The Project Gutenberg eBook of New Nick Carter weekly; no. 28.

“Yes, Mr. Carter, it’s a large sum; but a middle-aged gentleman like yourself ought to be aware that risks are sometimes forced upon people who handle money in large sums.”

The celebrated detective smiled as he looked into the excited countenance of the Wall Street man before him.

Half an hour before, if the broker had seen him at all, he would hardly have referred to him as “a middle-aged business man.”

The detective had just returned from an expedition to the upper part of the city, during which he had appeared as a{3} verdant country boy of an inquiring turn of mind.

“Of course,” the detective said, slowly, “people who handle money for the profit of others are expected to keep it in motion—honestly in motion.”

He glanced keenly into his visitor’s face as he emphasized the last three words.

“My case is hardly what you suppose it to be,” said Mr. James Wheeler, broker. “The money I handle belongs to two heirs—both minors. With that, however, you have nothing to do.”

“You’re mistaken,” said Nick Carter, coldly. “If I am to handle your case I must have your fullest confidence.”

“Regarding my present venture, certainly, but I fail to see how past complications can interest you.{4}”

“I have always made it a point,” said the detective, rising to his feet, “not to engage in any case which is not entirely square and above-board. You come here with a statement that you have risked twenty thousand dollars belonging to two innocent children in the next Brooklyn Handicap, an illegal proceeding, and if you have done this for your own personal gain you have taken the first step toward a crime, and in that case I refuse to have anything to do with the matter.”

“Do you remember,” said Wheeler, putting out a hand to restrain the detective, who seemed about to leave the room, “about the recent daylight robbery in Wall Street, which resulted in the loss of twenty thousand dollars in cash?”

“Now you talk like a man of sense,” said the detective, resuming his seat and drawing a note-book from his pocket.

“Three weeks ago yesterday,” he continued, referring to the book, “the office of Mr. James Wheeler, broker, was entered during the noon hour by two men who claimed to be Texans seeking an investment. The broker was absent, and his clerks were careless.

“Result, when the Texans left, the broker was short exactly twenty thousand dollars. Have I stated the case correctly?”

The Wall Street man, sitting with his hands on his knees, stared in the detective’s face with a look of surprise mingled with consternation.

“Great God!” he exclaimed at length. “The matter wasn’t even reported to the police.”

“Very true. Perhaps you will have the kindness to tell me the reason why.{5}”

“It would have ruined me. My creditors, and especially the friends of these heirs, would have pounced down upon me in less than twenty-four hours.”

“And so, instead of facing the matter like a man, you endeavor to play even by staking money on the next handicap?”

“That’s it exactly, and I pledge you my word of honor that in doing so I only sought to restore to the children the money of which they have been robbed.”

“What reason had you for supposing when you staked the money that Denver Bay would win the race?”

“To tell the truth, I was half crazy when I made the investment. In doing so I only followed the drift of public opinion regarding the horse.”

“Certainly not. The odds were two to one on Denver Bay, and no bookmaker would have taken such chances so long before the race. The bet was made with a down-town sporting man, for whom I frequently do business in a small way.”

“Well,” said Nick, with a smile, “I never knew a horse to win a race with such an outside bet on him, and all in the hands of one man, and that man a professional trickster.”

“I can see now how foolish it was, and I wish to place the matter entirely in{6} your hands. I am certain that the horse is to be fixed in some way so that he cannot win.”

“I have no definite information on the subject, it is true. As we say on the street, ‘It is in the air.’ No sporting man will touch the brute now, and those supposed to be on the inside are warning their friends not to risk their money on him.”

“It looks pretty black, but I have every confidence in your ability to run the rumors down, and either see that there is a fair race or that the horse does not start at all.”

“It in this: If you recover this money you will take the whole amount belonging to these heirs and invest it in some place where it will be beyond the reach of New York thieves and race-track sharpers.”

“That is, that if we discover crookedness on the part of these horsemen, you are not to drop the matter as soon as you are made whole. You are to stand up to the rack and help me to have justice done to them.”

“That is all at present, then. You may see me at your office to-morrow. If a man calls and asks to see you in regard to Lackawanna admit him to your private room at once. You may not recognize me, but you can trust the man that mentions that word.”

After the departure of the broker the detective busied himself for some moments in the examination of a list of the many pool-rooms in the lower part of the city.

“It’s a tough job,” he thought, “but it will give me a chance to see the inside of some of these dens again.”

He stepped into an inner room, and in a few minutes returned in the guise of a cattle drover from the far West.

When he left his office shortly afterward he took the direction of Barclay Street, and soon entered one of the disreputable pool-rooms in the vicinity of that thoroughfare.

The place was crowded with men and boys of high and low degree, all half crazed with the gambling spirit.

From his position behind a large desk a tough-looking clerk was drawling out the names of horses with the odds which the proprietor of the place would bet against them.

It is generally supposed by the public that these pool-rooms merely conduct a commission business, and that the odds{8} offered there are the ones posted at the race track.

But this is by no means the case. The proprietors of the places bet according to their private ideas of the proper odds.

The rustling of greenbacks and the clinking of gold and silver were heard throughout the place as the detective entered.

“The race in which Denver Bay is entered takes place the day after to-morrow,” mused the detective, “and I’ll just see how he stands in this locality.”

“Say, podner,” he said, advancing toward a heavily-built man behind the railing, whom he knew to be the proprietor, “what odds d’ye give on Denver Bay?”

“Right from the West, and any time you want to know about the price o’ cattle just drop a line to Sol White to the Denver post-office.”

“You bet he is, and he’s a good little hoss. What odds will you give me on him?”

“The Bay don’t count much of a figure on my books. The race ain’t on yet, you know, and you can’t tell yet what horses will start. But I’ll make a bet of two to one.”

“Hold on!” said the sharper, pretending to look over the leaves of a note-book in his hand. “I’ll give you five to one if you want to back your favorite.”

“’Tain’t my horse. I thought I’d drop fifty or a hundred just for luck.”

“You don’t have ter make it. Tell you what I’ll do. If you’ll make it fifteen to one I’ll go you a hundred.”

Nick Carter watched the face of the bookmaker as he made this proposition, and saw at once that he was pleased to get a bet even at such odds.

“All right,” said the bookmaker. “Put up your dust. Here’s your ticket.”

“If the horse don’t start, now,” said Nick, counting out the money, “I get this back, I suppose.”

“When I sell my cattle,” said Nick, resolved to learn still more regarding the pool-room idea of the horse, “I may want to bet some more.”

“Well, I guess I’ll go over to-morrow and see him. I’ll bet the hoss’ll know me like a book. Why, podner, I’ve rode behind him many a time.”

“W’at’s dat ye’re givin’ us?” asked one of the plug-uglies who infest that part of the city, crowding up against the detective.

In paying over the money Nick had{10} purposely exhibited a large roll of bills. He was positive that such a course would attract the attention of some of the sharpers about the place and would lead to some sort of conversation.

“I was jest a-sayin’,” he said, turning to the bully with a benevolent look, “that I’ve rode behind Denver Bay many a time.”

“Good little horse,” said the other, “but I think I can give yer a pointer or two on him.”

As he spoke he took the detective by the arm and led him to the meanly furnished bar-room in the rear of the place.

“I’ll jest tell you,” he said, as they stood at the bar with liberal glasses of whisky before them, “that yer want ter play dat hoss fer second place.”

The detective paid for the drinks, and turned away, but the other caught him fiercely by the arm.

“Hold on here!” he said, with an ugly look. “That tip’ll cost you just ten dollars.”

“Well, you got it just the same, an’ you’ll get somethin’ else, too, if you don’t cash up.”

The bully struck viciously at the de{11}tective, who dodged away from him in a clumsy sort of way.

Nick was perfectly aware that the man meant business, and had no idea of coming to close quarters with him.

He well knew that a clinch of any kind would be likely to disarrange his disguise and thus expose his true identity.

With an oath the bully advanced again and struck a savage blow at the detective’s face.

Nick simply dodged his head this time, and striking before the other could resume his guard, laid his opponent senseless on the floor.

CHAPTER II.

A LITTLE CIRCUS.

Reports from the races were coming in every few minutes, and nearly every one there had more or less money at stake.

A few collected about the fallen man, however, and Nick had no difficulty in slipping quietly out of the way.

His bet had started a little ripple of talk regarding Denver Bay, and he knew that by remaining he might hear something to his advantage.

At the end of the basement farthest from the street were a number of stalls used by sporting men and others for private consultation.

As the crowd was now congregated around the main desk in front many of these stalls were empty.

A moment later any one glancing into the stall would have seen a half intoxicated countryman sitting with his chair tipped back against the wall, his hat pulled down over an inflamed face, and his feet resting upon the table.

“I may have to stay here a long time,” he thought, “and may as well have some cigars. Besides a whisky glass properly placed on the table can do no harm.”

The waiter by no means suspected that his seemingly inebriated customer was the person in quest of whom the now infuriated bully was roaring about.

Before leaving home Nick had left a note addressed to Chick, instructing him to call at the place toward which he was directing his steps, and he now awaited with some impatience the arrival of his assistant.

In some of them people were dividing and spending the money won during the day, while in others angry losers were laying plans by which they might account for their sudden lack of funds.

After a time two men, evidently none too sober, entered the stall next to the one occupied by the detective, and ordered more drinks.

“It’s a bloomin’ shame for a feller ter drop his wad like that,” said one, in a maudlin tone, “specially when he’s on de inside an’ oughter know. But you lost{13} more’n I did, an’ I sympathize with you.”

“I don’t want none o’ your sympathy,” said the other, evidently a little nearer sober than his companion; “I’m broke now, but I can get plenty of money when I get over to the stable.”

“You’re a liar! you’re always workin’ that bluff about the stable. You don’t get any more stuff’n I do. Wot you got to do wid de stable, say?”

“W’at I got to do wid de stable?” said the other, in as sarcastic a tone as he could command. “I’m chambermaid for Denver Bay, I am.”

“You’re a nice man to be around a racing stable,” said the other, with an oath. “W’at do you know about a hoss?”

“You’re a sucker,” said the other. “You wait till the Denver Bay runs, and I’ll show you a wad.”

“You won’t get it on Denver Bay. You’re drunk, that’s what’s the matter with you. Doncher talk to me no more. You’re drunk.”

“You’re drunk yourself. You smell like a sour apple. Stan’ up like a man. Why doncher pack yer whisky like me?”

The last drinks had evidently been too much for the men, for Nick heard a fall as the speaker attempted to stand on his feet to show how sober he was.

Nick stood upon a chair and carefully raised his head above the narrow partition between the two stalls.

In his fall the one had carried the other down with him, and they were now clawing, chewing and punching one another in a drunken way.

“I’m in for it now,” thought the detective, again seating himself in a position so that the men could not leave their stall without being seen by him. “I must stay here all night if necessary in order to cultivate the acquaintance of that fellow who acts as ‘chambermaid’ for Denver Bay.”

Just at that moment the door of his stall was opened, and a greasy looking jockey shoved his face inside.

“You don’t mean ter say you’re goin’ ter smoke them cigars?” he said, taking one from the table, and breaking it in order to inspect its contents.

“Oh, just about long enough to nose around in search of a certain green countryman,” said Chick, sitting down in a chair.

“Oh, that’s all right. I’m from the South, and I never rode a horse with a record.”

“That’ll do first rate. Just skip around in there, and see what you can find out about Denver Bay; but before you go take a look at the men in the next stall. We may have further business with them.”

“Yes, and I’ve got to wait around here until they get sober enough to make friends with. One of them works at a stable I want to know something about.{15}”

Chick now left the stall and hung about the place engaging in conversation with any one who would talk with him.

“There’s some scheme afloat in regard to Denver Bay,” he said. “They’re having great sport over an old sucker who came in here this afternoon and put up a hundred on him at fifteen to one.”

After a time Nick heard faint sounds in the adjoining stalls as though the drunken men were regaining consciousness.

As he peered cautiously over the partition one of them raised himself on his elbow, eyed his companion curiously for a moment, and then asked, in a sarcastic tone:

“W’ats de matter wid you? Had a death in de family? Or did yer gal run off wid de coachman?

“Oh, you’ve never been broke before. Well, you’d better keep quiet an’ let ’spectable people sleep, or I’ll put a charge of ’sturbin’ de peace on you. See? Hello, pardner,” he continued, as some one opened the door and walked in, “why don’t yer send in yer card?”

“You’re a couple of nice blokes!” said the new-comer. “I was afraid when you came over town that you’d get drunk. I’ll have you both run in if you don’t look out.”

“Run in nothin’. Dey can’t convict a man but once fer an offense, an’ I was put in jail thirty years ago for this same drunk. I’ll swear I haven’t been sober since. Just de same drunk all de time.{16}”

As the fellow slouched out, very much improved by his brief nap, the new-comer seized the man on the floor by the shoulder and shook him roughly.

He found one stall empty, and in the other there was only a drunken countryman sleeping with his feet on the table and his chair tipped back against the wall.

“Now, then,” he said, sitting down again, “are you sober enough to understand what I say?”

“I’m all right now,” said Amos, who really appeared to be in fair shape. “Talk away, Martin.”

Martin talked in a low tone, which, however, was loud enough to be understood by the detective.

“It’s all fixed. The horse is to be let alone and remain in good shape until the last moment. He is to be fixed after he is brought upon the track.{17}”

“It’s easy enough. The dose isn’t larger than a marble, and it’s rolled up in sugar, so he’ll take it fast enough. You can put it in his mouth just as you let go of the bridle at the start.”

“Hardly,” said the other, with an oath. “The fool expects the horse to win the race.”

“No; he’s heard the talk, of course, but he thinks it a trick of the pool-rooms to keep his horse back.”

“Why,” said the other, with another oath, “what do you suppose I got you in that stable for? If the owner had been in with the game, or if there’d been a jockey I could have depended on, I shouldn’t have needed you.”

“Well, I don’t like it a little bit. What effect will it have on de hoss?”

“It’ll just set him crazy for a minute or two, and he’ll bolt and kick and buck around just enough to lose the race.

“You understand about keeping him away from the judges’ stand as long as possible, of course?”

“I ain’t goin’ ter ride him,” said the other, sullenly. “I only hope the boy that does won’t get his neck broken.”

“Oh, the boy’ll be all right. You just rush down the track when you see the break made, and fool around after the boy stops him until he has a little chance to get over the dose, so the judge won’t suspect anything. You understand now?{18}”

“Yes,” said the other; “I understand. I wish I hadn’t had anything to do with it. Have you got any money? I’m broke.”

“Well, here’s twenty-five dollars. I may not see you again till just before the race comes off.”

“I believe,” said Amos, as he took the money, “that Denver Bay would win that race if you’d let him alone.”

As Martin passed out of the stall the door was left open for an instant, and Amos stood directly in front of it with the greenbacks still in his hands.

Neither he nor Martin observed the greedy look which two shabby-looking fellows who were passing at the time cast upon the money.

“I’m in great luck again,” he thought. “If those two loafers are the kind of fellows I think they are I’ll have a chance to help that man out of a scrape before long.”

The next moment the two men advanced to the door of the stall occupied by Amos, and stepped inside.

It was now after dark, and the part of the room in which the stalls were situated was but dimly lighted.

There was still excitement enough around the cashier’s desk to attract the attention of those who still lingered in the place.

So there was really very little risk in{19} what the two men evidently intended doing.

As they advanced Nick leaped to the top of his table, but remained in such a position that no part of his body could be seen from the other side.

“Hello, pard,” said one of them, putting his hand familiarly upon Amos’ shoulder, “you’ve been lucky enough to-day to buy the drinks.”

“You’re lucky then to have such a fly-lookin’ chap hand you a roll like that.”

“If you come a step nearer I’ll knock you down first,” he said, “and then I’ll call the police.”

Nick Carter leaped lightly over the partition, landed upon the table between the combatants, and at once settled one of the ruffians by a well-directed kick under the chin.

The other, too astonished for a moment to make any movement of defense, was piled on top of his companion by a fist blow under his ear.

“Now, then,” said Nick, addressing the astonished horseman, “those fellows won’t lay long in that way, and we’d better get out o’ here mighty quick!{20}”

CHAPTER III.

A LARGE BET.

The detective and Amos passed out of the stall and out of the place, leaving the two ruffians lying unconscious upon the floor.

As they reached the street Amos pointed with his finger toward the place they had just left.

“We won’t be in it,” was the reply. “Those fellows are two of the toughest thieves in the city.”

“Well, I don’t think they’ll want to be pointed out to you again. You did some of the quickest work there I ever saw.”

“You did me a good turn anyway. If I ever get a chance I’ll do as much for you.”

Nick was more than pleased at his good fortune in getting within reach of the tricky sporting men’s tool so soon.

He suspected, however, that the man he was with would be followed by his scheming employers from that time until the race was over.

He was fully aware that men who commit crimes and engage others to assist them in their nefarious work never trust their tools implicitly.{21}

His first idea was to ascertain whether spies had actually been set upon his companion.

He also desired to know whether Chick was in a position to be within reach if needed.

In order to do all this it was necessary for him to leave Amos alone for at least a few moments.

“Look here,” he said, as they were starting up the street, “I’m a little anxious about those men down there. I’d like to know whether they are hurt much.”

“No, you step into this saloon, and I’ll go back alone. They know you there, but they don’t know me.”

“Sure; and it was a heap of fun to see the proprietor and the waiters wondering over the two men you left in the stall.”

“No, you can’t kill people of that stamp. One’s got a black eye and the other a lame neck.”

“The same as before, only that he now has a light overcoat over his cutaway, and wears a slouch hat instead of the silk tie.”

“It’s just as I expected,” mused Nick. “The fellow is working for a man who has a good deal of money at stake, and he’ll never leave my man until he has him safe in bed.{22}

“Well, hustle into that saloon,” he finally said to Chick, pointing out the place where he had left Amos, “and see if you can find our man Martin in there.”

“Certainly. If he is in there, find out what he is doing. If he’s with Amos, get back here as quick as possible.”

The young fellow hastened into the place, only to dart out again the next moment.

“Why, Amos wants to get away from him, and he swears he means to stay with him until after some race or other.”

Nick had made every calculation upon going to the stables with the fellow whom he had assisted. He wanted to know the place where Denver Bay was in training.

He had not yet decided upon what course to pursue after reaching the field of action, but was positive that once on the ground some means could be found by which the plotters could be circumvented.

By this time the detective had made up his mind to give the tricky sporting men a very hard deal. He was firmly of the opinion that Denver Bay would be the best horse in the race.

He believed that word had been passed around the inner circle of gamblers and sporting men that the Western horse would not be permitted to win, and he reasoned that they would lay almost any odds against the horse.

He thought that the best way to punish them would be to meet them on their own ground, and win their money.

He derives an immense income from his detective work, and has no inclination to make a break for sudden fortune.

In fact, were he worth as many millions as a Vanderbilt or a Gould he would still, for the very love of the business, be a detective.

“Well,” said Nick, at length, “if I do the work I have laid out for myself to-night we must separate those two men.”

“Well, I have a report to make to the fellow, and I’ll go in and call him aside. If he wants to get away from that chap I won’t have any trouble arranging it.”

Martin did not allow the two men to get very far away from him, and he watched them as closely as a cat would a mouse every moment they were talking together.

“That won’t make any difference. We’d both have to stand trial if we should get caught.”

“Oh, come off! Nothing can be done to a man for knocking out a highway robber.”

“Ah!” thought Nick, “he has been getting some advice from my friend Martin.”

“Look here,” said Martin, advancing to where the two men were standing, and addressing Nick, “this man and I have an engagement to-night, and we don’t intend to have any outsiders forced upon us. If you have transacted your business with him you’d better walk away.”

“That’s right,” said Amos, now com{24}pletely under the control of the master mind; “you did me a good turn in there, and I’m much obliged to you, but I’ve got business with this man just now.”

Nick regarded both men with a countrified stare for a moment, and then walked away.

“It’s a good thing,” he thought, “that I tumbled to the racket before we got started for the stables. The man would certainly have suspected something.

“Now, then,” he said to Chick, as the two again stood together, “you follow these men over and locate the horse. You may report to me at the house at eight o’clock in the morning.”

As Chick placed himself in a position to watch every movement of the men he was shadowing, Nick stepped into a restaurant and ordered a liberal meal. This concluded, he walked into a saloon next door and sat down in a private stall.

Five minutes later a respectable-looking, middle-aged business man walked out of the stall and took his way toward one of the most popular gambling dens in that portion of the city.

The place was crowded, and faro, roulette, and stud-poker tables were running full blast.

He bought a stack of white chips, and sat down at the end of a faro table, playing very slowly and listening to every word that was said around him.

“Well, old sport,” said the dealer, familiarly, to a well-dressed gentleman who entered and bought a stack of yellows, “you must have struck luck to-day. Any news?”

“No,” said the person addressed, with a laugh, “nothing except that a fellow bought Denver Bay for a hundred at fifteen to one.”

“That ain’t so bad,” said a player at the opposite end of the table. “The horse may win.{25}”

“I’ll tell you what I’ll do,” said the man behind the yellow chips, “I’ll go you twenty to one that the horse don’t get a show.”

“All right,” said the player, taking out a roll of bills. “Here’s the money. Who’ll hold the stakes?”

Nick called up one of the proprietors, stated the bet, and put the money into his hand.

“Now, then,” said the other, with a sneer, “I’m not used to betting against such odds, but I’ll put up ten thousand against a thousand that Denver Bay don’t win.”

“Of course I haven’t the money with me, but I’ll put up a forfeit of a thousand against a hundred of yours, and we’ll make the bet at ten o’clock in the morning.”

With this the two men parted, and Nick sat down in a corner, and was soon apparently deeply interested in a newspaper.

The man with whom he had made the bets returned to the faro table, and in a few moments cashed in his chips.

“That’s the first move,” thought the detective. “The fellow’s next move will be to find out if there’s anything wrong about the scheme they have put up on Denver Bay.”

Nick had made these two bets not so much for the purpose of winning the money, but because he believed that a bluff of that sort would send the sporting man back to the headquarters of the crooked crowd to see if there had been any change in the programme.

After cashing in his chips the man lit{26} a cigar, and turned hastily toward the door.

“I should say not. I haven’t got any thousand dollars to throw away that way.”

“Well,” said Nick, as the other passed down the stairs, “I’ll light a cigar and go home.”

Instead of immediately passing into the street with the man Nick stood in the entrance a moment, so as to give the man no indication of being followed, and then hastened away after him.

The fellow turned into a stairway on William Street which, as Nick was well aware, led to another gambling room.

In a very few moments the green countryman who had struck such effective blows in the pool-room stepped into the lighted hall above, and tapped cautiously at the door.

“Any game goin’ on?” he said, as the wicket in the door was opened and a black face peered out upon him.

The door was softly opened, and Nick stepped into a small, half-lighted hallway.

“No,” said Nick, “I’m from Grand Rapids, Michigan. I thought I’d like to look around.”

“Well, you go right in dat door,” said the darky, pointing to one at the end of the hall.

Nick had been in the place many times, and he knew it to be one of the toughest gambling houses in town.

In fact, it was just the sort of place for crooked work of all kinds to be planned.

The rooms in which the schemes were hatched, and where the gamblers spent{27} their leisure hours, opened from the opposite end of the hall.

The detective’s object now was to gain a position from which he could overhear what was going on there.

Seating himself in the outer room he called for glass after glass of whisky until he appeared to be in the last stage of intoxication.

“Here’s a seat at the table if you want to play,” said a man behind the roulette wheel.

“Guesh I’m too full t’ pla; guesh I’ll go to the hotel ’n go t’ bed,” said the man from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“You’ll get run in if you go out on the street now. You’d better go back there and lay down a while. Pompey!”

“They don’t let any one out of here with a roll of money like that,” he thought.

He had sized up the negro carefully, and in five minutes he was a pretty good counterfeit of that sable gentleman.

A sound of voices now came faintly from the direction opposite from the entrance to the room he was in.

It was very indistinct, however, and after a moment’s inspection of the room beyond through the keyhole, the detective applied his pick-lock, and soon found himself in a small dark room from which he could hear the voices quite distinctly.

“Well, it’s mighty strange that bets{28} should be picked up in two places in one day.”

“You’re a suspicious chap, Brower,” said the first voice. “Ever since you made that twenty-thousand dollar daylight haul down on Wall Street you think everybody in town is after your money.”

Nick, anxious to get a view of the man whose voice he did not recognize, stepped lightly on a table to look through the transom.

Nick sprang to the door through which he had entered the room, closed and locked it after him, and made a dash for the outer room.

At the door he was met by two employees of the place whose attention had been attracted by the noise of the fall.

“That ain’t Pomp,” shouted the other, reaching for his pistol; “that’s some spy.”

Before the men at the table could get upon their feet, or get where they could make any effort to stop him, the detective was at the outer door confronting the negro who had admitted him.

The next moment he felt the cold muzzle of a revolver pressed against his temple, and sank trembling to the floor.

As Nick stepped out and bounded down the stairs a bullet struck the wall just above his head.

“I shall have to fine myself for that{29} error,” he thought, as he hastened away from the stairway into the crowd.

“If I had kept on my countryman’s uniform they would have regarded that break I made as the result of curiosity on the part of a country chump out to see the town, and I might have learned something more about that twenty-thousand-dollar daylight haul on Wall Street.”

CHAPTER IV.

A HOWLING SWELL.

Promptly at eight o’clock next morning Chick made his appearance at Nick Carter’s private office.

He had the appearance of a man who had had a hard night of it, but was still full of pluck.

“Well, for my part, I don’t think I scored any very brilliant success after we separated. After a good deal of hard work I struck just the place I wanted, and then a table broke down with me, and I got out of the joint just ahead of a bullet.”

After receiving his assistant’s report Nick dressed himself in the costume in which he had first met the Wall Street man, and took his way to that gentleman’s office.

“Tell Mr. Wheeler,” he said to the clerk in the outer office, “that I want to see him in regard to that Lackawanna deal.”

“You’re to be shown in at once,” said the clerk, opening the door to the inner room.

The broker appeared to be awaiting the arrival of the detective, and was in anything but a calm frame of mind.

“You were right,” the detective said, “in supposing that undue means would{30} be employed to prevent the horse winning the race.”

“I’ve been hoping almost against hope that my suspicions were unfounded. I wish I had pocketed my former loss, and let this matter alone.”

“Why didn’t you think of that before taking the steps you did last night?”

“You’re mistaken. I’ve done nothing at all in the matter since seeing you.”

“You have not been at the stables since leaving my house yesterday afternoon?”

“You could have no motive in deceiving me,” he said, at length, “but it’s very singular for all that.”

“But I infer from your remark that something unusual took place at the stables last night.”

“One of my men simply learned the true condition of affairs there, that’s all.”

“Not if you adhere to the resolution expressed yesterday afternoon, to let the horse go in the race.”

“It isn’t any use to try to pump you, I see,” said the broker, with a smile. “You will have your own way.”

“Now to business,” said Nick, taking a slip of paper from his pocket. “If you still desire the case to go on as originally mapped out you must go to this address at ten o’clock with nine hundred dollars in currency, and stake it on Denver Bay.”

“Count this as part of the expenses of the case, then. I put up a hundred as a forfeit last night against a thousand.”

“You have a great deal of confidence in the horse, and also in your ability to make the race a square one.”

The broker took the required amount of money from the safe and put it into his pocket.

“It’s a gambling house, but you will be used respectfully, and any money staked there in the regular way is safe.”

The two men passed out of the office together, and were soon in the vicinity of the gambling house.

The broker passed up the stairs, and Nick stood in a neighboring doorway carelessly smoking a cigar.

In a few moments the broker reap{32}peared, and was about to approach the spot where Nick stood when a quick motion informed him that he was to pass on without recognition.

Before long the man with whom Nick had conversed the previous evening passed down the stairs, and took his way to a neighboring pool-room.

The detective followed until there was no doubt as to where the man was going, and then walked about the street for some moments in deep thought.

When he finally entered the pool-room the man stood at the desk talking with the proprietor.

“There is no doubt in my mind,” Nick heard the latter say, “regarding the horse’s ability to win. The only question is whether the boys will do their work well.”

“You can’t gamble on anybody’s honesty when it comes to dollars and cents,” was the reply. “The other side has the age now, and can afford to put up a lot of money to have things go their way.”

“I’ll try and find some way,” said the other, with a scowl as he turned away.

After leaving the place the sport, whom the proprietor addressed as Brower, took his way to a messenger office, sent a boy out with a note, and then hastened to a fashionable saloon in the neighborhood.

“Now, then,” thought Nick, as he took a seat not far from him out of the range of his sight, “I’ll soon find out{33} how many different games they are playing over at the stables.”

The sport settled himself down behind a paper as though he had some time to wait.

So Nick left him there, and passed out into the street, and ten minutes later, disguised as a howling swell, sauntered into the place, stared about through his one eye glass, and finally took a seat near the waiting man.

At the end of half an hour the sport became restless, and began walking nervously up and down the room.

Just then a rough-looking fellow entered, and in response to a signal seated himself at a table in the rear end of the place.

“Hello, Steve,” said the sport, advancing to the table and taking a seat, “are the races going your way this season?”

Both men glanced keenly about, and the next moment were engaged in earnest conversation.

Nick strolled around toward the back part of the room, stupidly gazing at the handsome paintings hung upon the walls.

But the men, evidently very suspicious, dropped their voices to whispers whenever he came near them.

“This won’t do,” thought Nick. “I must find out what those fellows are talking about.”

After a long talk, during which Nick saw some money pass from the sport to his companion, the former left the place.

“Well, Steve,” said one of the helpers about the saloon, “have you got any pointers about the race to-morrow?”

“Aw,” said the dude, advancing toward the two men, “were you talking about the races, you know?{34}”

“That’s what,” said Steve, winking at his companion. “Do you want to make your everlasting fortune?”

“That’s the cheese,” said Steve, with another wink. “I’ll bet you’re a dead-game sport.”

“Well, you follow my steer, and you’ll have a wad as big as yer head day after to-morrow.”

“But, my deah sir, I don’t see any steah. How can I follah a steah if there is no steah?”

Steve almost choked over the glass of whisky he was drinking as the carriage drove up and the dude started for the door.

Before entering the carriage he gave his instructions to the driver in a low tone of voice.

The carriage was driven around several blocks, and finally drew up at a low pool-room which was only a short distance from the starting place.

“Take a chair, Charlie,” said Steve, as they entered, “and I’ll find out what de boss has got ter say ’bout de races.”

“I’ve got a sucker,” he said to the clerk in a low tone. “W’at do I get if he bets a couple o’ hundred?”

“Don’t do that,” said the other, hastily, “because if the horse shouldn’t——”

“What’s that?” demanded the pool-room man, sharply. “Are there any new tricks over that horse?”

“That’s all right, but I didn’t come here to talk about that. Let’s get down to business.”

Nick’s sharp ear had taken in every word of the conversation, and he at once resolved to test the fellow’s knowledge of Denver Bay’s standing.

“Aw,” he said, advancing toward the desk, “I see Denver Bay is on the board. I’ll bet on him.”

A couple of bullies shoved themselves between Nick and the desk, and one of them took occasion to drop a quid of tobacco on one of his nicely polished shoes as he passed him.

“These people are weal coarse,” said Nick, turning to Steve; “I shall leave the place.”

By this time the clerk was endeavoring by shaking his head and other motions to induce the roughs to let his customer alone until the bet had been made, but{36} the fellows were half intoxicated, and were bent on having a crack at the dude.

Nick’s guard was up in a moment, and a second later two astonished loafers were rolling over each other on the floor.

“I like that,” said Steve, with a hearty laugh. “You’re a brick, if you are a dude. If you’ll drive me over to de track I’ll show you de hosses. I’ve got a date over there about this time.”

The toughs did not appear anxious to renew the contest, so Nick and his new friend left the place and were driven away.

CHAPTER V.

A JOCKEY IN TROUBLE.

The carriage containing the dude and the man Morris whom he had picked up at the saloon stopped at a roadhouse a short distance from the stables.

Nick was not yet posted regarding the conference at the saloon between Morris and the man Brower, who had summoned him there.

He was satisfied that some scheme was on foot which had nothing to do with the plot engineered by Johnson, who had staked forty thousand dollars against twenty thousand of James Wheeler’s money that Denver Bay would not win the race.

The dude and the roughly-dressed horseman attracted some attention as they walked into the quiet little bar-room.

The men outside seemed to regard it as a good joke that Morris had picked up such a companion.{37}

“He’ll skin the dude all right enough,” said one of them from a lazy position at the watering trough.

“You bet he will,” added another. “If the dude has any money left after Morris gets through betting with him he’s in luck.”

“If he has any money left,” said another, “Morris will probably take him down and take it away from him.”

While the men outside were talking, Nick and his companion seated themselves in a small room opening from the bar-room.

Nick ordered drinks and cigars liberally, and Morris was soon on the road to a high old time.

“Say, young feller,” he said, lighting a cigar and turning away just long enough to permit Nick to empty his fourth glass of whisky into a spittoon, “you knocked them fellows around pretty lively over there.”

“’Twasn’t all luck, I guess,” said Morris, eyeing the dude suspiciously.

“Hello, there,” shouted one of the loafers from the outside, pushing the door open with his foot, “be you fellers goin’ on de retired list?”

“All right,” said the other, with a loud guffaw, “work de dude fer all dere is in it.”

“No offense,” said the other, with a{38} smile, “I just thought I’d look in and ask about the news over town.”

“It’s too early for news over town. There ain’t much going on there till afternoon. You mean about the races, of course?”

“Well, so long,” said the other, closing the door with a bang. “I didn’t know but what de dude might stand treat,” he added, sneaking back to his companion.

“Aw,” said Nick, as the fellow disappeared. “Just touch the bell and we’ll have something more to drink.”

He swallowed his whisky sullenly, and looked at his companion after the wise manner of half-drunken men.

“Tell you, pardner, I took you into that pool-room to do you out of a couple of hundred, and I’d a got forty fer doin’ it.”

“That’s quite awful!” exclaimed Nick, throwing up his hands in astonishment.

“But I liked the way you bumped those toughies up there, and you have acted square in bringing me here, so that I’m goin’ ter give you a tip.”

“Well, then, I want you to promise me that you will give me half a century after you get your money.”

“I tell you,” said the other, pounding his fist on the table in drunken impatience, “de hoss ain’t in it!”

“Here are the two schemes,” he thought. “Johnson wants the horse to run and be beaten, and Brower does not want the beast to start.”

“I’m responsible for the Brower end of the scheme,” he thought. “The fellow doesn’t dare to risk his ten thousand dollars.”

The detective smiled as he thought how little confidence crooked sporting men have in each other’s word.

“In this case,” he thought, “it may be that Brower doubts Johnson’s ability to fix the horse. He’s afraid of some failure in the plan at the last moment.”

He could defeat the Johnson and Brower plots, and see that the race would be a square one, or he could allow Brower to have his way, and thus cause all bets to be declared off.

The first plan, if the horse should win, would place his client in an excellent position.

On the other hand, if the horse should{40} lose after all it would only increase his difficulty.

The second plan would release Wheeler’s twenty thousand dollar stake money, and leave him just as he stood before engaging in the enterprise.

This plan of preventing the horse from entering the race had been more than hinted at when Chick had appeared at the stables as a jockey on the previous night.

His report on the matter that morning had caused Nick to talk as he had at the broker’s office.

From that conversation with Wheeler, every word of which was still fresh in his mind, Nick had satisfied himself that the broker was anxious to let the stake remain if there was any prospect of securing a fair race.

This was one point in favor of the project of balking the rascals in their efforts to keep the horse out.

Another strong point in the mind of the detective was to teach Johnson and his gang of criminal pool sellers a salutary lesson.

“What they aimed at in their dealings with Wheeler,” he mused, “was robbery, pure and simple. They thought to take his twenty thousand dollars without even as much as giving him a show for it.”

“Well,” said Morris, at length, “how much are you going to put up on Daisy?”

“Didn’t I tell you you’d get the money staked on Denver Bay back again?”

“Now, look here, if you’re goin’ ’round tellin’ that Denver Bay isn’t goin’ ter start you won’t be doin’ yerself enny good, and will get me into trouble. You don’t want to do that, I suppose?”

“If you do,” began Morris, pounding his fist upon the table, “I’ll{41}——”

Just then the scene in the pool-room came to his mind, and glancing at the muscular form of the pretended dude he finished the sentence in a different way from that at first intended.

“Deah boy,” said the dude, who appeared to be struggling with a very deep thought, “couldn’t you make Denver Bay win the race?”

“Denver Bay,” said Morris, solemnly, “is by long odds the best horse entered for the race. He could win de purse wid half a show.”

“Then,” said the dude, rising to his feet, “I’ll go and book some more money on him.”

Morris had as yet given no intimation as to what means would be resorted to to keep the horse off the track.

This was a point upon which the detective desired further information. For this reason he continued the talk about the horse still being a possibility.

“But, deah boy, the ownah tells me that the horse will be run, and will do his best.”

“Well, it won’t do you no good. The money will only lay in de pool-room till after de race, and den you’ll get it back.”

“Quite shocking!” said the dude, innocently. “The ownah ought to know it.”

“Damn the owner. If he wants to set around here and let his horse be used up right before his eyes let him do it. It’s no affair of mine or yours.”

“The secret is out,” thought Nick. “The brutes intend to steal into the stable to-night and cripple the beast in some way.”

“Come, young fellow,” said Morris, “I’ve talked myself dry again. Fill up de glasses once more, and we’ll get out.”

Nick gave the required order, and the fellow took down his whisky without seeing that Nick threw the contents of his glass upon the floor.

“Now, mind what I’ve told you,” said Morris, as they stood in the doorway, “and don’t give me away. I shouldn’t have said anything about it if it hadn’t been for the whisky you throwed into me.”

As the two passed into the bar-room the sound of excited voices came from the street in front of the house.

Nick was now anxious to get away, but he paused for a moment and listened as the sounds became louder.

In a moment a small boy, clad in the costume of a jockey, dashed in at the front door, and dodged behind tables and chairs in his efforts to keep out of the reach of a red-faced fellow, who, riding whip in hand, was pursuing him.

The boy succeeded in eluding his pursuer for some moments, much to the delight of the bystanders.

At length the little fellow, in leaping backward, stumbled over a chair and fell to the floor.

Before he could rise to his feet the man had hold of his collar, and was brandishing his whip high in air.

“I’ll teach you to play your pranks on{43} me,” he shouted, bringing the whip down upon the boy’s shrinking form.

The crowd seemed to enjoy the scene hugely, but it was not in the nature of Nick Carter to stand by and see the boy cruelly beaten.

He was about to interfere when the boy succeeded in releasing himself from the man’s hold, and sprang sobbing behind the detective for protection.

The brute made another dash at him, but the detective’s sturdy frame barred the way.

The man raised the whip as though about to give the detective a lash in the face.

The crowd laughed and cheered, and made the most of the rather humorous situation.

He then passed one arm half around the fellow’s head and neck, and gave him a sudden whirl that sent him spinning about the room like a top.

As he spun around the detective applied the whip with no gentle hand, and fairly whirled and lashed the fellow out of the room.

“Hurrah for de dude!” yelled a chorus of voices, as the defeated man stood outside, swearing and shaking his fists.

“I thought dere’d be some fun w’en de duller raised his whip on de dude,” said Morris. “You oughter seen him clean out a couple of plug-uglies in de pool-room to-day.”

Nick paid no attention to the remarks that were being made about him, but devoted his whole attention to the boy.{44}

“Well, show yourself in the road there just below the house about dusk, and I’ll pick you up in a carriage. Will you come?”

“You bet I’ll come. Dat man would ’a’ killed me if it hadn’t been for you.”

“I’m making up now for last night’s bad luck,” thought Nick, as he turned around with an insipid stare and in a drawl asked the bystanders to join him in a drink.

As he turned away from the bar a moment later he noticed a well-dressed man entering the front door and hastening directly up-stairs, as though desirous of remaining unnoticed.

The man was Brower, with whom Nick had, in the disguise of a business man, made the ten-thousand dollar bet the night before.

CHAPTER VI.

WANTED—A DEPUTY SHERIFF.

About two o’clock in the afternoon of the same day the sheriff was somewhat surprised at seeing a dudish-looking fellow walking into his private office unannounced.

“Aw,” said the dude, gazing stupidly through his one eye-glass, “are you the person in powah?”

“Transact your business in the outer office,” repeated the sheriff, peremptorily.

The sheriff threw himself angrily around in his revolving chair and faced the intruder.

The dude closed the office door carefully and threw himself into a chair in front of the irate official.

“I have an idea,” he said, in his natural tone of voice, “that there may be a racket at the racing stables to-night, and I want an understanding with your men.”

“Well, well!” exclaimed the sheriff, extending his hand, “you would deceive your own mother in that rig.”

“I begin to recognize you now, although it has been a long time since I have had the pleasure of putting eyes on you.”

“I’ve been rather busy, and the fact of the matter is that I am rather crowded for time now. You have men at the track, I suppose?”

“Certainly. The police are supposed to keep order there, but we always have men on hand to look out for pickpockets and notorious criminals who are wanted here and in other places.”

“There are half a dozen there, I believe, who have been engaged to look after the safety of the horses.”

“I think it would be better not. I’m handling a peculiar case in which I have constituted myself judge, jury, and executioner, and I think it will be better for me to go alone.”

“As you choose. You know, Mr.{46} Carter, that you can command me in any way.”

“Well, it may be necessary for me to make an arrest there to-night. If so, I want to have one of your men within reach so that I can place the prisoner into his hands at once.”

“That’s easily accomplished. I will write you a note which will place all the deputies in that vicinity directly under your charge.”

“After the arrest—if one is made—I want the prisoner hustled away and lodged in jail without any fuss being made over it.”

“In other words, you don’t want the people around there to know that an arrest has been made.”

The sheriff wrote busily for some moments, and then handed the detective a slip of paper, which he had placed into an unsealed envelope.

“There you are,” he said. “Show that to any man you see wearing my badge and your orders will be promptly obeyed.”

A few yards from the front of the house a young boy in a jockey uniform was standing.

As he took his seat he glanced hastily at the only other occupant, and started back in alarm.

“Yes,” said Nick, nodding to the driver to proceed. “Are you employed at the stable where Denver Bay is kept?”

The boy glanced keenly at the coarse and ill-fitting garments of the pretended countryman who sat on the seat beside him, and asked:

“Well, I guess I can slide you in, but there’d be an awful racket if they should find out.”

“Well, I’m the same man, and if I did you a favor to-day you must do me one to-night.”

“You must never say a word about my being in there—never speak or hint of it to a living soul.”

“You come to the big doors about ten o’clock. Den if any one sees you dey’ll think you’re one of de men working around there.”

“That’s just the thing. When I get in point out Denver Bay’s stall, and go away as if nothing had happened.”

After some further conversation the detective let the boy out of the carriage, and a few moments later left it himself.

The night was quite dark, and the lights still burning about the stables had very little effect at ten o’clock, when the detective made his appearance at the place indicated by the boy.

The jockey was in waiting for him, and soon had him snugly stowed away under Denver Bay’s manger.

The horse did not seem to relish this invasion of his private domain to any great extent, but save a few snorts and an emphatic stamp or two, he paid little attention to his unbidden guest.

There were sounds of voices about the place for some time after the detective had secured his position, but just before midnight all grew still.

Now and then a steady footstep sounded in the distance, but in the immediate vicinity all was quiet.

“Now I wonder,” thought Nick, “if that sheriff’s officer is attending strictly to business. He seems to be an intelligent and nervy sort of chap, and I guess I can trust him.”

After what seemed hours to the waiting detective, he heard an inner door opened cautiously and the footfalls of two persons were heard stealthily advancing toward the place where he lay concealed.

“That’s the horse over there,” said a voice which he had no difficulty in recognizing as that of Morris.

“Now, then,” thought Nick, “I wonder if that deputy sheriff is near the door.”

“You’re better at lifting money from a Wall Street office than at anything else, I guess.”

“Well, I presume the broker has made twenty thousand since that time. So it don’t matter.”

“This is no place to talk over such things. Do your work, and let’s get out of here.”

“I hope the Bay will kick his head off,” thought Nick, as the man approached the head of the stall.

“Now, gentlemen,” spoke a voice from out the darkness, “I have the drop on you, and if you make a move until I say the word I’ll blow your brains out.”

Nick spoke the last word in a loud tone of voice, and in response to the signal the door swung open and a bright light flashed into the place.

Behind the light was an officer’s badge, and at the right of the badge was a steady arm carrying a cocked revolver.{50}

Before the two culprits could recover from their astonishment or lift a hand, the cool voice in the darkness continued:

“You see how it is, gentlemen, two men have the drop on you, so you may as well give in.”

Almost before the men could realize their true position, they were handcuffed and helpless.

“It’s just this way,” said Nick, still keeping in the shadow, “nothing is to be said about your attempt to lame Denver Bay.”

“For the larceny of twenty thousand dollars from James Wheeler’s office in Wall Street not long ago.”

“Never mind the proof now. There is a carriage waiting outside. If you make any noise here, or in the future give any intimation of the place of your arrest, it will only damage your case with the court.”

They offered no further remonstrance, and were soon in a carriage on their way to the county jail in charge of two deputy sheriffs.

A few men lounging about the place saw the men enter the carriage, but no one suspected that the elegantly attired gentleman and the rough-looking hostler were handcuffed together.

As Nick stood watching the carriage when it was driven off he felt a soft pull at his coat.

“You bet I did. Don’t you s’pose I wanted to know what you was stayin’ in dere for?”

“Well, if you see a new hostler hanging around him on the track, you ask him if he doesn’t think he’s a dude. If he says he was a dude yesterday you go on about your business and let him alone. Understand?”

“Well, don’t you open your mouth about what has taken place here to-night, and keep equally still about to-morrow’s work.”

“And now,” thought Nick, as he walked toward the hotel, “I’ve got the biggest scheme of all to face in the morning.”

CHAPTER VII.

A FOOT RACE.

“Why, there’s rumors around the stables of strange happenings last night, but no one seems to know anything definite.”

“That’s what I can’t find out. People were seen to pass out late in the night and drive hurriedly away in a carriage.”

“The jockey who is to ride Denver Bay was seen talking to one of the strangers, but you can’t get a word out of him.{52}”

“It’s more than strange—it’s suspicious. But, after all, we have our own scheme to work, and I have every confidence in that.”

“Well, you’d better give it to me now. There is no knowing when we will be together again.”

Martin took a small box from his pocket, opened it, and exhibited a white, sugar-coated pill about the size of a marble.

“You can’t be too careful with this,” he said. “I had work enough getting it.”

“No. It’s a compound known only to one or two people, and they charge mighty high for it. That little pill cost me a hundred round dollars.”

“Yes, the pain will subside in less time than that. The beast will be a trifle weak for a while, but no one will notice that.”

As the two men arose from the table at which they had been sitting, in a room at the hotel which the detective had visited on the previous day, Martin stopped a moment with his hand on the door and listened.

“I heard it, too,” said Amos, with a laugh, “and listened. It’s some one{53} bumping against the wall in the next room.”

“Well, here we part for the present,” said Martin. “You do your work and I’ll do mine. You are sure you can get the pill in the hoarse’s mouth unobserved? It must be done on the track at the last moment.”

“Well, don’t make any mistake. There has been an impression that Denver Bay is sure to win, and the pool boxes are just loaded down with bets.”

Thus talking, the men passed out of the room, closing and locking the door behind them. No sooner had they disappeared than there was a sudden upheaval of a long couch in one corner of the room, and Nick Carter crept from underneath it.

“Whew!” he said, drawing a long breath and wiping the perspiration from his face, “I think I should have died in there in five minutes more.”

The celebrated detective had, as a matter of fact, been concealed in the narrow space between the sofa bottom and the floor for four long hours.

Early in the day he had heard Martin engage the room, and give explicit orders that no one should be allowed to occupy it during the day.

He was already aware of Martin’s plans as they had stood two days before, but he thought that a change might have been made since the details were arranged in the pool-room stall, and wanted to make sure of his ground.

“They stick to their original plan,” he thought, “and I’ve had this long watch for nothing; but, after all, I was not in a position to take chances.”

He wore the dress and had the appear{54}ance of the ordinary employee of the racing stable.

He had procured badges admitting him to all parts of the grounds, the track, and the judges’ stand as well, and the little jockey had provided him with a ribbon bearing the name of Denver Bay.

This would enable him to work around the horse after he appeared upon the track.

“I imagine,” thought the detective, as he listened with his ear at the door, “that there’ll be a performance on the track to-day not down on their bills. If I’m not mistaken, Mr. Johnson will go home to-night sixty thousand dollars poorer than he thinks he will.”

The hall outside the door appeared to be deserted, and the detective pressed back the bolt, and passed out, closing the door softly after him.

The coast was clear, and he lost no time in getting outside and mingling with the crowd.

An he stepped along the walk, he felt a touch upon his arm, and turned to find Chick standing before him, still in the disguise of a jockey.

The two walked along together until they reached a secluded place, and then Nick asked:

“Yes. Everything is all right at the jail. Brower and Morris are locked up in separate cells, and no one is the wiser for their being there.”

“They talk most of the time, threatening all sorts of things, and Brower has been trying all the morning to send a messenger over town to call that ten thousand dollar bet off.”

“Of course he didn’t. He understands as well as we do that that is Wheeler’s money.{55}”

“He couldn’t imagine yesterday what I wanted his men for. I suppose he knows now.”

“Now,” said Nick, “I want you on the track this afternoon when the handicap starts, and as close to Denver Bay as you can get without attracting attention.”

After some further conversation the detective and his assistant parted, and the former walked slowly back to the hotel.

Five minutes later Nick stood in front of the counter of a small drug store a short distance from the track.

The clerk in charge came out from behind the prescription screen to wait upon him.

“Hold on,” said Nick, “those are too small. Besides, they are medicated, are they not?”

“Nothing but pure sugar,” said the clerk, putting a few into his mouth and chewing them with evident relish.

“That ain’t what I want,” said Nick, stepping around to the show case where a line of marbles and toys were displayed. “I want just one about the size of one of those marbles. It must be perfectly round and smooth and hard. Can you make one?”

The clerk retired behind the screen, and in a few minutes came out and stood behind the counter facing the detective.

“I’ve got it made just as you ordered, but it will take a few moments to dry.”

As he did so, Amos passed along on the opposite side of the street and entered a small livery stable.

“Rather a tough joint, I should say. They have very little business when there are no races on.”

Nick removed the badge indicating that he was a follower of Denver Bay, and pinned the steel badge of a deputy sheriff upon his vest.

“I’ll sweeten more than that with it,” said Nick, as he took it, paid the bill, and hastened off to the livery stable.

Amos sat on a bench near the driveway, conversing with several attaches of the place.

“Here comes a new deputy,” said one of the loungers, as Nick stepped up. “You haven’t been on the force long, have you, partner?”

“As I was saying,” broke in Amos, evidently continuing a conversation, “the fellow is the best jumper I ever saw. I don’t know how far his jump was, but it must have been a clean twelve feet.”

“Speaking about jumping,” said Nick, “I can do a little of that myself.”

Nick, in his present disguise was rather a green-looking specimen, and the loafers scented some fun at once.

Nick walked back into the barn without saying another word, and took off his coat and vest.

“That’s purty good,” said Amos, as Nick sprang lightly out, making only a fair jump, “but I can beat it.{57}”

“I want to get my money back on this jumper,” said Nick, throwing himself down on the pile of clothes. “I’ll bet five dollars that he can beat any man in the party for a block.”

They had found a sucker, and they would divide the money, Amos, of course, losing.

The loafers all rushed to the door as the two rushed down the street, and Nick followed with a coat and a vest in his hand.

He remained behind the rest, however, and seemed to have some particular business with the pocket of the vest he held in his hand.

“Hello, there,” said Amos, all out of breath, “you’re trying to put on my vest.”

“That’s so,” said Nick, with a wink. “It looks a little newer than mine.”

Amos put on the garment, threw on his coat, and hastened to the rear end of the barn, where Nick plainly saw him fumbling with a box which he had taken from the vest pocket.

“You’ll find a pill there, all right enough,” thought Nick, as he walked away, “but not one calculated to make a horse lose a race. In the meantime,” he added, rolling a hard, round substance in his pocket, “I’ll keep this and have it analyzed.{58}”

CHAPTER VIII.

A SURPRISE.

People fight their way through the crowd to the bookmakers, and deposit their money, many of them placing it on Denver Bay.

The crowd rushes up the stairways, and the next moment a splendid bay horse comes around the head of the stretch.

They go down the paddock, followed in a straggling way by the rest of the field.

“Hello,” shouts Denver Bay’s jockey, as a man, wearing the horse’s colors, moves up to him. “Don’t you think you are a dude?”

“No monkeying there,” shouts Amos, walking up to the horse with a sponge in his hand. “They are about ready.”

The detective watches the man closely, and smiles as he sees something white glistening in his palm.

There is a flash of colors and a gleam of steel down in the paddock, as the jockeys mount their horses, and the entire field moves out to the track.

He minces along with a knowing air, as though thoroughly realizing his importance.

The rest of the field follows in single file, their glossy hides shining in the sun like satin.

The signal comes, and down the stretch of track come the bright shirts of the jockeys.

Denver Bay gives a sudden plunge or two, jumps off something like two lengths, and goes sailing away in the lead.{59}

There is a grand shout of voices and a shuffling of nervous feet, and shrill cries of “Denver Bay! Denver Bay!”

They sweep past the stand, past the long rows of excited faces, around the turn and away.

Nick Carter stands close by the side of Amos as the horses turn into the home-stretch.

The detective sees that the man’s face is as pale as death, and that his hands are trembling.

“You beat me on the jumping match,” said Nick, turning to the excited man, “but I’ll bet you an even ten that Denver Bay wins the race.”

He pushes his way hither and yon in the crowd, muttering incoherently to himself.

“It must be time,” Nick hears him say, as the thunder of hoofs grows louder. “If it don’t happen, they’ll all blame me.”

With straining muscles and glaring eyes, the horses pound up the track, Denver Bay still in the lead.

Then Nick sees the excited man grasped by the throat, and realizes that Martin, desperate and unable to control his passion, is fighting with his tool, as dogs fight in the gutter.

The great handicap race is over and Denver Bay is officially declared the winner.

As the crowd surges around the winning horse and the jockey is being weighed, there is a cry from the grand stand that some one has fainted.

Nick sees that the excitement is about the spot the Wall Street broker selected as his seat, and hastens in that direction.

As he reaches the place Wheeler slowly opens his eyes and reaches out his hand.{60}

“Not a word here,” whispers the detective, as he bends over him. “Are you able to walk?”

“You did nobly,” he says to the jockey, a moment later. “Keep what took place last night to yourself, and come to this address to-morrow forenoon.”

“Now, then,” he says to the broker, as they drive slowly along, “I want to tell you, now that it is all over, that I don’t like these kind of cases.”

“But you have saved my reputation, and have saved the property of two innocent children. Besides this, you have defeated one of the wickedest conspiracies ever put on the turf.”

“Yes, but I don’t like it for all that. I don’t like the idea of mixing up in these affairs of the turf. My business is to assist the officers of the law in bringing criminals to justice.”

“In defeating the race-track gamblers you have captured the men who robbed me of twenty thousand dollars.”

“That is all that makes me feel in any way easy about my part in the transaction.”

“Yes, but that part of it was all involuntary—I did not set out to catch the thieves or to recover the stolen money.”

“You did both, though,” said Wheeler, heartily, “and I am seventy thousand dollars ahead by reason of your good work. For without your assistance I should have lost the twenty thousand stake money, and would never have recovered the ten thousand.”

“You should have faced the loss of the twenty thousand dollars like a man, and not resorted to the race track to get even. Don’t come to me if you ever get into another scrape of the same sort. You re{61}member the promise you made me when I entered upon the case?”

“You promised that if I would assist you in saving your money that you would invest the money belonging to these heirs in some safe and secure manner, where it would be beyond your reach.”

“And you may rest assured that I will do all that and more. They shall have all the money I have won by the use of their money.”

“There is one thing more. I want you to give the little jockey a thousand dollars when he comes to your office to-morrow. I leave my compensation entirely to yourself.”

“It shall be ten thousand dollars, if it is a cent. Come around in the morning and get the check.”

“You’d better collect in all your bets this afternoon,” said Nick, as the two men parted, “for the pool-rooms have been hit hard. I just won a few hundred myself; not because I wanted to win the money, but because I found myself in places where I had to bet. I have a private charity fund, however, which will care for that.”

Wheeler collected his money without any difficulty, and Nick Carter received his very liberal fee next day.

The little jockey nearly went wild when he was presented with a thousand dollars.

And now, when the celebrated detective feels particularly pleasant, he explains to his companions how, for once in his life, he became a “dead-game” sport, saved the patrimony of two innocent children, and won the famous handicap.

The next number of the New Nick Carter Weekly will contain “Trim in the Dark; or, A Long Road That Has No Turning.{62}”

Our readers will be pleased to learn that we have issued No. 1 of Nick Carter’s Quarterly, containing Nos. 1 to 13 of the New Nick Carter Weekly bound in one volume, with all the original colored illustrations—a splendid collection of good detective stories.

The following list of books will be found useful, entertaining, and full of instructive information for all. They are handsomely bound in attractive covers, printed on good quality paper, illustrated, and are marvels of excellence. These books have never before been offered at such a low figure. The price, 10 cents each includes postage.

Album Writer’s Assistant.
Short Hand for Everybody.
How to Do Business.
Amateur’s Manual of Photography.
Mills’ Universal Letter-Writer.
Boys’ Own Book of Boats.
The Book of Knowledge.
Everyday Cook Book.
The Taxidermist Manual.
Good Housekeeping.

The Hunter and Angler.
The Complete Angler.
Riding and Driving.
Poe’s Foot-Ball.
Campbell’s Lawn Tennis.
The Complete Checker Player.
Backgammon and Bagatelle.
Out Door Sports.
The Young Gymnast.
The International Cricket Guide.
Amateur and Professional Oarsman’s Manual.
Complete Training Guide for Amateur.
Dunn’s Fencing Instructor.
Capt. Webb’s Swimming Instructor.
Aquatic Guide; or, Yachting and Sailing.

Herrman’s Black Art.
The Way to Do Magic.
Heller’s Hand Book of Magic.
Herrman’s Tricks with Cards.

The Peerless Reciter.
The Young Elocutionist.
Select Recitations and Readings.
The Standard Reciter.

These books will be sent prepaid upon receipt of 10 cents each: When ordering, please be particular to send the full title of the book desired, also your full name and address. The books are 10 cents each, postage free. Address

One thousand facts worth remembering will be found in this book. It is a guide to rapid wealth, the secrets of trade, etc. In the druggist department will be found cures for all complaints and how to compound them. Also contains chapters on manufacturing all household and toilet articles. Arts and Sciences, Dyes, Printing Inks, Horses, Mixing Paints, and all general recipes. The book contains over one hundred pages, and will be sent postpaid to any address on receipt of ten cents. Address

Many people imagine that a photographer’s camera is a difficult machine to handle, and that the work is dirty and disagreeable. All this is a mistake. Photography is a clean, light, and pleasant accomplishment, within the reach of all. The camera will prove a friend, reporter, and helper. With a very inexpensive camera any boy or girl can now learn not only to take good pictures, but pictures that there is everywhere a demand for at remunerative prices. A complete guide to this fascinating art, entitled Amateur Manual of Photography, will be sent on receipt of ten cents.

This book is a guide to success in life, embracing Principles of Business, Choice of Pursuit, Buying and Selling, General Management, Mechanical Trades, Manufacturing, Bookkeeping, Causes of Success and Failure, Business Maxims and Forms, etc. It also contains an appendix of complete business forms and a dictionary of commercial terms. No young man should be without this valuable book. It gives complete information about trades, professions and occupations in which any young man is interested. Price ten cents. Address

History tells us that wrestling was the first form of athletic pastime. Without doubt, it gives strength and firmness, combined with quickness and pliability, to the limbs, vigor to the body, coolness and discrimination to the head and elasticity to the temper, the whole forming an energetic combination of the greatest power to be found in man. The book is entitled Professor Muldoon’s Wrestling. It is fully illustrated, and will be sent postpaid on receipt of ten cents. Address

Numbers 1, 2 and 3 of the Tip Top Quarterlies are now ready, each containing in one volume thirteen of the famous Frank Merriwell stories complete and unabridged, and thirteen illuminated photo-engraved illustrations.

detail the pranks, trials and bravery of a true-hearted American lad—brave to the core. They have received universal commendation, and the Tip Top Quarterlies are issued in response to numerous inquiries for a complete series of the Merriwell stories.

For sale by newsdealers everywhere, or sent by mail, postpaid, on receipt of price, by the publishers.

87—Nick Carter’s Quick Decision.
88—Chicago’s Carnival of Crime.
89—Looted in Transit.
90—9-19-29.
91—The Coin Cuff Button.
92—The Highwaymen Side-Tracked.
93—The New York Post Office Thugs.
94—Skipped from Custody.
95—The Letter Z.
96—The Electric Drill.
97—Nick Carter at Mount Vernon.
98—The Identity of Daly.
99—The Book-maker’s Crime.
100—Nick Carter’s Greatest Puzzle.
101—The Knave of Diamonds.
102—The Foot-pads of the Fair.
103—The Little Knocker Out.
104—Nick Carter and the Circus Crooks.
105—The Elevated Railroad Mystery.
106—Nick Carter’s Presence of Mind.
107—The Murder in the Sleeping Car.
108—Nick Carter’s Walk Over.
109—Nick Carter After Bob Dalton.
110—Among the Fire Bugs.
111—Nick Carter’s Second Sight.
112—Nick Carter Among the Poisoners.
113—The Mysterious Assassin.
114—Nick Carter’s Vacation.
115—The Great Detective’s Mascot.
116—The Train Robbery at Kessler Switch.
117—Nick Carter on Time.
118—The Train Robber’s Wind-up.
119—A Murder in the Park.
120—Nick Carter’s Mouse Trap.
121—A Trio of Blackmailers.
122—A Millionaire Fraud.
123—A Dead Man’s Hand.
124—The Fate of Burglar Joe.
125—Nick Carter’s Best Six Hours’ Work.
126—The Heir of Doctor Quartz.
127—A Startling Theft.
128—Nick Carter’s London Mystery.
129—The Eye of Fire.
130—The Meerschaum Pipe.
131—The Path of a Bullet.
132—Three Brass Balls.
133—The Doctor’s Tenant.
134—The Golden Blackmailing Case.
135—Nick Carter’s Fair Play.
136—The Pricks of a Needle.
137—Two Little Girls in Blue.
138—The Great Fur Mystery.
139—The Five Kernels of Corn.
140—The Check in the Grave.
141—The Head of a Lizard.
142—A Personal in the Herald.
143—Nick Carter in Court.
144—The Crime of the French Cafe.
145—The Man Who Stole Millions.
146—The Writing on the Mirror.
147—Nick’s Special Train.
148—Wanted for Murder.
149—The Man with an Extra Finger.
150—The Case of the Burned Ear.
151—The Stolen Race-Horse.
152—The Face at the Window.
153—A Bite of an Apple.
154—Nick Carter’s Ghost Story.
155—A Fatal Knot.
156—The State Street Bond Robbery.
157—The Photograph Clew.
158—Laundry List No. 4575.
159—The Stolen Railroad Train.
160—The Violet Ink Clew.
161—Nick Carter at the Wheel.
162—‘Frisco Jim’s Fatal Error.
163—A Lead Pipe Cinch.
164—The Hip Ling Secret Society.
165—The Coroner Outwitted.
166—The Broken Arm.
167—After the Badger Gang.
168—The Pullman Plot.
169—The Little Glass Vial.
170—The Wooden Finger.
171—Nick Carter’s Sub-Treasury Express.
172—The Acquia Creek Train Robbery.
173—Nick Carter Under the Knife.
174—Nick Carter after the Cook Gang.
175—Nick Carter and the Forest Fires.
176—The Texas and Pacific Express Robbery.
177—The Beautiful Shop-Lifter.
178—The Great Life Insurance Fraud.
179—The Counterfeiter’s Gold Tooth.
180—Pardoned by the President.
181—The Cook Gang at Blackstone Switch.
182—Tracked to Union Station.
183—Safety Deposit Vault No. 39.
{66}184—Who Answered the Personal?
185—Ida, The Woman Detective.
186—The Passenger in the Lower Berth.
187—One Against Twenty-One.
188—Discharged from Custody.
189—The Tramp’s Password.
190—A Crime by Telephone.
191—The Doctor’s Dangerous Experiment.
192—The Hole in the Bank.
193—The Cipher Letter.
194—Saved from the Flames.
195—The Mystery of the Yellow Cab.
196—The Man with the Big Head.
197—Run Down in Toronto.
198—The Wizard of the Cue.
199—A Swindler in Petticoats.
200—Nick Carter’s Quick Work.
201—Blackmailed for Thousands.
202—A Million Dollar Check.
203—Nick Carter’s Name at Stake.
204—Nick Carter in Philadelphia.
205—A Confession by Mistake.
206—Old Thunderbolt Locomotive.
207—Nick Carter’s Double Header.
208—Nick Carter Before the Mast.
209—The Tyburn T.
210—A Man with Four Identities.
211—From Hotel to Prison Cell.
212—Nick Carter’s Double Game.
213—’Mid Flying Bullets.
214—Nick Carter in Boston.
215—Worse than Murder.
216—Brockwell, the Counterfeiter.
217—Nick Carter on the Wheel.
218—Patsy’s Clever Capture.
219—Check 777.
220—Patsy and the Mountain Outlaw.
221—Three Thousand Miles by Freight.
222—Patsy Among the Nihilists.
223—The Thirteens’ Oath of Vengeance.
224—Patsy’s Fight with the Professor.
225—The Fate of Doctor Quartz.
226—Patsy in Russia.
227—Package “17A.”
228—Patsy in England.
229—Nick Carter’s Greatest Peril.
230—Patsy at Home Again.
231—The Great Detective Defied.
232—Patsy in the William Street Den.
233—Patsy on the Terry Murder Case.
234—The Little Giant’s Task.
235—Patsy and the Diamond Mystery.
236—Brought to Bay at Last.
237—Patsy Breaks the Record.
238—Nick Carter’s Celebrated Case.
239—Patsy’s String of Fish.
240—The Little Giant on Deck.
241—Patsy Under Arrest.
242—Young Hercules, Nick Carter’s Assistant.
243—Patsy in Paris.
244—Nick Carter in San Francisco.
245—Patsy Before the Alamo.
246—Nick Carter in Chicago.
247—Patsy at Thompson Ranch.
248—Nick Carter’s Mysterious Case.
249—Patsy’s Strangest Case.
250—Mad Madge, the Queen of Crooks.
251—Patsy at Cripple Creek.
252—A Dead Man’s Grip.
253—Patsy’s Bag of Game.
254—Nick Carter in Kansas City.
255—Patsy’s Millionaire Partner.
256—Mysterious Mail Bag Robbery.
257—Patsy and the Suburban Mystery.
258—Young Hercules in Mexico City.
259—Patsy’s Journey to Boston.
260—Ninety Miles an Hour.
261—Patsy in Baltimore.
262—Nick Carter in St. Louis.
263—Patsy in St. Louis.
264—Nick Carter in Baltimore.
265—Patsy at the Sea Shore.
266—Nick Carter in New Orleans.
267—Patsy in a Canter.
268—Three Times Dead.
269—Patsy’s Queer Advice.
270—The Great Jewel Robbery.
271—Patsy in Chicago.
272—The Fourfold Murder.
273—Patsy’s Supposed Failure.
274—The Letters on the Floor.
275—Patsy and the Double Shuffle Club.
276—Nick Carter On His Mettle.
277—Patsy in Philadelphia.
278—Nick Carter in Jeopardy.
279—Patsy’s Long Disappearance.
280—The Gold Brick Swindlers.
281—Patsy’s Live Wire and the Way it Worked with a Visitor.
282—Nick Carter on the Bowery.
{67}

Any of the above list of Nick Carter stories will be sent by mail, postpaid, on receipt of price (five cents) by the publishers,

Trim Carter, son of the famous “Chick Carter,” is the leading character in these fascinating stories, and his adventures form the most interesting tales of detective work ever written.

1—The Gold Mine Case; or, How Chick’s Son Became a Detective.

2—Trim’s Race Across the Ice Fields; or, Hunting a Criminal with a Team of Dogs.

3—Trim and the Swedish Swindler; or, Bilk-You’s Career in Alaska Society.

4—Trim Among the Esquimaux; or, The Long Night in Frozen North.

5—Trim Among the Bushmen; or, Searching for a Lost Gold Mine in Australia.

6—Trim’s Double Header; or, Snaring Human Game with Decoys.

7—Trim on the Safety Valve; or, Taking Long Chances with Death.

8—Trim’s Troublesome Tiger; or, How His Prisoner Escaped the Gallows.

9—Trim in Cape Town; or, The Man with a Strange Limp.

10—Trim in the Diamond Fields of Kimberly.

11—Trim in the Wilds; or, Hunting a Criminal on the Dark Continent.

12—Trim Changes Cars; or, Taking Big Chances for a Quick Capture.

13—Trim in the Main Shaft; or, Hunting Criminals a Thousand Feet Underground.

14—Trim Shoots the Grain Chute; or, A Surprise Party on Board the Falcon.

15—Trim’s Round-up in Detroit; or, A Long Chase Ended in a Hurry.{71}

16—Trim’s String of Clews; All Tied by the Same Knot.

17—Trim in Cincinnati; or, Following a Bogus Case.

18—Trim’s Secret Mission; or, A Green Countryman in Town.

19—Trim’s Cold Bath; or, Trapping a Criminal in the Bay.

20—Trim’s Chase after a Murderer; or, Caught in the Air.

21—Trim in the Cigar Store; or, A Lively Wooden Indian.

22—Trim in Mexico; or, Breaking up a Secret Society.

23—Trim in the Crescent City; or, A Break in the Levee.

24—Trim’s Run of Luck; or, A Case Concluded Ahead of Time.

25—Trim’s Combination Case; or, Two Clients After the Same Man.

26—Trim on the Road; or, A Leave of Absence that Turned out Gold.

27—Trim in Kansas City; or, The Detective’s Experiment in Second Sight.

28—Nick Carter at the Track; or, How He Became a Dead Game Sport.

29—Trim in the Dark; or, A Long Road that has no Turning.

30—Nick Carter’s Railroad Case.

31—Trim’s Electric Machine; or, The Man Who Had Charge of the Office.

Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:
regard to Lackawana=> regard to Lackawanna nearly ever one=> nearly ever one call at the pace toward=> call at the place toward drecting his steps=> directing his steps understood by the deetctive=> understood by the detective instead of the silk tile=> instead of the silk tie your everylasting fortune=> your everlasting fortune Steve poked the due=> Steve poked the dude

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NEW NICK CARTER WEEKLY; NO. 28. JULY 10, 1897; NICK CARTER AT THE TRACK; OR, HOW HE BECAME A DEAD GAME SPORT ***

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