Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 11, Number 36, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 5 March 1881 — Page 6

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

The Novelist.

Wheel of Fortune,

—OB,—

THE LOST HEIRESS.

A STORY OF 11EABTS AND HOMES.

BY A PIOVATB BETECTIVK.

{This Btory in The Mail.Febrnan- 5lh. Back numbe»*n be bad of newsagents, or by sending U*e cents for each oopy to the office ofTbc Saturday Evening MaU.]

CHAPTER XVI.

HOLDING THE TWOtBOWJtRfi

When Frank loosened hold oI the iron bar, he expected to fail about afoot His hands were twelve inches below the pavement, and he calculated that he, when holding his arms abOTehis he*i, would measure about seven feet. As the opening waa according to the day police' man's word, about three yards deep, there wo* but a short distance between his feet and the bottom.

Upon letting go, he found tfcat he waa right. Alighting upon the stone bottom, he felt around with hifl bands and goon found the opening. Stepping into this, ho stood still and listened. Soon the lantern was put down, and for a moment rested upon the ground. By the aid of its light Frank saw stout stick at his feet, about a yard and a half long, and thinking that it might be useful be picked it up.

At length the lantern was drawn upward then lie heard the voice of the day policeman asking who would go down with liim. ..

Frank now thought it was high tame he was moving, as it would not do for him to remain there until his enemies oame down.

By feeling in front of him with his stick as he walked, he managed to make his way along without any accident.

Just as he reached the endjof the tunnel ho saw the light behind him, and a second after the forms of his three pursuers came into view. With his stick he was soon warned that the tunnel came to an abrupt end, and Frank felt a shiver run through him as he found this to be a) fact. What if the sewer was too fur below him to be reached with a jump? He would then have to surrender to his pursuers and trust to their leniency. ,,

Suddenly tho thought occured to him, why not hide the money in a crack and then give himself up?

Frank resolved to do this, but only as last resort. With bis stick, which was over four feet in length, he felt down, and to his joy touched the bottom of the main

Hewer.

It was not over

two feet below, and tho distance would 1)0 nothing to him. Lightly ho leaped down, landing in tho mud, as those who followed after him did when they came to the spot.

The way was pretty cloar now, for the water had swept most of the mud out of tho main sower by tho force with which it generally rushed along.

IIiwl it been in the daytime he would not have got 011 so well, f»r in the main sewers there is always, during the day, a stream of water a foot or two in depth from tho gutters but now, in the nuddle of tho night, only a small stream tricklod along, hardly enough to wet a person's feet. The air outside was cold

(KJl Ol/li *vv».

and chilly in the sewer it was warm and had it not boon for tho perfume of tho plaoe, it would havo been quite comfortable.

Ho had not gone far when he caught sight of the light carried by his three pursuers. Frank had sharp eyes, and when ho saw tho two night policeman take a seat in the black

HRme,

he could

hardly help breaking out into a hearty laugh, in spito of the danger ho was in. What a (ino story ho would havo to tell Dick Sharpley tlio next time he saw him. How Dick would roar, and the round faco of Ferritt bepin with fun when thoy hoard the particulars of this solemn midnight pursuit through the sewors.

Once Frank's foot slipped on a stone covered with slime, and ho, very nearly foil. Had it not boeu for tho stick he carried, ho most assuredly have taken a seat upon the dirty bottom, and then he remembered that "pooplo who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."

When ho passed tho mouth of the opening below, he saw tho lantern which was hanging down by a string. He knew what was up, and had not his pursuers been so close to him, would have carried out a neat little plan of his

°\'ho sower was torriblv dark. The policeman could not see anything fifteen feet from thom, for their lantern onlv illumed that distance.

Frank was not twenty feet ahead when thev stopped at the mouth of the passage, and nad they kept on they would have come up with him in a minute or two at least. llv their stopping he gained quite a distance, but as they came on more raphilv than ever, he saw that if something was not done, and that immediately, he would bo overhauled.

He did not wish to shoot the policemen, and would not do so, for they were discharging their duty. Besides, should he even wound one of them and be caught after all, he knew that ho would be putting himself within the reach of the law, by resisting the "officers of

^"lluTthen this was no reason that he must not fire at them. By shooting to one side, or above their heads, he might demoralise them {I will not say "scare," (bra Cincinnati policeman never scares, at least hardly ever), and cause the chase to lie given up as useless.

This plan had no sooner entered Frank mind than he set about putting it into action. Drawing his revolver, he nulled back the hammer, and then pointed it towards his pursuers.

Taking care that it should aim to one aide of them, and that the bullet would not be apt to hit anv of the three, he pulled the trigger. The crack waa twice as loud as he expected to hear, and at first he half thought his revolver had

b°He

found, by using his hand as he hurried along, that the weapon was uninjured, and that it was the closenesa of the undergound place that made the crack seem so verr loud.

His face relaxed into a smile as hesaw the two night watchmen dodge as if expecting another fire, and turning his back to them he hurried along, resolving to make as much of his time as possible.

The three pallceraen stood for several minutes talking. Two wanted to return, while the lender was equally resolved to go on.

At length, following the plan he had originated, they began moving forward a* has been said before. Had the two night "cope" (as the newsboy* call the policemen1) not been afraid of'what their comrade might tell about their "demoraii»tiou," and thus gain a discharge for

them, they would have turned baek and "temooeed the ranch." Upon .looking behind they could see a bright light a square and a half further up, and they knew that this was made by their comrades, who were at the mouth of the passage

where

they had

entered the sewer. A* the sewer descended this light began to grow dim, and soon they loat sight of it altogether.

By the time his pursuers had started again, Frank reached the mouth of the passage below. Upon looking into it he saw the lantern again, hanging by the string. The men outside had obeyed the orders of the day policeman, and hurrying to the street below had let the lantern down through the hole.

Frank resolved to get that lantern ana keep it When he had eluded his p„ would need it, and he would not^ have

such a good ehance to run off with again. Unlike the first passage this one wss only afoot above tho bottom of the sewer, ana hence easy to step up into.

Frank, after leaving the sewer, quickly made his way along. It was light enough for the young lawyer to see how to place his feet there was no slipping or falling on his

^When he drew near to the lantern he put his revolver away and drew from the leg of his boot the dagger he had purchased at the same time as the pistol.

Stepping out of the tunnel into the basin which was drectly under the corner of the pavement, be seized the lantern in his left hand and drew the keen blade across the twine with the other.

The cord parted, and as

Frank

hurried

into the tunnel again with his prize, he heard exclamations of surprise coming from the pavement, and he knew that they were uttered by the several night policemen who had gone down the street to lower the lantern.

When he neared the end of the tunnel again he put his dagger away, blew out the lantern and hung it to the belt, which in his assumed character of a miner he had placed around his waist. ......

He found his stick where he had left it, and then stepping out into the main sewer took a look up it.

The three policemen had oome twothirds of the way down from ths tunnel above, and were walking much faster than Frank could hope to do in the dark. He knew that if he did not do something to retard their progress they would soon be overhauling him.

By the light of the lantern they carried he could see the whole three of them at a glance he found out. that they were prepared to return his fire in ease he shot at them again.

Instantly his determination was taken. Drawing out his revolver he cocked it and taking' deliberate aim pulled the trigger. As the weapon cracked Frank sprang into the opening at his side. It was well he did so, for a double volley came from his pursuers, and half a dozen bullets went whistling past him.

Acting more under the impulse of the moment than from any settled plan, he gave utterance to a loud unearthly shriek, which, magnified by the fact of its being uttered underground, had a truly diabolical sound about it like ths of some evil spirit in distress.

Lieaving his place of concealment, Frank began making his way along again, keeping his eye on his pursuers the while.

Reaching the mouth of the passage the three policemen hunted around with their lantern, expecting to find the dead body of the thief but to their astonishment no body or even blood was to be seen.

Hastening into the passage they looked all over it, and then once more came into the sewer. Continuing their course down, they began coming upon Frank band over hand.

When the latter reached the next passage he gave the policemen another shot and slipped in.

Tho three men each fired twice, and once more that diabolical cry sounded through the sewer. Again they rushed forward, and again they were doomed to disappointment, for no body or trace of one could they find.

Frank had seen that the two night policemen were already half "demoralized," and he determined to frighten them off.

A howl, twice as blood-curdling as the others, came rolling up the sewer. Tho two night "cops" could stand it no more. "Howly mither ov Moses/' cried one who had come from the Emeral Isle years before, and who now, in his "demoralization" went back to the brogue "I can't sthand this any more. Come, bves, let's be gettin'. 'The other night policeman was as badly shaken as liis comrade, and despite the scorn of thoir comrade, the two resolutely turned back, and as there was no alternative the brave man had to follow suit.

The whole three accelerated their pace, and the short hair on the Irishman's head nearly stood straight in his "demoralizntlnn" as another of those horrible veils echoed throagh the sewer.

Those night policemen had had enough of the sewer for one night indeed, it is doubtful whether you could have mired either of them to enter one in a hurry

*^The rage of the three "bloody sixth ward" bruisers, when thev heard of the escape of the mau whom they knew carried eight thousand dollars can be better imagined than described. Had there not been a dozen policemen around they would have attempted to annihilate the "cops" whoj had fallowed Frank into the sewer, but in Harmal they would have found a tough customer.

Meanwhile, Frank, having got rid of his pursuers, went on down the sewer until ho came to where one which was smaller emptied into it. Stepping into this he lit his lantern and made his way along for nine or ten minutes. He thought he was through with adventures for the night, and was now looking for a passage by means of which he might get into the street again.

He had come very near laughing out loud at the fright of the two daring night watchmen, and even now as he thought of it his features relaxed into a smile. How Dick would roar when he a

Frank

felt tired, and wanted to get

home and go to bed. He did not suspect that before he should see the open streets again he wss destined to pass through several thrilling adventures.

Tired of sewer life, he determined to enter the next passage he came to and emerge upon the streets again. The sewer was not an overly nice place to be in, and the sooner he got out of it the better.

At length he reached an opening on the right of him, and as he waa facing the west he knew that it must be on the upper side of the street. Entering this Frank began walking along, but hecould not help noticing, however, that it slanted upward a great deal more than the other tunnels (fid.

What the cause of this was he could not tell. He was soon destined to find out, however, and in away not calculated to impress him in its favor. Again, he uoticed as he walked along the tunnel, that it looked as though it had not

been used very much, for the sides were not covered with slime as all of the others had been.

He g&zed about him in surprise when be found his farther progress suddenly stopped by a heavy oaken door.

With distended eyes Frank stared at it. What could it mean?

This was something he had never heard of before, and he could make nothing of it. There was not a crack in or around the door, and the iron seemed rather rusty. He pushed against the door with all his might, but it would not yield an inch. Upon pulling it toward him, however, he found that it was not secured, and that he could open it.

The door itself, and why it was there, were mysteries no longer. It was placed here to keep tho water out. During a hard rain-storm the sewer was full of water, and the passage

As the door was sound and opened outwardly, the force of the water could not push it in, and therefore it was waterproof.

But now, the next question that presented itself to Frank's mind for solutiyn was: what object the persons in view who had made this tunnel and placed the waterproof door there?

After thinking over the question for a minute, Frank came to the conclusion that the easiest way to solve the riddle would be to pass through.

With his revolver ready in his hand, he pulled the door open and entered, shutting it softly behind him.

CHAPTER XVII. A RISKY MOVE.

Frank let the door shut noiselessly behind him, and taking his lantern from his belt where he had hung it, looked carefully afound. He revolver was in his right hand, and the lantern in his left.

Frank did not find it necessary to take a second look to assure himself that he wasin a cellar. There was no mistaking those stone foundations and the floor overhead. With a curiosity not unmingled with wonder, he looked around at the various articles that were in the place.

Along three of the sides were boxes and barrels, filled with many different things. Directly opposite iTank was another oaken door, similar to the one he had just come through. It was barred, and about the middle was a hole about afoot square. This was covered by the board which had been cut out and then replaced with a hinge at the top, looking for all the world like the hole in the solid door of a prison cell, through which the keeper shoves the food.

Frank heard a slight noise, as if the adjoining cellar had an occupant, and then his attention was attracted by a shuffling sound overhead.

It seemed as if several persons were having a dance on the floor above him. At length it stopped, and then the young lawyer, by using his ears well, could hear voices.

Near the middle of the cellar was a pair of wooden stair, and at the top of these a trap door.

This was now shut, but Frank could hear the voices of the men above him quite plainly. For nearly five minutes he listened to their conversation, and at the end of that time had arrived at the conclusion that there were four of them. By their slang talk he knew they were burglars. This, then, explained the many articles that were in the cellar. He had found his way into a regular "thieves' fence."

As his eyes, in roaming about the came in contact with the door op~ to him, he could not help thinking some person must be confined in the other cellar.

Frank resolved to see for himself. The door was fastened by two huge bolts, and these could be pulled back by any man who possessed sufficient strength. Why, then, did not the prisoner put his arm out of the wicket and pull back the bolts? Frank wondered at this, but concluded that the man must be chained or fastened in the room.

Pushing up the swinging board with his revolver, he looked through. As his lantern cast its rays into the other cellar, aloud roar reached his ears, which, had it been heard by the three policemen who had followed him into the sewer, would have "demoralized" them worse than ever.

As this terrible sound came to his ears, Frank was tempted to make his way out of the cellar as rapidly as possible. Indeed, he did-let the swinging board drop into its place again and naif turned around, but the desire to see what was in the other cellar overcame his slight joard 1-gat creek liable to sudden rises, lie held up

gl

fear, and pushing up tho board, which somewhat resembled a flood-gate over a

his lantern and this time peered in. He was saluted by another terrible scream, the like of which Frank had never heard before, followed by a growl.

Notwithstanding the situation he was in (burglars overhead, and some terrible beast in the cellar next to him), the young lawyer did not draw back again, out used his eyes to good effect.

He had expected to see something fearful, but wfcen his eyes, after going around the room, fell upon the form of its only occupant, he could not keep back an exclamation of alarm.

Crouching in the corner of the cellar, with its shining eyes fixed full upon him, was the largest tiger that he had ever set eyes on, its yellow and black sides appearing beautiful in the light of the lantern.

This, theu, was the prisoner. As Frank realized it, he felt all of his former inclination to release the captive, die out of his breast. He no longer wanted to open the door and let the prisoner out. On the contrary, he found himself looking apprehensively at the oaken door, and mentally calculating whether it was strong enough to resist the attack of the tiger, should he attempt to break .through.

Frank had already seen enough, and, his curiosity being satisfied, he let the wicket drop, and stood still. At this instant he heard a noise at the top of the stairs.

Some one was about to open the trapdoor. Blowing out his lantern, Frank sprang behind a pile of boxes and crouched down. Then the trap door was pulled up, and a flood of light came into the cellar.

The trap was laid back and a man's feet came into view as he reached the second step.

Whar ye going, Tim Baker?" said a gruff voice from the room above.. "Ter get sum more wine, Cap," said the man on the steps. 'Then let Duffy go, Tim he can give hunk of meat to the Yellow Prince. The critter yowls like be war hungry," •aid the gruff voice.

The man's legs disappeared from view, and a few seconds later another man descended the stairs. Frank had laid his lantern on the ground, and now held his revolver.

The man coming down the steps was a burly ruffian, with bushy whisk era and villainous face, which would have been sufficient warrant for any him to the State's prison, die in his left hand, and a couple of barrels, thrust

into one and drew out a raw piece of meat, several pounds in weight, with a large bone in it-

Walking over to the wicket, he pushed it open and let the meat drop inside. There was a shaking of the door as the tiger jumped against it, and then a snapping sound, which proved that the animal's keen sense of smell had already shown him where the meat lay, and that he was now at work on it. "Go it, Yellow Prince, but you'll never git out of there. Now for the wine. I might as well bring up half a dozen bottles as one," and as the man spoke, he stepped over toward the boxes behind which Fraak had hidden.

The wine was in those very boxes, and the young lawyer wasin danger of being discovered.

When near them, the burglar stopped and began snuffing the air. "Hallo, Cap!" he cried out.

Frank, thinking he was discovered, again cocked his revolver. This teas the third time he had done so since firing the last shot at the policeman in the sewer!

This may seem a very trifling matter to emphasize, but the reader will soon see, as Frank aid to his cost, that such a small and almost insignificant thing may sometimes make a good deal of mischief. "What is it Duffy?" came the gruff voice from above. "Have any of you been down here lately with a lantern?" "No. What do you ask that for?" growled the man called "Cap," as he appeared above and looked down into the cellar. "Because it smells like burnt oil," said Dufiy. "Go to the mischief!" cried the other, disappearing from the trap.

Duffy, as the man was called, walked over to the boxes which concealed Frank and, taking off the lid of the top one, he looked into it. "Empty,by thunder!" said he, putting his candle on the ground, and taking on the top box he laid it down beside the others.

As he did so, he gave a violent start. He had discovered something. What could it be?

The man had seen Frank's lantern as it lay on the ground beside the young lawyer, and Duffy knew that the lantern could not have got there itself a man must be with it. "Hallo, Cap! come down here, quick ther Prince is gettin' out!" yelled Duffy, and three men came tumbling down the stairs in obedience to his cries. Naturally their eyes roved in the direction of the stout door, which they expeoted to see shaking under the strength of Yellow Prince.

At a glance, however, they saw that Yellow Prince had no idea of trying to break out, and they were about to demolish Duffy, when the latter, quicklyturning toward the spot where Frank lay, spoke: "Now, my fine fellow, whoever you are, please ter come out. I seen yer lantern, an' also yer foot, so ye can't pull/ the wool over my eyes. Out with ye quick, now!"

As the burglar spoke, he drew a terrible, large knife, and held it in his right hand, ready to "carve" Frank when he appeared.

Seeing that he was discovered, and that to remain behind the boxes would be foolish, Frank rose up, holding his right hand, which contained his ready pistol, behind him. "Thedevil!" ejaculated the others, as thev saw a form suddenly rise before them. "Not quite," said the intruder, coolly. "I'm no relation to his Satanic Majesty." "If you ain't you'll be with him in less'n five minutes, for we're goin' ter cut yer heart out," said Duffy, in blustering tones. "You'll never do it," said Frank, quietly. "I won't hey? What's to hinder me?" said the man, advancing. "Stand back! Advance another step, and you meet your fate!" said Frank, as the man continued to advance toward him. "Not if I knows it, chicken. You're my meat. I'm at you, my covey. Men don't get killed with words," said Duffy, advancing. "But they do with lead pills. You rush to your doom. Mr. Duffy, please swallow that pill, and if it don't cure you of all the ills that flesh is heir to, please notify me, and I'll repeat the dose."

As Frank spoke, he drew his right hand from behind him, aimed the cocked reyolver at the burly thief and pulled the trigger.

A sharp crack sounded through the cellar, and the ball sped on its mission of death. Striking the burglar in the breast, it proved to be a deadly wound. For a few seconds the man remained ust as he had been standing when shot. Then, with a shriek that echeed through the place, he threw up his arms, letting the huge knife which had often, perhaps done him good service, drop, he fell heavily to the ground, upon which he lay a corpse.

For fully half a minute the man's comrades stood speechless, staring first at Frank and then at the dead body of their comrade.

The intruder was the first to break the silence. It was forced on me and I had no choice," said he. "Ye lie," roared the man called Cap. "If any of you wish to travel a^er Mr. Duffy, just step up. I'll give you a free pass and a check lor all your bag-

Frank,

to send Id acan-

ige to the lower world." exclaimed presenting his revolver at his enemies.

WTith a loud, avenging yell, the three ruffians dashed upon him, and the hammer of his revolver fell, but no report followed.

And no wonder. The nipple upon which it fell was bare, for Frank had, by drawing back the hammer of the revolver several times, come to the tube which he had fired off at the policemen in the sewer.

Like a flash it all rushed into Frank's brain, and knowing that there was no time to work the hammer so as to bring the two loaded barrels around again, he suddenly and dexterously threw the weapon at the foremost of his assailants.

It struck the man square in the faco, and the blood gashing from his nose made him look horrible.

Stooping down, Frank picked up the lantern and dashed it in the face of a second ruffian, the article breaking, and nearly demolishing the ruffian's nose, so great was the force with which it was thrown.

Uttering yells of,rage they came at him •gain. Putting out his foot, Frank kicked over the candle, and then, quickly taking advantage of the darkness, made a rush for the steps, intending to run up and shut the trap door upon the three

^Buffor an unlucky accident his plan would have succeeded. His foot catching on some object be fell beavilv tothe^ound, and before be could

collect

ng over to right hand

his scattered senses enough

to rise, the huge form of the leader was upon him.

The two others came to his aid, and Frank was dragged up stairs into the room above.

After his hands had been secured, the leader spoke. "Wh© are ve, any way, and how did ye git in?" said he. iTank told how he had been chased by the policemen, and also how he had escaped. The men were greatly amused at

thiB,

although thev did not believe

it.

They thought Frank was a detective, and the disguise that they had taken from him made this a conviction. One of them said that he had seen the prisoner talking to Dick Sharpley in a saloon up town.

When they began searching Frank for weapons they came across the roll of bills.

Such an astonished set of villains Frank had never before seen. With trembling fingers and exclamations of delight they counted it over and then turned to their captive whom they now believed to be a tnief but for all that they had made up their minds not to let him go.

Going over into a corner, they consulted lor a few minutes, and then the leader, coming up to Frank, spoke: "Stranger," said he, "you may not let ye go. We can't help keepin' this money, and if we let ye go ye'd be down on us like a thousand of brick. Ye have found out our secret entrance, too. The death of Duffy must be avenged. Ye fought like a brave man see if ye kin die like one."

As the man spoke he made a motion, and Frank was nurried into the adjoining room. A trap was opened, and then while the two men helu the captive the leader cut his bonds.

A lighted lantern was swung down through the trap and fastened above. All

thiB

was done in a minute, and

then before Frank fully comprehended their intentions the two men had pitched him through the open

trap.

As he fell

he graspeathe edge in sheer desperation, but the leader stopped on his fingers, and he had to loosen his hold.

He alighted on his feet, and then the whole horrible truth burst upon him. He was standing face to face xcilh the huge tiger, Yellow Prince!

CHAPTER XVIII. A LINK MISSING.

It was on this same night, about ten o'clock, that a tall man made his way down Vine street, heading toward the river.

HiB broad-brimmed hat was pulled down over his eyes, and no one would have recognized him even had that article been

©If,

Dick bad all along entertained a strong suspicion as to whom the missing heiress was, but had forborne mentioning it to Frank, for fear he was on tho wrong track. If he was right, then in a short time he could have the pleasure of informing his yoting friena that the heiress was no longer missing.

As he walked down the'street, Dick was thinking over the situation, and revolving plan after plan in his head, but soon dismissing them in rotation.

If he had only some hold on Courtney then he would know how to work. Had Dick realized all that was to hap-

Eave

en in the next six hours, he would not been so gloomy as he walked down the street.

He had promised Frank Milton to have something to tell him on tho morrow: as yet, however, he had nothing but his suspicions to relate to Frank, and these would prove but a slender meal when something more substantial was expected.

Vine street, at this hour and on this night, was well-nigh deserted, and below Third street, wholly so.

The detective met only one person between this street and Front, and this man was there by necessity, as he was a private watchman and had charge of many of the great stores in the vicinity of Pearl. "How are you, Mooney?" said Dick stopping in front ef this man, who, well muffled up, was walking slowly down the street. He did not recognize the voice, and asked who it was. "Dick," said tho detective, proceeding onward again. "Blame me if it ain't Dick Sharpley, as got me my position. He's out night after night, and he knows more about the outcasts of this city than any other living being," muttered the man called Mooney as he looked after Dick's retreating form.

With rapid strides the detective pursued his way down the street and reached the landing. He hoard a puffing noise made by the steam from the pipes of the ferry, and presently the outline of the boat appearea in the middle of the river. The two smoke-stacks were visible, and on the one up the river hung a red lantern. This proved to the detective that the boat was coming toward him, but he did not care for that as he had no intention of crossing.

Making his way carefully down the landing (and as the river was high he had not far to go) he stepped on to the float just as the boat came against it with a bang.

There was a rattling of cog-wheels a drawing tight of the rope, almost as tough as iron, and the boat was firmly fastened to the float.

The wooden bar was put aside and a wagon came off which was followed by seven or eight foot-passengers.

Soon after the boat went off again, taking very few passengers, for the theaters were not yet out, and hence the crowd of Covingtonians who would come from the various places of amusement had not as yet arrived.

Upon reaching the float Dick had walked to the lower end and seated himself upon a post, which was flat on top and nearly a foot square. As the boat left the float be saw the night watchman of the ferry coming toward him, lantern in hand. ,, "A pretty cold night, my friend," said the detective, as the man oame around the house on the float and paused to look at him. "Indadean'it is yer 'onor but come into the bouse. Shure an* it's warmer there, bedad," declared the man, leading the way into the house.

Dick took a seat and then spoke again. "You've been night watchman on the

boat

for seven months, haven't you?" inquired Dick, turning taward his companion. •'Bedad an'ye're reight." answered the Irishman, loosing carefully at Di not recognizing anything iamilia him. "Your name is Pat Muiphy?" "It is, yer 'onor," said the man, only a little surprised, for anyone might know these two facts he had never kept them secret* "You are from Ballyneale, Kilkenny county, Ireland?" asked Dick. "Right again, yer 'onor," said Mur-

Am I right?" and Dick ooolly took out a cigar, lighted it at the lamp which Will fixed up against the wall and oommencOd to smoke.

For a moment the man sat speechless. As to the first three questious, he had not thought much of them, but this last one staggered him, in fact it knocked him flat.

He had not told a single person about his intention in coming to Ameriea, and now was taken aback to hear Dick speak of it.

He was not keen enough to see that Dick must have got Ids startling information from some other man just frost Ballyneale. "The divil, an' who air ye?" asked Pat in amazement.

The other leaned over and whispered his name in Murphy's ear. "Och, a detective officer! I've heard of ye often but, mither ov Moses, 1 hope ve ain't after me," said the Irishman, leaping to his feet. "Not a bit of it, my friend. I have some work for you to do. Look here

sand pounds? Wouldn't that buj* Kitty?" asked Dick. "Shure an' it would, yer 'onor. For that money I'll do any lawful thing. ain't a coward no, a Murphy is never a coward, and now what work do you want done?" asked the Irishman. "Not so fast. Put a

ents

for he was well disguised.

It was Dick Sharpley, the man-track-er. What his mission was we shall soon see.

Btopper

to your

tongue for a moment and listen to me. Last Monday night two men came down to hire a boat of you. One was Fraak Milton, and now I want to find outaa best I can who the other was. Did you see his faoe?" "No, ysr 'onor he had it covered up. He was'a tall man, and wore a black overcoat with a velvet collar. Ho had a fur cap on and a pair ov fur gloves but shure an' I seen something that I'd know agin," said Murphy. "You did well, what was it?" put iu the detective. "Bedad, an' he had his lift glovo off. When he was goin' to jump down into the skiff he put that hand on the edge ov the float. "On his finger was a signet ring, an' a divil ov a funnv wun, too. I had a good look at it, an' shure 1 could tell it anyt where." "What did it look like?" asked Dick. "Bedad. yer 'onor, there were two sar-

(which Ireland never saw the oike ov) twisted around each other, wid both ov their heads stickin' up an' their tongues out. There was a box or chiat under thim that they

Beemed

to bo de-

finding. Faix it was a curious ring, an' I niver saw the loike ov it. Tho serpents were fiery red from head to toil, an' were set on a plate ov gold. It muse be worth a dale ov money, for it was a rale beauty," said Murphy. "The very thing. I've seen that ring on Courtney's finger many a time uiyBelf!" excliumod Dick, exultantly. "An' is Courtney his name?" asked Murphy, his quick ear catching more than Dick intended him to hoar. "Yes," said he, resolving to trust the Irishman so far, "his name is Courtney, but enough of that. Would your be willing to stand up in court and swear to that ring, also to the size, genera l'-ap-pearance and clothes worn by the man on that night I might as well tell you now as any other time that there is danger in this Fusiness. Should Courtney get off (which is not at all improbable) ne will hunt you down as sure as you live unless you leave the city. Now, for the money, dare you risk all this? Will you take the chances of Courtney's getting off?" asked the detective, making, upliis mind to tell tho Irishman all, so that, should things turn out w^ofig, Murphy could not reproach him for leading him into danger without worning him. "Yes," said Murphy, in a steady tone, "knowing all this, I say that I will do the work ye want me to. By tho howly Barpint, there is a great risk, but the reward overbalances all. I'll do it, yer 'onor." "Good. You may throw up your position to-morrow, for I may need you to do something. If wo succeod you will need your place no longer, for you will have the thousand pounds. If we cyme out at the small end of tho horn, I can get you a better job than this one, at fifteen hundred a year, up in Toledo. "All will be decided within a week, maybe in loss, therefore you will have to be idlo only that short time. "And, now to-morrow afternoon at three o'clock I want you to report at my office, No. Fourth street, between Vine and Race. "If I am not in, my partner may be there, and if neither of us are, I'll meet you here at five." "Och, I'll be there, yer 'onor, shure. Bedad, an' it's in style I'll bo coming home to tho Ould Dart and claim me little bride. Won't I astonish the natives though? Me eye but it's grand!" and the happy Irishman could hardly keep from going off into a jig. "Be sure ana come to the office, Pat. I'm off now good-night," and Dick walked off the float just as tho ferry came against it with a bang that staggered the detective not a little. "Good-night, an* pleasant drames ter yer 'onor," called out Murphy.

Dick went along the landing, and turning into Vine street, proceeded to make his way upward.

In his head ne had already mapped out his plan. The next morning he intended finding out whether he had oome across the missing heiress of Courtney Manor.

If his suspicions proved true, then tho thing was as good as done, for Frank had the papers to prove that Courtney was not the rightful owner of the manor and property, and that there was an heiress to it all and now, if lie could roduce that heiress (and tho detective 'elt pretty certain that he could) then

JL

at Dick, but rabout

^^There is a man, a wealthy man, living there, named Terry OToole. He has a pretty daughter, and you fell in love with her. Her father swore you should not have her until vou could show a thousand pounds. You came to America and you are working for that money.

8B1S1I

Courtney** fate was sealed, even though he failed to be convicted of the attempted murder of Frank Milton.

All ef his property would 1)0 taken away from him at one blow. The mansion in town, Courtney Manor, which was several miles out in the country, and everything else would leave hi# grasp.

Dick could not help thinking that after all Frank had played his cards well on that eventful night, for his copying the three papers

and

deceiving Courtney

proved that he was not lacking in keen-

He knew his own hand and had partly suspicioned Courtney's, also the treacherous shot with which the villain had opened the aflfcir.

Had Courtney obtained the real documents on that night, the game would have been ended at once, and as to their proceedings against the villain, Dick and the young lawyer might have threwn up their cards.

But the true papers *ere safe in the keeping of Frank, who waa ready ani illing to produce them at any time.

Dick could not help wondering what id become of the lawyer, and where he had become of the lawyer, ana wnere ne was just then. Had be known thatJust at that very moment his dearest friend was being chased through the dark sewers by men of the law, he would have been considerably agitated. It was well for Dick that he was ignorant of this,.

Continued on Seventh rage.