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Read “THE IDENTITY OF DALY,” in

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The Best 5 Cent Library of Detective Stories.
Hntered According to Act of Congress. in the Year 1892, by Street & Smith. in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C.
Entered as Second-class Matter atthe New Yori, N. Y., Post Office, June 24, 1893. Issued Weekly. Stwbscription Price, $2.50 per Year. June 24, 1893.4

 

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Street & Suirn, Publishers, NEW YORK, 31 Rose St., N. Y. P.O. Box 2734. 5 Cents,

 

 

THE BOOK-MAKER'S CRIME:

Or, Nick Carter's Accidental Clew.

BY THE AUTHOR OF * NICK CARTER.”

 

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“SAY, PLL PUT UP FIFTY ON JULIET!” NICK SAID, IN A LOUD TONE, AND WITH A SWAGGER.

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2 , NICK CARTER LIBRARY,

  

No. 99. :

 

 

THE 'BOOK-MAKER'S GRIME :
#

Nick Carter’s Accidental’ Clue.

os

By the author of “NICK CARTER.”

 

CHAPTER I.

A CLEVER ROBBERY.

“Nick, here is a call just came in from the Central
Office.”

“What sort of a call, Chick ?”

“A robbery at some place near Morris Park.”

“Well, you go up and see about it.”

‘“The call reads Nick Carter himself, if possible.”

‘““Humph !”

“And it also states tnat the sooner you “get on the
ground the better.”

“Tt must be something out of the ordinary. ll go at
once. I intendéd to follow up Wick and see how he is get-

‘ting along on that Brooklyn sneaking business, but you
can take my place.”

‘“ All right.” .

Five minutes later Nick Carter, the celebrated detect-
ive, disguised as a tourist, was on his way to the Central
Office.

He met Superintendent Byrnes just coming away.

“JT was afraid you wouldn’t come,” said the chief of the
detective service.

‘“T always come at your call if I can,” returned Nick.
‘‘But what is the case? I am rather crowded for time.”

“Briefly, itis this: You have heard of William Bel-
more, the Wall Street banker, I suppose?”

3 Yes. 7

‘‘He owns a very fine residence up on the New York,
New Haven and Hartford Railroad near Morris Park.”

‘‘At Van Nest station ?”

‘‘Not far from there. Last night, while he and his wife
were attending -a performance at Daly’s Theater, their
house was ransacked from top to bottom, and money,
jewelry and plate taken to the value of fifteen thousand
dollars.”

“Quite a big haul,” returned Nick.

‘‘None, so. far as I know.”

“Wus there any other member of the family home at
the time?” :

“There is no.other member.”

“How about the servants ?”

“They all had an evening off, excepting the butler, who
was left in charge of both house and stables. At about
nine o’clock there came a message for him, stating that
his brother, who lives with a family near Central Park,
had been hurt while riding on an elevator, and was dy-
ing.”

Pknd I presume he answered the summons.”

‘“Yes. He was terribly upset; locked up the house and
went away as quick as he could. Of course when he got
down to where his brother lives he found out the whole
thing was a fake.”

“Did he go back at once?”

“Veg. He smelt a mouse, and was scared to death.
But when he returned the robbery had been committed.”

‘“What did he do then?”

“Ran out and called in several neighbors. While they
were making asearch, Mr. Belmore and his wife re-
turned. Then there was a row, and at first Mrs. Belmore
“vanted the butler arrested, but he was an old servant in
the Belmore family, and Belmore argued against it.”

“ And no trace of the robbers could be found ?”

“No. Belmore sent for me and I mentioned you, and
he said to get you on the case by all means. It seems the
jewelry is worth more to them than the actual market
value.” : :

‘Old family possessions, I suppose,” mused Nick.
“One thing is certain. The robbery was planned before-
hand.”

“Yes, that’s so.”

“Any clew ?”

wa

 

“Tt was committed by not less than three persons..”

“Why so?”

“The man who delivered the note——’

‘‘It was a woman who delivered the note.”

“Ts the butler sure it was a woman 2?”

“He thought it was.”

‘More than likely a man in disguise. Women seldom
mix up in midnight robberies.”

“That’s true, Nick.”

‘“Well, then, the three were, first, the person who de-
livered the message; second, the man on guard; and
third, the leader.”

‘‘T believe you are right.”

“Ts the butler at the house still?”

‘Yes. The affair has actually made him sick.”

“Tt’s enough to make any honest man sick. I’ll run up
to the house at once.”

After a few words more, Nick Carter left the Central
Station and made his way to the Grand Central depot.

Here he tock a train for Van Nest.

The Morris Park racing season had just opened, and the
car was filled. with book-makers, jockies, gamblers, and
racing men.

‘‘Rather a tough looking crowd,” thought Nick, as he
surveyed them. ‘‘They will lay their plans, carefully,

9

and this afternoon they will see how many suckers they

can catch.”
In the seat with the detective was a heavy-built man,

with black hair, black beard’and piercing black eyes. He

was dressed in rather a subdued fashion, but his heavy

watch-chain, charm and several rings, as well as the dia-

mond which gleamed from his shirt front, proclaimed
him a sporting man.

‘Going up to the track ?” he asked, presently.

“No,” returned Nick. ‘‘I haven’t time for sport.”

The great detective soon discovered that the man be-
side him was a thorough sport. Heseemed to be well
versed in the affairs of every horse owner, and as to the
horses themselves, he had all their names and records at
his fingers’ ends.

Racing was not in Nick’s line, but the man beside him
interested the detective, and he held his own pretty well.

“Some folks think themselves way above Jack Healy
—that’s me,” went on the man, presently, ‘but I am not
ashamed of my calling. Iam a book-maker, and 1 con-
sider the calling just as honorable as anything that goes
on at the Stock Exchange or in Wall street.”

He uttered these words rather savagely, as if he meant
more than appeared on the surface.

“He is down on somebody in that line,” thought Nick.
‘“‘Or else he placed some money he won at the track in
securities and they didn’t pan out as he expected.”

“I like a good race, once ‘in a while,” replied Nick.
“What is on for to-day ?”

“Nothing very great. Pedro is to run, and Old Boy,
Lively May, and a number of others. To-morrow is the
day.”

“What’s up then?”

“The Great Eclipse stakes—worth $40,000 to the lucky .

one.”

‘‘T wouldn’t mind seeing it,” said Nick, and he told the
?

plain truth.

‘‘How far are you going?” asked Healy, presently.

‘‘Only to Van Nest station.”

“That’s the race track drop off. Say. I heard there was
quite a robbery up there last night.”

‘“‘So I see by the papers. It was slick work,” added
Nick.

‘‘Yes; and the police won’t get the criminals, I’m
thinking. Before they get to work the plate will be in

the melting pot and all the stones will be nipped from the.

jewelry.”

A minute later Van Nest station was reached, and here
Nick and Healy separated, the detective eyeing the book-
maker sharply as he disappeared in the crcwd.

- “An odd fellow,” thought Nick. “I fancy we shall meet
again one of these days.” ’

The great detective lost no time in making his way to
William Belmore’s elegant residence, which stood ina
grove of splendid maple and elm trees.

Before entering, however, he made several changes in

\

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    
 
    
 
   
 

 

 

 
 

the door.

- Into a private

foo.

 

   
   
 

 

NICK CARTER LIBRARY. |

  

 

 

“Yes, sir.”
‘‘Please tell her I come from Wall street with news.”
‘*Yes, sir.”
The girl disappeared, and presently Nick was ushered
parlor, where Mrs. Belmore stood awaiting
him. ;
‘‘This is Mrs. Belmore, I presume.”
“Yes, sir. But Ido not recall you,” and the woman
looked puzzled.
“Tam Harold Leslie,” returned Nick. ‘“ Your husband’s
partner in a number of business transactions. I havea
message for you.”
And he handed Mrs. Belmore a note he had hastily
scribbled after changing his disguise:

“T am, in reality, Nick Carter, the detective. I wish, however, no
one in your house but yourself to know that. Please speak to me
about the robbery as you would to a family friend, and I will take
care of the rest.”

Mrs. Belmore read the note and nodded significantly.
She was a quick-witted woman, and realized at once the
value of the great detective’s suggestion.

‘I presume you have heard of the robbery, Mr. Leslie,”
she said aloud.

‘*Yes, your husband told me of it. He said he expected
to get a first-class detective on the case to-morrow or the
day after.”

6b Yes.”

‘“‘T would like to know how it happened.”

‘‘T can tell you but little.”

““How was an entrance effected into the house?”

‘Through one of the library windows. I will show you
if you will come with me.”

‘**Certainly.”

Nick moved toward the hall-waydoor and shoved
aside the curtains rather suddenly. One of the servants
was discovered close at hand. She had a duster in her
possession, but it was evident she had been listening in-
stead of working.

Nick sized up the girl at a glance.

‘““What are you doing here, Mary?” asked Mrs. Bel-
more, sharply.

‘IT was dustin’ the hall, mum,” was the reply.

‘“You may go below.”

Mrs. Belmore led the way to the library and pointed out
the window through which the robbers had entered.

‘‘And which way did they leave?” questioned Nick.

“By the side door from this same room.”

‘‘Have any detectives been here?”

‘No, only the police.”

“Will you give me a list of the articles that were
stolen?”

“Certainly,” and Mrs. Belmore did so at once.

“There is nothing else?”

The woman thought for a moment.

“TI forgot to mention a Grand Army badge.
made of bronze and once _ belon
thought a good deal of it.”

“And you are sure that is all?”

: “Vas, 9

Nick had written down the names of the articles, and
now he put the list in his pocket, and turned to the
window. ’

Throwing up the lower sash, he made a close examin-
ation of the window-sill, but discovered nothing.

“There was dirt on the sill and I had it removed,” said
Mrs. Belmore. as

“That’s bad. It might have proved aclew. Has any-
thing else been cleaned or put in order?”

_ “IT started to have more done, but my husband stopped
me, and since then it has been just as it was found.”

‘‘Did you see the dirt on the sill?”

“1 did.”

“Was there anything peculiar about it?”

It was
ged to my father. I

No. 99. 3
ag ee, until he looked very much like a brokerhim-| ‘‘As if the dirt had been picked up around the stable
self. ‘ yard ?”
' “Is Mrs. Belmore in?” he asked of the girl who came to| “ Yes.”

 

CHAPTER IT.
A SLIGHT CLEW.

Getting down on his hands and knees, Nick began to
examine the carpet on the library floor. His search took
the best part of a quarter of an hour, and he was rewarded
by finding a number of articles, including a scrap of
paper, which bore these letters:

to $100.
J.

‘‘Do you know anything about these?” he asked, as he
handed over the articles he had picked up.

Mrs. Belmore identified all but the scrap of paper.

‘Can you make anything out of the slip?” was the de-
tective’s next question.

“TI cannot. Most likely it was a bit of paper upon
which my husband did some figuring, and it was in-
tended for the waste-basket.”

Nick thought differently. The bit of paper was part of
a book-maker’s slip. One end of it was burned, as if it
had been rolled into a taper and lit.

‘‘Can I see the butler who was leit in charge?” was
his next question.

‘‘Certainly.”

“What is his name ?”

“ John Billet.”

‘*How old is he?”

‘Sixty or over.”

‘“You have always found him honest heretofore?”

179 Yes. 99 :

“‘But you suspect him now?

“How can I help it? Mr. Belmore thinks I am all
wrong.”

‘“‘Where is he now 2”

“Down stairs.”

‘‘Pleage ring for him.”

Mrs. Belmore did so, and presently a man dressed in
livery appeared in answer to her call.
- The man was bent with age and his h
white. I
“That man is totally innocent,” was Nick Carter's
ready conclusion.
Yet he put on a stern face as he confronted the old
butler. :

‘*You are John Billet?” he said. i

‘“Yeg, sir,” was the somewhat shaky reply.

“You were left in charge of this place last night?”

“T was, sir. But you see, I got a mes——”

“Fold on. You need only answer my questions, noth-
ing more.” ,
These words made the butler feel sure he had fallen
into the hands of a police official, and he clasped his
hands in fear. : :

“Oh, sir, 1 know nothing of this robbery, indeed I do
not!” he cried.

“Who said you did ?”

‘But you suspect.” ; 3

‘‘Keep quiet and answer my questions.

The butler took a deep breath.

“T will, sir,” he said, humbly.

“You were left of in sole charge?”

Lawas.”

‘‘At what time was this?”

‘The others went away at eight o'clock.”

‘All of them together ?” Ae

“Oh, no. Mary Moore left at seven, just after the
master and missus.”

“Who is Mary Moore?”

“The up-stairs girl.” .

“ What did you do after all were gone? .
“T gat down in the kitchen to write a letter to my sis-
ter in Boston.” ‘
“Did you lock up before you sat down? :
“Oh, yes. Everything was as tight as a drum excepting
the screen windows on the second floor. Mr. Belmore is

” ‘

air was silvery .

 

Mrs. Belmore thought for a moment.
_ “No, excepting that there was straw sticking in it.”

 
  

\

very particular about that when he goes out.”

*

  

 
  

4

 

NICK CARTER LIBRARY,

    

No. 9 99,

  
 

 

 

 

 

 

“What happened next?”.

““The kitchen bell rang and the message came for me.”
“What time was this?”

“‘T think close to nine o’clock.
‘Tt was not later than nine? 2
SONG: 99

“You went to the door?”

I am not sure.”

‘‘T did, sir, and there stood a woman with a shawl over kitchen on some pretext or another and keep them there
her head. She asked if I was John Billet, and I said 1 for ten or fifteen minutes.’

was.

"* Your brother is nearly dead, and he wants to see:
you,’ says she.

“Dead ! YP criesI. ‘How?

“*Hurt in the elevator,’ says she.
he works at.’

‘‘T don’t remember what more was said, I was so ex-
cited thinking over what had happened to Thomas. She
said something about my going, and I said I would just
as quick as I could, and then she went away.”

“Did you notice in what direction ?”

“T did not.
coat, and left two minutes later by the kitchen door.”

‘Did you lock up behind you?”

*‘I did, sir, I am sure of it.”

‘Over to the house

And sehen you came back was the kitchen door stil] in another an old-fashioned wardrobe, which had once

locked ?”

‘*Yes.”

‘*Did you notice anything unusual around the house
when you approached it on your return?”

6¢ No. 99

“Who was the first to come back after you did ?”

“Mary Moore. She came just as I ran out to tell the
neighbors.”

“Where did you meet her?”

“At the gate.”
| “ Where had she been ?”

**T don’t know.”

* Did she help you call the neighbors?”

‘‘No; she went into the house to see if any of her things
had been stolen. She says her watch is gone.”

“Ah! Did any of the other servants lose anything?”

**Not as I’ve heard, sir.”

“And she is sure her watch was stolen?”

6c Yes. ”

‘“Where did she leave it?”

‘On the bureau in her room.’

‘‘Is she the girl who was ae dusting in the hall?”

“Ves. ”

“And you claim that you know nothing of this rob-
bery ?”

‘‘I swear it, sir,” burst out the butler.
touched what wasn’t mine, never, sir.”

‘‘Humpb! we'll see about that later,” replied Nick, in
an unusually loud voice. ‘‘No one else was here but vou,”
he went on, as he walked toward the door leading to the
next room.

EE ee SE

“‘T never

Without ceremony he threw the door open and entered squeeze his body.

the adjoining apartmert. No one was present, but the

curtains of the door-way leading to the hall were moving robe into place again when Mary Moore entered the room.

slowly, showing that they had been recently touched.

He passed out into the hall-way, but that was also de- lief.

serted.

‘*Gone,” Mina ed Nick to himself. ‘‘But I’l] bet a hun- trunk and took from it her pocket- -book.

dred she was there listening. That girl will bear watch-
ing.”

He returned to where he had left Billet.
ler was very pale.

‘You can go,” said Nick.

‘‘Now, Mrs. Belmore, I wish you to assist me in one
thing more,” said the great detective.

‘‘.am willing, nay, anxious, to do all I can,” returned
the lady:

“Who is Mary Moore?”

“She is the up-stairs girl.
intelligence agency.”

‘How long ago? a”

“Two months.”

“Then you don’t know oe concerning her?”

“T must say Ido not. I needed a girl and took her on
trial. She proved a good worker.’ i

The old but-

IT obtained her through an

|

 

I shut the door and ran to get my hat and Stole upto the top floor, and to the room occupied by ee a. a

|

 

|
|
|

|

 

 

“But she did not come with a personal recommenda- a
tion.’
‘*She did not.”
“What room does she occupy ?” een es
‘‘The one on the top floor in the extreme rear.” Nee ie
“That will do. Now, I intend to pretend to go away, but Va
I will not do so. I wish you to call all the servants to the _ ag

 

9

vo wall,”

Nick moved out into the hall and started forthefront
, door.

“Well, good day, Mrs. Belmore,” he said, in a loud tone,
“This is a complete mystery tome. I trust the detective
your husband expects to-morrow unravels the mystery.”

‘*So do I, Mr. Leslie. Good morning.”

The front door closed rather loudly, and then Mrs. Bel-
more went off to summon the servants to the kitchen.

A couple of minutes later the great detective re-entered
the house, and making sure that he was not observed,

‘ti

 

Mary Moore.
It wasa small apartment, plainly furnished with an
‘ordinary bedroom suit. In one corner stood a trunk, and

done service below.

Closing the door behind him, the detective locked it.
Then began a rapid search of the room.

The search was a thoroughly systematic one. The
bureau and wash-stand revealed nothing of consequence.
Then came the wardrobe and the trunk.

In the tray of the latter Nick found a new pocket-book.
Opening it, he saw that it contained several dollars in
bills and silver.

He was about putit back again when he noticed a
pocket which he had not before seen. He placed _ his fin-
ger in this pocket and drew forth a slip of paper.

The slip was a pawn-ticket, calling for No. 1545. It
was issued by Isaac Arnheim, of Tenth avenue. The
ticket had contained the name of the article put in pawn,
but this part was torn away, leaving a small hole directly
in the center of the ticket.

SS = eee

 

The great detective looked at the date on the ticket. It
was that of the day previous. san
“This is getting interesting,” thought Nick. “I would —

 

like to know what Mary Moore pawned.”

Making a note of the number on the ticket, Nick placed
the slip back in the pocket-book, and closed the trunk.

A few minutes more was spent in the room, but nothing
more that appeared of importance turned up. va

Nick was about to leave the room when he heard foot-
steps upon the stairs.

He had no doubt it was Mary Moore, and slipped back,
looking around to find some place in which to hide,

The wardrobe stood diagonally across the corner, of the
room, and in this corner there was just space enough to

He had hardly taken the position and pulled the ward-

=

Tne girl looked around, and then breathed a sigh of re-
But, as if not quite satisfied, she presently opened ee :

Nick could not see what she was doing, but he felt cae :
tain she was looking to see if the pawn-ticket was still
safe.

“That aotiles it,” he thought. “That ticket isimport-
ant.” =

 

After another survey of the apartment Mary Moore , 2
left. A '

But Nick heard her on the stairs, sweeping and dusting. i

“It won’t do to pass her,” he’ reasoned. “She igs suspi- jy
cious already. I must get below by some other means.” — [

To a man of such resources as Nick Garter possessed, — Pah

this was an easy matter. Opening the window the detect-
ive crawled out upon the sloping roof just below. a
He let himself slide to the edge of this roof and then od
dropped to the next.
Here a small dormer window led to a front hall: -way, a,
‘and into this he crawled, and ten seconds later was on

  
  
  

   

   
 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

- returned Nick.

there, which it most likely did.

No. 99.

 

movements. ~
_ Slipping into a small side room, he made an elaborate

_ change in his disguise, and when he left the house he
looked like a negro coachman seeking a situation.

He walked back to the barn, and it was not long before

_ he encountered Mrs. Belmore’s driver, who was polishing
up a buckboard, which had become splashed with mud.

‘‘Hullo, dar,” cried the coachman.
sah ?”

‘‘T’se der new driber ober ter Colonel Rankin’s place,”
“I cum ober to see about dat robbery yo’

“Wot yo’ want,

had last night.”
“Dat so? I didn’t-know de colonel had a new man.
When did yo’ cum?”
“Last night. Say, wot did dem thieves git?”
The coachman named over the list as he had heard it.

_ Nick pretended to be very much interested, and asked a

number of questions.
While he did this he moved around the barn noting
every detail of the place.
_ “Nice hosses you have,” he observed, presently.
“? Deed da is,” returned the coachman, proudly.
“Mistah Belmore great on hoss flesh, I reckon.”
_ “Dat he am.”
“Does he spend much time over to the park ?”
“Wot, to de race track 2?”
“Ves, 29
‘“‘Not much. He doan believe in dat sort ob wuk, an’

he doan eben let any ob us men go to de races.”

“ Den he’s different from de colonel,” remarked Nick.

“Dat’s a fack, sah,” returned the coachman.

Nick took another look around the barn, and presently
left.

“Two things are certain,” he said to himself, as he

hurried to the depot.

“The first is that Mary Moore knows something about
this robbery, and that pawn-ticket plays an important
part on her side of the case.

“The second is that the part of a book-maker’s ticket
found on the library floor was brought in and thrown
away by one of the robbers.

“Tt’s a pity that there isn’t more of the ticket. Never-
theless,.it proves that the robber had been at the race
track.

“Now, Morris Park has been open but a few days, so
the ticket is comparatively a new one—if it came from
I would like to trace it
up, and that must be my next move, if the pawn-ticket
clew fails me.”

Nick had gotten rid of the negro disguise, and as he
boarded the train to go down, he had the general appear-

'. ance of an ordinary New York business man.

 

In less than half an hour he was on Tenth aveune,
and presently he entered the pawn-shop of Isaac Arnheim.

Arnheim was an old Jew who had been in the business
for many years. It was known that he dealt with crooks
and shady characters generally, yet the old fellow was
so shrewd that he had never yet been convicted.

As Nick entered, a young man was in deep conversation

with Arnheim. The detective heard the name Morris
Park mentioned, and pricked up his ears.

‘All right, den, to-morrow nite, mine friend,” he heafd

: ‘Arnheim say, and then the young man left the place.

“Vot is it I can do for you, mine friend 2?” asked Arn-

: heim, as he came forward, rubbing his hands over the

 

 

   

  
 

o sharply.

. | prospect of another customer.
‘IT wish to look at the article left here last night on.
' pawn-ticket No, 1545,” returned the detective, in a low

but stern voice.
Arnheim’s manner changed at once.
and hesitated.
“Vos you got der check?” he asked.
“No, and I don’t want the article.”
s Vot vou vonts to look at him for?”

He turned pale

 “That’s my business, Arnheim.”

“You vos know me?” inquired the Jew, eyeing Nick

‘*T do. Come, show up the article.” :

“Who you vos?”
v “tT am a Central Office detective.”

NICK CARTER TIGRAEY Oe 7 5

tie ground floor, without any ¢ one having detected his

 

 

   

   

 

 

  

=

“Mine cracious, I haf done me noddings wrong!”
shrieked Arnheim, lifting up his hands in horror.

“Who said you had, Arnheim? I only want to look at
the article. Hand it out.” |

With something like a groan Arnheim went to the
rear. He was gone several minutes and at last brought
forth an old clock.

‘*Here you vos, sir,” he said.

Leaning over the counter, Nick caught the Jew by the
arm.

“Vot’s der madder?” cried Arnheim, in alarm.

*“You know well enough, Arnheim.”

‘**So hellup me Isaac, I don’t.”

“T arrest you.”

“Vot for?”

“Trying to deceive me.”

“In vot vay, mine dear friend 2?”

“This is not the article.”

Arnheim’s face fell, and he moved uneasily. Nick saw
that he had struck home.

“Perhaps dere vos some mistake,” said the Jew, slowly.

“There is. The article pawned was one of two things.
I want to see which one. So trot it out and don’t try to
deceive me again.”’

With something like a groan Arnheim walked back
once more.

Presently, he returned with something in his hand.

“Here is der right von,” he said. “I vos make a dread-
ful mistake before.”

And he handed he Nick a lady? s small watch.

 

CHAPTER III.
THE GRAND ARMY BADGE.

Nick’s eyes lit up as he beheld the watch.
“Who pawned this watch ?”
“TJ don’t vos know.”

“You don’t know 2”

“No. Mine boy, vos took it in.”

“Call your boy.”

“He vos gone avay.”

‘You. are a clever liar, Arnheim, but the story won’t
go down with me. If you want to save yourself trouble,
you will give me the story straight.”

“T don’t vont no troubles,” sighed the Jew. “ Of I told
you dot whole story, vill you let me go? ”

“Perhaps. One thing is certain: Ill lock you up if
you don’t.”

“A young vomans left dot vatch.” ‘

66 W hen ? 9”)

“Last night.”

‘What kind of a looking woman?”’

The Jew described her. By the description, Nick was
certain the person had been Mary: Moore.

‘Was she alone?”

: SONG!

“Who was with her?”

Again the Jew hesitated.

““You vos let me go if I told you? he asked again.

“T told you what I would do.”

‘‘Dere vos a young man mit her.”

“Who was it?”

“Der young man vot vos chust here.”

Nick started back. He remembered that he had heard
Morris Park mentioned. It looked as if he was getting
on the track now.

‘““Who is that young man ?”

“‘T don’t vos know his name.
dot vos all.”

‘‘What did he ant now ?”

He vonted to know how much der young vomans got
on der ticker.”

‘‘Nothing more ?”

No. 39

Nick knew the Jew was lying, but it suited his pur-
pose to let the matter go.

“Did the young, woman say anything about coming
back for the watch 2”

‘Vag. she said she vould come back next veek.”
‘All right. There was a watch stolen from a lady over

He come here mit her,

   
6 : ' NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

 

 

on Sixth avenue yesterday noon and I think this is it,
You hold it till you hear from me again.”

7 wale}

Arnheim looked relieved. Nick’s little fabrication had
put him off his guard, just as the great detective meant
should be the case.

One thing was proved: the watch Mary Moore had in-
sisted on was stolen had really been pawned by her.

Why had this little ruse been practiced ?

The answer to this question was an easy one: the young
woman was in league with the robbers and wished to
make it appear that instead of being their accomplice she
was a sufferer from their work.

‘‘She has overreached herself this trip,” said Nick to
himself. ‘‘Had any of the other servants lost valuables
I would not have thought so much of it, but this single
exception didn’t look quite natural.”

The great detective left Arnheim’s shop and once more
took a train for Van Nest.

Nick Carter did not believe in delay. Once at work on
a case he never let up until the criminals were brought
to justice, and the mystery surrounding it cleared up.

When he reached Van Nest he made another change
in his disguise, so that if seen prowling around he would
be taken for another person.

In the vicinity of the racing park, sporting men and
hostlers were numerous, and it was as one of the latter
class that the great detective now showed himself.

While he was making his way once more toward the
Belmore residence, he met a colored boy who was carry-
ing a gentleman’s baggage to the station.

The boy was about ten years of age, and bare-footed.
He was shabbily dressed and his hair stuck out through
a big hole in the top of his broad-brimmed straw hat.

Nick would not have noticed the darky, but as the
two passed, the great detective»saw pinned to the lapel
of the boy’s ola Prince Albert coat, a Grand Army badge.

No one could scent a clew quicker than Nick Carter,
and turning, he hailed the boy and stopped him.

“Wot yer wants, boss?” inquired the darky, dropping
the heavy satchel he was carrying.

‘‘T want to speak to you a minute.
that badge ?”

The young negro’s jaw dropped as Nick took hold of
the badge.

‘*Wot’s dat, boss?”

‘‘You heard my question.”

‘“‘T didn’t steal it, boss.”

‘Well, where did you gét it? Tell me the truth.”

**T found it, boss. : Does it belong to you?”

‘*When did you find it?”
~ Dig mo’nin’, boss.”

“Where ?”

‘‘Ober to de race track.”

Nick examined the badge carefully, and made up his
mind it was the one which Mrs. Belmore had mentioned
as having been taken along with the other things.

“You found it on the race track ?”

‘“‘Yes, boss.”

“Right on the track?” .

“Oh, no, boss, over by de stable.”

‘““Whose stable?”

“Dan Gilbert’s.”

‘‘Did you find it in the stable?”

‘*No boss, just outside de doah.”

‘Did you find anything else?”

The young negro shook his head.

‘Do you work for Gilbert?”

“Sometimes I do, boss, when he wants me.”

“Do you know where Gilbert was last night ?”

“ He went off, I t’ink. He said I needn’t cum around,
go I staid over ter Higgins’ place, playin’ craps with Polly
Brown an’ de rest ob de jockeys.”

Nick mused for a moment.

“Where are you going now ?”

‘‘Ober to de station wid dis grip.”

‘““Whose grip is &?’

“Tt belongs ter Jack Healy de book-maker.”

“Will you be free as soon as you deliver the grip ?”

“Yes, boss.” | :

“Allright. Then I want you to come along with me.”

Where did you get

 

‘“Where to?”

‘‘To the race track.”

“All right, boss.”
Nick walked back to the station with the boy, who gave

the baggage in charge of the proper party, and then the —

two made off for the park.

On the way Nick questioned the negro still further
and learned many interesting facts.

The first was that Jack Healy, the book-maker, and Dan
Gilbert, the owner of several fast horses, were great
friends. m

Healy and Gilbert had left the race track together at
about seven o’clock the evening before, after a long talk
at the latter’s stable. mf, rehiee,

What the talk was about the darky did not know, nor
could he say if anybody else had taken part. . oual,

“Wot is yo’ up to?” questioned the neer- at length
: :

growing suspicious. | ‘ .

“T’m looking for a job riding,” returned Wick. ea
from the West, and I think I know this Healy, andigI

do he can talk to Gilbert or some of. thevrest-about me.”

‘Well, wot about this badge?”

‘It is one belonging to a friend of mine. I'll give you
a dollar for it. I want you to point out Dan Gilbert to
me, and [’ll-give you a quarter for your trouble.”

This the boy did, and Nick not only gave him the

money, but also treated him, which made the young

darky his firm friend.

The racing ground was now beginning to fill up fast,
and big crowds were beginning to gather both at the
book-makers’ stands and inside the paddock. :

Nick drifted around to where Jack Healy was doing a

big business, and watched the book-maker for some time,
closely. ‘

Was it possible that this man had had some connec-.

tion with the mysterious robbery ?
' The great detective was at present unprepared to an-
swer that question either one way or the other.

From Healy’s stand Nick made his way to Dan Gil- ~

bert’s stable.

Here Gilbert was giving final instructions to his jockey,
who was ready to enter the next race.

The jockey gone, Gilbert uttered a peculiar whistle,
and from out of a crowd close at hand stepped the-young
ee Nick had seen down at Arnheim’s pawn-broking
shop.

 

     

  

 

The two men entered the stable, and Nick lost no time ,” oe

in making his way to the rear of the place.

Here he found a board loose, and by shoving it aside

he was able to see and hear nearly all which took place.
“Well?” questioned Gilbert, as the young man followed
him inside.
“It’s all fixed,” returned the young man.
“You saw Arnheim 2?”
SSR ad 25
‘‘What time did he fix ?”
“To-morrow night.”
“Good for you, Spencer. And I suppose he named a
different place from his shop 2?”
“Of course,” returned Spencer.

‘‘Arnheim is no fool. y
‘‘What place did he mention ?”

®¥irst he said the old canal house, and then he heed Oe

his mind and——”

Nick did not catch the words that followed. A man
with a horse passed close to where he was standing, and
for half a minute he was compelled to shift his nocition.

“You say Mary will be there?” were the next wurds he
heard, coming from Gilbert. ;

66 Yes. ”

“What does she want?”

“That’s easy to guess.”

And Spencer gave a short laugh.

“ Boodle ?”

“Of course. She is tired of playing up-stairs girl.”

‘Well, she worked her cards well, getting all the
others to go to that dance, and writing out the note.” —

_“Tam afraid, though, it was a mistake to hock that
ticker,” replied Spencer. ‘‘Not another thing belonging

to any of the other servants was taken, and the loss of

the watch calls special attention to her.”
“Phat’s bad.”

   

  

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
    
     
 
 

 

i

 

it
yf

    

 

Be.

 

   
  

) _ Spencer.

No. 99.

NICK CARTER LIBRARY. c : 7

 

 

\ “How much do you think there will be to divide?” ~
“That depends on how much we realize. It pays better
than racing just now.’

“Ig the swag safe ?”

Gilbers gave a low laugh.

“You bet it is. The detectives voula never find it.
“But come on, I want to see how this race pans out.”

‘‘How is Jack. doing on the booking business ?”

“He says the season is rotten.”

‘“Then I reckon he likes the new graft better.”

‘*You bet he does.”

“Tt was a good day’s work when we got together for
this sort of thing,” said Spencer, as he moved toward the
door. “It’s better than sneaking—my old line.”

“Yes, and Jack’s got just the head to manage such a
gang,” returned Gilbert.

‘Shall ow keep on running horses ?”
“Not ch. I’ll pretend to keep a book, just as Jack
a does.” 2 52

oath Yes, but i des actual business.”

“Not near as much as he used to.
strikes him as a surer thing.”

Gilbert and Spencer walked away from the stables and
made for the track.

While Nick was watching the pair a messenger boy
came up and handed Gilbert a message.

The horse owner @ore it open and read it.

He turned pale, and handed the message to Spencer.

“The devil!” Nick heard Spencer cry, as he perused the
message.

The two held a brief consultation, and then the mes-
senger boy was given another message in return.

The boy at once made off, while Gilbert took the mes-
sage he had received and tore it up.

The two passed on, and hurrying to the spot, Nick
began a search for the ‘bits of paper which had comprised
the message.

He found most of them and lost no time in putting
them together.

The message then made clear to him was an interesting
one.

It was from Arnheim, and ran as follows:

The new graft

“‘A detective is on Mary Moore’s track. Knows something about
Appoint.a meeting place for to-night.”

CHAPTER IV.
NICK AND THE MESSENGER. 4»

It did not take Nick Carter long to determine what to
do next.

One of the qualities which made the great detective so
famous was that which enabled him to do just the right
thing at the right time.

He knew he could find Gilbert and Spencer at the track
for the next hour or two.

But the messenger was going away, and he carried
with him a message that was of high importance.

Nick saw the uniform in the crowd, and he lost no time
in following the boy.

‘He met him near the grand stand, where the boy had
stopped to see the finish of the race that was on.

As the messenger watched the finish with keen interest,
Nick deftly took from his book the precious message.

The envelope was but partly sealed, and by breathing

upon it the detective readily opened it.

He glanced over the message and read the following :

“Who is the man?
Mother Leary’s do?”
Having perused the message, Nick inserted it’ in the
envelope and sealed the latter once more.
_ By this time the horses on the track were on the home
stretch, and the crowd was crying itself hoarse.
“Who wins?”
‘‘Hasy to see that!”
“Slide is ahead !”
“There’s a break !”
“Rather think Pompadour will fake it,
“Andy is riding fine, isn’t he?”
That's a pocket a Ristori !”
‘Edwin Booth is second !”

Is there any immediate danger? How will

 

““Maybe he’ll come out ahead.”
“Elegant holds his own.”
“Yes, he does, look at the break !”

“‘Klegant is out of it!”
‘‘Rats! a tenner he wins!”
“Take you, Charley! Here they come!”
And with a dash and a cloud of dust the horses swept
past the post, and the race was finished.
Nick had just put the message back into the envelope.
The messenger now turned and confronted him.
“Didn’t you drop this?” asked Nick, peas him the
message.
“Yes, thanks,” returned the boy. and he placed the
oe in his pocket, deeming it safer there than in his
00
The boy made off and Nick turned toward Healy’s stand.
The book-maker was busy paying off losses and mak-
ing bets for the next race.

In the crowd Nick saw Spencer and Gilberf.

‘“‘A fine chance to arrest this gang,” thought the great
detective. ‘‘But that wouldn’t restore the stolen things,
and besides I want to get a little deeper into the work-
ings of this band of race track thugs.”

Presently, Nick saw Gilbert make a certain sign to
Healy, and the book-maker at once left his stand in charge
of another and came down.

The three walked away to a secluded corner, and Nick
followed, making a slight change in his disguise as he
did so.

The trio stood in the corner fe a@ minute and then
made their way to a building in the rear of the park, and
a considerable distance from the race track,

Entering the building, they closed the door and then

Healy turned to Spencer.

“Now, how did the thing happen?” he asked, harshly.
““T don’t know.”
® “The detective must have followed Mary or you.”
“T don’t think he did.”
‘“*Where did Arnheim get his information from 2”

“That’s a puzzle, too,” put in Sar “That pawn-
ing business was a bad break. x
“Tt was,” muttered Healy, with an oath. “T thought

we were going to slide through this trip without a balk
of any kind, but I find I was mistaken.’

“T “would like to know who the detective is,
Spencer.

“And where he is,” added Healy.
may be on the track now.’

“What! here at the park ?”

“And why not? Some of those fellows are mighty
shrewd, I can tell you.’

“Then we had better keep our eyes peeled,” said Gil- .
bert. “I would rather light out than run the risk of being
sent to Sing Sing.”

‘‘So would I,” added Spencer.

“Don’t get scared first thing,” sneered Healy. “ You
have got to put on a bold fr ont if you want to be suc-
cessful. But wait a minute; I forgot to tell Sam some-
thing. Ill be back presently.” |

Healy dashed out of the building, and started to make
a short cut around the rear.

Here he came face to face with Nick Carter.

“Hullo, what are you doing here ?”' demanded the book-
maker, sharply, as he caught Nick by the arm.

Nick began to sway from side to side and leered at him.

“ Wash—hic—zat?” he hiccoughed.

“Drunk, eh?”

“No, shir, I ain’t—hic—drunk a ’tall,” went on Nick.
“Dm a—hie— —gen’men ; see?”

“What have you been doing here?”

bP)

said

‘Hor all we know he

“T got shick, an’ I—hic— went to sleep. Shay !”
““Well 2”

“Did Servator win that—hic—race ?”

“Servator ?”

‘‘Zat’s wot I—hic—said.”

“‘Servator ran yesterday and lost.” ;
“Yes’day— yo’ don’t— hic— mean it. Ain’t to-day

yes’da—I mean, ain’t we—hic—ain’t this the same day ?”
“No, sir, this is another day,” laughed Healy. “ You’ xe
been snoozing all night, old fellow. ‘Come, move on.’

  
  

 

 

‘““Guesh I—hic—wil],” muttered Nick, ane he alae.
gered off.

“Full as a goat,” said Healy, as he hurried off. ‘‘I’ll
bet he made good plucking for somebody.”

The great detective staggered out of sight behind a
number of sheds...Here he made another change in his
disguise, coming out strong as a sporting tough, with a
heavy seal ring, and a black looking cigar stuck in the
eorner of his mouth.

He followed Healy and saw the book-maker “mount his
stand and whisper something into the ear of his as-
sistant.

Some of the odds on the blackboard were .at once
ehanged, much to the disgust of some of the would-be
patrons.

Still there was a rush of business, and Healy remained
to help rake in the dollars.

Nick edged his way close to the edge of the low stand
and watched the book-maker sharply.

The great detective saw at once that Healy was what
is commonly known on the track as a squeezer.

This fact was brought out by his treatment of a rather
modest looking man who was evidently making his first
bet.

The man had a fifty dollar bill in his hand, twenty of
which he desired to place on a certain horse,

The odds in favor of the horse were three to one.

Healy pretended tv misunderstand the man’s order
and gave him odds on another horse, who was almost
certain to lose, and then calmly took the man’s fifty and
shoved it into his pocket.

‘‘Here, where is my change?” cried the victim.

“Change?” asked Healy, in surprise.

“Yes, 1 gave you a fifty.”

*“Hxeuse me, if you did.”

KHealy drew a bill from his pocket.

‘“‘No, you didn’t, it’s a twenty, just as I thought.”

“‘T am sure it was a fifty,” replied the victim, getting#
nervous.

‘“ And I say you are mistaken. What’s that, sir?”

Healy turned to another customer, and the man who
had been swindled was forced back into the crowd,
hardly daring to make further protest.

“ He’s a cool one,” thought Nick. ‘‘Hang me if I don’t
rattle him up for that.”

He pressed past a number of men and caught the chap
who had been swindled by the shoulder.

“Say, dat feller did yer, didn’t he?” he asked, in a low
tone.

“He did,” returned the victim, bitterly.

“Healy is a corker. How much did he squeeze yer
fer?”

“He robbed me of thirty dollars.”

“Say, Il ain’t no friend ter Healy. Will yer set ’em up
if I roast him an’ git back yer money ?”

‘‘Indeed I will, Mr.——”

‘‘Me name is Billy de Bluff. I uster work rackets like
dat, but I’ve reformed.”

“Get back the money for me and I’ll give you five dol-
lars,” said the other, eagerly.

“Dat’s a go.”

Nick at once pressed into the crowd, and the man who
had been swindled came close behind him.

“Say, Pll put up fifty on Juliet,” he said, in a loud
tone, and with a swagger.

“All right, here’s your ticket,” returned Healy.

“Got change fer a hundred ?”

And Nick held out a bill, but did abe let go of it.

Healy glared at him for a second.

“What are you afraid of?” he demanded in a low tone.

“I’ve been dare before, cully,” returned Nick,
pointedly. :

Healy laughed and passed over the ticket and the
change, at the same time receiving Nick’s bill.

“See here, this is only a one!” cried Healy, an instant
later.

“Ts it? LI tought it was a hundred,” returned Nick,
eoolly. “Well, take de ticket back den,” and he tossed
tt over.

“Yes, but I want the money back,” returned Healy,
sharply.

 

 

 

 

NICK. CARTER LIBRARY. a

‘“ Hold up, don’t git fly,” returned Nick, slowly.

“Tirty dollars of dis belongs to me friend. You made a
mistake in his change. Do yer remember it?”

Nick glared at Healy as he spoke... The book-maker
glared back. But he had met his match, end he knew it.
Nick handed thirty dollars to the man who had been
swindled.

“Now hand over dat one and yer kin have yer twenty

back,” he said. ‘‘I allers act square, [I do.”

“Go to the devil!” returned Healy.

Yet he was giad enough to do as Nick had suggested.

“Now he’s square, so far as de cash goes,” went on
Nick. “Now make him out de right kind of a ticket or
Pll mash yer !”

“You talk big,” sneered Healy.

“Yes, an’ I allers back meself up, Healy ; see? Come,
do de square t’ing fer once in yer life.”

Thus addressed, the book-maker wrote out a new
ticket, and it was exchanged for the one he had first
given.

Nick and his newly found friend at once made off,
Healy staring after them until they were out of sight.

“Vou have been a real friend, sir,” said the man for
whom Nick had recovered the money. “You are the best
fellow I have met yet. I am pleased to know you.
Here’s that five I promised you. Come and have any-
thing you wish, and welcome.”

They adjourned to the bar. Here Niek found out that.

the man’s name was Nelson, and that he was employed
as a broker’s clerk on Wall street.

“Didn’t I hear you call the man Healy ?” asked Nelson,
as they were about to part.

“Yer did,” returned the detective. “His name is Jack
Healy.”

“Jack Healy! ‘Is it possible ?”

Nelson seemed to be astonished, and Nick at once grew
interested.

“Have yer heard of him before ?”

“T have. Last year he spent twenty thousand dollars
in speculating in stocks.”

* Hully-gee! Where did he git de boodle?”

“Some was his own and some belonged to his friends.”

“ An’ he lost der pile?”

“Veg. He invested the money according to his own
judgment—or lack of judgment—an’ every, cent eae
Mr. Belmore——”

“Who’s dat?” questioned Nick.

‘‘Mr. Belmore, [ said; he lives up here——

“Oh, de fellér who was robbed last night ?”

“Yes. Iwas going to say, Mr. Belmore tried to make
the investment a profitable one for this Healy, but when
the money went, Healy swore Belmore had helped him to
ruin. But, of course, that was nonsense. That’s how I
come to remember about this man. They said at the
time he was a book-maker.”

Nick drank his glassin silence. He was beginning
to understand why Jack Healy the book-maker had
joined the others in robbing William Belmore’s residence
of stuff to the value of many thousands of dollars.

bb)

 

CHAPTER V.
NIOK IN A TIGHT SITUATION.

After a few words more, Nick and Nelson parted. The
detective saw Jack Healy leave his stand to make his
way to the place where he had left Gilbert and Spencer.

By this time Nick was thoroughly warmed to the

case, and had made up his mind not to leave it until he
had brought it to a successful termination.

He thought Chick must be back to the office from
Brooklyn, and made up his mind that it would be a good

thing to get his trusty assistant to watch Arnheim and .

see what the Jew would do after receiving Spencer’s
message.

Accordingly, he stepped over to the office on the
grounds, and bv paying the charge, obtained a messenger
who set off with all possible haste.

But while Nick was writing out the message, he did not
realize that he was being watched, yet such was a fact.

Jack Healy was a shrewd man, and something in Nick’s

 

as

   
 

 

- No. 99.

 
 

 

NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

 
  

9

 

 

 

manner as the detective walked away with Nelson caused
him to grow suspicious.

So when Nick made his way to the office, Healy was
not far behind, although he managed to keep out of sight.

He saw Nick write out his message and dispatch it.

- A note of the message was made in the account book as
is a general custoin.

As soon as Nick had quitted the office, Healy entered
and began to talk to the young man in charge.

He had often sent messages from the place, and was
well-known to the clerk.

The clerk wanted a tip on a certain race, and while
Healy pretended to give it to him, he carelessly handled
the book and opened it.

His keen eyes soon saw that the message had been di-
rected to a certain office down town.

That office was well known to men of Healy’s stamp.

It was one of the many branches Nick had added to the
home office for convenience sake.

Healy soon after left, saying he had changed his mind
about sending a message just then.

As he crossed the racing grounds his face grew dark
and passionate.

“Can that man be Nick Carter?” he muttered to him-
self. “Ifitis I must see to it that he does not learn too
much.”

By this time Nick was making his way to the place

where Healy had left Gilbert and Spencer.
~The detective saw that the book-maker was gone from
the stand, and he imagined that Healy had returned to
his companions,in crime.

When Nick reached the building again, he heard Gil-
bert and Spencer in a low but animated conversation, and
he crawled up in the rear to listen again to what they
might have to say.

“Yes, Spencer, I think it was a mistake to let the girl
into the plan,” Gilbert was saying. “Girls are never any
good in an affair of this kind.”

“Mary is sharp enough for anything,” returned Spen-
eer. 7
“You think so because you are stuck on her,” sneered
Gilbert. .

“You would be stuck on her yourself if she gave you
the least encouragement,” retorted Spencer.

“ Not much.”

“T gay you would. Didn’t you try it once?”

‘‘Nonsense.”

“You did. But Mary found out you had another wife
living, and that settled your hash.”

-At this Gilbert muttered an oath, and caught Spencer
by the throat. :

“Tet go!”

“T won’t!”.

“Let go, lsay! Doyou want to get shot?”

Spencer was mad, and Nick now saw that he had drawn
a pistol.

“JT don’t want to get shot, and you won’t shoot me,”
replied the horse owner.

‘He sprang at Spencer again, and in a moment twisted

the pistol from the young man’s grasp.

“You are fly, Spencer, but you are not fly enough for

me,” he hissed.
et Tet eo, bk say 1

“J won’t, unless you promise to act in a more reason
able manner.” ; :

- Spencer began to struggle, and finally hit Gilbert a
crack directly between the eyes.

. This blow enraged the horse owner, and he let out a]

string of oaths and pushed Spencer on his back on the

oor.
“You will have it, will you?” he muttered. “Then
take that!” .
Gilbert drew a stable knife from his pocket, and made
a lunge at Spencer’s breast.
The young man wriggled to one side, and the point of
the knife stuck in the floor.
By this time Nick was around to the door, ready to
enter. He did not wish to see murder done.
“Stop!” he ordered. . ae Ce
Both men looked up, and found themselves confronted

~ by Nick with a drawn pistol.

 

Of course, the detective being in disguise was not recog-
nized by the pair. :
In fact, neither Gilbert nor Spencer knew Nick by

sight.

Gilbert sprang back, and Spencer lost no time in re-
gaining his feet.

“Who are you?” demanded the horse owner.

“That’s my business,” returned Nick, coolly.
were you trying to do to that young man ?”

“That’s mv affair.”

“You intended to kill him.”

“Tt’s a lie!” returned Gilbert, turning pale.

“It’s the truth. I saw you.”

“He started the quarrel,” growled Gilbert, hastening to
get the knife out of sight.

“JT don’t know about that.”

“Tt’s all right,” put in Spencer. °
that’s all.”

“Don’t you want to have him arrested ?”

66 No. 9 :

“We can settle it between us,” added Gilbert, hastily.

“With the knife?” laughed Nick.

“Tt’s all right,” said Spencer, and he picked up his pis-
tol and put it back in his pocket. ©

“Then I suppose I can leave,” said Nick, and he also
restored his weapon to its resting-place.

Both men nodded.

Without another word the great detective turned to
leave. As he did so he found himself confronted by Jack
Healy.

The book-maker’s face was full of hate, and Nick saw at
a glance that something was wrong.

“What is he doing here?” demanded Healy, savagely. _

“We had a little row, and he stopped in to see what

*W het

‘He was too hasty,

was up.”
“ A row 2”
“Veg. It’s all over now.”

* Was this man in it?” went on Healy, with a scowl at
Nick. “=

“No,” returned Spencer.

“Where did he come from 2”

“What business is that of yours?” questioned the de-
tective. °

“A good deal of my business,” replied the book-maker,

“T must say I don’t understand how.”

Nick tried to pass to the door, but Healy caught him by
the arm.

“Not so fast.”

“You have no right to detain me, Healy.”

“So you know gme ? Well, Mr. Carter, I know you
also.” Y

Spencer and Dan Gilbert looked surprised.

“ Who is this nan?” cried both.

‘He is Nick Carter, the detective.”

“The duse you say, Healy.”

“What is he doing here?”

“That is what I intend to find out,” said the book-
maker. ‘Come, give an account of yourself.”

Nick had been somewhat taken by surprise, but he was
perfectly cool as he faced the book-maker,
“T haven’t anything to say, Healy.”
“Vou have been playing the spy, Carter.”
“Tf you know, why do you ask?”
“T wanted to hear what you would have to say.”
“A spy?” cried Spencer.
“That's it.”
“How much does he know?” put in Gilbert.
“That remains to be found out. Lock the door, Dan.”
The horse owner started to do so.
Nick now thought it time to act.
grasp and pushed Gilbert aside.

“Stop me at your peril,” he said, sternly. “I am not to
be caught in a trap.”

“And neither are we,” replied Healy.
boys!”

“You bet!” added Spencer.
must not get away.”

Healy sprang upon Nick, and the others quickly fol- -
lowed.

It would have been useless for Nick to have cried out
for aid, even if such was his custom, which was not. The

He threw off Healy’s

“Down him, :

“Tf he is a detective, he

  

 
 
 
 
 

10

NICK CARTER LIBRARY. .

 

No. 99.

 

building was situated some distance from any other, and
the crowd at the track,was shouting itself hoarse over
the victory won by a favorite.

With one well-directed blow between the eyes, the de-
tective sent Healy to the floor.

Spencer drew his pistol, but before he could aim it Nick
knocked it from his hand.

But now Dan Gilbert caught up his riding-whip, and
getting behind the detective, he brought down the butt
on Nick’s head.

The blow was a severe one, and Nick saw stars as he
staggered forward.

“Now grab him,” sang out Gilbert.

Spencer jumped forward, and at the same time Healy
recovered and took a hand.

Before Nick could recover, the three men came down on
him, and he was forced forward on the floor. Spencer
kicked him half a dozen times, and Dan Gilbert again hit
him with the end of the whip.

Presently Nick’s eyes closed, and he fell down limp.

“ He’s caved in,” said Healy.

“ Are you sure?” demanded Gilbert.

“Yes, just look at his face.”

“Maybe he’s dead,” suggested Spencer,
startled.

“No. He is too. tough to be downed so easily.” |

‘“What’s to be done?” ;

‘‘Go outside and stand guard while Gilbert and I fix it
up,” replied the book-maker.

Spencer went out, closing the door after him.

The instant he was gone, Healy whispered to Gilbert:

“Dan, we must get Carter out of the way.”

‘‘T agree with you on that.”

‘‘He is a dangerous man, and there is no telling how
much he knows.”

‘““That’s so. Do you think he is on to that Belmore
affair ?” i

“Certainly. What else would make him shadow us?”

“Something at the track——”

‘“‘Bosh! A man like Carter isn’t doing such work. I'll
bet a new hat Belmore hired him to ferret out this rob-
bery.”

“He got to work mighty quick.”

“There isn’t a smarter or quicker detective in the
country than Nick Carter, Dan.” 5

“Well, what do you propose?”

‘We must get him out of the way for good.”

‘Do you mean it?” cried Dan Gilbert.

“T do. Are you with me?”

“T never yet spilt the red in that faBhion, but if you
think it best——”

“66 I do. 9

“In what way ?”

“That’s the sticker.
come of the body ?”

“We might bury it.”

This idea, however, did not suit, and a low but earnest
conversation on the subject followed. :

‘“‘T have it,” cried the horse owner, at length.

“Tet us have it,” returned Healy. ‘‘And be quick.
Carter may come to soon.”

‘““You know Spiteful ?”

“That kicker of a horse you’ve got?”

Vag,”

‘“We will place Carter in the stall with him, and then
hit the man in the head with a hammer. It will look as if
the horse did the work.”

“By Jove, Dan, that’s a good scheme.” .

“Tt is so simple that no one will suspect foul play.
Every stable hand around knows what a tartar Spiteful
se?

somewhat

If we do him here what is to be-

“But how can we get Carter to the stable, and keep the
men away until the little drama is over?”

“Leave me to manage that. Watch him till I come
back.” ,

Dan Gilbert left the place, and Healy stood guard over
Nick.

When left to himself a sudden idea crossed the book-
maker’s mind, and he bent over Nick to search the de-
tective’s pockets.

 

On the instant Nick raised up, and the muzzle of a pis-
tol was shoved under the book-maker’s nose.
“Don’t make a sound, Healy, do you understand 2?” —

 

CHAPTER VI.
A PLAN THAT FAILED. lap

The book-maker was dumfounded. He had firmly be-
lieved Nick totally unconscious. :

He had been wrong in this surmise. Nick had merely
played a part for the sake of avoiding further rough
treatment after finding he was no match for the whole
three assailants, after such a blow of the whip.

He had heard every word spoken.

Healy started back, and the famous detective sprang to
his feet, the pistol still in range of the book-maker’s head.

‘“‘Wha—what!” gasped Healy, at last. 4

“Hush! I told you,” warned Nick.

CCB Ug oe \

Nick shoved the pistol a little closer, and the book-
maker at once became silent.

“Tf you make a sound, Healy, I’1] shoot,” said Nick.

He walked to the door, opened it on a crack, and looked
out.

Spencer was nowhere in sight, and Nick could not dis-
cover what had become of the young man.

Opening the door still further, the detective passed out
and around the building.

He had just reached the rear,
from behind a tree and faced him.
The young man was surprised, but nevertheless he

threw himself on Nick with all his strength.

‘“You sha’n’t get away, Carter !”

“ We'll see about that,” returned Nick.

Spencer gave a loud whistle, which was cut short by
Nick, who grabbed the young man by the throat and
choked him until he was red in the face.

‘‘Let—let up!” gasped Spencer.

‘*Will you keep quiet!”

‘“Ye—yes.”

Nick released his hold. t

‘“Now march back into the building.” .

‘But, Carter——

‘‘T won’t waste words with you.
say.” -
‘“‘OCan’t we buy you off?” questioned-Spencer, feebly.
He was young and inexperienced, and did not know

when Spencer stepped

Into the building, I

 

Nick Carter. or.
‘“T am not doing business that way, Spencer. In you
On? ,
. Spencer stepped inside and Nick followed, keeping the
young man well covered.
“Healy !”
There was no reply. The book-maker had disappeared.
“Now, where has he gone?” thought Nick.
‘‘Healy, answer me?”
He had hardly uttered the words before the door
opened and Gilbert came in.
The horse owner was as much astonished at Nick’s a
sudden recovery as Healy had been. He simply stared ee

 

without saying «a word.

‘The boot is now on the other leg,” said Nick.
with those hands of yours, Gilbert.”

‘“Where—where is Healy ?”

‘Never mind. Up with your hands.
you had better follow suit.”

The hands of both men went up. ee

But as they went up, something came down from over- yy
head.

It was a heavy chunk of iron, and it grazed the back of
Nick’s head.

Had not the great detective made a slight movement
forward at the time, the weight would have landed
squarely on his head, probably crushing his skull.

- But, even as it was, the glancing blow was a fearful
one, and with a low moan Nick.sank in a heap, while a
stream of blood flowed from the wound inflicted.

“That did the work,” cried the voice of Jack Healy .
from above. ‘‘I thought I could catch him.”

Gilbert and Spencer rushed forward, and the former
secured Nick’s pistol. :

6 Up

And, Spencer,

 

 

 
  

  

“No. 99, NICK CARTER LIBRARY. ou

 

    
 

 

 

   
 

 

 

 

‘Hes pretty near done for, sure enough,” said Spencer,
turning Nick over.

“Sure?” questioned Healy, coming down from above by
a ladder in the-back.

‘Nick Carter won’t bother any of us very soon again.’

“What will you do with him?” asked Spencer, with a
scowl.

Healy turned to Gilbert.

‘‘What preparations did you make for getting Carter to
the stable ?”

‘Here is a bigbag I thought we could carry himin. I
have sent all hands off, and not one of them will be back
for an hour.”

‘*Well, we can put him in the bag.”

oe you won’t take him to the stable now, will you?”

é¢ NO.”

‘“‘Shove him into the bag first, and wipe up the blood.
Somebody may come this way.’

The bag was opened and the book-maker and the others
shoved Nick’s body into it.

Then a whispered consultation was held, at the conclu-
sion, of which Dan Gilbert went off and returned with a
covered ‘ ‘stock” wagon.

Into this Nick was placed, and Healy and Gilbert drove
off, leaving Spencer behind.

The wagon left the racing grounds, and turned down
and then over in the vicinity of the east side.

At length it came to a halt in front of a big brick build-
ing which had once been an oil-cloth factory, but which
had recently been converted into a tenement house.

‘‘Take him up and follow me,” said Healy. ‘‘I will see
if Mother Leary is in.”

Dan Gilbert placed the bag over his shoulder, and fol-
lowed Healy into the building and up several flights of
rickety stairs.

They stopped in front of a door in the rear, and Healy
rapped four times twice.

There was @ slight stir within and then the door was
opened by a very old hag, with dirty face and unkempt

air.

‘Oh, ’tis you!” she squeaked, as she recognized the

- book-maker.

‘Yes, Mother Leary, let us in.”

‘(And who have yez wid you?” went on the old hag,
surveying Gilbert sharply.
‘‘Tt’s my friend Gilbert.
‘“‘You are sure, Healy ?”

‘*Positive.”

‘All right, thin.  Oi’ll be afther takin’ no risks.”

She opened the door still further, and Gilbert followed
Healy inside.

“What will I do with the—the bag?” questioned the
horse owner.

‘Dump it on the floor and lock the door,” replied
Healy. ‘‘Mother Leary, we’ve brought you a fine
present.”

“Phat is it?” squeaked the hag.

‘““A man in a bag.”

The old woman zave a croak.

- “Tead ?”

‘(Hither that or next door to it.”

‘‘And phat made yez bring it here?”

- “We want you to take care of it.”

®“ An’ phat is it worth, Healy ?”

‘CA twenty-dollar bill.”
 ‘OMig worth a fifty,” returned the old hag. ‘‘The police
do be watchin’ me closely these days.”

“Not more than a twenty this trip, Mother Leary.

He’s all right.”

That is, if he is really dead. _ Of course, if you have to

finish him, I’ll give you more.’

‘Who is it?” .

“Nick Carter, the detective.”

At the mention of the name Mother Leary sprang for-
ward, her eyes blazing like those of a deadly snake.

“Nick Carter !”

“Yes. I reckon you know him.”

And the book-maker gave a peculiar laugh.

‘‘Indade Oi do,” hissed the old hag. “Didn’t he have
Nellie arrested for shoplifting and Mike sent to prison
for ten vears for burglary? I know the villain. Let me

git at him! If he’s not dead, Oi’ll soon finish him.”

‘‘T thought you would like the chance to handle his
corpse,” laughed the book-maker.

‘‘Oi only hope he’s not dead,” muttered the hag, rub-
ing her bony hands together nervously.

“Why?” asked Gilbert. °

‘“Why? He’ll soon find out!” was the snarling answer.

‘Mother Leary wil) take keen delight in torturing him
to death,” putin Healy: “She is not one to forget an
injury.”

‘No, Oi always pay me debts,” grinned the old hag.
oon tis a great debt Oi owe Nick Carter, divil burn

1m.)

She stooped over the bag, and began to fumble at the
string with which the end was tied.

‘‘Don’t do that here,” said Healy.
you want him first.”

‘“Yez must carry him for me.”

“Where to?”

Mother Leary pondered for a moment, her eyes glisten-
ing with cruelty.

“ Oi’J]] show ye.”

She opened a door in the rear of the room they had
entered, and Healy and Gilbert, carrying the bag between
them, followed her.

Beyond was a store-room filled with all sorts of thieves’
plunder, for Mother Leary’s place was nothing but tp
rendezvous of east side crooks and sneakers.,

To one side of the store-room was a large ‘closet, heave
ily bolted. This the hag opened.

‘‘Put him there till I have time to attend to him,” she
croaked, and the two men complied.

“That settles it as far as we are concerned,” said
Healy, as they walked back..

“The money first, Healy,” returned Mother Leary, and
the book-maker paid her.

Healy looked at his watch. It was exactly six o’clock.

“ Arnheim will be here to-night,” he said. ‘‘Tell him to
wait till Gilbert and I come back. We have other work
to attend to.”

Mother Leary nodded.

“ And keep a sharp lookout for fly detectives.”

‘‘Oi know what to do, if they come,” croaked the old
hag. “They have caught others, but tis not Mother
Leary they have ever touched.”

“ And be careful how you handle Nick Carter, if he still
lives,” put in Gilbert. ‘‘He is a wizard for getting out of
a scrape.”

“Trust me. Did Policeman Kellner escape me? And
who was it put Sergeant Haskett out of the way an’ nota
sowl knowed o’ it?” ¢

“Oh, you'll do!” laughed Healy.
job of iif, that’s.all.”

A few minutes later the book-maker and Dan Gilbert
left, and the old hag was alone with her intended victim.

“Take him where

“Only make a sure

 

CHAPTER VII.
CHICK HAS AN ADVENTURE.

Chick had just arrived at the down-town office when
Nick’s message reached him. The young detective lost
no time in acting on the instructions sent him.

He disguised himself as a book-agent, took an elevated
tvain up town, and was not long in reaching the vicinity
of Tenth avenue, in that part where was located Isaac
Arnheim’s pawn-broking establishment.

Passing the shop he saw a man he felt certain must be
Arnheim pouring over the books at a rear desk. He re-
traced his steps and entered.

Arnheim came forward, rubbing his hands. But his
brow was not altogether clear, and Chick saw he was
worried.

“Nick has probably done something to upset the old
fellow,” thought the young detective.

- Vell, mine friend, vat can I do for you?” asked Arn-
heim, in his smooth tone.

“You can do a good deal for me,” returned Chick,
abruptly, so much so in fact that Arnheim started as if
shot.

“Va—vat’s dot?”

 

“Vou car do a good deal for me,” went on Chick. ‘‘You
are the proprietor ?”

  
12

NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

   

 

No,. 99. ©

 

 

Arnheim’s nerves were so shaken by the young de-
tective’s manner that he was almost on the point of de-
nying that he owned the shop. But he suddenly realized
tuat such a denial would only make matters worse, no
inatter how bad they already were, and he simply
nodded. “

“I came ona little private business,” went on Chick,
who was feeling his way, and trying at the same time to
determine the character of the man before him.

‘“You vish to porrow monish ?” ” inquired the Jew, some-
what relieved.

“T want to sell.”

“Vat you got?”

‘A number of things.”

Arnheim lifted his heavily-fringed eyes and Chick
winked.

“ Vot kind of dings?”

‘Household bric-a-brac. You see, I am a book-agent
and I often find things lying around loose, and——”
Chick finished with a slight cough.

Arnheim’s eyes sparkled. He was taken entirely off
his guard.

“And you vos vont to sell dem dings vot you bicks ub 2”

“That’s it, uncle.”

“All right. a

“You will buy ?”

“Perhaps, mine friend.
first.”

**You will pay a fair price ?”

“Der highest in New York.”

“And ask no questions?”

“T neffer ask kvestions, mine friend. It ton’t vos bay.”

‘“T suppose not,” laughed Chick. ‘When shall I bring
the stuff around, this evening ?”

“How much you vos got?”

‘*A couple of satchels full.”

Arnheim started slightly, but he quickly recovered.

“No, not dis efening,” he replied.

“Why not? It will be handy for me.”

“T must go avay dis efening.”

“Well, how long will you be here ?”

“Ub till nine o’clock.”

“Then maybe I’ll be in before that time.
drop in first thing in the morning.”

“ All right, mine friend, Vot’s der name?”

“Call ire Brown.”

“Very well, Mr. Brown.
vorth?”

‘Between two and three hundred dollars. It was picked
up in tHe best part of Fifth and Madison avenues.”

“Chust lately ?”

“ Last week.”

‘Den I can’t bay too much for it, because I vos got to
ship it out of town.”

“T’ll sell it right, Arnheim.”

A few words more concerning the proposed sale passed,
and then Chick left, saying he would come back before
nine o’clock if he could, and otherwise at ten the next
morning.

By this means he made it unnecessary for him to watch
Arnheim’s place for several hours, and these he devoted
to obtaining something to eat and snatching a much-
needed nap. .

At half-past eight he assumed another disguise—that of
a sailor—and again took a station close to the pawn-
broker’s establishment. He saw the Jew at his desk, but
presently Arnheim arose, put on a long overcoat and a
heavy slouch hat and came out.

Just as he passed to the sidewalk Chick saw a young
man join him.

I vos got to see dem dings

If not, Pll

About how much vos dot stuff

An earnest conversation ensued, and the two walked.

down the avenue, with Chick close behind.

“You are certain it vos him, Spencer?” Chick heard
Arnheim say.

“ Healy said so.’

“ An’ he vos = up for keeps, as der sayin’ goes?”

i think’ so,”

“Tt vos a good chob done, Spencer.”

“Say, Arnheim, don’t mention my name quite so
freely,” cried the young man, angrily.

 

“All right.
friend.”

There was a short pause in the conversation, and the >
pair turned into a side street leading eastward, with
Chick close upon their heels.

The young detective was much interested in what he
had heard. Were they speaking of Nick? If so, his chief
must have gotten into serious difficulty.

“T want to know how he got onto us?” went on eRe
cer.

‘““I ton’t know. He vos come by der shop and raise a
dickens of a row.” é ,

“In what way?” |

“Asked for der vatch, an’ Vos goin’ ter arrest me fer
hafin’ it.”

“But how did he get on my track ?”

“T ton’t know. He followed you by der shop, doa all
I vos know aboud it.”

‘Was it he who came in when I went out 2?”

“cc Yes.” i

“The duse! J wish I had known it!
have had all this trouble.”

“Vell, it’s all der same if he vos owit of der vay.”

sy That’s true. But I don’t like to go so far.”

“Pooh! You vos young yet. Ven you been so old as I
you ton’t vos shtop at leetle dings like dot,” returned
Arnheim.

Chick could not catch all that was’ said after this, but
he heard enough to convince him that Nick had met with
some kind of foul play.

This news caused the young fellow much anxiety, for,
as old readers know, he was much attached to his chief.

“ll send word to Wick and Patsy,” he muttered to
himself. ‘There is evidently a gang of them and it
would be foolish for me to try to handle them alone.”

Presently he came to a drug-store containing a public
telephone station. Rushing in, he paid the fee, and
hastily scribbled a line to be sent by the boy in charge
where he knew it would reach Patsy without delay.

Chick felt tolerably certain of one thing, and that was
that Nick had set him to watch Arnheim because the
chief was certain the Jew was to receive the stuff stolen
from William Belmore’s residence.

“And I must be on deck to confiscate that booty when
it shows up,” said Chick to himself.

When he left the drug-store, Arnheim and Spencer
were well on toward the end of the next block, but the
young detective soon got once more within easy watching
distance of them.

Chick fancied his present job of shadowing was an easy
one, but in this he was mistaken. Both Arnheim and
Spencer were shrewd men—the Jew particularly so—and :
it was not long before the pawnbroker caught the young
man by the arm.

“T haf discovered somedings,” he said, in a low voice.

Spencer was startled, and was about to look around,
but Arnheim stopped this action.

“'W hat’s up 2”

“Ve vos bein’ followed.”

‘‘The devil you say! Who by?”

“A feller dressed like a sailor.”

“You are certain .

“Qome along, an’ I vos brove it to you.”

Arnheim led the way around the first corner, and, of,
course, Chick followed.

Then the Jew turned another corner, and darted into a
dark hall-way, pulling Spencer in after him.

In silence they watched and saw Chick pass at a rolling
gait and soon come to a halt in front of a store window a
hundred feet or so farther on.

“Vot I tole you,” exclaimed Arnheim, in a low but ex-
cited voice. ‘He vos a detective, dot man!”

“T believe you. What's to do?”

The Jew’s eyes flashed.
“Ve might git ‘owit of here, but I vos radder teach dot
feller a lesson.” “

‘‘Because he is spying on us?”

“Oxactly. I ton’t like dot sort of work.”

“Neither do I. What shall we do?”

“Vos you villing ter help me 2”

“Tam, if it ain’t too risky.”

Chust drop mine likevise, mine young _

We would not

 

 

 

 
  
 
   
 
  
   
 

     
 

 

   
 
 

 
  

   

No 99,

 

NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

  

13

 

 

 

Arnheim whispered something into Spencer’s ear. The
young man started, but finally nodded.

In the meantime Chick was wondering what had be-
come of the pair. From in front of the store where he
was standing he cast shy but sharp glances up and down
and across the street.

_ “They cannot be far away,” he reasoned.
had better go back a bit.”

The idea flashed across his mind that his mission had
been discovered by the two, but he dismissed the
thought, for nothing in their actions tended to confirm
the supposition.

He was just on the point of turning back, when Arn-
heim and Spencer emerged from the building and hurried
past him.

. “It’s.a pity Tom wasn’t in,” Spencer said, loud enough
for Chick to hear.

This remark threw the young detective off the track,
just as it was intended to do.

He followed the pair for several blocks farther, and
saw them turn into a narrow alley leading to a number
of dirty tenement-houses.

This alley is known as Butcher Run, and is one of the

worse spots in New York for deeds of violence.

Arnheim and Spencer disappeared up the alley, and
stopped at the door of the very last house. Presently
they entered, and then Chick drew closer.

He wondered if Nick was anywhere about, and in what
condition his chief was.

“Tt’s a tough hole to visit,” was Chick’s comment.
“But a detective is expected to face almost anything
nowadays. I might as well try to get inside.”

He mounted to the door of the tenement, and tried the
knob. The door was unlocked, and in another second
Chick stood in the dark and cheerless hall-way.

He felt to see if his pistol was ready for use, and then
moved cautiously forward to where a thin beam of light
streamed forth from a crack in a door at the rear.

At the door he paused and listened.

Not a sound came from within, and he felt almost cer-
tain the apartment was deserted.

_ What, then, had become of Spencer and Arnheim?

Chick felt an uncomfortable sensation creeping over
him—a sense of danger close at hand. He drew out his
pistol, and held it ready for instant use should occasion
demand. :

He turnéd back, and somewhat hesitatingly approached
the foot of the narrow stairs leading to the second floor.

He had hardly done this when two figures rushed from
out of the darkness and attacked him inthe rear. There
was a peculiar swishing sound and a small rope dropped
under bis chin, and began to’tighten around his throat.

Arnheim and Spencer intended to strangle him.

CHAPTER VIII.
NICK CARTER TURNS THE TABLES.

“Perhaps I

- Mother Leary was one of the most notorious old hags
on the east side. ’ i

She originally came from Philadelphia. Her father
was a politician of that city, and fairly respectable. But
the woman married Bunker Leary, the crook, and from
that time on became the companion and aid of crooks,
thieves, and murderers.

When Bunker Leary was shot while resisting arrest at
a safe burglary in Long Island City, Mother Leary, as she
was then called, settled herself in her present quarters
on the east side. The police knew her, and were aware
she was engaged in underhand dealings, but so skillfully
did she work that no evidence strong enough to warrant
her arrest could be secured.

She had grown old in crime, and her naturally selfish
nature had taken on an additional trait—that of intense
cruelty. :

To show the depth of her depraved nature it may be
told that she once had a pet black cat, but because the
feline drank up some milk the old hag wished to keep, she
had shut the cat in the oven, built a strong fire and

it, and sat by the window laughing while the bird burned
up in the back yard.

Such was the woman into whose hands Nick Carter
had fallen.

Left to herself, Mother Leary closed all the doors and
windows and locked them carefully.

Then she began to mutter to herself, while her eyes
sparkled with anticipated pleasure.

“So at last Oi have a chance o’ revenge on Nick Carter?
Oi’7ll make’him suffer, divil burn him !”

She walked through the store-room, and cautiously
opened the door of the closet, holding a long and keen
bread-knife in her hand as she did so. . !

Had there been any attempt to secure freedom by a
dash for liberty, the old hag would have stabbed Nick to
death on the spot. .

But the bag still lay where Dan Gilbert and Healy had
placed it. : i

With extreme caution Mother Leary slit open the bag,
expecting to behold either Nick Carter’s corpse or the de-
tective in a state verging on death.

One look and she gave a cry of dismay.

The bag contained nothing but a number of articles of
discarded wearing apparel. Nick Carter was gone.

Mother Leary gave a spring backward toward the door.
As she did so, a hand reached out in the semi-darkness
and caught her by the forearm.

Nick had come to while in the closet, and after making
his escape from the bag, stuffed it with stuff from a heap
in the corner.

He was fearfully weak from loss of blood and very
dizzy, yet his hold upon the hag was not a puny one.

“Let go of me!” screamed Mother Leary.

“Not much, you witch!” replied Nick. “Stand aside.”

He tried to force his way out of the closet, but the old
hag drove him back at the point of her long knife. Fora
woman she was remarkably strong.

Nick had almost reached the store-room when a sudden
dizziness, occasioned by the loss of blood, came over him.
He tried to remain standing, but could not, and fell in a
heap to the floor.

Before he could recover, Mother Leary had again pushed
him into the closet and bolted the door. Then she set up
a fiendish laugh.

“Ha, ha, ha! Nick Carter, you are in my power, do
you hear? In the power av old Mother Leary.”

Nick was too weak at the time to reply, and pulling an
old chair to the door the hag sat down to wait until he
should recover. :

Ten minutes passed and the dizziness was gone, and
Nick felt stronger than ever. As best he could he tied his
handkerchief around his head where it had been injured,
and rapped on the door.

“Phat do yez want now 2” croaked the hag.

“ What do you intend to do with me?”

“Yez will see soon enough.”

“ Where are Healy and the others?”

“None of your business.”

“Thank you,” returned Nick, grimly. He realized that
he was in a tight situation.

He remained silent, and soon he heard Mother Leary
get up from the chair and hobble from the room.

Nick was entirely unarmed, and in his present weak
state it was beyond his power to evenattempt to break
out of the closet. He sat down on the floor, and waited
as calmly as be could for the passage of events, recover-
ing, in the meanwhile, as much of his strength as was
possible. : : ;
Nearly half an hour passed—a long time to the impris-
oned detective—then a small door, not over a foot square,
in one side of the closet opened, and the head of Mother
Leary appeared. , ‘ :

“ Ain’t you gittin’ hungry an’ thirsty ?” she asked, in an
unusually pleasant voice.

“Yes, 1am hungry and thirsty.
“Well, I have to keep you till
brought yez a bit o’ supper.”
“Thank you, Mother Leary. I hardly thought you would

be so kind.”

9%

Healy gits back. So I

 

oasted the animal alive. On another occasion, becoming
pleased over the actions of a mocking-bird she pos-
d, she poured kerosene over the bird and set fire to

 

|

ie
Peal

    

returned the hag. “ Here,

¥

“OMe Healy will fix yez,”
take the stuff.” ee

 

Wik

   
 
   

   

14.

  

 

 

She shoved a plate containing a éouple of sandwiches

and a cup of coffee toward him, keeping well out of his
- reach.

He took it without a word, and the small door was at
once closed.

Nick was indeed hungry and thirsty, but he was too
old a bird to have touched what Mother Leary brought
him,

‘She would too willingly poison me. Let me see if I
cannot make it work to my advantage instead of the
other way.”

He rattled the cup and plate, and after waiting a few
minutes began to moan and throw himself around on the
closet floor.

Almost instantly Mother Leary appeared at the little
door.

“And how did yez loike the eatin’ ?” she asked, sarcas-
tically.

“You—you have poisoned me,” shrieked Nick.
done for.”

The old hag began to laugh in a hard, cracked tone.

“‘Yes, yes, I poisoned yez, Nick “Carter. You'll be a
dead man inside of half an hour.”

Nick began to groan worse than ever, and the harder
he groaned the more the old hag laughed.

Nick begged to be allowed to send some word home, but
the hag would not listen, and presently began to sing in
sheer delight over his supposed misery.

At last Nick began to grow quiet. Mother Leary peered
in at the little door, and saw him stretched out on his
back, his mouth wide open and apparently covered with
foam.

“Dead !” she croaked.
man or woman could down Nick. Carter.
Mother Leary to do that same deed.”

She waited to see if the detective would stir, and as
Nick continued to lay perfectly quiet, she left the little
door and came around and opened the large one.

“Dead as a cat, divil burn him!” she muttered, as she
gazed at the form before her.

In her hand she carried her knife, and as she gazed at
him a sudden determination seemed to enter her mind.

Ore stick it through his heart an’ make certain o’ the
wurruk,” she croaked.

She turned to set. the lamp which she carried down on
the floor.

No sooner was her baek turned than a lightning-like
change occurred in Nick Carter.

He sprang to his feet, and with a single bound pounced
upon the old hag from the rear.

Mother Leary gave a shriek and dropped the lamp,
which went out, leaving them in darkness.

‘“Who—what?” she cried.

‘Now we will see who is master!” cried Nick Carter.
“Your poisoniug scheme did not work.”

“No, but my knife wil], bad cess to yez!” shrieked the
old hag, and turning she made a furious onslaught upon
the detective.

He tried to wrest the knife from her, but Mother Leary
was strong from very rage, and she held fast, her eyes
shining in the semi-darkness like those of a snake ready
to strike.

eam

“Dead, an’ they always said no
Bah! it took

 

CHAPTER IX.
WHO CAME OUT ON TOP.

With arope around his neck that was each second
growing tighter, Chick now found himself in one of the
most dangerous positions in which it had ever been his
misfortune to be placed.

In vain he tried to get away from the person who held
the rope. Arnheim, who understood the art of the
strangler only too well, held on with a firm grip, while
Spencer caught the young detective’s hands and held
them fast.

Chick tried to cry out, but only a faint gurgle escaped
him.

At last. finding it useless to struggle, he resorted to
strategy to gain a point. He suddenly collapsed, and fell
limply at Spencer’s feet.

NICK CARTER LIBRA RY.

 

  

 

 

“He! Ss : caved, i agen Spencer, hoarsely.
“He may be shamming,” muttered. the Jew..
him into der room and ve’ll see.”

The door leading to a side room was ‘opened and Chick
was hauled in by his heels, an operation which caused
him several severe bumps on the head.

A light was lit by Spencer, the Jew all this while keep-
ing a good hold on the rope which still encircled the
young detective’s neck.

“T believe he’s dead,” said Spencer.

“He is not; he vos only shamming,” returned Arnheim.
“They can’t vos fool me. Come, open your eyes, unless
you vant me to give‘der rope another twist,” he said to
Chick.

“Let—let up,” gasped the young detective.
toplights, I ain’t done nuthin’, messmate.”

“That sort of talk don’t 0 with us,” said Spencer.
“You are no more a sailor thanIam.” ~

“Stow that,” returned Chick. “I’m Bob Sanders, and
I belong to the Brig Gestinna from Bangor.”

Arnheim eyed him sharply.

“You vos told a putty good story, young man, but it
ton't vos go down.”

“Wot you drivin’ at, messmate ””

“Shall I tole you who you vos?”

“Pve told you, cap’n.”

“You vos von of dem deffil detectives !”

“Wot makes you think that, cap’n?”

“T know it. You#vos Nick Carter’s assistant. Tie him
up,” the last words to Spencer, who quickly complied.

“You are on the wrong tack,”
not to give in.

A whispered conversation now took place, and finally
Spencer left the room and the building.

Chick wondered what they would do with him. He
fully understood by this time that he was in the hands of
a pair of rascals who would not hesitate at anything.

““Vot put you on mine drack?” questioned Arnheim,
while Spencer was gone.

Chick shook his head.

“‘You’re on the wrong tack, messmate.”

Arnheim muttered an oath.

“Does you dink I vos a fool?” he cried. “Speak ub
straight, onless you vonts to got your, head smashed
kvick !”

But Chick was determined to say nothing, and, despite
Arnheim’s threats, he remained silent.

In less than twenty minutes Spencer returned.

‘‘Tt’s all right,” he said to the Jew.

“You vos got it outside ?”

(79 Ves?

“Vos anypoddy arount?”

66 No”

“Den catch hold kvick.”

Spencer caught up Chick by the legs, and Arnheim took
him under, the shoulders.

In this fashion the young detective was carried swiftly
out of the dark building, and placed in a covered wagon,
the very one Healy and Gilbert had used to convey Nick
to Mother Leary’s den.

“Dash my

Chick was thrown on the bottom of the wagon, and a ~
gag stuffed into his mouth. Then away they went over »

the pavement.

In less than ten minutes the wagon came to a aden
halt.. Then Spencer jumped out, and entered a dark kane,
at the end of which was a tall building.

Going up several flights he knocked on a rear door.

There was a stir within, and then came the question:

“Sure, an’ who is it?”

“‘Tt’s me, Mother Leary, Tom Spencer.”

“An? who have: yez wid you?” came in the croaking
voice of the old hag.

“ Arnheim.”

“Come in, thin.”

The door was unlocked and Spencer enters:

“Sure, an’ where is the Jew?” was the que which —

followed his entrance.
‘Down below with a prisoner.
‘“Yis. Who have yez?”
“A detective.”

Are you alone?” :

= Drag

returned Chick, resolved |

 

 

   
  
  
   
   

  
  
 
  
     
  

 

NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

15

 

 

 
 

“Bad cess to the villain, divil burn him !”
_ “We want you to take care of him for the present.”
“Ho, ho, ho! Ain’t that good!
noight !”

 
  
 

‘‘Indade they did.”
“What did you do with him?”
“Phat did Oi do? Bad cess to him, he’s gone to the
. divil long ago !”
And the old hag chuckled.
“Did you kill him ?”
‘OTwas his own fault. He fought me, an’ the knoife
wint straight through his heart, so it did.”
“Humph! Well, wait till we bring up this other man.”
Spencer went below again, and shortly afterward he
a Arnheim came up with the body of Chick between
them.
Chick was deposited on the floor, and the old hag bent
over him.

“Do yez know who this mon is?”

“T think it vos von of Nick Carter’s assistants,” said
Arnheim.

“Yez is roight, bad cess to him!
him noicely !” croaked the hag.

“Who are you?” demanded Chick, as soon as the gag
was removed. :

“Qi’m Mother Leary. Don’t yez remimber yer chief had
Mike sint up and Nellie, too. Oi’ll fix ye!”

At this instant came a knock onthe door. Spencer
sprang forward, and held the door so it could not be
opened.

“Get him out of the way, quick !” he whispered.

_ ‘Oi will,” returned the hag.
- She caught Chick under the arms, and dragged him
into the next room, closing the door behind them.
. Then, much to the young detective’s astonishment, she
~- bent down and cut his bonds.
- “Now, Chick, go down the fire escape in the rear and
summon Wick and Patsy at once. To-night we bag the
whole gang.”
“What, Nick !”
, + “Yes, old man.”
| “ Where'is the old woman?”
| “Bound and gagged in the closet.
~~ off till I hear your whistle.”
“TD 11 race it for all I know how,” returned Chick, and
~~ in two seconds he was out of the window.

- Nick returned to the front room. In the meantime
Spencer had opened the door and admitted Healy and
- Gilbert. .

The book-maker was accompanied by Mary Moore, who
was evidently very angry over the way in which she had
been treated. o
- “Tve got to have money, Jack, and that’s all there is
‘to it,” the girl was saying.

~And you shall have it, Mary, if you will only wait.”
 “T ean’t wait. They suspect me up to the house, and
I’m getting tired of playing the up-stairs girl. You three
men made a clean haul of fifteen thousand dollars and I
want my share.” f
~ “JT don't know how much it is,” returned the book-
aker. ‘We will have to see what Arnheim says first.”
“Arnheim!” The girl looked at the Jew. “Why, he’s
he man £pawned the watch with.”
He. P Les, and that: was a bad break,” put in Gilbert.

: “Tt-put Nick Carter on our track. You overdid the

~matter.> = .

“Mary’s all right,” said Spencer, who, as we know, was
sweet on the girl. .

The book-maker turned to Nick.

““Did you fix Carter?”

“(Oi did.” :

“Dead 2?” :
«Vig, an’ gone to the divil!” .
There was a general laugh. |

“And his helper will soon follow him,” added Nick,
“with a hoarse chuckle.

This necessitated an explanation, and Spencer and Arn-
‘heim told how they had downed Chick, and brought him
M ther Leary’s den. : a

Oh, but Ovll trate

Hurry up. I'll hold

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
       
   
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
   
  
  
  

   

 

®

“A good night’s work,” said Healy.
“You bet!” returned Gilbert. ‘It is more than likely

Two of ’emin wan that the police will never discover what became of the
/ two.”
“ Healy and Gilbert brought Nick Carter, didn’t they ?” | More talk on the subject followed, and then Arnheim

broke in:

‘‘Haf you got dot stuff mit you, Healy ?”

“Yes, here is every bit of it in this bag. Look here.” .

The book-maker brought forward a large bag, which he
had placed in the corner. The string at the top was cut,
and he brought forth the different articles which it con-
tained.

Arnheim surveyed them with gleaming eyes.

‘‘Not oxactly vorth so much as fifteen t’ousand dollars,
nor efen den, but a peautiful haul—yes, a peautiful haul.”

‘‘Look the stuff over and place a cash value on it,” said
the book-maker, shortly.

‘‘An’ don’t forgit the ould woman,” put in Nick, witha
croak.

‘‘We won't,” said Healy.

Arnheim began to examine the stolen stuff piece by
piece, marking what they were worth to him on a bit of
paper as he went along. The job was a lengthy one. Just
before it was completed, and while Healy and the others
were in the midst of an excited debate, Nick heard
Chick’s well-known whistle.

He went to the door, and threw it open.

‘‘Where are you going?” asked the book-maker, com-
ing toward him.

* Oi’1l be back in a minute,” returned Nick.

He went outside. In less than a minute he returned,
followed by Chick, Wick, and Patsy.

Spencer and Arnheim were thunderstruck to see Chick.

‘“W here the duse——” began Spencer.

‘‘Hands up all around,” cried Nick.

‘““What!” exclaimed Healy, jumping forward.

“You are all under arrest.”

‘Who the devil are you?”

‘‘Nick Carter.”

As Nick spoke, he threw off part of his disguise and
pointed a pistol at the book-maker’s head.

“The game is up, Healy.” ,

There was a wild cry on all sides. Arnheim attempted
to grab part of the stolen stuff and sneak, but Wick
promptly tripped him up. Spencer pulled a pistol to shoot
Chick, but struck Gilbert in the arm instead. Mary
Moore was held by Patsy, and secured, despite her at-
tempt to bite and scratch the plucky boy.

Healy dashed at Nick, and knocked the pistol aside. A
terrific hand-to-hand encounter ensued, which came to a
sudden termination when Nick let out a stunning blow
that caught the book-maker straight between the eyes,
and keeled him over like a ten-pin.

Five minutes later every one of the gang were hand-
cuffed. The police were called in, and all the offenders,
including old Mother Leary, were marched to the station-
house.

Later on each was tried and sentenced to a term at Sing
Sing.

William Belmore was much surprised to learn that the
chief of the burglars was Jack Healy. He paid the great
detective and his trusty assistants well for their work,
and to-day he thinks there is no man living quite so
smart and quick-witted as Nick Carter.

[THE END. |

The Nick Carter Liprary has the largest circulation |

of any Library ever published. 4

“Nick CARTER’S GREATEST PUZZLE; OR, THE STRANGE
Farr or LAWYER Drees,” by the author of “ Nick Carter,”
will be published in the next number (100) of the Nick
CARTER LIBRARY.

<
Sat,

 
  
   
   
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NICK CARTER LIBRARY,

No. 99.

 

 

TWEE ES CARTER LIBRARY

THE BEST FIVE CENT LIBRARY OF DETECTIVE STORIES.

 

IssvuUEeD EVERY SATURDAY.

PRICE, ee CENTS.

 

.15—THE FATE OF DOCTOR QUARTZ; Or, THe Murprr in
THE DissecTING Room. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”

. 16—PACKAGE ‘17 A;” Or, Tae Secret or A Famity Faup. By
the Author of “Nick Garter. u

_17—NICK CARTER’S GREAT PERIL; Or, A Prisoner For Lire
Wire tHe Deap. By tlie Author of “Nick Carter.”

.18—THE GREAT DETECTIVE DEFIED; Or, ZELMA,
FrmaLte Firenp. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”

.19—THE LITTLE GIANT’S TASK; Or, Nick Carrzr’s Won-
perrut Nerve. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”

_20—BROUGHT TO BAY AT LAST; Or, OvrwirrEp, Ovt-
GENERALED AND Ourponse. By the ‘Author of ‘Nick Carter.’

21—NICK CARTER AT WESTERN UNION JUNCTION; Or,

Tue St. Paut Train Rospery. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.’

. 22-NICK CARTER’S CELEBRATED CASE; Or, THE Mysterizs
or GorHam. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”

. 23—THE LITTLE GIANT ON DECK; Or, Toz Great Appvuc-
TION Cask. By the Author of ‘ ‘Nick Carter.”

. 24_NICK CARTER AT GLENDALE; Or, Tue Rosppery OF THE
*Fpisco Nigut Express. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”

.25—YOUNG HERCULES, NICK CARTER’S ASSISTANT ; Or, A
Man or Muscie anp Nerve. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”

. 26—NICK GARTER IN SAN FRANCISCO; Or, UNEARTHING
Cr In Coinatown. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”

.27—NICK CARTER IN CHICAGO; Or, THe Crime of THE Lake
Crry. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”

. 28—THE PASSENGER GOING EAST. By the Author of “Nick
Carter.”

, 993_NICK CARTER’S MYSTERIOUS CASE ; Or, Tue Roap-
Hovuss Tracepy. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”

. 30.—MAD MADGE, THE QUEEN OF CROOKS: Or, Fieutine
AN ARTFUL For. By the Author of ‘“‘Nick Carter.”

. 31—A DEAD MAN’S GRIP; Or, THe SKELETON IN THE CLOSET.
By the Author of ‘‘Nick Garter.”

: 32 NICK CARTER IN KANSAS CITY; Or, Tot Nicur Hawxs
Revivep. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.” .

. 33—THE MYSTERIOUS MAIL BAG ROBBERY ; Or, Nick Cane
TER’s Great CatcH. By the Auther of ‘‘Nick Carter.”

. 34—YOUNG HERCULES IN MEXICO Or, Pruck anv Mvscur
Aaarnst Srratecy. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”

35—NINETY MILES AN HOUR; Or, Tue Prosiem or SEVEN

Deatas. By the Author of ‘ Nick Carter.”

, 836—NICK CARTER IN ST. LOUIS; or, Tue Nigut Hawks’ Lasr
ScrercH. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”

. 37—NICK CARTER IN BALTIMORE; or, Tue Conspiracy oF
THE Rep Leacur. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”

. 388—NICK CARTER IN NEW ORLEANS; Or, Tue Rep Leaaue’s
Taast Errort. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”

THE

39_-THREE TIMES DEAD; Or, Nick Carrer mn 4 TreHtT PLacs.”

By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”

_40-—THE GREAT JEWEL ROBBERY ; Or, Nick Carter AMONG
tue Hore, Tareves. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”
.41—-THE FOURFOLD MURDER; Or, Nick Carrrr’s CLEVER

Work In Frorrpa. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”
. 42 THE N. Y. CENTRAL TRAIN ROBBERY; Or, Tue NERviEst
Ovurnaw AuivE. By the Author of ‘‘ Nick Carter.”
. 43 THE LETTERS ON THE FLOOR; Or, Nick CarTER’s CLEVER
DecreueR. By the Author of ‘‘ Nick Carter.” -
44--NICK CARTER ON HIS METTLE; On, A Cuase AFTER
A Fortuns. By the Author of ‘Nick Garter,” ete.
_45—NICK CARTER’S GREATEST PERIL; OR, On Toe Tra
Or A Human Fienp. By the Author of “Nick Carter,” ete.
.46—THE ‘GOLD BRICK “SWINDLERS; Or, Nick Canrer’s
' Great Exposure. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”
_47—NICK CARTER ON THE BOWERY ; On, Tus Terrors Or
Onze Nicut. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
. 48—NICK GARTER’S HANDICAP; On, Won in 4 CantER. By
the Author of “Nick Carter.”
_49—-BOLD MASKED ROBBERS; Or, Nick CARTER’ s LiIveLy
Conruicr. By the Author of “Nick Carter.’
_50-—NICK CARTER’S FIGHT FOR LIFE; Or, Tar Miniionarre’s
Nemesis. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter. i
_51—JUDGE LYNCH’S MISTAKE; On, Nick .Carrenr’s SmARcH
yor A MurperEer. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
_52—A BOLD BANK ROBBERY ; Or, Nick Cartmr’s Great Haut,
By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”
_ 53-—-NICK CARTER IN WALL STREET ; Or, Tracxine 4 STOLEN
Forruns. By the author of ‘Nick Carter.”
_54_TRICKED AND TRAPPED; Or, Nick Cartrer’s GREEN
Goops Haun. By the author of « Nick Garter.”
~55-—-ROBBED BY RIVER PIRATES; Or, Nick Carter AmMone
THE WHarFr Rats. By the author of “Nick Carter.”
_56—A DARING DEED; Or, Nick CartEr SOLVING THE OAKLAND
Mystery. By the author of ‘Nick Carter.”
_57—A MYSTERY OF THE SURF; Or, Nick CarTER at ConEY
Istanp. By the author of * Nick Carter.”

 

No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No,
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.

. 7%6—A MURDER IN THE SNOW: or, Nick Carter’s Curtovus
No.
No.
No.
No.

No.
No.

No.
No.
No.
No.

No

No.
No.
No.

No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.

58—NICK CARTER IN CHINATOWN ; On, Taz Doyvers Streer
Criminats, By the author of “Nick Carter.”

59—NICK CARTER AT SING SING; Or, In Hor Pursurr or
AN Escarep Criminan, By the author of ‘Nick Carter.”’

60—A MYSTERY OF THE RIALTO; Or, Nick Carrer in
New Yorr. By the author of ‘‘ Nick Carter.”

61—THE GREAT BANK HOLD UP IN DENVER; Or. Nicz
Carter's Dirricunt Case. By the auther of ‘ Nick Carter.”

62—SHOT WITH A ROULETTE BALL; Or, Nick Carrer
Amonc THE Gampuers. By the author of “Nick Carter.”

63.—THE SIX ACES; Or, Exposine 4 Great Swinpie. By the
author of “Nick Carter.”

64._THE GREAT GREEN GOODS SWINDLE; Or, Nick
Carter's CLEvER Catcn. By the author of “Nick Carter. a

65—THREE OF A KIND; Or, Nick Carrer’s Winnina Hann, By
the author of “Nick Garter.”

66—THE SNAKE BROOCH ; on, Nick Carrer’s Srartiine Dis-
CoveRY. By the author of ‘Nick Carter.”

67.—THE DALTON GANG WIPED OUT; or, Nick Carren’s
Drapty Riruz. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”’

68—HER SHREWD DOUBLE; or, Nick Canter’s Lapy Assisr-
ant aT Work. By the author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”

69.—THE HYPNOTIST’S VICTIM; on, Nick Carrmr’s ComP1i-
caTED Casx. By the author of “Nick Carter.”

70—NICK CARTER IN PITTSBURGH ; on, Escapep From Jain.
By the author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”

71—THE SUBURBAN SAFE CRACKERS; or, Nick CartrEr’s
Marcuimss Sxinn. By the author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”’

72—MURDERED FOR REVENGE ; on, Nick Carrrr’s PECULIAR
Casg. Ry the author of ‘‘Nick Carter. i

73—A CLEVER CRIMINAL; or, Nick Canrrer’s Fortunate
Crew. By the author of “Nick Carter.”

74—THE LAST OF THE GLENDALE GANG ; on, Nick Carter's
Great Success. By the author ‘‘Nick Carter.”

75—THE CINCINNATI BANK SWINDLE;; or, Nick Carrmr’s
GREAT Forcery Case. By the author of ‘‘Nick Carter.’

Casg. By the author of “Nick Carter.”
77.—BAGGAGE CHECK x623; or, Nick Carrer AMONG THE
Horen Swinpiers. By the author of ‘Nick Carter.”
78.—THE CONCEALED. BOOTY ; on, Nick Cartsr’s First Rare
Finp. By the author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
79.—‘“THE $35, 000 SWINDLE ; on Nick Carrer anp THE InsuR-
ANCE FrRaups.” By the author of ‘Nick Carter.”
80—THE PRINCE OF CROOKS; or, Nick Cartzr’s CuLEveR
es Faget: 3 By the author of ‘ ‘Nick Carter. ro
By SAKE TO ce ee OR, Nick CARTER’sS LONG CHASE. :
82—FROM PALACE TO PRISON ; or, Nick Carrsr’s Capturr
OF A SwELL Crook. By the author of ‘‘Nick Carter.” |
83-— -THE FREIGHT THIEVES ; or, Nick Cartrr’s Exerrt Ex-
~ posurE. By the author of “Nick Carter.”
84—_THE UNDERGROUND TUNNEL; or, Nick Carrer m
Brooxiyn. By the author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
85—THE TURKISH BATH MYSTERY ; on, Nick Caxrmr Arrer
A Suick Parr. By the author of “Nick Carter. .
86—THE BANK DRAFT RAISER ; or, Nick Carrer’s Caprurn or
A SLIPPERY CRIMINAL. By the author of **Nick Carter.”
87—_THE WATCHMAKER’S HAMMER; or, Nick Carrer’s
Quick Drctsion, By the author of “Nick Carter.”
88—CHICAGO’S CARNIVAL OF CRIME ; on,’ Nick Carter ro
THE Rescur. By the author of ‘Nick Garter,”
89—LOOTED IN TRANSIT; or, Nick Carrer Amone tam Bx-
PrEss TuiEves. By the author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
90—9—19—29 ; or, Nick CarTER AND THE Poticy SHarps.
author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
91—THE COIN CUFF BUTTON; or, Nick Carter anp ran
Srraneuers. By the author of ‘Nick Carter,”
92—-THE HIGHWAYMEN SIDE-TRACKED; or, An ATTEMPT
To PERSONATE Nick CartTEr. By the author of “Nick Carters)
938--THE NEW YORK POST-OFFICE THUGS: or, Rover
Work ror Nick Carter. By the author of ‘“‘Nick CartEn. “
94-_SKIPPED FROM CUSTODY; on, Nick Carrer’s Dovatx _
CuAsz. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter. e :
95°-THE LETTER Z; Or, Nick Carter AMONG THE Chxcmnatr
SHares. By the author of “Nick Carter,”
96—THE. ELECTRIC DRILL; Or, Nick Carrer Amone THE
HicH Power Bureiars. By ‘the author of ‘Nick Carter,”
7—NICK CARTER AT MT. VERNON; on, Tue OLp Rapsrr’s
Paw. By the author of ‘Nick Carter.”
98—THE IDENTITY OF DALY; or, Nick Carrer’
In Fuortpa. By the author of “Nick Carter.” ? Discovenns
99—THE BOOK-MAKER’S CRIME; or, Nick Carrer’s Acct-
DENTAL Cuew. By the author of “Nick Carter.”
100—NICK CARTER’S GREATEST PUZZLE ; or, toe STRANGE ~
Farr or Lawyer Deems. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”

By the

For sale by all newsdealers at five cents per copy, or sent postpaid on receipt of price.

STREST & SMITH. Publishers,

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