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diff --git a/12314-h/12314-h.htm b/12314-h/12314-h.htm index 0370b25..86fb79e 100644 --- a/12314-h/12314-h.htm +++ b/12314-h/12314-h.htm @@ -1,13 +1,11 @@ -<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> -<html> +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> <head> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= -"text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<meta charset="utf-8"> + <meta content="pg2html (binary version 0.15)" name="generator"> -<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Ashton-kirk Investigator, -by John T. Mcintyre</title> -<style type="text/css"> - <!-- +<title>Ashton-kirk Investigator | Project Gutenberg</title> +<style> body { font-size: 100%; } p { text-indent: 1.5em; margin-left: 15%; @@ -23,14 +21,12 @@ by John T. Mcintyre</title> margin-bottom: 0em; } .block {text-indent: 0em; margin-left: 25%} CENTER { padding: 1em; } - // --> </style> </head> <body> <div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12314 ***</div> -<a name="image-0001"><!--IMG--></a> -<center><img src="images/a-k01.jpg" width="281" height="450" alt= -"'Just As I Thought'"></center> +<a id="image-0001"><!--IMG--></a> +<div style="text-align: center"><img src="images/a-k01.jpg" alt= "'Just As I Thought'" style="width: 281px; height: 450px"></div> <!--IMAGE END--> <hr> <h1>ASHTON-KIRK</h1> @@ -54,7 +50,7 @@ RALPH L. BOYER</p> <p class="note">To my Friend<br> GRANT GIBNEY</p> <hr> -<a name="2H_ILL"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2H_ILL"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>INTRODUCTION</h2> <p>Ashton-Kirk, who has solved so many mysteries, is himself something of a problem even to those who know him best. Although @@ -155,7 +151,7 @@ STARTLED HER</a></p> <br> <hr class="short"> <h2>Ashton-Kirk, Investigator</h2> -<a name="2HCH0001"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0001"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER I</h2> <h3>PENDLETON CALLS UPON ASHTON-KIRK</h3> <p>Young Pendleton's car crept carefully around the corner and @@ -441,7 +437,7 @@ consultation."</p> <p>"She will be here this morning, then?" asked Ashton-Kirk.</p> <p>Pendleton once more looked at his watch.</p> <p>"Within a very few minutes," said he.</p> -<a name="2HCH0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER II</h2> <h3>MISS EDYTH VALE STATES HER CASE</h3> <p>It was exactly three minutes later when the continuous tooting @@ -775,7 +771,7 @@ information upon one Hume, a local numismatist, and Allan Morris, consulting engineer."</p> <p>"Very well, sir." And Fuller turned at once, and left the room.</p> -<a name="2HCH0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER III</h2> <h3>THE PORTRAITS OF GENERAL WAYNE</h3> <p>When Ashton-Kirk returned that evening from the theatre, where @@ -1032,9 +1028,8 @@ getting so early upon the ground."</p> look.</p> <p>"You do not mean to go there—to Christie Place," she said.</p> -<a name="image-0002"><!--IMG--></a> -<center><img src="images/a-k02.jpg" width="281" height="450" alt= -"'You Do Not Mean to Go There'— "></center> +<a id="image-0002"><!--IMG--></a> +<div style="text-align: center"><img src="images/a-k02.jpg" alt= "'You Do Not Mean to Go There'— " style="width: 281px; height: 450px"></div> <!--IMAGE END--> <p>"I may as well. I may be of use." He looked at her for a moment steadily, then asked: "Do you know of any reason why I @@ -1319,7 +1314,7 @@ paused.</p> <p>"Better brace yourself for rather a shocking sight," said he to his friend.</p> <p>"Go on," said Pendleton, quietly.</p> -<a name="2HCH0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> <h3>STILLMAN'S THEORY</h3> <p>There were four good-sized windows in the show room, all @@ -1648,7 +1643,7 @@ like to be present."</p> still desired to show charity.</p> <p>"I shall be pleased to see you, sir," he said, "then or at any other time."</p> -<a name="2HCH0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER V</h2> <h3>STILLMAN ASKS QUESTIONS</h3> <p>It wanted a few minutes of three o'clock when Ashton-Kirk, @@ -2119,7 +2114,7 @@ three of these people before I had them, and didn't seem to get enough to make a beginning. But just now," and the smile grew wider, "I've heard that Osborne is on his way to arrest Antonio Spatola."</p> -<a name="2HCH0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> <h3>ASHTON-KIRK LOOKS ABOUT</h3> <p>Berg was standing in the corridor waiting for the elevator @@ -2203,7 +2198,7 @@ turned and asked inquiringly:</p> <p>"We'd like to ask a question or two regarding what happened last night in Christie Place."</p> <p>The cab driver's forehead corrugated; he closed his razor, -laid it down and shoved his' soapy face toward the speaker.</p> +laid it down and shoved his soapy face toward the speaker.</p> <p>"Say," spoke he, roughly. "I drives people wherever they wants to go; but I don't ask no questions."</p> <p>"It's all right, Mr. Sams," said Ashton-Kirk. "The affair that @@ -2521,7 +2516,7 @@ the perpetrating of a downright crime?"</p> <p>"Not a step!" answered Pendleton, promptly.</p> <p>"Then," said Ashton-Kirk, "until we know positively that she has done so, stick to that."</p> -<a name="2HCH0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> <h3>THE SCHWARTZ-MICHAEL BAYONET</h3> <p>As Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton sat in the former's library that @@ -2743,7 +2738,7 @@ condition inside; not a spot or a stain anywhere." Then he regarded his friend with undisguised envy. "Kirk," said he, "you're a lucky dog. You can dig up more good things than anybody else that I know."</p> -<a name="2HCH0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> <h3>THE NEWSPAPERS BEGIN TO PLAY THEIR PART</h3> <p>Next morning Ashton-Kirk lounged in a comfortable window-seat, @@ -2840,7 +2835,7 @@ seems to have scored a beat, for it has some developments that may put a different face upon everything."</p> <p>Ashton-Kirk took the sheet, and as he glanced at the flaring headlines, he whistled softly. The lines read:</p> -<p class="note"><big>"MYSTERIOUS WOMAN IN A MOTOR CAR!</big></p> +<p class="note"><span style="font-size: larger">"MYSTERIOUS WOMAN IN A MOTOR CAR!</span></p> <p class="note">"She Visits 478 Christie Place on the Night of Murder!<br> "DID A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN'S HAND DEAL THE DEADLY BLOW?<br> @@ -2910,7 +2905,7 @@ accustomed to carrying out difficult orders.</p> <p>As the young man went out at one door, Stumph knocked upon another; then Miss Edyth Vale, very pale, but entirely composed, was shown into the room.</p> -<a name="2HCH0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> <h3>MISS VALE TELLS WHAT SHE KNOWS</h3> <p>Ashton-Kirk arose, kicked aside the litter of newspapers, and @@ -3179,7 +3174,7 @@ against the door-frame.</p> since—since the time I have mentioned. I have waited, telephoned, sent messages, even gone in person. But I could not find him. No one seems to know anything of his whereabouts."</p> -<a name="2HCH0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER X</h2> <h3>ASHTON-KIRK ASKS QUESTIONS</h3> <p>For some time after Miss Vale had gone, Ashton-Kirk stood at @@ -3444,7 +3439,7 @@ the rumpled hair.</p> informed them.</p> <p>Then the two shot down to the platform level and made their way toward Gate E.</p> -<a name="2HCH0011"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0011"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> <h3>PENDLETON IS VASTLY ENLIGHTENED</h3> <p>The Hammondsville local was taking on its passengers. It was a @@ -3599,9 +3594,8 @@ since become worn out and been removed."</p> Across the pad he drew three lines one under the other. Then with another glance at the candle droppings upon the step, he made a copy of them that looked like this:</p> -<a name="image-0003"><!--IMG--></a> -<center><img src="images/clue.gif" width="241" height="150" alt= -"drawing of clue"></center> +<a id="image-0003"><!--IMG--></a> +<div style="text-align: center"><img src="images/clue.gif" alt= "drawing of clue" style="width: 241px; height: 150px"></div> <!--IMAGE END--> <p>Pendleton bent over the result under the flare of the gas light; and as he looked his eyes widened.</p> @@ -3794,7 +3788,7 @@ Spatola himself, and ask a few questions. This might give us the proper point of view for the remainder."</p> <p>And so they once more got into the car; and away they sped toward the place where the violinist was confined.</p> -<a name="2HCH0012"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0012"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> <h3>ANTONIO SPATOLA APPEARS</h3> <p>Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton were admitted to the cell room at @@ -3973,7 +3967,7 @@ against him, he knows German."</p> mentioned shorthand he became suspicious and showed uneasiness and anger. I tell you again," with an air, of finality, "he's your man."</p> -<a name="2HCH0013"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0013"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> <h3>A NEW LIGHT ON ALLAN MORRIS</h3> <p>From the City Hall the car headed for Christie Place once @@ -4262,7 +4256,7 @@ a portrait of this man Crawford?"</p> <p>By way of an answer the investigator held up the photograph once more. Pendleton gave a gasp of amazement.</p> <p>"Allan Morris," said he. "<i>Allan Morris, by George!</i>"</p> -<a name="2HCH0014"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0014"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> <h3>MISS VALE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS</h3> <p>Edouard, Ashton-Kirk's cook, was astonished and somewhat @@ -4624,7 +4618,7 @@ engaged in examining something traced upon a sheet of paper, and apparently not paying the slightest attention to the gesticulating man, was a young woman. And Pendleton felt himself grow suddenly faint and sick as he recognized Edyth Vale.</p> -<a name="2HCH0015"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0015"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> <h3>MISS VALE DEPARTS SUDDENLY</h3> <p>For a moment there was a silence between the two men; then @@ -4690,9 +4684,8 @@ he had reached the shelter of the walls; then to Pendleton's amazement he stepped directly in front of the window through which the two were to be seen, rapped smartly upon the glass, and remained standing in full view, of the two in the room.</p> -<a name="image-0004"><!--IMG--></a> -<center><img src="images/a-k03.jpg" width="272" height="450" alt= -"He Rapped Smartly on the Window"></center> +<a id="image-0004"><!--IMG--></a> +<div style="text-align: center"><img src="images/a-k03.jpg" alt= "He Rapped Smartly on the Window" style="width: 272px; height: 450px"></div> <!--IMAGE END--> <p>Pendleton saw the pad drop from Locke's hands; he saw the mute wheel as he felt the vibrations and stare at the window, his eyes @@ -4803,7 +4796,7 @@ according to the formula which I gave you a half hour ago. If it succeeds, I'll tell you what it is; if it does not, I'll say nothing, and it will go upon the scrap heap devoted to broken fancies. And now, Dixon," to the chauffeur, "we'll go home."</p> -<a name="2HCH0016"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0016"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> <h3>STEEL AGAINST STEEL</h3> <p>Shortly before noon next day, Ashton-Kirk, in an immaculate @@ -4962,7 +4955,7 @@ will."</p> <p>Her lips formed the good-by as he stood in the doorway; but she made no sound. And Ashton-Kirk as he walked down the hall, smiled quietly to himself.</p> -<a name="2HCH0017"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0017"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> <h3>WHAT HAPPENED ON THE ROAD</h3> <p>About half an hour after Ashton-Kirk had left the Vale @@ -5142,7 +5135,7 @@ line of writing:</p> Then he slipped it back into the thumb of the glove and replaced both exactly as they were; after which he made his way back to the motor cycle, and mounting, went flying toward the city.</p> -<a name="2HCH0018"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0018"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> <h3>ASHTON-KIRK TELLS WHY</h3> <p>It was about four in the afternoon, and young Pendleton sat in @@ -5350,7 +5343,7 @@ said the other, quietly. "Allan Morris may be a confederate of Locke's, or he may not. We have yet to establish the fact either way. And now, pardon me while I take a plunge and get into something presentable."</p> -<a name="2HCH0019"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0019"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> <h3>THE TWO REPORTS</h3> <p>After dinner the two young men settled themselves in the @@ -5555,7 +5548,7 @@ slipped me."</p> wanted to be sure." He pushed the drawer into place, looked at his friend inquiringly, and added: "Suppose we go around to the 'Rangnow' and see him?"</p> -<a name="2HCH0020"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0020"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> <h3>ONE OF THE OLD SORT</h3> <p>Pendleton looked at his friend in bewilderment.</p> @@ -5804,7 +5797,7 @@ said:</p> hand went out.</p> <p>"Let me shake your hand, sir," said he. "And I'll tell the lad what you say with a heart and a half."</p> -<a name="2HCH0021"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0021"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> <h3>ASHTON-KIRK BEGINS TO PLAN</h3> <p>As Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton left the "Rangnow," the latter @@ -5964,7 +5957,7 @@ found out of place. So I'll not answer your question now; I'll allow it to stand until to-morrow night; and then I'll give it to you, compact and complete, with practical illustrations as I go along."</p> -<a name="2HCH0022"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0022"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> <h3>ASHTON-KIRK IS ANNOYED</h3> <p>On the following day, at about noon, Ashton-Kirk's big French @@ -6215,7 +6208,7 @@ had not notified Mr. Tobin as to his new hiding-place. However, if you feel that you <i>must</i> see him, you can call at my place at this hour on the day after to-morrow. I am not sure, of course, but it occurs to me that he will be there."</p> -<a name="2HCH0023"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0023"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> <h3>THE SECRET OF THE PORTRAIT</h3> <p>The morning papers had all announced the fact that the detail @@ -6478,7 +6471,7 @@ and at intervals they ate the sandwiches and other things which had been smuggled in in the guise of packages of furs. And finally the shadows gathered and thickened once again in Christie Place.</p> -<a name="2HCH0024"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0024"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> <h3>THE SECOND NIGHT</h3> <p>The second night of the vigil in Hume's rooms wore on. Unlike @@ -6604,9 +6597,8 @@ hidden; by means of this the former could make the latter out in a dim, uncertain sort of way. She seemed unusually tall as she moved noiselessly across the floor and peered cautiously through the communicating doorways.</p> -<a name="image-0005"><!--IMG--></a> -<center><img src="images/a-k04.jpg" width="276" height="450" alt= -"What She Saw Must Have Startled Her"></center> +<a id="image-0005"><!--IMG--></a> +<div style="text-align: center"><img src="images/a-k04.jpg" alt= "What She Saw Must Have Startled Her" style="width: 276px; height: 450px"></div> <!--IMAGE END--> <p>What she saw must have startled her, for she drew quickly back, her hand pressed to her heart. Then softly she retraced her @@ -6704,7 +6696,7 @@ dazedly struggling to a sitting position, Paulson asked:</p> <p>"This," answered Ashton-Kirk, "is M. Sagon, a fellow lodger of Antonio Spatola, formerly a very close friend of the late Mr. Hume, and once a resident of Bayonne, in France."</p> -<a name="2HCH0025"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0025"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> <h3>APPROACHING THE FINISH</h3> <p>Pendleton spent the night at Ashton-Kirk's; and after @@ -6802,7 +6794,7 @@ he said inquiringly to the investigator:</p> first; but in view of what the newspapers contain this morning, I reconsidered it."</p> <p>Ashton-Kirk nodded.</p> -<p>"If you had, come to me in the first place," said he, "you'd +<p>"If you had come to me in the first place," said he, "you'd probably not have fallen into this mess, and you'd have saved yourself a great deal of suffering." He regarded the young man for a moment, and then went on. "Miss Vale, I suppose, has told @@ -6999,7 +6991,7 @@ making it easy for her."</p> <p>"If there is anything that I can do, or say in the final settlement of this case," he added, to Ashton-Kirk, "I will gladly place myself at your services, sir. Good-bye."</p> -<a name="2HCH0026"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<a id="2HCH0026"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> <h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> <h3>THE FINISH</h3> <p>"For the first time," said Pendleton, as the door closed upon @@ -7335,7 +7327,7 @@ they had found Spatola there?"</p> <p>"Sagon had calculated it all very nicely. One night a week Spatola went to play with two compatriots at their rooms; with piano, harp and violin, they gave vent to the harmony that was in -them. That was the night for the trio, and Sagon knew it. But In +them. That was the night for the trio, and Sagon knew it. But in his rage and his desire to prove his standing to Hume, Spatola had forgotten it. When he descended to Morris's rooms, the two criminals thought he had gone to make his usual visit to his |