The King-Pin of the Leadville Lions; or, Hepburn, the Dude Detective from London

# Catalog Note

The King-Pin of the Leadville Lions: Or, Hepburn, the Dude Detective from London by Lieutenant A. K. Sims continues the adventures of detective protagonist Arthur Hepburn. In Chapter I, the well-traveled English detective arrives in the Colorado Leadville region via mountain trail, where he encounters an ambush by a masked rifleman—apparently targeting him near a trail fork. Hepburn pursues his attacker unsuccessfully, then discovers a letter he's carrying may be a decoy. In Chapter II, near California Gulch, Hepburn encounters an insane man-beast inhabiting a stone cave, who attacks him before being restrained by his young female guardian. The narrative establishes mystery elements and introduces a refined young woman, approximately eighteen or nineteen, residing near the cave. The story develops themes of danger, pursuit, and enigmatic correspondence driving the detective's investigation.