Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 600

This issue of *Beadle and Adams' weekly* (Volume XXIV, No. 600, January 22, 1899) features "The 'Piping' of Polly Pilgrim," authored by the writer of the "Deadwood Dick" novels. The serialized mystery opens in New York, where detective Deadwood Dick is summoned by Inspector Byrnes to assist clothing manufacturer Trumbull Braddock. Braddock has been victimized by a mysterious extortionist named "Polly Pilgrim": a check was altered from $5,000 to $25,000; a forged $2,000 bearer check was cashed; Braddock's daughter was robbed of $400 and jewels at Coney Island by a veiled woman who dropped a handkerchief marked "P.P."; and most troublingly, someone penetrated Braddock's locked home office, stealing cash and a blank order form from his special engraved checkbook, then forged an order for $1,000 presented by a messenger. Dick takes the case and prepares to investigate Polly Pilgrim's scheme.