' 4H J\‘ _ V: f" ' -- > ‘ ,ul ,§,H';.|| l‘ - ‘11:" ‘ I .- I, ‘ 'lat‘.:'@l‘hhlflllidufiihj ‘* Copyrighted“ 1396, by nlmu um um worm Cuss MATTER AT THE NEW 1031:. N. Y.. P031- omen hovember 25. 1896. - N1) 944 Published Every QBeadZe d. fldams, QDabZishers, ran CentutCopy. V01 w°“°'d"' 92 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. “'00 ' Ym‘ f 4] EH! " rm}: | \ \ M \‘x .\ "I... It |. l'hmlfir‘l ' .‘lt' ‘ sulu: ‘ ‘ ‘ w“ «‘1:‘L 1‘11!- “UE IS A DESPERATE FELLUW, AND MAY (ilVli ('5‘ .\ TUI‘HH FIGHT." SAID THE KENTUCKIAN. 2 Joe Hhenix’s BOWL..- Joe Phenix’s Bight Bower; 1:. The Fifth Avenue Police Spy. BY ALBERT IV. AIKEN, AUTHOR OF THE “JOE PHExrx” NOVELS, “’I‘IIE FRESH OF FRISCO” TALES, THE “DICK TALBOT ” SERIES, AND “THE LONE HAND" STORIES. CHAPTER I. A STRANGE s'ronv. Owl of the eminent “ statesmen ” that the metropolis of the New World, the great city of New York, once‘ sent to Congress to “represent” the Empire State, in a quarrel in the “halls of wisdom” attempted to si- lence his opponents by exclaiming: “ Youse ducks t’ink you're smart, but dere’s mighty few of you could cross Broad- wa widout gitting run over!” hese words occurred to the mind of the well-known detective, Joe Phenix, as he halted on the upper corner of Broadway and Fulton street, watching the edestrians, dodging for their lives in amid e teams, as they essaved to cross the street. An elderly gentleman, small in stature, with a full, dark beard, thickly sprinkled with silver threads, like his hair. and a slight Jewish cast of features, well dressed, lost his footing, and would have fallen if the detec- tive had not rushed to his assrstance. “M dear 811‘, let me tender you a thou sand t anksl” cried the old man, when the two were safe on the curbstone. And then for the first time getting a good look at his rescuer’s face, he exclaimed: “Why, this is Mr. Phenix, the detective, I believe ?" “ Yes, sir, and this is Mr. Lenbold, I think. I recognize you, although it is over ten years since we have met." “ Quite correct!” the little man replied. “I retired from active business life about that length of time ago; but I am glad I have met you, Mr. Phenix, for I need advice which you can probably give. “Let us take a cab, and as we ride up- town to my house I will explain.” The detectlve replied that he was at the other‘s service, so a cab was engaged and the two entered it. With the veteran detective, Joe Phenix, the reader is doubtless acquainted; if not, a few words will explain that he is one of the most indefatigable man-hunters the metropo- lis has ever known. a He won his re utation originally in the service of the Po ice Department, then re- tired, set up as a private detective, and had been so successful in some famous cases as to make his name noted in police and crimi- nal annals. ( , This little man, Solomon Lenbold, ten years before the time of which we write, was one of the rominent men of New York. A won erful “ railwa king ”-——rai1way wrecker, his enemies dec ared, who thrived upon the ruin of other men; and when he re- tired from active business life, with a for- tune estimated to be all the wa from ten to twenty millions of dollars, 6 world of finance breathed more freely. He bore the reputation of being a hard, merciless man, distrusted by friends and hated by foes. Outwardly he apparently lived up to his a cements; in secret, his opponents de- c ared. he did not, and was always ready to take a mean advantage if he could arrange the matter through third parties so as to con- ceal his share of the transaction. After the two entered the cab, there was silence fer a few moments, the old man seem- ingly collecting his thoughts, so the detective had a chance to study him. Ten years had made a wonderful change in the once great financier. ' He had grown old before his time. Though not yet sixty, he looked to be ‘fully ten years older, and the keen-eyed bloodhound could detect 'signs of weakness in the once strong and resolute face. “This is rather a eculiar case,” Mr. Len- bold at length spo e; “and I have been thinking for a couple of days of consulting I ' some one in regard to it. but was really at a loss to decide who I had better see about the matter. “ It did not seem to me to be a case for a lawyer, and was not exactly in the line of a physician, but my accidental encounter with you has suggested tO me that you would be just the man to advise me.” “I shall be pleascd to do what I can for you.” “When I retired from active business I sold all my speculative shares, and invested the bulk of my money in real estate, so I would have something to occupy my mind. “ I attend to these matters personally, with the assistance of a young lawyer, who acts as my secretary, and a girl stenographer. - “ Both of these persons reside in my house, to which I have affixed a small addition, where I have my office.” m The detective was well' acquainted with the brown-stone palace of the old-time rail- road king, on Fifth avenue, opposite Central Park, which at the time it was built was the talk of New York. "‘Now then, before 'I go any further, let me ask you if you know anything in re ard to Spiritualism?" the old gentleman sai , in a peculiar, abrupt way. “Well, 1 have a fair general knowledge, but I cannot say that I have ever given much time to make a study of the matter.” “Do on consider it all a humbug, and the peop e who believe in it either dupes or frauds?” “Oh, no; I will not go so far as that. I will say, though, that Spiritualism does ive a chance for frauds to make dupes, but t ere are many honest, sincere people who believe in it, and there are certainly some thin s in the religion—I presume it maybe calle that —which are extremely puzzling.” “ I am lad to hear you speak in such a way, for, r. Phenix, I must admit to you that Spiritualism seems to me to be nearer the true religion than any of which I have any knowledge.” ‘ he detective was surprised by this dis closure, for the old fellow had alwa s borne the reputation of being a man w o cared nothing at all for the church. “It was just by accident that hiyatten- tion was attracted to this matter,” r. Len- bold ex lained. My stenographer, a Miss Holbrooiie, who has been with me for about a ear now, is a devout believer in this new re igion, and just out of curiosity I have at- tended some of these seances, as they term them, and I have become decidedly impressed with the belief that there is something in the thing, for through the mediums I have re- ceived communications, and been told secrets known to no one but myself. ” This was the old story which the detective had often heard, and he re lied: “Men who have studie think it is a sort of mind-reading, and that the spirits themselves have nothing to do with it.” “ I do not agree with them!” the old finan- cier protested, in a way which showed he was an earnest believer. “ Now, a stran e thing has happened," he continued. “ It as been discovered that 'Miss Holbrooke is a first-class medium, and under certain conditions can perform won- derful things. “ She has taken lessons, and acquired the art of going into the mesmeric sleep, and while in that state I write questions on a slate and she answers them without seeing the writing." “Yes, I have heard of such things ” the detective assented. “Were the answers satisfa ctory i” “N its haVe made some strange charges aga nst my daughter and my secretary, which I am unwilling to believe, yet some information has been iven which has turned out to be wonderfulIy exact. “ For instance, I asked at random: ‘ Is there any likelihood of my getting a cus- tomer for my Vir inia plantation? That is a thousand-acre p ace which I was obliged to take, having lent money on it, and as it is in a section where quite a number of English- men have settled I advertised in the London limes.” “ Yes, I see; a good idea.” “ The answer was: ‘ Yes; there is a light- haired, gray-eyed stranger now on the water 1 into the matter. “ No, I cannot say they were, for the s ir- ; ‘." 3 who will probably buy if you manage him rightly.”’ , “That was encouraging.” “Yes; I received a letter from a gentle man who signs himself Edmund St. Ger- maine, saying that he had seen my advertise- ment in the London Times, and as he was looking for a plantation ofthe kind, he would wait upon me as soon as he recovered from the effects of his voyage, and in regard to his pecuniary responsibility he referred me to the English consul. ‘ ‘ I have j ust come from the consul’s office and he is personally acquainted with the famil al- though not with this particular party. hey have plenty Of mone ; so you see the mea- page was correct. Ow, can you explain t?!) ~ “ No, sir; I cannot.” “ I have just dropped a line to the gentle. man inviting him to make my house his home while he remains in the city. “ But I am puzzled about these warnings in regard to my daughter and my secretary,” and the old man shook his head gravely. .“I have made up my mind to get at the truth. My daughter has no faith in these spirit~messages, and declares there is some thin wrong about them. “ he has no suspicion, you understand, Mr. Phenix, that she has been attacked.” The detective nodded. “Now, then, wouldn’t it be a good idea for you to take up your quarters in my house, in some disguise, of course, so that your mission will not be suspected, and examine into these matters ?" “I think, that a good idea,” the veteran detective replied. “If there is anything wrong about these messages I want to know it!” Mr. Lenbold declared; “but I cannot bring myself to be- lieve there is,” he continued in a tone of firm conviction. “If the accusations against my daughter, Phyllis, and Mr. Huntington, my secretary, have any foundation in fact, I should be aware of it, but I am incredulous, and you, Mr. Phenix, undoubtedly can get at the truth.” “ It is possible,” and the detective medita- ting for a moment, added: “ I think, Mr. Lenbold, this is a ame which I had better delegate to one of my assistants. I have a particularly bright young man who Will do this espionage Work etter than I, and, as he is not known in the city there will be no danger of his being reoo nized.u " will give him a letter to you, and you can prepareyour household for his comin by announcmg that he is the son of a friend of your youth who settled in the West. money, and you can rel u n his playing {fie character of a dashirirg Western“ to the e." ‘ ‘ The millionaire was satisfied with the scheme. - “— CHAPTER II. THE MAN FROM commune. INspac'ron DANIEL Gnmsmw sat: at his desk in the white-fronted building in Mul- berr street, where the Metropolitan Police has ts headquarters. He was conversing with Detective Patrick O’Callahan, who bore the reputation of be- .in one of the ablest men on the force. G Shaw, too, was universally regarded as second in abilit only to his official superior the superinten ent, the head of the Depart,- ment. Into the office strode a peculiar-looking man. 1 He was about the medium size, with the ‘ odd, oval face common to the men of the Southwest—a man of twenty-five er thirty. An ex ert judge of character would have 1 immediately set him down as being a “sport.” He was carelessly dressed; wore a flannel lawn-tennis shirt, with a black silk necktie, loosely knotted at the throat, a suit of clothes rather the worse for wear, the pantaloons , being of an odd check pattern, and a soft slouch hat was pulled over his brows. 1 He walked up to the inspector’s desk with 1 the air of a ."man who felt perfectly sure of his welcome. “I want to see the chief,” he announced: “He will be provided with plenty_of’ 3‘9. ti .‘ ‘1'“‘r19' Joe Phenix’s Right Bower. 3 .——..._. L “ The superintendent is not in at present, but possibly I will do as well. I am In- spector Grimshaw," the official remarked. “ Ah, yes, I have often read about you in the newspapers,” the visitor declared. “Well, I don’t see why you can’t attend ‘to the business, for it is in the detective l'ine." “ I certainly can, for that is my depart- ment,” the inspector declared. “Do you know anything about a man called William Black, or, as his pals term him, Black Bill?” the stranger asked. “ Yes, I have heard of the man, although I never met him." Grimshaw replied. ‘And is he ‘wanted’?" the visitor asked, eagerly. The inspector opened his desk and took out ‘ large memorandum-book. He turned over a half-dozen pages. “ Ah, here it isl” he exclaimed. “ ‘ William Black, alias Black Bill, about thirty years old. a little above the medium size, stoutly built. swarthy complexion. short hair, inclined to curl, full black beard, dark eyes, well dressed.’ " “Yes, that is the man! that ar’ is his de- scription to a hair!” the stranger exclaimed. “ Well, sir, he is very much wanted,” the inspector declared. “ The authorities of Bourbon county, Kentucky, will give a re- ward of a thousand dollars for his arrest." “ That is for the bank-robbery!” the visitor exclaimed. “ I know all about that—I’m from Bourbon county myself, sah." “ The State of Alabama will give two thou- sand for him on account of the killin of a policeman, who surprised him and h pals as the were breaking into a cotton ware- house In the city of Mobile.” “ I don’t know an thing about that job, but I do know that e is an all-around ras- tcal!" the Kentuckian declared, emphatically. “And the authorities of the Territory of New Mexico, in conjunction with the Wells- Far 0 Express Company, will give five thou- .san dollars for him,” the official continued. “Was that on account of the train-robbing game?" the visitor asked. “Yes, he held up a train, killed the Ex- press messenger and got away with twenty thousand dollars in gold.” “ Well, now I tell you, sah, that fellow is just about as bad as they make ’eml” the stran er declared. “ es, he is apparently as desperate a scoundrel as ever operated in the West, but do you know anything about him?" the in- spector asked. “Oh, yes; as I told you, I am from Bour- oon county, Kentucky, myself,” the visitor explained. "My name is Boone—Andrew Jackson Boone, of Salt Lick. in ole Kaintuck. and it was the First National Bank of Salt Lick that this cuss cracked. “ I was living in that burg then so I know all about it." ‘ “I’m a horSeman, I am. a trainer, and I .am now with White-hat Kilduff, who 18 try- ing to earn some winter oats for his horses over at Guttenburg." The policemen nodded; both knew by re putation the eccentric horse-owner, who had acquired his peculiar nickname because he always wore a broad-brimmed, white slouch hat, winter and summer. “ It was three cars ago when I met this Black Bill,” the entuckian continued. “ I was training then for Colonel Dick Yadkins, at Salt Lick, and was keeping com- pany with about as nice 8 gal as ever walked on this h or footstool. “She ad only one fault: she knew she was a regular beauty, and she was a leetle flirty—a leetle foolish about carrying-on with the fellows. “ Well, this hyer Captain William Black, as he called himself, struck the town. “ He was after stock— ing to set up a racing-stable—had plentyo money, and flun it around as though he had two 01' three mines at his back. . ‘fAnd all this time, mind you, he was lay- ing his plans to crack the bank. " He ot his eyes on my gal, and she, poor little all y thing, was just fool enough to be- lieve that she had got hold of a prince in dis- “A week or so after that the bank was robbed, and, as it happened, the robbers were seen as they rode off with their plunder, and this Captain Black was recognized. “ Then when the regular detectives for Louisville got hold of the case, it came out that Captain Black was a notorious scoundrel who had been concerned in a dozen different games of this kind. “ After that nobody heard anything of the girl for about a year, and then she came back home a wreck—mere skin and bones, to die l” The voice of the horseman deepened, and there were tears in his eyes. “ Yes, yes, we understand—a very, very sad case.” the inspector remarked. “ But young girls will do just such foolish things." “ She had been treated in the worst kind of way; she had been married to '.e scoun- drel all right, but after a time she had dis- covered that he had about a dozen otl. 3r wives.” “ Oh, that is nothing!” the oflicial de- clared. “Rascals of this kind don’t care how many women they deceive, or how many lives they wreck." “ hat is Gospel truthl every word of it!" the Kentucxian exclaimed. “ Well, sah, the (poor gal lingered along for about a year an then she died. “After she was buried I stole out to the cemetery one night, and there, kneeling on her grave, I swore that if I ever came acmss this villain who had ruined her life I would avenge the wrong! “ t was myi ea, sah, you know, to make a personal matter out of it, but when I read in the newspapers about his killin the Ex ress messenger in New Orleans, t on 1 un erstood that thar wasn’t any need of my soilin my hands with the ’tarnel pole-cat. “ A l 1 would have to do would be to hunt him down and give him up to the hang- man." “Yes, that is the game to play, decidedly l” the inspector declared. “By taking the law in your own hands you would only be apt to et yourself into trouble,” Detective O’Calla an observed. “ That is 'ust the way I reckoned, and it would be a eap more satisfaction to me to see the scoundrel with the rope around his neck, than it would be to kill him with my own hand," the Kentuckian declared. , “ Yes, I should imagine so,” the inspector remarked. 0 “ Well, sah, Ca tain William Black, alias Black Bill, is in ew York and 1 can show you where ou can put your hands on him inside of a 1f an hour.” ” We will be glad of the chance to nab the gentleman, and extend the hospitalities of the Tombs to him,” Inspector Grimshaw as- sured in a brisk business-like way. “ I was on a Broadway car coming up- town,” the Kentuckian explained. “ And when the car came to the Astor House it stopped to let some passengers off and I saw the scoundrel going into the hotel. “ Dressed up to the nines, just as he used to be! “Well, sah, you can bet your life I hopped of! that ar’ car in a lively way, and followed him into the hotel!” , CHAPTER III. assume THE GAME. Trm inspector and the detective exchanged glances, and it was plain from the look upon their faces that they were a little incredulous in re ard to the statement. ' “ on are guite sure that you have not been deceive in regard to the man?” the inspector asked. “Sart'inl you can bet your life on it!” the Kentuckian cried im ressively. “ Why, gentlemen, 1p couldnt make a mistake! I would know that man if I met him in the bottomless pit a thousand years hence.” “ Of course you are a better judge of the matter than we can possibly be,’ the in. spector affirmed. “But sometimes in an affair of this kind one is deceived by a strong resemblance.” ' “ Oh, yes, I know that a man might make “I knew the1 man the minute I clapped eyes on him, although he has changed his appearance considerably. “His heard is longer and more bushy than it used to be; he is also wearing his hair longer and his complexion is darker. “I should reckon that he has just come from a long sea voyage to judge from his looks. “Well, gentlemen, as I had made up my mind to run my game to earth, I knew that the most important thing for me was to keep out of his sight. “For if he once got a glimpse of my face, the chances were big that he would recognize 319, and then all the fat would be in the re.” “Yes, yes; that is correctl" the inspector ' agreed. “ So, I took particular care to keep him ' from seeing me. ” He didn't seem to be afraid that any one was watching him, for he went straight up to his room, and as thar happened to be a raft of people marching up-stairs at the time, I was able to spot him right to his lair. “He must have had the key in his pocket, for he didn’t stop at the hotel office for it, but went right up-stairs.” “ Well, under the circumstances, since you are so positive about the matter, I don’t think it will do an harm for us to interview this entleman,” the inspector observed. “ ot a bit of harm,” O’Callahan assented. “ If he isn’t the man it will be easy enough to apologize for the intrusion and et out.” “Oh, yes, no trouble about t at," said Grimshaw. “And as my cur‘ asity is excited isDbout this matter I think I will go with you, at. " You and I ought to be able to handle the man without an trouble if he is inclined to be ugly,” the o cial added. "No doubt about that!” the detective as- ‘ented. “And if it comes to a skirmish you can count me in," the Kentuckian suggested. “I wouldn’t like anything better than a good chance for a scrap with this scoundrel, even if I had to tackle him single-handed, and it is my impression that though he is a bigger man than I am, yet I would be able to warm him!” the sport continued. “ We will go right down, and possibly, we will succeed in nailing the man before he goes out,” the inspector remarked in his brisk way. Then the three departed. “ We will take the Broadway cars down, and if we bag the bird we can get a coach at the Astor House to bring h1m up,” the in- spector remarked. In due time the three reached the hotel, and they proceeded up—stairs, the Kentuckian r in the advance. The room, to the door of which the sport led the officers, was on the third floor, an in- ner apartment, whose windows looked upon the central air space. “This is his room,” Boone remarked in a cautious tone as he laid hold of the door- knob. “Better get all ready for a skirmish. for he has shown that he is a desperate fellow, and may give us a tough fight!” the Ken- tuckian added. Inspector Grimshaw had a pair of “ brace- lets " out, as the man-hunters jocosely term the steel handcufis, and Detective O’Callahan clicked the cylinder of his revolver around . so as to be sure that it was in workin order. The three had ascertained that the ey was in the inside of the lock, which would seem to be proof that the wanted man was in the room. ' But, just as the Kentuckian was about to turn the knob the door was opened from the inside. . The moment that Boone felt the knob be- ’ gin to turn, be relinquished his grasp upon t, so when the door opened, the man within was surprised to see three strangers on the threshoid staring in uiringly at him. The inspector ha the handcufls ressed against his side, so they were out o sight, and Detective O’Callahan concealed the re- volver under the skirt of his light over- coat. uise, and the town woke up one morning to find that both of 'em had disappeared. “ They had run OR and got married, as she wrote to her folks. a mistake of that kind, but, as I said, you | If the occupant of the room was surprised can bet your bottom dollar that I haven’t!" I by the sight of the three, they on their part Boone declared. were fully as astonished at his appearance. in" ~ . , NH 1! . _ . .3; A. j“, “wk. ,1, ‘. ‘ ’. ,f ,I _, ‘1‘v' - x ,1 I “3,5,1”, a.“ . ., hat, :0. , t i I v , \,.>, , “1“.” ,.1 ‘51., fl ,, . , . . , , . t" .. , I . ~' -‘.rztU,‘ s l . l 4 i r \x i . 1 * . , .2 - .v V V ",1? ,, ... _ _ - . . , . . . a? » 9‘ o 4 Joe Phenix’s Right Bower. It was not the stoutly-built man with the ‘. swarthy complexion and the black beard, as , the Kentuckian had described, much to the amazement of all three. . On the contrary, it was a rather tall, ‘ slenderly -built, gentlemanly fellow, with short yellow hair, inclined to curl, dark-gray eyes, and a full face, which naturally wore a stolid expression. He was pressqd in one of the odd-looking, ‘ “ baggy” checde tweed suits, so much worn by the traveling Englishman, and the officers, who were good 'udges of nationali- , ties, immediately jumpe to the conclusion that the stranger was a Briton on his 1 travels. i l l i As the bloodhounds were old hands at the game, the first thought which came to them, . when they saw that the occupant. of the room did not bear the slightest rescmblance to the 1 man of whom they were in search, was that the apparent Englishman was Black Bill in a clever disguise. But at the second glance they saw that this man was not disguised in anyway. His hair was his own, his complexion the clear red and white of the beef-fed English- man, and the smoothlyvshaven face showed no signs of a heavy heard. The most astonished man of the three was the Guttenburg sport. He stared at the occupant of the room in wonder, then craned his neck to look over the shoulder of the Englishman into the room. The door was widely opened so that the interior of the room was fully visible, but there wasn’t any one within the apartment. Of course there Was a chance that the man of whom the three were in search might be concealed in the wardrobe, or un- der the bed. “Where is he?” Boone exclaimed, as he gaped into the a artment. “ What the euce do you mean ?" the stranger cried, speaking with a decided English accent. “ Excuse me, sir, we are oflicers in search of a fugitive from ustice, and we were in- formed that he coul be found in this apart- ment,” the inspector explained. “ Oh, yes, I understand, but I think there is some mistake about the matter, don’t you know ‘2” the Englishman remarked. “This is my room, and there hasn’t any- one been in it to my knowledge but myself. “Permit me to give you my card.” he added as he tendered the bit of pasteboard. “ ‘Edmund St. Germaine,”’ said the in- spector, reading aloud the name on the card. ‘ “That is my name, sir, and I only arrived In this country esterday afternoon by the steamer City of aris, and I assure you, sir, that I am not a fugitive from justice, as you at it,” the Englishman remarked, evidently th embarrassed and indignant. “ Oh, no, you are not the man we are after!” Inspector Grimshaw declared, imme- diately. “A different party entirely, but we were informed that he was seen to enter this room. “Well, that maybe possible, for I have been out all the morning, but you are quite welcome to search, gentlemen, although I am 8258 you will only have your labor for your ns. p “ By gum!" exclaimed the Kentuckian, “if this don’t beat my time I don’t want a cent!" “ Perhaps you may have made some mis- take in regard to the room,” the inspector sug ested. “ ot by a jngfuli” Boone replied in the most decided manner. “This is the room that the cuss entered, and there isn’t any two wa sabout it! He unlocked the door, and W9. ked in just as if he owned the hull house.” “ 1t certainly'is very strange,” the English- man ohserved. “ But pray search the room, gentlemen, so as to satisfy yourselves. ” The inspection was made but it was with- out results. The three apologized to the Englishman for putting him to so much trouble and de- parted. “He has fooled me this time!” the Ken- tuckian remarked as the three descended the stairs. “But Black Bill is in New York, and you can bet your life that I will get him 36153 I! i office, to which no one was ever at CHAPTER IV. THE IVESTERNER. As the retired railroad king explained to 1 the detective, he had his offices in an addition ' which was built on to his elaborate brown- ; stone palace. The business apartments were on the level of the street, and consisted of an outer apart- ment, where Mr. Ralph Huntington, the ‘ gmxl-looking, dark eyed, dark-haired young lawyer, who acted as secretary and confiden- tial man of business to the old gentleman, and Miss Ramie Holbrooke, the blue-eyed, blonde-haired stenogrs her, had their desks. The inner room was r. Lenbold’s rivate titted until they had been subjected to a cross- examination by the young lawyer in regard to their business. . It was on the morning after the one on which occurred the events related in our last chapter. Mr. Lenbold was in his oflice, look- in g over the letters just delivered by the post— man. As we stated, in describing the man, after retiring from an active business life, he in- vested a large amount of his great wealth in real estate. and owned over a hundred houses in New York, ranging from the palatial busi- ness buildings down-town to the elaborate French flat houses in the upper Wards of the metropolis. He did not choose to put his real estate matters in the hands of an agent, so there was ample work to occupy his time. Mr. Lenbold finished the examination of his mail, penciled his instructions upon the letters, then turned them over to the lawyer and Miss Holbrooke. This done he retreated to his office and took up one of the morning newspapers. He had hardly got interest in the journal, though, when a rather peculiarly dressed young man made his a aranoe in the outer office and inquired for r. Lenbold. The newcomer was a trifle under the me- dium size, but his well-knit form gave pmm- ise of considerable muscular stren th. He was a gorid-looking young ellow, ap. parently not much over twenty years of age, for his chin showed no trace of a beard, and there was only a faint line of down upon his upper lip. His features were a little irregular, but clearly-cut, and wore a good-natured exores- sr . (His eyes were a bluish-gray, keen and quick, and his short, ellow hair curled in little crispy ringlets al over his head. He was nicely dressed in a dark business suit, and wore alight and rather broad- brimmed soft-felt hat, canted in a raking manner back from his forehead; the young man’s whole appearance was such that at the first lance a good judge of men would have set im down for being from the “ land of the setting sun," to use the hyperbole of the free-s oken Westerner, a son 0 the great prairies o the Far West. “Is Mr. Lenbold in?" the young man in- quired, speaking with a singular musical and well-modulated voice. _ “ He is, sir," Huntington replied. And then, before the young la or could ask in regard to the stranger’s busmese, the young man produced a letter and said: “ Will you have the kindness to give this to him?" “ Certainly!" replied Huntington. “ Take a chair, sir.’ ‘ “Thank you,” responded the stranger. helping himself to aseat while the lawyer carried the letter in to Mr. Lenbold. “ Ah. esl my young friend from the West, Sidyney Freemont,” the millionaire ex- claimed after he perused the letter. “Ask him to walk in, please. He is a wealthy young fellow, who is ambitions to show the New Yorkers that he is an uncom- monly sharp business man, and as his father did me a good turn many years a 0 when I was in a condition to need help. I on't mind doing what I can for the son,” Lenbold ex- plained. "Ah, yes, I see; very natural under the » circumstances,” Huntington remarked. This was what the young lawyer said, but his thoughts, which he did not put into words, were Vastly different. As Huntington had been with the mill- ionaire for a Couple of years, he was well- racquaint.d with his peculiarities, and knew t - . "'51.". 'o’ dir'1‘(‘.|.|V-ry. v .t -.t‘~ r, » 4 a...“ 33,-,- that Lenbold was a man who did not know the meaning of the word gratitude. Hard-headed. and hard hearted. he thought only of care of lift/mitt: and if he was dis- posed to be friendly with the young stran- ger, it was because he expected to make 1 something out of him. “Mr. Lenbold will be glad to see you in his otlice,” the Secretary announced. “Thanks!” responded the \Veslerner, and as the young man made his way to the inner apartment, the thought came to Huntington, as he noticed the frank and open countenance of the stranger: “Ah, my detr young man from the great. and glorious \Vest, you may think you know a thing or two, and are up to tricks that are vain, but when you come to measure wits with old Solomon Lenbold you will speedin discover that you are not in the game any more than the blue bottle fly struggling in the web of the spider," the young lawyer mused as he returned to his desk The millionaire could be very affable and agreeable when he liked, and on this occasion he greeted the young man in the warmest manner. He rose and-shook hands with him, as the Wcsterner entered, hastened to place achair, and invited his guest to be seated. The door was ajar, so the two in the outer office could hear what was said. “My dear Mr. Freemont, I am delighted beyond measure to see you!" the millionaire declared. “ Your father was one of my old-- est friends, and though circumstances kept; us apart during the last few years of his life, yet we always cherished the warmest regard. for each other.” “Yes, father told me before he died that if I ever came to New York I must not fail to call upon you.” the Westerner remarked. “Ah, yes; he knew that I would treat you just the same as if you were my own son. “ Where are you staying, by the way?" the old man asked, abruptly. “I went to the Grand Union, right op- gosite the depot. Being a stranger in New ork I didn’t exactl know where to go. and; so I itched on the rst hotel that I saw."‘ “ ut, my dear fellow, you cannot stop at: any hotel while I have a house in New York, you know!” the millionaire exclaimed; “you: must take up your quarters with me while. you remain the city." “ Thank you; I would be very much pleased indeed to do so, if it suits your con- venience and pleasure." “ Which it does; so I will have your bag- gage sent for, and will 15 to make your visit an agreeable one, and if you need any advice in regard to your own private affairs do not hesitate to ask me. “ I am not in actual business life now,” he continued. “But I keep in touch with the market, and you can rest assured that I know what is going on.” I “I am very much obliged indeed, and I shall be glad to avail myself of your kind offices, for I propose to invest quite a sum of monfiy. . _ “ ather’s speculation in the Omaha’s lots proved to be a regular bonanza, and cleared up over a hundred thousand dollars.” “ Ah. yes; well. I am glad to hear it, and if you want to take a little flycr here in New York, Ido not doubt but what I can find‘ yog something good to put your money “All it is just as I expected,” Huntington murmured to himself. “Although the old fellow has retired from active business life, at he can’t resist the temptation to shear a amb of this kind it the opportunity comes in his way.” At this moment a stranger entered the apartment—a tall, thin man, well in years, with a long face, the chin covered with a short black beard. The man was dressed in a well-worn black suit, and had a clerical appearance. 100king like a school-teacher or a minister. Under his arm he carried a small parcel. neatly wrapped in white paper, apparently a con le of books. “ li r. Lenbold?” said the stranger, with a . glance through the open door into the inner ; office, where the millionaire could be plainly i see ‘ n. ‘ Ah, there he is!” the man continued, be fore the young lawyer could reply. “I come by appointment, bringing some --¢v Joe Phenix’s Right Bower. 7 I 5 5—“ books which he ordered,” he added, and then the man marched into the inner room, closing the firm." after him. lluuington nodded assent as the man passed, completely deCeived by the state- ment. The millionaire stared in surprise as the stranger marched into his office in this un- Ceremonious manner. " Lenbold, you are condemned to die, and I am your executioner!” the man cried. “ Down on your knees and pray, while I, with this dynamite, send all our souls to judgment!" And as he Spoke he raised the paper parcel high in the air. CHAPTER V. w HO was in)? Tm: startling words were hissed by the man with intense earnestnes. That the fellow was a desperate crank whose disordered mind had conceived the idea that he had been chosen by Heaven to execute the decrees of fate upon the million- aire was at once apparent. There was nothingr of the hero in Solomon Lenbold. lie was brave and desperate enough when it came to a great business transaction. He could face the probable loss of half a million of dollars with an undaunt- ed front, but when it came to a personal affair he was a coward at heart. And on the present occasion, when the threatening words of the desperate crank reached his ears he was fairly paralyzed with fear, sitting motionless in his chair as if he had suddenly been turned into a statue. But the young \Vesterner was made of different stuff. , The crank was quick 11 his actions but the Westerner quicker still. With lightning-like eelerity he bounded from his seat and sprung upon the stranger. If the crank had not paused to announce that he was a messenger of vengeance he might: have accomplished his task and hurled all within the room to destruction, himself included; but the slight delay was fatal to his plan, for it enabled the young man to catch the parcel containing the dynamite as it descended! And Freemont sprung forward with such vigor that, as he grabbed the parcel, he came in contact with the crank and sent him back- ward against the wall. The man uttered a howl of rage, frenzied to madness by the failure of his diabolical scheme, and sprung forward with out- stretched hands, eager to clutch the inter- loper who had baffled his vengeance. But, the young Westerner was not caught unprepared. He quickly shifted the parcel to his left hand, and, as the desperate man rushed upon him, waited until he get within a certain distance, then his right fist shot out, almost with the force and precision of a steam hammer, and the blow. landing on the pomt of the crank’s jaw, floored him as if he had been shot. Down he went, all in a heap. The crank was “knocked out.” As soon as he saw that he had “ settled ” his man the Westerner hastened to placethe parcel containing the dread explosive in a safe place. By this time Huntington was in the room. He had presence of mind enough to ring the call of the district telegraph for a police- man. “ Great Heavensl what an escape!” the millionaire cried, drawrn g a long breath. He was as white as a sheet, and trembling in every limb. “ What is the matter?” Huntington de- mended. “ Have you got a rope, or any strong cord so I can secure the fellow before he recovers his senses?" the Westerner asked, in a busi- ness-like way. “He will be all- right again in a. few mo. ments, and if we don’t tie him the chances are great that there will be more trouble, for the man is evidently a lunatic," Freemont continued. Miss Holbrooke was standing in the door- way, looking with curious eyes upon the scene. As the crank had taken the precaution to close the door, neither the young lawyer nor the girl knew exactly what had occurred, but the noise of the struggle, following the t sound of the loud voices of the men, had made them conscious that I something was wrong. “I have some strong cord which came on an Express parcel!" the girl exclaimed. “ That will do nicely!” .Freemont re- marked. Miss IIolbrooke hastened to get the cord, and Huntington happening to glance through the front window saw a couple of policemen sauntering by. The lawyer summoned them immediately. As it happened, one of the officers was the captain of the precinct, who, of course, knew the millionaire, and was anxious to oblige him. By the time the policemen entered the office the \Vesterner had the crank’s wrists securely bound with the stout Express cord, and the man was beginning to show signs of returning consciousness. Lenbold had reCOVered his composure, al- though he was still pale, and explained to the officers what had occurred. “ A desperate crank indeed!" the police captain exclaimed. “ Do you know the man ?” “No, I never saw him before in my life!” the millionatre avcrred. “ 0h, then it isn‘t a man with a personal grudge against you ‘3” the police captain in- ferred. “ No, not at all. The follow is a total stranger!” Lenbold replied. ' “ He must‘ have gone for you then on general principles,” the officer suggested. “There are a lot of these cranks running around the city," he continued. “ Men who have had such a run of ill-luck that it has turned their heads, and they get in such a state of mind that they think all the people who have been fortunate enough to make a liltle money are nothing but a lot of robbers who ought to be killed.” “ Yes, yes, that is very true,” the million- aire assented. “ Of course, I have not been exempt from the annoyance that these cranks cause; I have had my share,” Lenbold added; “but I never happened to encounter a bloodthirsty ru than like this man before, and if it had not been for the quickness of this gentleman,” and he nodded to the Westerner,” none of us would probably be alive at this moment.” “ Well, as it happened I noticed the man’s eyes as he came in and saw from their ex- pression that he wasn‘t exactly right in the upper story, so I kept watch on him, and was in a measure, prepared for trouble; but. for all that, the fellow was so quick that I had all I could do to thwart him.” By this time the stranger had fully re» covered; the officers assisted him to his feet, then they proceeded to search him, and found he was armed with a six-shooter. which had a ball cartridge in each of the cylinder cham- bers, but the man was without money and had no letters or papers on his person to show who he was. "‘This looks pretty bad ” the captain re- marked, after ascertaining that the revolver was fully loaded. . “ Now, my man, what have you got to say for yourself f” ” Nothing,” he responded, doggedly. ."You are in an ugly scrape here and it Will undoubtedly go hard with you,” the captain declared. “ I will say, though, that I am sorry that my scheme failed l" the stranger exclaimed, abruptly. “ But it is evident that your time. Lenbol , has not yet come; there is no doubt in my mind, however, that when the proper moment comes I shall not have any difficulty in executing the vengeance of an outraged Heaven upon you.” The police captain'looked at the million- aire and then tapped the side of his head with his forefinger in a significant manner. ” Well, I don’t think there is much use of wasting time in talking to you,” the oflieer observed. “So we wih take you off to the station. You will appear against him, Mr. Len- bold?” “ Oh, yes, most decidedlfy! ’ the millionaire exclaimed. “For even i I did not have a personal interest in this matter 1 should con- sider it a duty 1 owed to society to do all I could to have a dangerous crank of this kind put where he couldn‘t do any harm." ” If you can spare the time I will take him '4. N right down to the Tombs now. Judge )IcGruder will be holding cmrt, and the thing can be put right through,” the captain suggested. “ A very good idea indeed, and I fully approve of it," the millionaire replied. “Mr. Frecmont, I presume that you will not have any objection to going with me?” “ I shall be glad to accompany you,” the “'esterner replied. “But I fancy from what I have seen of this man that it is a case where a lunatic asylum is more nearly concerned than a. prison,” the young man added. “Oh, yes; I understand what you mean!” the stranger exclaimed in an angry tone. “ You think I am mad because I was will- ing to sacrifice my own life to rid the world of a wretch like this craven~hearted, white- livercd robber, who has coolly and deliber- ately ruined thousands of men that he might rise to wealth. “He is above the law the man contin- ued, wildly. “For his money he corrupts judges and jurors. He has for years gone on in his career of' guilt, and the foul world- lings grovel at his feet because of his ill-got- ten gains: but the end is near, and all his millions will not save him!” Lenbold was evidently uncomfortable as he listened to the heated Words of the crank, although be affected an air of indifference. A coach was procured, and soon the party were on their way to the famous city prison of the metropolis. Judge )IcGruder, one of the oldest police magistrates in the city, was on the bench, and had just come to the end of the “ morn- ing watch ” when the party arrived. The judge and the millionaire were old ac- quaintances, and when )IcGruder learned the particulars of the case he had the prisoner arraigned at once. ' ‘ The parcel so carefully done up in the white paper was examined and found to con- tain dynamite enough to blow up a house. “This is a very serious case." the ’ 'udge declared with a grave shake of the he. . “ IVhat is your name ‘2” he demanded. “ I haven’t any.” replied the prisoner, per- fectly cool and collected. “ Come. come, my man, this is all non— sense, you know!” the judge exclaimed, im- patiently; “you do not benefit yourself by trying any game of this kind.” “ I am not trying to play any game,” the prisoner protested. “ What I tell on is the truth. I haven‘t any name. Cal me Mr. Nobody, if you like.” The 'udge frowned, and then looked in- quiring y at the millionaire. “I do not know the man, your Honor,” Lenbold remarked. “To my knowledge I never saw him before in my life, and I know of no reason why he should wish to harm me, for most assuredly I have never had anything to do with him.” At this point one of the criminal lawyers, who practiced in this court chiefly and who had been studying the face of the risoner in an attentive manner, arose and sai : “ Your Honor, I think I can give you a little information about this man. If I am not mistaken, his name is Jabez Londown, and he was arraigned in this court before Judge Duffy about five years ago, for an attempt to kill his artner, a. German with whom he conducte asmall saloon in Ave- nue A. “ It wa one or the places where these for. eigners meet to spout anarchy and socialism, and it was proved on the trial that this man had become a regular crank on the subgect; his partner inherited a small fortune rom somebody in Germany, and because he wasn’t willing to turn it al over to the society to which the pair belonged, this man tried to kill the other, but on the trial it was proved that his head was affected and he was taken to the lunatic asylum." “ Are you the man ?" the judge asked. “ I am not going back to that asylum!" the prisoner exclaimed. “ They are a. set of brutes there, but they couldn’t keep me, and I will not go back!" “ 1 will have an examination made in re- gard to his condition," the 'udge remarked to the millionaire. “ But I on’t think there is an doubt about the matter.” “ agree with your Honor," Lenbold rec plied, [h 'a' . ' h ' u, ,. r .. ‘Ir. a.“ r r v 6 Joe Phenix’s Right Bower. The prisoner was removed, and the million- aire, with the W'esterner, returned to his house. On the way Mr. Lenbold took occasion to warmly thank Freemont for the presence of mind and quickness which he had displayed, saying that he considered that he owed his life to him. “ Don’t mention it, my dear sir!" the young man exclaimed. “ \Ve were both in the same boat! If that dynamite had ever exploded there wouldn’t have been much left of either of us.” The millionaire shivered. CHAPTER VI. THE MILLIONAIRE’S DAUGHTER. WHEN the millionaire and his guest arrived at Mr. Lenbold’s office, the financier found a gentleman waiting there for him It was the Englishman Edmund St. Ger- . maine who had such a peculiar experience with the'two police officers and the sport , from Guttenburg as detailed in a previous chapter. Mr. Lenbold, upon receiving word from the Englishman, that he had arrived, had sent him an invitation to take up his abode with him while he remained in New York. Lenbold was very anxious to get rid of the Virginia plantation, which he had been obliged to take by foreclosure. The place had cost him less than ten thou- sand dollars, and he thought that if he played his cards rightly he would be able to sell it to the Briton for about tWenty thousand. It was a strange fact about the old man, that though he was worth from ten to twenty millions of dollars—no one knew exactly how much wealth he had—yet he was just as anxious to make mone as he had ever been and was reported to rive a harder bargain than in his younger days when he hadn’t acquired a tenth part of his fortune. He took it for granted that the English- man, being the scion of an old and wealthy family, was not likely to be a particularly sharp business man, and it was his idea that there ought not to_ be much trouble in mak— ino- the deal. So the old gentleman greeted Mr. St. Ger- maine in the warmest manner, introduced him to the Westerner, and explained what a narrow escape they had had from becoming the victims of the crank. The Englishman expressed his wonder at the narrow escape. ' “ It doesn’t matter much though as long as you didn’t suffer any damage,” St. Germaine said in conclusion. “ There is an old saying, don’t you know, and it is a remarkably true one too, to my thinking, that a miss is as good as a mile.” “ Yes, yes, very correct, no doubt,” the millionaire observed. “ But if I am allowed to have anything to say in such a case as this, I most decidedly would prefer that a crank of this kind should keep a mile off rather than meet him in the narrow confines of a room.” Then both of the others laughed, for this observation struck them as being decidedly funny, but the millionaire did not intend to be humorous. “ You may laugh, gentlemen, but I tell ou it is amighty serious bit of business!” enbold declared. Both of the others immediately assented to this. “ And the worst of the matter is there is a strong probability that the man will not be punished in any way for this really fiendish attempt upon my life,” Lenbold com- plained. , “If the examination proves that he is in- sane, he will be sent back to the asylum,from which he has evidently escaped,” the million- aire continued. , “ Oh, yes, that is what 'will be done with him undoubtedly," the Westerner remarked. “ That will not give me much satisfaction, for there is no telling how soon the rascal ma break out a sin, and as soon as he gains h s liberty I am 11 danger of being attacked,” the old entleman declared. “ t was artly my fault,” Huntington ad- mitted. “ ought not to have allowed the man to enter the room, but he displayed the . proverbial cunning of the insane and worked » , I the trick in such a way that I felt perfectly l sure he was some man from whom you had ordered books." “ \Vell, you were a little remiss about the matter” Lenbold observed. “Still, under the circumstances, Ido not doubt that if I had been in your place I would have done just the same, for the fellow certainly dis- played most wonderful cunning.” “I will be on my guard in the future though!" the young lawyer exclaimed. “ And the next crank who comes here with the idea of trying a game of this kind will have to be a deuced sight smarter than this one was to get past me.” At this point the conversation was inter- rupted by the appearance of the millionaire’s only child, his daughter, Phyllis. In appearance, the daughter bore a strong resemblance to the father. She was small in stature, stoutly built, and had the dark complexion of her sire, to- gether with his black eyes and hair. She was not a handsome girl, for her fea- tures Were irregular, her mouth being too large and her nose too small, but she had a pleasant expression, and an agreeable way with her; it was the common remark among her friends that Phyllis Lenbold was one of the girls who improved wonderfully upon sequaintance, She was beautifully dressed, although all in dark colors, and with very little jewelry visible. The daughter was like the father; neither one cared for display. Mr. Lenbold introduced the two gentlemen. and explained that they were going to be his guests for a while. The young lady expressed her pleasure in a few well-chosen words, and then remarked to her father that she was going to drive to the sales-stables where Mr. Lenbold usually purchased his horses, as the proprietor had sent word that he had a saddle-horse which he thought would just suit her. “And if you can spare Mr. Huntington for an hour or so i wish you would let him accompany me, papa,” she said in conclu- s10n. “He knows a great deal more about a horse than I do, and it isn’t always safe to place too much faith in the statements of these gentlemen who have horses to sell.” “Ah, yas, you are quite right there, don't you know, Miss Lenbold,” the Englishman remarked. “ it is an old joke, don’t you see, that even a parson will sometimes depart from the truth when it comes to selling a horse that heddoesn’t want,” Mr. St. Germaine contin- ue . “Certainly I can spare Mr. Huntington," the father answered. “And bear in mind, Phyllis, that no mat- ter what the man asks you for the horse the chances are that he has put on from fifty to a hundred dollars extra,” the old gentleman added. with all the caution of the born trader. “Oh, yes, I understand that, papa, and even if the horse suits me I shall not be in a hurry to conclude the bargain. ’ “That is right!” the old gentleman de- clared, approvingly. “Iam a good judge of a horse's value, and you can depend upon it that I can tell pretty closely what the beast is worth,” Huntington remarked. Thcngthe two entered the coupe, which was at the door, and set out on their quest. “You must allow me to compliment ou upon the appearance of your dau liter, r. Lenbold,” the Englishman remar ed after the pair had departed. “ She is really one of the most intelligen anddlady-like girls that I have ever encoun- tere .” A gratified look appeared on the face of the millionaire. Praise of his daughter was as sweet incense to him. The world believed that Solomon Lenbold was a hard man. He had never been known to show much mercy to an bod who was unfortunate enough to get into is power. But those who knew him best said there was one soft s t in his heart. He loved his daughter—-his only child— -and always did all in his power to make her “DIW- Lcnbold was a ” close ” man, as ,the ex- pression is, and, notwithstanding all his mill- ions, kept a careful account of all his expen- ditures. Phyllis was now twenty-three year: old; her mother had died when she was eighteen, and until after the mother’s death the million- aire had lived in a modest brick house in the neighborhood of \Vashington Square. The millionaires wife was a plain, do-- mcstic sort of woman, who shrunk from society, although there were plenty of the Upper Ten of the great metropolis who would have been glad to open their doors to the great railway king. But after the wife’s death, the idea came to the millionaire that on account of his daughter he ought to live in a little better manner. Then too, just at this time the “ great operator” was engaged in an exciting strug- gle in the stock market, and his enemies cir- culated a report that Lenbold was in diliieul— ties, and would soon be forced to the wall. In order to show the world that this rumor was a baseless one, the millionaire proceeded to erect a brown stone palace fit for a king. After it was done he commenced to live in a. style-appropriate to his wealth, and intro' duced his daughter to society, where, on ac— count of her father’s money, she was made; much of by a certain class. “I am pleased to hear you say that," the father observed. “But although Phyllis is not a beauty, I would rather by far have her as she is, than to be a mere wax-doll with- out anything to commend her excepting a pretty face.” “i presume that, gentlemen, Mr. Hunt— ington is to be the happy man who will be master of your daughter‘s hand one of these days, and he Certainly seems to be a fine, manly sort of a fellow, don’t you know,” St. Germaine remarked. A look of surprise appeared on the face of the millionaire, while the \V'csterner. al- though apparently occupied in gazing out of the window, studying the procession of band'- SOme teams moving up and down the avenue, yet in reality had his keen eyes covertly on the two. “ Oh, no, that gentleman is not her affi— anced husband,” Lenbold declared, evidently annoyed by the supposition. “ Ah! have I made a mistake? I beg ten thousand pardons!” the Englishman ex- claimed. “Yes, you are entirely wrong, ” the million- aire responded. “That gentleman, Mr. Huntington, is my secretary, and confidential man of business." “ Ah, I see, I comprehend the situation now!" Mr. St. Germaine remarked “My daughter wished him to go with her to look at the horse, because she bad faith in his judgment, and he is used to attending to all purchases of the kind, but there is no love affair between them. “ Such a thing is out of the question,” the old gentleman continued. “Mr. Huntington is a smart young man, but his family doesn’t amount. to anything, and he hasn’t any money; so an alliance be— tween him and my daughter is out of the uestion “In fact. I do not believe such an idea ever entered the heads of either one of them,” he said in conclusion, plainly displeased. CHAPTER VII. THE spear TURNS INTO A moonnorxn. THE Kentuckian was so positive that he- had seen Black Bill enter some room in the neighborhood of the one which the English- man occupied that the pair came to the con- clusion it would be a good idea to see the hotel people, and from them learn if anybody answering to the description of the noted Western desperado had sought quarters in the hotel. “I may have made a mistake about the room,” the Kentuckian admitted. “ Al- though I will be hanged if I see how I Could have done it, for I took particular pains to look at the number after he went in. “Still I am not one of the dogmatic fools who swear that they couldn’t make a mis- take, and are always so dead certain about eve thing,” he continued. “ uring my life I have made plenty of mistakes, and have felt certain about things. which afterward turned out to be not so." I .— .__.._...~_...., -v, - Joe Phenix’s RightflBower. 7 “ There are mighty few men who wouldn’t have to make an admission of that kind if they confined themselves to the truth,” the inspector remarked. As it happened the proprietor of the hotel Was an old acquaintance of Inspector Grim- shaw, and when the oflieial explained to him what was wanted the gentleman did his best to aid them. The register was examined, and the clerks questioned, but not the slightest information was gained. No guest at all resembling the description given of Black Bill had come to the hotel. The three took their departure completely baflied. The Kentuckian took the defeat very much to heart “ Well, gentlemen, all I have got to say is that this beats blazes!” he declared. ' “I saw the man—thar are no two ways about that—and I would be willing to swear to it on a stack of Bibles as big as a house!” “ If you did see him he has probably gone into the sneak-thief line, and was prowling around the hotel seeing what he could pick up,” the inspector remarked. “But it is a mighty strange thing, you know,” Grimshaw continued. “For a man of the Black Bill stamp would never go into little mean, low sneak-thieving business un- less he was so awfully down on his luck that he actually had to do it.” “The man was well~dressed and he didn’t have the appearance of being .hard-up," Boone remarked. “ Well. I don’t know what to make of it!” the inspector declared. “Gentlemen, as far as this thing goes. I can tell you, right now, that I have enlisted for the war, and you can bet your life that I am going to see it throu bl" the Kentuck- ian averred, in a tone 0 firm determina- tion. « “ This man is in New York and I am go- ing to hunt him down,” he continued. ” It is a little out of my line, this man- huntlng business,” he added in a thoughtful way. "And if you gentlemen can give me any points which will be apt to help me, I will be mighty glad to get them.” The inspector, having formed a very favor- able opinion of the blunt and out-spoken Kentuckian, was disposed to do all he could for him. ' “Well, in the first place, you might do a little shadow business around this hotel," the official suggested. “For if the man is up to any game in this quarter he will be certain to put in an appearance here.” “ That is reasonablel” Boone exclaimed. “Then get in with the crooks,” the in- spector advised. “The men who lead crooked lives are like the fellows in other trades, they naturally seek each other’s society, and there are quite a number of saloons in the city where the crooks ang out, and When we want to get at a man, and don’t know where he 18, we send a stool-pigeon to these saloons to pump the‘ ang.”’ , “ 11, yes, I understand!” Boone ex- claimed. “ Although this Black Bill, is a stranger to New York, for he has never done any work in this neighborhood, yet the odds are great that if he is in the City he has got in the habit of frequenting some of these crooked sa100ns.” “You have hit the bull’s-eye right plum in the center, I reckon!” the Kentuckian ex- claimed. “ have never done any work of this kind but it is my notion that it will not be hard pulling for me to get into the traces. " You see, I know quite a number of men who are not any better than they ought to be,” he exclaimed. “ I have been connected with the turf ever since 1 was knee-high to a grasshopper, and some of the fellows who han g around racing stables and tracks are mighty bad eggs.” The other nodded assent. “ So it happens that I am on familiar terms with fellows who don't hesitate to turn their hands to crooked work when they can’t make money in an honest way. " And, come to think of it, I know a man who will be a t to be just the fellow to put me up to the time of day!" Boone exclaimed, abruptly. ' _ “ That is the man you want!” the inspector observed. “ He keeps a pool—room and saloon on Sixth avenue,“ the sport explained. “ About twenty years ago he ran a saloon in Lexington, Kentucky; 1 was a youngster running around the town at the time, and it was .said then that he was mixed up in crooked work. “ He got into trooble and had to take French leave between two days, as the say- ing is, and I never knew what became of the man until I came here to Guttenburg, then, when I came to New York with some of the boys I happened to go into his place. “ I recognized the man at once, although he has changed a good deal since I saw him in Lexington, and he goes by a different name now.” “ I know the man you mean,” the inspector declared with a significant nod. “ And you are quite right about his place being the re- sort of crooked characters, although I have an idea that he doesn’t do any crooked work himself, nor allow any to be done in his place; but it is aregular house of call for thieves.” "The inspector is right about that,” De- tective ()‘Callahan remarked. “ The man has been running about a year now, and although the gang which hangs out around his saloon is as tough a one as there is in the city, yet there have never been any complaints of anybody being damaged in his place.” “ He hears the reputation of being a migh‘y dangerous man,” the inspector ob- served. “ And the toughest of these crooks are afraid of him. “ He is handy with his weapons, and if he gets into a row would think nothing of put- ting a knife into a fellow, or boring a hole through him with a ‘ gun,’ ” the police chief continued. - “ You couldn’t strike a better man in New York to get information out of, if he will only give it; but I am afraid you will have trouble in getting him to talk.” And the inspector shook his head dubi- ously. “Well, it Will not do any harm for me to try it on,” the Kentuckian replied. “ Oh, no: certain] not; and if there is any- thing that I can do or you, don’t hesitate to call upon me, for I will be glad to do any- thing I can to help you,” the inspector de- clared. Boone thanked the officer for his offer, and then the three parted, the poliCeman go- ing up-town, while the Kentuckian went back to Guttenburg. ‘ He had an idea that he might find his man on the race-track, but after he reached the spot and made inquiries, he found the vet- eran sport had not paid his accustomed visit to the grounds. As Boone had some work which required his attention, he determined to wait until night before he went to the city in quest of his man. The time passed away rapidly enough, and ztzfter supper the Kentuckian prepared for his rip. “ 'As I am going in among the sports I sup- pose I ought to dress myself up a little,” he soliloquized. ' So, acting on this idea, he put on his best black coat and pantaloons. a white vest, and a silk hat, with a broad band, which was a “ back number,” being decidedly out of style, but as Boone was a careless sort of fellow, who_ paid very little heed to the decrees of Iflashion, this circumstance did not trouble 1111. It was a little after ei ht o’clock when he entered the saloon on gixth avenue and in- quired for the proprietor. The barkeepers knew who he was, and thinking that he had probably come to give the keeper of the pool-room a “tip” about racing matters. immediately communicated with the proprietor, who was in his private room up-stairs. And he. at once jumping to the same con- clusion to which the barkeepers had arrived, directed that the Kentuckian be invited to walk up-stairs. Soon the sport was in the sanctum of the pool-room-kee r, which was a cozy spart- ment, adorns with sporting pictures, and on one of the walls a pair of fencing-foils o were crosscd, with a couple of boxing-gloves suSpended in the center. A Square table was in the middle of the apartment. and upon the table was a decan- ter of wine and some cigars. The pool-room-kccper was a man of fifty, who did not look his age though, for his glossy hair and beard hardly shoWed a trace of silver. He had just come in, and still ware his soft felt hat, while his eyes were shielded by a pair of light blue goggles. “Take a chair—help yourself to a cigar, and have a glass of wine!” the host exclaim- ed, filling out the liquid. "Thanks!" responded the Kentuckian, taking a chair, lighting a cigar, and then as he puffed out a cloud of smoke, he observed: “ You have changed a good deal since you left Lexington, Hen Marcdlo!” The other started as if he had received an electric shock, then the old sport leaped to his feet, whipped out a revolver,-while his eyes glared with anger as he threatened the visitor with the pistol. CHAPTER VIII. GETTING ON THE TRACK. THE veteran had been so taken by lurprise that he completely lost his presence of mind for the moment. The Kentuckian. though. never winced, but looked as calmly on the frowning tube of the leveled revolver as though it was a harm less pop-gun. ' “Oh, come, now, go slow, old man!” he remarked in the most indifferent manner. “There isn't any need of your trying any monkey business of this kind, for I am not going to do you any harm. “I used to live in Lexington—was raised thar. in fact, and so I knew you mighty well by sight in the old time when you used to run a saloon there on the next block to the Phenix Hotel; but you have changed consid- erably—letting your hair grow long and raising a beard, makesa big difference, I Can tell you. , “Why, I couldn’t really place you when I ran across you hyer in New York, although I felt sure that I had met you some time ago somewhar. - "The other day, though, it flashed on me all of a sudden, and I said to myself, said I, ‘ If this man who now calls himself Homer Blodget ain’t the Hen Marcello who used to run the Belle of Nelson saloon in Lexington. Kentucky, about twenty years ago, then I don't want a cent!’ ” The old Sport hesitated, a shade of inde- cision on his face,.and then he slowly lowered the reVolver. “ What do you want of me, anyway?” he demanded in a voice full of suspicion. “Well, nothing in particular—~nothing to speak of. I just thought I would come and talk over old times with you, seeincr that you are from the same State as mysel ,” the turf man observed in his easy, good-natured way. “You have made amistake in regard to that,” the other answered, returning his pis- tol to its pocket. “I am not the man you think I am.” “Oh, is that so?” Boone asked in a quiz- zical tone. " Yes; Homer Blodget is my name.” “ Oh, come down, old man ?” the Ken- tuckian exclaimed. “ What is the use of lyéour trying to stuff me with any yarn of that ind? Don’t you know that you are merely wasting your breath? Homer Blodget in a horn! “If you are not Hen Marcello, why did you get so deuced excited and snatch out your pistol, as if you were afraid I was .going to murder you, when I pronounced your name ?” - “ Oh. that was from nervousness," the old sport explained. “You see, the fact is, I have a severe attack of the chills and l have dosed myself with quinine until my nerves are all unstrung, so when on sprung that little surprise party on me I pulled out my un,with0ut really knowing what I was do- ng. ' “Say, old man, I don’t want to doubt your word, you know,” B00ne averred, shakin his head, while he grinned in the face 0 the other. “ 'Tisn’t quite the cheese for a fellow to come into a man’s house and .. rib-1c”, .1 . at ?“ ;-'l';v':““& .‘ ' . s.“ 8 Joe Phenix’s Right Bower. then insinuate that he isn’t putting up a selves, and they know that I will not have square deal, but in this case I have got to differ with you, for I know that you are the man I take you to be just as well as I know that I am myself. “ ()h, by the way, it has just come to me!" the turfman exclaimed, abruptly. “ I know why you are so anxious to make me think I - have made a mistake! You had trouble in Lexington, didn't you, hey? And you laid your nan out in a first-class manner, too. “I remember all about it now,” he went on, checrily, “ anti the man has five. grown- up sons, fellows who are noted for being bad , men when they get on the wanpalh, so it is big odds that if they went gunning for a man about your SIZC, some one of the boys would be pretty sart'm to get you.” A nervous expression appeared on the face of the old sport, and it was only by a great effort that he managed to appear un- concerned when he spoke. “ You are talking in riddles,” he respond- ed. "I new-r was in Lexington, Kentucl-zy, in my life, but if you insth that I am this Marcello. and are obstinate about the mat- ter, it will hardly be worth my while to at— tempt to contradict you.” “Oh, that is all right!" Boone declared, with a rassuring nod. “ When I first spoke, I I wasn t thinking about that little trouble of yours; but now that I recall the circum- stance I don’t blame you for wanting to keep shady." and the Kentuckiau Seemed quite at his case. “But you need not worry it mite as far as I am concerned, for you can rest assured that I will not let on to a single soul that I ' ever saw you in Kentucky in my life. You can put all the money you want to on that, and you will win eVery time!" The old sport looked decidedly relieved at this announcement. “Men will make mistakes about matters of this kind, no matter how careful they may be,” Blodget observed. “Oh, yes, that is correct. But you can rely upon my keeping my mouth shut,” Boone allirmed. “You have always treated me well, and there isn’t any reason why I should want to make trouble for you.” “Our relations have always been pleas- cut,” the old sport observed. "And i am sure that I would be pleased to do anything I can for you ” “ I am glad to hear that, for I have got a chance to make a stake, and I think you can help me a little if you will.” “ Certainly! What is it?” “ Well, it isa little job which I think I can work if I can get a good man to do cer- tain things. “ The job is a little off-color, you under- stand,” the Kentuckian explained. “And the man must not be too particular.” “ Ah, yes I see.” and the old sport winked in a significant way. “ I am prepared to pay a good price, but 1 must have a first-class man, and I would like to have the thing arranged so I wouldn’t come in contact with the part ." “I comprehend; you dont want to 'be known in the matter.” , “Exactly! My idea is to remain in the background and pull the wires.” “I think the thing can be arranged all right.” “The reason Why I thought I would speak to you about the matter was because I heard that quite a number of men who have been mixed up in crooked busmess were in the habit of coming into your place, and it struck me that it was probable you might know some man who would do the work for “ Oh, yes; I don’t think there is any doubt about it," the old sport declared. "My place has become a sort of head- quarters for men who are not exactly on the square,“ Biodget continued. . “ I have got half a. dozen small private rooms. besides the big readinger in the rear of the saloon, and I suppose more big jobs have been arranged in my place than in all the other sporting houses in New York put together.” “ So I have heard." “The, boys know that they are perfectly safe here and that. I will treat them on the square. “ Of course I expect them to behave them- I any crooked work in my place.” “Certainly not.” “That wouldn't do, you know.” “No; for your house would soon get a i bad name.” “ Exactly! and I will not have it.” “Then I have things so arranged that if a detective comes into the saloon and acts as if he was after game, by means of a certain cont 'ivance the barkeepers can give warning to any of the men in the back rooms who may have reason to be apprehensive that the fly eops are after them.” " That is a great idea!” “ Yes, it is pretty good.” “When Igot the notion of this game in 3 my mind, I thought of an old pal of mine . who used to be with me. when l was in St. . Louis," the Kentuckian remarked. “ He would have been just the man for a bit of work of this kind,’ the sport con- tinued. “ ll~ut when I came I'Inst there wasn’t any chance for him, and lo went. away out West with a Captain Black, whoy'as a regular king pin of a fellow; but luck was ag'in' ‘ the gang. and my pal got ‘pinched,’so It heard, and is now doing time in some jail in Montana or (‘olortido.” “ That was unfortunate." “ 'l‘his (‘aptain Black—\Villiam Black, or Black liill, as his pals call him, will be just the than for my money,” loone declared. “ if i could get hold of some such man as he 1 Could make a big stake out of this? thing, sure!" the Kentuckian continued. “ Have you any idea where this Black Bill is?" the saloon-keeper asked, thoughtfully. “ No; out West, somewhere, i suppose. so there isn't any chance of getting at him; but r I need just such afcllow.” “There was a stranger in my place last night—he came from the West, too, and the man who introduced him to' me called him Black, and said he was an A No. 1 man; a good-sized fellow, with a swartliy face, black hair and beard.” “ He answers to that description, and if he is the Black I mean, there is a chance for him to make big money. _ “If he comes in again, suppose you have one of your boys sound him, and see if he is open for a job. ' The old sport said that he would, and then Boone took his departure. “ I am on the track!" the Kentuckian mu:- tered when he gained the street. “And it is big money that I will nail my man i” CHAPTER IX. ‘ PrrYLLrs’s susrrcrous. Tm: young lawyer escorted the million- aire’s daughter to the coupe, assisted her to enter, and then took place by her side. Away went the carriage at a slow trot, for the millionaire was a timid man and did not ‘ believe in fast horses, so the pair that were attached to the coupe. although an expensrve and handsome team. were as fat as seals and . decidedly disposed to be lazy. “I told papa an awful story about this trip,"'the girl observed after the carriage started. “ How is that ?" “ Why, there isn’t really any need of your coming with me to see the horse." “ Is it. possible?" "Yes, for the man is anxious for me to take it on trial, and if it does not suit me I can send it back.” “ That is a fair offer enough.” ‘.‘ So you see there isn’t any need of your gomg with me.” “ Why did you wish me to go.then—sim- ply so you might enjoy the pleasure of my society? For if that is the case [suppose I ought to feel extremely flattered." “Yes, you certainly ought to, I suppose!" Phyllis exclaimed with a laugh. ‘.‘But it wasn’t alone for the pleasure of enjoying your society that I arranged this trip,” she continued. “ No, what then?” “ So I could get a chance to have a long, confidential talk with you.” “Well, I am decidedly flattered now!” Huntington exclaimed, bending his head and imprinting a kiss upon the hand of the girl, which he had taken caressineg in his own after the carriage started. / A slight blush rose to the face of the girl. : “ Be careful, Ralph! Some one might see 5 you!” she exclaimed. ' “ Yes, and then if the news that I was per- mitted the liberty of kissing your dear little hand was carried to your father, there might be trouble.” “ ()11, yes, undoubtedly there would be," the girl replied, with a grave shake of the head. “ But has papa said anything to you about paying attentions to me?" Phyllis continued. “ Not a word—why ‘2” “ Because he has hinted to me that he was afraid that you Were getting a little too atten- tivc.” “ Is it possible ‘3" “ Yes; he let fall a few words this morning, which made me think that his suspicions have been, aroused in regard to us.” “I have not noticed any change in his manner toward me," the young lawyer re- marked in a thoughtful way. “I am certain that 1 have not made any mistake, and we must be very cautious." “ We surely have never been at all impru- dent.” Huntington replied. “ Yes. I know that. and I think I under- stand who it is that has put the idea in his ‘ head,” the girl declared in a seornful way. “ Ah, yes,‘l can guess at whom your sus- ‘ picions are directed.” : “ This miserable stenographer?" I “Miss llolbrooke? ’ l “ Yes ” “ Well, someway, I hav’n’t a particularly t good opinion of that young woman,” Hunt- ington observed, thoughtfully. i “Although i must do her the justice to say that ever since she has been in the house she has done her best to be agreeable and pleasant to me.” “She is a miserable, deceitfui cat!” the girl exclaimed. “ And I felt sure of it, too, from the very moment that she entered the house,” Phyllis continued. “ She never deceived me, although she has tried her best to make me believe that she thought there never was an young lady in the'world quite so nice as am.” “Yes, I have noticed that she always seems very anxious to please you in every “Va 7", “Ugh! she fawns on me sometimes in ' such a manner that it is the hardest work in t the world for me to be civil to her!" “ And do you think that she‘has suggested to your father that there is a probability of our falling in love with each other? ' “ Yes, lthink so. because we have acted so prudently, and have been so careful in re- gard to our conduct all the time, that it would not be possible for my father to sus~ pect that we cared in the least for each other if some one had not suggested the idea to him. “Women, you know, are quick to jump to conclusions, and the instinct of .her sex has led her to guess the truth,” the girl con- tinned. “That is possible,” the young lawyer as- sented, slowly and thoughtfully. “But why should she trouble her head about the matter—what is it to her?" Hunt- ington asked. in perplexity. ” Oh. i don‘t know: she has some motive, of course,” Phyllis replied, with a. shake of the head. “Perhaps she may have designs upon papa,” the girl continued. “ She is not really bud-looking, although she is far from being a beauty, and she may flatter herself that she can succeed in cap- tivating papa so that he will marry her.” “ Well, from what I know of ‘the old gen- tleman I should say that the chances are about a thousand to one against, her sue. ceeding if she has any idea of trying a game of that kind.” “Yes\- the chances are against her, of course. but I think she is just one of the kind of women who would not hesitate to try a scheme of that sort. “I regard her as a very dangerous and unscrupulous woman,” Phyllis continued. “She claims to be only twenty-two, you know, but I believe she is fully ten years older; in fact, 1 would not be surprised if she was nearer thirty-five than twenty-two.” “Yes, In ree with you there. Althorigh she tries her est to appear young’ and g r1- / ’i ' and I would hate awfully to do anything to 't _ culated to make your husband happy!” the .some family who have been noted for en- , erations, to aspire to the hand of a girl ike Joe Phenix’s Right Bower. m‘mAfiWfl--mflr (—3... -——. 9 Vi tab, yet I am satisfied that she is much older than she says.” I “Yes, undoubtedly.” “Idon’t like the idea of papa becoming interested in this spiritualism, for I don't be- lieve in it at all. It is my idea that it is a regular humbug l” , “ I haven’t any faith that through the aid ‘ of these mediums—at so much per head, if I you notice, Phyllis, there is almost always a ‘ question of money involved—we can com- municate with the spirits of the departed.” “ How strange it is that papa should take any interest in such a thing." “Your father is getting old," the yOung lawyer explained. “In reality he seems twenty years older than he really is, for the cares and anxieties of his business life have sapped his strength, and it is not wonderful that there should be one little weak spot in his head,” Huntington argued. “ Well, I sought this interview with you so that I might explain how matters stand," Phyllis said. “ The necessity has arisen for us to use great caution, for I don’t want papa to know yet awhile how we feel toward each other.” ” Of course, I don’t suppose that it is quite right for a penniless man like myself, who cannot even boast that he comes of yourself,” Huntington admitted. “ But I never thought about the difference in our positions when I fell in love with you, and asyou were kind enough to let me see by your actions that I was not indifferent to you, I was emboldened to seek to win you.” Phyllis took her lover's hand between her own soft palms and ressed it gently, while she looked with eyes ull of love at him. “ Papa is worth a lot of money, of course, and I am one of the richest heiresses in the United States, but when it comes to the family question we hav’n’t anything to boast of, for all of both papa and mamnia‘s people are as poor as church-mice, and papa is the only one of the lot that ever made any money or amounted to anything. “ Papa has always been very good to me, displease him,” she continued. “ But when it comes to a girl taking a hus- band it is purely a personal matter.” “ Most certainly!” " I don’t doubt that pa it thinks that he ought to have a reat cal to say about who I marry, for t e majority of parents have an idea that they can pick out a much better husband than the daughter, but as the girl has got to live with the man, if there should happen to be any mistake, and the husband doesn’t prove to be a good one, she is the one who has to suffer." “Yes, that is true.” “Papa thinks, Iknow,that I ought to mar- ry a man worth a good deal of money, a scion of one of the old New York families, or somebody else who amounts to some- thing; “ all, on surely deserve to have a good husband, or 1 am certain you are well cal- young man declared, gazing tenderly at the eiress. She laughed a little and half-blushed. “Ah, you are such a flattererl" she ex- claimed. “ It isn’t any wonder that you turned my head with your soft speeches. ' "No, no, I have never tried to flatter you," the lover declared. “Well, while I don't pretend to be extra shrewd, yet I would not be my father’s daughter if I did not possess a fair share of common sense. . . “Now, while I am not absolutely ugly, yet I can never hope to set up for a beauty, go I am quite sure that _no rich man, who has so much money of his own as to keep him from wanting any of mine, will be apt to fall in love with me because of my per- sonal attractions.” “Ah, Phyllis, you do not do yourself jus~ ticel” Huntin ton exclaimed. “The irl au bed, then blushed a little again, an seeme greatly pleased. “Yes. yes I know you think I am a beauty because you have fallen in love with me, but nobody else has ever said so, that is, with the exception of the fortune-hunters, a. who have beenmuch more attracted by my wealth than by me.” “But you have had some honest wooers who, like myself, were attracted by the girl and not by her money.” “ Yes, a few, but not many, and there wasn‘t any men with independent fortunes among them. “ The fact is Iam not the kind of girl to at- tract the fellows,” she continued, in an hon- est way. “ There isn’t anything brilliant or dashing about me; I am not the sort to ever set the river on fire. “Now this is what I have been constantly telling papa lately whenever he spoke about marrying, and if you will be patient, so as to give me time to bring papa around to my way of looking at the matter, I don‘t think there is a doubt that inside of a car I will be able to make him admit that if choose to fall in love with a steady, sober-gomg busi- ness man, who will know enough to take care of my money, it will be a great deal better for me to marry such a man than to take one of the fine gentlemen who would be. apt to squander both his own money and mine.” “Wh , Phyllis, I am content to wait ten years, i you say sol” Huntington declared. “ Oh, I will not put you to so hard a test as that!” the girl replied. “ In a year or so, I feel sure I can arrange matters, but for the present we must use the utmost caution, and above all look out for Miss Holbrooke!” At this point the conversation ended, for the carriage halted at the stable. CHAPTER X. I N 'r H E s L U M s . CHERRY STREET in the neighborhood of Roosevelt, at ten o’clock at night, is not one of the attractive quarters of New York. It is where the (poorest of the great city’s laborers live, an With the honest sons of toil, and their families, are herded the petty Criminals of the metropolis. Saloons abound, the majorit of them of the lowest class, and if a well ressed stran. ger should happen to wander into one of these dens, the odds are a hundred to one that he would be robbed of his valuables be- fore he got out. In this particular part of the. street there are a great many old houses, built of both wood and brick, generally two stories and an attic high. and some of them are so an- cient that the are only mere shanties. Just as the ands of the clocks pointed to the hour of ten. through the street came a rather tall and slenderly-built man. He was dressed in a well-worn suit, with a derby hat, very much the worse for wear, pulled down over his eyes. His face was long, with a prominent nose, high cheek-bones, while a pointed yellow mustache and imperial gave him a decidedly foreign look. He was evidently in search of some par- ticular house, for ‘he was carefully examin- ing the surroundings as he came on. At last he halted in front of one of the old- fashioned, dilapidated houses which we have described. ' “This must be the crib!” he ejaculated. “ A red brick house, with a green door, be- tween a barber-shop and a gin-mill, and this giltlhe only house on the block which fills the i .’ The door was ajar; like the majority of the houses in the street, it was rented out in apartments, and the tenants were the poorest of the poor; so the stranger entered the house without having ,to ask any one for ad- mitlance. There were no lights in the halls, and after the visitor got to the head of the stairs be lit a match so as to be able to see where he was gom . Up the second flight of stairs he went, and this brought him to the attic. As soon as he gained the upper landing he whistled in a eculiar, shrill way, then came to a halt an waited. In a few moments the door opened and a thick-set, black-bearded man, dressed rough- 1y anal looking like a ’longshoreman ap- are . “ Is that you, professor?" he exclaimed. “Yes, and I have managed to find you; but, I say, whatever possessed a man like Yourself to take up your quarters in this wretched hole 1’" the visitor exclaimed “ Come in and 1 will explain." The new-comer followed the black-bearded man into the attic, and then took a curious look around. The room was scantily furnished, and everything was of the commonest descrip tion. A tallow candle afforded light. “Well, of all the dens that I ever saw this is about the Worst!” the vi, an apartment, " and sing out, ‘ Come on, Bill, the party wants to talk to you.’ ” “ I'm fly!" the professor exclaimed. “ And you can bet your sweet life 1 will do the job up primel" “ Well, I’ll be going, for it is getting near- ly time for the party to arrive," the host obslerved, moving toward the door, in the we 1. “I suppose you have got things fixed so you can ascmtain whether the fellow has got the detectives at his heels or not?” “Oh, yes!” the other answered. “ This place is an old roost for men in our line. “ This door leads into the garret of the ad; joining house, and. a man going down the“ stairs can go out into the street, or into the back yard, and there by climbing a fence he can make his way into the side street, so as to give the slip to any coppers who may be watching at the front door of this house or the other one.” o " This is an elegant arrangement!" the pro- fessor exclaimed. “ How does it happen that on caught onto it?" “ New York crook whom I ran aeross in the West put me up to it,” the other replied. “ He was born in this neighborhood, and as I happened to tell him once that I intended to try my luck in New York some time, he ave me the particulars about this crib, remar ing that the knowledge might come in handy to me if I ever came to the city.” ” Well, the thing has come in just right.” “ Oh, yes, for, thanks to it, I will be able to find out exactly what this unknown party is up to. A ' “ If he is on the square, and has got a good scheme, I am his man, but if he is trying to nab me, I shall endeavor to work the trick so he will soon come to the conclusion that it is thekworst piece of work that he over under- too .” “ Ah, yes, and you are just the man to play a game of that kind for all it is worth.” “ You bet!" cried the black-bearded fel- low. I And then he disappeared through the door, closing i; behind him, and the sound of a bolt shooting home in its socket came dis- tinctly to the ears of the professor. ' ” Bill is right about that," the visitor mut- tered, as he seated himself upon the solitary stool which the attic possessed and leaned his back against the table. ‘ “ Black Bill is as tough a nut as any man will find to crack from the salt water to the Rocky Mountains, and I would hate like blazes to have him get after me, not that I. am any slouch either.’ The professor had a long wait, for it was a good thirty minutes before the sound of foot. steps, ascending the stairs, came to’ his cars. l ' I» Then there was a knock at the door. “ Come ini" he exclaimed. The door opened and Boone, the Kentuck- ian, made his appearance; A look of surprisie appeared on his counte- nance when he beheld the professor,zand he glanced inquirineg around the room. " I’m not the man you expected to see, eh 2”Nthe professor queried. ‘0 O D! I ‘ “ You are the sport who wants to see Black Bill, hey?” r ,“ And have come by appointment ‘2” “ appointment.’ ' ” ell. sit down and make yourself com- fortable,” the professor remarked, rising and. tendering the stool. ‘ r “ Bill sn’t here yet?” “ No, but he will be along You will not have long to wait. “Take the stool, for, I can roost on the table," and the Speaker resumed the seat which he had formerly occupied on the cor. nerofi the table. " t'I‘pe Kenthckiau seated himself on the s 00 . ' ' ~ I’m Black Bill‘s pal. by the way." the professor remarked after a minute's silence. " 0b, is that so?" , t ‘ " Yes; 'what is the matter with your telling me about this ' jttle scheme whic you want Bill to 0 into? " f l prehy'soon. all the same.” ' it right! I will do it." " I in ,9 three times at that dew." and the r ‘ to no at m i of The entuckisuffi ,rtv'e dthe s aker for 6 in meat and then Eook‘his h, , . l " ', ‘t tb air I tilde, w ll?” 1 ‘i1§’}~* 3' Ys‘!” H ' J I I, r it}? i 9 “But you might explain the matter to me,’ the other suggested. .“Black Bill and I are old pals as I told you," he continued. “In fact we are just like two brothers, and I could tell you in a twinkling whether the job would be likely to suit him or not.” ” No, I think I had better wait until I can talk to Black Bill himself.” “ All right! It is your say so, of course, but Bill told me that I had better ask you, for he didn't know but what I would do just as well.” “ Hardly,” the other replied. “I think that ina matter of this kind it is always better to talk to the man himself.” “ Well, perhaps it is, but, as I told you, Bill and me are old pals, and I have, ar- {langed a great many business affairs for 1m.” Then there was silence for three or four minutes, the professor drumming with his fingers on the table in an absent sort of way, while the visitor looked thoughtfully about him. "How soon do you expect your partner ‘2” the Kcntuckian asked at last. “ He ought to be here now,” the professor answered. “ I will soon see.” Then going to the small door, he knocked and called: , “ Hey, Bill! are you there? The party wants to see youl” \ Then came the sound of the moving bolt. CHAPTER XII. A sunrarsn. AN expression came into the eyes of the Kentuckian like the one which appears in the orbs of a hawk when he sights his game. . “ Does he want to see Black Bill?” asked a hoarse voice, as the door partially opened and a black beard, surmounted by a pair of gleaming eyes, appeared in the crack. “Yes; come in, Bill, the party has got ,a fine scheme to propose to you." ” All right! I’m his manl” I The door opened wide. and the speaker strode into the room, and at the same mo- ment the door leading into the entry was threwn 0 en and Inspector Grimshaw, ac- companied) by detective O’Callahan, rushed in. . Their revolvers were out, and they lev- eled them at the man with the black heard. " Don’t attempt to resist, or it will be the worse for you,” the ins ector warned. “ Snap on the brace ets, O’Callahan!” he continued. g The detective had the handcuffs in his hand. and be advanced toward the threatened man. who did not manifest any opposition,, merely staring at the officers in astonish- ment. , V ‘ k‘ The professor had retreated into a corner as the policemen rushed into the .room, ap— parently very. much astonished, and the Kentuckian, also producing a revolver, had risen to his ,feet as‘if he wanted to be all readyto take a hand in the fight, if there was to be one. » “What in blazes do you mean?” ex- claimed the black-bearded man, in great sur- rise. p As the on] light was that aflorded by‘ the flickering ta low candle, the'rootmwas not well illuminated, and it was not until after the Kentuckian ,spr‘untg to' his‘feet that he got a good view of e newcomers face, and then an exclamation of disappointment burst from his lips. ’ " Great Scotti this isn't the man after all 1" he'cried. ' u “' Eh ?" exclaimed the inspector. “ What?" roared O’Callahan. “ N ot the man ?" ejaculated Grimshaw. “No, sahi this isn’t Black Billlj”Boono, declared. _ I ' r ‘ "We". I reckon that is what people call me, but it isn’t my name, of 'course, and if the particular Black ‘Bill that you gents is arter is wantcdrfor anything, I am ready to swear out-and-out thatI am not the man i" the blackomuzzled fellow exclaimed, with a \ n. ' . “You are not called Black Bill by your pals ?" the Kentucki'an uestioned. , “Yes Ilarn‘ but. as said afore, if yap, wants his, kélll for anything,‘ Isa: " ' 'Mf’thmrrvmerevfiedé ' Grinishaw asked. ' unless iyou are might careful how you carry e , er!" the inspector retorted as he topk his de. ». as I am that we are walking on this street to. g ’_ .7, .g L Joe Phenix’s Right Bower. * was 6‘ g r ' 5 4" mgr“ JV t “This is the only Black Bill that I know I anything about,” the professor observed. lie was quick in coming to the aid of his I pal in working the trick. Of course, the moment that this Black Bill made his appearance, he understood the game that the real Black Bill designed to la . p ’lyhe stranger who desired an interview with him was a man-hunter, intent on hia capture, and as soon as the real Black Bill made this discovery, he sent the false Black Bill in his place to interview the stranger while he proceeded to get out of the way. The policemen looked disgusted. “This isn’t the man then?” Inspector “No, he ldoks a little like the other, and when he first came into the room, in the dim light, I thought he was the man, but just as soon as I got a good look at his face I saw at once that he wasn’t my mutton!” Boone de- clared. “ Then you will not make a charge against him ‘2” the officer inquired. . “Oh, no, I cannot!” the Kentuckian re- plied. “I never saw this fellow before in rfiiy life, and don’t know anything about 1m." “ I thought there must be some mistake about the matter," the black-bearded fellow observed with a hoarse chuckle. “Because I didn’t know that I had beeh doing anything to get myself into trouble,.’ .and then again the fellow chuckled. “Yes, it is a mistake,” the Kentuckian ad- mitted, very reluctantly, evidently decidedly anno ed by his failure. a “ s I said, I don’t know anything about you. You are a perfect stranger to me, so I .have no charge to bring against you.” "You have made abad break this time, hav'n’t you ‘1" exclaimed the false Black Bill, grinning at the inspector. The officer was not disposed to stand any chaif of this kind, being decidedly put out by the complete failure of the carefully- planned scheme. I will nail you one of these days though sail!” t eclared as he turned to depart. “ Oh, yes, of course, but you won’t ifI know myself and I think I do!” the false Black Bi ldeclared in a jeering way. “ Maybe you Will have cause to change your opinion before you are six months old inspector l parture. The others had already ‘made their exit from the apartment, and were on the way down the stairs, Grimshaw followed them, feeling decided- ly angry. No words were exchanged between the three until the were in the street, and a half :a block away mm the house, then the Ken- tuckian blurted out ' "I reckon, inspector, that on must think I am’the biggest kind ,of a enkey to have kbrogght you. on a wild-goose chase of this in l" ' “Oh, no, it isn’t your fault,” the officer replied. “ You planned the game nicely, and we carried the thing out as cleverly as it could be arranged. feel anno ed, natural- ly, that we had all our trouble or nothing.” , "Yes, it is a pity, after we worked the trick so neatly that we couldn’t ut the col- lar on the chap," Detective 0' allahan ob- served: “ I sup , you have about come to the conclusion that thar ain’t no sich person as this hyer. Black Bill!” the Kentuckian ex- claimed. .. , ‘ ‘ 011. n0. 1 know. that such aman exists all right, but I must admit to you that I some- times have my doubts as to whether you really saw him here in New York,” the in- spector remarked. . “inspector, I am Just as certain that I saw him the other day. at the Astor House, night!" Boone declared, in the most positive manner. ‘.‘ Well, there isn’t any doubt about that], the officer affirmed. * ‘f You saw to-night that just as soon as“ I t a good look at the man, I knew imme- ‘fiiatcl that he was not the one I wanted," entuckian “Yes, that is true,” the inspector admit ted. “And as you decided so quickly that he was not the right man, it seems to me as if you wouldn’t he apt to make a mistake as to whether you did see the real Black Bill or not. ’ “ You are right about that! I saw the man surely enough, but, somehow, this time I got on a false trail, worse luck!" the Ken- tuckian declared. “Well, well, this is a matter which re- quires considciabie head-work,”the inspector remarked, in a. thoughtful way. “Now, to get down to the rights-of the thing, there are two theories which we can 0 on. “The first one is that you were deceived by some strong resemblance, and didn‘t see Black Bill at all.” “That is possible, of course, but I would be willing to bet ten years of my life that I didn’t make any mistake!" Boone exclaimed. “ Well, there is this much to be said in favor of your declaration, and that is there is not a bit of proof, so far, to show that you made any mistake, excepting that we have not been able to get on the track of the man.” “ That is true!" Detective O’Callahan assented. , “The other theory is that you did see Black Bill. and when we went to nail him, in some way he got wind of our coming before- hand, and gave leg hail," the inspector obserVed. “ Exactlyl declared. , ~ “ And you struck on his track again in the up-town sporting-house,”_ Grimshaw con- tinued. é “ But as he is an uncommonly shrewd fellow he took the alarm at once when he heard that a stranger wanted to see him. “ You see, he was too sharp to take any stock in the story that you had a scheme which you wanted him to go into. “The man was too shrewd not to suspect gt once that you were setting a trap for im.” “ There is a deal of ood, hard horse sense in what the inspector ssayin ,’ O’Callahan observed, with a wise shake, o the head. “ Yes, I reckon you are figuring it out about righY,” the Kentuckian assented. “ Now then, when he found that some one was affer him, he immediately made up his inind to see what kind of a game was on oot.” ‘ Yes, it would be the most natural thing in the world for him to act in that way,” Boone remarked. “ You can bet high on that I" Detective O’Callahan declared. “ He didn’t relish the idea that there was a man in the dark, so to speak, trying to get a chance to make a. crack at him,".the detec- tive continued. ' ‘ “Therefore, hearranged this little game which he worked tonight," the inspector observed. “By it he killed two birds with one stone, you see. He antici ated that if he put in an appearance he won d be arrested, so he put forward this other duck to play 'Black Bill." " It was amighty shrew game i” O'Callahan exclaimed. . “Oh, yes, you are right about that," the inspector assented. “ For, under the circumstances, it would be the most natural thingin the world for us to come to the conclusion that a'mistake had been made. and the real Black Bill was not in New York. ‘ . :‘ Another pointl by working the game in this way he found out just what we were u to, and he is fully satisfied now that there 3 a man in New York who is tryin his best to hunt him down,” Grimshaw sa , in con- clusion. “ And I will do the trick, too, if it is possi- ble for mortal man to work it,” the Kentuck- ian declared. ' ~r ‘ “ Here is another thing which is worth tak- ing into consideration,” the inspector observ— ed, in a shrewd way. ‘ “ These two fellows whom we met to-night are both strangers in the city, I think, for I don’t remember to have ever run across them that was his game!” Boone before. You don’t recognize them, O’Calla'w hen?” , . " No, I never saw either'one of them.” ‘ “ And yet from certain that = .1. ~ . . i, i u ‘>" 4 ‘. pair bear I am pretty well satisfied that they belong to the crooked fraternity.” “ Not a doubt of it!” the detectivo ex- claimed in the most positive manner. “ Now, who are these fellows—whei did they come from, and what are they doing here in New York ‘2” the inspector asked. ” Perhaps they are members of Black Bill's gang who have Come from the West with him?” the Kentuckian replied. “ That is the correct answer to the riddle, I think,” the inspector remarked. “ And now I propose to show Mr. Black Bill that he can’t come to New York and work his little hunky-panky games with im- punity,” the officer continued. “I shall puta dozen of my best ‘ shadows' _; on this case, and if I don’t succeed in nailing ’ p 3"; this great Western chief in the long run shall be very much surprised.” “Well, I am going to try a little of the shadow business myself,” Boone declared. “He has won the first two tricks, but a game of this kind is a long one, and he is so situated that a single mistake will be fatal to him.” It will be seen that these human blood— hounds were all stanch on the trail. ' CHAPTER XIII. THE st’s sunmsss. AGAIN we return to the mansion of the millionaire. ' g It is ten days since the one when the Eng- . * lishman, and the youn Westerner, accepted the hospitality of Mr. nbold. The reader has doubtless suspected that the free-spoken son of the prairies, who call- ed himself Sidney Freemont, was the acute spy whom the Veteran detective, Joe Phenix, _ had agreed to furnish to the millionaire. ‘ Mr. Lenbold seized upon an early Oppor- tunity to have a private interview with the young man. and this took place on the first evening of the spy’s sojourn in the Muse. “ How do you intenfllto set to work?” was \ the millionaire’s uestio . ‘ “It is impossi le for me to reply at pres- ent,” the spy responded. ‘ “It will be necessary to me to study the situation for awhile." “ Ah, yes, I presume so. It will take some time, of course.” “ “ Yes; allow me to watch matters for x ‘awhile, say ten days, and then I will be able to go ahead with a clear comprehension of " what the situation requires." . The millionaire thought this programme was just about what it ou ht to be, and so , until the time expired he did not attempt: to , I , question the disguised detective. ‘ ‘ But he kept a close watch on him however, fer he had a curiosity to see, how aregular professional man-hunter managed a game of - this kind. 4 . To his decided surprise he could not per-d _, ceive that the young man Was doing any ar-' 7 ticular work in the detective line. and i he .bad not known that the supposed Westerner . was merely assumin a character he never would have suspecre him of being anything but what he appeared to be. ' The young man certainly played the char» actor to perfection of the dashy, free-hearted, Westerner, who had plenty of money, hudwq. had come to the great metropolis of the Nut ' World for the express purpose of seeing the ' ts and enjoying himself. , ‘ 3; r ot that the young man was at all disn posed to be fast, or‘toindulge’ in any ties. tionable pleasures, for he was, apparent , a" very steady~going fellow, without any dis- position to become a f‘highurbller,” as‘the gay young bloods of the great city—who go 5 in to cut a dash—are termed. " The millionaire did not comprehend that the best detective is the one who does his ' work so skillfully that no one suspects that is dbing any work at all. ' But n spite of the fact that the youngman had apparently not troubled himself about ; any one in the house, yet when the ten days “' had elapsed he was prepared to make a com plete report. -’ It was in the evening, after dinner, that Lenbold and the youn Westemer repaimd to the library of thegmil ionaire. _,. , Lsnbold had paid a visit to some of hisold sagas friends in dWe street that afternoonnand: durw inner he had let fall the remark: an s z t - ; 'to do with it." 12 Joe Phenix’s Right Bower. : stocks in operation, and any one possessed of the knowledge of how things were going, could make considerable money by a little judicious speculation just now. ’ The disguised spy took the cue at once. and announced that he had a few hundred that he could spare just as well as not. and he wouldn’t mind trying his luck in the stock- market. So when the dinner ended the two went to the library, with the avowed intent of talk- ing the matter over. enbold locked the door after they entered, and then remarked: “Now then, we can speak with perfect freedom.” “ Yes. sir," responded Freemont, who had taken possession of a comfortable easy chair. The old millionaire sat down within a yard of the young man, and fixed his keen eyes upon his face. “What do you think of the situation?" Lenbold questioned. “ Well, at present all I can do is totell you what I surmise, for as et I have not been able to get hold of an ythling of importance.” " Hardly time, I suppose ?” the millionaire suggested. “The fact is that during my sojourn in the house nothing has developed.” “I understand; it is a slow process and cannot be hurried.” “The most important thing is in regard to these seances, I presume?" “ Yes, but I have not been able to get Miss Holbrooke to conduct one since you have been in the house. “ She has not been feeling very well, and she says that to go through a seance is a great tax on her nervous system.” “ If the manifestation is a genuine one, the explanation is reasonaqle, but if there is any trickery about the matter, she may hesitate to hold the seance for fear that you would invite either Mr. St. Germaine or myself. and that one of us mi ht be smart enough to detept the fraud if: there is. anything wrong ’ “That is possible, of course, but I hardly think it is the truth," the millionaire re- marked, slowly, evidently not at all disposed to take this view of the case. “Of course, it is not possible for me to come to any determination about the matter until I have an opportunity of seeing how the affair is managed. And even then, if there is trickery, and Miss Holbrooke is a skillful erformer, it may not be possible for me to etect the cheat, although I may be satisfied that the manifestation is not a genu- ine one. “I don’t know much about such matters from experience, but I have read plenty of accounts, and so I am aware that the trick is performed sometimes so cleverly that it is almost impossible for a looker~on to detect how it is done. although they may be per- fectly satisfied that the spirits have nothing “Miss Holbrooke told me, just before we sat down to the table to-day. that she felt a great deal better,” Lenbold remarked. “ She said she was goin to he down for a while after dinner, an when she got up she thought she would feel well enough to hold a seance.” “That is good, for it will give me an op- portunity to look into the matter." “ I asked her if she had any objections to your being present, stating that I had spoken to on about the matter, and you were great- ly interested." “Ah, es, it was a good idea to pave the way in t at manner.” “She replied that she would be pleased to have you present.” “That is good, and I will be glad of the chance." “Did Mr. Phenix tell on that in these spirit messages on the s ate certain state- ments were made in regard to my daugh- ter and Mr. Huntington, my confidential man of business?" “Yes. and I have carefully observed both the parties durin my sojourn here. “ Of course don’t know what these statements were but I can conjecture. “The were to the effect that there was a love a air between Miss Phyllis and Mr. Huntington?” “Yes, and have you. seen anything to lead you to susp‘ct that the statement is true ?” the father asked. anxiously. “All I can say about the matter is to tell you what I suspect, but I haven’t any proof to support my suspicions. “I am only jumping to a conclusion, you understand.” “Yes, but you have surely seen some- thing to excite your surmises?” “ Oh, no! ‘triflcs light as air’ merely. A look in the eyes of the girl as she spoke to the gentleman, a certain something in the expression of his face as he watched your daughter speak.” “You think, then, that they have learned to care for each other?" the millionaire questioned with a cloud on his brow. “Yes, 1 do, but, mind! do not build too much on this, for ’tis but a surmise on my part and I may not be correct.” “I sincerely hope that you have made a mistake, for I have other views for my irl. g "And now there is another matter that I must speak about: this Englishman, St. Germaine, as he calls himself.” “ Yes, what of him.” “I think he is a fraud. It is my im- pression that he is not an Englishman at- all. I lived for some time on the other side of the water, and so am well acquaint- ed with the breed.” ” You surprise me!” Lenbold exclaimed. Then there came a knock at the door. It was a servant with a messa e from Miss Holbrooke that she was in the naming- room. “That means that she is ready for the seance!" the millionaire declared after the servant departed. CHAPTER XIV. A LITTLE HOCUS-POCUS. “I AM really glad of it, for I am curious to see this process of spiritual slate-writing,” the spy remarked. “I am pretty well posted about that sort of thing, although I never saw an exhibition, as I said; but I have read a great deal about it, and was once very well acquainted with a celebrated conjurer, one of the best on the professional stage, whose boast it was that he could duplicate all the feats that the mediums performed and on several occasions he succeeded in showing to the satisfaction of large audiences that some of the most celebrated mediums were nothing but cun- ning tricksters.” “Yes, I have read of such things,” Len- bold remarked. It was lain from the way he spoke that he ditf’ not relish the plain speaking of the dis uised detective. “Th 3 gentleman at different times related to me how it was that these so-called mediums managed to trick their auditors, so that I am pretty well sted in regard to the matter, and if this M ss Holbrooke is pro- " ducing her spirit slate messages by trickery, and has not hit upon some new device which I have never heard of, I will undoubtedly be able to tell you how she does the work.” " Possibly you may be able to do so, but I cannot beheve that there is any trickery about the matter," the old gentleman re- marked, evidently very reluctant to have his faith in Miss Ho brooke’s spiritual gifts de- stroyed. ” Oh, by the way, there is another thing that I have surmised since I took u my quarters here, and which I have negrected to mention, and it concerns Miss Holbrooke, too." “ Yes! what is it i" “ The lady is in love with Mr. Huntington, and is jealous of your daughter." The millionaire was surprised. “ Strange that I have not noticed anythin g of the kind. “Not that I have the slightest objection, you understand,” he hastened to add. “To m thinking, on comprehend, such a girl as iss Holbr e would be decidedly more suitable to Mr. Huntington than my dau hter.” “ t may be possible that the gentleman has an eye to the main chance,” the Western- er 3%gested. “ iss Holbrooke is not happy in the pos fession of a father worth in l ions of dol- ars"! \ “If my daughter should so far forget the duty which she owes to me as to marry with- out my consent, you may rest assured that. neither she nor her husband would ever get, a chance to handle much of my money!" the, old millionaire declared, with a harsh expres- sion both in his face and voice. “I would not see my child actually starve because she had been disobedient and made a fool of herself, you understand,” Lenbold con inued. “But I would arrange the matter so that. she would receive just enough money per year for a bare support. say from six hun- dred to a thousand dollars, enough for herself and her family to live on if they practiced economy.” “ Well, that would afford a living, butnot. a great many luxuries, and if this Mr. Hunt- ington is a fortune-hunter, seeking your daughter merely on account of the wealth which he thinks she will one day inherit, he will be disagreeably disappointed.” " Most assuredly he will be!” the old mil- lionaire declared. “Well. as the gentleman is a stranger. it. is not possible for me to know much about. him, but if I were you, and suspected that he was attracted to Miss Phyllis principally because he sup osed she would inherit your wealth, I would) take an early occasion to let him know what your ideas are on the subject of your daughter marrying a man of whom you did not approve." “Yes, yes, you \are right,” Lenbold re— sponded. “And I can do it in a quiet way too.” Then be reflected for a few moments. “ Do you think that Miss Holbrooke is: really in love with Huntington, and is jealous. of m daughter?” he asked. “ es, I have kept a careful watch on her, and am sure I hav’n’t made an mistake.” “ Ah, humph!” and the o d millionaire stroked his heard for a few moments in a re- flective way. “ Do ou think that Huntington is at all attract by her?" “ He treats her politely, but I don’t think that he cares for her.” ° “Well, an idea has just come to me,” the old gentleman said slowly. “Of course you understand, Mr. Free- mont. that this is a very delicate matter,” he continued. “My daughter is very dear to me. and I shrink from doing anything to make her un— happy; yet, in a case of this kind—when it. comes to selecting a husband, I feel that she ought not to be allowed to marry a man. without either fortune or position.” “ If you will permit me to express am opinion, I should say that it depends a good» deal on the man,” the other observed, with. all the frankness of an open-hearted West— erner. “ Yes, yes; that is the argument that she undoubtedly would advance if I discussed.‘ the matter with her," the millionaire ex- claimed a little impatiently. “But, my dear sir, the argument is not sound; for the chances are far greater, in my opinion, that the man who comes of a good family and has always had plenty of money' at his disposal, will be more apt to make a good husband for a wealthy girl than a poor fellow who has never been used. to riches, and has no ideas of how to properly handle the cash." “It is one of those subjects upon which: there is a deal to be said on both sides.” “ Very true; but as I remarked, Phyllis is very dear to me. I am most anxious to se- cure her happiness, and I would like to ar- range the matter without having any trou— ble with her. “You. see, Mr. Freemont, I understand“ womankind well enough to comprehend that if I should be injudicious enough to pla the role of the stern parent and as outright to my girl, ‘ I do not think Mr. Juntington is. the man for your husband, and you shalh not marry him.’ the chances are that she would feel a strong disposition to rebel against my anthorit ." “Yes, undoubte ly,” the ‘ Westerner as- sented. “There are plenty of instances on: record to show that parental interference in. a case of this kind often produces the exact: result which the parent hoped to prevent.” “ Now, then. I am willing to spend a lib.— erai amount of money to arrange lhc affair: v I u . ,J.. ‘8. l . u ., < A . ‘ ‘A ~ a. v ‘1 which the o ,ter tomeasitistoan ' else. . y nitgin ,ssyouwill ’ ",I‘twasg room about twelve feet so that I will not have any trouble-with my I It stood out far enough from the wall to daugh'er in regard to the matter.” the worst move you could- make,” Freemont remarked. “That is my idea. Now, suppose I try this scheme. In the first place I will quietly let Mr. lluntington understand that l have a husband in View for my daughter, a Wealthy young man, whom I consider to be a suitable match for her, and that in case I found she was inclined to form another union, without my consent, I should arrange the matter so that none of my money would come to her.” “That would be a gentle hint for him not to presume to aspire to Miss I’hyllis‘s hand.” “Exactly! ‘ and the young man is too shrewd not to comprehend my meaning. “And then I will say. in a joking way, you understand, ‘ Speaking of marriage, you and Miss Holbrookc would make a nice match, and, in fact, I think so much of you both that 1 would be willing to give 'ou a marriage portion of ten thousand dol ars if you conclude to join in wedlock.’ ” “That certainly is a liberal oifcr!” the spy exclaimed. CHAPTER XV. A LITTLE noeos-rocrfs “ OII, yes, it is not every father who would free] give ten thousand dollars in order to awoi having trouble with an obstinate girl,” the millionaire remarked. “It would not be a bad idea for-you to allow the lady to know what you would do on the money question in case the two made a match,” Freemont su gested. ‘ “ You are right. arm? will take an early opportunity to do so. ' , ‘.‘ But now let usgo to Miss Holbrooke.” * “ Do you“ hold the seances in the drawing-I room?" ‘ ’ “ Oh, no, that is too public a place," the millionaire replied. - “ There is a spare apartment on the main floor, which the architect intended for a bil: liard-room. but as i have no liking for any- thing of the kind I have used it as a sort of an. oflice—that was before the addition, where my oiiice now is, was built." ‘ "Then the room is all right—there cannot be any tricker about that.” “ Oh, no!" t e millionaire exclaimed. “ No posaibility of anything of the kind, and when you come to see' the exhibition you will see that there'isn't any, chsoeeior trickery.’l, , *‘Thc spy comprehended from thewsy in genders"; spoke that'he was firmly convinced thatI I mammalian was a enuine one. ', ‘ ‘ - he pair proceeded to the drawing-room, 'Where they found Miss Holhrooke waiting for them: . I “I hope you feel better," the millionaire remarked. . ' “ Oh, yes, m ' headache is gone, and I do not think it wi 1 return." _ ' ' “, I have been tellin Mr. Freemont about "£314: sisteowriting ma ifestations, and as he ,9‘ never seen an thing of the sort, he is snitch interested/j r. Lenbold observed. “ it via ver ‘ stiange, and I do not under stand itmy f,” the young lad replied. “i cannot explain how tisthht was able to do it,” she continued. “I was not con- scious that I possessed any gifts in that line , , until I made the acquaintance of aprofession- " =,.al medium, and by aecident‘she discovered ..,wthst I was full capable of producing these Suppl-icing resu ts.” _ - . ‘ R’Yos; when Miss Holbrooke told me ' about‘the: ‘ tter I advised her to cultivate this , peculiar gift," the millionaire re:- marke -' *’ I '2 « “Icsnnot pretend» explain how it is that I (im able to , es the enomena," the young lady sa .' “For it as grept s mys- It is a truly weirdo see,” the old gentleman remarked. [He then led theway to the small apart- , men: which was in the rear of the house at ‘ nae end pf the hall. square, nicely? furnished,‘»of course; for all the ap-r V lemmas ‘oi‘ the millionaires mansion were * fixtrriotis’in the extrem~ ; " . ‘ At“ the further end of the room was 9. small 8“ ' h nod with s haule em- .‘3. | allow of a chair being placed between it and -‘ Well. i agree with you that adirect, open ; prohibition would in all probability be about . the end of the room, and above the chair a gas bracket projected. There was a slate on the table, a common, ordinary slate such as are used by school- children. The millionaire requested the Westerner to examine the slate, and satisfy himself that it was in its normal condition. Freemont did so, and remarked that it was just a common slate such as could be pur- chased at any book-store. Miss IIolbrooke turned the gas down, so the room was only half illuminated, then taking a seat at‘the table, she drew a small. peculiar-looking, round metal piece from her pocket, which she placed in the palm of her left hand, supporting the hand with her right. ’ The gaslight. shining down over her shoul- ders, danced upon the shining surface of the piece of metal. «' She fixed her eyes in a steadfast gaze upon the token. . Mr. Lenbold and his guest had taken seats in the middle of the apartment, a yard or so away from the table. The disguised spy watched the young wo- man with a deal of curiosity. In his opinion the spirits had nothing ghzgever to do With a proceeding of this in . ' And in the present case be doubted whe- ther the unknowu power, which the French- man. Mesmer, was the‘first' to call to the at- tention of the world, was about to be in- voked. ' He suspected that in the present case the result was to be produced by sheer trickery. Motionless as a raven image, Miss Hol- brooke sat and stare at the metal disk. Then the watcher noticed that her eyes seemed to become heavy, and they took on a peculiar glassy expression. “She is going into the trance state," the millionaire whispered in the ear of the Westerner. “Yes, so it appears,” Freemont replied, and by this time the sharp-witted oung man had come to the conclusion that if Miss v Holbrooke was playing a part she was real- ly a superior actress, for she was doing it to- erfection. or fully five minutes the girl gazed. at the metal, and then, suddenly, her head droo d and she bent forwardas though she had ost all power over herself. Her-head rested upon the table, and it up- , peered as‘ it; she had gone intos deep sleep. “ it is necessary to allow her to remain in this condition for fully five minutes," the old gentleman whispered in the ear of his companion, “This is to give time for the influence to pervade .her entire system." v “Ah, yes, I comprehend."and the West- erner nodded his head and. looked wise. I “ It is really the most astonishing thing,” the millionaire hontinued. “And 1f.the re- sults are not produced by spiritual influ~ e co. then I am entirely unable to account f r them. I, "You understand, I presume, Mr. Free- mont, that after she wakes from this state of trance she has absolutely no knowledge of what has occurred while she was in that con- dition." . , . r . “Yes, I have heard it so stated.” , “ It is a fact, and it is really a most, wom- derful thing." , : - The young man thought that it‘ wasa deal more wonderful that an old, shrewd,’experl- enced business men, who had been sagscious enough to amasss fortune of several millions, should be weak-minded enough to believe that the immortal ‘s hits of another and is better world wo descend ifrom their sphere of ‘ bliss"snd , be , clinging enough to write all sorts ofmessagss upon a slate. It Was a eculisr sort of weakness. Which tbils otherw‘is'e strong and able man had“ de = Ve o ‘ . '~ . But them this fact it was not safe to ar 00" that theold millionaire was going into is second childhood, for Freemont knew enough, about the followers of spiritualism" “to 'be aware that smuo very bright and brainy men firmly believedtbat, under- e‘ertain conditions, communications could be receivedxfrom‘W‘ gambler would have “caught “on” to ‘ grasped the slate not lay Claim to any inhabitants of the other worldflhe needed! , crammed- » brooke’s head rose from the table. and she settled back in her chair with her eyes fixed in a glassy and unmeaning start: on the slate. “She is ready to proceed,” Mr. Lenbold remarked, in a low tone. ' “ Do you care to write a message upon the slate?" t ~ “Yes, I shouldn’t mind,” Freemont rec . ‘ plied. ‘ “It must be in the form of a question, short, and direct to the point. for experience has shown that the spirits seem to be reluc- tant to answer at length." ._ , “ Probably they are fatigued by the jour- ney from the other world,” the Westernor '- suggested. Lenbold looked at him sharply, but the face of the young man wore an innocent ex- pression. and he did not look as if he had. spoken sarcastically. ‘ “ You must approach the table, write the question which you desire to ask in a plain, legible hand on the slate, then turn it so the writing will be on the under side, therefore cannot meet her eyes; if the conditions are; favorable the spirits will impel her to write an answer on the blank side of the slate,” the ‘ millionaire explained. “ All right. [ comprehend,” Freemont rem marked. ' " “ Are you ready to receive a commu’nicar‘ tion ?” Mr. Lenbold asked, addressing the "irl. - D " Yes, all ready," Miss Holbrooke replied in a strange. mechanical way. while with a glassy gaze she still stared at the slate, ” ’l‘he disguised spy rose and, going to the table, took the pen 11. . ~ The Westerner elt satisfied that he could. prove that the spirit-answerer was an igno-~ minus by the first question, so he Wrote on” the slate: ’ “ Will the woman'I lov'e marry me?" Then reversing the slate he placed ltbe fore Miss Holbrooke and resumed his seat. For a few moments the 'girl remained mo--. tionless. “It is sometimes. ten minutes before the, spirits impel her to Write.” the millionaire in " formed his companion in a half-Whig er. But the “ Spirits ” were evidently disposed to be agreeable on this occasion, for in't' couple of minutes Miss Holbrooke reach ' forward, gras the edge of the slate w' A, the fingers 0 her right hand and drew t0ward her until only the end frame oftt ' slate was on the table. Then she stared at the slate for a few ments. ’ ' I “You will see that it is not possibledot‘s her, from the way she is holding the sin . to see the under side," the old millionaire in a whisper to his nest. i s _ " “ Oh, yes, the wruin iscompletely‘hid , from her gaze,”,the esterner replied; . . ~ But it was as much as he could do' to k' from smiling in the face of Mr. Lenbold, cause he was sure that he had already _ , tected how the t was done, and it so simple, and ye - so old, that any yeternn cheat in a. moment. . “How easily a smart man can be pf, som‘eitimBs,” was the thought in Freemont, : min . » wt I Miss Holbrooke took hold of the slate . her left hand, grasped the pencil in hell; and in a pecu iar, nervous 'un" 0“ the 31W3. then she sunk.‘litck ‘h chair, as it exhausted lily.th 6115,”: her eyes with a deep sig . ' g, " ‘ g “ ‘ The millionaire eagerly . Written upon the swim W“, tence: ' ' I ' "Yes, the woman you truly love?le marryyou.” ‘ T . “Thatsnswers the uestion, butiflst' trifle ambiguous." the esternerrems in a whisper. to the old gentleman Antithedisguised spysmiled for the‘answer plainly revealed; ’33” the spirit who had repliedeto the y _, supern' "at ‘ ‘ ‘Do, you wish to asksnother (1: V Hr. Lenbold inquired; ' j" ', . I .“hlo, I am quito‘rsotisfled,"; tiriplllfgf my. V... 31" A' ‘V . \ . , i ' ".i 3‘7" 5 * , ' 'Joe Pheni‘x’s ‘ .- . :"-_"',t .1. ',v.r:r Ar :3. ‘slti ; ,,.i Ram‘s or «(1%: '1. war. as. :..,"»‘;':‘ 1. .t r. . .z, ‘ r. , . ('- /, been the dupe of about as shallow a trick as had ever been played upon mortal man. Then the old gentleman put some ques- tions, addressed to his departed wife, and seemed greatly pleased with the answers. Then he announced .that the seance was " ended. ‘ “The trance only lasted about half an hour,” Mr. Lenbold explained. "And as she is always greatly fatigued, I am’ careful ' not to put many questions. Then the pair waited for the young lady to awaken from her “ sleep." which she soon did, and as she appeared dazed, and evidently ., unwell, it is not surprising that she begged : to be excused so she could retire to her own room. ' “Most astonishing thing, eh, Mr. Free- mont?" the millionaire said, after the lady had departed. ‘ “ Extremely astonishingl" the spy replied, dryly. CHAPTER XVI. 'rnn ENGLISIIMAN'S FRIEND. _ MR. LENBOLD was satisfied with the im- pression that the seance had produced upon . - his companion, for he had no suspicion that the other was laughing in his sleeve at the g ‘ credulity of any one who could be so easily . duped. As the pair entered the hall they encoun— tered Mr. St. Germaine about to go out. "I am just going for astroll up Broad- way,” the Englishman announced. “ Don’t you feel like'a walk, Mr. Free- r most ‘2” he continued. “Yes, I don't mind,” the Westerner re- » plied. “I do not suppose that you care to 0 out, Mr. Lenbold ‘2” St. Germaine remarked’. “No, thank you, I prefer to remain at ,horne at night. I seldom go out, except on aging; ‘speeial occasion,” the millionaire re- pi . . » Then'Lenbold repaired to his library,while , the young men went out. 1 Th two walked over to Broadway and then own that thoroughfare. “ I am very favorably impressed with this city, don’t on know ?” the Englishman re- marked to is companion as they proceeded on their way. i ‘1‘ Beastly pavements, you know, and her- riny dirty streets too, and a great many of the prominent buildings are not up to the. mark; but the, men are jolly fellows, and I’ have already made some very agreeable ac- v (11181013110683, , “ You are fortunate,” Freemont observed. 7"f have been in the city about as long as :hgbu, how, and yet I don‘ know anybody outside of the Lenbold man ion.” 4‘ '/“ Well, you see, old fellow, I always was the deuce and all for makin acquaintances, don’t you know,” the Englis man exclaimed In a very genial way. , g. _ “I am not particularly backward myself,” ;the Westerner declared. “But, somehow, I have not managed to run across anybody to ntroduce me." ,’ ’ “Ah, yes; well, you]: see, my dear- fel- w, that makes all the dlflerence in the 'Iyeiig' a h d I d d h 4‘. s up we , was provi e wit \letters of introduction to some on ital fel- lerWs, and they did the honors in dire style, don’t you know i” ’ . “ It is not strange then that you have made me pleasant ac‘quaintanees.’ “Yes, adeuced lot of jolly fellows, \I as- rdnre you, and though I am not particularly ‘hciined to ‘make the running,’yet I must declare that l have been “gag it at a retty pld pace; but whatis ds, you now, ‘ipng as you; are happy, as the old saying so a Cl res. V That is about right. I think.” "There is one gentleman in particular as naintance I. have made whom you finallypn t to meet. for’he is b all odds some! t e jolliest fellows that ever en- . C" no of the kind of chaps that these New fortified a high roller, ’ the Englishman 'flOh,‘yes. i have heard of the breed.” ‘9'! the old ow Yorkfiqiihs; r. I ,xvictimfs native town. apparently, with no end of money, to judge from the way in which he spends his cash,” St. Germaine explained. “Of course he must go ahead in that way to be a high roller.” “0h, he is a jolly fellow, and seems to think no more of money than if it could be picked up by the handful in the street; but I suppose that is natural to these rich, young New Yorkers, who have always had so much money at their disposal that they really don’t seem to know the value of the cash.” “ I suppose that is the case in many in- stances ” the Westerner remarked. “ Undoubtedly! You see, my dear boy, this fellow is right in the social swim, you understand, independently rich on his own account; connected too by marriage with the 'Vandcrhilts and the Astors and a lot of the rest of the swell families.” ‘ Yes, yes, Isee,"the Westerner remarked, nodding his head as iflic was duly impressed with the vast importance of the English- man‘s friend. But a suspicion had sprung up in Free- mont’s min , and be mentally put the ques- tion: " Now then, what is this man’s little game I that he is so persistently sounding the praises of this new—made friend of his?" The reader will remember that the dis- guised spy did not have a good opinion of this St. Germaine. He did not think the man was an Envlish- man at all, and when -he made such persrstent l advances to him the spy encouraged him all 1‘ he could, for he was anxious to see just what 3 kind of a game the fellow was trying to play, I for that he. had some game on foot he was i certain. l And this was the reasoh why he had so quickly joined the other in his stroll. Of course the Englishman’s declaration about his friend being related by marriage to i the Vanderbilts and the Astors, would do‘j very well to tell to any one who was not i well-posted in fiegard to the notable families l of the metrOpolis, but as Freemont knew all 3 about them he was well aware that there was * no “chappie” about town in New York who . could justly claim a relationship. By this time the two had arrived at the ‘ Hoffman House and as the came up to the ; door. out stepped a we l-dressed. sleck- I looking individual, with a round, plausible x face-~11 man of about thirty‘fivc or thirt - , eight, but on account of his having a fres l, rosy complexion, and being smoothly-shaven he did not look to be within seven or eight years of his true age. I “ Ah, my dear St. Germaine i” he Excisier advancing With outstretched ? an . “ You are just the man I am looking for!" ; “I am really delighted to see you, don’t ; you know?" t e Englishman replied, shakw ing hands with the other with a deal of l warmth. ‘ A ' And then he introduced the Westerner. As Frecmont had conjectured when the man advanced, this was the “jolly fellow‘,” . the kin of the Vanderbilts and Astors, whom 3 St. Germaine had described in shch glowing eolors. ' It did not take the disguised bloodhound, so-noted for his natural shrewdness, long to make up his mind in regard to this extreme- ly affable gentleman. ‘ lie was of the tribe of Bunco. The smooth-talking, plausible. insinuating fellows who address the guileless country- man, after a confederate has deftly learned his, name, in the most familiar manner, usuall representi g themselves to be a rela- tive 0 some prom nent man in the destined The Wanderer from Wayland: is delighted to meeta man who claims to be an old ac« quaintance in the great wilderness of bricks and mortar, over rown New York. . And unless t e stranger is unusually , shrewd, the bunco man generally manages, by some little game or other, to get possession o the man's loose cash. The spy was curious to see what the pair were up to, for now there was no doubt in his mind that the pretended Englishman was a crook of the first water, and that he was acting in concert with the bunco man. ‘ ‘ ‘Bisnameis Jack Beltiep and he belongs follow i 'r, _, arm lithe ossiblethstjhe did not, w", of '10le this, at was was strips on but the disguised spy was not inclined to take this view of the matter. After the introduction was over,.Mr. Bel— tier insisted upon, his friends joining him in a bottle of wine, and the three all went into the Hoffman House saloon, the renowned "Art Gallery,” so called on account of the lavish display of costly paintings upon the walls, probably about the most popular of all the metropolitan drinking-places. After the wine was drunk. Mr. Beltier an- nounced that he felt like having a little sport with the “tiger.” “ I have got a thousand cases in my pocket which I can just as Well lose as not,” he announced. “And I really feel as if I could win a small fortune to-night. “ Are you wid me?" he questioned. “ Oh, yes!" assented the others. CHAPTER XVII. IN 'rnn DEN. Tim game was dcvelo ring just as the dis- guised bloodhound anticipated. IIe, supposed to be a wealthy rancher, had been selected for a victim. Now then the pair were going to take him to some convenient place, where he might be relieved of his surplus cash. - As it happened, though, the Westerner only had some fifty-odd dollars in his pocket, so even if the gang got that it would hardly pay for the trouble. But freemont did not intend to humor the fellows by letting them win his m0ncy. and he flattered himself that he had Sufficient. knowledge of gambling games to _be enabled to detect whether the place to which he was going was run on the square or not. The spy had spent seme months in one of the wild Western mining-camps where all sorts of games ran “wide open," as the say- ing is, and so had had plenty of opportuni- ties of, studying sporting men and their ways. . The three went up Broadway for a few blocks, and then turned into one of the side streets and went on until they were Within a. couple of doors of Sixth avenue. ' Then the jovial Mr. Beltier, who had made himself vastly entertaining with clever jokes and droll stories during the Walk, ascunded- the steps of a plain, modest-looking three» storied brick house and rung the bell. “This isn‘t first-class by any manner of men s,” the spy murmured to himself. “ his 15 not u to the level of Oblong“. 01‘ even De ver, so Isuppose I am gomg to be steered gainst the worst kind of a skin game. " ' , It was a high-stoop house, the first one on the street from the corner, which Was 00011. pied by a liquor store, and the sharp-eyed spy noticed that the extension winch came from the rear of the saloon joined the brick house, and he immediately jumped to the conclusion that there was a means of commu- nication from the one to the other. ~- The reason for this was obvious: if the police made araid on t e gambling-house, the occupants could ma e their escape into» the saloon. The door was Opened by a muscular, ugly- looking negro. ' He care ully surveyed the three as they advanced to ass throu h the portal. .r “It is al ri ht, Jml,” exclaimed the smooth-spoken r. Beltier, as be perceived‘ that the negro hesitated. “These are a. couplle friends of mine.” . ’ , " Yas, sah; dat is all right,” the negro re- lied. “ But do bees am dreflul particular , or de las' week. for derc’s so many low-down, no account spies hanging round. ’ , The three passed through the doorway. “Jestwaitaminute, gen’lemen,” the negro remarked, as he closed the door. . A It was hardly necessary for the black to make the request, for the visitors fopnd their progress barred by a massiVe door,-1Wh10h was. peculiar from the fact that no knob was visib e But when the negro steppedin front of the door it swungka on its hinges. . Evidently 8 black had touched a secret spring. Beltier, after the partth passed through the door—which closed after they had t be- yond it—«ledthe way u aflight of , raced ntoaroomknemdfv Imam ‘ skly. , _ ‘ 1.. whens-simian ‘ .‘ “ . t. L. A_4-.—» w. .;- ._,._. Joe Phenix’s Right Bower. There was a faro-table and a roulette-wheel, with about a dozen gamblers apparently earnestly engaged in playing. But the keen-eyed spy, after watching the proceedings for a few minutes, came to the conclusion that there were only five or six honest player 3 in the room. The rest were “ cappers;” that is, men in the pay of the house who pretended to play in a reckless manner in order to lead the strangers on. “I think I will try my luck at faro first,” Beltier remarked, pulling out a fat roll of bills with the air of a man to whom money is no object. “I suppose, Mr. Freemont, that you will take a dip into the game," he added in a per— suasive way. If the place had been run-on the square, the disguised spy would not have hesitated to have risked a little cash just for the fun of the thin ; but as it was, he felt sure that the honest p ayer stood no chance at all, and he did not intend to be robbed of his money in any such bare-faCed fashion. “ No, I have only a few dollars with me, for I did not calculate upon running into anything of this kind and so I did not come prepared,” the Westerner explained. “ Oh, that is all right— —you have got your check-book along, I suppose,” the jovial Mr. Beltier remarked. “The boss here will take my word for it that your checks are as good as wheat?” ‘ ‘ No, I never carry acheck-book with me,” Freemont replied. Mr. Beltler had a truly rema‘kable com- mand over his features but in spite of that fact the keen-eyed sleuth-hound could plainly distinguish that the man was disap- inted. “ Go ahead if you want to!" St. Germaine exclaimed. “ I have plenty of cash with me and I will be glad to lend you all you want!” “Well, now, that is what I call a friendly offer!" Beltier exclaimed, pretending to be much impressed. “ I wish I could always be as lucky as to find some one with an open pocketbook when my funds run low,” he continued. “I am very much obliged to you, Mr. St. Germaine, but I don’t care to play,” the Westerner replied in a careless way. “I never did take much interest in this 80rt of thing anyway.” “ There is nothing like it in the world to keep a man's blood stirring!" Beltier declared with the air of a desperate gamester. Freemont could plain] perceive that both of his companions were dyisappointed because he would not play. ' And as their specious words had failed to persuade him they went on another tack. Beltier be an to play and luck favored him ap arentl or he won largely. 'Ihen t. Germaine pretended that the temptation of seeing his acquaintance gain so heavil was too much for him. “ 0 , come, old chap! this will not do, tdon’t you know!” he exclaimed. "It isn’t the cheese for on to win all the money that there is in the room, and you really must give somebod else a chance!” “ Why,certainlyl" Beltier replied. “ There is plenty of room, and the bank is keeping open house, you know. Hop in soon as you like and win a small farm." By this time the attention of all in the room was fixed on the lucky gamester. St. Germaine pulled out his pocketbook , with a great flourish. “ What is the limit, my dear sir?” he in- quired of the dealer, as be invested in a stack of chi . “ 0 limit!" the gambler replied. “We are wide open to be bu‘sted if any man is luck enough to be able to do the trick." “ f my luck keeps on for an hour or two the way it has commenced, I think the chances are big that I will give you a close call!” Beltier declared in a boasting way. “That is just what we sit here for, gen- tlemen,” the gambler said with the air of a philosopher. “ We are rich, and we come of wealthy parents; we don’t think any more of a dollar and a half than a man does of his life: “ There isn’t any lim1t, gentlemen! Go in and bu’st the bank if you can- “I am here to deal for. every dollar that you sports care to put up! “That is the way to talk!” Beltier de- clared. “ This islifel It stirs a man‘s blood and makes him conscious that he is living. “You had better take a stack of chips, , Freemont, and wade in while luck is running against the bank,” the bunco-mun continued in a persuasive way. But the Westerner was (leaf to the voice of the charmer. “You can have all the money you want from me,” the Englishman urged. “A hun- dred—five hundred——or a thousand l” “ There is a liberal offer!" Beltier declared in accents of admiration. “ Oh, no; I'm afraid that I would only be aJonah!” the Westerner declared. “ If I should come into the game now and queer your luck, neither one of you would ever forgive me, so I ,will stay out and have my fun in watching you two gather in the coin." The pair were too experienced players at this sort of game to proceed further in per- suasion, so they turned their attention to playing. The Englishman was also lucky, and after the game proceeded for half an hour had ac- cumulated a goodly number of chips. But, strange to say, none of the honest gamesters seemed to be at all favored by for- tune, although some of the men whom the disguised bloodhound readily identified as being connected with the gambling-house won a few small bets. So it did not take long to satisfy the spy that he had come to a just conclusion when be suspected that this house was one of those crooked ones where the games were not played on the square, and any one who was 00 ish enough to bet would be surely fleeced of all the Cash which they might be unwise enough to venture. The pair tried to coax the Westerner to pla a couple of times, but their persuasions ha no effect, and after winning a couple of thousand or so of dollars apiece, the con- spirators—for such the spy was now certain they were—gave up playing. CHAPTER XVIII. 'I‘IIE STRANGER. WHEN they proceeded to cash in their checks, the head gambler remarked: "Ah, gentlemen, you ought to keep on playing when you are favored with such an extraordinary run of luck. “ Still, I don’t suppose that it is wise for me to say anything, for I ought to be thank- ful that you have quit the game; if you had kept on, and your luck had held,- you would, undoubtedly, have broken the bank.” “ Well, we don‘t want to be hard on you; enough is as good as a feast!” Beltier re- plied. “Yes, we will come again some other time, and carry off what we haven’t got away with to-nightl” St. Germaine declared, in a bantering way. “All right, gentlemen, I will be glad to see you, and you will never find me squeal whether the bank wins or loses!” the boss gambler declared. “ But I hope you gentlemen will honor me by taking’a drink with me before you de- part?" he continued. “ We have a sideboard, with a choice' as- sortment of liquors, in the front room, and a lunch if you feel inclined to take a bite.” Then the dealer called upon one of his assistants to take his place at the table, while he piloted his guests into the front apart- ment. - As the boss gambler had said, there was a small sideboard with a limited display of liquors, and a cheap lunch set out on a table by its side. The elaborate “ set-out " that the first class gaming-house always provides for the ac- commodation of its patrons was conspicuous by its absence. The Westerner had cut his eye-teeth in re- gard to the great majority of the tricks and traps which are to be found in metropolitan cities for the benefit of the strangers within the gates. ' And this hospitable invitation of the head gambler immediately made him suspicious. As the gang had not managed to get any money out of him by inducing him to play, they were now, in their desperation, about .wa, I to try to dose him with a "knockercut," so as to be able to rob him! In the crook’s argot, as the flash language of the rascals is called, a “ knocker-out ” is a drink into which a powerful drug has been infused. And it only requires a few seconds after the drink has been taken for the strong nar- cotic to produce its cflect. The drinker becomes stupefied—is not cm- scious of what is taking place, and so can be stripped of his valuables without trouble. And the rascals have got this scheme so well arranged that there are plenty of in- stances where the knocker-out has been given in a glass of lemon-soda, or some other harmless temperance drink, and when the, drugged man, after he recovers his senses, finding he has been stripped of his valuables, protests that he didn’t take anything but a single glass of soda, his statement is reCeived with derision. The Westerner, being up to all tricks of this kind, when he followed the host into the front room, went with the idea that the rascals intended to administer a knocker-out, in he made up his mind to keep his eyes about. im. As long as he was careful to see that the tumbler from which he drank was perfectly clear, with no sediment in the bottom, and drank liquor frnm the same bottle that some of his Companions patronized, thr re was lit-- tle danger of his being drugged, for he did not think the rascals were desperate enough to administer the drug to one or both of his companions for the sake of getting at him. As he had expected. the gambler addressed him first, requesting to know what he would take. “ Oh. I will have the same that the rest do," the Westerner replied, carelessly, and he picked up a tumbler as he spoke which he saw was empty and dry. “ A little whisky for me,” Beltier re- marked. “Brandy will suit me better,” the English- man observed. “ I haven't been long enough in this country to become accustomed to your national beverage, for at home. I seldom drink any whisky. excepting when I have chanced to make trips to Ireland or Scotland.” The boss gambler looked inquirineg at Freemont as he handed the bottles to the others. “ \Vell. really. I don’t know which take," the \Vesterner remarked, pretending to be undecided. He noticed that the proprietor of the estab- lishment had his hand half-way to a shelf, at the brick of the sideboard, upon which stood an array of bottles, and he conjectured that if he had made a choice the man would have handed him one of the bottles instead of allowing him to fill his glass from one of those used by his companions. “I will wait until I see the fluids in the glasses, and then I can make up my mind,” he continued with a laugh. He had his keen eyes on the face of the boss gambler as he spoke, although, appar- ently, he was not paying any attention to him, gazing at the display of liquors, and he noticed that ashadeof disappointment passed over his features. but the expression was so sli ht and transient that if the disguised spy he not been on the watch for it he would never have seen it. “Well, here goes, gentlemen!” Beltier ex- claimed, as he poured a small supply of whisky into his glass. The Englishman followed suit with the brandy, and he, too, only poured out a small drink. It was lain to such a careful observer as this bl bound in dis uise that both these men Were fellows w 0 would never be apt to allow liquor to get the best of them. As soon as the Englishman replaced the bottle of brand on» the sideboard, the Westerner laid ho d of it. “ I think the brandy will suit me best!" he declared. . “ Here is another brand which may be more to your taste. as it is older!” the boss ' gambler exclaimed, hastening to take one of the bottles from the back. But as the Westerner anticipated just such a move as this, he headed it off by kpouring ' the llgirandy out into his glass as quic y as he cou . . “ You are a little late 1" Freemont declared. \ ,' ii .‘ .g ‘ .21} V . _. "raga...— “I am all fixed now, but I am just as much obliged to you, all the same!” If the three had designed to drug the I W esterner, as he suspected, the scheme had failed. but they were too cunning to allow their disappointment to be seen. They all drank to each other’s success, as if they had been boon companions for years and then the three departed. “'hen they got into the street, Bellier re- marked: ‘ “ I wonder how the betting is on the Gut- tenburg races to-morrow? I sometimes take a little flyer at that track, and during the past month I have been lucky enough to I pick up some pretty good things; one, a 60 to 1 shot. 1 managed to catch. 1 had a ten- dollar bill on the horse, and I caught six hundred. ’ “That was a regular windfall; but you can’t do that Often?" St. Germaine observed. “ Oh, no; such things are like angels‘ visits, few and far between,”the high-roller replied. ‘ , “ \Ve can get the quotation in regard to the betting at the corner saloon, for it is a headquarters for all the racing and pool-room ‘ men,” he continued. “Ah. yes; let_ us go!" St. Germaine ex- claimed. “ I feel quite a curiosity to see how you manage this sort of thing in this . '1 country, don’t you know. “ When i was at home I used to do consid- .' erahle on the turf, although of late years I \ (A have rather get out of it," he continued. 5 Vi. “ But then you see, that was ilCCllllSO l have , been abroad so much, traveling on the (lon- t'inent, and all that sort of thing, you know." ' “I don't know much about racing, for we don’t have much of it out lVest where I come ' from." Freemont observed. Then the, three proceeded to the saloon. It Was the same one which the Kentuckian, Andrew Jackson Boone, had visited, as de- sc'ribed in the early chapters of our story. It Was n0w about eleven o'clock, and the, saloon was well filled with customers, chiefly sporting men. JI‘lie Westerner was on his guard, and as rho accompanied his companions he put the . oestion to himself: t "‘ What little game will they try next?" By this time he had come to the conclusion hat the Englishman was a rascal of the deep- jest dye, and he had invited him out for a ‘walk with the deliberate intention of plunder- , _ ng him. through his pals. ofwhat valuables " he might have about his person. , Freemont expected that in the saloon some new variation of the knocker. out game might be tried. " He knew this sporting saloon by reputation, butwas not aware that it Was run strietl on e square. and that. the proprietor woul not allow any crooked games in his place. , , The betting quotations were given on a a; blackboard. and the three joined the throng Whowere busy in looking at the board, and discussing the qualifications of the horses. In'tho group was a man who immediately amount the attention of the trained eyes of tho‘oxsperienced slcutlhhountl, for there was Mething about him‘ciitirely different from thc’Sppearance of the rest. A common, ordinary, ever -da sort of than would never have made t is iscovery. or there’wiisn’t anything suspiciousloolrlng. a ‘ ut the man in an way. I e was about, t 3 medium size, well dressed with a smoothly-’shaven face, and u very'darx complexion, which with .his jet- ,rack hair, the locks of which. though cut short, betrayed a tcndency to curl, gave’hiin ' decidedly foreign appearance. a ' After carefully examining the ‘rnanifor a minutes, the Westerner became satisfied 1‘ he was on the watch for somebody. .1“ .Can it be possible that iris another blood- ‘Iimmdin disguise here oil’ rofessionul busi- _, f'Freemont murmure to himself. after ad carefully surveyed the gentleman. : Then a nick gleam of light shot from the; on of the stranger, as they rested on a is t. g??? twat , v ~ t t was the fellow who had called himself lai it am. y t I ,; ck-headed man who jpst entered the ‘ gated before it. For a few minutes he ap. parently studied the‘odds offered on the horses, but after a moment or so the West- erner came to the conclusion that the man was secretly watching him. “Now, what the deuco does this mean?" the disguiSed spy murmured to himself. “ There isn‘t surely anything about me to indicate to a dull-looking fellow of this kind that I am not exactly What I represent ‘2" “Can it be that this chap is one of the gang to which this Professor Bunco belongs. and that he, or this false Englishman, has managed to give the man a secret signal by means of which they have attracted his atten- tion to me? “ And if this is correct, what little game are they up to n0w‘?” The disguised spy could not help laughing in his sleeve at the thought that. while the black-bearded stranger was watching him, the man was totally unconscious that he, in turn. was watched. “ Wheels within wheels!" 'Freemont mut» tered. 'l‘hen Belticr looked at his watch. “ llellol it is after eleven. and I have an appointment at. half-past with a friend of mine at the Manhattan Clubl” he ex- claimed. “I trust you gentlemen will excuse me. I really regret that I am obliged to hurry awn '. “I would have liked to have stayed with you and made a night of it; but we can meet again.” 5“ Certainly. old fellow! don’t mind us, you know,” St. Germaine exclaimed. Then Beltier hurried away like a man who hadn't a moment to lose. and the VVesterner, who had his eyes on the black-bearded man, noticed that after a moment or two he also took his departure. , “He is one of the gang, I reckon,” was the Westerner’s opinion. “ And the chanCes are great that they are going to have a meeting outside in order to arrange some neat little plan to get at me.” » While busy with these reflections. Free- mont had for a. moment taken his e es from the taw'nnyaeed stranger. and now hen he looked for him the man had disappeared. “ It is a horse to a hen that he is shadow. ing the blacklwarded fellow," the Westerner muttered to himself. . “ What do you say to having a- little more brandy and then going home?” the English- man inquired. “I’m agreeable!” By this time the Westerner had come to the conclusion that there wasn’t any danger of crooked work in the knocker-out line be- ing attempted in this saloon. ‘ The patronage was so good that it kept two barkeepers busy, besides a boy cashier.»and as everything :1 out the place indicated pros- perity, it was not reasonable to suppose that the proprietor would have to, “ stand in " with a gang of thicVes in order'to be able to' make a livmg. " What'do you so to having brandy and soda thistime?” St. rmaine asked. " That is the average Englishman’s favor- ite ti pie, you know.’ A “ have no objection to trying it,” Free- -mont replied. speaking like one to whom the" compound was a stranger; but, as the Wes- tegner had spent nearly two years in England, there were few of the manners andcustoms, the oatables and driiikables dear to the heart of the Englisher, with which the was not ac- quainted. V ‘ ,. The brandy and sodawas ordered. and, as Freemont had anticipated. it me served in such a way as to show conclusively that every; thing Was all ri ht, and it was not pospib e for any crooka work to be done. . . ' They disposed of the drinks and then left the saloon. ' ' “ I suppose the, best way will be to go (through the cross street. and up Broadway,f’ the Englishman su ested. “ Yes, I should t ink so.” The two tth proceeded up the cross ' guest in the direction of the maintgthorough‘s are. It wasnow well on toward midnight, and, the street was deserted. CHAPTER XIX. . 'Not asoul Was visible on the block when; p, , t ‘ um ATTACK.‘ ._ " the two turned from broad Sixth avenueintog ammonium nunfieredup lathe blaclfi- ’th Amway. , . v t‘ i and madness 0 up coupes p“ moo g ' . .n, , once from the neonogglment of; swag, ‘ h a l. ilv . of the houses on either side of the street, for almost all the inmates were buried in smrn‘ her. The couple proceeded for about a third of the block, when the Englishmen suddenly stopped short and exclaimed: “By Jove! I have lost my pocketbook, don‘t you know!" “ is it possible?" “Yes; it only had a few dollars in it—my‘ small change, as you might say, for I always carry my bills in a. long wallet in my breast- pocket. “I took it out to pay IOr the drinks in the saloon, and I thought I put it back in my pantaloons pocket, butl must have made a mistake and dropped the deuced thing.” “It is un’m'ttinatel” “1 think I will go right back! Some one has probably picked it up, and if the finder is at all honest, he would hand it over to one of the bartenders.” “ Oh, yes, undoubtedly.” “ \Votild you mind waiting for ire? It will only take me a few moments to go and make the proper inquiries. you know.” ‘ “ All rightl I will wait for you." “I will be back in a jiffy, don’t you know!" St. Germaine declared. “Take your time!” “It can‘t occupy but a few minutes!" the Englishman declared, and then he hurried down the street toward the saloon. ‘ “Now then what is the meaning of this?” the Westerner soliloquized, as soon as his Companion got out of hearing. “ Is this little move made so as to give the gang a chance to get at me without being hampered by the presence of a witness? “ That is probably the game, but if It comes to a fight I reckon they will find that in an affair of that kind Jack will be as gOOd as his master!" . The Englishman had selected a particular- ly dark part of the street to leave his com- panion, but as the VVesterner was on his guard he did not care for this. “No matter hiw smart the fellows may be, I defy them to get at me without. in ‘be- ing ready to receive them!” the disgutse spy declared. He had a. medium-sized revolver in the right-hand pocket of the loose sack’coat which he wore, and his first move after the Englishman departed was to assure himself that the weapon was ready for action. It was no pup—gun. like'the small revolver usually carried by the average city mil". but a goo working tool, using a large ball, and the young man felt a grim satisfaction when be reflected that asin‘gle ohoot‘, the leaden pills; put in the proper place, would certain- ly lay out the strongest man. ‘ . O , . v. It was natural for one placed in the Situa- tion that he was now in to stand With his back to Broadwa ', so as to watch" the de- parting companio .~ d.étnd this was exactly what the Westerner i . . . ‘ . “Under these circumstances be suspected that if an attack was made the assailan would come’ from the direction of Broadway, anticipating‘to take him by surprise in the rear. , I And so while he, apparently, was gazing intently in title direction of Birth avenue, yet he‘was keeping a close watch over his, shoulder, so that no one could steal a, march. : » J . on him from behind; , ,I . What‘he anticipated came to ma . V The black-bearded fellow in d hisgappenr- a tent fifty feet up the street.- and carries down in his rear with the noiseless steps of a. tiger-cat stealing in on his prey. ‘ “,Ahal the game is just what Satisfaction as soon as he noted the appear- ance oftheman. K ' “Onl one fellow to cope with, outlini- though e is a good-sited rirfllan. ‘yet,~_l.‘don’t vet to get think I. will have to use my revo away with him. ’i ' Vince him that he has woke up t 0 wrong passenger if he attemptsvto'tackle 1118!" And the young fellowl’chuclrled quietly to ' himself as be reflected 11an the surprise, h - e blackcbearded. which he had in, store/for ruiiian. , . . . . The man came, on with'l‘uch noiseless the ad ‘ titfluappnrentr rls ‘ " ah I expected l"; I ' the Westemer muimnred to himself in grim , ‘ “Fists will be plenty good encit h to con-' I . . .Wu‘aoiysmaéssmi ‘ ‘: r‘ 7" "first: afi"".*&;€i‘*7wfr"§§<fiflfi ‘7‘ Li . ‘ ."-.‘ e r“ a s. w if y“ ‘,-’-\'zr+-' .< :~‘\ u“ p ’w. t: h. “a "M > ’ftv-‘wfiifi. . , . . . ... -, 1‘: .‘40 :f I_ r 7: if. d c- . L. , ' 5 “a. w: . - . .. , a. 2 ‘5 ‘ . - - - - ; 'l I ' - 306.132.:Pheni'x s‘iihgh?‘ Bower. of rubbers. so as to be able to approach his destined victim without making a sound to put. him on his guard. . The Westerner was apparently staring down the street, in 'the direction of the avenue, but just as the Englishman disap- peared around the corner the young man: suddenly turned. The black-bearded fellow was within a couple of yards of him when he made the sudden turn; just as the “'esterner turned I the rutlian made a jump forward and, with a short Siiilti-Cillb—lile favorite weapon of the night prairier, for with a single stroke an : assailed man can be stretched senseless upon the earth~aimed a terrific blow at the \Vesterner's head. The young man was on the watch for just such a movement though, so he was able to dodge the blow without any trouble, and as the fellow passed him he gave the man a terrible thump in the neck. CHAPTER XX. A masses IN iioxmo. Amitoruu no one, from the looks of the VVesterner, wouldhave supposed him to be pOSst-sst'd of any extra muscular powers, yet; his blow was evidently delivered with a great amount of force, for it sent the black-bearded fellow reeling up against the iron railings which guarded the basement entrance of the house in front of which the encounter took place. Had it not been for the railings, the man would have gone headlong to the ground. , As it was, the sand—club was forced from his hands by the violence of the shock, and, as it happened, it went through the iron gate which protected the entrance to the basement doorso the weapon was lost to him. , '. The ruffinn was astounded. He had expected to take the Westerner by surprise, and anticipated that the job would be an easy one. One single lick on the head with the sand- club, and that would end the matter. The man was furious with rage at his “ warm " reception. The violent blow did not warn him that the man whom he had attacked was an un- commonly good one. Although a big and powerful fellow, he had no idea of the boxer’s art, and though he was surprised that a sli htly-built "chap v should be able to hit on half? a blow, .yet he thought it Was due to accidents—merely .9. ~ chanCe. smoke. _ . ’ t It only took a moment for the bi fellow to recover from the eflects of the b ow, but as be straightened up. a new-comer appeared on the scene, making his appearance from the shadows of one of t e neighboring stoo '. ‘ TD: Westerner immediately jumped to the . con lusion that it was a confederate of the black-bearded man, and he reached for his revolver. I ‘ ' . I ' ~ If he, only had to face one man, he was not afraidto trust to his fists. but if there were two; t en arweap‘on would be needed. , But as 900 as‘Freemont got a good look at the haw-corner, he saw thaj it was the dusky-fwed stranger who had been kee ing so close a watch on the black-bearded fe ow in the saloon. “ H Ohol it is on, is it ?" tho‘Wedterner mut-‘ . tetjcd’to himse f, . ,“’To [my thinking then the odds are big that, ouqarei‘vinuch more likely to prove a frién, timid foel" ‘ v And hardlyhadthe , ught passed through his mind when this” an: stranger, ap- - '2‘ parently antibing that the Westerner i‘-'.,fshouid ado 't. might jumpioj them 'iusionnntiie was a confederate 9f the .I’flgm‘h‘steued to re- asure him. i ' » ‘r'fji .' \‘ 3' ‘ if It is all right, neighbor. doh’t beaflaid. . I. I am a friend, not a foe,.and if mum help“ - to whale this ’tarnal cuss I?” the whof 'csn give it!" @514" It‘Was the Guttenburg sport, Jack, . I ' ’ . son Boone, who spoke. - ifié macarrying out the _plau'whiim.}_he ‘hod apaotmced to the police omci "he Bring m: a: at: Mimi. staining ‘ss ,wi awn __e‘,'a,n' a d H i had hobnobbed now for days with men who ' had been his intimate acquaintances, and they had- no suspicions that this stranger, l who claimed to hail from New Orleans, was i Andy Boone, VVhite-hat Kildulf’s right-hand . man. » I He was as stanch on the trail of ~ the man i he hated as the great gray prairie wolves on I the track of the wounded buffalo, the drip- f pings of whose blood urged them on. ' And the man was like the beasts too in an- f other respect. If he succeeded in overtaking the game. it was Certain that he would be equally as ther- ciless as the gaunt and hungry wolves. : “ I am much obliged, stranger. for your .1 offer of assistance. but I reckon I can handle i this fellow myself if he chooses to come at l me with his fists, and if he prefers a weapon y I am able for him too in that line, I think!" the “'esterner declared. The big fellow was terribly enraged. Not only had his prey escaped him but he was now adding insult to injury. His blood was up and he wanted satisfac- tion. . But a highway robber, foiled in his attack, could hardly, with a good grace, demand satisfaction from the destined victims be— cause. he had-been lucky enough to escape from the trap. ' g The first thing then for him to do was to make out that he was no common, “ low- down” street robber. So.'wlien he straightened himself up,’ he took a good look at the young man and pre- tended to be much surprised. , “Hell ! who in blazes are you? You are not Jimmy Smith?” he exclaimed .‘ , lf‘ablo, that isn’t my handle,” Freemont re- p ie . “ Well, Jimmy Smith is the man I am af- ter!” the fellow declared. “Jimmy Smith, eh ‘2” “ Yes, sir, you bet your sweet life on that! We had a growl this evening in the gin~mill on the corner there, and as he had his crowd with him, he sassed me as no man ever sassed me before, but I told him that the first time I run across him when he didn’t have his gang at his back, I would do him up so that his own mother wouldn’t know him!” And as the man spoke he doubled up his fists and shook them in a menacing way in the air. “'Oh, and you pitched on me, under the impression that lwas Smith ?" the Westerner asked, in a tone of decided incredulity. “ You cgn bet your sweet life that that is the how 0. m". - r ’ "’Oh, no’, this tag ghost story! 2 “Oh, yes, too thin entirely—the thinnest yarn that I havcheard for a year!” Freemont continu d. ~ ' - ' ' .“ What do you mean?” the ruflian growled, in an angry way. ‘ “Just what I Said!” the Westerner- re- turned, promptly. : Y “ You wasn’t coking for J immy Smith. or ,Jim anybod lsel” ,f‘O ,‘I wasn’t?" - , ,9. jugfult” Freemont ejaculated. “You ‘di n‘t care-the‘snap of our finger who the man was, so long ashe ooked as if he had Wealth enough on his person to pay you'forthe trouble of going throu h him.” éri‘gl‘hat is a lie, out and out i" the lg fellow "And ou’d better be careful what say, too. or I-may take it into my 11 ' ,to rank. yongeat your words!" the tuition can- tinned, in a threate‘nin manner. ' “What I ought to o is to call a police- man and have you locked up on a charge of attempted highway rqbberyl” the Westemer declihred, silernly. .f = '- "‘- . ' M ut as ong asI it our little e. l I don’t really care to 133th trouble pear in court against you.” " -“0h, you are mighty ‘sneered.’ "Do you want me ,yknees and thank you'for and merciful?” . ' .’, . . r) “ No, nb’. you‘ need nottak'e the trouble; to do that," thetWestomergePliedfiip dr'toue full 0 go down on of contempt. . “ You can your ugly face but 5f my iLani'coneerned, :: Iliava tension! 1 a ' oger It" kind," the, mash. being so, nice '» {its soon asyour like. and thefsoonor the betting, ~ ‘ éifi‘norjrflBopne continued. ,‘iffrltitn”t“thno i; . fitter adi‘bne'mtnuto" ' ‘ . ”‘ be sent up the river at the expense of the State.” ‘v “ Say, you give me a thump in the neck!” the rufiian declared, angrily. “ Do you Suppose I am going to stand that sort of work?” , “ What are you going to do about it?" Freemont asked, changing his position a little as he spoke. An old boxingqnaster would have under- stood that he was getting ready for an at- tack, but the black-bearded fellow, being a dull and ignorant “Chump,” had no susw picion that the other was preparing for the ra ’. " \Vliat am I going to do?” the ruffian ex- claimed, in an arrogant way. “Why, I am 'going to do you up in such a. style that, after I get through, you will have an idea that a brick house has fallen on You!" And the black-bearded fellow threw him- self in a pngilistic attitude as he finished the sentence. Hardly had the last word been uttered when with wonderful quickness the right arm of the \l'esterner shot out, and he man- aged the stroke so that every pound of weight {Rat he possessed seemed to be put in the ow. ’ The small but exceedingly muscular fist of Freemont struck the black bearded man right betWeen the eyes, and as he had his heels to- gether in a clumsy way, he went over on his back as if he had been shot. _, Down he went, and so awkwardly that .the back of his head came in contact with the sidewalk with force enough to cause a myriad of stars to dance before his eyes. It was ,a clean “knock-out,” as a boxer: would say, for it was over ten seconds before the man rose slowly to his feet. ‘ CHAPTER XXI. AN EXCHANGE or coxrrnsxcn. THE 'rufiian had been in a goodly number ~ of ‘i‘ scraps,” as the boys say, in his time; for ‘ he was of a quarrelsome nature, and being a. big fellow Was inclined to be arrogant and overbearing, but never in all his experience ' " had he ever received such a blow. . He staggered like a drunken man for a few ‘ moment? after gettin on his feet, and was . obliged 0 take hold 0 the railing to support himself. ‘ 3. He was dated and his head felt so queer that be imagined it had begun to swell and; was already half as large again as it Ought to’ . be. . “Time!” exclaimed the Guttenburg sport. i who had hugely enjoyed the discomfiture of. the radian. , : " " Come up to the scratch now, and take your gruel like a maul” Boone continued. ‘ “ By rights the fight is ended now, for you got a clean knockout, but I reckon this‘gens. tleman is willing to let it go without claim-Q. ing the fight. ‘ «3‘5 “We will allow, you know, that the time~ " keeper ot rattled and didn’t keep a correct; accoun of how the minutes went. ” l The ' black-bearded fellow gazed at the s ker for a moment, still keeping his posi- n by the railingi which afforded him sup. port. as though e was afraid that if 1) moved away he would not be'able to stand. ,fl, Then he passed his right hand ‘ ' e cit, is though he imagined that biggwhich obscured hisvision. ‘, there wasn'tany. ‘ ‘ j . ‘, it ~ The blow had not when thebki'n, but had z; lama. {or-g2; firmed“: ' ssan at,au e‘ a' effluent ‘ autiful” black eyes, as an admirer of prize-rin would say. ’ «f . He. 100 at the back of hishand,” “ W539;- .33 taking it down; as though he expected V it. covered with blood. hppmntly was magi} itith at not beholding any for he shook his big head in a“ doubtful way: 4 fr ‘5, Ah, come now! have dOne with this meow ‘2 key business!” the Guttenburg. sport ‘ "~" claimed inva tone of supreme content j . " How 'long do you Suppose a ‘ s’ , to, trait for you? You would" écplmted out three times if exactti‘mo midi been kept on _ u. x 3 I * g, “ Don‘t ma an ire/about 35- ' x .‘v ,4 . r = scoundrel,” .41; i ‘ bald. " ' " ‘ - "raspberriesRight-Bower. ' ” " “ I think I am through," the big fellow re- I sponded in a sulky way, beginning now to feel a little like himself, the effects of the blow passing away. “ Is one round enough for you ‘3" the “Iest- erner asked in a tone full of contempt. “For a fellow who talked as loudly and lavishly as you did this is a surprising con- clusion,” Freemont added. And it must be recorded that the \‘i'cst- ' erner was a little disappointed because his , Opponent Would not face the music again. So strange is human nature! It is like the dog after the taste of blood.- All the animal in the composition of the disguised spy had been aroused, and the ‘ fierce heat of battle was swu-lling his veins, so that he craved another chance at his foe. Possibly never since this world began was there a stranger nature domiciled in the . breast of a human than the one which this untiring bloodhound possessed. "One moment as gentle, tender and loving as the tendercst of womankind, and the next with the wild rage of battle surging in the veins as fiercely as it ever raged within the forms of the bloodthirsty sea-kings who bathed the raven banner in crimson on many a sea-coast. “I know when I have got enough!” the man declared in a sulky way. “I s’pose that you are one of those ama- I teur champion boxers, maybe,” he continued. “And you have been used to going in for knock-outs until you are about as good as a \ regular professional who makes his living by fighting. “I have always been considered to be a good man ata scrap, but I ain’t no regular boxer, and when I come to stack up ag’in’ one it stands to reason that I don’t stand no ~ show.” “Oh, yes, you stand a show, all right—a . show to be struck by lightning!" the Gutten- burg man exclaimed with a fine sense of , humor. ‘1 You think you are blamed funny, don’t you?” the rufiian growled. “The trouble with you is that you have got a ellow streak in you i” Boone declared. “ on are not dead game, you know. When you get the gaff and feel the steel, you want to ii the pit! , “The t ought immediately occurs to you that it is time you wasn’t there!" “It is ’all right!” the big fellow observed, sullenly. “ I am a licked man, but maybe I will see you again some time." And after uttering this covert threat, the fellow turned and slunk up the street toward - . 1. Broadway. . ' " lie is a bad egg if ever there was one!" the Guttenburg sport exclaimed, as he watched the man hastening onward in the loom. , “oYes, the fellow is a thorough-paced Freemont asserted. “There isn’tany doubt about that. A ruilinn and a . bully, but, as you said, with a yellow streak, and on can’t warrant a man of that kind to ' stall the steel.” ._ " You handled him beautifully!" the Gut- .tenburg sport declared, in an admiring Viv l tone. \ “Yes, because I know how to use my fists and he doesn‘t; not only that, but he is‘ one of the men who will never learn, for he is too 'dull and clumsy,” the Westerner re- "marked, in a. contemptuous way. . “You see, I made the mistake of thinking " that because he was a big man he would just- vnlaughter you, and that is the reason that I hastened to come to your-assistance. “ If Ihnd known, though, that you could " handle him without any trouble, I would not have interfered. for I have my reasons for not wishing the fellow to know that there is ch a man in existencus myself." I“ "I detected that you: were Watching the ‘man in the Saloon before you followed him - out. " “ You don’t mean it?” exclaimed Boone, surprised and decidedly anno ed. ' ‘v'W‘ell, now. I am cur rise . i I thought I was doing the job so we 1 that no one could ' detect the game I was playing.” The young man in bed: "Oh. you did the . ork well enou h," he "1 don‘t; believe that it won d have to detect that business myself, and that is why, I presume, I was able to catch on to what you were do- ing " ' " Is that so? \Vell, now, perhaps you can give me a few points?" “I will be glad to do so if I can " “ I am after a certain man— Say, I don't mind if I put you up to all the points of the ‘ game. forl don‘t believe that you are the kind of man to give the thing away!" the Guttenburg sport exclaimed, in a burst of confidence. ‘ if You can trust me, although I am a “ Stranger to you. for I give. you my word I will not betray your secrets, and if I can be of service to you, I will be pleased to assist." ! “Did you ever hear of a \V'estern bank- robber and desperado, called William Black, or Black Bill?" “ Yes, I remember to have read something i about the man in the newspapers, for the name is familiar, out his name and that he is a hard case is about all i recollect." 'l‘hen Boom: gave a brief description of Jiow he had become interested in the man, and the lack of success which he had met with on two bccasions when he, in company with the two police-officers, thought they had the seoundrel in a corner, and felt sure they would trap him. ..__.,_.._. I CHAPTER XXII. Tm: sI‘ORT coxrmns IN THE SPY. TnE acute Westerner meditated over the matter a moment, after the Guttenburg man finished the r" iital, “ This is a very strange affair," Freemont remarked. “Yes, it beats Satan himself!” B00ne de- clared. “ Twice, you see, I thought I had him, and I will be hanged if he didn't man- age to slip out of the net, somehow, and blame me if I can make out how he managed to do it." ~ “ lie is evidently a first-class rascal, and it isn’t an easy matter to trap a man of that sort, particularly if he happens to be pro- vided with plenty of money ” “ I begin to think that you are right, but I didn’t imagine in the commencement, when I started in to engineer this thing, that it wou.d be so hard to trap him.” “The man has one great advantage. al- though some of the detectives In the South and West may know him, these New York sleuth-hodnds do not, and that fact hampers {hen} greatly when they try to catch the fel- ow. ' “ Oh, yes, undoubtedly.” “ \Vhen you thought you had him trapped at the Astor House, you found this English- man who was with me to-night in the room?" the ‘\Vesterner inquired. Already. his active and acute mind had formx‘ed a theory in regard to the situation. u '05.); f ‘ ‘ “ And the next time, dowu in the slums, when you sprung the snare to catch our man, it was this big fellow, whom I but the fight with just now, who presean himself and said his name was Black Bill?” ' “Correct!” . ‘ “In the saioon.to-n,ight when this black- bearded ruiiian came in, were you able to de- tect whether any scoret'signs passed between him and the Englishman? ’ ' “‘No, there wasn’t any, I am sure of iti” the Guttenhurg sport asserted, positive] . " You are quite certain about this, or it seemts’ to me that " it is a very important om . ’ I “That is ust exactly the way I looked at it, and as I sit certain the moment this false Black Bill made his appearance that he and the Englishman would communicate with each other, that I was on the Watch to detect any exchange of signals, but neither one took the sli htest notice of the other.” " , “It 3 very stran eff “ You bet your if e it is i'!’ members of Black Bill’s gang and were acting in concertf" , , ~ " “Just what I thought.” lfound the West getting I “ I have a suspicion that as this despeme too hot to be com- fortable he conceived the bold idea of coming “ I had an idea that both of the men were” ” It really lOOkS as if’ that was the game.” the other assented. “ lie is playing for big money, but if you and I join forces perhaps we can trap him.” ~ “ Will you go in to give me a hand ?" the Guttenburg man exclaimed, highly de- lighted “ Yes. as long as I have become so stran ge- ly mixed up in the affair, I don't mind if I do take an active part in the game." “I will be multh obliged," the sport de- clared. “And [don't mind telling you——and I don't want you to think 1 am trying to flat- tcr you, for I am not—that from what little [have seen of you to-night, Ihave got the idea that you would be apt to be mighty use. ful in a case of this kind " “ I am indebted to you for your good opinion,” the Westerner responded with a smile. , ' The sport from Guttcnburg little thought that he was complimenting one of the great est man-hunters who had ever brought a criminal to justice in this or anyothcr coun- tr '. )Freemont then briefly explained who he was and where he was staying. “ Well, my right name is Andrew Jackson Boone, and l have charge of VVhile-hat Kil- duif's racing stable at Guitenburg, but since I have put on these togs I call myself Archi- bald Langley, and claim to hail from New Orleans. I am a young sharp from the South, and have a room up-stairs in the hotel over the saloon _ “If at any time you should want to see me just drop into the gin-mill and ask for Archy Langley, and the tumbler-jugglers can tel'. you Whether I am around or not " “ And if you should need to communicate with me. come to Mr. Lenbold's house on Fifth avenue, opposite the Park " “Yes, i know the house,” the sport re plied. ! “Well, I’ll go back to the saloon, take a drink for a night-cap, and go to bed. " You will wait here for the Englishman I suppose ‘2” Boone asked. “ Yes, and I do not doubt that gentleman - will be very much astonished when he re- turns and finds that I am all right—that is, if he had an idea that l was to be attacked, and I do not doubt but what he (lid, for it appears: to me as if he deliberately ledvme into the trap, and then invented an excuse to go back to the saloon so as to leave me alone and af- ford that black~bearded scoundrel a chance to get at me." ' “ it certainly does look like it,” the sport. coincided. . “ Well. good-night to you,.and good luck to your plans.” ' ‘ “We will try to deservc‘it,” the young man replied. ‘ . Then Boone took his departure,while Free- mont leaned against the railings and Waited for the Englishman to come. “I do not think there is any doubt that this fellow has! gained admission to the Len- bold mansion with the idea of playing the b.ggcst kind of a game,” the disguised spy solilo uized. . “B ack Bill is somewhere in the back ground arranging the wires,” he continued, in a thoughtful way. , >. “It is’ plainly a well-organized band, and they/are going in for big game._ , - “ Now them,th is thofirst move? “ Come the old game of the decoy, eh?" And the speaker meditated over the matter for a few moments. * “ Yes!” he exclaimed, nodding his head in a decided way. ' . ‘- “That isgas good a game as can be ar~ ranged, but the matter must bo\ carefully _ ‘ lanned, so that when tke rascals lenrn'there s a chance to secure a rich booty, the will not be able tosuspect that the plunder, s but a bait to lure them into a trap " w ’ ' The appearance of the Eu lishmnn. turn— ing the corner, put: an end to t Westerners meditations. ‘, - ‘ St. Germaine acted past the circle of light own by the corner window of the saloon: ' " \Freemont was standi'n in the shade of a. ntoo so that he was hid en from view. . After advancing about tWenty - five or thirty feet up the street, the Englishmlm‘ halted and peered into the loom ore him, i ', ueerly after getting .13»... A4 1 .1“ an . guy a yr 01.4.. . ,4 _ more...“ . .Lv -. M. ‘ , 7" 4 VW‘ w:.m.mruw. I...“ :‘mflg‘ .. . , t. - \ ., I ' been possible for any 01:39 else f to 1;? .Ygrkgwgh‘aenumger of-rnscnzllri, whom - ' . cure, on at. v -, s v. ., . ,ew soon, I n" In an ‘ viii me: little or thallium twin; £61”! in V W " WWI; ‘ .. ‘ 1v. at the same time bending L : Laid an TM, p, u .i‘iintening intently, s »' p ,1 _ w an. I ,.p.t&’~ a. . «,5.» . r r inure-r -' $1.; W4 (’1. I yoummnotpuucuiulyimpmdm an, m n- - ’ . i " Idé’Plieriix’sra Right'wBower’.“ " " q The spy chuckled quietly to himself “ Aha!" he murmured, “he feels sure that the ganghave succeeded in getting in their work, and he thinks that I am lying disabled somewhere in the street. “He listens under the belief that he may hear me groan. “ llow sadly disappointed he will be when he discovers that I am all right." And again the disguised sleuth-hound chuckled gleefully. Then St. (lermaine advanced, and when he came within a dozen yards or so of where the Westerner lurked in the shadow of the house, Frcemont stepped forward. The Englishman started as though he had suddenly been confronted by a ghost. “ What is the matter?” Freemont asked, taking a keen enjoyment in the perplexity of St. (lermainef The Englishman was evidently a most ex- cellent actor though, for he speedily recover- ed from his surprise. “ W'ell, really, don’t you know. you rather startled me,” St. Germaine explained. “I looked for you after turning the corner, and as I didn't see you anywhere I come to the conclusion that you had become tired of waiting for me and had gone on.” “ Oh, no; I waited for you all right. you git your pocket-book Y" ,“ Y s, I recovered it. A young fellow found the pocket-book and immediately turn- ed the article over to.one of the barkeepers, and,‘of course, I had to stand treat, so I was detained a little longer than I expected.” And all the time that the Englishman was speaking his eyes were roaming up the street. The disguised spy guessed that he had Come to the conclusion that his pills had been detained and he was looking to see if they were approachin g, so Freemont thought it would be as well to let the man know that his little amc had not worked.- ‘ “I h quite an adventure, by the way, during your absence,” the spy remarked, as the two proceeded on their way. > And he related what had occurred. The Englishman was amazed, and the Westerner could see that I it taxed all his powers of dissimulation to Conceal his annoy. ance. . “ A very remarkable affair, and it was real- ly wonderful, don’t you know, that you suc- ceeded in~gctting the best of the fellow, for you don’t look as if you were much of a fighter,” St. Germaine remarked, surveying his companion with a' puzzled expression. “Well, I’m no' giant, but I possess consid- erable strength, and I know how to handle myself,” the disguised spy explained. ' “ Ah, yes, I see, but it is really astonishing though.” , There was but little more conversation be- tween the two, and after arriving at the mil- Did ’ lionaire’s mansion they bid each other good- night and parted. . " I must keep my eyes on this Westerncr, for there is somet in about him that I do not understand," St. ermaine declared. CHAPTER XXIII. 'rnn slr'r nxrr..uxs.' : ON the day which followed the one on which occurred the events related in our last chapter, Mr. Lenbold informed the Western- er at the breakfast-table that he had thought of a fine chance for a man to invest a little money, and if he cared to look into the mat- ter, be, Mr. Lenbold, would be pleased to ,eXplain the nflair to him in the library after breakfast. . , Freemont replied that he would be glad to hear about the affair. Of course the spy understood that this was merely adevice of the millionaire to secure a private interview with him without exciting comment. 1 ~ After the meal was finishedflxe‘two re- »y paired to the library. ' The millionaire took care to close the door carefully, so as to be sure no one could la the listener. ‘ . p "yMr.. Freemont. I mated to have a little talk with you about this sconce which on 8mm,",the Old Duem begam “ on have not said Inuc 0‘ anything nbpnt the matter, but I fancied from your manner-that windfall you the i. w Mr. Lenbold, I was impressed with the belief that it was a humbug from beginning to end!” the young man declared, in the frank- est manner. “Is it possible that it produced that im- pression upon you ‘2" exclaimed the million aire, evidently much astonished. " Yes, and the trick could be worked in such a simple way that almost dnybody could perform it.” “ You surprise me.” “ Let me explain the matter to you. We will assume that this magazine is the slate," and as he spoke; theJ’Vcsterner took one of the monthly magazines from the table. “ I think this young lady has borrowed the trick from the shcrt-card sharp—the pro- fessional gambler who goes in to skin his op- ponent from the start. “For a greenhorn to play cards with one of these men is sheer madness, no matter how good a player he may be, nor how good cards he may hold. “ The other man is a human shark and is bound to secure his prey. “ ()ne of the most common tricks is to use the ‘ spy.’ , “ This is a small mirror, sometimes no big- ger than a ten-cent piece, and if the gambler is a sharp-eyed chap, he often wears the spy -upon his finger set in a seal ring, the mirror conCealed beneath the stone, and the press- ing of a spring causes the stone to open like the cover of a watch-case, exposing the mir- ror beneath. “ Now, then, Mr. Lenbold, supposing that this magazine is the slate, with the writing upon the under side, and I hold it as the young lady did, do you not perceive that if I had a spy u on my knee, or in a ring on my left hand, it would be an extremely easy matter for me to read'thc writing upon the slate?" The millionaire was astounded. He stroked his beard, shook his head in a thoughtful way for a few moments,while his face showed that he was deeply puzzled by the problem whidh the disguised spy had so suddenly presented to him. Then he said: ‘ , “ Really, this suppositiori most surprising one,” “ You can see that the trick could be easily performed in this way?" . ' “ Oh, yes; no doubt about that,” the old gentleman assented. ‘ . » “ Now that you have explained the matter, I see that it is like all tricks of the kind—~30 extremely simple that it is amazing that any one should not be able to guess almost imme- diater upon witnessing the operation how it was done." , R And from, the way in'which the million- aire spoke it was plainly to be perceived that he did not relish the thought that he had been imposed upon by so shallow a trick. ‘f Yes; the game is an extremely simple one,” the Westerncr remarked; “ And it is pain wonderful how successful it generally 8 ,1 of yours is a “ You do not think there is any doubt about the matter?” the old gentleman asked. “Not the slightest!" Freemout declared. “ The manifestation is a trick from beginning to_ end, and the spirits have no more to do With it than either you or I.” ‘ '4 “And, yet I have certainly received some information which it does not seem ossible could be known to this yom la ¥."Ml‘- Lenbold remarked in a thought ul way. “ She has-been an inmate of your house for some time?” the disguised spy asked in his shrewd, direct style. ‘ - ‘ “ Oh. es.” , ' , - “_Cou d it not have been possible for her during this period to have acquired interma- tion enough to enable her, with'some shrewd guesses, to produce this impression upon on . -. . The millionaire pondered over the matter for a few moments. From'hls knitted brows and the general expression n his face it. was plain that he was not wcl : eased. That the crafty old financier had swank spot in his com he \could never ave beengmnde a dupe of so easily." ) I But now that the,Westemer had shown him how easy itwas for the slate manifest» itionwas evident, or else, ' assumption,” Mr. Lenbold declared. “She could have got at the facts, and I must ad» E mit that I have been completely deceived.” "\Vhen I put my question at the scance,” l the spy said, “I formed it in such a way that . if there had been any supernatural agency at- - ' work, the spirits would have detected imme- , '1‘" . diately that I had laid a trap for them, but " ‘ the trick was not suspected, and so lwas satisfied it was a human who was working the oracle.” “ Ah, yes. I see, but what is the object of this proceeding?” “To make herself valuable to you. I as— sume that you had your attention directed to spiritualis u, and when she discovered that you were taking an interest in the matter, the thought came to her to pretend to be a. medium in order to win your favor.” , V , o “I woqu not have believed that the giri ’ could be capableof playing such a part!” the old gentleman declared. “ lt\is my suspicion that she is an uncom. monly deep one!” Frecmont asserted. “ And what is more I think she is a mem~ ber of a well-organized band of rascals who have made up their minds to plunder you.” ' “Is it possible?" the millionaire exclaimed in amazement. , “ That is my thought.” ' “But she has been with me a long time, and I never had reason to suspect that she was not thoroughly upright in every way.” “ Well, it may be that I am not correct in thinking she is connected with the band, but I am pretty well satisfied that there isa. gang of rascals who think they can get at some of your Wealth and I want you to help; me lay a trap for them.” i ‘ t “ Certainly! of course, I shall be glad to. 3,. . do so!” the millionaire declared, promptly. ‘ " One of the peculiarities of the once great. railway king was that he had never been knoWn to show mercy to an opponent in a. business transaction or to an employee do- ,_ tected in a dishonest act. , He was as pitilcss as death. “ My idea is to arrange the matter so that the rascals, ifthey have a spy in the bursa, , 4 as I shrewdly suspect, will get the notion in-t ' to their heads that there is a fine chance for them to make a good haul here without; ' much danger of being caught.” ' g ‘ ~> *- “Ah. yes. I see.” , “ If I can succeed in arranging mattersso’ they will make the attempt, I will stand a. good chance to catch them.” ,1 . _“ Yes, yes, undoubtedly!" ‘- “Now I presume that you are not in the habit of keeping much money in the house?" “Oh. no! Still there are dplenty of valu- _‘ ables here whicharogues coul turn into cash i .' if they could succeed in getting hold of “ them. ' ' V : “ My plate is all solid silver, and cost me a deal of money. then my daughter has a large . 7 amount of valuable jewelry,” the old gentle- , man explained. - t ‘ , ‘ r “ Yes, I made mv calculations in regandtui these things, but they donot appeal to the cupidity of the average rascal like a large, sum of money.” E'- “ I presume not.” “ When crooks succeed in gettin with plate and jewelry, they are obl cd i ‘ visit a fence-that is, a receiver of stolen3 goods,you understand—in order \to get at" of the valuables.” -- -‘ ‘ “ Yes, I comprehend." , A ,- 1‘ And ,hese fences are never. willing ‘ give over a quarter of what the stolen are really worth. ‘ I ~ ‘ f ' i in “ I doubt mean squatter of the costvdue beat-in mind, but a quarter-of what‘tbe silt ver, or jewelr .13th when melted down}? , ‘thes yexplaned. 1' '. 4‘ - 7’ “ sea, and I perceive that “this peculint’fis branch of business. as is the case in man: other lines in legitimate affairs, the middle man is the fellow who makes the most mc ney‘: out of the transaction." , . , 1: . "Exactl t that is correct. Tho‘mcpyhov do the wor ’do not get the lion’s Mega » _ - CHAPTER XXIV. l ., m muonnmn's BALLUWA’I'ION; f ' "THAT is the ws- the world isoonsti. remarked, with-tho». ‘ 1’, star his natural shrewan «ragga are co s ‘i. i -. i ty- ~ tions to be roduced an ofidlnaryr‘ick. v p by tryout-ted its'e ow. .“ ‘they succeed in getting hold of, they will realize the full value, without being obliged ‘to go to a fence.” , “I comprehend, and I can readil underi . stand that if the matter is arranget in that way, the rascals would be much more eager to jump at the bait.” “Now then, the important thing is to fix the matter so that the gang will not suspect that a trap has been set to catch them.” “ Of course! that goes without saying!" the millionaire declared. “ The sum must be large, and the reason for your keeping it in your safe a plausible One, so that there will not be anything to arouse suspicion that everything is not all right.” , " Let me see,” and the old gentleman caressed his heard as he reflected upon the matter. 1, w p “The first point is for me to receive the money in such a way that it will appear like ' a regular business transaction." ' " Yes, that is correct." ‘ _ “The next, for the affair to take place in such a manner that the members of my house- -. hold will have a knowledge of it.” ., l “ That is right.” “ Then there must be a good reason for me ' to keep the cash in the house.” ’ ' “ Exactly! those are the three points which must be covered.” , “ How to arrange the matter is something of a problem,” the 31d gentleman observed, ' thoughtfully. “ With the assistance of Mr. Phenix I think it can be done,” the disguised spy r , replied. , “ Suppose we arrange the matter inxlhis "way," the W esterner continued. -40! asSuming all sortse disguises it will be an easy matter for ‘him to take the part of a "well to-do countryman, a. Westerner, an old . :‘acquaintance of yours, a man with whom, 'iii‘flyears gone by, you did considerable J ._ tiness." _ - i, ‘ ‘ "Yes, yes, I see.” “‘He has come to New York, and by a lucky turn in stocks, which he engineered iron; his Western home, come in session i 301' a big sum of money-wen flvc thoumnd i dollars, and being a. stranger n the city he is really at a less to know whatto do with the t -:: , ey, until he can find an opportunity to in set it in some paying speculation.” « . : “Ah. yes, I comprehend the scheme, and it is non ital onet” the millionaire declared. Z-‘.=“Whilb speculating what to do with the my he thinks of me. and comes with‘the :25 ,it‘ in my safe until he can get a chutes r use it." - "‘, That is the garnet” Freemont exclaimed- “ He will come to you in your office in the presence of Mr. Huntington, Miss Hoibrooke. and the other: boy, and when he consults you 1 your. private room he will neglectfully ‘ tip the door open and speak in the loud other, so that what he says can be roadi- o‘verheard by those in the outer cities,” the isgois‘ed spy continued. ' Yes, it is a well-arranged plan, and there > tabs any difiiculty in‘ carrying it ,“I will have the matter “arranged so that til 69;) oeed countr man will state that be finite the (money net as thabanks closed. “ is ill have agoodfreas‘on for coming to ,d he will arrive late lathe afternoon,” , t observed. "Then, durln the : you must speak about their air so ‘ .ants'wili hear your; words and be, cl \ , n t is librar- ed that the rascals have aspy etI amn'otcaftsin in regard he ,‘dis‘guised detective cen- that; and you wish; to arrange so that the fact thatthe money is ' Hittite right party,?'. i ‘4 , a 53?”; than; the * ‘i’ti‘gn l x} mama: withers, eras am or "ihinadi than "iv . it, bill; I feel quite sure that ‘f As Mr. Phenix is a ast-masterin the art ' "aghast that, 1 will do him the favor of put- “careless way common to a boisterous ,» so this: the five thousand j-dollars'is in: Mr. Lenbbld, that"while. I feel: lathe beast! chnhctfiii to gamete known " ' n ’ ’ rated aa_you,_hn§’31n;fluntingwn are to take mere was bitchesior it Finally Mr. Lenbold raised his head and remarked. “Mr. Freemont, I have been thinking in regard to the slate manifestations and I can— not bring myself to believe that Miss Hol- brooke can be guilty of playing any such contemptible trick upon me as you suppose. “ Of course there is no doubt that the slate manifestation could be Worked in the way that you described, but I feel quite certain that she would not do anything of the kind." “Possibly not: I may have jumped too hastily to a corielusion," the disguised spy observed. The detective did riot think that it was worth while to argue in regard to this point, for he understood that the once great railroad King, the mighty man of brains, who had engineered so many smiCCessl'ul deals, was in the condition of many another smart man who had got the spiritualism craze. Arguments were wasted upon him, for when a man has got a mental diseaSe of this kind firmly fastened upon him, it is almost impossible to effect a care by any ordinary means. r “ I feel certain that you have, for certain things which have been revoalcd to me through this medium, could not possibly have been known to the ,young lady. “ Of course a trickster could produce the eiIects by means of this ‘spyf as you term Iiss I olbrooke wouldn‘t do anything of the kind. “ 1 have entirely too much faith in her to believe that she would willfully do anything wrong.” , “I may be wrong in my surmise. only mortal, and not proof against error," the West erner remarked. He had his own opinion in regard to the matter; but he saw that it was useless toad- vance it at present. . ‘ Freemont then remarked that he would regard to the, part which he was to play, and this brought the interview to an end, CHAPTER XXVI} _ A our:me LITTLE GAME. SINCE Mr. Lenbold got the idea that it would be a good plan to get Miss Holbrooke and the young lawyer to unite in wedlock, relying on the offer of ten thbusand dollars to overcome any objections that either one might have, he had been impatient to ascer- tain how the offer would be received. He had ,little doubt though that the pair would be glad to make the arrangement. During his business life he had come across so many people who were quite will- ing to do almost anything for money, that her! fancied. so rent a sum as ten thousand dol- lars would an, irresistible temptation. . 80‘, after the disguised. spy took'his-depa‘rfl ture the millionaire sought Miss Hclbroolie. The young woman was in the drawing- room engaged in reading. ‘ Lenbold'was noted or his directness in business affairs, so plunged at once into the matter at hand. . ‘ “You have been with me some time, Miss Holbrooke," he ,said,.“and I have come to take a great interest in yourwelfare." ,“ I am Very grateful indeed. Mr. Lehbold. for the kindness withwhioh you have always entiy much, affected by the old gentleman's. wor s. . a . . = “ ouare’certalnly very kind indeed, Mr. Lenbold,” the yOun lad y declared. : v , ' “ I am‘ a close 0 server, Miss Hoibrooke.‘ and, it seemsgta me that on and Mr. Hunt-v in n hpve a great regai- for each, other." he yong woman plainly showed her sur- prisevat t , announcement, which wasentire- yunéxpecwah M. fl .6‘ Under the circumstances it was the proper barmaid; so she cast her eyes upon the man . mu» urei' , g "on. fiLefiglOIdi’fd ., g " his very naturaliioryoung people situ- a fund} to e’a‘phbther and Ifdo not Wonder at ' ‘ " {you hadconsulted have immediately Iar'n. seekpthe veteran detective, and post him in ‘ treated "me," the young lady replied, appar- a. thing for'hera‘ppea‘r' confused and.em- . ‘ .‘opportunity, to ascertain :Wli idea the .. you, Mr. Lenbold, that I do think a great deal of Mr. l’luntingmn,” the young woman confessed; but I am not at all sure the gentle- man cares for me." “ Of course I cannot be positive about a matter of this kind. but it is my impression he thinks a great deal of you,” the old finan- cier averred, in a diplomatic way; “and it is my impression, from what I know of him, that he would make a very excellent husband for you.” “Oh, yes, sir; I do not think there isa doubt about that, but I am afraid, sir, that the gentleman does not really care for me,” manner that she was deeply interested. “Well, now, my dear Miss IIolbrooke, it is my impression that the gentleman is much more interested in the matter than you imagine, and if you do not mind my inter~ fering in the affair, Iwill speedily ascertain just how the ease stands.” “I would be very deeply obliged to you, sir, if you would take the trouble!” Miss Ilolbrooke declared. “ No trouble at all, I assure youl” the mil— lionaire declared. terest in both of you',vand would be glad to do all in my power to further your happiness,” and the old gentleman endeavored to beam with a benevolent and fatherly air upon the young woman. .. The attempt was not a particularly suc- cessful one, for the ‘ dried up ” millidnaire had by far a too foxy appearance to assume such a role. “ You are very ‘kind, indeed!” the girl de- clared. gratefully. " And I fear I will never be able to thank you sufficiently for the in— terest that you have manifested in me.” “ That is all right, my dear Miss IIol- brooke, don’t mention itl” the old gentleman replied, with a lordly, patronizing air. “,It is my opinion that the match would be an extremely good one, and I feel in- clincd to do all I can to help the matter for- ward. , ' , ."‘.As I stated, I, tak. I both of you, and as a proof—«for werds wi out deeds do not amount. to anything-«I have made 11 my mind that if you two makes. match 1p wil \ give yourself and husband ten thousand dollars for a wedding-present.” The girl was amazed. for she had been long enough in the employ of the old gentleman to fully understand how close he was in money ine surprise. “Reall ,sir. you almost take my breath aya 1' i" It iss Holbrooke declared. ‘° am very‘much in. earnest if this mat- ter, I assure» you," he mill 0 spended. _ . , i , "i feel deeply indpbtcd; kindness. but Will be able lid repay it“s-C ,. " . “That is all right. any dear Miss Hoi- brooke; do ndt' allow that to trouble you, I begi" the millionaire responded, again as- sumin' thevbenevolent air of the tender. hearteg‘philantbrnpist. . “ It really gives me a great deal of pleas- ure to be she to forWard the hap iness of, two such deservm peo is as yourself and Huntington,”§t e 01 gentlemah contin- 'ue .' I . 'V-j 'r d ,' =“ I am very ranching in rims mat- ter." he added. “And I‘;ahall'*étake’an'early opportunity to informathjo‘ guitarist: of how I feel in regard tptheaflair.” - . “Ten thousandcdollnrswis a” great tempta- “will,” Miss Holbrooke remarked with a 8m 6-. - i. ,c x ' “ Even if a lad and friendly feeling or each other, the ofler Of such a sum as a wedding resent w‘culd‘be very apt to cause that feel ” ' love"! i ’ «. w. , ’ “‘,-‘Exactlyl no doubt at all abmmmhrthe old entleman declared. ' f. ‘ ' ' "V ell, I‘willvtake admmgisrbgathe first _ _ Hittiflunting. ton thinks about the matter‘tjj: .- millionaire added. ' v. “9* “ I sup as that ffjtba I.,gie,rtt1mnan makes the girl remarked, plainly evineing by her “ The fact is. you see, I‘take a fatherly in- '- e a1 great interest- flan, t - matters, and so this liberal offer was a genu- - mire 79'; men ml your ‘ _ _ that Ignever r ' 'to. gentleman hadonl‘y'n g termed-into you auto er of’his hand,a heart you will motsay payr"he asked; ' ‘ . .' 5:11 dent thinkgihatI;WN1¢"M1M?H9L breaker lied ndin' page?” I .. ‘. “‘1‘”? Joe Phenix’s Rig ht Bower. 21. and I do not doubt that you and Mr. Hunting- ton will be very happy together.” And then Mr. Lenbold departed. He went immediately in search of Mr. Huntington lIaving succeeded so well in inducing the young woman to consent to the union, he was anxious to learn the opinion of the gentleman in regard to the matter. inquiring of one of the servants he ascer- tained that the young lawyer was in the library, and so he at once sought him there. But the foxy millionaire did not want Huntington to suspect that he took interest enough in the matter to seek him on purpose to ascertain his ideas upon the subject. Therefore, when he entered the room he pretended to be surprised to see the gentle- man. “ I thought you had gone out,” he re- marked. “Well, it was my intention to go, but I became interested in a magazine article and concluded to finish it before I went.” Mr. Lenbold seated himself, took up one of the evening journals, and as be cast his eyes upon it, the‘ heading of one of the articles suggested to him a way to broach the matter without appearing to take an un- due interest in the subject. “Another one of the 400 is going to be married, I See,” the old gentleman re- marked. " And that reminds me: how comes it that a young man like yourself has not found some chamiing lady to wed?” Huntington was considerably surprised by the question, and his suspicions were imme- diately excited. Was it possible that the millionaire suspect- ed that he, the secretary, had dared to fall in love with Miss Phyllis? Although taken completely by surprise the young lawyer managed to conceal his astonishment, and replied in a careless way: “ Well, that is something that I have never troubled my head about. I suppose the reason is because I have never happened to meet the right woman yet.” ' “ Is that possible?” the old gentleman re- marked in a very friendly way. “Now, really, do you know, I thought that it was likely that you and Miss I-lol- brooke would make a match.” ’ The young lawyer was far more surprised now than he had been in the first instance. and this time he did not take any pains to conceal the feeling. “ I and Miss Holbrooke make amatch!" he exclaimed. “Yes. Ihad an idea that such an event was not unlikely to ocour, and there isn’t a doubt but what she would make you an ex- cellent wife." “ Possibly; she is certainly a very pleasant young lady,” Huntington remarked, ver much surprised at the interest which the old gentleman was taking in the matter. Then Lenbold, perceiving that the youn man was inclined to be lukewarm in rega to the matter, conceived that the time had come for him to bring forward the ten- thousand-dollar offer; so, after dilating for .a few moments upon what a superior girl Miss Holbrooke Was, he told the young lawyer how he had made up his mind to give ten thousand dollars to him and the lady if they made up their minds to wed. Huntington was a pretty sharp fellow, and he knew the old millionaire well enough to understand that he would never make an offer of this kind without some strong mo- tive. “ What can it be ?” was the thought which came immediately into his mind. “Can it be ssible that he suspects that Phyllis and I ove each other, and is this an attempt on his part to bribe me to give her ‘ I?” The young lawyer was a little indignant, too, that the old entleman should make the mistake of thin ing he could buy him so cheaply. He managed to conceal his feelings. though, and smilingly shook his head, say- ing: “ Ten thousand dollars no doubt would be a great temptation to some men, butalthough Miss Holbrooke is a very nice youn woman indeed, yet she is not at all my sty e, and I wouldn’t marry her if 1 could gain a hundred thousand dollars by so doing.” ’1. ,‘r - . .a"'v:, - , 7. 7,41,, ., . The old gentleman was astounded by this blunt and entirely unexpected speech. ' “Really, I am surprised to hear you say that!” the millionaire declared. “ My dear Mr. Lenbold, money isn‘t every- thing in this world, and as far as I am con- cerned, I cannot imagine a fate more dread- fnl than to be bound for life to a woman whom it was not possible for me to love.” The millionaire was very much annoyed, but as he was an able mastcr of the art of dissimulation, he managed to conceal it. He (lid not think itwise to allow the young law 'er to perceive that he took any particu- lar interest in the matter. “Oh, I have made a mistake then, clearly,” he remarked. “ Yes, that is true. I have a high respect for the young lady, but I never could fall in love with her.” “Well, there is no harm done. I do not suppose that I have much talent in the match-making line, although I have in con— tcm lation a union for my daughter which I thin will be highly advantageous to her.” “ I am lad to hear that,” the secretary de- clared, thinking he was fully justified in, stooping to evasion, for by this time he felt pretty certain that. the millionaire suspected that there was a love affair between himself and Phyllis. CHAPTER XXVI. THE LOVERS. “YES, I think the match will be an ex- cellent one,” Mr. Lenbold remarked, strok- ing his heard in a thoughtful way. “It is about time that my daughter was settled in life," he continued. “A girl situated as she is—the supposed heiress of a large amount of money—is always exposed to the danger of falling a victim of some fortune-hunter, who is at- tracted solely by the fact that the young woman stands a chance of inheriting wealth. “ My Phyllis is a very sensible girl though, and has never given me any trouble, for she has always seemed to be able to avoid any fellows of the kind. “I made up my mind, howevar, a number of years ago, before she was able to make her debut in society, and before I could tell just what sort of a young lady she was goin to turn out to be, that if she ever showe any disposition to refuse to listen to my ad- vice, and I thought there was danger she was going to become the pre ofafortune-hunter, would arrange ‘my a airs so that neither she nor her husband would have any of my wealth.” “Ah, yes, I see,” responded Huntington with a placid smile. By this time he had become satisfied that his thought was correct in regard to the mil- lionaire suspecting there was a love affair be- tween Phyllii and himself. And so Huntington was fully on his guard, determined not to allow the old gentleman to perceive that he took any interest in the mat- ter. “ I would not want my girl to starve even if she did make a fool of herself by disobey- ing my wishes, and if she was unwise enough to marry a man of whom I did not approve, I would arrange the matter so that while there would never be any danger of starving, yet neither she nor her husband, nor her chil- dren. would inherit my money." "Of course the matter could be easily ar- ranged,” the young lawyer remarked with an indifferent air, just as though he did not take the slightest interest in the matter. And really, to do Huntington justice, it- was Phyllis herself who attracted him and not her money. He would have loved the irl just the same if her father had not a ollar in the world. ' So the declaration which the old million- aire made did not produce the slightest effect upon him. "I resume, Mr. Huntington, that you think am ustified in acting in this way?" Mr. Lenbol observed. “ Well, really, I have never reflected upon the matter, but it is a subject. of course, which each man must settle for himself.” “ Yes,'that is correct,” the old gentleman remarked. - And just at this moment the conversation . ‘ -‘ -. ‘, n. . .‘,» .‘~.. . “t . ml .k- '\ -.. was interrupted by the appearance of a ser-- vant, who announced that one of Mr. Len- bold's old-time business associates desired to speak with him. After the. millionaire’s departure the young lawyer reflected upon his words for a few moments. ' “ He suspects that there is a love affair be» tween Phyllis and myselt; there is not a dou it in regard to the matter,” the secretary mused. “ And now the question comes up—how shall we act in this emergency?" It was a difficult problem, and after dc... hating the matter over in his mind for a few moments, Huntington came to the conclusion that he had better Consult Phyllis upon the subject. Just as he came to this conclusion, and rose with the idea of seeking her, the girl en“ tered the room in search of a book. The young man immediately explained what had occurred. Phyllis at once became indignant. “ Why, the ideal" she exclaimed. ‘ Offer you ten thousand dollars as a bribe to marry that woman—I will not call her a girl, for she isn’t a girl, although she does make her- self up to appear quite oung; but if the truth was known, I ahoul not be at all sur- prised to discover that she is old enough to be my mother!” “ She is no chicken, although, as you say, she does her best to appear young." ” I do not trust her at all, though she- really put herself out to be nice and agree»- ahle to me. but 1 am sure she is a deceitful hussy!“ Phyllis declared. “ Well, I hav’n’t got a good opinion of her, although I really cannot give any rea— son why 1 should dislike the woman, but E certainly do.” “ I should not be at all surprised if it was she who suggested to papa that there was a. pros ect of our getting married.” ‘ “ es, it is ossible that she was the one who put the idea into his head." the young man observed, in a reflective way. “ She could very easily do it, you know, without really saying anything outright.” “ Oh, yes, a sly hint or two—a careless ob- servation would be sufficient to arouse your father's suspicions.” “ And it is just exactly what she has donel’” the girldeclared. “ Of course, I hope you believe, Phyllis, that it is not our father’s wealth which at— tracts me ‘3" I untington remarked, earnestly. “Oh, yes, I have a good opinion enough of myself to believe that it is the woman on seek and not the money which there is a. strong robahility that she will one day in- herit,” hyllis replied, with a smile “ I am glad that you have faith in me, and I assure you, Phyllis, that I would be willin to marry you to-morrow, if you. consent, an the fact that by so doing you would forfeit. all chance of inheriting any of your father’s wealth, would not have the least influence upon met” The girl thanked her lover with acharm- ing smile, and then she said: “ Oh, I am quite satisfied in regard to that, but I do not think that it is wise to incur papa’s anger by taking such a desperate ste . ‘PYou acid that you were willing to wait. for me, ” she continued. “ Oh, yes, I am i” sponded, immediately. “Of course, lam anxious to get you as. soon as possible,” he added. “ But 1 am.- willing to wait until you are ready." “ I don't know what has got into papa; during this he; 'yesr,” the girl observed, unflnnOIwa‘w “' He ne'ver used to act as oddly as he does- now. Of course he is getting old, and as he! has had a great strain on his mind for years, it may be possible that his head is not quite- ri ht.” ' g“ I feel sure that on are correct in regard: to that," the young awyer responded. “If there was not a weak spot in his brain. somewhere. he never would have become in- terested in this spiritualism,” Huntington. continued. “In the old days when he was in his prime one of the great railwa kin s of America, I am quite sure he woul not ve bestowed a thought upon the matter.” “ And it is this artful Miss Holbrooke who the young man re. 'f . '- pteate's.Rteght/sswer. ' .is responsible for papa becoming interested in spiritualism.” ” Yes, that is true.” “\Vell, now then we must arrange how we must behave,” the girl remarked, thought- ful] . “yYour father announces that he has a husband in view for you.” " “ Perhaps he has, but this is the first time that I have ever heard anything about it. “But it does not matter whether he has one or not, for it doesn’t make the slightest difference to me. “One thing is certain I can’t be married without my consent being asked, and you can be sure that I will never say yes, until I stand before the altar by your side!” And Phyllis smiled in such a bewitching way at her lover as she spoke that he could “not resist the temptation of taking her in his arms and kissing her. She submitted to the caress willingly enough; but after a moment coyly released herself. “There, do be careful!” she exclaimed. “If papa should happen to come in and find me in your arms, then the cat would be out of the bag with a vengeance.” “Oh, yes, no doubt about that.” “ We must keep our wits about us and be very careful how we behave. “Of course, if papa should ask me direct- ly what I thought of you I should certain- 1 tell him the truth, but {ust as long as he oes not ask I shall not v0 unteer any infor- mation.” “ That is the correct way to act, I think,” the oung man observed. Then after a few more words of no parties ’ ular importance the girl departed- The lovers had perfect faith in each other, and so were not worried by the conduct of the old millionaire. ' “ Love laughs at locksmiths,” and has but .little respect for parents. CHAPTER XXVII. THE BAIT A’I'TRAC'I‘S. Tun disguised detective, who was mas- querading as the Western ranch-oWner, did not lose any time in carrying out the scheme 7 ’. which he had arranged with the old million- ” . ‘ and as I have I ance. aire. About the day which succeeded the one when the three o'clock on the afternoon of t‘t." plan had been arranged, Joe Phenix made his appearance in the office of the million- aire carefully disguised. He, was “got up ” as a well-to-do, middle- ' aged Westerner, and being such a master at this sort of thing he ha no difiiculty in both looking and acting the character to the life. , . He began his interview with the million. aire by remarking: . “ I s'pose it is so long since you have seen me, Mr. Lenbold, that I have slipped clean u out of your memory, but I am your old friend, Silas Brown, of Deer Lodge, Kansas, ot a good little bit of money . with me that I am anxious to ut away somewhere I have made hold to unt you I, The millionaire immediately comprehhndcd that this was the renowned detective, Joe, ' Phenix, and he was much amazed by the completeness of his disguise. ' The old gentleman prided himself upon ' being a man of rare discernment, but~thou h , he had had a long conversation with t e ., Veteran man-hunter, and therefore ought to have been rfectly familiar with his appear- et age complete was the disguise which ‘Joe P enix had assumed that the millionaire could not detect in his appearance the slight- ‘est resemblance to any one whom he had ever «aestbefore. ,_-," But as he was prepared for the visit. he « greeted the Westerner heartily, declared that e per! tly remembered him. and was ‘ex- ,tremeiy lad_that he had called. 1 And in regard to the meney, he would be ‘~ #01 hted to accommodate him. T e supposed Westerner then explained 'f’how, it was that he happened to have the - and as he intended to invest it in some speculation as soon as he succeeded in nding one, he wanted to have‘the money so '. he could get at it at a moment’s notice. - , ‘Yes, yes,1 understand,” the millionaire ' 1‘6 lied. . _ Then the disguised detective, ,co'unted out l l important to say ?” , tech? . the money, and the old gentleman said he would place it in his safe at'once. He invited the stranger to dinner, but the Westerner explained that he was obliged to decline on account of a prior engagement, remarking, though. that he would be happy to come at some other time; then he took his departure. The interview took place in Mr. Lenbold's private oflicc, but, as the door was not tight- ly closed, every word of the conversation came distinctly to the ears of Mr. Hunting- ton and Miss Holbrooke, who were in the outer room. . The young lawyer did not pay any atten- tion to the conversation, for he was not at all interested in the matter, and the young wo- man was apparently busy with hcr work, but if a close observer had been present, and kept a careful watch upon her face, he would soon have detected that she was listening with intent eagerness. Peculiar indeed was the gleam which came into her eyes when to her ears came the sound of the rustling of the crisp bank-notes as the Westerner counted the five thousand dollars. But after the transaction was completed, and the millionaire with his visitor passed through the outer office,the girl never looked up from her work. Mr. Lenbold told the Westerner that he would put the money in his house safe, as he made a rule of never placing any valuables in the safe in the office. it being for docu- ments only. So, after aecompanytn ” Mr. Silas Brown, of Deer Lodge ” to the oor, the millionaire proceeded to put the money away. As it happened, on this particular day there was not much ofiice business to be transacted and it was all finished before lunch. After luncn was over, Mr. Lenbold went out to keep a business appointment. and Phyllis, accompanied by Mr. Huntington, too the carriage for a drive in the Park. Mr. St. Germaine had complained of a headache during the meal, ‘and announced his intention of lying down for awhile. After leaving the table, he had gone up- stairs,but in a brief half-hour—just allowing sufficient time for the others to depart—he came down to the drawing~room. where he found Miss IIolbrooke. , “ Is the door tightly closed?” she asked after the Englishman entered. “ Oh, yes, Ialwa s take care to have the door closed when am goin'' to talk busi- ness," St. Germaine replied. “ You guessed then that I have something “ Certainly! When you gave me the ‘ofiice’.at' the table that you wanted to talk to me, I comprehended at once that you weren’t anxious to merely inquire after my health.” , _ ‘ “ You are correct. If I hadn’t something important to sa , I wouldn’t have given you the si nal that desired to speak toyou.’ “ ell, what is it?” theEnglishman asked, as he thok a seat on the ‘opposite side of the window from where the young woman sat. They were so near the window that they could easily (gaze out of it, and if any one had happene to come into the room they would never have suspected from the post- ti'ons of the pair that they were engaged in an important private conversation. ‘ “ In the first place, Mr, Lenbold has set his heart on making a match between Mr. Il'unt- ington and myself, and generously offers to make us a wedding-present of ten thousand dollars." I “He is afraid that Huntington and his daughter ma make a match, and he is anx- ious to stop t.” ' ’ “ Yes, that is his idea, I presume." ‘ “ It will not Work!” the Englishman ex- claimed, with a decided shake of the head. “You think that the man will be proof against the temptation of the ten thousand '2" “ Oh, yes, he is not the sort of chap to be bou ht as cheaply as that. Besides. I am wel satisfied in my'oWn mind that there is a love affair between the two, although they are taking great care to keep it quiet." “I suspected its much, but although I have. watched them closely. I have never beenable to really detect anything to make mtg/feels certain that my‘snspicion was cor- ] . \, I \ H 7' .‘I' I L. i: up» ‘ “It is their game not to allow the factto be known, for the old man would undoubt- edly cut up rusty if he found it out.” “ I thought that you wouldn‘t mind if I tried to get the ten thousand,” the girl re- marked, speaking as if" she felt a little doubt- ful about the matter. ' “ No, certainly not! Go in and collar all the wealth you can. I wouldn’t put a straw in your way! “But you will not make the trick this time unless I am all out in my calculation.” “ “'0”, I will admit that I have never had much hope of succeeding, but I thought it was worth trying for.” “Oh, yes, undoubtedly." “ But here is something which I think you can turn to advantage. And then Miss IIolbrooke told the story of the Westerner's vtsit. “Ohol five thousand dollars in nice new ‘ flimseys,’ ch 7” St. Germaine exclaimed, rub- binglhis hands, gleefully, together. “ 'es.” , “ And in the safe in the library ‘2” “ Exactly! ’ “ I don’t see anything to preVent a couple of good cracksmen from getting at those flimseys!” the Englishman declared, with a rm. “ Well, it doesn’t seem to me as if the job would be a very difficult one.” “Oh, no, nothing particularly diflicult about it. “ One of those small, ornamental ones,” the irl replied. “ t stands in the corner with an embroid- ered cloth over it. “Ah, yes, I noticed it. but I didn’t have an idea that it was a safe.” “ Yes, it is. ” “Probably a good pattern, for a man like Lenbold wouldn’t be apt to have any cheap affair.” ' “ He has had it some time, twelve or fifteen years. I got that outof the butler, for I had an idea the information might come in handy some time.” “You are a jewel of a woman, and no mistake!” the Englishman cried in accents of admiration. “I always try to have my wits about me,” the woman replied, smiling with pleasure at the compliment. “ If he has had it that length of time it is certain that it does not possess the improve- ments which have come up in the last six or eight years,” St. Germaine remarked in a re- flective wa . “ No. it is an old pattern undoubtedly." “ It will be easy to drill a hole in by the side of the lock and get at the combination in that way. “We can’t come the gunpowder act in a ' private house as if it was a deserted bank.” ,_ “Oh, no, for the noise of the explosion would be certain to wake the sleepers.” “The drill will do the business without making any noise to disturb the house.” “ Yes, that is true.” “I had an idea that there might be some- thing in the house to make it worth our while to crack the crib, and so I‘am well- posted in regard to the locks on the various doors." “It will be an easy matter, with you up- on the inside, though, to admit whoever you like," the girl suggested. “Oh, es!" And t en the Englishman meditated for a few moments. “I think that this is one of the kind of jobs which had better be attended to as soon as possible,” he remarked. “Yes, that seems to me to be correct, for the owner may take the money away at any moment. “Undoubtedly! And so the quicker we make the trickthe better.” “I certainly think so.” “Oh. there isn’t any doubt about it!“ St. Germaine exclaimed. “ I will go out and make the arrangements for this very night. “ When there are five thousand good, solid ‘ c es ’ waiting to be picked up, it is a shame no to pluck the plum as soon as possible i" “ That is true enough.” “'By the way, what do you think of this Freemont ?" the Englishman asked, abrupt- ! ~ ‘m lyi‘l do not like him!” fi .. «are». ~W<-o:-A-d-o—~J«fln‘r. ‘~’-...3,......~ gnaw. -... ., ‘t at way.” .full ~ 1; cs when they i went tip-stairs, he kept showed that it was five‘. ' , shoes which he put on, and than he stole 'fbrth ‘ V \ " Neither do I, and, some way, I have got an idea that he may turn out to be danger- ous.’ “ I should not be surprised, for though he seems to be careless and indifferent to what is going on around him, yet I am satiéfied that very little escapes his eyes. ’ “ Yes, I agree with you that he is an un- common sharp fellow,” St. Germaine ob- served. “ I did not think so in the beginning, and I made the mistake of imagining that he was a pigeon who could be plucked without much difficulty.” \. “ And did you try it?” “ Yes. and the attempt resulted in a com- plete failure. “ He was proof against all attempts to get him into ,a game, and when. as a last effort, I arranged a little sand-bagging scheme, he not only managed to escape but thrashed the man who tried to do the job within an inch of his life.” “Well, 1 am sur rised, for he does not a pear as if he coult distinguish himself in "The man that he hammered declares that he must be a regular prize-fighter, for no fellow who was not at the top of the heap in such a game could have got away with him So easdy." . “ It is very strange.” , “We must keep our eyes on him, for I am sure he will bear watching. ,, “And now I will be off to arrange for the cracking of the crib.” St. Germaine said in conclusion, and this. ended the interview. CHAPTER XXVIII. “CRACKING” was: ms: ON the night of the day'on which occurred the events detailed in our last chapter, it was close to twelve o’clock before the inmates of the Lenbold mansion retired to rest. Mr. Lenbold, with his daughter, had been to the opera, and as the stopped to have some refreshments, they id not get to the house until nearly midnight. Huntington had been to his club and got in at about the same time. The servants had alittle jolliflcation in the kitchen, and they did not get to bed until half-past twelve. T anks to Miss Holbrooke, the English- man had been posted in re to the ser- vants’ movements, and, wit his door just 3 ar, so he would be able to hear the domes- watch. ‘ “Let me see,” he mused, after the ser- vants had one to their apartments. “Allowmg half an hour for them to get comfortably asleep-will bring it up‘to one o’clock; then another hour for them to get good and sound in the arms of Morpheus, and we have two, and so it appears that the calculation which I made in advance that two o’clock would be about the proper time to crud: the crib is singular] correct. '“ Then is a good hour an a half for me to wait, and I maylas well pre are to pass the timeless comfortably as possi le." In anticipation of such a tiling, St. Ger- maine had provided himself with half a dozen cigars and a couple of novels, transla- tions from the Frenc , which he then ht .would likely be interesting to a man lke himself. And so he sat, smoked “his cigars, and tried to believe that the book was vastly entertain- in ',. as the minutes slowly melted away. dozen times he looked at his watch lin- patiently. - - r ‘ Never before had the steps of old Father Time seemed totbe so slow. The god of time was surely shod with lead to creep on at such a mall’s . At last, thdugh, the inn st of the watch . , of two. ~‘ St. Germaine arose and opened the—door of his room. , He listened intently for a few moments, Not a sound could he hear. ' -‘ All within the manslop were hpparently ‘ buried in slumber. .. ‘ The Englishman had a pair of rubber. over. ‘ excellent that even it you had met a copper 'the entry. kept burning during the night, and so the Englishman was not obliged 'to grope his way in the dark. He descended to the basement door. As the key was in the lock, it was an easy matter for him to open the door after draw- inthhc stout bolts which guarded it. he entrance to the basement was guarded on the outside by an iron gate. This was locked, of course, but as the key was always hung on a nail in the lower en- try by the side of the basement door when the house was closed for the night, it was no trouble for this stealthy prowler to open the gate. It was with the utmost caution that he turned the key in the lock. Two dark fig- ures came out of the gloom of the night and advanced with noiseleSs tread to the base- ment door of the millionaire’s mansion. The pair were old acquaintances of the reader, being the veteran crook, Homer Blod- get, and his pal, Herman Van Troll, “the Professor." " You are right on time, boys,” St. Ger- maine remarke . “ Oh, yes, we go by clock-work,” Blodget re lied with a grin. cab of the men, were neatly clad, and there wasn‘t anything out of the way about their appearance, so that even the sharpest- eyed an most suspicious policeman encoun- tering the pair would not be apt to think that they 'were abroad on an unlawful errand. “ Did you run across any cop in the neigh- borhood?” St. Germaine asked as the two passed through the iron gate. “ Not even a smell of one!” the Pfofessor replied. » “ That is good, although your get-up is so the chances are a thousand to one that he wouldn’t have taken a second glance at ou.” ' “ Oh, yes; we're a couple of bloods on our way home from the club,” Blodget observed, with another grin. Then the three went directly to the library, the Englishman leading the way. When they we’re within the room, St. Ger- maine lit the as. taking the precaution to put his folde handkerchief over the key- hole, so that no ray of light could stream into “It isn't likely that any one will pass through the hall while we are cracking the safe. but I always take all possible precau- tions so as to be on the safe side.” The others thought this was wise, and said so. i : Both Blodget and the Professor were old hands at .this sort of business, and went to work with the skill which came from long ex rience. heir “trick” of d ' ling through the safe, so as to displace the ‘ spindle,” Was a cun- ning one, and in less than an hour’s time the job was done; the safe, with its. treasures, was at the mere of this trio of daring and experienced crac men. ———.— CHAPTER. XXIX. . THE TRAP Is srmme. Ir did not take these skillful rascals long to ascertain just'what the safe contained. The five thousand dollars, in good, crisp National Bank notes, Were soon in the ban 3 of the Englishman, but, to the disa point- ment of the three, they soon satisfi them- selves that the money was all that would, be of any, use to them. , ' There were some railroad bonds and other securities in the safe, butafter a careful ex- amination the three came .to~the conclusion tgat it would not be wioeftor them to take t em. ' ‘ . “ We’Would have adeuce of a timggotting rid of the stud,” St. Germaine assu . . , t 3“ 0h.” es and we would stand a good chance 0 cttin g the cellar during the opera- 'tion "Bl get supplemented. . “I am not anxious to tackle the job of rfitténg away with any railroad bonds.” the, ' o essor declared. . “If it was diamonds, now, or jewelry, or even silver plate. th would be some sense in our lugging it 0 but these bits'of paper are mighty apt to get a man-into trouble.” , . ; ‘ “ You are right, and it is my opiniot that l Thinks to‘this precaution‘he was. able to mm. qualth lower a f I move/with noiseless . hall was okays ‘t' . '/ ' 1 ’ I 3. l I ,I ‘ _ . is we had has let them eta .qut w ;..they sarefjthe Exiglnhman' ' 2'4 A g -I The others agreed to this. “Now. then, we will divide the spoils," St. Germaine announced. “ for we might just as well make the division now as to wait un~ til another time.” . “Correct!” Blodget acquiesced; “ the quicker business of this kind is settled the better.” “My sentiments to a hair!” the professor assented. “ \Vcll, I think that a fair division would be two thousand for me, and fifteen hundred apiece for you,” St. Germaine remarked. “ That’s right!” Blodget answered. “ You put up the job—engineered the whole thing, in fact, and it is only right you should take the lion’s share." \ “I’m agreeable, and I am perfectly satis- fied to take fifteen hundred dollars for my share," the professor announced, “for, as Blodget says: you gave us the chance to do the trick, and if you hadn't fixed the thing we wouldn’t have got a smell!” The money was all in crisp one-hundred- dollar bills, evidently fresh from a bank; so it did not take the Englishman long to make the division, and with a deal of satis- faction the three midnight marauders pock- eted the money. “This is the first we have succeeded in getting out of this house, but it will not be the last, unless I am greatly mistaken,” St. Germaine averred. - , “ This old bloke of a millionaire has got a gal, I believe,” Blod et remarked. “ Yes, he has," the nglishman repliedt “How is she off for sparkiers and jewel- ry?” the veteran crook questioned. “She ought to be well fixed. Couldn’t you ar- range it so that we could get a chance at . them?" - “Ah, yes; that would be another nice job!” the professor urged. “Is there any chance for us to get at them to-night?" ' “No; nothing can be done to-night," the Englishman answered. “ She has some good diamonds, I believe. ' I am not certain about the matter, because I have not been in the house 10 enough to get a sight at them, but I no erstand the sparklers are worth about ten thousand dol- ‘~ v lars.” “ Ohol that would be a nice little boodle for us to collar!" Blodget declared. “And diamonds can be turned into cash better than anything else in the jewelry ‘ i line,” the professor observed. “ The thieves of‘ fences ' are never will' to give over a uarter of what a jhing is I worth, usually, ut when it comes to dia- monds, if a man knows where to go, and how, ,, f "to play hislpoints, he is pretty safe to collar ,1 a half.” “That is correct,” the Englishman eb--' , served. “And if the irl‘s sparklers are worth ten thousand dol ars, we can surely get from four to five thousand for them.” i 1 “Why, this will he a regular picnicl" r ' u I 4-" Blodget exclaimed. - " h, yes!” the professor assented. say, old man, this idea of yours of leaving the West and coming to New York is about as good a one asayOu ever had, I reckon!” I , “,It has an out well- so far, but this; is magi the ginning,” the Englishman; p “ But now, boys, it is time you are 03355“? continued. g ‘ “ You cannot make any more money _ . tonight. So far, we have worked the h“ to ‘the queen’s taste, and now there is oh one more risk for you—and thath; to 7 "out .of ‘ the house without attractingp I . _ " " It would be ugl torus if we. I a temp plump into er-arms‘ of a cop N we sneak throu h' the basement door}. t remark , with ar'eflectivc "air. '“ you take pains to listen,beforo you ; tempt to reach the street, it is not likely you will make a' bad break of that kind,” 8:. Germaine observed. a “If an copsa us come outbe ' ne woul be mighty certain td mom wehsd heenu tosome game, unleashes": .-- the dumbest k of a donkey,”ths remarked. . ‘ ~ on, yes," theEnglishrhan -. , " But there is only a moment 0 danger- ciimud' ucoeed‘ t gettin "to " youcans n. gin", mes-rm: b: u w when you pass from the house to thinnest”: .- z c , keen-eyed detective sharply. - ' use Phenii’s Rig a} " '{t {fa/1,”; - ‘ . d, ht Bower: ” h 1" p131 -:,_é._ 3.: r-‘y‘i 3;; 7- v t'- 5*. ' {.ftifil‘a, t 'Vi ‘ l a - then the chances are a thousand to one that you will get away all right. “ But even supposing that you are un- lucky enough to encounter an officer just as you come out of the house, and he is suf- ficiently imprudent to attempt to detain you, why, a well-directed clip on the head will lay the fellow out, and give you an opportunity to get away.” “ Oh, yes, and you can bet your sweet life that neither the» professor nor myself would hesitate a moment in letting any cop have one for his nob!" Blodgct declared. “That is where you are sensible!” the Eng- lishman asserted. ‘ , “But be off with you', boys, and be sure to listen for footsteps before you Venture out into the street. i “ Don’t you worry about that," Blodget ‘ replied. “The professor has cars like a fox, and unless there is a cop, taking it easy'on a doorstep, right in the neighborhood, we will be certain to get away. " I I " You can find your way out all right with- ~ out me?” St. Germaine questioned. 5' . “ Oh, cs; there isn’t any use of your com- ing, for if we should be unlucky enough to be nabbed there is no sense in dragging you into the scraps," Blod ret answered. “ That is right!” t e professor declared. “It would be far better for us to have you at liberty, so you could do our level best to git us out of, the scrape, t an to have you ked up with us.” “(That is the correct view to take of the matter,” the Englishman remarked. “But I don’t think there is any danger of your getting nabbed if you use common cau- tion " "‘You can bet all you are worth that we will use uncommon caution!" Blodget de- clared with a grin. .“Just close the basement door and the ., gate,” St. Germaine advised. ’ “I took the key out of the gage lock and ,hung it up on its nail in the ll, so when the y-cops cometo make an examination in the morning they will come to the conclusion , that the servants neglected to bolt the base- ment door, and the parties who got away ‘ V with the boodle got in b picking the locks. .. "‘ We don’t want it to 00k, pards, you un- derstand, as if it was an ‘inside job,” St. Germaine continued. “ It is our game to pull the wool over their eyes, and matters must be arranged so it will not appear as if the parties who cracked the safe and got away with the valuables had ' been adm tted into the house by one of the inmates." “ We understand, and we will fly: the doors 1’ all ri ht," Blodget replied. ' -. “ here is no doubt that there will be a “a, fearful row kicked up about this little 60b, ‘* » for old Lenbold is :lust the man to raise ain mag? of this k nd," the Englishman re. mar . ' “ But if you are not nabbed upon leaving ,the house,’ the chances are about a million to I .7 one th t you will not be caught it you act 5"" ‘ .with mmon prudence." . Then he turned'out the gas, but as Blodget i,» :‘,«_,fopened the door a most unwelcomesight ap- , to the eyes of the cracksmen. '~ ii. ' rd" " 7 CHAPTER xxx. “NABBED.” , 'l‘mum stalwart tpolicemen, headed by De-. 'tective'Pat O’Calla an, ,in- lain clothes, were in the.‘hall, and as the not opened they the cracksmen with ereled re- valvers.‘ v The crooks were aghast. The surprise was complete, for never were menvmore amazed. ' . as A moment the [stared at the officers, and then each crook, nvoluntarily made a mom- ent as if to draw a weapo , . ‘ “come, ,comel none of that!” cried the “Don’t attempt to try any we of that *kind,‘ unless you are an Xious‘to sent to the her world by the LightninEExpress train I” A moment the. three crac smen glared at he speaker, and then. realizl 3 that it weald fbe utter fell for them to attempt to resist, hey fallow their [hands to is! by ‘their 8. ' Pfishte hen." the detective cow“ to groan aloud, for the coming 0 the mil- -tools, the "Now you are acting sensibly,” he con- tinned. “It isn’t of any use for a man to I kick against fate, you know. When you get 1 into a tight place of this kind, the only thing i to do is to grin and bear it. g‘ “ Jimmy, snap the bracelets on!" i This Command was addressed to one of the i policemen, who immediately puthis revolver l away, and produced three pair of handcuffs. The crooks looked at each other as three pair of “bracelets” made their appearance. The same thought had occurred simul- taneously to all of the cracksmen. It was not through the chance of accident that the police had contrived to surprise them in this astounding manner. ' Usually a detective carries a single pair of handcuffs with him, but from the fact that this common policeman was provided with three pair, it Was proof positive to their minds that they had fallen into a trap. Too late to be of any service came the sus- picion that the five thousand dollars had been a bait designed to lure them into a snare. It was as much as the veteran crooks could do to keep from groaning aloud when the handcuffs were snapped upon their wrists, and they reflected how blindly, and twith what blundering footsteps, they had Walked into the trap. All three of the men were renowned as “ special pleaders,” and if they conceived that there was one chance out of a hundred of their being able to set up a claim of inno- cence, they most surely would have tried to persuade the officers that there was some mis- take about the matter. But they were taken red-handed! The “ cracked " safe—the burglars’ tools in their possession, with which the job had been performed. and, worst of all, the crisp bank- notes which had caused them to chuckle so glgefully when they had taken them from the an o. It was not possible for them to explain away the possession of the money. As soon as the ceremony of putting on the handcuffs was over, Detective O’Callahan called out: v “The risoners are secured t" Then r. Lenbold made his appearance, accompanied by the veteran detective, Joe, Phenix. ' Again the cracksmen felt strongl tempted lionaire, accompanied by a man who pos- sessed such a judicial air as the experienced thief-taker, was convincing proof that they were the victims of a skillfully devised plot. “I am astounded, Mr. St. Germaine, to find you in such a situation as thisl" the old millionaire declared. The Ebglishman assumed a careless air, althougu rage was tearing at his heart. “ Well, I certainly cannot deny that up- pearances at present are somewhat against me. but when my examination takes place before a magistrate, I am uiie sure I will be able to explain matters sat sfactorily to him,” i he observed. ’ " That is right, keep a stiff upper lip!” De- tective O’Callahan exclaimed. » . “And now. gentlemen, I hope on will excuse me if I take the liberty o ‘ goin through‘ you?” the officer cautioned, wit mocl'tvpoliteness. “ “ ell, as we cannot help ourselves, we will be obliged to Submit, of course,” the En lishman remarked, with the air of a phi osopher. . - s The search resulted in the production of the stolen bank~bills. a .full‘ set'of burglars’ cuilar instruments with which the safe ha been cracked, and the weapons carried by the crooks. ‘ “ Can you identif this money. Mr. Len- bold ?" Detective 0‘ allahpn asked. ' “Oh, yes, I have the number {bf each note,” the millionaire replied. ' ,- ‘fi‘ . “I also have a list,’ Joe Phenix “So there will not be an trouble in prev- ing that-these bills were in the safe.” Blodget’s rage at this announcement was so great that he Could not restrain himself. “It was‘a'might s‘marttrick'you pla ed!" he cried. “You aid a- trap for us. at I wear I will 'get even with the man who put up n - , ', .. ~ . *t‘Afl - ~ r e ones which were, ,- theref‘ore- Mr. "Lenbdld presumed: ‘ eldnettskss y’ut astral “ Well, gentlemen, I fancy you will have to hold me responsible,” Joe Phenix re- marked, in his quiet way. “And who may you be?" Blod-Jet ex- claimed, insoleiitly. “I don’t remember that I ever had the pleasure of beingr intro— duced to you.” “I think you are right in regard to that, for I feel quite certain that I never saw you‘ before,” the detective remarked “There- fore I takc it for granted thatull three of you. are strangers in the city, or otherwise I should know you. “My name is Joe Phenix.” The crooks exchanged glances, and it was plain from the expression on their faces that the veteran detective was not unknown to- them by reputation. Leaving the prisoners in charge of the policemen, Detective O‘Callahan. with Mr. Lenbold. and Joe Phenix, went into the library. lit the gas and examined the safe. Both the veteran man-hunter and the detective from Headquarters Were astonished by the skill which the crooks had displayed in “cracking " the safe. “I say, Mr. Phenix, it is evident that these- fellows are no slouchesl" O‘Callahan ex- claimed in admiration. .. ' “Oh, no! they are good workmen and thoroughly understand their business,” Joe Phenix replied. “ The scoundrels have succeeded in ruining: the safe!” the millionaire remarked, testily, always having an eye to the “main chance,” a peculiarity for which he was llll3(d ,\ “Yes, it will have to go to the i-hop and be repaired before it will be good for any— thing,” Detective O’Callahan observed. ‘ J “‘It is a pit that you eould not have arrested the fel ows before they ruined the safe." Mr. Lenbold remarked with a regret-~ ful air. “Well, we might have done that, of course, but we couldn’t have got so strong a case against them as we have now,” O’Callahan replied. “And if an attempt had been made to- enter the room, and surprise them while they were at work on the safe. we could not, have taken them at such a disadvantage as. we did secure. so the chances are that, they would have fought desperately. and some lives might haVe been sacrificed,” Joe Phenix remarked. “ Yes, yes, very true!" the millionaire ex- claimed. - Then the officers departed with their ‘ prisoners, the old gentleman saying that he would agpear in court to ress the charge against t 0 men in the morning. The trap had securely caged the birds. CHAPTER XXXI. AN INVESTIGATION. Amit the policemen departed 'with the. crooks the Westerner, Freemont, made his appearance. having been watching the ’ seance through the crack of a door, slight- ly 1:13am at the other end of the hall. r. Lenbold was surprised to see him. for he had no idea that he was anywhere in the: neighborhood. Joe Phenix had written the millionaire that he desired to see him that evening at eight.‘ o‘clock on im rtsnt business. ' v : a When the elective came he explained that he thoughttit was probable that an at pt. migllit be made to rob the safe that ery ni t. . . g‘ I have an idea that by means of the s y, whom the nebula have succeeded in gett ng into your house, they were immediately in.‘ formed that the money had been placed in the safe; and as under the circumstances of the case it is liable to be withdrawn at any time, I fancy that the rogues will try to get at it as soon as possible." b31116 millionaire agreed that this was pro- e. . ‘ . Then the veteran detective explained how he wished to smug he Detective (O'Callahan and a one is ’of- pg) cemen'intothe house so as to be ab 6 to arrest the cracksmen. The old gentleman. of course, was willing to do all in his power to-assist the detective‘ to capture the rascals. Y z , ' The Westerner‘s name was not mentioned.“ that 'he i. A. v~< s @313”; V r I4. £177.".~42::_..1,sms;rm__ n 3a.. .1 “ .11 W; ' trim?“ ‘ ~ “Wayward” ‘wi w . . 12.5%» v J- . v , ; ‘, 397$... figmiaa' - q > K ' L 44‘ - min) A ‘ ‘ insurr‘rvcw-z r .j. . , .v . . , , ,1“ V .p x ,v A . mtg“. '35 . ‘ 2‘ 1‘1; 1e. _ _1—3"{B. \ A". A; Joe hemx’s' "R ghi: B I wer. 4! . So the old gentleman was not prepared for his appearance. “ llello! I didn‘t know that you were any- where around!’ the millionaire exclaimed. “ Oh, yes; I take a decided interest in these proceedings. and as 1 had a hand in arranging rthe affair I was anxious to see how the scheme worked,” Freemont remarked. , i . “ It certainly succeeded to perfection,” the old gentleman declared. S i “The reason that my assistant hem, who ‘4 ,3. , may be aptly termed my right-bower, kept out of the way, was that as there was a «chance We might not succeed in nabbing the spy it was desirable that his connection with V} -r - ~ “ And now the next thing'in order is to examine his room, and baggage, and we may be able to find some evrdenee which will post us as to who and what the man really is,” the veteran detective continued. “ Yes, that is a good idea,” the millionaire assented. , "Follow me and I will take you to his room.” ‘ The man-hunter went with the old gentle- man. “In the Englishman’s apartment the gas was burning, and the bed-clothing was turned down, just as if some one had re cently arisen. ‘ g the affair should be kept Secret,” Joe I’henix explained. . l ‘ “ Yes. yes, I understand; 1f the secret was , 4 ;‘ revealed his usefulness would be impaired,” l i " .Mr. Lenbold said. 4 "Exactly! you have hit upon the truth," r . the veteran detective replied. I .‘ “ We have succeeded in capturing three ‘ ‘ " of the gang, but whether we have bagged all s of the rascals, who are handed together, or not is a question," Joe Phenix continued. “ It is my impression that there are one or , two more," the Westerner observed. '1..- i? .3, a . a. , “For instance, there'is the big fellow, with the black beard. WhMlitCaltt’tl to sand- : bag me the other night, as 1 related to you,” Freernont added. “ Yes you are right; we did not get him,” i Joe Phenix assented. “And there isn’t any doubt in my mind i that he is one of the gang,” the Westernerl declared. “ Undoubtedl !" the veteran detective re- I plied. “ And t ere may be one or two more : 'besides him, although, as a rule,a gang of i this kind rarely consists of more than three or four men.” s . “It is to me the that this En lishman should be mixed up in an affair ofg this kind," the millionaire re- marked. . “ Well, Mr. Lenbold, I think from the in- veStigations which I have made in regard to , the man that he is no more an Englishman I than i am,” the man-hunter replied. “Dear me! is that possible?" the million- , aire exclaimed in surprise. “Yes, I called upon the English consul .3 and inquired about the man,” Joe Phenix explained. “ I put myself in communication with him in re artito tlus person. and he seemed to be satin id that he was all right,” the old gen- tlema averred. ' ,r ~ “Oh, there is no doubt that there is such a man as Edmund St. Germaine, and that he is a rich oung fellow, belonging to one of the best amilies in England. an when this fellow called upon the consul, and tendered his letters of introduction, the English repre- sentative never had a suspicion that the let- - ters mi ht be clever forgeries,” Joe Phenix 1 . Observes. ' “Ah, yes, 1 see.” “ it would be an easy matter for the rascal to range the gnme~with the assistance of some English crook. who knew all about the real Edmund St. Germaine.” " It certainly would not be difficult,” the millionaire assented. “ The true St. Germaine is quite a sport- ing eliaracter,,interested in horses, and a prominent man on the turf. so it would be , lble. for a first-class English crook to now all about him,” the man-hunter ex- plained. 3 - ' “ Ah, es. I perceive,” said the old gentle- ed“ ut what s-bold game the fellow is ‘l"~ “ Yes, that is a. fact, but yen see be counted \ v m - :-“,..u '.u ‘.-. t e" z,“ ‘ W...§L‘%~rfl;‘fl‘wt'<'vy5“"‘ x. :. most astonishing thing i .1“ W W‘- sm egg-“aw vertexes-nag- .. hung-A: .< , t , N ./ f of examining the contents of these articles,” 3 the detective continued, and as he spoke he i claimed, in'surprise. “ lie only brought a single small trunk. 21 valise, and a hat-box with him," the mil- lionaire explained. “And he made a remark that when he traveled he always made it a rule to go in light marching order." “ That was a reasonable excuse," Joe Phe- nix observed. “ Now then, I am going to take the liberty drew a large bun‘ph of trunk and valise keys from his pocket. ’ He did not deem it worth while to explain to the owner of the mansion that his “ right bower,” as he termed the Westerner, had taken the precaution to not only find out just what baggage the Englishman possessed, but also had with a bit af wax taken the im- pression of the keyholes. , Owing to this circumstance. then. it was not strange that the veteran man-hunter had but little trouble jn‘finding keys to fit the locks of both the trunk and valise. The detective, made a careful examination of all the articles contained in the trunk and valise, but did not find anything of a sus- picious naturcmwith the exception of a small bottle which contained a golden-hued liquid. Joe Phenix held it up, and then he and the Westerner exchanged significant glances. The bottle had a gaudy label, and the in- scription proclaimed that it was “ M Felix‘s Unrivaled Golden Bath for the Hair.” "What on earth did the man want such an article as this for?" the old gentleman ex- “Because the natural color of his hair is black, " the veteran detective replied. “And in order to disguise his personal ap- pearance, so as to prevent recognition, he ehan ed the color of his hair by means of this h each." ‘ “ Well, well, this fellow is really a most complete scoundrell" the millionaire ex- claimed. . - “0h, yea,_there is no discount, on him!" the Westerner declared. _ Then Joe Phenix. pursuing his investiga- tions. discovered that there was a false bot~ tom to the valise, and when this was opened. a short-haired black wig. and a heard of the same hue, with crispy curling hair, were re- vealed. ' Again the human bloodhounds exchanged significant glances, a “ Aha! these re evidently used by him when he wanted 0 disguise his appearance." the millionaire remarked, taking a great in- toreséliln the matter. “ . yes, that was the ame, no doubt,” Joe Phenix remarked. g r ' {‘And this discovery which we have been seek ," he continued. ‘sz ‘lt possible?" the old gentleman in- quired. ' ' “ Yes; this man‘s right name is William Eli es us the clue 8 getting the aforesaid services in jail as any. Black; .he is a well-known Western des-, perado. and among his his bears the name i of Black Bill—Captain lack Bill. 'l upon the boldness of the game to carry him “When he a pears in his own roper per- l less way. , v. through,” Joe Phenix replied. ' son. he has .b ack hair and a s rt black The lawyer grinned. and seated himcnlti: “And just 886000 I! he Iticceeded in hum- beard. - i " u n the stool, while «the prisoner sat on W H I, .bugging the English consul, he knew that “As the West grew too hot to hold him, not the bed. ' . - .5 _ j, t: the most difficult part of the deception was he came East, shaved 01! his beard andi , en thelegni gentleman fell to studying A, over," bleached his hair, then got this wig and g-the face of theother again. ’ - , , “’ .1, u v} Ty true, forthe fellow played hispart heard so‘ that he could meet his pals without 3 “No, it is no use. you one on] .w L ‘ " well," the millionaire observed. danger of being identified as theEnglish- ' your time!” the prisoner exc med, "n.5- ‘ “He seemed to have plenty of money, man.” , ruptly. . . , . mm it lavishly, and I never had a sus “This fellow must be a reallymarvelous I r “Iam a stranger to you. and thicken! ".1, I , icion that there wuanything wrong about rascal!" the millionaire declared. i first. meeting!” .1 ’ _. = , ' ». . V ,_ ‘ firm until this gentleman made his revelation ‘ “ Oh; yes, hut‘he is safely tropde st ins ," i “ Well. it was my impression thntyou wen- ' . _ tome,"nnd Mr. Lenbold nodded tothe Wat. ’Joe Phenik replied. "And unless he is not an. old acquaintance." ’ v u . ",ferner. smart enough to escape from the Tombs ‘ “Thatis oorrect."- .L g;...,«"We trapped him so nicely that he is oer. prison. he is certain to do the State acme . “How did you happento send for met", “a to .39 up the river,” Joe service in.8ing Sing.” ' r ,. --“I knewal about you hyn'putntion,” r r. '1 . "Inmvery ladle Nacho ’ ' Mind than lug toward cal deserves to be punished,” Mr. Lenbold declared. The veteran detective tben took his de- parture, but before he went the Westerner took advantage of a favorable opportunity to whisper in his ear: "I will warn the Guttenburg sport to- morrow that his man is trapped and in the Tombs.” CHAPTER XXXII. IN DURANCE \‘ILE. IN the narrow confines of a cell in New York‘s gloomy city prison known as the Tombs. sat the false Englishman, who had called himself Edmund St. Germaine. The first thing in the morning he had sent for the warden of the prison and asked if he could be allowed to communicate with a law- yer. “ Certainly!” the Tombs oflicial replied. “Will you have the kindness to send a message then to Abram Pefferkin?" the pris- oner asked. “I will pay well for the trouble”. “I will send it right away,” the warden answered. “Peil‘erkin is a good lawyer and he will pull you out of this scrape if any man can.” Then the warden withdrew, somewhat surprised that the Englishman, whom he took to be a stranger. should want this one particular legal gentleman. “Poasibly Peiferkin’s fame has traveled across the water,” he observed. “But I wonder at it.” . Abram Pefierkin was one of the many law~ yers in the metropolis who made a specialty of criminal cases, but although among his professional brethren he bore the reputation ‘ of being an extra smart fellow, yet he was not well liked, for he had the name of being shifty, tricky and unscrupulous. As both his appearance and voice were against him as a “jury lawyer,” he rarely attempted to conduct a case himself. He got together. the law points, mapped out how the case should be tried, and then had some good talker, who could berelied » upon to make a good impression upon the . jury, appear for his client. And so it happened that though the law- yers, who d voted themselves to criminal cases, and th vast army of rogues, many of whom had succeeded, thanks to his aid, in slipping through the meshes of the law. knew all about Abram Peflerkin, the world ht large re rded him onlyas an obscure law; yer who d d not amount to much. The ability of a man to pay well for oer. f vices rendered has as much to do with his where else. St. Germaine had plenty of money—was not inclined to be stingy with it. and so with.- , in a half an hour from the time that he ext. ‘ : pressed a desire to see the lawyer, that indie «‘- vidual made his appearance in his cell. , ’ Peflerkin was 3 little, foxy-lookin man,” whose features plainly betrayed that e one of the descendants of the Chosen People. - ~From his face a good judge of character . would have decided that he was a peculiar- compound, ing the cunning of the to: and the snarling ferocity of the wolf. , , “122g: istzirkPefl'erkinthe mar .38 e co rintr u A into the cell.’ pe , “Yes, sir. that is my name," the in _. replied, math a curious glance at the “be? r limited. I will have to ask it: u n the stool, while twill bed. on make believe that it lost lounge, the Englishman remarked inhis easy, Mo 1 , ~ .2: 7 oe "Pheiiiii’s. Right Bower: lawyer, and speaking in so low a tone that 'it would not have been“ possible for a listener standing at the Cell door to overhear his words, he said: “ I am not an Englishman, but an Ameri- can; I am from the \Vcst, and well vauaint- ed with a dozen or two of good men who have been unlucky enough to get into trouble here in New York, and succeeded in getting out through your skill.” “ h, yes,” and the lawyer nodded his billlShy head. “ You are one of the boys, 8 I?” ‘ “ Yes, sir, I have been there many a time!” the other declared. “ What is the trouble now?" “ Oh, I am in such a state that salt will not save me!” " That is bad—how is it?" , The priSoner then told the story of his cap- . ture. Pederkin listened intently then, when the this was completed, he shook his head in a grave way , “ It is bad!” “Oh, yes, it is just as I said; I am in the Worst kind of a hole!" “ That Joe I’henix is a devill" , “ Yes, you are right, and when I get out of this scrape I shall feel very strongly in- clined to see if his skin is proof against the , point of a knife. the cursed hound!” the pris- . oner cried in a ferocious tone. ' A ain the lawyer snook his big head. ~ “ ell, there is no telling; youmay be able to get square with him, but no one else has " ever succeeded in doing so, although many deslperate fellows have tried,” he’ remarked. he prisoner looked surprised. “ Why, is the man knife and bullet-proof?” he inquired, incredulously. \ The lawyer rinned. . - , "Ah, well, would not like to go-so far as to, declare that to be the truth,” he replied. ‘_‘But I will say though that this blood- hound seems to be remarkably lucky.” . “Many men have tried to get s uare with a ' him grid failed?” the prisoner aske . a. H es.” ‘ I r, . “ Well, if I go up the river, when I come down I will try my luck, anyhow.” u,‘ “Now th n, let me see." said the lawyer, reflectively. “ It seems that thgy caught you ’ dead to rights.” “ Oh, yes, not a doubt of it!” “What defense have you got?" “ Nary hit of a defense, as far as I can see. .}",We Were taken in the room where we crack! ’ed'the safe. ' “There was five thousand dollars in mark- ‘éd bills in the ‘ plant ’—that is the same as marked, for the numbers of all the bills had . "been taken, and when we were searched after ' , athe ‘darbies’ were snapped on our wrists, m‘y pals had fifteen hundred dollars apiece :0 the marked money, and in my pocket was ‘tgvo thousand dollars’ worth of the ‘fiim- is ss.‘ ’. . - g" iIt is bad—very bad i” the lawyer declared. "‘ 0h, yesi” the risoner exclaimed, with a co. “Than s to this internal detec. the, Joe Phenix, I have got myself in the Watkins] of a hole. - v ‘jOf course, I understand now that there ;glesoregular trap set for us, and if we had .' ’n-the. biggest chumps in the world, we Mouldn’t have got caught more easily." , ' "You think that the money was put in the ,Iofdfor the express purpose of getting you crack it?" the lawyer asked, thoughtfully. “Exactly! that was the game; and ’ it .mi'ked splendidly, too. v w '- if”! and my pals are strangers here in Kerk... and we thought there would!» ' a Mentor us to take afew g00d tricks he- 'Ierethe-police ot onto an gyne.” " “It wasn't 9. ad idea. ' > _« And I worked the trick so as to get into ' ddLenbhld’s house, and everythggg seemed . "yzhe going on so well that I , not-the , test suspicion that the :fly cops hadtheir us. ” " , ‘ a ( ' “It was stran e that you were spotted. ' “.‘tYou are rig t,‘but w ere, and this lit trapconstructed‘ ior o r especial benefit, end, as I said, we got caught in it just as if “a undid he cir was, i‘d t '»- 0, art , cu ‘ on’ know. what t6 advise'ithe lawyer res, i,wwm U V H", I A. ; biggest ohumps'tha‘tever tried . onto you to thé fullest extent of the law, and the evidence is so strong and direct that it is big odds the jury will convict you without leaving their seats.” “ I understand all this. I am an old hand at this sort of thing, and I can calculate the chances as well as any man living. “ iut if a game cannot be worked in one way, sometimes it can be done in another, and l have thought out a scheme, whichI think you can put through all right. for it is only a question of money, and I have plenty.” ‘ Then the prisoner explained his plan. The lawyer listened atfentivcly, made a few suggestions. and then took his departure, Confident that the plan stood a chance of be- ing successful. CHAPTER XXXIII. ‘ A woarax’s DEVU’I‘ION. THE preliminary examination of the three crooks took place on the next morning after their arrest, and their cases were set to be tried on that day week. I’cfl‘erkin appeared in person, and fought as hard as he could for a delay, much to the astonishmtnt of his brother lawyers, and after the date of the trial was set, some of his acquaintances questioned him about the mat- ter. “ What do you expect to gain by pushing oil‘ the case ‘2” they demanded to know. “It is as plain as the nose on your face that the men are guilty, and it is about as certain that they will be convicted as any- thing can be in this world.” The lawyer smiled in‘h'is foxy way. and re- plied: ” Well, I must do something to earn my fees, you know. I understand just as well as any of you that the on don’t stand any show, and are surely hooker for a trip up the river, but as long as I am retained to fight the case, I must make a pretense of doing smnething, no matter whether my work amounts to any- thing or not.” . - This was reasonable, and the other law- ylers winked knowingly and chuckled in r ee. 5 ' But the scheme which the imprisoned crook had formed required time, and this the wily lawyer had contriVL-d to gain. There was another serviCe which Peiferkin performed for the false Englishman; this was to call upon Miss Holbrooke and make known to her that the prisoner in the Tombs'desired to have her call upon him. ' The law er took care to go the Lenbold mansion a ter_ the shades of night had cov- ered in the earth, for he was afraid that some one in the neighborhood might recog- nize him, and it was important that his visit should be kept a secret. When the servant came in answer to his ring he asked for Miss Holbrooke, but de- clined to enter, saying that he was in a hurry and only desired to speak to the lady for a moment. V ‘ _ As soon as Miss Hoibrooke came be ex- plained his business as briefly as possible, speaking in so low atone hat it would not be possible for any one thin the hall to overhear his Words. The lady’s ,face was dark and anxious as she listened to the message. “ Is there any hope that he can escape con- viction?” she asked. ‘ “Not the all htestl" the lawyer replied, decidedly. “ T e eVIdence isso stron and direct that he is as sure to be convicts and sent to State Prison as that we are standing here this moment." : ‘ The Igirl gave vent to a doe sigh. ‘ “It s unfortunate," the as d. ~ “ Yes, nothing short of something very much like a miracle will has him out-or severe udge on the bench—a man awho carts of, the criminal classes by the severit of his sentences, it is safe to say that he wii be put away for as long as the law allows—- ten years, maybe." . . ‘ ' Oh. isn’t it dreadful l" Miss Holbrooke ex- clairned. , “But she was cautious to speak in so low a tone that .no’eaVesd t biy overhear her words. anthems hinting ’mighiyba’d. ,. Jig, ' a ~ it will Sing Sing, and as he comes be re the most' Brides imself on striking terror to " the‘ topper could possiw powe “ You are a ' girl, Rotate, sure you woul not: ail, me in ~ need 38 on...“ like “\thn I see him in the morning Iwili tell him that you will come, and I know from the way he spoke about the matter that he will be pleased.” Then I’cfl’crkin instructed her how to set about gaining admittance. “It will be very strange for me to go to such a place," the girl remarked. “ int, he is my countryman. for I am Eng- lish, too. and now that he is in trouble. in a strung land. I feel that- it is my duty to do all I can for him.” “ It will be a very praiscworthy act on your part, I am sure.” the lawyer remarked, and then he took his departure. “ That woman is a precious deep one. un- less I am greatly mistaken," Peil‘erkin mut- tercd to himself, as he descended the steps. “ I wonder if she suspects what the man in the Tombs wants of her?" he continued. “I don t believe she does, for if she (lid . she would not be so ready to make the call upon him, I surmise.” Whether this was the truth or not, on the following morning Miss Holbrookc made her appearance at the gloomy city prison. Thanks to the lawyer‘s instructions. she did not have any diificulty in gaining admit- tance to the prisoner. St. Germaine expressed his thanks to her for calling, placed the stool by the side of the bed, invited her to be seated, and then sat on the iron cot, as she complied with his request. \ lie arranged the matter in this way, bring- ing the girl close to him, so that it Would not; be possible for any one in the corridor with- out to overhear their wordsif they were care- ful to speak in a low tone. - “ Well, Ramie, I am in a pretty bad hole,” the prisoner declared. “Yes; it is unfortunate,"]§,he girl replied. with a gloomy shake of the end. “ I thought I had arranged a mighty good game, and everything seemed to be progress- ing finely, but this is an uncertain world, and a man can‘t always judge by appear— ances. “ Some one in some way managed to catch onto our game, so a cunningly devised trap was laid and we tumbled into it.” “ The five thousand dollars was a decoy?” the girl asked. - “Yes; it was put in the safe on purpose to get us to come after it, and the police Were all ready to nab us.” , “ Do you suppose this ’esterner—this young man who calls himself reemont—g—had anything to do with it?” was the wmnan’s next query. ‘ , g “ Well, I "don't know,” the prisoner re- plied. picion in regarr to him. "The thought that he had something to do with the matter oc- curred to me as soon as the police nabbed me. ’ , “There is something about the man I do not like. I can’t ver Well explain what it "Stran c you. should have :1 ans, is, but in some way I ave got the impression ' that he is dan erous.” “Just thei ea 1 have of him. It is not ossiole that he is a olice spy, for otherwise twould be strange t t he should home to‘ the house just in ti to upset my little game.” . “ There fie somethin mysterious about the man, and distrus him from the begin~ n a It 'Ie worked the trick in an excellent way, if it was his doin , and he must be connect- t ed with that terri le man-hunter, {0e Phenix, for he it was, apparently, who was in charge of the aifair. . ‘ “If I succeed in gettin out of this scrape ve.me a great cal of pleasure to call hot of them to an account,” the pris~ oner continued. I , i ’ ‘ ‘* You have some plan in view ‘2" the woman asked. ‘ . ‘ > The crook laughed. - ‘, , “ Did that sus icion game up in your mind when I sent or you?’ ‘ ” Yes; I thoughtflyou needed; my aid." , “ And you are w ing to giv‘e it?” ' ,“ Of course. Did you not befriend me when I needed assistance, apd now I am ready to repay the debt by doing all in my r for you.” ' * ,1 -. ,. . . I at. ‘ .,,_ . .r* a: , u”), “M. V fix «a .,___ .‘n Joe Phenix’s Right Bower. 2,7- “I care not; I am reckless, now, What I “ How is that?" the prisoner asked, gazing in her face with a curious look. “I will tell you the truth,” she replied. “I have been fool enough to fall in love with this Mr. Huntington.” “Is it possible?" “ Yes, and l was so great an idiot that I believed I might be able to become his wife and settle down in a happy home." “ I don’t see any reason Why you shouldn’t. " " The only reason is that the man doesn’t care for me,” the girl replied. “Mr. Lenbold had a suspicion that there was a love affair between his daughter and the young lawyer, and I did my best to en- courage him in the belief, for I really thought the pair were entirely too friendly," she continued. “And you calculated that, if you excited the father’s suspicion he would take measures to separate the two?" “Yes; that was my idea; and Mr. Lenbold got the notion that the best way to break up the love affair, if there was one, was to make a match between Mr. Huntington and my- self.” Then she related the particulars of the ten- thousand-dollar offer. “ He promptly refused it?” the prisoner queried musingly. “ Oh, yes; he said that he did not care for me, and that he would not marry a woman whom he did not love if he could gaina hun- dred thousand dollars.” “ The daughter and he have, probably, come to an understanding?” “Yes; I think so.” “Well, now to come to our mutton: I am not anxious to take .a trip to Sing Sing for a long term of years. but I am securely booked for the stone jug if I don’t succeed in mak- ing my escape.” “But is there any chance for you to es— cape?" the young woman asked. “ Yes, with your aid,” and the prisoner ex- plained his scheme. She was to pay him a regular visit every afternoon, dressed in black and wearing a heavy Coat and vail. Then, on the fifth day—by which time, the crook calculated that all the prison officials who came in contact with her would be familiar with her appearance, so that her passing in and out would not excite any par- ticular attention—he would assume her out- ward garments and pass out in her place. He explained that one of the prison ofii- cial's, the man who would be on duty at the time, had been “fixed” by a friend of his, and a liberal amount of money would make this keeper very short-sighted, at a certain time. _ “The game you will play is, you have taken a romantic interest in me. You think I am falsely accused, the victim of circum- stances, and you are justified in aiding me to escape.” “I will do it!” the girl declared, prompt- l y“ Of course it will probably throw you out of your position.” “I do not care. I would rather not re- main longer in the Lenbold mansion. I hate that girl who has won the man I wanted, and if I stay I may be tempted to kill her!” she cried, fiercely. _ In a few minutes more all the details of the plan were arranged and then Miss Hol- brooke departed. CHAPTER XXXIV. rm: DISCOVERY. Tnaxxs to the assistance rendered by the wily lawyer in bribing the rison official, the scheme of escape arrange by the prisoner. was a complete success. _ During the morning of the day when it was decided to make the attempt, the pris- oner announced that he was ill. The Tombs is notorious] a damp, un- healthy building, belng buit upon a s t where formerly stood the waters of a pan , The drains e had not been properly at- tended to in t e first place, and few unfor- tunates are confined for any length of time in the gloomy prison without having a malarial attack. The Englishman reclined upon his cot during the greater part of the time, pretend- ed that he had lost his appetite, so he could not eat, and hardly touched his food. The girl staid until the summons was given for all the visitors to depart, and as thtre happened to be an unusual number of callers that day, quite a little crowd went out together. The prisoner, at dinner-time, had told the attendant not to bring him any supper, say- ing that he was satisfied he would get well quicker if he starved himself for a while; so no one entered the cell after the visitors were notified to depart. When the attendants made the rounds at night, and, peering into the Englishman’s cell, saw the prisoner extended on his cot, apparently asleep, they did not attempt to disturb him, concluding that everything was right. “And not until the succeeding morning was the discovery made that St. Germaine had assumed Miss I-Iolbrooke’s outer garments and made his escape, leaving the young wo- man in his place. Miss IIolbrooke having on a man’s suit, exactly like the one worn by the English- man, it was not until the prison attendant entered the cell in the morning that the es- cape was discovered. Then, of course, a great ado was made. The Tombs warden was furious. and imme- diately suspended the man who had allowed the supposed woman to pass out. ' The keeper protested vigorously that he was not to blame, as the disguised crook went by him with a lot of other women, half of whom had their handkerchiefs to their eyes, trying to stay their tears, and under such circumstances even the most careful man would be liable to be deceived. The girl, who was really pmseswd of un~ common talent in the actingr line, played the role which the crook had assigned her with wondcrful skill. In answer to the warden's stern inquiries she declared that she had assisted the pris- oner to escape, first, because he Was a coun- tryman, born in England, as she had been, and second, on account of being firmly con- vinced that he Was an innocent man falsely accused. Therefore she considered that she was only doing right to help him regain his liberty. She played her part so well that the Tombs official withdrew in disgust, fully satisfied that the girl was a little weak in the head. Miss IIolbrooke had obtained permission from Mr. Lenbold to take a day’s vacation, so her absence from the millionaire’s mansion excited no wonder among its inmates. Great was the astonishment though of all of them, with the exception of the Western- er, when they read in the afternoon news— papers an account of the escape of the Eng- lishman and the daring part which the girl had played. The old gentleman was extremely sur- prised, and he immediately consulted Free- mont in regard to the matter. “ This is really one of the most astonishing thin s I ever heard of!” he exclaimed. “ es, it shows that the girl has plenty of nerve,” the \Vesterner replied. “ Oh, yes, but the idea of her helping this scoundrel to escape!” “Well, I am not surprised. as far as that goes, for I had an idea, right from the begin- ning. that she was a pal of his.” “ Is it possible ?" it “ That is correct. I didn‘t say so ri ht out to you, for I saw that you had a go opin- ion of the young woman, and I felt pretty certain that you would not believe she wasn’t all right until I could bring undisputable proofs to show you that she was not to be trusted.” - “ You do not believe, then, that this is the' act of a romantic girl, as the newspapers try to make out.” “Oh, no!” the disguised detective averred, decidedly. “Her statement is merely de- signed to deceive the authorities in regard to her true motives. “ If they felt sure that she was a pal of the escaped crook, they would do their best to punish her for the part which she took in the aflair, but if she can succeed in making them believe that it was the thou htless act of a foolish, romantic 'rl, the c anees are that her unishment wil not be severe.” ' “ ery true.” “Well, Mr. Lenbold, I do not think I can do you any good b remaining longer inyour house, for my mission is accomplished. The crook who designed to plunder you has been exposed and driven away, and his pal, this Miss Holbrooke, who has managed to mas- querade in the garb of honesty for so long, at last has had her disguise torn away.” “ Yes. I am satisfied now that the girl has imposed upon me, and I should be unwilling to allow her to remain in my service.” “ As far as you are concerned my work is ended, but as long as this crook is at liberty I cannot remain quiet.” “ You will endeavor to recapture him?” “ Oh, yes!" with firm determination. “ He is altogether too dangerous a man to be al— lowed to go at large, and so I shall strike in on his trail at once.” “ I fear that you have a difficult task be— fore you," the millionaire obscrved, with a grave shake of the head. “The fellow is smart enough; his escape shows that; but, no matter whether these rass cals are stupid or cunning, they are bound to Come to griefin the end, for the very stars in their courses fight against them. “ It is a law of nature for seoundrels to go to the wall, in the long run!” the Westerner declared, and then he took his departure. CHAPTER XXXV. A CONSULTATION. FROM the mansion of the millionaire the Westerner proceeded immediately to the abode of Joe Phenix. Freemont knew that the veteran detective could usuallybe found at home about six o’clock. Joe Phenix’s trusty old man-servant, who answered the bell, recognized the disguised detective, for it was not the first time that he had seen him playing the role of the young \Vestern rancher. The great man~hunter was at home, and when Freemont was ushered into his presence he found him looking over the evening news- paper. “You have read the particulars of the escape of this rascal whom we thought we» had caged so nicely?” the Westerner asked as soon as the door closed behind the servant, allowing him to speak freely. “ Yes.” “ The woman was his pal, as we suspect‘ ed,” the W’esterner informed his chief. “True! and she, evidently, is a faithful follower. or else she never would have risked; this bold step." "She is a smart girl, there is no mistake about that!" Freemont averred. “ The neat manner in which she fOoled the old million- aire with the slate reading business is ample proof.” “ Yes, she worked the game extremely well; but Lenbold has a weak spot in his head, or else she never could have succeeded in deceivin him so completely." “She di the trick ,With a ‘ spy ’ concealed in a cameo ring which she wore on the second finger of her left hand; that is, I believe the ring held the ‘spy,’ for the cameo was as large as a ten‘cent piece, and the chances are big that it was ndt a ‘square ’ article.” “ Yes, undoubtedly that was the way she played the game.” “ If you notice, the woman tells a plausible tale about how she came to aid the crook oo- _ escape, and you can see that the newspaper- men have all taken the bait. . “They believe she is one of those yoman- tic, high-strung creatures, who delight in doing foolish things of this kind," Freemont- continued. “Yes, the newspaper men are always glad to get hold of anythin of is sort, for it gives them. a glorious c ance write up the affair, and you can depend upon it that when these fellows get hold of a good story they take excellent care that it shall not lose any- thin in the telling.” “ h. yes; no doubt about that!” “It is plain from all the newspaper ac- counts that not a single one of the reporters has the slightest sus icion the woman’s story is not true, and, n fact, the most of them seem inclined to think there must be some mistake about the matter, for it appears incredible to them that a man like the English- man would willingly join hands with a pair of common crooks.’ “ You noticed that both the English con. - I ., , .Joirh‘é A». 113*. 3.3-"? ’3 R1 . . .,,..... 3, . a; . . . up,“ i V r “y‘asfiis; , , ht BoWer . ‘ new - ,.:<§,ii.,z -':.' :rv t ,l 15., muggy v ‘ .“ ‘ _ r . .~. _ l ' am and‘ Mr. Lenbold have been interviewed by these enterprising newspaper gentlemen for the purpose of getting all the information possible about the man.” “Yes, and, of course, all either of them can say is that it is their impression the man .is an impostor. “ And now that the fellow has succeeded in getting out of the Tombs I think it will bewisc for us to call upon the superintendent of police and give him the inside facts of the , case," the veteran detective continued. " That would be a good idea,” Freemont assented. “And when the police are posted as to who the supposed Englishman really is, it may make it easier for them to hunt him down.” “ There is not much chance of finding the superintendent at Headquarters at this time of day, but we can call there, and if he is not in We will go to his house.” “ Yes, for the information is important, and the police ought to be put in possession of it as soon as possible." “ “’0 will go at onccl” Joe Phenix de- dared. And then the two sot out. Fortune favored them, for the superin- tendent had returned to his oilice after dining I in order to attend to some business which he had heed obliged to leave unfinished. He listened attentively when Joe I’henix ‘ told his suspicions in regard to the supposed Englishman. “ (.‘aptain Black Bill, ch?” the police chief " exclaimed in surprise. I “ Well, well, I am astonishedl” he contin- ued. " That fellow is avery much ‘ wanted’ man. and the idea that the rascal should have “the impudcnce to come right. here to New York, just as if he considered that we men in the police line in the metropolis were no- , thing but a lot of chumps.” ' “If he had an opinion of that kind be has, probably, changed it by this time,” Joe Phe- nix observed, dryly. “Yes, yes! I should not be surprised .if he had!” the superintendent exclaimed, laughing. "He was promptly nabbed the first time marked. “And he had put up a good game too,” the superintendent observed. ' , “A very careful] planned game, and it on ht to have wor ed, but it di-ln’t," the pp cc chief continued. I “He managed to get out of the Tombs though, so he rather has the laugh on us, al- though we did spoil his game," the veteran detective observed. ‘ “I wiil go right down to the Tombs at once and see if 1 can’t get some information out bf the Woman l" the superintendent ex- claimed. t 'Joe Phenix looked at his right-bower as if ., ask him what his opinion was in regard to }-ihis matter. “m '»‘The Weste er shook his head. ' “You. wii find her a pretty hard customer to get anything out of, Iam afraid," Free. mat affirmed. “She is deep and cunning, an on can plainly see from the way she has _ the reporters about this affair.” “These ress men are smart cha s," the ,, j uiscd distective continued. ” at, to i " go from the way in which they write bent the case. none of them seem to have a filthpicion that the woman is an old-time pal the man whom she helped to escape.” “Oh, no; they all 0 on the idea that it guns one of those fool sh notions which wo- takc' into their heads sometimes,” Joe '"Phooix remarked. fWell, it will not do any harm for me to ', vs a talk willythe woman/Who superinten- ’ , observed. . v’ I may be able to offer such inducements fiat‘sho will think it wise to make a clean of the matter." ‘It certainly will not do anyharm to make - attempt," the veteran dete ive assented. . . ‘1! on haven't anything on hand which domain 5 your time, come with me,” the H00 chief saith ‘No; my time is my own, and I will be - = .s toaccompany you.” ‘Sho'doesn’t know you, Mr. Phenix, so it ,Illright for you to go,” the Westerner ob- ' ed“ “But it she should see me in com- " superintendent here, all the. he attempted to take attrick,” .Ioc Phenix re-' would understand then that it was a chap about my size who had been instrumental in upsetting the carefullyplanned game of the crooks.” The others agreed that it was best for the disguised detective to keep in the back ground. A coach was called, and the three were carried to the city prison, but. the Westerner remained in the ofiicc while the others called upon the woman. CHAPTER XXXVI. A s'rtrnnonN WOMAN. OF course the warden of the city pr;son was glad to oblige so great a man as the superintendent of the New York police, so he had Miss llolbrookc brought to his pri- , vate oilice in order that the gentleman could ' talk with her at his leisure. The woman appeared to be calm and un- concerned when she appeared. “ Have the kindness to be seated, miss,” the superintendent said. Miss ilolbrookc complied without a word. , “Do you know who I am?” the police official asked. in a smooth, polite way, fix- 1 with a gaze as though he would read her" very soul. - “ No, sir, I do not.” “I am the superintendent of the New York police." " Yes, sir," the girl remarked, calmly. the announcement not seeming to produce any , impression upon her. “And I have come to see if. you would be willing to tell me all the particulars of this business.” “Yes, sir, I have noobjections," )Iissiioi- ' brOoke replied, in the most matter-of-fact way. “I am glad to hear it!" the superintendent exclaimed, in accents of satisfaction. “ Oh, yes, I am willing to tell you all about it," the girl assented. “Although one of the gentlemen who is connected with the prison here was kind enough to tell me that I ought not to talk : to any one until I had an opportunity to consult a lawyer,” she added. “That is perfectly true, but I am an ex-» ceptiOn to the rule. being a man in author- , ity,” the oilicial explained. I “Yes, sir, I suppose so,” the prisoner rc- i plied, in a very simple and innocent way. if the two men had no; bad a suspicion that she was a deep and esigning woman, they‘would have been completel deCeived, T for there was no doubt that t c prisoner “his playing the part of an innocent, unsus- pecting girl to perfection. “ You are in a very bad position here, and no doubt . on will be punished Severely if you cann t contrive in some way to miti- atc the unishment,” the supertntendent' eclared, oing his best to make an impres- ‘ sion upon the prisoner: l Joe Phenix had a high respect for the, official head of the New York police force, ‘ for he knew that the superintendent was an extremely able man, but he did not agree ' with him in his treatment of this case. It was his impression that the gentleman was merely losing time in endeavoring to get any information out of the woman. Although it was the first time that the veteran detective had come in contact with t e prisoner, yet as his “right bower," the s illful and cunnin manrhunter, now mas- queradin in the isguise of the Western rancher, [had Spoken to him freely in regard to the woman, he thought he comprehended . correctly just about what kind of a creature she was. and therefore it was his opinion that she would be fully a match for the head of the oiice'force. althoughthe official was un- : dou tedly an extreme able man. ‘ “ I know, sir, that have .been very fool. ish,” the girl replied. in an humble way. “ Oh, yes, decidedly so!" the police official gecliared with a portentous shake of the ca . ~ “ You see, the trouble was, air, that I did not stop tothink abbut the matter at all, but acted entirely upon the impulse of the mo. ; ment." ' “Exactly! And if you had taken time to f 'reflect upon the matter you Would not have acted-asyou did? ing his keen eyes on the face of the woman ; . to make the blunder. the best way fOr you to repair the error is to make a clean breast and tell me all the particulars of the affair," the superintendent remarked. “ l have no objection to do that, sir,” the girl replied immediately The superintendent cast a glance at Joe Phenix as much as to say, “ What do you think of the affair now?” A quiet smile appeared on the face of the veteran as he gave a slight nod in answer to the otiieial's inquiring glance. It was hi»: opinion that the superintendent was not going to get any information out of the woman, notwithstanding her apparent willingness to make a confession. “I am in possession of a number of facts in regard to this man whom you assisted to escape," the superintendent observed. “ And if you will tell me all you know about him I will agree to use my influence with the authorities so that your punishment will be ' much lightened.” “ I will gladly tell you all I know, sir, for now I have awakened to a consciousness ,1 of my folly, and see how unwise I have been in having anything to do with the matter.” “ (fan you give me any information in re- gard to where the man is gene?" the police chief inquired. “ No, sir, I don’t know anything about it,” the woman replied. “ Can‘t give me a hint so that I can put the police on his truck?" " Oh, no, he never said a word about his ; future movements, and I never thought of asking him. “All that was in my mind was to aid him to escape from this dreadful place, for I believed him when he declared to me that he was an innocent man.” The superintendent felt a strong inclination to swear just now, particularly as he hap- pened to steal a glance at Joe Phenix and saw that the veteran had a quizzical smile on his lips. To use the slang of the day, the woman was “ stringing " him. “Oh, come, now! this will not do!" the police chief exclaimed sharply, with a most decided change of manner. “You most not think that you can pull the wool over my eyes, for you cannot work , anytrick of that kind.” “ Sir!" cried Miss IIolbrooke, in accents of ‘surprisc, depicting to the life the character of an astonished and rather frightened wo- man. ‘ “ Don’t talk to me any such nonsense as that you believed him to be an innocent man!" the superintendent declared. “But I did, and I do still, although I am aware now that it was very wrong for me to interfere in the case, for I ought not to have done so.” " Nonsense, nonsense!" cried the police official, impatiently. , “ You know very well that he was guilty ——you are aware that he was one of the big- cst rascals that ever set the laws at de- ance.’,’ “ Oh, sir, how can you say so?" the woman = exclaimed, with such an appearance of inno~ cent amazement that for a moment even the experienced pohce chief was staggered, and a vague idea came into his mind that it might be possible Joe Phenix and his satellite had made some mistake about the matter. The idea was dismissed almost immediate- ly though, for. a sober second thought told the superintendent that it was much more likely for the woman to playa deceptive part than for an old and experienced man-hunter like Joe l’henix to be deceived. “ Young woman, you are making a great V ' mistake in attempting to deceive me," the superintendent declared sternly. - “ You are in a very bad position, and will most surely be severely punished if on do not succeed in inducing the autho ties to make it light for you," he continued. “ You are probably going on the idea that we don’t know all the particulars about this man, but if 90 van are greatly mistaken, for we know that this‘pretended Englishman is a 2 welLknown'Wostern desperado, one William gawk, commonly called Captain Black Ii" , . And as he made the announcement the " nuperintont'i'ent' watched the .1900 of the 1. _ '3‘. in h Amman.“ \— /a-¥"..“‘.“C‘t‘,. H. . “gnu. . “g .;- !‘ gmfivmmw Effie...“ 1...“... 4..“ ‘ '~_ 'A J 0e Phenix‘s Right Bower. 29 Only a mild expression of astonishment appeared on her features, such as would be natural under the circumstances, but no em- { barrassmcnt or alarm. “Well, sir, I don’t know anything about it," she asserted. Then the otlicial lost his temper, and he told the woman plainly just what he thought about the matter. “This accusation is dreadful, but I know that you cannot prove that l knew anything about him!" she declared in tearful indigna- tion. The superintendent tried again to convince the. woman that it would be wise for her to confess, but as she was stubborn he departed very angry. CHAPTER XXXVII. A SCHEME OF VENGEANCE. ke-<.u w-.‘«n—- ALTHOUGH, after the escape of the English- man was discovered, the police did their best to get on the track, yet no clue to the man was obtained. As he had so many hours’ start, it was the belief at Police Headquarters that he had left town, and so a searching inquiry was made at all the railway depots and ferry- houses, but without success. The routine was followed in this case. A full description of the fugitive was sent to all the police stations, Where it was read aloud to the men, and they were in- structed to keep their eyes open. This is the usual custom, but when he police have to deal with a first-class rascal such asBlack Bill plainly was, the precau- tion does not amount to anything. If the warning relates to some petty crimi- nal, who does not know enough to disguise his appearance when he is aware that the police are on his track, then the officers stand . some chance of arresting their man. But in the case of a hardened crook, capable of changing his personal appearance so that his most intimate acquaintance would have a difficulty in recognizing him, the description furnished to the policemen isn‘t of any use, for it is certain that the “wanted ” man wouldn’t appear at all like the account given of him. Black Bill was both a cunning and a care- ful fellow, and had made his arrangements In regard to his escape in advance, so that if he succeeded in getting out of the Tombs, it would not be an easy matter for the police to get on his track. The big fellow with the black beard, William Valverde, or Mexican Bill, as his al called him—the man who personated Black Bill when the Guttenburg sport en- deavored to entrap the Westerner—had been instructed to wait in Baxter street with a small covered wagon such as are used by tradesmen. . A wagon of this kind could stand in a poor quarter of the city for an hour or more Wllh~ out attracting attention, or exciting observa- tion. This wagon was only a short block away from the prison. So w1thin three minutes after leaving the Tombs the fugitive was in the wagon. Mexican Bill, who was dressed in a well- worn suit of clothes, with an old slouch hat pulled down over his brOWB, so that he re- sembled the average driver, drove at a mod- erate pace through the first cross street to the Bowery, up which he then proceeded. The back curtain of the wagon was down, it was tightly fastened, and immediately after getting on board the vehicle, the fugitive hurried to the rear of it and removed the woman’s disguise. ' Another one was there in readiness for him. The fugitive put on a short-haired black wig; then, with a bottle of skimstain. and the aid of a small mirror, he speedily made his hands and face assume the hue which nature gives to the children of a tropical clime. After he put on the common rough suit of clothes, with a flannel shirt, putting the things right over the clothes he wore, pulled ‘the ‘battered soft hat down over his eyes, and took his seat by the side of Mexican Bill, his appearance was so changed that it would not V have been possible for'any one to recognize him. The fugitive sat down by the driver just ; after the Wagon turned into the Bowery. E . MeXican Bill surveyed him with a critical ; 8.11‘. i “Well, how do you like the get-up?” the ! fugitive inquired. ‘ “It is jest elegant and no mistakel” Mexi- can Bill declared. force of the city, detectives and all, without any danger of being recognized. ” You are jest right. by hockey! I reckon I have known you bout as well as I ever knew any man, and I will be hanged if I could pick you out if I met you in a crowd." “ The police will make a hot search for me undoubtedly, for this escape of mine will be apt to put them on their metal.” “ Oh, you bet!" and the big fellow chuckled in glee. “ It will raise a precious row—no doubt about that, and, going on the principle of locking the stable-door after the horse is stolen, the fly cops will strain every nerve to recapture me.” “ But if we keep our eyes open, it will not be an easy thing for them to do the trick!" “ No, that it will not. Did you secure the room all right?" ' “Yes; I got one in Stanton street," Mexi- can Bill answered. “It is on the second floor back in a tene- ment-house, where there is a.whole raft of people going in and out all day, so that we will not be apt to attract any attention,” he continued. “ That will do nicely." “I don't believe the police will get onto us, no matter how hard they try.” “It is my opinion that they will not suc- ceed in discovering my hiding-place,” the fugitive remarked. “The best place in the world for a man to hide,- when he seeks concealment, is in a big city,” the crook continued. “ To search for a single man in a metropo- lis like New York is like the traditional search for a needle in a bundle of hay.” “ Oh, yes, you hit it plum-center when you say thatl” his companion affirmed. “But the iristake that a good many men make when they 91; into a scrape of this kind, and succeed n giving the go—by to the stone jug, is that the return to their old haunts, just as the wil animal returns to its den, or the locality where it has grown up. after escaping the chase of the hunters," the crook explained. “Yes, that is a fact,” the other observed, thoughtfully. ‘ And it usually proves to be a fatal error both for human and animal.” “ You are right.” “ Now then, as soon as the police catch on to the fact that I have levanted, about the first thing they will do will be to visit all the sporting cribs in town where crooks are known to congregate.” “ Oh, yes, that is certain to be the kind of game that they will play.” “So that if I was {unwise enough to seek to hide myself in a locality of that kind, I would be pretty certain to be nabbed, even if my disguise was so perfect that the police could not recognize me. “ some stool-pigeon, you know, would be certain to give away the fact that a stranger, about whom they knew nothing, had made his appearance, and then the odds are a thou~ sand to one that I would be hauled up before the superintendent of police on some trump- ed-np charge in order to make me give an account of myself.” “ And then all the fat would be it: the fire!" Mexican Bill declared with a grin. “ Oh, yes,” the fugitive assented. “ Un- der circumstances of that kind my disguise would be sure to be penetrated, and that is why I wrote on to.get aroom on the east side of town, in or near me Jewish quarter.” “I worked the trick just as you said: and, I say, that lawyer was a. handy fetlow to have round l" Mexican Bitiexciaimed abrupt- y. “Yes, he is a good man. He arranged the game for me, and yet did it in such a way that if he was put under oath he could truth- fully swear that he neither knew that lim- tended to escape, or had an idea where I had gone.” ' continued. “ 1 don’t wonder that the crooks send for him when they get into trouble.” “Neither do I, for lie is just the kind of man to get them out. if the game can‘t be worked in one way, he is ieady to try an— other. “NOW, take my own case,” Black Bill “There wasn't one chance in a million of my getting out of the scrape if I i once went before the Court, tor l was hooked “I think I could face the whole police; ‘ tainty." for the stone jug up the riVer to a dead cer-- “You bet!" Mexican Bid exclaimed em- phatically. “There ain’t no doubt about that." "The lawyer knew it, and so did I. so I set my wits to work to hatch up a plan of escape. “Thanks to Ramie, who proved to be as true as steel, I got out all right, and now I am going to do my best to get square with the man who 5 iii; my game." “ Do you thmk it Was that Western chap, Freemont?" “ Yes, I feel sure of it, and I intend to kill him before he is a month older!” CHAPTER XXXVIII. A SAFE RIDING-PLACE. BLACK BILL hissed the threat in a tone of voice which plainly showed that he meant what he said. His companion nodded approvingly. “I reckon from what you have told me that you haven’t made any mistake about the matter, and what a lucky thing it was that you concluded there wasn't any need of my oing with the b0 8 that night.” " es, as it turns out it roved tobe a fortunate circumstance, for we had all been captured I would not have had your: assistance in this escape.” By this time the pair had arrived at Stan- ton street, and Mexican Bill guided the horse into the narrow way. “ The house is three blocks down,” be ex. plained. , “ And I hired the wagon on the next block beyond. I will leave you at the house, and you canwait in the entry for me while I take the wagon home.” f‘ All right! That will do.” “ This is the house,” Mexican Bill remark~ ed in a minute or so, as be halted in front of one of the squalid, six-storied tenement- houses which abound in the locality. Black Bill had instructed his companion to bring some wrapping-paper and string with him, so he couid do the woman’s attire up in a neat bundle. With this bundle under his arm he got out of the wagon, and marched into the tenenientvliousc with the air of a man who had been accustomed to the premises for a long time. He proceeded along the hall until he came to the stairs, and there he halted to await Mexican Bill‘s return. The careful crook was not giving a chance away. Although he had confidence that his disguise was so erfect that there was no danger of his being recognized even by the people whose acquaintance he had made- while masquerading as the Englishman, yet he was going to keep out of sight of every- body as much as possible, although there was hardly any probability that any of the people whom he had met while an inmate of the millionaire's mansion would be en? countered in this squalid quarter of the: metropolis. mien-.55 EifT‘iE-EEF: 35):: returned. 1' Now then, jest come along with me, and I will take you to the roost,” the black- bearded fellow remarked. . As he had said, the room was a back one, up one flight of stairs. This was one of the tenement-houses where the inmates are herded in like sheep, there being four families on each floor. The room was a medium-sized one, and very pooriy tarnished. “This is jest the crib for such a game as you have got to play,” Mexican Bill declared, after the pair were within the apartment, with the door securely locked. “Yes; I think it will answer very well," the fugitive replied, as he seated himself by Joe . 1,, s ' Rigfig *B'gwef. the window and took a look out in the rear of the house. There was a yard about twenty-five feet square at the back of the building. Upon this narrow space the walls of the - ' adjacent houses looked down, and the tall buildings shut out the sunlight so effectually that its beams never entered the room where , ' " the crooks sat. “ I say, old fellow, this is agood deal like ~ a prison, isn’t it?” the fugitive remarked. “ Yes, it ain’t the most pleasant prospect in the world, but there is one consolation: no durned jailer is here to turn the key on on.” ‘y‘ Very true, agreeable fact.” _ “It was a mi hty lucky thing, my finding ' this here roostl’ Mexican Bill assumed, with .a wise shake of his big head. “ I might have hunted the hull durned cit over, and the odds are big that I couldn’t ave found :a better place. " You see, we have got it all to ourselves, and nobody ain’t any right to come in and that is a decidedly ' d i'cuse their failure to capture me by saying: 3 ‘Oh, he jumped right out of the city on the J night of his escape, and that. is the reason why we couldn’t put salt on the tail of this owny birdl’ ” “ hon are right, by hookeyl" Mexican Bill exclaimed. “That is jest the we will try to get out of it.’ “ The detectives, in a case of this kind, are a good deal like a pack of dogs, first they chase in one direction, helter-skelter, just as if their lives depended Upon their speed, and then, all of a sudden, they start in on a new track and abandon the old one com letel .” " hat is right!” the other assented. “ You have ot that figured down to afine point! The etectives will about break their necks to catch you for a week or so, and then, if they don’t succeed in getting on the track, they will give it up as a bad job and go at something else.” “Exactly my argument. And then, these New York fiy-cops have no suspicion that I y these smart ducks 0t here,” he explained. “ It is an old Dutch- man who owns the ranch, and his family , have gone on a visit to Germany, leaving the old man alone, so there ain't any women- : folks to pry into a feller’s business.” “ Well, that is fortunate!" “Oh, yes; the conditions are jest right!" :V‘Mexican Bill declared. “ You kin bet your life that i took care to find out all about it ‘2 before I took the room. “_ The old man never asked an}r questions, you, understand; I told him that was in the ="‘neWspaf>er business, but trade was dull now and so and my pardner thought we would «take afurnishe room so as to cut down on the expenses.” ' “That was a good yarn.” "The old Dutchman swallowed it jest as nice as could be," Mexican Bill averred with grin. » f "In fact, I don’t think the old man paid aany attention to what I said at all,” he con- tinued. “The only thing that he was **anxious about was how much I would give or the room and how long did I think I Would sta .” .- “Yes, understand; the kind of man who ‘ouldn’t bother his head about his tenants I'ong as they planked up the cash prompt~ '- 3'1, _ . “That is it! That is his style to a hair!” l’ihe. other exclaimed. , ‘ ., ‘Well, I hooked my fish right away by telling him that I would give him sixteen dollars smooth for the room—would pony * ducats up right away—and hauled the cases’ out on t e spot, mind you, and I we would stay right along with w . 3 f I don’t wonder that the man was anxious secure such desirable tenants.” '01:, be fairly jumped at the chancel" the dec red. : 'And after he got the money he said that, his women folk were away, he would [etc attend to fixing up the room him- ..and thou h he wasn’t much of a hand field 8, yet he had no doubt he id‘mggage to make us comfortable.” - g‘fiAnd that, ve you just the opportunit entrusted, e , to tell him that we woul " to the room ourselves 2" Exact ,:snd Ithink the old coon reck- rhct m ht make an ofler of the kind j’explain that he wasn’t very good at ,onrk." "Well, it; is just what we want," Black observed. ow, for a couple of Weeks I willxlie until the hot hue and cry is over,” the crock continued, a Timeliness are that a fearful row will ,hi‘ci'ted up over my escape, and the de-‘ Mm will leave no stone unturned to dis. ‘ where I have one.” Bonn on thin they . dust out of the city?" Mexican will reckon 911: l , “ Most men would be mighty apt to .a (game of that kind it they were situ- ‘ _' as- you are," he continued. by will undoubtedly , come «to that n in a week or so after they, have Iv highand low in the city without dis. hurrah? the ch crook re _ x .giscovery which ad been made in regard to m ti am a particularly desperate fellow,” the crook observed. “All I am wanted for is a little bit of a two-cent robbery, so to speak, for we didn’t get away with the money, although we suc~ ceeded in getting the boodle all right, but the detectives presented us with the collar before we could get out of the house. It isn’t like as if you had committed murder and there was a big reward offered for you," the other observed. , “After a week or so of ineffectual search, the chances are that the bloodhounds will cease to trouble their heads about me. “I will wait for two weeks, ‘to make assurance doubly sure,’ as I heard a fellow say in a play at the theater once. “ For that length of time I will not stir out of the house, so that there will be no den or of my being spotted; then I will quietly ay in wait for this Westerner, Freemont, some night, and see if I can’t sand-bag him into another world!" ' And there was a ferocious accent in the man’s voice as he spoke. “ You will have to work the game mighty cunning to be able to get ahead of " that galoot l" was Mexican Bill’s opinion. “Durned if he didn’t handle me as no mortal man ever-handled me store!” "I shall not give him a chancel” the other replied, " or I shall take him by surprise. ’ CHAPTER XXXIX. TIIE GUTTENBURG MAN AGAIN. AND now, leaving the two crooks to plan and plot how to take vengeance upon the Westerner,‘ whom they suspected of being a spy of the police, we will return to the Gut- tenburg sport, whom we have neglected too lon . Egreemont had notified Boone of the cap- ture of the sup sed Englishman, and the “Oh, he is a tricky cuss, and no mistake!” the Guttenburg sport exclaimed. “A man could bet his life on that, and he would win, over time! , “ ow it is perfectly plain how he man- a ed to fool me that day, at the Astor House. I new I didn’t make any mistake about the room, or about seeing him go in, but he was too smart for me. “.‘He is jagged now, all right! I am glad of it; and w on the proper time comes, I will a pear in court and identif the rascal as be 3 the Captain-Black Bil , for whom the rewards are oflered out West.” , The prompt escape of the crock of course prevented the Kentuckian from carrying out this pu , and there was no man in the metropo 3 who took the flight of the prison- er more to heart than the ‘Guttenburg sport. . “ Dog-gone it!” he cried in wrath when he read the account of the escape in the eve- ning newspaper. ‘ ' ‘ “The way that follow mung?“ to sneak ‘ :25 a scrape iii-truly wands uli” be con ill .I: '1 ".X: s .. '. . turing the scoundrel doesn’t seem to me to be at 21111055: “ The chances are that he jumped the town as s.;on as he could git a train, and that knocks me out or the game, for the odds are big that after this razzle-dazzle he will give New York a wide berth, and I am not rich enough to be able to abandon my work and devote my time to hunting him down in the wilds of the West." It made the Kentuckian angry to think that the man had managed to slip out of the net, but, as it was one of the things which couldn‘t be helped, there was nothing to do but to “grin and bear it,” as he remarked with the air of a philosopher. However, the all-wise Providence which rules this world usually interferes to defeat the schemes of the evil-deer. As the sport sat meditating over the mat- ter a message came from a poor devil who had been employed in the stable. He was sick and without money at his sis- ter’s house in Stanton street. ” Wouldn’t Mr. Boone come and see if he could do something for him?” The warm hearted Kentuckiau seized his hat and started immediately. The house he sought was directly 0 posite the one wherein the two crooks ha taken refuge, and as Boone came out, after paying a visit to the sick man and leaving enough money to make him comfortable, he saw Mexican Bill enter the tenement-house! He recognized the man at once, and, act ing on the impulse of the moment, played the spy upon him; so he tracked him right to his room without the wanted man having a suspicio - that his footsteps had been watche '. The sport reasoned that there was a chance that the other man wasn’t far off; so he hur- ried to impart the information to the West- erner. Freemont immediate] took the sport to Joe Phenix, and then t e three set out for the Stanton street tenement. When they arrived at their destination the sport knocked at the door, as the three had arranged. Mexican Bill opened it. cautiously. and the moment a crack was visible Boone threw his weight against the door, knockiu g the rnfiian into the cehter of the room. - Out came Black Bill’s revolver, but in a game of this kind the Kentuckian was hard to beat. He fired, and mortally wounded the crook before the outlaw could discharge his weao n. . Down went the astounded Black Bill, gasp- ing in agony. “ That isi'or the girl whose life ou ruined at Salt Lick, Kentucky!” the uttenburg man cried. The stricken despeme glared up in the face of his slayer. assayed to speak—to howl defiance at the avenger—gave a gasp, and died. Our story now is ended. A few more words, and we will bid the reader farewell. Mexican Bill was sent to join his com- panions in jail. All three were speedily tried and convicted, for as soon as the black- bearded rufiian was nabbed, a couple of vie- tims came forward and identified him as a sandbagger. The old million kept a close watch over his dau liter, and n became satisfied that she did ove the young lawyer. He took the girl to task, and she did not . deny the soft impeachment. The father stormed and threatened; the daughter cried, and—weli,‘in the end, find- ing that the youn lady was resolute, the irate father ye h s consent, and the wed« ding“ Was a g orious one. > _ Ramie Holbrooke, the daring adventuress, who had' layed so hold a g , e, really one of Black Bil '5 several wives, as punished by imprisonment for aiding the rascal to escape, and when she came out disappeared. ,‘ And the Westerner, Freemont, the boyish- iooking rancher? . - No wonder he appeared so youthful, for in reality it was Mignon Lawrence, the actress. detective, Joe Phenix's right bower, who had once more made her mark as one of the. most , mm: andsuccessm shadewers in the. “gene. .or‘ even fitting the all htest hi3 theathat a City. . , r 1......-__. .. . . . . i .t v B A E’SrDIMErflBRARY. Published Every lVednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers. BY JOSEPH E. BADGER. JR. 928 Old Sobersides. the Detective of St. Louis. 925 White-Horse Wheeler. the Revenue Detective. . The Double Edgell Detective. 907 Maverick Mark. the Man from Nowhere. 898 Silky Steele, the Stay-in Sport. 881 '1‘ ie S )otter-Sport s Neck-Tie Party. 4‘ High- Vater Mark; or. Silver-Tip Sid. 862 Riata Rob. the Ran 7e Chain )ion. 855 The C vwhov Chief s Sure-S 01:. The, Rival Red-Hat Sports. Curly Kid. the Cheyenne Sport. 824 The Soft Hand Detective. The Soft Hand’s Clutch. Dan Dunn. the Soft-Hand Sport. The Frisco Detective’s Thug-Tangle. Sam Cary. the River S ort. 780 The Dead Sport’s Dou le. Prince John. Detective S ecial. 763 Dandy Don, the Denver etective. « '1 he Man from Texas; or, Dangerfield, the Doctor Detective. 744 SWee takes Sam, the Silver Sport. 720 The Secret Sir or. Old Halcyon. '712 The Man of Sil '. 705 Bantam Bob. the Beaut from Butte. 893 Kent KaSSon, the Prcac ier Sport. 683 Bob Breeze, the Rounder Detective. 675 Steel Surry, the Sport from Sunrise. 668 Solemn Saul‘s Luck Strtak 661 The (let-There Shaip. 651 .Silvertip Steve, the Sky Scraper from Siskiyou. 645 Gopher Gabe. the Unseen Detective. 636 Dandy Darling, Detective. 627 Mossback MOSe, the Mountaineer. 617 The GripSack Sharp’s Even up. 597 Big Bandy, the Brigadier of Brimstone Butte. 588 Sandy Sands. the Sharp from Snap City. 576 Silver-Tongued Sid: or. Grip Sack Sharp’s Sweep. 564 The Grip—Sack Sharp: or. The Seraphs of Sodom. 555 Grip-Sack Sid. the Sample Sport. 54. The Buried Detective; or. Sanl’s Six Sensations. 541 Major Magnet. the Man of Nerve. 535 Dandy Dutch. the Decorator from Dead-Lift 527 Dandy Andy. the Diamond Detective. 514 Gabe Gunn. the Grizzlilfrom Ginseng. 504 Solemn Saul. the Sad an from San Saba. 495 Rattlepate Rob; or. The Roundhead’s Reprisal 488 The Thorcu libred Spgfit; 474 Daddy Dea -Eye, the spot of Dew Drop. 466 Old Rough and Ready, the Sage of Sundown 458 Dutch Dan. the Pilgrim from Spitzenberg. 443 A Cool Hand: or. Pistol Johnny’s Picnic. 438 Oklahoma Nick. 433 Laughing Leo; or. Sam‘s Dandy Paul. 426 The Ghost Detective: or. The Secret Service Spy. 416 Monte Jim. the BlaCK Sheep of Bismarck. 409 Rob Roy Ranch: or. The linps of Pan Handle. 40'; The Nameless Sport. 395 Deadly Aim. the Duke of Derringcrs 7 Dark Durg. the Ishmael of the Hills. Captain Crisp. the Man with a Record. 367 A Royal Flush: or. Dan Brown’s Big Game. 360 Jumping Jerry. the Gamecock from Sundown. 355 Stormy Steve. the Mad Athlete. 851 Nor‘ West Nick. the Border Detective. 345 Masked Mark. the Mounted Detective. . 339 Spread Eagle Sam. the Hercules Hide Hunter. 331 Chispa Charley. the Gold Nugget Sport. 317 Frank Lightfoot. the Miner Detective. 292 Moke Homer. the Boss Roustabout. 286 Pistol Johnny; or. One Man in a Thousand. 283 Sleek Sam. the Devil of the Mines. 257 Death Trap Diggings: or. A Man ’Way Back 249 Elephant Tom. of Durango. .7 241 Spitfire Saul. King of the Bustiers. 233 The Old Boy of Tombstone. - 20] Pl rate of the Pincers: or. Joaquin‘s Death Hunt 180 Old ‘49; or. The Amazon of Arizona. 170 Sweet William. the Trapper Detective. 165 Joaquin. the Terrible _ 154 Joaquin, the Saddle King. 141 Equinox Tom. the Bul' ‘ of Red Rock. 119 Alabama Joe; or. The 'azoo man-Hunters. 105 Dan Brown of Denver: or. The Detective. 88 Big George; or. The Five Outlaw Brothers. 71 Captain Cool Blade: or. Mississippi Man Shark. 67 The Boy Jockey; or, Honesty v5. Crookedness. Jack Rabbit, the Prairie Sport. BY \Yl'l. G. PATTEN. 810 Fire-Eye. the Thug’s Terror. 795 Old N ght-Hawk, the Crook Shadower. 768 The Prince of New York Crooks. 756 Old Burke, the Madison Square Detective. 747 Double-voice Dan‘s Double Disguise. 715 Double—Voice Dan on Deck. 702 Double-Voice Dan, the Always-on-Deck Detective 696 Double-Voice Dan, the Go-it‘Alone Detective. 689 The Sparkler Sharp. 676 Hurricane Hal. the Cowboy Hotspur. 869 Old True Blue. the Trusty. 668 The Giant sport; or, Sold to Satan. 656 Old Plug the Rough and Ready. 648 Gold Glove id the Man of Grit. 641 Aztec Jack, the Desert Nomad. 631 Colonel Cool. the Santa Fe Sharp. 602 Catptain Nameless. the Mountain Mystery. 571 01 Dismal. the Ran e Detective. 545 Hustler Harry, the owboy Sport. BY GEORGE C. JENKS. 910 The Arizona Detective. 894 Silver Sam. the Shasta Sport. 880 The Silver Sport’s Double. 868 The Race-Course Detective. 856 The Hayseed Detective. 772 Cs tain Cordon, the Twister Detective. 755 W d Pete the Broncho-Buster Detective. 7% Fearless Sam. the Grand Combination Detective. 719 Beston Bob. the S rt Detective. 572 Jauntv Joe, the ockey Detective. 1554 Mad Sharp, the Rustler 538 Rube Rocket. the Tent Detective. 526 Death-Grip. the Tenderfoot Detective. 507 The Drummer Detective. 482 The Giant Horseman. 896 Sleepless Eye. the Pacific Detective. H I .1 V SS w— BY \VILLIAIVI R. EYS’I‘ER. Two Dead-Square Sports. Soft Velvet. the Man from Sandrock. (icnteel Jim. Sport-at—Large. 881 The Clubman-Crook's Cat‘s-paw. 867 The Frisco Sport. 852 The Stranger S iort’s Shake-up. 828 Kirk King. the lat] from Kirby. 818 Gentleman Dave, the Dead Game Sport : The King-Pin Tramp. 767 The Sport of Silver Bend. 718 Uncle Bedrock’s Big Bounce. 707 The Rival Rovers. 687 Double Cinch Dan. the Sport With a Charm. 677 Mr. Jackson. the Gent from Jaybird.’ 659 Gilt-Edge Johnny; or. Roldan and His Rovers. 650 Lucky Lester’s Lone Hand. 634 Old Handcart‘s Big Dump. ‘22 The All Around Sports. 603 Desert Alf. the Man With the Cougar. 590 Gentle Jack. the High Roller from Humbug. 578 Seven Shot Steve. the Sport with a Smile. 568 The Dude Detective. 558 Hurrah Harry. the Hi 11 Horse from Halcyon. 549 Belshazzar Brick. the ailll‘f of Blue Blazes. 533 Oregon. the Sport WithaScar. 503 The Dude from Denver. 478 Pinnacle Pete; or. The Fool from Way Back. 459 Ma'or Sunshine. the Man of Three Lives. 429 Hair Trigger Tom of Red Bend. 402 Snapshot Sam; or. The Angels’ Flat Racket. 396 The Piper Detective; or. The Gilt Edge Gang. 375 Royal Geor e, the Three in One. 356 Thr -e Ham some S orts; or, The Combination. 333 Derringer Dick. the Ian with the Drop. 268 Magic Mike ‘he Man of Frills. ' 229 Captain Cutsn—eve; or. The Little Sport. 214 The Two Cool Sports: or. Gertie or the Gulch. 182 Hands Up; or, The Knights of the Canyon. 160 Soft Hand. Sharp: or. The Man with the Band. 145 Pistol Pards; or, The Silent Sport from Cinnabar BY NED BUNTLINB. 657 Long Tom. the Privateer. 633 The Sea S y. 621 The Red rivateer; or. The Midshipman Rover. 584 Fire Feather. the Buccaneer King. 517 Buffalo Bill‘s First Trail. 361 Tombstone Dick. the Train Pilot. 122 Saul Sabberday. the Idiot Spy. 111 The Smuggler Captain; or. The Skipper’s Crime. 18 The Sea Bandit; or. The Queen of the Isle. 16 The White Wizard; or. The Seminole Prophet. BY JACKSON KNOX—“Old Hawk.” 838 Old Grips Still Hunt. 827 Detective Walden’s \Veh. ’ 778 The Butler Detective: or. Old Grlp’s Grip 770 The Showman Dete tive. 762 Old Grip. the Detective. 740 Captain Clew, the Fighting Detective. 732 The Hurricane DetectiVe. 643 Castlemaine, the Silent Sifter. 616 Magnus. the Weird Detective. 606 The Drop Detective. , 595 Wellborn, the Upper Crust Detective. 582 J oram. the Detective Expert. 574 Old Falcon’s Double. . 561 The Thug King- or. The Falcon Detective‘s Foe. 548 Falconbridge. t e Sphinx Detective. 536 Old Falcon s Foe: or. The Detective’s Swell Job. 515 Short-Stop Ma 9. the Diamond Field Detective. 509 Old Falcon. t e Thunderbolt Detective. 501 Sgringstcel Steve. the Retired Detective. 494 T e Detective’s S y. ' 485 Rowlock. the Har r Detective. 477 Dead-arm Brandt. 467 Mainwaring. the Salamander. 462 The Circus Detective. 451 Grinlock. the Rocket Detective. 444 The Magic Detective; or, The Hidden Hand. 424 Hawk Heron’s De uty. 386 Hawk Heron. the alcon Detective. 916 902 SE 2'. ‘1 on u. BY J. C. CO‘VDRICK. 752 The Sus t S ort of Daisy Drift. 626 Ducats ion, t 1e Nabob Sport Detective. 612 Sherifl Stillwood. the Regulator of Raspberry. The Dominic Detective. 591 Duke Daniels. the Society Detective. 580 Shadowing a Shadow. 565 Prince Paul. the Postman Detective. 557 The Mountain Graybeards: or. Riddles’ Riddle. 519 Old Riddles. the Rock Raniler 499 TWilight Charlie. the oad Sport. 473 Gilbert of Gotham. the Steeloarm Detective. 452 Rainbow Bob. the Tulip from Texas. . 436 Kentucky Jean. the S ort from Yellow Pine. 42.! Blue Grass Burt. the Gold Star Detective. 390 The Giant Cupid; or Cibuta John‘s Jubilee. BY EDWARD WILLETT. 483 Flush Fred; the River Shgp. _ 368 The Canyon King; or. a co on his Head. 348 Dan Dillon. Kin of Crosscut. 337 Old Gabe the ountain Tram . 327 Terrapin Dick. the Wildwood etective. 815 Flush Fred’s Double; or, The Squatters’ League 808 Hemlock Hank, Tough and True. 298 Logger Lem; or. Life in the Pine Woods. 289 Flush Fred‘s Full Hand. . ‘ 274 Flush Fred. the Mississip .1 Sport. 248 Montana Nat, the Lion 0 Last Chance Camp. % Bill the Blizzard; or. Red Jack’s Crime. ‘ . Buck Farle . the Bonanza Prince. 129 Mississippi 058; or. a Strong Man '3 Sacrifice. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. as? The White Squaw. 234 The Hunter’s Feast. 213 The Wild Huntress; or. The Squatter. $0 The Rifle Ran ers; or. Adventures in Mexico. 74 The Captain 0 the Rifles: or, The Lake Queen. 66 The Specter Barque. A Tale of the Fuel c. 55 The Scalp Hunters. A Romance of the Plains. BY COL- PRENTISS INGRAHAM. 911 The Blue Blockader; or. The Coast Grayhound. 906 The Cuban Cruiser. 8:34 The Ocean Gipsy. 831 The Wild Steer Riders; or, Texas Jack’s Terrors. 819 The Rival Monte Cristos. 805 The Last of the Pirates; or. Doom Driven. 801 The Water Wolves’ Detective; or, Trapping the Grave Ghouls. 791 The Coast-Raider’s Death-Chase. 748 Arizona Charlie. the Crack~shot Detective. 704 Invisible lvan. the Wizard Detective. 685 The Redskin Sea Rover. 679 Revello. the Pirate Cruiser; or. The Rival Rovers 672 The Red Rapier; or. The Sea Rover’s Bride. 662 The Jew Drtectivc: or, The Beautiful Convict. 640 The Hovl r’s Rtt ihutivn. 633 The Pix-Buccaneer: or. The Stigma of Sin. 625 Red Wings; or. The Gold Seekers of the Bahamas. 615 The Three Luccaneers. 610 The Red Flag Rover; or, White Wings of the Deep. 605 The Shadow Silver Ship. 600 The Silver Ship; or, The Sea Scouts of ’76. 593 The Sea Rebel; or. Red Rovers of the Revolution. 597 Conrad. the Sailor Spy; or. True Hearts of ’76. 581 The Olitlan'ed Skipper; or, The Gantlet Runner. 560 The Man from Mexico. 533 Ma.k Monte. the Mutineer; or. The Branded Brig. 516 TM Doomed Whaler: or. The Life Wreck. ' 530 The Savages of the Sea. 524 The Sea Chaser; or, The Pirate Noble. 510 El Moro. the Corsair Commodore. 493 The Scouts of the Sea. 457 The Sea Insurgent: or. The Conspirator Son. 446 Ocean Ogre. the Outcast Corsair. 435 The One-Armed Buccaneer. 430 The Fatal Frigate; or. Rivals in Love and Wan 399 The New Monte Cristo. 393 The Convict Captian. 377 Afloat and Ashore: or. The Corsair Conspirator. 369 The Coast Corsair: or. The Siren of the Sea. 864 The Sea Fugitive: or, The Queen of the Coast. 341 The Sea Desperado. 336 The Magic Snip' or. Sandy Hook Freebooters. 325 The Gentleman Pirate; or. The Casco Hermite. 318 The Indian Buccaneer: or. The Red Rovers. 307 The Phantom Pirate; or. The Water Wolves. 255 The Pirate Priest; or. The Gambler’s Dan later. 246 Queen Helen, the Amazon of the Overlan . 235 Red Lightning the Man of Chance. 224 Black Beard. the Buccaneer. 220 The Specter Yacht; or. A Brother’s Crime. 210 Buccaneer Bess. the Lioness ot‘ the Sea. 205 The Gambler Pirate; or. Lady of the Lagoon. 198 The Skeleton Schooner; or. The Skimmer._ 184 The Scarlet Schooner: or. The Sea hemesnt. 104 Montezuma. the Merciless. 103 Merle, the Mutineer; or. The Red Anchor Brand. BY PHILIP S. WARNE. 80'! Dan Dirk, King of No Man’s Land. 583 Captain Adair. the Cattle King. 567 Captain Midnight. the Man of Craft. 544 The Back to Back Pards. 522 The Chain ion Three. 502 Bareback ’uck, the Centaur of the Plains. 472 Six Foot Si; or, The Man to “ Tie To.” 431 California Kit. the Always on Hand. 404 Silver Sid; or. A “ Daisy " Bluff. 380 Tiger Dick’s Pied e: or, Tne Golden Serpent. 359 Yellow Jack. the estizo. 338 Jack Sands. the Boss of the Town. 299 Three of a Kind; or, Dick. Despard and the Sport. - 251 Tiger Dick vs. Iron Despard. 207 Old Hard Head: or. Whirlwind and his Mare. 171 Tiger Dick. the Man of the Iron Heart. 114 The Gentleman from Pike. 80 A Man of Nerve; or. Caliban the Dwarf. 54 Always on Hand: or. The Foot-Hills Sport. 29 Tiger Dick. Faro Kin : or. The Cashier’s Crime. 4 The Kidnapper; or, he Northwest Shanghai. BY CAPTAIN MARK WILTON. 323 Hotspur Hugh; or. The Banded Brothers. 311 Heavy Hand; or, The Marked Men. 305 Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover. 291 Horseshoe Hank. the Man of Big Luck. 285:Lightning Bolt. the Canyon Terror. 276 Texas Chick. the Southwest Detective. 271 Stoneflst. of Big Nu get Bend. 3 266 Leopard Luke, the in of Horse-Thieves. 263 Iron-Armed Abe, the unchback Destroyer m Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo. 237 Long-Haired Max; or, The Black Lea . 227 Buckshot Ben, the Man-Hunter of Ida o. 223 Canyon Dave. the Man of the Mountain. 219 The Scorpion Brothers; or. Mad Tom's Mission . l 212 Cactus Jack. the Giant Guide. 194 Don Sombrero. the California Road Gent. 176 Ladv Jaguar. the Robber Queen. BY OLI. GOODIES. 619 Kit Bandy & Co . the Border Detectives. 148 One~Armed Alt. the Giant Hunter. 99 The Giant Rifleman; or. Wild Camp Life. 43 Dakota Dan. the Reckless Ranger. BY 06.. Taurus II. monsrnnr. 236 Chain ion Sam; or, The Monarchs of the Show. 150 El Ru io Bravo. King of the Swordsmen. BY DB. NOEL DUNBAR. 919 The SeaScout; or. The Patriot Privateer. 886 The King of Crooks. 858 Number One. the Dead—set Detective. 850 The Planter Detective. 730 Duke Despard. the Gambler Duelist. 604 The Detective in Rags; or, The Grim Shadow. 500 The True-Heart Pards. 4 new lame every Wednesday Bondle’s Dime Library is for sale I) Newsdealers, ten cents per copy. or sent by m receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS. Panama. 98 WILLIAM 81‘, N" You. II on BEADLE’S*DIME*EBKARY. Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers. BUFFALO BILL NOVELS. By Colonel Prentiss lngraliam. 36 Buffalo Bill‘s Black Ford. 927 Buffalo Bill‘s Bluff; or, Dusky Dick the Short. 921 Buffalo Bill's Quandary: or. Velvet Bill's Vow. 915 Buffalo Bill and the Surgeon-Scout. 909 Buffalo Bill’s League; or. Red Butterfly. 904 Buffalo Bill‘s Tangled Trail. 900 Buffalo Bill‘s Rough Riders. 895 Buffalo Bill‘s Secret Ally. 890 Buffalo Bill’s Life-Stake. 882 The Three Bills: Buffalo Bill Wild Bill and Band- box Bill; or. The Bravo in Broadcloth. 874 Buffalo Bill’s Buckskin Braves. 869 Buffalo Bill’s Road-Agent Round—up. 863 Buffalo Bill’s Death Charm. 857 Buffalo Bill’s Royal Flush. 851 Buffalo Bill‘s Double Dilemm 845 Buffalo Bill’s Redskin Ruse. 830 Buffalo Bill‘s Boys in Blue. &6 Buffalo Bill’s She Shooters. 822 Buffalo Bill's Best ower. 816 Buflalo Bi‘l's Red Trail. 812 Buffalo Bill’s Death-Keel]. 794 Budalo Bill’s Winning Hand. 787 Buffalo Bill’s Dead Shot. 781 Buffalo Bill‘s Brand. 777 Buffalo Bill’s Spy Shadower. 769 Buffalo Bill’s Sweepstake. 765 Buffalo Bill’s Dozen: or, Silk Ribbon Sam. 761 Buffalo Bill‘s Mascot. 757 Buffalo Bill‘s Double. 750 Buffalo Bill‘s Big Four; or, Custer‘s Shadow. 743 Buffalo Bill‘s Flush Hand. 739 Buffalo Bill‘s Blind: or. The Masked Driver. 735 Buflalo Bill and His Merry Men. 731 Buffalo Bill‘s Beagles: or, Silk Lasso Sam. 727 Buffalo Bill’s Body Guard. 722 Buffalo Bill on the War- th. 716 Buffalo Bill’s Scout Sha owers. 710 Buffalo Bill Baffled: or. The Deserter Desperado. 697 Buffalo Bill’s Buckskin Brotherhood. 691 Buffalo Bill’s Blind Trail; 01‘. Mustang Madge. 667 Buffalo Bill’s Swoop;or. The King of the Mines. 658 The Cowboy Clan: or, The T‘ ress of Texas. 653 Lasso King‘s Leaguezoanc Taylor in Texas. 649 Buffalo Bill‘s Chief of Cowboys; or. Buck Taylor 644 Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza: or. Sliver Circle Knights. 362 Buffalo Bill's Grl ; or. Oath Bound to Custer. 329 Buffalo Bill’s Pie ge: or. The League of Three. 189 Wild Bill‘s Gold Trail; or, The Desperate Dozen. 175 Wild Bill‘s Trump Card: or. The Indian Heiress. 168 Wild Bill. the Pistol Dead Shot. By Buffalo Bill. 839 The Ranch King Dead-Shot. 820 White Beaver '3 Still Hunt. 807 Wild Bill, the Wild West Duelist. 800 Wild Bill. the Dead-Center Shot. 639 Buffalo Bill‘s Gold King. 599 The Dead Shot Nine: or. My Pards of the Plains. 414 Red Renard. the Indian Detective. 401 One-Armed Part1; or. Borderland Retribution. 397 The Wizard Brothers: or. White Beaver’s Trail. 894 White Beaver. the Exile of the Platte. 819 Wild Bill. the Whirlwind of the West. 804 Texas Jack. the Prairie Rattler. 243 The Pilgrim Sharp: or. The Soldier‘s Sweetheart. 8‘3 Gold Bullet Sport; or. Knights of the Overland. ‘ 52 Death-Trailer. the Chief of Scouts. By Leon Lewis, Ned Buntllne, etc. 773 Buffalo Bill’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, (‘hief of Scouts. 117 Buffalo Bill 6 Strange Pard: or, Dashing Dandy. 92 Buffalo Bill. the Buckskin King. BY LlEU'l‘. A. K. SIMS. 914 Snowflake Sam’s Double. 897 The. Six-Shot Spotter. 887 The Stranger SpOrt from Spokane. 873 The Sport DetectiVe‘s Colorado Clew. 860 The Spangled Sport Shadower. 843 The Crescent City Sport. 832 Gid Gale's Block Game. 804 The King Pin of the Leadville Lions. 786 Chicago Charlie’s Diamond Haul. 776 Chicago Charlie. the (‘olumbian Detective. 758 The V\ izar l King Detective. 7% Teamster Tom. the Boomer Detective. 709 Lodestone, Lem. the. Champion of Chestnut Burr. 695 Singer Sam, the Pilgrim Detective. 688 River Bustiers; or. the Detective from ’Way Back 673 Stuttering Sam, the ‘Vllltl'St Sport of Santa Fe. 666 Old Adamant, the Man of Rock. 618 Kansas Karl, the Detective King. 552 Prince Primrose, the Flower of the Flock. 528 Huckleberry. the Foot-Hills Detective. BY HAROLD PAYNE. 883 The Man from Mexico in New York. ' 872 The King-Pin Shark: (r. Thad Burr’s Ten Strike. 861 The Tenderloin Big Four 853 The Quaker City Crook. 844 Tracked to Chicago. 836 The Policy Broker‘s Blind. 829 The Frisco Sharper’s Cool Hand. 821 The Tramp ShadOWer’s Backer. Hill-The Sham Spotter‘s Shrer Scheme. 806 The Grand Street Gold-Dust Sharpers. 798 Detective Burr‘s Luna-ic Witness 792 The Wall Street Sharror's Snap. 784 Thad Burr’s Death Drop. 742 Detective Burr Among the New York Thugs. 73-1 Detective Burr’s Foil; or. A Woman’s Strategy. 728 Detective Burr. the Headquarters Special. 713 Detective Burr‘s Spirit Chase. 706 Dot-'otive Burr’s Seven Clues. . 698 Thad llurr. the Invincible: or, The “L” Clue. 690 The Matchless Detective. 68) XX. the Fatal Clew: or, Burr's Master Case. BY CA PTAIN H0“’Alll) HOLDIES. 929 Gentleman George, the Showman Sport. 91‘.I Gent/eel Joe‘s Lone Hand. 903 The Train Detective. 896 Kent Keen, the Crook-Crusher. 888 Nightshade in New York. 879 Falcon Flynn, the Flash Detective. 871 The (,‘rook Cashier. 859 Clew-Hawk Keene‘s Right Bower. 847 Hiram Hawk, the Harlem Detective. 840 Major Bullion. Boss of the Tigers. 83! Shadowing the London Detective, 817 Plush Velvet, the Prince of Spotters. 803 The Bogus Broker's Right Bower. 788 The Night-Hawk Detective 779 Silk Ribbon‘s Crush-out. 766 Detective 743th, the Broadway Spotter. 751 The Dark Lantern Den olive. 736 The Never-Fail Detective. 724 Captain Hercules. the Strong Arm Detective. 711 Dan Damon. the Gilt-Edge Detective. 701 Silver Stew. the Branded Sport. 694 Gideon Grip, the Secret Shadower. 684 Velvet Van. the Mystery Shadow”. 678 The Dude Desperado 671 Jason Clew the Silk-Banded Ferret. 664 Monk Morel, the Man-Hun er. 654 Sol S rinx, the Ferret Detective. 642 Red and and Yellow. 608 Silent Sam the Shadow Sphinx. 592 Captain Si . the Shasta Ferret. 579 Old Cormorant. the Bowery Shadow. 569 Captain Cobra. the Hooded Mystery. 559 Danton. the Shadow Sharp. 550 Silk Hand, the Mohaw Ferret. 543 The Magneto Detective. 532 Jack Javert. the Independent Detective. 523 Reynard of Red Jack: or. The Lost Detective 512 Captain Velvet‘s Big Stake. 505 Phil Fox. the Genteel Spotter. 496 Richard Redfire. the Two Worlds‘ Detective. 487 Sunshine Sam. a Chip of the Old Block. 480 Hawkspear. the Man with a Secret. 468 Coldgrip in Deadwood. 460 Captain Coldgrip. the Detective. 453 Captain Coldgr‘igolsorrg Trail. 447 VOIcmio. the F Spy. 441 The California Sharp. 434 Lucifer Lynx. the V onder Detective. 421 Father Ferret. the Frisco Shadow. 413 Captain Coldgrip in New York. 407 Captain Coldgrip's Nerve: or. In un Nick. 400 Captain Coldgrip: or. The New ork Spotter. 392 The Lost Bonanza: or, The Boot of Silent Hound. 382 The Bonanza Band: or, Dread Don of Cool Clan. 874 Major Blister. the S rt of Two Cities. 865 Keen Kennard. the haste Shadow. 352 The Des rate Dozen. 347 Denver uke. the Man with “ Sand.” 340 Cool Conrad. the Dakota Detective. 335 Flash Dan. the Nabob: or, Blades of Bowie Bar. 321 California Claude. the Lone Bandit. 294 Broadcloth Burt. the Denver Dandy. BY LEON LEWIS. 797 Pistol Tommy. the Miner Sharp. 785 The Down East DetectiVe in Nevada. 773 Buffalo Bill s Ban: or, Cody to the Rescue. 699 The Cowboy Couriers. 686 The On-the-Wing Detectives. 624 The Submarine Detective: or, The Water Ghouls. 484 Captain Ready. the Red Ransomer. 4'11 The Silent Detective: or, The Bogus Nephew. 456 The Demon Steer. 428 The Flying Glim: or. The Island Lure. BY \VIIJJAXVI ll. NIANNING. 931 Frisco Frank at Glory Gulch. 920 The Montana Miner in New York. 908 The DoomsdavDen Detective. 899 The Double-Quick Detective. 893 Yellow Gid of Dark Divide. 885 The Expert Detectiw‘s Shake-up. 875 Trap ring the Race Track Judge. 864 The Police Special‘s Dilemma. 84¢ The Genteel Sharper‘s Combine 841 Graydon‘s Double Deal. 838 The Sport DetectiVe‘s Grip. 823 The Athlete Sport About Town. 808 TheCrook-Detective‘s Full. 790 Plunger Pete. the Race Track Detective. 782 Royal Rock, the Round-up Detective. 774 Steve Starr. the Dock Detective. 764 The New York Sharp’s Shadower. 738 Detective Claxton. the Record Breaker. 714 Gabe Gall, the Gambolier from Great Hump, 703 Spokane Saul. the Samaritan Suspect 692 Dead Shot Paul, the Deep-Range Ex lorer. 655 Strawberry Sam. the Man with the irthmark, 646 Dark John, the Grim Guard. 6'38 Murdock. the Dread Detective. 623 Dangerous Dave. the Never-Beaten Detective. 611 Alkali Abe the Game Ciricken from Texas. 596 Rustler Ruhe: the Round-Up Detective. 585 Dan Dixon‘s Double. 575 Steady Hand. the Napoleon of DetectiVeg 563 Wyoming Zeke, the Hotspur of Hone, suckle. 551 Garry Kean the Man with Bncl bone. 539 Old Doubledark. the Wily Detective. 531 Saddle-Chief Kit. the Prairie Centaur. 521 Paradise Sam, the Nor"-West Pilot. 513 Texas Tartar. the Man With Nine Lives. 506 Uncle Honest. the Peacemaker of Hornets' Nest. 498 Central Pacific Paul. the Mail Train Spy. 492.! Border Bullet. the Prairie Sharpslrooter. 486 Kansas Kitten. tin- Northwest Detective. 479 Gladiator Gabe, the Samson of Sassajack. t 470 The Duke. of Dakota. 463 Gold Gauntlet. the Gulch Gladiator. 455 Yank Yellonbird. the Toll Hustler of the Hills. 449 Bluff Burke. King of the Rockies. 442 Wild West W alt. the Mountain Veteran. 437 Deep Duke: or, The Man of Two Lives. 427 The Rivals of Montana Mill 415 Hot. Heart, the Deter-rive Spy. _ 405 Old Baldy the Brigadier of Buck Prism. 297 Colorado Rube. th» Strong Arm of Hotspur. 279 The Gold Dragoon. 61'. California Bloodhound. ALBEIK'I‘ ‘V. AIKEN'S N0\'EI.S. Dick Talbot Series. 741 Dick Talbot‘s Close Cali. 7. " Dies Talbot in Apache 1 and. 733 Dick Talbot. the Ranch King. 729 Dick Talbot’s Clean-Out. 723 Dick Talbot in No Man‘s Camp. Dick Talbot: 01. The Brand of Crimson Cross. 36 Dick Talbot; or, The DeutlrShot oi‘ Shasta. ‘ Alken’u Fresh of Frisco Series. 825 Fresh, the Race-Track Sport. 660 The Fresh in Montana: or, Blake‘s Full Hand. 652 The Fresh's Rustle at Painted City. 647 The Fresh at Santa Fe: or, 'l‘lr Stranger Sharp. 556 Fresh. the Sport: or, The Big Racket at Slide Out. 5‘37 Fresh Against the Field: 01‘. Blake. the Lion. 497 The Fresh in Texas; or. The EsCobodo Millions. 461 The Fresh of Frisco on the Rio Grande. 97 The Fresh in Big Walnut Camp; or. Bronze Jack Alken’a Joe Phenix Series. 865 The Female Barber Detective; or, Joe Phenix in Silver City. 799 Joe Phenix’s Great Blue Diamrnd Case: or. The New York Sport at Long Bram-h. 793 Joe Pheuix‘s Decoy: or The Man of Thne. 760 Joe Pbenlx’s Lone Band. 749 Joe Phrnix‘s Big Bulge. 745 Joe Phenix’s Mad Case. 708 Joe Phenix‘s Siren; or, The Woman Hawkshaw. 700 Joe Phenix‘s Unknown; or. Crushing the Crooks 681 Joe Phenix's Specials: or. The Actress Detective 637 Joe Phenix in Crazy Camp. 6‘32 Joe. l’henix’s Master Search. 628 Joe Phenix’s (‘emrin ;. r,the Dandy Conspirator 620 Joe Pheuix’s Silent Six. 601 Joe Phenix’s Shadow ; or.the Detective! Monitor 419 Joe Phenix., the King of Detectives 161 Joe Phenix‘s Great Man Hunt. 112 Joe Phenix, Private Detective; or. The league. 79 Joe Phenix. the Police Spy. Alkeu’s Miscellaneous Now-ls. 935 The Hawks and Wolves of New York 932 Detective Gordon’s Grip. 926 Old SunflOWer. the Silent Smiter. 923 Old Sunflower. the Hayseed Detective. 901 The Hotel Swell-Sharp; r r, The Siren Shadower. 892 The Countryrnan Detective. 876 Gold Button Sport; or, The Miner Sharps. 842 Teton Tom. the Half-ilk 0d. 835 The King-Pin Detective. 814 The New Yorker Anions Texas Sports. 775 King Dandy. the Silver Sport. 753 Gideon’s Griplat Babylon l’ar. 717 Captain Pat cGowen. the Greencoet Detectivs. 674 Uncle Sun Up, the Born Detective. 670 The Lightweight Detective. , 665 The Frisco Detective; or,The Golden Gate Find. 613 Keen Billy, the Sport. 607 Old Benzine the " Hard Case " Detective. 594 Fire Face, the Silver King‘s Foe. 586 The Silver Sharp Detective. 577 Tom, of Calif 7 mm: or, Detective's Shadow Act. 570 The Actress Detective: or. The Invisible Hand. 562 Lone Hand. the Shadow. 520 The Lone Hand on the Caddo. 490 The Lone Band in Texas. 475 Chin Chin. the, Chinese Detective. 465 The Actor Detective. 440 The High Hor e of the Pacific. 421 The Lone Band; or. The Red River Recreants. 408 Doc Grip, the Vendetta of Death. ‘ 381 The Gypsy Gentleman: (1'. Kick Fox. Detective 376 Back Beards: or. The Rio Grande High Horse 370 The Duskv Detective: or. Pursued to the End. 363 Crowningshield, the Detective 320 The Genteel Sno tter: or The N. Y. Night Hawk. 2 The Wall Street 1 iood: or. The Telegrar h Girl. 203 The Double Detective: “(The M101)!!!“ “YEW”. 196 La Marmoset, the Letecrive Queen. 101 The Man from New York. ‘ 91 The Winning Oar: or. The Innkeeper s Daughter. 84 Hunted Down: or. The [(12116 0 Three. 81 The Human Tiger: or. A Heart of l| no. 75 Gentleman George: or. Parlor. Prison and Street. 7:! The Phantom Hand: or. The 5th Avenue Heiress. 56 The Indian Mazeppa: or. Madman of the Plains. 49 The Wolf Demon: or. The Kauawha Queen. 42 The California Detective: or, The Witches of N.Y. 81 The New York Sharp: or. The Flash ofLiglitning. 27 The Spotter Detective: or. Girls of New York. BY J \V. (NEON. 922 Gilbert Goldspur. the Dandy Sport. 905 Shasta Sam. the Sparkler. 877 (‘ool Creede, the Dead-Shot. 759 The Sport from St. Louis. 518 Royal Richard. the Thoroughbmd- NEW ISSUES. 943 Buffalo Bill‘s Block; or, Wiping Out the Mount,— ed Miners of the Overland. By Col. lngraham. 944 Joe Phenix’s Right Bewer; or. The Fifth Avenue PoliCe Spy. By Albert W, Aiken, 945 The Sport from Hard Luck; or, Drummer Billy’s Bluff. By Jos. E. Badger. q MD 946 Dashing Charlie's Dead-Shots: or, Black Horse ‘ Bill’s Vow. By Col. P. hieraham. JUST ISSUED. 940 Captain Jack. the Scalper; or, The Film“ DO‘ tective. By Albert W. Aiken. 941 The Shadow Sport from Frisco: or. Captain Flash, the Man of Two Names. B! E “(illnes- 942 The Night Hawks of S: Imus; or. Dare Devil Dan's Revenge. By A. P. Morris. A new issue every Wednesday. ne'adle’s Dime Library is for sale l‘y an Newsdealers. ten cents per copy. or sent by mail on receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS. Publishers 92 William street, New York l‘V‘ . 1.. hes} "