Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 11, Number 35, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 26 February 1881 — Page 2

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THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

TERRE HAUTE, FEB. 26,1881

The Novelist.

Wheel of Fortune

—OR,—

THE LOST HEIRESS.

A BTORY OF HEARTS AND HOMES.

BY A PRIVATE DETECTIVE.

CHAPTER XIII WHO WINS?

Night had once more fallen, and the black mantle of darkness had again shrouded the metropolis in it# folds.

The night was one of intense black ness, but in the city the street lamps

Save

some light, aided by the various rug stores and others which kept open for business until ten or eleven.

At this time, Central Avenue was not a very popular street, although at present it and Freeman are two of the first in the whole city. There were quite a number of stores scattered at intervals, and altogether it was well lighted up. As the air was not very cold, many persons had been out during the earlier part of the evening. Toward nine o'clock the crowd had decreased wonderfully, and half an hour afterward had dwindled down to a few solitary pedestrians.

Striding down the street, at about teu minutes to ten, was a tall man, who was no other than Frank Milton. He had promised to be at Courtney's at ten, and took this roundabout way to pass away the time, for he did not wish to be too early.

The sky was clouded over, and it looked as though a snow storm was threatening. There was a great deal of difference, however, between this night and the one on which Milton had taken his cold bath in the Ohio.

Frank had been thinking of Belle all the evening, and had made up his mind to go and see her on the morrow.

The cathedral had just struck the hour of ten when he reached Courtney's house on Fourth street. As be passed up the steps and rang the bell, three pairs of eves followod his movements from behind a row of bushes in the yard. These it ill,! 1— belonged to the three "bloody third men, Red Dan, Mike and Billy.

A servant let Frank in,and having his orders from his mastor, showed him up stairs and knocked at the door of Courtney's room. "Come in," said the voice of the mastery and the servant opened the door.

Frank walked in, and saw Courtney seated in his easy chair in front of the tire. As he entered and closed the door, Courtney said: "Take*a seat," pointing to a chair as he spoke. "Iion't care if I do, boss. It's pretty cold out to-night," and the bearded miner, drawing a chair up to the fire, threw himself upon it. "Now to business. I have another engagement to-night and have no time to lose. You said that you wanted 4en thousand dollars, and "then you would keep mum." "Yes, I believe I did wish I had said twentv," said tho miner.

You wouldn't have received it," said Courtney, quietly. "Why not?" asked tho other.

Beouuso I would have done tho same to you as 1 did to Milton. Had Milton's price boon what yours is, or even double it, I would have paid it but the fool played too high a hand. He wanted a hundred thousand. Ho played and— lost!" "Well, have vou got tho ten hero? If so, I'll take it "'said tho minor. "Here are eight thousand it was all I could scrape up at a day's notice, for you know half of my fortune is in property, and part of tho balance in bonds. Whenever you choose to call for the other two thousand you can have it."

As Courtney spoke this last sentenoe, his eyes had "a strango gleam in them that the other was not slow to notice. Taking tho money from Courtney, ho looked it over and then carofully deposited it in theinsido pocket of his coat. "If I don't call for it, a friend of mine will. You know there aro two of us after you, but you don't know the other. Hy tho wav, loss, did it never occur to vou that Frank Milton was sharper than Vou thought on that fearful night?" "What mean you?" exclaimed Courtney, alarmed. "YVhv, 1 thought you had guessed it long ago, from the eagerness with which you tried to rako in his trunks. Did you oftor nil never havo a suspicious that, after all, those papers ho showed you wore forgeries?'' and the minor, as he spoke, leaned forward aud peered into tho other's face.

Courtney started violently. Had he, after all, stained his soul with murder for useless bits of paper? Had he taken tho life of theyouug lawyer for jKipers that could never have harmed him? "And so Milton lied to me. He swore in his lotter that ho had the true papers," said Courtney, excitedly. "And so he had," put in the other, coollv. "Then they were real?" asked Courtnev, eagerly. "Not a bft of It." "What, in the fiend's name, do vou mean? Speak it out in plain Eugllsh, and don't auswer in such monosyllables!" exclaimed Courtney. "Well, then, if you want to know so bad, here goes to "spin her out, as they say in Denver. Milton suspected you, and he copied the three papers over. Is that plain enough?" said the miner, and the word, which were uttered in his gruff tones, grated harshly on Courtney's

And tho papers I got and burned were really forged?" asked the startled villain. "Thev were, boss, as sure as your name's*Courtney," replied the miner. "But no one could prove it. How could he forge them? Part of the marriage certificate was printed,"said Courtney, his assurance returning. He began to suspect that the miner .was playing with his fears. ••I'll tell vou how, Ixxw. He got a blank marriage certificate from the minister in Covington, and as Frank was a iatrver, he was sharp enough to deceive You have hat! all that work for noth-

iD"*But

the true documents?"questioned

Courtney. "I got Frank's trunks. They were in one, was the quiet rejoinder. '•And who are you?" mid Courtney, now beginning to share in Dicey Morrison's suspicions hat the miner was more than he a

4

Ftank, had he "been trained up as an actor, would have made a first class star, for be had great power over his voice and could change it at will from the gruff tones of a common man to the sweet, silvery ones of a lady.

It required splendid acting to keep Courtnev from suspieioning who he really was, but ho had played his part

admirably, and had he taken off his disguise, Courtney would have received a tremendous shock,-for he had not the faintest idea that Frank Milton was alive. He believed that he had actually died on that awful night. "Who are you?" ho asked again. "P. M. Peyton, of Denver, at your service, boss," replied the miner. "And you have the real papers?" "I have," was the miner's reply. "And do you intend to use them?" asked Courtney, a fierce glare_ coming into his eyes as he put the question. "The future will decide that, my covey. I may sell them to you in time was the miner's reply. "Never, dog your time has come. My revolver is in trim to-night. You die on the spot," and as the man spoke, he suddenly pulled out a six-shooter, one of the pair which had been "doctored" the night before, and presented it at the miner's head.

The latter had his revolver with him, but made no effort to pull it out. He hod abetter weapon than that. "Wait awhile, my duck, before you shoot. I have a question to ask." "And while you are asking it you may be pulling out your revolver. No I have you at my mercy now, and you die," said Courtney, who was greatly excited. "See, I hold my hands away from mj' body and now the question: What explanation can you give if you kill me?" and the miner as he spoke, held his hands out toward the ilames. "This: you have eight thousands dollars in your pocket. I drew that •much from the bank to-day. I cau swear and prove that tho money you have is mine, can say you took it from me by force, and that in self defense I shot you. I am wealthy. Every one will believe me and now you see your doom is sealed." "A very good idea, I must say, boss, but you have forgotten one thing," and the miner rubbed his hands oue over the other as he spoke. "I have not. There is nothing in the way," said Courtney, who saw his foe must be a brave man to face a pistol so coolly. "And yet, I say, my covey, you have forgotten one thing," repeated the other. "What is it then?" asked Courtney. "Thepapers!" was the stunning reply.

Courtney staggered (for when he had presented the weapon to the miner's head ho had risen to his feet) and the hand holding the revolver dropped to his side. Had the other chosen he could now have drawn his own revolver and placed the foe in his power, but his plan did not run thus. He knew that Courtney would not dare to injure him now."

41

What of them?" demanded tho other, faintly. "Just this boss. I said there were two men on your track. I am one and the other is even sharper than myself he is a man tracker. If I am not back by tomorrow morning he will produce the papers, prove my death and also Fraiik Milton's to lie at your door. Now you see why I am confident that jrou will not hurt me. You seo, boss, it is to your own interest that I leave this house alive."

Frank could hardly keep from smiling at the expression of chagrin and despair that had settled upon the countenance of Courtney. He had never forgiven the man who had driven his mother from her home, and now he had no pity for Courtney, who had, in his mind, partly been the cause of his mother's death, and who had attempted to murder him throo times. It was with great satisfaction that ho saw how his enemy was suffering, and he felt that in truth his first blow for vengeanoo had been struck.

Courtney stood for a few moments motionl8ss, and then he sank back into the easy chair from which he had arisen when "aiming the deadly revolver at Frank's head.

For a couple of minutes neither of the men moved. Both were thinking and had nothing to say.

At length the minor arose to his feet and said it was time he was going. This aroused Courtney from the reverio into which he had fallen, and starting up he said: "What do you intend doing with the papers?" "Keep 'em for awhile at least. If I feel like selling them I'll come to you," said the miner, buttoning up his coat. "And you promise to sell them to no one but me asked Courtney. "Yes I'll sell to no other. I won't ask such a price as Milton did. Half of it suits me," said tho minor. "Well, bring tbem to me at any time and I'll pay you that price for them. I rely on your word." "Good night, boss," said tho miner. "Good night," said Courtney. "Can you find your way down alone?" "Yes, it's as easy as tumbling off a log," said the miner, as he went down tho richly carpeted stairs.

A few seconds later and tho front door shut with a slam. Courtney sat down in front of the fire to think. Was the miner a detective after all. Did he really havo tho true papers, or had he only manufactured that story to keep Courtnev from shooting him The latter would have given something to put tho other out of the way, but now he dared not kill him. Tho threat of tho miner had frightened him.

What could he do if the papers were produced in court, and also the missing heiress? and th*n, what if the man who had just left him was a detective? Would he try to provo in court that Courtnev had murdered Frank Milton There would be only his word against Courtney's, and the latter could get men to swear to an "alibi." "But I must not fool away my time here. The boys will expect me and I must go. Curie the hour lever joined the band. It is too late to retrace my steps now though," muttered he, after he had been sitting still for nearly ten minutes.

Arising, he lowered the gas and donned his warm overcoat. With his hat on his head and his fur

§oorand

loves in his hand he opened the front stonped out into the chill air, redolent with coal smoke.

As his eves fell upon the row of bushe« at the side of the house he started violently and his knees knocked together in the terror of the moment. "Heavens! I am undone," muttered he. "They will kill him, and the miner's accomplice will bring the papers before the court. Fool, fool that I was uot to think of this and 'hurry out after him. I could then have told the boj% I had changed my mind."

It was too late now, three "bloody sixth" thugs had followed after Frank. In the struggle jut ended, who had won?

Both were threatened by danger, and the end was not yet.

CHAPTER XIV. A "DOCTORED" QAXR.

Frank, in his disguise, shut the front door with a hang, and walking down the steps, turned his face up Fourth street. A chuckle of satisfaction escaped his lips as hi* hand came in contact with the roll of bills given him hy Courtney.

Right thousand dollars in his pocket

TERRE HAUTE SATURDAY EYMNG MAIL.

"and his revenge commenced was not this enough to make him feel happy? As yet, however, there'were several reasons why he must remain in disguise, the principal of which was that Courtney relieved him dead and it would spoil all of his plans to undeceive the arch scoundrel now. In strategy, Courtney was no match for the sharp young liwvcr#

From the fact that he had been followed the night before, Frank suspected, that on this night, when he carried so much money, there would be somebody after him.

Hardly had he gone half a square before three dark forms crept silently down the steps of Courtney's mansion and began following him. Their slouched hats were pulled over their eyes, so that to get a glimpse of their faces was an impossibility.

For several blocks Frank walked np Fourth street. As the hour was late, the streets presented a lonesome appearance, there being only a.solitary pedestrian to be seen here and there. Whenever Frank reached a dark spot he turned around and looked behind him. He was not long in discovering that tho three men who «were tramping along so resolutely behind were pursuing him.

A .slight quiver ran through his frame he f..uv the huge size of his three followers. Then his hand in voluntarily sought the pocket in which he kept his trusty revolver. In the leg of his boot, where he could easily reacu it, he had fastened the keen dagger but probably he would not have to use that. There were six shots in his revolver and only three men but then it would never do for him to be concerned in a street fight just now. If he did come off victor he would have to appear in court, and there his disguise would be readily detected. Then good-by to all of his plans against Courtney.

No, he must jnanage to elude his pursuers in Bome way. How should it be done?

Could Courtney have sent them after him? Frank could hardly believe it, for he had noticed how readily the villain had let him go away. Courtney wished for his safety almost as much as he himself, not from love or prity, but from fear.

Ha! another thought. Perhaps Courtney had either come to the conclusion that the miner did not possess the real papers or that his companion was a myth, and had hence resolved to put Frank out of the way before it was too late.

As Frank became convinced that tho men were following him, he repeated the oath he had made against his enemy. If he should get out of this scrape all right he would go to work in earnest, and before the week was over try in every possible way to find the missing heiress.

Did the three men intend to track him to his boarding house and so find out where the trunks of the lost Milton wore, or were their intentions of a blacker type? Did they intend to murder and rob him?

Despite the coldness of the night, large beads of perspiration stood upon the brow of the young lawyer. With a rapidly increasing pace he walked along tho sidewalk, casting a glance behind him whenever a dark spot was reached. Several times he obtained a momentary glimpse of his pursuers as they passed some gas lamp.

There was no mistaking the intentions of those three huge men by their looks he knew that they meant business, and he could hardly seep from shuddering, for that business was murder.

A sudden gust of wind, a herald of the approaching storm coming from tho northwest, blew off two hats just a^ the men were passing a street lamp. Frank happened to be looking over his shoulder at the time, and his quick eye saw the countenances of the two men before they could recover their head gear.

A startled exclamation came from his lips as he saw the faces. Frank, as a lawyer, had unavoidably come in contact with many rough characters. Having seen these two men liefore, he could well guess who the third one was. Now, more than ever, did he desire to escape without a fight, for even should he come out first best (and with these three burly ruffians it was an extremely doubtful thing) he would receive a rough handling at court.

As has been said before, these three men controlled a great deal of the voting interest of the "bloody sixth" ward, and hence many of those holding offices found themselves indebted to them for their positions.

They had, therefore, many friends in office, and Frank would assuredly get in trouble if he shot one of them, even though it was in self-defense. He resolved, however, that sooner than let the three men murder him, he would shoot all of them and then trustto his good fortune to escape.

That the men were about to make way with him he had not the least donbt. He might have had before, but the faces of Billy and Red Dan have keen seen by the disguised young lawyer, and he knew that these men would never touch their fingers to a job like this unless they were magnificently paid for it.

Would they not get glorious pay now? Was there not in his pocket eight thousand dollars, enough to tempt better men than they to do an evil deed?

At one time Frank felt like throwing the roll of bills into some dark hole ana leaving it there. He would then get the best of the three men, for should they murder him they would find nothing for their pains. This was when he saw their faces: but he soon gave up this plan and resolved to keep the money with him.

Setting his teeth and clinching his fist, he swore that if he could not elude his pursuers he would stand and fight it out with them.

Had Courtney anything to do with this? Frank aslced this question, and in the same breath answered in the affirmative.

Soon the snow began to come down, but so slow as to be almost imperceptible. Most heartily did Frank wish it would fall heavily, for then he eonld easilv elude his enemies by hastening away or dodging into some alley

K"f

but

notwithstanding all his earnest it descended no faster. As he looked over his shoulder again, Frank saw to his horror that the three men had started on a run and were coming up rapidly. It

opes

would

never do for

him to be overtaken here he must run also. Obeying this sudden impulse, the young lawver started off, with the three a

Suddenly a shout behind startled him, and as he caught the words yelledby Ws pursuers he knew that they had the best of him. "Stop, thief! stop, thief!"

The young lawyer had placed himSeir in an alarming predicament. He ought to have remained in hiding and let the detectives do this work. By carrring concealed weapons be had, as weal he knew, pat himself within the

It did not take him more than a few seconds to see through the hastily formed plan of his pursuers. They wished some poH^rtian to join in the race then the

law would be on their side. Frank would fight, and one of them would kill him and claim the money.

In spite of the speed Frant was making, the pursuers were gaining upon him. Up one square and down another Frank rushed, but the three still kept on his track, yelling out the startling words: "Stop, thief! stop, thief!"

A couple of night policemen had come dashing up a side street after Frank passed Dy it, and they joiued in the pursuit, striving to keep up with the three huge runners.

For once in his life Frank Milton was glad that policemen were scarce, for had they been out in full force he must soon have been headed off and captured. By the time another square had been passed over two more officers and several other men joined in the chase.

It looked very much as though Frank was being mobbed. Window sashes were thrown, up and heads, incased in nightcaps, were thrust out as Frank rushed madly along, followed by the crowd, which now nearly reached a score.

One old lady, hearing the cries near her house, thought the thieves were trying to break in, and seizing the water pitcher, she emptied the contents over the crowd which was just passing. A cry of chagrin arose as they felt the icy water descend upon them, and one unlucky fellow looked up just in time to receive the pitcher, which had slipped out of the old lady's hand, full in the fdce.

Frank saw that the case was growing

desperate with him. The

mob, although not gaining, kept its own, and seemed -likely to keep it,

"ceep

too, until some policeman stopped the fugitive. Every moment he expected some officer to spring out and stop him with a blow from his mace or a shot from his revolver.

While nearing the corner, his eye fell upon the grating of the sewer. The only gaslamp lit in the vicinity was that on the opposite corner, and the opening of the sewer was on the southeast side.

At sight of this a plan, which eould only originate in a fertile brain, came into Frank'8 head, and he resolved to carry it out, as it was about the last and only chance he knew of.

Quickly darting around the corner he saw that for a few seconds he was out of his pursuers' sight. What little water had been running in the putters during the day had in tne evening frozen up, and now they were as dry as the street.

Throwing himself into the gutter, Frank began crawling along it toward the iron grating of the sewer, intending to hide close by it.

He had no intention or entering the sewer as1 yet, As the grating commenced just afoot or two from where ho had rolled into the gutter, but a couple of seconds were lost reaching it, and flattening himself out against the two iron bars which helped to hold the iron slab in its place, he waited to see how his plan would work.

A few seconds passed, and then, uttering their loud cries, the mob of men rushed around the corner.

A yell of dismay broke out as they saw the empty square. Where had tho supposed thief gone? Had he entered any of the houses? There was no other way tor him to vanish.

They were about to rush down the street in a mad hunt for him when a window of the corner house was thrown up.

A man's head was thrust out, and a hoarse voice asked: "What's up?" "Hello, is that you Harmal?" asked one of tho policemen, recognizing a day guardian of the peace: "did you see the thief coming around the corner?" "I reckon," answered the man. "Where is he? Which way did he go?" asked half a dozen voices. "He is lying in the gutter, just alongside of the sewer!" was tho startling reply that reached Frank's ear.

CHAPTER XV.

A SLIPPERY .DEAL.

Frank had intended crawling cautiously along until he was around the corner and hence out of sight of the mob, who, but for the words of Harmal, would ere this have been far down the street. The plan would have worked well, for he intended, after the mob had left him, taking off his false beard and whiskers. This would so alter his appearance that, should anyone see him rise up from the gutter, they would not suspect him of being the bearded man they had so sedulously chased and who had so nicely eluded them.

Frank knew what it was to be cheated by a mob but for this he would have stopped and given himself up long before this.

He was aware of the fact, that without doubt he would be pounded around, robbed of every cent he had, be made to keep his mouth shut, and last of all, be dragged away to the station house, where his disguise would soon be seen, and all of his plans rendered entirely use-

Knowing all this as he did, is |t any wonder that he resolved to try his utmost to escape the fiends who were after him.

This he would have done had not the man poked his head out of the window and told the mob that the supposed thief had been lying in the gutter all the time.

When Frank heard the words he was for the space of a few seconds almost paralyzed with dismay. He could heartily curse the meddling day-watchman who had given information of his whereabout.

He felt like jumping up and defying the mob, and then again was for making tracks along the back trail as fast as he could.

Whatever he did must be done quickly, for the crowd, upon hearing that its prey had not yet escaped, and was only playing a very sharp trick, had turned back and was rushing toward the corner as fast as possible. The men had gone a little distance down the street before the head had made its appearance at the window of the house, so they were compelled to turn back over their own tracks.

Frank was Just about to get up and make a run for it, trusting to luck for his escape, when he felt himself slipping into the sewer.

He had pushed himself against the bars which held the broad, iron plate np so that he would be hidden from the eves of anyone who might look in his direction.

Now, as he felt his feet slipping down, by a sudden impulse be grasped nold of the iron bar nearest his head.

The next instant be was hanging by his arms down the catch-basin. Above him he heard the trampling of the men as they rushed on to the large iron plate which formed the corner of the pavement and the cover ef the hole.

Then

t.bo

law, and his own knowledge tow Mm how he would fare should he be caught by a polkeman.

one of the night guardians cried

oat: "He ain't here you've been mistaken,

H"Xo*I

am not. If he isn't there he

must have dropped into the sewer," said the man np in the window. "How deep is it?" asked one of the oth­

,V

^.Vv

"Not over nine feet at tho most." "Here he is!" cried one of the men, he having stepped from the pavement.

By tne aid of the gaslamp across the street he had discovered a pair of white hands, and knew that undoubtedly the fugitive must be where they were, so he had announced the discovery to his comrades.

Frank would havo feared to let go had he not heard the day policemau up in tho window declare that the basin was not over nine feet deep.

When he heard the man cry out he quickly let go his hold and dropped. Wiiere is he?" yelled the crowd. "He's gone now dropped down into the sewer," said the man who had discovered Frank's hands as he held on to the bar. "A lantern! a lantornl",shouted one of the policemen. "Here is one. Light it, dml then take the top off the basin," said the man in the window, and as ho spoke he swung down a common stable lantern with a cord attached to it.

While one of the men proceeded to ignite it the rost pried up the round iron plate which was above the sewer. This is about afoot and a half in diameter, and is taken up by the men who clean the sewers, who otherwise could not lower their buckets.

By tho time it was lifted up and placed on one side the lantern was lighted and lowered down into the hole with the string attached to it.

Soon it rested on the bottom, which, as the owner of the lantern had said, was not over nine feet below the pavement.

The place had been lately cleaned, and not a mark could be seon that would prove that the supposed thief had dropped into the catch-basin.

Only the words of the day-watchman and the .man who had seen Frank's hands just before he dropped could be brought up, and some of tne men began to think that they had been hoaxed after all. "Look here, boys, this proves it," said the day-watchman.

During the minute or two which had been taken in removing the iron plate he had hurriedly dressed and joined the others.

As he spoke, he stooped and picked up out of the gutter the broad, black, felt hat which the bearded man had worn.

A shout went up from the men when they saw this. They now knew that the thief they were after was in the sewer.

After all, they found out that the daypoliceman was the sharpest man among them, and though they had half doubted his word before, they" now looked upon him as a leader. "Rush down a square to the opening below, some of you. We may get him yet, but it is very doubtful, for no may up the sewer. Wait, I've got another antern in the house," cried the man, who assumed the command, and there were none to dispute his leadership..

Some of the men rushed down a square, taking the lantern with them, while thd policeman himself dashed into his house and presently appeared, bearing alighted lantern and a serviceable rope about nine or ton feet in length. He had hastily buckled on his belt, and his long revolver had just as hastily been thrust into it. "Now," said ho as he once more reached the pavement, lantern and rope in hand, "I want two of you to go down with me. Who volunteers?"

Two of the night "copps" were speedily selectod from those who came forward, and then tho rope was lot down into the basin.

The leader, as we must call the day policeman, fastened the lantern to his belt, and catching hold of the ropp slid quickly and dexterously down, in which proceeding he was rapidly followed by the two others. "Some of you men get a couple of lanterns and comedown. Stand out in the main sewer where this pipe runs into it, and remain there until we come back. It is easy to get lost down here!" yelled the leader.

As soon as he had spoken he proceeded to go on, followed by the two daring policemen spoken of before who had Seen chosen to accompany him. Tho main sewer ran down the street about an equal distance from each of the gutters.

The catch-basins at the corners of the streets, which aro covered over with the large, iron slabs, go down from seven to ten or twelve feet, and then a passage very like a tunnel runs out into the middle of tho street and joins the main sewer.

Thus all of the water on a rainy day, for dozens of squares, goes into one receptacle, and to contain this immense flood the sewer must be very largo one. Should any peraon bo caught in the main sewer during a hard ram he would be doomed to a horrible death,'for the water would come upon him so quickly that there would be no chance of escape, and be would be borne along, dashed hither and thither, and at length shot out into the Ohio river an unrecognizable mass of flesh.

But now to return to our story. Slowly and cautiously the three men began to-make their way out toward the main sewer. The leader nold the lantern, and having light they could see any obstacles that were in the way hence there was no stumbling.

One of the two men who followed the lantern bearer

Blipped,

,.#

and had to put

both of his hands against the slimy walls to prevent his falling. A string of curses, both dpep and fervent, came from his lips as he found bis bands covered with black slime, but at a word from the leader he again relapsed into silence, occasionally relieving his over-burden-ed feelings by a deep growl.

The otner man would have liked very much to have laughed, but as he did not know how soon he would be in the «me fix himself and the laugh against him, he restrained himself and wisely kept back the rising mirth.

Not a wordpassed between the three as they made their way out to the end of the tunnel.

There

were a couple of feet

to jump, and telling his comrades to remain where they were, the man with the lantern leaped into the main sewer. What was he about to do?

For what reason had he made bis comrades remain above, while he alono jumped into the sewer? How were they to know which way the thief had gone? Might he not have gone np, as well as down?

The day policeman was really a cunning fellow, and having spent several months out west, his knowledge of trailing. slight though it was, now proved eminently useful.

Just below where the tunnel emptied into the main

sewer,

there was abed of

"slush" several inches in depth, witha very slippery bottom

ur\^6f

leader hadlanded in this, but it did not matter to him a hit. No sooner had he alighted, than

holding

With an indescribable grimace tlu. night "cops" jumped down into slush, one after the other. He who been inclined to laugh at liis couir mishap, picked out a nice spot to ji on, but, his feet slipping, he sat plu down in the black, sweet smelling 11 that had collected under the opening the tunnel.

Resolved not to havo nil of the himself, he managed to pull his conm down with him, and a fbw seconds nf" a double volley of curses, strong cm to have lifted the roof from a log came from the lips of the two unforu ate officers.

Rising to their feet, they dashed a the leader, still muttering choice oa under their breath. The sewer was a very nice place to be in, but the Ithad proved himself game, and they da not turn back upon such a trifling text.

Soon they passed an opening on side of them. It was the tunnel leading from catch basin on the corner, a square low where they had entered the sr In it they could see a lantern ban and the leader told one of the men into the passage and tell those win the lantern to hurry down to the corner. One of the night policemen this, and as he came back tho lant was drawn up.

The leader then went «n, folio closely by tho two officers, who rather moist in the rear.

Business was business with tin however. Hardly had they gone twenty feet fore a flash came from the'darkjn ahead of them, accompanied by1 crack of a pistol, which, in tho se\ sounded twice as loud as usual.

This was quickly followed by whistle of a bullet, as it flow past in el proximity to their ears. Involuutar the two night "cops" dodged, as if peeting another snot from the sa source, and the next one might not wasted on the empty air, but peril find a lodging, rent froo, in one of tl bodies. "Put out the light, Harmal. or bo crow's meat," said one. "No sir-eo if we put out tho light may be crow's meat, anyway, for the sucn a thing as getting lost in tin sewers. Here, cotno on, said llann who was really a bravo man. "There's no good wo can't get hii so lot's go back," said one of tho othe anxious to get out of the rang« of fugitive's fire-arm. "That's what I say. I can fight enough when I see my man, but as being a mark for one I can't get asqui at, why it's all in my eyo, Harmal," claimed the other. "Wait I'vo got a plan, by means which ho may be yet taken. Out wi your revolvers, boys, and if ho shoo again all of uswill'fire twice in the rection wo seo tho flash. D've soo?'' at the leader, as ho spoko, pullod out long revolver and cocked It.

Answering in the affirmative, the tv others took out their revolvers and pu ed back tho hammers, with a sha double click.

Tho plan was a good one, and out "mile jgiti Thoy wore two-thirds of tho

sixbullots one was "pretty sure to hit fugitivo, who would then bo their gam

down to tho other opening, when aga a flash and a report came, and a bul whistled by their ears.

Instantly half a dozon shots sounde and these' wero followed by a wi scream, as of mortal anguish. The cers hastened forward to capture man they had shot. Had they was" their bullets, or had tho leadeh 'lnTs*i damaged tho thief? [TO BK CONTINUED.]

FEES OF DOCTORS.

The foe of doctors is an item that vo many persons aro interested in junt present. We lx lievo tho schedule vi it is $ 3 0 0 ax a confined to his bed for a year, and need of a daily visit,, over

81,000

a v»

for medical attendance alone! Atxl singlo bottle of Hop Bitters taken time would save tho §1,000 and all year's sickness.—Post.

TOAST.

"May we nevor .want a friond, bottle to givo him." A bottle of Thomas' Electric Oil, which euros wounds, burns, scalds, etc.

iti-Ht J! wl lr I no or#*r Millie B• .Abti Mai

tiiiiinalWin ot Hops. Buohu, Man aiMti :ando: ion, ni-d tivd pro|itrtlo(! of all otli'-r Hitter*, .. i/. rho preatewt Blood urlfler, l.lver ii A at or iI ,No c\ nn pnmtf'ly !»np ox!:t wln ii TI|

Uiitfin or* us^'o^o viiriou taxi pcrfuct art the

giv« MW uufc l&flrc Tall v!»cr0 :.Uf •U"0 lrrctrula. ty of ilio Ui7c'aurtHMT or.jtt.i*, or who r. owirc an fc.nl inlitl Sllnmlixiif Ui.y nitK r* arei^vcj^uaMe, without Into* ioatinR. ,\j i.i*ucr wbtttyour fc% UnK* or rymp what tho or flil%110

uantuf

dlgeetiwow*.

tilatwirt

his lantern down,

be looked carefully around him. He vxi* looking far the trail of the pursued man!

A cry from his lips told the two others that the trail had been found, and beckoning them on with his disengaged hand, the leader sewer, trail.

He

.n to go down the

was following up Frank's

ft) silw

:|ISS§ll§Ij#i

''op1,11

ur* wait until you am but ir you only feel bad or

at

,on7

it ly GAve your life. It hasl hundred*. SOOO wlU be paid for onl» knire or help. Do oilier,but uw and themV

u*°

Hop

Remember, Rop BltU-r* is no^^ "'j drunken noatrum, but tho 'LJ**, Medicine*-rer the "UTAUDS^ OMRD and HOP*" and no person or family thuold bo without them. D.t»C. f* a»*oluto andrfrmtibto cur* 1 forUninkenoM, unoof opium, tobacco and I narcotic*. All sold br dinggteta. Send. for Clrmlar. H«y Blttm tUf. 0*.,

Bocbe^erJI.T and Toronto, Ont.

A Compound Tlnoture of the moet val able remedies known to the medic profession, prepared upon strict! pharmaoeuttoal prtnofples.

An wpariaoo* of twwBiy.fli*

year*

pww to

(be KTMtMt Antidote to Malaria aad all otlx Mnwwt known to (b* wwkt Tb# only ab*olmt* twt lor au IM Of

tlM Thiwat

tgUmeUmt, whfla a to tha lull aax tt haa no aqnaL

NOT A BEVERACE sIMU Remedy

wnwlatfciM «n* from tboaa

aaid It Ions— and known It beat. Howhaiw ao popular a* to Lancaster. Pa., wbere baa bM to »r mocw than quarter of a cffDUu

THE MIIIINCIR OF HEALTH q* atead paper deatilrtii* of diaeeae. tta cm, will b« malted ire® to any addraaa

AUi»e aad csf_ application

MISHLER HERB BITTERS CO. Lancaster, Pa. Prof

THE

aaommand to mother* I