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Copyrighted, 12557, by Bnnu nu) Alum». Enwred .L the I’m“ 0mm u an ank. N. Y.. us Sucond Clnas MAll Matter. August 10,1887.

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$93.50 Published Week! b Beadle and Adams I- L ,
V01. XVI - Keir. N0. 98 wnlzuuys-r" NEW YORK. ’ Flvcrdfuta. N0. 

 

 

 

TKERI WAS A I’EC‘ULIAR CRACKLING BOUND. HE RAD PRESSED HIS BAND AGAINST THE WALL.
BEI FELT THE FIDO}! GIVE WAY BENEATH HER.

 

 

 

8 The Trapped Tiger King.

 

” defile-Jim! um ;

DARK PAUL’S PLOT.

BY CHARLES MORRIS,

AUTHOR OF “ non nocxn'r'r,” “ FRED HALYARD,"
r “ WILL WILDF‘IRE,” 1:10., E'ro.

 

 

CHAPTER I.
A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE.

“ Save me! Oh, save me!"

The cry thrilled on the listening ear of night
a. woman s earnest, soul‘stirring appeal for 211'
in dire extremity. The voice was rich, warm
and musical as that of some prime. douna of the
lyric stage, and the heart of Ernest Delnvine
longed in ardent response to its appealing tone.

9 looked hastily around. The street was
emgty save himself. The dusky wings of mid-
nig t broodod over the roofs of the great city.
Onlya li ht in a. remote window, onlya car—
riage rolling b ,testifled to the life that lay
dormant bone-at the gloom of night.

“ Save me! Oh, save me!"

That cry again! It came from the carriage
which was moving rapidly past him.

“Stop!” cried the young man, with stem
command, to the coachman, as he sprung to-
ward the vehicle.

But the latter only plied his whip on the fly—
ing horses.

‘Stop, or I‘ll fire!”

“Fire and be hanged!” and the long lash

ain curled over the head of the coachman.

ut it fell not upon the horses. The sharp re-
port of a pistol rung through the air. The

. whip—lash, half-severed by the bullet, fell limp

and helpless 11 Jon the hand um wielded it.

And now t 6 young man‘s athletic powers
served him in good stead. An alert leap, and
his foot was upon the step of the flying?i vehicle,
his hand had grasped a support, the oor was
dun wide 0pm.,

'1‘ e vision he behold was one to stir the soul
of an anchorite.

'A woman, whose beauty soemod almost su-
matural in the dim light of the carriage lamp,
ypressed back on the front seat of the car-
ria e, in the grasp of a. powerful man, whose
rigEt li‘aud was uponher mouth, repressing any
further effort to call for help.

His face was almost demoniac in its fierce
fury as he turned it Upon the intruder.

“Hound! meddler!" came in a shrill hiss

‘ through his clinched teeth.

Loosing his hold of the woman he struck sav-

agely at‘the intruding face, throwin his whole

body forward in the effort to hurl ruest back
into the street.

But he reckoned without his ho ;t. The young
man avoided the blow, and rasped-tho villain

" with his disengaged hand whi e yet the impetus
‘01 his eil'ort carried him forward.

.V A quick, powerful jerk, given with all the
rigor of a‘ muscular arm, and the rufllan was
 from the carriage, falling with a. sickening

upon the stony swims of the street.

 
 

 

The nex‘l: instant Ernest had leaped into the
carriage closed the door. and was being whirled
rapidly down the deserted avenue, the excited
horses dashing madly onward. Only a man of
remarkable athletic pOWers could have perform—
ed the feat which he had so easil done.

“ Have you settled him?”call the‘coachman,
bending down from his perch.

“Yes, yes!” rejoined Ernest, taking instant
advantage of the fellow’s evident mistake. “ Yes;
he is done for! Drive on I”

“ Well, if this isn’t a. situation I" said the
young man to hunself, as the conchman contin—
ued his course apparently satisfied.

But the woman? She had not stirred since he
entered the carriage. A lance at her face told
him that she was insensih e.

“ W hut in the sun is to come of it all I don‘t
see,” he said. looking helplessly at the limp, ex-
tended figure, on which there fell a faint glow
from the carriage lump.

But his wavering glance became irresistibly
fixed. It was not the sheening satin of her dress,
the rich folds of pur la and azure which envel-
oped that queenly orm; nor yet the flash of
gems which glittered from throat and fingers,
and burned in the abundant rich brown hair.

It was the face alone on which his eyes were
fixed, a face whose wonderful beauty of line and
flint no pen could describe, no artist could repro-

uce.

“Why, she is, a quee ! an angel! a— Ihave
no language that wil describe her!” cried
Ernest, With rapture. “And to think of a fol-
low like me, With such a glorious prize on my
hands! Why it would be emu h to set ine wild
if I was one of your suscepti 1e kind. What
under Heaven is the right thing to do?"

He lifted her in his arms to place her in a
more comfortable position. His every nerve
tingled with a new sensation as he clasped that
lovely form. It‘seemed to him as if it would be
heavenlyif they could drive on this way for-
ever, though it would not be so comfortable if
the woman should prove to be dead, as she ap-

pear ,

The carriage continued to move rapidly on,
the ooachrnan apparently unaware of the strange
change, which had taken lace withini or that
his former fare lay pros rate. dead per ps, on
the stony surface of he street, now far behind

em. . .

Ernest sat back in momentary despair. He
then grasped her white, slender hands, and be—
gan Vigorously to abate them.

“W 0 would ever have thought that I, a
stranger from the West, just arrived in this
city, would have fallen upon such an adventure
asthisl Who can the be? If. she would but
emu her eyes! Such beautylnever dreamed
o .

He looked upward, and started with surprise
to find two clear, bright brown orbs bent in a
doubtful. undefined way upon him. Her hands
were withdrawn from his grasp, a. questioning
look came into her' face. . .

“ Who are you?” she asked in a thrilling whisa
per. “ Where is Dark Paul, the Tiger King?
Oh! what has happened!” '

“ If you mean the villain who was in the cor-
riage,” answered Ernest, “ he is now lying some.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 V

 

 

The Trapped Tiger King; 8
where back here in the street, maybe with his Bold] ascendin the broad flight of marble
face crushed, or his skull broken. I found him steps, most, wit out hesitation, opened the

maltreating you, and gave him ailing he is like-
ly to remember.”

“ Thanks! thanks! a thousand thanks!” she
cried, in warm gratitude, seizing his hand and
pressmg it fervently between hers. “ Ohl from
what have you saved moi From what terror
and torture!”

“ Indeed, I am glad to have been able to serve
you,” he earnestly replied.

“ But ouI” she cried, still holdin his hand.
and ben ing her beautiful face unti it almost
touched his,while she spoke in an eager whisper,
“ but you, my preserverl Do you know the
terrible danger you run? the imminent peril into
which this act has thrown you? You must leave
this city! No one IiVes who opposes that re-
morseless man! You must fly for your lifel"

” I hardly think so,” Ernest coolly replied.
“ I have just come here, and will be In no such
great hurry to leave. And I have killed a griz—
zly bear hand to hand in my time; so I think I
can mam. e your tiger."

“ You 0 not know all, or you wouldvnot
'dare—” she began, a look of terror upon her unc
matched features. ,

f She ceased speaking, as if‘ she had gone too
or.
on?” she in asked. “ Your 2
name? I mayhe able to :igdayou.” '
“ I am called Ernest Delaine,” he replied.
“ I fear no one, neither man nor beast. Let
him do his worst, I shall never trouble with
dread of him. And now you owe me an expla-
, nation of this scene. Whom have I rescued!l
Wh have you been assaulted?”
Sge drew up her tall form, a strange emotion
marking her face.
“ Who am I?" came in thrilling accents from
her lips. “ No, no! That I can neVer tell youl
Beck not to pry into the mystery that envelo 5

me. Your ril is great now. It would e
doubled did dare revoal the perilous story of
mylifel”

“Do not mind my peril," he began. “Of
that I will take care.

“ You must not know me! You must never
see me after this fatal nightl” she interrupted.

“But unseen, [will watch over you. I may
save you from this terrible enemy.” ,
The obnversation was interrupted by the

stopping of the  e. The couchman de-
scend from hisifierc and threw open the

nor.

“ We have arrived,” he said.

Ernest at once descended from the carriage,
and held his hand to help the lady alight. A

nick, comprehensive glance showed him that
t by were in front 0 a large stone edifice,
flanked by a wall of some length on either side.
The ni ht was too dark to see more than this.
His y companion leaned canfldingbly u n his
arm, as he assisted her toward the , flight
of steps which he had determined to ascend, as
if to follow out the adventure to the very end“

“Where have you brought me?” she whls-

Pam.
“Hush!” he warily hrzglied. “You can trust
tome. rIwfllsoo t nib/harm comes to

 

their secrets! We can  them

front door of the mansion and entered a wide
hall lined with variegated marbles.

The door of a large apartment stood open to
the left. Ernest guickly drew the lady into
this room and close the door behind them.

It was a large and luxuriously furnished
apartment, upholstered in green velvet, upon
which fell the light of a dimly burning gas-jet.
Ugon the rich carpet lay a thick Persian rug,
w

ich covered the center of tho floor, andm , .. _

which was woven the figure ofaroyal Ben rel
tiger. The lady stared with alfright when at
eyes fell upon this figure.
“Great heaven!” she cried. “What house
is this? Oh! this is a fatal mistnkel”
“ Do not be alarmed,” he interrupted her. “ I
am armed, and will protect an.” _
Her eyes, wide with fri rut continued to sub
vey the apartment. Sud en y she started for~
ward, and soizt‘d a small, ivory-backed and
steel-clasped hook that lay upon a center table.
“That book!" she exclaimed. “This is for—
tune iudeexll" ‘ "
She hid it beneath her cloak with a nervdus ‘
haste, as though she had indeed gained 8. trees-
ure, While her eyes sparkled with intense light.
Ernest watched her movements with surpr'
and curiosity. He then looked hastily along
the room. . ,‘
“ Come! there is nothing here,” he said, ad-
vancing to the door, which he endeavoredth

open.

It resisted his efforts! It was locked! -

“ My Godl have you led me into this trap?”
she piteously exclaimed, seizin his arm with
both her trembling hands. whi 3 her eyes were-
fixed in beseeching glances u on his face. 1

She was answered in an coked-for manner. -
A_ harsh voice vibrated through the apart-
Inent.

“Yes, my royal lady,
young fool shall findw
dling.”

The voice came from near
at a small 0 ning, appeared the villainous {also
of the cone man, plainly revealed in the light, .
which Ernest had turned up to a bright hm. :‘

“ Trapped!" cried the young man, fiercely. , ‘

Turning, he flun himself With all his strengflg, V
against the door. t failed to yield. He rang», ‘_
the windows. They were‘immovable. He 
around him like a caged lion. 2

A mocking laugh came from the ceiling.  . .

“By the ods! I have missed you owner
ni ht. I wi 1 try again!” " , '

he sharp re )ort of a pistol accompanied f
words. The ace disagpeared, but a.
laugh showed that the ullet had again mi. i
its mark. And, following the laugh, came a
muffled sound, half-scream, half-roar, which
vibrated with terrible significance throughout »
the house. , '

“Great Heaven i” cried the lady olsspiufislgar ‘
hands in agony. “ It is the tiger. e are 1”

Ernest stood gazing at her with distended

eyes. . _ .
‘ No! no!” she suddenly exclamad,’ .
joyfully to her feet. "I have the, boo,  ,I Effie

lism are trapped.  -

  

1”

   

 

t is the price of mag}  - ‘
the ceiling. There,” ‘  

   
 

 

 

 

‘ it will. not do to despair.

4 The Trapped Tiger King.

 

CHAPTER II.
WAITING FOR AN ANSWER.

BULLETS have a bad habit of not stopping
always at the point for which they are intended.
Such was the cam with the shot which Ernest
had fired in the street at the coachmnn. It
proved, in fact, n. most eventful bullct. As a
movmg hand will set in action a long train of
circumstances, so did that flying fragment of
lead produce ell’técts of the utmost importance to
the characters of our story.

We have said that Ernest, when startled by
the call for help, saw no signs of life in thcstroot
save the carriage, and a light in a distant win-
dow. The flying bullct, after cutting tho whip,
flew straight for this light, rending its way
through the window with a crash of splinixirml
g ass.

Within the apartment in question sat two per-
sons, a gentleman and a lady.

The former was a large-framed, firm-facud
personage. His countenance was b no means
prepossossing, having )roinincnt (.‘10(Jk~l,\0u(is,
and a long, high-bridger nose while a. sour ex-
pression seemed habitual to it. Yet thokocn
gray eyes, and the close lips, indicated a reserve
energy, a. stock of force ready for any critical
occasion.

The lady was of middle age. She had been
a beautiful woman in her youth, and yet I‘m-
tained much of her womanly charm. But her
face was overlaid with an expression of sad—
ness which seemed the work of years, as if some

V g'droad misfortune had far back in her life,

tapped its springs of happiness, and left only
sorrow in its path.

“I have lost all hope," she said inavoice
tinged with mcluncholy. “ The years have
dropped, one by one, into the ocean of eternity,
and yet nothing comes back to inc, no hope, no
relief.”

The gentleman was striding the apartment
with a. hasty, impatient stcp.

“ I dunno see as there’s any use in’t," ho ro—
marked, in a strong Scotch accent. “And yet
()f’n and of’n the
light coomos just when the gloom falls heaviest.”

He was interrupted by the cr'ashim,r of the

glass, and by the fall of a large picture which

uug against tho opposite wall. Accompanying

~ them sounded the sharp report of a pistol.

A slight scream of alami came from the Indy,

but the gentleman’s coolness remained uu«
changed.
“ I doubt it isn’t us it’s meant for,” he said,
"e’eu though it’s 3 lintored the glass an’ cut
the picture cord. ut I think it’s my duty to
go see. I will not belong, Mrs. Hudson."

Seizing his hat, he hastily quit the room, louv—
ln the lady, who sat absently gazing upon the
in on picture. It was the portrait of a toll,
well-builttygung man, dressed in a close-fitting
costume w 'ch seemed adapted to athletic ex-
ercises and which well displayed the vigor of a
mason ar frame. The right hand gras l a
short, slender whip. The face was her and
stern, with something cruel and sinister in its
expression.

A sudden shudder ran through the lady’s
frame. Her eyes became riveted upon the pic-
tured countenance.

 

“That face? Here?”,came in hissing accents
from her Ii )5. “ In Doctor McDowell’s office?
What must understand by this! Oh! is there
hope for me in this strange discovery?”

A few moments had only‘elapsed when the
doctor returned, bearing in Is sturdy arms the
insensiblc form of a man.

The lady started back in terror.
der been committed!

“ Ye must excuse me, Mrs. Hudson,” said the
unmoved doctor, as he laid his burden in an
cosy—chair. “Thch hasn’t been bluidshed. The
puir body has had a fall, I doubt.”

As he spoke he had dcxterously removed the
man's coat, and pushed up his shirt-sleeve. The
fingers of the physician rested upon the
pulse, while a questioning look came upon his
facc.

“ I hope it is nothing serious,” remarked Mrs.
Hudson, recovering from her momentary
alarm, and approaching nearer.

Suddenly the doctor was startled by a loud
scream which came from her lips. Hastily
loosing his hold of the man’s wrist, he looked
round, to perceive her standing with guiverin
lips and deathlikc face, her extol: ed ban
pointing rigidly to the bared arm of the insens-
ible figure.

“ Look! look!" she cried, in thrilling ac-
cents. “ Ah! can I ever forget that mark ?”

Tho doctor’s searching gaze followed the
direction of her ointing hand. There, on tho
fleshy part of t e relaxed arm was a small
brown mole, which bore a singular resemblance
to some animal of the cat; tribe.

“ Do ye mean this?" asked the doctor, as he
touched the spot. .

“Yes! The tiger mark! Ahl well do In:-
member itl Do you not know that face, that
cruel countenancc?"

“ N 0," he answered, curiously regarding her.

“ See here!” she quickly rejoined. pointing to
the fallen picture, and to the faco of tho insensi—
ble man. “ They are the same! How you
came b that horrible portrait I cannot con-
ceive. ut you should know whom your own
picture represents.” '

“No, no,” he quickly replied. “I know no
mair than the man in the moon. I cannot tell
yo now the strange story aboot that picture,
since there’s matters 0’ mair moment at hand.
But—” .

“ It is he!" she exclaimed. “ It is Paul Ter-
rol! It is he who has made; my life a misery—
who has robbed me of mytcon—who has slain in
me all hope, trust and happiness!”

“Paul Terrol!" cried the doctor, in intense
surprise. “ The saints be guid to uni Paul Ter—
roli——Then, by my soul, it is our turn now!”

With an alert movement the doctor opened a
drawer and draw out some strong_baudages.
The next moment he was skillfully twmin them
around the limbs of the insensible man. w 0 now
showed signs of returning conscwusness.

Scarcely a minute had elapsed are he was

Had mur-

bound so firmly to the chair, that hardly a pos- _

sible movement was left him.
-Mrs. Hudson had sunk back into a sent, over-
come by the emotion and excitement.

Slowly the eyes of the invalid opened.- For ‘

several seconds they gazed around inquestionmg

 

 

 

 

 

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The Trapped Tiger King. ‘ l 5'

 

doubt. Then they fell on the deathly—white face
of the lady, and a quick shudder ran through the
bound frame.

"Where am I?” he asked, in -a whispering
tone. “ That face—is it a dream?” .

“ No!” she exclaimed, startan impulsively
up. “ It is 1—1 whom you have robbed of the
one treasure of her life l—Where is my boy—my
Ernest?” -

A slow, crafty smile curled the thin lips of
the man: a. look of cruel malignity came into his
e es.

y“ What know I of him? I am not your son’s
keeper.” ,

“ It was you who robbed me of him! You
whose treacherous hand left me alone with a
bare and desolate life! Tell me, I implore you!
What have you done with my son?”

“ I cannot tell you, and would not if I could,”
came in scornful tones from his set lips, as he
made an efiort to raise himself from the chair.

“ Who has dared to bind me here?” he cried.

“ I have. I, Fergus McDowell,” replied tho
doctor, stepping forward. “ Ye will not answer
this uir mither, but e shall answer me.”

“ will be even wit 1 you for this!” cried the
villain, writhing in his bonds.

“ Vera weel; but I‘ll c’on be even with you,
first. Ye will not leave that chair till yo answer
this leddy’s questions.”

“ Who are you that has dared bind me?” de—
manded the infuriated captive.

“ Ye dunna know me then, Paul Terrol. Mobbo
ye will know this picture?”

He raised the fallen picture, and held it before
the bound man.

A strange look came into the eyes of the letter
on observing it—a look in which surprise was
immediately followed by dread.

“ How came you by that picture?" he fiercely
ejaculated, though his lips involuntarily trem-
bled. “I know you not. ’

“ But I know on,” sternly rejoined the doc—
tor, replacing t e portrait, this time with its
face to the wall.

A white speck, as if it were the corner of :1

paper hidden in the frame, showed itself, unseen
by the doctor, but greedin observed by the cap—
tivo.
“ If I but had that fatal document!” ho mut-
tered. between his closed teeth. “ Not for
worlds would I have it fall into any hands but
mine!" '

Doctor McDowell turned again to him, after
setting down the mysterious picture.

“ Are ye ready to answer the lcddy’s qucs-
tion§f’!he asked, in a cold, measured tone.

0 

“Excuse me, Mrs. Hudson," said the doctor,
as he turned to the agitated lady. “ I doubt
but the fall hasua been guid for thisvmon’s head.
He doesn’t seem right here,” ta pin his forc-
hcad significantly. “ A little b uid- ettiug, I
faucyI—J
“ but do you mean, doctor?’

He made no answer, but turned with pro-
fessional coolnem toward a cabinet by the
wall, from which he took a case of instruments.
He selected one of these—a fine, noodle-like

(h. .
“I fancy we’ll bring the men to his senses,

 

Mrs. Hudson," continued the doctor, as he
turned toward his captive.

This person sat motionless in the choir to
which he had been bound. His lips were set,
his eyes cold and inflexible. Evidently he was
not .one to yield easily to either force or per-
suasion. -

It was no common face and form that Doctor
McDowell looked upon, as he turned to his pris~
oner. The features were regular, and the face
rather handsome than otherwise, but it was
marked with an unusual firmness and energy.
The thin and almost bloodless lips, and the
large, protruding chin, told of a resolution that
was backed by a fearlcss vigor. But the most
marked features of the face were the e 5.
These were not large, but they sparkled wit a» v
diamond-like luster, and had something of the
peculiar fascinating power which we are apt to
fancy dwells Within the glittering orbs of the.
serpent. ,

The frame of the man was of medium size
but it seemed all brawn and muscle. The bored
arm appeared to be but a knotted mass of

'sinews, with scarce in particle of flesh to give

ronndncss to its irregular outline. Everythi '
about him spoke of strength, endurance 3.35

energy. I ‘

' “ 1 am going to draw a little bluid,” the doc-

tor uietly remarked, as he placed a basin on

the ioor under the barcd arm. “There are

cases where phlebotomy is very necessary. I

doubt but the fall has addled the uir bed ’3

brain: but mebbe I can bring him E to is
senses!"

The captive writhed in his chair, while a bit-
ter oath broke from his lips.

“He needs it,” continued the doctor, iubis
measured manner.
leddy’s presence, it a’inost always shows that
there’s too much bluid. Keep still new, or yo
might get hurt.” ‘

o had caught the man’s arm in his slender
fingers. But, slender as the were, they were
like so many bars of steel. 'lho arm was held
as in a brace.

“ A beautiful anatomical development!” cried I
the doctor, with professional admiration.
“Beautiful! Quiet, now, my friend. 'If the
lance should slip— Ah!”

A quick, skillful movement of the wrist; the
fine lance was roddencd at the point; a narrow
stream of blood trickled down Paul Terrol’s‘
bared arm and fell with a hollow sound into the
basin below. Mrs. Hudson had her hands be-
fore her face. She could not bear the sight.

The doctor coolly seated himself. ,

“I hope ye’ll soon come to your senses”he
remarked. “This will take the pressure rem
your brain. When ye are ready to answer this ’
puir loddy’s questions—" .

“ I cannot answer them!” hissed the prisoner.
“I know nothing: about the boy."

“I  It hasna had the effect. Keep cool,
Mrs. Hudson. The mon won’t bleed to death

ack

soon. He is‘guid for an hour yet."
He calmly opened a newspaper and com; v ‘

menced quietly to road. To all appearance he -
had for otten the presence of his captive. '
Mrs. udson sat with her hands clasped in. 

 

“When a mom swears in a . '7 

8 The Trapped Tiger King.

her lappher face deathly pale, while dark ring; I weapon with which to break through the ob-

had started out around her eyes.

The prisoner‘s we were firmly closml and his A
. ot a word came from his lips, .

hands clinched.
but his eyes fairly blazed.

The room wm still as (loath, save for tho drip,
dri , , drip of the flowing blood as it trickled in
a 3 under stream from the arm and fell into the
basin beneath.

 

CHAPTER III.
'rm; man To SAFETY.

WE left Erno‘lt Dolaino and his strangely
beautiful companion, in a most dubious situa-
tion, locked Within a room of the questionable
mau‘lion to which they had been ('onvoywl.

The small book which she held, and from
which she socmexl (‘oufillunt of discovering some
method of osuape from their )crilons situation,
closed with a secret spring. But she upwarod
to understand its action. A touch of her finger
and it flew open. It was nppnn-ntly a wrt of
bound tablet, with ivory surfaced paper, which,
however, was blank, there being no trove of
writing upon it.

“There is nothing there,” cried Erueqt, who
had been curiously and hopofuliy following her
movements. “I thought it very odd if sucha
villain would leave evidence a ruinst him lying
around loose in that fashion. \ 'o must got out
of this don by some other ineam."

Ho hurried again to the windows. 'l‘hoy Wcro
Closed with strong, iron-bound shutifirs, boliml
firmly on the inside. But this; belt was not their
onlv fastening. On its being; withdrawn they
failed. to yield to the pushing hnnd. Sonic
Equally ilrm support held them on the outside.
Ernest set his strong shoulder against thorn and

_ puaiieti with all his strongth. It was in vain.

Meanwhile his companion waq othvrwiso en-
gaged. Smiling to horse]? at hi»: hasty remark
about the book, she held its first upon page near
her lips, and breathed upon it until the whole-
page was moist. But nothng yet appear-rd
upon its smooth surfaco.

Sh.) next hold it m-ur the gas jet, the ivory-
likc material glittering in the light as it grew
warm with the heat of the burner. And now
it was no longer so purely white m- iwi’oro.
Dark chnrachu‘e rose into view upon the white
surface. at first pain, but rapidly grou lug black
and Clear. Ernest, who had rotnrutxl from his
unsuccessful oil’ort upon the shutt‘hr, gazed with

, surprise at this metamorphosis.

“ But what does it all moan?" ho asked after
vainly striving to decipher the writtnn charac-
tcrs. “ There is no sense or meaning in it."

“ It is a ciplwr," she answered. “ Not a very
difficult one, however. And fortunath I havo
the he to it. I know more of Dark Paul’s sc-
orets inn even he imagines.” '

: She seatod herself at the table, and began to
slowly decipher tho mysterious writing which
had so strangely sprung into view upon the tab-
let. All her fear and nervous excitement
loomed to have been exchanged for confidence.

Ernest, however, was not so exmly quivtvd.
He roamed the apartment like a caged animal.
examining its every feature with critical eyes,
and-seeking something which might serve as a

l

 

struction of the locked door or windows.

did not imprw him as too stron for him to
open a pasmge through then. if he could but
gain some heavy weight with which to attack
their weaker panels.

But a Parlor is not a work—shop. The chairs,
the tab es the stools alike were light and
slender. ’Ilhey would crumble into fragments
in his hands under such an assault as that he
wished to make. The only lmibly available
missile was the marble top of a. small table
which stood at one end of the room. And thn
Would perha breakinto fragments under the
work to whic he designed to put it.

“I’d give a high premium now for a black—
amith’s hammer,‘ he muttered, as he seized this
novel won )1) of assault. “ But I will have to
see what Virtue there is in marble and muscle.
When you can‘t get what you want you must
use what you have.”

The next instant, with a surge that shook the
house to its foundations. the heavy weight was
driven like a battering-ram against the strong
door. It rattled with the blow and there was
a. sound as of splinteriug w But the on]
visible result was a deep dent in the firm .

And from a distance came again that snarl—
ing scream which they had heard before, the
fri htfnl tones of an enraged tiger.

.rnL-st again liftod the heavy weapon. He
stood like a young athlete, balancing the oral
mass as thong he gruswxi buta feather in his
hands. He drew back to give the blow all the
vigor of his powerful muscles.

“Hold!” came the voice of the lady, as she
hastily rose.

But her warning cry was too late. Again
the very house seemed to tremble with the
force of a terrific blow. The splintcring wood
gave way before it. A hole that the hand could
have p:me through was broken in the yielding
panel of the door.

But, another sound followed. The treacherous
stone, shattered by the blow, broke into two
equal fragments of which one fall with a crash

to the floor. With a bitter exclamation of dis- ~

gust Ernest flung the other half down upon it.

From the opening in the wall again came
that jcering laugh. The young man vexed and
furious, in an instant had his pistol in his held,
its: muzzle directed toward the face of the coach-
mau, who had again appeared there. But the
latter quickly disappeared and the trap shot
back into its place, leavin ' the wall seemingly
continuous.

“ At any rate I have made a. tuning.” he
said. “ There is weight enough yet n. these bits
of marblo to open out that aperture, If the con-
founded stone does not break into slivers. Here
goon for it anyhow. I will go through if I have
to take a penknife to it.” _

“There is no occasion,” she quietly replied.
“ I have found a better way."

fi She tapped the tablet significantly with her
n or.

‘ Ah!" he quickly cried. “ You have made
it out, then?“

“Yes. Sit down here for afew minutes. I
wish to talk with on."

She had sudden y become the collected one of

VI.

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The Trapped Tiger King. 7

 

the two. Ernest’s nerves were tingling with
excitement as he took the chair to which she

Immed- . . . ,

“ Listen,” she said, her mumcal voxce Vibrat-
ing through the closed a. rtment. “Perhaps
you do not know who Pau Tcrrol is."

“ I have heard his name, somewhere,” he re-
plied. “ I do not remember just where, at
present.”

“ He is a man of dark secrets," she continued.
“Mystery and crime surround him on every
side. There are reasons why I should say no
more. But we must make our escape from this
establishment before he returns.”

“1 am perfe‘ctlliy7 agreed with you on that
point " answered .rnest, with a satirical smile.

“ {this house is full of secrets,” she continued.
" Doors and windows are only a part of its
means of movement. You have seen that 0 ion-
ing near the ceiling. That is evidence the we
are not the first prisoners who have been con-
fined here. Fortunate] there are other open-
ings, hidden traps, w ich the master of the
house supposes are "known only to himself, but
some of which this tablet has fortunately re-
vealed to me."

“ Lucky tablet!” exclaimed Ernest with en—
thusiasm. "How did on ever learn how to
read itf—Therel there! don’t want to pry into
your secrets. But hadn’t we best use one of
those convenient traps as soon as possible?"

“A minute or two more," she replied. “I
have not finished yet." .

He reseated himself, and gazed with renewed
curiosity upon her speaking features. She re-
sumed her communication.

“ That is not all that this fortunate discovery

1 gives us. It holds other secrets which it would

be ruin to Paul Terrol to have known. I am
aware of someof them, but here we have the
evidence in his own hand.” She tapied the
open book with her taperin finger. s will
not dare iniure us while t is book remains in
our hands.’

“ But if he has us and the book too?"

“That is to what I am coming. It is not

'tive that we will both escape from this
ouse. But one may, and that one is most like-
ly to be you."

Ernest nodded, but he quietly resolved that
it would be very uliar circumstances which
would make him esert his fair companion.

“I wish therefore, to have you take charge
of this  If it should he I that esca )e, and
you that remain prisoner, I will know imw to
release you. But if it be you that escape, you
might be powerless to rescue me from this man‘s
hands. But while the book remains in your
power he dare not injure me. Even if you can—
not read its secrets, others might, and he would
fear to leave himself so in your power.”

“I see," replied Ernest, as he received the
book from her hands. “ I had better take the
risk than you, that is certain. But how am I
too nit if it becomes necessary?" —'

S 9 showed hin‘ the concealed spring by which
its opening was governed.

“ my good,” he re lied, with an air of satis-
faction, as he plac the hook in an inner
pocket. “Thats one hold on our friend. If I
am the one to escape, you may be sure that [

 

will work like a Trojan to releass you. But let
us waste no more precious time here.”

“ It is not time yet," she rejoined. “ Our es-
caped must not hediscovered toosoon. They
may gnter by the door and find that we are
gone.

“ I calculate not," he answered. "‘ They have
locked it from the outside. Let me see if I can-
not lock it from the inside.”

Quickly seizing,r one of the fragments of the
marble table top he struck it with all his
strength against the inner Side of the look. A
rattling sound accompanied the blow. Another
aragmcnt of the marble broke off and fell to the

cor.

“ I fancy I have
he grimly said.
coachman.”

Scizing the small fragment of marble, he
waited patiently, with his eyes fixed upon the
trap in the ceiling. Be shrewdly concluded
that this last blow would bring the spy to the
lookout.

Nor was he mistaken. In a minute more a
small square in the wall silently receded, leav-
ing a blank space. Ernest l uickly turned down
the gas to a dim gleam, an noiselessly waited.
The next moment the face of the coachman
appeared, looking curiously about the darkened
room.

Simultaneously with his appearance the
dangerous niiisilo, hurled with all the force of
Ernest‘s arm, was flyin through the air toward
that villainous face. {lie uim was a true one.
It would have struck the spy in the center of
his leerinfi countenance, but that he caught
sight of rnost’s movement just in time and
jerked back his head. Not quickly enough. ow-
ever. Instead of taking him in the face it,
caught the top of his shaggy head, and made a
long, torn, jagged wound in his seal , that was
likely to prove a vivid reminder to im not to
venture too much in the future.

“The third time tolls,” cried Ernest, as the
trap quickly closed after the discomflted spy.

“ And now we have no time to lose. he
fizuickly continued. “ Let us hasten, Miss-—

xcuso me, but fyou must give me some name
to know you  '

“ Call me iss West, then. Estelle West, it,
you like the name ”

He looked quiuically at her. Something in
her tone gave him an idea that it was a name
assumed for the occasion. But he said not!»
mg. *

She had risen from her seat and ap reached
the side of the room. Here was a sm V
flanked by one of the dee -set windows. She
stooped and felt about t a wall for a. short
interval.

t “Come here," she called to him, in a cautious
one.

Taking his hand she drew him closeintothe
recess, and arranged her own dress sothatit
should not protrude upon the floor. Then stoop-
ing again she touched the spring for Whidllh.
had previously been seeking. '

Immediately there was a slight crackling
sound, and a sensation as if the floor was giving
way beneath them. In fact, the portion of the
floor upon which they stood, carpet and all, bl! ,

ut that lock out of order,”
nd now for our friend, the

'9‘ n“; Tiifi'fied mags; King.

 

from the remainder, and was sinking
'ly into the depths below the room.

A laser sensation came upon Ernest as he
, felt t is unlocked-for movement. He involun—
- taril threw his arm around his fair companion.

“ on are not afraid?” he whispered.

“No,” she replied, as she quietly disengaged
herself from the embrace.

The trap had ceased to descend. She stopped
from it, be following her example. It innno-
' diately reascendcd, with the same noiselessness,
v and resumed its former position.
, They were in utter darkness.
i ‘I 

 

you know where we are? Can you
lead the way?” he asked, feeling for her hand in
,1 the loom.
i “ fear not,” she doubtfully replied, “ with-
out a light.”

” That reminds me. I have matches.”

The next minute he struck a light, and held up
the blazing match, with a curious fool-
in to learn what kind of a )lace they were in.

e light revealed dark, oavy stone walls,
, with long and narrow passages, sinking into
2 . dark shadows at their extremity.
1 They were evidently in t in underground
, re ion of the house.
i ' ‘This way," she said, loading him forward.
“ I think I can remember the directions.”

The match soon flickered and went out. But
he quickly lit another, and they passed cautious-
ly on through the ample cellars.

“Ah! here are stairs leading u ward,” she
joyfully said, in guarded tones. “ ow I know

I 7 my way.” ‘ _
hey carefully ascended the stairs, which had
a most unfortunate tendency to creek, no mat-
ter how carefully they trod.
'In a minute or two, however, the door at the
, top was reached. Ernest put his hand on it to
 " Open it. But at that same instant his foot un-
’3 - luckily slipped on amoist stop, throwing him
' slightly forward, so that the door was flung
* yi ently open. It struck the wall behind it
I, with a sound that reverberated through the

 

~ 1158.

" 7‘» “Oh mercy, how unluckyl” she exclaimed.

' 7, r. ;‘ Como, quick, quickl We have not a second to
one ”

. _ Their hands were still alas d, from the time
'~'- he had taken hers in the uni erground passage.
She drew him hastily forward.
‘And none too soon. Footsteps sounded in the
r house around them. The floor cranked under
 ~ their hasty feet. A room was crossed, and they
3‘2 entered a wide passage leading through the
house. The front door was but a short distance
,. before them.
u But at this same moment three or four men
, appeared in the passage behind them, hastily
, pnrsuin . They ran quickly forward. They
3,. ,were wi hin a few paces of the door-when it
4,  opened, and there stepped inward. closing their
g; only path to safetv. the dreaded figure of Paul
> Terrol, the Tiger King!

 CHAPTER 1v.

3% m m or on. MGDOWELL’S EXPERIMENT.

5 ' STILL the blood flowed from the slight in-

! . cisibn in Paul Terrol's arm, and dro pad with

that same ominous tinkle into the basin below.
I, . ‘ , n 

 

   

 

The bottom of this was already covered with
the red life fluid. It was slowly creeping up its
sides.

With firmly closed lips the prisoner sat, his
piercing eyes fixed with a revengeful glare upon
the figure of the unmoved doctor, Who sat rus-
ing his newspaper as unconcernedly as t ough
the incident of bleeding :1. man to death was an
every-da occurrence in his life.

Mrs. udsou could not view it with such pro-
fessional coolness. Here face was deathly pale,
her (éyes distended with fear and nervous excite-
men .

“ Don’t let your nerves get the best 0’ ye, my
dear madam ’ warned the doctor, as he saw her
emotion. “ i‘Vhy, this is a beautiful experiment
-beaut1full Our friend in the chair has a verr
remarkable muscular development. And it is
verra interesting to see his nerve. I take uitc
a professional interest in it. I dinna ken ow
much bluid a men can lose and keep his nerve,
but an hour or so will tell.”

“ Why, you cold—blooded butcher i” cried the

)risoner, ina sudden rage, “do you intend to
cop me here bleeding by the hour?"

“ That depends that depends ” coolly assured
the doctor. “ If i can take the bluid from your
brain sooner, why all well. But {a must coom
back to your senses, and answer t is puir leddy’s
questions, before I can be satisfied that the pres-
sure is off your brain.”

A fierce oath broke from the captive’s lips. He
struggled to break loose from his bonds. The
muscles stood out upon his bared. arm until they
looked as if they would break through the 'skin.
But the bandages failed to give way.

“ I know nothing of the woman’s brat!” he
fierccl ejaculated. " He may be dead or hanged
for al 1 know to the contrary. But Heaven
forget me if I do not amply revenge myself for
this night’s work!”

The doctor smiled satirically. But Mrs. Hud-
son 3 rung nervously from her chair.

“ ou. stole him! You, Paul Terrell” she
cried, in a tone that was almost a scream. “‘ You
crept into my house, like a snake that you are!
You abused my trusting nature, and on stole
my child from me, on thief and vi] nl Give
me back my chil 1 Oh, give me back my
child 1”

Her voice vibrated with intense emotion. It
seemed enough to move the heart of a stone.
But he only shrugged his "shoulders, while a
smearing smile came upon his thin lips.

“There is no need to make a scene, m dear
woman,” he heartlesst replied. “ s for

your boy, I suppose he has been lynched before
new, by some igilance Committee in the West.
I think I have seen the to that was twisted
for him. I am sorry that did not send you a.
piece for amemento.”

This heartless insult was rather more than the
impassive doctor could hear. The hot Scotch
blood flamed into his cheek. He sprung from

his chair, with clinched fists, as it with intent to ‘

punish the soullem villain.

“That’s right," said the latter, with quiet
scorn. “ You have the advantage of me now.
Make the best of it.” , , _

Doctor McDowell drew back, with a slight
sense of shame. ,  t ‘7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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_ The Trapped Tiger King. , 9

 

“ You had better look to your lady friend,”
continued the captive, with a most insulting
si iflcauce in his last words.

he doctor—repressing an impulse to strike
him in the facts—turned hastily toward Mrs.
Hudson. Her face had grown deathly white at
Paul Terrol’s insulting words. His heartless
innuendoes about her son rcdoubled the nervous
strain under which she was suffering. She
staggered fora moment, and then, just as the
doctor turned to her, she fell heavily to the
floor, in a deathlike inscnsibility.

He ran hastily to her assistance, lifted her
{ind placed her in a reclining position upon a
oun e.

“ soulless rufiianl” he hissed, as he passed the

risoner in search of some remedy to recall the
ainting lady to her senses.

The same scomful smile curled Dark Paul’s
thin lips. -

In a minute more, forgetting his bleeding
captive, Doctor McDowell was bent over the in-
sensible lady, in efforts to restore her vanished
sensas.

He was aroused from this occupation by the
sound of another fall. Quickly turning his
head he saw that the bound captive bad man—
aged to throw himself and the chair which held
him over on the floor.

“Verra well,” smiled the doctor. “ If ye
prefer that ,posture, I am sure you are welcome
to enjoy it.

Yet he miscalculated the strength of his
chair and vigor and cunning of his captive.
The latter had brought a severe strain upon the
legs and the aims of the chair at that moment of
throwing it over, pressing them outward with
all his force. The effort, together with the im-
petus of the fall, had proved too much for the
strength of the chair. One of its arms gave
way and broke out of its socket, releasing the
ri h arm of the captive.

r. McDowell had no sooner turned again to
his insensible patient than the quick-motioned
prisoner drew a knife from his ket, o cued
it with his teeth, and rapidly row the cen-

cdged blade across the strong bandages which

had so long confined him.

In less space than it takes to tell it he was
free, and on his feet behind the unconscious
doctor, with a most demoniac expression _upon
his face, as the keen-bladed knife gleamed in his
hand.

But a second thought a ared to succeed his

murderous impulse. is eyes fell upon the
icture, which still stood, face inward, against
he wall. The white t on the back of the
frame, which had ore taken his attention,
now seemedto draw him with irresistible at«
traction. A quick light of exultation brokeinto
his eyes as he made a stealthy step toward the
much-coveted prize, I

All this had passed so qmckly that scarce ten
secondshad elapsed from the moment he had
drawn the knife to that in Whlch he now moved
toward the mysterious paper in the picture-
frame.

Atthis instant Dr. McDowell again turned his
head. His nick ear had caught a suspici as
sound behin him. In a moment he was on his
feet, mistaking the movement at his escaped

 

prisoner, and the object of the blade which yet
glittcred in his hand.

“ Back, murderer!” he ejaculated, facing him.
“ You have broken loose, then? Come not near
me, or I will let blood from another vein.”

He brandishod the keen lance, which had not
left his hand. There was that in his firm atti-
tude, in the hard, alert expression of his eye in r
the set of his lips, that showed Paul Terrol‘that
he had no weak foe to deal with in Fergus
McDowell.

He withdrew a step, still clutching the knife.

“ You have taken a most unmanly advantage
of me to-night,” he hissed. “Only that I have
some shadow of respect for that poor fool of a
woman, I would try now, and on this spot,
which of us two is the better man. But itis
only for the time. No man insults or injures
Dark Paul Term], and escapes scot free. You
have had your hour. Mine will come.”

“ Do your worst, villain. Now or at an

time," returned the doctor, with recovered coo ~ "

ness.
man.
shall l

“Ye have deeply injured this puir wo-
Ye shall redress her, by the gods-ye
Fergus McDowell swears that. At our

next meeting there shall be no weak—nerved “0-” “

man to interfere.” ,,
With a sardonic smile Paul Terrol re laced

the knife in his pocket, and turned nic y 1704
ward the door. He apparently lai himself
open to a sudden assault from his f9». But the

latter knew well that the senses of the Ega-
tamcr were always on the alert, even he

had entertained any idea of a treacherous ,as- ‘ v

'/

sault. ,

C
The next minute the freed captive had left x

the room. His steps were heard upon the stairs,
as he descended toward the street.
midnight adventure was over.

The doctor turned again toward his insensihle . m

patient, in whose face some faint signs of re- ,
turning consciousness were visxble. He resumed
his efforts for her recove

Meanwhile Dark Paul %rrol was hastening. ' V»

with rapid steps, along,r the midnight streets of
the city, which seemed utterly deserted at that
point. His face was set in a stern, revengeful
expression. His eyes blazed as remembrance

The strange ‘ 1

 

of the former adventure of that eventful night I, l I:

returned to him.

“To bedragged from my own carriage, and
flung like a dog into the street,” he,hissed, as a
sharp pain in his head told of the injury he had
received. “And to be baffled in my lans by
that meddling fool—whoever he was!
hide himself in the do tbs of the earth, and
will find him out. I
night. Little they know what it is to make an
em my of Paul Terrol.”

He stop in his swift career. His arm was ,
still blee ing. Quickly removing a fragment
of the linen bandage which still encirc ed his

61118“

ave made two foes to- Ill

«

ankle, be bound it as tightly as he could about " 

the lance wound in his arm. The loss of blood

had not been without its eflect. He felt-weak 

and unnerved. ‘ ,
But the blood-letting had servede man-
other way. He had received a severe concus-
“'01) from his fall in the street. Dr. McDow~
ell’s ironical words were based upon the truth.
The flow of blood had relieved a pressure upon «

 

: his brain. In this respect it had done hima
i, useful service.

I. A half-hour‘s rapid walk took him beyond
1 the built-up limits of the city. He was now in
= a street bordered, here by open fields, there by
it the mansion of some citimn who preferred the
5' open air beyond the city limits.

‘ As he proceeded these mansions became less
. frequent. Finally the faint light of the moon
showed before him an open country, with only
'i thinly—scattered edifices.

One of these was near him. Within a high
stonewall, that inclosed a considerable space,
could be soon the roof and upper walls of an ex-
tensive building. It seemed to be built of
stone, and appeared pretentious in its size and
the architectural adornments which even the
faint moonlight revealed.

Pushing open the broad-valved gates which
cecupied the center of this wall he entered the

«inclosure. A stoue-slablml pavement led up to
thewide front of the house. In the center of
., this broad steps ascended to a high-f rained door,
on each side of which stood a gas—lamp, su
ported on tho figure of a. crouching ti or. It
was the same door by which Ernest elaine
and Estelle 'Wost had entered that mansion an

 

: hour before.

i ‘ Dark Paul walked up to it with the tread of
a master. As he reached the door, and inserted
his key to open it, unexpected sounds from

*§ _ within met his ears. There was a noise of

I I rushing footsteps, which seemed to approach the

 

l‘v - '.0"‘§l.'here is something wrong within!" he mut-
‘ ‘ V tered. . “Has Lulu escaped?" .

, . The next moment he had thrown open the
, ' door and stepped within. A start of surprise
' " arrested his steps. Quick-witth as he was he
 Jud instantl taken in the significance of the
I" , scene before im.
 There, in the center of the dimly-lighted pas-
sage, was the woman who had been lately
wrestod from his grasp, accompanied by a
stranger whom he instantly guessed to be his
late assailant. .

Behind these came four men, who broke into
a c of warning on seeing him.

.“ to them! They are escaping!” came
‘» from t e lips of the coachman, whose face was
" ed With long lines of blood, that flowed
, from the H

I The fag} ives involuntarily paused on perceiv-
‘ in; this addition to the number of their foes.
The face of the lad grew deathly pale.

“ Paul Terrell” s e muttered.

Ernest can ht the name. He looked warily to
I right and le t, and then dashed forward at this
1i new foe. \ '
if / Estelle sought to follow him, but her arm was
~ at that moment caught b one of their ur-

mars, and she was dragged ack into the ha 1.

Another of them gras )ed the shoulder of the
young man. But he rec used without his host,
orin a moment Ernest had him by the shoul-
der. had jerked him around in front of him,
and with a skillful trip extended him prostrate
, on the marble floor.
Leaping over the fallen body he dashed to the

 

 

p wound in his head.

 

 

   
   
 

advancing.

10 The Trapped Tiger King.

encounter with Paul Terrol, who was warily ‘

 

The two men were not uneven] matched.
Dark Paul, as we have said, was a lsinew and
muscle. In a long struggle he would have worn
out almost any antagonist. But, Ernest was
more than his equal in size, and of un-
usual agility.

He had, in fact, a special advantage just now,
in the temporary weakness of his antagonist.
A nick, impulsive grappling; a hasty struggle;
and then the Tiger King was flung bodily over
the shoulder of his foe, and fell with a thud to
the floor.

Ernest turned back. The companion of his
flight was a prisoner. Four men confronted

him.
“ Fly!” she cried. “ You cannot rescue me.
Fl 1 and remember!”
he was right. He tamed again, and dashed
through the open door.

CHAPTER V.
IN QUEST or AN ADVENTURE.

A BRIGHT morning succeeded the eventful
night in which had occurred the incidents we
have described.

Within his room at the hotel sat Ernest De-
laine, lest in deep thou ht. He had abundant
-rcason for reflection. 6 had arrived in that
city from the Far \Vest, late on the previous
day, and had taken a room at the hotel, for he
was without an acquaintance in all that wilder-
ness of pleasant homes. To pass away the
lonely hours he had gone to one of the city
theaters. This had kept in to a late hour, and
on leaving it he had somehow missed his wa .
It was while seeking to lace himself right again
that he heard the sta ing cry that led to such
a strange adventure. _

He had certainly put his foot in it. The eve-
ning before the w ole city had not a point of in-
terest for him; now it was suddenly alive with
interest.

How strangely he hadvbeeome connected with
that beautifu and richly attired woman, whom
such a deep mystery surrounded! And who
was this Dark Paul Terrol, who bore such an
ominous title as the Tiger King? Some faint
glimmer of remembrance was struggling
through the young man’s brain. Surely that
man was not quite unknown to him.

But such thoughts as these only floated re-
motely through his mind. There were more
immediate interests which weighed heavil
upon him. His fair companion of the ni hts
adventure, Estelle West as she had named or-
self, was still a risoner in the hands of her
dreaded enemy. be trusted to him to rescue
her. A look of resolution marked his face, as
he said to himself, “I will not fail her. I
have risked m life for a favorite (1 before
now. I would he a craven if I re to give
it for such a woman.”

But how was he to act? The most obvious
mode seemed to be to warn the lies and make
a descent upon the mansion which held her cap-
tive. Yet there were doubts in his mind as to r
the efficacy of this plan. Paul Torrol was no
common villain, and mi ht have resources at
his command that would efy the police.

And besides. Ernest shrunk from any such
method. He was sufiiCiently interested in the

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. The Trapped Tigo: King, 11

fair captive to wish to keep all the credit of
rescuin her to himself. Could he not do,it?
She h declared that the possession of that
m torious book ‘was a sure key to her safety.

most drew the strange book from the pocket
in which he had placed it on the previous ni ht.
He azed lung and intently at its cover of w ite
mar 19.

In the center of the back was a monogram,
traced in old upon the white. But it was so
intricate that he could not make out the letters
included within the involved figure. As he
looked, however, an odd idea came into his mind.
The lines of the monogram took a new shape.
Gradually the outline o a tiger formed itself to
his eye, strangely evolved from the twisting
lines of the intricate figure.

“ Deuce take him!” cried Ernest.
to be tiger all through.”

He touched the spring which Estelle had
shown him. The strong clasp flew open. The
thick, ivory-like leaves of the hook lay wide
before him.

As before, they appeared utterly blank.

Lighting the gas, e breathed upon the leaves
and then held them up to the heat of the flame,
as he had men his fair com mnion do.

The surface darkened. tiers came out one
by one. In a minute or two it was covered
with faint lines of writing. But it was all in
that mysterious cipher, which had no more
meaning for him than if it had been so much
Choctaw.

With a gesture of vexation he pursued the
same process with the remaining leaves. All

“ He scours

the dozen leaves of the tablet were closely cov~

cred with cipher writing, or with figures of
various sorts. Although he failed to make any
meaning out of this complicated medley of let
tors, yet a Certain significance began to arise in
his mind. There were various diagrams, and
some peculiar emblematic figures, mingled with
the wrifing,-trom which he drew important in-,
feren es.

Ono‘s: first page of the tablet was drawn, in
faint gold lines, the outlines of a tent-like
figure. It was not a drawin'r, however, but a
mere tracing in a few inlaid lines. Not content
to cease while a bare hope remained, be sub-
jected this page to the some process, breathin
upon its surface and exposing it to the heat 0
the gas jet. _ -:,‘ ,

Ashe looked dark outlines a peered within
the faintly-drawn tent. They eepened under
the influence of the best. In a minute more
there was, plainly revealed a skillful drawing of
a human figure.

It was. in fact, the counterpart ‘of the per-
trait in Doctor McDowell’s ofllce. Paul Terrol,
in his younger davs, was strikingly pictured on
the white page. 1; was the same cold pitiless
face, the same glittering eyes. In his hand he
held aslender whi . But this picture differed
from the other in t at it shewed on the ground

' the crouchin form of a tiger. on whose head

was placed t e foot of the man. In the back-
ground sdine cages appeared. ‘ Around them
the gold-traced outlines curved like a tent.
“Aha!” cried Ernest, after a searching ex-
amination of the figure. ‘51 have him now.
He mask

 

ed under another name then. But.

‘ “I

that face? Who could mistake that? Come,
come, Master Paul "n’rol, lion—tamer, ti er-
kiug, or whatever you please to call yoursel , I.
know you now. And I have a score to settle
with you a little longer than that of last night‘s
work. I’d give something to know the mystery
which the fair Estelle wishes to conceal. But,
no matter; it is time I was moving to her aid.”

This was easier said than done. as Ernest dis
covered when he had sallied forth in quest of
his adventure. In his movements of ti!) night
before he had become so mixed up in the vari-
ous streets as to quite lose his way and he now
had the very vaguost idea as to w at course he
should lake in search of Dark Paul Terrol's
mansion.

Nor did the process of asking his way help
him much. He described the house he was in
search of to several policemen, but none of them
c'ould recognize it from his description.

“Either they are stupid, or I am,” he mut—
tered, shrugging his shoulders. “ Let me see if
my gentleman is immortalized in the Direc— ,
tory.

But the City Directory proved of no hettcr
avail. Paul 'l‘errol‘s name was not in if.

“There is on] one thing to do,” he said to r
himself. “The K0
city. That much is sure.
whole city but what I find it.
such a big place but what a wild western walker?
like nie can circumnavigate it in less than a life-i.
time.‘ - - "z -'

Setting out in the direction which appeared
to him the most favorable to his urposei he
walked briskly onward, his young )lood mg—
liug in the fresh morning air, his cart beating
just a little more gluickly than usual, at the]
thought’of the ossib e peril before him.

He felt in llS pistol—pocket.

I’ll surround the

The weapon

which he had carefully loaded and placed there '- "

was allri ht. _ ,
“I har 1y think I will back down again be-

fore a crew of awkward hounds like those I ‘ 

met last night,” he grim] resolved. “ Only for .
fear of shootin Estelle would have tried the
virtue of a few ullets then."

He was now in a street of high-roofed, brick ' y’ I,
residences. It was a wide, cleanly-paved ave- ‘ ‘ “

one, the houses on each side indicating comfort
and refinement, if not wealth. As he moved
hastily on a gentleman and lady left the door of
one of these housesY and walked down the hi it
stops to the pavement.
street so as to meet him face to face.

The gentleman was a man of middle hight and
rather slender figure. He had a spare, Scotch
face, with sour but resolute expression. . He was
dressed well, but in clothes of an old-fashioned
cut, as if he was one who despised all new-fans
gled modern notions in dress. '

The lady was of good figure, and tasteiully
drofsed, but hrr features were hidden bye close /
vai . ,‘ ' 
All these particulars came to Ernest at, ‘a.
glance, He paid no further attentiontothesa
persons, but walked on. “

An unex )ected and thrilling scream Mam the
lady rou. the young man from this impulsive?
urns. He hastily turned. She had thrownxup,
her veil and was gazing upon with dis»

3

use was on the edge of thong":

Anyhow it’s not» “ -. .

 

 

They turned down t e  .3

 

 

3;.“ ,9.“ Her:

pm. «.ng H

1:».

 

12

tended eyes and a faco of deathlike puller.

There was something in that pain-wrought face

that caused his heart to loop with a sudden

thrill, a strange emotion for which he Could not
account.

The next instant her eyes closed and she tot—
tered. Ernest threw out his arm and caught
her, inst us she was falling to the ground.

“ Thank ye,” said the gentleman, as coolly as
it this was an everyday occurrence with him.
“ The puir body’s been badly worked up of late,
and slip liasna no nerves to speak of. [ cunno
see what gave her this start, though. Will yo
kindly help me wi’ her into the house?”

Ernest complied without replying.

His eyes were fixed with a strungeseuseof
attraction upon that )allid and insensible face.
>Who could she be? She had been looking at
him—had that anything to do with her scream,
and the fainting‘iit which followed?

“I am verra much obleoged,” remarkml the
gentleman, when their charge haul been depos—

ted upon a sofa in the parlor. “I won‘t keep

a any longer. It’s only a. touch o‘ fnintness.
’m a doctor, and well know how to bring the
ler‘dy to.” ‘

At this pointed invitation to go Ernest could
not linger longer, though it was with a feeling
of regret that he took his eyes from that pallid
face. It seemed so marked with the pain of a
life’s grief, and yet so beautiful withal; the
beauty of a rich soul and a noble nature.

With a. last look he walked to the door, the
doctor following him with his eyes, but making
no movement to accompany him.

“A confoundedly impolite and hard-headed
old fellow,” muttered Ernest, on regaining the
street. “ Who is he, anyhow?"

He looked at the Window. It bore a doctor’s
sign: “ Fergus McDowell, M. D.”

“ Scotch to the backbone, I’ll bet high on that.
And likely sound as an oak knot at heart,

though craggy enough outside. He looks like

, that sort. But, hang him I wanted to know
_ more about that woman. Vhy did she scream

and faint at the sight of me? “That Is it in her
' face that attracts me so strangely? Can it be
that—-”

He rela sed into silence. Strange thoughts
were wordng in his mind. His whole early
life was unfolding before him, in a long pano-
remit, of which the early parts were dim and
shaded, only the Inter portions clear and de—
fined. ’

t flis brisk step had become slow and uncer—
am.

.He was now for from the center of the city.
Twenty minutes more brought him to the edge
. of the thickly built~np region. The houses be-
> came more scattered. Open spaces appeared
between them. He continued his walk for
some time longer. The country was becoming
- more and more open. Hero 8. short block of
houses, here a single mansion, there an open
field, re laced the close, serried rows of build-
ings wh ch he had left behind him.

_ , ut none of them bore any resmnblnnCe to the
‘ heme he was seeking, and of which he had taken
keen observation, after his escape on the night
, before._ ,

Inqmry now proved more profitable. A road-

 

“p.

The Trapped Tiger Kingi

side laborer told him that there was such ahouse
about a mile over, on another street.

“A big, sprawlin’ sort 0’ place, wid a rent
stone wall. Looks as if the owner was a card
it might sprawl too fur, and wanted to keep it
111‘.

“ That’s it,” answered Ernest, starting oil? at
his previous brisk pace in the direction indi—
outer .

Ten minutes brought him within sight of the
house. It was undoubtedly the one of which he
was in search. A single look told him that.

In five minutes more he stood before the broad
rateway, the gates of which were wide open.

aul 'l‘errol’s mansion was before him.

He stood a. minute keenly surveying the edi-
fice. Then he walked unhesitatingly forward
and up the wide steps. He pulled the bell-handle
with a vigorous jerk.

After a minute the door opened, There ap-
peared the villainous face of the coachman, who
scowled with surprise and anger on seeing who
was there.

“ Tell your master that I wish to see him,"
Ernest remarked, in a commanding tone.

CHAPTER VI.
FROM THE PAN INTO THE Finn.

IN a. small but beautifully furnished apart—
ment of Dark Paul Terrol’s extensive mansion
sat two persons. the villainous master of the
l‘i‘nbitation himself, and his fair captive, Estelle

est.

Bright and pretty as was the room, it was the
beauty of a prison. Those sweeping lace cur-
tains, which let the sunlight through the nor
row windows, concealed the fact that the sashes
of these windows were made of iron instead of
wood, and that these iron sashes were immov-
ably fixed in their grooves. No iron-barred
prison cell could have been more difficult to es-
cape from. The rich adornments of the room
were a sheer mockery of its obvious intention.

But. imprisoned as she knew herself to be,
Estelle displayed none of her terror of t e pre-
Vious night. Her coral lips curled in gin. A
look of disdain replaced the dread in r bright
brown eyes. -

“ It is only the fools who show their hands
too plainly," he said, with his hard. duel smile.
“ One would have thought that you would have
learned wisdom by experience.”

“I have,” she calmly replied. “Though it
maybe that part of my experience has come
rather late. "

“ A wise woman would have denounced first
and threatened afterward,” he cuttingly nn-
swered. “ Did you not know whom you'had to
deal with, my fair traitress?” I

“Yes, with avillnin, a murderer, a wretch
whose soul is stained with ever crime l” she
ejaculated, her cheeks bluzin wit passion.

He laughed softly, while is fingers quiet!
tapped the chair, as if he was keeping time Wit
her (lenunciations. ,

“Why not add, anger-tamer?” he asked,
with that some hard smile. ,

“A wretch who is only fit to consort with
tigers, which are beasts of his own blood.”

He continued his soft laugh.

“You are right, my dear Estelle,” he said,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...».m._,...... WM...  . .

 

 

 

 

 

The Trapped Tiger King. , ’ 18

 

“I keep one here for my private enjoyment— ‘

my pretty Lulu, the pride of the jun less. But
it seems that I am to have the care 0 another,
whom I will have to watch more closely than
Lulu.”

“Whom do you mean?"

“My bright Estelle, the Star of the West.
She has lately developed tigerish proclivitics.
It will be necessary to keep her in the pretty
gage, to which I have been obliged to consign

er'

The disdainful smile again filled her eyes.

“ You know why I have not denounced you,
years ago,” she began. “ You have always
taken an unfair advantage of me. ButI care
for nothing now. Justice must be done, though
I wring my own heart in doing it."

“ When on get the opportunity,” he replied.

“ When an] Terrol’s fingers close they do not
easily reopen.” -

“ Your scheme has not worked with its usual
success this time,” she calmly rejoined. “ I
have a friend at liberty.”

“ You mean that fellow who escaped me last
ni ht?”

‘he nodded assent.

“And do you weakly imagine that he will
continue to escape me? I owe the young gen—
tleman a. debt or two, which I will not fail to
repay.” _ The glittering glare came again into
his eyes.

“ What has become of your private tablet,
Master Paul Terrol?" she asked, while her eyes
blazed with triumph. “ You have not forgotten
the Weak moment in which you taught me the
secret of that tablet. Suppose the mysteries
which it incloses should become known to the
public? It is possible for Judge Lynch to hold

is court here as well as in the Far West.”

He was feelin hurriedly in his pockets as
she spoke. A loo of consternation came upon
his face.

“ By all the floudsl" he shouted. “ If you

have—” '

“ I have done more than you imagine,” she in-
terrupted, the disdainfu] smile still upon her
face. ‘ “ I have found your tablet but I was not
quite fool enough to keep it. It is in the pos-
session of my last night’s friend.”

A flercer oath than before broke from his
lips. He caught her arm in his steel-like gripe,

“Do

‘ and lured into her face.

“ on call me murderer!” he 
you know what you risk?”

She laughed in his passionate countenance.

“ Come, come,” she said quietly. “A man
who has to cow wild beasts should know better
how to quiet the t1 er in himself. This is not
the old Paul Terro , who could be a devil in

cold blood. You dare not harm me, man, while «

that book is out of your hands, 80 I will ex-
cuse, you from any more of fins dramatic en-
tertainment.”

Her soornful words had a powerful effect
upon him. He released her arm and sat down.

She drew back the sleeve from her beauti~
fully moulded arm, and revealed the marks of
his brutal fingers, in livid circles around the
white flesh. " ,

“Tender and kind,” she muttered. “I owe
you another debt, Paul Tel-rel.”

 

“ Beware!" he hissed through his close-drawn
lips. “ You are playing withedge tools. As for
your new friend, what care I whether he has the
tablet or not? It is no more than so much blank
paper to him.”

“ Don’t solace yourself with that weak fancy.
I have learned too many lessons in your school
to do things by halves. He knoWs the Whole
secret of it.”

He sprung up again in another blaze of fury,
though this time it was not unmingled with
fear. Estelle retained her seat unmoved. She
even held out her barcd arm to him.

“ Come, brute,” she raid, “ If you wish to
test the strength of your fingers again. I have
outwitted you, Paul Terrol,” she laughed,
scornt'ully. “ Perhaps you may get satisfac—
tion out of my flesh.”

He held back, with a momentary sense of
shame. At this same instant there came a low
knock at the door. As if glad of an excuse tc'o
escape from an interview in which he had been
so thoroughly foiled, he hastened from the room,
locking its strong door behind him.

There stood his villainous servitor, who had
acted as Coachman 0n the previous night, but
who looked capable of any dead of crime. He
said something in a low tone to his master. ”’

“ Ah! Where have you put him?”

“ Nowhere. He is in the hall.”

“F0011 Vl’hy did you not take him to ’the
blue room it”

“ I would have had to carry him there. He
knows too much about this house to trust him-
self in its private rooms. More than he ought
to, for how did he ever get out of that looked
room last night?” .

Dark- Paul made no answer. But he muttered
to himself as he hurried on: '

“ That she-devil must have had the tablet.
She could not have escaped from that roém
without its aid. Fool that l was to ever teach
her its secret!”

Ernest Dclaine—for he was the visitor whom
thccoachman had announced—awaited him in
the broad, marble-paved hallway of the man-
Sloll.

He stood in an easy attitude, resting one hand
upon the jamb of a door, and waited quietly for
the approach of his host.

The ex )ression of Paul Terrol’s dark face had
totally c anged. '
coming look.

“ Do you wish to see me, sir?” he blandly
asked.
of a servant leave you standing here? Come
this way, sir."

“He is too polite b half,” Ernest said to
himself as he quietly fol owed.

In broad daylight, and armed as he was. he
had no objection to accompany the master of
the house into any room he chose. -

They entered a small a artment near the rear
extremity of the ball.
in blue.
chair near the door.

“ Now, sir,” remarked his host, turuin to
ward him. “Will you please say what can
do for you?" ,

He now, for the first time, caught a clear
view of Ernest’s face. He slightly startedy‘his

It had now a smiling we!

“Excuse me. but why did that donkey ‘ "

twas neatly furnished »
Ernest quietly helped himself to a,

 

 

14-
" " keen eyes closely reading the lincaincnts of that
g countenance, us if it recalled to him some dis-
.jf turbing memory of the past. Ernest observed
‘ him with no less inlcrcst.
7 " It 1's he!” he Haul to himself.
'3 A moment of this silent scrutiny, and then
5” Paul turned his eyes usidc, while a look of
strange significanco came 11 )on his loco.

“ I have culled,” begun most, “in rofercnce
to a. young lady in whom I have Homo intorcst,
and who, I belicvo, is at prosont an inmate of
your housc.” ‘

“Ahl Misc. West? Yes, She .is my guest at
present.” He spoke with the greatest suuvity.

“ I am aware of it," Ernost coollv conttinued.
“I made several efforts lust nigh to prevent
her being your guest. Such as pulling you
from your carriage into the strcot, and tossiu"
you over my shoul lor. Tllme woll—intcndc
efforts failed, and she is, us you say, your
guest."

Paul Terrol board this insulting rcmurk with
'out a change of countcnzuu-c.

“Trifling little acrobatic. feats," he replied.
a? “ I shall be happy to do you the same serv1ce if
‘ _ an opportunity offers. But I am sorry to have
to inform you that the young lady in question
' is not to be seen; and that you are somewhat
mistaken in your idea about her.”

“ Ahl In what way mistaken?”

“ She has deceived you, sir, as she has dccclvcd
y-many before you. Tho woman is not ri *ht
, - ’ here.” He touched his hcud significantly. “ ut
' ’ unless you ha {)Ull to touch her on her weak

' int you won ( never discover it. You inter-
ered with me last night, in the discharge of a.

into] duty. I forgive you, however. You
id not understand the circurmtanccs, and must
‘ have been deceived.”

‘ “ Not at all,” answered Ernest. with a queer
smile. “ I discovered her weak mint.”

’ ‘5 Ah! Did you? She revealed her madness,

than?” with u doubtful look.

“Yes. It consisted in supposing that Paul
Terrol is a) villain. Which, of course, is pure
moonutruck madness."

Dark Paul laughed, as if he found this biting
entire 3 very agreeable bit 0! fun.

“That is one of her notions,“ he said.

' . “But as I have good reasons for believing that
’ this home is not a. private lunatic asylum," be-
” gun Ernest, “ and as the young lady applied to
_ me for protoction—”

‘He paused. Some strun o noises outside had
» attracted his attention. here came a cry, like
that he had heard in the night, but muffled and
distant.

“ You Wish to—remove her from my care?"

“ Exactly."

_ “ But, who are you? And what claim have
you upon the custody of this fair lunatic?"

“ Simply this, that though I’cul 'l‘errol can lie
with a rcmnrkubl cool grace it does not follow
that I must believe him.
that the lady is as sum as I am. And as this
house is no more a prison than an asylum, I pro-
pme to take her out of your care.”

“ Ah! you do?" murmured Paul.
“ But not without remuneration for your

-* kindness. I happen to have in my possession a
inertaln set of tablets, in the shape of a marble

/

 

 

    
  

The Trapped Tiger King. \ .

I prefer to believer

 

bound book, which I fancy is not without value
in your eyes. Very well, if you set any store
by it, I am ready to exchange tablet for lady."

“ It is a. bargain i” cried Paul, in a hearty
tone. “ I am not anxious for the duty of tak-
ing charge of a madwoman. Let it be as you
sa —-woman for tablet.”

Ernest was hardly prepared for such a quick
ugreomcnt with his proposition. Despite the
coolness and seeming indifference of his host ho
folt that there was something hidden behin all
this. The tablet must have all the importance
which Estelle had declared.

“ Come,” continued Paul. “She shall be set
free immediately. You must be responsible for
letting her loose upon the world.”

“ But I have not the tablet with me,” Ernest
cautiously replied. “ It is too valuable an arti-
cle to run any risk of losing it.”

“ Not with you?”

“ No. I left it in the hands of a friend, with
directions how to act in case I did not return
within a certain time. I was afraid that you
might take the queer notion that I, too, was
mud. and offer me the same accommodations
which you have given to your lady guest.”

Paul looked at him intently while he was
speaking.

“ He is lying now,” was the mental'comment
of the keen-eyed host. “He has it with him "

“ Very well,“ he coldly replied. “ Bring your
friend, and as many friends as you please.
There was no need for such a. precaution as I
always keep to my bargains. I will hi you
now a Very cod-day. I do not think we have
an further usiness together.”

rnest rose to go, thinking it might be very
advisable for him to have some witnesses to the

cxchan e.
“ I will be back in an hour,” he remarked, as

I he opened the door and stepped out into the hull.

Instantly the door was drawn sharply to and
locked behind him, while a dcmoniac laugh re—
sounded in his cars. It was followed by a more
terrible sound, the snarling scream of a tiger,
now {rightfully near.

Ernest recolled in horror against the door
through which he had just , , for his eyes
had caught sight of a horrib e vision.

The hall had ceased to be a ball. A stron
partition had arisen, which cut of! its forwa
portion, and converted it into a. square room.

And on the opposite side of that room stood
on open cage, with only some slender iron bars
between him and a. hu e striped Bengal tiger,
which was pacing rest essly back and forth in
its close confinement, and from which had coma
that terrible cry at the moment of his entrance
into this perilous room.

“Perhaps you will send for the tablet when
I wish, and how I wish,” came in mocking tones
from beyond the door.

Ernest made no reply. His 6 on were fixed
in horrible fascination upon that nghttul beast
which was licking its cruel jaw; as it Im-
upon him through the openings of its burr cage.

CHAPTER VII.
ans. HUDSON’B sronv.
BUT we must return to Dr. McDowell and
Mrs. Hudson, whom we left somewhat hastily.

 

 

 

 

 

....,.;5.»,mmsmw;

 

The Trapped Tiger King. ' ' I 1%

 

The doctor stood looking down upon her with

'some anger in his strong features, as she lay
still insmsible upon the sofa.
, “ She faints too confoundedly easy,” he grum-
bled. “ A body’d think I’d naught to do but to
brin th’ Woman to her senses. There was,
met) , some excuse for her last night; but
bless me if 1 know what’s the matter to-day."

While thus complaining to himself, he was
Using the necessary means to bring her back to
consciousness.

After a few minutes her eyes opened, and she
bust a vague lance around the room. She had
not yet regained full consciousness At length
her wandering gaze fell upon the doctor, who
was seated, with folded arms, and ‘with his
sourest expresdon of face.

A thrilhn look of remembrance leaped into
her eyes. 8 e sprun up from her recumbent
posture, and gazed w11dl about her.

“ Where is be? Oh, w are is he?" she cried.

“ He? Who?” asked the surprised doctor.

“ He! My son! M Ernest! I saw him, face
to face! And—and I ear my poor senses fled."

Her hand pressed her brow as if some dull pain
remained there yet.

“Your son!” cried the doctor, springing up,
while his hand tightly clutched the chair.
“ Your son! Are you wandering, madam i”

“ It was he! I could not mistake him, though
it is so man , many years since I saw his clear
face. 0b, w ere is he?”

“ That young man we met in the street?”

“ Yes, yes!" Her hands were extended, and
the li ht of hope was in her eyes.

“ I-lgim? Dolt that I was, I gave him the cold
shoulder. Th’ saints know where the lad is by
this time. Never mind, Mrs. Anderson, mebbe
1 can find him.”

Seizing his hat the worthy doctor ran hastily
from the room, his veins tin ling with sudden
excitement while he inwa ly called himself
“ dolt,” and “ fool " at every step of his journey.

Mrs. Hudson sat in silent expectation, her

‘ eyes kindled, her arms extended, a flush of hope

upon her pale face.

It was more than half an hour before he re-
turned. Then he entered breathless and per—
spirlng, rubbin his brow with a huge silk
handkerchief, w ile his eyes sou ht the ceiling,
the floor, everywhere but Mrs. udson’s face.

The poor mother's countenance lost its look of
bone.

“ You have not found him?” she (altered.

“ Never ye mind that, Mrs. Hudson,” he said,
amuringly. “ He gave me the slip, I admit.
But, hes somewhere in the city; an’ the cit ’s
us. so broad an’ wide but we’ll find him yet. 0
think 0’ what a muddle-head dolt I was, to let
th’ lad go!”

“ Of course you couldn’t know, doctor,” she
replied. “You must not blame yourself. But
he must be found. I am sure that he is my long-
lost son."

The doctor seated himself, and removed his
hat, as he continued to wipe his broad forehead.

“ I canna say as I understand this matter en-
tirely, Mrs. Hudson," he began, after a minute's
rest. “Will ye na 0 over it again? Who is
this Paul Torre]; an why should he steal your
child?” ‘ i

 

Mrs. Hudson’s face saddened again at this

uestion. '

“ It is all far back in the past ” she sadly an—
swered.
but little more than a youth, and my dear lost
son a mere child; but the sweetest and prettiest
of babes. I shall never forget his sweet
baby face.” She wiped the tears from her
eyes.

“Yes, yes!” somewhat impatiently. “But
what motive had this mon to steal him?”

“There was a large property involved,” she
continued. “ A great property.
my husband’s brother; but there were several
heirs. My Ernest was one of the heirs, but
there were others. This Paul Terrol was one of
them. And "— she paused a moment in emo—
tion—“ And he greedin craved the whole. I
knew him not then. I never dreamed that be
was the soulless wretch he has proved. If any
01’ the heirs died before a certain time, their
share went to the survivors. That was the fatal
clause in the will. With all his deep cunning
he soughtto deceive me into signing a paper
ignoring my son’s claim.”

“Such a paper would ha’ been o’nouseto
him ” broke in the doctor.

“ ’Yes it would. There was something in the
wording of the will. I cannot stop to explain
it now. I refused to sign. And—Heaven de-
fepd me, .Doctor McDowell—he stole my child
in the night! My dear Ernest! My loved,
all! Ah! it was almost a death-blow! I w
have signed the paper a thousand, a million
times rather than that!”

“ Ye’re sure it was he?” -

“ I know it was he!” she cried. “I have plan.
tiful evidence.” ’

“And ye’ve never seen him since?”

“ Not until last night. Not until that strange
and terrible meeting in your office.
not significant that immediately after his re-

appearance I should meet that face in the street

—the face of my Ernest?”

“ It was a child ye lost. This is a man," ra-
marked the doctor doubtfully.

“ It is his father’s face, line for line,” she ex.
claimed. “Had you known George Hudson,
you could not mistake.”

“But, why should he commit this crime? ,'  ~ ‘

There were several heirs, ye admit."

“ They have all died or disappeared, one by
one. How, you ask?" There came a significant
look into her face. “ Some in their beds. some
by violence. I cannot connect Paul Terrol
with their deaths—but I doubt him! I doubt
him! There was a woman among the heirs.
A mere child then, like my Ernest.
disappeared. She, too, has never been seen
since. ’

She paused overcome with the strong emotion
which show itself so vividly in her face.

“There’s no lane so lon but it has its turn-
ing,” he remarked. “ Me be the fates are now
in your favor.”

‘She replied not for a moment, her eyes wary
derin around the room. v

at icture!” she suddenly cried. “ Will
you not all me how you came by it, doctor!

t is so strange that you should have his pic .

tui‘c.”


“Years ago. Paul Terrol was then‘ L

It was left by ‘

And is it '

She, too, ‘

 

16 The Trapped Tiger King.

 

I /
r; ’ He rubbed the bald spot on his head, while a
' . look of reflection came into his 0 es.

.“ It is only one of my whims,’ he remarked.

“ it was years ago. I was something of a wan-

derer then. I chanced into a small town on the
Mississip i. It was one of the rough border
towns, w are Judge Lynch rules supreme, and
the istol and the rope are the ready instruments
of t 9 law. Ye cauua imagine the sort 0’ life
folks led in these towns. Only the day before a
men had been shot dead. Insulted by a brave,
and given no fair chance for his life. They’d
ha’ lynched him, but he made his escape. They
were selling his effects for the benefit of the
town the day I came there. That picture was
amen them. I bought it for the eyes an’ mouth,

Mrs. ndson. I have kept it as a psychological

curiosity.”

“ It is Paul Torrol’s portrait!
murderer?"

“ Precisely.”

“ And the name of the man whom he murderv
ed’l” her excitement had returned.

“ Allen Burke."

“ He was one of the heirs! It was part of his
scheme! He has removed, one by one, all who
stood between him and his aim!"

' ' Almost at the moment that the above conver-
sation had reached this interesting mint, Ernest
Delaine was plunged unexpechdiy into the
tiger’s den, and stood backed with a sudden“
sense of fear against the door, with tho eyes of
the fierce animal glaring upon him through the
bars of the cage.

But he was too stout of heart to be {or more
than a minute overcome with terror. Ho laugh-
ed at his impulse of fear.

“A neat ieco of clap-tra ),” he said to him—
. “Am? to think that 1I, with all my old
experience, should shrink from a caged beast.
" 'But it was so coulomidedly unexpected. Who
:‘1 is the man that is coming here to let loose the
 tiger? Does he think to scare me by such a
Weak device?”

These last words were spoken aloud.
were answered through the door.

“ If you had read the tablet you might have
found that Paul Terrol has other means of open-
ing the tiger‘s cage. Return it to me, or by the
God above us I will set the creature loose upon

ou.’

Ernest replied with a disdainnt laugh.

“Not upon compulsion, my brave sir! The
tablet is in good hands. Do me an injury and
it will be made as ublic as the mid-day sun.
Even if I am not bac within an hour it will be
handed over to the police, with the key to its
contents.”

" You lie. You have it with you."

The‘eyes of the youngir man flashed.

“ That is the craven knew you to be,” he re

 

 

    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   

He was the

g,
r.

   
  
   
 
  
   
    
  
  
 

They

\

oward and villain, you would not dare to do it
\‘wereI free." '
The same mocking laugh as before replied to
- thfs defiance. ,

‘ “ Fools trust to muscles. Wise men trust to

," came from beyond the door. “Will

you give up the tablet?” ‘
» “ Never. ' '

lied. “ You can give the lie to a helpless man."

 

“Very well, then. Your fate be upon your
own head.”

The sound of retreating footsteps followed.
Silence reigned without.

Ernest turned his eyes again toward the beast.
Thol'erocious animal, which had paused in its
walk, and seemed listening attentively to the
voice of its master. now resumed its restless
movement, licking its chops, and occasionally
emitting a low growl, as it fixed its eyes upon
the intruder into its den.

Heedless of the beast Ernest stepped boldly
out into the room. His first movement was to
examine the false wall which had so quickly
converted the hall into a closed apartment.

It was firm, and unyieldineg fixed in its place.
Yet there were indications as if it had been
raised bodil from the cellar, throu h an e n—
ing in the our, and fastened firm y to willing
and walls.

There was little doubt but that the tiger-cage
had in like manner risen or descended through
a trap. It was s. skillfully repared scheme of
the Villainous master of the onse to destroy or
frighten his foes. Ernest no longer doubted
that similar means of opening the cage from
without existed.

He drew the revolver from his cket and ex-
amined its charge. Should he s not the beast
in its cage before any further steps could be
taken by its villainous master? He raised the
pistol and took a steady aim at the sleek shoul-
( er.

“ No, no!" he muttered, lowering the weapon.
“ It would be an unfair advantage. The poor
brute is a risoner like myself. Nor do I hardly
imagine t at his master will dare tolet him
loose upon me.” ’ I

He was startled at this instant by a thrilling
.cr from above.

looking up he saw that a narrow square in
the ceilling had been removed, leaving an open
512100. In this openin appeared the face of
Estella West, white wit terror, while from her
lips had come that startling c .

“Oh! this is too terriblel’ she exclaimed.
“ Give him the tablet! Give it him a thousand
times! No matter what comes to me! Give it
him, and esca that dreadful fate!”

Ernest felt is heart thrill at the undisguised
interest in her voice.

” Do not fear for me, Miss West,” he replied,
calmly. “ I do not fear a on ed ti er. It is all
idle bravado on his rt. at am not the
man to be frightened y blaster.”

“ You do not knew himl" she returned.
“ You know not what he is capable of! Return
him the tablet!” '

“ Never,” he replied.

“ If on do not," came a harsher voice. “by
the g 8 above us I will let the creature loose
upon you i”

The face of Esmlle had disappeared from the
opening and was re laced by the villainous
countenance of Paul errol. _

Ernest answered not, but he rinsed his pistol
witha sudden gesture, and painted it a the
face above him.

It was instantly withdrawn.

“ You dare your fate, then. I leave you to;
the tender mercies of Lulu l” ‘

 

 

The Trapped Tiger King”. « 17'?

 

Tho tra closed. Almost at the same in—
stant the rout of the cage fell. The tigcr was
free!

For an instant it drew back against the fur-
ther side of the cage, as if surprismi. Then with
an alert spring it leaped into the center of the
room, where it crouched with slowly moving
tail, its glarin eyes fixed 11 )on its prey.

Ernest stoo unmoved, t o pistol still in his
grasp.

 

CHAPTER VIII.

A TERRIBLE DEED.

ALL below was still as death to the two who
stood above. But the floors and walls were
thick and close. No sound could readily come
through their dense barrier. For all that the
silence told, the ferocious bmte might even now
be rcnding its helpless prey.

Estelle stood backed against the wall, her arms
extended, her face full of horror and des air.
Suddenly she Sprung forward and grasped aul
Tcrrol with the strength of madness.

“ Coward! demon!” she hissed, in a half—
choked utterance. “You daro not expose him
to the beastl Fly—fly to his release! Or——”

“ Or what, my fair vixen?”

“Or I shall tear down the door myself and
set him free!"

He laughed, with that cool, demoniac laugh.

“ It seems to me that on have taken a su den
fancy for this young 100d, my dear Estelle.
It is a new departure in you to show such a
warm interest in the young man.”

There was a biting insult in his words. A
hot flush shot over her cheek and 'nrow. With
a quick movement she dashed her white hand in
his face.

“ Insulting dastardl” she cried. “You dare
not say such words except to a woman and a
prisoner. I will release him! Iwill raise the
town!"

loosing her hold of his arm, she ran quickly
along the upper hall in which the stood, and
toward the stairs, which were visib e at a short
distance.

His face tingling with her blow, which had
been delivered with vim, his eyes flushing with
rage, he pursued her. Swiftly as she ran, she
was no match for the agile form of the man.
With lea 8 like those of the tiger, he darted
after the ying woman.

She had not reached the head of the stairs ere
she felt his iron grasp on her. shoulder. With a
shriek of fear ant nervous excitement she strove
to escape; but in vain. Despite her efforts, he
drew her irresistibl backward.

“Come, girl! on may as well save your
breath and your limbs.”

She broke from his grasp, and crouched u n
the floor, her face in her hands, while ee
sobs followed the impulse of rage which
moved her. .

“Oh! mercy! mercy!” she implored. “You
cannot be so cruel!”

“He had his choice,” was the heartless an-
swer. “He refused to return thetablet. He
must take the alternative."

“He has it not,” she cried, with a sudden
hope.’ “He has left it in other hands. You

 

will bring retribution on yourself. You dare
not, for your own sake, injure him."

A harsh, mocking laugh broke from his lips.

“ He lies. He has it. And even if he had re-
turned it to me, I should have given him to
the tiger all tho same."

Her hands were at her ears, as if to shut out
the expected snarl or scream of the brute over
its prey. She crouched helplessly on the floor.
All her strength, hope and energy were gone.

“Would you know wh l”

No answer came from er white Ii 5.

“ No matter. I will tell you, w ether you
wish it or not. It is not that you have taken a
fancy to this boy. It is not that he has the
tablet. I could readily obtain that. It is for
yet another reason. Do you divine it?"

She shook her head in Sllel’ll egon . h

“It is because he is in my \. ny," he answered,
with a monotony of tone that was becom-
ing terrible.
within my reach. I knew him at sight! I am
determined that no one else shall have the
chance of recognizing him.”

She turned up to him her pain—lined face in
silent questioning.

“I am not a fool, Estelle. Last ' hthas
accosted by umother, who claimed t t I had
stolen her son. She was right. I did steal her
son.‘ This is hie-Ernest Delaine, or Ernest Hud-
son—one of the heirs to the Melville estate."

A cry broke from her pallid lips.

“ Alyl And you have not made victims
enough to that dread Moloch? This youth, too,
must die?”

“He escaped me in his youth. He shall not
seen it} me now.” I

“ ut, he knows it notl Ohl let him go! He
will never know it!" '

“He will never have the chance/’heooldlyr

answered. “I do not trust to contingencia.
His mother is in this town now. She might
meet him at any moment. And you, too, my
fair ti ress, with the hidden claws—do you
fanc would trust you with this secret in your
min i"

“ You may trust mel I will never breathe
your secretl Iswearitl Only release him from
that dread fate l”

“ It is too late " he replied; while a cruel
smile curled his thin lip. “Lulu isnot oneto
wait. ~ My noble pet does my will prom tly.”

The tortured woman sprung to her eat, and ,

seized him by the throat with the clutch of an
insane person. For a moment he was forced to
give way before her, his face urpling, as he
gasped for breath. She pressed im against the
opposite wall. ’

‘ Wretchl monsterl die thyself, than!” Her
beautiful face had the expression of a maniac.

A moment only. Then her paroxysm of
rage yielded and he tore himself loose from her
grasp. A fierce oath broke from hiin as he
seized her relaxed arms and forced er back
across the passage. ‘

“ Fool!” he hissed, through his set teeth.

“ Whom do you think you are dealing with!
One would have thought that you knew Paul

Terrol better.”

She made no reply.’ She was toobmthlm'

to speak. .

/ _

“Fool that he was to venture,

'wmd..'.;wé;_u‘;.m..v.~ 4—:

 

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'13

' exclaimed, in 9. tone of deep reproach.

~ sister? Iwill tell you.

The Trapped Tiger King;

 

“ You have gone too for.” he continued, still
holding her arms. and glaring with his serpent-
like eyes into her face. “ You have overstepped
the limits of safety to me and you.”

A sense of fear for herself was coming OVer
her face. There was something of the demon
in that glaring countenance.

“You know me not, Estelle West,” he con-
tinued. “ I have sworn to possess that pro r-
ty. One by one the heirs have fallen. ut
two remained. One of them, the young fool
who trusted himself so recklessly in my hands,
hes before me, the prey of Lulu, my prett

I avengrcss. It is the tigrcss that has done it al .
I am not to blame. A stupid servant left him
in the beast‘s don. No suspicion can attach to
the wealthy Paul Terrol.”

He laughed again. To her ears there was the
the snarl of the tiger in that laugh.

“ Only one person know of m crimes. She
kindly forbore to ex ose me. ast night she
Was weak enough to t rentcn me with exposure.
What resulted? She thou yht to escape me.
was meddled with in my 0 ort to force her to

v return, but she was headless enough to come

here herself. And her new friend, too. Both
my flies, of their own accord, walked into the
web of the spider.” '

“ You know why I did not denounce you i” she
“ You
know it was that my name is not Estelle West,
but Estelle Tex-roll A sister could not divulge
her brother‘s crimes, much as they wrung her
heart!"

He looked at her with a momentary amaze-
ment. Then he broke into a laugh, colder and
more heartless than before.

“ Oh, yes! I had forgotten for the moment,”
he sneered. “It is wonderful what a sister’s
love will do. Wh , you foolish girl, did you
never divine that t t was but another of my
little schemes?”

“ What?” She was breathless with a sense of
mingled fear and hope. , .

“That sisterhood. My plot has had its full
effect, and I do not mind revealing you the
truth to-day. You are no sister of mine.”

“ Not your sister?” A flash of hope and joy

I came into her eyes.

* “ Not at all. A distant cousin, perhaps. It

. was only to my interest to make you believe you

were my sister.”

“Thank God for that!" she fervently replied.
“ That dread thought has been the most horrible
,oi' my life.”

His soulless face remained unchanged in its
cold intensity of purpose.

“ I stole you in your childhood. as I stole Er~
nest Hudson,” he continued. “Why did I do
.so, you ask? Why did I bring you up as my
I have already told you
that there are two livin heirs to the Melville
estate, besides myself. on know the fate of
the heirs of that total property. One of these
fated heirs is now below our feet, the prey of
theti ees. The other is—”

"' ho?"

Her hands were clasped. She had backed
a aimt the wall, and stood gazing with a look

v o inefl'ablo dread into his cruel face.

“ Who?” he cried, in a terrible voice. “It is
, L

 

yoursel ! Not Estelle West, not Estelle Terrel-
hut He en Mclvillel It is yourself, the last of all
that stand in my wayi”

She held her hands before her eyes to shut out
that dread countenance. She crouched again to
the floor. Terror had for the moment over-
mnstcred her.

“It is you, Helen Melville!" he repeated, in
that same terrible tone. “I have cleared all
but you from in path. Thus, thus I remove
the last barrier tween me and the Melville
estate!”

There was a peculiar crackling sound. He
had ressed his hand against the wall. She felt
the cor give way beneath her.

She leaped up, with outstretched arms, while
a loud cry broke from her lips. It was too
late. The portion of the floor on which she
stood was rapidly sinking. She had already de—
scended to her waist.

“ You might have lived had you been wise ”
he coolly said. “But you knew too muc .
You and I could not live together in Safety."

She had disappeared be ow the floor. In a
moment more t e trap came back to its place,
but she was not upon it.

It had left her in the den of the uncaged
tigrcs‘sl

 

While these exciting affairs were proceeding,
Dr. McDowell, in another art of the city, was
engaged inascarch for t e person whose ap-
pearance had produced so strange an effect
upon his lady friend, Mrs. Hudson.

“ There must be some‘at in it,” he said to him-
self, “for the puir bod was strangely held.
I’d like monstroust to d th’ boy. It’d bee.
fine thing to gi’ him back to his old mither.
Folks say that Fergus McDowell’s a hard-
hearted man: but they dinna know him. He’s
as soft at the heart as a ripe apple.”

But, just what best to do our worthy doctor
was at a. loss. It was not so much the size of
the city, as the difficult of knowmg in what
quarter to look for an un nown person.

While thus eng ed he little dreamed that
danger was a proac ing his own domicile. Not
danger to h mself, it is true, but possible dini-
eulty to the characters of our story. Paul
Terrol was making his way there, with a eat-
like hope of stealing unseen into the doctor’s
ofl'lce, and capturing the pa r which he had
seen the night before, hidden the frame of his

0 nqfiortrait.

“ e skies are getting clear,” he said to him-
self, as he walked on with a peculiar softness of
tread. “ They are all gone. Onc after another
they have fallenbefore my hand. And yet not
a suspicion rests upon me. It is the tigress and
my a upid servant who are responsible for the
death of these two last.” .

He rubbed his hands together, as if he would
wine oil? even the suspicion of crime.

“ But one thing remains,” he continued.
“ That fatal paper hid in the picture. Vividly
I remember the day I put it there. I hnd no
time to destroy it. Ihnd to hide it on the in-
stant and fly from the Vigilance Committee
who were thirsting for my life. Fortunate it
was that I discovered that rilous paper
again last night. If new good uck favors mel

 



 

g. .. Zr? 

74:- ? Mpxg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

' glance.

 

'2’, .1 V

The Trapped Tiger king. . V 19

 

For this once only, and the whole game is in my
hands!”

He was before Dr. McDowell’s house. He
rung the bell with a sonorous pcal. In a mo-
ment a servant was at the door.

“ Dr. McDowell?”

“ He is not in. But he will be soon.
near his ofiice hour." .

“ I will wait. I have an appointment."

The unsuspicious servant led him to a room
adjoining the doctor‘s office, and left him there.
Yet hardly had he disafgeared when Paul was
on his feet. With cat— i e tread he traversod
the passage. The door of the ofl'lco stood ajar.
The much coveted prize seemed within his
grasp!

It is

 

CHAPTER IX.
THE moon or rm; TIGBESS.

WE left Ernest standing upright in the im-
provised room in the hall, pistol in hand, while
the fierce beast was crouched upon the floor not
ten paces from him, its yellow eyes glarin upon
him, its tawny body moving; with a. sun e-likc
motion to and fro, its 1011 tail sweeping- the
floor and lashing its lan ' sides. It seemed
awed for the moment by his firm and fixed
h But this (flould tnot be fort long. It
mi t rin upon im a any instan .

Endslyet 8he did not fire. With his steady
nerve, at that ‘short distance, he might have de—
stroyed his savage too at a sin lo shot. Yet the
Weapon lay unused in his hand.

He had a reason for this. The voice of Paul
Terrol still rung in his ears, “ I leave you to the
tender mercies of Lulu.”

Lulu? A quick thought shot through the
young man's brain. He had known the beast
when a child. He had fed her a hundred times
with his own hand. Was that look in the
brute‘s eyes the flare of ferocity? Was it not
rather thelook o awakenin recognition?

Scarce a second had e apsed since Lulu
sprung from her open cage, and crouched licr
terrib y lithe form upon the floor almost at his
feemot in that second a host of thoughts had
pas through his active mind.

“ Lulu!” he cried. “ Lulu, my petl You have
not forgotten me, Lulu?"

A! the first tones of his voice the ears of the
tigress were bent backward; her form stirred
with a strange uneasiness; she moved her head
from side to side as if to catch more fully some:
thing familiar in that voice. Her eyes fixed
themselves with a strange intelligence on his
face. A low p11le sound came from the fe—
rocious mouth.

“ Lulul" he continued, moving a. step toward
her. “ Have you forgotten me Lulu!”

The animal sprung quickly orward. It was
a moment of intense excitement’to Ernest. He
raised his stol again. Was it going tobea
contest for its or death?" ‘ ~

No. The animal had recognized .ltS old friend!
She was couched like a cat at his feet. licking
his shoes with her long, red tongue. Her cat~
like purring; continued. He was safel The half-
tamod creature had suddenly changed from a
too to a friend.

Hestooped and patted the sleek, tawny head.

 

He caressed the huge animal as one would caress
a favorite cat. '

“Poor Lulu!” he softly said. “I fancy you
are too well fed to wish to make a meal off an
old frienc ." .

But it must not be imagined that E1 nest was
quite at  The strange freak of recognition
and of aifeotion was not to be trusted.

Something must be done. At any moment
Paul Tci'rol might discover the unexpected be
huvior of the brute, and take some means to
arouse its latent rage. Doubtless its long famili-
arity with men, and the abundant foul given it,
had tamed the cronturo more than its Villainous
master imagined. But——

That “ but ” kept returning to Ernest, as he
looked nervously around him. Was there an
means by which the brute could be enticed ban:
to its cage?

He could imagine but one, and that must be a

hold one.

Ernest arose, repeating the name of Lulu, in
the some soft tone as before. He walked toward
the cage, the creature following as obediently as
a ( 0g. .

With an agile spring Ernest lea ed into the
open cage. The tigrcss follow
seated himself upon the ca o floor, while she
laid her great head in his ap, in seeming en'-

joyment of the rubbing, caressing movement of ‘

his hand. *

“ Confound it all l” he said half-aloud. “This
is all very neat and delightful; but I’d give my
best coat to be out of it! I hardly believe Lulu
will turn upon me. She seems too glad tosee
me. And yet it is too much like playing with
ed ed tools.”

6 made a movement to arise. A low, omin-
ous growl came from the animal’s throat. It
was like the rumbling of distant thunder.

“By Jove, but this is interesting!” growled
Ernest. “ Does she intend to keep me here as a

Iaything till she gets hungry, and than make
her sup M" on me? I most decidedly object to
aiiv suc operation.”

He drew the pistol from his pocket, ’and press-
ed it against the smooth breast of the ti ress.

A single shot might pierce her heart. S ould
he pull the trigger?
“ No, by Heaven, no!” he ejaculated. “ If it

was a woman whose head lay upon my lap, and
who trusted me through love, I could
as quickly. Poor Lulu, whatever comes of this,
I will, not requite your trust so treacherously as
that.’ '

His eyes were busily insgecting the condition
of the ca e as he spoke. be whole grated side
of the inc osure had fallen. But he now saw that

it was hinged at the bottom, and that the fall had ,

been occasioned by the withdrawal of a bolt
that held it fast, this bolt being worked by a
rope from the floor above. The rope had after-
ward been out. and the bolt lay on the floor of
the cage. It might be possible to refasten it.
Caressing the animal still With one hand he
reached the other out the open side of the cage

and grasped one of the iron bars of the grating. .,

0011] he lift it! He was in the very worst

position to do so, for the grating was heavy. . 

and he grasped the bar close to the cage.

Yet he was very strong, and his arm rendered]

him. He ’

shoot her ,

 

    

53".

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. fl ‘  , '
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r! 20

The Trapped Tiger King. ,

 

r vigorous by long and persistent exercise. In
his time he had supported his own weight and
that of another, with one hand on a flying
trapeze. The strength gained in such athletic
exercise did not fail him now. Slowly the
heavy grating yielded to his strength of wrist,
and rose from the floor. Inch by inch it arose
until it stood out horizontally from the side of
the cage.

Its wei ht now became terrible. His strength
was near y gone. Would he be able to finish
his task? 01' must he let it fall, and lose all the
benefltof the plan of escape which he had «lcviswl?

There was but one hope. He twisted his body
more toward the 0 on side. By this means his
grasp reached furt or out, and he was able to

t a. more advantageous hold upon the iron.

he ferocious brute growled again, and Ernest
doubled his caresses to pacify her.

' Again the grating moved upward.

It had now reached an elevation of forty-five

degrees. and his hold upon it was firm and se-
cure. But tho beast now showed signs of un-
easiness. Its purr changed into a continuous
low rowl. Its body moved uneasily. It lashed
the our impatiently with its tail.
. Ernest saw that to succeed in his scheme he
I» must be quick and resolute. With a hasty,
i Wcrful jerk he brought the heavy grating to
' I it: lace, closing the open side of the cage.

'llhe uneasy brute sprung up from its recum<
bent position, its growl deepening into a hollow
.roar. It moved to the side of the cage and laid
its heavy paw upon the grating.

Ernest took quick advantage of the opportu-
nity to secure the bolt which lay at his feet, and
{insert it into the hole which fastened the grating
‘ in its position. A rapid knotting of the rope
armind a pro'ccting pin and the bolt was se-
cure; the tiger s cage was closed.

And yet this was certainly an extraordinary
movement. He had locked himself in the cage
with the animal. How did this improve his
chances of escape! He had previously possessed
the freedom of the whole room. Now he and
the animal occupied together a contracted space]
And the cod—humor of the tigross seemed
graduall c anwing into rage.

Indeedythe hii’man tenant of the cage had good
reason for apprehension. The suspicious beast

ut both its paws upon the grating and shook it
urlously, while a snarling cry came from its
mouth.

Ernest moved cautiously toward the end of
the ca 0 nearest him. The reader must not im—
uginet t he had acted without a definite and
well considered object. He was sufficiently well
_ aware of the make—up of the cages of perform-
?" ing animals to know that there was a. small door
‘, ' Int one end of the inclosure bolted or otherwise
.,. fastened, and intended for the entrance and exit
 ofgrformers. ’

- fore entering the cage he had satisfied him-

 ;;“f'"‘1t:‘:“..  “1‘71";5;

 

:1 outer and inner bolts were combined, so as to
., more together.
\ I I  present object was to escape by means of
i \' this door of exit.
Cautiously, then. he moved toward it, while
the animal vented its growling anger upon the
closed gratipg.

     

v  \fl,

 

self of the presence of such a door, and that the"

 

_ But before Ernest could reach this much do-
sxred (portal the beast suddenly left the grating,
move hastily before him to the 0nd of the cage,
and squatted like a dog upon the floor, directly
in front of the door.

It had, as if designedly, closed his intended
avenue of escape. The beast sat looking at him
licking his chops with his long tongue, an
showing his fangs as it opened its mouth in a
wide yawning movement.

Something must be done to pacify the crea-
turo ore he could hope to escape.

“ Lulul My ,, pet Lulu !" he began again.
“ Pretty Lulu!”

Ho gave his voice all the softness possible, as
he cautiously approached, and reached out his
hand to stroke the suspicious animal. It threat-
enineg lifted one of its paws, and he thought it
the part of wisdom to withdraw his hand.

Yet it was more uneasiness and suspicion than
anger that affected the animal. After a minute
or two of this alertness it stretched its tawny
length upon the floor of the cage, and )ermitted
the approach of his caressing hand. et escape
was as far off as ever. Lulu was backed close
up against the door of csuape.

Yet this attitude was retained but a moment.
She suddenly lifted her great head in an atti-
tuxlo of attention. Then she sprung up and ran
rapidly from end to end of the cage.

Attracted and alarmed b these unlocked-for
movements Ernest at first id not discover their
cause. Then the tones of a harsh voice arrested
his attention. He looked hastily around. Yon-
der was a broad platform descending swiftly
into that dread room; and on it—yes—~it was——
it was Estelle West! It was she whom he had
not yet known for a day, and was already
growing to love. ,

The same instant the platform slanted down-
ward, causing her to slip from it to the floor of
the room! It immediately shot upward again
and resumed its place in the upper floor.

A cry broke from his ii 3 that was drowned
in the enraged bowl 0 the tigress. Estelle
looked fearfully forward, her quick eyes taking

in the scene at a glance. Ernest still livingl .

but locked in the cage of that terrible beast,
whose appallin cry rung through the moral

She stood spc lbound for an instant, and than
darted hastily forward.

“ Oh, Ernest! Oh, my lovcl Ah, if you must
die so fearfully let me die too in your arms l”

She had shown her whole heart in that one
moment of supreme dread.

" Back I” he cried, while his heart leaped with
sudden joy. “ Back! Come not within reach
of the animall The brute will rend you into
fragments

 

CHAPTER X.
A COSTLY run.

11' was the supreme moment of which brave
men avail themselves, but which cowards let
pass. The loud cry, the suddenmovement of
Estelle toward the cage, had infuriated the
beast. Lulu, with a scream of rage, spruu
against the grated front of the cage, and won]
have caught her with her extended paw, had
she not hastily recoiled at Ernest’s command.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.'. .  :rm

 

 

 

' But it heldflrm.

The Trapped Tiger King;

.

It was his opportunity, while the attention of
the beast was otherwise directed. With a hasty
movement he slipped the bolt of the door, flung
it open, and sprung through it with an alert
leap, at the same moment that the beast turned
its attention to him. With her snarling scream
Lulu sprung for tho open door but Ernest was
too quick. He had closed and cited it on the
instant. The heavy brute struck with all her
weight upon the end of the cage. .The wagon-
like cage shook and gronned in its every joint.
It was too strongly made to
be broken asunder by the utmost strength of its
inmate.

With a. cry of joy Ernest leaped forward.
He had been oversexcited by the events of the
past few minutes. and this cry was partly in
relief to his feelin s. The vision of' Estelle in
danger hiid worker him upinoro than his own
peril. And the sweet confession which had es—
caped her in the moment of her overwhelming
dread! He was not likely to forget this.

“Saved! Saved!” she Cried. witha h stericzil
laugh, as he ran toward her with invo untarily
extended arms.

She essayed to move, but it was with a stag-
gering step. She hesitated, trembled, and fell
into his protecting arms, her face rosy with a
deep blush as she id it upon his shoulder.

“Estelle! my love!” he cried, Warmly em-
bracing her. “I have known you not fora
day, and yet it seems years. I love you! I
love you, sweet! Ab! and I know you love me
in return l”

She raised her face, all red with blushes, and
looked into his eyes.

“I knew it not,” she softly replied, “until
Paul 'I‘errol taunted me with it. Then my
whole soul leaped up in defense. Then I knew
that my heart was yours. Our mutual peril,
this dread danger, has, I fear—has made me—
unmaidenly.”

“No. no!” he cried; pressing the form that
quivel‘ed in his arms with mingled love, dread,
and nervous excitement. “No, no! not un-
maidenly. True to r yourself and to your
son]. My peril forced the sweet truth from
your lips.”

“ But," she exclaimed. disengaging herself
from his embrace and looking fearfully around,
“ we must not loiter here. That dreadful beast,
from whose fangs you have strangely escaped,
may break out upon us. Or the more cruel
beast, who has doomed us to such a death, may
discover our escape, and again let loose the tiger
upon us. Let us fly! At once!”

“ But how?” he asked, doubtfully. “ We are
locked in here. Is there any way out by tho
mode in which you entered this den? How did

you discover that trap in the floor? What made-

you risk a descent into this terrible room?”

She looked at him in amazement.

“ 1'! Why, do you not know, Ernest? It
was he, Dark Paul Terrol, who consigned me
to the tiger’s rage, as he had already consigned

"“ He?" exclaimed Ernest, his face flaming
with sudden fury. “He? Heaven hel me, if
I do not be deeply revenged for this! ut you
are safe, Estelle! We are safe!" I

He caught her again in his arms With a sud-

 

in

den impulse of joy, and pressed her fervently to
his heart. -

“ But, why?” he continued—“ why has that
human tiger tried such a terrible deed? I know
that he Would have destroyed me because I had
his tablet. But you—was it because you knew
of his crimes?” .

“No. But I cannot tell you the story now.
But there were deeper reasons for his Wishing
to destroy us both. It is a long story, and we
have no time to loso in escaping. The tablet—
IJtIVB you really left it with another? 01‘ do
you still have it?"

Ho laughed.

“ I did not think it safe to acknowledge it to
him," he replied. " And after his exposing me
to the beast I was me angry to acknowledge.
Yes, I have it, Estelle. I have it here."

He produced from an inner pocket the mar-
ble-bound book. Her face lighted with joy on
seeing it. ,

“ Ah! we are safel This house is full of secret
traps, and they are all recorded in that book. '
Have you matches, Ernest?" :

She hastily opened the clasp of the book and
breathed upon its ivory pages. Meanwhile, he
sought in vain through his pockets. An excla-
mation of despair broke from his lips.

“ By all that’s good! I used them all last night.
Not a. solitary match is left."

She gazed upon him with wide, affrighted eyes.

The book dropped from her nerveless hands to?»

the floor.

“ Then it is useless to usl Useless! We will
yet be the prey of the tiger 1” Her hands were
clasped in despair. She looked into his face with
a itoous appeal. -

e stood a moment in half-dismay, his eyes .,.

full of doubt.

“I have my pistol,” he at length said. If I
had but something that would serve as tinder, I .
mi ht flash a charge of powder into it; but—”
he ooked around in doubtful quest of something
that might answer his purpose. r

“Here! here!" she cried, drawing from her
pocket a delicate lace handkerchief, and impuI—'
sivoly tending it into fragments. “It is real
Brussels lace,” she continued, with a nervous
laugh. “But no matter if it was stufl of disc;
mond dust."

Ernest was not troubled with any high venera-
tion for real lace, and be arranged the flimsy
affair on the floor with utter unconcern as to its
cost. Then, removing the char e from one
chamber of his pistol, he broke t e cartridge,
ggd poured the powder into the empty cham-

r.

A click bf the look, a flash of flame from the
tube of the revolver—in an instant the torn
handkerchief was in a blaze. ,

“ It will not last an instant,” she cried, as she
tore a rich scarf from her neck and fed the
flames with it. “We must has I up the beat
iintil ’1’ can bring the secrets of t is book to the
i7 it.

5“ Quick, then!” he ejaculated. “You hold it
to the flames. I will feed the fire it I have to"
burn my coat and hat in the effort."

The sight of the flames had excited the tigreil
to madness. She was bounding furious) from .
end to end of her cage; screaming wi, rags j

- 3.1%.». V

. .

-x..._.r.e._ u&.J.~—~'~—~.a4 “mm.--;uufi.:~;wmmw

 

 

brought out?" he asked.
pearl"

. he remarked.

28: The Trapped Tiger King. ,

 

 

and fright, and shaking the grating Withhcr
powerful paws as if she would rend through its
strong barrier.

It was a terrible accompaniment to their ef-
forts.

It formed, indeed, a strange picture. In the
middle of the fioorfilm blazing heap of lace,
over which Ernest was kneeling, with stern, set
face, adding, fragment b fragment, to the
flame, a. handkerchief whir l he was deliberate-
ly rending into strips. Op made him, kneeling
with her beautiful, {lush , excited fuce,nnd
the ivory whiteness of her throat exposed by
the loss of its veiling scarf, was Estelle, the
jewels of her rich attire [lashing in the flames,
whuorsha eagerly held leaf after leaf of that
mysterious book to tho revealing heat. And in
the background the tiger’s cage, the tawny,

‘stripod, ferocious queen of the jungle, darting
' fiercely from side to side, and making the air

resound with her terrible cries. ‘ It seemed a
stran 6 scene of incantation. One might have
thong tthnt demons were being called up by

. some magical spell.

Slowly the dark characters emerged upon the
HmOoth gos. She breathed on page after page,

i , and hel each eagerly to the flames.

“Had you not better rfiaangllgtlygudligtlt
J( '

“ No. Not before I can examine it. ”

He was searching in his pocket for more com-
bustible material.

“ I think I shall have to be in with my coat,”
“ Or no. ere is something
Which will last for a little while."

Unnoticod by her he had opened 9. Russia.

leather pocketbook, and extracted a handful of
bank-notes from it, one of which he held into the

' . I, flames.

 

  
 
  

the low figure.

‘ still great essly
yio‘weyes fierce y upon the two oecupants of the

“Why. what are you doing?” she cried, as
she saw the figures start out in the greenish

9. er.
p g'Phe fire must be kept up," he coolly replied,
“ no matter what the fuel. I will begin with
That is only a. ten.”

‘r‘ No. no I” she cried, pushing his hand away.
“ you may save your fuel for the present. It is
probable that we have all the information we
need here."

The tl for bad now ceased its cries; but it was
doing its cage, bending its yel-

room. ' .
Meanwhile Estelle was eagerly bending over

l ,1 the pages of the book, while the unfed flre

smoldiared upon the floor“ Slowly she convert-
ed the cipher writing into rifled Em lisho -
’ "Ahl”she Suddenly cried. “ ere is some—

? [thiufiof interest. "
6‘

ave you discovered a. means of escape?” he
asked.

“No. It is something else. Something that

N we Will have to look into after‘we escape from
' ¢ this place."

'She was now examining other pages of the
book. Ernest waited nervously. The minutes

i were living by. Their foe might at anymo-

their escape. He grasped the
his right hand, while he kept his
“e door of the room.

 

 

“I have it now!" she exclaimed, joyfully
rising. “The trap by which I was let down
into this room may be made to descend and
carry us up again. There is a spring here that
controls it. But,” she doubtfully continued,
“ may he not be abovo there?”

“I hope he may,” exclaimed Ernest. “I
should like the Chance to fling him headlong
into the den he has prepared for us. Touch the
spring, Estella.”

She silently obeyed, pressin r firmly upon a
certain point in tho decoratm wainscoting of
the side of the hall.

Her movement was followed by a slight
sound. A square portion of the upper floor he-
gun to slowly descend. In a minute or twoit

had reached and rested upon the floor of the,

hall.

“ Quick! there is no time to lose.” be ex-
claimed, stepping upon it.

She followed his example. N0 sonner had
she removed her hand from the spring than the
trap began to rcasccnd.

“ Farewell, Lulu,” he said, waving his hand
gleefully. “ I thank Heaven that you had such
a good memory and poor appetite.’

A cry that did not seem the scream of r '0 ‘L

broke from the tigrcss as she saw them slow y
ascend. Was it her call of grief and afieetion!

Very soon their heads were above the level of
the upper floor. It was deserted. In a minute
more the trap resumed its place. It had again
become, to all appearance, a. fixed portion of
the floor.

" Have you the book?” he asked. .

She looked with a. guilty feeling at her empty
hands. ~

“ I must have let it fall,” she mutter .

“ No matter. We may have no further use
for it."

They were in a. long passage, similar to the
hall below. Near where they stood a broad
flight of stairs descended. Grasping his pistol
in his right hand, and holding her hand in his
left, Ernest moved with alight ste toward the
stair, looking warily about him as e did so.

Her face was full of excitement and dread.
She clasped his supporting hand with both hers,
and fixed her eyes upon his resolute face, as she
followed him, step by step, down the stairs.

But no obstacle intervened. The hall below
was reached. The partition which converted
the rear ortion of i into a room was visible.
Through its barrier they could hear the cries of
the excited animal.

Drawing her forward Ernest hastily moved
to the front door of the house. It was fastened
within, but be easily opened it. The next mo-
ment they were standin in the open air with-
out. They were safe at ast.

CHAPTER XI.
on. nonownLL’s murmur.

PAUL TERROL, as related in a. mega!!! chap-
ter, had not cared to wait for Dr. cDowell’s
return in the room to which he had been 0011-?
dur-ted. ,

He had left this room immediately upon the
disappearance of the servant and sought the
doctor’s office, which was by afew steps 
tent on the same floor. ' ' ' '. , ' ,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

. W.W~MW¢WW¥ 3.,

a:

 

:. wary...” ‘

 

 

 

 

- The Trapped, Tiger King; V 88

 

All was silent about him. His path seemed
clear.

“ It is my’ turn now," he muttered. “ My
friend, the doctor, had his opportunity last night
and failed. Give me but two clear minutes and
I will not,.fail. That paper once in my posses-
sion I can snap my fingers at fortune.”

The office door stood ajar. Be gazed cautions-
1y into the room. It was empty. A laugh of
triumph broke from his lips as he stepped boldly

_ forward.

“ At last!” he exclaimed. “ The opportunity
is mine. Nothing stands between me and that
dangerous sheet. But I would have it now,
though ten devils stood in my we. 2”

The prowling villain suddenly paused, while a
look of doubt, anger and dismay crept over his
features. The icture was one!

For a full minute he s gazin in dismay,
while a look of anger, that quickly eepened into
fury, crept over his dark features.

A fierce oath broke from his li His face
was purple with rage. He ‘glar around him
with the instinct of the madman for something
on which tovent his fur . But this mood lasted
only an instant. Paul errol had been taught
by itter experience that he who would success-
fully act the villain must never let passion get
the better of him. With a. stron effort he drove
the fierce impulse back from his rain. He seat-
ed himself, and clutched the chair firmly with

« his hands. Much of his fury went out in this

muscular effort. In a‘ few minutes he was ain
the cool villain, though a dark, ominous c and
him upon his brow.

“ 001 that I am to let m temper get the bet-
ter of me at that rate,” e mutterml. “ The
picture must be here. He has moved it. It is
somewhere in the house.”

Evidently it was not in the office. A minute’s
examination convinced him of that. He stealthi-
1y made his way to the contiguous rooms, but
with the same ill result. None of them contained
the much desired picture.

He was on the point of making his way down-
stairs with the same purpose, thinkin$1 that pos-
sibly the doctor had transferred it to is parlor,
or to some ropm worthy of such a valuable work
of art, when the front door of the house was
heard to open, and a step advanced to the
sta

irs.
The prowling villain at once retreated to the
ofllce 0 the doctor, where be seated himself with
a cool air of expectation. .
It was .Dr. McDowell who had entered. He

‘ grumbled to himself as he slowly ascended the

stairs:

" It’s no gain to be an easymatter to find
this young Hu son. Here I’ve thrown awaa
good morning for naught. AndIsup the
mither'll keep me at it, if he’aamont in th’
finding. It‘s charity, mebbe; but it’s not pro
fessional; not rofessional.j’ ‘

He gained is oflice, wlping his brow with a
red handana, and pufilng slightly from his exer-
tions. He started on percelvmg that the office
was occupied.

“ Why didna the stupid dolt tak’ him to th’
reception‘room?" he said to himself, as he ad-
vanced toward the seeming patient.

But a monstronsly strong Scotch exclamation

 

broke from his lips as the patient turned hisface
and revealed the well—remembered features of
Paul Tcrrol.

Dr. McDowell was as near to being flustered
as he ever permitted himself to be.

A cool smile rested on Dark Paul’s face.

“ Good-afternoon, doctor ” he said, with the
utmost ease of manner. “ This is your hour for
receiving patients, 1 believe?"

The doctor stared at him.

“ What if it is?” he growled.

He deliberately proceeded to remove his hat.
coat and boots; and to replace them with an
office coat and slippers.

“ Simpl that 1 called for a little professional
service," aul coolly rejoined. “ Excuse me if
I follow your example.”

He. too, proceeded to remove his coat.

“You don‘t object to me as a patient?" he

asked.
“No.” answered the doctor, bluntly, though
with a latent curiosity in his eye. “ It is mv
business to deal with flesh and blood, not with
men as individuals. I'd doctor th’ devil, if he
called on me professionall x” "

Paul quietly opened an pushed up the sleeve
of his shirt.

“ I met with a slight accident last night ” he
remarked. “ A trifling flesh wound only.
you please treat it?"

He extended the bar-ed arm, on which a red,
slightly swollen 5 0t showed where the doctor’s
lance had enters .

Every trace of surprise or anger had left Dr
McDowell’s face. it were its ordinary sour pro-
femional look. He quietly took the muscular
arm between his thin fingers. and“ bent his ex
perienced eyes upon the wound. ’

“ Eh! E l“ he muttered. “ An incision wi’ a
sharp weapon, I take it. Ye’ve mayhap lost

some bluid, for it's directly over an important , _ .

vein. But it’samere scratch. There’ll be no
more bleeding—except it becoomes necessary.”
There was an odd look in his eyes. “Futon
your coat, my men. There is no treatment
needed.”

The patient lau hed slightly as he resumed
the coat. Much as e prided himself on his cool-
ness here was a decided lesson in the art.

“What’s the fee, doctor?" he asked, as he 

turned toward the door.

“ Five dollars,” replied the grim— faced doctor,
“ for a surgical advice or operation.”

Paul quietly laid down the money.

“ Ahl excuse me," he said, seemingly with
sudden recollection. “ You had a picture here,
somewhat resembling me.”

A light broke into the doctor's face. Thetrue '
meaning of this unexpected visit was about to ,

show itself.

“ Yes. A rtrait of a murderer, who esm
caped Judge yncb, and left his pictured vi}. 
lainy behind. purchased it as a psychological ‘
curiosity.” ' ‘

“ That’s just the interest I have in it,” laughed I '

Paul, us he resumed his chair. “ It is odd what
strange resemblance, there are between faces.
But when one finds a marked likeness between a

murderer and an honest citizen, it becomesa. _
that 
picture closely resembles what I must have

remarkable coincidence. Strange to say

’wm 3

 i 4..
n,“ m

i
. i
.,

 

’...vi.~1,‘~.:j.,‘..; -

 

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d

 

. inf}:

 

 

 

 

..
g.
V
l
3',
l
,.
i
,
(v
i
,.
.
l
l
l

- this.

. interest to me.
/ paint at five thousand dollars."

' in the ace of the would-be purchaser.

‘ be I can help on the bargain.

e

94 , » The Trapped Tiger King.

 

I should like to

looked like ten years ago.
I feel an extra-

purchase it from you, dOctor.
ordinary interest in it.”

“I have no doubt,” the doctor dryly an—
SWered. “ Yet I hardly think it’s for sale.”

z: Why, my dear sir, do you set such store by

“Well, na such store, mobbe. And yet it‘s a
fine work of art. It cost me a pretty sum.
Arid, as ye say, there’s some’at remarkable in

“I don’t think the rice need stand between
us, doctor. I’d be wi lin;,r to pay well for it, for
two reasons."

“ Na doubt. Perhaps more than two.”

ffTwo only, on my honor. But they are good
ones, as you will admit. One is that I hardly
fancy that a face which so closely resembles

‘mine should be shown as the portrait of a inur-

derer. The other is that I can readily ass it as
a portrait of my youthful self. As have no
such portrait why, of course, I set some value on
Name your rice, doctor. I hardly think
we will squabble u out the figures."

. “ Why, if it comes down to dollars and
cents,” answered the doctor, with a clear glint

' in his eye, “ I should never part with that pic—

ture for its mercantile value. It has an artistic
I value that bit of canvas and

He looked at Paul as if fancying that this
would rove a settler. But not a muscle changed
A faint
smile curled his lip as he answered:

“ Five thousand. I s that your ultimatum?"

“ Yes. If it should coom to sell the picture."

“Very well. I will give you five thousand. I
want the picture, and I never let money stand
between me and my fancies.”

_ The doctor looked steadily at him.

“ There's more in that picture than canvas
and paint,” he said to himself. “ I’d gi’ some-
thin to know what’s behind all this.”

“ am sorry,” he remarked aloud. “ But I am
doubtful tbat the bargain canua bo consum-
mated. I ha’ parted with the picture.“

“ Parted with it," ejaculated Paul, losing his
coolness in surprise at this announcement.

Precisely. _

“ You did not get your price for it?"

“ That was' my sellin price. My giving
price was much lower. he picture has been
presented to a friend—yet I dinna say but it
mi ht be bought yet." .

aul’s face, which had fallen, brightened again
at this announcement.

“ Name the owner and the price," he said, in
a uiet tone.

Na, mi. It’s for th’ owner to say. Yet meb—
It’ll be another
coin than groeiibacks that buys it now."

Just what to make of all this was rather too
much for Paul’s powers of guessing. Yet he
repressed his impatience as he repeated:

‘ Name the owner and the price.”

Dr. McDowell had risen from his chair, and
stood looking down upon his unwelcome visitor.
There was a touch of satire in the tone of his

reply.
“Th’ owner is Mrs. Hudson, a lady whom ye
had “3' honor to meet here last night. Th’ price

 

is the return of her son, who was stolen from
her by one Paul Terrell”

Paul, too, rose, and began deliberately to put
on his gloves. He bit his lips, and seemed
striviiug to repress some rising feeling in his
1111!“ .

“ I am willing to do all in my power,” he at
length said. “ Though I can scarcely say that I
care enough for the picture to put myself to
much trouble. As for the boy, I have a strong
fancy that he is no longer in the land of the
livin . Will you be kind enough to advise me
of rs. Hudson’s place of residence? I can
probably convince her of this.”

“She can beseen through me,” the doctor
dryl answered.

“ ery well,” answered Paul. biting his lip
again, as ho ooolly left the office, followed by a
triumphant look from the doctor.

“I will drive myself liome,”he said to his
conchman on reaching the street. “Do you
keep an eye on the movmnents of Dr. McDowell,
the inmate of this house. Track him wherever
he may go, and report to me."

He drove rapidly home. There had been an
unexpected check to his plans. In the lan a e
of the chess-board the Scotch doctor had 5320 -
mated him. ‘

He ground his teeth with a momentary escape
of the anger which he had repressed in the doc-
tor’s oflice.

“Smart as you are, Dr. McDowell, I will
beat you yet at your own‘ game. First to find out
where Mrs. Hudson is. I fancy I can bar ain
better with a. soft—hearted woman than wit a
hard-hearted Scotchman.”

But there was something else in his mind just
now. Lylu had doubtless finished her work.

The two remaining heirs to the Melville estate ,

were no longer in his path. It remained only
to remove the traces of the tiger’s work, the
remnants of that human meal which he had
provided for the ferocious beast.

The men who formed his household were en-
tirely trustworthy. They ,were a party of
wretches, who were ready to do anything for
money, and whom he kept about him by a free
use of his cash, with a lurking intention in his
mind to get rid of them all by aid of the tiger
when once he had no further need of their ser-
Vices.

All was silent as he entered the blue room and
approached the door which he had looked upon
his intended victim.

“ The beast must be sleeping ” he said, pick-
ing up a slender, elastic whip which hung inhis
room. '

The next moment Dark Paul had turned the
key in the lock and thrown open the door. He
expected to behold a horrible vision of torn
flesh and rent bones, of human forms rent out
of all semblance to humanity, and the gorg'ed
beast sleeping upon the ruin it had made.

What was his surprise to behold nothing of
the expected scene? The room empty, the
tigress in her cage, nothing but a smal heap of
white ashes on he floor.

With 9. on of rage and fear he'sprung tor~
ward. glaring to right and left, as if hopin to
see the ex tedvisionin some corner ofg the
chamber. tore his eyes upon the floor lay his

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tinue her story.

The Trapped Tiger King. 25

 

marble—bound tablets. He hastened to possess
himself of this book, which had proved of such
service to his foes.

The man was almost beside himself with rage.
He fairly howled in his fury, running likea
madman from side to side of the room. His
fury aroused the sleeping boast, which now rose
against the bars of its cage, and showed signs of
peasure in his presence. He had tamed it so
that it was like an obedient dog to him, rather
than a furious wild beast.

“Hal” he ejaculated, his rage diverted to-
ward the animal. “11: is on that have let
them escape? By the gods, ut you shall pay
for it!”

In a minute he was within the cage. The
tiger advanced fondlineg toward him. But
w at was its surprise to find itself met with
sharp blows of the whip, keen, cuttin lashes of
the steel-like instrument which made it w back
howling with pain. Mercilessly the blows fell.
The angered brute leaped toward his infuriated
master, but the shar blows fell more keenly
than ever upon her ace and eyes and she re-
tired in screaming and crouching fear before his
merciless hand.

CHAPTER XXI.
CLEARING THE WAY.

AT the moment in which Dark Paul Terrol
was venting his rage on the angry but cowed
boast, his two intended victims were seated in
the parlor of the Westmoreland hotel, the
establishment which Ernest had made his tem-
porary home.

The few minutes of supreme danger in the
tiger’s den had opened their souls to each other
more than months of calm intercourse could
have done. The revelation there made was one
that could not be withdrawn and there was a
warm light in the looks which they bent upon
each other, and an earnest pressure in their
clas hands.

“ on have lived in that house?” he asked, in
surprise.

“ Yes. I had no other home. Not but that I
had known of Paul Terrol’s evil deeds. But,
consider my situation. I believed myself his
sister. I dare not denounce my brother. Nor
would it have done any good. He had covered
his path too well to leave any evidence against
him. I simply lived on, enjoying his bounty,
but under continual protest against himself."

“But what was the cause of the aflairlast
night? Why then did you so fear to enter his
house? Why was he taking you there by
force?”

She was silent for a moment, with her eyes
fixed upon the floor.

“ He had been brutal to me,” she replied, in a
low tone. “I escaped from the house and
threatened to expose his vullainy. In fact, I had
been for days a sort of half-prisoner. lie attired
me like a queen, but he treated me hke a cap-
tivn.” Her voice had grown strong and
indignant. “ Last night be grossly Insultedhie,
and I broke from the house, threatening, Sister

- . or not, to reveal his crimes.”

She paused again, as if in doubt how to con-

fl

 

,.....-\ a tr.

“And he pursued you?”

“ I had no place to go to," she continued. “ I
scarcely knew a. soul in this city. I wandered
the streets for several hours, in doubt where I
should seek a refuge. I did apply to a hotel,
but they refused to receive me. dared not ask
elsewhere, there was something so insulting in
the looks of that clerk.”

Tears stood in her beautiful eyes. A flush of
indi ation came upon Ernest’s cheek.

“ he fellow shall answer for it to me,” he
indignantly said, with a. reassuring pressure of
the and.

“ No, no! He knew me not. It must have
seemed suspicious for a well-dressed lady to be
wandering the streets at midnight I would not
have you undertake the task of punishing all the
brutes in this city.” .

A warm smile broke through her teams, like
sunshine through a summer rain.

:11 am your protector, now, Estelle,” he said
so 1: y.

A moment of loving silence fell between them.
Then she took up the thread of her story.

“ Ho pursued me,” she continued. “ He dis—
covered me still wandering the streets. He
dragged me by main force to his carriage, stifl-
ing my cries. That was fast before my fortu-
nate meeting with you. had just broken loose
from his choking hands, and screamed for help,
when you came, like an angel of mercy, to my
aid. Ah! I do not know what would havebe-
come of me but for your fortunate aid.”

She shuddered with strogg emotion. He drew
his chair nearer, and fold his arm protecting-
ly around her waist.

“ That is past, Estelle,” he softly answered.
“ You need fear him no more. He has had his
day. It is my turn now. He shall answer

dearlfy to me for this day’s work. I owe him no v 3’ '

love mm of old." _

“Indeed! He hinted at as muchl” she cried
with excited haste. “He told me that he had
stolen you as a child from your mother’s house;
that your name was not Ernest Delaine but
Ernest Hudson: that your mother was now in
this city. Ohl and more than that, you were
one of the heirs to that dreadful estath It was
for that he sought to murder you. Not on ac-
count of that book." .

Ernest's face revealed a dozen emotions as she
guickly repeated these strange and important

ragmcnts of information.
“ Why should he seek

“ But you?” he asked.
your destruction? Because you knew too
much?” _

“ Not that only. He told me the truth which
he has so long concealed. I am not his sister—-.-
thank Heaven for that! My true nameisnot
Estelle West. but Helen Melville. I, too, am
one of the heirs of that dread estate. We were
both in the way of his avarice. He sought to
remove us both. ’

His arm closed more firmlgoabont her ‘yieldo'

ing form. Here was a new nd of sympathy
between them.
“ It is a large estate, Estelle?”
“ Yes. Very large.

“ We are rich, then. But no matter for that. .

I am rich without it.” His ex region,“ he
looked into her eves, told whethe meant. “I

n!

m... an“ ..._ MW...~-Wmum .

WM» ‘ri‘

i

5
a
a

New»

 

 

was, -

Imps“.
.  W

7.79.“. .‘ “,—I..,....._..»--.:1-—- ,

   
 
 
 

 

c. u..- .m «a... “ma—“fimwg M

'1 a similar; errand.
wrapped up in each other to have any eyes for

 

 

‘ terost

26 The. Trapped Tiger King}:

remember Paul Terrol from my childhood,” he
continued. “He was a harsh mastir. What
torture he gave me in touching me the tricks of.
the circus! I was twelve years old when I
escaped from his tyranny.” v

* She started from his arm, and turned to look
with eager eves into his face. Her features were
suffused with sudden joy.

“Can it be?" she cried. “ Why, my story is
the same. I have been with him from childhood
as a circus performer. For yours I was tho
daring rider, his “ Star of the West." Ah! do
you not remember? We were children together!

6 loarncd thosc tricks in compnn . You
were my little lover, and I your littc sweet
heart! You have not forgotten, Ernest?"

“Forgotten?” he cried, clasping her in his
arms. and rcssing her to his heart. “ Forgot-
ten the chil’dish vows we outdo, the young love
we felt? No, never! It is no wonder it came to
us again at sight of each other. You are my
own now, Estelle. Our youthful vows have!
blossomed into love. You are my own, despito
all the villains in the universe.”

He pressed his lips warmly to hers, in the

' first sweet kiss of love.

But we must puss rapidly over the next hour,
during which they continued lost in the happy
intoxication of love’s young dream.

At the end of that time we find them on the
street again, on their way to the police olnro, in
which Ernest wished to lodge information of
Paul Terrol’s murderous attempt, and to obtain
a warrant for his arrest.

r Estelle accompanich him, as a most important
Witness to the charge. The )arty to whom this

; deposition needed to be mm c was absent, and
, they were given chairs in an lllllOI' room, while

waiting for his roturn. _
There was another crson hero on seemingl
ut thoy were too mnci

strangers, while the stranger himself paid no
more attention to them than if the were but
five more of the buzzing flies whic annoyed
m.
A few words of unimportant conversation
passed between them, when Ernest, with sudden

, recollection, asked:

“ What was that last important secret you
discovered in the tablets, Estelle? It is a pity
that you did not keep them. But, at any rate.
if that is of any value to us we may as well
make use of it.”

It took her a minute/or two to recall it to
memory.

“Ah, yes! I remember now. It was im-
portautmhough I do not see how we arc to make
use of it. We cannot establish our claim to the
Melville ostnto unless our identity is proved.
The-re is a paper in existence which proves who
we are. So much I learned from the tablets.”

,“ Ah!” exclaimed Ernest, with intense in-
“ And this paper?”

“H5 stole it, as he stole us. He had some oh-
jfict in preserving this document, until he had

disposed of Allan Burke. one of the heirs. He

was then about to destroy it, when he had to fly

I I for his life from a. Vigilance Committee.”

_ Theristranger who was present, and whose

I r"  quick ear caught those low-spoken words, looked

l

. , ,~-ow~:-—-.—-—... u..._____._ w.--“ ,__. .m

. . . . a”,

up with a keen glance. Something had strongly
interested him. I

“ I did not find all that in the tablet ” she
continued. “It contained but hints, but I new
enough of his life to make a. connected story out
of these hints.”

“But the paper? What were its real con.
tents?"

“That I can but guess at. At all events, he
had not time to thoroughly destroy it. He
hastily concealed it in an opening in the frame
of a rtrnit of himself which hung in the room.
He. t on fled for his life.”

The stranger’s interest was redouhled. He
sat with his chin on his two palms gazing in-
tently toward the speakers, whose hacks were
turned to him.

“ And the picture? Did he recover it? Has
he it now?”

" No. All his elfects were lost, the picture,
with its precious packet,ramong them."

“Then this information will be of no use," he
doubtfully replied. “There is no probability
that we will ever come across that vanished r-
trait. But no matter; I fancy that Paul or-
rol’s career is nearly run. ”

“ Paul Terrell”

It was the strnnger who had spoken, springing
to his feet as he did so. '

“Excuse me," he continued, in b. broad Scotch
dialect, as they turned in surprise. “ I’ve a my
tion that ye’ll no have to look far for that pic-
ture. But, bless me, I never dreamed 0’ what
ye say about it."

Ernest looked at him in astonishment.

“ Doctor McDowell!” he muttered.

“Eh! what‘s that? Does the lad know me?—
Bless my eyes, if it isn‘t the very person I was
seeking. Was it not ye that helped me into my
office wi’ a fainting woman?”

~ “ Yes,” answered Ernest. “ But that picture?
Do you know where it is, than?”

The worthy doctor fairly caper-ed around the
room. He had not been in such a state of ex-
citement in his life before.

“ So, Paul Terrol, the secret’s out now I" he
ejaculated. ‘f It’s no wonder 9 were willin to
pay live thouSand dollars for t ’ picture. y,
my friends, I‘ve got that picture. Bought it as
n psychological curiosity. ’ The doctor laughed
at his own joke. “ He wanted to buy it of me
to-‘glay. Do you guess the price I asked him for
it?

“ No.” answered Ernest, while Estelle’s eyes
were fixed with deep interest on the face of the
excited little doctor.

“Tho price of it was th’ return to his mither
of a lad which this villain stole years ago." The
speaker looked si nificantly 9. Ernest. ‘f Th’
bairn should be a nil grown men to-day. His

thlntrho couldna return him. Would ye know
i w y

“ Yes." Ernest briskly answered, though his
eyes were full of expectant light.

“ Because the lad was dead. I’ve a notion. the

mon was slightly mistaken.”

“No. He thought that Ernest Hudson was
dead.”

“He did?”

“Yes. He had left him as the prey of a tiger.

 

name was Ernest Hudson. Paul Terrol declared.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

The Trapped Tiger King. - ‘9'?

‘ P

Fortunater the beast was less bloodthirsty than
its master. . .

“ I knowl I knowl" cried the doctor, gleeful—
ly. “ You are Ernest Hudson. 1 ha” been hunt-
ing 9 these four hours past. It was that brought
me ere. Do ye ken who was the lcddy that ye
helped me carry into the house?"

“ Ah l” cried Ernest, his face deeply flushed.
“ There was something in that lady’s face] Was
it—ah! was it—”

“ It was your mither, lad.”

“ My mother?” a cry of exultation broke from
his lips. “ My mother, whom I have dreamed
of for years! Heaven bless you, Doctor Mc—
IIPfcwalll you bring me the warmest joy of my

1 0.

He turned to Estelle, whoput her hand in his,
while a look of intense sympathy burned in the
violet depths of her eyes.

It was a. happy moment for all three there as-
sembled.

 

CHAPTER XIII.
'nnn PAPER IN THE PICTURE.

MEANWHILE Paul Terrol was not idle. The
unexpected and astounding escape of his intend—
ed victims weighed on him at flint like a night—
mare. That they could have shut up the tigress
again in her cage Without any harm to them-
selves was the mysterious circumstance. Their
escape from the room was not so strange. They

ssessed the tablet in which were set down at

ength all the secret doors and traps of the
house, and Estelle understood the mode of read—
in it.

ut something must be done, and at once.
These fugitives must be retakcn, or he must fly
for safety. His schemes had reached that point
in which his money might fail to aid him.

And the document concealed in the picture!
It was necessary to regain that. Dr. McDowell
would certainly suspect something wrong, and
would search the frame. If that hidden paper
was discovered, all hi lon efforts would be do»
feated, and the estate of w ich he was now in
possession, be in great part torn from him, to go
to his escaped foes.

_ Witm Paul Terrol to decide was to execute.
As he strode into the hall, still fuming with the
rage which had so lately over-mastered him, he
discovered his coachman, who had followed him
almost immediately to the house.

"You have been uick.”cried the irate master
of the mansion. “ on have not returned with-
out carrying out your instructions?"

“ I ain‘t that kind,” answered the man, with
a grin of intelligence. “ The doctor left his
house right away after you, I tracked him
pretty close, you can he sure of that. He went
straight to a. house on Plain street. It was a.
neat-built, fancy front house, No. 69. He
weren‘t there five minutes when he come out
again. There was a woman come to the door
with lfim. A well—built, handsome person, of
maybe forty or fifty years old." ‘

“ With White hair?" asked Dark Paul quickly.

“ Yes, kind 0’ whitish. And 9. sort 0' sorrow-
ful lpok about her. Rather tall, but very well

“Goodi” answered the Tiger King, with a

y

 

gesture of satisfaction. “ Did you follow him
further?”

“In course I did. He went straight from there
to the police office. ‘ There I found Mike n-
stunding. So I left him on the watch and came
home to report.”

“ Very well,” was the quick answer. “ I am
glad you did, for I have other work for you 0;
importance. ' You remember the young fellow

on brought here last night, in company with
‘stclle?"

“ I reckon I’d not forget him soon, being’s
I’ve seen him twice, and been shot at twice by
the chap.”

“He has escaped me again. He and Estelle
both. They must he rctaken. And quickly;
there is no time to lose.”

A look of resolution came upon the evil face
of the coachman.

“If it’s in the wood,” he said.
slouch at a job.”

“ The first thing is to find where the are,”
the King rcjoincd,with ra id utterance. ‘ They
must be found if the who e city is to be search—
ed. Put all the men immediately at work.
Tr first the hotel registers. His name is Ernest
De a’ine. If anything is found report at once to
me.

“ Ay, ayl Trust me and the boys to pick him
up if anybody can. And if there comes a chance
to snatch him or her, I suppose We‘re not to
wait for orders.”

“ No," with fierce haste. “ Don’t let a chance
pass. I'll make you rich if you succeed.”

Ten minutes afterward the house was empty.
The men had all set out on the duty thus
assigned them, while their master, quickly sad-
dling a horse, rode off at a rattling pace for the
city.

In a room of the mansion No. 69 Plain
street sat Mrs. Hudson.
mout, neatly but rather sparsely furnis led. On
the walls hung several pictures, mostly an rav-
ings, but one of them was the portrait of aul
'l‘errol, about which centered so much interest.
Dr. McDowell had told the truth to his visitor in
regard to his disposal of this picture.

Mrs. Hudson herself had greatly changed in

“ Iuin’t no

expression since the previous night. The marks ,

of the old sorrow were there yet, whenever her
face fell into repose. But it was overlaid with
an expression of hope and joy, that beamed at
intervals through her sadness, like sunbeams
gleaming through broken clouds. Evidently
some happy expectation lay deep in her heart.

“So many yearsof grief and dc. air have
passed over me,” she murmured. “ f it is in-
deed my Ernest! Oh! it must be! I cannot
mistake that fecal But I do hope that Dr. Mc-
Dowell me be quick and successful in his
Search. Is all not cease to fearm merciless
foo until I see and know my Erne ,my dear,
dear son 1” '
1 She was interrupted by a low knock at the
(cor. 1'

“ There is a gentleman to see you, Mrs. Hud-
son,” announced a Servant.

“ Did he give his name?” she asked. .r

“ That was not necessary,” came a calfn voice
behind the servant. “We are too old acquain-
tances to need ceremony.” r

It was a lar e apart;

.4 W... I, '; new-

 

fim’t  ihfmnfl7wmmvuawunwn .. .

I in her eyes.

‘ ed. “Theft for theft.

28 The Trapped Tiger King.

 

A low cry broke from Mrs. Hudson’s lips, as
the visitor pushed into the room, and quietly
seated himself.

“ Paul Terrell” she breathlesst ejaculated.

“ Yes. That will do,” to the surprised servant.
“ We are old acquaintances, you see.”

Mrs. Hudson was striving to recover her
calmness. What could this visit portend? A
dozen conjectures ran through her brain. At
any rate, he could harm her no further, and she
might gain some usefuliuformation. She waved
her hand in dismissal to the servant, whiledraw-
ing her chair away as though from the vicinity
of a serpent.

He looked with the cold, calm glitter of his
eyes into the flushed and excited face of the
woman.

“ You are somewhat surprised at this visit,
Mrs. Hudson,” he uttered.

“ Yes," in tromblinv accents. “But I hope—
you are not here wifimut a purixm—«you are
come to tell me what you have done with my
son?”

" We are on the same (illileSlS, it seems,” he
quietly rejoined. “ You see what is yours. I
seek what is mine.”

“ What do you mean?” »

“ I too have been robbed,” he continued, “ and
you are the recipient of the stolen goods. That

rtrait which hangs upon your wall is mine.

t was stolen from me years ago. I demand its
return"

She looked at him, while a strange light rose
Dr. MoDowull had told her of his
conversation with Paul Terrol upon this sub~

act i

“ Very well,” she cold]. and cuttineg rejoiib
estorc what you have
stolen from me, and the picture is yours.”

“ I know nothing of your son,” was his harsh
res use.”

‘ That is untrue, sir!” she excitedly ox-
ciaimod. “ You stole himl None but you!
Doctor McDowall has told you tho price of
that picture. Give me back my son and it is
yours.”

“ It is mine now," he rejoined, springing from
his chair.

With a quick cry she arose and ran before
him to the picture, stretching out her arms in
repulsion. I

‘ Back. siri Touch it not! Think not I fear
you! I will raise the house by my cries it you
dare touch it! You shall not have it unless you
return my son 1"

He stood for a moment with a baffled look he-
fore the excited woman, his keen eyes fixed

‘upou her with that look which had cowed the

tigress. Should he be defied in this way? He,
Paul Terro-l—and by a woman? He strode for-
ward with uplifted arm, as if .to hurl her fron
before the ncture. “

But at t is instant there were heard voices
and steps in the passage without. He hastily
withdrewtothe Side of the room. while Mrs.

, . Hudson bent her eyes with hopeful expectancy
_ upon the door.

It opener], and Dr. McDowell entered. But
eviiently there Were other persons in the pas-
sage without. ‘

“ Ah!" she cried, hastening forward and lay-

.v 3' ~. " ‘3': .i r  .

 

ing a. nervous hand upon his arm. “ Have you—-
have you been successful?”

“ Calm yourself, In dear woman,” he replied,
in his cool tone. ‘1 ve———”

He had time to so. no more. Her quick eyes
had caught sight 0 a face through the open
door. A sharp, glad cry, and she ran forward
with open arms,

“It is lic!”sho exclaimed. “It is my son,
my Ernest! It is the child who was stolen
from me, now happily restorodl My dear, dear
Ernest 1"

Ho was clasped in her arms, while she ured
kisses and tears of joy alike on his chee s and
brow.
“Mother!” ho softly murmured. “Ah! can
it be? Have I indeed found the mother, so long
lost, so long dreamed of 5”

She pushed him a little from her, while her
burning eyes closely examined every feature of
his face.

“ Yes, ycsl” she again cried. “I cannot be
deceived. It is indeed my son, stolen from me
by Paul Torrol.”

“ My earliest remembrance is of that man,”
ho replied, a look of warm joy overspreading
his face, as he yielded to his mother’s tender
embrace.

Estelle had entered the room behind them,
and stood looking at this scene with an interest
almost as warm as that of its participants.

But a sudden cry of alarm came from her,
while a deep pallor overspread her features, as
her eyes wandered from the mother and son.

“ Paul 'l‘erroll Here?” she exclaimed.

A bitter laugh responded. They had all been
so wrapped up in the one scene that no eyes had
before perceived this scr ient in their Paradise.
The villain had taken t e opportuniton the
diversion of all thoughts from himself to
hastily examine the picture, and to quickly
draw from its frame the secret paper, of
which the merest corner displayed itself.

Tho laugh that broke from his lips was one of
triumph and disdain. It sounded, in the pure
joy of that meeting, like the discordant laugh
of a demon.

Dr. McDowell took a step toward the in-
truder, his face showing the red flush of anger.
Ernest hastily disengaged himself from his
mother’s arms, while his ingenuous countenance
burned with indignation.

“ You have your son now, Mrs. Hudson,”
Dark Paul quietly remarked. “ The price is
paid for the picture. I suppose I may take it
and go?”

“ Nu, nal” exclaimed Dr. McDowell. “We
want more than that. ‘ There's a property at
stake. We want proof! Ye can us. ha’ the
picture till ye’ve given us proof that the young
men is Mrs. Hurlsnn‘s son.”

Paul laughed again disdainfully.

“ I have a slight interest in that p , ,"’ he
said. “ I have worked for it for years, and it is
mine, all mine. You cannot prove In court
that this boy is your-sou. I will admowlediie
nothing, I know nothing of him. The Melvil a
ammo is mine, only mine. No one else can'lay
claim toa foot of it.

, “You have acknowledged!" cried Estelle,

starting forward. “ You acknowledged to me

 '

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

gym, M...

, his heavy

The villain
his

The Trapped Tiger Kin’g. 29 ‘

H that he was Mrs. Hudson’s son! You acknowl-

ed ed that my real name was Helen Melville,
and that I also was an heir to the estatel You
acknowled ed all!”

“ Then retract all," he coldly responded.
“Prove it, if you can.“

“Iwill prove it!"she hotly replied. “You
have murdered at least three persons who stood
between you and this property! Only this
day you sought to murder Ernest and myself!
I will prove it by my oath and his!”

“ Come, come, my dear, you are dreaming,"
he laughineg answered. “There are half a
dozen inmates of my house who can swear that
nothing of the kind took place. You are full
of your fancies, child. Because some ersons
died suddenly it does not follow that . aiua
murderer.”

She stood with flushed cheeks and brow, re-
pelled by his scornful laugh.

“ Say no more,” remarked Ernest, gently
layin his hand upon her arm. “Leave me
and r. McDowell to deal With him.”

“No, no!” she criedl as a sudden remem-
brance came to her. ‘There isproof! There
is proof l It is concealed in that picture!" she
pomted to the portrait near which Paul was-
standing. There is a paper there containin

root of the identity of both Ernest and mysel .
t it be searched.’

A quick flush of anger came into Paul’s face.

“ It is my picture,” he exclaimed, “ and I have
been denied its wssion too long. If I cannot
have it no one e shall."

While speakin he tore the picture from the
wall and cast it orcely to the floor. The next
moment he was trampling it under foot, rend-
ing the glass and frame into a hundred frag—
ments, and, defacing the pictured canvas with

cots.

“ There is your picture!” he shouted, his eyes
blazing scorn and defiance. “ Find your docu-
ment there, if you can. I, Paul Terrol, laugh
at and spam you all!”

With a quick sprin he gained the door of the
room. In an instant e was without. He had
escaped!

Ernest ran to the scattered fragments of the
picture. There was no aper there.

“He has it!” cried stello. “He stood near
the portrait! He must be pursued and the
precious document recovered I"

Dr. McDowell ran to the window.

“He is escaping on horseback!" he cried.
“Let us follow him at once! To the police
office, Ernest, for the warrant and the oflimrs‘.”

In a moment more they had vanished in hot
pursuit.

 

. CHAPTER XIV.
THE srnmomo or THE TRAP.

A FEW steps brought the pursuers within hail
of a passing cab. In a minute more they were
within it, and were rapidly making their way
toward the police station. Arrived here it took
scarcely another minute to make known to the
oflieers what had happened

Four oflimwemdetalled to accompany them.
might choose to defend himself in

house; or he might seek to escape.

In a very short time they were on the road.

 

 

again, a second cab having been pressed into the
service.

It was now approaching evening. The sun-
light was casting long lines across the city
streets. . It would be dark within an hour. The
horses were driven at a furious pace until they
reached Dark Paul Terrol’s suburban mansion,
where they were pulled up suddenly.

Springing from the carriages the pursuers
hastened through the gateway into the inclosure.

The house presented a strangely quiet a )pear—
ance. It was entirely closed, doors an win—
dows, and there was nowhere about it the least
aspect of life. They looked at eaeh other
duhiously.

The house must be entered. But as a. prelimv
inary measure, two of the officers were placed
on guard at the sides and rear of the mansion.
while the remainder of the party advanced to
the front.

The doorfailedto yield to their efforts. It
was firmly fastened. The other doors and win-
(lows of the house were similarly secured. A
fusilade of blows fell upon the e portals, but
without client. Nota sound was heard in re-
sponse. They looked at each other curiously.

“ There’s nothing for it but to break our way , '
“ It is sure now'

in,” said the principal officer.
that our man is in there. I am not going to be
kept out by any locked door. Look around
lads, for something heavy. We must burst this
door open.”

But the desired implement was not so easy to
find. All the doors were strong and heav .
The house was a regular fortress. It would
no easy matter to break their way through
those thick oaken portals.

While the officers were seeking for something;  »

suitable to their iurpose, Ernest was making I!
critical survey of the mansion, with another ob-
ject in view.

The only connection with the Second floor was

the thick stem of a climbing vine which ran up r I

close to the wall of the house, an spread out in
luxuriant leafage. on the upper part of the wall.

“ Here is what I want, lads, ’ he exclaimed.
“ I will be inside that house in a jiffy."

In a moment he had caught the stem and was '

climbing it hand over hand with the s and
agility of a cat. It swayed and creu ed with
his weight, but the spreading tendrils above
clung firmly to the wall, and in a minute he was
near one of the upper windows.

Grasping the top of the open shutter of this
with one hand, he pressed the wall with hisfoot,

swinging the shutter in against the window. v

The next moment his feet were upon the sill,
and he had thrown up the sash.

The eager eyes that followed him being saw
him disappear through the opening. This was
immediately followed by the sound of a door
thrown violently open, and the noise of a sharp
struggle in the invaded room.

There succeeded a crashing sound, as it some,
body had been flung violently to the floor, the ’

noise ringing loudly through the still air.
A noise as of withdrawing bolts sounded from

the inside of the door near which they stood. -
It was flung open, and Ernest appeared, flushed

and breathless. _
“He is here!” was the rapid announcement

/ .

«Ions...- ,.s,,.‘..-; yl}... L415: ,7 

 

,,  a... an... ..

 we

30

The Trapped Tiger King.

 

“ I . had it with him, hot and heavy! He at-
tacked me in the room above! But I tried an
old trip of mine on him, and down he went like
‘a log. Come, gentlemen, follow me and we will
take him i"

They lost no time in obeying this excited de-
mand, but swarmed after him into the house.
The rear door by which they had entered led to
one of the work-rooms, and they passed quickly
through kitchen and wash-room, entering at
length the dining-room, and from that emerging
into the main hallway of the edifice.

Here they came to a sudden halt, for before
them, in the door of a room on the opposite side
of the hallI stood the Ti er King his muscular
form dilated, his eyes flashing i’ury, a pistol
extended in his hand.

“ You wish to take me?” he yelled.

(I Yes."

“Follow me then, and take me if you darel”

He turned and fled.

They l‘aapidly followed. In a. moment more:
themselves in an apartment furnish-t

they (oun
' ed in blue, a room which Ernest vividly remem-

‘ . bored. A door led from this room, through

.: ' Which the fugitive had just passed. 'lheofficcrs
'_..hu1'rled after him, but suddenly stopped and
(lowered back in dread and surprise.

, ‘For before them was the ca 6 of Lulu the
tigress. The beast was crouehe in a corner of

. the cagea low savage growl coming from her

w ile her eyes glared furiously upon the

’With an alert spring Paul loosened the belt at
"the top of the cage. The whole grated front
’ fell 0 n with a crash to the floor. The animal

was r .

A savage, discordant laugh broke from the
villainous his as he saw the alfright-ed back-
ward rush 01; his foes.

“Why don’t you take me?” he scornfully
asked. “Here I am. Take incl”

The animal had not yet moved. Only the low,
luminous. rowl told that life remained in the
ferocious st. The officers had rushed back
into the blue mern, the door of which was not
yet closed.

I “ Come, take me!” Dark Paul laughed again.
: ‘f Lulu is very gentle. She won’t object.”

I .Yet there was something unwonted iu the dc—
meanor of the tigross. It was not in this growl—
ing” mood she was accustomed to receive her

rmaster. With a sense of anger at her surly
crouching he struck her a blow with the whip.

It was a fatal blow. Quickly as the lightning
flash leaps from the cloud the mighty beast
is mung from her cage and upon him. Those at
t a door of the room closed it in feverish haste,

shutti out the view of the dread scene por-

feuded m the frightful scream of therinfuriated

‘.  .

V 6 must go a step back to explain this sud-
den Chan 0 in Lulu’s mood. Not more than an
- hour ' elapsed since Paul Terrol had sub-

’ Jected her to a severe punishment. Since the-n
ahehad been sulking in pain and rage. The
sight, of him had brought back a portion of her
.aceustomml fear and respect, but had not re-
moved‘her lurking fury. The animal was in

' that meodglu which a feather turns thescaleu

'Z‘hig-camain

I .

the blow which she had just re-

 

ceived. All the ferocity of the queen of the
jungle was aroused by that blow; all fear and
affection vanished; in an instant she sprung
upon her foe.

But we will draw a veil upon this closing
scene of our stor . Paul Terrol’s last card had
been played an had failed to win the game.
His intended victims were free. He had himself
fallena victim to the beast to Whom he had
trusted to free him from his fees.

We must step a month forward in time. and
entcra room in which were assembled all the
remaining characters of our stor : Mrs.rHud-
son and her son Ernest Estel 0 West, now
known as Helen Melville, and Dr. Eerguu
McDowell.

“It was fortunate, indeed, that the 
was recovered from the dead body of Pau‘ Ter-
rel,” remarked  Hudson, her face seemingly
twenty years younger, as she gazed lovingly
upon her recovered son. “ W’o would have had

trouble otherwise in proving your identity and-

that of my dear Helen. Now there is no obstruc—
tion to your obtaining possession of the Mel-
ville estate, of which you are the~ sole living
heirs.”

“ Is it a verra large estate, Mrs. Hudson?”
asked the doctor.

“ Yes. It is worth rhaps halt a million."

“ Then I dinna won or at his fight for’t. But
I canna see yet why the men over drew up and
kept that paper.”

“ Because there were other heirs,” she replied.
“ Doubtless his first object was to get Helen and
Ernest completely under his influence so as to
control their share of the pro rty. To do this
he must have proof of their dentity. That is
why this paper was pre cred. But when he
changed his plan and on by one murdered all
his competitors then it was to his interest to de—
stroy the paper. Fortunately he did not succeed
in doing so.” i .

“ I see, I see,” answered the docto . “ Awell-
laid scheme, a verra well-laid scheme. It’s guid
luck that it failed.”

The reader must not be surprised that Ernest
and Helen took no part in this conversation.
They were too much wrapped up in each other
to have eyes or cars for anything else, and a con-
versation in a low murmur was proceedln be-
tween them while the two older members o the
party were an aged in the above colloquy.

'Thrce meat 5 afterward Helen ha a aln
changed her name. She had now become elen
Hudson, the happy wife of Ernest Hudson, who,
on his slrlc, would not have exchanged his bride
for an angel from the skies. _

They had not chosen to reside on the MelVillo
estate, which was now legally theirs, but were
living in a beautiful mansion in the city, In com-

pany with the long sorrowful but now happy

mother of Ernest, while Dr. Hopewell was ’a
frequent and always welcome water to their
delightful home. _\.~- _

And sowe must leavethem, their kids aim ,
accom lished their happiness
hand or; Time: which throws womwOodiand gall
in the life paths of so many, scattering only
rosesintheils. . y 

. rm: END.

 

natured and their M

..-, L.-.-

x
A mm. .

 

 

f
V 1/; oo'ravo menu.

 

 

/9E.ADL

POCKET LIBRARY.

 

 

 

 

l‘Deodwood Dick, tho PHI!“ of the Road. By
Edvard L. Whevlur.
D Kano“. Klng; or, Tho Rod Riflt Hard. By
Bull'an 'l.
8 The Flying Yankee: or, Tho Ocean Outcast. By
Col. Proumn lnzmhnm.
4 The Double Draggera. By Edward L. Wheolor.
is The Two Detective: nr. Tho Fortnnu of -
Bowery Glrl. Hv Albert . Allan.
G The Prairie Pilot; or, The Phantom Spy. By
Bud-lo lillL
T The ltulfnlo Demon; or, The Border Vnitnru.
By Edward L. Whaler.
8 Anmlo o Abe, tho Boy Guido. By Oli Coomn.
9 Ned Jvlde. the Boy Scout. By “Tam Ink"
(J. B. ()nmhundra).
1.0 Bululo "an. Prince of thePl-ml. ByE.L.Whoelar.
11 Ralph Iluy. the Buy ilucconeer. liy Col. lngrnhnm.
18 Nick 0' the Night; or, Tho Boy Spy oi "Io. By '1‘.
(f. Harhangh.
18 Yellowrtone luck; or. Tripper: oftho Enchanted
Ground. By Jmu‘pll in. Badger, Jr.
14 \Vlldlvun the [by (Ilaude Dural. By E. L.Wheolgr.
15 Diamond hm. Mn... Myllery or m. Yollow-
alone. By Culnnu l'rentlu inzrnhnm.
10 Keen-Knife, l’rlura of tho Pnl
l7 Ore on Holy or. Nlck Whinin'a
J.  C. dllna
18 Death-Face. the Deuctlu. By E. L. Whoolor.
l9 hue Jock the Young Multang-r. B 011 Coomu.
20 flooring niph Boekwood. o Rocklou
n er. Bv ilnrry St. Geom.
H The oy (flown; or, The Queen of the Arum. By
Frank S. Flnn. ‘
$9 The Phantom Mlnew or, Deadwood Dick’-
Bonnnn. By Edwnni L. hoolor,
28 The Sen-(7M; W, Th. witch of Damn. By Clpt.
Froderlclr Whitlnlrer.
94 The Dumb Buy. By 011 Comnu.
D5 Ronni-i linbeg or Tho leht Hawk- ol Kal-
y . t. (500

By Oll Coomoa.
y Spy. By Capt.

  

Inch . linrry mo.
86 oadhfilyulnnuhe, l'u Grub Annihilator. By Ed. L.
‘G 'P.
If 01. 3.15 e, tho Grout Shut of the Wed. By Copt. J.
F. C. A am-

l8 The Boy Coral-r anna Photo'- Daughlor. By
Rm er Starhuc .

I9 Dlo Darllnf. the Pony Exprou Ridor. By Capt-In

trad-rick Wh Nikon

'0 Bob “'oolf. tha iiovder Bullion. By E. L. wheolvr.

Cl Nyhtl sole Nut; or, Tho Fault Capt-loo. By

. C. lnrbauuh.

‘9 Blank John. the Road A "II. B J. E. Bad r_ .h-_
3 nun-ho 0]], the Muhd ' error. E. L. W «In.
4 ll rt Bunker. the Tun-Her. By ( aorge E. Luann.

'6 T e‘Bloy lliilea‘ or, a Undcrgronnd Comp. By

A. (.. roan.
86 The White B JYnlo. A Tale olStrun a Adven—
ture. in the Northwo-l. By Gonna ll. Lm lo.
/ If llwllgllillndnoe, Jr., the Boy Phanix. By Edwardl.
oe

QI’.
88 )led ll-ael.thn Beyj'l‘mpper. By Cnpl. J. F.C.Adnmn.
39 “end! E o. tho nlumwn Scout. By Bufl'nln Bill.
0 Nick “I l I’I Pen onln tho Valloy orDenth.
By Cayt. .I. F. C. Adunl.
41 Deadwood Diok’o
Flood liar. By Edward L. .
A9 Trhe Border King; or.1‘l:o Scent Foe. By on
.oflnlfil.
48 Old (Hickory; 0r, Pandy Eilil’e Scalp. By Harry
St. iwrxe.
44 The White. Indiony or, 'i'ho Scandal thoYollow-
Ikme. lly Ca l. J. C. Adamn.
45 Buckhorn III; or, The Red run. Tum. By
Edward L. Wheeler.
46 The Bimde llhim‘ or. The Bin! Honk-um.
By Col. Pfeuthu lnxraharn.
I? The Red Brotherhood; or. Th. Tn)"
Arum-n. By W. J. Hlmllton.
‘3 find, Junk; or The Outlaw cl tho Once. Tun.
By T. C. Huh-nu .
, 49 I‘m-flung Bill; «ammonia: mam-“an,”
- y 0.0% E. mer.
'u'ilagle goiter-A w”- th- By W. J.
Barnum.

 

lea; or, Tho Yard: of
hooler

 

 

 

ghuabwwanumamawnawhnuuahhmmammmmwwwuwhmmbmué‘fi

51 P-tent-lcnthcr Joe: or, Old Rattle-hallo, tho
Ulmrumr. By Philip S. Wanna.

62 The Border- Rubin Hood; or.'i'lu Pnlrhs Rover.

ll ' Bnii'ulo ill”.

‘3 Gold June, the Sharp-boom; or, The Boy mum"
M the lllutk llilln. By Edward L. “'haolor.

54 old 2191: (‘nblng or. A Grelnlmru In the “'oodl.
By (3.1.1.; F. c. Adamo.

55 Bt-lnn'ure Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. By 011
Cnnrnen.

56 Mud Torn “'efltern, the Toxan Ranger. By W.
J. llmniltnn.

57 Dendwuod Dir-k on Deck; ar Calamity June.
the llrrmne of Whoop-U n. By E. . Wheeler.

53 Illinheye Harry, the h'oung Tapper lhngur. By

"tunes.

59 The Boy Duelist: or, Tho Cruise of tho Sea Wolf.
By (‘0). ’mlrtinu lngrnlmm.

60 Abe volt. the Crvmuiiller. m Albert w. Min.

61 Cordu‘roy Charlie, the Boy {Inn-o. lly Edwu-d 1..

co er.

62 “’lll b‘umera. the Bny Detecllve. By Chu. Morris.

‘38 Hill (Hum-r, tlu- Gian Trnpm-v. By A. W. Aiken.

64 Ron-bud ltolo; nr. Mg at Null, the Knlght of the

65 ‘julfih. In; §d\\'nrdhL.TWheeler.

in n m- t e nrroroltlw Prulrlr. B‘C -

ufiu J. 1.1%. Adu’mu. ) “P

66 ii“ ill-retool, the “'ood-ilnwk. By T. c. m:-

III I.

6? Hal 0, the Boy Ranger; or, The Helreal of the Golden
Hurn. By Oll Unolnel. -

68 Idyl. n..- Girl Miner; or, Rmbud Rob on Hand. By
Edward L. Vt'llrcler.

69 Drteqtive Dick ; 2r, The Here in Raga. By Charla:

orru.

70 Run- Bhot Fella, the Bolefiemu. By on Conan".

71 Slant Nam; or, The Advenlurea olnl-‘rlundlun Boy.
ny . Mu..qu l’atlm.

fll The Lion ol'the Soul or. The Villcd Lady of Sun
Tropel. By Alln-rt W. Alla-n.

78 Photograph l’hli,the Bu) Sleuth; or, Rowland Rob]
Rcoyrpenrnnco. By E. L. “'heeler.

74 Pic- une Pew; or, Nicodumu, tho Dog Datum".
iir hurries Murr I.

75 lalund Jim; or. The Pet afthe Fauully. fly Brno-
hridge ryng (Jig: Hnriuwmy).

18 “'uicll ' . ndow: or, Arahl and Angola of a
Great (. l). By Ed“ ard L. “'heeler.

7? Dick Dead ltyc. the Boy Smuggl-r. By Col. P
lnzrnharn.

18 Deadwood Dlr’k’a llevioe: ur. The Sign of tho
Double (tron. it ~ Ed. 1.. “'heele

79 The Black M
Huntera. By Mnyno Hold.

80 Old Front. ', lhe hide; or, Mokann. tho Whih Quun
of the illnc met. By T. C.‘Hnrhnuxh.

81 Tile Fen Viper; nr. 'i'hs Mldahlpmnn'l Legacy. By
Cnl. i’rontlsn lngmhnm.

82 Seth Jone” or,’l’ho Captives of the Fronilor. By
Edward S. Ellin.

88 Canada Chet, the Counkrfelkr Chief. By Edvard

Whealul

L. .

84 The Dumb Page; or.The Dogo’. Bought". By

, Capt. Frederick Whittaker. '

85 The Boy Miner-a; or, The Enchanted Inland. By
Edward S. Ellla.

86 Junk llnrknwuy in New York. By Brou-
hrid e Ilemyng.

87 The III-unar- (‘aptulnr or, Tho Hermit at Hall
Gnu. By Col. l’rentin lngrnhnlu.

88 Deadwood Dick in Lendvllle or, A 8910;.
$9th (or Llln-rlv. By Edvard L. 'lwoier. ‘

89 Bill Biddon, Truppor; or, Lib in tho Narthwut.
By Edward S. Ellll.

90 Tlppy. the Texan: or,’l‘hu Young Champion. By
Gounzo Gleason.

qucd Every Wedneaday.
Boodle'a Pocket Library in for nlo by oil Nu".
dealorl, firo unto per copy, or lent by mail on neeipt of .1;

anti “ch.
BEADLE In “All. ‘I’ublhhed'o,

’8 wall-- amateur York.

 

  

f

    
 

l’.
ranger; or. The Wild Mom~

T.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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S

POCKET LLBRARY;

 

hwmmwmmmmmmmumenarena.o;m(Ida‘Ffijn‘u(afi'fi’ffi'ifrffi‘fii‘h'm’imwmmum

 

91 Mfimtun Sam, the Klng ol'the Plains. Isy Jus. E.

ndkar. . r.
02 The (Du-urn Bloodhound alr. "he Red PimLu of
Harte.

the Caribbean.
93 Phil Ilurdy lly Churlcs Morris.
94 Deadwood {Dink nu Dem ctlvt. Hy E. I..V\.'lweler.
95 Buch Buokrum; or, lieu. tha Funmlu 'l'rnm.
5

Her ( nun J. F. C. Adan
96 0:”? zed Blah, the Sport Detective. By E. L.

I (5 1'.
9? The Black Steed of the l’rnlrlen. By Jame-
). W11".
98 The Ben Serpent; or, The Boy Rnhimnn Crume.
By Jim" anln.
99 Bonanza “Ill. the MM! Trnrhpr. ByE. L. Wheclm,
100 Not. Todd“ ~fir, The Fain of the Sioux ('npllvo. lly

ward S. 1‘; ha.
101 Ismail": Dnvyg the Ynung llenr Killur.

1.. rnrflt.

102 The Yellow Chlel'. By Cnpl. Muyne Reid.

103 um”, um um 5pm. By Edward 1.. “’hreler

104 The "luck Schooncn Hy Rounr Sturlu k.

105 llund-ome llurry, the Boolblnck Dam-iii . By
(Thnrlm Morris.

100 nghtdl nwk K10; or, this Dnnzhior of the Ranch.
By Jim. E. llmlzv'r. Jr.

107 Junk [In 11:51 Lead; or, The Yonng Spccu nlnr.
By mm“. l.. Wheel...

10"! Roukfi Mountain Klt. By_’l‘. C. llnrhnngh.

10:! Thu ranch-d llund; or, Inn Mun of Mysiory.

Frank Dnnmnt.

110 T It: Drelul Iflder; 5r, Thu Texan Duelist. By
Glfinrgu \V. llrnwne.
111 "mm Bob, thc Klnznl‘lloothlm-kl. D E. L.Wheeler.
2 The Helplou “mud. lly Punt. .Inyne Reid.
1115 Henranoc Huul llmSilentllnMer. My OlltJnnnwa.
114 I’lnoy l’uul, tho hllmnniir. lln :nr, Thu Lillie
Armw oftln! Adlmndurks. By '1‘. 7. llnrhnngh.
115 Dendwond Dluk’n Donhle. By F. L. Whvoler.
111K Jnlmz Collin. Skl per; or, Lari. in the Pnlnr Reglnns.
lly Cnpl. F. Whilln rr.

117 Filllt'y Frank, ol‘Cnlumdo. fly “on. W. F. Cody.
“ lhIWnln Bill."

118 W Ill Wildfire, the 'l'lmrnnghhred. By Chas. hlorrin.

119 lllonde lllll‘z 0r, Deadwood chk‘n Home linsu.

. By Edward L. 'hmslier.

I20 Gopher um. lhelloy'l'rnumr. By'r. (Lllnv'hnnuh.

1131 llurry Arman-mu , lire npin'm nlem Club. By
lzr‘snehridge llnvnlemlzlnck llnrhnwny.)

122 The “fluted "nun-r. lly l-ldwnrrl S. Ellll.

133 Solid 31"“, the Boy Road-Aunt. lly E. L. “'hvelnr.

Lymgh. Jr.‘ or. Thu Boy Vigilante. By

125 The Land ’lrutel. 11y Cum. Mnynu Reld.

13“ Blue “lumen; or, The llrenli 0‘ Day Boys M Roth)-
Bur. “v Frank D mnnl.

127 Tony Fox [he orrel; er, [Sosa Bob”: ‘Bnu Job. By
Edward 1.. dune]...

128 Block )1 ml, Wlil Wildflre'a Racer. llv C. Morril.

129 Eagle. K t, the hay Damon. By Oil (homes.

18 Gold Trltlcn lhu Spnrl. fly 'I‘. C. llnrhnngh.

131 A (lane of Gold 3 ur, Dundwood Dick’s llig
Strike. Hv Edward l.. Wheel”.

182 Duh-t Lam-c, the My 5 art. llyJ. E. nnilgor, Jr.

1 8 Wlld- re. tha lion ol'lhc ond. nv ank nnmmn.

lly llnrry

184 .
185 Deadwood

1. “‘0 0".
136 "In! Rube, lhdlnnior. By (‘1: i. llmnilinn llnlnu-n.
187 Inhmdy Rock, the Man from ‘ 'uxnn. lly u. \andn
rowne.
188 Bob Rm‘kett, the Boy Dodgar. By Clms. M "in.
189 he Black Giant or, Dainty Lance In Jeopnrdy.
Jone h E. Badger, . in
Arizona, lhe Klng Pln of RandvAgclm.
y 'hlli S. Vi'nme.
141 New ork Nell, tho Boydlirl Detective. By
Edward l.. Wheeler. “
14“ Little Texufilhe Younzllluunnger. By Oll Coomeu.
148 Dendl Dash: OY,Y'lylhl.llIg Fir. with Fire. By
JoanE. «dunk.
144 Little Grit, "in Wild Rid"; or, Bush, the Stock
endor'u Dnngnu-r. By Col. Prenliu lngmhnm.
If; he Titer oanou. By Gnu. Waldo Browne.
1 The Ont.th King. By Frmk Damon.

lek of Deadwood.

 

\er Merry lbellnrbor mm l’my. llyC. Mavis. ‘
I“ 5y lilmud ‘

147 Nobby N lol.‘ of Nevada. liy Ellwnrvl L. Wheeler.

148 Thunderbolt. Tom. lly Hurry Si. (-‘zlli'go.

1-19 Rod) lhwkol.t., the Bank Runner; nr, The Rand to
“Inn. By Charles Morris.

150 '1:th Mad Mlner; (mnmuly Rock's Doom. By

in "111 “red” "W‘ani n 1

D It: '01 ‘ru or. 3' (‘nl. ’rnntiss in ralmm.

152 llululy Durhr' :r,’l‘he 'l‘iuursol’lllgh glue. lly
\"illinlu ll.

151i “'lldI Frn

'l

int. rr.

16-1: The Roy Trullern' or, Dainty Lance on the
whim”. By Jnx. . mum, Jr.

1525 1:011! l’lumo, the my Humiit; or,Tha Kid-Glove
 vorl. n. ('..|. l’rwnli» inmlmm.

\ 'lll “'Ildllri- In 1.1m “'rmdn. By C. Morris.

Nod 'I'L-nlnlo, llm nnler Buv lly 'l'. C. Hnrhnngh.

Deadwood DIOL’A Doom. By 1'). L. Wine-tier.

Patent-Leuther .loe'n Dcl‘cnt. By Philip. S.

\ :Iyni‘.

Hull'an Billy, lhc Boy Bullwhncker. ByCol. P.
lnumhmn. “

"all Rook-01.1., the Cruvkunnn. lly C. Morris.
Llltll: llun‘Ivnnc, the Buy Cnplnln. By Oil

Mrr.
In', this Butlinkin Brnvo. Dy Edwnrd L.

15!)
160

16
162
l‘nmm'i.
163 Ilcndn'ood Dlok’n Drcnml or, The Rivnln of
lh llnrnl. 15v Flwnrrl L Wheeler.
16-1 ’1‘! "do ’l‘mn; or, lnjnn Jack from Red Care.
liy l. V. llnrlmngh.
165 1;Il1flll([l11ll’fl Bel. By (Ml. l'ri-niiss lnzrnlmm.
1615 “’lll \\ lldllre \l. inn and Lunch. By Ohm-lea
. "VHS.
16‘? Dandy Rook‘u l'lmllru. By Grvrge W. Browne.
108 Dcrulwuod Dlek’n “'nrd; or, The Blnck Hills
itulml. 1h Eduard l1. “dweller.
161) Tim “03‘ Cllmnplon; or. DUN)! Herman of the
Mluhingnm. By Edward Winm.
1’30 I‘lloh. Bockcu‘n Fight. for Life. By Charla
l orna.
171 Frank Marlon, the 130" Herculu. 11y OllCoomeI.
172 The Yunuce Ranger. By Edwin Rim-non.
173 Dk-k DIME”. Scout; or, The antlcr Angvl. By
Edward F. Elli».
74 Dnndy Rock’s Selleme. By G. W. Brnwno.
7 The Arnh Di Icellve. l$_\ Edward L. Win-rlirr.
1 “’III “'llrlllrc’n Pluck. By (‘hnrlen Mona.
2' The lloy (‘mnnmmlL-r. ByFnlJ'rvntIxslngmlmm.
’4‘ 'l‘hr- Munluu llnnher. By Burmn snxu.
1'9 Dulnly Lum-c: m, The Mystic \‘nrksnmn. By
Jim. E Hall 'er, Jr.
KO The Boy ‘old-llunh-r. By T. C. Hurhungh.
131 The Emmi-trau- Son. By Charles MON“.
182 The. Dark - Skinned Scout. By Licul. Col~
Humiiine.
133 .1111»); Dart, Dutecllve. fly on Comma.
1 X4 Fmflllor\velgln., the Buy Spy. By Edward “'lllen-
185 Iliuon Bill. the Overland Prince. 13y Col. annuu
lnurnhnm.
186 Dulnty Lnnve and Ill! Pnrd. By Joseph E.
Bmlgvr, Jr.
187 The Trapped Tiger Klng. By Charles Norm.
{wiy August. in.
158 The Vcnirlloquln Detectlve. By Edward L.
“'IIu-lur. Ready lingual 1’1.
189 Old Rocky’n Boys; hr. Feniln, the Young Mul-
lnng- llvenkt-r. fly Mtj. Sum. S. Hull.
Rmdy Anuiul Q4. '
190 Elm filmpklnn, Scout. By James L. Bowen.
Rendy August. 151.
191 Dundy Rock's Blvul. By G60. Wnldo Browne.
Randy Sepmnbur ‘l.
Ill!!ch Every Wednesday.
Beadle’p Pocket Library 1! for “in by gnu"...
dealers, five cenu per copy, or lent by mail on rmlpl of .1:
can“ each.

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DEADLY} J: ADAMS. Pnbflsheru,‘ ‘
98 Wllllinn Street, New York.