly.

 

“ Good-morning, Constable Creighton ; to what
circumstance am I indebted for this visit from
you?” coldly said Raynor Rickerly.

“ It is a visit of business, sir, and one in
which your son is interested.

“ I am glad to see you home, Mr. Rickerly, in
safety,” and the constable turned to the young
man. while he added:

“You have changed much, sir, since we last
met some ears ago; but a youth soon runs up
into settletfmanhood.”

“ You shall bear, for they all tell the same
stor .
“ ome here,” and he called to the captain,
1 Incah, who advanced with an air of utter in-
" difference.
“ You found these bodies?”
i H Yes.”
“Where?”
1' “One there beneath the cliff, one lying upon
the cliff, a bullet in his brain, and the third tied
to the arbor, and dead, for a knife-thrust was

Royal shook hands with the officer, and made 1 in his heart.” ‘

some reply, while Constable Creighton said:

“ My visit, lieutenant, is to get from you a
full statement of the affair at the cliff last night,
for a ntleman cameupon the Gypsies burying
three and men, and reported it to me, and they
referred me to you."

“ The story is soon told, air.

‘1 was on my wa home, and comin on
horseback cut throng the timber-land, w lch

scene which I beg to relate as I recall it.”

“ Who sent you here?”

“ Our Queen, Roma Leigh.”

“ For what purpose!”

“ To bury the dead.”

" Said she nothing else?”

H No.”

Here the whole party were in a quandary.

The three assassins had certain] deserved
their fate: but Royal Riokerly and iolet Bur-

The three had been found dead, however.

brought me by the cliff and there came upon a  bank said that but two had been slain.

Then Royal Rickerly went on to tell the
whole affair, and one of the men with'the con—

 

a Who had killed the third man, was the ques-
on.

‘Gypsy

 

“ I think it is plain enough,” said Raynor
Rickerly speaking for the first time.

“ What is plain enough, Rickerlyl” asked
Colonel Burbank.

“ How that third man came by his death.”

“ How do you account for it?”

“ W by the Gypsies killed him of course," was
the cool reply, and those be accused turned their
eyes quickly upon him.

CHAPTER XXVIII.
A WEB or MYSTERY.

“ Do you accuse the Gypsies of having inur—v
dered this man?" asked ‘onstable Creighton of
Raynor Rickerly.

“ I certainly do, for why should they not have
done sol"

“ They deny that it is so.”

“That may be.”

“ You do not believe their denial?”

All now gathered around the constable and
Raynor Rickerly, the latter standing the
glances turned upon him with the utmost com-

sure.

“ I do not believe them, for they murdered
the man.” '

“ Yet they found him bound, so could have
nothing to fear.”

“That may be, but it lies between three
parties.”

“ Who are the threel"

“ My son admits his work, and I think you will
all agree that it was well done.

“ If he killed the man it was after he left the
spot with Miss Burbank and the Gypsy Queen,
and yet be escorted Miss Burbank home, so
could not have come back.

“ If he secretly knifed the man, what motive
had he for doing so? a

“ The , Miss Burbank and my son, left the
ueen where the path turned off to her

 

camp.

“ Might she not have come back. and in her
anger at having ccn attacked, driven her knife
into the heart of the bound man 1”

A yell of anger came from the Gypsies at this
imputation against their Queen, and all present
gazed eagerly upon the master of Crag Eden.

But he was wholly unmoved, and continued:

“I do not say that Roma Leigh did so, but
an gest that she might have done so.

‘ These men were sent by her, by their own
confession, to bury the bodies of the three in—
tended assassins of their Queen.

“ They found the three men dead, they say,
and one of them bound to the arbor and with a
knife thrust in his heart.

“They were buryin three bodies when Mr.
Shields shw them, an if Lieutenant ltickerly
did not kill the third man, if the Gyps Queen
did not drive the knife to his heart, t en this
Captain Incnh and his ten companions are

uilty, and they did the deed to avenge Roma
eigh.

“But I believe their story, that they found
three dead bodies here, and incline to the belief
that the Gypsy Queen returned and drove her
knife into the heart of the third man, so I would
suggest that she be brought here and the wear
pons she carries be examined.”

The Gypsies were indignant, but the planters
present all seemed to feel that the master of
Crag Eden was right. and so Constable Creigh-
ton and a posse were sent to the Gypsy camp
for Roma Leigh. ‘

No matter how much the three men deserved
death, the third man had certainly been mur-
dered while bound, and this was a deed of
crime that could not be overlooked most cer-
tainly.

Constable Creighton rode away with a fore-
boding he did not make known:

The Gypsies would fight to the death for their
Queen, be well knew. .

So he decided to use strate and go to ask
her to again tell her story 0 the affair at the
cliff, and as though not understanding all, to
re uest her to accompany him thither.

'i‘his plan worked well, and the Gypsy Queen
returned with the posse.

Her great beauty was gazed upon, by all, and
Raynor Rickerly stood apart regarding her
with a strange look in his eyes.

She repeated her story. told it word for word
as before, and seeming to suspect no trickery,
had not even glanced toward Incah and his
comradrs.

Again she said that she had left the scene with
Royal Rickerly and Miss Burbank, and that the
third man had been alive.

She stated that she had at once sent the men
to the Scene, telling them to bury the dead found
there and guard the prisoner.

“ You know that the third man was found.
dead, Queen Roma Leigh?" asked the con-
stable.

A peculiar look crossed the face of Roma.
Leigh. while she said:

“ Was he?”

“ He was, and more, he was stabbed to the
heart While bound. and this was murder. ”

“ Indeed 9” and she arched her handsome
brows.

“You wear a knife?”

H Yes." '

“ Permit me to see it.”

16

.5

The Planter Detective.

 

She handed it to the constiible, coolly draw—
ing, it from the sheath in her sash.

it was a long, narrow blade, of foreign make,
and the hilt was set with jewels.

The blade was slightly tarnished, as though
lately used.

The constable handed the stiletto to Dr. Lov-
ering, who was present, and said:

“ t’lezise see if the wound was made with this
w-*zip;n, doctoi .”

The physician walked to the body, and aftera
shirt stay there returned with the remark:

“ l’; was made with this stiletto, or one exact- 3

(1/ like if.”
A murmur ran through the crowd, and then

a. deep hush came upon all as Constable Creigh- -

ton said , impressively:

“Roma Leigh, I feel sorry for you, as your
pmvocation was great; but I must arrest you as
the murderer of that man 1”

The Gypsy Quten did not flinch.

She cast a hasty glance at Raynor Rickerly,
and a smile crossed her lips. '

Then she looked toward her people, as though
to measure their strength in an attempt to res-
cue her from those who would hold her.

She saw that she was at a. disadvantage, and
knew that the chage of murder was a serious

on .

Whether she was guilty or not guilty her face
did not reveal.

She was calmness personified, and after a mo-
ment of intense, painful silence, said:

" You aceuse me of murder.

“ You say I killed a man while he was at my
mercy, and hold me as a niurderess?”

“, We accuse you more upon the testimony of
your own people, Reina Leigh, for they say that
they were sent here to bury three bodies, and
nothing was said by you to them about a pris-
oner," the constable remarked.

She started at this and again glanced at her

)5 0 19.
II Tiiey were silent, pale and anxious, all except
lll'tll].

“ What would you do with me?” she asked.

“Arrest on, place you in prison, there to
await trial or murder.

“ if innocent you must prove it.”

“ And my people?”

" With three men only, as witnesses, we have
to deal. and they must go to prison, too.”

“ is this the justice of your people?”

“It is law,’ was the evasive response of the
constable.

“ And this for a man who came here to mur—
der me and is found dead ’5”

“ What proof have you that he cam! here to
murder you?”

“ The testimony of my daughter goes to prove
that fact, Constable Creighton," said Colonel
Burbank.

“ And I have said what I saw, sir,” added
Royal Rickerly, and as the constable made no
rep] , he continued:

“ do not think it right to hold this young
woman as guilty of murder, for my belief is
that some of her men are guilty of knifing the
scamp. little dreaming that it would fall upon
their Queen, and I do not blame them if they
did kill him.”

“ That is hardly a safe stand to take, Lieu-
tenant Rickerly,” said the constable, with a
smile.

“ I was thinking of justice, rather than law;
but were these men searched and nothing found
upon them to show their motive for the crime
they came here to commitf” ,_ -

“ Can you not given reason?" and Royal Rick-
erly turned to Roma Leigh.

‘ Nothing was found about the men, other
than their weapons.” said the constable.

1‘ Ask the Gypsies,” suggested Royal Rick~
er v. '

But the Gypsies said that they had found
nothing whatever, and it was upon the lips of
Royal Rickerly to demand that the Gypsies who
had come to bur the bodies be searched, when
his fgther stepp quickly to his side and whis-
pere :

" I know what you would demand, but for V

God’s sake do not do it.”
Re a1 knew no reason for the request, but he
acquiesced in it by remaining silent.

CHAPTER XXIX.
SELF-ACCUSED.

IT was very apparent that a web of mystery
is  already woven about the tragedy on the
cl} .

"‘hnt the three dead men had come there to
kl .i Roma. Leigh all seemed to agree upon.

.E‘ at what was their motive?

Perhaps it was to rob her, and yet how much
more they could have obtained by kidnapping
the Queen of the Gypsies. for then a large ran-
som would have been paid to get her back to
her people.

This seemed to indicate that the object had
not been one of robbery. _

It pointed, from the facts, to intended mur-

der.

Yet the Queen and those of her people about
liar, avowed that they had never Seen the three
man before, and more. they knew of no motive
for their cruel intention.

 

    

 

,‘ As one of the men certainly had been mur—
‘ dered, it was the duty of the coroner to get at
the reason why, and who had been his slayer.

All the testimony Seemed to point toward
Roma Leigh’s havmg returned, in her anger
after having parted with Lieutenant Rickerly
and Violet Burbank, and driven her knife into
the heart of the bound man.

She did not look like one to do a deed so cruel,
i and yet she was a Gypsy, and what she would
do those who gazed upon her could only guess.

“Well, what is to be done, constable, for I
stand ready to go bail for this accused girl?”
said ,Royal Riekerly.

The Gypsy Queen bent upon him a look that
was full of strange meaning, and her dark face
. flushed ; but she uttered no word.

“ I await the coroner’s decision, sir, for he
has heard all that there is to tell and his jury
can soon render a verdict,” the constable an~
swered.

The coroner thus admonished turned to the
jury he had called together to sit upon the case.

'Ihey deliberated a few minutes and then, with
the usual display of wisdom on such occasions
came to the conclusion that one of the men, un—
known to the jury, had been killed by falling
firom the clifi‘ with a dog which had attacked

im. a

A second man, alike unknown, had died from
a shot, fired by Lieutenant Royal Rickerly,
who, under the existing circumstances did only
what was right.

The third man, also unknown, had come to
his death, while bound and a. prisoner, unable to
resist, by a knife-thrust in the heart, said death-
blow having been given by the hand of Roma
Leigh, spinster, called Queen of a wandering
tribe known as the Romana Gypsies.

“ And you are to imprison this girl?” demand-
ed Royal Rickerly of the coroner.

“ It must be so, sir.”' ‘

“ I will offer bail for her.”

“ It must be offered to a judge, sir, who has
the power to grant it, yet, who, I feel sure,
will refuse bail.”

“It will be infamous if he does,” was the hot
reply of the young~ sailor.

“ And I too will offer surety for the Gypsy
Queen,” said Col 9:191 Burbank.

“She must go to prison, sir, along with her
people here as Witnesses, and then you can see,
gentlemen, what can be done to bail her out,”
replied the coroner.

‘ And must I go to prison?"

As she asked the question a look of fear
crossed the beautiful face of Roma Leigh.

h It was evident that a prison held terrors for
or.

“ You must,” was the reply.

“ The Queen of the Gypsies goes not to prison,"
and with the words Incah stepped forward and
confronted the coroner.

“ Ha! would you dare to resist?” cried the
constable.

“ No! I am no fool, for were a Gypsy to kill
one of you, the earth would be red with our
blood, 1 well know.

“You are many, we are but few.”

“ Then what do you mean?"

“I mean that your justice is a lie upon its
face, for you condemn the innocent where the
guilty stands before you.”

he then is guilty?” demanded the coroner.
”

“I am.

“By Heaven, I thought it,” muttered Royal
Rickerly.

“You said her'people had killed him,”Col-
one] Burbank remarked. for he had heard the
low-spoken words of the young sailor, as had
Roma. Leigh also.

“ They feared he might be set free, and so
prevented the possibility of such a thing,”
Royal Rickerly responded.

‘ You killed the man?” cried the coroner, in
amazement.

“ Yes, so what a. fraud your Justice bears on
her brow, for you just said that Roma Leigh,
our Queen, was a murderess,” and Incah spoke
with an utter defiance in tone and manner.

“ When did you kill him?"

“ Last evening upon my arrival here.”

“ Who was with you?" .

“ No one.”

“ You were alone?”

I L Yes. 17

“ Who told you of these bodies being here?”

“ The Queen.”

“ Where ’1?"

“At the camp.”

“ She ent you here?”

“ Yes, with others.”

“ What others?”

" Th ” and he pointed to his comrades.

“ You id you came alone?"

“I did, for I left word for ten men to follow
me here.

“I came on alone.”

“ What did Roma Leigh tell you?”

“ To come here, bury two bodies, and keep
the bound man a prisoner.”

“ And what did you do?”

“ I came, saw that crushed body under the
cliff, and on the clifl that dead man.

“ The third one was bound securely, with the
cash of Roma Leigh, to an arbor.”

 

.’ .i“.

 

“ He was alive?”

“ Certainly.”

“ Did you speak with him ?”

“ I did.”

“What conversation passed between you?”

“ He said that he had been bribed to come
here and kill Roma Leigh, and he could get off
from punishment by telling who it was that
had hired him for the work, for he had been
smart enough to dog the steps of his employer
and find out.”

“ Did he tell you who it was?”

“ No, for when he hinted that he might es—
cape by confessing all, I drove my knife into
his heart in punishment for his crime in trying
to kill our Queen.”

“ Thank God i”

Who uttered the words but two knew, but
all heard them distinctly, and it was supposed
that one of the Gypsies had thus expressed him-
self that the intended assassin of their Queen
had not escaped punishment.

But Royal Rickerly knew that his father had
uttered the fervent ejaculation, oblivious to the
fact that he had spoken aloud.

“ And then?” asked the coroner, of Incah.

“ I came down the cliff and met my men, so
they are not to blame, I alone being guilty.”

“ This confession of course sets this young girl
free,” said Royal Rickei‘ly, addressing the cor-
oner.

“ But the jury have—”

" Hang the jury! I for one will not allow you
to carry this girl to prison after the confession
of this man ” warmly said Royal Rickerly, and
as Colonel Burbank and others stepped forward
to uphold him the coroner was forced to say that
the jury had better reconsider the case.

This was done and Roma Leigh was set free.

“ Am 1 to go with my people here?" she
asked.

“ Excepting this man who has confessed the
crime,” answered the coroner.

“ And he is to go to prison?”

‘ I Yes.”

“Poor Incahl” and she stepped forward and
laid her hand upon the man’s head.

He smiled but made no reply, and she turned
away, followed by the ten men who owed their
release with her, to the confession of Incah.

The bodies of the three desperadoes were
buried under the cliff, the crowd departed in
twos and threes, and the constable rode off to
the county town with his GypSy prisoner, a.
self-confessed murderer.

CHAPTER XXX.
THE GYPSY VISITOR.

THERE were three topics of conversation about
the neighborhood of Craig Eden that proved to
be more than a nine days’ wonder.

The tragedy at the cliff, the self-accused
Gypsy murderer and the return of Royal Rick-
erly, who had been given up as dead, were what
interested the people.

The morning following the trial by coroner‘s
jury at the c ifl’, the Gypsies had disappeared
from camp-ground, seemingly dreading to re—

 

main, and leaving their comrade, Incah, to his v

fate.

They had seemed to realize that they could do
nothing for him, that he was in the hands of the
law, and if he got free he would follow them
wherever they had gone.

At any rate they had disappeared as silently
as they had come, and there was one who was
glad to see that their tents were no longer visi-
ble from his window.

That one was Raynor Rickerly.

From the scene of the trial he had returned to
Crag Eden, accompanied by his son and Colonel
Burbank.

He had uttered no word, but seemed morose,
and certainly had the appearance of one who
enjoyed his own thoughts rather than conver 59.-
tion just then.

The colonel had remained to lunch at Crag
Eden, upon condition that R0 al Rivkerly
would return with him to River ale, but Ray-
nor Rickerly had declined to go and so had been
left alone.

After the departure of his son and their
guest, he began to pace the piazza, his lips firm-
ly set. his brow clouded.

“That fellow told the Gypsy he had dogged
the 31:6 3 of the one who bribed him and knew
’ust w 0 he was,” he muttered, as he walked

ack and forth, his hands behind his back, his

'face bent downward.

“ Can this be true. I wonder?

“ Yet it might be, for I recall now that aman »

followed me to the hotel, yes, up into the corridor
and saw what room I entered.

“I was suspicious of him then, and any I am
sure that it was a spy set by those men to dis-
cover who I was.

“But what became of the money I gave the
men?

“ And the map with its full directions?

“ Surely they had something upon them, and
that Gypsy got it.

" But the map would tell him nothing more
than the locality, and prove to him that the I!“ n
had indeed been set upon the track of Roma

Lei h.
“ql‘hey could learn nothing from that map,

 

I.

'I.

wh

 

(I.

 

 

The Planter Detective.

 

and the rcvengeful Gypsy knifed him fortunate- i
ly before he told what he knew.

He seemed to shun doing so, and at last

i nerved himself to the task as lhough he was

“ But what have I found out now as to this _‘ about to discover some dread secret.

Gypsy Queen! I
“ She is the image of the one I loved in the 5
long ago; but it cannot be she, for no one would j
say this one is over eighteen. l
“Then Roma Leigh, as I saw her the (lay I ‘
took her life, was a woman of nearly twoscore
years.

“ Can she have had a daughter, I wonder?

“ It must be so, for how else can I reason this
Vouug girl’s likeness to the Roma Leigh I knew,
without becoming a superstitious fool and be-
lieving that she has the power to be both old i
and young. 1

“I fear Royal heard my exclamation when
the Gypsy Incah said that he had knifed that
scoundrel.

“I unconsciously spoke aloud, and only
noticed that I had done so when Royal started .
and looked at me.

“ How strange all this is, for my son, whom ;

all believed to be dead, turns up at the very mo—
ment to prevent my hired assassins from killing
that Woman. _

“ It seems that I should be warned by this not
again to take that woman’s life. ~ .

“ And yet must I again live a life of dread,

again be a coward, and more, not avenge the ,

past?

“ But did I not avenge the past when I took
her life!

“ But then, who is this Roma Leigh?”

He beat his forehead with his clinched hand,
and seemed to be in a mood bordering on in-
sanity.

The past came before him with all its pleas-
ure and pain.

He recalled his love-making to Roma Leigh
and then how he had cast her ofl‘, broken all
vows, to marry Agnes Ashly.

He remembered the warning of the Gypsy
Queen, and how she had kept her threats.

The death of his wife by poison, the kidnap-
ping, and supposed murder of his son Rafael,
came vividly before him, with all the dread he
.had felt that Royal would be the next victim.

Then he remembered his trail of vengeance,
fndlthe death scene in that cottage in a foreign

anr .

He recalled the gallant career of his son, his
fears regarding his death, and then the coming
back of the Romana Gypsies to camp beneath
the very shadow of Crap; Eden and bring a new
terror to his heart by beholding upon the cliff,
at the old trysting—place, the seeming spirit of
Roma Leigh, and if not her ghost, certainly her
counterpart.

His determination to free himself of her,
ghost or flesh and blood though she be, and to so
cover up his track that none should see his
hand in the deed, had been thwarted by the re-
turn of his son whom he had begun to believe
was dead.

Should he still risk to avenge the past, he
wondered.

Such were the musings of the master of Crag
Ellen, and he paced to and fro upon the broad

iazza for hours after the departure of Colonel

urbauk and his son for Riverdale.

He was happy in the thought that he had his
son once more with him; but could be live with-
out dread, that after all that Royal Rickerly
had passed through he had not returned home
to meet his death?

If Roma. Leigh, his Roma Leigh was really
dead, had she not bequeathed her revenge to
others. and would they not strike at his love to
hurt his heart?

His son was all that he had, and upon him
his whole life was centered.

It would kill him to have him taken from him.

For himself he cared not, and he could even
thank the revengeful Gypsy band that took his
life; but the revenge must not strike him through
his son.

As the man’s thoughts ran thus an evil light
came into his eyes and he bit his nether lip
viciously.

Glancing down the hill road to the valley he
saw a horseman approaching.

“ It is not Royal,”he muttered, and a moment
after a curse broke from his lips.

He had recognized the picturesque costume of
the Romans. Gypsies.

The horseman came up the steep hill at a can-
ter, and Raynor Rickerly knew that he bore
some message to him._ _

The Gypsy passed in through the gate, rode
up to the broad steps leading to the piazza and
dismounted. _

He made no salute, but took from his Jacket 8.
p‘ickage heavily sealed, and handed it to Raynor
Rickerly. _

Then, without a word he turned on his heel.
sprung upon his horse and rode avaytleaving
the master of Crag Eden holding in his'trem~
bling hands the mysterious package, which he
seemed to lack the courage to open.

CHAPTER XXXI.
'rwo mT’l‘ERS. .
IT was a long time before Raynor Rickerly
broke the seal of the package handed him by
the Gypsy horseman.

 

The seal broken, a paper was revealed upon
which was writing in a feminine hand upon
which the planter gazed with strange interest:

“CAMP on THE Ron/nu (:rrsms.
" SA’l'l'RliAY.
“To RAYNOR lfu‘KizaLv EsQ.:—

“ Giiuirrixo:~ il‘rom lncuh, Captain of the Romana
Gypsies comes tin-within letter to you and incomes
with seal unbroken from his cell in prison, with the
request that I place it in your hand through trusty
nwsssngcr.

"I now do so.

“ Of its contents I only know that he places him-

1 self in your hands, for lifc ordeatn. and i too leave

him to your mercy or hatred as you may see lit
to visit upon him, for, Willi in}: pf‘<)pll‘ I go house,
never to return, unless [ma/z (hr Gypsum” cup/(ml,
Mould Me.

“ Let thrse words—unless lncah, the Gypsics‘ cap-
tain, should die~ be remembered by Raynor Rickar-
ly, the master of Crag Eden. for should he forgot
i ie

in they will be recalled to his memory, as UN (Ild '
‘ is not yet.

‘ ROMA Lniou,
" len of/he RHINO/((1 (Iy/mirs.“

Such was the letter that Raynor Rickcrly
read, and his face puled as he did so.

“ Her writing!"

He fairly gasped the words.

“ Yes, it is her writing, for how well I re-
member it.

“ This but increases the maddening mystery.

“ So she departs With her people, never to re—
turn unless lncah should die.

‘ That means unless he should hang, and it
puts it upon me to prevent it.

“Now to this letter she sends within."

He spoke the words aloud and slowly; like
one who was recalling a dream to memory.

Then he broke the seal of the inclosed letter,
which was addressed simply to

“ THE MASTER or
“ CRAG EDEN."

The seal had a stamp upon it of two crossed
stilettos. while the one from the Queen had been
a representation of the world, as though to
show that they were world-wide Wanderers.

The letter was not long, and was written in
some characters that only a Gypsy, it was said,
could read.

But Raynor Rickerly was the exception to

j that rule, for in his love-making days to Roma

Leigh, she had taught him the secret charac-
ters of the Gypsy writing, and this Incah knew.

He had as ed the constable to allow him to
send a letter to his camp, bidding all good- by,
as he resigned himself to the gallows or life
imprisonment, and urging them to depart and
leave him to his fate.

Constable Creighton had granted his request,
for he was anxious to get rid of the Gypsies,
fearing trouble.

TWU letters had been written, one to Roma
Leigh, the other to Raynor Rickerl y.

The latter was sealed, but bore no address,
and the Queen was told to direct and send it.

The letter to Roma Leigh was in the Gypsy
characters, and so unintelligible to Constable
Creighton.

Bu‘. he saw no harm in letters, so dispatched
a messenger to the Gypsy camp with the pack-
age.

Roma Leigh had carefully read all that was
written to her, and then had sent the package
inCIOsed in :1 letter from herself to the master
of Crag Eden.

With this explanation, I will return to Ray-
nor Rickerly after he had broken the seal of
lncah’s communication.

The plantcr’s hand trembled as he held the
sheet of paper.

It had been a long time since he had seen
the Gypsies’ secret cipher.

But it came back to him as he gazed upon
it, and he read the letter addressed to him by
the Gypsy captain.

It was as follows, when translated:

“ In PiusoN.
" SATURDAY.

“I address you, Raynor Rickerly, to have you
save me from the: gallows.

“I will be tried, and under other circumstances,
might be even cleared, or merely sent to prison for
a short term; but those who trvma hate Gypsies,
and they wish to frighten them away from this
country.

"They fear them, too, I may add. and so my trial
will be but a farce and I Will be hanged.

"This hanging will not be far off either, for the
matter will be uickly settled with me.

“A Romans ypsy has never been hanged.

“And one must not be.

“ l therefore appeal to you, Raynor Rfckerly,to
save me.

“ l have writien to my Queen

“I have told her to (is art with our people, to go
on her wandering way, saving me to ynur mercy,
and all would be well, for are long I would overtake
my people.

" She will depart and I will be left in your hands.

“ You are to save me, Raynor Rickerly.

“You may be inclined to refuse; but a word to
the wise in sufllcient.

“I did not ti ii the whole truth to the coroner.

“ I know who it was that bribed those men to kill
Roma Lein. ,

“The man confessed tn me. ‘

"He told me how he had sent a spy to dog you,

2

_ 1?:

and you had been followml to the hotel, to a curtain
room.

“ He found out who occupied that room, andsuw
a (llll'crent iuiin conic oul. Il’llill the nun who and
entered it.

" You had gono in disguise to bribe your assas-
sins to do their work.

" You gave him a limp and dirt-ctions.

“lIow wisc llmli will oftv-n (lo foolish things, for
you wrote the dirwctn-ns in your n .lurnl hand. and
the map could only have benn lukon from a chart

olf your land, it was so t-xuct an to distance and all
8 Sl‘.

“This man supposed i would spare his life when
he told me all.

“ He did not know mc.

‘ i got ins map and directions, took his money
and that on the bodies of llie others. loft nothing to

 

hell the tale on them, and then put my knife in his
cart.

"I wove the map into my long hair, so it was not
i found when] was searchcd. and put the money in

my belt, so have lhal, as] was allowed to keep it

"'l‘hl-i is my hold on you.Raynor Rickerly, so it
I 1will be but proper for you to save me from the gal—
ows.

“ if not, then the whole story of your life must
come out, for remember. the day when Roms. Leigh,
in the long ago, pledged herself to become your
wife. you b c une a (lg/[M1].

" With these facts [leave my life in your hands.

“I will he (lay and night on the watch for you,
and will (‘xprct to go free rather than hang, for
I feel very Sure you do not care to have the
world know of your disgracv, a dishonor that will
fall upon your rou, should it become known that
ins father is a Gypsy. and in fact has done many
deeds with murder in his soul.

“I await your pleasure. or my death on the gal-
lows,whichevcr it may he, with perfect composure.

“ incur."

Such was the letter from the Gypsy captain,
and Raynor Rickerly knew that he lay at his
mercy.

Long he thought over the matter, then reread
the letter and said, firmly:

“ I must save him!”

“Save who father?”

And Royal Rickerly stood by his father’s side,
having approached unseen, so deeply was he
wrapt up in his meditations.

The strong man gasped, turned pale, but con-
trolling himself by a. mighty efl'ort, said:

“ A poor fellow who has written me for aid,
or he will he sold out; but I am glad to see you
back, my son.”

And the master of Crag Eden was himself
once more. ‘~

 

CHAPTER XXXII.
ram HERMIT HUNTER.

UPON the banks of the river, some dozen miles
or so from Crag Eden, there was a rude cabin
situated under the shelter of a bluff.

A garden-patch was near, surrounded by a.
rustic fence, and upon this, the river and the
forests the dweller in the lone cabin depended
for his living. -

The man who lived there was known as the
Hermit Hunter, and very few were aware that
ho bore the name of Dick Sun-y.

He had come there years before, and had
enough money to buy half a hundred acres land.

On this plot he had built his cabin and fenced
in a garden, after which he began the existence
of a hunter and fisherman.

He was very lucky in fishing, and knew just
where the finest trout were to be found, and
always found plenly of nine.

TWice a week he so] to the village market
his game and fish, and a storekeeper purchased
his pelts,so that it was said that he madea good
living, as his expenses were next to nothing.

He wore along beard, his hair fell below his
shoulders, and be dressed like a plainsman.

From whence he had come no one knew, and
he would never speak of himself.

That he was hiding from the law for some
crime committed all believed, and of; he was a
man of ontle manner, had an e ucation. and
broke no aw of the community where he lived.

One day, years before the attack of the three
assassins on Roma Leigh. Raynor Rickerly had
been riding along the river-bank hunting and
had stoppe at the cabin of the Hermit Hunter.

He heard groans within. and entering found
the strong man prostrate with brain-fever.

Uncared for he soon would have died, and so
the plantar set to work to do all in his power for
the unfortunate sufferer.

He made him as comfortable as possible, and
then set off for Crag Eden.

But within a few hours he was back again,
accompanied by Doctor Levering and a servant,
the latter bearing many things to make the pa-
tient comfortable.

The doctor administered medicine, seemed
surpriSed that in his delirium the hunter Spoke
in a foreign tongue, and departed.

But Raynor Rickerly and his negro servant
remained to care for the sick man.

The next day the doctor returned. reported a.
great change for the better, and went on his
rounds; but Raynor Rickerly did not desert the
invalid.

Thus it went on until Dick Surr was out of
danger, and the master of Greg E en. who had
pipven himself such a good nurse, returned to

home, leaving his servant, however, to wait
on the hunter until he was once more fully 11?
stored to health.

 

18

 

“You have saved my life, Mr. Rickerly—
you, a rich man, have devoted yourself to me,
a poor wretch, and I can never forget you for

it.

“But tell me, did I rave in my delirium?"
said the hunter, as the planter was about to
leave.

“ Yes, our mind wandered."
“Did speak in English?” was the quick
question. ’

“ No, in Spanish.”

“ Ahl but you do not understand Spanish, do
you, sir?” and the man seemed to anxiously
await reply.

“ I do. ’

u My God En

“ Do not worry yourself, Surry, for any con-
fessions you made in delirium are sacred.

“ Your past is not my affair, and Doctor
Lovering and Jack do not understand Spanish,
so be at ease, my friend.”

“ God bless you, Raynor Ri'ckerly, is my
prayer.

“ I came here a fugitive from justice, for I
had taken human life.

“I was a soldier stationed upon the Mexican
frontier, and madly loved a ranchero’s daugh-
ter.
“ She became in wife, and several years af-
ter, when in New rleans, my best friend, as I
believed, one who owed his life to me, won her
from me.

“They fled together, and I pursued.

“I meant not to kill her, for I intended to
forgive and carry her home with me.

“ But alas! when I fired upon him, she threw
herself upon his breast and the bullet pierced
her heart.

“ Then I killed him and fled.

“ A ruined man, I wandered about until I
found this retreat, and here I settled, contentto
pass the remainder of my life, and better had it

een, Planter Rickerly, had you not nursed me
back to life, and have let me die.

“Such sir, is the secret you hold, and in my

ravings I upbraided her, and him, and I always ‘,

spoke to her, and to him, in Spanish, for they
were both of them Mexicans.”

“ Your delirious ravings told me as much,
Surry, and I repeat, your secret is safe with
me,” said Raynor Rickerly.

After that the planter and the hunter met oc—
casionally, and the two always seemed firm
friends.

A haunch of venison, a fine trout, a bunch of
quail often were left at Crag Eden by the hunt-
er, and the planter knew him too well to offer
to ay him for what he knew was a gift to him.

he day after the reception of the letter from
Incah, Raynor Rickerly mounted his horse and
rode away alone, giving the impression to his
son that he was going to the village.

He had seen on arising that morning that the
Gypsies had broken camp during the night and
disappeared.

This fact told him that they had indeed left
Incah in his hands, to save or let perish, as it
mi ht be.

oyal told him that he would not go out that
day, or at least until that evening, but devote
himself to looking about the house and writing
his report to the Secretary of the Navy, send-
ing it along with his resignation, for he intend-
ed to give up the life of a sailor and devote him-
self to planting.

His father heard this with joy, and said:

“ As soon as you decide, Royal, upon your
marriage day, I will turn over to you Viewlands,
which was your mother’s home, you remember,
and left to you and poor Rafael.

“ I will have it put in fine condition, thor—
oughly refurnished, stock the stables and planta-
tion for you, and it shall be your wedding
present.

“ So let me know what day you and Violet
set for your marriage as soon as possible.”

“I will, father, and I thank you; but I sup-
pose you will still live at Crag den i”

“ Oh, yes, this is my home until I die.

“ The will handed down like an heirloom from
my grandfather and father says that the elder
of the name of Rickerly, on the male side, shall
hold it as his castle, as it were, and with it the
50% it stands upon, though every other acre be
so .

“ This is my castle, Royal, and here I will re-
main until I die, and then it becomes your home,

in son.

X But Viewlands is a charming place, the very
home for a bride, and I will make it a very Eden
of beauty for you and Violet, for I have a de-
sire that you bring not your wife here,for there
are cruel memories about this old place.”

Roy Rickerly made no reply, and soon after
his father departed on his ride.

He took the river road instead of the one to
the village.

Then he branched off into the path that carried
him by the cliff, more than ever to be shunned
since the last tragedy there.

But, with stem face, white with emotion that
surged up from his heart, the master of Crag
Eden halted and gazed upon the scene.

The two graves. nearly eflaced, which told of
the far bygone were there,and near by the three
newly-made mounds that covered the remains

 

The Planter Detective.

of the men whom he had bribed in Baltimore to
take the life of Roma Leigh.

For some little time he gazed upon the scene,
then, dismounting, he ascended the ridge path to
the arbor.

He there remained for some minutes, as though
held by a morbid fascination to the spot, and
lwith a sigh turned and retraced his steps to his

orse.

Mounting once more he rode on, kept up the
valley road, and soon after reached the highway
bordering the river.

This he followed until he turned into a ath
and drew rein at the cabin of the Hermit un-
ter, who was seated before his door smoking his
pipe, but quickly arose and greeted the planter
upon his arrival.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE PLOT TO RESCUE.

“ An, Planter Rickerly, I am glad to see you.

“ Dismount and have a seat,’ called out the
Hermit Hunter, as the planter rode up.

He was a tall man, with broad shoulders, and
though little Over thirty his hair was gray and
his beard full of silver threads, which gave him
at the first glance the appearance of being an
older man by a score of years than he really
was.

His eyes were piercing and restless, and there
was an expression of resigned sadness upon his
face, which was handsome and striking.

His movements were quick, and his carriage
indicated soldierl training.

In response tot o invitation the planter dis-
mounted, aud taking the seat brought out for
him by the hunter he said:

“ Sun-y, I have come to see you upon a very
important matter.”

“ Yes. Mr. Rickeriy, you will find a willing
listener.”

“ So I feel.”

“ Has anything gone wrong with you, sir?”

I “ Eel], yes ; but when were you in the village
ast ‘

“ Last evening, for I took in a supply of game
and fish.”

“You heard news then i"

“ I am not a news-gatherer, sir, but I did
overhear a conversation that interested me, for
it was your name that was mentioned.

“Allow me to congratulate yop upon the re-
turn home of your son.”

“ Thank you, Surry ; but what did you
hear?”

“ Of Lieutenant Royal’s return, and that he
was just in time to become the hero of an ad-
venture, in which Roma Leigh, the Gypsy
Queen, and the daughter of Colonel Burbank,
were mixed up.” ‘

“I will tell you the story,” and the planter
made known the facts of the tragedy on the
cliff, the hunter listening with the deepest in-
terest.

Then he told of the affairs following, on the
succeeding day, ending with the arrest of Incah
for the murder of one of the desperadoes.

” Why, they will not surely hang him for
that l" 9

“They will, Surry.”

“The fellow deserved death.”

1 “ Granted; but it was a murder neverthe-
ess.’ .

“ I think the jury will let him go.”

L‘ No.”

“ You seem sure, sir.”

“ He is a Gypsy.”

“ Ah yes, I had not thought of it.

“They wish to get rid of a Gypsy, so as to
keep the baud away from this neighborhood."

“ Exactly so, Surry.”

“ Have you any interest in this man i”

The planter was silent fora moment,and then
said in a low tone:

“ Surry, I can trust you?"

“With your life, sir.”

“You know that I hold a secret of yours,
Sun-y, and now I will tell you a secret of my
life.’

“ You need not, sir, unless you wish.”

“But I wish your aid."

“ Give me your orders what I shall do, and

ou shall have my aid to its full extent, Planter
ickerly.”

“You are a noble fellow, Surry, and I will
tell you that you will never regret helping me
in this matter.”

“ I will do all in my power for you, Mr.
Rickerly.” .

“I felt that you would when I came to you.
d.“ The truth is, Surry, that man must not

ie.

it an

“it???”

“ You ,wish to save him ’1”

“ Yes, I must.”

“ It will he no easy task.”

“ I know that, but it must be done, Surry.”

“Let us see what to do in the matter, and
then we can act. _

“ He is in the village jail i”

“ Yes.”

“ The keeper is Hank Romerl”

l I  ”
six"where is no one else at the jail, is there,

 

I , A

 

“No, for Homer is a bachelor, and by night
he alone guards the prisoners, when there are
any there, and by day there is another man on
duty."

“Are there any other prisoners there now
besides the Gypsy?”

“ I do not know; but I think not, unless it be
a runaway negro or two.”

“ The jail stands in an isolated place, apart
from theuvillagei"

“ Well, Planter Rickerly, our plan will be to
gain entrance in some way, master Hank Romer
without harming him, tie and gag him, release
your man and depart.”

“ But Romer is a perfect giant."

“ I do not fear matching strength with him,
sir; but we must go in disguise.”

“ Of course; but how will we gain admit-A
tanCe ?”

The hunter was lost in deep meditation for
awhile.

Then he said:

“ I will shave off my heard, cut my hairshort,
and black up and dress as a negro, while youi
can disguise yourself in some way and pretend.
to be an ofl‘lcei' from a distant county, return—
ing with a prisoner that you had gone after.

“ The irons on my hands need not be fastened
and when Romer opens the door I can spring
upon him, while you hasten to get the keys and
release the Gypsy. ,

“ We will go late at night, and you can have
a horse ready for the Gypsy, when he can ride
to a certain point on the river where you must
have a boat in which he can continue his flight.

“ You can return home, I come back here.andi
the jailer can be left bound until the find him:
in the mornin , which will give the ypsy some
eight or nine ours’ start of all pursuit, while
we will never be suspected.

;‘ \g’ljhat do you think of the plan, Mr. Rick--
er '

‘yAn excellent one, and just what we wish to
make it a success.

“ Now to fix upon a dis ise. and the night on
which to do the work, an I will return home to
see about securing a horse and a boat for the
Gypsy.”

Having decided fullyupon the plans of action,
the planter mounted his horse and rodeon to the.
village.

He knew that the road would take him by'
the jail, and he wished to look over matters as.
they were. .

The village was a pretty one nestling away
at the head of a val ey, and the jail was the
first place to come to in the approach to it on the
highway along which the planter rode.

t was a stone structure, built solidly for the
purpose for which it was intended.

The living rooms of the jailer below, and a
dozen cells on the floor above comprised all
there was of the building, while a brick wall,
ten feet high and with broken bottles on top-
served as a barrier to escape from the yard
about the jail.

A but in one corner of the yard was the home:
of an old deaf negress who did the cooking for
the jailer and his prisoners, when there were
any of the latter, for it was not very often that
Hank Romer had prisoners under his charge to
worry him.

As he approached the jail, from the hillside,
the planter saw that one of the cells had an
occupant.

It was Incah, the Gypsy captain, and they
both recognized each other at the same moment,
but did not give any sign of recognition as a
crowd of a dozen boys and village idlers stood
on the hillside gazigg in gaping wonder at the
prisoner, who seem hardly conscious of their
existence there.

The jailer stood at the massive, iron, nail-
studded door, that opened in the wall, taking
advantage of the breeze without, for the day
was sultry, and he bowed politely to the planter
as he rode by, saying:

“Glad to hear of your son’s return, Mr. Rick-
erly, and I ho e he is well, girl”

‘ Yes, than you, quite well,” and the stern»
faced planter, andobject of awe to all who knew
him, rode on his way down into the village.

He stopped at the post-office, his mail was
brought out to him, and after visiting the vil—
lage attorney, on some matter of business, Ray~
nor Rickerly rode homeward by the highway
E5131: led directly by the plantation of Crag

en.
“Three nights from this the Gypsy will es~
cape, and Roma Leigh will know that it was by
my act, and she has said, that if Incah did not:
die, she would never return again to these
parts. ' -

“ Can there be such a thing for me as happi-~
pliness in the future, I wonder, a perfect freedom

om dread of evil?"

So mused the master of Crag Eden as he rode-
homeward that pleasant afternoon after having
formed his plot to rescue the Gypsy captain.

CHAPTER XXXIV.
AN UNLooxEn-roa nasuur.
J AILER Roman. was a man who retired early-
He was supposed to be a night-guard, and yet
such a thing as remaining up allnight to keep

 

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2‘

x as

watch and ward over the jail had ueveroccurrcd
to him.

He had never known an atl empt to break
jail, no prisoner had ever escaped, and so when
his hour for going to bed came he went the
rounds, hung the keys on a nail by his cot, which
was put in the hall from habiteach night, rather
than as a precaution, and then lay down with
his clothes on.

After his assistant came in the morning, J ailer
Romer was wont to undress and go to bed for a
few hours in his own room, as though he had
been up all night.

It was a dark night, and rain was threatening,
when Hank Romer went the rounds of his jail
before retiring.

He looked in on the Gypsy captain from hab-

' it, bade him good-night, and went down to his

cot to soon be fast asleep.

Incah was ironed heavily, for a manacle was
about his right ankle and another upon his left
wrist.

The chains were attached to rings in the wall,
but they were several feet in length and gave
him a chance to move about. ,

He bade the jailer good-night and also lay
down upon his cot, dropping to sleep as quietly
as though he had the conscience of a young child.

Lucy, the old deaf negress, went to bed with
thel chickens, so to speak, for she retired at night-
fal .

But she was up with the lark, had breakfast
ready for the jailer b seven, and her cooking
was of a kind that ha caused a. prisoner who
had spent months in the jail to regret that he
had been proven “ not guilty," and would have
to de art.

Jailer Romer had slept about an hour when
the bell over his head rung out.

He was awake in an instant.

Who had come to disturb his slumbers? he
wondered.

Throwing on his coat and slipping his feet in-
to his slippers, he took up his lantern and moved
out to the iron-barred ate in the wall.

The night was very ark, and the clouds were
threatening a storm.

“ Who is there?" called out the jailer.

“ Constable Case from Blackwood, with a
negro prisoner.

“ 1 want to jail him with you over night.”

“ All right,” replied Hank Romer, for he had
heard of Constable Case, of Blackwood, though
he had never met him. -

He unfastened the bars, opened the massive
door, and saw two horsemen.

One was a negro, to all appearance, and his
hands looked to be handcuffed behind him.

The other was a man with slouch hat, heavy
beard, coat with collar standing up and whose
face was hardly visible.

“ Glad to meet you, friend.and we’ll jug your
man first, then stable the horses, after which
I’ll look you up something to eat,” said the hos-
pitable jailer. _

The horses were led in and hitched, the man
and his prisoner dismounted, and Jailer Ronier
led the way to the jail.

Hardly had he closed the door when the black
man turned upon him, seized him by the throat
and hissed forth:

“ Surrender, or you are a dead man !”

At the same moment the white man seized the
lantern, grasped the keys and ran rapidly up-
stairs to the floor above.

He heard the struggle below, but heeded it
not, and hastily finding a key thrust it into the
lock of the cell-door that shut the Gypsy captain
in.
He threw open the door, took from the bunch
of keys one that unlocked the manaclesupon the
ankle and wrist of the prisoner and soon set him
free.

The Gypsy had arisen as he heard the struggle
be10w, and calmly gazed into the face of his
rescuer.

“ It is a good disguise, but I know you.

“ I knew you would come,”he said with the
utmost coolness.

The rescuer made no reply, but simply put the
lantern on the table, turned down his collar as
th)ugh the heat oppressed him, and then un-
locked the irons. .

“ Come," he said.

“You have others to aid you?"

‘l one.”

“ The jailer?"

“ Is a prisoner, come i"

The speaker led the way down the stairs, light-
ing lidis way with his lantern, and the Gypsy fol—
lows . ’

They had nearly reached the door, when a
form appeared before them.

“ You did not kill him, Surryl reat God!

on did not kill him?" cried Raynor ickerly as
his eyes fell upon the form before them.

“ No! I killed himl .

“ Hands up. or I send you after him 1"

It was J ailer Hank Rainer who spoke the
words.

The hall lamp now showed that his face was
stained with blood, and he seemed to stand up-
ri ht with an eflort. _

fiat while he rested a inst the wall With one
hand, in the other he he (1 a pistol leveled/at the
two men who faced him. ’

 

Planter Detective.

....,1;9

 

“ I know you now, Planter Rickerly, in spite
of your disguise.

“ Handsup, or I will kill you and the vasyl"

Suddenly the hands of Raynor Rickerly went
up, one above his head, the other on a level with
his eye.

Then followed a flash and Jailer Romer sunk
down upon the brick flooring of the jail, a dead
man.

“ My God! he has killed my friend.

“ Come, we must get out of this," and the lan-
tern flashed upon the prostrate form of the
hunter, lying motionless with upturned face.

The Gypsy bent over the hunter, rested his
hand upon the heart and said shortly:

“ Dead 1"

“ Come l”

The voice of Royal Rickerly was hoarse with
suppressed emotion, and he quickly left the jail,
the Gypsy at his heels.

“ Take that horse, forit is the one the hunter
rode here for you. ‘

“ Here is gold. and at the Riverdale Ford you
gillkflnd a boat tied to a large gum tree on the

an .

“ It is twenty miles there, so do not spare your
horse, and turn him loose when you reach the
ford and he will return home, for the hunter
took him from a stable near here.

“ I will go with you to the forks of the road,
and there ou can give me the map and direc-
tions you old.”

The Gypsy sprung upon the bare back of the
horse, which was a good animal, seized the rope
halter, and as Raynor Rickerly had also mount-
ed, they started off at a gallop.

“ The body of your friend will be recognized,"
said the Gypsy.

“ It cannot be helped, and it is better so, for
he will be looked upon as the one who aided you
to escape,” and the planter, though regretting
the sad end of Dick Surry, was glad that it
would stop all investigation, for as the hunter
was really unknown, as regarded his antece—
dents, it would be the more thought that hewus
employed by the GypSIes to free their captain.

Thethought that he had taken the life of Hank
Romer also weighed upon the planter.

He felt that the jailer had been doing his duty
only, and yet, had he not killed him the result
to him would have been fearful. for he would
have told who the rescuer of the Gypsy really
was, for he had recognized him.

“ The body of poor Surry will be found in the
morning, and recognized in spite of his black-
ened face and having shaved ofl’ his beard.

“ It will be supposed that the Gypsies hired
him to set Incah free, and thus the matter will
end; but it adds another weight to my con
science.”

So said the planter, and soon after he drew
rein at the forks of the road and said:

“ Here we part, Gypsy, and with the start you
have you will easilv escape.

“ A hard storm is coming up which will oblit—
erate all tracks, and here is a bundle of clothing
for you, so that you need not wear your Gypsy
Ctistume.

“ You have said, and so has Roma Leigh,
that you will never visit this part of the country
again?”

" We have so said.”

“ Give me those papers. tell Roma Leigh that
I sewed you from the gallows, and let this end
al .

“I have not the papers, for the jailer took
them from me to-day.”

“ Gypsy, you lie!” cried the planter, and fol-
lowing his words came a flash and report.

The Gypsy reeled, and away dashed his horse.

Ra nor Rickerly sat upon his horse like one
struc dumb with amazement.

Then, with a bitter oath he spurred on in chase
of the fugitive.

 

CHAPTER XXXV.
THE STORY or A wouunnn MAN.

Rumor: Ricxnanv had ridden but a short
disltance when his horse came to a sudden
ha t.
There in the road before him stood the ani-
mal which he was in pursuit of.

But he was riderless.

But in the road, the long rope of the halter
wound about his body was the Gypsy.

Dismounting the planter approached him.

He spoke to the Gypsy, but no response came.

The Gypsy lay motionless and his horse re-

.mained by him, held by the stout rope.

“ Incah l”
Still no reply.
Then the p anter bent over him, felt of his
heart and his hand became moist. ,
There was a wound there.
It was where his bullet had cut its way.
But was it fatal? This the planter soon ascer-
tained.
The man was stone dead.
The trembling hands of the lantei' then
sped the long, braided hair of t 0 Gypsy.
In one of the braids he found some papers,
Eleverly braided into the hair and securely hid-
en.

 

Eagerly he took them out and then he searched
the body thoroughly.

    

The gold he did not disturb, except what he
had given him.

Mounting his horse he rode away, leaving the
Gypsy lying where he had fallen, and the stout
if‘ope, knotted about him, holding the horse

a

 

st.

“ It will look as though he had been wounded
in escaping, rode thus far and fell, having tied
the rope about him as a support.

“ My tracks are certainly covered up this
night, and Roma Leigh will never suspect me of
killing the man after setting him free.”

As he spoke the planter ur ed his horse into a
gallop, for the thunder fair y shook the hills,

he lightning flashed most vividly and the storm
was at hand.

Soon the rain began to fall in torrents, and
Raynor Rickerly was wet through.

But he heeded not this, and soon after mid-
ni ht reached his home.

he stableman took his horse, and entering
{ll-)8 house he found Black Pink up awaiting
im.

“ I was gittin’ scared about you, massa; but
yer supper is ready waitin‘, soon as yer changes
yer clothin’,” said the faithful negress.

The man made no reply, but went to his room
and put on dry clothing, after which he swal-
lowed a glass half-full of brandy.

“ Where is Master Royal i" he asked.

“ In bed two hours ago, sah."

“ I. do not care for supper, Black Pink, so go
to bed.”

The negress obeyed in silence, but she looked
disappointed, for she had spread a repast which
she thought would tempt her master.

Then Raynor Rickerly began to pace the li—
brary, his head bent, his hands behind him, as.
was is wont.

At last he unfolded the papers he had taken
from the braided hair of the dead Gypsy.

There were blood—stains upon them, and he
shuddered.

Opening the papers he looked at them a mo-
ment and then turned deadly pale.

“ My Goal these are copies.

“Who has the originals?” he groaned forth
between his shut teeth.

He examined them over and over again.

They were only copies. Going to the dining-
room, he seized the decanter of brandy and
poured out a glassful.

This he dashed off and then sought his room,
threw himself upon the bed and tried to sleep.
But he could not, for he knew that the peltinr 

\

rain was falling in the uptu. ned face of the dead
Gypsy, he whom he had killed— for what?

He knew that the dead jailer lay in the corri-
dor of the jail, also dead by his hand.

He knew that his faithful ally and friend,
Dick Surry, the Hermit Hunter, had been left:
in the jail also.

Then the fearful thought flashed over him:

“Was the jailer really dead!

“ Was Sorry dead 5“

1 At last, as the dawn broke he fell into a deep
5 eep.

Several hours after he awoke at the call of’
Darius, who told him that breakfast was ready,
and the young master wished to see him as soon
as ossible.

e dressed with trembling hands. but upon,
leaving his room went to the sideboard and
braced his nerves with a stiff mint julep, after
which he went out upon the piazza where he was
told by Darius Royal was awaiting him, and
that a visitor was there.

he heard the voico of the visitor before he
saw him, and recognized who it was.

He started, but he was perfectly cool when he-
stepaed out upon the piazza.

‘ cod-morning, father. I feared you were
ill, you slept so late, for it is nearly ten o‘clock,”
said Royal.

“ I do not feel very well, my son, and overw-
slept myself.

“ Good-morning, Constable Creighton.

“ You are in time to breakfast with us."

The constable was surprised.

Breakfast at Crag Eden for him would be at
treat indeed.

The master was most agreeable that mom»

in .

gl‘hen Constable Creighton ii as hungry.

He had ridden far, fast and furious, and more,
he had had no breakfust.

He had just come over to tell the news,which,
of course, would interest the gentlemen.

Then the Constable was shown to a room to-
make his toilet, a mint-julep was given to him
to sharpen his appetite, and the three sat down.
to breakfast, the master of Crag Eden most re»
markably indifferent to the news brought by
the officer of the law.

“ Now, Constable Creighton, what hava yew
to tell us?" said Mr. Rickerly, and his manner
was realg' pleasant.

“The ypsy escaped last night, sir.”

The constable sprung this news upon his hear»
are with the air 0 a man who felt that he would
amaze by what he said.

“ Impossible 1”

“ Escaped 1”

“Yes. planter yes, lieutenant.”

“ But how could he escape?” .

“ It was a well-arranged plot, gentlemen, I:

r

i
l

«and

l

, him was Burt Greene’s black mare, held by

20

The Planter Detective.

 

 

assure you, and the man who aided him was
2101]?) other than Dick Surry, the Hermit Hun-
er.

(4  i“

“ I do not know him,” said Royal.

“ No, he has not been here very long, and yet
you must remember him, Royal, for he came be-
fore you left for Mexico."

‘f Ah, yes; I recall him now."

“ He aided him, you say, Creighton?” asked
the lanter.

“ 'es, sir: but we have him fast.”

“ You recaptured him?"

And the question of Royal Rickerly was most
timely, for it turned the eyes of the constable
to him,and the start and sudden pallor of Plant-
er Rickerly went unnoticed.

“ N 0, we did not capture the Gypsy, yet he is
dead; but we got the hunter.”

“Indeed?”

“ How was it?” asked the planter.

“Well, gentlemen, the deaf old negress at the
jail came to my house this morning soon after
sun-up and said that J ailer Romer was dead and
at Wounded man, all blacked up, was lying at
the ate and offered her money to hide him.

"‘ went there and found Hank Romer dead,
stone dead, gentlemen, and the wounded, man,
after awhile, I recognized as Dick Surry, the
Hermit Hunter. I

Y“ He was wounded in the side by a knife-
thrust, had a blow on the head that cut to the
bone. and was all blacked up, while he had tuck—

.ed his long hair up under his hat and shaved off
.his beard.

"lie was a hard-looking follow, I can tell

you.
“ Will he die?”
“ I think not sir, for I sent for Doctor Lover-
ing, and he said he could pull him through.
' lie made no secret that he had comet, ere to
free the prisoner and that the G psy had es-

caped, doubtless believing him den , for he had

.been stunned by the blow.

“ He said the Gypsy was his friend, and that
he had pretended to be a negro. with a message
for the jailer, and thus got entrance. .

“ Then he had snatched the keys from Hank,
ran up to the Gypsy’s cell, unlocked the door,
threw him the keys to rid himself of his irons
and then had gone to meet the jailer who was
advancin upon him.

“They ad fought, and he had been wounded,
then fell, striking his head and becoming un-
conscious.

“ He says the Gypsy and the jailer must have
fought, for he came to find Hank dead and the
prisoner gone.

“1 went in chase of the fugitive, starting a

dozen men out also; but the hard rain had

washed out all tracks.
“Still. 1 concluded that he would make for

‘the river, so took the road below here and

found him at the forks, five miles from here.”

“ You found him?”

“ Yes, planter, and he was stone dead, so that
carries out the words of the hunter that he had
a fight with Hank after he fell unconscious.

“ He was lying in the road, and standing ovgr
t e
halter r0pe, which had gotten tangled about the

body.
“The Gypsy had started for the river, wound-

ed as he was, but died on the way.

“ He had a belt of gold on him, and that was
all, and I want to ask you, planter, for a team
to carry the body back to the village ”

“ Certainly, Creighton, and we will ride over
with you to where he lies,” replied the planter,
and breakfast being over the three set out on
horsebaik for the scene, which Raynor Rickerly
knew but too well.

But there was a great dread in his heart, for
Dick Surry was a prisoner, and would surely be
tried for the murder of the jailer.

Stillthe hunter had told a story that in no way
compromised him, and that was one cause for

congratulation.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
TRUE as STEEL.

UPON the arrival of ConstableCreighton, with
’Mr. Rickerly and his son, at the place where the
remains of the Gypsy lay, they found that a
crowd had gathered there.

The body was placed in the wagon brought
from Crag Eden, and the whole party started
for the village.

Raynor Rickerly’s calm face concealed his
anxiety, for he wished to know just what the
situation was at the village.

Would Dick Surry, with the fear of death be-
fore his eyes, confess to the truth?

That was to be seen.

Arrivmg at the jail they found a vast crowd
assembled there.

The body of the dead jailer was laid out in his
own room, while the wounded hunter was lying
in the main hall.

He had told his story, and, as has been seen
' by what the constable said, had wholly shielded
the planter.

Upon himself he had let all the blame rest,
and his story no one doubted, for his words
ewmed to be borne out by what facts had been
idewloped. '

. a.

 

The coroner and his jury were of course there,
and had to sit upon the case.

They heard the story of the hunter, viewed
the dead bodies of the jailer and the Gypsy, and
then came to the verdict that:

“ Richard Surry, hunter, and antecedents un-
known. bad attempted the rescue of the late pris-
oner, Incah, a. Gypsy, from friendly or financial
motives, and had gained ingress to the counly jail
by misrepresentation.

“ That the hunter had attacked the jailer. set the
prisoner free, and hail been severely wounded by
the late jailer, Hank R )lilt‘l".

“ That the said vasv hail escanerl, though
wounded, and had fall 11 from his horse to die in
the roadway, shot by Jailcr Romcr in the discharge
of his duty.

“ Furthermore, that Jailer Romer. in the proper
discharge of duty, had seriously wounded the said
hunter, Richard Surry, who with malice and intent
had shot down Jail:r Romcr while engaged in his
legal duties.”

The result of all this was that the hunter was
placed under guard, and was to be held for the
murder of the jailer.

The body of the brave keeper of the jail was
buried with high honors in the village grave-
yard, and the Gypsy was taken in charge by the
master of Crag Eden, who said that he would
bury the remains at his expense in the spot
where the Romans. Gypsies had laid several of
their people away to rest.

It was considered an act of kindness on the
part of the master of Crag Eden to do this; but
then, the people could not see behind the motive
that prompted the act.

With a few others the master of Crag Eden
had gone in to see the wounded hunter, out he
had declined to view the remains of the dead
jailer.

The hunter, Dr. Levering said, would doubt-
less pnll through all right.

He had a splendid constitution, a powerful
frame, and took his dangerous situation with a
coolness that was remarkable.

“ The truth is,” the doctor said, “ he knows he
will hang if he gets well, and so he prefers
death.

“ I always thoughtfihere was something mys-
terious about the main."

The eyes of the hunter met those of Raynor
Rickerly as he’entered, but only as they turned
upon others.

He merely acknowledged the bow of Mr.
Rickerly, and then looked away.

But the planter said:

“ I am Sorry to see you suffering and in
trouble. Surry. ’

The hunter made no reply, and the planter
continued:

“ lt is most unfortunate, and I feel for you
indeed.”

“ Thank you.”

It was all that the hunter said, and Raynor
Rickerly passed on.

Back to Crag Eden rode the planter and his
son, while the wagon bore the body of the Gypsy
captain away for burial on the land that be-
longed to his wandering people.

The village paper gave an account of the
whole affair, and also spoke of the kindness of
the master of Crag Eden in burying the body of
Incah, the Gypsy, at his own expense, and hint-
ed at some strange influence which had caused
the mysterious Hermit Hunter to risk his life in
the bold attempt to rescue the captain of the
Gypsies from prison.

After dinner at home, Royal Rickerly askéd
his father to ride over to Riverdale with him to
spend the evening, but the planter pleaded
fatigue, and when his son had gone, went to his
library and began his tireless pacing to and
fro.

An hour he spent thus, with head bent down
and hands clas ed behind his back.

Then he sat own to his private desk and be-
gan to write.

He wrote in the Gypsy cipher. and his letter
bore no date or place at the head.

It was as ,ollows: ,

“ Rom Linen: —

“ I did my duty in the rescue of your friend, In-
cah the captain of your people.

“i planned his esoape, but unfortunately he was
wounded, the jailer was killed, and the man who
was my ally fell seriously wounded,and unless I
gun arrange his escape he will be hanged for mur-

er.
"Incah fled, but h’s wound proved to be mortal
and he fell from his horse and died.

"I had him buried to day in the graveyard of
your people, and made upon his grave the symbol
of the Romans. Gypsies over their dead.

“The belt of gold that Incah had on, with his
weapons, and other things, I will to-nlght secretly
placein his grave, in a box, and there they await
your command.

“The past has been a bitter, one to me, and to
you. be you the Roma Leigh of the past, or another,
for I am deceived I admit.

“You pledged yourself to never again return to
Virgin's. did i keep faith and set free lncah.

“ I did mv duty, but Fate was against him.

lgdl therefore demand of you the keeping of your

ge. . '
p ‘ Let the dead past be buried, let all rest as now
it is, for years are creeping on and my head is
whitening under grief and remorse.

“To you and yum people I wish happiness and
succeSs forewr.

" Farewell, Roma Leigh, and a last farewell may
it be. Ramon Rlcmm."

 

The name was also signed in the Gypsy cipher,
and the letter was placed in a stout envelope
and addressed simpl y :

“ Rona LEIGH."

The planter then secured a stout box, and
placing in it the things found on the body of In-
cah by the coroner, he left the mansion bya side
door, sought a shed, and taking therefrom a
shovel went down the ridge road.

He forded the river, seemingly unmindful of
getting wet. and boldly approached the grave-
yard of the Gypsies.

The newly made grave of Incah was opened.
the box placed therein, and then the mound was
made up and smoothed over as before, after
which, with a knife, the planter cut into the
earth a Gypsy symbol which he knew they
al ways marked upon a burial-place of one of their
people.

Then in the darkness he hastened away, re-
crossed the river, and sought the home, unseen
by any one.

It was midnight, and he retired to his room;
but upon his heart lay the weight of woe he
had brought upon Dick Surry, the Hermit Hun-
ter.

Could he set that man free. with his life no
longer haunted by the fear of Roma Leigh,tben
the future after all might have some happiness
for him.

Yet, between him and that happiness rose the
form of the wounded hunter, who had proven
himself true as steel to him.

 

CHAPTER XXXVI}.
A SPY.

IN a secluded glen, not far from a Western
city, was a camp so picturesque and with a
people so strange as its denizens that many
were drawn from far and wide to see them.

It was the camp of the Romnna Gypsies, and
they had pitched their tents for a stay of several
weeks.

They had their guards to keep curious visitors
aloof, and yet otherwise went on w1th their
daily routine of work or pleasure as though no
eyes were upon them.

The business men of the ca mp sold, bought or
exchanged horses, a few of the old women dis-
posed of odd pieces of workmanship they had
made, the children played at will, and the more
retiring among the maidens kept within their
tents or gayly-painted wagons.

There was one tent covered with cahalistic
letters and symbols that was the Temple of
Fate, and herein Roma Leigh, the Queen, was
ready to unfold the future, or read the past of
those who wished their fortunes told.

The beauty of the Gypsy Queen brought her
more young men than maidens, yet she seemed
to wholly ignore tender glances, compliments
and sentimental nonsense.

Around the camp were gathered many peo-
ple, in carriages, on horseback and afoot, come
from the town and surrounding country to see
the Gypsies.

But as night drew.near the crowd began to
disperse,and when the sun sunk to rest the Gyp-
sies were alone, their camp-fires gleaming, the
sound of voices in song heard here and there,
with the notes of a harp swept by a skillful
hand rendering the score weird and eautiful.

Suddenly into the camp rode a. horseman.

He was dark-faced, travel-stained and weary-
1ooking. I

Though not clad in the costume of the Gypsies
he seemed to be at once recognized. and a hush
fell upon the camp.

A boy took his horse, he nodded ri ht and
left in silence to those who saluted. h m, and
made his way to the tent of Roma Leigh.

She had just finished her supper, and had
taken up her guitar, when the Words fell upon
her ears:

“ Roma Leigh, Campana begs admittance.” .

She started at the words, cast aside the gui-
tar, and said quickly:

“ Campana is welcome.” _

The man entered, and placing his hand upon
his heart bowed low before his Queen, who rose
and grasped his hand.

“ Sit down; you look weary, so refresh your-
Self before you tell your story.” .

“ No, I am only-tired from my long ride.

“I will speak now. then eat and rest."

“ You have news?”

H Yes.”

“Of Incahi” "

“ I have.”

‘ ‘ Tell me all.”

“As you bade me, Roma Leigh, I remained
behind to spv upon the movements of the mas—
ter of Crag den, and, should he not aid Incah
to escape, to reacue him myself.

“ With my long black hair cut close, and with-
out my costume, no one suspected me of being a
G s .

J‘r‘plystart'ed in business as a peddler, and in
that way saw many people.

“ I knew before very long that Incah would
surely hang, so I laid my plans to be ready to
save him, should the master of Crag Eden fail

on.
y “But I soon found out that he was at work,

, I ,. i g   '4. z'w

 

‘ #"—"f

 

 

__. _m_‘ a.

The Planter

Detective.

21

 

 

and had secured an able ally in a man whom
he possessed some influence over.

“They set their night for action, and did
act, but alas! though they got Incah free our
captain is no more.”

“Dead!”

She uttered the word in a tone that was most
laintive, and she dropped her face in her jewel-
edeci2ed hands.

The man was silent, for he respected the grief
he knew was sinking deep into the heart of his
Queen.

“Is there no doubt, Campana i”

The question came after a long, long silence,
and she quickly raised her head as the hope
flashed upon her of a doubt of Incah’s death.

“ I have stood by his grave, Roma Leigh.”

“ Then there is no hope, not a ray.”

“Not an atom of hope.

“He is dead.”

Again a long silence followed, and the face
was buried once more in her hands.

Thus she remained until minutes dragged
away.

The man sat with bowed head watching her,
and there was grief in his heart for her sor-
row.

At last she raised her face.

Her eyes were dr , her look was calm.

About the mout there uivered for an in-
stant a look of pain, an then that passed

away.
“ ‘ell me all, Campana.

"I can bear it now. ”

She spoke in a voice that showed perfect
command over herself.

“ They, the master of Crag Eden,and his com-
panion. planned well.

“They went to the jail b
storm that was threatening
guise gained entrance.

“ The master of Crag Eden released Incah, I
know, for his comrade was the one to suffer.

“The jailer was a werful man, one of giant
strength, and thong surprisedohe made a good
fight, for he wounded one of the men severely
twice. and shot our poor Captain Incah.”

“ The jailer shot him?”

“So it must have been, Roma Leigh, for the
comrade of Raynor Rickerly remained in the
jail, sup osed to be dead, and Incah and the
planter eft together.

“I saw them pass together, riding like the
wind toward the river, where Raynor Rickerly
had a boat in waitin for Incah.

" It may be that ncah deemed his wound
slight, for he parted with the planter where the
road forked, the latter going toward his home
and our captain toward the river.

“ But Incah’s wound was mortal, for he was
found the next day dead in the road, his horse
bound to his body b the halter-rope.

“The jailer was ound dead at his post, and
the ally of the master of Crag Eden was lying
in the jail-yard, severely wounded and unable
to escape.

“ His story I heard, and as no clew was visi-
ble to connect the master of Crag Eden With the
affair, he took upon himself all blame.

" He said that he had intended to rescue the
Gy y, had entered the jail, secured the keys,
set ncah free, but the keeper had fought him,
and fired upon our captain, who had fled, be-
lieving him dead, for he was stunned and pros-
trate in the corridor of the jail.

“ The rescuer was put in a cell, to be cured of
his wound, that he might be him ed as the jail-
er’s murderer, though he says ncah fired the
fatal shot, and our captain's body was taken
charge of by the master of Crag Eden, home to
our own burying-ground and laid to rest.”

" And Raynor Rickerl y did this?”

“ Yes, Roma Leigh."

“ And then?”

“ He made the Romans. symbols over the

ve, and Incah was left in his last sleep. ”

“ He did this—the master of Crag Eden 1”

U Yes-7|

“ And then?"

“ The next dayI met him on the roadside, and
he called me.

“ He asked me about my business, its profits,
and if I would not rather make money in an
easier way.

“ I led him on, and he asked me if I had ever
seen the Romana Gypsies, and I told him I had
met them in Wandering about and sold them

oods.

" Then he told me he would make me a pres-
ent of a good horse, saddle and bridle if I would
ledgle my word to deliver a package to Roma
ei ."

“Si‘o me?"

“ Yes; and I gave him my pledge, and then
closed up my business quickly to prepare to go,
as I intended to start at once after you, as you
ordered me to do. . ' .

“ He gave me the horse and a liberal sum in
gold, and this is the package, Roma Leigh.”

The Queen took the package somewhat eager-

] .
yIt was the letter which Raynor Rickerly had
written in the Gyps cipher. .
She read it over s owly, and then said:
“ Did you see what was taken from the body
of Incah i”

night, before a
roke, and in dis-

 

 

“ I did.“

“ Was there taken from the braids of his hair
a pager?”

l 0.7)

“ You are sure?"

“ Certain.”

“ You have done well, Campana; but after a
rest of several days you are to return to the
grave of Incah.

“You are to see if a box is there, and more,
you are to dig up the body and discover if there
are some papers braided in his hair.

“ If they are not. there you are to come at
once here and tell me, bringing with you the box
you may find in the grave.

“That is all, Campana, and you know the
way we go, so as to follow us. You are also to
tell me if the ally of Raynor Rickerly was
hanged.”

Campana bowed in silence and Roma Leigh
was left alone to her own meditations.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE TRIAL.
LIKE a nightmare did the capture of Dick
Surry rest upon the heart of the master of Crag

 

en.

He had lived in fear at first that, to shield
himself he would tell the truth as to who had
slain the jailer, and had been the prime mover
in the rescue of Incah, the Gypsy captain.

But days went by and no note of alarm was
sounded.

He had seen the peddler about, and, little
dreaming of his connection with the Gypsies,
had di atched him to find them and deliver to
Roma sigh the letter he had written her.

This was off of his mind therefore.

But the wounded hunter, who was soon to be
tried for his life, was still before him.

Dick Surry was improvin rapidly.

His wounds full healed, is fever left him,
and the doctorsaid 6 would soon be well enough
to appear for trial.

He took his captivity with the utmost cool—
ness. |

If he suffered from his wounds, no murmur
ever escaped him.

If he dreaded his fate he did not show it.

He calmly awaited the inevitable, whatever it
should be.

That he felt that Raynor Rickerly was work-
ing for him there is no doubt, and so he bided
his time.

If he escaped he would become a double fugli-
tive, and must seek some other hiding-place, e
well knew.

Raynor Rickerly had befriended him in the
long ago, when he was ill, and he, in return,
ha tried to do his duty for that friend, who
had known the secret he carried in his breast,
and yet kept it from the world.

In that effort to save the Gypsy, to serve the
master of Crag Eden he had nearly lost his life,
and wounded severe y, he was a risoner, ac-
cused of murder, his trial before im, beyond
that the gallows.

He had given the planter no sign when he had
visited him, that those present could understand
that there was a secret between them.

Had he died from his wounds, Richard Surry,
or Surry Richardson, as was his real name,
would have uttered no murmur.

Born in refinement, educated, having held
high position among his fellow-men, having
loved with all the depth of his nature, and been
met only with deceit in friendship, disaster and
death'b his hand of the one dearest to him, he
was wil ing to find rest in the grave.

He had been forced into exile,and his life was
simply an existence.

S ould he die of his wounds therefore he was
content.

Should he recover it was but to live a life of
sorrow and remorse.

That Raynor Rickerly would let him die upon
the gallows he had no fear.

He would save him from a death of ignominy
without doubt, cost what it might.

So it was that Dick Surry did not worry about
the future.

He took life as it came, day by day, recovered
from his wounds, and was ready for trial when
the time came. ‘

A lawyer had undertaken his defense, and yet
what defense had he?

He felt sure that Raynor Rickerly had em-
plcéyed the attorney.

0 he had.

The day of trial had come round, and the
court-house was crowded.

Raynor Rickerly and his son were there, but
their seats were not in a conspicuous part of the
room.

The prisoner was brought in, and his attorney
admitted his attempt to free the Gypsy; but he
denied the killing by the risoner of the 'ailer.

The G psy had been t 0 one who ha fired
that fata shot, and in return had received his
death-wound from the jailer.

He had used no wea one in his fight with the
keeper of the jail, but ad simply sought to over-
power him.

He had. fallen unconscious, and upon his re-
gaining his senses the jailer was dead, the Gypsy
was gone.

 

 

He had sought to escape, to thus hide the fill't
of who had been the rescuer of the Gypsy, but
his wounds were too severe, ho had been unable
to get out of the gate, and so had been discovered
by the old iicgrcss.

More he did not know. liut then, there had
been found no shot fired from tho jailcr‘s wea-

pons.

This looked strange. The Gypsy certainly
died from a gunshot wound.

Itwas decided that the bullet should be gotten
from the body of the Gypsy.

A party was at once sent to the grave, and to
their amazement they returned to report that
the body had certainly been exhumed very late-
ly, for there was ever evidence of it, and per-
haps but a few hours efore.

.But the bullet was found, and it did not fit the
pistol of the jailer, nor did it [it the pistol of the
hunter. ,

His weapon had its load in it, but it was

thought that he had loaded it after killing thu

jailer.

Sitill,the bullet would not fit the jailer‘s pistol
or is.

Then the body of the jailer was taken from its
grave. and a search made for the bullet that
had killed him.

It was found, and it was the counterpart of
the one taken from the Gyps ’s body.

It did not fit the pistol of t e jailer, nor of the
G sy, nor of the prisoner.

his was mysterious and pointed to the exist-
ence of another weapon that was not on hand,
perhaps to another person on the scene.

But this the prisoner denied.

He had been alone, he said.

With this the case was turned over to the
jury, and they decided very quickly that some
one should be hanged, for the jailer had been
murdered, the Gypsy slain, and the only one
guilty, in their minds, was the mysterious man
who ad been hiding in their midst, as though a
fu ’tive from justice.

hat man was, of course, the Hermit Hunter,
Dick Surry.

He heard the verdict of the jury unmoved,
did not evon glance toward Raynor Rickerly,
and then arose and listened to his sentence.

That sentence was that he should be hanged
on a day not far distant.

There was a strange smile upon his face as he
sat down.

What that smile meant Raynor Rickerly
knew, and when he left the court-house his face
was more livid than that of the condemned man.

CHAPTER XXXIX.
THE REFUSAL.

Tins night before the day appointed for the
execution of Richard Surry, the Hermit Hunt-
er settled down with wind and rain.

In his cell the prisoner sat, pale, stern, yet
calm.

He had waited as the days went by for the res-
cue he had a right to expect.

But it had not come.

' He believed that Raynor Rickerly was work—
ing1for his release, and yet the eve of death was
at and.

The planter had not come near him.

He had seen him pass the jail several times
and glance toward his cell window, as though to
give im ho e; but there came no word, no act
in his behal .

Now, as he sat in his cell, with the shadows of
night creeping about him, the jailer came and
said there was a visitor to see him.

It must be Raynor Rickerly, of course.

But no; the one who entered was a young
man.

He wore a heavy military cloak and slouch
hat, while his breeches were stuck in cavalry-
boots that came far up above his knees.

He hung up his wet cloak and hat, and took a
seat near the prisoner, while the guard retired.

“ I am Royal Rickerly, in man and I have-
come to give on what conso ationl can in this,
your darkest our of life."

“ I thank ou, sir; it wxll be but a short while
now before I end all suffering.

“ You come from your father, I suppose?"

“ No, I do not, for he does not know even of

in coming: .
The hun looked surprised.
“ Your father did not send you here?"
“ He did not.”
“You came of your own free will?”
“I did.”

“I will to l on.”

“ I should li e to hear.”

“The truth is, I attended your trial and was
a close listener.

“M opinion is that you are no more guilty
than am of the charges against you.

“I grant that you came here to free the
Gypsy, but you had some accomplice, and he
did the work.

“Free from here you c uld find that man
axnid punish him for desertin you to die for his
0 me.

“Now, tomorrow you are to be hanged if
you stay here, and away from here you can
clear ourself of the charge of murder.

“I have thought the matter over, and dis-

 

  

l

'22

The Planter Detective.

 

 

cussed it with others, and they all agree that
they condemned you upon circumstantial evi-
wdence.

“ I tried to get the governor to commute the
sentence, but he refused.

“ Somebody had to be hanged, and you were
the only one upon whom they could at present
fit a noose.

“ So I determined to come and save you.

“ The guard is half-blind and partially deaf,
and we are the same size.

“ Away from your cell the corridor is dimly
lighted.

“ With my boots, cloak and hat you can
pass out with no suspicion that it is not me.

“ My horse is in the shed outside, and by dawn
you can be far away, your tracks covered up by
the rain.

“ Here is a purse for you and in it you will
find five hundred dollars, which, if you are ever
able to do so, you can pay back to me.”

“ And you would remain here in my stead?”
said the prisoner, with deep emotion.

“ Why not?"

“ Your father did not send you?”

U No.”

“ Is this honest?”

“ It is: but you seem to feel that my father
should have done so."

“ Oh, no;only he was friendly to me once.”

.“ Come, get ready and be off, for if you don’t
you’ll hang.” .

“ It will bring punishment upon you.”

“ A short imprisonment, perhaps, and people
will say I had a Quixotic idea to free you; but
«that is all."

“ I will not go.”

I a N0 ?”

“ I mean it.”

“ Sure?"

45 I (i0I 1' .

“ Then you are a most infernal fool.”

“ I will await my fate."

“ It’s hanging, man.”

“ I know it.”

“‘ No chance of reprieve.”

“ I believe you.”

“ No other chance of escape. ”

“That may be.”

“ I tell you, man, be sensible and go.”

“I thank you from my heart, Mr. Rickerly,
but I will not go."

The prisoner spoke with deep emotion, and
Royal Rickerly looked puzzled at the firm man-
ner he had refused his offer of escape.

“ Reconsider. man.”

“ I will not take advantage of your kind ofl‘er,
Mr. Rickerly.”

“ Well, give me a reason.”

” In the first place, I would subject you to
perhaps a Iyear's imprisonment.

“ Then will accept my fate, unless I am set
free by other than yourself.”

“ You are foolish to do so.”

f‘ I will abide by my decision; but I have a
favor to ask. ”

“ Certainly.“

“Will you give a letter I have written to its
address, after I am dead, if die I must.”

“ Willingly.”

“ Unopened i”

‘“ thy, Surry, you do not think I would read
your letter?”

“No, but I wished your pledge that you
would deliver the letter unread to the one to
whom it is addressed, after I am dead.

“ If I do not die as condemned now, send the
letter to an address I will now give you."

“I will pledge you my honor to do so.”

“Here is the letter,” and he took from a
hiding-place a sealed envelope.

“ by, this is to my father?”

“ Yes, upon a matter between us.”

“ He shall get it, under conditions named, or
I will return it to on, as you direct.”

“ Here is the ad ress to which you can send
it, if I esca e the gallows.”

“ All ri t."

“ Now have another favor to ask.”

“ Granted." ‘

“ Have you a pistol with you ?”

“ I have.”

“ Will you give it to me?"

“ For what purpose?”

“ Well, I will tell you.

“ I do not fear death, Mr. Rickerly, but I do
dread an ignominious taking-off.

“ If, at the last moment, I see there is no
{mp9, when they go to pinion my arms, I wish

0 send a bullet through my brain.”

“ E ad, you are right.

“ hat a soldier you would have made,
’Surry l"

“I was a soldier once; but never mind now,
and give me the pistol.” .

Royal Riekerly took from an inner pocket at
small, silver-mounted derringer istol.

“ This never misses fire, and t ere will be no
mistake about it. _

“ Only point iilaway from the crowd, as it
will go through and through your head.”

“ It is the weapon I wish, thank you.

“ Pray secure it and keep it as a souvenir of
one whom you have befriended, after the deed
is done."

“ I will.” i

“There is no name upon it?”
It )1

“I am glad, for as, strange to say, they did
not search me, they will think I had it with me
all the time.

“ It is a bad night out, Mr. Rickerlyl”

“Yes, horrid; but let me urge you once more
to accept my )ffer.”

“No, I will not.’

“ Then good-by, Surry, and Heaven bless
you l” and the officer wrung the hand of the
condemned man warmly, threw his cloak about
him, drew his slouch hat down over his eyes
l and left the jail.

He passed out with but a word to the guard,
and saw how readily the prisoner could have
done the same.

Then he mounted his waiting horse and
dashed away rapidly through the wind and
rain.

 

CHAPTER XL.
A SILENT WITNESS.

ON the same night of rain and wind, when
Royal Rickerly was visiting the condemned
prisoner in his cell, the masterof Crag Eden was
pacing to and fro in his library.

His face was more stern than ever, and his
hair seemed to have whitened much in the past
few weeks.

The wind without caused him to shudder now
and then, and at times he would pass his hand
over his brow as though he suffered.

h_“ To-morrow he must die, and I cannot save

im.

“ I have done all I could, without compro-
mising myself.and yet nothing could be done.

“ I wonder what he thinks?

“ I wonder if in the end he will confess?

“ Why, I will laugh at him if he does, and
who will believe him?

“ I would help him if I could; but I cannot.

“ Hark! how that wind howls.

“I hope it will not storm to—morrow night,
and et the silence will be terrible.

“ h me! I have a heavy load to bear upon
my conscience.

“ Hal there comes some one in all this
storm.

“ Can it be a message from him?

“ No, he has gone around to the stables, so it
must be Royal, returningtfrom Riverdale.”

A few moments after oyal Rickerly entered
the library.

He had cast aside his cloak, hat, and boots for
dressin -gown and slippers.

“th 1, my son. you ad a rough ride of it to—
ni t.

‘g‘ Yes, father, I came from the village.”

“ In all this storm?”

“ Yes ‘I went to see that poor wretch Surry.”

The p anter started.

“ Why did you wish to see himi”he asked, but
his voice quivered.

“-As I have before said, father, I do not be-
lieve the man guilty.”

“ Nonsensel”

“No, it is the truth, and so I decided to try
and save him.”

“ And did you?” almost shrieked the planter.

“ Oh, no, for the stubborn fool refused to do
as I wished.

“ I rigged out so as to disguise myself as
much as possible, and told him to put on my
boots, hat and cloak, and his face, with the
slouch pulled over his eyes and the color, would
never have been seen. and he could have walked
out by the keeper as I did.”

“ But he refused.”

“ He certainly did.”

“ It would have gotten you into prison.”

“A few months’ imprisonment, perhaps; but
I do not wish to see him die, for somehow I am
sure he is innocent.”

The planter shook his head.

“ Then, if free, he could hunt down the other
party who would see him die, for I am sure
therg was another man in that attempt at res-
cue.

Raynor Rickerl started and turned his face
more from the lig t.

“ What did the risoner say i"

“ 0h, he said t at he would meet his fate,
would not get me into trouble by leaving me to
suite , and the brave fellow will meet death
with ut a tremor,‘though somehow I think he
has a hope of rescue from some source."

“ Im sible.”

“Yet I think that he has ho a, for he s ke
in a way that led me to believe e did not t ink
he had been wholly left to his horrible fate."

“ I cannot understand how he can he saved
now, my son.”

“ Nor I, as he threw away the chance I ofler-
ed him.” '

Darius just then entered to announce supper,
and Royal Rickerly ate with a great appetite;
but his father scarcely tasted anything, yet
drank considerably.

After supper they returned to the library,
and Ro ,al said:

“Fat er, Violet has set a day when she will
become my wife.”

“ I am glad of that, my son.”

 

“ I received the acceptance of my resignation
from the navy to-day, with a regret that it had

" New. m “with ‘i'u .$« ...,' r

 

been tendered, and as the war is over now in
Mexico, I can settle down to a life of ease.”

“ You certain] can, for you will be a very
rich man. Roya , with your own fortune and
that of Violet, for she is the heiress to half a
million, at least.”

“ So the colonel told me; but now about View-
lands?”

“ I have looked it all over, and it will have to
be overhauled from cellar to garret.

“ I will go up to Baltimore in a day or two
and get workmen to begin on it. and the quar-
ters shall be rebuilt. new fences put up, while
the house shall be added to, improved and flu-
ished completely.

“ It will take about three months for this, so
when do you get married?”

“ In just four months, sir.”

“ Then I shall have ample time for the work,
and it will give me something to occupy my
time out of the usual routine.”

It was late when the father and son separated
to go to their respective rooms.

The planter, however, could not sleep.

The wind howling around the house disturbed
him, and the patter of rain upon the panes of
glass made him nervous.

He felt remorse gnawing at his very soul.

It was the last night of Richard Surry on
earth, and he had been too cowardly to make
some bold effort to rescue a man from death
and to die for his own deeds.

It was dawn when he dropped into a troubled
slumber, and he was awakened by Darius, who
told him breakfast was ready.

He had decided to go to the village to witness
the execution, and so had told his son.

Royal had said that he would accompany
him, and they would drive over in the family
carriage.

The Crag Eden carriage was a grand affair,
and was drawn by four spirited horses in mag—
nificent harness.

Upon the box sat the negro coachman in
livery, and behind stood two black footmen.

The villagers were always glad to see the
Crag Eden carriage enter town; but on this
day there was a greater curiosity on hand.

t was the hanging of Surry, the Hermit
Hunter, and so the flue turn-out of the Rick—
erlys was not the first object of attention.

From far and wide came carriages, wagons
and carts, all crowded.

Hundreds of gentlemen appeared on horse-
back, and half a thousand negroes had begged a
holiday to “ see (is hangin’.”

As it would serve as a moral to them, and
aid to enforce the commandment, “ Thou shalt
do no murder ” it was a permission that their
masters readily granted, to let them witness the
execution.

There was no thought of a reprieve, no chance
of a commutation of the sentence to, imprison-
ment for life.

A number of planters, feeling that the con-
demned man Was really innocent, and was
shielding the guilty one, had asked the governor
to commute the sentence.

But governors are great bodies, and great
bodies move slowly.

The request had doubtless been pigeon-holed
and forgotten.

Toward the scene of execution went the
crowd.

The carriage from Crag Eden was forced into
a prominent position, though the master had
not so wished it to be. _

A strange fascination had caused him to go
to the hanging.

He could not resist seeing the end of the man
who had been so true to him. .

He knew that Surry was to die for his friend-
ship for him.

ould he die in silence?

Would he make a full confession?

One way or the other, Raynor Rickerly had
not the strength to resist going to the scene of
execution.

He found himself Within fifty feet of the gal-
lows, and directly in front. .

He would have moved, but his carriage was
blocked in and he could not get out.

There he was forced to remain.

He was as whitefaced as though (lead, and he
looked like one who faced death in its worst
form himself.

Royal was by his side, calm and unmoved
outwardly.

He was the cynosure of many eyes. as a man
who had seen strange scenes, a man who had
been an actor in many a strange tragedy. _ .

Presently the little procession from the Jail
came in sight. ' ,

There was a guard of six men, led by the
sherifl’. ,

Next came a clergyman, although the prison-
er had refused his kind offices.

Then two deputy-sheriffs, walking on each
side of a cart on which was a coffin.

On the coflin sat the prisoner. .

Behind came a guard of four men.

The prisoner’s face was pale, but not an atom
of emotion did he show. _

He wore his shroud and glanced about him_ in
a manner as utterly indifferent as one could use
agine.

. 4. , ' ' ".:
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The Planter Detectivelm  L.

23

 

 

He realized all, but was not the man to
flinch.

He sprung from the coffin to the ground un-
aided, ascended the gallows Without assistance,
and faced the crowd.

The .lergymani advanced, but he waved him
back.

Then the deputies ascended to pinion his

‘ arms and legs and draw the blac cap over his
face.

The sheriff stood at his post.

The eyes of the prisoner swept over the
crowd.

He seemed to be searching for some one.

Then they fell upon the carriage of Crag
Eden, and next rested upon the face of Royal
Rickerly.

Who understooc the look that came into the
eyes of the doomed man.)-

Who understood the strange smile?

Then the deputies stepped forward once more;
but, asthey did so, the right arm of the prisoner
was raised, the hand withdrawn from his
breast.

Next there follow a sharp report, and the
Hermit Hunter was dead.

He had cheated the gallows. .

He had taken his own life, and the silent Wit-
ness in the carriage frnm Crag Eden had
fainted.

Was it joy that the doomed man had not
spoken?

Was it horror at his death!

Whatever the reason, the master of Crag
Eden had fainted. __

CHAPTER XLI.
FROM THE GRAVE.

I'r seemed strange to m any thatastrong man
like the master of Crag Eden, should swoon at
a hanging, when many of the weaker nerves
stood the ordeal without flinching.

But many had said that the man’s last glance
was upon the face of Raynor Rickerly, and that
might have accounted for it.

Then there had been no hanging.

It had been a suicide instead.

The derringer had done fatal work, for it had
sent the bullet through the temples of Richard
'Surry, and the lead had then buried itself in the
gallows-post at one side.

The deputies had been too amazed to catch the
falling man, and he had fallen across his coflin
at the foot of the gallows.

Of course there was a wild scene that fol-
lowed.

If others had fainted, however. the fact that
the master of Crag Eden had done so attracted
the most attention.

“ I will attend to the burial of that man.

“ Keep his body until I send for it,” had said
Royal Rickerly, and then he turned to his fa-
ther, who, under the care of Dr. Levering,
whose buggy had been fortunately near, was
revivin .

“ Did he confeSS?” was his first utterance.

H N0. 1)

“Did he die at once?"

“ Instantly.”

“ Maybe he left some confession.

“ Let his body be searched.”

It was this that had sent Royal Rickerly to
look after the body.

Nothing was found upon the body.

Then the young sailor drove to the jail in the
doctor’s buggy, while his father and the phy-
.siciun went to the inn.

Nothing was found in the cell lately occupied
by the prisoner.

Royal Rickerly then gave orders that the
body of the Hermit Hunter should be buried

' :near his cabin, and thither it was sent.

The interest felt in the dead man by the sailor
no one particularly noticed, or thought it worth
while to investigate if they did.

After a stop of an hour the master of Crag
Eden drove homeward.

He was accompanied by the doctor, for Royal
Rickerly had gone in his buggy along with the
wagon that bore the body of the suicide.

Arriving at home the master of Crag Eden
rallied.

He braced himself with a drink of brandy,
told the doctor that he could not account for
his sudden swooning, and anxiously awaited the
return of his son.

It was late in the afternoon when Royal Rick—
erlv drove up. ' .

The doctor’s horse looked Jaded, but was led
away for rest and food.

“Nothing was found on the body!" eagerly
asked Mr. Rickerly.

' “ Nothing, father. "

“ Nor in his cell?”

“ N othing.”

“ He made no confession?”

“ N or. a word, the jailer said, and he, the cler—
gyman and the sheriff alone saw him.’

“ But to the cler yman?” . .

‘ ‘ He simply than ed him and dechned his ser
vices.”

“ To the sheriff?”

“ He did not even ak.”

The planter look relieved, and when the
adjourned to dinner ate heartily and / dran
more. ~ , /'

l

/

 

After dinner the doctor took his departure,
saying to Royal Rickerly, who went out to his
buggy with him:

“ I do not think your father is well, Royal.

“ He was terribly upset to-day, and seems to
show an unaccountable interest in that man’s
having left a confession."

“ I can understand it, sir, for father has felt
that Surry was innocent, and so hoped he would
leave a confession to that effect, proving who
was the guilty one."

“ Ah, that i< it?” and the doctor drove away.

“ Are you going to Riverdale to—night, my
son?” asked the planter, after the departure of
the hysician.

“ thought I should ride over. sir."

“ Very well; but did you have poor Surry
buried?"

“ Yes, sir. I took the body to his old cabin,
and had a grave dug under the tree where he al-
ways sat.

“The few things in the cabin shall be left as
they are. and the unfortunate man will be at
rest at last.”

The lips of the planter quivered, and he made
no reply.

But Royal Rickerly said:

“ Father, what there was between you and
that oor fellow, you know best.

“ hen I visited him in jail he got my pledge
to give to you, if he should die, adpackage.

“ If he did not die I was to sen the package
to a certain address.

“ I will new band you the paper, sir, and you
doubtless are aware of its contents."

Not a. word did Raynor Rickerly utter, but
his hand trembled violently as he reached it
forth for the package.

Turning upon his heel Royal Rickerly went to
the stables, and was soon after riding toward
Riverdale.

In the mean time Raynor Rickerly had en-
tered the house.

Night was coming on, and he seemed to wish
to be in the brightly ii hted library.

He began to pace t e room, as was his habit
when dee ly moved.

He he thrust the package into his breast-
pocket with the seal unbroken.

For hours, with downcast bead and hands he-
hind his back,he walked up and down, up and
down.

He never seemed to tire, and at last only
when the large clock in the hallway chime mid-
night, did he seem to have made up his mind to
some purpose.

Then he drew the package from his coat«pock—
of: and glanced at it.

Next be seated himself in his easy-chair, and
with the light falling over his shoulder broke
the soul.

He then read slowly, resting his arms upon
the chair to steady them, for his hands were
trembling as though he had an ague.

What he read burned into his heart and brain,
and no wonder, for it was as follows:

5- In PsisoN, Thursday.

“ Up to to-da I held hope of rescue.

“ But now, w on to-morrow is my execution day,
I begin to despair. '

“ Do not misunderstand me, for it is not death I
dread, for that would be welcome under other cir-
cumstances; but I depair of your aid, and fearthat
I must die on the gallows.

" You know my past, enough of it tobeaware that
Ikilled one who wronged me, and unintentionally
took the life of her I loved

“It was a crime, perhaps, and yet I meant it not.

“ My sorrow for her death has been great, but for
her death by my hand it has been a remorse untold,
and so I have looked upon the grave as rest.

“ You cared for me when ill, kept the secret I told
I:ou in my delirium, and I loved you asI would a

rother.

“ You came to me for aid, and I gave it you.

“ Well, you know that I am not guilty of murder
that ni ht.

“I 0 not believe you deserted me until you
thought me dead.

“Where you went, and who killed the Gypsy, I
do not know, nor do I care.

“I do know that I found the jailer more than
my match, where I had expected, with my great
strength to master him readily while you aided
the Gypsy to escape.

“When you returned I was unconscious.

” When 1 recovered consciousness, the jailer was
dead by in side.

“ You kil ed him, for the large bullet came from
your pisto . and it was With the same kind of hul-
let that the Gypsy was killed, so that points to
you as his murderer also.

“I know that you had some motive in wishing
to free this Gypsy. and I believe ou had a motive
as well in wishing to get rid of im.

"That is with the past and your conscience.

“You killed the jailer and you haw left me to
hang for it.

“ If vou do not save me I dieon the gallows.

“If I do thus die. I leave to you the full remorse
of our act, and my curse be upon you, Raynor
Ric erly.

“I am not one to commit you for revenge.

"I will die in silence. but out or the grave comes
my voice to you,and waking or sleeping, my spirit,
murdered for your sake. will attend you.

“ Hide from it you never can.

“ Sunni! RICHARDSON.

With a groan of anguish the stricken man
tried to rise, but he fell back in his chair and
consciousness left him. ‘ ,

Just at that moment Royal Rickerly entered

 

the library, having just returned from River-
da 6.

He started,sprung forward, saw the latter,
knew that his father slept, or had fainted, and
then he hastily read all that was written.

As he finished it his father moved, and he ran
to the door.

A moment after, Raynor Rickerly rallied,
and when Royal again entered the room, his
father stood by the mantle; but he had hidden
the letter, and did.not know that it had been
seen by his son.

“I am not at all well to-night, my son, so
call Darius to see me to in room,” he said, and
that night the master of Crag Eden slept while
the faithful Darius watched by his bedside, a.
bright light in the room to keep off haunting
spirits the darkness might make visible.

CHAPTER XLII.
was IT A BROKEN PLEDGE?

FAR from the scene of their last encamp-
ment, when (Jampana visited his Queen, to
make known his work done as a spy, the wan-
dering tribe of Gypsies had roamed, and we
again find them in the far Southland, on the
shores of the Mexican Gulf.

The Gypsy camp is a perfect one, and they
seem to enjoy the balmy spring breezes from
the Gulf.

Coming along the highway bordering the wa—
ters is a horseman, an be rides with the air of
one who has come a long distance.

He is not dressed as a Gypsy, and yet his
dark face and peculiar features show him to be
one of that strange race of Wanderers.

He is well mounted, and his horse does not
show hard riding, for, being a Gypsy, he has
exchanged his horses day after day as he came
along on the trail of the Gy sies.

The man was Campana, t e Gypsy spy.

He had gone back from the camp, where last
seen, by order of his Queen, and once more en-
tered upon his duty as a spy.

When he had made certain discoveries, he
started again to find his Queen.

It was no easy task, but day by day. week b
week, he followed the wanderers’ track, untl
at last, after a long, long while, he had trailed
them to the Gulf. ,

Suddenly before his eyes appeared the en-
campment, and the dark face of Campana
lighted up with joy.

He was at the end of his long trail.

Swinging in a hammock made of grass. and
stretched between two magnolias, was Roma
Leigh, the Gy sy Queen.

Her people ad prospered on their long march
—tbey always do.

Wealth had steadily come into their coffers,
and now they were recuperating themselves,
repairing their wagons, painting up, and resting
their animals for another long jaunt north-
ward.

The beauty of Roma Leigh, if anything, had
increased since the last time she was seen.

She lay in an indolent way, a cigarette be-
tween her wbite, even teeth, and watching the
smoke curl upward as though she was building
air-castles.

“ Roma Lei hi" 4

She starts at her name being called in a
voice that seemed strange to her, and beheld
Campaua standing by her side.

:‘ Cnmpana l”

 

‘ Yes.”

She had sprung from the hammock and
grasped his hand.

“ on have overtaken us at last, and I am

glad, for I feared harm had befallen you.”

“ No, I am safe.”

“ Come, sit there on that log and tell me all
unless you will first rest, for ou look worn out.“

“ I am tired, for the trail as beena lon one;
hflt" I will rest better after I have tol you
a .

" Very well, what have you to say ’i”

“ I returned to the vicinity of Cray.r Eden ; but '
I dared not go as a man, so I wore the disguise
of a woman, and claimed to be a Spanish lady
seeking rest and health in the country.

“ I stopped at the inn. was not suspected
and so gleaned all the information you wished.“

“ You saw the master of Crag Eden?"

“ Many times.”

“ And his son!”

“ Often.”

“ Well!”

“ I had rooms that opened upon a an, and
had gotten my own horses, so at night I could
leave Without being seen, and in this way I
wept tonthe grave of lncah.”

“ I opened the grave and found the box."
“And the papers braided in the hair?”

“ Were not there.”

“ Were not there!”

1‘ Vol”

“You are surei"

“Perfectly.”

The Queen smiled and Campana continued:

“ I took the contents of the box with me and
threw it into the river.

“ I have here all that Incah had with him.”

:: nycept the papers braided into his hair?”

es.

 

    

24:

 

Theinlanter V Detective.

 

 

“And then?”

“ I refilled the grave and reached my room at
dayl‘ght.

“ It was during the trial of the hunter for
killing the jailer, that I told you of, when In-
cah escaped.

“ I watched the case closely, and I am sure
that the prisoner was not guilty.

“ The bullet that killed the jailer was exactly
like the one that killed Incah."

(t [Kb 1”

“ Exactly; and no weapon from which they
could have been fired was found at the jail.

“ I visited the prisoner, pretending to wish
to aid him, but could learn nothing from him.

“ His mouth was closely sealed as to the ast.

“ I stopped in my carriage one tiny near rag
Eden, claimed to be frightened, and asked to
borrow a pistol to take home with me,promising
to return it, giving as an excuse that I was re-
ported to be rich and dreaded robbers.

“ The master was away, but the servant loan-
ed me a pair.

“ They were his master’s, he said, and from
these were fired the bullets that killed the jailer
and Incah, for I borrowed the bullets from the
doctor, who had them and took them from the
bodies, and they fitted perfectly.”

“ And the hunter?”

“ He was found guilty of murder and sentenc-
ed to be hanged.”

“ And was?”

“ No; for he blew his brains out upon the gal-
lows. ”

“ Ahl

“ No attempt to rescue him was made?”

“ None.”

“ And the master of Crag Eden?"

“ Fainted at the act of the suicide, for he was
there in his carriage with his son.”

“ And then i”

“ The younger Rickerly had the body taken to
the cabin home of the hunter and buried.”

“ Well?”

“ I know nothing else, other than that young
Rickerly is to be married very soon.”

“ Ah! to whom?"

“ Miss Burbank.”

“ And, from our discoveries, who do you
think killed the jailer l”

“ The master of Crag Eden.”

“ And the murderer of Incah—who is he?”

“It must be the master of Crag Eden.”

" So I think.

“Now, Campana, you have done well, so go
and rest, for I shall start on the track to Vir-
ginia to-morrow.”

“There was a pledge, was there not, Roma
Leigh 1”

“ There was a pledge, if Incuh did not die.

“ Incah is dead, and we return to Virginia,”
was the determined reply.

And the eyes of the beautiful Gypsy shone
with a strange light as she uttered the words.

CHAPTER XLIII.
WEDDED.

RIVERDALE was ablaze with light.

It was the event of events in that beautiful
home, for the only child of Colonel and Mrs.

‘Burbank was to marry the heir of Crag Eden.

It was Violet’s only love, and she had loved
her lover from her early girlhood.

He had rescued her from the kidnappers and
he had saved her from death, from being thrown
over the cliff when she had gone to the rescue of
the Queen of the Gypsies.

From the day she had seen the boy heir to
Crag Eden she had loved him, and when he
went away as a youth, her accepted lover to
become a hero, to win fame, she had fairly idol-
ized him.

He had come back to her a man, and greatly
changed; but her love remained unchanged.

And so the days of joy to Violet had gone on
until the time came when she was to become a

 

wedd

Raynor Rickerly had hinted that he would
have liked a quiet wedding.

But Mrs. Burbank must have her way, and so
extra cooks came into the Riverdale kitchen,
additional hel was gotten to make arrange-
ments, and be ore very long the house was a
vision of beauty.

The evening came around at last, and with
the twilight hundreds of lanterns were lighted
about the grounds, a band played in a paVilion,
and scores of carriages rolled up to the doors.

The mansion seemed to be on fire with its
blaze of lights, and no one had ever seen a

{antler affair than was the Riverdale wed-

n .

Sigion a carriage rolled into the massive gate-

wife.
. All ipreparations had been made for a grand
ng.

waly.
‘ here were four horses, a coachman and two
grooms.

Within were two persons, the master of Crag
Eden and the bridegroom.

They were met at the door by Colonel Bur-
bank, and a moment after Royal Rickerly and
Violet Burbank stood beneath a huge marriage-
bell of flowers, while the clergyman perfode
theicertemony that was to u to them as man
an m e.

 

 

The bride was exquisitely lovely, self-possessed,
and repeated her answers in a firm voice.

The groom was as handsome as an Apollo,
pale, yet firm.

Then followed the congratulations, and after—
ward the festivities of the evening, until mid-
night, when Royal Rickerly drove his wife to
their new home of Viewlands.

The grand old place had been thoroughly fit-
ted up and refurnished for their reception, and
a loveliei‘ abode bride could not Wish.

The servants were in place to receive them,
the mansion was brilliantly lit up to give them
welcome, and Violet, who had never Seen the
interior of Viewlands was in an ecztasy of de—
li ht.

gAnd back to his home drove the master of
Crag Eden.

He no longer had his son to cheer his desolate
life, that is as a dweller beneath the same roof
with himself.

Of late the master of Crag Eden had grown
more moody.

He was wont to spend his nights in reading,
retiring to rest only when the dawn broke, and
then sleeping until after noon.

A breakfast at one, dinner at seven and sup-
per at midnight were the hours for his meals.

A drive after his late breakfast, a horseback
ride or a walk were his only exercise, and he
seemed content.

He never went far from his home, saw no one
but Colonel Burbank and his family, if visitors
called, and was going back into his old life as a
recluse.

At his son’s wedding he had been urbane to
al., and Royal had wondered at his coming out
of his reserve, for he had not expected it.

But after the wedding he returned within
himself, as soon as he had made one call upon
the youn couple in their new home.

After t at not even to Royal was he at home,
always pleading some excuse from seeing any
one.

Thus the weeks passed by until one spring
morning Raynor Rickerly arose as was his wont,
at noon, and dressing leisurely, looked from his
window out upon the valley and river.

He gave a cry and started back, clutching a
chair as though to prevent his falling.

What he saw was the Gypsy encampment.

Under cover of the night they had again come
to their old camp-ground.

“ She has broken her pledge,” he muttered.

“ Great Godl what does her coming back
mean?"

He finished dressing, merely nibbled at his
breakfast, and that day did not go out as was
his custom.

When he retired to bed that night it was
dawn, and he slept from sheer fatigue.

Thus the days passed away.

No messenger came from the Gypsy camp,
as he had feared, and he ained hope.

But he did not leave t o mansion, any more
than to stroll in the flower-gardens.

He had given up his drives, rides and walks.

Darius and Black Pink shook their heads
knowingly.

“ The master was failing, that was certain,”
said Darius.

The doctor was Sent for by the faithful ser—
vants, but the master would not see him.

“ I am not sick, I am perfectly well,” he said.

But the Gypsies still camped in the neighbor-
hood

By a strange coincidence, they were not trad-
ng and selling horses about the country, but
kept close to their camp, going out only to hunt
and fish.

Their Queen had not been seen, and whether
she was with them or not, none of the negroes
on the Crag Eden plantation could tell.

About the country drove Royal Rickerly and
his bride returning calls, and seeming to be
perfectly happy in their newly-married life.

Before long Violet gave up going to Crag
Eden, for she never saw her hermit father-in-
law, and from his daily visits at first, Royal
soon came down to a ride over each Sunday to
his father‘s home.

If he saw his father it appeared to him to be
an accident, and yet the planter gave no excuse
for his strange behavior other than to say that
he wished to be alone.

One day Royal Rickerly was returning from
a hunt, and his way home led by the cliff where
he had first met Roma Leigh.

To his surprise he saw a woman suddenly ap-
pear upon the oliff, and glancing downward she
shouted in an unknown tongue to some one be-
low him.

Then from behind a rock before him a man
sprung to his feet, rifle in hand, and sped away
like a deer.

The man was in the Gypsy costume, and the
thought flashed upon Royal Rickerly that, but
for the sudden appearance of the woman he
would have ridden upon an ambush, would have
gotten a bullet-wound in his heart.

He glanced upward, but the woman had
disappeared.

The man also was out of sight in the thicket.

The man he had recognized by his dress to
be a Gypsy, and the woman he knew was none
other than Roma Leigh.

 

 

Dismounting quickly he ran up the path
leading to the cliff, determined to find the
Gypsy Queen and know if she had indeed.
saved his life.

CHAPTER XLIV.
WHAT ROMA LEIGH SAW.

SEVERAL nights before the scene at the clifi‘,
Viewlands had been entered and robbed of a few
articles of little value, the burglar being fright—
ened oil" before be secured anything in the way
of jewels, money or silver plate.

Partially seen in the darkness, the robber had
been set down by Royal Rickerly as one of his
own slaves, or one from an adjoining place,
and the affair had not been thought of more.

But returning from the village one day, Royal
Rickerly had come upon a Gypsy going along
the road on foot.

He was an evil-faced fellow, and as it was
raining slightly, wore a coat that the young
planter at once recognized as his own. and
which had been stolen by the burglar at View-
lands.

“ “’here did you get that coat, my man?” he
asked.

“ Bought it," was the sullen reply.

“ Where i”

“In the city.”

“ When?”

“ Weeks ago.”

Now, there was no doubt as to the coat, for it
was an odd one and valuable, being perfectly
waterproof, and Royal Rickerly felt that he
had the thief before him.

He first decided to take the man back to jail,
but1 did not care to be troubled by a trial, so
sai :

“,That is my coat, and I wish you to give it

H No.”

“I do not care much for it, but as you are de-
cided to keep the coat, I’ll give you a hint not
a sin to come to In home to rob."

ith this Roya Rickerly raised his stout
riding-whip and began to thrash the Gypsy
severely.

The man drew a knife, but his hand was
seized in a grip he could not shake off, and the
whipping was continued until the Gypsyhowled
with pain.

Then Re 8.1 Rickerly threw him from him and
rode comp acently upon his way.

The Gypsy stood like a statue in bronze for
some time looking after his chastiser.

Then he uttered a yell of wild rage and start.
ed oflf like a deer through the woods.

That night Roma Leigh had a call from one of
her brown-faced subjects.

“ Well, Lucahi”

 

foe.
“Who is he?”
“ He has cruelly wronged me.”
“ One of our people?"
“ No,” said the man, reluctantly.
“ Who is he?”
“ One of the home dwellers in the land.”
“ In this neighborhood 1”
“ Yes, Queen.”
“ How has he wronged you?”
“ He has whipped me as he would a dog.”
“ Where was our courage, your strength i”
“I was as a c ild in his hands."
“Then he must indeed be a strong man.
“ But why did he strike you!”
_ “ He accused me of stealing his coat.”
“ It is strange, Lucah, that you, of all my
peogle, should be so often accused of theft.”
“ am never guilty."
“ It is well for you that you are not so found

9.

“ Our people are cunning in trade, we live
from the money we make by dwellers in the.
land, but we are not thieves, Lucah.”

“ I am no thief.”

“ Where did you see him i”

“ In the highway.”

“ You know my commands not to leave this

com 7”
“” yhorse strayed, and I went to pick him

“‘ And he struck you?”

“Yes. See here,” and be bored his broad.

shoulders.
“ He has an iron arm to strike such blows.
“ Who is he!"
‘.‘ The master of Crag Eden‘s son.”
“ Ah! the sailor.

“ One of our peo le, who went for milk for a.‘

sick child to Crag den, said that the mansion.
of Viewlands had been robbed, for the slaves
were talking of it. a

“ And you had this man’s coat?”

“ I bought it from a black.”

“ Why did you not give it up?”

“He asked me for it, and followed with a\

blow.
“ Will you say I can revenge the blow,
Queen?"
“ o, for you were wrong.
H G0 I”
The G sy bowed and left the tent.
But,t ough the Queen did not grant him a
permit to avenge himself according to the laws

I

' .

“ I am here, Queen, to ask consent to punish a.
7‘)

‘T
,

l

x

= v/ $14.21;.» 

 

 

 

A

25

 

 

" W o
of his people, be determined to take the matter
in his own hands.

By night he secretly went to Viewlands, hop-
ing to get a. chance to see Royal Rickerly and
kill him.

But the opportunity did not offer.

One day he saw the man he hated pass across
the ford on horseback.

He was in huntsman’s costume and carried his
shotgun.

The Gypsy watched the way he went and
knew that he could come back only one way.

That way was through the defile that led by
the Haunted Cliff.

It would doubtless be late in the afternoon be—
fore the hunt. r returned.

But he 1111156116011 the watch, and so he got his
rifle, slipped out of camp and made his way to
the neighl)01'h<,od of the Haunted Cliff.

Hedidnot see that some one was watching him.

That one was Roma Lei h.

She had gone to the cli and was leaving it
when she saw Lucnh approaching.

Instantly she drew back into concealment.

The man had no right to leave the camp after
her orders.

Then why was be there?

She saw him glance about him and then seek
a hiding-place among a group of rocks that had
fallen frcm the cliff.

He could certainly be there for but one pur-
pose, and that purpose was murder.

Roma Leigh knew not who the victim might
be. but she suspected.

Lucah was one of the black sheep in her
flock.

He had been detected in many acts of petty
meanness. and had been suspected of worse, yet
nothing had ever been really proven upon him.
She had felt that Royal Rickerl y would not
have thrashed the Gypsy had he not found him
with his chat on, and that Lucah had bought it
from a negro she had her doubt about.

The fact was Lucah was in very bad odor in
camp, and once an act of theft could be proven
upon him his punishment would be a most severe
one by Gypsy law, and their justice was as grim
as death itself.

So Roma Leigh decided to await develop—
merits.

A cou le of hours passed, and, tient‘ as a
panther ucab kept his place of am ush.

Patient as was he, was Roma Lei h.

At last a horseman appeared in eight.

“ It is he I"

This is what Roma Leigh said, as she recog-
nized the man to whom she owed her life.

Lucah saw him also and got ready for his
deadly work.

He glanced about him uneasily, then thrust
his rifle upon a rock and waited.

Then it was, when Royal Rickerly’ was almost
under fire, that Roma Leigh sprung to her feet,
shouted to the intended assassin and saved the

.life of the man to whom she owed her own.

CHAPTER XLV.
WHAT ROYAL RICKERLY SAW.

WHEN Royal Rickerl dashed up the steep
path leading to the cliff, e confidently expected
to find there the Gypsy Queen.

But he was disappointed.

She had disappeared, seemingly in a very
mysterious way, for she had not passed him on
the way.

Still she might have hidden behind some rock,
while he passed and then continued on her way.

He looked down into the defile, but nowhere
was she visible.

He looked all over the cliff, and yet could not
find her.

This made it very evident that she did_not
wish to see him, that she had in fact, avouied
him most surely.

So down the path he made his way to where
he had left his horse.

But the animal was gone.

He had merely thrown the rein over a stump,
:and the horse had gotten away.

He naturally expected that the animal would
go home, and was starting along on foot, when
he beheld him in some meadow-land back the
“'afi' he had come.

e at once started toward him.

‘The horse seemed to be enjoying the grass
about him, but moved off in time to avoid hi
master. v

He bolted away just before him.

Royal Rickerly followed.

He hoped that the drag in rein would catch
in some object and check is orse.

But he went for a mile or more, and the sun
was setting, and his horse still kept a hundred
feet ahead of him.

He he t on until dark, and then decided to
'turn back. . I

Angry he certainly was, With his horse and
with himself. _

He was three miles from the cliff, and he had
not bien further than that from Crag Eden,
where he could have gotten a fresh mount.

The horse would doubtless take the long way
'home, and arrivin before him give his wife an
alarm about his so ety.

 

l

 

Back as he had come Royal Rickerly wooded
his way. ,

The Planter Detective.

He walked briskly, but night had settled be—
fore he started upon his return, and he did not
reach the vicinity of the cliff for over an hour.

As he drew near, he stopped suddenly, for he
saw flashin lights ahead.

Who cou d be there‘i Was the place indeed
haunted?

He moved on cautiously.

The lights were in motion. and there were
thirteen of them.

lie was now under the shadow of the cliff,
and wit: in sixty feet of the graves of the three
assa:sins, and where also were the graves of the
othertwn who had given Weird legends to the
Haunted Cliff.

He saw the lirhts drawing nearer, and so
shrunk out of sight among the pile of rocks
where a few hours before Lucah had hidden to
fire upon him.

From his hiding-place he saw the lights ad-
vanciiig.

They were all of a red hue, and seemed to be
borne above the heads of people who were walk-
ing slowly al. ng.

As they drew nearer, he saw that there were
fourteen dark forms. for one carried no light,
and walked in the midst of the others.

All were robed in black, excepting that one,
and their faces were also covered so as to be
completely hidden.

The one not clothed in black was robed in
red.

His face was uncovered, and the lights flash-
ing upon him revealed to Royal Rickerly one
wuom he had before seen.

He crouched down and waited.

What did this strange scene mean?

The part halted at the graves, and then one
starting 0 counted off one hundred steps.

He had uttered no word, but seemed to step
as thou *h be counted each one.

Roya Rickerly counted one hundred.

Then the others silently followed him.

It brought them to a spot not very far from
where Royal Rickerly was hiding and under a
group of large pines.

Then ti o pine straw was swept up in a hea
at one place, the group formed in a circle around
it, excepting three men, and there began to dig
With spades taken from beneath their‘ long
black gowns.

The third man was placed by himself in the
center of the circle.

There was not a word spoken, only the dull
blows of the spades as they sunk into the earth.

As the ground was taken up, it was placed up-
on clothes put down to receive it.

At last the work was finished, and it seemed
an age to Royal Rickerly that they had been
there at their dismal task.

Then for the first time a word was spoken,
and that which was said distinctly reached the
ears of the young planter in his place of con-
ceulment.

A voice, deep and solemn, said:

“Degenerate son of our wandering race, you
know why we are here, why this grave has been

du .

|$Our people’s law is inviolate, and you broke
our laws.

“ You have‘ become a thief, and for it you
should have lost a hand.

“ But you disobeyed our Queen,and over your
life she holds full power.

" You raised your rifle to.kill one whom she
forbade you to seek revenge against.

" Your sentence for the crimes and the
fire many that we have traced against you,

eatli.

“ You know the death that you must die.

“A degenerate Gyps , you cannot find a
resting place among the end of our eople.

“Our law is to seek the grave 0 some evil
one, step off from that grave one hundred steps
in an direction, and there make a resting-
place or the one who is downed.

“When you are in your grave, then it is to
be smoothed over, hidden from human eye and
lost to all remembrance by our people. i

“ Yonder are the graves of evil men, for the
sought to kill our Queen.

“ Herein your grave, just one hundred steps
from theirs.

“ It is narrow. very narrOW, just your length,
and deep enough for the earth above to hold
you in its embrace.

“ Here is the potion that you are to drink.

“It will bring unconsciousness, and you will
die beneath the earth.

“ Lucah, degenerate son of our wandering
race, drink your death- tion, and to you, in
the name of our people, bid farewell.”

Royal Rickerl y was as motionless as the rocks
among which he crouched.

He was dazed with horror; every word ut-
tered had reached his ears.

He saw the line of dark forms open in a semi-
circle around the open grave.

He saw one man standing at the foot of it,
and holding a goblet.

i TlIiJe other, the one in red, stood upright, fac-
n im.

Then he bowed, turned in silence and sprung
down into the open grave.

Again he turned and held forth his hand.

It was for the goblet, and it was handed to

 

him by the one who seemed to be his chief
judge and executioner as well.

Slowly to his lips the man in red carried the
goblet, and without a word he quaffed it to the

.dregs.

Then he dashed it out upon the loose earth
and disappeared from sight down into the
earthen walls of his last resting-place.

The man who had spoken then stepped for-
ward and glanced down into the grave.

What he saw, Royal Rickerly could only
guess; but he seemed satisfied and waved his

and.

Two men stepped forward, seized the spades
and began to throw in the earth.

It was an appalling sight to the young plan-
ter. and he covered his face with his hands.

When he again looked, the black-robed forms
were taking up the loose earth left over and
spreading the fine straw over the unmarked
grave, as though to hide it forever from the eye
of man.

This done, they marched away in solemn si-
lcnie, extinguishing their lights as they left the
spo . . '

It was clear starlight, and Royal Rickerly
saw them disappear in the gloom up the valley.

Then he stepped from his hiding-place.

For along time he stood still, as though un-
decided.

Then he started, as the neigh of a horse fell
upon his ears.

" It is my horse, and he is returning.

“The rascal has doubtless caught his rein
and is held fast.”

d {:10 saying, Royal Rickerly walked down the
e lo.

He soon came to where his horse stood, the
rein, as he had surmised, caught on the stump
of a tree.

H3 released him, mounted and rode home-
war .

But he took the long way around.

He did not care to go through the valley
that led by the Haunted Cliff.

CHAPTER XLVI.
THE DOUBLE rLor.

WHEN Royal Rickerly arrived home it was
after midni ht.

He found is wife most anxious about him, for
servants had been dispatched to Crag Eden and
Riverdale to see if he was there when night
came on and he had not returned.

He simply said that his horse had gotten
away from him and gave him along chase on
foot.

He seemed tired out, his face was pale, and
after supper went to bed.

He di not sleep well, tired as he was, for sev-
eral timesthat midnight burial he had witnessed
came back to him in nightmare.

He awoke unrefreshed, and Violet feared that
he was going to be ill.

But he in unted his horse soon after break-
fast, aiid Went off for another hunt, he said.

He went by Crag Eden, stopped Darius from
announcing his presence, and went straight to
his father’s room.

Enterin when his father bade him do so in
answer to is knock, he saw that his coming was
unwelcome.

Raynor Rickerly frowned and hit his lips.

He had thought it was old Darius.

But Royal Rickerly did not notice his manner
and said, pleasantly:

“ Good morning, father.

“ How are you, for you keep so close we never
got a chance to see you.”

“ It is my choice Royal; but I am well."

“ 1 see that the dyps es are still here, father."

He saw the start that his father gave.

“ Yes; but what of themf”

“ 0h, nothing, only the are a most remark-
able eople, are they not ’

u xii... »

“ You know a great deal about them, sir, so I
wish you would tell me something of their one-
toms

’

" Who said that I knew anything about
them i”

“ No one, but for thirty years I know they
have camped on your lands.‘

“Th’ey are their own lands, for they bought

em.

“ Well, air, they have, been so often here you
must know much of their customs, so I wish you
would tell me something about them.”

u Wh y g”

“ How do the bury their dead?”

“ At sunset a ways."

“With ceremonies?”

“If a child, each one throws a wild flower in
the’grave; but if a grown persona leaf is thrown

n.

“Whom do they bury outside of their ceme-
teries?" ‘
l “ Tliose whom they know to have broken their
aws.

“ Where do they bury such father?” ,

“ Anywhere,’ everywhere; but why this sud-
den intern tin the Gypsies, in son ?’

” lt is notsudden, sir, for have been inter-
ested in them ever since my poor brother Royal
was stolen by them.”

in:

26

The“  Detective.

 

 

 

“ Who said that they took him i” asked the
planter quickly.

“ I heard you say so when I was a boy," was
the answer and it looked like an evasive one.

The planter was silent and Royal asked:

“ Whom do they bury by night, away from
their bur lug—grounds, and y torchlight?"

“ Roya , you have seen some such burial?"

“ Yes, father."

“ When 1”

“ Last night. ”

“ Where? ’

“Under the shadow of the Haunted Cliff."

“ Tell me all you know.”

This the young man did, his father listening
with the deepest attention to all that be said.

“M son, long years ago, before you were
born was thrown much with these Romana
Gypsies and learned a great deal about them.

“ I dread them, for the are an evil people,
and I would give much to eep them away from
this art of the country.

“ feel under a shadow while they are here.

“ They have buried that man alive, and if you
could find other than yourself tosweai that they
witnessed that burial. they can be driven from
this art of the country.”

“ ut, father, I—”

“ Listen to me, my son.

“ Those people are a blot upon the earth and
should be gotten rid of.

“ They have, as I said, committed murder last
night, for that drug given to the poor wretch
who was doomed, was simply to prevent his
stru gles.

“ e was conscious of all the horror of his
situation, and thus died.

“ Now there are hunters about the mountains,
poor men whom a few hundreds in gold, or
much more if need he, would be a God-send to
them.

“ They could be drilled to tell what you saw,
as though they saw it.

“ They could go to the town to make their
statement, pretending to have been also ing in
camp by the cliff, when aroused by the ypsies’
coming.

“ If they were to make a charge the Gypsies
would be arrested,and all of their great men, or
judges, thirteen in number, would be sentto the
gallows or to prison.

“ This would keep them forever away from
this country, and we would be freed of their in-
fernal presence.

“ Will you do this, Royal, and thus take this
blot oif of our fair land ?’

Royal Rickerly listened most attentively to
his father until he had finished.

Then he said:

“ Why should I not make the charge against
them i"

'“ No! no! no! you would not live a month af-
ter it.

“ The would kill you, my son.”

“ An these men you wish me to bribe to
swear falsely?”

“ How mean you?”

“ What about them ’5”

“ What is the difference, for they must take
care of themselves."

“ I fear, father, we must keep the secret Idis-
covered last night, and try some other way to
get rid of these people.”

“ There is no other way.”

“ Then we will have to endure their presence.”

“ It will kill me."

“Why should it?”

The planter shook his head and said no more.

His son'would not act, so he went.

He was sorry that he had suggested it to
Royal, as he had refused to do his bidding.

But he knew the situation, could find the
spot, from his son’s description, where the poor
wretch had been buried. ‘

If the body was exhumed, the lungs, ex-
amined by experts, would show that the man
had been buried alive, and the drug found in the
stomach would also be proof.

If Royal could find two hunters who would
swear to having witnessed the scene he had,
then he, Raynor Rickerly, could find the men.

He knew where several such men lived, bare-
ly making an existence.

He could seek them out, tell them all that he
had seen, drill them in just whatto say. and pay
them handsomely, telling them that he did not
care to appear in court, as an excuse for his not
making the charge against the Gypsies.

With a handsome sum offered, the hunters
would be glad enough to swear as he wished
especially as they hated the Gypsies and wished
to get rid of them, for they often hunted on
their grounds to their, the hunters‘, detriment.

So ran the thoughts of the old planter, and
then they took another turn.

“ I can,” he musod, while Royal stood at the
window gazing down upon the distant Gypsy
cam .

“ I) can start the case against them, and have
it as only rumor, and then go to their camp and
warn them.

“ Would this not make them forgive me, for I
am sure they hold the death of lncah against
me, by their returning here.

‘ They have come for proof, and then will
take my life.

 

“If I warned them they would fly, and never
dare return, while they would forgive me, I am
sure.

“ I will do it.”

Then Royal turned from the window, and he
was surprised at the change in his father.

He had not seen such a pleasant expression up-
on his face in many a long day.

“ Your visit has positively cheered me, my
son.
“ Come again,” said the old man.

The young man mused as he rode away from
Cra Eden:

“ believe father intends to do what he wished
me to do. .

“ He is as deep as the sea, and the change
that came over him proved that he had decided
upon some plan.

“ I will viSit the Gypsy camp and place that
pretty Queen upon her guard in return for her
saving my life, for verily do I believe the man
buried last night was the one who lay in ambush
yesterday to kill me.”

So say ing. Royal Rickerly started for the
camp of the Gypsies.

CHAPTER XLVII.
GYPSY JUSTICE.

WHEN Roma Leigh, the Queen of the Gypsies.
warned Royal Rickerly or danger by calling
out to his intended assassin, she was not sure
who the man was that lay in ambush.

He was in the Gypsy dress, but he had kept
his hat pulled down over his eyes so that she
could no fully recognize him.

Still she had a suspicion as to the truth.

Why she had not called to him before his vic-
tim appeared, she did not know. ‘

Impulse had kept her from doing so.

She had spoken in the Gypsy tongue when she
had given the warning, and the man, with a cry
of terror had fled.

He did not stop in his flight until he had
gained the confines of the camp, sneaked into
his tent unseen, and then lying down had feigned
sickness.

He was thoroughly alarmed, for he knew his
fate if known.

He had hoped that he had not been recognized,
in fact felt sure of it.

If he could only keep his secret some other
mi ht suffer in his stead.

he fact was Lucah was a dyed-in-the-wool
villain.

He was not even square to his own people, and
was the blackest of black sheep.

He groaned until several passers came in, and
he told them how ill he was.

He had the Gypsy doctor sent for and was
given some medicine to take, but he did not
take it.

In the mean time Roma Leigh having saved
the life of Royal Rickerly knew that he had re-
co nizod her. '

’ his was what she wished, as she desired that
he should know to whom it was that he owed his
life.

But she did not wish to be seen, so, as she saw
that he was coming up the cliff, she climbed up-
on the top of the arbor and sat there.

She saw him hunting for her, and once he
was near enough for her to touch with the wand
she carried.

But she allowed him to go his way without
seeing her. '

She did not see. that his horse got loose and
he followed him, for she supposed that he had
gone on up the glen toward home.

Hastening to her own camp she at once called
the judges together.

These were thirteen in number, and they
were known as the Wise Men of the tribe.

In case of the death of a Queen, these men

'had the power to appoint another, for the Gyp-

s1es were not ruled by a King, their leader be—
ing. known only as their Captain.
hese thirteen men also had the carrying out

of the laws of the tribe, and they never flinched
in doing so as has been seen.

To call them together for counsel, Roma
Leigh sent her wand to each one of them.

Then they came in their black robes, know-
ing there was work for them to do.

hey took' their seats in the Justice Tent, and

soon Roma Leigh came in, clad in black.

“ I have sent for you. might rulers, to say
that one of our people is false to is race.

“ Send for Lucah to appear before you.”

The chief judge bowed and spoke to two of
his comrades, who arose and depart» d.

Scanlthey returned to report that Lucah was
very l . '

“ Bring him i” '

It was all that the Queen said; but the order
was obe ed. l

Soon ucah was brought into the august pres-
ence of the 'udges and his Queen.

He look ill indeed, and had his head and
throat bound up as though very ill.

“Remove the bands 9 from that man’s neck
and see if a yellow kerc ief is not beneath it.”

The order of Roma Leigh was obeyed, and
beneath was the yellow kerchief.

“ See if there is another man among our peo-
ple who now wears a yellow neckerchief.”

2 4

 

 

It took some little time to make this discov—
ery, but the report was made that not one in
cam then had on a yellow neck-scarf.

“ ucah, confess.”

“ I do confess, Roma Leigh,” was the low re-
sponse.

“ You left camp against my order?”

H Yes 71

“ You went to the Haunted Cliff i”

U Yea."

“ You lay in ambush to take a human life?”

“ I did.”

The judges fairly started at this confession.

“ Had you killed that man we would have
been driven out of this country, perhaps many
of us would have been slain, for his death
would have been avenged, and all would have
been upon your head.”

“ He struck me,” said Lucah, as though to
excuse himself.

“ Judges, the man is before you for trial,
and I am ready to give my testimony.

“ Then you can hear his confession, after
which his fate is in your hands,” and Roma
Leigh turned to the judges.

The chief judge bowel and said: '

“ I would ask, Queen Roma Leigh, for your
charge against this man, Lucah, our unfortun-
ate brother. ”

“ Theft, deceit, lying to me, disobedience to
my order, and last, an attempt to kill, and then
to shield himself by feigned sickness that a fel-
low might be suspected and suffer in his stead.”

“ The first charge, Queen Roma. Leigh l”

“ He entered a plantation home and robbed it,
was found with a stolen coat on, and the lash
was laid upon him by the owner.

” This I sought proof of and found.”

“ The second charge?”

“ He has deceived me often, and others of his
people; he has told falsehodds. and disobeyed my
command that he should not leave this camp.”

“ And last?”

” He left camp, went to the Haunted Cliff, lay
in the path of the one who had whipped him for
stealing, when he might have sent him to prison,
and was going to fire upon him from his hiding-
place when I, who had watched him, called out
and he fled.

“ I leave him to you, judges.”

“ Does our Queen speak what you know to be
true, Lucah ?"asked the judge, as Roma Leigh
left the Tent of Justice.

“ The Queen speaks the truth,” came the low
reply, in a voice that the culprit in vain tried to
keep from quivering.

“ As a Gypsy, Lucah, you know your fate?”

H I do.”

“ In two hours we will call for you.

“ Be ready, for your doom is sealed.

U Go y"

The doomed man bent' low before his judges.

He uttered no word of pleading, for well he
knew how useless it would e.

He said no word to excuse himself, for the flat
had gone forth against him.

He Was a Gypsy and he bowed in perfect, ab—
ject submission to his fate, and that fate he
knew but too well. ,

With no guard to watch him he went forth
from the Tent of Justice as though he wasa free
man.

He sought his own tent and looked about him
in a sad kind of way.

It was growing dark, so he lighted a lamp that
hung over his head.

Then he sat down by his chest and began to
take things out, mark names on certain articles
to whom he left them, and then place all back
again neatly in their places.

The things in-his tent Were likewise marked,
and a belt heavy with gold was taken off and
placed upon his bed.

Upon this was written:

“ For the Strong Box.”

This meant that his money went into the com~
mon treasury of the Gypsies.

Having thus arranged his belongings, he took
a seat to await the inevitable. _

Condemned as he was for crime, he could bid
no one farewell, not even those nearest to him
in kindred ties.

Thus he waited, and what his thoughts were
who can tell?

If he had been evil in life, he certainly was
going out of it a brave man. '
Whatever his sins, cowardice was not one of

hem.

Soon after the judges came. _

They were in their long black robes, their
faces hidden, and they carried their unlit lamps
in their hands.

One of them handed to Lucah the red robe.
- It was the shroud of a doomed man.

He put it on in silence, put a ta er to his lamp
and held it for each man to ight his torc .
from.

Then he put out his lamp and left his tent in
darkness.

In another moment he was in the midst of his
execu tioners walking away to his death.

The Gypsies stood in silence watchin the som~

her, weird procession as it wound si ently out; .

of camp.

~
7

      ..   

 
 

 

 

 

V «has «,1. <‘- '-

 

 

 

 

When, two hours after, it returned with unlit
torches, the red—robed form was not in their
midst.

 

CHAPTER XLVIll.
THE SECOND MEETING.

WHEN Royal Rickerl rode away from Crag
Eden, after is long tal with his father, he di-
rected his way toward the ford of the river.
crossed, and turned up the highway leading to
the Gypsy camp.

On the side of the river where the Gypsies
were encamped the country was very wild, al—
most a wilderness, in truth.

The estate of the Rickerlys took in many acres
on that side, as well as across the river where
were the homes of Crag Eden and Viewlands.

Even on the side where were these places, plan-
tations were far apart, and on the oppositeshore
habitations were very few and far between.

There were valleys, mountains and forests
that only the hunter or the traveler passing
through the country trod.

So it was that few ever went near the Haunt-
ed Cliif, and far fewer cared to go there.

The road that led to the Gypsy camp was well
enough for a horseman, but rough for a vehicle;
but Royal Rickerly was mounted, so rode along
at a canter. .

He had determined to see Roma Leigh, and
to do this intended to ask to have his fortune
told by her.

He recalled the wandering Queen as she ap-
pcared that day at the cliff. and he felt a long-
ing to see her sin, and he meant to do so.

She had sav his life the day before, and he
wished to prove his appreciation of it by a visit
to her.

So up to the Gypsy guard he rode and asked
politely to see Roma Leigh. ‘

The Gy sies knew him as the man who had
saved the ife of their Queen.

What it was between themselves and his fa-
ther they kept to themselves, and he was received
with marked deference.

Word was sent to the Queen that the heir to
Crag Eden deSired to see her and have his for-
tune told. '

The messenger returned with the information
that the Queen could not be seen, that the plan-
ter must call again.

Away he rode, wondering why he could not
be seen then.

He took the path to the cliff.

He wished to see the spot where the unfor-
tunate Gypsy had been buried the night before.

He rode along until he came near the spot,
dismounted and hitched his horse.

Without much difficulty he found the grave,
though so neatly had it been covered over that,
but for having seen its position he would never
have suspected its being there:

Not a vestige of loose earth had been left,
and the pine .straw had been put back to look
the same as did the rest of the hiIISide.

But with his feet he marked the spot where
the ground was soft, and he knew that beneath,
only a few feet, rested the body of a human
being who had died in mortal agony that was
fearful. .- I

Up the ridge—path then he went, and gOlDE
toward the cliff suddenly confronted Roma Leig
in the arbor.

She had heard his approach too late to fly,
and could but face him. , ,

He politely raised his hat, and as he bowed
low, as he might have done to England’s queen,
he said pleasantly; ‘

“ We meet again. fair Roma Leigh.

“It is an honor I had not expected here.”

“ Yes, we meet again, sir,” she said somewhat
coldly.

“I had called at your camp, but was told
that I could not see you then.

“ I did not take it that you were absent, so
rode hither, intending to stop upon my re-
turn."

[5 And why a”

The abrupt question almost startled him.

“ To see you."

“For what purpose?”

“ To have my fortune told.”

“Your fortune is made." . .

“How do you mean?"

“You are married."

“Ahl does that settle a man’s fate forever
anda oi” he asked with a smile.

“ “ihat else would you have!”

“ I do not understand.”

“Do you wish to get frgp, does your mar-
riage vow alread fret you

“ Did it do so, ~vyvould I tell of it?”

“ Who knows?" -

“ Then I have no future other than the every-
day eiistence of married life and that of a
planter!"

“ Let me see your hand.”

He led her to the seat in the arbor and sat
near her.

Then he held forth his hand. ‘ _

She looked at it for along while in silence,
and then she gazed steadily into his face.

He fairly colored under her look, and he was
glad when she broke the Silence.

“Your life will not he as calm .as you may
think, for there arescenes in the future wine

I

 

 

.  " Planter Detective.

you must pass through, and pain, sorrow and
some joy must follow.

“Anything else, fair Roma Leigh?"

“ What more would you wish?’

“ Anything that you can tell me.”

“ 1 can say no more.”

“ Then I will, for] wished to see you that I
dmight thank ‘you for saving my life yester-

ay.

“ Saving your life?"

“ Yes; don’t plead ignorance, for I saw you,
and recognized you, as there can be no other
woman like you.

“ I lost you afterward. for you bid from me.

“ But I was riding upon an ambush set forms
by one of your Gypsy subjects whom I severely
thrashed some days ago for stealing from
me.
“ He wished to wipe out the scars of my whip,
so sought to kill me, and to you I owe my life,
my beautiful Queen.”

‘ It is nothing.”

“ My life is nothing? Now, there you are
niistaken,for it is to mea great deal and I do
not hold it lightly.

“ This beautiful world is too full of pleasures
for me to wish to give them up at the crack of
a Gy sy‘s rifle."

“ ou regard it as a debt you owe me?”

H I do.”

H“ Then it is canceled, for I owe to you my
1 e.

“ Don’t mention it.”

" Yet it remains that you saved me from
death."

“Granted, and let one debt cancel the other,
if so on will; but we must be friends.”

“ riendsl” and there was a sneer in her
tone.

“ Yes; why not?”

H No.”

“ Can a Gypsy have only a Gypsy for a
friend i"

ll Yes.“

“ That is sad for me, but were you not a little
severe on the poor devil last ni ht?”

She started and asked. quick y:

“ What do you mean ?"

“ You Gypsies punish crime severely, do you
not?’

“ We have our own laws."

“ I have heard so, and more, that they are as
cruel as death.”

“ You refer to some Gypsy law executed?"

“ Well, yes; there was one of your people
called out of life last night.”

“ How know you this?" and the face of Roma
Leigh blushed.

“I saw it, that was all. for my horse escaped
me. I went after him, and when I came back
there was a very weird kind of execution going
on in yonder pines.

“ I wanted to fight for the poor fellow, upon
the principle of helping the under dog in the
fight, but the thirteen black demons were too
many for me. so I wisely laid low and held my
peace."

“ You were wise; but having seen this what
then?“

“ I have not the remotest thought of betray-
ing it, I assure you, though it was very rough
on the poor wretch.”

Roma Leigh grasped him by the arm and said
hoarsely:

“I have a hold on your life, for Isaved it. and
the man you saw die was the one who would
have killed you.

“ Swear to me not to betray by word or action
what you saw, and your life is safe.

“ Will you swear?"

“ A thieat would never force me to it, Roma
Leigh, but I will swear as you Wish."

“And I will vow not to make 'known to my
people what you saw.

“ Did I do so. I will now tell you, as you have
sworn as I wished, no person on earth could save
you from death."

As she spoke she rose and paced to and fro as
an enraged tifiress might have done, and Royal
Rickerly, who 1 y unmoved to all appearances,
quietly gazed upon her.

CHAPTER XLIX.
FRIENDS. ,

THE look which Royal Rickerly bent upon the
Gypsy Queen,as she walked to and fro upon the
cliff. was full of admiration.

When he first had seen her, the day of the
struggle on the cliff, he had admired her beauty
of face and form.

Now he had a chance to see how perfect that
beauty was.

Her form was exquisite in shape, and set of!
by the dress of barbaric splendor that she
wore.

Her feet were tiny and sha ely her waist
small, and her head was poised) With a certain
haughtiness becoming in one who was a ueen,
evenl if she was er of a wild, wandering
peo e.

S 9 had a king’s ransom in jewels upon her
neck arms and fingers, and her' costume was
rich in the extreme.

Then her face was the perfection of feminine
comohness.

Every feature was marked with strength and

 

 

 

2'7

passéon, and yet they were cut in an exquisite
mo .

So it, was that the young planter gazed at her
and drank in her loveliness.

Suddenly she turned upon him, and her dark
face crimsoned as she met his earnest eyes.

“ As you have sworn to keep secret what you
saw, I will tell Iyou now that we can be friends,
Gypsy though be.”

S e held forth her hand and he warmly
grasped it.

Then bending uickly he kissed it.

The hand trem iled and she withdrew it quick-
1yx yet she did not appear to be angry.

‘ Come, Queen Roma, as we are friends, sit
by me here, for I wish to have a talk with you."

She seemed to wish to refuse, but yielded and
took the seat by him on the rustic bench.

“ What do you wish to ask me?"

“ What is my father to you?”

She starth and remained silent.

‘f Will you not answer me?”

" Why would on know?”

“ I know the there is some bond between
you, whether it be of fear, hatred or friendship,
such bond surely exists.”

“Suppose I tell you that it is of hatred !”

“ I can believe you.” i

“ You have long been away from home!”

“ Yes, in the navy of my country.”

“ Does your father ever speak of us, We hated
Gypsies, mean?"

“ Seldom, and only when something of import-
ance brings you up. ’

“ You knew that one of our people was tried
at your village and sentenced to be hanged, but
esca ed and was shot?"

it b, yes.”

“ Do you know who killed him i"

“ It was said that the jailer shot him as he
came out, but the facts of the case were never
clearly proven at the trial.”

She had her eyes u on his face, but he did not
show a sign that be new from another source.
more than the trial had brought forth.

Sh i looked disap ointed, as though she had
hoped to get some 0 ew from the young planter
as to the real causeof Iiicah‘s death.

In many cunning uesiions plied to the young
planter did Roma eigb try to find out that
which she was in the dark about; but he was
too guarded to betray himself, and she came to
the conclusion that he l?19W nothing whatever
about the past life of h s father, as far as the
Gypsies were concerned.

e, too, endeavored to enti-ap the Gypsy
Queen into some unguarded remark as to his
father’s real osition with her, and her people,
but here he a so failed.

Thus an hour passed, and at last he arose to
depart.

‘We are to meet again?" he said.

u w by? i

“ Because I wish to see you again.

“ Are we not friends?”

I I Yes. 77

“ Then may I not come here again!"

“ You are your own master."

“ But to meet you here!”

“ This is your own land, is it not?”

“ My father’s.”

,“ It is said that ill-fortune hangs about this
place.”

“ I cannot believe it so.”

“ I nearly lost my life here, as did also the
lady who has become your wile.”

“ True, but yet you were both saved, and that
was good fortune.” ‘

“ And you nearly lost your life here, too."

“ Granted. but you saved me, and that is the-
best of m fortune."

4‘ You 0 not fear to come here, then!’”

‘ I do not.’.’

“Will you bring your wife!"

His face flushed; but he responded:

“No, for the place has unhappy memories:
for her.”

“Youma come-sometimes,”shenaivelysaid..

“ To mee you i”

“ I will be hue.”

“ You do not dread the spot?”

I “ Why should I?"

“ Its memories, its graves, yes, the presence
of that unmarked grave yonder in the pines.”

“ I do not fear t 6 dead; nor have I dread of
the living.”

“ You are a brave little woman.

“ Good-by."

He again grasped her hand, and she walked.
away down t a path to the glen.

He watched her until 'she was out of sight,
and then he, too, descended the hill to where.
his horse awaited him.

Mounting. he rode down the glen to the open

valleyauid thence around the mountain home-1

ward.
That da he reached Viewlands with no
game, and iolet wondered, for he was a dead

s o .

But he told her of his visit to his father, and”
how they had had along talk together.

But he did not tell Violet the subject of their
conversation. nor that he had also seen Roma,
the G psy Queen.

“ hai’s the use?” was the question he asked

 '

 

28

The Planter Detective.

 

 

CHAPTER L.
THE 'rwo HUNTERS.

THE second day after his meeting with Roma
Leigh, Royal Rickerly rode over to Crag Eden
to see his father.

Darius at first said that his masterwas asleep,
and he dared not disturb him; but after awhile
hegalleil Royal aside in a mysterious Way, and
sai :

“ Massa Roy, I goin’ ter tell yer de truf, sah'
but yer mustn’t let on whar yer got it.”

“ No, Darius.”

“ Wa-al, sah, I toles yer, ’cause I don’t like
jist ther way ole massa are behavin’.”

“ How do you mean, Darius?”

“ The truf is, sah, ole massa hain’t here."

“ W hat?”

“ No, sail, he hab gone away.”

“ Gone where?"

“ Dot 1 don’t know, sah; but arter remainin
at home so long, he call me uplast night, hab his
horse saddled, s Jme pervisions cooked, an’ just
rode off about daylight.”

“ Did he say where he was going?”

“ No, ssh.” , ’

“ Nor when he would return?”

“ About to-morrow night, sah."

“ Which road did he take?”

“ To the mountains, sah.”

“He went armed?”

“ ’Deed he did, sah, he carry his rifle and
pistols, too.”

“ Very well, Darius, I guess he has only gone
on a hunt in the mountains; but I’ll not let
on that i knew that he was away.

“ By the way, did he take his dog Nig with
him?”

“ No, sah."

“ Well, call Nig, and make a long rope fast to
him, for I will take him with me this morning
on a little hunt.”

“ Yas, sah; but if yer lets him go he’ll run on
the hunt for ole massa.”

“ So I thought- but, Darius, I wisthou to go
over to View ands, and tell my wife may not
return home tonight, as I shall go into the
mountains after deer."

“ M assa am de deer you is goin’ arter, Mars’
Roy,” said Darius, with a chuckle.

‘ To tell the truth, Darius, I do think it best
to look up my father;but if I find him I’ll have
it appear as an accident.

“ Now tell Black Phi; to get me a haversack
of food to take with me, and then go over to
‘ Viewlands with my message.”

‘ “ Yas, sub,” and as Darius rode away toward

l Viewlands, Royal Rickerly went in the opposite
direction toward the mountains, and ahead of
his horse was the dog, Nig, a huge black bear-
nound,that was evidently followmg the trail of
his master, Raynor Rickerl y, who had gone
along that way some hours before.

The truth was that the master of Greg Eden,
as Darius had said, had gone to the mountains.

Instead, however, of being a “little off in the
head,” as the old butler had hinted, he was g0<
'ing with a Very flrm determination to carry
:outa, plot he had formed, and which will soon
be made known.

Up in the mountains, scattered here and
‘there, were the homes of a few hardy hunters.

They were a wild set, in their way. lived by
hunting and trapping, and were content on a

'very small income.

Half a dozen times a year, maybe, they went
to the towns and villages to sell their pelts, and
to buy their stores, and they know little more
of life than what they then learned.

One of these mountaineers dwelt on a spur
that gave him a cod view of the surrounding
country, with va ey and plain spread out be,
fore him.

He was seated in front of his humble cabin
one afternoon, entertaining a fellow-hunter who
.léaii “ dropped up” to see him from the valley
‘ e ow.

He had gotten out, in honor of the occasion,
a black bottle and pipes. and the two were en-
iloying themselves while discussing their late

uck or lack of luck in hunting, as the case

.might be.

“ Game are not seen so frequent now, Pard
Pete, as it were before them durned G men
come about, fer they kills jist ter kill," said
.Jack Dawson to his guest. Pete Moore.

“No, them Gyps is a bad lot, and I wishes
they was all hanged, for they hain't no use on
their hull creati in, nohow," was the reply.

But Jack Dawson had hardly heard his
friend’s remark, for his eyes were far down in

i the valley.

“ Are it a b‘ar, Jack?"

“ No, it are a man on a horse.”

“ Maybe a Gyp, for they is camped down
near Crag Eden Plantation.”

" No, it hain't no. Gyp, and none wouldn’t
come up here alone, fer fear he might git lost,
and I rather guesses he\w’u’d.

“ It are a white man.”

Now this was an imputation on the rt of
.Jack Dawson that Gypsies were not white, but
in fact the mountaineers had not. learned just

how to class them as regarded their race, and

that is a question that has puzzled wiser heads

:thzm those simple hunters.

' ‘ What are he comin’ here fer f”

:‘

 

“ If it were a party on ’em, with dogs and nig-
gers, I’d know mighty quick they were a hunt-
in’ crowd comin’ up ter skeer all ther game out
o’ ther mount’ins, then buy what we had and go
back and claim they kilt it.”

“ That’s so, Jack, fer I sell one young city
chap, about a year ago, a b’ar, a deer and a
wildcat, and he paid me prime for ’em, too,
and tuk ’em ter camp and swore he kilt ’em.

“ He did for true, right afore me, and they set
him down as a mighty hunter, while 1 had been
paid ter lie Silent, so said nothin’ onless he tarn-
ed ter me ter prove his falsifyin’, and I proved
it, too, at a dollar a lie; but that man are comin’
on your trail up the mount’in, J ack.”

He are so, and I’ll soon know what he are
comin’ up here fer.”

The two hunters continued to watch the stran-
ger until he had ridden into a forest which hid
him from view.

But he was on a trail that brought him direct-
ly up the mountain toward Jack Dawson’s
cabin, and half an hour after he appeared upon
the spur coming toward them.

“It are the maste o’ Crag Eden, sure as
shootin',” cried Jack awson.

“ It are, sart’lnly,” Pete Moore replied, and
soon after Raynor Rickerly rode up.

He appeared more cordial than was his wont;
but he had always been a good friend to the
hunters, so they greeted him kindly.

“ Whar is or people, sab?" asked Jack.

“ I came a one.”

‘;"Then yer wants ter hev a still hunt with
us

“ I came up to ut you on a hunt, Jack, and
I am glad to find) Pete Moore with on, for I
was going to suggest that you get him to help

“ We’re in for it, Mr. Rickerly, if it pays."

“ It will pay ou big money, in fact, more
than you can ma e in ten years up here at your
hunting,” was the earnest reply.

And the two mountaineers fairly whooped
with delight.

They should have had Roma Leigh, the Gypsy
fgrtune-teller to tell them what was before
t em.

 

CHAPTE R LI.
THE navasnnorraa.

WHEN Royal Rickerly went into the moun-
tains on the track of his father, he had with
him a good trailer in Nig, the only pet the mas-
ter of Crag Eden seemed ever to have had.

There was no difficulty in following Raynor
Rickerly, for the dog had caught the scent and
was patted that he could not dash swiftly along
to overtake his master.

Royal Rickerly was certain that he knew just
why his father had gone up into the mountains.
He knew that he feared the Gypsies; what he
had read of Dick Snrr ’s letter, what he had
seen and heard proved his, and since they had
returned to the neighborhood the master of Crag
Eden had not left his home. ,

Having told Raynor Rickerly of that mid-
night burial of the Gypsies, the son felt that he
must keep him from doing harm, for he knew
that he had laced in his hand a dangerous wea-
pon against oma Leigh and her people.

True, it was a weapon which his father would
not dale use himself; but he had already asked
him, Royal, to make use of it through the moun-
tain-men, and thus frighten the Gypsies forever
from that part of the country.

The pledge of R0 a1 Rickerly to Roma Leigh
to keep the secret, ad been given after he had
told his father; but he had not expected him to
use it. 

But, having told him, he must not allow him
to take advantage of it, as he surely meant to
do by his trip to the mountains.

He did not wish to overtake his father, did
not, in fact wish to be seen by him; but he did
desire to discover if his surmise was correct—-
that he had gone there to bribe men to bring
charges of murder against the G psy judges.

So it was that he followed on ynor Richer-
ly’s track, and held on his way at a pace that he
knew would bring him in sight of him before
nightfall.

At a ridge that obtained a look of a wide val—
ley, the dog gave a yelp, and there, miles ahead,
he saw a horseman.

It was his father, and he watched him closely
until he saw him turn up a mountain road that
led to a cabin situatr d upon a spur.

“ That cabin is his destination; but I dare
not press on until dark, for he would see me in
the valle , did he look back.”

So say ng, Royal Rickerly halted to rest, and
when the mists began to float over the valley,
he once more pressed on.

It is astonishing how hospitable one can be—
come to a guest who brings good news or for-
tune.

So it was with Jack Dawson and Pete Moore,
who at once set to work to make the master of
Crag Eden comfortable.

True, they would have welcomed him any-
how, but they were now more than anxious to
do their best to entertain.

“ We’ll not talk biz now, Mr. Rickerly, fer
. on an’ ycr boss is both tuckered out from a

ong ride.

 

“ Pete, you look arter ther hose, and 1’“ stir
up ther pervision‘, and you bet we’ll have a
good supper.”

So, while Raynor Rickerly went to the brook
to refresh himself by a bath, the two moun-
taineers set to work to prepare supper.

The choicest bits of venison were sliCed off.
some potatoes roasted, hoe—cakes baked and cof—
fee mad -, and it certain] was a good supper
for a hungry man, and aynor ickerly ate
with more relish than he would have done at
his own sumptuously spread table with every
delicacy before him.

Night had fallen before the supper was set
upon the table, and with a bright fire burning
on the cabin hearth, the three men made them-
selves comfortable after the meal, smoking ,ci—
gars which the planter had brought with him.

“Now, planter, name yer biz,” said Jack
Dawson, who, like his comrade, was a man ac-
cepting the situation he found himself in simply
because he had been born to it.

If they had thus far done no great wrong, it
was because no temptation had been put in their

wa .

'they were wild fellows, hating law and ready
for any act that suited their fancy.

They were the kind of men of which danger-
ous material is made if the chance offers.

This Raynor Rickei'ly knew, and aware that
they could scarcely lay up over a hundred or
two dollars a year, he knew that they would be
glad to make a clean thousand at a game that
simply involved a little tough lying, while their
conscience would suffer but little if the death
of a few Gypsies followed.

Now Raynor Rickerly did not wish that the
G psies should escape free.

e meant to give them warning of danger, to
cause them to believe him to be their friend;
but this warning would be too late to save
them, he was determined upon, and once their
judges were held for murder, the Romana G p
sies. would never dare venture again into ir—
ginia.

So had Raynor Rickerl y argued, and thus he
meant to act.

When supper was over he began his explana-
tion for cooling to the mountains.

“ My friends, I’ll tell you what I wish you to

o.

“ I could do all I ask of you, only I do not care
to appear before the courts,and it might be said
I acted from revengeful motives because my son
was stolen long years ago by Gypsies, for it is
against these people I wish you to bring
charges.”

“ We’re more than willin’, but what can be
said ag’in’ ’em that goes in law i”

“ I’ll tell you.

“ You know that they have strange, outland-
ish customs, and one of these is to bury alive
one of their number who sins against the tribe.

“ Now this is murder, and the thirteen men
who call themselves Gypsy judges, are murder-
ers when they so kill a man, for they do so
against the laws of the State.

“ N ow there has just been an execution, or
murder of this kind in the Gypsy camp, and I
will give on the full particulars, the spot where
the body 5 to be found, and tell you just what
was done. so that you can say that you were on
your way to the village, had camped for the
night and saw it all.

‘ You will have to go to the magistrate and
make your report under oath—”

“ That won’t hurt us none.”

“ No, for you will be doing the State a ser—
vice in gett ng rid of these murderers, and
frightening the rest of their people away from
here forever.”

“ Good!"

“ Now here is a map of the exact localit of
the murder, and here are theexplanations w ich

on are to study. ,

“I will tell you all that was said and done,

so that you can rehearse it, and go through with

l .
“ Now on are to start to-morrow for the ,

Haunted liff, camp there, so as to show your
camp find this unmarked grave, and go on the
next day to the village.

~“ I will meet you there, and tell you when you
are to make your charge. ,

“ You can say, if asked, that you went on to
the mountains, after witnessing the murder, but
thinking it over, you decided to return and tell
what you had seen.

“ Do you understand i”

“ Sure,” said Dawson.

“ Well, now I will tell you justwhat you must
swear that you saw on the hi ht in question.

Then Raynor Rickerly to] of the appallin
rites of the midnight execution of Lurah, an
going over it again and a sin he got his hearers
skilled in the lies which 1: ey were to tell as to
all they beheld.

“ N ow, here is five hundred for each of van,
and when the Gypsies are caught you shall have
as much more.”

Jack Dawson gave a yell of delight that Pete
Moore echoed, for never had they made money
so easily before.

The yells startled a man outside who was
standing against the cabin, gazing in at a crev.‘
ice in the logs. r

'1 :  . 

 

 

 

 

 

Every word uttered had been distinctly heard
by him, and feeling that he knew all he cared
for, and that he might be discovered, he walked
swiftly away.

Half a mile from the cabin he came upon a

horse and dog tied in the thicket, and both aui~ '

mals were muzzled to prevent a neigh or bark.
Mounting his horse and leading the dog the
man rode away in the direction of the lower
country.
It is needless to say that the horseman was
Royal Rickerly.

CHAPTER LII.
THE DOUBLE WARNING.
“YOU see that I have come again—are you

angry?"
he question was addressed to Roma Leigh,
and the speaker was Royal Rickerly.

The Gypsy Queen was in the arbor on the
cliff, and again she had her brushes and port-
folio with her.

Her easel was in place, but somehow she had
not otten to work.

as it that she expected some one?

Perha s, for her eyes were instantly turned i

up the g en.

She saw a horseman approaching, yet went
on with her work, and started when be ap-
proached and addressed her as though she had
not known of his presence. 9

“ No, I am not angry, but we must not meet
too often," she said. _

He threw himself is n the rustic seat where
long years C[from ths ather had sat and talked
love to the y ueen.

Then he 

“ I come on business to-day.”

:: Business?"

“ To have your fortune told again l" she asked,
with a smile. -

“ Ah, no, but to give you a warning.”

“A warning?"

“Yes of dan erto you and to

Her face slig tly paled, but
firmly:

“ I thank ou; tell me of the danger."

He boweg his head a moment, as though
thinking just how to begin.

It was a delicate th ng he had to do and not
com romise his father.

“ ell, I took a hunt up in the mountains
yesterday, and at night I came across a cabin,
the home of a mountaineer.

“ I did not make my (presence known, for
there were men within, an they were discussing
a matter that deeply interested me, on your
accounf.”

“ On in account?"

“ Yes, or they had decided to make a charge
against you and your jud es, upon a matter
they could swear t at they new all about.

“They were to start for the village the next
day—to-day—and camp here to-night, so that
they would be sure of what they charged.

“ To-morrow they were to go on to t e village
and tell how several nights before they'had, on
their way to town, camped on the cliff here,
and had seen strange sights in the glen below.

“In fact they were to swear how they had
returned to their home, and talking over the
matter had decided it was but right that they
should report to the magistrate the whole
affair.”

“ And those men were camped on this clifl
and saw all?" said Roma Leigh deeply moved.

“So they will take oath, and you know the
result, for whatever your own laws may be, in
the sight of Virginia law they, your jud es,
committed murder, and you may be sure ey
will push the case against you to the full ex-
tent.

“ I will at once put in people on the march,"
and Roma Lei h’s face s owed her alarm.

“ No, hear w t I have to say.”

“ I will.”

“ To more fully understand the situation those
two noun 1 are to camp here to-ni ht
and go over the scene, as they will swear t t
they witnessed it. .

“ Then, to-morrow, they will go on to the vil-

e, and I think the next day your arrest will
fo ow, so you have time."

“Time to fly yes and—”

“No, you misunderstand me, for I said the
two mountaineers will cain here to-night.”

“AhlIseetbatypu it best thatnore-

rt shall be made?’ .

“That is for you to decide, Roma Leigh.

“ I simply 've you the facts,and you can act

n deem East. ,
“lit those men were kidnapped in fact, they
could make no report.” I
as Tr“ ”

Royal hickerly and Roma Leigh understood
each other. . _ .

The man had told his sto given his warning,
and in no wa compromi h s father.

T“ W is. his as lsaxttrtsh
G ueen e iev ' . -
 really witnessed the midnight burial
of anh.

With this Bo al Iiiickderly let :ehe matter rest,

soon after k s epsrtu .
"lac was very tired, for all the day before and

our people."
6 answered

I

 

29

 

The Planter Detec ive.

i
’ the night past he had been in the saddle on his
tri to the mountains.

e had retired to Crag Eden, left the dog, had
breakfast, mounted a fresh horse and gone to
the cliff to meet Roma Leigh.

Then he went back by Crag Eden, but his
father had not returned, Darius said.

“ Do not worry about him, Darius, for he will
be along this afternoon.

“ Ouly do not tell him I went to the moun—
tains, but say I called yesterday and today.”

With this Royal Rickerly rode on to his ele-
gant home.

Violet met him at the door, but there were
tears in her beautiful eyes and a. look upon her
face that no young wife could wear if she was
perfectly happy.

“ Did you have a successful hunt in the moun-
tains,y Royal, for Darius delivered your mes-
sa 6?

‘ Yes: I found my game."

“ What did you kill, and where is it?”

“ I killed nothing, but simply found my
game.

“ Is not lunch ready, for I am hungry and
very tired?

“ I will lie down for the rest of the after-
noon.”

“ Royal 1” 1~

“ Well?"

“ There was a mountain hunter here half an
hour ago with a deer to sell.

“ I did not buy it, for I told him you were in
the mountains hunting, and he told me that he
saw fiou as he passed up the Haunted Cliff glen.”

“ e saw me?"

And the face of the young man crimsoned.

” Yes; he said you d d not appear to be hunt-
in ,as you were seated on a log talking to Roma
Le gh, the G sy Queen.”

“ Curse the 001! what of that?"

“ Only that I thought you were in the moun-
tains."

And Violet turned away, her eyes full of
tears, her heart aching with a dread of evil to

come.
Royal Rickerly went in to his lunch, ate in
silence, and then threw himself upon his bed to

res v.

Late in the after noon Violet went in to awak-
en him for dinner, and as she bent over him she
started back as though a serpent had stung her,
for from the lips of her husband came the mur-
mured name:

“ Roma Leigh!”

 

CHAPTER LIII.
THE sssnaas suanan.

JACK Dawson and Pete Moore were jubilant
over the scheme they had to carry out.

They each had a cool five hundred in money
in their inside pockets, with a romise of as
much more when their plot shou d be success-
ful] maneuvered. ' _

T e planter had spent the night in their
cabin, and, contrary to his custom, he had slept

ll '

we .

After breakfast he started u on his return
home, having again rehearsed is hirelings in
the parts they were to play and found them per-

set. . ‘

“The Gypsies will avoid Virginia as a pest-
house in future,” the lanter said with a confl-
dent smile as he rode omeward. ,

It was late in the afternoon when he reached
Crag Eden.and when told b Dariusthat his son
had twice called he said no ing.

As night drew on he grew nervous, for he
knew that his allies must be on the ground
studying the situation.

And he was right.

They were there.

They had shouldered their rifles, strapped on
their haversacks and started for the village soon
after the departure of Raynor Rickerly from
the cabin.

They never rode, but preferred to walk, so
ke t no horses.

is fact, horseback hunting would be useless in
those mountains. .

They walked well, too, and the sun was yet
above the horizon when they cautiously ap—
proached the Haunted Cliff.

They soon pitched upon a camp, and gave the
appearance to it of havmg been used before as
a camping-place.

Then they studied their ma , took in the situ-
ation and itched their min s about where the
grave shou d be.

Jack Dawson went there to see and was not
long in tracing out with his feet the long, narrow
space of soft earth that marked the grave.

“ It are mu 1 hid,” he muttered.

Then Pete
hidden grave.

They stopped OR the space from the graves of
the assassins, went over their lines together to
get them lperfect, and had the whole situation in
a nutshe when darkness fell upon the scene.

The mountaineers were superstitious, and
their minds were haunted by the legends of the

'1)“-
Alone neither of them would have gone there.
Together they screwed up their courage to re-
main all night. .

core came, and he, too, felt the

 

Thus was Violet warned to dread the future. V

 

“ I only hopes no ghosts won’t walk ter-nit‘fi,”
said Pete Moore, as he wrapped himsle in his
blanket to go to sleep.

“ I he es so, on my life I does, Pard Pete.

“ Ef t vy does walk, we runs, you bet," as.
sured Jack Dawson, and he, too, lay down to
rest.

They did not at once get to also however.

They were too nervous about t eir surround-

ln 8.

glut at last Pete began to snore gently, as
though afraid of disturbing the ghosts, and soon
after Jack followed suit.

Both of the men awoke with a start.

They thought they were dreaming at first, but
soon came to realize that it was by no means a
dream.

Their camp was completely surrounded l y
black-robed forms.

_ They sat up, rubbed their eyes, and beheld
rifles thrust into their faces.

They were fearfnlly scared, but were not lef t
long in doubt.

“ Come l"

The voice that uttered the words was sepul-
chral in its tones.

They arose, and their traps were given them
to strap on their backs, while their rifles and
arms were withheld.

Down the hillside into the trail through the
island the black-robed forms went with their
prisoners. i

They carried no lights, and there were thir-
teen of them. ,

Jack Dawson and Pete Moore were frightened
’most out of their wits.

Only the one word had been spoken.

These were the men against whom the had
intended to inform, to swear that they ha seen
them bury a man alive.

The idea that Raynor Rickerly had deceived
them never entered their heads.

Seein the black-robed forms as they now did
and hav n gone over the scene of the midnight
burial as t ey had,they almost convinced them-
selves that they had really witnessed what they
intended to swear that they had.

The moon was up now, and this told them that
it was nearly dawn.

Arrivin in the trail the black-robed forms
came to a alt.

Then they stood their two prisoners thirty
paces apart, and handed to them their rifles.

“ You are to kill each other," said the leader
of the sable forms.

“ What?” gas Jack Dawson.

“ Kill each at or?” groaned Pete Moore.

“ I have said it."

“ Oh, Lord 1"

" Ditto,” said Pete.

“ You are thirt paces apart, and you are to
fire when I give t 9 word.

“ You are to aim to kill for should on wound
each other only slightly,then you wil be buried
a we. ' .

“ If you refuse to fire upon each other and.
kill, then we will bury you alive.

“ You have our c oice so which will it be?"

Words coul not have on spoken in more
solemn tones than those addressed to the two.
hunters.

Their faces were livid in the moonlight, and
thfi trembled as with a chill.

ey looked at each other with an e ression,
of horror and then turne'l their a pal ed gaze
upon the black-robed forms about t em.

The thou ht flashed into the mind of Jack
Dawson to re 11 n his captors when he would
be given his ri e, and then try to escape; but.
this hope was crushed by his seeing t e men
coln‘iailetely surround them, and all but one held.
a .

e
lgl‘hen, too, if taken they would be buried
a ve.

Again the leader of the black forms told them
what they were to do.

“ I hfiid you your rifles now, and I will give
the we to fire in just five minutes.

“ Remember the alternative if you refuse and.
if on wound each other.

‘ You are to be buried alive I”

The hunters were not cowards, but this sud.
den facing of death unnerved them.

Was it ible that this fearful threat was to
be carri out?

The men about them were silent and pa-
tien .

Then the leader handed to them their rifles
and rte ped to one side at an equal distance be-‘
tween t ,em.

The moon, though on the wane, shone brightr
ly and revealed the scene in appalling distinct-

ness.
“ I can’t do it,” groaned Pete Moore.
‘3 Very well; you will have to die as I hayo

“ Seine him, men, and dig his grave 1”

“ I'll do it!’ yelled Pets, in terror.

“r'dl‘hen calm yourselves_and be ready for the
wo . . '

“ e men; die like brave men, for death can
come but once I”

This philosophical view of the leader seemed
to cheer the two wretches.

Then, each had a hope that all this was done-
to scare them

'30

The Planter Detective.

 

 

“ Ready

They raised their rifles, and then followed:

“ Aim—fire !"

The rifles cracked together.

But vain the hope of each man that it was
done only to frighten them.

They fell at the crack of their weapons, Pete
.Moore shot through the heart and Jack Dawson
with a bullet in his brain.

Death had been so sudden that neither had

; realized it.

“ Hold! do not touch them.

“ Leave them as they are, and you, Banta, go
’to Crag Eden as soon asit is dawn and report to
the master that you were out huntin at day-
break, saw two men in the Haunted C ilf defile

l"

quarreling and then step of! and light a duel, .

and you came to report the affair."

The man Banta bowed and moved away,
and the others followed, reaching the Gypsy
camp just as dawn broke.

And the two unfortunate hunters were left
lying where they had fallen, victims of the
G sy judges, to cover up their tracks in the
mi night burial of the man their laws had sen-
tenced to be placed alive in his grave.

CHAPTER LIV.
Tan DISCOVERY.
.‘Tim master of Crag Eden had not been very
‘lon in bed when he was disturbed by Darius.

I he had slept in the cabin of the mountaineer
the night before, he found it impossible to do so
in his own home, so, as had long been his way,
he assed the hours of darkness in his brilliant-
ly- ighted library.

The hunters were often in his mind, and as he
retired to rest just before dawn, he left word
that he was to have his breakfast ready at ten,
for he Wished to ride over to the village.

Darius was surprised, but said nothing, ex-
ce t to Black Pin .

ut before ei ht o’clock a man appeared at
the mansion an demanded to see the master.

He was a Gypsy, and said that he wished to
re rt what he had seen.

i o the master was awakened.

y, you say, Dariusl” and the master
den turned pale as he uttered the

s.

“ e said not what he had to tell?”

“ No, sah, only that he had seen somethin’ he
wished to report to you.”

“ I‘ll See him."

In fact the planter dared not refuse.

He must know the worst.

So he dressed and went out upon the piazza;
but he armed himself before doing so.

it was Banta, the Gypsy selected to tell the
'stor of the hunter’s death.

“ ell, my man, what do you want?”

“ I am a Gypsy, sir, and was hunting in the
valley, when saw two men With rifles appear
some few hundred yards from me and seem to
be uarreling.

“ t was just after daybreak, and they step-
ped off from each other some thirty paces,
raised their rifles and fired together.

“ Both fell, and I ran here to tell you, sir,
what had happened.”

The planter turned his face away to hide what
he felt, for he was sure that the two men could
be none other than his hirelings.

“ How were they dressed l"

“Like mountain hunters, sir.”

“ Were they killed?”

"‘ I dared not go to see, sir, but came to you.”

“ I will return with you as soon as my son
comes and I will Send word to the village to the
constable."

Men on horseback were at once di tched to
Viewlands and Rivardale for Boys Rickerly
and Colonel Burbank, and another to the village
with a note to the constable.

By the time he had breakfasted Mr. Rickerly
.saw his son ride up at a gallop and as the?
were ready to de art Colonel Bur ank arriv .

The story of ants. was repeated, and the
 started for the scene, the Gypsy having
' n given a horse to ride to hasten them along.

Arriving upon the scene they found the situa-
tion to appear just as the Gypsy had r rted it.

The two hunters were dead, one wit his rifle
still in his grasp, the other with the weapon ly-
ing by his side.

heir position, their weapons and all showed
that it must be as the Gypsy had said.

Royal Rickerly understood all.

He was not deceived in the slightest.

He had warned Roma Leigh, and the Gypsies
had planned and executed well.

He had expected that the men would be kid-
nafified and parks released long after with
go enough given hem to kee them quiet.

The G sies wished no mis 9.

They ad silenced their would-be informers
with lead, not old.

He could no but admire the able manner in
which Roma Leigh or her judges had managed
.the whole affair. . L

He glanced at his father and wondered what
was in his mind.

Then the thought flashed u :1 him that per-
,haps the hunters had cent the part played
’by Raynor Rickerly in the plot. ‘

But the Gypsy did not appear to know more

3

l
than he had reported, and his going to Crag
[ Eden, the nearest house, to report the affair was
the most natural thin for him to do.
But Raynor Ricker y, in spite of his calm face
was in a. fever of fear.
He did not suspect the trick of the Gypsies, of
" course; but it squelched completely his plot to
, get rid of them.
All the work must be done over.

1 Then, too, they doubtless had upon them the .,
. husband.

' map and directions he had given them.

‘ Again he had put on paper what should not
have been done by a man in his position.

| He must search those bodies before the con-

, stable and coroner came.

So far, they had not been touched by any
one.

Now he sent the Gypsy oil? to see if they had
encamped near there durinithe night, and he
asked Colonel Burbank and oyal to ride up to
the Gypsy camp, to make inquiries about
Banta. ‘

“ You surely do not suspect the Gypsy, fa-
ther, in the face of such facts as are before us?”

“No, R0 al, but it is well enough to know
when he he t camp, and all about him.”

Royal remembered the papers, and saw his
father’s object, so called to Colonel Burbank to
accompany him.

“ Lead our horses to the river to water.
Homer,” said the planter to the negro who had
accompanied them.

The black obeyed, and bending quickly over
the body of Jack Dawson, the planter eagerly
searched for the telltale map and directions.

But they were not there, though his money
was.

Then the body of Pete Moore was searched,
but with a like result:

The planter turned pale, for why should the
men have torn them up?

He walked all about, saw the Gypsy, who
said he had found their cam , and be searched
about it for the papers, or ragments of them,
should they have torn them up.

But the search was useless; the papers could
not be found.

Colonel Burbank and Royal returned from
the Gy sy camp to report that Banta had left
before awn on a hunt, and a number of his
peo 1e also came.

Then the party from the village arrived, and
along with the constable and coroner came a
lar e party. V

he story of the G psy was heard, the situa—
tion of aflfairs conne the camp of the hunters
found, and in the pockets of. each was a large
sum of money.

This, with their positions and the money
found on them, showed that they had shot each
other, after having had a quarrel from some
cause unknown to all save themselves.

Banta told a straight story, the master of
Crag Eden corroborated what he could of it,
and the coroner took charge of the effects of
the two dead hunters and ordered their bodies
buried near the other aves, thus adding two
glo‘rfe tragedies to the ocality of the Haunted

i .

But two men there COllld have told of an un-
marked grave not far away, the cruelest tragedy
of all, and those two were Raynor Ripkerly and
his son.

But they spoke not, the father from fear, the
son for a reason known to himself.

And back from the scene went Raynor Rick-
erly to Crag Eden, to once more hide himself in
his home, and dwell in dread that Roma Leigh
was secretly plotting his ruin and death, and
well did his own conscience tell him that he had
cause to fear the Gypsy Queen, whose last words
to him had been:

“ The end is not yet.”

CHAPTER LV.
v nnsan'ran.

SEVERAL months d away, after the tra-
gic death of the two unters under the shadows
of the Haunted Cliff, and yet the Romans
gapsies lingered in their camp near Crag

en. ‘

A number of the men of the party had gone
back and forth through the coun ry uying and
selling horses, and a ding to their fortunes, for
Gypsies never lose money in a trade, but the
band still remained at its encampment, and no
order came from its Queen to march on their
wandering way. I

The summer had passed and fall was at hand,
and many said that the G ies, like the swal—
lows, would fly southward w en the chilly winds
began to blow; but so far they showed no sign
of oing so.

The master of Crag Eden, since the day he
went to view the bodies of the dead hunters, had
never left his house and grounds.

The same old feeling seemed to have come
over him to hide from all the world.
h.Darius, Black Pink and his overseer alone saw

im. l
He kept up his way of sitting
going to bed with the breaking of

Sleffilgfieuntll afternoon.

lg all night,
a day and

 

s-would stroll among his gardens until

 

sunset, and retreat to his library to read
through the darkness of the night.

It was seldom that he ever saw his son, and to
all else he refused to be seen.

Over the home of Viewlands shadows had
fallen, for between the young wife and her hus-
band there seemed to be a bitter feeling exist-
ing.

Violet had become cold in manner, but was
ever polite and attentive to the wishes of her

He was courtly, yet distant, and went and
came as be pleased.

He would be gone for the whole day, without
any excuse to offer to Violet, and often remain-
ed away until midnight.

Violet knew that he was not at Riverdale, at
Cra Eden, nor in the village.

here was he then! Not a word had Violet
breathed at home of the estrangement between
herself and Royal.

She sufl’ered in silence. But her face showed
the traces of her sorrow, and her father spoke
to her upon the subject.

She would confess nothing, tell nothing, and
Colonel Burbank went to Royal Rickerly.

“ Violet is a little fool, for she has gotten it
into her silly head to be insanely jealous," said
the husband.

“ But about whom?”

“ Ask her, Colonel Burbank. ”

The colonel did ask, but was given no satis-
faction, and so decided to let matters take their
caiérse, hoping that all would come well in the
en .

One afternoon Violet mounted her horse and
rode away alone, for she had declined to have
her attendant accompany her, as was her cus-
tom. ,

She had a set expression u 11 her face, like
one who had made a: firm reso ve.

Hanging to the horn of hér saddle was a field-

lass in a leather case, and in a saddle pocket
sghe carried a Colt’s revolver, then a new wea~
pon, which her husband had brought home with
hi

in.

She crossed the river at the ford below Crag
Eden, the water rising to her saddle-girths, and
then took the road around the mountain.

She went at a gallop, but the set expression
never left her face.

A ride of some miles brought her to the val-
le , which she crossed, and then ascended the
hill upon the other side.

She rode along the ridge for some distance,
and halted her horse in a pine thicket.

Then she fastened him securely, and with her
glass in hand made her way along on foot to-
ward a jutting spur.

She came out within half a mile of the Haunt-
ed Cliff, and she was just upon a level with it
across the (glen.

Then, hi ing among some bushes, she sat down
with an air of perfect patience.

An hour she waited, and then took from her
pocket 8. note. . -

“ It says simpl : ‘ The Cliff at five o’clock.’

“ It is now tha hour.”’

And she looked at her watch.

“ How strange that Black Ben should have
picked up this note in the yard and brought it to
me, saying that his master dro ed it.

“ Am I doing right to do as am?

“ Yes; I must know the truth— Ahl there
she comes."

As she spoke a woman appeared walking down
the glen and directing her steps toward the path
that led up to the cli .

“ It is the Gypsy Queen, as I thought,” said
Violet, through her shut teeth.

She watched her, saw her disap in the
path and soon after appear on the c ‘l! and take
a seat in the arbor.

“ There he comes."

Her eyes were now upon a horseman coming
down the glen, and the face of Violet Rickerly
was white and stem as she recognized her hus-
band.

She watched him until he hitched his horse at
thehusual place and walked away up the ridge

pat . . .
Soon after he appeared upon 'the cliff.

The eyes of the wife w re now eringthrough

' the field-glass, and it w slevele at the cliff.

A cry escaped her as she saw her husband
step into the arbor and Roma Leigh spring to
her feet and throw herself into his arms.

Instantly the glass was lowered and the wife
crept away through the bushes.

She regained her horse, mounted and rode

away.

Reachi the valley, she her horse into
a run and bus pressed him to he river.

She crossed, and then sped on to Viewlands.

It was dark when she arrived.

Throwing herself from her panting horse, she
called to her maid:

“ Nance, pack up at once all that belonged to
me when I came here. .
“ Not a thing that our master gave me must
you at into the trunks. _

“ hen order the wagon and come With my
baggage to Riverdale to-night; but lose no
time.” ‘ ,

The surprised negress hastened to obey, and ’
going to her husband’s desk Violet wrote:

 

 

 

“ROYAL:—
“ From this day we are as strangers to each
other.
“I have endured all until I could stand no more.
“ I know all.

“ Never cross in

tpath again unless it is
‘me from the hate I e that binds me to you.

“Once you were my idol, but somehow I found
out that you were not the man who had won my
girl’s heart, so changed had you become.

" 'l‘o-day I hate you.

“ Forever farewell. VIOLET."

This letter was addressed, sealed, and left up-
on the desk of Royal Rickerly.

Then Violet ordered her carriage and was
driven to the home of her parents.

What she told them seemed to bind her more
closely to them, for they at once said that she
was again their child as before she had left them
for another’s love.

It was midnight when Royal Rickerly returned
to his home.

Supper awaited him, and he asked the servant
if his wife had retired.

“ She is not here, sah.”

“Not here! Where is she?”

“ Gone home, I guess, sah; but she leaved a
note for you massa.”

The negro hastened to et the note, and when
helsaw its contents Roya Rickerly turned very
pa 6.

He ate no supper, and until morning paced
the floor of his room.

Then he mounted his horse and rode over to
Riverdale.

Colonel Burbank met him at the door and
'firml said:

“ r. Rickerly, this is my house, 'and m
daughter has sought my protection, and she]
have it.

“ Any communication you wish to have, must
be to a view to your separation from her, and
through your lawyer.

“ Good-morning, sir.” .

“ But let me explain, Colonel Burbank.”

“There is no explanation you can make,” and
the door was closed in the face of the young
planter.

Springin upon his horse, Royal Rickerly
dashed at uli speed to Cra Eden, and his fa-
ther was awakened by his su den entrance into
ids- bedroom, for Darius was powerless to stay
11m.

“ Father, my wife has deserted me,” he said
excitedly.

“ From what I have seen and heard of late she
has had good reason,” was the an ry repl .

“ You refer to my attention go the ypsy
Queen '1”

“ Who else?"

“ Well, Violet can go: but I wish on to trans-
fer to me Viewlands, for you plac it and the
slaves, with all belongings, in her name. "

“ True.”

“ You must change it to my name.”

“ It cannot be done."

“ Cannot?"

“ No, for the terms of the will are eculiar,
End the property given to her must? remain

ers.

“ Curses! will I be robbed of my fortune?"

“ It looks so, if you call it robbery.”

“ And what do get?”

“My fortune when I am dead,” was the cool
response.

“ Then she can turn me out of Viewlands?”

‘t X768. n

“ And I must come here to wait to step into
your shoes?”

“ So it seems.”

‘ With a muttered curse the young man turned
away and left the room; but he heard his fa-
'thcr s arting words:

“ If uck goes hard with you, turn Gypsy -”

to free

CHAPTER LVI.
_ AN uuwnmoun VISITOR.
. As time passed Raynor Rickerly was becom-
ingla very horoughly imbittered man.
_ e was peevlsh even to Darius _and Black
Pink, and said many bitter things to them.
For several days after the visit in the early
Enorning lfi'om lgstson he was more than ever
isagreea e, an is servants flew ar
though afraid of their lives. ound as
Darius had told him, from gossi carried b
the servants from place to place, t at it was
over the neighborhood that Violet had deserted
her husband, it was said from his cruel treat-
ment of her,and that he had gone up to the city
to codsult a lawyer upon the matter.
Then it came out that Royal Rickerly had not
been the devoted husband he was expected to be
‘ and the hero fell in the estimation of all, while
hlfl‘ poor wife received universal sympathy.
Several days passed and Royal had not re-
turned from the city. What he meant to do no
one knew, and with the rumors out against him
many hoped that he would never return.

My God! is his conduct another curse upon
me?" groaned. Raynor Rickerl , as he acecl his
library one n1 ht a few days after the eparture
of his son for t a city.

The evening was balmy, the windows were
open, and the master of Crag Eden did not see a

, form standin on the without a d ‘
into the windgw at  ‘ '1 gazing

 

The PlastszaetsCPive-

31.

 

Soon the form shrunk back out of sight, and
shortly after the library door opened softly and
a woman entered the room.

Raynor Rickerl tried to cry out,but he could
not, and he sunk own into his easy-chair.

“ I have come to see you, Raynor Rickerly,
and I came unannounced. Not one of your ser—
vants knows of my coming, and it is better so.”

The speaker was Roma Leighi
“ Wh are you here?” gasped the man, at last

finding his breath.

“ To settle old scores between us.”

“ In Satan’s name, who are you i”

“ Roma Leigh, the Gypsy Queen.”

“ You are not the Roma Leigh of my past.”

The woman smiled and said:

“ Listen, and I’ll tell you all, for I am going
to leave Virginia soon, but I wish to settle the
debt between us first."

“ There is no debt between us.”

“You are mistaken, for there is a very heavy
one, as I shall prove. Be patient and listen to
my story.

‘ Years ago, Roma Leigh, the Gy sy Queen,
lost her heart to you, and won your ove, as she
believed, in return.

“ You passed days, weeks, months touether,
and you were so infatuated that secretly you
took the Gypsies’ oath of allegiance.

“ You studied the language with Roma, knew
the customs, secret rites and all the mysteries
of her eople, and all be ieved that you would
marry or.

“ But no; another woman crossed your path;
the G sy girl was cast aside and you married
that ot er.

“ Roma Lei h warned you, but you heeded
not. Your wi 0 gave birth to twins in time,
little boys, and you idolized them. Your beau-
tiful wife was the first to go. She was Roma
Leigh’s first victim.

“One of your boys, Rafael, was stolen, and
on knew that to be Roma Leigh’s second
low.

“ She wrote you he was dead, and you buried

a body which you deemed to be that of our
child: but it was not your child, for he di not
die—”

“Did not die?" gasped the man.

“ N 0; he was sent into Mexico and sold there,
to become nothing more than a street—thief, or
road-robber, as the case might be. _

“If he has not been hanged he is in Mexico
now, a wicked man of course.”

“ My God, have mercy l”

“ Don't pray, for he can be no worse than you
are.

“ Roma Leigh was avenged in part, for she
kept you hidin like a wolf in your den; but you
were drivento esperation an decided to strike

ack.

“ You plotted and planned well; you dogged
the Gypsms’ trail to find them in a foreign land,
and then you did strike back hard and
cruelly.

“ You struck at the life of Roma Leigh by
torture, and she died by your hand."

“ Thank God! and you, who are on?"

“ She was not dead when you eft her. A
Gypsy boy had seen her enter the cottage, and
men went thither in alarm to look for her.

“ She rallied, nd, with her dying breath told
me, child thong I was, who her murderer was,
and made me vow to avenge her.”

“ Who are you, for you are her living
image?”

“ I am Roma Leigh, the daughter of the wo-
man you murdered, and of the man whose life
you also took, for Incah, the Gypsy captain,
was my father."

“ I did not kill him i” almost shouted the man.

“ Oh, yes, you did, for I have traced it all out.
You did not miss some papers you locked away,
yet should have destroyed. I ot them hynight
from your strong-box, to wh eh I got a key
made. I saw there the dying letter of the man
who died for your act, Dick Surry.

“ His letter told all, and I knew that you had
freed Incah, my father, to gain favor with the
Gypsies, and kil ed him afterward for the secrets
he held agaimt you.

“ You took papers from his braided hair; but
I had the originals, for he gave them to me the
day he was arrested,and ou got but the copies.

“ You see, Raynor Ric erly, I have tracked

on through all, and I know how black your life
ah been. 9

“ I took also the papers from the dead hunter,
which you ave him, for the thought came to
me that you new of that midnight execution,
and had bribed others to swear out a charge
against us. .

“ Now, Roma Leigh, the present Queen of the
Romana Gypsies, wishes her revenge.

“ Bad as you are. murderer of my brother and
father as you are, I love your son I

“ Your son’s wife has deserted him, but by
{he will left,she ownsViewlands and all belong-
n to it.

a You are a very wealthy mzn, and your son
has nothing, while on could ut him oil? and
make a beggar of h m.

“ I wish you to make your will, leaving ever
dollar you possess to your son, Royal Rickerly. '

“ It will be his when I die.’

“ It“ you do not please to cut him off, which,

 

the will you inherited by gives you the right to
do.”

“ I have this house until my death against all
claims."

“ So be it; but your death is not far off. Make
the will, I say, as I dirOCt."

“ It is made."

“ Signed and witnessed?“

U Yes.”

“ Let me see it."

“ It is in that box, so if you have a key get
it."

Roma Lei h took from her pocket a bunch of
keys, openeg the box and soon had the will.

“ It is as on said. _

“Now it at remains for on to die.

“ If you are not dead wit in ten days, then I
shall charge you with the murder of my parents
and other crimes that will hang ou.

“For the sake of your honor advise you to
die before the ten days, rather than hang.

“ Here is a powder that stills the heart with-
out pain. Try it, Raynor Rickerly.”

She laid a paper upon the tab e before him
and glided from the room, going out as softly as
she had entered.

She slipged out of the front door, across the
piazza, an down the broad steps, not noticing
the form of a man who was but half-concealed
by the window—blind and had heard all that had
passed between the two in the librar .

He assed his hand across his orehead as
thong tr ing to awaken from a dream and
then glid away from where he stood and dis-
appeared among the foliage of the flower-gar-
den.

CHAPTER LVII.
A LETTER.

ROYAL RICKERLY returned to Viewlands after
some days passed in the city.

His lawyers had cheered him with the belief
that Violet’s title to the estate, in spite of the
will, would not hold good, and also stated that
it would be best to test this before she began
proceedings for a divorce from him.

Upon his arrival he found several letters for
him. One, a large one, was sealed, and his but—
ler said that it had been brought by hand.

He broke the seal in an indifferent manner,
as he satin his easy-chair in the library, but a
fierce oath broke from his lips as he read the
first line.

Then with a face white with some great
dread, he read what was written there.

It was as follows:

“ Octobt‘r mm, 1848.

“ I can see your face pale, Rafael Rickerly. as you
read these lines. for the tell you that the brother
lwhen; you sought to kill 3 not dead as you have long

0 . .
‘ When I met you in Mexico. became your prison-
er. how glad was I to find the brother whom] be-
lieved dead.

“I forgave your life as a guerrilla. as a lagoon
pirate, when I eard your story of how Roma Leigh,
the Gypsy Queen to be averaged upon our father,
had made you all that was be .

“I could not censureyouunderthecircumstances,
and I was glad, so glad. to redeem you from the past
you had led and bring you back to honor and

ome.

“ You heard me tell all about home, of thewoman
[loved and her riches, and then the devil in your
nature set to work to p ssess all-— to destroy me.

“ Your own men, by your orders. came and took
us from your quarters, you pretending to be arrest-
ed for having me with you. ,

“ You were set free soon after, I wassentto prison
to be star-red to death.

“ You, knowing how much we were alike. and that
the years ihathad passed would also aid your de-
czptlon, assuming to he Roy‘al Rickerly, led our na-
v forces into a trap, and t en, saying you had es-
caped from a Mexican dungeonstarted to our home
in Vir inia.

“Be ore you left, word was brought to you by one
of your men that I was dead.

“It was a mistake. though I was supposed to be
dead.and thus escaped from prison.

“You came on here and played your cards well,
stole from me my wife. and pretenued so well that
no one doubted you. ’

" But the Satan in you was only resting, and it
broke out again, until your cruelty drove your wife
from your home,nnd you became madly in love with
Roma Leigh, the Gypsy ueen. ,

“Ihave tracked you. afael Rickerly, and know
you as you are.

“Long I was ill in Mexico, then was rearrnsted,
and only escaped two months ago from a living
death. ' '

“I saw a pa er in which was my name at the
hotel in Now Or eans. I had believed you to have
been executed: but this told me the whole story of
your Villainy.

“In disgu sel came here, and I know our father,
too, to his shame I say it, as you also know bim,for
Iwas going to secret {visit him. sawR a Leigh

ass in before me and eard allthat passgg1 between

hem.
“What he will do I know not but Heaven grant

he take the Gy y Queen's advice and not wait to
die upon theg lows.

" As I now write you, I write our father the whole
story, and also to Colonel Burbank I make known
how you have deceived him and his daughter.

“The G psy Queen gave our father ten days in
which to eclde whether he would calmly die by his
own hand or go to the gallow s for hiscrimes.

“ I give you one daya'ter the receptlmoftbls let-
ter in which to I?“ the country or put a bullet .
through your blac heart. '

“ if you do not do one or the other, I shall hav"

 

32

you arrested and let you stand trial for your crimes.
for not one atom of mercy have i for you ill my
soul.

" Had it been me alone you had wronged, then I

would have said nOlhiug, lint you have wronged so ,

cruelly the woman i loved more than life. and l will
be as merciless as an Indian if you ever cross my
path again.
" Go! or suffer the, consequences.
" R”lllellll)l'i‘ vou have but a day and night be-
tween you and justice if you refuse to go.
“ ROYAL RICKERLY."

With the last words of this strange letter
Rafael Rickerly, as he is now known to be,
sprung to his feet. His face was livid, and be
looked years older in a few minutes of time.

Quickly he moved about, made up hastil‘y a
package, and ordering his horse rode rap dly
away from Viewlands.

The next morning a startling rumor ran
through the neighborhood to the effect that the
master of Crag| Eden had been found dead in his
easy-chair in is library.

It was true and in his clinched hand was
found a crueizpied note, which the doctor drew
forth and r

It was as follows:

{ “Gvrsr CAMP.
" Midnight.
Fara“:—

" I write but a line to say that I have deceived
yolu all, for I am your son Rafael, not Royal Rick-
er .

"yI met Royal in Mexico, and. believing him dead,
impersona'ed him.

" He lives and can tell you all.

“ Your will is made out in Royal’s favor. so let it
be, for l will not need it, as I leave to—night, havin
become 3. Gy sy forI madly love their Queen, an
their wande ng life will be my own hereafter.

" Look upon me as deadl

“ Take Roma Lei h’s advice, for she will do asshe
said independent 0 me. Farewell.

“Yours
“ RAIAIL, 'rna Grrsv."

Looking from the window, Doctor Levering,
whom Darius had summoned, saw that the Glyp-
sies had indeed gone; their place of encampment
was deserted

Colonel Burbank came, and into his hands the
doctor placed the note.

But he already knew all.

“kWas it suicide, doctor!" asked Colonel Bur-
ban .

" No, heart disease, brought on by the shock,”
was the reply: but had the worth man of
medicine investigated, he would have ound that
the cause of death was the deadly ison given
to the master of Crag Eden by oma Leigh,
with the advice:

“ Try it!"

He had tried it when he had read his son's

letter; but, before doing so, he had destroyed '

every vestige of paper that would criminate
him, after death. .

And so through the neighborhood flew the
rumors of the death of the master of Cra Eden,
thegoing of the Gypsies with Rafael R ckerly
one of their number, and the return of Royal
Rickerly, the gallant, young sailor hero.

CHAPTER LVIII.
CONCLUSION.

Wrrn horror and pity at the misfortunes,

and sorrhws he had known, Raynor Rickerly was
laid swag to rest in the family burying-ground,
and at t a funeral every e e was turned upon a
darkly-bronzed, stern-fa man who stood with
uncovered bet at the rave.

It was R0 a1 Rickerly—silent. sad-faced and I

looking the are be had proven himselfto be.

Colonel Burbank was there, but not Violet or
her mother.

Together the colonel and Royal left the grave,
and the new master of Crag Eden returned to
his home. . ‘

Some weeks after Riverdale was sold and
Colonel Burbank and his family sought a ome
in a far Southern State.

For awhile the master of Crag Eden dwelt
alone in his home; then came news one day that
caused him to spring from his chair with a start-

li amalgamation.
‘ e hel a paper in his hand and he had read:

“ A Fun. Disasm 'ro Gmms.

“ As a l_ 9 band of Romans Gypsies were cross-
iné the Miss ssiiigi River in flat-boats on Friday last.
the steamboat emisis passed and the waves from
her swamped one of the boats and a dozen lives

were lost.

“ Amnn the drowned were Roma Leigh. the
Queen, an Rafael. the G sy custom, with several
of the prominent men 0 t e ban

“ Some of the bodies were recovered and those
of the Queen and the Gyggy ca tain were buried in
one grave on the liver nk, or it was said that
they were lovers in life and that the young man had
left a happy home and wealth to follow the destinies
of lhe dark~faced but beautiful Roma. Lelch.

“The G psies seem broken hearted over the sad
affair,an say that they will never again come to
America, but remain in foreign lands."

Two weeks after this notice was read by Roy-
al Riekerly. he was standing by a newly-made
grave on the banks of the Mimilsippi River.

‘ 596 Rustler Ru

. 551 Garry Kean, the Man wit

The Planter Detective.

Men were opening the grave under his orders
,and when the bodies were seen he gave one
glance and turned away.

“ it is he,—at last his wretched life is ended."

Crag Eden was offered for sale, but found no
buyer, and it was left to go to ruin; but View-

‘ lands was sold for a good price, and the master
of Crag Eden wended his way southward and
bought an elegant home in a far Southern
State.

It adjoined Refuge, the plantation of Colonel
Burbank, and one year after the death of Rafael
Rickeriy, his beautiful widow became the wife
of the man who had been her boy lover.

THE END.

——‘O’———

NEXT DIME LIBRARY, No. 851.

[3‘24 grand story of Wild Life on the old
Overland Trail, with Bufi‘alo Bill, Wild Bill,
Pony Bob, Rocket Rob, Fearless Frank, etc.,
etc., for the chief characters in a series a]
thrilling incidents and acts!

Bulialu Bill’s Double Dilemma;

The GREAT SGOUT’S BIG THREE.

A Romance of the Pony Riders
of the Overland.

BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM.

The times that tried men‘s nerve. pluck and en-
durance to the utmost—when rider after rider was
shot by the outlaws to rob the Express pouches and
United States mail, then the

Big Three Shone Resplendant!
“Run the (Sonnet of Death!

and at the same time confronted a set of Car AND
Posr Examss whose deviltry added greatly to the
peril of the service.

It isa grand story, with deepest interest in every
page, and when comes in the mysterious and invisi-
ble guardian who ceaselessly gives Buffalo Bill warn-
ing of the death-traps laid for his destruction, the
romance becomes both exciting and captivating be-
. yond description

Read 1!, Every Adlnirer 1
Every Lover of Wild “lest Romance!

 

Beadle's  library.

BY on. NOEL DUNBAR.

730 Duke Despard. the Gambler Duelist.
l 604 The Detective in Rags; or, The Grim Shadower.
500 The True-Heart Pards.

 

BY WILLIAM ll. NIANNING.

841 Graydon‘s Double Deal.
888 The Sport Detectivo’s Grip:
l 823 The Athlete Sport About own.
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.
I 738 Detective Claxton. the Record Breaker.
I 714 Gabe Gall, the Gambolier from Great Hump.
703 Spokane Saul, the Samaritan Sus ct.
692 Dead-Shot Paul, the Deep-Range x iorer.
655 Strawberry Sam. the Man with the
‘ 646 Dark John. the Grim Guard.
638 Murdock. the Dread Detective.
623 Dan erous Dave, the Never-Beateif Detective.
611 Alkai Abe the Game Chicken from Texas.
; the Round-Up Detective.
Dan Dixon’s Double.
575 Steady Hand, the Napoleon of Detectives.
563 Wyoming Zeke, the Hots ur of Honeysuckle.
Backbone. -
539 Old Dothleilark, the Wily Detective.
531 Saddle-Chief Kit. the Prairie Centaur.
5921 Paradise Sam, the Nor‘-West Pilot.
513 Texas Tartar. the Man With Nine Lives.
506 Uncle Honest. the Peacemaker of Homets‘ Nest.
498 Central Pacific Pa- l. the Mail Train Spy.

irthmark.

. 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 Dee Duke: or, The Man of Two Lives.

497 The lvals of ontana Mill

415 Hot Heart, the etective Stpv.

405 Old Bald the Brigadier 0 Buck Basin.

385 Will Die Turpin, tne Leadville Lion.

297 Colorado Rube. the Strong Arm of Hotspur.,
279 The Gold Dragoon. or. California Bloodhound.

 

BUFFALO BILL NOVELS.
By Colonel Prentiss lngrnliam.

Buffalo Bill‘s lmuble Dilemma.

Buffalo Bill‘s Redskin Ruse.

Buffalo Bill‘s Boys in Blue.
‘ Buffalo Bill's Lass-in Throwers.

Buffalo Bill’s Best Bower.
‘ Buffalo Bill‘s Red Trail.
‘ Buffalo Bill's Death-Knoll.

Buffalo Bill‘s Winning Hand.

Buffalo Bill‘s Dead Shot.

Bufl'alo Bill‘s Brand.

Buffalo Bill's Spy Shadowei‘.
'. Buffalo Bill‘s Sweepstake.
.' B .ffulo Bill‘s I). zen: or, Silk Ribbon Sam.

Buffalo Bill‘s Mascot.
‘ Bulfan Bill’s Double.

Buffalo Bill's Big Four.

Buffalo Bill‘s Flush Hand.

Buffalo Bill’s Blind: or, The Masked Driver.

Bulfaio Bill and His Merry Men.

Buffalo Bill‘s Beagles; or. Silk Lasso Sam.

Buffalo Bill's Body Guard.

Buffalo Bill on the “'ur— nth.

Buffalo Bill ‘5 Scout She owers.

Buffalo Bill Baffled; or. The Deserter Desperado.
.7 Buffalo Bill's Buckskin Brotherhood.
691 Buffalo Bill’s Blind Trail; or. Mustang Madge.
667 Buffalo Bill‘s Swoop;or, The King of the M nes.
649 Buffalo Bill’s Chief of Cowboys; or. Buck Taylor
644 Buffalo Bill‘s llonai za; or. 81 ver Circle Knights,
362 Buffalo Bill‘s Gri ; or. Oath Bound to Custer.
329 Buffalo Bill‘s Pie go: or. The League of Three.
189 Wild Billis Gold Trail; or. The Desperate Dozen.
175 Wild Bill‘s Trump Card: or, The ludian Heiress.
168 Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot.

By Buffalo Bill.
839 The Ranch King Dead-Shot; or, Texas Jack's

Proxy.
820 White Beaver’s Still Hunt.
807 Wild Bill, the Wild West Duelist.
800 Wild Bill. the Dead-Center Shot.
639 Buflalo Bill‘s Gold King.
599 The Dead Shot Nine: or, My Pards of the Plains.
414 Red Renard. the Indian Detective.
401 One-Armed Ford; or, Borderland Retribution.
397 The Wizard Brothers: or. White Beaver’s Trail.
394 White Beaver. the Exile of the site
319 Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the est.
304 Texas Jack, the Prairie Rattler.
243 The Pilgrim Sharp: 01'. The Soldier‘s Sweetheart.
83 Gold Bullet Sport: or, Kni hts of the Overland.
52 Death-Trailer. the Chief o Scouts.

By Leon Lewis, Ned Buntllne, etc.

773 Buflaio B-ll’s Ban; 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.

ll? Buffalo Bill s Strange Pard' or, Dashing Dandy.
92 Buffalo Bill. the Buckskin King.

BY WM. G. PATTEN.

810 Fire-E a. the Thug‘s Terror.

7% Old ght-Hawk, the Crook Shadower.

768 The Prin 'e of New York Crooks.

756 Old Burke. the Madison Square Detective.
747 Double-voice Dan‘s Double Disguise.

715 Double-Valor. Dan on Deck.

702 Double-Voice Dan, the Always-on-Deck Detective
696 Double-Voice Dan, the Go-it Alone Detective
689 The Sparkler Sharp.

676 Hurricane Hal. the Cowboy Hotspur.

669 Old True Blue, the Trust .

668 The Giant S art; or, Sol to Satan.

658 Old Plug  the Rough and Ready.

648 Gold Glove d the Man of Grit.

641 Aztec Jack, the Desert Nomad.

631 Colonel Cool, the Santa Fe Sharp.

602 Cs tain Nameless. the Mountain Mystery.
571 01 Dismal, the Range Detective.

545 Hustler Harry, the owboy Sport.

LATEST ISSUES:

888 Old Grip's Still Hunt; or, The Bank President‘s
Nemisis. By Jackson Knox.

839 The Ranch Kins Dead-Shot; or. Texas Jack‘s
Proxy. By Buflaio Bill. .

840 Maj ir Bullion, Boss of the Tigers; or. Jupiter
Junk‘s Last Inning. By Capt. H. Holmes.

841 Graydon's Double Deal: or. Trapping the River
Thieves. By Wm. H. Manning.

842 Teton-Tom, lhe Half-Blood: or| Black Bill at.
Bearfoot Bar. By Albert W. Aiken.

848 The Crescent Citv Sport: or. Gabe Ganderfoot‘s
Mississippi Man Hunt. By Lieut. A. K. Sims.

844 Tracked ti Chicano; or. Detective Burt’s Great
Trunk Mystery. By Harold Payne.

845 Buffalo Bill's Redskin Ruse; or, Texas Jack‘s
Death Shot. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

846 The Sea Sweeper: or. The Doom of the Red
Death. By Burke Brentford.

847 Hiram Hawk the Harlem DeBtective; or. The-
Man with the Missing Finger. y Captain How-
ard Holmes.

848 The Rival Red-Hat Sports; or. The Shady
bler‘s High Haul. By Jcs. E Badger. Jr.

949 The Genteel Shar er's Combine: or 'The Long—
shore Skulkers 0 South Street. hymm. H.
Manning.

850 The Planter Detective: or, Rafael Rickeiiy's
'Ruse. By Dr. Noel Dunbar. "

851 Buffalo Bill’s Double Dilemma: or. The Great
Scout‘s Big Three. By Col. P. lngraham.

A new isms every Wednesday.

Gain»

Boadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all
lewsdealers. ten cents per copy, or sent by mail on

receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS» .

Publishers. 98 William street. New York.