The Twin Ventriloquists

man on and force him to a very startling confession. He told the story of Sara Sidney-told it in a straight

ight have done for this daughter of my old friend

ealth can b

y all sa

say

ut they will never recover one dollar

niece said," proj

lmost screame

! What do

ney was more to you than a friend. I recovered the stole

you, yo

ver your property, and now I tell you I know your name is Sidney and the girl I know is you

d man

s impressions. He had arrived at a conclusion and he was assumin

ave, true, energetic young girl. She has some means-enough to maintain her until she is in a po

oughtful for some momen

ust you,

u can tr

is all very strange. I have not heard from my brother for nearly thirty yea

he thieves and restored the property or c

ppeared dazed

story. Yon c

ng along one night and wrapped its cold arms around my child, and I laid her beside her mother. From that moment I lost all ambition, all interest in life. I had heard many years previously that my brother was dead. I had never heard of his marriage and did not suppose he had left a child. Strange fate! I live, but my child is gone; he has gone and his child lives. I converted all my wealth into bonds, money, jewels and securities, and I came home to America. They call me a miser, alas! In my own way, secretly, I have been aiding the poor and needy for twenty-odd years. The portrait you see is a portrait of my child. In the South, you know, girls mature very f

iled. You can trust me. I seek no reward, but I believe I can re

the old man's eyes, but he said nothing

and you shall not com

ked much to t

ause until now I

promise success. Have you any recollectio

le with them before

gave quite an accurate des

t!" said Ike,

he struggle

as I heard you, despite your care, and the

ated so much with detectives he had their methods down to a fine point; and besides, as our readers know, h

u a det

mateur," cam

k lantern over every inch of the carpet, asking questions of the old man

d become eager

ave you

added to your

se from the floor and held the threads under the f

one of them by the hair and

locks, but eno

e robbers. Let him find one of them and he well knew he would not only run down the men but the "swag." He felt quite jubilant, and after a long

hat are you doing in th

" answered Ike coolly, and at the

at fellow, Ike.

ou," said

a revolver and made as if to strike Ike a blow, but instead he received a rap on the head which felled him as though he had been hit with an iron bar.

of sight

appened

wonders. I can't stop to tell you now; but wh

street. I stole behind them and overheard their conversation. They were not looking for you, bu

e not of

N

ow. He is probably assoc

king for the one objective point and both got on to the trail of the man

on the Bowery. The latter had come from a saloon-a brilliantly illuminated gin palace. H

our man,"

you mea

t he identified the man standing in the doorway of the

et's close in on him, and I'll

ce yet for the exercise of y

he greater ventriloquist, but he did not possess the hypnotic power; while Jack possessed it, as the re

old-blooded, but upon discovering his man so soon hi

chaps who proceed on almost scientific principles. These men are strategic. They study out all their plans weeks in advance. They calculate all their chances, both to accomplish their burglaries and also to prepare for their retreat and hiding. Ike calculated that the me

?" asked Jack, af

fellow. He will go

located him in his haunts, but did not trail to any permanent abiding-place; and finally, well on toward morning, they returned to their ho

Sara Sidney. He listened to a long and hopeful talk of the

your uncle, and he should

ect ever to f

once made yo

er, it is thirty years sinc

pretty old age. I am sur

es you so

you a positive promise: I will find your uncle.

ated and beautiful as she urged Ike to tell her how he had

ell her in the near future, and with it also add the w

k or Detective Du Flore was on the trail of the light-hair

y Jack

sure you have

e, and we'll g

llow knows we ar

e liable to be on his track and he is playin

urged him to explain what he meant when he told her that he knew her uncle was still living. It was delightful to him. The girl was a constant charm to him when in her presence, and a memory of her sweet personality haunted him when he was away from her. Yes, he had a strong motive for sticking to the trail, and, as intimated, he at length fell to a great lead. He had followed his man to Staten Island, or rather followed him on boa