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- float: left; - margin-right: 1em } - -.align-right { clear: right; - float: right; - margin-left: 1em } - -.align-center { margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto } - -div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } - -/* SECTIONS */ - -body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } - -/* compact list items containing just one p */ -li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } - -.first { margin-top: 0 !important; - text-indent: 0 !important } -.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } - -span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } -img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } -span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } - -.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } - -/* PAGINATION */ - -.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.toc-pageref { float: right } - -@media screen { - .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage - { margin: 10% 0; } - - div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage - { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } - - .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } -} - -@media print { - div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } - div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } - - .vfill { margin-top: 20% } - h2.title { margin-top: 20% } -} - -/* DIV */ -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } - -</style> -<title>THE BLACK TORTOISE</title> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="The Black Tortoise" /> -<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> -<meta name="MARCREL.trl" content="Gertrude Hughes Braekstad" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Frederick Viller" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1901" /> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="46006" /> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2014-06-16" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="The Black Tortoise Being the Strange Story of Old Frick's Diamond" /> - -<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> -<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> -<meta content="The Black Tortoise Being the Strange Story of Old Frick's Diamond" name="DCTERMS.title" /> -<meta content="tortoise.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> -<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> -<meta content="2014-06-16T23:52:13.652649+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> -<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> -<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> -<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/46006" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> -<meta content="Frederick Viller" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> -<meta content="Gertrude Hughes Braekstad" name="MARCREL.trl" /> -<meta content="2014-06-16" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> -<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> -<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.20 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="the-black-tortoise"> -<h1 class="center document-title level-1 pfirst title"><span class="x-large">THE BLACK TORTOISE</span></h1> - -<!-- this is the default PG-RST stylesheet --> -<!-- figure and image styles for non-image formats --> -<!-- default transition --> -<!-- default attribution --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>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 </span><a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a><span> -included with this eBook or online at -</span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a><span>.</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>Title: The Black Tortoise -<br /> Being the Strange Story of Old Frick's Diamond -<br /> -<br />Author: Frederick Viller -<br /> -<br />Release Date: June 16, 2014 [EBook #46006] -<br /> -<br />Language: English -<br /> -<br />Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line"><span>*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>THE BLACK TORTOISE</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="align-None container titlepage"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="x-large">THE BLACK TORTOISE</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="italics medium">Being the Strange Story of Old Frick's Diamond</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BY</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">FREDERICK VILLER</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="small">AUTHORIZED TRANSLATION FROM THE NORWEGIAN -<br />BY -<br />GERTRUDE HUGHES BRAEKSTAD</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">GARDEN CITY NEW YORK -<br />DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY -<br />1914</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container verso"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">COPYRIGHT, 1901, -<br />BY DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & CO.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold large">CONTENTS</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">PART I</span></p> -<!-- class: noindent small --> -<p class="pnext"><span>CHAPTER</span></p> -<ol class="upperroman simple"> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#monk-contemplates-a-voyage-to-america">Monk contemplates a Voyage to America</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#old-frick">Old Frick</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#mr-reginald-howell">Mr. Reginald Howell</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-black-tortoise-again">The Black Tortoise again</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#at-the-police-station">At the Police Station</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-morning-visit">A Morning Visit</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#lawyer-jurgens">Lawyer Jurgens</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-arrest">The Arrest</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-photograph">The Photograph</a></p> -</li> -</ol> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold medium">PART II</span></p> -<ol class="upperroman simple"> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-trial">The Trial</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-photograph-cannot-lie">The Photograph cannot lie</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#in-the-dark">In the Dark</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#monk-s-examination">Monk's Examination</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-most-important-chapter-in-the-book-clara-acts-the-detective">The Most Important Chapter in the Book. Clara acts the Detective</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#old-frick-again">Old Frick Again</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-yacht-deerhound">The Yacht *Deerhound*</a></p> -</li> -</ol> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="monk-contemplates-a-voyage-to-america"><span class="bold large">PART I</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold x-large">THE BLACK TORTOISE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER I</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">MONK CONTEMPLATES A VOYAGE TO AMERICA</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"I am off to America on Friday next."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What! off to America?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; I'm not joking."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you really serious? Fancy, going to -America this time of the year, at the end of November! -It must be very important business which takes you -there! Can't you send some one else? You know -Clara won't consider her firstborn properly baptized -if you don't stand godfather to him. That -ceremony is to take place next Sunday."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Unfortunately it is important business—very -important business—that only I can undertake. -I am awfully sorry to disappoint your wife, but I -must go."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This conversation took place in Monk's sitting-room. -It was my usual habit, on leaving my office -at seven o'clock, to go up to Monk's rooms and have -a chat with him, and sometimes persuade him to -come home with me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I ought perhaps here to inform my readers that, -some years before this story begins, I had returned -to my native country after having spent several -years abroad, where I had made a small competency -as an engineer. When I again saw Monk, the -friend of my boyhood, I found he had, strange to -say, adopted the profession of private detective. -As far as I could understand, he carried on this -business just as much out of love for his work as for -a means of earning his living, and had already won -himself a reputation by his shrewdness, honesty, and -disinterestedness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk's sudden announcement took my breath -away; he had never for a moment said a word -about going to America before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is it a new case you have on hand?" I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No; it is not a new case."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I looked doubtingly at him; this was not the -Monk I was accustomed to see standing quietly -before me with the handsome, open countenance, -and the intelligent grey eyes looking fearlessly into -mine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was now pacing restlessly up and down the -floor. All at once he stopped in front of me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can you stay with me this evening?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; with pleasure," I replied. "Clara has gone -to the theatre with a friend. I am therefore free, -and it was my intention to propose to you that we -should spend the evening together."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's right; let us have supper at once, for I -have something to tell you, and until I have done -so I shall have no peace."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk rang; and soon after we sat down to -supper. My host ate scarcely anything; indeed, he -hardly attended to his duties as host, and could not -conceal his impatience to hasten the end of the -meal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was quite apparent that something unusual was -the matter, so I got through my supper as quickly -as possible without interchanging many words.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When we returned again to the sitting-room, -Monk placed me in one of his comfortable chairs, -and set before me some whiskey and water and -cigars. He himself lit a cigar, but soon threw it -half-smoked into the fire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You said you wanted to speak to me about -something, Monk."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; if you have patience to listen to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course I have!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A faint smile lit up Monk's dark countenance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have put your patience to a severe test over -and over again with my lectures on detective science, -logic, deductions, and the like; but what I have in -mind this evening is nothing of that sort. Do you -feel inclined to hear a story about myself, the story -of how it was I came to be the kind of man I am, -and to lead the life I do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear fellow," I answered, "I am more than -ready to listen to you. Any one can see that -sometime or another something has happened to you -which has thrown a shadow over your existence; -but, as you can understand, one does not ask one's -friends about that sort of thing. One generally -waits until one is approached."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are right, and I ought to have told you all -about it long ago; especially as, for my part, I have -nothing whatever to conceal. Yes, a man is wrong -to shut himself up in himself more than is -necessary; and in my case I am afraid I have been -foolish, and doubly stupid, not to have called to -my aid a clever friend's assistance. I have stared -myself blind with trying to find a way out of the -dark. It is, however, wrong of me to call the affair -my affair, since I no longer play any part in it; -but, in any case, it concerns some one who was as -dear to me as my own life. Are you prepared to -listen to me? If so, you shall get to know as much -of my history as I know of it myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go on, Monk; go on! If an honest man and -an intelligent woman can help you in any way, you -have them at your disposal in Clara and myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I stretched out my hand to him; Monk seized it -and shook it heartily. All doubt and restlessness -on his side had vanished. In giving the account -of his story, I only wish that I could have given -it in his own clear language and striking words. -To detail it in full is of course impossible; but I -will do the best I can, and if the narrative should -become tedious, or wanting in clearness, it is my -fault, and not Monk's.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="old-frick"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER II</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">OLD FRICK</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>When we separated, about fifteen years ago -(began Monk), that time you went to Zurich to -complete your studies as engineer, I went in -seriously for law, and was fortunate enough in four -years' time to take my degree with honours.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My friends and teachers tried to persuade me to -follow a scientific career. An endowment could -have been had from the university; and with this, -together with a small inheritance from my father, -I could have followed without trouble the beaten -path to a professorship at the university,—so I -was told, at any rate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But this was not to my mind; to have got free -from the student's bench only to climb immediately -to the dusty chair of a professor, seemed to me -anything but attractive.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I first got a situation in the office of a -government official, far up in the country, where there -was little to do, but plenty of game and fishing; -and I returned to Christiania the year after, a -bearded, red-cheeked, young Nimrod.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then I became the youngest inspector in the -Christiania police office, and spent about two years -in fining young men for disorderly conduct in the -streets, and keeping order among the erratic female -population of the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As you can well understand, it was hardly an -occupation likely to attract a man for any length of -time, and I explained this to our amiable chief -superintendent when, one day, I placed my resignation -on his desk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stop a moment, my dear Monk," he said, with -his genial smile. "Could you not wait a little, -before you hand in this resignation? I must admit -I have not found that you possess any special talent, -either with regard to arresting drunken students, or -as a censor of vice; still, on the other hand, I should -be much deceived, after my many years of experience, -if you do not find your right sphere in the -detective department. Practically every one is -aware that it is to you we owe our success in the -great post office robbery, although officially you -had nothing to do with it; and I, at any rate, know -how well you cleared up the Fjorstat murder. For -many months I have been thinking of offering you -an appointment on the detective force. If you will -take your resignation back, you can consider the -matter as settled."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I gladly accepted the offer, but not until I had -obtained a year's leave; a year which I spent abroad -in travel, to study languages and life in the great -countries.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I need hardly mention how useful my stay abroad -has been to me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I have no doubt that I found my right vocation -when I joined the detective police; especially if I -am to take into consideration the overwhelming -praise which my superiors gradually poured upon -me, or the flattering attention which the papers and -the public began to bestow upon me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk paused, and for a few minutes paced up and -down the floor, as was his habit when he was deeply -occupied in thought.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Well, he continued, I think I have now given -you an account of my life until the day when the -incident occurred which since has played such an -important part in my life, and continues to do so to -this very day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a rainy and stormy night at the end of -September, about seven years ago, when, wet to -the skin, and dead beat, I came driving up to my -lodgings in University Street. At that time I -always had rooms on the ground floor, so that I -could get in and out quickly and unobserved.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had been on an expedition after some burglars -high up on the Egeberg hills. The expedition had -been long and irksome, both for myself and my -assistants, and without result.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I always employ the same cabman—you remember -Peter Lyverson, of course? Well, he had been -waiting for us five hours in one of the small streets -in the East end, and was just as disappointed at the -lack of success and as wet as I was, so I thought -it only right to ask him inside and give him a stiff -glass of brandy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lyverson had just finished his glass, and with a -profusion of thanks was lighting a cigar and bowing -himself out, when we heard a ring at the telephone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wait a moment," I cried to him, and rushed to -the apparatus.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hello! are you Monk, the police detective?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; who is it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bartholomew Frick of Drammen Road. Can -you come out here at once? My house has been -broken into. I thought that a man like you would -prefer to be the first on the spot, and as quickly as -possible!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right, I will come."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was not pleasant, for I was wet and tired; but -business is business, and Bartholomew Frick was -right in saying that I liked to be the first on the -spot. Some minutes later the carriage was rolling -along the deserted streets in the pouring rain toward -Drammen Road.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I used the time, while we were on our way, to -recall what I knew about "Old Frick."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bartholomew or "Captain" Frick, as he was also -called, had left Norway when quite a young -man—somewhere between twenty and thirty years of age. -For a generation or so no one heard anything of him, -until suddenly he returned to his native country, -an old man. This was some years before my story -begins.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He came to Christiania, bringing with him a -whole shipload of curiosities and costly articles, -and was, on the whole, considered to be a very rich -man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His title of captain he presumably got from the -fact that he had won his fortune, so people said, as -captain of a pirate ship, and later on as a -slave-dealer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A more likely explanation, and one which carried -with it a greater conviction of truth, was that he -had acquired his fortune at gold washing in -Australia, and diamond digging in Africa. He had, in -both places, been one of the first to discover the rich -treasures there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On his return to Christiania he bought himself a -large house in Drammen Road, and this he filled with -the curiosities which he had collected and brought -with him from all quarters of the globe.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After becoming settled, he began to look about -him to make inquiries regarding his family, and he -found that his only remaining relations were his -brother's widow and two young children in needy -circumstances.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Apparently in order to make some reparation for -his earlier neglect, he overwhelmed the poor widow -with benefactions, and brought the poor, weak -soul to a state of great bewilderment by placing -large, and to her notions fabulous, sums at her -disposal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a short time she died, and Frick then -adopted her two children, a boy and a girl, and it -was generally assumed that they would inherit his -wealth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Old Frick was a well-known figure in Christiania, -and had a widespread reputation for his riches, -benevolence, and—irascibility.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The house is situated just outside Skillebek, as -you must know. I should not wonder, however, if -you have never seen him, although your house is not -far from his property, for during the last few years -old Frick has been confined to his house, an invalid, -and he never shows himself outside of it. As it -usually happens, the indifference of the world to -him now is just as great as its interest in him and -his affairs was at one time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently, the carriage drew up before an iron -gate, which was immediately opened by a man, the -coachman of the house, with a lantern in his hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Words were unnecessary; he was prepared for -my arrival, and I followed him immediately up -to the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We went along a passage and passed one or two -rooms, in the last of which stood some servants -whispering together, until we came, at length, into -a large room or salon which was lighted up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This salon presented a motley appearance. Some -of the furniture was old-fashioned, and some of it -modern. There were tropical plants in large -tubs; Venetian pier glasses on the walls, -having between them large cases filled with wonders -from all climes, and of all ages; stuffed animals -in the middle of the room and in the corners. On -a shelf stood some heavy altar candelabra from an -old church, and from a neighbouring shelf hung a -lamp, doubtless stolen from some Hindoo temple. -On a bracket, opposite a clock worked by sand, -a relic of the Middle Ages, ticked a splendid -specimen of a modern Parisian timepiece. Indeed, I -might go on forever enumerating the extraordinary -and wonderful assortment of curiosities that met -one's eye at every turn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In spite of this conglomeration, the room was -not unpleasant. My first impression—and later -it proved to be correct—was that, though all these -things had been brought together by Bartholomew -Frick, they had been arranged by his niece.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At one end of the room only was there any -noticeable disorder. There several chairs were -overturned, a couple of cupboards stood wide open, -and a window was entirely smashed, both glass and -woodwork. The storm and rain, however, did not -beat in, as this room lay to the leeward side of -the house, and the cheerful fire in the grate at -the other end of the room impressed one with a -sense of warmth and comfort.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By the fireside sat old Frick in an armchair. On -the mantelpiece before him lay a large American -revolver, with brightly polished barrel, and leaning -against his chair was an enormous Prussian cavalry -sword.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The master of the house was clad in a large-patterned -dressing-gown and slippers, and he got up -at once when I came in.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At his side stood his brother's children, a fine -young fellow with an honest face, and a very -pretty young girl.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Old Frick himself could hardly be considered -handsome. He had a large, fat, red face, with -an enormous reddish-blue nose, white bushy hair, -which stuck out in unkempt tufts, and a white, -thick heard under his chin. His eyes were light, -and generally friendly: but when he was angry, -which not seldom happened, they changed into a -kind of greenish colour, which was anything but -pleasant to see.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Every human being is said to resemble some -animal or another in appearance; Bartholomew -Frick would not have done discredit to a Bengal -tiger.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He came quickly across to me, and pressed my -hand in his own large ones; they were of the -fulness and size of a walrus's flippers. He was stout, -broad, and thick-set, but moved about with youthful -energy, although somewhat clumsily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, are you here already, Mr. Monk? Glad -to see you! It isn't more than twenty minutes -since I rang you up through the telephone; that's -smart work if you like! That's the thing, young -man, promptitude above everything! It is the -most important thing in the world. How do you -think Napoleon managed to conquer the whole of -Europe? What do you think it was that helped -him? His promptitude, my friend, and nothing -else. Don't talk to me of generalship or anything -of that sort. He was smarter and quicker than -every one else, and that's the reason he could do -what he liked with them all.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But now you must hear how it all happened -with regard to the burglary—ah, you wink at me, -Sigrid? I suppose you mean that I must first -introduce you to Mr. Monk? Very well! This -is my niece, Sigrid Frick, and that is my nephew, -Einar Frick; both are the joy and stay of my old -age. But now what about the—what are you now -making signs about, Einar? I suppose you mean -Mr. Monk should be asked to take a seat."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And a glass of wine," whispered the young girl, -casting a compassionate glance at my wet clothes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, of course: Mr. Monk shall sit down and -have everything he wants. But meanwhile I can -in a few words tell him how it all happened."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bartholomew Frick was, however, not a man -of few words, and it took some time before I got -to know how he had lain sleepless, kept awake by -a "devilish unpleasant pain in his big toe," and -so toward one o'clock had heard a strange sound -in the room below,—for he slept just over the salon -where we sat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man had lost not a minute in getting -out of bed; he had seized a loaded revolver, which -always lay at hand on his table, and a sword, which -was also within reach, both mementos, no doubt, -of his adventurous life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thus armed, and with slippers on his feet, but -with no other clothes on than his nightshirt, he -had crept down the stairs and slowly opened the -door of the salon.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here he saw two men, who were quietly at work -breaking open his cupboards and emptying their -most valuable contents into a sack.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I first of all fired two shots at their heads," -continued Frick; "but when the smoke had lifted, -I saw they were both as alive as ever, and on their -way to the window to escape. I rushed after them -with the sword, and they would not have got away -alive if I had not stumbled over that confounded -panther!" and he pointed to a large stuffed panther -which lay overturned on its side in the middle -of the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But you might have killed them, uncle!" -faltered the young girl, reproachfully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, killed them! I only wish I had hacked -them to sausage-meat! But just listen; now comes -the most irritating part of all. Only one of the -scoundrels could get out through the open window, -for the one half has no hinges on it and does not -open; so the other fellow, who evidently didn't think -he had time to escape before I came up, disappeared -head foremost, through both glass and framework. -But he didn't get through quickly enough, for -when I got away from the confounded panther, his -left leg was still hanging inside the window ledge. -'You shan't take that with you, at any rate,' -thought I, for now I was only a couple of yards -from him, and the sword was just raised above my -head, ready to strike, when, one of my feet caught -in the jaw of the ice bear, and over I fell for the -second time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, you laugh! Perhaps you do not believe -me? But I tell you, if that ice bear had not been -in the way, I should have been able at this moment -to place on the table before you the rascal's foot, -and perhaps a bit of his leg as well. Here, you -can see for yourself; the sword just cut off the -heel with a bit of the sole, and more than that I -could not manage; but another inch or two would -have done it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He triumphantly put before me a broad heel, -with a bit of the sole attached, evidently cut from -the boot with a powerful stroke.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This was the only bit of the scoundrel that was -left behind; the rest of him ran across the garden, -over the railings, and out into the road. The -revolver had also fallen from my grasp, or else I -should have tried a couple more shots after them. -I once shot a Zulu at seventy paces, with the same -revolver; he had stolen a hen from me, the rascal!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I didn't quite know what to think of such a -bloodthirsty old man. But a certain humorous -twinkle in his eyes gave me to understand that -this was not genuine, and, as the young people -didn't try to hide their merriment, we all three had -a good laugh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I afterward learned that old Frick suffered from -many of the defects which are so often the outcome -of a hard and adventurous life, such as he had led -from his youth to old age: stubbornness, waywardness, -and tyrannical contempt for the feelings of -others when his own were aroused. Otherwise his -heart was soft, and as good as gold.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was plain to see that the burglary had not in -the least ruffled his temper. On the contrary, he -felt himself considerably enlivened with this -reminder of a life which had been full of such scenes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last he finished his description of how the -thieves had disappeared, the house had become -aroused, and I telephoned for, etc., with the result -known. But what he was especially proud about -was that he had given orders that nothing -should be touched or moved in the room after the -burglary.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I myself have been a policeman," he said. "I -was sheriff in Ballarat for three years in succession, -and I had charge of many investigations there. -One thing I have learned by experience, and that -is, that the place of a crime must remain untouched -until the police arrive, otherwise it is impossible for -them to get to work."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I thanked him for his thoughtfulness and presence -of mind, which seemed to please him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I have described this, my first meeting with old -Frick, so fully, not because it is of any great -importance to my story, but because it will, perhaps, -give you some idea of the man and his characteristics.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Next I proceeded to examine the scene of the -burglary. It was just as Frick had said, nothing had -been touched or moved. Even the sack which the -thieves had used to stow away their spoil in, lay -there on the floor, just as they had flung it from -them when they took to flight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Several of the cupboards in the room had been -filled with gold and silver articles, and precious -stones. It was a complete museum; and the thieves -had, so far, carried out a sensible plan in having -broken open all the cupboards and drawers, but -only putting into the bag the articles which were of -the most value and the easiest of transport. -Otherwise, there was little else to discover. We could -follow the tracks of the thieves through the -garden, over the palings, and out into Drammen Road; -but they had left nothing behind them except old -Frick's trophy, the heel with the bit of sole -adhering, and the sack.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This was emptied, and the contents set in their -places in the cupboards. Nothing seemed to be -missing; and as each article was numbered, and the -place in which it was to stand, it was an easy matter -to control them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly Miss Frick clasped her hands together, -and exclaimed:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But the tortoise, uncle! the tortoise is gone!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a precious gem we have given that name—a -large diamond set in gold, and in the shape of a -tortoise," she added, when she saw my puzzled -expression.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is the most valuable of all my collection," -continued Frick. "I don't know what the diamond -can be worth when it is polished, but all I know is -that I have been offered £2000 for it as it is now. -It is black."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He raked about with his large fingers at the bottom -of the sack, and finally turned it inside out, but -there was no diamond tortoise. Then the room, -and at last the garden, and the nearest part of -Drammen Road were searched most carefully by aid -of the lantern, but without result.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How large was the tortoise?" I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It could at a pinch be hidden in the hollow of -a man's hand,—say about two inches in diameter -with the setting."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was now nearly three o'clock in the morning. -There was no more for me to do there, so I prepared -to take my departure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man began again to lament the loss of -the diamond, and complained in the most energetic -manner that he had not been able to shoot, or cut -in two, the rascals who had robbed him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would be stupid of me to promise anything," -said I; "but, for my own part, I am pretty sure we -shall have the birds caged before many days, and -that we shall secure the diamond as well."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With these words, I took my departure, put the -cut-off heel bits in my pocket, and went home.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My thoughts on the way were naturally taken -up with what I had heard and seen at Bartholomew -Frick's.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But, remarkably enough, it was the young girl, -Miss Frick, upon whom my thoughts dwelt most -of all. I had only heard her speak a few words, -and this was the first time I had seen her face; -but she attracted me strangely. I have never -been of an impressionable nature, and no woman -had ever had much of an attraction for me. So I -was astonished to find how clearly her image stood -out before me after the few hours we had been -together. I already felt a strong desire to please -her—a desire to do something which would compel -her admiration.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>You must, in any case, get the diamond back -for her uncle, I thought; women naturally set -value upon a detective's skill. It will at any rate -please her uncle, and bring me into her society -again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had at once noticed that the robbery at Frick's -was of a simple and not very complicated kind; -and though the matter from a professional -stand-point had not interested me particularly, it had -suddenly become invested with a new importance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As soon as I arrived home, I hurriedly changed -my wet clothes, made myself a cup of coffee over -the spirit lamp, and then took out the piece of heel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a broad, strong heel, with an iron rim round -it, and entirely new, just like the sole. It did not -seem to have belonged to the usual kind of cheap -boots which our ordinary criminals are apt to -patronize; at the same time it did not seem to have -belonged to the better class of foot-gear. The heel -somehow seemed to me to be familiar, a vague -recollection of something set my brain to work.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ah, suddenly I saw it all! The heel and sole -belonged to the same sort of shoes, in fact they -were a perfect match to a pair which had just -helped the police to circumstantial evidence by an -impression on soft soil in a similar case. It was -the same kind of boot with which the prison society -provides discharged prisoners, so that they shall -not be entirely shoeless when they come out of -prison.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One of the thieves must be a discharged prisoner, -I went on reasoning. The boots are quite new; -he must, therefore, have been just lately released,—in -all probability yesterday morning. The burglary -must have been planned and the necessary -watch on the house undertaken by a confederate -who, of course, must have been at large for some -time previous.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ten minutes later I stood in the anteroom to -my office at the police station. It was not yet -morning. The official on duty sat and dozed over -the stove.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Find out from the ledger, if any of our burglars -have been discharged from jail in the course of -the last two or three days," I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It is, unfortunately, a fact, that a large majority -of crime is committed by prisoners who have just -been let out of jail, and we therefore carefully keep -a register of those who are let loose.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the meanwhile, I went into the guardroom -and ordered two constables to follow me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Black John, the Throndhjemer, as you perhaps -remember, sir, was discharged yesterday morning; -I don't see any others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's all right! find out where he hangs about -when he is out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know him well, sir. He generally puts up at -'Fat Bertha's,' she who has the coffee-house and -lodgings for travellers up by Vaalerengen. But he -often frequents the sheds in the brick fields and -round about there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I always had a trap in readiness at the police -station, and in a quarter of an hour I, and two -officers in plain clothes, stopped at a suitable -distance from Fat Bertha's lodging-house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Black John was not there, however, and we began -to search among the brick ovens.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Daylight was just breaking when we came to the -second oven, and the workmen were arriving with -their tin cans in hand. Two men crept out on the -other side and began to run across a ploughed field -which adjoined one of the sheds.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We set off after them; but it seemed as if they -had got too much of a start, and were likely to get -away from us in the morning mist.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly one of them began to drop behind, and -we soon had him between us. We let the other one -get away for the time being.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The fellow we had got hold of swore and cursed, -but otherwise made no resistance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If it hadn't been for that sore foot of mine, -the police wouldn't have got me this time," he -bawled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We followed the direction of his look, and saw -how his left foot had forced its way through the -shoe, which was dragging about his ankle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Black John's volubility did not deceive me. I -kept a sharp eye on all his movements. While he, -with a kind of raw good nature, joked with the -constables, he slowly passed one hand behind him, and -with a deft movement threw a small parcel some ten -or twelve paces behind him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You had better leave tricks of that sort alone, -Black John," I said in a friendly tone, stepping back -and picking up a dirty little packet wrapped in a -greasy piece of </span><em class="italics">The Morning Post</em><span>.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Inside three or four wrappers of the same sort I -found the strangest object I had ever seen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a large black diamond, of a flattened oval -shape, tapering at the ends. It was set in a broad -gold rim of the same form as the stone, and, to make -its likeness to a tortoise more complete, a head was -introduced, together with a little stumpy tail, and -four knobs underneath, to represent feet,—all of -gold. In the head shone two green precious stones -for eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, no; it won't be of much use to me, I can -see," said Black John, resignedly. "I suppose I -am in for another year or two."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He exhibited a subtle humour, while he tramped -along to the town between the two policemen. The -effects of just-from-prison libations did not seem -quite to have left him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ours is a hard sort of a profession, sir," he -continued confidentially. "I think it's just as -well to be a convict all one's life. Then one -wouldn't get such frights at night. Such a one -as I had last night!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Were you frightened, then, last night, in the -Drammen Road?" I asked sympathetically.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Frightened, indeed! What would you say, -sir, if you were busy rooting about in a house at -night, when you thought all was quiet and still, -and an old ourang-outang in a shirt were suddenly to -appear before you with a sword in one hand and -a pistol in the other, firing away at you till the -bullets whistled about your ears?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In this kind of jocular strain he talked until -we reached the town, where we parted.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It was half-past twelve, and the sun was shining -brightly when I again rang the bell at old Frick's -in the Drammen Road.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had slept a few hours, handed in my report to -the superintendent, and now I wanted to have the -pleasure of giving old Frick his diamond back again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had taken a little more trouble than usual about -my toilet; you can guess the reason why.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I was very pleased to find Miss Frick alone when -I was ushered into the sitting-room. I thus had -an opportunity of exchanging a few words with -her; for when old Frick came in I knew only too -well who would take up all the conversation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She received me in a friendly manner, and when, -without further ado, I showed her the diamond, -she clapped her hands in joyful surprise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How glad uncle will be! When he once gets it -back again he will look upon last night's affair -as an exceedingly pleasant diversion. May I take -it to him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, of course!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was I who advised him to telephone to you in -the night, Mr. Monk, and to-day I also assured him -that you would be certain to find his tortoise again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a great pleasure, Miss Frick, to find you -have such confidence in inc. May I ask how you -got to know of my name?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The young girl blushed a little. "We have often -read about you in the papers, and Einar tells me -there isn't a case which you cannot clear up."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must thank your brother for his flattering -opinion, and I am indebted to the burglars of last -night for giving me this opportunity of making -your acquaintance and the acquaintance with your -family."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But you must excuse me a moment, Mr. Monk. -I must hurry away and find uncle and give him -the diamond. I haven't even told him you are here!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She ran out of the room, and I looked after her, -enraptured. She was even prettier by daylight -than by lamplight. Light, reddish-golden hair, -blue eyes, a straight nose, and a beautiful shapely -mouth, yet not of the smallest. As for her figure, -it was that of a veritable Diana as she vanished -from the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I stood looking out of the window, when the -door opened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I turned round hastily, and at first I thought -it was Miss Frick who had come back again. But -the next moment I discovered that it was a young -girl whom I had not seen before, who stood -hesitating on the threshold.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She was also tall, fair, and slight, and with -something of the same grace in her movements. Indeed, -both in her movements and carriage she was wonderfully -like Miss Frick. Nor was her face and especially -the shape of her head unlike Miss Frick's, but her -hair was much redder, her lips thinner, and her -mouth more sharply moulded. Her eyes were -certainly blue and pretty, but they wore a colder -expression.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I thought at first it was Miss Frick's sister, but -a glance at the small, coquettish, servant-maid's -cap told me she held a different position in the -house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With an excuse she hurriedly left the room; she -had thought Miss Frick was there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Scarcely had she shut the door after her before -Miss Frick again appeared, and as she saw perhaps -that I looked a bit puzzled, she gave a low laugh -and said:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have seen my double, I suppose? She -didn't know any one was here. All strangers are -astonished at the likeness between Evelina and me. -She is my lady's-maid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The likeness does not strike me as being so -great," I answered; "do you think so yourself? I -should never make such a mistake as taking her for -you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh yes, indeed!" she replied; "at first it was -almost unpleasant to me. Her father was, in his -line, a well-to-do artisan, but things went badly with -him, and he took to drink. The mother is not a -very desirable person either, and so my uncle, who -had known them many years, proposed that I should -take the daughter as my maid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a pleasure to me to talk with this pretty -young girl. She was more natural and free from -any affectation than any young woman I had met. -It was easy to see she had plenty of common sense, -and was well educated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Frick did not tarry long. He came waddling -in, clad in a large-checked, English pea-jacket, his -full-blown face beaming like the sun. He was not -satisfied this time with shaking one of my hands, -but seized both in his gigantic paws. His praise -of my skill was quite overwhelming and it was only -by the greatest effort that I got him to change the -subject.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After that followed an invitation to dinner at -"Villa Ballarat," as he called the house. He would -like to have a full description of how I had managed -to discover the thieves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This invitation clashed with my engagements that -day, and I should have felt almost duty bound to -refuse it, had I not happened to look at Miss Frick.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It appeared to me as if I could read something in -her face which spoke of anxious expectation, -and—I accepted the invitation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The dinner went off very well. Old Frick told -us how he had first become possessed of the -tortoise; that, however, I will return to later.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Happily there was another person present who -could listen to old Frick, while I had a much more -interesting conversation with Miss Frick.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Young Einar, who seemed a fine young fellow, -and whose occupation it was to keep his uncle's -books and accounts, alone emptied a bottle of -Pleidsieck monopole, and then stole away immediately -after dinner with a good supply of his uncle's -Havana cigars, to have a game of billiards at the -Grand Hotel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before I left Villa Ballarat, I had another talk -with old Frick, of a more serious nature. I -represented to him how wrong it was to let so many -costly articles as those he had gathered together, -lie unprotected against thieves and burglars.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have seen yourself, Mr. Frick," I said, -"how you tempt people to become housebreakers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Old Frick showed himself for once amenable to -advice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come and see me to-morrow," he said; "I -should like to have your opinion as to how I ought -to arrange my things. The house here is becoming -too small for me; I expect a guest in a few days. -What do you say to my building a pavilion out in -the garden, and arranging it specially as a museum -or as a place of custody for all my curiosities? If -I built the pavilion expressly for this purpose, I -ought to be able to make it sufficiently proof against -thieves. I could use iron safes, iron bars before the -windows, electric-alarm apparatus, and suchlike. So -long as I am well and able to move about, I can -look after my things,—as you have seen I did last -night; but when I get older, it will be more -difficult. One cannot depend upon the young people -in the house."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By sufficiently encouraging this plan of his, I got -him to start the work, and within a month old Frick -had a building constructed in the garden, about -forty yards from the house. A building which -should serve as a depository for all his collection, -and at the same time give space for his office, and -containing a fire-proof room for money and -important documents.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This building will, later on, play a part in my -story, and I shall therefore give a short description -of it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was built nearly square, and divided into two. -The whole of the one half was fitted up to receive -Frick's collection. It formed a large room with no -windows, but was lighted from above. Over the -skylights were placed strong gilt iron bars to -prevent entrance from above.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The heavy iron shutters, which, being painted -white and lacquered, looked like innocent wooden -boards, could be pulled down in front of the cases -when the museum was closed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These iron shutters were so well balanced with -hidden counter weights that the weakest child could -move them up or down. They could be locked with -strong safety locks, of which Bartholomew Frick -alone had the keys.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other half of the house was partitioned into -two, forming a larger and a smaller room. The -larger did duty as Mr. Frick's office, and there his -nephew took up his residence in the morning among -the heap of business books. The smaller room, -which, on account of the many feet thick, brick -walls, gave very little inside space, served as a -fire-proof room for money and documents.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This room had no windows, and only one very -solid, double iron door, which led into the -before-mentioned room used as the museum.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It had been made according to my suggestion; -for I reasoned thus: The office is, as a matter of -course, the least-protected room in the building. It -has windows, and necessarily a good many strangers -will be going in and out there. The safest thing -is to let the one door to the fire-proof room, where -Frick likes to keep a large sum of ready money, lead -out into the museum. It is only frequented by the -people of the house and guests, and at night it is -more secure against burglary than the office.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All round the garden there was an iron railing, -twice as high as a man, and people who were going -to the house had to ring a bell at the iron gate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At that time, when I made old Frick's acquaintance, -he had invested a great deal of his money in -various enterprises, mostly industrial undertakings, -and especially such as would bring new trade and -industry to the country.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He himself took no part in the management of -these undertakings, and the work in his office was -not more than could be managed by himself and his -nephew.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was not long before I was a regular and, as -far as I could perceive, a welcome guest at the villa; -indeed, all through the winter there was scarcely a -day when I did not visit there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Old Frick was never tired of asking me about -news from the police courts; but I soon realized -that it was not so much my stories that interested -him, as the fact that for each of my stories, which -I tried to make as short as possible, he found -opportunity to treat us to two or three of his own, which -always took a long time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was, however, an admirable story-teller, and -we often sat by the hour together, listening to him -with the greatest interest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Generally the party was limited to old Frick, -Sigrid, and myself. Einar was a gay young fellow, -who spent a good deal of his time and his money -with his companions, and he gave us but little of his -society. Thus the three of us spent many pleasant -evenings together.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="mr-reginald-howell"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER III</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">MR. REGINALD HOWELL</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Here was my first letter from Miss Frick:—</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>DEAR MR. MONK,—My uncle wants you to come -and dine with us to-morrow at five o'clock. He is -expecting an Englishman to-day, a son of one of his -old Australian comrades, and would like you to -make his acquaintance.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>Yours,</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>SIGRID FRICK.</span></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It was not a love letter, not even a friendly epistle, -but quite the most conventional piece of writing one -could receive; and yet it caused me great happiness -when this note arrived, in the fine bold handwriting -I got to know so well.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was on a Saturday, a few days before Christmas. -From the first day I had seen Sigrid Frick, -until now, I had employed the time in falling in -love as deplorably as ever a man can do, and I -could see that my attentions were not displeasing -to her. And so, as a matter of course, I accepted -the invitation for dinner next day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On my arrival at Villa Ballarat, I found old Frick -beaming with delight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here he is, Monk; here he is!—Reginald -Howell, son of my old friend Howell, who was the -best man and the most faithful friend in the whole -world. I don't think my old friend, even when -he was young, had such a fine appearance as his -son, here; but his heart was as true as gold, and -he was as reliable as a rock."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It would have been difficult for old Frick to -get away from his reminiscences of old Howell, but -luckily his niece recalled him to the present by -intimating that he ought to introduce me to the young -Englishman before he indulged in them further.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was a tall, handsome young fellow, about -my own age, and of the dark English type. His -manners were easy and unaffected, as is usual with -Englishmen of good birth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was nothing particularly attractive about -his face, although he had fine eyes, somewhat dark, -almost black, in fact, but without the fire in them -that usually accompanies eyes of that colour. His -manners were rather insinuating, though not at -all unpleasant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I gradually learned to like him fairly well.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At first, it happened that he threw many a tender -glance at Miss Frick, and on that account I felt -not a little inclined to quarrel with him. But as -this was only a repetition of what had happened -in the past two months with half a dozen other -young men who visited Villa Ballarat, I was -sensible enough to allow these feelings to have only -a momentary hold upon me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He soon kept his eyes to himself, probably -because he saw "how the land lay," as the sailors -have it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One thing which, in a great measure, spoke in -the young Englishman's favour, was his apparent -modesty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When his father died the year before,—he had -until then lived in Australia,—the son decided to -go to Europe, and he took his passage on a sailing -ship. But the vessel had caught fire in the open -sea, and the passengers and crew had had to take -to the boats. Only one of the boats had reached -land—the one in which Reginald Howell and eight -others had saved themselves. But the boat -foundered on a coral reef, and Mr. Howell at last -found himself, the only survivor, on a little island. -The natives were friendly to him, and after two -months' stay there, he sighted a ship which brought -him to England.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>People seldom refuse to relate interesting stories -when they concern themselves; but it was only -after repeated appeals from old Frick that -Mr. Howell was at last induced to give a very sober and -curtailed description of his adventurous voyage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was easy to understand that he must have -behaved very coolly and bravely under such terrible -circumstances, and that it was only due to his -presence of mind and courage that he was able to save -himself, yet he seldom spoke of himself, and then -always in the most modest manner possible.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In short, he had the habit, owing either to the -way in which he had been brought up, or by nature, -seldom or never of speaking about himself,—a -habit which never fails to make a favourable -impression.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the young man came to England, he of -course gave the authorities an exact account of the -wreck of the </span><em class="italics">Queen of the East</em><span>, and the fate of the -crew. The account had been published in several -of the English papers, and he laughingly proffered -to show us some of these papers if we found his -verbal account not exhaustive enough.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Howell had come to Norway at the express -invitation of old Frick, who, when he had heard of -his old friend's death, had written and asked the -son to visit him in Norway. The young man had -received Frick's letter just when he was on the -point of sailing from Australia—he had already -arranged previously to visit Europe—and had -notified his departure by telegraph.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You did right, Reginald, in coming as quickly -as possible to your father's old friend. I suppose -you intend to spend the winter with us. You can -learn to go on 'ski' here; a fine sport, I can tell -you. You must live with us. I have had two rooms -made ready for you here in Villa Ballarat."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Howell said he thought he would avail -himself of the invitation for one or two months; he -was a keen sportsman, and had long ago made up -his mind to have a look at, and a try at, ski-running.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's right," cried old Frick, clinking his -champagne glass against that of the Englishman. -"The whole house and all that I possess is at the -disposal of my old friend's son. After dinner you -shall hear what I owe him. I don't suppose I need -offer to assist you with any money, for in his last -letter to me your father wrote that he would leave -you everything he possessed, for your mother died -when you were a little boy, and you were the only -child. Your father was not so very rich, but I think -he wrote something about £1200 a year."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, thereabouts," replied the young man, -good-naturedly, and smiling at the kind old man's -loquacity; "and that is more than enough for me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then perhaps I had better strike out your name -from my will; it has, until now, been standing beside -those of Sigrid and Einar."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We all laughed heartily and rose from the table.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When we were drinking our coffee, and had -lighted our cigars, old Frick began the story of his -friendship with Howell the elder, and the adventures -which had bound these two so closely together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To tell the truth, I tried my best to slip away, -hoping for a chat alone with Sigrid; but that -couldn't be managed, and after having heard old -Frick's story, I must confess that only a man in -love could dream of anything more interesting than -his account of it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I should like to give it in all its detail, and in -old Frick's words, but I cannot, and I must restrict -myself to giving you the main points in his story.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Bartholomew Frick had left Norway and run away -to sea in 1830; his desire for adventure and his -dislike for the schoolroom had driven him to this.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For many years he roamed about in the great East, -in India, South Africa, and Australia, sometimes as -a sailor, and sometimes as a hunter and adventurer -on shore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then, at the end of the forties, he found himself -in Australia when the gold fever was just beginning -to rage. Soon after, a party of three people started -for Melbourne to proceed to the gold districts. One -was Frick, who was the eldest of them, and two -Englishmen, Howell and Davis.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The acquaintanceship of these three men—they -were adventurers, but all of good family—was not -of long standing; but it developed, in the course of -the following year, into strong friendship and most -faithful comradeship.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They led the usual life of gold diggers for many -years, and sometimes, when they were lucky, they -would go off to Melbourne and spend their money -in a few days' time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Having gone through many ups and downs in the -course of seven years, they at last came across a rich -find of gold, and realized a fortune in a couple of -months.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The partnership was then dissolved. Howell, -who was the quietest and most level-headed of -them, bought a large piece of land and took to -sheep farming. In this way he was able to preserve -his fortune and even to add to it, although he had -not been one of the most fortunate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the other hand, Frick and Davis did not think -they had enough. The money they had made -enabled them to carry out a plan which Frick had -thought of, and which for a long time they had been -anxious to carry out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the middle of the thirties Frick, when quite a -young man, had been in South Africa. He then -followed the settlers who trekked to the north -across the Orange River, and who had joined in -raids across the river Vaal, and still farther to the -north.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When on these expeditions Frick himself had -found diamonds, and had heard wonderful stories -from the natives of the great quantities of these -stones which were to be found in caverns of a -peculiar formation, reminding one more of deserted -mines than anything else.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frick had obtained the report through a source -which did not admit of doubt that there was -at least some truth in it; and the location given -with regard to the place seemed to be efficient. -But he could not then get any companions to form -an expedition, as the supposed place lay far away in -the desert, blocked by wild and hostile negro tribes. -Nor had he at that time the means to fit out an -expedition by himself, and he was therefore obliged to -give up all thoughts of it. These were the -diamonds in search of which Frick and Davis decided -to go.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Davis seemed to me to be just the right sort of a -man," remarked old Frick, when he had gone thus -far in his narrative; "he was at least double as -greedy about finding the diamonds as I."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now that they were able, the two companions -journeyed at once to the Cape, bought themselves -an excellent outfit, and hired people sufficient for a -large expedition.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The money which they did not spend on the outfit -they sent to the bank in London.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was Davis who managed all that; he was the -most businesslike of the two.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This expedition got as far as the Vaal, but did -not return, and this is how it happened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When they had got so far that, according to -Frick's and Davis's calculations, they should be -only a day's journey from the diamond caves, they -let the natives, with the ox wagons, camp, while -they themselves continued their journey alone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They were lucky enough to find what Frick -maintained must have been Solomon's deserted -mines, and they filled a whole sack with diamonds. -But when they reached the camp they found it -had been plundered, and all the members of the -expedition killed by a hostile negro tribe.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frick and Davis were also captured after a hard -struggle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the night Davis, who was uninjured, succeeded -in escaping, but Frick, who had received an arrow -in his thigh, could not follow him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Davis, with Frick's consent, took with him the -bag of diamonds, and promised immediately on -reaching civilization to prepare a new expedition -for the release of Frick.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the meantime, the blacks dragged him with -them farther and farther inland, where it was -impossible for him to think of flight, and so he -lived with them for three years.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last a gang of European pioneers turned up -far in the interior of the dark continent where the -tribe lived, and before the blacks had thought of -keeping guard on Frick, he had joined the whites -and followed them to their own settlements.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In all probability the blacks had, after such a long -time, come to look upon Frick as one of themselves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Frick reached civilization the first thing -he did was to ask after his friend Davis.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Yes, he had returned safely to the Cape Colony, but -had not mentioned a word about any relief expedition -for Frick. On the contrary, he had given out -that Frick was dead, and had gone straight to -England. He had mentioned that he had some -diamonds with him, but he had not shown them to -any one.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frick was not very well pleased with this information, -as you can imagine. He still had a few small -diamonds with him, which he had found during his -stay among the blacks. These he sold for a couple -of hundred pounds, and set out for England to find -Davis.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here he discovered that the latter had drawn -all the money out of the bank, had sold all the -diamonds, and having bought a large country estate, -was now living, a landed proprietor, in Yorkshire. -Frick set off to visit Davis at his country house, -but was not even allowed to enter. Davis refused -to deliver up any part whatsoever of the money -that had been deposited in the bank, or any of -that which he had received from the sale of the -diamonds.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Frick became furious and tried to force -his way in to the scoundrel, he was turned away by -the servants.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frick then applied to the police, but they advised -him to take legal proceedings. He would have -to engage a lawyer in order to proceed against his -old comrade.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was not a difficult matter to find a lawyer, -or even lawyers, but none of them would take up -the case unless Frick would guarantee them their -fees and expenses first. Davis was rich and powerful, -and would naturally use all the weapons with which -the English law so lavishly favours those who have -few scruples and plenty of money.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frick raged awhile like a lion in a cage, but -happily he pulled himself together and shipped to -Australia before he had become quite "mad from -anger," as he expressed it himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In Australia he was well received by the third -member of the late partnership, and when Howell -got to learn of the story, he became just as furious -over Davis's rascality as Frick himself. It was, -however, an unfortunate period with Howell. His -farm had just been visited by a huge flood, and the -larger part of his flock of sheep had been drowned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Howell did not give in. He would not -hear of Frick's remonstrances, but raised, with -much difficulty, a loan of £5000 on his property. -This money he forced upon Frick, and when the -latter saw that his friend would not listen to -reason, he no longer hesitated, but went back to -England with the money.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was now no difficulty in getting the -affair taken up. A clever lawyer was engaged, -and the case against Davis was carried on with -all possible despatch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frick himself thought he should never succeed -in bringing him to bay. Davis had understood -how to make use of the time to guard himself -well, and had employed all means to delay the -case.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Frick's £5000 was fast disappearing, when his -lawyer was fortunate enough to discover some -dark doings in Davis's life before the time when -Frick had learnt to know him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These doings were of such a character that -Davis, who in the meantime had been elected -M.P. for his county, had to, at any price, prevent -them being made public. He was therefore obliged -to agree to a compromise, and to pay Frick half -of what he was worth, which, after all, was only -what was Frick's due.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In the end, I got such a good hold of the -rascal," continued old Frick, "that he not only -offered to pay all I asked for, but he even wrote -me a humble letter, and begged me, for God's sake, -not to make the affair public. 'It would -completely ruin him,' he wrote.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As Davis had invested all the cash in his estate, -it was difficult to get ready money. But the -affair was at last settled, and I have not told the -story to any one. I did not give any promise to -this effect, but it's just as well that you, who have -now heard it, also keep it quiet. If it can help -the scoundrel to repent of his sins in peace and -comfort for the rest of his days, it is no doubt -the best.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was not possible to get your father, -Mr. Reginald, to accept anything more than the £5000 -he had lent me, although I was now much richer -than he. No, he was as proud as Lucifer, just -as proud as he was faithful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With the exception of Mr. Howell, we had all -listened with the greatest interest to old Frick's -long story. In spite of Mr. Howell's good -manners, his impatience had several times been -noticeable, even to the story-teller himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The latter remarked: "Yes, you have, of course, -heard the story several times before from your -father, Reginald; so for your sake it was hardly -necessary to tell it. But I am anxious that those -who stand nearest to me in the world should know -what a friend your father was to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Howell smiled, somewhat embarrassed; -"Yes, of course, I have heard the story from my -father two or three times. But you can understand -he did not lay so much stress upon the help -he gave you. It was no more, he said, than a -man's duty to a friend; and that's what I think also."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is his father's son!" exclaimed old Frick, -and was not satisfied until he had seized the -Englishman's hand and shaken it vigorously, although -the latter modestly tried to avoid it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did you ever hear anything later about Davis?" -he asked after a pause.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, not much!" answered old Frick. "He -was already married when I took proceedings -against him, but I don't think it was a very happy -marriage; his wife took care to see that a good -deal of the punishment he so well deserved was -carried out. Later on, I also heard that he had -much trouble in managing his large property, after -he had been obliged to take out so much capital. -Ah, well, that's his own lookout; we have, thank -God, something else to talk about than that -scoundrel. One thing, however, I forgot to mention, -is, that when Davis was forced to pay me back -half the money, I took the black diamond in its -present setting, the one we call 'the tortoise.' I -took that over for £2000, which would be about -its value in its uncut condition. We found it, just -as it is, up in Solomon's mines. It was the only -one of the diamonds that Davis had not sold."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-black-tortoise-again"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER IV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE BLACK TORTOISE AGAIN</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>I have little to relate about the months which -followed after that Sunday at Mr. Frick's.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Young Mr. Howell still lived in the house; he -took a fancy to "ski" sport, and learnt it in a -surprisingly short time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He accepted Frick's pressing invitation to remain -in Christiania till the summer, when he intended -visiting Finland and Spitsbergen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Einar Frick and Reginald Howell became good -friends, in spite of the difference in age, much to -the satisfaction of old Frick. They were always -together, and I fancy old Frick was not very strict -during this time with regard to his nephew's office -hours.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A detective, however, incidentally gets to know a -good many things, and I soon discovered that the -two young men did not always pursue the most -innocent pleasures. Even in Christiania, there are -always to be found at least a dozen young -good-for-nothings, who have plenty of money and nothing to -do. Einar and Mr. Reginald became regular visitors -in this circle, where later it became the fashion -to gamble, and not for very low stakes, either.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I became uneasy about this, and one day I spoke -to Einar and gave him a serious warning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By the young man's blushing and frank confession, -I saw that he had not as yet entirely fallen a -victim to evil influence. Besides, he added that he -had latterly had more pocket money from his uncle, -and didn't play higher than he could afford. -Mr. Howell had several times prevented him from -playing for high stakes. He also promised to withdraw -altogether from the gambling circle, which -Mr. Howell had said he also was inclined to do.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This reassured me, and on the whole I must -confess that Mr. Howell's behaviour was in every -respect that of a gentleman. That I, in spite of -this, entertained a shadow of antipathy or -suspicion about him, is one of those things which -cannot be explained.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One thing I cannot pass over in my story: one -fine day, when I summoned up courage and put the -all-important question to Miss Frick, I received as -satisfactory an answer as any man could wish.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She desired that we should, for a time, keep our -engagement secret, for she shrunk from telling her -uncle, who would scarcely take the prospect of -losing her with composure. Old Frick was -remarkably fond of his brother's children. The old man -had lived his life for many years without having -felt the sunshine of tenderness other than that of -comradeship; now he seemed to be making up for -it in the fond relations between him and the two -young people who were tied to him by the ties of -blood as well as by those of gratitude.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I have, all the same, a suspicion that the old fox -had an idea of what had passed between Sigrid and -me; and at the same time, I also think that I had -been fortunate enough to win his respect, so that if -he were to lose his niece, he would rather have given -her to me than to any one else.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It was the tenth of May, and a beautiful day; the -spring had come unusually early that year, and the -trees were already covered with leaves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My work was finished. It had been a long and -troublesome day, and I was just standing in my -room, wondering if, as a reward, I should give -myself an evening off and spend it at Villa Ballarat. -I had not had time to visit Sigrid for several days.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Just then I heard the telephone bell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hello! is that you, Monk?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was old Frick's voice; I knew it well; it was -the same voice that, eight months ago, had asked -me for the first time to come to Villa Ballarat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, it is I."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can you come out here at once? Something -has happened!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall be with you in ten minutes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At St. Olaf's Place I took a carriage; I didn't -want to lose a minute.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An uncomfortable feeling possessed me that -some misfortune was pending, or had already -occurred. I do not know if one can really have a -presentiment without some material cause; in this -case the feeling had sufficient ground by old Frick's -abrupt message.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the outer gate stood Frick himself, holding -it open for me. He locked the gate carefully after -us, stuck the key in his pocket, and then said, as he -stopped in front of me, with his hands in his -pockets:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The black tortoise is gone again!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gone?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, gone! Stolen, I say," and he raised his voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I asked him not to speak so loudly and to explain -the matter. It was a relief for me to hear that -it was nothing worse. Little did I suspect that -anything worse could have happened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is no one about who can hear us," said -Frick. "It is as I say; the black tortoise has been -stolen again, and within the last few hours. Since -five o'clock."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I looked at my watch; it was exactly twenty-five -minutes to eight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How can you be sure it happened after five -o'clock? Didn't the black tortoise lie in the case -with the iron shutters, in the museum?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, of course; but now you shall hear. Old -Jurgens, the lawyer, you know him, of course? He -who has that collection of curios, the old idiot! -Well, he dined with us, and afterward we drank our -coffee out in the museum, as we often do. At five -o'clock Jurgens left, and we all went over to the -house. For some reason, as I shall presently -explain, I forgot to lock the door of the museum and -cupboard. In about half an hour's time I suddenly -remembered this. I then had a look into the -cupboards before I locked them, and so discovered that -the tortoise was gone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you sure it was there at five o'clock?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; we had been looking at it just before we -all left the museum; I was the last who went out, -and I had put it in its place before I left."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you told any one that the tortoise is gone?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No; the first thing I did when I was sure of -what had happened was to telephone to you; since -then I have watched and seen that no one has gone -in or out of the gate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A long life rich in changes and events had taught -this old man expediency and presence of mind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had done just the right thing, and his -information and answers were clearer than nine-tenths -of those which detectives are accustomed to get -under similar conditions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is Miss Sigrid, or your nephew, at home?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, Einar went to Hamburg on business for me -the day before yesterday; he will be there about -a week, and Sigrid went for a walk about half an -hour ago. It was while accompanying her to the -gate that I came to remember the door of the -museum wasn't locked."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Haven't you missed anything else in the museum -but the tortoise?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so far as I can see; in any case, there are -still a number of small and costly articles which -would be much easier to turn into ready money -than the tortoise. It could not have been any -ordinary thief, or if so, it must have been an -unusually stupid one!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Has the black tortoise any special value to you -or to any one else apart from the worth of the gold -and the stone?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, that I can gladly swear! You mean, I -suppose, is there anything about this diamond, as -one reads of in the English detective stories, where -black and yellow people sneak about with daggers -in their belts and vengeance in their eyes! -No! there is nothing of that kind in this case. We -found it in the cavern, as I told you, together with -all the other diamonds. Man had not set foot there -for thousands of years; and the negroes who live -thereabouts do not care a fig for diamonds. For -that reason they let Davis keep the bag, which he -took with him when he escaped in the night. It -is only when negroes have learned to know the -blessing of civilization that they get a taste for -diamonds."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One thing must be done," I said, "while it -is yet light. Will you take care that no one passes -in or out through the gate, while I meanwhile -find out if any one has got into the garden over -the railing?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As already mentioned, the whole of Frick's -property, which was about three or four acres and laid -out in a garden, was closed in by a high iron railing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The distance between the rails was so little that -even a child could not squeeze himself through. It -was not altogether improbable, though difficult -enough, that a daring and agile man might have -climbed over the railings, notwithstanding the -spikes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was, however, easy to find out if any one had -got over in that way. It had lately rained a good -deal, and the ground on either side of the railing -was soft. Any footstep would therefore leave a -trace, especially on the outer side, where there was -a newly ploughed field.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I went all round the garden; no one had come -that way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Old Frick was patrolling to and fro at the gate, -when I returned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nobody has got over the fence to-day," said I.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," he answered thoughtfully; "that has been -my belief the whole time. I fear that we must -have thieves in the house,—but here comes Sigrid!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was quite right, for there was the dear girl -walking at a rapid pace toward the gate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A warm blush overspread her face when she saw -me, but it disappeared quickly, and I noticed she -looked very pale and fatigued.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We opened the gate for her, and I gave a -sign, to Frick that I wished first to speak with her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I went up to her, took her hand, and whispered -some words which had nothing to do with the -theft. Then, as we came nearer her uncle, I -remarked aloud and as carelessly as possible:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your uncle cannot find the black tortoise; he -thinks he must have mislaid it in some place or -another."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I said this purposely to arouse her attention, in -case the diamond really had been mislaid. I was -afraid that if I mentioned at once that it might -have been stolen, she would have become too -excited to think quietly over the matter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But, dear me, isn't it in the cupboard? I myself -saw you put it in its place before we followed -Mr. Jurgens through the garden."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I could not help noticing that Sigrid spoke in a -very absent-minded manner; she looked fagged out, -like a person who had gone through some physical -or mental exertion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We told her not to mention anything for the -present to the servants about the disappearance of -the diamond, and then she left us and went into -the house. It struck me as remarkable that the -affair should interest her so little.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The next thing I did was to telephone to the -police station, and order two of my men to come -out immediately to Villa Ballarat. I then asked -old Frick to take a walk with me in the garden -until they arrived; in this way we could see that -nobody went in or out of the house without our -knowledge.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is Mr. Howell?" I asked. I suddenly -began to wonder why I had not seen or heard -anything of this gentleman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, he went by rail to Osterdalen this afternoon. -He was invited by a man called Varingson, -I think, who owns large forests up there. They -are going to shoot capercailzie; it is only four -days, I think he said, before close time begins."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What time in the afternoon did he go?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He had sent his luggage down to the station -before mid-day; but the train was not going before -six or seven. We can hear from Iverson when he -left. Besides, you know, everybody goes and comes -as they like in this house."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Iverson was Frick's trusted man; he was formerly -a sergeant in the army, an unusually trustworthy -and clever fellow, whom Frick had taken into his -service at my recommendation. He was generally -known as the gardener, but he took his turn as -gatekeeper, and with the coachman he kept the yard in -order; was joiner, smith, and many other things, -and received from old Frick a very liberal salary. -Both he and the coachman were unmarried; they -lived in quite a small lodge near the gate, but had -their meals up at the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the meantime my two men arrived at the gate, -and I gave them my instructions. One of them -was to keep watch outside the villa and arrange that -he should be relieved, so that the house and garden -should not be unwatched. If the diamond was still -within the iron railings, the thief would at once try -to get it out of the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other constable got orders to instruct -pawnbrokers and all others to whom the diamond might -be offered that, should this occur, they must inform -the police without loss of time, and that the person -bringing it must be followed and watched.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At supper I received a long detailed account from -old Frick and Sigrid of all that occurred in the house -that day. Their statement as to time, etc., corroborated -exactly. Sigrid had, however, a bad headache, -and looked very poorly. Both Frick and I advised -her to go to bed, which she did, soon after.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then I had a conference with Iverson. The -coachman was away for the day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Lastly, I had a talk with the housemaid and cook. -Sigrid's maid, Evelina, had been away that -afternoon to visit her mother. She had, however, been -at Villa Ballarat about six o'clock, but had gone -out again immediately, and not yet returned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What results or conjectures I arrived at after all -these investigations, I shall later on return to; for -the present, I can only add they were not very -satisfying; I began to be afraid that this affair would -cause me more trouble and worry than any other -business of the kind had hitherto done.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before I parted from old Frick I got him to write -an official notification of the robbery to the police; -without this I could not take up the case in earnest.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="at-the-police-station"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER V</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">AT THE POLICE STATION</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The next morning at eleven o'clock I stood in -the police superintendent's office; he had told me -to be there at that hour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had, for some weeks, figured as chief of the -detective department, during my superior's holiday. -The latter was applying for a position in another -department, and I had had the chief superintendent's -assurance that I would be appointed in his place. -"I have already spoken to the Minister of the -Interior about it, and you can consider the matter as -good as settled," were the words with which my -superior officer, some days before, had concluded a -conversation which had given me great satisfaction. -It was soon after I had been fortunate enough -in clearing up the celebrated Bjornernd case, and in -getting the murderer arrested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My chief had always been very friendly to me, -and treated me, especially of late, almost as a -comrade; that is to say, as far as his old-fashioned -dignified and solemn manners would allow of it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He shook me by the hand as soon as I came in, -and said:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good morning, take a seat." He beckoned to -a constable, standing stiffly in a corner, who then -pushed a large armchair toward me. "You can -go into the anteroom for the present, Strukstad; -I have something to talk over with Mr. Monk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are a lucky fellow, Monk, to have got -another interesting affair in hand. I mean the -diamond robbery at old Frick's, in Drammen Road. -If I know you rightly, you have already made up -your mind about the case. From what I have heard -you are a friend of the family. Indeed, if I am not -very much mistaken, it is not only the diamond -which attracts you to the house."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I must confess I was much surprised that my -chief should know a secret which I, like all other -people in love, believed to be well guarded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Naturally, I did not enter upon that part of the -story, neither did my superior seem to expect it; -but I began, as shortly and briefly as possible, -to explain to him a little about the state of affairs -in the house, and among the occupants.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I afterward gave him an account of the previous -day's events.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As you may know, sir, there was a guest at the -house yesterday to dinner. It was old Jurgens, the -lawyer; you know him, his collection and his mania -for collecting! I have heard that his relations are -trying to prove that he is incapable of looking after -his own affairs. He is getting imbecile from old -age, and is squandering his large fortune by -buying up all the world's curios.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But he is still sharp enough not to let any one -pawn off any trash upon him; but if there is an -object of real value, one way or another, then he -will pay the largest sums without blinking.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He dined with old Frick. He came, of course, -only to see his collection, and he nearly worried -the life out of Frick with his importunate requests -to be allowed to buy this and that.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The party at dinner consisted of Jurgens, Frick, -Miss Frick, and Mr. Howell. Young Frick had -gone away two days before. There were in the -house, besides, the cook, the housemaid, and the -gardener. The coachman was on a visit to his -family at Moss. I have already telephoned to the -police there and ascertained that he reached there -in the morning and left by the evening train at -eight o'clock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Miss Frick's maid, Evelina, was also away -during the afternoon; she had got permission to -go home to her mother, who was ill.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"After dinner they all went into the museum, -as the people of the house call the building which -I told you about some time ago,—the one which -Mr. Frick, upon my advice, had erected out in the -garden between the main building and the -Drammen Road.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When they have guests at Villa Ballarat, it is -often the custom to serve the coffee in the museum, -especially when the guests wish to see the -curiosities.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Jurgens, the lawyer, had then for the twentieth -time asked to see the black tortoise, and was -persistently pressing Frick to sell it him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'I will pay £500 cash for it!' shouted the old man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'In the first place it is worth four times as -much, my dear Jurgens,' old Frick had replied, 'and -besides, I wouldn't sell it at any price.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Jurgens then had to relinquish all hopes of -obtaining the diamond; but he continued asking -to be allowed to buy some of the other curiosities. -He was especially struck with a little elephant -carved in ivory with a clock in its forehead. The -clock-works lie in the animal's body, and the -trunk acts as the pendulum. The swinging -backward and forward of the trunk has a most comical -effect.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He had no better success with the elephant than -he had had with the tortoise; and it was rather a -relief to the family when the tiresome old man was -taken away by his servant. You know he has -some difficulty in walking, and has to be carried -about in a wheeled chair, pushed by his servant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Frick said good-by to Mr. Jurgens, and was just -going to lock the cases, after having put -everything in its place, when a cry was heard outside.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The clumsy servant, who had apparently been -drinking, had nearly upset the old man on to one -of the flower beds.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All rushed out from the museum into the garden.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"After having got Mr. Jurgens righted again, -and safely outside the gate, they all went into the -house. Thus it came about that old Frick forgot -to lock both the cupboard with the iron shutters -and the door to the museum.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was then exactly five o'clock in the afternoon.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Old Frick went up to his room and took his -after-dinner nap. Miss Sigrid went out for a walk; -she had been suffering from headache the whole day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At six o'clock they met again; she had been -back a quarter of an hour, and awaited her uncle -with afternoon tea in the sitting-room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The two sat together till seven o'clock, drank -tea, and went through Sigrid's household accounts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At seven the young girl went again for a little -walk, as her headache was no better.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When Frick had seen her to the gate, he -suddenly remembered that the door of the museum was -not locked, and then he made the discovery that -the diamond was gone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The gate-keeper Iverson had spent the time -between five and half-past seven in the little lodge; -he had been busy with some carpentering, and stood -at the windows, which looked out on the gate and -the road.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I asked him if any one had passed in or out -during that time. The key to the gate hung in the -room where he was working, and he had himself let -every one in and out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, first there was Miss Sigrid, who went out at -five and came home in about half an hour or three -quarters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"About six Evelina came home, but went out -again at about half-past six.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"About seven o'clock Mr. Howell went out; he -had a gun and game-bag, and took a four-wheeler -which was passing at the time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Soon after, Miss Sigrid again went out, -accompanied to the door by Mr. Frick.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The cook and the housemaid had been in the -kitchen or their bedroom the whole time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must say yours is a model of a preliminary -report, Mr. Monk; you seem to have got it all by -heart, and not even to have made any notes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I believe I have a special talent in that respect, -sir. I only get confused, if I take down anything -except what is absolutely necessary. I can see it -much clearer when I've got it in my head."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, oh yes, each one has his own method! It -is at any rate a very useful talent for a detective. -But tell me one thing; how can you be so sure that -the different times you mention are correct? It is -not always that the people in a house are so exact -in regard to time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As it happens, my statements have been confirmed -on that point. Old Frick has a remarkably good -pocket chronometer, and he takes a pride in always -keeping it correct to the minute.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Just before Jurgens left, a remark was made -how correctly the little watch in the elephant's -head kept time. It stands on a shelf just over the -cupboard where the diamond had its place. -Although it had not been regulated for a long while, -it showed the right time to a minute; which was -verified by comparing it with the chronometer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And thus we have a safe starting-point: the time -was five minutes past five.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then Mr. Frick takes his afternoon tea precisely -at six each day. The servants have got into the -habit of being most exact in that respect, as the old -man is very particular.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Finally, Iverson looked at the clock when -Mr. Howell left, to see if he would be in time for the -train. Mr. Howell had made the remark as he -was passing out that the time was ten minutes to -seven, which agreed exactly with Iverson's watch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As you see, the different times which I have -mentioned cannot be far wrong—not more than a -minute or two."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I see that. I suppose your inquiries at the -pawnbrokers' and jewellers' have been so far without -result?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; up till now they have led to no result, and -I think they never will."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The superintendent nodded. Neither of us said -as much, but we were both agreed that the thief who -could steal an article like the tortoise, which would -be so difficult to dispose of, whilst he had plenty of -other salable articles to select from, must have had -his special reasons, and would not have rushed to his -own destruction by trying to dispose of the stolen -jewel to a pawnbroker.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course I know," said the superintendent, -cheerily, "that you haven't by a long way finished -with your investigations. But it would really be -interesting to make a few guesses as to who could -have taken the diamond. Who can have taken it, -do you think?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I saw that my august superior wanted to discuss -the case; and I could not refuse, although I had no -mind for it at this stage of the inquiry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As far as I can see," I answered, "there are -only five persons who could have taken the -diamond; the gardener Iverson, Mr. Howell, the maid -Evelina, the cook, or the housemaid. All these -people had the entry to the garden between five and -half past-seven, and also into the museum."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You forget two people, Mr. Monk."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I stared at him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You forget old Frick and Miss Frick."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The superintendent smiled, and I tried also, but -it was a sorry attempt, and a most unpleasant -feeling crept over me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The superintendent evidently took notice of this.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I speak, of course, from quite a theoretical -standpoint. It is part of a policeman's ABC that -he must suspect every one as long as the guilty party -is not discovered."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not every one, sir!" I felt I spoke with an -earnestness which was not in harmony with the -situation, or with the genial tone of my superior; but I -could not get rid of the unpleasant feeling which the -mentioning of Sigrid's name had caused me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps you are right, Mr. Monk; in any case, -this will not prove the opposite. But tell me, what -is really your opinion of Mr. Howell?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was obvious that the superintendent wanted -to get away as quickly as possible from the subject, -which I had been foolish enough to discuss in rather -a disagreeable manner, and I felt not a little ashamed -of my want of tact.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is only right, sir, that you should direct my -attention to him. From five o'clock till ten minutes -to seven he had the opportunity of taking possession -of the diamond and getting away with it from the -house. There would be no risk for him to enter the -museum; if any of the servants had seen him do it, -it would have attracted no attention; he is just like -a member of the Frick family.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is one side of the case; the other side is that -Mr. Howell in every respect gives the impression of -being a gentleman, that he is tied by the bond of -friendship to the Frick family, and finally that -pecuniarily he is so situated that he need not steal either -diamonds or anything else."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you sure of this?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; I go by what he and old Frick have said; -besides, at half-past nine this morning, I called on -Wendel, the banker. I myself recommended this -highly respected firm to Mr. Howell, and I asked -the chief, quite confidentially, how Mr. Howell's -account stood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He informed me that the latter at the present -moment had from three to four hundred pounds -standing to his account. It was the remainder of a -sum of money he had brought with him in cash and -deposited with the banker; besides which, instructions -had been received from Messrs. Hambeo and -Son, the London bankers, to open an account for -Mr. Howell to the amount of two thousand pounds."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I should be glad if I had such an account -at the bank! It does not seem probable that the -Englishman should have taken the diamond. By -the bye, Mr. Monk, I must not detain you any -longer; go on with the matter as you yourself think -best; you have, of course, not had much time for -inquiries, and I ought, perhaps, not to have been so -inquisitive at such an early stage of the investigations; but -you must rather look upon our conversation as a kind -of refreshment, which I take between the dustbins -and the demonstration in the theatre. Well, good -luck to you, and let me hear from you as soon as you -have anything of interest to report."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The superintendent shook me by the hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Strukstad, let the manager of the theatre come -in," he said resignedly, as I went out at the back -door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Later in the day a letter was handed me from the -superintendent, marked "Private," which read as -follows:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>DEAR MR. MONK,—I have not been able to dismiss -old Frick's diamond from my mind. Couldn't it -have been lost in quite an ordinary way; fallen on -the floor, put on a wrong shelf, or in some such way -got astray?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One might also imagine that some one for fun -has hidden it, to play old Frick a trick.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I confess it is not likely, but it is still more -unlikely that any one should have stolen it—the most -unsalable article of all the valuables which you say -lay in that cupboard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I ask you to take this into consideration, and -apply the greatest caution in your investigations.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The disappearance of the diamond will soon be the -general talk of the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It is of the greatest importance that the police -should not make fools of themselves. That is to -say, they must not let themselves be deceived by -people's extraordinary stupidity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I know your good sense, and in all probability -these lines are superfluous.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>Yours, etc.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-morning-visit"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">A MORNING VISIT</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>I did not forget the superintendent's good advice. -Immediately after the disappearance of the diamond -I searched the whole of Villa Ballarat most carefully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The servants behaved with exemplary resignation, -and offered to open all their trunks. I even took -the liberty of searching Mr. Howell's rooms. All -his drawers and trunks were open, but contained -nothing of interest. My investigations also made it -clear that this gentleman had proceeded direct to -the station on the day the diamond disappeared, -and from there took the train to Elverum.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I don't know how it was, but I always had a -misgiving that this young Englishman might have had -something to do with the disappearance of the -diamond. This, perhaps, was the reason that made me -feel, more acutely than ever, that not one of us really -knew the young man, in spite of his having been -several months in Villa Ballarat. His manners -were free and open; but—one did not learn to -know him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I soon placed Iverson, the gardener, the cook, and -the housemaid </span><em class="italics">hors de concours</em><span>. Iverson had for -many years shown himself to be a most respectable -and reliable person. He was a bachelor, had a nice -little sum in the bank, and it was easy to find out -about his antecedents. He was the son of well-to-do -peasants in Smaalenene, and when quite young -had gone into the non-commissioned officers' school -and followed a military career, until he entered -Frick's service. He had always borne a most -irreproachable character.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Last of all, we now come to the lady's-maid, -Evelina; and should you have a suspicion that she is -likely to play an important part in the lamentable -events which now followed, one upon the other, you -will not be far wrong.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From the first, or, more correctly, from the second -day I entered old Frick's house, this young girl had -struck me as being strange. There was something -mysterious about her, perhaps on account of her -reserved and even sulky manners.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sigrid also considered her unusually silent, more -so by nature than most young girls are. She -thought that she was a girl of strong character, and -liked her, in spite of her reticent ways.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During the latter days she had been still more -reserved than before, and had not given one the -impression of being in good health, although there -was little change noticeable in her appearance on -account of her naturally pale complexion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The afternoon of the disappearance of the -diamond, Evelina had spent in the following manner -(her explanation tallied exactly with that of others): -She had, soon after dinner, when the family had -retired to the museum, served the coffee there. When -that was finished, she had left Villa Ballarat to -visit her sick mother, just before the time -Jurgens had left the house. At six o'clock she had -returned to the villa again to fetch something she -had forgotten, and had, at the same time, put on -another dress on account of a change in the weather; -but she had been scarcely half an hour in the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It struck me as strange that Evelina had suddenly -become more lively than I had ever seen her, and -Sigrid also thought that she looked better and -more cheerful since the day when the diamond -disappeared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As regards Evelina's mother, Madame Reierson, -I found out that she made her living by washing -and ironing, and by letting a couple of her rooms; -but it was said that she was fond of drink, and that -her principal income evidently consisted in what her -daughter allowed her. Miss Frick's generosity no -doubt enabled Evelina to give her mother considerable -help.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Madame Reierson's specialty lay in talking of -times gone by, when Reierson was alive and was a -well-to-do turner in Grönland; "she too had had -her own house and a horse and trap."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As you see, I had not gained much by my -investigations, but my opinion regarding the loss of the -diamond had, however, begun to take shape, which -made it desirable that I should make Madame -Reierson's acquaintance.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>At half-past nine the next morning, when the -May sun was shining warmly, a gentleman entered -the courtyard of 44 Russelök Street.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The gentleman was not very elegantly dressed; -his coat was somewhat shabby, and his trouser-bottoms -a little the worse for wear, but still he -might pass as quite a respectable person; for -instance, as a poor theological student of middle age.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I hoped, at least, that my appearance was something -like this, for this was the rôle I intended to play.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the courtyard a woman was standing rinsing -clothes under a pump. I asked for Madame Reierson, -and learned that she was living in the fourth -story on the right-hand side of the staircase.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I mean the woman who takes in washing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I don't think there's much washing done, -but there's only one Madame Reierson in this house, -at any rate," was the surly answer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think you're right about the washing. In -any case, the clothes I last got home were only half -washed," I remarked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My depreciatory remark about her neighbour's -work evidently appealed to the woman; she deigned -to let go the wet clothes she had in her hand, and -turned round to me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, indeed! Really! So she has been washing -for you, has she, and you don't like her washing? -Well, you're not the first as says that. It's -a shame that such a drunken wretch should take -the bread out of other people's mouths, and live in -grand style, and enjoy herself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I, for my part, have been thinking of -giving her up as my washerwoman."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ha! ha! you give her up?" said the worthy -woman, with a scornful laugh. "A lot she'll care -about that! As long as she's got that fine -daughter of hers in service at old Frick's, in the -Drammen Road, she can live in grand style, and enjoy -herself without washing a rag. But I should say -it'll all come to a terrible end some day; when -people begin to run after them actors I wouldn't -give you a thank you for 'em!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And with that our short but pleasant conversation -ended.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I tried to find out a little more about the actor -who had suddenly been introduced upon the scene, -but I was sharply sent about my business by the -woman, who "did not go about telling tales, let -alone to strangers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was nothing more to be done, so I mounted -up to the fourth story.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On a door with glass panes were fastened two -visiting-cards. I read: Ludwig Frederiksen, actor; -Tho. Herstad, medical student.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To the left I found an ordinary kitchen door. -As I knocked at this a stout woman appeared. -Madame Reierson was clad in what I would call a -simple morning toilet. I can hardly describe the -various articles of her dress; all of them, however, -appeared to be too tight-fitting for her buxom -figure, and to have seen better days.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I lifted my large, broad-brimmed, low-crowned, -clerical hat to her, and then explained that the -object of my visit was to ask madame to do some -washing for me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She seemed greatly surprised that any one, -unsolicited, should intrust his clothes to her to wash, -and asked rather suspiciously who had recommended her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps we might go inside," said I. "I would -like to sit down a little. I'm not quite well, and -the stairs trouble me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She mumbled something about "</span><em class="italics">she</em><span> didn't mind," -and showed me through the kitchen into a -disorderly room, filled with foul air. This served -as her parlour and her bedroom.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I sat down heavily and laid my hand on my heart.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She didn't seem, however, to be troubled with any -sympathetic feelings, for I heard her mumble -something about, "Why do folks climb stairs when they -can't manage 'em?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But who has shown you up to me, then," she -continued.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I could see it would be difficult for me, if not -impossible, to get into conversation with this -unpleasant woman, as she apparently had not yet -had her "morning drop," and was therefore not -amenable to any friendly approach.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I decided to come to the point at once.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Miss Frick has recommended me to come to you, -as I wanted a good washerwoman,—Miss Frick, who -lives in Drammen Road."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The woman sat herself down in a chair right -opposite me, and looked rather astonished.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you go to the Fricks'?—You?" was the -unflattering answer, as she critically surveyed me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I regretted the plain attire, which I had thought -would be suitable for my supposed errand; but there -was no help for that now; I had to get along as -best I could.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am studying for the church," I said with -dignity, "and I am secretary to the women's -mission, and we generally have the committee meetings -at Miss Frick's."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, indeed! Really!" Suddenly there was a -gleam in the woman's eyes. She had evidently got -an idea into her head, because from that moment -her manner was affable and insinuating.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, indeed! Now really! So you are going to be -a parson? That was what our eldest son was also -to be. Reierson wanted him to become a doctor, -but I swore that he should become a parson. Well, -I expect you meet a lot of grand ladies there, then! -Have you seen my daughter at Miss Frick's?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What, your daughter?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, well; that's no matter;" she evidently did -not find it very opportune to say anything about -her daughter, since I myself didn't appear to know -her position in Frick's house. "But as you go to -old Frick's, you have, of course, heard summat of -his big diamond which he has lost."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I knew, of course, that the town had already -begun to talk of the diamond affair, but it came -quite unexpectedly upon me to hear this woman -talking of it. Did she want to know what -suspicions they had at Frick's house? Did she know -anything about it? Had she her own suspicions, -or was it only curiosity?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, fortunately, they have got hold of the thief."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No! now you don't say so!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Just at this interesting point of the conversation -we heard the kitchen door open.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Madame Reierson left me, and quickly disappeared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then began a lively conversation in almost a -whisper, but the door was rickety and my hearing -sharp; it was Madame Reierson's voice and another -woman's voice. I recognized it; it was her daughter's.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"—Not home?—not come home yet, do you -say?—been out the whole night—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I heard the mother mumble something, that "he" -must soon come home.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And he has not even left any message? He -promised that I should meet him at ten o'clock -to-day.—A strange gentleman, do you say, whom -Miss Frick has recommended to come to you—?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mother must have spoken of my presence, -but the daughter seemed to have a legitimate -suspicion about the recommendation from Miss Frick. -Perhaps she was inquisitive, and wanted to see the -phenomenon who came to Madame Reierson with -his washing; for the door immediately opened, and -I stood face to face with Evelina, the lady's-maid.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She stood there, tall and erect, pretty and -tastefully dressed as usual. When she recognized me, -her pale face became still paler, and it seemed to -me she tottered a little. She only pressed her thin -lips together and looked calmly at me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you here? I did not know the police were -here." She looked at my garb and smiled a little -scornfully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At these words, Madame Reierson forced herself -past her daughter and surveyed me angrily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Police, do you say? Does he belong to the -police? Well, I might have guessed it, since he -sneaked in here and began to talk of the stolen -diamond and suchlike."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I looked at the daughter, but her features were -immovable. Either she had nothing to do with -the diamond robbery, or she had a stronger will -power than most people.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You forget, Madame Reierson," said I, "that it -was you who began to talk to me of the robbery -at Mr. Frick's."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Was I mistaken, or was it really so? It seemed -to me that the young girl's look was directed for a -second or two at her mother with great displeasure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, if it was I who began the talk, it must -have been because you fooled me on to do it," said -Madame Reierson, jumping up from her chair; -"else why did you come here? Perhaps you fancy -we have stolen Frick's diamond! Be so kind as to -look for yourself, and see if it is to be found in my -house."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The worthy dame began to pull out her chest of -drawers, and to open her cupboards, while her -tongue went on with startling rapidity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hadn't thought of making any investigations in -your house, my dear madame," said I, trying to -pacify her; "I came really to find out a little about -your lodger, the actor, Frederiksen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This time the daughter's self-control did not -serve her; for some seconds her face was -overspread with a deep flush, and she went away and -looked out of the window.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Frederiksen is old enough to answer for himself," -said Mrs. Reierson, curtly. "He is not at -home now, and I don't know when he is likely to be."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As I had nothing further to do there, I took my -hat, nodded to the woman, and left without -ceremony. The young girl still stood at the window, and -did not turn round when I went out. Either she did -not notice it, or she did not wish to show her face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When I had descended to the next floor, I heard -the sound of heavy steps coming up. First of all -a ruffled silk hat appeared on the stairs, afterward -a pale, dissipated-looking face, with clean-shaven -cheeks, luxuriant curly hair under the brim of the -hat, a black frock coat of faultless cut but with -spotted silk revers, light trousers somewhat frayed -at the bottoms, and cracked patent-leather shoes -with large bows. The apparition stared at me -stupidly and disappeared through the door leading -to his apartments. It was Ludwig Frederiksen, -who had little or no reputation as an actor, but -was well known as a Don Juan, now somewhat on -the decline, but worshipped, nevertheless, by the -fair sex, not only of the better classes, but also of -the demi-monde.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He possessed the happy gift of being able to -easily forget unpleasantness, for at this moment -he evidently did not recognize me, while less than -a month before we had had a not very pleasant -conversation at my office.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The cause of this conversation was a respectful -application from the artist for a loan of some -thousand of kroners, directed to one of the merchants of -the town. This document the merchant in question -found best to deliver into the hands of the police, -although the bewitching artist had offered to -deposit, as security, several pink and perfumed notes, -billets-doux, from the merchant's own daughter to -the owner of the curly locks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We shall probably have another interesting -conversation," I thought, as my eyes followed the form -of the artist as he mounted upward and disappeared; -"but not now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The fact was that in the course of the last half -hour, certain ideas, which earlier had begun to dawn -in my mind, now assumed a more solid form, and -fitted together, so that they formed a chain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I thought I had hold of one end of the chain, and -I was determined to fumble my way to the other -end; or perhaps it would be better with a resolute -pull to try and grasp it without fumbling at all.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The chain had, however, begun to link itself in -this way, and when I left Mrs. Reierson's parlour, -I felt convinced that Evelina knew something about -the diamond, and very likely her mother also.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As I had passed through the little kitchen my -elbow knocked against a dirty coffee-service which -stood there,—a pot and two cups with dried-up -grounds at the bottom. This accident was sufficient -to set going a train of thoughts which, no -doubt, had already been unconsciously developing -in my mind; but which would never have been -started into active life if Mrs. Reierson's -objectionable coffee-cups had not been standing there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They brought to my mind an expression in -Evelina's explanation the other day:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I went home to my mother as soon us I had -served the coffee in the museum."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She had served the coffee in the museum; she -had seen that the diamond had been shown about; -had seen Jurgens's imbecile greediness to become -possessed of it; she had heard him bid ten -thousand kroners for it! Later on she had passed the -museum, when all were gone, and seeing the door -standing open, knew she had only to stretch out her -hand to become possessed of a large sum of money.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Perhaps she had some use or another for the -latter, of which I, as yet, had no certain -knowledge,—but of which I had a suspicion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>If this train of thought was correct, then -Mr. Jurgens had now the diamond in his possession.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The improbability that this worthy old man -should have become the receiver of stolen goods -did not concern me. I knew that the mania for -collecting sweeps away all moral considerations like -chaff before the wind, especially when second -childhood has already begun to obscure the mind.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="lawyer-jurgens"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">LAWYER JURGENS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>My decision was taken. I would pay a visit -to the lawyer without loss of time. The difficulty -lay in getting the old man to speak out the truth, -if he really was in possession of the black tortoise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I dared not use strong means; it was a weakly -old man I had to do with, but to get the better of -him was not so easy. He was possessed of not a -little cunning, and his firmness, when it was a -question of preserving any of his treasures, was -quite incredible; of this I was already aware.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Jurgens knew me well. I had had to do -with him twice before on official business, when -some one had tried to rob him. Besides, we had -met each other several times at Frick's, and finally, -I had now and then gone, like so many other -interested people in the town, to see if he had -any remarkable increase in his line collection.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Of course you know the Jurgens collection in -the national museum? It has a whole department -to itself. Some time before his death he presented -all of it to the public.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While I called at my lodgings to change clothes -I laid my plan of campaign.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was neither particularly subtle nor cunningly -conceived—only a common trick, as you will see; -but, as you will also see, it was good enough for -the occasion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I rang at Mr. Jurgens's house in Munkedam -Road. He lived on the first floor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the back lay a kitchen and servants' room, -where his cook and housekeeper lived; on the -other side of the hall was a room which belonged -to the servant-man. Jurgens himself lived in a -room looking out on the street, and the remaining -three rooms, which likewise looked to the street, -gave him ample space for his collection of -antiquities and other curiosities.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By my advice, he had taken a lot of precautions -to protect himself against thieves. There were -strong doors provided with patent locks, iron bars -before the windows, and some fire-proof iron safes -as a place of deposit for the most costly articles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man-servant opened the door to me. The -reason why the lawyer had a man-servant was, -as I have already mentioned, because his feet were -almost lame. He could just manage to get along -from one room to another, with much difficulty; -but in the street he was obliged to be wheeled in -a chair. Otherwise the lawyer was a man of small -pretensions, and notwithstanding his large fortune, -was very economical. That is to say, in everything -possible, except what concerned his collection. -In this respect he was, as already mentioned, -irresponsibly extravagant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old lawyer got up with difficulty from his -armchair and tottered toward me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He shook me by the hand, fumbling a long gold -chain, which he wore round his neck, with the -other hand, and himself began the conversation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His voice was a little shaky, and he seemed to -be uneasy when he saw me; but it was difficult -to say if these symptoms were a natural consequence -of the man's age, or if he really had something -to hide, and felt uneasy at my appearance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, really, Mr. Monk," he said, "it is a long -time since I had the honour of seeing you at my -house. May I perhaps have the pleasure of -showing you some rare curiosities which I have lately -acquired? You have generally so little time that -I believe you have really never seen my collection -properly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These words proved to me that if the old man -had the diamond in his possession, he had it in a -safe hiding place, and of these there were plenty. -The old furniture was full of the most -extraordinary corners, secret places, drawers, and -such-like.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Many thanks, Mr. Jurgens," I answered -promptly, "but this time I am here on official -business, and have still less time than usual."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What a pity," grumbled the old fellow, letting -himself fall back into his chair, and taking a pinch -of snuff with his shaky hands. "Any snuff? No, -young fellows nowadays don't take snuff; but -take a seat, Mr. Monk, take a seat!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thanks!" I brought a chair forward in front -of the old man and leaned toward him. "The -fact is, that an audacious robbery has been -committed; an unusually costly article has been stolen, -and the superintendent has sent me to inquire -about it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't suppose I buy stolen goods, sir?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lawyer's eyes blinked, and his hands and -shrivelled fingers moved up and down the watch -chain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, of course not; but you know that it has -happened once or twice before, that stolen goods -have been offered to you for sale, and that you -have been of inestimable value to us in giving -the thief's description; therefore—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, this time I cannot help you; no, not at all!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But you haven't yet heard what it is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No—but—but—I have not bought anything -for a long time; nothing of consequence, or -anything that could be of interest to you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is tiresome—most tiresome! Our last -hope is gone; if only the bracelet is not sent abroad! -It would then be very difficult to get."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bracelet, you say; was it a bracelet, you said?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, it was a bracelet, an uncommonly costly -bracelet, set with precious stones, which disappeared -from Adelina Patti's dressing-room in the theatre -yesterday. You know she is appearing here for a -few days. She had had it given her by the -Emperor of Brazil."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed! What a pity! But as I said, no one has -tried to sell anything of the kind to me lately."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was no doubt that the old fellow felt very -much relieved. He took hold of the bell rope and -ordered his man-servant to bring in wine and cigars.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take a glass of wine with me, sir; both old and -young need a good glass of wine, and you'll not get -better than this: I brought it myself from Oporto -in '47."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We each drank a glass, and I must admit that the -wine was good.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lawyer had hastily left the subject of the -stolen gem, and had begun upon several interesting -reminiscences from the year 1820 or so.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But it was not my plan to let him have his own -way; I had opened my trenches, and I wished to -advance to the attack.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a nuisance," said I, "all these robberies of -curiosities and costly jewels, which have taken place -in the town of late. No one knows what bother -they cause the police."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can understand," said the lawyer, unwilling -again to approach the same theme; and he filled the -glasses again with a shaking hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," I continued, "every one who possesses -such things should be just as careful as old Frick of -Drammen Road."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On hearing old Frick's name, the old fellow -almost jumped out of his chair, but I continued -mercilessly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This last robbery at old Frick's is a laughable -affair." I then burst into long and hearty laughter, -which evidently affected Jurgens's nerves in the -most unpleasant manner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Haven't you heard about it? Well, as you -know, old Frick possesses a whole lot of curiosities, -and many of them are of gold, silver, and precious -stones, and all are very valuable. People are -always coming there, some as guests of the house, -and some to visit his collection. Old Frick got -tired of always having to watch them so carefully, -and so he had imitations made of all his most valuable -objects,—gilt-brass mounts instead of gold, and -glass instead of precious stones. This is, however, -a great secret, so much so, that even his best friends -think they are the real things they see, while these -are lying securely in the cellar of the bank."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Eh, what do you say?" The old fellow stretched -out his neck like a vulture.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, indeed—but listen: a few days ago the most -costly of all his curiosities disappeared; I fancy it -was a black diamond in gold setting. It was called -the 'black tortoise.' We expect the thief has gone -abroad with his treasure. Ha! ha! just sixpenny -worth of brass, and half a crown's worth of cut -glass!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I again burst into a peal of hearty laughter. The -old man sank back, but tried to raise himself, -gasping for breath. I thought he was going to have a -fit, and in a minute I got his necktie undone, and -rang for the servant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We soon brought him round again; he was a -tough old bit of humanity, that I must admit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I knew now what I wanted to know; the lawyer -had the diamond in one of his hiding places. The -difficulty was to get him to give it up without -being obliged to resort to unpleasant means.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For this reason I took leave, as soon as I saw he -had got over his little attack, and without -suggesting anything as to what the cause might be.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The servant followed me into the hall to open -the door for me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Having reached the hall, I asked hastily, "Do -you know who I am?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, sir, you are Inspector Monk," answered the -man in surprise, and somewhat tardily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right, let me then remain here in the hall, -but open the door and then shut it, so that your -master can hear it and think I am gone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man hesitated a little and looked doubtfully -at me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quick! What I do, I do in the name of the -law, but I have no time for further explanations. -Now then!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He did as I told him and went in again to his -master.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Everything happened as I had foreseen. The -servant came out soon afterward, sent away by his -master, and disappeared at a sign from me into his -own room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I took off my shoes and opened the door stealthily -to the lawyer's room. As I had expected, he had -gone into one of the other rooms, where he kept his -collection.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without making any noise I followed him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the innermost room the old man stood before -the open door of one of his iron safes. His shaky -hands were busy trying to adjust a pair of -spectacles with round glasses to his nose.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I took my time, until he had taken out from a -secret drawer an object which he held close up to -his eyes. The next minute my hand lay on his -shoulder, and immediately after the black tortoise -was safe in my pocket!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I led the old fellow carefully across the room to a -chair. He had never uttered a word.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He remained seated, gasping for breath with -half-shut eyes, and his withered hands dancing up and -down in his lap.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I made him drink a glass of wine, and after a -little while he found his speech again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What right have you to sneak in upon me and -take my property? The diamond is mine—I have -honestly bought it—" and he stretched out his -hands, as if to get it back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The diamond is stolen property," I said, "and -will be delivered by me into the hands of the -authorities. I am sorry I have been obliged to play -a trick upon you to get it from you; but I understood -at once that you wouldn't give it up of your -own free will."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have bought it and paid for it, and it is not -stolen property; your conduct will cost you dear, -Mr. Monk."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No more talk about that, if you please, Mr. Jurgens," -I said firmly. "From whom did you buy -the diamond?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I bought the diamond from Miss Frick, and she -got it from her uncle."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man could not say another word, for my -hands were round his throat. Only for a moment, -however. I remembered myself, and let go my hold, -but remained standing in front of him quivering -with rage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it you dare say about the young -lady, about Sigrid, about my—I mean about -Mr. Frick's niece? Mr. Frick himself has given -information of the robbery, and now you say that Miss -Frick has sold the diamond to you; that is the same -as saying that she has stolen it. You can thank -your stars that you are an old man, otherwise—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man stretched out his hand, as if to ring; -but no bell was near. His eyes wandered wildly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then it stood clearly before me that I had nearly -frightened the life out of him, and I at once became -calmer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Be sensible, sir, and take the matter quietly. It -was imprudent of you to buy the diamond, but we -all know, of course, that you did it in good faith. -But it will be necessary that you give a truthful -account of how you got it, and from whom. If -not, it may become a disagreeable business for you. -That you can well understand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I only understand that I have bought the -diamond from a young lady and given five thousand -kroners for it. She did not ask for more," said the -old man, trembling, while his eyes began to look -brighter. "When you say it was not Miss Frick, -perhaps, after all, it was not she; but then it must -have been the other young girl in the house. I -believe they call her Evelina. Yes, it was she, if -you absolutely must know it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, that is far more probable, sir," I said -encouragingly, for I felt a little ashamed of my -violent conduct to the old man, "and you must -excuse me if I was a little rough with you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I rang myself for the servant, and with him as a -witness, I gave the lawyer a receipt for the tortoise, -which I took with me, and left.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The superintendent was not a little surprised -when I put the diamond before him on the table; -and when I had given my report, he congratulated -me at the result, and complimented me on the -manner in which I had conducted the affair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I found it unnecessary to mention Jurgens's -wretched attempt to prove that it was Miss Frick -who had sold him the diamond.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The superintendent did not lay much stress on -the part Jurgens had played in the matter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The man must soon be pronounced incapable -of managing his own affairs, and be placed under -proper control. He will, of course, be declared -irresponsible by the court, if the public prosecutor -should proceed against him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In this I fully concurred. Then I gave the -superintendent a detailed account of my visit to -Mrs. Reierson, and of how the actor's name was -mentioned, and of my hurried meeting with the -latter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do I understand you aright," said the -superintendent, "that you have a suspicion that the -pretty maid and the fascinating actor are intimate?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I have."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you go still farther; in this, you seek the -reason why the unhappy girl has committed the -robbery, isn't that so?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, indeed, I cannot deny that something of -the sort was in my mind; only it seemed strange -to me that a girl like Evelina, who not only has -the best of characters from Miss Frick, as a good -and honest girl, but who, after all I have been able -to ascertain, also possesses a certain amount of -character and love of truth, can have fallen in love -with such a man, or given herself into his power!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, my dear Monk!" broke in the superintendent, -with a smile, which could have made those -who did not know him take him for a heartless -cynic, "do you, after so many years in the police -service, still nourish illusions with regard to the -fair sex?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have, of course, in my day seen a good deal of—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, you have seen a good deal; which shows -you that the greatest Don Juan is also the greatest -liar, and that a man with a smooth face, who can -flatter and deceive, has greater power over the fair -sex than any honest man whatsoever. Isn't that so?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I was accustomed to my superior's humorous -exaggerations, and could not deny that my experiences -as a detective in the police force to a considerable -degree went in the same direction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well," continued the superintendent, "when -you have been in the police force for a generation, -you will certainly not have much respect for -women's ideals. But let us return to this affair -about the diamond. You shall at once have a -warrant, and then you had better arrest the young -girl as soon as possible. The sooner it's done the -greater the prospect of getting back the money -which she got from the lawyer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pardon me, sir," I answered, "Evelina is most -probably at this moment at Mr. Frick's house, and -will remain there over night. It would be very -unpleasant for the Fricks if the arrest took place -in the house. Have you any objection to my -waiting until to-morrow? Then she will probably -visit her mother, and we can avail ourselves of the -opportunity and make a domiciliary visit at the -same time. If Mrs. Reierson is an accomplice, we -might succeed in taking her by surprise, and in -getting her to give up the money. I have an idea -that it will be easier to take her than the daughter -by surprise."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But are you not afraid that one of them can -make use of the time to get the money out of the -way, if it has not already been taken to some place -or other?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"On the contrary, I believe it will be of advantage -to leave them in peace to-night. I shall have them -watched by some of my best men meanwhile."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the actor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is already in good hands. Detective Kolstad -has orders to follow him like a shadow, and -arrest him if he should attempt to leave the town."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, that will do! Do as you think right, -Monk. I begin to think you are the better -detective of us two. If you should meet old Frick -to-night, give him my compliments, and tell him I -shall keep his diamond until the case has been -settled in court; but in the meantime it will be in -good hands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was not with a light heart, however, that I -walked along the Drammen Road, after having -given the constable the necessary orders. I knew -that the news I had to bring would greatly distress -both old Frick and Sigrid.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After having proceeded some distance, it struck -me that after all I had nothing to do at Villa -Ballarat that night. It ought not to be known -in the house that the diamond had been found—not -so long as Evelina was there. Old Frick and -Sigrid would naturally ask me if I had any news, -and I should be obliged to tell a lie and keep back -from them what had happened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Although I was very anxious to see Sigrid, yet -I was sensible enough to turn back, and, after -having had some supper at a café, I went home to my -lodgings.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I telephoned to the police office, and asked if there -was any news from the constables who had to watch -the three persons before mentioned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>No, there was no news. Evelina was quite safe -inside Villa Ballarat, and the house was being -watched.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I lighted a cigar, and gave myself up to thinking -over the day's events. I had been successful in -everything, and yet I felt far from satisfied; it -must have been due to a certain feeling of pity for -poor Evelina, and the concern it would occasion her -master and mistress. Or—?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>If you believe in presentiment, or that great -misfortunes—without our being able to divine the -cause—throw their shadows before, you will have to -attribute it to such a cause. But enough,—I felt -unwell and depressed, and when I had lain down -it was a long time before I went to sleep.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-arrest"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE ARREST</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"The actor has vanished, sir!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These were the words with which I was awakened -at seven o'clock next morning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before the bed stood my trusty constable, -Kolstad, with a face considerably longer than usual.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you say? Have you let him slip -through your fingers? That was a—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; but who could possibly imagine that—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right, go into the next room a bit and get -yourself a cup of coffee; I shall make haste and get -dressed, and then we can talk it over."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was not long before I had finished dressing and -was ready to continue the discussion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My landlady had in the meanwhile tried to serve -the worthy officer with a good breakfast, but -disappointment had evidently taken away his appetite; -it was impossible to get him to continue his meal -after my appearance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is just as well that I give my report at once, -sir, and tell you how shamefully I have been made -a fool of. Yes; that such a pomatummed lady-killer -should befool me—I who have been in the service -of the police these twenty-seven years!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't trouble yourself about that, Kolstad," I -said reassuringly, for the man was so excited that he -apparently had some difficulty in explaining himself; -"we shall soon get hold of him, if we want him. I -am sure it is not your fault that he has disappeared -temporarily: have another cup of coffee, and let us -hear about it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, thanks, no more coffee; but here is the report, -sir. You remember that it was yesterday, at dinner -time, that I got orders to watch the actor and arrest -him if he should try and leave the town? Well, it -was not difficult to keep my eye on him for the first -few hours, for he was sitting in a room on the first -floor of the Tivoli Restaurant, together with eight or -ten other actors and actresses. They had the best -dinner one could get and drank so much champagne -that it was simply disgusting to see all the empty -bottles being taken out—I know the head waiter -there, you see, and went and spoke to him while the -carousing was going on. Frederiksen paid for it all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are sure it was he who paid?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, that I am; the head waiter showed me the -bill: it was 142 kroners. By that I knew, sir, that -you, as usual, were on the right track. If only I -had not been so stupid, well—you must excuse me, -sir, if I am a little excited—it is the first time it has -ever happened to me that—but—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, now, let us come to the point, my good -Kolstad," I answered, with assumed severity, as the -best means of "bringing him to."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It helped, for he pulled himself together, and from -then on he did not attempt to diverge from the dry -style of an ordinary report.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, sir, I telephoned to the station for -assistance, and got one of our new men. We took it in -turn to keep watch while the actors were eating and -drinking. After dinner they had coffee and all -kinds of liquors, and went on like that until six -o'clock in the evening. Then Frederiksen went -home to No. 44 Russelök Street, and there he -remained till nine o'clock. He must have slept -during that time, for he looked quite sober when he -came out again, and he had been not a little muddled -when he got home after the carousal at the Tivoli. -He had a large hand-bag in his hand, but no other -luggage. He wore the same clothes he had had on in -the afternoon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Was the hand-bag new?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, it was brand new; and now you shall hear -how sly the fellow was.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He went up to the cab-stand at the corner of -Drammen Road, and there he took a carriage. I and the -young officer took another carriage and drove after -him. Whether he knew that any one was following -him or not, I can't say. We were obliged to keep -a little behind, so that he should not be suspicious.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He drove to the Victoria Hotel, and there we -saw him go in at the door, and the carriage drive -away empty. Soon after I went in and asked the porter -what was the name of the gentleman who had just -entered the hotel, and what room he had obtained. -The porter, who was a new man and not one of my -acquaintances, answered that the servant was just -then upstairs with the visitor's book, but that the -new arrival had taken room No. 47. He had not -said anything about how long he intended to remain, -or anything of significance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, for the time being, I felt entirely sure of -my bird. After telling him who I was, I got the -porter to promise to telephone to me if the stranger -should be getting ready to leave; then I set my -young officer to watch outside, and went home to -take a nap.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was just about half-past ten when the porter -rang up and said that the gentleman in No. 47 -had just ordered a carriage, as he was going by -the midnight train to Sweden. As you know, sir, -the train goes eleven five, so I had only just time to -dress and go to the station; but I was, of course, -sure that the young officer would follow the actor -so that we could arrest him together. I got to -the station seven minutes before eleven; but there -was no sign of the actor or the officer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A minute before the train started, I went for the -last time through all the carriages and had a railway -official with me. There was not a sign of the actor! -In the first class there sat only one personage. It -was Mr. D——, the ambassador from Paris, said -the official. I went in and looked at him—yes, -quite right, it was he."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you know the ambassador, then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, of course, I know him by sight; it is he -who is so like Peer Gynt on the stage,—not, perhaps, -in the beginning of the piece, but in the third -and fourth acts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I couldn't help laughing. "There, you see, -Kolstad! it's not an easy thing to have to do with -an actor. It was just by playing his old rôle of -Peer Gynt in the fourth act that the actor made -a fool of you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, of course it was; but who the devil could -imagine—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, you are right there; but how was it that -your assistant didn't follow him from the hotel?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, it happened like this. The constable -saw a servant beckoning for a carriage from the -stand. He went up to the servant and asked who -was going away. It was Mr. D——, the ambassador, -he answered, and when the constable saw a -fine old gentleman with grey whiskers step into -the carriage he suspected nothing, but continued -to keep his watch outside, as before."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is all right, so far; but I can't understand -that the man's hand-bag did not betray him. -Both you and your assistant knew it well. Besides, -it seems to me that the porter must have been -astonished to see a young, smooth-shaven man come -into the hotel, and then leave it as a 'fine old -gentleman,' as you say, 'with grey whiskers.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; but I have not yet told you all, sir. You -shall hear how clever the rascal was. Inside the -large hand-bag which he carried, he had another -suit, a false beard, and all his apparatus, besides a -smaller travelling bag to carry in the hand. It -was in the carriage that he transformed himself -into an ambassador; the hood was well pulled -down, as it rained a little. The hotel porter had, -therefore, only seen him as the elderly gentleman -the whole time; and we, who only saw him step -out of the carriage with his back toward us, several -hundreds of yards off, could have no idea that he -had thus changed his appearance. It did not enter -into our minds to ask the porter about the -appearance of the man whom we had followed the whole -time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But the large hand-bag?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, he let that remain in the carriage, and -gave the coachman orders to take it back to his -lodgings early to-day. I got hold of the driver at -last, and heard how all had happened. He himself -thought it was a little strange that the man should -disguise himself during the drive; but as far as I -could understand, he was a little tipsy on this -occasion, and as he got two kroners as a tip he presumed -it was no business of his. Now you know all, sir, -and can see how cleverly I was taken in by that -vagabond of an actor; only—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I did not let him dilate further upon this subject, -but sent him away. I had heard enough.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It will also be sufficient for this narrative, if I -explain that the actor, on the same day, after -telegraphic instructions from us, was arrested at -Gothenburg, where he arrived next morning, and that -he, when arrested, was only in possession of a very -small sum of money. He was taken back to Christiania, -and it was soon ascertained that he had been -or was engaged to Evelina. Also, that the day before -his journey he had been very flush with his money; -but it was impossible to prove any complicity in -the theft, and he was set free in a few days, -with the warning not to leave town, as he would -have to appear as witness at the trial of Evelina -Reierson.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>In the meantime I must return to my account of -what happened later on that day, which began -with the melancholy apparition of the disappointed -constable beside my bed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As I have already stated, it was my intention to -have Evelina arrested that day. There was no -longer anything to wait for after the actor had -disappeared; and when I, in addition, received -information from one of my men that she had left Villa -Ballarat to visit her mother, I decided to avail -myself of the opportunity. As before mentioned, I -wished to prevent the arrest taking place at old Frick's.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I have no liking for this sort of work, but this -time I decided to take it in hand myself, for several -reasons.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It appeared to me, beyond all doubt, that Evelina's -motive for the robbery must be sought for in -her relations to the actor. In any case, I felt she -deserved some pity, and I wished therefore to make -the arrest myself in order that it might be effected -as gently and considerately as possible.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It occurred to me to be quite likely that the -mother might be an accomplice, or in any case be -cognizant of the crime and the place where -Jurgens's money was to be found. To get hold of this -was now my chief aim, and I hoped to take the -woman by surprise and get her to reveal it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was not later than nine o'clock in the morning -when I drove to Russelök Street with a policeman -in plain clothes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We told the driver to wait outside the gate; the -constable remained behind in the yard, and I went -up alone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I stopped outside Mrs. Reierson's door and -listened. I heard voices within, but very indistinctly. -As I opened the door, I saw the first room was -empty; then I heard the voices still more plainly -in the inner room, although the door was shut.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You should have done as your mother told you, -you unlucky child; then we should have been able -to take things as easy as any one—but—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was Mrs. Reierson's shrill angry voice. It was -interrupted by a sound of suppressed sobbing, and -then by a youthful voice rendered hoarse by passion -and sorrow. I stepped nearer to the door and -listened, although the task before me was most -repulsive to my feelings.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't talk to me any more, mother! you know -that what you wanted me to do I could never have -done, never in this world! and what I already have -done cannot now be undone—I have nothing more -to do now but to put an end to myself—if only I -had the strength to—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here the unhappy girl's words were interrupted -by loud sobbing, and some angry exclamations from -her mother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Soon after the door was opened, and the ugly old -woman appeared in the doorway, while her daughter -could be seen lying across the bed with her head -buried in the pillows.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I have seldom felt so uncomfortable.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mother's shrill imprecations against the police -in general, and me in particular, passed me by -unheeded. I only saw the young girl's deadly pale -face, as she lifted it to me, and the hopeless -expression of her eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She was gifted, however, with a strength of mind -which few persons possess. She got up hurriedly, -stroked back her hair from her face, and was the first -to speak.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her voice was low, but wonderfully calm; every -drop of blood seemed to have fled from her lips.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have come to arrest me, Mr. Monk, because -I have stolen Mr. Frick's diamond. Well, I have -been expecting it both yesterday and to-day. -Yesterday I should probably have denied it, but to-day -I don't! I have stolen the diamond—let me be -taken to prison and be sentenced as soon as possible, -only let it be done quickly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her mother had become purple in the face on -hearing what her daughter said, and tried several -times to interrupt her; but there was a dignity in -her daughter's words and bearing which stayed her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't lose courage, Evelina," I said, and I hope -my voice was sympathetic. "There are probably -extenuating circumstances which may make your -guilt less than it seems. If you are only frank, and -confess all, your punishment will be less,—perhaps -even—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The young girl interrupted me. "Thank you -very much for your kindness, Mr. Monk. You are a -good man; but I don't wish my punishment to be -lessened. I have told you I have stolen the -diamond. More than that I shall not say, even if -you put me on the rack."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For God's sake don't talk like that, Evelina."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her mother could now control herself no longer, -and began:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What are you saying, Evelina, you stupid fool! -Just fancy!—That one should hear one's own -flesh and blood tell lies about herself and get herself -convicted! You can see very well, sir, that she is -out of her senses, and doesn't know what she is saying."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You had better look after yourself, Mrs. Reierson, -and help us to get a full confession and the money -back. The diamond has been sold for five thousand -kroners, and perhaps you have got the money yourself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I shan't weary you by recalling the scene which -followed; suffice it to say that the mother raged -like a fury, and denied knowing anything whatever -about the diamond or the money. The young -girl did not utter a single word from this moment -until she was taken to the police station. I let her -mother accompany us in the carriage, to which she -seemed to have no objection.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before the examining magistrate the same scene -was gone through. The young girl confessed -she was guilty of the robbery, but refused to give -any further explanation. She only asked that there -might be no delay in passing sentence upon her. -The mother declared her daughter was mad, and -denied all knowledge of the matter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the domiciliary visit to Mrs. Reierson's, no -trace could be found of the money.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I informed Mr. Frick, by letter, that the diamond -was found, and of Evelina's arrest and confession; -at the same time, I asked him for the present -not to mention the matter to Mr. Howell, who was -expected back about this time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Jurgens was declared by his relations incapable -of looking after his affairs, and the authorities -decided to drop the proceedings against him for -having bought stolen goods.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was discovered that the money for the diamond -had been paid in thousand kroner notes. Next day -a person had changed five of these in one of the -banks in the town. But the cashier had not taken -any particular notice of the appearance of the -person. He declared it might possibly be Frederiksen -the actor, but he could not say anything definitely -about it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>No trace of the remaining notes could be discovered.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-photograph"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER IX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE PHOTOGRAPH</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The next morning, as I was sitting in my office, -writing a note to Mr. Howell—it was on the day -he was expected back—to request the favour of an -interview with him, the constable came in with a -visiting card. A gentleman desired to speak to me. -I read:—</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 69%" id="figure-10"> -<img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Visiting card of Mr. Reginald Howell" src="images/img-120.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Visiting card of Mr. Reginald Howell</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ask him to step in."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Howell entered and shook my hand in his -free-and-easy English manner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Glad to see you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Welcome back again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had quickly mastered Norwegian, and we -always talked together in that language.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was just writing a note to you, Mr. Howell, -to request the favour of an interview with you; you -have forestalled me, perhaps for the same purpose."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I—suppose so," answered the Englishman, hesitating. -"I should like to say a few words to you -in confidence, with regard to the robbery at -Mr. Frick's."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked round as if to assure himself that we -were alone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can speak freely: we are alone; I was -wishing to ask you a few questions about this same -matter. You were, of course, in the house on the -day, right up to seven o'clock."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quite right; but tell me, Mr. Monk, shall I be -called as a witness in this case?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When the case comes before the court, there is -every probability that you will be called to give -testimony."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But am I bound to appear and answer?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, you are! I hope you have no objection."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was something in the young man's manner -which caused me to pay the greatest attention to his -words and behaviour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But can the matter come before the court before -you have found the thief?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As soon as we have got sufficient evidence -against some person, that person will be charged -and brought before the court."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But before this happens it is not necessary for -me to reply to any questions about the affair?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When the police, who are conducting the -inquiries into the matter, ask you, you should -certainly answer. To refuse to answer would be -considered somewhat strange, and might even lead to -unpleasantnesses for you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Many thanks for your information," answered -Mr. Howell; he had got up and was walking restlessly -up and down the room. "It is not pleasant for -a man to contribute to the ruin of some wretched -creature, but perhaps it is impossible to avoid it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From the words which bad been exchanged between -us, I felt sure the young Englishman did not -know of Evelina's arrest. As you remember, I had -requested old Frick and Sigrid not to speak to him -about the affair. I could also see that my answers -to the questions he put to me had not told him -anything which he did not know before; he was not -altogether so ignorant about the matter. He must -have put these questions to me as a feint, for some -purpose or another. I was almost certain that he -knew something of importance to the discovery of -the robbery.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I decided at once to inform him of Evelina's -arrest but not of her confession. It would, indeed, -be strange if he did not betray how far the -knowledge he had of the matter did not point in the -same direction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Besides," I continued, "you need not be afraid -that your evidence will be of such fatal significance. -We have already got the diamond back, and the -guilty party arrested. It is Evelina, Miss Frick's -maid. Circumstantial evidence is so strong that a -confession is unnecessary."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well," said Mr. Howell, quietly, "I can just as -well tell you now what I know, as later on. It was -on the afternoon when the diamond disappeared, -after the old crank, Jurgens, had dined at Villa -Ballarat. Soon after we had had some coffee in -the museum I went up to my room and loaded some -cartridges, for I was going to Osterdal for some -shooting, you know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; I know what took place in the house that -afternoon. Please go on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, when I was ready with the cartridges, I -went down into the garden to smoke a cigar. The -other people had gone to their rooms, I suppose, for -I did not see any of them. As I went by the -museum it seemed to me that the door wasn't shut, -and when I touched it it slid right up. You know -it is a large iron door, but so well balanced and oiled -that it moves quite noiselessly. Well, I glanced into -the museum, and there I saw a lady standing before -the cupboard on the opposite side of the room, with -her back toward me. With one hand she held up -the iron lid, and in the other she had an article -which she seemed to have just taken from the case, -and which she was examining. It did not occur to -me to think it was anybody but Miss Frick; I -thought I recognized the light spring jacket with -dark braid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I looked up suddenly and met Mr. Howell's gaze; -his eyes did not impress me pleasantly, and it -appeared to me that their expression was dark and -cunning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Continue," I said hurriedly, and, I believe, rather -roughly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, you know, Mr. Monk, that I am very fond -of photography, and that I always go about with a -little snap-shot camera. You know it, of course,—we -have often had fun at Villa Ballarat photographing -people when they least expected it!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I nodded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had the apparatus with me, and so it struck -me that I would photograph Miss Frick as she stood -there, without her knowing it. I went hurriedly -and softly inside the door, took the photograph, and -went out again without her seeing me. She stood -quite still, as if she was wondering what she should -do with what she had in her hand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Englishman paused, as if to give me an opportunity -to speak. But as I did not even look up, but -went on drawing figures on the paper before me, with -as careless an expression as possible, he continued:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Later in the afternoon I took a carriage outside -and drove to the station. On the way I took some -negatives to the photographer, amongst them the -picture of which I have just spoken, as there were -some of them that I wanted to get developed by the -time I got back. On my return from Osterdal I -heard that the diamond had disappeared, and then I -remembered the photograph. I naturally said -nothing about it to Mr. Frick or his niece, but I called -for the prints. Would you like to see the one from -the museum?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This was the second time that Sigrid's name had -been mentioned in connection with the disappearance -of the diamond. It awoke the most unpleasant -feelings in me; but as I felt Mr. Howell's searching -look resting upon me, I assumed perfect calmness, -and took what he handed me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was quite a small photograph on thin prepared -paper, and placed between two glass plates held -together by an india-rubber band.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I took it with me to the window to examine it -closely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was, as before said, a small picture, only two or -three inches high and very narrow, but exceedingly -clear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A young girl stood before the well-known cupboard -in old Frick's museum. Her position was -exactly as Mr. Howell had described it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The one hand held the lid open, the other held -an article which was hidden by the shoulder; the -head and neck were bent somewhat forward, -examining the object.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a tall, fine figure in a light walking -costume, trimmed with dark braid.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was not much to be seen of the room. One -saw part of the cupboard on both sides, a chair, the -arm of another chair, but nothing else. Over the -cupboard, at about the same height as the young -girl, was a shelf. Part of this shelf, on which could -be seen several small curios, was included in the -picture.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One glance was enough for me to be certain who -the young girl was.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I turned round to Mr. Howell. "It is Evelina, -as I suspected."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, of course; I am only astonished that I -could have taken her for Miss Frick when first I -saw her. It must have been the costume which -deceived me. Miss Frick has worn it all the -spring."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I know," I answered curtly. It was irritating -always to have to return to Sigrid in this manner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well; on this occasion I also played the -detective, Mr. Monk. I have privately found out -from the other servants that Miss Frick had, that -same afternoon, given the costume to Evelina. You -see everything is quite clear in that respect."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will you allow the police to keep the photograph, -Mr. Howell, and is there anything else you -can tell us about the matter?" My manner was, -perhaps, somewhat abrupt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wait a little," he answered; "I hope you -understand now the reason for the question which -I put to you at the beginning of our conversation?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; you would rather not appear as a witness, -as far as I could understand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Exactly; and, as you yourself say, the person in -question is already arrested, and the circumstantial -evidence is so strong that my evidence cannot -be of much importance one way or other. This -being the case, would it not be possible for me to -avoid appearing in court? and could you not -consider what I have said as confidential, so that -I might take the photograph and destroy it? -Otherwise I shall appear very much in the light -of a spy or a thief-catcher, Mr. Monk. Also, it -would be most objectionable to me to have to -testify against the unfortunate woman."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your sentiments do you all honour, Mr. Howell; -but I cannot, all the same, prevent your being -called as a witness. Neither can I, of course, keep -your photograph against your will; but I must -mention it in my report, and most earnestly request -you to preserve it. What you have said to me in -my office, with respect to a matter concerning which -inquiries are now being conducted, I cannot, in my -capacity as a police official, consider confidential."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, Mr. Monk, I see it cannot be helped, and -I ought, perhaps, to have denied all knowledge of -the matter. But you can, at any rate, bear -evidence that I appear most reluctantly; I would like -both the unhappy girl and the Frick family to -understand this."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can only confirm what you yourself say, Mr. Howell," -I answered stiffly, for I began to be more -and more convinced that the man was playing a -part. "You will leave the photograph then in the -hands of the police?" I continued..</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I may just as well leave it; I cannot see -that I can do any one any good by not doing so. -You police deal with people in your own way,—we -speak and do just as you want us to do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Allow me one question, Mr. Howell,"—I had -again taken the photograph in my hand,—"this -photograph is very small; it looks as though it -had been clipped at the sides. Was the photograph -originally broader, and did it include nothing -more of the room?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, it was originally broader, but only the -middle part was clear and distinct. Either side of -it was, for some reason or another, very foggy, so -I cut it off to get the picture to fit between the -two glass plates. I had, besides, no interest for -anything but what you see there. The young girl -is, of course, the principal object of interest,"—he -sighed gently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What time could it have been when you took -the photograph?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, that question I cannot answer very exactly. -I thought, of course, at the time, that I -should never be asked about it, but—let me see—it -can't have been far off six o'clock, for it was not -long after that I left for the railway station, and -that was somewhere about seven."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The next minute Mr. Howell was gone, and I -sat beside my desk in deep thought.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Englishman's visit had made an unpleasant -impression upon me, and I could not make out -what his purpose in making it really was.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man wished to come forward as a witness—that -I felt sure about. All the rest was mere -dissimulation; but for what purpose? What could be -his motives?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It puzzled me at the time, and it puzzles me still!</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>During the whole of this long story, Monk had -remained calm. He had been speaking evenly and -dispassionately, as if he had been reading a police -report. But now he changed in expression and -manner. He began to pace up and down the floor -with contracted eyebrows, and I saw that the -perspiration stood on his brow.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>You look astonished at me (he continued). -After what you have heard, does the whole affair -seem clear to you? It will, perhaps, seem still -clearer when you have heard me for a few minutes -longer: and you will not be able to understand -how it could become an enigma! Yes, an enigma -which I would give half or the whole of my life to -solve!—But wait a bit! When you have heard -the rest of my story, you will join with me in -asking, "Who stole old Frick's diamond?" And you -will likewise understand that upon that question -my fate has depended from that day to this. But -I shan't proceed any longer in that strain; I will -continue as impartially as I can. On that will, -perhaps, depend how far you or anybody else can -help me—alone I can do nothing. I, who was so -proud of my own acuteness and ability to -penetrate where others failed to see a way!—No, don't -interrupt me. We shall discuss it afterward, when -I have finished my story.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had got as far as Evelina's arrest and that -Mr. Howell had called on me with the photograph. -So far, everything was in order. The accused had -confessed, and the stolen article had been brought -to light. But it had been impossible to discover -where the five thousand kroners had disappeared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Evelina refused positively to say a word beyond -the confession, and as we were not able to prove -any complicity against the actor and Mrs. Reierson, -they were discharged.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The state of affairs in Mr. Frick's house was -anything but satisfactory. Sigrid had been suffering -from nervous headaches ever since a few days -before the robbery. Old Frick was in a rage, and -spent the whole day in swearing at the duplicity -and untrustworthiness of mankind. I believe, -however, that sympathy for the wretched Evelina was -the true cause of his anger. The young girl's -arrest had, in fact, brought gloom and sadness into -the house. Einar Frick was still absent on -business. Mr. Howell decided to go to Spitzbergen as -soon as the case against Evelina was settled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It vexed me that I could not trace the money, -or obtain any proof of the actor's complicity; and -I took it for granted that the sly fellow had -succeeded in getting it safely put away in Gothenburg, -before he was arrested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But although we had a clever officer there, and -got all possible assistance from the Swedish police, -we did not succeed in obtaining any proofs, and as -long as Evelina would not speak we could proceed -no further in the affair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thus matters stood, and I think that all the -actors in this drama were only wishing that it -would come to an end as soon as possible.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly one day I received the most astonishing -news—Evelina had demanded to be brought -before the examining magistrate, and had retracted -before him her confession in full. She had declared -that when she confessed she had not been herself, -and that she was really innocent and knew nothing -of the robbery. She would not say anything -further, and refused to answer any questions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Of course, those who knew the ins and the outs -of the case only shook their heads at this -unexpected development, and began to doubt her reason. -The doctors, however, who examined her, could -not discover any signs of a deranged mind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The proofs were otherwise very strong against -her; and as there was no prospect of any new -evidence in the matter, the hearing of the case was -fixed for the first sitting of the court.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I visited the young girl in prison and found her -taciturn, depressed, and pale; but she gave me the -impression of being entirely normal. I tried -earnestly, and in a friendly way, to prevail upon her -to adhere to her confession and to give a full -explanation; but she only smiled sadly, and begged to be -left alone. What could have caused her to retract -her confession? The more I pondered over this, -the more sure I became that this step must be due -to some outside influence; that she must have -received some message or communication from -without. She did not wish to receive any visitors in -her cell. Only the mother had obtained permission -to visit her once, and then the conversation had -been quite short, and had taken place in the -presence of a constable.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mother had, on that occasion, until interrupted -by the constable, tried to continue her -reproaches against her daughter, because she had -confessed something which she had not done.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But her daughter had contemptuously turned -away from her, and soon after the mother was -taken away without the robbery having been -further discussed between them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I felt sure that these reproaches from the mother, -which the daughter seemed to treat with disgust -and contempt, had had no effect, and that the -explanation must be sought for elsewhere.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By closely examining the jailer, he at last told -me that he one day surprised the young girl while -she had a small piece of paper in her hand, but that -she immediately turned away and had probably -put the paper in her mouth and swallowed it. The -man declared, however, that it all happened so -quickly that he could hardly be quite certain about -the matter, and Evelina, as usual when I spoke to -her about it, took refuge in an obstinate silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My suspicion that Evelina acted on other people's -advice was now strengthened. How far this -circumstance can have any influence upon your opinion, -when you have heard me out, I don't know. To me, -all is dark; but I shall try to tell my story in such a -way, that nothing of what I know shall be hidden -from you.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Fortunately, I have got on so far with it that -I can now let others speak for me—at least for a -while. The next great event in my story is the -trial of Evelina, which took place about three weeks -after her arrest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The proceedings are to be found fully reported in -all the papers at that time, and you will get a more -complete idea of the case by reading one of these -reports, than if I give you a verbal account.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Monk opened a drawer in his writing-table, and -took out a locked portfolio, from which he produced -a large grey envelope. The envelope proved to -contain several cuttings from the </span><em class="italics">Morning News</em><span>, -which Monk laid before me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But," I objected hurriedly, "I would much -rather hear the account from your own lips. -Otherwise I should miss your impressions, which, to me, -have much more value than a newspaper reporter's -idiotic and irrelevant remarks. And even if he does -report the bare facts, such a report cannot possibly -be as satisfactory as your own account."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is a difference in newspaper reporters," -was Monk's dry reply. "As you will see, the -</span><em class="italics">Morning News</em><span> man has not only reported carefully -and judiciously, but his remarks are impartial, and -show good sense and power of observation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's all very well; but I depend, however, -more upon your power of observation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In this case, you cannot do so. If a detective -ever has made a great fiasco, I did so on that -occasion, as you yourself will learn. Don't you -understand that I am afraid that you are beginning -to look at the events with my eyes? I am afraid to -lead you into the labyrinth in which I, myself, am -lost, and which I probably have myself built up!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It struck me that Monk's reasoning was correct, -and I made no further comment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Only one question," I said; "have you any -objection to Clara hearing your story?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No; on the contrary, it was my intention to ask -you to tell her everything, when we are finished. -I hope for help from her; she is an unusually -intelligent woman, and besides, women have, in many -respects, much finer feelings,—instinct, or what you -call it,—than we men."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then I have a proposal to make to you. We -shall not continue to-night, but I shall tell Clara all -that you have now told me. Clara and I will -read the newspaper account together, and then we -will see you again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I gladly accept your proposal," said Monk, a -little hesitatingly; "but if I could be allowed, I -would ask you both to read the account in the -paper in my presence. Of course I have read it, -not once, but ten times, to myself, without any -result; but now it has struck me that the whole -affair might appear to me in a new light, if I heard -some one else read an exact account of what -happened on that fateful day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, with pleasure," I exclaimed. "I promise -to do this, both on my own and on Clara's behalf."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk shook me by the hand, and asked if Clara -and I would come up to him one day, when I had -told her all I had heard from him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You shall see us here to-morrow," I answered -quickly, and so we parted that evening or, more -correctly, that night. It was half-past one when -I reached my home.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had had a busy day, and the intense interest -with which I had listened to Monk's account had -tired me. I only longed to get to sleep as quickly -as possible. But then happened what a more -experienced man than I might perhaps have foreseen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When I got home Clara was sitting up waiting -for me. So I explained to her, as casually as -possible, that next day she should hear Monk's -remarkable story,—a story, the continuation of -which we were to read together; well—what -further happened I cannot remember, but I am -sure it was past four that night before I got to -sleep, and then Clara had heard everything that -the reader knows of Monk's history.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pshaw! it isn't difficult to understand how -the story will end! The horrid Englishman -naturally managed things so that Miss Frick should -be suspected of having stolen her uncle's diamond; -and—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These were the last words I heard Clara utter -as sleep overcame me. "Yes, if there must be a -villain in the drama, Clara must be right in -thinking that the Englishman must have played that -rôle," I thought with my last efforts, before my -senses were entirely bedimmed.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The next day we all three were sitting in Monk's -study.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We mustn't lose any time," said Clara, as she -smartly cleared aside the tea and cakes to which -Monk's kindly landlady had treated us. "Remember, -Mr. Monk, that we now change rôles. It is -you who seek advice and help, while Frederick -and I represent the detective firm. Well! we -had got so far that the case was on for trial,—my -husband has told me everything,—and here are -the newspaper accounts of the case, which you -want Frederick to read aloud, isn't that so? So -set to work, Frederick!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-trial"><span class="bold large">PART II</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER I</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE TRIAL</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>In the </span><em class="italics">Morning News</em><span> of June 2, 189-, appeared -the following, under the heading:—</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>THE BLACK TORTOISE IN COURT</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The court to-day was filled to overflowing, and -a large number were unable to gain admittance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The disappearance of old Frick's diamond—we -hope our respected fellow-citizen will excuse our -using the familiar name by which he is so well -known—has been eagerly discussed and commented -upon by the newspapers for the last few weeks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The case did not promise to become a particularly -difficult or complicated one, although it was -known that the accused had retracted her confession; -but the stolen article was of such an unusual -kind, and of such great value, and the persons who -were to appear in the case were so well-known, -that it was only to be expected that the proceedings -would attract as many people as the court -would hold. One could hardly imagine anything -more sadly interesting than the pale and pretty -girl who stood charged before the court with the -theft of the now famous diamond. By her side -sat her counsel, a young advocate who is already -known in legal circles as a most able and -successful counsel for the defence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Among the witnesses was the well-known figure -of old Frick, and by his side his niece, Miss Frick. -Not far off stood Mr. Monk, acting chief of the -detective department, already a well-known and -popular figure in our town, as much appreciated for -his acuteness and boldness as for his tactful conduct -when in the execution of his duty as a police -official.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The dark distinguished-looking man beside Miss -Frick was the Englishman, Mr. Howell, who, as -everybody knows, has been compelled by a strange -coincidence to appear as a witness in the case, and -who, it is said, will give the most remarkable -evidence ever heard in our courts of justice. The -Englishman did not appear particularly edified with his -task. From what I hear, it seems he has tried to -escape giving evidence. It is anything but a -pleasant duty to give evidence against a young woman -when one feels that it will mean conviction for her.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The presiding judge of the court took his seat, -the case for the prosecution was stated, and the -usual questions asked of the accused as to her name, -age, etc.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She did not look up, but answered in a fairly -audible voice. Then she was asked whether she -was guilty or not guilty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All waited anxiously for the answer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her voice was this time so low that the judge had -to lean toward her and request her to speak more -loudly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The silence was so intense that the answer, -although scarcely more than a whisper, was heard -all over the court: "Not guilty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Had the public expected anything else? Perhaps—perhaps -not....</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The public prosecutor then began his charge:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The crime with which the accused was charged was -not of a particularly complicated nature with regard -to the question as to how, or by whom, the theft had -been committed. But it was a different matter with -regard to the motives and the circumstances under -which it had taken place, and he was willing to -admit that in this respect little or no light had been -thrown upon the matter. An uncommon article, -an object of great value, in other words, the black -diamond, which now lay on the judge's table, -was stolen on May 10 from Mr. Frick, who was -now present in court as a witness. The police were -at once informed of the theft, and they succeeded -not only in recovering the stolen object, but also in -providing such information that the public prosecutor -was able to prove fully before the court, both -how the theft had been perpetrated, by whom, -and how the thief had disposed of the stolen object.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He would call witnesses to prove at what time the -theft had been committed, that the accused at that -time had been at least half an hour in the house, that -she during that time had the opportunity of going -into the room where the diamond was kept, and at a -time when the cupboard was not locked. He could -prove by a means which seldom fell to the lot of the -authorities, that the accused, in the time during -which the theft had taken place, had been into the -room and even opened the case where the diamond -was kept. He could next prove that the accused at -an earlier hour of the same day had had an -opportunity of hearing an assurance from a rich man that -he would pay a large sum of money to become -possessed of the diamond. She thus knew beforehand -that she could sell the stolen article without any -difficulty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Finally, he could prove that the diamond was -actually sold by the accused on the same day to -the man just mentioned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thus far the chain of evidence was as complete -as any could be, and in order to substantiate the -guilt of the accused it was of no consequence that -she had retracted her confession, and had hitherto -refused to give any explanation whatsoever; every -experienced judge would know exactly what value to -put on circumstantial evidence of such a character. -It was just as good, if not surer, than a confession.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What still had to be explained was, what had -become of the money which the accused had -received for the diamond and what could be the -particular motives for this criminal act.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some information might possibly be obtained during -the examination of the witnesses; but if this was -not the case, the prosecutor would be obliged to -maintain that the punishment be in accordance with -the utmost rigour of the Law. The public -prosecutor would, therefore, conclude with the request -to the judge that he ask the accused most -earnestly to give a full explanation. If she still -persisted in her refusal to give this explanation, he -must warn her that it would be with detriment to -her cause, and possibly to that of justice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was so quiet in the court, when the public -prosecutor sat down, that one could hear a pin drop.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The judge then turned and addressed the -young girl. In calm, considerate words he called -her attention to the fact that she had the right, in -any case, to do as she pleased—either to speak or to -keep silent; and that no pressure would be brought -to bear upon her, least of all to make her confess. -This much, however, he felt it his duty to tell her, -that she was certainly not acting in her own -interests by maintaining silence. If she were innocent, -which he still hoped, then her own explanations -would only serve to show it: and if she were guilty, -they would enable the court to consider her case -in the most lenient manner possible.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Every eye in the room was turned on the unhappy -girl, but her face remained as impassive as that of -a statue; her lips were pressed together, and her -eyes cast down.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her counsel leaned toward her and whispered -something in her ear. She did not raise her eyes; -her only answer was a slight inclination of the -head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must request," said the young advocate, "that -my client's wish to make no further statements shall -be respected. She has decided to say nothing; and -I know that her resolution in this respect is not to -be shaken. Whether this decision is wise or no, -and whether or no it is taken by my advice, is not -for the moment a subject for discussion. It is -enough to say that whatever appeals were directed -toward her to state what she knows of the case -would, however well meant, only prolong the -proceedings."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>No sooner had the counsel sat down than a -murmur went around the court, giving expression to -nearly all the different feelings which move the -human heart. Some feared that the accused would -damage her own cause, others admired her firmness, -while many expressed astonishment at her audacity. -As all the papers have already published detailed -accounts of what happened at Villa Ballarat upon -the day that the robbery was committed, it will be -sufficient to mention that the evidence of all the -witnesses only served to corroborate what the -public already knew, thanks to the unremitting zeal -of the newspaper reporters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It also seemed as if the counsel for the defence -understood that it would be hopeless to upset that -part of the evidence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He certainly tried to make it appear possible that -some strange person might have crept into the -garden of the villa between five and half-past seven -in the afternoon; but this attempt was stranded, -upon the gardener's definite assurance that the gate -had been locked the whole time, and on the -evidence of the chief of the detective police with -regard to the examination he had made of the -railing and the ground round the garden.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel for the defence was more fortunate -in his attempt to obtain evidence of good character -and behaviour for the accused. Mr. Frick and his -niece were especially unremitting in their praise -of the young girl.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Miss Frick caused much excitement when, in -answer to a question by the counsel for the defence, -she answered:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Evelina has for several years had all my trinkets -and jewels in her custody. Thanks to my uncle's -generosity, I have more of those kinds of things -than I need, and it would have been very easy for -her to take any one of many of these, without -fear of discovery. Her mere assertion that -something had been lost would have been enough.... -No! she is honesty itself! She could never steal -my uncle's diamond, of that I am convinced, -however much appearances are against her!..."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was great sensation in court when Mr. Howell -was called as witness. Every one, of course, -knew of the strange circumstances under which he -had been involved in the matter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He began by asking the judge if he might be -excused from appearing as witness. The judge -asked him to give his reasons for this request. -Mr. Howell explained that he was a private gentleman -and not a police spy. It was quite by an -accident he had come to play a rôle in this affair—a -rôle which did not please him. He had already -given his explanation to the police, and had hoped -that would have been sufficient.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The judge answered that none of these -explanations could exempt him from appearing as -witness. One could not help respecting his -feelings; but since no lawful reasons could be given, -they must request him to give what evidence he -could.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Howell, who spoke the Norwegian language -fluently, submitted to the inevitable, and gave a -short and clear account of how he came to -photograph the accused, so to speak, "in flagrante."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The papers have already published an account of -this scene, so that I shall not repeat his evidence -"</span><em class="italics">in extenso</em><span>." I shall only reproduce the following -of the examination.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Public prosecutor</em><span>: "What did you do with the -film after you had taken the photograph?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "I went to my room with it, took the -films out of the apparatus, and took them to the -photographer's to be developed. I called at the -photographer's on my way to the railway station."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Public prosecutor</em><span>: "You maintain, then, that it -is the accused whom you have photographed, but -without your being aware of it? Are you sure -it is the accused?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "Any one who has seen the accused a -few times will see that she is the person in the -photograph."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Public prosecutor</em><span> (taking an object from the -judge's table): "Is this the photograph in question, -which you, yourself, delivered up to the police?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span> (taking the photograph in his hand and -carefully examining it): "Yes, it is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The public prosecutor declared himself satisfied, -and the counsel for the defence began: "Now, are -you quite sure that when you photographed the -accused you did not believe her to be some one -else—for instance, Miss Frick?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "Yes, I believe I have already explained -myself sufficiently clearly on that point."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel for the defence</em><span>: "I cannot understand -how you can now be so sure that the picture -represents my client, while you believed quite otherwise -when you had the living person before you. What -is the reason for this?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "I have before explained I was in a -great hurry at the time. I wanted to get away -before the person should turn round—it was all done -in fun on my part. Besides, I thought I recognized -Miss Frick's jacket,—she had been in the habit -of wearing a jacket trimmed with braid. Later, I -got to hear that Miss Frick that same day had given -it to her maid as a present, and on looking at the -photo I became convinced it was the maid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel for the defence</em><span>: "Good! Are you also -quite sure that the picture you now see here is the -same as that you took on that occasion? The film -has been several days out of your keeping, and in -other hands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The young Englishman seemed rather impatient -at this examination. "If the film has not been -tampered with at the photographer's," he exclaimed -quickly, "it is the picture of what I saw in the -museum. Whether it has been tampered with or -not, I see here before me the same person, in the -same position, and in the same room—others -must now decide which is most probable."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He took up the picture again, examined it carefully, -and handed it back to the public prosecutor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have only wanted to show," said the counsel -for the defence, quietly, "that you yourself at one -time have doubted the identity of the person who -stands in front of Miss Frick's cupboard in the -photograph. I have now only two other questions -to ask you.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What was the time when you took the photograph?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "About six."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel for the defence</em><span>: "Are you not able to -give the time more exactly? Might it not just -as well have been half-past six?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "I cannot give the exact time. I -didn't attach much importance to the incident. -When I had taken the photograph I went up to my -room, and was busy there for some time before I -left. It was then about seven, so from that I -conclude that the photograph was taken about six."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "Might it not have been a little over -half-past six?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "No! I can be quite certain it was -not over half-past six."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "Could you see that the person held -the diamond in her hand? In the photograph the -object which she holds is hidden by her shoulder."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "When first I caught sight of her, she -held the diamond somewhat higher, so that I was -able to see it; afterward she lowered her arm, and -while in that position she was photographed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel for the defence seemed to be satisfied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Mr. Rodin, the photographer, was called as -witness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The well-known artist, whose pleasant manners -have obtained for him so many customers and -friends, bowed to the judge and court, and, the -usual formalities having been observed, he -answered quickly and decisively the questions which -the public prosecutor put to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Public prosecutor: "Do you recognize this -photograph? Has it been in your hands before?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "Yes; this film, together with some -others, was given me to develop, by Mr. Howell, -on the evening of the 10th of May, about seven or -half-past."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Public prosecutor: "And are you sure that this -photograph is an exact reproduction of the negative?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span> (smiling): "The photograph cannot lie, -sir! Even if I had wished it, I could not have -produced anything else than what was to be seen in -front of the apparatus at the moment it was opened -to take the photograph."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The public prosecutor finished his examination, -and the counsel for the defence began his.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "Can you be certain that this photograph -is the same one which you developed several -weeks ago for Mr. Howell? It has not been in -your possession since?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "Yes, sir, I am quite sure; you can see -for yourself that my initials are written on the -back;—look, O.R. 10/5, H. 10. The first are my -initials, then follows the date it was received, then -the initial of Mr. Howell's name, from whom I -received it, and lastly, the number in the series. -The roll which he brought me that day consisted of -ten films; this was number ten, the last photograph -he had taken."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "You cannot, however, be quite certain -that this is the same picture which Mr. Howell -brought you. During the work, some of your -people might have mixed Mr. Howell's pictures -together with other people's. Such a thing might -happen, might it not?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "No, sir; I develop all Mr. Howell's -films with my own hands. He is very particular -about them. As you will see, this picture is very -clear and distinct, and I flatter myself that all the -pictures which have passed through my hands are -the same,—that is to say, when such an expert -snap-shot taker as Mr. Howell has taken them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "Is there any reason, Mr. Rodin, why -one could not photograph first the room, then a -person, and then transfer that person to the first -picture, so that a person appears in the room on the -picture?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The public had remained unusually silent and -attentive during the whole of the proceedings; at -this question the silence became still more intense. -Every one understood the counsel's object in putting -this question—that each one of his questions was -an attempt to clutch at a last straw in the interest -of his client; but all understood also that each straw -slipped out of his hand, one by one. The same -happened to this question. The witness answered, -without any hesitation, "It is possible, sir; but every -experienced photographer would tell you that this -has not been attempted in the present case."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The young advocate looked disappointed. He made -a motion like one who washes his hands, and allowed -the witness to step down.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The photograph was sent round among the members -of the jury and the court, while the next -witness was being called. It was the young chief of -the detective police, Charles Monk. The public -hailed his appearance with murmurs of approbation -which must be just as much attributed to his -winning appearance as to the reputation he had already -gained as a police officer. His evidence was calm, -clear, and concise, as befits a policeman, and all -listened with breathless attention to the account of how -the young chief had taken upon himself the rôle of -detective, and had not rested until Mr. Frick's -diamond was in the hands of the police. When Mr. Monk, -in his evidence, came to speak of his visit to -Jurgens, and of the stratagem he had used to deceive -the old man, many of the spectators began to clap -their hands and shout, Bravo! The judge's authority -for the moment had to be called into account -to produce silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Although there was scarcely a person in the court -who did not wish that the young girl in the dock -should be acquitted, so paradoxical is human nature -that the same people applauded the great skill with -which the net had been drawn around her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The last hope for the prisoner seemed to vanish at -the evidence of the detective.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel for the defence had not many -questions to ask. He tried to show that both on her -arrest and upon Mr. Monk's first visit to her mother's -home, she had been in an irresponsible condition, -and for that purpose he had no doubt summoned her -mother and her lover, the actor, to give evidence. -Although their evidence was a voluntary matter, -owing to the relation in which they stood to the accused, -they both declared themselves willing to tell what -they knew. Their evidence did not, however, throw -any new light on the matter. Both were convinced -of the young girl's innocence, and asked the court not -to believe her, even if she should again confess. She -had always been of a nervous temperament, and often -a little strange.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Neither the loquacious woman with the ruddy -complexion, nor the pomatummed Don Juan, whose -shady character is so well known in the town, -made a good impression; and the counsel for the -defence concluded their examination as soon as -possible. The general impression was that he, for the -defence, had originally intended to prove that his -client was irresponsible, but that during the -proceedings before the court he had abandoned this line of -defence.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>I had proceeded thus far in my reading when I -stopped and looked at my friends. Clara was -listening with her mouth open, and did not seem -as if she would tolerate any interruption. Monk -sat silently in an armchair in the darkest corner of -the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall I continue?" I asked, "or will you allow -me to ask a question?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I would rather you read the newspaper account -to the end, first," was Monk's answer; and I heard -by the tone of his voice that he was unusually agitated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, go on reading, and let us hear what happens," -said Clara, trying to look over my shoulder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I read as follows:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>... The examination of the witnesses for the -defence was concluded, and the public prosecutor -rose. His speech was short and pithy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He thought all must agree that the charge he -had preferred against the accused had been fully -proved by the evidence given in court.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With regard to the responsibility of the accused, -he also believed that this had been asserted beyond -all doubt; the opinion of the medical men was -definite, and the evidence by which the defence had -attempted to weaken these were but of little value. -He did not believe for a moment the counsel for -the defence would seriously question the responsibility -of the accused. That the feeling of having -committed a great crime, and of having to answer -for it, might have caused the conduct of the -accused to appear strange, and to some degree -self-contradictory, was only natural.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That the accused had retracted her first confession, -and later on had refused to give any explanation -whatever in the court, might perhaps surprise some, -but it could in no way weaken the clear and distinct -proofs of her guilt. It was perhaps to be regretted -that the police had not succeeded in ascertaining -where the money for the stolen object had -disappeared to, as this circumstance prevented any -possible accomplices being brought to justice. It was -likewise to be regretted that motives for the crime -could not be sufficiently explained; but the accused -was no doubt herself principally to be blamed for -this, through her persistent silence. None of these -circumstances ought, however, to have any influence -upon the answer of the jury to the question, "Guilty -or not guilty?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel for the accused rose to begin his -speech for the defence. He seemed at first to be -somewhat uncertain, but he soon decided upon the -line he would take.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He did not want to conceal, he said, that he was -in a very difficult position, and the one who made -his position most difficult of all was his client.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All had heard that the young girl who was -charged with having stolen the diamond, which was -now lying upon the table in court, had at first -confessed, but had afterward retracted her confession, -and otherwise refused any information whatsoever -in the matter. But what every one, in all probability, -did not know, was that she had maintained the -same silence with regard to him, her counsel and -adviser. He had not succeeded in getting a single -word from her lips, except the assurance that she -would say nothing, would answer no questions, and -would give no information. "I thought it only -right," continued the young advocate, "to make -this open declaration, in order that my inability to -give information which might be to the advantage -of my client, should not be misunderstood. You -must not believe that I have received any information -from her, and that I have not found it to her -advantage to make use of it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It appears to me, and I hope the gentlemen of the -jury will agree with me, that the unfortunate girl, -paralyzed by the terrible blow of suspicion which -has fallen upon her, and feeling how terribly -hopeless her case is, through the strong appearances -against her at almost every step, has found it -expedient to draw within herself and keep silence, just -as the hunted deer withdraws to its cave, even if -death awaits it there. No one has a right to -construe my client's silence as a confession, or the result -of a consciousness of guilt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The diamond was stolen in the interval between -five and half-past seven in the afternoon. Of these -two hours and a half my client spent only half an -hour's time within the walls of Villa Ballarat, while -many persons were present there during the whole -time. It has been proved, says the public -prosecutor, that no stranger could have gained admission -there during that time; but can we be so sure of -that? An agile man can easily climb over the -railings—no one will deny that. The police examined -the ground round about, and no trace was found, -may be said in objection. But we know that expert -criminals are often very dexterous in destroying all -traces after them; and no one will maintain that the -police are so infallible that a trace cannot have escaped them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One need not be gifted with great acuteness in -order to guess what is passing through the minds of -the gentlemen of the jury at this moment: what -can be the use of all this? The main proofs against -the accused still remain unassailable. But let us -look into some of these proofs which, according to -the opinion of the public prosecutor, are so strong -that they are even more reliable than a confession. -The old man who bought the diamond has himself -said that he bought it of the young girl whom I -defend, and there can be no doubt about this, -although he has not appeared in court as witness; we -have the evidence of the head of the detective -department with regard to it, and that must be -sufficient. But—here is also a 'but,' just as there is a -'but' in all the so-called infallible circumstantial -evidence against the accused—is, then, the word of -an imbecile man in his second childhood to be fully -depended upon—a man who immediately afterward -is declared incapable of managing his own -affairs; who is so infatuated with his mania that he, -whose honesty is otherwise not for a moment to be -doubted after a long life of spotless integrity, buys -a diamond which he knows must have been stolen? -Shall the evidence of such a man decide the fate of -a human being? And besides, is this man's -evidence quite impartial? We have heard, from the -account of the chief of the detectives, that the old -man tried to conceal the fact that he was in -possession of the diamond; in his imbecility he is, -however, conscious that he has done something wrong, -and is, to a certain degree, cunning, and on his -guard. What, then, is more probable than that he, -who sees that he has been discovered, is wily enough -to give an explanation which makes it probable that -a servant would have the disposal of the diamond -at her command? Who dares maintain that the -old man spoke the truth on this occasion? It is, -however, just as much, if not more probable, that -he resorted to telling the first untruth that came -into his head!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what has become of the five thousand -kroners, which he says he has paid for the diamond?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It has not been possible to ascertain, says my -opponent; but on the whole he seems to lay little -stress upon the circumstance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It seems to me that this circumstance—that no -trace whatever has been discovered of the money—is -quite an important one. We know that the most able -detectives have been engaged in tracing it—even -the fiancé of my client was arrested in Copenhagen -in consequence thereof; both she and her mother -have been watched most closely—but still no clue. -Are not these circumstances important? Is there not -more than one proof that the police have been on the -wrong track, that the thief is not the one who has -been arrested, and that they have been investigating -in a direction where there was nothing to look for?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But it may be said that the principal proof still -remains unshaken; the accused has, by a remarkable -coincidence, been photographed in the act of -committing the theft, that cannot be denied or explained -away; yes—I venture to maintain there is no proof -of the guilt of the accused in this. I admit that -most probably it is the young girl who has been -photographed on this film. The hat and the jacket -which she wears were given to her by Miss Frick -about six o'clock in the afternoon of the same day: -this we know from the evidence; likewise that she -wore the same clothes when she called on her mother -between half-past six and seven. I admit there is a -probability which approaches to certainty, that it is -my client who, in the photograph here, is standing -in front of Mr. Frick's cupboard in the so-called -museum. One can also see that she is holding some -object in her hand. Yes, I even go so far as to -admit that she is most likely looking at the black -diamond. But from this moment my conclusions -cease to coincide with those of the public -prosecutor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why should it follow that she also took the -diamond with her?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What if my client, on passing through the garden -and seeing the door open to the museum, goes inside, -and out of curiosity has a look at the black diamond -about which there has been so much talk among -the people of the house while she was serving the -coffee in the afternoon, and then puts it back again -and passes out through the garden, on her way to -her mother? What if she, later on, after hearing of -the robbery, understands that she has been imprudent, -and then does a still more imprudent thing by -trying to conceal her visit to the museum, and finally, -when almost crushed under the shame and fear of -being arrested, acts as she afterward did?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I ask any person of common sense, is there -anything more improbable than that this young girl, -who has always shown the most exemplary honesty, -should commit this daring theft without any special -motive? This young girl, who was not in need, and -who in her master's house had found a home almost -as if she were one of the family—this young girl -who knew that if she were in want of money for any -special object her young mistress would not deny -her it, even if it were a considerable sum!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is this more probable than that her presence in -the museum was due to an accidental circumstance -of no significance, and that the theft has afterward -been committed by some one else?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel for the defence was here interrupted -in a manner which was no doubt flattering to him; -from the audience came the sound of more than one -hearty </span><em class="italics">Bravo!</em><span> while a hoarse voice, full of sincere -conviction, exclaimed, "Ah! he's about right there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Silence was soon obtained, and the counsel -concluded his speech thus: "It is an old experience of -the court that the chain of evidence which seems -strongest, and in which the links seem to fit exactly -into each other, is in reality most often the weakest. -I will ask the jury to bear this in mind. And I -believe that I have at least shown you that in the -chain of the public prosecutor which seemed to fit so -beautifully there is not one link which can be called -faultless."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel resumed his seat, and the public made -an attempt to applaud him, but the judge quickly -imposed silence, and the public prosecutor rose to -reply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had followed the speech of the counsel for the -defence with interest and approval, the latter no -doubt arising from the same cause which had -dictated the applause of the public—that is to say, -admiration of the counsel's ability to make something -out of nothing, or of an inconvenient subject. At -this point the public prosecutor nodded in a friendly -way across to the counsel for the defence, who smiled -in return.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He found, on the whole, his chain of evidence so -little weakened by what the defence had brought -forward, that he did not think it necessary to go -through it again. He had such great confidence in -the intelligence of the jury that he would take it -for granted they would have remarked, without his -pointing it out to them, that where he had produced -facts, or probabilities which almost amounted to -facts, the counsel for the defence had only set up -possibilities, and even improbable possibilities—with -this, he would leave the matter in the hands -of the jury.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel for the defence then proceeded to -make his final speech.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The public prosecutor had himself admitted that -there were possibilities that the theft had not been -committed in the way the prosecution had asserted. -It would be the duty of the jury to decide as to -the probability or improbability of the possibilities. -He would conclude by saying that when to these -possibilities was added the stainless life of his -client, and the good character she bore from all -quarters—no one had brought forward anything -to the contrary—as well as the circumstance that -no one had been able to show any particular motive -for the young girl's suddenly committing a criminal -act; and finally, that it had not been possible, in -spite of the most energetic exertions of the police, -to show that his client had been in possession of, -or disposed of the money which was to have been -the reward of the crime of which she was accused—then -he did not doubt that the conscientious jury -would not pronounce the fateful "Yes" to the -question "Guilty?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel sat down, but no applause was heard -this time from the public. All seemed to be -convinced that his exertions had been in vain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The time approached when the jurymen had to -retire. All seemed to feel that their deliberations -would be short, and the result an unanimous -verdict of guilty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Of what avail could be the eloquence or the -cunning subterfuges of a counsel, against proofs and -facts as clear as those which the public prosecutor -had produced?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The judge asked the accused if she had -anything to say. Her counsel leaned toward her, and -appeared to be urging something earnestly upon -her; but she only shook her head, as before, and -the young man sat down with an air of resignation.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-photograph-cannot-lie"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER II</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE PHOTOGRAPH CANNOT LIE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The public prosecutor had begun to read the -questions which were to be laid before the jury, -when he was interrupted by a noise from the back -of the court. Many of the public rose from their -seats in order to see better.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What could be the matter?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A messenger of the court had forced his way -through the crowd to the counsel for the defence, -and handed him a letter, saying a few words, which -those nearest to him could hear. The messenger -said, "You must read it at once, sir; it has to do -with the case now before the court."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel tore open the envelope, read, passed -his hand across his forehead, and read the letter -again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He crushed the paper in his hand, stepped quickly -forward, and as the public prosecutor had not -resumed his reading, he addressed himself to the -judge, saying, "I must ask that an hour's -postponement be granted to my client; in that time I -believe I can bring before you, gentlemen, evidence -which will throw a new light upon the case."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>An hour passed by, perhaps a little more, and the -court was again sitting. The room was, if possible, -even more crowded than before; no one had been -willing to give up his seat, and there were new -arrivals.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The silence which reigned showed the excitement -that possessed everybody.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel for the defence asked to be allowed -to examine the chief of the detective staff once more.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The young officer stepped forward, and took his -place in the witness box in his usual quiet manner, -although astonishment was plainly written on his face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">The counsel</em><span>: "You have already told us that -when you paid a visit to Mr. Jurgens and so -skilfully got him to give up the diamond, he then told -you that he had bought it from the accused, Evelina -Reierson. Isn't that so?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "Did he seem to be in any doubt as to -whom he had bought the diamond from?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The detective blushed at this question, but his -answer was as unconstrained and calm as before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, he gave me the impression that he was sure -it was the accused."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "Did he name any one else who could -possibly have sold him the diamond?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At first he began, with some confused nonsense, -to excuse himself, but it was of no significance to -the case."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "I must ask you, however, to give the -name or the names which Mr. Jurgens mentioned in -connection with the diamond."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One could see that the officer was angry at the -importunate examination, and that he had to exert -himself to the utmost, in order to answer calmly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mr. Jurgens seemed at first to be somewhat -frightened at the consequences of his transaction, -and in order to excuse himself, he began with some -nonsense about having bought the diamond from—from -a person who is nearly related to Mr. Frick, -and who was supposed to have received the diamond -from him as a present."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "What did you do to get him to speak -the truth?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The detective hesitated a moment, and grew redder -still in the face. At last he answered firmly -and distinctly:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He first mentioned Miss Frick as having sold -him the diamond, and that she had said she had got -it as a present from her uncle. This was as much -as to say that the young lady, for whom I have—have -the greatest respect, is a thief and a liar, as -information of the robbery was given to the police -by her uncle; and I then forgot myself for the -moment and seized hold of the old man—but of -course only for a moment!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "It was after you let go of him that -he gave the name of Evelina Reierson?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; but as you will understand—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span> (interrupting): "I have for the present -nothing further to ask you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I never heard such—" exclaimed a powerful -voice. It was old Frick who rose, red as a -turkey cock in the face; the judge himself had -to call him to order.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Monk still stood in the same place, biting his -lips. Miss Frick stared at him with an astonished -expression. As yet she suspected nothing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the attention of the public was soon engrossed -by a new witness whom the counsel for the defence -brought forward. He was a tall, squarely-built -man, with broad round shoulders, and black hair and -beard; he was dressed in shiny, threadbare black -clothes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The examination was begun by the judge. The -witness seemed quite unwilling to be examined.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your name?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Abraham Abrahamson."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How old are you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fifty-three years old."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is your calling?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pawnbroker and commission agent."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where do you live?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bishop Street, No. 75."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you know anything about the case which is -before the jury to-day?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have read about it in the papers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you had anything to do with any of the -persons in the case, or have you in any other way -obtained any information which may be of -importance in this matter?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know several persons here by sight"—the -witness looked round the court with his sharp, dark -eyes—"but I did not believe I could give any -information which could be of use to the court, until -I was sent for half an hour ago."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The judge concluded, and left the further -examination to the counsel for the defence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "Do you know this young girl, Evelina -Reierson?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "She has been once or twice to my -place, on business."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "On what sort of business?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span> (unwillingly): "To pawn a few small things."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "What sort of small things?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "As far as I can remember, they were -some rings and a pair of earrings."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly Miss Frick's voice was heard—not -loud, but clear and distinct:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The rings and earrings she got from me. They -were presents, and she could do as she liked with -them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The judge enjoined the young lady in a friendly -but decided tone not to speak until she was -questioned, and the young lady sat down, blushing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "Had you a visit from the young girl -on the 10th of May last?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "Yes, most likely."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "Most likely? Be good enough to -explain yourself more clearly; or does it mean that -you remember nothing about that day?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "Well, yes, I can well enough explain -what I mean. I have nothing to hide—the law and -the police I have always esteemed and respected"—here -an ironical voice was heard exclaiming:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are about right there, Abrahamson!" -which was followed by loud laughter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The witness, with a scornful glance at the corner -where the interruption came from, continued: "No, -I have nothing to hide. On the 10th of May a -lady came to me and asked if I would lend her some -money on some jewelry,—a lot of rings, brooches, -and bracelets with precious stones in them. She -had a veil over her face; but I thought I recognized -the young girl whom you call Evelina Reierson."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "Was it not, then, the young girl who -sits here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "I don't know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "Don't know?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "If you will give me time, you shall -hear. I said at once that I could not accept such -valuable things, unless she could show she was -authorized to pawn them. Then she answered that -if we came to an understanding, she would prove -she was the owner of the jewelry. I looked at the -things, and said that if everything was all right, I -could lend her two thousand kroners on them. She -knew that the things were worth five thousand -kroners, she said, and if I could give her four -thousand, I could buy them of her. I must have time -to examine them, I explained. But she would not let -me. She seemed on the point of crying, and asked -me for God's sake to give her four thousand kroners -immediately; she would willingly give me a few -more valuable things later on, or pay me something -back. Then I thought the matter looked rather -suspicious, and did not like to have anything more -to do with her, so she left."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "Didn't you try to find out if it was the -girl, Evelina Reierson, or not?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span> (after hesitating awhile before -answering): "Yes, I did; for I am a law-abiding man, -who likes to give the police a helping hand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "Yes, we know that, but what did you do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "I sent a boy in my office after her. He -sat up behind the carriage—for she had come in a -hired carriage which waited outside—and he saw -her go into a house in Drammen Road."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "Was it Mr. Frick's house?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "Yes, so the boy said."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "But you took it as a proof that it really -was Evelina Reierson?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "Yes, but I am not sure that it was she, -after all, for she had a veil on, and then I don't -know Evelina Reierson so very well."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "How was the lady dressed?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "She had on a green hat with a feather -in it, and a jacket braided in front and at the -back."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "Do you remember this distinctly?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "Yes, I am not so unaccustomed to using -my eyes, and I thought it best to notice her dress, -in case the police should ask me about the matter, -later on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "What time was it when the lady -visited you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "It must have been twenty minutes past -five when she came, for she was with me a quarter -of an hour, and when she left it was twenty-five -minutes to six."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "Was it also with regard to the possibility -of inquiries from the police that you looked -at the clock when the lady left you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Counsel</em><span>: "You are quite certain about the time, then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Witness</em><span>: "Yes, quite certain; I conferred with -my clerk."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The case had proceeded thus far when a great -commotion in the court caused the examination to -be interrupted. It is superfluous to remark that the -two last witnesses had made a deep impression upon -all who were present at the hearing of this -remarkable case, and the excitement among the audience -rose as the examination progressed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The pawnbroker's last words fell in complete -silence, but only to be followed by murmurings and -noise.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The alarm threatened to throw the court into -confusion, when suddenly a cry was heard, "She is -fainting!" A large crowd had gathered round -Miss Frick, and old Frick was seen in the middle of -it, gesticulating wildly, while the young girl leant -back on the seat with a handkerchief over her face. -Mr. Monk forced his way up to her, and with the -consent of the judge conducted her out of the -court.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The judge then proceeded to call for order. -It did not take him long, for the threat to have the -court cleared had immediate effect. No one wished -to lose the last act of the drama.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel for the defence did not wish to -examine the pawnbroker any further. The public -prosecutor had, in the meantime, nothing to comment -upon, and the young counsel was called upon to -proceed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He began with thanking the court for giving him -the postponement he had asked for,—a postponement -which had enabled him not only to obtain -valuable evidence, but which had also given him -positive means of proving his client's innocence of -the robbery of the diamond. He continued:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If any one believes that my purpose in calling -the witness Abrahamson, and in putting new questions -to the chief of the detective force, was to throw -the guilt of the robbery upon another, he is mistaken. -It is certainly unavoidable that at the same time my -client's innocence is brought to light, so at the same -time the attention is led into another direction, and -the ministers of justice have perhaps already found -a new object in their search after the guilty person. -But that is a matter which does not concern me. -It only goes to prove that the young girl whose -defence has been intrusted to me is innocent—that -the circumstantial evidence which appeared so -strong against her, on the contrary speaks in her -favour when seen in the right light.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The object of my last examination of the chief -detective and the witness Abrahamson was only to -show that mistakes can be made, and in this case -have been made with regard to the identity of the -accused. Mr. Jurgens said at first it was another -person who had sold the diamond to him, and it -was only after the chief detective had treated the -old man in, let us call it, a less polite manner, that -he mentioned the name of the accused. The -witness Abrahamson believed he received a visit from -the accused on the same day the diamond was -stolen. It appeared, however, that the lady whom -he supposed was his client was dressed in clothes -which she only became possessed of later in the -day. We have Miss Frick's sworn evidence to -the effect that she herself wore the braided -costume between five and six o'clock, and only made -a present of these clothes to the accused at about -six o'clock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is, as I have already said, not my object to -accuse any other person, and I will give up the -inquiry as to whether it was Miss Frick herself -who visited the pawnbroker that day; my object -is only to show that if Mr. Jurgens has mistaken -another woman for my client, Evelina Reierson, it -is not at any rate the first time that day that she -was the object of a mistaken identity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What I have now adduced ought in itself to -be sufficient to change the opinion of the jury, if -they have hitherto considered my client to be -guilty. But I am in the fortunate position of being -able to prove that what has hitherto appeared to -be the most weighty evidence against my client is, -on the contrary, the clearest proof of her innocence. -I refer here to the circumstance that the witness, -Mr. Howell, has declared that he, at the time when -the theft must have been committed, had seen the -accused in front of the cupboard where the diamond -was kept, and that he had even photographed her -in this position. The photograph, in which all will -recognize my client, is now here in court. When -I say that I can prove that this circumstantial -evidence is false, I mean that here, also, we have a case -of mistaken identity, and I can prove that the -person who is photographed here (he took the -photograph in his hand) is not, and cannot be, the -accused. The proof is a simple one, although I -must confess that only an accident has enabled me -to produce it. (The young counsel here pulled -out a large magnifying glass from his pocket, and -handed it, together with the photograph, to the -judge.) Will the court, and the gentlemen -of the jury, and I would ask my colleague, the -public prosecutor, to do the same, look at the -photograph through the magnifying glass? You will -then, gentlemen, see that the person who has been -photographed wears a ring on the ring finger of -the left hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will you next examine the hand of the accused? -When she was a little girl, she broke the ring finger -of her left hand in a fall. The bone did not set -properly, so that there is now a protuberance, which -prevents her from wearing a ring on that finger."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel then raised the young girl's hand so -that all could see it, to which she quietly submitted, -but without lifting her eyes from the floor and -without a change of expression on her waxen face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All will be able to convince themselves of the -truth of this. I do not think that any declaration -from a medical authority is necessary. And, -gentlemen, let the magnifying glass show you yet another -thing. You will at once see on the left of the lady's -head an object on the shelf above. It is the little -ivory elephant with the clock, of which mention has -already been made in the course of evidence. The -glass, gentlemen, will enable you not only to see the -clock in the forehead of the elephant, but also to -plainly discover the position of the hands. What -time do the hands show? They show the time to -be twenty minutes to six.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where was my client at that time? On this point -we have full information from the evidence before -us. She had not returned by this time. She only -came in through the garden gate at five minutes to -six. And she could not, under any circumstance, be -dressed at twenty minutes to six in the jacket which -she only received from Miss Frick at six o'clock, or -shortly afterward!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gentlemen, when you have assured yourselves as -to the correctness of what I have told you, you will -perhaps remember what the witness, Mr. Rodin, the -able photographer, said in court:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'The photograph cannot lie!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"With the permission of the court, I will postpone -any further remarks till the jury have convinced -themselves that everything is as I have stated."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>For the first minute or so neither the judge's -voice nor his hammer was of any avail; he had to -submit to the loud applause which the public -bestowed upon the young counsel, who bowed and smiled -like an actor who is called before the curtain.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>But the space of a newspaper is limited, and I -must conclude my report as quickly as possible.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The examination of the photograph took some -time, as the judge and the jury had personally -to assure themselves as to what the photograph -could tell. To all appearances, they seemed to be -satisfied with their investigations under the -magnifying glass.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Rodin and another well-known photographer, -both of whom had been summoned as experts, -declared with the greatest confidence that the -evidence of the photograph could be relied upon, -and when a medical witness declared that no ring -of the usual dimension could be worn on the finger -of the accused, the affair was settled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The jury disappeared, only to return at once, -and the voice of the foreman rang out clearly when -he pronounced the words "Not guilty" to the -question, "Guilty or not guilty?"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Thus ends the account of the proceedings in one -of our modern judicial dramas. No one can doubt -that we shall hear of an epilogue which will -probably result in a tragedy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Last night we received information that as soon -as the proceedings in court were over, Miss Sigrid -Frick was arrested, and charged with the theft of -her uncle's diamond.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-the-dark"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER III</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">IN THE DARK</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>I put the newspaper cutting on the table, and -looked at my listeners. Clara sat with her chin -resting on her folded hands, and her elbows on -the table, staring straight in front of her. Monk, -who had again retired to the darkest corner of the -room, now came forward. He was very pale, but -his voice was calm as he said:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now I will continue. You must pardon me, -if the rest of my story seems dry and businesslike, -but it is the only way I can persuade myself to -speak of it at all. There is, however, not much -more to tell."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, but tell me, Monk,—was Sigrid—Miss -Frick, I should say—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was Clara who spoke. She got up eagerly and -went across to Monk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, excuse me, Mrs. Viller, allow me to continue—in -any case, for a little while. You have promised -to hear me, in order, if possible, to advise and -help me, so you must bear with my whim and not -interrupt me just now. Later, I will answer -anything that you want to ask me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Well, there are several things that happened in -court, which the reporter did not mention; though -I do not think that his report, together with what -I have told you, has left you in the dark with regard -to anything that could be of any help in the -clearing up of the mystery in which the diamond -robbery at old Frick's ended.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There is only one thing which I must mention, -since the reporter of the </span><em class="italics">Morning News</em><span> did not -include it. When the judge summed up, he took -the opportunity to censure the conduct of the police -in the case. He referred, he said, to the detective's -conduct with regard to lawyer Jurgens. He was -certainly convinced that it had never been his -intention to exercise pressure on the old man, but -that he had in a passion laid hands on him, a -circumstance which, at the turn events had taken in -the case, appeared in a very unfavourable light. The -detective had also committed another error in not -mentioning the incident when he gave evidence in -court. The judge felt himself obliged to declare -that this conduct might have aided the condemnation -of an innocent person.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Any one can understand in what a painful situation -I found myself. The worst of it was, that I -was obliged to admit that the judge was -right,—painfully right. Also, the way in which I had -conducted the case had contributed, to a great -extent, in throwing a terrible suspicion upon the -one who was the dearest to me in the world. So -far, I did not as yet foresee the result of the turn -which the affair had taken, and which in itself was -so surprising, that one hardly had time to reflect -before the judgment was given.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I went home immediately, and tried to think over -my position; but even then I saw only darkness -around me. So I pulled myself together and went -to the chief superintendent's office. He still sat -there, although it was rather late in the evening. -He was very serious.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have already been informed of what has taken -place in court," he said; "and it pains me greatly -to hear what has happened. My purpose in speaking -of this, is to spare you giving any account of it. -Wait! I have one thing to tell you before you -answer—one thing which you ought to know as -soon as possible. I have given orders for the -arrest of Miss Frick."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I had expected that some such thing must happen, -and I succeeded in assuming an indifference -which was anything but what I felt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I knew this must happen, sir," I answered, -"and I have no doubt what I ought to do; I have -come to ask you to accept my resignation in the -police service. My written application I have not -as yet made out, but you shall have it to-morrow. -I ask you to consider it as already in your hands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The superintendent looked at me in a friendly -way, pressed my hand, and said:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am sorry, more sorry than you can imagine; -but I neither can, nor will, ask you to take back -your resignation. What you have now said was -just what I was prepared to hear from you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you heard, sir, everything that took -place in the court to-day?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I have obtained a verbatim report from -the officer who was present the whole time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what is your opinion?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My opinion? I understand you do not refer -any longer to yourself; you are thinking of the -young girl whom I have been obliged to arrest,—well, -what shall I say to you? If I say that no -one but Miss Frick could have taken the diamond, -then you will be angry with me; and if I say the -contrary, you will think I am speaking against -my conviction—isn't that so?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was right, and I remained silent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As I moved to go, the superintendent took my -hand again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have met with a great misfortune, Monk,—a -little carelessness on your part, a bagatelle -which, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, -would have resulted in nothing, has, by force of -circumstances, driven you from a post which you -have filled with much energy and ability. And -if I am not mistaken, a greater misfortune has -befallen, or, in any case is likely to befall, one whom -you hold dear. With regard to the first, you -are a man of energy, and it is hardly necessary to -ask you not to lose courage; you have done -nothing wrong, and the world is wide and generally -repays one for one's labour. As for the latter, -I have also some advice. Wait patiently! I read -plainly in your face what you intend doing—you -will use all your strength and energy in trying to -prove this lady's innocence, against whom everything -now seems to tell, and it is far from my intention -to dissuade you in this—perhaps you will -succeed. This much, experience has taught -me,—that nothing is impossible. But should you not -succeed—and who can tell? do not make the -mistake of ruining your life for the sake of a -woman—kinder to yourself and to her to break and -have done with, it at once, before it shall be too -late. Remember, too, that what is, is inevitable, -and that one cannot build a house of bricks which -are already crumbled to dust; break with it, the -earlier the better—before it is too late—and do -not attempt to produce the impossible from a thing -which has already proved to be dust. If I can ever -help you, now or later, then come to me without -hesitancy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These were my superior's friendly and fatherly -words. In the years which have passed by I -have only spoken with him once since then upon -this matter.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>I was at that time twenty-seven years old, and -when the next day dawned, my courage and energy -had returned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The superintendent was right when he had read -in my face the determination to leave no stone -unturned, in order to prove the innocence of my -fiancée—for she was still my fiancée. But I was -not to proceed far in the matter before I discovered -that my position at the time—for I was no longer -at the head of a large detective department of the -police—made my work both difficult and -unremunerative. It seemed as if an inexorable fate had -decided that the drama, as it had begun, should be -played out to the end, and that no human intervention -would be tolerated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Didn't you see Sigrid at once?" asks Clara, -suddenly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, it was impossible; I'll tell you just how -matters stood: the very next day all the papers in the -town began to speak of the conduct of the police -as it was called. Some even hinted that I should -be prosecuted, as my concealment of the truth had -almost led to an innocent person being convicted. -This, however, soon passed over, as my resignation -was accepted without delay. But the result was -that in many places I was received with distrust, -and that the superintendent, with whom I had -corresponded about the matter, dared on no account to -give me permission to see the young girl who was -under arrest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I have here some notes from my diary, following -from that time on; let me read them to you. It is -not my habit to keep a diary; that kind of self-confession -has never been to my taste, but at that time -I did it from purely professional reasons—in order -to have notes to help me in my work.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk pulled out a small thick note-book and -began to turn over the leaves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh no, don't," said Clara, at the sight of it; -"put away the book. I would rather you told it -to us instead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk could not help smiling. "I shall not use -the book for long, Mrs. Viller; but I think it is best -to get to the end of the story—the sooner the better. -And it will save me much time if I may be allowed -to read a few pages." So Clara gave her permission -and Monk read:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"</span><em class="italics">June</em><span> 23.—Not possible to obtain permission to -see Sigrid.—Tried, therefore, to see old Frick. -Ill! couldn't see me—I don't believe much in that illness. -In the afternoon went to see Evelina's counsel, -and asked him about the letter which had been -delivered to him in court at the time when he asked -for postponement. He refused again to give me any -information about the letter or its contents; he was -bound to secrecy, he said. I think very much hangs -on this letter; some one must have given the lawyer -weapons to use, not only in defence of Evelina, but -against Sigrid. Who can it be? What can the -motive be, and what is the object?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I then spoke to the court attendant. He had -received the letter from a commissionaire, with -injunctions to deliver it to the counsel for the defence, -without delay. I shall try to find the commissionaire, -but that will perhaps take some days—in the -meantime, time flies.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">June</em><span> 25.—Now I have spent two days in looking -for the commissionaire. I began with No. 1, and -only when I had got up to 87 did I find the right -man. He had had the letter from a little newspaper -boy outside the grand café. At last I got hold of -the little newspaper boy. He had received it from -a "gentleman," but whether the gentleman was old -or young, fair or dark, he could not remember—in -fact, nothing—and there I stand!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I tried again to see old Frick. He said he was -not at home, but in the afternoon he sent me the -following letter:—</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>HONOURED SIR,—I had better at once inform -you that I do not consider we two can any longer -have any pleasure in each other's acquaintance. -Neither Einar nor Sigrid Frick will ever again set -foot in my house, and your name will never be -mentioned here.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Your part, Mr. Monk, in the latter month's events, -I am not so sure about, and I do not intend to -trouble myself about it any further.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It is sufficient for me to know that you have -assisted in the attempt to conceal the criminal -conduct of my brother's children. That there may be -circumstances which render your conduct excusable, -I know well enough; but at any rate, I do not see -why we should meet or see each other again.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>Yours truly,</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>BARTHOLOMEW FRICK.</span></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Monk looked up from his notes. "Since then I -have never spoken to old Frick."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But you surely tried to get some explanation -from him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I tried, yes; but it was easier said than done. -Since that time he has scarcely spoken with any one, -least of all with me. He is as obstinate as an old -goat. But let me proceed, for the sooner I get to -the end of these miserable reminiscences the better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">June</em><span> 28.—I spent the day in keeping my eye on -the actor, Evelina, and her mother—a difficult task -now, since I have to manage without my trusted -constable, and exclusively rely upon myself or some -wretched hireling. Evelina never goes out; she is -said to be ill. Her mother enjoys greatly the rôle -of martyr on her daughter's behalf. She is said to -have received a considerable sum of money from old -Frick. The actor continues his gay life. He seems -to have a little money, but nothing extraordinary.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I have spoken with Mr. Howell. He behaves and -speaks like a gentleman, but ... I have no belief -in him. He expressed the greatest regret in having -been mixed up in the case. Nothing could have -persuaded him that it was not Evelina he had -photographed in front of the cupboard with the diamond -in her hand. (Yes, but what does that help, when -the hands of the clock and the dress tell another -story.) He was going to England in a few days he -said, whatever the police might say or do. He -would not appear in court; but they had, of course, -his evidence from the last proceedings.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I asked what old Frick had to say against his -nephew Einar. Mr. Howell said he could not -understand; he had in vain tried to bring the old -fellow round. Mr. Howell apparently speaks very -openly; but I have learned nothing new from him. -Does he know nothing? or does he conceal something?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">July</em><span> 5.—-A whole week gone, and I have done -nothing! The time draws near when the case will -come again before the court, and every one seems to -be of the opinion—though it is dreadful to have to -write it down—that Sigrid will be found guilty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I have written twice to Einar Frick in Hamburg, -but have not received any reply, although by -telegraphing to his hotel, I have found out that he has -been there and has received my letters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It seems as if I am beating my head against a -stone wall.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I have been to the pawnbroker, Abrahamson. At -first I only saw a humpbacked clerk, who stared at -me with a derisive smile, but afterward Abrahamson -himself appeared. He said he had told everything -he knew in court, and had no time to talk -with me. It is very different now from the time -when I was chief of the detective force!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The day before yesterday an important thing -happened. The actor Frederiksen left by the night -train for Copenhagen. I couldn't keep him back, -and the police wouldn't stop him; and now I suspect -that with him has disappeared one of the few -possible chances of getting the robbery cleared up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">July</em><span> 6.—All the morning papers announce -to-day in big type the news that Evelina Reierson has -committed suicide; she has hanged herself in her -own room in her mother's house. All agree that -she committed suicide while insane. After her -arrest she had several times betrayed signs of -insanity, which at last resulted in this deplorable -act—so say the reports. All the papers speak in -regretful terms of the event, and the </span><em class="italics">Truthseeker</em><span> -and several other papers are untiring in expatiating -upon the responsibilities which the "real culprit" -and the police must take upon themselves for -what has happened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I hardly understand how I, in the long run, am -going to hold out, powerless as I am to do anything.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">July</em><span> 7.—I went to-day to Mrs. Reierson's to see -if I could possibly find out if the dead girl had left -behind her any message or confession. As I had -expected, however, I was received by the worthy -dame with a shower of curses and abuse. It was -impossible to do anything in that quarter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Old Frick seems entirely overwhelmed by his -niece's guilt, and does not allow her name to be -mentioned. He has, however, engaged the best -lawyer in Christiania as her counsel. Will that be -of any use?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">July</em><span> 9.—Only three days before the court meets, -and not a step more forward! Yes, I have done -something. I have spoken with the lawyer who -will take up Sigrid's case. He confided to me that -Sigrid had informed him that it was really she who -had visited the pawnbroker that afternoon, to get -him to lend her money on her trinkets; but she -refused to explain how she wanted to use the -money. The lawyer had impressed upon her that -it was absolutely necessary that she should explain -herself on that point, but the young girl was -obdurate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What can this mean?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What use could Sigrid have for four thousand -kroners? and why couldn't she explain what she -wanted them for? This has given me much food -for reflection.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the meantime, I asked the lawyer if he had -taken note of the fact that the pawnbroker's time -by the clock had made it impossible that Miss Frick -could be back at Villa Ballarat at the time when -the photograph was taken. According to the -pawnbroker's account, she drove from there twenty-five -minutes to six, and the clock in the photograph -showed it to be twenty minutes to six. The way -from Bishop Road to Villa Ballarat cannot be -covered in five minutes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lawyer promised to prove this—but what -could Sigrid want with four thousand kroners? -What could she have to hide?</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Monk closed his note-book.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Yes, thus far go my notes, and the rest is quickly -told.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Three days afterward the case came before the -court. I was myself called as witness, but my -recollections of that day are very indistinct. I felt as -if I were walking in my sleep or in the throes of -a dreadful dream. If I had been the accused I -should have acted calmly and with presence of mind, -I am sure. But I was not accused, though guilty of -having been the cause of bringing the young girl -whom I loved more than my life before a court of -justice, and having her accused of having -committed a despicable theft from her benefactor. It -was some time afterward that I, through reading -the accounts in the paper, got some idea of what had -taken place that day in the court.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Nearly all the witnesses who appeared against -Evelina were also summoned on this occasion. The -evidence threw no new light on the case, so I do -not think it necessary to go more than is absolutely -necessary into the events of that terrible day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When I gave my explanation of my visit to Mr. Jurgens, -the public attempted to assail me with terms -of abuse and derision. The judge soon called them -to order, but I was subjected to the most offensive -glances while I told the story of my own folly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sigrid did not attempt to hide her visit to the -pawnbroker, but refused to explain for what -purpose she required the money. On the other hand, -she absolutely denied having set foot in the museum -between five and half-past seven.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The public prosecutor in his address especially -laid stress upon the following:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The accused had herself admitted that she, on the -day of the robbery, had taken most unusual steps -to become possessed of a large sum of money, but -that she had not succeeded in this at the -pawnbroker's. It was clear that it was of the greatest -importance for her to obtain at least four thousand -kroners that day, and that all other ways out of the -difficulty seemed to be closed against her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She was one of the few who could, without creating -suspicion, go in and out of the museum where -the diamond was kept.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then there was the photograph taken by -Mr. Howell of her standing with the diamond in her -hand at twenty minutes to six that afternoon. -That the photograph represented Miss Frick, -although she denied having visited the museum -during that time, there was no longer any doubt, after -an examination with the magnifying glass.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Finally, there was the evidence of the late chief -detective, that Mr. Jurgens at the beginning had -declared he had bought the diamond of the accused. -Only later had the old man, frightened by the -detective's improper behaviour, changed his statement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These were, in brief, the chief points in the public -prosecutor's address, and it is not necessary to add -that after the evidence and his speech, there was -scarcely a person in the court who doubted but -that Miss Frick was guilty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel for the accused had no other defence -than the point which I mentioned in my diary; but -this he turned to account beyond all expectation. -It appeared that the time when Miss Frick left the -pawnbroker's could be substantiated to the minute, -by the circumstance that the pawnbroker on this -occasion had looked at his watch and asked his clerk -if the time was not twenty-five minutes to six. The -clerk had then leant out of the window, looked at -the clock in the church tower, and answered in the -affirmative.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel had also examined the driver who -had driven Miss Frick,—I have perhaps forgotten -to tell you that meanwhile I had been able to trace -this person,—and he could clearly remember that -on this occasion he had driven at his usual pace, -neither more quickly nor more slowly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel had, as experiments, taken several -drives with the same horse and carriage, and had -found that the distance was never made in less -than fifteen minutes, when driving at the usual -pace, and at a more rapid pace not less than ten -minutes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had thereby shown, he said, that if Miss Frick -was the lady who had left the pawnbroker's at -twenty-five minutes to six—which was now an established -fact—it could not be she who had been photographed -with the diamond in her hand at twenty minutes to -six! That the little clock in the elephant's head -was right to the minute, had been proved by -Mr. Frick's evidence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The public prosecutor, in the reply, stated that it -was a well-known fact that there was often a difference -of several minutes in the clocks of the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel maintained that such a great difference -as would be necessary in such a case, at least -ten minutes, was scarcely possible. Altogether, he -utilized this circumstance to the utmost, and made -his final appeal to the jury so impressive that when -the jury retired, there was great uncertainty as to -the result.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here Mr. Monk opened his memorandum book -and produced a newspaper cutting, from which he -read the conclusion of the counsel's address:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would be foolish of me to maintain that I have -proven that my client is not guilty of the theft of -which she is accused. But I have the right to ask: -Is there any one who believes that the public -prosecutor has proved her guilt? I have, at any rate, -shown that in order that the assertion of the -prosecution may hold good, the young lady must have -been in two places at the same time. If she had -been at the pawnbroker's at the time when all the -evidence went to show she was there, then she -cannot be the person who was photographed by -Mr. Howell with the stolen diamond in her hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I admit that there is weighty circumstantial -evidence against the young lady; but have I not also -shown that there is also weighty circumstantial -evidence in contradiction? All will agree that this is -an unusual case. This robbery, which has now been -twice before the court, in the form of two different -charges against two different persons, will remain a -mystery, whatever the verdict of the jury may be -to-day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I venture to say, that whatever your judgment -may be to-day, we shall to-morrow hear that half of -the public approve of it, and the other half disapprove.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The theft is, and will remain, a mystery.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Any one who was present at the former trial, will -remember that when the case was nearly concluded, -in fact, just before the jury retired, there was scarcely -a person in court who was not convinced that the -case was as clear as any could be, and that the -conscience of the jurymen would not be troubled in any -way by pronouncing a verdict of 'Guilty.' But an -hour or two afterward all were agreed that they -might with just as easy a mind pronounce a verdict -of 'Not guilty.' Might not the same thing happen -to-day?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am not so fortunate, it is true, as my colleague, -who was the counsel for the defence on the first -occasion. I have not, at any rate, succeeded in -producing evidence which would compel the prosecution -to drop the case,—but I have at least succeeded -in showing that if the public prosecutor is correct in -his statements, then my client must be a -super-natural being!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The counsel concluded with a passionate appeal to -the jury on behalf of his client, and sat down.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The jury consulted for three hours," continued -Monk, and when they at last returned into court, -their answer to the question of "Guilty or not -guilty" was: "No! Not guilty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A sigh of relief escaped simultaneously from Clara -and myself, and Monk looked up with a strange -melancholy smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I understand. I felt just as you now feel -when the verdict was made known. The first -impression was one of infinite joy and relief; but it -was not to last long. The verdict was received by -the public with deep silence; and when Sigrid was -liberated, and about to leave the court, she was -received with hooting and hissing by the large crowd -which in an incredibly short time had collected -outside. Stones were thrown after her carriage, and it -was with the greatest difficulty that the police got -her safely away."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How terrible!" said Clara. "How could any -one have the heart to torture the poor girl any -further. Did they believe then that she was guilty?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Guilty!" exclaimed Monk, with another melancholy -smile. "I don't believe there were ten people -in Christiania the next day who were not convinced -that Sigrid Frick had stolen her uncle's diamond, -and that there were dark pages in her life which -were the cause of her being in need of money. Then, -besides this, she was looked upon as the cause of -Evelina's suicide."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The next day the papers contained accounts of -what had happened the day before in the court, and -the trial was the general topic of conversation. No -one seemed to doubt that Miss Frick was guilty. -The suicide of Evelina had especially tended to -inflame the minds of the public. Most people were -convinced that the cause of the suicide was, as I -have already mentioned, the treatment to which she -had been exposed while being accused of a crime -of which she was innocent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In one paper appeared a furious leader with the -heading: "Is there one law for the rich, and -another for the poor?" It dwelt at some length upon -the position of the poor young girl in the service -of the rich young lady. How the rich lady had -stolen the diamond in order to use the money -for—well, I will not repeat the words;—how the -poor girl was arrested by the police, driven out -of her wits, and eventually to suicide. How the -police, who apparently seemed to be on a friendly -footing with the rich lady, tried to screen her guilt, -and how riches had eventually succeeded in getting -the wealthy criminal acquitted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The result of this article was that a large mob -proceeded next day to Frick's villa, in the belief -that Sigrid was still there, and broke all the -windows, hooting and hissing all the time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Old Frick naturally became furious, and, armed -with his revolver and his sabre, he single-handed -attacked the mob which surrounded the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was no doubt under the impression that he -was followed by a force consisting of the coachman -and the gardener; but these cautious warriors did -not follow him further than the gate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Fortunately, old Frick had forgotten to load his -revolver, so no great mischief was done. He was -at once surrounded and forced up against his railings. -He managed, however, to use his sword, if not -with dexterity, at least with such fury that it took -some time before any one ventured to come near him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had succeeded in wounding several half-tipsy -roughs, who attempted to close with him, when -finally an ingenious young cattle driver caught up -a garden seat and rushed at him, using this as a -shield. Old Frick's sword got jammed in the seat; -he was disarmed, and struck on the head with an -empty bottle, and thrown to the ground. Some -mounted police at last appeared on the scene, -charged the crowd, and saved the old man, after -which the mob dispersed quietly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The blow which old Frick received on his head -resulted in concussion of the brain. For several -days he lingered between life and death, and has, -since that time, owing to paralysis in his legs, not -been able to leave his chair without assistance.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="monk-s-examination"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER IV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">MONK'S EXAMINATION</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>I haven't much more to tell you now, (continued -Monk). A few days afterward, Sigrid left to join -her brother in Hamburg, whence they both sailed -for America, and I have not seen either of them -since. With regard to the life I have led these -last few years, you, Frederick, know about as much -as I do myself. If I have not left the country, it -was because an irresistible impulse forced me to -haunt the place where my happiness and my -expectations had been overthrown, and to try again and -again to clear up the mystery which had destroyed -the happiness of so many.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>My profession of private detective has provided -me with sufficient means, both in finances and -other respects, to continue my attempts—attempts -which up to now have unfortunately brought no -results whatever.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At first I had many difficulties to contend against, -before I could attain to the position I now occupy. -The part I played in the diamond case had made -me unpopular with the public, and all my friends -advised me to leave the country.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Still, the public does not remain of the same -opinion from one day to another. The feeling -against me gradually subsided. I fancy people had -an idea that a hard and entirely undeserved fate -had befallen me and others concerned in this matter. -I was fortunate in being able to clear up one or two -mysterious affairs, and now, in short, I can no longer -complain of want of sympathy from the public.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I have nothing more to add than that I still -consider it the object of my life to unravel this -mysterious affair. I have not followed the -superintendent's advice, and I intend continuing as I have -begun, if necessary, to the end of my days. All -the people who have played a part in the events -which I have told you of, I keep well under my -surveillance, either personally, or through my agents. -Sometimes I feel as if I could give up everything -in despair, for, as I have told you, up till now I -have no result to show. Then again my common -sense and my experience—not my presentiments—tell -me that the solution must come in time, perhaps -before I expect it.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"But why have you decided so suddenly to go -to America?" This time it was I who spoke.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Some days ago," he replied, "I received the -notice of Einar Frick's death. I shall once again -speak to Sigrid. I have certain things to ask her -about; perhaps she will now answer me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We were all silent. Monk went over to the -bookcase and began to put some books to rights -which were disarranged on the shelf.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Clara got up and crossed over to him, but he did -not turn round, although he must have heard her -steps. He did not even look when she laid her hand -on his shoulder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But even now, you have not told us everything!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, everything that can be of interest to others."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, you are wrong, Monk," said my wife, in a -friendly tone, not removing her hand from his -shoulder. "Did you not ask us to help you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I did."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, and however strange it may seem, yet I -believe that one of these little mice can this time -help the lion. But you must first tell us everything. -When Miss Frick left, why didn't you go -with her? Perhaps you thought then that she had -stolen the diamond?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I didn't—but—well, how can I explain -myself; you will not understand me—I believe in -her, and yet there are moments when—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You men are a miserable lot of creatures when -it comes to a question of trust," said Clara, with -unction. "You, Monk, and very likely you, -Frederick, would do the same. You do not hesitate to -assure a woman that you respect and love her above -everything in the world; but if only there comes a -wretched photograph, or some accidental coincidence, -then you believe the same woman to be capable of -committing the lowest and most degrading of -crimes. Yes, I speak not so much with regard to -the robbery, as that she, if she were guilty, allowed -another to suffer in her place! Let me tell you -what passed between you and Sigrid, and then you -shall tell me if I am right?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk only nodded, with his face half turned -away, and my wife continued in a severe tone:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You went to Sigrid and assured her that you -believed in her innocence, in spite of all, and you -proposed that you should get married at once and -go abroad!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk nodded again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But she answered that she read doubt at the -bottom of your heart, and that it was better that -you should both part; isn't that so?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," answered Monk, turning round to us—he -was dreadfully pale—"I tried hard to get her -to tell me why she had attempted that day to get -money at the pawnbroker's. If it could clear the -matter and prove my innocence, she said, then she -would do it; but as the affair stands, it would not -serve any purpose, and only bring disgrace upon -another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'It was to get your brother out of some difficulty,' -I urged.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'It is of no use talking about it,' she said. 'It -will not take away the doubt from your heart. Even -if you fancy it gone, it will come again and again; -and do you think we can get away from people's talk -and malice? No, the world is too small for that! -And if we got married, and had children, could -we be sure that they would never get to know of -their mother's past? I have also a duty to fulfil -to my brother; and in that you could not take part. -To you he would always be the one who had -poisoned our life.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Such were her words, as near as possible. I felt -I had only empty and meaningless words to say in -reply to them, and so we parted."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There, didn't I tell you so!" exclaimed Clara. -"It is your own doubt which is the cause of your -weakness. That is the reason you have not been -able to penetrate the darkness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think you are wrong there, Mrs. Viller," -answered Monk, gently, "but the work has been too -much for my strength. I fancy it would have been -too much for any man. Mention anything I ought -to have done, and I think I can answer you that it -has already been tried."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't be angry," were Clara's next words, and -this time they were as gentle as Monk's own. "I -know you have as much feeling as you have -common sense, and perhaps more feeling than most -people; but with you men, reason always comes -off victorious in the end. You cannot alter your -natures, I suppose. Now we must see how we can -help Monk, Frederick, as he can't help himself; -isn't that so?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," I answered as cheerfully as I possibly -could; "it would be strange if we three, when we -have put our heads together, should not be able to -clear up the mystery. You have here what you -hitherto have lacked, Monk—the experience of -an expert in many branches, as represented by me, -and a woman's intuition and instinct, as represented -by Clara. But as a preliminary, Monk will have to -be examined. Have you anything to ask Monk, -Clara? You shall be the first, then my turn comes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I must begin," answered Clara, looking in -a very friendly manner at Monk, as if to appease -him if she had wounded him with her remarks. -"Tell me, was not the Englishman, Howell, as he -was called, in love with Sigrid? Didn't he pay -his attentions to her, and wasn't he rejected?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk began to smile. "I fancy he did try a -little at first, but he soon saw that I had forestalled -him, and so, with a good grace I'll admit, he left the -field clear. If he had made any definite advances, I -think Sigrid would have told me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you quite sure about that?" answered -Clara, with an air of superiority. "One is not of -course father confessor to one's fiancée. But can -you tell me any other reason why he should hate -both of you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you sure he hated us?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I am quite sure about it; he is the cause -of the whole mischief. The photograph was of -course nothing but humbug."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk smiled resignedly. "The photograph was -only too genuine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And then there was that wretched actor," continued -Clara; "he left, I understand, just before -Evelina committed suicide. Have you heard anything -of him since? It was of course on his account -that the young girl killed herself. I believe he -first of all got her to steal the diamond, and then -left her. That was the reason of the poor girl -committing suicide."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I also thought of that," was Monk's answer, -"and I had him watched after he left Christiania. -He went first to Gothenburg and later to -Copenhagen. But it is not probable that the money -which Jurgens paid for the diamond has at any -time been in his hands. He lived the whole time -from hand to mouth, and often in the greatest -misery."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you quite certain of this?" I asked. "If -the actor didn't get the money, all my theories are -upset."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, isn't that so?" said Monk, smiling again, -in the same resigned way. "And you would have -had the same experience, not only in one, but in -ten points of the case, if you had weighed them -and turned them over in your head as long as I -have done."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But there must be one theory which is right," -I exclaimed. "Some one must have stolen the -diamond!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, that's the dreadful part of it all!" groaned -Monk. "There is only one theory which can be -applied to all that has happened in this dreadful -affair, and that is—" here his voice sank almost -to a whisper,—"and that is, that—that Sigrid -took the diamond to help her brother, was -photographed by Mr. Howell, and then sold the diamond -to Mr. Jurgens. No, don't say what you want -to say, Mrs. Viller. Rather bear in mind that it -is my fixed determination, in a few days to go to -America, and again offer Sigrid my hand. Can I -better show my faith in her?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Clara did not answer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is the actor now?" I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He died in delirium tremens, in a public hospital -in Denmark. I had an agent there for some time, -who tried to get something out of him, but it was -of no use. The agent was under the impression -that the actor knew nothing of the diamond -robbery,—nothing of any importance to us, at least."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And Mrs. Reierson—have you tried her?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By all possible means, through a third person. -She will not see me. If I show myself to her, she -swears and curses me for having brought about her -daughter's death. Old Frick gives her a yearly -pension; but as she has completely given herself -over to drink, it does not last very long, and between -each quarterly payment she lives in the greatest -destitution."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And Mr. Howell?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have not lost sight of him, although it is often -difficult enough to keep an eye on him. He leads -the life of so many rich Englishmen. He spends -the season in London, the autumn in the country, -and the rest of the year in travelling. He has a -yacht, and has several times visited Norway in the -summer. He has, however, been only three or four -times in Christiania all these years, and then only -for a short time. He has on these occasions stayed -at Villa Ballarat with old Frick. My agent in -England informs me that he is well known as a -gambler and as a man who spends more money -than he can afford. He has for many years paid -frequent visits to a country house in Yorkshire,—Ashton -Hall,—belonging to a rich gentleman, Mr. Ashton. -They say it will end in his marrying the -gentleman's eldest daughter, a lady who is no longer -young. The reason for this long courtship no one -can explain. They think he'll not swallow the -bitter pill until he is obliged. Here, people believe -that he will inherit old Frick's money. Very likely -that is the reason he goes on courting so long. -Very likely, too, the old man's death might put -him on his legs again, and save him from marrying -the lady in Yorkshire."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You seem no longer to like the Englishman!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have never liked him particularly, and, as I -have told you earlier, his conduct frequently -appeared to me to be suspicious. Yet I cannot very -well account for the reason of my distrust for him. -I have an idea that he played a part in the drama, -which I do not comprehend. I believe your wife's -instinct tells her the same."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"</span><em class="italics">Instinct!</em><span>" repeated Clara, witheringly. "We -women must always hear, when we in some way or -other hit upon a right solution, that it is our instinct -which has come to our aid—never a word is said -about logical deduction! Look here, Mr. Monk. -What I mean to say is, that I am sure that -Mr. Howell tampered with the photograph in order to -ruin Sigrid. This result I arrive at from the -following reasoning. If the photograph is to be -relied upon, Sigrid must have had the diamond in -her hand that day; but she denied this -absolutely. No, don't try to avoid it, Monk! You -are afraid to tell me that now I am illogical—isn't -that what you call it?—like all women, and -so you won't even look at me. But I haven't -finished yet. Suppose Sigrid could and would tell a -lie, what could have been easier for her than to -admit she had that afternoon been into the museum, -had taken out the diamond and looked at it for a -moment, and then put it back in its place again? -No one could have said a word against this -explanation as to how the photograph was taken. No! -Sigrid was not a fool; and you must admit that if -she wanted to tell a lie, she would not do it in such -a foolish way. Admit that I am right, Monk! All -probabilities go to prove that Sigrid spoke the truth. -She had not set foot in Mr. Frick's museum that -day between five and half-past seven, and—the -photograph was tampered with."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk could not help smiling; but it was the same -smile—the hopeless smile with which the giant who -has in vain attempted to lift a burden watches the -dwarf endeavouring to lift it for him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He went across to a small iron safe in the -corner of the room, and came back at once with a -little object which he laid on the table before us. -It was a small photograph placed between glass -plates, which were held together by india-rubber -bands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is the photograph."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Both Clara and I stretched out our hands at -the same moment, and Monk laid it on the table -between us, together with an oblong magnifying -glass of unusual size.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now you can look at it for yourselves. What -cannot be seen with the naked eye can be easily -discerned through the magnifying glass."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Clara and I used it in turn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have to thank my old friend, the chief -superintendent, that I am in possession of the -photograph," continued Monk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At my earnest request he gave it up to me, -but not till two years after the trial. He made -me promise, however, that I should keep it in a -fire-proof safe, and take the greatest care of it. -Heavens! it was hardly necessary to request me -to do that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The photograph answered to the brief description -which Monk had already given of it. It was -three or four inches in height, but very narrow, -so much so that little was to be seen but the -girlish figure in front of the open cupboard with the -shelves. These shelves were filled with all sorts -of curiosities, which appeared most distinctly on -the plate. On the whole, the photograph was -unusually clear and distinct.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look at the girl's left hand," said Monk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I held the magnifying glass over the photograph. -"Yes, I see, she has a ring on the ring finger."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; and the finger is quite normal—not at -all deformed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, it is quite well shaped."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You see the little elephant on the shelf over -the cupboard, and the clock in its forehead? -What time does it show?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let me see! It is twenty-one minutes to six. -The figures are not easy to distinguish, but the -position of the hands is plain enough."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, although the elephant is scarcely three -inches high, that and the other small things on -the shelf over the cupboard are the masterpieces -of an ivory carver in Naples. Do you see, for -example, a little copy of Venus de Milo at the -side of it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I see it. But tell me, Monk, who does -the girl in the photograph resemble, Miss Frick or -Evelina?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, Evelina! I was, of course, accustomed to -see Sigrid in that costume—the braided jacket and -the little hat with the bird's wing on it—so at first -glance I might have doubted; but after a more -careful inspection I should never have hesitated in -saying that it was Evelina,—she and no one else, -if only this question of the finger hadn't cropped up."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The photograph was examined, wasn't it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If any photograph in this world has been -examined, this is the one. As you may remember, -the photographer Rodin and another expert gave -their opinion upon it at the first trial. Later on -it was examined at the physical laboratory of the -university. All were of one mind in saying that -no attempt had been made either to tamper with -or to make any alteration in it,—neither by -retouching nor by any other means."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While I continued to converse with Monk, Clara -took possession of the picture. I handed her the -magnifying glass, but she pushed it aside, and -continued studying the photograph without once -looking up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must be quite tired," I said to Monk, "with -all our questioning, but if it will not be too tedious -to you to answer me, I should like to examine you -a little."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"On the contrary, I would prefer nothing better -than listening to your remarks. What I wish is -to get out of this vicious circle in which my -thoughts have run during the last six years."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you any guarantee that this photograph -was taken that afternoon—the 10th of May—between -five and half-past seven?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, only too positive proof; but the report in -the </span><em class="italics">Morning News</em><span> is perhaps not sufficiently clear. -The facts are these: The snap-shot apparatus used -by Mr. Howell had a roll of prepared paper -sufficient to take ten photographs. I suppose you have -seen these apparatus. For every new picture you -want to take you turn a little screw outside, which -is connected with the roller, until a new number -appears on the indicator. When all the paper on -the roll has been used, it is taken out, in order to -get the pictures developed, and a new roll is -inserted. On the back of this photograph you will -find number ten printed. Number nine, which -was also produced in court, was a group which -Mr. Howell had taken in the museum before -Jurgens left. The next, that is to say, number ten, -must therefore have been taken in the interval -before the roll was handed over to the photographer,—in -other words, between five and seven o'clock. -You will at once see that even if Mr. Howell -had wanted to deceive us, it would not have been -possible."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I fear, it is only too true. I have now -nothing else to ask, except whether the hands of -the watch in the elephant's forehead might not -have been moved backward, or forward, by some -one, either accidentally or purposely?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You ask the same question which I have been -asking myself for many years. What we do know -is that the watch was right at five o'clock, and -again at half-past seven. It is impossible that it -could have been altered in the meantime. It -appears that the glass which covers the dial is not -movable. If the watch has to be regulated, the -whole of the clockwork must be exposed by -removing a small metal plate under the stomach of -the elephant. On examining the elephant, two days -after Evelina's acquittal, it was found that there -were no marks whatever to be found in the thin -layer of dust which had settled in the joint -between the ivory and this plate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But then we have the question of the time to -settle," I said. "It proves that Miss Frick could -not have returned from the pawnbroker at the time -which the watch in the photograph shows. As far -as I understand you, it was this circumstance alone -which saved her at the trial."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll tell you exactly what I think. It was that -fact which saved her as far as it gave the jury a -pretext to answer 'No' to the question whether she -was guilty or not—or, more correctly, an excuse for -not answering 'Yes' to it. I do not believe there -was a person in the court who, in their heart of -hearts, did not believe that Sigrid was guilty. But -her counsel very cleverly laid stress on the obscurity -which enveloped the whole matter, and the possibility -that they might give an unjust verdict and -that the truth afterward might transpire. They, -or, more correctly, five of them, chose, therefore, so -the rumour goes, and I think it is correct, to answer -'No,' as the discrepancy with regard to the time -gave them the opportunity to do. You understand -what I mean?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I understand; but what is your personal -opinion with regard to the discrepancy in the time?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, for my own part, I cannot deny that those -who believed in Sigrid's guilt were right in saying: -Supposing that the driver had driven rather more -quickly than ordinarily, then the discrepancy in -the time would not be greater than five minutes. -It might easily happen that this difference in the -time was due to the fact that the clocks in the -different parts of the town did not tally."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"May I take the photograph home with me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was Clara who interrupted us. She had sat -staring hard at the picture, and now she stood -before Monk with it hidden in her hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk reflected a moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you will promise me to keep it in Frederick's -safe when you have not got it in your hand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I promise everything," was Clara's answer; -"and among other things, that the photograph has -been tampered with!!!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was such conviction in my wife's voice that -Monk's cheeks flushed with excitement. This time -I saw nothing of the hopeless smile. He did not -have a chance of replying, however, for Clara -began hurriedly to put on her hat and cape.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come now, Frederick, it is past three in the -morning, and to-morrow we have still another day's -work."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Goodnight, Monk."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Goodnight."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stop a minute; two things I must ask you -before we go. Where does Mrs. Reierson live?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She lives in her old den in Russelök Street, -No. 44."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where could one find the clothes which Evelina -had on that day when the robbery was committed? -I mean the hat and jacket which she wears in the -photograph."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very probably Mrs. Reierson still has them, if -she hasn't sold them. They were produced in -court, but were later on naturally given back to the -unhappy girl's mother. But why do you ask about -them? You know, of course, that—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is my business for the present; good night, -once more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The last conversation was carried on between -Clara and Monk. I listened to them in astonishment. -What in all the world did Clara mean by -these questions?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As we wandered homeward in the moonlight, with -Clara on my arm, I tried to find out what her -purpose had been with regard to her last questions to -Monk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You surely don't intend to visit Mrs. Reierson?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't intend to tell you," was the reply; "but -even if I do, what harm is there in that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, of course there's no harm; but according to -Monk's description, there was nothing very prepossessing -about Mrs. Reierson six years ago, and in -the course of these years she is not likely to have -changed for the better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't let us talk about it any more. Remember -I have been to less prepossessing houses before in -my life, on mysterious errands. Do you remember -that time when I paid my fruitless visit to the -pawnbroker, and, in my despair, had to go to -Monk?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, you were lucky that time," I answered -gayly. "If you hadn't gone that day to Monk, you -would never have met me, and then perhaps you -would never have been married."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course I do not want to keep any secrets -from you, either big or small," said Clara. "It is -my intention to go to Mrs. Reierson to-morrow -morning. But you shall not go with me; first, -because I consider it will serve my purpose better if -I go alone. Men are such blunderers, you know. -She is naturally suspicious about men, and would -perhaps recognize you as a friend of Monk's, and -secondly, I am very anxious to carry out my little -plan all by myself. Fancy, if I can help him, as -he once helped me,—wouldn't that be a triumph!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-most-important-chapter-in-the-book-clara-acts-the-detective"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER V</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE MOST IMPORTANT CHAPTER IN THE BOOK. -<br />CLARA ACTS THE DETECTIVE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"It's time to get up, sir. Missus said as 'ow I -must get you up by half-past nine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I looked up in astonishment. In the doorway -stood our red-faced country servant girl nodding -good-humouredly at me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is your mistress gone?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Missus went out at half-past eight, and said as -'ow I must wake you up and have the breakfast -ready by ten o'clock."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was no mistaking this order, so I hurried -up, a little ashamed at having slept so long.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>No sooner was I dressed, than there was a ring -at the front doorbell, and in stepped Monk with -a very serious face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was not one of those who are much affected -by one or even two nights of sleeplessness, but -to-day he looked unusually tired and weary.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm afraid you haven't had a good night. It -was dreadfully late when we left you; we shouldn't -have kept you up so long!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was rather I who kept both of you up so late. -But where is your wife gone?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Clara went out at half-past eight, the girl says; -but she is sure to be home soon. Why do you ask?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She telephoned to me a quarter of an hour ago. -She told me to come here at once, as she had -something of importance to tell me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She must have telephoned from some place in -town," I answered, somewhat surprised.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your wife made some very sensible remarks -about the photograph, yesterday," said Monk, -hesitatingly. "Has she said anything more on the -subject?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hullo, Monk," I answered, laughing; "so you've -come to consult Clara Viller, the private detective!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk hadn't time to answer, for in came the very -person we spoke of. Her cheeks were rosy with the -sharp morning air. In her hand she carried an -untidy, badly packed, brown paper parcel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Please excuse me, Mr. Monk, for keeping you -waiting; but I was obliged to call in at the -charcuterie establishment and get something tasty for -Frederick's breakfast. Such a gourmand as he is! -For you, I have got something else. But take a -seat at the table and have a cup of coffee; I will -just run and slip off my things—I shan't be gone -a minute."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She vanished from the room just as suddenly as -she had appeared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk and I sat down at the breakfast table, and -Clara soon joined us. Both she and I did good -justice to the viands, but Monk only played with his -knife and fork.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When we were finished, Clara asked me for the -key to the safe in my office.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She returned with the photograph and the magnifying -glass, and laid them beside Monk on the table. -Monk and I looked at her in astonishment. She -also placed the brown paper parcel near.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yesterday I promised to show you that the -photograph had been tampered with. I could have -done it at the time, but I was anxious to refute all -the objections which I knew you and Frederick -would bring forward, and that is why I waited -until to-day. The matter is soon settled; the -lady who stands in the photograph has on a little -hat with a feather in it. On which side is the -feather?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk glanced at the photograph. "On the right -side!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, quite so; now do you think that any lady -wears feathers on the right side of her hat?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No,—now I come to think of it, ladies usually -wear feathers on the left side of their hats," Monk -said, looking uncertainly at us both.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"</span><em class="italics">Usually</em><span>, do you say? Not at all! No lady ever -wears feathers on the right side."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There may be something in what you say, -Mrs. Viller," Monk's voice was still somewhat -uncertain; "but this is of course only the little wing of -a woodcock, and Evelina—Miss Frick—I mean -the lady in the photograph—might for once have -placed it on the other side."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not to mention," I added, "that the lady in a -hurry might have put on the hat the wrong way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is exactly the argument I expected!" -shouted Clara, triumphantly. "That's just the way -men argue; but see here! Here is the selfsame -hat which Evelina and Sigrid wore that day the -diamond was stolen. Now you can see for yourselves!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She tore the paper off the parcel and drew out a -little green felt hat with a brown wing in it, and -showed it to Monk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk jumped up and clutched the hat greedily. -His hands trembled with excitement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have bought it from Mrs. Reierson to-day," -continued Clara. "I pretended that a rich English -lady was collecting curiosities from celebrated trials. -As it was fortunately rather far on in the quarter, -I could see that Mrs. Reierson was apparently in -great need of money. She was even sober."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk sat with the hat in his hand, staring at it; -I went up to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The feather is sewn fast," he muttered, "and -there are no signs that it has ever been fixed on -the other side."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But what if she had put on the hat the wrong way?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Clara laughed heartily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here, you shall see for yourselves!" She -snatched the hat out of Monk's hand and set it -on her own head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I collapsed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The feather slanted backward as it did in the -photograph when the hat was put on properly. -But if it was turned back to front, as Clara now -had it, it slanted forward in a ridiculous manner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There could be no mistake—the photograph had -been tampered with!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you both convinced?" exclaimed Clara.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," I answered, "it is all fraud and trickery."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is a very strange affair," said Monk, and -began again to examine the hat which Clara had -put in front of him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the meantime I took the photograph and the -magnifying glass and began again to examine it. -Perhaps there's something else to discover, I thought -to myself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly I laid down the magnifying glass and -leant back in my chair, roaring with laughter. The -other two thought, no doubt, that I had gone mad.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's a bit too much!" I exclaimed. "The -person who has got up this photograph must have -been audacity or ignorance personified; just -imagine that such a thing as this hasn't been found out -before! Look at Venus de Milo! ha, ha, ha, ... ha! -Do you know the Venus de Milo, Monk?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you mean the little copy in ivory which -stands in Frick's museum, and which has come -out in the photograph you have there?" Monk's -voice was gentle enough; but I saw by his face -that he was full of excitement and expectation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let me see!" Clara rushed forward and snatched -the photograph and the magnifying glass out of my -hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is the matter, then, with this Venus? -As far as I can see by the photograph the little -ivory copy must be quite a work of art, but I -can't see anything remarkable about it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, because she has got no hat or clothes on -her. But look here—" I turned round to -Monk—"how many arms has Venus de Milo?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Only half an arm on the right side, and none -on the left."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But this one has half an arm on the left side -and nothing on the right. I can't understand it," -remarked Clara. She had kept hold of the -picture, but now passed it on to Monk, and looked -at me sceptically.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There, you can see!" I said triumphantly. -"When a woman has fixed a feather on the wrong -side of her hat, you can detect it at once; but -when a woman has her only arm placed on the -left side, instead of the right, then you don't -notice it. But what is the matter with Monk?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had been looking at the picture for a -moment through the magnifying glass, when he -suddenly let both fall and jumped up from his seat. -He placed one hand over his eyes, and kept it -there for some time. Then he let it fall and -stared into space, muttering: "What a fool and an -idiot I have been! I pretend to be a detective! -I am blind—completely blind! I tried to judge -others, and yet have not been able to see before -my own nose! I am not worth the dust I eat!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hold hard!" I shouted, laughing, "you don't -seem to eat much dust; you live plainly, we may -say, but well. I suppose you mean the dust -beneath your feet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To my astonishment, Monk still remained standing -and staring into space, while he repeated:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The dust beneath my feet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I often think of that scene, and how strangely we -may act when the brain is really at work. Monk -afterward told me that he hadn't the faintest idea -what words he had uttered at the time, but that -during the few seconds which elapsed, the whole -story of the affair which had taken up so many -years of his life again passed through his brain—not -in its old guise, but in quite a new form; in a -new light, which helped him to see clearly through -the veil of mystery which had hitherto enveloped -the thing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But suffice it to say that Monk soon became himself -again, or, better still, an improved edition of -the depressed and resigned man we had seen for -the last few days. His eyes sparkled and his lips -trembled with joyous emotion, as he stood before -Clara and me, and alternately shook our hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All is clear now! I can prove that Sigrid is -innocent. It is as clear as the day; and I can also -prove who the scoundrel is"—here a dark shadow -overspread his face—"who is the author of all this -wretched treachery."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But how?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is soon explained," answered Monk. "Tell -me, why was it that Evelina was acquitted? -Because it was proved that she could not be the -person who appeared in the photograph—do you -remember?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, of course! First of all, because the person -in the photograph has a ring on the third finger -of the left hand, while Evelina, on account of an -injury to her finger when a child, could not get -a ring on this finger."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, quite right; and then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then the photograph showed the time to be -twenty-one minutes to six; and at the time, it was -proved that Evelina was at her mother's."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quite so; but in the photograph, as you and -your wife have shown me, a feather appears on the -right side of the hat, although it should appear on -the left, and the Venus de Milo has an arm on the -side where there should be none—but no arm where -there ought to be one. If, then, the person in the -photograph in the same way has also her left arm -where her right should be, and vice versa, then -the great point raised by the prosecution falls to -the ground. Isn't that so? It is her right-hand -finger which bears the ring."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, you are right; but the time? The clock -in the elephant's forehead?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Instead of answering, Monk went over to a -little alarm clock which stood on the writing -table.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He first set to work to move the hands, carefully -shielding the dial from us; then he signed -to us to follow him, and he led the way over to a -long mirror at the other end of the room. He -placed Clara and me in front of the mirror, -he himself standing behind us, holding up the clock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look in the mirror now, and tell me what the -time is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Twenty-one minutes to six," answered Clara -and I at the same moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now turn round and look at the clock—well, -what do you say now? It is twenty-one -minutes past six, isn't it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was now Clara's and my turn to make our -deductions. "You mean, then, that the picture is -altogether a fraud? It is just as if everything had -been turned about, so that left becomes right and -right becomes wrong."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I mean," answered Monk, briskly, "that the -photograph itself is all right, and the person who -is in the photograph is Evelina Reierson. At the -moment when she was photographed, she wore a -feather on the left side of her hat, in her left hand -she held the diamond, and on the right hand she -wore a ring. The time was twenty-one minutes -past six."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But how—?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll soon tell you. The whole secret lies in -the fact that </span><em class="italics">the photograph was taken from a -reflection in a mirror!</em><span>"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In a mirror?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, in a mirror."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are right! That explains all!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, all; and even a little more which, perhaps, -you have not thought of. Thank heaven the -scales have fallen from my eyes, and I can see -once more!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is no time for Biblical language, my dear -Monk; let us hear what you mean by 'even a -little more.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are right! Well, we have got so far that -we know the picture has been taken in a mirror; -but in what mirror?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, that is for you to find out; both Clara -and I have done our duty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You certainly have; and I shall manage the -rest—at least I hope so. On the wall just -opposite the cupboard in the museum—the one which -appears here in the photograph—there is, right -enough, a mirror, a tolerably large one, and it is -in that mirror that the photograph was taken."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But then, the person who took it must have -stood right beside Evelina, and he could not very -well have avoided being included in the -photograph." It was Clara who made this remark.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are quite right, Mrs. Viller; but he stood -so much to one side that he did not come within -the frame of the mirror. To prevent the frame -from showing in the photograph, he has clipped -it on both sides. That is why the picture is so -narrow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is all very well," I felt compelled to remark, -"but there is one thing which upsets the whole of -your fine theory. Is it at all likely that Evelina -would allow any one to stand beside her and photograph -her in the mirror, while she was about to steal -a diamond, or, more correctly, would she choose the -moment to steal the diamond while she was being -photographed?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, it was just that point which I found to be -the most difficult, a little while ago, when I was -building up my theory, so to speak; but I have happily -solved that question, and the solution opens up a -still larger vista to us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When you were building up your theory, you -say? Do you mean those seconds a little while ago, -when you stood with staring eyes, and muttering -something about eating dust?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is possible that I behaved rather strangely," -laughed Monk; "and I haven't an idea how long -I was away from this world. But even if it was for -only a few seconds, they were, at any rate, more than -sufficient to reveal to me what had really taken place -behind the scenes, and which I, until now, have been -quite deceived about. Just listen! If you remember -my description of the little house in Frick's garden, -of which the museum was a part, you will remember -that from the museum there is a door leading to the -fire-proof room. This door is just at the side of the -cupboard which we have referred to so often. The -only way in which one could, by aid of the mirror, -photograph a person without being noticed in front -of the cupboard, would be by standing inside the -fire-proof room, leaving the door of the museum ajar."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you mean that the Englishman had been inside -old Frick's fire-proof room? The door of that -surely wouldn't be open?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, it is a strong iron door of which old Frick -had the key; but for a clever man, whose time was -his own, it would not be a difficult matter to procure -a false key. You remember that Howell had had -the entrée to the museum whenever he liked, for -many months."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But what business had the Englishman in there? -He must have been a great scoundrel; and there is -no reason why he should not help himself to what he -could find. But perhaps there was not much cash -there, and besides, you have not said anything about -old Frick being robbed of any."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are right. I cannot yet quite see what he -wanted in old Frick's fire-proof room. But one -thing you can be certain of, and that is, that he -was there for no good. In some way or other we -must get old Frick's permission to visit the room, -as you call it. I fancy that is where we shall find -the key to the mystery. But how shall we be able -to see him? He won't receive me, and I am afraid -he will have heard of our friendship, and so refuse -to see you, Frederick."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall manage to see old Frick," said Clara, -"and get you admitted, as well. But I am ashamed -of you, Monk! Have you quite forgotten Sigrid?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Forgotten Sigrid!" answered Monk, blushing -like a peony.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, forgotten her, I say. What was the exact -time by the clock when the photograph was taken -in the mirror?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It must have been twenty minutes past six."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the whole of the time between six and -seven Sigrid sat with her uncle, drinking tea with -him. Wasn't that so?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then her innocence is proved, whether the -Englishman had been inside old Frick's fire-proof room, -or not. Why don't you telegraph to Sigrid at -once? Why haven't you done so half an hour -ago? Rather than marry a detective, I would see -myself—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk tried to answer this terrible volley, but was -scornfully sent about his business.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So it was arranged that Clara should go to old -Frick, and as soon as Monk and I had telegraphed -to New York, we were to go to Villa Ballarat and -wait outside till Clara gave a signal that the siege -was raised.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="old-frick-again"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">OLD FRICK AGAIN</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>As Monk had told us, old Frick had been for -many years lame, and a prisoner to his invalid chair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Imagine, then, Monk's and my surprise when we, -on entering Villa Ballarat, after having been sent -for from our post outside, found the master of the -house standing in the middle of the room, and Clara -sitting smiling in a chair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It is not necessary to describe the meeting -between him and Clara, although my wife, at the time, -gave a full account of it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suffice it to say that she boldly entered the lion's -den and, without much ceremony, began upbraiding -old Frick with his hard treatment of his brother's -children.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If your nephew has erred," she said, "he was -young at the time, and in bad company—that I can -vouch for." She was thinking, no doubt, of -Mr. Howell. "As far as your niece is concerned, you -have judged her, as the whole world has judged her, -on suspicion, without taking into consideration her -character."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Old Frick had got red in the face at these words, -and his arms and legs had begun twitching violently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Clara was a little afraid the old man would have -a fit, but remembering the old saying, "Joy does -not kill," she continued, quite undisturbed: -"Something has, however, happened, which you have not -deserved, Mr. Frick. Monk and two friends, my -husband and myself, have discovered, as we shall -prove, that she has had nothing whatever to do with -the disappearance of the diamond; it is the -scoundrel Mr. Howell who is at the bottom of it all. In -fact, in a short time you may have your niece back -again, and for the remainder of your life you'll have -an opportunity of making amends for your mistake."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There is no doubt Clara was most successful in -her appeal; for instead of old Frick having a fit, -he suddenly rose from his chair, stumbled across to -Clara, and in a trembling voice asked her for a fuller -explanation. The excitement had cured his -lameness; and though he never entirely regained the -full use of his legs, yet from that moment he was, at -any rate, able to move about by himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I shall not dwell on the meeting between old -Frick and Monk and myself. Many minutes had -not elapsed before we seemed to have known each -other for many years. He had gained a respect for -Clara which, I think, will last to the end of his life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Only the most necessary explanations were -given,—happily Monk was a man who expressed himself -briefly and clearly,—and so it was decided to adjourn -to the museum in the garden. Old Frick took with -him a large bunch of keys which lay on the table -beside his invalid chair, at which he now cast a -scornful glance, as well as at the servant who came -forward to wheel his master. There was no necessity -for more witnesses, so the servant, greatly to his -surprise, was dismissed, and with Frick leaning upon -Monk's and my arm, we set out for the museum.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was with very mixed feelings that Clara and I -saw the scene of the events which had for three days -entirely engrossed our thoughts. I do not doubt -that Monk and old Frick were just as much affected, -even if their feelings were of quite another kind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We entered the pavilion in the garden and -proceeded through the museum. Everything was in -exactly the same state, old Frick and Monk said, as -it was six years before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Old Frick pulled out a key and opened the door -into the fire-proof room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As if by a tacit understanding Clara went across -and stood in front of the cupboard in which the -black tortoise glistened—which was opened by old -Frick—while we others went into the room and -pulled the door almost to, after us. There, sure -enough, through the opening, our gaze involuntarily -fell on the large mirror just opposite, and in the -glass we saw the reflection of the cupboard and the -shelf above it, with the little elephant and the Venus -de Milo, and Clara's figure with her back to us.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Confound it all!" shouted old Frick, "it is just -as Monk says. The rascal has been standing in here -and photographing her!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Clara said she must also see it; she went into the -room, while I took her place.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Monk did not allow us to lose any more time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you missed anything from the fire-proof -room, Mr. Frick?" he asked. "The Englishman -must have had some reason for providing himself -with a key to fit it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," answered old Frick, after having considered -a moment, "I keep nothing in here but documents -and papers, which only concern me. Money I always -kept in the iron safe in the office."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are two iron safes here," said Monk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," answered old Frick, "in the larger safe I -keep family papers, etc., which are of no value to -any one. In the small one over there—which is of -course nothing but an iron box, but is provided with -an unusually ingenious lock—I keep my will, and a -list of what I possess."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The large safe was opened, and a lamp was brought -in from the museum. The safe, with its contents, -was carefully examined, but nothing unusual could -be discovered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now comes the turn of the box," said Monk. -"Will you help me to bring it out into the museum, -Frederick?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Although the whole thing was not more than sixteen -or twenty inches square, it was so massive that -we had to use all our strength to move it out into -the daylight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a handsome steel box, the four sides and -the lid being ornamented with chased arabesques.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Old Frick brought out a key of unusual shape.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wait a bit, Mr. Frick," said Monk, holding up -his arm; "when was the last time this box was opened?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Six years ago," said Frick, slowly, "when I -altered my will—God be praised that I can alter it -yet once again!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did Mr. Howell know anything about the will?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, of course. I made him my heir to all which -does not go to charities, and legacies, and suchlike. -It is about £30,000. At first I had divided it -equally between Sigrid, Einar, and him, but -then—then—well I don't think it necessary to explain the -rest; but then came this business, and I struck -Sigrid's and Einar's names out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And he knew where you kept it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; a day or two before he left, I read it to -him, here in the museum, and put it in the box, -while he was looking."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk was all the time examining the box most -carefully, and some time passed before he spoke.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought as much!" he exclaimed, with his old -genial smile. "Look here!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We stooped down to see the better. He had -turned the box over so that the side which had -stood against the wall in the fire-proof room was -uppermost. A number of artistically interwoven -spirals were chased in the steel. With a penknife -he scraped away the rust and dirt from one of them,—it -was about five or six inches in diameter. A -number of small, round spots could then be seen. -He took a pin, placed its point on one of the spots, -and pressed it, when, to our great surprise, the -needle appeared to sink into the steel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there a hammer here?" He looked around, -and his eye rested on an old axe from the bronze -age. "That will do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A strong blow in the centre of the circle—and to -our great astonishment the round steel dial -disappeared into the box.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, hang it all!" shouted old Frick; "but -how in all the world—?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is simple enough, but none the less -ingeniously done," answered Monk, dryly. "Mr. Howell -couldn't manage the lock, and so he bored a number -of small holes in one of the spirals, and afterward, -with a watch-saw, he sawed through the space -between them. He has shown himself to be a clever -craftsman—that can't be denied. When he had -done what he wanted to do with the contents, he -replaced the piece, filled the holes with putty, and -smeared them over with rust and dirt."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then he must have stolen the deeds!" said old -Frick, pressing forward and putting his big fist -through the hole in the box. "No; here are both -the envelopes, at any rate!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He managed, though perhaps with some difficulty, -in dragging out two envelopes—one was very thick, -the other somewhat thinner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, here is the will," he muttered, pointing to -the thin packet, "and here are the deeds. Both -with my seal unbroken."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A seal is easily broken and put right again," -answered Monk; "but tell me one thing before -we examine the packets. Has any one else except -Mr. Howell seen the will and list of your possessions?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," exclaimed old Frick, with decision; "lawyers -have only been sent into the world by the devil, -to do mischief. I wouldn't have anything to do -with them. I went to the sheriff and got him to -draw up the formula for me, and then I wrote the -will myself. Howell knew that, as well, confound -him! That such a father should have such a son!" -he muttered, in quite another tone of voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, let us open the packets, then," said Monk; -"we shall perhaps find more traces of Mr. Howell's -fingers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The small packet was opened, and we all leant -over to look at the will.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was drawn in the usual legal form, and told -briefly that Frick bequeathed his curiosities and -collections to the state, all his movable property—ready -money, bank shares, etc., etc.,—to Mr. Reginald -Howell; house property, mortgages, etc., to -the university, the Royal Society for Science, and -other institutions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Everything was fully specified, and the sums either -given exact, or reference was made to a list appended.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, everything here seems all right; it is -exactly as I wrote it myself. The coachman and -gardener have signed as witnesses. I gave them -each five thousand kroners cash, to avoid including -them among the legatees."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you quite sure, Mr. Frick?" said Monk, as -he leant over the paper. "Here is a figure which -looks as if it had been erased."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let me see! Yes—what the devil is this? My -house, property, shares, etc.," he read, "which, according -to the list, amount to about 1,000,000 kroners,—but, -bless me! I possess nearer 1,900,000, which is -nearly the double, and that was what I wrote—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There you are! We shall get at it, little by -little," said Monk, with his most genial smile. I -hadn't seen him in such a good humour for a long time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I don't understand," grumbled old Frick. -"What motive can he have in making me out to -be poorer than I am? He doesn't get the 900,000 -kroners which have been erased!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let us look at the list and the mortgages," -answered Monk, just as genially. "We shall be sure -to find the solution."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other envelope was opened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I read out the list, and old Frick opened the -mortgages and deeds in the order I read:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No. 177 Drammen Road, 'deed.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, here it is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Karl Johans Street, 77, 'deed.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, that's all right."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Etc., etc.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mortgages to the amount of 27,000 kroners, in -the farm Hoff, in Hedemarken."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, here it is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And so we went on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was a long business," I said; "but we've come -to the end at last."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"End!" shouted old Frick. "But it hasn't -come to an end! The plum is always at the -bottom, and a fine plum it is too!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you mean? There's nothing more on -the list."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Old Frick fumbled about in the empty envelope.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And nothing more here, either! He has stolen -the mortgage deed in Ashton Abbey, and—" Old -Frick tore the list out of my hand. "Just look -here! Confound him! If he hasn't cut off the -bottom part of the list, so that the last item is -missing! But bless me, if I can understand what -satisfaction he can get out of this mortgage."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nor I," I muttered; "mortgages are not papers -payable to bearer, so any one can make them into -ready money. You need only write to England to -get a new copy of the mortgage."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monk knows very well what it all means," -exclaimed Clara; "he is only raising our curiosity. -If I had known that you would so soon begin with -your superior detective ways, I wouldn't have helped -you so quickly with the photograph,—that you may -be quite sure about."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She glanced with comic exasperation at Monk, -who, in return, only smiled pleasantly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must admit that at this moment all is clear to -me; but the last knot has only been unloosened two -minutes ago. Tell me, Mr. Frick, what mortgage -is it that you now speak of, and what was the -amount of it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't you remember," answered Frick, testily, -"I once told you of an old rascal, Davis by name, -and how I was lucky enough at last to get at him -and make him pay me my share of the money which -he had stolen?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, of course I remember."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; and I, also."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And I, also."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Old Frick looked at Clara and me in astonishment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have told them all about the affair," remarked -Monk. "Let us just hear some more about Mr. Davis."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, there isn't much more to say about -it. He was to pay me £50,000, but he had no -ready money, as he had invested all his funds in -a large estate, and was quite willing to take a -mortgage on it. It suited me just as well as ready -money, for the estate was worth more than double -that. This is the mortgage which has been stolen -and cut off the list."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, then, the total sum of 1,000,000 kroners -would be right, instead of 1,900,000 kroners," said -Monk; "for £50,000 is just 900,000 kroners."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, that is true; but he can't do much with it. -As Mr. Viller says, he can't sell the mortgage -without my signature."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did any one know you were in possession of -that mortgage?" asked Monk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no one in this country: those rascally -lawyers I have always kept at a distance, and no one -has had a chance of meddling with my papers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No one except Mr. Howell," was Monk's dry -reply. "But listen here, my friends! I will put -a question to you. But excuse me, Mr. Frick, if -I first ask you to answer me. If all this had not -happened to-day, do you think you would ever -have opened these envelopes again?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," said old Frick, decidedly; "when my last -hours approached, I might perhaps have had the iron -box opened to see that the envelopes were there and -the seals in order, but nothing more. I should have -been satisfied that all was as it should be."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well. Now let me put my question to -you two. If Mr. Frick had died without having -discovered the theft of this mortgage, no one, of -course, would have known of the existence of such -a mortgage, and the owner of Ashton Abbey would -not be obliged to pay any interest. Wouldn't that -be a clear saving for Davis, or his heirs, of about -£2500 a year?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By Jove, so it would!" exclaimed old Frick; -"but why young Howell should help Davis to £2500 -a year, I cannot understand. He may be a big -rascal,—that I now can very easily see, although his -father was the best man under the sun,—but he -isn't exactly stupid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All the same, he resembles his father in that—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stop!" I cried. "Now I can see it all. Ashton -Abbey! Ashton Abbey! Now I understand! -Young Howell must be the son of old Davis!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, that is also my opinion," answered Monk, -not at all offended that I had taken the word out of -his mouth. "He must have travelled from -Australia with the real young Howell. All must have -lost their lives except young Davis, who must have -possessed himself of young Howell's papers, and -later on, played his rôle in the old world. That, I -think, explains all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, he is the son of old Davis, there's no -mistake about that!" exclaimed Frick in great spirits. -"Upon my soul it was the best discovery of all, for -now I need not mourn that my old friend had such -a son. But what was it you said about Ashton -Hall? It is the neighbouring estate to Ashton -Abbey. Once they were both one estate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monk told us earlier to-day that his agent had -informed him that Mr. Howell, or rather Davis -junior, often visited that estate. It was, of course, -in order to confer with his worthy father, old Davis. -I suppose that was what set you on the track, Monk."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Just so!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-yacht-deerhound"><span class="bold large">CHAPTER VII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="bold medium">THE YACHT "DEERHOUND"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Monk kept his word. The following Friday -he sailed for America; but our hope that he -would soon return was not fulfilled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When he arrived in New York he found Sigrid -laid up with a dangerous illness. Sorrow, and -over-exertion in nursing her brother, had -completely prostrated her. I believe Monk's telegram, -which we sent directly the discovery about the -photograph was made, saved her life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She had made great progress toward recovery -by the time Monk arrived, but she was still -exceedingly weak.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a month afterward before they were able -to get married; but the crossing over the Atlantic -was not to be thought of during the stormy -winter months.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last, in the beginning of May, we heard from -them. They had sailed. And fourteen days -afterward we welcomed them in Christiania.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lady we saw on Monk's arm on the steamer's -deck was remarkably pretty, and looked -exceedingly happy; although sorrow and trouble -had imparted a sad and serious expression to her -face, which is never likely to leave it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before the gangway could be properly adjusted, -Clara had jumped on board and taken her in her -arms, a proceeding which seemed to both to be the -most natural thing in the world, although they -had never seen each other before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Old Frick hobbled restlessly about on the quay, -like a large dog which has done something wrong, -and is not quite sure whether it will be forgiven -or no.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He could not speak a word when his niece clasped -her arm round his neck and sprinkled his white -hair with joyous tears. But his eloquence was the -greater, when we were all gathered in the evening -at Villa Ballarat. It was there that the newly -married couple were to stay for the present.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>About a week after their return home, Monk -came to me with a face more serious than usual. -"I have still a duty to fulfil in the matter of -the black tortoise," he said. "You won't come -with me to Stavanger to-morrow, I suppose? I -hope to meet Mr. Howell there, or more correctly -speaking, Mr. Davis, junior."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monk, Monk!" I exclaimed threateningly. -"Is the detective on the warpath again? Will -you desert your wife already?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk blushed slightly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, this time it is not the detective. But it -is my duty to justice and to my wife to get at -the bottom of the diamond affair. Remember -that more than half of what we believe we have -discovered is only the fruits of guesswork and -putting two and two together."'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are right. I shall come with you. May -I ask how you intend to proceed in the matter -against the Englishman? There are not, I suppose, -sufficient proofs to get a warrant of arrest?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I am afraid not; and I haven't got my -plans quite ready yet. But I fancy we must -content ourselves with compelling him to give us a -complete proof of Sigrid's innocence, and letting -him off from any further unpleasantness. It is -hard; but Sigrid is now very nervous, and shudders -at the thought of appearing before the court, and -all that kind of thing, you know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, let us start to-morrow evening on the -west coast steamer. I shall be ready. But are you -sure to meet him there?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, my agent in London writes that he has -already sailed from England in his yacht </span><em class="italics">Deerhound</em><span>, -and is bound for the Ryfylke fjord to fish -for salmon, but in Stavanger he'll await a party -which will arrive here by the mail steamer in a few -days."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It was on a morning in the beginning of June -that the steamer glided into Stavanger harbour. -We had had rain and southerly wind the whole -way, and the night outside Jædren had been -anything but pleasant, although neither Monk nor I -suffered from seasickness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Toward the morning, the wind sprung around to -the north, and drove rain, fog, and clouds in front -of it, out into the North Sea. The sun shone on -the small rippling billows, which merrily splashed -against the gaudily painted coasting vessels and -warehouses in the harbour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Among the ships in the harbour, there were two -which attracted our attention. One was a pretty -English cutter—her blue flag flying at her stern. -She had only one mast, although her tonnage must -have been about fifty; but the lofty lower mast and -the big boom betrayed that she, on this one mast, -could carry a sail, the mainsheet of which would -be no easy matter to haul in, when the wind had -filled it. She seemed to have a numerous crew in -proportion to her size—for six or eight men were -seen busily engaged in hoisting the wet sails to -be dried. She was riding by one of her anchors, -and had boats hanging on their davits; while only a -small jolly-boat was lying at her stern.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other ship was painted light grey, and had -a large yellow funnel. The Norwegian naval flag -waved at the stern, and on the bow could be -seen the name, "Viking."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are in luck!" exclaimed Monk. "There -is the gunboat, </span><em class="italics">Viking</em><span>. The commander on board -is Captain Holst; you know him, of course, -Trygive Holst?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I know him; but how can he help? Surely -you don't want to get him to sink the Englishman?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not exactly that; but none the less he will be of -use to us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk had again taken the lead. I had sunk -down into my modest rôle of historian, and allowed -him to have his way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Our first business, after leaving the steamer, was -to visit the gunboat and pay our respects to the -officers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk went below into the captain's cabin, where -they spent a quarter of an hour together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I knew they were good friends of old, and I could -very well understand he wished to be alone with his -friend and inform him of the turn events had taken.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then we went on land, and gave ourselves good -time to visit the remarkable cathedral and one or -two other places of interest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall we visit Mr. Howell now?" I asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, but not before twelve o'clock," was Monk's reply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Isn't it a fact that you love a bit of excitement?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, but—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then you had better not ask any further questions, -and you will probably have plenty of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last it was twelve o'clock, and a one-eyed, -weather-beaten boatman rowed us out to the yacht. -Abaft the mast stood a tall, handsome man, with a -heavy black mustache.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk was the first to go on board. He went -right up to the owner of the yacht—for it was he. -I followed behind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Howell—-we must still call him so—did not -appear particularly pleased at the visit. He stepped -back involuntarily, and his face became dark, but -only for a moment; then he smiled and exclaimed -in good Norwegian:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What a surprise! Have I at last the pleasure -of seeing you, after so many years, Mr. Monk?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, the world contains many surprises, -Mr. Howell," was Monk's dry reply, while he did not -appear to notice the hand which the Englishman -stretched out to him. "Allow me to present an -engineer friend, Mr. Frederick Viller, Mr. Howell."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Englishman bowed stiffly, and gave me a -searching look. "Engineer?" he repeated -inquiringly. In his own mind he no doubt added, -"Probably a police official."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, an engineer. Here in Norway we must all -be something, we cannot only be gentlemen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Englishman did not seem to appreciate -Monk's humour. He frowned, and made no reply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have a few words to say to you," said Monk, -quietly; "will it be convenient to take us down to -your cabin?" He cast a glance full of significance -at the two sailors who were busy near us.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Englishman seemed to consider for a moment. -He looked out over the sea and up at the rigging; -then he put a little silver whistle to his mouth, and -a man who appeared to be the steward appeared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Show these gentlemen down into the saloon—I -am coming directly. I have just a word or two to -say to the captain. He has to keep a lookout for the -English steamer, and to fetch my party on board here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His expression appeared to me to be somewhat -strained and peculiar, and I cast a questioning -glance at Monk; but as he seemed to be quite -unconcerned, I had nothing else to do but to follow him -and the steward below.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We went first along a corridor with two cabins on -each side, then through a small saloon, which took -up the whole width of the yacht, and then into a -smaller one with a cabin on each side. The place -was lighted by a skylight of opaque glass.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This was apparently the owner's private cabin. -The size of the yacht did not admit of any large -dimensions, but the cabin was luxuriously fitted, -and four or five people could sit down in it very -comfortably.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The owner of the yacht came down soon after; -his face wore a friendly smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"May I offer you anything to drink, gentlemen? -Shall I get my steward to make you a cocktail? I -can assure you, he is a master of the art. Or would -you prefer a glass of champagne?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We refused any refreshments, and the Englishman -smiled resignedly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We shall not keep you long," began Monk, looking -the Englishman in the face. "It will rest with -yourself whether the proceedings are long or short."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have, perhaps, come to bring me a greeting -from dear old Mr. Frick, his charming niece, or the -gay Einar?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I have come with greetings from them all, but—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have a cigar?" The Englishman rose, took a -box from a shelf, and handed it to us. "Not even -a cigar? Then you will, at any rate, allow me to light -one. Tell me, you who are Norwegians, and who -understand the weather here, do you think we shall -have good weather for the next few days? I and my -friends think of going to the Ryfylke fjord, and—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It will be all the worse for yourself if you waste -time," said Monk, in a sharp and threatening voice. -"You had better listen to what I have to say, and -answer quickly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ho, ho! Have you come on board to threaten -me? You, Mr. Viller, who seem to be a gentleman, -ought to tell your friend that he should not make -himself unpleasant to an Englishman on board -his own yacht."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I wisely left it to Monk to answer for himself, -and only glanced contemptuously at him; the -thought of what he had done filled me with disgust. -I would rather have taken him by the neck and -given him a good thrashing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can't get away from us, Mr. Howell," -continued Monk, undisturbed. "We are come to settle -an account with you, and we don't intend to leave -here before it is done."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A peculiar smile passed over Howell's face at -Monk's last words.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go on, then," he said. "I must, at any rate, -know what it is all about. I don't know that I -have any business with Mr. Monk, the private -detective,—for you are, I understand, no longer in -the service of the police."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What I am or am not has nothing to do with -the case. You remember the diamond robbery at -Mr. Frick's, in Christiania, six years ago? Well, by -a shameful deception, you succeeded in throwing -suspicion on Miss Frick. She is now my wife—"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Englishman interrupted with a long, low -whistle. Monk's face crimsoned, and for the -moment I thought he would have thrown himself upon -the rascal; but he continued quietly: "No, it is -not necessary for you to fumble about in your drawer -for the revolver. I am not so stupid as to give you -an opportunity of shooting me in self-defence. It -would suit you too well."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Englishman uttered a horrible oath, and we -heard a heavy object fall back into the drawer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go on with your business, then," he shouted; -"but I shall teach you what it costs to insult me -on board my own yacht. Do you hear? Go on!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I got the impression that his noisy anger was to a -great extent assumed, and while Monk continued, -he seemed to be listening to something quite different.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We demand of you," said Monk, "that you give -a full account of the deception which was practised -on the occasion which I refer to and that you -enable me to prove my wife's innocence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I'll give you a full account,—you may take -your oath on that, you wretched police spy, trying -to threaten a gentleman! You haven't yet -mentioned how much money you intend to blackmail -me for."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He got up and struck the table so that the cigar -boxes and ash trays jumped about.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why do you make all this noise?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Noise? May I not do what I like on board my -own yacht? Wait a bit, and you'll see something -which will perhaps astonish you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Englishman laughed triumphantly, and got up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I also got up. I had a suspicion that our host, if -I may call him so, was evilly disposed toward us. -I had for some time felt that the ship was in -motion; first, I thought it was the effect of the small -waves which the passing steamers caused; but the -last few minutes made it clear to me that the yacht -was steadily leaning over on one side, and when -both the Englishman and I got up, we could -clearly hear the rippling sound that water makes -when it is being forced aside by a ship in motion. -"What do you think now, gentlemen?" The -Englishman threw open the door to the cabin on -the starboard side, opened the port-hole, and pointed -out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was as I had suspected. The yacht had got -under way, and was sailing out of the harbour to -eastward, between the islands, as the wind did not -admit of steering in a northerly direction. We -were already about a quarter of a mile away from -the anchorage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"On our next tack we shall clear Tungendess," -continued Mr. Howell, "and then you know for -yourselves how far it is out to sea."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I looked at Monk, and I must confess my heart -beat quicker than usual; but Monk smiled back -in a manner which plainly said that nothing -unexpected had happened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently a great whining sound cut through -the air and forced its way through the open -porthole in the cabin. Monk, with a friendly nod to -the Englishman, asked:—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you think that is?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is the grey gunboat, which is trying her -steam whistle; but I promise we shall not be long -troubled by her infernal noise; the wind freshens."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Englishman threw himself comfortably into -a chair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This won't do any longer, Mr. Howell," said -Monk, and this time his voice was again sharp and -stern. "I suspected you would try and play us -this trick, and so make your position worse, and -so I allowed you to try it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What the devil do you mean?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Be silent, and listen to me. It is time we -came to the serious part of the business. The -noise we heard comes, as you say, from the -gunboat, and it was the signal which to me means -that at this moment she is getting under way -and making for this yacht. When she is alongside -us, she will, by persuasion or force, compel you -to turn back to Stavanger harbour. With this -wind the yacht makes five or six knots, while the -gunboat makes sixteen; so you can calculate for -yourself how long it will take before she is -alongside us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a study to watch the Englishman's face -as Monk spoke; it became pale and green with -anger and disappointment. But he still tried to -hold the position.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you mean to tell me that a Norwegian gunboat -dares stop an English yacht which has done -nothing unlawful? It will cost the captain his -position, if no more; you know that, as well as I do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This morning, at nine o'clock," answered Monk, -quietly, "I was on board the gunboat, and after -having stated my case, the captain gave orders to -fire up. At twelve the steam would be up, and -until then I postponed my visit to your yacht. I -informed the captain that I had business on board -here, but that it was not improbable we might be -exposed to violent treatment. It was arranged -that if we did not leave the yacht within two -hours, the captain was to send a boat and fetch us; -and if the yacht weighed anchor without our -having left, the gunboat was to follow and -compel the yacht to return. Do you think the -captain, will hesitate at stopping the yacht, when he -knows that two Norwegian subjects are retained -on board by force? Give orders to tack about, -and let the yacht again anchor, and the gunboat -will not trouble us. That's the only way in which -you can avoid a scandal. Do you understand me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Englishman did not at first answer a word, -but he made a wry face. After a short pause he -violently pulled a bell rope, which hung beside his -chair, and the captain of the yacht entered, with -his gold-braided cap in hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let her tack about again and anchor where she -was lying, Captain Watkins. These gentlemen -have forgotten something: we must put off our -little cruise till to-morrow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am glad to see you have come back to your -senses, Mr. Howell; you know your attempt to -carry me and my friend away has made your case -still worse. I will openly admit that I have no -warrant of arrest against you, but the result of -this little escapade will be that neither the captain -of the gunboat nor the police will hesitate in -detaining you here until such a warrant can be -obtained from Christiania."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you demand of me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have told you once before—a clear and -concise account of all you know about the diamond -robbery in Mr. Frick's house six years ago."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was again a pause for some seconds. The -Englishman then threw his cigar on the floor with -an oath. "You can put the questions, and I will -answer. But it must be also understood that you -take no proceedings against me for any part in the -case."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is very wise of you to make that condition. -You have deceived the court, and committed -perjury. It would cost you many years of your -liberty if the arm of the law reached you. But we -undertake not to proceed against you, if you will -provide us with proof that Miss Frick, as she was -then, had nothing to do with the robbery."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, I am willing. Ask, and I will reply."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who was it you photographed in the museum -in front of the cupboard with the black diamond -in her hand? I mean the photograph which you -later on handed over to the court."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was the maid,—Evelina Reierson; wasn't -that her name?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you saw that she took the diamond and -went away with it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Was it quite accidentally that you happened to -take the photograph? It was taken from the -reflection in a mirror, was it not?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, it was taken in a mirror. I came quite by -accident into the museum, and she was so taken -up with examining the diamond, that she did not -notice my presence until I had already -photographed her. I knew she was doing something -wrong, and thought there would be no harm in -photographing her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why did you turn toward the glass, instead of -taking the photograph direct? You stood behind -her, did you not?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, yes," said the Englishman, looking -suspiciously at Monk, whose face was immovable. -"Yes, I did. It was by mere chance I turned my -apparatus toward the glass."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How did the diabolical idea enter your head to -make use of the photograph as evidence against -Miss Frick?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Diabolical or not diabolical, she had offended me, -no matter how, and I revenged myself. I had -never taken a photograph in a mirror before, and so -I examined the picture with the magnifying glass. -You know how interested I am in snap-shots."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, yes; and then you observed all that about -the clock—the right and left hands, and all the rest -of it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Exactly; it occurred to me that it might turn out -unpleasant enough for Miss Frick. So I waited till -the case came before the court, and then I sent a -note to the counsel for the defence, which told him -how he could get his client off."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How did you know Miss Frick had been to the -pawnbroker's? Speak out; for the sooner this is -over, the better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I knew young Frick had got into -difficulties—the young greenhorn would insist on -playing high with me and my friends—and I knew, too, -that he had written his uncle's name on a bill for -four thousand kroners."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you did not help him? It would have been -an easy matter for you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's nothing to do with the matter. The -sooner we are finished, the better. Wasn't that -what you said? Well, he wrote from Hamburg to his -sister, and begged her to pay in the four thousand -kroners to a well-known bill-discounter. That is -why she tried to raise money on her jewels. That -failed, and so the bill-discounter applied to old Frick, -who, without saying a word, paid the bill. He -guessed at once that his nephew had forged his name."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How did you get to know all this?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, that's nothing to do with the matter. It -is enough for you to know that I had my interests -to look after, and that one always finds helpers when -one has got money."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And then what about your relation with Evelina? -How do you explain that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To hell with you and your questions! Is it -necessary for you to know any more? Well, never -mind! I got to know of her relations with the -actor; I surprised them once in the garden at -Ballarat. After the arrest I sent her a letter wherein -I professed deep sympathy with her case, and told -her if she would deny everything and keep silent I -would do my best to get her acquitted so that she -could marry her lover.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was, then, to get money for him that she -stole the diamond?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The actor, as you may guess, had seduced her, -but refused to marry her unless she would -provide money so that they could leave the country. -He made a fool of her twice. I fancy, however, -it was more for the sake of giving the child a -father, than anything else, that made her so -anxious to marry that fellow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He got the five thousand kroners, then? What -did he do with them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He succeeded in depositing them with a friend -in Gothenburg, before he was arrested; but when -he came there again his friend had vanished. In -any case, he wrote to that effect, when he -afterward tried to get money out of me. I told him, -of course, to go to the devil."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will you write down what you have told us, -and put your name to it? Remember, we must -have a positive proof of my wife's innocence. -That was the condition upon which we were to -let you go, without mixing up the police in the -matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We heard the noise and trample of feet on the -deck, and the rattling of the chain cable when the -anchor fell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We were again in Stavanger harbour. Soon -after a grating sound, was heard alongside the -yacht, and the sound of many oars which were -shipped.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is the boat from the gunboat," -exclaimed Monk. "You have not much time for -considering."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You shall have the proof. I have something -which is just as good as a written declaration."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wait a bit," said Monk, quickly. "I must go -up on deck and tell the boat to wait. If the -quartermaster does not see we are safe, he will no -doubt search the yacht. If I know my good -friend, Captain Holst, rightly, he must have already -given some such order."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk went up on deck.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your friend, the detective, seems to think he -is a devil of a fellow, since he has got the better -of me this time," grumbled the Englishman, when -we were alone; "but we shall meet again -sometime, perhaps, when we are more equally placed, -and then I shall pay him out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Monk knows well enough how to take care of -himself," I answered reluctantly. I felt disgusted -with the cold-blooded scoundrel. "You ought -rather to hope you will never see him again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The subject of our conversation appeared again -at this moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, Mr. Howell, where is the proof you speak -of? You will no doubt agree that the sooner this -interview comes to an end, the better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Englishman opened a cupboard, rummaged -awhile in a drawer, and came back to the table with -something which looked like a folded letter in his -hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Everything may be of use in time—that is the -reason I did not burn it. Here is a letter from -Evelina, written the same day she hanged herself. It -will be more than sufficient for you. But it's -understood that no difficulty will be placed in my way to -leave, if I give up the letter?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have our word of honour that no information -will be given to the police, and that nothing shall -hinder your departure if you furnish us with -sufficient proofs of my wife's innocence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Englishman threw the letter across the table. -Monk opened it and read it aloud:—</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>DEAR MR. HOWELL,—You are the only one -who has shown any kindness to me in my misfortune, -but all your kindness is wasted on a creature who is -doomed to destruction. You warned me, long ago, -against the wretch whom I believed in so blindly, -but more than that was necessary to open my eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He first persuaded me to steal in order to find -the means for our marriage, and then he deserted me -with the fruits of my crime. All the same, I was glad -of your offer to get me acquitted, and thus enable me -to marry the man I loved, not so much for my own -sake, as for—</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he deceived me again. I know that yesterday -he left the country, and at the same time I -learnt that my benefactress, Miss Frick, is accused of -the crime which I have committed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I know of course you will not let her suffer—you, -who are her friend, and that of her family. But -how can you prove her innocence without revealing -that you deceived the court in order to help me, a -poor girl whom you pitied?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I do not understand much of this kind of thing; -but I see that my life is useless, and that there is one -way in which I can prove Miss Frick's innocence -without being imprisoned myself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When you get to hear I am no longer alive, then -cut off the lowest slip of this letter and send it to the -authorities. I cannot rely on my mother. She has a -suspicion it was I who took the diamond, and worries -me every day to tell her what has become of the -money.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>At the bottom was written in large, but irregular -letters:—</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><em class="italics">I and no one else stole Mr. Frick's diamond, and -sold it to Mr. Jurgens for five thousand kroners. I, -and no one else, shall suffer for my crime!</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>EVELINA REIERSON.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>June, 18—.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>I could not control myself any longer. "You -are the greatest scoundrel that ever walked in -shoes, Mr. Howell, or Davis, or whatever you call -yourself!" I shouted, and rushed at him. I -believe I should have knocked him down, if Monk -had not quickly intervened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was hardly necessary, however, to strike him, -for at my words he staggered back, as if stupefied, -and leant against the wall.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Monk was the first to speak.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You may thank my friend you have been warned, -Mr. Davis; otherwise it had been my intention to -let you find out for yourself that your forgeries -and frauds have been discovered."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Englishman was deadly pale. He opened a -cupboard with trembling hands, took out a bottle, -and poured himself out a large glass of cognac.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you anything more to say to him? If -not, let us go; I can no longer stand the sight of -the scoundrel."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right," answered Monk, and we went -quickly up the cabin stairs and into the long-boat -which awaited us.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You weren't going to tell him, then, that all -his rascality had been discovered?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I wanted him to fall into the hands of -the English police. But now he'll take good care -not to put his foot on English soil any more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You ought to have warned me beforehand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is not worth bothering about. For the -rest of his life he will be a wretched exile, -without money and without friends; I know he has -already ruined his father, old Davis. He possesses -nothing now but his yacht. It was by the skin -of his teeth that he got away from his creditors -in England this time."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Some months later, the following paragraph -appeared in the paper:—</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>ANOTHER VICTIM TO THE DEMON OF GAMBLING</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The well-known yacht </span><em class="italics">Deerhound</em><span>, which last -year won the queen's cup at the Cowes regatta, has -just arrived at Monaco. The owner, a certain -Mr. Howell, sold the yacht, as he had lost all his -money at the tables. He afterward continued -to play, with the result that this morning he was -found in the park with a bullet-hole in his head and -a discharged pistol in his hand.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It was full summer, and the fruit trees stood -white with blossoms, in the garden of Villa Ballarat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A party of five people sat in the cool shade of the -museum, while the warm summer air blew in at the -open door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The hand of justice reached him sooner than we -had expected," said I, when Monk had read these -lines aloud.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Peace be with his bones!" said old Frick, with -unction. "Old Davis was a big scoundrel; but upon -my soul, I think the son was worse."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But what are you going to do now?" said Clara. -"Cannot the matter be taken up again? I think it -would be a great shame if the world did not get -to know of all that has taken place; especially those -who at the time threw stones at Sigrid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No one was found guilty," said Monk; "and I -do not believe we could get the matter taken up -again, except—" Here Monk glanced at his wife.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All the people whose opinion I value," answered -Mrs. Monk, softly, "know my story as well as I -know it myself, and I shudder at the thought of -appearing again in court."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have an idea," I exclaimed, "which solves the -difficulty. I will write a novel about old Frick's -diamond! The whole town will read it, of course. -And then everybody will know about the affair."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line"><span>*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>THE BLACK TORTOISE</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><span>A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h2> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We will update this book if we find any errors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This book can be found under: </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/46006"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/46006</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>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. 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