Beadle's Dime Library No. 421

Catalog Note This installment of "The Queen of Bowie Notch," by Captain Howard Holmes, features a mystery-adventure serial set in San Francisco and California gold camps. Former Confederate officer Claude Stacey, calling himself "Captain Bluff," seeks out detective "Father Ferret" to locate his missing daughter Sybil, who disappeared on May 23rd. Stacey reveals he possesses knowledge of a valuable claim and wants to make his estranged Mexican ex-wife—now "Queen Ninez" ruling a ranch at Bowie Notch—jealous by enriching Sybil. Father Ferret, a small but physically capable investigator with penetrating blue eyes, accepts the case without payment, though Stacey offers substantial fees. A young man named Jordan observes their meeting from across the street. The narrative emphasizes deception, hidden identities, and the detective's mysterious knowledge and motives as the investigation begins.