DEVOTED 10 BORDER HISTORY

 

 

 

Issued Weekly. By Subscription $2.50 per year, Entered as Second Class Matter at New York Post Office by STREET & SMITH, 238 William, St., N. Y.

 

No. 200. | Price, Five Cents.

 

 

 

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The next instant the Outlaw Queen was startled by a cool, ringing voice, and, looking upward, saw Buffalo
Bill and his two companions leaning over the wall of rocks, with leveled weapons in their hands.

 
bea RC ERD - ne
opie soins sein

 

 

 
 

 

     

A WEEKLY PUBLICATIO
DEVOTED TO BORDER HISTORY

 

 

 

Lssued Weekly. By Subscription $2. 50 per year.

Fintered as Second Class Matter at the N. V. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 238 William St., NV. Y.
Entered according to Act of Congress tn the year 1905, tn the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

\ No. 200, NEW YORK, March 11, 1905. Price Five Cents,
fr ; =
| ,
b
i 9 : :
} The Outlaw Queen’s Cipher Message.
| : By the author of “BUFFALO BILL.”
CHAPTER. 1. five years of age. The boy’s face was handsome, cleanly
& BUGRALO BHT s ee PRUNE shaved, set off by thick, curly locks of dark brown hair
) : ‘ a and deep brown eyes, which at that instant were dancing
I beg your pardon, sir, but am ao addressing the ith eagerness, awaiting a reply to his question.
a a ae ae Nee ai The lad was dressed very ‘neatly and much after the
| ne : , ~ manner of Buffalo Bill. His garments fitted him to a
finder and Indian fighter, who had been addressed, and, nicety, and displayed perfectly his strong, muscular figure.
f= poree Bill turned to view his nee the gteat He was tall and rather slender, but his shoulders were
scout's face assumed es ae ee of at rised Co wide and square, and his museles seemed as hard as steel.
_ Ina moment Buffalo Bili had sized up the yout ACNE Te wae the picture of perfect health.
him, weighed in the balance every characteristic of the

 

 
 

lad’s face, figure and dress, and seemed evidently well
pleased at the conclusion arrived at, for his handsome
face beamed a smile at the boy as he extended his hand

   
 
 

Buffalo Bill justly prided himself on his ability to read
character. He never made a mistake, And the instant

  
  

worthy of his friendship.
The scout saw before him a young man perhaps twenty-

   

     

sa

in greéting and answered the question in the affirmative. .

he had glanced at the stranger’s face he knew the lad was |

As the great scout extended his hand the lad grasped
it eagerly, and exclaimed: 5

“T knew I could not be mistaken! You are one man
in a thousand, Col. Cody. No description of you could
possibly fit any other man. This is indeed a proud mo-
ment.”

“May I ask your name?” suggested Buffalo Bill,

“Certainly ; excuse me,” was the answer. “My name
is Frank Clark Morris, ex-lieutenant of Troop D, Twenty-
    
      
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
   
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
   
   
  
 
   
  
   
   
  
  
 
  
   
    
     
    
   
   
    
    
   
   
    

Cd

envelope he remarked:

added interest.

SERS Rocce
: é

oS , THE BUFFALO

 

Cayaley, US. A. but T have resigned my commis-

sion. I am known among my soldier friends as ‘Nervy

Frank?’ But I have a letter here addressed to yourself
which will explain better why I sought you out than I
can tell you myself.”

As Cody reached out his hand to take the extended
“Lieut. Morris—Morris. The
name is familiar. Let me see. Were you not stationed
at Fort Wilbur, under Col. Farnham?”

“Yes, indeed,” was the answer.
Col. Farnham.”

“Oh, is that so?’ exclaimed the scout, with apeuent
“Col. Farnham has always been a warm
friend of mine, and now I recollect that it was he who
spoke of you. He said you had a brilliant career before
you. as_an army officer. He spoke well of you. | am
indeed pleased to make your acquaintance, Lieut. Morris.”

The lad’s cheeks flushed with pleasure. a

The scene of the meeting between the young ex-officer
of the army and the famous scout of the West, was in.

the picturesque, small, but lively settlement known 4s
Jules’ Rest.-

If the readet will search the map of Cstorads i will

fotice that in tHe northeastern part of the. State, and very

close to the Nebraska line, there is situated a town by
the name of Julesburg.

The town is not large, but is an important point because
of its situation on.the Union Pacific Railway. A Jules-
burg‘a branch line of that system-leaves the main line
and branches off south and west to Denver.

It is a quiet town, surrounded by large farms, at the
present time made ‘fertile by irrigation, the water being
taken from the South Platte River, which flows by, a
mile south of the town. The peaceful quiet of the Jules-
burg of to-day can give the sojourner within its bounds
little idea of the lawless revelry daily and nightly. pre-
dominating in Jules’ Rest at the time of which this story
treats.

Although the Julesburg of to-day takes a part of its
name from and stands in the place of the Jules’.Rest of
some years ago, it is peopled with an entirely different
class of human beings. It is not upon the same grounds
of the former town, which was finally attacked and burned
by the Indians. Jules’ Rest was about nine miles up the
tiver from the present logation of Julesburg.

Jules’ Rest was known as one of the most lawless settle-
ments of the foothills. It was continually filled with a
sort of floating population consisting of miners, pros-
pectors, cattle “punchers,” gamblers, horse traders, high-
waymen, thieves of every rank and file—good men and
bad men. But the latter class’ were always in the large
majority. %

The settlement was a stage point for lines running-north
and south, and east and west, and it was also on the direct
line of emigration of vast herds of cattle which, in certain

BILL L STORIES,

“That letter is from

street of the town to, as. he expressed it,
out” of his limbs, and had stopped for a moment in front

* Scotch plaid stuff, both waist and skirt.
able feature of her dress, however, was a single white

Fits

ae

seasons, were driven sea degrees into western ‘Ne-
braska and Wyoming, for grazing purposes, from ranches

in Colorado; western Kansas, New Mexico, and even from |

as far south as Texas.”

During the summer and fall months Jules’ Rest was
literally owned by hundreds of cowboys, who passed
through going north or returning south with their herds
of long-horns. And it was late in the summer, when the

settlement was in its zenith of revelry, that the meeting —

between Buffalo Bill and his new, oe friend, Nervy
Frank, occurred.

Buffalo Bill had been in the town but an hour or so :
He had had a long ride

and had just been overseeing, with his accustomed care- -y--

when the meeting took place.

fulness, the work of grooming and feeding his magnificent
horse. This was a matter deemed very important by. the
great scout, and he never failed to attend to it, or, at east,
watch-over it: personally, =, 9

He had then started on a stroll along oe one long
“take the kink

of Amoisy dancing hall. He was peering thoughtfully

through the open Honey when pee by Nervy  @

Frank.
It was nearly dark, and as Buffalo Bill tore open che

envelope containing the letter handed him by Nervy

Frank he moved nearer to the window of the dance hall
to take advantage of the light which was streaming
through it.

He had glanced at the address on the envelope and
recognized the handwriting of his friend, Col. Farnham,

- and was about to unfold the pages of the letter when his

attention was arrested by a sudden exclamation from Ns
lips of Nervy Frank.
“My God! It’s
~The words were not shouted.

 

“No, no; it can’t be her!”
In fact, they were

uttered in a tone of voice hardly louder than a whisper.

It was the fervency of the cry, the intensity of the tone
—combining, it seemed to the lone auditor, notes of in-
tense excitement, pathos, surprise—that made the ejacula-
tion startling. :

_ As Cody glanced around he found his young companion

gazing intently into the dance hall, his gaze evidently — i

fixed upon some particular object or individual within.

The young man’s face was chalk-white, and his features
indexed strong emotions which the scout instantly inter-
preted as evidences of great astonishment, not fear.

Buffalo Bill, moved backward to command a view of

the interior- of the hall, but just then there appeared in.

the doorway a young woman, grotesquely dressed in
The most notice-

glove worn upon the left hand.

The girl was small and slim, but of good ae co,
bared oy was.covered with a luxuriant growth of wavy,

\

 

 

Ch es

 

 

 

   
  

 
  

THE BUFFALO

golden hair. Her face was well molded, and her perfect
complexion harmonized pleasingly with the red lips bor-
dering a small, well-shaped mouth, and the deep blue eyes.
The eyes were just now staring into those of Nervy
Frank, and the pupils were dilated as if from. sudden
fright or surprise. a
' Frank started forward as if to address the girl when
| the young woman seemed to suddenly compose her fears,
if any she had, dropped her eyes, blushing modestly, and
without a word stepped into the street, tripping daintily
_ but swiftly out of sight into the darkness; -
“No, it couldn’t possibly have been her!” Frank mut-
tered, for the moment forgetting the presence of Buffalo
Bill, :
The young man was quickly brought to a realization of
the scout’s presence, however, by the latter quietly asking:
“Did you think you recognized an old acquaintance, my
boy?”
“Yes—no,” was the faltering reply. “I thought at first
I knew her. She looked like a girl I once knew—in the
East—back home—years ago. Butit wasn’t her. Couldn’t
have been.”
“Well, would you know her again if you should see
) her?” Buffalo Bill asked.
“Among a thousand!” was the reply.
“Good!” exclaimed the scout.
“Why, w-what do you mean?” asked Frank.
. “Tell you later, perhaps,’ was the reply. ‘“‘Let’s hunt
- | up a place to get supper and a lodging, and then I’ll read
this letter.”
Supper was not quite ready to serve when the two men
» arrived at the Gold Front Hotel, which was considered
the better of the two taverns in the town; but Buffalo
) Bill, who intended spending several days in the settlement,
bargained for a room and invited his young friend to
share it with him, for the night at,least.
_. They retired immediately to the room. to prepare for
© supper, and to give the scout an opportunity to read his
® letter.

4
ee ee
6 ES ? nes i =

SEE ae

 

Frank had little to say. He seemed as one walking in
| adream ever since his sight of the girl in the Gaiety dance.
| hall. He was evidently meditating on the circumstance
" of the girl’s surprising likeness to the one he had known
4 Na in the East, and, as the youth threw himself into a chair,
" with his elbows on his knees, slowly running his long
_ fingers through his hair in meditation, Buffalo Bill opened
) the letter and read as follows:

' _ “My Dear Frienp Copy: I am writing this letter to
’ introduce its bearer, ex-Lieut. Frank Clark Morris, late
of Troop D, of my command. You will remember my
_ mentioning his name to you on several different occasions.
_ However complimentary my remarks may have been, my

 

 
 
  
  
 

ward the young man in speaking of his abilities. Before

  

you to know something more of him than I have hereto-
fore told you.

 

 
 

+ best judgment tells me I have not been too generous to- ©

I let you know the request I am about to make, I want.

BILb STORIES. 3

“Morris was educated for a military career. His father
and grandfather were each in the service, and retired with
high honors. The boy was sent, at the earliest possible
age, to a military school and thoroughly instructed in the
art of war. I may say that it was by his own efforts and
not by any political or other ‘pull’ that he received his
commission. He started in as a private, and in the three
years that he has served in Troop D has advanced to the
rank of lieutenant.

“During his service Morris has on several occasions
proved his bravery, and won favorable mention in dis-
patches to Washington. He is an expert in the use of
firearms, and seems to be a natural-born scout.

“Notwithstanding my advice to continue in the service,
Morris lately announced his determination to give up
regular soldiering and. become a government scout.
Through my efforts he has been granted the necessary
license to act in that capacity, should such procedure meet
with your sanction, and should you be willing to let the
young man work under you, following your instructions.
It is understood that he must resign his commission if he
takes this step. He has informed me that should you
turn him down he will retire from the service anyway,
and has proved his determination to do so by already
signing his resignation papers. I heartily commend him
to you, and I sincerely hope you may find him useful.”

There were a few more sentences of a private nature,

and the letter was signed by Col. F. H. Farnham.
_ When he had finished the letter Buffalo Bill turned to
look at the young man. Frank was still absorbed in his
own thoughts, and the scout spent several moments in
studying the youth before addressing him. When he did
speak he was standing directly beside the boy with ex-
tended hand, and his voice was quick and sharp, startling
Frank so that he jumped quickly to his feet. .

“Put it there, pardner!” "

As Frank mechanically took the offered hand he stam-
mered: “Why, what—-what —— Oh, have you read the
letter? Do you take me? Sure?”

Buffalo Bill’s features were wreathed in smiles, and
Frank’s countenance quickly flushed with joy as he real-
ized that the great and only Buffalo Bill had accepted his
services, had honored him by calling him “pardner,”’ the
greatest compliment, in the lad’s estimation, that the
famous scout could have showered upon him.

“I thank you, Buffalo Bill,” the lad said. “I trust you
will always find me doing my duty.”

“T trust you will,’ was Cody’s reply. “TI like your
looks, and I am frank in saying that your coming here to
Jules’ Rest was very opportune. There is work ahead
of us. You will not need to wait long to begin.”

“May I ask for a hint of what is coming?” asked Frank.

“Briefly,” was the reply, “I am after the band of out-
laws who ten days ago held up the Cheyenne stage and,
besides securing some valuable government mail contain-
ing important papers, got away with fifty-two thousand
dollars in money which was being sent to pay off the
soldiers at Fort Howell.

“T have already learned,’ continued Cody, ‘‘that con-

; ee

  
    

4

 

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

Sean se pee ay OLS REE AS ER Te

    

 

 

   

ROPE OR I er “ a - FS Rn mn

I will tell you later.

siderable, if not all, of the money has been circulated here,
and I am certain that at least some members of the gang
are now in Jules’ Rest. I have strong suspicions that a
certain individual known as Topaz Jordan, whom I saw
this evening in the Gaiety, is a member of the band, I
want you to watch his actions.”

Frank’s eyes glittered with interest as Cody uttered the
above sentences ; but Cody, who was closely watching the
lad, noticed a sudden change of expression, a widening
of the pupils of thé eyes turning quickly to a troubled
look, as he added: .

“There is a woman mixed up in this case, Frank. I
have already found that out, and have suspicions of which
You will’probably, before this in-
vestigation is finished, learn something more of the girl
you saw this evening coming out of the Gaiety dance hall.”

 

CHAPTER II.
A SHOT THAT SAVED A LIFE.

Supper had just been announced as ready in the large
dining room of the Gold Front Hotel when Buffalo. Bill
and Nervy Frank descended the stairs. The two scouts
were the first to be seated at the table.

The dining room was an adobe addition to the hotel
proper, built in the shape of a long, narrow wing. There
were twelve tables, arranged in two long rows, six in
each row. ;

As they entered the room.the two scouts took seats at
the first table to the right, Buffalo Bill’s seat commanding

_ a view of the whole room, while Frank sat opposite with
his back to the other tables.

They were not long alone in the room, however, and
before their orders had been taken and served at least a
dozen other men had entered and seated themselves.

Among the last bunch of boarders to arrive were two
cattle “punchers,” who seemed rather more than naturally
hilarious. They were the least bit the worse for liquor,
but appeared jolly rather than quarrelsome. They took
seats at the table directly backeof Frank. .

Following the cowboys came a well-dressed and rather
good-looking man of about middle age, who hesitated as
he entered the room and glanced carefully over the tables
as if selecting a seat, He then approached the table where
our friends were seated, and, in a polite manner, asked
if he might occupy the end seat next to the wall. His
request was granted,

The stranger immediately started a conversation with
the two scouts, in the course of which he gave them to
understand that he was a professional gambler and had
been in the settlement for a number of weeks.

The stranger proved an interesting talker, He was
polished in his manners, had evidently traveled exten-

sively, and it was not long until the three, were eng aged ~

in a spirited conversation, S

ashamed of. I have always been able to keep so far ahead

-as the two scouts had seen earlier in the evening, depart-

‘of Poker Kate.

General topics were discussed, and Buffalo Bill, in an
expert mannér, so guided the discussion that it was not.
necessary to introduce either himself or Frank; but they
contrived to learn that the stranger—while in Jules’ Rest,
at least—went by the name of Long Chance Charlie.

“What is your favorite game of chance?” asked Buf-
falo Bill, at a point where the conversation lagged for a
moment.

“Poker,” was the answer; and Long Chance continued:
“Poker has always been my long suit, and I have always
been an easy winner at the game until ” “He hesitated
and an embarrassing blush crept over his smooth, blond
face. ae

“Well, it’s a little embarrassing,” he continued, after ae
moment’s pause, “but perhaps it’s nothing to be really

  

 
       
 
   
  
   
   
  
   
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
    
 
   
   
   
    
 
 

 

 

of the game that I had really considered myself rather a
favorite of Dame Fortune’s, but in the last ten’ days luck. ©
has been dead against me. In nine nights I have lost
exactly twenty-one thousand dollars, and every cent of © '
that money has gone to one person—a woman!’ i
The gambler gave a little, embarrassed laugh, and his
countenance flushed again as he made the admission that 4
a woman had oe herself his superior in the great —
game. : : 4
“T had good hands, too,” he continued. “She has beaten |
my fours with straight flushes, full houses with fours, ©
and in seven hands one evening held two royal flushes. ; °
She is a mere girl, too, apparently, Perhaps you know ,
of her. She is known as Kid Fingers, on account of |
always wearing a white kid glove on her left hand. I
have also heard her addressed as Poker Kate. Why, there
she is now!”
The gambler pointed toward i doorway behind But
falo Bill. ‘
Buffalo Bill did not turn in his seat. His eyes were _ |
gazing at the face of Nervy Frank. Frank had seen the |
new arrival before the gambler had noticed her, and his 4
face was reflecting a variety of strong efmotions.

 

 

 

The girl who had entered the dining room was the same

ing from the Gaiety dancing hall,

She was not alone. A man followed her, and while the 7
gambler’s attention was occupied watching the new ar- a
rivals Buffalo Bill leaned over the narrow table and whis- 4
pered almost inaudibly in Frank’s ear: ¥

“Topaz Jordan!”

The man the two scouts were to wateh was the escort \

 

 
 

Poker Kate was in the lead, and was about to take a
seat at the head table opposite the one at which Buffalo
Bill-and Nervy Frank were sitting, but the girl, glancing
up casually as she drew out the chair, saw Frank, She
dropped her eyes as if in confusion, and, whispering a
word or two to her companion, pushed back the chair and

    
     
         
     
      

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been called an unusually handsome man.

SEAN BGO

 

      

continued 6n down the aisle to the very last table in that

row.

She selected a seat at the end next to the aisle, and
‘Topaz Jordan took the chair at her left, his back to the
front of the room. : ‘

Buffalo Bill recognized the man as Topaz Jordan by a
distinct scar across the left cheek, evidently caused by an

unskillful dressing of a knife wound. The scar was .
nearly an inch in width on the cheek, tapering at each

end. It extended from the base of the nose straight
across the cheek to just below the left ear.

Aside from that ugly mark Topaz Jordan could have
He was evi-
dently less than thirty-five years of age, was swarthy of
complexion, had dark eyes and jet black hair. He was
above the medium in size, and it could be seen that he
was muscular. He was not dressed as a cowboy, hunter
or scout. His clothes were of. Eastern make, fitted him
perfectly, and made of good cloth. He had every appear-
ance of being a man of leisure, with no cares and plenty
of money.

Yet his face carried a sinister expression, and his eyes,
which were rather small for his face, were restless, con-
veying impressions of craftiness and deceit,

It was easy to see how the man came to be called Topaz
Jordan, for three of those precious stones were sé@t in rings

* upon his fingers, a shirt stud was set with another large

topaz, and his cuff buttons were also decorated with the
same stones.
Franks back was toward the couple when they had
become seated, but Buffalo Bill had a clear view of them.
While the interrupted conversation was soon continued,
and the great scout took a prominent part in the discus-

sions, he kept a corner of his eye reserved to watch the

man and girl.

He noticed that the girl still wore a white kid glove on
~ her left hand, and that, as she began to eat, she did not
remove it.

After the couple-had,been waited upon Buffalo Bill
saw the girl beckon t6-a waitress, who took her order,
and a moment later brought the young woman a glass of
some kind of dark wine.

Just then some particle of food lodged in the young
woiman’s throat and she was forced to cough. As she
leaned over the table the scout saw her companion quickly
bring a little paper sack from his pocket and from it pour
into the girl’s wine a small quantity of what seemed to
be a white powder !.

The girl almost immediately recovered, and did not de-
tect what her companion had done.

A moment later, just as the gambler was talking
fluently on an interesting subject, the diners were startled
by a sudden pistol shot,

Almost simultaneously with the report’ a crash at the

THE’ BUFFALO

 

BILL’ STORIES. | 5

back of the room drew all-eyes toward the last table
on the left.

The girl known as Poker Kate had fallen with a shriek
prostrate to the floor.

The glass holding. the wine had been broken into a
hundred pieces, and the fluid was running over the ‘table
and onto the floor.

Nervy Frank had received no warning that the shot
was to be fired, and although he had been looking straight
at Buffalo Bill he had noticed no warning expression on
the face of the great scout.

He had no recollection of seeing the weapon drawn, it
was done so quickly. The first he recollected was seeing

_the smoking revolver in the hand of Buffalo Bill.

Both scouts acted quickly.
Buffalo Bill was standing by his chair in a twinkling,

both revolvers extended and covering all present as he

exclaimeds:

“T’ve got every man in the room covered! Keep your
hands off your pistols! Put your hands on the table where
I can see them!”

Quick as Buffalo Bill had been, one man had drawn
his gun.

One of the half-drunken snigtieye had been eating with
a revolver lying besidé his plate.
when the shot was fired and had it instantly leveled at
Buffalo Bill.

As Nervy Frank jumped from the table he whirled
around, and the first Object he saw was the revolver in
the hands of the cow “puncher,” leveled at the famous
Scout.

‘The man’s finger was on the trigger.

Frank made a rush, and just as the trigger was pulled
he succeeded in maling a high kick which knocked the
weapor from the man’s hand.

The bullet buried itself in the online,

No other person drew a weapon, but the angry cowboy,
pulling a knife from his belt, made a ferocious rush at
Frank, who was between the cowboy and Buffalo Bill,
thus protecting his assistant from the latter’s marksman-
ship,

The cowboy, however, was no match for the young
man. As the former in his mad fury advanced he re-
ceived a sharp uppercut on the elbow which knocked the
knife from his grasp, and, almost at the same instant,
Frank’s other fist gave his assailant a terrific blow fairly
between the eyes, which lifted the man off his feet and
nearly over the table, upon which he lay insensible.

Buffalo Bill had the best of the situation. Every other
man in the réom saw the futility of reaching for a gun.

Even Topaz Jordan, who had at the first shown signs
of making a break, gave up the idea and kept his hands
in plain sight.

Then, just as Buffalo Bill was about to ‘give some in-

s

 

°

He had grabbed it
    

 

 

_ and why I think that stuff is poison.”’

Le THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

structions to Frank, the girl arose from the floor. She

had not been hurt—only frightened.

There was an angry gleam in her eye, and as she arose
the scouts saw she held a small revolver in her hand.

“T.am going to shoot you through the heart! You tried
to kill me!” she exclaimed, addressing Buffalo Bill. _

“The instant you unload your gun,” was the calm an-
swer, “a bullet will pierce your heart! My partner,” nod-
ding toward Nervy Frank, “is a dead shot!’

The girl turned her attention to Frank, and, with a
sober, almost pleading expression on her beautiful face,

she addressed him:
“Would you shoot me if i killed the man who tried to

take my life?”

Frank hesitated. A hundred emotions seemed to pass
through his mind, but at last he spoke.

“My God—yes! It would be my duty!”

Then his face suddenly brightened as a new thought
came to him.

“But you do not understand, young woman. He did
not try to kill you. He is a dead shot, and had he aimed
at you you could not have escaped. He never misses.’

“Then why did he shoot?” with a sneer.

At this moment Buffalo Bill broke into the conversation.

“T shot to save your life, my girl. ee man ae came
here with you attempted to poison you.”

The girl’s eyes opened wide with astonishment. Then

she exclaimed :
“T don’t belfeve it!”
“Then we'll prove it to you,” .was the reply.
Buffalo Bill addressed Frank:

“Search that man, Topaz Jordan, and in his left-hand
coat pocket you will find a small paper sack containing a
white fo and I will stake my reputation on its being

a poison.’

At this declar ation there was a commotion among those
present. They began to get an inkling of the truth. Per-
haps this man who had so boldly fired a shot and then
held up the whole room full of men -had really had a
good motive for his actions. 7

They began to admire his pluck rather than curse him
for his insolence.

Topaz Jordan turned pale when he heard Cody’s orders.
Visions of a lynching bee, with himself as the star per-
former, came before him. He recognized how little good
it would do him to resist, for he knew that the curiosity
of every man in the room was now aroused, and it would
be impossible to hide the evidence of his guilt.

Frank found the paper sack in the pocket where Cody
had directed him to look, and held it up for the inspection
of the crowd.

d9

: “Now, gentlemen,” announced Buffalo Bill, “I am go-
ine to put up my guns and tell you why I fired that shot,

pee"

AY

Then he related what he had seen transpire while the
girl was coughing.

“T know what the stuff is,’ announced the girl. “It’s
arsenic. I knew Jordan had it. He has tried to poison
me before, but I was always on my guard and fooled him.
I forgot just for a second to keep my eyes open,”

Then she approached Buffalo Billwand said:

“T do not know who you are, sir. I beg you to forgive
the hasty words I uttered when I supposed you had fired
at me. I thank you for saving my life.”

Then, as the girl heard the other occupants of the room
talking to each other in low tones and caught the words

“rope” and “string him up,” she turned pale and anxiously ae
- exclaimed:

“Tt is true that Topaz Jordan tried to do away with me.
He will try again, probably. But please, please do not let
these men lynch him! I have serious reasons for wanting
him to. live!” ¥

The last sentence was said so low that only the ears
of Cody caught them.

“Can you tell me those reasons?”

“No, no! Not now! But let him live! If you will let
him live I will tell you some time. I promise.”

Frank was standing directly behind the girl while she
was thus talking to the scout, and Buffalo Bill noticed
that the lad was seemingly examining the back of her
head.

on the boy’s face ever since he had first seen the girl,
vanished. A bright, happy expression took its place.

¥

G

 

Char TR Tt.

NERVY FRANK’S LOVE STORY.

Shortly after supper, when the two scouts were again
in their own room, Nervy Frank remarked:

“That was a wonderfully quick and accurate shot you
made, Buffalo Bill. Do you know, I,never saw a gun
pulled so quickly in my life? I didn’t know you had the
revolver in your hand until after the Snot was fired and
I saw the smoke.”

“Tt was rather quick work,” replied Cody. “It had to
be quick to be successful. There are several different
methods of-pulling a gun,/but they alletake lots ofs prac-
tice. Dl show you one or two of my methods. Perhaps
my ideas may prove of service to you.”

Then for half an hour Frank received instructions in
how to pull his gun, right and left handed, with the fewest
possible motions and no false ones.

Frank was already quite an expert with the revolver,
but he learned a great deal in that half hour, and resolved
to never cease his practice until he could attain something
like the lightning quickness of his chief.

39

“T couldn’t help but admire the smooth way in which —

you persuaded those men in the dining room to postpone

 
  
   
  
   
   
  
   
  
  
  
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
     
   
   
  
   

All at once the troubled look, which had been evident”

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that hanging bee indefinitely,” Frank remarked.

- Topaz Jordan at this stage of the g&me.
to let him run loose a while yet.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

m striking. But,”

 

 

“At first
they were bound to get_busy with a rope.” :

“Oh, it would never have done to let them swing up
We have got
He is our only hope
of getting track of those stage robbers. I am confident
that he is either the leader of the gang, or, at least, one
of the lieutenants, as you might say.”

“What course do you expect to pursue in securing
proofs of his guilt?” Frank asked. ;

“Must be guided by circumstances to a great extent,”
was the reply. “But there is one point that may aid us
a great deal. Twerity thousand dollars of the money was
in marked bills.”

“What relations do you imagine exist between Kid
Fingers and Topaz Jordan?’ suddenly asked Nervy
Frank. “I have learned that the girl boards and rooms
here, while the man takes only his dinners and suppers
here. Long Chance Charlie told me that the girl was
never seen with Topaz Jordan after supper, but was with
him nearly every minute of the daytime.”

“That is one of the mysteries we must unravel,” replied
Cody. “I have’a suspicion—not a definite one, remember,
but a slight suspicion—that we will find the girl in some
way connected with the stage robbery.
definite grounds for this suspicion, and I hope it is not so.
It is ee that she carries and displays a ee roll of
money.”

“But Long Chance Charlie explained that, to some ex-
tent, at least,” remarked Frank. “He claims he lost
twenty-one thousand. dollars to her within the last few
days.”

_ “That is true,” admitted Cody.

There was an interval of silence:during which Frank

sat apparently in deep thought. He then broke the silence

7 _ by saying:

“Buffalo Bill, I’ve got something on my mind, and t
want to get rid of it by telling it to you.’

“About the girl, Poker Kate, I suppose,”
reply. = ‘

“How in the world dia you guess it?” inquired Frank,
in surprise.

was Cody’s

®

“Didn’t guess it; I knew it,’ returned the scout, with a
pleasant smile. “The girl has been oe your mind
in some way ever since you caught the first glimpse of her.
I imagine you thought she was some one you had once
known; in fact, you admitted that much in front-of the
Gaiety dance hall. You couldn’t believe it was your old
acquaintance, because 6f the company you found her in,
or for some other reason, although the resemblance seemed
added the scout, with a merry twinkle in
his eye, “I was pleased to see later in the dining room
that you had discovered definitely that the girl could not
possibly be the one whom she so much resembles.”

Frank sat up in open-mouthed astonishment.

 

THE BUFFALO

I have yet no »

_ definitely settled the point, ” remarked Cody.

 

  

7?

BILL STORIES. = 2

“Tl give it up!” he finally exclaimed. “You are be-
yond me. You have handed it out straight. You must
have been studying my actions, or arene, and reasoned
pretty accurately.”

“Well. that's all. [ unraveled of your rapt
Buffalo Bill.
to hear it.” : :

“Here goes, then,” said Frank. “Five years ago, while
I was still attending the Eastern military school, I fell in
love with a charming young woman, whose name was
Clara Deming. She was the only daughter of a minister, ©
and had been brought up very strictly. I believe there
were two of the girls, but one was dead. The family
never spoke of her.

said .
“If there is more of the story I would like .

“Clara returned my love and promised to marry me if
I could gain her father’s consent. I was only twenty-one,
and she was nineteen. I asked her parent for his daugh-
ter, but he absolutely refused to grant his cotisent to our
marriage, and, to keep us apaft, he very soon after sent
the girl to Europe with an aunt.

“Before Clara went, however, I managed o see her
once and begged her’to elope with me.- With tears in her
eyes she refused, and When I asked her to give a reason
she said: ‘Frank, I love you, and always will; but you
have asked me to do one thing to which I cannot consent.
I know of one girl who ran away with her lover, and
her fate was terrible. My father is one who would never
forgive. Neither can I consent to correspond with you
without father’s permission, which he would never give;
but this I. will promise: Six years from now, on my
twenty-fifth birthday, if I am living you will find me here.
If you still want me, and will come for me, I will marry
you then, whether or not father gives his consent.’ ! had
to be content ‘with that.”

Frank’s eyes were wet as he added: “T have waited
ao of those six years now for that little girl, secure in
the belief that she would be true to me. Can you wonder
that I was nearly knocked off my feet when I met the girl,
Poker Kate, to-night? Poker Kate is a true image of
my Clara!”

There was a note of sympathy in the voice of Buffalo
Bill as, placing his hand on the lad’s broad shoulders, he
said ¢ :

“But you know now for a sl) that Poker Kate
and Clara are two different beings.” :

“Ves.” said Frank, brightening up. “To-night, vee
supper, while Poker Kate was begging you to prevent a _
lynching, I had a good chance to prove that. Clara had
a birthmark in the shape of a very small pear on the back
of her left ear, close to where that organ grows to the
head. Poker Kate is minus that distinguishing mark. I

also noticed to-night ie Poker Kate has a double crown,
Clara had not.”

“T am heartily elad for you, my Roy, that you have
“There is

Ke

 

 

  
 
   
 

 

-- just a possibility that Poker Kate may, through you and.
_I, be obliged to feel the heavy hand of the law before we
It would be a hard task

money “for those marked bills.

eee

Seana Socata at Seen ste ge Ra
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are through with this business.
for you to do your duty had not that point been settled
in your mind.”

The two spent considerable time commenting on the
circumstances of the remarkable likeness of the two girls
when Frank suddenly remarked, as if something had just
entered his mind which he had intended speaking of

- before:

“Long Chance Charlie told me that to-night he had a
date to play a final game with Poker Kate. . He says he
has just twenty thousand dollars left, and to-night the
two are to play freeze-out for that amount. If he wins
Kate will still be a thousand dollars winner from him,
and if the girl wins he will be broke. Considering the
streak of bad luck he has been having, and the phenomenal
good luck that has been with the girl, I think Charlie well
deserves his title of ‘Long Chance,’ don’t you?”

» ‘Where is the game to be played?” asked his com-
panion. a

“At Fillmore’s House of Forune. and_the game is to
start at ten o'clock sharp. As.a favor, Long Chance asked
me to be present to cut the cards to decide the first deal,
but I declined the honor. He said: ‘If you’re not busy,
drop in anyway.’ ” | a

“We'll take it in,’ announced Cody. “Good place to
start. °While watching the game we'll scrutinize the
You keep an eye open for
Topaz Jordan. If he enters the room keep close to him,
and if he leaves again follow him. IT’ll see the game
through, and when the girl leaves track her. We may
learn something to-night.”

 

CHAPTER LY.
THE NOTORIOUS HOUSE OF FORTUNE.
The main street, if such it might be called, of Jules’

Rest was nearly half a mile in length. Most of the build-
ings were on the north side of the street, their fronts

facing the river, half a mile away, the land on which

the town was built sloping gently to the south to the river.
Two miles back of the town were high bluffs, and south
of the Cee across the river, the foothills began almost at
the river’s edge.

The Gold Front Hotel was the last bettas: in the settle-
ment to the east, while the Gaiety dance hall was about

halfway up the street and several doors east of the large |

adobe structure devoted entirely to gambling and drinking
purposes and known as Fillmore’s House of Fortune.
The fame of this resort had spread far and wide. It
was alluded to as the most open gambling place on the
‘border.
Nowhere, in any Western settlement,
gambling house where so much money changed hands

ry

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

was. there a

daily as at the House gf Fortune at the time: of which

this story is written.

The house was divided into two large rooms, the front
and largest apartmeént being given up to gambling, while
the back room was provided with a bar, from which were
served such liquors as were in demand.

It was a strict order of the proprietor that no drink’
should be served at the tables.

The gambling room was fitted replete in every detail.
There were faro layouts, roulette tables, fortune wheels,
card tables, and, in fact, every device known to the gam-
bling world in the West at that time.

It was nearly ten o’clock when the two scouts started
from the hotel, and they talked over their plans as they
approached the House of Fortune.

As they were passing the Gaiety hall, Buffalo Bill, as
a final word, said: ‘“Don’t forget to follow Ce Jordan
if you get sight of him.”

Just in the shadow of the building, had they but eno
it; was Topaz Jordan himself. He had come from the
rear and was about to come out to the street when the two
scouts crossed his path. |

He had heard Buffalo Bill’s injunction to Nervy Frank.

Could the two scouts, who were hurrying forward to
the gambling resort, -have seen the gleam in Topaz Jor-
dan’s eye, and the look of malicious joy upon his face,

they would have been better prepared to meet the troubles

which were soon to be heaped upon one of them.

As Buffalo Bill and Nervy Frank entered the gambling
resort it lacked but a minute of the time the game was to
start. A large crowd was noticed around one of the
tables at the further end of the room, and it looked as if
the game were already on; but as the scouts approached
it was seen that the girl and the man had just seated
themselves, and were merely awaiting the exact minute.

A new, unsealed deck of cards rested upon the table
between them. :

Not a sign of nervousness could be detected upon the
face of either of the gamesters, who were about to engage
in one of the most sensational games ever pulled off 1 in a
resort noted for its sensational features.

Each appeared cool and at ease. As they waited they
chatted upon commonplace topics entirely foreign to the
matter at hand.

“Ah, there, Col. Cody!” suddenly exclaimed Long
Chance Charlie, as he espied Buffalo Bill in the crowd.
“Vou’re just in time.
and cut for the deal for us if you will—that is, if the
lady is willing.” 8

As the name “Col. Cody” struck her ears, Poker Kate -

looked up in surprise; but she quickly gained control of
her features and graciously expressed her wish that the

famous scout should do as Long Chance had requested.

When Buffalo Bill reached the table» Long Chance,
speaking in an undertone, said: “Excuse me if I have

I want you to shuffle these cards,

         
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
    
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
   
   
   
      
    
       
       
        
 
      
       
   

 

   
   

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been imprudent in speaking your name aloud. A cowboy
at the hotel recognized you, and Y is well known all over
the burg now who you really are.’ ee
“You're excused,” was the scout’s short answer. “If
the game.is to start at ten o'clock it is just time to begin.”
“Low deals, I suppose?” inquired Cody. “Ace low ?”
The players nodded their assents.
Buffalo Bill unsealed the deck, discarded the joker, and
gave the cards a thorough shuffle. He then allowed each
of the players to cut the cards; shuffled them again, gave
them a straight cut himself, and then dealt off two cards,
the first to Kate and the second to Charlie, faces down,
and arose from the table.

Charlie turned his.card first. “The deuce of clubs!’’

_/he announced.

Kate turned the ace of hearts. It was her first. deal.

The game began, and each put up an ante, it having
been previously agreed to play all jack pots, to start at one
hundred dollars each, to be “greased” by the dealer with
twenty-five dollars after each deal which failed to Snow
niniters,¢

After Charlie had passed on the first pot, Kate eae ee
opened it for five hundred dollars on a pair of jacks, and
Charlie stayed, drawing one card.

Of course, it was evident that he had either a four flush
or a bobtail straight, and when Kate bet five hundred dol-
lars after drawing cards, he gave every token of having
filled, for he not only saw her bet but laid an additional
thousand dollars on the pile.

Kate was now: reasonably certain tes her opponent
held a flush or a straight. Either would beat three of a
kind. There was a possibility that Charlie was “bluffing.”

The girl hesitated but a second, however, and then,

. gathering up a bunch of bills, counted out six thousand

dollars and pushed it to’the center of the table.
She had raised him five thousand dollars.
The game was proving interesting from the start.
Charlie did not hesitate a second. Almost before the

girl had withdrawn her Hand he had seen her raise and

topped her bet an additional thousand dollars. .
Kate studied her hand carefully for at least two min-
utes, and then called him, laying her cards face upward

upon the table, showing four jacks!

Charlie breathed a sigh of relief. His hand held a
straight flush of hearts, ten-spot high!
He had won the first pot of any value i in ten nights of
consecutive play with the girl!
In the first pot Kate had lost eight thousand one hun-
dred dollars of the limit, twenty thousand dollars.

If she was disappointed, she did not show it. Hér

_ pretty teeth glistened as she smiled on seeing his hand,

and while he was shuffling for his deal she congratulated
him, but added: “The game is not over yet, you know.”

From then on the. game grew less interesting. Pot

-after pot was ee the majority of which were won by

THE BUFFALO

oe

 

BILL STORIES. er

the girl, but they were all small winnings. The man won
just enough pots to make her progress slow. As the game
continued, one by one the spectators grew tired and de-
parted.

Buffalo Bill and Nery Frank, however, kept a close
watch of the game, and their eyes thoroughly scrutinized
the bills, in the hope of detecting some of the marked
money. None of it was in sight, however.

At twelve o'clock Buffalo Bill was attracted by a sign
made by Frank, and turning around, saw Topaz Jordan
issue from the barroom and start for the front door. He
stepped out into the night, and Frank immediately fol-
lowed him.

Buffalo Bill continued to watch the game, but at two
o’clock in the morning the end was not yet in sight. Kate
had crept slowly up until she had won back the money
lost in the first pot, and had five hundred dollars of the
money Charlie had started with,

Both players were getting tired. Dark rings were ap-
pearing under Kate’s eyes, and, as the clock struck two,
Charlie said:

“Kate, you are tired, and so am I. You are five hun-
dred dollars to the good. If you wish, we will postpone
playing out this game until to-morrow night. Is it agree-
able 7

“Yes, thank you,” was her answer. “I am indeed very
tired, more on account of the excitement early in the
evening than from the fatigue of the game I was nearly
on the point of making the same proposition.”

Buffalo Bill immediately left the resort when he saw
that the game was to be postponed.

He foresaw that if he stayed, the loquacious Long
Chance Charlie might try to monopolize his time, and
prevent his following the girl when she departed, or, at
least, force him to make so sudden a start that his inten-
tions would be obvious.

He preferred to wait outside in the darkness for’ the
young woman. Selecting a dark spot not far from the
gambling structure, he waited.

For half an hour the scout listened for the itl ap-
proach, but she did not appear.

Buffalo Bill then re-entered the resort. The fone room
was still well filled with players, but Kid Fingers was not
among them. ;

In passing one of the tables he heard a man remark:

“Yes, I saw Poker Kate pass, through the barroom and
out the back way. - It’s a new wrinkle, Isguess. Never
saw her do it before.” :
- This informed the scout why he had missed the girl,
and he decided to search the town for her.

It did not take him long to make the circuit of the few
streets of the village, but no Kate rewarded his search.

Shortly after daylight he muttered; ‘She is probably

‘in her room at the hotel, fast asleep: Might as well turn
in myself and find out what Frank has to report.”

 

 
 

 

 

THE BUFFALO

But when Buffalo Bill reached his room he found that
Frank was notin. In fact, the bed had not been disturbed
—-an evidence that. Frank had not been to the room since
leaving it in the early part of the night with Buffalo Bill.

S PCHAPTER -V,
TOPAZ JORDAN’S FIENDISH PLAN.

“So my surmises were correct,” muttered Topaz Jor-
dan, after the two scouts had passed by him on their way
to the gambling resort.

“Tt is lucky for me,” he continued to himself, “that I
‘have dropped to their schemes. Just as soon as I learned
that the man who foiled my little game with Kid Fingers
was Buffalo Rill, 1 was certain he was here on business...
He’s probably after the bunch who just copped out the
swag from the Cheyenne stage hold up, and it is very
evidént, I am vee suspicion, or he wouldn’t be telling
the boy to tag me.’

Topaz Jordan’s brows were knitted in n deep thought.

“Tt is up to me to get wise,” he muttered. “Ah! I have.
it! The youngster has orders to follow me. I'll give
him a chance, and, if he takes my bait, I will soon be rid
of one of my enemies. I'll tip it off to the boys.”

A few moments later Topaz Jordan was in the dance
hall, There he found three men for whom he was look-
ing. They were dancing when he entered, but he found
opportunities to whisper in the ear of each:

“Be pack of the Indian mound as soon as. possible.
Danger ahead! Important business.”

The Indian mound referred to was half a mile above
- the settlement, up the river. Its location was well known
by nearly every frequenter of Jules’ Rest. :

The three men to whom Topaz Jordan had spoken
heeded his instructions, and before eleven o'clock the: four
were together at the place appointed. -

“What’s the gag, Topaz?” asked the last man to arrive.

‘‘Now you fellows keep your fly traps closed for about
five minutes, and I'll put you wise to some new develop-
ments,” Jordan replied, and then, in a few words, he told
them of the presence of Buffalo Bill and another young
scout in the settlement; that he had-found that the two
were watching his actions, and that the younger scout had
received instructions to shadow poe aes Jordan-—
should he get an opportunity.

In concliision, Jordan said: “Now, you know that if
I am under suspicion, it is because Buffalo Bill has in
some way learned, or suspects, that I had a hand in that
stage. robbery. If he gets.me he is sure to get some of
the rest of the gang. You fellows were in the deal, and
are really in as much danger as 1 am. You've got to help
me put ‘into execution a scheme to do up these pesky
scouts. I have already formed a brilliant plan for put-
ting the soe. one to the bad, and it’s got to be carried
out to- night.”

Rey

 

. wait/there for, me.

‘BILL STORIES.

“FHeave us the instructions,” exclaimed one of the men.
“Your ideas usually assay high, and “we're with yer.”
“Well,” was the reply, “you know the stone powder

‘shed up in the bluffs?” ae
The men assented. *
Some months previous a prospector had struck a vein
of ore in the hills, about two miles north. of the town.”
He had started.a mine, but the vein proved of little value.

_ The prospector was inclined to believe that there was

more gold deep in the rocky hillside, however, uu had
made preparations for blasting:

He had built a stone house, in a small pass or ravine, in
which he had stored a large quantity of dynamite. Be-
fore beginning the work of blasting, however, the pros-
pector had suddenly disappeared. Tt was hinted that he
had gone East to get capital interested in his enterprise.

At the time of which this story is written, the stone
house and its store of dynamite had not been disturbed.

“T want you fellows to go up to that powder shed and
Get your guns in order and keep
awake. I will bring that fellow up there, and as he.
passes the big bowlder, just south of the shed, you must
attack him suddenly and overpower him. We'll secure
him in the powder house for a while until we make up
our minds how to dispose of him. I want to pump him
before we shuffle off his mortal coil, and find out how
much Buffalo Bill has learned of my connection with that
stage hold up.”

~The three men started for the hills, and Jordan made
a bee line for the House of Fortune, where he was cer-
tain he would find the two scouts.

It has already been recorded how he was observed by
Frank, and how Vere left Buffalo ‘Bill and started in
pursuit.

Frank left the gambling room just in time to see that
Topaz Jordan was making for the Gaiety dance hall. The °
scout entered that resort shortly after the man whom he
was pursuing. oe

Topaz Jordan was too cute to hasten matters or risk
defeat by overacting. He hung around the dancing re-
sort until nearly two o'clock. He did not speak to or ap-

gece to notice the scout.

He made no move by which Frank could in any man-
ner conceive that the desperado was aware of being eae
suspicion or being watched. re

When Jordan finally left the dance ik he eleed .Sev-
eral other resorts of the town before striking out toward
the hills, where his companions were ‘waiting in hiding,
prepared to give the young scout a warm reception.

Jordan did not hurry matters even when he at. last
started out across the plains.
brightly, but the moon was already down, so that, had
not the man been aware of being followed, the scout
could easily have tracked him with little Ce of being
discovered.

 

The stars ~vere shining ~~
 

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THE BUFEALO

Jordan took no chances on being lost. He traveled in
the lightest places, took care to always be visible, and
traveled slowly.

He entered the small ravine leading toward the powder
house, closely followed by Frank.

As Jordan passed the large bowlder he gave a signal—
an imitation of the hiss of a rattlesnake.

He was answered, and knew that his companions were
on the alert.

Passing the stone, Jordan suddenly stepped into a dark
shadow, and with quick steps circled the bowlder. He
had gone around the stone, and had nearly circled it

when the scout drew abreast of it.

At that Moment the three men leaped out of the dark-

- ness and pounced upon the young scout.

He was attacked from each side and the rear.

Although taken by, surprise, the scout was not alto-
gether unprepared. He had traveled for some distance—
since entering the ravine—with his pistols in his hands,
ready for action, for he could not tell what awaited him.

The men had attacked him in such close quarters,
however, that he could not possibly fire his weapons with
any effect.

One man had jumped directly upon his back and had
thrown his large, muscular arms about the young man’s

neck.

The other villains had each grasped one of his arms,
which they endeavored to pin down to his sides.

With a mighty effort, Frank succeeded in wrenching
both hands loose, and in the act threw one of the men off
his feet.
aged to keep his position.

As the man at his left fell, Frank gave the one at his
right a severe blow directly across the nose with the butt
of his revolver, and the man’s nose was broken by. the
blow.

Frank then bent over in an endeavor to throw over his
head the man who was on his back. He would have been
successful in this evidently, for the hold upon his neck
was loosened, had not Topaz Jordan grasped the man’s
feet and pulled him back.

Frank, however, wrenched himself loose, and had
turned to battle with the villain, when the first man, who
had made an attack on the left, resumed operations.

It took Frank a second to land a blow upon that out-
law’s cheek, which sent the man to ground again, and
before he could turn to reconfront his other adversaries,
he received a severe blow on the temple.

Frank ell senseless to the ground.

The blow that had felled him was delivered by. oe

_ Jordan, and the weapon the man had used was a large,

round stone.

It was a terrible blow, and it was nearly an hour be-
fore the four outlaws were certain that the scout would
recover,

The man on his back had a firm hold, and man- .

 

BILL STORIES. : oe

When, at last, they saw signs of returning vitality, they
picked up the scout and carried him the few remaining
rods up the ravine to the powder shed.

It was long after daylight when Frank came to a full
realization of his predicament. He then found himself
lying upon a hastily improvised couch, consisting of a
pile of old horse blankets on the floor of the powder house.

His hands were bownd and his weapons had been re-
moved from his belt, He had a fearful headache, and a
large lump on his forehead, close to the left temple,

marked the place where he had received the blow.

Of course, Frank did not know where he was. ‘He had
no knowledge of what had happened after the terrible
blow had been received, and for all he knew he might
have been carried many miles by the men who had at-
tacked him.

He could see that he was in some building built of
stone, for there was no plastering on the inside, and the
rough masonry was plainly visible.

It was an ideal prison Topaz Jordan had chosen for his
enemy. There was but one door and one window. The
window held no glass, and was hardly large enough to
permit the passage of a full-grown human being, had not
the opening been protected by several iron bars, which
were imbedded deep into the stone wall at either end.

The door was of heavy oak, about four inches in thick-
ness, and could not have been forced by the scout with’
the means at hand, had his hands been free,

The house was situated in an unfrequented spot, far off
from any trail, and so far from any place where human _
beings were liable to stray that there was little hope of
attracting attention by shouting. ;

Frank was able to rise to his feet and approached the
window. Looking out, he saw the large bowlder, near
which he had been attacked several hours before, and
then knew for the first timé where he was. He had just

‘caught a glimpse of the stone structure ahead in the star-

light before he was attacked.

‘Then it suddenly dawned upon him that he had been
led into a trap by Topaz Jordan, but,after puzzling over
the matter for a long time, he could think of no possible
way by which the villain could have become aware that
he was to be followed. :

Frank turned away from the window to examine the
interior of the room, with some hope that he might find
a way to escape. He saw instantly that his chances for

getting away were decidedly slim.

Then he discovered the dynamite.

A sudden thought flashed upon his mind.

He could use the stuff to blow his. way out.

But that plan was rejected almost as quickly as thought
of, for Frank realized that, should he attempt it, there
was but one chance in a thousand that he would not meet
death by the explosion.

As he was examining the explosive, he suddenly espied

 
 

THE, BUFFALO
upon the floor in a corner of the room an envelope. He
picked it up to examine it.

The envelope was addressed to Topaz Jordan in the
delicate handwriting of a woman!

There was no stamp upon the envelope, which fact
would indicate that it had been delivered by messenger.

Frank was about to extract a letter within the envelope
when his ears/detected footsteps approaching from down
_ the ravine. : f

He hastily concealed the letter in his shirt bosom, and
hastened to the window, in the hope that some one was

coming who would assist him to escape, or, at least, lend -

him some weapon for self-defense.

His hopes were shattered, however, when he saw,
rounding the edge ofrthe bowlder, no other than Topaz
Jordan.

The outlaw saw nk’. face as soon as it appeared,
and, with a sneering smile, he called out:

“Ah, ha! my fine lad, how do you like your new quar-
ters?”

Frank did not answer, but withdrew from the window.
He was not to be left in peace, however, for the mali-

cious countenance of Topaz Jordan soon framed itself in ~

the window.

Topaz Jordan silently feasted his eyes, eine
seemed, with fiendish joy, upon his prisoner for aes
minutes before uttering a word. Then he said:

“You may be a smart kid, all right, but I guess you
‘realize now that you bit off a bigger chunk than you could
chew when you took the job of hunting down Topaz
Jordan, eh: »”

Receiving silence on Frank’s part for an answer, he
continued: “When I am bothered by such kids as you, I
asually spit on them and drown them, but you are so
handsome my conscience wouldn’t permit me to’send you
to a watery grave without giving you.a show. I’ve got
a proposition to make you, young man.”

“T don’t care to hear any propositions from you,’
clared Frank. :
notice.”
“Still trying to chew that big cud, eh?” sneered Topaz
Jordan. “Be careful, or you'll get the lockjaw. When you
get a little wiser on what the future has in store for you,
you will probably be willing to talk horse sense.” ~

Jordan regarded the lad a few more minutes silently,
and then began again: es

“T suppose you found that dynamite? If you haven't,
I'll tell you there is a stack of it right behind you. We're
figuring on having some fireworks. this evening—been
planning on blowing this shed up for weeks, and the date
was set for to-night over a month ago. The boys are
dead set in their way. I’ve tried to argue to them that it
~ wouldn’t be exactly polite to touch off that dynamite while
you were occupying the premises, but they wouldn't listen

’ de-

to me.

~ do with holding up the Cheyenne stage.

-noon.

“Vou are a coward, and not worthy of my -

BILL STORIES.

They are bound to have their fun, and there is
only one way I can stop them.”

Jordan paused, to give Frank an opportunity to ike
but, as the lad said nothing, he shortly resumed. But his
bantering tone changed to a more sinister one, and his —
sneering look was replaced by one of anger and hatred. —

“See here,” he began, “I can truthfulby say that I hate
you like poison! I hate your partner, Buffalo Bill! I
am dead onto your game. You think I had something to
I don’t mind
telling you that your suspicions were correct, There’s
little chance of your having an opportunity to blab the
news. I came up here to have a talk with you, and offer
you a chance to escape with your life, on your promising to -
dig out and keep your mouth shut on what little you know
about me, but I’ve changed my mind. I’m going to leave
you here alone until to-night, and then my partners and I
are going to blow up the house, give you a sort of rapid
transportation to the happy hunting grounds. Of course,
ycu might touch off the dynamite yourself, but I hardly_.
think you would be so impolite as to do it-at a time when
we would be deprived of the pleasure of seeing the eX~
hibition. Besides, it would be a much prettier sight by
tient

With these words Topaz turned and walked away.
Frank saw him pass from view behind the bowlder, as if _
on his way back to the settlement.

His enemies, he reflected, evidently regarded his prison
as secure, and unlikely to be visited by outsiders, as they
had placd no guard over hint. — <

Frank pondered over his predicament for several hours,
but even his active mind could produce no plan of effect-
ing an escape. He was certainly in a bad fix.

Te knew by the position of the sun that it was long past
“He wondered where his partner, Buffalo Bill, could
be. He wondered if the famous scout would be able to
learn his whereabouts in time to save him from the fate
Topaz Jordan had threatened, _

He did not for an instant doubt that Cody was at that
moment using every effort to get track of him, and while
the chances seemed all against him, he had great faith

-in the ability of Buffalo Bill.

Suddenly Frank thought of the letter. He drew it from -
its hiding place, and with some difficulty, owing to his
hands being still tied, he drew it from the envelope and —
unfolded it.

CHAPTER VL
‘HE CrIiPpH ER LEETER,

As Frank tinfolded the sheets of the letter, and caught
a glimpse of the contents, his face assumed a look of in-
tense surprise.

There were two sheets, and, while the writing thereon
was small and feminine, wide margins were left on the

paper. The letters were delicately and correctly formed,

 

 
 

 

THE BUPPALO: BILL: SPORIES:

ay x
| absolutely legible and easy to decipher, but Frank could
| not read one word of the letter.
_ “Why, it must be written in a cipher, or by some secret
code!” Frank exclaimed to himself, after a careful exam-
ination.

“T wonder if it’s very complex. I'll try and feats | it
out, anyway. Good way to pass the time; I’ve plenty of it
to spare, it seems... He smiled grimly to himself.

Before doing anything else, however, Frank deter-
_ mined to free his hands. His wrists were swelling, and
_ the stout cord was cutting his flesh painfully.

He found a rough-edge of jutting stone in the wall of
_ the shed, and began drawing his bonds heavily across it.
_ It was a slow operation, and.a painful one, but in an hour
or so he gave a sigh of relief as the cord dropped to the

"floor.

Then tte ed ie attention again to the letter. The
_ missive which Frank had determined to figure out if pos-
+ sible read as follows:

 

“Zw -—vpzgh-gz-rh-sxfn- :-ivylh-kvvp- :-ivs-vgzs-r-dls
-:-emvynvvitz - bn - kyvp - lg - vn-gxvkev-slb-ru-vulx-flb-
| viluvy-vezp-vurd - iflb - ur - wri - gvt-:-gvhmfh-ghfg- :-

_ htmrikh-hoovd-gvvn- :-hbly-oovg- :-sgmln-hrse-bzwifgzh -
| ghzo-:-vtzgh - vymmvbvsx - : - bymln - vwrerw-oord-r- :-
mzwilq.”’

Back at the military school, where Frank had received
: his early training, the boy had had considerable experience
4 in cipher writing,
In the same town there was a private seminary for girls,
_ and in that school. the rules were very strict. ‘The girls
| were not allowed to leave the grounds except upon some
| very urgent excuse, or when they were chaperoned by one
- of the old-maid teachers, and they were allowed no young
men callers.
? Many of the boys of the military school were acquainted
| with girls attending the seminary, and it was no more than
) natural that they should wish to converse occasionally.
The boys and girls managed, quite frequently, to send
messages back and forth, the boys delivering and receiy-
ing their letters by the means of a small crack in the
stone wall surrounding the seminary grounds, and for
perfect safety, most of the letters were written in cipher.
Frank thought over all the methods he had used in
writing cipher letters, and tried them, one after another,
on the missive before him, but without success.

He was certain that the method used in the cone.

tion of the letter in his hands was simple, if he could only
get an inkling of it. He decided that each set of letters
divided by hyphens were separate wdrds, and that when
colons*were also used sentences must end and begin.

He made up his mind to try and figure out some particu-
_lar word as a starting point.

He went carefully over the entire letter first, counting .

_the number of times each letter appeared, and found that

the letter “v’ occurred most frequently.

SI NSE NTE ea

es

As the letter “e” is the letter mo$t frequently used in
the written English language, he reasoned that in the mis~-
sive before him it was safe to presume that “v’’ repre-
sented ‘‘e

It was at least two hours before Frank had arrived at
this point in his calculations. ‘Then another idea came
to him.

\ Running the alphabet slowly ieee his mind, and

keeping count on his fingers, he found that, by repeat-
ing backward, the letter “v” is the fifth letter, while the

66 99

fitth letter in the ache. repeating in order from 2,
16 33.7!

He was now almost certain that stood for “e,” and
that the others letters in the missive ak be determined
by the same system of figuring.

To prove his theory, Frank tooka sharp stick, and on
the clay floor of his prison jotted down the letters of the

alphabet in two rows, as follows:

‘ay “99

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcba

He then began a translation of the letter according to
his theory. .

The first word of the missive was “Zwr.” “Z’* would
represent the first letter in the alphabet, or “A,” according
to the method he was to pursue, while “‘w” and “r,” he
found by looking at his line of letters for cciveni nee.
represented “d’”’ and “4,” respectively. |

Putting his translated letters fogcttier, he had the word
Adi?

He was disappointed, and felt that he was still far fon
the solution of the problem.

“Adi” spelt no word of which he had any knowledge.

“It may be a name,” he muttered to himself. “I'll try
the next, anyway.”

The next word,
spelled “Ekats.”

He was as far in the hole as ever.

Frank decided that the reading of the letter was beyond ~
his ingenuity. He gave up trying for the time being, but,
to pass the time and keep his thoughts from his trouble,
he almost unthinkingly, With his pencil, translated the en-
tire missive according to the theory he had just discarded.

He wrote upon the back of one of the pages, and when
he had finished he had the following mess of letters, more
puzzling to him, if possible, than the original copy:

“vpzgh,” as he finally translated it, | :

“adi. ekats ta si hcum. rébos peek. reh etah i woh.
tnemeerga ym peek ot em tcepxe uoy fi emoc uoy erofeb
etak efiw ruoy fo dir teg. tesnus tsuj sgnirps sllew teem.
syob Ilet. htnom siht yadrutas tsal. egats enneyehc.
venom edivid Iw i. / nadroj.”

It was getting dark, and on the last few words Frank
had to strain his eyes severely. When he finished, he re-

folded the letter, put it back in its envelope, and secreted
it again in his shirt bosom.

Pc

 

 
 

 

   

14 THE BUFFALO

He reflected that it would not probably be long now
until he could expect the return of Topaz Jordan and the
villain’s companions.

It was perhaps an hour later, when darkness had fully
set in, that Frank heard the sound of voices, and a little
later recognized the voice of Topaz Jordan talking ito
several other men.

Soon a light appeared at the window, and Frank saw
Jordan, with a wicked grin upon his lips, looking in upon
the prisoner.

“Don’t disturb yourself,’ was the taunting remark.
“We can open the door ourselves. We're coming in to
visit you a little while before the fireworks begin.”

“Tf you try to enter here,’ was Frank’s hot answer,
“T’ll break your head for you!”

“Oh, no, you won't,” said Jordan, “for my friend, Bill,
is going to stand right here in the window and keep you
covered with his gun until we are inside. You needn't
be scared. We arn’t going to hurt you. We only want
to bid you ‘“good-by,’ seeing that you are going to leave
so suddenly.”

“Bill,” continued Jordan, addressing one of the men
with him, “you be awful careful. You know you are so
confounded nervous. I almost hate to trust you with this
job. You shoot so quick when you get those dizzy spells,
and your bullets always go too doggoned ue You're
liable to kill somebody yet.”

As Bill took his station at the window, Frank realized
his peril and fell back in despair. |

He had at first intended to put up a fight the minute
the door was opened, regardless of Bill and his gun, but
sober second thought caused him to change his mind.

He would let them come in. Let them taunt him if they
wished. He would keep them amused. It would perhaps
delay proceedings.

Buffalo Bill might be able to help him even yet.

 

CHAPTER Wil.
KATE’S STARTLING INFORMATION.
When Buffalo Bill returned to his room at the Gold

Front Hotel and found that Frank had not yet arrived,
he saw no immediate cause for alarm.

Frank had gone out to shadow Topaz Jordan, and there

was no reason to believe he was not still engaged in that.

pursuit.

There was no apparent reason for believing that Jor-
dan had suspected Frank was watching him, and even
had such been the case, Buffalo Bill had implicit faith that
Frank had the ability to take care of himself.

Buffalo Bill knew that in reality Topaz Jordan was a
coward. He knew that the man would never have the
nerve to engage in an open struggle with Frank, and if
_ Frank was keeping his eyes on the villain, the latter would

 

Ar Mp triton talc ans sens NC re nh nega 23 ln ar thei a
PON De SEN eR lat AES, TN ee renee VU ee ary ¥

    

DER esheets ee aa Oe

SAR GA SSE ES SON RRR AE LIAR SN A I

ye

   

  

BILE STORIES,

9
have little speociimee it cone for playing anv stra-
tegic tricks.

Buffalo Bill was tired, and he decided to get some
needed rest.

It was broad daylight when he threw himself upon the

bed without undressing, and he slept soundly until nearly
noon. a |

When he then awoke and found Frank still missing, he
began for the first time to be alarmed. He decided to eat
an early dinner and begin an investigation.

After dinner he started for the House of Fortune, hop- _

ing that he might find Frank there, perhaps still watching
Topaz Jordan.

On the way he looked in at the Gaiety dancing hall, but i

in neither place was Frank visible.

As he was coming out of the latter place, he met Poker
Kate. He stopped her and asked:

“Where is Topaz Jordan?”

-“T do not know,’ was the girl’s answer.

“Have you seen him to-day ?”’

“Ves,” she replied. “He was in Fillmore’s about nine
o'clock, but I haven’t seen him since.”

“Have you seen my young partner?” was the scout’s
next question.

“Do you mean the young man who sat at supper with
you last night—the one they call Nervy Frank?”

aes *,

“T have not seen him since last night,” was the reply.

The girl continued on into the gambling house, and
Buffalo Bill started back toward the hotel.

If the girl had spoken the truth, and he did not doubt
her word, Frank was not now on Jordan’s trail.

He decided to find Jordan himself, if the man was in the
settlement, and make him tell what he knew concerning his
young partner’s disappearance.

But Buffalo Bill did not find Jordan. That individual
was far too cute to take a chance on remaining in Jules’
Rest during the day. He knew. very well that when
Frank’s absence was noted, Buffalo Bill’s first move would
be to look for the man the young scout had started out to
shadow.

After an hour or so of diligent search for clews, Buffalo
Bill returned to his room, and wrote a short note to his
companion, placing it where the young man would be
sure to see it should he return.

This was to let Frank know the reason of Buffalo Bill’s
absence should he return while the older scout was away.

Buffalo Bill had decided to make a thorough search
for his young friend, ‘and to leave no stone unturned until
he had found him or learned his fate. 5a

Just as Cody was about to leave the room, there came
a small rap upon his door. He opened it, and was sur-
prised to find that his caller was Poker Kate.

The girl was pale, her lips trembled and her eyes be-
tokened strong excitement.

ea ies

 

  

 
    
 
   
 
 
 

 

 

 

       
I SR Ramey RE SRE IE RATE ALICE SE DET ites 8 COLL. CLS OT HS A OE a

   
   

  
 

“Your young friend isin great danger!” she exclaimed.
“rg you would save his life you must a I just found
it out, and hastened at once to tell you.”

Buffalo Bill grasped the girl bet ue SN! and ex-
claimed, almost fiercely:

“Tell me quickly what you have learned! If my young

  
  
  
 
 

* with those who have harmed him!”

The girl started nervously as Buffalo Bill made this
threat.
She seemed to have recollected sonatas ‘not before

thought of in her excitement.

_ She bit her lips in perplexity, and then her features

~te~ hardened, as if she had made a sudden resolve. Then she
Spoke: 7

“Buffalo Bill, there are circumstances which make it
very hard for me to tell you what I am about to let you
know. Only because you saved my life last night would
I think of making these facts known to you. In any other
case, I would endeavor to save the young man’s life my-

self, without incriminating his enemies.” But there must
“be no mistake made. I tell you because you are more apt
to accomplish his release than myself.”

Poker Kate was talking very fast, and she had to pause
frequently. to catch her breath. ~ She continued:

“After I met you in front of the House of Hortune I
went into the gambling room, and there I met Red Hank.
Red Hank is a friend of Topaz Jordan, and when I met
him he was considerably under the influence of liquor.
Had such not been the case he would probably. have

rather had his tongue cut off than to have told me what
he did. He said that by direction of Topaz Jordan, him-
self and two other men,

 
 
 

SS ae

) ~ sensible artd locked him up in a stone Dome! shed in the
: hills north of town.”
tr “Where is that shed?” asked Buffalo Bill. |

: ‘T can’t tell exactly,” answered the girl,
, nearly north in a small ravine.”
: “Has Frank been injured yet?”

“No. Red Hank said that Topaz Jordan had decided to
wait until just after dark to-night, and then blow up the
popae® shed, The building now contains a lot of dyna-

put it 16

4 mite.”

) “Can you point out this man, Red Hank, to me?” broke
_. in Buffalo Bill.

\, “He has gone,” was the answer.

“T must find that ravine where the goes shed is lo-
cated myself, then,” declared the scout, “and there is no
time to be lost. I must start at once.”

SIE Mig os

sit necessary that I should accompany you?” asked

the girl.
“No,” was the afiswer. AY would not like to have you
risk your life in so doing.”
“\t was not that,” hastily interposed the girl;

 

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

/ partner has been harmed, I promise you it will go hard

known as Bill Drew and Hi
« Walker, last night ambushed your friend, knocked him in-_

“but

nar desea repens phe tsb ratte ea Miyata nt ae

 

Se ee RR aI Mea NHR Rea

should I be seen with you, or should it become known
to Topaz Jordan or his companions that I had informed
you of their nefarious doings, my life would not be safe
a moment hereafter, and besides Well, other im-
portant plans which I have would. be spoiled.”

“I can manage alone if I can only locate the stone shed
in time,” replied Cody.

A few seconds later he was striding across the oe
in ‘the direction of the hills.

 

In twenty minutes Buffalo Bill:came in sight of a
ravine, and was soon making his way into-the hills. He.

walked for half an hour, when he finally came to a place
where there was a fork in the ravine. It divided like a

_ letter “Y,” and he paused for a moment to consider which

branch to take.

He finally decided on the one 7° the right, and soon
was on the march again.

He traveled for perhaps a mile up that fork of the ra-

‘vine without discovering the object of his search, and

then he knew that he had taken a wrong direction.

He accordingly retraced his steps and took the other
fork—the one to the left.

He again trudged along for a mile or more without
discovering the stone house, and then it dawned upon him
that he must have entered the wrong ravine at the start.

He had taken the only ravine he had seen on approach-

ing the hills, but there must be another one in the vicinity,
he reasoned.

He returned to the point where he had first entered ~

the hills,

It was now getting dark Haetaly. The sun had set
while he was up in the hills, and he realized that from
then on every second would count.

He hastened along toward the west, following the line

of hills, and had proceeded perhaps halt a mile when he>

suddente heard voices.

There was a small rise of land har ead a him, and
from the other side of that came the sounds.

He crept oy up the small hill and peered over the
Lope
He saw four men, one of whom,was Topaz Jordan, just
entering a ravine into the hills. ’

The four men were evidently on the way to visit their.

prisoner, and the scout decided to follow them very closely,
so as to prevent their carrying out their diabolical plot.

He did not know but that they intended creeping up
stealthily and exploding the dynamite without warning
Frank.

‘When the men renehed the house, and Topaz Jordan
taunted Frank through the open window, Buffalo Bill was
near the big BOWIGE!, watching every move made ny the
men.

He heard every word uttered by Jordan, but he coat
not hear what replies, if any, Frank made. He saw the
three men enter the house, while the man designated as

    

 

 

Ku
  

16

 

Bill stood guard over Frank at the window, and a mo-
ment later he saw Bill follow them and close the door. _

Then Buffalo Bill drew his revolver and crept up to
the window. _

As he looked inside he saw that the backs of the four
men were all toward him, while Frank stood beyond them,
facing his enemies. ,

As Buffalo Bill looked in, he saw Boos Jordan reach
out his hand toward Frank, and chuck the lad under the
chin tauntingly, at the same time starting to utter some
insulting remark,

What Topaz Jordan intended to say was never known,
for he had hardly opened his mouth when Frank’s right
fist landed in the villain’s face.

Topaz Jordan was knocked over backward, and landed
in a heap. At the same instant Frank gave another out-
law a hard blow on the cheek with his left hand, and
started to follow up the blow, but tripped over a small
stone on the ground and lost his balance.

The other two men were about to pounce upon the
young scout, when they were arrested by the stern voice
of Buffalo Bill:

“Up with your hands!”

Buffalo Bill was standing close to the window, and both
hands were thrust through, each holding a revolver.

The two men were in direct range, and hastened to up-
lift their hands,’ but Topaz Jordan and the other man, who
had been struck by Frank, were in the corner of the room
near the door, on the side toward the window, so that
Buffalo Bill could not have reached them with a bullet.

Topaz Jordan was the first to break the silence. He
yelled: ‘Never mind, boys; he can’t get a bead on us.
We can reach the door. If he turns toward us you fire on
him. We’ll soon put him to the bad!”

Buffalo Bill quickly responded: “You can’t play that
game, Topaz Jordan. I’m here for b&siness! The mo-
ment that door is opened I will shoot both these men, and
meet you with bullets before you can get outside.”

“Then, speaking to Frank, he asked: “Are you all
right, my boy ?” ;

“Not a scratch 6n me,” was the reply.

“Take the guns away from every man in there, and

throw them out through the window.”
_ Then he added, addressing Topaz Jordan: “If there
is a sign of resistance, I'll let my revolvers do a little
barking. The minute a movement is made by any of you,
do you know what I intend to do?”

“You can’t do very much, as I see,” growled Jordan,
who then sudtertly addressed the others: “Don’t be cow-
ards, you fellows! What's got into you? Do you intend
to let one man get the best of us, when he hasn’t even got
the drop on all of us? Not by ad n sight!”

“The first move you make,” continued Buffalo Bill, “I

 

THE BUFFALO

-am going to fire richt into that pile of dynamite! You

BILL STORIES.

know who I am, and I guess you know that I usually mean

what I say. Frank, go ahead and take up the collection.”

Every one of the four men trembled in fear as ‘Buffalo —

Bill’s threat was heard.
They knew him to be a man of his word and they did
not doubt but that he would carry out his threat if any

_ resistance was offered.
Frank soon had them stripped of their weapons, and ©

then Buffalo Bill ordered him to pick up his own belong-

‘ings and come outside.

~ Not a man stirred as Frank opened the door and left
the shed in response to Buffalo Bill’s directions.

When Frank joined Buffalo Bill, the latter left the win-
dow and extended his hand to his boy partner.

The two clasped hands warmly and looked into each :

other’s eyes for a full moment. Not a word was spoken,
but Frank knew that Buffalo Bill had seen him start in to
fight the four men, and appreciated his gameness, while
Buffalo Bill knew that Frank was grateful for the timely
aid he had rendered.

Buffalo Bill was the first to speak. He said:

“Now we have got these men prisoners. Have you
obtained any evidence against Topaz Jordan, so that you
know he was concerned in the Cheyenne stage, hold up?”

“T have his word for it,” replied Frank. And then ‘the
young scout related the whole story of his experience, and
informed the older scout what Topaz Jordan had admitted
while talking to him through the window of the stone
house earlier in the day. |

Then Frank suddenly Heel the letter he had
found, which he had endeavored to read, but had ‘given
up for the time being.

He handed the missive to Buffalo, Bill, a the re-
mark: “I found this letter in the powder shed, where
it had evidently. been: dropped by Topaz Jordan, when I
was being carried in insensible. It is in cipher, and I
tried to read it, but found it too much for me.
be more successful.”

‘Buffalo Bill took the letter, but as it was too dark to
examine it at that time he put it in his pocket for future

) reference. ‘
Neither of them dreamed of fate important a missive
it would prove to be, or how much the solving of its pie

zling cipher would simplify their task of running to eatth
the bandits who had robbed the Cheyenne stage.

res

CHAPTER VIEL

SHOTS IN‘ THE DARK.

>)

“Erank,

and guard them?’ Pe
“T should say it is!” was Frank’s Ehly

marked. “That is why I asked you.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You may —

inquired. Buffalo Bill, “is that stone structure.
strong enough fo hold those men if we do not oy here

“You have had lots of time to find out,” Cody re-

         
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 

  

 

 

  

 

   
    
  

    

 
 

  

   
  
 
  
  
  
 
 

      
  
   
    
  
  
  
  

 

 

 
  
  
   
 
  
   
    
   

 

_ outside. :
- pals in Jules’ Rest, but it is improbable, and I think we will

 

nearly half-past ten. |
ready been played. It was possible that each principal had -

A moment later the older scout continued; “TI do not
think there is much possibility of their being assisted from
It may be just possible that Jordan has other

risk leaving them here alone until morning. Se that time
we can decide what shall be done with them.”

“T have no doubt we shall find them here then,” re-
turned Frank, “but if you think it would be better to
guard ee I will camp out here ey ae bowlder until
morning.”

“No,” returned Cody, “you are creatly i in need of rest,
and you must be close to the verge of starvation. You
must go back to the hotel at once.”

“My bread basket is rather empty,’ Frank remarked,

with a faint smile, Peet his hand. sone over Ais

stomach.

“T want to-get to the House or Rontne in time to see
that postponed game between Poker Kate and Long
Chance Charlie,” continued Buffalo: Bill. “While no
marked money showed up in the game last night, there is

just.a bare Sen ee some of it eee pe detected to-—

night.,”’

‘The two scouts ascertained that the door of the pow der
shed was safely secured, and then started a to the
settlement.

Supper at the Gold Front was over, but the two friends

succeeded i in routing out the cook, and by giving that in-
dividual a handsome “‘tip,” succeeded in gee a Boo
warm meal.

- Nervy Frank then retired to his room, to get a much

needed rest, while Buffalo Bill hurried to F illmore’s. gam-

pare resort.

When he arrived, he saw that Kid Fingers was not in
the room, although the big clock registered the time as
He wondered if the game had:al-

received big hands on 1 the first deal, and had each ered

to a freeze-out.
‘As Buffalo Bill stood gazing idly about, thinking of a

plan for finding out about the matter without making a
direct inquiry, he discovered Long Chance Charlie at the
opposite end of the room, with a large stack of chips be-
side him, playing the faro game.

The scout advanced, touched the gambler | upon the
shoulder, and remarked:

¥

“How’s this? I expected to find you engaged with the

girl, Kate. Is that game already finished ?”
“No: it wasn’t played,” answered Charlie. “It’s de-
clared off! Queer thing. ‘Can’t figure it out. Must tell

you about it.” os
“Don’t let me interrupt your game,” said Buffalo Bill,
as the gambler began sorting cut his chips, Deeparrary to
cashing i in.
“That’s all right,” euuica Charhie: “1 dont like
this game, anyway. Was just playing to pass the time

a
rane

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

: PSTN TTT - RET SE REAL Re PRCA tea ent ee eno OES Ly

       

away until a poker game started. Anyway, I want you to
tell me what you think of this.”

As he spoke he thrust into the scout’s fo a folded
piece of common writing paper. Buffalo Bill opened it
and read: :

“You must excuse me for not playing out that freeze-
out game, according to my agreement. Urgent business
calls me suddenly away. Inclosed you will find the money
representing my stake, which, of course, I forfeit to you.

Rape.©

“Where did you get this?’ asked Cody.

“Fillmore handed it to me when I came in to-night.”
“What time did she leave it with him § ?” was Buffalo
Bill’s next question.

“Just before dark, so Fillmore told me,
bler’s reply. ce
Buffalo Bill thought rapidly. Something had evidently
happened which had caused Kate to suddenly leave the
settlement. He pondered deeply over the matter, and
studied carefully.over every sentence she had uttered in
her conversation with him that afternoon, in an endeavor

to get some clew to account for the girl’s sudden action.

He was almost certain that the girl’s resolve to leave
Jules’ Rest had been made after her startling announce-
ment to him concerning the predicament which she had
learhed Frank to be in, and he was also certain that that
matter had something to do with her ays the settle-
ment.

To Long Chance he said: “I gould worry over the
matter. The gifl probably had good reasons for going
away. You are to be Coe ace that she chose to do
the square thing by you.” ~~

29

was the gam-

‘Buffalo Bill then drew away from the nae as soon
as possible, but he did not leave the resort. He strolled
about the room, watching the various games in progress
with a faint hope that he might yet get track of some of the
marked bills.

Buffalo Bill had long ago given up the belief that any
of the money secured from the stage hold up was being
circulated in Jules’ Gulch, but he was not the person to
let any opportunity to investigate slip by.

He had learned by experience that very often valuable
clews could be found by persistent effort and “careful
watchfulness when the chances were many to one against
being so rewarded.

Cody lingered about the gambling resort until nearly

“two o ‘clock, and then made straight for his room in the

hotel. He intended getting Le before oy to visit his
prisoners in the hills.

As he entered the room he found Frank sleeping peace--
fully. The common kerosene lamp with which the room
was provided was lighted, but turned down quite low.

As Buffalo Bill turned up the wick, he noticed a folded
slip of paper on the floor. It had evidently been tucked
under the door.

  

 
 

 

 

 

1S

It was the same kind of papet that had been used in
Kate’s note to Long Chance Charlie, and as Cody un-
folded it he recognized the writing to be the same hand.
There were’only a few words, andthey read as follows:

“T have released your prisoners. You will be able to

forgive me when you have learned the circumstances that.

impelled me to do it.”

The note was signed: ‘Kate,’ as had been the one to
Long. Chance. 3

Buffalo Bill was certainly taken by surprise. He read
the note several times, and, then BEPTRRSE CH the bed and
awakened Frank. :

In a few words he told his young partner of Kate’s
sudden departure and showed him the note.

“Get into your clothes, quickly,” commanded Buffalo
Bill. “The girl must have left the note here since you
entered the room. It is just possible we may be able to
head off the scoundrels. .At any rate, we can discover
whether the girl is telling the truth in this note.’

Frank was soon dressed, and they started immediately
for the hills. -

As they were hurrying along past the rear of the hotel
on their way out of the settlement, a sudden pistol shot
broke the silence of the night, and a bullet whizzed dan-
gerously near Buffalo Bill’s face.

The shot was quickly followed by another, and a second
bullet whizzed by still closer.

In fact, the second bullet burned the scout’s cheek.

~The shots were so close together that Buffalo Bill knew
at once that two revolvers had spoken, and he surmised
that his assailants were at least two in number. ~

Both scouts had their weapons in hand before the report
of the last shot died away, and they had turned and were
running in the direction from which the shots had come.

They knew their assailants were in the vicinity, probably
just-around the corner, of a sod stable 2 a few rods to the
right,

As the two sprang forward, two other shots were fired,
‘but went wide of the mark.

Nearing the edge of the sod building, Buffalo Bill, who
was a few steps ahead of Frank, saw four men, mounted
on horses, striking out from the shelter of the stable and
dashing at full speed toward the open prairie.

At the same moment he discovered the riders he heard
one of the men utter a string of oaths, mingled with coarse
invectives, and he recognized the voice of Topaz Jordan.

Without ceasing to run at full speed, Buffalo Bill leveled
his gun at the nearest horseman and pulled the trigger.

With a groan the rider fell from his horse to the ground,

The other three riders swerved to the left, and were out
of range before another shot could be sent ‘after them, the
corner of the stable shielding them. :

When Buffalo Bill reached the spot where the one rider -

had fallen, he found that the man was dead. He had been
killed almost instantly.

  

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

 

 

Buffalo Bill’s bullet had struck him sere in the. back
of the neck.

- The man was lying with his face buried in. the. dust .
and filth of the stable yard. When they turned him over
the two-scouts recognized him as the man wie = ‘been
called “Bill” by Topaz. Jordan.

The horse upon which the man had started to ride away
had stopped the moment ‘the man had fallen, and as Buf-
falo Bill was bending over the body of the dead man, he
was interrupted by-the animal brushing its nose Bea
his shoulder.

He glanced up and found that the horse was his own

valuabl e thoroughbred.

“Vou had better, look in the stable and see if they have
stolen your horse,” suggested Buffalo Bill to oe com-
panion.

Frank made an inspection, anti oo that his horse
had been left unmolested.

“Shall we follow the three men who escaped P” asked

Frank.
‘Not now,” was Buffalo Bill’s eee answer.

cectieceateainpaeemets

CHAPTER IX. .

THE FIGHT WITH. FIRE.
In answer to an exclamation’ of astonishment uttered
by Frank when Buffalo Bill had stated that they would
not Hey follow the three stage robbers, the scout f

said :
“They have a good start on us, Frank, and in the de

ness we could not trail them. The nature of the soil is

such that no imprints of the horses’ hoofs would be plain
enough to follow except very slowly. We do not even
know: the direction the men have taken, as they disap-
peared in the darknéss before we pence this side of the
stable. We will wait until morning.’

_ Frank immediately saw the wisdom of Cody’ s decision,
and proceeded to assist his companion in unsaddling the
horse. - z@

Ordinarily a. few pistol shots youl have caused no
comment in Jules’ Rest. Such sounds were common-
place at all hours of the day and night, but in this instance
one individual had heard them, and had started to in-
vestigate. |

Buffalo Bill and Frank were just preparing to lead the.
horse back to the stable, when out of the darkness from
the rear of the hotel stepped an individual carrying a
heavy revolver in each hand.

“What’s going on here?” questioned the newcomer.

Buffalo Bill recognized the voice of the proprietor of
the Gold Front. The hotel was crowded, and the pro-
prietor had been occupying a shakedown in the kitchen. -

The scout quickly made himself known, and then pointed
out the body of the dead outlaw.

“Stealing your horse?” asked the hotel man.

f

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

ease ene aT

SE RCE epee rn are EE Seca! Sh IE OTA Tt RN ANE OR ESS, RE br I

     

   

Cody nodded, and then said: “You better look in the
stable. There were four men riding away from here when
we arrived. 1 was only able to get a bead on one of them.
Probably you will find other horses missing.”

Such was indeed the case. Three other animals had
been stolen from the stable. |

The proprietor of the Gold Front almost danced up and
down in his wrath. He started hastily for the hotel, de-
claring he would organize a posse at once to hunt down
the horse thieves.

The scouts cared for Buffalo Bill’s animal, and then
started for the hotel, when Cody suddenly grabbed Frank’s
shoulder and, pointing toward the east, exclaimed:

“The prairie is on fire!”

It was just the time of year when the tall prairie grass
was just dry enough to burn rapidly.

Both scouts in an instant realized the terrible danger
that menaced the settlement. They had each previously
witnessed the awful spectacle of a raging prairie fire, and
knew that quick action and hard work by every inhabitant
of the village would be necessary to save Jules’ Rest from
being wiped off the face of the earth.

There was a slight breeze from the east, and they could
see that the fire had already got a good headway, and was
approaching at a rapid rate.

The scouts ran to the main street, and, without slacking
his gait, Buffalo Bill shouted to his companion: “I'll take
the main street and you take the buildings to the rear.
Wake up everybody!”

In an incredibly short time every man, woman and cule
in Jules’ Rest were crowding the streets.

a Men were shouting; women were crying.
a Strong men lost their heads and ran toward the river, in
“some instances leaving their wives and children behind.
Women, sparingly dressed, some holding babies in their
arms, also were on a stampede.

  

 
  
    
    
   
   
  
 

  
   
 
  
  
  
  
   
 
    
  

 

  
 

Other men, not so hot-headed, gathered around Buffalo
Bill and listened to his quickly uttered instructions.

“Get every horse you can find in the town in harness.
Every man who has a plow get it out. J want as many
\@ furrows ploughed around this town as possible in the
| shortest possible time.”

 

Frank hustled hither and thither, helping matters, and
(9) within a few minutes seven plows were turning furrows
will all possible haste.

, There were more workers than tools. In some in-
Mm stances, while one man held the plow handles, another
handled the lines, while still another urged the horses with
a | continual lashings.

 

  

In one instance, when a plow was waiting for horses
to appear, a dozen men took hold and pulled the plow once
_ around the town.
| Buffalo Bill then directed that all the pails and re-
-ceptacles suitable for holding water be filled and placed in
readiness for use in case ot necessity.

  
  
   
  
   
 

   

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

 

 

 

a tc as

Even women assisted in this work.

But the flames were rapidly approaching.

The wind had raised to some extent, and now the anx-
ious villagers could see the wide, unbroken stréak of
flames rushing down upon them at race-horse speed.

Seventeen furrows had been plowed, and Buffalo Bill
called off the frenzied laborers and directed them to “back
fire” at every point. :

With lighted torches the men hurried around the edge
of the outside furrow, setting fire to the dry grass.

In a moment the town was surrounded by flames.

The, furrows kept the “back fire’ from spreading to- ™

ward the settlement, and men with brooms, pitchforks and
other convenient implements were on all sides to put out
immediately any fire started within the confines of the
furrows caused by sparks.

The heat was almost unbearable, but it was a fight for
life, and the then stuck doggedly at it. They were kept
busy, for there were many sparks.

In some instances men tore garments from their bodies,
to use in smothering the incipient’ flames.

In several instances frame buildings caught on fire, and
were saved only by the most diligent and tiresome work.

A small, frame building near Fillmore’s House of For-
tune became ignited by sparks, and was saved by a liberal
deluge of barreled liquor, taken from the rear of the
barroom.

As the “back fire’ receded from the settlement, the
dangers lessened, and the men at last were able to cease
their tiring labors and watch the grand spectacle at in-
tervals. x

The oncoming flames were now nearly to the point of
meeting the “back fire,’ and they arose high toward
heaven, as if in angry resentment of the means taken by
the villagers to check their terrible advance.

Then came the grand, spectacular moment, when the
two lines of flames came together.

Sparks flew high heavenward.

There was a sputtering and a crackling, and then, as
the two flames mingled, the red tongues of fire leaped
fifty feet or more upward, and then suddenly vanished.

The danger was over. Jules’ Rest was saved.

Not a building had been burned, and not a life had béen
lost. Those who had fled toward the river had managed ~
to reach it, and had crossed over the wide, shallow
stream. ‘They returned, one by one, as soon as the hot
ashes had cooled sufficiently to allow them to travel over
the prairie.

Many of the Cia: realized that it was only by. the
quick and untiring efforts of Buffalo Bill, and because of
his cool manipulation of proceedings, that their properties
had been saved, and Cody and Frank had to seek refuge
in their room to avoid the expressions of gratitude that
promised to soon be pouring in upon them.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

As Frank threw himself upon his bed, Cody remarked:
“T suppose you have a suspicion of how that fire started?”

“Ves,” was the young scout’s answer. “I suppose we
may thank Topaz Jordan for the past hour’s hard work.”

“You're right,’ responded Buffalo Bill. “He probably
set the fire to prevent our following himself and his com-
panions, and then they forded the river.’

It was now getting well on toward daylight, and, in ex-
pectation of a hard day’s work ahead, Buffalo Bill realized
the importance of getting as much rest as possible in the
next two or three hours. the ,

“ Ashe was preparing for bed, he chanced to put his
hand in his pocket, and drew out the letter which Frank
had discovered in the powder shed.

During the excitement of the night the letter had
slipped the scout’s mind. Now he opened it.

Frank had told him the message was written in cipher,
so-he was not surprised. He examined the writing critic-
ally, and then turned the page ever. There he discovered
Frank’s translatién.

This appeared to interest him more than the original
copy. He studied it for several minutes, and then his face

~ suddenly took on an expression of great interest. - :

Buffalo Bill drew nearer to the light, and for several
minutes his eyes were glued to the writing.

At last he turned quickly aremnd, gave Frank a re-
sounding slap on the shoulder, and exclaimed:

“Hurrah for Nervy Frank!”

“W-w-what’s the matter : Pe

Frank.

“Oh, nothing much,” answered Cody, *
succeeded in translating the cipher letter.”

stammered the astonished
only isec yon

oF succeeded in ” Frank started to exclaim, and
then, divinifg that the older man was perhaps ridiculing

him for taking the time to go to the trouble of following —

a system that he knew was wrong to the extent of tran-
scribing the whole missive, he relapsed into silence.
Buffalo Bill was watching Frank with a twinkle in his
eye. ae
“Tt is no joke,”
You have certainly solved the problem.

you.”

~ Frank was at a loss to know how to take Buffalo Bill’s
remark, He knew very well that his translation of the

Cody remarked, “I meant what I said.
_I congratulate

letter was as much “Greek” to himself as the original.

letter had been.
“Well, if you doubt what I say, I will read it to you,”
was the next astonishing statement by Buffalo Bill. ‘

GCHAPTER: xX:
LONG CHANCE CHARLIE’S PARTY.
When Buffalo Bill made ‘the astonishing statement that

re would read the cipher letter, Frank became interested.
He leaped from the bed upon which he was lying and

quickly approached the table upon which Buffalo Bill had
spread the letter.

Looking over the scout’s shoulder, Frank saw that Butf-
falo Bill was looking over the words he had, himself,
written.

As Frank’ drew near, Cody began to read the letter,
seemingly as easily and fully as fast as he would have
read any ordinary letter which had been plainly written.

“Now, listen,’ he admonished /his companion.

*““Jorpan: ‘| wl divide money. Cheyenne stage. Last
Ginday this month. Tell boys. Meet Wells Springs
just sunset. Get rid of your wife, Kate, before you come
if you expect me to keep my agreement. How I hate her!
Keep sober. Much is at stake, Tas

Frank was more surprised than ever. “How do you
make it out?” he exclaimed.

“T don’t know by what system of figuring you came to

put down this jumble of letters,” replied Buffalo Bill,

_ “but if you will notice, it makes the reading of the mes-

sage very simple.

“The first word as it is written, you see, is ‘Adi,’ but if
you transpose the letters of that word you have ‘Ida,’ in-
stead.

“The next ord. ‘Ekats, read backward, becomes
‘stake,’ and so on all through the message as you have
written it. Even the words of the message are arranged
backward. To get the meaning, all that is necessary is to
begin at the last letter and read the entire message back-
ward.”

Frank took up the letter to verify Buffalo Bill’s state-
ments. When he at last laid it down, and looked up, Buf-
falo Bill asked:
~ “Now will you accept my congratulations?” »

Frank took the older scout’s proffered hand, but he
said: “I think most of the honor belongs to yourself. I

—-would have discarded my work as valueless had not your

ingenuity been brought to bear upor it.”

“Well, then, we'll call it an even shake,” replied Cody..
“The real thing to be pleased about is that we have suc-
ceeded in getting possession of-this valuable bit of paper,
and have found how to read the hidden meaning of the
words,”

Frank re-read the message, and then remarked: “So
Topaz Jordan is Kate’s husband. That explains many
mysterious actions of the girl. It explains why she was so
anxious to save him oe being lynched, and why she re-
leased the prisoners.”

“Yes,” responded Col. Cody, “and the message also ex-
plains why Jordan attempted to take the girl’s life. He
wanted. to get rid of her, as was directed by the writer
of that message, who:signed her name as Ida. I presume
he is in love with the famous outlaw queen.”

“Then you know. who this Ida is?” was Frank's ex-
cited: try, ;

3

‘Well, I’m not absolutely positive,” responded Cody,

 
MEANT: a a BESS oR aE a A SATE SS SE a Rial ea eh tlt ag ee TRE ae a NR eR IN SIRO TEY LR WIM Id E S
: j

  

 

‘but I would be willing to bet long odds that I know her.
If my surmise is correct I believe we shall find Ida to be
a woman who has long been dreaded in different parts of
he West. Several years ago I saw a specimen of her
writing, and I am ay certain it was exactly the
/ same as that before us.’

    
    
  
   
 

“Would you mind telling me what you eo about this
| strange woman?” |

  

| “Well, it has been nearly a year since’! have heard. of
| her being active,” began Cody. “I newer heard of her as
far East as this before.’ She usually confined her opera-
| tions to parts of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Colorado.
"I have never seen her, but she has often been described to
(me as very beautiful—dark hair and eyes, tall and grace-
i ful, a perfect rider, bold and daring as any man, and
dangerously ingenious. It has been said that she is half
Spanish. Her early history is unknown. She first came
_ into prominence as a leader of a band of outlaws infesting
' western Colorado, who for several years defied the law
and raised all kinds of mischief. I finally was instrumental
i a cleaning up the band and killing most of her followers,

| but the queen suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. An
| Indian uprising just at that time required my services else-
_where and I gave up the ao for her. She must be now
about thirty years of age.”

 
   
   
  
   
 
 
  
   

 

“And you think that she is in love with Topaz Jordan?”
“Who can say? The chances are about equal that she

)) him under control.”
' “Another important bit of news that we have learned by
| reading that letter,” continued Frank, “is that the money
secured fromthe Cheyenne stage hold up has not yet been
| divided.” ;
. “That’s tight,” answered the older scout. ‘We now
| have good prospects of being able to bag the whole
| amount. Let’s see—the last Saturday of this month will
| be day after to-morrow. I know where the place known
as Wells’ Springs is situated. It isn’t far from here.”
“Which direction?” asked Frank.
“Well, to get there we would have to ride about twenty-
| five miles along the trail leading to Cheyenne, and from
| there would branch off and ride almost due west for about
i) twelve miles. Wells’sSprings are situated in*an unfre-
_quented locality, and quite a distance from any trail.”
. What is your plan of procedure?” asked Nervy Frank.
“Well, for one thing, I do not think it would pay us
M now to follow Topaz Jordan and his two companions,”
# was the answer. “They will, in all probability, be present
fat Wells’ Springs at the time Ida is to divide the money.
fl think we may as well rest on our oars to-day, and per-
haps make a start for the springs. right aiter dinner to-
Imorrow. I have decided to take a rather circuitous route
ito reach that place, and we will have to start to-morrow
in order to get there ahead of the outlaws.

  

 

Teh BUPA Bie SOR TES:

   

is in love with him, or is Pio eoine to love him to keep

My plan is >

to hide near their meeting place, wait until all of them

arrive, and then take them by surprise.”

“Can we do the job all right alone?”

“T think so. JI would like to have another man I could
rely upon with us. I wish Nick Wharton was here, but
no telling where the old scout may be just now. I haven't
seen him for weeks.”

Nick Wharton was an old scout who had taken part in
many desperate enterprises with Buffalo Bill, but he was
eccentric and often went on long trips by himself.

Buffalo Bill and Nervy Frank kept close to their room
ail the morning, part of the time sleeping and part of the
time talking over their plans for surprising and capturing
Ida, the outlaw queen, and her band of desperadoes.

Now that matters were so simplified, Frank felt jubilant
and his spirit was to some extent reflected in the actions of
his older companion. They both felt that the capture of
the band of desperate characters’: was now only a question
of waiting until the appointed time for their meeting ar-
rived,

The two scouts came down to the dining room rather
late for dinner, but they found places at one table reserved
for them.

“Slim” Decker, the proprietor of the hotel, met them

with a smiling countenance. He escorted the two scouts
to the seats reserved for them, and then bustled about

and waited upon them himself.

He appeared anxious‘to serve them with the best in the
house.

At first the scouts could not account for this sudden
new trait exhibited by their host, but it gradually dawned
upon them that Decker regarded them in the light of
heroes for whom too much could not be done to add to
their comforts. Their work during the fight of the prairie
fire had been discussed freely by the citizens of Jules’ Rest.

Had the two scouts but known it, their landlord had
been besieged all the morning by scores of citizens who
were determined to see the two scouts for the purpose of
thanking them personally for saving their lives and prop-
erties.

It. had been with great difficulty that Decker had pre-
vented the disturbance of his popular guests.

During the dinner Buffalo Bill and Nervy Frank were
continually interrupted by citizen after citizen, who pressed
into the dining room to shower words of gratitude upon
their heroes.

It was not such a reception as Buffalo Bill a oved, but
he knew that the words uttered by the citizéns of Jules’
Rest came straight from the heart in every case, and he
thanked each and every one e kindly as he shook the hands
outstretched to him.

What was true of Buitalo Bill was also true of Frank,
but in a lesser sense.

This was the first experience of the kind for the younger

 
 
  

  
 

   

22 : THE) BUREAEO

scout, and for the first few moments he rather enjoyed
being classed as a hero.

If the two scouts were unprepared for the demonstra-
tion that greeted their appearance in the dining room they
were still more surprised by what soon followed.

Just as they had finished their dinner and were about
to leave the table, Long Chance Charlie, who was sitting
near them, arose and, standing up in his chair, raised his
hand for silence.

“T wish to make a few remarks,” Charlie began. “In
behalf of the many residents of this growing village,
whose properties and lives were early this morning saved
by the cool but quick actions of the famous scout, Buffalo
Bill, and his brave young assistant, Nervy Frank, I have
been asked to extend to them expressions of sincere grati-
tude. Many of our citizens have personally expressed
their thanks; but many others just as anxious, among
them the women of this burg, have been unable to do so.
We want these two noble heroes to know that there is not
a man or woman in the town who is not now their stanch
triend. |

At this point Charlie was interrupted in his speech by
long and continued cheers from those present.

Some one proposed: ‘“Three cheers for Buffalo Bill
and Nervy Frank!’

They were given with a vim.

At last Charlie was able to continue:

_ “Gentlemen, to-night I am to give a party in honor of

our two distinguished guests. The spread will be at this
hotel, beginning at eight o’clock sharp. Every man and
woman in Jules’ Rest is invited. Everybody come!”

As the gentleman gambler resumed his seat there were
more deafening cheers, and then all began talking ex-
citedly of the coming party.

Buffalo Bill, of course, then had to make a speech.

This was a more trying ordeal than the worst Indian
fight he had ever been mixed up with, but he faced his
duty manfully and made a really creditable oration.

After much difficulty the two friends succeeded in get-
ting away from the crowd and back to their room.

“Good Lord!’ exclaimed Frank, when the two were
again alone. “Must we stay penned up here all the after-
noon ?” ee

“T would rather face a whole army of outlaws in con-
junction with a tribe of Indians on the pave wee that
mob below,” was Cody’s reply.

The two scouts, however, ventured out on the street
later in the’ day, and, although they were continually
harassed by this or that individual who was overbur-
dened with gratitude, it was not so bad as they had feared,
and before dark they began to get more rest.

Evidently the worst was over, and there were few men
and women who had not approached them.

At seven o'clock that evening men and women began

BILL STORIES.

 

   

arriving at the Gold Front Hotel to attend the party to.

be given by Lone Chance Charlie.

Soon the hotel was filled and the crowd overflowed into
the street.

Charlie made arrangements,with the proprietor of the
Gaiety dance hall for the use of that building for the night,
and those who could not be accommodated at the hotel
made use of the other building.

A grand banquet had been prepared. io man and
woman in the settlement who could cook or wash dishes
had been pressed into commission, and almost every stove
in the town had been chartered to help cook the feast.

It was an occasion long to be remembered, and it passed
off without a hitch. No drinkables of an intoxicating
nature were served, as it was known that the two scouts
were abstainers.

Every heart was full of joy and gratitude. For the
time, at least, all old feuds were forgotten. Men who
had long been enemies mingled as friends, and in some
instances that night the differences between individuals
were forgotten for all time.

After the big supper dancing continued at the Gaiety
until daylight.

When the two scouts at last sought’ their room and were
alone again they knew that there was one town on the
border the citizens of. which would always extend either
of them a hearty welcome within its bounds.

As they were preparing to retire Frank remarked:

“I was thinking to-night that perhaps when Topaz
Jordan discovered that he had lost that letter from Ida
he might become suspicious and warn the outlaw queen

‘against carrying out her plan of ane at Wells’ Springs.

What do you think ?”

“I had thought of that,” replied Cody, “but I do not
think there is any liability of a change of program. When
Jordan discovers the loss of the paper he will have no
particular reason for thinking we have found it; and
should he know it was in our possession he will feel safe
because of it having been written in cipher.”

Our friends were not much in need of rest, and they
arose as soon as the day had fairly set in and began their
preparations for the start for Wells’ Springs.

 

CHAPTER Xi,
THE MEETING AT WELLS’ SPRINGS.

When Buffalo Bill and Frank were ready to pay their
bill at the Gold Front Hotel they were informed that

Decker had directed that no charge should be made ejther :

for their own entertainment or for the care of their horses.

Both scouts protested, and urged the acceptance of their
money, but the clerk had his orders and would not deviate
from them. Decker himself was not visible, but Buffalo
Bill inwardly resolved to square the account at some future
time.

 

   
  
 

   
  

  

 

 

 

 

 

  
    
  

 
  

Our friends ate an early dinner and were about to start

on their journey when they were hailed by Long Chance

harlie, who had just arrived at the hotel for dinner.
“Going away now ?” asked the gambler.

“We're off,” was Cody’s reply.

“By George,” exclaimed the gambler, “I hate to Sée you

go! T’ll bet you have some business out of the ordinary

fon hand.”

“Yes,” agreed Buffalo Bill, “you are right.”

  
  
  
   
   
  

 

| Charlie had now approached quite close to the older
i scout.
! and, with an earnest eXpression on his face, inquired :
' “Don’t think Tam inquisitive, but there is a rumor here
‘ that you two are after the outlaws who robbed the Chey-
y) enne stage some days ago. Is it so?”
Then, as if to set himself right in the eyes of the two
then whom he so much admired, he hastily continued, with-
. out waiting foran answer: “If you are on such a mission
_ I would like to ask you to let me join you.”
| Buffalo Bill thought silently for a moment before re-
) plying.
| The scout had learned to like Long Chance..Charlie.
™ While he did not approve of the means the man used for
hy) making a ligelihood, he could not help but admire Charlie’s
7: ) habitual good poet his gentlemanly ways and his very
| evident ‘ ‘squareness,”’

 

 

7 7 At last he answered:

| “Charlie, we are bound on a mission that will be fraught
with danger. We do not, know what numbers may be
against us. I would not ask you to join us. I will tell
you in confidence just how matters stand as briefly as

| possible, and if you then wish to take the risks I will be
glad to welcome you as an addition to our party.”

Buffalo Bill then made the gambler acquainted with the
condition of affairs, and as he spoke Charlie’ s eyes danced
| with excitement.

“Count me with you!” said Charlie, as Cody conchidéd’

“Well; then,’ responded the scout, ‘

hurry your preparations. You can probably get a horse of

Decker. There are a few other things you will need which
'Ican get for you while you are getting your dinner. Can
| you be ready in half an hour?”

‘you will have to

“I will make a strong endeavor to be ready then,”
@) the answer, as Charlie hurried away.

was

The delay set “back, jthe start until nearly two o'clock,
Nas Charlie had considerable trouble in finding a horse
which met with the approval of Buffalo Bill; but finally
ithe three friends were on the way.
They set out on a direct trail toward Cheyenne, and
mybefore sunset Buffalo Bill pointed out a narrow ravine
coming down between high, rocky hills, which he said
would be the direct way to get to Wells’ Springs.
They did not take that direction, however, the scout
declaring that he thought another route which he knew

    
    
  
  
 

   

He put his hand on the pommel of Cody’s saddle,

“THE BUFFALO eBILL STORIES. 23

well would be ‘safer to follow. They could arrive at the
objective point withless danger of being seen.

They therefore kept on the Cheyenne trail for five or

six miles further, where they came to a little stream.

The stream flowed out of a very narrow slit eh wiee
two ranges of low mountains.

Buffalo Bill’s companions could see no way of proceed-
ing to the right, but they followed the leader when he ~
guided his horse into the shallow water-and upstream
directly toward the crack or slit in the rocky wall of the
mountain.

The crack was in reality much wider than it had looked
from the trail they had left, but it was none too wide for
comfortable riding on horseback.

In one place it was necessary to draw their feet upon
their horses’. necks and hold up the stirrups in order to
squeeze through,

They had not far to travel, however, under these ex-
tremely disagreeable conditions, and soon came out into a
gulch which was wide and not too uneven underfoot to’
prevent easy travel.

It was now dusk, but as they had made a late start
Cody proposed to Ske up the time by pushing along until
too dark to make the going safe.

At last he called a halt on the bank of the little stream
where there was abundant grass for the horses and shelter-
ing rocks suitable for a camp.

Here our friends intended to spend the night. After a
hastily prepared supper lots were chosen and the night
divided into three watches, each member of the party
taking a turn on guard until daylight.

~With the first streak of dawn each man was awake and
dressed. They cared for the horses, ate a cold breakfast -
washed down with pure water from the mountain stream,
and. were soon on their way,

From there on the way grew more and more hazardous.
The gulch began to grow narrower and their. progress
became slower.

It was nearly noon when they arrived at the head of
the gulch. They had proceeded as far as was possible,
and Prank and Charlie looked inquiringly at their leader.

“We're all right,” was Cody’s reassuring remark. “Just
beyond that jutting out of the rocks is the entrance to a
cave which will be an ideal place to hide our horses. We
are now quite close to Wells’ Springs, and are in plenty
of time. We have until sunset to wait for the meeting
of the outlaws.”

The three men dismounted and secured their horses in
the cave spoken of by Buffalo Bill. Then they gathered
large armfuls of grass for the animals, and gave each
horse more than the ordinary measure of oats. This meal

_might be the last the creatures would get until the next

morning.
Coming up the gulch Buffalo Bill had shot a sage hen’
 

 

  

24

 

dinner. | .
After dinner they ee on the remainder af the jour-
ney, which it was necessary to make by foot.

Buffalo Bill led the way, and his two companions fol-

lowed him along a narrow ledge that ran upward nearly
to the top of the mountain on the right.

When they had arrived at the extreme height of the

mountain they found it to be a nearly flat surface—a rocky
plateau, with hardly sufficient incline to shed the water.

It was not a high mountain—in fact, one of the lowest
in the vicinity, all of which were merely foothills of the
giant Rockies further south and west.

After a short rest the three advanced to the opposite
side of their lofty plateau, and from there were enabled
to gaze directly down into a narrow but verdant valley.

Almost the first objects of interest they saw were two
large pools of water, situated several rods apart, neither
of which seemed to have an outlet.

“There,” remarked Cody, pointing below, “‘is the spot
known as Wells’ Springs. You see those pools?”

“Yes,” both Frank and Charlie answered.

“You will notice there are no apparent outlets. The
fact is, those springs feed the little mountain stream along
which we have traveled since leaving the Cheyenne “trail.
Underground streams flow directly under this mountain
to the gulch we left a moment ago.

“Now, this is my plan,’ continued the famous scout.
“Just over to the left there is a place where we can easily
descend from this plateau to the valley below. If you
notice, there is a shelf nearly to the foot of the mountain
and hanging directly above the springs. There is where
I propose that we wait for the meeting of the outlaws.”

Half an hour later the three were standing upon the
rocky shelf pointed out by Buffalo Bill.

As he had said, it was an admirable place to wait for
the coming of the desperadoes, for it was within thirty
feet of the nearest spring, the edge of which was directly
under them.

Another excellent feature of the position was the fact
that all along the edge of the shelf an unbroken string of
jagged rocks arose, forming natural breastworks.

It was a natural fortification and an excellent place to —

defend, should their coming encounter with the despera-
does prove more strenuous than was expected.

Descending to the valley and gazing up at the shelf, the

companions of Buffalo Bill were surprised to discover that.
the shelf was undiscernible from below. ‘The jagged rocks ©

were plainly visible, but from the position our friends were
then in it would hardly seem possible that a wide, roomy
shelf of rock was behind those ragged peaks.

It was a long wait from the time Buffalo Bill, Frank
and Charlie arrived until they could hope for the appear-
ance of any of the band of stage robbers, but they held
‘their position on the shelf and kept completely out of sight.

and a rabbit, and these were “prepared ‘and cooked for

into his steed and dashed up to her side.

 

DHE BUFFALO pil STORIES. * '

   

The mountains tothe west were casting ie shadows
up the little valley as the sun dropped behind their: tower-
ing peaks, and it was gettingsdusk before our heroes heard

, the first sound signaling the approach of a human being.

Buffalo Bill was the first to catch the sounds caused by
the hoofs of a lone horse being urged over the uneven,”
rocky surface from down the valley.

The famous scout removed his wide-brimmed feadeee
and cautiously looked down into the valley from between
two spires of-rock.

A beautiful, dark-complexioned woman, her face ruddy
with health, was approaching. ;

She was mounted upon a magnificent black therauehe

bred, a highly strung animal, and she sat in her saddle ,\¥

with an ease and ee that would alone entitle her t the
cognomen of “queen.’

Frank and Charlie were now also watching her, and
the latter was so surprised at the appearance of the beauti-
ful rider that he almost gave vent to a startled expression.

Frank whispered to Buffalo Bill: “Do you recognize
the beauty as Ida, the outlaw queen? Is she the one whom
you suspected her to be?”

“Yes, I am certain from the minute descriptions I have
had that she is the daring female who for seyeral years
carried terror to the hearts of all peaceful citizens of
Wyoming and Montana,” was the whispered response.
“But here come others,” he added.

Buffalo Bill was not mistaken. In another moment the
noise of approaching riders became audible to the ears of
his companions, and five minutes later seven men had
joined their beautiful female leader.

Among the later arrivals the three men “who were
watching proceedings from the rocky shelf recognized the
men known as Topaz Jordan, Hi Walker and Red Hank.,

Topaz Jordan seemed to be in authority over the men
who had come with him. He halted his companions sev-
eral rods from where Ida had taken her station, and, bring-
ing his hand up in military style, he saluted the woman.

His salute was returned, at which each of the men
except Jordan removed his hat and held it in his left
hand for a moment.

At a signal from Jordan they replaced their hats upon
their heads, _ :

“Umph!” grunted Frank; “she seems to have her oe
lowers well trained.”

At another sign from the woman Topaz dug the spurs
He was about
to speak when she interrupted him with a cue and |
asked: “Where is Bill Drew ?”

Jordan then told her all the circumstances leading up
to the sudden death of Drew from a bullet from Buffalo 2
Bill’s revolver.

_ Our friends were in a position where every word of the
conversation could be heard.

  
 

 

 
  
 

  

i

 

| ae you ¢ gotten s of your wie Kate?” was ihe next
“question. es :
| “She will ne me no more,” was Jordan’s tony,
“Have you killed her?” asked Ida.

“She eame to a sudden and unexpected death.”

Frank shuddered as Jordan so unfeelingly made the last
startling statement, but he gave a sigh of relief when the
next question was put and answered.

“When did she die?”

“Last Monday.”

_ The three companions knew that the man was lying, for
they had become acquainted with the young girl, Kate,
since the dal @ecniioned by Jordan as the day she had
died.

Jordan in his recital of incidents, including the capture
of himself and comrades and subsequent imprisonment in
the powder house by the two scouts, had not told Ida that
Kate had set them free. He said that they had finally
managed to break through the door.

Ida seemed well satisfied with his prevarications, how-
ever, and did not apparently suspect that the villain was

7: lying.

 

  

 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 

 
 

  
 

  

 

_ than she seemed.

 

a CHAPTER XII.
~"? pA’S FIENDISH REVENGE.

39

“Kee cording to Pe oe said Topaz Jordan, ad-
dressing the woman, “‘you have called us here to divide
the money taken from the Cheyenne stage. I will tell you,
becatise you should know, that there has been considerable
dissatisfaction expressed among the men because they
have not received their shares sooner.” |

“They shall have all that is coming to them now,” re-

plied Ida.

“Where is the. money ?”’ asked vee Jordan.

“It is in that pool of water,”
swer. aaes
Noting the look of surprise.on Jordan’s face, she con-
tinued:

caess need ee that would be a good hiding
place. I had it stowed in waterproof sacks and let down
into the spring. See, here is the end of an iron chain.
Instruct the boys to take hold of it and pull it to the

was Ida’s surprising an-

surface,”

The woman’s instructions were carried out, ant soon
six rubber bags were pulled out of the spring and de-
posited upon its brink.

“It’s pretty near time to open up on them, don’t you
think ?” asked Frank in a whisper to Buffalo Bill.

“Let’s wait a little longer,” replied the scout.

After the bags had been piled in a heap together, Ida
instructed the men to gather together a large pile of dry
sticks and dead logs and build a big fire.

As the narrow. valley was lighted by the flames, she

J THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

Subsequent events, however, proved that a was wiser

    

25

instructed them to gather in a circle about the bags, and
the men were soon squatted upon the ground.

Jordan was kneeling at Ida’s right, and was about to
untie the string holding the nearest bag when Ida stopped
him.

‘Don’t be in a hurry,” she said. “There are some mat-
ters I wish to talk about before the money is divided.”

There was an interval of Toe and then she con-
tinued :

“T want to see how well you men have remembered
your catechism. I am going to ask a few questions, and
I want you to all answer at once. The first is: What is
the punishment for any act of treachery or disloyalty
against your queen?”

‘Death by strangulation,

“Who is your queen?”

“You, and your word is law with us.”

“What constitutes the greatest act of treachery which
can be committed against me?”

Lying

“Boys,” commended Ida, with a rare smile, “I want to
congratulate you on your ability ” remember your les-
sons. You have work before you.”

“All we need is your command to proceed with it,” an-
nounced Jordan, but his words were unheeded. The
woman continued : ;

“One of your number has lied to me. Shall he die?”

“Ves,” was the answer that rippled around the circle
until it came to Jordan. No reply framed itself upon his
lips.

The woman was calmly looking him straight in the
face.

Jordan’s countenance was deathly white.
trembled, but no word passed them.

“Well, Jordan, what do you say? Shall the man die?”

With a sudden movement Jordan leaped to his feet
with a gleaming knife in his hand.

He knew that Ida had in some unaccountable manner
become convinced that he had lied to her when he told |
her that Kate was dead.

‘He also knew that the woman would be supported by
every man in the band should she pronounce a death sen-
tence upon him, and he did not doubt but that she would
condemn him to die.

He had suddenly resolved to kill her.

As he jumped to his feet, knife in hand, Ida sat ap-
parently unmoved; but before Topaz Jordan had made
two strides a revolver shot was fired and the man fell
headlong at her feet.

Ida coolly smothered a say flame that had ignited her
skirt.

She had Hred through the folds of her dress.

Jordan was not killed, but it was some time before he
returned to consciousness. When that time came he found

” was the immediate answer.

His lips

- himself bound hand and foot.

  

    
    
   

 

 

   

 
  
 

   
   
  
 
   
    
  
 
    
  
   
  
  
  
   
   
   
  
   
  
   
 
   
 
 
 
  
  
 

 

/

26

who had lately been in love with her just as soon as the
work of dividing the money was accomplished.
« By Ida’s directions the work of opening the sacks con-
taining the money was commenced.

As she leaned over the pile giving ee she geek
ingly commented: =“

“This is the second time I have eluded Buffalo Bill.
Wouldn’t he be furious if he knew what was going on at

this instant? “I would eve ten years of my life to watch

the expression of his face.”

The next moment she was startled by a cool, ringing
voice seeming to come from the air ‘above:

“You can easily have the pleasure of watching the ex-
pression of my face; but, if I am not mistaken, it will

“cost you considerably more than tem years' of your life.”

She looked above and there saw Buffalo Bill and his
two companions leaning over the wall of rocks, each with
leveled weapons in their hands. .

“My God! it is all up, boys!’ ejaculated the woman,

starting to rise to her feet.

The commanding tones of Buffalo Bill ceed her to
fall back again, however :

“Don’t any of you move a finger if you value your
lives! It certainly is all up with you! We are taking no
chances, for this is a desperate Spey We would shoot as
quickly as we would wink an eye.” _

Buffalo Bill’s ext command was to his two assistants.

Following his directions, they descended to the valley
and disarmed the woman first, and then the six men.

Then they secured the lariats from the saddle thongs
of the stage robbers and bound each of them hand and
foot.

Ida did not escape the treatment administered to the
men. She was also bound.

All the time that Charlie and Frank had fa working
Buffalo Bill had maintained his position on the ledge.

His revolvers did not move a thread’s breadth-during
that time. He kept the entire party covered, and he had
fully resolved to fire upon the first sign of resistance, and
fire to kill if shooting became imperative.

It was a thrilling scene.

The fire that the men had kindled lighted the surround-
ings with the brilliancy of day, and the dark shadows
along the face of the mountain, in*strong contrast to the
high lights caused by the light from the flames flickering
upon the points,of jagged rocks, added to the grotesque
effect.

“When the prisoners had all been secured Buffalo Bill
came down from his commanding position.

“May I ask you one word?” was Ida’s request as the
famous scout approached.

“As many as you wish,” returned Cody; * ‘only I will

not promise to answer all of them.”
“T want to know if any of my men have proved treacher-

bi)

THE BUFFALO BILL STORIES.

Ida had instructed two of the men to strangle the man,

    

ous to me. Have any of them aided you in thus tracking a
me down?” ;
“Not directly,” aicurered Buffalo Bille “Il dont mind

letting you know how we discovered your plan for meet-

ing here. We found and read your cipher es to Jor-
dan.”

“You did?” she queried. oe furnished you with
the key ?”

“We had no key,” was the realy: ; “but my faeat Nervy
Frank, studied it out while Jordan had him confined in
the powder house.” :

This information seemed to depress Ida more than the ~
fact of having been captured.

It was a great blow to her pride to ledrri that a secret
code which she had deerhed well-nigh impossible to solve
without a key had proved to be so’ simple a ee for a
ne like Nervy Frank.

After some consultation with his companions Buffalo ~
Bill decided to remain at the springs with the saree
until morning.

It was agreed that as soon as it was light enough to
travel, Long Chance Charlie should return to where the
three horses had been secured, and, riding one, lead the
other two back to where the little mountain stream crossed
the Cheyenne trail and then’follow up to the point Buffalo
Bill had pointed out as the place to branch « toward the

' springs.

While Charlie was thus engaged, Frank and himself
would escort the prisoners down to the Cheyenne trail and

“the whole party would then continue on to Jules’ Rest.

While the three companions were arranging these de-
tails they had paid small attention to their prisoners, whom.
they knew were tied too securely to get away.

They therefore were not aware that Ida had succeeded,
by rolling over and over, in getting within reaching dis-
tance of Topaz Jordan, who was lying tied/securely upon
the grass where his outlaw companions bad placed him.

The first intimation they had that there had been a
movement was a sudden, ‘Piercing scream from Topaz
Jordan:

“For the love of God, Buffalo Bill, don’t let her kill mel

Ida’s hands had been tied in front ot her, Sie had
succeeded in picking up a rock weighing several pounds,
and as the scouts glanced around when Jordan’s cry had
been uttered they saw the woman on her ee bending
over the man.

The rock was raised high over her head, nd she was _
in the act of bringing it down with all her oes upon
her victim’s head.

Frank, who was nearest to the scene, rushed forward,

but too late! —

The rock descended with full force!

‘There was a sickening crash of broken bones mingled
with a heartrending cry of agony, and Ida, exhausted,
fell backward i in a swoon,

     

  

 
 

    

They found that Topaz Jordan was dead. His skull
was cracked, and even as they bent over him his body
quivered convulsively and then took on the rigidity of
death.

Two of the outlaws were released, and, under cover of
revolvers in the hands of Charlie, were compelled to bury
their ex-pal.

) Ida had accomplished a hoeny conceived and fiendish
: ue of revenge!

 
 
  
   
 
  
  
 

 

  

CHAPTER XIII
PLEASANT SURPRISE FOR FRANK.

 
 
 
 

Just before sunrise the next morning our friends were
on their way back toward Jules’ Rest, their prisoners well
secured and the money which the robbers had taken from
the Cheyenne stage divided up so as to be easily carried
upon several of the horses.

 
 
 

it was heavy.

Two of the prisoners were compelled to walk the twelve

miles to the Cheyenne trail in order to give mounts to

| Buffalo Bill and Nervy Frank. - @
oF When they reached the trail they found Charlie with

) the other three horses waiting for them.

Their progress had been considerably slower than his
on account of two of their party being obliged to proceed
on foot.

From there on the progress was faster, and it was only
about the middle of the afternoon when the triumphant
scouts and their friend, Long Chance Charlie, conducted
their prisoners into the settlement where they had ex-
perienced so many exciting adventures within the last
five days.

o News of their coming had reached the town by means of

» a cowboy who had passed them on the trail, and it seemed
that every citizen of the burg was out and watching for
them.

A mighty cheer went up as they rode into town, and
the three men, especially Buffalo Bill and Frank, were
obliged to doff their hats many times in answer to the

@ delighted yells of the populace.

| Buffalo Bill had taken the precaution to send word to
the proper authorities in, regard to when he expected to
have the outlaws in custody, and he was agreeably sur-
prised to learn that a detachment of soldiers had already
arrived in Jules’ Rest to relieve him of the care of his
prisoners.

The soldiers had been sent for that especial purpose
and had arrived in Jules’ Rest just before noon that day.

All that now remained for the scouts was to deliver
their seven prisoners to the young officer in charge.

Upon the lieutenant’s having shown his credentials the
prisoners were transferred to him, together with the re-
' covered money and the regular written reports as required

in such cases, signed by Buffalo Bill and Nervy Frank.

 
 
 

The BUPEALO BILL STORIES. 27

Considerable of the money was in gold and silver, and |

When their duties regarding this transfer of the prison-
ers had been attended to Buffalo Bill and Frank started
for the Gold Front Hotel.

They were hungry, having had no dinner, but they
rode directly to the stable and first saw that their horses
were properly rubbed down and otherwise attended to.

As they approached the entrance of the Gold Front,
Frank suddenly grasped his partner’s arm and exclaimed:

“Kid Fingers !”

“That’s a fact!” responded Cody, as he glanced ahead.

The girl was sitting on the small porch of the hotel, and
was apparently unaware of the approach of the two scouts.

She was gazing in an opposite direction.

“Where are the Scotch plaids, do you spn pse, and the
lone kid glove?” mused Frank. ‘

There was a great change in the appearance of the
young woman.

She was becomingly dressed, entirely different from
when they had last seen her.

She seemed fresher and prettier than ever.

“Poor girl!” thought Buffalo Bill, whose heart was as
tender as any woman’s. ‘She has evidently not heard the
news of Topaz Jordan’s horrible death. It will be a hard
blow to her.”

The two scouts were now close to the porch.

As Buffalo Bill placed his foot upon it the girl sud-
denly turned. Her eyes opened wide in pleased surprise,
but she was not looking at Buffalo Bill.

The girl’s gaze was directed straight past the famous
scout as if he had been thin air, and her eyes were study-
ing the face of his companion, Nervy Frank!

Frank paused in embarrassment. He had met the girl's
strange look and he was surprised.

Her fervent, penetrating gaze rattled his senses and he
withdrew his stare.

Just then he heard a man speaking from within the
hotel.

He had caught the words and recognized the voice.

These were the words he heard :’ .

“Clara, if you are not busy, would you mind reading

~ to me for a little while?”

And the girl on the porch had answered:

“T’ll be there very soon, papa.”

The young scout became dizzy, reeled backward, and
would have fallen had not the strong arm of Buffalo Bill
caught him about the waist.

As Frank recovered almost cea the girl rushed
toward him and into his arms, which were now open to
receive her!

He knew now that she was not Poker Kate, as he hac
at first supposed, but his own affianced wife, whom he
hoped to marry within another year—Clara Deming!

  

     
 

      

CHAPTER XIV.

TWIN SISTERS--CONCLUSION. .

When Buffalo Bill saw the two young people rush to-
gether in that fond embrace, his quick wits, aided with
what Frank had told him of his»slove affair, gave him an
inkling of the facts in the case and he concluded to make
himself scarce and let his young friend enjoy the reunion
— undisturbed.

“Why, Frank, how did you come to be here?” was the
first question asked by the girl when she was able to speak.

“Why, I’m here with Buffalo Bill,” answered Frank.

“Then you must be the one they call ‘Nervy Frank’ !”
she exclaimed, with dilated pupils.

“T have been called that several times,
her hero.

“Oh, how proud I am of you!” returned Clara, throw-
ing her arms aboutglis neck.

“Do you know,” she continued, “we have heard nothing
since arriving here but wonderful tales of the heroic work
yourself and the famous scout, Buffalo Bill, accomplished
in saving the town from the ravages of the prairie fire?
Father has become very enthusiastic over the matter. He
has exclaimed time and again that he would give worlds
to meet you both. Come, I must introduce you to him
right away.”

And then she led the willing young man into the hotel.

Two hours later Frank found Buffalo Bill in his room,
and related to the scout all the news he had gathered in
talking with Clara and her father.

“What do you think?” he began.
twin sisters!”

“You don’t mean Gt!” was Cody’s startled exclamation.

“Yes, I do,” returned Frank, and then he told the story
as he had learned it from Clara.

Kate was the sister whom Frank had be led to believe
had died. The father had forbidden her name to be men-
tioned because of the fact that she had run away to marry
a man whom he had every reason to believe was a scoun-

drel.

This man was Topaz Jordan, at that time known as
George Jordan.

The girl was young and” impulsive and Jordan suc-
ceeded in coaxing her to elope with him.

Clara and her father had arrived in Jules’ Rest in the
morning of the day the prisoners had been brought in.
Mr,.. Deming was now broken in health, and the Western
trip had been made by the advice of his physicians. He
intended to buy a home and settle in Cheyenne,

The day before reaching Jules’ Rest their stage had
stopped in a small settlement in Nebraska to change
horses, and while waiting there they had met Kate, who
was on her way to the old home in the East.

A reconciliation was effected between the father and
his long-missing daughter, and then Kate had told her
father and sister of her cruel expériences as theewife of
Jordan.

She told them that she had endeavored to be a true
wife to the man, notwithstanding his cruel abuses and
wicked ways, but at last had been forced to leave him. .

” smilingly replied

“Clara and Kate are

     

- while,

THE BUFEALO BILL STORIES

He had attempted to kill her a number of times, she
said, and she had finally learned that he was in love—not
with her, but with a woman known as the outlaw queen. ”
This woman was Ida, of course.

She also told them how she had released Topaz Jordan
and his blackleg companions from their imprisonment in-

the powder shed, upon his promise to forsake his evil |

ways and fly to some place where he could make a new
start.

When free the villain had ete in her face and bade
her to go away and bother him no more. a
It was then she had decided to go pa East and seek

a reconciliation with her father.

She had learned that her villainous husband had been
engaged in a stage hold up. She had played poker with a
wild idea that perhaps, should he be caught, she might be
able to get him liberated by making good the amount of
money stolen. She had given up that scheme when she
had her final talk with him. \

In reciting some of the cruelties the man had inflicted

~ upon her the mystery of her constantly wearing the one

kid glove was explained.

On one occasion, in his mad fury, Topaz Jordan had
grabbed her by the wrist and held her hand over a lamp

flame until the flesh had nearly cooked to the bones of her

gingers.
ment.

“Well, where is Kate now?” asked Buffalo Bill.

“She finally decided to’ go East,” replied Frank, ‘She
is going to take a long rest, and perhaps will later return
to the new home her father expects to make in Cheyenne.”

1 suppose that now you expect to marry Clara im-
mediately,” said Cody, with a congratulatory smile. “Has
her father at last given his consent?”

“T seem to stand in pretty good ‘snooks’ with the old
gentleman,” answered Nervy Frank, with a grin, “and he
says I can have his daughter some time. We ‘talked it
all over and have agreed to let the first arrangement be-

She had worn the glove to hide the disfigure-

_ tween she and I stand. I'll go after her in another year,

probably—only I’]l go to Cheyenne instead of back East —
to get her, and under the new arrangements I am to be >
allowed to visit her as often as my duties as government
scout will permit.”

“Good for you, partner! ye hie Cody, slapping the -
boy on the back. “I am glad you are to stay with me a
You have proved yourself game to the core, and _
Lam proud of you.”

Frank then insisted in carrying the scout to’ another
part of the hotel for the purpose of introducing him to
Clara and the old gentleman.

THE END.

"The next issue, No. 201, will be entitled, ‘Budgie Bill’s
‘areat Search ; or, Cena Bad Birds in Wyoming.”
This is a story of two girls, one of whom ran away from
her home in the East and married a bad man in the West,
and the other of whom followed and tried to rescue her.
How the difficulties which beset her path became ‘almost

‘insurmountable and how she was aided and-led to victory —

by Buffalo Bill, is all told in the-next number, which will
be out next week, No. 201. It isa splendid story, ~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
    

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Containing the Most Thrilling’ Adventures of the Celebrated
Government Scout “BUFFALO BILL” (lon. William F. Cody.).

 

158—Buffalo Bill’s Cold Chase;

-. Down Redskins on Ice.

159—Buffalo Bill and the Timber Thieves; or,

The Camp of the Secret Clan.

160—Buffalo Bill’s Long™ Drop; or,
Lots with Death.

or, Running

“Y61~Buffalo Bill’s Blockhouse; or, Old Nick

Wharton’s Strategy.
162—Buffalo Bill’s Canyon Cache;
Beauty from Butte.
163—Buffalo Bill and the Great Sunstone. or,
The Trick that Trapped the Duke of

the Dagger.

or, The

164—Buffalo 'Bill’s Wildest Ride; or, The Mon-

ster Serpent of the Bad Lands’ Lake.

| 165—Buffalo Bill and the Greengoods’ Cabal; or,

>The Woman with the Manacled Ren
166—Buffalo Bill’s Lightning Shot; or, The Red
Gulch Rescue.

 167—Buffalo Bill’s Bandit Friend; or, The Mys-

tery of the Black Riders.

168—Buffalo Bill at Bay; or, The Claim Jumper
of Silver Gulch.

169—Buffalo Bill’s Dark Drive; or, Manton, the

: Mountain Mystery.

170-—Buffalo Bill’s Fair, Square Deal; or, The
Duke of the Dagger’s Dead Lock.

171—Buffalo Bill’s Bold Brigade; or, Injun Joe’s
Burrow.

172—Buffalo Bill on a Hunt for Gold; or,. The
Lost Mine of the Cimarrons.

173+-Buffalo Bill’s Ride for Life; or, Highting
the Border Cattle Thieves,

1747—Buffalo Bill’s Double; or, The Mephisto of
the Prairie,

175—-Buffalo Bill and a Claim Jumpers; or,
The Mystery of Hellgate Mine.

176—Buffalo Bill’s Strategy; or, The Queen of
the Crater Cave.

Drawing '

 

177—Buffalo Bill in Morenci; or, The Cat of the
Copper Crag.

178—Buffalo Bill’s Ded Drop = of. The Ghost-
Scout of Colorado.

1796—Buffalo Bill’s Texan Hazard: or, The War

Trail of the Apaches.

180—Buffalo Bill’s Blindfold Duel;
Death Feud in Arizona.

181—Buffalo Bill’s Mexican Feud; or, The Ban-
dits of Sonora.

182—Buffalo Bill’s Still Hunt; or, The Masked
Men of Santa Fe.

183—Buffalo Bill’s Fiercest Fight; or, The Cap-
tive of the Apaches. -

184—Buffalo Bill’s Navajo Ally; or, The War
with the Cave Dwellers,

185—Buffalo Bill’s Best Shot; or, Saving Uncle
Sam’s Troopers.

186——Buffalo Bill’s Girl Pard; or, The Mystery

. Of the Blindfold Club.

187—Buffalo Bill’s Eagle Eye; or, The Battle of

the Staked Plains.

or, ‘Ihe

188—Buffalo Bill’s Arizona Alliance; or, Nav-

oe ajos Against Apaches.
189—Buffalo Bill’s Mexican Adventure; or, The
White Indians of Yucatan.
190—Buffalo Bill After the Bandits; or, Chasing
the Wyoming Bank Robbers.
191—Buffalo Bill’s Red Trailer; or, The Hole-in-
the-Wall Outlaws of Wy oming.
192—Buffalo Bill in the Hole-in-the-Wall; or,
Fighting the Wyoming Bank Robbers.
193 — Buffalo Bill and the Bandit in Armor; or,
The Mysterious Horseman of the Moun-
tains,
194—Buffalo Bill and the Masked Mystery; or,
The Wild Riders of the Wilderness.
195-—Buffalo Bill in the Valley of Death; or, The
Masked “Brotherhood,

 

All of the above numbers always on hand.

if you cannot get them from your

newsdealer, five cents per copy will bring them to yeu by mail, postpaid.

  

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HE unflagging interest taken in the fortunes of the immortal Jack Harkaway by young boys, and old boys as well, has for thirty
years been one of the marvels of the publishing world. These stories seem to be just as eagerly sought after and devoured to-day
as when first issued, and myriads of readers Idolize the Bold and Unconquered Jack in much the same spirit as they do

good old Robinson Crusoe. In fact it has become a household name. And yet, there has always been something like a spirit of keen dis-
appointment among American lads because this hero happened to be a Britisher. At lastbelieving the time is ripe to remedy this one
defect, we now take pleasure in presenting a new series, in which, from week to week will be chronicled the wonderful adventures and —
madcap pranks of a genuine Yankee lad, who certainly bids fair to out-Harkaway the famous original of this type. In the energetic and
restless Link Rover a ‘unique character has been created, so bold and striking that we confidently expect his name to presently become
quite as familiar among our American boys as those of Frank Merriwell’ or Buffalo Bill. These Stories of Adventure and Frolic
at school and abroad are written especially for this series by Gale Richards, who is under exclusive contract to devote his whole time and
attention to this fascinating work. There is not a dull line from beginning to end, because Link Rover believes it is his especial duty and
privilege to keep things constantly “humming.” So be fairly warned that to commence reading of his strange experiences is to acquire
the “Rover habit,” which clings to one like a leech and is very hard to shake off.

 

 

eee aceon arostnecsuatoneses mel
SEE LEE EIT EE Ts TA OEE TE *

Following is a list of the numbers already issued or im press:

1—Link Rover, the Scapegrace; or, The Black
Sheep of the Family.

2—Link Rover at School Abroad; or, Lively
Times at Old Swindon.

3—Link Rover as a Wizard; or, The Yankee
Firebrand in an English School.

4—Link Rover’s Balloon Voyage; or, Fun and
Adventure Among the Clouds.

5—Link Rover Among the Carlists; or, Playing
a Bold Game with the Dons. —

6—Link Rover Adrift; or, Pranks and Perils on
the Mediterranean.

7—Link Rover in Algiers; or, Waking Up a
Sleepy Oriental City.

8—Link Rover’s Strange Legacy; or, The Auda-
cious Lark at Malta.

o—Link Rover’s Chase; or, A Yankee Innocen
Along the Nile.

1o—Link Rover’s Menagerie; or, Lively Times
with the Scapegrace. /

11—Link Rover, the Wonder-Worker; or, Sur-
prising the Hindoo Jugglers.

12—Link Rover’s Jumping Idol; or, Mad Pranks
ina Chinese Temple 3;

13—Link Rover’s Pirate Junk; or, The Strange
Cruise of the Howling Ghost.

14—Link Rover in America; or, In Search of
Fun at the “Golden Gate.”

15—Link Rover’s Wager; or, Mixing Them Up
on the Limited. x

16—Link Rover Among the Mormons; or, A
Madcap Frolic in Old Salt Lake City.

 

17—Link Rover’s Warning; or, The Ghastly Sell
on Sheriff Bowie.

18—Link Rover’s Glorious Lark; or, Making a
Holy Show of the Train Robbers.

19—Link Rover Stranded; or, Finding Fun on
the Road.

20—Link Rover’s Camp Fires; or, A Jolly Jour-
ney with the Hoboes.

21—Link Rover on Guard; or, Tricks Played on
Travelers. ‘

22—-Link Rover’s Discovery; or, A Very Hot

_ Time at Denver.

23—Link Rover Trapped; or, The Bursting of a
Bubble. aa

24—Link Rover and the Money Makers; or,
Something Not Down on the Bills.

25—Link Rover in Chicago; or, Making Things
Fairly Hum.

26—Link Rover’s Strategy; or, Smoking Out an
Old Enemy.

27—Link Rover Among the Shanty Boatmen;

_ or, A Roaring Voyage Down the Miss-

issippi.

28—Link Rover’s Flying Wedge; or, Football
Tactics on a River Steamboat.

29—Link Rover’s Crusoe Island; or, A Campaign
of Humor in the Flood.

30—Link Rover’s Surprise; or, The Mischief to
Pay. es

31—Link Rover Among the Cotton Pickers; or,
Hustling for Fun Down in Dixie Land.

32—Link Rover’s Tame Scarecrow; or, The As-
tounding Racket “Daddy” Played.

A new number every week. Price, FIVE CENTS,. at all newsdealers, or by sending direct to the publishers. .

STREET & SI

ITH, 238 V

illiam Street, New York

 
TR a sa Be tetra aa A ee A Se

Sigh ine

Nick

eS

"383—Kidnaped in ee - Daylight Of,
Carter on His Own Trail.

-384—The Little Giant’s Double; or, The World’s
Two Strongest Men. -

.385—The Secret. Order’ of Associated Crooks;
or, The Confederated Criminal Trust.

or, A’ Hard

--386—When Aces Were Trumps;
Game to Play.
387—The Gambler’s Last Hand; Qt; an Little

_. Giant Wins Out:

388—The Murder at Linden Fells; or, The Mys-
tery of the Cadillac N eedle. °

389—Mercedes Danton’s Double; or, A Plot for
Many Millions, a

390—The Millionaire’s Nemesis: or,
Roger's Oath of Vengeance.

391—A Princess of the Underworld: or, The
Mysterious Burglary at Lakeview.

392—A Queen of Her Kind; or, A Beaute te)
Woman’s Nerve. ~ |

393—Isabel Benton’s Trump Card; or, Desreiaic
Play to Win.

394A Princess of Hades; or, The Reappear-

: ance of Dazaar, the Fiend.

395—A Compact. with Dazaar ; or, The Devil
‘Worshiper’s Den.

396—In the Shadow of Dazaar; or, At the Mercy
of Vampites.

Paul

397—The Crime of a Money-King: or, The Bat- ”

tle of the Magnates..

398-—The Terrible Game of Millions ; of,. Track-

ing Down the Plotters.
-390—A Dead Man’s Power; or, The eee of
a Telephone Number.
‘400—The Secrets of an Old House:
Crime of. Washington Heights.
401—The House with the “Open Door; or, The
Double Crime of Madison Avenue.
402—The Society of Assassination; or, The De-
tective’s Double Disguise.

or, The

ALL OF THE ABOVE NUMBERS ALWAYS ON HAND.
NE Base ae CENT ° a COPY WILL’ =e

PUBLISHERS,

 

as

403——The Brotherhood:of the Crossed Swords:
~ or, The Little Giant’s Mighty Task.  ~

404—The Trail of the. Vampire; or, The Mys-
terious Crimes of Prospect Park,

405—The Demons of the Night; or, The Terrors
of the Idol’s Cavern,

- 406—The Captain of the Vampire; or, Smugglers
of the Deep Sea.

407—A Bank President’s Plot; or, Three Vil-
lains of a Stripe.

408—The Master Criminal; or, With the Devil
in His Eye.

409——-The Carruthers Puzzle: or, Nick Catter’s
Best Disguise.

410—Inez, the Mysterious; or, The Master Crim-
inal’s Mascot. -

411—The: Criminal Queen’s Oath: or, The Dif-
ference Between Two. te

_412—The Point of a Dagger; or, The Criminal
Queen’ s Madness.

413—Doctor Quartz, the Second; or, The Great
Freight Car Mystery. :

_-414——Doctor Quartz, the Second, at Bay; or, A
Man of Iron Nerve.
415 lhe @Great Hotel Murders; or,
Quartz’s Quick Move.
416—Zanoni, the Woman Wizard; or, The Ward
of Doctor Quartz.

417—The Woman Wizard’s Hate; or, A Danger-
ous Foe.

418—The Prison Demon; or, The Ghost of Dr.
Quartz.

419—Nick Carter and the Hangman’s Noose; or,
Dr. Quartz on Earth Again.

-420—Dr.'Quartz’s Last:Play; or, A Hand with a
Royal Flush.

421—Zanoni, the Transfigured; or, Nick Car-
ter’s Phantom Mascot.

422—-By Gommand of the Czar; or, Nick Car-
ter’s Boldest Defiance, :

Doctor

IF YOU CANNOT GET THEM FROM YOUR
THEM TO YOU BY MAIL, POSTPAID

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Contains the ‘Biggest ame Best Siorles or AN Deseriptions.
A Different Complete Story Each Week,

FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE LATEST ISSUES :

61—Backed by an Unknown;.or, Dick Darrell’s ehacle

for a Living. By Cornelius Shea.

62—All Aboard; or, Life on the Lake. By Oliver Optic.

63—Phil, the Fiddler; ot, The Story of a Young Street
Musician. By Horatio Alger, Jr.

64—Dick Halladay’s Pranks; or, Fun at Strykerville
Academy. , By W. L, James, Je:

65—Slow and Sure; or, From the Street to the Shop.
By Horatio ‘Alger, hae

66—Little by Little; or, The Cruise of the Flyaway
By Oliver Optic.

67—Beyond the Frozen Seas; or, The Land of the Pig-
mies. By Cornelius Shea.

68—The Young Acrobat; or, The Great North Ameri-
can Cireus, By Horatio Alger, Jr.

69—Saved from the Gallows; or, The Rescue of Charlie
Armitage...By Matt Royal.

79--Checkmated by a Cadet; or, Conquered by Chance.
By Harrie Irving Hancack.

vt—Nuggets and Nerve; or, The Two Boy Miners,
By Frank Sheridan.

72—Mile-a~-Minute Tom; or, The Young Engineer of

Pine Valley. By ‘Cornelius Shea.

73—-Seared With Iron; or, The Band of Skeleton Bar.
By Cornelius Shea.

74—The Deuce and the King of Diamonds; or, Two
Southern Boys in South Africa. By the author
of “Among the Malays.”

“s—-Now or Never; or, The Adventures of Bobby
Bright. By Oliver Optic.

76—Blue-Blooded Ben; or, Two Princeton Pals. By

the author of “Hal Larkin.” :

77—-Checkered. Trails; or, Under the Palmettoes. By

Marline Manley.

78—Figures and Faith; or, Messenger Chon s Chance.
By the author of “The Hero of Ticonderoga.”

79—The Trevalyn Bank Puzzle; or, The Face in the
Locket. By Matt Royal.

80—The Athlete of Rossville; or, The Isle of Serpents.
By: Cornelius Shea.

81—Try Again; or, The Trials and Triumphs of Harry
West. By Oliver Optic.

82—The Mysteries of Asia; or, Among the Komdafs.
By Cornelius Shea.

83—The Frozen Head; or, Puzzling the. Police. By
Paul Rand.

84—Dick Danforth’s Death Charm; or, Lost in the
South Seas. By the author of “The Wreck of
the G lawcus.””

85—Burt Allen’s Trial; or, Why the Safe was Robbed.
Bye Wisk. Parcelle.

ee eee of War% or, Jack Dashaway’s Rise from
the Ranks. By “Old Tecumseh.”

87—A Charmed Life; or, The Boy with the Snake Skin
Belt. By the ‘author of “Among the Malays.”

88—Only an Irish Boy; ‘or, Andy Burke’s Fortunes.
By Horatio Alger, Jr.

89—The Key to the Cipher; or, The Boy Actor’s Strug-

ae By Frank J. Earll,

 

90—Through Thick and Thin; or, Foes to the Last.
~ By Walter J. Newton.
gi—In Russia’s Power; or, How Two Boys Outwitted
the Czar. By Matt Royal.
o2—Jonah Mudd,*the Mascot of Peecea ile: or,
Which Was Which? By Fred Thorpe.
03 Rightne the Seminoles; or, Harry Emerson’s Red
Friend. By Maj. Herbert H. Clyde.
94—The Young, Outlaw; or, Adrift in the Streets. By
Horatio Alger, Tr.
9s—The Pass of Ghosts» or, A Yankee Boy in ‘the Far
West. By Cornelius Shea.

- g6—The Fortunes of a Foundling; or, Dick, the Out-

cast. By Ralph Ranger.

bye he Hunt for the Talisman; or, The Fortunes of

»the Gold Grab Mine. By 1 M. Merrill,

98—Mystic Island. The Tale of a Hidden Treasure.

2 By the author’of “The Wreck of the Glaucus.”

g9—Capt. Startle; or, The Terror of the Black Range.
By Cornelius Shea. ;

1oo—Julius, the Street Boy; or, A Waif’s Rise from
Poverty. By Horatio Alger, Jr.

1o1—Shanghaied; or, A Wanderer Against His Will.
By H.C. Emmet.

102—Luke Jepson’s Treachery; or, The Dwarfs of the
Pacific, By the author of “The Wreck of the
Glautus.”

103—Tangled Trails; or, The Mystery of the Manville
Fortune. By Clifford Park.

104—James, Langley & Co.; or, The Boy Miners of Salt
River. By the author of “Capt. Startle.”

tos—Ben Barclay’s Courage; or, The Fortunes of a
Store Boy. By Horatio Alger, Jr.

106—F red Desmond's Mission; or, The Cruise of the
“Explorer.” By Cornelius Shea.

107—Tom Pinkney’s Fortune; or, Around the World
with Nellie Bly. By Lieut. Clyde.

108—Detective Clinket’s Investigations; or, The .Mys-

' tery of the Severed Hand. By Clifford Park.

10o9—In the Depths of the Dark Continent; or, The
Vengeance of Van Vincent. By the author of
“The Wreck of the ‘Glaucus.’

110—Barr, the Detective; or, The Peril of Lucy Graves.
By Thomas P. Montfort.

111—A Bandit of Costa Rica; or, The Story of a
Stranded Circus. By Cornelius Shea.

112—Dacey Dearborn’s Difficulties; or, The Struggle of
the Rival Detectives. By Clifford Park.

113—Ben Folsom’s Courage; or, How Pluck Won Out.
By Fred Thorpe.)

114—Daring Dick Goodloe’s Apprenticeship; or, The
Fortunes of a Young Newspaper Reporter. By f
Phil Willoughby.

_ 115—Bowery Bill, the Wharf Rat; or, The Young Street

Arab’s Vow. By Ed. S. Wheeler.
116—A Fight for a Sweetheart; or, The Romance of
Young Dave Mansard. By Cornelius Shea.

117—Col. Mysteria; or, The Tracking of a Criminal to

His Grave. By Launce Poyntz.

All of the above numbers always om hand. “if you cannot get them from your
mewsdealer, tive cents per copy will bring them to you hy mail, postpaid.

- STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 238 William Street, NEW YORK ba

 

 

 

 
 
fad

and BOLD |

A Different Gomplete 45 Handsome Colored
Story Every Week Cc e Covers

 

The majority of the stories published in this library never were offered to our
boys before except in serial form, or in expensive cloth editions. If you want
stories of adventure, that interest and thrill, you will find them here.

108. Detective Clinket’s Investigation;
| or, The Mystery of the Severed Hand. By CLIFFORD PARK

109. In the Depth of the Dark Continent;
or, The Vengeance of Van Vincent. By the Author of “The Wreck of the Glaucus ”

110. Barr, the Detective;
or, The Peril of Lucy Graves. By THOMAS A. MONTFORT

111. A Bandit of Costa Rico; mt
or, The Story of a Stranded Circus. By CORNELIUS SHEA

112. Dacy Dearborn’s Difficulties;
or, The Struggle of the Rival Detectives. By CLIFFORD PARK

113. Ben Folsom’s Courage;
: or, How Pluck Won Out. By FRED THORPE

114. Daring Dick Goodloe’s Apprenticeship; ne
or, The Fortunes of a Young Newspaper Reporter. By PHIL WILLOUGHBY $3

115. Bowery Bill, the Wharf Rat;
or, The Young Street Arab’s Vow. By ED. L. WHEELER

116. A Fight for a Sweetheart;
or, The Romance of Young Dave Mansard. By CORNELIUS SHEA 2

. 117. Col. ‘Mysteria;

: or, The Tracking of a Criminal to His Grave. By LAUNCE POYNTZ

: To be had from all newsdealers, or sent, postpaid, upon receipt of price, by the publishers
% STREET & SMITH, *75000°" NEW YORK

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