Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1009

# Scorcher Sam's Death-Hole Drop

This dime novel installment, by J. C. Cowdrick, follows Scorcher Sam Buckley, a bicycle-mounted detective who rescues a well-dressed young woman from two men claiming to be her father and husband. Sam subdues both attackers and allows them to escape under the pretense of letting them make a police charge, intending instead to shadow them.

Following the suspects to a roof garden where he has an appointment with Bessie Blake ("Bicycle Bess"), his girl partner and assistant, Sam eavesdrops on their scheming. The elder man, Whitledge, and his associate Parmer plot to use the woman's suitor, John Lineman, to trick her into meeting them again so they can complete some scheme involving papers and a forced marriage. Bess resolves to travel to their hometown, Podunkville, to warn the young woman.

While conferring with Bess, Sam spots a wanted criminal named Phil Bogle and moves to arrest him with handcuffs, setting off a confrontation.