The Twin Ventriloquists

looking and acting man-a fellow far above the usual personality of robbers. Ike was after him, however, and in his own mind had arrived at a c

ng the woman went ashore alone, and Ike was in a dilemma. He did not wish to lose sight of either of them. He believed he was not only on to the burglar

ls possessing ?sthetic tastes. The police records will show that many burglars have been married to very reputable women whom they have kept in total ignorance of their criminal life. It is upon the records that burglars have been known to be very fond of t

the boat, however, and a few moments later saw the burglar pass around to the retur

hen he remembered he had overheard just one word between the lady and the burglar. As he saw her enter that villa residence he fell to the significance of the man's words. He intended to visit the house that night, and our hero was put to his wits' end to decide upon his course in the emergency. Two propositions were presented to him: Was the stolen property in the villa, and

stand ready for a grand dénouement. Before returning, however, he "piped" the house a bit and saw a man g

rglars and all the swag. Great ginger! what

cation with his detective friend and told hi

es, that property is in that villa. We will have a great sensation for the public, wh

the Island, where they all arrived just about dark. They met and our hero indicated the road to the villa, and some tim

ame together and held a few moments' conversation, and it was decided that Ike should steal into the house, as he was the one most experienced in that sort of work. Ike started right in. He had reconnoitered the house earlier in the day and knew just where to effect an entrance. He succeeded, and once in the house he went very slow. He saw no servants and decided they had all retired; or, as it proved lat

l not be he

do you prop

ver the

ot think

es have given it

ntend to make

yours. The money and

face betraye

on is agreeable to me. I will bring t

windows tig

n clos

o

er arms, we will say, a bundle of bonds. Ike well recognized the documents. He had seen so many bonds-indeed, ha

he jewels an

hey were to

them over. I wish to see the fu

bringing with her a jewel case and a bag which clinked, showing its contents to be gold. The man opened t

n the stairs, gave a signal and was joined by his f

sounded a wild, weird shriek, and it appeared to be in the very room where the robber and his female pal were counting the gold and examining the jewels. The shriek had been sent forth with a purpose. Both the man and the woman were paraly

here! you'

e armed, and Ike went directly to the w

not wish

hands," comma

r sounded in his ears and he muttered: "It

ed him to the floor. The robber was unprepared, and fell as though shot; and Jack, ever ready as usual, clapped th

, well-played game

woman were led down the stairs, and a little later the whole part

nder where their mistress is when t

ef of police secured from the woman. The mystery of the robbery had been solved, and on the following morning our hero proceeded to t

to introduce yo

d man

sible?" he

your fortune has been recovered-eve

ent lost in deep though

wonderful-yes,

go to prepare your love

lady in quite a happy mood, and her lovely face became radian

glad you

dee

es

te the news I ha

do

you, but first let me t

nteresting story with which Miss Sidney had no connection-and proceeded and told how he and h

ntly believing that Jack was merely telling a tale

the greatest det

nction until I have found your uncl

f after all these years I should m

u like to

tion? Do you know what it me

in the world. I am alone in the world. I do n

ver told me

tell you

d be delighte

y natural gift so that I became a wonder to him and a wonder to myself. Well, one day, without any previous warning, the old man announced to me here in New York that he was going away-to leave me. I was amazed and heart-broken. He had been in America a year when he made the announcement. He would not tell me why he deserted m

gift.' He gave me a great deal of good advice as con

sk him about y

fused to give me

ny knowing

but he refused to give me any information. He did say, howev

ruel h

is words have proved true. I have not wanted for anything since the night he so strangely disappeared. Before going he gave me a box and told me I must not o

have th

hav

ver ope

never op

ee what is in that box!" s

r had any excuse for opening it, as far as having been overtaken by any dire calamity. My life has been pleas

wonderful d

e for you. I propose

hat bo

at about

sure it

m sure it

ke to be present whe

u can be,

go wild in a

e a condition whereby you may earn the priv

ntains some won

orm me that I am the unknown son of a beggar, or i

it will inform you th

uists," said Ike with a

ord or a duke," cried Sara i

shall learn when we tell the story of the opening of the myste

ou open that mysterious box. Oh, how I would like to learn its secret! Not for myse

and pleasing disclosur

ce assumed a

you mea

romise. I told you I

ee! You hav

have fou

tory of the old miser and the los

cern why

es

d I tel

ly dare

Tell me what

miser is

s indeed your uncle, and I h

htful a moment

ure he is

a

e absolu

hav

oulless miser!" murmured S

warm-hearted, generous man. I will

sure you ha

I am

what the

se for you. Come, put on your hat and cloak. You are to

e; and again, Ike, I assure y

g believer in fate. I have encountered so many strange incidents during my short life. See my meeting w

face beca

no,

, I

er the discovery of my loss was very great; but

the appearance of every little trouble rush to kill themselves. It show

did not know the lovely girl yet. He was to learn more about her later on, and there was to fol

r uncle aw

know ab

es

accept th

when he s

do you

surprise for you-the proof for you, the proof for him. It is a most remarkable coinc

made her look wondrously beautiful. He was charmed-charmed as he had never been charmed before in all his l

er they started to go to the home of the old miser. When they arrived in front of th

d miserable-looking h

sed. I do not underst

. I must go

rything was moldy, old and decaying as upon the night when Ike first forced an entrance. The girl looked around in a disdainful manner, and again Ike did not understand her mood. She did not appear even pleased

ll me how old you were whe

pictured upon the canvas. It was a beautiful painting, and the resemblance to the living girl who gaz

" said Ike; "but it is the proof that Mr. Sid

hort, and the

n. Of

ad, and that is why he lives the life which led people to believe that he was a miser. He is not a miser, but

completely overcom

nderstand i

roceeded and told the previous history of M

series of incidents, Miss Sidney, is the fact that the portending dénouement was all brought about through two very mean and contem

remark above quoted when he chanced to turn, and there stood a fine-looking old gentleman, clean shaved, his hair cut and his attire perfect. Ike s

s though they were looking upon a visitant from the gr

child from the grave. I need no

was broken

onderful-it is wonderful! It would appear th

e. I have mourned your father long before he went away to California, and now that he is dead this is more t

ered the room. Many explanations fol

shall relate in Number 50 of "Old Sleuth's Own," wherein our readers will learn the thrilling romance of the life of Nimble

E

rs of "Old Sleuth's Own." Back numbers are always in print. When

Detecti

ies, and each one of those mentioned below has received the hea

the Central Office Det

Eye. By Harr

son of New Orlean

the Detective.

e New York Detecti

tive No. 39. By

he author of "The O

e Spy. By Capt.

Scarlet. By

ing Bride. By

o Vanished. By

e Inn. By F

d's Finger.

orld in Eighty Da

Pirate. By W.

a Hansom Cab. B

e Call. By

tective Story. B

f the Four. By

the Montauk Mills

in Limited. By

om, Conductor.

ank Murder. B

n Stealer. B

Factory Detectiv

for other list of titl

ere you bought this one, or we will mail

all or

LVIE PUBL

Street,

riber'

ble of c

licked to view

missing comm

ged" to "had become enraged" and

ean time" to "meant

open quotes to first

ged "starred"

ed "statemen"

"politicially"

ged "althugh"

anged "aked

ed "Burlgars"

ged "appeear"