diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:04:18 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:04:18 -0700 |
| commit | 86417176bf16a9dab8e3ecc352e85ca43a445d76 (patch) | |
| tree | bc559a557d940f4df3d5b636c18c92f93d02d2ef /35686-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '35686-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 35686-h/35686-h.htm | 13690 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35686-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 24519 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35686-h/images/gs01.jpg | bin | 0 -> 54703 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35686-h/images/gs02.jpg | bin | 0 -> 65094 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35686-h/images/gs03.jpg | bin | 0 -> 47791 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35686-h/images/gs04.jpg | bin | 0 -> 40741 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35686-h/images/gs05.jpg | bin | 0 -> 54140 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35686-h/images/gs06.jpg | bin | 0 -> 53527 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35686-h/images/gs07.jpg | bin | 0 -> 48956 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35686-h/images/gs08.jpg | bin | 0 -> 59806 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35686-h/images/gs09.jpg | bin | 0 -> 62923 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35686-h/images/gs10.jpg | bin | 0 -> 49767 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35686-h/images/gs11.jpg | bin | 0 -> 56616 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35686-h/images/tp.jpg | bin | 0 -> 3099 bytes |
14 files changed, 13690 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/35686-h/35686-h.htm b/35686-h/35686-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..659af48 --- /dev/null +++ b/35686-h/35686-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,13690 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Mississippi Outlaws and the Detectives, by Allan Pinkerton. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .mt4 {margin-top: 4em;} + + .transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:smaller; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; } + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mississippi Outlaws and the Detectives, by +Allan Pinkerton + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Mississippi Outlaws and the Detectives + Don Pedro and the Detectives; Poisoner and the Detectives + +Author: Allan Pinkerton + +Release Date: March 26, 2011 [EBook #35686] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OUTLAWS *** + + + + +Produced by Hunter Monroe, Suzanne Shell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<h1>MISSISSIPPI OUTLAWS</h1> +<h1>AND THE</h1> +<h1>DETECTIVES.</h1> + +<h1>DON PEDRO AND THE DETECTIVES.</h1> + +<h1>POISONER AND THE DETECTIVES.</h1> + +<h2>BY</h2> +<h2>ALLAN PINKERTON,</h2> + +<p class="center">AUTHOR OF</p> + +<p class="center">"THE EXPRESSMAN AND THE DETECTIVE," "THE MODEL TOWN<br/> +AND THE DETECTIVES," "THE SPIRITUALISTS AND THE<br/> +DETECTIVES," "THE MOLLIE MAGUIRES AND THE<br/> +DETECTIVES," "STRIKERS, COMMUNISTS,<br/> +TRAMPS AND DETECTIVES,"<br/> +ETC., ETC., ETC.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 81px;"> +<img src="images/tp.jpg" width="81" height="55" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + +<p class="center">NEW YORK:</p> +<p class="center"><i>G. W. Dillingham, Publisher</i>,</p> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Successor to G. W. Carleton & Co.</span></p> +<p class="center">LONDON: S. LOW, SON & CO.</p> +<p class="center">MDCCCLXXXVII.</p> + + + + +<p class="mt4 center">COPYRIGHT +BY +ALLAN PINKERTON, +1879.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samuel Stodder, +Stereotyper, +90 Ann Street, N. Y.</span></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Trow<br/> +Printing and Book Binding Co.</span><br/> +N. Y.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="center">ALLAN PINKERTON'S</p> + +<p class="center">GREAT DETECTIVE BOOKS.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'> 1.—MOLLIE MAGUIRES AND DETECTIVES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 2.—STRIKERS, COMMUNISTS, AND DETECTIVES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 3.—CRIMINAL REMINISCENCES AND DETECTIVES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 4.—THE MODEL TOWN AND DETECTIVES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 5.—SPIRITUALISTS AND DETECTIVES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 6.—EXPRESSMEN AND DETECTIVES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 7.—THE SOMNAMBULIST AND DETECTIVES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 8.—CLAUDE MELNOTTE AS A DETECTIVE.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 9.—MISSISSIPPI OUTLAWS AND DETECTIVES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 10.—GYPSIES AND DETECTIVES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 11.—BUCHOLZ AND DETECTIVES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 12.—THE RAILROAD FORGER AND DETECTIVES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 13.—BANK ROBBERS AND DETECTIVES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 14.—BURGLAR'S FATE AND DETECTIVES.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 15.—A DOUBLE LIFE AND DETECTIVES.</td></tr> +</table></div> +<p class="center">These wonderful Detective Stories by Allan Pinkerton are<br/> +having an unprecedented success. Their sale far<br/> +exceeding one hundred thousand copies. "The<br/> +interest which the reader feels from the outset<br/> +so intense and resistless; he is swept along<br/> +by the narrative, held by it, whether<br/> +he will or no."</p> + +<p class="center">All beautifully illustrated, and published uniform with this<br/> +volume. Price $1.50 each. Sold by all booksellers, and<br/> +sent <i>free</i> by mail, on receipt of price, by</p> + +<p class="center">G. W. CARLETON & CO., Publishers, +New York. +</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="320" height="479" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + +<table summary=""> +<tr><td></td><td align="right">PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h2>MISSISSIPPI OUTLAWS AND THE DETECTIVES.</h2></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER I</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td>A daring Express Robbery.—Mr. Pinkerton appealed to.—Cane-brakes and +cane-fed People.—Annoying delays and Amateur Detectives.</td><td align="right"> <a href="#Page_9">9</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER II</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td>Difficulties.—Blind Trails and False Scents.—A Series of Illustrations showing +the Number of Officious People and Confidence Men that often seek +Notoriety and Profit through important Detective Operations. </td><td align="right"> <a href="#Page_21">21</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER III</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td>"Old Hicks," a drunken Planter, is entertained by a Hunting-Party.—Lester's +Landing.—Its Grocery-Store and Mysterious Merchants.—A dangerous +Situation.—The unfortunate Escape of Two of the Robbers. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER IV</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td> The Captured Ruffians are desired for Guides, but dare not join in the +Search for the Outlaws.—One of the Robbers is Taken, but subsequently +Escapes from the Amateur Detectives.—Another Clue suddenly fails. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER V</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td> A Rich Lead Struck at Last. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER VI</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td>The Mother of the Farringtons, being arrested, boasts that her Sons "Will +never be taken Alive."—Another Unfortunate Blunder by Amateur Detectives.—An +interesting Fate intended for the Detectives.—William A. +Pinkerton captures the Murderer of a Negro in Union City, proving "a +very good Fellow—for a Yankee." </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER VII</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td>The Scene of Action transferred to Missouri.—The Chase becoming Hot. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER VIII</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td> A determined Party of Horsemen.—The Outlaws surrounded and the Birds +caged.—A Parley.—The burning Cabin.—Its Occupants finally surrender. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER IX</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td>Barton's Confession.—The Express Robberies, and the Outlaw's subsequent +Experiences fully set forth therein.—A Clue that had been suddenly +dropped taken up with so much Profit. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER X</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td> A terrible Struggle for Life or Death upon the Transfer-boat "Illinois."—"Overboard!"—One +less Desperado.—Fourth and Last Robber taken. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER XI</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td>The last Scene in the Drama approaching.—A new Character appears.—The +Citizens of Union City suddenly seem to have important business on +hand.—The Vigilantes and their Work.—The End. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h2><br/>DON PEDRO AND THE DETECTIVES.</h2></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER I</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td> A fraudulent Scheme contemplated.—A dashing Peruvian Don and Donna.—A +regal Forger.—Mr. Pinkerton engaged by Senator Muirhead to unveil +the mystery of his Life. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_125">125</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER II</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td> Madame Sevier, Widow, of Chicago, and Monsieur Lesparre, of Bordeaux, +also arrive at Gloster.—Mr. Pinkerton, as a Laborer, anxious for a Job, +inspects the Morita Mansion. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_143">143</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER III</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td>Monsieur Lesparre, having a retentive memory, becomes serviceable to Don +Pedro.—Diamond fields and droll Americans.—A pompous Judge in an +unfortunate Predicament.—The grand Reception closes with a happy +Arrangement that the gay Señor and Señora shall dine with Mr. Pinkerton's +Detectives on the next evening. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_159">159</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER IV</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td>Madame Sevier and Her Work.—Unaccountable Coquettishness between +Man and Wife.—A Startling Scheme, Illustrating the Rashness of +American Business Men and the Supreme Assurance of Don Pedro. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_170">170</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER V</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td>The third Detective is made welcome at Don Pedro's.—The Señor is paid the +first half-million dollars from the great Diamond Company.—How Don +Pedro is "working" his diamond mines. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_189">189</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER VI</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td>An unexpected Meeting and a startling Recognition. An old friend somewhat +disturbs the Equanimity of Don Pedro. The Detectives fix their +Attention upon Pietro Bernardi. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_205">205</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER VII</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td>Pietro Bernardi and the Detective become warm Friends.—A Tête-à-tête +worth one thousand dollars. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_219">219</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER VIII</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td>Don Pedro anxious for Pietro Bernardi's absence.—"Coppering the Jack +and playing the Ace and Queen open."—Bernardi Quieted, and he subsequently +departs richer by five thousand dollars. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_232">232</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER IX</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td> Important Information from the Peruvian Government.—Arrival In Gloster +of the Peruvian Minister and Consul.—In Consultation.—"Robbing Peter +to pay Paul."—Mr. Pinkerton's Card is presented.—Juan Sanchez, I arrest +you, and you are my Prisoner.—Mr. Pinkerton not "For Sale." </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_249">249</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER X</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td>The Fête Champêtre.—A grand Carnival.—The disappointed married Lover.—A +vain Request.—Unmasked!—An indignant Deacon.—Don Pedro taken +to Peru in a man-of-war, where he is convicted and sentenced to fifteen +years Imprisonment. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_265">265</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h2><br/>THE POISONER AND THE DETECTIVES.</h2></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER I</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td>Mr. Pinkerton at a Water-cure becomes interested in a Couple, one of whom +subsequently causes the Detective Operation from which this Story is +written.—A wealthy ship-owner and his son.—The son "Found dead."—Mr. +Pinkerton secured to solve the Mystery.—Chicago after the Fire. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_283">283</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER II</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td> The Detectives at work.—Mrs. Sanford described.—Charlie, the Policeman.—Mrs. +Sanford develops Interest in Government Bonds.—Chicago Relief +and Aid Benefits.—Mrs. Sanford's Story of Trafton's Death. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_298">298</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER III</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td>The dangerous Side of the Woman's Character.—Robert A. Pinkerton as +Adamson, the drunken, but wealthy Stranger, has a violent Struggle to +escape from Mrs. Sanford, and is afterwards robbed.—Detective Ingham +arrested, but very shortly liberated. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_319">319</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER IV</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td> Connecting Links.—Mrs. Sanford's Ability as an Imitator of Actors.—One +Detective tears himself away from her, and another takes his Place.—Mrs. +Sanford's mind frequently burdened with the subject of Murder. </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_340">340</a></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2"><h3><br/>CHAPTER V</h3></td></tr> +<tr><td> A moneyed young Texan becomes one of Mrs. Sanford's Lodgers.—The bonds +are seen and their Numbers taken by the Detectives.—Mrs. Sanford arrested.—She +is found guilty of "Involuntary Manslaughter," and sentenced +to the Illinois Penitentiary for five years.—Mr. Pinkerton's +Theory of the Manner in which Trafton was murdered </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_356">356</a></td></tr> +</table> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + +<p>In presenting to the public another volume of my +detective stories, I would call the attention of the reader +to the fact, that these stories are literally written from +facts and incidents which have come under my own +observation, or been worked up by officers acting directly +under my instructions.</p> + +<p>The Mississippi River has for many years—more +especially since the close of the war—been infested by +a class of men who never would try to get an honest +living, but would prey upon their neighbors or attack +the property of southern railroads and express companies; +these marauders could be seen any day prowling +along the banks of the Mississippi, in fact, the shores +and immediate neighborhood were peopled by just such +a class, who cared not how they obtained a living; for +the crimes they committed, they often suffered infinitely +worse punishment, more so than any suffering which +could have been entailed on them from leading a poor +but honest life.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span></p> + +<p>The story of the "<span class="smcap">Mississippi Outlaws and the +Detectives</span>" is written to illustrate incidents which +took place in the southern section of the country at no +very remote date.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Don Pedro and the Detectives</span>" is another story +of detective experience, which came under my own +observation and management; it is a truthful narrative, +and shows that some men are worse than known criminals, +and can squander the money they have obtained +by false pretenses, in a very lavish manner.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">The Poisoner and the Detectives</span>" is a well-known +bit of detective experience, which, when read, +will be recognized by any one who ever takes an interest +in crime, and the bringing to justice its perpetrators.</p> + +<p>The reader must remember that fictitious names are +used in all of these stories, otherwise the facts are +plainly and truthfully told as they occurred.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 17em;">ALLAN PINKERTON.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>April, 1879.</i></span><br /></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> + + + +<h1>THE MISSISSIPPI OUTLAWS</h1> + + +<h1>AND</h1> + +<h1>THE DETECTIVES.</h1> + + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>A daring Express Robbery.—Mr. Pinkerton appealed +to.—Cane-brakes and cane-fed People.—Annoying +Delays and Amateur Detectives.</i></p></div> + + +<p>The southern and border states, since the close +of the war of the rebellion, have been the +frequent scenes of extensive and audacious robberies. +This has been largely owing to the +sparsely-settled condition of certain districts, to +the disorder and lawlessness generated by the +war, and to the temptations offered by the carelessness +of many persons having large sums intrusted +to their care in transit through lonely and +desolate localities.</p> + +<p>The express companies have always been favorite +objects of attack by thieves of every grade, +from the embezzling cashier to the petty sneak-thief, +and some of the operations connected with +the detection of this class of criminals are among +the most difficult and dangerous that have ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +been intrusted to me. Probably a no more reckless +and desperate body of men were ever banded +together in a civilized community than those who +were brought to my attention in 1871 by the +Southern Express Company's officers in Memphis; +and I consider the successful termination of my +efforts in this case as of the greatest value to the +people of the South and West. The whole affair +was conducted with such a limited force, and +under such adverse circumstances, that I take +pride in here recording the history of the affair +and my connection with it. Though I maintained +a general supervision of the operation, my eldest +son, William A. Pinkerton, was the person having +immediate charge of the matter, and to his +energy, perseverance, and sagacity is mainly attributable +our success.</p> + +<p>Some time in the latter part of July, 1871, an +express messenger on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad +was overpowered by three men at Moscow, +Kentucky, and his safe was robbed of about sixteen +hundred dollars. The manner of effecting +the robbery was a very bold one, showing the +presence of men of experience in crime. The loss +was not heavy, but the company made every effort +to discover the robbers, in the hope of bringing +them to a severe punishment as a warning to +other criminals. In spite, however, of the efforts +of two of my men, who were immediately sent to +the scene of the robbery, the guilty parties escaped +into the almost impenetrable swamps along +the Mississippi River, and the chase was reluct<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>antly +abandoned, as it was impossible to tell where +they would come out or cross the river. The +amount stolen was not sufficiently large to warrant +the expenditure of much time or money in +the pursuit of the thieves, and my men were soon +wholly withdrawn from the operation. In order, +however, to guard against a repetition of such a +raid, an extra man was placed in each express car +to act as guard to the regular messenger. It was +considered that two men, well armed, ought to be +surely able to protect the company against further +loss, and everything ran smoothly until October 21, +1871. At this time, the money shipments by express +were very heavy, as a rule, and orders were +given that special care should be exercised by all +the employés having money packages in charge.</p> + +<p>The northern-bound train on the Mobile and +Ohio Railroad was due at Union City, Tennessee, +about half-past seven o'clock in the evening. At +this point the northern and southern-bound trains +usually passed each other, and stopped long +enough for supper, the train arriving first being +the one to take the side track ready to pull out. +Saturday evening, October 21st, the northern-bound +train arrived on time, stopped at the +station long enough to let the passengers go to +supper, and then took the side track to await the +arrival of the train bound south. As soon as the +side track was reached the conductor, engineer, +fireman, brakeman, and express messenger went +to supper, leaving the train deserted except by +the express guard, named George Thompson, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +a few passengers. The local express agent came +up at this moment, gave his packages to Thompson, +receiving his receipt therefor, and returned +to the station. This action was directly contrary +to the rules of the company, which forbade the +messenger to leave the car during his whole run, +or to go to sleep; also, the guard was forbidden to +transact any business, or to have possession of +the safe key. Martin Crowley, the messenger, +had given his key to Thompson, however, to +enable him to attend to the business of the local +agent while Crowley was away at supper. In +accordance with Thompson's request, Crowley +sent a negro porter to the express car with +Thompson's supper on a tray, and the porter, +after handing the tray to Thompson, turned to +walk away. As he did so, he saw two men spring +into the partly open door of the express car, and, +almost immediately, the train began to back. +The negro knew that something was wrong, and +he hurried to the station to give the alarm. By +the time he arrived there, however, the train was +backing at a moderate speed, and was well beyond +the reach of pursuit on foot.</p> + +<p>Meantime, the guard, having received his supper +from the negro porter, turned his back to the +door to set the tray down. Before reaching the +desk, he heard a noise at the door, and turning, +he was confronted by two men, one of whom held +a revolver at his head, while the other seized his +throat. Thompson was a young man, and, not +being accustomed to meet such hard characters,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +he was badly frightened. He immediately gave +up the safe key and helped one of the men to unlock +the safe. Having taken all the money out +of the safe, one of the robbers took also the contents +of Thompson's pocket-book; but here the +other man interfered, insisting that the guard's +money be returned to him, which was done. No +conversation took place, but when the safe had +been carefully examined and all the money it contained +taken, one of the men stepped to the door +and swung a lantern once or twice. The train, +which had been backing at a moderate rate of +speed, now stopped, and the two men jumped off, +telling Thompson to stay where he was and keep +quiet. When the conductor, engineer, and other +persons, whom the porter had alarmed, reached +the train, they found everything in order except +the safe, into which poor Thompson was vainly +peering in the hope of discovering that some portion +of the funds might have been overlooked. +The men had disappeared in the thick woods, and +no trace of them was found except a small carpet-bag +containing potatoes and bread. The +amount missing from the safe was about six +thousand dollars in currency.</p> + +<p>Although the robbery was at once reported to Mr. +M. J. O'Brien, the General Superintendent, by telegraph, +no action seems to have been taken until +the following Wednesday—four days later—when +Mr. O'Brien sent me a brief telegram announcing +the robbery, and requesting me to come to Union +City in person, if possible, and if not, to send my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +eldest son, William A. Pinkerton. The telegraph +was used freely for the next two days, and while +my son was gathering clues and making his preparations, +we learned most of the facts by letter. +William arrived in Union City on Saturday, just +one week after the robbery had been committed, +and he instantly began to gather information from +every available source. Except the statements of +the negro porter and Thompson, the guard, as +condensed in the account heretofore given, little +information could be obtained, as so few persons +were about the train when it began to move off. +While two or three had seen the men who had +entered the car, no one had seen who had run +the locomotive, and there was, therefore, no certainty +as to the number of persons engaged in +the job. One passenger had seen two men walking +toward the engine in a suspicious manner, +and, as his description of these two was entirely +different from that given of the men who had +entered the car, it was fair to presume that they +had been a part of the gang. Still, no one had +seen them get on the engine, and it was not certain +that they had had anything to do with the +affair. At the end of three days, however, William +had collected sufficient information to satisfy +himself that either four or five men had been +at work together; and, by collating the various +descriptions he received, he obtained a pretty fair +idea of the party.</p> + +<p>The first thing which struck him was the similarity +of this robbery to the one which had occurred<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +exactly three months before at Moscow, Kentucky. +The appearance of the men and their actions had +been precisely like those of the Moscow party, and +it was evident that they had been emboldened to a +second venture by the ease with which they had +carried through their former scheme. One thing +was imperative: the capture of the whole gang +would be necessary to insure the safety of the express +company's property in the future. Indeed, +it was a mere piece of good fortune that the loss +in this instance was not irreparable, for the +amount of money carried on the southern-bound +train was eighty thousand dollars, and the robbers +would have obtained this large amount if the +southern-bound train had chanced to arrive first. +The robbery was clearly one which no common +tramp or sneak-thief would have dared to attempt, +and William saw immediately the difficulties of +his work. Before proceeding with the incidents +of the operation, I must give some idea of the +country and the people living there, since no-one +would otherwise comprehend one-half of the obstacles +and dangers which were involved in a +search for the criminals in that vicinity.</p> + +<p>The southwestern part of Kentucky and the +northwestern part of Tennessee are about as desolate +portions of the world as are inhabited by a +civilized people. There seems to have been some +convulsion of the earth at this point, which is +sunk so far below the general level of the whole +country as to make it a perpetual swamp. The +annual overflow of the Ohio and Mississippi lays<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +the country under water for a distance of many +miles, while even in the dryest season, the morasses, +sunken lakes, and dense cane-brakes, render +it almost impassable, except for people who +have been thoroughly acquainted with the locality +for years.</p> + +<p>The sunken lakes are natural curiosities in themselves, +and, although they have attracted considerable +attention from scientific men, no satisfactory +explanation of their causes and phenomena +has been found. The country is full of game and +the water is alive with fish, so that the necessities +of life are easily obtainable. The cane-brakes are +wonderful growths of bamboo cane, and they +sometimes cover strips of country as much as +seventy miles long. In the spring-time, the water +rises to such a height that a skiff can navigate +freely above and through the tops of the cane; +but in dry weather, the stalks grow so closely together +that the brake becomes impenetrable to +man or beast, except by winding tortuously +around the clumps through the comparatively +thin portions of the undergrowth. To search for +any one wishing to remain concealed therein is +like the proverbial attempt to look for a needle in +a hay-stack, since a man can pass within ten +yards of another without seeing him or being +aware of his presence. The only roads which +traverse these places are mere cattle paths, which +begin at no place and run nowhere; and, unless a +man be thoroughly acquainted with the country, +he can never tell where any given path will lead +him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> + +<p>The people around the towns, such as Hickman, +Union City, Dyersburg, and Moscow, are a highly +respectable and well-educated class; but in the +low, swampy country, in the cane brake and along +the river, they are not, as a rule, a very agreeable +class to live among. Of course, here, as in all +other places, there are many intelligent, reliable, +honorable men, but the great mass of the cane-brake +population are ignorant and brutal. The +term which they apply to their stock is also eminently +appropriate to designate the people: they +are "cane-fed." It is the custom to turn the cattle +into the cane to feed when it is young and +tender, and, as the amount of nutriment thus +obtained is not very large, the "cane-fed" animals +bear about the same relation to grain-fed stock +that the people in that vicinity bear to the residents +of healthy, prosperous, and educated communities. +The larger portion of the population may be classed +as "poor whites," and they constitute a peculiar +variety of the human species. The men are tall, +loose-jointed, and dyspeptic; they bear a marked +resemblance to the vegetable productions of the +vicinity, being rapid of growth, prolific, and generally +worthless. Their education consists mainly +of woodcraft and rifle-shooting; their proficiency +in both of these branches is sometimes astonishing, +and it is frequently said of their most expert +hunters that they seem to have been born +shot-gun or rifle in hand. Accomplishments they +have none, except the rare instances where a few +tunes upon the banjo have been learned from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +negroes. Their tastes are few and simple,—whisky, +snuff, hog, and hominy being the necessities and +luxuries of life; that is, whisky and snuff are the +necessities, all other things being secondary considerations. +In their sober moods, they are frank, +rough, and courageous; yet, even then, there is +little about them to excite other feelings than +those of pity and aversion. When full of bad +whisky, however, they are apt to become quarrelsome +and brutal, so that no man can feel sure +of his safety in their company. An affront, real +or imaginary, will then be apt to cause bloodshed, +even if the insulted party has to bushwhack his +enemy from a secure covert on the roadside as he +is returning to his home. Every man goes armed, +and, though fair fights in broad daylight are rare, +cold-blooded murders are not infrequent. The +law is seldom invoked to settle private differences, +and, in fact, the functions of the legal officials are +practically very limited in their influence. If a +coroner ever sits upon a corpse, it is understood +that he has done his whole duty by recording a +verdict that "the deceased came to his death at +the hands of some person or persons unknown."</p> + +<p>The women, like the men, are tall, thin, and +round-shouldered. Up to the age of sixteen they +sometimes are quite pretty, though sallow and +lifeless always; after that period, they become +gaunt, emaciated, and yellow. Whisky hath +charms for them, also, but their favorite dissipation +is snuff-dipping. They marry very early and +bear children nearly every year, so that the size<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> +of many of these West Tennessee families is often +enormous. The father exercises patriarchal control +over his whole household until the daughters +are married and the sons old enough and strong +enough to defy the parental authority as enforced +by a hickory rod. The wife never escapes the application +of this potent instrument of marital discipline; +and, indeed, should a husband fail to +make frequent use of it for the correction of his +better half, he would probably soon learn that his +dutiful spouse could find a use for it on his own +person.</p> + +<p>Throughout this whole district, the people suffer +from fever and ague for nine months of the +year, and dyspepsia seems hereditary. Their physicians, +however, usually require no further education +than is requisite to attend fractured limbs +and gun-shot wounds, the whole school of medicine +being limited to three specifics: quinine, +calomel, and whisky.</p> + +<p>As before stated, it should be understood that +the foregoing description applies to the majority +of the inhabitants of the low swamp lands only, +and not to the residents in and about the towns; +even in the cane country itself are to be found occasionally +men of education, ability, and good +character, and to several of them William was +largely indebted for assistance and information.</p> + +<p>There was one redeeming feature also to the +character of the "cane-fed" population; in the +main they were honest, and they would do all in +their power to break up a thieving gang, even if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +they had to hang a few of its members as a warning +to the rest. I was thus able to trust them to +a certain extent, though the fear which they had +of this band of desperadoes rather kept their +naturally honest impulses in check for a time.</p> + +<p>William was thoroughly acquainted with the +character of the people, and he knew what a +difficult task had been set before him, especially +as he was allowed no other detectives of my force +to assist him, the express company being desirous +of conducting the operation as economically +as possible. Among the large number of men +employed directly by the company were two or +three good men, but the majority were even +worse than useless, and the expense of the affair +was finally much greater than as if only my own +men had been employed. Besides the fact that +William was thus continually working with +strange men, he was harassed by large numbers +of amateur detectives, to whose stories the company's +officers too often lent a ready ear. Indeed, +every express agent in Tennessee, Kentucky, and +Missouri seemed impressed with the idea that he +was a naturally gifted detective, and many were +the annoying delays which resulted from their +interference.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Difficulties.—Blind Trails and False Scents.—A Series +of Illustrations showing the Number of Officious +People and Confidence Men that often seek Notoriety +and Profit through important Detective Operations.</i></p></div> + + +<p>The art of detecting crime cannot be learned +in a day, nor can the man of business understand, +without previous experience in the habits +of criminals, the expedients which the boldest +class of law-breakers adopt; hence none but skilled +detectives can hope to cope with them. Yet often +my clients insist on some certain method of procedure +wholly contrary to my judgment and experience, +until the total failure of their plan +convinces them that there can be but one +thoroughly successful mode of detection, namely, +to submit the case to a skilled detective of character +and standing, and allow him to act according +to his judgment.</p> + +<p>The range of investigation in such a case as this +robbery will often extend from New York to San +Francisco, and unless one mind gathers up the +clues, classifies the information, and determines +the general plan, there will be continual error and +delay. Such a state of affairs frequently occurred +during this operation, and much time and money +were spent upon matters too trifling even for consideration.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> + +<p>The principal of a detective agency, from his +long experience with criminals, learns the earmarks +of different classes of men, and he is often +able to determine the name of the guilty party in +any given robbery by the manner in which the job +was done. He can readily see whether a novice +in crime was engaged, and also whether any collusion +existed between the parties robbed and the +criminals; and so, when he sees the traces of a +bold, skillful, and experienced man, he knows that +it is useless to track down some insignificant +sneak-thief, simply because the latter happens to +have been in the vicinity. Yet, neither will he +slight the smallest clue if there is a bare chance +that any valuable fact may be obtained from it. +But the <i>sine qua non</i> is that he, and he alone, +shall direct the whole affair. A divided responsibility +simply doubles the criminal's opportunities +for escape.</p> + +<p>Among the many difficulties of the detective's +work, none are more embarrassing than the early +development of false clues. In the stories heretofore +published, the direct steps leading to the +detection and arrest of the criminals have been +related, without referring to the innumerable +other investigations, which were progressing simultaneously, +and which, though involving the +expenditure of much thought, time, and money, +proved after all to be of no value whatever in +developing any evidence in the case. In this +operation, such instances were of frequent occurrence, +and I propose to mention a few of them to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +show how wide is the range of the detective's +inquiries, and also the annoying delays to which +he is often subjected by the inconsiderate zeal +and interference of outside parties. These latter +may be—indeed, they generally are—well meaning +people, anxious to serve the cause of justice; +though, on the other hand, they are sometimes +spiteful meddlers, striving to fix suspicion upon +some personal enemy.</p> + +<p>The plan of detection which alone can insure +success, must be one which neither forgets nor +neglects anything. In investigating any alleged +crime, the first questions to be considered are: +1. Has any crime been perpetrated, and, if so, +what? 2. What was the object sought thereby?</p> + +<p>The matter of time, place, and means employed +must then be carefully noted, and finally we come +to consider: 1. Who are the criminals? 2. Where +are they now? 3. How can they be taken?</p> + +<p>The fact that a crime has been committed is +generally apparent, though there have been +cases in which the determination of that point requires +as much skill as the whole remainder of +the operation. Such was the case in the detection +of Mrs. Pattmore's murder, related in my +story of "The Murderer and the Fortune Teller." +The object of a crime is also sometimes obscure, +and, where such are the circumstances, the detection +of the criminal is apt to be one of the most +difficult of all operations. Having once solved +these two difficulties satisfactorily, however, and +having observed the relative bearings of time,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +place, and means to the crime itself, the question +of individuals is the important one to be determined. +It often happens that there is no concealment +of identity, the problem to be solved being +simply the way to catch the guilty parties; but, +on the other hand, the greatest skill, experience, +patience, and perseverance are sometimes required +to discover, first of all, the persons engaged in the +crime. Indeed, an operation is often divisible +into two distinct methods of action, the first being +to find out the identity of the criminals, the second +to follow up and capture them.</p> + +<p>In the course of a blind trail, such as we were +obliged to travel in the case of this express robbery, +it was impossible to know whence the men +had come or whither they had gone; hence, I +was forced to take up every trifling clue and follow +it to the end. Even after I was satisfied in +my own mind of the identity of the criminals, the +agents and officers of the express company were +continually finding mares' nests which they +wished investigated, and the operation was sometimes +greatly hindered on this account. As an +example of the number of discouragements which +the detective must always expect to encounter, I +propose to mention some of the false scents which +we were forced to follow during this operation.</p> + +<p>Three or four days after William's arrival in +Union City, he was informed by the superintendent +of the express company having charge +of the operation, that there was a young man in +Moscow who could give important information<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +relative to the first robbery at that place. This +young man, Thomas Carr by name, was a lawyer +who had once had fine prospects, but he had become +very dissipated, and he finally had been taken +seriously ill, so that he had lost his practice. On +recovering his health he had reformed his habits, +but he had found great difficulty in winning back +clients, and his income was hardly enough to +support him. On learning that this impecunious +lawyer had valuable information, William +strongly suspected that it would amount to little +more than a good lie, invented to obtain money +from the express company; nevertheless, he sent +for the young man and heard his story.</p> + +<p>According to Carr, a man named John Witherspoon +had visited him about six weeks before, +and had asked him whether he would like to get +a large sum of money. Carr replied affirmatively, +of course, and wished to know how it could be +obtained. Witherspoon had said that the express +company could be robbed very easily by boarding +a train at any water-tank, overpowering the messenger, +and making him open the safe. Witherspoon +also had said that he and several others +had robbed a train at Moscow some weeks before, +and that they had got only sixteen hundred dollars, +but that they should do better next time. +He had asked Carr to go to Cairo and find out +when there would be a large shipment of money +to the South; then Carr was to take the same +train and give a signal to the rest of the party on +arriving at the designated spot.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p> + +<p>On hearing Carr's story, William sent him back +to Moscow with instructions to renew his intimacy +with Witherspoon, and to report any news +he might learn at once; in case it should prove +to be of any value, the company would pay him +well for his services. It is hardly necessary to add +that Mr. Carr, having failed to get, as he had +hoped, a roving commission as detective at the +company's expense, was not heard from again, +his bonanza of news having run out very quickly +on discovering that no money was to be paid in +advance.</p> + +<p>The next case was a more plausible one, and +William began its investigation with the feeling +that something might be developed therefrom. +It was learned that a former express messenger +named Robert Trunnion, who had been discharged +several months before, had been hanging +around Columbus, Kentucky, ever since. While +in conversation with the clerk of a second-class +hotel, Trunnion had spoken of the ease with +which a few determined men could board an express +car, throw a blanket over the messenger's +head, and then rob the safe. The clerk said that +Trunnion had made the suggestion to him twice, +and the second time he had given Trunnion a +piece of his mind for making such a proposition. +Trunnion had then said he was only fooling, and +that he did not mean anything by it. William +learned that Trunnion was then engaged in selling +trees for a nursery at Clinton, Kentucky, and that +he was regarded as a half-cracked, boasting fool,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +who might be anything bad, if he were influenced +by bold, unscrupulous men. William therefore +paid a visit to Mr. Trunnion, whom he found to +be a very high-toned youth, too fiery-tempered +and sensitive to submit to any questioning as to +his words or actions. In a very brief space of +time, however, his lordly tone came down to a +very humble acknowledgment that he had used +the language attributed to him; but he protested +that he had meant nothing; in short, his confession +was not only complete, but exceedingly +candid; he admitted that he was a gas-bag and a +fool, without discretion enough to keep his tongue +from getting him into trouble continually; and, +having clearly shown that he was nowhere in the +vicinity of either robbery, he asked humbly not +to be held responsible for being a born idiot. +William was satisfied that the fellow had told +the truth, and, after scaring him out of all his +high-toned pride, he let him go, with a severe +lecture on the danger of talking too much.</p> + +<p>On the nineteenth of November, when the identity +of the robbers had been fully established, +William was called away to Iuka, Mississippi, on +information received from Mr. O'Brien, the general +superintendent of the express company, that +a man named Santon had seen the leader of the +party in that place, just a week before. Santon +represented that he knew the man well, having +been acquainted with him for years in Cairo, and +that he could not be mistaken, as he had spoken +with him on the day mentioned. William found<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +that the man Santon was a natural liar, who could +not tell the truth even when it was for his interest +to do so. The descriptions of the various robbers +had been scattered broadcast everywhere, +and none of them were represented as over thirty-five +years of age; yet Santon said that his man +was over fifty years old, and that he had been a +pilot on the Mississippi for years. This was a +case—not an infrequent one, either—where people +talk and lie about a crime for the sole purpose +of getting a little temporary notoriety. Owing to +various accidents and railway detentions, William +lost three days in going to hunt up this lying +fellow's testimony.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the most impudent of all the stories +brought to the express company's officers was +that of a man named Swing, living at Columbus, +Kentucky. He sent a friend to Union City to tell +them that he could give them a valuable clue to +the identity of the robbers, and William accompanied +this friend back to Columbus. On the +way, William drew out all that Swing's friend +knew about the matter, and satisfied himself +that Swing's sole object in sending word to the +officers of the company was to get them to do a +piece of detective work for him. It appeared that +his nephew had stolen one of his horses just after +the robbery, and he intended to tell the company's +officers that this nephew had been engaged in the +robbery; then if the company captured the +nephew, Swing hoped to get back his horse. A +truly brilliant scheme it was, but, unfortunately<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +for his expectations, William could not be misled +by his plausible story; and, if he ever recovered +his horse, he did so without the assistance of the +express company. Nevertheless, he took William +away from his work for nearly a whole day, +at a time when his presence was almost indispensable.</p> + +<p>Another peculiar phase of a detective's experience +is, that while following up one set of criminals, +he may accidentally unearth the evidences +of some other crime; occasionally it happens that +he is able to arrest the criminals thus unexpectedly +discovered, but too often they take the alarm +and escape before the interested parties can be put +in possession of the facts. About two weeks after +the Union City robbery, in the course of my extended +inquiries by telegraph, I came across a +pair of suspicious characters in Kansas City, Missouri. +I learned that two fine-looking women +had arrived in that city with about eight thousand +dollars in five, ten, and twenty dollar bills, which +they were trying to exchange for bills of a larger +denomination. The women were well dressed, +but they were evidently of loose character, and +the possession of so much money by two females +of that class excited suspicion instantly in the +minds of the bankers to whom they applied, and +they could not make the desired exchange. One +of the women was a blonde and the other was a +brunette. They were about of the same height, +and they dressed in such marked contrast as to +set each other off to the best advantage; indeed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +their dresses seemed to have attracted so much +attention that I could gain very little acquaintance +with their personal appearance. I could not connect +them in any way with the robbery at Union +City, nor with any other recent crime, though I +had little doubt that the money they had with +them was the proceeds of some criminal transaction; +still, having my hands full at that time, it +would have been impossible for me to look after +them, even had I thought best to do so. As it is my +practice to undertake investigations only when +engaged for the purpose by some responsible person, +I did not waste any time in endeavoring to +discover the source whence these women obtained +their money; though, of course, had I learned +enough about them to suspect them of complicity +in any specific crime, I should have reported my +suspicions to the parties interested, to enable them +to take such action as they might have seen fit.</p> + +<p>The most important of all the false clues +brought out in this investigation was presented +by a noted confidence man and horse-thief named +Charles Lavalle, <i>alias</i> Hildebrand. I call it the +most important, not because I considered it of any +value at the time, but because it illustrates one of +the most profitable forms of confidence operation, +and because the express company, by refusing to +accept my advice in the matter, were put to a +large expense with no possibility of a return.</p> + +<p>Very shortly after the Union City robbery, a +letter was received from a man in Kansas City, +calling himself Charles Lavalle. The writer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +claimed that he had been with the gang who had +robbed the train, but that they had refused to +divide with him, and so, out of revenge, he was +anxious to bring them to punishment. He claimed +further that he was then in the confidence of another +party, who were soon going to make another +raid upon the express company somewhere between +New Orleans and Mobile.</p> + +<p>The plausibility of his story was such that he +obtained quite a large sum from the express +company to enable him to follow up and remain +with the gang of thieves with whom +he professed to be associated. No news was +received from him, however, and at length +I was requested to put a "shadow" upon +his track. My operative followed him to +St. Joseph, Missouri, and thence to Quincy, Illinois, +but, during two weeks of close investigation, +no trace of the villains in Lavalle's company could +be found, and he was never seen in the society of +any known burglars or thieves. It was soon evident +that he was playing upon the express company +a well-worn confidence game, which has +been attempted probably every time a large robbery +has occurred in the last fifteen years. He +became very importunate for more money while +in Quincy, as he stated that the gang to which +he belonged were ready to start for New Orleans; +but, finding that his appeals were useless, and +that no more money would be advanced until +some of his party were actually discovered and +trapped through his agency, he soon ceased writing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p> + +<p>The foregoing are only a few of the instances +in which our attention was diverted from the +real criminals; and, although the efforts of my +operatives were rarely misdirected in any one affair +for any length of time, still these false alarms +were always a source of great annoyance and embarrassment.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>"Old Hicks," a drunken Planter, is entertained by a +Hunting-party.—Lester's Landing.—Its Grocery-store +and Mysterious Merchants.—A dangerous +Situation and a desperate Encounter.—The unfortunate +Escape of Two of the Robbers.</i></p></div> + + +<p>One of the most direct sources of information +relative to the party was found in the person +of an old planter, named Hicks, who lived +some distance down the track of the railroad. He +was in the habit of visiting Union City very frequently, +and he usually rounded off his day's +pleasure by becoming jovially drunk, in which +condition he would start for his home, walking +down the railroad track. He had been in Union +City all of Friday before the robbery, and about +ten o'clock in the evening he was in a state of +happy inebriety, ready to "hail fellow, well met," +with any person he might encounter.</p> + +<p>On his way home, about three-quarters of a mile +west of Union City, he saw a camp-fire burning a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +short distance from the track, and around it were +gathered five men. They hailed him, and asked +him to take a drink; and as this was an invitation +which Hicks could not refuse, even from the devil +himself, he joined them, drank with them, and +danced a hornpipe for their edification. Hicks +acknowledged in his account of meeting them, that +by the time they had made him dance for them, +he was heartily frightened at their looks and talk. +He heard one of them say that they wanted ten +thousand at least, but he could not tell what the +remark referred to. He asked them why they +were camping out, and one, who seemed to be the +leader of the party, said they were out hunting.</p> + +<p>"Yes," continued another one, "I am out hunting +for somebody's girl, and when I find her we +are going to run away together."</p> + +<p>At this, they all laughed, as if there was some +hidden meaning in his words.</p> + +<p>Hicks described all of the men, three of them +quite minutely; but the fourth was evidently the +same as the second, and the fifth was lying down +asleep all the time, so that Hicks could not tell +much about him. They were armed with large +navy revolvers, which they wore in belts, and +their clothing was quite good. The tall man, who +seemed to be the leader, related an account of a +deer-hunt in which he had participated, in Fayette +county, Illinois, on the Kaskaskia river, and +when he mentioned the place, the others scowled +and winked at him, as if to stop him. Hicks said +that they seemed to be familiar with Cincinnati,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +Louisville, Evansville, and other northern cities, +and that they talked somewhat like Yankees. +He remained with them until about midnight, +when a negro came down the track. Hicks and +the negro then went on together to Hicks's house, +leaving the five men still camped in the woods.</p> + +<p>Other persons reported having seen the same +party in the same vicinity several times before +the night of the robbery, though some had seen +only two, others three and four; but no one, except +Hicks, had seen five. The accounts given by +the persons near the train when the robbery occurred +did not show the presence of more than +three persons, though possibly there might have +been a fourth. The descriptions of the suspected +parties were quite varied in some respects; yet +the general tenor of them was to the same effect, +and, as no one knew who these persons were, it +was quite certain that this quartette of strangers +had committed the robbery.</p> + +<p>In the case of the Moscow robbery, we had +strongly suspected two notorious thieves, named +Jack Nelson and Miles Ogle, so that my first action, +on learning of this second affair in the same +vicinity, was to telegraph to my correspondents +and agents throughout the country, to learn +whether either of these men had been seen lately. +I could gain no news whatever, except from St. +Louis, whence an answer was returned to the +effect that Nelson was said to be stopping somewhere +in the country back of Hickman, Kentucky. +Ogle's wife was in St. Louis, and she had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +been seen by a detective walking and talking earnestly +with a strange man a short time previous. +The information about Nelson was important, +since, if true, it showed that he was in the immediate +neighborhood of the points where the robberies +had occurred. The man seen with Mrs. +Ogle might have been one of the party, sent by +her husband to appoint a future rendezvous. The +description of the tall, dark man, mentioned by +Hicks and others, tallied very closely with Ogle's +appearance. My son, William, was well advised +of these facts, and, as soon as he had obtained the +statements of every one acquainted with any of +the occurrences at the time of the robbery, he was +ready for action.</p> + +<p>His first inquiries were directed toward discovering +where Nelson was staying near Hickman, +and he learned in a very short time that this rumor +had no truth in it. While making search for +Nelson, however, he heard of a low grocery-store +at Lester's Landing, about twelve miles below +Hickman on the Mississippi River. The store +was situated four miles from any other house in +a sparsely settled country, where the amount of +legitimate trade would hardly amount to twelve +hundred dollars per year. It was said to be the +resort of a very low class of men, and the proprietors +passed for river gamblers.</p> + +<p>On William's return to Union City from Hickman, +he decided to make a visit to this grocery-store +to learn something about the men who frequented +it. Having none of his own men with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +him, he chose one of the express company's detectives, +named Patrick Connell, to accompany +him, and, on the last day of October, they started +on horseback, with an old resident named Bledsoe +for a guide. On arriving at the house of a well-to-do +planter, named Wilson Merrick, they obtained +considerable information about the men who kept +the store and the people who visited it.</p> + +<p>Mr. Merrick said that a man named John Wesley +Lester kept a wood-yard on the Mississippi, +and the spot was called Lester's Landing. About +three or four months before, three men arrived +there and obtained leave from Lester to put up a +store, which they stocked with groceries and +whisky. The men gave their names as J. H. +Clark, Ed. J. Russell, and William Barton, and +they seemed to have some means, as the store +did only a limited business, except in whisky. +They were all men of ability and determination, +and, as they were always well armed, the people +of the cane-brake country were rather afraid of +them. Nothing positive was known against +them, but it was suspected from their looks and +actions that they were Northern desperadoes lying +quiet for a time. They seemed to be well acquainted +in Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, +Memphis, Vicksburg, and New Orleans, but they +were careful never to give any hint of their previous +place of residence in the hearing of strangers. +Mr. Merrick had, however, heard Russell +say that he had once run a stationary engine in +Missouri, and from occasional expressions by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +Barton it would appear that the latter had once +worked on a railroad in some capacity. They +dressed quite well, and treated strangers politely, +though not cordially. Although they were all +three rather hard drinkers, they never became +intoxicated, and they seemed to understand each +other well enough not to quarrel among themselves. +Clark was the oldest of the party, but +Russell seemed to be the leader, Barton being apparently +quite a young man. They stated that +they intended to exchange groceries for fish and +game, and ship the latter articles to St. Louis +and Memphis.</p> + +<p>From the description of the men, William began +to suspect that they formed a portion of the +party of robbers, and he determined to push on +at once. He induced a young man named Gordon +to go with him as guide and to assist in making +the arrest of these men, if he should deem it +advisable. By hard riding they succeeded in +reaching Lester's Landing before nightfall, but +the twilight was fast fading as they came out of +the dense underbrush and cane-brake into the +clearing around Lester's log-cabin.</p> + +<p>The spot was dreary and forlorn in the extreme. +The river was then nearly at low water, and its +muddy current skirted one side of the clearing at +a distance of about thirty yards from the house. +The wood-yard and landing at the water's level +were some ten or fifteen feet below the rising +ground upon which the house stood. The store +was a shanty of rough pine boards with one door<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +and one window, and it stood at the head of the +diagonal path leading from the landing to the high +ground. A short distance back was a rail fence +surrounding Lester's house and cornfield, and +back of this clearing, about one hundred yards +from the house, was a dense cane-brake. The +corn-stalks had never been cut, and, as they grew +very high and thick within twenty feet of the +house, they offered a good cover to any one approaching +or retreating through them. A rough +log barn stood a short distance inside the rail +fence, and, like the house, it was raised several +feet above the ground, on account of the annual +overflow of the whole tract. The house was a +rather large building built of logs, the chinks being +partly filled with mud, but it was in a dilapidated +condition, the roof being leaky and the +sides partly open, where the mud had fallen out +from between the timbers.</p> + +<p>On entering the clearing, William's party rode +up to the store and tried to enter, but, finding +the door locked, they approached the house. At +the rail fence, William and Connell dismounted, +leaving Gordon and Bledsoe to hold their horses. +Up to this time, they had seen no signs of life +about the place, and they began to think that the +birds had flown. The quiet and the absence of men +about the clearing did not prevent William from +exercising his usual caution in approaching the +house; but he did consider it unnecessary to take +any stronger force into an apparently unoccupied +log-cabin, where at most he had only vague sus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>picions +of finding the objects of his search; +hence, he left Gordon and Bledsoe behind. Knowing +the general construction of this class of +houses to be the same, he sent Connell to the rear, +while he entered the front door. A wide hall divided +the house through the center, and the occupants +of the house were in the room on the right. +William's door leading into the room opened +from this hall, while Connell's was a direct entrance +from the back porch, and there were no +other doors to the room.</p> + +<p>As the two strangers entered simultaneously, +five men, a woman, and a girl started to their +feet and demanded what they wanted. The +situation was evidently one of great danger to +the detectives; one glance at the men, coupled +with the fierce tones of their inquiries, showed +William that he had entered a den of snakes +without adequate force; but it was too late to +retreat, and he replied that they were strangers +who, having lost their way, desired information.</p> + +<p>The scene was a striking one, and it remains as +vividly in William's mind to-day, as if it had +occurred but yesterday. In the center of the +room, opposite him, was a broad fireplace, in +which the smouldering logs feebly burned and +gave forth the only light in the room. In one +corner stood several shot-guns, and in another, +four or five heavy axes. Grouped about near +the fire, in different attitudes of surprise, defiance, +and alarm, were the occupants of the cabin, +while to the left, in the half-open door stood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +Connell. The flickering flame of the rotten wood +gave a most unsatisfactory light, in which they +all seemed nearly as dark as negroes, so that +William asked the woman to light a candle. She +replied that they had none, and at the same +moment a young fellow tried to slip by Connell, +but he was promptly stopped. Another large, +powerful man, whose name afterward proved to +be Burtine, again demanded, with several oaths, +what their business was.</p> + +<p>"I've told you once that I want some information," +replied William, "and now I intend to +have you stop here until I can take a look at your +faces."</p> + +<p>While William was making them stand up in +line against the wall, one of the largest drew a +navy revolver quickly and fired straight at +William's stomach, the ball just cutting the flesh +on his left side. At the same instant, the young +fellow previously mentioned, darted out the door, +Connell having sprang to William's side, thinking +him seriously wounded. Connell's approach prevented +William from returning the fire of the +tall man, who had jumped for the door also the +moment he had fired. William fired two shots +at him through the doorway, and Connell followed +him instantly, on seeing that William was unhurt. +Once outside, the tall fellow sprang behind +a large cottonwood tree and fired back at Connell +and William, who were in full view on the porch. +The second shot struck Connell in the pit of the +stomach, and he fell backward. At this moment, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>the powerful ruffian, Burtine, seized William +from behind and tried to drag him down, at the +same time calling for a shot-gun "to finish the +Yankee——————." Turning suddenly upon +his assailant, William raised his revolver, a heavy +Tranter, and brought it down twice, with all his +force, upon Burtine's head. The man staggered +at the first blow and fell at the second, so that, +by leveling his revolver at the other two, William +was able to cow them into submission. The +affray had passed so quickly that it was wholly +over before Gordon and Bledsoe could reach the +house, though they had sprung from their horses +on hearing the first shot.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 640px;"> +<img src="images/gs01.jpg" width="640" height="416" alt="The fight at Lester's Landing.—Page—" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The fight at Lester's Landing.—Page—</span> +</div> + +<p>The two men had escaped by this time into the +dense cane-brake back of the house, and it was +necessary to attend to those who had been secured, +and to examine the injuries of Connell and +Burtine. The latter's head was in a pretty bad +condition, though no serious results were likely +to follow, while Connell had escaped a mortal +wound by the merest hair's breadth. He was +dressed in a heavy suit of Kentucky jeans, with +large iron buttons down the front of the coat. +The ball had struck one of these buttons, and, instead +of passing straight through his vitals, it had +glanced around his side, cutting a deep flesh furrow +nearly to the small of his back, where it had +gone out. The shock of the blow had stunned +him somewhat, the button having been forced +edgewise some distance into the flesh, but his +wound was very trifling, and he was able to go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +on with the search with very little inconvenience. +Having captured three out of the five inmates of +the cabin, William felt as though he had done as +much as could have been expected of two men +under such circumstances, and he then began a +search of the premises to see whether any evidence +of their connection with the robbery could +be found. Absolutely no clue whatever was +obtained in the cabin and barn, nor did the store +afford any better results so far as the robbery was +concerned, but on this point William was already +satisfied, and he was anxious to get all information +possible about these so-called storekeepers. +In the store, he found bills and invoices showing +that the stock of goods had been purchased in +Evansville, but there was no other writing of any +character except some scribbling, apparently done +in an idle moment, upon some fragments of +paper in a drawer. On one was written: "Mrs. +Kate Graham, Farmington, Ill."; and on another, +amid many repetitions of the name, "Kate Graham," +were the words, "My dear cousin."</p> + +<p>Having found very little of value, the party returned +to the three prisoners and closely +examined them. To William's intense chagrin, he +found that these men were, undoubtedly, mere +wood-choppers living with Lester and having no +connection with the proprietors of the store. +Although desperate, brutal, and reckless, ready +for a fight at all times, as shown in this affray, +they were clearly not the train robbers, while it +was equally evident that the two who had escaped +were the guilty parties.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> + +<p>William learned that the young man who had +first slipped out was Barton, and the man who +had done the shooting was Russell. Clark, they +said, had taken the steamer for Cape Girardeau, +Missouri, two days before, accompanied by a +married woman, named Slaughter. The description +of the train robbers tallied so well with the +appearance of Barton and Russell, that, taking +their actions into consideration, there could no +longer be any doubt of their complicity in the +affair, and it was highly provoking that these +two should have escaped. Still, it was an accident +which could hardly have been avoided. The +fact that the express company would not consent +to the employment of a larger force of detectives +was the principal cause of this misfortune, for it +could have been prevented easily, had William +been accompanied by two more good men of my +force.</p> + +<p>As it was, two detectives, dropping unexpectedly +upon a nest of five villainous-looking men in +the dark, could have hardly hoped to do better +than to secure three of them. It could not have +been supposed that they would know which were +the important ones to capture, especially as they +could not distinguish one from another in the +uncertain light. Indeed, as afterward appeared, +they were fortunate in having escaped alive, for +the close approach to fatal wounds, which they +both received, showed how deadly had been the +intentions of the man Russell, while Burtine had +evidently intended that they should never leave +the house alive.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p> + +<p>It may be supposed that the shooting on both +sides was none of the best, but it must be remembered +that it began without warning, and was +over in two minutes. It cannot be expected that +snap-shooting, even at close quarters, should be +very accurate; yet it was afterward learned that +Russell's escape had been about as narrow as +William's, two balls having passed through his +clothes and grazed his flesh.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>The Captured Ruffians are desired for Guides, but dare +not join in the Search for the Outlaws.—One of +the Robbers is Taken, but subsequently Escapes from +the Amateur Detectives.—Another Clue suddenly +Fails.</i></p></div> + + +<p>Having searched the whole place, and satisfied +himself that the men captured had +had no connection with the robbery or the robbers, +William offered them one hundred dollars +to act as guides through the cane-brake to arrest +Barton and Russell. They said they could not if +they would, since no man could find his way +there in broad daylight, much less at night. They +further admitted that they dare not attempt it, as +Russell would kill them if they learned of their +action. It was now pitch dark, and after a vain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +attempt to beat through the cane in search of the +fugitives, William decided to return to Mr. Merrick's +until next day.</p> + +<p>The next morning at daybreak he started back +for Lester's, accompanied by a number of the +cane-brake population, all of whom were anxious +to secure the one hundred dollars reward. They +had long suspected the men at the store of being +desperadoes, but they had had a wholesome fear +of them on account of their fierce ways and their +reckless habit of drawing their revolvers on slight +provocation.</p> + +<p>On arriving at Lester's, the party found that +Lester had returned from Hickman during the +night. He was a treacherous-looking scoundrel, +and his reputation was bad, although he had +never been caught in any crime in that vicinity. +His name, John Wesley Lester, showed that he +must have once belonged to a pious Methodist +family, and, indeed, he claimed to have once +been a Methodist preacher himself. He had +sunken eyes, milky white, and his hair was lank +and long; his complexion was dark, cheeks hollow, +chin pointed, and forehead low. His manner +was fawning and obsequious to those above +him, and he looked and acted like a second +"Uriah Heap." He pretended to know nothing +of Russell, Clark, and Barton, except that they +had come to his place in July, built the store +there, and had been around the landing more or +less ever since. He said that he knew nothing +against them, except that they were gamblers,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> +and that they often went off on gambling excursions, +during one of which, according to their +own statements, they had killed a man in a quarrel.</p> + +<p>William learned from Lester's daughter that +Barton had returned during the night to get a +shawl, blanket, and two shot-guns. He had +told her that Russell was hurt pretty badly, but +that they intended to take the first packet down +the river. From other parties William learned +that the packet Julia had passed down during the +night, and had stopped at a point about seven +miles below, having been hailed from the bank. +He did not place much faith in the theory that the +men had taken passage by the Julia, for the reason +that Lester's girl was too anxious to tell the +story of the route Barton proposed taking. He +discovered that Barton had been paying lover-like +attentions to the girl, and he believed that Barton +had instructed her to say that he intended +taking the next packet, in order to give them a false +scent. Having set the men of the neighborhood +at work searching for Russell and Barton, William +returned to Union City.</p> + +<p>From Hickman Connell was sent to Cape +Girardeau, Missouri, to capture Clark, who was +said to have gone there three days before.</p> + +<p>On the arrival of William in Union City, the +superintendent telegraphed to me the result of +William's visit to Lester's Landing, and authorized +me to send an operative to Farmington, +Illinois, to hunt up Mrs. Kate Graham, and learn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> +what she could tell about Russell, Clark, and +Barton. A man was sent there the next day, and +he had no difficulty in finding Mrs. Graham, who +proved to be the wife of a highly respectable +business man. She was a member of the church, +and was held in high esteem by every one acquainted +with her. My agent, therefore, called +upon her without any circumlocution or deception, +and asked to see her on business. She was confined +to her room by illness, but she saw him +for a few minutes, and answered his questions so +frankly that there was no doubt she was telling +the truth. She stated that she was not acquainted +with any one living at Lester's Landing; +that she did not know, nor ever had known, any +persons of the names given (Russell, Clark, and +Barton); and that she knew no one who would +answer to their descriptions. This clue seemed to +come to an end very quickly, yet it afterward +proved to be the means by which we captured one +of the gang, and it was a striking instance of the +necessity for the most careful and minute inquiry +upon every point of news obtained, especially +upon those received directly from the criminals +themselves.</p> + +<p>On the 3d of November, Connell went with a +constable to the house of Mrs. Gully, the mother +of Clark's companion, Mrs. Slaughter, and there +he found them both. Clark was surprised by the +officers, but he made a bold fight, and was overpowered +with difficulty. When finally handcuffed +and searched, a navy revolver and fifty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +dollars in money were taken from him; he was +then taken nine miles on horseback to Cape Girardeau, +where Connell obtained a light wagon to +drive sixteen miles to Allenville, on the railroad +leading to Hickman. On this trip Connell made +the mistake of trusting to handcuffs alone, instead +of securely fastening his prisoner's feet +with rope. The idea that one man in handcuffs +could escape from two active, unimpeded men did +not, however, occur to Connell, and so the constable +drove the horse, while Clark and Connell +occupied the back seat. In justice to Connell, it +should be stated that he had been constantly in +the saddle for several days in raw and rainy +weather, and had had very little sleep for two +nights previous.</p> + +<p>About nine o'clock in the evening, when only a +mile from Allenville, Clark suddenly made a leap +out of the wagon. The horse was jogging along +at a good trot, and, though Connell sprang after +his prisoner instantly, it was a couple of minutes +before the constable could follow. As he ran, +Connell fired at the dim figure disappearing in +the thick brush; but the next instant he pitched +headlong into a deep mud-hole, and, by the time +he got out, the cylinder of his revolver was +choked with mud, and Clark was far in advance. +The chase was kept up as long as the pursuers +were able to distinguish the direction of his flight, +but, in the darkness of the gloomy woods, it was +impossible to follow an athletic fellow like Clark +with any hope of success. Connell returned to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +Union City very much crestfallen, and reported +his misfortune. My first feeling, on learning the +news, was one of deep regret and anxiety at the +loss of one of the leaders of the gang; my second +thought was one of profound thankfulness that +my men were in no way responsible for it. The +situation was an illustration of the disappointments +and difficulties which are so often met in a +detective's experience; and, though I felt somewhat +discouraged, I was more than ever determined +that none of these men should eventually +escape, even though it should be necessary to follow +them for months.</p> + +<p>The desire of the express company to employ +as few as possible of my operatives embarrassed +me exceedingly, for William was obliged to depend +upon strangers, and he had little confidence +in their ability or discretion. He was now satisfied +of the identity of the parties he was in search +of, and all that he needed was a small force of experienced +and reliable men.</p> + +<p>Had I been limited and interfered with in the +Maroney case, described in "The Expressman and +the Detective," as I was in this, there is no doubt +that I might have failed to capture the criminal; +but the cordial coöperation and support of the +Adams Express Company gave me a fair opportunity +to work to good advantage, and victory +was the result.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>A Rich Lead Struck at Last.</i></p></div> + + +<p>William was quite sure, from the reputation +and actions of Russell, Clark, and +Barton, that they had been the leaders in the robbery, +and he believed that Lester could give important +information about them; he therefore +caused Lester to be brought to Union City, and, +on November 5, he succeeded in getting a statement +of the doings of these men since Lester had +known them. The important points developed +were as follows:</p> + +<p>They came to Lester's Landing in the middle of +July, and built their store. They were rarely +there together, as they would go off for two or +three weeks at a time, leaving Barton or Clark in +charge, and sometimes putting Lester in as storekeeper +during the absence of all three. On one +occasion, Russell showed him a pocket-book containing +nearly one thousand dollars, which he +thought he had lost, but which he found under a +rail fence where he had hidden it; the other men, +also, seemed to have plenty of money. About +the middle of October, the three storekeepers +went away, and were gone until October 24, three +days after the robbery, on which day Lester met +Clark and Barton walking toward his house, on +the way from Hickman. They seemed quite ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>cited, +and said that they had been engaged in a +difficulty, but they did not state what it was. +They asked him whether he had seen Russell recently, +and also whether there was a skiff at his +landing; both questions were answered negatively, +and they passed on toward the store, while +Lester continued his walk to Hickman. On his +return at night, he found that Clark and Barton +had been across the river all day, scouting the +Missouri shore for Russell, and that shortly after +their return, Russell had come across the river in +a skiff. Russell said that he had been shot, but +that he was not much hurt, and he did not seem +to act as if he had been hurt at all. Sunday morning, +October 29, Clark took passage in a steamer +for Cape Girardeau, having Mrs. Slaughter in +company, and it was understood that he was going +with Mrs. Slaughter to the house of her +mother, nine miles from the Cape. Tuesday +evening, William and Connell arrived at Lester's, +the fight took place, and Barton and Russell +escaped. After the detectives had gone back to +Campbell's, Barton returned to the house and +obtained a shawl, blanket, and two shot-guns; +he said that they would never be taken alive, but +that Russell had been badly wounded by one of +the detectives. William had left two men at the +landing the next day to capture the men if they +returned, but they were afraid to attempt it, although +they had a good opportunity that night. +Russell came into the house alone, showing no +signs of having been wounded, and said that he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +and Barton had joined four friends, who were +outside waiting for him; that they were all well +mounted and armed, and that they intended to +kill any one who should betray them or attempt +their capture. He added that they intended to +make their way on horseback to Alabama, and +that they were strong enough to fight their way +through, if necessary. Of course, Russell's object +was to frighten the detectives and others who +were searching for him, as he had no one with +him except Barton.</p> + +<p>Among other points of value in Lester's statement, +was some incidental information relative +to the men, which he had learned during the time +they boarded with him. He had heard Clark say +that his mother lived sixty miles back of Nashville, +and Russell had once run a stationary engine +in Missouri. Lester was shown the satchel found +on the engine after the robbery, and he recognized +it as having been left at his house once by +a wood-chopper named Bill Taylor, who lived in +the cane-brake, some distance below him. He +said that the three men each carried a navy revolver +and a derringer, while Russell had also a +new, large-sized Smith & Wesson revolver.</p> + +<p>Meantime, the telegraph had been used constantly +to learn something about the three men, +Russell, Clark, and Barton, from whatever source +information could be obtained. Barton was well +known in Nashville, New Madrid, and Union +City. He was quite young, but he had been involved +in a stabbing affray in Nashville, and was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +regarded as a desperate character. He had been +respectably brought up by Major Landis, General +Agent of the Nashville and Northwestern Railroad, +and had been given a place in the employ +of that road, with good prospects for promotion. +Having become dissipated and hardened, he had +been discharged from his position, and Major +Landis had cast him off; thenceforward, his +career had been rapid in the downward direction.</p> + +<p>With regard to the other two men, little could +be learned, until a rich lead was struck on the +seventh of November. The corrected descriptions +of the different parties having been sent to all the +agents of the express company, Mr. Charles Pink, +agent at Cairo, recognized Russell as a man who +had sent eight hundred dollars in currency from +Cairo to Mrs. M. Farrington, Gillem Station, Tennessee, +on the eleventh of September, and who +had then started, according to his own statement, +for his home in Illinois. Mr. Pink also stated +that the chief of police in Cairo claimed to know +Russell, and to be able to find him—for a sufficient +consideration. Not having any use for the +services of this disinterested officer, his offer was +politely declined.</p> + +<p>The superintendent of the express company +was strongly impressed with the belief that Russell +and Barton were lurking around Lester's, and +so, while William went to Nashville to see what +could be learned about Barton and his companions, +a number of men were hired to scour the +country, hunt through the brake, and guard the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +Mississippi ferries, while Connell and Crowley, +the express messenger, were placed on the Missouri +bank, to scout that side of the river. I may +say here, <i>en passant</i>, that, with the exception of +the two named, these men were a source not only +of great unnecessary expense to the company, +but of vexation and hindrance to William. In +most cases, their scouting consisted in riding the +high-roads from one tavern to another, and in +order to have something to show for their work, +they would bring in every species of wild and +foolish rumor that they could discover or invent. +As the superintendent frequently desired that +these reports should be investigated, much valuable +time was thus wasted. These men were not +only employed without my advice, but they were +retained long after I had urgently requested the +discharge of the whole party, and I had great +difficulty in obtaining their discharge, even after +I was positively sure that the robbers had crossed +the Mississippi and escaped into Missouri.</p> + +<p>William spent one day in Nashville, and then +went to Gillem Station, where he learned that +Mrs. Farrington, to whom Russell had sent eight +hundred dollars from Cairo, lived on an old, worn-out +farm, and passed for a rich widow. She had +three sons—Hillary, Levi, and Peter, the latter +being quite young. Hillary and Levi Farrington +bore a very bad reputation, having been mixed +up in all kinds of fights and quarrels for a number +of years. They were suspected of horse-stealing +and counterfeiting; but most people were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> +afraid of them, and they had never been arrested +in that vicinity. William here learned, also, that +Barton had been a frequent visitor at the Farringtons', +and that he was as bad as the others. +While at Gillem Station, William met Pete Farrington, +the youngest of the three brothers, and +his resemblance to Russell, whose face William +had seen by the dim firelight and the flash of his +pistol in the cabin at Lester's Landing, caused a +sudden possibility to flash across his mind. He +reasoned out the connection of the different facts +about as follows:</p> + +<p>"Russell was, undoubtedly, one of the Moscow +and Union City robbers, and he obtained a considerable +share of the plunder; two months after +the first robbery, I find that he sent eight hundred +dollars to Mrs. Farrington; this establishes +the connection of those two persons. Barton was +one of the actors in both robberies, also, and I +find that he was formerly intimate with Mrs. +Farrington and her sons; another link. Pete +Farrington bears a strong resemblance to Russell, +their peculiar Roman noses, with a lump in the +middle, being exactly alike, and this creates a +strong presumption that they belong to the same +family. Now, Russell and Clark were so similar +in their general appearance, that many people +who have seen them together believe them to +have been brothers. Hillary and Levi Farrington, +I am told, also closely resemble each other, +and they have not been seen about here for some +months, they being, according to their mother's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +account, in Texas. The chain of evidence is very +complete; what if Russell and Clark should prove +to be the Farrington brothers!"</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>The Mother of the Farringtons, being arrested, boasts +that her Sons "Will never be taken Alive."—Another +Unfortunate Blunder by Amateur Detectives.—An +interesting Fate intended for the Detectives.—William +A. Pinkerton captures the Murderer of a Negro +in Union City, proving "a very good Fellow—for +a Yankee."—An Unfortunate Publication.—Nigger-Wool +Swamp and its Outlaws.</i></p></div> + + +<p>The more William thought about it, the more +convinced he became that his theory was +correct, and he took steps to verify his suspicions +by placing a watch upon Mrs. Farrington's movements. +He also made arrangements to get possession +of any letters that might come for her, +and then, being hastily recalled by the superintendent +of the express company, he hurried back +to Union City.</p> + +<p>He there learned that, during his absence, Clark +had talked with both Lester and his wife. The +latter had warned him of his danger, and he had +then disappeared in the cane-brake. The men +stationed at Lester's for the express purpose of +arresting any of the robbers who might come +there, had been either unaware of Clark's visit,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +or else they had been afraid to attempt his capture, +and he had escaped again when almost +within our grasp. William had, therefore, been +called back by telegraph to take charge of the +men engaged in beating through the cane-brake, +as it had been clearly demonstrated that, without +a determined leader, these men were no more +useful than a flock of sheep. The hunt went on +for several days with no results whatever, while +at the same time scouts patroled the highways, +and other men kept watch upon the ferries and +fords for many miles around.</p> + +<p>While this was going on, the express agent at +Gillem Station was keeping a close watch upon +Mrs. Farrington, when suddenly she announced +her intention of going to join her sons in Texas. +Instead of sending word to William at once, the +agent began operations on his own account, and +when Mrs. Farrington arrived at Waverly, Tennessee, +he caused her arrest. She had started +with two new wagons and a complete outfit for +an overland journey of some length, so that her +progress could not have been very rapid, and +nothing would have been lost by waiting for instructions; +but the insane desire to play detective +seemed to overpower all other considerations in +the minds of the company's agents, and she was +arrested by the sheriff and a <i>posse</i> of citizens. +Her salutation to the officer who stopped her settled +the question of identity at once, for, on being +told that she would be obliged to let him search +her wagons for certain men, she replied:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh! yes; I know what you want. You would +like to find my two sons and Barton for the express +robbery; but you will never catch them, for +they are not now in this country, and they will +never be taken alive."</p> + +<p>This piece of information led the express agent +to take the only sensible step of his whole proceeding. +Mrs. Farrington had two negro families +with her, some of whom had belonged to her before +the war; and, with the personal attachment +noticeable in many of the colored people, they +were now desirous of going West with her. It +occurred to the agent that some of them, from +their confidential relations to the family, might +be able to give some information as to the whereabouts +of the boys. The negroes were, therefore, +taken separately and closely examined, until one +of the men was urgently persuaded to reveal +what he knew. He said that Levi, Hillary, and +Barton had committed the robbery, and that they +had since been at Mrs. Farrington's together. +According to an agreement between the mother +and her sons, she was to start for Texas, passing +through Nigger-Wool Swamp, on the west side of +the Mississippi, and the two eldest sons were to +meet her in the swamp, when they would determine +where to go.</p> + +<p>The agent also learned that the men had arrived +at their mother's house Friday evening, November +10, and that a man who had gone there +to sell her a wagon had been met by Hillary Farrington +with a shot-gun; on seeing that it was a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +neighbor, however, Hillary had lowered his gun +and allowed him to come in. It was also learned +that the three desperadoes had been seen at the +house of the Farringtons' uncle, named Douglas, +on Hurricane Creek, about ten miles from Waverly; +again, on Monday, they had been noticed +at Hurricane Mills, making their way to Fowler's +Landing, on the Tennessee River between Florence +and Johnsonville, fourteen miles from the +last-named place. It was evident that they intended +to strike across the country below Reel's +Foot Lake, and cross the Mississippi at some point +between Columbus and Memphis. The men were +all well mounted and armed, and they had +changed their personal appearance somewhat by +altering the arrangement of their hair, whiskers, +and beards.</p> + +<p>The arrest of Mrs. Farrington was a most unfortunate +blunder, since it disclosed to the criminals +how close had been their pursuit, while little +really important information was obtained. It +was a good illustration of the danger of taking +any decided step in a criminal investigation before +knowing to a certainty that some good result +would be obtained. The parties thus learned that +we were not only aware of their identity, but +also that we were very close upon their track, and +the danger, as well as the difficulty, of the case +was largely increased. These men were desperadoes +of the most reckless type, and they would +not have hesitated a moment to lie in ambush +and kill their pursuers, if they had found it possible +to do so.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> + +<p>In order to intercept the fugitives before reaching +the swampy country near the Mississippi, the +number of scouts and patrolling parties was increased +by the superintendent of the express +company, and two men, named Ball and Bledsoe, +were engaged to follow Mrs. Farrington on horseback +until her sons should join her in Nigger-Wool +Swamp. This would have been a sensible +and necessary move if the right kind of men had +been employed; but the selection of untrained +men for the delicate and important work of +"shadowing" such an experienced gang of villains +was risky in the extreme. Had they ever +met Barton and the Farringtons, the latter would +have undoubtedly murdered both of them without +scruple; but there was no danger of such a +meeting, since the robbers, and Mrs. Farrington +also, were perfectly aware of the presence of their +pursuers from the start. Indeed, they afterward +stated that it had been their intention to have led +the detectives on as far as the wild, unsettled +country of Western Missouri, and to have then +hanged them in some unfrequented spot, placing +the inscription "Horse-thief" upon each of the +bodies. Subsequent events prevented them from +carrying out this plan, but there was no doubt +that they would have taken that or some other +equally daring means of ridding themselves of +pursuit. The manner in which Ball and Bledsoe +exposed their intentions wherever they went +showed the inexperience of both men in such +work; for, along the whole route over which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +they passed, they were known as officers tracking +a band of thieves; and we afterward learned +that, while they were innocently and unsuspectingly +following Mrs. Farrington, two of the men, +Barton and Clark, were almost continually watching +them. However, they had been started on +their mission by the superintendent before William +could make any other arrangements, as he +was away at Lester's Landing when the chase +began.</p> + +<p>From William's reports to me, I saw the uselessness +of maintaining such a body of men in +the work of scouting, watching ferries, and beating +the cane-brake, for the reason that no good +could come of it. I knew that if the robbers could +escape from Lester's Landing and make their +way to Gillem Station once, they could do it +again. Clark (or Hillary Farrington) had been at +Lester's early Thursday morning, while guards +were stationed all about; yet, on Saturday morning +he was at his mother's farm, and no one had +even seen him on the way. This convinced me +that they had such a knowledge of the country +as to make it impossible to stop them by any system +of guards or patrols, and I therefore wrote +several letters asking that the superintendent discharge +this expensive force at once, and allow me +to manage the whole operation by my own plans +and with my own men. While William, therefore, +was at work with indefatigable energy and +perseverance, scouting and following up all the +reports brought in by the vast army of volunteer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +detectives in the company's employ, we were both +satisfied that the method adopted was useless, and +that even the ferry guards would discover nothing. +Knowing the character of the three desperadoes, +I had no doubt of their sagacity in avoiding +observation and pursuit; they would never +try to cross without knowing positively whether +the ferry was guarded, and if there should be any +real danger, they would undoubtedly steal a skiff +and make their horses swim across the river, a +feat of no great risk in the then low condition of +the water.</p> + +<p>About this time an incident occurred which +added greatly to William's popularity in Union +City, and gained for him the respect and kindly +feeling of the community. On Sunday two +roughs, having drank enough bad whisky to be +absolutely fiendish, began to beat an old and inoffensive +negro whom they happened to meet. A +merchant, named Blakemore, who was passing at +the time, stopped to remonstrate with the ruffians, +when one of them turned and plunged a knife +into his stomach, inflicting a wound which caused +his death next day. The murderer was the terror +of the town, and so great was the fear of him +that he would have probably escaped had not +William appeared on the street as he rushed +away flourishing his bloody knife and threatening +to kill any one who should stand in his way. +The sight of William's heavy revolver leveled at +his head, backed by the certainty which he saw +in William's face that death or surrender was his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +only alternative, caused him to choose the latter, +and he was lodged in jail to await his trial for +murder. The people of the town were quite enthusiastic +over the way in which William had +brought the fellow to bay, and then compelled +his surrender; and they even went so far as to +say that he was "a good fellow, a very good fellow +indeed—for a Yankee."</p> + +<p>On the twentieth of November an unfortunate +publicity was given to our operations by the publication +in the Union City <i>Journal</i> of a long history +of the Farringtons, showing their whole +career of crime, and terminating with an account +of their latest exploit, as developed by our investigations +in and about Union City. It is unnecessary +to state the source whence this information +was derived, further than to say that it was not +obtained from any member of my force. It was +a very dangerous piece of news to be published, +since it might have wholly overthrown all our +plans, besides involving the death of two or three +men engaged in the operation; fortunately, the +robbers were undoubtedly across the Mississippi +by that time, and beyond the reach of newspapers +for some weeks at least.</p> + +<p>On the same day that this matter was published, +Mrs. Farrington crossed the Mississippi River at +Bird's Point, opposite Cairo, and the fact was reported +to William and to me by telegraph. We +had previously learned that Mrs. Farrington had +relatives in Springfield, Missouri, and in Dade +County, in the same State, and the probabilities<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +were that, instead of going to Texas, she was +going to visit in one of these places. Meanwhile, +though my opinion was that her sons intended to +rejoin her somewhere, either in Nigger-Wool +Swamp or at her place of destination, I had no +certainty that such was their intention; and, +bearing in mind the warning they had received +by her arrest at Waverly (and possibly by reading +the newspaper article previously mentioned), +I felt that every clue must be carefully traced, +even though it might lead in an exactly opposite +direction from that in which our previous suspicions +had caused us to look. My correspondents +and agents in Louisville, Cincinnati, St. Louis, +and New Orleans were, therefore, kept on the +alert to capture the men if they should venture +into those cities, while I held three determined +men ready to go at once in pursuit of Mrs. Farrington, +in case she should take the route through +Nigger-Wool Swamp.</p> + +<p>It will be remembered that one of the negroes +accompanying Mrs. Farrington had stated that +her sons were to join her in that swamp; now, +there were three possibilities about this statement: +first, the negro might have lied; second, +he might have been so informed by the old lady +on purpose to give a false scent in case he should +be questioned; and, third, while their intention +might have been to meet there, subsequent events +might have altered their plans. Still, thinking +the subject over carefully, I decided that she +would not take so difficult a course unless she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +really intended to meet her sons there. My reasons +for so thinking were based upon the nature +of the place, and, to comprehend my solicitude +about Nigger-Wool Swamp, a description of it +will be necessary.</p> + +<p>The swamp is more than seventy miles long by +about thirty-five miles wide, and, as a piece of +bottomless ooze, its superior cannot be found in +the United States. There are just two roads +crossing it, one running from Hall's Ferry, at +Point Pleasant, Missouri, and the other from +Mitchell's Ferry, thirty-five miles below. These +roads are mere bog-paths in themselves, being +heavily overlaid with underbrush and corduroy +logs, yet they afford the only means of crossing +this vast morass. The period of the annual overflow +turns it into a turbid, sluggish lake, the roads +being then deeply buried under water; but even +in the dryest seasons the greater portion of the +swamp is a bottomless slime of mud and putrefying +vegetation. Large tracts of thickly-wooded +land are contained within the limits of the swamp, +and these constitute a semi-substantial basis for +the two roads which run through them; but even +these clumps are impassable at most seasons, +except along the artificially-constructed roads. +Sometimes, for miles and miles, nothing but the +rankest of swamp-vegetation is seen, growing in +wild profusion and covering the treacherous ooze +with a close network of leaves and branches, +until the surface looks firm enough to be taken +for solid ground; but should any unfortunate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +traveler venture to cross such a spot, his limbs +would be clogged by these clinging water-plants, +his feet would find no secure resting-place, and, +sinking rapidly deeper and deeper into the mire, +his bones would find a sepulcher where nothing +but a general natural convulsion would ever disturb +them.</p> + +<p>Still, there are occasional islands of firm ground +through this section, and these have become the +resort of lawless characters of every nationality +and degree of crime. Over the entrance to Nigger-Wool +Swamp might be placed, with perfect +truthfulness, the motto: "Who enters here +leaves hope behind." Each man is a law unto +himself, and he must maintain his rights by the +strong arm and the ready shot-gun. In one thing +only are the dwellers of the swamp united, +namely: a bitter and deadly resistance to the +law. No officer of justice ventures therein to +perform any of the duties of his office; unless +backed by a powerful body of determined men, +he would never return alive, and, if so accompanied, +he would never succeed in catching a +glimpse of any criminal whom he might be +seeking.</p> + +<p>About the middle of the swamp, the two roads +cross each other at a spot called "The Gates," and +every person traveling through either way must +pass this place. Knowing this fact, I felt sure +that Mrs. Farrington would await the arrival of +her sons at "The Gates," in case she entered the +swamp, and I determined that, in such an event,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> +I should try to capture them there. I was fully +aware of the danger of such an attempt, but I +knew that to take the bull by the horns is sometimes +the safest means of overpowering him. To +send officers to that point with the avowed purpose +of arresting any one, would be equivalent to +sending them to their certain death, and I had no +intention of doing anything of the kind; but I +had men of my force who could visit Nigger-Wool +Swamp for the professed purpose of hiding +there from pursuit for alleged crimes, and, when +the moment came for action, I did not doubt that +they would bring out their men before the neighboring +outlaws could discover their object.</p> + +<p>Everything depended upon the course Mrs. Farrington +should take on leaving the Mississippi +River, since by striking north from the point +where she crossed, she could skirt the edge of the +swamp, while if she turned south toward Point +Pleasant, I should know that she intended to +carry out her original programme. This question +was quickly settled, however, not only by the reports +of the scouts, Ball and Bledsoe, who were +following Mrs. Farrington, but also by an unexpected +piece of intelligence from Gillem Station. +Mrs. Farrington moved about twenty or twenty-five +miles each day, and, from the fact that she +went north to Fredericktown, there was no doubt +that she had changed her plan of meeting her +sons in Nigger-Wool Swamp.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><i>The Scene of Action transferred to Missouri.—The +Chase becoming Hot.</i></div> + + +<p>On the twenty-second of November, William +learned that a letter had arrived at Gillem +Station, postmarked Verona, Missouri, November +13, and he immediately took measures to obtain +this letter. Three days later he learned its contents, +which were of such an important character +as to give a new direction to our efforts. The letter +read as follows:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 10.5em;">"<span class="smcap">Verona</span>, Mo., Nov. 13, 1871.</span><br /> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">My dear Cousin</span>:</p> + +<p>"I seat myself to answer your kind letter, which +came to hand last evening, and was glad to hear +from you, and hear you was well and doing well. +I have nothing new to write, only that we are all +well at present, hoping that when these few lines +come to hand they may find you well and doing +well as ever, as you say you have been doing very +well. It must be a good thing if it could stay so. +Sometimes it was well and sometimes it wasn't, +but I hope it will stay so, as you say it is a soft +thing—as soft as things gets to be. I would like +to see something like that, you bet. You talk like +it can't be beat. That is the thing to take in. I +think, and I know you think it, for I saw your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +name. I guess I did see you. You know Mr. +Crapmel? He is a great fellow; you bet it is so. +I have nothing more to write at present, as you +said you are going to start out here. You said you +was coming by here. Cousin, if you do come by, +we don't live where we did when you were here; +we live two miles nearer Verona. Come the same +road. We live now half mile off the road on John +Ellis' place. You can find out where we live anywhere. +Come out the same road you did when +you came before. John Timothy has just come +out here; has been out here about three weeks. +He is well satisfied here. So I will close for this +time.</p> + +<p> +"From your cousin,<br /> +"<span class="smcap">J. M. Durham.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>"M. F. sends her love to all of the family. Excuse +my bad writing and bad spelling."</p></div> + +<p>It was evident that Mrs. Farrington had previously +written to her cousin informing him of +her intention to visit him soon, and this letter +was intended to direct her to the new location. +The allusions in the letter to the "good thing" in +which she was engaged showed that the writer +had been made aware of the Farringtons' success +as express robbers, and that he quite approved of +their operations.</p> + +<p>On reading this letter, William sent a copy to +me immediately, and suggested that one or two +good men be sent to Verona to get work near this +man Durham, and to get into the confidence of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +the family, so that, when Mrs. Farrington should +arrive, she would not be likely to suspect any one +who had come before her. I fully approved of +William's plan, and, on the last day of November, +Detectives George W. Cottrell and Arthur C. +Marriott started for Verona. I inferred that the +people in that vicinity were rather lawless and +desperate characters, from the fact that Durham +spoke of "John Timothy" being well satisfied +there. On the principle that "birds of a feather +flock together," I judged the Farringtons, the Durhams, +and this fellow Timothy to belong to the +same type of people; hence, I concluded that, if +Durham and Timothy were satisfied with the +country, the people living there must be congenial +spirits, especially since Mrs. Farrington was about +to make a place of refuge in that vicinity.</p> + +<p>My two men were detained a day in St. Louis, +and they did not arrive in Verona until the second +of December. The first thing they noticed +about the town was the total absence of liquor saloons, +and a few minutes' conversation with one +or two of the citizens convinced them that no +more orderly, honest, law-abiding community existed +in Missouri than the population of Lawrence +County. This discovery made a marked change +in their plans necessary, as my instructions to +them had been based upon the supposition that +they would find a number of robbers, horse-thieves, +and counterfeiters around Verona, and +that they would be easily able to get Durham's +confidence by appearing as reckless and desperate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +as any one. They had each prepared a choice autobiography +for use among the residents, and, according +to their own intended accounts of themselves, +two greater scoundrels never went unhung.</p> + +<p>All this was necessarily useless in the changed +circumstances surrounding them. To attempt the +<i>rôle</i> of criminal characters, hiding from justice, +would quickly cause their banishment from the +place, or possibly their arrest, and a new plan +was essential. Their instructions had been that +they should not put any confidence in any one, +and they were obliged to invent a plausible reason +for their presence there; also to have some +business which would enable them to ride about +the country, making inquiries and scouting for +Mrs. Farrington and her sons.</p> + +<p>Finding that the railroad company had a land +agent in Verona, Cottrell decided to represent +themselves as would-be purchasers of land. This +would give them an excuse for going all over the +county, examining different farms and unimproved +tracts. They were introduced to Mr. +Purdy, the land agent, by the hotel clerk, and +from him they obtained a map of the county. It +was then agreed that Mr. Purdy should go out +with Cottrell and Marriott on Tuesday, December +5, to look at some pieces of property which the +railroad company wished to sell. During Sunday +and Monday both of the detectives were trying to +learn where Durham lived, but no one seemed to +know; neither could any one tell them anything<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +about John Ellis, upon whose farm Durham had +said he was living. The idea that Mrs. Farrington +was rapidly pushing west, toward Durham's place, +made Cottrell very anxious to begin operations +as quickly as possible, since, if she should arrive +before the detectives were established in the vicinity, +there would be great difficulty in working +into her confidence, as she would instantly suspect +their true character; whereas, if she should +find them already there, she would have no possible +occasion to distrust them. They therefore +thought best to confide the real object of their +visit to Mr. Purdy, the land agent, and to ask his +advice and assistance. Mr. Purdy had been an +officer in the Union army during the war of the +rebellion, and had settled in Verona at the close +of the war. He was evidently an honorable man, +who would always be found on the side of law +and order, and as he was very popular in Verona, +he would be able to give them a great deal of assistance +in capturing the Farrington party. On +communicating with me by telegraph on this +point, they stated the facts briefly, and I authorized +them to confer with Mr. Purdy on the subject, +at the same time forwarding full instructions +by letter.</p> + +<p>On Tuesday, therefore, they told the whole +story to Mr. Purdy, and showed him their credentials. +He was quite astonished at their revelations, +but he was very hearty and sincere in his +expressions of good will toward them, and he +promised to aid them in every possible way. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +knew John Ellis quite well, having sold him the +farm on which he was living, and he had heard of +Durham, who hired a small portion of the Ellis +farm. He said that if force should be necessary +to capture the Farrington party, he could raise +fifty determined men in ten minutes to help the +officers. He said that after the war Verona had +been a very bad place for a short time, but that, +as Eastern men began to settle there, the respectable +people had tried to drive out the hard cases; +this had been slow work at first, but they eventually +had been completely successful; they not +only had driven out the dangerous characters, but +they had closed all the liquor saloons also; and +now, having once got rid of them, they would +take care not to let any of that class of people +back again.</p> + +<p>Mr. Purdy was called away for a day or two on +business, but he promised, on his return, to go +with the detectives to Durham's place, and, meantime, +he said he would speak of them as gentlemen +who intended buying land in that section, +and who wished to ride over the country until +they found a place which satisfied them. During +the next three days, therefore, they learned +nothing new, their time being occupied in scouting +the road along which they expected Mrs. Farrington +to come.</p> + +<p>Thus the first week of December passed, and +the operation was not progressing very favorably +anywhere. Ball and Bledsoe had reported Mrs. +Farrington's route up to the thirtieth of November,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +and she had moved quite rapidly up to that date, +but nothing had been learned since, and I expected +to hear of her arrival at Verona every day. She +had gone from Cairo to Frederickstown, Missouri, +and thence to Ironton; then, instead of following a +direct road, she had struck up north to Potosi, in +Washington County; again taking a westerly +route, she had passed through Steelville, Crawford +County, and on the thirtieth of November, she +had camped at Waynesville, Pulaski County. +Beyond this we knew nothing of her movements, +although by the eighth of December she had had +ample time to reach Verona.</p> + +<p>William had spent this week in following up a +clue received from Louisville, Kentucky. It will +be remembered that about November 9, a pair of +dashing women had been reported as having +visited the banks in Kansas City, trying to get +large bills for about eight thousand dollars in small +bills. I had not believed the story at that time, +and therefore had taken no steps to follow them. +When William learned from Louisville, however, +that a woman named Annie Martin, whom Levi +Farrington had been in the habit of supporting +on the proceeds of his robberies, had been staying +there with another woman named Lillie +Baker, who had sustained the same relations to +Barton, it occurred to him that these might have +been the women who were said to have been in +Kansas City with so much money. He started +at once for Louisville, at the same time telegraphing +to me his suspicions in the matter, and I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +began inquiries again in Kansas City by telegraph. +I could learn very little except from the teller of +one bank, who described the women as well as he +could remember their appearance; but the description +was not accurate enough to determine +whether these two women had or had not been +Annie Martin and Lillie Baker. In Louisville, +however, William learned that these women had +been there recently, and they had appeared to be +well supplied with money. They had not remained +very long, but had gone to New Orleans, +where they were then living in good style. As +Mr. O'Brien, the general superintendent of the +express company, was in New Orleans, the information +was sent to him, and he agreed to have +a sharp watch kept to discover Farrington and +Barton, in case they should follow these women.</p> + +<p>On the eighth of December, Cottrell, Marriott, +and Mr. Purdy started on horseback to visit John +Ellis's farm, where the Durhams lived. About a +mile before arriving there, they met a farmer +named Wisbey, who was a neighbor of Ellis and +the Durhams. Without letting him into their confidence, +they talked with him a long time, and +gradually drew out a number of important facts. +The Durham family consisted of two brothers and +a young sister living with their mother, old Mrs. +Durham, and they rented a small house on a part +of the Ellis farm. Nothing positive had ever been +discovered against the character of either James +or Tilman Durham, but the neighbors had a poor +opinion of them, and kept a pretty close watch<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +upon their actions. During the previous fall a +young man had visited them for some time, and +his description was exactly that of Levi Farrington; +but Wisbey could not tell his name, though +he promised to learn it, and let Mr. Purdy know +Mr. Wisbey was a downright honest, intelligent +man, and Mr. Purdy asked him to learn everything +possible about the Durhams and their visitors; in +case any wagons should arrive, it was agreed that +he should send word to Mr. Purdy instantly. +There was no occasion for telling him the whole +story, as he was quite willing to undertake the +trust on the strength of Mr. Purdy's request, without +asking further particulars; and, as he was a +thoroughly discreet man, there was little danger +that he would betray his mission by idle talking. +The detectives and Mr. Purdy then returned to +Verona, it being considered undesirable that they +should visit the Durhams, lest they might possibly +excite suspicion.</p> + +<p>The day following their visit to Wisbey, he arrived +in Verona and told Cottrell that he had +sent his son-in-law, Mr. Stone, to see Jim Durham, +and the latter had said that he was expecting the +arrival of some relatives very soon. He had +learned further that the young man who had +visited Durham in the latter part of the previous +September had given his name as Levi Farrington, +and had passed as the beau of the young Durham +girl. In speaking of him, Jim Durham had told +Mr. Stone that he did not wish his sister to marry +Farrington, as the latter was a dangerous man,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> +and had recently killed a man in a quarrel, while +those who stood about were too much afraid of +him to arrest him. Mr. Wisbey then returned +home, with instructions to alternate with Mr. +Stone in secretly watching Durham's place, so that +every occurrence might be at once reported.</p> + +<p>On the tenth of December I received a dispatch +from Mr. O'Brien, saying that the express agent +at Springfield, Missouri, had telegraphed to him +on the eighth that the wagons of Mrs. Farrington's +party had camped five miles from Springfield, and +that the three men were known to be sixty miles +south of Rolla. Mr. O'Brien therefore requested +me to send a good detective to meet Connell in +St. Louis, whence they would go together to capture +the men at Rolla. I at once sent one of my +best men, named Martin Galway, with instructions +to join Connell, and, in case the Rolla report +should prove to be a false alarm, they were to go +on to Verona to assist Cottrell and Marriott. I +had hardly completed my instructions to Galway, +ere I received a telegram in cipher from Cottrell, +as follows:</p> + +<p>"Levi Farrington and a man calling himself +George Cousins are at Durham's. They came on +Thursday evening. Shall I arrest them? I can +get all the help I need."</p> + +<p>I immediately replied, also by a cipher dispatch, +as follows:</p> + +<p>"Are you sure it is Levi Farrington? His +brother and Barton will probably be at Verona +soon. We must get the whole. I think they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> +will come from Douglas County. Probably Connell +and Galway will be with you by Monday or +Tuesday night; they can identify the men. Mrs. +Farrington will be at Durham's by Sunday night +or Monday morning. Keep a cool, clear head, and +advise with Purdy. Have written by mail to-night. +Keep me posted. William will arrive by +Tuesday."</p> + +<p>At the same time I wrote full instructions to +Cottrell, ordering him to keep a close watch upon +the men at Durham's, but to take no action until +William should arrive, unless they attempted to +go away. I did not alter Galway's instructions, +but I telegraphed to William to start for Verona +at once, to take charge of the operations there. +The chase was now becoming hot, and a few days +would decide the question of success or failure. I +had reason to believe that the outlaws would not +be taken without a desperate resistance, and I +was anxious to have William present to direct +the attack.</p> + +<p>On Sunday, the tenth, Cottrell and Marriott +rode out to see Wisbey, who met them just outside +of Verona and informed them that Levi +Farrington had arrived at Jim Durham's late +Thursday night, accompanied by a young man +named George Cousins. They did not receive +my reply to their telegram announcing this fact +until late that day, and so they could do nothing +toward satisfying themselves as to Levi Farrington's +identity until next morning, when they +visited Wisbey at his own house. Mr. Stone,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> +Wisbey's son-in-law, had met a man named +Smothers, who worked for Jim Durham, and +Smothers had told him all about the two men +who had just arrived. According to their own +account, they had left Mrs. Farrington at Ash +Grove, in Greene County, where she was going to +buy a farm, Levi having given her five thousand +dollars for that purpose; Levi and Cousins were +on their way to Kansas, where they intended to +settle down to raise cattle; Levi's brother was +said to be at Lester's Landing for the purpose of +selling off a stock of groceries which they owned +there. Both men were well armed, having three +navy revolvers and a shot-gun.</p> + +<p>When this news was transmitted to me by +telegraph, I decided that this man Cousins must +be Barton, and that Hillary Farrington might possibly +be at Lester's Landing, as they said. I +therefore telegraphed to William, who I knew +would be in St. Louis that day, <i>en route</i> to +Verona, that he had better take Connell and +Galway back to Lester's to capture Hillary, +while Cottrell and Marriott undertook the arrest +of Levi and Barton at Durham's. I also sent a +dispatch to Cottrell to take no steps for their arrest +until after William should have captured +Hillary.</p> + +<p>William, having previously thoroughly examined +the contents of the store at Lester's, +knew that they were not worth over two hundred +dollars, and he telegraphed me to that effect, +suggesting that it was improbable that Hillary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> +should run so much risk for so small a sum. On +learning this fact, I coincided with him, and +ordered him to go on to Verona, as I had originally +intended. I desired that he should keep the +Durham place carefully watched until the arrival +of the other Farrington, who, I believed, would +soon join the rest of the party; then, in case he +arrived, we should get all three together; but, if +the other two should show any signs of moving +off, they could be taken at any time.</p> + +<p>Mr. O'Brien obtained requisitions from the +Governor of Tennessee on the Governor of Missouri +for the three men, and I felt that success +was only delayed a day or two at most.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>A determined Party of Horsemen.—The Outlaws surrounded +and the Birds caged.—A Parley.—An +affecting Scene.—The burning Cabin.—Its Occupants +finally surrender.</i></p></div> + + +<p>While the telegrams were flying back and +forth on Tuesday, the twelfth, Cottrell +and Marriott were busily engaged. Early that +morning Mr. Stone came to Verona, and told +them that he had learned that Farrington and +Cousins intended to leave Durham's for the Indian +Territory the next day. The news was +doubtless authentic, Stone having heard it from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> +Smothers, who had said that Farrington had told +him so himself. It was clearly impossible to wait +for William's arrival, as, by that time, the men +might be safely hidden in the wild country to the +westward. Instant action was absolutely necessary, +and Cottrell so informed Mr. Purdy, who +soon gathered a force of eight men. Very little +would have been needed to obtain even a larger +number of recruits, for, had Mr. Purdy and the +detectives publicly told the story of the men +whom they wished to capture, there would have +been plenty of eager volunteers, all anxious to +aid in ridding the country of such a band of outlaws. +It was not deemed advisable, however, to +summon a large posse, lest the news might +spread so fast as to reach the ears of the criminals +before the detectives could surround them; +on this account only a few reliable men were let +into the secret, and they left town singly and in +pairs to avoid observation, having a rendezvous +outside.</p> + +<p>Just before starting, Mr. Purdy received a dispatch +from the general land agent, ordering him +to Pearce City instantly, as several purchasers of +land were awaiting him there; although he tried +to have his visit postponed one day, he was unsuccessful, +his orders being imperatively repeated +by telegraph, and so he was unable to accompany +the detectives and citizens on their expedition to +Durham's. The party of eight met the detectives +outside the town, and they were joined on +their way by three others, who lived on the road.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> +They were all substantial business men or +farmers, but they were accustomed to a life in +the saddle, and they had all borne arms during +the war on one side or the other. In spite of +their present peaceful occupations they were not +a body who could be trifled with, and it was evident +that any gang of desperadoes would find +their match in these cool, determined, law-abiding +men.</p> + +<p>A few miles from Verona they met a young +lady riding a large brown mule, but none of the +men in the party knew her. Cottrell felt sure, +however, that she was Durham's sister, and that +she was riding Farrington's mule. The descriptions +he had received of the girl from Stone and +Wisbey coincided exactly with her appearance, +while the mule could not be mistaken. He therefore +sent a man back to watch her, lest she +should have taken alarm at so large a cavalcade +of armed men. She rode on to Verona, however, +without showing any signs of uneasiness, and +the scout soon overtook the party.</p> + +<p>On arriving one mile from Wisbey's, Marriott +went on to Stone's house with six men, while +Cottrell went to Wisbey's with the other five. +Stone and Wisbey soon gathered a number of +the neighbors, among whom was John Ellis, who +owned the house and land where the Durhams +were living; he was a very highly respected citizen, +and was not at all displeased at the idea of +getting rid of his semi-disreputable tenants. The +management of the affair was then unanimously<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> +voted to Cottrell, and the party rode rapidly +toward the Durham house. It was situated at +the edge of a clearing, with underbrush and +woodland close to it on three sides, so that great +caution was necessary, lest the villains should +see them approaching, and escape into the woods. +At a reasonable distance from the house, therefore, +the party divided, a part, under Marriott's +direction, dismounting and making their way to +the rear of the house on foot. When sufficient +time had elapsed to enable the latter party to +surround the house, Cottrell, with the remainder, +dashed up to the front of the house and spread +out, so as to make sure that no one should escape. +As they approached, a man, who proved to be +Jim Durham, appeared on the porch and asked +what they wanted; to which Cottrell replied that +he wanted the men in the house.</p> + +<p>The words had hardly passed his lips ere Barton +sprang into the open doorway with a navy revolver +leveled at Cottrell; but, seeing that the latter, as +well as several others, had him covered, he shut +the door quickly and started for the back of the +house. By this time, however, the cordon of +guards had drawn close around, and, as he +emerged at the rear, he found himself confronted +by half a dozen determined men, who ordered +him to surrender. He then hastily tried to close +the back door also, and pointed his revolver +through the crack; but the discharge of several +shots, which struck close to him, caused him to +withdraw his pistol and tightly close the door. It<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +was evident that the birds were caged at last, and +it was now only a question of time when they +would be taken; as it was only one o'clock in the +afternoon, there were still four hours of daylight +to conduct the siege.</p> + +<p>Jim Durham, when he saw the rifles and revolvers +of so large a force pointed at him, was thoroughly +frightened, and he begged piteously that +they would not shoot him. Cottrell placed his +men behind trees, fences, and other protections, +so as to be safe from any attempt to pick them off +by the men in the house, and yet to guard every +means of exit from the place; he then called Jim +Durham out and searched him, finding nothing +but a single-barreled pistol. He then sent Jim to +the door of the house to summon the men inside +to surrender, telling them that he was determined +to have them—alive if possible, but if not, dead.</p> + +<p>They refused to surrender, saying that they +would kill any man who should approach the +house. When Durham brought back their answer, +Cottrell sent word that he would give them +five minutes in which to decide whether they +would yield peaceably or be burned out and shot +to death. Just then Mrs. Durham, the mother +of the Durham boys, begged Cottrell to allow +her to go speak to Farrington and Barton, as she +believed she could induce them to surrender. +Accordingly, she went to the front window and +implored them not to have the house burned +down, as all her household goods would be destroyed. +They replied that they might as well<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> +die inside as to come out and be shot down. Cottrell +sent back word that they should be treated +like all other prisoners if they would pass out +their arms and surrender quietly; but if they +tried to fight or resist, they would surely be +killed.</p> + +<p>As they still refused, Jim Durham was sent to +barricade the doors with fence rails, so that they +should not be able to rush out unexpectedly. He +whined and complained that the men inside would +shoot him, but he was obliged to go, and though +they did threaten him, he was able to crawl up +and lay the rails without getting within range. +The house was a solid log cabin, with only two +doors and very few windows, so that it was possible +to approach it in one or two directions without +exposure to a fire from within. When the +doors had been securely barricaded, Cottrell ordered +him to get on the roof, which was a common +shingle roof, and set fire to the house. Mrs. +Durham was carrying on at a great rate, first +begging Farrington to surrender, and then praying +to Cottrell not to burn her property. John +Ellis, to whom the house belonged, gave full permission +to burn it, and a fire was built in the +open air to make brands to set it afire.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Durham was allowed to make one more +appeal to the ruffians inside, but they would not +listen to her entreaties. They asked her, however, +what kind of a looking man Cottrell was, +and what he wanted to arrest them for. Cottrell +was standing near enough to hear the question,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> +and after Mrs. Durham had described his appearance, +he told them that he wanted them for an +express robbery; that he would treat them kindly +if they should yield peaceably; but if they should +refuse this, his last offer, he should set fire to the +house and shoot them down as they ran out. He +said he had no wish to kill them, but that he was +determined they should not escape; rather than +allow them to get away, he would have them +shot on sight; but they would be protected and +brought to trial if they would surrender.</p> + +<p>To this they replied that they intended killing +some of their besiegers first, anyhow. Finding +further parley useless, therefore, Cottrell gave +the order to burn the building, and Durham was +forced to carry the embers and brands to burn +his own premises. Just at this time, the young +girl, whom they had met riding a mule toward +Verona, rode up to the house and asked what +was the matter. As Cottrell had surmised, this +was Miss Durham, and she was very much +frightened at what she saw.</p> + +<p>The afternoon sun was buried in a deep bank +of clouds, so that the twilight was rapidly drawing +on, there being just enough light to show the +barricaded doors, the deserted porch, and the determined +men scattered around, with shot-guns +and rifles pointed at the low log cabin, above +which a frightened man stood out in bold relief +against the sky, tearing off the shingles and +piling them upon a glowing flame at his feet. +Everything was now hushed in deathly silence, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>and it needed no explanation for any one to understand +that a bloody tragedy was about to occur +if that flame should be allowed to envelop the +building. It was now the prison of its two occupants, +but only a short time would elapse +before it would be their tomb.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 640px;"> +<img src="images/gs02.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Burning out the Outlaws!" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Burning out the Outlaws!</span> +</div> + +<p>On seeing the situation, Miss Durham asked to +be allowed to speak to the men, as she said she +knew they would listen to her. On Cottrell's refusal +to hold any more parley with them, she +burst into tears, threw her arms around his neck, +and implored him to let her speak to Barton just +once, if only for five minutes. Finally, seeing +that most of his party wished to give the girl a +chance to speak to her sweetheart, Cottrell said +that she could have three minutes to obtain their +arms; if they surrendered immediately, the fire +should be put out; but, if they should still refuse, +their last chance of saving the house and their +lives would be gone. Miss Durham then went to +the window, and talked with the men in the most +imploring manner, urging them not to sacrifice +themselves, as they would surely do if they remained +in the burning house. Her entreaties did +not seem to affect them at first; and, as the +flames were then beginning to gather strength, +Cottrell ordered her to come away from the +house, and leave them to their fate. She made +one more appeal, and Barton handed her a navy +revolver; then Farrington did the same, and she +brought them to Cottrell, saying that they would +surrender if they could be sure that their lives<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +would be spared. Cottrell told her to go back +and get the rest of their arms, and assure them +that they should be taken to Tennessee for trial. +She soon returned with another revolver and a +shot-gun, and said that the men would come out. +Cottrell therefore removed the rails, opened the +front door, and called them out—Barton coming +first, and then Farrington. The latter proved to +be Hillary, not Levi, as he had called himself. It +was not known why he had used his brother's +name, but it was supposed that Hillary had taken +his name to enable him to prove an <i>alibi</i> in case +he should be arrested.</p> + +<p>Cottrell's party first secured the prisoners with +ropes, and then assisted Jim Durham to extinguish +the fire on the roof; the latter was quite rotten, +and it had burned so slowly that very little damage +had been done. The prisoners were thoroughly +searched, but nothing of any consequence was +found upon them, the total of their funds being +less than three dollars. A prolonged search +through the house revealed nothing of importance, +except the fact that it was quite an arsenal for +arms, there being found six navy revolvers, two +double-barreled shot-guns, and a Spencer repeating +rifle. The siege had lasted nearly three hours, +and, another hour having been spent in searching +the house and saddling their animals, it was nearly +dark by the time they started for Verona. Farrington +and Barton were carefully tied upon the +horse and mule respectively, and, after thanking +the neighboring farmers for their assistance, Cot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span>trell +took the road back, accompanied by the +eleven men who belonged in and about Verona. +The greatest care was taken that the prisoners +should have no opportunity for escape, and they +were informed that any attempt to get away +would be the signal for riddling them with bullets.</p> + +<p>While riding along, Cottrell learned from Barton +that the party had been very lucky in finding +the two men in the house, since their usual custom +had been to spend the days in the woods, +coming in only at night to sleep. On this occasion, +however, the weather was so cold that they +were spending the day indoors.</p> + +<p>When asked why they had not surrendered before, +they both made the same reply, namely: +that they believed the posse of citizens intended +either to shoot them immediately, or to hang +them after a trial by lynch law.</p> + +<p>On arriving in Verona early in the evening, the +prisoners were securely tied up with ropes, and +Cottrell alternated during the night with Marriott +in watching them. A blacksmith was also called +up, and shortly after midnight he completed two +pair of leg shackles, with which they were fastened +together. My men were greatly fatigued, +having ridden a large number of miles every day +for a week, and the excitement of the affair +added, of course, to their prostration, but they +resolutely paced the floor in alternate four-hour +watches, determined that no possible loophole for +escape should again be afforded to such daring +villains as these two.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> + +<p>The result of the expedition was, of course, +transmitted to me in telegraphic cipher at once; +but the arrest was kept secret for the time, in order +to prevent a knowledge of it coming to Levi +Farrington, who was still at large. According to +Barton, Levi was concealed somewhere in Tennessee, +but this statement was proof positive that +he was not in Tennessee at all, since Barton's object +in telling anything about him was evidently +intended to mislead us; hence, no faith was +put in his story, and other steps were taken to +capture Levi.</p> + +<p>William arrived in Verona on the morning +after the fight, and he prepared to return with +the prisoners to St. Louis by the noon train. It +was supposed that Levi Farrington was also on +his way to the rendezvous at Durham's farm, +and that he would probably approach by the +direct road through Douglas County. Cottrell +and Marriott were left, therefore, to attend to +Levi and the old lady, whose whereabouts were +still uncertain. William saw most of the citizens +engaged in the affair, and heartily thanked +them for their aid; being questioned as to whether +they should receive the reward of one thousand +dollars offered by the express company for the +capture of the two Farringtons and Barton, he +informed them that he considered them entitled +to it, and that he should recommend its payment, +but that the matter would be decided by the officers +of the company. I may here anticipate +events somewhat to state that the company paid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +the citizens and farmers a liberal amount for their +services in capturing the robbers, and a settlement +was made which was satisfactory to all parties.</p> + +<p>William left Verona about noon of the day he +arrived, taking Hillary Farrington and Barton +with him, under guard of Galway and Connell. +On arriving in St. Louis, he separated the prisoners +in order to induce Barton to confess; and, +after a long conversation, in which he showed +Barton how conclusive was the evidence against +all three of the men, he obtained a very full confession, +of which the greater part is here given +exactly as it was taken down from Barton's lips.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Barton's Confession.—The Express Robberies and the +Outlaws' subsequent Experiences fully set forth therein.—A +Clue that had been suddenly dropped taken +up with so much Profit, that, after a desperate Struggle, +another Desperado is Captured.</i></p></div> + + +<p>"I am twenty-two years of age," said Barton, +"and my native place was Columbus, Mississippi. +When quite young, I left home and +took to following the army. About five or six +years ago I moved to Normandy, Tennessee, and +lived with the family of Major Landis, and two +or three years later, I went to work on the Nash<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>ville +and Northwestern Railroad as a brakeman, +remaining as such over two years. About three +years since I formed the acquaintance of Hillary +and Levi Farrington, at Waverly, Tennessee. +These are the men otherwise known as J. H. +Clark and Edward J. Russell. Afterward I opened +a saloon in Nashville, and Levi Farrington visited +me there several times. Last April or May +he was arrested on suspicion of counterfeiting, +but as there was no case against him, he was discharged. +After a short time, I went down to visit +Levi at Mrs. Farrington's; she lived at the head +of Tumbling Run Creek, twelve miles back of Gillem +Station. Hillary was in jail at Memphis at +that time, charged with murder and horse-stealing. +When he got out of jail, Levi, Hillary, and +myself all made a trip to Little Rock, Arkansas, +gambling by throwing three-card monte, and +we won about thirteen hundred dollars; we then +returned to Gillem Station, where we remained +until the twenty-first of July, this year. During +this time, Levi, who frequently rode back and +forth on the express trains, spoke of the feasibility +of robbing them.</p> + +<p>"On the morning of July 21, Levi, Hillary, and +myself left Gillem Station for the purpose of robbing +the express train at some of the stations +either on that road or on the Mobile and Ohio +Railroad. At Union City we changed cars, and +arrived at Moscow just after dark. The plan was, +that we all three should enter the car and overpower +the messenger; but Levi and Hillary were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> +the only ones who entered. I remained on the +platform of the first passenger coach and kept +watch. When the train was passing the water +tank, they slacked up the speed, and we all +jumped off and struck for the woods. The messenger +had nothing whatever to do with this +robbery, so far as I was ever informed.</p> + +<p>"As I said before, we struck into the woods +and reached the river just above Hickman, where +we stole a fisherman's skiff, and all three of us +started down the river. Finding that we were +pursued, we left the skiff on the Tennessee shore, +near Island Number Ten. We then took the +river road and walked back as far as Lester's +Landing, arriving there about dinner-time, July +23. Levi divided the money, giving me one-third +of one thousand dollars, which was all, he said, +in the safe, although I always believed there was +more.</p> + +<p>"So far as I know, neither of the Farringtons +had ever met Lester before, and I am sure that I +had never set eyes on him until we went to his +place at this time. On account of the spot being +so lonely and isolated, Hillary proposed that we +put up a store there, as it would be a good cover +for our actual business. We started the store, +and applied to the postmaster to establish a post-office, +to be known as Lester's Landing; our object +in this move was, of course, to give an added +color of respectability and <i>bona fide</i> business to +our transactions. From this time until the middle +of October, I remained at the store nearly all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> +the time; Hillary was also there most of the time, +but Levi very seldom. During one of the latter's +western trips, he said he had been out to see his +Aunt Durham.</p> + +<p>"Along in October, Levi proposed that we +again strike the express company when the train +stopped for supper at Union City. Hillary had +been in the habit of riding back and forth on the +engine, and he understood how to run a train. +Levi suggested that we take a man named Bill +Taylor into the robbery with us; he was then +employed chopping wood for Lester, and when +Levi approached him on the subject he agreed to +go. Levi left Lester's a few days before the robbery. +Hillary and I did not leave until the nineteenth, +when we went up to Columbus by steamer, +taking along a large quantity of fish. Having +sold our fish, we took the train for Union City, +where we arrived the same evening. On getting +off the train, we met Levi and Bill Taylor on the +platform, and the only conversation which took +place was when Levi asked why we had not arrived sooner, +to which we replied that we came +as soon as we could. The next morning we met +again, having slept in separate places so as not to +attract attention, and went down the road some +distance toward Hickman. While camped in the +woods that evening, about ten o'clock, an old +man named Hicks came along with a bottle of +whisky and stopped at our camp-fire quite a +time. There were present Hillary, Levi, myself, +and Bill Taylor. We remained in the woods all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +that night. The next day we moved further into +the woods toward Hickman, and at night, just at +dark, we came back to Union City.</p> + +<p>"We had been there only a few minutes when +the up train came along; she stopped and backed +down a little ways, when all the train hands left +her and went to supper. Hillary and Taylor +then boarded the engine, and Levi and myself +jumped aboard the express car. The messenger +was eating his supper when we went in, and, +seeing Levi point a Derringer at him, he exclaimed: +'Don't shoot me! I will surrender.' +Levi compelled him to unlock the safe, and we +took all the money. Levi then swung the messenger's +lantern, and the train stopped, when we +all jumped off and started down the railroad to +Hickman. Our intention was to go to the wood-yard +near Union City, and steal a ride on a freight +train to Hickman. We hid under the platform +at the wood-yard, and while there Levi accidentally +shot himself in the thigh; but the wound +was very slight, and it hardly interfered with his +walking. As the freight train did not stop, we +were obliged to walk to Hickman, where we arrived +Sunday night. We had had some provisions +when we first camped out, which Bill Taylor +had carried in a valise; but he had left the +valise and all its contents on the engine, so that +we had very little to eat.</p> + +<p>"While in the woods we divided the money, +but Levi, who carried it, showed up only twenty +three hundred dollars.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Sunday night we stole a skiff in Hickman +and went down the river to James' Bayou, and +while there, on Monday morning, we saw Messenger +Cross, whose car had been robbed, making +inquiries about us in a grocery-store. We then +started off on foot, going down the river on the +Missouri shore. About a mile below James' +Bayou we found the skiff which we had previously +set adrift, and which had evidently been picked +up by some one. Taking this skiff again, Hillary, +Taylor, and I dropped down to a point about a mile +above Lester's, leaving Levi on the Missouri shore, +where we started from. We landed on the Tennessee +shore, and walked down the river road a +short distance, when Taylor left us, remaining in +the woods. Hillary and I met Lester on the +road soon afterward, and told him that we had +come down on a steamboat which was then tied +up, on account of the heavy fog. Levi arrived +next day, having come across the river with a +fisherman.</p> + +<p>"The following Sunday, October 29, Hillary +left on a steamboat, taking with him a woman +named Slaughter, with whom he said he was going +to Davidson's wood-yard, nine miles above +Cape Girardeau. He expected to return in a few +days.</p> + +<p>"The next thing of any importance which occurred +was on the Tuesday night following, when +Messrs. Pinkerton and Connell rode up to Lester's +house. At the first glance, I thought they were +officers, and Levi told me that he thought the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> +same. I saw him pull his pistol out of his +pocket before getting out of his chair."</p> + +<p>[The moment Connell opened the door, Levi +knew that he was a detective, having seen him +acting in that capacity in Memphis, when Hillary +was arrested for horse-stealing the previous +spring.]</p> + +<p>"When I made my escape from Lester's house," +continued Barton, "I ran right back through the +cornfield; I heard all the shooting, but did not +see it. In a short time Levi joined me in the +cane-brake back of the cornfield. Levi told me +that he had had a shooting match with the two +officers, but he did not know whether he had hit +either of them or not; they had not hit him, but +he had had a very narrow escape.</p> + +<p>"After awhile we slipped up to the house, and +saw that the officers were gone; so we went in, +got our supper, and took our pistols, besides a +shawl and blanket. We then got an old skiff, +crossed the river, and slept in the woods on the +Missouri shore. The next day we remained under +cover until nightfall, when we recrossed the river, +and went through the woods to Union City, +spending Wednesday night and Thursday in the +woods on the way. On Thursday night we took +the train from Union City to Gillem Station. The +conductor of the train was Conductor Roberts, on +whose run I had formerly been brakeman; and, +being afraid he might recognize me, I laid down +in my seat and covered up my face, while Levi +paid both fares. We arrived at Gillem Station<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> +about three o'clock in the morning, and reached +Mrs. Farrington's house about daylight.</p> + +<p>"I gave Mrs. Farrington five hundred and fifty +dollars in money to keep for me, this amount +being the proceeds of both express robberies, and +she still has it in her possession. Before leaving +Lester's, Hillary had given most of his money to +Levi to take to their mother to keep for him, and +Levi left with her nearly the whole of his share of +the plunder also.</p> + +<p>"We had been at Mrs. Farrington's a week +when Hillary arrived. Before this, we all thought +that the officers had captured him, and we were +quite surprised to see him safe. He said that +Detective Connell had arrested him at Mrs. Gully's, +and that he had made his escape by jumping out +of Connell's wagon into a thicket near Allenville; +he had then gone right back to the house where +he had left Mrs. Slaughter, where he got a pistol +and some money, and had his irons removed.</p> + +<p>"At the time Hillary arrived at Mrs. Farrington's, +the old lady had been gone a day and a night +on her way to Texas or Missouri. It was understood +that Levi and I were to meet her somewhere +on the road, or at Holton's farm, near the +line between Lawrence and Dade Counties, Missouri. +The day after Hillary arrived, we started +for Missouri; I was riding a sorrel horse; Hillary, +a chestnut-sorrel horse; and Levi, a large brown +mule. We spent two days at the house of Mr. +Douglas, near Mrs. Farrington's, and then crossed +the Tennessee River at Cuba. We crossed the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +Mississippi River by the last ferryboat on Friday +evening, November 10, at Hall's Ferry, opposite +Point Pleasant, Missouri. We saw no men on +guard at the ferries. We struck right out through +Nigger-Wool Swamp to Bloomfield, where Levi +left us. He said he was going to Farmington, +Illinois, as that was a good place to keep under +cover. After he left us, nothing important occurred +until our arrest. We knew where Mrs. +Farrington was every night, and also knew all +about the two men who were following her; we +did not mind letting them follow her, as they +could not have captured us, and we could have +shaken them off at any time if we had wanted to +do so.</p> + +<p>"Levi and Hillary frequently spoke of making +other raids upon the express company, and said +what a soft thing it was. It was my intention to +separate from them as soon as I could get my +money from the old lady, as I wished to return to +my friends below Columbus, Mississippi.</p> + +<p>"The foregoing is all I know of the Farringtons +or the express robberies.</p> + +<p> +(Signed), "<span class="smcap">William Barton.</span>"<br /> +</p> + +<p>It will be observed how completely this confession +corroborated our investigations, there being +few new points learned. The information that +Mrs. Farrington had possession of nearly all the +stolen money was valuable, and I sent instructions +to Cottrell, at once, to attach all of her +property in the name of the Southern Express<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> +Company, if it could be done. But the most important +feature brought out was the hiding-place +of Levi Farrington, which was given as +Farmington, Illinois. It will be remembered that +William found, at the store at Lester's Landing, +some pieces of paper, upon which was scribbled, +"Kate Graham, Farmington, Illinois;" that I +sent a detective to that place to see Mrs. Graham; +that the latter answered, with every evidence of +truthfulness, that she did not know Russell, +Clark, or Barton; and that the clue was dropped +immediately. From Barton, however, William +learned that Mrs. Kate Graham was a cousin of +the Farringtons, and that, being a highly respectable +and conscientious woman, she knew nothing +of their <i>aliases</i>, nor of their crimes. It was there +that Levi Farrington had gone to hide. Barton's +confession was made on the fourteenth, and +William instantly sent me a cipher dispatch containing +the important features of it. By the +evening train of that day, my other son, Robert +A. Pinkerton, took passage for Farmington, accompanied +by Detective W. T. Brown, of my +force. They arrived there about noon the next +day, and soon learned that Levi Farrington was +staying with his relatives. Having presented +letters of introduction to one or two influential +men, Robert obtained an introduction to the +city marshal, who promised to give all the aid in +his power to arrest Farrington.</p> + +<p>About two o'clock they saw the latter coming +down the street, and, by previous arrangement,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> +Robert allowed Levi to pass him, both walking +toward Brown and the marshal. Levi Farrington +was a very powerful man, standing six feet +in his stockings, with a frame and muscles in +proportion to his size. Remembering the desperate +character of the man, Robert did not deem it +advisable to give him any chance to draw a +weapon or show fight; he therefore followed +Farrington closely until he was about ten feet +from the marshal, and then, springing at him, +he pinioned the desperado's arms by clasping him +tightly around the body just at the elbows. +Farrington did not stop to question the cause of +this proceeding—he knew the reason of his seizure +well enough—but, gathering his whole +strength, he made one jump away from the +two officers who were approaching in front, and +landed nearly in the middle of the street, taking +Robert along with him. Robert clung to him +like a vise, however, and before he could make +another such an effort, the other two were upon +him. A terrible struggle now ensued in the +street, during which both Robert and Brown were +badly bruised by being rolled upon and kicked by +their powerful prisoner. Robert knew that Farrington +was desperate enough to fight to the +bitter end, and that he would kill as many as he +could before being killed himself; to release his +arms, therefore, would enable him to draw a +weapon, as he was undoubtedly well armed, hence +Robert never relaxed his hold. Having a professional +pride in securing his prisoner alive, more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span>over, +he did not wish to resort to extreme measures +except to save the lives of other persons, and, as +a large crowd had gathered around the moment +the struggle began, there would have been evident +danger in allowing him an instant's freedom. +Over and over they rolled together, therefore, +Farrington striving with all his strength to break +Robert's clasp upon his arms, while the other two +officers were doing their best to pinion his legs. +After a ten minutes' struggle, they succeeded at +length in holding him down and sitting upon his +legs until he could be tied with ropes. By this +time, the whole party were pretty thoroughly +exhausted, but, after resting a few minutes to +recover their breath, the officers got handcuffs on +their prisoner's wrists, and took him to the railroad +station, where he was searched. Little +money was found on his person, but he had a large +revolver, two Derringer pistols, and a large dirk +concealed about him. He was then placed in the +freight office, while Brown and Mr. Graham, Mrs. +Kate Graham's husband, went to the latter's +house to get Levi's baggage. On their return, +the whole party took passage for Chicago, where +they did not arrive until next day, owing to the +failure to make connections. In Levi's valise +were found two revolvers, some jewelry, and a +very large sum of money.</p> + +<p>They arrived so late on Saturday that there +was no train for Cairo before the following evening, +and meantime the prisoner required the +most careful watching, as none of our handcuffs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> +were large enough to fit his wrists without cutting +into the flesh. Robert and Brown were completely +prostrated by the strain upon their muscles +and the injuries they had received, so that they +felt the effects of the struggle for several days.</p> + +<p>The moment that Robert arrived in Chicago +with his prisoner, the latter was taken to the +First Precinct police station, where he was placed +in a cell for safe keeping. During the afternoon +it was learned that he had sent for a lawyer to +obtain a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>. The arrest had +been made without any warrant, and no requisition +had been obtained for use in Illinois, as I had +expected to capture all three of the men in Missouri. +Should Farrington succeed in getting the +desired writ, I should be forced to give up my +hold upon him, and, before the requisition of the +Governor of Tennessee upon the Governor of Illinois +could be received, he would be probably +beyond the reach of pursuit.</p> + +<p>I therefore procured a closed vehicle and took +the prisoner out for a drive, carefully bound, with +two reliable men as guards. The afternoon was +thus spent, and, after dark, there being no longer +any object in driving around the suburbs of the +city, Farrington was taken to my office and kept +all night. He behaved very well, and did not +seem anxious to get away by force. He tried, +however, to induce Robert to let him go, telling +him that it would be worth a very large amount +of money to him to do so. Finding his offers disregarded, +he appeared to take his arrest very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> +coolly, saying that he guessed he had money +enough to see him through.</p> + +<p>On Sunday evening, Robert and Brown took +him to the railroad station, and the party embarked +for Cairo.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>A terrible Struggle for Life or Death upon the Transfer-boat +"Illinois."—"Overboard!"—One less Desperado.—The +Fourth and Last Robber taken.</i></p></div> + + +<p>After Barton had made his confession +to William in St. Louis, the prisoners, +Hillary Farrington and Barton, were kept separate, +as the latter was afraid that Hillary would find +some means of killing him. About midnight of +Thursday, December fourteenth, they all took +passage by railroad for Cairo, and there they immediately +went on board the large transfer-boat +to Columbus, Kentucky. All the detectives were +thoroughly worn out from excitement and loss of +sleep, but they did not for an instant relax their +vigilant watch upon their prisoners. William +had been talking for some time with Hillary, +trying to obtain a confession and to learn what +had been done with the money secured at the two +robberies. From the questions that William +asked, Hillary soon learned, or surmised, that +Barton had confessed. He was terribly enraged<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +at this, and without doubt he would have killed +Barton if he could have got at him; but being +unable to do so, his fury was all turned upon his +captors.</p> + +<p>My son hoped by threatening to have Mrs. +Farrington arrested and imprisoned, to induce +Hillary to give up his share of the plunder rather +than have his mother punished. This threat +seemed to infuriate him beyond anything, and he +swore that he would have his revenge on William +if he had to wait twenty years for it. After sitting +sullenly thinking on the subject for a time, he +said he was cold, and wanted to get a drink. +William therefore offered to go with him into the +bar-room, and they walked toward the forward +end of the saloon, leaving Galway and Barton +seated together. Connell had gone into the +water-closet a few moments before, but, as there +was a detective with each of the prisoners, no +attempt at escape was anticipated.</p> + +<p>The steamer was the powerfully-built transfer-boat +"Illinois," and she was running with great +speed, her ponderous wheels revolving at an unusually +rapid rate. The bar-room was situated +just forward of the saloon, after passing through +the barber shop, and it could be entered from the +saloon or through a door leading upon the guards, +just forward of the paddle-box.</p> + +<p>As they were about to enter the barber shop +from the saloon, Hillary drew back, saying that +he did not want to go that way, as there were +some men in that room whom he knew. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> +therefore went out upon the guards to walk along +to the outer door of the bar-room. The space +was narrow, and the rail quite low, so that it +would not have been at all difficult for a man to +spring overboard, even though he were in irons. +This idea occurred to William, but he did not +trouble himself about it, since he knew that the +heavy strokes of the paddle-wheel would instantly +kill any one who might attempt such a thing. +William wore a loose-fitting sack coat with large +pockets, in one of which he carried a heavy army +revolver, which he had taken from Hillary, his +own revolver being in his belt. In walking it +was his habit to put his hand on the butt of this +army revolver, which protruded somewhat from +the pocket. On reaching the door, however, he +took his right hand from the pistol to turn the +knob. This was a careless action, of which he +never would have been guilty, had he been less +fatigued, mentally and physically, but, being so +used up as to act almost mechanically, his habitual +thoughtfulness was momentarily absent, and +he was caught off his guard for an instant in a +manner which nearly cost him his life. It should +be understood that the scene which ensued occurred +so rapidly as to occupy less time in its +passage than is required to read about it, and that +during those few seconds a struggle of life and +death was going on.</p> + +<p>Hardly had William's hand touched the doorknob +ere he felt the pistol drawn out of his coat +pocket. He knew there was but one person who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> +could have done it, and that person was a perfect +devil thirsting for his blood. Turning like a +flash, he seized Farrington by both wrists, just as +the latter was trying to cock the pistol; then +there was a terrible contest. The pistol was in +Farrington's hands, which were held so close together +by the irons as to make it impossible to +wrench one away from the other; it was pointed +directly at William's head, and should Farrington +succeed in cocking it, William's death would +be instantaneous. All his energies, therefore, +were directed toward keeping Farrington's hands +far enough apart to prevent him from drawing +back the hammer. The space was too narrow to +permit of such a struggle without one party or +the other being forced back upon the rail, and, in +a moment, William had lifted his lighter antagonist +from the deck, pressing him against the railing, +and at the same time shouting for assistance. +In response to his call, Connell came running out +in <i>dishabille</i>, with his pistol in one hand and his +pantaloons in the other. At this moment the +cold muzzle of the pistol was pressed against +William's temple, and he heard the click of the +hammer as his desperate prisoner succeeded in +drawing it back. He made a violent plunge forward, +ducking his head as he did so, and simultaneously +the pistol exploded close to his ear, the +ball ploughing a little furrow in the scalp, while the +powder scorched his neck and hair. Staggering +back stunned and dizzy for a moment, he was +caught by Connell, who asked whether he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> +much hurt. He soon gathered his senses, and, +finding his wound to be only trifling, he asked +what had become of Farrington. Connell pointed +overboard, and no further answer was necessary; +no man dropping in front of those wheels could +have lived for an instant, and, even had he not +been struck, he could not have kept himself up in +the rapid current then running filled with fine ice.</p> + +<p>By this time the bar-room, barber shop, and saloon +had been emptied of their occupants, and +the boat had been stopped to see whether the man +could be picked up; but, as this was clearly hopeless, +the trip was soon resumed. Connell's arrival +had been most opportune for William, since he +had caught the weapon the moment it was discharged, +and succeeded in changing the course of +the bullet sufficiently to save William's life. +Thinking, however, that William had been killed, +Connell had struck Farrington on the head with +his pistol almost simultaneously with the explosion, +and the blow, aided by the plunge which +William made forward in endeavoring to dodge +the pistol-shot, had sent Farrington over the rail +into the water, where he was undoubtedly killed +the next instant by the paddle-wheels.</p> + +<p>The fact of the man's death was so absolutely +certain that no person could doubt it, if acquainted +with the circumstances; yet there were not wanting +people who insinuated that he had been +allowed to escape by jumping overboard and +swimming ashore. The absurdity of such a story +is manifest, for, even supposing that his irons had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> +been removed, and that he had escaped injury +from the paddle-wheels, he never could have +swam ashore at the spot where the affair occurred. +The nearest point of the river bank was more than +three hundred yards away, and the current at that +place was running off the shore; besides, the +night was very cold, and the water was covered +with a film of ice, so that after five minutes' immersion +in it, a man would have become wholly +numbed and insensible.</p> + +<p>Barton was not at all surprised when he heard +of Hillary Farrington's death, for he said that he +knew Hillary so well that he had expected +nothing else from the time he was taken; he was +so desperate that his intention undoubtedly had +been to have seized William and dragged him +overboard; but, seeing the pistol, another idea +had probably occurred to him. Barton said that +had Hillary succeeded in killing William, he would +have gone up to the pilot-house with the revolver, +and forced the pilot to land him immediately; +once on shore, his knowledge of the country +would have enabled him to escape again. Whatever +had been his plans, however, he had failed +in his attempt at murder, and had paid the +penalty of his rashness with his life.</p> + +<p>The rest of the party went on to Columbus, +where they took passage for Union City, arriving +there Friday morning.</p> + +<p>About this time, Mr. Ball, who had been sent +to follow the wagon train of Mrs. Farrington, reported, +after a silence of several days, that he had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> +traced her into the Indian Territory. In point of +fact, she was settled at Ash Grove, near Mount +Vernon, in Greene County, Missouri, and had +been there ever since Hillary and Barton had left +her before their arrest at Durham's. It will thus +be seen how fortunate it was that I had not +trusted to Ball and Bledsoe to keep track of Mrs. +Farrington, since they had utterly lost the trail, +and had followed another set of wagons for several +days as far as the Indian Territory; when, +probably suspecting that he had made a mistake, +Ball telegraphed to the express company's officers +for instructions. He was then ordered to return at +once with Bledsoe, the whole party having been +captured by that time.</p> + +<p>While speaking of Mrs. Farrington, I may as +well give an account of all our dealings with her, +irrespective of the chronological order of the +story:</p> + +<p>Having received Barton's order upon her for all +of the wagons and stock, and for five hundred +and fifty dollars in money, Cottrell endeavored to +attach her property in a civil suit. She insisted +that she had none of Barton's money—indeed, +that she had no money at all—and she refused to +give up anything. At last, finding that he could +not legally attach her property, Cottrell took the +bold step of arresting her for receiving stolen +goods. She was taken to Mount Vernon, where +she engaged a lawyer to defend her, and then, of +course, Cottrell was also obliged to employ a legal +adviser. At length, a compromise was effected,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +by which Mrs. Farrington was allowed to retain +a small portion of the property; Cottrell then +took possession of the remainder as agent of the +express company, and Mrs. Farrington was discharged +from custody. After selling some of the +animals, Cottrell shipped all the remaining chattels +to St. Louis, where the agent of the express +company took charge of them. The two detectives +then returned to Chicago, and no further +attention was paid to Mrs. Farrington.</p> + +<p>On Saturday, after the arrival of William's +party, with Barton, in Union City, Detectives +Galway and Connell started out to arrest Bill +Taylor, the fourth one of the party of robbers.</p> + +<p>This man was a long, lank, round-shouldered +fellow, with putty face, long, straggling hair and +beard, and a vacant expression of countenance, +who lived by hunting and chopping wood, below +Lester's Landing, in the vicinity of Reel's Foot +Lake. William had been satisfied of his complicity +in the robbery for some time previous to +the arrest of the others, but he had not arrested +him for the reason that he was sure of picking +him up whenever he wished to do so; and, knowing +Taylor to have been merely a weak accomplice, +he was anxious to secure the leaders in the +crime first. Barton's confession made the suspicion +of Taylor's guilt a certainty, and so Galway +and Connell were sent to arrest him.</p> + +<p>At Mr. Merrick's they obtained a good guide, +and four other citizens joined them, so that they +had quite a formidable party. After visiting sev<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>eral +houses in the cane-brake, they learned where +Taylor was staying, and, on going there, they +saw him looking at them from a front window. +Galway asked Taylor to come down a few minutes +to give them some information, and Taylor +unsuspectingly complied. He had been allowed +to go free so long, and had so often talked with +William and others about the robbery, that he +did not imagine their object on this occasion. +On coming into the yard, therefore, he greeted +the men cordially, supposing them to be a party +scouting for the other robbers, of whose arrest he +had not heard. When he saw a couple of navy +revolvers close to his head, and heard an order to +throw up his hands, he surrendered without a +word. He was evidently badly frightened, but +he would not confess having had any part in the +robbery, and he refused to tell where his share of +the money was concealed. He was placed on +Connell's horse and taken to Merrick's, where +another horse was obtained, and the party went +on to Hickman; thence he was taken by wagon +to Union City, arriving there about midnight of +Saturday. Both Barton and Taylor were placed +in rooms in the hotel, where they were carefully +watched night and day by my detectives, the +county jail being almost useless as a place for +keeping prisoners.</p> + +<p>On learning that the whole party had been arrested, +Taylor made a very full confession of all +the circumstances connected with the robbery, +and the movements of the robbers after it had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +occurred. He confirmed Barton's account in every +particular, but revealed nothing new of any importance. +His share of the stolen money had +been only about one hundred and fifty dollars, +as Levi had made him believe that they had obtained +only six hundred dollars in all. About +fifty dollars were found on Taylor's person; the +rest he had spent. He said that Levi Farrington +had hidden all the checks, drafts, and unnegotiable +paper underneath an old log in the woods, +but that he could not tell where the log was, nor +find it, since it was not marked in any way, nor +had they taken any bearings by which to remember +it. He gave an account of the evening when +Hicks, the tipsy planter, came to their camp-fire, +which agreed exactly with the previous statements +of Hicks and Barton; but one slight remark +in his confession seemed to account for the +fifth man mentioned by Hicks. Taylor said +that during most of the time Hicks was at their +camp, one or two of the party were lying on the +ground with their feet toward the fire, and that +there was a log of wood lying beside them. +Now, it is probable that Hicks was just drunk +enough to be unable to tell the difference between +a man and a log, especially as, in his description +of the men, he gave the appearance of +Hillary Farrington twice as belonging to different +persons. Hicks's vision was somewhat uncertain +that night, evidently.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>The last Scene in the Drama approaching.—A new Character +appears.—The Citizens of Union City suddenly +seem to have important business on hand.—The +Vigilantes and their Work.—Their Bullets and Judge +Lynch administer a quietus to Levi Farrington and +David Towler.—The End.</i></p></div> + + +<p>The last scene in this drama seemed about to +end in the complete defeat of the whole +gang of villains and the triumph of law and justice, +when a new character came upon the stage, +and the curtain fell upon a bloody tragedy. That +substantial justice was done cannot be denied, +though the manner of its execution was beyond +and outside all forms of law. It was a striking +instance of the manner in which an outraged +community, particularly in the West and South, +will arrive at a satisfactory settlement of important +questions without the intervention of courts, +juries, or lawyers. The court of Judge Lynch +makes mistakes occasionally, but it rarely admits +of an appeal from its decision.</p> + +<p>Robert arrived in Union City with Levi Farrington +on Monday, December eighteenth, and +he took his prisoner to the hotel for safe keeping, +with the others. They were kept in separate +rooms, and a detective remained with each of +them constantly. William spent several hours +with Levi Farrington, trying to induce him to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +tell where he had hidden the stolen papers, and +also what he had done with his share of the +money, of which he had undoubtedly retained +the greater part. Finally he agreed to return all +the papers, and about twenty-five hundred dollars +besides, on condition that he should receive a +sentence of only five years in the penitentiary on +entering a plea of guilty. Having agreed to this +arrangement, William went to his room, which +was a large one, with several beds, occupied by +Robert, Brown, and Connell. As the men of my +force were all pretty well used up, Taylor and +Barton were placed in the same room, with Galway +guarding them, while Farrington, being +such a desperate fellow, was put in another +room, with three of the Union City policemen as +guards.</p> + +<p>Soon after the arrival of Robert with Levi Farrington, +a man, named David Towler, tried to +get admission to Farrington's room. On being +denied, he was very insolent, and he insisted on +seeing Farrington alone. Finding that this would +not be permitted, he went away cursing the +officers and swearing to be revenged. His actions +naturally attracted the attention of the police, +and caused him to be regarded with a great deal +of suspicion, as a probable member of the Farrington +party of robbers. About eleven o'clock +that night, a policeman, named Benjamin Kline, +discovered this man Towler with a drawn revolver, +skulking behind a car standing on the side +track near the dépôt. He immediately called for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> +the railroad company's night watchman, and the +two approached the thief to arrest him. The +man instantly shot Kline through the lungs, and +then shot Moran, the watchman. Kline's wound +was mortal, and he died in a few minutes, while +Moran was supposed to be fatally hurt also. The +pistol-shots quickly drew a crowd, and a few +determined men gave chase to the murderer. +After quite a long pursuit he was captured, and +brought back to the station where Kline had just +died. A justice of the peace held a preliminary +examination at once, and the prisoner, David +Towler, was held for murder, without bail. He +was known to be a low, desperate fellow, who +had been imprisoned for horse-stealing and other +kindred crimes, until he was regarded almost as +an outlaw. He had long lived near Reel's Foot +Lake, and while there he had become acquainted +with the Farringtons. That their friendship was +more than that of two casual acquaintances was +shown by an important circumstance discovered +by William. It will be remembered that when +Levi Farrington stopped in Cairo to send eight +hundred dollars to his mother, he purchased two +of the largest-sized Smith & Wesson revolvers. +They were exact fac-similes of each other, and +were numbered 1,278 and 1,279 respectively. At +the time of Levi's arrest, only one of these revolvers +was found, and he said that he had given +away the other to a friend, retaining number +1,279 himself. When Towler was captured, +William happened to notice that his revolver was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +similar to the one Levi had carried. This would +have been nothing to be remarked under ordinary +circumstances, since there were, undoubtedly, +many of these revolvers in use, all exactly alike +except in number; but William connected this +man Towler's appearance in Union City with the +arrival of the express robbers, and the new revolver +caught his eye at once. On closely examining +it, his suspicions were fully confirmed: <i>it was +numbered</i> 1,278, and was, without question, the +mate to Levi's, bought by him in Cairo and given +to Towler.</p> + +<p>When this news became known to the throng +of citizens whom the shooting of Kline and Moran +had drawn together, the feeling against all the +prisoners became intense, and when Towler was +committed by the justice to the guard of the men +who were watching Levi, the citizens began to +depart very suddenly, as if they either had important +business elsewhere, or were in a hurry to +get home. By midnight the town was quiet, and +after a visit to the guards, to caution them to be +extra vigilant, William and Robert retired to their +room, together with Brown and Connell.</p> + +<p>Young Kline, whom Towler had murdered, was +very highly esteemed in Union City, and his death +at the hands of an outlaw would have aroused +deep indignation at any time; but just now there +were additional reasons why the affair should excite +a desire for summary vengeance upon his +assassin. It had been shown that Towler must +have formerly been on intimate terms with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> +Farringtons, and these latter were well known as +desperadoes, whose hand was turned against every +man; hence, the crimes of the whole party were +considered as a sort of partnership affair, for +which each member of the firm was individually +liable. But, besides the natural indignation of +the law-abiding citizens for the crimes committed +by these men, there was a widespread sense of +insecurity so long as they were in that vicinity. +Towler had remarked, when captured, that he +would soon be out again, and all the prisoners +bore themselves with an air of bravado, as if they +had no fear nor expectation of punishment. It +was believed that a number of friends of the gang +among the desperadoes living in Nigger-Wool +Swamp and near Reel's Foot Lake intended to attempt +the rescue of the whole party of express +robbers, before they could be consigned to a secure +place of confinement. The citizens who had +risked their lives to capture Towler and the others, +who had turned out in time to see poor Kline die +in agony, were determined that nothing should +occur to prevent justice from reaching the criminals, +and exacting the fullest penalty for their +numerous crimes; hence the sudden departure of +the throng who had attended Towler's preliminary +examination before the justice. They did not go +to their homes, but gathered in a secluded place, +and formed a Committee of Safety. The question +as to what course would best protect the lives +and property of the community was then discussed, +and a conclusion was soon reached, without +a dissenting voice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p> + +<p>Throughout the town all was hushed in the +usual stillness of a winter's night; no lights were +burning anywhere, save in an occasional sick-chamber, +and sleep seemed to have fallen alike +upon the just and unjust. In one room of the +hotel were Barton and Taylor, guarded by Galway +and an employé of the express company, while +near by was the room where Levi Farrington +and David Towler were watched by three of the +city policemen. A dim light burned in each room, +and, while the guards paced the floor in their +stocking feet, the prisoners lay on their beds in +deep slumber. Not a memory of the past, full as +it was of scenes of crime and blood, came to break +their repose; not a thought of the future, with +its possibilities of punishment, caused them to +lose one moment of their customary rest. Fear +they had never known; remorse was long since +forgotten; unconscious or careless of their impending +doom, they slept the night away.</p> + +<p>About two o'clock there was a stealthy gathering +of masked men at the door of the hotel, and, +at a given signal from the leader, a certain number +slipped upstairs with little noise, and filled the +corridor from which the prisoners' rooms opened. +So sudden was their appearance and so quiet their +approach that even the wakeful guards scarce +heard them until the doors were forced open. +Then the policy of silence was dropped, and a +rush upon the guards was made. A battery of +pistols suddenly confronted them, and, as resistance +was clearly impossible, an unconditional<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +surrender was at once made. The bursting in of +the doors awakened William and Robert, who +hastily sprang up, and, without stopping to put +on any clothing, opened their door, pistol in hand. +This move, however, had been anticipated by the +vigilantes, and a dozen or more pistols were thrust +in their faces as they appeared in the doorway.</p> + +<p>"Go back, Pinkerton, we don't want to hurt +you," said one of the men outside, and they were +pushed back into the room, while the door was +hastily closed in their faces.</p> + +<p>To resist such a body with the few men at his +command, William knew, would be suicidal, and +he did not especially care to sacrifice himself in +the interest of such a villainous band as those +whom the vigilantes were seeking. The four detectives, +therefore, dressed themselves and remained +in their room awaiting further developments.</p> + +<p>Having overpowered the guards, the leader of +the vigilantes ordered the removal of Towler, and, +as the latter was hustled out of the door, Levi +Farrington knew that his hour had come. Standing +up and facing the remainder of the crowd, +who had withdrawn to the further side of the +room, he defied them all, and told them to fire +away. A volley of pistol-shots was the reply to +his words, and a rattling fire continued for two +or three minutes; when it ceased, Levi Farrington +was no more, his body having been struck by +more than thirty balls, almost any one of which +would have been instantaneously fatal. His +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span>body was left where it fell, and the room was +soon deserted as the party hastened after the detachment +which had Towler in charge. The +whole affair was over in ten minutes, and when +the detectives again left their room none of the +masked party were to be seen. Levi Farrington's +body was found in his room, but no trace of +Towler could be discovered. Finding that the +excitement was over, the detectives returned to +bed, leaving Barton and Taylor still carefully +guarded. The former had slept through the confusion +and noise without even a start or restless +movement, but Taylor was terribly frightened, +and he fully expected to be lynched also.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 640px;"> +<img src="images/gs03.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt=""The work of the Vigilante's."—Page—" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"The work of the Vigilante's."—Page—</span> +</div> + +<p>The next morning at breakfast, William was +informed that the body of Towler had been found +hanging to a tree near the graveyard, and, on +going to the spot, they found him as represented. +At the coroner's inquest little testimony could be +obtained further than that one man had been shot +to death and the other hung by parties unknown, +and the verdict was rendered accordingly. There +was naturally considerable excitement over the +affair for two or three days, but the general verdict +was, "Served 'em right." However violent +had been their taking off, there were few who +did not feel that society demanded their death, +not only as a punishment for their past crimes, +but as a means of security in the future. Believing +that a sentence to the penitentiary was +wholly inadequate, and that their escape therefrom +was not only possible, but probable, the cit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>izens +preferred to take no risks of future robberies +and murders by these desperadoes, and +they therefore took the most effectual method of +preventing their occurrence. Their action was +illegal, it is true, but then it was just—which is a +more important consideration sometimes.</p> + +<p>On the following Friday, Barton and Taylor +had their preliminary hearing before a justice, +when they waived examination, and were committed +for trial in default of bail in the sum of +ten thousand dollars each. Upon the representation +to the justice that the county jail was an +unsafe place to confine the prisoners, permission +was obtained to remove them to the jail in Memphis; +the proper papers were made out, and the +transfer was made under William's management.</p> + +<p>The death of Levi Farrington made the recovery +of the missing checks, papers, and money an impossibility, +since neither Barton nor Taylor were +able to conduct the officers to the place where +they were hidden. Barton gave the company a +bill of sale of the goods in the store at Lester's +Landing, however, and an assignment of all debts +due the firm, from which about five or six hundred +dollars were eventually realized. Robert +and Brown attended to this matter and returned +to Chicago. William was on duty until the two +remaining prisoners were safely lodged in jail in +Memphis, and then, having settled up all the +business of which he had had charge, he also returned +home.</p> + +<p>At the next term of court in Obion County,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +Tennessee, Barton and Taylor pleaded guilty of +grand larceny, and were each sentenced to five +years' confinement at hard labor in the penitentiary. +Thus, out of a party of four engaged in +this robbery, two were finally brought to trial +and appropriately punished, while the other two +would have been so punished also, had not a +higher penalty been demanded by the circumstances +of their cases, aggravated by their own +brutal and revengeful dispositions. No reminiscence +in my experience shows a more striking +illustration of the certainty of retribution for +crime than does the career and fate of these outlaws +of the Southwest.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> + +<h3>THE END.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> + + + +<h1>DON PEDRO AND THE DETECTIVES. +</h1> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>A Fraudulent Scheme contemplated.—A Dashing Peruvian +Don and Donna.—A Regal Forger.—Mr. +Pinkerton engaged by Senator Muirhead to unveil +the Mystery of his Life.—The Don and Donna +Morito arrive at Gloster.—"Personnel" of Gloster's +"First Families."</i></p></div> + + +<p>The history of crimes against prosperity is of +vital interest to the public. The ingenuity +of thieves, burglars, forgers, and confidence men +is active and incessant, so that their plans are +often successful even against the experience and +precautions of men of the most wary and cautious +character. This seems to be especially true when +the amounts at stake are large, for petty attempts +to defraud are so frequent, that when a criminal +plays for a large sum, the suspicion of the capitalist +is wholly allayed by the improbability that +a mere swindler should undertake an operation +of such magnitude. Indeed, in many cases the +cupidity of the victim is so great that the sharper +hardly offers the bait ere it is swallowed by some +confiding simpleton. Hence, as a warning for +the future, the lessons of past frauds possess no +small degree of interest and value to the world;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +and as there is no portion of society free from +the depredations of these schemers, their various +wiles and snares cannot be exposed too often.</p> + +<p>More than twenty years ago, the city of +Gloster was one of the most thriving cities of the +West. Controlling the interior trade to a large +extent, its interests were of the most varied character, +and its inhabitants were already distinguished +as being more cosmopolitan than those +of any other city in the Union, except New York. +They had imbibed, perhaps, some of the genius +of the prairies, and their scorn of petty methods +of doing business, their breadth of charity and +hearty hospitality, were as boundless as the great +plains of which the city was the business center +at that time. Among such a people, a plausible +adventurer had a fine field of operation, and I +was not surprised when I was asked to go to +Gloster in the latter part of the winter to investigate +the character of some persons who were +living there.</p> + +<p>The application came from Senator Muirhead, +a man whom I had long known, both in his public +and private life. His suspicions were of the +vaguest possible character, and a hasty examination +of the case failed to convince me that they +were well founded; yet he was convinced in his +own mind that there was a fraudulent scheme in +contemplation, and his positive conviction had +great weight with me. The Senator's interest in +the case had led him to make extensive inquiries +into the antecedents of these parties, but he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> +unable to trace them further back than their arrival +in New York, several months before. There +they had suddenly appeared in society with a +great display of wealth, stating that they had +been traveling in Europe for some time, and were +gradually making their way back to Peru, where +they lived. Don Pedro P. L. de Morito and his +wife, having enjoyed life in New York for several +months, now proposed to spend at least a year in +Gloster, and it was this couple whose character +was suspected by the Senator. Indeed, he felt +sure that, at least, they were traveling under assumed +names, and certain coincidences led him +to believe that they were adroit swindlers of the +most capable, dangerous type. He had discovered +a chain of circumstantial evidence which needed +only one link to make a clear connection between +certain crimes and these fascinating Peruvians, +and it was for the purpose of discovering this +link that he had requested my aid. In brief, his +suspicions were, that after innumerable frauds in +other countries, this plausible pair had settled in +Gloster to add to their ill-gotten wealth by some +new scheme of villainy. His theoretic history of +the man, derived from various sources, mainly +newspapers in which crimes had been described +bearing the same style of workmanship, was as +follows.</p> + +<p>José Gomez, a cadet of the ancient Brazilian +family of that name, began life with a fine physique, +ample mental endowments, and a high social +position. He was the heir-expectant of a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +valuable estate, and no pains were spared upon +his education. As he grew to manhood, however, +his habits became such as to excite the +gravest apprehensions as to his future, and by +the time he was thirty years of age he was a +reckless libertine, gambler, and spendthrift. Finding +that his source of supplies was about to be +cut off by his family, he obtained large sums of +money by means of forged paper, with which he +fled from Rio Janeiro to Lima, Peru. His whereabouts +were not discovered for a long time, but +when the information was received, the Brazilian +Government made an effort to obtain his extradition. +He was living in fine style in Lima, under +the assumed name of Juan Sanchez, and, in +some way, he was warned of his danger. Before +any steps had been taken to expose or arrest him, +he perpetrated another series of forgeries, by +which he obtained a large amount of money, and +then wholly disappeared. The aggregate of his +forgeries was so great that a considerable notoriety +attached to the case, and the facts were +published in full in the leading newspapers of +this country.</p> + +<p>About the time of the great rush to California, +after the gold discoveries there, a gentleman +known as Don José Michel appeared in San Francisco, +where he lived in regal splendor; indeed, +his extravagance was so great as to make him +conspicuous even among the reckless throng who +filled the Golden City. After wasting a fortune +with a prodigal hand, however, he suddenly van<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>ished, +and, although little was known positively +on the subject, it was commonly understood that +he had swindled a number of bankers and capitalists +by worthless notes, drafts, and checks, +many of which were wholly or partly forged. +The men thus defrauded kept the matter quiet, +both because they were ashamed to acknowledge +how easily they had been imposed upon, and because +they hoped to facilitate the capture of the +criminal by working in secret. The incidents +were related to Senator Muirhead in a casual conversation +with a friend who had recently returned +from the Pacific coast, and the description +given of Don José Michel tallied exactly with +that of Juan Sanchez and José Gomez.</p> + +<p>By an odd coincidence, the month after the departure +of Don José Michel from San Francisco, +a brilliant gentleman of nearly the same name +appeared in Quito, Ecuador, where he pursued a +course so exactly similar in character to that of +Gomez, Sanchez, and Michel, that it was not difficult +to imagine that that ubiquitous person was +identical with the elegant Don Pedro Michel who +created such a brief excitement in Quito, terminating +with forgery and a hasty flight.</p> + +<p>About two years previous to the time of which +I write, a wealthy Brazilian arrived in London, +and became a great favorite in society. His wife +was a beautiful Spaniard, and her exquisite taste, +courtesy, and knowledge of the world were highly +appreciated by the select circle of aristocracy into +which she and her husband were soon admitted.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +Don José Arias was the name of this gentleman, +and he was soon known in nearly every drawing-room +in Belgravia. He was introduced by the +Brazilian <i>chargé d'affaires</i>, in the absence of the +Minister Resident, and this semi-official guarantee +of his position in Brazil gave him a passport everywhere. +It was not strange, therefore, that such a +handsome, refined, and agreeable couple should +be cordially and hospitably received, especially as +their wealth was undoubtedly enormous, while +their manners showed that they had been born in +the purple of aristocracy. It was a sad shock to +society when it was learned that Don José and +Donna Maria had absconded suddenly, taking with +them about fifty thousand pounds sterling, obtained +by forgery. It was then learned that the +Brazilian legation had been the victim of forged +documents also, though the intimate acquaintance +of Don José with the policy and statecraft of +Brazil in many important affairs had contributed +largely to his success in deceiving the young +diplomat who was temporarily in charge of the +legation.</p> + +<p>It was not until more than a year after this occurrence +that Don Pedro P. L. de Morito arrived +in New York, with his beautiful wife, Donna +Lucia. They did not stop long in New York after +their arrival, but spent the latter part of the summer +in the White Mountains in a very retired +manner, although they lived in the best style +that the place afforded. In August, they made +a hasty trip to Washington and back to New<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +York again, where they began a more pretentious +mode of life than they had chosen theretofore. +Don Pedro kept a yacht elegantly fitted up, and +his horses were the best that money could obtain. +His bachelor suppers were models of epicurean +perfection, and when his wife gave a reception, +everything was in the best taste and +style. While visiting Washington, Don Pedro +had met Senator Muirhead, who had gone there +for a few days on public business, and the acquaintance +was renewed in New York, where the +Senator had some private interests demanding +his attention. Something had led the Senator to +connect Don Pedro with Gomez, Sanchez, Michel, +and Arias, and though the idea was a vague one +in his mind, it was sufficiently fixed to cause him +to institute inquiries into Señor Morito's antecedents. +As previously stated, nothing could be +learned of him previous to his arrival in New +York, and the only circumstance which could +possibly be regarded as suspicious was, that both +in Washington and New York he had avoided +meeting the Peruvian Minister and other fellow-countrymen.</p> + +<p>The peculiarity of the case interested me, and, +after a long conversation with the Senator, I +agreed to unravel the slight mystery surrounding +the parties, and to make a complete review of +their past history so far as it might be possible to +obtain it. No harm could result from such a +course, whether they were honest or the reverse; +and so, having decided upon a simple plan, I re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>turned +to Chicago to select the persons to represent +me in Gloster.</p> + +<p>My preliminary survey of the field had brought +me into contact with many of the most fashionable +people in Gloster; and, as I foresaw that my +operatives would be called upon to move in the +best society while engaged in this investigation, I +obtained as extended information about the members +of the <i>crême de la crême</i> as possible. Since +many of them will figure conspicuously in the +incidents of this story, a brief description of the +leaders will be necessary.</p> + +<p>One of the wealthiest men of Gloster was a +bachelor, named Henry O. Mather. He was +about fifty years old, but he still retained much +of the fire of youth, and he was one of the most +popular members of society. At an early day in +the history of the Great West he had settled at +Gloster, where he had invested largely in unimproved +lands; and, by forethought and good +judgment in his speculations, he had rapidly increased +his property in extent and value, until, +at this time, he was one of the few millionaires +west of the Alleghanies. About three years previous +to the time of which I write, he had invested +largely in the new railroad schemes then +organized, and his importance as a railway magnate +was recognized throughout the whole country. +His reputation as a shrewd business man +made him a species of authority among his fellow-townspeople, +and few persons would have +ventured to distrust the safety of any enterprise<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +in which he was actively interested. Indeed, so +complete was the confidence of most men in him, +that it was not considered necessary in buying +real estate to trace the title further back than to +Henry O. Mather, a deed from him being considered +as secure as a patent from the government. +Personally he was a very agreeable man, being +gallant without affectation, and brilliant without +priggishness. His figure was of medium height, +compactly built, and he carried himself with an +erect bearing and springy gait, which greatly +aided in deceiving strangers as to his age. His +hair was brown, turning gradually to gray, and +he wore full gray side-whiskers. His features +were quite pleasing except the mouth, which was +rather large and sensual. On the whole, he was +a man with uncommon ability to please when he +felt disposed to exert himself, and his great +wealth was an additional charm which society +was not slow to recognize. He owned a large +house, occupying the whole of a square in the +most fashionable part of the city, and his sister-in-law +was installed as its mistress.</p> + +<p>Richard Perkins was an Englishman who had +long lived in Gloster, where he owned the largest +brewery in the West. He was of middle height, +but being quite fleshy, his gait was a kind of +waddle—the reverse of elegant or dignified. His +smooth, round, jovial face was strongly expressive +of an appreciation of the good things of this +world, and he rarely denied himself any indulgence +that passion craved and that money could +procure.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was while Mather and Perkins were on their +annual visit to New York that they met Señor +Morito and his beautiful wife, Donna Lucia. +The distinguished foreigners soon made a complete +conquest of both the western gentlemen, +who invited them in the most cordial manner to +visit Gloster at their earliest convenience.</p> + +<p>The delights of New York society were enjoyed +for several months by these wealthy and aristocratic +foreigners before they were able to keep +the promise made to Mather and Perkins; for +they were entertained by the old Knickerbocker +families of Manhattan in a princely style. They +were the guests of the most exclusive circles of +the city, and everywhere they displayed such +perfect courtesy, good breeding, and <i>savoir faire</i>, +that it was evident they were accustomed to +wealth and high social position. They had elegant +apartments in the leading hotel of the city, +and their cash expenditures showed the possession +of an unlimited fortune. They finally tore +themselves away from New York, arriving in +Gloster during the comparatively dull season of +Lent. Here their fame had become known in +society through the incessant praises of Mather +and Perkins, and their reception into the highest +circles was coincident with their arrival. The +unanimous verdict of those who made their acquaintance +was, that Gloster had never entertained +two more thoroughly pleasing guests than +the Don and Donna Morito.</p> + +<p>Don Pedro was about forty years of age, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> +he had all the brilliancy and ease of a man of +thirty. His figure was very fine, being slightly +above the medium height, erect, compact, and +muscular. His hands and feet were small and +elegantly shaped, but were not effeminate. His +rich olive complexion was in admirable harmony +with his soft black eyes and deep red lips. His +face was a good oval, without being unmanly, +and his black, glossy hair was beautifully curly +and wavy. He wore side-whiskers and a long +moustache, beneath which his smile, the ladies +said, was faultless. Like most South Americans, +he seemed too lazy to be unamiable, and his general +style was that of a man who, having possessed +wealth always, would be perfectly lost +without it.</p> + +<p>Donna Lucia was a fine specimen of Spanish +beauty, education, and refinement. It was easy +to see that she possessed more force of character +than her husband, and that her passionate nature +was like a volcano, which might burst forth at +any time, driving her to the most dangerous +courses if it took possession of her. A detailed +description of such a woman is an impossibility. +In general, she was a beauty of the Andalusian +type, as nearly perfect in form and feature as can +be conceived; but her expression was of an infinite +variety of characters, each one giving the +precise shade of meaning most applicable to the +time, place, person, and sentiment. In short, she +was so near perfection that nearly all the men she +met were in love with her, and nine-tenths of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +them more than half believed that she regretted +her marriage for their sake. Nevertheless, she +kept all admirers at a certain distance, which +only bewitched them the more.</p> + +<p>At the time of which I write, Don Pedro was +so much pleased with Gloster, that he had rented +a large residence in a very fashionable locality, +and was making preparations to spend a year +there. The charming manner in which they had +entertained their friends at the hotel was ample +guarantee that when the Don and Donna were +established in their new home, they would surpass +anything in the way of festivities ever seen +in Gloster; hence, all the best society of the place +rejoiced greatly at the arrival of this new constellation +in the social firmament.</p> + +<p>Among the bachelors most noted in <i>salons</i> and +parlors of the city were Daniel McCarthy and +Charles Sylvanus, the former a lawyer, and the +latter a journalist. McCarthy was an Irishman, +of brilliant talents and ready wit. Although still +comparatively a young man, he was the county +prosecuting attorney, and was considered one of +the foremost lawyers of the city. He was very +good-looking and good-hearted, and his natural +drollery made him a most entertaining companion. +While speaking in court, and often in society, he +had a habit of running his fingers through his +long, thick hair, which he would also, at times, +throw back with a peculiar jerk of his head. +This habit was especially frequent when he became +deeply interested in his subject, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> +spectators could always tell whether Dan was +doing his best, even when they could not hear his +words.</p> + +<p>Sylvanus was editor and part proprietor of an +evening newspaper. As a journalist he was not +above mediocrity, but he was well received in +society, where even a moderate allowance of +brains will suffice for success.</p> + +<p>A conspicuous member of society and a pillar +of the Swedenborgian church was Mr. John Preston, +a banker and capitalist. With a book of +Swedenborgian revelations in one hand and a +bundle of tax titles in the other, he would frequently +orate to a crowd of unbelievers, from a +text drawn from his book, in a manner calculated +to quite convert them, were it not that they knew +he was only working up a fresh head of steam to +enable him to grind the faces of the poor upon +whose property he held tax titles. In fact, many +people were of the opinion that this man was a +dangerous character, in spite of his pretense of +piety, his ostentatious charity, and his assumption +of the <i>rôle</i> of a professional philanthropist. +They insinuated that a man could afford to give +largely to an astronomical society, a college, an +academy of sciences, and other objects of education, +when he had appropriated many thousands +of dollars belonging to the school fund to his own +use; that he could easily contribute freely to his +church, when he used the church property in his +own interests and managed the society to suit +himself; and that there was no great amount of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +philanthropy in giving a few hundred dollars to +miscellaneous charities, when he made ten times +the amount in shaving notes at usurious interest +and acquiring land by means only one remove +from actual theft; these things were becoming so +notorious that a man of less indomitable brass +than John Preston would have long since been +sent to Coventry, if not to jail; but he revolved +on his own center, sublimely indifferent to the +attacks of his enemies, for whom, by the way, he +used to pray with most fervent unction. His +wife was a pleasant, motherly woman, who gave +liberally to charitable objects, and who regarded +her husband as one of the saints of the earth.</p> + +<p>There were three children—a young man and +two girls. The former gave no promise of either +ability, probity, or ambition, and there was about +him a noticeable air of deficiency in both mental +and moral worth. The girls were commonplace +nonentities, with no pretensions to beauty or +grace.</p> + +<p>One of the most prominent citizens of Gloster +was a wealthy tanner, named Charles H. Sanders. +Having foreseen at an early day the great progress +which the city would make in population +and importance, he had invested largely in tracts +of unimproved land, which he held against all +offers to purchase until his real estate was more +extended and valuable than that of any other +property-owner in the city. Personally he was +very thin and angular, with such a sickly look +that his death seemed possible any day, though<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +his constitution was of that character which +might hold out much longer than that of a more +robust type. His wife was a very charming +woman, and they had two young daughters, who +gave promise of considerable beauty when they +should arrive at maturity.</p> + +<p>Mr. Thomas Burke and his wife were, perhaps, +the most general favorites in Gloster society. +Mr. Burke was tall and well built, and his large +head and commanding appearance made him conspicuous +in any group. He had a broad, high +forehead, heavy eyebrows, deep-set black eyes, a +Roman nose, and a heavy black moustache, which +completely covered his mouth. His straight, black +hair, high cheek-bones, and swarthy complexion, +gave him slightly the look of having Indian blood +in his veins; but the rest of his features were unmistakably +Celtic, and the moment he spoke, the +Irishman stood confessed. He was a man of such +extensive reading and general information that +few persons excelled him in conversation. His +wife was also cultivated and intelligent, so that +either as guest or hostess she was equally agreeable +and popular. They had a large family of +bright and interesting children.</p> + +<p>One of the social curiosities of the city was +known as Deacon Humphrey. He was a striking +instance of the importance which self-complacent +mediocrity can obtain in a newly-settled community, +in spite of ponderous stupidity. His +large head gave him his only excuse for professing +to have brains, and his air of preoccupation<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +made him in appearance the personification +of wisdom; indeed, a witty journalist, who had +sounded the depths of Humphrey's ignorance, +once said that "no man <i>could</i> be as wise as +Humphrey <i>looked</i>." No better condensation of +this character in a few words could be made. He +was part proprietor of a morning newspaper, and +at times, to the dismay of the other stockholders, +he aspired to the editorial tripod. The mighty +lucubrations of his intellect were generally assigned +to the waste-basket, and in the city it was +well known that his influence in the columns of +the paper was absolutely nothing, though in the +country he was still regarded with awe by the +bucolic mind. He was generally known as +"Deacon" from his honorary occupancy of that +office in a Presbyterian church. Mrs. Humphrey +was seldom seen, being in poor health almost constantly, +but their only daughter, Jennie, was one +of the foremost of the fashionable of the <i>dilettanti</i> +of the city. Indeed, it was confidently anticipated +that, some day, Miss Jennie would burst +forth as a full-blown authoress, and overpower an +expectant public with the radiance of her intellect +and the elegance of her style.</p> + +<p>No description of Gloster celebrities would be +complete without that of Ethan Allen Benson, +Esq., formerly Member of Congress, and late +Minister Plenipotentiary at an important European +court. The suggestion having once been +made to him by some waggish diplomat that he +resembled the first Napoleon, he was ever after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>ward +desirous of drawing attention to this fancied +resemblance. He was a vain, fussy, consequential +politician, whose principal strength was +in the ward caucus and the saloon.</p> + +<p>Judge Peter B. Taylor was another old settler, +and he was frequently seen in social circles in +spite of his age. His forehead was very broad +indeed, but his face tapered so rapidly to a +pointed chin as to make his head wedge-shaped. +He had coarse, faded hair, but no whiskers nor +beard, and only a scrubby, gray moustache. He +had a singular habit of working his eyes independently +of each other, and the effect upon a +stranger who was not aware of this peculiarity +was sometimes startling. His mouth was quite +large, one side appearing larger than the other, +and his lower lip slightly protruded, giving him a +very harsh and forbidding appearance. He had +at one time occupied a seat on the judicial bench, +but few persons could understand on what +grounds he deserved the office, unless it were +that people believed the adage about a poor lawyer +making a good judge. He was quite wealthy, +and his business was that of a money loaner and +real estate speculator. He was considered to be +very pious and charitable—on Sunday; during +the rest of the week no Shylock ever demanded +his pound of flesh more relentlessly than he his +three per cent. a month.</p> + +<p>It was among a society of which the foregoing +were shining lights, that I was to operate at the +request of Senator Muirhead. On returning to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +Chicago from Gloster, I gave a great deal of +thought to the case, for there was so little to act +upon that none of the ordinary plans could be +depended upon. During his stay in this country, +Don Pedro had apparently acted in a perfectly +honorable manner toward every one, and it +would be impossible to proceed against him legally +in the United States for crimes committed +elsewhere, until the aggrieved parties should take +the necessary steps for his extradition; with several +of the countries in which he was supposed to +have committed his crimes we had no extradition +treaty, and nothing could be done here to arrest +or punish him; hence, the task of exposing his +previous career might be fruitless, even though +the Senator's suspicions should be confirmed in +every particular. Nothing whatever could be +adduced against his character since his arrival in +the United States, and I was, therefore, confined +to the prevention of future frauds rather than +the detection of old ones. The primary object of +my efforts was thus made to be the discovery of +the Don's intentions, as, without some slight +forecast of his plans, I might be unable to circumvent +them. Accordingly, I decided that I +must furnish him with a friend who would be +sufficiently intimate with him to become his +trusted companion and adviser. At the same +time, it would be essential to learn as much as +possible relative to the previous career of both +the Don and Donna, for it might be desirable to +use a little moral suasion with them by showing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> +that their history was known. This plan would +involve no injustice to them, for, if innocent of +wrong-doing, they would never know that they +had been under surveillance; while, if guilty, +they deserved no consideration.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Madame Sevier, Widow, of Chicago, and Monsieur +Lesparre, of Bordeaux, also arrive at Gloster.—Mr. +Pinkerton, as a Laborer, anxious for a Job, +inspects the Morito Mansion.—A Tender Scene, +resulting in Profit to the fascinating Señora.—Madame +Sevier is installed as a Guest at Don +Pedro's.</i></p></div> + + +<p>My first action in this affair was to detail a +man to "shadow" Don Pedro and the +Donna until the detectives chosen for the more +difficult portions of the work should be in a position +to take notice of all their movements. As +three detectives would require some little preparation +to gain the position I desired them to fill, I +hastened to select them and give them their +instructions. For this mission I detailed a +married couple, who had been several years in +my employ. Mr. and Mrs. Rosel were natives of +France, and as they had been constantly in my +service almost from the time of their arrival in +this country, I felt sure they would not be recognized +as detectives by any one in the city of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +Gloster. They were people of more than average +intelligence and education, with a natural refinement +which would be especially desirable in the +prosecution of this case. In a few days all their +preparations were completed, and they went to +Gloster by different routes.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Rosel was not handsome, but she had a +good figure, and she was very attractive, on account +of her dashing, spirited ways, and because +she could assume a deep interest in every one +whom she met. She spoke English with so slight +an accent that it was only noticed as an added +charm to her winning conversation. I instructed +her to represent herself in Gloster as Madame +Sevier, the widow of a lace merchant, lately of +Chicago, where he had carried on a moderate +business. His death had thrown his affairs into +some confusion, but the estate would be settled +up soon, leaving a comfortable fortune to his +widow. Madame Sevier did not like the climate +of Chicago, and therefore she had decided to +remain in Gloster until her business affairs were +settled, when she would probably return to her +relatives in France. I intended that she should +mix in society as much as would be consistent +with her character as a widow, and that she +should endeavor to become intimate with Donna +Lucia.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rosel was to make a slight detour, arriving +in Gloster from the east. He would be known +as Monsieur Girard Lesparre, and his ostensible +character was to be that of a man of moderate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> +capital from Bordeaux, looking for a favorable +opportunity to invest some of his means in a +profitable business.</p> + +<p>I followed the Rosels in a day or two, and found +that Monsieur Lesparre was pleasantly located +at a fashionable family hotel, while Madame +Sevier had taken apartments in a stylish boarding-house +only a few doors from the handsome +residence which the Moritos were to occupy. +This was quite satisfactory, and I turned my +attention to the examination of the reports made +by my "shadow." The reports were very monotonous +in character, except as evidences of the +popularity of the Don and Donna. The dull days +of Lent had just passed, and the close of the +season was now more crowded with parties and +balls than the earlier portion had been. The +presence of two such distinguished guests as Don +Pedro and Donna Lucia contributed largely to the +reasons for this rush of gayety, and they were +overwhelmed with visitors and invitations. Mr. +Mather had set the example by giving a large +dinner-party in their honor, followed in the evening +by a grand ball; and they had so charmed +the other leaders of society that no entertainment +was considered complete without the presence +of Don Pedro P. L. de Morito and his beautiful +wife.</p> + +<p>On leaving my hotel to visit the house which +Don Pedro was fitting up for his residence, I met +Charlie Morton, the United States Commissioner +of Gloster. Morton was a capable lawyer and a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> +shrewd politician. He was equally attentive to +ladies as to gentlemen, and it was well known +that Charlie would never slight any one who +could cast or influence a vote. His acquaintance +extended through all classes, from the lowest to +the highest, and few men were more generally +popular. His powers of observation were only +equaled by his tact, so that, while he saw all +that went on about him, he never talked indiscreetly. +He and I were quite intimate, and we +chatted for some time about various people before +I succeeded in bringing up the names of those in +Gloster in whom I was just then most interested.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you are quite glad that the gay season +is over, Charlie," I said, interrogatively. "As +usual, you will not have many social events of +any consequence after Lent, I presume?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, indeed," he replied; "we shall be +more active in society for the next month or two +than ever before. You see, we have two wealthy +and aristocratic Peruvians visiting Gloster, and +they are so fascinating that they have quite taken +our people by storm. They have been accustomed +to the finest society of Europe and South +America, so that we are put upon our mettle to +show how well Gloster can compare in wealth, +luxury, and refinement with older cities at home +and abroad."</p> + +<p>"Are they then such remarkable lions?" I +asked, "or do people run after them simply because +they are rich foreigners?"</p> + +<p>"Of course their wealth and foreign birth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> +would cause many people to pay them attention," +said Morton; "but their popularity is something +exceptional, and is undoubtedly due to their perfect +knowledge of all the courtesies and customs +of modern society, to their charming manners, +and largely to their personal good looks. Señor +Morito has fascinated all the ladies, while nearly +every man in society is in love with the Señora."</p> + +<p>"Well, take care of yourself, my boy," I said, +jokingly. "If the lovely Donna causes Charlie +Morton to strike his colors, she must be dangerous +indeed."</p> + +<p>After leaving Morton, I sauntered along to the +house which Don Pedro had rented, and which +was now nearly ready for occupancy. It was a +large residence, with ample grounds fronting on +the principal avenue, and its imposing front of +heavy columns gave it a striking appearance as +compared with the more commonplace stone +fronts around it. While I was glancing curiously +about, a truck arrived laden with costly furniture. +I was rather roughly dressed, and the driver +asked me if I wanted a job of work. I accepted +his offer to aid in carrying the furniture into the +house, as I was anxious to examine the interior. +After finishing the job, the furniture salesman +took me over the house to show off the elegance +with which it was decorated and furnished. It +was certainly a model of good taste, while the +paintings, statuary, frescoing, and articles of +<i>bijouterie</i> were evidences of enormous expenditures. +Having obtained a thorough knowledge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +of the plan of the house, I withdrew, receiving +fifty cents for my labor.</p> + +<p>The time when Don Pedro was to occupy his +residence was to be signalized by a grand reception +held therein, and the invitations were already +out. Meantime entertainments were given by +John Preston, Alexander McIntyre, and Charles +H. Sanders. The latter's reception was especially +brilliant, and those who knew Mr. Sanders's parsimonious +character were much surprised at his +profuse expenditure for the occasion. I soon +afterwards obtained an explanation of this unusual +liberality, by hearing another banker casually +remark that Don Pedro had withdrawn a +part of his funds from New York, and had deposited +them in Mr. Sanders's bank. This gave +me a hint, and I immediately acted upon it. Being +well acquainted with a number of bankers, I +visited several of them, and talked about various +business men of Gloster, as if I were desirous of +getting information about their commercial standing +and credit. In each case I succeeded in learning +the extent to which Don Pedro had deposited +money in bank. The total amount then due him +by the three houses with whom he had made deposits +was about $17,000, although his original +deposits had amounted to more than double that +sum. Heavy drafts to pay his current expenses +and to furnish his house had largely reduced his +available cash, though he still had an ample sum +on hand. Knowing how enormous his expenses +were, I felt sure that he would reach the end of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +his bank account in a short time, unless he should +have other funds, of whose existence I was unaware. +If this sum of seventeen thousand dollars +represented his total capital, however, he +would soon show whether he was what he +claimed to be, or an adventurer; for, in the +former case, he would draw money from his +Peruvian estates, and, in the latter, he would accomplish +some great swindle. I was, therefore, +anxious to put my detectives at work as quickly +as possible to enable me to learn something definite +of his intentions.</p> + +<p>Madame Sevier was making quite rapid progress +in her new quarters. Mrs. Courtney, the lady +who kept the house, was a widow of some means, +who took boarders to enable her to educate her +children in the best manner. She was highly regarded +by every one, and her visiting-list included +all the most fashionable people in the city. She +soon became greatly interested in Madame Sevier, +and through her assistance the Madame made +the acquaintance of a number of the families +living in the neighborhood. As the rage for foreigners +was at its height just then, Madame Sevier +soon became highly popular, and she was invited +to several entertainments, where she met Don +Pedro and Donna Lucia. The latter, finding that +Madame Sevier was to be her near neighbor in +her new residence, became very intimate with +her, especially as Donna Lucia was desirous of +reviving her knowledge and practice of the French +language. Consequently, when Don Pedro's ar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>rangements +were all completed and the new +house occupied, Madame Sevier used to drop in +for a few minutes' chat every day. As she was +a very capable manager, she was frequently able +to give Donna Lucia valuable hints about her +household affairs, especially with reference to the +approaching reception.</p> + +<p>Ever since the arrival of the Moritos, Mr. Henry +O. Mather had been a constant attendant upon +the Donna. His attentions had not been so publicly +marked as to have created scandal; but he +had been so assiduous in paying his regards, that +he was much more intimate than Mrs. Grundy +would have thought strictly proper. He was in +the habit of calling very frequently, and he often +took the Don and Donna out for a drive. Sometimes +the party would consist wholly of ladies, +and occasionally the Donna accompanied him +alone. In short, he became a sort of intimate +friend of the family, welcome at all times, without +the necessity of invitation or ceremony.</p> + +<p>One day, Madame Sevier went in to see Donna +Lucia in the afternoon, and was told by the servant +that she would find the Donna in the library. +Without permitting the servant to announce her, +she passed on toward the room mentioned; but, +as she approached the door, hearing voices within, +she paused a moment to see who was with +Donna Lucia. The room was in a very retired +part of the house, and she was able to take a position +close to the partly open door without the +probability of being noticed by any one. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> +was thus enabled to overhear a highly interesting +conversation between the Donna and Henry O. +Mather, who had evidently arrived only a moment +or two before her.</p> + +<p>"You are not in good spirits to-day, Donna +Lucia?" questioned Mather, sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"No, Mr. Mather; I have my troubles at +times, like other people, but I try not to let +others see them."</p> + +<p>"Then you do not care for sympathy, Señora," +said Mather, with a tender sigh; "I see that you +have been in tears, and it grieves me to think +that I cannot save you from the painful things +which cause you to cry."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Mr. Mather, I do appreciate your kindness, +I assure you," said the Donna, also sighing +deeply; "I am almost tempted to ask your advice, +for I feel that you are truly my friend; but +I am afraid you will think I have been naughty +in having exposed myself to such annoyances."</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, my dear Donna," replied the millionaire, +quite enraptured at this evident token +of her confidence in him; "I know that you are +too lovely to be anything but an angel, and I +shall be only too happy to give you advice upon +any subject that you confide to me."</p> + +<p>As the conversation was becoming highly interesting, +the tones of the parties being of a +really lover-like tenderness, Madame Sevier took +a hasty glimpse through the door, and saw that +she could watch as well as listen, unperceived. +Mather was standing beside the Donna, bending<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> +over her and looking into her face, while she had +her head half turned away, as if in coy indecision.</p> + +<p>"Well, Mr. Mather——"</p> + +<p>"Why do you address me always so formally? +Can you not call me Henry?" asked Mather, +boldly.</p> + +<p>"How would it sound if any one should hear +me?" said the Donna, casting down her eyes and +playing with her watch-chain.</p> + +<p>"But when we are alone no one can hear +you," replied Mather. "Won't you call me +Henry when we have an occasional <i>tête-à-tête</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Well, then you must be very discreet, Henry," +answered she, looking up, blushing and hesitating +as she spoke.</p> + +<p>"I will be discretion itself," said the now +wholly infatuated Mather, with a look of +triumph; and to show that he accepted the conditions +of the agreement, he sealed it by raising +her hand to his lips.</p> + +<p>"Oh! fie! fie!" she exclaimed; "is it thus that +you show your discretion? I shall be obliged +to retract my promise if you become so rash. +Now, sit down beside me, and be more polite in +future."</p> + +<p>"I will not be so hasty again, my dear Donna; +but my pleasure was so great that I was somewhat +beside myself. Now tell me what it was +that caused your troubles."</p> + +<p>"Well, Mr. Math——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, no; not 'Mr. Mather;' recollect your +promise," interrupted Mather, as he saw she hesitated +to call him by his first name.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, Henry, I have been very thoughtless +and extravagant, and I do not know what to +do. You see, I have always spent money for +everything I needed without regard to cost; for +my own fortune was ample for everything, and +Pedro would give me any amount that I might +desire. But last month a draft for six thousand +pounds, which was sent me by my trustees, was +lost on the way, and so I have used up all my +own funds. Having run up several large bills in +New York, I asked Pedro to pay them, and he +did so; but he said that, having ordered his factors +to send him no more money until his arrival +in Callao, he should be somewhat embarrassed +until he heard from them again. His sudden +determination to fit up and occupy a residence +here has exhausted all his available funds except +a few thousand dollars for current expenses, and +he requested me not to make any large purchases +until one of us should receive a remittance from +our estates. Well, you see, I expected surely to +have received a large sum before now, and so I +made purchases without regard to consequences; +the result is, that I am deeply in debt, my money +has not arrived, and I am afraid to tell Pedro, +because he will not forgive me for running in +debt and disobeying him. Unfortunately, I have +done both these things, and I am momentarily in +fear that some of the bills will be sent to him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +Now, my dear Henry, you see that I have good +cause to look sad and cry."</p> + +<p>As she finished, the Donna began to whimper +and put her handkerchief to her eyes in so touching +a manner that Mather was quite overpowered. +The artistic expression with which she +hastily called him her "dear Henry" was the +finishing touch to an already powerful attack, +and he surrendered completely.</p> + +<p>"My dear Donna," he exclaimed, seizing her +hand in both of his, "how glad I am that you +confided in me. I will see that you are not +troubled by another anxious thought in this matter. +Tell me how much you need to settle all +your indebtedness."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, Henry, I cannot let you do anything +of the kind," she protested, feebly. "Why, it is a +very large sum in all, and it may be several +months before I can repay you."</p> + +<p>"Now don't talk about payment, but just tell +me how much you need," replied Mather.</p> + +<p>"The large bills amount to over four thousand +dollars, and there are a number of small ones +which I have not figured up," she said, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I will bring you around five +thousand dollars to-morrow, and you can pay +the bills without any one knowing where the +money comes from," said Mather, again kissing +her hand.</p> + +<p>"Oh! you dear, good fellow!" exclaimed the +Donna; and, overcome by his generous response<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +to her request, she threw her arms about his neck +and kissed him several times.</p> + +<p>"There, there," she continued, releasing herself +and coquettishly tapping his lips with her +hand, "I don't know how I came to do such a +thing, but you were so kind that I couldn't help +it."</p> + +<p>"If that is the case," said the overjoyed +Mather, "I will add five thousand more to have +a similar expression of your gratitude."</p> + +<p>"Will you, really? I believe I am half in love +with you," she murmured, as she allowed him to +embrace her a second time, and press burning +kisses on her lips.</p> + +<p>The ringing of the door-bell interrupted their +happiness, and Madame Sevier hastily retired to +the drawing-room, into which other visitors were +shown by the servant. Donna Lucia soon entered, +perfectly self-possessed, and greeted all her +friends with her usual ease and cordiality. Mr. +Mather probably passed out by the library entrance, +for he did not appear in the parlor. The +ladies conversed together for some time, one of +the important subjects of their talk being the +troubles of household management. Donna Lucia +complained bitterly that her servants robbed her, +and that they were careless, dirty, and impudent. +She knew very little about housekeeping, and +every domestic in her employ took advantage of +her. She added that, as soon as her housewarming +was over, she intended to get, if possible, a +lady who would be a member of the family, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +who would relieve her of the management of the +house.</p> + +<p>"Now," said she, in her most winning manner, +"here is Madame Sevier, who has nothing +to occupy her time, who is a natural manager of +other people, and who is so agreeable that she +would be a positive charm to any household; and +I have been thinking, positively, of asking her to +take charge of my whole establishment, and help +me entertain my guests. What should you think, +Madame Sevier, of such a request?"</p> + +<p>The opportunity of becoming domesticated in +the Morito mansion was thus afforded to one of +my detectives, but she knew better than to +accept at once. She therefore professed to treat +it as a pleasantry, and said that she had no doubt +that she should succeed as a housekeeper, but +whether she could add anything of attraction to +such a charming home was greatly to be doubted. +The other ladies, however, thought the idea an +admirable one, and they all urged Madame Sevier +to adopt it. Having once broached the subject, +Donna Lucia again spoke of it with the greatest +interest, showing, by her arguments and determination +to coax Madame Sevier to decide favorably, +that she had thought about such a plan before, +and that she was really in earnest in her request. +Finally, Madame Sevier said that she saw +no objection to accepting the offer, as she really +enjoyed taking care of a large establishment, but +she was not prepared to accept it at once, and +she would wait a few days to reflect upon it. It<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> +was then agreed that she should give her decision +at the grand reception to be given as a housewarming.</p> + +<p>This part of my plan had worked admirably, +and I felt confident of my eventual success in +learning all about the affairs of the Morito +family. The method by which Donna Lucia had +obtained ten thousand dollars from Mr. Mather +was a decided confirmation of Senator Muirhead's +suspicions; though there was nothing in the +transaction which could make her liable to punishment +by law, and as there was no danger that +her victim would ever appear against her, I paid +no further attention to this episode.</p> + +<p>I ordered Madame Sevier to accept Donna +Lucia's offer on the following terms: she should +have full authority over all the female servants in +the house; she should have charge of the ordering +of all articles for household use; she should be +considered in the same light as a guest, so far as +social intercourse went; she should go and come +as she chose, without regard to the duties of the +<i>ménage</i>; and she should receive no salary. This +last point she was to insist upon, as necessary +to preserve her feeling of independence, and +enable her to occupy her time as she might see +fit.</p> + +<p>As the day approached for the Moritos' reception, +all Gloster's best society were filled with +pleasurable excitement and anticipation, as the +preparations were known to be far more magnificent +than those for any similar entertainment<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> +since Gloster was settled. As Monsieur Lesparre +had already made Don Pedro's acquaintance, +and had received an invitation, I felt sure that +I should be thoroughly informed as to all the +occurrences of the evening, and so I awaited developments.</p> + +<p>The employment of detectives to penetrate into +the social life and domestic surroundings of any +family is strongly repugnant to my sense of propriety, +and I rarely countenance the practice, if I +can possibly attain my object in any other way. +I dislike to feel that I am trespassing upon the +privacy of any man's home, even though that +man may be a criminal. The idea of introducing +a spy into a household is opposed to the spirit of +our free American institutions, violating, as it +does, the unwritten law that "a man's house is +his castle;" hence, I never resort to such a measure, +except in extreme cases. I saw, however, that +there was no other means of protecting the interests +of my client, Senator Muirhead; he was +acting disinterestedly in the case, to save his constituents +from being defrauded, and I could only +prevent the threatened swindle by learning in +advance the exact plan of operation proposed by +the suspected person.</p> + +<p>I was careful, however, to employ my most +discreet and cautious agents, in order that I should +quickly learn whether the Senator's suspicions +were based on fact; in case I should find that the +suspected parties were innocent, I was determined +to withdraw instantly. They would not then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> +suffer any injustice, for my employés would keep +their discoveries secret from every one except myself, +and no one would ever know that they had +been the objects of suspicion.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Monsieur Lesparre, having a retentive memory, becomes +serviceable to Don Pedro.—Diamond Fields and +droll Americans.—A pompous Judge in an unfortunate +Predicament.—The grand Reception closes +with the happy Arrangement that the gay Señor +and Señora shall dine with Mr. Pinkerton's Detectives +on the next evening.</i></p></div> + + +<p>The day of the reception was unusually pleasant, +and at nightfall the full moon rose to +add her splendor to the attractiveness of the +evening. The Morito mansion was ablaze with +wax candles, gaslight being considered too common +for use on such an occasion. From the street +to the door was a passageway of double canvas, +with an opening at the sidewalk to prevent interference +with passers. This opening was brilliantly +lighted, and was hung with flags, pennants, and +flowers, artistically arranged so as to give the +guests a charming prospect when alighting from +their carriages. The rooms of the house needed +no decoration beyond that already given by the +frescoes and paintings adorning the walls and +ceilings. Nevertheless, flowers were abundantly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> +distributed about the spacious apartments. The +beautiful conservatory contained a superb fountain, +whose jets and sprays gave forth exquisite +odor and rippling music. Everywhere throughout +the house the most artistic grouping of +furniture, pictures, and statuary could be seen, +and the variety of taste displayed was only +equaled by the unity of arrangements as a +whole. At ten o'clock the guests began to arrive, +and as the throng of carriages became thicker, +it seemed as if the house would be over-crowded. +This did not happen to any noticeable degree, +however, as the whole of two floors were thrown +open to accommodate the guests. The music +was furnished by the best musicians of the city, +and the supper was a miracle of epicurean excellence, +Delmonico having sent one of his chief +assistants from New York to superintend its +preparation. Never had Gloster seen an affair +where such elegance and good taste had been +displayed; even the smallest details were perfect, +and the Don and Donna received innumerable +congratulations and good wishes from their +guests.</p> + +<p>During his brief stay in Gloster, Monsieur Lesparre +had been very active in forming acquaintances, +and he was already well known in society. +He had a very retentive memory, and, when once +introduced to any gentleman, he immediately +took pains to learn everything possible about him. +By careful observation and perseverance, he had +learned the general history of a very large num<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>ber +of the leading people in society, and his droll +comments and half-sarcastic criticism of them, +expressed <i>sotto voce</i> to the Don on various occasions, +had caught the latter's attention. The +Don therefore frequently singled out Lesparre for +a companion in society, in order to obtain information +about the social and business standing of +various people.</p> + +<p>"You see, my dear Lesparre," said the Don, +"I am such a poor judge of character that I am +liable to be imposed upon unless I know something +about the previous history of people who +seek my friendship. And, as I have a miserable +memory for faces, names, places, and everything +else, it is a great pleasure to find some one who +can keep me posted as to the status of the people +I meet. You must let me see as much of you as +possible, for, being both foreigners, we ought to +have a common bond of sympathy."</p> + +<p>"It will give me great pleasure," replied Lesparre. +"Of course our friends here are very attentive; +but then, you know, they lack the polish +one meets in European <i>salons</i>, and they are too +apt to obtrude their business into their social +relations."</p> + +<p>"Exactly; I agree with you perfectly, and it is +for that reason that I enjoy a conversation with +a gentleman of Continental education and tastes. +It is wonderful how keen these Americans are in +their pursuit of the 'Almighty Dollar.' Why, +only a week or two ago, I happened to mention +to Mr. Mather and a few others, that some of my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> +estates in the Peruvian Andes contained extensive +diamond fields, when they began to upbraid me +for not working them and adding to my already +ample revenue. They seemed positively shocked +when I told them, that I saw no reason for increasing +my income, as I had as much money as +I could use now. They insisted that I was doing +a positive wrong to my fellow mortals in refusing +to burden myself with a new enterprise, and I +assure you they were quite in earnest in their remonstrances. +Ah! how droll they are, Monsieur +Lesparre!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, I have found the same spirit +even with reference to my humble means," replied +Lesparre. "They want me to invest in +something right away, and I have very many +disinterested offers of advice; but they cannot +understand my delay, and they think I am throwing +away so many good chances by waiting. +Now, I should be content to settle down for a +year, before investing, just to examine at length +all the openings offered me; but I doubt whether +I could afford to do that, unless I could obtain a +satisfactory salaried position, and I feel that that +is impossible. There are very few such positions +as I would be willing to accept, as I do not care +to be tied down to regular duties."</p> + +<p>The gentlemen had stepped into the supper-room +while this conversation was going on, and +were about to take a glass of wine together. +Lesparre's last remark seemed to give a sudden +idea to Don Pedro, and he sipped his wine in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> +silence for a moment or two. Then he said, +inquiringly:</p> + +<p>"I suppose you would like a position of a responsible +character, where your knowledge of +commercial and financial affairs would be available, +but where your whole time would not be +absorbed?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that was my wish," answered Lesparre; +"but, of course, I do not expect to realize my +hopes."</p> + +<p>"Possibly you may, Monsieur Lesparre," said +Don Pedro; "but let us leave the subject of business +until to-morrow, when I should like to talk +with you more fully about this matter. Now, let +us return to the drawing-room, and when you see +any of my guests approaching, please, tell me +briefly who and what they are. For instance, +tell me about that stiff and military-looking person +crossing the room."</p> + +<p>"That is Captain Adrian L. Kerr, a retired +army officer, who has lived here a long time. He +has been unsuccessful in business, and it would +be difficult to account for his means of livelihood +were it not that his wife, the brilliant brunette +near the mantel-piece, is supposed to have an income +of her own. Some people are so ill-natured +as to suggest that Alexander McIntyre, the +wealthy Scotch banker now talking to her, is the +source of her revenue, but that may be pure gossip. +At any rate, she is always elegantly dressed, +and she moves in the best society."</p> + +<p>"If people suspect her of improper intimacy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> +with McIntyre, why do they admit her to their +houses?" asked Don Pedro.</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, many of the merchants and +business men have financial dealings with McIntyre, +and they do not dare to offend him. As an +illustration of his power, I will relate an incident +that occurred recently. The wife of a well-known +merchant was about to give a large party, and, +in making out her list of invitations, she purposely +left out the name of Mrs. Kerr. Her husband, +on going to the bank to obtain the renewal +of a note, found McIntyre as surly and savage as +a bear, and the renewal was refused. As he had +never before had any difficulty in obtaining such +an accommodation when hard pressed for money, +he could not account for the change in McIntyre's +conduct; but when his wife informed him of her +action the day previous in withholding an invitation +from Mrs. Kerr, he understood it all. His +affairs were in such a condition that he could not +afford to quarrel with McIntyre, and so he insisted +that an invitation be sent to Mrs. Kerr, in +spite of his wife's assertion that Mrs. Kerr was +an improper character. He was willing to admit +that fact, but he preferred to submit to her presence +rather than to be seriously crippled in +business. An invitation was therefore sent in +such a way as to make the delay in its delivery +appear accidental, and in a few days Mr. McIntyre +was willing to renew the merchant's note."</p> + +<p>"Well, she certainly does carry things with a +high hand," replied Don Pedro, smiling. "I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> +wonder how she would have retaliated upon me +if I had struck her name off my list to-night? +However, it is not my business to question her +character, and if my wife is satisfied to receive +her, I shall not interfere."</p> + +<p>As the Don finished speaking, the music +sounded the preliminary notes of a quadrille, +and he hastened to find a partner. Among the +guests were Mr. and Mrs. Arlington, whose +minds were of such opposite characters as to +keep them continually quarreling. He was a +wealthy banker of austere manners and Puritanic +tastes, while she was a butterfly of fashion, +fit only to be petted, kissed, and caressed. She +was all gayety and life; he, all piety and gloom. +Her pleasures he considered sinful, while his +recreations were to her the most painfully melancholy +observances that could be devised. +While he believed that she was a child of wrath, +a creature of the world, the flesh, and the devil, +she was equally satisfied that he was on the +highway to fanaticism and hypocrisy. Under +these circumstances, it was not unnatural that +she should seek her friends among those who +mingled in fashionable society, nor that her husband +should consider it necessary to follow her +into the gay world in order to keep a watch +upon her. Her most attentive cavalier was a +young bachelor named Harry Bertram, who +seemed infatuated with her. Indeed, their preference +for each other's society was so marked +that the tongue of scandal had already begun to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> +wag, although no overt act could be cited against +them. The Don, on leaving Lesparre, chanced +to meet Mrs. Arlington, and she readily accorded +him the pleasure of dancing with her. In the +same set were Daniel McCarthy and Donna Lucia, +Charles Sylvanus and Madame Sevier, and +Mr. Mather and Mrs. Simon. In the adjoining +set were Mr. Benson and Miss Jennie Humphrey, +Alexander McIntyre and Mrs. Kerr, Harry Bertram +and Mrs. Sanders, and Judge Robert Morgan +and Mrs. Middleton.</p> + +<p>Judge Morgan was a remarkable-looking person +at any time, but his appearance was especially +noticeable in a dancing-set, the incongruity of +his presence in such a scene being irresistibly +comical. He was about fifty years of age, but +his face was smooth and unwrinkled; though he +was of the medium height, his great size gave +him the look of a short man, which effect was +partly increased by his long arms. He was very +broad and fat, his stomach projecting to an absurd +degree. At the same time he stood very +erect, so that a profile view gave him a general +resemblance to a loggerhead turtle set on end. +His eyes were small and treacherous, his cheeks +were puffy and flabby, his mouth was large and +sensual. His hair and whiskers were brown and +fine, but they always seemed unkempt. He wore +closely-fitting black clothes, and he was fond of +displaying an unusual amount of jewelry. He +had obtained the office of judge of the criminal +court by currying favor with the very classes +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span>most likely to be brought before him for trial, +and his judicial ermine was not considered free +from the foulest stains. His private life was, in +many respects, a counterpart of his official conduct; +though married to an agreeable woman, +he was a notorious libertine and profligate. Still, +he held his position in society, and was admitted +to the acquaintance of the most reputable people +in the city; hence, he frequently appeared at +balls and dancing-parties, where he always tried +to act like a light and graceful youth.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 640px;"> +<img src="images/gs04.jpg" width="640" height="430" alt="The Judge's downfall." title="" /> +<span class="caption">The Judge's downfall.</span> +</div> + +<p>On this occasion he was especially anxious to +display his manly form in the same set with the +Donna, but being disappointed in this, he chose +the set next to hers, and acted like a playful hippopotamus. +While backing rapidly, in an attempt +to balance to his partner, he came in contact +with Mrs. Simon of the next set, and, tripping +on her dress, he fell violently upon her. +Her partner, Mr. Mather, tried to catch her as +she also fell, but the ponderous form of the +Judge came upon them both with crushing effect, +and all three were brought to the floor at once. +Mr. Mather and Mrs. Simon were quickly on +their feet again, flushed with mortification but +unhurt. But it was no such easy matter for the +corpulent Judge to raise himself erect; he lay on +his back a moment groaning, and it was thought +that he might be seriously injured, as his fall had +jarred the whole house. Several gentlemen carefully +lifted him upright, and the ladies gathered +about to condole with him, when it was suddenly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +discovered that, if the Judge's person had not +suffered, his clothing had. His tight dress coat +was split several inches down the back, while a +hasty glimpse behind his coat-tails satisfied the +spectators that his pants were in an even worse +condition than his coat. It may be imagined +that the situation caused some merriment, in +spite of the efforts of the more well-bred guests +to preserve their gravity; but when the Judge, +having regained his feet, vociferated in great +wrath: "You are a pack of monkeys. I don't +see anything to laugh at," there was a universal +burst of laughter which could not be repressed. +This so enraged him that it was difficult to make +him understand his absurd position, but at length +Don Pedro and Monsieur Lesparre induced him +to go to the dressing-room for repairs. As there +was no coat in the house large enough for him, +the Don was at his wits' end to make him sufficiently +presentable to enable him to return to the +drawing-room; but at length the Judge was +arrayed in one of the Don's gorgeous dressing-gowns, +which was large enough to hide most of +the effects of the fall. He soon returned to the +lower rooms dressed in the most remarkable costume +ever worn at a full-dress party in Gloster.</p> + +<p>With the exception of this accident, the evening +passed off with the most perfect success, +and the unanimous verdict was that there had +never been a more thoroughly enjoyable entertainment +given in the city. During the evening, +Madame Sevier informed Donna Lucia of her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> +willingness to take charge of the Morito establishment, +and agreed to begin her reign the next +day. Donna Lucia was delighted at this news, +and willingly accepted all the conditions, though +she insisted for some time on giving Madame +Sevier a liberal salary. Finding that Madame +Sevier was resolute in her refusal to receive pay, +the Donna informed her friends that she had invited +Madame Sevier to live with her, and that +the Madame had kindly agreed to assist her in +entertaining her numerous guests.</p> + +<p>It was not until nearly daybreak that the more +indefatigable revelers became weary of dancing +and flirting, so that the Donna was quite exhausted +when the last guest had departed. +Madame Sevier remained to the end, as she intended +occupying her room in the Morito mansion +at once, instead of returning to her boarding-place. +Donna Lucia left orders that she was not +to be disturbed until five o'clock in the afternoon, +but Madame Sevier decided to get up at twelve +o'clock, in order to superintend the work of clearing +away the decorations and <i>débris</i> of the ball. +The Don had invited Monsieur Lesparre to dine +with him at six o'clock, and so it was arranged +that they should all meet at that hour.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Madame Sevier and Her Work.—Unaccountable Coquettishness +between Man and Wife.—A Startling +Scheme, illustrating the Rashness and Gullibility of +American Business Men and the Supreme Assurance +of Don Pedro.—Disaster approaching the +Gloster Capitalists.—Other Suspicions Aroused.—The +Story of Mr. Warne, English Diplomatic +Agent.—A New Move.</i></p></div> + + +<p>Madame Sevier began her work of reform +in the household as soon as she was +dressed that afternoon. Finding that they now +had a mistress competent to control them, the +servants showed a greater willingness to be useful, +though some of them were inclined to be +lazy and impudent as before. The Madame made +mental notes of everything, took charge of the +keys to all storerooms and closets, and clearly +demonstrated that she was able to manage the +house according to her own ideas. The cook, +thinking she was indispensable, and that she +could act independent of control, was very impertinent +to Madame, and she evinced an insubordinate +spirit that created a good deal of trouble. +Seeing that prompt and severe measures were +necessary, Madame Sevier paid this woman her +wages and discharged her without a moment's +warning. The effect upon the other servants +was most satisfactory, and although the Madame +was obliged to make some minor changes after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>ward, +she was never again annoyed by impertinence +or presumption. The dinner for that day +was prepared by the assistant cook, under +Madame Sevier's direction, and when the Don +and Donna came down from their chamber, they +were delighted to find that the house was in perfect +order, showing no signs of having been the +scene of revelry and dissipation the night before.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 640px;"> +<img src="images/gs05.jpg" width="640" height="419" alt="Madame Sevier discharging the servants." title="" /> +<span class="caption">Madame Sevier discharging the servants.</span> +</div> + +<p>During dinner, at which Monsieur Lesparre +was the only guest, Don Pedro, after complimenting +Madame Sevier very highly upon her +success in bringing order out of chaos, turned to +his wife and said:</p> + +<p>"Lucia, your selection of a companion and advisor +has been so fortunate that I am more than +ever disposed to follow your example. What do +you think, Monsieur Lesparre, cannot you serve +me as confidential secretary and financial agent +as satisfactorily as Madame Sevier assists my +wife?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, Don Pedro," replied Lesparre, gallantly, +"if you impose upon me the task of +equalling so accomplished and charming a lady +as Madame Sevier, you will probably be disappointed +in everything I do."</p> + +<p>"Bravo, bravo, Monsieur Lesparre!" cried the +Donna; "you will certainly be successful in paying +delicate compliments, at least. Yes, Pedro, +I think you ought to secure Monsieur Lesparre's +services at once; when you have nothing for him +to do, he will be an agreeable companion for us. +What say you, Madame Sevier?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I quite agree with you," replied the Madame, +casting down her eyes coquettishly; "but I +prophesy that Monsieur Lesparre would find his +position an onerous one if he should be under +obligations to pay me compliments."</p> + +<p>"Ah! the obligation would be unnecessary," +said Lesparre; "the difficulty would be to avoid +doing so constantly."</p> + +<p>The Don and Donna smiled at each other significantly, +thinking that they saw the incipient +signs of a mutual attachment between these two, +and that it was not unreasonable to imagine that +a wedding might result therefrom. How little +they imagined that these apparently distant acquaintances +were, in fact, already man and wife!</p> + +<p>After dinner, the Don and Lesparre repaired to +the billiard-room to smoke, while the ladies entered +the drawing-room to receive visitors.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur Lesparre," said the Don, as they +lounged back in luxuriant easy-chairs, "what do +you think of my suggestion at dinner? I should +really like to obtain your services as private secretary, +and I will gladly give you such a salary as +will make you independent of other labor. While +you are attending to my affairs you will naturally +become well acquainted with many business men, +and will be able to investigate a number of enterprises, +so that you will be better able a year +hence to invest your capital to advantage."</p> + +<p>"Your offer is truly liberal," replied Lesparre, +puffing his cigar thoughtfully, "and I feel disposed +to accept it. What would be my duties?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, I will explain what I wish fully, and +then you can judge how the position would suit +you," answered Don Pedro. "In the first place, +I wish a financial agent, a man whom I can +trust, who will attend to all my affairs. You see, +I detest the details of business. I desire to live +free from the vexing annoyances consequent +upon the providing and disbursing of money. +My estates produce as much as I can use, and I +do not trouble myself to inquire whether they +might not yield more. I am accustomed to buy +whatever I wish, but I hate to bother my head to +know whether I have enough on hand to pay for +my purchases; hence I want my secretary to attend +to such matters for me. There is another +thing in which you could be of the greatest service +to me; for, while it is an affair of great importance, +involving large interests, I am positively +too fond of my own ease to give it the +attention which it deserves. I know I can trust +you not to repeat the slightest portion of what I +am about to tell you, for it is not desirable that +it should be talked about, unless the enterprise +is successfully carried out."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, you can rest assured that I shall +never mention a hint of it to any one," replied +Lesparre.</p> + +<p>"Well, you recollect I told you last night that +Mather, Perkins, and some others were anxious +to have me explore and open up the diamond +fields which, I have reason to believe, constitute +a large part of one of my estates in Peru? Some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> +time after I spoke to you, toward the end of the +party, I missed Mather, Perkins, McIntyre, Sanders, +and several others from the rooms, and +while I was wondering what had become of +them, Mather came up and asked me to go up to +my dressing-room, which, you recollect, adjoined +the room used for the gentlemen's dressing-room +last night. On arriving there, I found about a +dozen of the wealthiest men of Gloster sitting +around the room, with Dan McCarthy at the +table acting as secretary. Will you believe it? +They had actually formed a business meeting in +my own house, and had made speeches, passed +resolutions, and voted upon two propositions, +which they wished to submit to me; they had +then sent the chairman, Mr. Mather, to bring me +in, and I was expected to stand and deliver my +decision at a moment's notice. The idea was +perfectly ludicrous to me, yet it did not strike +any of them that they were doing anything +unusual. I believe that if a party of these Gloster +business men were to be landed suddenly in +hell, they would organize a stock exchange to +deal in brimstone and ashes!"</p> + +<p>"They certainly carry their business instincts +everywhere," said Lesparre, laughing heartily. +"I suppose they had fully arranged everything +before you were sent for?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed; the very minor details were provided +for, and I could not raise an objection +which had not already been discussed and removed. +Both propositions provided for the for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span>mation +of a stock company for the mining, cutting, +and sale of diamonds. According to the first +plan, I was to fix a price upon my diamond fields, +which the company would then purchase, paying +me three-fourths in cash, and one-fourth in +stock. In case, however, that I should be unwilling +to part with my controlling interest, the +second plan provided that I should receive one-fourth +the estimated value of the land in money, +giving to the company therefor the privilege of +mining for a certain length of time, and receiving +also one-half of the value of the diamonds found. +The idea of disposing of this property had never +before occurred to me, and naturally I was not +prepared to give any answer on such short notice; +but if I had done so then, I should have positively +rejected both propositions. In fact, I said as +much to Mather, and he then suggested to the +meeting that 'Señor Morito be given a week +to decide upon the propositions submitted to +him.' The cool impudence of thus graciously +giving me a week did not seem to strike them, +and the meeting broke up with great satisfaction, +every man feeling certain that I <i>must</i> accept +one proposition or the other. It was further +decided to appoint a committee to draw up a +charter and by-laws, 'so as to save time,' as one +gentleman remarked. After the gentlemen had +left the room, Mather urged the matter upon +me very strongly. He apologized for having +acted with such precipitation, but, he said, the +others were so eager, as soon as they heard that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> +I owned a vast tract of unworked diamond fields, +that he could not restrain them. He begged me +to make some arrangement with the proposed +company, as the men who had become interested +in it were wealthy and enterprising, and they +would surely push it to a profitable conclusion. +In answer to my remark that I was rich enough +already, he said that I ought to give others a +chance to make some money who needed it, perhaps, +more than I. Finally, as he urged it as a +personal favor to himself, I agreed to give the +most favorable answer that I could, and so the +matter stands."</p> + +<p>"When are you to give your answer?" asked +Lesparre.</p> + +<p>"The committee adjourned until a week from +last night," replied the Don, "and I shall then +again be summoned before them, I presume. +Now, although the first proposition would not +probably pay me so well in the end as the second, +I much prefer it. You see I do not wish to keep +a controlling interest because I should have the +continual annoyance of supervising the business; +and, as I have said before, I wish to be perfectly +free from cares and responsibilities. My object +is to enjoy life, and I can't be happy if I am +obliged to work. Nevertheless, I do not wish to +turn over this property to a body of men who +will squeeze it like a sponge, leaving it a mere +waste. There are a large body of tenants occupying +portions of it, whose rights must be +respected. They will make willing and honest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +laborers if properly treated, and I wish to protect +them as far as possible from cruelty and extortion. +Hence, I desire to learn all I can about the +men who will create and manage the company +before I agree to put the property into their +hands, no matter what price they may be willing +to pay for it; it is here, my dear Lesparre, that +you can be of great service to me. You are well +acquainted among all classes of business men in +Gloster, and you can readily learn all about the +people who purpose buying stock. This will +be considered very natural and proper if you +become my private secretary, and your duties +will not be severe. What do you say?"</p> + +<p>"I think I can do what you wish," said Lesparre, +"but I should like a day for reflection. I +never like to act hastily in an important matter, +even where my mind is already made up."</p> + +<p>"You are quite right," said the Don; "but I +hope your mind will remain unchanged in regard +to this matter. I will give you whatever salary +you wish, and shall expect you, of course, to live +here on equal terms with myself and wife. Now, +let us join the ladies."</p> + +<p>On receiving Lesparre's report, I saw the whole +scheme at a glance, and I was now convinced +that Senator Muirhead's suspicions with regard +to Don Pedro were correct. I immediately visited +the Senator, and laid the latest developments +before him. We could not help admiring the consummate +knowledge of human nature which the +Don displayed; he had baited his hook so skill<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>fully +that the gudgeons were actually fearful lest +something should prevent them from swallowing +it; but there seemed to be no probability of defeating +his schemes unless we could obtain positive +proofs of his dishonesty elsewhere, or detect +him in some criminal offense in this country. +We therefore decided to keep a close watch upon +all his movements, and await further developments. +It was evident that the sufferers by Don +José Michel's forgeries in California would not +take any active steps against him unless they +were sure of the identity of the man, and so we +had no ground of accusation against him which +we could rely upon. Both Senator Muirhead and +myself were indignant at the audacity displayed +in his swindling projects, but we did not dare to +attempt his exposure without absolute proof of +our charges. The waiting game is never a pleasant +one to play, but I could not do otherwise +under the circumstances.</p> + +<p>About this time I was called back to Chicago +on important business, but I immediately sent +my superintendent, Mr. Bangs, to Gloster, to +take charge of the case there. During my absence +little of note occurred, except the meeting +to hear the Don's answer to the propositions to +purchase the diamond fields. At this meeting +the Don was apparently anxious to decline all +offers, saying that the property had been in the +possession of his family for about two hundred +years, and that he considered himself in honor +bound to retain an interest in it. Also, he tried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +to cool the ardor of the would-be purchasers by +telling them that he had no positive certainty +that there were valuable diamond fields on the +property, though such was probably the case. +His reluctance to sell the land only made them +more determined to buy, for they argued that he +was so well satisfied with it as a means of revenue +that he wished to retain possession of it all +himself. At length he found that they would +give him no peace until he yielded, and so he +graciously agreed to accept the first proposition. +The question of price then remained to be discussed, +but, on this point, there was little opportunity +for disagreement. Having had so much +difficulty in inducing the Don to sell at all, they +were not disposed to endanger the sale by haggling +about the price; and when the latter was +fixed at one million five hundred thousand dollars, +they made no demur, although the sum +rather staggered their enthusiasm at first. This +effect was only momentary, however, for the +vivid anticipations of dividends in proportion to +this price quickly banished their fears, and they +hastened to subscribe the amounts required. +These facts were all reported to me immediately +after my return to Gloster, which occurred a day +or two after the meeting, and I saw that the day +of disaster to the trusting capitalists of that city +was fast approaching.</p> + +<p>Neither Monsieur Lesparre nor Madame Sevier +had learned much about the private affairs of the +Moritos, for, whenever the latter had anything<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> +important to say to each other, they usually +spoke Spanish. The Don's remaining funds +amounted to only about eight thousand dollars, +and at the rate with which he had hitherto spent +money, this sum would not last much more than +five or six weeks. The time might be extended +to two months by running the establishment on +credit; but the Don was averse to such a course, +and all bills were paid promptly at the end of +each month. He showed no uneasiness as his +cash began to run low, but merely said that if +the first installment on the mine should be paid +in soon, it would obviate the necessity of drawing +upon his agents in Lima, otherwise he should +call upon them for fifty thousand dollars to carry +him through the year. There was nothing in his +manner or actions to excite suspicion, and certainly, +if he intended to defraud the Diamond +Company, he had too much nerve to betray himself, +even to so close an observer as Monsieur +Lesparre.</p> + +<p>Having heard the reports, I strolled out in the +evening for a walk with Mr. Bangs, and while +passing one of the leading hotels, I met a very +intimate friend, named Judge Key. The Judge +was an old resident of Gloster, and his character +was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He +was a man of great ability and force; but, possessing +little ambition, he was not nearly so well +known as many of those who were his inferiors +in point of intellect and morals. We had a great +deal of business between us at one time, and our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +relations to each other were of the most cordial +character, partaking more of the nature of personal +friendship than mere business acquaintance. +I had not visited him previously during +my stay in Gloster, for the reason that, even to +my intimate friends, I never make my presence +known when engaged in an operation, if I can +avoid doing so. On this occasion, the Judge +recognized me instantly, and greeted me with +great warmth, at the same time adding that I +was just the man above all others whom he +wished to see. He then introduced his companion +to Mr. Bangs and myself as Mr. Edward +Ashley Warne, of London, England.</p> + +<p>"Now, Mr. Pinkerton," said the Judge, "let us +step into the club close by, and over a social glass +of wine, Mr. Warne will tell you about a peculiar +case of mistaken identity, or of consummate +rascality—it is hard to know which. Possibly +you may be able to understand some things +which puzzle us, and to frustrate a fraudulent +scheme, if our suspicions are correct. You both +know each other by reputation, I guess, and I +presume, Mr. Warne, that you will not object to +tell Mr. Pinkerton what you have told me."</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, I have often heard of Mr. Pinkerton," +said Mr. Warne, "and I think, as you say, +that he can clear up the mystery, if any one can. +I shall be pleased to tell him all that I know with +regard to it."</p> + +<p>Mr. Edward Ashley Warne was an <i>attaché</i> of +the British diplomatic service, and having been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> +entrusted with the settlement of some questions +relative to commerce between the United States +and Great Britain, he had executed his mission +with such fairness, good sense, and courtesy that +he was regarded with great kindness and respect +by our people as well as by his own government. +He was on a rapid tour through the United +States, previous to his return to London, and he +had spent a week in Gloster with Judge Key at +the time when we met in front of the hotel. We +were soon comfortably seated in one of the private +dining-rooms of the club, and, after a few +sips of wine, Mr. Warne began his story.</p> + +<p>"I don't know whether I am the victim of +imagination, or the gentlemen of Gloster are +likely to be the victims of an impostor; but one +thing is certain, that a gentleman here known as +Don Pedro P. L. de Morito is the exact image of +a man who was known in London as Don José +Arias."</p> + +<p>This information came so unawares that I almost +betrayed my interest in the case by uttering +a hasty exclamation. I restrained my feelings, +however, and asked Mr. Warne to tell me +all he knew about this man.</p> + +<p>"Well, I first met him in Paris, when I was a +member of the French Legation," replied Mr. +Warne. "He was then moving in the most +aristocratic society, and his wealth was reputed +enormous. I saw a great deal of him at times, +and, indeed, I was better acquainted with him +than I was with many of my countrymen; but I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +was recalled to London about that time, and I +soon forgot all about Don José Arias."</p> + +<p>"Pardon me," I interrupted; "was the Don +married?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes; he had a beautiful wife, I have +been told, but I never happened to see her. I +think she was Spanish, if I recollect rightly. +One day, after my return to England, as I was +entering the Foreign Office, I met Don José coming +out, and he seemed delighted to see me. He +said that he had come to spend some months in +London, and he hoped to enjoy my society frequently. +I was then engaged in studying a very +difficult diplomatic question, and I was unable to +give any time whatever to society; I therefore +expressed my regrets that I should be obliged to +decline all invitations, and, after some further +conversation, we separated. I often heard of +him in connection with social events in the best +circles, and, on one or two occasions, I met him +in the street; but I did not renew our former degree +of intimacy, for the simple reason that I did +not have the time to do so. Just before I left +London on the mission for which I had been preparing +myself, I was astonished to learn that +Don José Arias had proved to be a scoundrel of +the most dangerous character. He had not +hunted small game, it is true, but this was probably +a part of his whole scheme. So far as I +could learn, he had left no unpaid bills in the +hands of tradesmen, but he had taken enough +out of bankers and capitalists to pay his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +tradesmen's bills for half a century. The aggregate +fraudulently obtained by him was never known, +for many of his victims refused to state their +loss; but it was surmised that he obtained as +much as forty or fifty thousand pounds sterling +in London alone, while several Paris bankers also +suffered heavily. I was not specially interested +in the affair, and it had wholly passed from my +mind, when suddenly, while walking in the +streets of this city last week, I came upon Don +José Arias again. He wore his hair differently +from his old way in London and Paris, having +now full side-whiskers, whereas then he wore +only moustache and goatee; but I could not be +mistaken, and I said to Judge Key: 'There is a +man who forged paper to an immense amount in +London less than two years ago.' 'Impossible!' +replied the Judge; 'he is a very wealthy man, +moving in the best society in the city.' The +Judge then vouched for him with such earnestness +that I began to believe that I was mistaken; +but I determined to meet him face to face, to see +whether there could be two persons so nearly resembling +each other. Unfortunately he had an +opportunity to see me before I saw him when I +next met him, so that I lost the chance of surprising +him into betraying himself. He appeared +to glance at me casually, as any stranger +would do, and then went on with his conversation +without hesitation or embarrassment. I have +met him several times since then, and he always +acts with the same natural ease of manner, as if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> +we had always been perfect strangers to each +other; but, Mr. Pinkerton, the more I see of +him, the more fully am I convinced that Don +José Arias, of London, and Don Pedro P. L. de +Morito, of Gloster, are identical; and, believing +this, I consider it my duty to tell you these facts +in order that your citizens may be protected +against him, if possible."</p> + +<p>"Well, Mr. Pinkerton," said Judge Key, +"what do you think of this affair? Mr. Warne +does not admit that he can be mistaken, and +there are some corroboratory evidences that he +may be right; yet, it seems incredible. It is a +pity that Mr. Warne should have never seen Don +José's wife, because he could then compare her +with Señora Morito, and if they, too, were exact +resemblances, there would be no longer any room +for doubt."</p> + +<p>"That would certainly be a strong proof," I +remarked; "but I think it is unnecessary. The +suspicion you have spoken of, Mr. Warne, has +already been raised by another gentleman in this +city, and I have been requested to discover +whether or not it is correct."</p> + +<p>"Why, you astonish me!" exclaimed Judge +Key, "for Mr. Warne has not mentioned the +subject to any one but me, and I have never even +hinted anything about it except to you gentlemen."</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless, I have suspected for some time +that this Don Pedro was an impostor, and have +been trying to obtain positive proof of my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> +opinion, in order to save many persons here from +being swindled by him. You are acquainted +with Senator Muirhead, Judge?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, quite well."</p> + +<p>"He has taken enough interest in the affairs +of his constituents to place in my hands the task +of exposing this man, Don Pedro, in his true +light."</p> + +<p>"That seems very kind and disinterested on +the part of our Senator," said Judge Key, with a +quizzical smile; "but I will venture to say that +his interest has been excited more by the Don's +marked attentions to Mrs. Muirhead, than by the +fear that some of his constituents would be defrauded."</p> + +<p>Of course I took no notice of this remark, +although I was quite convinced that such was +the fact; but as the Senator was my client, it +would have been eminently improper for me to +discuss his motives, and so I turned to Mr. +Warne.</p> + +<p>"As you have already met this man under +another name, Mr. Warne," I said, "can you not +go with me to meet Senator Muirhead, and tell +him what you know about him?"</p> + +<p>"I must beg you to excuse me, Mr. Pinkerton," +he replied. "You see, I am in this country +in an official capacity, and, while I am personally +perfectly satisfied of the truth of the statements +I have made to you, I cannot prove them; hence, +I must be careful not to involve myself in a difficulty +which would compromise my position as a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> +diplomatic agent of Great Britain. I shall immediately +give to the police, on my arrival in London, +a description of this man, and I presume +that prompt action will be taken to insure his +arrest and extradition, in case his offenses should +come under the extradition treaty. But as this +is a question upon which the decision of both +governments may be required, the delay may +enable this man to escape. I will use all my +influence with the London authorities; you will +readily see, however, that personally I cannot +appear here as an accuser against him."</p> + +<p>I recognized the force of Mr. Warne's objection, +and did not press him further, but Judge +Key agreed to visit the Senator as soon as the +latter should return to the city. When I left +Mr. Warne we had agreed that any British +official who might be sent to identify and arrest +Don Pedro, should communicate with me the +moment he arrived in this country, so that we +could work together for the same object, though +my whole duty in the case would be to protect +the interests of my client, Senator Muirhead. I +then returned to my room with Mr. Bangs, and +made a new move. I saw that more than two +months would elapse before any news could be +expected from London, as Mr. Warne would be +somewhat delayed in his return home, and meantime, +the Don would probably obtain a large +advance payment for his fictitious mines. If +anything should occur to prevent us from sending +him to England, he might succeed in getting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> +away with his plunder before we could find any +new grounds upon which to hold him. I therefore +instructed Mr. Bangs to write to the proper +authorities in Peru, Brazil, and Ecuador, describing +Don Pedro and his numerous suspected +<i>aliases</i> accurately, and asking that some steps be +taken by his victims to bring him to justice. It +was true that we had no extradition treaties with +those countries, but nevertheless he might be +arrested and frightened into surrendering himself +voluntarily. The letters were dispatched at +once, and duplicates were also forwarded by the +next steamer. There remained nothing further +for me to do except to keep a strict watch upon +the Moritos to see that they should not slip off +suddenly with a large sum of money. The Diamond +Company were in such haste to bind the +bargain with Don Pedro, by making him a large +payment, that there could be no hope of preventing +the partial success of his scheme. Whether +I might not be able to force him to disgorge +afterward was uncertain, but I determined to use +every means in my power to accomplish such a +result.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>The third Detective is made welcome at Don Pedro's.—The +Señor is paid the first half-million dollars from +the great Diamond Company.—How Don Pedro is +"working" his Diamond Mines.—Very suspicious +preparations.—The Don describes his proposed Fête +Champêtre.</i></p></div> + + +<p>One evening, as the members of the Morito +family were about to retire, Monsieur Lesparre +noticed a nervousness and abstraction in +Don Pedro such as he had never shown before. +Thinking that something new might be learned +by overhearing the conversation between the Don +and Donna when they should be alone, Lesparre, +instead of going to his own room, slipped into an +unused closet adjoining the Don's dressing-room, +and communicating therewith by a door, which +was kept locked. There was a transom over this +door, and, by climbing to one of the shelves, +Lesparre could hear all that was said in either +room of the Don's bedroom <i>suite</i>. He had hardly +taken this position when the two entered their +apartments.</p> + +<p>"See what a handsome necklace that old fool +Mather sent me to-day," said the Donna.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is very elegant and valuable," said Don +Pedro, with a yawn; "but what we most need is +money. However, I do not imagine we shall +have any difficulty, for I expect a large sum in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> +few days from the stockholders in this Diamond +Company. Still, you may as well get all you can +out of Mather and the others, for we must keep +up our present style of living to the end."</p> + +<p>Just at this moment the shelf upon which Lesparre +was sitting gave a loud creak, and he had +only just time to slip down and regain his own +room before the Don came out to see what was +the matter. Fortunately, there was a large pet +cat in the hall, and she received the credit of +having made the noise.</p> + +<p>The next day, on hearing Lesparre's report, I +decided to place still another detective in the +Morito mansion, and so I instructed Lesparre to +recommend the employment of a young man to +assist the butler and to do general work about +the house. As I expected, Don Pedro acquiesced +in the suggestion, and told Lesparre to engage +such men-servants as he considered necessary. +Accordingly, I at once telegraphed to Chicago to +have a young fellow named George Salter sent +to Gloster at once. He was a very intelligent +French Canadian, and I chose him because of +his slim build, his ingenuity, and his capacity as +an eavesdropper. He could listen to a conversation +with such a stolid expression that no one +would imagine he had an idea in his head beyond +the performance of his regular tasks, and even +when caught in a place where he had no right to +be, he could invent a plausible reason on the instant, +which would divert all suspicion from him. +On his arrival in Gloster, he was sent to ask em<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>ployment +of Monsieur Lesparre, and, of course, +the latter was so pleased with him as to engage +him at once. He made himself very useful in +the house, and soon became popular with every +inmate.</p> + +<p>A few days later a meeting of the stockholders +of the Diamond Company was held, and it was +agreed to make a payment of five hundred thousand +dollars at once, another like sum when the +title-deeds should be delivered, and the balance +within one year from that time. This arrangement +was satisfactory to the Don, and the sum +of half a million dollars was paid over that day in +the checks of the different original subscribers. +The meeting then appointed a committee of two +to visit Peru and examine the property. There +was some difficulty in selecting two gentlemen +who would be willing to go, and yet who would +be satisfactory to the others; but Deacon Humphrey +and John Preston were finally chosen. +Either of these gentlemen was willing to go anywhere +at others' expense, and it was believed +that John Preston was too well versed in fraudulent +practices to let any one else do any cheating; +hence, he was sent to investigate the mines, and +Deacon Humphrey was sent to see that John +Preston should not steal them. They were not +to depart on their mission, however, until the +title-deeds were received from Peru and delivered +to the directors.</p> + +<p>Don Pedro passed the checks over to Lesparre, +and informed the meeting that he had already<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> +sent to Peru for the deeds, and that the directors +should be informed the moment they should arrive; +thereafter, all business matters relative to +his interest in the mines would be attended to by +Robert Harrington, Esq., who would be his attorney +in fact. The deeds would be directed to Mr. +Harrington, and that gentleman would deliver +them to the directors, receive the second payment, +and give his receipt therefor.</p> + +<p>This arrangement was satisfactory to all, and +the meeting adjourned in good spirits, every man +feeling that the Don had done him a personal +favor in accepting his check in part payment for +such a valuable property.</p> + +<p>The Don, having indorsed the checks, instructed +Lesparre to present them at once for +payment, each at its own bank, and to bring the +money to the house; he was to obtain as much +as possible in gold, as the Don professed to have +little confidence in the bills of private banks.</p> + +<p>"They may be perfectly sound, Lesparre," he +said, in an off-hand way, "but then, you know, +we foreigners are accustomed to government +bills, or gold, and so I prefer to have the latter."</p> + +<p>Taking Don Pedro's carriage, Lesparre visited +each bank, and by the time he had cashed the +last check, he had a considerable weight of gold +and a large amount of bills, about two-thirds +having been paid in coin. Lesparre and Salter +carried all the money up to the Don's dressing-room, +where the Don and Donna were sitting.</p> + +<p>"There, my dear," said Don Pedro to his wife,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +"this is the first installment of the purchase +money of the diamond fields, so that now it will +not be long before they will be thoroughly worked. +The directors have promised me that you shall +have the finest diamond set that the mines can +produce within a year from this time, as a present +from the company, and you need no longer +plague me for not having tried to work them before."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Pedro, how lovely!" exclaimed the +Donna; "you know I have always wanted you +to open those mines, and I am so glad that you +have consented. Now I shall have a set that I +shall be proud of."</p> + +<p>"Well, I did not like to give up the old estate +to strangers, I confess," replied the Don; "but +now that it is done, I do not regret it. If you wish +any money, help yourself; you can write to your +agents in Rio that they need not send any more +for the present, for we shall have as much as we +can use for a year or two. George," he continued, +addressing Salter, "you will find a stout +iron box in the attic, and I think it will serve as +a safe for the present. Bring it down here and +put it in this room."</p> + +<p>The box was soon brought, and the Don +checked off the packages of gold and bills as Lesparre +packed them away, the gold at the bottom.</p> + +<p>"Now, you can check against my bank accounts +for our current expenses, Lesparre," said +Don Pedro, with a complacent smile; "and when +the funds on deposit are exhausted, I will give<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> +you cash monthly to pay all bills as heretofore. I +intend to give a grand <i>fête champêtre</i> soon, as a +lesson to these Gloster people how to enjoy life. +I propose to engage one of the islands in the +river at once, and begin the necessary work of +preparing it artistically for the scene of our +revelry. I shall choose one of the large wooded +islands with ridges and ravines running through +it, and it will take about two weeks to clear away +the underbrush, to clean up the grass and prepare +the landing-places. Then, by the end of another +week, the weather will be delightful, and +our arrangements will be completed. I will make +the place a fairy spectacle, such as the unimaginative +inhabitants of Gloster never dreamed +of, and then we will prepare for our summer trip +to Newport and Saratoga. What do you think +of the plan, Monsieur Lesparre?"</p> + +<p>"It is an admirable one, and I feel sure that +the people of Gloster will enjoy such an entertainment +far more than any that has ever been given +here."</p> + +<p>"Well, I shall rely largely upon your assistance," +continued the Don, carefully locking his +safe as he spoke, "and we must divide the duties +between us, though of course my time will be +somewhat taken up by society. Suppose we issue +invitations for three weeks from to-day?"</p> + +<p>"Better say five weeks, if not six," replied Lesparre, +anxious to delay Don Pedro's departure as +much as possible in order to obtain an answer to +our letters to Peru and Brazil. "You see, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> +people here are not accustomed to such gayeties, +and it will take some time to prepare their minds +to appreciate it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is true," said the Don, reflectively; +"but I do not like to defer it so long. However, +let us compromise by fixing one month hence as +the time, and we will make it a masquerade as +well as an outdoor <i>fête</i>. The guests will then +have ample time to prepare their costumes, and +we can give that as a reason for issuing the invitations +so long in advance."</p> + +<p>The Don was in no special hurry to escape with +his plunder, but neither was he desirous of +remaining too long in the vicinity of his victims; +hence, although he had no suspicion that his +schemes had been discovered by any one, he fixed +an earlier date than that suggested by Lesparre +in order to prevent the probability of any accident +occurring to mar his plans.</p> + +<p>Lesparre immediately ordered the cards of invitation, +and in a few days all Gloster was in a +state of pleasurable excitement over the news of +the coming event. Never had such a commotion +been created in the placid waters of society as +was raised by the delicate cards of invitation to +Señora Morito's <i>fête champêtre</i> and <i>bal masque</i>. +The number who received invitations was enormous, +including every individual having any +claims to be regarded as a member of good society. +From that time forward, Lesparre was so busy +with the preparations for the <i>fête</i> that he was +able to see very little of the rest of the family except<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +in the evening. The Don and Donna and Madame +Sevier continued their usual round of dissipation +and gayety, however, and "all went merry as a +marriage bell."</p> + +<p>Still there were some curious features of their +conduct which I regarded with suspicion. Every +day the Don gave Lesparre a large sum in bank-bills +to be exchanged for gold, and the coin was +then locked up in the iron safe. Then the Don +and Donna held frequent conversations in Spanish, +during which it was easy to see by their +manner that they were discussing an affair of +great importance. Madame Sevier found a newly-purchased +traveler's guide-book in the Donna's +bureau, and from various marks and turned +pages it was evident that it had been carefully +consulted with reference to an ocean voyage. +These things led me to the conclusion that the +Don was preparing for a journey, and the fact +that he made no mention of it, even to Lesparre, +showed that he intended to go secretly. To all +his acquaintances he spoke freely of his contemplated +tour of the watering-places during the +summer, but he always promised to spend the +following winter in Gloster, without fail; hence +it was clear that he was playing a double game, +to deceive some one. I could only wait further +developments, and heartily wish for advices from +Peru or England.</p> + +<p>In company with Judge Key I called upon Senator +Muirhead, on the return of that gentleman +from the session of Congress, and we discussed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +together the best plan to pursue, to foil the +schemes of Don Pedro. The Senator was very +anxious to proceed against him immediately, +with the intention of showing him up in his true +character, and thus saving his victims from any +further loss.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, Senator Muirhead," I replied, "I am +as desirous to arrest his fraudulent operations as +yourself, but I want to be sure of success before +I do anything, and I do not see my way clear to +act just now. At present we can prove nothing +whatever against him; in fact, the only charge +we could make would be that of obtaining money +under false pretenses. Now, what evidence could +we bring to substantiate the accusation? There +is no judge living that would hold him on my or +your individual opinion that he has sold mines +which do not exist, and we should have nothing +else to offer."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but you forget his forgeries in other +countries," interrupted the Senator.</p> + +<p>"In the first place," I replied, "you could not +charge him in this country with crimes committed +elsewhere, even though you had the positive +proof of those crimes. If you charged him +here with obtaining money under false pretenses, +you could produce no testimony except +such as bore upon the specific act alleged in your +complaint; all other testimony would be ruled +out. But, even suppose that such testimony +were admissible, can you produce any witness to +his crimes in other countries? Indeed, admitting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +again that these crimes were proven, can we establish +the identity of Don Pedro P. L. de Morito +as the perpetrator of those crimes? No, sir; we +have not a single witness; I ask you as a lawyer, +Judge Key, am I not right?"</p> + +<p>"You are correct in every particular, Mr. +Pinkerton," replied the Judge. "I confess that +you present the difficulties of the case more +forcibly than I could have done myself."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you are right, Mr. Pinkerton," said Senator +Muirhead; "I do not see that we can do +anything; yet it seems shameful to sit idly doing +nothing, when we know that this scoundrel is +obtaining such immense sums from our people. +What do you propose to do in the future, Mr. +Pinkerton?"</p> + +<p>"I can hardly tell what may be possible as +yet," I answered; "but I feel sure that I shall +not only prevent him from securing any more +plunder, but also wrest from him that which has +already fallen into his hands. He feels secure in +the possession of this large sum, and he is in no +great hurry to get away; he will undoubtedly remain +until after his <i>fête champêtre</i> at least. Before +that time, I hope to hear something definite +from either England or Peru, and then I can act +with a power in reserve in case our own means +should be insufficient to enforce our demands for +restitution. Any action against him now would +only result in hastening his departure with all +the money he has gained, for I am certain that +we could not hold him."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, I see that nothing can be done now," +said the Senator, despondently; "but do not lose +sight of this man for a moment, Mr. Pinkerton, +for he seems an adept in all the tricks of crime."</p> + +<p>"Never fear, Senator Muirhead," I replied, +cheerfully; "I feel sure that we shall eventually +not only bring his career here to a hasty close, +but also recover the money which he has fraudulently +obtained."</p> + +<p>When we parted, the Senator was a little more +hopeful, though he said that he should not be at +all surprised if Don Pedro outwitted us after all. +The loss to the Senator's friends would, of course, +be very large; but, perhaps, the lesson would not +be a bad thing for them; they would know better +thereafter than to part with their money so foolishly.</p> + +<p>That same evening the Don and Donna, Monsieur +Lesparre, and Madame Sevier, were engaged +for the evening at a dancing party given by +Judge Peter B. Taylor. Knowing of their intentions +to attend this party, I saw an excellent opportunity +for Salter to examine the private apartments +of the Don and Donna. Accordingly, +after the family had gone away in the carriage, +Salter began to talk to the other servants about +the advantages of belonging to a family where +the domestics were allowed to do as they pleased, +instead of being so carefully watched. The laundress +then related how much less pleasure they +had, now that Madame Sevier was in charge of +the household.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why," said she, "before this French woman +came, the servants here had as good a time as +any one could ask. Many a fine ribbon, or handkerchief, +or bit of a collar, they picked up unbeknownst +to the Donna; and, as for aitin', why +there was niver a lock on any storeroom in the +house, so that there was lashins of good livin' in +the kitchen as well as in the dinin'-room. But +when this Madame Sevyay came, she put everything +under lock and key, and she snapped off +the old cook's head in no time for sassin' her. +Jist so with the men; this Lesparre, the Don's +private secretary, is as close with the men as the +Madame is with the women. The butler used +to often bring a nice bottle of wine into the +kitchen for us to be merry over, but he can't do +it now."</p> + +<p>"Well, I believe I can find something to drink +by a little search," said Salter, with a knowing +wink at the laundress and chambermaid. "You +wait here, and I'll see what I can do to provide a +glass of wine all 'round.</p> + +<p>"Oh! would you dare?" asked the handsome +chambermaid, looking at Salter admiringly. +"Ain't you 'fraid you'll be caught?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed; I believe I can get a bottle of port +out of one of the rooms upstairs, without any one +ever discovering its loss. Anyhow, I'm going +to try, so you all stay here while I make search."</p> + +<p>Accordingly, Salter went straight to the Don's +room, to which he had a key. Having received +from Lesparre an impression of the locks of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +house several days before, I had had a skeleton +key made, which would open almost any door +about the place. While apparently engaged in +cleaning the door-knobs, it had been a very easy +matter for him to take, in wax, a complete impression +of the wards of all the door-locks, with +out attracting suspicion. He now had no difficulty, +therefore, in entering the Don's room, +where he found that the Don had removed his +iron chest from his dressing-room to his chamber, +it being placed at the head of the bedstead. On +trying to lift the box, he found that it was very +heavy indeed, requiring all his strength to stir it. +This was due, of course, to the coin which had +been put into it, and Salter's testimony, therefore, +corroborated Lesparre's. Salter then, in accordance +with my instructions, carefully bored holes +through the door leading into the closet in which +Lesparre had once listened to a short conversation +between the Don and Donna. He arranged these +holes so that they would not be detected by the +eye, and having thus prepared an excellent place +for listening to the occupants of the chamber +suite, Salter returned to the kitchen. On the +way, he opened the dining-room sideboard and +captured a bottle of port wine, with which he entertained +the other servants in fine style.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the Don and his party had been +received with the utmost cordiality by Judge +Taylor and his wife, who felt quite proud to be +the first to entertain such distinguished guests<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> +after the sale of the diamond mines, and the issue +of the invitations to the Don's grand <i>fête</i>.</p> + +<p>Every one had talked about the affair, but no +one felt exactly sure what a <i>fête champêtre</i> was, +and so United States Commissioner Charlie Morton +determined to ask the Don himself what his +entertainment would be. Accordingly, as Don +Pedro approached with Mrs. Arlington on his +arm, Morton greeted him pleasantly, and said:</p> + +<p>"Don Pedro, every one who has received an +invitation to your <i>fête champêtre</i> is dying of curiosity +to know what it means, and so I am going +to take the liberty of asking you to explain it. I +freely confess my own ignorance, and I know +that there are a great many others no better informed +than I am, who would be ashamed to admit +that fact; but I cheerfully acknowledge that +I have never attended one, and I don't know how +I shall be expected to dress nor to act. So please +tell me all about it, and I will promise to spread +the news among my acquaintances."</p> + +<p>"My dear sir," replied Don Pedro, politely, "I +admire your frankness, and I shall take pleasure +in explaining the principal features of our <i>fête +champêtre</i>. It was the Donna Lucia's desire and +mine to devote one day to enjoyment, and we +therefore decided upon giving an entertainment +in the open air which should combine every +species of gayety and social recreation. It is our +intention to embark in the forenoon and proceed +by steamer to one of the large islands in the river. +There everything will be prepared for outdoor +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span>enjoyment; there will be boats and bathing-houses; +swings and archery-grounds; billiard-tables +and bowling-alleys; in short, opportunities +will be provided for the gratification of every +one's tastes. About five o'clock a dinner will be +served, the <i>menu</i> for which will include every +procurable luxury of the table, and after dinner, +the evening will be spent in dancing on the open +platforms or in enclosed ballrooms, according to +the preferences of the guests, while magnesium +lights and colored lanterns will give all possible +brilliancy to the scene. Dazzling displays of fireworks +will be given at intervals during the evening, +and when we finally leave the island on our +return to the city, a grand illumination of the +whole island will take place as we steam off into +the darkness."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 640px;"> +<img src="images/gs06.jpg" width="640" height="433" alt="Don Pedro explaining the Fête Champêtre." title="" /> +<span class="caption">Don Pedro explaining the Fête Champêtre.</span> +</div> + +<p>Quite a group had gathered around while the +Don was speaking, and as he closed, there was a +general murmur of admiration. The whole +affair was planned on a scale of such magnificence +as to appear almost too wonderful to be believed, +but the Don had shown such fertility of +invention previously, that there was no doubt he +was quite equal to creating a scene of oriental +splendor such as had never before been witnessed +in this country.</p> + +<p>"Well, I admit frankly," said Charlie Morton, +"that we Americans must learn the art of enjoying +life from foreigners, and I think there is no +doubt that Don Pedro is a most adept master of +its mysteries. Is there not something said in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> +invitations about appearing in masks, Don +Pedro?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; I forgot to say at first that there +will be much amusement in requiring every +guest to be dressed in fancy costume and to wear +a mask. The masks will not be removed until +the dinner is served, and then, at a given signal, +the guests will expose themselves in their own +characters."</p> + +<p>The Don's description of the intended programme +for the <i>fête</i> was soon repeated through +all the fashionable circles of Gloster, and the expectation +of the whole city was raised to a high +pitch. No other social event had ever created a +like excitement, and it was the theme of conversation +at all times and in all places.</p> + +<p>The day following the Taylor's party Don +Pedro seemed to have determined to get rid of as +much paper money in exchange for gold as possible, +and during the day he sent more than +twenty thousand dollars to be exchanged; of this +amount Lesparre and Madame Sevier handled the +greater portion, but even the young man, Salter, +was entrusted with three thousand dollars in +paper, for which he obtained gold at a trifling +discount. This method of exchanging money +was repeated several times, it being evidently the +Don's intention to retain nothing but gold in his +possession, and as he had already obtained the +greater portion of his plunder in coin, it was not +long before he had accomplished his object.</p> + +<p>Meantime, the preparations for the <i>fête</i> went<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> +on apace, and the time of the Don and Lesparre +was quite fully occupied in planning and arranging +the details. The Senator called to see me +daily, and his constant urging somewhat excited +me, so that I became nervous and apprehensive +myself. Still, no news came from abroad, and I +could do nothing.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>A Mysterious Stranger.—An unexpected Meeting and a +startling Recognition.—An old Friend somewhat +disturbs the Equanimity of Don Pedro.—The Detectives +fix their Attention upon Pietro Bernardi.—Pietro +and his unpalatable Reminiscences.—The +Donna shows Spirit.</i></p></div> + + +<p>"Early one forenoon Salter was called to the +front door by a violent pull at the bell, and +on arriving there he confronted a rather disreputable-looking +character, who eyed him with an +extremely distrustful look. The man appeared +to be about thirty years old, and he was evidently +a foreigner. He was tall, well-formed, and muscular, +and his general bearing was quite at variance +with his ragged, dirty clothing. He had black +hair and moustache, a swarthy complexion, small +feet and hands, the latter soft and well-shaped, +and his dark eyes were piercing and brilliant.</p> + +<p>"Good morning," he said to Salter, with a +haughty nod; "is Don Juan at home?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No such person lives here," replied Salter, +partially closing the door upon the wolfish-appearing +stranger.</p> + +<p>"I have good reasons for believing that Don +Juan <i>is</i> here," replied the man, "and is doubtless +the guest of the gentleman who resides here. At +any rate, I know that he is now in this house, +and I want to see him very much. He would be +equally glad to see me if he knew I were here;" +and so saying, he pushed Salter aside and entered +the hall.</p> + +<p>This action still further prejudiced Salter against +him, and he said:</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you mean Monsieur Lesparre, who is +a guest of my employer?"</p> + +<p>"That may be," replied the man; "please say +that I wish to see him immediately."</p> + +<p>Salter did not care to leave the stranger alone, +and so he told one of the female servants, who was +dusting the parlor furniture, to call Monsieur +Lesparre. That gentleman was in Don Pedro's +room, discussing some plans for the <i>fête</i>, and, +when informed that a stranger wished to see +him, he told the servant to show him to the +room where he usually transacted business. As +the man passed before Don Pedro's door, however, +Lesparre stepped out to learn who it was.</p> + +<p>"This man wishes to see you, Monsieur Lesparre," +said Salter, who was following the stranger.</p> + +<p>"That is not the gentleman I asked for," the +latter replied.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> + +<p>At this instant Don Pedro came into the hall, +and, as his eyes fell upon the stranger, he gave a +sudden start, and became very pale. The recognition +was mutual, for the newcomer rushed +forward and said:</p> + +<p>"Ah! Don Juan, I am delighted to meet you +again. I knew I was not mistaken when I saw +you yesterday and recognized——"</p> + +<p>"There, there!" interrupted the Don, giving +the speaker a warning look, "I am glad to meet +you again, Pietro; walk into my room, and sit +down."</p> + +<p>Lesparre was about to follow, but Don Pedro +stopped, and whispered to him:</p> + +<p>"Excuse me a short time, my dear Lesparre; +this is an old acquaintance whom I knew in better +circumstances years ago. He seems quite reduced +now, and he may be sensitive enough to +object to telling the story of his loss of fortune +before a stranger;" and, so saying, the Don +retired to his room, leaving Lesparre and Salter +outside.</p> + +<p>The latter immediately hurried into the closet, +where he could hear the whole conversation +within the room.</p> + +<p>"Well, Pietro," began the Don, "where are +you from? You have not been fortunate, it is +evident; but how did it happen?"</p> + +<p>"You are right; I have had bad luck," replied +Pietro. "It is the old story; I have had thousands +of dollars at times, and have lived like a +prince; and again I have been badly treated by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> +Dame Fortune, and have lived as I could; but I +have never before been so very miserable and +poor as now. Positively, it is most providential +that I have met you, for I have eaten nothing for +twenty-four hours."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, Pietro, you shock me," replied the +Don, sympathetically; "shall I order some breakfast +for you?"</p> + +<p>"No; I can wait awhile, and I do not care to be +seen by your servants until I get better clothing. +But tell me where you have been since we parted +in Peru. You have certainly been as fortunate +as I have been the reverse; do you make much by +gambling?"</p> + +<p>"No, Pietro; I gamble very little, except in an +occasional game of cards with gentlemen of my +acquaintance; but I made a good sum—that is," +continued the Don, checking himself a moment, +"I made a wealthy marriage, and my wife's fortune +is ample for us both. By the way, how did +you happen to find me?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I have been enjoying life in New Orleans +for some time, and, having won quite a +large amount there, I decided to come North as +the mild weather began. So I started a month +ago on one of those enormous Mississippi steamboats, +and, of course, I gambled whenever I could. +My luck was bad from the start, and, on arriving +here, I had nothing except my clothing and +jewelry; these I pawned gradually, and soon I +was reduced to my present condition. Yesterday +I met you as you were entering the Globe Hotel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> +with a party of gentlemen, but I did not want to +mortify you by speaking to you in company; so I +waited until you came to this house, intending +then to call upon you late in the evening, when +no one would see me; but you went out in your +carriage, and remained so late, that I put off my +visit until this morning. I thought that, considering +our former relations to each other, you +would be willing to set me on my feet again."</p> + +<p>"I shall be very glad indeed to do so," replied +the Don, eagerly, "and you must tell me what +you wish to do, and where you wish to go."</p> + +<p>"Well, just now I should like to go to breakfast, +Don Juan," said Pietro, with a gaunt smile; +"but I have no money to pay for my meal."</p> + +<p>"Don't call me 'Don Juan,' my dear friend," +said the Don. "I have adopted another name +for use in this country, and of course no one +knows me except as Don Pedro P. L. de Morito."</p> + +<p>"Oh, ho! is that all there is of it?" asked +Pietro, with a laugh. "Well, I shall remember +in future to call you 'Don Pedro'; but what +can you do for me in the way of money and +clothes?"</p> + +<p>"I will give you fifty dollars at once, and you +can get a new outfit yourself; then, when you +call again to-morrow morning, we will talk over +your future plans. I have a very important +engagement to keep in about fifteen minutes, so I +must ask you to excuse me now."</p> + +<p>"But I can't get any respectable suit of clothes +and underclothing for fifty dollars," replied +Pietro.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, here are fifty dollars," said the Don +handing a roll of bills to Pietro, "and my secretary, +Monsieur Lesparre, will give you an equal +amount. You will then have enough to satisfy +your immediate wants, and we will arrange the +rest to-morrow."</p> + +<p>So saying, the Don called Monsieur Lesparre +and introduced the stranger as Pietro Bernardi, a +fellow-countryman in distress. The Don was +quite pale and nervous, and though he did not +show any marked signs of agitation, a close +observer, like Lesparre, could readily see that his +new visitor was anything but a welcome one.</p> + +<p>"I wish you to give Señor Bernardi fifty dollars, +Monsieur Lesparre," said the Don, "and +order breakfast for him here, if he wishes it. I +am going out immediately, as I see the carriage +is waiting for me, but I shall return at lunch-time. +<i>Au revoir</i>, gentlemen; call about nine +o'clock to-morrow, Pietro."</p> + +<p>The Don then went to his carriage, and Pietro +followed Lesparre to his business-room, where he +received an additional fifty dollars. Pietro +quickly stowed the money away in his pocket, +and walked abruptly out of the house, saying:</p> + +<p>"I'll not trouble you to prepare breakfast for +me, as I can get it down town just as well."</p> + +<p>The moment Pietro was gone, Lesparre called +Salter out of the closet, and sent him out on an +errand ostensibly; of course, his real duty was to +"shadow" Mr. Pietro Bernardi, and report the +occurrences of the morning to me. Salter kept<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> +his man in view until he was seated at a popular +restaurant table, and then, knowing that some +time would be required before the Peruvian's appetite +would be satisfied, my detective hurried to +my office, and made his report. As it would not +be safe to detain Salter long away from his +duties at the Morito residence, I decided to keep +a watch upon Bernardi myself until Mr. Bangs +could send me a man from Chicago. Having +sent a telegram to Mr. Bangs, I went to the restaurant +at once, being joined by Judge Key on +the way. Together we entered the restaurant, +and I quickly discovered Bernardi still lingering +over his breakfast. We each ordered a cup of +coffee, and I informed the Judge of the new developments +in the case as brought out in the conversation +between the Don and Bernardi.</p> + +<p>"My opinion is," I said, in a tone audible only +to the Judge, "that this man, Bernardi, knows +some important facts relative to the past life of +Don Pedro, and if we can pump this information +out of him, we may thereby obtain valuable assistance +in our endeavors to outwit the Don. +Now it shall be my aim to learn all that this man +knows, for it may give us the means of proceeding +against Señor Morito immediately; but even +if it should not, we may need such information +very much. You see, it is not impossible that +we may be forced to use threats to make him disgorge, +for I shall not let him escape with his +plunder without a struggle, even though no news +whatever should come from Peru or England. At<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> +present, however, we will devote some time to +this Pietro Bernardi, and see what he can tell +us."</p> + +<p>The Judge fully concurred with me, and said +that, as I might be too busy to see Senator Muirhead, +he would call upon that gentleman and tell +him the latest news. We accordingly sipped our +coffee slowly until Bernardi was ready to go, and +then I followed him at a little distance, while the +Judge went to call upon Senator Muirhead.</p> + +<p>Bernardi slowly sauntered down the street, smoking +a cigar, and soon reached a large retail clothing +store. I remained in the street watching the +entrance of the store about an hour, when, as I +expected, Bernardi came out in a neat business +suit complete, but wearing the same old boots and +hat. These articles were soon replaced by new +ones, and after a bath and shave, Señor Bernardi +was a very different-looking person from the +rough customer who had visited Don Pedro in the +morning. In addition to his underclothing, linen, +hat, boots, and suit of clothes, he purchased at a +pawnbroker's shop some very decent jewelry and +he now appeared like a gentlemanly gambler, or +a member of the Board of Trade. He did not +conclude his business arrangements until he had +engaged a boarding-place and bought a trunk, +which was sent to his lodgings. He then appeared +to have relieved his mind of all care, and +he spent the afternoon playing pool and billiards +in a fashionable saloon. After dining at a restaurant, +he went to a minstrel entertainment,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> +after which he returned to his lodgings to retire +for the night. When I went to bed at eleven +o'clock, after having followed Bernardi most of +the day, I realized that the duties of a faithful +"shadow" were sometimes excessively wearying.</p> + +<p>The next morning, however, I found that a Mr. +Newton had arrived from Chicago in response to +my telegram, and I was thus relieved from any +further anxiety. He was a cool, shrewd fellow, +of attractive appearance and pleasing manners, +so that he was peculiarly fitted to obtain the confidence +of a man like Bernardi, and it was on that +account that I had selected him for the work. +He had no difficulty in tracking Bernardi to Don +Pedro's residence, and having seen him admitted +there, Newton hurried back to report to me. I +then instructed him to follow Bernardi until he +should have an opportunity to make his acquaintance; +this could be done without difficulty in a +drinking or billiard saloon, and he was then to +cultivate an intimacy with him.</p> + +<p>On asking to see Señor Morito, Bernardi was at +once admitted, and as soon as the Don closed his +door, Salter slipped into the closet to listen.</p> + +<p>"Ah! you are looking much better this morning," +said the Don, as he scratched a match and +handed it to Bernardi to light his cigar.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am feeling much better too. This +seems quite like old times, doesn't it? As I sit +here and puff your fragrant Havanas, I could almost +imagine you were again in the real estate +business in Peru. Ha! ha! that was a speculation +that paid well, eh?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Pietro, you must be careful not to drop a +hint of those times to any one, or I should be +ruined," replied the Don; "I am in good society +here, and I hope to make a little money out of a +scheme I have on hand; but it is still quite +uncertain whether I shall succeed, and my +expenses in engineering the affair are fast eating +up all my capital. Now, I shall be happy to +assist you as far as I can, but it will be on condition +that you leave town; for if you should get +tipsy and begin to talk about me, I should lose +everything. Next month, I may realize my +hopes, but I am playing a risky game, and I cannot +afford to jeopardize it. What do you want? +Tell me how I can serve you, and how much +money you need, and if I can help you, I will +gladly do so."</p> + +<p>"That is fair enough, Don Juan—Pedro, I +mean—I only want a start, and I shall get along +without any difficulty; but to tell the truth, I +don't know where to go. I could not return to +Peru—neither could you, for that matter—and I +know of only one place where I could succeed +and be satisfied to stay. I have been thinking of +going to Buenos Ayres, if I could have a fair sum +to start me in good style on arriving there; but +it is a long journey, and I am in no haste to start. +By the way, where is your present señorita? or +are you really married as you said? Is she as +handsome as the other was?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, she is very handsome," replied the Don, +curtly; "but she knows nothing about my his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span>tory +previous to our meeting, and I do not wish +that she should; so let us leave her out of our +discussion. I have some money left, though it is +decreasing rapidly, and I will assist you as far as +possible, if you will leave Gloster at once; for I +am afraid that you will begin drinking to excess +again, and you know that when you are half +drunk there is nothing in the world you will not +tell. How much do you want?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! Don Pedro, you need not fear that I +shall betray you; but I can't start off on a long +journey so soon after the fatigue and hardship I +have undergone during the last month. Just let +me have three or four hundred dollars to enable +me to live in good style for a week or two, and +to get some better jewelry than this cheap stuff, +and I will be ready to start for Buenos Ayres as +soon as you wish."</p> + +<p>"Well, I will give you three hundred dollars +now, and as soon as you have spent that, you +must be ready to leave Gloster on your way out +of the United States."</p> + +<p>So saying, the Don stepped to his dressing-case, +opened and then closed a drawer, and said:</p> + +<p>"There are three rouleaux of gold pieces, each +containing one hundred dollars. When that is +gone, I will buy your ticket to Buenos Ayres or +Montevideo, as you prefer, and will give you as +much money as I can possibly spare; you must +be prepared to go then."</p> + +<p>"All right, my dear Pedro," replied Bernardi, +rising to go; "I shall be ready at that time. You<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> +can trust my discretion, however, as long as I +stay here, and no one shall ever hear a word +from me to your discredit. I may call to see you +occasionally?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! certainly; come in the forenoon. By the +way, Pietro, let me caution you against gambling +while you are here, for I have found that we are +no match for these Northern gamblers. They +will take every dollar from you if you venture to +stake against them. You will surely lose, and +then you will want me to supply you again; but +I tell you frankly I will not do it. I have hardly +money enough to carry through my scheme, and +if you choose to betray me, you can do so, but it +won't do you any good whatever; whereas, if you +are faithful to me, I can spare you a reasonable +sum to start you afresh in Buenos Ayres."</p> + +<p>"Never fear, Don Pedro, I shall be mute as an +oyster," and so saying, Bernardi took his leave.</p> + +<p>The foregoing conversation had taken place in +the Don's dressing-room, so that Salter had no +difficulty in hearing every word, even when the +speakers dropped their voices to mere whispers; +but there was another listener in the Don's bed-chamber +who was equally successful in overhearing +all that had been said. The Donna, having +heard of the arrival of this mysterious Pietro +Bernardi the day before, was anxious to know +who he was and what he came for. Accordingly, +she placed herself at the keyhole of their chamber +door leading into the Don's dressing-room, +and when Pietro had gone, she entered the Don's +presence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Who was that person, Don Pedro?" she +asked, with a sharp tone to her voice, foreboding +no good to her already nervous and irritated +spouse.</p> + +<p>"Oh! his name is Pietro Bernardi, and I formerly +knew him in Peru. He was quite a fine +young fellow then, but he has taken to gambling, +drinking, and general dissipation, so that it +is very unpleasant to have him turn up here as +an acquaintance."</p> + +<p>"Is that the only reason why you dislike to see +him, Señor Morito?" asked the Donna, her +manner becoming more clearly inquisitive and +hostile. "You are too anxious to get rid of him for +that to be the sole cause of your annoyance at his +presence."</p> + +<p>"Well, my dear Lucia, the fact is, that he +knows enough about me in the past to be a very +dangerous person to have around just now, for +he might expose me to the people here, and ruin +our schemes upon the Diamond Company."</p> + +<p>"Why did you not tell me about this? There +must be no secrets which I do not share, for I do +not intend to be deserted by you as you have deserted +others before. No, no, Don Pedro," she +continued, passionately, "I heard every word of +your conversation with this man, and you must +understand that you cannot treat me like a doll, +to be thrown away when you are tired of me. +I am able and anxious to help you in all your +plans, but I must have your full confidence. You +know that I love you, and you say that you re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>turn +my love, but sometimes I distrust you. You +deserted a señorita in Lima, and some day you +may try to desert me; but I warn you that I +would follow you to the ends of the earth, and I +could easily find it in my heart to kill you if you +played me false."</p> + +<p>As the Donna uttered these words, her determined +tones clearly showed that she would have +no hesitation in executing her threat. The Don +had no reply to offer, and finally the Donna +closed the conversation by saying:</p> + +<p>"This is our first approach to a quarrel, and I +hope it will be the last. You know that I am +fearfully excited by any suggestion of the possibility +of losing you, and this man's words and +sneers have made me almost beside myself. But +recollect, I am not without friends, for there are +plenty of rich men here who would be delighted +to obey my lightest whims if I would permit +them, and if you should ever desert me, I would +tell all I know of you, and invoke their aid to +bring you to punishment. Now let us go along +together, without any secrets apart from each +other in the future, and we shall have no occasion +to quarrel again."</p> + +<p>The Donna then left the room, and went out to +drive with Madame Sevier, leaving the Don +alone. Salter quickly slipped downstairs, but +was summoned back by the ringing of the Don's +bell. On entering the dressing-room, Salter found +his employer seated in a large easy-chair, looking +quite pale and agitated.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I wish you would bring me a decanter of +brandy and a glass, George," said the Don; "I +don't feel very well, and I think a sip of cognac +will do me good."</p> + +<p>Salter obeyed orders, and then went to Lesparre's +room to report the conversations which +he had overheard while concealed in the closet. +Lesparre soon went into the Don's room to talk +over the plans for the <i>fête</i>, but Don Pedro was in +low spirits, and did not care to converse. He ordered +his horse to be brought to the door, and +was soon galloping down the avenue as a relief +to his depressed nerves. Lesparre immediately +came to my office, reported what Salter had told +him, and then went about his duty of preparing +the island to receive the guests on the day of the +<i>fête</i>.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Pietro Bernardi and the Detective become Warm +Friends.—A "Tête-à-Tête" worth One Thousand +Dollars.</i></p></div> + + +<p>When Pietro Bernardi left the Morito residence, +he sauntered downtown in a +leisurely manner, with Newton carefully following +at a safe distance. Bernardi was evidently +vain of his personal appearance, for he was dissatisfied +with his ready-made outfit, and, entering<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> +a fashionable tailoring establishment, he was +measured for a complete suit of clothes. The +rest of the forenoon was spent in buying shirts, +underclothing, trinkets, and toilet articles of quite +an expensive character. After a hasty lunch at +a restaurant, Bernardi walked to the post-office, +where he met a man whose appearance indicated +unmistakably the professional gambler. They +seemed to be old acquaintances, and, after taking +a drink together, they conversed for some time +in low tones. Finally they separated, and Bernardi +went to his lodgings. About six o'clock he +reappeared, and Newton followed him to the +post-office again, where the gambler, who was +waiting in the morning, was met apparently by +appointment. The two men walked a short distance +together, and then disappeared up a stairway, +which, Newton was certain, led to gambling +rooms. He waited outside nearly an hour undecided +what to do, but at length he went upstairs +among a crowd of young sports, who seemed to +know the ways of the place, and he was allowed +to pass in with them unquestioned. He found +Bernardi just rising from the dinner-table, which +the proprietors of the gambling house were in +the habit of setting for their regular patrons. +The faro-table was in full blast, and Bernardi +was soon seated at it with the air of an old +<i>habitué</i>. He was thenceforward so deeply interested +in the game as to pay no attention to anything +else, and, as he was unusually lucky, his +pile of gold pieces rapidly increased. Newton<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> +took a position at his elbow and watched the +game in silence for some minutes. At length, +seeing Bernardi win a large stake, he said in a +familiar tone:</p> + +<p>"You are unusually lucky to-night, and I see +you play for all the game is worth."</p> + +<p>Keeping his eyes intently fastened upon the +dealer's box, Bernardi replied carelessly:</p> + +<p>"Yes, this is a game where a man must put +down his money freely if he wants to win."</p> + +<p>The next turn of the cards was doubly lucky +for Bernardi, and, as he raked in his winnings, +he glanced up at Newton, scanned his face a moment, +and said:</p> + +<p>"I think I have met you in New Orleans, have +I not?"</p> + +<p>"Very likely, for I have often been there; but +I do not recall your name, though your face is +quite familiar to me."</p> + +<p>"Why, certainly," continued Bernardi, apparently +quite pleased at the idea of meeting an old +New Orleans acquaintance; "my name is Pietro +Bernardi, and I have often seen you in the rooms +of French Joe on Magazine street."</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, I used to go there a good deal, and +we must have met frequently. Let us take something +for old acquaintance' sake."</p> + +<p>This was taking a short cut to Bernardi's friendship, +and as the two stood before the sideboard +clicking glasses together, a stranger would have +supposed them to be old cronies, as indeed Bernardi +actually believed to be the case. Newton<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> +instantly saw that Bernardi's frequent drinks during +the day and his later potations in the evening +had rendered him somewhat intoxicated; he was +not drunk, for he had a perfect comprehension of +his actions, but he had drunk enough to be very +happy, and he probably saw in Newton's face a +hazy resemblance to some one he had known +in New Orleans. He soon returned to the faro-table, +and, taking his seat, asked Newton whether +he intended to do any betting.</p> + +<p>"No, not to-night," Newton replied, yawning. +"I am very tired and restless, and I make it a +rule never to bet when my nerves are shaky."</p> + +<p>"Well, that is a mighty good rule," said Bernardi, +as he put out a pile of gold pieces. "If +you will only stick to that plan, you will be sure +to win. I can always feel when luck is with me, +and if I could only make up my mind to stop +when I know that I cannot win, I should be as +successful as could be wished; but sometimes I +get obstinate when the cards begin to run against +me, and then I buck against fate until I lose all."</p> + +<p>Having an absorbing interest in the game, Bernardi +talked very little after this, but about eleven +o'clock he counted his winnings, and, finding that +they amounted to more than two hundred dollars, +he decided to withdraw. In company with +Newton, therefore, he left the room, and entered +a bar-room below. They drank and chatted together +a short time, and then separated, Bernardi +going to a well-known house of ill-repute, while +Newton carefully dogged his footsteps unseen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> +Knowing that Bernardi intended to spend the +night where he was, Newton returned to his own +lodgings. They had agreed to meet at the post-office +about eleven o'clock next day, and Newton +knew that his services would not be required before +that hour.</p> + +<p>About eleven o'clock in the forenoon, Newton +and Bernardi met at the post-office, as agreed, +and, after a morning dram together, they went +to a restaurant for breakfast.</p> + +<p>"How did you enjoy yourself yesterday evening?" +asked Newton, as they were finishing their +meal.</p> + +<p>"Oh! very well indeed. I met a young lady +whom I used to know in New Orleans, and she +was very lovely; but I shall never meet one like +my señorita. She was the most beautiful woman +living;" and, as he spoke, Bernardi sighed deeply, +and became moody, silent, and abstracted.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I recollect having seen her with you +once in New Orleans," replied Newton, on a venture; +"is she dead?"</p> + +<p>"No, —— —— her! I wish she was," replied +Bernardi, savagely. "She started to come North +with me, and I gave her everything she could ask; +but when I had won a large sum of money at Natchez, +she stole several thousand dollars from me, +and disappeared with a Mississippi gambler, whom +she had never seen but twice. I didn't care for +the money, but I loved her passionately, and I +cannot think of her without becoming enraged.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> +Come, let us go get some brandy; I always have +to drink when I think of her."</p> + +<p>While they were drinking together, Newton +asked Bernardi if he was always fortunate in +gaming.</p> + +<p>"Oh! no, indeed; why, less than a week ago I +had not a cent to buy my breakfast, and I did not +know whether to enlist in the army or commit +suicide."</p> + +<p>"Then your present success is marvelous, for +you must have won, in all, four or five hundred +dollars," said Newton, inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"No, I did not win it all; in fact, I could not +have done so, for I did not have a dime to start +with; but I met an old friend here who gave me +a few hundreds, and who will give me more +when I want it."</p> + +<p>"That's the kind of a friend to have," said +Newton, warmly; "come, let us drink again to +his health. I wish I had met you before, for I +would have been glad to divide with you. We +ought always to stand by each other, especially +we Southerners, among these Yankee gamblers."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is true," replied Bernardi, taking +an immense drink of brandy; "they are not so +generous to each other as we are down South. +Now, my friend, whom I spoke of, is one of the +right sort. He gave me enough for a new +outfit, and has promised to give me a good sum +when I am ready to go South again."</p> + +<p>"Is he a Southerner too?" asked Newton.</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes," Bernardi replied, "he is from Peru,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> +where I first met him, and we have had many +a gay time together. I used to keep a fine +suite of gambling rooms, which he frequented, +and he used to play with the utmost indifference +to the results; he always seemed equally unmoved +whether he won or lost."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you must have been very warm +friends," said Newton, "or he would not now be +so ready to assist you?"</p> + +<p>"Well, Don Juan is a very liberal fellow, I +admit," answered Bernardi; "but he might not +be so generous were it not to his interest to be +so," he continued, with a knowing wink.</p> + +<p>"Oh! ho! I see," replied Newton, nodding his +head expressively. "Your friend would not care +to have you talk about his past history, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Exactly; he knows that I could tell some +things about him which might spoil his pleasure +here, and so he is anxious to keep on good terms +with me. However, he needn't fear me as long +as he treats me decently, for I do not wish to +injure him, and when I am ready to go I shall +get a good sum from him to start me in business +elsewhere."</p> + +<p>"Suppose he should refuse to give you anything +more, or have you arrested for blackmailing +him," suggested Newton.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to see him try it," Bernardi exclaimed, +with a volley of oaths. "I guess two +could play at the game of swearing out warrants, +and when the account was balanced, his impris<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>onment +would be twenty times as long as mine. +No, no; I have no fear that he will attempt such +a thing."</p> + +<p>"I merely spoke of it as a possibility," said +Newton, "in order that you should be on your +guard. A man with wealth and position might +succeed in crushing a friendless poor man in +spite of the latter's protestations. However, if +any such thing should happen, you can depend +upon it that I will work for you until you are +released."</p> + +<p>"That's right, my friend," replied Bernardi, as +he called for another drink of brandy. "If I +should suddenly disappear without warning to +you, don't fail to search for me everywhere, and +I will see that you are handsomely rewarded. If +Don Juan should attempt any treachery, I should +have him at my mercy as soon as I should get +free, and, together, we could squeeze a large +sum out of him."</p> + +<p>Newton spent the day with Bernardi, and they +became quite inseparable. After driving about +the city for an hour or two, they attended a matinée +performance at one of the theatres, and then +had a long and sumptuous dinner at a fashionable +restaurant. In the evening they went to the +gambling-rooms where they had met the night +before, and Bernardi was soon absorbed in the +game of faro. His luck still clung to him, and, +on leaving the place at midnight, he had won +three hundred dollars more. As before, Bernardi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> +went to enjoy the society of his New Orleans +charmer, and Newton went to his own lodgings.</p> + +<p>After Newton had made his report to me, early +the next morning, I told him to continue his intimacy +with Bernardi, and to pump him as thoroughly +as possible relative to Don Pedro's past +history. Soon after his departure to meet Bernardi, +Senator Muirhead and Judge Key entered, +and we discussed the possibility of doing anything +with this new witness, Pietro Bernardi.</p> + +<p>"Would it not be possible to frighten him into +telling all he knows of Don Pedro?" asked the +Senator.</p> + +<p>"I hardly think we could," I replied. "In the +first place, you have no charge whatever against +Bernardi, nor any reason to suppose that he has +ever been a criminal anywhere; hence, how could +we frighten him? Moreover, he is a man of considerable +nerve, and he would see that, as against +third parties, his interests would be best served +by supporting, instead of attacking, Don Pedro. +No, I don't see anything to be gained as yet by +showing our hands. Our object is to recover +possession of the money paid to the Don for +those bogus diamond fields, and to do that, we +must wait until we have a sure case against him +for his crimes committed elsewhere."</p> + +<p>"I agree with you wholly," added Judge Key. +"Besides, this fellow, Bernardi, knows nothing +of the Don's forgeries and frauds except those +committed in Peru, and as we have before shown, +we could make no use of those accusations until<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> +we hear from Peru. Indeed, it is questionable +how far we can proceed even then, for we have +no extradition treaty with that country."</p> + +<p>"Well, I do not mind that very much," I +replied, "for my chief dependence is upon the +moral effect upon Don Pedro. I think that we +can so work upon him as to obtain his consent to +go to Peru voluntarily, rather than to be detained +here until a requisition arrives from England. +He knows that if he be sent to England, he will +be transported for a long term of years; whereas, +in Peru, he may avoid conviction altogether, or +purchase his escape after conviction."</p> + +<p>"But can we make him give up his plunder?" +asked the Senator, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I think we can," said I. "You see that he is +liable to be held here for obtaining money under +false pretenses, and during the trial the money +could be taken by attachment. Then, even +though he should not be convicted, the delay +would enable us to make sure of sending him back +to London, where a heavy sentence would undoubtedly +be given him. Now, by representing +these things to him, we shall induce him to hand +over the money voluntarily, and after that we +shall not care whether he is taken to Great Britain +or Peru."</p> + +<p>"If that be the case, why not arrest him now +and get the advices from London afterward?" +asked the Senator, who was very anxious to +hasten matters.</p> + +<p>"Because we could not present a sufficient case<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> +to hold him under the preliminary examination," +replied Judge Key. "When we get official news +of the fellow's character from Peru, we shall +have a sure thing against him, and then I shall +feel ready to act; but I agree with Mr. Pinkerton +that there would be danger in overhaste. You +see, we have him carefully watched, and there is +no probability that he intends to make off until +after this <i>fête champêtre</i>; therefore, let us wait +for our foreign advices as long as we can, and in +case he prepares to go before they arrive, it will +be time enough to arrest him then."</p> + +<p>"How about the Donna?" asked Muirhead. +"Do you propose to take any steps against her?"</p> + +<p>"I don't see how we can," I replied. "With +the exception of the sums she has received from +Mather, she has obtained nothing fraudulently; +and, as you may well suppose, we could never +get Mather to testify against her; so I guess we +need not trouble ourselves to interfere with the +lovely Donna at all."</p> + +<p>Our conference then broke up with the understanding +that we should assemble again the +moment any new facts in the case should be +developed. Just after the gentlemen had left, +Madame Sevier came in and reported a scene +between Mather and the Donna which had taken +place the previous evening.</p> + +<p>The Don had remained at home entertaining +various guests until nine o'clock. He had then +gone out with Lesparre and several other gentlemen, +to attend a banquet and ball given by a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> +semi-political club at one of the hotels. The +affair was attended by many highly respectable +ladies, particularly by those whose husbands had +any political aspirations, but it was not sufficiently +exclusive to satisfy the Donna, and she +remained at home. The visitors gradually dropped +out until only Mr. Mather remained, and +then Madame Sevier excused herself, on the plea +of fatigue, in order to retire. Instead of going to +her room, however, she hastened to the library +and hid herself behind a statue standing in a +deep bay window, which was heavily shrouded +with drapery and curtains. Thus placed, she +was completely hidden from the sight of any one +in the library, though she had a perfect view +herself, and she could hear every word spoken in +the room.</p> + +<p>As she expected, the Donna soon entered, followed +by Mr. Mather. The latter seemed to consider +that the Donna could refuse him nothing, +for he put his arms around her, and was about to +kiss her, when he found her fan quickly interposed +between their faces.</p> + +<p>"You are too free with your caresses, Señor +Mather," she said, coldly, slipping out of his embrace, +and pointing out a chair to him at some +distance from the sofa, upon which she seated +herself.</p> + +<p>Poor Mather was quite astonished, for, having +kissed her several times before, he supposed that +he could continue doing so whenever he wished; +but the Donna was an expert fisher of men, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> +she recognized the force of that old proverb, +"Familiarity breeds contempt;" besides, she +wanted some more money, and she knew that +her elderly lover would gladly purchase her kisses +at a round price. The folly of giving them away +gratis could not be indulged in, therefore, and +she kept her sighing swain at a distance for a +little time. She was too politic to give even the +slightest hint of her object in the conversation +which ensued, but she used every possible allurement +to fascinate her victim, while she would +allow him no liberties nor caresses. Mather +could not fail to recollect the affectionate manner +in which she had received his previous gifts, and +he therefore decided to try the same policy again.</p> + +<p>"I saw a beautiful camel's hair shawl to-day," +he said, "and I was going to get it for you, my +dear Lucia, but I did not know whether it would +suit you, and so I determined to let you select +your own gift. The shawl was worth one thousand +dollars, and I made up my mind to give you +the amount that I should have paid for it, and +you could then exercise your own taste."</p> + +<p>"Oh! my dear Henry," she exclaimed, "how +thoughtful you are! How can I sufficiently +thank you?" and she made room for him on the +sofa, as he advanced holding out a roll of bills.</p> + +<p>"You know how you can please me best," he +answered, tenderly, bending over her.</p> + +<p>"Oh! really, Henry, you mustn't," she protested, +feebly, as he showered kisses on her cheeks +and lips; "suppose any one should come in!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> + +<p>As she spoke, a carriage stopped in front of the +house, and their affectionate <i>tête-à-tête</i> was interrupted +by the unexpected return of Lesparre, +who, having left his watch at home, had returned +to get it. He did not enter the parlor nor the +library, but the Donna seemed very much agitated +at the mere possibility of being detected in +a compromising situation, and so Mather took +his departure. The coolness with which she +counted the money, after he had gone, was in +striking contrast with her simulated embarrassment +while he was present, and it was plain +that, having obtained the gift, she was quite glad +to get rid of the giver. She went immediately +to her room, and Madame Sevier then retired +also.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Don Pedro anxious for Pietro Bernardi's Absence.—"Coppering +the Jack and Playing the Ace and +Queen open."—A Gambler that could not be Bought.—Splendid +Winnings.—Diamond cutting Diamond.—Bernardi +quieted, and he subsequently departs +richer by five thousand dollars.</i></p></div> + + +<p>At eleven o'clock, Newton and Bernardi again +met at the post-office, and the latter remarked +that he intended making a short call +upon his wealthy friend.</p> + +<p>"Come along with me," he said, "and you will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> +see what a fine place he has. I shall not remain +very long, and if you will wait for me outside, +we can pass the day together. I hate to go +around alone in a strange city."</p> + +<p>Accordingly they strolled along until they +reached Don Pedro's house, and Newton agreed +to remain near at hand until Bernardi should +finish his call. Salter was on the lookout, and +when Bernardi was admitted, he led the way to +Don Pedro's room. The moment the door closed +on Bernardi, Salter took his place at the auger-holes +in the adjoining closet, and overheard the +entire conversation, as before.</p> + +<p>"Well, Pietro, have you decided how soon you +will be ready to leave town?" asked the Don. +"From your clothes, jewelry, and other purchases +you have made, you must have used up +most of the money I gave you, and, if so, your +departure must take place soon; for I warn you +again, I shall give you nothing more until you +depart for some distant city!"</p> + +<p>"Well, to tell the truth," replied Bernardi, in +an independent, indifferent manner, "I am in no +hurry to go away just yet. You see, I have +been very lucky since I've been here, and if I +keep on, I guess I can repay you the amount +you kindly loaned me."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that you have been gambling +again?" asked the Don, in a vexed tone.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I have won constantly, so that I +don't like to change my luck by making a move +right away. You know gamblers are superst<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>itious, +and I have a strong feeling that it will be +for my interest to remain here for some time +yet."</p> + +<p>"But you promised to go as soon as you felt +able to travel," said the Don.</p> + +<p>"Well, there is no hurry. I haven't done you +any harm yet, and I don't mean to. Why are +you so anxious to get rid of me?"</p> + +<p>Of course, Don Pedro's principal fear was that +Bernardi would learn how large a sum the former +had received for his bogus mines, and that he +would not be satisfied to go unless he got a large +slice of the plunder. It would not do, however, +to excite his suspicions by appearing too desirous +of sending him away, so the Don changed his +tone, and said:</p> + +<p>"Oh! I'm sure I don't want to get rid of you +as long as you keep sober and don't talk about +me; but you know how it is, Pietro; if you should +get drunk and talk about me, you would tell +everything you know, and the result would be +that I should have to flee the town without accomplishing +my object. In that case, I should +lose not only all that I hoped to make, but also +all the immense outlay I have made in preparing +my scheme. If you want to go to New Orleans +again, I will start you in a faro-bank there, and +will come down there next winter to play with +you; but I confess I should feel easier if you were +out of Gloster for the present."</p> + +<p>"Well, I will be ready to go in a few days, if +you insist upon it, but I don't see the necessity<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> +of such haste. However, I will come in again +and talk about it before the end of the week. I +want to win a little more before I go."</p> + +<p>"How have you been betting?" asked Morito, +in a conciliatory manner.</p> + +<p>"I have been 'coppering' the jack and playing +the ace and queen 'open,'<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> and I have won +constantly. I left them a few times and played +other cards, but I always lost when I did so. +Now I am going to stick to that scheme right +along."</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>Footnote</h3> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> These are technical terms in playing faro. The player +meant that he was in the habit of making one bet that the +jack would be a losing card all the time, and another that +the ace and queen would be winning cards.</p></div></div> + +<p>"Where are you playing?" asked the Don, +carelessly.</p> + +<p>"I generally go to Dave Carter's, in Mahogany +Block, for I think he deals a 'square' game."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I suppose so," said Morito; "as much so +as any of them; but they are all sharpers here, +and they may have been letting you win on purpose, +thinking that you had a large sum in reserve +which they hope to catch hereafter. If +you will take my advice, you will stop while you +are ahead. You know, from your own experience +as a banker, that the 'bank' always wins +in the end."</p> + +<p>"Well, I shall try a few more games, and then +I shall be ready to talk with you about going +South. I want to run my luck while it is good," +and so saying, Bernardi rose to go.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p> +<p>"All right, Pietro," said Don Pedro, "be careful +not to get swindled, and to keep silent about +me."</p> + +<p>The moment Bernardi was gone, the Don rang +his bell violently, and sent for Monsieur Lesparre. +When the latter entered the Don's room, he +found his employer in a more disturbed and excited +condition than he had ever before indulged +in, and evidently he meant mischief to some +one.</p> + +<p>"Lesparre, that fellow Bernardi, of whom I +spoke to you the other day, has been here +again," burst out the Don. "I gave him a considerable +sum of money to set him on his feet +again, for old acquaintance' sake, expecting that +he would return to his friends in the South, or, +at least, behave like a decent gentleman; but he +has returned to his old habits of gambling and +drinking, so that, at any moment, he may come +here and mortify me before a party of my +guests, or, worse still, claim me as his friend +when arraigned in a police court for drunkenness, +<i>etcetera</i>. He promised to leave town as +soon as the money I gave him was gone, and I +was to give him then a respectable sum to start +him in business elsewhere; but he has won considerably +at the faro-table, and he is now independent +of me, and therefore declines to keep his +promise until he is ready."</p> + +<p>"Would he go, do you think, if he should lose +all he has?" asked Lesparre.</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, indeed; he would be forced to yield<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> +to my terms then, and I should give him nothing +until he started."</p> + +<p>"How would it do to suggest to the proprietor +of the gambling rooms that it would be doubly +for his interest to fleece this man? I think it +could easily be done, if the 'bank' were so disposed."</p> + +<p>"I have no doubt of it, especially as I know +the way he intends to bet all the time," replied +the Don, eagerly; "he 'coppers' the jack and plays +the ace and queen 'open.' It must be a pretty +poor dealer who cannot 'stack' those cards, with +such a stake in view. Suppose you drop a hint +to Dave Carter, or to the dealer to-night, before +Bernardi goes there."</p> + +<p>"I will go down at once," replied Lesparre, +"and I will promise him three hundred dollars +additional if he wins all that Bernardi has; that +is not too much, is it?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed!" exclaimed the Don; "I would +gladly give five hundred, if necessary."</p> + +<p>Lesparre arrived at the gambling rooms about +noon, and at that early hour no one was present +except the proprietor and one of the dealers. +Lesparre obtained an interview with the proprietor +alone, and then asked him if he would like to +make a thousand dollars.</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes," he replied, in an indifferent way, +"I should have no objection, although it would +not be such a novelty that I need take a great +deal of trouble about it. The 'bank' often wins +more than that in a single evening."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, there is a South American who has +been playing here recently, against whom I have +a bitter grudge. He has about six hundred dollars +now, most of which he has won here. He +has one regular system of playing—'coppering' +the jack and playing the ace and queen to win—and +you can easily fix those cards so as to clean +him out in one evening. The moment you have +done that, I will give you five hundred dollars +more."</p> + +<p>The gambler fixed a keen look upon Lesparre +for a moment, and then replied that he was no +gudgeon to bite such a stale bait as that. He +added that they played a "square" game, and if a +man won, he was welcome to his winnings; but +that no trickery would be resorted to against any +patron of the house. Lesparre was obliged to +withdraw, feeling that he had made a mistake in +proposing the plan so openly.</p> + +<p>That evening, after a day spent in playing billiards +and driving about, Bernardi and Newton +again entered the gambling saloon. Bernardi did +not make any bets for some time, but stood +watching the game in silence, apparently guessing +as to the winning and losing cards to determine +whether he was in luck. Finally he bet +fifty dollars on the ace and lost; this was followed +by one hundred dollars on the same card, which +again lost. He waited a few deals and then placed +two hundred dollars on the queen to win, and one +hundred dollars on the jack to lose. The cards +fell as he had hoped, and gathering in his stakes +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>and winnings, he began betting in earnest. His +luck was wonderful, and as all his bets were for +fifty dollars or more, he soon had quite a large +sum. Presently he stopped betting, and went to +the bar with Newton. They talked and drank +together for some minutes, but Bernardi was not +ready to leave just then. His winnings were already +quite sufficient to cause the proprietor to +regard him with a considerable degree of interest, +and when he returned to the faro-table, a seat +was given him at once. He made no bets for +some minutes, but at length he asked:</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 640px;"> +<img src="images/gs07.jpg" width="640" height="428" alt="This was taking a short cut to Bernardi's friendship." title="" /> +<span class="caption">This was taking a short cut to Bernardi's friendship.</span> +</div> + +<p>"What is your limit to-night?"</p> + +<p>"Five hundred dollars," was the reply.</p> + +<p>Bernardi then placed four hundred dollars on +the nine spot, and, a moment later, he was again +a winner. He now seemed satisfied, for he presented +his "chips" for payment, and received +cash therefor. The proprietor then invited Bernardi +and Newton to drink with him, and, while +standing at the sideboard, the proprietor asked +Bernardi whether he had many acquaintances in +the city.</p> + +<p>"No," replied Bernardi, "I have very few; +why do you ask?"</p> + +<p>"Because one of them is your enemy, or else +he was trying to play a trick on the 'bank' this +morning," continued the proprietor, watching +Bernardi narrowly. "He came in about noon, +and wanted the cards put up so that you should +be cleaned out of all your money."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> + +<p>"The devil you say!" ejaculated Bernardi; +"why did he want to clean me out?"</p> + +<p>"That I can't say; but he told me that he had +a bitter grudge against you, and that he would +give a great deal to injure you."</p> + +<p>"I do not know any one here who could say +that of me," replied Bernardi, thoughtfully. +"There is only one man in the city who knows +me intimately, and I do not see why he should +wish me to lose, even if he did hate me. Was he +a South American, like myself?"</p> + +<p>"No; he might have been a foreigner, but he +was not dark-complexioned."</p> + +<p>"Well, I cannot imagine who it could have +been," mused Bernardi; "and I guess I need not +be afraid of him, if he goes to work in that roundabout +way. However, I am obliged to you for +the information, and I will take care that he does +not drop on me unexpectedly. So-long."</p> + +<p>As Bernardi walked down the street with Newton, +he was evidently deeply abstracted, for he +muttered to himself in Spanish, and swore at intervals +in quite an excited manner. Finally, he +said aloud:</p> + +<p>"I don't know what to think about this story. +It may be that this gambler made it up to shake +my nerves, or to cover some plot against me; but +I have a sort of feeling that Don Juan is at the +bottom of it. I don't fear him one bit, but I want +to solve the mystery, and if he has been plotting +against me, I will have my revenge upon him. +But, no; I can't see what he could gain by it, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> +I think, perhaps, this gang despair of breaking +my luck, and are planning to rob me by force."</p> + +<p>"That seems reasonable," replied Newton, "for +then you would attribute the act to this unknown +enemy, and they would escape suspicion. Still," +he continued, anxious to lead the conversation +back to Don Pedro as a subject, "your first supposition +may be the correct one, and your pretended +friend may be scheming to ruin you."</p> + +<p>"But why should he want me to lose money?" +persisted Bernardi. "He knows that I should +come to him for more, and that he would be +obliged to give it to me."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he would like to get rid of your presence," +cautiously suggested Newton; "and if you +were penniless, he could insist upon your departure +as a condition upon which alone he would +give you money."</p> + +<p>"Caramba! I believe you are right, my friend," +Bernardi exclaimed, furiously; "and if I find that +it is so, I will make Don Juan, or Don Pedro, as +he calls himself now, regret the day he played me +false."</p> + +<p>"Don't be over-hasty," counseled Newton, "for +the whole story may be a gambler's lie after all."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I will investigate it carefully," answered +Bernardi, "and, when I am satisfied +about the truth of the matter, I will consult with +you as to the best course to pursue. It is a good +thing to have a friend to advise with, especially +among such a gang of thieves as seem to hang<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> +'round these rooms. Meet me to-morrow, as +usual, and I will go see my friend again."</p> + +<p>The men then separated, and went to their respective +lodgings for the night.</p> + +<p>In the morning they met, took breakfast +together, and afterwards sauntered down to visit +Don Pedro. As before, Bernardi was conducted +straight to the Don's room, and Salter again stationed +himself in the closet to listen.</p> + +<p>"So you are still successful?" was the first remark +he heard.</p> + +<p>"Yes, moderately so," replied Bernardi; "but +it is strange how cards run sometimes."</p> + +<p>"Well, you ought not to be astonished at anything +after your long experience in gambling."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I'm never astonished," said Bernardi, +who had drunk a good deal of brandy before and +after breakfast; "but I was thinking how lucky +it was that I changed my mind last night about +playing those three cards—the jack, ace, and +queen."</p> + +<p>"How so?" asked Morito.</p> + +<p>"Well, if I had played the jack 'coppered,' +and the ace and queen 'open,' last night, all the +evening, I should have been entirely cleaned out; +what do you think of that?"</p> + +<p>"I think you were very lucky in having played +elsewhere," replied the Don; "but what's the +matter with you? What makes you look at me +so strangely?"</p> + +<p>"I want to find out whether it was you who +sent a man to tell Dave Carter, the gambler, how<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> +I was playing, and to ask him to fix the cards so +that I should lose all I had."</p> + +<p>Bernardi's voice was husky with liquor and +anger, and he had evidently worked himself up +into a great rage; but, in spite of his partial intoxication, +he was very determined, and his tones +foreboded no good-will to the Don. In a contest +of words, however, he was no match for his opponent, +and Don Pedro instantly took the most +effectual method for quieting his visitor's suspicions.</p> + +<p>"My dear Pietro," he began, contemptuously, +"I gave you credit for more common-sense than +you seem disposed to claim for yourself. Why +should I want you to lose? On the contrary, I +would like to see you win enough to start in +business for yourself, and repay me what I have +loaned you, for I assure you that I much prefer +to have you spend your money than mine. I +have none too much for my own wants, and if +you could repay me, I should be delighted. What +is the reason for your question?"</p> + +<p>Bernardi did not reply for two or three +minutes; he was evidently keenly scrutinizing +Don Pedro's face; but at length he said:</p> + +<p>"Well, it's all right now, and I suppose I was +wrong to suspect you; but the proprietor of the +place where I gamble told me that some one had +been trying to get him to play a trick on me, +and I determined to find out who it was."</p> + +<p>"Well, Pietro, I don't think you would have +thought of suspecting me if your head had not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> +been fuddled with liquor. Why can't you stop +drinking for a month or two?"</p> + +<p>"What do you care about my drinking?" +asked Bernardi, in a half-cowed manner.</p> + +<p>"Because Pietro drunk is a very different fellow +from Pietro sober; and some day you will +let out some damaging reports about me, and +then all hope of making anything here will be +destroyed. If I could feel sure that you would +remain sober, I would gladly start you in a good +'bank' here."</p> + +<p>Of course, Don Pedro had no intention of doing +anything of the kind, but he saw that Bernardi +was in a dangerous mood, and that he must +handle him very skillfully if he wished to get +him to leave the city. The Don knew that to +urge him to leave would be the surest way to +make him stay, but that, if left to follow his +own inclinations, he would be anxious to go +South, where the climate and people were more +congenial to him. Hence, Don Pedro boldly +took the ground that he was quite willing for +Bernardi to stay if he would only keep sober, +and Bernardi quickly fell into the trap.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to start a 'bank' in this place," +he said, "and I can't get along in this climate +without drinking. I have been moderately successful +here, and I am in no hurry to leave, but I +should like to go back to New Orleans, if I could +fit up a good place there, and deal a first-class +game."</p> + +<p>"How much would you need for that pur<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>pose?" +asked the Don. "If I can let you have it, +I will do so, and you can stay here or go back to +New Orleans, as you may prefer; only I shall +make one condition: that you promise faithfully +to drink nothing but wine while you are in this +city, until I get ready to leave. Will three thousand +dollars be enough?"</p> + +<p>"Hardly; I have won some money here, to be +sure, but it will cost a good deal to spread a handsome +layout in New Orleans—as for this place, +there are not enough gentlemen gamesters here; +the gamblers are all trying to live on each other. +If you will make it five thousand, I will start for +New Orleans day after to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"That is more than I ought to pay out in my +present circumstances," said the Don, thoughtfully; +"but I guess I can run the establishment +on credit for about a month, and that will help +me out; so if you will go to-morrow, I will give +you five thousand when you start."</p> + +<p>"Done!" replied Bernardi, much gratified at +having obtained so large a sum. "I have nothing +to do except to get a young lady friend to +go with me, and she won't need a great while to +make her preparations. So you can have the +money ready to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"It shall be awaiting you any time that you +call for it," answered Morito, and Bernardi then +took his departure.</p> + +<p>On joining Newton, Bernardi was in high +spirits, and he talked very freely of his intended +plans.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My friend convinced me that he had nothing +to do with the trick which the gambler said some +one tried to play upon me, and as a proof of his +regard, he is going to give me a start in New Orleans. +I shall leave here to-morrow, and if you +would like to go in with me, we can make a pile +of money there."</p> + +<p>"I can't very well leave here for some time +yet," said Newton, "for I have a large sum +staked in bets on the races next month, and I +shall have no money until they take place. I +have a sure thing on a new horse, and I have got +such large odds that I have put up every dollar I +could reach. I shall clear about ten thousand +dollars sure, and then if you are so disposed, I +will join you in New Orleans."</p> + +<p>"All right, we'll do it; but then, you may lose +everything instead of winning. I don't care to +bet on races, myself; there are too many chances +to deal from the bottom."</p> + +<p>"There is no danger in this case, so you must +let me know where I can find you, and within a +month I will join you in the Crescent City."</p> + +<p>Bernardi then went to see his fair and frail +charmer, to obtain her company on his Southern +trip, and Newton came to my room to report. I +instructed him to stay with Bernardi as much as +possible while the latter remained in the city, +and to be sure to obtain his address in New Orleans. +I then called upon Senator Muirhead and +informed him of the proposed departure of Bernardi. +The Senator was very anxious to detain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> +him in some way, in order to get his testimony, +in case we should fail to hear from England or +Peru in time; but I was unable to suggest any +plan for holding this man without exposing our +whole connection with the case. Bernardi was +evidently ready to act in good faith with Don +Pedro, and any endeavor to retard his departure +would be regarded by him as coming from the +gang of gamblers from whom he had won money. +There was no doubt but that he would keep up a +correspondence with Newton, and we should thus +know where to find him in case his presence +should be needed. We decided, therefore, to let +him go as he intended.</p> + +<p>Early in the evening, Bernardi and Newton +went as usual to the gaming-rooms. There they +met a stranger, who seemed to be a Spaniard or +Cuban. Bernardi addressed him in Spanish, and +after some conversation, they sat down to play. +By some freak of luck, Bernardi continually won +his small bets, but whenever he put out a large +amount, he lost. The Cuban stranger had the +same experience, and at length Bernardi rose in +disgust and left the rooms with Newton, having +lost about two hundred dollars.</p> + +<p>"Those fellows have got some kind of a 'skin-game' +at work," he said, "and they tried to beat +me and that Cuban out of all our cash. I gave +him a hint in Spanish before I came away, and I +hope he will stop before they fleece him. Now +let us go to the theatre."</p> + +<p>They attended one of the theatres, and then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> +had a glorious supper at Bernardi's expense after +the performance was over. About midnight, +they parted with mutual good wishes, and Bernardi +promised to write to Newton as soon as he +should reach New Orleans.</p> + +<p>The next morning Bernardi called upon Don +Pedro and received the promised amount of five +thousand dollars, assuring him that he should +leave the city that afternoon. As soon as he left +the house, the Don asked Lesparre to keep a +watch upon Bernardi to make sure of his leaving +according to promise. When Lesparre returned +about three o'clock, and reported that Bernardi +was then actually on his way to Cairo, accompanied +by a young lady, the Don was overjoyed, +and he expressed himself greatly relieved thereby.</p> + +<p>"Now we can take more interest in our <i>fête +champêtre</i>, and we will make it the most delightful +affair ever known in this country," he said, +exultantly. "When it is over, my dear Lesparre, +we will make a tour of the fashionable +watering-places, and enjoy life to the full."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Important Information from the Peruvian Government.—Arrival +in Gloster of the Peruvian Minister +and Consul.—In Consultation.—"Robbing Peter +to pay Paul."—Mr. Pinkerton's card is presented.—Juan +Sanchez, I arrest you, and you are my Prisoner.—Mr. +Pinkerton not "For Sale."—A Dramatic +Scene.—The Bubble burst.</i></p></div> + + +<p>Several days now sped by with no fresh developments, +and Don Pedro was almost constantly +engaged in his preparations for the <i>fête +champêtre</i>. As the day approached, society was +stirred to its very center, and nothing was spoken +of save this grand event of the season.</p> + +<p>But four days remained before the <i>fête</i>, when I +was delighted by receiving a letter from the Secretary +of State for Peru, giving full particulars +of the forgeries and frauds committed by Don +Juan Sanchez in that country, and enclosing a +fine portrait of the man. One glance at the picture +was sufficient to assure me of the identity +of Don Pedro P. L. de Morito with Don Juan +Sanchez, and I now felt ready to act. The letter +informed me that a Peruvian official would be +dispatched to Gloster at once, to obtain the arrest +of Don Pedro, though there were a great many +difficulties in the way, owing to the lack of an +extradition treaty. Every effort would be made, +however, to bring him to justice, and the Peru<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span>vian +Minister at Washington would be instructed +to confer with me.</p> + +<p>I informed Senator Muirhead and Judge Key +of this news, and they were both much encouraged +at the prospect, especially as we learned +that a Peruvian man-of-war had arrived in New +York from Aspinwall, it being doubtless intended +that this vessel should take the prisoner to Peru, +in case he could be frightened into surrendering +himself.</p> + +<p>The <i>fête</i> was to take place on Wednesday, if +the weather should be favorable, or on the first +pleasant day thereafter, and everything was already +in complete order for the grand occasion. +A large and elegant steamer had been chartered +to convey the guests to the island, and she was to +make several trips during the day for the convenience +of business men who could not go early. +There remained nothing further to be done, except +to pray for fine weather on the important +day.</p> + +<p>On Monday morning I was told that two gentlemen +were waiting to see me, on very important +business, at one of the leading hotels. I accompanied +the messenger, and was at once shown +to the room of the Peruvian Minister, who was +accompanied by the Peruvian Consul at New +York. Before proceeding to business, I informed +the Minister that I was acting under the instructions +of Senator Muirhead, and that I should like +to send for that gentleman, and for my legal adviser, +Judge Key. The Peruvian officials made<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> +no objection, and both Judge Key and the Senator +were soon with us, ready for consultation. +As the new arrivals were tired and dusty after +their long journey, we merely exchanged information +relative to Don Pedro, and agreed to meet +at ten o'clock next morning, to make plans for +his arrest.</p> + +<p>At the appointed hour, we were all prompt in +arriving at the parlor of the Minister. The latter +and the Consul, in accordance with a suggestion +I had made the day previous, had not mentioned +their official rank to any one, and had remained +as secluded as possible, in order to prevent Morito +from knowing of their arrival in the city.</p> + +<p>The Minister stated that the forgeries of Don +Juan Sanchez in Peru had been so enormous, +amounting to more than seven hundred thousand +dollars, that the government had taken up the +pursuit of the criminal with unusual zeal, and no +effort nor expense would be spared to bring him +to justice. Unfortunately, however, in the absence +of any extradition treaty between Peru +and the United States, the chances of securing +Don Juan, even now that he had been discovered, +were not bright; indeed, the Minister acknowledged +that he saw no way of accomplishing +it.</p> + +<p>"By an appeal to law," said Judge Key, "nothing +<i>can</i> be gained; but it is possible that my +friend, Mr. Pinkerton, may have a plan which +will induce Don Pedro, as he now calls himself, +to surrender voluntarily rather than stand trial<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> +here or in Great Britain. Let us hear your opinion, +then, Mr. Pinkerton."</p> + +<p>"Well, gentlemen," I replied, "this is a case +where the greatest care must be exercised, for the +criminal is a bold, skillful man, of good education +and address, with, probably, a fair knowledge +of his legal rights. We cannot afford to +make any mistakes, for he would surely take advantage +of them. We must, therefore, present +the case to him in such a way that he will believe +it to be to his interest to give himself up. +The presence of the Peruvian man-of-war in New +York is very fortunate, for, once under her flag, +he cannot escape; but he must be induced to go +on board voluntarily, or else we shall be liable to +the charge of kidnapping."</p> + +<p>I then explained the method by which he had +had swindled the citizens of Gloster, and showed +how difficult it would be to convict him of anything, +owing to the probability that his victims +would refuse to testify against him; besides, for +obtaining money under false pretenses, a short +imprisonment only could be inflicted, and then he +would be free to go where he pleased.</p> + +<p>"However," I continued, "I think I can present +to him his position in such a light that he +will regard a surrender to the Peruvian authorities +as preferable to a long trial and detention +here, with the possibility of being sent to California +or Great Britain for trial on a more serious +charge. When he knows that we are fully ac<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>quainted +with his past career, he may be willing +to accept our terms rather than to defy us."</p> + +<p>"Suppose, however," said the Minister, "that +he should refuse all terms, and determine to fight +it out?"</p> + +<p>"In that case," I replied, "we should be obliged +to arrest him here for obtaining money under +false pretenses, and be prepared to arrest him +again the moment he should be set free, repeating +the operation as often as we could get different +victims to enter complaint against him. The +number of stockholders in this bogus company is +quite large, so that we could easily hold him until +a requisition could be obtained from California +or England."</p> + +<p>"How large a sum has he in his possession +now?" asked the Consul.</p> + +<p>"About half a million dollars," replied the +Senator.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the Consul, "that sum will go +far toward reimbursing the people whom he +swindled in Peru, so I think that Mr. Pinkerton's +plan is the best that can be adopted. We +might induce him to go aboard our vessel by +promising to use our influence to lighten his sentence, +in case he makes restitution to his victims +in Peru."</p> + +<p>The Consul made these remarks with a wise +expression, as if he thought he had hit upon a +very easy way of solving the problem. The Senator, +Judge Key, and I exchanged looks of astonishment +and amusement at this cool proposal to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> +take our citizens' money to reimburse the Peruvians; +it was a case of "robbing Peter to pay +Paul" which we could not appreciate. Finally, +I said:</p> + +<p>"I presume that there can be no question as +to the way to dispose of this money which Don +Pedro has in his possession. Not one penny of +it came from Peru, and we cannot permit any of +it to be taken there. On arriving here Don Pedro +had only a few thousand dollars, which he obtained +in England by forgery. This sum he has +already used up, and the only money in his possession +has been obtained by the sale of his fictitious +diamond fields in Peru. It would be manifestly +unjust to allow this money to be taken +away, and it is our intention to obtain it at all +hazards, whatever may become of the Don."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I shall make no such claim, Mr. Pinkerton," +said the Minister; "that was only a suggestion +of the Consul, who did not understand +exactly how the money referred to came into this +man's hands. All that I care for is to get Don +Pedro on board our vessel, and I shall be pleased +to pay for your services in the matter. We must +be careful, however, that there shall be no opportunity +to charge us with kidnapping, for we +wish to avoid any possibility of complications +with the United States; the fellow has made us +trouble enough already."</p> + +<p>"I will arrange that matter satisfactorily," I +replied; "as for the question of payment, I am +acting wholly in the interest of Senator Muirhead,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> +and under his instructions, so that I can accept +nothing except from him."</p> + +<p>We spent an hour or two more in preparing +papers and arranging the details of our plans, the +conclusion being that we should make the arrest +that evening, about seven o'clock, when there +would be few or no visitors at Don Pedro's house. +As I had supposed, there was no charge whatever +against the Donna, and my only intentions with +regard to her were to see that she did not carry +off any of the money belonging to the Diamond +Company stockholders, nor assist the Don to +escape. It was decided to send Don Pedro to +New York immediately, in case he yielded to our +terms, and the Donna would be at liberty to go +or stay, as she might see fit.</p> + +<p>On returning to my office, I found Bangs and +Lesparre awaiting me, and the latter said that he +believed the Don and Donna intended to take +flight immediately after the <i>fête</i>. They probably +desired to finish their career in Gloster in a blaze +of glory, and, as they would not be expected to +receive visitors for two or three days after the +<i>fête</i>, they would have a good start before their +departure would become known. I told Lesparre +to see that Madame Sevier and Salter kept a close +watch for the remainder of the day, and in case +any attempt should be made to remove the box +containing Don Pedro's coin, he must send Salter +to me instantly with the news. I also suggested +that the servants be kept out of the way that +evening, so that no one should know of our visit.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> +Lesparre departed to attend to his duties, and I +remained to complete the details of my plans +with Mr. Bangs, who had arrived from Chicago +with two detectives, in obedience to my summons.</p> + +<p>About six o'clock, Senator Muirhead and Judge +Key arrived, and a more nervous man than the +former I never saw. In a few minutes the Peruvian +Minister and Consul arrived, and we proceeded +in carriages to Don Pedro's house, the +Senator remaining at the hotel, however. We +left the carriages a short distance away, so as not +to attract attention, and, while Mr. Bangs's two +men stationed themselves to watch the house, the +rest of my party ascended the steps and were +admitted by Salter.</p> + +<p>"The family are still at dinner," said Salter, +"but they are finishing the dessert, and I presume +Don Pedro will go to the billiard-room after +dinner to smoke, as usual."</p> + +<p>"Give him my card as he leaves the dining-room," +I said, "and tell him that I am waiting +to see him in the drawing-room."</p> + +<p>In a few minutes, Don Pedro and Lesparre rose +from the table, and Salter gave my card to the +former.</p> + +<p>"Pinkerton! Pinkerton! I don't know any one +of that name; do I, Lesparre?"</p> + +<p>"Possibly it may be some gentleman having +business with you in connection with the <i>fête</i>," +suggested Lesparre.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ah! very true; where is he, George? I will +see him at once," said the Don, unsuspectingly.</p> + +<p>Salter led the way to the drawing-room, where +I alone was waiting, the rest of the party having +waited in the vestibule. As he entered, followed +by Lesparre, I rose and said:</p> + +<p>"Juan Sanchez, I arrest you, and you are now +my prisoner!" and, so saying, I put my hand on +his shoulder.</p> + +<p>He turned very pale, and sat down in the nearest +chair, while Lesparre quickly brought him a +glass of water. I then continued:</p> + +<p>"Juan Sanchez, or José Gomez more properly, +we will retire to the library if you wish, as we +may be interrupted here by the arrival of some of +your friends, and I do not wish to expose you at +present."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by addressing me in this +manner?" he replied, trying to regain his composure. +"My name is neither Sanchez nor Gomez."</p> + +<p>"It is a long time since you have been so +called," I answered, "but your victims in Brazil +and Peru still retain the names in their memories +without difficulty. I will now present to you the +Minister of Peru and the Peruvian Consul at New +York, both of whom have taken a lively interest +in your past life and actions."</p> + +<p>Just as I spoke, the Donna and Madame Sevier +entered, and the former, seeing the abject appearance +of her husband, asked what was the matter.</p> + +<p>"Your husband is a prisoner, madam," I re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>plied; +"and as our interview would be painful to +you, I must ask you to withdraw for the present +at least."</p> + +<p>She immediately gave an hysterical scream, +and sank upon a divan sobbing frantically. +Madame Sevier succeeded in quieting her somewhat, +and she remained on the scene with her +face buried in the Madame's lap. I felt confident +that much of her emotion was feigned, and that +she was an attentive listener to all that took place +about her; however, I made no objection, but requested +Mr. Bangs, who was watching in the hall, +to admit the Minister and the rest of the party. +As Mr. Bangs withdrew, the Don stepped up to +me and said:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Pinkerton, I will give you five thousand +dollars if you will leave me alone for half an +hour."</p> + +<p>I smiled, and looking at my watch, said:</p> + +<p>"It is now seven o'clock; at ten o'clock you +will be on your way to New York."</p> + +<p>"You can have ten thousand, if you will let +me go; I will pay you the cash in coin immediately."</p> + +<p>"Your offers are useless," I replied; "I will +let no guilty man escape if it can be avoided."</p> + +<p>As I spoke, the Peruvian Minister, the Consul, +and Judge Key entered, and we proceeded in a +body to the library, leaving the Donna in the care +of Madame Sevier. On the way thither, the Don +made one more effort to appear in the <i>rôle</i> of an +injured innocent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span>.</p> + +<p>"I don't understand this proceeding at all," he +said, "and I claim my liberty. What authority +have you for arresting me in my own house?"</p> + +<p>"I <i>have</i> the authority, and that is sufficient," +I replied, coolly. "If you desire to be taken at +once to jail, I have no objection to granting your +request; but I thought, perhaps, you might first +prefer to hear what these gentlemen have to say."</p> + +<p>I have arrested and have watched a great +many criminals, but I have never seen one who, +having carried out such an extensive scheme of +villainy, was so utterly broken down as this man +was. I had feared that his nerve might be firm +enough to answer my threats with defiance, and +force me to bring him to trial in Gloster; but I +saw that there was no danger of such a misfortune, +and so I stood aside while the Peruvian +Minister addressed him.</p> + +<p>"Juan Sanchez," said the Minister, "I have +come here to obtain your removal to Peru, that +you may be tried there for your numberless +forgeries in that country. A Peruvian war-ship is +now in New York harbor, and you will be placed +on board of her for transportation to Peru. Mr. +Pinkerton's superintendent will proceed with you +to-night."</p> + +<p>The Don was speechless for a moment, and +then, glancing up, he said, in a sullen voice:</p> + +<p>"I want to know what I am charged with, +and by what right you send me to Peru. I am +entitled to a hearing, and a lawyer to defend +me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My friend, Judge Key, who is present, is a +most able lawyer," I replied, "and you can consult +with him if you wish advice; but first let +me show you your true position. Your real +name, Don José Gomez, was given you in Brazil, +where it is remembered only to be cursed; Don +Juan Sanchez was your name in Peru, and your +crimes there are also well known; as Don José +Michel, there are serious charges against you in +San Francisco; Don Pedro Michel is badly wanted +in Quito, where he would probably be shot, as +they treat criminals there rather unceremoniously; +and Don José Arias would undoubtedly be +transported for life if the London detectives +should discover his present hiding place, to say +nothing of a lively interest which the French +<i>gens d'armes</i> take in the same person. All of +these people are now informed that the person +whom they wish to find is living in Gloster as +Don Pedro P. L. de Morito, and they are at this +moment hastening agents here to arrest him. +By chance, the Peruvian authorities are the first +to arrive, and they have, therefore, the happy +privilege of making the arrest. Now, as you are +probably aware, the Minister will have some +difficulty in obtaining an order from Washington +authorizing me to send you to Peru, for want of +an extradition treaty; but while you are under +arrest here, we can easily get warrants from +either California, England, or France, and then +you can take your choice between being shot by +vigilantes in California, transported to Van<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> +Dieman's Land by England, or sent to work in the +galleys by France. This is your present situation, +and I am perfectly indifferent which course +you prefer. If you decide to go with the Peruvian +Minister, you must agree to do so voluntarily, +until you are placed on board the Peruvian vessel, +and you must make an assignment of all your +money and property here to reimburse the people +whom you have swindled by the sale of fictitious +diamond-fields. If you are willing to comply +with these conditions, you will sign all the necessary +papers at once, and you will leave for New +York to-night, before the English extradition +writ arrives; if you refuse these conditions, I +shall hold you until that writ, or one from California, +arrives."</p> + +<p>The Don was evidently in no mood for defiance: +the knowledge of his past history which I displayed +had wholly cowed him, and my allusions +to the vigilantes of California, and the galleys of +France, made him tremble like a leaf. He knew +perfectly well the extent of his crimes in those +places, and, also, that my hints of his probable +punishment were not fancy sketches. Finally, +he asked to see me alone, but I refused to grant +his request, knowing his object. Then he wished +to see the Minister alone, and I again objected, +but I accompanied the two to another room, +where they conversed in Spanish for some time. +The Minister told me that the Don offered the +whole of his money and property to allow him to +escape; but, finding his offers useless, he agreed to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> +go to Peru for trial. No pledges were made to him +to influence his decision, though he begged so hard +that the Minister would intercede for him with +the authorities in Peru, that his Excellency +finally promised, in view of the Don's consent to +go willingly, to recommend that his punishment +be the lightest that the law could allow. The +Don having fully yielded to the arguments of the +Minister and myself, nothing remained to be +done except to obtain his signature to the papers +which had been already prepared, and to pack +his trunk for his journey. Lesparre and Salter +performed the latter task while the Don was +signing the papers, and writing out his voluntary +agreement to deliver himself up to the Peruvian +authorities. The most important document was +a deed assigning his furniture, horses, carriages, +paintings, statuary, books, and, in short, all his +personal property, to Judge Key, to be disposed +of at the latter's discretion, and the proceeds, +with the large amount of cash on hand, to be applied +to repay the subscribers to the Diamond +Company stock. In case there should not be sufficient +to pay them in full, the payments should +be made <i>pro rata</i>; but should there be an excess, +such excess should be applied to the payment of +the Don's private debts, contracted prior to that +date. This provision was, of course, necessary to +shut out the bills for supplies and services at the +<i>fête</i> on the following day. Evidently it was too +late to interfere with that interesting entertainment +without throwing a heavy loss on many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> +persons who could not afford to be the sufferers, +and I saw only one way to prevent this, namely; +to let the <i>fête</i> go on, and make those who danced +pay the piper.</p> + +<p>When the documents had all been signed, I +said:</p> + +<p>"José Gomez, you fully understand the meaning +of this paper?" holding up his surrender to +the Peruvian authorities; "it gives me power to +convey you to New York and place you on board +of a Peruvian vessel, using force, if necessary."</p> + +<p>The Don bowed his head submissively, and said +that he so understood it. The acknowledgment +of the deeds was then made by Judge Key, who +was a notary public, and our success was complete. +The Donna was then informed that her +husband would be taken East that night, and she +professed to be much affected. I told her that +there was no charge against her, and that she +could go with her husband, or stay in Gloster, +according to her own wishes. She said that she +would go with him if Madame Sevier could accompany +them. I had no objection to this, and +the two ladies retired to pack their trunks. There +was some uncertainty in my mind whether some +of the Don's cash might not be in the Donna's +possession; but I felt rather confident that she +kept her money entirely separate from his, and +that I could trust to Madame Sevier's acuteness +to discover how much the Donna had on hand. +I was not disappointed, for, while packing, the +Donna told the Madame that she had about nine<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> +thousand dollars, the remains of her gifts from +Mather, but that she could secure an immense +sum out of the iron box if she could get it open. +I had already made the Don confess where he +had hidden his money, and one of my detectives +was placed to guard the box; hence, the Donna +was disappointed in her attempts to make a raid +on the treasury. While the packing was going +on, I sent to the railroad dépôt and bought eight +railroad tickets for the party, which was to consist +of the Minister, the Consul, the Don and +Donna, Mr. Bangs, Madame Sevier, and two of +my men. At half-past nine o'clock the party +was ready and the trunks were sent off. I had +kept a close watch upon the Don until now, and +I saw that he hoped to escape while traveling. +When the carriages were announced, I stepped +up to him and told him that my invariable custom +in such cases would require me to put him +in irons to prevent any attempt at escape.</p> + +<p>"Shall you permit me to be treated in this +manner?" he said to the Peruvian Minister.</p> + +<p>"You are not yet in the custody of the Peruvian +authorities," I replied, "and I am responsible +for your safe delivery in New York; hence I +must take such precautions as I consider necessary. +When you are on board the Peruvian vessel, +the Minister can give such orders concerning +you as he may think proper; but, until then, I +alone have the right to determine what shall be +done with you."</p> + +<p>In a moment, I had placed a light set of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> +shackles on his feet, and handcuffs on his wrists; +he was quite submissive now, and only seemed +anxious to avoid observation.</p> + +<p>As we passed out to the carriages, the Donna +handed me a note, addressed to Henry O. Mather, +and asked me to have it delivered immediately. +I agreed to send it at once, though I sent it in +such a manner that he should not receive it until +the morning after the <i>fête</i>. The party arrived at +the dépôt in time to secure seats together, and at +ten o'clock the train bore them from the city.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>The Fête Champêtre.—A Grand Carnival.—The Disappointed +Married Lover.—A Vain Request.—Unmasked!—A +Shrewd Caterer and his Humiliating +Demands.—An Indignant Deacon.—Don Pedro +taken to Peru in a Man-of-War, where he is Convicted +and Sentenced to Fifteen Years' Imprisonment.—But +the Donna manages to Satisfy her +Affections in a quiet way in New York.</i></p></div> + + +<p>To the great delight of hundreds of people in +Gloster, Wednesday morning revealed all +the indications of a pleasant day, and by noon +the weather was so lovely that nothing could +have been more auspicious for the grand occasion. +As the hour approached for the departure +of the steamer, carriage after carriage drew up +at the dock to discharge its load of brilliantly-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span>dressed +and masked ladies and gentlemen. The +only person who was not completely protected +from recognition was Monsieur Lesparre, who +stood at the gangway to receive the guests, and +wore a plain evening dress, with no mask.</p> + +<p>In order to prevent the attendance of persons +who had not been invited, each guest was required +to present his or her invitation, and, as +there were, as usual, many who had forgotten to +bring their cards, Lesparre remained at hand to +pass them on board, on leaving their names. +When the hour of departure arrived, the boat +swung out into the stream, amid the laughter +and merry shouts of the gay revelers that +crowded her decks, as the band flooded the air +with music.</p> + +<p>At first there was some embarrassment and reserve +in the intercourse between the masqueraders, +owing to the novelty of their situation, and +the fact that the ladies at first clung closely to +their own little parties, with whom they had come +and to whom they were known; but soon this +feeling wore off. They began to enter into the +merry spirit of revelry which characterizes such +entertainments in the cities of the Old World. +The idea of personal identity began to be lost in +the gayety of the moment, and in its place was +substituted an identification of each person with +the character which that person represented. The +balmy airs of a perfect spring day wafted to them +the sounds of country life along the shores of the +river, and gave sensations both novel and pleas<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>ing +to the gay denizens of the city, who rarely +experienced any change from their routine of +fashionable entertainments. During the trip by +steamer there was much speculation as to the +disguises worn by the Don and Donna, and though +several persons were suspected of being the host +and hostess, there was no sufficient way of identifying +them.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 640px;"> +<img src="images/gs08.jpg" width="640" height="418" alt="The Fête Champêtre.—Page—" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The Fête Champêtre.—Page—</span> +</div> + +<p>At length the island was reached, and the party +disembarked. The scene, as they took possession +of the tents, booths, and pleasure-grounds, was +brilliant and attractive beyond anything which +the guests had ever witnessed. The island was +covered with large trees, whose branches and +foliage afforded a delightful shade. The close +underbrush had been removed everywhere, except +in certain ravines and other picturesque +spots, so that the island presented a fine example +of the beauties of landscape gardening. The foreground, +at the place of landing, was a level expanse +of green turf, which had been laid there +weeks before. This was partly arranged for +archery grounds, while rustic seats and swings +were to be found under every tree. A large platform +for open-air dancing, was placed at the foot +of the first ridge from the landing, while near by +was an enclosed dancing-hall, to be used in the +evening. Two bands were in attendance to play +dance music constantly, one resting while the +other played. It was understood that dinner +would be served, at four o'clock exactly, in a long<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> +dining-room near the dancing-hall, and at that +time every one was to unmask.</p> + +<p>As the party spread over the grounds and began +to enjoy all the opportunities for pleasure +afforded them, they presented a most novel appearance. +There were representatives, both male +and female, of nearly every known nationality, +and all the leading characters of historical and +fictional literature were admirably delineated. +Of course, among such members there were +many accidental repetitions of the same character, +but there were also instances of <i>fac similes</i>, +which were intentional. This was a frequent +cause of mistakes and embarrassing adventures, +and often, when a gay cavalier was talking in +tender tones to some lovely señorita whom he believed +he knew, he would be astonished to see a +second señorita, exactly like the first, passing unconcernedly +by.</p> + +<p>The afternoon was spent in rowing, sailing, +shooting, dancing, and flirting, and all agreed +that they had never known a more truly delightful +day. An elegant lunch was kept ready at all +times in a large <i>buffet</i>, adjoining the dining-room, +and all kinds of wines and liquors were served +freely. The hour for dinner was fast approaching, +and, of course, by that time, many recognitions +had been made, though large numbers still +carefully and successfully preserved their own +secrets; some, however, had already abandoned +their masks, still retaining the fancy costumes. +Among these was Mr. Mather, who wandered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> +over the island half distraught. He had vainly +searched for the Donna all day, and had been unable +to enjoy anything because he could not distinguish +her. Often he had believed he had +found her, but again and again he had discovered +that he was mistaken; so he continued his search +without his mask, hoping that she would make +herself known to him. At last he approached +Lesparre, just before four o'clock.</p> + +<p>"My dear Lesparre," he asked, in imploring +tones, "I beg that you will tell me how to recognize +Donna Lucia. I have talked with every person +who could possibly be taken for her, and I +acknowledge that she is so perfectly disguised +that I cannot discover her. Won't you please +tell me how she is dressed?"</p> + +<p>"That I do not know myself," replied Lesparre. +"She was very careful to keep the +knowledge from me, for fear I might be teased +into telling some one."</p> + +<p>"Well, how is the Don dressed, then?" asked +Mather. "Perhaps he will tell me about the +Donna."</p> + +<p>"I do not know how he is dressed, either," answered +Lesparre. "He was as secret in his +preparations as his wife."</p> + +<p>"What! haven't you seen him to speak to +since the <i>fête</i> commenced?" inquired Mather, in +astonishment.</p> + +<p>"No, I have not seen him since last night," +said Lesparre. "You see, the Don and I made +all arrangements yesterday afternoon, and I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> +came down to the island to superintend the placing +of the fireworks in the evening. I spent the +night down here, and have not gone back to the +house since I left it after dinner yesterday evening. +The Don has not spoken to me to-day, and, +for all that I know about him, he may not have +come to his own <i>fête</i>."</p> + +<p>Lesparre said this in a jocular manner, as +though he had made quite an impossible supposition; +but Mather seemed to catch an idea from +it.</p> + +<p>"By Jove! I begin to think so myself," he +exclaimed, as if confirming a thought which had +already occurred to him.</p> + +<p>Just then Judge Morgan, dressed to represent +the Fat Boy of the Pickwick Papers, rang a large +bell, which could be heard all over the island, +and the guests began flocking into the dancing-hall, +preparatory to unmasking and having a +grand march into the dining-room. When all +were present, the bustle and talk quieted down, +and all looked expectantly for the Don to give +the signal for unmasking. Several of the intimate +friends of the host had assembled on the +<i>dais</i> at the head of the hall; and each of these +looked at the others to see which among them +was the Don. At last, Mather stepped forward +and addressed the whole company:</p> + +<p>"Ladies and gentlemen, somewhere among us +are the host and hostess of this, the most elegant +entertainment ever given in Gloster; they have +been successful not only in producing here a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> +fairy spectacle of unequaled beauty, but also in +effectually hiding themselves from discovery in +their assumed characters. So far as I know, not +any person present can state positively the disguise +of either Don Pedro or Donna Lucia. Am +I right? If any one has discovered either of +them, I ask him to let us all know it before the +signal for unmasking is given."</p> + +<p>Mr. Mather waited a moment amid profound +stillness, but no one replied to his request.</p> + +<p>"Well, now," he continued, "I respectfully +call upon the Don and Donna to come forward +to the <i>dais</i>, assume their rightful positions as +host and hostess, and give the order to unmask."</p> + +<p>Alas! he was calling upon a pair of unfortunate +travelers, who were then far on their way to New +York, one in irons, and the other in tears. There +was no answer nor movement among the gay +masqueraders, and whispers of wonder began to +run through the throng.</p> + +<p>"Oh! come, Don Pedro," said Judge Morgan, +whose appetite called loudly to be satisfied, "you +have shown that your disguise defies discovery; +now come forward and take your place. You +can laugh at our dullness all you please, but don't +keep us in suspense any longer."</p> + +<p>Still there was no reply, and the astonishment +of all the guests began to assume a form of vague +suspicion. At length, Mather again spoke up, in +a husky voice:</p> + +<p>"As our host is so retiring, I will take the +liberty of asking those present to unmask, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> +we shall then discover his disguise. Tap the bell, +Morgan."</p> + +<p>Judge Morgan immediately pulled the bell-rope +three times, and, as this was the concerted signal, +a gun was fired on board the steamer, and the +band struck up a spirited march. The confusion +of unmasking was quickly over, and the guests +formed a long procession around two sides of the +hall, preparatory to marching to dinner; but on +the <i>dais</i> the confusion only increased, as face after +face was revealed, and neither host nor hostess +was to be found. Robert Harrington, Charlie Morton, +Captain and Mrs. Kerr, Alexander McIntyre, +Judge Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Benson, Mr. and +Mrs. Simon, Charles H. Sanders, wife and daughter, +Deacon Humphrey and daughter, John Preston +and family, and several others, were there, +but not a trace could be seen of Don Pedro P. L. +de Morito and Donna Lucia.</p> + +<p>"Where in the devil is the Don?" was the +forcible manner in which Charlie Morton expressed +the sentiments of all present.</p> + +<p>The absence of the host and hostess could not +fail to cause great confusion at any time, but, in +this instance, there seemed to be a host of suspicions +flying about in a few minutes. Madame +Sevier's absence was also noted, and a sort of +panic seized every one. No movement toward +the dining-room was made, but all stood irresolute, +anxiously waiting for some one to determine +what to do, and set them an example. Lesparre +was sought for and questioned closely as to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> +reason for his employer's absence, but he could +give no satisfactory answer. He told all inquirers +that he had not seen the Don since the +evening previous, and that he was as ignorant of +the cause of his absence as any one. Then +several questions relative to the Don's pecuniary +affairs were asked, and Lesparre told all that he +knew. The fact that the Don had exhausted his +bank account, and had kept all his money in his +own possession, set a good many people to thinking +about the circumstances of his arrival there. +Then the stockholders in the Diamond Company +began to grow suspicious, and it took but a few +minutes to put them in such a state of vague +uneasiness, that they hardly knew what to believe +of the man whom they so lately admired +and honored. At length, a consultation was +held among some of the more intimate friends of +the Morito family, and it was decided to go in to +dinner as if nothing had happened. If there had +been any accidental detention of the Don and +Donna, they would, of course, be desirous that +the <i>fête</i> should proceed without them the same +as if they had been present; while if there was +any trickery connected with their absence, there +would be no use of waiting for them to come +Accordingly, the procession was again formed, +the band struck up another march, and the party +proceeded toward the dining-room, headed by +Henry O. Mather with Mrs. Simon, and Richard +Perkins with Miss Benson.</p> + +<p>But now occurred the most humiliating part of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> +the changed programme: Mr. George P. Westerfield, +the caterer, refused to admit the guests to +the dining-room unless the payment of his bill +was guaranteed. Mr. Westerfield was a man of +uncommon shrewdness. He had been accustomed +to furnishing the suppers at the grand entertainments +of the city for several years, and he +was well acquainted with the circumstances of +every person in the social world; hence, he had +seen a great deal of the Don and Donna during +their stay in the city. He had no more reason to +suspect them of having taken flight than the +others, but his native keenness and good judgment +led him to protect himself, and he resolutely +declined to open the dining-room doors unless his +bill was guaranteed. An animated discussion immediately +arose between Mr. Westerfield and the +hungry guests; but nothing would induce him to +change his resolve. He said that he was already +out of pocket largely by the lunch he had served +during the afternoon, and he could not afford to +lose his dinner too.</p> + +<p>"But Don Pedro will pay for everything," said +Mr. Mather. "He is immensely wealthy, and he +always pays cash promptly for all he buys."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that may have been true heretofore, but +how do I know where Don Pedro is?" queried the +caterer.</p> + +<p>"Why, he is probably accidentally detained in +Gloster," replied Mather. "I have every confidence +in him, and when he explains his unfortunate +absence to-day, those who have suspected<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> +him will regret their hasty remarks derogatory +to his character."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, Mr. Mather," said the shrewd caterer, +"if you have every confidence in Don Pedro, +you can give me your guarantee that I shall +be paid in full, and then I shall be happy to serve +the guests the same as if the Don were here."</p> + +<p>Mr. Mather hesitated a moment, and then refused +to do anything of the kind. He was, undoubtedly, +so disturbed in mind that he hardly +knew what he was doing. If he had kept his +wits about him, he would not have hesitated an +instant to take the whole expense of the <i>fête</i> on +his own shoulders rather than have such a scene +occur as seemed imminent, for the sum would +have been a mere bagatelle to him; but he knew +not what to think, and his suspicions ran far +ahead of those of any other person present. He +had on his shoulders the whole responsibility of +this man, Don Pedro, for he had invited him to +Gloster, and had largely vouched for his character; +hence, if Don Pedro should prove to be a swindler, +a great deal of blame would fall upon Mather. +This feeling contributed largely to confuse and +annoy him, while his passion for the Donna was +another cause of embarrassment. He therefore +acted in a most nervous, uncertain way, and +seemed quite unable to decide what to do. Mr. +Westerfield's proposition was reasonable enough, +and he was willing to accept the guarantee of any +other gentleman of known responsibility; but +singularly, there was not one among all who had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> +been intimate with the Don who would make himself +liable for the cost of the dinner; consequently +the caterer refused to admit the throng +into the dining-room. By this time every one was +worked up into a state of righteous indignation. +The apprehensions of the owners of Diamond +Company stock were the first causes of the feeling +against the Don, and the disappointing termination +of the long-anticipated <i>fête</i> was another +fruitful source of bitterness. As people's appetites +began to call loudly for dinner, it became +evident that the caterer's demands must be satisfied +in some way, and finally it was agreed that +the dinner should be paid for by those who partook +of it at the rate of ten dollars a plate. This +amount was to include the lunch and wine already +furnished, and also all the provisions for +dinner with the remainder of the wine provided +under the contract with Don Pedro. Under this +agreement, the dinner was served in the best possible +style to the long array of famished and irritated +masqueraders. It was not a very cheerful +meal, for too many of the participants were preoccupied +with thoughts of their possibly lost investments +in the stock of the Diamond Company; +but, under the influence of excellent viands and +good wine, there was a slight reaction in the feelings +of the younger members of the party, and +when the last course had been served, they proposed +to go on with the entertainment the same +as though nothing had happened.</p> + +<p>On entering the dancing-hall, therefore, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> +greater portion of the young people prepared to +enjoy the evening in dancing; but here again an +obstacle presented itself: the bandsmen had taken +alarm from the action of the caterer, and they +refused to play unless their account was settled. +Not a note would they sound until their demands +were satisfied, and so the gentlemen contributed, +jointly, enough to pay them in full also. The +troubles and annoyances of the later portion of the +<i>fête</i> were soon forgotten by the greater number +of the butterflies who formed the assembly, and +as they floated off to the strains of a beautiful +waltz, they unanimously decided to spend the +evening in a delightful dance.</p> + +<p>Meantime, however, many of the more staid +and elderly guests, having decided to go home +immediately after dinner, had gone down to the +steamboat landing to embark. To their astonishment +they saw the steamer tied up on the +opposite shore, her lights being just visible across +the water. After various attempts to hail her, +a reply was heard from a small boat, which contained +the captain. He pulled in near the shore, +and Judge Morgan, in an important tone, ordered +him to bring his steamer across the river and +convey a party back to Gloster.</p> + +<p>"But who is going to pay me for the use of my +steamer all day?" asked the captain, resting on +his oars, within easy talking distance of the +shore. Alas! he, also, had determined to follow +the example of the caterer, and demand payment +for his services before admitting the excursionists +on board his steamer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Pay you" exclaimed the horrified Ethan +Allen Benson, who had paid so much for his dinner +that his miserly soul was already repenting +having come; "why, Don Pedro will pay you, of +course."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'd like to see him, then," said the captain.</p> + +<p>An exciting conversation then ensued between +the indignant would-be passengers and the captain +of the steamer. The latter, however, had +all the advantage, for he knew the masqueraders +must eventually come to his terms.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by refusing to take us on +board?" demanded Deacon Humphrey, furiously. +"Don't you know that we can't stay here all +night?"</p> + +<p>"I presume not," said the captain, "and I +don't suppose you will do so; but I must have +payment for the use of my steamer. You can pay +me in one sum by a check, or you can pay me at +the rate of three dollars a head: I don't care +which you choose, only I must be paid."</p> + +<p>The altercation continued at some length, and +eventually the captain said that he could not afford +to waste coal in keeping steam up, and if they +did not agree to his terms, he would haul fires +and let his steamer stay where she was all night. +This threat brought the party to his terms, and +he was ordered to bring his steamer over. He +refused to make more than one trip, however, +and so the dancers were called away from the +ballroom at the end of the first waltz, thus spoil<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span>ing +their gayety almost ere it had begun. As the +motley groups gathered on shore awaiting the +steamer's approach, a more deeply disgusted and +indignant assemblage was never known in the +annals of good society, and curses, both openly +and inwardly expressed against the Don, were +numerous and bitter. As they passed over the +gangway, the captain and clerk were at hand to +collect fares, and no one was allowed to pass without +paying cash or giving a check for the amount, +indorsed by some well-known man of wealth +and position. Finally, the whole sorrowful party +was embarked, and the steamer turned her head +toward Gloster. The excitement and continuous +dancing, which most of those on board had indulged +in during the day, had left them in a state +of nervous and physical fatigue little calculated +to improve their spirits, while the financial losses +of many were matters of an intensely depressing +influence upon them. A more ill-tempered, disappointed, +and irritable cargo cannot be imagined. +Their troubles were not ended even on their arrival +at the wharf in Gloster, for, being so much +earlier in returning than they had expected, no carriages +were in attendance, and the ladies were +obliged to wait on board while their escorts went +to the livery stables to order carriages to take +them home.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 640px;"> +<img src="images/gs09.jpg" width="640" height="433" alt=""What do you mean by refusing to take us on board?" demanded Deacon Humphrey furiously.—Page—" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"What do you mean by refusing to take us on board?" demanded Deacon Humphrey furiously.—Page—</span> +</div> + +<p>Thus ended the <i>fête champêtre</i> which had been +anticipated so fondly as a new departure in the +social world of Gloster. In this, however, it was +a success; for, certainly, its like had never been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> +seen before, and the guests were profoundly hopeful +that they never should see its like again.</p> + +<p>The following morning the whole city was +talking of the flight of the Peruvian adventurers. +Their late residence was besieged by the +holders of Diamond Company stock, and the fact +of their absence was then clearly established. +The servants had been paid off by Madame Sevier +a day or two before, and no one remained in the +house except Lesparre. To all inquirers he gave +the same answer as he had given at the <i>fête</i>: he +was entirely ignorant of the whereabouts of the +Don, and was as anxious as any one else to find +him, in order to obtain his last quarter's salary, +which was unpaid. The affair was a nine-days' +wonder, and the mystery was still further increased +in the minds of the stockholders on receiving +a note from Judge Key requesting their +attendance at a meeting to settle their accounts +with Don Pedro. The meeting was strictly confidential, +only the actual purchasers of stock being +admitted. Judge Key explained to them that +Don Pedro P. L. de Morito had been arrested and +carried away for forgery and other crimes, but +that, before going, he had assigned all his property +to Judge Key to satisfy the claims of the +Diamond Company stockholders.</p> + +<p>"But how did you induce him to surrender +this money and property?" was the question +which was asked in various forms nearly a score +of times.</p> + +<p>"I cannot give you any particulars," replied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> +the Judge; "you must be satisfied to know that +he made this assignment in due legal form, and +that the amount which I shall realize will pay +your claims nearly in full. The slight loss which +you will sustain will be serviceable as a warning +against throwing away your money so recklessly +hereafter."</p> + +<p>The letter of Donna Lucia to Mr. Henry O. +Mather was delivered to that gentleman early +the day after the <i>fête</i>. Immediately on reading +it he packed his trunk and took the next train +for New York. Meantime the party under the +charge of Mr. Bangs arrived in New York without +accident Thursday afternoon. In accordance +with telegrams sent by the Peruvian Minister, +the captain of the Peruvian man-of-war had +taken his vessel down into the lower harbor, and +was ready to sail at a moment's notice. A steam-tug +was in readiness at Pier 1 to take the party +out to the vessel, and Don Pedro was transferred +by carriage directly from the Hudson River Railroad +dépôt to the steam-tug. The party accompanied +him on board the man-of-war, and the +tug towed the war-ship through the Narrows.</p> + +<p>The Don and Donna had an affectionate and +sorrowful parting in the cabin, and as the ship +made sail outside the bar, the tug dropped alongside; +the Minister, Consul, Donna Lucia, Madame +Sevier, and the detectives, leaving the Don in +charge of the captain, then returned to New +York in the tug.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span></p> + +<p>Two days later, Mr. Mather also arrived in +that city, and quickly found his way to the Donna's +presence. What they said to each other +may never be known, but it is probable that +the interview was satisfactory to both parties. +Thenceforward the Donna lived in New York in +the best style, though for some reason she failed +to enter the same social circle that she had +known before. As long, however, as she and +Mr. Mather were contented, they considered that +no one else need be troubled about their arrangements. +How long Mr. Mather's infatuation +lasted, I have no means of knowing, as I soon +recalled Madame Sevier, and lost all interest in +the affair.</p> + +<p>José Gomez was tried immediately on his arrival +in Peru, and was sentenced to fifteen years' +imprisonment, but he made his escape within +two years from the time of his trial. His future +career I never learned, but it is altogether probable +that he pursued, during the remainder of his +life, the same style of money-making (though +perhaps on a smaller scale) as that which rendered +notorious the name of Don Pedro P. L. +de Morito.</p> + + + + +<h3>THE END.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span></p> + +<h1>THE POISONER AND DETECTIVES. +</h1> + + + +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Mr. Pinkerton, at a Water-Cure, becomes interested in a +Couple, one of whom subsequently causes the Detective +Operation from which this Story is written.—A +wealthy Ship-Owner and his Son.—The Son +"found dead."—A Woman that knows too much +and too little by turns.—Mr. Pinkerton secured to +solve the Mystery.—Chicago after the Great Fire.</i></p></div> + + +<p>During the summer of 1870, I was spending +a few weeks at a water-cure for the benefit +of my health. The place was one not widely advertised +nor generally known, and the number of +frequenters was not large; hence, I became somewhat +acquainted with most of the visitors, and, +as a matter of habit, noticed their traits and peculiarities +with more attentiveness than a casual +meeting would naturally warrant. Of course I +had no idea that I ever should make any use of +my observations, but I simply kept up a customary +oversight upon everything about me. +Among those whom I thus noticed was a lady, +about forty-five years of age, and her son, who +was about twenty-six years old. The mother, +Mrs. R. S. Trafton, was a pleasant woman, well +preserved, and comparatively youthful in appear<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span>ance. +She was afflicted by a rheumatic affection, +which caused her to visit these springs for relief; +and her son accompanied her partly to look after +her comfort, and partly to obtain a vacation from +work. He was a tall, robust young man, with +fine physique and strong constitution, but he +showed the effects of overwork. I always make +a point of observing the character and habits of +those around me, and long experience has given +me considerable accuracy of judgment with regard +to my acquaintances, even where I am not +an intimate associate with them. The more I +saw of Stanley D. Trafton, the more I was interested +in him. His mother was devoted to him, +and he to her, so that they were rarely seen +apart.</p> + +<p>Springville was a very quiet, dull place, and, +aside from the invalid visitors, there was nothing +about the society to relieve the usual monotony +of an uninteresting country town; hence, I was +thrown largely upon my own resources for amusement, +and I had little else to do except to observe +the different strangers and speculate about them. +Among them all there were none who afforded +me a more interesting study than young Trafton, +and, although I never formed his acquaintance, +I began to feel that I understood his character +quite thoroughly.</p> + +<p>He was about five feet ten inches in height, of +compact, muscular build, full chest, stout limbs, +and erect carriage. His complexion was clear +and healthy, his features regular, his expression<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> +intelligent and open, and his manners were very +frank and attractive to most people. His general +appearance was that of an intelligent, handsome +man, of more than ordinary ability and steady +character.</p> + +<p>I learned that his father, Mr. Richard S. +Trafton, of Cleveland, was a wealthy ship-owner +and merchant, and that his son attended largely +to the purchase of grain in the West for shipment +in his father's vessels. I judged that +young Trafton was a good business man, with +an eye to details as well as general results, and +while he had no appearance of being small-minded, +he did not despise economy in his +business affairs. He did not seem like a person +who would spend money for mere display or +effect; yet, neither would he deny himself the +comforts and luxuries belonging to a man of his +wealth and position in society. There was +nothing of the profligate about him, and his +devotion to his mother showed that he must +have a genuine and hearty respect for the whole +sex.</p> + +<p>In the course of a few weeks I left Springville, +much improved in health, and I soon forgot all +about Mrs. Trafton and her son, until the latter +was brought under my notice again amid very +tragical and sorrowful circumstances.</p> + +<p>Early in the winter of the following year, I +was deeply engrossed in business, having an accumulation +of cases on hand which taxed my ingenuity +and energies to the utmost. I therefore<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> +placed almost all of the less important operations +in the hands of my superintendent, Mr. Francis +Warner, though I kept a general supervisory +control over every case on the books of the +Agency. One morning, as I was conversing with +Mr. Warner, two gentlemen were admitted to my +office by my confidential clerk, who informed me +that they had suspicions of foul play as the cause +of the death of one of their friends, and they +wished the circumstances fully investigated by +the Agency. The gentlemen were Mr. John Updike, +of Cleveland, and Captain Edward R. Dalton, +a ship captain, of Buffalo. They introduced +themselves, produced credentials and references, +and then told me the following story:</p> + +<p>In November previous, Mr. Stanley D. Trafton, +of Cleveland, left that city to go to Chicago. He +was the son of Mr. Richard S. Trafton, a wealthy +shipper of Cleveland, and the father was anxious +to keep his vessels employed. Captain Dalton +commanded one of Mr. Trafton's schooners, and +he expected to arrive in Chicago harbor about +November 20. Accordingly, young Trafton was +to meet the vessel there, and, in case she did not +obtain a charter at a paying rate, he was to purchase +a cargo of oats on his own account. He +brought, therefore, a considerable amount of +money and negotiable paper. He had about +eight hundred dollars in currency, two thousand +five hundred dollars in United States five-twenty +bonds, and a letter from his father authorizing +him to draw upon him for a large amount. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> +bonds were the usual coupon bonds of the denomination +of five hundred dollars each, and fortunately +Mr. Trafton, senior, had the numbers of +these securities.</p> + +<p>Stanley Trafton arrived in Chicago November +22, and found the schooner awaiting him. He +tried to obtain a room in one of the hotels, but +he soon gave this up as a hopeless task, for the +reason that there was no hotel in the city which +was not already crowded almost to an unsafe degree. +He then took up his quarters on board the +schooner, getting his meals at a restaurant. This +was not at all pleasant, and he finally discovered +a place where furnished rooms were to let near +one of the hotels. He therefore announced to +Captain Dalton that he had taken a room at 92 +West Madison street. They met each other every +day, however, and at last, seeing no profit to be +made by purchasing grain in the then condition +of the market, Mr. Trafton informed the captain +that he might sail for Cleveland on Friday, December +1. On Thursday he visited the captain +and promised to return on board again that evening; +he failed to do so, however, and the schooner +sailed next morning.</p> + +<p>Five days afterward, Captain Dalton received a +dispatch, sent by a firm of commission merchants +in Chicago, announcing that Stanley D. Trafton +had been found dead in his bed. Mr. Updike, +who was a warm friend of the family, and Captain +Dalton, then visited Chicago, arriving December +8. They found the body of Mr. Trafton<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> +at the Morgue awaiting claimants, together with +a quantity of valuables which had been in his +possession when he died. There were two five-twenty +bonds, one being torn in two pieces, a set +of diamond studs, a small amount of loose change, +and three one-hundred-dollar bills. A coroner's +inquest had been held, and a verdict of death by +congestion of the lungs had been rendered.</p> + +<p>The circumstances of young Trafton's death, +as related by the officials in charge of the body, +created considerable suspicion in the minds of +Messrs. Updike and Dalton, who, therefore, proceeded +to investigate the affair. In the first +place, they were well aware that fifteen hundred +dollars in bonds, and nearly five hundred dollars +in currency, were missing; secondly, they learned +that Trafton had been found dead in bed Friday +morning, December 1, only about eighteen hours +after he had left Captain Dalton in perfect +health.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, Mr. Updike and Captain Dalton +visited his late lodging-place, which was kept by +a woman named May Sanford.</p> + +<p>The building was a two-story frame residence, +which, like thousands of others after the Great +Fire, had been rearranged for business purposes. +The lower floor was occupied as a furniture store, +while the second floor was also partly occupied +by business offices. A covered stairway on the +side led to the upper story, and, while the front +hall bedroom, the front parlor and the next +room back, were used as offices, the rear portion +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span>was occupied by Mrs. Sanford, who rented most +of her rooms as sleeping apartments.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 640px;"> +<img src="images/gs10.jpg" width="640" height="430" alt=""He was lying in bed with froth about his mouth and a ghastly look on his face."—Page—" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"He was lying in bed with froth about his mouth and a ghastly look on his face."—Page—</span> +</div> + +<p>On stating their object in calling, the two +gentlemen were admitted to Mrs. Sanford's sitting-room, +and she then gave her account of the +circumstances connected with young Trafton's +death. She stated that she met him first on the +street and recognized him as an old acquaintance +who had been intimate with her husband and +herself when they lived in Buffalo; that he stopped +and talked with her for a time, and, learning that +she had furnished rooms to let, he said he would +rent one. He stayed there five days, and, on the +sixth, which was Thursday, November 30, he +came to his room in the evening and complained +of feeling unwell. He had been drinking very +hard all the week, and she said that this evening +he was quite drunk. He complained that he +could not keep anything on his stomach, and +asked Mrs. Sanford to cook something nice for +him. Accordingly she boiled a chicken, but he +could not eat it, and he then went to bed. During +the evening, she heard him snoring very +loudly as she passed his door, but she thought +nothing of it, and went to bed at eleven o'clock. +About seven o'clock next morning, she knocked +at his door, but he made no answer, and she +pushed the door open, the bolt being a very slight +one. She then found Mr. Trafton lying diagonally +across the bed, with his head hanging down +and froth on his lips. Becoming alarmed at his +appearance, she called in a gentleman named<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> +Taylor G. Pratt, who occupied her back parlor as +a real estate office and sleeping-room. Mr. Pratt +examined the body of Mr. Trafton and told her +that he was dead, advising her to inform the +police authorities of the fact. She immediately +closed the room and went to the nearest police +station, where she reported the circumstances +relative to the death of Mr. Trafton so far as she +knew them, and asked what she should do with +the body. The police sergeant promised to send +the coroner as soon as possible to make an investigation, +and she was instructed to leave the body +and room untouched until the coroner should +arrive. That evening an inquest was held by the +County Physician, and a verdict of death by +congestion of the lungs was rendered. Mrs. +Sanford gave an account of the finding of the +money and bonds, which exactly agreed with +that given by the County Physician, whom she +assisted in making search for Trafton's valuables. +In one boot, lying under his head, they found a +five-twenty bond for five hundred dollars and +half of another one, the remainder of this torn +bond being found in the right-hand pocket of his +pantaloons. In his vest pocket were found three +United States notes for one hundred dollars each, +and a small quantity of loose change. A set of +diamond studs still remained in his shirt, and, as +the story was related by her, there was nothing +suspicious about the affair except the suddenness +of his death.</p> + +<p>Having heard all that Mrs. Sanford and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> +County Physician had to say on the subject, Mr. +Updike and Captain Dalton took charge of the +body, and shipped it to Cleveland, where they +placed it in the hands of four experienced surgeons, +with instructions to make a thorough and +careful examination as to the cause of death. +The first thing noticed by them was an evidence +of considerable external violence on the right +side, over the liver, there being a large bruise, +about the size of a saucer, apparently caused by +a blow. The coagulation of blood beneath the +skin showed that this injury must have been +caused during Trafton's lifetime, but very +shortly before his death. A similar, though +smaller bruise, was found on his thigh, while several +bruises on the base of the neck and throat +showed that the windpipe must have been +severely compressed just previous to death. +None of these marks had been noticed by the +County Physician in making the post-mortem +examination, and it seemed probable that he had +first guessed at the cause of death, and then +made only a sufficient examination to find some +corroboration of his theory. The Cleveland surgeons +had great difficulty in accounting for Trafton's +death, but they were unanimous in scouting +the theory of death by congestion of the +lungs. They found the body to be healthy in +every part, except the external bruises; and, +while these were not of a sufficiently serious +character to account for the death of so robust a +man, they could find no other cause whatever.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> +These facts, together with the disappearance of +fifteen hundred dollars in bonds, and about five +hundred dollars in currency, which Trafton was +known to have had in his possession, caused his +relatives and friends to believe that he had been +murdered for his money, and that the murderer +had been shrewd enough to leave a large portion +of the plunder to allay suspicion. The trick had +proven to be a most excellent one, for, as the +County Physician afterward acknowledged, the +idea of foul play never occurred to him, owing to +the apparent lack of incentive thereto; had there +been no money, or only a small amount, found +on the body, he would have made a much more +rigid examination; but no suspicion even crossed +his mind, and he acted with the haste which +characterized almost all operations in Chicago at +that time.</p> + +<p>In order, therefore, to discover all the facts in +the case, and to recover, if possible, the missing +money and bonds, Mr. Trafton, senior, had +decided to put the affair in my hands for a +thorough investigation, and Mr. Opdike and Captain +Dalton had called upon me for that purpose.</p> + +<p>Having heard their statement, I asked a number +of questions, which elicited the following +additional information:</p> + +<p>On returning to Chicago the second time, they +had again visited Mrs. Sanford, and found that +she had taken every particle of furniture out of +the room where Trafton had died. At the time +of their call, they saw a policeman whom she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> +called Charlie, with whom she seemed to be very +intimate. She said that Charlie was the first +person to see Trafton after she found he was +dead that morning, he having been sent over by +the sergeant as soon as she reported the fact. +This story contradicted her former statement, +that she first called Mr. Pratt into the room; +moreover, the sergeant of police had told them +that the policeman did not go to the room at all, +but merely took the number of the house and +went away.</p> + +<p>At this interview, Mrs. Sanford gave them the +blank power to draw upon Mr. Trafton, senior, +saying that she had found it at the foot of the +bed since their former visit. She also showed +them a gold coin which she said young Trafton +had given her as a keepsake. Both gentlemen +recognized this coin as one which Trafton prized +very highly for some reason, he having refused +to part with it even to his mother; it seemed +hardly possible that he should have given it to a +chance acquaintance like Mrs. Sanford.</p> + +<p>During this conversation she claimed to have +lent Mr. Trafton three hundred and twenty-five +dollars, though she did not seem greatly disappointed +when they refused to repay her that +amount. Mr. Updike gave her twenty-five dollars, +however, to pay for Mr. Trafton's board and +lodging, and to recompense her for her trouble. +The story that Trafton had borrowed money of +her was absurd on its face, and she acted as if +she hardly expected to be believed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p> + +<p>Before coming to Chicago this time, Mr. Updike +had written to Mr. T. B. Vernon, of Buffalo, +asking for information relative to the antecedents +of this Mrs. Sanford. Mr. Vernon had replied +that she had a very bad reputation in Buffalo, +having been divorced from her husband for +adultery, and having been arrested in March +previous for being drunk and disorderly. She +had a paramour at that time, named James McSandy, +a police-station keeper, and it was supposed +that he had gone West with her.</p> + +<p>Another circumstance had been noticed by +Captain Dalton, which led him to believe that +Trafton had been murdered with his clothes on, +and afterward undressed and put to bed: the sole +of one of his boots was covered with whitewash, +as if it had been violently pressed and scraped +along a wall. Now, the room where he was +found had been newly whitewashed when they +arrived there, so that any marks on the wall +made by him in his struggles would be wholly +obliterated.</p> + +<p>Having learned all the facts bearing upon the +case known by my visitors, I informed them of +my terms for conducting an investigation of this +character, and sketched a hasty outline of my +plan of operation. As they had already hinted +their suspicions to a member of the city detective +force, who was inclined to make light of them, I +suggested that they inform him that they had +changed their minds in the matter, having +learned from the Cleveland physicians that death<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> +was surely caused by congestion of the lungs. +They then took their departure, saying that they +would lay my plan before Mr. Richard S. Trafton, +and he would telegraph to me whether I should +proceed with the operation. On Christmas day, +I received a telegram from Mr. Trafton, briefly +instructing me to proceed, and my plan was put +in operation at once.</p> + +<p>Before proceeding further with the history of +my connection with this case, it will be necessary +to remind the reader of the anomalous condition +of social and business affairs in Chicago at the +time of which I write; for, without any explanation, +he might have difficulty in understanding +many things in connection with the story.</p> + +<p>It will be remembered that the Great Fire of +Chicago occurred October 8 and 9, 1871, and this +case was placed in my hands only about nine +weeks afterward. At the time of Mr. Trafton's +death, a pall of smoke hung over the city, and, at +night, the still-smouldering heaps of coal throughout +the "burned district" glowed like volcanic +fissures, casting a weird fantastic light about the +ruins, and illumining the clouds of smoke overhead +with a ruddy glow which was visible for +miles away. The streets were filled with dust +and ashes, while the fumes of carbonic acid gas +were sometimes almost stifling. To venture, at +any time, into the waste of ruins, which stretched +more than three miles in one direction, through +the formerly richest portion of the city, was not +a pleasant undertaking; but to make such an ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span>cursion +at night was attended with more hazard +than most peaceably-disposed men would care to +run. There were no gaslights, no sidewalks, no +street indicators; in many places, piles of stone +and brick were heaped in almost impassable barricades +from one side of the street to the other; +all landmarks were gone, and the old resident +was as liable to lose his way as the stranger.</p> + +<p>The city, moreover, was crowded with what +is sometimes called "a floating population," a +species of driftwood, or scum, gathered from +every quarter of the globe; indeed, a large percentage +seemed to have come straight from the +infernal regions, with all the passions and habits +incidental to a prolonged residence there. Hence, +the labors of the police force were increased to +an extent which taxed their abilities to the +utmost, and made the task of protecting the respectable +portion of the community about all that +could be required of them; that they should be apt +to suspect foul play, in a case where the coroner had +no suspicions, was hardly to be expected. Besides +this, there was nothing settled on any permanent +foundation; business men flitted hither and +thither wherever they could best obtain accommodations +for the time being, and whence people +came or whither they went was a matter which +no one had time to inquire into, much less to +investigate.</p> + +<p>The destruction of thousands of business blocks +and dwellings left the city without adequate accommodations +for offices and residences, even for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> +its own regular population; but when the rush of +strangers swelled the aggregate nearly twenty +per cent., there seemed hardly sleeping-rooms for +them all. Dwelling-houses by thousands were +converted into stores, manufactories, and offices, +until fabulous prices were offered for the merest +closets in the vicinity of the new temporary +business centers. Every hotel was thronged +from the basement to the Mansard roof, and late +arrivals were oftentimes happy if they could get +a straw mattress on a billiard-table, or an army +cot in a hall.</p> + +<p>I call especial attention to these things to account +for certain apparent anomalies in the +action of different persons connected with this +tragedy. For instance: a young gentleman of +Mr. Trafton's wealth and respectability would +never have rented a mean little room in a petty +lodging-house, if he could have found any other +place equally convenient to business; the County +Physician would not have taken things so much +for granted, if he had not been so hard at work +and so pressed for time, owing to the immense +army of gratuitous patients who thronged the +offices of the County Agent and the Relief and +Aid Society; the police would not have been so +remiss in failing to examine into the death of +Mr. Trafton, if they had not had their hands full +of other business to an unprecedented extent; +and, lastly, when I came to work up the case, I +should not have had so much difficulty in finding +witnesses, if it had not been that people came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> +and went through Chicago like the waves of the +sea in mid-ocean, leaving no trace by which they +could be followed or identified.</p> + +<p>These circumstances, combined with certain +facts which will appear in the course of this narrative, +made the task assigned me one of unusual +difficulty. Mr. Warner was intrusted with the +general management of the case, though he frequently +consulted me in relation to it; and, +though we were continually working in the +dark, we never despaired of our eventual success.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><i>The Detectives at Work.—Mrs. Sanford Described.—Charlie, +the Policeman.—Mrs. Sanford develops +Interest in Government Bonds.—Chicago Relief +and Aid Benefits.—Mrs. Sanford's Story of Trafton's +Death.—A nice little Arrangement.—Mrs. +Sanford explains to the Detective her method of +"Quieting People."—Ingham "Makes a Raise."—Mrs. +Sanford fears being Haunted, but is not easily +Frightened.</i></div> + + +<p>The day after Christmas a tall, well-built man +called at No. 92 Madison street, and asked +for the lady of the house. Mrs. Sanford soon +entered the sitting-room, and the stranger said +that, having seen the sign, "Furnished Rooms +to Rent," he had called to engage lodgings. He +introduced himself as John Ingham, and said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> +that he was a bookkeeper, temporarily out of +employment. Mrs. Sanford received him with +great cordiality, and seemed much pleased to have +him as a lodger. She said that she had no suitable +room just then, but that a married couple +were about to leave, and then Mr. Ingham could +have their room. She then showed him through +the house. The two front rooms were occupied +by an insurance company, and the back parlor +was used as a real estate office and sleeping-room +by two brothers, named Pratt. At the head of +the stairs was a small bedroom, through which +it was necessary to pass to obtain admission to +the rear part of the house. The passageway +from this bedroom to the sitting-room was made +by partitioning off a small entry from the back +parlor. There were four doors in this sitting-room: +one opened from the entry; at the opposite +side was one which opened into another entry; +the third was adjoining this second door, and it +opened into the large bedroom occupied by the +married couple; the fourth door led into Mrs. +Sanford's own room. At the end of the back +entry was an unfurnished room and a kitchen. +The front bedroom was occupied by two young +women who worked in a bindery, and their accommodations +could hardly have been very agreeable, +as every one was obliged to pass through +their room on the way to the other rooms in the +rear.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sanford was a good-looking woman, about +thirty-two years old. Her features were quite<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> +pretty, and her expression was pleasing. She +was very plump, and her skin was smooth and +soft. She had brown hair, a nose slightly +<i>retroussé</i>, and a pleasant smile. Her eyes, however, +were a bluish gray, cold and watchful as +those of a hawk. She might have been called +handsome but for the effects of dissipation, +which were plainly visible in her face. She had +a pleasant voice, and she was naturally easy in +her manners. If she was in a good humor, she +could be quite fascinating; and almost any stranger, +after talking with her for a few minutes, +would feel satisfied that she had once occupied a +social station far above that in which she was +now placed. She had a good education, and very +frequently she would give evidences of having had +a wide range of really good reading. At times, +her recitations and declamations, wholly from +memory, were exceptionally fine, and, but for +her two ruling passions, she might have been an +actress of a high rank.</p> + +<p>She had two controlling vices, one natural, the +other acquired: her greed for money was inborn, +and it seemed to absorb at times every other +faculty; while the habit of using morphine had +become so fastened upon her, that she could not +shake it off. She was a most contradictory medley +of compounds, however, and while her thirst +for money seemed to overpower all other considerations +with her as a general rule, on some occasions +she would be as wasteful and careless of +expense as the most prodigal woman in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> +world. But when she had set her mind on the +acquisition of any particular money or piece of +personal property, there was no length to which +she would not go to attain her object. The mere +sight of money seemed to act upon her with an +effect almost of insanity, and she would then +have no regard for consequences until after she +had secured the coveted prize.</p> + +<p>It will be readily understood, of course, that +Mr. John Ingham, usually known as Jack, was +one of my detectives, sent to obtain lodging with +Mrs. Sanford, to win her confidence and learn all +that he could.</p> + +<p>Ingham agreed to take the large room in the +rear, but he wanted to come immediately. Mrs. +Sanford agreed, therefore, to make up a bed for +him on the sofa in the sitting-room until the departure +of Mr. and Mrs. Graves, who were then +occupying the back room. Having agreed upon +the terms, Ingham went away, promising to return +that night. Accordingly, he came in again +about nine o'clock in the evening, and found that +Mrs. Sanford was entertaining a policeman. He +was a rather good-looking fellow, and was in full +uniform, except his star. He remained until +nearly twelve o'clock, and when he went out, +Mrs. Sanford followed him to the door, with +many affectionate caresses and tender remarks. +After he had gone, she began to converse very +confidentially with Ingham, telling him that she +was engaged to be married to Charlie, the policeman.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't you think a policeman is good enough +to marry?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" replied Ingham, "and your Charlie +seems to be a fine fellow."</p> + +<p>"Well, he is awfully fond of me," she continued, +"and he spends all his time off duty with +me; but I don't know whether I care to marry +him. What do you think about it, Mr. Ingham?"</p> + +<p>"You ought not to be in any hurry about it," +he replied, "for you might see some one whom +you would like better."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I have had a number of offers lately," she +said, laughing. "I have had to work hard for a +living, and have saved up quite a good sum; and, +besides that, my father sent me two thousand +dollars a short time ago, so that I have a snug +little fortune. But Charlie doesn't know anything +about it, and I shan't tell him until after we +are married."</p> + +<p>After some further conversation, she said that +she was hungry, and wished she had someone to +go to the nearest restaurant with. Ingham volunteered +to act as her escort, and they went out +together. While eating supper, she suddenly +asked whether government bonds were good +property to invest in. Ingham replied that they +were very good indeed, since the interest was +payable in gold, and there were no taxes to pay +upon them.</p> + +<p>"Well, suppose you should lose them," she +queried; "could any one who found them make +use of them without being discovered?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, I think so," said Ingham. "There is no +means of learning how they came into the bearer's +possession."</p> + +<p>"Did you ever own any?" she inquired.</p> + +<p>"No, but I used to cash the coupons for my +employer in Louisville, and I know a good deal +about them."</p> + +<p>"What business were you in there?" she asked, +with a considerable show of interest.</p> + +<p>"I was bookkeeper for a wholesale liquor +firm, and the senior partner used to put all his +money into government bonds."</p> + +<p>"Why did you leave Louisville?" she continued, +seemingly desirous of learning as much as +possible of his history.</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, I got hard up," he replied, evasively, +"and there was some mistake in my accounts +which I couldn't explain satisfactorily, so I +thought best to go out of town for awhile. You +know we are all liable to mistakes when we are +hard up."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, I understand," she replied, in a +satisfied tone of voice. "What are you going to +do here?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't tell yet. I have a small job of +closing up a set of books for the year, and when +that is done I shall look around for something +else. I'm not particular what I do, if it pays +well."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you could get employment from the +Relief and Aid Society," she said, "and then you +could get lots of nice things for me. This man,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> +Graves, whose room you are to have, is employed +there, and he steals enough to keep the +woman who is with him in good style."</p> + +<p>"Why, aren't they married?" asked Ingham.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't believe they are married," she replied, +"and I've given them notice to leave. Mr. +Graves gets hardly any pay, but he brings her +all kinds of presents, and she sells them to the +pawnbrokers."</p> + +<p>On their return to the house, Mrs. Sanford +made up a bed on the sofa for Ingham, and then +went to her room.</p> + +<p>The day following, Ingham went down to his +work on the South Side, and did not return until +eight o'clock in the evening. He said that he +knew of a chance to buy a cigar stand in one of +the leading hotels, and that he would like to do +it if he could raise the money. Mrs. Sanford +seemed to have taken a great fancy to her new +lodger, for she told him that she would assist +him, if it did not cost too much.</p> + +<p>"By the way, I was sorry you were not here +this afternoon," she said. "There was a very +pretty young lady friend of mine here, and I +would like to have you meet her."</p> + +<p>"What was her name?"</p> + +<p>"Ida Musgrove."</p> + +<p>"Have you known her long?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! no, I have only lived in Chicago a few +months. I used to live in Cleveland before I +separated from my husband, and we had a fine +stone-front house there."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How did you happen to leave your husband?" +asked Ingham.</p> + +<p>"Well, he began running after other women, +and, though I forgave him several times, when +he brought his mistress to live in the same house +with me, I left him."</p> + +<p>"He must have been a very hard case to do +such a thing as that," said Ingham, sympathizingly.</p> + +<p>"Yes; and then he sold the house, promising +to give me half if I would sign the deed; but he +never gave me a cent, so that I have had to work +hard to support myself and my little girl, who is +boarding at Riverside. However, I am all right +now, for my father sent me three thousand dollars +the other day, and I shall have plenty of +money hereafter."</p> + +<p>"Hadn't you any friends here who would have +helped you?" asked Ingham.</p> + +<p>"No, I hardly knew any one; but I met an old +friend from Cleveland about a month ago, and he +died here in my house. Haven't I told you about +that?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed; how was it?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, this Mr. Trafton was a former +lover of mine in Cleveland, and he was very rich +and handsome. He came here last month and +took the back room in my house. He was very +kind to me, and wanted to marry me; but he +drank hard for a week and began to show the +effects of his dissipation. Finally, he came home +one evening quite drunk, and he complained of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> +feeling sick. I boiled a chicken for him, but he +could not eat it, and he went to bed. Next +morning he did not call me as usual, and I went +to his door and knocked; there was no answer, +and so I pushed open his door. He was lying in +bed with froth about his mouth and a ghastly +look on his face which frightened me terribly. +Then I called in Mr. Pratt, who roomed in the +back parlor, and he said that Mr. Trafton was +dead. When the coroner came, we found twenty-five +thousand dollars in Mr. Trafton's pockets, +besides his diamond studs and other property. +Oh! it was a dreadful thing for me to think that +such a handsome fellow as my Stanley should die +in my house."</p> + +<p>"What was the matter with him?" asked Ingham.</p> + +<p>"The coroner held an inquest, and a post-mortem +examination showed that he died of congestion +of the lungs."</p> + +<p>"Did you know that he had all that money +with him?" asked Ingham, significantly lowering +his voice.</p> + +<p>"No, I did not know it until afterward," she +replied; "why do you ask?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! for no special reason; but," he added, in +a determined way, "you might have helped yourself +to some of that money and no one would +have been the wiser. I tell you, I wouldn't have +let such a chance as that slip."</p> + +<p>"Well, I know I might have taken some of it," +she answered, thoughtfully, "but I couldn't steal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> +from him. Oh! I have mighty good credit +among people here now, for every one knows +about that money, and that I could have taken +it all if I had wished. A reporter came here, and +afterward stated in the paper that there was only +a small amount, about fifteen hundred dollars, +found; but I had it corrected."</p> + +<p>She prattled on for some time about her intimacy +with Mr. Trafton, until she was interrupted +by a noise in the hall bedroom. On going to see +what was the matter, she found the two bindery +girls in great excitement, as they had been +awakened by a strange man in their room. Ingham +also went to the door, when Mrs. Sanford +told him to get his revolver, as she wanted to +shoot any man who should try to break into her +rooms. No one was found, but the lower hall +door was open, and Ingham went down to lock +it. On his return, Mrs. Sanford said that she +had a revolver, and that she knew how to use it +too. It was about midnight before they retired, +but Mrs. Sanford seemed to consider it quite an +early hour.</p> + +<p>The next day Ingham was again absent until +evening, and Mrs. Sanford scolded him a little for +not staying more time with her. He replied that +he had been out looking for a chance to make a +raise.</p> + +<p>"What kind of a raise?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh! any kind," he replied; "I'm not particular, +provided I can get enough to pay for the +trouble. If I knew of any good hiding place, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> +could get a lot of valuable goods some night without +much work, and with no danger."</p> + +<p>"You can bring them here, and I will hide +them so that they will never be found," she replied, +in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"That will be a pretty hard thing to do, for +these policemen and detectives can find almost +anything if they want to. I shouldn't like to +bring any plunder here and then have it found in +your house, for you would then be punished for +receiving stolen goods.</p> + +<p>"Never you fear about me; I know some sharp +tricks if I <i>am</i> a woman. I can hide anything you +bring, and if they get after you, I can hide you +too."</p> + +<p>Ingham then told her about various criminal +devices for obtaining money, which he had practiced +in New York several years before, and +called her attention to the ease with which they +might rob strangers by the "panel" game. She +was very much interested, and said that she +could easily get hold of some fellow with plenty +of money, make him drunk, and then rob him.</p> + +<p>"How I wish you had been here when Mr. +Trafton died, for you could have got away with +ten or fifteen thousand dollars without any difficulty +whatever."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it would have been a good chance," he +replied; "but I guess we can do nearly as well, +if you will be true to me and help me."</p> + +<p>"You can depend upon me for anything," she +answered, with great determination, but adding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> +suddenly, in a cautious tone, "that is, anything +except murder, you know. I shouldn't like to do +that. But I would protect you even if you should +kill a man—not willfully—not willfully, you understand; +but if you should be obliged to do it to +save yourself, I should not blame you very +much."</p> + +<p>"I am determined to 'make a raise,' soon," +said Ingham; "but I don't know whether I can +trust you."</p> + +<p>"How so?" she asked, as if greatly surprised.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid you will 'give me away' to that +policeman whom you think so much of."</p> + +<p>"You need not fear anything of the kind," she +said, leaning forward, and speaking slowly and +emphatically. "I can help you a great deal, and +I would never betray you to any one. I don't +think so much of Charlie as I pretend to."</p> + +<p>Soon afterward she had to go into the unfurnished +room to get something, and she asked +Ingham to hold the light for her.</p> + +<p>"Why can't you hold it yourself?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Well, to tell the truth, I don't like to go into +that room alone," she replied, trying to laugh in +an unconcerned way.</p> + +<p>"Why not? You aren't afraid of anything, +are you?"</p> + +<p>"No, not afraid; but I have never felt like going +in there since Mr. Trafton died there. I cannot +help recollecting the way he looked when I +first saw him hanging over the bedside, with the +froth on his lips. I took out all the furniture on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> +that account, but I am going to furnish it again +next week, as I can get a good rent for it."</p> + +<p>Ingham went with her as she requested, and +he noticed that all the time she was in the room +overhauling a trunk containing the things she +wanted, she was very restless and nervous. Several +times when she heard a sudden noise she +would start and turn pale, as if much frightened.</p> + +<p>Presently the two girls occupying the front +room came in and said that they should leave +next day, as they were afraid of a man coming +into their room as one had done the night before. +Mrs. Sanford was evidently not sorry to have +them go, and they soon went to bed.</p> + +<p>Ingham and Mrs. Sanford then talked together +about their plans for getting money for some +time. Her whole mind seemed bent upon one +object,—to obtain money; and she seemed to +have no scruples whatever as to the means employed.</p> + +<p>"Don't you know of any wealthy fellow who +carries considerable money about with him?" +asked Ingham.</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes; I know two or three who come +here to do business, and I expect one from Canada +next week. He always has plenty of money +with him, so that I have no doubt we could get +a big sum out of him."</p> + +<p>"Does he ever drink?" he asked; "I don't +want to tackle a sober man, if I can help it."</p> + +<p>"That needn't trouble you," she replied, in a +whisper; "I can give him something to keep him +quiet."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How can you do that?" he inquired, with apparent +astonishment.</p> + +<p>She then showed him a bottle of morphine, and +said that she always kept it for her own use, and +that she knew how to give just enough to produce +a deep sleep. They finally agreed to lay their +plans together, and to make a big haul at the first +opportunity.</p> + +<p>Ingham went out again on his prospecting tour +next day, but when he returned, in the evening, +he had not discovered any good place for a robbery. +He told Mrs. Sanford, however, that he +thought he could get a quantity of counterfeit +money at a very low price, and that they could +pass a great deal of it, if they were skillful. She +liked the idea, and said that she could pass it on +a great many people who would never recollect +where they received it. She also said that she +had a good place to hide it, and that some time +she would show him where she had hidden some +property, when the police were looking for it.</p> + +<p>"Oh! how I wish you had been here when +that man died with eighteen thousand dollars in +bonds in his pockets!" she exclaimed. "You +could have helped yourself to all you wanted."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," he replied, "I should have +made myself rich for life."</p> + +<p>"But could you have disposed of the bonds +without being suspected?" she asked. "Wouldn't +his friends catch you if they had the numbers of +the bonds?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! that wouldn't make any difference.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> +There are millions of dollars afloat of these bonds, +and they cannot be traced any more than money."</p> + +<p>"His bonds were all for five hundred dollars +each, and they had little tickets on the end, which +could be cut off for the interest," she said. "I +saw them when the coroner was examining +them."</p> + +<p>"Yes, they were undoubtedly five-twenty +bonds, and were worth their face in gold."</p> + +<p>"Well, another time, if we get such a chance," +she said, "we will take enough to make ourselves +comfortable, and leave the rest to remove +suspicion."</p> + +<p>On the following day, Ingham returned to his +room at Mrs. Sanford's about three o'clock in the +afternoon, and she told him that the two girls and +Mr. and Mrs. Graves had left. She said that she +had a great fuss with the latter, and that they +went away in a state of high wrath against her; +besides this, she had had a quarrel with Charlie, +the policeman, who had sided with Mrs. Graves +during their quarrel. Mrs. Sanford said, further, +that Charlie had acted very meanly in not making +her any Christmas or New Year's present, +and she didn't care whether he came there again +or not. She said that Mrs. Graves had left her +trunk to be called for, and that there was no doubt +she had stolen some of Mrs. Sanford's towels and +other things. She then went to the trunk, opened +it, and took out a number of articles, which she +said belonged to her. She took the articles into +the kitchen, and secreted them in a hole in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> +floor, where she was able to take up a board. +Ingham thought it rather strange that she should +hide these things, if they were her own property, +but he said nothing on the subject to Mrs. Sanford.</p> + +<p>About five o'clock a young lady called to see +Mrs. Sanford, and they seemed very intimate +with each other. When they entered the sitting-room, +Mrs. Sanford said:</p> + +<p>"Ida, let me introduce to you Mr. Ingham; this +is Miss Ida Musgrove, Mr. Ingham."</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Sanford has spoken of you in such complimentary +terms, Miss Ida," said Ingham, "that +I have been very anxious to meet you."</p> + +<p>"Now, how can you be so foolish, May," said +Miss Ida, addressing Mrs. Sanford; "you always +talk about me so extravagantly that people are +very much disappointed when they meet me."</p> + +<p>"Oh! that is quite impossible," chimed in +Ingham. "I am sure that Mrs. Sanford hardly +did you justice."</p> + +<p>"I see, Mr. Ingham, that you are, like all the +rest of your sex, a great flatterer," simpered Miss +Ida, who was evidently greatly pleased with his +compliments, but who wished to appear too +modest to believe him to be in earnest.</p> + +<p>Miss Ida was a brilliant brunette of fine features +and figure. She was stylish and graceful +in her appearance, and her dress showed remarkably +good taste. She was very vivacious +and merry, but a close observer would have +noticed that she was not endowed with much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> +sentiment, and a physiognomist would have said +that she was more interested in the size of a man's +fortune than in his looks or powers to please. +The three chatted together very pleasantly for +some time, and when Miss Ida rose to go, she +said that she hoped to have the pleasure of seeing +Mr. Ingham again; but she did not inform him +where she lived, and was apparently rather indifferent +with regard to him.</p> + +<p>The next day Mrs. Sanford refurnished the +back room where Mr. Trafton had died, and +Ingham took the room vacated by the Graveses. +On the same day, Mrs. Sanford missed her watch, +and, after searching for it everywhere, she came +to the conclusion that it had been stolen. She +was greatly distressed about it, but she could not +imagine who could have taken it.</p> + +<p>A few days after this, Ingham came hurriedly +into the sitting-room looking as if he had been +running hard. He found Mrs. Sanford and Miss +Ida in the kitchen, but when the former came +into the sitting-room, he gave her a significant +look, and said that he had "made a raise." Mrs. +Sanford was highly pleased, but she had no time +to make inquiries, as Miss Ida came in from the +kitchen a moment later. They took supper +together, and had a very gay time, as both Ingham +and Mrs. Sanford were quite excited over the +former's adventure. After Miss Ida had gone +home, Ingham gave Mrs. Sanford ten dollars, and +told her that he and another man had followed a +stranger into the "Burnt District" just at dusk,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> +and while the other man choked the stranger, +Ingham had "gone through" his pockets. Owing +to the fact that there were very few persons and +no gas-lamps in their vicinity, they had not been +observed in their work of robbery until they let +the man go, when his shouts had attracted attention. +He said that some men had chased them, +and that he had escaped by running into a lumber-yard, +where he had hidden the greater part of +the plunder. He said that he had obtained a roll +of bills, but that he could not tell how much +money there was in all, as he had not had time +to count it. He said that he did not expect to +get much out of it, as he would be obliged to +divide with his partner. The day following, Ingham, +on his return to the house in the evening, +found Mrs. Sanford standing in her room fixing +her hair, while a man stood beside her with his +arm around her waist. The door of her room +was open, so that Ingham could not help seeing +them, and he did not stop, but went straight to +his own room. Mrs. Sanford soon afterward +came to his door and told him that the man he +had seen was Mr. Taylor G. Pratt, the real estate +agent, who occupied the back parlor; that he +was one of her best friends, and that he wanted +to marry her. He had been away for the holidays, +and had only just returned. She had told +him that Ingham was her brother from Detroit, +and that he was going to remain with her for +some time. Ingham was then introduced to Mr +Pratt, and they talked with each other until<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> +supper-time. Pratt was a middle-aged man, with +a mean-looking face and suspicious manner. +They went to a restaurant for supper, and the +gentlemen paid the bill equally. Pratt seemed +to expect Mrs. Sanford to pay her share, and this +made her angry, though she said nothing about +the matter at the time. When alone with Ingham, +however, she said that Pratt was a miserly +cub, with no generosity whatever. She borrowed +five dollars from him, nevertheless, and then +invented a story about having lost the money to +escape paying it back.</p> + +<p>The next evening, when Ingham returned to +his lodgings, he found Mrs. Sanford in a sad +plight; one eye was wholly closed and discolored, +while her whole face was bruised and inflamed +to such an extent as to make her an unpleasant +object to look at. Charlie Stokes, the +policeman, was sitting by the stove, and Mrs. +Sanford, with her head done up in wet towels, +was moaning on the sofa. She explained that +Mrs. Graves had been there, and had seized her +by the throat, beaten, scratched, and kicked her +until she was perfectly helpless from her injuries. +Charlie, the policeman, was trying to +condole with her, but he was evidently out of +favor, for she finally told him to go out and not +bother her any longer.</p> + +<p>Ingham told her that she certainly ought to +have Mrs. Graves arrested and punished severely, +and he petted her so nicely that she said +he was her best friend, and that she would do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> +anything for him. He prepared a dressing for +her black eye, and got some supper for her, telling +her that on Monday—that day being Saturday—she +ought to get out a warrant for the arrest +of Mrs. Graves.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you hit her with the poker?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"I did pick it up," she replied, "but I was +afraid to hit her for fear I should kill her."</p> + +<p>"Well, it would have served her just right, +for she had no business to attack you first."</p> + +<p>"I know that; but if I had killed her, just +think how awful it would be! Why, her ghost +would haunt me forever after. I don't want to +be haunted. I'm afraid now to go into the room +where Trafton died, and I wouldn't go in there +alone after dark for fifty dollars."</p> + +<p>Ingham comforted her all he could, but finally +he said that he must go out for a time, and he +did not return until about ten o'clock. He then +went upstairs quietly, and went to bed. Two or +three hours later, a heavy, groaning sound was +heard in the house. It was difficult to tell exactly +whence it came, but Ingham heard Mrs. +Sanford spring up and open her door. He did the +same, and saw her listening at the half-open door. +The groans were not exactly like those of a person +in distress, but they resembled the efforts of some +stage ghost in a blood-and-thunder drama. Suddenly +Mrs. Sanford stepped out, with her revolver +in her hand, and began to walk toward the hall. +He instantly overtook her and asked her, in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> +whisper, what she was going to do. She made a +significant motion with her revolver, and again +stopped to listen. He then took the pistol away +from her, saying that the noise was probably due +to some drunken man who had got into the hall. +He told her to go back to bed, and he would investigate. +Accordingly, he went into the hall, +and soon Mrs. Sanford heard him dragging a +maudlin drunken fellow downstairs. This affair +had been arranged by me, in the hope of frightening +Mrs. Sanford into making some kind of a +confession, but she was not so easily alarmed as I +had hoped. The door had been left open by +Ingham on his return to the house, and another +detective had been sent to the top of the stairs to +make the groans. From the determined way in +which she walked out, with her pistol in readiness, +it was evident that she would not have hesitated +to shoot the unfortunate ghost on sight.</p> + +<p>The next day Ingham showed her a fine gold +watch, which he said he had snatched out of a +man's pocket in a crowd. She wanted him to +steal one for her, and he promised to do so, if +possible, though it was more difficult to get a +lady's watch. She then advised him to be careful +to see that there was no private mark on the +watch, lest he should be detected thereby. Then +she asked whether the numbers on government +bonds were all different. He said that there were +different series, which were exactly alike except +the letter, and he tried to explain the matter to +her, but she could not understand it. She also<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> +wanted to know whether the bonds could be sold +in a foreign country, and he told her yes; that +that was the best way to sell them, if there was +anything wrong about them. After some further +conversation, she said she thought of going +to Canada soon, and perhaps she would like him +to take charge of her rooms while she was away.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>The Dangerous Side of the Woman's Character.—Mr. +Pinkerton makes a new Move.—Robert A. Pinkerton +as Adamson, the drunken, but wealthy, +Stranger.—A "funny" Game of Cards.—The +drunken Stranger has a violent Struggle to escape +from Mrs. Sanford, and is afterwards robbed—according +to the Papers.—Detective Ingham arrested, +but very shortly liberated.</i></p></div> + + +<p>It has already been observed by the reader +that, while Ingham had learned nothing +new about the fate of poor Trafton, he had obtained +a very excellent understanding of Mrs. +Sanford's character. Her most prominent characteristic +was the love of money, and this passion +seemed to overpower all others. Her language +and manners at times showed that she had once +been a member of good society, while her reading +and declamations from Shakespeare and other +poets gave evidence of great natural talents. +Combined with her greed for money was a strong<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> +element of sensuality, and though she usually +granted her favors only where she expected a +large pecuniary reward, still, at times, she was +apparently as prodigal in that regard as if she +had no care whatever for money.</p> + +<p>Her mind was naturally powerful, and I had +little hope of breaking down her will; she would +evidently show fight to the last, and all that I +could hope would be to learn enough secretly to +insure her conviction without her confession. +She was as shrewd as if all her life had been +passed in evading the toils of the law; even in +her sleep, or when pretending to sleep, she would +talk with great freedom; but, as she never gave +any intelligence of importance on such occasions, +I put little faith in the soundness of her sleep. +In her readiness to assist Ingham to hide his +plunder, I saw the dangerous side of this woman's +nature strongly revealed. If she were so willing +to act as an accomplice in one crime, why not in +another? As she had been so successful in her +encounter with Trafton, might she not be glad to +carry out the same scheme again? At least, there +would be no harm in putting an opportunity before +her, and her actions in one case might give +some clue to those by which she had succeeded +in the former affair.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that will be a good plan," I soliloquized; +"I will send a young fellow there with a large +sum of money, and he will get drunk. Then, if +she tries to rob him, I shall be certain that she +did the same with young Trafton."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span></p> + +<p>I therefore arranged that Ingham should pretend +that he had made the acquaintance of a +stranger from the East, who had a large sum of +money; he was to tell Mrs. Sanford that he would +bring the stranger to her rooms to spend the +evening; the stranger would be rather drunk +when he arrived there, and they would give him +more liquor, until he should be quite drunk; if +she should then try to rob him, he would get +away as well as possible, and Ingham would go +after him. In a little while, Ingham would return +and show her a package of bonds, stolen +from the stranger, and tell her that he had +knocked the man down with a brick, before robbing +him. The next morning a notice would appear +in the papers to the effect that a stranger +had been found in the burnt district, lying on the +ground in an insensible condition, having been +knocked down and robbed.</p> + +<p>Ingham was instructed as to his part in the affair, +and next day he told Mrs. Sanford that there +was a young fellow down town whose acquaintance +he had made, who had a large amount of +money with him. Ingham said that the man's +name was Adamson, and that he was a gambler in +good luck. He wanted to bring Adamson to the +house that evening, and she was very anxious +that he should come.</p> + +<p>I intrusted the stranger's part to my son, Robert +A. Pinkerton, who assumed the name of +Adamson for the occasion.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, the two detectives met at my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> +office, and Adamson was given five hundred dollars +in fifty dollar bonds. They then went to +Mrs. Sanford's house, and, on arriving there, +Mr. Adamson was quite unsteady on his legs. +Mrs. Sanford was nicely dressed to receive the +stranger, and she made herself very agreeable to +him, in spite of his apparent drunkenness. They +played cards together for a time, and then Adamson +proposed to play euchre with Ingham seven +points for five dollars a game. While they were +playing, Adamson became quite reckless, and he +threw down his cards with such a look of +drunken gravity as to be quite amusing. He lost +almost every game, and, at length, he wanted to +go out for a drink. Mrs. Sanford told him to go +on with his game, and she would get what he +wished.</p> + +<p>"What do you want to drink?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Anything excep' warrer," he replied.</p> + +<p>"What do you know about water?" asked Ingham; +"I don't believe you can tell how it looks."</p> + +<p>"Tha's a lie. I know how to tell warrer's +well's you. I (hic) can allus tell warrer—it looks +jus' like gin. Get us some gin."</p> + +<p>While Mrs. Sanford was gone, Ingham and +Adamson arranged that the latter should pretend +to have lost all his money to the former, and +that he should insist upon playing one game for +fifty dollars. This he was to lose, and he was to +become angry and go away. Adamson then gave +Ingham about fifty dollars to show as his winnings, +and presently Mrs. Sanford came in. She +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span>had been introduced to Adamson under the assumed +name of Mrs. Robertson, and he therefore +addressed her by that name.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 640px;"> +<img src="images/gs11.jpg" width="640" height="434" alt=""I'll play you a (hic) game f'r fiffy doll's!"" title="" /> +<span class="caption">"I'll play you a (hic) game f'r fiffy doll's!"</span> +</div> + +<p>"Mrs. Rob'son, 'f you'd come sooner (hic), +you'd ha' seen th' funniest game 't ever was +played. Never 'ad such bad luck 'n m' life, an' +now I've los' all m' money. Gimme big (hic) +drink of gin."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sanford poured him a glass half full, and +also poured a little into two other glasses. When +she turned her head, Ingham emptied the contents +of his glass into the coal-scuttle, exchanged +glasses with Adamson, and emptied his drink into +the same place. When they stood up to drink, +Mrs. Sanford was the only one who really did so, +the two men merely going through the motions, +with great apparent satisfaction. Adamson then +became more and more excited.</p> + +<p>"Tell you, Miss'r Hang'em, or whatever y'r +name is, I'll play you a (hic) game f'r fiffy dolls; +can beat you 't euchre any day th' week. Wha' +you say? Wan' to play?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't want to play for so much, but I'll +play you for twenty-five dollars."</p> + +<p>"Fiffy or nothin'. Come, now; 'f you're 'fraid +to play, say so. I c'n play like a steam-whissle, +I can."</p> + +<p>"I'll play you for twenty-five," replied Ingham, +irresolutely.</p> + +<p>"No, sir; I won't (hic) play'ny more small +games. You've won more'n fiffy doll'rs fr'm me +now, 'n I wan' m' revenge. You goin' ter gimme +a (hic) chance t'win it back?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All right," said Ingham; "I'll play you just +one game for fifty dollars, and then we'll stop, no +matter who wins. Just wait a minute, until I +go to my room for a handkerchief."</p> + +<p>While he was gone, Adamson pulled out a +package of ten United States bonds, of the denomination +of fifty dollars each, and said that he +would put up one of them against Ingham's fifty +dollars, and that he should send the rest to his +mother. When Ingham returned, he counted +out fifty dollars, and Adamson laid down one of +his bonds.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Ingham. "Is that +worth fifty dollars?" and picking it up, he examined +it carefully.</p> + +<p>"Yes'r; tha's worth more'n fiffy doll'rs; tha's +worth fiffy doll'rs in gold."</p> + +<p>"Will you guarantee that it is good and all +right?" asked Ingham.</p> + +<p>"Course I will; didn't you ever see a (hic) +bond b'fore?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I know that's all right," said Mrs. Sanford, +who was beginning to show the effect of +the gin very strongly; "I've had bon's like that, +too. Th' young man who died here had eighteen +thousan' bonds like this."</p> + +<p>"Well, all right," said Ingham; "let us cut +for deal."</p> + +<p>As the game progressed, Mrs. Sanford felt the +strength of the gin more and more, and she soon +became quite sick. Ingham got her some warm +water, and she went into her own room to vomit.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> +She soon returned, feeling much better, and the +game went on, Ingham winning by one point. +Adamson then became very angry, and said he +was going out; and, although the others begged +him to stay, he put on his overcoat and insisted +on going away. Ingham finally said that he +didn't care whether Adamson went or stayed, and, +so saying, he walked off to his own room. Mrs. +Sanford used every argument to induce Adamson +to stay all night, but, with a drunken man's obstinacy, +he refused to remain any longer. He walked +downstairs, with Mrs. Sanford clinging to him +and coaxing him all the way, until they reached +the lower landing, when she put her back against +the door and refused to let him out. They then +had a violent struggle, in the course of which she +tore open his coat and vest in the endeavor to get +at the bonds in his breast pocket. Finally, he +was obliged to use all his force to get away, as +she was like a tigress in her anger, and was evidently +determined to rob him. Indeed, had he +not been an active, muscular young man, she +would, undoubtedly, have finished him then and +there; as it was, he barely succeeded in making +his escape, by forcing her back upon the stairs, +and then springing out of the door before she +could seize him again.</p> + +<p>Meantime, Ingham was a silent spectator of +this scene from the top of the stairs, where he +stood holding the lamp. As soon as Adamson was +out, Ingham rushed down and told Mrs. Sanford +that he intended to have those bonds anyhow.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> +He told her to sit up for him, and then ran out +after Adamson. In less than an hour, he returned +and saw Mrs. Sanford watching for him +from a front window. When he went upstairs, +she was still somewhat under the influence of the +liquor she had drank, but she asked him where +he had been.</p> + +<p>"That's all right," he replied, flipping over the +ends of the package of bonds; "I guess I've +made a good enough haul this time."</p> + +<p>"Oh! you are a splendid fellow," she said, +leaning on his shoulder. "I didn't think you +would dare to do it."</p> + +<p>"I dare to do anything where there is any +money to be made. You won't go back on me, +will you?"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"I mean, that you won't give me away to the +police?" he asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Why, of course I won't," she replied. "I +never yet went back on any one who did the fair +thing by me; and I know you will do that, won't +you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! certainly I will; I will make you a nice +present to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"I don't want a present to-morrow," she said, +sullenly; "I want my share now."</p> + +<p>"But I shall have to cash these bonds first," he +said. "They would be of no use to you in their +present shape."</p> + +<p>"I can get them cashed as well as you can," +she replied. "Come, hand over; I don't want +half, but I want my share now."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What is your hurry?" he demanded. "Can't +you wait until to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"No, I can't; I want my share, and if you are +going to be mean, I will be mean too. You can't +keep those bonds unless I say so, and if I choose +to report you, I can have them all taken from +you, besides sending you to Joliet."</p> + +<p>"Oh! if that's the way you talk," replied Ingham, +"I shall know what to do. If you can't +trust me until to-morrow, I can't trust you at all. +You can't scare me by threats, and if you want +to get any of this money, you must deal fairly +with me; I'm not afraid of being arrested."</p> + +<p>"All right, then," she answered, with a wicked +look in her eye; "we'll see whether you will +'come down' or not. If you want to keep it +all, I shall take care that you don't keep any of +it. I'm going to the police station at once."</p> + +<p>She was, evidently, just ugly enough to do as +she said; and, as Ingham had the bonds in his +possession, he did not fancy the idea of letting +her go for the officers just then; so he replied:</p> + +<p>"You can go right along, if you want to, but, +in that case, I shall go somewhere else."</p> + +<p>He then quickly brought his hat and overcoat +into the sitting-room; and, seeing that she was +still making preparations to go out, he took a +hurried departure, taking a room at a small hotel +for the night.</p> + +<p>In the Chicago <i>Tribune</i> of January 14, 1872, +the following item appeared:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span></p> + +<p class="center">"<span class="smcap">Highway Robbery</span>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"At about twelve o'clock last night, an officer +of Pinkerton's Preventive Police stumbled over +the body of a man near the corner of State and +Washington streets. Stooping down, he discovered +that the man was half drunk, half insensible, +bruised and bleeding. On being restored to +his senses, he gave his name as Robert Adamson, +stating that he had come from Troy, New York, +having with him several hundred dollars in currency +and bonds. The time between drinks was +very short yesterday afternoon, and he has no +clear idea of what happened after dark, up to the +time the officer found him minus his money and +valuables. He remembers drinking frequently +with a stranger, who made himself very agreeable, +but cannot state the time when they parted +company. He describes the stranger as a tall +slender man, with black side-whiskers, giving a +sufficiently minute description of him to afford +the police a valuable clue, and it is likely that the +highwayman will soon be overhauled."</p></div> + +<p>About noon of the day that the above was published, +Ingham went to call upon Mrs. Sanford, +and she received him very coolly.</p> + +<p>"How do you feel this morning?" he asked. +"Does your head ache?"</p> + +<p>"No, I feel all right," she replied. "Have +you seen that fellow that was here last night?"</p> + +<p>"No, I have not seen him," he replied. "Why +do you ask? Has he been here looking for me?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, he came here this morning, and asked +me all kinds of questions about you; and now, if +you are arrested, it will be your own fault. I +would have shielded you, if you had done the +fair thing by me; but now you must look out for +yourself."</p> + +<p>"You are very unreasonable, Mrs. Sanford," +he replied; "it would have been very dangerous +to have left any of those bonds with you, for if +the man had brought the police here, they would +have searched the house, and would have found +the bonds. Then you would have been arrested, +and you would have been obliged to tell where +you got the bonds. Now, as soon as I get the +bonds cashed, I will treat you handsomely, but I +do not intend to run any risks."</p> + +<p>"There would have been no danger of their +finding the bonds, if you had left them with me; +and, even if they had found them, I never would +have told where I got them. You might have +been fair enough to give me one hundred dollars +at least."</p> + +<p>"He did not have any money besides what I +won from him, except the bonds; and, as I said +before, I did not dare to leave those in the +house."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry I ever let you into my house," +she said, presently. "I thought a great deal of +you, and I expected to assist you when I received +my money; but now I have lost confidence in +you. I suppose, if you got a chance at my +money, you would take that too. I begin to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> +think I know where my watch went; the detective +wanted to search you for it two or three +times, but I wouldn't let him, and this is the way +you reward my confidence."</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Sanford, you are talking wild," he +answered, angrily. "I have always treated you +well, and when I made a raise the other day, I +gave you a part of it. I intended to do the same +this time, but you acted so suspiciously that I +thought best to wait awhile. Now, as soon as I +get these bonds cashed, I will give you some +more money, but not till then."</p> + +<p>"You can keep your old money," she retorted; +"I don't want any of it. You think you were +very smart, yesterday, but you don't know what +danger you are in. I could have you arrested +this very day if I chose."</p> + +<p>"I know you could; but what good would it +do you? I should be punished, to be sure, but +you would not get a cent; while, if you keep +quiet, I will make you a fine present."</p> + +<p>"I don't want your present, nor you either," +she replied. "I don't want you in my house any +longer." Then, as Ingham started toward his +room, she said: "Keep out of there; you can't go +into that room, for I've let it to a young couple, +who are in there now."</p> + +<p>"All right, then," replied Ingham; "I will call +again to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"You needn't take things so mighty cool," she +replied, perfectly white with anger. "You may +find yourself in jail before you know it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I know it," he answered, carelessly; "but it's +my nature to take things cool, and so, if you +want to put me in jail, you can; but you can't +scare me a bit, and you may as well understand +it first as last."</p> + +<p>The following morning, I received from Mr. +Trafton, who was then in Philadelphia, the numbers +of the bonds which were missing. They +were five-twenty bonds of the issue of 1865, numbers +57,109 and 87,656, series A, and number +37,515, series B. Information of the robbery had +been sent to the Treasury Department at Washington, +and to all the sub-treasurers in the United +States, in order that, in case any of the interest +coupons should be presented for payment, they +might be traced back, possibly, to the hands of +the thief.</p> + +<p>In <i>The Tribune</i> of Monday appeared the following +item:</p> + +<p class="center"> +"BEATEN AND ROBBED. +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A MAN TAKES A WALK WITH A COMPARATIVE +STRANGER, AND IS KNOCKED DOWN AND ROBBED +OF NEARLY $1,000 IN GREENBACKS.</p> + +<p>"Mention was made in yesterday's <span class="smcap">Tribune</span> of +the finding of a man, named Robert Adamson, +on the corner of State and Washington streets, +he having been beaten and robbed of several hundred +dollars in greenbacks. The police were looking +for him yesterday, but failed to find him. It +was ascertained that he had been boarding at No.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> +92 West Madison street, and that, on Saturday +night, he indulged in several games of euchre +with a man who also boarded at the place. While +the game was in progress, and Adamson was under +the influence of liquor, he displayed an express +company's envelope full of money. At the +conclusion of the game, the two men went out to +'take a walk.' Yesterday morning, Adamson's +companion returned to the house, and, it is said, +offered the landlady $500 if she would say nothing +about his having played cards with Adamson. +She refused, and would not allow the fellow to +take his trunk away, which he wanted to do very +badly. The landlady sent her little daughter to +police headquarters for an officer, and one was +sent over to arrest the man; but he had left previous +to the officer's arrival. It is not known +how much money Adamson had, but it must +have been in the neighborhood of $1,000, or the +man who took it would not have made such a +munificent offer to have the fact of the theft +kept secret."</p></div> + +<p>In accordance with my instructions, Ingham +went to Mrs. Sanford's house about noon on +Monday. He told her that he had read in the +paper that she had reported him to the police as +being the assailant of Robert Adamson. She denied +ever having done so, and offered to swear +that she had never betrayed him. He replied +that he felt sure there must be a mistake, as he +could not believe it possible that she would be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span>tray +him. He felt perfect confidence in her, and +had no fears that she would try to have him arrested.</p> + +<p>"Besides," he continued, "I don't care now +whether they arrest me or not. I'm not afraid +of being held, for I am generally shrewd enough +to cover my tracks pretty thoroughly, if I have a +start of two or three days."</p> + +<p>"You can't prove that you didn't rob that +man," she replied.</p> + +<p>"I don't need to; all the proof must come from +the other side, and they haven't any witnesses +who can swear that I did the robbery."</p> + +<p>"I could prove it, if I choose to go against +you," she said.</p> + +<p>"No, you couldn't," he replied. "You didn't +see me; and, while your testimony would, perhaps, +be circumstantial evidence, your oath +would be no better than mine, as you have no +one to swear to the same thing."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I have great credit up at the station," +she said, in a boasting manner. "They recollect +the finding of eighteen thousand dollars under +the pillow of the young man who died here, and +they have all confidence in me, for they know I +might have easily stolen all he had. But I think +it is best never to do anything wrong, and then +there is no fear of getting into trouble."</p> + +<p>"That's all right, if you can do it," he replied; +"but I must have a living, and if I can't get it +one way, I will another."</p> + +<p>Just then some one knocked at the door, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> +presently Charlie Stokes, the policeman, walked +in. They talked together a few minutes, and +then Stokes said:</p> + +<p>"Step this way a moment, Mr. Ingham, I wish +to speak to you alone."</p> + +<p>They walked to the head of the stairs, and Ingham +then asked what he wished to talk about.</p> + +<p>"Well, there seems to be some kind of a misunderstanding +at the police station," said Stokes, +keeping his eyes on the ground, "and they have +sent me to ask you to walk around to the office."</p> + +<p>"A misunderstanding about what?" asked +Ingham. "What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you know all about it," continued +Stokes, in the same mysterious way.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon; I don't know what you +have reference to; please explain."</p> + +<p>"Oh! you know well enough. You are +wanted on account of that man you robbed last +Saturday night."</p> + +<p>"I did not rob any man Saturday night, and I +am surprised that you should make such a +charge against me, knowing me as well as you +do," said Ingham, in an injured tone.</p> + +<p>"I have nothing to do with it," replied Stokes. +"I am simply obeying the captain's order, and I +have no personal feeling against you whatever; +but I have been sent to take you down to the +station, and I must obey orders."</p> + +<p>"Then you arrest me?" inquired Ingham.</p> + +<p>"Well, you must go to the station with me to +see the captain."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not unless you arrest me," replied Ingham. +"I want to know whether I am to consider myself +under arrest."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you can consider yourself arrested, if +you want to," replied Stokes, who did not seem +to like to take the responsibility of making the +arrest under the circumstances.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to, and I shan't, unless you say +so," persisted Ingham.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I <i>do</i> say so, and we will go now. +We can walk along together like two friends, +however, and no one need know that you are my +prisoner."</p> + +<p>"I don't care who knows it," said Ingham; +"but I think there is something strange in the +way of arresting me."</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope you will come out all right," +Stokes replied, adding significantly, "and perhaps +you will, if certain folks don't appear +against you."</p> + +<p>"I'm not afraid," replied Ingham; "there is +no one who can say anything against me."</p> + +<p>On arriving at the station, the same consideration +was shown to him, and the station-keeper +asked him to make himself comfortable in the +main sitting-room.</p> + +<p>"Am I under arrest?" he asked again.</p> + +<p>"No, not exactly; you can take it easy for a +time, and you will have an examination soon."</p> + +<p>"If I am not under arrest," Ingham replied, +"I shall not stay here."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" asked the station-keeper.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Because I have no business here unless I am +a prisoner," was Ingham's reply.</p> + +<p>"We can lock you up in a cell, if we want to," +said the station-keeper; "but we thought you +would prefer to be comfortable up here."</p> + +<p>"Then I <i>am</i> a prisoner?" again inquired Ingham, +who seemed anxious to have his status +satisfactorily explained.</p> + +<p>"Yes, confound it; if you are determined to +have it so, you are."</p> + +<p>About five o'clock the sergeant of police came +in, and asked Ingham his name.</p> + +<p>"Ingham," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Jack Ingham?"</p> + +<p>"No; John Ingham."</p> + +<p>"What is your business?" asked the sergeant.</p> + +<p>"I'm not employed at all, just now."</p> + +<p>"Have you ever had any work to do in this +city?" again queried the sergeant.</p> + +<p>"No; not yet."</p> + +<p>"Who was that man you were playing cards +with the other night?"</p> + +<p>"What night?" asked Ingham.</p> + +<p>"Well, Saturday night."</p> + +<p>"Whereabouts?"</p> + +<p>"At your boarding place."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I play cards with a great many fellows," +Ingham replied. "I don't know which one you +mean."</p> + +<p>"Well, we know who he was," said the sergeant.</p> + +<p>"Then what are you asking me for?" said +Ingham. "Am I under arrest?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I guess you will have to stay here awhile," +was the sergeant's reply.</p> + +<p>Presently a number of persons came into the +room, and Ingham thought he saw among them +one of the bindery girls who had formerly lodged +with Mrs. Sanford. She looked at him very hard, +and then went out into the hall, where he could +hear her talking with the station-keeper and +Stokes. He also heard the sergeant call a policeman +and give him some instructions, in which +Ingham caught the words, "Pinkerton's office." +The man then put on his coat and went out. +Presently the sergeant approached him again, +and, looking at him significantly, said:</p> + +<p>"Now we know all about your playing cards +with that man, and afterward robbing him."</p> + +<p>"I don't know what you mean," Ingham replied; +"I don't know what man you are talking +about."</p> + +<p>"Didn't you see that piece in the paper yesterday?" +asked the sergeant.</p> + +<p>"I saw a number of pieces in the paper yesterday, +but I can't tell which one you are referring +to."</p> + +<p>The sergeant then showed him the item headed +"Highway Robbery," and said:</p> + +<p>"Now, we can prove that you came back to +your landlady with a large package of money, +and offered her five hundred dollars to keep quiet +about the fact of your having played cards with +this young fellow, and then having followed him +out."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, if you can prove that, you had better +do it," said Ingham; then, changing his tone, and +looking straight in the sergeant's face, he added: +"Now, look here, sergeant, if you have any +charges against me, just state them."</p> + +<p>The sergeant muttered something about locking +him up, and started to go out.</p> + +<p>"If you lock me up," replied Ingham, coolly, +"I hope you are prepared to take the consequences."</p> + +<p>"Who the devil are you, anyhow?" asked the +sergeant.</p> + +<p>"No relation of yours, I assure you," was the +reply, and the sergeant went away.</p> + +<p>At this time, a tall, dignified man came in and +asked the station-keeper a question. The policeman +replied that there was no such man there.</p> + +<p>"I know better than that," said the stranger, +"and I must see him."</p> + +<p>The station-keeper declared positively that they +had no such man, and the stranger then went upstairs. +In a few minutes the sergeant came in +and told Ingham to follow him. As they were +going upstairs, they met the tall stranger coming +down. Ingham felt confident that this man was +looking for him, and, in passing, he pinched the +stranger's leg. The pinch was returned, and the +tall man stopped; but Ingham and the sergeant +went up to the captain's room. After asking +Ingham his name, the captain said:</p> + +<p>"Where were you last Saturday night?"</p> + +<p>"That is none of your business," said Ingham.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come, now, you needn't put on any airs," +said the captain; "I want to know all about +this."</p> + +<p>"Captain," Ingham replied, "if you have any +charges against me, I should like to hear them. +I don't put on any airs, but I want to know what +I am under arrest for."</p> + +<p>Turning to the sergeant, the captain said:</p> + +<p>"How long would it take you to bring that +man on here, sergeant?"</p> + +<p>"Three or four days, at least," was the answer.</p> + +<p>Just then the tall stranger entered, and the +captain took him into a private room, where they +remained some time. When they came out, the +sergeant joined the captain for a few minutes, +while the tall gentleman introduced himself to +Ingham as Judge B——, and said that the captain +would let him go. This proved true, for the +captain very soon came out, and told Ingham +that he was at liberty.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Connecting Links.—Mrs. Sanford's Ability as an Imitator +of Actors.—One Detective tears himself away +from her, and another takes his Place.—Mrs. Sanford's +mind frequently burdened with the Subject of +Murder.—New Evidence appearing.—A Peep at the +stolen Bonds.—The Shrewdness of the Murderess.</i></p></div> + + +<p>Ingham did not return to Mrs. Sanford's until +late in the evening of the day of his arrest. +On arriving there, he was admitted by Charlie +Stokes, the policeman, who seemed very much +surprised to see him. Mrs. Sanford was also +quite astonished, and turned very pale on seeing +him. However, they soon began talking in a very +friendly way, expressing their regret at his arrest +and their pleasure at his release. Charlie did +not remain long, and after he was gone Mrs. Sanford +made all kinds of inquiries as to the manner +of his escape.</p> + +<p>"Why, Mrs. Sanford," he replied, "I told you +they couldn't hold me. There was absolutely no +evidence against me, and they were afraid to +even lock me up. I have been ten years in this +business, in New Orleans and elsewhere, and I +have never been caught yet. The only thing +which puzzles me, is to account for my being arrested +at all!"</p> + +<p>"You don't suspect that I had any hand in it, +I hope?" asked Mrs. Sanford.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, no indeed! I trust you perfectly; but I +think that one of those bindery girls may have +seen me with Adamson on the street. One of +them came into the station while I was there, +and looked at me very hard, as if trying to identify +me. Still, I don't see how she could have suspected +anything, unless some one put her up to it."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps some bartender may have seen you +drinking with him during the afternoon," she +suggested, "and he may have described you to +the police."</p> + +<p>"Well, I should like to know who it was," he +said, savagely, "for I would shoot him like a +dog."</p> + +<p>As Mrs. Sanford had rented Ingham's room, +there was no place for him to stay, and he went +away about midnight, telling her that he would +return next day. He did not go there, however, +until after dark, as he felt confident that the police +would try to "shadow" him. He found Mrs. +Sanford quite uneasy about him, as she thought +he had been arrested again. He invited her to +go to the theatre, and, on their way home, they +stopped at a restaurant to get a late supper. As +there were no accommodations for him, he was +obliged to go to a hotel for the night, but Mrs. +Sanford promised to have a bed put into the unfurnished +room for him the next day. The next +afternoon he called again, and Mrs. Sanford said +that Charlie had been there, and had told her all +about their visit to the theatre the night before. +She said that he knew exactly where they had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> +been, what they had had for supper, and what +they had paid. Ingham was thus made aware +that he was being watched, and his position, +therefore, became very embarrassing.</p> + +<p>"Oh! by the way," she exclaimed, suddenly, +"did I tell you that I got back my watch?"</p> + +<p>"No; how did you recover it?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Well, that man Graves had it, and I had to +pay one hundred dollars to get it back."</p> + +<p>"That was a great shame," said Ingham, sympathetically, +as if he fully believed her.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I got my watch and several other trinkets, +which I had all together in one box. See, +here they are," she said, producing a box.</p> + +<p>Ingham looked at them with great interest, +and, among the old sleeve-buttons, odd earrings, +and other broken pieces of jewelry, he saw two +gold shirt studs, one diamond-shaped, and the +other star-shaped. This was a small matter, but +it was one of the connecting links, nevertheless, +in the chain of evidence against her; for, from +the description, I felt sure that these were young +Trafton's missing studs.</p> + +<p>Ingham spent the evening with her, and she +was very friendly indeed, seeming anxious to remove +any suspicion he might have that she was +responsible for his arrest. She had made no arrangements +for him to sleep there, however, and +so he went to a small hotel for the night. When +he reported at my office the following day, I gave +him four hundred dollars in money, and told him +to show it to Mrs. Sanford as the proceeds of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> +sale of the stolen bonds. Accordingly, when he +went there in the afternoon, he counted over a +large pile of bills before her astonished eyes, and +asked her if he didn't know how to make things +pay well.</p> + +<p>"Why, where did you get all that money?" +she asked.</p> + +<p>"I sold those bonds which I showed you the +other night," he replied. "I tell you, it isn't +every man who knows how to dispose of property +when it falls into his hands."</p> + +<p>"Now you will be flush for a long time, won't +you?" she said, in her most amiable manner. +"What are you going to do with all that?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I shall have to divide with my partner +first," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Did you have a partner in this affair?" she +asked. "You did not tell me about him."</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes; I had the same partner as in the +other case," Ingham replied. "He held Adamson, +and I struck him with a brick. However, +here is a present before I go, May," he continued, +tossing two ten-dollar notes into her lap. +"I will give you some more in a day or two."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sanford was very much gratified, and +said that she cared more for him than for any +one else, and he could depend upon her for anything. +Ingham then left her, and came to my +office to return the money. In the evening he +took Mrs. Sanford and Miss Ida Musgrove to the +theatre, and the latter, evidently having heard +of his improved fortunes, treated him with great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> +cordiality. They returned to the rooms of Miss +Ida after the theatre was out, and Mrs. Sanford +gave some fine imitations of different actors and +actresses, in a way which showed great powers of +mimicry, as well as considerable dramatic force. +It was very late when Ingham and Mrs. Sanford +got home, and they immediately went to bed.</p> + +<p>The next day, Ingham went away as usual, +and stayed until nearly dark. When he saw Mrs. +Sanford, he professed to be in a very sulky mood, +and said that he had been gambling all day.</p> + +<p>"At first I won right along, and I was nearly +two thousand dollars ahead at one time; but the +cursed luck changed, and I began to lose every +bet; so that, when I left, I had only ten dollars +in my pocket out of all that money I got for the +bonds."</p> + +<p>Ingham could not control his feelings as he +thought of his loss, and he swore and raved like +a crazy man. Mrs. Sanford was very much disappointed, +also, but she did not say much, except +that he ought to have known better than to gamble. +There were two or three new lodgers coming +in and out while he was there, so that he did +not have much time to talk to her, and he went +away early in the evening.</p> + +<p>Owing to the arrest of Ingham, and his quarrel +with Mrs. Sanford, I had decided to relieve him +from this operation, and to put another man in +his place. His story about gambling was a part +of my plan; and the next day, when he called +upon her, he was under instructions to announce<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span> +his intended departure from the city. Accordingly, +he did so, giving as a reason the fact that +he had lost all his money, and that the police +were watching him so closely that he was afraid +to attempt another robbery in Chicago. He told +her that he was going to St. Louis, and that he +should come to see her immediately, if he ever +should return.</p> + +<p>She appeared very much distressed at the +thought of losing him, and told him that when +she got her money, she would let him have as +much as he wanted. She made him promise to +write to her, and when he went away, she cried +with seemingly genuine sorrow.</p> + +<p>Three days later Mrs. Sanford received a visit +from a gentleman who said he wished to rent a +furnished room. Mrs. Sanford seemed to like his +appearance, and she offered him the small back +room at a low rent. Having decided to take it, +he told her that his name was Henry C. Morton, +recently from England.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I am so glad you are from the old country," +said Mrs. Sanford, "as I am from Edinboro' +myself, and my father is Lord Chief Justice of +the courts there. He is very rich, and has treated +me very liberally since I left my husband; why, +only last week, he sent me three thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>Just then a Mr. Bruce, the owner of the furniture +store below, came in, looking rather tipsy. +Mrs. Sanford introduced the two men, and Mr. +Bruce said something about being an Irishman.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, what a strange coincidence," said Mr. +Morton. "Here are three persons, each representing +one of the three kingdoms of Great Britain. +If I had some one to send for some ale, +we would drink a toast to Britannia, God bless +her!"</p> + +<p>After talking together for some time, Mrs. +Sanford and Mr. Morton went into the sitting-room, +and Mr. Bruce went down to his store. +Then Morton said that he had left his valise at +the Stock Yards, and that he would go for it at +once. On his return, he found two rough-looking +men at the door trying to get in, but the bell +would not ring, and so Morton went away for +half an hour, leaving the men knocking and kicking +on the door. About eight o'clock, he came +back and found the door open. He went upstairs +and entered the sitting-room. Mrs. Sanford +was full of apologies for having locked him +out, but she said that she had had trouble with +one of her boarders, and she had resolved to keep +him out of the house. While they were talking, +the two men whom Morton had seen at the door +came in, and a quarrel immediately sprang up +between Mrs. Sanford and the younger of the +two. In a short time, they both became furiously +angry, and they used the most bitterly opprobrious +language toward each other. Finally, +Mrs. Sanford, who was ironing, rushed at the +young man with a flatiron in her hand, and she +would undoubtedly have seriously injured him if +he had not escaped into his own room at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span> +head of the stairs. She then laid a heavy poker +on the table beside her, and said that she would +mash his skull if he came near her again. In +a short time, he again reëntered the room, +when, seizing the poker, she rushed at him like +a fury. He succeeded in avoiding her until Morton +and the other man induced her to give up the +poker; and both the strangers then went away, +saying that they should be back at eleven +o'clock.</p> + +<p>After their departure, Mrs. Sanford dropped +into a chair and cried for a time, saying that she +never had acted so before in her life, as no one +had ever treated her so shamefully. Then she +became loquacious and confidential, telling Morton +the old story of her father being Lord Chief +Justice of Scotland, and her husband a wealthy +man in Buffalo. She recited the reasons she had +for leaving her husband, and said that her father +first sent her one hundred and fifty dollars after +the separation, but that she thought so small a +sum was an insult, and so she sent it back. She +added that he had promised her three thousand +dollars very soon, and that she expected to receive +it in a week or two. From this subject, +she drifted to the story of young Trafton's death, +which she told with great minuteness. She said +that when she found he was dead, she fainted +away, and did not recover for nearly two hours.</p> + +<p>While she was running on in her story, a loud +noise was heard, and she explained to Morton +that Mr. Bruce had been drinking all day, until<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> +he was afraid to go home, and that now he was +quite drunk in her room. She said that he had +been very kind to her in letting her have furniture +on credit, and so she wanted to make him +comfortable until he was sobered off. During +the evening she recited a number of selections +from Byron, Scott, and Longfellow, and even +gave several parts from Shakespeare's plays with +great force and beauty of elocution. She also +talked a great deal about Jack Ingham, a former +lodger in her rooms, and she seemed to have a +very high opinion of him. She said that he was +obliged to leave town because the police were +after him about something he had done, adding, +that she didn't care for that, however, and she +would never go back on a friend, but would shield +him for anything except murder. It was after +two o'clock in the morning before they retired, +and as she had not fitted up Morton's room properly, +she made a bed for him on the lounge in the +sitting-room. As Mr. Bruce was lying dead-drunk +on her bed, she was obliged to sleep on the +floor of her room.</p> + +<p>About four o'clock Morton was awakened by +Mrs. Sanford, who said that she could not sleep +in her room, as Bruce snored so loudly, just as +Stanley Trafton did the night he died.</p> + +<p>"Oh! it is horrible to think of," she said, shuddering. +"I shall go crazy if I stay in there any +longer."</p> + +<p>She then lay down on the table and covered +herself with a bedspread she had brought from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> +her own room. About six o'clock they were +awakened by a loud noise at the outer door, and +Mrs. Sanford said that those drunken loafers had +come back again. She immediately got up, took +a revolver from her room, and went down to the +door, where she told the men to go away, as she +would not admit them at that time of night. +While she was talking Bruce began moving +around, and he found his way into the hall. +Then Morton heard a great crash, as if some one +had fallen downstairs, followed by a call from +Mrs. Sanford, in tragic tones, for him to come and +help her. Morton went out and found that Bruce +had fallen from the top to the foot of the stairs, +and on going down he discovered the unfortunate +representative of the Emerald Isle lying in a +heap against the front door. The two men outside +had evidently been scared away by the noise, +and they did not return until eight o'clock. +Bruce was not hurt, except a cut on his hand, +which Morton bound up, and then quiet reigned +again until after daylight. About nine o'clock +Morton went in to see Bruce, whom he found +sitting up in bed. Bruce said that his money +was gone, and that Mrs. Sanford had drugged +him the night before to enable her to steal it. +Morton called Mrs. Sanford, and asked where +Bruce's money was. She said she had put it +away for safe keeping, and, lifting the mattress, +she took out two pocket-books and a box containing +her watch, trinkets, etc. Having given +Bruce his pocket-book, she went out, and he then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span> +counted his money. He said he ought to have +eighty-one dollars, but that she had helped herself +to ten dollars; it was not worth while making +a fuss about it, but he said that he knew she +had drugged him.</p> + +<p>After awhile, Mr. Graves came in, and had a +private interview with Mrs. Sanford. She seemed +afraid of him, while he acted as if he had some +hold upon her. When they came into the sitting-room, +where Bruce and Morton were talking together, +Mrs. Sanford asked Graves to lend her a +dollar, but he refused.</p> + +<p>"Pshaw! I don't want it," she replied. "I only +asked to see whether you'd lend it, as I have +quite enough of my own;" and, so saying, she +took out her pocket-book.</p> + +<p>Morton saw her count out nine ten-dollar bills +and nine one-dollar bills. From the fact that she +showed just ninety-nine dollars, it was probable +that she had only recently changed one of the +one-hundred-dollar bills taken from young Trafton. +She then opened another compartment, and +took out two pieces of folded paper, of a creamy +tint, apparently about the size of two sheets of +foolscap. They were folded several times, and +were crammed in pretty tight.</p> + +<p>"Do you know what those are?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"No, I do not," he replied; "what are they?"</p> + +<p>She merely laughed, and closed the pocket-book, +whispering that she didn't want Graves +and Bruce to see her money. She said she did +not wish to be left alone with Graves, for fear he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span> +should rob her; so Morton asked him to go out +and play a game of billiards. Bruce was in a +great state of anxiety, lest his wife should have +come down to the store to see where he had spent +the night, and he remained with Mrs. Sanford.</p> + +<p>Morton did not return to Mrs. Sanford's until +late in the evening, and he found her dressing to +go to a ball. She insisted that he should go, +offering to pay all the expenses. He pretended +to be very much hurt at her suggestion, saying +that he never would permit any lady to pay anything +when he took her out. She was dressed +very tastefully, and presented a very stylish appearance, +so that she attracted a good deal of attention +at the ball. Before going, she sent Morton +to a drug store for a drachm of morphine, saying +that she must have it, as she used it constantly.</p> + +<p>The next morning, they did not get up until a +late hour, and Mrs. Sanford said that she did not +feel very well. While talking together, they +drifted into a discussion about money. Morton, +like a genuine John Bull, maintaining there was +no safety except in gold, or Bank of England +notes.</p> + +<p>"But we don't have either in this country," +said Mrs. Sanford; "and now, suppose you had a +large sum of money, what would you do with +it?"</p> + +<p>"That's just what I would like to know," he replied. +"I expect to receive one hundred pounds +from England very soon, and I don't know where +to keep it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, I shall put my three thousand dollars +into bonds," she said. "They can be registered, +so that no one can use them except the rightful +owner, and the interest is payable in gold."</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything about bonds," said +Morton, "especially these American bonds, which +sometimes depreciate very fast."</p> + +<p>"Oh! the bonds of the United States are good +anywhere," she replied, "and they will sell for +their face in England or Canada just as well as +here. They are the best securities there are. I +have some now, and I intend to get some more."</p> + +<p>While talking, Morton picked up a card which +was in her work-basket, and saw that it was an +advertisement of a gift concert or lottery. She +noticed it, and said that it had been left there by +a man named Druen, who used to come to see +her. She said that he had stolen a five-hundred-dollar +bond from her, however, and he had never +been there since. Soon afterward she went to +sleep again, and did not awake until evening, as +she was very tired from the effects of the ball. +Morton remained in the house all day; and, when +she woke up, he got supper for her. She seemed +very much pleased at his thoughtfulness, and +said that she never had had any one so kind to +her since she left her husband.</p> + +<p>"I want you to go to the bank with me some +day," she said, "as I want to draw the interest on +some of my coupons, and then you will see what +good securities American bonds are."</p> + +<p>"I shall be very glad to go with you," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span> +Morton; "for, if they are really good securities, +I will invest some money in them."</p> + +<p>"Oh! there is nothing better," she replied, +"and I will show you mine."</p> + +<p>She then took out the pocket-book she had +shown him before, and unfolded one of the +pieces of paper. Morton saw that it was a five-hundred-dollar +bond, of the issue of 1865, payable +in 1885, with about twenty or thirty coupons +attached. He was so surprised and excited at +seeing the bond, that he could hardly tell what to +do, and so he failed to notice the most important +point—the number. By the time she had opened +the other bond, however, he had his wits a little +more under command, and he was able to remember +that the figures of the number were +five, seven, one, zero, and some other figure; but +he could not recollect positively the order in +which they came.</p> + +<p>"You can go to the bank to-morrow and get +the coupons cashed for me, can't you?" she +asked, after putting away the bonds.</p> + +<p>"Oh! certainly, if you wish me to do so," he +replied.</p> + +<p>Then she laughed, and said:</p> + +<p>"You would be arrested if you should take +these bonds to the bank."</p> + +<p>"How so?" he asked, apparently in great surprise. +"Why should I be arrested?"</p> + +<p>"Because the bonds belong to me, and you +would have to give an account of the way in +which you obtained them."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh! well," he replied, "you could give me an +order, and that would make it all right."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I suppose so," she said, carelessly.</p> + +<p>Her object, evidently, was to make Morton +believe that it would not do for him to attempt +to steal the bonds; for, though she trusted him +to the extent of showing him her money and +valuables, she was eternally suspicious and careful.</p> + +<p>Of course, on receiving Morton's report, I felt +quite confident that the two bonds he had seen +were a part of those taken from young Trafton. +Still, I had no positive proof of their identity, +and, in accordance with my invariable custom, I +took no hasty step, being confident that my +detective would soon elicit all the facts. I wrote +to Mr. Richard S. Trafton, however, suggesting +that he have himself appointed administrator of +his son's estate, so that he could begin proceedings +instantly, the moment I was ready.</p> + +<p>Several days passed, during which Morton +gained Mrs. Sanford's confidence more and more. +She was anxious one evening that he should rob +Mr. Bruce, who came in half drunk; but Morton +told her that he never worked that way.</p> + +<p>"Why, Jack Ingham would have killed a man +to get money out of him," said Mrs. Sanford. +"Jack wasn't afraid to do anything for money."</p> + +<p>"Well, that isn't my style," said Morton, contemptuously. +"Do you suppose I am going to +have a scuffle and struggle, ending perhaps in +murder, when I can make ten times as much by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> +a little skillful work with my pen? I don't want +the police to be snuffing 'round my heels on account +of highway robbery and such small game; +when <i>I</i> do anything to set them after me, it will +be for a big stake, and even if they catch me, +they will be mighty glad to compromise. Oh! +no; not any little jobs for me; it is only the big +rascals who can work safely."</p> + +<p>Morton succeeded in inducing her to leave +Bruce alone, though she had evidently meant to +drug him, for she took a glass of beer, which she +had poured out for him, and threw it into the +sink. They all drank considerable beer, however, +during the evening, and Mrs. Sanford, having +taken also a large dose of morphine, became +nearly insensible. On seeing her condition, Morton +and another lodger thought they had better +put her to bed; but as Bruce was in a drunken +stupor in her room, Morton determined to try the +effect of putting her into the room where young +Trafton had died. No sooner had they laid her +on the bed, however, before she sprang up, gazed +around an instant, and then rushed shrieking +from the room, saying that she dare not lie there, +and that she had seen "him" lying beside her. +She was then placed on the lounge in the sitting-room, +where she became quite hysterical. Morton +sat beside her, and soothed her until she +became quiet, and about midnight she fell asleep.</p> + +<p>Morton said to me, on making one of his +reports, that she would often determine to give +up morphine and liquor, and live more respect<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span>ably. +Then she would become excited from the +craving for the drug, and would take a dose, +which would soothe her, make her amiable, and +give her energy enough to do anything; gradually +she would become wild again, and would be +almost unbearable, while the maddening effect +lasted, especially if she took any liquor to add to +her temper; finally, the influence would pass off, +leaving her weak, despondent, and stupidly affectionate. +I saw that she was not likely to confess +anything to any one, and I therefore decided to +bring the affair to a crisis without delay.</p> + + + + +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>A moneyed young Texan becomes one of Mrs. Sanford's +Lodgers.—The Bonds are seen, and their Numbers +taken by the Detectives.—Mrs. Sanford Arrested.—Sudden +and Shrewd Defense by the Prisoner.—She +is found guilty of "Involuntary Manslaughter" and +sentenced to the Illinois Penitentiary for five years.—Misdirected +Philanthropy, and its Reward.—Mr. +Pinkerton's Theory of the Manner in which Trafton +was Murdered.</i></p></div> + + +<p>Having discussed my plan with my superintendent, +Mr. F. Warner, I sent for one of +my youngest men, named Thomas Barlow, and +gave him explicit instructions as to the course +which he was to pursue in connection with Mrs. +Sanford.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the first day of February, therefore, a young +fellow called at Mrs. Sanford's about five o'clock +in the afternoon, and asked if she had any rooms +to rent. She was very civil to him, and offered +him the room at the head of the stairs, for three +dollars a week. While she was showing him the +rooms, she asked him a number of questions +about himself; and as he was a smooth-faced, +innocent-looking young man, he told her all +about his affairs. He said that his name was +Thomas Barlow, from Texas, where his father +was a great cattle-raiser; he had brought several +hundred head of cattle to the city, and had sold +them at a high price; he intended staying in Chicago +for a short time, and then he should go up +the Red River of the North, in the early spring, +to do some fur trading, as he believed there was +a good deal of money to be made up there, by any +one with sufficient capital; he intended to have a +good time in Chicago first, however.</p> + +<p>As soon as Mrs. Sanford learned that he had +money with him, she became very affectionate +indeed, telling him that she would make him +more comfortable than he could be anywhere else, +and that she would treat him like a prince. She +introduced Morton as her brother, and said that +they would all go to the theatre together. At +first, Barlow refused, but she insisted so urgently, +that he finally consented to go. He went away +for an hour to get his valise, and when he returned, +Mrs. Sanford was dressed in her most +stylish clothes, as if determined to make the best<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span> +possible impression upon him. He was very +good-natured and boyish, apparently believing all +she told him, and laughing at all her attempts to +be funny. After leaving the theatre, she learned +that one of her old acquaintances was to have a +"grand opening" in a new saloon, and she was +obstinately determined to find the place. After +walking about for an hour, she called a hackman, +and offered him five dollars to find this new +saloon, where she was anxious to take a drink, +as she said, "for good luck and old acquaintance' +sake." After driving about until midnight, she +learned that the opening was postponed, and +they then went to a restaurant near her house to +get supper. It was two o'clock before they went +to bed, but before going, Mrs. Sanford learned +that Barlow was to receive his pay for the cattle +in a check for over four thousand dollars. She +talked with him about the risk of carrying money +around on the person, and told him that he ought +to buy bonds, as then they would not be lost even +if they should be stolen. He agreed with her, +and said that he would try to buy some bonds +when he got his check cashed.</p> + +<p>The next morning they took breakfast with +Mrs. Sanford, as she seemed anxious to keep +Barlow with her as much as possible. It was +noticeable that she did not, as she had usually +done in all previous instances, tell him anything +about young Trafton, who had died in her house, +"with eighteen thousand dollars in bonds in his +boots." She told Barlow that she had some bonds, +and he would do well to get the same kind.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't know much about them," he replied, +"but if <i>you</i> think they are good, I guess they are +good enough for me. What are they like? I +never saw any."</p> + +<p>"I will show you mine," said Mrs. Sanford. +"I am going to sell one of them soon, as my +lease is up at the end of the month, and I want +to buy a house."</p> + +<p>She then went into her bedroom, closed the door, +and remained several minutes. When she came +out, she had a fat pocket-book in her hand, and +she took from it the two pieces of folded paper +which she had shown to Morton. On opening +them, she spread them out, and both Barlow and +Morton saw the numbers plainly, as they looked +over her shoulder.</p> + +<p>"There, these little tickets are coupons," she +explained to Barlow; "and every six months I +can get fifteen dollars in gold by cutting off one +from each bond."</p> + +<p>"Did you say you wanted to sell one?" asked +Morton. "If you do, perhaps you might sell it +to Mr. Barlow, as a sample of the kind he wants +to get."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that would be a good idea," said Barlow; +"then they can't fool me with any other kind, +when I go to buy."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess I will do it," said Mrs. Sanford; +"at any rate, you can see me about it before you +go to buy yours."</p> + +<p>She then put the bonds into the pocket-book +again and went into her bedroom. On her re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span>turn, +Barlow told her that he must go down town +to get paid for his cattle, and he asked Morton to +go with him. Accordingly, the two men went +out about noon, but Mrs. Sanford called Morton +back a moment to tell him to stay with Barlow +all day.</p> + +<p>"Don't you lose sight of him for a minute," +she said; "and bring him back here with all his +money."</p> + +<p>They did not return until after four o'clock, +and Barlow told her that he had been obliged to +go to the stockyards to get paid. He then went +to his room for a few minutes, and Mrs. Sanford +asked Morton whether Barlow had his money +with him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they gave him a check for the amount, +but it was too late to get it cashed, and he will +have to wait until to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Couldn't we get it away from him and forge +his name to it?" she asked. "We could get it +cashed the first thing in the morning."</p> + +<p>"It would be too risky," he replied, "as they +probably know him at the bank, and we should +be arrested at once. But you can offer to go +with him to the bank in the morning, and he is +so soft that you will not have much trouble in +getting a large sum out of him."</p> + +<p>During the evening, Mrs. Sanford was very +affectionate toward Barlow, and she learned all +about him. He told his story in such a way, that +she believed him to be an innocent country boy +from Texas, whose most dangerous experiences<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span> +had hitherto consisted of hairbreadth 'scapes from +steer and bull. He showed her a check on the +First National Bank for about four thousand dollars, +and told her that when he got it cashed in +the morning, he would give her a nice present. +It was then agreed that she should go to the bank +with him next day. The evening was spent in +reading aloud and singing, and they all retired +much earlier than usual.</p> + +<p>When Morton and Barlow left Mrs. Sanford at +noon, they had, of course, come to my office to +report their discovery of the stolen bonds. There +was now no possibility of a mistake, as they had +seen the two bonds of the series A, numbered +57,109 and 87,656. I therefore instructed Mr. +Warner to obtain a warrant for her arrest, and +a search warrant for her house, both to be served +the next morning before the hour appointed for +going to the bank with Barlow. Everything was +prepared in advance, a trustworthy constable was +obtained to make the arrest, and a telegram was +sent to Mr. R. S. Trafton in Cleveland, asking him +to come to Chicago immediately. A reply was +received the next morning, stating that he had +left by the evening train.</p> + +<p>About eleven o'clock on Saturday, February 3, +Mr. Warner and the constable arrived at Mrs. +Sanford's rooms. On knocking at the door of the +sitting-room, they were admitted by Morton, who +asked what they wanted.</p> + +<p>"I would like to engage rooms, if there are +any to rent," said Mr. Warner.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I will speak to the landlady," said Morton, +going to the door of her room.</p> + +<p>"Tell the gentleman to call again," said Mrs. +Sanford; "I am not dressed, and can't see him."</p> + +<p>"I only wish to see her a few minutes," Mr. +Warner replied, addressing Morton in a tone loud +enough to be heard by Mrs. Sanford, whose door +was slightly ajar.</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't see the gentleman until this +afternoon," she replied.</p> + +<p>"I have some important business, and I must +attend to it now," answered Mr. Warner, putting +his foot in the opening and pushing the door in +with his shoulder; then he continued, addressing +the constable, "This is Mrs. Sanford, and you +can arrest her now."</p> + +<p>The constable immediately took charge of her, +and she was allowed to complete her toilet, +though Mr. Warner first searched her dress, before +letting her put it on. He then made a careful +search of the bedroom, during the progress of +which Mrs. Sanford was very noisy and troublesome, +crying, and pretending to go into hysterics +several times. Once, when Mr. Warner was looking +very carefully through her trunk, she said to +him, in very tragic tones:</p> + +<p>"By the way you act, one would think you +were looking for a murdered man."</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps if we had come a little sooner, +we might have found one," he replied, quickly, +giving her a sharp glance.</p> + +<p>As nothing had been said to her or to any one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span> +else about any charge except that of larceny, this +remark was highly significant; and, on her trial, +it undoubtedly had great weight with the jury.</p> + +<p>Mr. Warner soon found the pocket-book containing +the bonds under the mattress of her bed, +and after examining them sufficiently to identify +them, he gave them to the constable. Mrs. Sanford +was then taken to my office, and, as Mr. +Trafton had arrived from Cleveland, we tried to +have an interview with her relative to young +Trafton's death. She was too crafty, however, +and she pretended to go into hysterics whenever +we began to question her.</p> + +<p>Meantime, Morton and Barlow had accompanied +her, and Morton offered to get her a lawyer +to advise her. She was very grateful to him, and +said he was her only friend. He soon brought in +a lawyer well versed in defending criminals, and +the whole party then went to the justice's courtroom. +At the close of the examination, she was +held to await the action of the Grand Jury, and, +in default of two thousand dollars bail, she was +sent to the county jail. She told Morton that her +lawyer could not half lie, and that she should not +pay him a cent. She stood up, when the justice's +decision was announced, and made quite a +speech; and the native cunning of the woman +was never more clearly shown than in this plea, +which was undoubtedly invented on the spur of +the moment. She claimed that young Trafton +had given her the bonds to support her child, +whose father he was, and she spoke with so much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> +vigor and cunning that many persons believed her +statement to be true. Thus, without consultation +or legal advice, she invented in a moment +the strongest possible defense against the charge +of larceny,—the charge of murder had not then +been brought.</p> + +<p>When she was removed to the jail, she gave +Morton the keys to her rooms, telling him to take +charge of everything there, and to find a purchaser +for her furniture. He therefore informed +two young men who were lodging there that Mrs. +Sanford had been arrested, and that they must +find other rooms, as he intended to sell out the +furniture. After they had gone he cleaned up +the house, packed Mrs. Sanford's trunks, and +made everything look as well as possible. While +she was awaiting trial, he visited her every day +and gave her various delicacies to improve the +prison fare. One day he pretended to have +pawned his overcoat for five dollars, in order to +get her some lemons, tea, and sugar. She was +very much touched, and she gave him five dollars +to get back his coat; but this action was +due to a momentary impulse. She had plenty of +money, and was able to get anything she wanted; +but her desire to hold fast to her money was +greater than her wish for good food. Indeed, +she came near jeopardizing her cause by refusing +to pay the lawyer she had engaged, but finally +she gave him a retaining fee of fifty dollars.</p> + +<p>She was very anxious to learn who were the +detectives employed in working up the case, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> +she said that she believed Barlow had had something +to do with her arrest. Morton agreed with +her, and, as the papers had said that there were +three engaged in the case, he suggested that perhaps +the two men whom she had turned out of +doors were also detectives. She never suspected +either Ingham or Morton for a moment; and +when Ingham called upon her in jail, she was +delighted to see him. She tried to get bail from +the two brothers, named Pratt, who had occupied +one of her rooms, as one of them had been +very intimate with her; but they were afraid of +getting mixed up in her difficulties, and so refused +to help her obtain bail. She also asked +Ingham to swear to a number of falsehoods +about her intimacy with Trafton, and when he +refused to do so, for fear of being tried for perjury, +she said that she could get "her Billy" to +swear to anything. This "Billy" proved to be +one William Simpson, a barkeeper, and her former +paramour. He was tracked for some time by +my detectives, but he suddenly disappeared, and +was not seen again until her trial for larceny, +when, just as she said, he was willing to swear +to anything. He then disappeared again, but I +did not take much interest in following him up, +as I knew that he would not dare to repeat his +perjury when the murder trial should take place. +His testimony was to the effect that he had overheard +a conversation between Mrs. Sanford and +young Trafton, in which the latter acknowledged +that he was the father of Mrs. Sanford's child,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span> +having been intimate with her in Buffalo about +eighteen months before. The question of a support +for the child was discussed between them, +and Trafton said that he would give her fifteen +hundred or two thousand dollars in bonds, to +enable her to bring up his child in comfort. The +witness also testified that Trafton and Mrs. Sanford +were very intimate with each other, often +occupying the same room together; that Mrs. +Sanford often spoke of her former intimacy with +him; and that he inferred from their conversation +that Trafton had been the cause of her separation +from her husband. This testimony was +very skillfully manufactured and artistically developed, +so as to make Trafton appear in the +light of a libertine and profligate, and Mrs. Sanford +as a confiding wife, led astray by the wiles +of a treacherous man. In spite of the bad character +and appearance of this fellow Simpson, his +testimony had enough weight with some of the +jury to cause a disagreement, and Mrs. Sanford +was remanded to jail.</p> + +<p>Mr. Robert S. Trafton was anxious to bring +her to punishment, as he felt confident that she +had caused the death of his son. The circumstances +of the case caused considerable delay, and +it was not until January 27, 1873, nearly a year +after her arrest, that the trial on the charge of +murder took place.</p> + +<p>The testimony in this trial was highly interesting +on many accounts. The County Physician, +who had made the first post-mortem examination<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span> +of the remains, and who had given congestion of +the lungs as the cause of death, stated that he +found the deceased lying dead in Mrs. Sanford's +rooms, and that he took charge of the property +found in his possession. He stated that he +should have made a closer examination if he had +not found the bonds and money; but he did not +suspect foul play, and therefore made only a +hasty investigation.</p> + +<p>By the testimony of two or three witnesses it +was shown that on the night of Trafton's death +Mrs. Sanford went into two saloons about midnight, +asking for "her Billy," meaning the man +Simpson, by whose testimony she escaped conviction +on the larceny charge, he being then living +on her bounty. While looking for him she +was very wild and excited, her clothes being disordered, +and her watch-chain broken. To one +witness she said that she wished Billy to come to +her house to look at the "prettiest corpse she +ever saw." One witness testified that she returned +to his saloon about five or six o'clock in +the morning, and induced him to go up to her +rooms to look at the body; he did so, and found +the body of a man lying in bed, partly covered +up. She had a large roll of money and papers in +her pocket-book.</p> + +<p>A surgeon of the highest reputation in Cleveland +was called, and gave his testimony in the +most direct and convincing manner, like a man +who knew perfectly well what he was talking +about, and who was not guessing at any of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> +facts as stated by him. He declared that death +resulted from the blow on the right side, aided +by the violence on the throat and neck. There +was very slight congestion of the brain and of +the lungs, but he was positive that death was not +the result of either of these; indeed, leaving out +of consideration the marks of external violence, +he said that he should not have been able to account +for Mr. Trafton's death. At the conclusion +of his re-direct examination he said that death +could be caused by a heavy blow of the fist, followed +by choking, and he would swear positively +that Trafton's death was produced by violence. +The testimony of this witness was corroborated +by that of several other surgeons of high reputation, +and then a sensation was created by the calling +of John Ingham for the prosecution.</p> + +<p>As Mrs. Sanford saw her well-beloved friend, +Jack, take the stand and acknowledge himself to +be one of Pinkerton's dreaded detectives, she +broke down and cried bitterly. Ingham related +the history of his connection with the affair, +stating the different stories which Mrs. Sanford +had told about Trafton's death, and also her fear +of going in the room where he died. He then +gave the inside history of his arrest for the +alleged robbery of Adamson, showing that it had +been planned in advance by me to induce Mrs. +Sanford to give him her confidence. After her +arrest for larceny, he had visited her in jail, and +she had tried to get him to swear that he had +heard Trafton promise to give her the bonds to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> +support her child. When he objected, on the +ground that he might be arrested for perjury, she +had told him that "her Billy," meaning William +Simpson, would swear to it anyhow.</p> + +<p>The testimony of Mr. Warner relative to finding +the bonds in Mrs. Sanford's possession was +corroborated by that of the constable; they also +repeated Mrs. Sanford's remark made during the +search, before any charge of murder had even +been suggested: "By the way you act, I should +think you were looking for a murdered man."</p> + +<p>When the testimony for the prosecution was +all in, the defense had a turn, and they produced +as many medical experts to prove that Trafton +did not die of violence, as the other side had to +prove that he did not die a natural death; indeed, +from the medical testimony given, there might +have been grave doubts raised as to whether he +had any business to die at all, for, according to +both sides, no adequate cause of death had been +discovered. Several witnesses testified that they +believed him to have been on a long spree just +before his death, but these were soon rebutted by +equally trustworthy witnesses for the prosecution.</p> + +<p>In summing up, the counsel for the people +presented a highly plausible theory of the manner +in which the murder was committed, and +asked a verdict on the following grounds:</p> + +<p>Young Trafton, as shown by the testimony of +his father and others, visited Chicago to buy +grain, and he was, therefore, under the necessity +of carrying with him a large amount of money.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> +Being unable to get a room at any hotel convenient +to business, he probably entered the first +place where he saw the sign, "Rooms to Rent," +and engaged a sleeping-room, taking his meals at +a hotel near by. While lodging with Mrs. Sanford, +he was trying to buy grain at a paying +figure, and he was daily in consultation with +Captain Dalton, who commanded one of his +father's schooners. Finding that he could not +buy to any advantage in the existing condition +of the grain market, he sent the schooner back +to Cleveland on the last day of November, in +order that she should not be caught in the ice in +the straits at the close of navigation. He was +then ready to return himself, and, doubtless, on +going to his lodgings, he so informed Mrs. Sanford. +As he had made no secret of his reason +for visiting Chicago, she was, probably, well +aware of his object, and also of the fact that he +had a large amount of money with him. Seeing +his careless ways, the idea occurred to her to rob +him, and, having his expected departure in view, +she knew that she would have only one more +opportunity to carry out her scheme.</p> + +<p>On his return that evening, therefore, having +just parted from Captain Dalton in perfect health +and sobriety, he was invited to eat supper with +her. Suspecting no harm, he sat down and ate +a hearty supper. In some way, either in his food +or drink, a dose of morphine was given to him, +and he soon fell fast asleep. The woman's opportunity +was before her, and all the natural thirst<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span> +for money which characterized her came upon +her with full force, urging her on and inciting +her to any lengths necessary to accomplish her +object. Having laid him on his bed, she began +to search his pockets with the stealthy touch of a +practiced hand. Finding nothing at first to reward +her search, she pulled off one of his boots +and discovered the United States bonds, which +he had concealed there. But the violence necessary +to remove the boot caused him to partly +waken from his drugged sleep, and he became +vaguely aware that some one was trying to rob +him. Still in a drowsy, confused state, however, +he was unable to do more than to sit up and +clutch wildly at his assailant; having caught one +of the bonds, he clung to it until it was torn in +two pieces, the fragments plainly showing how +they had been wrenched asunder in the clasp of +two determined hands—those of the murderess +and her victim. But she soon found that he was +gaining his senses too rapidly, and that she +would be foiled in her attempted robbery; hence, +with every blinding passion aroused, her greed +and her fear equally inciting her to action, she +struck him a heavy blow on the thigh and another +more powerful one on the side. Partly +stunned by the concussion, he fell back, and she +then seized him by the throat. Her round, plump +hands, though powerful enough to strangle him, +left only slight marks of abrasion on the skin, +and in a few minutes all was over. His property +was at her mercy, and she gave no thought to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> +the body of her victim until she had seized every +piece of valuable paper in his possession.</p> + +<p>But her position was a dangerous one, and, on +cooling off somewhat, she saw that something +must be done to remove any appearance of foul +play. How could it be done most effectually? +Manifestly by giving no apparent ground for suspecting +that she had any object in his death; +and no course would be more effectual than to +leave such an amount of property in his possession +as to make strangers believe that none of it +had been taken. It may well be imagined that +this was her hardest task; for to give up money +was probably a greater hardship for her than +for some people to give up life. Still, it would +never do to run the risk of being accused of murder; +so, reluctantly, she placed one bond in his +pocket, and, by accident, included with it one-half +of the torn bond, the other half being placed +under his head, in the boot from which it was +taken. She then undressed the body, placed it +naturally in bed, and went out to look for "her +Billy," her paramour and panderer in vice.</p> + +<p>This was the history of the crime, as pictured +by the prosecution; and all her actions since +that fatal night had been in harmony with such +a theory. Her allegations of intimacy with +young Trafton were unsupported, save by the +testimony of this William Simpson, her paramour. +It was noticeable that, while this man +had testified in the trial for larceny that he had +overheard Mr. Trafton's acknowledgment of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> +being the father of Mrs. Sanford's child, in the +murder trial he was not asked to give any such +testimony, nor was the existence of such a child +even hinted at by the defense. The counsel for +Mrs. Sanford were well aware that she had never +had a child, and that this fact could be proven if +necessary. On discovering, too, that Jack Ingham +was a Pinkerton detective, instead of Mrs. +Sanford's best friend, they saw other reasons +why it would not be advisable to cause Mr. William +Simpson to perjure himself again.</p> + +<p>The defense contented themselves with claiming +that there was no sufficient evidence to prove +that Mr. Trafton had died a violent death at all, +and that there was no evidence whatever to show +that, even if foul play had occurred, Mrs. Sanford +had been the guilty person. This plea was +ably presented by the counsel, and the judge +then briefly charged the jury as to the law, and +the form of their verdict. During the early part +of the trial, Mrs. Sanford behaved very badly, +often contradicting witnesses aloud, and making +many audible remarks to the jury and the Court; +after the testimony for the defense began, +however, she paid very little attention to the +proceedings, often dozing and sleeping in her +chair. This habit was, undoubtedly, due to the +use of morphine, of which she consumed large +quantities.</p> + +<p>The jury retired at three o'clock, and, on the +first ballot, they stood nine for conviction and +three for acquittal. After discussing the testi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span>mony +for more than four hours, a compromise +was reached, and the judge having been informed +that the jury had agreed upon a verdict, +the prisoner was brought in to hear the finding.</p> + +<p>All being in readiness, the clerk read the +verdict as follows:</p> + +<p>"We, the jury, find the defendant guilty of involuntary +manslaughter, and fix her time of +imprisonment at five years in the penitentiary."</p> + +<p>At the word "guilty," Mrs. Sanford gave a +violent start; but, as the remainder of the finding +was read, she seemed to feel agreeably surprised. +She asked for a glass of water in a low tone, +turned very white, and then fainted away before +the water could be handed to her.</p> + +<p>She was then removed to the jail to await the +argument on a motion for a new trial. While +there, she gave one of the most effectual evidences +of her ruling passion—greed. She was +the object of considerable sympathy among a certain +class of sentimentalists, and the amount of +compassion wasted upon her was remarkable to +those who knew her real character and habits; +but there is no accounting for tastes, and so Mrs. +Sanford was treated with great consideration by +a number of well-meaning but unsophisticated +people. Among the Good Samaritans who took +the most interest in her was a lady named Mrs. +Jones, and this lady visited her quite frequently +in her cell, bringing her books and papers.</p> + +<p>One morning, Mrs. Jones complained of feeling +unwell, and Mrs. Sanford immediately gave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span> +her a glass of water. Soon after drinking it, +Mrs. Jones became very sleepy, and in a few +minutes, she was in a sound slumber. This effect +had been produced, of course, by a dose of +morphine in the water, and Mrs. Sanford then +proceeded to rob Mrs. Jones of all her valuables. +Mrs. Jones was in moderate circumstances, and +her purse was not sufficiently well filled to satisfy +Mrs. Sanford's avaricious demon; hence, she +made a thorough search for other plunder. It +happened that Mrs. Jones, having lost all of her +upper teeth, had supplied their place by an artificial +set, mounted on a plate of solid gold. Not +content, therefore, with plundering her benefactress +in other respects, Mrs. Sanford actually +took the set of teeth from Mrs. Jones's mouth, +and hid them in her own trunk.</p> + +<p>Of course, on awakening, Mrs. Jones missed +her teeth and charged Mrs. Sanford with having +taken them. The latter denied having done so, +railed and swore at Mrs. Jones, and tried to prevent +the officers from searching the cell. The +teeth and other articles stolen from Mrs. Jones +were found at the bottom of Mrs. Sanford's +trunk, and Mrs. Jones retired from the jail +strongly impressed with the conviction that philanthropy +had its hardships as well as rewards.</p> + +<p>The motion for a new trial being overruled, +sentence was pronounced in accordance with the +verdict of the jury, and Mrs. Sanford was consigned +to the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet.</p> + +<p>In regard to the manner in which young Traf<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span>ton +was murdered, I have always had a theory of +my own; and, while of course I do not pretend to +any surgical learning, I give it for what it is +worth, prefacing it, however, with the remark +that several eminent physicians concur in my +opinion, or, at least, admit its strong probability.</p> + +<p>It will be remembered that Mrs. Sanford used +morphine continually, and that she boasted of +her ability to administer it in just the proper proportion +to cause her victims to fall into a heavy +sleep. In all probability, as suggested by the +State's Attorney, she gave young Trafton a dose +at supper; but it is also possible the effect was +not sufficient, and that when she tried to rob him, +he slightly revived, struggled, and, seizing one of +the bonds in a convulsive grasp, tore it in two.</p> + +<p>So far, the theories are identical, but I failed to +see a sufficient cause of death in the slight blow +and mild choking, especially as the lungs did not +present the conditions which would have appeared +had death resulted from strangulation or +asphyxia. On searching Mrs. Sanford's rooms, +Mr. Warner found two or three small syringes, +intended for making hypodermic injections, and +these led me to believe she caused Trafton's death +by morphine alone. My idea was as follows:</p> + +<p>When she found that Trafton was not sufficiently +drugged to enable her to rob him in safety, +she probably let him alone, and the drug again +took effect to the extent of putting him to sleep. +She then resorted to a subcutaneous injection of +morphine, knowing that the soporific influence of +the drug would thus be made more rapid and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> +powerful. This operation was performed on the +side, and then near the large veins of the leg, and +thus were caused the apparent bruises filled with +extravasated blood. Now, the effect of morphine +varies largely, according to the constitution, temperament, +and habits of the persons to whom it +is given; but the combined result of internal and +external doses almost invariably is death.</p> + +<p>It seems altogether probable to me, therefore, +that Trafton came to his death in that manner, +and that the traces of morphine in the wounds, +as in the stomach, had wholly evaporated before +the Cleveland surgeons made their examination, +twelve days after death.</p> + +<p>Whatever may have been the means, however, +there can be no doubt that murder most foul was +committed, and that Mrs. Sanford richly deserved +a greater punishment than was awarded to her. +Whether she had any accomplice will never be +known, but it is probable that she had some one +in the house who was aware of the murder after +it had been committed, if not before. This +would account for the absence of the fifth bond, +which was never recovered, but which was afterward +traced back from the Treasury Department, +when it was presented there, to some unknown +woman, who had sold it in Milwaukee. +This woman was evidently not Mrs. Sanford, but +her identity could not be discovered, and, therefore, +all trace was lost.</p> + +<h3>THE END.</h3> + +<div class="transnote"> +<h4>Transcriber’s notes</h4> + + +<p>Missing hyphenation at line breaks has been assumed, e.g. "necessary" +not "neces sary" on page 81. Hyphenation has been standardized, e.g., +"bookkeeper", "cornfield", and "housewarming". Nonstandard spellings +have been maintained, e.g. "intrusted", "dryest", "smouldering", +"patroled", "tragical", "unnegotiable", "quartette", "gayety", +"indorsed", "reëntered". Missing periods have been added at ends of +sentences. Other printers errors have been corrected as follows:</p> + +<p>Page v - "unvail" replaced with "unveil" for internal consistency</p> + +<p>Page 80 - "cousins" replaced with "Cousins"</p> + +<p>Page 92 - "Harrington" replaced with "Farrington"</p> + +<p>Page 104 - "insant" replaced with "instant"</p> + +<p>Page 156 - "pleasantly" replaced with "pleasantry"</p> + +<p>Page 160 - "to k" replaced with "took"</p> + +<p>Page 202 - "out door" replaced with "outdoor"</p> + +<p>Figure caption after page 166 - "Judges'" replaced with "Judge's"</p> + +<p>Figure caption after page 203 - "Fete Champetre" replaced with "Fête +Champêtre" for consistency</p> + +<p>Page 212 - "Don Pedo" replaced with "Don Pedro"</p> + +<p>Page 321 - "bfore" replaced with "before"</p> + +<p>Page 361 - "hairbreath" replaced with "hairbreadth"</p></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Mississippi Outlaws and the Detectives, by +Allan Pinkerton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OUTLAWS *** + +***** This file should be named 35686-h.htm or 35686-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/6/8/35686/ + +Produced by Hunter Monroe, Suzanne Shell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/35686-h/images/cover.jpg b/35686-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a898229 --- /dev/null +++ b/35686-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/35686-h/images/gs01.jpg b/35686-h/images/gs01.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b4c01fe --- /dev/null +++ b/35686-h/images/gs01.jpg diff --git a/35686-h/images/gs02.jpg b/35686-h/images/gs02.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b2b241f --- /dev/null +++ b/35686-h/images/gs02.jpg diff --git a/35686-h/images/gs03.jpg b/35686-h/images/gs03.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..da7fe47 --- /dev/null +++ b/35686-h/images/gs03.jpg diff --git a/35686-h/images/gs04.jpg b/35686-h/images/gs04.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..979554c --- /dev/null +++ b/35686-h/images/gs04.jpg diff --git a/35686-h/images/gs05.jpg b/35686-h/images/gs05.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..12163a0 --- /dev/null +++ b/35686-h/images/gs05.jpg diff --git a/35686-h/images/gs06.jpg b/35686-h/images/gs06.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..08d3e72 --- /dev/null +++ b/35686-h/images/gs06.jpg diff --git a/35686-h/images/gs07.jpg b/35686-h/images/gs07.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..39d75e1 --- /dev/null +++ b/35686-h/images/gs07.jpg diff --git a/35686-h/images/gs08.jpg b/35686-h/images/gs08.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fc3cbf4 --- /dev/null +++ b/35686-h/images/gs08.jpg diff --git a/35686-h/images/gs09.jpg b/35686-h/images/gs09.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..23ee861 --- /dev/null +++ b/35686-h/images/gs09.jpg diff --git a/35686-h/images/gs10.jpg b/35686-h/images/gs10.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..56ca22e --- /dev/null +++ b/35686-h/images/gs10.jpg diff --git a/35686-h/images/gs11.jpg b/35686-h/images/gs11.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c8d0e5e --- /dev/null +++ b/35686-h/images/gs11.jpg diff --git a/35686-h/images/tp.jpg b/35686-h/images/tp.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..85d3a8d --- /dev/null +++ b/35686-h/images/tp.jpg |
