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PERSON “IAN RALPH READY,

 

 

  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  

 

 
 
 

The Hotel Buy Detective;

The Grand Central Robbery.
BY CHAR—LES. MORRIS,

' AUTHOR or “ DICK DASHAWAY," “ DETECTIVE

4

‘ in this establishment.

. topsy-turvy prairie-dog town as this.

max," “ WILL WILDrmE," arm, arc.

CHAPTER I.
NEW Guns-rs AT THE GRAND CENTRAL.
“ HEY there Mike! where are you going with

 

that trunk? ’You are taking it to the wrong

in.

“ Sure an’ the number was 294,” sturdin on-
swered t 0 Irish porter. “Is it meself as ivsr
made a mistake? Ye’ll be after tellin’ me next
that I’m not up to my business.”

“ If blundering is your business you are up to

' it, that’s sure,” answered the first speaker. “ I‘ll

bet a pony you’ve got the trunks mixed, and l’m
going to see.”

" Faix. and it's little I care,” was the stoiid
reply. “ Mike O’Flaberty carried trunks afore
ye was born, and he's a bit too old to he l’arnt

is trade by a boy.”

The porter walked on with the heavy trunk,
without further heed tothe comments of his
youthful questioner.

“ If anybody can get more blunders into a

uare five minutes, I’d like to see him, that’s
a ," declared the latter.- “ There’ll be fun yet
about those trunks, if I don’t get the thing
straightened.” ,

The speaker was a well-built, good-leoking
youth of some eighteen or nineteen years of a e.

be hair fell in dark clusters over his brow, is

[eyes were black and keen, his mouth firm yet

marked bv lines of humor. He was evidently
well calculated to make his way in the world.
The place in which he stood was a corridor of
the Grand Central Hotel—a huge pile of brick
and stone. with rooms enough to accommodate

- L [regiment

The youth bad a somewhat undefined position
He was a sort of aide-de-
ounp to the hotel clerk, and was expected to
keep a general sharp eye on the comings and

i - goings inside the extensive caravansary. He

was not exactly a private detective, though his
duties tended in that direction. ,

fie sharply turned and made his way todnrd
the stairs, determined to straighten up this
‘matter of the trunks, which he was sure Mike
had got mixed.

Before reaching this location, however, he
won accosted by on old gentleman, who was
wandering distractedly through the corridor.

This - ersonage was dressed in a dusty brown
lull: of ancient pattern, and wore a wide-
hrilnmed slouch hat driven down owr his eyes.
He was waving his arms with energetic ges-
tures. /

“Bless my eyes!” he exclaimed, “but i’d
sooner he cut adrift in a wildcat jungle, and
left to scratch my way out, than in -such a
Can you
get me the loan of a hatchet, boy i"

 

The Hotel Boy Detective.

“ What do you want with a hatchet?"

“ To blame my way out of this rat-hole. Here

1 left my room five minutes ago, and I might

as well hunt a jack-rabbit in a ton-mile

praii ie as try to find it again. I’ve walked up

and down stairs and tunnels enough to make a

good coal-mine, till my legs feel as if they were

tied in a bow-knot. See here, young man,

what’s to become of the guests if a fire was to
at started in this concern?"

“ That’s all provided for," answered the youth

ravely. “ There are stairs and elevators and
rerescapes.”
“Very neat! But what good is that to a

chap in the seventeenth story, within half a
mile of Heaven, I’d like to know? It would be
easier hero to step onto the clouds than to the
solid ground. And as for your stairs, they can
beat Bannagor at twisting around, and landing
nowhere.”

“ There’s a balloon-corps attached to the
upper floors," replied the sedate youth, without
movin a muscle of his countenance. “ Every-
thing is fixed. If a fire was to break out down
below the news would be telegraphed up here
without delay. Then We’ve Lnly got to step
out of a window into a balloon, cut loose, and
fl int away. The proprietors of this hotel look
out for the safety of their guests. sir."

“ So it seems. So it seems. How much, now,
do they pay you a week for lying?”

This question was asked in such a peculiar
tone that the youth felt disconcerted tor a mo-
ment. He then burst out into a laugh.

“Excuse me, judge. What did you say was
the number of your room?"

“ How do you know I’m a judge?" and the
old fellow turned his harsh face on the boy with
a suspicious look.

“ I saw you register.” answered the youth.
“ Judge Bluebottle, of Duluth. That‘s why you
were put up here. We keep the upper floors for
distinguished people.” .

The judge looked more suspicious than ever.

“ Distinguished people ought to feel highly
flattered.” he growled. “That’s not the way
we do things in Duluth. See here, little one,
can you pilot this cnmvnn to 294? That’s the
settlement I’m bound for. if I don’t leave my
bones on the'emigrant trail before I get there.”

“Certainly.” answered the youth. “ Come

tléies”way. We’ll be there in a fraction of a min-
u . . ‘
“And just look after my trunk. will you?
Here I‘ve been an hour. and not a show of it
yet. Confound the buggage—smashorsl That’s
what brought me from my room. k it up,
young man, and I’ll be in your debt for a quar-
ter. Solid leather. iron corners, name in big
letters. Can‘t miss it if you shut your eyes.”

“ Room 294, did you say?” .

” That’s about the heft of the figures.”

_ :Yo’u'll find the trunk there. This way,
ya go.

He led the way down the long corridor, re-
memberinghis late encounter With Mike. and
enjoying in prospect a possible blunder, by
which the irate judge would flat the wron
trunk. There might be an opening fora nea
bit of sport out of this adult. 4

A short distance down the, broad pangs. and,

 

 

«2-3.5;aaj‘sgi “I

The Hotel Boy Detective.

   

 

a turn into another that ran at right-angles to
it, soon brought them to their destination. The
conductor threw open the door of the room, be-
fore which he had stopped.

“Here it is, sir. Follow up the numbers on
the doors and you can easily find it. And there
sits the trunk. Is there anything more you
would like to have?”

The judge rested his broad shoulders against
the doorway and bent his small, wrinkled eyes
upon the speaker.

“ Why the blazes couldn’t I pick it out my-
self?" he growled. “ I believe I counted figures
up to 2,000, or thereaway. Couldn’t find any of
these small numbers. See here. young gentle-
man, what might be your name i”

“ Ralph Ready, sir. ”

“Then just hear in mind, Ralph, that I owe
you a quarter. Call at my ofllce the first time
you come to Duluth and bringa receipt with you.
And, see here, when the dinner~be|l rings fetch
round one of those balloons to my room.”

He turned into the room and closed the door
with a clung. The sound of the turning key
was heard, followed by a rasping laugh.

“ Very good. Judge Bluebottle,” said Ralph
to himself. “ But he laughs host who laughs
last. If Mike has mixed those trunks l’ll owe
him a quarter, and without bringing him out to
Duluth for it.”

‘He walked-away, not very favorably impressed
with this specimen of a \Vestern 'udge.

Stepping into the elevator, he ended in a few
minutes on the marble-paved floor of the main
hall of the hotel. It was a large, rofusely-
adorned room of grand dimensions. Zens of

ople stood about it, or walked briskly across
its sounding floor. The sounds of busy chat and
laughter filled the room.

On the right side was the clerk’s desk, with its
semi—circular front and its large register, in
which a group of new-come guests were record-
in their names.

ithin the inclosure stood the handsome clerk,
with his smoothly-combed hair and well waxed
mustache, and with an air as if this was only
one of the smallest of hozels he owned.

This im rtant gentleman got his eye on
Ralph, an beckoned him over to the desk.

“ Come inside,” he said, with an air of secrecy,
“ and wait a minute."

Ralph entered the inclosure and seated him-
self to wait until the clerk was through with
re istering the guests.

8 he sat waiting, his eyes listlesst examined
these persons. From them he fell to observing
two others, who‘ had just entered, and stood
aside With something of a hesitating air.

These. were a young gentleman and lady,
dressed in traveling costume, and dusty enough
to have come from a considerable distance.
They were both quite young, and the lady was
very pretty. She had thrown back her veil,
and rested her hand on her companion‘s arm,
looking up into his face with a loving trust that
particularly took Ralph’s eyes.

The gentleman seemed very ill at case. He
gazed around him with a nervous distraction of
manner. Looking at the lady’s face, he ave a
start, and bent to whisper in her ear. 8 9 im—

mediately dropped her veil.

 

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
   
  
  
 
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
   
   
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

“ Here’s a story,” Ralph thought. “Green
and loving. That's part of it. And runaways;
that’s another part. 1‘“ bet high there’s a rug-
ing father trucking these innocents. and ready
to cowhide the boy, and lock up the girl in the
garret. I’ve read it all before."

In a minute or two more this couple had
registered, and were on their way to the clone
tor. under the «'are of a waiter.

The young man set-med relieved, and hurried
his lady companion from the desk, as if anxious
It)? escape from observation as quickly as possi-

e.

“ I’m going to follow that up," Ralph decid-
ed. “Shouldn’t Wonder if there was some fun
back of it. This green love is always rich.”

He rose and read the names and room number
just registered.

The clerk touched him on the shoulder, and
led buck out of hearing of the guests.

“ I have something for you, Ralph," he said, '
in a mysterior s tone. .“ I have just had a warn- ‘
ing from the Police Department h be on the
lookout for some Western thieves, who are sup-
posed to be traveling this way. There’s been '
some big job done out at Illinois, and the ras-
cals have got off with the plunder."

Ralph sat silent, taking in this interesting in» ‘
formation. ,

“ I may be mistaken,” continued the clerk,
still more mysteriously. “but from the de«
scription I have a fancy that one of them is
here now. It is hardly safe to warn the police
about a man who may prove a high-toned gen-
tleman. The Grand Central has its reputation
to sustain, and We must make no mistake, on
either side. You are a sharp fellow, Ralph.
We’ll have to put you on the watch. Make
you our private detective. Do you think you
can manage the job?”

“ I can try," answered Ralph. “ What is his
number?” . ‘

“ Here it is on the register. The follow swings, ,
a big girls, and we‘ll have to feel our way gim .

er . ~ \
3 Hz led the way to the book, and laid his fine
ger on a line. To his surprise Ralph read the
name of “Judge Bluebottle, Duluth, Minnesota,
Room 294." ,

“ I hava seen him alre'idy,” exclaimed the
amateur detective. ” Had a chat with him not
ten minutes ago. He was roaming around the
fourth floor, growling at being ut too near
heaven, and swearing that he ad lost his
room." ‘

“ Aha!” cried the clerk. “ That looks sus-

icious. Likely enough he may have been look-
ing up the chances for plunder. How did his .
behavior strike you?” _

“ I thought he was a raging old idiot, who
wasn‘t safe to run loose," rejoined Ralph.

“ More and more suspicious,” replied the
clerk. “ Depend on it, that’s all put on. Watch
him like a hawk boy. If there’s anything . '

uestionable We’ll bring the police down on our‘
' estern gentleman." '

“ Did you notice this couple?” asked awn, ' -
laying his fingers on the last names register . .

‘ Yes,” laughed the clerk. “ A pair of love-
blinded youn ninnies. The youth hangs on to'
the lady asif a had found adiamond. Oouldn’

I

The Hotel Boy 'Detective.

 

trust her in the ladies’ room long enough to
register.”

“ It‘s a l'unawa , I’ll bet high on that,” de-

‘ clared Ralph. “ &e if the indignant parent
isn't here after them before two days.”

The clerk laughed, and turned to the desk, be-
fore which another guest had now appeared.

This was a middle-aged gentleman, whose
manner at once attracted Ralph’s attention.

He was wrapped in a coarse-grained over-
coat, whose collar stood upright about his ears.
He had a full, red face, though it was half con-
cealed by his pull-down hat, long hair, and
bushy beard.

He looked in tently at the register before sign-
ing. The last two names particularly appeared
to take his attention. He purse‘l up his lips as
he seemed examining the handwriting.

“ Roger Sherman and lady.” he muttered.
“ How long have these persons been here?”

“ About ten minutes,” answered the clerk.
“ Do on want a room?”

. " es. Yes, of course.” This ‘Was hastily
given, as if it worse new idea to him.

“ Then write your name and address.”

He did so in a scrawling, scrambling fashion.

“ John H. Benson, Chicago,” read the clerk
after he had dismissed this new guest in charge
of a waiter. “ A queer customer that. What

' do you think of him, Ralph ?”

‘ Don’t you twig?” asked Ralph. “ That is

the indi nant parent. Sure as you livel Look
- out for an in the Grand Central soon.”

The clerk laughed, and turned to greet some

mew-comers. '

CHAPTER II.
MIKE O’FLAHERTY’S MISTAKE.
But——but

WHAT CAME or

“ WILL you please excuse me, sir?
do you belong to the hotel?”

'It was a very soft and bashful voice that thus
addressed Ralph as he was making his way
i . through an upper corridor of the hotel. He

turned to see who had spoken. There before
him stood the pretty young lady With her shy-
faceiglmy'icmng husband, whom he had lately seen
r , ng.
_ It is somehow that way.” answered Ralph.
“ I’m very sure the hotel don’t belong to me; so
I guess I must belong to it.”

’We are complete strangers here,” answered
the lady. “ Me and my—and my husband. We
haven't been married long.” She blushed, while
the young husband drew back with an abashed

air.‘
« “Don’t I know it?” replied Ralph. “Why

- . bless you, Mrs. Sherman. we have young~ mar-

} ' ried couples every day. Keep a regular line of
33:1; kind of goods. Can’t fool us old hotel
5.
/ “ Is that really so? I declare I felt so strange.
., We are not. use to traveling, you know, and it
'all seemed so queer. How ever did, you know
my name?”
“It is on the register, Eliza,” said the hue
.band, overcoming his shYness. “Excuse me,
sir. I ‘But—do you know if our trunks have
come?”
“The! W!“ be sent upto your room as soon
“they arrive,” rejoined Ralph suppressiuga
smile at the verdant greeniieea-ot7 the pair.

“ And—and can you show us the way to the
dining-room?”

“ We have been traveling a long distance,”
replied the young wife. “and are very hungry.”

‘ Certainly," replied Ralph. “I see how it
is. But you won’t mind if Igivo you a little bit
of advice?” '
‘ There was a significant twinkle in his eyes as

he spo (e.

“ We shall he too grateful,” answered Mrs.
Sherman, while her husband preserved a modest
silence. “Of course we are not used to the
ways of the world. And with your large expe-
ricncc—”

Ralph looked up quickly. Was the soft-
voiccil young lady poking fun at him? No, she
looked as. innocent as a child, and evidently re—
garded him us a very Methusaleh.

“I ain’t very old myself,” he answered, “but
I can see through a knot-hole. Excuse me, but
—lie’s over there—after you, like a cow after a
turnip.”

Ho twirled his finger over his shoulder, while
his right eye gave a significant wink.

“Who is Over there?" cried both in surprise,
and with a show of alarm. ‘

“Oh, you knowl Now, see here, young folks,
you don’t fool me in this little game. It’s a.
runaway match. There’s no use saying it isn’t.
And your hateful parents are ready to chaw up
the pair of you. Now you just might as well
own up the corn.” ‘

“ Oh, no, no! You are ever so much mis«
takciii Indeed you are!"

The young Wife drew back in evident alarm.
Elie unflcdged husband half hid himself behind

er.

“ You can’t shut u this chicken’s eye. There’s
no use trying it on,’ continued Ral h, with a
look of mature Wisdom. “ He’s a ter you, I
5a He’s over there.”

“ He? Who can you mean? It cannot 139—”

“ I’d just advise you to take your meals in
your room, that’s all. if you don’t want to run
foul of an indignant parent. Have you ever
hezird of Mr. Benson, of Chicago?”

“Oiil” A cry of alarm come from the lady.
“ 0h, Roger, just think of our terrible danger!”
She caught her young husband by the shoulders
and pushed him hastily toward their room.
“ Mercvl Only to think of itl 0h, sir. won’t

on see that our meals are served in our room?

e dare not go to the public table."

" I knew it,” cried Ralph, delighted at his own
shrewdness. “ Your father is after you hot-foot,
my dear lady. He is in this house. 'And you’ve
got ,to keep close as mice, or it’s all up with
you.

“ Won’t you help us?” pleaded the young wife,
with her most appealing manner. “ We are so
inexperienced in the ways of the world. If you
will only shelter us, and keep him from us! I
will be eternally grateful.”

“ Certainly, certainly,” answered Ralph, de‘
lighted to immune the sharerof aromance. ‘ But
you are not quite as green as you let on. See
horn, voung man. Do you calculate I didn't see
through your little game? You didn’t sign your
right name on the re star.” - _

The young husban started back, and held up
. both hands in deprecation. ‘ ‘

 

 

The Hotel Boy Detective.

 

, “Oh, sir, I declare," he protested. “ But——
but you are really mistaken! How could I
ever-—"

“ Drop all that,” interrupted Ralph, with a sly
smile. " But, don’t you mind. i am on your
rude. I won’t sell you. I don’t like the looks of
this raging parient, and I am going to back you
up s uare against him.”

“ h, how can we ever repay you?”

The blushing young Wife caught his hand, and
kissed it fervently.

“ I won’t forget you, sir.” said Mr. Sherman,
in his retiring manner. “ If you ever come out
West—”

“ Oh, that‘s all right,” answered Ralph, mod-
estiy. “ It’s a square game. Somehow, I like
you. Just you kee close. I’ll see that your
supper is sent up. 9 are three Confederates,
mind you. Now shut 1Viourself up tight, and
look out sharp tor John . Benson, of Chicago.
I am going to set that individual on tho wrong
track.”

Ralph laughed guyly as he proceeded on his
way, while the alarmed young couple quickly
closed and locked their door, as if in a state of
great terror.

“ Lawsee! but ain’t they a air of prime tur-
tle-doves?" he ejaculated. “ ust out of the egg.
Haven’t got their feathers yet. Green—oh, green
isn’t an word for it. They’re just sky blue.
There’s an in the wind, and I'm going in for my
share of it.”

He went on laughing immoderateiy.

He had not one very far, howocer, before
there came a iversion to the current or his

thoughts. The door of a room before him open-
ed, and a stout individual hustled out, swearing
and stamping as if half-wild with rage.
“By 81 the blasted blunderbusses of Break-
neck Valley, if I don’t utterly smash the internal
idiot that done this, then sell me out for a cater-
wanling old tom-cat, and be done with it! If
there was ever a sublimer jackass I’d like some-
body to haul him up here till I kick some sense
into his stupid hide!” ‘
Ralph looked up, and burst into an involun~
tug roar of laughter.
a had somepifllculty in recognizing the indi-
vidual before him. It was Judge Bluehottle. but
it was the honorable judge in an extraordinary
disguise.
e seemed to have been transformed into a
queer sort of dude. He wore a pair of checkered
pantaloons, of very loud pattern, and so very
ight, that it looked as if he must have been
melted and poured into them. His coat skirts
came Just below his waist, the sleeves were two
inches too shert, and it would have taken a. ten-
horse engine to button the flaps in front. On
his head wasp. silk hat‘ vary tall. and very slim.
It sat on his crown ike a thimble onagnte-

0st, while his hair stood Wildly out all around
ts brim. Altogether he seemed to have got
himself up as a comical character for a fancy-
dress ball. .

He caught sight of Ralph and rushed angrily
toward him.

“ Jest look here i” he shouted furiously. “ Look

' at me. and then go sell your blasted old hotel.
Ain’t I a spectncle, now? Don’t you dare, on
:your life, to any I ain’t a. spectacle i"

 

“I think you might almost ass for a pair 0! -
spectacles,” acknowledged Ra ph, with renewed -
laughter.

“ Don’t you laugh at me you snipe! Choke '
that down instanter, or l'il burst your knowl-
edge—box! I’m not here to he laughed at. I’m

Judge Bluebottle, of Duluth, I’d have you know. ,.

Look at me.
dinner rig?”

He tni‘ned round on his heel, to give Ralph a
chance to inspect him. '

" What do you think of that now?"

“ If I were you I would discharge my tailor," :
answered Ralph.

“ My tailor? Why, hang your stupidity, do

Isn’t this a sweet specimen of 9.

Ron suppose them clothes were made for me? , ‘ ‘

here’s my trunk? That is what I demand to
know. I demand it, sir, and I’ll make things
lively for this hotel it it don’t turn up., There a
my name on it. Bluebottle. In letters as bi
as a. cow’s horn. And what do you bring me

What but the trunk of some confounded dudei “

And this is all the change of rig I have for ‘
dinner.’

He turned round on his heel again, holdin
out the scanty skirts of the cent, while aloo ”
of supreme scorn filled his important counts-V
mince.

“Inspect it, sir! Investigate it! And then,
go sell your moldy hotel to somebody who
knows how to run it. Don’t I look like a re-
spectable father of a family now? Wouldn’t I
cut‘a sweet figure on the judge’s bench!" ‘

Ralph had hard work to repress his laughter -

and put on a look of proper compassion for the v 

irate judge. Ere he could answer the last
question there came another sudden diversion.

The door of a room further up the passage
burst open as suddenly as the judge’s had done,
and another strange figure burst out into the
corridor. - ‘ \

It was the red, wrinkled face of Mr. Benson, ‘
of Chicago. but his costume was even more sur- ‘
prising than that of ludge Bluebottle. He had .
got his arms into something not unlike a gentle- ‘
man’s sack-coat in shape, but with a suspicious
red bow at the throat. and as thickly covered
with pearl buttons as if they had been 5 rinkled .
over it from a pepper box. Beneath t is coat;
which was five sizes too small for his portly
figure, he were something white. whic was
significantly frilled and ruffled. On his head,
was a queer-shaped straw hat, with a bunch ~01 ‘
blackberries on one side and a sunflower on the
other.

“ Lord bless you!” he ejaculated.
that! ,There’s a get-up for a gentleman and a
Christiani Where’s my trunk. will anybody
tell me that! Yop sent me a trunk. O , yes,
ynu kindly sent me a trunk. And that’s the
sort of drygoods I found in it)” — ~- r

Ralph could contain himself no longer. He
laughed more uproariously than he had at the
irate judge, at this second apparition. Even ,
the disgusted Bluehottle could not help oining - __
in with a broad grin at his companion n misov
fortune. ,

“ Y ou'll laugh, will you i” roared Mr. Benson.
“Bless your eyes, it I’d put on all the user
rigging there'was m that trunk you might ave‘
seen a figure worth laughing at! But P1118th -'

 

“Look at  j

  
 

The Hotel Boy Detective.

\

 

   
  
   
   
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
    
    
   
   
   
   
    
     
    
    
     
     
    
    
     
     
   

to make this hotel sweat. They’ve confiscated
my trunk, and I won’t stand it. ’

‘ Oh, that will be all right," assumed Ralph.
“So many trunks coming, on know. They
can’t help getting mixed. Ve’ll have them
, strai rhtened out in two or three days.”

“ we or three days! Am 1 to go around
like a mermaid, half-woman and half-fish, for
two”or three days? I demand my trunk instan-
terl

He stopped His eyes had just caught the
extraordinary figure of Judge Bluebottle. who

" was surveying him with a broad grin on his ex-
pansive face. ‘

Mr. Benson broke involuntarily into a return
laugh. For several minutes the disguised men
stood shakin their sides with merrimeut, as
they surveye each other, while Ralph leaned
a ainst the wall in a paroxysm of laughter.

e could hardly keep from rolling on the floor in
the enjoyment of the ridiculous scene before him.

. “ 0h, mercy! If I could only get them down-

, , stairs! It would be just killing! It’sashame
:to waste all this fun.”

' Suddenly Benson stopped his laughter, While

" ~ a look of surprised recognition came upon his

face.

“ It can’t be! Yes it is! Judge Bluebottle,
as I live! Why, hallo! Bluebottle, old boy,
' give us your handl Who ever expected to see
. ‘ you here?” ’

, “Somehow you've got the advantage of me,”
said the judge, yielding his hand doubtfully to

the warm grasp of the other.

, “ Why, I’m Benson. Benson, of Chicago.

Don’t you know me?”

‘ “ No. I’ll be hanged if I do!”
, “ That’s the way with you politicians. And

I helped to send you to the Legislature. And
' that’s all the thanks I get for it.”

“,You must excuse me, Mr. Benson,” apolo-
' the judge. “There were so many of them.
find I’ve got such a treacherous memory. Glad
to see on. On-my soul I am.”
“ That’s all right. I accept the apology.
' ,You’ a gentleman every inch, jud e.” r.
V Be, 11 kept on she ing his hand. ‘ But this
is a rum go. What are we to do about our
trunks?” ‘
». “ Complain at the clerk’s office,” suggested
Ralph. “ That’s the only way to settle it. It’s
a confounded shame. Come with me. I’ll pilot
on down. Just you give that clerk to know
but you mean business.”

He hurried them rapidly along the hall to
where the elevator yawned, without givin them
V a moment’s time to think. The car stow wait-

ing for passengers. Ralph pushed them in,
though they resisted a little.
. " ut,” gotested the judge, “look at us.
-‘Will there anybody there?”
2' 0h! nobody of any account,” answered the
‘ I17 Tatum.

It was too late for further remonstrance. The

1 door was closed. The car was rapidly descend-
1118- In a minute it reached the main floor, and

-. the door flew open. , '

, “ Come," said Ralph, hurryinghis victims out

' into the hall.

_ 'They used in dismay. The room was

.V thron ’with people, One look was enough.

a -

 
   

l

 

 

There burst out a roar of laughter that shook
the very roof of the hotel. ‘

Peal after pcnl came from the assembled
crowd, while the two odd figures stood, shoul—
der to Shoulder, in slicepish amazement before
them.

“ Blame your dirty young picture, this is all
your doings!” cried the irate judge, shaking his
list at Ralph. “ Burst my sides, if I don’t got
even with you for it! Back up-stnirs with this
thundering concern, boy, quick as greased light-
ning, before that crowd of jackasses split them-
selves into kindling wood.”

He rushed back into the elevator, followed by
Benson, and by renewed peels of laughter.

“ I owe you a quarter. judge. Don’t forget,”
cried Ralph, as the sliding-door shnr ly closed.
“ Come to my oflice in Duluth, and ring a re-
ceipt, and I will hand over the cash.”

CHAPTER III.
STRAIGHTENING our MIKE‘S BLUNDER.

“ SEE here, Mike. There’s the very Old Nick
to paynpastairs, and all through our blunder-
ing. You’ve gone and mixed u t e trunks the
worst way. And now there’s oury old rogues
parading around in women’s fixings; and the
next thing we will have some youugludy march-
ing down to dinner with a pair of Chicago
breeches. Lawsee, won’t you catch it !”

“ Be jabers, and it’s a whoopin‘ big loi. I’ve
done nothin’ o’ the kind at all, at all,” exclaim-
ed Mike, in a rage. “ It s much too fond of your
jokes you are, Mr. Ralph. Ye’re allers gettin’
up some swute story 0’ the kind. without an
ounce 0’ truth in it. Faix ye’ll be afther
tellin’ me next I don't know the differ betwixt
294 and 249; as you was hintin’ at this blessed
mornin’.’

“ That’s all very fine, Mike.” answered Ralph.
“ But there’s a couple of wild Westerners ram-
paging for you up—stairs, like bulls in a clever
field. There’s the clerk calling for you now.
Walk up to the counter and get your rations.”

“ Mikel Mike O’Flaherty!” came in command-
ing tones from across the hell.

“ Ay, ayl” answered the irnte porter, as he
lumbcred away to the clerk’s desk, followed
at a distance by the laughing youth, who was
bound to see the fun out.

At the ,desk stood two men, Judge Bluebottle
and Mr. Benson. They had got back to tbe’r
traveling-suits, and were raising Cain abou
their trunks. -

“Hang it, sir, the trunk looked like mine,”
cried the judge, “ and my key Opened it. But
bless your blue eyes if you’d only seen the stuff
that was inside! I’d give a solid quarter to see
the chap that was to wear them, shoot me if I
wouldn’t! He must be a cross between a dandy
and a baboon.”

“I had the same luck as the judge,” broke in
Mr. Benson. “ Only I found a trunk full of
women’s fixings.”

“ I am very sorry, gentlemen ” answered the
suave clerk, twirling his mustache with an easy
air. “ Mistakes will happen, you know. But
we‘ll make that all right in a pity. See here,

 

Mike What confounded blundering have you ~

been at now?"

“ Serra the bit of a blunder,” replied Mike, .

   

 

     
    
   
   
   
    
     
 
   
 
    
   
   
   
    
    
    
       
   

. 4.x .
~53:
.. .3

/
a

 

..»..m...lw.»,—.«

 

 

 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

The Hotel Boy Detective. V V I

 

sturdily. “Excuse me, Misther Jones, if that
s’ames a short answer. But I’ve got me charac-
ter to sustain, and well youknow the loike 0’ me
you haven’t got in the hotel.“

“That’s true, Mike,” assented the clerk, with
a faint smile. “ It would be hard to find your
like at getting a straight thing crooked. You've
made a ridiculous mess with these gentlemen’s
trunks, and if you don’t straighten it out within
ten minutes I’ll dock you a week’s wages.”

“ Shure, Misther J ones—J‘ began Mike.

“ There. That will do! I don’t want an
hour’s blather. Off with on now.”

“ Ofl' wid me, is it? nd where to, will ye
pl’nse say? I know no more where the gentle-
men’s trunks is nor the man in the moon.”
Mike stood scratching his head in stupid per-
plexity. .

Ralph stepped forth at this Juncture from the
pillar against which he had been leaning.

“ Ma be I can straighten up this affair. Who
is in 24g, Mr. Jones?”

“ A pair of newly married goslin’s,” answered
Mr. Jones, looking at the register. "‘ Roger
Sherman and lady. You recollect them. Green
as meadow-grass. Here they are, registered be-
tween thess two gentlemen.’

“They’ve got the missing trunks. I told
Mike he was makin a blunder. They asked
me an hour ago for t eir trunks. There were
only two left in the baggage-room, and I sent
them up.” '

“ That's how it is,” declared the clerk, as
easily as if blunders were part of the regular
course of life. “ Ofl! with you, Mike. Get
those trunks from 249, and take them to 260 and
294. Here are the keys of these gentleman’s
rooms. 01‘! with you now, and let me hear of no
more blunders."

Mlike shot away, rather glad to escape so
6851 y.

The two guests stood by the desk, talking and
questioning the clerk and Ralph.

“ A pretty little spark of a city you have
here,” remarked the Jud e. “Near as lively as
Duluth. And brimful o rogues, I calculate."

“ 'I fancy we could gather up a hatful without
shaking the tree,” answered the clerk.

“ I will have to go out and take a look at it,”
announced the judge. “Hope Iwon’t get lost.
Lend me a piece of chalk, so I can blaze my
way.”

“ I will show you around if you wish,” re-
marked Ralph, modestly. ‘

“ You will, will on?” cried the judge, sar-
casticallyt “You'l show me aroun ,eh? I’m
ever so much obliged, I am sure. But you’ve
shown me arrund once already, and I fancy
that will do. I owe you one, and I’ve got a rod
in ickle for you.”

alph slipped back behind the irate judge to
indulge in a quiet laugh. >

“ Oh, come, judge. Boys will be. boys, you
know,” broke in the clerk. “You liked a bit of

.fun yourself in your young days; I’ll be bound.”

“ You bet I did 1” cried the judge, heartily.
“ We will line to let up on the boy, I guess.
But if he tries another game on me, shoot me
fora jack-rabbit if Idon’t yank him out the
window. What time do you sling out supper in
this here caravansary?”

1

 

“ Any time after six."

“Then look for me on hand. And just cook
me a buffalo whole, will you? I’m from the far
North, gentlemen; and I’ve come here to eat
out my hotel bill.”

He turned nwuy with a free swing. asif he
felt he had done his full duty by Duluth. v

“ One moment, judge,” called Mr. Benson. ’
“ I’ve been around this city a trifle; if 'ou don’t
object to company, I wouldn’t min a walk
round with you.”

“ Certainly — of course,” cried the judge,
heartily. “ You’re Benson, of Chicago, I think
you said, Hang me, if I remember youl But

on know me—that’s enough. I flatter myself

’m well-known out West, if they haven’t got
my IJIIOEO¥Bpll in these diggings. Come ahead,
Benson. ou’re a brick.”

The solid figure of the judge rolled away, fol-
lowed by’ his Chicago ac uaintance. ,

Mr. Jones looked at lph, with a smile of
amusement on his very correct face. Ralph
broke into a laugh.

“ What do you think?” asked the clerk, with
a significant wink. ‘t He’s either very shallow,
or very deep—I can’t make out which. Have
you seen anything suspicious?”

“ Nothing, except a fancy for prowling
around.”

“ That’s doubtful—very doubtful. And this
bluff way may be all ut on. bet he rings in
that fellow Benson. est keep an eye on them,
Ralphfi See where they go, and what they’re
n to.

p“ I will.” answered Ralph, darting to the
door of the hotel, in order to put himself on the
track of the two guests.

They were still in full view, and in a moment
he was on their trail.

About the same instant, Mike O’Flaherty was
knocking at the door of room No. 219. A sort
of fluttering sound came from inside in answer
to his knock, but the door remained closed.

He knocked again, after waiting for a minute.

“ Faix, I should have axed for the key. May-
be they’re out.” ,

He waited for some seconds longer. and was
about to repeat his summons, when the door
opened a crack, and Mr. Sherman made his ap
pearance. ,

He was without his coat, and was rubbing his
elyes, and yawning, as if just awakened. from a
s eep.

“,Pra , excuse me; I was asleep,” he apolo-
gized, ll: his abashed manner. “ Did you
knock?” ‘ . r

“ I battered me knuckles a bit, anyway,”
joined Mike. ~

“ And what can I do for you 3”.

“There’s some thrunks here as belongs else-
where, and some thwnks beyant as belongs
here. And it’s to distribute them I am."

“ But we have no trunks here but our own.
They were brought in just before I lay down.”
“ I’m doubtful if ye’ve examined ’00:,” said
Mike '

I thought of course they were all

t. ,
“It's all wrong they are, thin. And I’m sent
here to make ’em right. _
fetch ye your own thrunks in a Jifl'y.”

 

 

Let me in, and I’ll 

 

The Hotel Boy Detective.

 

The conversation, so far had been carried on
through a crack. Mr. Sherman holding the
door but slightly open.

“You must wait. You must really wait,” he
hastily declared with a blush. “ Mrs. Sherman
isn't dressed for company. “ \Ve’ll be ready in
five minutesI sir. In live minutes.”

“ Shore and she needn’t moiirl me,” protested
Mike. “ It’s not company I am. But fnix if
the lady’s young and bashful I won’t intrude
on her. Only pl’nso ux her to be spry about it,
for ye niver seen sich n. pother as the other folks
is in.

The blushing youngr husband quickly shut and
locked the door. Mike remained outside, rest-
ing his shoulders against the wall, and mutter-
ing to himself:

‘Maybe whin the young crayther has lived
long in a hotel she’ll not be so nice about puttin’
on her ribbons and laces to resave a porter.

It‘s ’asy to pei'snve that she’s niver been an
ould traveler."

Mrs. Sliernmn, however did not seem inclined
to hurry. Mike was kept waiting for more than
five minutes. During this time some faint but
odd sounds came from the room that held the
young travelers. but Mike paid little attention
to them. Just then his soul was in old Ireland,
warning over the green valleyot‘ Bullymncflani-
gun. and he bud no ears for sublnnary things.

He roused himself with a start on hearing the
voice of Mr. Sherman.

“You can come in new. You must excuse
my keeping you waiting. But—you know—”

“ I know this,” said Mike gallantly, as he
looked into the pretty filce of the young wife.

“ I know that Mrs. Sherman didn’t n’ade the
ribbons and laces as she’s been puttin’ on.
Sich apurty bird us her don’t n’ude lino feathers.
An’ tber’s no compliment in a word of it.”

“ Oh, now, you stop your blarney.” exclaimed
Mrs. Sherman, with a laugh of conscious pleas-
ure. “ Here are the trunks. We’ve just had
time to look at them. Just to think of a man
with that name! Bluebottle! Take them away,
for mercy’s sake, and bring u~' our own. Blue-
bottlel To think of a man with such a name as
that! What is he like?”

The young lady had certainly found her
tongue. She rattled on as Mike pulled out the
trunks.

“If ye’vo ivor seen a big, fat bluebnttle fly
swelled Out to the bigness of a calf ve’ll know
widout axin’,” rejoined Mike. “ He’s a. jolly
old blade. from the West. There. Ye’ll have
your thrunks now, in the twinkle of a banshee’s
wing.”

Away he trundled the trunks on his hall
barrow. The husband and wife looked at each

other.

“ I’d like to mash that Irishman’s head,”
cried Mr. Sherman, in tones loud enough for
Mike to bear.

“ What for?”

“ For ogling you. I won’t have you ogled and
complimented.”

“Mercy, Roger! Then you had best put me
in a bandbox. with sealing-wax on the lid. 1
can’t help being pretty and people of taste can-
not help seeing it."

Mike heard all this as he went away. He did

 

not see, however, the looks that passed between
the young,r couple, or he might have guessed
that they did not mean all they said.

In a few minutes he returned with the correct
trunks, and deposited them in grim silence in
their room.

“ There’s your trunks,” he said. ” And now,
mu’aui, ye’ll exeuse me fur one word. If he
locks up that purty face, as he talks of, just
pass me the word. On the honor of an Irishman
I’ll have ye out, if 1 have to bu’st through iron
burs. And my name is Mike O’Flaherty. ’

Mike walked grandly away, with a. look of
sturdy deflunce at the husband. He failed to
see the look of amusement that passed behind
his back.

 

CHAPTER IV.
ANOTHER. BAGING PARENT TURNS UP.

IN a gambling-saloon not far from the Grand
Central Hotel sat two men, busily engaged in a
game of poker. So deeply interested were
they, indeed, that they failed to notice a young
man who had stationed himself behind, and
was looking over the cards held by one of the
gamblers.

These gentlemen were the late guests of the
Grand Central, J udge Bluebottle and Mr. Ben-
son and the young man who was observing
their game was Ralph Ready, the amateur de-
tective of the hotel.

“ So that’s what Mr. Benson calls showing
the judge around," said Ralph to himself.
“ Wonder if he's a regular card-sharp, and if
he’s plaving,r it on old Bluebottle? Don’t look
like it, though.”

He drew a chair up behind the gamblers, who
were growing deeply absorbed in their game.

“ See here, Benson, where in the blazes did
you get that hand?" exclaimed the judge, ex-
citedly. “ You’ve swept me out of a ten. in a
Whifl’. Never mind, [’11 have my revenge."

“ Fortune favors the brave,” replied Benson,
as he dealt the cards.

He was as 0001 as a cucumber, while his an-
tagonist grew more heated at every moment.
They gave the impression of apracticed gambler
and an excitable innocent.

At first Benson won. but after a short time
the luck turned in the 'udge’s favor, and be be-
gan to haul in the sta (es. His angry excite-
ment now became a jubilant manner.

“ Aha! old boy. You thought you had me,
I reckon. Didn’t know we had any card-alingera
out in Duluth, did you? Look out, Benson, now,
I’m going to warn you."

“ Chicago never backs down before Duluth,”
answered Benson, coolly.

“ Then here’s a solid ten on this hand. See it
if you’ve got the heart.”

“ See it it is,” retorted Benson, covering the

t.

“ An aco full.”

“dTake it down,” cried Benson, flinging up his
car s.

“ Waked up the wrong ’possum this time, my
boy." and the judge shonk his sides with a
hearty laugh. “ Thought you had a softy,
didn’t you. that you’d clean right out? It’s
your deal Benson."

The judge swung round in his seat and en-

) ‘ '1.

    

 
  
 

     

 

.3» 

-..""'..»»

 

 

 

 

The Hotel Boy Detective. 9

 

countered the oung face of Ralph behind him.
At once a look of anger came into his counte-
nance.

“ Blame your impudencel” he roared, “ what
are you spying around here, for? Is that what
the hotel keeps you for, to spy on their guests?
Now get before I kick you into the middle of
next week.”

“ Do you Own this establishments?” asked
Ralph, composedly.

“ What the blazes is that your affair?”

“Only I wouldn’t begin to run it before I
owned it, that’s all.”

“ Did you ever hear the like of that; Benson?"
cried the judge, with a hoarse laugh. “ That’s
the wa they bring up boys nowadays. Lord,
I’m ha f-afraid to take of]? my boots at night
for fear some of the boys will be stepping into
them. Vamose now, my oung rooster! I
don’t want no half-feathere chicken blinking
over my shoulder.”

“All right, judge,” returned Ralph. rising
with an easy air. “Peaches ripen early here-
aways; and boys are as smart as our men out
West. Do you want me to tell r. Benson the
reason you don’t like a locker-on?”

“ I want you to mind your own business, and
be hanged to you!” roared the angry judge.
“ Slide now, while your skin’s warm.” .

“ When are you going to pay me that quar-
terz judge?” asked Ralph, with a. tantalizing air.

‘ ’ve a notion that quarter is about square,”
remarked Mr. Benson, with a sly smile. “Let’s
find another table, judge, if this youngster
wants this.”

“ Nary time,” answered Ral h, rising ‘and
walking away, with a gay whist e.

The gamblers turned again to their work, the
judge still growling about“ the infernal im-
pertinence of boys nowadays," while Benson
presarved his coolness of demeanor.

“ What did he want to tell me, judge?” asked
the latter.

“ Oh, some of his babyish fancies,” was the
hasty and nervous reply. “ Don’t ask me for
all t e nonsense that oes through a boy’s nod-
dle. Deal the cards, nson, and don’t addlo
your brains about the young sprout.”

, A faint smile came to Benson’s lips as he'

obeyed. He evidently “ smelt a. rat.”

Ralph walked whistling away with his hands
in his pockets. Aft/er looking around the room
in which there were other guests of the Grand
Central, he left the establishment and made his
way back to the hotel. -

“ What luck?” asked Mr. Jones, 0 7perceiving
his deputy. “ Anything in the wind ’

“ A gudgeon piloting a shark,” answered
Ralph, with a knowing wink. “ Benson led
straight to Larry’s card den. I caught them in
a game of poker. And, bless you, you should
have seen the neat way in which the judge put
up the cards. He’s_a sharp from the word go.
I bet he picks the Chicago greeny as clean as a
dry chicken-bone.” _

‘ Didn’t I say so?” exclaimed the clerk.
“ Kee an eye on him, Ralph. He’s our man.”

“ 1’] watch him like a hawk after ablue—
bird. Bet you high I checkmate his little

game.” i
' The youthful detective walked away with an

 

air of shrewdness. He had full confidence in
his own ability, and he only wanted a chance to
re ay the judge for his late contuniely.
nlph took the elevator and went up to the
upper floors of the hotel. It was part of his
duty to keep an eye upon the halls and corridors
while the guests were at meals.
He had not gone far before he came upon the

young runaway wife, Mrs. Sherman, who was ‘
movuifi'along in rather a suspicious manner, at .

some stance from her 1'00”).

0n seeing Ralph her face put on an expression
of innocent relief.

“Oh, dear sir!” she exclaimed. laying her
hands on his arm beseechingly. “I am ever so
glad to meet you. I was down to the parlor
and was dreadfully afraid of meeting niy—of
meeting Mr. Benson.” She hastily corrected
herself. “Will you not kindly go ahead, and
warn me of danger? Oh, if I can only get back
to my room without his seeing mel”

“You needn’t be afraid,’ said Ralph. in a
tone of assurance. “Your father is not in the
establishment.”

“My father! Why, I never said he was my
father! What ever gave you that fancy?” She
burst into a peal of ringing but somewhat
strained laughter.

“It won’t do, Mrs. Sherman,” answered
Ralph with a sly look. “We hotel folks, on
know, get our eye-teeth out early. Don
know that you’re a precious pair of runawa

turtle-doves, and that your daddy is after you ’,

“ Oh, dear me, what a fancy l” and she again
laughed merrily. “ Why, we are an old married
couple 1” .

“ How old?” asked Ralph, looking knowingly
into her eyes.

“ You cunning do 1” she tapped him plm'
co

fully on the arm. “ really thought we
fool you."

“ Not so easy,” laughed Ralph.

“I know how it is. It is Roger. He is ID
dreadfully shy. I tell him be is just letting
ever body know. But it's no use. But, wont
you a my friend, Mr.—-Mr.—"

“ Ready," suggested Ralph. V

“ Mr. Ready, I do so need a friend! Roger is
so backward. But you know all the ways of
the hotel. You can keep my—Mr. Benson, 1
mean, away from me.”

“All right,” laughed Ralph. “It is a (bar-
gain. Just leave it all to me.” I

“ Do you think it safe for us to go down to the
sup r-table, while he is out? I am so hungfi.
An I know the waiter won’t bring me f
enou h to eat, if he brings up my sup ."

“ t is perfectly safe,” answered Ra ph. “ Mr.
Benson is in good hands. He won’t be back
these two hours.”

Ralph began to see plenty of fun ahead. Be
pi oted the young couple to the elevator. Mr.
Sherman Seemed more shy than evar, and start-
led nervously at the least sound. ~

“ Don’t be scared,” Ralph remarked. “Nobody
is going to eat you alive. ’ '

“ I am not used to traveling ” acknowledged
the bashful spouse. “ And—and besides—”

“ 0h, put on a stilt upper lip. Folks will be '
looking at you.- This is the way to the supper-

room,

 

 

 

10 The Hotel Boy Detective.

 

Ralph stationed them' at a retired table, called
a waiter, and then fixed himself at adistant table
to eat his own supper, while keeping an eye on
the amusing pair.

The were certainly hungry. as Mrs. Sherman
had eclared, if one could judge by the havoc
they made in the provisions. The pretty young
wife, who looked as if she had been just weaned
on rose leaves, made a frightful assault on beef-
steak, while her bashful spouse did not seem a
bit shy in the presence of a veal outlet.

Ra] h continued to watch them, a quiet smile
upon is face, as he deliberately made his own

an r.

aplehat’s what one mi ht calla wild Western
appetite,” be than ht. “ at delicatelittle angel
makes no more 0 a boiled potato than i would
of a. chestnut. And her sweet-faced boy husband
has got the appetite of a hippopotamus. They’ll
make a famine, sure, if they keep on.”

His eyes were fixed on Mr. Sherman, who had
inst raised a morsel of outlet to his lips. He let
t suddenly drop, while a pallor came upon his
face. In an instant he had caught up his nap-
kin and was wi ing his mouth in such a way as
to half conceal is face.

Ralph followed the direction of Mr. Sherman’s
eyes. They seemed fixed upon a person who had

‘ inst entered the room——a tall, thin-faced, beard—

ess personage, with a peculiar set in his lips, and
a. keen look in his gray eyes.

He stood beside a table, and moved his eyes
sharp] around the room before taking his seat.
Mr. 8 erman continued to hold the napkin to
his face, while he said something in a low tone
to his wii’ .

“ Another 8 oke in the wheel,” Ralph said to
himself. “ onder if this is the boy’s daddy?
Looks like it the way the young rogue quailsh I
must slip them up-stairs quietly. I’ve given my
word, and am in for it."

The stranger had now seated himself, and was
giving his order, but his eyes continued their
watchful glances. Ra] h got up and strolled
over to the youn coup e.

“ I’ve seen it a l,” he said. “ It’s your ater-
nal ancestor this time, Mr. Sherman. here’s
no use denying. I can see through it. If he

eta his eye on you. merc , won’t there be a

' ick up! Come! I fancy can cover your re—

treat.’

He stationed himself so as to conceal the two
oung guests. They rose hastily, partly hiding
heir faces with their handkerchiefs. Sheltered

by Ralph, they managed to slip unseen from the
room. .
A few minutes sufliced the‘m to reach their
apartment. Ralph was turning away, with a
strict in unction to them to keep mum, but the
ir run ed forward, Mr. Sherman seizing one
end and shaking it fervently, while Mrs. Sher-

, man caught and kissed the other.

“ How can we ever repay you 3”

. “Oh, that’s nothing,” persisted Ral h, break-
ing away. “ Just wait till it‘s al through,
and melt I don’t circumvent the raging par—
ents!” 4

He hurried briskly away, failing to rceive
the peculiar smile that passed between ushund
and wife. Were they secretly making merry at
his expense?
' /

/

 

A half-hour afterward he noticed the new-
comer closely investigating the hotel register,
and questioning the clerk.

“ I knew itl” said Ralph, triumphantly. “ It’s
the boy’s daddy, or I don’t know peas from per-
simmonsl”

 

CHAPTER V.
A MYSTERY AT THE GRAND CENTRAL.

RALPH READY sat in the clerk’s office, with
his eyes fixed upon a note book which he held in
his hand. He read its contents carefully, occa-
sionall making a fresh note. ‘

Mr. ones turned to him, after getting rid of

some inquisitive guests, of that sort who think
a hotel clerk is born with a knowledge of every-
thin .
“ It’s a wonder they don’t ask me next how
many square inches goes to an acre ill the moon,"
he declared, in a vexed tono. “ 1f they’d use
their. own brains a little they might give mine a.
rest. How goes it, Ralph? Are you seeing
through your millstouel"

“ I don’t know just what to make of old Blue-
bottle,” answered Ralph. shaking his head
doubtfully. “ He’s a cross between ablustering
church deacon and a full~hlown rogue.”

“ He looks honest enough, but actions speak
louder than looks. Have you noticed anything
sus icious’l”

‘ Yes,” replied Ralph, referring to his note-
book. “It’s all down ere."

“Item: I find him roaming around the upper
halls, likcastray goose in a clover field. Spying
for snacks. Let on he was lost; but that’s all in my
e e." .

"Item: He plays the innocent on Benson, works

him into a ame of poker. and stacks the cards on

him shame ully. Never saw more barefaced rob-
ry.

“ Cheated, did he?” asked the clerk.

“ Cheated isn’t no word for it. He plucked
Benson; that’s the truth.”

“ A doubtful character and a practiced gam-
bler,” considered the clerk. “ Anything else,
Ralph?” _

Ralph referred again to his note-book.

“Item: Caught him coming out of the room of
one of our guests. This time he was hunting for
Benson's room. Said that Benson had cleaned him
out, and he wanted to have his revenge. Got into
that room by mistake. Found the door unlocked.“

“ That’s too thin,” said the clerk. “ Watch
him close, Ralph- He is after no good. It is odd
that people wi i not keep their doors locked. But
there are always some careless fools. If we hear
of any robbery Bluebottle’s our game.”

_He gave Ra ph a significant wink, who an-
sWered it with another. »

“ I calculate we know a thing or two,” said
the youthful detective. “ Your Western sharps
are digging in the wrong field. I'm only a boy,
Mr. Jones; but I don‘t fancy old Bluebobtle can
sell me cheap.”

“ Do you see the tall, shar -faced fellow over
there by the paper stand ’ asked the clerk,
pointing to the man meant. ,

Ralph looked. It was the same man who had
given the runaway couple the start in the sup:
per—room.

 

 

The Hotel Boy Detective.

I 1‘

 

“He is on a scout of some kind," continued
Mr. Jones. “ Investigated the register, and
asked me all sorts of questions about our guests.
H0 is trucking some parties, I know. lint he
was so ruscully sly that I got on my mettle, and

ave him no satisfaction. Folks that want to
now everything and tell nothing, don’t always
win their game.”

“ I know what he is after.”

“You do, eh?” exclaimed Mr. Jones, in sur-

prise. “ What is it, then? Hang me if 1 could
guess.”

“ You know our pair of runaway goslin’si”

M Yes‘ ll

“ Well, this is the boy’s daddy. Benson of
Chicago is the girl’s dedd . Why, they’re scared
half out of their skins. hey’ve froze onto me
as their best friend." ’ _

“ By Jupiter, Ralph, I believe you’re right!"
exclaimed Mr. Jones, energetically. “It was
a young couple he was splyiug after. But he
was so confounded sly that threw him oif the
track. What’s to be done! Shall we pass them
over to their daddies?”

“ Nary time!” cried Ralph. “ They’re mar-
ried, and that can't be undone. I’ve passed my
word to screen them from their raging daddies,
and I’m going to do it. It’s a neat bit of sport,
Mr. Jones, and that just suits me.”

This conversation was suddenly interrupted.
Judge Bluebottle had just leaped from the ele‘
vator with a flaming face, and eyes flashing
fury. He ran fiercely across to the clerk’s desk,
shouldering everybody in his way rudely aside.
His hat was flung back on his forehead, and
?is long hair stood out around, Jike a loose

rm 0.

“ y the rantankerous Rocky Mountain goat !”
he shouted, “ if this isn’tthinner than skim-milk,
then sell me for a played-out old jackass! I’ve
been robbed, sir! Robbed! Some of your hotel
thieves have gone through my trunk, I tell you!
Five hundred in hard cash, and a ackage of
papers that are worth thousands! housands
sir! Do you hear me? I’ve been robbed! And
if the stuff don't come back uicker than light-
ning,- I’ll make this hotel owl! Take that
down sir! I’ll make it how! worse than a
speckled rooster with the gripes!”

Mr. Jones looked at him in surprise. He was
gairlly foaming with rage. It did not look like a

no .

“Will on please simmer down, Mr. Blue-
bottle?” advised the clerk in his cool manner.
“I am not a bit hard of hearing. Just come
down to uiet logic, and let me know what has
happened.”

“Quiet logic! It’s mi hty nice talking! Do
vouythink my blood’s all guttermilk i” The irate
“lesteigéer instill-Jayi dance? 31 his hexcitfi‘mtovr’it

ve en ro say 0 on ear a

“ We have a safe'here for valuibles.”duswored
the_clerk, coldly. _ “If guests choose to keep
their money in their rooms. the hotel is not re-
sponsible. You will find the rules of the hotel
on‘yfigiaéoifliiioihy trunk was gone through
before I got it! Your blundering porter stuck
it in somebody else’s room, and they went
through it.“ _

k “Was it locked when you got it?”.

\

 

‘1 Yes.”

“Then how do you know they opened it? It
was in the room of a young married couple,
who are not the kind that indulge in trunk-
robbing. It was not there an hour, and when
the porter went after it he found them both
asleep. They didn’t know that they had the
wrong trunks till he told them. Sounds likely,
don’t it? How do we know but your trunk was

robbed on the train? Or maybe you forgot to

put your money in it.”

“Likelid did I” roared the judge. “I look
like that 'ind, don‘t 1? You’ll tell me next that
I’ve forgot my cars. Here’s Benson. He’s been
robbed, too. Ask him if he dropped his cash in.
a rat-hole instead of in his trunk.’

Mr. Benson had been standing behind the
judge during this tirade, with an anxious face,
but not able to get a word in edgeways. He
now stepped forward. ‘

“I am not sure,” he replied doubtfully. “I
had a. hundred in greenbacks in my trunk, and
there are only flfty there now.”

“ How much did the 'udge Win at that little
game of poker?” asked Jtalph innocently, from
his corner.

“Win? Blazes! He cleaned me out,” cried
the judge. “ Went through me like a rat
through a biscuit."

“I thought £0: were holding the winning
hands," remark l h slyly.

V“ Luck turned. uck turned," was the hast
reply. “ Confound the cards, they always kic
up their heels at me. But what’s that got to do
with the robbery?” \

“ Maybe you’ve been having some other little

games, and that’s what has gone with your,
monfiy.”
“ aug your impudent young picture, do you
want me to flatten your prying proboscis?”
The furious Westerner seemed on the point of
springing over the barrier, and punishing the
inquisitive youth.’

“Come, come, Bluebottle,” said Mr. Benson
soothingly, catching him by the sleeVe. “ There
is no use talking here. Let us go lay our com-
plaint before the authorities. That’s the place
to get justice.”

" Blast me if your head isn’t level, Benson!”
roared the judge. “ Come ahead, old chap.
You bet I’m not going to stand this. I’ll have
my money. or I’ll mortgage this hotel." .

He followed Mr. enson, still muttering
threats of revenge. . I A

As may be imagined, this explosion had made
a marked sensation in the main hall of the ho-
tel. A considerable number of rsons were
present, guests and visitors, and t cy crowded
curioust around the angry judge. Some fol-
lowed him and his companion from the hotel,
others pushed up to question the clerk. Some,
with anxious faces, made for the stairs and the
elevator. These were probably guests who ha
left valuables in their room, and who had grown

nervous on hearing the judge’s startling asser- ,i

tiou.

“I know nothing whatever about it,” Mr.. ‘

J ones testily answered his questioners.‘ “ The
trunks got mixed, and were for an hour in
the room \of a young married couple. But the
were all right when they lett there, and I don

 

,

/ 1'8 ' The Hotel Boy Detective.

man has not been robbed in this hotel."

. “ A young married couple, did you say?” asked

‘ l the sharp-faced guest whom Ralph had conjec-

. . V tnrod to be the bridegrmm’s father. “ What

f1 sort of looking couple are those?"

’ ' “Genuine country folks,” answered the clerk.
l, . f‘ The lady has red hair, and the youth a curroty
3 . ' _ nose, and dressed like a. guy. Do you know
.  ' them. sir?"

1 J “ No,” answered the other.

i ; gers to me."

:' He turned away with an air of disappoint—

ment.

Mr. Jones winked at Ralph, as much as tosay,
“I didn’t pump worth a cent. The cat’s in the
be yet.”

gilence and calm fell upon the hotel after this
exciting episode. Mr. Jones loam-d his arm on
l , his desk, and looked vacantly oil into space.
i Ralph made a new ontr in his note-book. The
v y ' sharp stranger stood caning against a pillar.
‘ ' following with his eyes every person that passed
l through the hall. There was something very
* keed in his gaze. ‘

'- But this calm was only the pause before the
‘ storm. Clouds were gathering, that Would soon
break out in new thunder.

> Down came the elevator and landed a dozen
excited individuals, gentlemen and ladies, some
of them pale, some very red in the face. They

‘ ‘ were the guests who hurried up—stairs on hear-

" in of the robbery. —

‘r n a moment, a redoubled confusion iollowad
' r the reign of calm. They hurried across to the
l _ ' clerk’s desk, each in eager excitement.

- “ It is truel We have been robbed. The hotel

’ has been robbed!” they cried, in wild anxiety.

V , “ Our moms have been entered—we have been
i. . robbed!” ‘

', - “What is that?” cried the clerk, now thor-
" . oughly amused. “Robbed! Who says he has
l .. , 'been robbed?” .

" ’ . « 4 “ I do,” sturdily answered a stout Englishman.
; » ‘5 I do. I’ve lost a dozen ’andkerchiel’s and a
5’, bottle of brandy; and I’ll’ave it back, sirrah,
- - I’ll ’ave it back.” '

'  “ I have lost a pair of diamond earrings,”

I broke in a. showily-dressed lady. “ Valuable

solitary brilliants. And I know my room door

was locked.”
“ It is is confounded pity that a man can‘t be
safe in his own rooms,” exclaimed a highly-
 dressed young gentleman. “ I laid my purse on
$3 the bureau not an hour me. Forgot it, in fact.

 " It is not there now. What do you think of
tha sir?”

“ ow much mono was in it?”

“ More than three undred dollars.”

‘The clerk made an efllort to reply, but his
voice was drowned in those of the other nests,
who eagerly recounted their various fiosses.
fiwflrdlng to them the thieves had made a rich

u .

, “ I am sorry to hear all this, ladies and gen-
tlemen,” remarked the clerk, as soon as he

could got an opportunity to spea . “ It is your

1 own carelessness, I must say. The hotel accepts

no responsibility for money or jewels left in he

‘ _rooms of guests. We provide a place for the

 sate-keeping 0t valuables. But, of course, the

l
i. believe a word of this cock-nud—bull story. The

“ They are stran-

  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  

 

proprietors of the Grand Central cannot rest
under this imputation. This robbery shall be
looked strictly into. I will send the detectives

at onco and have every suspicious party exv.

amincd.”

As he spoke Judge Bluebottlo and Mr. Ben-
son rc-entervd the hotel, accompanied by a party
who looked like, a. detective. They were in-
stantly surrounded by the other victims, who
eagerly recnuntod their lossos to the judge.

“ What do you think, Ralph? Is old Duluth
our game?” asked Mr. Jones, turning to his
subordinate.

But Ralph had gone.
oral minutes before.

CHAPTER VI.
RALPH LEADS A SCOU'I‘ING—PARTY.

THAT there was a. hi_:h state of excitement in
the Grand Central need not be told. The charge
of robbery had fallen like a bombshvll in the
midst cl‘. the guests. Nothing of the kind had
ever been known there before. The hotel had
led a very quiet, respectable life, and for its

He had vanished sev-

calm existence to be broken in this way seemed

dreadful to contemplate.

The proprietors were quickly notified o f the
circumstance, and were severely indignant at
the base idea.

“I cannot believe it." cried one of them
angrily. “ Nothing of the kind was ever heard
of here. These good folks are dreaming. It is
a sort of epidemiC' a kind of catching disease.”

“Then you think that a charge of robbery is
like cholera or the small-pox?” asked agucst,
sarcastically. “See here, Mr. Multord, I’m 8.
few steps 31th of being a fool. I know that I
left a valuable rin lying on my burcau,and I
know it is gone. aybe you will say that is
zflll tfancy. 1 am ready to swear that it is all

ac . ,

Mr. Jones drew his employer aside. and en-
gaged him in an eager, whispered conversation.

“ There is no doubt of it,” he declared.
“There has been a robbery committed. It is
our duty to order an investigation at once. It
will not do for it to be said that we shirk'ed lu-
quizg.” ~
“ ertsinly notl Of course not! The thing
must be look into immediately. But I am in a
quandary Jones. Our e0ple are honest. They
have all ’been tried. ho has done this rob-
beryl”

“That is what we want to find out," smiled
Mr. Jones. “Officers are on band now. We
must leave it to them to investigate.”

' In addition to the detective brought by Judge
Bluebottle, there was another present, who had
been sent for by the clerk. These‘men had been
for some minutes busnly engaged in questioning
the victimized guests. While they did so, the
quiet, sharp-faced man, of whom we have al-

ready spoken, and who had registered himself ,

as John Ransome, of Toledo, stood leaningin-
dolently against a pillar, his keen eyes fixed on
the faces of the various parties interested.
While this was going on/ down-stairs, some
events of importance were taking place in the
upper region of the hotel. Rel h with the in-
stinct of a detective, had proce ed thither im-
mediately on hearing of the robbery, with the

 

 

 

 

 

The Hotel Boy Detective. ‘ ‘ x 13

 

intention of examining the indications. Some—
thing of importance might be visible now,
which would disappear if not at once looked

into.

That the blustering‘ old judge was the thief, he
felt sure, the more so as he had examined the
register, and found that the room from which
he had seen him enwrging was that of one of
the victims of the robbery.

“There is no mistake about it,” Ralph con-
sidered. “ Old Duluth is our game. A pre-
cious rascal he is, too. Robbed himself, eh?
That’s an old trick. I bet he finds that he is

laying it on the wrong customers this time.

ow be roars and rents. It is a very shrewd
game, and might work if played on green
country-hotel folks. But I don’t fancy it Will
go down in the Grand Central.”

This conjecture of Ral h was certainly a very
reasonable one. It was t ie same as was adopted
by the detectives down-stairs, when Mr. Jones
took them aside, and explained his suspicions.

In fact it seemed evident on the face of it. It
appeared so plain to Ralph that he thought it,
on the whole, rather stupid.

“A keen thief would have covered his tracks
up better,” he told himself. . .

And yet it does not always do to accept what
seems evident on the face of it. In this world
of tricks and wiles the clear side is not always
the true side, as the young detective was likely
to find out before he was much older.

His investigations were interrupted, ere
they had made much progress, by the appear-
ance of Mrs. Sherman. who wore on her pretty
face a look of eager determination.-

“Excuse me, Mr. Ready,” she cried. “ You
have been so kind that I hardly dare venture
to ask any more favors of you. But—but We
are all young folks together, you know. Roger
and I have been very hasty and foolish. But
what could we do!" She shrugged her pretty
shoulders helplessly. “ We were so much in
love. You ought to appreciate our position, for
you will be doing the same thing yourself next.”

“ I will?” exclaimed Ralph. “ Well, I guess
not. Not if the court knows herself.”

‘ Don’t tell me,” she petulantly replied. “ A
Spry young fellow like you. And you are not
much younger than Roger. And evar so much
older than me., You would not imagine what a
more baby I am.” ,

“ You havo lived long enough to know a thing
or two ” he answered, looking critically in her
face. There were lines there that told that the
iyioumlzl'lady was quite old enough to take care of

erse .

“ You are a. cunning rogue.” she declared,
tapping his arm knowingly with her fan. “ I
have to be wide’awake Mr. Ready, that is a
fact. Roger is such a child. He is no more {it

‘to deal with the world than a caterpillar.”

“ I fancy_so. The young gentleman is shy,
that‘s certain,” answered Ralph, laughingly.
“ But you have w1t enough for the pair, Mrs.
Sherman.” _ ‘

‘5 I don’t know,” she replied, a look of helpless
trouble coming upon her young face. “ I am
just alptpalled when I think of all that’s before
us. 0 sometimes wish that I was only home
again with my dear mother. A runaway match

 

is very sweet and romantic, of course, but it’s
dreadful sometimes..." What will ever become of
us it' our fathers overtake us, Mr. Ready? They
are both so angry and violent, I know. I trem-
ble at the very thought of it."

“ They look mild enough.”

“ They? Who do you mean? Oh, you mean
that notion of yours that they are here now.
Whatever gave you such an ideal” a ’

“ You do not say that it is not a true one,” re-
marked Ralph, with a sly look into her innocent
blue eyes.

“ Oh, nousensel You’re too sharp. But, Mr.
Ready, do you know that we are perfect pris-
oners here! Afraid to move a. step for fear we
will be seen? And I can‘t bear the ideal It
makes me just wild to get out. Can’t you slip
as out of the hotel somehow without—without
anybody seeing us? I must have a race around
Ehe  or I’ll do something desperate, I know

w1

Ralph considered a moment, while her bright
eyes eagerly read his face.

“ It can be done easily enough, Mrs. Sher-
man. There is the back stairway. If we only
meet nobody that knows you in the pas-
sages.

“ You are ever so kind 1” she impulsively cried.
“ Just go and see that the way is clear, won’t
you now, my dear, kind friend? I shall be so
grateful. I will be dressed for the street by the
time you come back.”

“ I hardly think you will be wnylaid,” he
answered. “ The trouble down-stairs will keep
ever body out of the way."

“ be trouble! What trouble?”

“ Why, have you not heard? I thoughteveryy
body in the house know. The hotel has been
robbed. Several rooms have been entered, and
valuables stolen. this morning.”

“ 0h. mvl” Her e as dilated to double their
size. She laid both ands impulsively on his
arm, and looked with a frightened air into his
face. “ Robbed? Oh mercyl Why, it’s too
dreadful for anythingl But you are only joking.
You are trying to scare me. ’

“ No indeed. It is a solid fact.”

“ To think of it! And Roger and I are ever
so careless. Wasn‘t it a mercy we stayed in our r
rooms? We‘d be sure to leave something about. ~ '
And do you know somebody did try our door?"

“ Is that so?” he asked. “ When was that, ‘
Mrs. Sherman?”

“ On, two hours a 0. Only suppose the door
had come 0 en, and had been there alone and
some dre ful man come , in! I would have
been scared out of every inch of my life. And
I don’t believe Roger would be much good, in
such a case.”

“ I hardly think he would frighten of! a big

arty," laufhed Ralph. “ But 8811 ready, Mrs. .
gherman. will go see if the coast is clear.” -

Ralph walked brisk] away.
creature stood looking a ter him.

“ Isn’t be nice, and ood‘nutured, and softll’
she said ‘to herself. “ declare it is a shame to
play on him. But—’ ‘ '

She shrugged her shoulders meaningly as she
turned back toher room. '

Ralph proceeded on his tour of investigation.
There were but two persons whom it was access

The young

 

 

 

14 The Hotel Bey Detective.

 

sary. to avoid, and he fancied he knew where
the were to be found. 'He hastened, accord—
ing y, to the main floor of the hotel, Where he
had recently left these pcrsonnges.

He found things’ very different there from
their condition a short time before. The oilicers
and the victims of the robbery had disappeared.
Mr. Jones was not in his accustomed place.
Neither of the persons for Whom he was seeking
were in sight.

“ What has become of them all?” asked Ralph
of one of the hotel employees. “ They were
raisin Cain here a few minutes ago.”

“ r. Mulford has invited them to a. private

~ . room, so that the detectives may have a chance

to investigate the parties. I believe the rooms
are to be examined next.”

Ralph turned away after a few words more.

“ Now is the time to get out my goslings,” he
believed. “ If I leave them till the officers get
up here they will be scared out of a week’s
feathers."

A very few minutes brought Ralph back to
the door of the young married couple. Mrs.
Sherman was waiting for him rather anxiously.

“ I am not often nervous,” she declared, “ but

on have just upset me by your burglar story.
TVs are all ready. We are going to have ever
so good a run. I suppose we can come back the
same way we go?"

is Oh, yes_n .

“ It will not he till after dark.”

“ Why don’t you go to another hotel, Mrs.
Sherman?"

“ I am afraid to do anything. You see we’ve
got to creep out only for a walk. I’ll think it
all over to-night, though. Come, Roger, we
must hurry now.”

She was dressed for the street, and held in her
hand a large leather bag. Roger now ap 1‘-
ed, also ready for a walk. He held a bag still
larger than that of his wife.

“ We are oing shopping,” she explained.
“ Roger didn t want to carry that bag, but I
made him do it. I expect to buy considerable.”

Ralph led the way, his proteges followed in a
retreating, sly way that made him laugh. One
might have imagined that theyhad some deep
Conspiracy in view, or were really escaping from
the cells of a prison.

Their youthful conductor was in his element.
This was spice to him. He was fond of adven-
ture of an kind, and the kittenish ways of the

cum: wi 0 had quite Won him over. He was
nod to keep on the side of the runaways, and
counter-march on their fathers. It was a ro-

‘ I mance exactly to his fanc .

“Oh, hushl What is t at?” exclaimed Mrs.

, Sherman, in alarm. “Somebody is coming.
/ What will we do?”

“ Itis onl some of the chambermaids,” sug-
gested Ralp .

“No,” exclaimed Mr. Shaman, with un-
wanted energy for him. “ It is man’s steps.
They are coming up the stairs. Do you not
hear them?” He clutched Ralph’s arm nervous-

y.

“ Mercy on u boy, don’t be so scary!” was
Ralph’s scornfu answer. “They are not
sharks, and you are not minnows. Come this

‘ way.”

 

He led into a side passage. The steps of heavy
feet were now plainly audible, and he fancied
that the committee of investigation was conning
to examine the rooms.

He led on through a mrdley of passages. Fi-
nally they matched the privnlo stnirwny of which
he had spoken. This they descended, his follow—
ers nmuil'estiug an anxious haste which brought
a smile of disdain to Ralph’s face.

“ What children they are," he said to himself.
“ [t is natural, though, I suppose. They know
no more about life than a monkey knows about
horse-chestnuts.”

Ere long they gained the ground floor of the
hotel. They were in the servants' quarters,
several of whom they met, who looked with
surprise to see well-dressed guests in this region
of the house.

Ralph winked knowingly to these persons,
and led the way to a door that opened on a rear
street.

“ You are safe for a run now,” he announced.
” You can come back this same way. I pre-
sume you can find your way about.”

“ Oh, yes! Do not let us trouble you any
longer. You have been ever so kind. Good-
by, Mr. Ready.”

“ Good-day, you mean. It is hardly good—by
yet}; He laughed as he turned back into the

ote .

The husband and wife looked knowingly'at
each other.

“ I hope our darling young goose won‘t be too
sure of that,” remarked Mr. Sherman, in a tone
of gldoice very different from that ho had hitherto
us . -

 

CHAPTER ’ VII.
INVESTIGATING A BURGLARY.

THE investigation of the robbery was going
on in the rivate room of the Grand Central,
to which r. Mulford had led the interested
parties.

The detectives had made a close search into
the subject, sharply questioning all the parties
concerned. They had apparently failed to
arrive at any satisfactory conclusions. All the
losing parties were sure they had locked their
room doors. Yet the rooms had been entered. By
whom and how was the question. The thief
must have possessed a master-key to the hotel
locks. Was it one of the emplo sea?

“Who went through my trun , that is what I
want to find out?” demanded Judge Bluebottle
angrily. “ What the blazes is the use of your
detectives if they can’t answor a plain question
like that?” _

“ Maybe we might answer it,” replied one of
the officers significantly "‘ but we are not yet
prepared to answar anything. Where was your
trunk at the time you think it was robbed

“ Bless you, do you think I know all the ways
and means of the hotel? Ask the clerk there.

' He’s responsible.”

“ The trunks got slightly mixed up,” replied
Mr. Jones. “ The trunks of these two gentlemen
went to the rooms of a young In . couple,
named Sherman, where they remained for an

hour.”
“ Ah 1’? said the detective. “ That is an inter-

L
ii

 

 

The Hotel Boy Detective.

  

 

 

esting fact. What became of the trunks of those
married folks?”

“ They got into the rooms of our two friends
here, who opened them, and come down-stairs
in funn dresses.”

Mr. ones laughed at the recollection.

“ Opened them, did they? How was this gen-
tlemen? Where did you get keys?”

“ My k0 fit the trunk,” cried the judge hasti-
ly. “ An it was the copy of mine. I never
t ought of a blunder till I had it open."

“ And did your key fit the trunk you received?”
asked the oflicer of Mr. Benson.

“ No. The trunk was not locked. I knew it
was not mine, but Ithought I might borrow a
change of clothing.”

A newlaugh arose. Some of those present had
seen him in his change of clothing.

“ Is this mixing of trunks aus‘ual thing?” asked
the officer of Mr. Mnlford. ‘

“ Not usual. I fancy some of our guests have
made a mistake in selecting their baggage.”

“ What do you mean, sir? Is that an insinu-
ation against me?” demanded the judge hotly.
“ Do on know who I am, sir?"

“ ot yet, but I hope to know before long,”
was the cold and disdainful reply.

“ I am Judge Bluebottle, of Duluth, sir. I can
prove my words, sir. And I will chastise the
man who dares say I ain’t, sir.”

The judge was on his feet, with avery red
face, and swelling like a turkey cock.

" Keep cool, my dear sir. You will find that
bluster is thrown away here. This investigation
must 0 on, no matter where it hits.”

“ ho is hindering it. sirrah? I repel your
insinuations. Do you dare call my honesty in
question?”

“ Not at all. I would only say that I want to
understand how those trunks got mixed. Next
I want to know how your key provedso good
for opening strange baggage. Perhaps you
have one that is equally good at opening strange
doors. If not, how cams you in room 407, last
evening?"

This was a knock-down blow. The judge red-
dened and hesitated. The eyes of the detectives
were fixed searchineg on his face. He stam-
mered in replying.

“ 1—1 was hunting Benson," he declared. “ I
mistook the room. The door was unlocked.”

“ Is that so, Mrs. Mason? You are in 407, I
believe.“ _

“ I always lock my room door,” replied the
person addressed, a good-looking, shOWily-
dressed lady, of an uncertain age. “I deny the
all ation. I know it was locked this morning.
All at I lost a box of costly laces.” _

“1 your room is the one ken of, it was
open last night,” answered t e judge, more
calmly. “ on will be claiming next that I
am the thief. I, that am the greatest victim of
the pig’rtfi.”

“ o ave only your word for that,” replied
Mr. Mulford, with cold suspicion.

“And I’d have you know that my word is
never called in usstion. .By the great Rocky
Mountain goat 'll knock the next man that
calls me a thief into the middle of next week!
I can prove who I am. sir. I ain no base ad-
venturer. I have been robbed in your hotel,

 

l and I am bound to be rcdresseil, or somebody

shall bewll
a thief. Now you hear

“ Come, come. judge,” cautioned Mr. Benson
laying a hand on his arm. “ There’s no good
in losing your temper. Keep cool. Accusation
is nothing without proof."

“ Losing my temper?” roared the irate Was-
terner. “ Who says I am losing my temper? I
am cool, sir. Hang it. sir, I tell you I am cool!
I’d like to see the man that dares say I can’t
keep my tem r.” He glanced around the
room with the ury of a caged hyena.

During this conversation the detectives had
continued silent, closely watching the faces of
the parties concerned. Doubtcd parties will
often weave the rope to hang themselves, if
given a free opportunity. Just what conclu-
sion the officers had come to did not appear.
Their connteiiances were iuipassive. A marble
statue would have shown as much emotion. One
of the detectives now spoke.

“This rocrimination is utterly useless," he
said. “ We cannot arrive at the truth by wild
charges llke these. It is best to get the evidence
flrst ere we form conclusions. There are two
parties whose testimony we absolutely need, ere
any decision can be reached. Will you please
send for Mr. and Mrs. Sherman?”

“ Certainly,” answered Mr. Mulford, turning
to give an order.

‘ One moment.” came a new voice. “Ex-
cuse me for interfering. But I would like to
hear what is known about these people before
they are brought here.”

The person speaking was Mr. Ransome, the
sharp-eyed individual whom Ralph believed to
be the young hridegroom’s father. So far dur-
ing the investigation he had remained quietly
leaning against a post, intently listening and
observmg. He new step forward.

“I have already to you all about them ”
cried Mr. Jones hastily and angrily. “ t
Seems to”me that you are very inquisitive about,

rsons.

“ I have my reasons, sir. You probnbl had
your reasons for seeking to deceive me." here
was a very sharp ring in his voice.

Mr. J ones colored and grew confused.

“You annoyed me by your questions,” he
declared.

“And you humbugged me with your an-
swers. Or tried to do so.”

“Come, come, gentlemen." exclaimed Mr.
Mulford. “ All this is useless. As for these
persons we know nothing about them. They
are new guests. A very young couple.
to he a runaway match. ’

“The lady small, pretty, with blue eyes, and
flaxen hair?” '

“ Precisely. And the gentleman a good-look-
gig youth; But painful y shy. Do you know

em sir ‘

“ hat I cannot say. But I should advise
that, instead of sending for these persons, we

roceed to their room. If they are concerned
in this business a moment’s warnin may ve
them an opportunity to dispose o impo t
evidence." _

“ An excellent suggestion," replied one of the
detectives. “It is necessary also . to examine

You can’t qliliiet me by calling me
t at?” *

  

 

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The Hotel Boy Detective.

 

the rooms which were entered. The thieves
. may have left their tracks.”

“If Mr. Sharp has no objections, I will go
with him to the room of the Shermans,”re-
marked Mr. Rausome. “If I know them, as is
possible, my knowledge may be useful.”

“ Certainly,” replied Mr. Sharp, 21 little, wiry
man. “ It is best not to go in a body."

In a few minutes afterward the committee of
investigation had entered the elevator, and were
ascending to the upper floors. It was at the
exact time that Ralph was prepared to set out
with his seemingly verdant proteges.

They left the elevator on the third floor, upon
which some of the thefts had been committed.
While one detective prepared to examine the
rooms upon this floor, Mr. Sharp in company
with Mr. Ransome, aseended the stairs to the
floor above, on their special mission. They were
accompanied by the hotel-clerk, who had taken
a. severe dislike to the sharp-eyed and inquisitive
stranger.

It was their steps upon the stairs that had
[caused the rapid retreat of the Shermans and
their guide. V

In a few moments the detectives’ party reach-
ed their goal.

" This is the room. No. 249.” remarked Mr.
Jones. “ I presume they are within. They are
a pair of sadly-scared runaways, who have been
afraid to step outside their room door. They
seem to be in mortal terror of pursuit by their
parents. Have had their meals sent to their
room.”

An odd look came upon Mr. Ransome’s face,
as he listened to this information. ‘

Thedetective knocked. No answer-came. He
re sated it sharply. Still all was silent within.

‘They are asleep. or they are out,” he de<
clared, with a rat-tat on the door loud enough
to awaken the dead.

A pause followed. All continued in utter
silence.

“ Evidently the room is empty,” he consider-
ed. “ Your guests have got over their fright
and have one out.” ,

“ It won d seem so,” remarked Mr. Jones.

“Can you open the door? It is important
that the room be examined.”

“ Certainly. I will obtain a key.”

Mr. Jones departed, leaving his companions
to await his return. They waited in silence,
few words passing between them.

In a. few minutes the remainder of the party
ascended to the upper floor. They had finished
their search below.

The process was rapidly completed. Room
after room was opened and examined, but
nothing in the we of evidence ap ared. The
thief or thieves ad left none of t ose tell-tale
tracks which the sharpest criminals so often
leave behind them. ‘

" These have been no common rogues.” mut-
tered the detectives. “A practiced hand has
“slip 13w him” had r ” ‘ led

“l we up in prac Ices grow
the 311539. “Here is my room.” he threw
open the room door as he spoke. “ And yonder
is my trunk. I wish you would tell me who
went through it. It isn’t the cash. sir, though
five hundred is a pretty sum. But they’ve

-u

 

robbed me of papers that are worth thousands.
Thousands, sir.”

The detective had entered, and was ousting
his eyes around the room with professional
sharpness.

“1 should like to see the inside of your
trunk,” he coldly said to the judge.

“Certainly. Certainly. I want you to ex-
amine everything. Hung me if it isn’t a pretty
go, to be robbed first, and then accused of stv-nl-
ing afterward. When this business is over I’m
going to have my turn.”

He glared angrily at Mr. Mulford as he spoke.

The detective with little attention to this
angry bluster, kneeled before the open trunk,
and began a minute examination of its con-
tents.

He rose to his feet after a few minutes, hold-
ing in his hand a narrow piece of ribbon, of a
peculiar shade of red.

“Does anybody recognize this article?” he
asked.

Mrs. Mason sprung forward and snatched it
from his hand. looking at it with eager eyes.

“It. is mine!” she declared. “I can swear to
it. I left it in my room this morning. It was
tied in a how, but has been opened. You can
see tho creases, and the pin-holes.”

She. held it up triumphantly, and fixed her
eyes with an accusing glance on the disturbed
face of Judge Bluebottle. I

“Yours!” he cried, excitedly. “I’ll swear,
then, it never went into that trunk by my
hands. There is some confounded rascality and
mystery behind this.”

“ No mystery at all,” answered the detective
coldly. “ It is only one of those blind errors
that thieves are constantly making. You are
my prisoner, sir.” His hand fell heavily on the
jud e’s shoulder. '

“ e? By the eternal-”

“ There. Save your breath. You. will need
it elsewhere. I arrest you on the charge of rob-
bing the rooms of the Grand Central Hotel.”

CHAPTER VIII. \
THE: CAT our or THE BAG.

MR. SHARP looked keenly about the room of
the Shermans to which he had just been ad-
mitted. Mr. Rausome stood, with folded arms,
leaning in his usual easy attitude against the
door-post quietly looking on.

“ Your shy birds have flown from their nest,
at any rate,” remarked the detective. “ We
must wait for their return before we can ex-
amine them. The room looks all right. It has
been only temporarily deserted.”

He was closely examining the apartment as
he spoke. Several articles of clothing hung on
the wall books, or were thrown over chair-
backs. The bed was rumpled, as if it had been
recently used. Some hair-pins and a bit of rib:
bon lay on the bureau. There was nothing of a
suspicious character. .

“Just as I told you," remarked the, hotel
clerkI with a triumphant glance at Mr. Ran-
some. “ It is ridiculous to supp0se that this
l“logy and girl had anything to do with the rob-

TV

“ I3erhaps not,” was the niet reply. “ Yet
you,will please bear in min that they had the

’4

 

 

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‘ it. I‘know nothing about it.

The Hotel Boy Detective. W

 

trunks of your two Western guests for an hour
in their room. Both the parties claim to have
been robbed. In a ({uvstion of this kind, my
dear sir, the improbu do often proves the true.
What do you think, Mr. Sharp?"

“ You are quite Correct, sir,” replied the
officer. “ I must say that you have the proper
idea.”

He continued his investigation with the
shrewd expertness of a professional, yet noth—
ing appeared to give warrant for the slightest
suspicion.

“ There only remain the trunks,” he at length
said. “We must await the return of their own-
ers before we can open them.”

“ Why not open them yourself?” inquired Mr.
Ransome. I

“ Because we have no key, and nothing has
appeared to warrant our forcing them open.”

“ I fancy not,” came another voice. “ The
business is ended. The thief has been found.”

The speaker was one of the other section of
the party.

“ The deuce you say! Who is the thief,
then i”

“ The blustering old Western sharp that
christens himself Judge Bluobottle. Some of
the stolen goods were found in his trunk. The
job is nailed on the heavy rascal.” .

At this moment the remainder of the party
came by, the oflicer with a hand on the arm of
the prisoner, who was fiercely protesting.

“ Hang your ugly picture, if I don’t make
you sweat for this, the saints help me!" he ejac-
ulated. “ I’m well known, sir. I can prove my
character. I'm a member of the Legislature
I’m a Minnesota judge. Do you hear me, sir?
I can ’hring a cart—load of testimonies as to who

am.

“ We have one testimony that will not quite
fill a cart, but it will answer," the officer uietly
replied. “ When you explain how Mrs. ; asonls
ribbon got into your trunk your case will look
clearer than it doesnow.”

“ Explain 1t, sir? I don’t pretend to explain
There’s some in-
fernal conspiracy to ruin me. But ou’re bark-
ing up the wrong tree. If you now when
ylou’;re well of! you won’t wake up old Bluebot-
t 9.

Mr. Sharp spoke in a low tone with his asso-
ciate. He then turned to Mr. Jones.

“ You may look this room again,” he re-
marked. “ We seem to have found the tree that
bore the apple. However, you will please advise
me when the Shermans return. They may give
some useful evidence."

The officers walked on with their prisoner.

- There remained behind Mr. Ransome and the

clerk. Mr. Benson also left the arty and joined
them. His face was marked y an expression
of anxiety.

“ I am sorry for old Bluebottle.” he said.
“ He seems such a bluff, hearty sort of a chap.
But I am afraid he is a sly rascal, andthat this
blaster is all play. I tried a game of poker with
him and he fingered the cards on me shamefully.
This youngman can tell you that.”

He referred to Ralph, who had Just walked
up with a very much surprised face.

“ That is so, he admitted. “You were

\

 

\
cheated badly. But I did not know you per-
ceived it.”

“You 0 encd my eyes,” was the answer.
“ But the o d rat was a bungleraftor all. When
I saw his game I played a little counter of my
own on him, and cleaned him square out.
Taught him a lesson, I fancy.”

A laugh followed this admission.

“ What is the trouble?” asked Ralph.

“lVe have hit on the robber,” replied Mr.

Jones. “ It is the man we suspected, old Blue-

bottlo. A precious rogue he is. He 18 good for
a five years’ visit to the penitentiary.
where are the Shermans, Ralph? I did not think
those mice would stir from their holes.“7

“ They have gone out for a run,” answered
Ralph. “ I piloted them out by the back stair-
way.
sparrows in your life.”

Mr. Runsome stood in his usual lounging posi-I

tion, twisting a piece of paper between his fln—
gore. It was a curl-paper which he had picked
up from the floor near the bureau. His sharp
eyes, which had been fixed on Mr. Benson’s
face, were now transferred to Ralph’s.
9‘ What are they scared about?” he asked.
Ralph looked hastily up, with ill-concealed

arm. ,

“ Oh, only that they are not used to city life,
and imagine all sorts of ridiculous notions.
They fancy. everybody is going to victimize

But ,

You never saw such a pair of scared '

them.” He spoke in a tone of’assumed careless- ~

ness.

“Come, come, Ralph, that won’t do,” ex?

claimed Mr. J ones. “ There is no use trying to
conceal what everybody knows, It is a run-
away match, gentlemen. They are a couple of
young geese, from somewhere West, and are in

mortal dread of being overtaken and spanked

by their daddies.”

Rallph started in alarm and indignation. He

had aid out a neat scheme to humbug the
fathers of the runaways, and keep his promise,
and here was his plan utterly destroyed. Ho
cast a look of fury at Mr. Jones, and then‘one
of surprise at the two others, who displayed
none of the emotion ho had ex ected.
‘ The only expression on Mr. enson’s face was
one of slight chagrin. He had withdrawn 9.
ate , and stood looking with covert uneasiness
at r. Ransome.

“Ihope their parents will overtake them,”
said the latter, carelessly. “ I don’t like these
baby marriages.”

Ralph looked at him with wide-open eyes.

“What,” he cried. “ on don’t mean—"

“ Nothing more than

“ Then you are not the father of the young
gentlemanl" \

“ I his father?” It was Mr. Ransome’s turn
to look surprised. “What do on mean by
such nonsense? I am nohody’s fat er.”

“And you are not the father of the bride?”
He addressed Mr. Benson.

said.” ,‘

“Not if I know‘inyselt,” rejoined Mr. Benson, 1

with a somewhat strained laugh. .

“Then all I’ve got to say Is that they are a
pair of blooming young liars.’,’ cried Ralph, en-
ergetically. “ The didn’t Just say yon. were
their fathers: but t 0y acted It all out. Why,
they sawvyou m the supper-room last night,

  

 

 

 

 

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and were scared out of a week’s growth.” This
was addressed to Mr. Ransome.

“I saw them," he quietly replied, “and.

thought they acted strangely. I cannot imagine
what ails them. Mistook me for somebody else,

robably. Folks with guilty consciences start

rom ashadow.” His tone was very calm and
even, his face destitute of expression. “ There
is no use to examine their rooms any further,”
be continued. “ If the detective found nothing,
we are not likely to. I hardly fancy that babes
in the woods like these are burglars."

The speaker turned on his heel and walked
away, as if weary of the whole business. Mr.
Benson followed him, with an undecided expres-
sion of face. Ralph looked at Mr. Jones with
curious inquiry.

“ There is some mighty queer dodge here,” he
exclaimed. “What did t may mean by letting
on that these two men were their fathers, and
that they were afraid of being captured by
them?”

“ They meant to pla a trick on you, Ralph,”
laughed Mr. Jones, as a closed and locked the
room door; “ They are practical jokers, and
have got one in on you.”

“ It looks like it." he rejoined, with a thought-
ful expression. “ I thought all along that the
girl was anything but a baby. All right for
them, but it’s my turn next.” .

“ Look out. Ralph,” answered Mr. J ones still
laughing, “ You’ll get in a worse pickle. They
are too sharp for you.”

“ Very well, then. But if they fool me with
my 6 es open they can eat me, that’s all."

‘ 0 down to the Central station,” continued

“Ay. ay,” answered Ralph, walking away
' with a downcast expression.

Mr. Ransome had by this time left the hotel.
He walked steadily on to the corner of the next
street. Here he turned shortly on his heel and
looked back, like one that dreads pursuit. A
quick, searching glance satisfied him, and he
continued his walk.

A few minutes brought him to the vicinity of
the municipal buildings 01! the city. Here he
again paused, and stood a few moments in a
lounging attitude on the steps of the mayor’s
office. Nothing seemed to escape the glances of
his very keen eyes.

He suddenly turned and disappeared within
the buildin . Here he sought the office of the
chief of po cc, and was fortunate enough to find
that functi nary alone and disengaged;

A long nd apparently intereetin conversa-
tion followed. is had not proceeds far ere the
and? left his oflice and sent private messages

yt e lice telegraph to everv station in the
city. 6 also dispatched an officer in citizen’s
dress,,to the Grand Central Hotel, with special
instructions.

‘ This done, he returned and resumed his con-
ference with Mr. Ransome. Their conversation
continued for some time longer. At length Mr.
Ransome rose.

“Then you agree with me that the prisoner
had best not have a hearing to-night’l”

_V “Yes. Ithais discharged it might ruin our‘

 

plans. And to hold him as convicted does not
seem desirable.”

“ I would be sorry to have him locked up in
one of your horrible policmtells over night. He
is really on estimable character. Could not
bail be managed?”

“ Certainly "' answered the chief, with a know-
ing wink. “T will see that it is done. A polit-
ical friend of the indge, you know.”

“ Very good. The chance that our birds will
fly back to this nest is a frightfully slim one, of
course. But human nature is a user nifair.
We must take every precaution. I they should
be blind enough to return we must do nothing
to scare them ofl’. If not ”—he shrugged his
shoulders significantly—“ we have a different
game to play. ’

A half—hour afterward Judge Bluebottle was
brought up before a police magistrate. He was
still boiling over w1th indignation, and com-
menced a fierce tirade, which the magistrate
with some difliculty cut short.

“Please save your ammunition until you see
your bird,” he cuttineg remarked. “I cannot
give you a hearing to-night. Your case must
lay over until morning. Officer, please remove
the prisoner.”

“ Excuse me,” said a red-faced man standing
near. “ It is an outrage to lock up a gentleman
in your station-cells. I know Judge Bluebottle.
I will go his bail.”

“Very well, Mr. Blondin. The bail is fixed
at two thousand dollars. Shall I draw upa bail
bond?"

“ Certainly. I don’t care a fig for the amount.
I fancy I am good for it.”

The prisoner stood gazing at his friend with
open-mouthed surprise, as he signed the neces-
sary papers.

“ You are free for to-night ” remarked the
magistrate, coldly. “ You wil appear at this
office at ten o’clock tomorrow for a hearin .”

The released prisoner turned impulsive to
his friend. and warmly seized his hand.

“I don’t know who the blazes you are,” he
exclaimed, “ but I‘ll be shot if you ain’t a straight
man. ’

“I know who you are, then,” was the reply. »

“Come, judge, let’s have something warm on
this. It’s my treat.” ‘
Mr. Rnnsome rose from a shadowy corner arid
tollowed them from the room.

 

CHAPTER IX.
RALPH oars AN EYE-OPENER.

THE hem-in of Judge Bluebottle on a charge
of robbery o the rooms of the Grand Central
Hotel was concluded. The evidence against him
was not great, yet it seemed decisiVe.

Ralph Ready had testified to two circum-
stances. One of these was the transparent cheat-
ing at cards by the prisoner. This was ruled
out, as having no bearing on the case. The
other was, that he had seen the prisoner coming
out of the open door of 407, Mrs. Mason’s room.

“ It is all a mistake,” roared the risoner. “ I

was looking for Benson. ‘Why don t people lock

their doors?”
: “ Who is Benson?” asked the magistrate.

“ I don’t know who the blazes he is! Some
jack-a-daisy. He says he knows me, but I never
saw the chap before—I’ll swuar that!”

“ What did you want with him, then?”

“ He suited me out of a fifty at poker, and I
wanted revenge. that‘s all."

“ Did you look in tho bureatrdruwers for
Benson?” asked the magistrate. “ Ami did you
take this as a memento?" He held up the piece
of ribbon.

“ If I ever saw the confounded strip of dry-
goods before, I’ll be shot!”

“ Mrs. Mason."

The lady witness stepped forward.

Her testimony was to the effect that nothing
had been taken from her room at the time in
question. She had worn the bow on the even-
ing of that do . The robbery had taken place
on the succee ing day. As to her room-door,
she was sure that she always looked it.

Her evidence that the ribbon was undoubtedly
hers, and the testimony of the officer that he
had found it in the prisoner’s trunk, closed the
examination.

“ The prisoner stands committed for trial.”

coldly remarked the magistrate, as he drew
some blanks from a drawer, and commenced
writing.
_ “ It’s a blamed sweet country,” cried the
Judge, “where they hang a man for a bit of
ribbon as long as a baby’s finger. If I plundered
the hotel, where is the rest of the stuff? Tell
me that.”

There was no answer.

A man had entered the room from behind,
and was whispering to the magistrate.‘-. The lat-
ter nodded approvmgly. ' ‘

“ Has the prisoner bail to offer for his ap-
pearance at court?” he asked. '

The red-faced man who had gone bail before,
stepped briskly forward.

‘ will continue on the bail bond," he re-
marked.

“ Excuse me, Mr. Blonrlin. The bail is in-
creased. Five thousand. is the smallest sum I
can accept on so serious a charge.”

“ Very well, sir. I will be surety for that
amount. ’

The accused man rushed forward and grasped
Blondin‘s hand with effusive emotion.

“ You’re a boss, sir! You‘re a high-toned
boss! Blame me if I knew they grew that sort
around here. Just you come out to Duluth. and
if I don’t give you a. lively shake out. then set
me down for a half-primed blower. The idea of
a man of my standing stealing a bit of woman’s
flneryl What would I do with it? Won’t some-
bod tell me’l Wouldn’t I make a. sweet dude
wit a red silk bow on my coat collar? Fish on
such nonsense l”

A laugh followed at the utter disgust of the
old fellow’s tone. He touched his bailsman on
the shoulder. . »

“ Come. Blondln, We‘ll have a whisky smash
on this. You’re a man, you are! Shoot me if I
c0129 say that for everybody I‘ve got my eyes

on .. .
They left the room to ether, followed by
most of those present. here was a culiar

expression on Ralph Ready’s face as he 9ft the
magistrate’s office. He seemed dreadfully de~

 

 
   

 

The Hotel Boy Detective. 1.9

pressed and downcust. Something had happen-
ed to deprive him of his usual confident enthu-
siasm.

He had reached thopavcuicnt outside whenhis
progress was arrested by a. touch on his shoul‘
dol‘.

He turned quickly. There stood a man in the
uniform of a police ofliccl‘.

“ One moment, young man,” said the latter,
briefly. “ You are wanted inside."

“I am? Who wants me?”

“ That you will soon learn. Follow me.”

“ Not much,” answered Ralph, shortly. “ I
ain’t no wooden man, to move when you turn a
peg. If you’re arresting me, show your wur~
rant. If not, say what you want. hat’s my
programme I"

The officer laughed heartily.

“ You are a. prime young one.” he admitted.
“ I am not arresting you, my lad' but the chief
gt police Wants to see you in relation to this rob-

ery.

“ That‘s a horse of another color. Why didn’t
you say so half an hour ago? Go ahead—I’m
after you i” ‘

The chief’s oflice was a retired room in the in-
terior of the building. It was so dim and shady
that Ralph, coming out of the bright sunshine,
was not able at first to clearly see the faces of
the persons present. He could merely make
out two individuals, one a stout persou,.-the
other tall and spare.

“ What is your name?” asked the stout per-
son, who sat at a desk, pen in hand.

H‘Rnlph Ready.”

" You are employed at the Grand Central
Hotel?”

“ Yes. sir.”

“ I wish to know something about two of the
guests of that hotel; a young married con la,
registered under the name of Sherman. T ey ‘
loft the hotel stealthin yesterday afternoon.
Have they yet returned?"

Ralph did not answer. I His eyes had now
grown accustomed to the dim light of the room,
and he reco nized, with a start of surprise, the
tall man as r. Ransome.

"You here?" he ejaculated.

“ Yes,” was the smiling response.
terosted in this business."

“ You have not answered my question,” said
the chief.

“ And I don‘t intend to ” rejoined Ralph, with
asuddeu freezing up. “ am not under oath.
I want to know what sort of a trap this is be-
fore I walk into it.”

He stolidly seated hinfllf, and laid his hat on
atahle. He had no notion of being used as a
blind tool.

The chief turned and fixed his eyes on the
young man with the look of one who was not
used . to refusals. It was a. lance that had
made many a criminal quni , but it had no
efl‘ect on Ralph. Ho was wide awake enough to
know that he could laugh at police threats.

At this moment the office c oor opened and an
officer entered. He handed the chief several
papers. The latter read them carefully, and
then passed them with a smile to Mr. Ransome.

Ralph opened his eves With surprise. Who
was this stranger? How bad he come into the

“I am in-

 
 

»

 

 

 
 

 

I ..  ”
o‘ -.

45m...“an

‘n .

1...,

  
 
  
 
 

-....‘_..__._. Jun. m

 

20 The Hotel Boy Detective.

 

confidence of the chief of police? What did it
all mean?"

“ Vex-y satisfactory," remarked Mr. Run-
some on quickly reading the papers.

“ hey are in the city yet.”

“ And have not returned to the hotel. You
need not answer, Mr. Ready.”

“ I don’t intend to,” replied Ralph, sturdily.
“ You can make a Witness of me if you want.
But on can’t make a tool of me."

“ so here, my sharp boy," remarked the
chief. severely, wheeling his chair around to face
Ra] h. “ Do you know that you have been as-
sisting criminals to escape from the law?”

If he thought to frighten Ralph by this asser-
tion be was somewhat mistaken. The boy was
utterly at a loss to know what all this meant,
but he did not scare easily.

“ I don’t see what you are driving at,” he do-
clared. “ If you mean that pair of spooney
lovers, they havsu’t come back yet. They have
got lost somewhere about the city, Ijudge, for
they are green as geese. You ain’t intending to
hint that those babies had anything to do with
the robbery? Why, the detective searched their
room as sharp as a cat after a mouse, and he
didn‘t find a sign."

“ Did they take nothing with them when they
went out?”

“ They both had good-sized leather hand-bags.
They were going sho ping, they said."

“ ng on notice w other those bugs appeared
to be ill or empty?" asked Mr. Ransome. '

“ They had a sort of fat swell in them.”

A smile passed between the two men.

“ See here. my boy,” remarked Mr. Ran-
some, sudden! . “ We have no wish to keep
you in the dar . The hotel was robbed by the

hermans, and you have been humbugged by
them. This is a matter which it is necessary
to keep secret, but I have a reason for telling
it to you.”

“ You will have to prove it to me,” answered
Ralph. with sturdy doubt. “ For! don’t believe
a word of it.”

The two men conversed in a low tone for a
minute, while the obdurate witness fixed his
eyes obstinately on the ceiling. He declared to
himself that this was all fudge. It was out of
the question that that pair of stray babies could
be the hotel robbers.

‘ “ Wh , old Bluebottle has been convicted of
the rob :- ,” he suddenly broke out. “ Mrs.
Mason’s rib on was found in his trunk.”

“ Don’t be too sure that,” replied Mr. Ran-
some. “ It is not to swear to a strip of
ribbon. The color is peculiar, it is true; but
we can't hang. men on the color of ribbons.
Here is the article. Have you ever seen any-
thing like it before?" .

Burgh took the strip of silken tissue, and
look at it closely. A growing suspicion came
into his eyes as he did so.

“ I have," heanswered, in a low tone. “ Mrs.
Sherman worearibbon in her hair of that exact
color, when she came to the hotel.”

His hearers gave a slight start at this infor-
mation. ‘

“ Are you sure of that?” asked the chief, tak-
ing up his pen.

‘ Very sure. I’m not color-blind.”

r

 

“ Did she wear it as a bow?"

“No. It was open, as it is now.”

“ W hen did you last see her wearing it?"

“ Not after the first time. She wore blue
afterward."

“ This is important evidence,” remarked Mr.
Ransomo. “ The Irish porter was sent for
the trunks which had been taken by mistake to
their room. He was kept waiting, on the plea
that they were not dressed. May they not have
been examining the judge’s trunk at that mo-
ment? In their haste to complete their work,
the ribbon may have been dislodged from the
woman’s head, and dropped unnoticed into the
trunk.”

“ it is an important fact,” replied the chief.
“This ribbon has never formed a how. The
creases are not in the correct position. These
have been made by an irregular crumpling."

Ralph listened with open mouth and eyes. To
what was all this to lead? And why had he
been?) taken into the confidence of the authori-

ies

“ One word more,” said Mr. Ransome. “You
have told me that the detective madeathor-
ough search of the room of the Shermans. Per-
mit me to say that he overlooked one important
piece of evidence. Will you please read what is
written on this scrap of paper?”

He handed Ralph a scrap of writing-paper.
It was Very much creased and crumpled, but
had been smoothed out. It seemed a portion of
a letter, and contained some torn lines of writ
ing, to the following effect:

“ * * "‘ ‘ at Philadelphia, the 16th Sep-

# i * * chance of success it we

'F * ‘ * the old game.
- “ Yours truly, Noam B."

“ That served your young lady friend as a curl
paper,” remarked Mr. Ransome.

“ But I don’t understand it,” declared Ralph.
“ There is nothing here but a name."

“ Excuse me. There is considerable more. I
happen to know what sort of .a game ‘the old
game’ is. And Norah B. means more to me
than Eliza Sherman. Dolt that I was to let them
escape me again, when I had them under my
thumb!” -

Ralph started up in excitement. The mean.
ing of all. this was beginning to get into his
brain. And he began to see that he had been
friggtfully humbugged by his innocent-seeming
pro yes. '

“ Who are they then i” he demanded. “ They
were scared when they saw you, and got out of
the room with handkerchiefs to their faces. I
helped to cover them!”

“ I know on did," answered Mr. Ransome.
“ And you dld it so well that I could not fairly
see them. Your ass of a clerk also threw me of!
the. track. He was too confounded smart.”

“ But the young fellow made believe you was
his father,” faltered Ralph. ’

“ Don’t mind that. Mr. Read ,” said Mr. Ran-
some, in a kindly tone. “They ave fooled older

rsons than you. Even smart detectives have

can deceived by this innocent pair."

“ Who are they then?” i

1‘ The most dangerous hotel thieves in the
United States. They have just made a round of
the West, where they made a rich haul. They

 

-set ed. But the Shermaus know them.

The Hotel Boy Detective. 81

 

 

have come here to ply their trade in the East.
The Grand Central escaped better than it would
have done but that they saw me.”

" Ahl But they are so young.”

“ Not so young as they look,” answered Mr.
Ransome, with a laugh. “ They are good at
masquerading. They may bequite old folks from
the country at their next hotel."

“ And to think that I was sold so cheap l" cried
Ralph. “ I hid them from their daddies! I led
them out the back way! I played watchdog for
a pair of sharps! Oh, won’t somebody kick me?
You needn’t try to knock my brains out, for I
haven’t got any.”

“ Are you going to take this sell quietly i" asked
Mr. Ransome, With a smile.

“ Not much am I!" ejac lated Ralph. “ I bet
I get even with those shy ucks yet. The sweet
spoons! I’m oin for them flat-footed."

“ That is w sent for you,” remarked Mr.
Ransome. “ ou have seen them. You should
know their faces even inider a disguise.”

“ I couldn’t be fooled easy.”

“ Then I want your help. I have come East
in pursuit of these sharpers. But they will not
be easily captured, and we must move very care-
fully. Can I trust you to keep silent?"

" I bet you canl I’m your boy square out.
They’ve had their sell on me. It’s my innings
now.

 

CHAPTER X.
melts AND LOCKETS.

“THERE'S a confoundedly smart party of
them i” said Ralph to himself,” he alanced
himself on two legs of a chair. “There are a
pair of smart detectives. There's a smart Ben-
son, and a mighty smart Ransomo. There’s a
smart chief of lice, and a howling smart pair
of Shermans. JI‘llere’s only one blazing fool in
the company, and that’s me. To think of the
neat way I was taken in and done for! I’ve
half a mind to have a rise-fight of my own,
hang me if I haven’t! 0 stand up before a
lookin glass and punch in own head.”

He fianghed to himsel at this neat way of
punishing himself for his folly. _

“ I ain t all a fool,” he continued. “ But if I
set my smartn to fight with my foolishness,
I don’t know which would whip. Anyhow I’m
not going to be discounted by all these smart
folks. I’m appointed amateur detective, and I
bet I don‘t disgrace the office.”

He held his note-book open in his hand, at a
well-filled page, on which his eyes were fixed.

“ The wise traveler lays out his road before
he starts on his journey,” he muttered. “ Now
ifI’m going to act detective, I’m not going it
blind. They want to use me for a cat’s paw to
pull their chestnuts from the fire. Not much, I
ancy. I’ll let this Ransome see that a boy has
some brains. First question, who is Ransome
and who is Benson, and what are they after?
The ain’t the Shermsns‘ daddies. That iioint’s

take
it that Ransome is a Western .(letective. who is
on their track. He is too ridiculously wide-
awake to be anything else. But who is Benson,
and what is his little gamei That’s the first
matter on the programme.” _

He made aometresh notes in his book, then

accosted by Mr. Jones.

 

thrust it into his pocket, and sprung to his feet.
There was .one thing to be done immediately;
to find out who was responsible for the mistake
in sending the trunk‘ to the wrong rooms. Pos-
sibly that might put him on the trail of the
thieves.

Ralph was impulsively proceeding toward the
baggage-r0011] of the hotel, when he was
The latter was in com-
Eany with Mr. Ransome and Mr. Benson, whom

e left standing in the hall, while he hurried
after the rapid—moving lad. ' '

“Stop there, you will-of-the-wisp.” laughed
the clerk. “You must he in a terrible hurry.
I want you to go after a locksmith. You know
where to find the nearest. Tell him to come at
once. and bring his keys. There are some
trunks to be opened.”

“All right,’ cried Ralph. “I’ll have him -
hero in a twinkle.”

He instantly divined that the object was to
examine the trunks of the Shermans. He
laughed in his slecVe as he proceeded on his
mission.

“ Little they will find there,” he said to him-
self. “These cute coons are not the sort to
leave any clew behind them. The are too wide
awake to be snapped up easily. can tell Mr.
Ransome that much.”

A few minutes sufficed tocomplete his errand.
He fortunately found the locksmith in and at
leisure. The latter armed himself with a for-
midable bunch of keys, and accompanied the
young messenger back to the hotel.

The committee of investigation awaited their
return in room 249.

“We wish these trunks opened,” said Mr.
Jones. “ Will there be any difficulty about it?”

“I fancy not," replied the locksmith, after a
glance at the locks.

He kneeled before Mrs. Sherman’s trunks, and
began operations with the keys. The others,
waited. Mr. Rsnsome had taken his usual easy
attitude, leaning negligently against the door-
‘amb, with an expression as if he had no concern
in theresult. Mr. Benson stood resting one hand
on the table. with his eyes fixed with undisguised
eagerness on the smith. Ralph rested on the
bed, covertly watching Benson, whom for some
reason he mistrustod.

“ Told you so,” remarked the ldcksmith, as a
sharp click told of success. “These are only -
common locks. No difficulty about lhcm."

He threw open the lid of the trunk and pro—
ceeded to the other. A glance showed that the
trunk was nearly empty. Its contents did not
quarter fill it.

Mr. Jones at once hurried forward and began
lifting out the articles of female apparel, which.
he closely examined and then handed to Mr.
Benson. The third member of the rty did
not move from his position by the car. He
took part in the investigation only With his

9 es.
y“The cunning jade has cleared out her dry-
goods amazingly.” remarked Mr. Jones.
‘Thore‘s nothing left but some well-worn bits
of women‘s rigging.”‘ .
“ And no'hin sus icious," added Mr. Ben-
son, as he let fal the est garment handed him.
“I hardly expected anything,” declared Er.

 

 

 

 

. It may have

22* The Hotel Boy Detective.

(

Ransome. “ These are old birds. They have
been in the hands of the law before now, but
they never leave a scrap of evidence behind
them. It is not easy to convict such shrewd
thieves.” ,
Ralph kept his eyes fixed on Benson’s face.
een pure fancy, but he conjec-
tured that he saw there a concealed uneasiness.
Ere the search of the trunk was finished the
locksmith had succeeded in opening the other.
Mr. Benson at once knelt beside it and hastened
to‘ examine its contents. It was even more
sparsely filled than the former. ,,
“These folks travel with very few clothes,’
he laughed, as be stirred up the scattered con-
tents, “ or else they must have managed to

can all their valuable effects with them.’

“ hey took onl hand-bags.” remarked
Ralph. “Not muc could have gone that
we .

“Did you notice their ap arancel” asked
Mr. Ransome, easily. “Any ifference of size,
for instance?”

' “Why, now you speak of it, they did seem to
be stbuter.” “

“ I thought so,” he‘smiled. , “ It is surprising
What a trunkful of clothes an old hand can
wear. Quite likely, too, they were light in
baggage to begin with. Folks in their line
don’t care to be overloaded.”

Ralph gavaaslight start. He had kept his
eyes fixed on Mr. Benson, who was searching
the pockets of Mr. Sherman’s clothing. He was
sure the searcher had found something. which
he had skillfully concealed in the palm of his
hand. He rose easily to his feet, holding a gar-
ment dangling in the air.

“ Like husband, like wife,” he remarked.

V “They are not such fools as to leave any evi~

‘ gether.

deuce behind them. Here is a pair of neat
drab breaches, Mr. Jones." v
He held out the garment with his right hand,
while he slipped his left carelessly in his pocket.
“We are on the wrong track if we expect to
find any hanging matter here,” he continued.
“ I am tired of this fruitless task.”

- He seated himself easily in a rocking-chair“

“ You can finish the search. I give up all
hopes of my missing fifty. At an rate I am
square. I won that much from gudge Blue-
hottlall

Ralph listened with an air of great innocence.
But he was saying to himself:

“You’re sharp. Benson, but it won’t work.
I‘m bound to find out what you put in that left-
hand pocket. Maybe that’s the key to the
whole game.”

Mr. Ransome had not stirred from his loung-
ing attitude. A faint, disdainful smile marked
blS beardiess mouth.

“ That will do," he said. “You may as well
return the goods, and-lock the trunks. Mark to
be called for. I fancy you will have them to
sell for unclaimed baggage. And now, gentle-
men, all that are present know my object. I
must request that it be kept secret.”

f‘Certainlv,” answered Jones and Benson to-

“ We will not breathe a word.” '

“If I can be of any assistance, command my
services,” continued Mr. Benson. “I do not
enJoy being victimizmi by these young sharks.”

 

“Thanks,” replied Mr. Ransome. “ I shall
not forget your offer.” I

By this time the articles were carelessly re-
placed in the trunks, and the latter locked.
The party left the room together.

They walked along the hall conversing on the
subject of their late search. Ralph managed to
station himself on the left side of Mr. Benson,
but that gentleman persistently kept his hand in
his pocket. Whatever object was concealed
there was not to be come at easily.

Some stratagem must be used to make him
take his hand from his pocket. The busy brain
of the boy thought of a hundred, but he could
hit on nothing that seemed feasible.

“Excuse me, Mr. Jones," he suddenly cried.
“ You have dropped your handkerchief. Here
it is." -

He thrust out his hand with a handkerchief
with such awkward haste as to nearly knock Mr.
Benson’s hat from his head.

“ Mercy on us, boy, look out how you go,”
cried the latter angrily. as he hastily caught
with his left hand at his falling tile.

“ Pardon me,” cried Ralph, humbly, “it was
an accident.”

“ You are always so ridiculously hasty,
Ral h,” remarked r. Jones, severely.

“ wish you would show me how to break
myself of it,’ answered Ralph, with increased
humility.

Mr. ones looked sharply around at him.
This humble tone was a new one. He saw that
the boy’s eyes were sparkling, asif with mischief.
He knew Ralph well enough to know that there
was some joke afoot, though what it was he
could not imagine.

Ralph lagged behind the others as they walked
on, continuing their conversation. At length he
quickly stepped into the open doorway of an
empty room. His bright eyes were full of mali-
cious triumph.

“Done it, by the hokefyl" ho ejaculated, slap-
ping his knee with satis action. “Went through
old Benson’s pocket the neatest wayout. Now
let’s see what my prize comes to,”

He held in his band a neatly-folded slip of
prer, which he had managed to extract from

r. Benson’s coat pocket while that gentleman
was hastily striving to hinder his hat from fall-

In . -

Ralph opened this missive with an air of hope-
ful expectancy. But a puzzled look came upon
his face on reading the document.

“ What in the world does it mean, anyhow?”
he asked himself. “ It looks all like tomfoolery.
Wonder if it isn’t a set of co y-book extracts?”

The document was certain y a very mysterious
or a very silly one. It ran as follows:

" In handsome actions lie good deeds. At five
miles you cannot bring down your bird. Broad
chestnuts are the best for roasting. Saturday after-
noon is everyh niv’s holiday."

That wasall. Ralph scratched his head in
perplexity.

“Why, hang it all, there’s no sense in the
confounded thing! The chap must be an idiot.
Maybe I’m one,” he continued, with a sudden
thought. “ Likely there’s a secret meaning in
that document. I’ve got it in my head, any—

 

 

 

 

The Hotel Boy Detective. 28

 

how, and I must manage to get this back in
Benson’s pocket. Won’t do to let him think he
is suspected.”

He hurried after the others, revolving various
schemes in his mind. They had paused by an
open window at the end of the hall. Mr. Jones
had just paid the locksmith for his trouble and
dismissed him. '

“ Will you smoke, gentlemen?" he asked,
drawing some cigars from his pocket.

They both answered in the affirmative. He
struck a match, but a pull of air through the
open Window extinguished it.

“ Here is a light,” said Ralph, who had again
joined them. ~

He presented a blazing match to Mr. Benson,
who took it in his right hand, but was obliged
to shield it with his left from the wind.

The alert lad took instant advantage of the
opportunity to drop the folded paper in the un-
guarded pocket.

They stood there a few minutes smoking and
talking. Mr. Benson was Very lively, yet
Ralph fancied that his vivacity was not quite
natural.

“ I hope you will succeed, Mr. Ransome,” he
remarked in a hearty manner. “ I am sure I
will lend you all my aid.”

His hand dropped again into his pocket.

Ralph, who was covertly watching him, no-
ticed a slight change of expression, and a. look
of satisfaction.

“ Thought he had dro pedv something,” was
Ralph’s sarcastic thought. “ Finds that he
hasn’t. It’s all lovely now. But I would give
something costly to know what the confounded
nonscnse on that document means."

They walked on, Mr. Ransome conversing flu-
ently about his intentions, and his plans for dis-
covering the thieves. '

“ I doubt it they are in the city," he remarked.
“.But I havs their description, and will imme-
diately telegraph to the authorities in all the
neighboring places.”

Ralph looked at him. The thought came to
his mind that all this innocent confidence might
be assumed. Was Mr. Ransome seeking to pull
wool over Benson’s eyes? ‘

“ See here, Ralph!” exclaimed Mr. Jones, a
half-hour afterward. “ This is your own hand-
kerchief. What did you mean by givmg it to
me as mine?”

“You don’t say so! Well, I declare, so it is!
How came I to make such a blunder?” "

Ralph’s tone was the perfection of innocent
surprise.

 

CHAPTER XI.
RALPH snows HIS HAND.

“ 13,1); an’ I nivei' know what ya ni’ane, at all,
at al . '

It was Mike O'Flaherty who spoke. He was
seated on a trunk in the baggage-room, face to
face with Ralph Ready. V

“ That cat won’t jump, Mike, Do you calcu-
late I didn’t see throngh your little game from
the start? Don’t see anything green here, do
you?” He touched his eye, and gave Mike a
significant wink. ‘

~ guess.

 

“ Sure, an’ I’ve a notion ye see double, now
and thin. It’s aisy for some folks to see what
niver happened."

“ You may as well own up the corn, old chap.
You can’t too] this chicken. I am not going to
use it against you, and I don’t care how much he
gave you. But I want to know which of them
it was.”

“Which of 'em, is it?"

“ Just so.” _

“As long as ye know so much, maybe ye‘d
best guess the balance. It’s not I as will stand
in your way."

“ All right, Mike." Ralph rose from his seat
with a resolute expression of countenance. “ If
you won’t tell me there are those who will. I
didn’t intend to report this business, but it seems
I’ll have to.” ' '

“ What in the world is the use 0’ being so dis-
agrayable about it?” ejaculated Mike, in alarm
at this threat. “ I’m obleged to be sacret. But
it ye’ll not sp’ake of it—”

“ Never a word, Mike. On my honor.”

“ Thin it was the red-faced one, with the
wrinkled up eyes. I know his name no more
nor the man in the moon.”

“He engaged you to take the trunks to the
wron rooms? And paid you for doing it?”

“ hist, ye spa] een! It’ll be the ruination
of me if e talk so oud. Faix, an’ it was only
a beggar y dollar he gave me; an’ ye’re welcome
to the half 0’ it, this minute.”

“ Nai‘y time, Mike,” laughed Ralph. “ You're
not going to get me into your scrapes. I’ll let
up on you this time, but if there’s any more of
this ghing you’ll get your walking-papers, sure

p0 .

R It was only a hit of a joke, as he told me,”
protested Mike.

“A sorry joke, Mike. See here; I want you
to keep mum. Don’t breathe this to a soul 1’”

“ Me hr’athe it, is it? Is it a fool ye take me
fur. thin? Ye’ll be sayin’ next that Mike
O'Flabarty was brought up on butthermilk and

raties.

“ All right, Mike. Mum’s the word,” Ralph
laughed, as he left the room.

“Good 1” he cried gayly, as soon as he was out
of hearing.
I just cari'onied the truth out of the ras-
cal. Benson is the chap that ,had the trunks
mixed. There’s no mistake about it. He’s a
partner of the thieves."

Ralph walked slowly on, thinking over the
job he had in hand. There was one thing he
was specially troubled about—the mysteriods
document he had extracted from Mr. Benson’s

pocket. He had already spent two hours try- .

ing to make out the meaning of that strange
communication, but was as (ar‘from it as
ever. . ,

“ It isawarniug of some kind, I’m sure of
that,” he told himself. “ Anybody could see that

Benson was on the lookout for something, and v

that he was satisfied the minute he got that pa-
per. There’s some confounded secret in itl”
His reverie was interrupted by Mr. Ransome,
who came'up at that moment.
were fixed keenly on the faceof his young assmt-

ant
“ Anything in the wind, my boy?"

“ It pays sometimes to work on a. \

His sharp eyes ‘

 

   
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
   
   
 
 
    
  
  
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

‘24

'game on this man Benson.

‘The Hotel Boy Detective.

 

“Yes.” ,r paper toward him. “Let me see what I can
“ I thought so. Where can we have a private make of it.” ,

chat?” ’ He cast his eyes on the document, which
“ Here.” Ralph had copied from memory.

Ralph opened the door of an empty room, and
closed it after they had entered.

“ Now,” said Mr. Ransome, “let us see if the
young head can teach the old head. What have
you discovered?”

' “ The first thing,” answered Ralph, “is that
you are a detective, and are playing the inno-
cent dodge.” ,

“ There is no sharpness in that, my lad. I as
much as told you that.”

“ The next thing is that you’re working some
Why, you’re as
open as a baby with him, letting him into all
your plans. It’s a queer dodge for a detective
to tell all his game to an outsider.” Ralph shook
his head doubtfully.

Mr. Ransome laughed.

“ You think I am working a traverse on him,
theq?”

“ I know it."

“ Very good. I'll let you into one oint of
our trade. rWhere you find a man too 5 arp to
be cheated by cunning, you can sometimes fool
him by innocence. There is no better way to
set a rogue on the wrong track than by seeming
to take him into the confidence of the law.”

“ I knew it," declared Ralph. “ You suspect
him, and don’t want him to know it?”

“ I want the little fish to show me the way'to
the big fish.”,

“ I see it all. What’s more. Mr. Ransome, I
know you’re on the right road.”

“ You do, eh i”

“ I can tell you this much. It was Benson
that got he trunks mixed up, and sent the old
judge a trunkastray, to be plundered.”

“ Very g . I suspected as much. You’re
a sharp ellow, Ralph, What was on that
pa er which you slipped from Benson’s pocket?”

alph looked up in utter astonishment. He
suddenly gained a new respect for Mr. Ran-
some’s ability.

. “ You didn‘t see that?” he (altered.
. The detective laughed. ‘

“ That is part of my business, Ralph. You
didn’t fancy I had my eyes shut? I had de-

‘signs on that document mysolf, but you got

V ' _ ahead‘of me.”

   
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

‘ ".“You bet it is.
. can see through it."

“Well, if you ain’t wide awake there’s no use

l'talkingl Maybe you can tell me what it means.

I’ve been puzzling over it for two hours, and I
can’t make head or tail of it.”

“Written in some secret language, eh ?”
He’ll be a smart coon that

“ Let me see it. I know you were wise
enough to return the original to Benson’s pocket.
But you have a copy."

I Ralph looked up in new surprise. Did noth—
ing escape the glance of those sharp eyes? He
extracted a copy of the document from his
pocket, and spread it out on the table.

_ “There it is,” he said. “ There isn7t much of
it. _ find shoot me if I can see a scrap of sense

_“ 't is part of our trade to read cipher

‘m‘i ,” remarked the detective, drawing the

 

“ In handsome actions lie good deeds. At five
miles you cannot bring down your bird. Broad
chestnuts are the best for roasting. Saturday after-
noon is everybody‘s holiday."

Mr. Ransome's bushy brows contracted as he
bent over the strange communication. Ralph
watched him eagerly. He was anxious to know
what it meant. Yet he did not care to have
his puzzle quickly solved by another.

The detective’s observation continued scarcely
a minute. Then a quick flush of intelligence
spread over his features. Ho hastily drew out
his watch, and looked at the time.

“ Hall’vpast four, and after,” he exclaimed.
“ There is not a minute to lose! There is work
for you, my boy. I must not be seen in it, and
you must be very sly.”

“ What!” exclaimed Ralph. “ You don’t
want to say that you have read that already?”

“That? Oh, yes! That is mere child’s play.”

“ What does it mean, then?”

“ It is only a school-boy’s cipher. ‘You have
merely to take the first two words from each
sentence, and join them together. See here.”

He hastily wrote on the bottom of the paper:

“ In handsome. At five. Broad chestnuts.

Saturday afternoon."

“ I can’t see that it’s much better than it was
before,” declared Ralph, still puzzled. V

“ Suppose we change that a little, and make
it read this way: ‘ In hansom. At five. Broad
and Chestnut. Saturday afternoon.’ Is it any
clearer now ’3”

The bo sprung up, and struck his hand vigor-
ousl on is knee.

“ ell, you are smart! Why couldn’t I see
that? It’s as plain as the nose on a man’s face!"

“ You haven’t learned the art my good fel-
low,” answered the detective. “ That is part of
our profession. I will tell you the true inward-
ness of it. This paper was left as a guide to
Benson to put him on the track of his associates.
One or the other of them is to be waiting in a
hansom, at Broad and Chestnut streets, at five
o’clock this atternoon, for’to-day is Saturday.
Benson is to meet them there. It is fifteen
minutes to five now. There is not a second to
lose. Hurry up there, Ral h. Use your eyes
as I know you can. But ta 9 care you are not
suspected.”

“ Shell 1—"

“ Not a word. There is no time for instruc-
tions. You .must trust to your own judgment.
Off with you."

His tone was imperative. But the occasion
re nired it. ‘ Ralph seized his but from the table,

‘ am left the room like a shot.

,. Mr. Ransome followed. tearing the paper into
minute’fragmenrs as he did so.

“ That boy is anything but a fool,” he re-
marked. “ He has in him themakingofa sharp
detective. I fancy I will find him a useful as-
sistant.” ‘ »

Ralph hurried up Chestnut street as rapidly
as the crowd which obstructed the street would.

 

 

 

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O

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The Hotel Boy Detective.

 

25

 

rmit. He reached Broad street aminuto or
two after the hour of five. He looked eagerly
around. There, on the corner opposite him stood
a liaiisom cab the driver perched on an ele—
vated Seat in th a rear.

The carriage was occupied by a single per-
son. At this distance Ralph could not makc
him out very well. He saw that he wore a
high-crowned white hat, that he had a long,
drooping mustache, and that he sported eye-
glasses.

“ That is not my man,” he said. to himself.
“ lint it is after five, and there is no other han-
som.”

At this instant a person stopped and spoke to
the stranger. Ralp ’5 face lighted u with sat—
isfaction. He recognized the well- nown fea-
tures of Benson. He started diagonally across
the street, with the hope that he might conceal
himself behind the carriage and overhear the
conversation.

He was mistaken. After a word or two,
Benson sprung into the cab bcside its occupant,
gave the word to the driver, and they were oil'
at full speed.

Ralph, startled and annoyed, ran for a few
steps after them. But he quickly saw that pur-
suit was useless. There was no other cab at
hand in which to follow. He could have punched
his own head for vexntioa. To have the bird in
his very grasp, and let it fly him in this fashion!
It was certainly dprovoking. Yet there was noth-
ing more to be one. The game was ended, so
far as this part of it went.

Depressed and crestfallen, Ralph turned on
htis heel and retraced his steps down Chestnut
s reet.

He had not gone far before he met Mr. Ran-
some, who was coming u the street. A look at
the boy’s face told the s rewd detective of the
failure of the enterprise. He drew Ralph aside
from the crowd.

“ Didn’t work. I see that.” he said, with some
vexation of tone. “Were ou too late?”

Ra] h replied by telling Just what happened.

“ T ere was a stranger in the cab,‘ be de-
clared.

“ Don’t be too sure of that.” smiled Mr. Ran-
some. “ The fellow we are after has more faces
than there are days in the week. But you have
not been so unsuccessful as ou imagine. We
know his present disguise. hat is something.
And they went in a haiisom. Would you know
the vehicle again?”

“ I think I would know the driver.”

“ Very well. Their stand is just around the
corner here. There is nothing but to wait for
the return of this particular hansom, and nes-
tion the driver as to where he left his fare.‘

This suggestion was at once acted upon. The
confederates proceeded to the o n space under
the depot of the Pennsylvania ailroad, which
serves as a stand for the hunsom cabs.

They waited here in patience for more than
an hour, narrowly observing the face of every
driver who returned from a trip.

“ There he is! That‘s our man,’f cried Ralph,
at 1911 h, as another cab wheeled in. - .

Mr. ansome stepped Quietly "P to the ngm‘.
and opened a conversation Wlth him. After five
minutes he returned to Ralph.

A). .

 

“ Very dubious,” he said.
the open street, at Franklin and Girai‘d.
we have lost our clc w.”

(TllAl'l‘Elt Xll.
PICKING or most: 'i'iiiiiCAiis.

“ IT is a l‘olorn hope, Ralph," said the dcteC-
tive, “ but we cannot ail'ord to lcaw- a stone un-
turned. So far these kccn scoundz'cls have got
the best of us. They have broken the trail. We
must try and take it up again.”

“ They left the cab at the corner of Franklin
and Girard. Isn’t that the spot to scour for
them?"

Mr. Ransome shook his head.

“I am afraid on were seen,” he answered.
“ If so, they may ave driven there as a blind.”

“It is worth looking after, anyhow. Some-
body may have seen them and noticed their
movements.”

“Go ahead, then. If you can discover any
trace, so much the better.”

Ralph darted oil' eagcrly. He felt something
of the instinct of the bIOodliound in his dcsiro to
run the fugitives to earth. Tliedeict'tivc smiled
to himself as he saw the eagerness of his assist-

“They got 0qu in
ear

nt.

“ It is utterly useless,” he remarked. “ These
are not the sort to leave an open trail. But it is
good experience for the boy, and Will keep him
warm to the chase. So let him try it." .

He walked back to the hotel. There was an
idea in his head which he wished to put into
practice. Benson was gone. Would he return?
That depended on what he had left behind him.
It was desirable to examine his trunk.

Ralph meanwhile proceeded rapidly to the
point indicated. It was a bus corner. Market
sheds occupied the center of t e streets in which
a Saturday night market was in active play.
Rows of stores ran along each side. A usy
throng of people moved up and down the avenue.
Ralph whistled as he looked around _him. It was
like hunting the traditional needle in the hay-—
stack.

On one corner was a grocery-store. The
grocer’s boy sat on an empty box on the pave-
ment, drumming with his heels while waiting
for a job. Ralph accosted him at a venture.

“ Been here long?" he askcd.

" ’Bout live foot six," nuswcrud the boy, with
a leer. “Ain’t goin‘ round iiieusiirin’ folks, are

on?"

Ralph laughed as if this were a very good
joke. He seated himself on the box beside the
bov and assumed a very confidential manner.

“ I’m looking for my uncle," he announced.
“ Come up this way about an hour ago in a
hansom. See an thing of it?"

“A liansom? hat’s a hansoni’l”

“ It’s one of those new style one-horse cabs,
with the driver stuck up on a French roof of a
seat behind. The queerest Jiggors out. Guess
you must have seen them.”

“ Well, I should smile if I hadn’t. One of ’em
stopped jest here ‘bout an hour ago, and let out
two men.”

Ralph’s heart throbbed with expectation, but
he forced himself to appear calm.

“ Like enough that’s the one I was looking
for. Did you notice which way they went?"

 

 
   

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_‘»’..‘§’.  »\.v

 

The Hotel Boy Detective.

 

  
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
   
  
   
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
   
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
   
     
    
    
     
     
    
   
   
   
    
     
     
    
    
    
   
    
      

“ I went out on an arrand. When I come
back they were standin’ on the curb yet, chaff-
ing away.”

“ One of them was an oldish man, with a red
face. The other had on a white hat, and a
regular Frenchy mustache.”

‘ Sure as shootin’,” answered the grocer’s
boy. “ That’s them.”

, ‘ Did you hear what they had to say?"
“Wei, I’ve a notion I’ve got other business
than s )yin’ round folks. What do you take me
for?” emanded the offended boy.

“ It’s only my uncle,” declared Ralph. “ See
here. You heard something. it’s worth a
quarter to me to know what."

He balanced a shining silver coin on his fin-
ger. The boy’s eyes opened in surprise and

cupidity.

’ “ I only heard a few words,” he faltered.
“’I’itch them out then. I’m good for the quar-

r.

, “ I heard the old fellow say: ‘ They don’t
- twig. They’re showing me their whole hand.’
' . And he laughed as if it was a‘high-up joke."

“ What did the young one say to that?”
“‘Look out,’ he says. ‘ You’re playin’ with
> flre.’ Then the old cha answered. ‘ I must
get my trunk away.’ e said something too
about ‘ best to have a friend on the ground.’
That was about all I heard.”

“ Are you sure? Think again.”

“ There wasn’t another word. Except I
heard the young chap say something about
Barclay street, in a kind of a whisper.”

“ Barcla street!” exclaimed Ralph. “ Are
you sure 0 the name?"

“ Bet I am.”

, “ Good. Here’s the quarter. What became
9f them afterward?”

“ The old fellow got intoa anklin street car,
and rode down-town. The young chap walked
up Girard avenue, with as spruce an .air as it
heowned the street.”

“ Hey, Toml” came a cry from the store.

“Guess I’m wanted," cried the boy. “ That’s
all. anyhow. Good-by.”

Ralph walked slowly away, inwardly de-
bating on what he had learned. The be had
- f not overheard much, but what he had eard
* was significant. Barclay street. What did
that mean? Ralph knew the street well. It
. was a short street, of no very good reputation.
It ran but one or two squares in length.

It was half-past seven in the evening when he
regained the hotel. He was hungry after his
' active service, and repaired at once to the sup-
' ,per room. He was not half-through his meal
when Mr. Ransome strolled in and took a seat
at the same table.

. “ What luck?" he asked. first looking around
to see thatthere was no one within hearing.

“The trail’s broken; but we can take it up
again,” answered Ralph.

“Ah! How?”

' ,“ Benson will be back here.”
. “ I know he will.”
It wasRalph’s turn to be surprised.
‘.‘ How do you know that?” he asked.
. “ Simply because I have examined his trunk.

I did not find in it any stolen goods, but its con-

tents weretoo valuable to be abandoned, ex-

 

 

cent in case of necessity. He will be back after
it, since he does not know that he is suspected.”

“Just what he said,” remarked Ralph.

“ What he said? You don’t mean to say that
you have seen him, and overheard him talking?
Como, come, you smart young rogue. Let me
have your story.”

Ralph laughed, as he continued to eat his
supper.

“ You thought I was on a wild—goose chase.
Anyhow, I haven’t come back without some
feathers from my goose,"

He very deliberately sipped his tea, quietly
enjoying the impatience of the detective.

‘ You are a ridiculously slow young villain,"
growled the latter. “ Quick, before we are in—

.terrupted.”

Ralph began to laugh.

“ It is not a very long story,” he remarked.
“ Guess I’ll let you have it.”

He proceeded to tell the result of his ex lora—
tiou. Mr. Ransome listened intent v. e sat
in silence for a minute or two after alph had
ended. ~
“ Well.” asked the youth, impatient in his
turn. “ Is there anything in it?"

“ Not much of importance. It has turned
out just as 1 expected. What the said told us
nothing more than we already now. YesI
there was one thing. That street name. That
may give us a useful clew. Do you know the
street?”

“Yes. It is a short one, not more than a.
square or two long. I have heard say it is a re
sort of doubtful characters."

“ Good. Very good. That is our next start-
ing-point. We may pick up the broken end of
our thread— Hush! Here comes Benson 1”

Ralph fancied that the detective must have
eyes in the back of his head. Otherwise how
could he have seen a man who had entered the
room exactly behind him. He could not repress
his curiosity.

“How did you see him?” he asked. “Heis
behind you.”

“ It is a way I have of looking) around cor-
ners,” laughed the detective. “ on’t you see
there is a looking-glass in front of me?”

He ave an or or to a waiter who was pass-
ing. r. Benson, who had indeed made his ap-
pearance, looked for a minute undecidedly about
the room. He then walked over to the table oc-
cupied by Ralph and the detective.

‘ Room for a third!" he asked. . . l

“Yes. Will be glad tohave you JOln us. I
have just ordered a snack."

The new-comer gave his order, and then turn-
ed to his companions.

“ How goes the search?” he asked, pleasantly.
“ Any clew yet?” .

Mr. Rausome shook his head, doubtfully.

“ It is just as I told you yesterday,” he an-
swered. “ We have to deal with a pair of
the spriest rogues in this country. That girl,
Norah Bouncer. would make her mark in any

country; and her husband isn’t much behind'

her.”

“Sherman isn’t their right name, then?”
queried Ralph. V -

“ No, no. It is only one out of adozen. They
know me well, and that I am attgr them.

\

 

 

 

 

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‘ The Hotel Boy Detective.

in

 

fancy they have left the city. I have ordered
the hotels to be watched. however. It is pos-
sible they may have dropped down somewhere
else, under a. disguisP."

“ How would {Eur spies know them, in that
case?” questioned i'. Benson.

“ He would be a poor detective that couldn’t
tell at first sight thnt a man was sporting a dis-
guise. We are a little sharper than you give
us credit for.”

Mr. Benson smiled as he addressed himself to
his supper. He seemed to have some doubts as
to the ability of the detective service. “ They
allknow how to blow their own trumpets,” he
said to himself.

“ Of course, we have more than one string to
our how.” continued Mr. Ransome, as he looked
cautiously around him. “ I can place confl-
denoe in you?” --

“ Certainly. I am with you in this business,
straight through." re lied Benson.

“ Here too.” added alph.

“Then the fact is. I am strongly inclined to
believe that old Bluebotcle is a confederate of
the thieves." ~

“ You don‘t tell me that?"

“ I thought he had been victimized at first,"
continued the detective with a very confidential
manner. “ But the evidence was very direct
against him. That ribbon in particular, which
Mrs. Mason swore to. He’s a confounded old
rogue. that’s my opinion.”

“ I See; I see,” declared Mr. Benson. “ Very
well judged. And by watching him you may
strike the track of the others."

“ Just so. That's my idea exactly."

“ But hardly while he’s under suspicion.”

v“ Let me alone for that.” and Mr. Ransome
laughed cunniugly. “I have set him right on
that point. The magistrate has already dis-
charged the casa against him as lacking proof.
I am going to be very innocent and conflding
with the old scoundrel. ’

“To seem to shut your eyes when you have
them widest open, eh?”

“ Just so ‘ust so. That’s a mighty sweet cut
of steak. ou had better try some of it, Beu-
sou. ‘

“ Thank you; but chops are my favorite.”

Ralph walked away, in some doubt whether
the detective was not rubbing it in too thickly.
There was somethiu in Benson’s manner that
made the lad fancy t at he was playing a part.

“Don’t do to take a man for a tool,” he

growled. “ Mr. Ransome’s smart. and his plan
Is a good one. But he’s too sweetly confiden-
tial with Benson. He unloads too easily.”
_ We must lea. over the events of the succeed-
XDE‘. daysflg W ch nothin of im ortance oc—
curred. nsome attach himset to the old
Judge as he had declared was his intention, and
helpe him to swoar against the confounded
laws of the Quaker City. Yet. despite all this.
Ralph noticed traces of uneasiness about Ben-
son. He was evidently suspicious.

It was late Tuesday afternoon when the lad
‘came excitedly to his confederate.

“ Benson smells a rat,” he declared. “ He has

i just paid his bill and ordered his trunkto be

sent to the Penna lvania Railroad.”
“I know it,” aiyiswered Mr. Ransome coolly.

\

 

“ The game is growing ripe. Are you at leisure,
Ralph? I want your aid ”

“ All right. I’m in on this job."

“Thou hurry out to the railroad station.
Sea the officer stationed there, and give him
this warrant. Point out Benson to him if he
eiiltéegs the station, but keep out of sight your-
se .
“And what is to be done?”

“ Tell him, if Benson attempts to take a train,
to arrest him on the spot.”

“ Very well. And if he doesn’t?”

“ Watch him like a hawk. If he leaves the
station. follow him. Take care he does not throw
you off the track. as he did before.”

“ I Will do my best,” answered Ral h.

. An hour after he was watching r. Benson
from a retired corner of the exteiiswe station.

The latter rested. with his head on his hand,
for some time. until the station attendants an-
nounced the Pittsburg Express. ‘

He then rose and walked out as if to take the
cars. Ralph quickly signaled to the officer.
Benson walked toward the gate with the watch-
dog of the law at his heels ready, if he should
take a step through, to drop a startlin hand
upon his shoulder. At a distance Ralph ooked ,
on, with eager eyes. '

, CHAPTER XIII.
RUNNING THE rox T0 EARTH.

TWO men were seated iu the smokin -room of
the Grand Central Hotel, engaged in t e pleas-
ure of a chat and the joy of a cigar. The con-
sisted of Mr. Runsome the detective. and udge
Bluebottle. The latter had not yet got over/his
indignation at his arrest.

“ By the jumping Jehosaphati there's no use
trying soft sawder on me i” he declared. I’m
going to make things lively, now you bet.
Guess folks round here don’t know what kind of
a catamount they wake up when they scratch
this ’coou. If I don’t make them see stars there’s _
no use talking.” ‘

“ Oh, come. come. judge,” said the oflicer
soothingly. “ You must not bear malice. It’s
not according to Scripture.” V

“ Scripture be-—- Excuse me. I’ve got noth-
ing ag’iu‘ Scripture. But there’s no use tryin
to shove the Bible down my throat. Don’t ' to
me! There ain’t a case like this one in it.”

“ It says when a man strikes you on one cheek
you must turn him the other.”

“Turn him the other? Mel If a man sla
me on one ear I’m to turn him the other? T _e
blessed stars! Just you get somebody to try it
on, and , ou‘ll see a lively time. by, if I
wouldn't ick the rooster into the middle of next
week, hang me for a blowing old ’ ossuml”

“ I thought you were a better hristlau than
that. ‘ud e. , ' I

“ Sci Igam. I’m a sound Christian. There
ain’t a sweater temper this side of Jericho it
tolks only let me alone. But I won’t stand no
nonsense. No, sires. Oh, the
deuce!” /

I want—

He suddenly sprung up and danced in a lively b ,

manner around the room. In his excitement he

had put the wrong end of the cigar to his lips,

with very unpleasant consequences. \
Ere he got over the excitement at the unlucky

 

  

 

-totheo

 

2e

   

accident a telegraph messenger boy entered,
and approached Mr. Ransome, handing him a
dis atch.

he latter quickly read it, with a marked

change of expression. He had been stretched
out in a very easy and comfortable attitude,
quietly enjoying the old fellowfs blustering
ways, but he now brought his chair down with
a crash, flung his half-smoked cigar in the spit-
toon and sprung to his feet.

“ éome, Judge,” he exclaimed. “ I have told
you who are the thieves, and where your stolen
goods are likely to be found. Our apple is dead
ripe and ready to tumble. Are you With me
for a ride? I’m oing for them."

“ Jolly boy i in your boss straight through.”

“ How soon can you be ready? Within five
minutes!”

“ I‘m ready now. A chap that sleeps on the
prairie has ot to be ready at the flash.”

“ Good. ait for me then.”

He hurried out of the room, stopped for a mo-
ment at the clerk’s desk to speak to Mr. J ones,

V and then hastened to his room. He was back

inside the time mentioned. Meanwhile a car-
riage had been drawn up at the door of the
hotel. and Mr. Jones and the judge were pre-
pared to accompany him on his mysterious jour-
ney.

The telegram he had received was from Ralph
Ready. It was to the following effect:

“ Our bird hasflown back. Slid the train and took

»a carriage. Getting his trunk on. I'm going to fol-

low him hot In a hansom.‘

What there was in this that gave warrant for
such a hasty excursion did not appear. But the

detective had been busy during the last few days

and had learned a thing or two. He now felt

sure of caging his birds. .
We must, however, return to Ralph, whom

we left at a somewhat critical moment. Ben-

son continued to advance toward the station-

ate.
3 The oflcer followed, with upraisei hand. A
step more, and it would have fallen on the shoul-
der of the unsuspecting victim. ‘
But just at this moment Benson stopped,
glanced cautiously around him, and then has-
tened to the elevator, which was about to de-
scend to the lower floor of the station. Ralph
and the oflicer ran for the stairs. shouldering
their way rudely through the crowded room.
When they reached the lower floor Benson
had already disappeared. But in a minute
after they recovered him. He had hailed a
carriage, which was drawn up to the outer door
of the baggageroom, and was engaged in hav-

J A . ing his truck extracted from the heap of bag-

gage.
. “ Good 1” exclaimed Ralph. “I have my man
now. Let me. have that warrant, please. I’ll

. - run him down if I have to chase him for a week.
‘ Will ou send a telegraph message for me? I

can’t ose sight of my bird.”

" Certainly,” answered the officer.

Taking a'scrap of paper from his pocket.
,Ralph hastily scrawled of! a message for Mr.
Ransomtefl at the Grand Central. Handing this

   

1

mm, which stood close by.

v

oer. he accosted the driver of, a ban-

The Hotel Boy Detective.

\

carriage at the baggage-room?

“ Yes," was the answer.

“ Do you think you can keep it in sight?”

“ \Vell, [should judge. There ain’t the blood
in them horses to get away from this pony of
mine."

“ Keep it in sight, then. But don’t let them
see they are followed. 1 will make it worth
your while."

Ralph got into the low-bodied carriage, drew
the lap-curtain up so as nearly to conceal him,
and jerked his hat down low over his eyes.

He was hardly co iifortubly seated when Mr.
Benson, having succeeded in recovering his
trunk, took a keen observation of the street be-
fore entering his carriage. He evidently saw
nothing suspicious. Ralph was concealed be-
hind the corner of the station building. The
fugitive stepped into his carriage. The door
cgised with a sharp clung. 1t drove rapidly
o .
The next instant the hannsom drew out from
its stand, and turned into the street. , The chase
was in full play. -

It was a sharp morning in late September.
The wind cut severely as they drove i‘a idly on-
ward. But this went for nothing. hey had
no time now to think of the weather. Some
hundred yards se arated the two carriages.
This distance the river of the hansom main-
tained. He stirred u when the chase turned a
corner, but lagged be ind again when it kept a
straight course. Thus they proceeded for a
mile or two, in a northerly direction.

“Straight as a die. No winding and no

tricks. He thinks the coast is clear, or he would
be trying some game. Had his eyes shut up,
after all.”

So soliloquized Ralphas the pursuit continued.
They were now in an up-town business-street.
The carriage wheeled in to the curb and came
to a stop.

“Shall I draw up?” asked Ralph’s coachman.

“Thunder. no! It will look suspicious. Keep
right on. But use your eyes."

They drove past the halted carriage. Its late
occupant stood on the pavement. The coach-
man had thrown his reins ‘ou the horses, and
was handlin the trunk, as it with the intention
to land it. he hansom drove on. Ralph crouch-
in so as to conceal his face and form. '

They proceeded at a jog-trot onward for some
distance. Ralph looked heedtully back. The
conchman had landed the trunk. and was carry-
ing it into the store before which the carriage
stood. Mr. Benson had disappeared.

“ Draw up here,” cried Ralph.

He sprung briskly to the pavement as the
hnnsom stopped. He looked back. The driver
of the other carriage was again on his box. and
was drawing out from the curb. He seemed in-
tending to turn his horses and drive back to his
stand. Mr. Benson was not in sight. »

“ That's plain sailing,”_cried Ralph. “ Achap
needs no chart to follow, that craft. .My man
has landed in that store. Wait a minute. I
will be back and pay yon."

l-ie hurried back. The other carriage had
now turned, and was moving back over its late
course. The next minute Ralph was keenly

 

I

“ See here, my friend. Do you notice that ’

 

 

 

 

i

    
 

women. “m. .Nrfrgt

an

 

f

 

 

 

  

The Hotel Boy Detective.

 

 

‘ gazing into the store which. he was satisfied held

the object of his pursuit.

He was right in one res ect. There sat the
trunk on the store floor. at Mr. Benson was
not in sight.

The youthful scout hustled in. Nobody was
present but a well-grown girl, who seemed the
onlyattendant upon the establishment.

>“ Where is the owner of this trunk?” he cried,
in a sharp tone.

“ What do you mean? He is not here,” an
swered the girl.

“ Not here?"

“No. He left the trunk, and went away

. again in the carriage.”

“ That’s all stuff,” cried the boy, angrily.
“Do you know that you are receiving stolen
goods? You will get into trouble if you don’t
out with the truth, instanter.“

“ Stolen goods?” The vgirl’s eyes opened wide
in fear and surprise. “ hv. sir, he only left it
'here on storage. I don’t know him, indeed I
don’t. He went right away again.”

The confounded boy looked in her face. It
was evident that she was telling the truth. He
rushed back to the store door. The carriage
had disappeared. His own cab was slowly com—
ing down the street, the cabman a trifle anxious
about his fare. '

Ralph sprung out hastily. -

“ Fooled l" he cried. “Fooled the worst way!
He’s in the carria e still!”

nd it’s given us the slip.”
p." Ralph leaped alertly into the
hansom. ‘ Now listen to me. Do you know
where Barclay street is?”

“ I’d be a gay driver it I.didn’t.”

“ Then drive straight there. And keep an
eye open for the carriage. You may bring it
up again. Let out like wild.”

0t! once more they went the driver using his
whip freely. His sorry-looking but active ani-
m1 made lively time, darting onward at an
unusual pace for a. cab-horse. Ten minutes’
sharp driving brought them to the desired part

of the city.

“ No a of the chase?” asked Ralph.

“ Noth ng sure. Just saw a carriage away
off ahead.”

“ We are nigh Barclay street?”

“ We’ll be there in a minute."

“ All right. Don’t drive into it. Pull up and
move slowly past. And don’t forget that you’ve
got a pair of eyes.”

u Ay, ay p1 ‘

The street in question ran at right angles to
the one in which they were. It was a rather
narrow street. bordered on each side with dwel-
ling-houses. ‘ Both used their eyes sharply as
they drove at a slow pace st its opening.

Ralph’s idea had not een in vain. There
stood a carriage, drawn up before a house mid-
way of the square. In a moment more they
had passed the street-opening, and the view was

ost. '
“ How is it?” cried Ralph. “Is it the same
carriage?" _ , i

“ You bet it is. I know it like a book. It‘s
Padd Lynch’s team."

“ ou know it, eh? That’s good. Hold up.

 

 

I hear it coming. Just you nail Paddy, and
make him say at what house he left his fare."

“ I’ll do just that. He’ll tell me, never fear."

They went on at a walk. In a minute more
the carriage turned into the street in which
they were and came slowly on. Ralph’s driver
hailed the coachnmn, with a. cheery call.

“The top of the morning to you, Paddy.
Where’s your fare?”

" Hillo, Tomi I jist unloaded up Barclay
street.” v

“ What number?" ,

” “That’s that your business?"

“ Only I want to know.” .

“Then guess. You’re allers too ready with
your questions, Tom.”

Ralph thrust his head from the carriage. He
held a silver dollar between his fingers.

“ Tell me the number then,” he demanded.
“ This for you if you aHSWer square.”

“ It’s a bargain i” cried the delighted coach-
man: " 1036 is the number. Hand over the
Handful.”

“ Done.
some mone into the hand of his driver.
will do. on needn’t wait.”

He sprung out and hurried back, leaving the
two coachmen to talk over the strangeness of
the whole affair.

And here's for you.” He thrust
“That

 

CHAPTER XIV.
DIGGING INTO THE roxas’ COVER.

WITHIN a room of 1036 Barclay street sat
three persons. Two of them were evidently the.
Ramona who had so adroitly humhugged Ralph , ‘

eady, but greatly changed in appearance.

. The shy, simpering boy who had so neatly
played the part of a bashful young husband was
now a wide-awake man. He had discarded the -
spectacles and mustache of his late disguise, but

was dressed in the rig are young sport, and ,_ M:

seemed fit to hold his own in 1111K, situation. ,
His wife, Mrs. Sherman, or orah Bouncer, ’

as the detective had called her, also seemed to 

have grown ten years older, and had quite
thrown off that helpless, girlish expression which I
had worked so on Ralph’s sympathies.

The third person of the party was Mr. Benson.
They sat around a table on which were spread

out severalhrticles, including parcels of bank— .I '

notes and of official-looking papers.

They were just now laughing as at some
amusing joke. ‘

“ You never saw anybody so sweetly confiden-
tial as Ransome was," said Mr. Benson. “Why
the man swallowed me right in.
his plans, and did not take a step without con-
sulting me. It was like the hound consulting
the fox.”/

“ The old fellow must be lasing his wits.” an-
swered Sherman. “ He is counted out West
one of the sharpest men going." .

“ So he is!” cried the lady. “ There‘s no steel. 4,
trap that is sharper. I’m afraid Of that man." ‘
She shook her head douhtfully. “ He has tol-
luwml usnp like a cat follirws a mouse. It

Wouldn’t sur rise me it he walked in here on us . . 

within the next hour.” . ’
“ I’ll go a picayune he didn’t follow us,“ re-q

 

He told me all , I

 

 

 

 

80

The Hotel Boy Detective.

 

 

joingd her husband. “ If he didn't track Ben-
son.

“ Track me? Not much! I’m too old a bird
for that. I kept my eyes open, I promise you.
Had my trunk sent to the station, and went for
the train. Played that as a blind, but didn’t
twig any spotters. Anyhow, I slipped away,
took a carriage, and got out my trunk."

“ And drove straight here?”

“ Well, I should judge not. Not quite that
green, thank you. There was a hansom that
seemed to be going the same way as I was. I
didn’t quite like that, so I played a little tra-
verse. I jumped off and had my trunk carried
into a store. Just as I expected, the hansoni
drove past and stopped just ahead. I slipped
quietly into the carriage, again telling the
"coachman to turn and drive back honieward."

“ Did you see who was in the hansom?“

“ You bet I did. I kept my eyes open, I
promise you. Hang lllB if it was anybody but
that smart young chap from the hotel! The
little first shot back for the store, while I drove
awa .

“ I‘he young idiot. He’s sharper than I fau—
cied,” sald Mrs. Sherman.

“ He’s no fool. But he was playing with an
old fox. At an rate, that was the last I saw of
the hansoni. got safely away whilehe was
following up the blind trail of the trunk.”

They all broke again“ into a laugh at this.
The young detective had apparently been neatly
fooled.

“ Business is the next thing in the pro-
gramme,” continued Benson. “ We've worked
the game, so far, very neatly. There’s nothing
_ now but a square divide and a scattering for

safer quarters.”

“ Old Bluebottle bled well,” cried Mrs. Sher-
man, with a laugh, as she laid her hand on the
bundle of papers. “You worked the cards
neatly in sending us his trunk.”

“ Did you have any trouble in opening it?”

“ I would like to see the luck I couldn’t open.
\We came near being caught, though. The por-
ter came for the trunk just as we we were inves-
tigating it.”

“Now,” said Mr. Sherman, putting on a busi-
ness air, “let us get down to‘work. It is not
best to waste time on this part of the job. Here
isaninvenrory of our plunder. You will find
everything down there to the least fraction.”

He passed to Benson along strip of paper cov-
ered with close writing. The latter examined
it with an experienced eye.

“That seems all right,” he remarked. “We
can make an easy divide of the smaller plunder.
- I suppose Norah will go for those laces.’

‘ “I don’t think you would care to wear them,”
she answered.

“ Hardl . But I want their equivalent in cash.
We must x a selling price on them. However,
this is the heavy weight of the business.” He
laid his hand on the bundle of papers. “ They
are dangerous stufl! to handle.”

“Nonsense, we can get rid of them in New
York,” answered Sherman. “ I know the fence
that will ,buy them. At a big discount, of
course.”

“Bless us, didn’t old Bluebottle rave about
them!” laughed Benson—“and I don’t wonder.

 

They are all securities that can be managed by
a. careful hand. By the way, Norah, that was
a shrewd trick of yours to drop that piece of
red ribbon in his trunk. It was that nailed the
busmoss on him. It was sworn to by one of the
victims."

“Red ribbon!” cried Norah, in surprise. “I
did nothing of the kind. By the way, I missed
a piece of ribbon from my hair. Oh mercy!
could it 'be—”

She burst into a loud laugh at the thought
that the old man had bgen convicted of theft
by the lost ribbon of the thief.

“You don’t tell me that? Why, one of the
lady witnesses swore to it positively.”

“Good! I wonder if they will convict old
Blueliottle on the strength of it! That would
be a shame. 1 hope the old fellow will be let
oif.’

“ That is a very proper sentiment in you, Mrs.
Sherman.” '

These words came from a new voice. The
door, which had stood partly ajar, was now
wide open, and their startled eyes beheld on the
threshold no less a person than Ralph Ready, a
very knowing look upon his face.

The three thieves sprung to their feet, with
cries of alarm. These speedily became oaths.
Sherman darted forward, as it with intentto
assail the venturesome youth. But he stopped
suddenly, on facing the muzzle of apistol in
that oung man’s hand.

“ ust hold your level,”.remarked Ralph,
pleasantly; “ and let me give you a bit of ad-
vice. The next time you've got plunder to di-
vide, lock your door. Guess I’ll take a hand in
this split, if you don't mind.”

He stepped up tb‘the‘table and seized the in-
ventory of the sto‘le‘h‘ gaxls. The villains were
utterly taken aback. They retired before
Ralph’s pistol. cowed but cursing. Even the
pretty lips of Mrs. Sherman gave vent to some
very strong exclamations.

“ That trunk trivk didn’t work, Benson,” con-
tinued Ralph. “ I’m a young hand, but I’m not
quite a fool. Back with you, now! Drop your
hand! If you show a weapon 1’11 bore you !”

The villains had got over their first alarm,
and showed signs of belligerent intentions.
Sherman and Benson advanced together.

“ One ste more, and down goes your house,”
warned Ra ph, with his finger on the trigger.

He had too many to cover. Norah had taken
advantage of the opportunity to slip nimny be-
hind him. In an instant her arms were flung
around him with a strength which she did not
seem to possess. ‘

In the sur rise of the moment the pistol was
discharged, t e ball going through the ceiling.
Ere he could aim it again it was dashed from
his hand, and he was a captive in the grasp of
his foes. ‘

“Tie him to the chair! Knock
the spy in the head!"

Such were the various exclamations which
came from Ralph’s raptors. He was held too
firmly to resist, though he showed no intention
of doing so. He was, on the contrary, alarm-
ingly cool. '

“ He has confederates,” cried Norah, in
alarm. “That pistol-shot was unlucky ,We

Gag him!

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

7
i
E

The Hotel Boy Detective. 31

 

must run with the plunder. Tie him and leave
him.”

“ And how about door, 3] little Roger?”
asked Ralph, sarcastically. “ on’t you leave
me the tootsy-wootsy for company?”

“ Take care Roger don’t punch your head,
you young ape,” cried that gentleman, angrily.

He began to sweep together the spoil that lay
spread out on the table.

A slight noise was audible below.
sounded on the stairs.

“I forgot to tell you," said Ralph, “that I
advised the good lady of the house what sort of
folks her boarders were. I sent her for help.
Likely that’s the help comiu ."

The alarmed thieves, start ed by this informa-
tion, released their prisoner, and rushed hastily
for the door which the footsteps were approach-
ing. 1
They were too late. The door was suddenly

filled with a group of men, before whom they
retired in dismay. For foremost of these men
came Mr. Ransomc, the detective, while behind
him Mr. Jones and J udgc Bluebottle pushed in-
to the room.

“ It won’t work,” said the detective in his cool
manner, his fingers to ing with a pistol. “ I’ve
had a long chase, hut ’ve run you to earth at
last. You may as well fling up the sponge, for
I’ve come here to take on."

“ And may I be keel auled for a blow-hard if
you haVen’t hit the mark square center!” roared

udge Bluebottle, rushing forward. “ For if

there ain’t my certificates, then you can kick me
into a pancake for a blazing old liarl” He sprung
to the table as he spoke, and grasped his lost
treasures with outs read hands.

The discomfited t iieves had retired into a cor-
ner of the room, utterly cowed by their discom—
flture.

“ Step out here now, lively.” commanded the
detective, in a brisk tone. “ You know me, and
that I won’t stand any foolishness. I haven’t
tracked you for a thousand miles for nothing.
Just drop that little rib-tickler, friend Roger,
or you may get hurt. And step this, way,
Nora. I hate to put such rough bracelets on a
lady’s wrists; but' I happen to know your old
tricks.”

No resistance was made. In a moment the
chopfallen thieves were all handcuffed. There
was that in the eye of the detective that took
from them all idea of resistance.

“As for you. friend Benson,” he remarked.
“ I am sorry to have fooled you a little. But I
wasn’t quite the jolly green you took me for.”

The only reply of the secured thief was a
volley of cursos. in which he was echoed by
Roger. As for Norah, she crouched back in a
chair, with a ti roe. tigerish lare in her blue
ayes. bhe see ed the most angerous of the

rec. .

“ How in the world did you get here, Ralph i”
asked Mr. Jones, in surprise.

“ I trailed the fox to his home,” answered
lRalph]. “But I don’t see how you nosed out the

- in e.

“ Let me alone for that Ralph.” laughed the
detective. “I have not been asleep since you
Ego me the one of Barclay street. .Have only

n waiting to catch all my birds 1n the nest.

Footsteps

 

'Bless us, if they haven’t had good

ickinffil
Mr. Jones, will you take charge of t e sto on
goods? There they lie handy.” .

Judge Bluebottle had by this time possessed
himself of his papers, and of one of the two
piles of banknotes that lay on the table.

“Thein’s my perquisites,” he declared.
“ Guess I’ll freeze on to that art of the plunder.
And wouldn’t Igivo the w ole of it to have
these sinners brought up before me in my court
at Duluth? I bet you high I’d railroad them in
a mi hty lively fashion.” ..

“field your tongue, you bloated’old blue-
bottle fly 1” screamed Norah in a rage. “ I’ll get
even with you yet for thisi See if I don’ti
With, the whole of youl With every one of

on!

“All ri ht, Norah,” answered the detective

coolly. “ ut you will have a little time to
think oxer it first. Come, this part of the play
is over.

He left the room, followed docilely by his
prisoners. Mr. Jones and Ralph gathered up
the stolen goods and followed. The old judge
brought up the rear, vowing what he would do,
if he only had them all out in Duluth.

We need not dwell on the sequel. The facts'
of the robbery were too patent for any defense
to he made by the prisoners. Every article was
recognized by the various victims of the theft,
and a sentence of six years each to the State’s
Prison followed a short trial and a rapid con-
demnation.

“ And after that term is over they are wanted
in the West,” announced Mr. Rausome.
“ There’s a neat liitle charge hanging over them
in Illinois, and another in Ohio. fancy the.
traveling public will be safe from their depre—
datious for some long years to come.”

“Hang me if you ain’t‘a’sharp one, Ran-
somel” cried old Bluebottle. “And I never
saw a cooler duck. Why don’t you emigrate to
Duluth? There’s a pretty field out that way.
And you, too, boy. I like you. Come out
there and I‘ll make your fortune.”

“ How about the quarter you owe me, judge?"
lau bed Ralph.

“ ou shall have it. By blazes you shall!
Just come out to my office in Duluth."

“Better come with me to Toledo,” remarked
Mr. Ransomo. “You have the making of a. ,
detective, my lad. I would like to take you un-
der instruction in the business.”

“You can’t have him,” answered Mr. Jones. '
:Thg Grand Central is not ready to spare

1m.
“ Let the boy speak for himself,” responded
the detective. ‘ .

“ Guess I’ll stick where I am,” answered
Ralph. “Don‘t know what I‘ll do when I get a
few more years on my shoulders. May take in
Toledo and Duluth both. But just now the
Grand Central is big enough to hold me.”

And so ends our story. Ralph, now aman,
is still in the Grand Central. He has not. yet
started on that trip West, which be fully in-

tends to take some day.
In: 13m,

 

 

 

3...... pocKET LIBRARY.

Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents,

 

171 Frank Morton. thv an Hurrah-a. By Oil Conmon.
173 The Yankee Ranger. By Edwin Enwrson.

173 Diek Dingle, mat. By Edward R. Ellis.

174 Dandy Roek'n Heherue. By G. W. ilrnwnl'.

1'35 The Arult Dv'teellve. liy Edward L. \i'ln-uler.
176 \‘Vill Wildflre'a l’luek. lly Charlua llama.

177 The lloy Conn-louder. By Col. Pri-ntlu‘lngraham.
‘73 The Muniur Hunter. ily Burton Snxr.

79 Dainty Lunee ' or, The Myntic Harlmmnn. liy J. E. Badge”

0 The Roy Gold- lunter. liy 1117. Harlmugh.
Tile Heiuti-tzraec Hon. liy Charles Morris.
2 '1 he Durk-Fklnued Hr-out. B ' Livat. Col. iiamltine.
. 3 Jubez Dari, lML-ctivo. 133-011 mam.
N4 Featherweight, the Boy Spy. ii Edward “'llhett.
1N5 Binou Bill, the Overland I’m-av. my Cal. l‘rantiaa lagrahnm.
186 Dalnt ‘ Lunec and "In l’urd. My Jun-llll E. lladgvr, Jr.
18? The 'l rapped Tiger King. lly Charla» Mania.
188 Thu Ventriiot nit-t. iietertlve. 3" Edward L. Whack-r.
139 (Did Rut-k ’n l oyn. Maj. Sam. S. Hall.
190 film nu) inn, Smut. y .lmnua L. llv-wun.
191 DTudy Rock’s Rival. B} hm. Wald» Browne.
192 ll ckory flurry. Br ilnrry Si. ammo.
193 Dcteetlve Jonh Grim. By Edward L. Wheeler.
191» Pro: eet- Pete, tlu- llny Minor. liyf)” Comm-I.
195 The lendcrfimt Trailer. By T. C. Harlmugh.
19“ Th Dandy Deteetivu. liy Chm-lug Morris.
19'? ll tin/Young t‘attlu Ki V. By Cal. i’n-ntiss ingrnllnm
ISM Eh v Dau‘a .\l nak. * Frank Dumuni.
199 Mlellhnar ' Nut, Du -tlvv. My 1‘. F. liarhauuh.
- 200 The Twin llort-emen. By Capt. Frt‘dI-rlck Wltlttakot.
.20l Dandy Durke'n I’arda. Ry “'m. R. Eyater.
202 Tom, the 'l‘uxan ’I‘igur. B ' Oil Conqu
.203 Plum llw tlflict‘ iiny. By lllnrlcfi Morris.
204 The You" Cowhoy. liy Cnl. i‘rmtiaa lngraham.
206 Tilt- Front er Detective. lly Edward L. “'haelor.
206 V! hlte Lllrht lulu nr. 'l‘ht- Boy Ally By T. C. llarbaugh.
207 kentuvk Talbot?! “and. By ('a \lark Wilton.
208 'l‘ruppel‘ Tolu‘tt (inatle Maner By Oil Cnamoa.
209 The .‘leuemzer-iioy Deteetlv . iiy (‘harlea Man].
210 The Hunchback oi'thc Mines. By Jnseph l'i. Badger, Jr.
211 Little Giant and lilo/Baud. B}- I’hilly 5. Warm.
“12 The Jilntown Hport. lly Edward 1.. Wheeler.
Bill The Pirate's Prize. By C. Dunning Clark.
214. Dandy Drive, of flhuatu. Ev 'I‘. C. llnrnnugh.
9315 lCDurluyx Dan, the Ranger; or, ’i‘hi: Denver Detective.
llflmt'fl.
216 The Cowboy (‘npiullh By Cul. Prmties innrahnm
21? Bald "end of the Rockies. liy Maj. Sam. S. Hall.
218 The Miner Sport. liy Edward L. wht‘l‘lt‘l’.
219 But-k, i'llo Deteeflv . Hy Alhart W. Aiken.
220 Crack-Shot Frank. By Charles Mania.
213i Merle the “iddy. Ry CHI. Prentlu Ingraham.
922 Ronebud Ben’s Boy-n. By on Coomrl.
923 Gold Conrad’s Wuteh-Doga. 11y T. Q. Hub-ugh.
2¥4 FI‘lIliy Fergun, the New York llnv. By G. L. Aiken.
225 Dick Drew. Illa: Miner’s Sun liy Edward L. “'beelur.
226 Dakota Dlek in Chicago. lly Charles Morris.
92’? Merle, the Boy (Trainer. iiy Cal. i’ri-ntlsa lmrraham.
V 228 The i’reueher Detective. By 011 Clmmlm.
229 old lIit-kory’u Grit. liy Jnhn J. Marshall.
230 Three Boy Sports. By Capt. l-‘redarit-k Whittaker.
2 1 Sierra Rum, the Detective. By Edward L. Wheelar.
2 5 Merle Montc'u Treasure. By (M. Preatisl Ingraham.
933 Rocky Rover Kit. By Ensign C. D. Warren.
284 Baldy, t‘hn Miner Chief. By Capt. .i. I". C. Adaml.
935 Jack Stump’a Cruilc. By Rag-w Starhuvk.
286 Sierra Sam‘s Double. By Edward L. Wheeler.
38? Newlhoy Ned Detective. By Charles Morrln.
288 Merle Monte’u Sen-Scraper. By (50L TWIN" “WOW
989 Bank Big Room. By Capt. Mark Wilton.
240 Sharp Shoot Mike. liy 011 Channel.
341 Sierra Sam’s Sentence. By Edward L. Wheeler.
2493 The D15nvelf.Deta¢alive. Byf'i‘. C. iiarbaagh. ,
248 Duteh Jun’n Dilemma.” By Maj. L. W. Cal-um.
E44 Merle Moute’n liiagulle. By C"‘- W‘M'M IHKI'IhImo
945 lialdy’a Boy Partner. By Edwm-d 3. Ellis.
#46 Detective Kcen’a Apprentice. By Charla Morr‘ll.
:94? The Girl Sport. By Edward L. “'heeler.
‘48 Giant Georze'a Ford. “3' Buckskin Sum.
949 Ram-h lfob’u \i’iid Ride. Hy'l'. C- Unrbmlgh.
250 Merle Monte‘a l'ardon. By Col. Prmtiu lngruhlm.
$51 Tale Dcai‘Dei native. Bv Edward Willett.
952 Denver Doli’a Devleey By Edward L. “'heelw.
358 The Boy Tender-foot. By Capt. Murk Wilton.
954 Black Hills Ben. By Mnj. Lewis W. Carson.
$65 Jolly Jim. Douctlvu. By Charla Mania.

By 011

 

256 Merle )lonte‘n Lnat Cruise. iii Col. l'rrntisa lnuralmm.

25'? The Boy (‘lliel'ol‘lloehy l'um. 15v Mai. id. L. St. Vraln-

25% Denver Doll an Deleellve. lly E. L. Win-alur.

2.39 Little Foxeye, lllu Colorado Spy. [iv ()!1 Comma.

200 skit, the cam. liuy. liy Edward wmuu.

261 Blade, the Sport. liy ’1‘. C. Ilarbaugh.

262 Billy, llu- llny Raver. lly Col. l‘runtias Inuraham.

268 Hunter “ob”: lluoy; nr, Liga, the Light-ill)qu Kanpur.
a; tiny}. J. l-'. 0. Adams.

261 Denver Doil‘n Partner. By E. L. Whonler.

26:3 Billy, the Baggage Boy. llv (‘liill'li'fl lilnrrli.

286 Guy’a Boy Chum. 13y ('apt. Canasta-k.

26'? Giant (ieorue’n Revenge. liy liar-Lahln Sam.

26$ Dead-Shot Dandy. liy Cnl. Prentiss lnurahaxn.

269 The Quartzvllle “on. By Edward Willutt.

270 Denver Doll’r Mine. lly E. L. “'ln-rln-r.

271 Ebony Jim’s Terror. Byflll ('nr-nu-s.

212 KM, the Girl Detectian Dy 1‘. c. linrhnugh.

273 The Girl Rider; or, Nimble Nud’l Stil'pl‘ll-lt'u
Badger, Jr.

27-} Dead Shot. Dundy'a Double. By Cal. 1’. lngrahain.

2275 Fred, the Oman Wolf. lly Charles Morris.

2'26 Deadwood Dick Trapped. By Edward L. Wheeler.

27? The Idiot Boy Avenger. llyAlbi-HVV. Aikvn.

273 Arizona Ali', lha Mini-r. By T. C. llarlmugh.

279 Colorado Jack, ll“! Tiger. By Frrllcrlt‘lt Dewey.

2150 Dead Shot Daudy’ui Lnat Deal; or. Keno Klt’: New
Role. By Col, Prentiss laurnham.

281 Ned. the Boy Pilot. By Jack Farragut.

BS2 Buek Hawk, Detective; or,The Messengnr Boy’s Fortunn,
liy Edward L. “'lm-ler.

238 Roving Sport Kit. By Edward Willntt.

28-1 The Showmau'n llent Card. ily Capt. Fred. “'llll-lllhur.

2!?) 01d Roeky’a Purd. By Buckskin Sam.

3836 Dick. the Dakota Sport. By Charlvn Mania.

237 Ned, the Boy Skipper. By Jnrk Farragut.

288 Deadwood DIPL‘D Disguise. By Edward L. Whaaler.

2N9 Colorado Nick, the Lanai-t. By Maj. ll. 8. Stoddard.

290 Rube, the Tenderi’oot. By Maj. E. L. St. Vraln.

291 Peacock Pete, the Leadrllla Spnrt. lly Alhart W. Aiken.

292 Joe Morey, the Night llawh. lly Jon. E. Badger, Jr.

293 Dwarf Jake, tha Dutccliva. llyEd. Willvtt.

294 Dulnb Diek’n I‘m-dz or, Eliza Jane, the Girl Miner. By
Eduard 1.. \i'hvelrr.

2M5 \Vllitc “'iug, tlw Ferret Flyer. By Charhel Morris.

296 Govinda, the Tiger Tana-r. linapt. F. Vi'hltlaker.

29’? Arizona Giant George; 0", The llnyn-l-a oi Saw-dint.an
City. lir iiux-knkin Sam.

$98 Duiny Doll”: Dulh; nr, Tha Tt‘li ('nluradn Farris. lly T. C
llarhauuh.

299 The liaiioon Dctectivcat or, Jack Slaahat’l Ynunk Pard.
liy Harry Ea tun.

300 Deadwood Dick‘a Miro-ion. By Edward L. \Vlwclt-r.

801 Dandy Duke, a... ('owhm‘. By Maj. E. L. St. Na...

8092 Big Benson‘s Bet. By T. C. ilarhaagh.

808 The Hotel Boy 'iieteetlvc; 0r, Thv Grand (‘cntrul
Robbery. lly (lion. Harris.

804 Bald Head’s l’urd; or, Urn-pint: Cat’s Cunning. lly
liarkakin Sam.

805 Dinky Dlek’u Duel; or, The I)l‘lll“lllfl Trail. Hy Harry
Hazard. Ready Nut’. l3.

By J or. E.

806 Fritz, the More Detective: av, Dnlph Danli-l’a Deceit.
By  '

1.. \\'havh-r. [in-ally ...~ 2..

807 Nit-k. the Boy Export: r, Thrr: l‘lucky i‘mdl. By Maj. E.
L. St. Vrain. Ready Nm '27.

808 Double-Fluted M at: or. 'i‘ha MyntlnCalll‘ornia Giant. By
Jon. E. llilllL'i'l" Jr. Ruddy lire. 4.
Bendie'u Pocket Library Is for nah by all Newuirnlari, ii"
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' 98 William Street, New York.