diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | 44841-0.txt | 395 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44841-0.zip | bin | 170443 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44841-8.txt | 10403 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44841-8.zip | bin | 168222 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44841-h.zip | bin | 257273 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44841-h/44841-h.htm | 421 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44841.txt | 10403 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44841.zip | bin | 168178 -> 0 bytes |
8 files changed, 5 insertions, 21617 deletions
diff --git a/44841-0.txt b/44841-0.txt index 5bb9d2c..d051c3d 100644 --- a/44841-0.txt +++ b/44841-0.txt @@ -1,37 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mark of Cain, by Carolyn Wells - -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: The Mark of Cain - -Author: Carolyn Wells - -Illustrator: Gayle Hoskins - -Release Date: February 8, 2014 [EBook #44841] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARK OF CAIN *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Mardi Desjardins and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This book was produced from scanned images of public -domain material from the Google Print project.) - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44841 *** [Illustration: “SEND AWAY THAT BOY! ORDER HIM OUT, AVICE!” _Page 254_] @@ -10032,362 +9999,4 @@ mother of the family. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mark of Cain, by Carolyn Wells -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARK OF CAIN *** - -***** This file should be named 44841-0.txt or 44841-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/8/4/44841/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Mardi Desjardins and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This book was produced from scanned images of public -domain material from the Google Print project.) - - -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 - www.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 MERCHANTABILITY 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 information page at www.gutenberg.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. 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 -contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the -Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -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 www.gutenberg.org/donate - -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: www.gutenberg.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For forty 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: - - 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. - +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44841 *** diff --git a/44841-0.zip b/44841-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index b1b8dfd..0000000 --- a/44841-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/44841-8.txt b/44841-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c76e096..0000000 --- a/44841-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10403 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mark of Cain, by Carolyn Wells - -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: The Mark of Cain - -Author: Carolyn Wells - -Illustrator: Gayle Hoskins - -Release Date: February 8, 2014 [EBook #44841] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARK OF CAIN *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Mardi Desjardins and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This book was produced from scanned images of public -domain material from the Google Print project.) - - - - - - - [Illustration: "SEND AWAY THAT BOY! ORDER HIM OUT, AVICE!" - _Page 254_] - - - - - THE - MARK OF CAIN - - - By CAROLYN WELLS - _Author of "A Chain of Evidence," "The Gold Bag," "The White Alley," - etc._ - - _WITH A FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR BY_ - GAYLE HOSKINS - - PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON - J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY - 1917 - - - COPYRIGHT, 1917, BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY - PUBLISHED JANUARY, 1917 - - PRINTED BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY - AT THE WASHINGTON SQUARE PRESS - PHILADELPHIA, U. S. A. - - - - - CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I. Through the Green Cord 7 - II. Who Could Have Done It? 21 - III. Pinckney, the Reporter 33 - IV. The Inquest Begins 45 - V. The Swede 57 - VI. Out of the West 69 - VII. Stephanotis 81 - VIII. The Milk Bottle 93 - IX. A Clause in the Will 105 - X. Stryker's Handkerchief 117 - XI. Duane, the Detective 127 - XII. A New Theory 139 - XIII. Fibsy Fibs 153 - XIV. Two Suitors 165 - XV. The Trap that was Set 175 - XVI. A Promise 187 - XVII. Madame Isis 198 - XVIII. All for Love 210 - XIX. Two at Luncheon 223 - XX. Fleming Stone 233 - XXI. Stone's Questions 245 - XXII. Judge Hoyt's Plan 259 - XXIII. In Kito's Care 269 - XXIV. Escape 282 - XXV. The Whole Truth 294 - - - - - THE MARK OF CAIN - - - - - CHAPTER I - THROUGH THE GREEN CORD - - -Judge Hoyt's strong, keen face took on a kindlier aspect and his curt -"Hello!" was followed by gentler tones, as he heard the voice of the girl -he loved, over the telephone. - -"What is it, Avice?" he said, for her speech showed anxiety. - -"Uncle Rowly,--he hasn't come home yet." - -"He hasn't? Well, I hope he'll turn up soon. I want to see him. I was -coming up this evening." - -"Come now," said Avice; "come now, and dine here. I am so anxious about -uncle." - -"Why, Avice, don't worry. He is all right, of course." - -"No he isn't. I feel a presentiment something has happened to him. He -never was so late as this before, unless we knew where he was. Do come -right up, won't you, Judge?" - -"Certainly I will; I'm very glad to. But I'm sure your fears are -groundless. What about Mrs. Black? Is she alarmed?" - -"No, Eleanor laughs at me." - -"Then I think you needn't disturb yourself. Surely she----" - -"Yes, I know what you're going to say, but she isn't a bit fonder of -Uncle Rowly than I am. Good-by." - -Avice hung up the receiver with a little snap. She was willing that Mrs. -Black should marry her uncle, but she did hate to be relegated to second -place in the household. Already the handsome widow was asserting her -supremacy, and while Avice acknowledged the justice of it, it hurt her -pride a little. - -"I've asked Judge Hoyt to dinner," she said, as she returned to her post -at the window. - -Mrs. Black glanced up from the evening paper she was reading and murmured -an indistinct acquiescence. - -It was late June, yet the city home of the Trowbridges was still occupied -by the family. As Avice often said, the big town house was cooler than -most summer resorts, with their small rooms and lack of shade. Here, the -linen-swathed furniture, the white-draped chandeliers and pictures, the -rugless floors, all contributed to an effect of coolness and comfort. - -Avice, herself, in her pretty white gown, fluttered from one window to -another, looking out for her uncle. - -"Mrs. Black, why do you suppose Uncle Rowly doesn't come? He said he -would be home early, and it's after six o'clock now!" - -"I don't know Avice, I'm sure. Do be quiet! You fluster around so, you -make me nervous." - -"I'm nervous myself, Eleanor. I'm afraid something has happened to uncle. -Do you suppose he has had a stroke, or anything?" - -"Nonsense, child, of course, not. He has been detained at the office for -something." - -"No he hasn't; I telephoned there and the office is closed." - -"Then he has gone somewhere else." - -"But he said he would be home by five." - -"Well, he isn't. Now, don't worry; that can do no good." - -But Avice did worry. She continued to flit about, dividing her attention -between the clock and the window. - -The girl had been an orphan from childhood, and Rowland Trowbridge had -been almost as a father to her. Avice loved him and watched over him as a -daughter; at least, that had been the case until lately. A few weeks -since, Mr. Trowbridge had succumbed to the rather florid charms of Mrs. -Black, his housekeeper, and told Avice he would marry her in a month. - -Though greatly surprised and not greatly pleased, Avice had accepted the -situation and treated the housekeeper with the same pleasant courtesy she -had always shown her. The two "got along" as the phrase is, though their -natures were not in many ways congenial. - -Avice remained at the window till she saw at last Leslie Hoyt's tall form -approaching. She ran to open the door herself. - -"Oh, Judge Hoyt," she cried, "Uncle hasn't come yet! There must be -something wrong! What can we do?" - -"I don't know, Avice, dear. Tell me all about it." - -"There's nothing to tell, only that uncle said he would be home at five, -and it's almost seven and he isn't here! Such a thing never happened -before." - -"Good evening, Judge Hoyt," said Mrs. Black's cool, measured voice as -they entered the drawing-room. "I think our Avice is unnecessarily -alarmed. I'm sure Mr. Trowbridge can take care of himself." - -"That is doubtless true," and for the first time a note of anxiety crept -into Hoyt's tone; "but as Avice says, it is most unusual." - -Mrs. Black smiled indifferently and returned to her paper. - -Leslie Hoyt was so frequent a visitor at the house, that he was never -treated formally. He seated himself in an easy chair, and took a -cigarette case from his pocket, while Avice continued her nervous -journeys between the clock and the window. - -"We won't wait dinner after seven," said Mrs. Black, in a voice that -might mean either command or suggestion, as her hearers preferred. - -"You may have it served now, if you like," returned Avice, "but I shan't -go to the table until uncle comes." - -Now, it had been nearly two hours before this that a telephone call had -been received at police headquarters. - -"Is dees polizia stazione?" Inspector Collins had heard, as he held the -receiver to his ear. - -Through the green cord the broken voice spoke in a halting way, as if -uncertain how to word the message. - -"Yes; who is speaking?" Collins replied. - -"Meester Rowlan' Trowbridga,--he is dead-a." - -"I can't hear you! What's all that racket where you are?" - -"My bambini--my childaren. They have-a da whoopa-cough." - -"It's more than children making all that noise! Who are you?" - -"Not matter. I say, Meester Trowbridga--he dead-a." - -"Rowland Trowbridge dead! Where--who are you?" - -"You find-a heem. Bringa da bod' home." - -"Where is he?" - -"Van Cortaland' Park. By da gollif play. You go finda da man--Bringa da -bod' home." - -"See here, you tell me who you are!" - -But a sudden click told that the message was finished, and after a few -impatient hellos, Collins hung up the receiver. - -"Rubbish!" he said to himself; "some Dago woman trying to be funny. But a -queer thing,--Rowland Trowbridge! Phew, if it should be! I'll just call -up his house." - -Collins called up the Trowbridge house on Fifth Avenue. Not to alarm any -one he merely inquired if Mr. Trowbridge was at home. The answer was no, -and, glancing at the clock, Collins called up Mr. Trowbridge's office in -the Equitable Building. There was no response, and as it was five -o'clock, he assumed the office was already closed. - -"I've got a hunch there's something in it," he mused, and acting on his -conviction, he called up the Van Cortlandt Park Precinct Station, and -told the story. - -Captain Pearson, who took the message, shrugged his shoulders at its -dubious authority, but he assembled several detectives and policemen, and -set off with them in a patrol car for the golf links. - -Up to Van Cortlandt Park they went, past the gay-coated, gay-voiced golf -players, on along the broad road to the woods beyond. - -"By golly! There he is!" cried one of the detectives, whose expectant -eyes noted a dark heap on the ground, well back among the trees. - -Jumping from the car and running across the uneven, root-roughened -ground, they found the dead body of Rowland Trowbridge. - -Dressed in his business clothes, his hat on the ground near by, the body -was contorted, the hands clenched, and the face showed an expression of -rage, that betokened a violent death. - -"He put up a fight," observed Pearson. "Poor man, he had no chance. -Somebody stabbed him." - -A gash in the blood-stained waistcoat proved that the aim at the victim's -heart had been all too sure, and his frantic, convulsive struggles of no -avail. - -Eagerly the men looked for clues. But they found nothing save the dead -man and his own belongings. The scene of the tragedy was not very far -from the road, but it was well screened by the thick summer foliage, and -the rocks and high tree roots hid the body on the ground from the sight -of passers-by. - -"Footprints?" said Lieutenant Pearson, musingly. - -"Nothing doing," returned Detective Groot. "Some few depressions here and -there--of course, made by human feet--but none clear enough to be called -a footprint." - -"And the ground is too stony and grassy to show them. Look well, though, -boys. No broken cuff-links, or dropped gloves? It's a canny murderer who -doesn't leave a shred of incriminating evidence." - -"It's a fool murderer who does," returned Groot. "And this affair is not -the work of a fool. Probably they've been spotting Mr. Trowbridge for -months. These millionaires are fair game for the Dago slayers." - -"Why Dago?" - -"Didn't an Italian woman turn in the call? How could she know of it -unless some of her own people did it?" - -"But there seems to be no robbery. Here's his watch and scarfpin all -right." - -"And his roll?" - -"Yes," said Pearson, after an investigation of the dead man's pockets. -"Bills and change. Nothing taken, apparently." - -"Valuable papers, maybe." - -"Not a Dago, then. Your theories don't hang together. Well, this will -create some stir in the Street! Biggest sensation in years. Rowland -Trowbridge! Phew! Won't the papers go crazy!" - -"What family has he? Wife?" - -"No, nor child. Only a niece, but she's the apple of his eye. We'll get -Collins to telephone to the house. It's an awful business." - -The business was awful, and its awful details took so much time that it -was seven o'clock before Inspector Collins called up the Trowbridge home. - -"Maybe that's uncle now!" cried Avice, and springing from her chair she -went to the ringing telephone. - -"Hello--yes--no,--oh, _tell_ me!--I am Miss Trowbridge,--no, his -niece,--please come here, Judge Hoyt!" - -Leslie Hoyt took the receiver from the hand of the agitated girl, and -received this message from the police station. - -"Yes, sir; I couldn't tell the young lady, sir. Do you belong to the -family? Well, then, there's no use beatin' round the bush. Mr. Trowbridge -is dead. We found his body in Van Cortlandt Park woods. Will you come -here to identify it?" - -"Wait a minute! Let me think!" and Hoyt strove to control himself. -"Avice, you were right. Something has happened." - -"Oh, Uncle Rowly!" - -"Yes,--" and Hoyt's voice faltered, "he has been--has been hurt. -They--they have found him----" - -"I know," said Avice, standing perfectly still, while her face went -white. "You needn't tell me. I know. He is dead." - -Hoyt looked at her dumbly, not contradicting. He had loved the girl for -years, but though she liked him, she would give him no promise, and he -still hoped and waited. He turned back to answer the insistent telephone. -"Yes; of course, there is nothing else to do. Tell the coroner. I will go -there at once. Are you sure of what you tell me?" - -"There can be no doubt," he said gently, as he finally left the -telephone. "There are letters in his pockets, and some of the policemen -know him. Avice, dear!" - -But Avice had flung herself on a couch, her face buried in the pillows, -and was sobbing her heart out. - -"Let her cry," said Mrs. Black, softly, as she laid her long white hand -gently upon the bowed head; "it will do her good. Tell me all, Judge -Hoyt. I am the one in charge now." - -The woman's handsome face showed dignity and authority rather than grief, -but Leslie Hoyt was merely the dead man's lawyer, and had no right to -intrude personal comment or sympathy. He had long been a close friend of -Rowland Trowbridge and his niece, but with the housekeeper his -acquaintance was but formal. - -"I know very little, Mrs. Black," he said, his eyes wandering to the -convulsed figure on the couch. "The inspector merely told me that Mr. -Trowbridge has been killed and that some one must go to the police -station to represent the family. As his lawyer, it is appropriate that I -should go, and, indeed, it seems to me there is no one else who could--" -his voice broke as he looked again at Avice, now sitting up and staring, -wide-eyed at him. - -"Yes, do go, Judge Hoyt," she cried; "you are the one--who else could? -Not I, surely,--you don't want me to go, do you?" - -"No, Avice, no, dear," said Mrs. Black, soothingly. "Nobody thought of -your going. Judge Hoyt has kindly consented----" - -"I will stop for Doctor Fulton, I think, and ask him to go with me," and -Leslie Hoyt took up his hat. "You had better go to your room, Avice. It -may be a long time before my return." - -"I will look after her," and Mrs. Black nodded her head. "I will attend -to everything." - -She accompanied Hoyt to the door, saying in low tones, "When you come -back, will you bring the the--will you bring Mr. Trowbridge with you?" - -"I can't be sure. There are so many formalities to be looked after. Try -to keep Avice as quiet as possible. It will be a trying scene at best, -when we return." - -"I will do all I can for her. How fortunate that you are here, Judge -Hoyt." - -"Indeed, yes. Had I not been, the girl might have insisted on going on -this awful errand." - -The judge walked the few blocks to Doctor Fulton's office, and luckily -finding him in, they both went at once in the doctor's car to the scene -of the tragedy. - -"Let me give you some quieting draught, Avice dear," said Mrs. Black, as -she returned to the girl, "and then I'm going to send you to bed." - -"Indeed, you'll do nothing of the kind. I have quite as much right here -as you have." - -"Of course you have," and the lady's voice was as straightforward as her -words. "I only want to spare you the shock." - -"I don't want to be spared, I want to know all about everything that goes -on. I won't be treated as a child or an imbecile! I want to help." - -"But, my dear, there is nothing to do." - -"There will be. If Uncle Rowly has been killed, some one has done the -deed, and I shall never rest until I find out who did it, and bring him -to justice! How can you sit there so calmly? Don't you care? You, who -pretended to love him!" - -"There, there, Avice, don't get so excited. I know how you must feel, -but----" - -"Don't talk to me, Eleanor! You drive me crazy!" - -Offended, and a little frightened at the girl's vehemence, the older -woman ceased all attempts at conversation, and busied herself about the -rooms, with those futile, nervous little motions that most women indulge -in under stress of great excitement. - -"I think, Avice, dear, you ought to try to eat some dinner," she -suggested. "Shall we go out together?" - -But Avice only looked at her in dumb reproach, and closed her eyes as if -to dismiss the subject. - -Mrs. Black went into the dining-room alone. - -"There has been an accident, Stryker," she said to the butler, thinking -it unwise to say more at the present. "They will bring Mr. Trowbridge -home after a time. Meantime, say nothing to the other servants, and give -me my dinner, for I feel I must try to eat something." - -Mrs. Black's face was inscrutable as she sat at the well-appointed table. -She ate a little of the dishes Stryker brought, but her thoughts were -evidently far away. She frowned now and then, and once she smiled, but -mostly she seemed in a brown study, and as if she had weighty affairs on -her mind. Not a tear did she shed, nor did she look bowed with sorrow; -indeed, her fine, well-poised head held itself a little higher than usual -as she gave low-voiced orders to the butler now and then. - -She returned to the drawing-room and the weary hours dragged by. -Occasionally the two women spoke to each other, but only of trivialities, -or necessary details of arrangement. No word of sympathy or common grief -passed between them. - -At last they heard steps outside, and they knew Rowland Trowbridge was -being brought into his house for the last time. - -Judge Hoyt came in first and kept the two women in the drawing-room while -the bearers took their tragic burden up to Mr. Trowbridge's own room. -Shortly afterward Doctor Fulton came down. - -"Mr. Trowbridge was murdered," he said briefly. "Stabbed with a dagger. -He has been dead five or six hours now. Perhaps more." - -"Who did it?" cried Avice, looking more like an avenging angel than a -grief-stricken girl. - -"They have no idea. The coroner must try to determine that." - -"The coroner!" exclaimed Mrs. Black in horror. - -Avice turned on her. "Yes, coroner," she said; "how else can we find out -who killed Uncle Rowly, and punish him,--and kill _him_!" - -Every one stared at Avice. The policeman in the hall looked in at the -doorway, as her ringing tones reached him. The girl was greatly excited -and her eyes blazed like stars. But she stood quietly, and spoke with -repressed force. - -"What is the first thing to do?" she said, turning to Doctor Fulton, and -then glancing past him to the policeman in the doorway. - -"Wait, Avice, wait," put in Leslie Hoyt; "let us consider a moment." - -"There is nothing to be considered, Leslie. Uncle is dead. We must -discover who killed him. We must get the best detectives, and we must -never rest until we have brought the villain to justice." - -"Of course, of course, Avice," said Mrs. Black, soothingly, "but we can't -hurry so, child." - -"We _must_ hurry! It is only by beginning at once that we can find clues -and things. Delay means opportunity for the criminal to escape!" - -Hoyt and Doctor Fulton looked at the girl in amazement. Where had she -learned these terms that fell so readily from her tongue? - -"She is right," said Judge Hoyt, sadly. "There must be no unnecessary -delay in these matters. But the law moves slowly, at best. Everything -possible will be done, Avice; you may rest assured of that. The coroner -is upstairs now, and when he comes down he will want to talk with you. -You won't object?" - -"Indeed, no. I want to see him. Why, only think, I know -nothing,--_nothing_, as yet, as to how Uncle Rowly met his death!" - - - - - CHAPTER II - WHO COULD HAVE DONE IT? - - -Coroner Berg came down stairs and joined the group in the drawing-room. -He was a bristling, fussy little man, with a decided sense of his own -importance and evidently inclined to make much of his office. His sparse, -sandy hair stood out straight from his head, and his light blue eyes -darted from one to another of the impatient people awaiting his report. - -"Sad case," he said, wringing his hands; "very sad case. Fine man like -that, struck down in the prime of life. Awful!" - -"We know that," and Avice looked annoyed at what she thought intrusive -sympathy. "But who did it? What have you found out?" - -"Very little, Miss," answered Berg. "Your uncle was killed by a dagger -thrust, while up in Van Cortlandt Park woods. His body was found in a -lonely spot up there, and there is no trace of the murderer. The police -were informed of the murder by telephone, which is a mighty queer -performance if you ask me! They say a Dago woman called up headquarters -and told the story." - -"Extraordinary!" said Hoyt; "an Italian?" - -"Yes, sir; they say she sounded like one, anyhow." - -"And a dagger or stiletto was used," said Doctor Fulton, thoughtfully; -"that looks like Italian work. Had your uncle any Italian enemies, Miss -Trowbridge?" - -"Not that I know of," and Avice spoke a little impatiently; "but uncle -had no enemies that I know of. At least, none who would kill him." - -"He had enemies, then?" spoke up the coroner, alertly. - -"Uncle Rowly was not an easy-going man. He had many acquaintances with -whom he was not on terms of friendship. But I'm sure none of his quarrels -were grave enough to lead to this." - -"But somebody committed the crime, Miss Trowbridge, and who so likely as -a known enemy? Tell me any of your uncle's unfriendly acquaintances." - -"Positively no one, Mr. Berg, who could be in the least suspected. I'm -thinking of such men as Judge Greer, who holds political views opposed to -those of my uncle. And Professor Meredith, who is an enthusiastic -naturalist, but who disagrees with my uncle in some of their -classifications. As you see, these are not sufficient grounds for killing -a man." - -"Of course, not," said Hoyt. "I know those men, and their relations with -Mr. Trowbridge were really friendly, though differing opinions frequently -led to quarrels. Mr. Trowbridge was quick-tempered and often said sharp -things, which he forgot as quickly as he uttered them." - -"Yes, he did," corroborated Avice. "Why, he sometimes scolded me, and -soon after was sunny and sweet again. No, I'm sure Uncle Rowland had no -real enemies, surely none that would seek his death. And the fact that an -Italian woman gave the message proves to my mind that he was struck down -by some horrid Italian society,--Black Hand, or whatever they call it." - -"That remains to be seen," said Berg, with an air of importance. "I shall -conduct an inquest tomorrow morning. It is too late to get at it tonight, -and too, I want to collect a little more evidence." - -"Where do you get evidence, Mr. Berg?" asked Avice, eager interest and -curiosity shining in her brown eyes. - -"Wherever I may pick it up. I must question the police further and I must -endeavor to trace that telephone call, though that is a hard matter -usually. Then, also, I must question all members of this household. As to -his habits, I mean, and his whereabouts today. He left home this morning, -as usual?" - -"Quite as usual," broke in Mrs. Black, before Avice could reply. "I was -probably the one who saw him last as he departed. I went to the door with -him, and he,--he kissed me good-by." Mrs. Black's handkerchief was -pressed into service, but she went on, clearly; "we were to have been -married next month. Our engagement had been announced." - -"And you heard nothing from Mr. Trowbridge during the day?" - -"No," said Avice, taking up the tale again; "uncle told me before he left -he would be home by five, as I was to help him with his work. He is a -naturalist, out of office hours, and I assist with his cataloguing. Then, -when he didn't come at five, I was worried, and I kept on being worried -until--until--" and here the girl broke down and buried her face again in -the sofa pillows. - -"And you weren't worried?" asked Coroner Berg, turning his pale blue eyes -on the housekeeper. - -"No," and Mrs. Black's voice was cool and composed; "I supposed he was -merely detained by some business matter. I had no reason to fear any harm -had come to him." - -"When did _you_ last see him?" went on the coroner, turning to Judge -Hoyt. - -"Let me see; it was--yes, it was last Friday. I was at his office -consulting with him about some business, and promised to report today. -But as I was called to Philadelphia today on an important matter, I wrote -him that I would come here to this house to see him this evening, and -give him the report he wanted." - -"And you went to Philadelphia today?" - -"Yes, I left there at three and reached New York at five. I intended -coming here this evening, but when Miss Trowbridge telephoned me soon -after six, I came right up at once." - -"Well, I think I'll go now, for I may dig up something of importance at -the police station, and I'll be here tomorrow for the inquest at ten or -thereabouts." - -As Coroner Berg left, the men from the undertaker's arrived, and the -trying session with them had to be gone through. - -"But I can't make arrangements about the funeral now," said poor Avice, -breaking down again. "Why, I can't even realize Uncle Rowly is dead, -and----" - -"Never mind, my dear," said Mrs. Black, "don't try to. Go to your room -now, and leave the funeral matters to me. I will arrange everything, and -Judge Hoyt will assist me with his advice." - -"Indeed you won't," said Avice, spiritedly: "I suppose I am still my -uncle's niece. And I prefer to be consulted about the last rites for -him." - -"Then stay by all means," and Mrs. Black's voice was honey-sweet. "I only -meant to save you a harrowing experience." She turned to the suave young -man who had with him a book of pictured caskets, and was soon deeply -interested in the choice of shape, style and number of handles that -seemed to her most desirable. - -Avice looked at her with aversion. It seemed to the girl almost ghoulish -to show such absorption in a question of the quality of black cloth, or -the lettering on the name-plate. - -"But it must be decided," said Mrs. Black. "Of course, we want the best -of everything, and it is the last honor we can pay to dear Mr. -Trowbridge. You should be very thankful, Avice, that you have me here to -assist and advise you. You are too young and inexperienced to attend to -these matters. Isn't that so, Judge Hoyt?" - -"It seems so to me, Mrs. Black. These selections must be made, and surely -you are showing good taste and judgment." - -"Very well," returned Avice. "Go on, and get whatever you like. As for -me, I'm far more concerned in hunting down my uncle's murderer. And I -doubt if that coroner man will do it. He's a perfect lump! He'll never -find out anything!" - -"Why, Avice," remonstrated Hoyt, "what could he find out tonight? It is a -mysterious affair, and as we here know nothing of the crime, how could -Mr. Berg discover anything from us?" - -"But he has no brains, no intelligence, no ingenuity!" - -"Coroners rarely have. It is their province only to question and learn -the circumstances. 'Sleuthing' is what you have in mind, and that must be -done by detectives." - -"I know it," cried Avice, eagerly; "that's what I said at first. Oh, -Leslie, won't you get the very best detectives there are and put them on -the case at once?" - -"Wait a moment, Avice," said Mrs. Black, coldly. "I am not sure you are -in absolute authority here. I have something to say in the decisions." - -"But surely, Mrs. Black, you want to spare no pains and no expense to -learn who killed Uncle Rowly!" - -"You talk very glibly of expense, my dear Avice. Until your uncle's will -is read, how do you know who will be in a position to bear these expenses -you are so ready to incur?" - -Avice looked at the older woman with scorn. "I don't quite follow you," -she said, slowly; "but surely, whoever inherits my uncle's fortune, owes -first the duty of bringing his murderer to justice!" - -Leslie Hoyt looked very grave. "As Mr. Trowbridge's lawyer," he said, "I -know the contents of the will. It will be read after the funeral. Until -then, I am not at liberty to disclose it. I must go now, as I have some -investigations to make myself. By the way, Avice, I brought home a -Philadelphia afternoon paper, and it contains a glowing account of the -dbut of your friend, Rosalie Banks. But, perhaps, you don't care to see -it, now?" - -"Yes, leave it," said Avice, apathetically; "I am fond of Rosalie and I'd -like to look it over." - -Hoyt found the paper where he had left it on the hall table, and gave it -to her, and then with a sympathetic, but unobtrusive pressure of her -hand, the lawyer went away and the doctor also. - -"May I look at that Philadelphia paper a moment?" asked Mrs. Black, "I -want to see an advertisement." - -"Certainly, here it is," and Avice passed it over. "Just think of Rosalie -having her coming-out party just now while I'm in such sadness. We were -at school together, and though younger than I, she was always one of my -favorites." - -"You didn't care to go to the party?" - -"No it was yesterday, and I had that luncheon engagement here, you know. -And oh, Eleanor, isn't it fortunate I am here and not in Philadelphia!" - -"Why? You can't do anything." - -"I know it. But it would have been awful to be away making merry when -uncle was--was breathing his last! Who _do_ you suppose did it?" - -"Some highway robber, of course. I always told your uncle he ought not to -go off, in those lonely woods all by himself. He ran a risk every time. -And now the tragedy has occurred." - -"It doesn't seem like a highway robber to use a dagger. They always have -a club or a--what do they call it? a blackjack." - -"You seem to know a lot about such things, Avice. Well, I'm going to my -room, and you'd better do the same. We've a hard day before us tomorrow. -I think it's dreadful to have an inquest here. I thought they always held -them in the court-room or some such place." - -"They do, sometimes. Inquests are informal affairs. The coroner just asks -anybody, hit or miss, anything he can think of. That's why I wish we had -a cleverer coroner than that Berg person. I can't bear him." - -"I don't care what he's like, if he'll only get the scene over. Shall we -have to be present?" - -"Gracious! You couldn't keep me away. I want to hear every word and see -if there's any clue to the truth." - -The two went up to their rooms, but neither could sleep. Avice sat in an -easy chair by her open window, wondering and pondering as to who could -have been the criminal. Mrs. Black, on the other hand, thought only of -herself and her own future. - -She was a very beautiful woman, with finely cut features and raven black -hair, which she wore in glossy smooth waves partly over her small ears. -Her eyes were large and black and her mouth was scarlet and finely -curved. She was of Italian parentage, though born in America. Her husband -had been a New York lawyer, but dying, left her in greatly straitened -circumstances and she had gladly accepted the position of housekeeper in -the Trowbridge home. At first, she had rejected the advances of Rowland -Trowbridge, thinking she preferred a younger and gayer man. But the -kindness and generosity of her employer finally won her heart, or her -judgment, and she had promised to marry him. It is quite certain, -however, that Eleanor Black would never have come to this decision, had -it not been for Rowland Trowbridge's wealth. - -Late into the night, Avice sat thinking. It seemed to her that she must -by some means ferret out the facts of the case,--must find the dastardly -villain who killed her uncle and let justice mete out his punishment. But -where to turn for knowledge, she had no idea. - -Her mind turned to what Mr. Berg had said about enemies. It couldn't be -possible that either of the men she had mentioned could be implicated, -but mightn't there be some one else? Perhaps some one she had never heard -of. Then the impulse seized her to go down to her uncle's library, and -look over his recent letters. She might learn something of importance. -Not for a moment did she hesitate to do this, for she knew she was the -principal heir to his fortune, and the right to the house and its -contents was practically hers. - -And her motives were of the best and purest. All she desired was to get -some hint, some clue, as to which way to look for a possible suspect. - -Walking lightly, though taking no especial precautions of silence, she -went slowly down stairs, and reached the door of the library. From the -hall, as she stood at the portire, she heard some one talking inside the -room. Listening intently she recognized the voice of Eleanor Black at the -telephone. - -"Yes," Mrs. Black was saying: "keep still about it for the -present,--yes,--yes, I'll do whatever you say,--but don't come here -tonight. You see it was an Italian--yes, I'll meet you tomorrow at the -same time and same place. No, don't call me up,--when I can, I'll call -you." - -Hearing the click that told of the hanging up of the receiver Avice -quickly stepped aside into an alcove of the hall, where she could not be -seen. - -But apparently, Mrs. Black had no thought of any one near her, for she -turned off the library table light she had been using, and softly went -upstairs. A low hall light was sufficient illumination for this, and -Avice saw her go. - -After waiting a few moments, the girl went into the library, and first -closing the door, she switched on the light. - -Taking up the telephone, she said to the operator, "Please tell me that -number I just had. I can't remember it, and I want to preserve it." - -Sleepily the girl responded, telling the number and exchange. - -"Thank you," said Avice, and hanging up the receiver she went to the desk -and jotted down the number. - -"Not that I have the least suspicion of Eleanor," she said to herself, -"but if I'm going to investigate, I mustn't leave a stone unturned, -especially anything so unusual as a midnight telephoning." - -And then Avice set herself to the task she had come for. But she found -nothing definite or incriminating. There were some old and carefully -preserved notes from men who were very evidently angry with her uncle, -but they were not sufficiently strong to point to anything criminal. -There was the usual collection of bills, business letters and memoranda, -but nothing to interest or alarm her, and finally, growing wearied, she -went back upstairs. - -As she passed Mrs. Black's door it softly opened, and the lady herself, -wrapped in a kimono, looked out. Her long black hair hung in two braids, -and her eyes were very bright. - -"Avice, where have you been? At this time of night!" - -"Just down in the library, looking after some matters." - -"Well, it's time you were in bed," and the door closed again. - -"H'm," thought Avice, "she is afraid I heard her telephoning! That's why -she's on the watch!" - -And now, her momentary weariness gone, Avice was again widely awake. - -"I've got to think it out," she told herself. "I don't for a minute -imagine Eleanor is implicated in Uncle Rowly's death, but what was she -telephoning for? And she said 'it was an Italian,' and she's Italian -herself, and there's something queer. I'm glad I got that telephone -number, but I doubt if I'll ever use it. It doesn't seem quite right now, -though it did when I asked Central for it. I believe I'll tear it up." - -But she didn't. - - - - - CHAPTER III - PINCKNEY, THE REPORTER - - -"There's no use mincing matters," said Mrs. Black, as she and Avice sat -at breakfast next morning: "I was your uncle's promised wife and I feel -that it is, therefore, my right to assume the head of the household and -give orders." - -Avice looked at her sadly. "I have no objection to your giving orders so -long as they in no way interfere with _my_ plans or wishes. But I think -it would be pleasanter for us both if you were to drop that defiant air, -and let us be on a more friendly footing. I quite appreciate your -position here, but you must remember that though you were engaged to my -uncle you were _not_ married to him and that----" - -"That makes no difference in reality! As his future wife, I have every -right of a wife already, so far as this house is concerned. Indeed, it is -already mine, by will as you are soon to find out." - -"Very well, Mrs. Black," said Avice, wearily, "let's not quarrel over it. -I'm sure _I_ don't want this house, and I am not at all afraid that my -uncle's will leaves me unprovided for. I wish the coroner would come! I -long to get to work on the solution of the mystery." - -"How you talk!" and Mrs. Black shuddered delicately; "I don't see how you -can bear to have to do with those awful investigations!" - -"Would you sit calmly down, and let the murderer go scot-free?" - -"Yes, rather than mix in with that awful coroner man, and worse still, -detectives!" Mrs. Black brought out the word as if she had said -"scorpions." - -Avice was about to make an indignant reply, when the bell rang, and the -card was brought in of Mr. Pinckney, a reporter. - -"Don't see him," said Mrs. Black, looking scornfully at the card. - -"Indeed I shall," and Avice rose determinedly. "Why, if I don't set him -straight, there's no telling what he'll print!" - -Realizing this, Mrs. Black followed the girl into the library, and -together they met the reporter. - -"Awfully sorry to intrude," said a frank-faced, nice-voiced young man. -"Often I wish I'd chosen any other career than that of a reporter. -Downright good of you to see me, Miss Trowbridge,--isn't it?" - -"Yes," said Avice, "I am Miss Trowbridge and this is Mrs. Black." - -"What can we tell you?" said Mrs. Black, acknowledging the visitor's bow, -and quickly taking the initiative. "There is so little to tell----" - -"Ah, yes," and the interrupting Pinckney deliberately turned to Avice. -"But you will tell me all you know, won't you? It's so annoying to the -family to have details made up--and--we must get the news somehow." - -His youthful, almost boyish air pleased Avice, who had thought reporters -a crude, rather slangy lot, and she responded at once. - -"Indeed I will Mr. Pinckney. It's horrid to have things told wrongly, -especially a thing like this." Her eyes filled, and the reporter looked -down at his still empty notebook. - -"But, don't you see, Miss Trowbridge," he said, gently "if you tell me -the details it might help in unearthing the truth,--for you don't know -who did it, do you?" - -"No, we don't" broke in Eleanor Black; "you'd better not try to talk -Avice, dear, you are so unstrung. Let me answer Mr. Pinckney's -questions." - -"I'm not unstrung, Eleanor, at least not so much so that I can't talk. -Mr. Pinckney, if you can be of assistance in any way of solving the -mystery of my uncle's death, I shall be very grateful. The inquest will -be held this morning, and I suppose,--I hope that will throw some light -on it all. But just now I know of no way to look." - -"Oh of course, it was a highway robber," said Mrs. Black. "There can be -no doubt of it." - -"But is there any proof of it?" and the reporter looked at her -inquiringly. "No doubt is not sufficient, proof positive is what we -want." - -"Of course, we do," agreed Avice. "Just think, Mr. Pinckney, we know -_nothing_ but that my uncle was stabbed to death in the woods. We don't -even know why he went into the woods. Though that, of course, is probably -a simple reason. He was a naturalist and went often on long tramps -looking for certain specimens for his collections." - -"Yes, that would explain his being there," said Pinckney, eagerly. "Did -you know he was going?" - -"No; on the contrary he said he would be home at five o'clock." - -"He told _me_ he might be home earlier," said Mrs. Black, looking -sorrowful. "I expected him as early as three or four, for we were going -out together. You see, Mr. Trowbridge was my fianc." - -"Ah," and Pinckney looked at her with increased interest. "Are there -other members of this household?" - -"No," replied Mrs. Black. "Just Mr. Trowbridge and myself, and our dear -niece, Miss Trowbridge. We were a very happy family, and now----" Mrs. -Black raised her handkerchief to her eyes, "and now, I am all alone." - -"You two will not remain together, then?" the reportorial instinct -cropped out. - -"We haven't decided on anything of that sort yet," broke in Avice. -"Eleanor, don't be ridiculous! Mr. Pinckney is not interested in our -domestic arrangements." - -"Indeed I am. The readers of _The Gazette_ are all anxious to know the -least details of your life and home." - -"They must be disappointed then," and Avice's haughty look forbade -further personal questions. - -"Tell me more of the--the tragedy, then. Was the weapon found?" - -"No, not that I know of," and Avice looked surprised. "I never thought of -it." - -"No, it was not," affirmed Mrs. Black. "The police were unable to find -any weapon." - -"Too bad," frowned Pinckney; "the dear public loses a thrill." - -"The public? Do they care?" and Avice started. - -"Rather! New Yorkers love a murder mystery if there are gruesome elements -here and there." - -"All I want is justice," and Avice's big, brown eyes turned full on -Pinckney's face. "You know about such things. Do you suppose we can trace -the murderer with so little to go on?" - -"Can't tell yet. May be lots of evidence forthcoming at the inquest." - -At this point Mrs. Black was called from the room by a servant, and -Pinckney said quickly, "Who is she? and why don't you like her?" - -For some reason, Avice did not resent the man's directness, and answered, -slowly. "She is housekeeper, and was engaged to my uncle. I don't dislike -her,--not altogether." - -"Is she Italian? She looks so." - -"Of Italian descent, yes. Why?" - -"Nothing. She's a stunner for looks, but she's entirely able to take care -of herself. I say, Miss Trowbridge, are you alone,--in this matter, I -mean." - -"In a way, I am. There is no one in the house but the housekeeper and -myself. But Judge Hoyt, my uncle's lawyer, looks after all business -affairs for us." - -"Judge Hoyt?" - -"Yes, Leslie Hoyt." - -"You're fixed all right that way, then. But I say, Miss Trowbridge, I -don't want you to think me impertinent, but if I can help you at all in -looking about,--investigating, you know,----" - -"Do you mean detecting?" - -"Yes, in a small way. I've opportunities to go into the world and inquire -into things that are a sealed book to you. But I suppose you'll have -detectives, and all that. And any way, it's too soon to think about it. -But remember, if you want any sleuthing done,--on the side, in an amateur -way I'd be awfully glad to help you out." - -"That's kind of you Mr. Pinckney, and I'll be glad to take advantage of -your offer. But do you have to put everything in your paper?" - -"Just about. Oh, of course, if I unearth anything of importance,--like a -clue, you know, I'd tell the police first but I'd want the scoop for -ours." - -"How can there be any clues when it happened in the lonely woods? I -thought clues were little things picked up off the floor, or found in -people's pockets." - -"Well, mightn't they pick up little things off the ground? Or find them -in your uncle's pockets?" - -"Do you think they will? Mr. Pinckney, you've no idea how I want to find -the murderer! I never knew before that I had so much revenge in my -nature, but I feel now I could devote my whole life, if need be, to -tracking down that villain! I loved my uncle almost like a father. Most -girls, I suppose, would be so broken up with grief that they couldn't -talk like this, but I seem to find the only comfort in the thought of -avenging this horrible deed!" - -"Don't bank on it too much, Miss Trowbridge. They say only one murderer -in six is convicted, and in only a small fraction of murders is anybody -even suspected of the crime. But this case will be ferreted out, I'm -sure, both because of the prominence of your uncle, and the fact that -there is money enough to hire the best talent, if desired." - -"Indeed it is desired! I shall, of course, inherit much of my uncle's -fortune, and I would spend every penny rather than fail in the search!" - -"You won't mind my reporting this conversation, will you, Miss -Trowbridge? I'm here for a story, you know,----" - -"Oh, must you put me in the paper? Please don't!" - -"I won't put anything you won't like. But our readers want you. You know, -all the men want now-a-days is a graft yarn, and the women, some inside -society gos--information." - -Avice would have made further objection to newspaper publicity, but -people began to arrive, and, too, Pinckney was content to leave off -conversation at that point. - -He was young, and enthusiastic in his chosen career. Moreover, he was -canny and clever. He had further chat with Mrs. Black, and he managed to -get a few words with the servants. And somehow, by hook or crook, he -secured photographs of both women, and of the house, as well as of the -victim of the tragedy himself. - -Aside from reportorial talent, Pinckney had a taste for detective work. -He was, or fancied himself, the stuff of which story-book detectives are -made, and he was more than glad to have the press assignment of this -case, which might give him wide range for his powers of deduction. - -When Judge Hoyt arrived, he at once sought out Avice, and his fine, -impassive face grew infinitely gentle as he greeted the sad-eyed girl. - -In her black gown, she looked older, and her pale cheeks and drawn -countenance told of a sleepless night. - -"How are you dear?" asked Hoyt, taking her hands in his. "I've been so -anxious about you." - -"I'm all right," and Avice tried to smile bravely. "But I'm glad you've -come. I feel so alone and responsible--Mr. Pinckney says I have a -splendid lawyer--but I don't see anything for a lawyer to do." - -"There may be. I believe the police have made quite a few discoveries, -though I know nothing definite. Of course, all my legal powers are at -your disposal, but I too, doubt if the criminal is ever apprehended." - -"Oh, don't say that! We _must_ find him! You will, won't you?" - -"I'll do my best Avice. But I am a lawyer, not a detective, you know." - -"But you're a judge, and you have been district attorney, and you're the -greatest criminal lawyer in the state!" - -"Yes, but a criminal lawyer must have a criminal to convict. Rest assured -if the criminal is found, he shall have full punishment." - -"Of course, but I want help to find him. I want to employ detectives -and----" - -"And so you shall, but wait Avice, until the inquest is over. That may -bring developments. I wish I had been here in New York yesterday." - -"What could you have done?" - -"Perhaps nothing to prevent or help, but I would have been at your -uncle's office during the day, and I would have known of his plans. Who -is this Pinckney you mentioned?" - -"A reporter for _The Daily Gazette_? I didn't want to see him at first, -but I'm glad I did. He's going to help me detect." - -"Avice, dear, 'detecting' as you call it, isn't a casual thing, to be -done by anybody. It's a trade, a profession----" - -"Yes, I know. But Mr. Pinckney knows something of it, and he is very -kind." - -"When a reporter is kind, it's only for his personal benefit. The moment -crime is committed, Avice, the reporters are on the job, and they never -let go of it, until all suspects are freed or sentenced. But what they -learn by their 'detection' is only for their paper; it is rarely given in -testimony, or turned to real account." - -"Mr. Pinckney will help me, I'm sure," Avice persisted. "And besides, he -was in college with Mr. Landon, uncle's nephew out West." - -"Landon? The chap you used to be in love with?" and Judge Hoyt made a wry -face. - -"In love! Nonsense! I'm as much in love with him now as I ever was." - -"And how much is that?" - -"It's so long since I've seen him, I've forgotten," and Avice, who -couldn't help an occasional flash of her innate coquetry, smiled up into -the stern face regarding her. - -"Beg pardon, Miss Avice," said Stryker, the butler, coming toward them; -"but do you want to be in the drawing-room for the--the inquest, or -upstairs?" - -"I want to be right near the coroner and the jury. I want to know -everything that goes on. Shall we go in there now, Leslie?" - -"Yes, in a moment. What do you know of Mr. Trowbridge's death, Stryker?" - -"Me, Judge Hoyt? Nothing,--nothing at all, sir. How should I?" - -"I don't know, I'm sure. I merely asked. Where were you yesterday -afternoon, Stryker?" - -"It was my day off, sir. I was out all afternoon." - -"Oh, all right. Don't take my question too seriously." Hoyt spoke kindly, -for the butler showed considerable agitation. He started to say -something, paused, stammered, and finally burst out with, "_I_ didn't -kill him, Sir!" - -"Good Lord, Stryker, nobody thought you did! But don't show such a scared -face to the coroner when he questions you, or he may think all sorts of -things." - -"What c--could he think?" - -"Nothing that I know of. By the way, Stryker, now that Mr. Trowbridge is -gone, you can take out that insurance policy, can't you?" - -"Oh, Mr. Hoyt, don't speak of such things now!" and the old butler fairly -wrung his hands. - -"All right, I won't. But when you want to talk it over, come to me. Is -that your Pinckney, Avice, talking to Mrs. Black?" - -"Yes; why, he's interviewing her! See his notebook. She is telling him -lots!" - -"He's getting what they call a 'sob story.' She's working on his -sympathies by pathetic tales of her loss. How does she treat you? All -right?" - -"Yes, except that she wants to be head of the house, and----" - -"That will settle itself. You won't stay here, dear, you will come to me. -We will----" - -"Please don't talk like that now. I can't bear it." Avice's brave, -determined air forsook her, and with quivering lip, she looked -imploringly at the man who gazed passionately into her troubled eyes. - -"Forgive me, dear, I should have known better. But when I think of you, -here, alone, save for a woman who is nothing to you, I want to carry you -off where I can protect you from all annoyance or trouble." - -"I know you do, and I ought to feel more grateful, but I can't seem to -think of anything just now but----" - -"Of course, my darling, I understand, and it is all right. Only tell me -what you want and I am at your orders, always and forever." - -"Then come with me to the other room, stay by me, and tell me what things -mean, when I don't understand. Listen, too, yourself, to everything, so -you'll know just what to do when the police fail." - -"Why are you so sure they will fail?" - -"Because the case is all so mysterious. Because it will take a clever and -skilled brain to find my uncle's murderer." - -Avice spoke in low, intense tones, as if she were stirred to the very -soul by her harrowing anxiety. - -"Avice," said Hoyt, suddenly, "have you any suspicion of anybody--anybody -at all?" - -"No! oh, no! How could I have?" - -"But have you?" Hoyt scanned her face closely, noting the quickly dropped -eyelids and firm, set mouth. - -"Not a suspicion--oh, no!" - -"A premonition, then? A vague idea of any way to look?" - -"No--no. No, I haven't." - -The first negative was hesitating, the second, positive and decided. It -was as if she had instantly made up her mind to say nothing more. - -Leslie Hoyt looked at her, and then with a gentle smile, as of one -humoring a child, he said: "All right, dear. Come now with me." - -And together, they went to listen to the inquest held to determine the -circumstances of the death of Rowland Trowbridge. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - THE INQUEST BEGINS - - -As Avice entered the drawing-room, she seemed to sense only a blur of -faces. It was incredible that this should be the room where she had so -often laughed and danced and sung in thoughtless joyousness of spirit. -She blindly followed Judge Hoyt, and sat where he bade her, quite near -the coroner and his jury. - -The jurymen, though solemnly attentive to their duty, could not help -their roving gaze being attracted to the splendor of their surroundings. -The Trowbridge home was the perfection of quiet, old-fashioned elegance. -Often Avice had wanted to introduce more modern furniture and -decorations, but Mr. Trowbridge had firmly denied her requests. And so -the old crystal chandeliers still drooped their festooned prisms and the -massive doors were still of a soft, lusterless black, with fine gilt -outlines of panelling. - -Mrs. Black, too, often sighed for modern bric-a-brac and fashionable -window draperies, but the will of the master was law, and the quaint -Sevres vases and heavy hangings remained untouched. - -Coroner Berg fairly fluttered with importance. Only lately had he been -appointed to his office, and he assumed a knowing air to hide his lack of -experience. He was naturally acute and shrewd, but his mind just now was -occupied more with the manner than the matter of his procedure. He had -studied well his book of rules, and it was with great dignity that he -called for the police report on the case. - -The testimony of the chief of police and the police surgeon set forth the -principal known facts, which were, however, lamentably few. Even the -coroner's intelligent questions failed to bring out more than the story -of the telephone message, the account of the finding of the body and the -nature of the crime. - -"Do you assume the assailant to have been right-handed?" Berg asked of -the surgeon. - -"Apparently, yes. But not necessarily so. The blade penetrated the -victim's left breast, and was most likely dealt by a person standing -directly facing him." - -"Was the thrust directed with an upward slant or downward?" - -"Neither. It was just about level. It slanted, however, toward the middle -of the body, from the left side, thus practically proving a right-handed -use of the weapon." - -"Was death instantaneous?" - -"Probably not. But it must have occurred very shortly after the blow." - -Doctor Fulton, the family physician, corroborated the report of the -police surgeon in all its essentials. - -"Was Mr. Trowbridge in general good health, so far as you know?" asked -the coroner. - -"Absolutely. He was strong, hale and hearty, always. I have known him for -years, and he was never seriously ill." - -"And strong?" - -"Of average strength." - -"Would you not judge then, he could have resisted this attack?" - -"Undoubtedly he tried to do so. There is some indication of a muscular -struggle. But the assumption must be that the assailant was a stronger -man than the victim." - -"How do you explain his contorted features, even in death?" - -"By the fact that he was surprised and overpowered, and his dying -struggles were so desperate as to leave their mark." - -"You do not attribute the expression on the dead face to any terrific -mental emotion at the moment of death?" - -"It may be so. Indeed, it may be the result of both mental and physical -agony." - -"The point is important," said the coroner, with an impressive wave of -his hand. "For if mental, it might mean that the man who attacked him was -known to him; while merely physical horror would imply a robber or thug." - -The jurymen wagged their heads wisely at this sapient remark, as if it -opened up a new field of conjecture. - -Avice was questioned next. - -She was a little startled at the suddenness of the call, but responded -clearly and with an entirely collected manner to all queries. - -"You are Mr. Trowbridge's niece?" - -"Yes, the daughter of his younger brother." - -"You make your home here?" - -"Yes." - -"How long have you done so?" - -"Since childhood. My parents died before I was ten years old." - -"And you are your uncle's heiress?" - -Judge Hoyt looked a little annoyed at the baldness of this question, but -Avice replied, serenely, "To the extent of part of his fortune." - -"Can you tell me any details of the last day of your uncle's life?" - -"Very few. He left home in the morning to go to his business office quite -as usual. He generally returns about five o'clock. When he did not arrive -at that time, I felt anxious, and later, called Judge Hoyt on the -telephone to ask if he had seen or heard of my uncle." - -"Why did you call Judge Hoyt?" - -"He was not only my uncle's lawyer, but his personal friend. They had -business to transact at times, and I thought my uncle might possibly have -gone to see him. When I learned that Judge Hoyt knew nothing of my -uncle's whereabouts, I asked him to come here, as I felt decidedly uneasy -and wanted some one to confer with in whom I felt confidence." - -"Had Mr. Trowbridge manifested any unusual tendencies or habits of late?" - -"None whatever. He has been well, happy and quite as usual in every way." - -"Can you form any opinion or have you any suspicion as to who might have -committed this crime?" - -"Absolutely none. But I have an unflinching determination to find out, at -any expense of time, labor or money!" - -The girl's voice rang out in a high, sharp tone, and she clenched her -slender hands until the knuckles showed through the white skin. - -"We all have that determination, Miss Trowbridge," said the coroner, a -little stiffly, and after a few unimportant questions, Avice was -dismissed. - -Mrs. Black was called next. This time it was a case of diamond cut -diamond. If the coroner was self-important, he was no more so than his -witness. If he spoke with pomposity she answered with disdain, and if he -was dictatorial she was arrogant. - -"You are housekeeper here?" Berg began. - -"That is my position, but I was also the fiance of the late Mr. -Trowbridge and should have been his wife next month, had he lived so -long." - -"Confine your answers, please, to the questions asked." - -"Your question required two statements in reply." - -"You are a beneficiary under the will of Mr. Trowbridge?" - -"I have not yet heard the will read." - -"Do you not know?" - -"I know only what Mr. Trowbridge himself told me." - -"And that was?" - -"That I should inherit a handsome sum, in addition to this house and its -contents." - -"In the event of your being his wife?" - -"In the event of his death." - -"Do you know anything further than we have heard of Mr. Trowbridge's -movements on the day that he met his death?" - -"I do,--a little." Eleanor Black bridled and smiled sadly. The jurymen -gazed in involuntary admiration, for the features of the beautiful -brunette took on an added charm from that slight smile. - -"What is it?" - -"He telephoned to me about two o'clock, saying he would be home early and -we would go out for a little motor ride. He was very fond of -motoring,--with me." - -The last two words were added in a lower tone that implied a most -romantic attachment between these two. - -"He intended to leave his office shortly after noon, then?" - -"Possibly it was a little later than two that he called me up. I don't -remember exactly. But he said he would be home by three or four." - -"And when he did not appear were you not alarmed?" - -"No, Mr. Trowbridge was so apt to have unexpected business matters turn -up, that I merely supposed that was the case, and thought nothing strange -of it. Nor was I surprised when he did not appear at six. I felt sure, -then, that some important development in his affairs had kept him down -town so late." - -"Miss Trowbridge was greatly alarmed?" - -"Yes." - -The superb indifference of Eleanor Black's manner showed clearly that it -was a matter of no moment to her if another had been anxious. - -"Have you any suspicion as to who could have done this thing?" - -The great black eyes of the witness turned slowly toward the coroner. At -the remark about Avice she had looked carelessly in another direction. - -"I think not," she said. - -"Are you not sure?" - -"What do you mean by suspicion?" - -"Do you know of anybody who might have killed Mr. Trowbridge?" - -"That's no question!" Her scorn was marked. "Hundreds of people _might_ -have killed him." - -"Do you know of any one, then, who you think would be likely to have done -so?" - -"Likely to? Goodness, no." - -"Who possibly did do so, then?" - -"Possibly?" - -"Yes, possibly. Is there any one whom you can definitely consider a -possible suspect?" - -"No; I don't know of any one." - -The widow was a most provoking witness. She gave an impression of holding -something back, yet her face wore an ingenuous expression and she pouted -a little, as if unfairly addressed. - -"You were at home all day yesterday?" the coroner went on. - -"Yes, I expected Mr. Trowbridge, so of course I did not go out." - -"Why, Eleanor," exclaimed Avice, impulsively, "you went out for an hour -soon after luncheon. Don't you know, I gave you a letter to post?" - -"Oh, yes, I forgot that," and Mrs. Black looked a trifle confused. "I was -sure Mr. Trowbridge wouldn't get here before three, so I ran out for a -few moments." - -"Where did you go?" - -"Oh, nowhere in particular. I only went to get a little air. Just walking -around the adjacent blocks." She spoke lightly, but her heightened color -and quickened breathing betokened an embarrassment which she strove not -to show, and, too, she cast a glance at Avice that was anything but -friendly. - -The coroner seemed unable to think of anything else to ask the witness. -He looked at her thoughtfully, and she returned his glance coolly, but he -questioned her no further just then. - -The butler came next, and his testimony was garbled and incoherent. His -emotion frequently overcame him, and he was unable to speak. - -At last Judge Hoyt spoke rather sharply to him. - -"Brace up, Stryker," he said. "If you can do a good turn for a master who -was always kind to you, don't spoil your chance by acting like a baby. If -your betters can control themselves, surely you can." - -With an effort Stryker stopped shuffling about and a few more sniffs -ended his emotional outburst. - -"I'm sixty years old," he said, apologetically, and, apparently, to all -present, "and I've been in this same employ for fifteen years. It's -natural as to how I should feel bad, ain't it, now, Mr. Coroner?" - -"Yes, my man, but it's also natural that you should try to control your -grief. As Judge Hoyt says, you may render assistance to your late master -by your testimony. Now, tell us all you know of Mr. Trowbridge's callers -of late, or any little thing that might come to your notice as a butler. -Sometimes you servants have opportunities of observation not known -upstairs." - -"That we have, sir," and Stryker nodded his head thoughtfully. "Yes, that -we have. But I know nothing, sir, nothing at all, as has a bearing on the -death of the master,--no, sir, not anything." - -"'Methinks the fellow doth protest too much,'" Pinckney murmured to -himself. The reporter sat, with sharpened pencils, but so far he felt he -had not much to work on in the way of clues. As to getting a story for -his paper, he was more than satisfied. The elements of the fashionable -household, a divided interest between the two women, the mysterious death -of the millionaire, and now, the uncertain evidence of the old butler, -all these would give him enough for a front page spread. But Pinckney -wanted more than that. He wanted food for his detective instinct. He -wanted clues and evidence of a tangible nature, or at least of an -indicative trend. And he had found little so far. Still, he had found -some, and he had tucked away in his mind several speeches and looks, -that, though not emphasized by the coroner, seemed to him to point -somewhere, even if he had no idea where. - -Further questions brought nothing definite from Stryker, and he was -succeeded by two of the maids. These frightened creatures were even less -communicative, and it was with a sigh of relief that Coroner Berg gave up -all attempt to learn anything from the household, and called on Judge -Hoyt, feeling sure that now he would, at least, get intelligent -testimony. - -The Judge was too well known to be questioned as to his identity and the -coroner proceeded to ask concerning his relations with the deceased. - -"Lifelong friends, almost," replied Hoyt. "We were at college together -and have been more or less associated ever since. Unfortunately, I was -out of town yesterday, or I might know more of Mr. Trowbridge's -movements. For I had expected to see him at his office, but was prevented -by an unexpected call to Philadelphia. I wrote to Mr. Trowbridge that I -could not see him until evening, and as the Philadelphia matter was -connected with his business, I telegraphed from there that I would call -at his house last evening, and give him my report." - -"And then Miss Trowbridge telephoned you?" observed the coroner, who had -heard this before. - -"Yes, and I came right up here, and was here when the police telephoned -of their discovery." - -"Then as you can tell us nothing of yesterday's events, can you throw any -light on the case by anything you know of Mr. Trowbridge's affairs in -general? Had he any enemies, or any quarrel of importance?" - -"No, I am sure he had no quarrel with any one who would go so far as to -kill him. It seems to me it must have been the work of some of those -Camorra societies." - -"Why would they attack him?" - -"Only for purposes of robbery, I should say. But the dagger implies or -may imply an Italian, for American citizens do not go around with such -weapons." - -"That is true. And there may have been robbery of some valuables that we -do not know of. But do you think, Judge Hoyt, that the Camorra is such a -desperate menace? Are not fears of it exaggerated and unfounded?" - -"There is a great deal of the real thing, Mr. Berg. When you consider -that there are a million and a half Italians in America and six hundred -thousand of them are in New York City, it is not surprising that many of -their secret societies are represented here. Therefore, it seems to me, -that circumstances point to a crime of this sort, whether for robbery or -whether at the hire of some superior criminal." - -"It is certainly possible that if Mr. Trowbridge was desired dead by some -enemy in his own rank of life, the actual deed might have been committed -by a hired crook, whether of an Italian society or of a New York gang. -And the fact of the information first coming from an Italian woman, gives -plausibility to the foreign theory." - -"It may be, and if so, it may prove a very difficult matter to discover -the truth." - -"You are right, Judge, and so far we have but the slightest shreds of -evidence to work on. The articles found in the pockets of Mr. Trowbridge -give absolutely no clues toward detection." - -At this, Pinckney pricked up his ears. Surely there must be a hint here, -if one were but bright enough to see it. - - - - - CHAPTER V - THE SWEDE - - -All the others present, as well as the young reporter, looked on with -eager interest as the contents of the pockets were exhibited. - -There were a great many articles, but all were just what might be looked -for in the pockets of a well-to-do business man. - -Several letters, cards, memoranda and telegrams. The usual knife, bunch -of keys, pencil, watch and money. Also a small pair of folding scissors -and a couple of handkerchiefs. - -In a gold locket was a portrait of Mrs. Black, but there was no other -jewelry. - -"Perhaps some jewelry was taken," suggested a juryman, but both Avice and -Mrs. Black were sure that Mr. Trowbridge had on none. - -He was wearing a bow tie, and a soft shirt with its own buttons, the -report informed them, so there was no occasion for studs or pin. - -The letters were read, as of possible interest. There were two or three -bills for personal matters. There was the letter Judge Hoyt himself had -told of sending to announce his trip to Philadelphia. There was also a -telegram from the Judge in Philadelphia saying, - - Peddie agrees. Everything O. K. See you tonight. - - Hoyt. - -All of these roused little or no interest. Judge Hoyt explained that -Peddie was the man with whom he was making a deal with a real estate -corporation for Mr. Trowbridge, and that the matter had been successfully -put through to a conclusion. - -But next was shown a letter so old that it was in worn creases and fairly -dropping apart. It had evidently been carried in the pocket for years. -Gingerly unfolding it, Coroner Berg read a note from Professor Meredith -that was angry, even vituperative. The bone of contention was the -classification of a certain kind of beetle, and the letter implied that -Mr. Trowbridge was ignorant and stubborn in his opinions and his method -of expressing them. There was no threat of any sort, merely a scathing -diatribe of less than a page in length. But it was quite evident that it -had hurt Rowland Trowbridge severely, as its date proved that he had -carried it around for two years. - -And there was another old letter. This was from Justice Greer and was a -blast on some old political matter. Here again, a strong enmity was -shown, but nothing that could be construed as an intimation of revenge or -even retaliation. - -Still there were the two letters from decided enemies, and they must be -looked into. - -Avice, in her own heart, was sure they meant nothing serious. Her uncle -had held these two grudges a long time, but she didn't think any recent -or desperate matter had ensued. - -Some newspaper clippings, most of them concerning Natural History, and a -few elaborate recipes for cooking, completed the collection found in the -pockets. - -"Nothing in the least indicative, unless it might be those two old -letters," commented the coroner. - -Pinckney was disappointed. He had hoped for some clue that he could -trace. Like Avice, he thought little of the old letters. Those two -eminent citizens were most unlikely to murder a colleague, or even to -employ a rogue to do it for them. To his mind, there was nothing -enlightening in all the inquest so far. Indeed, he had almost no use for -the Black Hand theory. It didn't seem convincing to him. He thought -something would yet come out to give them a direction in which to look, -or else the truth would never be discovered. - -And then there was a commotion in the hall, and an officer came in -bringing with him a big, husky-looking Swede, and a pale blue-eyed little -woman. - -"This is Clem Sandstrom," the officer informed the coroner. "And this is -his wife. You can get their stories best from them." - -The big foreigner was very ill at ease. He shuffled about, and when told -where to sit, he dropped into the chair with his stolid countenance -expressing an awed fear. - -The woman was more composed, but seemed overwhelmed at the unaccustomed -splendor of her surroundings. She gazed at the pictures and statues with -round, wide eyes, and glanced timidly at Avice, as if the girl might -resent her presence there. - -"What is your name?" asked Berg of the big Swede. - -"Clem Sandstrom, Ay bane a Swede, but Ay bane by America already two -years." - -"Where do you live and what do you do?" - -"Ay live up in the Bronnix, and Ay work at the digging." - -"Digging? Where?" - -"Any digging Ay can get. Ay bane good digger." - -"Well, never mind the quality of your digging. What do you know of this -murder of Mr. Trowbridge?" - -"Last night, Ay bane goon home, through Van Coortlandt Park wood, and Ay -heerd a man groan like he was dying. Ay went to him, and Ay lift his -head, but he was nigh about gone then. Ay try to hold up his head, but it -drop back and he say, a few words and he fall back dead." - -"How did you know he was dead?" - -"Ay felt his heart to beat, and it was all still. Ay saw the blood on his -clothes, and Ay know he bane stob. Ay think Italian Black Hander did it." - -"And what did you do then?" - -"Ay run away to my home. To my wife. Ay bane afraid the police think Ay -did it." - -"Did you see the police there?" - -"Yes. Ay bane wait behind the bushes till they coom. Ay bane afraid of -everything." - -"Oh, after the man died, you waited around there till the police came?" - -"Yes. Ay thought Ay must do that. Then Ay saw all the police and the dead -wagon, and Ay waited more till they took the man away. Then Ay ran fast -to my home." - -"What did you take from the body?" Coroner Berg spoke sternly and the -already frightened man trembled in his chair. - -"Ay take nothing. Ay would not rob a corp. Nay, that I wouldn't." - -"And you took nothing away from the place?" - -The Swede hesitated. He glanced at his wife, and like an accusing -Nemesis, she nodded her head it him. - -"Tell the truth, Clem," she cried shrilly. "Tell about the strange -bottle." - -"A bottle?" asked the coroner. - -"Yes, but it was of no use," Sandstrom spoke sulkily now. "It was an old -milk bottle." - -"A milk bottle? Then it had nothing to do with the crime." - -"That's what Ay think. But the wife says to tell. The milk bottle, a pint -one, was much buried in the ground." - -"How did it get in so deeply? Was it put there purposely?" - -"Ay tank so. It had in it----" The man made a wry face, as at a -recollection. - -"Well, what?" - -"Ay don't know. But it smelled something very _very_ bad. And molasses -too." - -"Molasses in it?" - -"Yes, a little down in the bottom of the bottle. Such a queer doings!" - -"Have you the bottle?" - -"At my home, yes. The wife make me empty the bad stuff out." - -"Why?" and Berg turned to the Swedish woman. - -"I think it a poison. I think the bad man kill the good man with a -poison." - -"Well, I don't think so. I think you two people trumped up this bottle -business yourselves. It's too ridiculous to be real evidence." - -The jurymen were perplexed. If these Swedes were implicated in the -murder, surely they would not come and give themselves up to justice -voluntarily. Yet, some reasoned that if they were afraid of the police, -they might think it better to come voluntarily than to seem to hide their -connection with it. It is difficult to tell the workings of the -uncultured foreign intellect, and at any rate the story must be -investigated, and the Swedes kept watch of. - -Under the coroner's scrutiny, Sandstrom became more restless than ever. -He shuffled his big feet about and his countenance worked as if in agony. -The woman watched him with solicitude. Apparently, her one thought was to -have him say the right thing. - -Once she went over and whispered to him, but he only shook his head. - -"Why did you kill the man?" the coroner suddenly shot at the witness as -if to trip him. - -Sandstrom looked at him stolidly. "Ay didn't kill him. Ay bane got na -goon." - -"He wasn't shot, he was stabbed." - -"Ay bane got na knife. And Ay na kill him. Ay heerd his dyin' words." The -Swede looked solemn. - -"What were they?" asked the coroner, in the midst of a sudden silence. - -"He said, 'Ay bane murdered! Cain killt me! Wilful murder!' and wi' them -words he deed." - -The simple narrative in the faulty English was dramatic and convincing. -The countenance of the stolid foreigner was sad, and it might well be -that he was telling the truth as he had seen and heard it. - -Like an anti-climax, then, came an explosive "Gee!" from the back of the -room. - -People looked around annoyed, and the coroner rapped on the table in -displeasure. - -"You have heard this witness," he said pompously; "we have no real reason -to disbelieve him. It is clear that Rowland Trowbridge was wilfully -murdered by a dastardly hand, that he lived long enough to tell this, and -to stigmatize as 'Cain' the murderer who struck him down." - -"Gee!" came the explosive voice again; but this time in a discreet -whisper. - -"Silence!" roared the coroner, "another such disturbance and the culprit -will be expelled from the room." - -There was no further interruption and the inquiry proceeded. - -Several employs of Mr. Trowbridge's office were called. Miss Wilkinson, -the stenographer, was an important young person of the blondine variety, -and made the most of her testimony, which amounted to nothing. She -declared that Mr. Trowbridge had been at his office as usual the day -before and that she had written the average number of letters for him, -none of which were in any way bearing in this case or of any import, -except the regular business of her employer. Mr. Trowbridge, she said, -had left the office about two o'clock, telling her he would not return -that day, and bidding her go home after she had finished her routine -work. - -This created a mild sensation. At least, it was established that Mr. -Trowbridge had gone from his office earlier than usual, though this must -have been presupposed, as his body was found miles away from the city at -five o'clock. But nothing further or more definite could Miss Wilkinson -tell, though she was loath to leave the witness stand. - -Coroner Berg was disheartened. He had a natural dislike for the "person -or persons unknown" conclusion, and yet, what other one was possible? -Perfunctorily, he called the office boy, who was employed in Mr. -Trowbridge's private office. - -A few of the audience noted that this was the youth who had remarked -"Gee!" with such enthusiasm and gave him a second look for that reason. - -"What is your name?" - -"Fibsy,--I mean Terence McGuire." - -"Why did you say Fibsy?" - -"'Cause that's what I'm mostly called." - -"Why?" - -"'Cause I'm such a liar." - -"This is no time for frivolity, young man; remember you're a witness." - -"Sure! I know what that means. I ain't a goin' to lie now, you bet! I -know what I'm about." - -"Very well, then. What can you tell us of Mr. Trowbridge's movements -yesterday?" - -"A whole heap. I was on the job all day." - -"What did you see or hear?" - -"I seen and heard a whole lot. But I guess what'll interest you most is a -visitor Mr. Trowbridge had in the mornin'." - -"A visitor?" - -"Yep. And they come near havin'a fight." - -The audience listened breathlessly. The red-headed, freckle-faced youth, -not more than sixteen, held attention as no other witness had. - -It was not because of his heroic presence, or his manly bearing. Indeed, -he was of the shuffling, toe-stubbing type, and by his own admission, he -had gained a nickname by continual and more or less successful lying. But -in spite of that, truth now shone from his blue eyes and human nature is -quick to recognize the signs of honesty. - -"Tell about it in your own way," said the coroner, while the reporter -braced up with new hope. - -"Well, Mr. Berg, it was this way. Yest'day mornin' a guy blew into the -office,----" - -"What time?" - -"'Bout 'leven, I guess. It was 'bout an hour 'fore eats. Well, he wanted -to see Mr. T. and as he was a feller that didn't seem to want to be -fooled with, I slips in to Mr. T's private office an' I sez, 'Guy outside -wants to see you.' 'Where's his card?' says Mr. T. 'No pasteboards,' says -I, 'but he says you'll be pleased to meet him.' Well, about now, the guy, -he's a big one, walks right over me and gets himself into the inner -office. 'Hello, Uncle Rowly,' says he, and stands there smilin'. 'Good -gracious, is this you, Kane?' says Mr. Trowbridge, kinder half pleased -an' half mad. 'Yep,' says the big feller, and sits down as ca'm as you -please. 'Whatter you want?' says Mr. T. 'Briefly?' says the guy, lookin' -sharp at him. 'Yes,' an' Mr. T. jest snapped it out. 'Money,' says the -guy. 'I thought so. How much?' an' Mr. T. shut his lips together like he -always does when he's mad. 'Fifty thousand dollars,' says Friend Nephew, -without the quiver of an eyelash. 'Good-morning,' says uncle s'renely, -But the chap wasn't fazed. 'Greeting or farewell?' says he, smilin' like. -Then Mr. T. lit into him. 'A farewell, sir!' he says, 'and the last!' But -Nephew comes up smilin' once again, already, yet! 'Oh, say, now, uncle,' -he begins, and then he lays out before Mr. T. the slickest minin' -proposition it was ever my misfortune to listen to, when I didn't have no -coin to go into it myself! But spiel as beautiful as he would, he -couldn't raise answerin' delight on the face of his benefactor-to-be. He -argued an' he urged an' he kerjoled, but not a mite could he move him. At -last Mr. Trowbridge, he says, 'No, Kane, I've left you that amount in my -will, or I'll give it to you if you'll stay in New York city; but I -_won't_ give it to you to put in any confounded hole in the ground out -West!' And no amount of talk changed that idea of Mr. T.'s. Well, was -that nephew mad! Well, _was_ he! Not ragin' or blusterin', but just a -white and still sort o' mad, like he'd staked all and lost. He got up, -with dignerty and he bowed a little mite sarkasterkul, and he says, -''Scuse me fer troublin' you, uncle; but I know of one way to get that -money. I'll telephone you when I've raised it.' And he walked out, not -chop-fallen, but with a stride like Jack the Giant Killer." - -Fibsy paused, and there was a long silence. The coroner was trying to -digest this new testimony, that might or might not be of extreme -importance. - -"What was this man's name?" he said, at last. - -"I don't remember his full name, sir. Seems 'sif the last name began with -L,--but I wouldn't say for sure." - -"And his first name?" - -"Kane, sir. I heard Mr. Trowbridge call him that a heap of times, sir." - -"Kane!" - -"Yes, sir." And then Fibsy added, in an awed voice, "that's why I said, -'Gee'!" - -The coroner looked at the expectant audience. "It seems to me," he began -slowly, "that this evidence of the office boy, if credible or not, must -at least be looked into. While not wishing to leap to unwarranted -conclusions, we must remember that the Swede declared that with his dying -breath, Mr. Trowbridge denounced his murderer as Cain! It must be -ascertained if, instead of the allusion to the first murderer, which we -naturally assumed, he could have meant to designate this nephew, named -Kane. Does any one present know the surname of this nephew?" - -There was a stir in the back part of the room, and a man rose and came -forward. He was tall and strong and walked with that free, swinging step, -that suggests to those who know of such things, the memory of alfalfa and -cactus. With shoulders squared and head erect, he approached the coroner -at his table and said "I am Kane Landon, a nephew of the late Rowland -Trowbridge." - - - - - CHAPTER VI - OUT OF THE WEST - - -A bomb dropped from an aeroplane could scarcely have caused greater -excitement among the audience. Every eye in the room followed the tall -young figure, as Kane Landon strode to the table behind which the coroner -sat. That worthy official looked as if he had suddenly been bereft of all -intelligence as well as power of speech. In fact, he sat and looked at -the man before him, with such an alarmed expression, that one might -almost have thought he was the culprit, and the new witness the accusing -judge. - -But Mr. Berg pulled himself together, and began his perfunctory -questions. - -"You are Kane Landon?" - -"Yes." - -"Related to Mr. Trowbridge?" - -"I am the nephew of his wife, who died many years ago." - -"Where do you live?" - -"For the last five years I have lived in Denver, Colorado." - -"And you are East on a visit?" - -"I came East, hoping to persuade my uncle to finance a mining project in -which I am interested." - -"And which he refused to do?" - -"Which he refused to do." - -There was something about the young man's manner which was distinctly -irritating to Coroner Berg. It was as if the stranger was laughing at -him, and yet no one could show a more serious face than the witness -presented. The onlookers held their breath in suspense. Avice stared at -young Landon. She remembered him well. Five years ago they had been great -friends, when she was fifteen and he twenty. Now, he looked much more -than five years older. He was bronzed, and his powerful frame had -acquired a strong, well-knit effect that told of outdoor life and much -exercise. His face was hard and inscrutable of expression. He was not -prepossessing, nor of an inviting demeanor, but rather repelling in -aspect. His stern, clear-cut mouth showed a haughty curve and a scornful -pride shone in the steely glint of his deep gray eyes. He stood erect, -his hands carelessly clasped behind him, and seemed to await further -questioning. - -Nor did he wait long. The coroner's tongue once loosed, his queries came -direct and rapid. - -"Will you give an account of your movements yesterday, Mr. Landon?" - -"Certainly. The narrative of my uncle's office boy is substantially true. -I reached New York from the West day before yesterday. I went yesterday -morning to see my uncle. I asked him for the money I wanted and he -refused it. Then I went away." - -"And afterward?" - -"Oh, afterward, I looked about the city a bit, and went back to my hotel -for luncheon." - -"And after luncheon?" - -Landon's aplomb seemed suddenly to desert him. "After luncheon," he -began, and paused. He shifted his weight to the other foot; he unclasped -his hands and put them in his pockets; he frowned as if in a brown study -and finally, his eyes fell on Avice and rested there. The girl was gazing -at him with an eager, strained face, and it seemed to arrest his -attention to the exclusion of all else. - -"Well?" said the coroner, impatiently. - -Landon's fair hair was thick and rather longer than the conventions -decreed. He shook back this mane, with a defiant gesture, and said -clearly, "After luncheon, I went to walk in Van Cortlandt Park." - -The audience gasped. Was this the honesty of innocence or the bravado of -shameless guilt? - -Leslie Hoyt looked at Landon curiously. Hoyt was a clever man and quick -reader of character, but this young Westerner apparently puzzled him. He -seemed to take a liking to him, but reserved decision as to the -justification of this attitude. Avice went white and was afraid she was -going to faint. To her, the admission sounded like a confession of the -crime, and it was too incredible to be believed. And yet, as she -remembered Kane, it was like him to tell the truth. In their old play -days, he had often told the truth, she remembered, even though to his own -disadvantage. And she remembered, too, how he had often escaped with a -lighter punishment because he had been frank! Was this his idea? Had he -really killed his uncle, and fearing discovery, was he trying to -forestall the consequences by admission? - -"Mr. Landon," went on the coroner, "that is a more or less incriminating -statement. Are you aware your uncle was murdered in Van Cortlandt Park -woods yesterday afternoon?" - -"Yes," was the reply, but in a voice so low as to be almost inaudible. - -"At what time were you there?" - -"I don't know, exactly. I returned home before sundown." - -"Why did you go there?" - -"Because when with my uncle in the morning he happened to remark there -were often good golf games played there, and as it was a beautiful -afternoon, and I had nothing especial to do, I went out there." - -"Why did you not go to call on your cousin, Miss Trowbridge?" - -Landon glared at the speaker. "You are outside your privileges in asking -that question. I decline to answer. My personal affairs in no way concern -you. Kindly get to the point. Am I under suspicion of being my uncle's -murderer?" - -"Perhaps that is too definite a statement, but it is necessary for us to -learn the truth about your implication in the matter." - -"Go on, then, with your questions. But for Heaven's sake, keep to the -point, and don't bring in personal or family affairs. And incidentally, -Miss Trowbridge is _not_ my cousin." - -The words were spoken lightly, almost flippantly, and seemed to some -listeners as if meant to divert attention from the business in hand. - -"But she is the niece of the late Mr. Trowbridge." - -"Miss Trowbridge is the daughter of Mr. Trowbridge's brother, who died -years ago. I am the nephew of Mr. Trowbridge's late wife, as I believe I -have already stated." - -Nobody liked the young man's manner. It was careless, indifferent, and -inattentive. He stood easily, and was in no way embarrassed, but his -bravado, whether real or assumed, was distasteful to those who were -earnestly trying to discover the facts of the crime that had been -committed. There were many who at once leaped to the conclusion that the -Swede's testimony of the victim's dying words, proved conclusively that -the murderer was of a necessity this young man, whose name was Kane, and -who so freely admitted his presence near the scene of the tragedy. - -"As you suggest, Mr. Landon," said the coroner, coldly, "we will keep to -the point. When you were in Van Cortlandt Park, yesterday, did you see -your uncle, Mr. Trowbridge there?" - -"I did not." - -The answer was given in a careless, unconcerned way that exasperated the -coroner. - -"Can you prove that?" he snapped out. - -Landon looked at him in mild amazement, almost amusement. "Certainly -not," he replied; "nor do I need to. The burden of proof rests with you. -If you suspect me of having killed my uncle, it is for you to produce -proof." - -Coroner Berg looked chagrined. He had never met just this sort of a -witness before, and did not know quite how to treat him. - -And yet Landon was respectful, serious, and polite. Indeed, one might -have found it hard to say what was amiss in his attitude, but none could -deny there was something. It was after all, an aloofness, a separateness, -that seemed to disconnect this man with the proceedings now going on; and -which was so, only because the man himself willed it. - -Coroner Berg restlessly and only half-consciously sensed this state of -things, and gropingly strove to fasten on some facts. - -Nor were these hard to find. The facts were clear and startling enough, -and were to a legal mind conclusive. There was, so far as known, no -eye-witness to the murder, but murderers do not usually play to an -audience. - -"We have learned, Mr. Landon," the coroner said, "that you had an -unsatisfactory interview with your uncle; that you did not get from him -the money you desired. That, later, he was killed in a locality where you -admit you were yourself. That his dying words are reported to be, 'Kane -killed me! willful murder.' I ask you what you have to say in refutation -of the conclusions we naturally draw from these facts?" - -There was a hush over the whole room, as the answer to this arraignment -was breathlessly awaited. - -At last it came. Landon looked the coroner squarely in the eye, and said: -"I have this to say. That my uncle's words,--if, indeed, those were -really his words, might as well refer, as you assumed at first, to any -one else, as to myself. The name Cain, would, of course, mean in a -general way, any one of murderous intent. The fact that my own name -chances to be Kane is a mere coincidence, and in no sense a proof of my -guilt." - -The speaker grew more emphatic in voice and gesture as he proceeded, and -this did not militate in his favor. Rather, his irritation and vehement -manner prejudiced many against him. Had he been cool and collected, his -declarations would have met better belief, but his agitated tones sounded -like the last effort in a lost cause. - -With harrowing pertinacity, the coroner quizzed and pumped the witness as -to his every move of the day before. Landon was forced to admit that he -had quarreled with his uncle, and left him in a fit of temper, and with a -threat to get the money elsewhere. - -"And did you get it?" queried the coroner at this point. - -"I did not." - -"Where did you hope to get it?" - -"I refuse to tell you." - -"Mr. Landon, your manner is not in your favor. But that is not an -essential point. The charges I have enumerated are as yet unanswered: -and, moreover, I am informed by one of my assistants that there is -further evidence against you. Sandstrom, come forward." - -The stolid-looking Swede came. - -"Look at Mr. Landon," said Berg; "do you think you saw him in Van -Cortlandt Park yesterday?" - -"Ay tank Ay did." - -"Near the scene of the murder?" - -"Ay tank so." - -"You lie!" - -The voice that rang out was that of Fibsy, the irrepressible. - -And before the coroner could remonstrate, the boy was up beside the -Swede, talking to him in an earnest tone. "Clem Sandstrom," he said, "you -are saying what you have been told to say! Ain't you?" - -"Ay tank so," returned the imperturbable Swede. - -"There!" shouted Fibsy, triumphantly; "now, wait a minute, Mr. Berg," and -by the force of his own insistence Fibsy held the audience, while he -pursued his own course. He drew a silver quarter from his pocket and -handed it to Sandstrom. "Look at that," he cried, "look at it good!" He -snatched it back. "Did you look at it good?" and he shook his fist in the -other's face. - -"Yes, Ay look at it good." - -"All right; now tell me where the plugged hole in it was? Was it under -the date, or was it over the eagle?" - -The Swede thought deeply. - -"Be careful, now! Where was it, old top? Over the eagle?" - -"Yes. Ay tank it been over the eagle." - -"You _tank_ so! Don't you _know_?" - -The heavy face brightened. "Yes, Ay _know_! Ay know it been over the -eagle." - -"You're _sure_?" - -"Yes, Ay bane sure." - -"All right, pard. You see, Mr. Coroner," and Fibsy handed the quarter -over to Berg, "they ain't no hole in it anywhere!" - -Nor was there. Berg looked mystified. "What's it all about?" he said, -helplessly. - -"Why," said Fibsy, eagerly, "don't you see, if that fool Swede don't know -enough to see whether there's a hole in a piece o' chink or not, he ain't -no reliable witness in a murder case!" - -The boy had scored. So far as the Swede's alleged recognition of Landon -was evidence, it was discarded at once. Coroner Berg looked at the boy in -perplexity, not realizing just how the incident of the silver quarter had -come about. It was by no means his intention to allow freckle-faced -office boys to interfere with his legal proceedings. He had read in a -book about mal-observation and the rarity of truly remembered evidence, -but he had not understood it clearly and it was only a vague idea to him. -So it nettled him to have the principle put to a practical use by an -impertinent urchin, who talked objectionable slang. - -Judge Hoyt looked at Fibsy with growing interest. That boy had brains, he -concluded, and might be more worth-while than his appearance indicated. -Avice, too, took note of the bright-eyed chap, and Kane Landon, himself, -smiled in open approval. - -But Fibsy was in no way elated, or even conscious that he had attracted -attention. He had acted on impulse; he had disbelieved the Swede's -evidence, and he had sought to disprove it by a simple experiment, which -worked successfully. His assertion that the Swede had been told to say -that he recognized Landon, was somewhat a chance shot. - -Fibsy reasoned it out, that if Sandstrom had seen Landon in the woods, he -would have recognized him sooner at the inquest, or might even have told -of him before his appearance. And he knew that the police now suspected -Landon, and as they were eager to make an arrest, they had persuaded the -Swede that he had seen the man. Sandstrom's brain was slow and he had -little comprehension. Whether guilty or innocent, he had come to the -scene at his wife's orders, and might he not equally well have testified -at the orders or hints of the police? At any rate, he had admitted that -he had been told to say what he had said, and so he had been disqualified -as a witness. - -And yet, it all proved nothing, rather it left them with no definite -proof of any sort. Fibsy ignored the stupid-looking Swede, and stared at -the coroner, until that dignitary became a little embarrassed. Realizing -that he had lessened his own importance to a degree, Berg strove to -regain lost ground. - -"Good work, my boy," he said, condescendingly, and with an air of -dismissing the subject. "But the credibility of a witness's story must -rest with the gentlemen of the jury. I understand all about those -theories of psy--psychology, as they call them, but I think they are of -little, if any, use in practice." - -"Oh, I wouldn't say that," said Judge Hoyt. "I find them very -interesting. Do _you_ always see things clearly, Terence?" - -"It isn't seeing clearly," said Fibsy, with an earnest face, "it's seein' -true. Now, f'r instance, Mr. Coroner, is the number for six o'clock, on -your watch, a figger or a VI?" - -"I cannot allow this child's play," and Mr. Berg looked decidedly angry. - -"But that's rather a good one," said Judge Hoyt. "Come, now, Berg, do you -know which it is?" - -"Certainly I do," Berg snapped out. "It's the Roman letters, VI." - -"Yessir?" said Fibsy, eagerly. "An' are they right side up, or upside -down, as you hold Twelve at the top?" - -Berg thought a moment. "As I hold Twelve at the top, they're upside down, -of course. All the numbers have their base toward the centre of the -dial." - -"Then the Six on your watch is VI, with the tops of the letters next the -rim of the watch?" - -"It is," said Berg, adding sneeringly, "would you like to see it?" - -"Yessir," and Fibsy darted forward. - -The coroner snapped his watch open, and after a brief glance, the boy -gave a quick little wag of his head, and went back to his seat without a -word. - -But the man flushed a fiery red, and his pompous air deserted him. - -"Were you right, Berg?" asked Judge Hoyt. "Come now, own up?" - -"A very natural error," mumbled the coroner, and then Detective Groot -pounced on him, demanding to see his watch. - -"Why, there's no six on it at all!" he cried and then gave an -uncontrollable guffaw. "There's only a round place with the second hand -into it!" - -"This tomfoolery must be stopped," began the coroner, but he had to pause -in his speech until the ripple of merriment had subsided and the jury had -realized afresh the seriousness of their purpose. - -"Hold on Berg, that's a fairly good one on a coroner," said Judge Hoyt, a -little severely. "Have you looked at that watch for years and didn't know -there was no six on it?" - -"I s'pose I have. I never thought about it." - -"It does show the unreliability of testimony intended to be truthful," -and Hoyt spoke thoughtfully. "Terence, how did you know Mr. Berg's watch -had a second hand instead of the six numeral?" - -"I didn't know a thing about it. But I wanted to see if _he_ did. It -might of been a six upside down fer all o' me, but most watches has -second hands there and most people don't know it. I got it out of a book. -People don't see true. They think a watch has gotter _say_ six o'clock, -they don't remember it might mean it but not say it." - -Again Hoyt gave the boy a look of appreciation. "Keen-witted," he said to -himself. "Ought to make his mark." And then he glanced back to the -discomfited coroner. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - STEPHANOTIS - - -Now Mr. Berg's disposition was of the sort that when offended, desires to -take it out of some one else rather than to retaliate on the offender. -So, after a little further questioning of the still bewildered Swede he -turned again to Landon. - -"Let us dismiss the matter of the Swede and his evidence," he said, -lightly, "and resume the trend of our investigations. Do I understand, -Mr. Landon, that you expect to inherit a legacy from your late uncle?" - -Landon's eyes flashed. "I don't know what you understand, Mr. Coroner. As -a matter of fact, I haven't much opinion of your understanding. But I -know nothing of the legacy you speak of, save that my uncle said to me -yesterday, that he would leave me fifty thousand dollars in his will. -Whether he did or not, I do not know." - -The statement was made carelessly, as most of Kane Landon's statements -were, and he seemed all unaware of the conclusions immediately drawn from -his words. - -"Judge Hoyt," said the coroner, turning to the lawyer, "are you -acquainted with the terms of Mr. Trowbridge's will?" - -"Most certainly, as I drew up the document," was the answer. - -"Is Kane Landon a beneficiary?" - -"Yes; to the extent of fifty thousand dollars." - -It was impossible not to note the gleam of satisfaction that came into -Landon's eyes at this news. Hoyt gave him a stare of utter scorn and -Avice looked amazed and grieved. - -"You seem pleased at the information, Mr. Landon," the coroner observed. - -Landon favored him with a calm, indifferent glance and made no response. - -Berg turned again to Miss Wilkinson, the blonde stenographer. - -"Will you tell me," he said, "if you know, what caused Mr. Trowbridge to -leave his office early, yesterday?" - -The girl hesitated. She shot a quick glance at Landon, and then looked -down again. She fidgeted with her handkerchief, and twice essayed to -speak, but did not finish. - -"Come," said Berg, sharply, "I am waiting." - -"I don't know," said Miss Wilkinson at last. - -Fibsy gave a quick whistle. "She does know," he declared; "she takes all -the telephone calls, and she knows the G'uvnor went out 'cause somebody -telephoned for him." - -"Is this true?" asked Berg of the girl. - -"How can I tell?" she retorted, pertly. "Mr. Trowbridge had a lot of -telephone calls yesterday, and I don't know whether he went out because -of one of them or not. _I_ don't listen to a telephone conversation after -Mr. Trowbridge takes the wire." - -"You do so!" said Fibsy, in a conversational tone. "Mr. Berg, Yellowtop -told me just after the Guv'nor went out, that he'd gone 'cause somebody -asked him over the wire to go to Van Cortlandt Park." - -"Tell the truth," said Berg to the girl, curtly. - -"Well, I just as lief," she returned; "but it ain't my way to tell of -private office matters in public." - -"Make it your way, now, then. It's time you understand the seriousness of -this occasion!" - -"All right. Somebody, then,--some man,--did call Mr. Trowbridge about two -o'clock, and asked him to go to Van Cortlandt Park." - -"What for? Did he say?" - -"Yes, he said somebody had set a trap for him." - -"Set a trap for him! What did he mean?" - -"How do I know what he meant? I ain't a mind-reader! I tell you what he -said,--I can't make up a meanin' for it too. And I ain't got a right to -tell this much. I don't want to get nobody in trouble." - -The girl was almost in tears now, but whether the sympathy was for -herself or another was an open question. - -"You have heard, Miss Wilkinson, of testimony that means to be true, but -is--er--inexact." The coroner smiled a trifle, as if thus atoning for his -own late slip. "Therefore, I beg that you will do your utmost to remember -exactly what that message was." - -"I do, 'cause I thought it was such a funny one. The man said, 'you'd -better come, he's set a trap for you.' And Mr. Trowbridge says 'I can't -go today, I've got an engagement' And the other man said, 'Oh, c'mon. -It's a lovely day, and I'll give you some stephanotis.'" - -"Stephanotis!" - -"Yes, sir, I remembered that, 'cause it's my fav'rite puffume." - -"Was Mr. Trowbridge in the habit of using perfumery?" asked Berg of -Avice. - -"Never," she replied, looking at the blonde witness with scorn. - -"I don't care," Miss Wilkinson persisted, doggedly; "I know he said that, -for I had a bottle of stephanotis one Christmas, and I never smelled -anything so good. And then he said something about the Caribbean Sea----" - -"Now, Miss Wilkinson, I'm afraid you're romancing a little," and the -coroner looked at her in reproof. - -"I'm telling you what I heard. If you don't want to hear it, I'll stop." - -"We want to hear it, if it's true, not otherwise. Are you sure this man -said these absurd things?" - -"They weren't absurd, leastways, Mr. Trowbridge didn't think so. I know -that, 'cause he was pleasant and polite, and when the man said he'd give -him some stephanotis Mr. Trowbridge said, right off, he'd go." - -"Go to the Caribbean Sea with him?" - -"I don't know whether he meant that or not. I didn't catch on to what he -said about that, but I heard Caribbean Sea all right." - -"Do you know where that sea is?" - -"No, sir. But I studied it in my geography at school, I forget where it -is, but I remember the name." - -"Well it's between--er--that is, it's somewhere near South America, and -the--well, it's down that way. Did this man speaking sound like a -foreigner?" - -"N--no, not exactly." - -"Like an American?" - -"Yes,--I think so." - -"Explain your hesitation." - -"Well," said the girl, desperately, "he sounded like he was trying to -sort of disguise his voice,--if you know what I mean." - -"I know exactly what you mean. How did you know it was a disguised -voice?" - -"It was sort of high and then sort of low as if making believe somebody -else." - -"You're a very observing young woman. I thought you didn't listen to -telephone conversations of your employer." - -"Well, I just happened to hear this one. And it was so--so queer, I kind -of kept on listenin' for a few minutes." - -"It may be fortunate that you did, as your report is interesting. Now, -can you remember any more, any other words or sentences?" - -"No sir. There was a little more but I didn't catch it. They seemed to -know what they was talkin' about, but most anybody else wouldn't. But I'm -dead sure about the puffumery and the Sea." - -"Those are certainly queer words to connect with this case. But maybe the -message you tell of was not the one that called Mr. Trowbridge to the -Park." - -"Maybe not, sir." - -"It might have been a friend warning him of the trap set for him, and -urging him to go south to escape it." - -"Maybe sir." - -"These things must be carefully looked into. We must get the number of -the telephone call and trace it." - -"Can't be done," said Detective Groot, who being a taciturn man listened -carefully and said little. "I've tried too many times to trace a call to -hold out any hopes of this. If it came from a big exchange it might be -barely possible to trace it; but if from a private wire or a public -booth, or from lots of such places you'll never find it. Never in the -world." - -"Is it then so difficult to trace a telephone call?" asked one of the -jury. "I didn't know it." - -"Yes, sir," repeated Groot. "Why there was a big case in New York years -ago, where they made the telephone company trace a call and it cost the -company thousands of dollars. After that they tore up their slips. But -then again, you might _happen_ to find out what you want. But not at all -likely, no, not a bit likely." - -Avice looked at the speaker thoughtfully. The night before she had asked -the number of a call and received it at once. But, she remembered, she -asked a few moments after the call was made, and of the same operator. -Her thoughts wandered back to that call made by Eleanor Black, and again -she felt that impression of something sly about the woman. And to think, -she had the number of that call, and could easily find out who it -summoned. But all such things must wait till this investigation of the -present was over. She looked at Mrs. Black. - -The handsome widow wore her usual sphinx-like expression and she was -gazing steadily at Kane Landon. Avice thought she detected a look in the -dark eyes as of a special, even intimate interest in the young man. She -had no reason to think they were acquaintances, yet she couldn't help -thinking they appeared so. At any rate, Eleanor Black was paying little -or no attention to the proceedings of the inquest. But Avice remembered -she had expressed a distaste and aversion to detectives and all their -works. Surely, the girl thought, she could not have cared very much for -Uncle Rowly, if she doesn't feel most intense interest in running the -murderer to ground. - -She turned again toward the coroner to hear him saying: - -"And then, Miss Wilkinson, after this mysterious message, did Mr. -Trowbridge leave the office at once?" - -"Yes sir. Grabbed his hat and scooted right off. Said he wouldn't be back -all afternoon." - -"And you did not recognize the voice as any that you had ever heard?" - -"No, sir." - -"And you gathered nothing from the conversation that gave you any hint of -who the speaker might be?" - -Whether it was the sharp eye of Mr. Berg compelling her, or a latent -regard for the truth, the yellow-haired girl, for some reason, stammered -out, "Well, sir, whoever it was, called Mr. Trowbridge 'uncle.'" - -Again one of those silences that seemed to shriek aloud in denunciation -of the only man present who would be supposed to call Mr. Trowbridge -"uncle." - -Berg turned toward Kane Landon. For a moment the two looked at each -other, and then the younger man's eyes fell. He seemed for an instant on -the verge of collapse, and then, with an evident effort, drew himself up -and faced the assembly. - -"You are all convinced that I am the slayer of my uncle," he said almost -musingly; "well, arrest me, then. It is your duty." - -His hearers were amazed. Such brazen effrontery could expect no leniency. -And too, what loop-hole of escape did the suspect have? Motive, -opportunity, circumstantial evidence, all went to prove his guilt. True, -no one had seen him do the deed; true, he had not himself confessed the -crime; but how could his guilt be doubted in view of all the -incrimination as testified by witnesses? - -The coroner hesitated. He was afraid of this strange young man who seemed -so daring and yet had an effect of bravado rather than guilt. - -"Was it you, Mr. Landon who telephoned to Mr. Trowbridge the message we -have heard reported?" - -"It was not." - -"Did you telephone your uncle at all yesterday?" - -"In the morning, yes. In the afternoon, no." - -"Do you know of any one else who could call him uncle?" - -"No man, that I know of." - -"This was a man speaking, Miss Wilkinson?" - -"Yes, sir, I'm sure it was a man. And Mr. Trowbridge called him nephew." - -"That means, then, Mr. Landon, that it was you speaking, or some other -nephew of Mr. Trowbridge." - -"Might not the stenographer have misunderstood the words? The young lady -reports a strange conversation. I would never have dreamed of offering my -uncle stephanotis." - -"I cannot think any man would. Therefore, I think Miss Wilkinson must -have misunderstood that part of the talk." - -A diversion was created just here by the arrival of a messenger from -headquarters, who brought a possible clue. It was a lead pencil which had -been found near the scene of the crime. - -"Who found it?" asked the coroner. - -"One of the police detectives. He's been scouring ground by daylight, but -this is all he found." - -"Ah, doubtless from Mr. Trowbridge's pocket. Do you think it was his, -Miss Trowbridge?" - -Avice looked at the pencil. "I can't say positively," she replied. "It -very likely was his. I think it is the make he used." - -"Not much of a clue," observed Groot, glancing at the pencil. - -"Kin I see it?" asked Fibsy, eagerly. And scarce waiting for permission, -he stepped to the coroner's table, and looked carefully at the new -exhibit. - -"Yep," he said, "it's the make and the number Mr. Trowbridge always has -in the office. Keep it careful, Mr. Berg, maybe there's finger marks on -it, and they'll get rubbed off." - -"That'll do, McGuire. If you must see everything that's going on, at -least keep quiet." - -"No, it's no clue," grumbled Detective Groot. "There _is_ no real clue, -no key clue, as you may say. And you have to have that, to get at a -mystery. This crime shows no brains, no planning. It isn't the work of an -educated mind. That's why it's most likely an Italian thug." - -Kane Landon's deep gray eyes turned to the speaker. "Whoever planned that -weird telephone message showed some ingenuity," he said. - -"And you did it!" cried the detective, "I meant you to fall into that -trap, and you did. My speech brought it to your mind and you spoke before -you thought. Now, what did you mean by it? What about the Caribbean Sea? -Were you going to take your uncle off there? Was the trap laid for that?" - -"One question at a time," said Landon, with a look that he permitted to -be insolent. "Does it seem to you the sender of that message was getting -my uncle into a trap, or saving him from one? I believe the young woman -reported that the message ran 'He set a trap for you.' Then was it not a -rescuer telling of it?" - -"Don't be too fresh, young man! You can't pull the wool over my eyes! And -that telephone message isn't needed to settle your case. When a man is -found dead, and with his dying breath tells who killed him, I don't need -any further evidence." - -"Keep still, Groot," said the coroner. "We've all agreed that those words -about Cain, might mean any murderer." - -"They might, but they didn't," answered Groot, angrily. - -"As Mr. Landon says," spoke up Judge Hoyt, "it may be merely a -coincidence that his name is Kane, when his uncle had so recently -stigmatized his assailant as Cain. Surely such questionable evidence must -be backed up by some incontrovertible facts." - -Landon looked at this man curiously. He knew him but slightly. He -remembered him as a friend of his uncle's, but he knew nothing of his -attachment for Avice Trowbridge. Kane noted the fine face, the grave and -scholarly brow, and he breathed a sigh of relief to think that the lawyer -had said a kindly word for him. Landon's was a peculiar nature. Reproof -or rebuke always antagonized him, but a sympathetic word softened him at -once. - -Had Landon but known it, he had another friend present. Harry Pinckney, -his college mate, recognized him the moment he entered the room. Then, -obeying a sudden impulse, Pinckney drew back behind a pillar that divided -the two drawing-rooms, as is the fashion of old houses, and had remained -unseen by Landon all the morning. Pinckney himself could scarcely have -told why he did this, but it was due to a feeling that he could not write -his story for his paper with the same freedom of speech if Landon knew of -his presence. For though he refused to himself to call it by so strong a -term as suspicion, Pinckney felt that the coincidence of Cain and Kane -was too unlikely to be true. Regretting his friend's downfall, Pinckney -thought, so far as he had yet discovered, that Landon was the most likely -suspect. And so he did not want to meet him just yet. Later, perhaps, he -could help him in some way or other, but the "story" came first. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - THE MILK BOTTLE - - -"Nothing but an old milk bottle!" exclaimed Berg, disgustedly, as the -exhibit was placed before him on the table. - -That's all it was, and yet somehow the commonplace thing looked uncanny -when considered as evidence in a murder case. But was it evidence? Or was -it merely the remnant of a last week's picnic in the woods? - -A search of the Swede's house had brought the thing to light, and now the -big fellow told again of his finding it. - -Buried, he declared it was, not fifty feet from where he had seen the -dying man. He had not thought at first, that it had any connection with -the murder, and had taken it merely on an impulse of thrifty acquisition -of anything portable. He told his wife to wash out the ill-smelling -contents, and she had done so. - -"If you'd only let it alone!" wailed Groot. "What did the stuff smell -like? Sour milk?" - -"No, no," and Sandstrom shook his head vigorously. "It bane like a -droog." - -"A droog?" - -"Drugs, I suppose you mean," said Berg. "What sort of a drug? Camphor? -Peppermint? Or, say, did it smell like prussic acid? Peach pits? Bitter -almonds? Hey?" - -"Ay tank Ay don't know those names. But it smell bad. And it had -molasses." - -"You stick to that molasses! Well, then I say it's an old molasses bottle -long since discarded, and time and the weather had sunk it in the mud." - -"Na, not weathers. It bane buried by somebody. Ay tank the murderer." - -"The witness's thinks would be of more value," said the policeman who had -brought the bottle, "if we hadn't found this bit of property also, in his -shanty." - -And then, before the eyes of all present, he undid a parcel containing a -blood-stained handkerchief! Blood-soaked, rather, for its original white -was as incarnadined as the hypothetical seas. - -"Hid in between their mattresses," he added; "looks like that settles -it!" - -It did look that way, but had there been a question as to the import of -this mute testimony, it was answered by the effect on the two Swedes. The -woman sank back in her chair, almost fainting, and the man turned ashy -white, while his face took on the expression of despair that signifies -the death of the last flicker of hope. - -"Yours?" asked the coroner, pointing to the tell-tale thing and looking -at Sandstrom. - -"Na!" and the blue eyes looked hunted and afraid. "Ay bane found it anear -the body,----" - -"Yes, you did! Quit lying now, and own up! You're caught with the goods -on. The jig is up, so you may as well confess decently. You hid this in -your mattress!" - -"Yes, Ay hid it, but it is not mine. Ay found it anear the----" - -"Don't repeat that trumped-up yarn! You killed that man! What did you do -with the knife?" - -"Ay got na knife--" - -"Yes, you have! Lots of knives. Come, Mrs. Sandstrom, what have you to -say?" - -But the Swede woman could only incoherently repeat that her husband had -brought home the handkerchief, and declared he had found it, as he had -found the bottle, near the dead body of a strange man. They had hidden it -quickly, lest some of the police come to their house; and the bottle they -had washed to get rid of the foul odor. - -"She's in earnest," said the coroner, looking sharply at her, "he told -her this tale and she believes it, even yet. Or if she doesn't, she'll -stick to it that she does. You see, it all hangs together. Sandstrom -killed Mr. Trowbridge, and probably the dying man _did_ call him Cain, -and cry out 'Wilful murder!' for this fellow wouldn't be likely to make -up such a speech. But it referred to himself and he tried to place it on -another. The bottle story is a made-up yarn, by which he clumsily tried -to imply a poisoning. The lead pencil found there, is Mr. Trowbridge's -own; the queer telephone call had nothing to do with the affair, and -there you are!" - -The case was certainly plain enough. The stained handkerchief showed -clearly that it had been used to wipe a bloody blade. The long red marks -were unmistakable. There was no chance that it might have been used as a -bandage or aid to an injured person. The stains spoke for themselves, and -proclaimed the horrid deed they mutely witnessed. - -A few further questions brought only unintelligible replies from the -Swede, and the verdict was speedy and unanimous. - -Sandstrom was taken off to jail, but his wife was allowed to return to -her home. - -Avice felt sorry for the poor woman, and stepping to her side offered -some words of sympathy. - -"My man didn't do it, Miss," and the light blue eyes looked hopelessly -sad. "He ba'n't that kind. He wouldn't harm anybody. He----" - -But foreseeing an imminent scene, Judge Hoyt took Avice gently by the arm -and drew her away. - -"Don't talk to her," he whispered, "you can do the poor thing no good, -and she may become intractable. Let her alone." - -Avice let herself be persuaded, and she followed the judge to the -library. On the way, however, she was stopped by Stryker, who said the -boy wanted to speak to her. - -"What boy?" asked Avice. - -"That office boy, Miss Avice. He says just a minute, please." - -"Certainly," she returned, kindly, and went back a few steps to find -Fibsy, bashfully twisting his cap in his hands as he waited for her. - -"'Scuse me, Miss, but--are you boss now?" - -"Boss? of what?" - -"Of the--the diggin's--the whole layout--" More by the boy's gestures -than his words, Alice concluded he meant her uncle's business rather than -the home. - -"Why, no, I don't suppose I am, child." - -"Who is, then? The lawyer guy?" - -"Judge Hoyt? No,--what do you want to know for?" - -"Well, Miss, I want a day off--off me job, you know." - -"Oh, is that all? You are--were my uncle's office boy, weren't you?" - -"Yes'm." - -"And your name is Fibsy?" - -"Well, dat name goes." - -"Then I'll take the responsibility of saying you may have your day off. -Indeed, I'm sure you ought to. Go ahead, child, and if anybody inquires -about it, refer him to me. But you must be back in your place tomorrow. -They may need you in--in settling up matters, you know----" - -"Oh, gee, yes! I'll be on deck tomorrow, Miss. But I want today somepin' -fierce,--fer very special reasons." - -"Very well, run along, Fibsy." - -Avice stood looking after the red-headed boy, who seemed for the moment -so closely connected with her uncle's memory. But he darted out of the -open front door and up the street, as one on most important business -bent. - -The girl went on to the library, and found there Kane Landon and the -reporter Pinckney busily engaged in the staccato chatter of reunion. -Meeting for the first time in five years, they reverted to their college -days, even before referring to the awfulness of the present situation. - -"But I must beat it now," Pinckney was saying, as Avice appeared. - -"Look me up, old scout, as soon as you can get around to it. A reporter's -life is not a leisure one, and I've got to cover this story in short -order. Mighty unpleasant bit for you, that Cain speech. No harm done, but -it will drag your name into the paper. So long. Good-by, Miss Trowbridge. -I may see you again sometime,--yes?" - -"I hope so," said Avice, a little absently. "Good-by." - -Then she turned to Landon. For a moment they took each other's two hands -and said no word. - -Then, "It's great to see you again," he began; "I'd scarcely recognize -the little pig-tailed girl I played with five years ago." - -"You teased me more than you played with me," she returned. "You were -twenty then, but you put on all the airs of a grown man." - -"I was, too. I felt old enough to be your father. That's why I used to -lecture you so much, don't you remember?" - -"Indeed I do! You could make me mad by half a dozen words." - -"I knew it, and I loved to do it! I expect I was an awful torment." - -"Yes, you were. But tell me all about yourself. Why are you in New York -and not staying here? Oh, Kane, what does it all mean? I've been in such -miserable uncertainty all the morning. Not that I thought for a minute -you'd done anything--anything wrong, but it's all so horrible. Did you -quarrel with Uncle Rowly yesterday?" - -"Yes, Avice, just as the little chap said. But don't talk about awful -things now. It's all over, the harrowing part, I mean. Now, I just want -to look at you, and get acquainted all over again. Let's put off anything -unpleasant until another day." - -"I remember that trait in you of old. Always put off everything -disagreeable, and hurry on anything nice," and Avice smiled at the -recollection. - -"And not a bad philosophy, my dear. Now tell me of yourself. You are -well--and happy? I mean until this tragedy came." - -"Yes, Kane, I've had a happy home here with Uncle. I liked it better -before Eleanor Blade came, but Uncle wanted a housekeeper, and she -applied for the position and he took her. That was about a year or more -ago, and Kane, what do you think? They were engaged to be married!" - -"Yes, so I learned at the inquest. Don't you like her?" - -"I don't know; I suppose so. But sometimes, I think I don't trust her." - -"Don't trust anybody, my dear Avice. That's the safest and sanest plan." - -"Have you become a cynic? You talk like one." - -"Don't you want me to be one?" - -"Surely not. I hate cynicism." - -"Then I won't be one. For the only wish I have in life is to please you." -Landon's voice fell lower, and glancing about to make sure there was no -one in hearing, he went on, "All these years, Avice, I've been loving you -more and more. I've been striving to make a name and a fortune worthy of -you. And I came home to further that purpose, and to see if there's any -hope for me. Is there, dear?" - -"Oh, Kane, don't talk like that now. Why, just think, Uncle----" - -"I know it, little girl. Uncle isn't yet buried. But when I saw you this -morning, for the first time in so long, and when I saw how beautiful you -have grown, I couldn't wait to tell you of my love and hopes. Tell me I -may hope,--tell me that, Avice." - -"I don't know, Kane. You bewilder me. I never dreamed of this----" - -"What, Avice! Never dreamed of it? Never even _dreamed_ that I loved -you--that you could--some day, love me?" - -Avice blushed and looked down. Perhaps she had dreamed,--just dreamed of -such a thing. - -"Don't ask me about it now, Kane," she said, firmly. "I'm all nervous and -unstrung. These awful excitements following one another so fast and -furious. Oh, I shall break down." The tears came, but Landon said -lightly, "No, you won't, girlie, it's all right. I'm here now to look -after you. But you're right. I mustn't tease you now,--why, I'm back at -my old teasing tricks, amn't I?" - -His strong, frank voice quieted Avice, and she looked up at him as Judge -Hoyt entered the room. - -"Well, Mr. Landon," he said, "I congratulate you on an escape from a -mighty unpleasant predicament. Things looked dark for a few moments back -there. But it all came out right. Queer coincidence, wasn't it?" - -"It was all of that, Judge Hoyt. And it was probably more dangerous -to--to my peace of mind, than I realized at the time. I was pretty much -bewildered at the attack, I can tell you. You see, that was all true -about my call on my uncle, and it looked a little plausible, I suppose." - -"H'm, yes. And are you staying East for a time?" - -"Forever, I hope. I've had enough of the wild and woolly." - -"Mr. Landon will stay here with us," said Avice, decidedly. "I invite him -for an indefinite stay." - -"I hope you'll accept," observed Hoyt. "I'd be glad, Avice, for you to -have a man in the house. There'll be more or less unpleasant publicity -after this and, until it blows over, Mr. Landon can probably save you -from tiresome interviews with reporters, if nothing more." - -"Of course, I can do that. Shall you want to remain in this house Avice, -after the estate is settled?" - -"I don't know yet. Don't let's talk about that now, Kane." - -"All right. What do you make of that crazy telephone message attributed -to me, Judge Hoyt?" - -"Why, Mr. Landon, if you don't mind, I'll not answer that question." - -"But I do mind. I want you to answer it." - -"Want me to answer it honestly?" - -"Honestly, certainly." - -"Then, sir, I think it was you who telephoned." - -"Oh, you do? And I said that somebody had set a trap for my uncle? And I -said I would give him Frangipanni, or whatever it was? And I said I'd -send him to the Caribbean Sea?" - -"You asked me what I thought. You have it. Yes, I think you said these -things, but I think they were some jests between your uncle and yourself -that were perfectly intelligible to you two. I have no reason to think -you were angry at your uncle. Disappointed, doubtless, in not getting the -loan you asked for, but still quite ready to forgive and forget. Now, -honest, am I not right?" - -Kane Landon had a curious look in his eyes. "You're a good guesser," he -said, a little shortly, "but you haven't guessed right this time." - -"Then I beg your pardon, but I still believe whoever telephoned that -farrago of nonsense, had no intent but pleasantry of some sort." - -Eleanor Black came bustling in. She looked strikingly beautiful in her -black gown. Not what is technically known as "mourning," but softly -draped folds of dull, lusterless silk, that threw into higher relief her -clear olive complexion and shining black eyes. - -"A family conclave?" she said, lightly. "May I join? But first may I not -have Mr. Landon duly presented to me?" - -"Oh, surely, you've never really met, have you?" said Avice. "Mrs. Black, -this is my cousin, or the same as cousin, for he's Uncle Rowly's nephew. -Kane, my very good friend, Mrs. Black." - -The two bowed, rather formally, and Mrs. Black murmured some conventional -phrases, to which Landon responded courteously. - -Judge Hoyt took the occasion to draw Avice outside the hall. - -"Let them get acquainted," he said, "and suppose you pay some slight -attention to me. You've had eyes and ears for no one but that cousin ever -since you first saw him this morning. And now you're asking him to live -here!" - -"But you expressed approval of that!" and Avice looked surprised at his -tone. - -"How could I do otherwise at the time? But I don't approve of it, I can -tell you, unless, Avice, dearest, unless you will let us announce our -engagement at once. I mean after your uncle is buried, of course." - -"Announce our engagement! You must be crazy. I've never said I'd marry -you." - -"But you've never said you wouldn't. And you are going to. But all I ask -just now, is that you'll assure me you're not in love with this Lochinvar -who has so unexpectedly come out of the West." - -"Of course, I'm not!" But the emphasis was a little too strong and the -cheek that turned away from him, a little too quickly flushed, to give -the words a ring of sincerity. - -However, it seemed to satisfy Judge Hoyt. "Of course, you're not," he -echoed. "I only wanted to hear you say it. And remember, my girl, you -_have_ said it. And soon, as soon as you will let me, we will talk this -over, but not now. Truly, dear, I don't want to intrude, but you know, -Avice, you must know how I love you." - -With a little gasping sigh Avice drew away the hand Hoyt had taken in his -own, and ran back into the library. - -She found Landon and Eleanor Black in a close conversation that seemed -too earnest for people just introduced. - -"Very well," Eleanor was saying, "let it be that way then. I'll give it -to you this very afternoon. But I am not sure I approve,--" and then, as -she heard Avice enter, she continued, "of--of Western life myself." - -The artifice was not altogether successful. Avice's quick ears detected -the sudden change of inflection of the voice, and the slight involuntary -hesitation. But she ignored it and responded pleasantly to their next -casual remarks. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - A CLAUSE IN THE WILL - - -The funeral ceremonies of Rowland Trowbridge were of the dignity and -grandeur that are deemed necessary for a man of his station in life. -Great men of the financial world, scholars and statesmen had all come to -pay their last respects to the one so suddenly taken from his busy and -forceful career. - -And now, the obsequies over, a group of people were gathered in the -library of the Trowbridge home to hear the reading of the will. - -There was a hush of expectancy as Judge Hoyt produced and read aloud the -document. - -As has already been disclosed there was a bequest of fifty thousand -dollars to Kane Landon. The house and furniture were given unreservedly -to Mrs. Eleanor Black, with fifty thousand dollars in addition. There -were bequests of one thousand dollars each to Miss Wilkinson and to -Terence McGuire, both favorites with their employer. Also a similar sum -to Stryker, the butler, and various smaller sums to other servants and to -a few charities. - -And then came the disposition of the residuary fortune, which, it was -rumored, ran well up into the millions. - -In the words of the will it was set forth that all moneys and properties, -not otherwise designated, were bequeathed to Avice Trowbridge, on the -conditions that "she shall keep my collection of Natural History -Specimens intact, and, within a year duly present it to some worthy -museum; and herself become the wife of Leslie Hoyt. Also, she must add to -said collection not less than twenty-five specimens of certain value -every year. If these conditions are not fulfilled, my niece, Avice, -inherits but fifty thousand dollars of my fortune, and the residue must -form a trust fund, under the supervision of Leslie Hoyt, to be used to -found and endow a museum of Natural History." - -With the exception of Hoyt and Avice, every one present looked astounded -at the terms of the will. And yet it was not surprising that Mr. -Trowbridge desired the union of his niece and his friend. Besides being -the lawyer of the dead man, Hoyt had been his intimate friend and -companion for years, and Hoyt's regard for Avice was no secret. Moreover, -the girl had always looked on the lawyer with friendly eyes, and it had -been assumed by many that they were destined for each other. To be sure, -Avice was only twenty, and Leslie Hoyt was forty-five. But he was a man -who seemed ten years younger than he was, and Avice was mature for her -years. So, while it was a surprise that their union had been made a -condition of the bequest, it was not thought by any one that this fact -would be objectionable to either of the two concerned. - -But Avice looked grave, and an obstinate expression came into her eyes. -Hoyt saw this, and smiled a little as he remembered her aversion to being -_made_ to do a thing, even though she fully intended to do it. It was the -girl's nature to chafe at authority, and Hoyt well knew he would have to -give her free rein in many matters. Of course, having drawn up the will, -he had known of this condition, but this was the first time he had had -opportunity to note how it affected Avice. And it was quite plain that -she was displeased. - -"Then," she burst out, "does my inheritance depend on my marriage to -Judge Hoyt?" - -"Yes," answered Hoyt, himself, smiling at her. - -"Then I refuse it! I will not be told whom I shall marry!" - -"Let us not discuss that now," said Hoyt, gently; "there is time enough -for you to decide that later." - -Avice realized that this was not the time or place for such a discussion, -and said no more. - -Mrs. Black was dissatisfied. Although she had a handsome inheritance, she -well knew that this will had been made before her betrothal to Rowland -Trowbridge, and had he lived to marry her, she would have had much more. -Indeed, the only person who seemed satisfied was Kane Landon. He looked -serenely pleased, and began to make inquiries as to how soon he could -have his share in cash. - -Judge Hoyt looked at him, as if incredulous that any one could be so -mercenary, and rising, went over to sit beside him and discuss the -matter. On his way, Hoyt passed by the boy, Fibsy, and patting his -shoulder, remarked genially, "I'm glad you were remembered, sonny. When -you want to invest your money, let me advise you." - -Fibsy glanced up at the lawyer, and with an inquiring look on his face, -he exclaimed "Vapo-Cottolene!" - -What this cryptic utterance meant, no one could guess; and no one gave it -a second thought, except Landon, who smiled at the red-headed boy and -said, "Yes!" - -As soon as she could do so, Avice escaped to her own room. So this was -her inheritance! A fortune, only if she took also a husband of her -uncle's choice! It had come upon her so suddenly, that she had to -reiterate to herself that it was true. - -"If I'd only known," she thought. "I'm sure I could have persuaded Uncle -Rowly not to do that! I don't blame him so much, for I know he thought I -wanted to marry Leslie, but I never told him I did. I suppose he had a -right to think so,--but--that was all before Kane came back." And then -her thoughts wandered far away from her inheritance, both real and -personal, and concerned themselves with the strange man who had come out -of the West. For he was strange. Landon had abrupt ways and peculiar -attitudes that Avice could not altogether understand. He was so blunt and -breezy. That, of course, was owing to his recent surroundings; then, -again, he was so masterful and dominating, but that he had always been. -Still more, he was incomprehensible. She couldn't understand his curt, -almost rude manner at the time of the inquest proceedings. To be sure, it -was enough to make a man furious to have insinuating questions put to him -about the murder of his uncle,--as if Kane could have known anything of -it!--but, well, he _was_ mysterious in some ways. - -And his attitude toward Eleanor Black. They must have met before or they -never would have talked as absorbedly as they had been doing when Avice -came upon them unexpectedly. And Eleanor was another mysterious one! She -had her inheritance now, and Avice hoped they might separate, never to -meet again. Well, of course, they would, for neither had a desire to -continue living with the other. As for Avice herself, she would go out of -that house at once. But where? That must soon be decided. Then, like a -flooding wave, came back the memory of her uncle's will! She must marry -Judge Hoyt or lose her fortune. She would have some money, to be sure, -but the interest of that, as an income would make life a very different -matter from what it had been! - -And Eleanor would have this house,--to live in, or to sell. Idly she -speculated on this, feeling an undercurrent of satisfaction that the -widow's bequest had not been even larger. - -Then her thoughts reverted to the episode of Mrs. Black's telephoning so -late that night, after the death of her uncle. She remembered she had -secured the telephone number. - -"I've a notion to call up and see who it is," she mused. "I am going to -devote myself to searching out the murderer, and while I don't, of -course, dream that Eleanor had anything to do with it, yet--she is -Italian,--and suppose she is mixed up with some secret -society--oh--well--I'll have to call that number or never rest. I might -as well do it now." - -Unwilling to take a chance of being overheard in the house, Avice dressed -for the street and went out. She said to a maid in the hall, "If any one -asks, say I've gone out for a little breath of air." - -Glad of a walk in the sunshine, she went to the nearest public telephone -booth and called the number. She had a queer feeling of doing wrong, but -she persuaded herself that her motive was a right one. - -"Hello," she heard a man's hearty voice say. - -"Hello," she returned, thoroughly frightened now, but not willing to back -out. "Who is this, please?" - -"Lindsay, Jim Lindsay; who wants me?" - -"But,--but,----" Avice was at her wits' end what to say, "are you--do you -know--that is, are you a friend of Mrs. Black? Eleanor Black?" - -"Don't know the lady. Is this Mrs. Black?" - -"No; but you must know her. She--she talked to you last Tuesday night, -late--very late." - -"Tuesday night? Oh, I wasn't here Tuesday night. A chum of mine had my -rooms; Landon--Kane Landon,--" - -"Who?" - -"Landon. Say, what's the matter? Won't you tell me who you are? What's it -all about? Oh, I beg your pardon, I'm inexcusably butting in! Forgive me, -do. Yes, Kane Landon had these rooms to himself for a night or two while -I was away. I believe he's at a relative's on Fifth Avenue now. Want to -see him?" - -"No--thank you. Good-by." - -Avice hung up the receiver, her brain in a whirl. Had Eleanor, then, been -telephoning to Kane the very night of the murder? What had she said? For -him not to try to see her that night! For him to meet her next day at the -same time and place! Oh, they _were_ old friends, then. More, they were -keeping that fact quiet, and pretending to meet as strangers! Was there, -could there be any connection between all this and the murder? - -Scarce knowing what she was doing, Avice left the booth and went for a -long walk. But she could get no meaning or explanation of the facts she -had learned. The more she mulled them over the more confused she became -as to their import. Her mind turned to Hoyt. After all, Leslie was the -one to bank on. He would help her and advise her as he had always done. -But, that will! She could ask no favors or advice of Judge Hoyt now, -unless she acknowledged herself his betrothed. And was she prepared to do -that? Well, one thing was certain, if Kane was all mixed up with Eleanor -Black, she surely wanted no more to do with him! And he had told her he -loved her. Perhaps because he thought she was her uncle's heiress! Of -course, he did not know then of the clause about her marrying the judge. -Probably now, Kane would have no further interest in her. Well, he could -marry Eleanor, for all she cared! - -She went home, and paused first for a few moments in a small reception -room, to calm her demeanor a little. But, on the contrary, the sight of -the familiar walls and the realization that she was to leave them, struck -a sudden sadness to her already surcharged heart, and she gave way to -silent weeping. And here Hoyt, looking for her, found her. - -"What is it, dearest?" he said, sitting beside her. "I have now a right -to comfort you." - -"Why?" said Avice, throwing back her head and meeting his eyes. - -Hoyt smiled tenderly at her. "Because our betrothal, long tacitly agreed -upon, is now ratified by your uncle's wish and decree." - -"Not at all. Because my uncle wished me to marry you, is no reason that I -am obliged to do so." - -"Not obliged, my darling. That is a harsh word. But you want to, don't -you, my Avice? My beautiful girl!" - -"I don't know whether I do or not. But I'm sure of one thing, I won't -marry you simply because Uncle Rowly wanted it! Much as I loved him, and -much as I revere his memory, I shall not marry a man I don't love for his -sake!" - -"But you do love me, little Avice. You are so worried and perturbed now, -you can't think clearly. But you will find yourself soon, and realize -that you love me as I love you." - -Hoyt spoke very tenderly and the girl's quivering nerves were soothed by -his strong, gentle voice, and his restrained manner. He didn't offer -endearments which she might resent. He knew enough to bide his time, -confident that she would turn to him of her own accord when ready. - -"I don't want to think about marrying now," she said, wearily; "I have so -much to think about." - -And then Leslie Hoyt made his mistake. - -"No, dear, don't think about it now," he said; "but remember, if you -don't marry me, you lose a very big fortune." - -The words were meant to be half playful, half remindful, but they roused -the deepest indignation in the heart of Avice Trowbridge. - -She turned on him with flaming eyes. "How dare you? How can you put forth -such an argument? Do you think that will help your cause? Do you suppose -I would marry any one for a fortune? And any way, as a lawyer you can -find some way to set aside that proviso. It can't be possible a whim like -that can stand in law!" - -Hoyt looked at her intently. "It will stand," he said, coldly; "I do not -use it as a bribe, but I tell you truly, if you do not marry me the bulk -of your uncle's fortune will go to a museum." - -"Can't a will like that be broken?" - -"In no possible way. Your uncle was in full possession of all his -faculties, the will is duly witnessed and recorded, there isn't a flaw -that could be found on which to base a contest. But don't let us talk in -this strain, dear. If you don't want to marry me, you shan't, but you -must realize the situation." - -"I begin to realize it at last. But I cannot decide now. Give me time, -Leslie," and the sweet brown eyes looked appealingly into his. - -"Of course, I will, you darling girl, all the time you want. And please, -Avice, if you want any information or advice, come to me and let me help -you, without feeling that you are committing yourself to anything. You -understand?" - -"Oh, thank you! That is what I wanted. Yes, I do understand, and I bless -you for it. I am very much perplexed, Leslie, but I want to think out -things a little for myself, before I tell you what I'm bothered about." - -"So be it, then. And whenever you're ready, I'm waiting." - -Judge Hoyt went away, and Avice, wandering listlessly through the house, -came upon Eleanor Black. That volatile spirit had already assumed -complete ownership and command of the home that was now all her own. She -was giving orders to the servants in quite a different manner from the -one she had shown as a mere housekeeper, and was already arranging for a -different mode of life. - -"I shall close the house for the summer and go away," she was saying to -Stryker, "and then in the fall there must be complete renovation. Avice, -what are your plans?" - -"Oh, Eleanor, I haven't made any yet. How can you be so hasty? Do have a -little respect for uncle's memory, if you have no sorrow in your heart." - -"Don't trouble yourself to talk to me like that, Avice," and the black -eyes snapped. "There's no need of pretense between us." - -"Then let's lay pretense aside," and the girl's attitude suddenly became -as haughty as the older woman's. "Who is Jim Lindsay?" - -"Mercy! I don't know, I never heard of him. Why?" - -It was impossible to doubt the sincerity of Eleanor's speech and -expression, and Avice was at once sure that it was the truth. - -"Nothing, then. I don't know him either. And Eleanor, I'll talk with you -some time, soon, about our future plans and all that, but I can't just -yet. You don't mind my staying in the house a short time, do you?" - -"Of course, not. Don't be a goose. Stay till you marry Judge Hoyt, if you -will. But I'm going away for the summer." - -"When?" - -"As soon as I can settle up some matters and get off. But you stay here -if you choose. Keep the servants, and get some one to chaperone you. My -dear Avice, look on the place as your home just as long as it suits you -to do so, won't you?" - -The invitation was given in a whole-souled, honest manner, and Avice -really appreciated the kindness that prompted it. - -"Thank you, Eleanor," she said; "I shall be glad to stay for a time, I -can't say yet how long. And it's good of you to be so hospitable." - -"I've asked Mr. Landon to stay a while," Mrs. Black added, "until I go -away, at any rate." - -Avice wanted to ask her then, how long she had known Kane Landon, but -something seemed to restrain the question. So with a few murmured words -of acquiescence, she went her way. - - - - - CHAPTER X - STRYKER'S HANDKERCHIEF - - -It was soon after this, that the reporter, Pinckney, came again to see -Avice. The girl liked the wide-awake young man, and granted him an -interview. - -"Shall I announce your engagement to Judge Hoyt?" he asked, gravely, but -with intense interest. - -"No, indeed!" said Avice, with spirit. - -"You're not going to lose all that fortune?" - -"Not necessarily. But I object to having my engagement announced before -it has taken place! Oh, _do_ all these things have to be in the papers?" - -"Certainly they do; and that's why you'd better tell me the truth than to -have to stand for all the yarns I'd make up." - -"Oh, _don't_ make up a lot of stuff, _please_ don't!" - -"Well, I won't, if you'll give me a few facts to work on. First, do you -think that Swede killed your uncle?" - -"Oh, I don't know what to think! But I'm going to get the best detective -I can find, and let him find out all he can. I believe uncle was killed -by some robber, and his reference to Cain was merely the idea of a -murderer. Uncle often talked that way." - -"Look here, Miss Trowbridge, I don't want to butt in, I'm sure; but I'm a -bit of a detective, myself, in an amateur way. Don't you want me to,--but -I suppose you want a professional." - -"I think I do want a professional," began Avice, slowly; "still Mr. -Pinckney, if you have a taste for this sort of thing, and know how to go -about it, I might work with you more easily than with a professional -detective. I'm going to do a lot myself, you know. I'm not just going to -put the matter in an expert's hands." - -"I hardly know what to say, Miss Trowbridge; I'd like to take up the -case, but I might muff it awfully. I suppose you'd better get the real -thing." - -"Well, until I do, why don't you have a try at it? If you discover -anything, very well; and if not, no harm done." - -Jim Pinckney's face glowed. "That's great of you!" he cried; "I'd like to -take it up on that basis, and if I don't find out anything of importance -in a few days, engage any Sherlock Holmes you like." - -But a few days later when Pinckney again called on Avice, he was in a -discouraged mood. - -"I can't find out anything," he said. "The whole case is baffling. I went -to the scene of the crime, but could find no clues. But, what do you -think, Miss Trowbridge? When I reached the place where they found Mr. -Trowbridge, there was that young office boy, looking over the premises." - -"That Fibsy, as he calls himself?" - -"Yes; I asked him what he was doing, and he said, 'Oh, just pokin' -around,' and he looked so stupid that I feel sure he had found -something." - -"He's just smart enough for that," and Avice smiled a little. - -"Yes, he is. I asked him to come here today, and I thought you and I -would both talk to him, and see if we can learn anything of his find. If -not, I admit I am at the end of my rope, and if you choose, perhaps, -you'd better get a real detective on the case." - -"I spoke to Judge Hoyt about that, and he agreed. But Mr. Landon doesn't -want a detective. Ah, here's Fibsy, now. Come in, child." - -The boy had appeared at the door with a beaming face, but at Avice's -calling him "child," his countenance fell. - -"I ain't no child," he said, indignantly; "and say, Miss Avice, I found -some clues!" - -"Well, what are they?" - -"A shoe button, and a hunk o' dirt." - -"Interesting!" commented Pinckney. "Just what do you deduce from them?" - -Then Fibsy rose up in his wrath. "I ain't a-goin' to be talked to like -that! I won't work on this case no more!" - -"Sorry," said Pinckney, grinning at him. "Then I suppose we'll have to -call in somebody else. Of course, he won't do as well as you, but if -you've decided to throw the case over, why----" - -"Aw, can the guyin'!" and with a red, angry face, Fibsy jumped up and -fairly ran out of the room and out of the house. - -"Now you've made him mad," said Avice, "and we'll never know what he -found in the way of clues." - -"He said, a shoe button, and some mud! We could hardly expect much from -those treasures." - -Then Judge Hoyt came. His calls were frequent, and he continually tried -to persuade Avice to announce their engagement. But the girl was perverse -and said she must first solve the mystery of her uncle's death. The judge -was always willing to listen to her latest theories, but though he never -said so, Avice felt pretty certain that he did not suspect the Swede. - -She told him of Fibsy's finds, and he said curiously, "What did he mean -by mud?" - -"He didn't say mud," corrected Avice, "he said dirt I think he meant soil -or earth." - -"How would that be a clue? Any one can get some soil from the place, if -they don't take too much. A few square feet might be valuable." - -"Why pay any attention to that rubbishy boy?" exclaimed Pinckney. "Why -not get a worth-while detective, and let him detect?" - -"Yes, that's the thing to do," agreed Hoyt. "Duane stands well in the -profession." - -"Alvin Duane! just the man," and Pinckney looked enthusiastic. "But he's -a bit expensive." - -"Never mind that," cried Avice; "I must find uncle's murderer at any -cost!" - -"Then let's have Duane," and Judge Hoyt reached for the telephone book. - -Meantime the administrators of law and justice were pursuing the uneven -tenor of their way, hoping to reach their goal, though by a tortuous -route. - -"It's a mighty queer thing," said District Attorney Whiting, "I'm dead -sure the western chap killed his uncle; we've even got his uncle's word -for it, and yet I can't fasten it on him." - -"But," said the chief of police to whom this observation was addressed, -"aren't you basing your conviction on that curious coincidence of names, -Cain and Kane? To my mind that's no proof at all." - -"Well, it is to me. Here's your man named Kane. He's mad at his victim. -He goes to the place where the old man is. And as he kills him, the old -man says, 'Kane killed me.' What more do you want? Only, as I say, we've -got to have some more definite proof, and we can't get it." - -"Then you can't convict your man. I admit it's in keeping with that young -fellow's western ways to kill his uncle after a money quarrel, but you -must get more direct evidence than you've dug up yet." - -"And yet there's no one else to suspect. No name has been breathed as a -possible suspect; the idea of a highway robber is not tenable, for the -watch and money and jewelry were untouched." - -"What about the Swede?" - -"Nothing doing. If he had killed the man, he certainly would have done it -for robbery? What else? And then he would not have come forward and told -of the dying words. No, the Swede is innocent. There's nobody to suspect -but Landon, and we must get further proofs." - -The District Attorney worked hard to get his further proof. But though -his sleuths searched the woods for clues, none were found. They had the -bare fact that the dying man had denounced his slayer, but no -corroboration of the murderer's identity, and the neighborhood of the -crime was scoured for other witnesses without success. - -The district attorney had never really thought the Swede committed the -murder. A grilling third degree had failed to bring confession and daily -developments of Sandstrom's behavior made it seem more and more -improbable that he was the criminal. - -And so Whiting had come to suspect Kane Landon, and had kept him under -careful watch of detectives ever since the murder, in hope of finding -some further and more definite evidence against him. - -But there were no results and at last the district attorney began to -despair of unraveling the mystery. - -And then Groot made a discovery. - -"That Stryker," he said, bursting in upon Whiting in great excitement, -"that butler,--he's your man! I thought so all along!" - -"Why didn't you say so?" asked the other. - -"Never mind chaffing, you listen. That Stryker, he's been taking out a -big insurance. A paid-up policy, of,--I don't remember how much. But he -had to plank down between eight and nine hundred dollars cash to get it. -And he used his bequest from old Trowbridge to do it!" - -"Well?" - -"Well, here's the point. You know how those premiums work. After Stryker -is sixty years and six months old, he can't get insured at all,--in that -company any way, and at those rates." - -"Well?" - -"Well, and Friend Stryker reaches his age limit next week!" - -"You're sure of this?" - -"Sure, I'm sure! I got it from the agent Stryker dealt with. The old -fellow has been fussing over that insurance off and on for years; and -now, just at the last minute, a man up and dies who leaves him enough -money to get his insurance. Is it a coincidence?" - -"At any rate we must look into it," said Whiting, gravely. "What have you -done?" - -"Done? I've just found this out! Now's the time to begin doing. I'll -search his rooms first, I think, and see if I can nail any sort of -evidence. And by the way, on the day of the murder, it was Stryker's day -out, and he's never given any definite or satisfactory account of how he -spent the afternoon. For one thing, he wasn't definitely asked, for -nobody thought much about him, but now I'll hunt up straws, to see how -the wind blows." - -Groot went off on his straw hunt, and as it turned out, found far more -decided proof of the wind's direction than straws. - -Inspector Collins and he came back together with their news. - -"It's Stryker, all right," said Collins to the district attorney; "the -handkerchief is his." - -"The handkerchief his?" - -"Yes, we found others in his dresser just like it. It's a peculiar -border, quite unmistakable, and the size and textures are the same. Oh, -it's his handkerchief, for sure. And Sandstrom found it, just as he said, -and he was scared out of his wits,--remember he saw the police there with -the body,--so he hid the handkerchief, and was afraid even to wash it." - -"What'd he take it for?" - -"Plain theft. Thought he'd make that much. Same way he took the milk -bottle. Say, maybe Stryker laid a trap for Mr. Trowbridge, and maybe -somebody else did tell him of it, over the telephone, as a warning!" - -"Arrest Stryker as soon as possible," said Whiting, "perhaps we'd better -let the Swede go." - -"Sure let him go. He won't make any trouble. I've got to know him pretty -well, and I sort of like him." Groot's shrewd, old face showed a gleam of -pity and sympathy for the wronged prisoner. "But how could we know it was -Stryker's handkerchief?" - -"Where can we find him? Is he at home?" - -"Guess he is now," returned the detective. "They expected him in about -five o'clock. I'll go to the house myself, and a couple of chaps with the -bracelets can hang around outside till I call 'em." - -At the Trowbridge house, Groot was admitted as usual. His visits had been -rather frequent ever since the crime, but as he had done nothing -definite, the family paid little attention to him. - -He asked for Avice, and found her, with Judge Hoyt, in the library. - -"Come in, Groot," said the lawyer. "What's up now?" - -"Where's the man, Stryker?" asked Groot, in lowered tones. "Is he in?" - -"I think so," said Avice, "he always is, at this hour. Do you want to see -him?" - -"Yes, mighty bad, he's the murderer!" - -"What!" exclaimed both his hearers together. - -"Yes, no doubt about it," and Groot told the story of the handkerchief. - -Avice looked simply amazed, but Judge Hoyt said, "I've looked for this -all along." - -"Whyn't you give us a hint, Judge?" - -"I hadn't enough to base my idea on, to call it a suspicion. I never -thought of the handkerchief being his. As a matter of fact, I rather -thought it was Mr. Trowbridge's own, and that the murderer, whoever he -was, had used it and left it without fear of its incriminating himself. -Surely no one would leave his own handkerchief on the scene of his crime! -Are you sure it's Stryker's?" - -"Positive. But all that can be proved and investigated later. Now we want -to nail our bird and jail him. Will you send for him, Miss Trowbridge?" - -"Certainly," and Avice rang a bell, a sorrowful look coming into her eyes -at thought of suspecting the old servant. - -A parlor-maid appeared, and Avice asked her to send the butler to them. - -"Won't he bolt?" asked Groot, fearing to lose his quarry at the last -moment. - -"Why should he?" said Avice, "any more than yesterday? He doesn't know -he's suspected, does he?" - -"Oh, no, he couldn't know it." - -"Then he'll be here in a minute." - -While waiting, Groot told them, in low tones, about Stryker's insurance -matter. - -"Time up next week!" repeated Judge Hoyt. "That looks bad, very bad. I've -heard Stryker speak of insuring, several times, but I thought nothing -about it. He wasn't asking my advice, merely discussing it as a business -proposition. When I've been here of an evening with Mr. Trowbridge, we -often spoke with Stryker almost as to a friend. He's an old and trusted -servant. I'm desperately sorry to learn all this." - -"So am I," said Avice. "I do want to track down uncle's murderer,--but I -don't want it to be Stryker!" - -The parlor-maid returned. "Miss Avice," she said, "Stryker isn't in the -house." - -"Isn't?" cried Groot, starting up; "where is he?" - -"I don't know, sir, but he can't be far away. The second man says that -Stryker was in his pantry and he answered a telephone call there, and -then he just flung on his hat and coat and went out." - -"He's escaped!" shouted Groot, dashing out of the room and downstairs, -two at a time. - -And he had. Search of the house showed no trace of the vanished butler, -save his belongings in his room. And among these were several -handkerchiefs, indisputably from the same lot as the one found at the -place of the crime. And a further search of the rooms of every inmate of -the household showed no other such handkerchief. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - DUANE THE DETECTIVE - - -Having learned from Avice of Stryker's relatives, Groot sought the butler -at the home of his daughter. - -"No," said Mrs. Adler, a scared-looking young woman, "I don't know where -father is. I haven't seen him for a day or two. But he can't be lost." - -"He's in hiding, madam," said Groot, "and he must be found. Are you sure -he's not here?" - -"Of course, I'm sure. What do you want of him, anyway? My husband is very -ill, and I wish you wouldn't bother me about it. I don't believe anything -has happened to my father, but if there has, I don't know anything of it. -You'll have to excuse me now, I'm very busy." She didn't exactly shut the -door in his face, but she came near it, and Groot went away uncertain as -to whether she was telling the truth or not. - -"I wish I'd searched the house," he thought. "If Stryker doesn't turn up -soon, I will." - -Stryker didn't turn up soon, and Groot and his men did search the house -of Mrs. Adler and her sick husband, but with no result. - -The daughter was apathetic. "Poor father," she said, "I wonder where he -is. But I'm so worried about Mr. Adler, I can think of nothing else." - -There was cause, indeed, for the wife's anxiety, for Adler was in the -late stages of galloping consumption. And the harassed woman, none too -well fixed with this world's goods, was alone, caring for him. Groot's -humanity was touched and he forbore to trouble her further. - -"Stryker's decamped, that's all," Groot said; "and flight is confession. -It's clear enough. He wanted this insurance of his for his daughter, the -agent told me the policy is payable to her, and he had to take it out -before his age limit was reached. He knew of the legacy coming to him, -and in order to get his insurance, he hastened the realization of his -fortune." - -It did look that way, for Avice and Mrs. Black agreed that Stryker was -devoted to his daughter, and they knew of her husband's desperate -illness. Knew too, that she would be left penniless, and was herself -delicate and unfit for hard work. Stryker could support her while he -lived, but to leave her an income from his life insurance was his great -desire. Judge Hoyt, too, said that he knew of this from conversations he -had himself had with Stryker. But he had supposed the butler had saved up -funds for his insurance premium. He now learned that the support and care -of the sick man had made this impossible. - -So Stryker was strongly suspected of the crime, and every effort was made -to find the missing man. - -Meantime Alvin Duane came. Though alleged to be a clever detective, he -admitted he found little to work upon. - -"It is too late," he said, "to look for clues on the scene of the crime. -Had I been called in earlier, I might have found something, but after -nearly a fortnight of damp, rainy weather, one can expect nothing in the -way of footprints or other traces, though, of course, I shall look -carefully." - -Duane was a middle-aged, grizzled man, and though earnest and serious, -was not a brilliant member of his profession. He had, he said himself, no -use for the hair-trigger deductions of imaginative brains which, oftener -than not, were false. Give him good, material clues, and attested -evidence, and he would hunt down a criminal as quickly as anybody, but -not from a shred of cloth or a missing cuff-link. - -Eleanor Black, with her dislike of detectives of all sorts, was openly -rude to Duane. He was in and out of the house at all hours; he was -continually wanting to intrude in the individual rooms, look over Mr. -Trowbridge's papers, quiz the servants, or hold long confabs with Avice -or Kane Landon or herself, until she declared she was sick of the very -sight of him. - -"I don't care," Avice would say; "if he can find the murderer, he can go -about it any way he chooses. He isn't as sure that Stryker's guilty as -Mr. Groot is. Mr. Duane says if Stryker did it, it was because somebody -else hired him or forced him to do it." - -"Well, what if it was? I can't see, Avice, why you want to keep at it. -What difference does it make who killed Rowland? He is dead, and to find -his murderer won't restore him to life. For my part, I'd like to forget -all the unpleasant details as soon as possible. I think you are morbid on -the subject." - -"Not at all! It's common justice and common sense to want to punish a -criminal, most of all a murderer! Judge Hoyt agrees with me, and so does -Kane----" - -"Mr. Landon didn't want you to get Mr. Duane, you know that." - -"I do know it, but only because Kane thought the mystery too deep ever to -be solved. But I am willing to spend a lot of money on it, and Judge Hoyt -is willing to share the expense if it becomes too heavy for me alone." - -"The judge would do anything you say, of course. I think you treat him -abominably, Avice. You're everlastingly flirting with Mr. Landon, and it -grieves Judge Hoyt terribly." - -"Don't bother about my love affairs, Eleanor. I can manage them." - -"First thing you know, you'll go too far, and Judge Hoyt will give you -up. He won't stand everything. And where will your fortune be then?" - -"You alarm me!" said Avice, sarcastically. "But when I really need -advice, my dear Eleanor, I'll ask you for it." - -"Oh, don't let's quarrel. But I do wish you'd see your detective friends -somewhere else. If it isn't Mr. Duane, it's that Groot or young Pinckney, -and sometimes that ridiculous office boy with the carrot head." - -"His hair _is_ funny, isn't it? But Fibsy is a little trump. He's more -saddened at Uncle Rowly's death than lots of better men." - -"Hasn't he found another place to work yet?" - -"He's had chances, but he hasn't accepted any so far." - -"Well, he's a nuisance, coming round here as he does." - -"Why, you needn't see him, Eleanor. He can't trouble you, if he just -comes now and then to see me. And anyway, he hasn't been here lately at -all." - -"And I hope he won't. Dear me, Avice, what good times we could have if -you'd let up on this ferreting. And you know perfectly well it will never -amount to anything." - -"If you talk like that, Eleanor, I'll go and live somewhere else. Perhaps -you'd rather I would." - -"No, not that,--unless you'd really prefer it. But I do hate detectives, -whether they're police, professional or amateur." - -Avice repeated this conversation to Duane, and he proposed that they have -some of their interviews in his office, and he would then come to the -house less frequently. - -So, Avice went to his office and found it decidedly preferable to talk in -a place where there was no danger of being overheard by servants or -friends. - -After due consideration she had concluded to tell the detective about -Eleanor's telephone message the night of the murder and her own -subsequent call of the same number. - -"This is most important," said Duane, "why didn't you tell me sooner?" - -"For one thing, Mrs. Black was always within hearing at home, and I -didn't like to." - -"I think I'll go right now to see this Lindsay; he may give us some -valuable information." - -And Lindsay did. - -He was a frank, outspoken young man and told Duane all he knew which was -considerable. - -"Of course, I read all about the murder that the papers told," he said, -"but I always felt there was more to come. What about that housekeeper -person?" - -"Mrs. Black?" - -"Yes. I've not wanted to butt in, but she was described in the papers and -then,--well, it's a queer thing,--but some sweet-voiced fairy called me -up one day and asked me if I knew Mrs. Black!" - -"Perhaps that was the lady herself," said Duane, who knew better. - -"Don't think so. Sounded more like some damsel in distress. Voice -quivered and all that sort of thing. And she said that the Black person -had called up this number the very night of the murder! What do you think -of that?" - -"Strange!" murmured Duane. - -"Yes, sir, strange enough, when you realize that Kane Landon occupied -these rooms of mine that night." - -"How did that happen?" - -"Well, Landon is an old friend of mine,--used to be, that is,--and when -he blew in from Denver, with no home and mother waiting for him, and I -was just flying off for a few days out of town, I said, 'Bunk here,' and -he gratefully did. Then next thing I know, he's gone off to his uncle's -inquest, leaving a note of thanks and farewell! Queer, if you ask me!" - -"I do ask you. And I ask you, too, if you're casting any reflection on -Mr. Landon himself?" - -"Oh, not that, but you'd think he'd come to see me, or something." - -"Yes, I'd think so. Did he talk to you of money matters?" - -"Not to any great extent. Said he had a big mining proposition that meant -a fortune if he could get the necessary advance capital. Said he hoped to -get it from his uncle." - -"Not meaning by a legacy?" - -"Oh, no. Said he was going to bone the old man for it. Which he did, -according to the yarn of a fresh office boy." - -"Well, Mr. Lindsay, I'm glad you're so frank in this matter. Do you know -anything further of interest regarding Kane Landon?" - -"I'm not sure. What does this housekeeper look like?" - -"Rather stunning. Handsome, in a dark, foreign way. Big, black eyes, -and--" - -"Look like an adventuress?" - -"Yes, I must admit that term describes her." - -"Black, glossy hair, 'most covering her ears, and mighty well groomed?" - -"Exactly." - -"Then Kane Landon met that woman by appointment Tuesday afternoon,--the -day of his uncle's murder." - -"Where?" - -"In the Public Library. They didn't see me, but I was attracted at the -sight of this beautiful woman on one of the marble benches in one of the -halls, evidently waiting for somebody. Then Landon came and he greeted -her eagerly. She gave him a small packet, wrapped in paper, and they -talked so earnestly they didn't see me at all. I was only there for a -short time, to look up a matter of reference for some people I was -visiting. We had motored in from Long Island,--Landon was then in my -rooms, you know." - -"What time was this?" - -"Just half-past two. I know, because I had told my people I'd meet them -again at three, and I wanted a half hour for my research, and had it, -too." - -"This is most important, Mr. Lindsay. You are prepared to swear it all as -a witness, if called on?" - -"Oh, it's all true, of course. But, I say, I don't want to get old Landon -in trouble." - -"It doesn't necessarily imply that. Perhaps Mrs. Black may be implicated -more than we have supposed. But he, I understand, denies knowing the lady -until meeting her here, after his uncle's death." - -"Nonsense, he knew her for years out in Denver. They are old friends." - -"That, too, is of importance. Why should he wish to pretend they were -not?" - -"I don't know, I'm sure. But Landon always was a queer Dick. You know he -left college before he was graduated, because of a quarrel with this same -uncle. Mr. Trowbridge was putting him through, and they had a tiff about -something, and Kane chucked it all, and went off out West. Been there -ever since, till just now, and it's a pity he hadn't stayed there rather -than to get mixed up in this affair." - -"You consider him mixed up in it, then?" - -"I wouldn't say that, but I know the police are still hinting at his -possible connection with the matter and the Press, you know, will try to -hang the crime on to somebody worth while. They don't want to suspect -highwaymen or Swedish passers-by, if they can get a man higher up. Now, -do they?" - -"I can't say. I've only just begun on this case, and I wish I'd been -called sooner. It's a great thing to get in at the beginning----" - -"Yes, when the clues are fresh. Well, if I can help you in any way, call -on me. Landon is my friend, but if he's innocent, investigation won't -hurt him, and if he's implicated, he ought to be shown up." - -Alvin Duane went away, full of new theories. If Kane Landon did kill his -uncle, here were several bits of corroborative evidence. If Mrs. Black -was an old friend of his, and they had pretended otherwise, that was a -suspicious circumstance in itself. And if they were both entirely -innocent and unconnected in any way with the murder, why did they meet -secretly in the library instead of openly at the Trowbridge home? These -things must be explained, and satisfactorily, too. - -Also, what was in the package that she went there to give him? Lindsay -had said it was about the size of a brick, but flatter. Was it, could it -have been a handkerchief of Stryker's? Duane's brain was leaping wildly -now. Supposing these two conspirators were responsible for the murder. -Supposing Kane had been the subject of his uncle's dying words, and had -himself committed the deed, might it not be that the adventuress (as he -already called Mrs. Black) had brought him a handkerchief of the butler's -in deliberate scheming to fasten the crime on Stryker! That Landon had -left it there purposely, and that Stryker discovering this, had fled, in -fear of being unable to prove his innocence. - -All theory, to be sure, but well-founded theory backed by the recorded -facts, which Duane had studied till he knew them by heart. - -Then the telephone caller who said "Uncle" was really the nephew, and the -"stephanotis" and Caribbean Sea were jokes between the two, or as was -more likely, figments of the stenographer's fertile brain. - -On an impulse, Duane went to see Miss Wilkinson, the stenographer, and -verify his ideas. - -"You're sure it was a man's voice?" he asked her. - -"Sure," she replied, always ready to reiterate this, though she had been -quizzed about it a dozen times. - -"Do you think it could have been Mr. Landon?" - -"Yes, I think it could have been Mr. Landon, or Mr. Stryker, or the -President of the United States. There isn't anybody I _don't_ think it -could have been! I tell you the voice was purposely disguised. Sort of -squeaky and high pitched. So _can't_ you see that it was really a man -with a natchelly low voice? You detectives make me tired! I give you the -straight goods that it was a disguised voice, and so, unreckonizable. -Then you all come round and say, 'was it this one?' 'was it that one?' I -tell you I don't _know_. If I'd a known whose voice it was, I'd a told at -the inquest. I ain't one to keep back the weels of justice, I ain't!" - -"Never mind the voice then. Tell me again of those queer words----" - -"Oh, for the land's sake! I wish I'd never heard 'em! Well, one was -stephanotis,--got that? It's a _very_ expensive puffume, and the next man -that asks me about it, has got to gimme a bottle. I had a bottle -onct----" - -"I know, I know," said Duane, hastily, "that's how you came to know the -name." - -"Yep. Now, go on to the Caribbean Sea." The blonde looked cross and -bored. "No, I _don't_ know why anybody invited Mr. Trowbridge to the -Caribbean; if I had I'd been most pleased to tell long ago. But somebody -did. I heard it as plain as I hear you now. Yes, I'm sure it _was_ the -Caribbean Sea, and not the Medtranean nor the Red Sea nor the Bay of -Oshkosh! So there, now. Anything else this morning?" - -"How pettish you are!" - -"And so would you be if everybody was a pesterin' you about them old -words. Can I help it if the man talked Greek? Can I help it if he -squeaked his voice so's I couldn't reckonize it? I gave my testimony and -it was all recorded. Why can't you read that over and let me alone, I'd -like to know!" - -But after a pleasant little gift of a paper, fresh from the United States -Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Miss Wilkinson grew a little more sunny -tempered. - -"No," she said, in answer to Duane's last question, "I can't quite -remember whether the voice said _he_ had set a trap or somebody else had -set one. But I'm positive he said one or the other. And he said the trap -was set for Mr. Trowbridge,--whoever set it." - - - - - CHAPTER XII - A NEW THEORY - - -Alvin Duane had to report to Avice and to Judge Hoyt the result of his -interview with Lindsay. - -The detective had an idea that Avice would be far from pleased at the -possible incrimination of Kane Landon. Duane knew that Miss Trowbridge -was reported engaged to Judge Hoyt, but he had seen and heard her in -conversation with the judge, and to his astute observation she did not -seem desperately in love with him. This, to be sure, was none of his -business, but he greatly desired to find out just where the affections of -his young employer lay. Moreover, he had a slight suspicion that the girl -was a little jealous of the beautiful widow's attractions, but whether -this jealousy was directed toward Landon or the judge he did not know. -And he chose his own method of discovering. - -Avice came to his office by appointment to learn his news. Duane greeted -her, looking admiringly at the slender figure, so pathetic in its dull -black draperies. But there was a vivid color in the girl's cheeks, and a -sparkle of excitement in her eyes, as she sat down, eager to learn the -latest developments. - -"Mr. Duane," she said, "I see by your very manner that you learned -something from my unknown friend, Mr. Lindsay." - -"I did," and Duane looked mysterious and important. - -"Well, tell me! I am all impatience!" - -Pursuing the plan he had formulated to himself, he said, impressively, -"I've a new theory." - -"Yes," said the girl, breathlessly. - -"I think Mrs. Black is the criminal," he declared, bluntly. - -Avice almost laughed. "How absurd!" she said. "Why, Mrs. Black was with -me all that afternoon." - -"That's just it! She stayed and kept you at home on purpose. I don't mean -she actually committed the murder, but she instigated it." - -"And who was her accomplice?" - -"Stryker, the house man, of course." - -Avice began to be a little interested. She had never really liked -Stryker. He seemed to her shifty and deceitful. "But how?" she asked. - -"Easy enough. The man simply took a knife from the kitchen, followed his -master to the woods, and waylaid him." - -"How did he know Uncle Rowly was going to the woods?" - -"He telephoned him at his office to go to Van Cortlandt Park. You -remember the stenographer said the man who telephoned called Mr. -Trowbridge 'Uncle'." - -"And Stryker did that?" - -"Yes; to be misleading." - -"But Stryker didn't know Kane Landon had come on from the West." - -"Yes, he did. Landon telephoned the night before. You were all out and -Stryker took the message." - -"How do you know?" - -"I have ferreted it all out from the other servants. The facts, I -mean,--not my deductions from them." - -"Have you spoken to them about Stryker?" - -"No; I wanted to speak to you about it first." - -"Mr. Duane, I will be frank with you. I don't want Kane Landon suspected -of this crime. I know he is innocent. I know, too, that some evidence -seems to be against him. But that is only seeming. He is entirely -innocent. Now, if Stryker is innocent, also, I don't want to direct -suspicion to him. And it doesn't seem to me you have any real evidence -against him." - -"But, my theory is that he was only a tool in the hands of the principal -criminal." - -"Mrs. Black?" - -"Yes." - -"Preposterous! Incredible!" - -"Not at all. Mrs. Black was engaged to your uncle, but she did not love -him. She was marrying for a fortune. Then she heard that Landon, whom she -has known for years, was coming East, and she connived with Stryker to -put the old gentleman out of the way." - -"Uncle Rowly was only in the fifties, that is not old." - -"Old compared with Kane Landon. And as I told you, Miss Trowbridge, this -is largely theory. But many facts support it, and it ought to be looked -into." - -"Then the thing to do, is to lay it before Judge Hoyt. He will know what -is the best way to sift the theory to a conclusion." - -But when the three were together in Hoyt's office, and Duane told the -whole story of his interview with Jim Lindsay, the detective laid aside -his pretence of still suspecting Stryker and enumerated his reasons for -looking in the direction of Landon. - -"That must be a true bill about his meeting that adventuress in the -library," he argued; "it couldn't have been anybody else but Mrs. Black." - -"Why couldn't it?" Avice spoke fiercely, and her brown eyes were full of -indignant amazement at the tale Duane had told. - -"Lindsay saw her picture in the papers, and anyway, it all fits in. You -see, those two were pals in Denver, and they kept it quiet. That's enough -to rouse suspicion in itself. The old butler is no sort of a suspect. To -be sure he wanted the money to get his insurance before the time was up, -but he wouldn't commit murder for that----" - -"Why wouldn't he?" demanded Avice, "as likely as that a man's own nephew -would do it?" - -"He isn't an own nephew," said Judge Hoyt, slowly. "I don't want to -subscribe to your theory, Duane, but I'm startled at this library story. -Of course, Landon had a right to meet anybody he chose and wherever he -chose, but why keep secret his previous acquaintance with the widow?" - -"He might have lots of good reasons for that," and Avice looked -pleadingly at the judge. "Don't _you_ turn against him, Leslie; you know -him too well to think him capable of crime." - -"Of the two I would rather it had been Stryker," said the judge, "but we -can't ignore definite evidence like this. Did Mrs. Black go out that -afternoon, Avice?" - -"Yes," replied the girl, unwillingly. "She went out soon after luncheon -and stayed about an hour." - -"Time to go to the library and back. Duane, you're drawing a long bow, to -jump at the conclusion that the housekeeper took a handkerchief of -Stryker's, to be used as a false clue that would incriminate the butler! -It's almost _too_ much of a prearranged performance." - -"Of course it is!" cried Avice. "Kane is a firebrand and impulsive and -hotheaded, but he's not a deliberate criminal! If he killed Uncle -Rowly,--which he never did, never!--he did it in the heat of a quarrel, -or under some desperate provocation. I wish you had never come to us, Mr. -Duane! I don't want Stryker found guilty, but I'd a thousand times rather -he did it than Kane. I dismiss you, Mr. Duane. You may give up the case, -and tell no one of these wrong and misleading circumstances you've -discovered." - -"Wait, wait, Avice," and Judge Hoyt spoke very gently; "we can't lay -aside evidence in that way. These things must be looked into. They must -be told to the district attorney, and investigated, then if Landon is -innocent, as he doubtless is, he can explain all that now looks dark -against him." - -"Don't accuse _him_!" flared Avice, "go to Eleanor Black, and ask her -what was in the parcel she took to Kane. She is the wrongdoer, if either -of them is. She telephoned him that night of Uncle's death, and she -said----" - -"What did she say?" asked Hoyt, as Avice stopped short. - -Compelled by the insistent glances of the two men, Avice went on: "She -said she'd meet him the next day at the same time and place. That proves -there was nothing wrong about it." - -It didn't prove this conclusively to her two listeners, and they quizzed -her further until she admitted that she had reason to think that Landon -and Mrs. Black had known each other before Avice had introduced them. - -"How do you explain that," asked Duane, "unless they were concealing -something,--some plan or a secret of some sort?" - -"And suppose they were! It needn't have been anything connected with -Uncle Rowly's death. If they knew each other in Denver, all the more -likely they had business of some sort that they didn't care to have -known." - -The girl was arguing against her own suspicions as much as against -theirs. A terrible fear clutched at her heart, and surging emotions -choked her speech. For, as she pictured Kane as a suspected criminal, -came the even more heartrending thought that he was in love with Eleanor -Black! Quickly to Avice's sensitive intuitions came the conviction that -Landon would not be holding secret conferences and having secrets with -Eleanor unless they were or had been lovers. And yet, he had told Avice -he loved her. But, granting all this she was hearing today, what faith -could she put in his speech or actions? - -"I can only repeat what I said, Mr. Duane," she asserted, with dignity, -"I hereby release you from your engagement on this case, and I will -willingly pay you for the time you have wasted,--worse than wasted! And I -hope never to see you again!" Here Avice was unable longer to control her -tears. - -Greatly distressed, Judge Hoyt attempted to soothe her, but met only with -rebuff. - -"You're just as bad," she sobbed. "You, too, want to prove Kane mixed up -in this, when you know he isn't--he couldn't be!----" - -"There, Avice, there, dear, dry your eyes and go home now. I will talk -this over with Mr. Duane, and if there is any way of disproving or -discrediting this evidence, rest assured----" - -"Oh, can you do that, Leslie?" and the girl looked up hopefully; "isn't -there a thing called 'striking out' anything you don't want to use -against a person?" - -"That's a broad view of it," and Judge Hoyt smiled a little, "but you run -along, dear, and after a confab with Mr. Duane, I'll come up and tell you -all about it." - -The confab wound up by a trip to the office of the district attorney. The -situation was too grave to allow of what Avice called "striking out"! If -Landon and Mrs. Black were implicated in suspicious collusion, the matter -must be sifted to the bottom. - -District Attorney Whiting eagerly absorbed the new facts recounted to -him, and fitted them into some he had of his own knowledge. - -Landon had sent fifty thousand dollars to the mining company of Denver in -which he was interested. He had not yet realized on his inheritance, for -the estate had not been settled, but he had doubtless borrowed on his -prospective legacy. This proved nothing, except that he had been most -anxious for the large sum of money, and had utilized his acquisition of -it as soon as possible. - -"We must get at this thing adroitly," counseled Judge Hoyt. "Landon is a -peculiar chap, and difficult to bait. If he thinks we suspect him, he's -quite capable of bolting, I think. Better try to trip up the housekeeper. -She's a vain woman, amenable to flattery. Perhaps if Mr. Groot went to -her, ostensibly suspecting,--say, Stryker,--he could learn something -about her relations with Landon. And by the way, how are you going to -find Stryker?" - -"Through his daughter," Whiting replied. "That butler is no more the -murderer than I am; and he is hiding, because he's afraid of that -handkerchief clue." - -"It is certainly an incriminating piece of evidence," observed Hoyt. - -"It is. But not against the butler. That handkerchief is a plant. On the -face of it, it is certainly too plain an indication to be the real thing. -No, sir, the murderer, whoever he was, stole the butler's handkerchief to -throw suspicion on the butler. And who could do this so easily as the -housekeeper, or some member of the household, who had access to Stryker's -room? Landon wasn't at the house, that we know of, before the murder, -therefore, the theory of the housekeeper bringing the handkerchief to him -at their library interview, just fits in and makes it all plausible." - -"It may be," said Judge Hoyt, looking doubtful; "it may possibly be, -Whiting; but go slowly. Don't jump at this, to me, rather fantastic -solution. Track it down pretty closely, before you spring it on the -public." - -"All of that, Judge Hoyt! I've no idea of spiking my own guns by telling -all this too soon. But there's work to be done, and first of all we must -find that butler. If he can be made to think we don't accuse him, he'll -come round, and we may learn a lot from him. We missed our chances in not -questioning him more closely at first." - -Meantime Avice had gone home, and on the way, her mood had changed from -sorrow to anger. She was angry at herself for having insisted on the -employing of Alvin Duane. She remembered how Kane had opposed it, but she -was so zealous in her hunt for justice that she ignored all objections. -She was angry at Kane for hobnobbing with Eleanor Black, and also for -deceiving her about their previous acquaintance. She was angry at Eleanor -for knowing Kane and pretending that they were strangers. She was angry -at Judge Hoyt for not dismissing Duane and obliterating even from his own -memory all that stuff the detective had discovered. She was furiously -angry at Duane, but that was a helpless, blind sort of rage that reacted -upon herself for engaging him. - -And so, her tears had dried and her quivering nerves had tautened -themselves when she reached the house, and she went in, determined to -attack Eleanor Black herself, and learn the truth of her acquaintance -with Kane. - -But as soon as she entered, she came upon Landon and Mrs. Black in the -little reception room, in close confab. - -"Come in," said the widow, "come in and talk to us." - -"We won't have time for much conversation," said Landon, looking at his -watch, "I want Mrs. Black to go out with me on an errand. May I order the -car?" - -"Certainly," said Mrs. Black, smiling. "I want all my guests to feel at -liberty to give any orders they choose." Her smile included Avice and -gave the girl that uncomfortable feeling that always manifested itself -when the ex-housekeeper asserted herself as mistress of the place. - -"Please, Avice, don't look like that," said Eleanor, with an injured air. -"I want you to look on this house as home just as long as you choose to -do so. And, indeed, you may continue in charge of it, if that is what you -want." - -"Car's here," sang out Landon. "Come on, Eleanor." - -"Eleanor!" thought Avice, as the two went away. She had never heard him -call her that before, and it struck her like a chill. And yet she felt -sure there was a strong friendship, if not something deeper between them, -and she must be prepared for even endearing terms. - -But Avice, despite her quick anger, was of a nature born to make -sacrifices. She could do anything to help those she loved, and she had -suddenly realized that she did love Landon. So without thought of reward, -she began to plan how she could help him. - -She turned from the window without even wondering where they were going; -only conscious of a vague, dull longing, that she felt now, would never -be gratified. - -And then, Harry Pinckney came, for one of his rather frequent calls. -Avice was glad Eleanor was out as she so objected to the sight of a -detective, and the young reporter had added that line of work to his own. - -"I know where Stryker is," were his first words, after they had exchanged -greetings. - -"You do! Where?" - -"At his daughter's. Been there all the time. That Mrs. Adler is a -splendid actress, but she was a little too unconcerned about her father's -disappearance to fool me. I pinned her down, and I'm practically sure -he's in her house, or she knows where he is. But I've told the police and -they'll rout him out. I'm to have the scoop. I hope they find him soon." - -"And," Avice held herself together, "who will be the next suspect?" - -"Dunno. Old Groot has his eye on Kane Landon, but he's got no evidence to -speak of. I don't care two cents for that 'Cain' remark. I mean I don't -for a minute think it implicates Kane Landon." - -"Bless you for that!" Avice said, but not aloud. - -"However," Pinckney went on, "they've got something new up their sleeves. -They wouldn't tell me what,--I've just come from headquarters,--but -they're excited over some recent evidence or clue." - -"Have you any reason to think it refers to Mr. Landon?" - -Pinckney looked at her narrowly. "I hate to reply to that," he said, "for -I know it would hurt you if I said yes." - -"And you'd have to say yes, if you were truthful?" - -"I'm afraid I should, Miss Trowbridge. Honest, now, isn't there a chance -that he is the one?" - -"Oh, no, no! But, Mr. Pinckney, tell me something. Supposing, just -supposing for a minute, that it might be Kane,--you know he's been out -West for five years, and out there they don't look on killing as we do -here, do they?" - -"What have you in mind? A sheriff rounding up a posse of bad men, or a -desperado fighting his captor, or just a friendly shooting over a card -game--have you been reading dime novels?" - -"No. It's just a vague impression. I thought they didn't call killing -people murder----" - -"Yes, they do, if it's murder in cold blood. Westerners only kill in -avenging justice or in righteous indignation." - -"Really? I'm glad you told me that. Do you know, Mr. Pinckney, I'm not -going to sit quietly down and let Kane be accused of this thing. I don't -know whether he did it or not, but he's going to have his chance. I know -him pretty well, and he's so stubborn that he won't take pains to appear -innocent even when he is. That sounds queer, I know, but you see, I know -Kane. He is queer. If that boy is innocent, and I believe he is, he would -be so sure of it himself that he'd make no effort to convince others; and -he'd let himself be misjudged, perhaps, even arrested through sheer -carelessness." - -"It is, indeed, a careless nature that will go as far as that!" - -"It isn't only carelessness; it's a kind of pig-headed stubbornness. He's -always been like that." - -"And if he should be guilty?" - -"Then,--" and Avice hesitated, "then, I think he'd act just exactly the -same." - -"H'm, a difficult nature to understand." - -"Yes, it is. But I'm going to see that he is understood, and,--Mr. -Pinckney, you're going to help me, aren't you?" - -"To the last ditch!" and Harry Pinckney then and there, silently, but -none the less earnestly, devoted his time, talent and energies to -upholding the opinions of Avice Trowbridge, whatever they might be, and -to helping her convince the world of their truth. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - FIBSY FIBS - - -As the district attorney had surmised, Stryker was in hiding, under the -protection of his daughter. Mrs. Adler was a clever young woman, and -having undertaken to keep her father safe from the police investigation, -she did so remarkably well. - -But being assured that there was no reason for apprehension if he had not -committed the murder, Stryker decided to face the music. He had feared -being railroaded to jail because of his handkerchief having been found in -the wood, but a certainty of fair play gave him courage, and he emerged -from the house of his daughter's neighbor, with a trembling step, but an -expression of face that showed plainly relief at the cessation of strain. - -"Yes, I kept father over to Mrs. Gedney's," said Mrs. Adler, "'cause I -wasn't going to have him all pestered up with an everlastin' troop o' -p'licemen, when he handn't done nothin'. I have my sick husband to nurse -and wait on, and I can't have detectives traipsin' in here all the time. -Oh, don't talk to me about the law. I ain't afraid. My father is as -innercent as a babe, but he flusters awful easy, and a policeman after -him makes him that put about, he don' know where he's at. So, I says, -I'll jest put him out o' harm's way fer a while till I see how the cat -jumps." - -"But as an intelligent woman, Mrs. Adler," began Mr. Groot, "you must -know----" - -"I know what I know; and I'm a wife and a daughter long 'fore I'm an -intellergent woman. Don't you come none o' that kind of talk over me. You -want my father, there he is. Now talk to him, if you can do so peaceably, -but don't give him no third degree, nor don't fuss him all up with a lot -o' law terms what he don't understand. Talk nice to him an' he'll tell -you a heap more'n if you ballyrag him all to pieces!" - -Groot realized the force of this argument, "talked nice" to Stryker, he -learned the old man's story. - -He had been anxious to take out an insurance policy for his daughter -before it became too late for him to do so; but, he affirmed, he did not -kill his master for the purpose. The agent had been after him frequently, -of late, to urge him to borrow the money for the premium. But this, Mrs. -Adler did not want him to do, for, she argued, the interest on the loan -and the premiums would counterbalance the value of the policy. They had -had many discussions of the subject, for Mr. Adler, a very sick man, had -wanted to die knowing that his wife had some provision for her old age. -His illness precluded any insurance on his own life. - -Not interested in these minute details, Groot questioned Stryker closely -about the handkerchief. - -"I don't know," Stryker said. "I don't know, I'm sure, how my kerchief -got into those woods, but I do know I didn't take it there." - -"Could it have been taken from your room?" - -"It must 'a' been. Leastways, unless it was taken from the clothes line -on a wash day,--or mebbe it blew off and was picked up by somebody -passin'." - -Though not extremely probable, these were possibilities, and they had not -been thought of before by Groot or his colleagues. - -"There's something in that," he agreed, "now, Mr. Stryker, don't get -excited, but where were you Tuesday afternoon, the day that Mr. -Trowbridge was killed?" - -"I know all where I was, but it's sort o' confused in my mind. I was to -the insurance agent's; and I was to the doctor's to be sized up for that -same insurance, if I did decide to take it out; and then I dropped in to -see my daughter, and her man was so sick I thought his last hour had -come, and I ran over for a neighbor, and somehow I was so upset and -bothered with one thing and another that the more I try to straighten out -in my mind the order of those things, the more mixed up I get. You see, -it was my day out, and that always flusters me anyhow. I'm not so young -as I was, and the onusualness of getting into street clothes and going -out into the world, as it were, makes me all trembly and I can't remember -it afterward, like I can my routine days. And then when I did go home -that night, first thing I knew master didn't come home to dinner! That -never had happened before, unless we knew beforehand. Well, then Mis' -Black she ate alone, and Miss Avice, she didn't eat at all, and there was -whisperin' and goin's on, and next thing I knew they told me master was -dead. After that nothing is clear in my mind. No, sir, everything is a -blur and a mist from that time on. That there inquest, now, that's just -like a dream,--a bad dream." - -"Then," and Groot egged him gently on, "then, about the night you left -the Trowbridge house. Why did you do that?" - -Stryker looked sly, and put his finger to his lips. "Ah, that night! -Well, if you'll believe me, I heard them talking in the library. You -know, sir, I've a right anywhere on the two floors. I ain't like the -other servants, I've a right,--so as I was a passin', I overheard Mr. -Duane say as how _I_ was the murderer! Me, sir! Me, as loved my master -more than I can tell you. Sir, I didn't know what I was doing then, I -just got out. I heard 'em say they had pos'tive proof, and somethin' -about a handkerchief, and I remembered the sight of that handkerchief I'd -seen--oh, well, oh, Lord--oh, Lord! _I_ didn't do it!" The old man's -voice rose to a shriek and Mrs. Adler exclaimed. "There now, you've set -him off! I knew you would! Now, he'll have hystrics, and it'll take me -all night to get him ca'med down, and me with Mr. Adler on my hands and -him always worse at night----" - -"Wait a minute," commanded Groot. "I'm nearly through, and then I'll go -away and he can have his hysterics in peace. Go on, Stryker, finish up -this yarn. What did you do when you heard Mr. Duane accuse you?" - -Stryker looked at him solemnly and blinked in an effort to concentrate. -Then he said, "Why, I pretended I'd had a telephone call from Molly, and -I ran around here as fast as I could, and Molly she says, they'll be -after you, go over to Mrs. Gedney's and stay there. And I did, till you -spied me out." - -"All right," and Groot rose to go. "Your father is all right, Mrs. Adler. -Don't coddle him too much. It makes him childish. Keep him here with you, -and my word for it, no suspicion will rest on him. I had his alibi pretty -well fixed up anyway, between the insurance agent and the doctor, and his -story just about completes it. There isn't one chance in a thousand that -he'll be accused, so keep him here and keep him quiet, and I'll see you -again in a day or two. But if your father tries to run away or to hide -again, then he _will_ find himself in trouble." - -Mrs. Adler proved amenable to these orders and Groot went away to begin -his hunt for the purloiner of Stryker's handkerchief. - -"You won't have to look far," Whiting said, when he heard the detective's -story. "If you wanted one more thread in the strand of the rope for young -Landon's neck, that's it. Of course, he got the handkerchief some way, -whether from the housekeeper or not. Go to it and find out how." - -Indirectly and by bits, Avice learned of Groot's discoveries, and keeping -her own counsel, she worked on a side line of her own devising. - -As a result, one morning when she went to see Alvin Duane with, what she -felt sure he must call real evidence, he was very much interested indeed. - -"I hunted and hunted all through my uncle's desk," she said, fairly -quivering with excitement, "and at last I was rewarded by finding this. -It was tucked away in a pigeon-hole, and is evidently unfinished." - -She gave Mr. Duane a slip of paper with a few typewritten words on it. -The paper was torn and a little soiled, but perfectly legible. "Should I -ever be found dead by some alien hand," the paper read, "do not try to -track down my murderer. I do not anticipate this event, but should it -occur, it will be the work of John Hemingway. Do not search for him; he -cannot be found. But his motive is a just one, and if----" - -The writing ended abruptly, as if the writer had been interrupted and had -never finished the tale. - -"Who is John Hemingway?" asked Duane. - -"I have no idea," said Avice; "I never heard uncle speak of him. But -there can be no doubt of the authenticity, as this is the writing of my -uncle's typewriter. I recognize the type." - -"Show me where you found it, Miss Trowbridge," and going home with the -girl, Duane examined the desk where she said she found the paper. - -"I wonder it was overlooked so long," he mused. - -"No one has thought to go through the desk so thoroughly as I did," she -returned, with a wistful look in her eyes. "Will it save Kane?" - -"It may go far toward it," was the reply; "we must hunt up this man." - -"But my uncle says distinctly not to do that." - -"Such instructions cannot be regarded. In a case like this, he must be -found." - -But no trace of the man named Hemingway could be discovered. However, the -fact of the message having been written turned the tide of suspicion away -from Landon to a degree, and to the best men of the force was assigned -the task of discovering the identity or getting some knowledge of -Hemingway. - -It was a few days later that Judge Hoyt had a caller at his office. A -card was brought in, on which, in straggling letters, he read: - -"Terence McGuire." - -"That Fibsy!" he said, smiling at the card. "Show him in." - -So in walked Fibsy, into the office of the great lawyer, with an air of -self-respect if not self-assurance. - -"Judge Hoyt," he began, without greeting; "I want to talk to you." - -"Very well, Terence, talk ahead." - -"But I want you to listen to what I say, 'thout makin' fun o' me. Will -you?" - -"Yes, I promise you that. But, I must tell you, I am a busy man, and I -can't spare much time this morning." - -"I know it, Judge; I haven't been with Mr. Trowbridge five years fer -nothin'! I know all about business." - -"You know a lot, then." - -"I mean, I know how busy a boss is, an' how he hates to see anybuddy, -'cept by appointment, an' all that. Yes, I've kep' up with the guv'nor's -ideas, an' I'm not the fool I look!" - -Fibsy glanced up, as if surprised not to hear some humorous or sarcastic -reply to this speech, but Judge Hoyt nodded, as if to a more self-evident -observation. - -"You see I'm aimin' to be a big man, myself." - -"Ah, a lawyer?" - -"No, sir; I'm goin' to be a detective! I've got a notion to it an' I'm -goin' to work at it till I succeed. But that's what I came to see you -about. You know this here Trowbridge murder case?" - -"Yes, I know it." - -"Well, you know that feller Landon ain't guilty." - -"Indeed, this is important information. Are you sure?" - -"Now you're makin' fun o' me. Well, I can't blame you, I s'pose I am only -a kid, and an ignerant one at that. But, Judge, I've found clues. I found -'em up on the ground, right near where they found the guv'nor's body." - -"And what are your clues?" - -"Well, when I told that Pinckney reporter about 'em, he snorted. Promise -me you won't do that, sir." - -"I promise not to snort," said Hoyt, gravely. "Now, go ahead." - -"Well, sir, I found a button and a hunk o' dirt." It was with some little -difficulty that the lawyer kept his promise. Though he might have used a -more graceful term, he certainly felt like "snorting." However, he only -said, gravely, "What sort of a button?" - -"A suspender button," said Fibsy. And immediately he observed to himself, -"Gee! I wonder why I lied then! Guess I'm born that way." - -But for some reason, he did not correct his mis-statement, and say truly, -that it was a shoe button. - -"Yes," said Hoyt; "and the mud? What was the interest of that?" - -"Well, you see, sir, it had a mark in it." - -"What sort of a mark?" - -"The print of a boot heel." And again Fibsy communed with himself. "Done -it again!" he observed, in silent soliloquy. "Well, when I lie, -onexpected, like that, I'm always glad afterward!" - -Surely, the boy was well named! He had gone to Mr. Hoyt, fully intending -to tell him of his "clues" and he had falsified in both instances. - -Judge Hoyt was as attentive and considerate in manner as if talking to an -equal. - -"I know Terence," he said, "that in the detective stories you are -doubtless fond of, the eagle eyed sleuth sees a footprint, and -immediately described the villain at full length. But I have never yet -seen a footprint that amounted to anything as proof. Why, ninety-nine men -out of a hundred would fit into the same footprint. Or, heelprint, I -believe you said. Which, of course, would be even less distinctive." - -Fibsy looked at the speaker in genuine admiration. "That's just true, -sir!" he cried, eagerly. "The stories are full of footprints, but I've -tracked out lots of 'em and I never found a good one yet." - -"Just what do you mean by 'tracked them out'?" - -"Why, I've watched by chance of a rainy day, when lots of men track mud -into the outer office, and afterward, I fit my own shoe to 'em an' by -jiminy, sir, it fits inter every bloomin' track!" - -Hoyt looked interested. "You have gone into the subject carefully, almost -scientifically." - -"Well, I've read such rediklus tales of such things, I wanted to see for -myself. You know, I'm goin' to be a detective." - -"If you have such ingenious views, you may succeed. But what about the -button?" - -"Well, you see," and Fibsy's face grew blank, "you can't tell much by a -suspender button, 'cause they're all alike. If it had been a coat button, -now, or----" - -The judge looked at the boy thoughtfully. "Terence," he said, "I promised -not to laugh at you, and I won't. But I think it only fair to tell you -that I can't take much interest in your 'clues.' But your conversation -has made me realize that you're a bright boy. Knowing that, and as you -were the office boy of my very good friend, I'd like to do something for -you. Have you obtained a place yet?" - -"No, sir, I haven't." - -"Well, then, I'd like to help you to get a good position. And would that -wipe out your disappointment that I can't make use of your clues?" - -"Yes, sir! I'd like to have a recommendation from you, sir." - -"All right. Go away now and return this afternoon at three. I may have -found a place for you by that time." - -Fibsy went away, thinking deeply. "Ain't I the limit?" he inquired of -himself. "Why in the dickens did I tell him those lies? It's funny, but -sometimes I 'spect to tell a straight yarn and sumpin inside o' me jest -ups an' lies! But it didn't make any difference this time fer he wouldn't -a' cared if I'd told him it was a shoe button, or if I'd told him the -truth about the hunk o' dirt. An' anyway, a detective has to be awful -sicretive, an' it don't do to alwus tell the truth." - -At three the untruthful one returned for his news. - -"Well, Terence," was the greeting, "I've a good position for you in -Philadelphia." - -Fibsy's face fell. "I'd ruther be in New York." - -"Is that so. Well, you're not obliged to take this place, but I should -advise you to do so. It's office boy to a first-class lawyer, and you -should be able to pick up a lot of odds and ends of information that -might be useful to you in your detective career." - -"Sounds good to me," and Fibsy's face cleared. "What's the weekly number -o' bones?" - -"You will receive ten dollars a week, if you make good." - -Fibsy almost fell over. "Gee! Mr. Hoyt, I ain't worth it!" - -"That's for your new employer to judge. I've been telephoning him, and he -wants a boy who is wide-awake and not stupid. You ought to fill that -bill." - -"Yep, I can do that. Honest, Judge, I'll do me best, and I'm orfly -obliged, sir." - -"Not at all. Can you go this afternoon?" - -"Today! Why, I s'pose I can. But it's terrible sudden." - -"I know it. But Mr. Stetson wants to go away tomorrow, for a few days, -and he wants to break you in before he leaves." - -"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. But, oh, say, now,--I jest can't go off so -swift,--honest I can't Judge, sir." - -"No? And why not?" - -"Well, you see, I gotter get some clo'es. Yes, sir, some clo'es. And my -sister, she alwus goes with me to buy 'em, an' she can't get a day off -till tomorrow. An' then, if the clo'es has to be let out, or let in, you -know, why it'd take a little longer. Yes sir, I see now, I couldn't get -off 'fore the first of the week." - -"I'm not sure Mr. Stetson will hold the place for you as long as that." - -"Pshaw, now, ain't that jest my luck! Can't you pussuade him, -Judge,--pussuade him, as it were?" - -"I'll try," and smiling involuntarily, Judge Hoyt dismissed his caller. - -"At it again!" said Fibsy, to himself, as he passed along the corridor. -"Gee! what whoppers I did tell about them clo'es!" - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - TWO SUITORS - - -"Oh, of course, that settles it" Pinckney was saying to Avice, as he -watched for her answering gleam of satisfaction at his words. She had -been telling him about the Hemingway letter, and had said he might use it -in his newspaper story. - -Avice was disappointed that the police had not been entirely convinced by -the note she found, and while they searched for the unknown Hemingway, -they kept strict surveillance over Kane Landon and a wary eye on Stryker. - -But Pinckney agreed with her, positively, that Hemingway was the -murderer, and that it was in accordance with the dead man's wishes that -he should not be hunted down, consequently the matter ought to be -dropped. - -However, the young reporter had reached such a pitch of infatuation for -the beautiful girl, that he would have agreed to any theory she might -have advanced. He lived, nowadays, only to get interviews with her, and -to sanction her plans and carry out her orders. They had evolved theories -and discarded them time and again, and now, Avice declared, this was the -absolute solution. - -"Of course, Uncle Rowland looked forward to this fate," she said, her -face saddened at the thought, and, "Of course," Pinckney echoed. - -"Seems queer, though," put in Landon, who was present, "that the note -just cropped up. Where was it, Avice?" - -"In a pigeon-hole of uncle's desk, stuffed in between a lot of old -papers,--bills and things." - -"A fine search the police put up, not to find it sooner!" - -"But it doesn't matter, Kane, since I came across it," and Avice smiled -at him. "You must admit that the mystery is solved, even if we don't know -who Hemingway is, and are asked not to find out." - -"Oh, it's as good a solution as any," Landon said, indifferently; "but I -don't take much stock in it, and Pinck doesn't either. Do you, old chap?" - -"I see no reason to doubt that the probabilities point to the man -mentioned in the note," Pinckney returned, a little stiffly. He was -horribly jealous of Landon, and though not sure that Avice cared for him, -he feared that she did. Kane Landon was a handsome fellow, and had, too, -as Pinckney noted with concern, that devil-may-care air that is so taking -with women. It was Landon's fad never to discuss anything seriously, and -he scoffed at all theories and all facts put forth by Pinckney in his -amateur detective work. - -Moreover, Pinckney, who was not at all thick-skinned, couldn't help -observing how Avice's interest in him flagged when Landon was present. -Alone with the girl, the reporter could entertain and amuse her, but let -Landon appear, and her attention was all for him. - -So Pinckney reluctantly went away, knowing he would only be made -miserable if he remained longer. - -"What makes you act so about that note?" demanded Avice of Landon, after -Pinckney left. - -"Act how?" - -"As if it were of no account. Why, Kane, if uncle wrote that, he must -have known how he would meet his death." - -"Yes--, _if_ he wrote it?" - -"What do you mean?" Avice looked startled. "Can you have any doubt that -he wrote it? Why, I know his typewriter letters as well as I know his -handwriting." - -"Do you?" and Landon smiled quizzically. "Avice, you are very beautiful -this morning." - -"Is that so unusual as to require comment?" The smile she flashed at him -was charming. - -"It isn't unusual, but it does require comment. Oh, Avice, I wish I could -kidnap you and carry you off, away from all this horrid mess of police -and detectives and suspicion." - -"Would we take Eleanor Black with us?" The brown eyes looked straight at -him, challenging him to declare himself for or against the one Avice felt -to be a rival. - -"If you like," and Landon smiled teasingly at her. "Go on, Avice, fly in -a rage, I love to see you angry." - -"'Deed I won't! I've nothing to rage about. If you admire Eleanor, I can -only say I admire your taste. She is certainly beautiful." - -"Bravo! Good for you, little girl! Now, just for that I'll tell you that -in my opinion she can't hold a candle to you for beauty." - -"Your compliments are so subtle, Kane! I suppose that's due to your -western training." - -"And your sarcasm is that known as the withering variety. Oh, Avice, -don't let's fence. You _are_ beautiful, and you are very dear to me. If I -weren't--if they didn't--oh, pshaw! if I were free of all suspicion in -this horrid matter, would you,--could you----" - -"Kane," she said, looking at him seriously; "you didn't do it, did you?" - -"I will not tell you." - -"That can mean either of two things; one, which I hope, that you are -innocent, and so, resent my question; the other, which I fear, that you -are----" - -"Guilty," supplemented Kane. - -"Yes; oh, Kane, why won't you tell me?" - -"Would you care? Avice, would you really care whether I'm guilty or not?" - -The girl looked up at him, a sudden light in her big, dark eyes; "Oh, -yes, Kane, I do care." - -"Do you mean it, Avice? My little girl, do you mean it!" - -Impulsively, Landon took her hand, and drew her to him, looking deep into -her eyes. - -"Sweetheart," he murmured, and there was a thrill in his voice Avice had -never heard there before, "I will clear myself of these awful matters, -and then I can ask you----" - -"But, Kane, you know the note from John Hemingway----" - -"Bother John Hemingway! Avice, do you take me for a fool?" - -Landon crushed her to him in a desperate embrace, and then held her off -and looked at her with a strange expression on his face. - -"Dear heart!" he said, and gently kissing her downcast, frightened eyes -he went swiftly from the room. - -Going to the window, Avice watched him stride down the street. His -swinging walk was a splendid thing in itself, and the girl felt a thrill -of pride in the strong, well-proportioned figure, so full of life and -energy. - -"But I can't understand him," she thought, "he acts so queer every time -he talks about Uncle's death. And then, he pretends to love me,--and he's -all mixed up with Eleanor,--I wish I could get up courage to ask him -about her,--but I'm--oh, I'm not really afraid of Kane--but,--well, he is -_strong_,--every way." - -She sank into a chair and gave herself up to day dreams. - -"A bright, new, Lincoln penny for your thoughts," said a deep voice, and -Avice looked up to see Judge Hoyt smiling down at her. - -For the first time in her life, she felt an aversion to him. She knew she -was not in love with her elderly suitor, but always she had felt great -friendship and esteem for him. Now, the esteem was still there, but the -remembrance of Landon's caress so recent, she experienced a shrinking -from the passion she could not fail to read in the eyes now bent upon -her. - -Leslie Hoyt was a man whose physical presence dominated any group of -which he was a member. Towering some inches above most of his fellow men, -his fine head was carried proudly and with an air of aristocracy that -gave him especial prestige. Few had ever seen his grave, scholarly face -aglow with emotion of any sort, but Avice knew well the light that love -kindled in those deep, dark eyes, and though not entirely responding to -it, she had gratefully appreciated it, and had tacitly accepted her -uncle's plan that she should marry the judge. But that was during her -uncle's lifetime, and before Kane Landon had come home from the West. - -In a swift mental picture, Avice contrasted the two men. Landon, too, was -tall and big and strong. Hoyt was far superior in manner, and in that -indefinable effect given by cultured associations. Landon had the -advantage of youth and the careless grace of that lack of -self-consciousness, so often the result of western life. The -self-possession of both men was complete, but Landon's was somewhat that -of bravado and Hoyt's that of experience. - -Without detailing these thoughts to herself, Avice was quite aware of -them and of their value, and she knew that she was going to choose -between two of the finest specimens of men she had ever seen. - -"I'm thinking about Kane Landon," she said in answer to the remark of her -new visitor. Avice was naturally mischievous, and well knew the effect of -her aggravating speeches. - -The kindly look in Judge Hoyt's eyes gave way to an ironic gleam, as he -said "Then I offered you full value, I think." - -"That's so clever that I forgive its mean spirit," and Avice smiled at -him. "Yes, my thoughts were penny-wise, which is far better than if they -had been pound-foolish." - -"Think pound-foolish ones of me--" - -"Of you! Why, Leslie, I can't connect you and foolishness in my mind!" - -"I'm foolishly in love with you, I know that! What is there about you, -Avice, that makes me lose my head entirely the moment I see you?" - -"Do you really? It seems incredible! I'd like to see dignified Judge Hoyt -in that state commonly described as having lost his head!" - -"Would you?" and a dangerous fire blazed in Hoyt's eyes as he took a step -nearer to her. - -"No, no!" cried Avice, really alarmed, "not now. I mean some other time." - -"There'll be times enough. You'll have to spend the rest of your life -getting used to seeing me headless. But Avice, I came to talk to you -about that Hemingway note." - -"Yes, do. Will it clear Kane?" - -"Why?" said the lawyer, a sudden anger coming into his eyes. "Do you love -him?" - -Avice looked at him. "Yes," she said simply. - -"Then he shall not be cleared!" and Hoyt's voice was full of deep hatred. -"Do you know it rests with me to free him from suspicion or not! Do you -know that I hold his life in my hands?" - -Avice looked at him in horror. "Do you mean," she cried "that you would -let him be suspected, knowing he is innocent?" - -"On the contrary," and Hoyt looked at her meaningly, "I know the only -hope of freedom Landon has, is that letter found in your uncle's desk. -And I know,--" he paused. - -"You know what?" said Avice, grasping a chair for support, as she felt -herself giving away. - -"I know who wrote that letter." - -"What do you mean?" - -"You know what I mean. You wrote that letter yourself. Oh, it was a fine -scheme to save a guilty man, but it didn't deceive me." - -"How do you know?" - -"I know because I am familiar with all your uncle's papers and business -matters. I know, because it is not written on a style of paper that he -ever used. Because it is not in his style of diction. Because, moreover, -you 'discovered' it, just after you were told that only another suspect -could save Kane Landon. And you concluded to invent that other suspect! -Oh, it was clever, my girl, but it didn't deceive me! Now, why did you do -it? Because you love that man?" - -Avice stood up straight and faced him. "Yes," she cried, while her eyes -shone. "Yes, that was the reason. I know he is innocent, both you and Mr. -Duane declared he would not be thought so, unless there was another -suspect. So I _did_ resort to that ruse, and I'm glad of it. It does no -wrong. The man it accuses is only imaginary, and if it saves the life of -an innocent man it is a justifiable deception." - -"And do you suppose I will be a party to it? Do you suppose for a minute -that I will stand up for a man, knowing that my attitude is based on a -falsehood?" - -"Not if it is a harmless, justifiable falsehood? Not if I ask you to do -it?" - -"Avice, don't tempt me. What is this man to you? You have known me for -years, and along comes this stranger, and you turn to him. I won't have -it!" - -"Don't talk like that, Leslie. He doesn't really care for me. He is in -love with Mrs. Black. But she can't save him from an awful fate, and I -can, yes, and I have, if you don't interfere with my plans. And you -won't, will you?" - -Avice looked very coaxing and sweet, as she urged her plea, and Leslie -Hoyt caught her in his arms. "I'll do it," he said, in a whisper, "if -you'll marry me at once." - -"Oh, I can't!" and Avice shrank away from him with a gesture of aversion. -"Don't ask me that now! Wait till this awful ordeal is over." - -"That's just it, Avice. I'm in earnest. Promise to marry me and I'll get -Landon cleared of all suspicion whether he is guilty or not." - -"Is that your price?" - -"Yes, and the only condition on which I will keep your secret! Do you -know I shall have to perjure myself? Do you know that I will do that only -to gain you? What is your answer? Tell me, Avice, my beautiful darling? -Oh, I love you so!" - -"Leslie, you frighten me. I don't love you. I have told you I love Kane. -But he must never know it. He is infatuated with Eleanor Black, and I -shall in no way hamper his happiness. But, I don't want to marry -anybody." - -"You'll marry me, or that precious adoration of yours will pay the full -penalty of his crime. And, too, Avice, remember your uncle's will. Do you -want to throw away a million to escape a union with me? I'll be very good -to you, dear. You shall have your own way in everything." - -"Do you want me to marry for money's sake?" - -"Yes; if you won't marry me for my own." - -"Are you sure you can save Kane?" - -"My skill is small else. With that letter that you _forged_, to work on, -I ought to be able to manage it." - -"And otherwise,--" - -"Otherwise, prepare yourself for the worst." Hoyt spoke seriously, even -solemnly, and Avice knew he meant every word he said. With a sob in her -throat, she turned to him and held out her hand. - -"So be it, then," she said, and her voice was as sad as a funeral chime. -"But always remember that I warned you I don't love you." - -"I'll make you love me!" and Hoyt's voice rang out exultantly. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - THE TRAP THAT WAS SET - - -When, in his conversation with Judge Hoyt, Terence McGuire stated that -his wardrobe purchases were made under the guidance and jurisdiction of -his sister, he was creating a fabrication of purest ray serene. For, in -this sorry scheme of things, no sister had been allotted to Fibsy, nor, -until that moment, had he ever felt need of one. So, the need arising, a -sister easily sprang, full fledged, from the red head of the well-named -inventor. - -Fibsy, likewise was unprovided with parents, and lived with a doting -aunt. This relative, a knobby-coiffured spinster, was of the firmly -grounded opinion that the orb of day has its rising and setting in her -prodigy of a nephew. That he was not a bigoted stickler for the truth, -bothered her not at all, for Fibsy never told his aunt lies, at least -none that could possibly matter to her. - -Now, being temporarily out of a business position, and not minded to go -at once to Philadelphia, Fibsy was giving Aunt Becky the ecstatic bliss -of having him at home for a time. - -He was mostly absorbed in thoughts and plans of his own, but when she saw -him, hands in pockets, sprawled bias on a chair, she forbore to bother -him; and, like Charlotte, went on cutting bread and butter, to which she -added various and savory dishes for her pet's demolition. - -Nor were her efforts unappreciated. - -"Gee! Aunt Beck, but this is the scream of a strawberry shortcake!" would -be her well-earned reward. "You sure do beat the hull woild fer cookin'!" - -And Aunt Becky would beam and begin at once to plan for supper. - -"There's no use talkin'" said Fibsy, to himself, as he writhed and -twisted around in the dilapidated rocker that graced his sleeping-room; -"that milk bottle, with the old druggy stuff in it, means sumpum. Here -I've mumbled over that fer weeks an' ain't got nowhere yet. But I got a -norful hunch that it's got a lot to do with our moider. An' I've simply -gotto dig out what!" - -Scowling fearfully, he racked his brain, but got no answer to his own -questions. Then he turned his thoughts again to Miss Wilkinson's strange -account of that queer telephone message. "That's the penny in the slot!" -he declared. "I jest know that rubbish she reels off so slick, is the key -clue, as they call it. Me for Wilky, onct again." - -Grabbing his hat he went to interview the stenographer. She too, had not -yet taken another place, though she had one in view. - -Obligingly she parroted over to Fibsy the lingo of the message. - -"Did the guy say he'd _give_ the Stephanotis to Mr. Trowbridge, or they'd -_get_ it?" he demanded, his blue eyes staring with deep thought. - -"W'y, lemmesee. I guess he said,--oh, yes, I remember, he said, I guess -we'll _find_ some Stephanotis--" - -"Oh, did he? Are you sure?" - -"Pretty sure. What dif, anyhow?" - -But Fibsy didn't wait to answer. He ran off and went straight to the -Trowbridge house. - -"Miss Avice," he said, when he saw her, "Please kin I look at Mr. -Trowbridge's c'lection, if I won't touch nothin'? Oh, please do lemme, -won't you?" - -"Yes, if you promise to touch nothing," and Avice led the way to the -room, with its glass cases and cabinets of shallow drawers that held the -stuffed birds and mounted insects so carefully arranged by the -naturalist. - -Rapidly Fibsy scanned the various specimens. Eagerly he scrutinized the -labels affixed to them. Oblivious to the amused girl who watched him, he -darted from case to case, now and then nodding his shock of red hair, or -blinking his round blue eyes. - -After a time, he stood for a moment in deep thought, then with a little -funny motion, meant for a bow, he said, abstractedly, "Goo' by, Lady. -Fergive me fer botherin--" and rapidly descending the stairs he ran -outdoors, and up the Avenue. - -Half an hour later, he was at the door of a large college building, -begging to be allowed to see Professor Meredith. - -"Who are you?" asked the attendant. - -"Nobody much," returned Fibsy, honestly. "But me business is important. -Wontcha tell Mr.----here, I'll write it, it's sorta secret--" and taking -a neat pad and pencil from his pocket, the boy wrote, "Concerning the -Trowbridge murder," and folded it small. - -"Give him that," he said, with a quiet dignity, "and don't look inside." - -Then he waited, and after a moment was given audience with the Professor -of Natural History. - -"You wished to see me?" said the kindly voice of a kind-faced man, and -Fibsy looked at him appraisingly. - -"Yessir. Most important. And please, if you don't want to tell me what I -ask, don't laugh at me, will you?" - -"No, my lad, I rarely laugh at anything." - -The serious face of the speaker bore out this assertion, and Fibsy -plunged at once into his subject. - -"Is there a bug, sir, named something like Stephanotis?" - -"Well, my child, there is the Scaphinotus. Do you mean that?" - -"Oh, I guess I do! I think maybe, perhaps, most likely, that's the trick! -What sort of a bug is it?" - -"It's a beetle, a purplish black ground-beetle, of the genus -Carabid,----" - -"What! Say that again--please!" - -"Carabid?" - -"Caribbean Sea! Stephanotis!" - -"No, Scaphinotus. That is, the Scaphinotus Viduus, Dejean,----" - -"Oh, sir, thank you." - -"Did you say this has something to do with the Trowbridge case? Mr. -Trowbridge was a friend of mine,--" - -"Oh, please sir, I don't know but I think this here beetle business will -help a lot. Do these pertikler bugs show up in Van Cortlandt Park woods?" - -"Yes, they may be found there. I've set traps there for them myself--" - -"How do you set a trap for a beetle, kin I ask?" - -"Why, you're really interested, aren't you? Well it's a simple matter. We -take a wide-mouthed bottle,----" - -"Say, a milk bottle?" - -"Yes, if you like. Then put it about a half-inch of molasses and -asafoetida----" - -A whoop from Fibsy startled the Professor. "What's the matter?" he cried. - -"Matter, Sir! Didn't you read the accounts of the Trowbridge murder in -the papers?" - -"Not all of it. I get little time to read the papers,----" - -"Well, then, this here bottle o' stuff--does it smell bad?" - -"Oh, the asafoetida is unpleasant, of course, but we get used to that. We -next sink this bottle in the ground, up to its neck, and----" - -"And you call it a trap!" - -"Yes, a trap to catch unwary insects. Not very kind to them, but -necessary for the advancement of science. You seem a bright lad, would -you care to see some fine specimens of----" - -"Oh, sir, not now, but some other day. Oh, thank you fer this spiel about -the bugs! But who was the guy what did it? _You_ didn't telephone Mr. -Trowbridge to go after Stephanotises, did you?'" - -"Scaphinotus, the name is. No, I didn't telephone him. I haven't seen Mr. -Trowbridge for years." - -"Oh, yes, I remember, you an' him was on the outs. Well, I'm much -obliged, I sure am! Goo' by, Sir." and with his usual abruptness of -departure, Fibsy darted out of the door, leaving the Professor bewildered -at the whole episode. - -Back to Miss Wilkinson the boy hurried, to verify his new discoveries. - -"Say, Yellowtop," he began, "did you sure hear Caribbean _Sea_?" - -"Yep, fer the thoity thousandth time,--yep!" - -"Sure of the Sea?" - -Miss Wilkinson stared at him. "Gee, Fibsy, you are a wiz, fer sure! I was -a thinkin' that the guy jest said Caribbean, but I knew he musta meant -Sea, so I 'sposed I skipped that woid." - -"Naw, he didn't say it. Wot he said wuz, Carabid." - -"It was! I know it now! What's that mean?" - -"Never mind. What d'you mean, sayin' the feller said things he didn't say -at all? He said Scaphinotus too, not Stephanotis." - -"I can't tell any difference when you say 'em." - -"Never mind, you don't have to. Now, turn that thinker of yourn backward, -and remember hard. Don't it seem to you like the guy said somebody'd set -a trap, no matter who, and that he and Mr. Trowbridge'd get the -Stephanotis and the Carib--whatever it was,--outen the trap?" - -"Yes, it does seem like he said that, only that ain't sense." - -"Never you mind the sense. I'm lookin' after that end. An' then, wasn't -Mr. Trowbridge tickled to death to go an' get these queer things from the -trap?" - -"Yes, said he had a nengagement, but he'd break it to get the -Stephanotis--" - -"Sure he would! In a minute! All right, Wilky. You keep all this under -your Yellowtop; don't squeak it to a soul. Goo' by." - -"Sumpum told me not to go off to Philadelphia so swift," the boy mused, -as he went home. "Now, here I am chock-a-block with new dope on this -murder case, an' I dunno what to do with it. If I tell the police first, -maybe Miss Avice won't like it. And if I tell Judge Hoyt first, maybe the -police'll get mad. There's that Duane guy, but he don't know enough to go -in when it rains. I wisht I was a real detective. Here I am just a kid, -an' yet I got a lot o' inside info that orta be put to use. Lemmesee, who -do I want to favor most? Miss Avice, o'course. But sure's I go to her, -that Pinckney feller'll butt in, an' he does get my goat! I b'lieve I'll -do the right thing, an' take it straight to the strong arm o' th' law." - -Fibsy went to the Criminal Court Building, and by dint of wheedling, -fighting, coaxing and, it must be admitted, lying, he at last obtained -access to the district attorney's office, for the boy declined to entrust -his secrets to any intermediary. - -Judge Hoyt was there and Detective Groot. Also Mr. Duane, looking a bit -despairing, and several others, all discussing the Trowbridge case. - -Fibsy was a little frightened, not at the size of his audience, but -because he was not sure he wanted all those present to know of his news. -And yet, after all, it might not prove of such great importance as he -expected. He had misgivings on that score, as well as on many others. - -But Mr. Whiting, though he greeted the boy with a nod, was in no hurry to -listen to him, and Fibsy was given a chair and told to wait. Nothing -loath, he sat down and pretended to be oblivious to all that was being -said, though really he was taking in every thing he could hear. - -At last the district attorney, in a preoccupied way told him to tell his -story, and to make it as brief as he could. - -But when the boy began by simply stating that he had discovered what was -the meaning of the mysterious telephone message and also what relation -the milk bottle bore to the trip to the woods, all eyes and ears gave him -attention. - -Knowing the importance of the occasion and anxious to make a good -impression, Fibsy strove to make his language conform, as far as he -could, to the English spoken by his present audience. - -"So I asked Perfesser Meredith," he related, "and he told me there is a -beetle named Scaphinotus, and it's of the Carabid fambly." - -He had obtained these names in writing from the Professor, and had -learned them, unforgettably, by heart. - -"What!" exclaimed Whiting, more amazed at this speech from the boy, than -its bearing on the matter in hand. - -"Yessir; an' I says to myself, 'that's the meanin' of Wilky's puffumery -dope and Caribbean Sea." In his excitement, Fibsy forgot his intended -elegance of diction. - -"But the girl said she overheard _Sea_," said Judge Hoyt, looking in -amazement at the boy. - -"Yessir, I know. I read that in my Pus-shol-ogy book. It says that what -you expect to hear, you hear. That is, Wilky heard Caribbean, as she -thought, an' she natchelly spected to hear Sea next, so she honest -thought she did!" - -"That is psychological reasoning," said Whiting. "It's Mnsterberg's -theories applied to detection. I've read it. And it's true, doubtless, -that the girl thought she heard Caribbean, expected to hear Sea next, and -assumed she did hear it." - -"Yessir," cried Fibsy, eagerly; "that's the guy, Musterberg,--or whatever -his name is. I'm studyin' him, 'cause I'm goin' to be a detective." - -"Now, let us see how this new angle of vision affects our outlook," said -Judge Hoyt, ignoring the boy, and turning to the district attorney. - -"It gives us a fresh start," said Whiting, musingly. "And here's my first -thought. Whoever telephoned that message, not only knew of Mr. -Trowbridge's interest in rare beetles, but knew the scientific names for -them." - -"Right," agreed Hoyt, "and doesn't that imply that we must start afresh -for a suspect? For, surely, neither Stryker the butler, nor Mr. Landon -would have those names so glibly on his tongue." - -"Also, it was somebody who knew how to set the trap,--the milk-bottle -trap. Terence, my boy, you did a big thing, this morning. How did you -come to think it out?" - -"I thought such a long time, sir." Fibsy's manner was earnest and not at -all conceited. "I thought of every thing I could find in me bean to -explain those crazy words that Wilky,--Miss Wilkinson said she heard. An' -I knew the goil well enough to know she heard jest about what she said -she did, an' so, I says to myself, there _must_ be some meanin' to 'em. -An' at last, I doped it out they must have sumpum to do with Mr. -Trowbridge's bug c'lection. He'd go anywhare or do anythin' fer a new bug -or boid. So I went an' asked Miss Avice to let me give the c'lection the -once-over. An' she did, an' then I saw a name sumpum like Wilky's -Stephanotis, an' I was jest sure I was on the right track. So I ups an' -goes to see Perfesser Mer'dith,--an' there you are!" - -Fibsy's face glowed, not with vanity, but with honest pride in his own -achievement. - -The boy was sent away, with an assurance that his assistance would be -duly recognized at some other time, but that now he was in the way. - -Not at all offended, he took his hat, and with his funny apology for a -bow he left the room. - -"Looks bad," said Groot. - -"For whom?" asked Whiting. - -"Landon, of course. He knows all that scientific jargon. He's a college -man,----" - -"He never was graduated," said Judge Hoyt. - -"No matter; he gathered up enough Latin words to know names and things. -Or he looked them up on purpose. Then he set the milk bottle trap,--what -happens? Do the things crawl in?" - -"Yes," said Hoyt. "Attracted by the odor of the drug, and the molasses, -they crawl to the edge, tumble in, and can't get out." - -"H'm, well, Landon knows all this, and he sets the trap and baits his -uncle as well as the beetles. He tempts him with a promise of this -Stephanotis bug, and off goes uncle, willingly. Then Landon meets him -there, or goes with him,--it's all one,--and he stabs him, and Mr. -Trowbridge lives long enough, thank goodness,--to say Kane killed me! You -can't get away from that speech, Mr. Whiting. If there hadn't been any -suspect named Kane, we might say Mr. Trowbridge meant Cain,--any -murderer. But with the only real suspect bearing that very name, it's too -absurd to look any further. Then the murderer having thoughtfully -provided himself with a handkerchief belonging to the next possible -suspect, wipes the bloody blade on that and throws it where it'll be -found. Could anything be clearer? Who wants money right away? Who has -just quarreled with the victim? Who is impudent and insolent when -questioned about it? Who is now enjoying his ill-gotten gains, and has -already used a lot of money for the purpose he told his uncle about that -first day he saw him? Answer all those questions, and then doubt, if you -can, who murdered Rowland Trowbridge!" - -Groot spoke quietly, but forcibly, and all present realized there was no -answer save the one he indicated. - -Judge Hoyt looked aghast. "It's incredible!" he exclaimed. "Kane -Landon----" - -"You mean any other theory or suspicion is incredible, Judge," said -Whiting. "I have thought this was the only solution for some time. I have -had a strict watch kept on Landon's movements, and he has spent that -money, as Groot says. In every way he seems guilty of this crime and I -say the time has come to arrest him." - -And so Kane Landon was arrested for the murder of his uncle, Rowland -Trowbridge, and was taken to The Tombs. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - A PROMISE - - -Of the General Public, there were few who doubted Landon's guilt. When no -other explanation offered, it was plausible think that the dying man -referred to his murderer as Cain. But when a man named Kane was shown to -have motive and opportunity, when also, he was a bold and even impudent -westerner, who could doubt that he was the murderer the victim meant to -denounce? - -Yet, some argued, ought he not to have the benefit of the doubt? Though -he had an apparent motive, though he confessed to being in the vicinity -at or near the time of the murder, that was not actual proof. - -And, all the time, Kane Landon, in jail, was seemingly unconcerned as to -what people thought of him, and apparently in no way afraid of the doom -that menaced him. - -Again and again the district attorney talked with Landon. - -At first non-committal, Landon later denied the crime. - -"Of course, I didn't do it!" he declared; "I had quarreled with my uncle, -I've quarreled with other people, but I don't invariably kill them!" - -"But you were in the same woods at the time of the crime." - -"I was; but that doesn't prove anything." - -"Mr. Landon, I believe you are depending on our lack of proof to be -acquitted of this charge." - -"I am," and Landon's tone was almost flippant; "what else have I to -depend on? You won't take my word." - -"If you want to be acquitted, it will take a pretty smart lawyer to do -it." - -"What do you want me to do, confess?" - -"I think you'll be indicted, anyway. Perhaps you may as well confess." - -With this cheering reflection, Whiting left him. - -Avice Trowbridge, instead of being prostrated at the news of Landon's -arrest, was furiously angry. - -"I never heard of such injustice!" she exclaimed to Judge Hoyt, who told -her about it. "It's outrageous! Kane never did it in the world. You know -that, don't you, Leslie?" - -"I wish I were sure of it, dear. But it looks dark against him just now. -Still, there's little real proof,----" - -"There isn't any! There can't be any! I know he is innocent. I may have -had a shadow of doubt before, but I am sure now. Kane never did it!" - -"But, Avice, your assertions and reiterations wouldn't carry any weight -with a jury. It needs more than a woman's opinion of a man to prove the -truth." - -"Then I shall get what it does need, but the truth must be proved. And -you will help me, won't you, Leslie? You promised, you know." - -"Yes, and what did you promise me in return? Announce our engagement, -Avice, wear my ring, set a day to marry me, and I swear I will get Landon -free, no matter what the truth may be." - -"You are contemptible!" and Avice gave him a look of utter scorn. - -"I know it. I acknowledge it. But it is my love and devotion to your own -dear self that makes me so. Can't you understand,--no, no,--you can't. No -woman could guess what it means to a hitherto honorable man to resolve to -commit perjury,--to swear to a lie,--but the prize is worth it! For you, -my beauty, my idol, I would do anything! And I can do it safely; I shall -never be found out, for my reputation is too unsullied and too far above -reproach for me even to be suspected. I will exploit that letter you so -cleverly wrote, and however they may doubt its integrity, they can't -prove that Mr. Trowbridge didn't write it." - -"Kane doesn't believe Uncle Rowly wrote it." - -"Did he say so?" - -"Not exactly; but he implied it." - -"Don't you see why, dear? Landon, being guilty himself, knew the note was -forged, and of course, he knew only you would do it." - -"Oh, I never thought of that! Do you think it helps to prove Kane -guilty?" - -"Of course, and so do you, but you don't want to admit it. But you know -it, Avice, in your heart,--so how _can_ you keep on loving him?" - -"I don't know how I can--" and Avice looked awed at her own thoughts. -"But never mind that now. You have promised--oh, Leslie,--do you think it -was that little Fibsy boy's getting that information about the -Scaphinotus and the trap-bottle from Professor Meredith, that made them -arrest Kane?" - -"It helped mightily, Avice. That boy came to see me, and he told me of -some clues he had picked up in the woods. But they sounded pretty -rubbishy, I thought, and I paid no attention to them. I did offer, -though, to get him a position, and I found one for him with a man I know -in Philadelphia. It's a good place, and he ought to do well there." - -"I think you were awfully good to him," Avice said, with glowing eyes. "I -have a sort of liking for the boy, and Uncle was really fond of him." - -"I gave him a talking to about telling stories. But he didn't seem much -impressed. I fear he is incorrigible." - -"Leslie," and Avice looked him straight in the eyes; "tell me the truth -yourself! Why did you do that for Fibsy? You had some reason of your -own!" - -Hoyt started; "Why Avice, you're clairvoyant! Well, since you ask, I will -tell you. The boy is clever in a detective way. And he might stumble on -some clue that would--that would--" - -"Oh, I know! That would implicate Kane!" - -"Yes; and so you see, dear, it is better to get him out of the way before -he makes any trouble for us." - -"Were his clues, as he calls them, of any importance?" - -"Probably not; but the boy is unusually, almost abnormally shrewd, and we -can't afford to take chances. I didn't care to look at his buttons and -foot prints, for I thought it better to remain in ignorance of their -significance, if they have any." - -"Oh, Leslie, isn't it awful? I never deliberately committed an act of -deception before." - -"Why are you so sure that Landon is innocent?" - -Avice's eyes fell. "I'm not," she said in a low tone. "But I want him -cleared, anyway." - -"I wished you loved me like that!" - -"I wish I did! But I don't and never shall." - -"But I shall have you, darling and I'll make you so happy you can't help -loving me. Avice, my only excuse for taking you this way, is my positive -conviction that I can make you happy." - -"But you haven't freed Kane yet--" - -"He isn't indicted yet, dear. Perhaps he never will be. Not if I can -prevent it. But his freedom, sooner or later, will mean our marriage, so -I shall accomplish it, somehow. With the boy out of the way, I ought to -manage it. But that little chap is so shrewd, he might even see through -that note you made up. You know he has an eye for details, and the paper -is different from the sort your uncle used and McGuire might easily -notice that. And if the least question were raised about that note's -genuineness, I fear it would go hard with us." - -"How clever, Leslie, to think of these things." - -"And you do love me a little, don't you, my girl?" - -"I like you a whole lot, but--" - -"Never mind the but--stop there. I'll make you _love_ me yet, and if -doing this thing for you will help, I'll willingly do it. Since I'm not -incriminating an innocent man, I'm willing to let a guilty one go free. -But Avice, if some guiltless person should be suspected,--I couldn't then -keep back the truth." - -"That's why I want John Hemingway suspected. Then there is no danger of -accusing an innocent person. If the police really think it was a man -named Hemingway, they can't do anything to Kane, but free him." - -"We'll see," and Judge Hoyt sighed. It was not an easy task he had -undertaken, to fasten suspicion on a mythical character, but he would -carry it through, if possible, because of the reward that was to be his. -To do him justice, he didn't think Avice was deeply in love with Landon, -but rather, that her sympathies had been aroused by the man's tragic -position and perhaps by the injustice of his sudden and unexpected -arrest. - -And he fully believed that Landon, once freed, would turn to Mrs. Black -and not to Avice. The judge felt that these two had known each other well -and long before their recent meeting at the Trowbridge home, and that -they were only biding their time to renew their relations, whatever they -were or had been. - -Judge Hoyt and Avice went together to the Tombs to see Landon. The -application of Hoyt for permission was readily granted and the prisoner -was brought to see them in the warden's room. - -Landon was in an aggravating mood. He was indifferent, almost jaunty in -his demeanor, and Avice was really annoyed at him. - -"Kane," she said, earnestly, "I don't know why you assume this light air, -but it must be assumed. It can't be your real feelings. Now, Judge Hoyt -is willing to help you,--to help us. If you are indicted--" - -"Nonsense! The Grand Jury'll never indict me." - -"Why do you think they won't?" - -"Because they can't get sufficient evidence." - -"Oh, Kane, why didn't you say because you are innocent? You are,--aren't -you?" - -Landon looked at her. "What do you think?" he said, in a voice devoid of -any expression whatever. - -Avice looked away. "I don't know what to think! I am telling you the -truth, Kane. I cannot decide whether I think you guilty or not--I don't -know." - -"And you'll never learn,--from me!" - -"Kane! What do you mean by such an attitude toward me?" - -"Yes, Mr. Landon," broke in Judge Hoyt, unable longer to control his -indignation, "What do you mean?" - -"Nothing at all," replied Kane, coolly; "and by the way, Judge, I'm -advised by our worthy district attorney that I would do well to get a -competent lawyer to run this affair for me. Will you take it up?" - -"Are you sure you want me?" - -"Naturally, or I shouldn't have asked you." - -"Why do you hesitate, Leslie?" said Avice, her troubled eyes looking from -one man to the other. - -"Shall I be frank?" began Hoyt, slowly. - -"It isn't necessary," said Landon; "I know what you mean. You think it -will be a hard matter, if not an impossible one, to clear me." - -"I don't mean quite that," and Hoyt's fine face clouded. "Yes, Landon, -I'll take the case, if you desire it." - -And so Kane Landon had a clever, shrewd and capable lawyer to defend him. -Avice had great faith in Leslie Hoyt's genius, though she had feared the -two men were not very friendly. - -She took occasion later, on the way home, to thank Hoyt for his -willingness in the matter. - -"I'm sure you'll get him off," she said, hopefully. - -Hoyt looked grave. "You're mistaken, Avice; I can't get him off." - -"What! You mean he'll be convicted!" - -"How can he help but be? I can't perform miracles. But I might make a -more desperate effort than a stranger. That's all I can promise." - -"Even when you remember what I have promised you?" - -"Oh, my love, when I think of that, I feel that I _can_ perform miracles. -Yes, I'll succeed somehow. Landon shall be freed, and I shall put all my -powers to the work of making his freeing a jubilant triumph for him." - -Avice went home aghast at what she had done. She had forged a document, -she had persuaded Hoyt to perjure himself, and worst of all, she had -promised to marry a man she did not love. - -She had friendly feelings for her _fianc_, but no impulse of love -stirred her heart for him. Indeed, it was while she was talking with him, -that she realized that she really loved Kane Landon. As she thought it -all over, she knew that she had loved Landon without being aware of it, -and that it was Hoyt's appeal that had shown her the truth. Yes, that was -why she had forged that letter, because Kane's safety was more to her -than her own honesty! And all this for a man who did not love her! It was -shocking, it was unmaidenly,--but it was true. - -She would save the man she loved, and then, if there was no escape she -would marry Hoyt. Her debt to him must be paid, and she had given her -promise. Well, she would not flinch. Once let Kane be freed of all -suspicion of crime, and then she would pay her penalty. - -She remembered a quotation. "All for love and the world well lost." That -was her heart's cry. - -But from these moments of exaltation and self-justification, Avice would -fall into depths of self-reproach, and black despair. - -At times she could scarcely believe she had done the awful thing she had -done, and then the remembrance of _why_ she had done it returned, and -again she forgave herself. - -The next time Hoyt called, he looked very grave. - -"Avice," he said, "Avice, dear, I don't see how I can carry that matter -through. I mean about the forged note. It is sure to be found out, and -then where would I be?" - -"Very well," said the girl, coldly, "then our engagement is broken. That -is the one condition, that you free Kane. And you said you couldn't do -that without using the note." - -"But I can try other ways. I can try to get him off because of lack of -evidence." - -"Do just as you choose, Leslie. If you free him by any means whatever, I -will keep my promise and marry you, but not otherwise." - -"Avice! when you look like that, I _can't_ give you up! You beautiful -girl! You _shall_ be mine! I'll stop at nothing to win you. I would do -anything for you, Avice, _anything_! Do you understand?" - -Impulsively, he took her in his arms. But she cried out, "No, Leslie, you -shall not kiss me, until you have freed Kane!" - -"Girl!" he cried, and clasped her roughly, "do you know how you make me -feel when you insist it is all for his sake?" - -"But it _is_! I have made no attempt to deceive you as to that." - -"Indeed you haven't. But aren't you ashamed to love a man who cares for -another woman?" - -A dear, serene light shone in Avice's eyes. "No!" she said, "No! You -don't know what a woman's pure love is. I ask no return, I sacrifice my -heart and soul for him, because I love him. He will never know what I -have done for him. But he will be free!" - -"Free to marry Eleanor Black!" - -"Yes, if he chooses. She is not a bad woman. She is mercenary, she never -loved my uncle, and was only marrying him for his money. She is in love -with Kane. I can read her like a book. And though she is older, she is -congenial to him in many ways, and I hope,--I trust they will be happy -together." - -Hoyt looked at the girl with a sort of reverence. She was like a willing -martyr in a holy cause, and if her sacrifice was founded on falsehood, it -was none the less noble. - -"You are a saint," he cried; "but you are mine! Oh, Avice, you shall yet -love _me_, and not that usurper. May we announce our engagement at once?" - -"No; you seem to forget you haven't won me yet!" - -"But I will! I cannot fail with such a glorious prize at stake!" - -"You never can do that, except by freeing the man I do love!" - -Hoyt's brow contracted, but he made no complaint. Truly, he _had_ been -told often enough of Avice's reasons for marrying him, and as he had -accepted her terms, he had no right to cavil at them. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - MADAME ISIS - - -"Yep, Miss Avice, I gotter go. Judge Hoyt, he's got me a norful good -place in a lawyer's office, an' I'm goin' to get quite a bunch o' money -offen it. I do hate to leave this little ole town, but I don't wanta trow -down that swell job in Philly. So I come over to say goo'by, an' if -you'll lemme I'd like to wish you well." - -Fibsy was embarrassed, as he always was in the presence of gentlefolk. -The boy was so honestly ambitious, and tried so hard to overcome his -street slang and to hide his ignorance of better language, that he -usually became incoherent and tongue-tied. - -"I'm glad, Fibsy," Avice said, for she somehow liked to use his funny -nickname, "that Judge Hoyt did get you a good position and I hope you'll -make good in it." - -"Yes'm, I sure hope so, but you see I'd doped it out to stay an' help you -out on this here case o' yourn. I mean about Mr. Trowbridge--you -know----" - -"Yes, I know, Fibsy, and it's kind of you to take such interest, but, I -doubt if so young a boy as you are could be of much real help, and so -it's as well for you to go to a good employer, where you'll have a chance -to learn----" - -"Yes, Miss Avice," Fibsy interrupted impatiently, "an' I begs you'll -fergive me, but I wanta ask you sumpum' 'fore I go. Will you--would -you--" - -"Well, say it, child, don't be afraid," Avice smiled pleasantly at him. - -"Yes'm. Would you--" his eyes roved round the room,--"would you now, -gimme some little thing as a soovyneer of Mr. Trowbridge? I was orful -fond of him,--I was." - -"Why, of course, I will," said Avice, touched by the request. "Let me -see," she looked about the library table, "here's a silver envelope -opener my uncle often used. Would you like that?" - -"Oh, yes'm--thank you lots, Miss Avice, and I guess I better be goin'--" - -"Terence," and Avice, struck by a sudden thought, looked the boy straight -in the face, "Terence, that isn't what you started to ask,--is it? Answer -me truly." - -The blue eyes fell and then, lifted again, looked at her frankly. - -"No, ma'am it ain't. No, Miss Avice, I--I fibbed, I was a-goin' to ask -you sumpum else." - -"Why didn't you?" - -"It was one o' them sudden jerks o' my thinker, 'at makes me fib -sometimes, when I least expect to. I dunno what that thing is, but it -trips me up, lots o' times, an', Miss Avice, I always just hafto fib when -it comes, an'--" his voice lowered to a whisper, "an' I'm always glad I -done it!" - -"Glad you fibbed! Oh, Terence! I thought Judge Hoyt lectured you about -that habit." - -"Yes'm, he did, 'm. But there's times when I gotter,--jest simpully -gotter, an' that's all there is about it!" - -Somewhat shamefaced, the boy stood, twirling his cap. - -"You're a funny boy, Fibsy," said Avice, smiling a little at the -disturbed countenance. - -"Yes'm, I am, Miss: but honust, I ain't so bad as I look. An' I don't -tell lies,--not up-and-downers. But they's times--yes'm, there sure is -times--oh, pshaw, a lady like you don't know nothin' 'bout it! Say, Miss -Avice, kin I keep the cutter thing, all the same?" - -"Yes, you may keep that" and Avice spoke a little gravely, "and Fibsy, -let it be a reminder to you not to tell naughty stories." - -"Oh, I don't, Miss, truly, I don't do that. The fibs I tell ain't what -you'd call stories. They's fer a purpose--always fer a purpose." - -The earnestness in his tone was unmistakable, whatever its reason for -being, and something about him gave Avice a feeling of confidence in his -trustworthiness, notwithstanding his reputation. - -He went away, awkwardly blurting out a good-by, and then darting from the -room in a very spasm of shyness. - -"Funny little chap," said Avice to Eleanor Black, telling her of the -interview. - -"Horrid little gamin!" was the response. "I'm glad he's going to -Philadelphia; you were becoming too chummy with him altogether. And I -think he's too forward. He oughtn't to be allowed to come in the house." - -"Don't fuss, Eleanor. He won't be here any more, so rest easy on that -question." - -And then the two began to discuss again the question that was -all-absorbing and never finished,--the subject of Kane's arrest. - -Avice had concluded not to ask Eleanor of her previous acquaintance with -Landon, for they had practically joined forces in an effort to prove his -innocence, and Avice wanted to keep friends with the older woman, at -least until she had learned all Eleanor could tell her in friendship's -confidences. - -So they talked, hours at a time, and not once had Eleanor implied by word -or hint, that she had known Landon in Denver. And yet Avice was sure she -had, and meant to find out sooner or later from Kane himself. - -But she rarely had opportunity of seeing him, and almost never alone. On -her infrequent visits to him at The Tombs, she was accompanied by Judge -Hoyt, and, too, Landon, was morose and taciturn of late, so that the -interviews were not very satisfactory. - -He had been indicted by the Grand Jury, and was awaiting trial in a very -different frame of mind from the one he had shown on his arrest. - -The prosecuting attorney was hard at work preparing the case. As is often -the condition in a great criminal affair, there were antagonistic -elements in the matters of detection and prosecution. The district -attorney did not always agree with the police, nor they with the press -and general public. - -The personal friends and members of the family, too, had their own ideas, -and each was equally anxious to prove evidence or establish a case. - -The police had done well, but their work had to be supplemented by -Whiting and his own detectives, and evidence had to be sifted and -tabulated, statements put in writing and sworn to, and much detail work -looked after. - -Avice chafed at the delay, but Judge Hoyt assured her it was necessary, -and asserted that he, too, had much to do to prepare his case for the -defence. - -So the days dragged by, and one afternoon, when a stranger was announced, -Avice said she would see her, in sheer hope of diversion. And a diversion -it proved. - -The visitor was a middle-aged woman of the poorer class, but of decent -appearance and address. - -But she had a mysterious air, and spoke only in whispers. Her large dark -eyes were deep-set, and glittered as with an uncanny light. Her thin lips -drew themselves in, as if with a determination to say no more than was -needful to make known her meaning. Her pale face showed two red spots on -the high cheek bones, and two deep lines between her eyes bespoke earnest -intentness of purpose. - -"I am Miss Barham," she said, by way of introduction, and paused as if -for encouragement to proceed. - -"Yes," said Avice, kindly. "What can I do for you?" - -"Nothing, Miss Trowbridge. I am here to do something for you." Her voice -was so piercing, though not loud and her eyes glittered so strangely, -Avice drew back a little, in fear. - -"Don't be scared," said Miss Barham, reassuringly. "I mean no harm to you -or yours. Quite the contrary. I come to bring you assistance." - -"Of what sort?" and Avice grew a little impatient. "Please state your -errand." - -"Yes, I will. I have had a revelation." - -"A dream?" - -"No, not a dream--not a vision,--" the speaker now assumed a slow, -droning voice, "but a revelation. It concerned you, Miss Avice -Trowbridge. I did not know you, but I had no difficulty in learning of -your position and your home. The revelation was this. If you will go to -Madame Isis, you will be told how to learn the truth of the mystery of -your uncle's death." - -Avice curled her lip slightly, in a mild scorn of this statement. The -caller was, then, only an advertising dodge for some clairvoyant or -medium. A charlatan of some sort. - -"I thank you for your thoughtfulness," she said, rising, "but I must beg -you to excuse me. I am not interested in such things." - -"Wait!" and the woman held out a restraining hand, and something in her -voice compelled Avice to listen further. - -"You are perhaps interested in the freedom or conviction of Mr. Landon." - -"But I do not wish to consult a clairvoyant regarding that." - -"I have not called Madame Isis a clairvoyant." - -"Your allusion to her gives me that impression. Isn't she one?" - -"She is a seer of the future, but she reads the stars. Oh, do not tamper -with fate! If you go to her she will give you definite and exact -direction for finding the real murderer, and it is not the man named Kane -Landon. No, it is not!" - -The tones were dramatic, but they carried a certain conviction. - -"Who are you?" asked Avice. "You do not seem yourself like a fraudulent -person, and yet----" - -"I am not! I am a plain American woman. I was a schoolteacher, but I have -not taught of late years. I--I live at home now." - -There was a simple dignity in her way of speaking, as if she regretted -the days of her school work. But she quickly returned to her melodramatic -pleading; "Go, I beg of you, go, to Madame Isis. Can you afford not to -when she can tell you the truth, or the way to the truth?" - -"What do you mean by the way to the truth? Where is she? No, I will not -go! How dare you come to me with this rubbish?" - -Avice was getting excited now. She was suddenly aware of a mad longing to -see this clairvoyant, whoever she might be. It could do no harm, at any -rate. But even as these thoughts went through her brain, came others of -the absurdity of the thing she was thinking. Go to a clairvoyant to learn -how to save Kane! Well, why not? - -"Why not?" said Miss Barham, almost like an echo. "It can do no harm and -it will show the way to the light." - -"Are you a fraud?" and Avice suddenly stooped and looked into the woman's -eyes, taking her off her guard. - -"No," she replied so simply and calmly that for the first time Avice -believed she was not. - -"No, I am no fraud. I tell you truly, if you go to Isis, she will tell -you. If you do not, you will never know, and,"--she paused, "you will -regret it all your life." - -The last words, spoken in an emphatic and impressive manner, were -accompanied by a nod of the head, and the speaker moved toward the door. -"That is all," she said, as she paused on the threshold, "I have told -you. You may do as you choose, but it will be an eternal regret if you -fail to do my bidding." - -She was gone, and Avice, bewildered, sat quiet for a moment. "How -absurd," she thought, as soon as she could think coherently at all. -"Fancy my going to a clairvoyant, or seer or whatever she called her! And -anyway, I don't know where the Isis person is." - -Then, chancing to look down at the table near her, she saw a card lying -there. Immediately she knew what it was and that the woman had left it. -She picked it up, and saw the address of a palmist and fortune-teller in -Longacre Square. - -"I'll never go there," she said to herself, but she put the card away in -a book. - -It was after only two or three brown studies over the queerness of the -thing that she started for the address given. She had a subconsciousness -that she had known all along that she would go, but she had to persuade -herself first. That she had done, almost without knowing it, and now she -was on her way. She had told no one, for she hadn't even yet acknowledged -to herself that she would go in, only that she would go and look at the -place. - -It was in an office building, unpretentious and altogether ordinary. She -went up in the elevator and looked at the door that bore the given -number. And in another moment she was inside. - -It was the usual sort of place, decently furnished, but commonplace of -atmosphere and appointments. There was no attempt at an air of mystery, -no velvet hangings or deep alcoves. The room was light and cheerful. As -Avice waited, a young woman came in. She wore a trailing robe and her -pale gray eyes had a mystic far-seeing gaze. - -"You want a reading?" she asked in a low, pleasant voice. - -"I do if you can tell me one thing I want to know," replied Avice, a -little bluntly, for she had no faith in the seer's powers. - -"I am Isis," and the clairvoyant or astrologer or whatever she called -herself, looked at her client closely. "I think I can tell you what you -wish to know, better, by gazing in my crystal." - -She went to her table, and taking a crystal ball from its case set it on -a black velvet cushion. Then resting her chin on her hands she stared -into the changing depths of the limpid crystal. - -Avice watched her. Surely, if she were a fraud, she had most sincere and -convincing manners. There was no attempt at effect or pretense of occult -power. - -After a time, Isis began in her soft, low voice: "I see a man in danger -of his life. He is dear to you. I do not know who he is or what he has -done, but his life is in grave danger. Ah, there is his salvation. I see -a man who can save him. The man who is to save him must be summoned -quickly, yes, even at once. Waste no time. Call him to you." - -"Who is he?" and Avice breathlessly awaited the answer. - -"Fleming Stone. He is the only hope for the doomed man. Fleming Stone -will rescue him from peril, but he must come soon. Call him." - -"Who is Fleming Stone? Where can I find him?" - -"He is a detective. The greatest detective in the city. Maybe, in the -country. But he is the one. None other can do it. It is all. You do your -own will, but that is the truth." - -Isis turned from the crystal, looking a little weary. She raised her pale -eyes to Avice's anxious face, and said, "Will you obey?" - -"I don't know. How can I call a detective? I am pretty sure my advisers -will not approve of calling another detective on the case, for it is a -case. A criminal affair." - -Avice found herself talking to the clairvoyant as if she had known her a -long time. It seemed as if she had. She could not have said that she -liked the personality of Isis, but neither did she dislike it. She seemed -to Avice more of a force than a person. She seemed to have no particular -individuality, rather to be merely a mouthpiece for otherwise unavailable -knowledge. - -Avice rose to go. "That is all?" she said. - -"That is all, but will you not consent to save this man?" - -"Is there no hope else?" - -"None. It rests with you. You will agree to call Mr. Stone?" - -Compelled by the glance, almost hypnotic, that the seeress bent upon her, -Avice said "Yes," involuntarily. - -"You promise?" - -"I promise." - -"You will tell no one until after you have summoned Stone." This was an -assertion rather than a question, and Isis went on. "You can find his -address in the telephone book, and then write him a letter. Tell him he -must come to you,--but stay,--can you afford it?" - -"Is it a great price?" - -"As such things go, yes. But not more than a person in fairly good -circumstances can pay." - -"I can afford it, then." - -Avice paid the fee of Madame Isis, and went away in a daze. Not so much -at the directions she had received, as at the fact of this woman knowing -about Kane and knowing that it was a case for a great detective. For it -was, Avice felt sure of that. She had become conscious of late, of -undercurrents of mystery, of wheels within wheels, and she could not rest -for vague, haunting fears of evil still being done, of crime yet to be -committed. The whole effect of the clairvoyant's conversation heightened -these feelings, and Avice was glad to be advised to seek out Stone. She -had heard of him, but only casually; she knew little of his work and had -but a dim impression that he stood high in his profession. - -She went to the nearest telephone booth and found his address. But she -remembered she had been told to write him, not telephone. - -So, not waiting to get home, and also, with a view toward secrecy, she -stopped in at one of her clubs, and wrote to Fleming Stone, urging him to -take this case, and promising any fee he might ask. - -Then, feeling she had burnt her bridges behind her, or, rather that she -was building a new bridge in front of her, Avice went home. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - ALL FOR LOVE - - -Avice went occasionally to see Landon in The Tombs. The formalities and -restrictions had been looked after by Judge Hoyt, and Avice was free to -go at certain times, but she was not allowed to see Kane alone. In the -warden's room they met for their short visits, but of late, the warden -had been kind enough to efface himself as much as possible, and one day, -as he stood looking out of a window, he was apparently so absorbed in -something outside, that the two forgot him utterly, and Landon grasped -the hands of the girl and stood gazing into her sad brown eyes with a -look of longing and despair that Avice had never seen there before. - -At last, he said, slowly, "I suppose you know I love you," and his voice, -though intense, was as bare of inflection or emphasis as the room was of -decoration. It seemed as if one _must_ speak coldly and simply in that -empty, hollow place. The very bareness of the floor and walls, made the -baring of the soul inevitable and consequent. - -And as she looked at Kane, Avice did know it. And the radiance of the -knowledge lighted the darkness, dispelled the gloom and filled the place -with a thousand pictures of life and joy. - -With sparkling eyes, she went nearer to him, both hands outstretched. The -three words were enough. No protestations or explanations were necessary -in that moment of soul-sight. - -But Kane gave no answering gesture. - -"Don't," he said; "it means nothing. I only wanted you to know it. That -is all." - -"Why is that all?" and Avice looked at him blankly. - -Kane gave a short, sharp laugh. "First, because I am already the same as -a condemned man; second, because if I weren't, I couldn't ask you to -marry me and thereby lose your whole fortune." - -"I don't care about the fortune," said Avice, still speaking with this -strange new directness that marked them both; "but I have promised Leslie -Hoyt that if he frees you, I will marry him." - -"Avice! What a bargain! Do you suppose I would accept freedom at such a -price? Do you love him?" - -"No; I love you. I have told him so. But he will not get you off unless I -will marry him, so I have promised." - -"Promised! That promise counts for less than nothing! I will get freed -without his assistance, and you shall marry _me_! Darling!" - -"But you can't, Kane," and Avice spoke now from the shelter of his arms. -"No one but Leslie can get you off. He says he will do so whether you are -guilty or not. He is very clever." - -"_Is_ he! But so are other people. I will get a lawyer who also is able -to 'get me off whether I am guilty or not'! Oh, Avice!" - -"How can you? You have no money. Leslie says you will never get that -inheritance from uncle." - -"Does he! Well, let me tell you, dear, I don't care. My mine is an -assured fact; my interests are safe and protected." - -"Where did you get the money for that?" - -"Mrs. Black lent it to me. She is a fine business woman, and I turned to -her, as the time was growing short and I had to have the money at once, -if at all." - -"And I thought you were in love with her!" - -"No; she was truly in love with Uncle Trowbridge. But she is a -clear-headed financier, and saw at once the scope and promise of my -mining interests. She and I will both be rich from that deal. And so, -Avice, I can offer you a fortune, not so large as you would get by -marrying Hoyt, but still, a fortune. Oh, darling, do you really love -_me_!" - -But Avice was weeping silently. "It doesn't matter that I do, Kane; I am -promised to Leslie, and you cannot be freed without his help." - -"I may not be," said Landon, solemnly; "there is little hope as things -stand now, except through Hoyt's cleverness and,--well, shrewdness." - -"Kane, why should it require shrewdness to get you acquitted? Why, -doesn't your innocence speak for itself?" - -"_Am_ I innocent?" - -And then the warden had to tell them the time was up, and Avice had to go -away with that strange speech and that strange look on Kane's face, -indelibly impressed on her memory. - -"_Am_ I innocent?" If he were, why not say so; and if he were not, why -not declare it to her and tell her the circumstances, which _must_ have -been such as to force him to the deed. - -But out in the sunshine, outside that awful chill of the gloomy jail, -Avice's soul expanded to her new knowledge like a flower. Kane loved her! -All other good in the world _must_ follow! Suddenly she _knew_ he was -innocent! She fought back the thought that she knew it because she knew -he loved her. She _knew_ he would be freed! And fought back the thought -that she knew it because she knew he was hers. - -From an apathetic, hopeless inaction, she suddenly sprang to activity. -She would find a way to save him without Hoyt's help; then she would be -free of her promise to the clever lawyer. - -But how to go about it? It was one thing to feel the thrill of -determination, the power of an all-conquering love, and quite another to -accomplish her set purpose. - -Hoyt came in the evening. With the canniness of her new-found love, Avice -approached the subject in a roundabout way. - -"I saw Kane this afternoon," she began. - -"You did! You went to the Tombs?" - -"Yes; Leslie, that man is innocent." - -"Indeed! I wish you had the task of proving it to the G. P. instead of -me. Avice, things are not going well. Whiting is saving up something; I -don't know quite what. But I confess to you I am afraid of his coming -revelations." - -"What do you mean? Has he evidence that you don't know of?" - -"I'm not sure. He may have, and he may only pretend it to frighten me." - -"But you promised to free Kane!" - -"And I will if I can. But, dear child, I am but human. It would take -almost a miracle to clear that man from the network of circumstantial -evidence that trips us up at every step. I assure you I am doing my best, -and more than my best. You believe that?" - -"Of course, I do," and Avice studied the earnest, careworn face that -looked into hers. - -"And you also know why?" - -"Yes," came the answer in a low tone. - -"Not _because_ I believe him innocent, though I _do_ believe him so, but -because of your promise. That is what makes me work for his release, as I -dare to say no counsel ever worked before. That is why I fear the result -as I have never feared anything in my life. Because of my reward if I -win! Because of _you_, you beautiful prize, that I shall deserve, when I -conquer the fight!" - -"Leslie, could no one else free Kane, but you?" - -"No! a thousand times No! Who else would use every means, honorable or -not! Who else would jeopardize his legal standing, forget professional -ethics, resort to underhand methods, fearless of censure and opprobrium, -so he but win his case? And all because a girl holds my heart in the -hollow of her little white hand!" - -Avice was amazed and almost frightened at his vehemence. What was she, -she asked herself, that these two men should love her so desperately? -Kane had not declared himself in such glowing words as Hoyt, nor had he -expressed willingness to do wrong for her sake; but she knew his love was -as deep, his passion as strong as that of his counsel. - -"Leslie," she began timidly, for she had determined to stake all on one -throw; "if you free Kane,----" - -"Don't say if,--say when!" - -"Well, then, when you free him, won't you,--won't you let me off from -my--my promise to marry you,--if I give you all the fortune?" - -"Avice, what do you mean? Are you crazy? Of course I won't! It is you I -want, not the fortune. And, besides, you couldn't do that. If you don't -marry me, the fortune goes to found a museum." - -"Yes, I know,--but,--you are so clever, Leslie, couldn't you somehow -break the will, or get around it, or----" - -"Dishonestly! Why, Avice!" - -"But you're freeing Kane dishonestly." - -"I am not! I fully believe Landon is innocent. But it seems impossible to -find the real culprit, and it is to persuade the judge and jury, that I -do things I would scorn to do in a less urgent case." - -"But Leslie, I don't _want_ to marry you." - -"Very well, then, don't." - -"And you'll free Kane, just the same?" - -"Indeed I will not! Your lover may shift for himself. And we'll see what -verdict he will get!" - -"Oh, Leslie, don't talk like that! I shouldn't think you'd want a girl -who loves somebody else." - -"I'd far rather you'd love me, dear," and Hoyt spoke very tenderly; "but -I love you so much I'll take you on any terms. And, too, I have faith to -believe I can teach you to love me. You are very young, dearest, and in -the years to come you will turn to me, though you don't think so now." - -"Then you refuse to get Kane free, except on condition that I marry you?" - -"I most certainly do." - -"Then listen to me, Leslie Hoyt! Go on and do your best for him. I -promise that if you get him acquitted by your own efforts I will be your -wife. But I also warn you, that I shall try to get him freed without your -assistance, and if I do so, by any means whatever, that are in no way -connected with your efforts, I shall not consider myself bound to you!" - -"Well, well, what a little firebrand it is!" and Hoyt smiled at her. "Go -ahead, my girl; use every effort you can discover. You will only succeed -in getting your friend deeper in the slough of despond. Without being -intrusive, may I ask your intended course of procedure?" - -"You may not!" And Avice's eyes flashed. "You are to abide by our -bargain, and in no way relax the vigilance of your efforts, unless I see -success ahead without your help." - -"Which you never will! But, Avice, I don't like this talk. It sounds like -'war to the knife'!" - -"And it is! But it is fair and aboveboard. I give you full warning that -I, too, am going to fight for Kane's life, and if I win it, I am his, not -yours!" - -Judge Hoyt set his jaw firmly. "So be it, my girl: I love you so much I -submit even to your rivalry in my own field. But to return frankness for -frankness I have not the slightest idea that you can do anything at all -in the matter." - -"That's what I'm afraid of!" And Avice broke down and wept as if her -heart would break. - -And it was then that Leslie Hoyt met the biggest moment of his life. Met -and threw it! - -For a brief instant his soul triumphed over his flesh, and flinging his -arms round the quivering figure, he cried: - -"Avice! I will----" he was about to say, "give you up," and in the note -of his voice the girl heard the message. Had she kept still, he might -have gone on; but she flung up her head with a glad cry and with a -beaming face, and Hoyt recanted. - -"Never!" he whispered, holding her close; "I will never give you up!" - -"You meant to!" - -"For a moment, yes. But that moment is passed, and will never return! No, -my sweetheart, my queen, I will never give you up so long as there is -breath in my body!" - -Avice sprang away from him. She was trembling, but controlled herself by -sheer force of will. - -"Then it is war to the knife!" she cried. "Go on, Leslie Hoyt; remember -your bargain, as I shall remember mine!" - -With a mocking bow and a strange smile she left the room. - -Judge Hoyt pondered. He had no fear of her ability to find any lawyer or -detective who could prove Landon's innocence by actual honest evidence. -He had himself tried too thoroughly to do that to believe it possible for -another. But from Avice's sudden smile and triumphant glance as she left -him, he had a vague fear that there was something afoot of which he knew -nothing. And Leslie Hoyt was not accustomed to know nothing of matters on -which he desired to be informed. - -As a matter of fact Avice had nothing "up her sleeve." She had abandoned -the idea of calling in Fleming Stone, as a foolish suggestion of a -foolish fortune-teller. But none the less she was bent on finding some -way to do what she had threatened. She had little real hope, but -unlimited determination and boundless energy. - -She consulted Alvin Duane, only to meet with most discouraging advice and -forecast of failure. - -"There's nothing to be found out," said the detective. "If there had -been, I'd 'a' found it out myself. I'm as good a detective as the next -one, if I have a tiny clue or a scrap of evidence that is the real thing. -But nobody can work from nothing. And the only 'clues' I've heard of, in -connection with this case, are the lies made up by that little ragamuffin -they call Fibber, or something. No, Miss Trowbridge, whatever hope Mr. -Landon has, is vested entirely in the powers of eloquence of his counsel. -And it's lucky for him he's got a smart chap like Judge Hoyt to defend -him." - -Avice went away, thinking. No clues; and every case depended on clues. -Stay,--he had said no clues except those Fibsy told of. True, he was -mocking, he was making fun of the boy, who was celebrated for -untruthfulness, but if those were the only clues, she would at least -inquire into them. - -Through Miss Wilkinson she found the boy's address in Philadelphia, and -wrote for him to come to see her. - -He came. - -Avice had chosen a time when Eleanor would be out, and they were not -likely to be interrupted. - -"Good morning, Terence, how do you do?" - -"Aw, Miss Trowbridge, now,--don't talk to me like that!" - -"Why not, child?" - -"And don't call me child, please, Miss Trowbridge. I'm goin' on -sixteen,--leastways, I was fifteen last month." - -"Ah, are you trying to be truthful, now, Fibsy?" - -"Yes'm, I am. I've got a good position in Philadelphia, and I was agoin' -to keep it. But, well, I feel like I wanted to work on this here case of -your uncle." - -The deep seriousness and purpose that shone in the boy's eyes almost -startled Avice. - -"Work on the case? What do you mean, Fibsy?" She spoke very gently, for -she knew his peculiar sense of shyness that caused him to bolt if not -taken seriously. - -"Yes'm; Mr. Trowbridge's murder, you know. They's queer things goin' on." - -"Such as what?" - -Avice was as earnest as the boy, and he realized her sympathy and -interest. - -"Well, Miss Trowbridge, why did Judge Hoyt want me out o' New York? Why -did he send me to Philadelphia?" - -"I think to get you a good position, Fibsy. It was very kind of Judge -Hoyt, and I'm afraid you're not properly grateful." - -"No, ma'am, I ain't. 'Cause you see, he just _made_ Mr. Stetson take me -on. Mr. Stetson, he didn't want another office boy, any more'n a cat -wants two tails. Why, he had a perfectly good one, an' he's got him yet. -The two of us. 'Cause, you see I'm only tempo'ry an' the other feller, -he's perm'nent. Judge Hoyt, he's payin' my salary there himself." - -"How do you know this?" - -"Billy, the other feller told me. He heard the talk over the telephone, -an' Judge Hoyt says if Mr. Stetson'd take me fer a coupla munts, he'd pay -me wages himself. Only I must go at onct. An' then the judge, he told me -I must beat it, cause Mr. Stetson wanted me in a hurry." - -Avice thought deeply, then she said: "Fibsy, I'd be terribly interested -in your story, if I could believe it. But you know yourself--" - -"Yes'm, I know myself! That's just it! And I know I ain't lyin' _now_! -And I won't never, when I'm doin' detective work. Honest to goodness, I -won't!" - -"I believe you, Terence,--not so much on your word, as because the truth -is in your eyes." - -"Yes'm, Miss Avice, it is! An' now tell me _why_ Judge Hoyt wanted me -outen his way!" - -"I've no idea, but if he did, it must have been because he thought you -knew something that would work against his case. Oh, Fibsy, if you -do,--if you do know anything that would hinder the work of freeing Mr. -Landon, _don't_ tell it, will you? Don't tell it Fibsy, for my sake!" - -"Land, Miss Avice! What I know,--if I know anything,--ain't a goin' to -hurt Mr. Landon! No-sir-ee!" - -"Well, then, Judge Hoyt thinks it is, and that's why he wanted you out of -town." - -"No, Miss Trowbridge, you ain't struck it right yet. You see, Miss, I've -got that detective instinck, as they call it, an' I've got it somepin' -fierce! Now I tell you I got clues, an' if you laugh at that as ev'rybody -else does, I'll jest destroy them clues, an' let the case drop!" - -The earnestness of the freckled face and the flash of the blue eyes -robbed the words of all absurdity, and gave Fibsy the dignity of a -professional detective dismissing a client. - -"What are these clues, really?" she asked him in kindly tones. - -"I can't tell you, Miss Trowbridge. Not that I ain't willin',--but them -clues is _clues_, only in the hands of a _knowin'_ detective." - -"Then tell Mr. Duane." - -"I said a knowin' detective. That goat don't know a clue from pickled -pigs' feet! No ma'am! 'Scuse me, but them clues is my own,--and they'll -go to waste, lessen I can give 'em to the right man." - -"And who is the right man, Fibsy?" - -"He's Fleming Stone, that's who he is! And no one else is any good -whatsumever." - -"Fleming Stone? I have heard of him." - -"Have you, Miss Avice! Well, if you want ter find out for sure who killed -your uncle, they ain't no one as can find out but that same Fleming -Stone!" - -"You go back now, Fibsy," said Avice, after a moment's thought, "and if I -decide to send for this man, I'll let you know." - -"All right, Miss Avice, but I ain't goin' back to Phil'delphia, I'm goin' -to stay here fer awhile. If you wanter see me, they's a telephone to the -house where I live. Here, I'll write you down the number. If I ai'n't -home, leave word wit' me Aunt Becky." - -Avice took the paper Fibsy gave her, and nodded pleasantly to him as he -went away, but she was so deeply absorbed in her own thoughts she -scarcely heeded the boy. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - TWO AT LUNCHEON - - -Terence McGuire, potential detective, went straight to the office of -Judge Hoyt. - -It was about one o'clock, and he found the lawyer, about to go to his -luncheon. - -"Well, Terence," the Judge said, in surprise, "I thought you were busy at -your Philadelphia desk." - -It was on the tip of Fibsy's tongue to say that Miss Avice sent for him, -but he suddenly changed his mind and said, "Yes, sir, Judge, I was, but -me Aunt is awful sick an' I hadda come home. I'm all she's got, an' I -can't leave her w'en she's sick." - -As a matter of fact, Aunt Becky was at that moment preparing some -complicated combination of pastry and fruit and whipped cream for her -mendacious nephew's dinner, and was in robust health. - -"So you've left Mr. Stetson?" - -"Well, I jest came over to see Aunt Becky, an' she's so ailin' I simpully -can't go back. I gotta stay here, I'm sorry, Judge, but say, Mr. Stetson, -he don't really need me,--he don't." - -"No? Is that so? Well, Terence, I want you to have a position, perhaps we -can find one in New York, and then you can look after your aunt." - -"Good for you, sir. That would be jest the ticket!" - -"I'm just going out to luncheon. How would you like to go along with me, -and we can talk things over?" - -"Go to lunch! With you, Judge? Gee!" - -"Yes, come along. As Mr. Trowbridge's trusted clerk, I feel an interest -in your welfare, and I want to see what I can do for you. Yes, come on, -and we'll talk it over as we lunch." - -"Great jumpin' cows! Say, Judge, I s'pose you'd ruther I'd talk nice an' -pretty, if I'm goin' to eat wit' a gentleman. Well, say, I'll try, -honust, I will." - -"Not only for this time, Terence, but don't you think it would be a good -idea, if you gave up that foolish slang for good and all?" - -"You bet I do! An' say, you don' know how hard I've tried! Why, I -practice at home, an' I make Aunt Becky scowl at me every time I say a -onnecess'ry woid. An' I do sure hate to be scowled at! Yes, sir, I do! -Well, I'm goin' to keep on tryin'." - -When the strangely mated pair started out, Judge Hoyt led his guest to a -restaurant of a good but plain type. - -"I won't take you to one of my clubs today, Terence," said his host, "but -as you're ambitious, let me prophesy that some day you'll grow up to be a -man I'll be proud to take to luncheon anywhere." - -"Say, Judge," and Fibsy looked serious, "that's the kinda talk that makes -a feller want to rise in this world. I'm ambitious,--I am,--Aunt Becky -says I've got more ambition 'n' any one she ever see--" - -"Saw, Terence." - -"Yessir, I mean saw. An' to talk wit' you onct, makes me feel I want to -go to night school, or sumpum--" - -"Something." - -"Yessir, something." - -Seated at a table that was properly appointed, but not elaborate enough -to embarrass his young guest, Judge Hoyt settled himself comfortably in -his chair, and adjusted his napkin, while Fibsy, watching him closely, -followed every motion with a like one of his own. He took a sip of water -immediately after his model had done so, and replaced the glass with an -imitative gesture, extending his stubby little finger in the manner of -the other's carefully manicured digit. - -Judge Hoyt noticed all this, but seeing that Fibsy was in earnest and -entirely unself-conscious, he ignored it and let the boy have his lessons -in etiquette. - -"Ain't it a shame, Judge, that they can't find the feller,--fel-low, I -mean, who moidered Mr. Trowbridge?" - -"Oh, didn't you know that Kane Landon is indicted for the crime?" - -"Yep, sure I know that, but he didn't do it, allee samee." - -"Don't you think so? Why not?" - -"Well, I loined it outen o' my pus-shy-kollergy book." - -"Terence, if you're going to read a book on the subject of psychology, -you ought to learn to pronounce it." - -"Yes, sir. Could you tell me, so's I kin remember?" - -"Why, yes, it's not difficult, once you know it." And Judge Hoyt -carefully taught the young seeker after knowledge how to pronounce the -word in question. - -"Well, now wouldn't that jar you!" and Fibsy smiled, delighted at his own -accomplishment. "All that fooled me was that P to begin it with. If it -hadn't been for that, I'd a loined it long ago. Well, I got that book, -an' it tells you how to know w'en a man's a criminal an' w'en he ain't. -An' Mr. Landon, he's too careless to be guilty." - -"Too careless to be guilty. What do you mean?" - -"I mean, if he was guilty, he wouldn't sling around his speech so free. -He wouldn't a told that he was in Van Cortlandt Park that day Mr. -Trowbridge was killed. Nor he wouldn't a owned up so free that he wanted -money sumpun--something,--fierce. An' he wouldn't a taken his -imprisonment so orful easy. He'd a been busy preparin' alibis, an' things -like that." - -"How do you know these are his attitudes?" - -"Pape. Every day there's a guy writes a lot about the--psy--chology,--got -it!--of crime, an' spoke about Kane Landon bein' a example of--of what I -was a-talkin' about." - -"But if Landon isn't guilty, and I fervently hope he isn't, then who is?" - -"I dunno, Judge Hoyt," and Fibsy's freckled little face was very earnest. -"But there's a chap as can find out. Do you know Fleming Stone?" - -"The detective? Yes; that is I know him by reputation. I never chanced to -meet him." - -"He's the guy, Judge Hoyt. He can find a moiderer by clues what ain't -there! Gee, but he's a wonder!" - -"How do you know?" - -"I've read about him a heap o' times. I've read up most every case he's -ever had, if it was in the papers. Why," and Fibsy pulled a newspaper -from his pocket. "Here's a account of a case he's jest finished--" - -"And here's the waiter with our steak. Suppose we let Mr. Stone wait." - -"Will we!" and Fibsy's eyes shone as he saw the platter that was offered -for the Judge's inspection. "Gee! I've dreamed of a steak like that, but -I never spected to have one soived up to me!" - -"And now," the judge resumed, after the steak had been cut and "soived," -"let us discuss your next position of trust and responsibility. You want -to be in New York? But suppose we arrange for your aunt to live in -Philadelphia, and then you can keep your place with Mr. Stetson." - -"Mighty nice plan," Fibsy's fork paused in mid-air, while he thought, -"but,--oh, hang it all, Judge,--I jest love New York! Why, its old -torn-up dirty streets are more 'tractive to us, than Philly's clean, -every-day-sloshed-up w'ite marble steps." - -"Ah, a true Gothamite," and the Judge smiled. "Well, we must try for a -place in this metropolis, then." - -"Yes, sir, please. And, too, Judge Hoyt, I gotter be here to keep me eye -on that 'ere trial of Mr. Landon." - -"You have that in charge, eh?" - -"Now, don't you make fun o' me, please. But I got a hunch that I can put -in an oar, when the time comes, that'll help Mr. Landon along some--" - -"What do you mean, Terence? If you know anything of importance bearing on -the case, it's your duty to tell it at once." - -"I know that, sir, but it ain't of importance, 'cept to somebuddy who can -'tach importance to it. Now, I told you, Judge Hoyt, that I had -some--some clues,--an' sir, you jest laughed at me." - -"Oh, I remember. Some buttons and some mud, wasn't it?" - -"Yes sir, that's what they was." - -"Well, I confess the mud doesn't seem of great importance, and as for the -button,--was it a coat button, did you say?" - -"No, sir, I said a--a suspender button." - -"Oh, yes. Well, the detectives have examined all possible clothing for a -missing button of that sort, but without success. It is, of course, a -button from some other garment than any of interest to this case." - -"Yes sir, I s'pose so." - -"You see, Terence, all clues have been traced to their last possible -degree of usefulness in our investigations." - -"Yes, sir, of course, sir. Say, Judge Hoyt, I'm kinder sorry you wasn't -in town that day. If you had a been, you might a kep' Mr. Trowbridge from -goin' to the woods at all." - -"Maybe so, Terence. We can't know about those things. Some people hold -there's no such thing as chance; if so, it was ordained that I should be -out of town." - -"Yes, sir. Funny, ain't it? An' sorter pathetic that Mr. Trowbridge -should have your telegram, what you sent from Philly in his pocket." - -"Well, that was only natural, as he must have received it shortly before -he went away from his office." - -"An' he thought a heap of you, sir. Why, jest takin' that telegram shows -that. He wouldn't a taken a plain business telegram." - -"Probably not. Yes, if I had been here I should doubtless have been at -his office most of the day. But even then, if he had expressed a desire -to go to the woods, to look for his specimens, I should not have detained -him. By the way, Terence, here's a rather interesting photograph. That -day, in Philadelphia, there was a camera man in the station, taking -picture postcards of the place. And, purposely, I got in his focus. See -the result." - -From his pocket-book, Judge Hoyt took a picture postcard, and handed it -to the boy. The great station showed up well, and in the foreground was -easily distinguishable the figure of Judge Hoyt, standing in his -characteristic attitude, with both hands behind him. - -"Say, Judge, that's fine! My, I'd know you in a minute. Kin I keep this?" - -"Wish I could give it to you, but it's the only copy I have left. I'll -send for some more, if you really care to have one." - -"Sure I do,--I mean, soitenly I do." - -"Well, do all you can to improve that execrable diction of yours, and -I'll get you a card like this one." - -Seeing Fibsy look a little disappointedly at the two demi-tasses that -appeared as a final course, Judge Hoyt asked the waiter to bring a cup of -breakfast coffee for the lad. - -"Oh, thank you," said the guest, "I sure do like a cup o' coffee worth -botherin' with. Is that little mite of a cup all you want?" - -"Why, yes, I suppose so. I never think about it. It is my habit to take a -small cup after luncheon. Some day, Terence, if you're ambitious, you -must brush up on these minor matters of correct custom. However, here's -your large cup, now. Drink it and enjoy it. Cream and sugar, I suppose?" - -"Yes sir," said Fibsy, and he watched the elegance of Judge Hoyt's -movements, as he poured cream and dropped a lump of sugar in the -good-sized cup of steaming coffee. "Another?" the judge asked, poising -the second lump just above the brim. - -"Yes, sir, please, sir. You're awful good to me, Judge Hoyt, sir." - -"Well, to be honest, Terence, I want to give you a few hints as to your -table manners, for you have the instincts of a gentleman, and I'm going -to help you to become one, if I can." - -"Yes, sir, thank you, sir." Fibsy looked earnestly at the kindly face -that smiled at him, and then said, in a burst of determination to do the -right thing, "Say, Judge Hoyt, I want to learn to be a gentleman as soon -as I can. An' I'm goin' to begin right now, by drinkin' this here little -cup o' coffee,--an' I'm goin' to drink it like you did yours, without no -sugar or cream!" - -Pushing to one side the larger cup, Fibsy took the demi-tasse, which had -been left on the table, and with a visible effort swallowed its contents. - -"Whew! some bitter!" he exclaimed, making a wry face. - -"Good for you, old chap!" and the Judge laughed outright at this act of -real heroism. "Now that you've proved you can do it, follow it up with -the other cup, that you'll enjoy." - -"No sir--ee! I've begun to do the c'rect thing, an' I'm goin to stick to -it!" - -"Oh, pshaw, don't deprive yourself of a little pleasure. That good cup of -coffee, fixed just to your taste, will be wasted if you don't drink it." - -"No, sir, I'm in fer the manners today. Maybe I won't keep it up, but -this is me day fer bein' a gentleman, let it rain ebber so hard!" With a -merry smile in his blue eyes, Fibsy stood his ground, and then in another -moment, looked crestfallen and sheepish, as finger bowls were brought. - -"That gets my goat!" he confided to his host. "Say, Judge, put me wise." - -"Very well, Terence, simply do as I do." - -Fibsy watched carefully, though unostentatiously, and when the judge had -finished, the boy gave a perfect imitation of the man's correct and -graceful motions. - -Before the finger-bowls came, the waiter had taken up Fibsy's large cup -of coffee to remove it. But with a longing glance, the boy had said, -"Say, can't I keep that after all, Judge?" - -"Certainly," Judge Hoyt had replied. But now, after the new glory of -cleansed finger-tips, again Fibsy renounced the temptation, and said, -"Nope, if I'm goin' to learn to be a swell, I gotter learn to say no." -And without even a backward glance at the coffee, he followed the judge -from the dining room. - -They reached the street, when Fibsy cried out, - -"Good gracious, I left me paper!" and he darted back into the restaurant, -returning, after a moment's delay, with the newspaper under his arm. - -"Now we are off," he said, and with Judge Hoyt, he walked briskly back to -the lawyer's office. - - - - - CHAPTER XX - FLEMING STONE - - -That same evening, Judge Hoyt went to see Avice, and he acknowledged that -he was about at the end of his resources. - -"Then you have failed?" said the girl. - -"Not yet. But I shall, undoubtedly, unless--" - -"Unless you resort to dishonest means?" - -"Yes; exactly that. I don't want to, and yet,--for _you_ I would perjure -my soul!" - -"What would it be, this dishonest procedure?" - -"I'd rather not tell you. It would be better all round that you shouldn't -know." - -"But I _must_ know. Tell me." - -"I've not thought it all out." Hoyt passed a weary hand over his brow. -"For one thing, the worst point against Landon is that person who -telephoned and called Mr. Trowbridge 'uncle'. If I could get some one to -swear that he did that, it would go a long way in Landon's favor." - -"Some one who didn't really do it, you mean?" - -"Yes, of course. It would be perjury, and it would have to be handsomely -paid for." - -"How wicked!" - -"Don't think for a moment that I don't realize the wickedness of it! Even -_you_ can have no idea what such an act means to a man, and a lawyer. A -hitherto _honorable_ lawyer! Oh, Avice, what a man will do for a woman!" - -"I'm not sure I want you to." - -"You want Kane freed?" - -"Yes, oh, _yes_!" - -"By fraud, if necessary?" - -"Y--yes." - -"Avice, you are as bad as I am! For one we love, we stop at nothing! You -would perjure your soul for Landon; I, for you! Where's the difference?" - -"I won't, Leslie. I can't! Don't do that awful thing!" - -"And let Landon be convicted?" - -"Oh, no, no! Not that! But wait, Leslie, I have a new plan." - -"Oh, yes, I forgot you were going to save Landon by your own exertions!" - -"And I am. Have you ever heard of Fleming Stone?" - -"Of course I have. Why?" - -"I'm going to get him to find the murderer." - -"Avice! what nonsense. You mustn't do any such thing!" - -"Why not?" - -"Because it is absurd. We already have Duane on the case. He is a -well-known detective and would resent the employment of another." - -"Do you suppose I care for that? If Fleming Stone can free Kane he shall -have a chance to do so! I have fifty thousand dollars of my own, and I'll -spend it all, if necessary." - -"It isn't the cost, dear. But one detective can hardly succeed where -another good one failed. And, too, it is too late, now. A detective must -work before clues are destroyed and evidence lost." - -"I know it is late, but Stone is so clever. He can do marvels." - -"Who told you so?" - -"I won't tell you." For Avice knew if she said either Fibsy or the -clairvoyant, Hoyt would laugh at her. - -"Be guided by me in this, dear," said Hoyt, earnestly. "Don't send for -this man. He will do more harm than good." - -"Do you mean he will find out for sure that Kane did it?" - -"Never mind what I mean. But don't get Fleming Stone on this case, I -forbid it." - -"You're too late," returned Avice; "I've already written to him to come -and see me." - -"In that case, there is nothing more to be said. We must make the best of -it. But at least let me be here with you when he comes. I think he will -want a legal mind to confer with." - -"Indeed, I shall be very glad to have you here. Why were you so averse to -having him, at first?" - -"Only because it is so useless. He can discover nothing. But if you want -him, that's enough for me." - -The next evening Hoyt called on Avice again. - -"Heard from Stone yet?" he asked. - -"No, not yet." - -"Well, I don't believe you will. I hear he's out West, and will be gone -some weeks yet." - -"Oh, I am so disappointed! How are things going today?" - -"Slowly. But I am holding them back on purpose. I have a new plan, that -may help us out a lot." - -But Hoyt wouldn't divulge his new plan, and when he left, Avice was -heavy-hearted. She was more than willing to do anything for Kane that was -right, but she recoiled at perjury and deceit. And yet the thought of -Kane's conviction brought her to the pitch of any awful deed. - -So, when, the morning after she lost her hope of seeing Fleming Stone, -Fibsy came to see her, she welcomed the boy as a drowning man a straw. - -"What about that Stone guy, Miss Avice?" he inquired, abruptly. - -"We can't get him, Fibsy; he's out of town." - -"Yes, he isn't! I seen him only yesterday, walkin' up the avnoo." - -"You did! He must have come home unexpectedly. I'm going to telephone -him!" - -"Do it now," said Fibsy, in a preoccupied tone. Avice found the number -and called up the detective. - -"Why, Miss Trowbridge," he said, after he learned who she was; "I had a -telegram from you asking me to cancel the appointment." - -"A telegram! I didn't send you any!" - -"It was signed with your name." - -"There's a mistake somewhere." - -"'Tain't no mistake!" said Fibsy, eagerly, as he listened close to the -receiver that Avice held. "Tell him to come here now, Miss Avice." - -"Oh, I don't know about that. I must ask Judge Hoyt." - -"Here, gimme it!" and the audacious boy took the receiver from Avice, and -speaking directly into the transmitter, said; - -"'Twasn't a mistake, Mr. Stone. 'Twas deviltry. Can't you come right up -to Trowbridge's now, and get into this thing while the gettin's good?" - -"Who is speaking now?" - -"Miss Trowbridge's seckerterry. She's kinder pupplexed. But she wants you -to come, awful." - -"Let her tell me so, herself, then." - -"Here, Miss Avice," and Fibsy thrust the receiver into her hand, "tell -him to come! It's your only chance to save Mr. Landon! Take it from me!" - -Spurred by the reference to Landon, Avice, said, clearly; "Yes, please -come at once, Mr. Stone, if you possibly can." - -"Be there in half an hour," was the quick reply, and a click ended the -conversation. - -"What kind of a boy are you?" said Avice, looking at Fibsy, half angry, -half admiring. - -"Now, Miss Avice, don't you make no mistake. I ain't buttin' in here out -o' freshness or impidence. There's the devil's own doin' goin' on, an' -nobody knows it but me. It's too big for me to handle, an' it's too big -for that Duane donkey to tackle. An' they ain't no one as can 'tend to it -but F. Stone. An' gee! you come mighty near losin' him! Why, Miss Avice, -when you heard somebuddy wired him in your name not to come here, don't -that tell you nothin'?" - -"Yes, Fibsy, it shows me some one is working against Mr. Landon's -interests. And that is what Judge Hoyt has been afraid of all along. I -wish he were here." - -"Who? Judge Hoyt?" - -"Yes, I promised to have him here when Mr. Stone came. There ought to be -a legal mind present." - -"Mine's here, Miss Avice; and right on the job. My legal mind is workin' -somepin fierce this mornin' an' I kin tell Mr. F. Stone a whole lot that -Judge Hoyt couldn't." - -"Fibsy, I don't know whether to send you away, or bless you for being -here." Avice looked at the boy in an uncertainty of opinion. - -"Now, Miss Avice, don't you worry, don't you fret about that. You'll be -glad an' proud you know me, before this crool war is over! an' that ain't -no idol thret! _Bullieve_ me!" - -"Well, Fibsy, if I let you stay, I must ask you to talk to me a little -more politely. I don't like that street language." - -"Sure, Miss Avice, I'll can the slang. I mean, truly I'll try to talk -proper. It's mostly that I get so excited that I forget there's a lady -listenin' to me. But I'll do better, honest I will." - -Fleming Stone came. - -Avice received him alone, except that she allowed Fibsy to sit in the -corner of the room. - -"I am exceedingly interested in this case," Mr. Stone said, after -greetings had been exchanged; "I have closely followed the newspaper -accounts, and I admit it seems baffling many ways. Have you any -information not yet made public?" - -"No,--" begun Avice, and then she looked at Fibsy. - -The boy sat in his corner, with eager face, almost bursting with his -desire to speak, but silent because he had promised to be. - -"I know so little of these things," Avice went on, falteringly; "I hoped -to have a lawyer here to talk to you. As a matter of fact, I was advised -to send for you by this boy, Terence McGuire. He was my late uncle's -office boy." - -"Ah, the one they call Fibsy, and so discredited his evidence at the -inquest!" - -"Yes," said Avice, "but he says he knows something of importance." - -"And I believe he does," said Fleming Stone, heartily. "I read about his -witnessing, and I am glad of a chance to talk to him." - -Fibsy flushed scarlet at this interest shown in him by the great man, but -he only said, simply, "May I speak, Miss Avice?" - -"Yes, Fibsy, tell Mr. Stone all you know. But tell him the truth." - -"He won't lie to me," said Stone, not unkindly, but as one merely stating -a fact. - -"No," agreed Fibsy, looking at Stone, solemnly. "I won't lie to you. You -see it was this way, sir, I've got the detective instinck,--and the day -after the murder, I went to the place where it was at, to look for clues. -Miss Avice, she gimme the day off. An' I found 'em, sir. The Swede woman -told me where the place was where--where Mr. Trowbridge died, and right -there I found a shoe button." - -"Fibsy," and Avice looked at him, "why did you tell Judge Hoyt it was a -suspender button?" - -"I had to, Miss Avice," and Fibsy's face looked troubled "you see I said -_button_ to him and the 'xpression on his face warned my instinck not to -say _shoe_ button. So I switched." - -"Describe his expression," said Stone, who was watching the boy closely. - -"Well, sir, when he said 'what kind of a buttun?' he looked as if a heap -depended on my answer. An' when I said suspender button, he lost all -interest. Now, maybe he _had_ a int'rest in a shoe button an' maybe he -didn't. But I wasn't takin' no chances." - -"Fibsy, you've the right bent to be a detective!" exclaimed Stone; "that -was really clever of you." - -But Fibsy was unmoved by this praise. "I sorta sensed it," he went on. -"Well, sir, that shoe button never came offen Mr. Landon's shoes, sir." - -"How do you know?" - -"I got around the chambermaid here in this house, sir, an' she hunted all -over Mr. Landon's shoes, an' they ain't no buttons missin'; an' too, sir, -this button is from a city shoe, a New York shoe. An' Mr. Landon, he -wears western shoes. Oh, I know; I've dug into it good." - -"Well, whose button is it?" - -"I don't know, sir, but you can find out. I told Miss Trowbridge, sir, my -clues was _clues_ only in your hands." - -"The button may be important, and may not." - -"Yes, sir," and Fibsy beamed "that's jest exactly what _I_ thought. Now, -my other clue, sir, is this. I ain't got it here, but I got it safe home. -It's a hunk o' dirt that I cut out o' the ground, right near the--the -spot. You see, it has a print in it, a deep, clear print, sorta round. -Well, sir, I'd like you to see it 'fore I describe it. I'd like to know -if it strikes you like it does me." - -The boy seemed all unaware of any presumption in the manner of -argumentative equality which he had adopted toward the famous detective, -and, to Avice's surprise, Mr. Stone seemed not to resent it. - -"Were there other marks of this nature?" - -"Yes, several. I scratched them away with my foot." - -"You did! You destroyed evidence purposely! Why?" - -"Because I picked out the best and clearest, and kep' it safely. I was -goin' to give it to Miss Avice or Judge Hoyt, but they all made fun o' -me, so I didn't. They wasn't no use o' reporters muddlin' the case up. -An' smarty-cat snoopers huntin' clues, an' all." - -"You took a great deal on yourself, my boy. You had no right to do it. -But I will reserve judgment. It may well be you have done a good thing." - -"It was too many for me, sir. I couldn't sling the case myself. An' Judge -Hoyt wouldn't pay no 'tention; an' that gink,--I mean--that Mr. Duane, he -ain't got no seein' powers so I says they ain't no one but you to take it -up as it should be took up. An' glory to goodness you're here!" - -Fleming Stone smiled a little, but quickly looking serious again, said to -Avice, "If you want me to work on this case, Miss Trowbridge, I will -start by going with this boy to look at his 'clues.' They may be of some -importance." - -Avice agreed, and the great detective and the small boy went away -together. - -"And so you are Miss Trowbridge's secretary?" asked Stone as they walked -along. - -"No, sir, I ain't. That was one of my lies. I said it so's you'd come." - -"Look here, what's this about your lying habits? Is it a true bill?" - -"No, Mr. Stone, I've quit. That is, _practically_. But I've often found a -lot o' help in shadin' the truth now an then. But, shucks, they was only -foolishness, to fuss up people who oughter be bothered. An' any way, I've -quit, 'ceppen as it may be necess'ry in my business." - -"And what is your business?" - -"It's been bein' office boy, but I've always wanted to be a detective, -an' since I've seen you, I know I'm goin' to be one. I have the same cast -o' mind as you have, sir." - -Stone looked sharply into the earnest face raised to his, and it showed -no undue conceit, merely a recognition of existing conditions. - -"Terence," he said, quietly, "a good detective cannot be an habitual -liar." - -"I know it, sir; that's why I've quit. After now, I'm only goin' to tell -lies when me work requires it. Just as you do, sir. You don't always tell -the strick truth, do you, sir?" - -Stone shot a glance at him and then smiled. "Let's discuss those ethics -some other time, Fibsy. Where do you live?" - -"Quite some way off, sir. I'll show you." - -"We'd better get a taxi, then;" and soon the two detectives were on their -way to Fibsy's humble home. - -Stone waited in the cab, while the boy ran in and out again with his -precious clues. - -"I've kep' 'em careful," he said, "and the dirt ain't jarred nor nothin." - -First he produced the shoe button. "You see," he said, earnestly, "if it -was shiny all over it wouldn't mean much; but it's rubbed brown on one -side, so if we could find the shoe it came off of, we'd know it in a -minute." - -"Good work," said Stone, quietly, "go on." - -"Well, sir, it ain't Mr. Landon's, cos he ain't got any shoes with -buttons the least mite like this, and as he came from Denver the day -before the murder, he didn't have time to get some an' wear 'em to this -browniness." - -"It is a point, Fibsy." - -"Yes sir, that's all it is, a point. Now look at this mud." - -With great care, Fibsy opened a box and showed a piece of soil, about -four inches square, in the center of which was clearly defined round -hole. - -"I cut it out right near the 'spot'," said he, in the awed tone in which -he always referred to the scene of the crime. "It's the mark of a--" - -"_Cane!_" said both voices together. - -"Yes sir," went on Fibsy, eagerly, "an' that ain't all! I saw the daisies -and clovers were sorta switched off all around the spot, as if by -sombuddy slashin' a cane around careless-like. An' then," and the boy's -face grew solemn with the bigness of his revelation, "I seemed to see in -my mind a--what do you call 'em, sir?--a dirk cane, a sword cane, an'--" - -"_Cane_ killed me!" - -"Yes, sir! Oh, Mr. Stone, I knew you'd see it!" - -"Boy, you are a wonder. Even if your deductions are all wrong, you have -shown marvelous acumen." - -Fibsy had no idea what acumen was, nor did he care. He was not seeking -praise, but corroboration, and he was getting it. The mark of a cane was -perfectly clear and was unmistakable. It might mean nothing, but it was a -cane mark, and some canes were murderous weapons. - -"You have seeing eyes, child," said Stone, and Fibsy desired no greater -commendation. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI - STONE'S QUESTIONS - - -"Now," went on Stone, "I'm going to begin at the beginning of this thing -and I propose to take you along with me." - -"Yes, sir, I'll help," and Fibsy settled back in his seat in the taxicab -without a trace of presumption or forwardness on his freckled face or in -his blue, 'seeing' eyes. - -The beginning seemed to be at police headquarters and the two went in -there. - -Inspector Collins was interviewed as to the message that brought to him -the first news of the murder. - -He patiently retold the story, now old to him, and Stone questioned him -as to the woman's voice. - -"I couldn't rightly hear her, sir. Her kids was all screamin' and -whoopin'-coughin' to beat the band." - -"Gee!" remarked Fibsy, "Vapo-crinoline!" - -"What?" asked Stone. - -"It's the stuff they uses for whoopin' cough. Me kid brother had it onct. -Vapo Kerosene, or sumpin." - -"Also," the captain went on, "there was a phonograph goin' and there was -building goin' on near. I could hear riveters." - -"But who was the woman? Didn't she give her name?" - -"No, she was a dago woman," Collins said, stroking his chin reflectively; -"I couldn't find out where she lived, nor why she sent the message. There -was such a racket goin' on where she was, I couldn't half hear her." - -"What sort of a racket?" - -"All sorts. She said her children had whooping-cough, and they did, for -sure; but there was other noises. Seemed like hammerin' and screechin' -and music all at once." - -"Music?" - -"Oh, only a phonograph goin'. Playin' some rag-time. Dunno what 'twas; -'My Cockieleekie Lassie' or some such song. Or maybe----" - -"Well, never mind the song. Did you finally get the message?" - -"Yes, I did." - -"What was it?" - -"Only that Rowland Trowbridge was dead and for me to go to Van Cortlandt -Park woods for the body." - -"Singular that an Italian woman should tell you the news." - -"Very singular, sir." - -"What did you do then?" - -"Called up the Van Cortlandt Park Station, and told them to look into the -matter." - -Stone asked further details concerning the finding of the body, and then -inquired as to the nature of the wound. - -"He was stabbed," said Collins, "And, without doubt, by a slender-bladed -dagger or stiletto." - -"An Italian stiletto?" asked Stone. - -"That is impossible to tell," answered the Inspector a little pompously. -"The wound would present the same appearance if made by any sharp, -narrow-bladed weapon." - -"This weapon was not found?" went on Stone. - -"No," replied Collins, "I had vigorous search made in vain. But its -absence proves the deed of an intelligent person. Whoever killed Mr. -Trowbridge, went to the woods, knowing his victim would be there, and -carrying his weapon with him." - -"It seems to prove that the criminal was provided with a dagger," agreed -Stone, "but it in no way convinces that it was not an accidental meeting -between the murderer and his victim." - -So far the facts were bare ones. The announcement through the green cord -of the telephone, the finding of the dagger-killed body, and the -identification of the victim were clearly stated, but what inferences, -could be drawn? There were no side lights, no implications, no pegs on -which to hang theories. - -Still keeping Fibsy with him, Stone returned to the Trowbridge house. It -had been agreed that should he meet any one there, he was to be -introduced as Mr. Green, a friend of Kane Landon's. - -As, it happened, there was quite a crowd in the library. Judge Hoyt had -asked the district attorney and Alvin Duane to meet him there for a -conference with Avice. Also, they wanted a few more words with Stryker, -who had returned to his old place as butler. - -As a friend of Landon's and as an acquaintance of Avice's "Mr. Green" was -made welcome, and Avice asked that he be allowed to discuss the matter -with them all. "Mr. Green is sure that Kane is innocent," Avice said, -"and he may be able to suggest some point that we may have overlooked." - -No one objected to the presence of the stranger, nor did they mind when -Fibsy slid into the room, and sat down in a corner. It was no secret -conclave, and any hint or theory would have been welcomed. - -Stryker, who was present, was giving the best answers he could to the -questions put to him. - -"What were you really doing, Stryker," the district attorney asked, "that -afternoon of Mr. Trowbridge's death?" - -The old man shook his head. "I can't remember," he said; "I was at home -when the news came, but I can't just recollect whether I had been out -afore that or not." - -Mr. Whiting appeared to think this a little suspicious, and questioned -him severely. - -But, "Mr. Green" smiled pleasantly; - -"His alibi is perfect because he hasn't any alibi," he said cryptically. - -"Just what does that mean to your cabalistic mind?" asked Whiting, -ironically. - -"Only this. If Stryker were implicated in this crime, he would have had -an unshakable alibi fully prepared against your questions. The very fact -that he doesn't pretend to remember the details of his doings that -afternoon, lets him out." - -Whiting saw this point, and agreed to the conclusion, but Alvin Duane -looked decidedly crestfallen. - -"In that case," he said to Whiting, "an alibi is always worthless, for -they are, according to the learned gentleman, always faked." - -"Not at all," said Stone, easily. "An alibi is only 'faked', as you call -it, by the criminal. Had Stryker been the criminal, he would have been -shrewd enough, in all probability, to be prepared with a story to tell of -where he spent that afternoon, and not say he doesn't remember." - -The butler himself nodded his head. "That's right! Of course I wouldn't -kill the master I loved,--the saints forgive me for even wording it!--but -if I did, I'd surely have sense to provide an alloby, or whatever you -call it." - -As no further questioning seemed to incriminate the man, he was dismissed -from the room. - -Baffled in his attempt to prove his somewhat vague theory as to Stryker, -Duane insisted on a consideration of the note alleged by Avice to have -been found in her uncle's desk. - -Judge Hoyt took up this matter somewhat at length. He admitted that Miss -Trowbridge had found the note, as she averred, but he urged that it be -not taken too seriously, for in his opinion, it had been written on Mr. -Trowbridge's typewriter by other fingers than the owner's. And it was -probably done, he opined, to turn suspicion away from his client. - -"And do you want suspicion to rest on your client?" asked Stone. - -"I do not and I do not propose that suspicion shall rest on him. But I do -not care to divert it from him by fraudulent means." - -Hoyt was careful not to glance toward Avice. He regretted her impulsive -act in forging that note, and he felt sure that if he appeared to bank on -it, the truth would come out. So he endeavored to have the note's -implication discarded, and the matter ignored. - -But this attitude, of itself, roused Whiting's suspicions. - -"Might it not be," he said, slowly, "that the note, then, is the work of -the prisoner, himself? Mr. Landon has been living in the Trowbridge house -and would have had ample opportunity to 'plant' the note which the young -lady found." - -Judge Hoyt looked annoyed. The possibility of this theory being set forth -had occurred to him. But, adhering to his one idea, he smiled, and said, -lightly: - -"That is for you to determine. As I am convinced of Mr. Landon's -innocence, I, of course, feel sure he did not write the note in question; -but if you think he did, and can prove it on him, go ahead and do so. But -I do not see how it can in any way help your cause." - -This was true. Were it proved that Landon wrote the note, it would be -evidence of a most undecisive sort; or at any rate, Hoyt's indifference -made it appear so. - -"Perhaps Fibsy will tell us of _his_ clues," said Avice, smiling at the -serious-faced boy, who was quietly listening to all that was said, but -making no interruptions. - -"Now, now, Avice," said Judge Hoyt, "don't bring our young friend into -the conversation." - -"Why not?" and Avice pouted a little more at the judge's opposition to -her suggestion, than because she really thought Fibsy could be of any -help. - -"Well, you see, this youth, though a bright-witted boy, rejoices in the -nickname of Fibsy, a title acquired because of his inability to tell the -truth. I submit that a customary falsifier is not permissible as a -counselor." - -"But I don't tell lies when I testify, Judge Hoyt," said the boy, a -disappointed look on his freckled face. - -"You won't have a chance to, Fibsy," and Hoyt smiled at him indulgently, -"for you're not going to testify." - -Fibsy stared at him, and then a strange look came over his face. - -"I got you!" he fairly screamed; "I'm onto you! You know I'm nobody's -fool and you're afraid I'll queer your client!" - -Judge Hoyt didn't so much as glance at the angry boy. He addressed -himself to Avice. "My dear, I protest. And I demand that this impossible -person be removed." - -But Fibsy possessed a peculiar genius for making people listen to him. - -"Him!" he said, and the finger of withering scorn he pointed at Judge -Hoyt was so audacious, that the others held their breath. "Him! He sent -me to Philadelphia to get me outen his way! That's what _he_ did!" - -"A sample of his celebrated falsehoods," said the judge, now smiling -broadly. "The little ingrate! I did get him a position in Philadelphia, -as he could no longer be in Mr. Trowbridge's office. But I fail to see -how even his fertile imagination can make it appear that I did this to -'get him out of the way.' Out of whose way may I ask. He certainly wasn't -in mine." - -Whiting stared. He was trying to put two and two together to make some -sort of a four that would worry his opponent, and for the life of him he -couldn't do it. - -Why, he thought, would Judge Hoyt want to get rid of this boy, unless the -chap knew something detrimental to his client? There could be no other -reason, and yet what could the boy know? Hoyt had said he was a bright -boy, so he must be afraid of that brightness. And yet--and this point -must be well considered--it might well be, if the boy were really an -abandoned liar, that Hoyt only feared the falsehoods he could make up, -and which might be adverse to Landon's interests even though untrue. - -And so, in spite of Hoyt's protests, indeed, really because of them, -Whiting insisted on questioning the boy. - -The first questions put to him were of little interest, but when Fibsy, -in his dramatic way, announced the finding of a button on the scene of -the crime, Whiting pricked up his ears. Could it be a button of Landon's -clothing? Could it be traced to the prisoner? - -"What kind of a button?" he asked the lad. - -"A--a sus-sus-sus-shoe button!" - -The final word came out in a burst of emphasis, and Fibsy, raised a -defiant, determined face, as if expecting opposition. And he got it! - -"Now, I protest!" said Judge Hoyt, and he was actually laughing; "this -mendacious youth told me about that button some time ago; only then, he -said it was a suspender button! Didn't you, Fibsy?" - -"Yep;" was the sulky reply, "and I came near callin' it that this time, -too!" - -"Well, why not? or why not a coat button?" - -"That's it!" and Fibsy's eyes sparkled; "it _was_ a coat button! I -remember now! It was a coat button!" - -Hoyt laughed out in triumph. "And tomorrow it will be a waist-coat -button," he said; "and the day after, a sleeve button!" - -"Yep," said Fibsy staring at him; "Yep, most prob'ly! anyway, it's a -clue, that's what it is!" - -The audience shook with laughter. The funny shock-headed boy was out of -place in this serious affair, but he was there, and his comical face was -irresistibly humorous. - -But Judge Hoyt was solemn enough now. - -"Send away that boy!" he said sternly; "is this matter to be made a -burlesque on the Law? a comic opera of 'Trial by Jury?' Order him out, -Avice, I'll see him later." - -And Fibsy was ordered out. No one could take seriously the sort of talk -he had treated them to. - -But the boy was not covered with confusion. Nor did he even appear -chagrined at his misbehaviour. He looked thoughtful and wondering. He -gazed at Hoyt with an unseeing, almost uncanny stare. He walked to the -door, and as he left the room, he exploded his breath in a deep-toned -"Gee!" - -Whiting looked after the boy a little uncertainly. Hoyt looked at -Whiting. - -But the prosecuting attorney could see no reason to recall the lad, and -though he felt there was something going on he couldn't fathom, he could -get no glimmer of an idea as to its nature. - -Judge Hoyt smiled, and try as he would, Whiting could not discern the -meaning or intent of that smile. - -Fleming Stone remained, after the others left, for a talk with Avice. - -"None of them recognized me," he said, "I've not been in New York for a -year or more, and though I have seen Judge Hoyt before, we were not -personally acquainted." - -"The judge is doing his best," said Avice, wearily, "but he is very -fearful of the outcome. It is strange there is so much circumstancial -evidence against Mr. Landon, when he is entirely innocent." - -"Kane Landon is his own worst enemy," declared Stone. "I have not seen -him yet, but what I've heard about him does not prepossess me in his -favor." - -"You don't think him guilty?" - -"I can't say as to that, at this moment, but I mean his attitude and -behaviour are, I am told, both truculent and insolent. Why should this -be?" - -"It's his nature. Always he has been like that. If anybody ever accused -him of wrong, as a child, he immediately became angry and would neither -confess nor deny. I mean if he was wrongfully accused. It rouses his -worst passions to be unjustly treated. That's an added reason, to me, for -knowing him innocent in this matter. Because he is so incensed at being -suspected." - -"I understand that sort of nature," and Stone spoke musingly, "but it is -carrying it pretty far, when one's life is the forfeit." - -"I know it, and I want to persuade Kane to be more amenable and more -willing to talk. But he shuts up like a clam when they question him. -You're going to see him, aren't you, Mr. Stone?" - -"Yes, very soon. I'm glad you gave me this information about his -disposition. I shall know better how to handle him. And, now, Miss -Trowbridge, will you call your butler up here again, please?" - -Stryker was summoned, and Fleming Stone spoke to him somewhat abruptly. - -"My man," he said, "what is the secret understanding between you and -Judge Hoyt?" - -"I don't know what you mean, sir." - -"Oh, yes, you do. You are not only under his orders, but he owns -you,--body and soul. How did it come about?" - -The old butler looked at his questioner and an expression of abject fear -came into his eyes. "N-no, sir," he said, trembling, "no,--that is not -so--" - -"Don't perjure yourself. You do not deceive me in the least. Come now, -Stryker, there's no reason for such secrecy. Tell me frankly, why the -judge holds you in the hollow of his hand." - -Stone's manner was kindly, his voice gentle, though compelling, and the -old man looked at him, as if fascinated. - -"He saved my life," he said, slowly, "and so--" - -"And so it,--in a way,--belongs to him," supplemented Stone. "I begin to -see. And how did Judge Hoyt save your life, Stryker?" - -"Well, sir, it was a long time ago, and I was accused of--of murder, -sir,--and Mr. Hoyt, he wasn't a judge then, he got me off." - -"Even though you were guilty?" and Fleming Stone's truth-demanding gaze, -brought forth a low "yes, sir. But if you knew the whole story, sir--" - -"Never mind that, Stryker, I don't want to know the whole story. It was -long ago?" - -"Yes, sir, a matter of twenty years now." - -"Then let it pass. But ever since, the judge has held your life at his -own disposal?" - -"Yes, sir, and glad I am to have it so. I'd willingly give it up for him, -if so be he asks me." - -"Do you think he will ever do so?" - -"I don't know, sir. It may be." - -"And it may be in connection with this coming trial of Mr. Landon?" - -"It may be, sir." - -"And what has he asked you to do, so far?" - -Fleming Stone shot out the question so suddenly, that Stryker replied -without a moment's thought, "He says he may ask me to testify that I -telephoned to Mr. Trowbridge to go to the woods that day." - -"Ridiculous!" cried Avice. "Why, Stryker, you don't know about the birds -and insects Uncle Rowly was so fond of collecting." - -"Oh, yes, I do, Miss Avice. I used to set his traps for him, often. And I -know quite a lot of the long names of the queer beetles and things." - -"Can this be, Miss Trowbridge? Is Judge Hoyt capable of using a false -witness thus, to win his cause?" - -Avice blushed deeply, and her eyes fell before Stone's inquiring glance. - -"He wouldn't be, Mr. Stone, except for--Judge Hoyt is a most honorable -lawyer. He makes a fetish of punctilious practice. But there is a certain -reason why--he might--" - -"You needn't say any more, Miss Trowbridge. I understand now. It is -because of--pardon me if I seem intrusive,--because of _you_." - -"Yes, Mr. Stone," returned Avice, simply. "Since you are here to help in -this matter, I will tell you frankly, that if Judge Hoyt succeeds in -winning his case and freeing Kane Landon, I have promised to marry him." - -Stryker had been dismissed, and the two were alone. With infinite pity, -Stone looked at the sad-eyed girl, and intuitively understood the whole -situation. - -"I see," he said, gently, "Judge Hoyt is going to sacrifice Stryker for -you. It is a clever idea, and he will see to it, somehow, that the old -man does not suffer penalty." - -"Yes, it is so. Judge Hoyt told me the only way to get Kane off, is to -get somebody else to swear to that telephone message. If Stryker does -this, they can't prove Kane's guilt." - -"It's a desperate move," observed Stone. - -"It is; but Judge Hoyt is a desperate man. If he determines to do a -thing, he sweeps away all obstacles." - -"A strong nature. And a most capable mind. I was impressed today by his -marvelous faculty of making other people see things as he does." - -"Yes," and Avice sighed. "He can do that. It is that power that I am -banking on in his conduct of the trial." - - - - - CHAPTER XXII - JUDGE HOYT'S PLAN - - -As soon as possible, Avice went to see Landon again, and to tell him what -Fleming Stone had said. Though she was not allowed to see him alone, the -warden had deep sympathy for the lovers, as he had discovered they were, -and he sat as far away from them as possible, apparently immersed in a -most engrossing newspaper. - -Knowing of his sympathy, Avice promptly forgot his presence, and under -the spell of her beauty and love, Landon did likewise. - -"And you will be more--more humble, won't you?" she was saying as hands -clasped in hands, they read each other's eyes. - -"Humble! Avice, you're crazy! Humble? I rather guess not! I didn't kill -Uncle Rowland, and, if they say I did, let them prove it, that's all. -Why, dear, they can't prove a thing that isn't so!" - -"Do you know, Kane, this is the first time you've ever said to me that it -isn't so!" Avice's eyes were gleaming with joy at the assurance. - -"Because, oh, darling, because it hurt me so to have you harbor even a -glimmer of doubt! How could you, dearest? Eleanor didn't." - -"Didn't she?" Avice showed a flash of jealousy. "What is she to you, -Kane?" - -"Merely an old friend. We were good chums in Denver." - -"Then why did you pretend you were strangers?" - -"Oh, you know, Avice, I wanted that money right then and there. When -Uncle wouldn't give it to me I telephoned and asked Eleanor to lend it to -me. She said she'd meet me at the library and bring some bonds that I -could sell." - -"Why didn't you come to the house?" - -"I didn't want to,--on that errand. I suppose I was foolish, but my pride -stood in my way. And, too, there was haste. I wanted to send the money -out West at once, and then, knowing the mine business was all right, go -and see you with a free mind." - -"Well, and then you did meet Eleanor at the Library, but you said at the -inquest that you didn't get the money." - -"What a little cross-examiner it is! No, the bonds she brought me, were -some that are now at a low price, but are sure to go up soon. I couldn't -do her the injustice of selling them at the present market, so I -refused." - -"And she telephoned you late that night." - -"Yes, to tell me of Uncle's death. She was the only one who knew I was at -Lindsay's apartment. Of course, dear, I had expected to see you that day, -but I was so upset by my quarrel with Uncle Rowland,--he was pretty hard -on me,--that I couldn't trust myself to see him till my temper had cooled -off a little. Don't be jealous of Eleanor Black, Avice, she is a firm -friend of yours. She is a frivolous, shallow-hearted woman, but she is a -strong and loyal friend. And she was really fond of Uncle, though she -doesn't seem to mourn for him very deeply." - -"And she doesn't care who killed him!" - -"That is part of her volatile nature. She never looks back. To her, only -the future counts. I don't believe she does care who the murderer is. Who -do you think, Avice?" - -"I can't form any idea, Kane. I suppose it must have been some stranger, -a robber or Black-Hander. Don't you?" - -"I don't know. It doesn't seem altogether likely,--Avice, is Fleming -Stone coming to see me?" - -"Yes, don't you want him to?" - -"Indeed I do. I've formed some theories myself, during the long lonely -hours I spend here, and I'd like to talk them over with Stone. Avice, -what about Stryker? I mean about his bolting, when he feared he would be -suspected." - -"He says that was sheer fright. He knew he was innocent, but he couldn't -prove an alibi, so he ran away. He's very nervous and frightened of late, -anyway. And if Judge Hoyt makes him swear he sent that telephone message, -I just know he'll break down and they'll think he's the murderer, sure." - -"Perhaps he is. There's the handkerchief, you know. And--oh, don't bother -your poor little tired brain over it, darling! Leave it to the -detectives. Duane doesn't amount to much, does he?" - -"No. But Mr. Stone will, I'm sure of that." - -"And Harry Pinckney, what's he doing?" - -Avice looked embarrassed. "I had to snub him, Kane. He--he was--" - -"He fell in love with you! Oh, Avice, you heartbreaker! Who doesn't adore -you! Look out for this Stone!" - -"Oh, he's married. Almost a bridegroom, in fact. Most romantic affair, I -believe. But you know, Kane, if you are freed by Leslie's efforts, I've -promised--" - -"You've promised me, my girl," and Landon's voice rang out exultantly, -"promised me all your love and faith and trust, now and forever. Do you -suppose for a minute, that Leslie Hoyt can take you from me? Never!" - -But Avice only shook her head sadly. Kane was young and impetuous and -hopeful. But Judge Hoyt was older and more experienced, and if he said -Kane could be freed only by his efforts, Avice strongly believed it was -so. - -Avice went away, and it was not much later when Fleming Stone was -admitted to an interview with Kane Landon. Still posing as Mr. Green, an -old friend of the prisoner, admittance was granted him under the regular -rules for visitors. But a disclosure of his real identity to the -authorities secured for him a private session and, wasting no time, the -detective began to talk earnestly of the murder and the impending trial. - -Kane at first showed a spirit of truculence and answered curtly the -remarks of his visitor. But seeing at once that Stone presupposed his -innocence, Landon became friendly, and talked and listened with -eagerness. - -"My uncle and I wrote occasionally," Kane said, "and his letters had been -most friendly of late, and he had urged me to come back East to live. I -was ready to do so, as soon as I had enough money to marry and settle -down. Then the chance for a splendid mining investment turned up, and I -lit out for New York, feeling sure I could put it to Uncle Rowland in -such a way that he would give or lend me the money necessary. But he -wouldn't, and he was so harsh and unjust that I decided to wait a day or -two before going to his house. So I went to Lindsay's, an old chum of -mine, and, as he was going away for a few days he lent me his diggings. -But you know all this. Let us get to the things to be discussed." - -"To my mind," said Stone, "the main clue is that handkerchief. Without a -doubt it is Stryker's, but Stryker never left it there. It is a plan to -incriminate the old man. I'm sure of that. Now, who did it?" - -"I can't agree with you about that, entirely. It seems to me, that that -handkerchief was in my uncle's pocket when he was killed, and was used by -the murderer and left there. I know my uncle's careless habits, of old, -and he was quite as likely to have the butler's handkerchief in his -pocket as his own. When I lived with him, he wore my cap or picked up my -gloves quite unconsciously. It wasn't exactly absentmindedness, but -extreme carelessness in such matters. Why, I remember his going to church -once, and at prayer time he shook out a clean, folded handkerchief from -his pocket, and it was one of Avice's! I drew her attention to it, and we -both snickered right out in meeting. No, Mr. Stone, that handkerchief is -Stryker's, of course, but it's no clue." - -"I didn't know of this carelessness of Mr. Trowbridge; it does put a -different light on the matter. Well, then, there's the pencil picked up -at the scene of the crime. The police have paid little, if any, attention -to that, and it seems to me important. You don't know, I suppose, as to -the pencils your uncle used?" - -"No; but they all said,--the office people and the home people -both,--that Uncle Rowland used that make and letter always. So it was -doubtless his." - -"I only saw it for a moment. I shall examine it more closely. But I -observed it was sharpened with an automatic sharpener. Did you notice one -on your uncle's desk?" - -"No, and I don't believe he would have one. He was too old-fogy to use -modern contraptions much. Maybe the murderer dropped it." - -"Maybe he did. It is often on such small things that great conclusions -hinge. What do you think of that office boy?" - -"Fibsy? He's a case. A little fresh, perhaps, but a bright chap, and -devoted to my uncle's memory." - -"I don't think he's fresh, exactly. But I do think he's -bright,--exceptionally so, and I have asked him to help me--" - -"Fibsy! To help Fleming Stone! Excuse me if I seem amused." - -"Oh, I don't mind your amusement. Now, here's the case as it stands, Mr. -Landon. You didn't telephone to Mr. Trowbridge that afternoon at two, -calling him 'Uncle' did you?" - -"I did not." - -"And there are no other nephews?" - -"None, that I know of." - -"Then, somebody did it to throw suspicion on you. There seems to be no -getting away from that." - -"Quite right." - -"Again, if I am right about the handkerchief being a 'planted' clue, some -one tried to throw suspicion on Stryker." - -"Yes." - -"Again, if the pencil was purposely left there, and it may have been, -that's another effort to mislead." - -"Well?" - -"Well, if these 'clues' were arranged with such meticulous care and -precision, it surely argues a clear, clever brain that planned them, and -diverts our search from such criminals as thugs or highway robbers." - -"That's all true, Mr. Stone, and I wonder our police didn't see that -point at once." - -"Police are a capable lot, but rarely subtle in their deductions. The -obvious appeals to them, rather than the obscure. But that boy, Fibsy, -has the brain of a thinking detective. With training and experience, he -ought to develop into something remarkable. Now, I must be going. I fancy -my time is up, and I have an appointment with young McGuire this -afternoon." - -Fleming Stone went away, better pleased with Kane Landon than he had -expected to be. Several people had told him of Landon's perverseness and -flippancy, and after seeing him, Stone had concluded that while Landon's -nature was irritable and his temper quick, he could be easily managed by -any one who cared for him and understood him. - -Meantime Judge Hoyt was calling on Avice, and was telling her, -exultantly, that he had plans laid that augured success for his case. - -"You're going to do something wrong!" Avice exclaimed. - -"Hush! Never put that in words! The walls have ears. If I do, Avice, you -must never ask what I have done. My God, girl, isn't it enough that I -perjure my soul, jeopardize my reputation and forfeit my self-respect, -for you, without having to bear your reproaches? Rest assured, it is only -after failing in every honorable attempt, that I can bring myself to -do--what you call something wrong." - -"Forgive me, Leslie," and Avice was touched by the look of agony on the -strong man's face. "I do know you do it for me, and I will never reproach -you. But you know, if I can accomplish Kane's acquittal myself--" - -"But you can't! How can you? Avice, you haven't engaged Stone, have you?" - -"Why, you told me not to," said the girl, prevaricating purposely. - -"That's right," and the judge took her words to mean denial, as she hoped -he would. "There's no use calling him in, for, dear, he is very clever, I -am told, and if I do this thing,--this wrong," the fine eyes clouded -every time Hoyt referred to his projected plan, "Fleming Stone might -discover it,--though Duane never will." - -"Then you're afraid of Mr. Stone?" - -"In that way, yes. If I do something secret to win our cause,--to win -_you_, it must remain secret or be of no avail. If Stone were here and -discovered my--my plan,--he would expose it, and I should be disgraced -for life,--and our case would be lost." - -"You still think Kane guilty, then?" - -"Avice! Who else is there to suspect? Where is any other possible way to -look? And so, I must invent a suspect. I beg of you, my darling, do not -impede or prevent my progress,--it is all for you. You asked of me what -is practically an impossibility. If I achieve it, it will be at -great,--at colossal cost. But I undertake it, for your sweet sake. Avice! -Beloved! Can you imagine, have you the faintest idea of how I love you? -Who else would sin for you? Do you know the impeccability of my past -record? Do you know what it would mean to me to have the slightest smirch -on my untarnished honor? Yet I chance this for you. I do not expect to be -found out, but there is, of course, a risk. That risk I take, my glorious -girl, for you. And I take it willingly, gladly, whatever the penalty, -because--I love you." - -The last words, whispered, thrilled Avice to the soul. She did not love -Judge Hoyt; her heart was bound up in Kane Landon, but this impassioned -declaration, every word throbbing with truth, moved her,--as it must have -moved any woman. She felt a guilty sensation at the thought of Fleming -Stone's connection with the case, but she was not willing to retract. It -must go on. Kane must be exonerated, if possible, without Leslie's help, -and then she would be free to join her heart's true love. And if Kane -were freed by Judge Hoyt's plans,--Avice shuddered to think of her -promise. Well she knew that the judge would hold her to it, no matter how -much Landon protested the contrary. Landon was determined, but his -determination was a weak thing compared with the iron will of Judge Hoyt. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII - IN KITO'S CARE - - -The case of "The People _vs._ Kane Landon" was before the court and jury. -Few, if any, of the listening audience realized the great amount of time, -thought and skill that had been expended in preparation or had any idea -of the care with which the district attorney had framed his opening -speech. - -Whiting well knew the responsibility resting on the jury's first -impression of the case, and also their judgment of himself. He knew too, -his jurors' records, and he was alert and alive to all the effects of his -short but comprehensive statement. - -Judge Hoyt was warily on the defensive, and though Whiting had built up -his case most carefully, Hoyt hoped to prove that the evidence was not -crucial. - -First came the details of the crime. Mysterious rather than revolting -were the circumstances related of Rowland Trowbridge's death. - -Proceedings went on slowly, for the two lawyers were masters of their -profession, and each foresaw and was prepared to evade the traps of the -other. - -Moreover the situation was difficult because of the lack of material. -There were no star witnesses. The clues led only to conjecture and -theory, and while facts were conceded, the inferences to be drawn from -them were bitterly contested. - -The two men eyed each other thoughtfully. Whiting, big and burly, with a -stubborn jaw and belligerent air; Hoyt, tall and aristocratic, with the -dominating manner of one accustomed to dictate terms. - -When Whiting emphatically urged Landon's motive, Hoyt assented, but added -that since that alleged motive was merely to receive at once his legacy, -any other beneficiary under the will must be admitted to have had the -same. - -Regarding the district attorney's insistence on Landon's opportunity, -Hoyt agreed that the prisoner was in the woods at the time, but any one -else might also have been there. And, moreover, the fact that the -prisoner had voluntarily told of his presence there, was not a sign of a -guilty conscience. - -The quarrel between Landon and his uncle, Hoyt dismissed with the comment -that that was the story of a boy who was an acknowledged prevaricator, -and could not be taken into consideration. - -"The evidence is vague, general and inconclusive," he said; "It is not -enough to condemn the prisoner, and indeed it in no instance connects the -accused with crime. I myself knew Mr. Trowbridge well, and I knew he -often used figurative language. It was entirely like him to say, 'Cain -killed me!' meaning a reference to an unknown murderer. But it was -utterly unlike him to say to the Swede, a perfect stranger, 'Kane killed -me,' meaning his nephew. Why should he speak of Mr. Landon by his first -name to a stranger? He never did any such thing! The similar sound of the -two names is a mere coincidence, and must be regarded as such by all -fair-minded people." - -Aside from the argument, Judge Hoyt was pinning his faith to his -marvelously wide knowledge of the law governing every aspect of the -matter in hand. He well knew that a prosecutor with a really clear case, -may lose it because he has neglected to look up some points of law which -may unexpectedly arise, and the defence was hoping for something of this -sort. - -Again, it is a fact, that juries are more likely to acquit in a murder -trial than in case of other crimes. Unless the prisoner at the bar is of -the depraved criminal class, a jury is inclined to give him every -possible benefit of doubt. - -And, knowing this, and knowing many other "tricks of his trade," Judge -Hoyt took advantage of every condition and every circumstance; and as the -trial proceeded from day to day, the probabilities of the outcome -vibrated from one side to the other largely in proportion to the -oratorical eloquence of the two counsels. - -Fleming Stone attended the trial only occasionally. He had his own agent -there, reporting it for him, and he himself was busy untangling clues -whose existence others were unaware of or had ignored. - -On one particular afternoon, Stone had told Fibsy to meet him at his -office at two o'clock, and the boy did not appear. - -This was a most unusual thing, for Fibsy, working with Stone, had proved -absolutely reliable in the matter of obeying orders. - -After waiting fifteen minutes, Stone telephoned to the boy's home. - -"Why," responded "Aunt Becky," "Fibs went out an hour ago. Somebody -telephoned for him,--I don't know who,--and he flew right off. No, it -must have been important, for he went off without his dessert." - -Like a flash, it came to Stone that there was something wrong. - -But what it was, even his cleverness failed to fathom. He telephoned the -Trowbridge house, Judge Hoyt's office, the courtroom, and any place he -could think of where there was a chance of finding Fibsy, but all without -success. Then, setting detectives in search of the missing boy, Stone -went on with his own work of drawing in his widespread net. - -And Fibsy? - -The telephone message had said that he was to come at once to the corner -of Broadway and Thirty-second Street, where Mr. Stone would meet him in a -taxicab. - -Fibsy grabbed his cap and sped to the appointed place. There he found a -waiting cab, whose driver nodded, and said, "Hop in." - -Fibsy hopped in, and found inside a Japanese boy apparently about his own -age. - -"All light," the Japanese observed, with a stolid countenance. "Mr. -Stoan, he tell me bling you. All light." - -Fibsy, though a little surprised, accepted it all, for Fleming Stone -frequently sent for him in unexpected ways, and sent him on unexpected -and strange errands. - -The cab went quickly uptown, and turning into a cross street in the upper -West Seventies, stopped before a rather fine-looking house. - -"Get out," said the Jap, briefly, and Fibsy obeyed. The house was not Mr. -Stone's, of that Fibsy was sure, but he was accustomed to obey orders, -even through an emissary, and nothing had ever gone wrong by so doing. - -The Japanese produced a latch-key, dismissed the cab, and the two went -into the house. - -"Mr. Stoan, he upstairs," the taciturn guide vouchsafed, leading the way. - -Fibsy followed, up two flights, and was ushered into a large room, in the -location known as "the middle room"; that is, it was between the front -and back chambers, and had no outside window, save on a small airshaft. - -A little curious, but in no way alarmed, he entered, and the Jap followed -him, and turned on an electric switch. By this illumination, Fibsy -discovered that he was in a bedroom, a fairly well-appointed and tidily -kept chamber, apparently in the abode of the well-to-do. - -By this time, and perhaps more because of the expression on his -companion's face, than the situation itself, Fibsy felt a slight thrill -of doubt. - -"Where am I?" he said, pleasantly. "Where's Mr. Stone?" - -"No Mr. Stoan here," and the Japanese grinned. "You fall in tlap. Hee, -hee! You fall eas'ly! Well, Mr. Flibsy, you here to stay." - -"To stay! Trap! Whaddye mean, you yellow sneak? Lemme out this minute, or -I'll show you who's who wit' the wallop! I'll fuss up that map o' yourn -till your own grandmother wouldn't know it!" - -"Aexcuse me, Mr. Flibsy, you don' say nawthin' 'bout my ancestors! They -sacred to Jap'nese. You be p'lite or I thing I quarrel with you." - -"Oh, you thing you will, do you? Now, stop this nonsense, and--" - -"Aexcuse me. This not non-senze. Behole! You here,--here you stay. I -_bed_ you stay!" and the Japanese with low, mocking bow, went out at the -door and began to draw it to after him. - -"Here, you, come back here!" and Fibsy's quick perceptions took in the -fact that he had been trapped by some one, and that he was about to be -locked in. "Come back, what's-your-name?" - -"My name Kito, an' I ask you be rev'ren 'bout my august ancestors." - -"Bother your ancestors! I mean--bless 'em!" for Kito's eyes narrowed at -the first word. "Now, you come back a minute, and put me wise to this -song and dance. What house is this?" - -"My master's." - -"And you're his valet? cook? head stuff? what?" - -"His ver' humble servant," and Kito bowed low. "An' at his orders, I mus' -log you in. Goo' by." - -"No, you don't!" Fibsy sprang at the Japanese and fully expected to land -his clenched fist at its destination, when instead, he gave a shriek of -pain, as Kito deftly caught the descending arm and with a peculiarly -dextrous twist, almost,--it seemed to Fibsy,--broke it. - -"I had a hunch I was pretty good," the injured one said, ruefully, "but I -hand it to you! Show me how, will you, It's that thing they call juicy -jitsoo, ain't it?" - -"Jiu jitsu, yaes. _Now_ you know who goin' be who? eh? What you thing?" - -"I think you're a wonder, an' you gotter crack me wise to that some time, -but not now. Now I'm mainly int'rested in gettin' outa here." - -"Yaes?" And the Japanese looked mildly amused. - -This made Fibsy serious. "Say," he said, without bluster, for Kito was -gazing at him steadily, "tell a feller a few things, can't you? Who is -you master?" - -"I thing I not say it good. This United States names too much for me. So -I carry card, this-away." Kito drew from his pocket a worn card and held -it out for inspection. - -"Mr. James Brent Auchincloss," it read. - -"Huh," said Fibsy, "don't wonder it's too much for you, son. But looky -here, you've got in wrong, somehow. I don't know Mr. Autchincloss, -myself. Lemme go, there's a pal,--an' I'll call it square." - -"Aexcuse; my orders to log you in," and this time, Kito slid out of the -door, and the next instant Fibsy heard the key grate in the lock. - -First he gave a long whistle, then he blinked his eyes several times, and -then he set to work, systematically, to investigate his prison. - -A few quick glances showed him he was in a woman's room, and one recently -occupied. There were hairpins on the dresser and a pair of curling tongs -beside them. The furniture was of black walnut, old-fashioned but of good -workmanship. The bed was neatly made up, and the closet, into which Fibsy -looked, was empty, save for a pair of woman's shoes and an old skirt or -two. - -There was one other door, and pulling it open, the boy found it led to a -bathroom, plain and clean, not at all luxuriously appointed. - -He put his head out of the bathroom window. There was a sheer drop of -three stories to the ground. This was on the same airshaft as the bedroom -window gave on. The windows on the other side of the shaft were in the -next house, and were all with closely drawn shades. - -"Gee!" thought Fibsy, "I must set me bean to woikin'--" - -In critical moments, Fibsy, even in thought, reverted to his street -slang, though he was honestly trying to break himself of the habit. - -"I'm in a swell house," he assured himself, "an' this is the woik-goil's -room. Folks all gone to the country, an' neighbors all gone, too. Oh, I'm -on. Dis ain't no mistake, I'm kidnapped,--that's what's come my way! Now, -who does it?" - -But though he had the whole afternoon to put uninterrupted thought on -that question, it remained unanswered. He cudgeled his brain to remember -any one by the name of Auchincloss, without success. He pondered deeply -over the possible reasons any one could have for incarcerating him in -this way, but could think of none. He returned at last to his theory of -mistaken identity, and concluded that he had been mistaken for some one -else. - -Though with a subconsciousness of its futility, he banged on the door, -and he hung out of the window and yelled, and he stamped and pounded and -banged in every way he could think of, without getting the least response -of any sort. - -The awful thought struck him that he was to be left here to starve to -death, and this so awed him that he sat perfectly still for two minutes, -and then began to make a racket with redoubled vigor. - -At last, worn out by mental and physical exertion, he threw himself on -the bed and dropped into fitful slumber. - -He was roused by the opening door, and beheld the Japanese enter with a -tray of food. - -"Nixy on the starvation stunt, then," he cried, joyously. "Why, I say -Kito, if you don't come across with 'most as good eats as me Aunt Becky, -an' that's goin' some!" - -Kito stood, with folded arms, watching his prisoner's appetite assert -itself. Then he said, "You make 'nother piece racket like those, an' I -break your honorable arm." - -"You will!" And for a moment, Fibsy sprang to action. Then remembering -the skill of his foe, he fell into dejection again. - -"Aw, now Kite," he began, in a conciliatory tone, "let's chew this -over,--me'n you. There's some mistake, you know." - -"Aexcuse, no mis-take. You here to stay. You can't get aout. You holler -an' bang-bang, I break your arm. You jump out window, you break your leg. -So." - -"Then I'm to stay here and be mousy-quiet?" - -"Yes, so as a mice." - -"Yes, I will! Say, Kite, be a sport. I'll make it up to you, if you'll -just lead me to a telephone, an' let me fix up this here mistake. I don't -know any Auchincloss--" - -"No mis-take. My honorable master never make mis-take." - -"Oh, don't he? Well, tell me this. How long do I live here--on the -house?" - -"In the house?" corrected Kito gravely. "I not know. Two, t'ree, fo' -weeks' mebbe more." - -"Mebbe nothing!" roared the irate Fibsy. "Stay here all that time! Why, -you yellow-gilled crab--" - -Fibsy paused, for the Japanese merely lifted his hand and flexed his long -yellow fingers in a suggestive way, that was decidedly unpleasant. - -"There, there, I didn't mean anything. Oh, well, if you wanta be fussy!" - -Fibsy saw at once the utter uselessness of trying to threaten, cajole or -reason with the Oriental. Though he looked no older than the boy, he was -a man, and one skilled in his country's athletic and wrestling methods. - -Without further words, Kito waited for Fibsy to finish his supper, and -then took away the tray, locking his prisoner in the room. - -This went on for three whole days. Fibsy was comfortably housed, all his -physical wants provided for, and Kito even brought him a pile of old -magazines to read, but no further information was given him as to the -reason for his imprisonment. - -By the fourth day the nervous strain had begun to tell on the captive -boy. No amount of thinking could reveal the reason of his plight, and no -theory account for it. Hours at a time he tried to escape or tried to -plan some means that might lead to freedom, but there was no chance for -ingenious attempt, or possibility of conquering or eluding Kito. - -It was this very day that Fleming Stone came to the house, but Fibsy did -not know it, nor did Stone have the slightest idea that the boy he sought -so diligently was there. - -Kito answered Stone's ring at the door, and when that gentleman pushed -his way a little brusquely through the reception room to the library, the -Japanese followed, politely, but with a wary eye and a tense arm. - -"Good!" Stone exclaimed, looking over the appointments of the large -library table. "Your master has no pencil sharpener. Now, my man, I am an -agent for these," and Stone took from his bag a small contrivance for -sharpening lead pencils. "And our new method of selling these goods, is -to leave one with a prospective customer, feeling sure that a trial of it -will mean a quick sale. Has your master ever used a thing, like this?" - -Kito had not followed all Stone's speech, his English being somewhat -limited, but by the actions of the "agent" the Japanese understood. - -"No good," he said, scornfully, "my master no want it." - -"How do you know?" - -"I know." - -"Has he one?" - -"No." - -"Did he ever have one?" - -"Yaes." - -"Not like this." - -"Yes, just all same like that one." - -And then Stone, with his almost hypnotic power of suggestion, so hinted -and insinuated and urged, that finally Kito, after a short search in a -closet, triumphantly showed a pencil-sharpener exactly like the one Stone -had offered. - -Looking chagrined and disappointed, Stone returned his to his bag. - -"Why did your master stop using it?" he asked, noting the pencil on the -desk tray, undoubtedly sharpened with a knife. - -"Two, four weeks, mebbe more." - -"But when?" and Stone picked up a calendar. "When?" - -Slowly tracing back through his memory, Kito suddenly smiled. - -"Then!" he exclaimed pointing to a date. "I know, be-cause, the same day -almost, my birt'day. An' I hoped my master give him to me for plesent. -But no." - -"That's too bad," agreed Stone. "Well, if your master doesn't care for -his, of course he won't buy mine. Good-day." - -Picking up his bag, he went away, and Kito closed the door behind him. - -The date the Japanese had pointed to, was the day after the murder of -Rowland Trowbridge! - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV - ESCAPE - - -Fibsy was at his wits' end. And the wits' end of Terence McGuire was at -some distance from their beginning. But he had scrutinized every step of -the way, and now he disconsolately admitted to himself that he had really -reached the end. - -He had been shut up in the strange house nearly a week. He was most -comfortably lodged and fed, he had much reading matter supplied for his -perusal, though none of it was newspapers, and Kito offered to play -parchesi with him by way of entertainment. The Japanese was polite, even -kindly, but he was inflexible in the matter of obeying his orders. And -his scrupulous fidelity precluded any possibility of Fibsy's getting -away, or even getting out of the rooms allotted to his use. - -But when the boy rose one morning after a refreshing night's sleep and -had a satisfying breakfast, and was at last locked in his room for the -morning, he sat down on the edge of the bed, and clinched his impotent -young fists in rage and despair. - -"I gotta make me bean woik better," he groaned to himself, the tenseness -of the situation causing him to revert to his use of street slang. "I -gotter get outen here, an' most likely it's too late now. I'm a nice -detective, I am, can't get out the fust time I'm in a hole! Gee! I'm -gonta get out!" - -Followed a long session of hard thinking, and then a gleam of light came -to him. But he needs must wait till Kito brought up his dinner. - -And at noon or thereabouts, Kito came with the usual well-appointed tray -of good food. - -Fibsy looked it over nonchalantly. "All right, Kite," he said, "but say, -I gotta toothache. I wish you'd gimme a toothpick,--not quill,--the -wooden kind." - -Sympathetic and solicitous, the Japanese produced from his own pocket a -little box of his native toothpicks, of which Fibsy accepted a couple, -and pocketed them. And then, came the strategical moment. His purpose -must be effected while the Jap was still in the room. And it was. Sidling -to the half-open door, Fibsy called Kite's attention to a dish on the -tray, and then thrust a toothpick quickly in beside the bolt of the lock, -and broke it off short. - -In order to keep his jailer's attention distracted, Fibsy then waxed -loquacious, and dilated on the glories of a wonderful movie show. - -Kito listened attentively, and though he said no word about going to see -it, he inquired carefully where it was, and Fibsy's hopes began to rise. - -"But if ever you go, Kite," he said, "you wanter see the very beginnin', -'relse you lose all the fun." - -At last, Fibsy finished his dinner and the Jap took up the tray. -Breathlessly, but unnoticeably, Fibsy watched him, and as he went out of -the door, and turned the key in the lock, he didn't notice that the bolt -didn't shoot home as usual, but the door was really left unlocked. - -Fibsy's heart beat like a trip-hammer as he heard the catlike footsteps -go down stairs. - -Unable to wait, he tried the door, and found it was open. He slipped out -into the hall. Down two flights, he could hear the Japanese, going about -his business. Warily, Fibsy crept down one stair-case. Then he stepped -into the front room on that floor. It was evidently the room of a grand -lady. Silver trinkets were here and there, but Fibsy's quick eyes noted -that the bureau was dismantled, and there were no appearances of actual -occupancy. - -"Mrs. Autchincloss is away fer the summer," he said, sapiently. "Lessee -furder." - -It was a risk, but Kito rarely came upstairs so soon after dinner, so the -boy went through to the back room on the second floor. - -"Bachelor," he said, nodding his head at the appointments on the -chiffonier. "Stayin' in town. Kinder Miss Nancy,--here's a little sewin' -kit some dame made fer him. An' the way his brushes an' things is fixed, -shows he ain't got no wife. So this ain't Mr. Autchincloss. Well, -lemmesee. Writin' table next. Not much doin'. Fixin's all fer show. Spose -he writes down in the liberry. Wisht I could git down there. Here's a lot -of his friends." - -Fibsy had spied a pack of snapshots and small photographs, and hastily -ran them over. They were all unknown faces to him, except one which -chanced to be the postcard of Judge Hoyt taken in Philadelphia station. - -"Hello! The guy wot lives here is a frien' o' Judge Hoyt. No, not a -friend, but a nennermy. Cos, I dope it out, that friend guy's locked me -up here fer fear I'll help Judge Hoyt's case. Oh, no, I dunno, as it's -that. I dunno what it is. I wisht I could get word to Mr. Stone. If I -only dared use that telephone. But Kite would fly up here quicker'n scat! -Well, I'll swipe this card, cos it looks interestin'." - -Then Fibsy, still with a wary eye on the hall door, searched the room and -its dressing-room and closets, and was rewarded by some further -discoveries, one of which was a dirk cane. This article was among a -number of other canes and umbrellas in the far end of a deep closet. - -"Now, o' course," he mused, "maybe tain't the right cane, an' maybe 'tis. -But if it is, then this here's the moiderer's house, an' he locked me in -cos he's scared o' me. Well, it's all too many fer me. Hello, wot's -this?" He opened a small door in the side of the deep closet. There -seemed to be an elevator shaft, with no car. As a matter of fact, it was -a laundry chute, but Fibsy was unacquainted with conveniences of that -sort, and didn't know its purpose. But he saw at once that the shaft led -to the basement, and that it went upward, to a similar opening in the -room above. And the room above was his room! - -Softly he crept back upstairs, and re-entered his room. He dislodged the -fragment of toothpick, and closed the door. If Kito discovered it was -unlocked, he couldn't help that now. He went straight to his own closet, -and sure enough there was the same sort of a slide door, and it gave onto -the same chute, hung over it. At last a possible way of exit. Precarious, -for he had not yet decided on a safe way of descending a bare shaft, but -his mind was at work now, and something must come of it. - -And his mind produced this plan. He knew where Kito was now. Always at -that time in the afternoon, the Japanese was in his own room in the rear -part of the first floor of the house. Previous desultory chat had brought -out this fact. And Fibsy's plan was to make a soft bed at the foot of the -shaft and jump down. Dangerous, almost positively disastrous, but the -only chance. - -"'Course I'll break me bloomin' back or legs or suthin', but anyway the -horsepital'd be better'n this, an' then I could get aholt of Mr. Stone." - -So, swiftly and noiselessly, he removed all the bedding from his bed, and -down the chute he threw the mattress, dropping on it the blankets and -pillows. - -"Here goes!" he said, not pausing to consider consequences, and, -balancing for an instant on the ledge, he let himself go, and came down -with a soft thud on the pillows. - -Whether it was because he relaxed every muscle and fell limply, or -whether it was because of a kind fate looking after him, he sustained no -injuries. Not a bone broke, and though the jar was stunning, he recovered -after a few minutes, and sat up half-dazed, but rapidly becoming alert, -and looking about him. - -The semi-darkness of the shaft showed him the exit, and it proved to be -into the laundry in the basement of the house. - -The rest was easy. Listening intently for a sound of Kito, and hearing -none, Fibsy deliberately walked out of the basement door, and into the -street. - -He did not hurry, being desirous not to attract attention in any way, and -as he went through the area gate, he looked up and noted the number of -the house. It was as he had surmised, a house closed for the summer -during the absence of the family. The Japanese butler had been retained -as caretaker, and whoever was Fibsy's captor, gave the orders. Kito was -so trustworthy and faithful, there could have been no chance of Fibsy's -escape save by some such ingenious method as he had used. - -"Only," he blamed himself, "why the dickens didn't I think of it sooner?" - -Reaching the corner, he noted the street the house was on, but the -fashionable locality, in the upper West Seventies, was unfamiliar to him, -and he had no idea whose house he had been living in. - -Nor had he had time to find out. An investigation of a street directory -might have told him, but he concluded to lose no time in communicating -with Fleming Stone. - -But first, he telephoned his aunt to relieve the anxiety he knew she must -be feeling. - -"It's all right, Aunt Becky," he announced, cheerily. "Don't you worry, -don't you fret. I'm on important business, and I'll be home when I get -there. So long!" - -Then he called up Fleming Stone's office. The detective was not in, but -Fibsy made it so plain to a secretary that Mr. Stone must be found at -once, that the finding was accomplished, and by the time Fibsy in his -taxicab reached the office, Fleming Stone was there too. - -"Terence!" exclaimed the detective, grasping the boy's hand in his own. -"Come in here." - -He took the lad to his inner sanctum, and said, "Tell me all about it." - -"There's such a lot, Mr. Stone," began Fibsy, breathlessly, "but first, -how's the trial goin'? I ain't seen a pape since I was caught. I wanted -to get one on the way here, but I got so int'rested in this here -card,--say, look here. This is a pitcher of Judge Hoyt in the Philly -Station the day of the moider. You know he was in Philly that day." - -"Yes, he was," and Stone looked harassed. "He certainly was. He wrote -from there and telegraphed from there and I've seen a card like the one -you have there, and that settles it. I wish I could prove he wasn't -there." - -"Well, Mr. Stone, he prob'ly was there, all right, but this here picture -wasn't took on that day." - -"How do you know?" - -"De-duck-shun!" and Fibsy indulged in a small display of vanity, quite -justified by his further statement. "You see, this card shows the big -news stand in the waitin' room. Well, the papers on the news stand ain't -that week's papers!" - -"What?" - -"No, sir, they ain't. You see, I read every week 'The Sleuth's Own -Magazine', an' o' course I know every number of that 'ere thing's well's -I know my name. An' here, you see, sir, is the magazine I'm speakin' of, -right here in the picture. Well, on it is a cover showin' a lady tied in -a chair wit' ropes. Well, sir, that roped lady was on the cover two weeks -after Mr. Trowbridge was killed, not the day of the moider." - -"You're sure of this, Terence?" and Stone looked at the boy with an -expression almost of envy. "This is very clever of you." - -"Aw, shucks, tain't clever at all. Only, I know them magazines like a -mother'd know her own children. I read 'em over an' over. An' I know that -picture on that cover came out more'n two weeks later'n what Judge Hoyt -said it did. I mean, he didn't have that card taken of himself on the day -he said he did." - -"Motive?" - -"That I dunno. I do know Judge Hoyt is tryin' sumpin' fierce to clear Mr. -Landon--has he done it yet?" - -"No, Terence, but the trial is almost over, and I think the judge has -something up his sleeve that he's holding back till the last minute. I -never was in such a baffling mystery case. Every clue leads nowhere, or -gets so tangled with contradictory clues that it merely misleads. Now -tell me your story." - -Fibsy told the tale of his imprisonment, and the manner of his escape. He -told the street and number of the house, and he told of his discovery of -a dirk cane in a cupboard. - -"An' Mr. Stone," he went on, "I found the shoe the button came off of." - -"You're sure it was a shoe button?" and Fleming Stone smiled at -recollection of the button that had been described as of several -varieties. - -"Yes, sir. An' every time I said that button was a kind of button that it -wasn't, I was glad afterward that I said it. Yes, Mr. Stone it's a shoe -button an' in that same house I was in, is the shoe it useter be on." - -"Look out now, Terence, don't let your zeal and your imagination run away -with you." - -"No, sir, but can't you go there yourself, and get the shoe and the cane, -or send for 'em, and if they fit the cane mark in the mud, and if the -button I've got is exactly like those on that shoe, then ain't there -sumpin in it, Mr. Stone? Ain't there?" - -The freckled face was very earnest and the blue eyes very bright as Fibsy -waited for encouragement. - -"There's a great deal in it, Fibsy. You have done wonderful work. In fact -so wonderful, that I must consider very carefully before I proceed." - -"Yes, sir. You see maybe the place where I was, might be the house of -that Mr. Lindsay, he's a friend of Mr. Landon's--" - -"Wait a bit, child. Now you've done much, so very much, have patience to -go a little slowly for the next move. Do you remember what the inspector -told about the noises he heard when the Italian woman first telephoned -him about Mr. Trowbridge?" - -"Yes sir, every woid. Rivetin' goin on. Phonograph playin' an' kids -whoopin'-coughin' like fury." - -"Well, from the Board of Health I've found the general location of -whooping-cough cases at about that time, now if we can eliminate others -and find the Italian ones--" - -"Yep, I und'stand! Goin' now?" - -"Yes, at once." - -Calling a taxicab, they started, and Stone went to an Italian quarter -near 125th Street, where whooping-cough had been prevalent a few weeks -previous. - -"Find the house, Fibsy," he said, as they reached the infected district. - -Unsmilingly, Fibsy's sharp, blue eyes scanned block after block. - -"New buildin'," he said, at last, thoughtfully; and then, darting across -the street, to a forlorn little shop, he burst in and out again, crying, -"Here you are, Mr. Stone!" - -Stone crossed the street and entered the shop. There was a swarthy -Italian woman, and several children, some coughing, others quarreling and -all dirty. - -A phonograph was in evidence, and Fibsy casually looked over the records -till he found the rag-time ditty the inspector had recalled. - -He called up headquarters and asked Inspector Collins if that were the -music he heard before. "Yes," said Collins, and Stone shouted, "Hold that -wire, Fibsy, wait a minute," and dragging the scared woman to the -telephone he bade her repeat the message she had given the day of the -murder. - -"Same voice! Same woman!" declared the inspector, and Stone hung up the -receiver. - -Then he soothed the frightened Italian, promising no harm should come to -her if she told the truth. - -The truth, as she tremblingly divulged it, seemed to be, that some man -had come to her shop that afternoon, and forced her to telephone as he -dictated. She remembered it all perfectly, and had been frightened out of -her wits ever since. He had given her ten dollars which she had never -dared to spend, as it was blood money! - -"Describe the man," said Stone. - -"I not see heem good. He hold noosa-paper before his face, and maka me -speak-a telephone." - -"How did he make you? Did he threaten you?" - -"He have-a dagger. He say he killa me, if I not speak as he say." - -"Ah, a dagger! An Italian stiletto?" - -"No, not Italiano. I not see it much, I so fright'. But I know it if I -see it more!" - -After a few more questions, Stone was ready to go. But Fibsy sidled up to -the woman. "Say," he said, "what you give your bambinos for the cough, -hey? Med'cine?" - -"No, I burna da Vaporina, da Vap' da Cressar lina----" - -"Gee! Quite so! All right, old lady, much obliged!" - -After that matters whizzed. On the ride down town, Fibsy told Stone much. -Stone listened and made that much more. The two acted as complements, the -boy having gathered facts which the man made use of. - - - - - CHAPTER XXV - THE WHOLE TRUTH - - -The two went straight down to the office of the district attorney. "I -must send a message to Mr. Whiting at once," Fleming Stone said to a -secretary there. - -"Mr. Whiting is in the Court of General Sessions, just below this office -here, and I'd rather not disturb him. Can your business wait?" - -"It cannot," declared Stone, "not an instant. Please send this message -immediately. Mr Whiting will not be annoyed at the interruption." - -As Fleming Stone and Fibsy entered the courtroom District Attorney -Whiting was reading the note in which the detective asked the privilege -of speaking to him a moment, and partially told why. - -At that instant also, the jury were filing into the box prepared to give -their verdict. - -"Gentlemen of the jury," said the clerk of the court, "have you arrived -at a verdict?" - -"We have," replied the foreman. - -"What is it?" - -"We find the defendant guilty, as charged in the indictment, of--" - -"Excuse me, your Honor," said the district attorney, hurriedly, to the -judge on the bench, "I would like to interrupt here," and he walked -toward the bench. - -A strange and expectant hush fell over the courtroom, as the judge and -the district attorney conferred in whispers. The conference continued a -few moments, and then the judge said suddenly, "This is a matter that -should be discussed with the lawyer for the defense. Judge Hoyt, will you -please step to the bench?" - -The three held a short parley, and then the judge on the bench said, "Mr. -Fleming Stone, will kindly come here?" - -"If it please your Honor, I ask to be heard." - -Leslie Hoyt looked round angrily, and as Stone's calm, clear voice was -followed by the appearance of his stalwart figure, there was a stir -throughout the room. - -"As a detective recently employed on this case," Stone said, "I wish to -tell of my discoveries." - -"Tell your story in your own way, Mr. Stone," instructed the judge, and -Stone began. - -"As you are all aware, the dying words of Mr. Trowbridge are said to be, -'Cain killed me!' implying, it was at first supposed, an allusion to the -first murderer of Scripture history. Later, it was adjudged to mean a -reference to Kane Landon. But I submit a third meaning, which is that Mr. -Trowbridge was killed by a cane in the hands of his assailant, said cane -being of the variety know as a dirk or sword cane. This type of -walking-stick, the carrying of which is forbidden by law, has a dagger -concealed in it, which may be drawn forth by the handle. An imprint has -been found of a cane near the place of the crime, and to this print has -been fitted a cane of the dirk or sword variety. The ownership of this -cane has been traced to a man, who is known to have benefited by the -death of the victim. I refer to Judge Leslie Hoyt, the counsel for the -defense!" - -A sudden commotion was followed by an intense hush. Hoyt's face was like -carved marble. No emotion of any sort did he show, but waited, as if for -Stone to proceed. - -And Stone did proceed. "Here is the cane," he said, taking a long parcel -from a messenger. "Is it yours, Mr. Hoyt?" - -Hoyt glanced at it carelessly. - -"No, I never saw it before," he said. - -"It was found in the closet of your dressing-room," went on Stone. - -"By whom?" - -"Terence McGuire." - -A look of hatred dawned on Hoyt's face, also the first expression of fear -he had shown. - -"That self-avowed liar!" he said, contemptuously. - -"His word is not in question now," said Stone, sternly. "This cane was -found in your apartments. It is a dirk, as may be seen." - -Stone drew out the slender, sharp blade, and the audience shivered. - -Disregarding Hoyt, Stone continued his address to the court. - -"Additional evidence is a shoe button picked up at the scene of the -crime. It is proved to be from one of Mr. Hoyt's shoes. True, these do -not connect Mr. Hoyt directly with this murder, but I can produce a -witness who will do so." - -Stone then proceeded to tell of the Italian woman and her story. - -"The connecting link is this," he said; "the day after the murder, during -the coroner's inquest, our bright young friend, McGuire, noticed on Mr. -Hoyt's coat an odor familiar to him as a remedy used to burn for -whooping-cough. The scent is strong and unmistakable and clings -ineradicably to a garment that has been worn, even for a few moments -where the remedy is used. Mrs. Robbio's children had the whooping-cough; -she was using the remedy the day the murderer stopped in at her little -shop and threatening her with this very dirk, forced her to deliver the -message he dictated to the police station. - -"It was a clever ruse and would have remained undetected, but for the -quick-witted youth who noticed the odor, and remembered it when -whooping-cough was mentioned." - -"A string of lies," sneered Hoyt. "Made up by the notorious street gamin -who glories in his sobriquet of liar!" - -Still unheeding, Stone went on. - -"In search for a motive for the murder of Rowland Trowbridge by Leslie -Hoyt, I examined the will of the deceased, and discovered, what I am -prepared to prove, that it is, in part, a forgery. The instrument was -duly drawn up by Judge Hoyt, as lawyer for the testator. It was duly -witnessed, and after,----" - -Fleming Stone paused and looked fixedly at Hoyt, and the latter at last -quailed before that accusing glance. - -"And after, at his leisure, the lawyer inserted on the same typewriter, -and with greatest care, the words, '_and herself become the wife of -Leslie Hoyt_.' This clause was not written or dictated by Mr. Trowbridge, -it was inserted after his death, by his lawyer." - -"You can't prove that!" cried Hoyt springing to his feet. - -"I can easily prove it," declared Stone; "It is written on a new ribbon -known to have been put into the typewriter, the afternoon the murder took -place. And, too, it is of slightly different slant and level from the -rest. Of course, it was only by microscopic investigation I discovered -these facts, but they are most clearly proven." - -"Gee! he's goin' to brash it out!" exclaimed Fibsy, under his breath, as -Hoyt rose, with vengeance in his eye. - -But the judge waved him back as Stone proceeded. - -"I understand Mr. Hoyt claims as an alibi, that he was in Philadelphia -that day." - -"I was," declared the accused; "I brought home an afternoon paper from -that city." - -"The paper was from that city, but you bought it at a New York news stand -to prove your case, should it ever be necessary." - -"What rubbish! I wrote Mr. Trowbridge the day before, that I was going. -The letter was found in his pocket." - -"Where you placed it yourself after the murder!" shot back Stone. - -"Ridiculous! I also telegraphed to----" - -"The telegram was faked. I have examined it myself, and it is typewritten -in imitation of the usual form, but it never went through the company's -hands. That, too, you placed in Mr. Rowland's pocket after,--after the -cane killed him! You remember, Mr. District Attorney, a lead pencil was -found on the ground at the scene of the crime. I am prepared to prove -this pencil the property of Judge Hoyt. And this is my proof. Until the -day of the crime, Judge Hoyt had been in the habit of using a patent -sharpener to sharpen his lead pencils. I have learned from Judge Hoyt's -Japanese servant, that the day after the murder, Judge Hoyt discarded -that sharpener, and used a knife. This was to do away with any suspicion -that might rest on him as owner of the pencil. On that very date, he -resharpened, with a penknife, all his pencils and thus cleverly turned -the tide of suspicion." - -"Also a clever feat, the finding of this out," murmured Whiting. - -"The credit for that is due to the lad, McGuire," said Stone. "At the -time of the inquest, the boy noticed the pencil, particularly; and -afterward, telling me of his surmises, I looked up the matter and found -the proof. Again, the man I accuse, secured a handkerchief from Stryker's -room, and carried it away for the purpose of incriminating the butler. It -seems, owing to a past secret, the butler was in the power of Judge Hoyt. -However, circumstances led suspicion in other directions. The tell-tale -handkerchief seemed to point first to the Swedish couple. Later it seemed -to point to the butler, Stryker, and later still, was used as a point -against Kane Landon. But it is really the curse that has come home to -roost where it belongs, as a condemnation of Judge Leslie Hoyt. This arch -criminal planned so cleverly and carried out his schemes so carefully, -that he overreached himself. His marvelously complete alibi is _too_ -perfect. His diabolical skill in arranging his spurious letter, telegram, -newspaper, and finally a picture postcard, which I shall tell of shortly, -outdid itself, and his excessive care was his own undoing. But, in -addition to these points, I ask you to hear the tale of young McGuire, -who has suffered at the hands of Judge Hoyt, not only injustice and -inconvenience, but attempted crime." - -Fibsy was allowed to tell his own story, and half shy, half frightened, -he began. - -"At first, Judge Hoyt he wanted me to go to woik in Philadelphia, an' I -thought it was queer, but I went, an' I discovered he was payin' me wages -himself. That was funny, an' it was what gimme the foist steer. So I came -back to New York an' I stayed here, makin' b'lieve me aunt needed me. So -then one day, Judge Hoyt, he took me to dinner at a restaurant, sayin' he -took a notion to me, an' wanted me to learn to be a gent'man. Well, when -we had coffee, he gimme a little cup foist, an' then he put some sugar in -it fer me. Well, I seen the sugar was diffrunt--" - -"Different from what?" asked Whiting. - -"From the rest'rant sugar. That was smooth an' oblong, and what the judge -put into my cup, was square lumps, and rougher on the sides. So I -s'picioned sumpin was wrong, an' I didn't drink that coffee. I left it on -the table. An' soon's I reached the street I ran back fer me paper, what -I'd left on poipose, and I told the waiter to save that cup o' coffee fer -evidence in a moider trial. An' he did, an' Mr. Stone he's had it -examined, an' it's full of--of what, Mr. Stone?" - -"Of nitro-glycerine," asserted Stone, gravely. - -"Yes, sir, Judge Hoyt tried to kill me, he did." Fibsy's big blue eyes -were dark with the thrill of his subject rather than fear now. He was -absorbed in his recital, and went steadily on, his manner and tone, -unlettered and unschooled though they were, carrying absolute conviction -of truth. - -"When I seen that queer sugar goin' in me cup, me thinker woiked like -lightnin' an' I knew it meant poison. So I thunk quickly how to nail the -job onto him, and I did. Then soon after that, I was kidnapped. A -telephone call told me Mr. Stone was waitin' fer me in a taxi, and when I -flew meself to it, it wasn't Mr. Stone at all, but a Japanese feller, -name o' Kite. He took me to a swell house, and locked me in. If I tried -any funny business he gave me a joo jitsy, till I quit tryin'. Well, I -didn't know whose house it was, but I've sence found out it was Judge -Hoyt's. He lived with his sister an' she's away, but the Jap told me it -was another man's house. Well, in that house, I found one o' them -postcard pictures o' Judge Hoyt in the Philadelphia station. I didn't -think even then, 'bout me bein' in his house, I just thought maybe it was -a friend o' hisen. But when I 'zamined that picture, I saw the judge had -pertended it was took a diffrunt date from what it was. Now, I thought he -kinda lugged it in by the ears when he showed it to me anyway, an' I -began to s'picion he meant to make me think sumpin' what wasn't so. -'Course that could only be that he wasn't in Phil'delphia when he said he -was. An' he wasn't." - -Fibsy's quietly simple statements were more dramatic than if he had been -more emphatic, and the audience listened, spellbound. - -Judge Hoyt sat like a graven image. He neither denied nor admitted -anything, one might almost say he looked slightly amused, but a trembling -hand, and a constant gnawing of his quivering lip told the truth to a -close observer. - -"And you were held prisoner in Judge Hoyt's house, how long?" - -"Nearly a week." - -"And then?" - -"Then I jumped down a clothes chute, and ran out on the basement door." - -"A clothes chute? You mean a laundry slide?" - -"Yes, sir. I'm told it's that. I didn't know what it was. Only it was a -way out." - -"You jumped?" - -"Well, I sorter slid. I threw down pillers and mattresses first, so it -was soft." - -"You are a clever boy." - -"No, sir, it ain't that," and Fibsy looked embarrassed. "You see, I got -that detective instick, an' I can't help a usin' of it. You see, it was -me what got Miss Trowbridge to send for Mr. Stone, an' then Judge Hoyt he -tried to head him off." - -"How?" - -"Well, I jest knew for pos'tive certain sure, that this case was too big -fer anybody to sling but Mr. Stone. Well, I got Miss Trowbridge to send -fer him, and Judge Hoyt he told Miss Avice, Mr. Stone was outa town. Then -I said I seen him on the street the day before, an' we called him up, an' -he was right there on the spot, but said he'd had a telegram not to come. -Well, Judge Hoyt, he sent that telegram. But the way I got Miss Avice to -do it in the first place, was to get me Aunt Becky to go to her an' tell -her she'd had a revelation, and fer Miss Avice to go to a clairvoyant. -Well, an' so Miss Avice did, an' that clairvoyant she told her to get Mr. -Stone. You see, the clairvoyant, Maddum Isis, she's a friend of me Aunt -Becky's, so we three fixed it up between us, and Miss Avice went an' got -Mr. Stone. If I'd a tried any other way, Judge Hoyt he'd found a way to -prevent Mr. Stone from comin' 'cause he knew he'd do him up." - -"This is a remarkable tale,--" - -"But true in every particular," averred Fleming Stone. "This boy has done -fine work, and deserves great credit. The final proof, I think, of the -guilt of Judge Hoyt, is the fact that the cane found in his room exactly -fits a round mark found in the soil at the scene of the crime and cut -from the earth, and carefully preserved by McGuire. Also, a shoe button -found there corresponds with the buttons on shoes found in Judge Hoyt's -dressing room. And it seems to me the most logical construction is put -upon the dying words of Rowland Trowbridge, when we conclude that he -meant he was killed by a cane, thus describing the weapon. Judge Hoyt -also is conversant with the Latin names of the specimens of natural -history which Mr. Trowbridge was in the habit of collecting, and it was -he, of course, who telephoned about the set trap and the Scaphinotus. -And, as his motive was to win the hand of Miss Trowbridge by means of a -forged clause in her uncle's will, we can have no further doubts." - -"You have done marvelous work, Mr. Stone," said the judge on the bench. -"And you say this young lad helped you?" - -"No, your Honor, I helped him. He noticed clues and points about the case -at once. But he could persuade no one to take him seriously, and finally, -Judge Hoyt, for reasons of his own, sent the boy to a lucrative position -out of the town." - -There were many details to be attended to, much business to be -transacted, and many proofs to be looked up. But first of all the name of -Kane Landon was cleared and the prisoner set free. - -Leslie Hoyt was arrested and held for trial. - -As Avice passed him on her way out of the courtroom, he detained her to -say: "_You_ know why I did it! I've told you I would do anything for you! -I'm not sorry, I'm only sorry I failed!" His eyes showed a hard glitter, -and Avice shrank away, as if from a maniac, which indeed he looked. - -"Brave up, Miss Avice," whispered Fibsy, who saw the girl pale and -tremble. "You orta be so glad Mr. Landon is out you'd forget Judge Hoyt!" - -"Yes, brave up, darling," added Landon, overhearing. "At last I can love -you with a clear conscience. If I had known that clause about your -marriage was not uncle's wish, how different it would have been! But I -couldn't ask you for yourself, if by that you lost your fortune!" - -"Why wouldn't you straightforwardly tell me you were innocent, Kane?" -asked Avice as they rode home together. - -"I couldn't, dear. I know I was foolish, but the fact of your doubting me -even enough to ask me, made me so furious, I couldn't breathe! Didn't you -_know_ I _couldn't_ kill Uncle Rowly?" - -"I _did_ know it, truly I did, Kane; but I was crazy; I wasn't myself all -those dreadful days!" - -"And you won't be now, if you stay here! I'm going to marry you all up, -and take you far away on a long trip, right now, before we hear anything -more about Leslie Hoyt and his wickedness!" - -"I'd love to go away, Kane; but I can't be married in such a hurry. Let's -go on a trip, and take Mrs. Black for chaperone, and then get married -when I say so!" - -This plan didn't suit Landon so well as his own, but he was coerced into -submission by the love of his liege lady, and the trip was planned. - -Fibsy was greatly honored and praised. But the peculiar character of the -boy made him oblivious to compliments. - -"I don't care about bookays, Miss Avice," he said, earnestly; when she -praised him, "just to have saved Mr. Landon an' you is enough. An' to -knock the spots out o' Judge Hoyt! But it's the game that gets me. The -whole detective business! I'm goin' to be a big one, like Mr. Stone. Gee! -Miss Avice, did you catch on to how he ran Judge Hoyt down, the minute I -gave him the steer? That's the trick! Oh, he's a hummer, F. Stone is! An' -he's goin' to let me work with him, sometimes!" - -Fibsy spoke the last words in a hushed, rapt tone, as if scarcely daring -to believe them himself. - -"But I say," he went on suddenly; "what about that guy as telephoned and -called Mr. Trowbridge 'Uncle'?" - -"It wasn't I," said Landon; "I called up uncle that afternoon, but -couldn't get him." - -"Then I know," said Avice. "It was Judge Hoyt. You see," and she blushed -as she looked at Landon, "he was so sure he would marry me, he frequently -said 'uncle' to my uncle. And Uncle Rowly sometimes called him, 'nephew'. -They used to do it to tease me." - -"Your uncle really wanted you to marry him, then?" and Landon looked -anxious. - -"Yes, he did. But not to the extent of putting it in his will! Uncle -often said to me, that as I didn't seem to care for any one else I might -as well marry Leslie." - -"And now, you do care for somebody else?" - -Landon had forgotten the presence of the boy. But Avice had not, and she -looked around. - -"Sure, Miss Avice," said Fibsy, politely, as if in response to her spoken -word, and he slid swiftly from the room. - -And then Avice answered Kane Landon's question. - - - - - J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY'S IMPORTANT NEW BOOKS - - -Betty at Fort Blizzard - -By MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL. Four illustrations in color and decorations by -Edmund Frederick. $1.50 net. - -This is a straightaway army love story, with the scene laid at a post in -the far Northwest. It is a sequel to the famous "Betty's Virginia -Christmas" so popular a few years ago. It is realistic and yet as light -as Betty's laugh,--presented in a delightfully dainty gift book style, it -makes a charming Christmas present. - - -Behold the Woman! - -By T. EVERETT HARR. $1.35 net. - -A child of the Alexandrian gutter, a redeemed woman seeing a vision of -Christ upon the Judean hills, and finally a mystic saint upon the desert, -was Mary of Egypt, the heroine of this historical novel. "From beginning -to the end I found 'Behold the Woman!' gripping and thrillingly -interesting."--_Mrs. Minnie Maddern Fiske._ - - -The Finding of Jasper Holt - -By GRACE L. H. LUTZ. Three illustrations in color by E. F. Bayha. $1.25 -net. - -Another great Lutz novel,--wholesome, uplifting, interesting and amusing. -"This tale ... is one of the kind one reads with interest refusing to be -quenched when the hall light goes out."--_Detroit Free Press._ - - -Adam's Garden - -By NINA WILCOX PUTNAM. Frontispiece in color by H. Weston Taylor. New -Second Edition. $1.25 net. - -The _New York Sun_ aptly termed this "An Idyl of Manhattan." "It is full -of warmth and sunlight, and its inner urge is that come what may--the -world is a good place to live in if we only make the best of that which -lies nearest to hand."--_Review of Reviews._ - - -A Man's Reach - -By SALLY NELSON ROBINS. Three illustrations in color by Edmund Frederick. -$1.25 net. - -A Virginia story by a Virginian. Randolph Turberville is the scion of an -aristocratic Virginia house; his struggle against evil forces begins at -the University of Virginia. Fascinating, he is adored by all, especially -by Lettice Corbin, for whom he saves himself. - - -The Curved Blades - -By CAROLYN WELLS. Frontispiece by Gayle Hoskins. $1.35 net. - -"As bizarre a mystery as any which she has hitherto provided.... The -stage is there set for a thrilling and puzzling story.... One worthy of -the talents of Stone."--_The Boston Transcript._ - - -The Conquest - -By SIDNEY L. NYBURG. $1.25 net. - -"Originality and dramatic strength are marked on many pages of this -production of a promising writer."--_Springfield Republican._ "Sidney L. -Nyburg is a man who writes a man's book."--_San Francisco Call and Post._ - - -The Strange Cases of Mason Brant - -By NEVIL MONROE HOPKINS. Illustrated in color by Gayle Hoskins. $1.25 -net. - -"The stories are very entertaining and are more human than the usual -detective stories."--_New York Sun._ "Out of the beaten track of -detective stories."--_Philadelphia North American._ - - -Ten Beautiful Years - -By MARY KNIGHT POTTER. Net, $1.25. - -Those who desire knowledge of the most brilliant work in American fiction -should read this series of short stories on psychological subjects. They -are clean but intensely emotional; most of them appeared in the _Atlantic -Monthly_, _Harper's_, etc. - - -The Practical Book of Early American Arts and Crafts - -By HAROLD DONALDSON EBERLEIN and ABBOT MCCLURE. Profusely illustrated. -Colored frontispiece. In a box. $6.00 net. - -There is an eminently proper revival of interest in the arts and crafts -of early American workmanship. In glass, wood, metal and textile stuffs -our forefathers obtained results of a delightful nature. Amateur -collectors still have a rich field of investigation, owing to the present -opportunity for obtaining desirable specimens. This book is a thorough -and practical guide for the collector and general reader. - - -The Practical Book of Architecture - -By C. MATLACK PRICE. Profusely illustrated. In a box. $6.00 net. - -Not only a book for the man or woman who wishes to build a home (and for -whom it is more helpful than any work previously published), but a book -which tells the general reader what he needs to know about -architecture--about the buildings he sees in America or Europe, public as -well as private. A valued addition to the Home Life Enrichment Series. - - -The Practical Book of Period Furniture - -By HAROLD DONALDSON EBERLEIN and ABBOT MCCLURE. 225 illustrations in -color, doubletone and line. In a box. $6.00 net. - -This book places at the disposal of the general reader all the -information he may need in order to identify and classify any piece of -period furniture, whether it be an original or a reproduction. The -authors have greatly increased the value of the work by including an -illustrative chronological key. - - -The Practical Book of Oriental Rugs - -By G. GRIFFIN LEWIS. New Edition, revised and enlarged. Twenty full page -illustrations in color, 93 illustrations in doubletone, and 70 designs in -line. In a box. $6.00 net. - -"From cover to cover it is packed with detailed information compactly and -conveniently arranged for ready reference. Many people who are interested -in the beautiful fabrics of which the author treats have long wished for -such a book as this and will be grateful to G. Griffin Lewis for writing -it."--_The Dial._ - - -The Practical Book of Garden Architecture - -By PHEBE WESTCOTT HUMPHREYS. Frontispiece in color and 125 illustrations. -In a box. $6.00 net. - -This beautiful volume has been prepared from the standpoints of eminent -practicability, the best taste, and general usefulness for the owner -developing his own property,--large or small,--for the owner employing a -professional garden architect, for the artist, amateur, student, and -garden lover. - - -The Practical Book of Outdoor Rose Growing - -By GEORGE C. THOMAS, JR. New Edition, revised and enlarged. 96 perfect -photographic reproductions in full color. Slip case. $4.00 net. - -There are a number of pages in which the complete list of the best roses -for our climate with their characteristics are presented. One prominent -rose grower said that these pages were worth their weight in gold to him. -The official bulletin of the Garden Club of America said:--"It is a book -one must have." It is in fact in every sense practical, stimulating, and -suggestive. - - -Parks: Their Design, Equipment and Use - -By GEORGE BURNAP. Official Landscape Architect, Public Buildings and -Grounds, Washington, D. C. Profusely illustrated. Frontispiece in color. -$6.00 net. - -This, the only exhaustive book on the subject and by the foremost -authority on the subject, is an amazing addition to the literature of -civic planning. It is a thorough rsum of the finest European and -American examples of Park work. To the owner of a country estate and to -all who are interested in park and playground establishment and up-keep, -it will be a stimulating and trustworthy guide. - - -The Book of the Peony - -By MRS. EDWARD HARDING. Twenty full page color illustrations, 25 in black -and white. $5.00 net. - -The glory of the illustrative work and the authoritative treatment by the -author mark this book as one which will stand alone amidst the literature -upon this popular flower. It is a thorough and complete guide to the -culture of the peony and proves a fitting companion volume to the famous -"Practical Book of Outdoor Rose Growing." - - -The Civilization of Babylonia and Assyria - -By MORRIS JASTROW, JR., PH.D., LL.D. 140 illustrations. In a box. $7.00 -net. - -This work covers the whole civilization of Babylonia and Assyria and by -its treatment of the various aspects of that civilization furnishes a -comprehensive and complete survey of the subject. The language, history, -religion, commerce, law, art and literature are thoroughly presented in a -manner of deep interest to the general reader and indispensable to the -historian, clergyman, anthropologist, and sociologist. - - -Winter Journeys in the South - -By JOHN MARTIN HAMMOND. Profusely illustrated. $3.50 net. - -The kingdoms of wonder for the golfer, the automobilist and almost every -other type of pleasure-seeker are revealed in this book. Mr. Hammond is -an enthusiastic traveller and a skilful photographer. He believes in the -pleasures that may be found in America. He has wandered about the South -from White Sulphur to Palm Beach; Aiken, Asheville, Charleston, New -Orleans, and many other places of fascinating interest have been stopping -points upon his journeyings. - - -English Ancestral Homes of Noted Americans - -By ANNE HOLLINGSWORTH WHARTON. Twenty-eight illustrations. $2.00 net. - -Miss Wharton so enlivens the past that she makes the distinguished -characters of whom she treats live and talk with us. She has recently -visited the homelands of a number of our great American leaders and we -seem to see upon their native heath the English ancestors of George -Washington, Benjamin Franklin, William Penn, the Pilgrim Fathers and -Mothers, the Maryland and Virginia Cavaliers and others who have done -their part in the making of the United States. - - -Quaint and Historic Forts of North America - -By JOHN MARTIN HAMMOND. Photogravure frontispiece and sixty-five -illustrations. In a box. $5.00 net. - -Mr. Hammond, in his excellent literary style, with the aid of a splendid -camera, brings us on a journey through the existing old forts of North -America and there describes their appearances and confides to us their -romantic and historic interest. We follow the trail of the early English, -French and Spanish adventurers, and the soldiers of the Revolution, the -War of 1812, and the later Civil and Indian Wars. - - -Joseph Pennell's Pictures of the Wonder of Work - -Profusely illustrated. $2.00 net. - -Mr. Pennell is notably a modern, and has found art in one of the greatest -phases of modern achievement--the Wonder of Work--the building of giant -ships, railway stations, and the modern skyscraper; giant manufacturing, -marble-quarrying; oil-wells and wharves--all the great work which man -sets his hand to do. The crisp and wonderful and inspiring touches of -introduction to each picture are as illuminating as the pictures -themselves. - - -Nights: Rome, Venice, in the Aesthetic Eighties; Paris, London, in the -Fighting Nineties. - -By ELIZABETH ROBINS PENNELL. Sixteen illustrations from photographs and -etchings. $3.00 net. - -The pleasure of association with equally famous literary and artistic -friends has been the good fortune of the Pennells. The illustrations, -photographs, and some etchings by Joseph Pennell are unusual. - - -Our Philadelphia - -By ELIZABETH ROBINS PENNELL. Illustrated by Joseph Pennell, with 105 -reproductions of lithographs. In a box. $7.50 net. - - -Joseph Pennell's Pictures of the Panama Canal - -Twenty-eight reproductions of lithographs made on the Isthmus of Panama, -with Mr. Pennell's Introduction giving his experiences and impressions. -$1.25 net. - - -Joseph Pennell's Pictures in the Land of Temples - -Forty plates in photogravure from lithographs. $1.25 net. - - -Life of James McNeill Whistler - -By ELIZABETH ROBINS and JOSEPH PENNELL. Thoroughly revised Fifth Edition -of the authorized Life. Ninety-seven plates reproduced from Whistler's -works. Whistler binding. $4.00 net. Three-quarter grain levant. $8.50 -net. - - -Rings - -By GEORGE FREDERICK KUNZ, PH.D. Profusely illustrated in color and -doubletone. In a box. $6.00 net. - -The origin, purposes and methods of wearing, the forms and materials, the -historic interest and talismanic powers of rings as they have played a -part in the life and associations of man. It is an authoritative volume, -magnificently illustrated. - - -Shakespeare and Precious Stones - -By GEORGE FREDERICK KUNZ, PH.D. Four illustrations. $1.25 net. - -Treating of all the known references to precious stones in Shakespeare's -works, with comments as to the origin of his material, the knowledge of -the poet concerning precious stones, and references as to where precious -stones of his time came from. - - -The Curious Lore of Precious Stones - -By GEORGE FREDERICK KUNZ, PH.D. Profusely illustrated in color, -doubletone and line. In a box. $6.00 net. - -Being a description of their sentiments and folk lore, superstitions, -symbolism, mysticism, use in protection, prevention, religion and -divination, crystal gazing, birth stones, lucky stones and talismans, -astral, zodiacal and planetary. - - -The Magic of Jewels and Charms - -By GEORGE FREDERICK KUNZ, PH.D. Profusely illustrated in color, -doubletone and line. In a box. $6.00 net. - -Magic jewels and electric gems; meteorites or celestial stones; stones of -healing; fabulous stones; concretions and fossils; snake stones and -bezoars; charms of ancient and modern times, etc. - - -Open that Door! - -By R. STURGIS INGERSOLL. $1.00 net. - -A stimulating volume with a "kick" upon the relation of books to life; -the part great books play in our goings and comings, in the office, in -the street, and in the market place. The relation of poetry to the -suburbanite, etc. A book for the man who never reads and for the one who -does. - - -From Nature Forward - -By HARRIET DOAN PRENTISS. Limp leather binding. $2.00 net. - -The public mind is unsettled; the individual lives a day-to-day -existence, wrestling with disease, mental troubles and unsatisfactory -issues. This book outlines a system of psychological reforms that can be -followed by every man and woman, as the author says, to "buoyant physical -health, release of mental tension, and enlarged and happy outlook on -life." - - -Peg Along - -By DR. GEORGE L. WALTON. $1.00 net. - -Dr. Walton's slogan, "Why Worry," swept the country. His little book of -that title did an infinite amount of good. "Peg Along" is the present -slogan. Hundreds of thousands of fussers, fretters, semi- and would-be -invalids, and all other halters by the wayside should be reached by Dr. -Walton's stirring encouragement to "peg along." - - -A Short History of the Navy - -By Captain GEORGE R. CLARK, U.S.N., Professor W. O. STEVENS, Ph.D., -Instructor CARROL S. ALDEN, Ph.D., Instructor HERMAN F. KRAFFT, LL.B., of -the United States Naval Academy. New Edition. Illustrated. $3.00 net. - -This standard volume is used as a text at the United States Naval -Academy. This edition brings the material to date and is an especially -timely book. - - - - - LIPPINCOTT'S TRAINING SERIES - For Those Who Wish To Find Themselves - - -A series of handbooks by authorities for young men and women engaged or -anticipating becoming engaged in any one of the various professions. The -aim is to present the best methods of education and training, channels of -advancement, etc. - - -Training for the Newspaper Trade - -By DON C. SEITZ, Business Manager of the New York World. Illustrated. -$1.25 net. - - -Training for the Street Railway Business - -By C. B. FAIRCHILD, JR., Executive Assistant of the Philadelphia Rapid -Transit Co. Illustrated. $1.25 net. - - -Training for the Stage - -By ARTHUR HORNBLOW, Editor of The Theatre Magazine. Preface by DAVID -BELASCO. Illustrated. $1.25 net. - - -Training of a Forester - -By GIFFORD PINCHOT, New Edition, illustrated. $1.25 net. - - - IN PREPARATION - - -The Training and Rewards of a Doctor - -By DR. RICHARD C. CABOT. - - -The Training and Rewards of a Lawyer - -By HARLAN STONE, Dean of the Columbia Law School. - - -Fundamentals of Military Service - -By CAPTAIN LINCOLN C. ANDREWS, U. S. Cavalry. Prepared under the -supervision of Major-General Leonard Wood, U. S. A. Bound in limp -leather. $1.50 net. - -This book is especially prepared for citizens who wish in the militia, in -training camps or in military courses to equip themselves thoroughly for -the responsibility that may come upon them. "A really capital -handbook."--_Theodore Roosevelt._ "This little handbook is one which each -and everyone should read."--_General Leonard Wood._ - - -Fight For Food - -By LEON A. CONGDON, Advising member of Kansas State Board Health. $1.25 -net. - -The high cost of living is everybody's problem. This book presents the -reason and stimulating thoughts upon the solution. It treats the problem -from the producer's, the middleman's and the consumer's viewpoints. - - -The Rise of Rail Power in War and Conquest - -By E. A. PRATT. $2.50 net. - -The basis upon which military railway transport has been organized alike -in Germany, France and the United Kingdom, with a presentation of the -vast importance of railway facilities in modern warfare and a thorough -discussion of the subject from the standpoint of the American looking to -his country's needs. - - -First Aid in Emergencies - -By ELDRIDGE L. ELIASON, M.D. 106 illustrations. $1.50 net. - -Nowhere will be found a better First Aid guide for the soldier, the -camper, the sportsman, the teacher, scout master, and the father and -mother of the family. - - - - - LIPPINCOTT'S READER'S REFERENCE LIBRARY - - - Each volume: crown octavo, half morocco, gilt top. - - HEROES AND HEROINES OF FICTION. Modern Prose and Poetry. By William S. - Walsh. $3.00 net. - HEROES AND HEROINES OF FICTION. Classical, Medival and Legendary. By - William S. Walsh. $3.00 net. - HANDY-BOOK OF LITERARY CURIOSITIES. By William S. Walsh. $3.50 net. - HANDY-BOOK OF CURIOUS INFORMATION. By William S. Walsh. $3.50 net. - A DICTIONARY OF MIRACLES. By Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. $2.50 net. - DICTIONARY OF PHRASE AND FABLE. By Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. $1.75 - net. - BENHAM'S BOOK OF QUOTATIONS. By W. Gurney Benham. $3.50 net. - THESAURUS OF ENGLISH WORDS AND PHRASES. By Peter Mark Roget, M.D., - F.R.S. $2.50 net. - A DICTIONARY OF ENGLISH SYNONYMS. By Richard Soule. $2.50 net. - CHAMBERS'S CONCISE GAZETTEER OF THE WORLD. $3.00 net. - THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK. $2.50 net. - CHAMBERS'S BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY. Edited by David Patrick and Francis - Hindes Groome. $3.00 net. - CURIOSITIES OF POPULAR CUSTOMS. By William S. Walsh. $3.50 net. - THE HISTORIC NOTEBOOK. By Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. $3.50 net. - THE READER'S HANDBOOK. By Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. $3.50 net. - FACTS AND FANCIES FOR THE CURIOUS. By Charles C. Bombaugh. $3.00 net. - WORDS, FACTS AND PHRASES. By Eliezer Edwards. $2.50 net. - CHAMBERS'S TWENTIETH CENTURY DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. $2.00 - net. - - - - - Transcriber's Notes - - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original--this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and - dialect unchanged. - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mark of Cain, by Carolyn Wells - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARK OF CAIN *** - -***** This file should be named 44841-8.txt or 44841-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/8/4/44841/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Mardi Desjardins and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This book was produced from scanned images of public -domain material from the Google Print project.) - - -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 - www.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 MERCHANTABILITY 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 information page at www.gutenberg.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. 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 -contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the -Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -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 www.gutenberg.org/donate - -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: www.gutenberg.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For forty 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: - - 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. - diff --git a/44841-8.zip b/44841-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 529772a..0000000 --- a/44841-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/44841-h.zip b/44841-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index d2f88ee..0000000 --- a/44841-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/44841-h/44841-h.htm b/44841-h/44841-h.htm index d7c72d7..4ffc3ba 100644 --- a/44841-h/44841-h.htm +++ b/44841-h/44841-h.htm @@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ <!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" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> <head> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> <!-- terminate if block for class html --> <title>The Mark of Cain, by Carolyn Wells</title> @@ -156,46 +156,7 @@ p.t15,div.t15,.t15 { margin-left:19em;text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-b </style> </head> <body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mark of Cain, by Carolyn Wells - -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: The Mark of Cain - -Author: Carolyn Wells - -Illustrator: Gayle Hoskins - -Release Date: February 8, 2014 [EBook #44841] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARK OF CAIN *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Mardi Desjardins and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This book was produced from scanned images of public -domain material from the Google Print project.) - - - - - - -</pre> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44841 ***</div> <div class="img"> <img id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="The Mark of Cain, by Carolyn Wells" width="500" height="773" /> @@ -9916,382 +9877,6 @@ master, and the father and mother of the family.</p> <ul><li>Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public domain in the country of publication.</li> <li>Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and dialect unchanged.</li></ul> - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mark of Cain, by Carolyn Wells - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARK OF CAIN *** - -***** This file should be named 44841-h.htm or 44841-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/8/4/44841/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Mardi Desjardins and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This book was produced from scanned images of public -domain material from the Google Print project.) - - -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 - www.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 MERCHANTABILITY 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 information page at www.gutenberg.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. 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 -contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the -Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -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 www.gutenberg.org/donate - -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: www.gutenberg.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For forty 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: - - 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> - +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44841 ***</div> </body> </html> diff --git a/44841.txt b/44841.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 6847f0d..0000000 --- a/44841.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10403 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mark of Cain, by Carolyn Wells - -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: The Mark of Cain - -Author: Carolyn Wells - -Illustrator: Gayle Hoskins - -Release Date: February 8, 2014 [EBook #44841] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARK OF CAIN *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Mardi Desjardins and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This book was produced from scanned images of public -domain material from the Google Print project.) - - - - - - - [Illustration: "SEND AWAY THAT BOY! ORDER HIM OUT, AVICE!" - _Page 254_] - - - - - THE - MARK OF CAIN - - - By CAROLYN WELLS - _Author of "A Chain of Evidence," "The Gold Bag," "The White Alley," - etc._ - - _WITH A FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR BY_ - GAYLE HOSKINS - - PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON - J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY - 1917 - - - COPYRIGHT, 1917, BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY - PUBLISHED JANUARY, 1917 - - PRINTED BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY - AT THE WASHINGTON SQUARE PRESS - PHILADELPHIA, U. S. A. - - - - - CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I. Through the Green Cord 7 - II. Who Could Have Done It? 21 - III. Pinckney, the Reporter 33 - IV. The Inquest Begins 45 - V. The Swede 57 - VI. Out of the West 69 - VII. Stephanotis 81 - VIII. The Milk Bottle 93 - IX. A Clause in the Will 105 - X. Stryker's Handkerchief 117 - XI. Duane, the Detective 127 - XII. A New Theory 139 - XIII. Fibsy Fibs 153 - XIV. Two Suitors 165 - XV. The Trap that was Set 175 - XVI. A Promise 187 - XVII. Madame Isis 198 - XVIII. All for Love 210 - XIX. Two at Luncheon 223 - XX. Fleming Stone 233 - XXI. Stone's Questions 245 - XXII. Judge Hoyt's Plan 259 - XXIII. In Kito's Care 269 - XXIV. Escape 282 - XXV. The Whole Truth 294 - - - - - THE MARK OF CAIN - - - - - CHAPTER I - THROUGH THE GREEN CORD - - -Judge Hoyt's strong, keen face took on a kindlier aspect and his curt -"Hello!" was followed by gentler tones, as he heard the voice of the girl -he loved, over the telephone. - -"What is it, Avice?" he said, for her speech showed anxiety. - -"Uncle Rowly,--he hasn't come home yet." - -"He hasn't? Well, I hope he'll turn up soon. I want to see him. I was -coming up this evening." - -"Come now," said Avice; "come now, and dine here. I am so anxious about -uncle." - -"Why, Avice, don't worry. He is all right, of course." - -"No he isn't. I feel a presentiment something has happened to him. He -never was so late as this before, unless we knew where he was. Do come -right up, won't you, Judge?" - -"Certainly I will; I'm very glad to. But I'm sure your fears are -groundless. What about Mrs. Black? Is she alarmed?" - -"No, Eleanor laughs at me." - -"Then I think you needn't disturb yourself. Surely she----" - -"Yes, I know what you're going to say, but she isn't a bit fonder of -Uncle Rowly than I am. Good-by." - -Avice hung up the receiver with a little snap. She was willing that Mrs. -Black should marry her uncle, but she did hate to be relegated to second -place in the household. Already the handsome widow was asserting her -supremacy, and while Avice acknowledged the justice of it, it hurt her -pride a little. - -"I've asked Judge Hoyt to dinner," she said, as she returned to her post -at the window. - -Mrs. Black glanced up from the evening paper she was reading and murmured -an indistinct acquiescence. - -It was late June, yet the city home of the Trowbridges was still occupied -by the family. As Avice often said, the big town house was cooler than -most summer resorts, with their small rooms and lack of shade. Here, the -linen-swathed furniture, the white-draped chandeliers and pictures, the -rugless floors, all contributed to an effect of coolness and comfort. - -Avice, herself, in her pretty white gown, fluttered from one window to -another, looking out for her uncle. - -"Mrs. Black, why do you suppose Uncle Rowly doesn't come? He said he -would be home early, and it's after six o'clock now!" - -"I don't know Avice, I'm sure. Do be quiet! You fluster around so, you -make me nervous." - -"I'm nervous myself, Eleanor. I'm afraid something has happened to uncle. -Do you suppose he has had a stroke, or anything?" - -"Nonsense, child, of course, not. He has been detained at the office for -something." - -"No he hasn't; I telephoned there and the office is closed." - -"Then he has gone somewhere else." - -"But he said he would be home by five." - -"Well, he isn't. Now, don't worry; that can do no good." - -But Avice did worry. She continued to flit about, dividing her attention -between the clock and the window. - -The girl had been an orphan from childhood, and Rowland Trowbridge had -been almost as a father to her. Avice loved him and watched over him as a -daughter; at least, that had been the case until lately. A few weeks -since, Mr. Trowbridge had succumbed to the rather florid charms of Mrs. -Black, his housekeeper, and told Avice he would marry her in a month. - -Though greatly surprised and not greatly pleased, Avice had accepted the -situation and treated the housekeeper with the same pleasant courtesy she -had always shown her. The two "got along" as the phrase is, though their -natures were not in many ways congenial. - -Avice remained at the window till she saw at last Leslie Hoyt's tall form -approaching. She ran to open the door herself. - -"Oh, Judge Hoyt," she cried, "Uncle hasn't come yet! There must be -something wrong! What can we do?" - -"I don't know, Avice, dear. Tell me all about it." - -"There's nothing to tell, only that uncle said he would be home at five, -and it's almost seven and he isn't here! Such a thing never happened -before." - -"Good evening, Judge Hoyt," said Mrs. Black's cool, measured voice as -they entered the drawing-room. "I think our Avice is unnecessarily -alarmed. I'm sure Mr. Trowbridge can take care of himself." - -"That is doubtless true," and for the first time a note of anxiety crept -into Hoyt's tone; "but as Avice says, it is most unusual." - -Mrs. Black smiled indifferently and returned to her paper. - -Leslie Hoyt was so frequent a visitor at the house, that he was never -treated formally. He seated himself in an easy chair, and took a -cigarette case from his pocket, while Avice continued her nervous -journeys between the clock and the window. - -"We won't wait dinner after seven," said Mrs. Black, in a voice that -might mean either command or suggestion, as her hearers preferred. - -"You may have it served now, if you like," returned Avice, "but I shan't -go to the table until uncle comes." - -Now, it had been nearly two hours before this that a telephone call had -been received at police headquarters. - -"Is dees polizia stazione?" Inspector Collins had heard, as he held the -receiver to his ear. - -Through the green cord the broken voice spoke in a halting way, as if -uncertain how to word the message. - -"Yes; who is speaking?" Collins replied. - -"Meester Rowlan' Trowbridga,--he is dead-a." - -"I can't hear you! What's all that racket where you are?" - -"My bambini--my childaren. They have-a da whoopa-cough." - -"It's more than children making all that noise! Who are you?" - -"Not matter. I say, Meester Trowbridga--he dead-a." - -"Rowland Trowbridge dead! Where--who are you?" - -"You find-a heem. Bringa da bod' home." - -"Where is he?" - -"Van Cortaland' Park. By da gollif play. You go finda da man--Bringa da -bod' home." - -"See here, you tell me who you are!" - -But a sudden click told that the message was finished, and after a few -impatient hellos, Collins hung up the receiver. - -"Rubbish!" he said to himself; "some Dago woman trying to be funny. But a -queer thing,--Rowland Trowbridge! Phew, if it should be! I'll just call -up his house." - -Collins called up the Trowbridge house on Fifth Avenue. Not to alarm any -one he merely inquired if Mr. Trowbridge was at home. The answer was no, -and, glancing at the clock, Collins called up Mr. Trowbridge's office in -the Equitable Building. There was no response, and as it was five -o'clock, he assumed the office was already closed. - -"I've got a hunch there's something in it," he mused, and acting on his -conviction, he called up the Van Cortlandt Park Precinct Station, and -told the story. - -Captain Pearson, who took the message, shrugged his shoulders at its -dubious authority, but he assembled several detectives and policemen, and -set off with them in a patrol car for the golf links. - -Up to Van Cortlandt Park they went, past the gay-coated, gay-voiced golf -players, on along the broad road to the woods beyond. - -"By golly! There he is!" cried one of the detectives, whose expectant -eyes noted a dark heap on the ground, well back among the trees. - -Jumping from the car and running across the uneven, root-roughened -ground, they found the dead body of Rowland Trowbridge. - -Dressed in his business clothes, his hat on the ground near by, the body -was contorted, the hands clenched, and the face showed an expression of -rage, that betokened a violent death. - -"He put up a fight," observed Pearson. "Poor man, he had no chance. -Somebody stabbed him." - -A gash in the blood-stained waistcoat proved that the aim at the victim's -heart had been all too sure, and his frantic, convulsive struggles of no -avail. - -Eagerly the men looked for clues. But they found nothing save the dead -man and his own belongings. The scene of the tragedy was not very far -from the road, but it was well screened by the thick summer foliage, and -the rocks and high tree roots hid the body on the ground from the sight -of passers-by. - -"Footprints?" said Lieutenant Pearson, musingly. - -"Nothing doing," returned Detective Groot. "Some few depressions here and -there--of course, made by human feet--but none clear enough to be called -a footprint." - -"And the ground is too stony and grassy to show them. Look well, though, -boys. No broken cuff-links, or dropped gloves? It's a canny murderer who -doesn't leave a shred of incriminating evidence." - -"It's a fool murderer who does," returned Groot. "And this affair is not -the work of a fool. Probably they've been spotting Mr. Trowbridge for -months. These millionaires are fair game for the Dago slayers." - -"Why Dago?" - -"Didn't an Italian woman turn in the call? How could she know of it -unless some of her own people did it?" - -"But there seems to be no robbery. Here's his watch and scarfpin all -right." - -"And his roll?" - -"Yes," said Pearson, after an investigation of the dead man's pockets. -"Bills and change. Nothing taken, apparently." - -"Valuable papers, maybe." - -"Not a Dago, then. Your theories don't hang together. Well, this will -create some stir in the Street! Biggest sensation in years. Rowland -Trowbridge! Phew! Won't the papers go crazy!" - -"What family has he? Wife?" - -"No, nor child. Only a niece, but she's the apple of his eye. We'll get -Collins to telephone to the house. It's an awful business." - -The business was awful, and its awful details took so much time that it -was seven o'clock before Inspector Collins called up the Trowbridge home. - -"Maybe that's uncle now!" cried Avice, and springing from her chair she -went to the ringing telephone. - -"Hello--yes--no,--oh, _tell_ me!--I am Miss Trowbridge,--no, his -niece,--please come here, Judge Hoyt!" - -Leslie Hoyt took the receiver from the hand of the agitated girl, and -received this message from the police station. - -"Yes, sir; I couldn't tell the young lady, sir. Do you belong to the -family? Well, then, there's no use beatin' round the bush. Mr. Trowbridge -is dead. We found his body in Van Cortlandt Park woods. Will you come -here to identify it?" - -"Wait a minute! Let me think!" and Hoyt strove to control himself. -"Avice, you were right. Something has happened." - -"Oh, Uncle Rowly!" - -"Yes,--" and Hoyt's voice faltered, "he has been--has been hurt. -They--they have found him----" - -"I know," said Avice, standing perfectly still, while her face went -white. "You needn't tell me. I know. He is dead." - -Hoyt looked at her dumbly, not contradicting. He had loved the girl for -years, but though she liked him, she would give him no promise, and he -still hoped and waited. He turned back to answer the insistent telephone. -"Yes; of course, there is nothing else to do. Tell the coroner. I will go -there at once. Are you sure of what you tell me?" - -"There can be no doubt," he said gently, as he finally left the -telephone. "There are letters in his pockets, and some of the policemen -know him. Avice, dear!" - -But Avice had flung herself on a couch, her face buried in the pillows, -and was sobbing her heart out. - -"Let her cry," said Mrs. Black, softly, as she laid her long white hand -gently upon the bowed head; "it will do her good. Tell me all, Judge -Hoyt. I am the one in charge now." - -The woman's handsome face showed dignity and authority rather than grief, -but Leslie Hoyt was merely the dead man's lawyer, and had no right to -intrude personal comment or sympathy. He had long been a close friend of -Rowland Trowbridge and his niece, but with the housekeeper his -acquaintance was but formal. - -"I know very little, Mrs. Black," he said, his eyes wandering to the -convulsed figure on the couch. "The inspector merely told me that Mr. -Trowbridge has been killed and that some one must go to the police -station to represent the family. As his lawyer, it is appropriate that I -should go, and, indeed, it seems to me there is no one else who could--" -his voice broke as he looked again at Avice, now sitting up and staring, -wide-eyed at him. - -"Yes, do go, Judge Hoyt," she cried; "you are the one--who else could? -Not I, surely,--you don't want me to go, do you?" - -"No, Avice, no, dear," said Mrs. Black, soothingly. "Nobody thought of -your going. Judge Hoyt has kindly consented----" - -"I will stop for Doctor Fulton, I think, and ask him to go with me," and -Leslie Hoyt took up his hat. "You had better go to your room, Avice. It -may be a long time before my return." - -"I will look after her," and Mrs. Black nodded her head. "I will attend -to everything." - -She accompanied Hoyt to the door, saying in low tones, "When you come -back, will you bring the the--will you bring Mr. Trowbridge with you?" - -"I can't be sure. There are so many formalities to be looked after. Try -to keep Avice as quiet as possible. It will be a trying scene at best, -when we return." - -"I will do all I can for her. How fortunate that you are here, Judge -Hoyt." - -"Indeed, yes. Had I not been, the girl might have insisted on going on -this awful errand." - -The judge walked the few blocks to Doctor Fulton's office, and luckily -finding him in, they both went at once in the doctor's car to the scene -of the tragedy. - -"Let me give you some quieting draught, Avice dear," said Mrs. Black, as -she returned to the girl, "and then I'm going to send you to bed." - -"Indeed, you'll do nothing of the kind. I have quite as much right here -as you have." - -"Of course you have," and the lady's voice was as straightforward as her -words. "I only want to spare you the shock." - -"I don't want to be spared, I want to know all about everything that goes -on. I won't be treated as a child or an imbecile! I want to help." - -"But, my dear, there is nothing to do." - -"There will be. If Uncle Rowly has been killed, some one has done the -deed, and I shall never rest until I find out who did it, and bring him -to justice! How can you sit there so calmly? Don't you care? You, who -pretended to love him!" - -"There, there, Avice, don't get so excited. I know how you must feel, -but----" - -"Don't talk to me, Eleanor! You drive me crazy!" - -Offended, and a little frightened at the girl's vehemence, the older -woman ceased all attempts at conversation, and busied herself about the -rooms, with those futile, nervous little motions that most women indulge -in under stress of great excitement. - -"I think, Avice, dear, you ought to try to eat some dinner," she -suggested. "Shall we go out together?" - -But Avice only looked at her in dumb reproach, and closed her eyes as if -to dismiss the subject. - -Mrs. Black went into the dining-room alone. - -"There has been an accident, Stryker," she said to the butler, thinking -it unwise to say more at the present. "They will bring Mr. Trowbridge -home after a time. Meantime, say nothing to the other servants, and give -me my dinner, for I feel I must try to eat something." - -Mrs. Black's face was inscrutable as she sat at the well-appointed table. -She ate a little of the dishes Stryker brought, but her thoughts were -evidently far away. She frowned now and then, and once she smiled, but -mostly she seemed in a brown study, and as if she had weighty affairs on -her mind. Not a tear did she shed, nor did she look bowed with sorrow; -indeed, her fine, well-poised head held itself a little higher than usual -as she gave low-voiced orders to the butler now and then. - -She returned to the drawing-room and the weary hours dragged by. -Occasionally the two women spoke to each other, but only of trivialities, -or necessary details of arrangement. No word of sympathy or common grief -passed between them. - -At last they heard steps outside, and they knew Rowland Trowbridge was -being brought into his house for the last time. - -Judge Hoyt came in first and kept the two women in the drawing-room while -the bearers took their tragic burden up to Mr. Trowbridge's own room. -Shortly afterward Doctor Fulton came down. - -"Mr. Trowbridge was murdered," he said briefly. "Stabbed with a dagger. -He has been dead five or six hours now. Perhaps more." - -"Who did it?" cried Avice, looking more like an avenging angel than a -grief-stricken girl. - -"They have no idea. The coroner must try to determine that." - -"The coroner!" exclaimed Mrs. Black in horror. - -Avice turned on her. "Yes, coroner," she said; "how else can we find out -who killed Uncle Rowly, and punish him,--and kill _him_!" - -Every one stared at Avice. The policeman in the hall looked in at the -doorway, as her ringing tones reached him. The girl was greatly excited -and her eyes blazed like stars. But she stood quietly, and spoke with -repressed force. - -"What is the first thing to do?" she said, turning to Doctor Fulton, and -then glancing past him to the policeman in the doorway. - -"Wait, Avice, wait," put in Leslie Hoyt; "let us consider a moment." - -"There is nothing to be considered, Leslie. Uncle is dead. We must -discover who killed him. We must get the best detectives, and we must -never rest until we have brought the villain to justice." - -"Of course, of course, Avice," said Mrs. Black, soothingly, "but we can't -hurry so, child." - -"We _must_ hurry! It is only by beginning at once that we can find clues -and things. Delay means opportunity for the criminal to escape!" - -Hoyt and Doctor Fulton looked at the girl in amazement. Where had she -learned these terms that fell so readily from her tongue? - -"She is right," said Judge Hoyt, sadly. "There must be no unnecessary -delay in these matters. But the law moves slowly, at best. Everything -possible will be done, Avice; you may rest assured of that. The coroner -is upstairs now, and when he comes down he will want to talk with you. -You won't object?" - -"Indeed, no. I want to see him. Why, only think, I know -nothing,--_nothing_, as yet, as to how Uncle Rowly met his death!" - - - - - CHAPTER II - WHO COULD HAVE DONE IT? - - -Coroner Berg came down stairs and joined the group in the drawing-room. -He was a bristling, fussy little man, with a decided sense of his own -importance and evidently inclined to make much of his office. His sparse, -sandy hair stood out straight from his head, and his light blue eyes -darted from one to another of the impatient people awaiting his report. - -"Sad case," he said, wringing his hands; "very sad case. Fine man like -that, struck down in the prime of life. Awful!" - -"We know that," and Avice looked annoyed at what she thought intrusive -sympathy. "But who did it? What have you found out?" - -"Very little, Miss," answered Berg. "Your uncle was killed by a dagger -thrust, while up in Van Cortlandt Park woods. His body was found in a -lonely spot up there, and there is no trace of the murderer. The police -were informed of the murder by telephone, which is a mighty queer -performance if you ask me! They say a Dago woman called up headquarters -and told the story." - -"Extraordinary!" said Hoyt; "an Italian?" - -"Yes, sir; they say she sounded like one, anyhow." - -"And a dagger or stiletto was used," said Doctor Fulton, thoughtfully; -"that looks like Italian work. Had your uncle any Italian enemies, Miss -Trowbridge?" - -"Not that I know of," and Avice spoke a little impatiently; "but uncle -had no enemies that I know of. At least, none who would kill him." - -"He had enemies, then?" spoke up the coroner, alertly. - -"Uncle Rowly was not an easy-going man. He had many acquaintances with -whom he was not on terms of friendship. But I'm sure none of his quarrels -were grave enough to lead to this." - -"But somebody committed the crime, Miss Trowbridge, and who so likely as -a known enemy? Tell me any of your uncle's unfriendly acquaintances." - -"Positively no one, Mr. Berg, who could be in the least suspected. I'm -thinking of such men as Judge Greer, who holds political views opposed to -those of my uncle. And Professor Meredith, who is an enthusiastic -naturalist, but who disagrees with my uncle in some of their -classifications. As you see, these are not sufficient grounds for killing -a man." - -"Of course, not," said Hoyt. "I know those men, and their relations with -Mr. Trowbridge were really friendly, though differing opinions frequently -led to quarrels. Mr. Trowbridge was quick-tempered and often said sharp -things, which he forgot as quickly as he uttered them." - -"Yes, he did," corroborated Avice. "Why, he sometimes scolded me, and -soon after was sunny and sweet again. No, I'm sure Uncle Rowland had no -real enemies, surely none that would seek his death. And the fact that an -Italian woman gave the message proves to my mind that he was struck down -by some horrid Italian society,--Black Hand, or whatever they call it." - -"That remains to be seen," said Berg, with an air of importance. "I shall -conduct an inquest tomorrow morning. It is too late to get at it tonight, -and too, I want to collect a little more evidence." - -"Where do you get evidence, Mr. Berg?" asked Avice, eager interest and -curiosity shining in her brown eyes. - -"Wherever I may pick it up. I must question the police further and I must -endeavor to trace that telephone call, though that is a hard matter -usually. Then, also, I must question all members of this household. As to -his habits, I mean, and his whereabouts today. He left home this morning, -as usual?" - -"Quite as usual," broke in Mrs. Black, before Avice could reply. "I was -probably the one who saw him last as he departed. I went to the door with -him, and he,--he kissed me good-by." Mrs. Black's handkerchief was -pressed into service, but she went on, clearly; "we were to have been -married next month. Our engagement had been announced." - -"And you heard nothing from Mr. Trowbridge during the day?" - -"No," said Avice, taking up the tale again; "uncle told me before he left -he would be home by five, as I was to help him with his work. He is a -naturalist, out of office hours, and I assist with his cataloguing. Then, -when he didn't come at five, I was worried, and I kept on being worried -until--until--" and here the girl broke down and buried her face again in -the sofa pillows. - -"And you weren't worried?" asked Coroner Berg, turning his pale blue eyes -on the housekeeper. - -"No," and Mrs. Black's voice was cool and composed; "I supposed he was -merely detained by some business matter. I had no reason to fear any harm -had come to him." - -"When did _you_ last see him?" went on the coroner, turning to Judge -Hoyt. - -"Let me see; it was--yes, it was last Friday. I was at his office -consulting with him about some business, and promised to report today. -But as I was called to Philadelphia today on an important matter, I wrote -him that I would come here to this house to see him this evening, and -give him the report he wanted." - -"And you went to Philadelphia today?" - -"Yes, I left there at three and reached New York at five. I intended -coming here this evening, but when Miss Trowbridge telephoned me soon -after six, I came right up at once." - -"Well, I think I'll go now, for I may dig up something of importance at -the police station, and I'll be here tomorrow for the inquest at ten or -thereabouts." - -As Coroner Berg left, the men from the undertaker's arrived, and the -trying session with them had to be gone through. - -"But I can't make arrangements about the funeral now," said poor Avice, -breaking down again. "Why, I can't even realize Uncle Rowly is dead, -and----" - -"Never mind, my dear," said Mrs. Black, "don't try to. Go to your room -now, and leave the funeral matters to me. I will arrange everything, and -Judge Hoyt will assist me with his advice." - -"Indeed you won't," said Avice, spiritedly: "I suppose I am still my -uncle's niece. And I prefer to be consulted about the last rites for -him." - -"Then stay by all means," and Mrs. Black's voice was honey-sweet. "I only -meant to save you a harrowing experience." She turned to the suave young -man who had with him a book of pictured caskets, and was soon deeply -interested in the choice of shape, style and number of handles that -seemed to her most desirable. - -Avice looked at her with aversion. It seemed to the girl almost ghoulish -to show such absorption in a question of the quality of black cloth, or -the lettering on the name-plate. - -"But it must be decided," said Mrs. Black. "Of course, we want the best -of everything, and it is the last honor we can pay to dear Mr. -Trowbridge. You should be very thankful, Avice, that you have me here to -assist and advise you. You are too young and inexperienced to attend to -these matters. Isn't that so, Judge Hoyt?" - -"It seems so to me, Mrs. Black. These selections must be made, and surely -you are showing good taste and judgment." - -"Very well," returned Avice. "Go on, and get whatever you like. As for -me, I'm far more concerned in hunting down my uncle's murderer. And I -doubt if that coroner man will do it. He's a perfect lump! He'll never -find out anything!" - -"Why, Avice," remonstrated Hoyt, "what could he find out tonight? It is a -mysterious affair, and as we here know nothing of the crime, how could -Mr. Berg discover anything from us?" - -"But he has no brains, no intelligence, no ingenuity!" - -"Coroners rarely have. It is their province only to question and learn -the circumstances. 'Sleuthing' is what you have in mind, and that must be -done by detectives." - -"I know it," cried Avice, eagerly; "that's what I said at first. Oh, -Leslie, won't you get the very best detectives there are and put them on -the case at once?" - -"Wait a moment, Avice," said Mrs. Black, coldly. "I am not sure you are -in absolute authority here. I have something to say in the decisions." - -"But surely, Mrs. Black, you want to spare no pains and no expense to -learn who killed Uncle Rowly!" - -"You talk very glibly of expense, my dear Avice. Until your uncle's will -is read, how do you know who will be in a position to bear these expenses -you are so ready to incur?" - -Avice looked at the older woman with scorn. "I don't quite follow you," -she said, slowly; "but surely, whoever inherits my uncle's fortune, owes -first the duty of bringing his murderer to justice!" - -Leslie Hoyt looked very grave. "As Mr. Trowbridge's lawyer," he said, "I -know the contents of the will. It will be read after the funeral. Until -then, I am not at liberty to disclose it. I must go now, as I have some -investigations to make myself. By the way, Avice, I brought home a -Philadelphia afternoon paper, and it contains a glowing account of the -debut of your friend, Rosalie Banks. But, perhaps, you don't care to see -it, now?" - -"Yes, leave it," said Avice, apathetically; "I am fond of Rosalie and I'd -like to look it over." - -Hoyt found the paper where he had left it on the hall table, and gave it -to her, and then with a sympathetic, but unobtrusive pressure of her -hand, the lawyer went away and the doctor also. - -"May I look at that Philadelphia paper a moment?" asked Mrs. Black, "I -want to see an advertisement." - -"Certainly, here it is," and Avice passed it over. "Just think of Rosalie -having her coming-out party just now while I'm in such sadness. We were -at school together, and though younger than I, she was always one of my -favorites." - -"You didn't care to go to the party?" - -"No it was yesterday, and I had that luncheon engagement here, you know. -And oh, Eleanor, isn't it fortunate I am here and not in Philadelphia!" - -"Why? You can't do anything." - -"I know it. But it would have been awful to be away making merry when -uncle was--was breathing his last! Who _do_ you suppose did it?" - -"Some highway robber, of course. I always told your uncle he ought not to -go off, in those lonely woods all by himself. He ran a risk every time. -And now the tragedy has occurred." - -"It doesn't seem like a highway robber to use a dagger. They always have -a club or a--what do they call it? a blackjack." - -"You seem to know a lot about such things, Avice. Well, I'm going to my -room, and you'd better do the same. We've a hard day before us tomorrow. -I think it's dreadful to have an inquest here. I thought they always held -them in the court-room or some such place." - -"They do, sometimes. Inquests are informal affairs. The coroner just asks -anybody, hit or miss, anything he can think of. That's why I wish we had -a cleverer coroner than that Berg person. I can't bear him." - -"I don't care what he's like, if he'll only get the scene over. Shall we -have to be present?" - -"Gracious! You couldn't keep me away. I want to hear every word and see -if there's any clue to the truth." - -The two went up to their rooms, but neither could sleep. Avice sat in an -easy chair by her open window, wondering and pondering as to who could -have been the criminal. Mrs. Black, on the other hand, thought only of -herself and her own future. - -She was a very beautiful woman, with finely cut features and raven black -hair, which she wore in glossy smooth waves partly over her small ears. -Her eyes were large and black and her mouth was scarlet and finely -curved. She was of Italian parentage, though born in America. Her husband -had been a New York lawyer, but dying, left her in greatly straitened -circumstances and she had gladly accepted the position of housekeeper in -the Trowbridge home. At first, she had rejected the advances of Rowland -Trowbridge, thinking she preferred a younger and gayer man. But the -kindness and generosity of her employer finally won her heart, or her -judgment, and she had promised to marry him. It is quite certain, -however, that Eleanor Black would never have come to this decision, had -it not been for Rowland Trowbridge's wealth. - -Late into the night, Avice sat thinking. It seemed to her that she must -by some means ferret out the facts of the case,--must find the dastardly -villain who killed her uncle and let justice mete out his punishment. But -where to turn for knowledge, she had no idea. - -Her mind turned to what Mr. Berg had said about enemies. It couldn't be -possible that either of the men she had mentioned could be implicated, -but mightn't there be some one else? Perhaps some one she had never heard -of. Then the impulse seized her to go down to her uncle's library, and -look over his recent letters. She might learn something of importance. -Not for a moment did she hesitate to do this, for she knew she was the -principal heir to his fortune, and the right to the house and its -contents was practically hers. - -And her motives were of the best and purest. All she desired was to get -some hint, some clue, as to which way to look for a possible suspect. - -Walking lightly, though taking no especial precautions of silence, she -went slowly down stairs, and reached the door of the library. From the -hall, as she stood at the portiere, she heard some one talking inside the -room. Listening intently she recognized the voice of Eleanor Black at the -telephone. - -"Yes," Mrs. Black was saying: "keep still about it for the -present,--yes,--yes, I'll do whatever you say,--but don't come here -tonight. You see it was an Italian--yes, I'll meet you tomorrow at the -same time and same place. No, don't call me up,--when I can, I'll call -you." - -Hearing the click that told of the hanging up of the receiver Avice -quickly stepped aside into an alcove of the hall, where she could not be -seen. - -But apparently, Mrs. Black had no thought of any one near her, for she -turned off the library table light she had been using, and softly went -upstairs. A low hall light was sufficient illumination for this, and -Avice saw her go. - -After waiting a few moments, the girl went into the library, and first -closing the door, she switched on the light. - -Taking up the telephone, she said to the operator, "Please tell me that -number I just had. I can't remember it, and I want to preserve it." - -Sleepily the girl responded, telling the number and exchange. - -"Thank you," said Avice, and hanging up the receiver she went to the desk -and jotted down the number. - -"Not that I have the least suspicion of Eleanor," she said to herself, -"but if I'm going to investigate, I mustn't leave a stone unturned, -especially anything so unusual as a midnight telephoning." - -And then Avice set herself to the task she had come for. But she found -nothing definite or incriminating. There were some old and carefully -preserved notes from men who were very evidently angry with her uncle, -but they were not sufficiently strong to point to anything criminal. -There was the usual collection of bills, business letters and memoranda, -but nothing to interest or alarm her, and finally, growing wearied, she -went back upstairs. - -As she passed Mrs. Black's door it softly opened, and the lady herself, -wrapped in a kimono, looked out. Her long black hair hung in two braids, -and her eyes were very bright. - -"Avice, where have you been? At this time of night!" - -"Just down in the library, looking after some matters." - -"Well, it's time you were in bed," and the door closed again. - -"H'm," thought Avice, "she is afraid I heard her telephoning! That's why -she's on the watch!" - -And now, her momentary weariness gone, Avice was again widely awake. - -"I've got to think it out," she told herself. "I don't for a minute -imagine Eleanor is implicated in Uncle Rowly's death, but what was she -telephoning for? And she said 'it was an Italian,' and she's Italian -herself, and there's something queer. I'm glad I got that telephone -number, but I doubt if I'll ever use it. It doesn't seem quite right now, -though it did when I asked Central for it. I believe I'll tear it up." - -But she didn't. - - - - - CHAPTER III - PINCKNEY, THE REPORTER - - -"There's no use mincing matters," said Mrs. Black, as she and Avice sat -at breakfast next morning: "I was your uncle's promised wife and I feel -that it is, therefore, my right to assume the head of the household and -give orders." - -Avice looked at her sadly. "I have no objection to your giving orders so -long as they in no way interfere with _my_ plans or wishes. But I think -it would be pleasanter for us both if you were to drop that defiant air, -and let us be on a more friendly footing. I quite appreciate your -position here, but you must remember that though you were engaged to my -uncle you were _not_ married to him and that----" - -"That makes no difference in reality! As his future wife, I have every -right of a wife already, so far as this house is concerned. Indeed, it is -already mine, by will as you are soon to find out." - -"Very well, Mrs. Black," said Avice, wearily, "let's not quarrel over it. -I'm sure _I_ don't want this house, and I am not at all afraid that my -uncle's will leaves me unprovided for. I wish the coroner would come! I -long to get to work on the solution of the mystery." - -"How you talk!" and Mrs. Black shuddered delicately; "I don't see how you -can bear to have to do with those awful investigations!" - -"Would you sit calmly down, and let the murderer go scot-free?" - -"Yes, rather than mix in with that awful coroner man, and worse still, -detectives!" Mrs. Black brought out the word as if she had said -"scorpions." - -Avice was about to make an indignant reply, when the bell rang, and the -card was brought in of Mr. Pinckney, a reporter. - -"Don't see him," said Mrs. Black, looking scornfully at the card. - -"Indeed I shall," and Avice rose determinedly. "Why, if I don't set him -straight, there's no telling what he'll print!" - -Realizing this, Mrs. Black followed the girl into the library, and -together they met the reporter. - -"Awfully sorry to intrude," said a frank-faced, nice-voiced young man. -"Often I wish I'd chosen any other career than that of a reporter. -Downright good of you to see me, Miss Trowbridge,--isn't it?" - -"Yes," said Avice, "I am Miss Trowbridge and this is Mrs. Black." - -"What can we tell you?" said Mrs. Black, acknowledging the visitor's bow, -and quickly taking the initiative. "There is so little to tell----" - -"Ah, yes," and the interrupting Pinckney deliberately turned to Avice. -"But you will tell me all you know, won't you? It's so annoying to the -family to have details made up--and--we must get the news somehow." - -His youthful, almost boyish air pleased Avice, who had thought reporters -a crude, rather slangy lot, and she responded at once. - -"Indeed I will Mr. Pinckney. It's horrid to have things told wrongly, -especially a thing like this." Her eyes filled, and the reporter looked -down at his still empty notebook. - -"But, don't you see, Miss Trowbridge," he said, gently "if you tell me -the details it might help in unearthing the truth,--for you don't know -who did it, do you?" - -"No, we don't" broke in Eleanor Black; "you'd better not try to talk -Avice, dear, you are so unstrung. Let me answer Mr. Pinckney's -questions." - -"I'm not unstrung, Eleanor, at least not so much so that I can't talk. -Mr. Pinckney, if you can be of assistance in any way of solving the -mystery of my uncle's death, I shall be very grateful. The inquest will -be held this morning, and I suppose,--I hope that will throw some light -on it all. But just now I know of no way to look." - -"Oh of course, it was a highway robber," said Mrs. Black. "There can be -no doubt of it." - -"But is there any proof of it?" and the reporter looked at her -inquiringly. "No doubt is not sufficient, proof positive is what we -want." - -"Of course, we do," agreed Avice. "Just think, Mr. Pinckney, we know -_nothing_ but that my uncle was stabbed to death in the woods. We don't -even know why he went into the woods. Though that, of course, is probably -a simple reason. He was a naturalist and went often on long tramps -looking for certain specimens for his collections." - -"Yes, that would explain his being there," said Pinckney, eagerly. "Did -you know he was going?" - -"No; on the contrary he said he would be home at five o'clock." - -"He told _me_ he might be home earlier," said Mrs. Black, looking -sorrowful. "I expected him as early as three or four, for we were going -out together. You see, Mr. Trowbridge was my fiance." - -"Ah," and Pinckney looked at her with increased interest. "Are there -other members of this household?" - -"No," replied Mrs. Black. "Just Mr. Trowbridge and myself, and our dear -niece, Miss Trowbridge. We were a very happy family, and now----" Mrs. -Black raised her handkerchief to her eyes, "and now, I am all alone." - -"You two will not remain together, then?" the reportorial instinct -cropped out. - -"We haven't decided on anything of that sort yet," broke in Avice. -"Eleanor, don't be ridiculous! Mr. Pinckney is not interested in our -domestic arrangements." - -"Indeed I am. The readers of _The Gazette_ are all anxious to know the -least details of your life and home." - -"They must be disappointed then," and Avice's haughty look forbade -further personal questions. - -"Tell me more of the--the tragedy, then. Was the weapon found?" - -"No, not that I know of," and Avice looked surprised. "I never thought of -it." - -"No, it was not," affirmed Mrs. Black. "The police were unable to find -any weapon." - -"Too bad," frowned Pinckney; "the dear public loses a thrill." - -"The public? Do they care?" and Avice started. - -"Rather! New Yorkers love a murder mystery if there are gruesome elements -here and there." - -"All I want is justice," and Avice's big, brown eyes turned full on -Pinckney's face. "You know about such things. Do you suppose we can trace -the murderer with so little to go on?" - -"Can't tell yet. May be lots of evidence forthcoming at the inquest." - -At this point Mrs. Black was called from the room by a servant, and -Pinckney said quickly, "Who is she? and why don't you like her?" - -For some reason, Avice did not resent the man's directness, and answered, -slowly. "She is housekeeper, and was engaged to my uncle. I don't dislike -her,--not altogether." - -"Is she Italian? She looks so." - -"Of Italian descent, yes. Why?" - -"Nothing. She's a stunner for looks, but she's entirely able to take care -of herself. I say, Miss Trowbridge, are you alone,--in this matter, I -mean." - -"In a way, I am. There is no one in the house but the housekeeper and -myself. But Judge Hoyt, my uncle's lawyer, looks after all business -affairs for us." - -"Judge Hoyt?" - -"Yes, Leslie Hoyt." - -"You're fixed all right that way, then. But I say, Miss Trowbridge, I -don't want you to think me impertinent, but if I can help you at all in -looking about,--investigating, you know,----" - -"Do you mean detecting?" - -"Yes, in a small way. I've opportunities to go into the world and inquire -into things that are a sealed book to you. But I suppose you'll have -detectives, and all that. And any way, it's too soon to think about it. -But remember, if you want any sleuthing done,--on the side, in an amateur -way I'd be awfully glad to help you out." - -"That's kind of you Mr. Pinckney, and I'll be glad to take advantage of -your offer. But do you have to put everything in your paper?" - -"Just about. Oh, of course, if I unearth anything of importance,--like a -clue, you know, I'd tell the police first but I'd want the scoop for -ours." - -"How can there be any clues when it happened in the lonely woods? I -thought clues were little things picked up off the floor, or found in -people's pockets." - -"Well, mightn't they pick up little things off the ground? Or find them -in your uncle's pockets?" - -"Do you think they will? Mr. Pinckney, you've no idea how I want to find -the murderer! I never knew before that I had so much revenge in my -nature, but I feel now I could devote my whole life, if need be, to -tracking down that villain! I loved my uncle almost like a father. Most -girls, I suppose, would be so broken up with grief that they couldn't -talk like this, but I seem to find the only comfort in the thought of -avenging this horrible deed!" - -"Don't bank on it too much, Miss Trowbridge. They say only one murderer -in six is convicted, and in only a small fraction of murders is anybody -even suspected of the crime. But this case will be ferreted out, I'm -sure, both because of the prominence of your uncle, and the fact that -there is money enough to hire the best talent, if desired." - -"Indeed it is desired! I shall, of course, inherit much of my uncle's -fortune, and I would spend every penny rather than fail in the search!" - -"You won't mind my reporting this conversation, will you, Miss -Trowbridge? I'm here for a story, you know,----" - -"Oh, must you put me in the paper? Please don't!" - -"I won't put anything you won't like. But our readers want you. You know, -all the men want now-a-days is a graft yarn, and the women, some inside -society gos--information." - -Avice would have made further objection to newspaper publicity, but -people began to arrive, and, too, Pinckney was content to leave off -conversation at that point. - -He was young, and enthusiastic in his chosen career. Moreover, he was -canny and clever. He had further chat with Mrs. Black, and he managed to -get a few words with the servants. And somehow, by hook or crook, he -secured photographs of both women, and of the house, as well as of the -victim of the tragedy himself. - -Aside from reportorial talent, Pinckney had a taste for detective work. -He was, or fancied himself, the stuff of which story-book detectives are -made, and he was more than glad to have the press assignment of this -case, which might give him wide range for his powers of deduction. - -When Judge Hoyt arrived, he at once sought out Avice, and his fine, -impassive face grew infinitely gentle as he greeted the sad-eyed girl. - -In her black gown, she looked older, and her pale cheeks and drawn -countenance told of a sleepless night. - -"How are you dear?" asked Hoyt, taking her hands in his. "I've been so -anxious about you." - -"I'm all right," and Avice tried to smile bravely. "But I'm glad you've -come. I feel so alone and responsible--Mr. Pinckney says I have a -splendid lawyer--but I don't see anything for a lawyer to do." - -"There may be. I believe the police have made quite a few discoveries, -though I know nothing definite. Of course, all my legal powers are at -your disposal, but I too, doubt if the criminal is ever apprehended." - -"Oh, don't say that! We _must_ find him! You will, won't you?" - -"I'll do my best Avice. But I am a lawyer, not a detective, you know." - -"But you're a judge, and you have been district attorney, and you're the -greatest criminal lawyer in the state!" - -"Yes, but a criminal lawyer must have a criminal to convict. Rest assured -if the criminal is found, he shall have full punishment." - -"Of course, but I want help to find him. I want to employ detectives -and----" - -"And so you shall, but wait Avice, until the inquest is over. That may -bring developments. I wish I had been here in New York yesterday." - -"What could you have done?" - -"Perhaps nothing to prevent or help, but I would have been at your -uncle's office during the day, and I would have known of his plans. Who -is this Pinckney you mentioned?" - -"A reporter for _The Daily Gazette_? I didn't want to see him at first, -but I'm glad I did. He's going to help me detect." - -"Avice, dear, 'detecting' as you call it, isn't a casual thing, to be -done by anybody. It's a trade, a profession----" - -"Yes, I know. But Mr. Pinckney knows something of it, and he is very -kind." - -"When a reporter is kind, it's only for his personal benefit. The moment -crime is committed, Avice, the reporters are on the job, and they never -let go of it, until all suspects are freed or sentenced. But what they -learn by their 'detection' is only for their paper; it is rarely given in -testimony, or turned to real account." - -"Mr. Pinckney will help me, I'm sure," Avice persisted. "And besides, he -was in college with Mr. Landon, uncle's nephew out West." - -"Landon? The chap you used to be in love with?" and Judge Hoyt made a wry -face. - -"In love! Nonsense! I'm as much in love with him now as I ever was." - -"And how much is that?" - -"It's so long since I've seen him, I've forgotten," and Avice, who -couldn't help an occasional flash of her innate coquetry, smiled up into -the stern face regarding her. - -"Beg pardon, Miss Avice," said Stryker, the butler, coming toward them; -"but do you want to be in the drawing-room for the--the inquest, or -upstairs?" - -"I want to be right near the coroner and the jury. I want to know -everything that goes on. Shall we go in there now, Leslie?" - -"Yes, in a moment. What do you know of Mr. Trowbridge's death, Stryker?" - -"Me, Judge Hoyt? Nothing,--nothing at all, sir. How should I?" - -"I don't know, I'm sure. I merely asked. Where were you yesterday -afternoon, Stryker?" - -"It was my day off, sir. I was out all afternoon." - -"Oh, all right. Don't take my question too seriously." Hoyt spoke kindly, -for the butler showed considerable agitation. He started to say -something, paused, stammered, and finally burst out with, "_I_ didn't -kill him, Sir!" - -"Good Lord, Stryker, nobody thought you did! But don't show such a scared -face to the coroner when he questions you, or he may think all sorts of -things." - -"What c--could he think?" - -"Nothing that I know of. By the way, Stryker, now that Mr. Trowbridge is -gone, you can take out that insurance policy, can't you?" - -"Oh, Mr. Hoyt, don't speak of such things now!" and the old butler fairly -wrung his hands. - -"All right, I won't. But when you want to talk it over, come to me. Is -that your Pinckney, Avice, talking to Mrs. Black?" - -"Yes; why, he's interviewing her! See his notebook. She is telling him -lots!" - -"He's getting what they call a 'sob story.' She's working on his -sympathies by pathetic tales of her loss. How does she treat you? All -right?" - -"Yes, except that she wants to be head of the house, and----" - -"That will settle itself. You won't stay here, dear, you will come to me. -We will----" - -"Please don't talk like that now. I can't bear it." Avice's brave, -determined air forsook her, and with quivering lip, she looked -imploringly at the man who gazed passionately into her troubled eyes. - -"Forgive me, dear, I should have known better. But when I think of you, -here, alone, save for a woman who is nothing to you, I want to carry you -off where I can protect you from all annoyance or trouble." - -"I know you do, and I ought to feel more grateful, but I can't seem to -think of anything just now but----" - -"Of course, my darling, I understand, and it is all right. Only tell me -what you want and I am at your orders, always and forever." - -"Then come with me to the other room, stay by me, and tell me what things -mean, when I don't understand. Listen, too, yourself, to everything, so -you'll know just what to do when the police fail." - -"Why are you so sure they will fail?" - -"Because the case is all so mysterious. Because it will take a clever and -skilled brain to find my uncle's murderer." - -Avice spoke in low, intense tones, as if she were stirred to the very -soul by her harrowing anxiety. - -"Avice," said Hoyt, suddenly, "have you any suspicion of anybody--anybody -at all?" - -"No! oh, no! How could I have?" - -"But have you?" Hoyt scanned her face closely, noting the quickly dropped -eyelids and firm, set mouth. - -"Not a suspicion--oh, no!" - -"A premonition, then? A vague idea of any way to look?" - -"No--no. No, I haven't." - -The first negative was hesitating, the second, positive and decided. It -was as if she had instantly made up her mind to say nothing more. - -Leslie Hoyt looked at her, and then with a gentle smile, as of one -humoring a child, he said: "All right, dear. Come now with me." - -And together, they went to listen to the inquest held to determine the -circumstances of the death of Rowland Trowbridge. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - THE INQUEST BEGINS - - -As Avice entered the drawing-room, she seemed to sense only a blur of -faces. It was incredible that this should be the room where she had so -often laughed and danced and sung in thoughtless joyousness of spirit. -She blindly followed Judge Hoyt, and sat where he bade her, quite near -the coroner and his jury. - -The jurymen, though solemnly attentive to their duty, could not help -their roving gaze being attracted to the splendor of their surroundings. -The Trowbridge home was the perfection of quiet, old-fashioned elegance. -Often Avice had wanted to introduce more modern furniture and -decorations, but Mr. Trowbridge had firmly denied her requests. And so -the old crystal chandeliers still drooped their festooned prisms and the -massive doors were still of a soft, lusterless black, with fine gilt -outlines of panelling. - -Mrs. Black, too, often sighed for modern bric-a-brac and fashionable -window draperies, but the will of the master was law, and the quaint -Sevres vases and heavy hangings remained untouched. - -Coroner Berg fairly fluttered with importance. Only lately had he been -appointed to his office, and he assumed a knowing air to hide his lack of -experience. He was naturally acute and shrewd, but his mind just now was -occupied more with the manner than the matter of his procedure. He had -studied well his book of rules, and it was with great dignity that he -called for the police report on the case. - -The testimony of the chief of police and the police surgeon set forth the -principal known facts, which were, however, lamentably few. Even the -coroner's intelligent questions failed to bring out more than the story -of the telephone message, the account of the finding of the body and the -nature of the crime. - -"Do you assume the assailant to have been right-handed?" Berg asked of -the surgeon. - -"Apparently, yes. But not necessarily so. The blade penetrated the -victim's left breast, and was most likely dealt by a person standing -directly facing him." - -"Was the thrust directed with an upward slant or downward?" - -"Neither. It was just about level. It slanted, however, toward the middle -of the body, from the left side, thus practically proving a right-handed -use of the weapon." - -"Was death instantaneous?" - -"Probably not. But it must have occurred very shortly after the blow." - -Doctor Fulton, the family physician, corroborated the report of the -police surgeon in all its essentials. - -"Was Mr. Trowbridge in general good health, so far as you know?" asked -the coroner. - -"Absolutely. He was strong, hale and hearty, always. I have known him for -years, and he was never seriously ill." - -"And strong?" - -"Of average strength." - -"Would you not judge then, he could have resisted this attack?" - -"Undoubtedly he tried to do so. There is some indication of a muscular -struggle. But the assumption must be that the assailant was a stronger -man than the victim." - -"How do you explain his contorted features, even in death?" - -"By the fact that he was surprised and overpowered, and his dying -struggles were so desperate as to leave their mark." - -"You do not attribute the expression on the dead face to any terrific -mental emotion at the moment of death?" - -"It may be so. Indeed, it may be the result of both mental and physical -agony." - -"The point is important," said the coroner, with an impressive wave of -his hand. "For if mental, it might mean that the man who attacked him was -known to him; while merely physical horror would imply a robber or thug." - -The jurymen wagged their heads wisely at this sapient remark, as if it -opened up a new field of conjecture. - -Avice was questioned next. - -She was a little startled at the suddenness of the call, but responded -clearly and with an entirely collected manner to all queries. - -"You are Mr. Trowbridge's niece?" - -"Yes, the daughter of his younger brother." - -"You make your home here?" - -"Yes." - -"How long have you done so?" - -"Since childhood. My parents died before I was ten years old." - -"And you are your uncle's heiress?" - -Judge Hoyt looked a little annoyed at the baldness of this question, but -Avice replied, serenely, "To the extent of part of his fortune." - -"Can you tell me any details of the last day of your uncle's life?" - -"Very few. He left home in the morning to go to his business office quite -as usual. He generally returns about five o'clock. When he did not arrive -at that time, I felt anxious, and later, called Judge Hoyt on the -telephone to ask if he had seen or heard of my uncle." - -"Why did you call Judge Hoyt?" - -"He was not only my uncle's lawyer, but his personal friend. They had -business to transact at times, and I thought my uncle might possibly have -gone to see him. When I learned that Judge Hoyt knew nothing of my -uncle's whereabouts, I asked him to come here, as I felt decidedly uneasy -and wanted some one to confer with in whom I felt confidence." - -"Had Mr. Trowbridge manifested any unusual tendencies or habits of late?" - -"None whatever. He has been well, happy and quite as usual in every way." - -"Can you form any opinion or have you any suspicion as to who might have -committed this crime?" - -"Absolutely none. But I have an unflinching determination to find out, at -any expense of time, labor or money!" - -The girl's voice rang out in a high, sharp tone, and she clenched her -slender hands until the knuckles showed through the white skin. - -"We all have that determination, Miss Trowbridge," said the coroner, a -little stiffly, and after a few unimportant questions, Avice was -dismissed. - -Mrs. Black was called next. This time it was a case of diamond cut -diamond. If the coroner was self-important, he was no more so than his -witness. If he spoke with pomposity she answered with disdain, and if he -was dictatorial she was arrogant. - -"You are housekeeper here?" Berg began. - -"That is my position, but I was also the fiancee of the late Mr. -Trowbridge and should have been his wife next month, had he lived so -long." - -"Confine your answers, please, to the questions asked." - -"Your question required two statements in reply." - -"You are a beneficiary under the will of Mr. Trowbridge?" - -"I have not yet heard the will read." - -"Do you not know?" - -"I know only what Mr. Trowbridge himself told me." - -"And that was?" - -"That I should inherit a handsome sum, in addition to this house and its -contents." - -"In the event of your being his wife?" - -"In the event of his death." - -"Do you know anything further than we have heard of Mr. Trowbridge's -movements on the day that he met his death?" - -"I do,--a little." Eleanor Black bridled and smiled sadly. The jurymen -gazed in involuntary admiration, for the features of the beautiful -brunette took on an added charm from that slight smile. - -"What is it?" - -"He telephoned to me about two o'clock, saying he would be home early and -we would go out for a little motor ride. He was very fond of -motoring,--with me." - -The last two words were added in a lower tone that implied a most -romantic attachment between these two. - -"He intended to leave his office shortly after noon, then?" - -"Possibly it was a little later than two that he called me up. I don't -remember exactly. But he said he would be home by three or four." - -"And when he did not appear were you not alarmed?" - -"No, Mr. Trowbridge was so apt to have unexpected business matters turn -up, that I merely supposed that was the case, and thought nothing strange -of it. Nor was I surprised when he did not appear at six. I felt sure, -then, that some important development in his affairs had kept him down -town so late." - -"Miss Trowbridge was greatly alarmed?" - -"Yes." - -The superb indifference of Eleanor Black's manner showed clearly that it -was a matter of no moment to her if another had been anxious. - -"Have you any suspicion as to who could have done this thing?" - -The great black eyes of the witness turned slowly toward the coroner. At -the remark about Avice she had looked carelessly in another direction. - -"I think not," she said. - -"Are you not sure?" - -"What do you mean by suspicion?" - -"Do you know of anybody who might have killed Mr. Trowbridge?" - -"That's no question!" Her scorn was marked. "Hundreds of people _might_ -have killed him." - -"Do you know of any one, then, who you think would be likely to have done -so?" - -"Likely to? Goodness, no." - -"Who possibly did do so, then?" - -"Possibly?" - -"Yes, possibly. Is there any one whom you can definitely consider a -possible suspect?" - -"No; I don't know of any one." - -The widow was a most provoking witness. She gave an impression of holding -something back, yet her face wore an ingenuous expression and she pouted -a little, as if unfairly addressed. - -"You were at home all day yesterday?" the coroner went on. - -"Yes, I expected Mr. Trowbridge, so of course I did not go out." - -"Why, Eleanor," exclaimed Avice, impulsively, "you went out for an hour -soon after luncheon. Don't you know, I gave you a letter to post?" - -"Oh, yes, I forgot that," and Mrs. Black looked a trifle confused. "I was -sure Mr. Trowbridge wouldn't get here before three, so I ran out for a -few moments." - -"Where did you go?" - -"Oh, nowhere in particular. I only went to get a little air. Just walking -around the adjacent blocks." She spoke lightly, but her heightened color -and quickened breathing betokened an embarrassment which she strove not -to show, and, too, she cast a glance at Avice that was anything but -friendly. - -The coroner seemed unable to think of anything else to ask the witness. -He looked at her thoughtfully, and she returned his glance coolly, but he -questioned her no further just then. - -The butler came next, and his testimony was garbled and incoherent. His -emotion frequently overcame him, and he was unable to speak. - -At last Judge Hoyt spoke rather sharply to him. - -"Brace up, Stryker," he said. "If you can do a good turn for a master who -was always kind to you, don't spoil your chance by acting like a baby. If -your betters can control themselves, surely you can." - -With an effort Stryker stopped shuffling about and a few more sniffs -ended his emotional outburst. - -"I'm sixty years old," he said, apologetically, and, apparently, to all -present, "and I've been in this same employ for fifteen years. It's -natural as to how I should feel bad, ain't it, now, Mr. Coroner?" - -"Yes, my man, but it's also natural that you should try to control your -grief. As Judge Hoyt says, you may render assistance to your late master -by your testimony. Now, tell us all you know of Mr. Trowbridge's callers -of late, or any little thing that might come to your notice as a butler. -Sometimes you servants have opportunities of observation not known -upstairs." - -"That we have, sir," and Stryker nodded his head thoughtfully. "Yes, that -we have. But I know nothing, sir, nothing at all, as has a bearing on the -death of the master,--no, sir, not anything." - -"'Methinks the fellow doth protest too much,'" Pinckney murmured to -himself. The reporter sat, with sharpened pencils, but so far he felt he -had not much to work on in the way of clues. As to getting a story for -his paper, he was more than satisfied. The elements of the fashionable -household, a divided interest between the two women, the mysterious death -of the millionaire, and now, the uncertain evidence of the old butler, -all these would give him enough for a front page spread. But Pinckney -wanted more than that. He wanted food for his detective instinct. He -wanted clues and evidence of a tangible nature, or at least of an -indicative trend. And he had found little so far. Still, he had found -some, and he had tucked away in his mind several speeches and looks, -that, though not emphasized by the coroner, seemed to him to point -somewhere, even if he had no idea where. - -Further questions brought nothing definite from Stryker, and he was -succeeded by two of the maids. These frightened creatures were even less -communicative, and it was with a sigh of relief that Coroner Berg gave up -all attempt to learn anything from the household, and called on Judge -Hoyt, feeling sure that now he would, at least, get intelligent -testimony. - -The Judge was too well known to be questioned as to his identity and the -coroner proceeded to ask concerning his relations with the deceased. - -"Lifelong friends, almost," replied Hoyt. "We were at college together -and have been more or less associated ever since. Unfortunately, I was -out of town yesterday, or I might know more of Mr. Trowbridge's -movements. For I had expected to see him at his office, but was prevented -by an unexpected call to Philadelphia. I wrote to Mr. Trowbridge that I -could not see him until evening, and as the Philadelphia matter was -connected with his business, I telegraphed from there that I would call -at his house last evening, and give him my report." - -"And then Miss Trowbridge telephoned you?" observed the coroner, who had -heard this before. - -"Yes, and I came right up here, and was here when the police telephoned -of their discovery." - -"Then as you can tell us nothing of yesterday's events, can you throw any -light on the case by anything you know of Mr. Trowbridge's affairs in -general? Had he any enemies, or any quarrel of importance?" - -"No, I am sure he had no quarrel with any one who would go so far as to -kill him. It seems to me it must have been the work of some of those -Camorra societies." - -"Why would they attack him?" - -"Only for purposes of robbery, I should say. But the dagger implies or -may imply an Italian, for American citizens do not go around with such -weapons." - -"That is true. And there may have been robbery of some valuables that we -do not know of. But do you think, Judge Hoyt, that the Camorra is such a -desperate menace? Are not fears of it exaggerated and unfounded?" - -"There is a great deal of the real thing, Mr. Berg. When you consider -that there are a million and a half Italians in America and six hundred -thousand of them are in New York City, it is not surprising that many of -their secret societies are represented here. Therefore, it seems to me, -that circumstances point to a crime of this sort, whether for robbery or -whether at the hire of some superior criminal." - -"It is certainly possible that if Mr. Trowbridge was desired dead by some -enemy in his own rank of life, the actual deed might have been committed -by a hired crook, whether of an Italian society or of a New York gang. -And the fact of the information first coming from an Italian woman, gives -plausibility to the foreign theory." - -"It may be, and if so, it may prove a very difficult matter to discover -the truth." - -"You are right, Judge, and so far we have but the slightest shreds of -evidence to work on. The articles found in the pockets of Mr. Trowbridge -give absolutely no clues toward detection." - -At this, Pinckney pricked up his ears. Surely there must be a hint here, -if one were but bright enough to see it. - - - - - CHAPTER V - THE SWEDE - - -All the others present, as well as the young reporter, looked on with -eager interest as the contents of the pockets were exhibited. - -There were a great many articles, but all were just what might be looked -for in the pockets of a well-to-do business man. - -Several letters, cards, memoranda and telegrams. The usual knife, bunch -of keys, pencil, watch and money. Also a small pair of folding scissors -and a couple of handkerchiefs. - -In a gold locket was a portrait of Mrs. Black, but there was no other -jewelry. - -"Perhaps some jewelry was taken," suggested a juryman, but both Avice and -Mrs. Black were sure that Mr. Trowbridge had on none. - -He was wearing a bow tie, and a soft shirt with its own buttons, the -report informed them, so there was no occasion for studs or pin. - -The letters were read, as of possible interest. There were two or three -bills for personal matters. There was the letter Judge Hoyt himself had -told of sending to announce his trip to Philadelphia. There was also a -telegram from the Judge in Philadelphia saying, - - Peddie agrees. Everything O. K. See you tonight. - - Hoyt. - -All of these roused little or no interest. Judge Hoyt explained that -Peddie was the man with whom he was making a deal with a real estate -corporation for Mr. Trowbridge, and that the matter had been successfully -put through to a conclusion. - -But next was shown a letter so old that it was in worn creases and fairly -dropping apart. It had evidently been carried in the pocket for years. -Gingerly unfolding it, Coroner Berg read a note from Professor Meredith -that was angry, even vituperative. The bone of contention was the -classification of a certain kind of beetle, and the letter implied that -Mr. Trowbridge was ignorant and stubborn in his opinions and his method -of expressing them. There was no threat of any sort, merely a scathing -diatribe of less than a page in length. But it was quite evident that it -had hurt Rowland Trowbridge severely, as its date proved that he had -carried it around for two years. - -And there was another old letter. This was from Justice Greer and was a -blast on some old political matter. Here again, a strong enmity was -shown, but nothing that could be construed as an intimation of revenge or -even retaliation. - -Still there were the two letters from decided enemies, and they must be -looked into. - -Avice, in her own heart, was sure they meant nothing serious. Her uncle -had held these two grudges a long time, but she didn't think any recent -or desperate matter had ensued. - -Some newspaper clippings, most of them concerning Natural History, and a -few elaborate recipes for cooking, completed the collection found in the -pockets. - -"Nothing in the least indicative, unless it might be those two old -letters," commented the coroner. - -Pinckney was disappointed. He had hoped for some clue that he could -trace. Like Avice, he thought little of the old letters. Those two -eminent citizens were most unlikely to murder a colleague, or even to -employ a rogue to do it for them. To his mind, there was nothing -enlightening in all the inquest so far. Indeed, he had almost no use for -the Black Hand theory. It didn't seem convincing to him. He thought -something would yet come out to give them a direction in which to look, -or else the truth would never be discovered. - -And then there was a commotion in the hall, and an officer came in -bringing with him a big, husky-looking Swede, and a pale blue-eyed little -woman. - -"This is Clem Sandstrom," the officer informed the coroner. "And this is -his wife. You can get their stories best from them." - -The big foreigner was very ill at ease. He shuffled about, and when told -where to sit, he dropped into the chair with his stolid countenance -expressing an awed fear. - -The woman was more composed, but seemed overwhelmed at the unaccustomed -splendor of her surroundings. She gazed at the pictures and statues with -round, wide eyes, and glanced timidly at Avice, as if the girl might -resent her presence there. - -"What is your name?" asked Berg of the big Swede. - -"Clem Sandstrom, Ay bane a Swede, but Ay bane by America already two -years." - -"Where do you live and what do you do?" - -"Ay live up in the Bronnix, and Ay work at the digging." - -"Digging? Where?" - -"Any digging Ay can get. Ay bane good digger." - -"Well, never mind the quality of your digging. What do you know of this -murder of Mr. Trowbridge?" - -"Last night, Ay bane goon home, through Van Coortlandt Park wood, and Ay -heerd a man groan like he was dying. Ay went to him, and Ay lift his -head, but he was nigh about gone then. Ay try to hold up his head, but it -drop back and he say, a few words and he fall back dead." - -"How did you know he was dead?" - -"Ay felt his heart to beat, and it was all still. Ay saw the blood on his -clothes, and Ay know he bane stob. Ay think Italian Black Hander did it." - -"And what did you do then?" - -"Ay run away to my home. To my wife. Ay bane afraid the police think Ay -did it." - -"Did you see the police there?" - -"Yes. Ay bane wait behind the bushes till they coom. Ay bane afraid of -everything." - -"Oh, after the man died, you waited around there till the police came?" - -"Yes. Ay thought Ay must do that. Then Ay saw all the police and the dead -wagon, and Ay waited more till they took the man away. Then Ay ran fast -to my home." - -"What did you take from the body?" Coroner Berg spoke sternly and the -already frightened man trembled in his chair. - -"Ay take nothing. Ay would not rob a corp. Nay, that I wouldn't." - -"And you took nothing away from the place?" - -The Swede hesitated. He glanced at his wife, and like an accusing -Nemesis, she nodded her head it him. - -"Tell the truth, Clem," she cried shrilly. "Tell about the strange -bottle." - -"A bottle?" asked the coroner. - -"Yes, but it was of no use," Sandstrom spoke sulkily now. "It was an old -milk bottle." - -"A milk bottle? Then it had nothing to do with the crime." - -"That's what Ay think. But the wife says to tell. The milk bottle, a pint -one, was much buried in the ground." - -"How did it get in so deeply? Was it put there purposely?" - -"Ay tank so. It had in it----" The man made a wry face, as at a -recollection. - -"Well, what?" - -"Ay don't know. But it smelled something very _very_ bad. And molasses -too." - -"Molasses in it?" - -"Yes, a little down in the bottom of the bottle. Such a queer doings!" - -"Have you the bottle?" - -"At my home, yes. The wife make me empty the bad stuff out." - -"Why?" and Berg turned to the Swedish woman. - -"I think it a poison. I think the bad man kill the good man with a -poison." - -"Well, I don't think so. I think you two people trumped up this bottle -business yourselves. It's too ridiculous to be real evidence." - -The jurymen were perplexed. If these Swedes were implicated in the -murder, surely they would not come and give themselves up to justice -voluntarily. Yet, some reasoned that if they were afraid of the police, -they might think it better to come voluntarily than to seem to hide their -connection with it. It is difficult to tell the workings of the -uncultured foreign intellect, and at any rate the story must be -investigated, and the Swedes kept watch of. - -Under the coroner's scrutiny, Sandstrom became more restless than ever. -He shuffled his big feet about and his countenance worked as if in agony. -The woman watched him with solicitude. Apparently, her one thought was to -have him say the right thing. - -Once she went over and whispered to him, but he only shook his head. - -"Why did you kill the man?" the coroner suddenly shot at the witness as -if to trip him. - -Sandstrom looked at him stolidly. "Ay didn't kill him. Ay bane got na -goon." - -"He wasn't shot, he was stabbed." - -"Ay bane got na knife. And Ay na kill him. Ay heerd his dyin' words." The -Swede looked solemn. - -"What were they?" asked the coroner, in the midst of a sudden silence. - -"He said, 'Ay bane murdered! Cain killt me! Wilful murder!' and wi' them -words he deed." - -The simple narrative in the faulty English was dramatic and convincing. -The countenance of the stolid foreigner was sad, and it might well be -that he was telling the truth as he had seen and heard it. - -Like an anti-climax, then, came an explosive "Gee!" from the back of the -room. - -People looked around annoyed, and the coroner rapped on the table in -displeasure. - -"You have heard this witness," he said pompously; "we have no real reason -to disbelieve him. It is clear that Rowland Trowbridge was wilfully -murdered by a dastardly hand, that he lived long enough to tell this, and -to stigmatize as 'Cain' the murderer who struck him down." - -"Gee!" came the explosive voice again; but this time in a discreet -whisper. - -"Silence!" roared the coroner, "another such disturbance and the culprit -will be expelled from the room." - -There was no further interruption and the inquiry proceeded. - -Several employes of Mr. Trowbridge's office were called. Miss Wilkinson, -the stenographer, was an important young person of the blondine variety, -and made the most of her testimony, which amounted to nothing. She -declared that Mr. Trowbridge had been at his office as usual the day -before and that she had written the average number of letters for him, -none of which were in any way bearing in this case or of any import, -except the regular business of her employer. Mr. Trowbridge, she said, -had left the office about two o'clock, telling her he would not return -that day, and bidding her go home after she had finished her routine -work. - -This created a mild sensation. At least, it was established that Mr. -Trowbridge had gone from his office earlier than usual, though this must -have been presupposed, as his body was found miles away from the city at -five o'clock. But nothing further or more definite could Miss Wilkinson -tell, though she was loath to leave the witness stand. - -Coroner Berg was disheartened. He had a natural dislike for the "person -or persons unknown" conclusion, and yet, what other one was possible? -Perfunctorily, he called the office boy, who was employed in Mr. -Trowbridge's private office. - -A few of the audience noted that this was the youth who had remarked -"Gee!" with such enthusiasm and gave him a second look for that reason. - -"What is your name?" - -"Fibsy,--I mean Terence McGuire." - -"Why did you say Fibsy?" - -"'Cause that's what I'm mostly called." - -"Why?" - -"'Cause I'm such a liar." - -"This is no time for frivolity, young man; remember you're a witness." - -"Sure! I know what that means. I ain't a goin' to lie now, you bet! I -know what I'm about." - -"Very well, then. What can you tell us of Mr. Trowbridge's movements -yesterday?" - -"A whole heap. I was on the job all day." - -"What did you see or hear?" - -"I seen and heard a whole lot. But I guess what'll interest you most is a -visitor Mr. Trowbridge had in the mornin'." - -"A visitor?" - -"Yep. And they come near havin'a fight." - -The audience listened breathlessly. The red-headed, freckle-faced youth, -not more than sixteen, held attention as no other witness had. - -It was not because of his heroic presence, or his manly bearing. Indeed, -he was of the shuffling, toe-stubbing type, and by his own admission, he -had gained a nickname by continual and more or less successful lying. But -in spite of that, truth now shone from his blue eyes and human nature is -quick to recognize the signs of honesty. - -"Tell about it in your own way," said the coroner, while the reporter -braced up with new hope. - -"Well, Mr. Berg, it was this way. Yest'day mornin' a guy blew into the -office,----" - -"What time?" - -"'Bout 'leven, I guess. It was 'bout an hour 'fore eats. Well, he wanted -to see Mr. T. and as he was a feller that didn't seem to want to be -fooled with, I slips in to Mr. T's private office an' I sez, 'Guy outside -wants to see you.' 'Where's his card?' says Mr. T. 'No pasteboards,' says -I, 'but he says you'll be pleased to meet him.' Well, about now, the guy, -he's a big one, walks right over me and gets himself into the inner -office. 'Hello, Uncle Rowly,' says he, and stands there smilin'. 'Good -gracious, is this you, Kane?' says Mr. Trowbridge, kinder half pleased -an' half mad. 'Yep,' says the big feller, and sits down as ca'm as you -please. 'Whatter you want?' says Mr. T. 'Briefly?' says the guy, lookin' -sharp at him. 'Yes,' an' Mr. T. jest snapped it out. 'Money,' says the -guy. 'I thought so. How much?' an' Mr. T. shut his lips together like he -always does when he's mad. 'Fifty thousand dollars,' says Friend Nephew, -without the quiver of an eyelash. 'Good-morning,' says uncle s'renely, -But the chap wasn't fazed. 'Greeting or farewell?' says he, smilin' like. -Then Mr. T. lit into him. 'A farewell, sir!' he says, 'and the last!' But -Nephew comes up smilin' once again, already, yet! 'Oh, say, now, uncle,' -he begins, and then he lays out before Mr. T. the slickest minin' -proposition it was ever my misfortune to listen to, when I didn't have no -coin to go into it myself! But spiel as beautiful as he would, he -couldn't raise answerin' delight on the face of his benefactor-to-be. He -argued an' he urged an' he kerjoled, but not a mite could he move him. At -last Mr. Trowbridge, he says, 'No, Kane, I've left you that amount in my -will, or I'll give it to you if you'll stay in New York city; but I -_won't_ give it to you to put in any confounded hole in the ground out -West!' And no amount of talk changed that idea of Mr. T.'s. Well, was -that nephew mad! Well, _was_ he! Not ragin' or blusterin', but just a -white and still sort o' mad, like he'd staked all and lost. He got up, -with dignerty and he bowed a little mite sarkasterkul, and he says, -''Scuse me fer troublin' you, uncle; but I know of one way to get that -money. I'll telephone you when I've raised it.' And he walked out, not -chop-fallen, but with a stride like Jack the Giant Killer." - -Fibsy paused, and there was a long silence. The coroner was trying to -digest this new testimony, that might or might not be of extreme -importance. - -"What was this man's name?" he said, at last. - -"I don't remember his full name, sir. Seems 'sif the last name began with -L,--but I wouldn't say for sure." - -"And his first name?" - -"Kane, sir. I heard Mr. Trowbridge call him that a heap of times, sir." - -"Kane!" - -"Yes, sir." And then Fibsy added, in an awed voice, "that's why I said, -'Gee'!" - -The coroner looked at the expectant audience. "It seems to me," he began -slowly, "that this evidence of the office boy, if credible or not, must -at least be looked into. While not wishing to leap to unwarranted -conclusions, we must remember that the Swede declared that with his dying -breath, Mr. Trowbridge denounced his murderer as Cain! It must be -ascertained if, instead of the allusion to the first murderer, which we -naturally assumed, he could have meant to designate this nephew, named -Kane. Does any one present know the surname of this nephew?" - -There was a stir in the back part of the room, and a man rose and came -forward. He was tall and strong and walked with that free, swinging step, -that suggests to those who know of such things, the memory of alfalfa and -cactus. With shoulders squared and head erect, he approached the coroner -at his table and said "I am Kane Landon, a nephew of the late Rowland -Trowbridge." - - - - - CHAPTER VI - OUT OF THE WEST - - -A bomb dropped from an aeroplane could scarcely have caused greater -excitement among the audience. Every eye in the room followed the tall -young figure, as Kane Landon strode to the table behind which the coroner -sat. That worthy official looked as if he had suddenly been bereft of all -intelligence as well as power of speech. In fact, he sat and looked at -the man before him, with such an alarmed expression, that one might -almost have thought he was the culprit, and the new witness the accusing -judge. - -But Mr. Berg pulled himself together, and began his perfunctory -questions. - -"You are Kane Landon?" - -"Yes." - -"Related to Mr. Trowbridge?" - -"I am the nephew of his wife, who died many years ago." - -"Where do you live?" - -"For the last five years I have lived in Denver, Colorado." - -"And you are East on a visit?" - -"I came East, hoping to persuade my uncle to finance a mining project in -which I am interested." - -"And which he refused to do?" - -"Which he refused to do." - -There was something about the young man's manner which was distinctly -irritating to Coroner Berg. It was as if the stranger was laughing at -him, and yet no one could show a more serious face than the witness -presented. The onlookers held their breath in suspense. Avice stared at -young Landon. She remembered him well. Five years ago they had been great -friends, when she was fifteen and he twenty. Now, he looked much more -than five years older. He was bronzed, and his powerful frame had -acquired a strong, well-knit effect that told of outdoor life and much -exercise. His face was hard and inscrutable of expression. He was not -prepossessing, nor of an inviting demeanor, but rather repelling in -aspect. His stern, clear-cut mouth showed a haughty curve and a scornful -pride shone in the steely glint of his deep gray eyes. He stood erect, -his hands carelessly clasped behind him, and seemed to await further -questioning. - -Nor did he wait long. The coroner's tongue once loosed, his queries came -direct and rapid. - -"Will you give an account of your movements yesterday, Mr. Landon?" - -"Certainly. The narrative of my uncle's office boy is substantially true. -I reached New York from the West day before yesterday. I went yesterday -morning to see my uncle. I asked him for the money I wanted and he -refused it. Then I went away." - -"And afterward?" - -"Oh, afterward, I looked about the city a bit, and went back to my hotel -for luncheon." - -"And after luncheon?" - -Landon's aplomb seemed suddenly to desert him. "After luncheon," he -began, and paused. He shifted his weight to the other foot; he unclasped -his hands and put them in his pockets; he frowned as if in a brown study -and finally, his eyes fell on Avice and rested there. The girl was gazing -at him with an eager, strained face, and it seemed to arrest his -attention to the exclusion of all else. - -"Well?" said the coroner, impatiently. - -Landon's fair hair was thick and rather longer than the conventions -decreed. He shook back this mane, with a defiant gesture, and said -clearly, "After luncheon, I went to walk in Van Cortlandt Park." - -The audience gasped. Was this the honesty of innocence or the bravado of -shameless guilt? - -Leslie Hoyt looked at Landon curiously. Hoyt was a clever man and quick -reader of character, but this young Westerner apparently puzzled him. He -seemed to take a liking to him, but reserved decision as to the -justification of this attitude. Avice went white and was afraid she was -going to faint. To her, the admission sounded like a confession of the -crime, and it was too incredible to be believed. And yet, as she -remembered Kane, it was like him to tell the truth. In their old play -days, he had often told the truth, she remembered, even though to his own -disadvantage. And she remembered, too, how he had often escaped with a -lighter punishment because he had been frank! Was this his idea? Had he -really killed his uncle, and fearing discovery, was he trying to -forestall the consequences by admission? - -"Mr. Landon," went on the coroner, "that is a more or less incriminating -statement. Are you aware your uncle was murdered in Van Cortlandt Park -woods yesterday afternoon?" - -"Yes," was the reply, but in a voice so low as to be almost inaudible. - -"At what time were you there?" - -"I don't know, exactly. I returned home before sundown." - -"Why did you go there?" - -"Because when with my uncle in the morning he happened to remark there -were often good golf games played there, and as it was a beautiful -afternoon, and I had nothing especial to do, I went out there." - -"Why did you not go to call on your cousin, Miss Trowbridge?" - -Landon glared at the speaker. "You are outside your privileges in asking -that question. I decline to answer. My personal affairs in no way concern -you. Kindly get to the point. Am I under suspicion of being my uncle's -murderer?" - -"Perhaps that is too definite a statement, but it is necessary for us to -learn the truth about your implication in the matter." - -"Go on, then, with your questions. But for Heaven's sake, keep to the -point, and don't bring in personal or family affairs. And incidentally, -Miss Trowbridge is _not_ my cousin." - -The words were spoken lightly, almost flippantly, and seemed to some -listeners as if meant to divert attention from the business in hand. - -"But she is the niece of the late Mr. Trowbridge." - -"Miss Trowbridge is the daughter of Mr. Trowbridge's brother, who died -years ago. I am the nephew of Mr. Trowbridge's late wife, as I believe I -have already stated." - -Nobody liked the young man's manner. It was careless, indifferent, and -inattentive. He stood easily, and was in no way embarrassed, but his -bravado, whether real or assumed, was distasteful to those who were -earnestly trying to discover the facts of the crime that had been -committed. There were many who at once leaped to the conclusion that the -Swede's testimony of the victim's dying words, proved conclusively that -the murderer was of a necessity this young man, whose name was Kane, and -who so freely admitted his presence near the scene of the tragedy. - -"As you suggest, Mr. Landon," said the coroner, coldly, "we will keep to -the point. When you were in Van Cortlandt Park, yesterday, did you see -your uncle, Mr. Trowbridge there?" - -"I did not." - -The answer was given in a careless, unconcerned way that exasperated the -coroner. - -"Can you prove that?" he snapped out. - -Landon looked at him in mild amazement, almost amusement. "Certainly -not," he replied; "nor do I need to. The burden of proof rests with you. -If you suspect me of having killed my uncle, it is for you to produce -proof." - -Coroner Berg looked chagrined. He had never met just this sort of a -witness before, and did not know quite how to treat him. - -And yet Landon was respectful, serious, and polite. Indeed, one might -have found it hard to say what was amiss in his attitude, but none could -deny there was something. It was after all, an aloofness, a separateness, -that seemed to disconnect this man with the proceedings now going on; and -which was so, only because the man himself willed it. - -Coroner Berg restlessly and only half-consciously sensed this state of -things, and gropingly strove to fasten on some facts. - -Nor were these hard to find. The facts were clear and startling enough, -and were to a legal mind conclusive. There was, so far as known, no -eye-witness to the murder, but murderers do not usually play to an -audience. - -"We have learned, Mr. Landon," the coroner said, "that you had an -unsatisfactory interview with your uncle; that you did not get from him -the money you desired. That, later, he was killed in a locality where you -admit you were yourself. That his dying words are reported to be, 'Kane -killed me! willful murder.' I ask you what you have to say in refutation -of the conclusions we naturally draw from these facts?" - -There was a hush over the whole room, as the answer to this arraignment -was breathlessly awaited. - -At last it came. Landon looked the coroner squarely in the eye, and said: -"I have this to say. That my uncle's words,--if, indeed, those were -really his words, might as well refer, as you assumed at first, to any -one else, as to myself. The name Cain, would, of course, mean in a -general way, any one of murderous intent. The fact that my own name -chances to be Kane is a mere coincidence, and in no sense a proof of my -guilt." - -The speaker grew more emphatic in voice and gesture as he proceeded, and -this did not militate in his favor. Rather, his irritation and vehement -manner prejudiced many against him. Had he been cool and collected, his -declarations would have met better belief, but his agitated tones sounded -like the last effort in a lost cause. - -With harrowing pertinacity, the coroner quizzed and pumped the witness as -to his every move of the day before. Landon was forced to admit that he -had quarreled with his uncle, and left him in a fit of temper, and with a -threat to get the money elsewhere. - -"And did you get it?" queried the coroner at this point. - -"I did not." - -"Where did you hope to get it?" - -"I refuse to tell you." - -"Mr. Landon, your manner is not in your favor. But that is not an -essential point. The charges I have enumerated are as yet unanswered: -and, moreover, I am informed by one of my assistants that there is -further evidence against you. Sandstrom, come forward." - -The stolid-looking Swede came. - -"Look at Mr. Landon," said Berg; "do you think you saw him in Van -Cortlandt Park yesterday?" - -"Ay tank Ay did." - -"Near the scene of the murder?" - -"Ay tank so." - -"You lie!" - -The voice that rang out was that of Fibsy, the irrepressible. - -And before the coroner could remonstrate, the boy was up beside the -Swede, talking to him in an earnest tone. "Clem Sandstrom," he said, "you -are saying what you have been told to say! Ain't you?" - -"Ay tank so," returned the imperturbable Swede. - -"There!" shouted Fibsy, triumphantly; "now, wait a minute, Mr. Berg," and -by the force of his own insistence Fibsy held the audience, while he -pursued his own course. He drew a silver quarter from his pocket and -handed it to Sandstrom. "Look at that," he cried, "look at it good!" He -snatched it back. "Did you look at it good?" and he shook his fist in the -other's face. - -"Yes, Ay look at it good." - -"All right; now tell me where the plugged hole in it was? Was it under -the date, or was it over the eagle?" - -The Swede thought deeply. - -"Be careful, now! Where was it, old top? Over the eagle?" - -"Yes. Ay tank it been over the eagle." - -"You _tank_ so! Don't you _know_?" - -The heavy face brightened. "Yes, Ay _know_! Ay know it been over the -eagle." - -"You're _sure_?" - -"Yes, Ay bane sure." - -"All right, pard. You see, Mr. Coroner," and Fibsy handed the quarter -over to Berg, "they ain't no hole in it anywhere!" - -Nor was there. Berg looked mystified. "What's it all about?" he said, -helplessly. - -"Why," said Fibsy, eagerly, "don't you see, if that fool Swede don't know -enough to see whether there's a hole in a piece o' chink or not, he ain't -no reliable witness in a murder case!" - -The boy had scored. So far as the Swede's alleged recognition of Landon -was evidence, it was discarded at once. Coroner Berg looked at the boy in -perplexity, not realizing just how the incident of the silver quarter had -come about. It was by no means his intention to allow freckle-faced -office boys to interfere with his legal proceedings. He had read in a -book about mal-observation and the rarity of truly remembered evidence, -but he had not understood it clearly and it was only a vague idea to him. -So it nettled him to have the principle put to a practical use by an -impertinent urchin, who talked objectionable slang. - -Judge Hoyt looked at Fibsy with growing interest. That boy had brains, he -concluded, and might be more worth-while than his appearance indicated. -Avice, too, took note of the bright-eyed chap, and Kane Landon, himself, -smiled in open approval. - -But Fibsy was in no way elated, or even conscious that he had attracted -attention. He had acted on impulse; he had disbelieved the Swede's -evidence, and he had sought to disprove it by a simple experiment, which -worked successfully. His assertion that the Swede had been told to say -that he recognized Landon, was somewhat a chance shot. - -Fibsy reasoned it out, that if Sandstrom had seen Landon in the woods, he -would have recognized him sooner at the inquest, or might even have told -of him before his appearance. And he knew that the police now suspected -Landon, and as they were eager to make an arrest, they had persuaded the -Swede that he had seen the man. Sandstrom's brain was slow and he had -little comprehension. Whether guilty or innocent, he had come to the -scene at his wife's orders, and might he not equally well have testified -at the orders or hints of the police? At any rate, he had admitted that -he had been told to say what he had said, and so he had been disqualified -as a witness. - -And yet, it all proved nothing, rather it left them with no definite -proof of any sort. Fibsy ignored the stupid-looking Swede, and stared at -the coroner, until that dignitary became a little embarrassed. Realizing -that he had lessened his own importance to a degree, Berg strove to -regain lost ground. - -"Good work, my boy," he said, condescendingly, and with an air of -dismissing the subject. "But the credibility of a witness's story must -rest with the gentlemen of the jury. I understand all about those -theories of psy--psychology, as they call them, but I think they are of -little, if any, use in practice." - -"Oh, I wouldn't say that," said Judge Hoyt. "I find them very -interesting. Do _you_ always see things clearly, Terence?" - -"It isn't seeing clearly," said Fibsy, with an earnest face, "it's seein' -true. Now, f'r instance, Mr. Coroner, is the number for six o'clock, on -your watch, a figger or a VI?" - -"I cannot allow this child's play," and Mr. Berg looked decidedly angry. - -"But that's rather a good one," said Judge Hoyt. "Come, now, Berg, do you -know which it is?" - -"Certainly I do," Berg snapped out. "It's the Roman letters, VI." - -"Yessir?" said Fibsy, eagerly. "An' are they right side up, or upside -down, as you hold Twelve at the top?" - -Berg thought a moment. "As I hold Twelve at the top, they're upside down, -of course. All the numbers have their base toward the centre of the -dial." - -"Then the Six on your watch is VI, with the tops of the letters next the -rim of the watch?" - -"It is," said Berg, adding sneeringly, "would you like to see it?" - -"Yessir," and Fibsy darted forward. - -The coroner snapped his watch open, and after a brief glance, the boy -gave a quick little wag of his head, and went back to his seat without a -word. - -But the man flushed a fiery red, and his pompous air deserted him. - -"Were you right, Berg?" asked Judge Hoyt. "Come now, own up?" - -"A very natural error," mumbled the coroner, and then Detective Groot -pounced on him, demanding to see his watch. - -"Why, there's no six on it at all!" he cried and then gave an -uncontrollable guffaw. "There's only a round place with the second hand -into it!" - -"This tomfoolery must be stopped," began the coroner, but he had to pause -in his speech until the ripple of merriment had subsided and the jury had -realized afresh the seriousness of their purpose. - -"Hold on Berg, that's a fairly good one on a coroner," said Judge Hoyt, a -little severely. "Have you looked at that watch for years and didn't know -there was no six on it?" - -"I s'pose I have. I never thought about it." - -"It does show the unreliability of testimony intended to be truthful," -and Hoyt spoke thoughtfully. "Terence, how did you know Mr. Berg's watch -had a second hand instead of the six numeral?" - -"I didn't know a thing about it. But I wanted to see if _he_ did. It -might of been a six upside down fer all o' me, but most watches has -second hands there and most people don't know it. I got it out of a book. -People don't see true. They think a watch has gotter _say_ six o'clock, -they don't remember it might mean it but not say it." - -Again Hoyt gave the boy a look of appreciation. "Keen-witted," he said to -himself. "Ought to make his mark." And then he glanced back to the -discomfited coroner. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - STEPHANOTIS - - -Now Mr. Berg's disposition was of the sort that when offended, desires to -take it out of some one else rather than to retaliate on the offender. -So, after a little further questioning of the still bewildered Swede he -turned again to Landon. - -"Let us dismiss the matter of the Swede and his evidence," he said, -lightly, "and resume the trend of our investigations. Do I understand, -Mr. Landon, that you expect to inherit a legacy from your late uncle?" - -Landon's eyes flashed. "I don't know what you understand, Mr. Coroner. As -a matter of fact, I haven't much opinion of your understanding. But I -know nothing of the legacy you speak of, save that my uncle said to me -yesterday, that he would leave me fifty thousand dollars in his will. -Whether he did or not, I do not know." - -The statement was made carelessly, as most of Kane Landon's statements -were, and he seemed all unaware of the conclusions immediately drawn from -his words. - -"Judge Hoyt," said the coroner, turning to the lawyer, "are you -acquainted with the terms of Mr. Trowbridge's will?" - -"Most certainly, as I drew up the document," was the answer. - -"Is Kane Landon a beneficiary?" - -"Yes; to the extent of fifty thousand dollars." - -It was impossible not to note the gleam of satisfaction that came into -Landon's eyes at this news. Hoyt gave him a stare of utter scorn and -Avice looked amazed and grieved. - -"You seem pleased at the information, Mr. Landon," the coroner observed. - -Landon favored him with a calm, indifferent glance and made no response. - -Berg turned again to Miss Wilkinson, the blonde stenographer. - -"Will you tell me," he said, "if you know, what caused Mr. Trowbridge to -leave his office early, yesterday?" - -The girl hesitated. She shot a quick glance at Landon, and then looked -down again. She fidgeted with her handkerchief, and twice essayed to -speak, but did not finish. - -"Come," said Berg, sharply, "I am waiting." - -"I don't know," said Miss Wilkinson at last. - -Fibsy gave a quick whistle. "She does know," he declared; "she takes all -the telephone calls, and she knows the G'uvnor went out 'cause somebody -telephoned for him." - -"Is this true?" asked Berg of the girl. - -"How can I tell?" she retorted, pertly. "Mr. Trowbridge had a lot of -telephone calls yesterday, and I don't know whether he went out because -of one of them or not. _I_ don't listen to a telephone conversation after -Mr. Trowbridge takes the wire." - -"You do so!" said Fibsy, in a conversational tone. "Mr. Berg, Yellowtop -told me just after the Guv'nor went out, that he'd gone 'cause somebody -asked him over the wire to go to Van Cortlandt Park." - -"Tell the truth," said Berg to the girl, curtly. - -"Well, I just as lief," she returned; "but it ain't my way to tell of -private office matters in public." - -"Make it your way, now, then. It's time you understand the seriousness of -this occasion!" - -"All right. Somebody, then,--some man,--did call Mr. Trowbridge about two -o'clock, and asked him to go to Van Cortlandt Park." - -"What for? Did he say?" - -"Yes, he said somebody had set a trap for him." - -"Set a trap for him! What did he mean?" - -"How do I know what he meant? I ain't a mind-reader! I tell you what he -said,--I can't make up a meanin' for it too. And I ain't got a right to -tell this much. I don't want to get nobody in trouble." - -The girl was almost in tears now, but whether the sympathy was for -herself or another was an open question. - -"You have heard, Miss Wilkinson, of testimony that means to be true, but -is--er--inexact." The coroner smiled a trifle, as if thus atoning for his -own late slip. "Therefore, I beg that you will do your utmost to remember -exactly what that message was." - -"I do, 'cause I thought it was such a funny one. The man said, 'you'd -better come, he's set a trap for you.' And Mr. Trowbridge says 'I can't -go today, I've got an engagement' And the other man said, 'Oh, c'mon. -It's a lovely day, and I'll give you some stephanotis.'" - -"Stephanotis!" - -"Yes, sir, I remembered that, 'cause it's my fav'rite puffume." - -"Was Mr. Trowbridge in the habit of using perfumery?" asked Berg of -Avice. - -"Never," she replied, looking at the blonde witness with scorn. - -"I don't care," Miss Wilkinson persisted, doggedly; "I know he said that, -for I had a bottle of stephanotis one Christmas, and I never smelled -anything so good. And then he said something about the Caribbean Sea----" - -"Now, Miss Wilkinson, I'm afraid you're romancing a little," and the -coroner looked at her in reproof. - -"I'm telling you what I heard. If you don't want to hear it, I'll stop." - -"We want to hear it, if it's true, not otherwise. Are you sure this man -said these absurd things?" - -"They weren't absurd, leastways, Mr. Trowbridge didn't think so. I know -that, 'cause he was pleasant and polite, and when the man said he'd give -him some stephanotis Mr. Trowbridge said, right off, he'd go." - -"Go to the Caribbean Sea with him?" - -"I don't know whether he meant that or not. I didn't catch on to what he -said about that, but I heard Caribbean Sea all right." - -"Do you know where that sea is?" - -"No, sir. But I studied it in my geography at school, I forget where it -is, but I remember the name." - -"Well it's between--er--that is, it's somewhere near South America, and -the--well, it's down that way. Did this man speaking sound like a -foreigner?" - -"N--no, not exactly." - -"Like an American?" - -"Yes,--I think so." - -"Explain your hesitation." - -"Well," said the girl, desperately, "he sounded like he was trying to -sort of disguise his voice,--if you know what I mean." - -"I know exactly what you mean. How did you know it was a disguised -voice?" - -"It was sort of high and then sort of low as if making believe somebody -else." - -"You're a very observing young woman. I thought you didn't listen to -telephone conversations of your employer." - -"Well, I just happened to hear this one. And it was so--so queer, I kind -of kept on listenin' for a few minutes." - -"It may be fortunate that you did, as your report is interesting. Now, -can you remember any more, any other words or sentences?" - -"No sir. There was a little more but I didn't catch it. They seemed to -know what they was talkin' about, but most anybody else wouldn't. But I'm -dead sure about the puffumery and the Sea." - -"Those are certainly queer words to connect with this case. But maybe the -message you tell of was not the one that called Mr. Trowbridge to the -Park." - -"Maybe not, sir." - -"It might have been a friend warning him of the trap set for him, and -urging him to go south to escape it." - -"Maybe sir." - -"These things must be carefully looked into. We must get the number of -the telephone call and trace it." - -"Can't be done," said Detective Groot, who being a taciturn man listened -carefully and said little. "I've tried too many times to trace a call to -hold out any hopes of this. If it came from a big exchange it might be -barely possible to trace it; but if from a private wire or a public -booth, or from lots of such places you'll never find it. Never in the -world." - -"Is it then so difficult to trace a telephone call?" asked one of the -jury. "I didn't know it." - -"Yes, sir," repeated Groot. "Why there was a big case in New York years -ago, where they made the telephone company trace a call and it cost the -company thousands of dollars. After that they tore up their slips. But -then again, you might _happen_ to find out what you want. But not at all -likely, no, not a bit likely." - -Avice looked at the speaker thoughtfully. The night before she had asked -the number of a call and received it at once. But, she remembered, she -asked a few moments after the call was made, and of the same operator. -Her thoughts wandered back to that call made by Eleanor Black, and again -she felt that impression of something sly about the woman. And to think, -she had the number of that call, and could easily find out who it -summoned. But all such things must wait till this investigation of the -present was over. She looked at Mrs. Black. - -The handsome widow wore her usual sphinx-like expression and she was -gazing steadily at Kane Landon. Avice thought she detected a look in the -dark eyes as of a special, even intimate interest in the young man. She -had no reason to think they were acquaintances, yet she couldn't help -thinking they appeared so. At any rate, Eleanor Black was paying little -or no attention to the proceedings of the inquest. But Avice remembered -she had expressed a distaste and aversion to detectives and all their -works. Surely, the girl thought, she could not have cared very much for -Uncle Rowly, if she doesn't feel most intense interest in running the -murderer to ground. - -She turned again toward the coroner to hear him saying: - -"And then, Miss Wilkinson, after this mysterious message, did Mr. -Trowbridge leave the office at once?" - -"Yes sir. Grabbed his hat and scooted right off. Said he wouldn't be back -all afternoon." - -"And you did not recognize the voice as any that you had ever heard?" - -"No, sir." - -"And you gathered nothing from the conversation that gave you any hint of -who the speaker might be?" - -Whether it was the sharp eye of Mr. Berg compelling her, or a latent -regard for the truth, the yellow-haired girl, for some reason, stammered -out, "Well, sir, whoever it was, called Mr. Trowbridge 'uncle.'" - -Again one of those silences that seemed to shriek aloud in denunciation -of the only man present who would be supposed to call Mr. Trowbridge -"uncle." - -Berg turned toward Kane Landon. For a moment the two looked at each -other, and then the younger man's eyes fell. He seemed for an instant on -the verge of collapse, and then, with an evident effort, drew himself up -and faced the assembly. - -"You are all convinced that I am the slayer of my uncle," he said almost -musingly; "well, arrest me, then. It is your duty." - -His hearers were amazed. Such brazen effrontery could expect no leniency. -And too, what loop-hole of escape did the suspect have? Motive, -opportunity, circumstantial evidence, all went to prove his guilt. True, -no one had seen him do the deed; true, he had not himself confessed the -crime; but how could his guilt be doubted in view of all the -incrimination as testified by witnesses? - -The coroner hesitated. He was afraid of this strange young man who seemed -so daring and yet had an effect of bravado rather than guilt. - -"Was it you, Mr. Landon who telephoned to Mr. Trowbridge the message we -have heard reported?" - -"It was not." - -"Did you telephone your uncle at all yesterday?" - -"In the morning, yes. In the afternoon, no." - -"Do you know of any one else who could call him uncle?" - -"No man, that I know of." - -"This was a man speaking, Miss Wilkinson?" - -"Yes, sir, I'm sure it was a man. And Mr. Trowbridge called him nephew." - -"That means, then, Mr. Landon, that it was you speaking, or some other -nephew of Mr. Trowbridge." - -"Might not the stenographer have misunderstood the words? The young lady -reports a strange conversation. I would never have dreamed of offering my -uncle stephanotis." - -"I cannot think any man would. Therefore, I think Miss Wilkinson must -have misunderstood that part of the talk." - -A diversion was created just here by the arrival of a messenger from -headquarters, who brought a possible clue. It was a lead pencil which had -been found near the scene of the crime. - -"Who found it?" asked the coroner. - -"One of the police detectives. He's been scouring ground by daylight, but -this is all he found." - -"Ah, doubtless from Mr. Trowbridge's pocket. Do you think it was his, -Miss Trowbridge?" - -Avice looked at the pencil. "I can't say positively," she replied. "It -very likely was his. I think it is the make he used." - -"Not much of a clue," observed Groot, glancing at the pencil. - -"Kin I see it?" asked Fibsy, eagerly. And scarce waiting for permission, -he stepped to the coroner's table, and looked carefully at the new -exhibit. - -"Yep," he said, "it's the make and the number Mr. Trowbridge always has -in the office. Keep it careful, Mr. Berg, maybe there's finger marks on -it, and they'll get rubbed off." - -"That'll do, McGuire. If you must see everything that's going on, at -least keep quiet." - -"No, it's no clue," grumbled Detective Groot. "There _is_ no real clue, -no key clue, as you may say. And you have to have that, to get at a -mystery. This crime shows no brains, no planning. It isn't the work of an -educated mind. That's why it's most likely an Italian thug." - -Kane Landon's deep gray eyes turned to the speaker. "Whoever planned that -weird telephone message showed some ingenuity," he said. - -"And you did it!" cried the detective, "I meant you to fall into that -trap, and you did. My speech brought it to your mind and you spoke before -you thought. Now, what did you mean by it? What about the Caribbean Sea? -Were you going to take your uncle off there? Was the trap laid for that?" - -"One question at a time," said Landon, with a look that he permitted to -be insolent. "Does it seem to you the sender of that message was getting -my uncle into a trap, or saving him from one? I believe the young woman -reported that the message ran 'He set a trap for you.' Then was it not a -rescuer telling of it?" - -"Don't be too fresh, young man! You can't pull the wool over my eyes! And -that telephone message isn't needed to settle your case. When a man is -found dead, and with his dying breath tells who killed him, I don't need -any further evidence." - -"Keep still, Groot," said the coroner. "We've all agreed that those words -about Cain, might mean any murderer." - -"They might, but they didn't," answered Groot, angrily. - -"As Mr. Landon says," spoke up Judge Hoyt, "it may be merely a -coincidence that his name is Kane, when his uncle had so recently -stigmatized his assailant as Cain. Surely such questionable evidence must -be backed up by some incontrovertible facts." - -Landon looked at this man curiously. He knew him but slightly. He -remembered him as a friend of his uncle's, but he knew nothing of his -attachment for Avice Trowbridge. Kane noted the fine face, the grave and -scholarly brow, and he breathed a sigh of relief to think that the lawyer -had said a kindly word for him. Landon's was a peculiar nature. Reproof -or rebuke always antagonized him, but a sympathetic word softened him at -once. - -Had Landon but known it, he had another friend present. Harry Pinckney, -his college mate, recognized him the moment he entered the room. Then, -obeying a sudden impulse, Pinckney drew back behind a pillar that divided -the two drawing-rooms, as is the fashion of old houses, and had remained -unseen by Landon all the morning. Pinckney himself could scarcely have -told why he did this, but it was due to a feeling that he could not write -his story for his paper with the same freedom of speech if Landon knew of -his presence. For though he refused to himself to call it by so strong a -term as suspicion, Pinckney felt that the coincidence of Cain and Kane -was too unlikely to be true. Regretting his friend's downfall, Pinckney -thought, so far as he had yet discovered, that Landon was the most likely -suspect. And so he did not want to meet him just yet. Later, perhaps, he -could help him in some way or other, but the "story" came first. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - THE MILK BOTTLE - - -"Nothing but an old milk bottle!" exclaimed Berg, disgustedly, as the -exhibit was placed before him on the table. - -That's all it was, and yet somehow the commonplace thing looked uncanny -when considered as evidence in a murder case. But was it evidence? Or was -it merely the remnant of a last week's picnic in the woods? - -A search of the Swede's house had brought the thing to light, and now the -big fellow told again of his finding it. - -Buried, he declared it was, not fifty feet from where he had seen the -dying man. He had not thought at first, that it had any connection with -the murder, and had taken it merely on an impulse of thrifty acquisition -of anything portable. He told his wife to wash out the ill-smelling -contents, and she had done so. - -"If you'd only let it alone!" wailed Groot. "What did the stuff smell -like? Sour milk?" - -"No, no," and Sandstrom shook his head vigorously. "It bane like a -droog." - -"A droog?" - -"Drugs, I suppose you mean," said Berg. "What sort of a drug? Camphor? -Peppermint? Or, say, did it smell like prussic acid? Peach pits? Bitter -almonds? Hey?" - -"Ay tank Ay don't know those names. But it smell bad. And it had -molasses." - -"You stick to that molasses! Well, then I say it's an old molasses bottle -long since discarded, and time and the weather had sunk it in the mud." - -"Na, not weathers. It bane buried by somebody. Ay tank the murderer." - -"The witness's thinks would be of more value," said the policeman who had -brought the bottle, "if we hadn't found this bit of property also, in his -shanty." - -And then, before the eyes of all present, he undid a parcel containing a -blood-stained handkerchief! Blood-soaked, rather, for its original white -was as incarnadined as the hypothetical seas. - -"Hid in between their mattresses," he added; "looks like that settles -it!" - -It did look that way, but had there been a question as to the import of -this mute testimony, it was answered by the effect on the two Swedes. The -woman sank back in her chair, almost fainting, and the man turned ashy -white, while his face took on the expression of despair that signifies -the death of the last flicker of hope. - -"Yours?" asked the coroner, pointing to the tell-tale thing and looking -at Sandstrom. - -"Na!" and the blue eyes looked hunted and afraid. "Ay bane found it anear -the body,----" - -"Yes, you did! Quit lying now, and own up! You're caught with the goods -on. The jig is up, so you may as well confess decently. You hid this in -your mattress!" - -"Yes, Ay hid it, but it is not mine. Ay found it anear the----" - -"Don't repeat that trumped-up yarn! You killed that man! What did you do -with the knife?" - -"Ay got na knife--" - -"Yes, you have! Lots of knives. Come, Mrs. Sandstrom, what have you to -say?" - -But the Swede woman could only incoherently repeat that her husband had -brought home the handkerchief, and declared he had found it, as he had -found the bottle, near the dead body of a strange man. They had hidden it -quickly, lest some of the police come to their house; and the bottle they -had washed to get rid of the foul odor. - -"She's in earnest," said the coroner, looking sharply at her, "he told -her this tale and she believes it, even yet. Or if she doesn't, she'll -stick to it that she does. You see, it all hangs together. Sandstrom -killed Mr. Trowbridge, and probably the dying man _did_ call him Cain, -and cry out 'Wilful murder!' for this fellow wouldn't be likely to make -up such a speech. But it referred to himself and he tried to place it on -another. The bottle story is a made-up yarn, by which he clumsily tried -to imply a poisoning. The lead pencil found there, is Mr. Trowbridge's -own; the queer telephone call had nothing to do with the affair, and -there you are!" - -The case was certainly plain enough. The stained handkerchief showed -clearly that it had been used to wipe a bloody blade. The long red marks -were unmistakable. There was no chance that it might have been used as a -bandage or aid to an injured person. The stains spoke for themselves, and -proclaimed the horrid deed they mutely witnessed. - -A few further questions brought only unintelligible replies from the -Swede, and the verdict was speedy and unanimous. - -Sandstrom was taken off to jail, but his wife was allowed to return to -her home. - -Avice felt sorry for the poor woman, and stepping to her side offered -some words of sympathy. - -"My man didn't do it, Miss," and the light blue eyes looked hopelessly -sad. "He ba'n't that kind. He wouldn't harm anybody. He----" - -But foreseeing an imminent scene, Judge Hoyt took Avice gently by the arm -and drew her away. - -"Don't talk to her," he whispered, "you can do the poor thing no good, -and she may become intractable. Let her alone." - -Avice let herself be persuaded, and she followed the judge to the -library. On the way, however, she was stopped by Stryker, who said the -boy wanted to speak to her. - -"What boy?" asked Avice. - -"That office boy, Miss Avice. He says just a minute, please." - -"Certainly," she returned, kindly, and went back a few steps to find -Fibsy, bashfully twisting his cap in his hands as he waited for her. - -"'Scuse me, Miss, but--are you boss now?" - -"Boss? of what?" - -"Of the--the diggin's--the whole layout--" More by the boy's gestures -than his words, Alice concluded he meant her uncle's business rather than -the home. - -"Why, no, I don't suppose I am, child." - -"Who is, then? The lawyer guy?" - -"Judge Hoyt? No,--what do you want to know for?" - -"Well, Miss, I want a day off--off me job, you know." - -"Oh, is that all? You are--were my uncle's office boy, weren't you?" - -"Yes'm." - -"And your name is Fibsy?" - -"Well, dat name goes." - -"Then I'll take the responsibility of saying you may have your day off. -Indeed, I'm sure you ought to. Go ahead, child, and if anybody inquires -about it, refer him to me. But you must be back in your place tomorrow. -They may need you in--in settling up matters, you know----" - -"Oh, gee, yes! I'll be on deck tomorrow, Miss. But I want today somepin' -fierce,--fer very special reasons." - -"Very well, run along, Fibsy." - -Avice stood looking after the red-headed boy, who seemed for the moment -so closely connected with her uncle's memory. But he darted out of the -open front door and up the street, as one on most important business -bent. - -The girl went on to the library, and found there Kane Landon and the -reporter Pinckney busily engaged in the staccato chatter of reunion. -Meeting for the first time in five years, they reverted to their college -days, even before referring to the awfulness of the present situation. - -"But I must beat it now," Pinckney was saying, as Avice appeared. - -"Look me up, old scout, as soon as you can get around to it. A reporter's -life is not a leisure one, and I've got to cover this story in short -order. Mighty unpleasant bit for you, that Cain speech. No harm done, but -it will drag your name into the paper. So long. Good-by, Miss Trowbridge. -I may see you again sometime,--yes?" - -"I hope so," said Avice, a little absently. "Good-by." - -Then she turned to Landon. For a moment they took each other's two hands -and said no word. - -Then, "It's great to see you again," he began; "I'd scarcely recognize -the little pig-tailed girl I played with five years ago." - -"You teased me more than you played with me," she returned. "You were -twenty then, but you put on all the airs of a grown man." - -"I was, too. I felt old enough to be your father. That's why I used to -lecture you so much, don't you remember?" - -"Indeed I do! You could make me mad by half a dozen words." - -"I knew it, and I loved to do it! I expect I was an awful torment." - -"Yes, you were. But tell me all about yourself. Why are you in New York -and not staying here? Oh, Kane, what does it all mean? I've been in such -miserable uncertainty all the morning. Not that I thought for a minute -you'd done anything--anything wrong, but it's all so horrible. Did you -quarrel with Uncle Rowly yesterday?" - -"Yes, Avice, just as the little chap said. But don't talk about awful -things now. It's all over, the harrowing part, I mean. Now, I just want -to look at you, and get acquainted all over again. Let's put off anything -unpleasant until another day." - -"I remember that trait in you of old. Always put off everything -disagreeable, and hurry on anything nice," and Avice smiled at the -recollection. - -"And not a bad philosophy, my dear. Now tell me of yourself. You are -well--and happy? I mean until this tragedy came." - -"Yes, Kane, I've had a happy home here with Uncle. I liked it better -before Eleanor Blade came, but Uncle wanted a housekeeper, and she -applied for the position and he took her. That was about a year or more -ago, and Kane, what do you think? They were engaged to be married!" - -"Yes, so I learned at the inquest. Don't you like her?" - -"I don't know; I suppose so. But sometimes, I think I don't trust her." - -"Don't trust anybody, my dear Avice. That's the safest and sanest plan." - -"Have you become a cynic? You talk like one." - -"Don't you want me to be one?" - -"Surely not. I hate cynicism." - -"Then I won't be one. For the only wish I have in life is to please you." -Landon's voice fell lower, and glancing about to make sure there was no -one in hearing, he went on, "All these years, Avice, I've been loving you -more and more. I've been striving to make a name and a fortune worthy of -you. And I came home to further that purpose, and to see if there's any -hope for me. Is there, dear?" - -"Oh, Kane, don't talk like that now. Why, just think, Uncle----" - -"I know it, little girl. Uncle isn't yet buried. But when I saw you this -morning, for the first time in so long, and when I saw how beautiful you -have grown, I couldn't wait to tell you of my love and hopes. Tell me I -may hope,--tell me that, Avice." - -"I don't know, Kane. You bewilder me. I never dreamed of this----" - -"What, Avice! Never dreamed of it? Never even _dreamed_ that I loved -you--that you could--some day, love me?" - -Avice blushed and looked down. Perhaps she had dreamed,--just dreamed of -such a thing. - -"Don't ask me about it now, Kane," she said, firmly. "I'm all nervous and -unstrung. These awful excitements following one another so fast and -furious. Oh, I shall break down." The tears came, but Landon said -lightly, "No, you won't, girlie, it's all right. I'm here now to look -after you. But you're right. I mustn't tease you now,--why, I'm back at -my old teasing tricks, amn't I?" - -His strong, frank voice quieted Avice, and she looked up at him as Judge -Hoyt entered the room. - -"Well, Mr. Landon," he said, "I congratulate you on an escape from a -mighty unpleasant predicament. Things looked dark for a few moments back -there. But it all came out right. Queer coincidence, wasn't it?" - -"It was all of that, Judge Hoyt. And it was probably more dangerous -to--to my peace of mind, than I realized at the time. I was pretty much -bewildered at the attack, I can tell you. You see, that was all true -about my call on my uncle, and it looked a little plausible, I suppose." - -"H'm, yes. And are you staying East for a time?" - -"Forever, I hope. I've had enough of the wild and woolly." - -"Mr. Landon will stay here with us," said Avice, decidedly. "I invite him -for an indefinite stay." - -"I hope you'll accept," observed Hoyt. "I'd be glad, Avice, for you to -have a man in the house. There'll be more or less unpleasant publicity -after this and, until it blows over, Mr. Landon can probably save you -from tiresome interviews with reporters, if nothing more." - -"Of course, I can do that. Shall you want to remain in this house Avice, -after the estate is settled?" - -"I don't know yet. Don't let's talk about that now, Kane." - -"All right. What do you make of that crazy telephone message attributed -to me, Judge Hoyt?" - -"Why, Mr. Landon, if you don't mind, I'll not answer that question." - -"But I do mind. I want you to answer it." - -"Want me to answer it honestly?" - -"Honestly, certainly." - -"Then, sir, I think it was you who telephoned." - -"Oh, you do? And I said that somebody had set a trap for my uncle? And I -said I would give him Frangipanni, or whatever it was? And I said I'd -send him to the Caribbean Sea?" - -"You asked me what I thought. You have it. Yes, I think you said these -things, but I think they were some jests between your uncle and yourself -that were perfectly intelligible to you two. I have no reason to think -you were angry at your uncle. Disappointed, doubtless, in not getting the -loan you asked for, but still quite ready to forgive and forget. Now, -honest, am I not right?" - -Kane Landon had a curious look in his eyes. "You're a good guesser," he -said, a little shortly, "but you haven't guessed right this time." - -"Then I beg your pardon, but I still believe whoever telephoned that -farrago of nonsense, had no intent but pleasantry of some sort." - -Eleanor Black came bustling in. She looked strikingly beautiful in her -black gown. Not what is technically known as "mourning," but softly -draped folds of dull, lusterless silk, that threw into higher relief her -clear olive complexion and shining black eyes. - -"A family conclave?" she said, lightly. "May I join? But first may I not -have Mr. Landon duly presented to me?" - -"Oh, surely, you've never really met, have you?" said Avice. "Mrs. Black, -this is my cousin, or the same as cousin, for he's Uncle Rowly's nephew. -Kane, my very good friend, Mrs. Black." - -The two bowed, rather formally, and Mrs. Black murmured some conventional -phrases, to which Landon responded courteously. - -Judge Hoyt took the occasion to draw Avice outside the hall. - -"Let them get acquainted," he said, "and suppose you pay some slight -attention to me. You've had eyes and ears for no one but that cousin ever -since you first saw him this morning. And now you're asking him to live -here!" - -"But you expressed approval of that!" and Avice looked surprised at his -tone. - -"How could I do otherwise at the time? But I don't approve of it, I can -tell you, unless, Avice, dearest, unless you will let us announce our -engagement at once. I mean after your uncle is buried, of course." - -"Announce our engagement! You must be crazy. I've never said I'd marry -you." - -"But you've never said you wouldn't. And you are going to. But all I ask -just now, is that you'll assure me you're not in love with this Lochinvar -who has so unexpectedly come out of the West." - -"Of course, I'm not!" But the emphasis was a little too strong and the -cheek that turned away from him, a little too quickly flushed, to give -the words a ring of sincerity. - -However, it seemed to satisfy Judge Hoyt. "Of course, you're not," he -echoed. "I only wanted to hear you say it. And remember, my girl, you -_have_ said it. And soon, as soon as you will let me, we will talk this -over, but not now. Truly, dear, I don't want to intrude, but you know, -Avice, you must know how I love you." - -With a little gasping sigh Avice drew away the hand Hoyt had taken in his -own, and ran back into the library. - -She found Landon and Eleanor Black in a close conversation that seemed -too earnest for people just introduced. - -"Very well," Eleanor was saying, "let it be that way then. I'll give it -to you this very afternoon. But I am not sure I approve,--" and then, as -she heard Avice enter, she continued, "of--of Western life myself." - -The artifice was not altogether successful. Avice's quick ears detected -the sudden change of inflection of the voice, and the slight involuntary -hesitation. But she ignored it and responded pleasantly to their next -casual remarks. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - A CLAUSE IN THE WILL - - -The funeral ceremonies of Rowland Trowbridge were of the dignity and -grandeur that are deemed necessary for a man of his station in life. -Great men of the financial world, scholars and statesmen had all come to -pay their last respects to the one so suddenly taken from his busy and -forceful career. - -And now, the obsequies over, a group of people were gathered in the -library of the Trowbridge home to hear the reading of the will. - -There was a hush of expectancy as Judge Hoyt produced and read aloud the -document. - -As has already been disclosed there was a bequest of fifty thousand -dollars to Kane Landon. The house and furniture were given unreservedly -to Mrs. Eleanor Black, with fifty thousand dollars in addition. There -were bequests of one thousand dollars each to Miss Wilkinson and to -Terence McGuire, both favorites with their employer. Also a similar sum -to Stryker, the butler, and various smaller sums to other servants and to -a few charities. - -And then came the disposition of the residuary fortune, which, it was -rumored, ran well up into the millions. - -In the words of the will it was set forth that all moneys and properties, -not otherwise designated, were bequeathed to Avice Trowbridge, on the -conditions that "she shall keep my collection of Natural History -Specimens intact, and, within a year duly present it to some worthy -museum; and herself become the wife of Leslie Hoyt. Also, she must add to -said collection not less than twenty-five specimens of certain value -every year. If these conditions are not fulfilled, my niece, Avice, -inherits but fifty thousand dollars of my fortune, and the residue must -form a trust fund, under the supervision of Leslie Hoyt, to be used to -found and endow a museum of Natural History." - -With the exception of Hoyt and Avice, every one present looked astounded -at the terms of the will. And yet it was not surprising that Mr. -Trowbridge desired the union of his niece and his friend. Besides being -the lawyer of the dead man, Hoyt had been his intimate friend and -companion for years, and Hoyt's regard for Avice was no secret. Moreover, -the girl had always looked on the lawyer with friendly eyes, and it had -been assumed by many that they were destined for each other. To be sure, -Avice was only twenty, and Leslie Hoyt was forty-five. But he was a man -who seemed ten years younger than he was, and Avice was mature for her -years. So, while it was a surprise that their union had been made a -condition of the bequest, it was not thought by any one that this fact -would be objectionable to either of the two concerned. - -But Avice looked grave, and an obstinate expression came into her eyes. -Hoyt saw this, and smiled a little as he remembered her aversion to being -_made_ to do a thing, even though she fully intended to do it. It was the -girl's nature to chafe at authority, and Hoyt well knew he would have to -give her free rein in many matters. Of course, having drawn up the will, -he had known of this condition, but this was the first time he had had -opportunity to note how it affected Avice. And it was quite plain that -she was displeased. - -"Then," she burst out, "does my inheritance depend on my marriage to -Judge Hoyt?" - -"Yes," answered Hoyt, himself, smiling at her. - -"Then I refuse it! I will not be told whom I shall marry!" - -"Let us not discuss that now," said Hoyt, gently; "there is time enough -for you to decide that later." - -Avice realized that this was not the time or place for such a discussion, -and said no more. - -Mrs. Black was dissatisfied. Although she had a handsome inheritance, she -well knew that this will had been made before her betrothal to Rowland -Trowbridge, and had he lived to marry her, she would have had much more. -Indeed, the only person who seemed satisfied was Kane Landon. He looked -serenely pleased, and began to make inquiries as to how soon he could -have his share in cash. - -Judge Hoyt looked at him, as if incredulous that any one could be so -mercenary, and rising, went over to sit beside him and discuss the -matter. On his way, Hoyt passed by the boy, Fibsy, and patting his -shoulder, remarked genially, "I'm glad you were remembered, sonny. When -you want to invest your money, let me advise you." - -Fibsy glanced up at the lawyer, and with an inquiring look on his face, -he exclaimed "Vapo-Cottolene!" - -What this cryptic utterance meant, no one could guess; and no one gave it -a second thought, except Landon, who smiled at the red-headed boy and -said, "Yes!" - -As soon as she could do so, Avice escaped to her own room. So this was -her inheritance! A fortune, only if she took also a husband of her -uncle's choice! It had come upon her so suddenly, that she had to -reiterate to herself that it was true. - -"If I'd only known," she thought. "I'm sure I could have persuaded Uncle -Rowly not to do that! I don't blame him so much, for I know he thought I -wanted to marry Leslie, but I never told him I did. I suppose he had a -right to think so,--but--that was all before Kane came back." And then -her thoughts wandered far away from her inheritance, both real and -personal, and concerned themselves with the strange man who had come out -of the West. For he was strange. Landon had abrupt ways and peculiar -attitudes that Avice could not altogether understand. He was so blunt and -breezy. That, of course, was owing to his recent surroundings; then, -again, he was so masterful and dominating, but that he had always been. -Still more, he was incomprehensible. She couldn't understand his curt, -almost rude manner at the time of the inquest proceedings. To be sure, it -was enough to make a man furious to have insinuating questions put to him -about the murder of his uncle,--as if Kane could have known anything of -it!--but, well, he _was_ mysterious in some ways. - -And his attitude toward Eleanor Black. They must have met before or they -never would have talked as absorbedly as they had been doing when Avice -came upon them unexpectedly. And Eleanor was another mysterious one! She -had her inheritance now, and Avice hoped they might separate, never to -meet again. Well, of course, they would, for neither had a desire to -continue living with the other. As for Avice herself, she would go out of -that house at once. But where? That must soon be decided. Then, like a -flooding wave, came back the memory of her uncle's will! She must marry -Judge Hoyt or lose her fortune. She would have some money, to be sure, -but the interest of that, as an income would make life a very different -matter from what it had been! - -And Eleanor would have this house,--to live in, or to sell. Idly she -speculated on this, feeling an undercurrent of satisfaction that the -widow's bequest had not been even larger. - -Then her thoughts reverted to the episode of Mrs. Black's telephoning so -late that night, after the death of her uncle. She remembered she had -secured the telephone number. - -"I've a notion to call up and see who it is," she mused. "I am going to -devote myself to searching out the murderer, and while I don't, of -course, dream that Eleanor had anything to do with it, yet--she is -Italian,--and suppose she is mixed up with some secret -society--oh--well--I'll have to call that number or never rest. I might -as well do it now." - -Unwilling to take a chance of being overheard in the house, Avice dressed -for the street and went out. She said to a maid in the hall, "If any one -asks, say I've gone out for a little breath of air." - -Glad of a walk in the sunshine, she went to the nearest public telephone -booth and called the number. She had a queer feeling of doing wrong, but -she persuaded herself that her motive was a right one. - -"Hello," she heard a man's hearty voice say. - -"Hello," she returned, thoroughly frightened now, but not willing to back -out. "Who is this, please?" - -"Lindsay, Jim Lindsay; who wants me?" - -"But,--but,----" Avice was at her wits' end what to say, "are you--do you -know--that is, are you a friend of Mrs. Black? Eleanor Black?" - -"Don't know the lady. Is this Mrs. Black?" - -"No; but you must know her. She--she talked to you last Tuesday night, -late--very late." - -"Tuesday night? Oh, I wasn't here Tuesday night. A chum of mine had my -rooms; Landon--Kane Landon,--" - -"Who?" - -"Landon. Say, what's the matter? Won't you tell me who you are? What's it -all about? Oh, I beg your pardon, I'm inexcusably butting in! Forgive me, -do. Yes, Kane Landon had these rooms to himself for a night or two while -I was away. I believe he's at a relative's on Fifth Avenue now. Want to -see him?" - -"No--thank you. Good-by." - -Avice hung up the receiver, her brain in a whirl. Had Eleanor, then, been -telephoning to Kane the very night of the murder? What had she said? For -him not to try to see her that night! For him to meet her next day at the -same time and place! Oh, they _were_ old friends, then. More, they were -keeping that fact quiet, and pretending to meet as strangers! Was there, -could there be any connection between all this and the murder? - -Scarce knowing what she was doing, Avice left the booth and went for a -long walk. But she could get no meaning or explanation of the facts she -had learned. The more she mulled them over the more confused she became -as to their import. Her mind turned to Hoyt. After all, Leslie was the -one to bank on. He would help her and advise her as he had always done. -But, that will! She could ask no favors or advice of Judge Hoyt now, -unless she acknowledged herself his betrothed. And was she prepared to do -that? Well, one thing was certain, if Kane was all mixed up with Eleanor -Black, she surely wanted no more to do with him! And he had told her he -loved her. Perhaps because he thought she was her uncle's heiress! Of -course, he did not know then of the clause about her marrying the judge. -Probably now, Kane would have no further interest in her. Well, he could -marry Eleanor, for all she cared! - -She went home, and paused first for a few moments in a small reception -room, to calm her demeanor a little. But, on the contrary, the sight of -the familiar walls and the realization that she was to leave them, struck -a sudden sadness to her already surcharged heart, and she gave way to -silent weeping. And here Hoyt, looking for her, found her. - -"What is it, dearest?" he said, sitting beside her. "I have now a right -to comfort you." - -"Why?" said Avice, throwing back her head and meeting his eyes. - -Hoyt smiled tenderly at her. "Because our betrothal, long tacitly agreed -upon, is now ratified by your uncle's wish and decree." - -"Not at all. Because my uncle wished me to marry you, is no reason that I -am obliged to do so." - -"Not obliged, my darling. That is a harsh word. But you want to, don't -you, my Avice? My beautiful girl!" - -"I don't know whether I do or not. But I'm sure of one thing, I won't -marry you simply because Uncle Rowly wanted it! Much as I loved him, and -much as I revere his memory, I shall not marry a man I don't love for his -sake!" - -"But you do love me, little Avice. You are so worried and perturbed now, -you can't think clearly. But you will find yourself soon, and realize -that you love me as I love you." - -Hoyt spoke very tenderly and the girl's quivering nerves were soothed by -his strong, gentle voice, and his restrained manner. He didn't offer -endearments which she might resent. He knew enough to bide his time, -confident that she would turn to him of her own accord when ready. - -"I don't want to think about marrying now," she said, wearily; "I have so -much to think about." - -And then Leslie Hoyt made his mistake. - -"No, dear, don't think about it now," he said; "but remember, if you -don't marry me, you lose a very big fortune." - -The words were meant to be half playful, half remindful, but they roused -the deepest indignation in the heart of Avice Trowbridge. - -She turned on him with flaming eyes. "How dare you? How can you put forth -such an argument? Do you think that will help your cause? Do you suppose -I would marry any one for a fortune? And any way, as a lawyer you can -find some way to set aside that proviso. It can't be possible a whim like -that can stand in law!" - -Hoyt looked at her intently. "It will stand," he said, coldly; "I do not -use it as a bribe, but I tell you truly, if you do not marry me the bulk -of your uncle's fortune will go to a museum." - -"Can't a will like that be broken?" - -"In no possible way. Your uncle was in full possession of all his -faculties, the will is duly witnessed and recorded, there isn't a flaw -that could be found on which to base a contest. But don't let us talk in -this strain, dear. If you don't want to marry me, you shan't, but you -must realize the situation." - -"I begin to realize it at last. But I cannot decide now. Give me time, -Leslie," and the sweet brown eyes looked appealingly into his. - -"Of course, I will, you darling girl, all the time you want. And please, -Avice, if you want any information or advice, come to me and let me help -you, without feeling that you are committing yourself to anything. You -understand?" - -"Oh, thank you! That is what I wanted. Yes, I do understand, and I bless -you for it. I am very much perplexed, Leslie, but I want to think out -things a little for myself, before I tell you what I'm bothered about." - -"So be it, then. And whenever you're ready, I'm waiting." - -Judge Hoyt went away, and Avice, wandering listlessly through the house, -came upon Eleanor Black. That volatile spirit had already assumed -complete ownership and command of the home that was now all her own. She -was giving orders to the servants in quite a different manner from the -one she had shown as a mere housekeeper, and was already arranging for a -different mode of life. - -"I shall close the house for the summer and go away," she was saying to -Stryker, "and then in the fall there must be complete renovation. Avice, -what are your plans?" - -"Oh, Eleanor, I haven't made any yet. How can you be so hasty? Do have a -little respect for uncle's memory, if you have no sorrow in your heart." - -"Don't trouble yourself to talk to me like that, Avice," and the black -eyes snapped. "There's no need of pretense between us." - -"Then let's lay pretense aside," and the girl's attitude suddenly became -as haughty as the older woman's. "Who is Jim Lindsay?" - -"Mercy! I don't know, I never heard of him. Why?" - -It was impossible to doubt the sincerity of Eleanor's speech and -expression, and Avice was at once sure that it was the truth. - -"Nothing, then. I don't know him either. And Eleanor, I'll talk with you -some time, soon, about our future plans and all that, but I can't just -yet. You don't mind my staying in the house a short time, do you?" - -"Of course, not. Don't be a goose. Stay till you marry Judge Hoyt, if you -will. But I'm going away for the summer." - -"When?" - -"As soon as I can settle up some matters and get off. But you stay here -if you choose. Keep the servants, and get some one to chaperone you. My -dear Avice, look on the place as your home just as long as it suits you -to do so, won't you?" - -The invitation was given in a whole-souled, honest manner, and Avice -really appreciated the kindness that prompted it. - -"Thank you, Eleanor," she said; "I shall be glad to stay for a time, I -can't say yet how long. And it's good of you to be so hospitable." - -"I've asked Mr. Landon to stay a while," Mrs. Black added, "until I go -away, at any rate." - -Avice wanted to ask her then, how long she had known Kane Landon, but -something seemed to restrain the question. So with a few murmured words -of acquiescence, she went her way. - - - - - CHAPTER X - STRYKER'S HANDKERCHIEF - - -It was soon after this, that the reporter, Pinckney, came again to see -Avice. The girl liked the wide-awake young man, and granted him an -interview. - -"Shall I announce your engagement to Judge Hoyt?" he asked, gravely, but -with intense interest. - -"No, indeed!" said Avice, with spirit. - -"You're not going to lose all that fortune?" - -"Not necessarily. But I object to having my engagement announced before -it has taken place! Oh, _do_ all these things have to be in the papers?" - -"Certainly they do; and that's why you'd better tell me the truth than to -have to stand for all the yarns I'd make up." - -"Oh, _don't_ make up a lot of stuff, _please_ don't!" - -"Well, I won't, if you'll give me a few facts to work on. First, do you -think that Swede killed your uncle?" - -"Oh, I don't know what to think! But I'm going to get the best detective -I can find, and let him find out all he can. I believe uncle was killed -by some robber, and his reference to Cain was merely the idea of a -murderer. Uncle often talked that way." - -"Look here, Miss Trowbridge, I don't want to butt in, I'm sure; but I'm a -bit of a detective, myself, in an amateur way. Don't you want me to,--but -I suppose you want a professional." - -"I think I do want a professional," began Avice, slowly; "still Mr. -Pinckney, if you have a taste for this sort of thing, and know how to go -about it, I might work with you more easily than with a professional -detective. I'm going to do a lot myself, you know. I'm not just going to -put the matter in an expert's hands." - -"I hardly know what to say, Miss Trowbridge; I'd like to take up the -case, but I might muff it awfully. I suppose you'd better get the real -thing." - -"Well, until I do, why don't you have a try at it? If you discover -anything, very well; and if not, no harm done." - -Jim Pinckney's face glowed. "That's great of you!" he cried; "I'd like to -take it up on that basis, and if I don't find out anything of importance -in a few days, engage any Sherlock Holmes you like." - -But a few days later when Pinckney again called on Avice, he was in a -discouraged mood. - -"I can't find out anything," he said. "The whole case is baffling. I went -to the scene of the crime, but could find no clues. But, what do you -think, Miss Trowbridge? When I reached the place where they found Mr. -Trowbridge, there was that young office boy, looking over the premises." - -"That Fibsy, as he calls himself?" - -"Yes; I asked him what he was doing, and he said, 'Oh, just pokin' -around,' and he looked so stupid that I feel sure he had found -something." - -"He's just smart enough for that," and Avice smiled a little. - -"Yes, he is. I asked him to come here today, and I thought you and I -would both talk to him, and see if we can learn anything of his find. If -not, I admit I am at the end of my rope, and if you choose, perhaps, -you'd better get a real detective on the case." - -"I spoke to Judge Hoyt about that, and he agreed. But Mr. Landon doesn't -want a detective. Ah, here's Fibsy, now. Come in, child." - -The boy had appeared at the door with a beaming face, but at Avice's -calling him "child," his countenance fell. - -"I ain't no child," he said, indignantly; "and say, Miss Avice, I found -some clues!" - -"Well, what are they?" - -"A shoe button, and a hunk o' dirt." - -"Interesting!" commented Pinckney. "Just what do you deduce from them?" - -Then Fibsy rose up in his wrath. "I ain't a-goin' to be talked to like -that! I won't work on this case no more!" - -"Sorry," said Pinckney, grinning at him. "Then I suppose we'll have to -call in somebody else. Of course, he won't do as well as you, but if -you've decided to throw the case over, why----" - -"Aw, can the guyin'!" and with a red, angry face, Fibsy jumped up and -fairly ran out of the room and out of the house. - -"Now you've made him mad," said Avice, "and we'll never know what he -found in the way of clues." - -"He said, a shoe button, and some mud! We could hardly expect much from -those treasures." - -Then Judge Hoyt came. His calls were frequent, and he continually tried -to persuade Avice to announce their engagement. But the girl was perverse -and said she must first solve the mystery of her uncle's death. The judge -was always willing to listen to her latest theories, but though he never -said so, Avice felt pretty certain that he did not suspect the Swede. - -She told him of Fibsy's finds, and he said curiously, "What did he mean -by mud?" - -"He didn't say mud," corrected Avice, "he said dirt I think he meant soil -or earth." - -"How would that be a clue? Any one can get some soil from the place, if -they don't take too much. A few square feet might be valuable." - -"Why pay any attention to that rubbishy boy?" exclaimed Pinckney. "Why -not get a worth-while detective, and let him detect?" - -"Yes, that's the thing to do," agreed Hoyt. "Duane stands well in the -profession." - -"Alvin Duane! just the man," and Pinckney looked enthusiastic. "But he's -a bit expensive." - -"Never mind that," cried Avice; "I must find uncle's murderer at any -cost!" - -"Then let's have Duane," and Judge Hoyt reached for the telephone book. - -Meantime the administrators of law and justice were pursuing the uneven -tenor of their way, hoping to reach their goal, though by a tortuous -route. - -"It's a mighty queer thing," said District Attorney Whiting, "I'm dead -sure the western chap killed his uncle; we've even got his uncle's word -for it, and yet I can't fasten it on him." - -"But," said the chief of police to whom this observation was addressed, -"aren't you basing your conviction on that curious coincidence of names, -Cain and Kane? To my mind that's no proof at all." - -"Well, it is to me. Here's your man named Kane. He's mad at his victim. -He goes to the place where the old man is. And as he kills him, the old -man says, 'Kane killed me.' What more do you want? Only, as I say, we've -got to have some more definite proof, and we can't get it." - -"Then you can't convict your man. I admit it's in keeping with that young -fellow's western ways to kill his uncle after a money quarrel, but you -must get more direct evidence than you've dug up yet." - -"And yet there's no one else to suspect. No name has been breathed as a -possible suspect; the idea of a highway robber is not tenable, for the -watch and money and jewelry were untouched." - -"What about the Swede?" - -"Nothing doing. If he had killed the man, he certainly would have done it -for robbery? What else? And then he would not have come forward and told -of the dying words. No, the Swede is innocent. There's nobody to suspect -but Landon, and we must get further proofs." - -The District Attorney worked hard to get his further proof. But though -his sleuths searched the woods for clues, none were found. They had the -bare fact that the dying man had denounced his slayer, but no -corroboration of the murderer's identity, and the neighborhood of the -crime was scoured for other witnesses without success. - -The district attorney had never really thought the Swede committed the -murder. A grilling third degree had failed to bring confession and daily -developments of Sandstrom's behavior made it seem more and more -improbable that he was the criminal. - -And so Whiting had come to suspect Kane Landon, and had kept him under -careful watch of detectives ever since the murder, in hope of finding -some further and more definite evidence against him. - -But there were no results and at last the district attorney began to -despair of unraveling the mystery. - -And then Groot made a discovery. - -"That Stryker," he said, bursting in upon Whiting in great excitement, -"that butler,--he's your man! I thought so all along!" - -"Why didn't you say so?" asked the other. - -"Never mind chaffing, you listen. That Stryker, he's been taking out a -big insurance. A paid-up policy, of,--I don't remember how much. But he -had to plank down between eight and nine hundred dollars cash to get it. -And he used his bequest from old Trowbridge to do it!" - -"Well?" - -"Well, here's the point. You know how those premiums work. After Stryker -is sixty years and six months old, he can't get insured at all,--in that -company any way, and at those rates." - -"Well?" - -"Well, and Friend Stryker reaches his age limit next week!" - -"You're sure of this?" - -"Sure, I'm sure! I got it from the agent Stryker dealt with. The old -fellow has been fussing over that insurance off and on for years; and -now, just at the last minute, a man up and dies who leaves him enough -money to get his insurance. Is it a coincidence?" - -"At any rate we must look into it," said Whiting, gravely. "What have you -done?" - -"Done? I've just found this out! Now's the time to begin doing. I'll -search his rooms first, I think, and see if I can nail any sort of -evidence. And by the way, on the day of the murder, it was Stryker's day -out, and he's never given any definite or satisfactory account of how he -spent the afternoon. For one thing, he wasn't definitely asked, for -nobody thought much about him, but now I'll hunt up straws, to see how -the wind blows." - -Groot went off on his straw hunt, and as it turned out, found far more -decided proof of the wind's direction than straws. - -Inspector Collins and he came back together with their news. - -"It's Stryker, all right," said Collins to the district attorney; "the -handkerchief is his." - -"The handkerchief his?" - -"Yes, we found others in his dresser just like it. It's a peculiar -border, quite unmistakable, and the size and textures are the same. Oh, -it's his handkerchief, for sure. And Sandstrom found it, just as he said, -and he was scared out of his wits,--remember he saw the police there with -the body,--so he hid the handkerchief, and was afraid even to wash it." - -"What'd he take it for?" - -"Plain theft. Thought he'd make that much. Same way he took the milk -bottle. Say, maybe Stryker laid a trap for Mr. Trowbridge, and maybe -somebody else did tell him of it, over the telephone, as a warning!" - -"Arrest Stryker as soon as possible," said Whiting, "perhaps we'd better -let the Swede go." - -"Sure let him go. He won't make any trouble. I've got to know him pretty -well, and I sort of like him." Groot's shrewd, old face showed a gleam of -pity and sympathy for the wronged prisoner. "But how could we know it was -Stryker's handkerchief?" - -"Where can we find him? Is he at home?" - -"Guess he is now," returned the detective. "They expected him in about -five o'clock. I'll go to the house myself, and a couple of chaps with the -bracelets can hang around outside till I call 'em." - -At the Trowbridge house, Groot was admitted as usual. His visits had been -rather frequent ever since the crime, but as he had done nothing -definite, the family paid little attention to him. - -He asked for Avice, and found her, with Judge Hoyt, in the library. - -"Come in, Groot," said the lawyer. "What's up now?" - -"Where's the man, Stryker?" asked Groot, in lowered tones. "Is he in?" - -"I think so," said Avice, "he always is, at this hour. Do you want to see -him?" - -"Yes, mighty bad, he's the murderer!" - -"What!" exclaimed both his hearers together. - -"Yes, no doubt about it," and Groot told the story of the handkerchief. - -Avice looked simply amazed, but Judge Hoyt said, "I've looked for this -all along." - -"Whyn't you give us a hint, Judge?" - -"I hadn't enough to base my idea on, to call it a suspicion. I never -thought of the handkerchief being his. As a matter of fact, I rather -thought it was Mr. Trowbridge's own, and that the murderer, whoever he -was, had used it and left it without fear of its incriminating himself. -Surely no one would leave his own handkerchief on the scene of his crime! -Are you sure it's Stryker's?" - -"Positive. But all that can be proved and investigated later. Now we want -to nail our bird and jail him. Will you send for him, Miss Trowbridge?" - -"Certainly," and Avice rang a bell, a sorrowful look coming into her eyes -at thought of suspecting the old servant. - -A parlor-maid appeared, and Avice asked her to send the butler to them. - -"Won't he bolt?" asked Groot, fearing to lose his quarry at the last -moment. - -"Why should he?" said Avice, "any more than yesterday? He doesn't know -he's suspected, does he?" - -"Oh, no, he couldn't know it." - -"Then he'll be here in a minute." - -While waiting, Groot told them, in low tones, about Stryker's insurance -matter. - -"Time up next week!" repeated Judge Hoyt. "That looks bad, very bad. I've -heard Stryker speak of insuring, several times, but I thought nothing -about it. He wasn't asking my advice, merely discussing it as a business -proposition. When I've been here of an evening with Mr. Trowbridge, we -often spoke with Stryker almost as to a friend. He's an old and trusted -servant. I'm desperately sorry to learn all this." - -"So am I," said Avice. "I do want to track down uncle's murderer,--but I -don't want it to be Stryker!" - -The parlor-maid returned. "Miss Avice," she said, "Stryker isn't in the -house." - -"Isn't?" cried Groot, starting up; "where is he?" - -"I don't know, sir, but he can't be far away. The second man says that -Stryker was in his pantry and he answered a telephone call there, and -then he just flung on his hat and coat and went out." - -"He's escaped!" shouted Groot, dashing out of the room and downstairs, -two at a time. - -And he had. Search of the house showed no trace of the vanished butler, -save his belongings in his room. And among these were several -handkerchiefs, indisputably from the same lot as the one found at the -place of the crime. And a further search of the rooms of every inmate of -the household showed no other such handkerchief. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - DUANE THE DETECTIVE - - -Having learned from Avice of Stryker's relatives, Groot sought the butler -at the home of his daughter. - -"No," said Mrs. Adler, a scared-looking young woman, "I don't know where -father is. I haven't seen him for a day or two. But he can't be lost." - -"He's in hiding, madam," said Groot, "and he must be found. Are you sure -he's not here?" - -"Of course, I'm sure. What do you want of him, anyway? My husband is very -ill, and I wish you wouldn't bother me about it. I don't believe anything -has happened to my father, but if there has, I don't know anything of it. -You'll have to excuse me now, I'm very busy." She didn't exactly shut the -door in his face, but she came near it, and Groot went away uncertain as -to whether she was telling the truth or not. - -"I wish I'd searched the house," he thought. "If Stryker doesn't turn up -soon, I will." - -Stryker didn't turn up soon, and Groot and his men did search the house -of Mrs. Adler and her sick husband, but with no result. - -The daughter was apathetic. "Poor father," she said, "I wonder where he -is. But I'm so worried about Mr. Adler, I can think of nothing else." - -There was cause, indeed, for the wife's anxiety, for Adler was in the -late stages of galloping consumption. And the harassed woman, none too -well fixed with this world's goods, was alone, caring for him. Groot's -humanity was touched and he forbore to trouble her further. - -"Stryker's decamped, that's all," Groot said; "and flight is confession. -It's clear enough. He wanted this insurance of his for his daughter, the -agent told me the policy is payable to her, and he had to take it out -before his age limit was reached. He knew of the legacy coming to him, -and in order to get his insurance, he hastened the realization of his -fortune." - -It did look that way, for Avice and Mrs. Black agreed that Stryker was -devoted to his daughter, and they knew of her husband's desperate -illness. Knew too, that she would be left penniless, and was herself -delicate and unfit for hard work. Stryker could support her while he -lived, but to leave her an income from his life insurance was his great -desire. Judge Hoyt, too, said that he knew of this from conversations he -had himself had with Stryker. But he had supposed the butler had saved up -funds for his insurance premium. He now learned that the support and care -of the sick man had made this impossible. - -So Stryker was strongly suspected of the crime, and every effort was made -to find the missing man. - -Meantime Alvin Duane came. Though alleged to be a clever detective, he -admitted he found little to work upon. - -"It is too late," he said, "to look for clues on the scene of the crime. -Had I been called in earlier, I might have found something, but after -nearly a fortnight of damp, rainy weather, one can expect nothing in the -way of footprints or other traces, though, of course, I shall look -carefully." - -Duane was a middle-aged, grizzled man, and though earnest and serious, -was not a brilliant member of his profession. He had, he said himself, no -use for the hair-trigger deductions of imaginative brains which, oftener -than not, were false. Give him good, material clues, and attested -evidence, and he would hunt down a criminal as quickly as anybody, but -not from a shred of cloth or a missing cuff-link. - -Eleanor Black, with her dislike of detectives of all sorts, was openly -rude to Duane. He was in and out of the house at all hours; he was -continually wanting to intrude in the individual rooms, look over Mr. -Trowbridge's papers, quiz the servants, or hold long confabs with Avice -or Kane Landon or herself, until she declared she was sick of the very -sight of him. - -"I don't care," Avice would say; "if he can find the murderer, he can go -about it any way he chooses. He isn't as sure that Stryker's guilty as -Mr. Groot is. Mr. Duane says if Stryker did it, it was because somebody -else hired him or forced him to do it." - -"Well, what if it was? I can't see, Avice, why you want to keep at it. -What difference does it make who killed Rowland? He is dead, and to find -his murderer won't restore him to life. For my part, I'd like to forget -all the unpleasant details as soon as possible. I think you are morbid on -the subject." - -"Not at all! It's common justice and common sense to want to punish a -criminal, most of all a murderer! Judge Hoyt agrees with me, and so does -Kane----" - -"Mr. Landon didn't want you to get Mr. Duane, you know that." - -"I do know it, but only because Kane thought the mystery too deep ever to -be solved. But I am willing to spend a lot of money on it, and Judge Hoyt -is willing to share the expense if it becomes too heavy for me alone." - -"The judge would do anything you say, of course. I think you treat him -abominably, Avice. You're everlastingly flirting with Mr. Landon, and it -grieves Judge Hoyt terribly." - -"Don't bother about my love affairs, Eleanor. I can manage them." - -"First thing you know, you'll go too far, and Judge Hoyt will give you -up. He won't stand everything. And where will your fortune be then?" - -"You alarm me!" said Avice, sarcastically. "But when I really need -advice, my dear Eleanor, I'll ask you for it." - -"Oh, don't let's quarrel. But I do wish you'd see your detective friends -somewhere else. If it isn't Mr. Duane, it's that Groot or young Pinckney, -and sometimes that ridiculous office boy with the carrot head." - -"His hair _is_ funny, isn't it? But Fibsy is a little trump. He's more -saddened at Uncle Rowly's death than lots of better men." - -"Hasn't he found another place to work yet?" - -"He's had chances, but he hasn't accepted any so far." - -"Well, he's a nuisance, coming round here as he does." - -"Why, you needn't see him, Eleanor. He can't trouble you, if he just -comes now and then to see me. And anyway, he hasn't been here lately at -all." - -"And I hope he won't. Dear me, Avice, what good times we could have if -you'd let up on this ferreting. And you know perfectly well it will never -amount to anything." - -"If you talk like that, Eleanor, I'll go and live somewhere else. Perhaps -you'd rather I would." - -"No, not that,--unless you'd really prefer it. But I do hate detectives, -whether they're police, professional or amateur." - -Avice repeated this conversation to Duane, and he proposed that they have -some of their interviews in his office, and he would then come to the -house less frequently. - -So, Avice went to his office and found it decidedly preferable to talk in -a place where there was no danger of being overheard by servants or -friends. - -After due consideration she had concluded to tell the detective about -Eleanor's telephone message the night of the murder and her own -subsequent call of the same number. - -"This is most important," said Duane, "why didn't you tell me sooner?" - -"For one thing, Mrs. Black was always within hearing at home, and I -didn't like to." - -"I think I'll go right now to see this Lindsay; he may give us some -valuable information." - -And Lindsay did. - -He was a frank, outspoken young man and told Duane all he knew which was -considerable. - -"Of course, I read all about the murder that the papers told," he said, -"but I always felt there was more to come. What about that housekeeper -person?" - -"Mrs. Black?" - -"Yes. I've not wanted to butt in, but she was described in the papers and -then,--well, it's a queer thing,--but some sweet-voiced fairy called me -up one day and asked me if I knew Mrs. Black!" - -"Perhaps that was the lady herself," said Duane, who knew better. - -"Don't think so. Sounded more like some damsel in distress. Voice -quivered and all that sort of thing. And she said that the Black person -had called up this number the very night of the murder! What do you think -of that?" - -"Strange!" murmured Duane. - -"Yes, sir, strange enough, when you realize that Kane Landon occupied -these rooms of mine that night." - -"How did that happen?" - -"Well, Landon is an old friend of mine,--used to be, that is,--and when -he blew in from Denver, with no home and mother waiting for him, and I -was just flying off for a few days out of town, I said, 'Bunk here,' and -he gratefully did. Then next thing I know, he's gone off to his uncle's -inquest, leaving a note of thanks and farewell! Queer, if you ask me!" - -"I do ask you. And I ask you, too, if you're casting any reflection on -Mr. Landon himself?" - -"Oh, not that, but you'd think he'd come to see me, or something." - -"Yes, I'd think so. Did he talk to you of money matters?" - -"Not to any great extent. Said he had a big mining proposition that meant -a fortune if he could get the necessary advance capital. Said he hoped to -get it from his uncle." - -"Not meaning by a legacy?" - -"Oh, no. Said he was going to bone the old man for it. Which he did, -according to the yarn of a fresh office boy." - -"Well, Mr. Lindsay, I'm glad you're so frank in this matter. Do you know -anything further of interest regarding Kane Landon?" - -"I'm not sure. What does this housekeeper look like?" - -"Rather stunning. Handsome, in a dark, foreign way. Big, black eyes, -and--" - -"Look like an adventuress?" - -"Yes, I must admit that term describes her." - -"Black, glossy hair, 'most covering her ears, and mighty well groomed?" - -"Exactly." - -"Then Kane Landon met that woman by appointment Tuesday afternoon,--the -day of his uncle's murder." - -"Where?" - -"In the Public Library. They didn't see me, but I was attracted at the -sight of this beautiful woman on one of the marble benches in one of the -halls, evidently waiting for somebody. Then Landon came and he greeted -her eagerly. She gave him a small packet, wrapped in paper, and they -talked so earnestly they didn't see me at all. I was only there for a -short time, to look up a matter of reference for some people I was -visiting. We had motored in from Long Island,--Landon was then in my -rooms, you know." - -"What time was this?" - -"Just half-past two. I know, because I had told my people I'd meet them -again at three, and I wanted a half hour for my research, and had it, -too." - -"This is most important, Mr. Lindsay. You are prepared to swear it all as -a witness, if called on?" - -"Oh, it's all true, of course. But, I say, I don't want to get old Landon -in trouble." - -"It doesn't necessarily imply that. Perhaps Mrs. Black may be implicated -more than we have supposed. But he, I understand, denies knowing the lady -until meeting her here, after his uncle's death." - -"Nonsense, he knew her for years out in Denver. They are old friends." - -"That, too, is of importance. Why should he wish to pretend they were -not?" - -"I don't know, I'm sure. But Landon always was a queer Dick. You know he -left college before he was graduated, because of a quarrel with this same -uncle. Mr. Trowbridge was putting him through, and they had a tiff about -something, and Kane chucked it all, and went off out West. Been there -ever since, till just now, and it's a pity he hadn't stayed there rather -than to get mixed up in this affair." - -"You consider him mixed up in it, then?" - -"I wouldn't say that, but I know the police are still hinting at his -possible connection with the matter and the Press, you know, will try to -hang the crime on to somebody worth while. They don't want to suspect -highwaymen or Swedish passers-by, if they can get a man higher up. Now, -do they?" - -"I can't say. I've only just begun on this case, and I wish I'd been -called sooner. It's a great thing to get in at the beginning----" - -"Yes, when the clues are fresh. Well, if I can help you in any way, call -on me. Landon is my friend, but if he's innocent, investigation won't -hurt him, and if he's implicated, he ought to be shown up." - -Alvin Duane went away, full of new theories. If Kane Landon did kill his -uncle, here were several bits of corroborative evidence. If Mrs. Black -was an old friend of his, and they had pretended otherwise, that was a -suspicious circumstance in itself. And if they were both entirely -innocent and unconnected in any way with the murder, why did they meet -secretly in the library instead of openly at the Trowbridge home? These -things must be explained, and satisfactorily, too. - -Also, what was in the package that she went there to give him? Lindsay -had said it was about the size of a brick, but flatter. Was it, could it -have been a handkerchief of Stryker's? Duane's brain was leaping wildly -now. Supposing these two conspirators were responsible for the murder. -Supposing Kane had been the subject of his uncle's dying words, and had -himself committed the deed, might it not be that the adventuress (as he -already called Mrs. Black) had brought him a handkerchief of the butler's -in deliberate scheming to fasten the crime on Stryker! That Landon had -left it there purposely, and that Stryker discovering this, had fled, in -fear of being unable to prove his innocence. - -All theory, to be sure, but well-founded theory backed by the recorded -facts, which Duane had studied till he knew them by heart. - -Then the telephone caller who said "Uncle" was really the nephew, and the -"stephanotis" and Caribbean Sea were jokes between the two, or as was -more likely, figments of the stenographer's fertile brain. - -On an impulse, Duane went to see Miss Wilkinson, the stenographer, and -verify his ideas. - -"You're sure it was a man's voice?" he asked her. - -"Sure," she replied, always ready to reiterate this, though she had been -quizzed about it a dozen times. - -"Do you think it could have been Mr. Landon?" - -"Yes, I think it could have been Mr. Landon, or Mr. Stryker, or the -President of the United States. There isn't anybody I _don't_ think it -could have been! I tell you the voice was purposely disguised. Sort of -squeaky and high pitched. So _can't_ you see that it was really a man -with a natchelly low voice? You detectives make me tired! I give you the -straight goods that it was a disguised voice, and so, unreckonizable. -Then you all come round and say, 'was it this one?' 'was it that one?' I -tell you I don't _know_. If I'd a known whose voice it was, I'd a told at -the inquest. I ain't one to keep back the weels of justice, I ain't!" - -"Never mind the voice then. Tell me again of those queer words----" - -"Oh, for the land's sake! I wish I'd never heard 'em! Well, one was -stephanotis,--got that? It's a _very_ expensive puffume, and the next man -that asks me about it, has got to gimme a bottle. I had a bottle -onct----" - -"I know, I know," said Duane, hastily, "that's how you came to know the -name." - -"Yep. Now, go on to the Caribbean Sea." The blonde looked cross and -bored. "No, I _don't_ know why anybody invited Mr. Trowbridge to the -Caribbean; if I had I'd been most pleased to tell long ago. But somebody -did. I heard it as plain as I hear you now. Yes, I'm sure it _was_ the -Caribbean Sea, and not the Medtranean nor the Red Sea nor the Bay of -Oshkosh! So there, now. Anything else this morning?" - -"How pettish you are!" - -"And so would you be if everybody was a pesterin' you about them old -words. Can I help it if the man talked Greek? Can I help it if he -squeaked his voice so's I couldn't reckonize it? I gave my testimony and -it was all recorded. Why can't you read that over and let me alone, I'd -like to know!" - -But after a pleasant little gift of a paper, fresh from the United States -Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Miss Wilkinson grew a little more sunny -tempered. - -"No," she said, in answer to Duane's last question, "I can't quite -remember whether the voice said _he_ had set a trap or somebody else had -set one. But I'm positive he said one or the other. And he said the trap -was set for Mr. Trowbridge,--whoever set it." - - - - - CHAPTER XII - A NEW THEORY - - -Alvin Duane had to report to Avice and to Judge Hoyt the result of his -interview with Lindsay. - -The detective had an idea that Avice would be far from pleased at the -possible incrimination of Kane Landon. Duane knew that Miss Trowbridge -was reported engaged to Judge Hoyt, but he had seen and heard her in -conversation with the judge, and to his astute observation she did not -seem desperately in love with him. This, to be sure, was none of his -business, but he greatly desired to find out just where the affections of -his young employer lay. Moreover, he had a slight suspicion that the girl -was a little jealous of the beautiful widow's attractions, but whether -this jealousy was directed toward Landon or the judge he did not know. -And he chose his own method of discovering. - -Avice came to his office by appointment to learn his news. Duane greeted -her, looking admiringly at the slender figure, so pathetic in its dull -black draperies. But there was a vivid color in the girl's cheeks, and a -sparkle of excitement in her eyes, as she sat down, eager to learn the -latest developments. - -"Mr. Duane," she said, "I see by your very manner that you learned -something from my unknown friend, Mr. Lindsay." - -"I did," and Duane looked mysterious and important. - -"Well, tell me! I am all impatience!" - -Pursuing the plan he had formulated to himself, he said, impressively, -"I've a new theory." - -"Yes," said the girl, breathlessly. - -"I think Mrs. Black is the criminal," he declared, bluntly. - -Avice almost laughed. "How absurd!" she said. "Why, Mrs. Black was with -me all that afternoon." - -"That's just it! She stayed and kept you at home on purpose. I don't mean -she actually committed the murder, but she instigated it." - -"And who was her accomplice?" - -"Stryker, the house man, of course." - -Avice began to be a little interested. She had never really liked -Stryker. He seemed to her shifty and deceitful. "But how?" she asked. - -"Easy enough. The man simply took a knife from the kitchen, followed his -master to the woods, and waylaid him." - -"How did he know Uncle Rowly was going to the woods?" - -"He telephoned him at his office to go to Van Cortlandt Park. You -remember the stenographer said the man who telephoned called Mr. -Trowbridge 'Uncle'." - -"And Stryker did that?" - -"Yes; to be misleading." - -"But Stryker didn't know Kane Landon had come on from the West." - -"Yes, he did. Landon telephoned the night before. You were all out and -Stryker took the message." - -"How do you know?" - -"I have ferreted it all out from the other servants. The facts, I -mean,--not my deductions from them." - -"Have you spoken to them about Stryker?" - -"No; I wanted to speak to you about it first." - -"Mr. Duane, I will be frank with you. I don't want Kane Landon suspected -of this crime. I know he is innocent. I know, too, that some evidence -seems to be against him. But that is only seeming. He is entirely -innocent. Now, if Stryker is innocent, also, I don't want to direct -suspicion to him. And it doesn't seem to me you have any real evidence -against him." - -"But, my theory is that he was only a tool in the hands of the principal -criminal." - -"Mrs. Black?" - -"Yes." - -"Preposterous! Incredible!" - -"Not at all. Mrs. Black was engaged to your uncle, but she did not love -him. She was marrying for a fortune. Then she heard that Landon, whom she -has known for years, was coming East, and she connived with Stryker to -put the old gentleman out of the way." - -"Uncle Rowly was only in the fifties, that is not old." - -"Old compared with Kane Landon. And as I told you, Miss Trowbridge, this -is largely theory. But many facts support it, and it ought to be looked -into." - -"Then the thing to do, is to lay it before Judge Hoyt. He will know what -is the best way to sift the theory to a conclusion." - -But when the three were together in Hoyt's office, and Duane told the -whole story of his interview with Jim Lindsay, the detective laid aside -his pretence of still suspecting Stryker and enumerated his reasons for -looking in the direction of Landon. - -"That must be a true bill about his meeting that adventuress in the -library," he argued; "it couldn't have been anybody else but Mrs. Black." - -"Why couldn't it?" Avice spoke fiercely, and her brown eyes were full of -indignant amazement at the tale Duane had told. - -"Lindsay saw her picture in the papers, and anyway, it all fits in. You -see, those two were pals in Denver, and they kept it quiet. That's enough -to rouse suspicion in itself. The old butler is no sort of a suspect. To -be sure he wanted the money to get his insurance before the time was up, -but he wouldn't commit murder for that----" - -"Why wouldn't he?" demanded Avice, "as likely as that a man's own nephew -would do it?" - -"He isn't an own nephew," said Judge Hoyt, slowly. "I don't want to -subscribe to your theory, Duane, but I'm startled at this library story. -Of course, Landon had a right to meet anybody he chose and wherever he -chose, but why keep secret his previous acquaintance with the widow?" - -"He might have lots of good reasons for that," and Avice looked -pleadingly at the judge. "Don't _you_ turn against him, Leslie; you know -him too well to think him capable of crime." - -"Of the two I would rather it had been Stryker," said the judge, "but we -can't ignore definite evidence like this. Did Mrs. Black go out that -afternoon, Avice?" - -"Yes," replied the girl, unwillingly. "She went out soon after luncheon -and stayed about an hour." - -"Time to go to the library and back. Duane, you're drawing a long bow, to -jump at the conclusion that the housekeeper took a handkerchief of -Stryker's, to be used as a false clue that would incriminate the butler! -It's almost _too_ much of a prearranged performance." - -"Of course it is!" cried Avice. "Kane is a firebrand and impulsive and -hotheaded, but he's not a deliberate criminal! If he killed Uncle -Rowly,--which he never did, never!--he did it in the heat of a quarrel, -or under some desperate provocation. I wish you had never come to us, Mr. -Duane! I don't want Stryker found guilty, but I'd a thousand times rather -he did it than Kane. I dismiss you, Mr. Duane. You may give up the case, -and tell no one of these wrong and misleading circumstances you've -discovered." - -"Wait, wait, Avice," and Judge Hoyt spoke very gently; "we can't lay -aside evidence in that way. These things must be looked into. They must -be told to the district attorney, and investigated, then if Landon is -innocent, as he doubtless is, he can explain all that now looks dark -against him." - -"Don't accuse _him_!" flared Avice, "go to Eleanor Black, and ask her -what was in the parcel she took to Kane. She is the wrongdoer, if either -of them is. She telephoned him that night of Uncle's death, and she -said----" - -"What did she say?" asked Hoyt, as Avice stopped short. - -Compelled by the insistent glances of the two men, Avice went on: "She -said she'd meet him the next day at the same time and place. That proves -there was nothing wrong about it." - -It didn't prove this conclusively to her two listeners, and they quizzed -her further until she admitted that she had reason to think that Landon -and Mrs. Black had known each other before Avice had introduced them. - -"How do you explain that," asked Duane, "unless they were concealing -something,--some plan or a secret of some sort?" - -"And suppose they were! It needn't have been anything connected with -Uncle Rowly's death. If they knew each other in Denver, all the more -likely they had business of some sort that they didn't care to have -known." - -The girl was arguing against her own suspicions as much as against -theirs. A terrible fear clutched at her heart, and surging emotions -choked her speech. For, as she pictured Kane as a suspected criminal, -came the even more heartrending thought that he was in love with Eleanor -Black! Quickly to Avice's sensitive intuitions came the conviction that -Landon would not be holding secret conferences and having secrets with -Eleanor unless they were or had been lovers. And yet, he had told Avice -he loved her. But, granting all this she was hearing today, what faith -could she put in his speech or actions? - -"I can only repeat what I said, Mr. Duane," she asserted, with dignity, -"I hereby release you from your engagement on this case, and I will -willingly pay you for the time you have wasted,--worse than wasted! And I -hope never to see you again!" Here Avice was unable longer to control her -tears. - -Greatly distressed, Judge Hoyt attempted to soothe her, but met only with -rebuff. - -"You're just as bad," she sobbed. "You, too, want to prove Kane mixed up -in this, when you know he isn't--he couldn't be!----" - -"There, Avice, there, dear, dry your eyes and go home now. I will talk -this over with Mr. Duane, and if there is any way of disproving or -discrediting this evidence, rest assured----" - -"Oh, can you do that, Leslie?" and the girl looked up hopefully; "isn't -there a thing called 'striking out' anything you don't want to use -against a person?" - -"That's a broad view of it," and Judge Hoyt smiled a little, "but you run -along, dear, and after a confab with Mr. Duane, I'll come up and tell you -all about it." - -The confab wound up by a trip to the office of the district attorney. The -situation was too grave to allow of what Avice called "striking out"! If -Landon and Mrs. Black were implicated in suspicious collusion, the matter -must be sifted to the bottom. - -District Attorney Whiting eagerly absorbed the new facts recounted to -him, and fitted them into some he had of his own knowledge. - -Landon had sent fifty thousand dollars to the mining company of Denver in -which he was interested. He had not yet realized on his inheritance, for -the estate had not been settled, but he had doubtless borrowed on his -prospective legacy. This proved nothing, except that he had been most -anxious for the large sum of money, and had utilized his acquisition of -it as soon as possible. - -"We must get at this thing adroitly," counseled Judge Hoyt. "Landon is a -peculiar chap, and difficult to bait. If he thinks we suspect him, he's -quite capable of bolting, I think. Better try to trip up the housekeeper. -She's a vain woman, amenable to flattery. Perhaps if Mr. Groot went to -her, ostensibly suspecting,--say, Stryker,--he could learn something -about her relations with Landon. And by the way, how are you going to -find Stryker?" - -"Through his daughter," Whiting replied. "That butler is no more the -murderer than I am; and he is hiding, because he's afraid of that -handkerchief clue." - -"It is certainly an incriminating piece of evidence," observed Hoyt. - -"It is. But not against the butler. That handkerchief is a plant. On the -face of it, it is certainly too plain an indication to be the real thing. -No, sir, the murderer, whoever he was, stole the butler's handkerchief to -throw suspicion on the butler. And who could do this so easily as the -housekeeper, or some member of the household, who had access to Stryker's -room? Landon wasn't at the house, that we know of, before the murder, -therefore, the theory of the housekeeper bringing the handkerchief to him -at their library interview, just fits in and makes it all plausible." - -"It may be," said Judge Hoyt, looking doubtful; "it may possibly be, -Whiting; but go slowly. Don't jump at this, to me, rather fantastic -solution. Track it down pretty closely, before you spring it on the -public." - -"All of that, Judge Hoyt! I've no idea of spiking my own guns by telling -all this too soon. But there's work to be done, and first of all we must -find that butler. If he can be made to think we don't accuse him, he'll -come round, and we may learn a lot from him. We missed our chances in not -questioning him more closely at first." - -Meantime Avice had gone home, and on the way, her mood had changed from -sorrow to anger. She was angry at herself for having insisted on the -employing of Alvin Duane. She remembered how Kane had opposed it, but she -was so zealous in her hunt for justice that she ignored all objections. -She was angry at Kane for hobnobbing with Eleanor Black, and also for -deceiving her about their previous acquaintance. She was angry at Eleanor -for knowing Kane and pretending that they were strangers. She was angry -at Judge Hoyt for not dismissing Duane and obliterating even from his own -memory all that stuff the detective had discovered. She was furiously -angry at Duane, but that was a helpless, blind sort of rage that reacted -upon herself for engaging him. - -And so, her tears had dried and her quivering nerves had tautened -themselves when she reached the house, and she went in, determined to -attack Eleanor Black herself, and learn the truth of her acquaintance -with Kane. - -But as soon as she entered, she came upon Landon and Mrs. Black in the -little reception room, in close confab. - -"Come in," said the widow, "come in and talk to us." - -"We won't have time for much conversation," said Landon, looking at his -watch, "I want Mrs. Black to go out with me on an errand. May I order the -car?" - -"Certainly," said Mrs. Black, smiling. "I want all my guests to feel at -liberty to give any orders they choose." Her smile included Avice and -gave the girl that uncomfortable feeling that always manifested itself -when the ex-housekeeper asserted herself as mistress of the place. - -"Please, Avice, don't look like that," said Eleanor, with an injured air. -"I want you to look on this house as home just as long as you choose to -do so. And, indeed, you may continue in charge of it, if that is what you -want." - -"Car's here," sang out Landon. "Come on, Eleanor." - -"Eleanor!" thought Avice, as the two went away. She had never heard him -call her that before, and it struck her like a chill. And yet she felt -sure there was a strong friendship, if not something deeper between them, -and she must be prepared for even endearing terms. - -But Avice, despite her quick anger, was of a nature born to make -sacrifices. She could do anything to help those she loved, and she had -suddenly realized that she did love Landon. So without thought of reward, -she began to plan how she could help him. - -She turned from the window without even wondering where they were going; -only conscious of a vague, dull longing, that she felt now, would never -be gratified. - -And then, Harry Pinckney came, for one of his rather frequent calls. -Avice was glad Eleanor was out as she so objected to the sight of a -detective, and the young reporter had added that line of work to his own. - -"I know where Stryker is," were his first words, after they had exchanged -greetings. - -"You do! Where?" - -"At his daughter's. Been there all the time. That Mrs. Adler is a -splendid actress, but she was a little too unconcerned about her father's -disappearance to fool me. I pinned her down, and I'm practically sure -he's in her house, or she knows where he is. But I've told the police and -they'll rout him out. I'm to have the scoop. I hope they find him soon." - -"And," Avice held herself together, "who will be the next suspect?" - -"Dunno. Old Groot has his eye on Kane Landon, but he's got no evidence to -speak of. I don't care two cents for that 'Cain' remark. I mean I don't -for a minute think it implicates Kane Landon." - -"Bless you for that!" Avice said, but not aloud. - -"However," Pinckney went on, "they've got something new up their sleeves. -They wouldn't tell me what,--I've just come from headquarters,--but -they're excited over some recent evidence or clue." - -"Have you any reason to think it refers to Mr. Landon?" - -Pinckney looked at her narrowly. "I hate to reply to that," he said, "for -I know it would hurt you if I said yes." - -"And you'd have to say yes, if you were truthful?" - -"I'm afraid I should, Miss Trowbridge. Honest, now, isn't there a chance -that he is the one?" - -"Oh, no, no! But, Mr. Pinckney, tell me something. Supposing, just -supposing for a minute, that it might be Kane,--you know he's been out -West for five years, and out there they don't look on killing as we do -here, do they?" - -"What have you in mind? A sheriff rounding up a posse of bad men, or a -desperado fighting his captor, or just a friendly shooting over a card -game--have you been reading dime novels?" - -"No. It's just a vague impression. I thought they didn't call killing -people murder----" - -"Yes, they do, if it's murder in cold blood. Westerners only kill in -avenging justice or in righteous indignation." - -"Really? I'm glad you told me that. Do you know, Mr. Pinckney, I'm not -going to sit quietly down and let Kane be accused of this thing. I don't -know whether he did it or not, but he's going to have his chance. I know -him pretty well, and he's so stubborn that he won't take pains to appear -innocent even when he is. That sounds queer, I know, but you see, I know -Kane. He is queer. If that boy is innocent, and I believe he is, he would -be so sure of it himself that he'd make no effort to convince others; and -he'd let himself be misjudged, perhaps, even arrested through sheer -carelessness." - -"It is, indeed, a careless nature that will go as far as that!" - -"It isn't only carelessness; it's a kind of pig-headed stubbornness. He's -always been like that." - -"And if he should be guilty?" - -"Then,--" and Avice hesitated, "then, I think he'd act just exactly the -same." - -"H'm, a difficult nature to understand." - -"Yes, it is. But I'm going to see that he is understood, and,--Mr. -Pinckney, you're going to help me, aren't you?" - -"To the last ditch!" and Harry Pinckney then and there, silently, but -none the less earnestly, devoted his time, talent and energies to -upholding the opinions of Avice Trowbridge, whatever they might be, and -to helping her convince the world of their truth. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - FIBSY FIBS - - -As the district attorney had surmised, Stryker was in hiding, under the -protection of his daughter. Mrs. Adler was a clever young woman, and -having undertaken to keep her father safe from the police investigation, -she did so remarkably well. - -But being assured that there was no reason for apprehension if he had not -committed the murder, Stryker decided to face the music. He had feared -being railroaded to jail because of his handkerchief having been found in -the wood, but a certainty of fair play gave him courage, and he emerged -from the house of his daughter's neighbor, with a trembling step, but an -expression of face that showed plainly relief at the cessation of strain. - -"Yes, I kept father over to Mrs. Gedney's," said Mrs. Adler, "'cause I -wasn't going to have him all pestered up with an everlastin' troop o' -p'licemen, when he handn't done nothin'. I have my sick husband to nurse -and wait on, and I can't have detectives traipsin' in here all the time. -Oh, don't talk to me about the law. I ain't afraid. My father is as -innercent as a babe, but he flusters awful easy, and a policeman after -him makes him that put about, he don' know where he's at. So, I says, -I'll jest put him out o' harm's way fer a while till I see how the cat -jumps." - -"But as an intelligent woman, Mrs. Adler," began Mr. Groot, "you must -know----" - -"I know what I know; and I'm a wife and a daughter long 'fore I'm an -intellergent woman. Don't you come none o' that kind of talk over me. You -want my father, there he is. Now talk to him, if you can do so peaceably, -but don't give him no third degree, nor don't fuss him all up with a lot -o' law terms what he don't understand. Talk nice to him an' he'll tell -you a heap more'n if you ballyrag him all to pieces!" - -Groot realized the force of this argument, "talked nice" to Stryker, he -learned the old man's story. - -He had been anxious to take out an insurance policy for his daughter -before it became too late for him to do so; but, he affirmed, he did not -kill his master for the purpose. The agent had been after him frequently, -of late, to urge him to borrow the money for the premium. But this, Mrs. -Adler did not want him to do, for, she argued, the interest on the loan -and the premiums would counterbalance the value of the policy. They had -had many discussions of the subject, for Mr. Adler, a very sick man, had -wanted to die knowing that his wife had some provision for her old age. -His illness precluded any insurance on his own life. - -Not interested in these minute details, Groot questioned Stryker closely -about the handkerchief. - -"I don't know," Stryker said. "I don't know, I'm sure, how my kerchief -got into those woods, but I do know I didn't take it there." - -"Could it have been taken from your room?" - -"It must 'a' been. Leastways, unless it was taken from the clothes line -on a wash day,--or mebbe it blew off and was picked up by somebody -passin'." - -Though not extremely probable, these were possibilities, and they had not -been thought of before by Groot or his colleagues. - -"There's something in that," he agreed, "now, Mr. Stryker, don't get -excited, but where were you Tuesday afternoon, the day that Mr. -Trowbridge was killed?" - -"I know all where I was, but it's sort o' confused in my mind. I was to -the insurance agent's; and I was to the doctor's to be sized up for that -same insurance, if I did decide to take it out; and then I dropped in to -see my daughter, and her man was so sick I thought his last hour had -come, and I ran over for a neighbor, and somehow I was so upset and -bothered with one thing and another that the more I try to straighten out -in my mind the order of those things, the more mixed up I get. You see, -it was my day out, and that always flusters me anyhow. I'm not so young -as I was, and the onusualness of getting into street clothes and going -out into the world, as it were, makes me all trembly and I can't remember -it afterward, like I can my routine days. And then when I did go home -that night, first thing I knew master didn't come home to dinner! That -never had happened before, unless we knew beforehand. Well, then Mis' -Black she ate alone, and Miss Avice, she didn't eat at all, and there was -whisperin' and goin's on, and next thing I knew they told me master was -dead. After that nothing is clear in my mind. No, sir, everything is a -blur and a mist from that time on. That there inquest, now, that's just -like a dream,--a bad dream." - -"Then," and Groot egged him gently on, "then, about the night you left -the Trowbridge house. Why did you do that?" - -Stryker looked sly, and put his finger to his lips. "Ah, that night! -Well, if you'll believe me, I heard them talking in the library. You -know, sir, I've a right anywhere on the two floors. I ain't like the -other servants, I've a right,--so as I was a passin', I overheard Mr. -Duane say as how _I_ was the murderer! Me, sir! Me, as loved my master -more than I can tell you. Sir, I didn't know what I was doing then, I -just got out. I heard 'em say they had pos'tive proof, and somethin' -about a handkerchief, and I remembered the sight of that handkerchief I'd -seen--oh, well, oh, Lord--oh, Lord! _I_ didn't do it!" The old man's -voice rose to a shriek and Mrs. Adler exclaimed. "There now, you've set -him off! I knew you would! Now, he'll have hystrics, and it'll take me -all night to get him ca'med down, and me with Mr. Adler on my hands and -him always worse at night----" - -"Wait a minute," commanded Groot. "I'm nearly through, and then I'll go -away and he can have his hysterics in peace. Go on, Stryker, finish up -this yarn. What did you do when you heard Mr. Duane accuse you?" - -Stryker looked at him solemnly and blinked in an effort to concentrate. -Then he said, "Why, I pretended I'd had a telephone call from Molly, and -I ran around here as fast as I could, and Molly she says, they'll be -after you, go over to Mrs. Gedney's and stay there. And I did, till you -spied me out." - -"All right," and Groot rose to go. "Your father is all right, Mrs. Adler. -Don't coddle him too much. It makes him childish. Keep him here with you, -and my word for it, no suspicion will rest on him. I had his alibi pretty -well fixed up anyway, between the insurance agent and the doctor, and his -story just about completes it. There isn't one chance in a thousand that -he'll be accused, so keep him here and keep him quiet, and I'll see you -again in a day or two. But if your father tries to run away or to hide -again, then he _will_ find himself in trouble." - -Mrs. Adler proved amenable to these orders and Groot went away to begin -his hunt for the purloiner of Stryker's handkerchief. - -"You won't have to look far," Whiting said, when he heard the detective's -story. "If you wanted one more thread in the strand of the rope for young -Landon's neck, that's it. Of course, he got the handkerchief some way, -whether from the housekeeper or not. Go to it and find out how." - -Indirectly and by bits, Avice learned of Groot's discoveries, and keeping -her own counsel, she worked on a side line of her own devising. - -As a result, one morning when she went to see Alvin Duane with, what she -felt sure he must call real evidence, he was very much interested indeed. - -"I hunted and hunted all through my uncle's desk," she said, fairly -quivering with excitement, "and at last I was rewarded by finding this. -It was tucked away in a pigeon-hole, and is evidently unfinished." - -She gave Mr. Duane a slip of paper with a few typewritten words on it. -The paper was torn and a little soiled, but perfectly legible. "Should I -ever be found dead by some alien hand," the paper read, "do not try to -track down my murderer. I do not anticipate this event, but should it -occur, it will be the work of John Hemingway. Do not search for him; he -cannot be found. But his motive is a just one, and if----" - -The writing ended abruptly, as if the writer had been interrupted and had -never finished the tale. - -"Who is John Hemingway?" asked Duane. - -"I have no idea," said Avice; "I never heard uncle speak of him. But -there can be no doubt of the authenticity, as this is the writing of my -uncle's typewriter. I recognize the type." - -"Show me where you found it, Miss Trowbridge," and going home with the -girl, Duane examined the desk where she said she found the paper. - -"I wonder it was overlooked so long," he mused. - -"No one has thought to go through the desk so thoroughly as I did," she -returned, with a wistful look in her eyes. "Will it save Kane?" - -"It may go far toward it," was the reply; "we must hunt up this man." - -"But my uncle says distinctly not to do that." - -"Such instructions cannot be regarded. In a case like this, he must be -found." - -But no trace of the man named Hemingway could be discovered. However, the -fact of the message having been written turned the tide of suspicion away -from Landon to a degree, and to the best men of the force was assigned -the task of discovering the identity or getting some knowledge of -Hemingway. - -It was a few days later that Judge Hoyt had a caller at his office. A -card was brought in, on which, in straggling letters, he read: - -"Terence McGuire." - -"That Fibsy!" he said, smiling at the card. "Show him in." - -So in walked Fibsy, into the office of the great lawyer, with an air of -self-respect if not self-assurance. - -"Judge Hoyt," he began, without greeting; "I want to talk to you." - -"Very well, Terence, talk ahead." - -"But I want you to listen to what I say, 'thout makin' fun o' me. Will -you?" - -"Yes, I promise you that. But, I must tell you, I am a busy man, and I -can't spare much time this morning." - -"I know it, Judge; I haven't been with Mr. Trowbridge five years fer -nothin'! I know all about business." - -"You know a lot, then." - -"I mean, I know how busy a boss is, an' how he hates to see anybuddy, -'cept by appointment, an' all that. Yes, I've kep' up with the guv'nor's -ideas, an' I'm not the fool I look!" - -Fibsy glanced up, as if surprised not to hear some humorous or sarcastic -reply to this speech, but Judge Hoyt nodded, as if to a more self-evident -observation. - -"You see I'm aimin' to be a big man, myself." - -"Ah, a lawyer?" - -"No, sir; I'm goin' to be a detective! I've got a notion to it an' I'm -goin' to work at it till I succeed. But that's what I came to see you -about. You know this here Trowbridge murder case?" - -"Yes, I know it." - -"Well, you know that feller Landon ain't guilty." - -"Indeed, this is important information. Are you sure?" - -"Now you're makin' fun o' me. Well, I can't blame you, I s'pose I am only -a kid, and an ignerant one at that. But, Judge, I've found clues. I found -'em up on the ground, right near where they found the guv'nor's body." - -"And what are your clues?" - -"Well, when I told that Pinckney reporter about 'em, he snorted. Promise -me you won't do that, sir." - -"I promise not to snort," said Hoyt, gravely. "Now, go ahead." - -"Well, sir, I found a button and a hunk o' dirt." It was with some little -difficulty that the lawyer kept his promise. Though he might have used a -more graceful term, he certainly felt like "snorting." However, he only -said, gravely, "What sort of a button?" - -"A suspender button," said Fibsy. And immediately he observed to himself, -"Gee! I wonder why I lied then! Guess I'm born that way." - -But for some reason, he did not correct his mis-statement, and say truly, -that it was a shoe button. - -"Yes," said Hoyt; "and the mud? What was the interest of that?" - -"Well, you see, sir, it had a mark in it." - -"What sort of a mark?" - -"The print of a boot heel." And again Fibsy communed with himself. "Done -it again!" he observed, in silent soliloquy. "Well, when I lie, -onexpected, like that, I'm always glad afterward!" - -Surely, the boy was well named! He had gone to Mr. Hoyt, fully intending -to tell him of his "clues" and he had falsified in both instances. - -Judge Hoyt was as attentive and considerate in manner as if talking to an -equal. - -"I know Terence," he said, "that in the detective stories you are -doubtless fond of, the eagle eyed sleuth sees a footprint, and -immediately described the villain at full length. But I have never yet -seen a footprint that amounted to anything as proof. Why, ninety-nine men -out of a hundred would fit into the same footprint. Or, heelprint, I -believe you said. Which, of course, would be even less distinctive." - -Fibsy looked at the speaker in genuine admiration. "That's just true, -sir!" he cried, eagerly. "The stories are full of footprints, but I've -tracked out lots of 'em and I never found a good one yet." - -"Just what do you mean by 'tracked them out'?" - -"Why, I've watched by chance of a rainy day, when lots of men track mud -into the outer office, and afterward, I fit my own shoe to 'em an' by -jiminy, sir, it fits inter every bloomin' track!" - -Hoyt looked interested. "You have gone into the subject carefully, almost -scientifically." - -"Well, I've read such rediklus tales of such things, I wanted to see for -myself. You know, I'm goin' to be a detective." - -"If you have such ingenious views, you may succeed. But what about the -button?" - -"Well, you see," and Fibsy's face grew blank, "you can't tell much by a -suspender button, 'cause they're all alike. If it had been a coat button, -now, or----" - -The judge looked at the boy thoughtfully. "Terence," he said, "I promised -not to laugh at you, and I won't. But I think it only fair to tell you -that I can't take much interest in your 'clues.' But your conversation -has made me realize that you're a bright boy. Knowing that, and as you -were the office boy of my very good friend, I'd like to do something for -you. Have you obtained a place yet?" - -"No, sir, I haven't." - -"Well, then, I'd like to help you to get a good position. And would that -wipe out your disappointment that I can't make use of your clues?" - -"Yes, sir! I'd like to have a recommendation from you, sir." - -"All right. Go away now and return this afternoon at three. I may have -found a place for you by that time." - -Fibsy went away, thinking deeply. "Ain't I the limit?" he inquired of -himself. "Why in the dickens did I tell him those lies? It's funny, but -sometimes I 'spect to tell a straight yarn and sumpin inside o' me jest -ups an' lies! But it didn't make any difference this time fer he wouldn't -a' cared if I'd told him it was a shoe button, or if I'd told him the -truth about the hunk o' dirt. An' anyway, a detective has to be awful -sicretive, an' it don't do to alwus tell the truth." - -At three the untruthful one returned for his news. - -"Well, Terence," was the greeting, "I've a good position for you in -Philadelphia." - -Fibsy's face fell. "I'd ruther be in New York." - -"Is that so. Well, you're not obliged to take this place, but I should -advise you to do so. It's office boy to a first-class lawyer, and you -should be able to pick up a lot of odds and ends of information that -might be useful to you in your detective career." - -"Sounds good to me," and Fibsy's face cleared. "What's the weekly number -o' bones?" - -"You will receive ten dollars a week, if you make good." - -Fibsy almost fell over. "Gee! Mr. Hoyt, I ain't worth it!" - -"That's for your new employer to judge. I've been telephoning him, and he -wants a boy who is wide-awake and not stupid. You ought to fill that -bill." - -"Yep, I can do that. Honest, Judge, I'll do me best, and I'm orfly -obliged, sir." - -"Not at all. Can you go this afternoon?" - -"Today! Why, I s'pose I can. But it's terrible sudden." - -"I know it. But Mr. Stetson wants to go away tomorrow, for a few days, -and he wants to break you in before he leaves." - -"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. But, oh, say, now,--I jest can't go off so -swift,--honest I can't Judge, sir." - -"No? And why not?" - -"Well, you see, I gotter get some clo'es. Yes, sir, some clo'es. And my -sister, she alwus goes with me to buy 'em, an' she can't get a day off -till tomorrow. An' then, if the clo'es has to be let out, or let in, you -know, why it'd take a little longer. Yes sir, I see now, I couldn't get -off 'fore the first of the week." - -"I'm not sure Mr. Stetson will hold the place for you as long as that." - -"Pshaw, now, ain't that jest my luck! Can't you pussuade him, -Judge,--pussuade him, as it were?" - -"I'll try," and smiling involuntarily, Judge Hoyt dismissed his caller. - -"At it again!" said Fibsy, to himself, as he passed along the corridor. -"Gee! what whoppers I did tell about them clo'es!" - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - TWO SUITORS - - -"Oh, of course, that settles it" Pinckney was saying to Avice, as he -watched for her answering gleam of satisfaction at his words. She had -been telling him about the Hemingway letter, and had said he might use it -in his newspaper story. - -Avice was disappointed that the police had not been entirely convinced by -the note she found, and while they searched for the unknown Hemingway, -they kept strict surveillance over Kane Landon and a wary eye on Stryker. - -But Pinckney agreed with her, positively, that Hemingway was the -murderer, and that it was in accordance with the dead man's wishes that -he should not be hunted down, consequently the matter ought to be -dropped. - -However, the young reporter had reached such a pitch of infatuation for -the beautiful girl, that he would have agreed to any theory she might -have advanced. He lived, nowadays, only to get interviews with her, and -to sanction her plans and carry out her orders. They had evolved theories -and discarded them time and again, and now, Avice declared, this was the -absolute solution. - -"Of course, Uncle Rowland looked forward to this fate," she said, her -face saddened at the thought, and, "Of course," Pinckney echoed. - -"Seems queer, though," put in Landon, who was present, "that the note -just cropped up. Where was it, Avice?" - -"In a pigeon-hole of uncle's desk, stuffed in between a lot of old -papers,--bills and things." - -"A fine search the police put up, not to find it sooner!" - -"But it doesn't matter, Kane, since I came across it," and Avice smiled -at him. "You must admit that the mystery is solved, even if we don't know -who Hemingway is, and are asked not to find out." - -"Oh, it's as good a solution as any," Landon said, indifferently; "but I -don't take much stock in it, and Pinck doesn't either. Do you, old chap?" - -"I see no reason to doubt that the probabilities point to the man -mentioned in the note," Pinckney returned, a little stiffly. He was -horribly jealous of Landon, and though not sure that Avice cared for him, -he feared that she did. Kane Landon was a handsome fellow, and had, too, -as Pinckney noted with concern, that devil-may-care air that is so taking -with women. It was Landon's fad never to discuss anything seriously, and -he scoffed at all theories and all facts put forth by Pinckney in his -amateur detective work. - -Moreover, Pinckney, who was not at all thick-skinned, couldn't help -observing how Avice's interest in him flagged when Landon was present. -Alone with the girl, the reporter could entertain and amuse her, but let -Landon appear, and her attention was all for him. - -So Pinckney reluctantly went away, knowing he would only be made -miserable if he remained longer. - -"What makes you act so about that note?" demanded Avice of Landon, after -Pinckney left. - -"Act how?" - -"As if it were of no account. Why, Kane, if uncle wrote that, he must -have known how he would meet his death." - -"Yes--, _if_ he wrote it?" - -"What do you mean?" Avice looked startled. "Can you have any doubt that -he wrote it? Why, I know his typewriter letters as well as I know his -handwriting." - -"Do you?" and Landon smiled quizzically. "Avice, you are very beautiful -this morning." - -"Is that so unusual as to require comment?" The smile she flashed at him -was charming. - -"It isn't unusual, but it does require comment. Oh, Avice, I wish I could -kidnap you and carry you off, away from all this horrid mess of police -and detectives and suspicion." - -"Would we take Eleanor Black with us?" The brown eyes looked straight at -him, challenging him to declare himself for or against the one Avice felt -to be a rival. - -"If you like," and Landon smiled teasingly at her. "Go on, Avice, fly in -a rage, I love to see you angry." - -"'Deed I won't! I've nothing to rage about. If you admire Eleanor, I can -only say I admire your taste. She is certainly beautiful." - -"Bravo! Good for you, little girl! Now, just for that I'll tell you that -in my opinion she can't hold a candle to you for beauty." - -"Your compliments are so subtle, Kane! I suppose that's due to your -western training." - -"And your sarcasm is that known as the withering variety. Oh, Avice, -don't let's fence. You _are_ beautiful, and you are very dear to me. If I -weren't--if they didn't--oh, pshaw! if I were free of all suspicion in -this horrid matter, would you,--could you----" - -"Kane," she said, looking at him seriously; "you didn't do it, did you?" - -"I will not tell you." - -"That can mean either of two things; one, which I hope, that you are -innocent, and so, resent my question; the other, which I fear, that you -are----" - -"Guilty," supplemented Kane. - -"Yes; oh, Kane, why won't you tell me?" - -"Would you care? Avice, would you really care whether I'm guilty or not?" - -The girl looked up at him, a sudden light in her big, dark eyes; "Oh, -yes, Kane, I do care." - -"Do you mean it, Avice? My little girl, do you mean it!" - -Impulsively, Landon took her hand, and drew her to him, looking deep into -her eyes. - -"Sweetheart," he murmured, and there was a thrill in his voice Avice had -never heard there before, "I will clear myself of these awful matters, -and then I can ask you----" - -"But, Kane, you know the note from John Hemingway----" - -"Bother John Hemingway! Avice, do you take me for a fool?" - -Landon crushed her to him in a desperate embrace, and then held her off -and looked at her with a strange expression on his face. - -"Dear heart!" he said, and gently kissing her downcast, frightened eyes -he went swiftly from the room. - -Going to the window, Avice watched him stride down the street. His -swinging walk was a splendid thing in itself, and the girl felt a thrill -of pride in the strong, well-proportioned figure, so full of life and -energy. - -"But I can't understand him," she thought, "he acts so queer every time -he talks about Uncle's death. And then, he pretends to love me,--and he's -all mixed up with Eleanor,--I wish I could get up courage to ask him -about her,--but I'm--oh, I'm not really afraid of Kane--but,--well, he is -_strong_,--every way." - -She sank into a chair and gave herself up to day dreams. - -"A bright, new, Lincoln penny for your thoughts," said a deep voice, and -Avice looked up to see Judge Hoyt smiling down at her. - -For the first time in her life, she felt an aversion to him. She knew she -was not in love with her elderly suitor, but always she had felt great -friendship and esteem for him. Now, the esteem was still there, but the -remembrance of Landon's caress so recent, she experienced a shrinking -from the passion she could not fail to read in the eyes now bent upon -her. - -Leslie Hoyt was a man whose physical presence dominated any group of -which he was a member. Towering some inches above most of his fellow men, -his fine head was carried proudly and with an air of aristocracy that -gave him especial prestige. Few had ever seen his grave, scholarly face -aglow with emotion of any sort, but Avice knew well the light that love -kindled in those deep, dark eyes, and though not entirely responding to -it, she had gratefully appreciated it, and had tacitly accepted her -uncle's plan that she should marry the judge. But that was during her -uncle's lifetime, and before Kane Landon had come home from the West. - -In a swift mental picture, Avice contrasted the two men. Landon, too, was -tall and big and strong. Hoyt was far superior in manner, and in that -indefinable effect given by cultured associations. Landon had the -advantage of youth and the careless grace of that lack of -self-consciousness, so often the result of western life. The -self-possession of both men was complete, but Landon's was somewhat that -of bravado and Hoyt's that of experience. - -Without detailing these thoughts to herself, Avice was quite aware of -them and of their value, and she knew that she was going to choose -between two of the finest specimens of men she had ever seen. - -"I'm thinking about Kane Landon," she said in answer to the remark of her -new visitor. Avice was naturally mischievous, and well knew the effect of -her aggravating speeches. - -The kindly look in Judge Hoyt's eyes gave way to an ironic gleam, as he -said "Then I offered you full value, I think." - -"That's so clever that I forgive its mean spirit," and Avice smiled at -him. "Yes, my thoughts were penny-wise, which is far better than if they -had been pound-foolish." - -"Think pound-foolish ones of me--" - -"Of you! Why, Leslie, I can't connect you and foolishness in my mind!" - -"I'm foolishly in love with you, I know that! What is there about you, -Avice, that makes me lose my head entirely the moment I see you?" - -"Do you really? It seems incredible! I'd like to see dignified Judge Hoyt -in that state commonly described as having lost his head!" - -"Would you?" and a dangerous fire blazed in Hoyt's eyes as he took a step -nearer to her. - -"No, no!" cried Avice, really alarmed, "not now. I mean some other time." - -"There'll be times enough. You'll have to spend the rest of your life -getting used to seeing me headless. But Avice, I came to talk to you -about that Hemingway note." - -"Yes, do. Will it clear Kane?" - -"Why?" said the lawyer, a sudden anger coming into his eyes. "Do you love -him?" - -Avice looked at him. "Yes," she said simply. - -"Then he shall not be cleared!" and Hoyt's voice was full of deep hatred. -"Do you know it rests with me to free him from suspicion or not! Do you -know that I hold his life in my hands?" - -Avice looked at him in horror. "Do you mean," she cried "that you would -let him be suspected, knowing he is innocent?" - -"On the contrary," and Hoyt looked at her meaningly, "I know the only -hope of freedom Landon has, is that letter found in your uncle's desk. -And I know,--" he paused. - -"You know what?" said Avice, grasping a chair for support, as she felt -herself giving away. - -"I know who wrote that letter." - -"What do you mean?" - -"You know what I mean. You wrote that letter yourself. Oh, it was a fine -scheme to save a guilty man, but it didn't deceive me." - -"How do you know?" - -"I know because I am familiar with all your uncle's papers and business -matters. I know, because it is not written on a style of paper that he -ever used. Because it is not in his style of diction. Because, moreover, -you 'discovered' it, just after you were told that only another suspect -could save Kane Landon. And you concluded to invent that other suspect! -Oh, it was clever, my girl, but it didn't deceive me! Now, why did you do -it? Because you love that man?" - -Avice stood up straight and faced him. "Yes," she cried, while her eyes -shone. "Yes, that was the reason. I know he is innocent, both you and Mr. -Duane declared he would not be thought so, unless there was another -suspect. So I _did_ resort to that ruse, and I'm glad of it. It does no -wrong. The man it accuses is only imaginary, and if it saves the life of -an innocent man it is a justifiable deception." - -"And do you suppose I will be a party to it? Do you suppose for a minute -that I will stand up for a man, knowing that my attitude is based on a -falsehood?" - -"Not if it is a harmless, justifiable falsehood? Not if I ask you to do -it?" - -"Avice, don't tempt me. What is this man to you? You have known me for -years, and along comes this stranger, and you turn to him. I won't have -it!" - -"Don't talk like that, Leslie. He doesn't really care for me. He is in -love with Mrs. Black. But she can't save him from an awful fate, and I -can, yes, and I have, if you don't interfere with my plans. And you -won't, will you?" - -Avice looked very coaxing and sweet, as she urged her plea, and Leslie -Hoyt caught her in his arms. "I'll do it," he said, in a whisper, "if -you'll marry me at once." - -"Oh, I can't!" and Avice shrank away from him with a gesture of aversion. -"Don't ask me that now! Wait till this awful ordeal is over." - -"That's just it, Avice. I'm in earnest. Promise to marry me and I'll get -Landon cleared of all suspicion whether he is guilty or not." - -"Is that your price?" - -"Yes, and the only condition on which I will keep your secret! Do you -know I shall have to perjure myself? Do you know that I will do that only -to gain you? What is your answer? Tell me, Avice, my beautiful darling? -Oh, I love you so!" - -"Leslie, you frighten me. I don't love you. I have told you I love Kane. -But he must never know it. He is infatuated with Eleanor Black, and I -shall in no way hamper his happiness. But, I don't want to marry -anybody." - -"You'll marry me, or that precious adoration of yours will pay the full -penalty of his crime. And, too, Avice, remember your uncle's will. Do you -want to throw away a million to escape a union with me? I'll be very good -to you, dear. You shall have your own way in everything." - -"Do you want me to marry for money's sake?" - -"Yes; if you won't marry me for my own." - -"Are you sure you can save Kane?" - -"My skill is small else. With that letter that you _forged_, to work on, -I ought to be able to manage it." - -"And otherwise,--" - -"Otherwise, prepare yourself for the worst." Hoyt spoke seriously, even -solemnly, and Avice knew he meant every word he said. With a sob in her -throat, she turned to him and held out her hand. - -"So be it, then," she said, and her voice was as sad as a funeral chime. -"But always remember that I warned you I don't love you." - -"I'll make you love me!" and Hoyt's voice rang out exultantly. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - THE TRAP THAT WAS SET - - -When, in his conversation with Judge Hoyt, Terence McGuire stated that -his wardrobe purchases were made under the guidance and jurisdiction of -his sister, he was creating a fabrication of purest ray serene. For, in -this sorry scheme of things, no sister had been allotted to Fibsy, nor, -until that moment, had he ever felt need of one. So, the need arising, a -sister easily sprang, full fledged, from the red head of the well-named -inventor. - -Fibsy, likewise was unprovided with parents, and lived with a doting -aunt. This relative, a knobby-coiffured spinster, was of the firmly -grounded opinion that the orb of day has its rising and setting in her -prodigy of a nephew. That he was not a bigoted stickler for the truth, -bothered her not at all, for Fibsy never told his aunt lies, at least -none that could possibly matter to her. - -Now, being temporarily out of a business position, and not minded to go -at once to Philadelphia, Fibsy was giving Aunt Becky the ecstatic bliss -of having him at home for a time. - -He was mostly absorbed in thoughts and plans of his own, but when she saw -him, hands in pockets, sprawled bias on a chair, she forbore to bother -him; and, like Charlotte, went on cutting bread and butter, to which she -added various and savory dishes for her pet's demolition. - -Nor were her efforts unappreciated. - -"Gee! Aunt Beck, but this is the scream of a strawberry shortcake!" would -be her well-earned reward. "You sure do beat the hull woild fer cookin'!" - -And Aunt Becky would beam and begin at once to plan for supper. - -"There's no use talkin'" said Fibsy, to himself, as he writhed and -twisted around in the dilapidated rocker that graced his sleeping-room; -"that milk bottle, with the old druggy stuff in it, means sumpum. Here -I've mumbled over that fer weeks an' ain't got nowhere yet. But I got a -norful hunch that it's got a lot to do with our moider. An' I've simply -gotto dig out what!" - -Scowling fearfully, he racked his brain, but got no answer to his own -questions. Then he turned his thoughts again to Miss Wilkinson's strange -account of that queer telephone message. "That's the penny in the slot!" -he declared. "I jest know that rubbish she reels off so slick, is the key -clue, as they call it. Me for Wilky, onct again." - -Grabbing his hat he went to interview the stenographer. She too, had not -yet taken another place, though she had one in view. - -Obligingly she parroted over to Fibsy the lingo of the message. - -"Did the guy say he'd _give_ the Stephanotis to Mr. Trowbridge, or they'd -_get_ it?" he demanded, his blue eyes staring with deep thought. - -"W'y, lemmesee. I guess he said,--oh, yes, I remember, he said, I guess -we'll _find_ some Stephanotis--" - -"Oh, did he? Are you sure?" - -"Pretty sure. What dif, anyhow?" - -But Fibsy didn't wait to answer. He ran off and went straight to the -Trowbridge house. - -"Miss Avice," he said, when he saw her, "Please kin I look at Mr. -Trowbridge's c'lection, if I won't touch nothin'? Oh, please do lemme, -won't you?" - -"Yes, if you promise to touch nothing," and Avice led the way to the -room, with its glass cases and cabinets of shallow drawers that held the -stuffed birds and mounted insects so carefully arranged by the -naturalist. - -Rapidly Fibsy scanned the various specimens. Eagerly he scrutinized the -labels affixed to them. Oblivious to the amused girl who watched him, he -darted from case to case, now and then nodding his shock of red hair, or -blinking his round blue eyes. - -After a time, he stood for a moment in deep thought, then with a little -funny motion, meant for a bow, he said, abstractedly, "Goo' by, Lady. -Fergive me fer botherin--" and rapidly descending the stairs he ran -outdoors, and up the Avenue. - -Half an hour later, he was at the door of a large college building, -begging to be allowed to see Professor Meredith. - -"Who are you?" asked the attendant. - -"Nobody much," returned Fibsy, honestly. "But me business is important. -Wontcha tell Mr.----here, I'll write it, it's sorta secret--" and taking -a neat pad and pencil from his pocket, the boy wrote, "Concerning the -Trowbridge murder," and folded it small. - -"Give him that," he said, with a quiet dignity, "and don't look inside." - -Then he waited, and after a moment was given audience with the Professor -of Natural History. - -"You wished to see me?" said the kindly voice of a kind-faced man, and -Fibsy looked at him appraisingly. - -"Yessir. Most important. And please, if you don't want to tell me what I -ask, don't laugh at me, will you?" - -"No, my lad, I rarely laugh at anything." - -The serious face of the speaker bore out this assertion, and Fibsy -plunged at once into his subject. - -"Is there a bug, sir, named something like Stephanotis?" - -"Well, my child, there is the Scaphinotus. Do you mean that?" - -"Oh, I guess I do! I think maybe, perhaps, most likely, that's the trick! -What sort of a bug is it?" - -"It's a beetle, a purplish black ground-beetle, of the genus -Carabidae,----" - -"What! Say that again--please!" - -"Carabidae?" - -"Caribbean Sea! Stephanotis!" - -"No, Scaphinotus. That is, the Scaphinotus Viduus, Dejean,----" - -"Oh, sir, thank you." - -"Did you say this has something to do with the Trowbridge case? Mr. -Trowbridge was a friend of mine,--" - -"Oh, please sir, I don't know but I think this here beetle business will -help a lot. Do these pertikler bugs show up in Van Cortlandt Park woods?" - -"Yes, they may be found there. I've set traps there for them myself--" - -"How do you set a trap for a beetle, kin I ask?" - -"Why, you're really interested, aren't you? Well it's a simple matter. We -take a wide-mouthed bottle,----" - -"Say, a milk bottle?" - -"Yes, if you like. Then put it about a half-inch of molasses and -asafoetida----" - -A whoop from Fibsy startled the Professor. "What's the matter?" he cried. - -"Matter, Sir! Didn't you read the accounts of the Trowbridge murder in -the papers?" - -"Not all of it. I get little time to read the papers,----" - -"Well, then, this here bottle o' stuff--does it smell bad?" - -"Oh, the asafoetida is unpleasant, of course, but we get used to that. We -next sink this bottle in the ground, up to its neck, and----" - -"And you call it a trap!" - -"Yes, a trap to catch unwary insects. Not very kind to them, but -necessary for the advancement of science. You seem a bright lad, would -you care to see some fine specimens of----" - -"Oh, sir, not now, but some other day. Oh, thank you fer this spiel about -the bugs! But who was the guy what did it? _You_ didn't telephone Mr. -Trowbridge to go after Stephanotises, did you?'" - -"Scaphinotus, the name is. No, I didn't telephone him. I haven't seen Mr. -Trowbridge for years." - -"Oh, yes, I remember, you an' him was on the outs. Well, I'm much -obliged, I sure am! Goo' by, Sir." and with his usual abruptness of -departure, Fibsy darted out of the door, leaving the Professor bewildered -at the whole episode. - -Back to Miss Wilkinson the boy hurried, to verify his new discoveries. - -"Say, Yellowtop," he began, "did you sure hear Caribbean _Sea_?" - -"Yep, fer the thoity thousandth time,--yep!" - -"Sure of the Sea?" - -Miss Wilkinson stared at him. "Gee, Fibsy, you are a wiz, fer sure! I was -a thinkin' that the guy jest said Caribbean, but I knew he musta meant -Sea, so I 'sposed I skipped that woid." - -"Naw, he didn't say it. Wot he said wuz, Carabidae." - -"It was! I know it now! What's that mean?" - -"Never mind. What d'you mean, sayin' the feller said things he didn't say -at all? He said Scaphinotus too, not Stephanotis." - -"I can't tell any difference when you say 'em." - -"Never mind, you don't have to. Now, turn that thinker of yourn backward, -and remember hard. Don't it seem to you like the guy said somebody'd set -a trap, no matter who, and that he and Mr. Trowbridge'd get the -Stephanotis and the Carib--whatever it was,--outen the trap?" - -"Yes, it does seem like he said that, only that ain't sense." - -"Never you mind the sense. I'm lookin' after that end. An' then, wasn't -Mr. Trowbridge tickled to death to go an' get these queer things from the -trap?" - -"Yes, said he had a nengagement, but he'd break it to get the -Stephanotis--" - -"Sure he would! In a minute! All right, Wilky. You keep all this under -your Yellowtop; don't squeak it to a soul. Goo' by." - -"Sumpum told me not to go off to Philadelphia so swift," the boy mused, -as he went home. "Now, here I am chock-a-block with new dope on this -murder case, an' I dunno what to do with it. If I tell the police first, -maybe Miss Avice won't like it. And if I tell Judge Hoyt first, maybe the -police'll get mad. There's that Duane guy, but he don't know enough to go -in when it rains. I wisht I was a real detective. Here I am just a kid, -an' yet I got a lot o' inside info that orta be put to use. Lemmesee, who -do I want to favor most? Miss Avice, o'course. But sure's I go to her, -that Pinckney feller'll butt in, an' he does get my goat! I b'lieve I'll -do the right thing, an' take it straight to the strong arm o' th' law." - -Fibsy went to the Criminal Court Building, and by dint of wheedling, -fighting, coaxing and, it must be admitted, lying, he at last obtained -access to the district attorney's office, for the boy declined to entrust -his secrets to any intermediary. - -Judge Hoyt was there and Detective Groot. Also Mr. Duane, looking a bit -despairing, and several others, all discussing the Trowbridge case. - -Fibsy was a little frightened, not at the size of his audience, but -because he was not sure he wanted all those present to know of his news. -And yet, after all, it might not prove of such great importance as he -expected. He had misgivings on that score, as well as on many others. - -But Mr. Whiting, though he greeted the boy with a nod, was in no hurry to -listen to him, and Fibsy was given a chair and told to wait. Nothing -loath, he sat down and pretended to be oblivious to all that was being -said, though really he was taking in every thing he could hear. - -At last the district attorney, in a preoccupied way told him to tell his -story, and to make it as brief as he could. - -But when the boy began by simply stating that he had discovered what was -the meaning of the mysterious telephone message and also what relation -the milk bottle bore to the trip to the woods, all eyes and ears gave him -attention. - -Knowing the importance of the occasion and anxious to make a good -impression, Fibsy strove to make his language conform, as far as he -could, to the English spoken by his present audience. - -"So I asked Perfesser Meredith," he related, "and he told me there is a -beetle named Scaphinotus, and it's of the Carabidae fambly." - -He had obtained these names in writing from the Professor, and had -learned them, unforgettably, by heart. - -"What!" exclaimed Whiting, more amazed at this speech from the boy, than -its bearing on the matter in hand. - -"Yessir; an' I says to myself, 'that's the meanin' of Wilky's puffumery -dope and Caribbean Sea." In his excitement, Fibsy forgot his intended -elegance of diction. - -"But the girl said she overheard _Sea_," said Judge Hoyt, looking in -amazement at the boy. - -"Yessir, I know. I read that in my Pus-shol-ogy book. It says that what -you expect to hear, you hear. That is, Wilky heard Caribbean, as she -thought, an' she natchelly spected to hear Sea next, so she honest -thought she did!" - -"That is psychological reasoning," said Whiting. "It's Muensterberg's -theories applied to detection. I've read it. And it's true, doubtless, -that the girl thought she heard Caribbean, expected to hear Sea next, and -assumed she did hear it." - -"Yessir," cried Fibsy, eagerly; "that's the guy, Musterberg,--or whatever -his name is. I'm studyin' him, 'cause I'm goin' to be a detective." - -"Now, let us see how this new angle of vision affects our outlook," said -Judge Hoyt, ignoring the boy, and turning to the district attorney. - -"It gives us a fresh start," said Whiting, musingly. "And here's my first -thought. Whoever telephoned that message, not only knew of Mr. -Trowbridge's interest in rare beetles, but knew the scientific names for -them." - -"Right," agreed Hoyt, "and doesn't that imply that we must start afresh -for a suspect? For, surely, neither Stryker the butler, nor Mr. Landon -would have those names so glibly on his tongue." - -"Also, it was somebody who knew how to set the trap,--the milk-bottle -trap. Terence, my boy, you did a big thing, this morning. How did you -come to think it out?" - -"I thought such a long time, sir." Fibsy's manner was earnest and not at -all conceited. "I thought of every thing I could find in me bean to -explain those crazy words that Wilky,--Miss Wilkinson said she heard. An' -I knew the goil well enough to know she heard jest about what she said -she did, an' so, I says to myself, there _must_ be some meanin' to 'em. -An' at last, I doped it out they must have sumpum to do with Mr. -Trowbridge's bug c'lection. He'd go anywhare or do anythin' fer a new bug -or boid. So I went an' asked Miss Avice to let me give the c'lection the -once-over. An' she did, an' then I saw a name sumpum like Wilky's -Stephanotis, an' I was jest sure I was on the right track. So I ups an' -goes to see Perfesser Mer'dith,--an' there you are!" - -Fibsy's face glowed, not with vanity, but with honest pride in his own -achievement. - -The boy was sent away, with an assurance that his assistance would be -duly recognized at some other time, but that now he was in the way. - -Not at all offended, he took his hat, and with his funny apology for a -bow he left the room. - -"Looks bad," said Groot. - -"For whom?" asked Whiting. - -"Landon, of course. He knows all that scientific jargon. He's a college -man,----" - -"He never was graduated," said Judge Hoyt. - -"No matter; he gathered up enough Latin words to know names and things. -Or he looked them up on purpose. Then he set the milk bottle trap,--what -happens? Do the things crawl in?" - -"Yes," said Hoyt. "Attracted by the odor of the drug, and the molasses, -they crawl to the edge, tumble in, and can't get out." - -"H'm, well, Landon knows all this, and he sets the trap and baits his -uncle as well as the beetles. He tempts him with a promise of this -Stephanotis bug, and off goes uncle, willingly. Then Landon meets him -there, or goes with him,--it's all one,--and he stabs him, and Mr. -Trowbridge lives long enough, thank goodness,--to say Kane killed me! You -can't get away from that speech, Mr. Whiting. If there hadn't been any -suspect named Kane, we might say Mr. Trowbridge meant Cain,--any -murderer. But with the only real suspect bearing that very name, it's too -absurd to look any further. Then the murderer having thoughtfully -provided himself with a handkerchief belonging to the next possible -suspect, wipes the bloody blade on that and throws it where it'll be -found. Could anything be clearer? Who wants money right away? Who has -just quarreled with the victim? Who is impudent and insolent when -questioned about it? Who is now enjoying his ill-gotten gains, and has -already used a lot of money for the purpose he told his uncle about that -first day he saw him? Answer all those questions, and then doubt, if you -can, who murdered Rowland Trowbridge!" - -Groot spoke quietly, but forcibly, and all present realized there was no -answer save the one he indicated. - -Judge Hoyt looked aghast. "It's incredible!" he exclaimed. "Kane -Landon----" - -"You mean any other theory or suspicion is incredible, Judge," said -Whiting. "I have thought this was the only solution for some time. I have -had a strict watch kept on Landon's movements, and he has spent that -money, as Groot says. In every way he seems guilty of this crime and I -say the time has come to arrest him." - -And so Kane Landon was arrested for the murder of his uncle, Rowland -Trowbridge, and was taken to The Tombs. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - A PROMISE - - -Of the General Public, there were few who doubted Landon's guilt. When no -other explanation offered, it was plausible think that the dying man -referred to his murderer as Cain. But when a man named Kane was shown to -have motive and opportunity, when also, he was a bold and even impudent -westerner, who could doubt that he was the murderer the victim meant to -denounce? - -Yet, some argued, ought he not to have the benefit of the doubt? Though -he had an apparent motive, though he confessed to being in the vicinity -at or near the time of the murder, that was not actual proof. - -And, all the time, Kane Landon, in jail, was seemingly unconcerned as to -what people thought of him, and apparently in no way afraid of the doom -that menaced him. - -Again and again the district attorney talked with Landon. - -At first non-committal, Landon later denied the crime. - -"Of course, I didn't do it!" he declared; "I had quarreled with my uncle, -I've quarreled with other people, but I don't invariably kill them!" - -"But you were in the same woods at the time of the crime." - -"I was; but that doesn't prove anything." - -"Mr. Landon, I believe you are depending on our lack of proof to be -acquitted of this charge." - -"I am," and Landon's tone was almost flippant; "what else have I to -depend on? You won't take my word." - -"If you want to be acquitted, it will take a pretty smart lawyer to do -it." - -"What do you want me to do, confess?" - -"I think you'll be indicted, anyway. Perhaps you may as well confess." - -With this cheering reflection, Whiting left him. - -Avice Trowbridge, instead of being prostrated at the news of Landon's -arrest, was furiously angry. - -"I never heard of such injustice!" she exclaimed to Judge Hoyt, who told -her about it. "It's outrageous! Kane never did it in the world. You know -that, don't you, Leslie?" - -"I wish I were sure of it, dear. But it looks dark against him just now. -Still, there's little real proof,----" - -"There isn't any! There can't be any! I know he is innocent. I may have -had a shadow of doubt before, but I am sure now. Kane never did it!" - -"But, Avice, your assertions and reiterations wouldn't carry any weight -with a jury. It needs more than a woman's opinion of a man to prove the -truth." - -"Then I shall get what it does need, but the truth must be proved. And -you will help me, won't you, Leslie? You promised, you know." - -"Yes, and what did you promise me in return? Announce our engagement, -Avice, wear my ring, set a day to marry me, and I swear I will get Landon -free, no matter what the truth may be." - -"You are contemptible!" and Avice gave him a look of utter scorn. - -"I know it. I acknowledge it. But it is my love and devotion to your own -dear self that makes me so. Can't you understand,--no, no,--you can't. No -woman could guess what it means to a hitherto honorable man to resolve to -commit perjury,--to swear to a lie,--but the prize is worth it! For you, -my beauty, my idol, I would do anything! And I can do it safely; I shall -never be found out, for my reputation is too unsullied and too far above -reproach for me even to be suspected. I will exploit that letter you so -cleverly wrote, and however they may doubt its integrity, they can't -prove that Mr. Trowbridge didn't write it." - -"Kane doesn't believe Uncle Rowly wrote it." - -"Did he say so?" - -"Not exactly; but he implied it." - -"Don't you see why, dear? Landon, being guilty himself, knew the note was -forged, and of course, he knew only you would do it." - -"Oh, I never thought of that! Do you think it helps to prove Kane -guilty?" - -"Of course, and so do you, but you don't want to admit it. But you know -it, Avice, in your heart,--so how _can_ you keep on loving him?" - -"I don't know how I can--" and Avice looked awed at her own thoughts. -"But never mind that now. You have promised--oh, Leslie,--do you think it -was that little Fibsy boy's getting that information about the -Scaphinotus and the trap-bottle from Professor Meredith, that made them -arrest Kane?" - -"It helped mightily, Avice. That boy came to see me, and he told me of -some clues he had picked up in the woods. But they sounded pretty -rubbishy, I thought, and I paid no attention to them. I did offer, -though, to get him a position, and I found one for him with a man I know -in Philadelphia. It's a good place, and he ought to do well there." - -"I think you were awfully good to him," Avice said, with glowing eyes. "I -have a sort of liking for the boy, and Uncle was really fond of him." - -"I gave him a talking to about telling stories. But he didn't seem much -impressed. I fear he is incorrigible." - -"Leslie," and Avice looked him straight in the eyes; "tell me the truth -yourself! Why did you do that for Fibsy? You had some reason of your -own!" - -Hoyt started; "Why Avice, you're clairvoyant! Well, since you ask, I will -tell you. The boy is clever in a detective way. And he might stumble on -some clue that would--that would--" - -"Oh, I know! That would implicate Kane!" - -"Yes; and so you see, dear, it is better to get him out of the way before -he makes any trouble for us." - -"Were his clues, as he calls them, of any importance?" - -"Probably not; but the boy is unusually, almost abnormally shrewd, and we -can't afford to take chances. I didn't care to look at his buttons and -foot prints, for I thought it better to remain in ignorance of their -significance, if they have any." - -"Oh, Leslie, isn't it awful? I never deliberately committed an act of -deception before." - -"Why are you so sure that Landon is innocent?" - -Avice's eyes fell. "I'm not," she said in a low tone. "But I want him -cleared, anyway." - -"I wished you loved me like that!" - -"I wish I did! But I don't and never shall." - -"But I shall have you, darling and I'll make you so happy you can't help -loving me. Avice, my only excuse for taking you this way, is my positive -conviction that I can make you happy." - -"But you haven't freed Kane yet--" - -"He isn't indicted yet, dear. Perhaps he never will be. Not if I can -prevent it. But his freedom, sooner or later, will mean our marriage, so -I shall accomplish it, somehow. With the boy out of the way, I ought to -manage it. But that little chap is so shrewd, he might even see through -that note you made up. You know he has an eye for details, and the paper -is different from the sort your uncle used and McGuire might easily -notice that. And if the least question were raised about that note's -genuineness, I fear it would go hard with us." - -"How clever, Leslie, to think of these things." - -"And you do love me a little, don't you, my girl?" - -"I like you a whole lot, but--" - -"Never mind the but--stop there. I'll make you _love_ me yet, and if -doing this thing for you will help, I'll willingly do it. Since I'm not -incriminating an innocent man, I'm willing to let a guilty one go free. -But Avice, if some guiltless person should be suspected,--I couldn't then -keep back the truth." - -"That's why I want John Hemingway suspected. Then there is no danger of -accusing an innocent person. If the police really think it was a man -named Hemingway, they can't do anything to Kane, but free him." - -"We'll see," and Judge Hoyt sighed. It was not an easy task he had -undertaken, to fasten suspicion on a mythical character, but he would -carry it through, if possible, because of the reward that was to be his. -To do him justice, he didn't think Avice was deeply in love with Landon, -but rather, that her sympathies had been aroused by the man's tragic -position and perhaps by the injustice of his sudden and unexpected -arrest. - -And he fully believed that Landon, once freed, would turn to Mrs. Black -and not to Avice. The judge felt that these two had known each other well -and long before their recent meeting at the Trowbridge home, and that -they were only biding their time to renew their relations, whatever they -were or had been. - -Judge Hoyt and Avice went together to the Tombs to see Landon. The -application of Hoyt for permission was readily granted and the prisoner -was brought to see them in the warden's room. - -Landon was in an aggravating mood. He was indifferent, almost jaunty in -his demeanor, and Avice was really annoyed at him. - -"Kane," she said, earnestly, "I don't know why you assume this light air, -but it must be assumed. It can't be your real feelings. Now, Judge Hoyt -is willing to help you,--to help us. If you are indicted--" - -"Nonsense! The Grand Jury'll never indict me." - -"Why do you think they won't?" - -"Because they can't get sufficient evidence." - -"Oh, Kane, why didn't you say because you are innocent? You are,--aren't -you?" - -Landon looked at her. "What do you think?" he said, in a voice devoid of -any expression whatever. - -Avice looked away. "I don't know what to think! I am telling you the -truth, Kane. I cannot decide whether I think you guilty or not--I don't -know." - -"And you'll never learn,--from me!" - -"Kane! What do you mean by such an attitude toward me?" - -"Yes, Mr. Landon," broke in Judge Hoyt, unable longer to control his -indignation, "What do you mean?" - -"Nothing at all," replied Kane, coolly; "and by the way, Judge, I'm -advised by our worthy district attorney that I would do well to get a -competent lawyer to run this affair for me. Will you take it up?" - -"Are you sure you want me?" - -"Naturally, or I shouldn't have asked you." - -"Why do you hesitate, Leslie?" said Avice, her troubled eyes looking from -one man to the other. - -"Shall I be frank?" began Hoyt, slowly. - -"It isn't necessary," said Landon; "I know what you mean. You think it -will be a hard matter, if not an impossible one, to clear me." - -"I don't mean quite that," and Hoyt's fine face clouded. "Yes, Landon, -I'll take the case, if you desire it." - -And so Kane Landon had a clever, shrewd and capable lawyer to defend him. -Avice had great faith in Leslie Hoyt's genius, though she had feared the -two men were not very friendly. - -She took occasion later, on the way home, to thank Hoyt for his -willingness in the matter. - -"I'm sure you'll get him off," she said, hopefully. - -Hoyt looked grave. "You're mistaken, Avice; I can't get him off." - -"What! You mean he'll be convicted!" - -"How can he help but be? I can't perform miracles. But I might make a -more desperate effort than a stranger. That's all I can promise." - -"Even when you remember what I have promised you?" - -"Oh, my love, when I think of that, I feel that I _can_ perform miracles. -Yes, I'll succeed somehow. Landon shall be freed, and I shall put all my -powers to the work of making his freeing a jubilant triumph for him." - -Avice went home aghast at what she had done. She had forged a document, -she had persuaded Hoyt to perjure himself, and worst of all, she had -promised to marry a man she did not love. - -She had friendly feelings for her _fiance_, but no impulse of love -stirred her heart for him. Indeed, it was while she was talking with him, -that she realized that she really loved Kane Landon. As she thought it -all over, she knew that she had loved Landon without being aware of it, -and that it was Hoyt's appeal that had shown her the truth. Yes, that was -why she had forged that letter, because Kane's safety was more to her -than her own honesty! And all this for a man who did not love her! It was -shocking, it was unmaidenly,--but it was true. - -She would save the man she loved, and then, if there was no escape she -would marry Hoyt. Her debt to him must be paid, and she had given her -promise. Well, she would not flinch. Once let Kane be freed of all -suspicion of crime, and then she would pay her penalty. - -She remembered a quotation. "All for love and the world well lost." That -was her heart's cry. - -But from these moments of exaltation and self-justification, Avice would -fall into depths of self-reproach, and black despair. - -At times she could scarcely believe she had done the awful thing she had -done, and then the remembrance of _why_ she had done it returned, and -again she forgave herself. - -The next time Hoyt called, he looked very grave. - -"Avice," he said, "Avice, dear, I don't see how I can carry that matter -through. I mean about the forged note. It is sure to be found out, and -then where would I be?" - -"Very well," said the girl, coldly, "then our engagement is broken. That -is the one condition, that you free Kane. And you said you couldn't do -that without using the note." - -"But I can try other ways. I can try to get him off because of lack of -evidence." - -"Do just as you choose, Leslie. If you free him by any means whatever, I -will keep my promise and marry you, but not otherwise." - -"Avice! when you look like that, I _can't_ give you up! You beautiful -girl! You _shall_ be mine! I'll stop at nothing to win you. I would do -anything for you, Avice, _anything_! Do you understand?" - -Impulsively, he took her in his arms. But she cried out, "No, Leslie, you -shall not kiss me, until you have freed Kane!" - -"Girl!" he cried, and clasped her roughly, "do you know how you make me -feel when you insist it is all for his sake?" - -"But it _is_! I have made no attempt to deceive you as to that." - -"Indeed you haven't. But aren't you ashamed to love a man who cares for -another woman?" - -A dear, serene light shone in Avice's eyes. "No!" she said, "No! You -don't know what a woman's pure love is. I ask no return, I sacrifice my -heart and soul for him, because I love him. He will never know what I -have done for him. But he will be free!" - -"Free to marry Eleanor Black!" - -"Yes, if he chooses. She is not a bad woman. She is mercenary, she never -loved my uncle, and was only marrying him for his money. She is in love -with Kane. I can read her like a book. And though she is older, she is -congenial to him in many ways, and I hope,--I trust they will be happy -together." - -Hoyt looked at the girl with a sort of reverence. She was like a willing -martyr in a holy cause, and if her sacrifice was founded on falsehood, it -was none the less noble. - -"You are a saint," he cried; "but you are mine! Oh, Avice, you shall yet -love _me_, and not that usurper. May we announce our engagement at once?" - -"No; you seem to forget you haven't won me yet!" - -"But I will! I cannot fail with such a glorious prize at stake!" - -"You never can do that, except by freeing the man I do love!" - -Hoyt's brow contracted, but he made no complaint. Truly, he _had_ been -told often enough of Avice's reasons for marrying him, and as he had -accepted her terms, he had no right to cavil at them. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - MADAME ISIS - - -"Yep, Miss Avice, I gotter go. Judge Hoyt, he's got me a norful good -place in a lawyer's office, an' I'm goin' to get quite a bunch o' money -offen it. I do hate to leave this little ole town, but I don't wanta trow -down that swell job in Philly. So I come over to say goo'by, an' if -you'll lemme I'd like to wish you well." - -Fibsy was embarrassed, as he always was in the presence of gentlefolk. -The boy was so honestly ambitious, and tried so hard to overcome his -street slang and to hide his ignorance of better language, that he -usually became incoherent and tongue-tied. - -"I'm glad, Fibsy," Avice said, for she somehow liked to use his funny -nickname, "that Judge Hoyt did get you a good position and I hope you'll -make good in it." - -"Yes'm, I sure hope so, but you see I'd doped it out to stay an' help you -out on this here case o' yourn. I mean about Mr. Trowbridge--you -know----" - -"Yes, I know, Fibsy, and it's kind of you to take such interest, but, I -doubt if so young a boy as you are could be of much real help, and so -it's as well for you to go to a good employer, where you'll have a chance -to learn----" - -"Yes, Miss Avice," Fibsy interrupted impatiently, "an' I begs you'll -fergive me, but I wanta ask you sumpum' 'fore I go. Will you--would -you--" - -"Well, say it, child, don't be afraid," Avice smiled pleasantly at him. - -"Yes'm. Would you--" his eyes roved round the room,--"would you now, -gimme some little thing as a soovyneer of Mr. Trowbridge? I was orful -fond of him,--I was." - -"Why, of course, I will," said Avice, touched by the request. "Let me -see," she looked about the library table, "here's a silver envelope -opener my uncle often used. Would you like that?" - -"Oh, yes'm--thank you lots, Miss Avice, and I guess I better be goin'--" - -"Terence," and Avice, struck by a sudden thought, looked the boy straight -in the face, "Terence, that isn't what you started to ask,--is it? Answer -me truly." - -The blue eyes fell and then, lifted again, looked at her frankly. - -"No, ma'am it ain't. No, Miss Avice, I--I fibbed, I was a-goin' to ask -you sumpum else." - -"Why didn't you?" - -"It was one o' them sudden jerks o' my thinker, 'at makes me fib -sometimes, when I least expect to. I dunno what that thing is, but it -trips me up, lots o' times, an', Miss Avice, I always just hafto fib when -it comes, an'--" his voice lowered to a whisper, "an' I'm always glad I -done it!" - -"Glad you fibbed! Oh, Terence! I thought Judge Hoyt lectured you about -that habit." - -"Yes'm, he did, 'm. But there's times when I gotter,--jest simpully -gotter, an' that's all there is about it!" - -Somewhat shamefaced, the boy stood, twirling his cap. - -"You're a funny boy, Fibsy," said Avice, smiling a little at the -disturbed countenance. - -"Yes'm, I am, Miss: but honust, I ain't so bad as I look. An' I don't -tell lies,--not up-and-downers. But they's times--yes'm, there sure is -times--oh, pshaw, a lady like you don't know nothin' 'bout it! Say, Miss -Avice, kin I keep the cutter thing, all the same?" - -"Yes, you may keep that" and Avice spoke a little gravely, "and Fibsy, -let it be a reminder to you not to tell naughty stories." - -"Oh, I don't, Miss, truly, I don't do that. The fibs I tell ain't what -you'd call stories. They's fer a purpose--always fer a purpose." - -The earnestness in his tone was unmistakable, whatever its reason for -being, and something about him gave Avice a feeling of confidence in his -trustworthiness, notwithstanding his reputation. - -He went away, awkwardly blurting out a good-by, and then darting from the -room in a very spasm of shyness. - -"Funny little chap," said Avice to Eleanor Black, telling her of the -interview. - -"Horrid little gamin!" was the response. "I'm glad he's going to -Philadelphia; you were becoming too chummy with him altogether. And I -think he's too forward. He oughtn't to be allowed to come in the house." - -"Don't fuss, Eleanor. He won't be here any more, so rest easy on that -question." - -And then the two began to discuss again the question that was -all-absorbing and never finished,--the subject of Kane's arrest. - -Avice had concluded not to ask Eleanor of her previous acquaintance with -Landon, for they had practically joined forces in an effort to prove his -innocence, and Avice wanted to keep friends with the older woman, at -least until she had learned all Eleanor could tell her in friendship's -confidences. - -So they talked, hours at a time, and not once had Eleanor implied by word -or hint, that she had known Landon in Denver. And yet Avice was sure she -had, and meant to find out sooner or later from Kane himself. - -But she rarely had opportunity of seeing him, and almost never alone. On -her infrequent visits to him at The Tombs, she was accompanied by Judge -Hoyt, and, too, Landon, was morose and taciturn of late, so that the -interviews were not very satisfactory. - -He had been indicted by the Grand Jury, and was awaiting trial in a very -different frame of mind from the one he had shown on his arrest. - -The prosecuting attorney was hard at work preparing the case. As is often -the condition in a great criminal affair, there were antagonistic -elements in the matters of detection and prosecution. The district -attorney did not always agree with the police, nor they with the press -and general public. - -The personal friends and members of the family, too, had their own ideas, -and each was equally anxious to prove evidence or establish a case. - -The police had done well, but their work had to be supplemented by -Whiting and his own detectives, and evidence had to be sifted and -tabulated, statements put in writing and sworn to, and much detail work -looked after. - -Avice chafed at the delay, but Judge Hoyt assured her it was necessary, -and asserted that he, too, had much to do to prepare his case for the -defence. - -So the days dragged by, and one afternoon, when a stranger was announced, -Avice said she would see her, in sheer hope of diversion. And a diversion -it proved. - -The visitor was a middle-aged woman of the poorer class, but of decent -appearance and address. - -But she had a mysterious air, and spoke only in whispers. Her large dark -eyes were deep-set, and glittered as with an uncanny light. Her thin lips -drew themselves in, as if with a determination to say no more than was -needful to make known her meaning. Her pale face showed two red spots on -the high cheek bones, and two deep lines between her eyes bespoke earnest -intentness of purpose. - -"I am Miss Barham," she said, by way of introduction, and paused as if -for encouragement to proceed. - -"Yes," said Avice, kindly. "What can I do for you?" - -"Nothing, Miss Trowbridge. I am here to do something for you." Her voice -was so piercing, though not loud and her eyes glittered so strangely, -Avice drew back a little, in fear. - -"Don't be scared," said Miss Barham, reassuringly. "I mean no harm to you -or yours. Quite the contrary. I come to bring you assistance." - -"Of what sort?" and Avice grew a little impatient. "Please state your -errand." - -"Yes, I will. I have had a revelation." - -"A dream?" - -"No, not a dream--not a vision,--" the speaker now assumed a slow, -droning voice, "but a revelation. It concerned you, Miss Avice -Trowbridge. I did not know you, but I had no difficulty in learning of -your position and your home. The revelation was this. If you will go to -Madame Isis, you will be told how to learn the truth of the mystery of -your uncle's death." - -Avice curled her lip slightly, in a mild scorn of this statement. The -caller was, then, only an advertising dodge for some clairvoyant or -medium. A charlatan of some sort. - -"I thank you for your thoughtfulness," she said, rising, "but I must beg -you to excuse me. I am not interested in such things." - -"Wait!" and the woman held out a restraining hand, and something in her -voice compelled Avice to listen further. - -"You are perhaps interested in the freedom or conviction of Mr. Landon." - -"But I do not wish to consult a clairvoyant regarding that." - -"I have not called Madame Isis a clairvoyant." - -"Your allusion to her gives me that impression. Isn't she one?" - -"She is a seer of the future, but she reads the stars. Oh, do not tamper -with fate! If you go to her she will give you definite and exact -direction for finding the real murderer, and it is not the man named Kane -Landon. No, it is not!" - -The tones were dramatic, but they carried a certain conviction. - -"Who are you?" asked Avice. "You do not seem yourself like a fraudulent -person, and yet----" - -"I am not! I am a plain American woman. I was a schoolteacher, but I have -not taught of late years. I--I live at home now." - -There was a simple dignity in her way of speaking, as if she regretted -the days of her school work. But she quickly returned to her melodramatic -pleading; "Go, I beg of you, go, to Madame Isis. Can you afford not to -when she can tell you the truth, or the way to the truth?" - -"What do you mean by the way to the truth? Where is she? No, I will not -go! How dare you come to me with this rubbish?" - -Avice was getting excited now. She was suddenly aware of a mad longing to -see this clairvoyant, whoever she might be. It could do no harm, at any -rate. But even as these thoughts went through her brain, came others of -the absurdity of the thing she was thinking. Go to a clairvoyant to learn -how to save Kane! Well, why not? - -"Why not?" said Miss Barham, almost like an echo. "It can do no harm and -it will show the way to the light." - -"Are you a fraud?" and Avice suddenly stooped and looked into the woman's -eyes, taking her off her guard. - -"No," she replied so simply and calmly that for the first time Avice -believed she was not. - -"No, I am no fraud. I tell you truly, if you go to Isis, she will tell -you. If you do not, you will never know, and,"--she paused, "you will -regret it all your life." - -The last words, spoken in an emphatic and impressive manner, were -accompanied by a nod of the head, and the speaker moved toward the door. -"That is all," she said, as she paused on the threshold, "I have told -you. You may do as you choose, but it will be an eternal regret if you -fail to do my bidding." - -She was gone, and Avice, bewildered, sat quiet for a moment. "How -absurd," she thought, as soon as she could think coherently at all. -"Fancy my going to a clairvoyant, or seer or whatever she called her! And -anyway, I don't know where the Isis person is." - -Then, chancing to look down at the table near her, she saw a card lying -there. Immediately she knew what it was and that the woman had left it. -She picked it up, and saw the address of a palmist and fortune-teller in -Longacre Square. - -"I'll never go there," she said to herself, but she put the card away in -a book. - -It was after only two or three brown studies over the queerness of the -thing that she started for the address given. She had a subconsciousness -that she had known all along that she would go, but she had to persuade -herself first. That she had done, almost without knowing it, and now she -was on her way. She had told no one, for she hadn't even yet acknowledged -to herself that she would go in, only that she would go and look at the -place. - -It was in an office building, unpretentious and altogether ordinary. She -went up in the elevator and looked at the door that bore the given -number. And in another moment she was inside. - -It was the usual sort of place, decently furnished, but commonplace of -atmosphere and appointments. There was no attempt at an air of mystery, -no velvet hangings or deep alcoves. The room was light and cheerful. As -Avice waited, a young woman came in. She wore a trailing robe and her -pale gray eyes had a mystic far-seeing gaze. - -"You want a reading?" she asked in a low, pleasant voice. - -"I do if you can tell me one thing I want to know," replied Avice, a -little bluntly, for she had no faith in the seer's powers. - -"I am Isis," and the clairvoyant or astrologer or whatever she called -herself, looked at her client closely. "I think I can tell you what you -wish to know, better, by gazing in my crystal." - -She went to her table, and taking a crystal ball from its case set it on -a black velvet cushion. Then resting her chin on her hands she stared -into the changing depths of the limpid crystal. - -Avice watched her. Surely, if she were a fraud, she had most sincere and -convincing manners. There was no attempt at effect or pretense of occult -power. - -After a time, Isis began in her soft, low voice: "I see a man in danger -of his life. He is dear to you. I do not know who he is or what he has -done, but his life is in grave danger. Ah, there is his salvation. I see -a man who can save him. The man who is to save him must be summoned -quickly, yes, even at once. Waste no time. Call him to you." - -"Who is he?" and Avice breathlessly awaited the answer. - -"Fleming Stone. He is the only hope for the doomed man. Fleming Stone -will rescue him from peril, but he must come soon. Call him." - -"Who is Fleming Stone? Where can I find him?" - -"He is a detective. The greatest detective in the city. Maybe, in the -country. But he is the one. None other can do it. It is all. You do your -own will, but that is the truth." - -Isis turned from the crystal, looking a little weary. She raised her pale -eyes to Avice's anxious face, and said, "Will you obey?" - -"I don't know. How can I call a detective? I am pretty sure my advisers -will not approve of calling another detective on the case, for it is a -case. A criminal affair." - -Avice found herself talking to the clairvoyant as if she had known her a -long time. It seemed as if she had. She could not have said that she -liked the personality of Isis, but neither did she dislike it. She seemed -to Avice more of a force than a person. She seemed to have no particular -individuality, rather to be merely a mouthpiece for otherwise unavailable -knowledge. - -Avice rose to go. "That is all?" she said. - -"That is all, but will you not consent to save this man?" - -"Is there no hope else?" - -"None. It rests with you. You will agree to call Mr. Stone?" - -Compelled by the glance, almost hypnotic, that the seeress bent upon her, -Avice said "Yes," involuntarily. - -"You promise?" - -"I promise." - -"You will tell no one until after you have summoned Stone." This was an -assertion rather than a question, and Isis went on. "You can find his -address in the telephone book, and then write him a letter. Tell him he -must come to you,--but stay,--can you afford it?" - -"Is it a great price?" - -"As such things go, yes. But not more than a person in fairly good -circumstances can pay." - -"I can afford it, then." - -Avice paid the fee of Madame Isis, and went away in a daze. Not so much -at the directions she had received, as at the fact of this woman knowing -about Kane and knowing that it was a case for a great detective. For it -was, Avice felt sure of that. She had become conscious of late, of -undercurrents of mystery, of wheels within wheels, and she could not rest -for vague, haunting fears of evil still being done, of crime yet to be -committed. The whole effect of the clairvoyant's conversation heightened -these feelings, and Avice was glad to be advised to seek out Stone. She -had heard of him, but only casually; she knew little of his work and had -but a dim impression that he stood high in his profession. - -She went to the nearest telephone booth and found his address. But she -remembered she had been told to write him, not telephone. - -So, not waiting to get home, and also, with a view toward secrecy, she -stopped in at one of her clubs, and wrote to Fleming Stone, urging him to -take this case, and promising any fee he might ask. - -Then, feeling she had burnt her bridges behind her, or, rather that she -was building a new bridge in front of her, Avice went home. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - ALL FOR LOVE - - -Avice went occasionally to see Landon in The Tombs. The formalities and -restrictions had been looked after by Judge Hoyt, and Avice was free to -go at certain times, but she was not allowed to see Kane alone. In the -warden's room they met for their short visits, but of late, the warden -had been kind enough to efface himself as much as possible, and one day, -as he stood looking out of a window, he was apparently so absorbed in -something outside, that the two forgot him utterly, and Landon grasped -the hands of the girl and stood gazing into her sad brown eyes with a -look of longing and despair that Avice had never seen there before. - -At last, he said, slowly, "I suppose you know I love you," and his voice, -though intense, was as bare of inflection or emphasis as the room was of -decoration. It seemed as if one _must_ speak coldly and simply in that -empty, hollow place. The very bareness of the floor and walls, made the -baring of the soul inevitable and consequent. - -And as she looked at Kane, Avice did know it. And the radiance of the -knowledge lighted the darkness, dispelled the gloom and filled the place -with a thousand pictures of life and joy. - -With sparkling eyes, she went nearer to him, both hands outstretched. The -three words were enough. No protestations or explanations were necessary -in that moment of soul-sight. - -But Kane gave no answering gesture. - -"Don't," he said; "it means nothing. I only wanted you to know it. That -is all." - -"Why is that all?" and Avice looked at him blankly. - -Kane gave a short, sharp laugh. "First, because I am already the same as -a condemned man; second, because if I weren't, I couldn't ask you to -marry me and thereby lose your whole fortune." - -"I don't care about the fortune," said Avice, still speaking with this -strange new directness that marked them both; "but I have promised Leslie -Hoyt that if he frees you, I will marry him." - -"Avice! What a bargain! Do you suppose I would accept freedom at such a -price? Do you love him?" - -"No; I love you. I have told him so. But he will not get you off unless I -will marry him, so I have promised." - -"Promised! That promise counts for less than nothing! I will get freed -without his assistance, and you shall marry _me_! Darling!" - -"But you can't, Kane," and Avice spoke now from the shelter of his arms. -"No one but Leslie can get you off. He says he will do so whether you are -guilty or not. He is very clever." - -"_Is_ he! But so are other people. I will get a lawyer who also is able -to 'get me off whether I am guilty or not'! Oh, Avice!" - -"How can you? You have no money. Leslie says you will never get that -inheritance from uncle." - -"Does he! Well, let me tell you, dear, I don't care. My mine is an -assured fact; my interests are safe and protected." - -"Where did you get the money for that?" - -"Mrs. Black lent it to me. She is a fine business woman, and I turned to -her, as the time was growing short and I had to have the money at once, -if at all." - -"And I thought you were in love with her!" - -"No; she was truly in love with Uncle Trowbridge. But she is a -clear-headed financier, and saw at once the scope and promise of my -mining interests. She and I will both be rich from that deal. And so, -Avice, I can offer you a fortune, not so large as you would get by -marrying Hoyt, but still, a fortune. Oh, darling, do you really love -_me_!" - -But Avice was weeping silently. "It doesn't matter that I do, Kane; I am -promised to Leslie, and you cannot be freed without his help." - -"I may not be," said Landon, solemnly; "there is little hope as things -stand now, except through Hoyt's cleverness and,--well, shrewdness." - -"Kane, why should it require shrewdness to get you acquitted? Why, -doesn't your innocence speak for itself?" - -"_Am_ I innocent?" - -And then the warden had to tell them the time was up, and Avice had to go -away with that strange speech and that strange look on Kane's face, -indelibly impressed on her memory. - -"_Am_ I innocent?" If he were, why not say so; and if he were not, why -not declare it to her and tell her the circumstances, which _must_ have -been such as to force him to the deed. - -But out in the sunshine, outside that awful chill of the gloomy jail, -Avice's soul expanded to her new knowledge like a flower. Kane loved her! -All other good in the world _must_ follow! Suddenly she _knew_ he was -innocent! She fought back the thought that she knew it because she knew -he loved her. She _knew_ he would be freed! And fought back the thought -that she knew it because she knew he was hers. - -From an apathetic, hopeless inaction, she suddenly sprang to activity. -She would find a way to save him without Hoyt's help; then she would be -free of her promise to the clever lawyer. - -But how to go about it? It was one thing to feel the thrill of -determination, the power of an all-conquering love, and quite another to -accomplish her set purpose. - -Hoyt came in the evening. With the canniness of her new-found love, Avice -approached the subject in a roundabout way. - -"I saw Kane this afternoon," she began. - -"You did! You went to the Tombs?" - -"Yes; Leslie, that man is innocent." - -"Indeed! I wish you had the task of proving it to the G. P. instead of -me. Avice, things are not going well. Whiting is saving up something; I -don't know quite what. But I confess to you I am afraid of his coming -revelations." - -"What do you mean? Has he evidence that you don't know of?" - -"I'm not sure. He may have, and he may only pretend it to frighten me." - -"But you promised to free Kane!" - -"And I will if I can. But, dear child, I am but human. It would take -almost a miracle to clear that man from the network of circumstantial -evidence that trips us up at every step. I assure you I am doing my best, -and more than my best. You believe that?" - -"Of course, I do," and Avice studied the earnest, careworn face that -looked into hers. - -"And you also know why?" - -"Yes," came the answer in a low tone. - -"Not _because_ I believe him innocent, though I _do_ believe him so, but -because of your promise. That is what makes me work for his release, as I -dare to say no counsel ever worked before. That is why I fear the result -as I have never feared anything in my life. Because of my reward if I -win! Because of _you_, you beautiful prize, that I shall deserve, when I -conquer the fight!" - -"Leslie, could no one else free Kane, but you?" - -"No! a thousand times No! Who else would use every means, honorable or -not! Who else would jeopardize his legal standing, forget professional -ethics, resort to underhand methods, fearless of censure and opprobrium, -so he but win his case? And all because a girl holds my heart in the -hollow of her little white hand!" - -Avice was amazed and almost frightened at his vehemence. What was she, -she asked herself, that these two men should love her so desperately? -Kane had not declared himself in such glowing words as Hoyt, nor had he -expressed willingness to do wrong for her sake; but she knew his love was -as deep, his passion as strong as that of his counsel. - -"Leslie," she began timidly, for she had determined to stake all on one -throw; "if you free Kane,----" - -"Don't say if,--say when!" - -"Well, then, when you free him, won't you,--won't you let me off from -my--my promise to marry you,--if I give you all the fortune?" - -"Avice, what do you mean? Are you crazy? Of course I won't! It is you I -want, not the fortune. And, besides, you couldn't do that. If you don't -marry me, the fortune goes to found a museum." - -"Yes, I know,--but,--you are so clever, Leslie, couldn't you somehow -break the will, or get around it, or----" - -"Dishonestly! Why, Avice!" - -"But you're freeing Kane dishonestly." - -"I am not! I fully believe Landon is innocent. But it seems impossible to -find the real culprit, and it is to persuade the judge and jury, that I -do things I would scorn to do in a less urgent case." - -"But Leslie, I don't _want_ to marry you." - -"Very well, then, don't." - -"And you'll free Kane, just the same?" - -"Indeed I will not! Your lover may shift for himself. And we'll see what -verdict he will get!" - -"Oh, Leslie, don't talk like that! I shouldn't think you'd want a girl -who loves somebody else." - -"I'd far rather you'd love me, dear," and Hoyt spoke very tenderly; "but -I love you so much I'll take you on any terms. And, too, I have faith to -believe I can teach you to love me. You are very young, dearest, and in -the years to come you will turn to me, though you don't think so now." - -"Then you refuse to get Kane free, except on condition that I marry you?" - -"I most certainly do." - -"Then listen to me, Leslie Hoyt! Go on and do your best for him. I -promise that if you get him acquitted by your own efforts I will be your -wife. But I also warn you, that I shall try to get him freed without your -assistance, and if I do so, by any means whatever, that are in no way -connected with your efforts, I shall not consider myself bound to you!" - -"Well, well, what a little firebrand it is!" and Hoyt smiled at her. "Go -ahead, my girl; use every effort you can discover. You will only succeed -in getting your friend deeper in the slough of despond. Without being -intrusive, may I ask your intended course of procedure?" - -"You may not!" And Avice's eyes flashed. "You are to abide by our -bargain, and in no way relax the vigilance of your efforts, unless I see -success ahead without your help." - -"Which you never will! But, Avice, I don't like this talk. It sounds like -'war to the knife'!" - -"And it is! But it is fair and aboveboard. I give you full warning that -I, too, am going to fight for Kane's life, and if I win it, I am his, not -yours!" - -Judge Hoyt set his jaw firmly. "So be it, my girl: I love you so much I -submit even to your rivalry in my own field. But to return frankness for -frankness I have not the slightest idea that you can do anything at all -in the matter." - -"That's what I'm afraid of!" And Avice broke down and wept as if her -heart would break. - -And it was then that Leslie Hoyt met the biggest moment of his life. Met -and threw it! - -For a brief instant his soul triumphed over his flesh, and flinging his -arms round the quivering figure, he cried: - -"Avice! I will----" he was about to say, "give you up," and in the note -of his voice the girl heard the message. Had she kept still, he might -have gone on; but she flung up her head with a glad cry and with a -beaming face, and Hoyt recanted. - -"Never!" he whispered, holding her close; "I will never give you up!" - -"You meant to!" - -"For a moment, yes. But that moment is passed, and will never return! No, -my sweetheart, my queen, I will never give you up so long as there is -breath in my body!" - -Avice sprang away from him. She was trembling, but controlled herself by -sheer force of will. - -"Then it is war to the knife!" she cried. "Go on, Leslie Hoyt; remember -your bargain, as I shall remember mine!" - -With a mocking bow and a strange smile she left the room. - -Judge Hoyt pondered. He had no fear of her ability to find any lawyer or -detective who could prove Landon's innocence by actual honest evidence. -He had himself tried too thoroughly to do that to believe it possible for -another. But from Avice's sudden smile and triumphant glance as she left -him, he had a vague fear that there was something afoot of which he knew -nothing. And Leslie Hoyt was not accustomed to know nothing of matters on -which he desired to be informed. - -As a matter of fact Avice had nothing "up her sleeve." She had abandoned -the idea of calling in Fleming Stone, as a foolish suggestion of a -foolish fortune-teller. But none the less she was bent on finding some -way to do what she had threatened. She had little real hope, but -unlimited determination and boundless energy. - -She consulted Alvin Duane, only to meet with most discouraging advice and -forecast of failure. - -"There's nothing to be found out," said the detective. "If there had -been, I'd 'a' found it out myself. I'm as good a detective as the next -one, if I have a tiny clue or a scrap of evidence that is the real thing. -But nobody can work from nothing. And the only 'clues' I've heard of, in -connection with this case, are the lies made up by that little ragamuffin -they call Fibber, or something. No, Miss Trowbridge, whatever hope Mr. -Landon has, is vested entirely in the powers of eloquence of his counsel. -And it's lucky for him he's got a smart chap like Judge Hoyt to defend -him." - -Avice went away, thinking. No clues; and every case depended on clues. -Stay,--he had said no clues except those Fibsy told of. True, he was -mocking, he was making fun of the boy, who was celebrated for -untruthfulness, but if those were the only clues, she would at least -inquire into them. - -Through Miss Wilkinson she found the boy's address in Philadelphia, and -wrote for him to come to see her. - -He came. - -Avice had chosen a time when Eleanor would be out, and they were not -likely to be interrupted. - -"Good morning, Terence, how do you do?" - -"Aw, Miss Trowbridge, now,--don't talk to me like that!" - -"Why not, child?" - -"And don't call me child, please, Miss Trowbridge. I'm goin' on -sixteen,--leastways, I was fifteen last month." - -"Ah, are you trying to be truthful, now, Fibsy?" - -"Yes'm, I am. I've got a good position in Philadelphia, and I was agoin' -to keep it. But, well, I feel like I wanted to work on this here case of -your uncle." - -The deep seriousness and purpose that shone in the boy's eyes almost -startled Avice. - -"Work on the case? What do you mean, Fibsy?" She spoke very gently, for -she knew his peculiar sense of shyness that caused him to bolt if not -taken seriously. - -"Yes'm; Mr. Trowbridge's murder, you know. They's queer things goin' on." - -"Such as what?" - -Avice was as earnest as the boy, and he realized her sympathy and -interest. - -"Well, Miss Trowbridge, why did Judge Hoyt want me out o' New York? Why -did he send me to Philadelphia?" - -"I think to get you a good position, Fibsy. It was very kind of Judge -Hoyt, and I'm afraid you're not properly grateful." - -"No, ma'am, I ain't. 'Cause you see, he just _made_ Mr. Stetson take me -on. Mr. Stetson, he didn't want another office boy, any more'n a cat -wants two tails. Why, he had a perfectly good one, an' he's got him yet. -The two of us. 'Cause, you see I'm only tempo'ry an' the other feller, -he's perm'nent. Judge Hoyt, he's payin' my salary there himself." - -"How do you know this?" - -"Billy, the other feller told me. He heard the talk over the telephone, -an' Judge Hoyt says if Mr. Stetson'd take me fer a coupla munts, he'd pay -me wages himself. Only I must go at onct. An' then the judge, he told me -I must beat it, cause Mr. Stetson wanted me in a hurry." - -Avice thought deeply, then she said: "Fibsy, I'd be terribly interested -in your story, if I could believe it. But you know yourself--" - -"Yes'm, I know myself! That's just it! And I know I ain't lyin' _now_! -And I won't never, when I'm doin' detective work. Honest to goodness, I -won't!" - -"I believe you, Terence,--not so much on your word, as because the truth -is in your eyes." - -"Yes'm, Miss Avice, it is! An' now tell me _why_ Judge Hoyt wanted me -outen his way!" - -"I've no idea, but if he did, it must have been because he thought you -knew something that would work against his case. Oh, Fibsy, if you -do,--if you do know anything that would hinder the work of freeing Mr. -Landon, _don't_ tell it, will you? Don't tell it Fibsy, for my sake!" - -"Land, Miss Avice! What I know,--if I know anything,--ain't a goin' to -hurt Mr. Landon! No-sir-ee!" - -"Well, then, Judge Hoyt thinks it is, and that's why he wanted you out of -town." - -"No, Miss Trowbridge, you ain't struck it right yet. You see, Miss, I've -got that detective instinck, as they call it, an' I've got it somepin' -fierce! Now I tell you I got clues, an' if you laugh at that as ev'rybody -else does, I'll jest destroy them clues, an' let the case drop!" - -The earnestness of the freckled face and the flash of the blue eyes -robbed the words of all absurdity, and gave Fibsy the dignity of a -professional detective dismissing a client. - -"What are these clues, really?" she asked him in kindly tones. - -"I can't tell you, Miss Trowbridge. Not that I ain't willin',--but them -clues is _clues_, only in the hands of a _knowin'_ detective." - -"Then tell Mr. Duane." - -"I said a knowin' detective. That goat don't know a clue from pickled -pigs' feet! No ma'am! 'Scuse me, but them clues is my own,--and they'll -go to waste, lessen I can give 'em to the right man." - -"And who is the right man, Fibsy?" - -"He's Fleming Stone, that's who he is! And no one else is any good -whatsumever." - -"Fleming Stone? I have heard of him." - -"Have you, Miss Avice! Well, if you want ter find out for sure who killed -your uncle, they ain't no one as can find out but that same Fleming -Stone!" - -"You go back now, Fibsy," said Avice, after a moment's thought, "and if I -decide to send for this man, I'll let you know." - -"All right, Miss Avice, but I ain't goin' back to Phil'delphia, I'm goin' -to stay here fer awhile. If you wanter see me, they's a telephone to the -house where I live. Here, I'll write you down the number. If I ai'n't -home, leave word wit' me Aunt Becky." - -Avice took the paper Fibsy gave her, and nodded pleasantly to him as he -went away, but she was so deeply absorbed in her own thoughts she -scarcely heeded the boy. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - TWO AT LUNCHEON - - -Terence McGuire, potential detective, went straight to the office of -Judge Hoyt. - -It was about one o'clock, and he found the lawyer, about to go to his -luncheon. - -"Well, Terence," the Judge said, in surprise, "I thought you were busy at -your Philadelphia desk." - -It was on the tip of Fibsy's tongue to say that Miss Avice sent for him, -but he suddenly changed his mind and said, "Yes, sir, Judge, I was, but -me Aunt is awful sick an' I hadda come home. I'm all she's got, an' I -can't leave her w'en she's sick." - -As a matter of fact, Aunt Becky was at that moment preparing some -complicated combination of pastry and fruit and whipped cream for her -mendacious nephew's dinner, and was in robust health. - -"So you've left Mr. Stetson?" - -"Well, I jest came over to see Aunt Becky, an' she's so ailin' I simpully -can't go back. I gotta stay here, I'm sorry, Judge, but say, Mr. Stetson, -he don't really need me,--he don't." - -"No? Is that so? Well, Terence, I want you to have a position, perhaps we -can find one in New York, and then you can look after your aunt." - -"Good for you, sir. That would be jest the ticket!" - -"I'm just going out to luncheon. How would you like to go along with me, -and we can talk things over?" - -"Go to lunch! With you, Judge? Gee!" - -"Yes, come along. As Mr. Trowbridge's trusted clerk, I feel an interest -in your welfare, and I want to see what I can do for you. Yes, come on, -and we'll talk it over as we lunch." - -"Great jumpin' cows! Say, Judge, I s'pose you'd ruther I'd talk nice an' -pretty, if I'm goin' to eat wit' a gentleman. Well, say, I'll try, -honust, I will." - -"Not only for this time, Terence, but don't you think it would be a good -idea, if you gave up that foolish slang for good and all?" - -"You bet I do! An' say, you don' know how hard I've tried! Why, I -practice at home, an' I make Aunt Becky scowl at me every time I say a -onnecess'ry woid. An' I do sure hate to be scowled at! Yes, sir, I do! -Well, I'm goin' to keep on tryin'." - -When the strangely mated pair started out, Judge Hoyt led his guest to a -restaurant of a good but plain type. - -"I won't take you to one of my clubs today, Terence," said his host, "but -as you're ambitious, let me prophesy that some day you'll grow up to be a -man I'll be proud to take to luncheon anywhere." - -"Say, Judge," and Fibsy looked serious, "that's the kinda talk that makes -a feller want to rise in this world. I'm ambitious,--I am,--Aunt Becky -says I've got more ambition 'n' any one she ever see--" - -"Saw, Terence." - -"Yessir, I mean saw. An' to talk wit' you onct, makes me feel I want to -go to night school, or sumpum--" - -"Something." - -"Yessir, something." - -Seated at a table that was properly appointed, but not elaborate enough -to embarrass his young guest, Judge Hoyt settled himself comfortably in -his chair, and adjusted his napkin, while Fibsy, watching him closely, -followed every motion with a like one of his own. He took a sip of water -immediately after his model had done so, and replaced the glass with an -imitative gesture, extending his stubby little finger in the manner of -the other's carefully manicured digit. - -Judge Hoyt noticed all this, but seeing that Fibsy was in earnest and -entirely unself-conscious, he ignored it and let the boy have his lessons -in etiquette. - -"Ain't it a shame, Judge, that they can't find the feller,--fel-low, I -mean, who moidered Mr. Trowbridge?" - -"Oh, didn't you know that Kane Landon is indicted for the crime?" - -"Yep, sure I know that, but he didn't do it, allee samee." - -"Don't you think so? Why not?" - -"Well, I loined it outen o' my pus-shy-kollergy book." - -"Terence, if you're going to read a book on the subject of psychology, -you ought to learn to pronounce it." - -"Yes, sir. Could you tell me, so's I kin remember?" - -"Why, yes, it's not difficult, once you know it." And Judge Hoyt -carefully taught the young seeker after knowledge how to pronounce the -word in question. - -"Well, now wouldn't that jar you!" and Fibsy smiled, delighted at his own -accomplishment. "All that fooled me was that P to begin it with. If it -hadn't been for that, I'd a loined it long ago. Well, I got that book, -an' it tells you how to know w'en a man's a criminal an' w'en he ain't. -An' Mr. Landon, he's too careless to be guilty." - -"Too careless to be guilty. What do you mean?" - -"I mean, if he was guilty, he wouldn't sling around his speech so free. -He wouldn't a told that he was in Van Cortlandt Park that day Mr. -Trowbridge was killed. Nor he wouldn't a owned up so free that he wanted -money sumpun--something,--fierce. An' he wouldn't a taken his -imprisonment so orful easy. He'd a been busy preparin' alibis, an' things -like that." - -"How do you know these are his attitudes?" - -"Pape. Every day there's a guy writes a lot about the--psy--chology,--got -it!--of crime, an' spoke about Kane Landon bein' a example of--of what I -was a-talkin' about." - -"But if Landon isn't guilty, and I fervently hope he isn't, then who is?" - -"I dunno, Judge Hoyt," and Fibsy's freckled little face was very earnest. -"But there's a chap as can find out. Do you know Fleming Stone?" - -"The detective? Yes; that is I know him by reputation. I never chanced to -meet him." - -"He's the guy, Judge Hoyt. He can find a moiderer by clues what ain't -there! Gee, but he's a wonder!" - -"How do you know?" - -"I've read about him a heap o' times. I've read up most every case he's -ever had, if it was in the papers. Why," and Fibsy pulled a newspaper -from his pocket. "Here's a account of a case he's jest finished--" - -"And here's the waiter with our steak. Suppose we let Mr. Stone wait." - -"Will we!" and Fibsy's eyes shone as he saw the platter that was offered -for the Judge's inspection. "Gee! I've dreamed of a steak like that, but -I never spected to have one soived up to me!" - -"And now," the judge resumed, after the steak had been cut and "soived," -"let us discuss your next position of trust and responsibility. You want -to be in New York? But suppose we arrange for your aunt to live in -Philadelphia, and then you can keep your place with Mr. Stetson." - -"Mighty nice plan," Fibsy's fork paused in mid-air, while he thought, -"but,--oh, hang it all, Judge,--I jest love New York! Why, its old -torn-up dirty streets are more 'tractive to us, than Philly's clean, -every-day-sloshed-up w'ite marble steps." - -"Ah, a true Gothamite," and the Judge smiled. "Well, we must try for a -place in this metropolis, then." - -"Yes, sir, please. And, too, Judge Hoyt, I gotter be here to keep me eye -on that 'ere trial of Mr. Landon." - -"You have that in charge, eh?" - -"Now, don't you make fun o' me, please. But I got a hunch that I can put -in an oar, when the time comes, that'll help Mr. Landon along some--" - -"What do you mean, Terence? If you know anything of importance bearing on -the case, it's your duty to tell it at once." - -"I know that, sir, but it ain't of importance, 'cept to somebuddy who can -'tach importance to it. Now, I told you, Judge Hoyt, that I had -some--some clues,--an' sir, you jest laughed at me." - -"Oh, I remember. Some buttons and some mud, wasn't it?" - -"Yes sir, that's what they was." - -"Well, I confess the mud doesn't seem of great importance, and as for the -button,--was it a coat button, did you say?" - -"No, sir, I said a--a suspender button." - -"Oh, yes. Well, the detectives have examined all possible clothing for a -missing button of that sort, but without success. It is, of course, a -button from some other garment than any of interest to this case." - -"Yes sir, I s'pose so." - -"You see, Terence, all clues have been traced to their last possible -degree of usefulness in our investigations." - -"Yes, sir, of course, sir. Say, Judge Hoyt, I'm kinder sorry you wasn't -in town that day. If you had a been, you might a kep' Mr. Trowbridge from -goin' to the woods at all." - -"Maybe so, Terence. We can't know about those things. Some people hold -there's no such thing as chance; if so, it was ordained that I should be -out of town." - -"Yes, sir. Funny, ain't it? An' sorter pathetic that Mr. Trowbridge -should have your telegram, what you sent from Philly in his pocket." - -"Well, that was only natural, as he must have received it shortly before -he went away from his office." - -"An' he thought a heap of you, sir. Why, jest takin' that telegram shows -that. He wouldn't a taken a plain business telegram." - -"Probably not. Yes, if I had been here I should doubtless have been at -his office most of the day. But even then, if he had expressed a desire -to go to the woods, to look for his specimens, I should not have detained -him. By the way, Terence, here's a rather interesting photograph. That -day, in Philadelphia, there was a camera man in the station, taking -picture postcards of the place. And, purposely, I got in his focus. See -the result." - -From his pocket-book, Judge Hoyt took a picture postcard, and handed it -to the boy. The great station showed up well, and in the foreground was -easily distinguishable the figure of Judge Hoyt, standing in his -characteristic attitude, with both hands behind him. - -"Say, Judge, that's fine! My, I'd know you in a minute. Kin I keep this?" - -"Wish I could give it to you, but it's the only copy I have left. I'll -send for some more, if you really care to have one." - -"Sure I do,--I mean, soitenly I do." - -"Well, do all you can to improve that execrable diction of yours, and -I'll get you a card like this one." - -Seeing Fibsy look a little disappointedly at the two demi-tasses that -appeared as a final course, Judge Hoyt asked the waiter to bring a cup of -breakfast coffee for the lad. - -"Oh, thank you," said the guest, "I sure do like a cup o' coffee worth -botherin' with. Is that little mite of a cup all you want?" - -"Why, yes, I suppose so. I never think about it. It is my habit to take a -small cup after luncheon. Some day, Terence, if you're ambitious, you -must brush up on these minor matters of correct custom. However, here's -your large cup, now. Drink it and enjoy it. Cream and sugar, I suppose?" - -"Yes sir," said Fibsy, and he watched the elegance of Judge Hoyt's -movements, as he poured cream and dropped a lump of sugar in the -good-sized cup of steaming coffee. "Another?" the judge asked, poising -the second lump just above the brim. - -"Yes, sir, please, sir. You're awful good to me, Judge Hoyt, sir." - -"Well, to be honest, Terence, I want to give you a few hints as to your -table manners, for you have the instincts of a gentleman, and I'm going -to help you to become one, if I can." - -"Yes, sir, thank you, sir." Fibsy looked earnestly at the kindly face -that smiled at him, and then said, in a burst of determination to do the -right thing, "Say, Judge Hoyt, I want to learn to be a gentleman as soon -as I can. An' I'm goin' to begin right now, by drinkin' this here little -cup o' coffee,--an' I'm goin' to drink it like you did yours, without no -sugar or cream!" - -Pushing to one side the larger cup, Fibsy took the demi-tasse, which had -been left on the table, and with a visible effort swallowed its contents. - -"Whew! some bitter!" he exclaimed, making a wry face. - -"Good for you, old chap!" and the Judge laughed outright at this act of -real heroism. "Now that you've proved you can do it, follow it up with -the other cup, that you'll enjoy." - -"No sir--ee! I've begun to do the c'rect thing, an' I'm goin to stick to -it!" - -"Oh, pshaw, don't deprive yourself of a little pleasure. That good cup of -coffee, fixed just to your taste, will be wasted if you don't drink it." - -"No, sir, I'm in fer the manners today. Maybe I won't keep it up, but -this is me day fer bein' a gentleman, let it rain ebber so hard!" With a -merry smile in his blue eyes, Fibsy stood his ground, and then in another -moment, looked crestfallen and sheepish, as finger bowls were brought. - -"That gets my goat!" he confided to his host. "Say, Judge, put me wise." - -"Very well, Terence, simply do as I do." - -Fibsy watched carefully, though unostentatiously, and when the judge had -finished, the boy gave a perfect imitation of the man's correct and -graceful motions. - -Before the finger-bowls came, the waiter had taken up Fibsy's large cup -of coffee to remove it. But with a longing glance, the boy had said, -"Say, can't I keep that after all, Judge?" - -"Certainly," Judge Hoyt had replied. But now, after the new glory of -cleansed finger-tips, again Fibsy renounced the temptation, and said, -"Nope, if I'm goin' to learn to be a swell, I gotter learn to say no." -And without even a backward glance at the coffee, he followed the judge -from the dining room. - -They reached the street, when Fibsy cried out, - -"Good gracious, I left me paper!" and he darted back into the restaurant, -returning, after a moment's delay, with the newspaper under his arm. - -"Now we are off," he said, and with Judge Hoyt, he walked briskly back to -the lawyer's office. - - - - - CHAPTER XX - FLEMING STONE - - -That same evening, Judge Hoyt went to see Avice, and he acknowledged that -he was about at the end of his resources. - -"Then you have failed?" said the girl. - -"Not yet. But I shall, undoubtedly, unless--" - -"Unless you resort to dishonest means?" - -"Yes; exactly that. I don't want to, and yet,--for _you_ I would perjure -my soul!" - -"What would it be, this dishonest procedure?" - -"I'd rather not tell you. It would be better all round that you shouldn't -know." - -"But I _must_ know. Tell me." - -"I've not thought it all out." Hoyt passed a weary hand over his brow. -"For one thing, the worst point against Landon is that person who -telephoned and called Mr. Trowbridge 'uncle'. If I could get some one to -swear that he did that, it would go a long way in Landon's favor." - -"Some one who didn't really do it, you mean?" - -"Yes, of course. It would be perjury, and it would have to be handsomely -paid for." - -"How wicked!" - -"Don't think for a moment that I don't realize the wickedness of it! Even -_you_ can have no idea what such an act means to a man, and a lawyer. A -hitherto _honorable_ lawyer! Oh, Avice, what a man will do for a woman!" - -"I'm not sure I want you to." - -"You want Kane freed?" - -"Yes, oh, _yes_!" - -"By fraud, if necessary?" - -"Y--yes." - -"Avice, you are as bad as I am! For one we love, we stop at nothing! You -would perjure your soul for Landon; I, for you! Where's the difference?" - -"I won't, Leslie. I can't! Don't do that awful thing!" - -"And let Landon be convicted?" - -"Oh, no, no! Not that! But wait, Leslie, I have a new plan." - -"Oh, yes, I forgot you were going to save Landon by your own exertions!" - -"And I am. Have you ever heard of Fleming Stone?" - -"Of course I have. Why?" - -"I'm going to get him to find the murderer." - -"Avice! what nonsense. You mustn't do any such thing!" - -"Why not?" - -"Because it is absurd. We already have Duane on the case. He is a -well-known detective and would resent the employment of another." - -"Do you suppose I care for that? If Fleming Stone can free Kane he shall -have a chance to do so! I have fifty thousand dollars of my own, and I'll -spend it all, if necessary." - -"It isn't the cost, dear. But one detective can hardly succeed where -another good one failed. And, too, it is too late, now. A detective must -work before clues are destroyed and evidence lost." - -"I know it is late, but Stone is so clever. He can do marvels." - -"Who told you so?" - -"I won't tell you." For Avice knew if she said either Fibsy or the -clairvoyant, Hoyt would laugh at her. - -"Be guided by me in this, dear," said Hoyt, earnestly. "Don't send for -this man. He will do more harm than good." - -"Do you mean he will find out for sure that Kane did it?" - -"Never mind what I mean. But don't get Fleming Stone on this case, I -forbid it." - -"You're too late," returned Avice; "I've already written to him to come -and see me." - -"In that case, there is nothing more to be said. We must make the best of -it. But at least let me be here with you when he comes. I think he will -want a legal mind to confer with." - -"Indeed, I shall be very glad to have you here. Why were you so averse to -having him, at first?" - -"Only because it is so useless. He can discover nothing. But if you want -him, that's enough for me." - -The next evening Hoyt called on Avice again. - -"Heard from Stone yet?" he asked. - -"No, not yet." - -"Well, I don't believe you will. I hear he's out West, and will be gone -some weeks yet." - -"Oh, I am so disappointed! How are things going today?" - -"Slowly. But I am holding them back on purpose. I have a new plan, that -may help us out a lot." - -But Hoyt wouldn't divulge his new plan, and when he left, Avice was -heavy-hearted. She was more than willing to do anything for Kane that was -right, but she recoiled at perjury and deceit. And yet the thought of -Kane's conviction brought her to the pitch of any awful deed. - -So, when, the morning after she lost her hope of seeing Fleming Stone, -Fibsy came to see her, she welcomed the boy as a drowning man a straw. - -"What about that Stone guy, Miss Avice?" he inquired, abruptly. - -"We can't get him, Fibsy; he's out of town." - -"Yes, he isn't! I seen him only yesterday, walkin' up the avnoo." - -"You did! He must have come home unexpectedly. I'm going to telephone -him!" - -"Do it now," said Fibsy, in a preoccupied tone. Avice found the number -and called up the detective. - -"Why, Miss Trowbridge," he said, after he learned who she was; "I had a -telegram from you asking me to cancel the appointment." - -"A telegram! I didn't send you any!" - -"It was signed with your name." - -"There's a mistake somewhere." - -"'Tain't no mistake!" said Fibsy, eagerly, as he listened close to the -receiver that Avice held. "Tell him to come here now, Miss Avice." - -"Oh, I don't know about that. I must ask Judge Hoyt." - -"Here, gimme it!" and the audacious boy took the receiver from Avice, and -speaking directly into the transmitter, said; - -"'Twasn't a mistake, Mr. Stone. 'Twas deviltry. Can't you come right up -to Trowbridge's now, and get into this thing while the gettin's good?" - -"Who is speaking now?" - -"Miss Trowbridge's seckerterry. She's kinder pupplexed. But she wants you -to come, awful." - -"Let her tell me so, herself, then." - -"Here, Miss Avice," and Fibsy thrust the receiver into her hand, "tell -him to come! It's your only chance to save Mr. Landon! Take it from me!" - -Spurred by the reference to Landon, Avice, said, clearly; "Yes, please -come at once, Mr. Stone, if you possibly can." - -"Be there in half an hour," was the quick reply, and a click ended the -conversation. - -"What kind of a boy are you?" said Avice, looking at Fibsy, half angry, -half admiring. - -"Now, Miss Avice, don't you make no mistake. I ain't buttin' in here out -o' freshness or impidence. There's the devil's own doin' goin' on, an' -nobody knows it but me. It's too big for me to handle, an' it's too big -for that Duane donkey to tackle. An' they ain't no one as can 'tend to it -but F. Stone. An' gee! you come mighty near losin' him! Why, Miss Avice, -when you heard somebuddy wired him in your name not to come here, don't -that tell you nothin'?" - -"Yes, Fibsy, it shows me some one is working against Mr. Landon's -interests. And that is what Judge Hoyt has been afraid of all along. I -wish he were here." - -"Who? Judge Hoyt?" - -"Yes, I promised to have him here when Mr. Stone came. There ought to be -a legal mind present." - -"Mine's here, Miss Avice; and right on the job. My legal mind is workin' -somepin fierce this mornin' an' I kin tell Mr. F. Stone a whole lot that -Judge Hoyt couldn't." - -"Fibsy, I don't know whether to send you away, or bless you for being -here." Avice looked at the boy in an uncertainty of opinion. - -"Now, Miss Avice, don't you worry, don't you fret about that. You'll be -glad an' proud you know me, before this crool war is over! an' that ain't -no idol thret! _Bullieve_ me!" - -"Well, Fibsy, if I let you stay, I must ask you to talk to me a little -more politely. I don't like that street language." - -"Sure, Miss Avice, I'll can the slang. I mean, truly I'll try to talk -proper. It's mostly that I get so excited that I forget there's a lady -listenin' to me. But I'll do better, honest I will." - -Fleming Stone came. - -Avice received him alone, except that she allowed Fibsy to sit in the -corner of the room. - -"I am exceedingly interested in this case," Mr. Stone said, after -greetings had been exchanged; "I have closely followed the newspaper -accounts, and I admit it seems baffling many ways. Have you any -information not yet made public?" - -"No,--" begun Avice, and then she looked at Fibsy. - -The boy sat in his corner, with eager face, almost bursting with his -desire to speak, but silent because he had promised to be. - -"I know so little of these things," Avice went on, falteringly; "I hoped -to have a lawyer here to talk to you. As a matter of fact, I was advised -to send for you by this boy, Terence McGuire. He was my late uncle's -office boy." - -"Ah, the one they call Fibsy, and so discredited his evidence at the -inquest!" - -"Yes," said Avice, "but he says he knows something of importance." - -"And I believe he does," said Fleming Stone, heartily. "I read about his -witnessing, and I am glad of a chance to talk to him." - -Fibsy flushed scarlet at this interest shown in him by the great man, but -he only said, simply, "May I speak, Miss Avice?" - -"Yes, Fibsy, tell Mr. Stone all you know. But tell him the truth." - -"He won't lie to me," said Stone, not unkindly, but as one merely stating -a fact. - -"No," agreed Fibsy, looking at Stone, solemnly. "I won't lie to you. You -see it was this way, sir, I've got the detective instinck,--and the day -after the murder, I went to the place where it was at, to look for clues. -Miss Avice, she gimme the day off. An' I found 'em, sir. The Swede woman -told me where the place was where--where Mr. Trowbridge died, and right -there I found a shoe button." - -"Fibsy," and Avice looked at him, "why did you tell Judge Hoyt it was a -suspender button?" - -"I had to, Miss Avice," and Fibsy's face looked troubled "you see I said -_button_ to him and the 'xpression on his face warned my instinck not to -say _shoe_ button. So I switched." - -"Describe his expression," said Stone, who was watching the boy closely. - -"Well, sir, when he said 'what kind of a buttun?' he looked as if a heap -depended on my answer. An' when I said suspender button, he lost all -interest. Now, maybe he _had_ a int'rest in a shoe button an' maybe he -didn't. But I wasn't takin' no chances." - -"Fibsy, you've the right bent to be a detective!" exclaimed Stone; "that -was really clever of you." - -But Fibsy was unmoved by this praise. "I sorta sensed it," he went on. -"Well, sir, that shoe button never came offen Mr. Landon's shoes, sir." - -"How do you know?" - -"I got around the chambermaid here in this house, sir, an' she hunted all -over Mr. Landon's shoes, an' they ain't no buttons missin'; an' too, sir, -this button is from a city shoe, a New York shoe. An' Mr. Landon, he -wears western shoes. Oh, I know; I've dug into it good." - -"Well, whose button is it?" - -"I don't know, sir, but you can find out. I told Miss Trowbridge, sir, my -clues was _clues_ only in your hands." - -"The button may be important, and may not." - -"Yes, sir," and Fibsy beamed "that's jest exactly what _I_ thought. Now, -my other clue, sir, is this. I ain't got it here, but I got it safe home. -It's a hunk o' dirt that I cut out o' the ground, right near the--the -spot. You see, it has a print in it, a deep, clear print, sorta round. -Well, sir, I'd like you to see it 'fore I describe it. I'd like to know -if it strikes you like it does me." - -The boy seemed all unaware of any presumption in the manner of -argumentative equality which he had adopted toward the famous detective, -and, to Avice's surprise, Mr. Stone seemed not to resent it. - -"Were there other marks of this nature?" - -"Yes, several. I scratched them away with my foot." - -"You did! You destroyed evidence purposely! Why?" - -"Because I picked out the best and clearest, and kep' it safely. I was -goin' to give it to Miss Avice or Judge Hoyt, but they all made fun o' -me, so I didn't. They wasn't no use o' reporters muddlin' the case up. -An' smarty-cat snoopers huntin' clues, an' all." - -"You took a great deal on yourself, my boy. You had no right to do it. -But I will reserve judgment. It may well be you have done a good thing." - -"It was too many for me, sir. I couldn't sling the case myself. An' Judge -Hoyt wouldn't pay no 'tention; an' that gink,--I mean--that Mr. Duane, he -ain't got no seein' powers so I says they ain't no one but you to take it -up as it should be took up. An' glory to goodness you're here!" - -Fleming Stone smiled a little, but quickly looking serious again, said to -Avice, "If you want me to work on this case, Miss Trowbridge, I will -start by going with this boy to look at his 'clues.' They may be of some -importance." - -Avice agreed, and the great detective and the small boy went away -together. - -"And so you are Miss Trowbridge's secretary?" asked Stone as they walked -along. - -"No, sir, I ain't. That was one of my lies. I said it so's you'd come." - -"Look here, what's this about your lying habits? Is it a true bill?" - -"No, Mr. Stone, I've quit. That is, _practically_. But I've often found a -lot o' help in shadin' the truth now an then. But, shucks, they was only -foolishness, to fuss up people who oughter be bothered. An' any way, I've -quit, 'ceppen as it may be necess'ry in my business." - -"And what is your business?" - -"It's been bein' office boy, but I've always wanted to be a detective, -an' since I've seen you, I know I'm goin' to be one. I have the same cast -o' mind as you have, sir." - -Stone looked sharply into the earnest face raised to his, and it showed -no undue conceit, merely a recognition of existing conditions. - -"Terence," he said, quietly, "a good detective cannot be an habitual -liar." - -"I know it, sir; that's why I've quit. After now, I'm only goin' to tell -lies when me work requires it. Just as you do, sir. You don't always tell -the strick truth, do you, sir?" - -Stone shot a glance at him and then smiled. "Let's discuss those ethics -some other time, Fibsy. Where do you live?" - -"Quite some way off, sir. I'll show you." - -"We'd better get a taxi, then;" and soon the two detectives were on their -way to Fibsy's humble home. - -Stone waited in the cab, while the boy ran in and out again with his -precious clues. - -"I've kep' 'em careful," he said, "and the dirt ain't jarred nor nothin." - -First he produced the shoe button. "You see," he said, earnestly, "if it -was shiny all over it wouldn't mean much; but it's rubbed brown on one -side, so if we could find the shoe it came off of, we'd know it in a -minute." - -"Good work," said Stone, quietly, "go on." - -"Well, sir, it ain't Mr. Landon's, cos he ain't got any shoes with -buttons the least mite like this, and as he came from Denver the day -before the murder, he didn't have time to get some an' wear 'em to this -browniness." - -"It is a point, Fibsy." - -"Yes sir, that's all it is, a point. Now look at this mud." - -With great care, Fibsy opened a box and showed a piece of soil, about -four inches square, in the center of which was clearly defined round -hole. - -"I cut it out right near the 'spot'," said he, in the awed tone in which -he always referred to the scene of the crime. "It's the mark of a--" - -"_Cane!_" said both voices together. - -"Yes sir," went on Fibsy, eagerly, "an' that ain't all! I saw the daisies -and clovers were sorta switched off all around the spot, as if by -sombuddy slashin' a cane around careless-like. An' then," and the boy's -face grew solemn with the bigness of his revelation, "I seemed to see in -my mind a--what do you call 'em, sir?--a dirk cane, a sword cane, an'--" - -"_Cane_ killed me!" - -"Yes, sir! Oh, Mr. Stone, I knew you'd see it!" - -"Boy, you are a wonder. Even if your deductions are all wrong, you have -shown marvelous acumen." - -Fibsy had no idea what acumen was, nor did he care. He was not seeking -praise, but corroboration, and he was getting it. The mark of a cane was -perfectly clear and was unmistakable. It might mean nothing, but it was a -cane mark, and some canes were murderous weapons. - -"You have seeing eyes, child," said Stone, and Fibsy desired no greater -commendation. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI - STONE'S QUESTIONS - - -"Now," went on Stone, "I'm going to begin at the beginning of this thing -and I propose to take you along with me." - -"Yes, sir, I'll help," and Fibsy settled back in his seat in the taxicab -without a trace of presumption or forwardness on his freckled face or in -his blue, 'seeing' eyes. - -The beginning seemed to be at police headquarters and the two went in -there. - -Inspector Collins was interviewed as to the message that brought to him -the first news of the murder. - -He patiently retold the story, now old to him, and Stone questioned him -as to the woman's voice. - -"I couldn't rightly hear her, sir. Her kids was all screamin' and -whoopin'-coughin' to beat the band." - -"Gee!" remarked Fibsy, "Vapo-crinoline!" - -"What?" asked Stone. - -"It's the stuff they uses for whoopin' cough. Me kid brother had it onct. -Vapo Kerosene, or sumpin." - -"Also," the captain went on, "there was a phonograph goin' and there was -building goin' on near. I could hear riveters." - -"But who was the woman? Didn't she give her name?" - -"No, she was a dago woman," Collins said, stroking his chin reflectively; -"I couldn't find out where she lived, nor why she sent the message. There -was such a racket goin' on where she was, I couldn't half hear her." - -"What sort of a racket?" - -"All sorts. She said her children had whooping-cough, and they did, for -sure; but there was other noises. Seemed like hammerin' and screechin' -and music all at once." - -"Music?" - -"Oh, only a phonograph goin'. Playin' some rag-time. Dunno what 'twas; -'My Cockieleekie Lassie' or some such song. Or maybe----" - -"Well, never mind the song. Did you finally get the message?" - -"Yes, I did." - -"What was it?" - -"Only that Rowland Trowbridge was dead and for me to go to Van Cortlandt -Park woods for the body." - -"Singular that an Italian woman should tell you the news." - -"Very singular, sir." - -"What did you do then?" - -"Called up the Van Cortlandt Park Station, and told them to look into the -matter." - -Stone asked further details concerning the finding of the body, and then -inquired as to the nature of the wound. - -"He was stabbed," said Collins, "And, without doubt, by a slender-bladed -dagger or stiletto." - -"An Italian stiletto?" asked Stone. - -"That is impossible to tell," answered the Inspector a little pompously. -"The wound would present the same appearance if made by any sharp, -narrow-bladed weapon." - -"This weapon was not found?" went on Stone. - -"No," replied Collins, "I had vigorous search made in vain. But its -absence proves the deed of an intelligent person. Whoever killed Mr. -Trowbridge, went to the woods, knowing his victim would be there, and -carrying his weapon with him." - -"It seems to prove that the criminal was provided with a dagger," agreed -Stone, "but it in no way convinces that it was not an accidental meeting -between the murderer and his victim." - -So far the facts were bare ones. The announcement through the green cord -of the telephone, the finding of the dagger-killed body, and the -identification of the victim were clearly stated, but what inferences, -could be drawn? There were no side lights, no implications, no pegs on -which to hang theories. - -Still keeping Fibsy with him, Stone returned to the Trowbridge house. It -had been agreed that should he meet any one there, he was to be -introduced as Mr. Green, a friend of Kane Landon's. - -As, it happened, there was quite a crowd in the library. Judge Hoyt had -asked the district attorney and Alvin Duane to meet him there for a -conference with Avice. Also, they wanted a few more words with Stryker, -who had returned to his old place as butler. - -As a friend of Landon's and as an acquaintance of Avice's "Mr. Green" was -made welcome, and Avice asked that he be allowed to discuss the matter -with them all. "Mr. Green is sure that Kane is innocent," Avice said, -"and he may be able to suggest some point that we may have overlooked." - -No one objected to the presence of the stranger, nor did they mind when -Fibsy slid into the room, and sat down in a corner. It was no secret -conclave, and any hint or theory would have been welcomed. - -Stryker, who was present, was giving the best answers he could to the -questions put to him. - -"What were you really doing, Stryker," the district attorney asked, "that -afternoon of Mr. Trowbridge's death?" - -The old man shook his head. "I can't remember," he said; "I was at home -when the news came, but I can't just recollect whether I had been out -afore that or not." - -Mr. Whiting appeared to think this a little suspicious, and questioned -him severely. - -But, "Mr. Green" smiled pleasantly; - -"His alibi is perfect because he hasn't any alibi," he said cryptically. - -"Just what does that mean to your cabalistic mind?" asked Whiting, -ironically. - -"Only this. If Stryker were implicated in this crime, he would have had -an unshakable alibi fully prepared against your questions. The very fact -that he doesn't pretend to remember the details of his doings that -afternoon, lets him out." - -Whiting saw this point, and agreed to the conclusion, but Alvin Duane -looked decidedly crestfallen. - -"In that case," he said to Whiting, "an alibi is always worthless, for -they are, according to the learned gentleman, always faked." - -"Not at all," said Stone, easily. "An alibi is only 'faked', as you call -it, by the criminal. Had Stryker been the criminal, he would have been -shrewd enough, in all probability, to be prepared with a story to tell of -where he spent that afternoon, and not say he doesn't remember." - -The butler himself nodded his head. "That's right! Of course I wouldn't -kill the master I loved,--the saints forgive me for even wording it!--but -if I did, I'd surely have sense to provide an alloby, or whatever you -call it." - -As no further questioning seemed to incriminate the man, he was dismissed -from the room. - -Baffled in his attempt to prove his somewhat vague theory as to Stryker, -Duane insisted on a consideration of the note alleged by Avice to have -been found in her uncle's desk. - -Judge Hoyt took up this matter somewhat at length. He admitted that Miss -Trowbridge had found the note, as she averred, but he urged that it be -not taken too seriously, for in his opinion, it had been written on Mr. -Trowbridge's typewriter by other fingers than the owner's. And it was -probably done, he opined, to turn suspicion away from his client. - -"And do you want suspicion to rest on your client?" asked Stone. - -"I do not and I do not propose that suspicion shall rest on him. But I do -not care to divert it from him by fraudulent means." - -Hoyt was careful not to glance toward Avice. He regretted her impulsive -act in forging that note, and he felt sure that if he appeared to bank on -it, the truth would come out. So he endeavored to have the note's -implication discarded, and the matter ignored. - -But this attitude, of itself, roused Whiting's suspicions. - -"Might it not be," he said, slowly, "that the note, then, is the work of -the prisoner, himself? Mr. Landon has been living in the Trowbridge house -and would have had ample opportunity to 'plant' the note which the young -lady found." - -Judge Hoyt looked annoyed. The possibility of this theory being set forth -had occurred to him. But, adhering to his one idea, he smiled, and said, -lightly: - -"That is for you to determine. As I am convinced of Mr. Landon's -innocence, I, of course, feel sure he did not write the note in question; -but if you think he did, and can prove it on him, go ahead and do so. But -I do not see how it can in any way help your cause." - -This was true. Were it proved that Landon wrote the note, it would be -evidence of a most undecisive sort; or at any rate, Hoyt's indifference -made it appear so. - -"Perhaps Fibsy will tell us of _his_ clues," said Avice, smiling at the -serious-faced boy, who was quietly listening to all that was said, but -making no interruptions. - -"Now, now, Avice," said Judge Hoyt, "don't bring our young friend into -the conversation." - -"Why not?" and Avice pouted a little more at the judge's opposition to -her suggestion, than because she really thought Fibsy could be of any -help. - -"Well, you see, this youth, though a bright-witted boy, rejoices in the -nickname of Fibsy, a title acquired because of his inability to tell the -truth. I submit that a customary falsifier is not permissible as a -counselor." - -"But I don't tell lies when I testify, Judge Hoyt," said the boy, a -disappointed look on his freckled face. - -"You won't have a chance to, Fibsy," and Hoyt smiled at him indulgently, -"for you're not going to testify." - -Fibsy stared at him, and then a strange look came over his face. - -"I got you!" he fairly screamed; "I'm onto you! You know I'm nobody's -fool and you're afraid I'll queer your client!" - -Judge Hoyt didn't so much as glance at the angry boy. He addressed -himself to Avice. "My dear, I protest. And I demand that this impossible -person be removed." - -But Fibsy possessed a peculiar genius for making people listen to him. - -"Him!" he said, and the finger of withering scorn he pointed at Judge -Hoyt was so audacious, that the others held their breath. "Him! He sent -me to Philadelphia to get me outen his way! That's what _he_ did!" - -"A sample of his celebrated falsehoods," said the judge, now smiling -broadly. "The little ingrate! I did get him a position in Philadelphia, -as he could no longer be in Mr. Trowbridge's office. But I fail to see -how even his fertile imagination can make it appear that I did this to -'get him out of the way.' Out of whose way may I ask. He certainly wasn't -in mine." - -Whiting stared. He was trying to put two and two together to make some -sort of a four that would worry his opponent, and for the life of him he -couldn't do it. - -Why, he thought, would Judge Hoyt want to get rid of this boy, unless the -chap knew something detrimental to his client? There could be no other -reason, and yet what could the boy know? Hoyt had said he was a bright -boy, so he must be afraid of that brightness. And yet--and this point -must be well considered--it might well be, if the boy were really an -abandoned liar, that Hoyt only feared the falsehoods he could make up, -and which might be adverse to Landon's interests even though untrue. - -And so, in spite of Hoyt's protests, indeed, really because of them, -Whiting insisted on questioning the boy. - -The first questions put to him were of little interest, but when Fibsy, -in his dramatic way, announced the finding of a button on the scene of -the crime, Whiting pricked up his ears. Could it be a button of Landon's -clothing? Could it be traced to the prisoner? - -"What kind of a button?" he asked the lad. - -"A--a sus-sus-sus-shoe button!" - -The final word came out in a burst of emphasis, and Fibsy, raised a -defiant, determined face, as if expecting opposition. And he got it! - -"Now, I protest!" said Judge Hoyt, and he was actually laughing; "this -mendacious youth told me about that button some time ago; only then, he -said it was a suspender button! Didn't you, Fibsy?" - -"Yep;" was the sulky reply, "and I came near callin' it that this time, -too!" - -"Well, why not? or why not a coat button?" - -"That's it!" and Fibsy's eyes sparkled; "it _was_ a coat button! I -remember now! It was a coat button!" - -Hoyt laughed out in triumph. "And tomorrow it will be a waist-coat -button," he said; "and the day after, a sleeve button!" - -"Yep," said Fibsy staring at him; "Yep, most prob'ly! anyway, it's a -clue, that's what it is!" - -The audience shook with laughter. The funny shock-headed boy was out of -place in this serious affair, but he was there, and his comical face was -irresistibly humorous. - -But Judge Hoyt was solemn enough now. - -"Send away that boy!" he said sternly; "is this matter to be made a -burlesque on the Law? a comic opera of 'Trial by Jury?' Order him out, -Avice, I'll see him later." - -And Fibsy was ordered out. No one could take seriously the sort of talk -he had treated them to. - -But the boy was not covered with confusion. Nor did he even appear -chagrined at his misbehaviour. He looked thoughtful and wondering. He -gazed at Hoyt with an unseeing, almost uncanny stare. He walked to the -door, and as he left the room, he exploded his breath in a deep-toned -"Gee!" - -Whiting looked after the boy a little uncertainly. Hoyt looked at -Whiting. - -But the prosecuting attorney could see no reason to recall the lad, and -though he felt there was something going on he couldn't fathom, he could -get no glimmer of an idea as to its nature. - -Judge Hoyt smiled, and try as he would, Whiting could not discern the -meaning or intent of that smile. - -Fleming Stone remained, after the others left, for a talk with Avice. - -"None of them recognized me," he said, "I've not been in New York for a -year or more, and though I have seen Judge Hoyt before, we were not -personally acquainted." - -"The judge is doing his best," said Avice, wearily, "but he is very -fearful of the outcome. It is strange there is so much circumstancial -evidence against Mr. Landon, when he is entirely innocent." - -"Kane Landon is his own worst enemy," declared Stone. "I have not seen -him yet, but what I've heard about him does not prepossess me in his -favor." - -"You don't think him guilty?" - -"I can't say as to that, at this moment, but I mean his attitude and -behaviour are, I am told, both truculent and insolent. Why should this -be?" - -"It's his nature. Always he has been like that. If anybody ever accused -him of wrong, as a child, he immediately became angry and would neither -confess nor deny. I mean if he was wrongfully accused. It rouses his -worst passions to be unjustly treated. That's an added reason, to me, for -knowing him innocent in this matter. Because he is so incensed at being -suspected." - -"I understand that sort of nature," and Stone spoke musingly, "but it is -carrying it pretty far, when one's life is the forfeit." - -"I know it, and I want to persuade Kane to be more amenable and more -willing to talk. But he shuts up like a clam when they question him. -You're going to see him, aren't you, Mr. Stone?" - -"Yes, very soon. I'm glad you gave me this information about his -disposition. I shall know better how to handle him. And, now, Miss -Trowbridge, will you call your butler up here again, please?" - -Stryker was summoned, and Fleming Stone spoke to him somewhat abruptly. - -"My man," he said, "what is the secret understanding between you and -Judge Hoyt?" - -"I don't know what you mean, sir." - -"Oh, yes, you do. You are not only under his orders, but he owns -you,--body and soul. How did it come about?" - -The old butler looked at his questioner and an expression of abject fear -came into his eyes. "N-no, sir," he said, trembling, "no,--that is not -so--" - -"Don't perjure yourself. You do not deceive me in the least. Come now, -Stryker, there's no reason for such secrecy. Tell me frankly, why the -judge holds you in the hollow of his hand." - -Stone's manner was kindly, his voice gentle, though compelling, and the -old man looked at him, as if fascinated. - -"He saved my life," he said, slowly, "and so--" - -"And so it,--in a way,--belongs to him," supplemented Stone. "I begin to -see. And how did Judge Hoyt save your life, Stryker?" - -"Well, sir, it was a long time ago, and I was accused of--of murder, -sir,--and Mr. Hoyt, he wasn't a judge then, he got me off." - -"Even though you were guilty?" and Fleming Stone's truth-demanding gaze, -brought forth a low "yes, sir. But if you knew the whole story, sir--" - -"Never mind that, Stryker, I don't want to know the whole story. It was -long ago?" - -"Yes, sir, a matter of twenty years now." - -"Then let it pass. But ever since, the judge has held your life at his -own disposal?" - -"Yes, sir, and glad I am to have it so. I'd willingly give it up for him, -if so be he asks me." - -"Do you think he will ever do so?" - -"I don't know, sir. It may be." - -"And it may be in connection with this coming trial of Mr. Landon?" - -"It may be, sir." - -"And what has he asked you to do, so far?" - -Fleming Stone shot out the question so suddenly, that Stryker replied -without a moment's thought, "He says he may ask me to testify that I -telephoned to Mr. Trowbridge to go to the woods that day." - -"Ridiculous!" cried Avice. "Why, Stryker, you don't know about the birds -and insects Uncle Rowly was so fond of collecting." - -"Oh, yes, I do, Miss Avice. I used to set his traps for him, often. And I -know quite a lot of the long names of the queer beetles and things." - -"Can this be, Miss Trowbridge? Is Judge Hoyt capable of using a false -witness thus, to win his cause?" - -Avice blushed deeply, and her eyes fell before Stone's inquiring glance. - -"He wouldn't be, Mr. Stone, except for--Judge Hoyt is a most honorable -lawyer. He makes a fetish of punctilious practice. But there is a certain -reason why--he might--" - -"You needn't say any more, Miss Trowbridge. I understand now. It is -because of--pardon me if I seem intrusive,--because of _you_." - -"Yes, Mr. Stone," returned Avice, simply. "Since you are here to help in -this matter, I will tell you frankly, that if Judge Hoyt succeeds in -winning his case and freeing Kane Landon, I have promised to marry him." - -Stryker had been dismissed, and the two were alone. With infinite pity, -Stone looked at the sad-eyed girl, and intuitively understood the whole -situation. - -"I see," he said, gently, "Judge Hoyt is going to sacrifice Stryker for -you. It is a clever idea, and he will see to it, somehow, that the old -man does not suffer penalty." - -"Yes, it is so. Judge Hoyt told me the only way to get Kane off, is to -get somebody else to swear to that telephone message. If Stryker does -this, they can't prove Kane's guilt." - -"It's a desperate move," observed Stone. - -"It is; but Judge Hoyt is a desperate man. If he determines to do a -thing, he sweeps away all obstacles." - -"A strong nature. And a most capable mind. I was impressed today by his -marvelous faculty of making other people see things as he does." - -"Yes," and Avice sighed. "He can do that. It is that power that I am -banking on in his conduct of the trial." - - - - - CHAPTER XXII - JUDGE HOYT'S PLAN - - -As soon as possible, Avice went to see Landon again, and to tell him what -Fleming Stone had said. Though she was not allowed to see him alone, the -warden had deep sympathy for the lovers, as he had discovered they were, -and he sat as far away from them as possible, apparently immersed in a -most engrossing newspaper. - -Knowing of his sympathy, Avice promptly forgot his presence, and under -the spell of her beauty and love, Landon did likewise. - -"And you will be more--more humble, won't you?" she was saying as hands -clasped in hands, they read each other's eyes. - -"Humble! Avice, you're crazy! Humble? I rather guess not! I didn't kill -Uncle Rowland, and, if they say I did, let them prove it, that's all. -Why, dear, they can't prove a thing that isn't so!" - -"Do you know, Kane, this is the first time you've ever said to me that it -isn't so!" Avice's eyes were gleaming with joy at the assurance. - -"Because, oh, darling, because it hurt me so to have you harbor even a -glimmer of doubt! How could you, dearest? Eleanor didn't." - -"Didn't she?" Avice showed a flash of jealousy. "What is she to you, -Kane?" - -"Merely an old friend. We were good chums in Denver." - -"Then why did you pretend you were strangers?" - -"Oh, you know, Avice, I wanted that money right then and there. When -Uncle wouldn't give it to me I telephoned and asked Eleanor to lend it to -me. She said she'd meet me at the library and bring some bonds that I -could sell." - -"Why didn't you come to the house?" - -"I didn't want to,--on that errand. I suppose I was foolish, but my pride -stood in my way. And, too, there was haste. I wanted to send the money -out West at once, and then, knowing the mine business was all right, go -and see you with a free mind." - -"Well, and then you did meet Eleanor at the Library, but you said at the -inquest that you didn't get the money." - -"What a little cross-examiner it is! No, the bonds she brought me, were -some that are now at a low price, but are sure to go up soon. I couldn't -do her the injustice of selling them at the present market, so I -refused." - -"And she telephoned you late that night." - -"Yes, to tell me of Uncle's death. She was the only one who knew I was at -Lindsay's apartment. Of course, dear, I had expected to see you that day, -but I was so upset by my quarrel with Uncle Rowland,--he was pretty hard -on me,--that I couldn't trust myself to see him till my temper had cooled -off a little. Don't be jealous of Eleanor Black, Avice, she is a firm -friend of yours. She is a frivolous, shallow-hearted woman, but she is a -strong and loyal friend. And she was really fond of Uncle, though she -doesn't seem to mourn for him very deeply." - -"And she doesn't care who killed him!" - -"That is part of her volatile nature. She never looks back. To her, only -the future counts. I don't believe she does care who the murderer is. Who -do you think, Avice?" - -"I can't form any idea, Kane. I suppose it must have been some stranger, -a robber or Black-Hander. Don't you?" - -"I don't know. It doesn't seem altogether likely,--Avice, is Fleming -Stone coming to see me?" - -"Yes, don't you want him to?" - -"Indeed I do. I've formed some theories myself, during the long lonely -hours I spend here, and I'd like to talk them over with Stone. Avice, -what about Stryker? I mean about his bolting, when he feared he would be -suspected." - -"He says that was sheer fright. He knew he was innocent, but he couldn't -prove an alibi, so he ran away. He's very nervous and frightened of late, -anyway. And if Judge Hoyt makes him swear he sent that telephone message, -I just know he'll break down and they'll think he's the murderer, sure." - -"Perhaps he is. There's the handkerchief, you know. And--oh, don't bother -your poor little tired brain over it, darling! Leave it to the -detectives. Duane doesn't amount to much, does he?" - -"No. But Mr. Stone will, I'm sure of that." - -"And Harry Pinckney, what's he doing?" - -Avice looked embarrassed. "I had to snub him, Kane. He--he was--" - -"He fell in love with you! Oh, Avice, you heartbreaker! Who doesn't adore -you! Look out for this Stone!" - -"Oh, he's married. Almost a bridegroom, in fact. Most romantic affair, I -believe. But you know, Kane, if you are freed by Leslie's efforts, I've -promised--" - -"You've promised me, my girl," and Landon's voice rang out exultantly, -"promised me all your love and faith and trust, now and forever. Do you -suppose for a minute, that Leslie Hoyt can take you from me? Never!" - -But Avice only shook her head sadly. Kane was young and impetuous and -hopeful. But Judge Hoyt was older and more experienced, and if he said -Kane could be freed only by his efforts, Avice strongly believed it was -so. - -Avice went away, and it was not much later when Fleming Stone was -admitted to an interview with Kane Landon. Still posing as Mr. Green, an -old friend of the prisoner, admittance was granted him under the regular -rules for visitors. But a disclosure of his real identity to the -authorities secured for him a private session and, wasting no time, the -detective began to talk earnestly of the murder and the impending trial. - -Kane at first showed a spirit of truculence and answered curtly the -remarks of his visitor. But seeing at once that Stone presupposed his -innocence, Landon became friendly, and talked and listened with -eagerness. - -"My uncle and I wrote occasionally," Kane said, "and his letters had been -most friendly of late, and he had urged me to come back East to live. I -was ready to do so, as soon as I had enough money to marry and settle -down. Then the chance for a splendid mining investment turned up, and I -lit out for New York, feeling sure I could put it to Uncle Rowland in -such a way that he would give or lend me the money necessary. But he -wouldn't, and he was so harsh and unjust that I decided to wait a day or -two before going to his house. So I went to Lindsay's, an old chum of -mine, and, as he was going away for a few days he lent me his diggings. -But you know all this. Let us get to the things to be discussed." - -"To my mind," said Stone, "the main clue is that handkerchief. Without a -doubt it is Stryker's, but Stryker never left it there. It is a plan to -incriminate the old man. I'm sure of that. Now, who did it?" - -"I can't agree with you about that, entirely. It seems to me, that that -handkerchief was in my uncle's pocket when he was killed, and was used by -the murderer and left there. I know my uncle's careless habits, of old, -and he was quite as likely to have the butler's handkerchief in his -pocket as his own. When I lived with him, he wore my cap or picked up my -gloves quite unconsciously. It wasn't exactly absentmindedness, but -extreme carelessness in such matters. Why, I remember his going to church -once, and at prayer time he shook out a clean, folded handkerchief from -his pocket, and it was one of Avice's! I drew her attention to it, and we -both snickered right out in meeting. No, Mr. Stone, that handkerchief is -Stryker's, of course, but it's no clue." - -"I didn't know of this carelessness of Mr. Trowbridge; it does put a -different light on the matter. Well, then, there's the pencil picked up -at the scene of the crime. The police have paid little, if any, attention -to that, and it seems to me important. You don't know, I suppose, as to -the pencils your uncle used?" - -"No; but they all said,--the office people and the home people -both,--that Uncle Rowland used that make and letter always. So it was -doubtless his." - -"I only saw it for a moment. I shall examine it more closely. But I -observed it was sharpened with an automatic sharpener. Did you notice one -on your uncle's desk?" - -"No, and I don't believe he would have one. He was too old-fogy to use -modern contraptions much. Maybe the murderer dropped it." - -"Maybe he did. It is often on such small things that great conclusions -hinge. What do you think of that office boy?" - -"Fibsy? He's a case. A little fresh, perhaps, but a bright chap, and -devoted to my uncle's memory." - -"I don't think he's fresh, exactly. But I do think he's -bright,--exceptionally so, and I have asked him to help me--" - -"Fibsy! To help Fleming Stone! Excuse me if I seem amused." - -"Oh, I don't mind your amusement. Now, here's the case as it stands, Mr. -Landon. You didn't telephone to Mr. Trowbridge that afternoon at two, -calling him 'Uncle' did you?" - -"I did not." - -"And there are no other nephews?" - -"None, that I know of." - -"Then, somebody did it to throw suspicion on you. There seems to be no -getting away from that." - -"Quite right." - -"Again, if I am right about the handkerchief being a 'planted' clue, some -one tried to throw suspicion on Stryker." - -"Yes." - -"Again, if the pencil was purposely left there, and it may have been, -that's another effort to mislead." - -"Well?" - -"Well, if these 'clues' were arranged with such meticulous care and -precision, it surely argues a clear, clever brain that planned them, and -diverts our search from such criminals as thugs or highway robbers." - -"That's all true, Mr. Stone, and I wonder our police didn't see that -point at once." - -"Police are a capable lot, but rarely subtle in their deductions. The -obvious appeals to them, rather than the obscure. But that boy, Fibsy, -has the brain of a thinking detective. With training and experience, he -ought to develop into something remarkable. Now, I must be going. I fancy -my time is up, and I have an appointment with young McGuire this -afternoon." - -Fleming Stone went away, better pleased with Kane Landon than he had -expected to be. Several people had told him of Landon's perverseness and -flippancy, and after seeing him, Stone had concluded that while Landon's -nature was irritable and his temper quick, he could be easily managed by -any one who cared for him and understood him. - -Meantime Judge Hoyt was calling on Avice, and was telling her, -exultantly, that he had plans laid that augured success for his case. - -"You're going to do something wrong!" Avice exclaimed. - -"Hush! Never put that in words! The walls have ears. If I do, Avice, you -must never ask what I have done. My God, girl, isn't it enough that I -perjure my soul, jeopardize my reputation and forfeit my self-respect, -for you, without having to bear your reproaches? Rest assured, it is only -after failing in every honorable attempt, that I can bring myself to -do--what you call something wrong." - -"Forgive me, Leslie," and Avice was touched by the look of agony on the -strong man's face. "I do know you do it for me, and I will never reproach -you. But you know, if I can accomplish Kane's acquittal myself--" - -"But you can't! How can you? Avice, you haven't engaged Stone, have you?" - -"Why, you told me not to," said the girl, prevaricating purposely. - -"That's right," and the judge took her words to mean denial, as she hoped -he would. "There's no use calling him in, for, dear, he is very clever, I -am told, and if I do this thing,--this wrong," the fine eyes clouded -every time Hoyt referred to his projected plan, "Fleming Stone might -discover it,--though Duane never will." - -"Then you're afraid of Mr. Stone?" - -"In that way, yes. If I do something secret to win our cause,--to win -_you_, it must remain secret or be of no avail. If Stone were here and -discovered my--my plan,--he would expose it, and I should be disgraced -for life,--and our case would be lost." - -"You still think Kane guilty, then?" - -"Avice! Who else is there to suspect? Where is any other possible way to -look? And so, I must invent a suspect. I beg of you, my darling, do not -impede or prevent my progress,--it is all for you. You asked of me what -is practically an impossibility. If I achieve it, it will be at -great,--at colossal cost. But I undertake it, for your sweet sake. Avice! -Beloved! Can you imagine, have you the faintest idea of how I love you? -Who else would sin for you? Do you know the impeccability of my past -record? Do you know what it would mean to me to have the slightest smirch -on my untarnished honor? Yet I chance this for you. I do not expect to be -found out, but there is, of course, a risk. That risk I take, my glorious -girl, for you. And I take it willingly, gladly, whatever the penalty, -because--I love you." - -The last words, whispered, thrilled Avice to the soul. She did not love -Judge Hoyt; her heart was bound up in Kane Landon, but this impassioned -declaration, every word throbbing with truth, moved her,--as it must have -moved any woman. She felt a guilty sensation at the thought of Fleming -Stone's connection with the case, but she was not willing to retract. It -must go on. Kane must be exonerated, if possible, without Leslie's help, -and then she would be free to join her heart's true love. And if Kane -were freed by Judge Hoyt's plans,--Avice shuddered to think of her -promise. Well she knew that the judge would hold her to it, no matter how -much Landon protested the contrary. Landon was determined, but his -determination was a weak thing compared with the iron will of Judge Hoyt. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII - IN KITO'S CARE - - -The case of "The People _vs._ Kane Landon" was before the court and jury. -Few, if any, of the listening audience realized the great amount of time, -thought and skill that had been expended in preparation or had any idea -of the care with which the district attorney had framed his opening -speech. - -Whiting well knew the responsibility resting on the jury's first -impression of the case, and also their judgment of himself. He knew too, -his jurors' records, and he was alert and alive to all the effects of his -short but comprehensive statement. - -Judge Hoyt was warily on the defensive, and though Whiting had built up -his case most carefully, Hoyt hoped to prove that the evidence was not -crucial. - -First came the details of the crime. Mysterious rather than revolting -were the circumstances related of Rowland Trowbridge's death. - -Proceedings went on slowly, for the two lawyers were masters of their -profession, and each foresaw and was prepared to evade the traps of the -other. - -Moreover the situation was difficult because of the lack of material. -There were no star witnesses. The clues led only to conjecture and -theory, and while facts were conceded, the inferences to be drawn from -them were bitterly contested. - -The two men eyed each other thoughtfully. Whiting, big and burly, with a -stubborn jaw and belligerent air; Hoyt, tall and aristocratic, with the -dominating manner of one accustomed to dictate terms. - -When Whiting emphatically urged Landon's motive, Hoyt assented, but added -that since that alleged motive was merely to receive at once his legacy, -any other beneficiary under the will must be admitted to have had the -same. - -Regarding the district attorney's insistence on Landon's opportunity, -Hoyt agreed that the prisoner was in the woods at the time, but any one -else might also have been there. And, moreover, the fact that the -prisoner had voluntarily told of his presence there, was not a sign of a -guilty conscience. - -The quarrel between Landon and his uncle, Hoyt dismissed with the comment -that that was the story of a boy who was an acknowledged prevaricator, -and could not be taken into consideration. - -"The evidence is vague, general and inconclusive," he said; "It is not -enough to condemn the prisoner, and indeed it in no instance connects the -accused with crime. I myself knew Mr. Trowbridge well, and I knew he -often used figurative language. It was entirely like him to say, 'Cain -killed me!' meaning a reference to an unknown murderer. But it was -utterly unlike him to say to the Swede, a perfect stranger, 'Kane killed -me,' meaning his nephew. Why should he speak of Mr. Landon by his first -name to a stranger? He never did any such thing! The similar sound of the -two names is a mere coincidence, and must be regarded as such by all -fair-minded people." - -Aside from the argument, Judge Hoyt was pinning his faith to his -marvelously wide knowledge of the law governing every aspect of the -matter in hand. He well knew that a prosecutor with a really clear case, -may lose it because he has neglected to look up some points of law which -may unexpectedly arise, and the defence was hoping for something of this -sort. - -Again, it is a fact, that juries are more likely to acquit in a murder -trial than in case of other crimes. Unless the prisoner at the bar is of -the depraved criminal class, a jury is inclined to give him every -possible benefit of doubt. - -And, knowing this, and knowing many other "tricks of his trade," Judge -Hoyt took advantage of every condition and every circumstance; and as the -trial proceeded from day to day, the probabilities of the outcome -vibrated from one side to the other largely in proportion to the -oratorical eloquence of the two counsels. - -Fleming Stone attended the trial only occasionally. He had his own agent -there, reporting it for him, and he himself was busy untangling clues -whose existence others were unaware of or had ignored. - -On one particular afternoon, Stone had told Fibsy to meet him at his -office at two o'clock, and the boy did not appear. - -This was a most unusual thing, for Fibsy, working with Stone, had proved -absolutely reliable in the matter of obeying orders. - -After waiting fifteen minutes, Stone telephoned to the boy's home. - -"Why," responded "Aunt Becky," "Fibs went out an hour ago. Somebody -telephoned for him,--I don't know who,--and he flew right off. No, it -must have been important, for he went off without his dessert." - -Like a flash, it came to Stone that there was something wrong. - -But what it was, even his cleverness failed to fathom. He telephoned the -Trowbridge house, Judge Hoyt's office, the courtroom, and any place he -could think of where there was a chance of finding Fibsy, but all without -success. Then, setting detectives in search of the missing boy, Stone -went on with his own work of drawing in his widespread net. - -And Fibsy? - -The telephone message had said that he was to come at once to the corner -of Broadway and Thirty-second Street, where Mr. Stone would meet him in a -taxicab. - -Fibsy grabbed his cap and sped to the appointed place. There he found a -waiting cab, whose driver nodded, and said, "Hop in." - -Fibsy hopped in, and found inside a Japanese boy apparently about his own -age. - -"All light," the Japanese observed, with a stolid countenance. "Mr. -Stoan, he tell me bling you. All light." - -Fibsy, though a little surprised, accepted it all, for Fleming Stone -frequently sent for him in unexpected ways, and sent him on unexpected -and strange errands. - -The cab went quickly uptown, and turning into a cross street in the upper -West Seventies, stopped before a rather fine-looking house. - -"Get out," said the Jap, briefly, and Fibsy obeyed. The house was not Mr. -Stone's, of that Fibsy was sure, but he was accustomed to obey orders, -even through an emissary, and nothing had ever gone wrong by so doing. - -The Japanese produced a latch-key, dismissed the cab, and the two went -into the house. - -"Mr. Stoan, he upstairs," the taciturn guide vouchsafed, leading the way. - -Fibsy followed, up two flights, and was ushered into a large room, in the -location known as "the middle room"; that is, it was between the front -and back chambers, and had no outside window, save on a small airshaft. - -A little curious, but in no way alarmed, he entered, and the Jap followed -him, and turned on an electric switch. By this illumination, Fibsy -discovered that he was in a bedroom, a fairly well-appointed and tidily -kept chamber, apparently in the abode of the well-to-do. - -By this time, and perhaps more because of the expression on his -companion's face, than the situation itself, Fibsy felt a slight thrill -of doubt. - -"Where am I?" he said, pleasantly. "Where's Mr. Stone?" - -"No Mr. Stoan here," and the Japanese grinned. "You fall in tlap. Hee, -hee! You fall eas'ly! Well, Mr. Flibsy, you here to stay." - -"To stay! Trap! Whaddye mean, you yellow sneak? Lemme out this minute, or -I'll show you who's who wit' the wallop! I'll fuss up that map o' yourn -till your own grandmother wouldn't know it!" - -"Aexcuse me, Mr. Flibsy, you don' say nawthin' 'bout my ancestors! They -sacred to Jap'nese. You be p'lite or I thing I quarrel with you." - -"Oh, you thing you will, do you? Now, stop this nonsense, and--" - -"Aexcuse me. This not non-senze. Behole! You here,--here you stay. I -_bed_ you stay!" and the Japanese with low, mocking bow, went out at the -door and began to draw it to after him. - -"Here, you, come back here!" and Fibsy's quick perceptions took in the -fact that he had been trapped by some one, and that he was about to be -locked in. "Come back, what's-your-name?" - -"My name Kito, an' I ask you be rev'ren 'bout my august ancestors." - -"Bother your ancestors! I mean--bless 'em!" for Kito's eyes narrowed at -the first word. "Now, you come back a minute, and put me wise to this -song and dance. What house is this?" - -"My master's." - -"And you're his valet? cook? head stuff? what?" - -"His ver' humble servant," and Kito bowed low. "An' at his orders, I mus' -log you in. Goo' by." - -"No, you don't!" Fibsy sprang at the Japanese and fully expected to land -his clenched fist at its destination, when instead, he gave a shriek of -pain, as Kito deftly caught the descending arm and with a peculiarly -dextrous twist, almost,--it seemed to Fibsy,--broke it. - -"I had a hunch I was pretty good," the injured one said, ruefully, "but I -hand it to you! Show me how, will you, It's that thing they call juicy -jitsoo, ain't it?" - -"Jiu jitsu, yaes. _Now_ you know who goin' be who? eh? What you thing?" - -"I think you're a wonder, an' you gotter crack me wise to that some time, -but not now. Now I'm mainly int'rested in gettin' outa here." - -"Yaes?" And the Japanese looked mildly amused. - -This made Fibsy serious. "Say," he said, without bluster, for Kito was -gazing at him steadily, "tell a feller a few things, can't you? Who is -you master?" - -"I thing I not say it good. This United States names too much for me. So -I carry card, this-away." Kito drew from his pocket a worn card and held -it out for inspection. - -"Mr. James Brent Auchincloss," it read. - -"Huh," said Fibsy, "don't wonder it's too much for you, son. But looky -here, you've got in wrong, somehow. I don't know Mr. Autchincloss, -myself. Lemme go, there's a pal,--an' I'll call it square." - -"Aexcuse; my orders to log you in," and this time, Kito slid out of the -door, and the next instant Fibsy heard the key grate in the lock. - -First he gave a long whistle, then he blinked his eyes several times, and -then he set to work, systematically, to investigate his prison. - -A few quick glances showed him he was in a woman's room, and one recently -occupied. There were hairpins on the dresser and a pair of curling tongs -beside them. The furniture was of black walnut, old-fashioned but of good -workmanship. The bed was neatly made up, and the closet, into which Fibsy -looked, was empty, save for a pair of woman's shoes and an old skirt or -two. - -There was one other door, and pulling it open, the boy found it led to a -bathroom, plain and clean, not at all luxuriously appointed. - -He put his head out of the bathroom window. There was a sheer drop of -three stories to the ground. This was on the same airshaft as the bedroom -window gave on. The windows on the other side of the shaft were in the -next house, and were all with closely drawn shades. - -"Gee!" thought Fibsy, "I must set me bean to woikin'--" - -In critical moments, Fibsy, even in thought, reverted to his street -slang, though he was honestly trying to break himself of the habit. - -"I'm in a swell house," he assured himself, "an' this is the woik-goil's -room. Folks all gone to the country, an' neighbors all gone, too. Oh, I'm -on. Dis ain't no mistake, I'm kidnapped,--that's what's come my way! Now, -who does it?" - -But though he had the whole afternoon to put uninterrupted thought on -that question, it remained unanswered. He cudgeled his brain to remember -any one by the name of Auchincloss, without success. He pondered deeply -over the possible reasons any one could have for incarcerating him in -this way, but could think of none. He returned at last to his theory of -mistaken identity, and concluded that he had been mistaken for some one -else. - -Though with a subconsciousness of its futility, he banged on the door, -and he hung out of the window and yelled, and he stamped and pounded and -banged in every way he could think of, without getting the least response -of any sort. - -The awful thought struck him that he was to be left here to starve to -death, and this so awed him that he sat perfectly still for two minutes, -and then began to make a racket with redoubled vigor. - -At last, worn out by mental and physical exertion, he threw himself on -the bed and dropped into fitful slumber. - -He was roused by the opening door, and beheld the Japanese enter with a -tray of food. - -"Nixy on the starvation stunt, then," he cried, joyously. "Why, I say -Kito, if you don't come across with 'most as good eats as me Aunt Becky, -an' that's goin' some!" - -Kito stood, with folded arms, watching his prisoner's appetite assert -itself. Then he said, "You make 'nother piece racket like those, an' I -break your honorable arm." - -"You will!" And for a moment, Fibsy sprang to action. Then remembering -the skill of his foe, he fell into dejection again. - -"Aw, now Kite," he began, in a conciliatory tone, "let's chew this -over,--me'n you. There's some mistake, you know." - -"Aexcuse, no mis-take. You here to stay. You can't get aout. You holler -an' bang-bang, I break your arm. You jump out window, you break your leg. -So." - -"Then I'm to stay here and be mousy-quiet?" - -"Yes, so as a mice." - -"Yes, I will! Say, Kite, be a sport. I'll make it up to you, if you'll -just lead me to a telephone, an' let me fix up this here mistake. I don't -know any Auchincloss--" - -"No mis-take. My honorable master never make mis-take." - -"Oh, don't he? Well, tell me this. How long do I live here--on the -house?" - -"In the house?" corrected Kito gravely. "I not know. Two, t'ree, fo' -weeks' mebbe more." - -"Mebbe nothing!" roared the irate Fibsy. "Stay here all that time! Why, -you yellow-gilled crab--" - -Fibsy paused, for the Japanese merely lifted his hand and flexed his long -yellow fingers in a suggestive way, that was decidedly unpleasant. - -"There, there, I didn't mean anything. Oh, well, if you wanta be fussy!" - -Fibsy saw at once the utter uselessness of trying to threaten, cajole or -reason with the Oriental. Though he looked no older than the boy, he was -a man, and one skilled in his country's athletic and wrestling methods. - -Without further words, Kito waited for Fibsy to finish his supper, and -then took away the tray, locking his prisoner in the room. - -This went on for three whole days. Fibsy was comfortably housed, all his -physical wants provided for, and Kito even brought him a pile of old -magazines to read, but no further information was given him as to the -reason for his imprisonment. - -By the fourth day the nervous strain had begun to tell on the captive -boy. No amount of thinking could reveal the reason of his plight, and no -theory account for it. Hours at a time he tried to escape or tried to -plan some means that might lead to freedom, but there was no chance for -ingenious attempt, or possibility of conquering or eluding Kito. - -It was this very day that Fleming Stone came to the house, but Fibsy did -not know it, nor did Stone have the slightest idea that the boy he sought -so diligently was there. - -Kito answered Stone's ring at the door, and when that gentleman pushed -his way a little brusquely through the reception room to the library, the -Japanese followed, politely, but with a wary eye and a tense arm. - -"Good!" Stone exclaimed, looking over the appointments of the large -library table. "Your master has no pencil sharpener. Now, my man, I am an -agent for these," and Stone took from his bag a small contrivance for -sharpening lead pencils. "And our new method of selling these goods, is -to leave one with a prospective customer, feeling sure that a trial of it -will mean a quick sale. Has your master ever used a thing, like this?" - -Kito had not followed all Stone's speech, his English being somewhat -limited, but by the actions of the "agent" the Japanese understood. - -"No good," he said, scornfully, "my master no want it." - -"How do you know?" - -"I know." - -"Has he one?" - -"No." - -"Did he ever have one?" - -"Yaes." - -"Not like this." - -"Yes, just all same like that one." - -And then Stone, with his almost hypnotic power of suggestion, so hinted -and insinuated and urged, that finally Kito, after a short search in a -closet, triumphantly showed a pencil-sharpener exactly like the one Stone -had offered. - -Looking chagrined and disappointed, Stone returned his to his bag. - -"Why did your master stop using it?" he asked, noting the pencil on the -desk tray, undoubtedly sharpened with a knife. - -"Two, four weeks, mebbe more." - -"But when?" and Stone picked up a calendar. "When?" - -Slowly tracing back through his memory, Kito suddenly smiled. - -"Then!" he exclaimed pointing to a date. "I know, be-cause, the same day -almost, my birt'day. An' I hoped my master give him to me for plesent. -But no." - -"That's too bad," agreed Stone. "Well, if your master doesn't care for -his, of course he won't buy mine. Good-day." - -Picking up his bag, he went away, and Kito closed the door behind him. - -The date the Japanese had pointed to, was the day after the murder of -Rowland Trowbridge! - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV - ESCAPE - - -Fibsy was at his wits' end. And the wits' end of Terence McGuire was at -some distance from their beginning. But he had scrutinized every step of -the way, and now he disconsolately admitted to himself that he had really -reached the end. - -He had been shut up in the strange house nearly a week. He was most -comfortably lodged and fed, he had much reading matter supplied for his -perusal, though none of it was newspapers, and Kito offered to play -parchesi with him by way of entertainment. The Japanese was polite, even -kindly, but he was inflexible in the matter of obeying his orders. And -his scrupulous fidelity precluded any possibility of Fibsy's getting -away, or even getting out of the rooms allotted to his use. - -But when the boy rose one morning after a refreshing night's sleep and -had a satisfying breakfast, and was at last locked in his room for the -morning, he sat down on the edge of the bed, and clinched his impotent -young fists in rage and despair. - -"I gotta make me bean woik better," he groaned to himself, the tenseness -of the situation causing him to revert to his use of street slang. "I -gotter get outen here, an' most likely it's too late now. I'm a nice -detective, I am, can't get out the fust time I'm in a hole! Gee! I'm -gonta get out!" - -Followed a long session of hard thinking, and then a gleam of light came -to him. But he needs must wait till Kito brought up his dinner. - -And at noon or thereabouts, Kito came with the usual well-appointed tray -of good food. - -Fibsy looked it over nonchalantly. "All right, Kite," he said, "but say, -I gotta toothache. I wish you'd gimme a toothpick,--not quill,--the -wooden kind." - -Sympathetic and solicitous, the Japanese produced from his own pocket a -little box of his native toothpicks, of which Fibsy accepted a couple, -and pocketed them. And then, came the strategical moment. His purpose -must be effected while the Jap was still in the room. And it was. Sidling -to the half-open door, Fibsy called Kite's attention to a dish on the -tray, and then thrust a toothpick quickly in beside the bolt of the lock, -and broke it off short. - -In order to keep his jailer's attention distracted, Fibsy then waxed -loquacious, and dilated on the glories of a wonderful movie show. - -Kito listened attentively, and though he said no word about going to see -it, he inquired carefully where it was, and Fibsy's hopes began to rise. - -"But if ever you go, Kite," he said, "you wanter see the very beginnin', -'relse you lose all the fun." - -At last, Fibsy finished his dinner and the Jap took up the tray. -Breathlessly, but unnoticeably, Fibsy watched him, and as he went out of -the door, and turned the key in the lock, he didn't notice that the bolt -didn't shoot home as usual, but the door was really left unlocked. - -Fibsy's heart beat like a trip-hammer as he heard the catlike footsteps -go down stairs. - -Unable to wait, he tried the door, and found it was open. He slipped out -into the hall. Down two flights, he could hear the Japanese, going about -his business. Warily, Fibsy crept down one stair-case. Then he stepped -into the front room on that floor. It was evidently the room of a grand -lady. Silver trinkets were here and there, but Fibsy's quick eyes noted -that the bureau was dismantled, and there were no appearances of actual -occupancy. - -"Mrs. Autchincloss is away fer the summer," he said, sapiently. "Lessee -furder." - -It was a risk, but Kito rarely came upstairs so soon after dinner, so the -boy went through to the back room on the second floor. - -"Bachelor," he said, nodding his head at the appointments on the -chiffonier. "Stayin' in town. Kinder Miss Nancy,--here's a little sewin' -kit some dame made fer him. An' the way his brushes an' things is fixed, -shows he ain't got no wife. So this ain't Mr. Autchincloss. Well, -lemmesee. Writin' table next. Not much doin'. Fixin's all fer show. Spose -he writes down in the liberry. Wisht I could git down there. Here's a lot -of his friends." - -Fibsy had spied a pack of snapshots and small photographs, and hastily -ran them over. They were all unknown faces to him, except one which -chanced to be the postcard of Judge Hoyt taken in Philadelphia station. - -"Hello! The guy wot lives here is a frien' o' Judge Hoyt. No, not a -friend, but a nennermy. Cos, I dope it out, that friend guy's locked me -up here fer fear I'll help Judge Hoyt's case. Oh, no, I dunno, as it's -that. I dunno what it is. I wisht I could get word to Mr. Stone. If I -only dared use that telephone. But Kite would fly up here quicker'n scat! -Well, I'll swipe this card, cos it looks interestin'." - -Then Fibsy, still with a wary eye on the hall door, searched the room and -its dressing-room and closets, and was rewarded by some further -discoveries, one of which was a dirk cane. This article was among a -number of other canes and umbrellas in the far end of a deep closet. - -"Now, o' course," he mused, "maybe tain't the right cane, an' maybe 'tis. -But if it is, then this here's the moiderer's house, an' he locked me in -cos he's scared o' me. Well, it's all too many fer me. Hello, wot's -this?" He opened a small door in the side of the deep closet. There -seemed to be an elevator shaft, with no car. As a matter of fact, it was -a laundry chute, but Fibsy was unacquainted with conveniences of that -sort, and didn't know its purpose. But he saw at once that the shaft led -to the basement, and that it went upward, to a similar opening in the -room above. And the room above was his room! - -Softly he crept back upstairs, and re-entered his room. He dislodged the -fragment of toothpick, and closed the door. If Kito discovered it was -unlocked, he couldn't help that now. He went straight to his own closet, -and sure enough there was the same sort of a slide door, and it gave onto -the same chute, hung over it. At last a possible way of exit. Precarious, -for he had not yet decided on a safe way of descending a bare shaft, but -his mind was at work now, and something must come of it. - -And his mind produced this plan. He knew where Kito was now. Always at -that time in the afternoon, the Japanese was in his own room in the rear -part of the first floor of the house. Previous desultory chat had brought -out this fact. And Fibsy's plan was to make a soft bed at the foot of the -shaft and jump down. Dangerous, almost positively disastrous, but the -only chance. - -"'Course I'll break me bloomin' back or legs or suthin', but anyway the -horsepital'd be better'n this, an' then I could get aholt of Mr. Stone." - -So, swiftly and noiselessly, he removed all the bedding from his bed, and -down the chute he threw the mattress, dropping on it the blankets and -pillows. - -"Here goes!" he said, not pausing to consider consequences, and, -balancing for an instant on the ledge, he let himself go, and came down -with a soft thud on the pillows. - -Whether it was because he relaxed every muscle and fell limply, or -whether it was because of a kind fate looking after him, he sustained no -injuries. Not a bone broke, and though the jar was stunning, he recovered -after a few minutes, and sat up half-dazed, but rapidly becoming alert, -and looking about him. - -The semi-darkness of the shaft showed him the exit, and it proved to be -into the laundry in the basement of the house. - -The rest was easy. Listening intently for a sound of Kito, and hearing -none, Fibsy deliberately walked out of the basement door, and into the -street. - -He did not hurry, being desirous not to attract attention in any way, and -as he went through the area gate, he looked up and noted the number of -the house. It was as he had surmised, a house closed for the summer -during the absence of the family. The Japanese butler had been retained -as caretaker, and whoever was Fibsy's captor, gave the orders. Kito was -so trustworthy and faithful, there could have been no chance of Fibsy's -escape save by some such ingenious method as he had used. - -"Only," he blamed himself, "why the dickens didn't I think of it sooner?" - -Reaching the corner, he noted the street the house was on, but the -fashionable locality, in the upper West Seventies, was unfamiliar to him, -and he had no idea whose house he had been living in. - -Nor had he had time to find out. An investigation of a street directory -might have told him, but he concluded to lose no time in communicating -with Fleming Stone. - -But first, he telephoned his aunt to relieve the anxiety he knew she must -be feeling. - -"It's all right, Aunt Becky," he announced, cheerily. "Don't you worry, -don't you fret. I'm on important business, and I'll be home when I get -there. So long!" - -Then he called up Fleming Stone's office. The detective was not in, but -Fibsy made it so plain to a secretary that Mr. Stone must be found at -once, that the finding was accomplished, and by the time Fibsy in his -taxicab reached the office, Fleming Stone was there too. - -"Terence!" exclaimed the detective, grasping the boy's hand in his own. -"Come in here." - -He took the lad to his inner sanctum, and said, "Tell me all about it." - -"There's such a lot, Mr. Stone," began Fibsy, breathlessly, "but first, -how's the trial goin'? I ain't seen a pape since I was caught. I wanted -to get one on the way here, but I got so int'rested in this here -card,--say, look here. This is a pitcher of Judge Hoyt in the Philly -Station the day of the moider. You know he was in Philly that day." - -"Yes, he was," and Stone looked harassed. "He certainly was. He wrote -from there and telegraphed from there and I've seen a card like the one -you have there, and that settles it. I wish I could prove he wasn't -there." - -"Well, Mr. Stone, he prob'ly was there, all right, but this here picture -wasn't took on that day." - -"How do you know?" - -"De-duck-shun!" and Fibsy indulged in a small display of vanity, quite -justified by his further statement. "You see, this card shows the big -news stand in the waitin' room. Well, the papers on the news stand ain't -that week's papers!" - -"What?" - -"No, sir, they ain't. You see, I read every week 'The Sleuth's Own -Magazine', an' o' course I know every number of that 'ere thing's well's -I know my name. An' here, you see, sir, is the magazine I'm speakin' of, -right here in the picture. Well, on it is a cover showin' a lady tied in -a chair wit' ropes. Well, sir, that roped lady was on the cover two weeks -after Mr. Trowbridge was killed, not the day of the moider." - -"You're sure of this, Terence?" and Stone looked at the boy with an -expression almost of envy. "This is very clever of you." - -"Aw, shucks, tain't clever at all. Only, I know them magazines like a -mother'd know her own children. I read 'em over an' over. An' I know that -picture on that cover came out more'n two weeks later'n what Judge Hoyt -said it did. I mean, he didn't have that card taken of himself on the day -he said he did." - -"Motive?" - -"That I dunno. I do know Judge Hoyt is tryin' sumpin' fierce to clear Mr. -Landon--has he done it yet?" - -"No, Terence, but the trial is almost over, and I think the judge has -something up his sleeve that he's holding back till the last minute. I -never was in such a baffling mystery case. Every clue leads nowhere, or -gets so tangled with contradictory clues that it merely misleads. Now -tell me your story." - -Fibsy told the tale of his imprisonment, and the manner of his escape. He -told the street and number of the house, and he told of his discovery of -a dirk cane in a cupboard. - -"An' Mr. Stone," he went on, "I found the shoe the button came off of." - -"You're sure it was a shoe button?" and Fleming Stone smiled at -recollection of the button that had been described as of several -varieties. - -"Yes, sir. An' every time I said that button was a kind of button that it -wasn't, I was glad afterward that I said it. Yes, Mr. Stone it's a shoe -button an' in that same house I was in, is the shoe it useter be on." - -"Look out now, Terence, don't let your zeal and your imagination run away -with you." - -"No, sir, but can't you go there yourself, and get the shoe and the cane, -or send for 'em, and if they fit the cane mark in the mud, and if the -button I've got is exactly like those on that shoe, then ain't there -sumpin in it, Mr. Stone? Ain't there?" - -The freckled face was very earnest and the blue eyes very bright as Fibsy -waited for encouragement. - -"There's a great deal in it, Fibsy. You have done wonderful work. In fact -so wonderful, that I must consider very carefully before I proceed." - -"Yes, sir. You see maybe the place where I was, might be the house of -that Mr. Lindsay, he's a friend of Mr. Landon's--" - -"Wait a bit, child. Now you've done much, so very much, have patience to -go a little slowly for the next move. Do you remember what the inspector -told about the noises he heard when the Italian woman first telephoned -him about Mr. Trowbridge?" - -"Yes sir, every woid. Rivetin' goin on. Phonograph playin' an' kids -whoopin'-coughin' like fury." - -"Well, from the Board of Health I've found the general location of -whooping-cough cases at about that time, now if we can eliminate others -and find the Italian ones--" - -"Yep, I und'stand! Goin' now?" - -"Yes, at once." - -Calling a taxicab, they started, and Stone went to an Italian quarter -near 125th Street, where whooping-cough had been prevalent a few weeks -previous. - -"Find the house, Fibsy," he said, as they reached the infected district. - -Unsmilingly, Fibsy's sharp, blue eyes scanned block after block. - -"New buildin'," he said, at last, thoughtfully; and then, darting across -the street, to a forlorn little shop, he burst in and out again, crying, -"Here you are, Mr. Stone!" - -Stone crossed the street and entered the shop. There was a swarthy -Italian woman, and several children, some coughing, others quarreling and -all dirty. - -A phonograph was in evidence, and Fibsy casually looked over the records -till he found the rag-time ditty the inspector had recalled. - -He called up headquarters and asked Inspector Collins if that were the -music he heard before. "Yes," said Collins, and Stone shouted, "Hold that -wire, Fibsy, wait a minute," and dragging the scared woman to the -telephone he bade her repeat the message she had given the day of the -murder. - -"Same voice! Same woman!" declared the inspector, and Stone hung up the -receiver. - -Then he soothed the frightened Italian, promising no harm should come to -her if she told the truth. - -The truth, as she tremblingly divulged it, seemed to be, that some man -had come to her shop that afternoon, and forced her to telephone as he -dictated. She remembered it all perfectly, and had been frightened out of -her wits ever since. He had given her ten dollars which she had never -dared to spend, as it was blood money! - -"Describe the man," said Stone. - -"I not see heem good. He hold noosa-paper before his face, and maka me -speak-a telephone." - -"How did he make you? Did he threaten you?" - -"He have-a dagger. He say he killa me, if I not speak as he say." - -"Ah, a dagger! An Italian stiletto?" - -"No, not Italiano. I not see it much, I so fright'. But I know it if I -see it more!" - -After a few more questions, Stone was ready to go. But Fibsy sidled up to -the woman. "Say," he said, "what you give your bambinos for the cough, -hey? Med'cine?" - -"No, I burna da Vaporina, da Vap' da Cressar lina----" - -"Gee! Quite so! All right, old lady, much obliged!" - -After that matters whizzed. On the ride down town, Fibsy told Stone much. -Stone listened and made that much more. The two acted as complements, the -boy having gathered facts which the man made use of. - - - - - CHAPTER XXV - THE WHOLE TRUTH - - -The two went straight down to the office of the district attorney. "I -must send a message to Mr. Whiting at once," Fleming Stone said to a -secretary there. - -"Mr. Whiting is in the Court of General Sessions, just below this office -here, and I'd rather not disturb him. Can your business wait?" - -"It cannot," declared Stone, "not an instant. Please send this message -immediately. Mr Whiting will not be annoyed at the interruption." - -As Fleming Stone and Fibsy entered the courtroom District Attorney -Whiting was reading the note in which the detective asked the privilege -of speaking to him a moment, and partially told why. - -At that instant also, the jury were filing into the box prepared to give -their verdict. - -"Gentlemen of the jury," said the clerk of the court, "have you arrived -at a verdict?" - -"We have," replied the foreman. - -"What is it?" - -"We find the defendant guilty, as charged in the indictment, of--" - -"Excuse me, your Honor," said the district attorney, hurriedly, to the -judge on the bench, "I would like to interrupt here," and he walked -toward the bench. - -A strange and expectant hush fell over the courtroom, as the judge and -the district attorney conferred in whispers. The conference continued a -few moments, and then the judge said suddenly, "This is a matter that -should be discussed with the lawyer for the defense. Judge Hoyt, will you -please step to the bench?" - -The three held a short parley, and then the judge on the bench said, "Mr. -Fleming Stone, will kindly come here?" - -"If it please your Honor, I ask to be heard." - -Leslie Hoyt looked round angrily, and as Stone's calm, clear voice was -followed by the appearance of his stalwart figure, there was a stir -throughout the room. - -"As a detective recently employed on this case," Stone said, "I wish to -tell of my discoveries." - -"Tell your story in your own way, Mr. Stone," instructed the judge, and -Stone began. - -"As you are all aware, the dying words of Mr. Trowbridge are said to be, -'Cain killed me!' implying, it was at first supposed, an allusion to the -first murderer of Scripture history. Later, it was adjudged to mean a -reference to Kane Landon. But I submit a third meaning, which is that Mr. -Trowbridge was killed by a cane in the hands of his assailant, said cane -being of the variety know as a dirk or sword cane. This type of -walking-stick, the carrying of which is forbidden by law, has a dagger -concealed in it, which may be drawn forth by the handle. An imprint has -been found of a cane near the place of the crime, and to this print has -been fitted a cane of the dirk or sword variety. The ownership of this -cane has been traced to a man, who is known to have benefited by the -death of the victim. I refer to Judge Leslie Hoyt, the counsel for the -defense!" - -A sudden commotion was followed by an intense hush. Hoyt's face was like -carved marble. No emotion of any sort did he show, but waited, as if for -Stone to proceed. - -And Stone did proceed. "Here is the cane," he said, taking a long parcel -from a messenger. "Is it yours, Mr. Hoyt?" - -Hoyt glanced at it carelessly. - -"No, I never saw it before," he said. - -"It was found in the closet of your dressing-room," went on Stone. - -"By whom?" - -"Terence McGuire." - -A look of hatred dawned on Hoyt's face, also the first expression of fear -he had shown. - -"That self-avowed liar!" he said, contemptuously. - -"His word is not in question now," said Stone, sternly. "This cane was -found in your apartments. It is a dirk, as may be seen." - -Stone drew out the slender, sharp blade, and the audience shivered. - -Disregarding Hoyt, Stone continued his address to the court. - -"Additional evidence is a shoe button picked up at the scene of the -crime. It is proved to be from one of Mr. Hoyt's shoes. True, these do -not connect Mr. Hoyt directly with this murder, but I can produce a -witness who will do so." - -Stone then proceeded to tell of the Italian woman and her story. - -"The connecting link is this," he said; "the day after the murder, during -the coroner's inquest, our bright young friend, McGuire, noticed on Mr. -Hoyt's coat an odor familiar to him as a remedy used to burn for -whooping-cough. The scent is strong and unmistakable and clings -ineradicably to a garment that has been worn, even for a few moments -where the remedy is used. Mrs. Robbio's children had the whooping-cough; -she was using the remedy the day the murderer stopped in at her little -shop and threatening her with this very dirk, forced her to deliver the -message he dictated to the police station. - -"It was a clever ruse and would have remained undetected, but for the -quick-witted youth who noticed the odor, and remembered it when -whooping-cough was mentioned." - -"A string of lies," sneered Hoyt. "Made up by the notorious street gamin -who glories in his sobriquet of liar!" - -Still unheeding, Stone went on. - -"In search for a motive for the murder of Rowland Trowbridge by Leslie -Hoyt, I examined the will of the deceased, and discovered, what I am -prepared to prove, that it is, in part, a forgery. The instrument was -duly drawn up by Judge Hoyt, as lawyer for the testator. It was duly -witnessed, and after,----" - -Fleming Stone paused and looked fixedly at Hoyt, and the latter at last -quailed before that accusing glance. - -"And after, at his leisure, the lawyer inserted on the same typewriter, -and with greatest care, the words, '_and herself become the wife of -Leslie Hoyt_.' This clause was not written or dictated by Mr. Trowbridge, -it was inserted after his death, by his lawyer." - -"You can't prove that!" cried Hoyt springing to his feet. - -"I can easily prove it," declared Stone; "It is written on a new ribbon -known to have been put into the typewriter, the afternoon the murder took -place. And, too, it is of slightly different slant and level from the -rest. Of course, it was only by microscopic investigation I discovered -these facts, but they are most clearly proven." - -"Gee! he's goin' to brash it out!" exclaimed Fibsy, under his breath, as -Hoyt rose, with vengeance in his eye. - -But the judge waved him back as Stone proceeded. - -"I understand Mr. Hoyt claims as an alibi, that he was in Philadelphia -that day." - -"I was," declared the accused; "I brought home an afternoon paper from -that city." - -"The paper was from that city, but you bought it at a New York news stand -to prove your case, should it ever be necessary." - -"What rubbish! I wrote Mr. Trowbridge the day before, that I was going. -The letter was found in his pocket." - -"Where you placed it yourself after the murder!" shot back Stone. - -"Ridiculous! I also telegraphed to----" - -"The telegram was faked. I have examined it myself, and it is typewritten -in imitation of the usual form, but it never went through the company's -hands. That, too, you placed in Mr. Rowland's pocket after,--after the -cane killed him! You remember, Mr. District Attorney, a lead pencil was -found on the ground at the scene of the crime. I am prepared to prove -this pencil the property of Judge Hoyt. And this is my proof. Until the -day of the crime, Judge Hoyt had been in the habit of using a patent -sharpener to sharpen his lead pencils. I have learned from Judge Hoyt's -Japanese servant, that the day after the murder, Judge Hoyt discarded -that sharpener, and used a knife. This was to do away with any suspicion -that might rest on him as owner of the pencil. On that very date, he -resharpened, with a penknife, all his pencils and thus cleverly turned -the tide of suspicion." - -"Also a clever feat, the finding of this out," murmured Whiting. - -"The credit for that is due to the lad, McGuire," said Stone. "At the -time of the inquest, the boy noticed the pencil, particularly; and -afterward, telling me of his surmises, I looked up the matter and found -the proof. Again, the man I accuse, secured a handkerchief from Stryker's -room, and carried it away for the purpose of incriminating the butler. It -seems, owing to a past secret, the butler was in the power of Judge Hoyt. -However, circumstances led suspicion in other directions. The tell-tale -handkerchief seemed to point first to the Swedish couple. Later it seemed -to point to the butler, Stryker, and later still, was used as a point -against Kane Landon. But it is really the curse that has come home to -roost where it belongs, as a condemnation of Judge Leslie Hoyt. This arch -criminal planned so cleverly and carried out his schemes so carefully, -that he overreached himself. His marvelously complete alibi is _too_ -perfect. His diabolical skill in arranging his spurious letter, telegram, -newspaper, and finally a picture postcard, which I shall tell of shortly, -outdid itself, and his excessive care was his own undoing. But, in -addition to these points, I ask you to hear the tale of young McGuire, -who has suffered at the hands of Judge Hoyt, not only injustice and -inconvenience, but attempted crime." - -Fibsy was allowed to tell his own story, and half shy, half frightened, -he began. - -"At first, Judge Hoyt he wanted me to go to woik in Philadelphia, an' I -thought it was queer, but I went, an' I discovered he was payin' me wages -himself. That was funny, an' it was what gimme the foist steer. So I came -back to New York an' I stayed here, makin' b'lieve me aunt needed me. So -then one day, Judge Hoyt, he took me to dinner at a restaurant, sayin' he -took a notion to me, an' wanted me to learn to be a gent'man. Well, when -we had coffee, he gimme a little cup foist, an' then he put some sugar in -it fer me. Well, I seen the sugar was diffrunt--" - -"Different from what?" asked Whiting. - -"From the rest'rant sugar. That was smooth an' oblong, and what the judge -put into my cup, was square lumps, and rougher on the sides. So I -s'picioned sumpin was wrong, an' I didn't drink that coffee. I left it on -the table. An' soon's I reached the street I ran back fer me paper, what -I'd left on poipose, and I told the waiter to save that cup o' coffee fer -evidence in a moider trial. An' he did, an' Mr. Stone he's had it -examined, an' it's full of--of what, Mr. Stone?" - -"Of nitro-glycerine," asserted Stone, gravely. - -"Yes, sir, Judge Hoyt tried to kill me, he did." Fibsy's big blue eyes -were dark with the thrill of his subject rather than fear now. He was -absorbed in his recital, and went steadily on, his manner and tone, -unlettered and unschooled though they were, carrying absolute conviction -of truth. - -"When I seen that queer sugar goin' in me cup, me thinker woiked like -lightnin' an' I knew it meant poison. So I thunk quickly how to nail the -job onto him, and I did. Then soon after that, I was kidnapped. A -telephone call told me Mr. Stone was waitin' fer me in a taxi, and when I -flew meself to it, it wasn't Mr. Stone at all, but a Japanese feller, -name o' Kite. He took me to a swell house, and locked me in. If I tried -any funny business he gave me a joo jitsy, till I quit tryin'. Well, I -didn't know whose house it was, but I've sence found out it was Judge -Hoyt's. He lived with his sister an' she's away, but the Jap told me it -was another man's house. Well, in that house, I found one o' them -postcard pictures o' Judge Hoyt in the Philadelphia station. I didn't -think even then, 'bout me bein' in his house, I just thought maybe it was -a friend o' hisen. But when I 'zamined that picture, I saw the judge had -pertended it was took a diffrunt date from what it was. Now, I thought he -kinda lugged it in by the ears when he showed it to me anyway, an' I -began to s'picion he meant to make me think sumpin' what wasn't so. -'Course that could only be that he wasn't in Phil'delphia when he said he -was. An' he wasn't." - -Fibsy's quietly simple statements were more dramatic than if he had been -more emphatic, and the audience listened, spellbound. - -Judge Hoyt sat like a graven image. He neither denied nor admitted -anything, one might almost say he looked slightly amused, but a trembling -hand, and a constant gnawing of his quivering lip told the truth to a -close observer. - -"And you were held prisoner in Judge Hoyt's house, how long?" - -"Nearly a week." - -"And then?" - -"Then I jumped down a clothes chute, and ran out on the basement door." - -"A clothes chute? You mean a laundry slide?" - -"Yes, sir. I'm told it's that. I didn't know what it was. Only it was a -way out." - -"You jumped?" - -"Well, I sorter slid. I threw down pillers and mattresses first, so it -was soft." - -"You are a clever boy." - -"No, sir, it ain't that," and Fibsy looked embarrassed. "You see, I got -that detective instick, an' I can't help a usin' of it. You see, it was -me what got Miss Trowbridge to send for Mr. Stone, an' then Judge Hoyt he -tried to head him off." - -"How?" - -"Well, I jest knew for pos'tive certain sure, that this case was too big -fer anybody to sling but Mr. Stone. Well, I got Miss Trowbridge to send -fer him, and Judge Hoyt he told Miss Avice, Mr. Stone was outa town. Then -I said I seen him on the street the day before, an' we called him up, an' -he was right there on the spot, but said he'd had a telegram not to come. -Well, Judge Hoyt, he sent that telegram. But the way I got Miss Avice to -do it in the first place, was to get me Aunt Becky to go to her an' tell -her she'd had a revelation, and fer Miss Avice to go to a clairvoyant. -Well, an' so Miss Avice did, an' that clairvoyant she told her to get Mr. -Stone. You see, the clairvoyant, Maddum Isis, she's a friend of me Aunt -Becky's, so we three fixed it up between us, and Miss Avice went an' got -Mr. Stone. If I'd a tried any other way, Judge Hoyt he'd found a way to -prevent Mr. Stone from comin' 'cause he knew he'd do him up." - -"This is a remarkable tale,--" - -"But true in every particular," averred Fleming Stone. "This boy has done -fine work, and deserves great credit. The final proof, I think, of the -guilt of Judge Hoyt, is the fact that the cane found in his room exactly -fits a round mark found in the soil at the scene of the crime and cut -from the earth, and carefully preserved by McGuire. Also, a shoe button -found there corresponds with the buttons on shoes found in Judge Hoyt's -dressing room. And it seems to me the most logical construction is put -upon the dying words of Rowland Trowbridge, when we conclude that he -meant he was killed by a cane, thus describing the weapon. Judge Hoyt -also is conversant with the Latin names of the specimens of natural -history which Mr. Trowbridge was in the habit of collecting, and it was -he, of course, who telephoned about the set trap and the Scaphinotus. -And, as his motive was to win the hand of Miss Trowbridge by means of a -forged clause in her uncle's will, we can have no further doubts." - -"You have done marvelous work, Mr. Stone," said the judge on the bench. -"And you say this young lad helped you?" - -"No, your Honor, I helped him. He noticed clues and points about the case -at once. But he could persuade no one to take him seriously, and finally, -Judge Hoyt, for reasons of his own, sent the boy to a lucrative position -out of the town." - -There were many details to be attended to, much business to be -transacted, and many proofs to be looked up. But first of all the name of -Kane Landon was cleared and the prisoner set free. - -Leslie Hoyt was arrested and held for trial. - -As Avice passed him on her way out of the courtroom, he detained her to -say: "_You_ know why I did it! I've told you I would do anything for you! -I'm not sorry, I'm only sorry I failed!" His eyes showed a hard glitter, -and Avice shrank away, as if from a maniac, which indeed he looked. - -"Brave up, Miss Avice," whispered Fibsy, who saw the girl pale and -tremble. "You orta be so glad Mr. Landon is out you'd forget Judge Hoyt!" - -"Yes, brave up, darling," added Landon, overhearing. "At last I can love -you with a clear conscience. If I had known that clause about your -marriage was not uncle's wish, how different it would have been! But I -couldn't ask you for yourself, if by that you lost your fortune!" - -"Why wouldn't you straightforwardly tell me you were innocent, Kane?" -asked Avice as they rode home together. - -"I couldn't, dear. I know I was foolish, but the fact of your doubting me -even enough to ask me, made me so furious, I couldn't breathe! Didn't you -_know_ I _couldn't_ kill Uncle Rowly?" - -"I _did_ know it, truly I did, Kane; but I was crazy; I wasn't myself all -those dreadful days!" - -"And you won't be now, if you stay here! I'm going to marry you all up, -and take you far away on a long trip, right now, before we hear anything -more about Leslie Hoyt and his wickedness!" - -"I'd love to go away, Kane; but I can't be married in such a hurry. Let's -go on a trip, and take Mrs. Black for chaperone, and then get married -when I say so!" - -This plan didn't suit Landon so well as his own, but he was coerced into -submission by the love of his liege lady, and the trip was planned. - -Fibsy was greatly honored and praised. But the peculiar character of the -boy made him oblivious to compliments. - -"I don't care about bookays, Miss Avice," he said, earnestly; when she -praised him, "just to have saved Mr. Landon an' you is enough. An' to -knock the spots out o' Judge Hoyt! But it's the game that gets me. The -whole detective business! I'm goin' to be a big one, like Mr. Stone. Gee! -Miss Avice, did you catch on to how he ran Judge Hoyt down, the minute I -gave him the steer? That's the trick! Oh, he's a hummer, F. Stone is! An' -he's goin' to let me work with him, sometimes!" - -Fibsy spoke the last words in a hushed, rapt tone, as if scarcely daring -to believe them himself. - -"But I say," he went on suddenly; "what about that guy as telephoned and -called Mr. Trowbridge 'Uncle'?" - -"It wasn't I," said Landon; "I called up uncle that afternoon, but -couldn't get him." - -"Then I know," said Avice. "It was Judge Hoyt. You see," and she blushed -as she looked at Landon, "he was so sure he would marry me, he frequently -said 'uncle' to my uncle. And Uncle Rowly sometimes called him, 'nephew'. -They used to do it to tease me." - -"Your uncle really wanted you to marry him, then?" and Landon looked -anxious. - -"Yes, he did. But not to the extent of putting it in his will! Uncle -often said to me, that as I didn't seem to care for any one else I might -as well marry Leslie." - -"And now, you do care for somebody else?" - -Landon had forgotten the presence of the boy. But Avice had not, and she -looked around. - -"Sure, Miss Avice," said Fibsy, politely, as if in response to her spoken -word, and he slid swiftly from the room. - -And then Avice answered Kane Landon's question. - - - - - J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY'S IMPORTANT NEW BOOKS - - -Betty at Fort Blizzard - -By MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL. Four illustrations in color and decorations by -Edmund Frederick. $1.50 net. - -This is a straightaway army love story, with the scene laid at a post in -the far Northwest. It is a sequel to the famous "Betty's Virginia -Christmas" so popular a few years ago. It is realistic and yet as light -as Betty's laugh,--presented in a delightfully dainty gift book style, it -makes a charming Christmas present. - - -Behold the Woman! - -By T. EVERETT HARRE. $1.35 net. - -A child of the Alexandrian gutter, a redeemed woman seeing a vision of -Christ upon the Judean hills, and finally a mystic saint upon the desert, -was Mary of Egypt, the heroine of this historical novel. "From beginning -to the end I found 'Behold the Woman!' gripping and thrillingly -interesting."--_Mrs. Minnie Maddern Fiske._ - - -The Finding of Jasper Holt - -By GRACE L. H. LUTZ. Three illustrations in color by E. F. Bayha. $1.25 -net. - -Another great Lutz novel,--wholesome, uplifting, interesting and amusing. -"This tale ... is one of the kind one reads with interest refusing to be -quenched when the hall light goes out."--_Detroit Free Press._ - - -Adam's Garden - -By NINA WILCOX PUTNAM. Frontispiece in color by H. Weston Taylor. New -Second Edition. $1.25 net. - -The _New York Sun_ aptly termed this "An Idyl of Manhattan." "It is full -of warmth and sunlight, and its inner urge is that come what may--the -world is a good place to live in if we only make the best of that which -lies nearest to hand."--_Review of Reviews._ - - -A Man's Reach - -By SALLY NELSON ROBINS. Three illustrations in color by Edmund Frederick. -$1.25 net. - -A Virginia story by a Virginian. Randolph Turberville is the scion of an -aristocratic Virginia house; his struggle against evil forces begins at -the University of Virginia. Fascinating, he is adored by all, especially -by Lettice Corbin, for whom he saves himself. - - -The Curved Blades - -By CAROLYN WELLS. Frontispiece by Gayle Hoskins. $1.35 net. - -"As bizarre a mystery as any which she has hitherto provided.... The -stage is there set for a thrilling and puzzling story.... One worthy of -the talents of Stone."--_The Boston Transcript._ - - -The Conquest - -By SIDNEY L. NYBURG. $1.25 net. - -"Originality and dramatic strength are marked on many pages of this -production of a promising writer."--_Springfield Republican._ "Sidney L. -Nyburg is a man who writes a man's book."--_San Francisco Call and Post._ - - -The Strange Cases of Mason Brant - -By NEVIL MONROE HOPKINS. Illustrated in color by Gayle Hoskins. $1.25 -net. - -"The stories are very entertaining and are more human than the usual -detective stories."--_New York Sun._ "Out of the beaten track of -detective stories."--_Philadelphia North American._ - - -Ten Beautiful Years - -By MARY KNIGHT POTTER. Net, $1.25. - -Those who desire knowledge of the most brilliant work in American fiction -should read this series of short stories on psychological subjects. They -are clean but intensely emotional; most of them appeared in the _Atlantic -Monthly_, _Harper's_, etc. - - -The Practical Book of Early American Arts and Crafts - -By HAROLD DONALDSON EBERLEIN and ABBOT MCCLURE. Profusely illustrated. -Colored frontispiece. In a box. $6.00 net. - -There is an eminently proper revival of interest in the arts and crafts -of early American workmanship. In glass, wood, metal and textile stuffs -our forefathers obtained results of a delightful nature. Amateur -collectors still have a rich field of investigation, owing to the present -opportunity for obtaining desirable specimens. This book is a thorough -and practical guide for the collector and general reader. - - -The Practical Book of Architecture - -By C. MATLACK PRICE. Profusely illustrated. In a box. $6.00 net. - -Not only a book for the man or woman who wishes to build a home (and for -whom it is more helpful than any work previously published), but a book -which tells the general reader what he needs to know about -architecture--about the buildings he sees in America or Europe, public as -well as private. A valued addition to the Home Life Enrichment Series. - - -The Practical Book of Period Furniture - -By HAROLD DONALDSON EBERLEIN and ABBOT MCCLURE. 225 illustrations in -color, doubletone and line. In a box. $6.00 net. - -This book places at the disposal of the general reader all the -information he may need in order to identify and classify any piece of -period furniture, whether it be an original or a reproduction. The -authors have greatly increased the value of the work by including an -illustrative chronological key. - - -The Practical Book of Oriental Rugs - -By G. GRIFFIN LEWIS. New Edition, revised and enlarged. Twenty full page -illustrations in color, 93 illustrations in doubletone, and 70 designs in -line. In a box. $6.00 net. - -"From cover to cover it is packed with detailed information compactly and -conveniently arranged for ready reference. Many people who are interested -in the beautiful fabrics of which the author treats have long wished for -such a book as this and will be grateful to G. Griffin Lewis for writing -it."--_The Dial._ - - -The Practical Book of Garden Architecture - -By PHEBE WESTCOTT HUMPHREYS. Frontispiece in color and 125 illustrations. -In a box. $6.00 net. - -This beautiful volume has been prepared from the standpoints of eminent -practicability, the best taste, and general usefulness for the owner -developing his own property,--large or small,--for the owner employing a -professional garden architect, for the artist, amateur, student, and -garden lover. - - -The Practical Book of Outdoor Rose Growing - -By GEORGE C. THOMAS, JR. New Edition, revised and enlarged. 96 perfect -photographic reproductions in full color. Slip case. $4.00 net. - -There are a number of pages in which the complete list of the best roses -for our climate with their characteristics are presented. One prominent -rose grower said that these pages were worth their weight in gold to him. -The official bulletin of the Garden Club of America said:--"It is a book -one must have." It is in fact in every sense practical, stimulating, and -suggestive. - - -Parks: Their Design, Equipment and Use - -By GEORGE BURNAP. Official Landscape Architect, Public Buildings and -Grounds, Washington, D. C. Profusely illustrated. Frontispiece in color. -$6.00 net. - -This, the only exhaustive book on the subject and by the foremost -authority on the subject, is an amazing addition to the literature of -civic planning. It is a thorough resume of the finest European and -American examples of Park work. To the owner of a country estate and to -all who are interested in park and playground establishment and up-keep, -it will be a stimulating and trustworthy guide. - - -The Book of the Peony - -By MRS. EDWARD HARDING. Twenty full page color illustrations, 25 in black -and white. $5.00 net. - -The glory of the illustrative work and the authoritative treatment by the -author mark this book as one which will stand alone amidst the literature -upon this popular flower. It is a thorough and complete guide to the -culture of the peony and proves a fitting companion volume to the famous -"Practical Book of Outdoor Rose Growing." - - -The Civilization of Babylonia and Assyria - -By MORRIS JASTROW, JR., PH.D., LL.D. 140 illustrations. In a box. $7.00 -net. - -This work covers the whole civilization of Babylonia and Assyria and by -its treatment of the various aspects of that civilization furnishes a -comprehensive and complete survey of the subject. The language, history, -religion, commerce, law, art and literature are thoroughly presented in a -manner of deep interest to the general reader and indispensable to the -historian, clergyman, anthropologist, and sociologist. - - -Winter Journeys in the South - -By JOHN MARTIN HAMMOND. Profusely illustrated. $3.50 net. - -The kingdoms of wonder for the golfer, the automobilist and almost every -other type of pleasure-seeker are revealed in this book. Mr. Hammond is -an enthusiastic traveller and a skilful photographer. He believes in the -pleasures that may be found in America. He has wandered about the South -from White Sulphur to Palm Beach; Aiken, Asheville, Charleston, New -Orleans, and many other places of fascinating interest have been stopping -points upon his journeyings. - - -English Ancestral Homes of Noted Americans - -By ANNE HOLLINGSWORTH WHARTON. Twenty-eight illustrations. $2.00 net. - -Miss Wharton so enlivens the past that she makes the distinguished -characters of whom she treats live and talk with us. She has recently -visited the homelands of a number of our great American leaders and we -seem to see upon their native heath the English ancestors of George -Washington, Benjamin Franklin, William Penn, the Pilgrim Fathers and -Mothers, the Maryland and Virginia Cavaliers and others who have done -their part in the making of the United States. - - -Quaint and Historic Forts of North America - -By JOHN MARTIN HAMMOND. Photogravure frontispiece and sixty-five -illustrations. In a box. $5.00 net. - -Mr. Hammond, in his excellent literary style, with the aid of a splendid -camera, brings us on a journey through the existing old forts of North -America and there describes their appearances and confides to us their -romantic and historic interest. We follow the trail of the early English, -French and Spanish adventurers, and the soldiers of the Revolution, the -War of 1812, and the later Civil and Indian Wars. - - -Joseph Pennell's Pictures of the Wonder of Work - -Profusely illustrated. $2.00 net. - -Mr. Pennell is notably a modern, and has found art in one of the greatest -phases of modern achievement--the Wonder of Work--the building of giant -ships, railway stations, and the modern skyscraper; giant manufacturing, -marble-quarrying; oil-wells and wharves--all the great work which man -sets his hand to do. The crisp and wonderful and inspiring touches of -introduction to each picture are as illuminating as the pictures -themselves. - - -Nights: Rome, Venice, in the Aesthetic Eighties; Paris, London, in the -Fighting Nineties. - -By ELIZABETH ROBINS PENNELL. Sixteen illustrations from photographs and -etchings. $3.00 net. - -The pleasure of association with equally famous literary and artistic -friends has been the good fortune of the Pennells. The illustrations, -photographs, and some etchings by Joseph Pennell are unusual. - - -Our Philadelphia - -By ELIZABETH ROBINS PENNELL. Illustrated by Joseph Pennell, with 105 -reproductions of lithographs. In a box. $7.50 net. - - -Joseph Pennell's Pictures of the Panama Canal - -Twenty-eight reproductions of lithographs made on the Isthmus of Panama, -with Mr. Pennell's Introduction giving his experiences and impressions. -$1.25 net. - - -Joseph Pennell's Pictures in the Land of Temples - -Forty plates in photogravure from lithographs. $1.25 net. - - -Life of James McNeill Whistler - -By ELIZABETH ROBINS and JOSEPH PENNELL. Thoroughly revised Fifth Edition -of the authorized Life. Ninety-seven plates reproduced from Whistler's -works. Whistler binding. $4.00 net. Three-quarter grain levant. $8.50 -net. - - -Rings - -By GEORGE FREDERICK KUNZ, PH.D. Profusely illustrated in color and -doubletone. In a box. $6.00 net. - -The origin, purposes and methods of wearing, the forms and materials, the -historic interest and talismanic powers of rings as they have played a -part in the life and associations of man. It is an authoritative volume, -magnificently illustrated. - - -Shakespeare and Precious Stones - -By GEORGE FREDERICK KUNZ, PH.D. Four illustrations. $1.25 net. - -Treating of all the known references to precious stones in Shakespeare's -works, with comments as to the origin of his material, the knowledge of -the poet concerning precious stones, and references as to where precious -stones of his time came from. - - -The Curious Lore of Precious Stones - -By GEORGE FREDERICK KUNZ, PH.D. Profusely illustrated in color, -doubletone and line. In a box. $6.00 net. - -Being a description of their sentiments and folk lore, superstitions, -symbolism, mysticism, use in protection, prevention, religion and -divination, crystal gazing, birth stones, lucky stones and talismans, -astral, zodiacal and planetary. - - -The Magic of Jewels and Charms - -By GEORGE FREDERICK KUNZ, PH.D. Profusely illustrated in color, -doubletone and line. In a box. $6.00 net. - -Magic jewels and electric gems; meteorites or celestial stones; stones of -healing; fabulous stones; concretions and fossils; snake stones and -bezoars; charms of ancient and modern times, etc. - - -Open that Door! - -By R. STURGIS INGERSOLL. $1.00 net. - -A stimulating volume with a "kick" upon the relation of books to life; -the part great books play in our goings and comings, in the office, in -the street, and in the market place. The relation of poetry to the -suburbanite, etc. A book for the man who never reads and for the one who -does. - - -From Nature Forward - -By HARRIET DOAN PRENTISS. Limp leather binding. $2.00 net. - -The public mind is unsettled; the individual lives a day-to-day -existence, wrestling with disease, mental troubles and unsatisfactory -issues. This book outlines a system of psychological reforms that can be -followed by every man and woman, as the author says, to "buoyant physical -health, release of mental tension, and enlarged and happy outlook on -life." - - -Peg Along - -By DR. GEORGE L. WALTON. $1.00 net. - -Dr. Walton's slogan, "Why Worry," swept the country. His little book of -that title did an infinite amount of good. "Peg Along" is the present -slogan. Hundreds of thousands of fussers, fretters, semi- and would-be -invalids, and all other halters by the wayside should be reached by Dr. -Walton's stirring encouragement to "peg along." - - -A Short History of the Navy - -By Captain GEORGE R. CLARK, U.S.N., Professor W. O. STEVENS, Ph.D., -Instructor CARROL S. ALDEN, Ph.D., Instructor HERMAN F. KRAFFT, LL.B., of -the United States Naval Academy. New Edition. Illustrated. $3.00 net. - -This standard volume is used as a text at the United States Naval -Academy. This edition brings the material to date and is an especially -timely book. - - - - - LIPPINCOTT'S TRAINING SERIES - For Those Who Wish To Find Themselves - - -A series of handbooks by authorities for young men and women engaged or -anticipating becoming engaged in any one of the various professions. The -aim is to present the best methods of education and training, channels of -advancement, etc. - - -Training for the Newspaper Trade - -By DON C. SEITZ, Business Manager of the New York World. Illustrated. -$1.25 net. - - -Training for the Street Railway Business - -By C. B. FAIRCHILD, JR., Executive Assistant of the Philadelphia Rapid -Transit Co. Illustrated. $1.25 net. - - -Training for the Stage - -By ARTHUR HORNBLOW, Editor of The Theatre Magazine. Preface by DAVID -BELASCO. Illustrated. $1.25 net. - - -Training of a Forester - -By GIFFORD PINCHOT, New Edition, illustrated. $1.25 net. - - - IN PREPARATION - - -The Training and Rewards of a Doctor - -By DR. RICHARD C. CABOT. - - -The Training and Rewards of a Lawyer - -By HARLAN STONE, Dean of the Columbia Law School. - - -Fundamentals of Military Service - -By CAPTAIN LINCOLN C. ANDREWS, U. S. Cavalry. Prepared under the -supervision of Major-General Leonard Wood, U. S. A. Bound in limp -leather. $1.50 net. - -This book is especially prepared for citizens who wish in the militia, in -training camps or in military courses to equip themselves thoroughly for -the responsibility that may come upon them. "A really capital -handbook."--_Theodore Roosevelt._ "This little handbook is one which each -and everyone should read."--_General Leonard Wood._ - - -Fight For Food - -By LEON A. CONGDON, Advising member of Kansas State Board Health. $1.25 -net. - -The high cost of living is everybody's problem. This book presents the -reason and stimulating thoughts upon the solution. It treats the problem -from the producer's, the middleman's and the consumer's viewpoints. - - -The Rise of Rail Power in War and Conquest - -By E. A. PRATT. $2.50 net. - -The basis upon which military railway transport has been organized alike -in Germany, France and the United Kingdom, with a presentation of the -vast importance of railway facilities in modern warfare and a thorough -discussion of the subject from the standpoint of the American looking to -his country's needs. - - -First Aid in Emergencies - -By ELDRIDGE L. ELIASON, M.D. 106 illustrations. $1.50 net. - -Nowhere will be found a better First Aid guide for the soldier, the -camper, the sportsman, the teacher, scout master, and the father and -mother of the family. - - - - - LIPPINCOTT'S READER'S REFERENCE LIBRARY - - - Each volume: crown octavo, half morocco, gilt top. - - HEROES AND HEROINES OF FICTION. Modern Prose and Poetry. By William S. - Walsh. $3.00 net. - HEROES AND HEROINES OF FICTION. Classical, Mediaeval and Legendary. By - William S. Walsh. $3.00 net. - HANDY-BOOK OF LITERARY CURIOSITIES. By William S. Walsh. $3.50 net. - HANDY-BOOK OF CURIOUS INFORMATION. By William S. Walsh. $3.50 net. - A DICTIONARY OF MIRACLES. By Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. $2.50 net. - DICTIONARY OF PHRASE AND FABLE. By Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. $1.75 - net. - BENHAM'S BOOK OF QUOTATIONS. By W. Gurney Benham. $3.50 net. - THESAURUS OF ENGLISH WORDS AND PHRASES. By Peter Mark Roget, M.D., - F.R.S. $2.50 net. - A DICTIONARY OF ENGLISH SYNONYMS. By Richard Soule. $2.50 net. - CHAMBERS'S CONCISE GAZETTEER OF THE WORLD. $3.00 net. - THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK. $2.50 net. - CHAMBERS'S BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY. Edited by David Patrick and Francis - Hindes Groome. $3.00 net. - CURIOSITIES OF POPULAR CUSTOMS. By William S. Walsh. $3.50 net. - THE HISTORIC NOTEBOOK. By Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. $3.50 net. - THE READER'S HANDBOOK. By Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. $3.50 net. - FACTS AND FANCIES FOR THE CURIOUS. By Charles C. Bombaugh. $3.00 net. - WORDS, FACTS AND PHRASES. By Eliezer Edwards. $2.50 net. - CHAMBERS'S TWENTIETH CENTURY DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. $2.00 - net. - - - - - Transcriber's Notes - - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original--this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and - dialect unchanged. - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mark of Cain, by Carolyn Wells - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARK OF CAIN *** - -***** This file should be named 44841.txt or 44841.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/8/4/44841/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Mardi Desjardins and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This book was produced from scanned images of public -domain material from the Google Print project.) - - -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 - www.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 MERCHANTABILITY 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 information page at www.gutenberg.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. 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 -contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the -Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -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 www.gutenberg.org/donate - -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: www.gutenberg.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For forty 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: - - 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. - diff --git a/44841.zip b/44841.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index e8474fc..0000000 --- a/44841.zip +++ /dev/null |