“ The proprietor and his two friends at once ceased speaking, and regarded the quartet of sailors with looks of suspicion and surprise.
"Where's that sleepy boy we saw in the cabin, and who ordered us into this devil's hold?" demanded Old Spicer. "Is he going to keep us waiting all night for our grog?"
The proprietor slowly arose to his feet.
"You want grog, do you?" he asked, drawing near their table.
"That's just what we want," answered Old Spicer, emphatically—"rum, mind ye, cap'n, genuine St. Croix rum."
"That's it, shipmate," exclaimed Rouse; "no belly-wash for us." ”

“ Webber gave a yell of horror, and dashing out of the bar-room, flew up the area steps into the street.
The other two, after one startled glance at the corpse, darted after their fleeing companion, and never even so much as stopped to breathe until they were far down George Street.
"Now, George," said Old Spicer, quietly, "I think we shall be able to get into the tunnel and vault without being seen."
"No doubt," responded young Morgan; "but how about getting out again? In ten minutes those fools will have a crowd here to see the murdered woman's ghost." ”

“ See here, Bissell, before we go any further, just tell me why you have pretended to take such an interest in me during all these years; why you have nursed all my evil inclinations; why you have tempted me to commit crime after crime, and why, now that I have, at your suggestion, committed one that puts a noose about my neck, you turn against me?"
"Why does any man do such things?" ”

“ God alone can calculate the evil you have done. You have brought ruin and death upon Charley Way, you have made a miserable woman of his widow for life, you have corrupted and involved in the general ruin Pete Coffey here, and many of his associates, you are responsible for the Ernst murder and for the blasted lives of Henry Chamberlain and Frank Taylor. ”

“ Jake squeezed his way behind the bunks, and throwing open the door, entered the inner vault, closely followed by Barney, bearing the light.
They took a step forward; but only to have the muzzles of two revolvers thrust into their faces, and to hear a voice, in stern and threatening tones, exclaim:
"You were looking for poor Charley Way's revolver a moment ago. Here it is! Will you have the contents now? You have only to move hand or foot, and they are yours, I swear it!"
"Old Spicer, by Jove!" ejaculated Barney, in a tone of chagrin.
"It vos, so 'elp me gracious!" ”

“ Two hours and a half later he returned, and met Killett, Stark and Rouse in the inspector's office.
"I am very glad indeed to find you here," he said. "I was afraid I might have to leave without seeing you."
"Why, what do you mean?" asked Killett, in a tone of wonder.
"I'm going to Connecticut," replied Spicer.
"What, and give up the chase for Bissell, Hawks and Bunce?"
"They will all be there by the time I am," said the old man, quietly.
"How's that?" asked Killett, in great surprise. ”

“ THE RAILROAD DETECTIVE.—Nowhere is detective ingenuity more necessary than in the great railroad systems which honeycomb the country. The wrecking of trains, the pillaging of express cars and robbing the freight, are carried on to a greater extent than the general public have any idea of. A good detective is necessary at almost every point along the line; and such a one is the railroad detective who is the leading character of this great story. ”

“ Bissell hastened to add, "you must find some safe place in which to secrete us until the schooner is ready for sea."
"Hum! I don't know about you, Mr. Bissell."
"Don't know about me! What do you mean, sir?"
"I don't think it's particularly safe to have anything to do with you. I've noticed that whoever has worked with you, or for you, has been fetched up with a round turn sooner or later, and that you always get off scot-free."
"Come, come, Pete," said Barney hastily, "if you've got any grudge against Emory, it's no time to show it now, when we're all in serious trouble. ”

“ Detective Killett became very thoughtful.
At length he asked:
"How did you gain this much information?"
Old Spicer informed him.
"Oho!" exclaimed Killett, when he had finished, "that was the way of it, eh? Then your men are as good as bagged."
"How's that?" asked Spicer, eagerly.
"It's plain enough," was the answer. "You will know Barney Hawks and Jake Klinkhammer whenever and wherever you see them again, I suppose?"
"Most decidedly, yes."
"Well, trust me, they will be making for this city as soon as they've had an interview with that Sadie Seaton. ”

“ Old Spicer was silent for a moment, then he abruptly exclaimed:
"I should like to visit the scene of this tragedy. Suppose we go to Spruce Street at once, gentlemen."
"What! and give up the Stony Creek affair?" exclaimed Stricket, in astonishment.
"Not necessarily," was the reply.
"But I don't understand, Mark."
"I have an idea," rejoined Old Spicer, quietly, "that in this instance, the shortest road to Stony Creek lies through Spruce Street."
"Thunder!" ejaculated George Morgan, "I believe you are right." ”

“ As to that, George will explain when I am gone. But listen: While I am away, you are to bend all your energies toward retaking Barney Hawks and Jake Klinkhammer, and to find out who a certain Beach and a certain Emory may be, who camped out on the Madison sea-shore six summers ago. ”

“ THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS.—A thrilling detective story giving an account of the manifold crimes, hair-breadth escapes and daring deeds of an outlaw whose fiendish acts seemed to make him a veritable Prince of Darkness. To cope with such a man needed a detective of superior skill and cunning, and such a one appears in the pages of this highly sensational tale. ”

“ How, then, is it likely that much of the pure stuff can pass our custom-houses."
"Ha! ha!" laughed Barney, "if any of the Simon Pure could get as far as the custom-houses, I'll warrant it wouldn't get any further. Our government officials know too well what's expected of them to let it slip through their fingers."
"Right, shipmate!" exclaimed Rouse, "they'd prefer to let it slip down their insatiable throats."
"Well," exclaimed Old Spicer, suddenly, "pure or impure, I see you've disposed of your brandy at last, landlord, and so now come over and help us out with our rum." ”

“ He soon fell in with a policeman.
"How are you, Tompkins?" he cried, slapping the officer on the back. "Fine day."
"Hallo!" returned the man in blue, looking round. "What the deuce—— Oh, is it you, Stark?"
"Yes, it's me, old boy, and I have a little job for you."
"What is it?"
"Walk along with me and I'll tell you."
The policeman fell into step with the detective, and after a moment, said:
"Well, drive ahead."
"Know Jimmie Taylor's place, down Hudson Street?" asked Stark.
"Know it? Well, I should say so!"
"All right; he's in there now. ”

“ Barney nodded.
"Yes," said Jake, "ve know."
"Well," continued Sadie, "at No. 515 there is a saloon."
"Who keeps it?"
"A fellow named Taylor."
"Hain't been there long, I reckon?"
"Not so very long, I believe."
"Is he a young fellow?"
"Yes, not more than twenty-one or twenty-two."
"Is he Hen's pal?"
"And we can hear of him at this saloon?"
"Yes."
"He's got a lady friend in New York, hasn't he?"
"I—I believe so," faltered poor Sadie.
"Know her name?"
"I believe it's Bell."
"Bell what?"
"No! no! Bell is her last name."
"Oh! is it Cora Bell?"
"Yes, that's it."
"Does she live on Sixth Avenue?" ”

“ OLD PITCHER, THE BASE BALL DETECTIVE.—As long as the grass grows and water flows the American youth will not lose his love for and interest in the national game. Anything connected with base ball has a particular interest for him, and, therefore, a good base ball detective story is sure to be appreciated. Old Pitcher, the hero, is an old-time ball player who has become a detective, and finds that the muscular development of the game stands him in good stead in his new profession. ”

“ OLD RAFFERTY'S OATH.—In this story something happens which awakens the deepest indignation of the genial, whole-souled detective. He takes a solemn oath to avenge the outrage. The plot shows how he fulfills his oath. One of the most thrilling and dramatic stories ever written.
221. OLD RAFFERTY'S WAGER.—Here the famous Irishman is himself again. His serenity and good nature are restored, and he is ready to give odds to any detective living. The wager is a peculiar one, and the contest full of fun and excitement. You wouldn't want to miss this particular story for anything. ”

“ The rays of Pete's light had shown him an extensive cavern, hollowed out of the granite rock, of which all that portion of the New England coast is composed.
Speedily he was joined by his companions, and a hasty examination of the chamber took place.
It was large enough to contain twenty or thirty men, and there were accommodations for at least a dozen. The place was also supplied with edibles, and Pete hinted that there was something stronger than water stowed away in one dark recess, "of which, thank God, old Mag knew nothing." ”

“ You nor no living soul on earth can touch me."
"Can't, eh?" and there was a rush forward, a yell, a loud ringing of bells, the sound of hurrying feet, and general confusion.
Old Spicer and Killett sprung from their chairs to the table, from the table to the floor, and rushing from the room, flew to the stairs, and descended without hardly touching a step. In another moment they were at the entrance to No. 24, where quite a little crowd had already gathered.
Quackenbush and two other detectives were in the room. Bissell was stretched upon the bed, to all appearance dangerously wounded. ”

“ And those belong to Bill Bunce; he had 'em on in his saloon the day of the fight there.' 'And these,' said another old fellow, 'are Emory Bissell's: see, here's his name; there's no getting away from that.'"
"Thunder and blazes!" hissed Bissell, "why were we such confounded fools as to leave such evidence of our presence on board the schooner?"
"Simply because we are confounded fools," returned Barney; "nothing more or less. But listen: let us know the worst."
"Come, do get out o' here, an' let an old woman get a little sleep. Into the cavern with you, or outdoors—I don't care which." ”

“ THE NEW YORK DETECTIVE.—A story of crime and criminals in the capital of the Western world. The wealth and opportunity afforded by the metropolis naturally attract the evil-minded from all parts of the country, and it needs skilled brains and a cool head to successfully cope with them. ”

“ There's only a lock there—no bolts, and if the door's fastened, I'll soon open it."
"Put ve'd petter know who's coming," suggested Jake.
"You're right, my boy; we'll hide round the corner of the house here, and see who passes."
They had hardly concealed themselves, when two men arrived in front of the place and slowly passed.
"Seth Stricket!" exclaimed Barney, as soon as they were out of hearing.
"Und dot meddlin' George Morgan, confound him!" added his companion.
"Well, let 'em go," said Barney. "If they are looking for us, I fancy they won't find us." ”

“ But do you really think they may yet be in one or the other of these vaults?"
"I think it's quite possible."
"Then suppose only one of us hunts for the treasure, while the other searches for the murderers."
"Very good, which task do you prefer?"
"To hunt for the villains."
"Very good again. Only let me warn you, don't let them get a shot at you from some dark recess."
"I'll look out for that;" and Morgan recommenced his search for the fugitives, while Old Spicer began looking for Jake Klinkhammer's treasure. ”

“ YOUNG DILLON.—This young and dashing detective was Old Cap. Collier's favorite assistant. The master as well as his pupil appears in this volume, and their combined skill is shown in a series of thrilling exploits. No one who reads No. 1 will fail to buy No. 2 of the Old Cap. Collier Library.
3. DION, THE DASHING DETECTIVE.—A splendid story of a characteristically New York detective. It is only in the great metropolis that the highest skill in the detection of crime is developed. This story shows how shrewd a detective must be to baffle the cunning schemes of the rogues of New York. ”

“ There was not a living soul in sight.
"Vos it safe to venture out?" asked Jake in a whisper.
"I don't know; I see no one," was the answer.
"Vait a minute!" exclaimed Jake, approaching the hat-rack. "Schust you put on dot great coat and blug hat, and I vill put on dese."
"The very thing!" cried Barney, in a tone of satisfaction; and seizing the murdered man's overcoat and hat, he put them on, while Jake appropriated a smaller coat and a Derby.
Their own soft hats they thrust into their pockets, knowing too much to leave them behind. ”

“ But as it happens, I also am pretty well posted in the law."
"You are?"
"Yes, ma'am, and I assure you, in such cases, the law places unlimited authority in the hands of the coroner."
"It does?"
"Yes, ma'am, and he has ordered me to get Miss Minnie's testimony. I have also the authority of the late Mrs. Ernst's executor to back me. In short, I am employed by these two gentlemen."
"And who may you be, sir?"
"My name is Spicer—Mark Spicer," answered the detective with a polite bow. "It's just possible you may have heard of me before."
"Oh!" exclaimed Minnie Neustrom, eagerly. "Old Spicer! ”

“ Barney regarded his companion with a look of surprise.
"Thunder!" he exclaimed, "do you let the loss of a little money affect you in that way? Are you willing to die—to be hanged, just because a little bad luck has overtaken you?"
"Might schust as vell die as to pe vidout gold," answered Jake, doggedly.
"Well," said Barney, resignedly, "I see I've got the thinking to do for both of us, and I take it I can put you in the way of getting at least a part of your wealth back again in short order."
Jake pricked up his ears.
"How vos dot, Parney?" he asked, with some show of interest. ”

“ And look you, Jake, may be it will be as well for us to pay New York a visit in company to-morrow. This town is getting a little hot for us, and we want money—want it badly; and we can see Hen and his pal, and make Emory meet us there at the same time—kill two birds with one stone, you understand. ”

“ OLD MISSISSIPPI.—This detective got his name from confining his work to the great Father of Rivers. Every one knows that the palace steamers which ply the Mississippi are the haunts of gamblers and black-legs who fleece the unwary passengers whenever they get a chance. In this story Old Mississippi cleans out the rascals in a very thorough manner. ”