Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 11, Number 38, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 19 March 1881 — Page 6

"THE

11

MAIL:he

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPI-E.

The JSfovdtet.

Wheel of Fortune:

HifHtfitf' t.it:

:':4l A STORY OF HEARTS AND HOMES, IU «&)

Jyj BT4 J'RIVATH ivKftMVnVK.

[Thte story wu began in The Mall, Fe*mary oth. Back numbers can be had

'*1**

of

news­

agents, or by sending Ave orate for each oopy to the office of The Saturday Evening Mall.] ,4 j. vbkXPTER XXII.

TL HSINO OF THE TIDE.

As has been remarked before, these three burglars were not quite bloodthirsty enough to witness the death of -Frank bv the tiger and so, after hurling jiim down, they shut the trap and went into the other room. Seating themselves at the table, they proceeded to dnnk the •wine which Duffy had gone down after and failed to bring, as he still lay in the C&I1AT*

The work they had just accomplished bad excited them somewhat, and they drained glass after glass of the liquor without any visible effect. The "Cap, as he was called by the others, was a tall, sinewv-looking ruftian, with a face that, in itself, would have condemned him se•fore any judge in the city. His two companions were not troubled with good looks either, and the trio, taken'together was as liard a set of rascals as ever drained a glass to the dregs or sat in council together.

Duffy had been the equal of any of them, so far as repulsive looks and bulldog courage went, but now, alas for luut, ho would never crack another crib in their company. His last "jimmy" had been handled, his last oath uttered, and jiis last breath in this world taken—lie was dead.

After

fortifying themselves with sev­

eral classes or wine apiece, they again began to examine the money they had found on Frank. ujk. acuoil haul, boys in fact, the best we've made for There's only three of us, an' eight thousand dollars in the pile. Hank, ye know suramin' 'bout 'rithmetie how much apiece? said the captain.

The man add roamed as Hnuk proceeded,

with a Httimp of a

ourish, to Mo pencil, and l^eg

Yes, but listen tor that whoop. Tho Yellow Prince has got hold of him at last. He fought with his hands a8 hard as a man will tight for his life, but lie's uofto under now,"answeredJthe leuderad a louder howl than any came from the deu beneath.

Tho burglars took it for granted that the tiger had killed the man, and thte teii rible howl was one of triumph. Had they l*en good jndgqs, they would hav^ known It to bo a death veil.

Tho Yellow Prince lay motionless on the ground in his cell, while Frank was busily engaged just then in recovering his breath. ','

None of the three men wanted to look down through tho trap, for thOjWll would, without doubt, 1)6 lightedhfb W the lantern and the sight prove too sickening.

For alsmt ft quarter' „f an hour the three men talked up stairs, and then* Hank said he was going to get some more

"Have tt look at the I'rinao when you ii," saWl tli® lender. The mat up tho trap door, dm-ended into the ee! lar. He shuddered when lie saw tho body of Puffy lying j»«t where he hft'd fallen, but not fug to look se-oud time at his defunct comrade strode over to where tho wine was and took out a couple of bottles. The%walkti»g to the barred door, he pushed up the wicket ami peered in.

For several seconds he eould see nothing, for the tiger's body lay in a comer then the truth1)utstsujpoii him, at)d he staggered back. "t^pr he yelled,

Bicom#

down

quick He eould say aomethlng vety-hes with his foroMM, and be measured bin length upon the around, his lanternIfoing out and leaving the cellar irv.darkness.

i\p more, for just thgyi heavy came in contact

The two tiami came rushing to The top of the »t«|*vatKl tUMI, seeing that all below wan aark, Uioy .wWt quickly back lor a candle.

Down they tamr wHth a rush, uearly tumbling DulTy lay at the (oot of Uicitsil

At

whWi stifl

ftmt they thought the tiger had gotoutj'tnd «us troy t€®ie down, drew their revolvers*, but I giin$e at the barred door suffer! fiieua Bits Wait twf the OM.

ten their revolvers but I gla^n'

What, then, «ot|14 in the raatter.wlih ltank? tie was lying just where he fell, with the Wood trickli where he bad knew tfeai nuu* uw|n had done this, but who

They owt

«ch othm tlO* Hank, while the candle, w«nt jibd J6oied in tlmtugh the

The Mght haaaw »tarWed him terribly. Now he realised how Uaok had come to be knocked senseless. The young man had killed the tifMr, made hi* «w*pe from thedm.and after knocking Hank down, had more than likelyee«p«d into the sewer. The bo ighur pushed hack one of the large bolt.*, and had laid his hand on the second, when the other leaped to Mai feet. a "Hold, fool!" berried, "wouldye let that devil of a tiger out?" *'He wont come out/* said Tim. "Wont eh? Don't ye know he%always trying to get out. He'll be on us like a tlaih, and then we're dog's meat!" yelled the other.

Mlfyou

like it letter, Cap, he cant

oottw ouCsald the Kcoad burglar.

-S'S-,,~ss

words vouchsafed, as he moved aside S/o make room fort lie captain. Stepping up, the leader peered through the wicket, andtben started back. "Fiends takeJtl if ti*J hound tfnt killed the Prince. Sow did he do It, Tim?" turning to his companion as

he's onty got

a

oduce the an figur­

ing on the table. "Twenty-six hundred an' sixty-six dollars apiece," heat length announced. 'Well, that's a good haul," said Mm Baser. who had not yet spoken "why, St would buy two sals of the best 'tools' ever made but the feller iskeepin' awful quiet."

A roar and theu a growling sou ad came to their ears,

t\,

1

"He's agone-up o0n now. I wouldn't give a cent for bis chance, but I must say he dies game. Not a yell or a curse, an' the feller Ave shoved in last month made a tcrriblo racket," declared thetall villain. "That's sO, Crtivlio does die game, an? no mistake. I believe he was a thief,, after all, and if we wanted, we could have got him tkjineus», but then we'd a lost this haul, and cosh is handy at times whott some of the pesky detec's aronfter you. All the ptsoperty down stairs wouldn't do you any good then, but little cash will get you a disguise and carry WJWUIoj* ^m- ml

Ik?

have had a knife. XTgh! I wouldn't want to fight the Prince w*u wduld bejtwta^bad

ht the Prince with only a knife, ft bejta*t.a*bad before three mpfyjaf I^xfildn't do that, byar, Em," said the leader,

said Tim. But look bj "he muster two ago 'causeit was mwi out. He's gone th*hi»h the «ewer. Let's go after him." ..

The other burglar hesitated, for he did not much like the idea of fOUowing Frank. The young man Jiad alread laid out two of the burglars, one deac *o& the other in«ensible and worse than all, had killed the monstrous tiger, Yel low Piinee.

Tlv" xroved 4#eyood a doubt that he was a terrible Jfighter, and Tim hesitated afcmt going af^r hi^ Seeing this, the be re it

He's gat our aecnet, and if he get's off, we're gme up. The secret of our entrance by the sewer might as well be published in the Commercial as for the

"cjpp«M

to get it Then ye Itaom Tim,

knifip, whilo we has- our

shooters." This last was a clineber, and it decided Tim's waveringtuiuiL "That's so," said he, "here's Hank's weapon's all ©. K. He^ain't got them, an'so he only ha* his kniije., I'dlike to know where he got that. I%Hs storo We searched him good. Come, let'sgo."

The leader had lit Hank's lantern, and now each of the men held alight in one hand sfad a revolver in the other* The two lights illuminated the cellar well, and the many objects with which the thieves' fence was stocked were plainly se*n« J: «VL'

There was ontv ope dark spotrin the whole apartment!, and that was just back of the stairs which led up to the room above. "Yes," cried the captain, "we will hunt him down through the sewer, for our kimrade Duffy must be avenged. No mcrcv to him. We will shoot him down on sight, without warning." "I believe I ought to have a word to say about that, being the party most interested!" came a voice from behind them. v.

CHAPTER XXIII.

SKE1NO AN ADVERSARY'S HAND.

Tho two burglars had not suspected tho presence of their late prisoner in the cellar, aud were therefore amassed to hear him utter those sarcastic and significant W&rds.

Turning quickly at this sudden and unexpected interruption, the two men saw a sight that made their lower jaws drop.

Standing close beside the stairs, from behind which he had come, was the'very man who had been their prisoner not half an hour tiefore, and whom they had mercilessly given over to the tiger, and were just now resolving to hunt down to the death.

When they first heard his voice it had startled them greatly, and they had turned, expecting to see him standing there knife in hand. As to his being there they were not mistaken, but in regard to liis knife they were.

Both of Frank's arms wero extended, and when the two burglars turned they found Duffy's .and |»uj own revolver

al

'irtuuirxnS^ting rcunrsnoarr A gldttce athia flushing eyes told the burglars that there was a quick death,in storefpr thirti If they attempted to do anything.

^1 »y knetir the tl^nponJ1Were" Jid ^atul ready to go off at a fc light pressure of the fin

'Ueuts," said FBank, coollyi .looking thoiwrf disconcerts burglars full in the

to let the lights drop, and. in the darktrees risk it, but I'll tell vfeu iffet no go. If you try to you are both dead men no|di*vUwy ttich the ground. I swnrK»o ^otli of you Know Dick Sharpley. Well, it tviw hes whd^int^ht ihe how to fchoot, and I'm death on the trigger.^ If you want to test iiie, go^on—di6«oua*thin^— let them drop."

Neither of the burghim "oared tb Jnst then." They, would rather be excused, for tlievsaw that Frank iheartt every word he'had spoken, and that if they attompted any Ijack-hauded work* they were dead men.

Thev had in fact both thought of .letting the lights drrijpaud'of springing upon Frank in tlie darkness, but now they did not dare try that. No they held on to the lights tighter than ever now, for they knew that to let them slip from their grasp was to invoke instant death.

If ever two men fount! themselves ••aught lh pretty trap these two did, aud they ir«uuel it, too, judging by their looks. "Now,\gents," said Frank, "let those revolvers drojj before^count five. One, two, three-

The two pistols drOppetl to the ground at the wortl,"|liiye," and the tnen Stood fIISC116^3?• "(JentleiaW ot tlie jnry,1* sald fhe young lawyer with a smile, "the tables are changed, the title of fortune hat turneil. Half an hour ago I was your prisoner And v&u condemned meto pe tiger's den. fortune has smiled upon me and you are Itoth in toy power and I condemn vou to the State's Prison. You are well known characters, and every iudgt in tlie will raids ujp his helixiest sen-

You'll either be in row, or lying on the hullet apiece to Tim IT he

eno'ugli!

mv fine 1M. I'm a lawyer and a des-

has got a crack tl^it will lav,h|n* ow for an hour vet, and by that of here.'"

iI hope

v'

to be out of here." Frank, when he emerged from the in which had occaood hi»4«nible with lhe t%er, UM the _v of Duffy thenrst thing.

To his Joy he found lils own revolver on the gmnnd sVid the burgikr's In tlie dead nwnVi belt. The* be qoiekly -opriated, and then sat down to think, noon iiiade up his mind to get ahead of the burglars ami recover his money and his disguise. I

He did not want to go out on the street In his present condition without max coat or hat, and minus the false beard, wijjwnd whiskers.

it, aa rhisk

gamehe was playing was not yet

over. The best plan Frank could think of was that he should wait In the collar until one of the men came down, shoot hint, and also the two others when they rushed down to sec what was the matter. ......

Having determined upon this plan he proceeded to put it into execution. He saw that the placo behind the stairs was the only dark spot in the whoM cellar, and ensconcing himself there he extinguished the light and waited. T«n minutes passed then the trap was tbrowfe open, and the burly burglar called Hank descended into the cellar.

What 'the man's back was toward him he saw that it was a splendid chance to give him a blow.

Taking advantage of the man's surprise, Frank crept up behind him, add as Hank was just yelling out to the two men above that the tiger was dead, he received a terrible thump on Ids forehead given with a will by the young man with the but of Duffy's heavy revolver. ,f

At first he-had resolved to kill the fellow, but seeing such a fine chance for a knock-down he concluded to. use the butt of the revolver instead of its contents on Hank.

Without even a moan the man fell to the ground insensible, his lantern going out and leaving the cellar in darkness. Frank began feeling his way back io the stairs, ana when the other two burglars came down with the lighted candle he had reached his old hidiug place.

Noiselessly he had made ready both of his revolvers, and then listened to the conversation of the two men.,

When they spoke of following him up and showing no merry, Frank could stand it no longer. He would show them that they were in his power after all. Stepping out into the light he aimed a revolver at each of the men, and then spoke the words before mentioned.

Frank knew just what to dojwith thfe two villians whom he had captured, and asi he desired to leave this den, which was repulsive to him, he proceeded to go on with his plan. "Now look here. Cap you stand

Hank was

After. Frank left, them the burglars cursed and yelled for a long time, for they could near him moving about in the room above. il(iYo"oefiyfng'Th'ere^*whne their foei tn rummaged among' the things directly above tnem.

At length the footsteps on tlie lloor ceased, and they knew that he had left the house.

Several hours pafskl away, and then Tim announced that he had bitten, through the rope that held Hank.

The latter soon released the others, tyut.all attempts to get out were futile, for they could not push back the bolts5 that wero on the door, and though the captain did climb up on Tim's bac, yethe found the trap door fast, it being bolted on the other side.

That they were in a bad fix was certain. What did their enemy mean to do with them Was it his intention to a

Hours passed away, and by consulting an old bull's eye timepiece that the leaderf carried, the found it was nearly noon.

Then thev heard a trampling on the floor above'which gradually descended the steps,

The bolts were shot back, the door opened, and half a dozeu blue coated policemen headed'by a detective entered the room. The burglars would have fought had they possessed weapons, but with empty hands they could do absolutely nothing agaiust six or seven sturdy policemen, and so wisely refrained from making any attemp tat resistance.

The three were marched off to the station house, a rabble of street boys following behind, deterred from venturing too near by tucir natural fear of the 'blue-coats."

How came the police here? It was of course some of Frank's work.

After disguising himself again, he left the place. The house itself was a crazy old building on Third street, and far back from tne sewer, which accounted for the length of the passage. There was a yard in front, full of rank weeds, and noting just where the place was (which he was enabled to do by the aid of a gaslamp in front of it). Frank walked out into the street, making fcis way up toward Seventh.

This night had been the most exciting one Frank Milton had ever experienced. First, he had faced death while in the room at Courtney's them again, when the mob was after him third, the sewer and last, but not least, in the bur

BKb more ad ventures during ht hours than most men see during a lifetime.

Reaching Seventh street be turned down, and arriving at his boarding a»«*id of bis brtehentered with ay.

It was about four in the morning when he reached his room. Everything was ast as he had left it, and be sought his feeling utterly woro oat frith his ht's work. must have bad iron nerves, for ten minutes after retiring, he was fast asleep.

He slept until eight o'ciock. and then got up, feeling much refreshed. The first thing he did after breakfast waa to write a note «rtd (Bract ft to the chief of police. He told something about the boose he had been in, saying that it was a regular thieves* fence, and that three burglars could be found by the police locked up in the cellar.

After writing this, Frank went up town and mailed it. It was nearly ten o'clock, and having nothing else to do, be resolved to go ana

Beue. His heart thrilled vrfth delight as be neared the frame house near the corner of Central Avenue, and be

rrong, he Walking

Mght

there. Hold your haads in front of you and straight out. That's it. and ii you dare to take them down I'll shoot you deader than a dog. Bemember! Tim you see that rope well just |wrap that around your comrade, and the tighter you do it the better it will be for you," said Frank.

Tlie burglar forced to do what Frank said, as there was no chance for argument at the point Of a revolver, took the designed rope and bound his companion.

Cap's arms woro lashed down to his sides, and the ropes then fastened around his legs. After this was done the young lawyer proceeded to bind Tim, which duty lie preformed in a skillful manner

beginning to show signs of s, and so Frank, procuring

conciousnoss.. another piece of rope, tied the third bui glar hand and foot.

Then he dragged the whole three of them int« the second cellar where the

monstrous tiger had been kept so long. All of his money was found on them, and this ho placea carefully away in his

pocket. Then leaving the three men with the dead tiger he barred the door, fixing" it so that if they did get loose they could not open it.

Going upstairs, Frank found bis disguise, and this he put on again. A hat and cout Avero picked, out from the stock the burglars liad', and then Frank was ready to emerge upon the street again.

He had locked the door which opened into th'e den, aud unless there was another entrance to it, of which Frank knew nothing, the three burglars, even if they did free themselves from their bonds, would still ,be prisoners.

Only Mrs. Vernon was to be seen, and she was seated in the corner of the room, crying as if her heart would break. Something was certainly th^ matter, for it would take a good deal to make a woman like her cry so hard. "Ob, Mr. Peyton, is.it you?" she cried "something terrible indeed has happened here last night. Father in Heaven, that it should coma *o hisV

44

Not anything to Belief' (jtfickly exclaimed Frank, ni» own Cheeks blanch-

ing as he' spoke, and-he anxiously

awaited her reply. "It is," moaned the poor widow." i? "Ob, do not tell mo that^he is dead!" cried Frank,, his knees trembling beneath him, and his eyes dilating with great fear. "No, not dead, but abducted! She was gone this morning, and I do not know what to do about it. Will has been laid up for the last two days, and I dare not tell him about it for ne would go out, and it would be the death of him. Oh, it is horrible for me to sit here and do nothing! I am so glad you have come, Mr. Peyton." "I know who the villain is, and by the Heavens above he sVall rne his work and last night, when I left him, he said he had work to do. Mrs. Vernon, you know Courtney. He is the man "Mr. Courtney? Why, I always took him to be a gentleman. Are you sure that you are not mistaken?" exclaimed the other, in surprise. "There is no mistake about it. I heard him oflfer Belle* his hand, and when she refused him he swore he would have her, by fair means or by foul. Take my word for it, Courtney is as big a villain as ever walked the face of the earth but I will thwart him yet. I've been after him since that night I came here, and Mrs. .Vernon, if there is a bit of strength in that right arm of mine, or any brains in my head, I'll get back your daughter, before another day has passed!" said Frank, vehemently. "Daughter!" exclaimed Mrs. Vernon "did Belle never tell you that she was not my daughter, but an adopted child?" "What!" cried Frank, several things rushing into head and setting his brain in a whirl "adopted child? Where did you find her?" "I will tell you, Mr. Peyton, if you will sit down for a few minutes," said the widow, not liking Frank's excited io&ks. "No, I feel better walking," said the young lawyer, pacing the room, being too worked up to remain quiet. "Well, I can tell you in a few words. Years ago, when my husband was alive and Will was a little baby, we lived in the country. One day there was a terrible railroad disaster, nearly in front of our door. Never will I foget the sights I saw during that night, nor the dread* ful things I heard as the mangled victims and shrieked in agony. One young couple were brought in dead, aud with them was a little child about three years of age. The two bodies were sent to Cincinnati, but the baby we kept, We found the namo of Belle Vermont on its clothes, and that was .all that wo could discover. She was such a loving little creature that we would not parti with her, so, without advertising, we adopted her/ She has been more than! a daughter to me, and it almost breaks my heart to think that auy. harm,should, come to her."

While Mrs. Verrion was speaking Frank realized the whole truth, although it almost, stunned him. After all his searching for the lost link in his chain

Belte Vb-non was the heiress of Oouelney Mqmor. jloyj he saw Courtney's hand, and knew the secret Of his desire to many hffr^ and also why he' had asked. Belle if she knew Frank Miltoii.

Courtney had doubtless heard the story from her, and putting this and that together, had arrived at thetrue state ofaffairs.

He had half believed7 Frank wheft the latter said he knew the missing heiress, and had inquired of Belle to find out,|he truth.

COuld he have persuaded Miltoh to watt awhile he had hopes of inducing Belle to marry him, aiul then, the young lawyer would have been powerless to do harm, and Courtney eould bid him defiance.

Frank htd felt sure, all along, that it was not for love that Courtney, had desired Belle to marry him. There was a deeper, a hidden reason, aud now Frank hadfathomed it. To think that, after all the missing heiress shonld turn out to be the girl he loved md intended to mar-

**Frank, having had. no suspicion like Dick, was now greatly surprised, and for several minutes he stood and stared at the good woman until at length she began to think he had tqken leave of his senses. ,, "Thenyoitr name is not Mrs. Vernon?" said he, at length. "No/' answered the widow. "You have called me that all along to-day, and I have been too much excited to correct you. My name is Mrs. Farley." "Mrs. Farley, perhaps you would like to hear the whole story, and then you can judge for voureelf if it was Courtney who carried JBelleoff last night," said Frank.

told her everything, end, omitting nothing and not exaggerating in the feast. Mrs. Farley listened attentively, and when Frank had finished, after giving a mere outline of his own adventures to show what asconttdrel his enemy was, she agreed with him in saying that Courtney was the perpetrator of this last outrage.

She explained to Frank how the young girl had been carried away, and as be litf-

might forgi his blows fell upon one whom the law-

Srdifferent

loved better than life itself, it was a case. He would now have to watch Courtney, follow him npiand find where be bad hidden Belle. Then he would make his appearanceand confound the vilUan. This waa the plan Frank formed with but a minute's thought, and feeling sure that either himself or the detective could find Belle again, he began to question Mrs. Farley as to the place, time, and other things relating the the railroad acSSSt nbFbmd spken of. Much to his satisfaction, he found that everything coincided with hia papers and the minia-

teTfce

only thing wanting iu the chain of evidence now. was the heiress, and she tte priiwipilHttk of tlL

Without her the papers and all Frank's nlaouing would be worthleae, for if the imgsinK neiress could not be found, the property would fall to Courtney, and he would still retain it. ....

Courtney tad Belb somewhere, and be would doubtkw try to force her into a marriage. Frank kficw that Belle would never give her consult, hot to Courtney this would not matter, for be could get minister who would marry them without it, or else he could coerce her, keeping her shut up

if all of his plans went) until her resolution gave way, and she aid still have Belle's love.. consented to the marriage in order to be

felt that even wrong, he would still have Belle's love.: consented to tne marriage up to the front he gave a free again. and heard Mrs. Vernon's This was Courtney plan, then to try voice bidding him enter.

ahd make Belle marry him, and it she remained obstinate, to hide her aW»y from the world. Wpere could he hide her? What place moJr© appropriate than Courtney Manor? "T*he stately old'taansion was shut tip now, no one stayingj there during the winter.

This was just the place to which Courtney would beapffto bring Belle, and Frank resolved to driye out thereon the morrow.

Tins night, though "ite intended to track Courtney, ana then if the villain

had

Belle concealed .anywhere about the

city he would find her. "He ate dinner with Mrs. Farley and Will, and then left, promising to call on the following day, which wguld be Sun-

'Jhe afternoon h&^fhiled ^Iway in the librarv, after calling at ,the office ou Fourth street and finding neither of the detectives in, and in the evening he ate his supper at the Vine street saloon.

Not meeting Dick there as he expected, he walked down Fourth street and took up his Btation behind a treedirectly opposite Courtney'8 house, but on the other side of the street.

He was waiting to track his foe to where he had hidden Belle Vemon.

CHAPTERXXIV. x\ 1 IATCK VS. SKILL. A

Dick lay motionless behind the rock, only waiting to be discovered before he shot both of the men who were approaching him.

Somewhat to his surprise they stopped just beside the.rock which shelteredfhim and began conversing in low tonesi. Dick now knew that tliey had uot seen hiui, after all, but had come into the pasf sage to carry on a private conversation without danger of being disturbed anyone. 1

The passage was evidently seldom used so they had no idea there was a listener close by, and that eavesdropper no othef than tho famous man-tracker, Dick Sharpley. "Well, Courtney," said the mau whpjn Dick thought he" recognized, and yet could not tell where he had seen, ''what is it.you wish to tell me? Something im

Eortant,

if I can judge by tho place you

ring me to." "Well, I think it important, but you mav judge otherwise. You remember Frank Milton, I suppose, Pierson?" and Courtney looked toward his companion

Pierson! Ha! now tho detective knew tho vil Iain's comrade. He was the man who had defrauded Frank Milton and his mother out of their inheritance,, apd now held possession of it.

The men were masked, but Dick had heard their names, and he took care to note their forms so that he could tell them again.

Here were both of Frank's enemies in' front of him, and plotting, too. Would he not listen to them with the greatest care, and foil every plan they,. with their'diabolical skill managed to form?

Yes, willingly would herlsk every thing to defeatthe enemies of Milton, who had been

rmore

than a brother to

him for years. When Courtney: mentioned Frank's name, Pierson started and turned his face, which was as white as snow, to ward his companion, while with treirf bling lips ho replied:

Yes, I knew him. What of him?" "Did you ever know that after you turned him out of house and home his mother died of starvation, and that he charged her death to you? Well, he did. Ota-swore a..t§r iblo vengeance on .yo«, and if you know what kind of a man he is. you will deem it pretty certain that what Frank Milton swears he generally carries out. He heard of some exploit of yours in the East, and had a witness, to prove you guilty of murder," declared Courtney.

For a few moments the other said nothing, his limbs trembling beneath his weight, bnt at length he spoke again:

You say'had.,' Why do you put it In the past?" he asked. "Because he has hot now," Courtney replied. "Xhank Heaven! But what oocurrcd to stop his plan? Did the witness die or disappear?" exclaimed Pierson, eagerly, "3so as far'as I know the witnoss IS alive and kicking." "Good Heaven!, it ufust be that infernal (lemoff, Put Martin. Milton will vet ruin rtie. Tell me the address of this witness, Courtney, and I'll—" wud Pierson, his knees beginning to weaken a a in "fc'ommit another murder. No, there is no need of It. Milton will never trouble you again, Pierson," said Courtney smiling. "And why not?" asked Pierson. "Didn'tyou read about him in the paper the other naming?" "Yes, but I took it to be a blind to make certain people think he had left the city, and then ho could suddenly oome upon them. Was it not a blind?" asked Piersou. "No it waaa reality,' replied Courtney. "And did he go out on the river with a comrade?" 7 "He did." "And that comrade dealt foully With him?" continued Pierson. "That I cannot tell vou, but this much I will say—Frank Milton will never bother you, or for that matter anybody

Don't bet too high on that, old bey. If I'm not mistaken he'll bother you both considerably yet," muttered the listening detective to himself.

Piersonface lighted up, atleaat tbe half that could be seen, and he asked the reason. "Because," answered Courtney, 'hes food for the fishes long ere this." "Then his companion threw him into the river?" ,, "Let us say he dropped in. At any rate he'll never seen by anyone in this world again," answered Ooartnev. ••Yon seem to know a about this business, Courtney," said Pierson, eyeing him suspiciously as be

#IVDo

If" said Courtney, smiling at his

C^Yes['and

yon ^were Frank Milton's

Comrade on that night." ........ IT" waa Courtney's cool rejoin-

"And you ate a murderer!" exclaimed Pierson. .. "Am I? Well, you will never say that to any living bring. You dare notf Mid Courtney, taming eqaare toward not?" answered Pierson, thinking Courtney meant to kill him, and bis hand quickly sought his ppeketas he

Because I have proof of the murder you committed. I know where the witneas, Put Martin, is. and «n lay my tend on him at any tons. You haveno proof against me. Yon do not know what my objer* was, while I could hang von. We might as well understand each other now as at any other time. It was to mv interest as well as yours that Milton Xrald die, and be died. He is gone, now, therefore I have rendered you a service. Yon owe me one in return, 1 said Courtney.

Pierson stood motionless for several minutes,' apparently deep in thought, and then he held out his hand to Courtney.

11

••We're both in the same boat, and WO' must sink or swim together. Come, shake hands on that, Courtney."

The two villains shook Imnds, and meanwhile Dick- smiled to, himself at Courtney's shrewdness. The detective knew that Courtney was lyins* when he declared that he.eould lay hia hand on^ff the witness at any time, but he (lkl wot interfere.

All that he had overheard thus farr was not news to him, and thereforei-ll when Pierson spoke again he pricked up his ears. "You sav vou want- me t* do some-1} thing1, Courtney. Well, what is It? "f Steak out," said Pierson, droppiug the other's hand. 'Oh, it isn't much, Pierson. I'll tell you in a few words. "Vou see, for

Oh,

it'to yc reasons of my own, I want to marry a certain girl, and because she has another lover she won't have me. To-night I am going to carry her off and hide her, and 1 want you to get a minister tipmorrow who will marry us in spite pf her protestations. You know the kind I want." '•Yes, I do, and I know the vory man a jolly fellow, too," said Pierson. "But is he a regularly ordained minister? I want no mock marriage this time, my dear fellow, like that oue you and I had last year, but one that will stand fiKu for life." j' Yes, he's a regular minister. I don't4 know to what denomination he belongs, but he's ordained," said Pierson, smil-

"Yes, he'll do but about the diree-^*^ tions. To-morrow night, at nine o'clock, you bring, the minister clown to the twostory houpe on the river road, this sideof Mill creek." "Yes, I'vo been past it often," l'iersonifs said. "I'll be waiting for you there, aml*^ show vou the way to tlie plant where I will have uiy wild bird caged. This is all I desire of you, friend Plenum. Theu we'll be quits, Will you doit?" asked Courtney. "YeS, yo but whafci asked Pierson. "One hundred, if he performs the ceremony right." "Phew! he'd do anything for that. The1tG'.j: poor devil never saw a fifty

sy. ... you tern depend .on moat ninat lit shall I offer tho minister?"

single time in Pierson.

spot at

a d^ft. i'C-'

all his life!*' exclaimed

'Very well, then. Let's bo goin^,^v back to the boys. They will wonder at our long absence. By the way, which'-? oue of them had I better take with mo to-night, in order to abduct tho girl?" asked Courtuey. "Is she rich or poor?" questioned Pierson, Yankee fashion. "Poorenough now, but in reality an heiress." "Oh, I see now. Take Centerbit, by all means "I've had occasion to employ him, and I know he's a good hand at.stouling a girl, or anything else, and can keep his mouth shut in case of a cap--ture," said Pierson. v"

The two left the side passage, and pWceeding hlong, disappeared from Dick's sight but tne detective now came out. from behind the rock and followed liko a sleuth-hound upon their track. ,1

The lantern they carried did not glvft/' much light, only in a limited space* andv therefore lie could keep close to them without being in danger of discovery. He had heard their plan, and I10 resolved^ to block it as soon as he hud captured11 the whole den of thieves into which I10 p". felt assured he had fallen.

For about forty yards the two villains^ ifcent on and then they camo to wl«t-^ •appeared to be the end of the passage.

It seemed to be boarded up, and a door," cut through. As they drew noarer tog this, Dick saw light shining through se^-^" oral crevices therefore ho know that3 beyond the tVoards thore was a brll-^ liant fllnrninator, and when I10 saw tho two men atop, as if about to open adooti, lie dropped to the ground and rolled Senear tho.wall of the passage as ho could. It Caswell he did so. for thonoxtirt1 stant ivflood of light lit up the passage.

Had Dick remained standing on his feet, he would assuredly have been discoveted, but as he was Ivinpr ftitt on the ground, and out of tho ligiii, neither of the men noticed iilm in theeasual giant" they took backward, before passing through the door.

The door shut, after giving ingresa to. tho spoundrols, and Dick, rising to his feet, inado his way forward until he had reached the end Of the passage. Hero it was about six feet high by fifteen feet*?' wide, and this tilace, as has been said before, was boarded over.

Creeping as f«r away

from

tho door as

he possibly could, Dick dropped upon" his knees and glued his eye to an open knot hole in a board. When tho door had been opened, his keen ears had caught the sound of rustling paper, loud conversation and a squeaking, wheezing noise that sounded suspiciously like a press. These things excited a strong curiosity in the mind of the detective,

A- (MAflA

and he had suspicion as to what made yet. in spite when lie

them yet, in spite of bis ready surmise*,: when lie peered through the knot hole1 and found himself gazing upon a gang of counterfeiters at their nefarions work. he was almost struck dumb and could not express his astonishment, even had he so desired. sf*

The city had of late been pretty well1 flooded with counterfeit money, but all of the detectives understood that the bogus notes were brought from Chicago or St. Louis. They were well exeeuted, and pawed readllv.

There had not been the slightest suspidon in the minds of the Queen City detectives that the manufactory of these j*r counterfeits was just outside tho city. When Dick saw that this was a fact, and 'f that his good fortune had acddently discovered to him the den, he realised, for t, the first time in his life, that luck is often better than skill. jy

Here was something which would put him on the very pinnacle of success, if* be carried it through carefully. r'-

But Courtney and Pierson—both rich men why were they beret could only hazard a guess at this, but he came as near the mark as any one could without hitting it.

Both men were what are now "sporto or "bloods," and considered it I fun to run with bruisers like those from the "bloody sixth ward." Thev bad. doubtless got in with the men who bad the dies and plates, and from love of adventure baa joined them, bone of I the men knew who they were, however, If we may except the one called Center-

^Se^eraTof the Counterfeiter* had beenr' gentlemen, bnt having lost all of their 1 wealth at the gaming-table, they sought to retrieve their fallen fortunes in thi«

W*$hen

hole there were ten men in the place. Two of those were Hereon and Courtney, and a third be whom Piersou had *, spoken «f as Centerbit Cluirtn. A

Every one of the ten but the latter, personage was masked, and he did not rcover his face for the reason that he had no need of it.

All knew him well, and he was acquainted with every one of his comrades, Omtinued on Sertnih Prtge-

'm

1

Dick looked through the knot­

TV"

k-: