Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 886

# "Gilt-Ridge Sharpers" by Dr. Noel Dunbar

This serialized mystery centers on Rudolph Seldon, a dissipated young heir who arrives at his father's deathbed. Judge Leslie Seldon dies during the night under suspicious circumstances, and a mysterious woman in chloroform enters his chamber. When Rudolph awakens from induced sleep, his father is dead. Rudolph coerces lawyer Ernest Wilber into naming him sole heir by threatening to reveal a hidden secret, though Wilber insists the real heir is alive.

Dr. Ross Reynolds then confronts Rudolph, claiming a post-mortem examination proved poisoning—not consumption caused the death. Reynolds demands money, threatening to expose Rudolph as the murderer to the coroner. He produced poison from the father's stomach, implicating Rudolph despite his innocence. The doctor draws a revolver as Rudolph begins a denial.