Beadle's Dime Library No. 683

The Eruption at Eureka by Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

This adventure serial follows Bob Breeze, a former Pinkerton detective from Chicago, and John Dogood, an amateur highwayman, who encounter each other on a stage trail near the mining town of Eureka. Dogood attempts to rob Breeze but recognizes him before the deed is done. Breeze claims he has left detective work after serving time at Joliet prison for accepting a bribe, and now seeks money "honestly if it comes easiest." Despite this apparent conversion to criminality, he convinces the wavering Dogood of his sincerity. The two form a partnership, with Dogood proposing a lucrative but dangerous job that could mean hanging if discovered, though substantial profit if successful. Breeze agrees to proceed "blind"—without knowing full details of the scheme—demonstrating his trust in his former acquaintance.