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“S HAPPY
DAYS eo
11
murderous light in his eyes that Allan
shivered. ‘‘The knowledge may prove of
great value io me in the future,”
Allan quivered and replied intensely:
“Woe to you if you dare attempt doing
her further harm, Thisis a fair warning,
Give it good heed,”
Allan turned to the door. One moment
his gaze met the mocking eyes of the
schemer. Then he went out into the free
alr and the sunlight, glad to escape the
nresence of one whom he considered the
’ greatest villain he had ever m:
Allan went home and found Ham Wilson
there waiting forhim. The big woodman
was Gowneast and glum,
“It makes a chap down-hearted,” hesaid,
* to see how quick the colonel is forgotten,
now he’s dead, Allthe gang at the saw-
vill are talking about the new_owner and
never a reminder of the good man just
youe, As for me, I’m hanged if I'll ever
work a stroke for Andrew Bailey, I’)l
‘starve fist.” .
You'll not starve while I'm on hand.
sail Allan, resolutely, _‘* You have been
very true, Frien am, and——”
~Don’t speak of it, lad,” blubbered the
bfg-bear _ woodman,’ “I'd - give m
right hand to doye a good service‘any time,
I owe is to ye,”
And thus these two strangely-matched
comrades, the slender youth of noble pur-
yiose and the giant of tender heart, attili-
wied and made stronger the tie between
theta, They.could only look darkly into
the future, but this did not destroy their
COVPTAE,
Gat very speedily Allan began to learn a
bit! lesson in the
world’s ways,
cid-time ery of “the king is dead, long
live the king,” has a mighty potency. Peo-
fle of all classes, laborers and tradesmen,
aideven professional men were quick to
eurry favor with the new ruler in White-
vile. The supplanter of the popular Col-
cuel Dailey was speedily as great a power,
if{.not greater. It was suicidal to attempt
tosteni the wave of public opinion, © An
*» sa0ney, it is sad to say, too often becomes
wil,
.eposition
, sald Clark,
8 Wreck,
Lat
-
‘tte in Whiteville. The bo
tse controlling power of that traditional h
Wyuther-vane,
So cur plucky and persevering young
hero Speedily found that a gigantic task
was before him, The odds were fearful.
: ct they never quenched his indomitable
Allan had always been a popular favor-
y who was al-
ways ready was almost idolized by the
citizens cf the lumber town, But now
things were different,
People looked askance at him, and some
old friends chose to pass him unrecognized
upon the street. He applied in vain for a
e various stores and
uo% enjoy the favor of the magnate of the
region, | This fact told against him.
\e (grieved and angered the youth.
bore it for awhile with Spartan courage,
Ur.der ordinary conditions he would have
cedthe town forever, /
But he .knew that this would mean vir-
tual defeat, He was determined to over-
throw the regime of Andrew Bailey and to
_ Testore Agnes to her rights. ‘Chis was his
Spo:
life's parpose,
© conferred often with Clark, the law-
Detectives were yet at work trying
“0 loa evidence to discredit the mortgage
totes held by Bailey against his dead half-
brottor's estate
farall in vain, Thus matters
hen one day the lawyer gave Allan
urprise, This was the infor-
at Agnes Bailey would shortly
| Whiteville,
e will return a very poor girl,”
“Little has been saved from
The mortgage notes jheld by
Titer
hation that
return ta
B.'
groaned Allan.
law?”
futile to attempt to
” replied the lawyer,
Indeed, it
the These mortgage notes—it must be that
"Y,Cau be proved forgeries,”
have fear not. You see Bailey must
vee Sid his plans a long way ahead if
¥ ere forgeries, They were recorded
town where gages in an obscure Western
te 90: f
very bad! ailey was living. It is. bad
“fore AT,
Neht tap Uan
| could say another word, a
lhree Sounded on the door, There were
Pe distinet Taps, .
ve lawyer gave a start, flasheda glance
“2% and said :
t 45 Jaek Carter, the detective.- He
port,”
I 30,” said Ailan, rising. But
With sudden thought, said P .
There is no rea-
4 skould not stay, Come in.”
to Slatierh
hud g loudly,, The door swung open
Peat cual fain man entered the room, He
. .
. entered in
ter, .
vatures and glinting eyes, and
4 noiseless, shadow-like man-
7 | Sen
” | and wait.
“
He}!
“* Ah, Carter, it ig you, eh?” exclaimed the
lawyer eagerly, “I am glad to see you.
ave no fear, This young man is one ‘of
us. He is Allan Avery,”
Allan bowed, and the detective did the
same. The latter glanced searchingly at
Allan, but presently seemed satisfied.
Thenhesaid: -
“ Thave a new dead, Clarks r
* What?” cried the lawyer, delightedly.
“What isit,Carter?” en
‘“‘Allsummed up in a nutshell, you will
find a deep and long-laid plan in which this
Bailey is the central figure. The recording
of those mortgage notes two years ago
was, in my opinion, the cause of Colonel!
Bailey’s death,”
, CHAPTER IX.
A REVELATION,
THE detective spoke in a cool, nonchal-
ant matter-of-fact way. He was used to
crime, even of the most heinous kind, and
its discussion failed to ever disturb his
serenity or composure.
But to Clark and Allan his statement
was like a bolt of lightning from a clear
Fora moment neither could speak.
grew. deadly pa ie.
The hint conveyed in the detective’s dec-
laration was too appalling, too awful to
at once claim realization. Clark was the
first to recover, .
“What is that you say, Carter?” he
asked in a constrained voice, ‘You would
intimate a dark possibility, in fact the
possibility of-—”"
** Yes, murder.”
Aghast the two listeners gazed at the
detective. The latter nonchalantly tipped
his chair back and said : -
“We know that Colonel Bailey died
very suddenly. We know that internal
hemorrhages evidenced by the vomiting of
blood caused his death. “Now, people die
in exactly that manner from the effects of
a certain kind of poison——”
** Poison !” gasped Clark,
“Yes—just so. The symp
identical.”
toms are
asped the lawyer, “who could
ave administered poison
Bailey?. Have you any clew
“That is neither here nor there,” replied
the detective. ‘‘A post-mortem, even at
this late day, might reveal poison in the
stomach. Now the body is in the tomb,
Perhaps a secret autopsy ——”
“Tt shall be held!” cried Allan, in great
force. ‘And if it proves to be the case,
woe to Andrew Bailey, Ie shall hang for
this infamous deed !”
The detective was stolid, and the lawyer
Jooked reprovingly at Allan.
“This is no time for rash statements or
hasty work,” hesaid, **‘ We must keep law
Eh, Carter?” .
ust so,” said the detective laconically.
“Pardon me,” said Allan, sinking back
in his chair, ‘* My zeal may be too great
and endanger precipitancy, but believe me,
am very much in earnest.”
The detective glanced at Allan and nod-
ed.
“A wise man ackno
ness,”he said, “I'l
shrewd and smart, too.
“Tecan work,” declared Allan,
“Good! I believe you are then just the
wledges his weak-
wager you can be
an I want.”- . .
“Eh?” exclaimed Clark.” “ How is this?
The detective drew a telegram from his
pocket. It was dated at Chicago,
“This is from the chief and calls me
home,” he said. “I am sorry to drop this
case at this very favorable poin|
“Drop the case !” fairly shrieked Clark,
“Why, you mustn’t. an alive, don’t you
know that thousands are at stake? You
are the only man who has as yet even ad-
vanced a hypothesis.”
“T can't help it,” said Carter, shaking
his head.- ‘Orders are orders, you know,
I could turn the details over to a brother
detective, but I fear to do it, for I don’t
know aman I could trust. Now I have
to
could with eare go ahead and work the
uzzle out to success.”
P ‘Allan drew a deep breath. He saw the
detective's point,
“This young man,” resumed Carter,
“thas a vital interest in the matter, There-
fore he will spareno pains, This is what
is needed now more than any sharp detect-
e work, In other words the disease is
diagnosed, the medicine prescribed, and
all that is necessary is to give it to the
”
patient. .
With this epigrammatic remark, the de-
tective drew a note-book from his pocket.
He read: .
“First theory, which seems most likely,
that of poison, Grounds for it, the strange
manner of Colonel Bailey’s death. Pro-
ceeding on this basis all members of the
household come under scrutiny. First,
make an important discovery. .
“One of Rnarew Bailey's most faithful
henchmen has worked in the lumber camp
off and on fora year past. Ile is the boon
companion of Mollie Block, the cook at
Cragmont, and Ilardman was also once a
chemist, Discover that he received letters
,t0 Colonel a
reached a point where I believe a novice} rose
at Whiteville bearing. postmark from
Western jown, where
were recorded, and
writing was identical with thatof Andrew
Bailey. Thus facts are established that
there was a regular system of communica-
tion between Hardman and Mollie Block
and Andrew Bailey in the West.”
“Wonderful!” ejaculated Allan, impul-
sively, ‘Ah, you detectives are clever,
ow did you learn all that?” ,
But Clark laughed and said:
“You will embarrass Carter, It is not
likely that a detective will reveal his
methods,”
“There is nothing to reveal,” persisted
Carter. “Isimply followatheory, If it
fails, I try another. In this case it suc-
ceeded at first.”
“ But you speak of Hardman!” exclaimed
Allan, “‘‘He was
they tried to murder us in camp and Big
Iam threw him into the river.”
“He is alive and well, and in town at
this moment,” said the detective. **Now
my advice is to work him, Let Andrew
Bailey and his mortgage notes alone, First
prove the murder. ‘The forgery will come
as a matter of course.”
But Allan looked puzzled.
“Prove the murder!” he said, © “‘ How
shall Ido that? What is my best course?”
“T would advise you to go slowly, Shad-
ow Hardman and Mollie Block, Ilave a
Swear the doctors to secrecy. All this can
be done by you and Clark here. In some
manner Hardman will be
confession, or. some turn in the affairs will
enable you to obtain sufficient evidence for
an indictment of Mollie as the poisoner
and Hardman and Bailey as accessories,
u se
“Tf I were a detective,” said Allan rue-
fully, “I think-I could see my way clear.
However, I will succeed, for Iam very de-
termined.”
“That is the whole secret of success,”
declared Carter. ‘* Determination and the
ability to be on hand
or a critical moment.” ,
Allan thought of his motto, and confi-
ence became his. But ere the conversa-
tion could proceed further a most unex-
peated and astounding thing happened,
ie
w
2
room,
scowling features and dull eyes belonged
to no other than Andrew Bailey.
{to BE CONTINUED.)
-_ OO OO
** HAPPY DAYS’? HAS A CRAND OFFER
TO MAKE TO ITS READERS SOON, WATCH
THE ANNOUNCEMENT COLUMN,
mn
(This story commenced in No. 200.}
The Nine Wonders:
THE ROUGH RIDERS OF THE
DIAMOND FIELD.
By P. T. RAYMOND,
Author of ‘The Nine in Blue,” * The Lit-
tle Boss,” “* Tom and the Tiger,”
. “<«*That Boy Bob," “ The
: Boy Contractor,” etc,
CHAPTER X,
AHOT TIME,
WueEn Teddy was seen to go over the
back of the stooping baseman, a roar burst
from the crowd, for it was something they
had never witnessed before.
The baseman caught the ball, and as he
up to wheel and touch him with it,
‘Teddy's feet grazed his shoulders, but his
two hands were on the base. Neverthe-
less’ he called out ri dadgment ° the mo-
ment he touched Teddy's leg with the ball,
The whole thing was done so quick that
the umpire himself was in doubt, He had
an unobstructed view of the incident, but
for all that he was:in doubt as to whether
Teddy’s hands were on the base when the
ball touched his leg.
As soon as quiet was restored, he called
out:
“ Gentlemen, ‘the umpire is in doubt.”
Of course that added to the interest felt
y the crowd. Thousands called out: ~
““He is safe! But friends of the Home
team sent up a great shout that he was
out,
* Said the umpire:
“Robinson, did you feel the ball touch
“I felt my feet touch him,” said
Teddy, “but I think my hands were on
“ Where did you touch him_ with the
ball?” the umpire asked of the Red Stock-
ings’ baseman,
os
a
with Liff Jones when h
secret autopsy of Colonel Bailey's remains, °
rought to aj?
at an important time a
To. On the leg, near the knee,”
“T felt that,” said Tedd
ye .
“Were your hands on the base when you
e!
“I'm blest if I know,” Teddy answered,
“You're an honest man,” called out the
umpire, ‘and I will rule you out.” ..
“All right,” returned Teddy. ‘I never
kick,” whereupon a strong-lunged man on
the grand stand sprang up and roared out:
“Three cheers for the honest Rough
Rider!" Itis doubtful if a single human
being in that vast crowd failed to cheer.
Every member of the Red Stockings waved
his cap in the air and cheered, too, and the
captain ran to Teddy and shook his hand.
“That's all right," said Teddy, laugh-
ing. **It was aclose call, but I thought I
could make it, Better luck next time.”
Tom Knatt took up the bat, and after
igh ball and was caught out. Billy Pat-
ten quickly met with the same fate, and
the Nine retired to the field.
Once more in the box ‘om Knatt stood
perfectly still for nearly a minute, waiting
for the batsman to getready. Hesent the
ballat him with a zigzag course that so
uzzled him he did not attempt to strike
te The second went the same way, but
the third he struck at and missed
~
>
ou
fifth knocked a splendid ball to center
field, and the man on second base passed
third and sprinted for home, Kuatt dashed
to the home plate, caught the ball and put
him to sleep within three feet of it,
“Out,” called the umpire, and the Red
Stockings retired to the field.
i inning resulted in no run for
‘0
ude.”
t the beginning of the sixth the Red
Stockings had five Foose eras on the board,
while the Rough Riders had four goose-
eggs and tworuns to their credit.
‘Teddy was again the first at the bat for
e | the Rough Riders, and smashed out'a ball
to right field where it was easily caught,
Knatt shared a similar fate at the hands
of left field,
hot grounder to left; Dick sent
second by smashing the ball to right field,
resting himself at first.
IcCoy after two strikes were called on
him, smashed the ball away out to right
field, and sprinted like greased Hghtning
to first and thence to second, The ball
was sent to the home plate to head off
Crenshaw.
a strange mishap it bounded awa
from the pitcher, who attempted to cate’
it, and Dick got home, .
To the astonishment of the thousands
who were looking on, McCoy dashed to
third, and the ball was sent to put him
to sleep there, He slid over the plate on
his stomach, and in doing so his shoulders
knocked the baseman’s feet from under
him, sending him rolling in e dust,
whilst the ball bounded away nearly fifty
Quick as a flash Ed Sprang to his feet
and dashed like lightning to the home
Jate, across which he sprinted as the vast
crowd stood on their feet roaring out en-
couragement, Ie had made a four-bagger
in spite of the desperate efforts of the Red
Stockings to head him off,
the Home,team was dumfounded, whilst
the Rough Riderg seized Ed, raised him to
their shoulders, and began a bit of by-play
that set the crowd roaring. They tossed
him about to each other as though he were
a baby, after which they laid him on the
ground and rolled over on him like a lot of
playful kittens on a bed of catnip,
The hilarity of the crowd was almost
hysterical. Even the rattled Red Stock-
ings had to laugh, though the score now
stood against them four to nothing. Many
of their backers became panic-stricken and
made desperate efforts to hedge their bets, ~
Jack Tilman was the next at the bat,
but was promptly caught out, and the
Nine retired to the field.
It was a rare thing for accidents to hap-
pen on the grounds with such skilled play-
ers as the Stockings, but to have two
take place in the space of a few brief
seconds, giving their opponents two runs
was something absolutely stunning. For
the first time in their career as a Nine they
were completely rattled. ‘Their chagrin
was all the more keen on account of .the
taunts they heard from some of their losing
ackera.
‘fo make it still worse the youngest
member of their team was older than the
eldest among the Rough Riders,
“Say, 7 red-legged fellows!” yelled a
man in the crowd, ** what in thunderis the.
matter with you that you let a lot of
galoots come out of the woods and wipe up
j the field with you?”
(Continued on page 13)