Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 757

Detective Frank's Sweep-Stake

This serialized detective story by Charles Morris follows young Frank Melton, a shrewd apprentice in the New York Secret Police Department. Detectives Dick Wister and Joe Smith assign Frank to work undercover as a messenger-boy at Dodge & Halfish, a Broadway silk and lace store plagued by mysterious robberies totaling three thousand dollars over three months. The proprietors and the detectives' own investigations have failed to apprehend the thieves.

Frank negotiates payment—five dollars weekly as messenger plus one hundred dollars for identifying the thief—and begins his assignment. Chapter II reveals his first lead: Harry Brown, the store's head salesman, whom Frank tracks entering a gambling den disguised as a drinking establishment. Detective Dick, working undercover as a Cockney fop, disguises Frank with theatrical makeup to investigate further. The narrative emphasizes Frank's detective acumen and independent manner.