Flash Falcon and the Society Detective

Museum Catalog Note This issue of *Flash Falcon, the Society Detective* (Vol. XXVII, No. 50, July 8, 1885) features the serialized detective story "La Belle Florine" by Weldon J. Cobb, continued through Chapter II. Detective Kepler trails Tom Bligh in Central Park and discovers a plot involving the theft of a valuable incriminating document from wealthy capitalist Anson Drexel. The vailed adventuress La Belle Florine, working with criminal Rodney Wayne, plans blackmail and revenge against Drexel's nephew. When confronted, Florine shoots and kills Bligh, then escapes on horseback. Kepler pursues her through the park and later observes her using children's letter blocks in a window to signal Wayne, spelling out "B-D-E-A-D," "F-L-I-G-H-T," and "V-I-L-L-A-C-L-A-I-R-E-S." The serial concludes with Kepler attempting to enter the building where Florine vanished.