Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 704

# Invisible Ivan, the Wizard Detective

This serial by Colonel Prentiss Ingraham opens with the murder of an unknown young woman on a New York City street. A man named Percy Gray discovers her dying body and summons police, but her dying accusation points directly at him. Gray is arrested despite his protestations of innocence. At the morgue, he observes the woman bears initials "P.G." on both a ring and the murder dagger—matching his own name—yet maintains he never knew her. Imprisoned awaiting trial, Gray discovers mysterious handwriting on his cell wall: a previous inmate's message declaring his own false conviction and execution, urging whoever comes after to expose the real murderer. Refusing to accept this fate, Gray orchestrates a daring escape, subduing his visiting lawyer Bonnill Rogers with a hidden pistol and silk scarf, then assuming Rogers's identity and clothing to leave the prison.