CAD METTI, The Female Detective Strategist;

OR, DUDIE DUNNE AGAIN IN THE FIELD. 

BY OLD SLEUTH. 

Author of all the Famous "Old Sleuth" Stories. 

CHAPTER I. 

TWO SKILLFUL YOUNG DETECTIVES OVERMATCH A BRACE OF VILLAINS ANDPROVE WHAT NERVE AND COURAGE CAN DO. 

"Let's duck him and steal the girl. "

A young lady and gentleman were walking on the sands at Coney Islandbeach. The lady was very handsomely attired, and by her side walked ayoung man, a perfect type in appearance of an effeminate dude. Threerough-looking men had been following the lady and gentleman at adistance, and when the latter stopped at a remote part of the beach farfrom any hotel the three men held a consultation, and one of themuttered the declaration with which we open our narrative. 

As usual certain very exciting incidents led up to the scene we havedepicted. One week prior to the meeting on the beach a young detectiveknown as Dudie Dunne, owing to the fact that he often assumed the rôleof a dude as a throw-off, was seated in a hotel smoking-room when ashrewd-faced, athletic-looking man approached him and said:

"Hello, Dunne! I've been on the lookout for you. "

"You've found me. "

"I have, and I'm glad. I've got a great shadow for you. "

"I am all ears, Wise. "

"I want you in the government service. There is a chance for you to makea big hit. "

"I am ready to make a big hit, Wise. "

"You are in a position to do it. You speak Italian, but what is better, you have your lady pal. She is a real Italian, I am told, and one of thebravest and brightest women that ever entered the profession. "

"Some one told you that?"

"Yes. "

"Whoever did so knew what they were talking about. Cad Metti is one ofthe brightest women that ever entered the profession; she is a borndetective. What is the job?"

"There is a gang at work--the worst ever known. They are Italians, butthey have a contingent of American and English rogues working with them. They are the most dangerous operators that ever organized for thecoining of base money. They are located all over the United States. Theyhave regular passwords. Indeed, their organization is perfect, and withthem are a number of desperate assassins, and a few beautiful women. Ican't go into all the details, but the government has appropriated alarge sum from the secret service fund. We must run down and break upthis dangerous gang. "

"You have the case in hand?"

"I am directing the hunt. I have twenty of my best men on the case, andI have trailed down to the fact that all the movements are directed fromNew York. The chief men are located here, and never in the history ofcriminal doings was such a dangerous lot at work. "

"What points have you?"

"The only point I have is the fact that the leaders are located here inNew York. "

"In what line are they working?"

"They are counterfeiting in all its branches, they are bank robbing andburglarizing private houses. Indeed every sort of criminal appears to bein the organization. It is not even confined to the United States. Theyare sending base American money to Mexico and Cuba. The president of theMexican republic has sent a large sum here to aid in their capture. Themerchants of Havana have also sent on a fund. "

"And you have no clues as to the identity of these people?"

"We have captured several of the gang, but that does not interrupt thework. It's the leaders we want, and if you can get in and trail themdown it will be the biggest feather you ever wore in your cap. But letme tell you, it's a dangerous job. Several of our men have mysteriouslyvanished. Two we know were assassinated; the others have been done awaywith. My reputation is at stake. Thus far I have been baffled. "

"And what do you want me to do?"

"Shadow down and locate the leaders. "

"Can you give me a hint where to look for them? That is, can you give meany starter at all?"

"I cannot. You may find them mingling in the best society in New York;you may find them in the slums under cover. One thing is certain: theyare the shrewdest rascals that ever defied the whole detective force ofthe United States, and I have great hopes that you can succeed where wehave all failed. You can command me for all the money you need; and nowget in and run down these rogues. "

"You have no photographs?"

"No. "

"You say there are women in with the gang?"

"Yes. "

"Here in New York?"

"Yes. "

"Are the women shoving the queer?"

"If they do they do it so well we cannot trace them; but there are womenin the gang. "

"Have they a workshop here?"

"I do not think they have. I believe the workshop is in some remoteplace, possibly in Mexican territory; but the leaders are here, and itis necessary to trail down the leaders and get the evidence againstthem. If we get the leaders we can knock out the whole gang. My men havelocated members of the gang, and we can close in on them any time, butnone of them will squeal as long as the leaders go free. But once let ussecure the leaders and there will follow a wholesale squeal, and we canbreak up the gang. "

"All right, I am in with you. I will see Cad Metti and talk the matterover with you later on. "

"I should like to meet your female pal. "

During the time Wise, the great special, had been talking to Dunne adistrict messenger lad had been standing near munching on a crackerwhich he had taken from the free lunch table, and at the proper momenthe stepped forward and handed our hero a note. 

The latter glanced at the missive and said:

"All right, lad; there is no answer. "

The boy stood around and finally Dunne handed him a nickel. The boylaughed, said "thank you, " and walked away, and Dunne said:

"You have never seen Cad Metti?"

"No. "

"Are you sure?"

"Why, certainly, I'd know if I had ever seen her. "

"You would?"

"Yes. "

"Wise, your memory fails you. "

"I've never been accused of loss of memory. "

"You never have?"

"No. "

"And yet you've seen Cad Metti. "

"Never. "

"You are sure. "

"Certainly. "

"You saw her once talking to me. "

"Never. "

"Come, come, I'll bet you a cigar. "

"No use to bet; I tell you I've never seen the girl. "

"Then bet. "

"All right, I'll bet. "

"And you've never seen her?"

"Never. "

"But you did see her once, and as an old detective with his eyes alwayspeeping I supposed you recognized her. "

"I reckon I would have recognized her if I had ever seen her. You havesome other officer in your mind whom you confound with me. "

"No, you once saw her with me. She was under cover, but of course youwould fall to that. "

"But I've never seen her. "

"Then it's a bet?"

"Yes. "

"You saw Cad Metti within the last five minutes. "

"I did?"

"Yes. "

"Where?"

"That you should know. I tell you that you have seen her. "

"I say I never have. "

"You think you would have recognized her?"

"Yes. "

"Under any cover?"

"Yes. "

"You have seen her all the same. "

Wise was thoughtful a moment and then exclaimed:

"Great Scott! it is impossible. "

"No, sir. "

"Do you mean to tell me that----"

"Yes, I mean to tell you that the messenger lad was Cad Metti. "

"Great Cæsar! Oscar Dunne, that girl is a marvel. "

"Well, she is. "

"I've heard how you first met her. "

"Yes, and I've been her instructor. She is, I will admit, the mostwonderful girl I ever met. Did I say met? I will add I never read orheard of such a girl. She could make her living on the stage as amarvel. She is a great musical genius. She can sing or dance, she canfence or wrestle like a man. Her strength is extraordinary, and as apistol shot she is the champion woman of the world; and when it comesto quickness, nerve, cunning, and courage she cannot be excelled. "

"I reckon you are dead in love with your pal. "

"You needn't do any guessing on that score. She is my detective aid andtogether we will perform wonders for you. I will talk the matter overwith Cad. We will lay out a plan and I will report to you. "

"Good enough; I feel hopeful. It will be a great thing to run down thisgang, for, as I said, they are the most dangerous lot of criminals onearth, and their head-center is evidently a man of genius. Let us catchhim and we will easily close down on the whole gang. "

"Cad and I will locate him, you bet. "

"And get the evidence?"

"I reckon when we get him we will get the evidence along with him. Youknow it will be a hunt for evidence that will lead up to the capture. "

"Oscar, you are not slow at the business. "

"Thank you; but it's business and not compliments. "

"Good enough; I expect to hear from you. "

"I'll report. "

"Will you have your cigar?"

"Yes, I won; I'll take it. "

Oscar Dunne was a young detective who had earned a great reputation. Some of our readers have read an account of his previous exploits andknow what a smart chap he is. Those who have not read about Dudie Dunnewe advise to do so. As stated in our previous account, Oscar had noparticular history. He had simply graduated to the detective force, andhad made a great success; and as also stated, he was a young man ofsingularly effeminate appearance, with muscles like a whipcord andpowers of endurance that were seemingly tireless. He was not only agreat athlete but a wonderful boxer, and it was a favorite role with himto assume the character of a dude, and many a surprise he had given tovarious smart Alecs during his career on the force, and with thesurprise he generally administered when required a good sound drubbingto some fellow who had set him down as an exquisite. His looks when inthe "dude cover" were very deceiving, and when he started in to throwoff his mask he became a terror to evil-doers, and at the time when weintroduce him a second time to our readers he had won a great reputationas a singularly successful detective officer. 

Shortly after parting with Wise, the great government special, Oscarwent on to the street, and proceeding up town entered a veryrespectable-looking house which he entered with a night key. It was hishome. He had made considerable money and had provided a home forhimself. The house outside was very unpretentious, but inside it was asluxurious as the home of a rich bachelor. We will here state for theinformation of our readers who are making their first acquaintance withOscar Dunne that in a great case in which he had been engaged he met abeautiful Italian girl who aided him very materially. The girl earned agood reward and when Oscar asked her what she proposed to do her answerwas:

"I shall become a detective, " and then and there a partnership wasformed between Oscar Dunne and Caroline Metti. The latter lived with acountrywoman who had kept boarders, but who was only too glad to give upher general boarding business to become a housekeeper for Cad Metti, thelatter having rescued and adopted two Italian children from the street, a boy and girl, whom she had determined to educate and advance in lifein case both proved worthy. 

Cad Metti's home was not far from the residence of her male professionalpartner, and the pair were in constant communication. Oscar was an adeptat disguises, and he had found in Cad Metti a ready scholar, andbetween them they had studied the art of disguise as a science and bothhad become very versatile and proficient. 

As stated, Oscar went direct to his rooms after parting from Wise, thegovernment special, and a few moments later a veiled lady appeared athis door and was shown into his sitting-room. Oscar's housekeeper was asister of his mother, a motherly old lady, to whom the detective hadgiven a home. The veiled lady entered the house in a manner that mighthave suggested to a countryman that she was one of the family. Sheentered the sitting-room, as indicated, and throwing aside her veilstood revealed in all her magnificent youthful beauty. 

"Cad, " said our hero, "I am glad you have come. "

The female detective, who had removed her veil, smiled a dazzling smileand said:

"I thought you might wish to see me. "

"I always wish to see you, but this time it is on business. "

"Then let's follow the advice you have often given: spare complimentsand talk business. "

Oscar proceeded and related to his lady pal word for word all that hadpassed between the government special and himself. The female detectivelistened with deep attention, and when the narrative was concluded said:

"I think we can locate this man. "

"I think we can; but how shall we start in?"

Cad was thoughtful a moment and then said:

"In our old way. "

"How is that?"

"Chum for them. "

This criminal "chumming" has yielded good returns, as a rule. It is thebest card in the detective profession. 

"Where shall we chum?"

"Everywhere. "

"I'll put it straight. Where shall we start in?"

Again the beautiful Cad Metti pondered, and after an interval said:

"Criminals as a rule are fond of race betting. "

"That's so. "

"We've picked up many a clue down at the race track. "

"We have. "

"Let's try a little chumming down there. Good races are on, and if everour bluefish show up at the track they will do so this present week. "

"And we'll lure them as they swim, eh?"

"That's it. "

"How will we make up?"

"You are to became Dudie Dunne. I will become Silly Sal. "

"And we'll bet on the races?"

"We will. "

"It's a go, Cad. To-morrow we will take in the races and chum for ourgame. "

On the following day the two detectives, well gotten up for their"chumming" scheme, started down for the Sheepshead Bay track. 

They went on the course and played the rôle they had determined to playto perfection. They attracted considerable attention and that was whatthey most desired, for it was their "chumming" game to bring around thefish. 

CHAPTER II. 

CAD METTI AND OSCAR DUNNE DO SOME FINE "CHUMMING" AND SUCCEED INBRINGING A BIG FISH TO NIBBLE AT THEIR BAIT. 

Oscar Dunne and Cad Metti were indeed great experts in enacting a rôle. They took a seat in the grand stand and through a messenger boy bet onthe races. They won, and they laughed and tittered in delight over theirsuccess, and, as intimated, attracted a great deal of attention, andthey exhibited considerable money. Oscar was playing the rôle of a dudewith plenty of "stuff, " as the vulgar phrase puts it, and Cad wasplaying the rôle of a fast young girl who was leading the exquisite foolto squander his roll. Well, it was a great chumming game wellplayed--played before a lot of men who were as avaricious as impecuniousgamblers always are. There were men there who bet and lost. There weremen there who had no money to risk, and they all thought themselvespossessed of brains, and here was a silly fool loaded with money, andhere also was a silly girl reaping a rich harvest in greenbacks from herenamored dude, _as it appeared_, and so the game went on until a manwith a keen eye got them under his glance. He stood awhile and watchedthem, and various expressions passed over his face. After a little theman strolled away. He joined two other men, and going close to them hesaid in a low tone:

"I've struck a chance to make a raise. "

"Good enough, " was the response. 

"Yes, and it's dead easy. "

"What is it?"

"I'll go over opposite the grand stand; you fellows follow me. Come upoffhand and I'll show where a big haul lies right in sight. "

The rogues had struck a lead and so had the two sharp-eyed detectiveswho were playing such a neat game. 

"Cad, " said Oscar, "we've got a bite. "

"Yes, I felt the nibble. "

"It's a good thing, sis, to locate a rogue. "

"Indeed it is. "

"We have not chummed in vain. "

"So it would appear. "

This little bit of side talk was carried on while the two detectivesmaintained the role they were enacting, and a little while later theysaw the three join each other and beheld them as furtively they watchedtheir anticipated prey. 

"We've got three bites, Cad. "

"I see them. "

"What shall we do?"

"Don't ask me to suggest, Oscar. No one can beat you in laying outplans. "

"We'll leave here. "

"And learn if they follow?"

"Yes. "

"That would be my idea. "

"Where shall we go?"

"We will give them a chance to follow us. We will go to the beach. "

Oscar and Cad did not start right off--they were too smart for that. They were playing a great game. They did not see the three men; they didnot know they were being watched. Oh, no, they were too absorbed in eachother and the fun they were having and the winnings they were raking in. It was a strange incident, but one that often occurs. Oscar was notbetting to win. He was merely betting as a "guy, " and, as intimated, itoften happens that the careless win where the careful and posted lose. Arace had just been run and a messenger boy returned with the tickets hehad cashed, and the girl pulled out a big wad of bills and added thewinnings to her roll. The three observers noticed that she carried thebulk of the money, and one of them said:

"Great sea waves! what a wad she has got!"

"And here we are, chummies, dead broke--not been able to make a bet. "

"Not a bet, " came the doleful refrain. 

"We'll bet to-morrow, " said one of the men with a knowing wink. 

"That depends. "

"On what?"

"They may have a coach down here and outride us. "

"Don't you believe it. That chap is too happy. He'll have the gal downto the beach for a supper. Good enough, we will take our supper lateron. He'll treat; yes, we'll dine with him without an invitation--see?"

"I don't see it yet. "

"Well, just watch. Aha! what did I say? They've had enough of the race;they are going. Good enough; I'll bet my share of the swag they go for aramble. "

"How will we manage it?"

"We'll just lay low and learn what our chances are. They are gettingvery reckless, they are. Eh! the girl may want his watch and sparkles. If she does she will lead him away off for a long walk. She'll nip thesparkles and the watch, and then, my covies, what will we do?"

"We'll nip her, eh?"

"You bet. Now just watch. There they go. Who was right, eh?"

"I reckon you were, old man. "

"You bet I am, every time. Ah, we're in luck. "

Oscar occasionally got a sly chance to glance at the three thieves, andso cute was he, and such a face reader, he could almost have repeatedtheir talk without hearing a word of it. He read their conversation ontheir well-marked faces. 

"Let's go, Cad. We've got them well hooked. They have seen your wad;that's what they are measuring. "

The girl tittered. It was her way of working off her excitement in viewof the adventure she knew they were to pass through; and indeed a verystartling adventure was to crown the incidents of the day and night. 

Oscar and Cad left their seats and had wandered like a pair of happyyoung lovers toward the exit gate, and they were the observed of allobservers. Many remarks, pertinent and characteristic, were madeconcerning them, and yet, seemingly unconscious that they wereattracting any attention at all, they moved along. Upon reaching theplatform they met a train that had just arrived from the city, andboarded it to make the short run to the Island. And all the time theymaintained their frivolous demeanor, but four sharp eyes were on thealert, and Oscar observed:

"They are swallowing the bait. "

"Yes, we've got 'em. "

It's strange, but about the same idea ran through the minds of the threerogues. They had feared that their game might take a train to the city, and when they saw them board the train bound for the Island the man whohad spotted the game said:

"What did I tell you, covies?"

"They are going to the beach. "

"They are, dead sure. "

"We are in luck. "

"We are, you bet, and now I am going to prophesy again. That gal has gota good thing. I tell you she will walk him away off down the beach. Sheis bound to have those sparkles. She has her eye on them. Good enough; Ihope she'll get 'em, but she'll never wear 'em. No, no, it's I and you, my covies, who will wear those sparkles. We covets them, we do, and we'sgot to have 'em; yes, sir, we's got to have 'em, and we will. "

Oscar saw the man get on a rear car, as intimated, and there was triumphin his heart. 

We will here explain the theory upon which the confederate detectiveswere working. Wise had said that there was an organized gang, that thescoundrels were practicing all manner of criminality, and he haddetermined upon the link by link game--a good one--a search for clues. One thief as a rule knows another thief, and so the linking ofacquaintance goes on until a rogue is struck who suggests aparticipation. The rule does not always work, but generally it is asuccess, and was likely to prove so in the "shadow" Oscar was working. He knew he might get on to the trail of a dozen or more rogues before hestruck one that was a member of the secret criminal organization. He hadevery reason to hope he would succeed. 

The confederate detectives arrived at the Manhattan Beach Hotel, and asour hero had resolved to move very slowly and take notes as he wentalong he led Cad to a table and ordered a dinner, and during the mealthe same amusing farce was kept up, and the thieves passed and repassedthe table where their selected victims were seated. 

"They are following down to a close shadow on us, " said Oscar. 

"Yes, and I am looking forward to the surprise we have in store forthem. "

"It will be very enjoyable; but, Cad, I've been thinking. "

"I call you down before you speak. "

"What was I going to say?"

"You were going to say there was risk, and I must not scare it. "

"Partner, you are a mind reader. "

"I can read your mind when it runs in a generous direction. "

"It is not a matter of generosity but of precaution. Those fellows looklike a desperate trio. "

"Certainly, but they are off their guard. "

"They are?"

"Yes. "

"How?"

"Oh, you know well enough, we've acted so as to throw them off. Do youknow how they have measured us?"

"I have an idea. What is yours?"

"They think you are a flat. "

"That's certain. "

"They think I am playing you. "

"Right again. "

"They think a slight rap on the ear will send you squealing. "

"Yes, that's correct. "

"Then they will go through me, and as I am, as they believe, a thieflike themselves they fear no risk from me. "

"Admitting what you say is true----"

"We will give them a great surprise. "

"Sure, but after they discover their mistake----"

"It will be too late for them to do any harm. We will have themflattened out, or we will have forgotten an old way of managing thesethings. Oscar, it is a great thing to meet an antagonist who reallyunderrates you. "

"That is true. "

"And so in this deal I tell you I think we are on a better lay than weare aware of. After we have downed these fellows we will know what todo. "

"Yes, we will follow them up. "

"Certainly, and we will have a great lead. "

Oscar and Cad lingered a long time at the table. They desired "wind andtide, " as we will put it, to be just right for them. 

It was well on toward five o'clock when the confederate detectives rosefrom the dinner table and walked down toward the beach. They walked veryslowly and all the time maintained the rôle they had started out toassume. They passed the bathing pavilion, walked along beyond theOriental Hotel and then turned toward the beach at a point bordering onthe inlet, and there they halted and stood to admire the incoming waves. Twilight was beginning to cast its lengthening shadows over land andsea. 

The men who were set to rob the couple meantime dodged along on theirtrail, keeping far in shore toward the Sheepshead Bay, and their leaderwas chuckling all the time. He said:

"Oh, covies! how am I for a prophet? I'm a mind reader, and I'll set upfor a professional. These fagots are carrying out my programme to theletter. I tell you I know the ways of smart gals like the one who hasthat poor dude in tow. She is going for him right smart. She will cleanhim out. I shouldn't be surprised if she sandbagged him and left himlying on the beach. Well, well, won't we have a haul! I saw that wad, and I tell you it's a big one; and the watch and the diamonds! Ay, ay, we will just have a jolly time for a week. Talk about betting, eh! well, this little trick beats all betting. We play to win, not to lose, everytime. There is no chance here. That gal is walking the dude right intoour trap. We've got the wad already, and won't we have a surprise forthe smart, bright-eyed little miss! Why, she is laying out her cashalready, she is so sure of getting all the chap has; but we'll do theshopping on his wad, not she, you bet. "

As stated, Oscar and Cad wandered down to the beach and here as beforethey enacted their rôle to perfection, and it was at this moment thatone of the men asked:

"How shall we do it?"

It was then the man uttered the words with which we open our narrative:

"_Let's duck him and steal the girl. _"

The three laughed. It all looked so easy. The young fellow was, as theysupposed, such a "sweetie, " such a little darling, who would turn paleand plead for mercy the instant one of the three men spoke to him. Thelatter discussed their plan, and it was arranged that their leadershould approach the young people and engage them in conversation. Theman did approach and Oscar remarked to Cad:

"Now the fun commences. Well, well, what a real pretty surprise we havein store for those rogues! Cad, I enjoy this; yes, I do--it's immense!"

"Don't forget yourself, Oscar, and laugh too soon. "

"Don't fear me, but there will be two or three sore heads around here ina few moments. "

Meantime the man approached. The two detectives did not appear to seehim until he stood directly in front of them and said:

"Good-day. "

Oscar elevated his glasses to his eyes and stared at the man in truedude style, and Cad recoiled as though shocked at being addressed by astranger. 

"I beg your pardon, my friend, " said Oscar, "I haven't the pleasure ofyour acquaintance. "

"Oh, you haven't?"

"No, I can't say that I ever saw you before. "

"Is that so?"

"Indeed it is true, my friend. "

"What a pity! why, we are old friends. "

The thief's pals were drawing near. 

"You are mistaken, my friend, " said Oscar, adding: "And I must kindlyrequest you to move off and not disturb us. "

The man haw-hawed in a rough manner and said:

"Well, you are playing it nice. "

"I do not understand your allusion, sir. It is very vulgar--yes, sir, very vulgar. "

"Is it, indeed? Why, you rat, do you think I do not recognize you?"

"You certainly do not recognize me. I never saw you before in my life. "

"He! he! ha! ha! that's great, my covie; yes, that's great. So you neversaw me before? Well, well, I've seen you often enough. I was looking atyour portrait only yesterday. "

"You were looking at my portrait only yesterday?" repeated Oscar. 

"Yes. "

"Where on earth did you see my portrait?"

"In the rogues' gallery--number one hundred and three. Yes, yes, yourascal, I've run you down nicely; but see here, you and that girl appearto be enjoying yourselves and I don't wish to spoil your enjoyment. I ama gentleman, I am, and you can buy me off. "

At this moment the rogue's pals approached, and the fellow turningtoward them said:

"See here, this 'ere rat is pretending he don't know us. Eh! ain't thatcool of him? And we have been a-follerin' of him this last two monthsand now we've caught him a-spendin' of the swag, and he's a-puttin' onairs. I say, miss, mebbe you don't know the character of the chappiewho's a-spendin' his money on you so free. Mebbe you don't know he's athief, and it's a part of his swag that you are having a fine time on;but I don't begrudge--no, I don't--the money that's gone, but youse musthand over the balance, or I'll be compelled to do my duty and take youseboth in. Yes. I'll have to do my duty. "

"My friend, you are evidently laboring under a great mistake. "

"Am I now?"

"You certainly are. "

"Well, well, is that so?"

"It is the truth. "

"See here, Johnny, I know you as the most expert pickpocket in thecountry. I've been on your track a long time. Now you can just pony upand go on with your flirtin'; otherwise you and the girl will go withme. "

"Go with you?"

"That's it. "

"Never! never! we would never permit ourselves to be seen in suchcompany, you rough-looking boor, you. "

"Hear him, boys, hear him! 'You rough-looking boor!' Well, he isa-puttin' on lugs, ain't he? What shall we do with him?"

"Duck him, " came the answer. 

CHAPTER III

A LIVELY SCENE FOLLOWS ON THE BEACH AND THE THREE ROGUES GETWHAT HAD BEEN PROMISED--A GREAT SURPRISE. 

"My dear, " said our hero, turning to his companion, "just hear theseawful men! Did you ever hear anything like it? Why, they are reallyimpertinent. Come, dear, we will go away and not talk with them further. It's a disgrace to be seen in their society a minute. Some of ourfriends might see us talking to these men and think they were ourfriends. Just to think of it!"

The three men laughed, and the leader mimicked:

"Yes, just to think of it! but see here, mister pickpocket, you can'twork your high airs on us. I see you won't shell out, so we will justtake you. "

"Yes, in the water, " said one of the men. "We'll duck him first, just tosoften down his cheek a bit. "

"You wouldn't do that, would you?" said the leader. 

"Yes, sure; the idea of him puttin' on airs, eh! yes, let's duck him. "

"All right, comrade, it's as you say. "

"Why, hear the horrid men, " said Oscar. "Maybe they think it is a greatjoke to try and scare us, but we don't scare; do we, my dear?"

Cad did look as though she was almost scared out of her wits, and wedesire to call our readers' attention to the courage and nerve of boththe detectives in daring for one moment to think of meeting those threegreat burly men. 

"Say, young fellow, just hand over the swag you've stolen so we canreturn it to the owner and we'll let you off. I've a list of thearticles: a watch, some diamonds and money. We don't want to be hard onyou. Peel out the stuff and we'll let you off; won't we, comrades?"

"I don't know about that. I think we should do our duty, " said one ofthe men. 

"Well, yes, but seein' they're having such a good time I haven't theheart to put them in jail. "

"Just as you say, captain, just as you say. "

"Say, young fellow, will you hand over the swag?"

"He! he! he! really, gentleman, what jokers you are! I know you are veryfunny, but I don't understand your jokes; indeed, I don't. "

"You don't, eh?"

"No, no; he! he! he!"

"Is it a joke to go to jail?"

"He! he! he! how funny! now I see you want to scare us; but see here, Idon't scare. I can prove that to you, and if you do not go away I shallbe compelled to thrash you. "

"What!" ejaculated the three men, giving utterance to real laughter. Itreally did sound comical for that apparently slender dude to threatento thrash three burly men. 

"So you'll thrash us, eh?"

"He! he! he! yes, you will compel me to thrash you if you don't go away. Why, this lady is very much annoyed. I cannot see her annoyed; certainlynot, so go away and I'll not harm you. "

"Hear him--hear him!" cried one of the rogues, and he added: "We'll haveto duck him for insultin' us. "

"Yes, we'll have to duck him. "

"Let's do it. "

The men leaped forward when one of the most extraordinary scenes thatever occurred followed. As the men leaped forward both Oscar and Caddrew short billies--drew them so quickly that the men did not observethem until they _felt_ them. A complete change had come over theappearance and actions of Oscar and Cad. The former with an ease andquickness that was wonderful to behold dealt the leader of the rogues asmart tap on the head that caused him to lie down in the sand as thoughstricken with a pain where his digestive organs reside. Cad meantimeplayed a single-note tattoo on the head of number two, and Oscar, afterdropping the first man, paid his compliments to number three, who alsoconcluded to lie down without any premeditation whatever. It was, as Wehave intimated, a most singular, startling and extraordinary scene, andbefore the men could rise each received to turn a second rap, when Oscarinquired:

"What shall we do with them, sis?"

"Drown them, " came the answer. 

"No, no, it would be too bad to toss such mean carcasses into purewater. "

"But they'll become salted, " said the girl. 

"I reckon we've salted them pretty well; let's stroll. "

Oscar and Cad walked away, resuming the same smart girl and dude rôlethey had played ere they fell to and downed the burly ruffians. 

It was a sight for a comic paper, after Oscar and Cad had wandered away, to behold the three ruffians rise and look at each other. For a momentnone of them spoke. They just looked, until one of the party, whoevidently was a sort of humorist, said:

"Cap, I don't think we'll go shopping with their wad to-day. "

The other man fell to the spirit of the occasion and said:

"Well, cap, it was _easy_, yes, very easy _for them_. "

The leader looked, yes, looked very _blue_. 

"Well, did you ever!" he murmured. 

"No, I never, " came the response. 

"What was it we struck?"

"I feel as though something had _struck me_, " was the answer. 

"My covies, we got it good. "

"Did you? Well, I got it _bad_. Oh, how my head aches!"

"Who are they?"

"I'll never tell you, but it was the gal gave me my rap and she camedown on me with the force of a Goliah, and I went down--see? I'm downyet. "

"I don't understand, " said the leader as he mopped the blood tricklingfrom the wound in his head with his handkerchief. 

"I'll never explain it to you, " said the humorist. 

"Hang me, but I can't think. "

"Neither can I. My thoughts are wool-gathering, and no wonder, eh? Byjiminy! what a settler I got, and I settled. "

"They were playing us. "

"Yes, they were playing us, and they had lots of fun rattling on my poorconk. "

"But who are they?"

"Mr. And Mrs. Giant, I reckon, and it came so quick that for a moment Ithought I was in a ship and a squall had blown the mast over on me. Butsee here, pards, we'd better get up and git, or mebbe some of ourmisdeeds may rise up in judgment against us. Instead of our putting thedude in jail he may jug us. "

"Right you are; let's scatter. "

"Where will we meet?"

"In the city, and we'd better lay low. There is more in this littleexperience than a crack on the head. We're lucky if we get away. "

The three men rose to their feet, held a few moments' talk and thenscattered. Each man determined to make his way to the city on his ownhook, and they considered it was possibly by hook or by crook that theywould get there. 

Oscar and Cad had disappeared. Indeed, the rogues had hardly dared lookat each other or speak until the "singulars" had gotten out of sight. 

Once well away Oscar said:

"All right, Cad, I must leave you now to shift for yourself awhile. I amgoing to finish up this business. We know where to meet. "

"Yes. "

They were standing in a hollow between two sandbanks and it was dark. 

"Change, " said Oscar. 

Immediately there followed a most wonderful transformation. Cad Mettidropped her fine feathers as though by magic, and in her stead appeareda plain-looking country girl, while the dude vanished, and in his steadappeared a regular sporting appearing young fellow. No one would haverecognized in either the two who had sat on the piazza of the hoteleating their dinner and cooing like two turtle-doves. 

"Well done, " said Oscar as he gazed at the wonderful girl, Cad Metti, and an instant later he said:

"Now I will leave you. I must get on the track of those scoundrels. "

Cad and Oscar did not stop to exchange farewells. The latter moved awayrapidly toward the point where he had had the encounter with the threeruffians whom he and his female comrade had served out so well. Oscardesired to follow the leader and he arrived behind a rift of sand intime to watch them, and he was able to discern the fellow he desired toshadow. His man made a roundabout tour toward the depot and then startedafoot down the track, not daring to take the train at the Manhattanstation. Our hero, however, proceeded to the station, knowing his manwould board the train at Sheepshead Bay, and his conclusion wasverified, for all three men had arrived at the Sheepshead Bay stationand boarded the train as individuals, not exchanging one word. Indeed, all had worked a sort of half-and-half transform. 

Oscar maintained his seat; he did not go to the car boarded by the men. He remained one car behind, but he was on the alert lest at any momentthe rascals might desert the train, and so he arrived at Long IslandCity. The men went to the Twenty-third street boat, the detectivefollowed them, and still they kept apart. 

"Those fellows are scared, " he muttered. "The surprise they got hastaken all the life out of them. "

Once in New York the special chap whom he was following walked upTwenty-third street to First avenue, then he turned down and finallyentered a low tenement house. Oscar was at his heels and noted the househe entered, and took up a position directly opposite. There were lightsin some of the front rooms, but the windows of the top floor frontreflected no brilliance until a few moments after our hero had taken hisposition, when there shot forth from the small windows a sickly gleamof light. 

"Top floor front, " was our hero's comment. He had located the room wherethe man had entered. 

Oscar stood a little time revolving his next move in his mind, andfinally he determined upon the old trick played so often and stillplayed daily by officers on a quiet "lay. "

He entered the tenement house and ascended the creaking stairs, and nota muscle in his sturdy form quivered, although it was a dangerousundertaking to enter that sort of a house on such an errand. There was apossibility that there were a dozen villains scattered around in theseveral apartments, for as the old saying has it, "Thieves flocktogether. "

Oscar, however, was well-armed, cool, strong and agile, and he arrivedin front of the door of the room and heard voices. He peeped in, as thekeyhole was large and there was no key in the door. He saw the man towhom he had given the sore head, and a woman. The latter was aremarkable-looking person. She was about forty, as it appeared; hercomplexion was sallow, her features pointed, her eyes large and sunken, and the latter were very expressive, proving that the eagle-nosed womanwas bright, alert and cunning. She wore a discontented look upon herface as she eyed the man who had entered her presence, and while Oscarpeeped and listened he heard her say:

"I am tired of this. "

"Tired of what?"

"Do you want to know?"

"Yes, I do. "

"I'll tell you. I am tired of living in these rooms; tired of goinghungry; tired of wearing old clothes; tired of slaving for you--amiserable fake. "

"Hold on, Sarah, don't talk to me that way. "

"Yes, I will talk to you that way. When I met you, I had plenty ofmoney. You pretended to love me and I was fool enough to accept yourlove. I let you have money. I had a good, comfortable home, and nowwhere am I? You have squandered every penny on the races. You don't knowhow to gamble, and yet you gamble away every cent you get. You do notcome home when you have a stake and say, 'Here, my dear, is a hundred ortwo for you. ' No, no, you come in and dole me out a few stamps and say, 'Make yourself comfortable. ' In fact, when you have a good stake you donot come home at all, if this miserable place can be called a home. Tom, I'll stand it no longer; you and I will separate. "

"Hold on, Sarah, do not talk that way. "

"Yes, I will talk that way, and I will act. I can make plenty of money. No need for me to stay here and play wife to a man who only cares forhimself and who hasn't the courage to start in and make a good haul andgive me the comforts I've been accustomed to enjoy; and as you can't doit I'll start out and win them for myself, and I will not furnish youmoney to gamble while I starve here in these rooms without food, fire orclothing. I tell you I am through. "

The man Tom was thoughtful a moment and then said:

"Sarah, all you say is true, but I've had no money. "

"And you never will have. "

"Yes, I will. "

"Never. "

"Why do you say so?"

"You haven't the courage; you are a coward. "

"Hold, Sarah, I took a big chance this very afternoon to make a bigstake. I showed all the courage, but got the worst of it. I ran upagainst a cyclone disguised as a gentle sea breeze, but I am going tohave a big stake, and all you need is just a little patience and youshall have an elegant home, horses and carriages, and diamonds andservants. "

"Oh, come off, Tom; no more fairy stories for me. "

"It's no fairy story, Sarah. I tell you there is no one on earth that Ilove as I do you. I've felt bad seeing you living this way and I've donethe best I could; but I am to be let into the greatest gang on earth. Iwill make money from the start, and you will be let in and we can in afew weeks make a big stake and skip. What I tell you is no fairy story. "

"Bah! Tom, I've heard your wild tales before. "

"This is no wild tale. I tell you in a few weeks we will be flush. "

The woman's eyes glittered as she said:

"I wish I could believe you, Tom. "

"You can believe me. "

"Why are you so secret about it? Why don't you open up?"

"I have not been initiated yet. It is the greatest gang that ever gottogether. "

"Do you know any of the parties in it?"

"Certainly I do. All countries are represented. We have the talent ofthe world in it. The leaders are the smartest men on earth. They havebranches in every large city in the United States. They are in with bigpoliticians, judges and millionaires. They have defied the police foreighteen months, and they are all ready to flood the land and get away, and I am to be let in. "

"Counterfeiters, Tom?"

"Well, yes, that is a part of their business. They counterfeit currency, metal and bonds, government and bank. They will make a big generalsweep. Every man in it will get his share, and a share is a fortune. It's the most perfect organization ever effected, and I tell you I amto be in it among the big bugs too, and all through you. "

"All through me?"

"Yes. "

"How is that?"

"They need you. "

"They do?"

"Yes. "

"In what capacity?"

"To sign the papers. "

Again the woman's eyes glittered as she asked:

"How did they learn about me?"

"One of our old pals told them about you. "

"And why did you not tell me about this before?"

"I have not had my first interview yet with the king-pin. He has beenout West. He is to be in New York some day this week. You are to exhibityour skill and we will get a stake immediately. "

"And you will gamble it away in an hour. "

"No, I've sworn off. "

"Bah! how many times you've told me that!"

"I mean it this time. "

"Tom, I am fond of you, but I cannot let you ruin me again. If we make abig stake I am to hold the money. Do you hear?"

"Yes, I hear. "

"And you understand that I mean what I say?"

"I do. "

"I can beat the world on false signatures. "

"That is what they have been told. "

"I've long wanted a chance like this. "

"I know it. "

"I can make my own terms when they learn what I can do. "

"I know it. "

Our readers can readily imagine the feelings of Dudie Dunne as helistened to this wonderful revelation. He realized that he and Cad Mettihad made the hit of their lives, or rather had a chance to do so. Itseemed wonderful that he had in this most astonishing manner gottenright on to the whole scheme, was peering, as it were, into the veryheart of the terrible organization. It was not wholly skill that hadbrought him to this point; there was a large element of luck in it. Wasit not more? Was there not fate in it, that through his ingeniousstrategy and Cad's suggestion he had followed the man of all men whounder circumstances the most marvelous would bring him in contact withthe king of the great criminal confederacy?

Oscar just reveled in his success. His face was actually radiant. Thegreat special, Wise, had told him the best detectives in the land hadbeen baffled. Wise himself had failed, and he had selected Oscar, andthe young man was delighted at the prospect of maintaining the greatspecial's confidence in his ability. Meantime the conversationcontinued. 

"When are you to meet these people?"

"I don't know exactly. The king-pin is out West. He is liable to returnany day. "

"And then?"

"You are to give an exhibition of your skill. "

The woman clasped her hands and casting her eyes to the floor exclaimed:

"Oh, how I have longed for a chance like this, Tom! I love luxury. Iwould be a handsome, yes, a splendid woman if I only had money. This isthe best chance we ever had in our lives. "

"Yes, Sarah, and I will be proud to see you dressed like a queen. "

"Give me the money and I will dress like a queen; I know how to dress. But who is with you in securing this great chance?"

"I will tell you all about it later on, Sarah. You can be hopeful, andnow I will go to meet one or two of the boys. I will not be home againuntil early in the morning. We have a little job on hand. It may yield afew, bits for us; I can't tell. "

"Tom, with the great chance we have, be careful. Do not get nipped justas our fortune is made. "

CHAPTER IV. 

OSCAR ENCOUNTERS A SERIES OF ADVENTURES IN FOLLOWING A PROMISINGTRAIL AND MEETS WITH A PLEASANT SURPRISE. 

Oscar slid down the stairs. His trick had been too good a one for him totake any chances. He did not wish to scare his bird off ere he had himbagged. He walked away and waited for Tom to appear. The man, however, for some reason or other remained in his rooms, and our hero at lengthmuttered:

"All right, I have him treed. I can put my hand on him any time. "

Oscar walked away and proceeded to Broadway, and having another matteron hand which he was quietly shadowing he went to a noted privateclubhouse. He entered and lounged for some time around the parlor. Hiskeen eyes were wandering around in restless glances--not that he wasdirectly looking for anything, but it was a habit, and as it will bedemonstrated it was a useful habit in a man of his profession. Heobserved two strangers enter the assembly-room and later go with a clubmember to the café. This was not an unusual incident, and possibly mighthave passed off as intended by certain parties but for one fatal error. Just as the men passed through a doorway the clubman turned and took ameasuring glance at our hero. The keen detective noted the fact which tohim was significant, and he muttered:

"Hello! what does this mean?"

Oscar's mind acted rapidly. He reviewed all the facts. He had justentered the club; he had come from a close "shadow;" two men enteredimmediately after him; he had never seen either of the men in theclubhouse before; they addressed one of the members and the three passedfrom the general sitting-room, but not until the clubman had taken asuggestive glance at our hero, and this latter fact was verysignificant--it meant something. Oscar did not recognize the clubmember. He had seen him, however, several times in the clubhouse, andwas satisfied that the man was really a member. But who were the othertwo men, and why had they directed attention toward him? This was thequestion at that moment. Oscar retired to one of the private club-rooms. He wrought a marvelous change in his appearance. It was one of the mostmagical transforms ever attempted, and having worked the change hedescended to the café. In the club our hero was not known as adetective. He was registered there as a matter of business, and hadadopted but one initial, taking his middle name, so that under nocircumstances would Woodford Dunne and Oscar Dunne be recognized as thesame person. The club to him was a convenience for "fly" purposes. Oncein the café he saw the two men and the club member seated at a tableengaged in earnest conversation, and he heard the club member say:

"I still insist that you have made a mistake. "

"How?"

"In the crowd you lost your man and have trailed the wrong man. "

"I am certain he is the same man. "

"But I know the man. "

"Who is he?"

"I asked his name a few days ago. His name is Woodford Dunne. He is notan officer--a bank clerk, I think, or possibly a traveling salesman. Onething is certain: he was not trailing your man, not trailing any one. "

The man who had asked "Who is he?" was thoughtful a moment and thensaid:

"Our danger may be greater than you imagine. "

"Nonsense!"

"I say yes. "

"How?"

"Are you dead certain that man Woodford Dunne is not in this club toshadow _you_?"

The man addressed turned pale--very pale. 

"How long have you known him as a member?"

"I am certain he has been a member for a number of months. "

"It's all very strange. I tell you we have made no mistake. That man waslistening at the door of Wadleigh, and it is Mrs. Wadleigh that weexpect to employ. He came from Wadleigh's rooms, where he had beenpeeping, to this clubhouse. "

The men were talking in very low tones. Oscar had sneaked in and had notbeen observed by them, so intensely were they engrossed in their talk. He had dropped into a seat near them and had picked up a paper. 

"How do you know he was listening at Wadleigh's keyhole?"

"You know our orders. Having agreed to employ Mrs. Wadleigh, thegovernor gave us orders to shadow Wadleigh. We have been on his track. Iwas going to take a peep and a listen, and silently ascended the stairswhen I saw I had been anticipated. I slipped back to the street and welay around. That man who you say is Dunne came from the house and wefollowed him here. "

"He may have come from some other part of the house. "

"I would like to think so, but I know better. He lay around after heleft the house for Wadleigh to come forth, but we managed to giveWadleigh a tip and he stayed in his rooms. There is no mistake; the manWoodford Dunne was the man we saw dodging at Wadleigh's keyhole. Whathis real lay was I don't know, and we might assume it was an off playbut for the fact that he came here. _You_ are here. Is he not on yourshadow? That's what I want to know. "

"This is very serious. "

"Yes, it is. "

"We must go into this man Dunne. "

"We must. "

"And if your suspicions are correct the flag of the clubhouse must soonfloat at half mast for a dead member. We cannot afford to be tripped upnow. "

"That is true. "

At this moment one of the men for the first time observed the presenceof our hero. They had no reason to suspect that the man reading thepaper understood the subject matter of their discourse and again, theydid not realize how distinctly in their engrossment they had spoken. Thepresence of the club member did not give them much concern, but theychanged their theme. 

Oscar still maintained his position, and strange thoughts were runningthrough his mind. He had obtained the information that many supposedlyreputable men were in the great steal, and here he had evidence that amember of a very respectable social club was possibly in the greatorganization. It was not a startling discovery in one sense, for thepolice records will show that many a man who lived a reputable lifebefore the great public for many years has been in the end discovered tobe a cool, calculating rogue in alliance with criminals. Even while wewrite this statement one of these disclosures has been made to astartled public. Accident unmasked a millionaire, a man who has posedbefore the public for twenty years, and this accidental discovery led tothe positive proof that this same man has been a systematic criminal foryears; and even after having acquired a million he continued his evilcriminal game until exposure came, as it is always sure to come andovertake the guilty sooner or later. 

The men left the café. Oscar had a good lead and he knew he must go veryslowly, as he had some very keen men to deal with. Again he went to aprivate room and worked back to Mr. Woodford Dunne. He had played hislittle game around the men and determined to let them play moth aroundhis light. 

A little later he left the clubhouse. He had determined to give the mena chance. Instead of being a shadower he learned that he was being"shadowed. " He had been there before. He could stand a shadow as well ashe could shadow others. He determined to give the men a fair show, abetter show than he usually got when playing the same game. He went to awell-known gambling place. There was not a resort in New York City thatour hero could not locate, and in every one of these resorts, under oneguise or another, he had an _entrée_. In some places he was known underone character, and in others under a very different guise. He had laidout all this piping for as many different emergencies. Having become adetective, he made the methods of his profession an exact science. Oscarhad not been long in the gambling den when his original suspicions wereall fully confirmed. The two men who had shadowed him to the clubentered, and our hero mentally argued:

"Those fellows certainly stick to my identity. "

The detective engaged in the game. He was not a gambler--he abhorredgambling. He had seen so many men drop down to poverty who had takentheir first step back in a gambling den, and during the course of hiscareer he had warned, and in some instances saved young clerks who werejust beginning to slide downward. Gambling is a fatal amusement andsooner or later leads to disaster. Oscar, however, knew how to gamble. He had learned the various games merely as aids in his profession, formost criminals are inveterate gamblers, and it is in gambling dens wheredetectives find their richest fields for "dead shadows. "

A few moments after Oscar had gotten into the game one of the men whowere shadowing him also got in. It proved to be a very commonplace play. No large bets were made, no great sums were lost or won. The shadowerhad managed to crowd in beside our hero, and Oscar had favored him insecuring the seat, and as was expected the man opened a conversation. 

"A slow game, " he said. 

"Very, " answered our hero laconically. 

"I don't like this faro anyhow, " said the man. 

"It passes time. "

"I prefer a good game of draw. "

Oscar detected that the man was just playing a good game of _draw_--hewas trying to _draw_ our hero into a private little game of draw-poker;but it was not the poker that he wanted to inaugurate. His game was todraw our hero to some convenient place where he could play a still moresignificant game of _draw_. 

"I like a game of draw myself, " said Oscar, nowise loath to favor theman's game. 

The detective did not know where it was all leading to, or what it wasleading up to as a final denouement, but he was inured to the taking ofdesperate chances. Peril was a pastime to him. He was ever watchful andalways prepared for danger. 

"I think I've seen you before, " said the man. 

"Where?"

"I can't recall; possibly in some club. "

Our hero had detected that he was dealing with a very smart man--a manof nerve and coolness--a man who went slow but sure. He also discernedthat it was to be a play of skill and experience in roguery againstexperience and skill in detective work. 

"Let's take a little of their whisky, " said the man. "It's about all wecan get out of this game. "

Oscar, having set out to be led, rose from the table, cashed in hischecks, as his whilom friend did, and followed to the sideboard wherethey were joined by the second man, and number one said:

"My friend Thatford. I don't know your name, sir. "

"Woodford Dunne, " answered our hero promptly. 

"Yes, I've heard the name. I reckon you are acquainted with some friendof mine, for I've certainly heard the name. "

The men had poured out their drink, when number one, who had announcedhis own name as Girard, said:

"That's mighty poor whisky. It's like the game--bad. "

Thatford said:

"Let's go and have a little lunch and a good drink to wash out that vilestuff. "

"Will you go with us?" said Girard. 

"You must excuse me, gentlemen; I am a stranger. I cannot thrust myselfupon you. "

"It's no thrusting; we would be glad to have you join us. Thatford andI are no strangers in New York. Really, I am glad to have met you. Iknow a good fellow when I meet him. I am a sort of mind reader inpicking out thoroughbreds. "

"If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I will decline your invitation. Ithought I'd drop around to the theater and see the closing act. "

"That ain't a bad scheme. We'll go with you and have a little cold snackafterward. "

As the men had invited our hero to accompany them he could not wellrefuse to permit them to accompany him, especially in view of the littleplan he had settled to act in regard to them. 

The three men did proceed to a theater, and our hero was surprised tosee one of the men, Girard, bow to a very innocent-looking and beautifulgirl who was in a private box in company with quite a stylish party. Girard was a good-looking man and he dressed with faultless taste. Noone would suspect him as a rogue on his appearance, and besides hismanners were excellent--quite gentlemanly. 

Oscar fixed his gaze on the fair girl between whom and Girard the nod ofrecognition had passed, and as he stood there in the theater he revolvedin his mind the singular facts. He wondered how a man of Girard'spolished exterior should have been chosen to act the spy on a commonconfederate rogue. 

Later he was destined to learn why Girard had been selected. 

When the curtain went down on the last act Girard said:

"Thatford, you will have to excuse me to-night. I see a lady friendhere. I may receive an invitation to dine with the party sheaccompanies. "

"I won't excuse you, " said Thatford. 

"Our friend here will keep you company. "

"No, you must go with me. "

"Where will you go?"

"To the Brunswick. "

"I may join you later. "

Oscar discerned the fine play that was being worked on him. He fell tothe whole business, and more keenly appreciated what an excellent actorthe man Girard really was. 

"I fear I will have to beg off, " said Oscar. 

"No, no, gentleman, this will not do. I am as hungry as a bear, but donot propose to sit down to a solitary meal. Come, Mr. Dunne, you mustcertainly be my guest. "

"All right, sir, as you insist. I did intend to go home and retire earlyto-night, but recognizing how your friend here has deserted you I willgo with you. "

"I am obliged to you, and we will have a meal that shall amplycompensate you. Girard will lose it, and when we tell him of our goodtime to-morrow we will make him green with envy. "

"I may be with you. I am not sure yet I will receive an invitation fromthe other party. "

"That chap, " thought Oscar, "is a quick thinker. He knows how to takeadvantage of the slightest incident when he is playing a game. Allright, he is a bright player. We shall see how to scheme against him. "

Girard went away, and Thatford and Oscar proceeded to the Brunswick. Theformer became quite confidential after the first glass of wine, and hisconfidences were conventional and natural. 

"My friend Girard is a great chap, " he said, "one of the biggest-heartedfellows in the world. He is very rich and generous. "

"He appears like a very generous man, " said Oscar. 

"He is just what he appears to be. He has but one weakness--he isexcessively fond of draw. "

"Yes, " thought Oscar, "he is playing a big game of draw with me, and heexpects to draw me into some sort of a web. Well, he may succeed; wecan't tell, Mr. Spider. "

Oscar did not speak out just what he thought, but said:

"I am partial to a little game myself under the proper conditions. "

"What do you consider the proper conditions?"

"My companions in the game gentlemen, who, like myself, play for thesake of amusement, and not to win for the sake of the money. "

"Then Girard is your man, and I think he has taken a great fancy to you, Dunne. He is a queer fellow in some things, but when he takes a fancy toa man, he clings to him, and is always ready to do a good turn. "

"That is a good trait. "

"Do you know, or rather would you suspect, that he was a poor orphan, and the architect of his own great fortune?"

"No, he acts to me like a man born to wealth. "

"On the contrary, he is the son of Irish parents. He was born out West. His father was a ne'er-do-well. Girard at the age of twelve started into provide for his mother and brothers and sisters. He went to Chicagoand got in with a firm on the produce exchange. He served them well forseveral years and saved money until he could speculate on his ownaccount. He is an honorable fellow. He resigned his position the momenthe started in to deal on his own account, and he moved right along, making little successes, until finally he had money enough to go in fora big strike. He caught the market just right and at the age oftwenty-eight got out of business with half a million to the right sideof his hank account. He then came on to New York, and here he has leadan easy life, just enjoying himself in a quiet way; and, as I said, hisgreat weakness is poker. He don't play a heavy game, but loses with agood grace and wins with exceeding courtesy. "

"I reckon he must be a pretty good fellow. "

"He is, and hang me, if we are not going to have the pleasure of hiscompany. That pretty girl did not ring him into her party, and he hascome to make things pleasant for us. I am glad he is here. "

Girard, looking as innocent and jovial as a "let her go easy, " honestman, joined Oscar and Thatford, and started in with a pretty compliment, saying:

"Well, gentlemen, I got left, but I am stranded on a pleasant shore whenmy 'renig' sends me to such excellent company and such a bountifulrepast. "

CHAPTER V. 

THE GAME GOES ON AND FINE PLAY IS DISPLAYED ON BOTH SIDES. 

"Well, you are a good one, " thought Oscar, and he mentally questionedwhether or not he was coming out ahead of such a bold schemer, for thedetective was well aware that the invitation business was amisleader--what is called a "fake. " The fellow really intended to gaintime to put up his job for "doing" our hero, in case it was decided thathe was to be "done up. " Herein Girard had the advantage. He had fixedhis plan and our hero was going it blind, not having had time to arrangea trick against the one he well knew was being set up for him. 

Girard sat down and commenced a lively talk. He spoke in glowing termsof the lady who had recognized him in the theater. Indeed, he was asjolly and pleasant as a man who had no evil design in his heart. 

The meal was finally concluded. Oscar had placed his end of it well andappeared about as jolly as a man should appear who had imbibed his shareof several bottles of wine. 

"What shall we do?" asked Girard. "I don't wish to go to bed; I preferhaving a nice time. Can't we go somewhere and have a jolly little gameof draw?"

Oscar was not loath. He desired to let the men draw him, believing thatwhile they were playing their little trick he might work a little on hisown hook. 

"Hang it!" said our hero, "I am not in the habit of staying away from myhome all night, but since I've started in I don't care what I do for therest of the night. "

"Where can we go?" asked Thatford. 

"To some hotel. We will take a room, " suggested Oscar. His suggestionwas only a "flyer. " He knew the men did not wish to go to a hotel. Itwas a part of their game to draw him to some place where they could openup the scheme they had in their minds. 

"I have a friend who always keeps open house. "

Thatford laughed and said:

"Yes, a pretty close friend. You want us to go to your bachelorquarters. "

"Well, why not at my rooms? We can play as long as we please and turn inwhen we get ready. "

"I have taken advantage of your hospitality so often I'd rather cryoff, " said Thatford. 

"Oh, nonsense! come on. What do you say, Dunne?"

The intimacy under the influence of the wine had progressed so far thatthe men addressed each other as though they had been friends for years. Wine softens down the austerities and makes apparent friends with greatreadiness. It was decided to go to the bachelor rooms of Girard, and thethree men passed to the street. Oscar meantime became quite gay and veryplainly showed the effects of the wine, but really he was fearfully onthe alert, and when we write fearfully we mean it just as we write it;for he did not know at what moment one of the men might plunge a knifethrough his heart or send a bullet through his brain. He knew that theirpurpose was a dire one, and the only question was, how would they workout their plan? Keen were his glances under his seeming inebriety, andhe beheld the men exchange glances, and also recognized looks oftriumph, intimating, "We've done it well. He is ours. "

The three men walked on and at length halted in front of a house whichour hero had once had under suspicion. 

"Here we are, " said Girard. 

"All right, " responded Oscar. 

"Say, my friend, " suggested Thatford, "we must not play for largestakes. Remember I am not a rich man; I can't lose like some of yougolden bucks. "

"I never play for big stakes, " said Girard. 

The men entered the house and Girard said:

"My gambling box is on the top floor. There I don't annoy my neighbors. "

"All right, " said Oscar. Our hero was seemingly in a very complaisantmood. The men ascended to the top floor. Girard ushered his guests intoa room which contained a full equipment for a game of draw. There wereshaded lights, a polished table, and by touching a button he summoned alackey to serve in attendance, and our seemingly half-boozed Oscarscanned the face of the lackey and perceived that indeed a very cunninggame was being played. Cards, cigars, liquor, and all the paraphernaliawere introduced, even to chips, and the game commenced. Our hero hadstarted in to buy a big wad of chips, but he was restrained. 

Indeed, the rascals were working the game for all it was worth in theway of a total blind, until the moment when they intended to open up. 

The game had proceeded for about half an hour when the attendant enteredthe room and made a whispered announcement to Girard. The latterappeared to be annoyed, but said:

"All right, show them up;" and turning to his guests he added:

"It's awful annoying, but a couple of my friends, knowing my habit, havedropped in. They will want to come in the game. "

"The more the merrier, " said Oscar. 

Thus he spoke, but he realized all the same that the chances for hisescape were lessening. Two more men would make it five against him, including the attendant, whom our hero had set down as a "stool" indisguise, and the inquiry arose in his mind:

"What can their game be? They have certainly gone carefully about it andhave made great preparations to do me; but how do they intend to do it?"

The two men were introduced into the room. They came in seemingly inquite a merry mood, but a moment later one of them fixed his eyes on ourhero, stared in a surprised way and finally asked:

"Girard, where did you come across that individual?"

There was a tableau at once. 

"What do you mean? Of course you know the man. "

"Here, my good fellow, I'd like to know what _you_ mean?" demandedGirard. 

"Do you call that man your guest?"

"I do. "

"Do you know him well?"

Girard appeared very much confused and did not answer. 

"Answer; do you know that man well?"

"No, I met him to-night. "

All this time Oscar sat silent, but really appeared like a man who hadbeen detected in something mean. 

"You don't know him well?"

"I do not. "

"You met him to-night?"

"Yes. "

"Who introduced him to you?"

"No one. We became acquainted by chance. But see here, this gentleman ismy guest and I want you to explain. "

"Oh, I'll explain. "

"Please do. "

"I denounce that man. "

"You denounce him?"

"I do. "

"On what ground?"

"He is a spy and a sneak. He will report you for keeping a gamblinghouse. He is a sort of detective pimp, does all their dirty work. Thatis the man you are entertaining. Let him deny it if he will. "

This was a bold accusation, and all the men glared at our hero, andfinally Girard said:

"Dunne, what have you got to say for yourself? If this is false callthat man a liar. It is your right, for he makes very grave chargesagainst you. "

"With your permission, " said Oscar, "I will withdraw. That man's chargesare not entitled to a reply from me. "

"But see here, mister, that won't do. "

"What won't do?"

"If his charges are true you have been playing me. "

"I have been playing you?"

"Yes. "

"How?"

"Well, you understand your purpose. I don't. But one thing is certain:you must make a full confession, or I will hold you responsible for anyinterpretation I may put upon his charges. "

Oscar apparently began to sober up, and he said:

"I do not choose to make any explanations. "

"What do you know about this man?" demanded Girard, addressing theaccuser. 

"He is a reward seeker--a man who will ingratiate himself into thecompany of gentlemen. If he gets into a private game of cards he reportsa gambling game and has gentlemen arrested. He is a general spy andsneak--a man who will go into court and perjure himself for a bribe, andhe has made trouble for many a good fellow. He has hired witnesses, perjurers, at his beck and call. He is always up to some game. He is, inshort, a lying, miserable rascal; that is what he is, and I know him. "

"These are very grave charges, " repeated Girard. 

"Yes, and I will not remain to listen to them. "

"But you will remain. "

"I will?"

"Yes. "

"Who says so?"

"I do. You shall not steal into my house to spy and sneak on me, and getaway. "

"What will you do about it?" asked Oscar coolly. 

"What will I do about it?"

"That is my question. "

"Do you admit the charges?"

"I am too much of a gentleman to deny them: they are so gross. "

"Oh, you intend to get out of it that way, eh? Now who are you?"

As Girard spoke he rose from the table and presented a pistol directlyat our hero's forehead. Oscar did not flinch, but asked:

"Do you intend to murder me?"

The detective was in the worst dilemma of his whole career. He knew themen were playing a game, that the chances were all against him, andthat the possibilities were that under one pretext or another theyintended to kill him. 

"No, I don't intend to murder you. I am no murderer, but I do not intendto let you get away with any sneaking purpose you may have had inworking your way into this house. Are you a gentleman?"

"Yes, I am a gentleman. "

"Then you shall have a chance. I challenge you; yes, sir, you must fightme. "

"This is murder, " said Oscar. 

Our hero believed his last moment had arrived. He had braved fate toofar in his enthusiasm. He had walked into a trap from which there was noescape. The duel which had been proposed he knew would only be apretense in order to murder him. He knew he had walked right into atrap, but he determined to die game. Yes, even at that moment he did notwholly despair. These men did not know his mettle, and could he once geta weapon in his hands he would make a desperate fight. He was armed, butthought that possibly the men might go through the farce of a duel. Thiswould give him a chance. He had his club and he knew he must take themby a grand dash, a magnificent surprise. He had encountered as many menon several occasions in desperate conflict, but these men had the"bulge" on him. They were prepared and on the alert. The chances werethat every man was well armed and ready to "pull. " He must get a vantageground from where he could take them by surprise--throw them off theirguard; but even then the chances were against him, for these were noordinary men. They were a lot of cool, nervy criminals, well prepared, as stated--men who had their plans well arranged, their signals also. Possibly each man had his appointed work. They were men who could andwould carry out their orders. It was a desperate moment, and all thechances were against him. 

It was at this most critical moment that an extraordinary incidentoccurred. Oscar saw but little chance; still, as intimated, he wasdetermined to make a desperate fight even in face of the odds againsthim, and there he sat revolving the matter in his mind when suddenlythere sounded a little tick-tick like the tick-tick of a telegraphmachine. The men did not notice the tick-tick, it was so low and soundedlike the involuntary cracking that is sometimes heard from driedfurniture when a fire is first ignited in a room. To our hero, though, this very singular tick-tick came with a wonderful significance; indeed, to him it was a language. It was a telegraphic message, and he knew thathe was all right. Indeed, he received full instructions as to what hemight expect; he learned when and how he was to give a signal at theextreme moment when he needed help. We will not at present attempt todescribe his surprise and his admiration of the faithful one who likehis shadow must have followed on his track to do the succor act whensuccor was needed. Oscar did not change his demeanor. He acted as thoughhe still feared the terrible ordeal which confronted him. 

"You must fight me, " said Girard, "and I show you great mercy in givingyou a chance for your life. "

"Why must I fight you?"

"You are a sneak. You have imposed upon my confidence. You have forcedyour way into my rooms, having in mind a treacherous purpose. "

"I did not seek you. No, sir, you sought me; you invited me here. Ideclined to come. You forced yourself upon me. I did not force myself inhere. "

"I thought you were a gentleman. "

"I am a gentleman. "

"You must fight me all the same. "

"I can see, " said Oscar, "you men are a gang of confidence men--robbers. You have inveigled me here to rob me. I will not be robbed. I will yellfor the police. "

One of the men aimed a revolver at our hero and said:

"Open your mouth to utter one cry and you are a dead man. "

"You men dare to threaten me?"

"Yes, we dare to threaten. You shall not betray us. "

"Aha! I see my conclusions are correct. You are thieves and fearbetrayal. "

"We only fear being belied by a rascal like you. We're all gentlemen; wehave reputations. We do not desire to rest under a false imputation ofbeing gamblers. Now then you have one chance. Tell us just who you areand your purpose and we may spare you; otherwise--" The man stopped. 

"What will you do otherwise?"

"Kill you. "

"See here; you men cannot double-bank me. I am not here to be robbed. Isee through this farce. You rascals cannot scare me. "

"Hear!" exclaimed one of the men. "He is insulting. "

"Yes, he has insulted every one of us. He must fight. "

Oscar laughed and asked:

"Do you wish me to fight the whole gang?"

"Hear him! he denominates us 'the gang'!"

"Certainly, you are a gang of thieves. I can see that I have beeninveigled in here. This is a trumped-up charge against me; but I repeat, I defy you. Do your worst. "

"Get the swords, " called Girard. 

"Who will fight him?"

"I will, " said the attendant suddenly stepping forward. "Yes, gentlemen, I will fight him. It is not proper that gentlemen like you shouldbesmirch yourselves by fighting with a low-bred scoundrel like thisfellow. I am his match; he belongs to my class. He and I will meet onequal terms. I will settle him, gentlemen, and afford you some rich andexcellent amusement. "

"Henri, " said Girard, "you are not a swordsman. "

"I will prove to you, my master, that I am swordsman enough to fightthis wretch who has forced himself into your presence to act as a spy. Yes, sir, I will teach him a lesson. "

Oscar could not discern what the real purpose of the men was. Itappeared somewhat like a farce to him, and yet their trick was one thathas often been played. They could in case of need make out that it was acase of assault, where one man had sought the life of another. Indeed, there had been several cases of a like character in New York. In onecase the men had claimed that a duel had been forced upon another; andagain a case had been known where it was made to appear that there hadbeen a murderous assault, and of course there were plenty of witnesses, and the law is compelled to accept the testimony of unimpeachedwitnesses. While in both cases alluded to the police were convinced acold-blooded murder had been committed, they were unable to prove it, however, and the assassins went free. Here were four men who couldtestify as they chose, and the chances were that as far as the courtswere concerned they were reputable witnesses. The latter was the gameour hero calculated the men meant to work on him. They had deliberatelyplanned his murder, and the chances would have been dead against him butfor the little tick-tick, and that singular tick-tick told a wondrousstory; but even with this in his favor the chances were against Oscarwhen he conceived a plan as cunning as the one that was being playedagainst him. 

CHAPTER VI. 

OSCAR CONCEIVES A PLAN AND A REMARKABLE DENOUEMENT FOLLOWS--COOLNESSAND PLUCK WIN AGAINST SCHEMES AND CUNNING. 

Our hero finally decided upon a plan. He determined to convert animpending tragedy into a farce. 

The detective smiled when the lackey volunteered to "do him up, " andsaid:

"I see you wish a little amusement, you fellows. You shall have it. Getthe swords. I am a gentleman and I will enjoy slaughtering thisambitious cocky-doodle-doo. He wishes to become mincemeat; I willgratify him. Yes, gentleman, get the swords and the fun shall begin. "

The men stared. This was a turn in the affair they had not anticipated, but they were evidently prepared to meet the emergency. 

"Who will act as this fellow's second?" asked Girard. 

"You need not trouble yourselves, gentlemen. "

"Oh, no, you must have a second. Although you are not entitled to anyconsideration this affair shall be conducted as though you were really agentleman. Thatford, will you act as the fellow's second?"

"I must respectfully decline, " said Thatford. "I am not acting as secondin an affair of honor for a low-bred spy and sneak. "

The lackey meantime had prepared himself for the affray, and Girard hadproduced two dueling swords. It looked serious indeed, but there wasalso an element of farce in the whole affair. 

"I will excuse Mr. Thatford from acting as my second. "

"Will you accept me?" demanded Girard. 

"No, I will not accept you. I anticipated that you fellows might bepart of a gang of thieves and I prepared to meet you. No, no, gentlemen, you have not got this all your own way. I do not propose to be murderedlike a caged rat, I assure you. "

The men glared. There had come a complete change over our hero, andindeed Oscar had laid out his whole campaign. 

"You fellows are thieves, " he said, "thieves and murderers. I believeyou are the parties who murdered a young man who has been missing forsome months, and I further believe he was made a victim in some such wayas you planned to make a victim of me; but, my dear rascals, I won'thave it. "

The men began to assume menacing attitudes, while exchanging glances. 

It was evident they were surprised, but a greater surprise was in storefor them as our hero exclaimed:

"The opening act is over. We will now bring on the tragedy. "

Oscar stamped his foot, the door opened, and to the surprise of the mena boyish-looking youth stepped in the room. Indeed they did stare, andOscar said:

"See, I anticipated your moves. Here is my second; this young man willsee that I have fair play. "

Girard here spoke up and demanded:

"Who are you? How dare you enter my house uninvited and unannounced?"

The youth assumed a merry demeanor and said:

"I thought there was going to be some fun here and I dropped in; that'sall. I like a fight--a good square fight. "

The men were evidently unmanned. There was something going on that theyevidently did not understand. They were very shrewd men--great schemers. They believed they had played a good trick, but suddenly there came achange in their belief. There had followed a succession of strange andremarkable developments which they did not understand. The mysteryparalyzed them; the boldness of the move terrorized them. Indeed, Thatford, who was usually a pretty nervy man, edged toward the door, butOscar called out:

"Hold on, mister, don't go. Remember this lackey here was to afford yousome excellent amusement. He looks as though he were just the man tokeep his word. He shall keep it, and afford you the amusement hepromised. I will aid him. See, he is all ready; he is stripped for thefun. I do not need to strip. Give him a sword, give me a sword and we'llhave gore; yes, we'll have gore. I will punish him, and then, gentlemen, I will be prepared to mix the gore. Yes, we shall have lots ofamusement; it will be a roaring farce. "

One of the men appeared to recover his nerve and said:

"Say, mister, you call us thieves, but I reckon you are a thief. Youhave undoubtedly arranged a good little game of your own. "

"Oh, yes, I've arranged a good little game. I invited yonder fellow tomy house to engage in a game of draw. I had three dummies ready to runon and make a trumped-up accusation. I attempted to force a duel on theman I had inveigled into my house. I had a disguised swordsman in thegarb of a lackey to do the murder act. Oh, yes, I am a thief, and Iplanned well--so well that I have you gentlemen all at my mercy. Justwitness how well I planned. "

Again Oscar stamped his foot on the floor and three men entered theroom, and they were fully equal to the part they were called upon toplay. The rascals thus overmatched realized the neat manner in whichthey had been beaten. Terror filled their hearts, for they did not atthe moment know how well they had been trailed down. One fact waspatent to them, and that was that they had put up, as they supposed, agreat trick on a detective and had been outwitted in the most completemanner. There was no way out of the hole for them. Bad as they were, they knew they were not a match for the five individuals who faced them. The three men who had entered the room last were Jim terrors right ontheir looks, and their easy, offhand manner froze the blood in the veinsof the conspirators. Girard attempted to face the matter by a display ofnerve, but his attempt was pitiful in view of the situation as it at themoment confronted him. 

The lackey meantime gave signs of terror. He was a swordsman, butrealized that all his skill would go for naught, seeing that the gamewas exposed. Indeed, a most remarkable tableau was presented, but Girardtried to play out to save his _confrères_. He said:

"Well, well, Dunne, I expected to work a big scare on you, but I see youhave been too smart. The next time I attempt a practical joke I willmeasure my intended victim better. "

"Ah, you will?"

"Yes. "

"Then this was all a joke?"

"Certainly; but you have proved yourself the best joker. "

"You think so?"

"Yes, I am dead beat. "

"And as you say it was all a joke. "

"Certainly, you know it was. "

"And what license had you to attempt to play such a broad joke on me?"

"Joking is my delight. "

"Is it?"

"Always. "

"Good enough; you tried your joke, I will now try mine. I'll teach youto pick up a stranger in the street to make him the victim of your joke. Oh, yes, we will call it a joke, a good joke, but the joke is not playedout yet. You have had your fun. I must have mine, and here goes!" Oscarwhipped out a club. He leaped forward and down went Girard, and theother detectives also got in and there was a very lively time in thatupper room for about three minutes. The thieves did not dare offer anyresistance. They took their medicine and yet they were all brave men. They were only too glad under all the circumstances to get off with agood sound clubbing, and they got it. Then Oscar and his forces drewoff, leaving the men to think over their discomfiture at their leisure. We say the officers withdrew. They did, all but Oscar. He thought totake a little advantage of his success, and dodged into a room adjoiningthe one where the remarkable scene we have described occurred. He knewthe men were all well done up and would not in their bewilderment beprepared for the latest trick of the detective. Our hero's friendsdescended the stairs, making a great noise, and they kept addressingthemselves to our hero, asking him questions in a loud tone, but he wasnot present to answer them. The questions were a part of his scheme tomislead the men, and his purpose was to overhear what passed between themen after they supposed that he and his companions had departed. Herelied, as stated, on the demoralization of the scoundrels, and hisposition, as it proved, was well taken. The men did assume that he andhis party had departed and they commenced talking, and our hero was athand to overhear them talk. Girard was the first speaker. 

"Great Scott!" he ejaculated, "who was looking for this? We areboys--greenhorns--compared to that fellow and a tale is told. "

"Yes, a tale is told, " said Thatford. "We thought we had everythingdead under cover. We were proceeding in fancied security, but thesefellows have been on our track. This is not the scheme of a night. Wehave met a setback that will keep us poor for six months. We will notdare move until we ascertain just how far they are on to us. "

"I knew something was up when we discovered that fellow shadowingWadleigh. It was a lucky discovery, and our experience to-night, although rough, is a good play out in our favor. We know now just wherewe stand; that is, we know to a certain extent our danger. "

"Not altogether, nor do they know all. Otherwise there would have been aclose-in. They are on to us, but have no real points. Yes, Girard, thislittle experience is a good one for us. All operations must cease untilour enemies are removed. We must go back to the old game and do a littledropping out and make the road clear again. "

"That is just what we must do. We certainly have some information forour friends. "

"We have; and there must be a meeting. All work must stop. Word must besent out all along the line. "

"Yes, sir, and at once. When will Redalli return?"

"He should be in New York within two days. "

"We need his headwork; that is certain. "

"We do, and you say he will be in the city within a few days. "

"Yes, and one more fact: we must throw up the lease of this furnishedhouse and seek new quarters. They have this place down. "

"Well, this is only a fancy resort for us anyhow. Fortunately, there isno evidence in this house. "

"No, no; I never would have brought that fellow here if we had had anyevidence in the house, although I did not think for one moment that hewould do us up the way he did. "

"He has our identities. "

"He has. "

"That is his advantage, but where does ours come in?"

"We have his identity. "

"He will change. "

"So will we, but I will know that fellow under any cover. He will notknow us unless we have forgotten how to do it. "

"It is easy for us to change. "

"You bet; he fell to us in our best rôle. "

"He did. "

"But how did he get on to us at all?"

"I must have time to think that out, and mark my words: he is ashadower. He got his points down well. I am a shadower; I will be on histrack, and the next time I will have my points down well. Whateverhappens, that fellow must be put away. "

"He is a terror. "

"He is, but he had it all his own way this time. We were groping in thedark, but he had a good flashlight on us. "

"He did. "

"Boys, we have had our ups and downs before. We have been in bad holes, but we always managed to get out. We have had better men than this youngfellow on our track, and we have always got the best of them in the end. Remember, we have for years baffled the best officers in the UnitedStates. We have no reason to be discouraged. This is only an incident;we know they are not down to facts, and before they get there we willget in some of our good work. "

"You bet! How will we start in?"

"Our first object will be to identify every man who is in this raidagainst us. When we succeed then we will know just what to do. "

"Then we know how to employ our time until Redalli arrives in town. "

"Yes. "

"And we will lay everything before him. In the meantime there is nodanger. "

"Unless he may get on to Wadleigh. How much did he learn from thatfellow?"

"I can give it to you that he learned nothing, for Wadleigh saidnothing; it was a lucky escape. "

"You have seen Wadleigh?"

"Yes, and he had something to tell me. I did not have time to talk withhim because I had this scheme on hand with that fellow. Oh, I only wishI had known his game, and I would have laid a different course. He hadit all his own way, as I said, when we thought we had it ours. It wouldhave been a big thing, however, if our little trick of to-night had notmiscarried. We would have had that chap in a hole that only a fullconfession would have gotten him out of, and then it is doubtful if wewould have let him off alive. "

Oscar had overheard enough, and he did not give the rascals the credithe would have done had they suspected his little dodge in listening towhat they had to say after the shindy, and again, as they were to followhim he knew he could get on to them when the time came. It was to be agame of hide-and-seek, and he felt assured that with the brave andmagical Cad Metti he could give them points on a double shadow. He stoledown the stairs, gained the street, and as he walked away he was joinedby Cad, and he said:

"Well, sis, you appeared at the right moment. "

"Yes, Oscar, I feared they had some desperate game to pay. I knew yourrashness. I fell to your track and when you entered that house I soughtout some of our friends and had them at hand to drag you out of a badscrape. "

"Sis, I was in a pretty bad scrape, and you appeared on deck at exactlythe right moment. "

"That is what I intended to do, but what was their purpose?"

"Cad, to tell the truth, I don't know. "

"How did they get on to you?"

"They caught me peeping on the fellow Wadleigh. There is where theyplayed it nice on me. "

"What have you learned?"

"I have only picked up some leaders. We have a tangled skein to unravel, and we have got to do some pretty smart work. Those men are good ones;we are guarded at every point, and yet we have made a big stride towarda grand close-in some day, but our chance may come in some months fromnow. "

"What lead have we?"

"I have the names of some of the king-pins. I have their identity; Iknow the name of the great master of this lodge of criminals. I willhave his identity, and then our work will begin. They will shadow us;they have my identity. They are good shadowers, and as they said Iworked in the light last time they may work in the light next time, butif they do, Cad, it will be when our lights are smashed. "

Cad and Oscar proceeded to their several homes; both had worked hard, they needed rest, and it was late on the following day when they met. Before parting from Cad our hero had given her some specific orders, andwhen the two met they were prepared in case of an emergency to work somewonderful changes. They were prepared, as intimated, to do some magictrick detective work of the first order. Oscar had had a chance to thinkmatters over and lay out his campaign, and when he parted from Cad hewent to meet Wise, the great government special. He found his man at ahotel where he was masquerading in the rôle of a merchant from St. Louis, and he also knew well how to play any rôle he started out toassume. 

"Well, Oscar, " said Wise, "I've been expecting you. "

"Certainly. "

"When will you start in?"

Oscar smiled and said:

"I thought you had started me in. "

"I did, but not having heard from you I thought you might be laying backto finish up some old business. "

"No, sir, I went right to work. "

"You did?"

"I did. "

"Well?"

"I've made some progress. "

"You have?"

"I have. "

"Let's hear about it. "

"I've shadowed down to several of the men. "

"Oh, you have?"

"Yes. "

"Well, my dear fellow, we did that, but it's the king-pins we want. "

"So you told me, and it was the king-pins I went for. "

"Eh! what's that?"

"I know the name of the chief center of the whole gang. I am on histrack; I've got the identity of his aids. "

"You think you have. "

"I know I have. "

"Oscar Dunne don't talk unless he knows what he is talking about. "

"I know what I am talking about this time. "

"Let's hear your tale of woe. "

"Not yet. I only came to tell you that within three days I hope tointroduce you to the king-pin--the chief man--the director of the wholebusiness. "

"If you can do that you have accomplished one of the greatest detectivefeats of the age. "

"I will do it, sure. I've got all the lieutenants identified, got theirnames and their muggs. I've got them shadowing me. Within an hour theywill be on my track. How is that?"

"It's great. "

"Watch them on my track. You know what it means. "

"I think I do; you will really be on theirs. "

"Yes, and I've some big surprises for them. I've learned their plans, they are ready to spread a flood of counterfeits of every description. They have got all their plans complete. I will be on to their plans in afew days, and we can close in on them just as they let go their firstdove. "

"If you are correct you are at the top of the profession. I'd likeparticulars. "

"In a few days, I'll give you all the particulars and your men. "

Oscar went away. He had gotten up so as to be recognized. He saunteredon to Broadway when a lady approached. She was veiled and she asked:

"Is this Mr. Oscar Dunne?"

The detective was taken a little aback, but answered:

"May I inquire why you ask?"

"If this is Mr. Oscar Dunne, the detective, I have some business withyou. "

"We will suppose I am the man you seek; what is your business?"

"Will you accompany me?"

"No. "

"I thought you were a detective. "

"Suppose I am. "

"It's your business to listen to one who seeks your aid. "

"Go on, I am listening. "

"There are reasons why I do not wish to talk on the public street. "

Oscar was only sparring for time; he was measuring the woman, and he hadnot gotten on to her purpose when he said:

"Where do you wish me to go?"

"To any public place where we can sit down and I can relate to you mystrange and remarkable experience. You will decide that I need aid andadvice. I have been told that you are just the man to aid and adviseme. "

"Who sent you to me?"

"A friend. "

"What is your friend's name. "

"A Miss Lamb. "

Oscar did know a Miss Lamb. He had once done her a great service, andthe woman's answer rather threw him at sea in his conclusions. 

CHAPTER VII. 

CAD METTI AND OSCAR PERFORM SOME GREAT TRICKS AND AT EVERY STEPGAIN INFORMATION LEADING TOWARD A THRILLING DENOUEMENT. 

The detective was compelled to think quickly, and yet he sought a littletime. 

"Miss Lamb sent you to me?"

"Yes. "

"You are a friend of Miss Lamb?"

"I am. "

"Tell me about her. "

"She is a deserving young woman working honorably for an honorableliving. "

"And she sent you to me?"

"She did. "

"You desire my services?"

"I do. "

"Madam, I am very busy. "

"You will have time to advise me. "

"Is advice all you need?"

"That depends. "

"Upon what?"

"Upon what you may conclude after you have listened to my narrative. "

Our hero had decided on his course. He decided to go with the woman andpermit her to tell her tale, for as the matter stood he could arrive atno positive conclusion concerning her. 

"Where shall we go?" he asked. 

"We will go to some prominent restaurant. "

"But, madam, I have not seen your face. "

"There is no reason why I should not remove my veil. I will do so whenwe are seated at a table. Let me tell you my experience is a verystrange one. I have a very extraordinary story to relate. I know youwill become interested; I know you will decide to serve me if you willonly let me narrate my startling experience. "

"You shall certainly have an opportunity to relate your experience, madam. "

"Miss Lamb told me I could rely upon your generosity, but let me tellyou I do not expect that you will serve me simply in a spirit ofchivalry. If you can extricate me from my very singular entanglement Iwill be in a position to reward you in the most munificent manner, butit will require brains, courage and coolness to release me. "

"Madam, I will not claim any of these qualities in advance, but I willaccompany you and listen to your strange tale. I am interested in oddexperiences; it is my infirmity. "

"I have been informed that you have no infirmities; that you are a bold, resolute, keen, level-headed gentleman. "

Our hero smiled and said:

"Shall I select the place where we shall go?"

"If you please. "

"You do not seek privacy?"

"Only so far as I can relate my story and be heard by you alone, and letme tell you I may do you a great service while you are serving me. "

"That will be splendid, " said Oscar. 

He walked with the veiled woman to a well-known restaurant. He led herto a table in a remote corner, and the moment they were seated sheremoved her veil and disclosed a very beautiful face. She was evidentlyan American woman, and our hero had detected a Yankee pronunciation, buthe was thoughtful enough to know that the down east idiom might beassumed. We will here say that his suspicions of the woman had notrelaxed, but when he beheld her fair, beautiful face his suspicion wasjust a little staggered. 

As indicated, Oscar had not dismissed his suspicions entirely, and hewaited wonderingly for the woman to open up her business. 

"You have never beheld my face before?" she said. 

"Never. "

"It may seem bold for a positive stranger to ask a favor, but as I saidthis is a matter which requires very delicate manipulation. I cannottrust every one, not even among the corps of detectives. "

"And yet you feel that you can trust me?"

"Yes. "

"Why?"

"I believe that combined with shrewdness, courage and cunning youpossess a sympathetic nature. "

"You are very complimentary. "

"My informant was Miss Lamb. "

"Miss Lamb has evidently spoken very kindly of me. "

"Yes, she thinks you are a fine type of honorable manhood. "

"Miss, please do not compliment me any further through your acquaintancewith Miss Lamb. Please explain the nature of the business that led youto seek me. "

"Before I explain my business to you I must exact a promise. "

"I am careful about making promises. "

"Yes, I know as a detective you are not at liberty to make promisesoff-hand, but my case is a very peculiar one. "

"What do you wish me to promise?"

"I have a very remarkable disclosure to make; probably one of the mostremarkable disclosures you ever listened to during the whole course ofyour professional career. It is a disclosure that will call for veryprompt measures on your part. It is a disclosure that will make youprofessionally one of the most famous detective officers in the world. "

Oscar stared and wondered what could be the nature of this thrillingdisclosure. He said nothing, but kept upon a line of intense thought, and the woman proceeding said:

"Some very prominent people will be involved--men who stand high, whowill be torn from their high estate. I am willing that you shouldperform your full professional duty, save as concerns one individual, and I want you to promise that you will save that one individual, thoughhe may be the most guilty of the whole gang of criminals. "

The woman's proposition was suggested, and it was a most remarkable one. 

"Can you promise?" she asked. 

"I cannot. "

"Then my lips must remain sealed. "

"I am sorry, miss, but I cannot promise to spare a criminal. I am boundby professional honor to close in on every criminal whom I can convict. "

"Then, as I said, my lips must remain sealed. "

"What are your relations to the individual who is a criminal and whomyou desire exempted from the consequences of his acts?"

"He is my brother. Yes, sir, and in coming to you I am betraying my dearbrother; but I would do so only to save him from the consequences of hiscrime. If I cannot save him I cannot betray him, but I do think thatwhen I reveal to you the plot and identities of many criminals in returnI should receive the promise of the exemption of one of them--that one, my own brother. "

"I will not positively declare that I will not make the promise; it willdepend upon the nature of the disclosure. Will you indicate thecharacter of the disclosure you have to make?"

"I will. "

"Do so. "

"There is existing in this city a band, an organized gang of the mostskillful criminals on earth. Their organization is so complete that adiscipline as perfect as military order prevails. These men have defiedthe police for years; they are doing more harm to the commercial worldthan ever was suffered before in many years. My brother is a member ofthis gang. Misfortune overtook him, and in a moment of desperation hebecame a member, a sworn member. He is very useful to them, owing to hisskill in certain directions. He has made a confidant of me. He has toldme everything and I, after a long struggle with myself, determined tosave him if I could by betraying his confederates. I know all theiridentities. I know all their plans. I can place them bound hand andfoot in your power, but my brother must be saved. It is to save him thatI am prepared to make the terrible disclosure. You will become famous;you will achieve a professional victory where all other detectives havefailed. You will do the country a service such as no detective everbefore performed, but the price of my disclosure is the salvation of mybrother. "

"Why do you not cause your brother to withdraw from these criminals?"

"I cannot. I have exhausted my persuasion with him. He is mad, mad, believes he is on the eve of the acquirement of great wealth. To be richis his mania. He is really insane. I wish to save him. I can do so onlyby a betrayal of his confederates, and a disclosure of all their plansand devices as revealed to me by my brother. "

Oscar was amazed in spite of his inurement to surprises. He was aghastat the suggestions involved in the woman's proposition, and he had causefor deep study. It was a singular fact that from the first moment thebeautiful woman spoke to him he associated her with the matter he had inhand, but did not anticipate that her connection with the subject wouldcome in the strange, weird shape that it did. 

"It is your brother you wish to save?"

"Yes. "

"And he is associated with this gang of criminals?"

"Yes. "

"He has revealed everything to you?"

"He has. "

"And you wish to betray these men?"

"I do. "

"Why?"

"In order to save my brother. "

"You have no other motive?"

"I have no other motive. "

"But you told me there might be a large reward for me. "

"I did. "

"What did you mean?"

"The government has offered a large reward for the arrest and convictionof these men. "

"How did you learn the fact?"

"My brother told me. "

"Tell me more about yourself. "

"I may, on one condition. "

"What is the condition?"

"Can I hope?"

"Hope in what manner?"

"That you will agree to save my brother, and--" The woman stopped short. 

"Proceed, miss, you have another proviso. "

"I have. "

"State it. "

"Can I hope that you will save my brother under any circumstances, andshare the reward with me? for without my aid you cannot earn it. Ishould be entitled to at least one-half of the reward. "

"Miss, if through any information you give me I earn the reward I willshare with you. "

"And my brother?"

"I may be led to recognize that I can promise to spare your brother onthe ground that criminals are sometimes promised immunity upon turningstate's evidence. "

"My brother is not a criminal, " answered the beautiful young lady in anearnest tone. 

"He is not a criminal?"

"No. "

"But you have admitted that he is a member of this dangerous gang. "

"He is, but he is not a criminal. "

"How will you demonstrate that?"

"In a moment of desperation, while actually insane, he was seduced tobecome a member of the gang, but he is an honorable young man. Were itnot for his trouble he never would have dreamed of converting hiswonderful skill to the services of these bad men. "

"He is skillful. "

"He is. "

"In what direction?"

"Alas! I must have your answer before I tell you. "

"And I must know about you and your brother before I give the answer. "

"Can I hope?"

"Yes. "

"You will entertain the proposition to save him and divide with me?"

"Yes, I will entertain the proposition, but I will not promise until Iknow more. "

"Under any circumstances you will not use the information against mybrother if I only partially explain to you?"

"I can make no promises. "

"I must have some guarantee. "

"I can give no guarantee until I know more. "

"Oh, what shall I do?" exclaimed the woman. 

"Trust me; trust in my honor. "

A moment the beautiful lady meditated and then said:

"Yes, I will trust you. I can do nothing else. "

"I do not think you will have reason to regret trusting me. "

"My father lives in Massachusetts. He is an engraver. My brotherinherited a marvelous talent for engraving, but he detested theemployment. He went into other business, and met a very beautiful andaccomplished girl. He was to be married when he lost his position. Itmaddened him, and in a desperate moment he fell in with one of themembers of this gang. He was beguiled into betraying the fact of hiswonderful skill as an engraver. He had no idea at the time of offeringhis services, but they induced him to show them a specimen of hishandiwork. Then they offered him splendid inducements to join them, promising him a fortune. He was dazzled; he saw a way to win a fortuneand his bride, and he yielded to the temptation. He has produced somewonderful plates. I do not believe his equal lives on the face of theearth at his craft. "

The story told by the woman was probable and reasonable, and it didappear that our hero was about to secure men and evidence in a moststrange, remarkable, and complete manner. 

"Where do you reside?" asked Oscar. 

"I am temporarily residing in New York. I am studying typewriting. Ihope to be able to earn my own living as a typewriter, but it would be agrand thing for me if I could secure a few hundred dollars out of thereward. "

"Is it your desire to obtain the reward, or is it your main purpose tosave your brother?"

"It is my main purpose to save my brother. I do not care for the rewardon my own account solely, but with it I can send my brother away. Ibelieve he will learn a lesson that will last him all his life whenthose men are arrested and punished. And with the money he will have achance to make a fresh start in some other city. "

Oscar thought the matter over, and we will admit that there was no doubtin his mind as to the genuineness of the story he had listened to. Itdid not appear that there was the least possibility of its being a falsetale. It was not the beautiful face of the narrator and proposer thathad led him to this conclusion. It was the probability andreasonableness of the story itself; but with his usual caution hedetermined to investigate. He was not prepared to accept any statement, no matter how probable and reasonable, without absolute proof. Still, asintimated, there was no question in his mind as to the genuineness ofthe information and the sincerity of the proposition. 

"How do you intend to proceed?" he asked. 

"In order to obtain the reward you must not only secure the men butconvict them, " said the beauty. 

"That is true. "

Oscar was a little disturbed here at the girl's singular knowledge andshrewdness. 

"These men have constant meetings with my brother. "

"Where?"

"At the little house where I and my brother reside. "

"Where is that house located?"

"In Brooklyn. "

"And these men go to your home?"

"Yes. "

"Do they know you are acquainted with the purpose of their visits?"

"No. "

"Are the plates in this house?"

"No. "

"Where are they?"

"I do not know. I only propose to furnish you the opening clues and letyou follow them up and find the plates and all the evidence. "

"Your brother knows where the plates are concealed?"

"He does. "

"Can you not secure the information from him?"

"I cannot. I have tried to do so, but he tells me he is bound byterrible oaths not to reveal where the workshop is located. "

"He never works at your home?"

"Never. He is often gone away all night. I think they work at night. "

"Then how can I locate them?"

"You can trail my brother. Shadow the men also whom you will meet at ourhome. "

"I am to go to your house?"

"Yes. "

"When?"

"Any time you may elect. "

"And then?"

"I will conceal you. You can see the men who come to talk with mybrother. You can overhear all that passes. You can identify them andshadow them. I think they go from our house to the secret workshop. "

"I will arrange with you to go to your home. "

"When?"

"At some future time. "

"Very soon?"

"Yes. "

"Within forty-eight hours?"

"Yes. "

"And I have your promise that under no circumstances is my brother to bearrested?"

"We may arrest him and let him turn state's evidence. "

"No, no, never. I am only anxious to save him from disgrace. I amrevealing this to you in order to save him from disgrace. Yes, it is forthis purpose I am betraying his confederates. "

"Can you meet me to-night?"

"I can. "

"I must have time to think this matter over. "

"We must act quickly. "

"Yes. "

"It would be better were you to make arrangements to go to my house byto-morrow night at the latest. "

"Yes, I will. "

"Where shall I meet you to-night?"

"Here. We have dined together; we will sup together. "

"We will meet near here?"

"Yes. "

A corner was named and a little later the woman, who did not give hername, and our hero separated. Later Oscar called upon Miss Lamb. Helearned from her that she had met a lady at the typewriting school whereMiss Lamb was a substitute teacher, and Miss Lamb had really referredthe lady to our hero upon gaining her confidence, and having learnedthat she had need of a detective in a very delicate affair, the natureof which had not been revealed to Miss Lamb. 

When the detective parted from Miss Lamb he was more and more convincedthat the beautiful sister of the criminal was honest, and reallyintended to put him on a "lay" that would indeed advance him to the toprung of the profession. 

An hour later Oscar met Cad, who wore a very serious look upon her face, and she waited for a little time, when with a glitter in her eyes shedemanded:

"Who was that creature you dined with to-day?"

Oscar laughed in a merry way. He read the thoughts that were chasingthrough Cad's mind, or, rather, he _imagined_ he did so. 

"Did you see her, Cad?"

"Yes. "

"Did you mark her beautiful, innocent face?"

"Her innocent face?" repeated Cad in a sneering tone. 

"Yes, innocent face. "

Cad fixed her brilliant black eyes on her partner, and her lovely facewas ashen white and her voice trembled as she asked in what might betermed a husky voice:

"Are you joking, Oscar, or were you really deceived?"

"I was not deceived, Cad. "

There came a look of relief to the Italian girl's face as she said in aless sharp tone:

"What a goose I was; certainly you were not deceived by that vixen. "

Oscar started. 

"What do you mean, Cad?"

Again there came a glitter to the girl's eyes as she said in a cold, incisive tone:

"Oscar, I really believe you are in earnest, and were deceived by thatexpert schemer. Brother, that woman was playing you for a fool and I seeyou were played. "

CHAPTER VIII. 

OSCAR AND CAD PLAY SOME FINE DETECTIVE WORK AGAINST THE CUTESTROGUE THAT EVER SET OUT TO DOWN A DETECTIVE. 

"Cad, what do you mean?" demanded Oscar. 

"I mean just what I say, brother. "

"You saw that lovely girl?"

"I did. ". 

"Did you hear her strange tale?"

"I did not; but I watched her face while she was talking to you. "

"I did not see you. "

"No, I did not come under your gaze. "

"And you did see the lovely lady who was talking to me?"

"I did. "

"And what was your conclusion?"

"My conclusion was and is that she is one of the most subtle deceiversthat ever set out to hoodwink a good man, for she succeeded. "

Again Oscar laughed and the glitter in Cad's eyes became even morebrilliant as Oscar said:

"Cad, had you overheard her story you would not think me quite as big afool as it appears you do. "

"Tell me the story, " said Cad in sharp, quick tones. 

Oscar did repeat word for word all that had passed between him and thewoman and then added:

"You see, Cad, how for once you have reached a too hasty conclusion. That woman was really doing us a great service. I'll bet my life on hersincerity. "

"You will?"

"I will. "

"It's lucky I am here to save you from being trapped. Oscar, I amashamed of you, but a blond beauty can fool any man, that is plain, andthat woman has fooled you. "

"Nonsense, Cad. "

"I see through the whole scheme. "

"You do?"

"I do. "

"All right, sister; I will never pooh-pooh anything you say, but thistime you are at fault. "

"I am, eh?"

"Yes, you are. "

"Are you sure?"

"I am sure. "

"Oscar, I've a revelation for you. "

Oscar's face assumed a serious expression, and Cad continued:

"My dear brother, I was on that woman's track when she accosted you. Iam on to their whole scheme, for I have been at work. "

Oscar stared and then said slowly:

"I am to meet her to-night. "

"Certainly, you will meet her, but when you do will you know her game?She is the beautiful siren who is to lure Ulysses into the den where heis to be slain with merciless precision and cold-blooded exactness. "

Again Oscar stared, but seeing the glitter in Cad's eyes he fell to aconclusion and asked:

"Is my beautiful partner jealous?"

"Yes, I am jealous for your life. I do not wish to see you beguiled andimperiled by that woman. "

"Cad, you speak like one who knows what she is talking about. "

"I do. "

"Have you information?"

"I have. "

"Forgive me. "

"No, there is no need to ask forgiveness, but let me tell you something:this little game they are playing is one of the shrewdest tricks everattempted. I would have been deceived; you are deceived, for a morereasonable and probable tale has never been told; and yet, Oscar, thatwoman is the right bower of the criminals. Her fertile brain conceivedthe whole plan to entrap you. It is the play of these men to removeevery one inimical to their success, and they, having marked youridentity, have conceived a scheme to drop you out. They know you aredangerous. I know you are brave, strong, and valiant, but they havearranged a plan against which courage and cunning count as naught. "

"You are sure, Cad?"

"I am sure. "

"What are you on to?"

"I am jealous for your safety, and after those men had your identity Idetermined to get on the track of the man Girard. He is a wonderful manin his way. I followed him; I saw him dispatch a messenger boy. I keptupon his trail. "

"Under what disguise were you?"

Cad laughed. 

"Great ginger! Cad, can it be possible?"

Again Cad laughed and said:

"Yes, I was at hand. "

"You were the messenger boy?"

"I was. "

"Girl, don't call Girard a wonder. You are the wonder of the age; but goon. "

"I carried his message, and the sweet-faced girl who has been giving youthe beautiful tale concerning her enchanted brother is the party to whomI carried the message. They met, and under a changed disguise Ioverheard a part of their scheme. I saw her when she accosted you, and Iknew that from you I would learn enough to connect the whole plan; Ihave. "

"And what is their plan?"

"That girl's purpose is to win your absolute confidence. She has a partywho will represent her brother, and by degrees and methods of her own, aided by her confederates, they will run down our side of it, and thenat the last moment every one of us will be separately lured and done up. And they will make their plans so there will be no help for us, orrather there would be no help for us did they catch us unawares. Butthat they will never do; we will catch them in their own netting. "

"Oh, Cad, how much I owe to you! and now what shall I do?"

"Meet her, and I will wager that there will be some of her gang hoveringaround. We can play a very ingenious trick and open up their scheme. "

"How will you do it?"

"I can make up for you. "

"You can do it perfectly. "

"To-night I will go to meet this siren. "

"No, no, I will meet her. "

"Yes, you shall meet her, but listen: I will go to meet her; you will beon _my_ track. You will see who will follow me, believing that they arefollowing you. We can arrange where, at a given point, I will disappearand you will reappear, and then when you go to meet this siren you willknow just exactly how the ground lays. You will have the whole businessdown on them. "

"Cad, this is a great scheme. "

"It is, if we play it out right. This girl will be working you for aninnocent; you can afford to give her a great deal of information, and--"The girl stopped short. 

"Go on, " said Oscar, "what will you be doing?"

"Why, man, between us, matching them at their own game, we will get theidentities of every member of the gang. We will learn where their shopsand where their plates are. "

"How will we do it?"

"We will know just whom to shadow for each separate bit of information. "

"By ginger! you are right. "

"Now that you are up to this siren's movements I can trust you, Oscar. "

"I might have gotten on to her plans. I was not about to surrender ondemand, but it is better as it is. Time is saved, and to-night we willwork our scheme. You shall be Oscar; I will be Cad, and at the propermoment we will resume and let the game go on. "

"That is my idea. "

That night at the proper hour an individual who looked very much likeOscar might have been seen hovering in the vicinity of the restaurantwhere the interview between the detective and the siren was to takeplace. 

Our readers can grasp what was going on. Oscar, gotten up as a female, was on the "shadow, " and very speedily all that Cad Metti had told himwas confirmed. He saw two men following his talented counterfeit, and hefollowed them, and at the proper moment rejoined Cad. The second changewas made and Oscar proceeded to the restaurant to meet the siren. Hefound her at the appointed place, and together they entered thedining-room and took seats at the same table where they had held theiroriginal consultation. The woman appeared to be in excellent humor andsaid:

"Oh, I feel so greatly encouraged. "

"I will encourage you still further. I have considered the matter and Ihave determined to rescue your brother, but I must have your fullconfidence. What is your name?"

"Libbie Van Zant. "

"Very well, Miss Van Zant, when am I to meet your brother?"

"You are not to meet him right away. "

"Why not?"

"I do not wish him to suspect that I have betrayed him. I must have timeto prepare him for the meeting with you. "

"That is all right. "

"And now let me tell you something: these are very desperate men; youmust secure aid. "

"Oh, certainly. "

"I want you to select the men who will aid you. We must not make amistake. You must have men with you when you make the raid on theplace. "

"I certainly will. "

"Will you introduce them to me?"

"Why should I introduce them to you?"

"I wish to know them, so I can arrange for my brother's safety. "

"Oh, I see; well, in good time you shall meet them. "

"We must go slow and sure in this matter. "

"Oh, certainly, and you are becoming quite a detective. "

"I am working for my brother's safety--his salvation. I am willing tobrave almost everything to save him. "

"We will save him. "

"By to-morrow I will arrange for my brother to have a meeting with someof those men with whom he is associated, and I will arrange that youshall be hidden in a place from where you can overhear everything thatis said. You will secure considerable information. You will know how touse it. Yes, we will move slowly, but surely. There must be no mistakemade, no failure, or it will cost my brother's life, and I also maybecome their victim. "

"Very well, you can depend upon me. "

"I have your confidence?"

"Yes. "

"Can we not arrange signals between us?"

"Certainly. "

"I am going to start in as a regular detective in this affair, and atany moment I may want to signal to you; yes, warn you in case anythingappears to be going wrong at a critical moment. "

"I am delighted to work with one as shrewd and thoughtful as you are, "said Oscar. 

"Can you not come to my home to-morrow?"

"I fear I will not have time. "

"We must practice those signals. I will not ask you to visit me acrossthe river. I have the privilege of receiving company at the rooms of afriend of mine in this city. If we could meet there some time to-morrowmorning, you might bring one or two of your friends with you and we willpractice the signals together. "

"All right, it is not a bad idea. "

"Then I will take a walk in Washington Parade ground to-morrow at abouteleven o'clock, and you shall meet me and I will lead you to my friend'sroom, and then and there we will complete all our arrangements. Yes, yes, I will save my brother and earn the money to start him out on anhonest course. "

"Your affection for your brother appears to be very great. "

"It is. I idolize him. "

"Then at eleven o'clock to-morrow we are to meet by chance. "

"Yes. "

Our hero and the siren separated. She said she was to meet her brotherwho was to accompany her to her home. The siren passed out ahead of ourhero after a merry good-night. When Oscar came forth he had wrought achange. He stepped down to the curb and glanced. He saw a little chalkmark. It would have looked to an ordinary observer like a mereaccidental scrape of chalk. To Oscar it spoke volumes, and he knew thathis faithful strategist had succeeded in falling to a trail; and he knewthat he would soon be on the trail like a sleuthhound following itsprey. The detective started forward. At the first street corner he drewa little mask lantern and flashed its light around quickly and deftly, and there again under its glare he beheld a tiny chalk mark. 

"Right, " he muttered as he read his sign and moved on; and so heproceeded until he arrived at a certain corner, when he came to a halt;and a few moments later a messenger boy came up close to him and said ina low tone:

"She met her man. "

"Well?"

"They went in that house across the street. "

"Great Scott!" ejaculated Oscar, "are you sure, Cad?"

"Yes. "

"The woman and how many men?"

"One man only. "

"And that man?"

"Was Girard. "

"Sis, you can call up our aids and have them ready. "

"We can snake them into the house. "

"It's lucky; yes, it's lucky, Cad, and yet, it's risky. "

"Why?"

"Credo may be in with them. "

"But he knows you hold his life as it were in your hands, and----"

"Well?"

"He knows if you have trailed these fellows down so close that there isno show for him and he will be on your side. "

"By ginger! you are right, so here goes. We are down on these people forfair now. "

"We are, Oscar. "

Cad Metti, the strange, weird girl, who could flit from place to placelike a shadow, who could change her appearances as readily as a changeactress on the stage, glided away, and our hero, who also, as ourreaders will recall, had worked a change, boldly went to the house whichCad had indicated as the place where the woman and Girard had entered. He stepped into the dark hall of the house, and then quickly worked asecond change; then he stepped to the street. The house was one wellknown to the police; its character, we will say, was established as theheadquarters for the lowest sort of rogues. The owner pretended to keepa respectable hotel. He had rooms to let, and on the first floor he rana barroom, and although the building itself was an old tumble-downaffair the barroom was quite expensively fitted up. 

Oscar staggered into the house, and as good luck would have it only theproprietor of the place was present at the moment and he was acting asbartender. Oscar staggered up to the bar, his eyes rolling in his head, but as they rolled, under their seemingly drunken glare shot forth akeen, observant glance. 

As stated, he staggered up to the bar and fell over on to his elbows, demanding a drink. 

"Where's your pile?" came the answer from the proprietor, a fellow namedCredo, who was a good-looking octoroon. 

Oscar displayed a big roll of bills. 

"All right; what will you have?"

"Whisky. "

The man placed a bottle and glasses on the bar when the detectivereached over, caught the man's eye, and said in a very low but sharp, decisive tone:

"Mart, on your life, look to business now. "

The man started, his swarthy face assumed a ghastly hue, and there camea look of terror to his eyes. 

"You know me?"

"It's Dunne. "

"Yes. "

"What's your pull to-night?"

"You have visitors in your house. "

The man trembled. 

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, and mark me, I know it all; yes, all. There is nothing for you init only through me. Mark well my words: I can trust you; if not, it'sbad for you. "

"What is it you're after?"

"I am close down on this whole business. "

"What business?"

"You want it straight?"

"Yes. "

"_Redalli_. "

Credo fell back like a man suddenly surprised. He appeared for aninstant to lose his breath, but he managed to almost gasp:

"Are you on to that?"

"I am on to the whole scheme and just ready to close in. I tell youthere is nothing for you in it, and you're lucky. "

"I am?"

"Yes. "

"How?"

"You will make a good stake through me. "

"What do you want?"

"I want to overhear every word that is spoken here to-night. "

"You are dead on to it all?"

"I am. "

"Good enough, I am with you, and you know that when I say so I mean whatI say. "

"I do. "

"You shall have the whole business if it's opened up here to-night. Follow me. "

CHAPTER IX

LUCK AND SKILL RUN OUR HERO INTO A GREAT "OPENING" ON TO THE BIGORGANIZATION, AND LIGHT STRIKES IN VERY DARK CORNERS. 

It is not necessary to explain to our readers our hero's great hold onthe man Credo; but he knew his man well and knew that when Credo said, "I am with you, " the fellow did mean just what he said. Credo led ourhero to a rear room and once there he remarked:

"It's dead against me what I am doing. I had a big stake in thisenterprise. "

"You haven't lost one, old man, the lines are drawn close. "

"That's all right so far; but is it necessary that I tumble fromanything you may pick up to-night?"

"No, you are safe; you will not come into it. "

The man's face was at once wreathed into a smile. 

"I know you, Mr. Dunne. "

"Yes, and I mean it. You will not in any way be involved. "

"They need never know that I keeled 'em over?"

"Never. "

"You know your business. When you talk you know what you say. I amsatisfied, and I am going to let you into a secret, Mr. Dunne. I can fixyou out just lovely. You will have the whole business, for the king-pinis to be here to-night. You'll get the muggs of all the big men. If youwere ready to close in you couldn't have a better chance; for as I saidthe king-pins will all be here to-night. But I don't see how I can runclear of suspicion. "

"I tell you that in no way will you be involved. I will open up fromanother quarter. What I pick up here to-night is only side evidence. I've got almost all I need. "

"And you won't forget me?"

"No, sir. "

"You know I've always been faithful. "

"You have, and it's a good streak of luck that they covied right here inyour den. "

"Yes, they have covied here for a long time. "

"Are you into this affair?"

"Only partially. I am not one of them, but they have paid me well; neverasked me to go in. "

"Then you can't locate anything?"

"Only the men. "

"You know them all?"

"Only the big fellows, and they will all be here to-night. Their biggun, the boss of all of them, is in town, and to-night he receivesreports up there. Yes, sir, you will get it all. Is it luck or Dunne?"

"It's a little of both, old man. "

"You've got it good, that's all. You are against the deck every time, and I did not look to you for a drop in on this thing--no, never. Butyou've got it all; yes, sir, that's certain. "

The man Credo carefully locked the door leading into the room where heand the detective stood. He then disclosed a remarkable sight to Dunne. He slid aside a movable panel covered with paper at the side of theprojecting fireplace and revealed a door. Oscar stared. 

"You see, I like to know what's going on, Mr. Dunne. I made this littlearrangement myself. No out knows of it but you. This opens into thechimney, and there you see a spiral staircase that leads up to the roomwhere the meetings are held. When these chaps come here I always givethem that one room, and I have gathered some strange secrets at the headof those steps. You see I've let each party into the arrangements of theroom where they meet. They think I have prepared for them a wonderfulmeeting place. I have arranged for escapes to the roof. Indeed, I've gotall manner of ingenious contrivances for them; but you and I are theonly ones who know of this little arrangement here. Yes, I am creditedfor picking up a great deal of criminal news. There's where I get it, upthere, and there is where you will get it to-night. I've given you thewhole business, Mr. Dunne. "

Oscar fixed his keen eyes on his man, and a cold chill ran around ourhero's heart. He knew in some things he could trust the man, and he alsoknew that his own death would relieve Credo of many terrors. He knewthat away down in his heart Credo hated him, and there was somethingsuspicious in the revelation the man was making. It struck our hero thatthe fellow was acting with too much readiness. There was no need for theman to discover this very important secret. Was it possible that Credowas putting up a job to do away with the man who held him in his power?It was indeed possible at least, and our hero was slow and cautious. Hedid not intend to be trapped like a mouse nibbling at a piece of cheese. The idea of honor among thieves is a myth. A rogue is a rogue all thetime, and criminals will betray a companion or a friend ninety-ninetimes out of a hundred. There is no romance in crime; it is always adark record. 

"Credo, " said Oscar, "you have it nicely arranged here. "

"Yes, sir, it's perfect for the matter you have in hand. "

"What matter have you in hand?"

"You know. "

"Do I?"

"Yes. "

"Well?"

"I get the information and trade it. I've traded valuable information toyou. "

"That is true, and between us it is business. You were not aware that Iwas on to this arrangement?"

The man stared. 

"No, I was not. "

"Well, I am going to avail myself of this trick staircase, but keep veryshady. Some of the lads are outside; they must not close in if I am gonesome time. Give them a signal when they rush in, or they might dosomething rash. The rest of the fellows have not the confidence in youthat I have, and they might suspect something. Be on the lookout, and ifnecessary show one of them where I am, for my orders have been verystrict. "

There was no misunderstanding on the part of Credo. He smiled and said:

"I take what you mean. No, no, I've no such notion. It's business withus; that's right. I am not going to free myself this way, and here it ison the square. I'd rather make a stake this way, for if a man dies, hedies sudden--he don't linger. "

"We understand then?"

"Yes. "

"All right, I am going to take in the meeting upstairs. "

Oscar drew his mask lantern, slipped into the opening after a thoroughexamination of the whole contrivance and then he said:

"Close the door, old man, close the door. "

The door did close and immediately our hero opened it. He looked out andsaid:

"Play very close to-night, Credo: don't let your customers, if you haveany, fall to us. "

"The people are all at a ball. I'll have no visitors to-night except itmay be a straggler. "

"All right, close the door. "

Oscar believed he had taken every precaution, and indeed he had; andunder all the circumstances he was very cool, but for him it was a bignight and the most important consequences were destined to follow, andhe knew it. 

With his lantern properly adjusted he ascended the stairs and in goodtime arrived at the place where he was to take in his news. He had beenfully instructed and he found everything just as the man Credo hadstated. Well, the arrangement was indeed a good one, and he mentallyconcluded:

"That fellow Credo is a genius; it's a pity he is not an honest man. "

Oscar could see into the room and could overhear every word--almost heara whisper, so cunningly had the eavesdropping trap been contrived. Oscarpeeped in, and there was his siren, and there also was his whilom friendGirard. He and the siren were alone. Both wore a pleased look upon theirfaces; they were in a merry mood, and the man Girard said as our herogot fixed to take in their sayings:

"He thinks himself a very smart fellow. "

"Don't make any mistake; he is a smart fellow--the smartest fellow thatever started out to shadow us, and he would be too much for us but forone fact. "

"And what is that?"

"He is honest and sympathetic, otherwise I would never have succeeded infooling and getting him in tow, but now I've got him. "

"You feel assured of that?"

"I do. I've secured him on the only weak side he's got. He is thehardest man to secure I ever started out to gain, but I've gone for himon just the right tack. I will handle him with care; I will learn all heknows. I will learn just who is working in with him, and then----"

"What then?"

"Alas! it's sad to think of it. He is a good fellow, but he must _walkthe plank_ like the rest of them. "

"Look out you don't lose your heart to him. "

The woman laughed in a merry manner and said:

"I've won his. I can read it in his eyes. "

"Woman's vanity, " thought Oscar, and he did mutter: "That is her weakestpoint. "

"You have measured pretty well. What is your conclusion?"

"I'll tell you; he is going it alone. He is the only one who has anypoints on us; of that I am certain. But, as I said, I'll woo until Iknow just who is in with him, if any one. "

At that moment the talk was interrupted and three men entered the room. Well, our hero was surprised. One of the men he recognized at a glanceand he muttered: "Can it be possible?"

As the three men entered Girard rose to his feet and greeted the manwhom our hero had recognized. He exclaimed as he extended his hand:

"Redalli, I am glad to greet you, and let me tell you that you havearrived just in time. "

"Bah! I've heard all about it. You gentlemen are too easily frightened. There is nothing to fear. "

"That man is now known as Redalli, eh?" muttered Oscar, and there came agleam in his eyes which few could read. 

"We do not scare, as easily as you think, Redalli. I tell you there is aman on our track who is quietly running us down, and if we do notdispose of him he will spoil all our work of years. "

"We will dispose of him; but what have you gentlemen been doing? Why didyou not dispose of him?"

"We have completed our plans. "

Girard proceeded and related all the arrangements for disposing of Oscarand all the other men who might be working with him. Redalli listenedattentively and finally said:

"That is all right; but, gentlemen, we will make a fortune anyhow. Wecan move on while these men are locating us. We are all ready to shootforth one of the greatest floods ever sent driving over this or anyother land; in fact we will sweep over Canada and Mexico. I have managedour affair, I believe, in a satisfactory manner. One day this week allthe agents will be in New York. We will distribute the stuff and sendthem abroad. The sweep will commence in three days. Under our presentarrangements we will have gathered in several millions of dollars. Nosuch plan was ever attempted or worked out. "

"How many agents are there?"

"There are eleven men. "

"And where are all the documents?"

"Here in New York. "

"Where are the plates?"

"The plates are all here in New York. "

"Where will the distribution be made?"

"I have secured a furnished house. In that house we will have all thegoods and all the plates. The latter we will bury in the cellar, thereto lie forever until New York shall crumble and some future archæologistdigs them up from the ruins to be put on the shelves of some futuremuseum. Yes, everything is complete. "

"But these detectives?"

"We will go ahead and dispose of them. There must be no mistake. We willsecure them, take them on board a vessel we can secure, run them out tosea, hang them and throw their bodies heavily-weighted overboard. Thatis the plan; so let our good girl there, Libbie, carry out her plan. Iam here now; there will be no surprises, no rushing in of detectives. Iwill have a well-armed and drilled force who will nail them all, and wewill quietly dispose of them. The game is all in our own hands. We havenothing to fear. Our organization is too large, too far-reaching; andwhen once we have made the sweep we will make good our agreements andfree every member of the gang that has been arrested. Yes, we will freethem all, and as to the officers we will say good-by to them after thesweep and sail away to enjoy a heaven such as Mahomet has described. Yes, it's all right; let Libbie play her game. In another ten days thecyclone will have passed and we will all be rich men--rich as MonteCristos, dead sure. "

Oscar could hardly believe his own ears. It was the most wonderful"pick-up" of his whole career; and again was it proven how crime, inspite of the most skillful precautions, is always sure to walk into itsown trap in the end. 

Our hero lay low for over an hour and learned some additional facts ofthe utmost importance. Indeed, he had men and evidence. He knew it wouldbe the greatest close-in since a detective force had been organized. Itwould beat all records. He had the names of every one of the leaders. Hehad the lead-up to the places where the manufactured goods were to bestored. He had the hour when the gang would assemble, and he determinedupon one of the most dramatic of denouements. 

Oscar stole down the stairs. He passed to the door of the room andsummoned Credo. To the man he said:

"Credo, your fortune is made, unless----"

"I understand. You need not fear me when I know you have them dead torights, as you must have them after a lay-in up in that eavesdroppingden of mine. No, no, they will get no hint from me. I am not in withthat gang. I am in with you, and you've got 'em, and I am glad. Theyhave not used me right anyhow. "

"Then you fully understand?"

"I do. "

"All right. "

Oscar stole forth and Cad Metti joined him. 

"What have you made out, Oscar?"

"Cad, we've worked up the job of our lives. We've got the wholebusiness. Now then, you lay to my trail, for I must shadow Redalli. "

"You've got him?"

"Yes. "

"And the woman?"

"You were right. She is a siren indeed, but I will amuse her. Good-nightfor the present. Go, for here comes our game. "

CHAPTER X. 

OSCAR MAKES GOOD HIS PROMISE AND AIDED BY CAD METTI, THEWONDERFUL FEMALE DETECTIVE, PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST FEATSIN ALL DETECTIVE RECORDS. 

Like a night sprite Cad glided away and Oscar fell to the shadow of theman Redalli. He followed him to the Hoboken ferry, crossed on the sameboat with him, and saw him enter a house situated in the midst of alarge plot of ground covered by lines of trees. 

The detective was satisfied. He had the meeting-house, as he called it, located. He had Redalli located, and he started back toward the ferryand had gone but a few squares when he was joined by Cad and anotherdetective. Cad was in her ordinary garb as a well-dressed young miss, only that she wore a veil drawn down over her face. 

"It's all right, " said our hero. He was jubilant, and he proceeded torelate all that had passed while he sat listening in the Credo eyrie. 

It was well on toward three o'clock in the morning when the party walkedon board the boat to return to New York, and they had just seatedthemselves on the boat when a party of roughs, numbering seven or eight, entered the cabin. The men were very boisterous and ready for a muss, asthe saying goes. They talked loud and laughed violently, and soon theireyes rested on the three detectives. The two males as they were gottenup did not look like very formidable individuals, and the fact that Cadwas veiled attracted their attention. They ranged themselves on theseats directly opposite to where the three detectives were located andour hero at once detected that there was going to be a jolly row--jollyas far he and his companions were concerned--for both the men wereathletes and boxers, of the first order. To them the knocking down oftwo or three ordinary men was a mere pastime, and as our readers knowthe wonderful Cad was not much behind when it came to a shindy. Shecould have given the famous strong woman who a few years ago appeared onthe stage points in many athletic feats. One of the men looking overtoward Cad said:

"There's a beauty. "

The detectives exchanged looks. 

They had taken the measures of the rowdies. 

"How do you know?" asked one of the men. 

"I'll bet on it. "

"You will?"'

"Yes. "

"How will you prove it?"

"I'll prove. "

"How?"

"That's my end of it. "

"You'll bet she is a beauty?"

"Yes, I will. "

"How much?"

"A bottle. "

"And you are to prove it?"

"Yes. "

"I'll take the bet. "

The fellow who had offered to make the bet immediately rose, crossed thecabin to where Cad sat and said:

"Say, miss, you've heard the bet. Raise your veil and let me win. I knowyou are a beauty. "

The men all laughed. They thought it evidently the joke of their lives;to them it was immense. 

It was so destined to turn out. Immense was no name for what followed, and it is very unfortunate that similar roysterers do not run up againsta like party. 

"Come, miss, " urged the man, "I've paid you a compliment. You ain'ta-going to let me lose my bet?"

Cad paid no attention to the fellow, and his companions jeered. Onesaid:

"She daren't raise her veil, or she'll make you lose, sure. "

The man who had bet exclaimed:

"You've lost; I've got a bottle on you. "

"Not yet; come, miss, you won't see me lose. "

All this time the two detectives had sat silent. They knew what wouldfollow, and just when to come in with the sledge hammer part of thefarce. Yes, they were ready in good time to play the anvil chorus on theheads of the lively gang of insulters. It was just their pie, as theslang phrase has it. 

"You've lost, " cried the better. 

"Come, come, miss, do you hear what he says? I know you're a beaut. Raise your veil and give me the laugh on him. "

Cad sat mute, and finally the man said:

"I can't lose; I've got to see your face if I lift your veil myself. "

"Yes, yes, raise and expose her mugg, " cried one; "if she were a beautshe would'nt let you lose that way. Lift her veil. "

It was time for Oscar to interfere and he said:

"That will do, young fellow. "

"Will it?" cried the man in a fierce tone. 

"Yes. "

"What have you got to say about it anyhow?"

"This lady is in my company, under my protection. "

"Oh, is she?"

"She is. "

"Well, here goes. "

The man grabbed Cad's veil and raised it, disclosing her really lovelyface, and at the same instant he uttered a yell of triumph, but the nextmoment he roared forth a yell of pain and rage, for Oscar had leaped tohis feet, dealt the man a clipper square on the nose and over he went. The rest of the gang immediately set up a yell, leaped to their feet andmade a rush, and the next instant there followed a regular young riot, but the fun of the thing was all on one side. The other officer alsoleaped to his feet and started in on the tattoo act. He just swungaround like a revolving wheel with distended cogs, and every time herevolved down went one of the men, and Cad just stood up on the seat andlaughed. The laugh in fact had bounded over to the opposite side of thecabin from where it first started. As the men who were downed attemptedto regain their feet they got it again, and got it good. The twodetectives having dropped the rascals with their fists gave them thebalance of their dose with leather, and they did leather them well, kicking them over the floor of the cabin like stuffed bladders. The deckhands heard the noise, ran to the doors, and taking in the situationremained aloof. They were glad to see the rowdies get a whacking; gladthat for once the assailants had run up against the wrong crowd. Therowdies bled and yelled, bled for their impertinence, yelled in dismayand terror, for they feared they would be beaten to death. They pleadedfor mercy, and all the time the ferry boat kept on its way; and aboutthe time our friends had fun enough the boat slid into her slip, andwith a merry good-night to the discomfited and bleeding insulters Oscarand his friends proceeded ashore. 

On the day following the incidents we have recorded our hero, Wise, thespecial, and several other officers held a consultation. To Wise alonedid our hero reveal the importance and extent of the information he hadsecured, and a plan was arranged. 

At the time named Oscar met the woman Libbie and he played herwell--played for time, for his whole plan had been changed. One thinghad led up to another, and the one little racket he had at firstintended to work had been put aside for a new one under the latestdevelopments. 

He parted from the woman, threw her and her friends off his track andlay low for a fresh "shadow" on Redalli, and in due time he got on thetrack of his man. 

Several days passed, and Cad and Oscar followed their lead. Our heroseveral times met the woman Libbie Van Zant and made her feel very good. He played the dupe to perfection; let it appear that he was dead gone onthe siren; pretended to reveal everything to her, while in fact he wasjust getting his points from time to time and keeping her friends underclose observation through her. He had constant access to the secret roomin the house of Credo, listened to a great many consultations, and atlength learned just the right facts for making one of the greatest haulsin the history of crime. He trailed to the delivery of the counterfeitgoods at the house in Hoboken, and had every reason to believe that theplates also were all stowed away under one roof. Indeed, it appeared inplain words as though he were destined to capture not only all themanufactured stuff, but the complete outfit of the counterfeiters, thelabor of years. 

On the night when the great raid was to be made Dunne met Wise and hisassistants. All the plans were completed and Wise said, at a propermoment:

"Dunne, you are the detective of the age. "

At the proper time the detectives one by one stole over to Hoboken. Theytook up their station, waiting for signals. Oscar had fallen into thewiles of the siren. She had arranged with him to take him to thehouse--she had played as she supposed a great card. She believed she hadthe name of every detective engaged on the "shadow" and she becamebolder; told our hero she had in the interest of her brother and thedetective beguiled one of the gang; informed him that she couldintroduce him into the house where the whole gang was to meet; that shewould be able to identify every man of them. She even professed to havefallen in love with Oscar, played the alluring siren to perfection, andit was in her company that our hero proceeded to Hoboken to beintroduced into the house and hidden at a point where he could see andoverhear. In talking to Girard the woman had said:

"I've got him dazzled. The man believes in me as he does in his ownmother. He is like wax in my hands. I can do with him as I choose. "

"Are you sure he is not fooling you?"

"Am I sure? Yes, I am sure. I will have him in that house to-night. Youwill discover him and drag him forth. The plan will be carried out: Atthe proper time the riot will commence and in the mêlée down he goes. "

"I hope it is as you say. I would not chance even on your positiveassurance, but Redalli says it is all right, and he is the boss. Hetakes the responsibility. "

As intimated, Oscar started for Hoboken in company with the siren andtwo trusty men followed his steps. Our hero was determined that thereshould be no miss. He had provided against every possible contingency. He arrived at the house. Oscar had been seemingly persuaded that thesiren's brother was to be their guide, that she had fooled him for hisown eventual good. Arrived at the house the siren signaled and a youngman, supposed to be the woman's brother, opened the door. The womanasked:

"Have they arrived?"

"No one has arrived yet. "

"Then I can secrete my friend. "

"Certainly; but, sister, remember, I am trusting you and believe it isfor your and my eventual good that I consent to act in this matter. "

"You can trust me. "

"If not you, whom can I trust?"

"I am acting for your good. "

To Oscar the woman explained after they had entered the house that shehad her brother deceived on a false "steer, " but she added: "You know itis to save him. "

"Oh, certainly. "

Oscar was led down the stairs, led to the basement and then to thecellar. A lantern was produced and a door was disclosed, showing that anexcavation had been made and a room built under the yard of the house. All the arrangements were very cunningly made. When the door was openedour hero hesitated and the woman asked:

"What is the matter?"

In a tone of fearfulness Oscar said:

"I have been betrayed. "

"Betrayed?" repeated the woman. 

"Yes. "

"By whom?"

"_You_. "

The woman laughed and said:

"But I thought you were a man of courage. Go on; I will go with you. "

Oscar delayed a moment, making some remark, until he heard a signal--avery tiny signal, but it was big and loud in its suggestions to him. Hestepped into the passage and a moment later a second door opened. Thesecret room was disclosed and at least a dozen masked men who had beenseated at a long table arose. At the instant, as our hero recoiled, thecold muzzles of two revolvers were placed on either cheek and a voicesaid:

"Go ahead; you can't back out now. "

It was a supreme moment of peril. Our hero had friends at hand, butalas! ere his friends could announce themselves the deed of horror mighthave been perpetrated. It was indeed a critical moment, but Oscar wascool. He stepped forward and was pushed toward a seat, and the mengathered at the table. All sat down also. 

There followed a moment's silence. Oscar looked around. Near him stoodthe siren who had allured him into the den, and her whole expression ofcountenance had changed. She looked like a beautiful fiend as her eyesgleamed with delight and the red glow of triumph flushed her features. She was proud. She had promised to deliver the detective into the handsof his intending assassins, and she had made good her word. 

"So you have betrayed me, " said Oscar. 

"Yes, " answered the woman, "I have betrayed you. "

"The story about your brother was a lie. "

"All these gentlemen are my brothers. "

"And what now, woman?"

"You have just five minutes to live. You were set to destroy us; we willdestroy you. "

"Poor creature, " said Oscar in a tone of deep commiseration. 

The woman glared, for there was a terrible significance in his tones, and she shouted:

"Down him and make sure. "

Alas! the arrangements fortunately were run on seconds, not minutes, orour hero would have been a dead man. As the woman shouted "Down him!"there came a second, voice, stern and commanding:

"Hold! don't let a man move or every soul of you dies. "

There was a tableau at that moment such as never has been equaled on thestage under all the complexity of colored lights. It was a scene neverto be forgotten by any of the witnesses, a scene awful in its intensityof dramatic effect. The woman suddenly appeared to become frozen withhorror. The men removed their masks in their excitement and their palevisages shone like so many corpses as all leaned forward and listenedand looked. 

In the doorway stood two men, armed with repeating rifles. Behind themcrowded others, and at that instant every one of those wretches knowthat defeat and capture stared them in the face. All their labor, alltheir cunning and their skill had come to naught. All realized that thegreatest detective feat on record had been accomplished. All knew thatthere was no escape, unless quickly with their own hands they freedthemselves through the grave. 

The detectives filed into the room, but the siren had recovered hernerve. She saw and realized that she had not played but had been played. Quickly she drew a revolver, aimed at Oscar and fired, but our hero'squick eye detected her movement. It was not the first time he had dodgeda bullet. The woman fired but the one shot. The next instant the darbieswere on her tender wrists, and we will add that no resistance wasoffered. The men, as intimated, were well up in their trade. From thefirst instant they knew that in plain, vulgar language, their "jig wasup. " Every man quietly submitted. Life was dear to them. Every man hadbeen behind prison walls. A surrender meant a return to jail; resistancemeant death. They, as stated, all accepted the situation and quietlysurrendered. 

Immediately the detectives set to work to gather up their spoils andlearn the full value of their wondrous victory. It proved to be acomplete victory indeed. All the manufactured stock was secured, theflood of counterfeits was averted, for the well-being of the businesscommunity. The plates even that had cost thousands and thousands ofdollars were captured. They were never buried in the cellar to be foundby some future archæologist. To conclude it was the greatest capture ofcounterfeiters' outfit ever made, and to Cad Metti and Oscar belongedall the credit; and from the profession and the government they receivedit. Dudie Dunne went up to the top as a great officer, and in a futurenarrative we will relate where these two wonderful people once moreentered the field and accomplished great results. We will also tell theromance of the life of the bright, beautiful Italian girl who fromchoice became a female detective strategist. 

THE END. 

"OLD SLEUTH'S SPECIAL" SERIES. 

The following list contains _the very latest_ and best books in thedetective story line, all of which are written by "_Old Sleuth_, " thebest detective story writer of the age. Each book contains from 200 to300 pages, all being bound in a new, handsome, attractive up-to-datelithographed paper cover, printed in four colors. They are for sale byevery newsdealer, or they will be sent by mail, postpaid, for 25 centseach, or any five books for $1. 00. Address all orders to _J. S. OGILVIEPUBLISHING COMPANY, 57 Rose Street, New York. _

1 MALCOLM; or, A Ten Day's Mystery. 2 WITCH OF MANHATTAN. 3 THE Ex-PUGILIST DETECTIVE. 4 TRUE BLUE; or, The Romance of a Great Special. 5 MURRAY, The Detective. 6 OSCAR, The Detective. 7 KEFTON; or, The Wonder of the Age. 8 A LADY SHADOWER; or, A Detective's Stratagem. 9 NIGHT AND MORNING; or, A Detective's Shadow. 10 THE KING'S DETECTIVE. 11 A PUZZLING SHADOW; or, A Detective's Enigma. 12 SETH BOND. A Lost Treasure Mystery. 13 A WEIRD SEA MYSTERY. A Detective Story. 14 THE TWIN ATHLETES. A Detective Story. 15 A SINGLE CLUE. A Detective Story. 16 A ONE NIGHT MYSTERY. A Detective Story. 17 A MAN OF MYSTERY. A Detective Story. 18 A REMARKABLE FEAT; or, Great Detective Work. 19 TALES FROM A GILDED PALACE. Illustrated. 20 A FINAL TRIUMPH; or, A Lady Bachelor. 21 MAGIC DICK, THE DETECTIVE; or, A Phenomenal Trail. 22 THE VENTRILOQUIST DETECTIVE; or, Nimble Ike and Jack the Juggler. 23 THE OLD MISER'S WARD. 24 A DETECTIVE'S DAUGHTER. 25 A WEIRD COURTSHIP. 26 WINNING A PRINCESS. 27 NORVAL, The Detective. 28 VAVEL, The Wonderful Treasure Seeker. 29 FUNNY BOB; or, In and Out of Everything in New York. 30 A LITTLE CONFEDERATE; or, A Southern Boy in New York. 31 NIMBLE IKE, The Trick Ventriloquist. 32 THE GIANT DETECTIVE; or, The Feats and Frolics of an Athlete. 33 THE COWBOY DETECTIVE. A Great Story of Mystery. 34 THE BICYCLE DETECTIVE; or, Smart Jim. 35 DICK, THE BOY DETECTIVE; or, Out of the Streets of New York. 36 AGGRAVATING JOE, The Prince of Mischief. 37 JACK THE JUGGLER'S ORDEAL; or, Tricks and Triumphs. 38 JACK THE JUGGLER'S TRAIL. A Story of Magic. 39 A FEMALE VENTRILOQUIST; or, A Pretty Girl's Magic Feats. 40 A DESPERATE CHANCE; or, Desmond Dare. 41 DETECTIVE PAYNE'S "SHADOW"; or, A Remarkable Search. 42 TWO WONDERFUL DETECTIVES; or, Jack and Gil's Marvelous Skill. 43 SAVED BY A DETECTIVE; or, A Beautiful Fugitive. 44 THE MYSTERY MAN; or, Fire-Bomb Jack. 45 THE FATAL RESEMBLANCE; or, A Marvelous Escape. 46 NIMBLE IKE, THE DETECTIVE; or, Solving a Mystery. 47 BERTIE BLAND, THE DETECTIVE. A Tale of Curious Tricks and Surprises. 48 THE WEST POINT LIEUTENANT; or, Arkie, the Run-away. 49 FROM THE STREETS TO THE FOOTLIGHTS; or, Snap and Jenny. 50 THE DETECTIVE TRIO; or, The Story of Three Daring Country Lads. 

A $2. 00 Book for 25 Cents!

Old Secrets and New Discoveries. 

Containing Information of Rare Value for all Classes, in all Conditionsof Society. 

[Illustration: The mesmerist and his subject. ]

It Tells all about _Electrical Psychology_, showing how you canbiologize any person, and, while under the influence, he will doanything you may wish him no matter how ridiculous it may be, and hecannot help doing it. 

It Tells how to _Mesmerize_. Knowing this, you can place any person in amesmeric sleep, and then be able to do with him as you will. This secrethas been sold over and over again for $10. 

It Tells how to make persons at a distance think of you--Something alllovers should know. 

It Tells how you can charm all those you meet and make them love you, whether they will or not. 

It Tells how Spiritualists and others can make writing appear on the armin blood characters, as performed by Foster and all noted magicians. 

It Tells how to make a cheap Galvanic Battery; how to plate and gildwithout a battery; how to make a candle burn all night; how to make aclock for 25 cents; how to detect counterfeit money; how to banish andprevent mosquitoes from biting; how to make yellow butter in winter;Circassian curling fluid; Sympathetic or Secret Writing Ink; CologneWater; Artificial Honey; Stammering; how to make large noses small; tocure drunkenness; to copy letters without a press; to obtain fresh-blownflowers in winter; to make good burning candles from lard. 

It Tells how to make a horse appear as though he was badly foundered; tomake a horse temporarily lame; how to make him stand by his food and noteat it; how to cure a horse from the crib or sucking wind; how to put ayoung countenance on the horse; how to cover up the heaves; how to makehim appear as if he had the glanders; how to make a true-pulling horsebalk; how to nerve a horse that is lame, etc. , etc. These horse secretsare being continually sold at one dollar each. 

It Tells how to make the Eggs of Pharo's Serpents, from which, whenlighted, though but the size of a pea, there issues from it a coiling, hissing serpent, wonderful in length and similarity to a genuineserpent. 

It Tells how to make gold and silver from block tin. Also how to makeimpressions from coins. Also how to imitate gold and silver. 

It Tells of a simple and ingenious method for copying any kind ofdrawing or picture. Also more wonderful still, how to print picturesfrom the print itself. 

It Tells how to perform the Davenport Brothers' "Spirit Mysteries, " sothat any person can astonish an audience, as they have done. Also scoresof other wonderful things of which we have no room to mention. 

OLD SECRETS AND NEW DISCOVERIES is worth $2. 00 to any person; but itwill be mailed to any address on receipt of only 25 cents. Postagestamps taken as payment for it the same as cash. Address

J. S. OGILVIE PUBLISHING COMPANY, Box 767. 57 ROSE STREET, NEW YORK. 

[Transcriber's Note: The following typographical errors in the originaltext have been corrected. 

In Chapter I, a missing period has been added to the sentence "Criminalsas a rule are fond of race betting. "

In Chapter II, a missing period has been added to the sentence, "Therogues had struck a lead and so had the two sharp-eyed detectives whowere playing such a neat game. " A missing quotation mark has been addedto the sentence, "It's a good thing, sis, to locate a rogue. "

In Chapter IV, in the sentence "He knows how to take advantabge of theslightest incident when he is playing a game, " the word "advantabge" hasbeen corrected. 

In Chapter VI, in the sentence "He is a terrror, " the word "terrror" hasbeen corrected. 

In Chapter VII, an illegible smudge at the beginning of the sentence"moment the beautiful lady meditated and then said:" has been correctedto "A". In the sentence "I will arrrange with you to go to your home, "the word "arrrange" has been corrected. In the sentence "He learned fromher that she had met a lady at the typewriting school where Miss Lambwas a substitute teacher, and Miss Lamb had really referrred the lady toour hero upon gaining her confidence, and having learned that she hadneed of a detective in a very delicate affair, the nature of which hadnot been revealed to Miss Lamb, " the word "referrred" has beencorrected. A colon has been added at the end of the sentence "There camea look of relief to the Italian girl's face as she said in a less sharptone". 

In Chapter VIII, an extraneous period has been removed from the sentence"And what was your conclusion?. " In the sentence "I know you are brave, strong, and valiant, but they have arrranged a plan against whichcourage and cunning count as naught, " the word "arrranged" has beencorrected. In the sentence, "There must be no mistake made, no failure, or it it will cost my brother's life, and I also may become theirvictim, " the extra "it" has been removed. 

In Chapter IX, a missing period has been added to the sentence "The ideaof honor among thieves is a myth". 

In Chapter X, in the sentence "Yes, yes, raise and expose her mugg, "cried one; "if she were a beaut she would't let you lose that way, " theword "would't" has been corrected. In the sentence "She saw and realizedthat she had not played but had been played, " a comma has been correctedto a period. "]