CHAPTER XXVI.

CONCLUSION.

"Take it quietly, gentlemen, I beg," said Old Spicer, in his usual tones. "The jig's up. I acknowledge that you have shown a good deal of skill and made us some trouble; but we've got you now, like so many rats in a trap."

"By Jove! you shall never take me alive, Mark Spicer," exclaimed Bissell, fiercely.

"Very well, I shall take you dead, then, Emory Bissell," was the calm reply. "For, above all, _you_ must not escape. 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."

"And you'd better add," interrupted Bissell, with savage glee, "that I have had my reward in the knowledge that I have brought eternal misery on one that I'll never name, who has an interest in Hen Chamberlain, and who, with me and one or two others, alone knows the mystery of his life."

"That triumph will yet turn to gall in your memory," said Old Spicer, sternly. "And now surrender quietly, for we have much to do to-night. Seth, you and George go forward and put on the bracelets. If any one of them makes a hostile demonstration we'll shoot him on the spot."

Seth Strickett and George Morgan stepped forward.

"Barney--Bill Bunce--Pete--Clarky, will you be taken and strung up like so many slaughtered hogs? Stand by me, now, and fight to the death!" and whipping out a revolver, he fired point-blank at Old Spicer's heart.

But the attenuated detective was not a very good mark for a weak and excited man to aim at, and so the ball sped by, and the next instant a howl went up, as though all the witches of Macbeth were yelling in concert.

"I'm killed--I'm murdered--I'm done for! Oh, Lord! just let me get at the villain that fired that shot and I'll tear his heart out!" Then, with another yell, Old Mag dashed forward, and with the blood streaming from a wound in her breast, threw herself upon Bissell.

Barney and his friends seeing the confusion, now attempted to escape.

The attempt was useless. But their blood was up and they made a hard fight for it. Pistol reports echoed and re-echoed through the vaulted cavern, and to one standing by it would have seemed as though two regiments were fighting.

At length it was over, and Old Spicer, who, fortunately, had escaped uninjured, began to sum up the results.

Emory Bissell was dead--killed by old Mag, who lay gasping out her life by his side.

Barney Hawks was also dead; no less than three bullets had entered his body, any one of which would have finished him.

Bill Bunce was severely wounded and a prisoner.

Pete Coffey and Clarky surrendered when they saw there was no use in holding out longer.

On the side of the law, one local officer was killed and another badly wounded. Adam Killett and Seth Stricket were also slightly hurt.

Pete Coffey and Clarky were placed in the local lock-up, and the New York reporter, who was on hand in the village, but who had not got an inkling of what was going on at the bay, or up in the cavern, was, at his own request, locked up with Pete as a prisoner, in order to wheedle a full confession out of him.

His efforts were not rewarded with a very brilliant success.

Old Spicer, Stricket, and Morgan returned to New Haven, well pleased with all that had been accomplished.

Killett, after obtaining a requisition from the governor, took his prisoner, Bill Bunce, to New York; but two days later he died in the Tombs.

With almost unprecedented speed the trial of Chamberlain came on, and Cora Bell appeared against him.

Her evidence, and other facts brought out by Old Spicer and the New York detectives, was so overwhelming that he was brought in guilty after a trial of less than five days; but owing to his youth and the fact that the murder was not actually premeditated, he escaped the gallows.

Taylor's trial followed Chamberlain's, and as it was evident he had been led into the scrape by the latter, and had been so ready to confess, he got off much easier than his friend.

Cora Bell conducted herself very well from first to last during the trials, and so worked upon the feelings of a susceptible young man that soon after it was all over, he offered her his heart and hand.

She promptly accepted, and they are now living very pleasantly together as man and wife.

Before the trial came on, Sadie Seaton strangely disappeared from the city, and has never since been heard of. Old Spicer, to satisfy his own curiosity, thinks of looking her up later.

Peter Coffey's trial has not yet been called; but the knowing ones declare that Clarky's prophecy is pretty sure to be fulfilled. Clarky himself has been released without bail.

Most of Mrs. Ernst's property has been recovered, and the heirs under her will, including August Tepley, are likely soon to benefit substantially by her sudden death.

Adam Killett, and his trusty friends, Stark and Rouse, are busy on a new case in New York. While Old Spicer, whose world-wide fame debars him from any rest, has just received orders to ferret out a dangerous gang of smugglers and murderers who, for some time past, have eluded the vigilance of the constituted authorities along the northern shores of Long Island Sound.

Of course his old friend Seth Stricket, and his adopted son, George Morgan, will assist him in his new undertaking.

[THE END.]

FAMOUS DETECTIVE STORIES

IN THE

Old Cap. Collier Library.

No.

=1. OLD CAP. COLLIER.=--When this now celebrated story was first published it took the country by storm, and hundreds of thousands of copies have been sold since then. All who want a proper introduction to the most famous detective who ever lived should begin with this story.

=2. 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.

=4. HELLER'S PUPIL.=--The mystery of second-sight, of which the late Heller, the famous magician, was a master, was early thought of as a valuable adjunct to detective work. But only Heller's pupil was sufficiently instructed in the art to put it to practical use. How he did it is admirably told in this great detective story.

=9. TEDDY O'SHAWN, THE IRISH DETECTIVE.=--This popular story has always been a favorite in the CAP. COLLIER LIBRARY. The fund of humor displayed by the hero, while he never loses sight of his main object--to shield the innocent and bring the guilty to justice--makes this one of the wittiest as well as most sensational stories ever written.

=10. LOTTA, THE YOUNG LADY DETECTIVE.=--A female detective is always an interesting figure. She becomes doubly so when she has charge of such a complicated case as is developed in this story. Read it and you will be sure to like it.

=12. SHARPE, THE NEW YORK DETECTIVE.=--A rattling good story of life in the Great Metropolis. This book will be appreciated by all who admire pluck and grit.

=16. HAWKEYE, THE LONDON DETECTIVE.=--Some say that the Yankee detectives can beat their English cousins all hollow. However that might be, Hawkeye was undoubtedly one of the best detectives ever attached to Scotland Yard. Read his marvelous adventures in this book.

=18. OLD CAP. COLLIER & CO.=--Once again Old Cap. Collier comes to the front, and with his partners ferrets out a most desperate case, the particulars of which can be gleaned by perusing this thrilling story.

=19. OLD THUNDERBOLT.=--This is one of those sturdy detectives who, when they strike out, make you think you have been struck by lightning. Hence his cognomen. A rattling good story.

=21. THE SPIRIT DETECTIVE.=--This is a story full of mystery. The detective is popularly believed to have been murdered, and the guilty wretches pursued by him are terror-stricken at every appearance of what they regard to be his spirit. This is one of the best books in the list.

=23. THE LONG BRANCH DETECTIVE.=--A spicy story of the doings of the shady class, which hover at the fashionable summer resort. The incidents in this story are founded on fact, and will be found to be thrilling in the extreme.

=24. YOUNG IRONCLAD.=--A chip of the old block. He outrivals his famous father in hair-breadth escapes and desperate encounters with the criminals he is tracking. Every boy will admire this story.

=29. THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE DETECTIVE.=--There was a time, not so long ago, when it was positively dangerous to cross the foot-path of Brooklyn Bridge after night-fall. Thanks to the efforts of the Brooklyn Bridge Detective the thugs have all been cleaned out. How he did it is graphically described in this story.

=36. THE SCOTLAND YARD DETECTIVE.=--This is another great story of English detective life. The book is interesting in itself and valuable as affording a contrast between the way things are accomplished in London and in New York. No reader of detective stories can afford to miss this story.

=38. PINK WEST, THE BALTIMORE DETECTIVE.=--A thrilling detective story of the Monumental City. Pink West's exploits are noted in the annals of that city, and this record of some of his most daring deeds will be eagerly read by all lovers of a good detective story.

=43. THE EDINBURGH DETECTIVE.=--Every country has its own system of detective work, and there are, doubtless, many who would like to know how a Scotch detective goes to work to ferret out crime. This book treats of such a detective and should, therefore, not be omitted by the reader.

=49. THE LITTLE GIANT DETECTIVE.=--It is brains, not size, which count in detective work. The hero in this story is small in stature, but in intellect he is indeed a little giant. One of the most exciting books in the series.

=50. CAPTAIN JOHN HOWARD, THE DETECTIVE.=--Capt. Howard was formerly on the Metropolitan force and made an excellent record for himself. This story gives an account of some of his marvelous exploits. The gallant captain, though a terror to evil doers, was a great favorite with the ladies, as will be seen by reading this splendid story.

=53. THE WESTERN UNION DETECTIVE.=--It is well known that criminals sometimes cut the telegraph wires to further their nefarious schemes. Fine detective work is often necessary to entrap the rascals. This story gives a full insight of the workings of the secret service attached to the great telegraph corporation. It will be found to be a highly interesting book.

=55. THE REPORTER DETECTIVE.=--Few persons, not connected with the police department, have such opportunity for detective work as a reporter for the newspapers. They have tracked and caught many an offender when all the regularly constituted detectives were at fault. The Reporter Detective is a man who thoroughly understands his business, and the way he performs it gives rise to some very exciting adventures. An excellent story.

=56. OLD GRIPES.=--The detective who bore this cognomen was a character. When he put his grip on a law breaker he never let go again. Hence his name. If you want to read a first-class detective story this is the book for your money.

=58. FRANK JAMES' MISTAKE.=--A story about the brother of Jesse James, the noted outlaw. Both brothers were terrors in their day, and their deeds make highly interesting reading. This story treats of an error on the part of Frank James, which had very serious results. Every lad will read this book, of course.

=59. BELLE KINGSTON, THE DETECTIVE QUEEN.=--Another good story of a female detective. Belle was a very queen among man-hunters; and she was successful in hunting down not only criminals, but a husband for herself. A book full of marvelous adventures and thrilling incidents.

=63. OLD DYNAMITE.=--When Old Dynamite came down on the gang, something had to go up and, generally, it was the whole gang that went up to Sing Sing. This story gives the inside facts of one of the most remarkable cases that Old Dynamite ever handled. It is a rattler.

=64. THE WOLVES OF GOTHAM.=--There are human wolves in New York more cruel and bloodthirsty than the animals which attack the travelers over the Siberian deserts. This story treats of a pack of this kind, and shows up some of their nefarious deeds. A splendid story of life in the great metropolis.

=70. DRUSCOVICH, THE RUSSIAN DETECTIVE.=--Another story of a foreign detective. Russian methods are often characterized by violence and great brutality. Force is relied on more than skill or cunning. An interesting book to read by way of contrast with American methods of detecting crime.

=72. KEEN, THE HEADQUARTERS DETECTIVE.=--Who does not know of the great marble building in Mulberry Street, New York City? It is the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Force, and here are stationed the keenest detectives in the world. Among the brightest of them Keen, the Headquarters Detective, ranks supreme. Every one will want to read of his thrilling adventures, as depicted in this book.

=73. THE PRINCESS OF PARIS.=--Paris is the capital of the world and is also regarded to be the wickedest city in the universe. Gay, fascinating Paris! What capers are not committed within its walls. The author of "The Princess of Paris" knows what he is writing about. Hence this book is as realistic as it is delightful to read.

=76. OLD CAP. RUGGLES.=--This is another one of those sturdy detectives whose life-long experience make them more valuable than young men. Old Cap. Ruggles may not be able to get around as quickly as a bantling on the force, but he gets there all the same. Read this book and you'll be glad of it.

=82. JACK SHARP.=--This is the first of a series of detective stories in which that noted thief-taker plays an active part. Each story is complete in itself, but the whole series gives a succession of thrilling episodes, each one more interesting than the other. Begin the series with this splendid story.

=85. STONEWALL, THE ATHLETE DETECTIVE.=--"Stonewall" is the _sobriquet_ of a detective whose fame is national. His daring exploits and brilliant achievements have formed the basis of many a detective story. This one will be found to be one of the best of its kind.

=86. 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.

=88. OLD GOLD-EYE, THE MINER DETECTIVE.=--A stirring story, full of adventure in the Wild West. Just the kind of a tale that the boys like to read. The hero is sure to be a great favorite with his readers. This book will be found to be a genuine literary treat for all.

=90. OLD HAWKEYE'S GREATEST TRAIL.=--The further adventures of the famous detective, Old Hawkeye, will be found as sensational as any that have preceded them. The case worked up in this book was admitted by the great detective to be his greatest trail. All of Old Hawkeye's friends will be sure to read this book.

=92. OLD BROADBRIM, THE QUAKER DETECTIVE.=--This is the first of a series of detective stories in which the celebrated Philadelphia detective known as Old Broadbrim takes an active part. No one looking at the mild-mannered Quaker would suspect that he was one of the shrewdest detectives on any force. His cases were many and very complicated, and after reading the one developed in this book, you will want to read them all.

=93. DIAMOND DAN, THE BROOKLYN DETECTIVE.=--The City of Brooklyn has furnished some good men for the secret service, and among the best of them will be found Diamond Dan. Brooklyn boys will meet an old friend in the hero of this story, and the boys of other cities will be equally glad to make his acquaintance.

=98. THE SARATOGA DETECTIVE.=--The famous watering-place, the summer resort of so many millionaires, naturally attracts the light-fingered gentry. Many valuable diamonds have been stolen from the hotels and cottages, and a shrewd detective is always on guard to protect the property of the guests. One of the most mysterious of these robberies was tracked to a successful issue by the detective in this story. It is well worth buying the book to see how it was accomplished.

=101. POLICE INSPECTOR HAWK.=--This story is written by one of the best detective writers in this country, and an intimate friend of the inspector, whose brave deeds are recorded in its pages. The reader may therefore be assured that this story is based on facts, marvelous as the incidents may appear to be. It is one of the best stories in the OLD CAP. COLLIER LIBRARY.

=102. TRACKED BY LIGHTNING.=--Many detectives have admitted the fact that they were often materially assisted in their work by freaks of nature. In this story the detective owed part of his success at least to the peculiar action of a flash of lightning. What that action was and how it aided the detective in his work may be learned by a perusal of this great story.

=103. THE COLD GULCH MYSTERY.=--Another fascinating story of the Wild West. It introduces cowboys, brigands, miners, explorers, and other characters peculiar to California life. Just the kind of a story to please the boys.

=104. OLD MAN MARTIN.=--Old Man Martin was a character in his day. Quiet and unostentatious, no one suspected him of being a detective until he came down on him like a shot. Then a criminal might as well throw up his hands, as the old man never let up on him. A rattling good story.

=109. MOONSHINER JACK.=--A sensational detective story, with the scenes and incidents laid among the Blue Ridge Mountains. The struggles between the manufacturers of "moonshine" whisky and the United States Revenue officers give rise to many stirring incidents, which make this story thrilling from the first chapter to the last.

=111. THE DUCHESS OF GOTHAM.=--A startling story of life in the great Metropolis, introducing scenes of high and low life. No one who wants to know all about New York can afford to miss reading this great story.

=113. THE PARISIAN DETECTIVE.=--This famous story is by the greatest living detective writer, F. Du Boisgobey. It depicts scenes in the gay capital of France as only that writer can. Every one knows that the French detectives are masters of their art, and the Parisian Detective holds the foremost rank among them. This story is one of the best ever published.

=120. A MILLIONAIRE'S CRIME.=--A thrilling story, showing that the possession of a large fortune does not hinder men from engaging in crime. The vices of the rich are mercilessly treated, while every credit is given to the poor and humble who remain honest and resist temptation while struggling for their daily bread. Every lover of justice should read this great story.

=123. 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. The New York Detective possesses this rare combination, and that is why he is famous in the annals of his chosen profession. This story shows up life in Gotham in all its phases, and is exciting and interesting from the first chapter to the last.

=124. DICK DESPARD, THE MISSOURI DETECTIVE.=--A dashing story of the Southwest. The many outlaws in Missouri make detective work dangerous as well as daring. Pluck is the first requisite, and of this quality Dick Despard possesses a goodly share. Those who want to read a good, rattling detective story, full of lively skirmishes with the outlaws of Missouri, should buy this book.

=128. FRANK JAMES ALARMED.=--Every one who has read "Frank James' Mistake," in this library, will want to read this companion story to it. It is equally full of adventures of the noted outlaw and is complete in itself. It contains a number of very striking incidents.

=130. THE DEMON DOCTOR.=--A weird story full of mystery. The Demon Doctor abuses the opportunities afforded him by his profession, and perverts his knowledge of medicine and chemistry to unlawful ends. How he was finally trapped and caught by a shrewd detective is graphically told in the pages of this excellent story.

=131. THE HEADLESS BODY.=--A body with its head cut off is found in a lonely spot, and the identification of the person murdered, and the tracking of the murderer, form the basis of one of the most thrilling stories ever written. An excellent book and interesting to all.

=132. SKILLFUL CHARLIE.=--Everybody in New York knows the detective who bore this title. He is now retired from the force, and loves to repeat some of the stirring episodes which marked his professional career. This story details some of them, written under Skillful Charlie's own direction by one of the best writers in this country.

=134. YOUNG WEASEL.=--The name for the hero of this story is well chosen. The weasel is an animal remarkable for its ability and cunning, and these qualities especially distinguished the young detective who figures in the pages of this book. It needed these peculiarities to run down the villains on whose track he was placed. This is one of the best stories published in the OLD CAP. COLLIER LIBRARY.

=136. YANKEE VIDOCQ'S DISCOVERY.=--Vidocq was one of the most famous thief-takers in the world. During his career in France he captured no less than eighteen thousand criminals. The young American detective who adopted the name of "Yankee Vidocq," chose a worthy master to follow. The startling discovery he made enabled him to surround his name with a halo of glory. You will be well repaid for the time spent in reading this excellent story.

=138. CROOKED COLE.=--A thrilling story of New York life, especially showing up the gangs of law-breakers which haunt the lower part of the city. It is written by a well-known author, and will be found highly interesting. Some of the scenes are so realistic that the reader feels like taking a hand in them himself.

=145. THE KING OF SCAMPS.=--An excellent story. The King of Scamps was a great rogue, one of those finely polished gentlemen whom no one would suspect of being a villain. But a shrewd detective was finally able to tear down the mask of respectability and reveal the rascal in his true light. A book full of adventure and mystery.

=147. 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.

=148. RUGG'S FATE.=--Everybody remembers Rugg, the negro thug, who butchered the Maybees on Long Island, and committed other horrible crimes for which he was deservedly executed. These murders and outrages for a time were a great mystery. How that mystery was solved, the black assassin run down and captured, the trial and execution, all are graphically described in this great story which was written by a well-known reporter connected with the daily press. Though every line in this book is absolutely true, it is thrilling and sensational throughout.

=149. 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.

=150. OLD NEVERFAIL.=--The hero of this story won his title by his happy faculty of always "getting there." No matter how carefully laid were the plans of the villains, whenever Old Neverfail appeared on the scene, the schemes and plots went to smash. In this story are detailed some of the most exciting episodes in the life of any detective.

=192. THE FIFTH AVENUE TRAGEDY.=--The homes of the very rich often have concealed within their walls an ugly domestic skeleton. Many a scandal is connected with the broad, brown-stone mansions which line fashionable Fifth Avenue. This story takes the reader into such a mansion and makes him the witness of a terrible tragedy enacted therein. A powerful and fascinating detective romance.

=206. OLD SPICER AND HIS RIVAL.=--The second in the series of famous stories concerning the celebrated Yankee detective. Old Spicer may have many rivals, but none of them can equal the old man in ability to spot the perpetrators of a dastardly crime. All who have read "Old Spicer" will enjoy this book.

=211. OLD RAFFERTY.=--The first of a series of great stories with a well-known Irish detective as a hero. The shrewdness of the detective is equaled only by the richness of his brogue. The "Old Rafferty" stories are full of fun as well as of adventure. The following is a full list of the famous Old Rafferty stories. Read all of them.

=214. OLD RAFFERTY'S RIVAL.=--A humorous Irish detective story, in which a would-be detective, envious of Old Rafferty's fame, starts in to "down" the old man. It goes without saying that he gets the worst of it. Full of startling adventures, as well as comic situations.

=216. OLD RAFFERTY ON HIS OWN HOOK.=--In this excellent story Old Rafferty follows out his own ideas without taking counsel of any one, just to show what he can do when he is going it alone. The result is that he simply paralyzes his detractors. One of the best books in the series.

=218. 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.

=224. OLD RAFFERTY'S LUCK.=--The luck of this famous Hibernian detective is that of his countrymen in general, as expressed by the consolation offered by one Irishman to his companion, who had fallen down and broken his leg: "Bedad," says he, "it's lucky yer didn't break yer head." However, in spite of his luck, Old Rafferty comes out all right in the end.

=227. OLD RAFFERTY'S LAST CASE.=--This great story completes the list of the famous Old Rafferty series, and is one of the best in the whole lot. It must be remembered that each story in this series is complete in itself, each having an entirely different plot and different set of characters. Only, Old Rafferty appears in all of them. Each one can be read singly with equal enjoyment, but we advise all to buy and read the whole series.

=228. MUNSON, THE DETROIT DETECTIVE.=--Detroit, being so near the Canadian border, is often used as the headquarters of gangs of smugglers, who seek to defraud Uncle Sam of his custom duties. Munson spots several of this gang in the course of this story, and runs them down. An exciting and lively detective tale.

=238. MONTE-CRISTO IN NEW YORK.=--It is said that the most improbable imaginings of fiction are often duplicated in real life. This story is an example of this fact. When Alexander Dumas wrote his famous story he little imagined that right here in the city of New York a young man would actually go through a similar ordeal as Edmond Dante's. Such, however, is the fact, and this story gives the full history of it, just as it was related by the New York Monte-Cristo to the author himself. The story is, naturally enough, exciting and interesting from beginning to end.

=240. THE GREAT TRUNK MYSTERY.=--This is the true story, never before published, of the famous St. Louis Tragedy, in which the victim was murdered, his mutilated body packed in a trunk, and shipped away by express. It is illustrated with actual portraits of the principals, the witnesses, and the detectives in the case, and also sketches of the different localities, taken by artists on the spot.

=260. 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. A number of incidents in the book take place on the "diamond," and appeal powerfully to every admirer of the best and most wholesome sport ever invented.

=269. THE CALIFORNIA DETECTIVE.=--A rattling good story of life on the Pacific Coast. The California Detective is a thoroughbred, and cuts a clean swath among the brigands, road-agents, desperadoes, "greasers," gamblers and black-legs, which infest the El Dorado of the West. Every chapter in this story contains an exciting episode and the climaxes are intensely dramatic.

=271. THE CALIFORNIA DETECTIVE IN WALL STREET.=--A companion story to the foregoing, by the same author. In this story, Old Sam, the California Detective, comes on East and gives the crooks and sharps in Wall Street something to remember him by. The way he converts the New York Stock Exchange into a section of the Wild West is a caution to behold. Don't fail to read these two great stories.

=305. OLD CAP. COLLIER'S SCHOOL.=--Again Old Cap. Collier jumps into harness and does some of his fine old-time work. The old man is as sprightly and active as ever, yet he thinks it best to train two young lads in the way all good detectives should go. These lads accompany him on all his "pipings," and by their activity and intelligence gladden the heart of the old master.

=309. ESCAPED FROM SING SING.=--A thrilling story of the daring escape of a convict who had been immured in the state prison for a crime of which he was wholly innocent. Securing his liberty in a most exciting and ingenious way, the hero turns detective on his own case, while the regular detectives are trying to recapture him. He not only succeeds in balking their plans, but in establishing his innocence and securing a full pardon. One of the most exciting books in the OLD CAP. COLLIER LIBRARY.

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Old Cap. Collier Library.

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1 Old Cap Collier, the Detective 5 2 Young Dillon, the Detective 5 3 Dion, the Dashing Detective 5 4 Heller's Pupil 5 5 The Seaside Detective 5 6 The Irish Detective's Evil Genius 5 7 Dare, the Detective 5 8 A Great Detective's Trail 5 9 Teddy O'Shawn, the Irish Detective 5 10 Lotta, the Young Lady Detective 5 11 Bill Dane, the Detective 5 12 Sharpe, the Detective 5 13 Lightning Grip 5 14 Vidocq, the French Detective 5 15 The Secret Detective 5 16 Hawkeye, the London Detective 5 17 Scott, Elliott & Co. 5 18 Old Cap. Collier & Co. 5 19 Old Thunderbolt 5 20 Mastonell, the Mysterious Detective 5 21 The Spirit Detective 5 22 The Mysterious Detective 5 23 The Long Branch Detective 5 24 Young Ironclad, the Keen Detective 5 25 The Valpison Mystery 5 26 Greatest Detective in France 5 27 Old Tabaret, the Self-Made Detective 5 28 Phil Peterson, the Detective 5 29 The Brooklyn Bridge Detective 5 30 Dart, the Self-Made Detective 5 31 Jottrat, the Secret Agent 5 32 Detective Dawson 5 33 The Crimson Clew 5 34 Vibert, the Detective 5 35 On His Own Hook 5 36 The Scotland Yard Detective 5 37 A Great Robbery 5 38 Pink West, the Baltimore Detective 5 39 Playing the Detective 5 40 The Overland Detective 5 41 Flash & Co., Detectives 5 42 Secret Confessions 5 43 The Edinburgh Detective 5 44 His Own Detective 5 45 The Great Diamond Robbery 5 46 Larry Murtagh, the Detective 5 47 Brought to Bay 5 48 Trials of a City Detective 5 49 The Little Giant Detective 5 50 Captain John Howard, Detective 5 51 Lecoq, the Detective--Part I. 5 52 Lecoq, the Detective--Part II. 5 53 The Western Union Detective 5 54 Red Leary 5 55 The Reporter Detective 5 56 Old Gripes 5 57 Sampson, the Strong Detective 5 58 Frank James' Mistake 5 59 Belle Kingston, the Detective Queen 5 60 Hardscrabble, the Detective 5 61 Tom Dale, the Lawyer Detective 5 62 Sergeant Detective Sparrow 5 63 Old Dynamite 5 64 The Wolves of Gotham 5 65 Gideon Gault 5 66 The Diamond King 5 67 Blue Ridge 5 68 Carl Ruhl, Phenomenal Detective 5 69 The Frontier Detective 5 70 Druscovich, the Russian Detective 5 71 Millions at Stake 5 72 Keen, the Headquarters Detective 5 73 The Princess of Paris 5 74 Doc. Kedge, Alchemist Assassin 5 75 Dym Darke, Detective 5 76 Old Cap Ruggles 5 77 Sparkle & Co., the Great Detectives 5 78 Black Douglass 5 79 The Great Barry Case 5 80 Dominick Squeek 5 81 Lucky Lee 5 82 Jack Sharp 5 83 Daring Desmond 5 84 Count Esmeraduro 5 85 Stonewall, the Athlete Detective 5 86 The Railroad Detective 5 87 Hawkeye & Ferret 5 88 Old Gold-Eye, the Miner Detective 5 89 Durgon, the Detective 5 90 Old Hawkeye's Greatest Trail 5 91 Clitheroe & Clump 5 92 Old Broadbrim, Quaker Detective 5 93 Diamond Dan, Brooklyn Detective 5 94 Detective Jack; The Night Hawks 5 95 Tom Turner, Detective 5 96 The Ten-Spot of Diamonds 5 97 Old Sledge, Blacksmith Detective 5 98 The Saratoga Detective 5 99 A House of Mystery 5 100 Paul Prince, Detective 5 101 Police Inspector Hawk 5 102 Tracked by Lightning 5 103 The Gold Gulch Mystery 5 104 Old Man Martin 5 105 Overland Joe 5 106 Hickory Dick 5 107 Old 16; or, Ducats and Diamonds 5 108 Star, the Expert Detective 5 109 Moonshiner Jack 5 110 Tracked by the Dead 5 111 The Duchess of Gotham 5 112 The Cornwall Tragedy 5 113 The Parisian Detective 5 114 The Egyptian Detective 5 115 The Clique of Crime 5 116 Old Roulette 5 117 Brace, the American Detective 5 118 Gotham Detectives in New Orleans 5 119 Hercules, the Prairie Detective 5 120 A Millionaire's Crime 5 121 Dead at Midnight 5 122 A Crimson Crime 5 123 The New York Detective 5 124 Dick Despard, Missouri Detective 5 125 Old Subtle 5 126 The Diamond Detective 5 127 Tracked to Doom 5 128 Frank James Alarmed 5 129 The Pig and Whistle 5 130 The Demon Doctor 5 131 The Headless Body 5 132 Skillful Charlie 5 133 Nerve Kidder 5 134 Young Weasel 5 135 Entangled in Crime 5 136 Yankee Vidocq's Discovery 5 137 Bill Poole 5 138 Crooked Cole 5 139 Carl Baker 5 140 Ben Logan 5 141 Harley Mayne 5 142 The Missing Prima Donna 5 143 Davenport Blake 5 144 The Crescent Scar 5 145 The King of Scamps 5 146 The Iron Ring 5 147 Old Mississippi 5 148 Rugg's Fate 5 149 The Prince of Darkness 5 150 Old Neverfail 5 151 Old Deceiver 5 152 Sam Stark 5 153 Abe Buzzard's Surrender 5 154 The Rink Detective 5 155 Jack Sharp on Hand 5 156 Ralph Renel 5 157 Duplex Brothers 5 158 Jockey Joe 5 159 The River Detective 5 160 Tracking the Red Diamond 5 161 The Vampire 5 162 Old Broadbrim's Latest Trail 5 163 Old Shady; Moonshiner's Shadow 5 164 The Mercantile Detective 5 165 Old Spicer, the Yankee Detective 5 166 Detective Fox; or, Morgue Mystery 5 167 Old Sledge Unmasked 5 168 The Rattling Detective 5 169 Allan Cotton, Detective 5 170 Bill Bowie, of Gotham 5 171 The Double Mystery 5 172 Bill Brayton, the Bold Detective 5 173 Tom Baker, the Detective 5 174 Detective Fox in London 5 175 John Merry, the Alert Detective 5 176 Ralph Renel's Rival 5 177 Long John Riley, Texas Detective 5 178 Mark and Neil, Telegraph Detectives 5 179 Zeb Taylor, the Puritan Detective 5 180 Tom Throttle, Engineer Detective 5 181 The Invincible Detective 5 182 The Daniel Brothers 5 183 The Creole Detective 5 184 The Severed Arm 5 185 Dick Rand, Washington Detective 5 186 Old Broadbrim's Double Game 5 187 Old Parse, the Tramp Detective 5 188 Jack Donahue 5 189 From Wall Street to Sing Sing 5 190 Tracked at Midnight 5 191 The Factory Detective 5 192 The Fifth Avenue Tragedy 5 193 Tow-Path Tom, Canal Detective 5 194 The Theater Detective 5 195 Silas Quirk, the Diamond Detective 5 196 Detective Doone from New York 5 197 Old Saddle-Bags 5 198 The Liberators 5 199 The Amazon Detective 5 200 Sombrero Sam 5 201 Cremated Alive 5 202 The Eagle-Eyed Detective 5 203 The Baltimore Detective 5 204 Hunted Down in Gotham 5 205 The Blind Detective 5 206 Old Spicer and His Rival 5 207 Old Revenue 5 208 The Greek Detective 5 209 Old Mystagogne 5 210 Detective Jack Anderson 5 211 Old Rafferty 5 212 Two Cases at One Time 5 213 Detective Ploughorn 5 214 Old Rafferty's Rival 5 215 Bert Adams, the Fireman Detective 5 216 Old Rafferty on His Own Hook 5 217 The Tourist Detective 5 218 Old Rafferty's Oath 5 219 Dick Drama, the Actor Detective 5 220 Bob Denville, Fall River Detective 5 221 Old Rafferty's Wager 5 222 Found in the River 5 223 Mordaunt, the Miner Detective 5 224 Old Rafferty's Luck 5 225 Gypsy Jack, Vagabond Detective 5 226 Old Spicer on Hand 5 227 Old Rafferty's Last Case 5 228 Munson, the Detroit Detective 5 229 The Harbor Detective 5 230 Wayne Strange, Kentucky Detective 5 231 Jack Sharp in Florida 5 232 The Doctor Detective 5 233 Game to the Last 5 234 Wayne Strange's Mascot 5 235 John Rugby, Ferryboat Detective 5 236 Clint Cleaver, Grand Street Detective 5 237 The Carthage Affair 5 238 Monte-Cristo in New York 5 239 Old Swift 5 240 The Great Trunk Mystery 5 241 Kit Clinch, the Best of Detectives 5 242 My Greatest Case 5 243 Detective Dare-death 5 244 Detective Dan 5 245 Old Rip, Catskill Mountain Detective 5 246 Traps and Snares of New York 5 247 Dick Dashe, the Drummer Detective 5 248 The Rahway Murder Mystery 5 249 A Yankee Detective in France 5 250 Young Dyer 5 251 Old Humpey, the Dwarf Detective 5 252 Mort Sharpin 5 253 Broadbrim's Tangled Case 5 254 Run to Earth, Electric Detective 5 255 Sam Smart, Postal-Route Detective 5 256 Tom Pilgrim, the Tramp Detective 5 257 Detective Killett 5 258 Wily Wade 5

OLD CAP. COLLIER LIBRARY.

Latest Issues.

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259 A Desperate Venture 5 260 Old Pitcher, Baseball Detective 5 261 Old Brighton, Long Island Detective 5 262 The Spruce Street Tragedy 5 263 Old Opium, the Mongolian Detective 5 264 Jack Breeze, Chicago Detective 5 265 Johnson, the Yankee Man-hunter 5 266 Cougar Cale, the Mine Detective 5 267 The Masked Detective 5 268 Keen Fox, the City Hall Detective 5 269 The California Detective 5 270 A Blind Trail 5 271 The California Detective 5 272 Tom Sawyer, Kentucky Detective 5 273 The Redmond House Tragedy 5 274 Sam Strong, Cowboy Detective 5 275 The Crime of the Cabin 5 276 Detective Dean 5 277 The U. S. Revenue Detective 5 278 Phil Finder, New Haven Detective 5 279 Dick Decoy, the Hunter Detective 5 280 Tracking the Kidnaper 5 281 Old All Round, Garden City Detective 5 282 One-Eye, the Cat 5 283 Kit Dillon 5 284 Keenan, the Keen One 5 285 Old Lynx, the Mormon Detective 5 286 Jack Sharp's Trap 5 287 The Sons of Cain 5 288 Old Flush, the Wall Street Ferret 5 289 Steele Link, or a Detective Abroad 5 290 Revealed by a Skeleton 5 291 Dick Dead-Eye, the Swamp Angel 5 292 Now Then, the Fleetest of the Fleet 5 293 The Grayson Tragedy 5 294 Tom Glass, Detective 5 295 Trump Morgan 5 296 Cool Carter 5 297 Daring Dan, Detective 5 298 Detective "Spot" Hooker 5 299 Old Grime, "Get-there" Detective 5 300 Tascott and "The Other" 5 301 The Border Detective's Long Chase 5 302 Sam Cotton, the Chicago Ferret 5 303 The Young Blacksmith Detective 5 304 Old Man Bruce, Richmond Detective 5 305 Old Cap. Collier's School 5 306 The "Green Lady" Mystery 5 307 Nervy Nat, New Haven Detective 5 308 Wolverine Waif 5 309 Escaped from Sing Sing 5 310 Markoe, the Relentless Detective 5 311 The Detective Partners 5 312 Hunter, the Montreal Detective 5 313 The Golden Reel's Revenge 5 314 Bradshaw 5 315 Gildan, the Man Hunter 5 316 Keen Trump, Little Joker Detective 5 317 Pat Nolan, Castle Garden Detective 5 318 Detective Cotton & Co. 5 319 Burrel, the New York Shadow 5 320 Overland Orve, Mountain Detective 5 321 Pat Nolan and the Padrones 5 322 Pat Nolan and "Internationals" 5 323 Tracked Across the Ocean 5 324 The Niagara Falls Detective 5 325 The Shadow Finger 5 326 Old Vet, the G. A. R. Detective 5 327 Mantell, Pinkerton's Detective 5 328 Old Hawk, the Man With Nine Lives 5 329 Murdered at Midnight 5 330 Bigfoot, the Detective Guide 5 331 La Mafia, the New Orleans Italian Fiends' Oath 5 332 Captain Kidd's Treasures 5 333 The Whitechapel Murders 5 334 Pat Nolan and the Elders 5 335 The Blood-Stained Glove 5 336 Ramabai's Treasures 5 337 The McCoy-Hatfield Feud 5 338 Jack the Ripper 5 339 Syndicate of Crime 5 340 The White Cap Fiend 5 341 Detective Rex of Baltimore 5 342 The Bald-Knobber's Fate 5 343 The "Eye of Jobu" 5 344 The Oklahoma Boomers 5 345 Dave Heath 5 346 Dan Demdike, Detective 5 347 Saul Haven 5 348 An Oath Bound Brotherhood 5 349 Who Murdered Dr. Cronin? 5 350 Seth Mason 5 351 Oklahoma Bill 5 352 Liverpool Jack 5 353 The Hunchback of Hell Gate 5 354 The Hudson River Tunnel Detective 5 355 Vidal, the Silent Detective 5 356 Old Bull's-Eye 5 357 The Jeweled Dagger 5 358 The Banker's Plot 5 359 Lightning Frank 5 360 The Golden Anklet 5 361 Dashing Hal 5 362 Harlan Court House Tragedy 5 363 McGinty, the Detective 5 364 The Union Square Mystery 5 365 Neck and Neck: or, Around the World with Nellie Bly 5 366 Marvyn Kyng, the Detective 5 367 Gypsy, the Girl Ferret 5 368 Who Murdered Her? 5 369 America's Best Detective 5 370 The Buckhorn Button 5 371 The $3,000,000 Bond Forgery 5 372 The Crime of the "Black Maria" 5 373 Calvert Cole of California 5 374 The World's Fair Detective 5 375 Calvert Cole's Cruise 5 376 Daniel Druce, Detective 5 377 Harvey Fenton 5 378 The Thugs of Chicago 5 379 The Lawyer Detective 5 380 The Parisian Detective in New York 5 381 Garry, the Jersey Hawkshaw 5 382 Dave Ducey, the Bank Detective 5 383 All 'Round Kate 5 384 Burton Draper 5 385 Old Double-Face and His Shadow 5 386 The Three O'Clock Tragedy 5 387 Garry and the Thugs of Gloucester 5 388 Rube Burrows, the Outlaw 5 389 Detective Kate's Lone Hand 5 390 The Sandy Hook Detective 5 391 Death of Sitting Bull 5 392 Karbo, the King of Safe-Blowers 5 393 Elevated Railroad Tragedy 5 394 Syndicate of Swindlers 5 395 Big Foot, the Fighting Sioux 5 396 Sitting Bull's White Ward 5 397 Kicking Bear's Last Shot 5 398 Sherman's March to the Sea 5 399 Old Falcon, the Ferret 5 400 Night-Shade, the Terrible Avenger 5 401 An American Eyraud 5 402 The Last of the Sioux Chiefs 5 403 In Darkest New York 5 404 Old Falcon's Big Case 5 405 Buck Lacy, Detective 5 406 Under the Electric Light 5 407 Gold-Star, Whirlwind Detective 5 408 Calvert Cole's Colleagues 5 409 Derringer, Police Terrier 5 410 Old Lynx, of St Louis 5 411 The Scarred Arm 5 412 Dave Dotson in New York 5 413 The Dago Detective 5 414 Old Rastell, the Ferret 5 415 Vampire, the Bravo 5 416 Tracked to America 5 417 Old Cinch 5 418 Chris Wren 5 419 Hugh Ratan, Pedagogue Detective 5 420 Dynamiter and Millionaire 5 421 Peter Price, Magic Change Detect 5 422 Chili's Crime 5 423 The Reliance Detective 5 424 Across the Continent 5

OLD CAP. COLLIER LIBRARY can be obtained at any news-stand, or will be sent to any address, postage paid, on receipt of five cents per copy. Order by numbers. Address

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Transcriber's Notes:

Italics are represented with _underscores_, bold with =equal signs=.

Added table of contents.

Inconsistent hyphenation retained from the original (e.g. "up-stairs" vs. "upstairs").

Some inconsistencies of dialect have been retained from the original.

Normalized obvious punctuation errors throughout the document.

Changed "McCarthy't" to "McCarthy's."

Changed "contined" to "continued."

Changed "questiou" to "question."

Changed "the the" to "the."

Changed "pnnch" to "punch."

Changed "Marsdan's" to "Marsden's."

Changed "footseps" to "footsteps."

Changed "womam" to "woman."

Changed "coversation" to "conversation."

Changed "full compliment" to "full complement."

Changed "Killet" to "Killett."

Changed "Docter" to "Doctor."

Changed "villian" to "villain."

Changed "Zepley" to "Tepley."

End of Project Gutenberg's The Spruce Street Tragedy, by Irvin S. Cobb