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Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 802
This 1894 dime novel by Philip S. Warne features the serial "King of No Man's Land; or, Lightning George's Last Card. The Frisco Detective's Block Game." The narrative opens in a frontier saloon where stage-driver Tony Dobson discusses two mysterious genteel women traveling by coach, their faces hidden behind crape veils. A wounded man, Aleck Fogleman, arrives fleeing Dan Dirk, the "King of No Man's Land," and his gang who are "painting the town red" at Murderer's Row. Fogleman escapes after a gunfight. Tony subsequently convinces the two veiled women to remain overnight rather than continue through the lawless territory, but the younger woman, Vera Stanard, insists they must proceed due to an important appointment. At Murderer's Row, the stage is surrounded by drunken ruffians; Vera courageously emerges to confront them, only to discover Tony has abandoned his post.