The Only 5 Cent ‘Library of Detective Stories. Entered According to Act of Congress, in the Year 1891, by Street & Smith, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. Entered as Second-class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Office, August 8, 1891. Issued Weekly. Subscription Price, $2.50 per Year. September 12, 1891, Ai ~ No, 6, STREET & SMITH, Publishers, NEW YORK, 31 Rose St., N.Y. P. 0, Box 2734. 5 Cents, NCAR PLP BY 2m AUTHOR OF. NICK, CARTER.” ‘ SN a 9 NICK CARTER LIBRARY. No. 6. Nick Carter i in Philadelphia, THE NIGHT HAWKS OF THE QUAKER CITY. BY THE AUTHOR OF @NICK CARTER.” CHAPTER I. EXPECTED. ‘WE-8-e-l-a-dEL-FI-A! ! !” “I have discovered a.sure cure for the malady from which most brakemen and conductors suffer,” muttered Nick Carter, detective, as the train upon which he was a| passenger glided into the Philadelphia station. “Change | the names of all the stations, so that they will contain, at least five syllables, and the thing i is done.” Seizing his grip, in common with the other passengers. who had reached their destination, Nick got down from the train and strolled away in the direction of the Conti- nental Hotel. But he had not gone a dozen paces ere a large man, | wearing a full, brown beard, stepped up to him, and said, | in a low tone: “IT beg your pardon, sir; but are you not Mr. Nicholas Carter, of New York?” Nick stared at the manin seeming blank amazement, | for he was never taken off his guard. “Who?” he asked. “Mr. Nicholas Carter, of New York,” stranger. ‘No, sir, Iam not,” replied Nick, decidedly. ‘Neither is my name Brown from Squedunk, nor Jones, from Kala- mazoo. Iam onto your little game, my friend, if lam from the country, and you will have to inquire farther down the street for your victim. I’m not in it.” The stranger laughed good-naturedly. “T see you take me for a confidence man,” he said. “Well, yes; that’s about the size of it,” drawled Nick; “put I also take the New York daily papers, and I’m posted. Who did you ask me if I was?” ‘Nick Carter.” “Oh! I’ve heard of that fellow. He’sa——” “Detective. You see if I had been playing the confidence game I would not have asked for a detective to start with.” “That’s so. Well, I apologize. I say, do I look like him ?” “Well, no, to tell the truth, you do not.” “Then why in thunder——” “Precisely. You see he never looks twice alike. He’s expected here to-night, and I had an important message from my chief to deliver before he went to a hotel, if I could find him.” . ‘Maybe he’ll come on the next train.” ‘He was expected on this one, but a fellow might as well try to find a needle in a hay-stack as Nick Carter.” “Maybe you ain’t used to looking for folks.” “Oh, yes, lam! That’s my business, in fact.” “Tis, eb?” “Yes; I’m a detective myself.” “Oh! Well, I hope you’ll find him.” “No chance of that now. I made sure that you were the man, and while I’ve been talking with you, he has probably gone about his business.” “Which proves——” “Well, what?” “That detectives ain’t so smart as they’re said to be— always.” ‘Nobody is infallible.” “That’s so. Here, sonny’—to a bootblack near by— “shine my boots, will you?” OS, Siti” The boy set to work at once, and the stranger with the brown beard, after apologizing for his mistake, hurried awa A soon as he was out of ear-shot, Nick spoke again, repeated the and had the brown-whiskered individual heard what he said, he would doubtless have experienced considerable surprise. ‘Did you see that fellow, Chick?” he asked. “Yes, sir,” replied the bootblack. ‘Anybody else ?” “Yes. A man over there under the awning behind you. He is there yet.” “Good. In some way they know whol am. How, is a mystery.” ‘Treachery somewhere.” ‘Doubtless. Hurry now. Follow the fellow under the awning. When you know enough to make it worth while to report, rig yourself up as a messenger boy, and come to me at the Continental. iy “ All right, sir.” “You know for whom to inquire ?” | ves. Solon Rutherford.” “ Are you nearly through, young man? I’m ina hurry,” as a stranger moved near to them. “All done, boss.” Nick tossed a dime to the bootblack, who was our old— or rather young, friend Chick, in disguise, and hurried way. The great detective was puzzled by the trivial occur- ‘rence, and he thought deeply as he walked. “Who was that fellow?” he muttered. ‘How did he know that Nick Carter was expected in Philadelphia? What made him think that I was Nick Carter? Chick was right when he said that there had been treachery somewhere. “But where? Here in Philadelphia, without doubt. A ‘olerk in the department might have known that I was expected, and, knowing it, might have betrayed the fact, , but he could not have known on what train I would come, or what disguise I would wear. “One thing is certain. I have got to carry out. my disguise to the letter, and leave Philadelphia for a day, and try another entrance. u He went to the Continental Hotel, registered as Solon Rutherford, and was assigned to & room. During the remaining hours of the afternoon he wrote — ‘a letter to the chief, in which he said: “Please reply to the following questions as briefly as possible and without comment: . a knew that I had been engaged to come here? Name every- oay ‘What idea had you as to when I would arrive? ‘‘What idea had you regarding the disguise I would wear? ‘Has anybody expressed any opinion about me since I was engaged ? ‘If so. What? “Answer without delay. Address Solon Rutherford, Continental. **Yours; N, C.”’ The following morning he received this reply to his questions : ‘Nobody but myself knew or knows that you have been, or are, en- gaged on this work, or that you were expected here. ‘J did not expect you before to-morrow. “T have not heard your name mentioned by anybody in weeks, and therefore, no opinions have been expressed of which I am cognizant,” “Humph!” exclaimed Nick. Then he destroyed the letter and went out. The time was ten o’clock in the forenoon, and he spent the next three hours in going from one wholesale store to another, examining goods “for his country store,” but failing to leave any genuine orders. Several times he noticed that he was followed Sad | watched, and very expertly, too. The shadow was changed four times during those three hours, so that he would not discover the fact that he was under espionage. But it did not take Nick Carter the better part of an hour to find out if he was followed, and he not only knew that he was, but he knew of the four changes that were made. a Fancy an inexperienced man trying to cope with these — ‘Night Hawks,’ ” he thought, when he was back again in the hotel. “ N o wonder that everybody who has tried to capture them has got left. Why, they have had four fellows after me to-day, any one of whom would makea better detective than the average real article.” No. 6. ee CARTER LIBRARY, 3 He finished dinner, and, seating “himeelf in ne office, lighted a cigar and opened a paper. Twenty minutes later a messenger boy came in, and| ‘do, whether they are sure that Jam Nick Carter or not,” walked past him within a few feet. Nick immediately arose, and leisurely made his way to the elevator, and thence to his room. Ten minutes later, the messenger boy was in the room with him. “You have a message for me?” asked Nick, jerking his thumb toward the partition which divided his room from the next one on the left, as a sign to Chick not to talk. “Ah! yes,” he continued. “You will have to wait some time while I writeananswer. Take a seat over there while I am busy.” - Then he motioned with his finger for Chick to draw near, and, seizing a sheet of paper and a pencil, wrote: “Did you follow the man under the awning?” “Yes,” wrote Chick. i Where did he go?” ‘““He followed you.” “For how long?” “To the hotel.” ‘Where, then?” «. « Another man took his Bees and I stuck to No. 1.” “Right. Go ahead.” ~- “No. I went back to the depot—met man with brown beard—they talked—I couldn’t hear what was said— Brown Beard went away—No. 1 staid at depot.” “Good!” thought Nick. “They are not positive that I am the man, but they think so.” Then he wrote: “Whom did you ‘watch % 3” “ Brown Beard. y “Good! Goon.’ “Brown Beard ae to toilet-room—came out minus brown beard—came here to this hotel—registered and got a@ room.” ‘Do you know what one?” FON O: bb) Nick jerked his thumb at the partition again. “There, now,” he wrote. ‘Fellow that Ihadn’t seen before followed Brown Beard into hotel—had satchel—set it down and went away—l followed Fellow.” “Good! what more?” ; “Rellow went to depot—talked with No. 1—took his place—Fellow staid at depot—No. 1 wentaway. I went, too.” a Correct. Pe “No. 1 took me down Broad street, up Market, and through a dozen others, until he struck Peanut alley. » “Where is that?” ‘Don’t know—in the slums—no name on corner—asked a kid name of alley—he told me.’ “How big is the street, or alley ?” “Very small. No. 1 went into house at end of alley— hour later two men came out—dark then—I followed— men went to depot—one relieved Fellow—other walked away with Fellow—parted corner Chestnut and Broad— Fellow went down Chestnut—I went, too—went through Sixteenth street to Walnut, down——” “Never mind that. Where did he bring up ?” “Didn’t bring up. Boy standing on corner Walnut and Fourteenth holding saddle horse. Fellow jumped on saddle horse and rode away. I couldn’t follow.” “What then ?’. “T scraped acquaintance with boy.” “Find out anything from boy ?” “No. I’m going to see him again this afternoon. He’s going to get me a job— soft snap,’ he calls it. That’s all I know worth telling.” ‘“You have done well. Inquire at general post-office for letter for Jasper Jones day after to-morrow in the after- -noon.” CHAPTER II. TRADING FACES AND THINGS. That same evening, Nick Carter, as Solon Rutherford, took the train for Pittsburgh. He was ead to the train, and the man who followed him took a seat in the same car. ‘‘They are determined to know where I go and what I mused the detective. ‘‘On the whole, I guess they are pretty well satisfied that Iam the man, and they mean to keep me well in view until an opportunity offers for giving me a rap on the head, or a dig with a knife. Well, I think that Solon Rutherford knows a trick which will prove to be a little too much for them, and I see a young fellow over in the corner who will help me out, unless I have forgotten how to read character. About an hour before the train was due at Pittsburgh, Nick walked over to the young man he had noticed. “I am pining for a cigar, and I dislike smoking alone. Will you join me In a cigar in the smoking-room ?” he said. “T do not know you, sir,” said the young man. ‘Neither do I know you, but you very strongly resemble a friend of mine, and I am suffering for somebody to talk to. Won’t you take pity on me?” “Why, certainly.” They went together to the smoking-room of the car. The shadow who was supposed to be watching Nick, knowing that he could not leave the train until they reached Pittsburgh, had gone quietly to sleep. The man whom Nick had selected for a companion was about his own build, and was shaved clean. He had just the sort of face that Nick liked to “make up,” and he knew if he could secure his co-operation in the little scheme he contemplated, the shadow would be thoroughly fooled. “Where are you from?” asked Nick, when they had lighted their cigars. They had the smoking-room entirely to themselves,an unusual but very fortunate circumstance. “Pittsburgh,” replied the stranger. “ My name is George Starkweather. Will you tell me yours?” ‘Nick Carter,” replied the detective, very quietly. He knew that he could trust the face before him. “What!” exclaimed Starkweather. ‘‘Can it be possible that you are——” ‘““Sh-h-h,” said Nick, laying his hand upon his compan- ion’s arm. ‘‘Do not speak my name aloud, please. Yes, I am the Nick Carter you mean, I guess. I never heard of but one.” “You are the detective ?” oe Yes. 99 “Out on business ?” “Yes, and I want you to help me out.” ro Haw 3 9?) “The simplest way in the world, if I can count on you.” ‘“You may, certainly. Ishall be most happy to be of service. What am I to do?” “Trade names and faces with me for a while.” “Easier said than done, I imagine.” “Not at all.” “Do you mean to say——” “That I can change you to Solon Rutherford, and myself into George Starkweather? Exactly.” ¢6 But” “T thought you had heard of Nick Carter.” “So I have, but then, one never believes half one reads, you know.” “This will be a good chance for me to prove Pe of it.” “ An excellent one.” “You consent, then?” “Certainly.” “Thanks. Sit here until I find the porter.” “Here he is now.” “Good. Porter, did you ever see a five-dollar bill?” *‘A few, but not many, sah.” **Do you see that one?” “*T do, sah.” ‘Do you want it?” The porter grinned. “The state-room is not taken, is it?” ‘No, sah.” “This gentleman and I wish to talk over some private business for half an hour. Let us have the state-room for that length of time and the V is yours.” 4 NICK CARTER LIBRARY. No. 6, “Yes, sah.” “ Bring us two bottles of beer and a pack of cards.” “Yes, sah.” The porter grinned again, thinking that the gentlemen were going into the state-room to gamble. Nick and Starkweather went to the state-room, and when the beer and cards were brought, Nick closed and locked the door. ‘“T’ll make myself up first to look like you,” he said. Off came ina jiffy his traveling cap, and the wig and beard which he wore as Solon Rutherford. Starkweather stared in surprise, but Nick did not lose any time. He took off his coat and vest, collar and tie. _ Then he washed his face, and shaved the day’s growth of beard without soap. He had to change the shape of his nose a little, which he did with bits of sticking-plaster made purposely, and by the use of delicate grease paints. In fifteen minutes the trick was done for him, and the state-room contained two young men who looked enough alike to be twin-brothers. “Now, off with your coat, vest, collar, and tie,” said Nick to Starkweather, who was too greatly astonished to speak. He complied, and Nick began on him. He worked rapidly, fastening on the wig and beard which he had worn as Solon Rutherford. “Now, we will have to change coats and vests. Our trousers are enough alike, so they won’t be noticed by the fellow who is following me. Our suits are about the same in quality, but if you think there is any difference in your favor, I will cheerfully pay you the balance.” “Oh, no! If anything, yours is the best, and, by Jove! it fits me better than my own.” “Good. I am glad of that. Now, the collar, tie, and scarf-pin. Your collar is of the stand-up kind, and mine a turnover, so we will have to change.” “ All right.” “Your tie is better than mine, but my scarf-pin is worth more than yours, so we will call it an even trade.” “But it isn’t even at all. Your pin is worth a dozen of mine.” “Well, Iam satisfied if you are.” “Tf you insist——” ““T do. Now, button your new coat over that watch- chain.” “No; we’ll trade watch-chains also, if youlike. I’ve got a little the best of you on the pin, and you can get even on the chain.” ‘All right, Mr. Starkweather, I won’t forget you for this.” “Ts all complete now ?” “No, there is one thing,more.” “What ?” “Our hats. We both have our traveling caps in here, but I wore a silk hat when I entered the car.” 70, Od 17 “Good. Then we won’t have to change, unless you have a black band, or something of that kind on yours.” “No; itis plain.” “Allright. Our satchels are very different, and we’ll just trade, if you like. I will ring the bell, and have the porter bring them both here. We ean change the con- tents, and let the porter put them back where he found them.” Nick touched the bell and opened the door. “Bring my bag here,” he said to the porter, when he made his appearance. ““ And mine also,” chimed in Starkweather. The satchels were soon brought and the change quickly made. “Take a look at yourself in the glass before you go out,” said Nick. “This beats anything I ever saw!” exclaimed Stark- _ weather. “I don’t see how you do it, Mr.——” ‘Starkweather is my name, Mr. Rutherford.” “That’s so. I forgot that. I’m Solon Rutherford, and you’re George Starkweather.” “Exactly. Now, let me post you. You will be followed, when you leave the train, and I advise you to go straight home, go to your room and do away with Solon Rutherford forever. Take off the wig and beard, put on another suit of clothes, and say nothing about what has happened to anybody, except to the members of your own family, to whom you will have to explain, of course. “Tam very much obliged to you for your willingness to do all this for me, and if you want a favor any time, ‘come to Nick Carter.” He touched the bell, and told the porter to take the satchels back to where he had found them. “Now, Mr. Rutherford,” said Nick, “I vote that we have another cigar.” Then in an undertone, he added : “My shadow has waked up, and is probably in the smoking-room. He never heard my voice, so you need not be afraid of talking. You are a merchant who has been buying goods, if conversation renders it necessary to say so.” They entered the smoking-room together, lighted their cigars, and began talking ‘politics. Opposite them, also smoking, and reading the morning paper, was Nick’s shadow. Ere long the train ran in at the station at Pittsburgh, and everybody got out. : Nick purposely moved very slowly, in order to see if the shadow would take the bait. He swallowed it whole, starting off at once in pursuit of George Starkweather, who was masquerading so superbly as Solon Rutherford. “Score one for Carter!” murmured Nick, and he turned up another street, walking briskly. He was looking for something, and presently he found it. It was a clothing store where they sold the ready-made article. He entered the store, and was at once proprietor. ‘““How do you do, Mr. Starkweather ?” ‘How are you!” replied Nick. ‘“What can I do for you to-day ?” “Tm going to play a joke on some friends, and I want you to-help me out.” “Certainly.” “Have you got a cheap suit of clothes, such as a labor- ing. man would wear on a holiday ?” “Yes, or I can do better.” ‘What ?” ‘*T can let you have a suit that I use sometimes to work around the store with; but maybe you don’t want them - spotted with grease and paint.” “Just the thing. Rig me out and I’ll have some fun.” The storekeeper laughed heartily at the pending joke. “Come right up stairs to my rooms,” he said, “and I’ll fix you up in no time.” The proprietor led Nick up the back stairs to the rooms where he lived, and having shown him an apartment where he could make the change, brought the old clothes to him. ‘‘Now, let me alone until I get through, and you shall tell me whether I'll do or not,” requested Nick. A half-hour later he came from the room so utterly changed that Mr. Jackson, the storekeeper, was utterly astounded. “Your own mother wouldn’t know you, George,” he said. : Nick’s make-up was that of an Italian laborer, and it was as complete as possible. : There was not a point missing, from the color of his face to the enormous shoes and general appearance of dirt. “Will I do?” he asked. “Do! Well, I should say so.” “Thanks. I will leave the clothes I don’t want until I call for them, and the satchel also. Good-day.” At the depot he wrote the following note to Stark- weather : greeted by the ‘You will find your coat, and vest, and satchel at Jackson’s clothing store. If you take the trouble to get them, express my things to my New York address. Jackson expects you to call, and will want to No. 6. NICK CARTER LIBRARY. know how the joke worked when you made up as an Italian laborer in his store to-day.” CHAPTER III. PLAYING THE GAME OF ASSASSINATION. When Nick stepped off from the train in Philadelphia he was still the Italian laborer who had been created in _ Jackson’s-store in Pittsburgh. : “T have lost some time,” he muttered ; ‘but I will make up foritnow. I know two things, to start with. One is that the ‘Night Hawks,’ know that I am after them, and the other is, that they are a smart lot, and I have got to put in my best work to break up the gang.” _ He dropped a note to Chick, telling him to meet him the following evening, and then set out to find Peanut alley. Darkness was just coming on, and Nick knew the haunts of the “Night Hawks,” but he did not care to visit any of them before midnight. In the meantime, he thought he would look up the locality mentioned by Chick as a rendezvous for at least some of the night flyers. A word here regarding the “ Night Hawks” will not be out of place. Very little was known about them at the time Nick was engaged to break up the gang, but so far as the informa- tion went, it was as follows: An organization of criminals had been formed, some- thing on the plan of all secret societies, and, in the Quaker City, it had grown to be a very large and_ powerful confederation. Rumor said that no man was eligible to membership who had not been convicted of a crime. - That the “Night Hawks” were captained by aman of remarkable ability the police well knew, but who and what he was, or where he made,his headquarters, nobody had as yet been able to determine. Decidedly, the “ Night Hawks” were a dangerous crowd. They feared nothing and dared everything, and they were ably directed by some head, or chief, whose identity remained a profound mystery. In numbers they might be twenty, or they might be two thousand. Nobody pretended to know, although there were various estimates between one hundred and five hun- dred. _ Such was the organization which Nick Carter was expected to destroy. Peanut alley is a locality of which not one out of a _ thousand Philadelphians is cognizant. Nick found the place without difficulty, for Chick had given him full and complete directions. -The house, also, where ‘‘No. 1” and the others had entered, was easily distinguished. Nick, in his costume as an Italian laborer, did not fear espionage of any kind in that quarter of the city, and accordingly he went directly to the house in question, and seated himself upon the steps, as though tired out by a long day of hard work. It was still early in the evening, although quite dark. . He had been seated upon the steps about a quarter of an hour when the door opened and a man came out. “Hello, Italy, what are you doing here?” he exclaimed. Nick looked at him blankly and made no reply, convey- ing the idea that he did not understand English. “Don’t understand, eh?” said the man. “Well, try this.” Then he began in Italian, speaking it fluently. Nick brightened up at once, and replied briskly in the ' same language. ‘Where do you work?” asked the man. “On the railroad,” replied Nick. “What railroad 2?” _“T don’t know,” said Nick. “Well, what are you doing here ?” Nick pulled a stiletto from his pocket and held it up, - where it glittered in the light of an adjacent street-lamp : “Waiting,” he said, simply. “The devil you are!” exclaimed the man, in English, and then he added, in Italian: “Who for?” “My rival.” “Ah! Going to cut him, eh?” Nick nodded vehemently. “What is your name?” “Giovanni Cagliostro.” “That’s good ; where do you live?” “Nowhere.” “That’s better. I say, don’t kill your rival to-night, Save him for some other time. Come back here at three o’clock in the morning, and I’ll give you a job.” Nick got up and slouched away, saying as he went: “T will be here.” The detective walked through several streets, turning here and there, and at length returning to the entrance to Peanut alley. Any one following him would have lost. him. Not by losing sight of him, in fact, but in believing that such had been the case, for when he again stood at the entrance to the alley he looked like a different man. A heavy black mustache and goatee had been added to the smooth face, the hat had been punched and its shape altered ; his coat-collar was turned up, and also the cuft of one ‘sleeve ; one leg of his pants was hitched up and caught with a pin. He was the rival for whom the other Italian had been waiting. As he stood there waiting, the same man who had spoken to him on the steps came out of the alley-way wi a companion. “Hello, Italy,” he exclaimed, exactly as he had done before, “ will you go on an errand for me for a dollar?” Nick loeked blankly at him. “Good,” muttered the man. “T can work these fellows just to suit me.” “How?” asked his companion. SV ou speak Italian,” replied the first man, “listen, and you will see.’ Then to Nick in Italian, he added : “Do you know Giovanni Cagliostro ?” Nick smiled and drew the same weapon that he had exhibited before. The man laughed. : “ He’s got one just like that,” he said, “This is the best,” said Nick. “'He’s your rival, isn’t he?” “Yes; I will kill him.” “That's right; I’ll help you.” Nick made his eyes glitter savagely. “When? How?” he asked, eagerly. “The day after to-morrow, ‘at this time, here.” “Prove it,” said Nick. “Your rival is looking for you. He was here only’ & few moments ago, and I sent him away. The day after to-morrow he will be here at this hour, and I will pay him some money. If you kill him, the money will be yours.” “T will be here,” said Nick. The man laughed again. he said, in English: © Capital ! The first fellow will knife Noxon for us, and this one will murder the murderer, so that he can’t come back on me. Now, isn’t that a pretty little scheme? Come on; let’s be going.” They went away, leaving Nick standing there on the corner. “IT must keep my appointment at three,” he thought, “for I must save Noxon, and make him tell all he knows. Now, for Flagherty’s saloon, for there, I am told, the ‘Night Hawks’ congregate.” He threaded several dark and narrow streets, where it would have been unsafe for him to have walked at that hour, differently dressed. Presently he turned into anotner alley, not unlike the one named Peanut, although still smaller and dirtier. He paused before a flight of stone steps leading to a basement. There was not a sign of a light visible anywhere, but he descended boldly and opened the door. It admitted him to a hall-way, darker than the area, but Then, turning to his friend, he closed the door after him, and bent his steps towarda. | . met if j 6 _ No.6. NICK CARTER LIBRARY. thin streak of light, which glimmered through a crack some distance ahead. : When he reached it, he found another door, which he opened, and passed through into a room that was brilliant by contrast, though really only half-lighted, and filled with smoke and the fumes of beer and liquor. He was in Flagherty’s saloon. It was a large hall, extending through the block. At one side was a bar, behind which three ruffianly looking bartenders presided. Scattered through the place were many tables, and at each were seated from two to five persons, mostly men. At the farther end of the room wasa raised platform containing a piano, upon which an apology for a man was at that moment thrumming, while a youth of the genus “tough” was trying to sing “ White Wings.” Several looked up as Nick entered, and one of the waiters, who was evidently the “bouncer” of the establishment, approached him. “What d’ye want here?” he asked, roughly. “Git out.” Nick grinned, and exhibited a dime. “Me want beer,” he said. “Well, ye can’t gitit here. Skip!” said the bouncer. Nick grinned again, and placidly continued on his way toward one of the tables. CHAPTER. IV. THE FIGHT IN FLAGHERTY’S. The bouncer was evidently indignant at the manner in which the Italian treated his orders, and he seized Nick by one arm and whirled him around. “Git out, I say !” he repeated. For reply, Nick drew the stiletto from his pocket, and, tapping the point of it significantly with his finger, pointed to the bouncer’s heart. Then he walked calmly forward again. The bouncer had no idea of getting in the way of that dagger, and he drew back. At that, several who had been watching the performance laughed derisively. “Why don’t you put him out, Mike?” asked one. “T will, afore the night’s over,” replied Mike. wait!” “He'll lay for me now,” thought Nick, “but I guess I’m enough for him.” He continued on his way to the table, sat down, and uttered the one word, “beer !” One of the waiters was on the point of \ “You filling the order, “-o