Old Broadbrim Into the Heart of Australia;

OR,

A STRANGE BARGAIN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.

By the author of "OLD BROADBRIM."

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I. OLD BROADBRIM'S STRANGE BARGAIN.
CHAPTER II. THE MIDNIGHT MURDER.
CHAPTER III. THE CLEW AND THE TALISMAN.
CHAPTER IV. THE LONDON TRAIL.
CHAPTER V. IN THE WAKE OF A MYSTERY.
CHAPTER VI. SPOTTED IN AUSTRALIA.
CHAPTER VII. THE TERRIBLE DEATH-TRAP.
CHAPTER VIII. DEMONA, THE RANCH QUEEN.
CHAPTER IX. OLD BROADBRIM ONCE MORE.
CHAPTER X. A TERRIBLE MOMENT.
CHAPTER XI. THE FACE IN THE HAY.
CHAPTER XII. OLD BROADBRIM AND THE FAIR AVENGER.
CHAPTER XIII. BLACK GEORGE'S WARNING.
CHAPTER XIV. THE TEST UNDER THE STARS.
CHAPTER XV. OLD BROADBRIM MAKES A BARGAIN AGAIN.
CHAPTER XVI. THE DOOM OF WATERS.
CHAPTER XVII. OLD BROADBRIM'S CATCH IN PERTH.
CHAPTER XVIII. BELLE DEMONA'S MATCH.
CHAPTER XIX. OLD BROADBRIM TIGHTENS THE COIL.
CHAPTER XX. BACK TO THE DEATH-TRAP.
CHAPTER XXI. THE ESCAPE OF THE DOOMED.
CHAPTER XXII. OLD BROADBRIM'S DESPERATE HAND.
CHAPTER XXIII. THE WOMAN WITH THE REVOLVER.
CHAPTER XXIV. THE QUAKER'S TRUMPS WIN.

CHAPTER I.

OLD BROADBRIM'S STRANGE BARGAIN.

The 12th of April, 189—, as Old Broadbrim, the famous Quaker detective, will ever remember, fell on a Thursday.

Just after the noon hour on that day he received a letter asking him to come to one of the most elegant private residences on Fifth Avenue.

He was sure no crime had been committed, and he was puzzled to guess just what the invitation meant.

The owner of the mansion was Custer Kipp, one of the richest and best-known dwellers on the avenue, a man who counted his wealth almost by the tens of millions, so it was said at least, and the detective had seen him often on the street and in his elegant turnout in the parks.

Old Broadbrim answered the letter in person, as was his wont.

He reached the door of the mansion, and his ring was answered immediately, as if he was expected, and a servant conducted him into the library.

In an armchair at the mahogany desk sat the millionaire.

Custer Kipp was a man of sixty-three, a tall, slim, but handsome, person, and withal a person who was approachable to a fault.

He was a widower at the time, and his only child was a son named Foster.

This young man was not in at the time of the detective's call, and the only other person in the house who belonged to the household was the nabob's ward, Miss Nora Doon, a young lady just quitting her teens and the pet of the mansion.

Custer Kipp smiled drearily when the figure of the Quaker crossed the threshold, and invited him to a seat near the desk.

"I am glad you came," said he. "I sent word to my friend, the inspector, to send me one of his best men, and I am rejoiced that he saw fit to send you, of whom I have heard."

Old Broadbrim bowed and waited.

"My case is a peculiar one, and, perhaps, a little out of the line of your business. Do you ever play the part of Cerberus, Mr. Broadbrim?"

"Not very often."

"I thought not," smiled the millionaire. "I have no crime for you to unravel, but if things are permitted to drift as they are going just now, you will have a first-class mystery on your hands ere long."

"You do not want me to wait, I see," said Old Broadbrim.

"That is it exactly. I don't care to wait to be foully murdered."

"I would think not. It isn't a very pleasant prospect, but perhaps it is not as bad as you suppose."

"It is very bad. I am in the shadow of death, but I don't care to go into details just now. I want you to guard my person for one year, and if at the end of that time I am still in the land of the living, why, your work ceases."

"It's a strange commission," replied the detective.

"I thought you would call it such. I am to be guarded against an enemy insidious and merciless. I am on the 'black list.'"

"On the black list, eh?"

"Exactly," and the rich man turned a shade paler. "I will give you twenty-five thousand dollars if you guard me for one year. You will not be