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diff --git a/old/67615-0.txt b/old/67615-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 91601f8..0000000 --- a/old/67615-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5237 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Mark of Cain, by Nick Carter - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Mark of Cain - Nick Carter Stories No 120 - 160 / Dec 26, 1914 - Oct 2, 1915 - -Author: Nick Carter - -Editor: Chickering Carter - -Release Date: March 14, 2022 [eBook #67615] - -Language: English - -Produced by: David Edwards, Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern - Illinois University Digital Library) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARK OF CAIN *** - - - - - - NICK CARTER - STORIES - - _Issued Weekly. Entered as Second-class Matter at the New York Post - Office, by_ STREET & SMITH, _79-89 Seventh Ave., New York. Copyright, - 1915, by_ STREET & SMITH. _O. G. Smith and G. C. Smith, Proprietors._ - - - Terms to NICK CARTER STORIES Mail Subscribers. - - (_Postage Free._) - - Single Copies or Back Numbers, 5c. Each. - - 3 months 65c. - 4 months 85c. - 6 months $1.25 - One year 2.50 - 2 copies one year 4.00 - 1 copy two years 4.00 - - =How to Send Money=--By post-office or express money order, - registered letter, bank check or draft, at our risk. At your own - risk if sent by currency, coin, or postage stamps in ordinary - letter. - - =Receipts=--Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged by proper - change of number on your label. If not correct you have not been - properly credited, and should let us know at once. - - =No. 148.= NEW YORK, July 10, 1915. =Price Five Cents.= - - - - - THE MARK OF CAIN; - - Or, NICK CARTER’S AIR-LINE CASE. - - Edited by CHICKERING CARTER. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -WHAT THE GIRL DID. - - -The girl at the switchboard held her breath. The detective waiting in -the business office saw her. The girl at the switchboard was Helen -Bailey. The waiting detective was Nick Carter. - -No man was ever more quick than he to rightly interpret a facial -expression. The partition through which he saw her was of glass, or a -portion of it, dividing the general manager’s office in the central -telephone exchange from the room in which the great switchboards were -stationed. - -There were other girls, half a score of them, seated in front of the -innumerably perforated boards. They were too busy to notice one another. -Their eyes were intent upon their work. Their deft hands flew from plug -to plug, withdrawing some, inserting others. Their frequent, monotonous -calls, the noise of the buzzers and the snapping of the rubber-covered -plugs were the only sounds to be heard in that busy room. - -“Hello! hello!” - -“Number, please.” - -“The line is busy.” - -They were like machines, those switchboard girls, human, living, -palpitating machines, each a connecting link for others in every phase -of life, every calling and vocation, from the gilded mansions of -exclusive society to the smoke-begrimed dives of the underworld. They -are the servants of all, and, in a measure, the confidantes of all. - -The girl who had caught Nick Carter’s eye was striking not alone because -of her facial expression at that moment, but because of her remarkable -grace and beauty. She was about nineteen, a pronounced blonde, with -regular features, large, blue eyes, and a sensitive mouth, a -pink-and-white complexion, an abundance of wavy, golden hair, crowning a -shapely head, finely poised on a graceful, slender, yet well-developed -figure, then clad in a navy-blue skirt and a dainty white waist. - -It was the expression on her fair face, however, that had riveted the -detective’s attention, though he could see her only in part profile. - -Nick never had seen a look of more poignant anguish on a human face. - -The girl was pitched forward on her high chair, her hand grasping one of -the plugs which she had pushed into the switchboard--and now seemed -impelled to withdraw. - -That would have abruptly ended the conversation between the two persons -whom she had brought into communication, and to whose intercourse she -was listening. - -That she really was listening, listening as one might to the reading of -one’s own death warrant, was painfully apparent. Her eyes seemed to be -starting from her head, but with the wildly vacant expression of one -horrified, one whose mind was elsewhere. Every vestige of color had left -her cheeks. Her lips were gray and drawn, her graceful figure as -motionless as if every nerve and muscle was as strained and tense as a -bowstring. - -“Great Scott!” thought Nick, watching her. “To whom is she listening, -and to what?” - -The girl suddenly withdrew the plug. - -Then, with a quick change of expression, with a look of heart-racking -determination, she inserted it again, renewing the telephone connection. - -Then she listened again, ghastly and horrified, for nearly a minute--and -then her head dropped to one shoulder as if her neck was hinged, her arm -fell like that of a corpse, dragging the plug out of the switchboard, -while her tense form relaxed and fell from the chair, dropping with a -thud upon the floor beside it. - -Nick Carter had seen what was coming, and he already was on his way to -the room, darting out of the manager’s office and through the adjoining -corridor. He heard the screams of the frightened girls, when he -entered, and, with quick discrimination, he turned to the least-alarmed -one and said: - -“She has only fainted. Bring a glass of water. Be quick about it.” - -“Yes, sir.” - -The girl addressed ran to a near closet and obeyed him. - -Nick raised the prostrate girl a little, supporting her against his -knee, and, with a wet handkerchief, he bathed her brow and cheeks, -paying no attention to the fright and consternation of his observers. - -The girl revived in a very few moments. A low moan, as pathetic as the -facial expression which had preceded her collapse, broke from her gray -lips. Her eyelids fluttered spasmodically, then were raised, and she -gazed up vacantly at the detective’s kindly face. - -“Did they--did they get him?” she gasped impulsively, almost -frantically. “Did they--did they get him?” - -Nick waved aside the several girls who had gathered near. - -“Open one of the windows!” he commanded. “Give her some fresh air. Get -whom, my girl?” - -The last was addressed to the stricken girl, while Nick gently raised -her to a sitting position on the floor. - -She turned and looked at him, then suddenly seemed to realize what had -occurred. She gazed at Nick again, striving to rise, and replied, more -calmly: - -“Get whom? What do you mean?” - -“Don’t you know what I mean?” Nick inquired, helping her to a chair. - -“No, I don’t,” she replied. “Thank you for assisting me. I’m sure I -don’t know what you mean.” - -Nick was sure of the contrary, but he did not say so. Instead, he smiled -and explained his presence there by saying: - -“I happened to be in the manager’s office when you fainted. I saw you -fall and hurried in to aid you. Are you subject to such attacks?” - -“No, sir. I don’t remember ever having fainted away before.” - -“You may have heard something that alarmed you, or----” - -“No, no, sir; nothing of the kind,” interrupted the girl. “I cannot -account for it.” - -“Do you remember what number had been called, what connection you had -made?” - -“No, sir.” - -“Or what was being said?” - -“I do not,” the girl insisted. “I remember nothing about it. I know only -that I was not feeling well this morning. I awoke with a racking -headache. I suddenly felt dizzy and then I fainted. That is all I know -about it. Please don’t question me further. I’m able, now, to return to -my work. Thank you again, sir.” - -Nick knew that the girl was lying, but he alone had observed her -agitation for several moments before she fainted. She still was pale and -nervous, trembling visibly while she replied to his questions, but it -was obvious that she was determined to admit nothing in regard to what -she evidently had heard at the switchboard. - -Nick decided not to press her further, therefore, and he bowed -indifferently and returned to the business office. - -Manager Lawton, for whom he had been waiting, came in a few moments -later and Nick transacted the business for which he had called. He then -quietly told him of the incident and pointed out the girl who had -fainted. - -“What is her name?” he then inquired. - -“Helen Bailey,” replied Lawton, smiling. “She is the most capable girl -in our employ.” - -“She is a very beautiful girl, too,” Nick observed. - -“And as good as she is beautiful,” Lawton said, with a nod. “The man who -gets her for a wife, Nick, will get a treasure.” - -“Where does she live?” - -“She boards in Lexington Avenue.” - -“With her parents?” - -“No. Both are dead. She has only a brother, I believe, who--well, I know -very little about him. Why are you so interested in the girl?” Lawton -added, laughing. “You’re not smitten with her beauty, Nick, are you?” - -Nick smiled and shook his head; then arose to go. As he passed out he -glanced again through the glass partition at the several girls at the -switchboards. - -Helen Bailey had resumed her work as if nothing had occurred. - -Nick still had her in mind when he left the building and walked up the -street. He had in mind, too, the impulsive, almost frantic words that -had broken from her when, with returning consciousness, she took up her -train of thoughts just where she had left them--the thoughts which had -brought that terrible expression to her fair, lovely face. - -“‘Did they get him?’” he said to himself. “By Jove, that was a rather -significant question, asked as she asked it and under such -circumstances. Get whom? Get him for what? Was some man in danger, one -with whom she is in love, perhaps, and for whose sake she was so shocked -and alarmed? There certainly was some serious reason for that horrified -expression and her sudden collapse. I would have been glad to aid her if -she would have confided in me, but she preferred to lie, and--well, it -was up to her. It is barely possible that she will regret it later.” - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -A FRIEND IN NEED. - - -Nick Carter’s intuition in regard to the telephone girl was verified -much sooner than he really expected. He entered his Madison Avenue -residence about an hour later and found in the library his two chief -assistants, Chickering Carter and Patsy Garvan. He heard the following -remarks from Patsy as he was approaching the open door. - -“She certainly is a peach, Chick, and I felt dead sorry for her. She’s -in wrong, all right, but I don’t half credit the charges, at that.” - -“What charges, Patsy?” Nick inquired, entering. “Of whom were you -speaking?” - -“Of a girl I saw at police headquarters about twenty minutes ago,” said -Patsy, turning from his desk. “I went down there on that Waldron case.” - -“Was the girl under arrest?” - -“Yes.” - -“For what?” - -“For helping a crook elude the police,” Patsy explained. “She denied it, -chief, sobbing as if her heart would break; but they’re putting her -through the third degree now, hoping to break her down and force a -confession from her. My money goes on the girl, chief, all the same.” - -“Who is the girl?” Nick questioned. “Did you learn any of the -circumstances?” - -“Sure!” nodded Patsy. “Her name is Helen Bailey.” - -“H’m, is that so?” - -“She’s a telephone girl, and a sister of Barton Bailey, wanted for -robbery in Mantell & Goulard’s big department store, where he was -employed at the time. He got away with a diamond sunburst, you remember, -and nearly cracked the skull of Gus Flint, one of the store detectives, -who had seen him lift the bauble and tried to prevent his escape. That -was six months ago.” - -“Yes, I recall the case,” said Nick, with a more serious expression. -“But what are the circumstances bearing on the girl’s arrest?” - -“It seems that Bart Bailey was seen going into a house in East -Forty-third Street about ten o’clock this morning,” Patsy continued. “He -was in disguise, but was recognized by some one who declined to give his -name to the headquarters chief, to whom he hastened to telephone.” - -“He stated, I suppose, that he had seen Bailey going into the house.” - -“That’s what,” said Patsy. “The chief then called up the precinct -station and told the sergeant to go to the house with a couple of men -and get Bailey.” - -“I see.” - -“Before he could finish giving his instructions, including the number of -the house, the telephone connection was suddenly broken. Nearly ten -minutes passed before the chief could get it renewed, and that brief -delay cost the guns their man. When they arrived at the house, Bailey -had been gone about three minutes.” - -“Did the chief know his sister is employed in the telephone exchange?” - -“Bet you!” exclaimed Patsy sententiously. “Let him alone to have learned -that. He has had men out after Bailey for nearly six months. He learned, -too, that Helen Bailey was the operator who connected him with the -precinct station, and he noticed while talking with the sergeant that -the connection was broken once and quickly renewed.” - -“Precisely,” thought Nick, recalling his own observations. “He was not -alone.” - -“Half a minute later,” Patsy added, “it was broken completely, and the -chief lost his man. It made him sore, for fair. He knows the girl must -have overheard his orders to the sergeant, and he suspects that she -purposely cut him off and afterward telephoned her brother to bolt.” - -“Not an unreasonable inference,” Nick allowed, a bit grimly. -“Nevertheless, Patsy, the girl did nothing of the kind.” - -“Gee whiz!” Patsy returned, gazing. “Are you wise to something bearing -on the case? Do you mean----” - -“Never mind what I mean,” Nick interposed, glancing at his watch. “I’ll -inform you later. I’ll knock those suspicions out of the chief’s head in -about two shakes of a lamb’s tail. Helen Bailey is a heroine--much more -heroic than most girls would have been under the same temptation.” - -Nick did not wait to explain to Chick and Patsy. Disregarding their -looks of surprise, he replaced his hat and started immediately for the -police headquarters. He was so well known there, where his services were -very frequently required, that no one would have thought of opposing -him. He learned that the chief still was talking with Helen Bailey in -his private office, into which Nick walked without the ceremony of -knocking. - -The chief regarded him with a look of surprise. It became more marked, -even, when Helen Bailey, pale and with eyes red from weeping, uttered a -low cry and exclaimed: - -“Oh, sir, here is the man who assisted me. This is the man I have told -you about. He knows that my faint was not feigned. He will tell you----” - -“I will tell the chief all that is necessary, Miss Bailey,” Nick -interposed, smiling and shaking hands with her. “I am very glad to be -able to befriend you.” - -“Goodness!” said the chief, with his austerity suddenly vanished. “What -do you know about this matter, Nick?” - -“I know all about it, chief,” Nick replied, taking a chair. “Garvan was -here when this young lady was brought in. He has told me why she was -arrested and what you suspect. But you’re in wrong, chief, and I’ve come -here to say a word for the girl.” - -“A word from you, Carter, is usually enough,” replied the chief, while -Helen Bailey, hearing the name of the famous detective, gazed at him -with amazement and inexpressible relief. - -“I can explain in a nutshell,” said Nick. “I was in the telephone -office, chief, and saw all that occurred.” - -“What did you make of it, Carter?” asked the chief. - -Nick then told him all he had seen and what he had done. - -“This girl did not cut you off, chief, but quite the contrary,” he -added. “She knew, nevertheless, precisely what your communication -signified. I saw her withdraw the plug once, then willfully reinsert it. -I saw how terribly she felt, how terribly she was tempted--and I now -know, too, with what heroism she resisted the temptation and stuck to -her duty, though it involved the sacrifice of her own brother.” - -The chief gazed for a moment at the detective, who had spoken quite -feelingly. - -“The girl has told me that, Nick, but I could not credit it,” he said, -more gravely. - -“It is true, chief. You can bank on it.” - -“I’m mighty glad you have showed up, then.” - -“I knew you would be.” - -The chief turned to Helen Bailey and laid his hand on hers. - -“Pardon me, my girl,” he said gently. “We have hard duties to perform at -times, and duty leaves us no alternative. You are a good girl and a -brave girl, and I’m sorry to have given you so much pain and trouble. I -now believe all you have told me, and I’m very proud of you.” - -Helen was sobbing again, but with mingled gratitude and relief. She -turned and grasped Nick’s hand, saying brokenly: - -“Oh, Mr. Carter, how can I thank you--how can I thank you?” - -“By not trying to do so,” Nick replied kindly. “These little services -are the bright spots in our lives. Go and wait for me in the outer -office. I wish to talk with the chief a few moments and I then will join -you.” - -Helen dried her tear-filled eyes and obeyed him. - -Nick had remained only to question the chief concerning Bart Bailey, and -to find out what had been learned about him in the house he had been -seen to enter. - -“Nothing was known about him there, Nick,” the chief replied. “It is a -lodging house and is run by an honest, elderly woman. Bailey was there -about ten days ago, remaining only two nights, and requesting the -privilege of leaving a suit case until he could call for it.” - -“That is why he went there this morning?” - -“Yes. He remained only ten minutes.” - -“He is a stranger to the landlady, I infer.” - -“Yes, a total stranger. She knows nothing about him. I happen to know, -however, that he’s a very bad egg, and I wanted to get him.” - -Nick remained only a few moments longer, then went to the outer office -and rejoined the waiting girl. - -“Come with me,” he said pleasantly. “There is no occasion for you to -remain here. I don’t think you will ever be wanted again, Miss Bailey.” - -“I cannot express my gratitude, Mr. Carter,” she replied, while she -accompanied him to the street. - -“Don’t try,” smiled Nick. “Tell me something about yourself and your -brother. He used to work for Mantell & Goulard, I understand.” - -“Yes, sir. Young Mr. Mantell gave him a position there for--for my -sake,” said Helen, blushing in a way that Nick rightly interpreted. “But -Bart can’t go straight. He is bad, awfully bad. He is only my half -brother, sir.” - -Nick saw that the topic was a painful one for her, and he decided not to -press his inquiries. He learned that the rascal had frequently -threatened her, however, because of her refusals to join in his knavish -projects, and that the girl stood somewhat in fear of him. - -Nick took her Lexington Avenue address, therefore, and promised to aid -her again if occasion required it. Smiling in response to her repeated -thanks, he then placed her in a taxicab which he hailed and saw her -driven rapidly away, well satisfied with the kindly deed he had done, -but not supposing for a moment that it would have any further -significance. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE MAN OF LAST RESORT. - - -“There are detectives, Mr. Carter, and detectives,” said Nick Carter’s -visitor. “By that I mean that only half of them are worthy of the name. -Half of the remainder are mediocre, and only one in a hundred of the -rest is really keen and clever. You, Mr. Carter, are the recognized man -of last resort. When all others have failed, it is to you that the -harrowed victim of crookdom turns for aid, as the only man in -Christendom who can ferret out the truth and round up the guilty. That, -sir, is why I am here.” - -Nick Carter laughed. - -“You are complimentary, Mr. Mantell, and I appreciate your very exalted -opinion of me,” he replied, a bit dryly. “All that sounds very nice and -pretty, remarkably so, but it does not do what you asserted. It tells me -only what impelled you to come here, not why you are here. Suppose you -come to the point and tell me why.” - -Nick’s visitor joined in the detective’s genial laugh, as did Chick and -Patsy, who were seated with them in Nick’s attractively furnished -library. It was about seven o’clock in the evening, that of the very day -on which had occurred the episodes described. - -He was a young man, this visitor, of remarkably frank and prepossessing -appearance. He was still under thirty, set up like an athlete and -scrupulously well dressed. He was the type of man to whom others are -instinctively drawn, and to whom women turn for a second look. - -Nick long had known him by name and sight, the only son of wealthy Henry -Mantell, of Mantell & Goulard, the owners of the vast Sixth Avenue -department store to which reference already has been made, and which -then was by far the largest establishment of its kind in the country. He -was Frank Mantell, of whom Helen Bailey had spoken to Nick in connection -with the robbery committed by her recreant brother. - -“Come to the point, eh?” he replied, still smiling. “That is a very good -suggestion, Mr. Carter, and I will act upon it. Mr. Goulard, the junior -partner of our firm, was to have met here to discuss our business with -you. Pending his arrival, however, I will do what you suggest and tell -you why I am here.” - -“Very good. I am all ears,” Nick remarked, knocking the ashes from his -cigar. - -“I am here, Mr. Carter, because of the tremendous leak in our business,” -said Frank, more gravely. “I refer, of course, to the department store -of Mantell & Goulard, of which I am one of the managers. My father, you -know, is the senior partner.” - -“I am acquainted with your father,” Nick bowed. “When was this leak -discovered?” - -“Six months ago, after our semiannual taking of stock. Our business -showed a shrinkage of more than thirty thousand dollars. That of the -past six months is even worse, running close to fifty thousand. In other -words, Mr. Carter, the leakage the past year is close upon eighty -thousand dollars.” - -“Much too large to be charged to the profit-and-loss account,” said -Nick. “Are you unable to discover the cause?” - -“Quite the contrary, Mr. Carter,” said Mantell. “We know the cause.” - -“Namely?” - -“Robbery.” - -“Money?” - -“No. Merchandise.” - -“You don’t mean that eighty thousand dollars’ worth of merchandise has -been taken from your store in the past year, and that you are unable to -discover the thieves,” said Nick. - -“That is precisely what I mean,” Frank replied, a bit more forcibly. “As -a matter of fact, Mr. Carter, we are up against a most extraordinary -game of systematic and persistent robbery. Day after day, and frequently -during the night, articles of material value disappear most mysteriously -from all parts of the store. We don’t know where they go, nor how the -thefts are committed. We have not the slightest clew to the identity of -the robbers.” - -“What kinds of goods are chiefly missing?” - -“All kinds, but invariably articles of considerable value. Costly laces -of every description, fine handkerchiefs, pocketbooks, and jewelry, full -pieces of expensive silks and satins, fine lace draperies, and--but I -could not begin to enumerate them. They disappear as if they had -evaporated from our shelves, counters, and show cases.” - -“Can it be the work of professional shoplifters?” - -“Impossible; utterly impossible! It is much too extensive.” - -“How about your help?” - -“Equally out of the question,” said Mantell decidedly. “We employ about -nine hundred clerks, but they have absolutely no opportunity for thefts -of such character and magnitude. It would be impossible for them to take -the goods from the store without being detected. We have had them -closely watched, nevertheless, since these daily robberies were first -discovered, but we have failed to detect a single thief among our -employees.” - -“You have store detectives, of course?” said Nick inquiringly. - -“Yes, on every floor.” - -“Have they accomplished anything?” - -“So little, Mr. Carter, that we put the case into the hands of half a -dozen headquarters men about two months ago. Their work has been equally -futile. Not a piece of the stolen goods has been traced. Not a clew has -been found pointing to the identity of the crooks, or the way in which -the thefts were committed.” - -“That seems very strange,” Nick remarked. - -“Strange is right, chief, and then some,” put in Patsy. “There must be a -bunch of clever ginks at work along new and original lines.” - -“That seems to be about the size of it,” Nick added. - -“And that is precisely how the matter stands,” Frank Mantell continued. -“As I said in the beginning, Mr. Carter, you are the man of last resort. -All others have failed, and we now turn to you for advice and -assistance. I think we should have done so at the outset. It would have -saved us a barrel of money.” - -“You seem to feel sure that I shall succeed in solving the mystery,” -smiled Nick. - -“Frankly, Mr. Carter, I do,” Mantell rejoined. “Success seems to be one -of your invariable acquirements. I feel that it will prove so in this -case.” - -“Providing I decide to take the case.” - -“I hope you will not demur over that.” - -“Let me ask you a few questions,” said Nick, drawing up in his chair and -dropping his burned cigar into a cuspidor. “Are any headquarters men now -at work on the case?” - -“No, sir. We dropped the last of them to-day.” - -“Your store detectives still are at work?” - -“Only in line with their customary duties. They would not in any way -interfere with your work.” - -“I would not permit them to do so,” Nick said, a bit dryly. “It would be -even better, perhaps, if they were ignorant of my interest in the -matter. Who besides you knows of your intention to employ me on the -case?” - -“Only my father, Mr. Goulard, and Mr. Lombard. My father and I look -after the correspondence and the financial end of the business. Mr. -Goulard and Mr. Lombard have entire charge of operations in the store. -Goulard is, of course, the chief director. We decided this afternoon to -appeal to you for aid. No one else is informed of our intention.” - -“Make it a point, then, to inform no one else,” Nick replied. “I will at -least look into the matter and see what I can make of it.” - -“Ah. I am glad to hear that.” - -“Now, Mr. Mantell, when did you first suspect this system of wholesale -robbery and begin to investigate it?” Nick inquired. - -“About six months ago,” Frank replied. “We knew of many thefts previous -to that time, and tried in vain to discover the culprits. Not until we -had taken stock and our books showed such a tremendous leakage, -however, did we realize how extensive a felony we were up against. We -then began the investigations that have proved so futile.” - -“That was about the time Bart Bailey was seen stealing a diamond -sunburst, wasn’t it?” - -“Yes, it was,” said Mantell, with a look of surprise. “How did you learn -about that?” - -“The newspapers mentioned it,” Nick said evasively. - -“Ah, yes; I remember.” - -“Did you at that time, or since, suspect that Bailey was in league with -the gang of crooks committing the numerous robberies? I speak of them as -a gang, of course, because such extensive work would require several -persons and careful coöperation.” - -“We suspected it, certainly, but there was no other evidence in -confirmation of it,” Mantell explained. “After the escape and -disappearance of Bailey, moreover, the robberies continued as frequently -as before. That indicated in a measure that he was not identified with -the other thieves.” - -“Possibly,” Nick allowed. “I happen to know that Bart Bailey, as he is -called, is a somewhat vicious character. Were you aware of that when he -was employed in your store?” - -Mantell colored slightly, but showed no inclination to hide the truth. - -“I was aware of it,” he admitted. “I had a personal reason for giving -him employment. Frankly, Mr. Carter, I am deeply in love with his sister -Helen Bailey, who is as good and virtuous as he is vicious.” - -“You employed him for her sake?” - -“Yes. I wanted to give him a chance. I told him just what I knew about -him, and gave him a talking to, man-to-man fashion, and he promised to -go dead straight and do his best. It was the opportunity of a lifetime, -for I would have pushed him forward for all he was worth.” Mantell -earnestly added. “But I fear it isn’t in him, Carter, to be anything but -a crook.” - -“It appears so, Mr. Mantell, surely.” - -“I would marry Helen to-morrow, with the sanction of all of my family, -if she would have me,” Frank gravely asserted. “But she cannot ignore -the fact that her brother is an outlaw of society, and she feels that -she must not bring disgrace upon me. Dear, foolish girl! as if she were -responsible for the conduct of her brother. Hang it! he’s only her half -brother at that, and--ah, that should be Mr. Goulard. We will plan for -your campaign against these infernal thieves.” - -“There will be no planning with me, Mantell,” Nick replied, as Joseph, -his butler, passed through the hall and answered the doorbell. “I do my -own planning and work out problems in my own peculiar way. I will be -pleased to meet Mr. Goulard, nevertheless, and hear what he has to say.” - -Frank Mantell was right in that the caller was Gaston Goulard, and he -was presently ushered in by the butler. He was an erect, somewhat -imposing man close upon fifty. He was smooth shaved, of dark complexion, -with strong features and penetrating black eyes. He had been a widower -about four years, having no children, but still retaining his fine Fifth -Avenue residence and a retinue of servants. He was a member of the best -clubs, and a man of recognized ability, political influence, and social -standing. - -Mr. Mantell received him graciously and introduced him to Chick and -Patsy, while Goulard removed his kid gloves and shook hands with all. - -“You are here before me, Frank,” he remarked, after greeting the -detectives. “I was unavoidably detained.” - -“I don’t think it matters,” Mantell replied. “I have told Mr. Carter all -that you could have told him and all that he is really inclined to hear. -He has consented to take the case and----” - -“Very good,” Goulard interrupted, in somewhat brusque and metallic -tones. “I am glad to hear it. What do you intend doing, Mr. Carter? That -is the main question.” - -Nick gazed at him quite intently. - -“I really don’t know,” he replied. - -“Don’t know?” - -“Not yet.” - -“You mean----” - -“Only what I say--that I don’t know,” Nick put in, smiling. “I must -consider the matter. I must determine what best can be done. I must -visit your store and size up the opportunities for such wholesale -robbery, before I can say what I will do. You can hardly expect more of -me at present, Mr. Goulard.” - -“Very true, perhaps,” Goulard admitted, with signs of reluctance. “We -are up against such a costly game, however, and have found the efforts -of other detectives so entirely useless, that I really wondered what -steps you would take to discover the thieves.” - -“I wonder, too, since hearing Mr. Mantell’s statements,” Nick replied, -smiling again. “It appears like a difficult problem, Mr. Goulard.” - -“It does, indeed, and you must keep me informed of your progress.” - -“I will make it a point to do that.” - -“That is all we can reasonably ask, then,” said Goulard, with an -approving nod. “If we can aid you in any way, or----” - -“I will inform you, Mr. Goulard, in that case.” - -“Very good. When will you begin your work?” - -“Just as soon as I have decided how to begin it,” said Nick. “Like Davy -Crockett, I make sure I am right before going ahead. I think you may -expect me, or one of my assistants, at your store to-morrow morning.” - -“I would prefer that you give the matter your personal attention,” said -Goulard suggestively. - -“I always do that, sir, when engaged in an investigation of even the -simplest kind of a case,” Nick said, with seeming indifference. - -“Gee! if that gazabo gets anything out of the chief, he’ll do it with a -double, back-action corkscrew,” thought Patsy, noting Nick’s suave -reticence and not half liking the strong, dark face of this second -visitor. - -Mr. Goulard did not prolong his interview, however, save to discuss the -matter in a general way and learn what information Mantell had imparted. -It was eight o’clock when the two men left the detective’s residence, -Nick seeing them to the door and then returning to the library. - -“Well, what do you make of it?” Chick at once inquired. “I saw that you -were not inclined to confide your opinions to Goulard. That convinced me -that you had formed one, at least.” - -“Gee! I was hit in the same spot,” declared Patsy. - -Nick smiled and resumed his seat. - -“I wouldn’t confide in either of them,” he replied. “I have, as you -infer, come to at least one conclusion.” - -“What is that?” - -“These robberies are not the work of shoplifters nor any outside -crooks,” said Nick. “They have been much too numerous and varied. The -crooks are among the persons employed in the store.” - -“I think so, too,” Chick nodded. - -“And for that reason alone, Chick, I would confide in no one in the -store, from the heads of the firm down to the boy who sweeps the back -stairs,” said Nick. “That is a mistake many detectives make, that of -blindly confiding, perhaps, in the very culprit they are out to get.” - -“Gee! that’s right, chief,” put in Patsy. - -“If any inquisitive person in that store learns of my designs, it will -be only when they culminate, and his curiosity may cost him something,” -Nick pointedly added. “Secrecy is imperative to successful work in a -case of this kind.” - -“I agree with you,” said Chick, with a nod of approval. - -“It sure does look like inside work,” said Patsy. “But how do they get -out with the goods? The headquarters men are not lunkheads, nor are the -store detectives blind. How do the crooks get out with such quantities -of merchandise?” - -“We must find the answer to that question,” Nick replied. “Other -detectives, in their efforts to discover the crooks themselves, may have -neglected to look sharply enough for it. We may meet with more success, -in fact, by working backward.” - -“Working backward, chief?” questioned Patsy. “What do you mean?” - -“By finding out where the goods are disposed of, through what channel -they reach their destination, and by working back over the same route, -even to the moment of the theft,” Nick explained. - -“By Jove, that plan might prove profitable,” said Chick. “The goods -cannot have been pawned in this city. The headquarters men would have -run them down within forty-eight hours.” - -“Undoubtedly,” Nick agreed. “It is safe to assume, nevertheless, that -the goods are stolen to be converted into money, which necessitates -either pawning or selling them. They may have been shipped to some other -city for that purpose.” - -“Quite likely.” - -“But how are we to learn what city, chief, assuming that you are right?” -questioned Patsy. - -“I have a hunch that the way will appear,” replied Nick. “There is one -other point of which we can take advantage, I think, and it may start us -on the case right off the reel.” - -“You mean?” - -“Bart Bailey’s presence in New York, and what occurred to-day.” - -“What do you see in that?” - -“I am convinced that Bailey was in league with the other crooks when he -stole the diamond sunburst, and it’s a hundred to one that he still is -in league with them in some capacity,” Nick explained. “If he had not -been stealing the jewel, it probably would have gone the way of the -other plunder. The circumstances forced him to bolt with it, however, -and to lie low ever since.” - -“But how can we take advantage of all that?” asked Chick. “I don’t quite -get you.” - -“We’ll take advantage of his antipathy for his half sister,” said Nick. -“He don’t like her, despite their kinship, and he already has repeatedly -threatened her.” - -“But how take advantage of it?” - -“He will hear of what occurred to-day; that she made no intentional move -to prevent the police from getting him, despite that she could easily -have done so,” said Nick. “Take it from me, Chick, he’ll get after her -for that. He will hate her more than before, the knavish rat, and may go -even so far as to attempt violence. By keeping an eye on her, therefore, -we not only may protect her, but also pick up Bart Bailey himself. Then, -if he still is in league with the department-store thieves, we perhaps -may trail him to the lair of the entire gang.” - -“By Jove, that’s no wild-and-weird fancy,” Chick now declared, with some -enthusiasm. “That realty looks good to me, Nick.” - -“That being the case. Chick, you had better tackle that string to our -bow,” Nick directed. “Pack a grip with what you may need for a few days, -and go in disguise to the Lexington Avenue house in which Helen Bailey -is boarding.” - -“To remain there?” - -“Yes, temporarily. Engage a room and board, if possible, and you then -will have the girl right under your eye. Reveal nothing to her, however. -That might queer an opportunity to pick up her brother.” - -“Trust me to have foreseen that,” Chick replied, rising. “I’ll be ready -to leave in ten minutes, and will phone you to-morrow morning.” - -“Good enough,” Nick said approvingly. “A reference may be required by -the landlady. Take the name of Fred Lamont, and say you are a nephew of -Mr. Calvin Page, cashier of the Trinity Trust Company. I will presently -telephone to Page and inform him of the situation. He will assure the -landlady, in case she rings him up.” - -“I’ve got you,” Chick nodded, turning to go. - -“I will have decided by to-morrow how Patsy and I can best begin -operations,” Nick added. “I think we’ll take a look at the store, for a -starter, and at a few of its nine hundred clerks.” - -“We may pick the crooks from the nine hundred merely by their looks,” -laughed Patsy. “That would be going some, chief, for fair.” - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -PICKING UP A TRAIL. - - -Chick Carter appeared at the door of the Lexington Avenue lodging house -about nine o’clock that evening, and his ring was answered by the -landlady herself, one Mrs. Hardy, to whom he stated his mission and -plausibly explained why he applied to her at that hour. - -That Chick made a favorable impression upon the woman, moreover, -appeared in that he was invited to enter, though Mrs. Hardy added, a bit -doubtfully: - -“I have only one vacant room at present, sir, and that may not please -you. It is a back room on the second floor.” - -“I think it will answer,” Chick said agreeably. “I can not say just how -long I may remain in New York, but I will pay you liberally for the time -I am here. My name is Fred Lamont. I am a nephew of Mr. Calvin Page, -cashier of the Trinity Trust Company. You can talk with him by -telephone, if you require a reference, and he will assure you that I am -a desirable tenant.” - -“I will do so a little later, Mr. Lamont, if I think it necessary,” said -the landlady. “I first will show you the room.” - -Chick accompanied her to the second floor and into a small but neatly -furnished back chamber. - -“That in front is occupied by a young lady, Miss Helen Bailey, who is -not at home this evening,” Mrs. Hardy observed, while Chick was glancing -around the room. “She has gone to a picture show with a girl who lives a -block south from here.” - -Chick did not demur over taking the room. It was decidedly satisfactory -to him, in fact, to have quarters so near the girl’s room, in that he -would be easily able to keep a constant eye on her movements when at -home, and to learn whether she was visited by her disreputable brother. - -Chick took the room at once, therefore, paying a week in advance, and -inquired, while doing so: - -“Does Miss Bailey frequently have visitors in the evening? I usually -retire quite early. Her room is so near mine that any loud conversation -might disturb me.” - -“Dear me, no!” exclaimed Mrs. Hardy, with a shrug. “Miss Bailey has only -two gentlemen callers, and she always receives them in the parlor.” - -“That’s all right, then,” said Chick, smiling agreeably. - -“She could pick her choice from most men, Mr. Lamont, as far as that -goes,” added the landlady, becoming communicative. “She is a beautiful -girl. She could marry the son of one of the wealthiest merchants in New -York, if she wanted to, or another one of the firm. I know that, sir, -though you may think it improbable.” - -“One of the firm,” thought Chick. “By Jove, that must be Goulard. Father -and son would not be rivals. Besides, Mantell, senior, now has a wife -and family. Goulard is a widower, however, and--h’m, this may be worth -looking into.” - -Chick decided not to display any undue curiosity at that time. He left -his suit case in the room and accompanied Mrs. Hardy downstairs, stating -that he had business outside for about an hour, when he would return, -and he then left the house. - -Three minutes later found him in the vestibuled doorway of a dwelling -nearly opposite, from which he could see the electric-lighted avenue for -a block in each direction. - -Chick reasoned, in view of Nick’s suspicions, that Bart Bailey might -already have heard of his sister’s conduct and might possibly be seeking -her that very evening, particularly if impending danger necessitated his -early departure from the city. - -Chick had decided, in fact, that he would see Helen Bailey home after -she parted from the girl who had accompanied her to the picture show. He -knew that she would be in no danger while having a companion, and the -vantage point he had selected enabled him to watch the avenue as far as -the location mentioned by the landlady. - -“She’ll not return later than eleven o’clock, if she has gone to the -movies,” he said to himself. “There is one chance in a hundred, at -least, that Bart Bailey already is out to nail her. I’ll take that one -chance, having nothing else to do.” - -All this was clever work on the part of the Carters, and it bore not -unexpected fruit. - -Chick had been waiting less than half an hour when he saw a slender man -in a dark suit coming down the avenue, whose movements immediately -warranted suspicion. For he quickly crossed the avenue before arriving -at the boarding house, then halted on the opposite side and gazed -intently at the second-floor windows. - -“By Jove, I’m in right,” thought Chick, after watching him for several -moments. “That’s my man, as sure as there’s juice in a lemon. He -expected to find the girl at home, but sees that her room is not -lighted. He’ll lie low and wait for her, taking a chance that she’ll -return alone, unless I’m much mistaken.” - -Chick was not mistaken. - -Bart Bailey, for the detective had rightly identified him, suddenly -recrossed the avenue, and, having glanced sharply around, he slunk into -a basement doorway under the rise of stone steps leading up to the front -door of the boarding house. - -“Does he intend to enter, or will he wait for the girl?” Chick asked -himself. “I’ll remain here until she comes, at all events. If he does -not then show up, I’ll cross over and enter with her. I’ll give the rat -no chance to harm her, let come what may.” - -Chick’s uncertainty was not of long duration. - -The man under the steps, if still there, continued to lie low. - -Twenty minutes passed, and the watching detective then saw two girls -stop at a house nearly a block away. He could see them quite distinctly, -the avenue in that locality then being deserted. They parted after a few -moments, one entering the house, the other hurrying north. Half a minute -brought her nearly to the boarding-house steps--from under which darted -a sinister figure that immediately blocked her way. - -Chick heard the half-subdued cry of alarm that broke from her, as well -as what followed. - -“Bart!” she cried, shrinking. “You here!” - -“You bet I’m here!” The reply came with a wolfish snarl. “So you’d have -let ’em get me, would you?” - -“Get you! What do you mean?” - -“You know what I mean. You’d have given me to the guns. You know--and I -know.” - -“Bart----” - -“Dry up! Would you blat my name from the housetops? I believe you would -do that, you infernal jade.” - -The girl shrank from the miscreant’s uplifted hand, from the fierce, -threatening look in his fiery eyes. - -“Don’t speak to me like that,” she cried, striving to pass him and reach -the steps. “Don’t you dare to strike me. I’ll scream for help. I’ll----” - -“You open your mouth to scream, hang you, and I’ll close it forever,” -Bailey fiercely interrupted. “You’d have given me to the guns. You’d -have sent me up----” - -“Let me pass!” - -“And I’ll send you to the devil for it. I’ll teach you to----” - -The miscreant got no farther with his vicious threats. - -Chick had seen him reach into his pocket. He had caught the glint of -light from a partly drawn blade. He already was nearly across the -street, unobserved by either, and he now whipped out his revolver and -uttered a shout, though scarce twenty feet from the couple, bent only -upon causing Bart Bailey to take to his heels. - -“Cut that out!” he shouted. “Let the girl alone, or----” - -“Who in thunder are you?” - -The ruffian swung round with an oath, interrupting, and Chick bounded -nearer, with his revolver suddenly leveled. - -“You leg it, you rascal!” he cried, while a scream broke from the -frightened girl. “Leg it, or----” - -But Bart Bailey already was legging it. He had turned the instant he saw -the weapon, and was darting like a frightened fox up the avenue, -crossing it diagonally at the top of his speed, and making for the -nearest corner. - -Chick sped after him, but purposely let the rascal increase his lead, -bent upon finally trailing him without being suspected. - -Bailey rounded the corner some twenty yards in advance of the detective, -and continued his frantic flight. - -Chick turned the corner a moment later. He saw the rascal was not -looking back. He darted into the nearest doorway, then crouched on the -stone steps and cautiously peered out. - -Bart Bailey was crossing the street, still at the top of his speed, and -heading for Third Avenue. Suddenly he glanced back over his shoulder and -discovered that he no longer was pursued. He slowed down, and finally -stopped, gazing back and listening, and then he appeared convinced that -his pursuer had stopped before turning the corner. As if to give vent to -his feelings, he fiercely shook his fist in the direction from which he -had come, and then he turned on his heel and walked away. - -Chick watched him until he rounded the corner of Third Avenue. He paused -only to be sure the fellow did not look back, and then he began a -record-breaking sprint in pursuit of the scamp. He arrived at the corner -just in time to see Bailey entering an opposite saloon. - -“There, by Jove, that does settle it,” he said to himself. “I certainly -have fooled him. He does not suspect me of being a detective, or he -would have continued his flight. He probably reasons that I came out of -one of the opposite dwellings and turned back to look after the girl. It -should be soft walking, now, to trail the rascal to cover.” - -Chick had prepared himself for the work he had in view. He made a quick -change of disguise, then crossed the avenue and looked into the saloon. - -Bart Bailey was gulping down a glass of whisky, after which he left the -saloon by a side door, then made for the nearest elevated station. - -Chick followed him, mounting the stairway on the opposite corner from -that taken by his quarry. - -When the train arrived at Thirty-fourth Street, Bailey left the train, -trailed by Chick. The young rogue ran down the stairs and jumped aboard -a crosstown car. Chick had followed his quarry, and both dismounted at -the Pennsylvania Station, where Bailey got a suit case from the parcel -room, and then hastened to board an outbound train, entering the smoking -car and taking one of the front seats. - -Chick followed him and took one in the middle of the car. - -“He must have a return ticket to some point, not having bought one,” he -said to himself. “This may confirm another of Nick’s suspicions, that -the stolen merchandise is being shipped to another city, and that Bailey -still is in league with the gang in some capacity. I’ll soon find out -where he’s going, since it’s up to me to go with him.” - -Chick conferred quietly with the conductor half an hour later, when the -fast express was speeding south, confiding his identity and stating what -he wanted to learn. Later, when the conductor came through the train to -punch the tickets, he paused briefly and whispered to the detective: - -“He has a return ticket to Philadelphia. The date shows that it was -purchased day before yesterday.” - -Chick thanked him and now paid his fare. - -“It’s Philadelphia for mine, also,” he remarked, smiling significantly. -“I was all at sea as to where I was going. I’m glad to find out.” - -The conductor laughed quietly, and moved on through the train. - -It was long after midnight when Chick shadowed Bailey from the -Pennsylvania Station, in Philadelphia, to a second-class hotel in Arch -Street, where his quarry evidently already was quartered, for he stopped -only for a key and several letters, which the clerk took from a -pigeonhole and gave him, and he then went up to his room. - -Chick entered a moment later and registered under a fictitious name. - -“Was that Tom Denny who came in just ahead of me?” he inquired -carelessly. - -“No.” The clerk shook his head. “That was Arthur Finley. I don’t know -Tom Denny.” - -“He’s a traveling salesman with whom I’m acquainted. I thought I -recognized him.” - -“You were mistaken. Mr. Finley has been living here for several months. -He’s a buyer for Rudolph Meyer, who runs a general fancy-goods store in -Broad Street.” - -Chick turned away and went up with a hallboy to the room assigned him. - -“Buyer for Rudolph Meyer, eh?” he said to himself, with a feeling of -grim satisfaction. “I’ll wager that all of the goods with which he -supplies Rudolph Meyer come indirectly from the store of Mantell & -Goulard. I’ll look into that in the morning, and then have a -long-distance talk with Nick. His suspicions have hit the nail on the -head, all right, and to-morrow should see something doing.” - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -NICK FINDS A CLEW. - - -Nick Carter did not receive the expected telephone communication from -Chick the following morning. Bent upon learning why, and apprehending -that something of a sensational nature had occurred the previous night, -Nick called at the Lexington Avenue boarding house about half past eight -and asked to see the landlady. - -Mrs. Hardy joined him in her parlor a few moments later, drying her -hands and arms with her apron. - -“I have called to inquire about Mr. Lamont,” said Nick, after closing -the door. “I understand----” - -“Dear me!” Mrs. Hardy interrupted, gazing. “That’s more than I can say. -I’m very glad if any one understands and will explain Mr. Lamont’s -conduct.” - -“Ah!” Nick replied, smiling. “I thought something had occurred. I -probably can explain to your entire satisfaction. What about Mr. Lamont? -What mystifies you?” - -“Well, sir, he engaged a room here last night and left his suit case, -saying he would return in about an hour. He did not do so, nor have I -heard from him. I have telephoned to a gentleman to whom he referred me, -and who stated that he is entirely reliable.” - -“You probably refer to Mr. Calvin Page, his uncle.” - -“Yes, sir, I do. But I cannot account for Mr. Lamont’s disappearance. Do -you know anything about him?” - -“I know all about him, madam,” said Nick. “Did any thing occur here last -night that might have occasioned his absence?” - -“Well, no, sir; nothing occurred in the house.” - -“Outside, perhaps?” - -“I know only that one of my boarders, Helen Bailey, was assaulted by a -man about eleven o’clock as she was approaching the door. A stranger ran -across the avenue and drove the miscreant away, then pursued him around -the corner. Neither of them returned. I don’t think the stranger was Mr. -Lamont, however, for he don’t answer Miss Bailey’s description of her -protector.” - -“Chick in another disguise,” thought Nick. “The game opened even more -quickly than I expected.” - -Mrs. Hardy then was gazing at him quite suspiciously, and Nick decided -to take her into his confidence. He briefly explained the situation and -the probable circumstances, much to the woman’s relief and increasing -interest in her visitor, whom she now regarded in an entirely different -light. - -“Dear me!” she exclaimed. “I did not even dream, Mr. Carter, that you -were the famous detective. I don’t think Miss Bailey even suspected that -her protector was one of your assistants.” - -“Did she say anything more about the matter than you have stated?” Nick -inquired. - -“No, sir; only what I have told you.” - -“You must not do so, then, nor mention what I have told you,” Nick -directed, more impressively. “Say nothing whatever about the matter to -any one.” - -“But, Mr. Carter, your instructions come too late.” - -“Too late?” - -“Yes, sir. I already have told one man.” - -“Whom have you told?” - -“Mr. Gaston Goulard.” - -“How did you happen to inform him?” asked Nick, both surprised and -suspicious. - -“He called here this morning. He frequently stops with his automobile -when on his way to business to take Miss Bailey to the telephone -exchange. She had gone before he arrived, however, and I then told him -about Mr. Lamont, thinking he might know the man, or suggest some -explanation for his absence.” - -“Is Mr. Goulard friendly with Miss Bailey?” Nick inquired, with brows -knitting slightly. - -“Yes, sir, but only in a paternal way, I think. He is much older than -she, and I imagine that he is interested in her only because of young -Mr. Mantell, the son of his business partner. Mr. Mantell is deeply in -love with Helen.” - -“What did you tell Mr. Goulard about the assault?” Nick inquired. - -“Only what I have stated to you.” - -“That her assailant was pursued by the stranger?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Did you tell him that the stranger did not return?” - -“I did, sir.” - -“What did Mr. Goulard say about that?” - -“He appeared quite disturbed.” - -“What did he say?” Nick repeated. - -“Well, I don’t think I remember,” Mrs. Hardy faltered. “He said nothing -that made any impression on me. He asked whether Helen recognized the -man, or gave me a description of him. When I had told him all I knew -about the matter, he rushed out to his automobile and rode rapidly away -with his chauffeur.” - -“More rapidly than usual?” - -“Yes, sir; much more. To tell the truth, Mr. Carter, I felt almost sure -that he suspected the man’s identity.” - -Nick thought so, too, but he did not say so. He at once suspected, also, -that Goulard had hastened to the telephone exchange to question Helen -Bailey, and ten minutes later he entered in disguise and confirmed his -suspicions. Revealing his identity, of course, he learned from Helen -that Goulard had questioned her very closely about the man who had -pursued her brother, and that he then had hurriedly departed. - -“Does he know that you were arrested yesterday morning, Miss Bailey, and -for what?” Nick then inquired. - -“Yes, sir; he does,” said Helen. - -“Who informed him?” - -“He read about it in one of the newspapers.” - -“Did he question you about it?” - -“Yes, in a general way, Mr. Carter,” Helen readily admitted; then added -more earnestly: “But he appeared much interested in what occurred last -evening.” - -“Quite likely,” said Nick, a bit dryly. - -He decided not to reveal any of his increasing suspicions, however, but -returned immediately to his business office, where he found Patsy Garvan -awaiting him, and told him what he had learned. - -“That listens good to me, chief,” declared Patsy, with some enthusiasm. -“It’s dead open and shut, now, that Chick has a line on Bart Bailey.” - -“Undoubtedly.” - -“But why haven’t we heard from him?” - -“Circumstances may have prevented him from communicating with us, or he -may be seeking additional evidence before doing so,” Nick rightly -reasoned. - -“Mebbe so,” Patsy agreed. “But what’s eating Goulard? Why was he so -haired up over it? Is he in love with Helen Bailey?” - -“That evidently is one reason,” said Nick. “She denies that she has -given him any encouragement, however, beyond accepting a ride to and -from her place of business occasionally. She states that he has always -treated her respectfully. I would not care to trust Goulard with such a -girl, nevertheless, much farther than I could throw him.” - -“Nor I, chief, as far as that goes,” said Patsy. “I don’t half like his -looks.” - -“There may be a more serious cause for his being haired up, as you term -it,” Nick added. - -“You refer to the robberies?” - -“Exactly.” - -“You think he may be the man behind the gun?” - -“I begin to think so,” said Nick. “It is quite possible that he is -engaged in a big scheme to defraud his own partner. You observed last -evening, no doubt, that he was quite anxious to know what investigations -I intended to make, and he insisted that I must keep him informed of my -progress.” - -“You bet I noticed that,” said Patsy. “It is significant, too, as far as -it goes.” - -“Very true. Even if my suspicions are correct, however, it may not prove -easy to fix such treachery upon one of the firm and to round up his -confederates.” - -“That’s right, too.” - -“But there is one fact on which we can depend, and of which we can take -advantage.” - -“What is that, chief?” - -“Only four persons are supposed to know that we are engaged on the -case,” said Nick. “They are the two members of the firm, also Frank -Mantell, and the assistant general manager, Mr. Lombard. I directed that -no one else should be informed.” - -“I remember,” nodded Patsy. - -“Now, if either of them has a hand in these robberies, he will evidently -reason that the thefts must not abruptly cease, or we would immediately -attribute it to the fact that we are making an investigation and the -crooks have become alarmed. That would, of course, involve one or more -of the four men who know we are looking into the matter.” - -“Sure thing,” agreed Patsy. “That’s as plain as twice two.” - -“Undoubtedly, therefore, the thefts will continue,” Nick confidently -predicted. “It is up to us, then, to catch the thieves in the act, or at -least discover who is doing the work and how the goods are removed from -the store. - -“Gee, we ought to be able to accomplish that,” said Patsy. - -“We will undertake it, at all events, while Chick is following up Bart -Bailey. Slip two or three changes of disguise into your pocket, Patsy, -and go to the department store. Find Goulard, and keep an eye on him -till otherwise directed.” - -“I’ll do that, all right, but what are your own plans?” - -“I’m not sure what turn they will take,” said Nick. “I shall follow you -to the store in disguise and look over the ground. What I observe may -determine what more I shall do.” - -“I see.” - -“Be that as it may, I shall run across you and then may have other -instructions to give you.” - -“I’ve got you, chief,” said Patsy, hastening to make ready. “May I act -on my own judgment, in case I detect anything suspicious?” - -“Certainly,” Nick nodded. “Do nothing, however, that would expose our -hand.” - -“I’ll guard against that, chief.” - -“Go ahead when you are ready, then, and keep a sharp eye on Gaston -Goulard.” - -It was nearly noon when Patsy entered the vast department store, where -the morning business then was in full swing, all of the several floors -being thronged with customers. - -“I’ll probably find Goulard in the business office, or in that -locality,” he said to himself, then bent only upon locating his man. -“I’ll have a look in that direction.” - -Though familiar with the store in a general way, Patsy knew but little -about its numerous departments. Fortune favored him, however, in that he -sauntered toward the rear of the store and unexpectedly discovered the -man he was seeking. - -Goulard was hurrying up from one of the basement rooms in company with a -clean-cut, florid man of nearly fifty. Both appeared disturbed. Goulard -was talking excitedly and flourishing several foreign invoices, the -character of which Patsy readily detected. - -“Gee, I’m playing lucky,” he said to himself. “There is something doing -already.” - -He followed the two men to the second floor, on which the extensive -offices were located, including the private offices of the firm and -assistant managers. All were in the rear of the vast building, but -adjoined the extensive salesroom, which enabled Patsy to follow the two -men without attracting attention. - -He saw them enter the nearest of the several private offices, which were -divided by a corridor from the large general office, and a moment later -Goulard’s hard, aggressive voice could be plainly heard through the -partly open door. - -“There is no question about it, none whatever,” he declared. “Lombard is -right, Mr. Mantell. Two of the Persian shawls are missing. I have -checked off every article found in the packing cases, and Tenney, the -receiving clerk, is positive that none was mislaid. The invoice is -correct in every particular, save that two of the Persian shawls are -missing. There goes another two hundred dollars to the dogs. By Heaven, -I’ll close the store, or sell my interest in it, if this kind of thing -continues.” - -“Another theft,” thought Patsy, pausing at the entrance to the corridor. -“The chief was right, by Jove, in that the robberies will continue in -spite of us. That must be the senior partner’s private office.” - -The last was confirmed by the reply to Goulard’s heated declarations. - -“Don’t lose your head, Gaston. You suffer no more than I over these -depredations. We are equal partners in the business. Bear in mind that -we now have Nick Carter on the case, and he----” - -“Carter be hanged!” Goulard interrupted bluntly. “Why hasn’t he showed -up this morning? If he----” - -“Give him time,” put in another voice, which Patsy recognized to be that -of Frank Mantell. “You know, Goulard, what he stated last evening.” - -“Stated!” snapped Goulard. “He didn’t state anything. He said only that -he would look into the matter. Why isn’t he doing it? Close that door, -Lombard. We may be heard in the salesroom.” - -Patsy heard the door closed, and the voices of the men within no longer -reached his ears. It was obvious to him, however, that they were -discussing a robbery committed that morning, evidently from a package of -imported merchandise that had been opened in the receiving room. - -Bent only upon watching Goulard, as Nick had directed, Patsy waited -briefly within view of the office door, toward which he presently -sauntered, noting that the corridor ran toward the rear of the building -and to a narrow, diverging corridor and stairway leading down to a court -making in from the side street. - -“I’ll wait and see where he goes after leaving Mantell’s office,” he -said to himself, not venturing to play the eavesdropper at the closed -door. “He probably will return to the salesroom, or some other part of -the store. Ah, this must be his private office.” - -It was the last in the corridor, and a plate on the door bore Goulard’s -name. The door was partly open, and Patsy glanced in, pausing for a -moment. He saw a handsomely equipped office with a large roll-top desk, -then open and covered with accumulated letters, bills, and invoices. - -Turning into the diverging back corridor, which afforded him a corner -for concealment, Patsy then observed that another door led from -Goulard’s office into the rear corridor, a fact which did not then -impress him seriously. - -He scarce had turned the corner, however, when he heard the steps of the -two men in the other corridor. They were coming in his direction, and -discretion at first impelled him to dart toward the back stairway, as he -could not plausibly explain his presence in this rear corridor, which -was but little used and only by persons employed in the store. - -Lingering for a moment, nevertheless, Patsy heard the men suddenly stop -at the door of Goulard’s office. They remained in whispered conversation -for several minutes, inaudible to Patsy, though he then heard one of -them walk quickly away through the main corridor, while the other -entered Goulard’s private office. - -Patsy heard the door closed and the steps of the man within, and he -still lingered and listened. - -“Is it Goulard himself?” he questioned mentally. “Who else would be in -his office? I must find a concealment from which I can watch the other -door.” - -Patsy found it under the rise of stairs to the third floor, a dusty -corner from which he could see a portion of both corridors. - -He had been waiting about ten minutes, when, much to his surprise, -another man emerged from Goulard’s office and appeared in the back -corridor. - -He was a bowed, round-shouldered man in a gray suit, and entirely unlike -the fashionable garments worn by the junior member of the firm. He -appeared to be about sixty, a man with grizzled hair, a full beard, and -wearing steel-bowed spectacles. He paused for a moment, glancing sharply -toward the stairs, and then he closed the rear door from which he had -come and hastened toward the stairway. - -“That beats me,” thought Patsy. “I’m sure there was no one in that -office when I looked into it, and who but Goulard would have entered it? -Who the dickens is this fellow, then, and why----” - -Patsy did not continue his train of thought. He decided that the matter -needed immediate investigation. He darted to the rear door of the office -again and listened. - -Not a sound came from within. - -Stepping around to the other door, bent upon knocking and learning -positively whether Goulard was within, Patsy now found on the door a -written card: - -“Will return at two o’clock.” - -“Great Scott!” thought Patsy, startled. “That wasn’t here when I passed -this door. Can it be----” - -He did not end the thought. He turned abruptly, darting through the rear -corridor and down the back stairway, now in hot pursuit of the bearded -man in gray. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE CODE TELEGRAM. - - -Chick Carter was on the lookout for Bart Bailey at seven o’clock the -following morning, after trailing him to Philadelphia. He had felt sure -that his quarry would not be stirring before that hour, but he soon -found that he had allowed himself but little leeway. For Bailey appeared -in the hotel office ten minutes later and hurried in to breakfast. - -Chick saw plainly that the rascal did not suspect an espionage, but his -haste denoted that he had important business in view. Chick determined -not to lose sight of him, therefore, and he deferred for that reason and -in order to gather additional evidence, a telephone talk with Nick, -precisely as the latter had inferred. - -Chick shadowed Bailey from the hotel about eight o’clock, and the store -mentioned by the clerk the previous night. It proved to be a small -establishment, occupying only the ground floor and basement of a corner -building, with an office in the rear, and to which the crook immediately -hastened. - -“I’ll not follow him,” thought Chick, sizing up the store from outside. -“I may get a line on him from the rear.” - -Hastening in that direction, Chick saw that the back windows of an -automobile agency overlooked a paved area back of Meyers’ store, and he -entered and introduced himself to the manager, confiding the situation -to him and requesting the privilege of using the rear windows. - -“Why, certainly, Mr. Carter,” he readily consented, after Chick had -concluded. “Go as far as you like. I wouldn’t bank much myself, as a -matter of fact, on Rudolph Meyers’ integrity. I know he used to run a -pawnshop in one of the lower precincts of the city. He opened this store -about eight months ago.” - -“Soon after the New York robberies began,” Chick nodded. - -“I see the point. I have often wondered why he could sell goods cheaper -than his competitors. I inferred that his rent might be lower, and he -keeps only one clerk, a man named Finley.” - -“Many of his goods cost him less--at present,” Chick said significantly. - -“I judge so, now,” smiled the other. “They unpack most of them in the -area back of the store. A big case came in there this morning by -express. It now is out there. I suppose they will open it, now that -Finley has showed up. Yes, by Jove, they’re just coming out of the rear -door.” - -Chick directed the manager to remain in his office, and he then stole to -a point from which he could easily see and hear the two men without -being detected. - -They had emerged from a back door of the store, and had opened another -leading down a flight of stone steps to the basement. Barton Bailey -already was working upon a large packing case, while Rudolph Meyers, a -short, swarthy man of about fifty, stood looking on with a sinister -grin. - -“Another vindfall, eh?” he remarked, after a moment. “Another vindfall. -If it proves to be as good as the last----” - -“Much better, Meyers, and then some,” Bart Bailey interrupted, turning -from his work. “I happen to know just what is in this one. I was with -Murdock when the goods were packed.” - -“You left him all right, eh?” - -“As right as a trivet, Rudolph.” - -“Not one is yet wise, eh?” - -“Not yet, old man, nor likely to be,” declared Bart confidently. “The -headquarters dicks have been bounced and others are to be tried. You -know whom I mean. They’re the worst ever, too, but I reckon they’ll find -this nut too hard a one for their ugly jaws. If they----” - -“Wait!” cut in Meyers sharply. “Here vas a poy with a message. Vait von -minute.” - -Chick pricked up his ears and crept nearer the window. Through the open -back door of the store he could see a telegraph messenger entering from -Broad Street. He saw Meyers hurry in to meet him, saw him glance at the -address on the yellow envelope, and then turn and beckon to Bailey, who -dropped his tools and hurried into the store. - -“By Jove, I wonder what that signifies,” thought Chick, with instinctive -misgivings. “A wire to Bailey, eh? Can any one have got wise to my -doings?” - -Bart Bailey, to whom the telegram evidently was addressed, hastened to -sign for it, and then broke the seal. He read the message, and then both -men hurried into the rear office. - -Chick then could see them through one of the office windows, which had -been opened to admit the morning air. - -Bart Bailey took a small leather book from his pocket and sat down at a -desk, spreading the telegram on it and seizing a large pad of blank -paper and a pencil. He then began to refer to various pages in the book, -pausing to write briefly at intervals on the pad. - -“A code message,” thought Chick, intently watching the couple. “He has -the key to it in that book, and is making a transcription on the pad. By -Jove, this looks like something doing.” - -Chick’s suspicions were almost immediately confirmed. Both men appeared -much disturbed. Leaving Barton still at work at the desk, Meyers hurried -to the front part of the store, where, through some lace draperies that -were displayed in one of the windows, he began to peer cautiously into -Broad Street, evidently searching the wide thoroughfare in each -direction. - -“By gracious, I must be right,” Chick muttered. “Bart Bailey has been -tipped by some one, as sure as death and taxes. The other rat is looking -to see whether the store is being watched. You’re looking in the wrong -direction, old man. By Jove, I would give a trifle for a copy of that -transcription.” - -Bart Bailey evidently completed it a few moments later. He sprang up in -some excitement, tore the written sheet from the pad, then hurried out -to the front of the store to read it to his companion. Both remained -there, earnestly discussing it and gazing cautiously toward the street. - -“Here’s my chance, by Jove, if I ever had one,” thought Chick, after -watching them for a moment. “I’ll take it, too, let come what may.” - -Stepping quickly to one of the other windows, Chick quietly raised it, -then sprang out noiselessly and crossed the area between the two -buildings. The desk in the rear office was within reach through the open -window. - -Chick leaned over the sill and listened for a moment. He could hear the -subdued voices of the two men in the front of the store, but could not -distinguish what they were saying. - -Taking the pad from the desk, Chick drew back and tore off the upper -blank sheet and slipped it into his pocket. He then replaced the pad and -returned it to its former position, quietly closing the window. The two -men in the front of the store still were cautiously watching the street. - -“Neither of them heard me,” thought Chick, with some satisfaction. “Nor -will a single blank sheet be missed from that pad. I’ll wager I can -learn something from it.” - -One might wonder how he could accomplish it, but Chick Carter was wise -to all the tricks of his profession. He thanked the manager of the -agency for the accommodations afforded him, cautioned him to say -nothing in regard to his visit, and he then learned the location of the -nearest drug store. - -Hastening to it, Chick bought from a clerk some fine black powder -adapted to his purpose. He then requested the privilege of using the -prescription room for a few moments, stating with what object, and the -favor was readily granted. - -Chick then spread the blank sheet of paper on a table and covered it -with a thin layer of the fine black dust, which he then blew gently from -its surface. - -Particles of it remained, however, in the indentations caused by the -pressure of the pencil through the sheet on which Bart Bailey had been -writing, and it brought out quite legibly nearly every word of the -transcription hurriedly made by the crook. - -Chick read it carefully, quick to readily interpret the condensed -phrases transcribed from the code book, and he found that it fully -confirmed his suspicions. - -It told him that Bart Bailey had been warned that a detective was -following him; that he must watch out for him and lure him to New York, -if possible, and to some place designated only as a cobweb. The -communication bore no signature whatever. - -Chick Carter smiled a bit grimly, now knocking the particles of dust -from the sheet and returning it to his pocket. The circumstances, -nevertheless, puzzled him somewhat. - -“Who the dickens could have learned of my doings and warned this -rascal?” he said to himself. “Not Helen Bailey, surely, nor the -boarding-house landlady. Neither of them would have done so. I’ll be -hanged if I now can fathom it, but I reckon I see my way to doing so. -Lure me to New York, eh? I can guess what that means, all right. Well, -I’ll give the rats a chance.” - -Most men would have shrunk from the risks involved, but not Chick -Carter. He now hastened to find a second-hand clothing store, where he -clad himself in a somewhat seedy suit and a woolen cap, directing that -his own discarded garments should be sent to his New York address. - -Ten minutes later, wearing an entirely different facial disguise and -having a rather sinister appearance, Chick returned to Broad Street and -entered Meyers’ store. - -He then found both suspects engaged in hurriedly putting into various -shelves and drawers the goods taken from the packing case, which had -been opened during his brief absence. - -Both at once ceased working when he entered, and Chick saw that he was -instantly suspected. He saw, too, that Bailey shot a swift, significant -glance at Meyers, plainly directing him not to interfere. - -“Is the boss around?” Chick inquired, as he approached them. - -Bart Bailey nodded, hooking his thumbs through the armholes of his vest, -while he replied inquiringly: - -“I am the boss, my man. What do you want?” - -“I’m looking for a job, sir,” said Chick, respectfully touching his cap -with his forefinger. “I thought, mebbe----” - -“That I would give you employment?” Bart put in, with searching -scrutiny. “What led you to think so?” - -“Nothing, sir, save that most stores need help,” Chick explained, quite -humbly. “I have been trying for a job in others, sir, but luck seems -against me. I’m broke and in hard sledding, you see, and----” - -“Do you live in the city?” Bart cut in again. - -“No, sir. I’m here from Chicago only a couple of days.” - -“Why did you leave there?” - -“My boss failed, and that threw me out of a job. I couldn’t get another -in Chicago, so I worked my way here on a freight train.” - -“What sort of work can you do?” - -“Any old kind, sir, that’ll earn me a dollar,” Chick asserted, somewhat -suggestively. “I wouldn’t be particular. You can bet on that.” - -“You’d do most anything, eh?” - -“That’s what I would, sir. When a man’s up against it good and hard, he -don’t stick over trifles. I’d do anything the boss told me.” - -“Suppose it was something off color?” - -“That would be up to him, sir. I’d do it, all right, and shut my eyes to -what it was about.” - -“And your mouth, too, perhaps?” - -“I would, sir, and keep it shut,” said Chick, with a sinister nod. “You -can bank your pile on that, sir.” - -Bart Bailey laughed and glanced again at the listening merchant. - -“Murdock might use the fellow,” he remarked significantly. - -“Vell, yes, he might,” Meyers allowed tentatively, evidently taking a -cue the other had given him. - -Bart turned to Chick again, saying: - -“We’ve got no use for you here, my man, but I think I could find a job -for you in New York.” - -“That would suit me all right, sir,” Chick declared, with manifest -eagerness. “I’d go to New York, sir, or to perdition, if need be. Give -me a letter to the party, sir, and I’ll find a way to get there.” - -“I’d do better than that, my man, if you mean what you say,” replied -Bailey, glancing at his watch. - -“You’ll find I mean it, sir,” Chick insisted. - -“I’m going to New York in just half an hour,” Bart added. “I’ll not -promise you the job, mind you, but I think I can fix you with a friend -who wants a man for general work. I’ll take the chance, at all events, -and will pay your fare, which can be returned to me out of your first -week’s pay. How does that suit you?” - -“I couldn’t be hit more to my liking, sir,” said Chick, with manifest -gratitude. “I’m more obliged than I could tell if I----” - -“Never mind thanking me,” Bart interrupted. “There’ll be time enough for -that after you get what’s coming to you. What’s your name?” - -“James Donovan, sir.” - -“Where are you stopping? Have you got any luggage?” - -“Only what’s on my back.” - -“Well, that’s easily carried,” Bart laughed, with a covert gleam in his -shifty eyes. “Sit down there, Donovan, for about ten minutes. We then -shall have time to hit a fast express.” - -Chick obeyed him with alacrity, taking a chair to which the rascal -pointed. - -There was nothing remarkable in the celerity with which these -arrangements were completed. Chick knew that the two crooks did not -dream of his having learned of the code telegram and its significance, -and that they not only would suspect his identity, but also would see in -his application for work only a scheme to watch them and the -Philadelphia store. - -That he would walk with open eyes into such a net as the telegram -indirectly suggested would seem utterly improbable, and Bart Bailey had -immediately seized the supposed opportunity which the situation -presented, feeling sure that he could trap Chick before he could learn -that his identity and designs were suspected. - -Half an hour later, therefore, found both seated in the smoking car of -an express train bound for New York, whither Chick had really expected -to have taken the crook in irons, instead of traveling as his supposed -dupe. - -This appeared to Chick, nevertheless, the surest and speediest way to -discover the identity and doings of Bailey’s confederates, as well as to -round up the entire gang, which might possibly be perverted by the -immediate arrest of Bailey and Rudolph Meyers. - -It was early afternoon when they arrived in New York, each having played -his part consistently, resulting in no material change in the situation, -save a change of base. - -“We’ll take a taxi,” said Bailey, as they emerged from the station. -“I’ve got the price.” - -“That beats working one’s passage on a freight train,” Chick replied. -“Whatever you say, Mr. Finley, goes.” - -“This way, then.” - -Chick followed him to a taxicab, to the driver of which the crook -quietly gave his instructions. - -The taxicab stopped in front of an unpretentious store in one of the -crosstown streets. The single front window denoted that wooden toys and -novelties of like description were sold within. A sign over the door -apparently told the whole story: - -“ACME NOVELTY COMPANY.” - -Chick glanced at the sign and window when he followed Bart Bailey from -the taxicab. Beyond the low brick building in which this store was -located, the two upper floors of which were evidently used for a -dwelling, towered the rear wall of a vast mercantile edifice, which -Chick immediately recognized. - -“Mantell & Goulard’s department store,” he said to himself. “By Jove, -this should signify something.” - -“This way, Donovan.” Bart Bailey spoke with a growl. “Get a move on.” - -Chick did not hesitate. He followed the ruffian without replying, and -entered the quarters of the Acme Novelty Company. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -INTO A NET. - - -Chick Carter sized up the interior of the store with a glance. He saw -that it was not used for a retail business. Several empty cases stood on -the floor, while a nondescript array of toys and novelties of cheap -variety filled the shelves and single counter, all more or less dusty -and in some disorder. - -The only visible occupant of the place was a burly, powerful man of -middle age, with reddish hair and features, and with his shirt sleeves -rolled above the elbows of his brawny arms. He was clad in overalls and -appeared to be engaged in drawing nails from a cover of one of the empty -cases. - -“Hello! Back again, Finley?” he exclaimed, in guttural tones, when the -two men entered, at the same time bestowing an indifferent glance upon -Chick. - -“Yes, Nolan, but only for the day,” Bart Bailey replied. “Is Murdock -around?” - -“He’s in the basement.” - -“Good enough! I hoped I would find him here. Shake hands with Mr. -Donovan. He’s looking for a job, and I have an idea that Mr. Murdock can -use him.” - -“I reckon that we can use him, all right,” Nolan vouchsafed, with covert -significance. “We want to get the right kind of a man.” - -“I think I can fill the bill,” said Chick, while he shook the other’s -tendered hand. - -“Wait here, Donovan,” put in Bailey. “I’ll find out what Murdock thinks -about it.” - -“Go ahead, sir,” Chick nodded. - -Bart turned to the rear of the store and vanished down a narrow -stairway. - -“What kind of work is to be required of me?” Chick inquired, turning -again to Nolan. - -“Odd jobs,” was the indefinite reply. “Mostly packing the stuff we send -away. We don’t do any retail business.” - -“Does Mr. Murdock run the business?” - -“When he’s here,” nodded Nolan. “He’s the big finger.” - -“Where does he buy all of these things?” Chick inquired, glancing at the -counter and shelves. - -“Don’t buy them,” said Nolan tersely. “We make most of them. We’ve got a -workroom in the basement.” - -“I might----” - -What Chick would have said was cut short by a shout from below, a -command from Bart Bailey. - -“Bring Donovan down here, Nolan,” he cried. “Murdock wants to talk with -him.” - -“All right,” Nolan shouted; then, to Chick: “I’ll turn the key in the -door. Some one might steal in and swipe something.” - -He strode to the street door and locked it while speaking, and Chick -quick to note the significance of all this, seized the opportunity -presented. He shifted a revolver to the side pocket of his coat, then -followed Nolan down the narrow back stairway. - -It led to a basement room of moderate size, with a cement floor and -lighted with several incandescent lamps. In none of the four foundation -walls that met Chick’s gaze was there any sign of a window. In one -corner, however, a stairway led up to another part of the building. - -Near one of the walls stood a long, wooden bench, covered with tools and -partly finished articles such as Chick had seen in the store. Aside from -this bench, two common wooden chairs and a bare table, the room -contained no furnishings worthy of mention. - -A workman with his sleeves rolled up, a muscular chap in the twenties, -was leaning on the bench with a mallet in his hand. - -Bart Bailey was seated on a corner of the table. - -Near by, occupying one of the chairs, was a bearded, round-shouldered -man in gray--the man whom Patsy Garvan had followed from the department -store only a short time before. - -Nolan stepped aside to let Chick pass, and the latter quickly noticed -that he did not return to the store. It was too significant a fact to be -ignored, and Chick was never more alert than at that moment. - -“This way, Donovan,” Bailey said, a bit curtly. “Here is Mr. Murdock. I -have told him about you. He wants to ask you a few questions.” - -“All right, sir,” said Chick. “Glad to know you, sir.” - -“Very good. Sit down, Mr. Donovan.” - -Murdock pointed to the only vacant chair. It was directly in front of -him, and scarce three feet away. He sat with his imposing figure bowed -slightly forward, with his hands spread on his knees. He had spoken -agreeably, but his voice had a hard ring and his eyes a shifty gleam -that further put Chick on his guard. - -He sat down, as directed, replying respectfully: - -“Thank you, sir. I’ll answer any questions you ask.” - -“Very good,” said Murdock. “Finley tells me you are out of work and came -from Chicago.” - -“I did, sir.” - -“What were you doing there?” - -“I worked in a hardware store.” - -“Are you handy with tools?” - -“Quite so,” Chick nodded, wondering how the situation would turn. “I -have worked as a carpenter at times, though I never learned the trade.” - -“You don’t look like a man accustomed to hard work,” said Murdock, -smiling through his heavy beard. - -“I’ve done my share, sir, for all that.” - -“Let’s see your palms. They will tell the story.” - -Chick hesitated for only the hundredth part of a second. He now knew -what was coming, that the rascal suspected he was gripping a weapon in -his side pocket, of which he aimed to make him let go. Chick reasoned on -the instant, too, that he was up against desperate odds, that his best -move would be to yield to the rascals temporarily, biding his own time -to discover their entire game and to turn the tables on them. All this -really was no more than he had expected and designed, when he boldly -entered the place in spite of the risks involved. - -Chick hesitated only for an instant, therefore, and then extended both -hands and displayed his palms, as directed. - -As quick as a flash, bending forward from the table on which he was -seated, Bart Bailey clapped the muzzle of a revolver to the detective’s -head. - -“Don’t move!” he commanded, with sudden sharp ferocity. “Keep them -there, or you’ll be a dead one. We want your hands where we can see -them.” - -Chick dropped them on his knees and drew up in his chair. Without so -much as a glance at Bailey, and apparently not the least disturbed by -his weapon, he gazed at Murdock and asked coolly: - -“What’s the meaning of this? What’s it all about?” - -Murdock’s eyes took on a more venomous gleam and glitter, his voice a -more threatening ring. - -“You know what’s it all about,” he said sternly. “If you stir foot or -finger, you’ll get all that Finley has threatened. You are playing a -tricky game and a dangerous one, for it cuts no ice with us. We know -you, Carter, and are out to get you--as you’re out to get us!” - -Chick coolly removed his disguise and tossed it upon the table. - -“That being the case, Mr. Murdock, I’ll sail under true colors,” he said -curtly. - -“You may as well,” Murdock rejoined, with a sneer. “But don’t get gay, -Carter, or you’ll pay the price. Keep your hands on your knees.” - -“Don’t be alarmed,” Chick retorted. “I’m not inviting a bullet by -opposing you. Do what you like.” - -“We intend doing so,” snapped Murdock. “The mistake you made, Carter, -was in undertaking to oppose us. You now find yourself neatly trapped.” - -“Oh, not as neatly as you imagine,” said Chick. “You have had nothing on -me.” - -“Nothing on you, eh?” - -“Only what I have voluntarily handed you.” - -“Rats!” cried Bart Bailey, with a snarl and scowl. “Tell that to the -marines. I’ve made a monkey of you, Carter, and you know it.” - -“It’s not in you, Bailey, to make a monkey of me,” Chick replied, with a -scornful glance at him. “It’s you who were monkeyed last night, when I -picked you up in Lexington Avenue and trailed you to Philadelphia, with -you none the wiser.” - -“That’s insignificant,” said Murdock, checking Bailey with a gesture. -“We know all about that. We know just how it was done.” - -“Certainly you do,” Chick coolly allowed. “I was aware of that several -hours ago.” - -“Aware of what?” - -“That you knew a detective had trailed this rascal to Philadelphia.” - -“You knew it several hours ago?” demanded Murdock suspiciously. - -“Yes.” - -“I guess not.” - -“Punk!” snarled Bailey derisively. “That’s rot! How could he know it?” - -“You have another guess, Murdock,” added Chick, not averse to mocking -and mystifying the rascals, in spite of the risk it involved. “I assume, -too, that you are the man who sent him the information.” - -“How sent him?” Murdock sharply demanded, evidently rendered -apprehensive by Chick’s repeated assertions. - -“It was sent in a code telegram.” - -Murdock’s heavy brows knit like frowning battlements over his -threatening eyes. He drew forward in his chair, searching Chick’s face -more intently. - -“How did you learn of that?” he cried, while Bart Bailey looked as if he -had been hit with a club. - -“I have methods of my own, Murdock, for getting such information,” Chick -replied. “For obvious reasons, however, I do not reveal them to crooks.” - -“But how could you interpret a code message even if you saw the -telegram?” - -“Easily.” - -“Impossible, unless----” Murdock turned sharply to Bart Bailey. “Has -that code book been out of your hands?” - -“Not on your life,” cried Bart emphatically. “This is all a bluff. He’s -got you on a string. He don’t know half of what he asserts.” - -“Don’t I?” questioned Chick, glancing at him again. “I know that you -were directed to look out for me, Bailey, and to lure me to New York, if -possible, and to a place designated in your code book as the cobweb. -This, of course, is the place.” - -Murdock uttered an oath, evidently staggered and more alarmed by what he -had learned. - -“Bolton,” he cried harshly, turning to the man with a mallet, “search -this infernal meddler. I’ll find out whether he’s an infernal mind -reader, or has a copy of our code in his possession.” - -Bolton hastened to obey. - -Chick laughed indifferently, and Murdock fiercely added, with both -hands clenched in front of the taunting detective. - -“If you knew all that, Carter, why have you walked into this trap?” - -“Does that surprise you?” - -“It appears reckless, not to say absurd.” - -“I did it, then, in order to get a line on the identity of you scamps, -and to learn just how you are playing your knavish game,” Chick bluntly -admitted. - -“Oh, is that so?” - -“Exactly so.” - -“Well, then, you shall learn,” snapped Murdock fiercely. “It will cost -you your life, but you shall learn. I’ll make it a point to satisfy your -foolhardy curiosity. You shall learn--but at the cost of your life.” - -“Suppose we make a beginning, then,” said Chick, a bit sharply. “Let’s -both sail under--true colors.” - -He reached up quickly while speaking and seized Murdock’s grizzled -beard, giving it a violent jerk. It came away in his hand, as Chick had -suspected, revealing the hard-featured, smooth-shaved face of--Gaston -Goulard. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -CAUGHT IN A CORNER. - - -Patsy Garvan was hit with an idea, of course, when he started in hot -pursuit of the man in gray. He suddenly suspected, having seen him come -from the back door of Goulard’s private office, under the circumstances -already described, that this grizzly bearded fellow was none other than -Gaston Goulard himself. - -Patsy realized, moreover, that the investigations he had made after the -suspect’s hurried departure, might prevent his overtaking him, and that -was the thought uppermost in Patsy’s mind when he plunged down the rear -stairway in pursuit of him. - -He brought up in a paved court back of the vast building. It made in -from a side street, and was used chiefly for the receiving and shipping -of merchandise from the store. It adjoined the broad doors of the two -great basement rooms devoted to these branches of the vast business. - -Several wagons and teamsters then were in the court, but there was no -sign of the man Patsy was seeking. - -“He surely came this way,” he hurriedly reasoned. “He must have gone to -the side street, too, for the other end of the court brings up against a -wing of the building. I’ll take that chance.” - -Patsy took it vainly, however, darting in that direction. He could not -discover his quarry in the side street, in spite of his hurried, -far-searching scrutiny. It then became a question as to which direction -the man had taken. - -“He would have gone through the store, of course, if heading for Sixth -Avenue,” Patsy continued to reason. “That would have been the nearest -way, and he appeared to be in a hurry. It’s odds, then, that he went the -other way, and it’s that way for mine.” - -Patsy started off again and walked for nearly a block, gazing sharply in -every store, including that of the Acme Novelty Company, but he finally -was forced to admit to himself that he had lost his man. - -“Gee whiz! it’s tough luck,” he muttered, pausing and then turning back. -“I’ll eat my hat, crown and brim, if that wasn’t Goulard himself. Why -the dickens didn’t I hook onto that idea on the jump? I then could have -trailed him without sweating a hair. There’s nothing for me, now, but to -return and tell the chief, when he shows up in the store.” - -Slowly retracing his steps, however, Patsy lingered for several moments -here and there, still hoping to discover his quarry. - -A taxicab was approaching from Sixth Avenue. It stopped suddenly at a -store on the same side as Patsy, and some thirty feet from where he then -was standing. - -A man sprang out, quickly followed by another--and Patsy then felt a -thrill shoot up his spine. - -“Holy smoke! that’s Chick in disguise, as sure as I’m knee-high to a -grasshopper,” he said to himself, while he watched both men hurry into -the store. - -“I know that disguise as well as I know his own face,” Patsy went on -mentally. “He was on Bart Bailey’s track, and it now is a hundred to one -that he has some job on the rascal. The other must be Bailey himself. -Great guns! I’m getting wiser every minute. Now it’s a thousand to one -that Goulard went into that store, or why has Bailey gone in there? Gee! -the boot may be on the other leg. This may be a job to get the best of -Chick. That may be Goulard’s hurried mission from the department store.” - -Patsy had reasoned it out correctly, in spite of his meager information -of the actual circumstances. - -Bart Bailey had, as a matter of fact, sent Goulard a message in response -to the code telegram, and had informed him of his designs. - -Patsy was not slow in acting upon his suspicion, nevertheless though he -took care not to interfere with whatever Chick might have up his sleeve. -He sauntered by the store, glancing up at the sign and through the -window. He passed just in time to see Nolan turn back after locking the -door, and then vanish with Chick down the rear stairway. - -“That don’t look good to me,” thought Patsy, brows knitting. “Why did he -lock that door? Chick evidently knew it and stood for it. He must know -what he’s doing, therefore, but he may slip a cog in some way. I’ll not -butt in, but I’ll be hanged if I don’t do a bit of nosing around on my -own hook.” - -Patsy sauntered by the store again, and now saw plainly that it was -unoccupied. He then moved on and crossed the street to survey the two -upper floors. - -“Some one lives up there,” he muttered. “It may be the gink I saw in the -store, or some one else employed there. I’ll not risk asking any -questions. Gee! I might get next in that way.” - -Patsy was hit with another idea. He had discovered an open alley leading -to the rear of the building. He also had discovered a stonemason at work -in the alley, engaged in pointing up portions of the brick wall of the -next building. He was at work with a bucket of mortar and a trowel. - -Patsy made a short detour and presently paused at the entrance to the -alley. - -“Hist!” he called quietly. - -The mason turned quickly, a ruddy young Irishman, and Patsy signed for -him to come out and follow him. They met a few rods away a moment later, -out of view from the windows above the suspected store. - -“What d’ye want?” questioned the Irishman curiously. - -“Slip into the saloon here and I’ll tell you,” said Patsy. “I’ll also -buy you a drink, or whatever you fancy.” - -“Faith, and I can stand that, all right,” grinned the Irishman. - -Patsy led the way to a rear room of the saloon, where he gave a waiter -an order, and he then proceeded to explain his project to his companion, -revealing his identity and his relations with Nick Carter. - -“I wish to size up that building next to the one on which you are -working, Grady,” he said, having learned the other’s name. “I must do so -without being suspected. I can get by, all right, if you’ll lend me your -duck blouse, overalls, and hat, and remain here under cover while I get -in my work.” - -Grady grinned. - -“In other words, Mr. Garvan, you want to take my place,” said he. - -“Exactly. I’ll slip you a five-dollar note for it, Grady, and----” - -“You kape the five bucks in your pocket, Mr. Garvan,” Grady warmly -interrupted. “Faith, who wouldn’t do that much for Nick Carter! If you -get into these togs as quick as I come out of them, you can be at work -with me trowel in the shake of a lamb’s tail. I’ll hide here with my -trap closed, be it long or short that you’re gone. That goes, too, by -these five fingers across.” - -“You’re all right, Grady, from your toes up,” replied Patsy gratefully. -“Take it from me, all the same, you’ll get yours for this.” - -Patsy sauntered out of the saloon in about five minutes. Only a close -observer would have detected his subterfuge. One who had seen Grady at -work would merely have supposed that another mason had taken his place. - -Patsy devoted very little time, of course, to pointing up the brick -wall. He began, instead, while pretending to be at work, a furtive -inspection of the walls adjoining the basement to which he had seen -Chick and Nolan descend. He could find, however, no window lighting the -underground room. - -“Gee! that’s mighty strange,” he said to himself. “Have they been stoned -up for some reason? I’ll be hanged if I don’t think this crib figures in -some way in the department-store robberies. I reckon I’ll go a step -farther.” - -Patsy already had found that a rear door and stairway led up to the -dwelling over the store of the Acme Novelty Company. He could observe no -one at any of the windows, however, and he felt quite sure that he could -stealthily enter the place. - -“If seen by any one, I can say I came in to ask for some water for my -mortar,” he said to himself. “I’ll take the chance.” - -Mounting the two low steps outside, Patsy found that the door was -locked, also that the key had been removed. - -“That simplifies it,” he muttered. “I can pick this lock like breaking -sticks.” - -He accomplished it with a picklock in half a minute. Quietly opening the -door a few inches, he gazed into a narrow hall and at a bare stairway -leading upward. A door in the right wall some ten feet away also met his -gaze. He paused briefly and listened. - -Not a sound came from within. The hall was as silent as if the building -was deserted. - -Patsy stepped in and closed the door, leaving it unlocked, lest he might -have occasion to retreat hurriedly. - -The closing of the door left the hall and stairway in darkness--barring -a single thread of artificial light that now caught his eye. - -It was a vertical thread in the side wall, some two feet from where he -was standing. - -“Electric light,” thought Patsy, listening again. “The store is not -lighted. Nor does the store run back as far as this. The door leading -into the store from this hall is farther in. There must be a lighted -room back here, all the same, or this chink--by gracious, it’s a panel -door.” - -Thrusting his nails into the crevice through which the light had shone, -Patsy had felt a section of the wall slip noiselessly to one side, -revealing a secret panel so skillfully constructed as to defy ordinary -inspection. - -It revealed, moreover, something of far greater significance. - -A flight of steps led down to a brightly lighted basement in the extreme -rear of the building. It was walled in like a tomb, however, with no -sign of a window. - -On the cement floor stood a large horizontal engine of peculiar -construction, so peculiar that Patsy could not imagine for what it was -used, or why it was there. - -Near by on a rack was a metal cylinder about two feet long and ten -inches in diameter. Each end had a movable metal cover. Around both -ends, moreover, was a flange of thick felt. - -On a narrow table near the farther wall, one of them spread open -evidently for inspection, and so placed that its folds hung nearly to -the floor, lay two costly Persian shawls. - -The instant Patsy’s gaze fell upon them, the truth began to dawn upon -him. - -“Great guns!” he exclaimed mentally. “The two shawls mentioned by -Goulard. He did not bring them here, however. There is a connection -between this cellar and the department store. That’s a dead -open-and-shut cinch, and it’s operated in some way with this engine. By -gracious, I’ll have a closer look, if it takes a leg!” - -Patsy had seen, of course, that this subterranean chamber then was -deserted. Placing the panel exactly as he had found it, Patsy crept down -the steps and gazed around. - -“I have it,” he muttered. “This interior wall has been built across the -original basement so as to form this chamber, and at the same time -prevent detection by persons in the other part of the basement, who -would naturally suppose it extended back no farther than this inner -wall. It must be to the other part of the basement that Chick descended. -He still must be there, too, unless----” - -That there was no alternative, that his suspicions from the outset had -been correct, that he had trapped himself also, and was up against a -sudden, desperate situation--all flashed over Patsy on the instant, when -his train of thought was broken by sounds that sent a momentary chill -down his spine. - -The quick opening of a door, the heavy tread of men’s feet, mingled with -a harsh, commanding voice, which he instantly recognized to be that of -Gaston Goulard--these were the sounds that suddenly fell upon Patsy’s -ears. - -“Open that panel door, Bolton, and give us more light,” Goulard was -crying. “Lug him up here, Nelson, and be quick about it. Lend him a -hand, Bart. We’ll hide the infernal dick in the engine room till we can -dispose of him. Work lively. I must phone to Lombard and make sure that -all is well before I return.” - -“Great Scott!” thought Patsy, before half of the foregoing was said. -“I’m in wrong, all right, against odds which--hang it! here’s my best -chance.” - -Patsy had caught sight of the Persian shawl hanging over the side of the -table. As quick as a flash, dropping to the floor, he rolled under the -table and back of the folds of the shawl, which for a moment, at least, -served to shelter him like a curtain. - -He scarce had accomplished this and checked the slight disturbance of -the hanging shawl, when the panel flew open, and Nolan and Bart Bailey -roughly rolled Chick Carter, then bound hand and foot, down the flight -of steps to the engine-room floor. - -“Lie there, blast you, until we’re ready to hand you something more,” -Bailey cried, with a snarl. “Meddle with our business, will you? We’ll -send you to the devil for it.” - -“Leave him there,” snapped Goulard sharply. “Leave him there and close -the door. Wait here, you three, while I phone to Lombard. There’s no -telling what these Carters may have done, or will do. I’ll find out in a -couple of minutes.” - -Patsy heard his strident voice even after the panel door was closed. He -also heard him rush through the hall, evidently to a telephone in the -rear part of the store. - -Patsy did not wait to hear more. He whipped out his knife and rolled -from under the table, giving Chick, who was only a bit bruised by his -fall down the steps, the surprise of his life. - -“Eureka! You here, Patsy?” said he quietly. - -“Bet you!” muttered Patsy, quickly cutting Chick’s bands. “I’m a Charley -on the spot, for fair.” - -“Is there a way out?” - -“Only up these steps.” - -“Thunder!” - -“Tight box, old top, eh?” declared Patsy, undaunted. “But we have been -in just as tight before.” - -“Yes, and then some,” Chick nodded, springing up. “Have you got two -guns?” - -“Sure!” - -“Let me have one. The rats have taken mine.” - -“No sooner said than done,” grinned Patsy, handing Chick one of his -revolvers and retaining the other. “What next? Shall we make a break at -once and nail them in their own trenches, or----” - -“Wait!” Chick interrupted. “Find the switch key that cuts off these -lights. The rascals will fight back, but they could not get a line on us -in the dark. We can get them at that advantage.” - -“I’m wise,” said Patsy, vainly searching for the electric switch key. - -“Be quick,” whispered Chick, crouching at the foot of the steps. -“If--ah, there’s something doing. Something is wrong.” - -A roar from Gaston Goulard had reached his ears, a fierce oath, followed -by: - -“There’s the deuce to pay! I can’t get Lombard on the phone. He has been -arrested. There’s a chance, by thunder, that guns will show up here at -any moment. Gag that infernal dick in the engine room, then put out the -light. Fix----” - -“Perdition! We’re already fixed!” - -Bart Bailey had thrown open the panel door and suddenly discovered the -two detectives. - -“Hands up!” Chick shouted, starting up the steps. “Up with them, -or----” - -“Hands up be hanged!” - -Bart Bailey leaped aside, seeking the shelter of the wall, then whipped -out a revolver and fired through the doorway. - -The bullet whizzed a foot over Chick’s head. - -“Out with the lights, Patsy!” he shouted. “Smash the bulbs!” - -Patsy’s revolver swung upward like a flash. - -There was a crash of breaking glass--and the subterranean chamber was in -darkness. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -BY THE AIR LINE. - - -Nick Carter arrived early that afternoon in the big department store of -Mantell & Goulard, and several circumstances determined, as he had -predicted to Patsy that morning, the course he afterward shaped. - -One was the fact that, for the reasons already presented, he had -received no communication from Chick and knew nothing about his -movements. - -Another was the fact that he could find no sign of Patsy Garvan in any -part of the great store. - -A third was the fact that Gaston Goulard was absent from his office, and -that his whereabouts was unknown, as Nick learned upon talking with -Frank Mantell and his father, which he then had decided to do, and both -of whom he found in the private office of the senior partner. - -Nick then learned, too, of the theft that had been committed in the -receiving room that morning, about which Goulard had expressed himself -so forcibly after apparently vainly investigating it. - -Nick smiled a bit grimly after gathering these several points, and now -suspicions began to arise in his mind. - -“Have there been previous thefts from the receiving room, Mr. Mantell?” -he inquired, addressing the elder. - -“Yes, many of them; very many,” was the reply. - -“Who has charge in that room?” - -“A man named George Tenney.” - -“Reliable?” - -“I feel absolutely sure of it. He has been in my employ for a long -time.” - -“He evidently is being duped in some way, then,” said Nick. “He looks -after the opening of all packages that are received, I suppose, and sees -that their contents are sent up to the salesrooms.” - -“Yes, of course, with the occasional help of Goulard, or Mr. Lombard.” - -“They were both in the receiving room this morning, I think you have -stated.” - -“They were, Mr. Carter,” bowed Mantell. “They went down to investigate -the theft.” - -“Was either of them there before the theft was discovered?” - -“Yes. Mr. Lombard went down to check off an invoice of the package from -which the two shawls are missing.” - -“I see,” Nick remarked. “I think I will go down there, Frank, and look -around a bit. Show me the way as far as the stairs, then leave me, and -pay no attention to my doings. I may have something to report a little -later.” - -Frank Mantell arose to obey, and Nick accompanied him down to the ground -floor. - -As they were turning toward the stairway leading down to the basement -receiving room, Frank touched the detective’s arm and said quietly: - -“There goes Lombard, now. I think he is going down to the receiving -room.” - -Lombard was heading for the stairs with a wrapped bundle about a foot -long and nearly as large in diameter, but he did not see Mantell and his -companion. - -Nick watched him for a moment, then said quietly: - -“Leave me, Mantell. I can find the way by following him.” - -Nick had more than one object in doing so. - -He arrived at the head of the stairs just as Lombard turned to the left -in the great basement room. - -Nick darted down after him, and again fortune favored him. He reached -the entrance to the room, which was always partly filled with unopened -packages of divers descriptions, just in time to see Lombard glide -stealthily back of a high pile of cases about two feet from one of the -walls. - -Nick saw an empty case about ten feet to the right of the door. He -crouched behind it and waited. - -Less than two minutes had passed when Lombard returned--without the -bundle. - -He quickly reached the stairway and hurried up to the business part of -the store. - -Nick Carter’s eyes had a sharper gleam when he crept from his -concealment. He at once gave his attention to the narrow passage in -which Lombard must have left the bundle. - -One side was formed by the high pile of cases. - -On the other was a sheathed wall. - -Nick examined the cases in rapid succession, and he soon found that none -of them could be opened. Obviously, none could be a hiding place for the -bundle. - -Nick then began a careful inspection of the wall, sounding it foot by -foot by tapping it with his knuckles. He suspected, of course, that -there might be a secret panel with an open space behind it. - -Presently he found a spot that sounded more hollow than other sections. - -“By Jove, I think I’m right,” he muttered. “But there seems to be no -crack or crevice. The panel, if there is one, is most cleverly -concealed.” - -Persistently searching the wall, however, Nick finally discovered the -head of a nail some six feet above the floor. It did not appear to be as -dusty as the rest of the wall. He reached up and pressed it with his -thumb. - -This instantly brought a faint click from behind the sheathing. - -A section of it about two feet square, so neatly fitted that the cracks -were invisible, separated from the rest and swung outward under the -impulse of a hidden spring. - -It brought to light the foundation wall of the building, also a circular -metal plate about fourteen inches in diameter, with a handle by which it -could be swung downward parallel with the face of the wall. - -Nick forced it down and discovered the opening of a tube through the -wall, and in the tube a cylinder such as Patsy had seen in the -subterranean chamber. - -Nick instantly hit upon the truth, of course, and the mystery as to how -the merchandise had been taken from the store ended then and there. - -“A pneumatic tube,” he said to himself, noting the tight-fitting flange -of felt around the end of the cylinder. “Similar to those of a cash -system. The tube evidently runs underground to another building, where -there must be an engine and air pump for removing the air from the tube. -That done, and this plate lowered, the cylinder would fly through the -tube in an instant.” - -Nick carefully noted the probable direction of the tube, then turned a -knob in the metal end of the cylinder, from which he took, as he -expected--the bundle seen under Lombard’s arm only ten minutes before. - -Nick closed the tube and panel, then took the bundle up to Mr. Mantell’s -private office, where he found both father and son. - -“By gracious, Nick, there has been another theft,” Frank Mantell cried, -when the detective entered. “A pair of costly lace curtains is missing -from that department.” - -Nick did not care for any particulars. He sat down in one of the large -leather chairs and placed the bundle on the floor behind it. - -“That’s too bad, Mantell,” he remarked. “I would like to question one of -your managers. Send for Mr. Lombard, since we happened to notice him a -few minutes ago.” - -Frank Mantell looked surprised, but hastened to obey. - -Lombard entered in about five minutes, apparently apprehending nothing. - -Nick had removed his disguise and thrust it into his pocket. - -“Sit down, Mr. Lombard,” said he, without waiting to be introduced. “I -am told there has just been another mysterious theft in this store.” - -“Yes, so I have heard,” was the quick reply. “I was just going to look -into the matter.” - -“Don’t you think it would be more profitable to look into that pneumatic -tube that leads out of the receiving room?” Nick inquired. - -Lombard turned as white as his shirt front. - -“I don’t know what you mean,” he faltered. “What--what tube?” - -“That in which I found this bundle a few minutes ago,” said Nick, taking -it from behind his chair and tearing it open. “Here are the stolen lace -curtains. I refer to the tube, Mr. Lombard, in which you placed them.” - -Lombard started to rise, but his knees gave way under him and he nearly -fainted in his chair, while Mantell and his father stared in speechless -amazement. - -Nick leaned forward, and, before Lombard fairly knew it, snapped a pair -of handcuffs on the culprit’s wrists. - -“Now,” said he, more sternly, “tell me where that tube leads, Mr. -Lombard, and be quick about it. The jig is up for you and your -confederates.” - -Lombard pulled himself together and glared at Nick with a scowl. - -“You’ll learn nothing from me,” he growled bitterly. “Find out for -yourself, if you want to know.” - -“That’s precisely what I will do,” declared Nick, starting up. “Look -after this man, Mantell, till I return. I have a hunch that I shall not -return alone.” - -Nick did not wait for a reply, but seized his hat and hurried from the -office. He had noted the probable direction of the underground tube, and -he hastened through the corridor and down the same back stairway over -which Patsy had pursued Gaston Goulard. - -“Humph!” he ejaculated, upon arriving in the court. “It runs under these -pavements and into the basement of this next building. I’ll find out who -occupies it.” - -Nick hurried out to the side street and gazed up at the sign: “Acme -Novelty Company.” - -“Novelty, indeed,” thought Nick, trying the door and finding it locked. -“No one at home, eh? I’ll slip around and try the back door.” - -He had arrived nearly at the entrance to the alley, when he caught sight -of a policeman on the opposite side of the street. He whistled and -beckoned him over. - -“Come with me, Doyle, and have your gun within easy reach,” he said -quietly. - -“Something up, Mr. Carter?” questioned Doyle, at once recognizing the -detective. - -“Yes,” Nick nodded. “I don’t know yet, however, how big game we may -find.” - -“Sure, I don’t care how big, sir.” - -“Follow me through the alley, then, and----” - -Nick stopped for an instant only. - -There had reached his ear a sound, though a bit muffled, which he -instantly recognized--the sharp, spiteful crack of a revolver. - -“Come on, Doyle,” he snapped quickly. “That smacks of big game, all -right. I reckon we’re in the nick of time.” - -Nick was running at top speed through the alley while speaking, with the -burly policeman close on his heels. - -Ten seconds brought them to the back door of the building--which Patsy -Garvan had left unlocked. - -Nick then heard the shouts of men within, and the furious voice of -Gaston Goulard. - -“We’ve got them, Doyle,” he said quietly, pausing for an instant. “Are -you ready?” - -“I’ll go ahead, if you say the word.” - -“Not much!” - -Nick turned the knob and threw open the door, shedding the bright -daylight into the dim hall in which Goulard, Bart Bailey, Nolan, and -Bolton were attempting with fierce threats to subdue Chick and Patsy, -who had smashed the lamps in the subterranean chamber only a moment -before. - -Nick broke in upon them with his revolver ready, shouting sternly: - -“Cut it, you fellows! Hands up, and----” - -His voice was drowned by the crack of a revolver in the hand of the only -man who ventured any resistance--that of Bart Bailey. - -The rascal had crouched quickly back of Goulard, and had escaped Nick’s -immediate notice. - -The bullet tore a hole in the detective’s sleeve and inflicted a slight -wound in Doyle’s left shoulder. - -Goulard sprang aside instinctively. - -Bart Bailey was raising his weapon to fire again. - -Nick’s barked on the instant, and the bullet went true. - -Bailey pitched forward on his face in the narrow entry, dead before he -hit the floor. - -There were curses and imprecations, but no further resistance, and the -three remaining crooks were speedily handcuffed and started for the -Tombs, the initiatory step in the retributive path. Meyers was arrested -in Philadelphia half an hour later, and the round-up was complete. - -The details of the crime, as they afterward appeared, were very nearly -in line with which Nick Carter had been led to suspect. It was learned -later that Goulard long had been hopelessly under water financially, -having vast secret commitments in the stock market, and he confessed to -having taken this method to rob his partner and repair his wasted -fortune. He had gone far enough to nearly wreck the business, as a -matter of fact, and the firm went out of existence a little later. - -Commenting upon him and the case to his assistants shortly before the -trial of the culprits, while seated with Chick and Patsy in his library, -Nick Carter made several predictions which later proved for the most -part to be correct. - -“That rascal,” he observed, speaking of Gaston Goulard, “carries the -mark of Cain. He has begun with being a traitor to his own partner. He -probably will do time for the crime, and then he will continue the -downward path. It’s odds that he will commit murder sooner or later. -For, unless I am much mistaken, the mark is on him. The others will be -convicted and sent to prison. As for Bart Bailey--well, let the dead -bury the dead. His death has, at least, opened the way for Frank Mantell -to win over the girl he loves, and they are well worthy of one another.” - -“That’s right, chief,” declared Patsy. - -“I would wager,” Nick added, “that they’ll be married within the year.” - - -THE END. - - “A Network of Crime; or, Nick Carter’s Tangled Skein,” will be the - title of the long, complete story which you will find in the next - issue, No. 149, of the NICK CARTER STORIES. Then, too, there will - be the usual installment of the interesting serial which is now - running. There will also be several other interesting articles. - - - - -Sheridan of the U. S. Mail. - -By RALPH BOSTON. - - (This interesting story was commenced in No. 148 of NICK CARTER - STORIES. Back numbers can always be obtained from your news dealer - or the publishers.) - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -A WARNING. - - -The more Owen thought over his interview with Boss Coggswell, the more -convinced he became that the sole reason the politician had sent for him -had been to try to bribe him to hold out the mail of a certain person on -his route. - -That Coggswell had summoned him to the club in order to express his -admiration of Owen’s independence in refusing to buy the ticket to the -outing seemed absurd. It had sounded almost plausible when the boss had -said it in his smooth, convincing voice, but when he came to think over -it afterward, Owen could see how preposterous the thing was. Imagine any -political leader going into raptures over a young man who had called him -a blackmailer. Imagine him being anxious to help a young man to -promotion, just because he liked his way of talking. - -“No,” said the carrier to himself, “that offer of a postal inspector’s -job was made to tempt me to do Coggswell’s crooked work, and now that -I’ve refused, I’ll wager that he won’t move a finger to help me. But I -don’t care about that,” he added confidently; “I’ll get there, all -right, without his help.” - -Something happened the following morning which greatly strengthened the -suspicions of the carrier, and made him certain that Boss Coggswell had -sinister designs upon the mail of some person on his route. - -When he reported for work, Owen was informed by Henderson, the -superintendent of Branch X Y, that, beginning that morning, he was to -cover a new territory. Instead of route forty-eight, he would -henceforth, and until further notice, cover route sixteen. - -Now, in post-office work it is a great advantage, naturally, to have the -carriers familiar with the territory which they have to cover. It stands -to reason that a postman cannot make as quick deliveries over strange -ground as on a route in which he knows the names in the house letter -boxes almost by heart. For this reason the men are not changed around -any more than can be avoided. - -Therefore, Owen knew, as soon as Henderson told him that his route was -to be changed, that this must be due to Coggswell’s influence. The -politician wanted to get him out of the way, and have him replaced by a -man who would not refuse to do his bidding. - -Owen inquired who was to succeed him on route forty-eight, and learned -that it was a carrier named Greene, a man whom Owen liked less than any -other employee of Branch X Y. - -Greene, who was a pale-faced, shifty-eyed fellow, was a member of the -Samuel J. Coggswell Association, Owen learned, and on friendly terms -with Jake Hines. The fact that he had been selected for route -forty-eight certainly looked significant. - -To be taken away from his old territory was a great blow to Owen; for, -be it remembered, the real-estate office of Walter K. Sammis was located -in that section, and his transfer meant that he no longer would be able -to exchange a few words each morning with Dallas Worthington. - -And, besides this, the new route was a much less pleasant one. Carrier -Greene, who had covered it for two years, had certain reasons of his own -for being satisfied with it, but Owen found the new territory very -disagreeable. - -It comprised the very poorest and most squalid section of the district. -The inhabitants were mostly foreigners, and the handwriting on letters -they received was hard to decipher. They were in the habit of changing -their addresses frequently, too, and this entailed extra clerical work; -for each carrier has to enter all such removals in his “log book.” Then, -again, many of the tenants of the tenements were too shiftless or -ignorant to post their names in the vestibules, and this made deliveries -very difficult, and consumed a lot of time. - -Nevertheless, Owen did not make any protest. He accepted the situation -philosophically, and started out to cover his new route as cheerfully as -if he really relished the change. But inwardly he registered a vow that -he was going to find out the identity of the person whose mail Boss -Coggswell wanted to get hold of, and check that politician’s sinister -plans. - -First he went to the three carriers responsible for route -forty-eight--for every route is covered by three men--and warned them of -what he purposed to do. - -The two other carriers who took turns at covering that territory were -named Gordon and Smithers. They had both had route forty-eight for -several years. The fact that they were not now taken off gave Owen -reason to suppose that they must be satisfactory to Boss Coggswell, and -willing to do his dirty work. For he reasoned that, in order to carry -out his crooked scheme, the politician must have the coöperation of all -three carriers who covered that route. Otherwise the particular letters -which Coggswell wanted to get hold of might go through when Greene was -not on duty. - -Owen was on friendly terms with both Gordon and Smithers--in fact, the -latter and he roomed in the same boarding house. The former was a -good-natured, pleasant sort of fellow, but of a weak character. He was -always heavily in debt, and he was a hard drinker. More than once he had -been caught under the influence of liquor while on duty, and these -lapses would have resulted in his dismissal from the department if it -had not been for the intercession of Samuel J. Coggswell, who was a -friend of his wife’s father. - -Smithers, like Greene, was a member of the Samuel J. Coggswell -Association, and a crony of Jake Hines. He was a tall, sharp-featured -young man, of about Owen’s age, taciturn and very shrewd. - -Owen felt sure that these men were all in the plot to tamper with the -mails. As he didn’t want to see them disgraced and sent to prison, he -decided to give them due warning. Of course, they indignantly denied -that any such proposition had been made to them by Boss Coggswell, or -that they knew anything about a scheme to hold up anybody’s mail on -route forty-eight. - -Smithers told Owen that he must be raving mad to suspect anything like -that; Gordon laughed and declared that it was the best joke he had heard -in many a day; Greene growled that Owen was sore at having been -transferred, and was trying to besmirch his character in order to get -square. - -“Very well,” retorted Owen grimly; “I’ve given you fellows notice; now, -if you go ahead and get caught, you’ve got only yourselves to blame. I -know that there is such a crooked scheme afoot, and I’m going to find -out the name of the victim and put him on his guard.” - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -A STRONG LEAD. - - -Owen began by watching Carrier Greene as he stood at his case sorting -out the mail preparatory to starting out on the first delivery. He -thought he might be able to see him withdraw and pocket the desired -letters, and thereby get an important clew; but Greene made no such -compromising move. - -Owen maintained the same close watch when Gordon and Smithers were at -the sorting cases, but these vigils were not productive of results. -Either the letters which Coggswell wanted had not yet shown up, or the -three carriers were too cautious to abstract them in the post office, -preferring to wait until they had them in the bags and were out on the -street, where they could get at them without being observed. - -It was a headline on the front page of a morning newspaper which at -length set Owen on the right track. This headline read: “Judge Lawrence -to Fight Coggswell.--Former Supreme-court Judge Preparing to Wrest -District Leadership from Boss at Coming Primaries. Coggswell Said to be -Seriously Alarmed by Plan to Dethrone Him.” - -Now, part of postal route forty-eight was a row of brownstone private -residences, and in one of these lived the Honorable Sugden Lawrence, -former supreme-court judge, and now a lawyer of considerable prominence. - -Owen decided that this was the man whose mail Boss Coggswell wished to -intercept. In the first place, if, as the newspaper stated, Judge -Lawrence was threatening to wrest the district leadership from its -present incumbent, was it not exceedingly likely that the latter would -be anxious to “get something on” his prospective opponent--some scandal -which could be used to crush the enemy? With such an object in view, -secret access to a man’s private correspondence would be a valuable -factor. Many a family skeleton has been revealed by this means, many a -public career has been ruined by means of a purloined letter. - -In the second place--and this was, in his opinion, the strongest -argument in favor of his theory--Owen happened to know that Henderson, -the superintendent of Branch X Y, had a brother who was a clerk in Judge -Lawrence’s office. - -Owen had wondered until now why Boss Coggswell, in his desire to tamper -with somebody’s mail, had not gone direct to Henderson, and had the -thing done right in the post office, before the mail was handed to the -carriers. - -Surely, this would have been easier, and much more safe, than to deal -with three subordinates. Several little incidents which had come under -his observation gave Owen reason to believe that the superintendent of -Branch X Y was not an overscrupulous official. He was a man who, in the -administration of his office, “played politics” to an outrageous extent. -Under ordinary circumstances, no doubt, he would not have hesitated to -do Boss Coggswell this favor. - -Why, then, had not the politician gone to Henderson instead of dealing -with the carriers? Owen believed that he understood why, now. Coggswell -was afraid that the superintendent would not stand for any monkeying -with the mail of his brother’s employer. He might have warned the judge -and caused trouble. - -Convinced that his theory was correct, Owen went that evening to the -residence of ex-Judge Lawrence. The latter, a keen, aggressive man, a -few years past middle age, received the letter carrier in his library, -and listened with great attention to what he had to say. - -When Owen was through, Judge Lawrence nodded his head vigorously. “I -think you have guessed right,” he said. “In fact, I haven’t a bit of -doubt that it is my mail which that rascal Coggswell is after. There is -a certain incident,” he went on, “concerning which I am now in -correspondence with a certain person. While there is really nothing -about this incident--nothing which could bring discredit on me if the -real facts were known, the matter could be misrepresented in a manner -which would greatly injure my reputation. I happen to know that -Coggswell has a slight inkling of this matter already, and has been -trying for some time past to get more information on the subject, so -that he can spring it on me and smash me at the primaries. That is why I -feel pretty sure that it is my mail he is scheming to get hold of.” - -He banged his fist vigorously upon the library table. “Tampering with -Uncle Sam’s mail is a pretty serious offense,” he declared grimly; “and -so friend Coggswell will learn, if he is engaged in such a contemptible -piece of business.” - -He arose and held out his hand to Owen. “I am very grateful to you for -having come to me and put me on my guard, Mr. Sheridan,” he said. “I am -going to take steps immediately to ascertain if our suspicions are -correct. And if they are, you and I are going to put Samuel J. Coggswell -in prison stripes.” - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -JACK HINES IN LOVE. - - -“Say, Miss Peaches-and-cream, is the main squeeze in?” At this -unconventional salutation Dallas Worthington looked up from her -typewriter, and stared curiously at the person who had given utterance -to it. - -She saw that the visitor was a stout, red-faced young man, who wore a -suit of exceedingly loud pattern, a soft felt hat of the very latest and -most rakish design, and a red necktie, in which glittered a diamond of -huge proportions. - -“If by ‘the main squeeze’ you mean Mr. Sammis,” she said, with dignity, -“he is in his private office. Do you wish to see him?” - -“That’s what I came for--originally,” answered the young man, staring at -her ardently, “but now that I’ve seen you, I’ve almost changed my mind. -I hate to tear myself away from this spot. Say, kid, you make a big hit -with me. I didn’t know there was anything so pretty in this vicinity. If -I’d suspected it I’d have dropped in here long ago.” - -“What name shall I take in to Mr. Sammis?” inquired the girl coldly. - -“Gee, but you’re in a hurry to get rid of me!” said the visitor -reproachfully. “Well, if you insist, you might tell the boss that Mr. -Hines is here--Mr. Jake Hines.” - -As the girl arose and stepped into the private office at the rear of the -store, Mr. Hines gazed after her trim, graceful figure admiringly. - -“Peach!” he said to himself. “I’m mighty glad I called. Even if I don’t -sell any tickets here, my time won’t be wasted. If I ain’t taking this -queen to Coney Island before another week has passed, I’m a dead one.” - -Dallas reappeared and told him that Mr. Sammis would see him -immediately. With another ardent glance at her, Mr. Hines stepped into -the private office. - -“Well, sir, what can I do for you?” inquired the real-estate broker, an -elderly man with gray mutton-chop whiskers and a rather severe demeanor. - -“I’ve come to see how many tickets you’ll take for the annual chowder -and outing of the Samuel J. Coggswell Association,” replied Hines. - -“Chowder!” repeated Mr. Sammis testily; “I don’t eat chowder, and I -don’t attend outings; consequently I don’t want any tickets.” - -“Oh, yes, you do,” retorted Hines, his tone almost bullying. “You don’t -have to go, yourself, if you don’t want to. You can buy the tickets and -give ’em away to your friends. Boss Coggswell expects you to take at -least five, Mr. Sammis. That’s the number all the other real-estate men -in the district are takin’.” - -“I don’t care what others are doing, and I don’t care what Mr. Coggswell -expects,” snapped Sammis. “I must ask you to get out of here at once, -young man. This is my busy day.” - -“Oh, very well,” growled Hines, rising. “It don’t make no difference to -me whether you take any tickets or not, my friend; but take it from me, -it’s going to make a whole lot of difference to you. No man that’s -interested in property in this district can afford to antagonize Boss -Coggswell. You’ll be mighty sorry. There’s lots of ways we can make it -unpleasant for you if you get gay with us.” - -He swaggered out of the private office, and, as he caught sight of -Dallas Worthington at her typewriter, the scowl disappeared from his -beefy face. - -“Say, bright eyes, how would you like to run down to the Island with me -this evening?” he inquired, stepping up to her desk. - -“I wouldn’t like it at all,” she answered, without looking up from her -work. - -“Stung!” he exclaimed ruefully. “May I ask why not?” - -“Oh, for several reasons.” - -“Give me one.” - -“Well, for one thing,” she answered, glancing at him scornfully, “I’d be -afraid, Mr. Hines, that on the way you might try to intimidate me into -buying a ticket for the Coggswell Association’s outing.” - -“Gee!” he said to himself, “she must have overheard what I said to her -boss inside.” - -Aloud he said earnestly: “You needn’t be afraid of that. I’d make you a -present of all the tickets you want, honeybud. Tell me another reason -why I can’t make a date with you.” - -“Because I don’t make engagements with strangers,” said Dallas -haughtily. “Please close the door as you go out.” - -“It ain’t my fault that I’m a stranger,” said Mr. Hines plaintively, -taking no notice of the hint. “I’m doin’ my best to get acquainted. Say, -give it to me straight, little one--am I on a busy wire? Is there any -other feller ahead of me?” - -“There is!” declared Dallas, with great emphasis. “And even if there -weren’t----” - -“Then I’m sorry for him,” the young man interrupted. - -“Sorry! Why?” she asked, in astonishment. - -“Because I’m goin’ to take his girl away from him. I don’t know who the -feller is; but whoever he is, he ain’t good enough for you. I never took -much stock before in all this talk about fallin’ in love at first sight, -but, honest, kid, you’ve hit me straight between the eyes. The minute I -came in here and saw you sittin’ at that typewriter, I----” - -“Will you please close that door on the outside?” interrupted Dallas, -pointing impatiently toward the street door. “I’ve got a lot of work to -do, and if you don’t get out of here immediately, I shall have to call -Mr. Sammis.” - -“Oh, very well,” said Mr. Hines, somewhat crestfallen. “I guess that’s a -hint for me to be goin’. So long, girlie. I’ll drop in again some other -time when you ain’t quite so busy. - -“Gee!” he said to himself as he reached the sidewalk, “I certainly am -hard hit. I do believe that I’ve actually fallen in love with that -peach--and I don’t even know her name.” - -A short distance up the avenue he encountered Carrier Greene. - -“Hello, Jake,” said the postman; “didn’t I see you in Sammis’ -real-estate office a few minutes ago, talking to Sheridan’s girl?” - -“Whose girl?” demanded the politician quickly. “What Sheridan do you -mean?” - -“Owen Sheridan--the carrier that used to have this route,” answered -Greene. “Don’t you know that he’s keeping company with that typewriter -girl? It’s a fact. She almost cried, the other morning, when I came in -and told her that Sheridan didn’t have this route any more. I understand -that they’re going to be married soon.” - -“I don’t believe it,” growled Hines. “A queen like that goin’ to marry a -twelve-dollar-a-week carrier? It ain’t possible.” - -Two evenings later, Mr. Hines, happening to be down at Coney Island with -a party of friends, met Dallas Worthington on Surf Avenue, walking arm -in arm with Owen Sheridan. The manner in which the girl was looking up -into her escort’s face caused Hines to utter an exclamation of jealous -rage. For the young politician’s infatuation for Dallas had proved to be -more than a passing fancy. Strange as it may appear, he had seriously -fallen in love with the girl, and the lapse of two days found him even -more hard hit than at first. - -Consequently, that meeting at Coney Island was a great blow to him. -Until then he had refused to believe what Carrier Greene had told him, -and, being an egotistical young man, he felt confident that, although -the girl appeared to have somewhat of a prejudice against him at the -start, she could not continue to hold out for long against the charm of -his personality. - -He returned home from Coney Island with the dislike which he had already -formed for Carrier Owen Sheridan increased tenfold. - -The next day he received a summons from Boss Coggswell to come to the -clubhouse immediately. When he got there he found that politician in a -state of considerable agitation. - -“Have you heard the news?” exclaimed the district leader, pacing -nervously up and down the floor of his private office. - -“No, boss; what is it?” - -“Carrier Greene has been arrested--and Tom Hovey, too.” - -“Tom Hovey! The fellow you sent to get those letters from Greene? What -are they arrested for?” inquired Hines anxiously. - -“Tampering with the mails, of course. I understand they’ve got them dead -to rights, too. Greene was seen handing the letters to Hovey, and Hovey -was caught in the act of opening the envelope over a steam kettle. -Lawrence has got a strong case against us.” - -“Against _us_?” repeated Jake Hines, with a crafty smile. “Don’t say -that, boss. They haven’t got anything on you--and you can rest assured -that you’ll not be implicated. Neither Greene nor Hovey will squeal, no -matter what happens. I’m willing to stake my bottom dollar on those -fellows standing pat. They’ll go to jail for life rather than give you -away. There’s only one man we’ve got to fear, so far as you’re -concerned.” - -“Who’s that?” inquired Boss Coggswell nervously. - -“That letter carrier, Owen Sheridan. He’s behind these arrests, of -course. It was him that put Judge Lawrence wise to the whole business.” - -Coggswell nodded gloomily. “Yes, and he can implicate me by testifying -that I sent for him the other day, and tried to bribe him to hand over -that mail. His evidence----” - -“Will put you in stripes, boss, I’m afraid,” broke in Jake Hines grimly. -“But he’s the only man we’ve got to be afraid of.” - -Coggswell agitatedly paced the full length of the room several times -before he spoke again. Hines observed that the boss’ ears were wiggling -furiously--that peculiar physical indication of the sinister thoughts -that were brewing within the crooked brain. - -At length Coggswell halted. “You’re right, Jake,” he said, very quietly; -“Sheridan is dangerous. He must be got out of the way.” - -Jake nodded his head vigorously. “I agree with you, boss,” he said -fervently. “He must be got out of the way.” - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -THE FRAME-UP. - - -Jake Hines couldn’t forget what he had seen down at Coney Island the -previous evening; the look of affection which had been in the eyes of -Dallas Worthington as she gazed up into the face of Owen Sheridan; the -trusting, intimate manner in which she hung on her escort’s arm. -Consequently Coggswell’s declaration that the young carrier must be got -rid of appealed to him tremendously. - -He wondered just what the boss meant by those words. He was in hopes -that the latter was about to propose some dark scheme for kidnaping -Sheridan. To have the young man shanghaied and cast away on some desert -island was a plan which, in his present jealous frame of mind, would -have suited Jake to a T. - -He made no suggestion, however. He waited for Coggswell to speak. He -knew from the way those telltale ears were wiggling that the boss’ -fertile brain was busy hatching a plan to bring about the desired -result. - -After a prolonged silence, Coggswell said suddenly: “There must be no -foul play, Jake--understand that.” - -“Eh?” exclaimed Hines, in incredulous astonishment. “No foul play?” - -“No rough work, I mean,” the boss explained. “No violence. You know very -well that I don’t like that sort of thing, Jake.” - -A look of disappointment flitted across Jake’s beefy countenance. “What, -then, boss?” he inquired. - -“Sheridan must be silenced by legitimate means,” declared the district -leader. “We don’t want to go against the law, Jake. We don’t want to -forget that we are decent, law-abiding citizens. I could not think of -countenancing foul play in dealing with this man.” - -Hines scratched his head in perplexity, and stared blankly at Coggswell. -He was relieved to see that, although there was a virtuous expression -upon the latter’s face, those ears were still wiggling at a furious -rate. - -“What do you mean by legitimate means, boss?” he asked. - -“Let me explain, Jake.” Coggswell sat down in his desk chair and -motioned his disciple to a chair at his right hand. His agitation had -now completely disappeared. Once more he was the calm, dignified, -benevolent-appearing original of the portrait in oils which hung in the -reception hall downstairs. - -“Now, as you have correctly pointed out, Jake,” he went on, “the only -danger of my becoming implicated in this regrettable post-office affair -is through the testimony of this carrier, Owen Sheridan. Greene and -Hovey have been caught red-handed, it is true; but I agree with you that -they are not the kind of fellows who can be made to squeal. They will -deny emphatically that they were obeying my orders when they tampered -with Judge Lawrence’s mail. Hovey will insist that he had reasons of his -own for wanting to see the contents of those letters.” - -Hines nodded. “Yes, I’m quite sure that both those fellows can be relied -on, boss. Pretty tough, though, ain’t it, that they’ll have to go to -prison?” - -Coggswell smiled confidently. “They won’t go to prison. They’re quite -safe. They’ll be admitted to bail, of course, and I’ll see that there’s -somebody to go on their bond, no matter what the amount--somebody who -won’t mind when the bail is forfeited after those fellows have skipped -beyond the jurisdiction of the courts.” - -Hines nodded again. “Yes, that ought to be easy. And, now, how about -Sheridan? How are you going to prevent him from dragging you into this -mess?” - -Coggswell smiled. “Let me answer that by asking you a question, Jake. -Suppose you were on a jury, trying a criminal case: would you believe -the testimony of a jailbird? Suppose the chief witness for the -prosecution was a young man who had just been tried, convicted, and -sentenced for being a thief: would you, as a juryman, take any stock in -what he had to say?” - -“I would not,” declared Hines virtuously. - -Boss Coggswell laughed grimly. “Very well, then; that’s the answer to -your question.” - -Hines looked bewildered. “But I don’t quite get you, boss. Sheridan -ain’t a jailbird.” - -“Not yet, you mean, Jake,” corrected Coggswell, in his quiet, smooth -voice. - -The eyes of the younger man suddenly lighted up. His was not a -quick-moving brain, but he fully grasped the idea now. It appealed to -him greatly, too. A prison was even better than a desert island, as a -means of putting the kibosh on a rival in love. - -“I get you, boss!” he exclaimed enthusiastically. “We’ll have to get -busy and dope out a scheme for----” - -“I’ve got one already, Jake,” broke in the district leader smilingly. -“One that can’t fail to work successfully. All that you’ll have to do is -to carry it out.” - -For the next thirty minutes Jake Hines listened attentively while his -chief explained in detail the plan which he had evolved. It was a plan -which met with the former’s warm approval and admiration, and when the -interview was at an end, he went out with great enthusiasm to put it -into execution immediately. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -A DOUBTFUL JOKE. - - -Later that day, three well-dressed middle-aged men entered a branch post -office, downtown, and stepped up to the registry window. Handling a -small, square package through the grille, one of them said to the -clerk: “I wish to send this by registered mail. It’s a birthday present -to a friend of mine. Is it sure to get there this afternoon?” - -“Oh, yes,” the clerk assured him, taking the package and making out a -receipt; “it’ll be uptown in an hour, and go out on the three-o’clock -delivery.” - -Into the registered-mail sack went the little, square package, and soon -it was on its way to the general post office. - -Here the sack was opened, its contents rapidly sorted, and the little, -square package placed, along with several other packages, in a smaller -sack which was sent speeding uptown to Branch X Y. - -When Carrier Sheridan went to get his mail for the three-o’clock -delivery, the little, square package was waiting there for him. - -He glanced at the address curiously. Registered mail was a rarity on his -new route, which, as has been stated, comprised the poorest and most -squalid portion of the district. The package was addressed to a Mr. -Michael Harrington, who kept a saloon. Owen put it in his pouch and -started out on his delivery tour. - -Fifteen minutes later he pushed aside the swinging doors of Harrington’s -saloon, at the bar of which was a group of about ten men. - -“Howdy,” said Mr. Harrington genially, from behind the bar. “What’s the -good word? Have a little drink of something, young feller? It’s my -birthday to-day, and I’m standin’ treat.” - -“No, thanks,” said Owen, with a smile; “I’m on the water wagon. But I -wish you many happy returns, just the same. Maybe I’ve brought you a -birthday present.” He produced the small, square package, and his -receipt slip. “Sign here, please.” - -“I guess it is a birthday present, all right,” said the saloon keeper, -holding out his hand for the registered package. “It looks as if it -might be the gold watch which my friend Bill Warren telephoned me he was -sending. Yes, that’s what it is, all right. See, here’s Bill’s name -written on the back.” - -He weighed the package in his hand. “Pretty light, though, to contain a -watch, ain’t it?” he remarked. - -“I should say so,” said Owen. - -Mr. Harrington hastily tore open the wrapper and revealed a thin -pasteboard box. Opening this, he found a flat, leather-covered -watchcase. - -“It’s the watch, all right,” he said, turning with a grin to the group -in the front of the bar. “Good old Bill. He’s the most generous feller I -know. Ain’t it decent of him to have remembered my birthday like this?” - -He pressed the button which released the catch of the watchcase, and -uttered an exclamation of astonishment and disgust as the lid flew open. - -“Empty!” he growled. “Now, what do you know about that?” - -The group at the bar laughed uproariously. “The joke’s on you, Mike!” -cried one. “It’ll cost you another round of drinks for being the goat.” - -The saloon keeper scowled. “I ain’t so sure that it is a joke,” he -growled, with a suspicious glance toward the letter carrier, who was -just going out of the door. “I know my friend Bill Warren ain’t the kind -of man to play a low-down trick like that on me. He wrote me that he -was sendin’ me a gold watch for a birthday present, and I believe he -meant it.” - -He leaned over the bar and called to Owen: “Hey, you! One minute, there, -young fellow!” - -“Want me?” inquired the carrier, stepping back into the barroom. - -“Yes. Are you quite sure that this here registered package ain’t been -tampered with?” - -“I’m quite sure that it hasn’t while it’s been in my hands, and I think -you’ll find that the post office isn’t to blame,” replied Owen. “The -government is mighty careful in the handling of its registered mail. - -“But, of course, if you’re suspicious,” he added, “you can come around -and see the superintendent and ask for an investigation. Before I did -that, though, if I were you, I’d get into communication with the sender -and ask if the case really contained a watch when he mailed it.” - -“That’s a good idea,” said Harrington. “I’ll get Bill on the phone right -now.” - -Although he didn’t consider that it was really any concern of his, Owen -waited while the saloon keeper telephoned, anxious to hear what the -outcome would be. - -A few minutes later Harrington turned from the phone, a grave look upon -his face. “Just as I thought,” he said; “it ain’t a joke at all. Bill -Warren says he’s willin’ to swear that he sent that watch--says he can -produce two witnesses who saw him put the watch in the package, seal it -up, and hand it in at the post-office registry window.” - -He hurriedly donned his hat and coat. “That watch has been stole--stole -from the U-nited States mails. That’s a serious offense. I’m goin’ right -around to the post office to make a complaint. All these gentlemen here -are witnesses that the watch wasn’t in the package when I opened it.” - -The following day Carrier Owen Sheridan was placed under arrest by two -United States post-office inspectors. - -“We want you, Sheridan,” they said, accosting him in the doorway of -Branch X Y, as he came back from his noon-delivery tour. - -“Want me? What for?” he demanded, in great astonishment. - -“For robbing the mails. No use throwing any bluff; we’ve got you dead to -rights.” - -“I suppose this has to do with that watch which was missing from the -registered package yesterday,” said Owen calmly. “But why suspect me in -particular? The package passed through many hands while in the post -office.” - -“Yes, but only one pair of hands opened it and stole its contents,” was -the grim retort, “and those hands were yours, Mr. Sheridan. Otherwise, -how could the pawn ticket have got into your trunk?” - -“The pawn ticket?” repeated Owen blankly. - -“Yes. We have just come from your boarding house. We went there to look -your room over; and we found--this.” - -The inspector took from his pocket a pawn ticket for a gold watch, and -held it before the astonished mail carrier’s eyes. - -“The watch this ticket calls for has already been identified as the -watch which was stolen from the package, and we found this in your -trunk. It looks very much as if you’re going to exchange that gray -uniform for a suit of stripes, Carrier Sheridan.” - - -TO BE CONTINUED. - - - - -WILLIE’S MISTAKE. - - -Willie Jones had been warned several times for breaches of school -discipline, and was at length reported to the head master, who gave him -a final warning. - -One night, not long after, Willie was again caught in mischief, and he -felt that this time he was “in for it.” - -A flogging by the master was no joke, and Willie determined to make what -preparation he could that the wind might be tempered to the shorn lamb. - -On rising the next morning, he put on first his undershirt, then a layer -of stiff brown paper, upon these a sweater, and over all a clean white -shirt, borrowed from his chum, whose clothing was two sizes larger than -his own. - -Lastly he put on his coat and vest. - -It was a very hot day in June, and at morning intermission Willie -whispered to a friend: - -“I’m nearly stifled. I hope he’ll give it to me now.” - -But the master said nothing, and Willie went on stewing until dinner -time. - -He felt half inclined to dispense at least with the sweater before -afternoon school, but fear of the master’s cane deterred him. - -All through the afternoon he suffered untold misery, mopping his face -until his handkerchief would mop no more. - -But at length, just before dismissal, came a messenger. - -“The master would like to see Jones in his study.” - -On entering the study, the boy saw the supple, snakelike cane lying on -the table. - -“Well, Jones,” said the master, “I can go on warning you no longer. You -have brought this upon yourself. But as it is your first visit here for -such a purpose. I shall make your punishment somewhat milder. Hold out -your hand; four on each!” - - - - -HARD ON THE WARDEN. - - -A phrenologist who has been touring the country and giving lectures in -the art, tells the following “good one” on himself: He was in the habit -of inviting people of different avocations to come upon the stage, and -he would dilate upon and expound the peculiarities of their cranial -construction. He had come to that portion of his lecture where he dealt -with the criminal form of the cranium, and addressed the audience: - -“If there is any person present who at any time has been the inmate of a -prison he will oblige me by coming upon the platform.” - -A heavily built man responded to this invitation. - -“You admit that you have been in prison, sir?” - -“I have, sir,” was the unblushing answer. - -“Would you kindly tell us how many years you have spent behind prison -bars?” - -“About twenty years,” unhesitatingly replied the subject. - -“Dear, dear,” exclaimed the professor. “Will you sit down, please?” - -The subject sat down in a chair in the center of the stage. The -professor ran his fingers rapidly through the hair of the subject and -assumed a thoughtful expression. - -“This is a most excellent specimen. The indications of a depraved -character are very plainly marked. The organs of benevolence and esteem -are entirely absent; that of destructiveness is developed to an abnormal -degree. I could have told instantly, without the confession of this man -that his life had been erratic and criminal. What was the crime for -which you were imprisoned?” - -“I never committed any crime,” growled the man in the chair. - -“But you said that you had been an inmate of a prison for twenty years?” - -“I’m the warden of the prison.” - - - - -NO MORE DUNNING. - - -The landlady of a certain medical student, who ineffectually dunned her -delinquent tenant for some time, resolved at last upon resorting to -extreme measures. - -She entered his room one morning, and said, in a very decided tone: - -“You must either pay me my rent, or be off this very day.” - -“I prefer to be off,” said the student, who, on his side, was prepared -for the encounter. - -“Well, then, sir, pack up directly.” - -“I assure you, madame, I will go with the utmost speed, if you will -assist me.” - -“With the greatest of pleasure.” - -The student thereupon went to a wardrobe, opened a drawer, and took out -a skeleton, which he handed to the woman. - -“What is that?” asked the landlady, recoiling a little. - -“That! Oh, that is the skeleton of my first landlord. He was -inconsiderate enough to claim the rent for three quarters that I owed -him, and then---- Be careful not to break it; it is number one of my -collection.” - -The landlady was growing visibly pale. The student opened a second -drawer, and took out another skeleton. - -“This--this is my landlady in South Street; a very worthy woman, but who -also demanded the rent of two quarters. Will you place it upon the -other? It is number two.” - -The landlady opened her eyes widely. - -“This,” continued the student, “this is number three. They are all here. -A very honest man, and whom I did not pay, either. Let us pass on to -number four.” - -But the landlady was no longer there. She had fled. - - - - -AN OLD LADY’S DILEMMA. - - -A friend of mine, who owned a pneumatic-tired bicycle, was explaining -the different parts to his grandmother, who was paying him a visit. - -He finished up the account by saying: - -“And that little tube is where the air is blown in.” - -The old lady, who had never seen such a thing before, was very much -puzzled. - -“Wonderful!” she said, after a moment’s pause of contemplation. -“Wonderful! but do tell me, Sam, my lad, how on earth can you get your -head in between the spokes to blow the air in?” - - - - -THE NEWS OF ALL NATIONS. - - -Like Bull in the China Shop. - -Oakville, Iowa, is a peaceful, prosperous, orderly town, but -occasionally some strange thing happens, and one did the other evening. -About eight o’clock, while the clerks in C. R. Walker’s department store -were busy about their evening work, they heard a noise in the rear of -the storeroom, and, upon investigation, found that a cow which had been -driven into town by some farmer had found an open door and had come into -the store and proceeded to make herself at home. The clerks got busy at -once, and when they attempted to drive bossy out, she became frightened, -started to run, and fell sprawling on the floor, knocked over boxes, -hardware, canned goods, dry goods, et cetera. By twisting her tail until -it resembled a great auger, the intruder finally consented to pass out. - - -A Criminal Catcher. - -For more than twenty years Joseph L. Le Fors, of Sheridan, Wyo., has -acted as detective for the Live-stock Association of Wyoming, and during -that time has chased criminals all over the West and into Mexico. - -Le Fors started as a cowboy in the Southwest. His brother was shot dead -on the street of one of the early-day border towns. Joe heard of the -deed, quit his job, came in, and quietly attended to the matter of his -brother’s burial. Then he got an officer’s commission and went after the -murderer, who was known as a “bad man.” When the cowboy, in a spring -wagon and without much knowledge of the roads in that vicinity, drove -out of town on his mission, most of those who saw him guessed that he -would not come back. But he returned, and after no great length of time. -In the bottom of the wagon was the corpse of the murderer. Le Fors has -never talked to any extent of that fight, except to say that he gave the -man a chance and he lost. - -Among the detective’s most notable feats was the capture of Tom Horn, -said to have killed seventeen men. Horn’s quickness with a gun was -marvelous, but when the test came, Le Fors proved too fast for him. - -It is said that Le Fors had done more than any other man to make stock -raising on the open ranges more than a mere venture. - - -Along Came Ruth, and Crash! See the Snakes! - -When Miss Ruth Spencer, of Michigan City, Mich., accidentally tipped -over a box containing Doctor John A. Dexter’s collection of thirty -snakes in his biology laboratory at Olivet College, Olivet, Mich., she -created something of a panic. - -Professor Dexter had been offering one dollar apiece for all varieties -of snakes caught in Eaton County not already in his collection. The -result was that he had rattlesnakes, blue racers, water snakes, garter -snakes, and others reposing in a large box in his laboratory. The box -stood on a high table. - -Miss Spencer came in to the classroom looking for the professor, and, -seeing the box, became curious to know its contents. She tried standing -on tiptoe, lost her balance, and tumbled the snakes nearly on top of -herself and all over the floor. With a scream she ran out of the room. - -Meanwhile Professor Shedd was conducting a physics class in a room -below, when suddenly a five-foot blue racer, which had crawled through -the ventilator, dropped with a thud on his demonstration table. The -class was automatically dismissed at once. - -When Doctor Dexter arrived at his room, he recaptured most of the -reptiles. But one blue racer, three garter snakes, and a small, black -water snake are still at large in the science building. - - -Two Mountain Roads the Work of Convicts. - -The Colorado Springs and Cañon City Highway and the Ute Pass section of -the Pike’s Peak ocean-to-ocean road, recently completed by Colorado’s -system of convict labor, are two of the most perfect mountain roads in -the United States. - -For twenty miles south of Colorado Springs the road winds around the -foothills and mountains, practically the entire roadbed having been cut -out of the hillside, and in many places blasted out of solid rock. For -the remaining twenty-five miles the way is over foothills and through -undulating country. Besides being a marvel in engineering, the road is -one of the most scenic and picturesque in the West, passing as it does -through Red Rock Cañon, Dead Man’s Cañon, and many other mountain beauty -spots. - -The road averaged eighteen feet in width, and is perfectly crowned and -drained. Although it offers a succession of climbs, so skillfully was -the engineering work done that heavy grades have been eliminated, and -the motorist is confronted with only one grade as high as three per -cent. - -The Ute Pass Road follows the ancient trail of the Indians across the -Rocky Mountains. In the last few years that part of it between Colorado -Springs and Cascade has been entirely reconstructed by convicts. - -Under the Colorado system the convict is allowed ten days off his -sentence for each month of labor on the roads. This is in addition to -the usual reduction for good behavior. - -Thomas J. Tynan, warden of the State Penitentiary, under whose -supervision the work of the last three years has been done, estimates -that in the next ten years five thousand miles of the best roads will be -constructed at a cost of less than five hundred thousand dollars. - -He says one thousand men have been used in roadwork in the last three -years at a cost to the State of twenty-five cents a day for each man. -The men go about their work unguarded, and less than one per cent have -violated their pledges and made successful escapes. - - -Wilson Gets Curious Bottle. - -Fingal W. Anderson, who lives at Aitkin, Minn., has cunningly contrived -a present which he has given President Wilson, and which the latter -prizes highly. - -Anderson has been ill and has whiled away weary hours in contriving his -gift. It is a bottle into which he has inserted a shield of the United -States. Upon one side of it is a picture of the White House, and upon -the other a picture of the president. In presenting the gift, Anderson -said, in a letter: - -“This is original, whittled after my own thoughts, during my illness -from tuberculosis of the bone. This piece of furniture represents -seventeen days of work with my jackknife and drill made by myself from -wires and nails. In its construction there are 338 different parts, made -from white pine and basswood. - -“I am a young man, twenty-eight years old, born in Stockholm, Sweden, -and am proud to be of the same race from which was descended John A. -Johnson and John Lind. - -“As sent to you, it is complete and set up in full. Please accept it -with my compliments.” - - -Death of Aged Woman Who Won War Record. - -The death of Mrs. Virginia Taylor Gwynn, a wartime Virginia belle, widow -of Captain Henry Gwynn, is announced at her home in Pikesville, Md., at -the age of seventy-five. - -Mrs. Gwynn often accompanied the Confederate army and led the troops -into several engagements herself. She knew the country, and led -detachments of the troops out of tight corners. For these acts she was -mentioned several times in dispatches. - -She volunteered to carry mail and dispatches from one division of the -army to another, and to do this had to pass and repass through the Union -lines several times. This attracted the attention of General Lee, and he -publicly complimented both her great bravery and her beauty. - -Captain Gwynn, her husband, was one of the few who succeeded in getting -over the stone wall defended by the Union forces during the third day of -the Battle of Gettysburg, when Pickett made his desperate charge. - - -His Jet-black Hair Turns Red in Night. - -The sensation of the past week has been the extraordinary experience of -Mack Stewart, a grocery merchant of Dublin, Texas. - -Stewart is thirty-six years of age, and was the possessor of a head of -jet-black hair, with the exception of a slight tinge of gray about the -temples. To-day he is what might be termed a red-headed man. In a single -night the pigment of black was supplanted by red, and glossy-black locks -changed to a pronounced auburn. - -Stewart, who was formerly a railroad conductor, attributes the -remarkable occurrence to a most vivid dream he had recently. He says he -dreamed that he was back at work on the H. & T. C. Railway. He was -standing on the top of a box car, when, as the train crossed Chambers -Creek, his head was struck by the top of the bridge, and he fell back, -with the blood gushing over his face. - -He awoke with a start and experienced a terrible pain in his head. The -train, the creek, the bridge, and all the surroundings were as distinct -as if he actually had been gazing upon them, and the pain was as severe -as if he had really received a crushing blow. - -Fifty or sixty physicians who have been in Dublin during the past week -attending the Erath County and Frisco Central Medical Associations -examined Stewart’s hair, and there was not one who did not express his -astonishment. - -Instances of hair turning white in a single night on account of extreme -fear, mental anguish, or nervous strain, have been known to occur, but -cases of black hair turning to red are almost unheard of. They all -expressed the opinion that it would eventually turn to white. - - -Mormons Increase Numbers. - -There is no race suicide among the Mormons. The births during the year -were more than four times as many as the deaths. The annual report gives -these figures: - -Net increase in the membership of the church, 129,493 for the period of -1901 to 1914; birth rate, 39.5 per 1,000; death rate of 8.3 per 1,000; -marriage rate, 17 per 1,000. - -The report shows the church collected $1,887,920 from tithes in 1914, of -which $730,960 was expended on church buildings, $330,984 to maintain -the church schools, $64,508 to maintain the Mormon temples, $227,900 for -missionary work, $99,293 to maintain church offices, $136,727 to -complete and maintain the L. D. S. Hospital in Salt Lake City, and -$116,238 to the poor. - - -Largest Sale of Oil in Tank. - -What is stated to be the largest sale of oil in tankage ever made was -carried out when White & Sinclair sold seventy-two 55,000-barrel tanks -of oil in the Cushing field, in Oklahoma, to the Prairie Oil & Gas -Company. The tanks contained approximately four million barrels of oil. -The price paid is said to be, including tankage, $2,400,000. - - -Shot at Black Cat; Never Touched It. - -Daniel Taylor’s notion of the proper manner for a black cat to conduct -itself is to walk ever and anon in a straight line. If it turns in -either direction, he is firmly convinced that it should be shot at -sunrise, nightfall, or whenever the turn is made, and to show that he -lives up to his convictions, he took a shot at a cat shortly before the -milkman appeared on his rounds, missed it, and, about twelve hours -later, paid twenty-five dollars for the error in the city court. If he -had hit the cat, he says, it would have cost him nothing. - -When Taylor was a year and a half old, he was taking a turn about the -nursery, when a large cat, blue-black, walked in front of him. It -stopped, he stumbled, and it took five neighbors to regain his teething -ring, which he lost control of on the downward trip. From that day until -one afternoon, at fourteen minutes after three, he has believed that a -cat passing in front of him means hard luck. Now, however, he knows it. - -“What have you to say?” asked the court, when Taylor was arraigned, -charged with missing the cat. - -“If I repeated what I have in my mind,” replied Taylor, “I would be sent -to Siberia. I missed that pestiferous cat, and I am sorry for it. I am a -good citizen, but a poor marksman, and if I were not, I would be -elsewhere now. If I ever lay hands on that blamed cat, your excellency, -I’ll manipulate her nine lives with éclat and finish. I’ll count them -over one by one, and----” - -“You talk too much,” said the court. - -“Perhaps,” answered Mr. Taylor; “but I have the advantage of knowing -what I am talking about. I know that when a black cat passes in front of -me, it means hard luck, and, unless I kill it, misfortune will befall -me. I know----” - -“I fine you twenty-five dollars,” said the court. - -“I need say no more,” remarked Taylor, counting the money out. “This -proves everything.” - -Mr. Taylor lives in Pittsburgh, Pa. - - -Tramp’s Meal Brings $10,000 to Donor. - -Mrs. James Maner, living near Gilmore, Ga., on the Marietta car line, is -planning a trip to Miami, Fla., to inspect a legacy valued at $10,000, -left her by a tramp. - -This does not lend itself readily to the fancy, but this time fancy will -have to brace up and take it like a man. Truth may be more of a stranger -than fiction, and all that, but the legacy is there, and traveling -expenses for Mrs. Maner to go down and view it--fifty dollars in the -hand, with a lot of legal assurance. - -“Eight years ago,” she said recently, “a man came limping into our front -yard. He looked like a tramp, and then again he didn’t look like a -tramp--I mean, his clothing was ragged and worn, and he was limping from -an injury to his foot, and yet he didn’t have the manners of a tramp, if -you could call them manners. - -“The man was penniless, he said, and in trouble. I felt sorry for him. I -took him in and gave him some dinner, and then ten cents to pay his way -to Atlanta on the trolley line. He seemed very appreciative, and -insisted on taking my name and address down in a little book.” - -It seems that the tramp did not lose the little book. And after eight -years back came the bread from off the waters, only it was multiplied to -a fold entirely out of step with scriptural precedent. - -Mrs. Maner paid no attention to the first information that the legacy -had been left her. It required an urgent appeal from a Miami lawyer and -the proffer of traveling expenses to make her realize that an estate -consisting of several houses and some land had really come her way at -the expense of a dime, a good dinner--and a bit of the milk of human -kindness. - - -Netty’s Knitting Stunts. - - Netty’s knitting knickknacks for the soldiers. - Her nobby knack at knitting nets them neckties by the score; - Some natty soldier knockers would prefer some knickerbockers - To the knotty, knitted neckties Netty knits for necks galore. - -For the enlightenment of our readers who may not have heard about sister -Susie, the following chorus is here presented: - - Sister Susie’s sewing shirts for soldiers, - Such skill at sewing shirts our shy young sister Susie shows! - Some soldiers send epistles, say they’d rather sleep on thistles, - Than the saucy, soft, short shirts for soldiers sister Susie sews. - - -Little Maria Finds Friendly Protector. - -Maria Greutzen, eight years old, fair-haired and shy, with a thick -woolen shawl folded about her shoulders, started on a western journey -from Ellis Island, New York, holding tight to the hand of her sister -Hedwig. They had come all the way from Antwerp, in war-stricken Belgium, -alone on their way to their aunt in Chicago with stout hearts, and -tickets tied up in bright calico handkerchiefs. Maria had a stout paper -envelope pinned on her little underwaist, with a little extra money for -emergency. - -It was all so bewildering. Little Hedwig winked back a tear now and then -on the trip across the ferry, but then tears come easily when one has -only five birthdays and is at the other end of the world from home. They -must reach the “beeg train” at Grand Central Station without getting -lost, and the kind man guided them and cheered them on. - -That is what the men of the Immigrant Guide and Transfer are doing every -day, lending a hand to children and grown-ups alike, for grown-ups are -sometimes like children in the great, puzzling city. The Immigrant Guide -and Transfer was organized some time ago with the approval and direction -of Frederic C. Howe, commissioner of Ellis Island. - -This worthy and useful organization is at present struggling under a -great handicap. The decrease in immigration due to the war leaves it -without income to meet the expenses of upkeep. Commissioner Howe is -anxious, indeed, not to open the way for any such imposition and -exploitation of immigrants as was practiced before the Immigrant Guide -service was organized. Money was stolen from the newcomers, tickets were -mixed up, exorbitant prices for subway tickets and other fares were -extracted, leaving the travelers in a state of helpless panic. - -Steps are being taken in this city to render any financial aid Guide and -Transfer officials may need. - - -Spirits Sent Him to Dead. - -Jim Thomas, fifty, negro, was arrested after a white man had seen him in -the cemetery, in Gurdon, Ark., with a wheelbarrow, spade, and other -tools. Examination showed that the negro had dug to the top of the box -where James Buckley, a wealthy farmer, was buried three years ago. - -The negro explained his actions by saying that spirits told him to -communicate with Buckley. - - -Strange Discovery in Old-time Cliff Abode. - -A freak quadruped of unknown species is the latest discovery in the -fields of anthropological research in southern Utah. Dean Byron -Cummings, head of the department of archæology in the University of -Utah, who annually leads expeditions into the deserts of southern Utah -and northern Arizona, recently dug up the remains of the mysterious -animal of ancient times in an old-time cliff dweller’s home. - -The head and backbone of the animal was all that could be found, -although the veteran research worker sought diligently to find other -bones that might establish a clew to its identity. The cranium is -similar to that of an ancient Indian, with sloping forehead and average -brain capacity. On its skull was found a hank of wool resembling that of -the modern sheep, and the part of the backbone that was intact, showing -six vertebræ, was similar in most respects to that of the modern -coyote. - -Salt Lake scientists and students of other States have examined the -strange find, but are at a loss to explain its identity. It is thought -by some to be a freak offshoot of the sheep species, while others -identify it with the human species. - -Dean Cummings had difficulty removing the body from the cliff dwelling, -his Indian guides and other native Indians objecting on grounds that the -body might have contained one of their sacred good spirits. The find is -now in the University of Utah museum. - - -“Bill the Bum” in Downy Bed. - -The story of Mrs. Cook’s adventure in the home of Mrs. Hodkinson, a -neighbor, was much like the experience of Goldilocks and the Three -Bears. Both women are residents of San Francisco, Cal. - -The Hodkinson family has been in New York for some time, and Mrs. Cook -promised to look out for the house. She went there the other day to see -that all was well. - -She didn’t know that “Bill the Bum,” who says his address is Everywhere, -was there in the role of Goldilocks. Bill had made himself at home there -for three days. He had crawled through a basement window and had sampled -things as he went along till he got to the top floor, where there was a -nice cozy bedroom and a soft bed. - -He had found bread and wine and was filled to contentment. Just like -Goldilocks in the home of the Three Bears he had a fine time. Then he -got sleepy and dozed off. - -Mrs. Cook found him stretched out on a bed upstairs, snoring like a -trooper. She tiptoed downstairs and called a policeman. The officer made -so much noise climbing the stairs that Bill the Bum was awakened and -took a header through an open window. He was captured after a chase, -taken to the city prison, and charged with burglary. Among the things -taken and not recovered are two cherry pies, three bottles of wine, and -half a box of fine cigars. - - -Girls in Men’s Togs Foil Prison Guards. - -Until three girls were arrested in Bridgeport, Conn., all of them -wearing articles of men’s clothing, it was not known that they had -escaped from the New York State Reformatory for Women at Bedford Hills, -Westchester County. They employed Harry Thaw’s method of escaping, -walking out the gate when the milkman opened it. - -They told a remarkable story of hardships while being sought by police -and guards in automobiles. They slept in woods and ravines during the -days, and traveled and foraged at night. - -The girls are: Ida Oakley, formerly of Danbury; Mildred Doyle, of -Manhattan, and Alice Kilcoyne, of Brooklyn. They said they were about to -be placed on a bread-and-water diet at Bedford Hills, and decided to -escape. They had covered several miles in the prison garb of -gray-and-white uniforms before their escape was discovered. They kept -far back from the roads, and at noon hid in a ravine. At night they made -a raid on a farmer’s chicken coop, and, over an open fire, they broiled -three chickens. - -Early the next morning they made a raid on the clothesline of a -housewife, and obtained enough clothed for Ida Oakley to discard her -prison garb. Then, while the others hid in the woods, she went into the -village and begged food and clothes, telling a story about a husband -with tuberculosis and several hungry children. - -In that manner they obtained plenty of food, but clothes were scarce, -particularly women’s garments. They obtained sufficient clothes for -several men, but not enough for two women. Therefore they had to wear -men’s clothes. Mildred Doyle and Alice Kilcoyne, unable to get a skirt, -wore men’s trousers until they were in the outskirts of Bridgeport, when -they met two young men in the road and explained their predicament. The -men purchased skirts for them, but they had to continue wearing men’s -coats. - -Their appearance in Bridgeport, where they tried to find work, caused -comment, and they were arrested. Under questioning, they soon broke down -and told of their escape from the Bedford Reformatory. - - -No Sentence in Eagle Case. - -Although Edward Peffer got a verdict against State Game Wardens Charles -and A. H. Baum for larceny of the eagle that he shot in Lewiston County, -Pa., no sentence has been imposed on the wardens, and it is not likely -that there ever will be. The judge of the court does not consider the -verdict in keeping with the law as laid down by the State. The stuffed -eagle is still in the State museum. - - -Mexicans Maltreat Booster of Heroes. - -Americans are not properly protected in Mexico, thinks Jo Conners, of -Phoenix, Ariz. Conners believes that when a peaceful American in a -foreign country is deprived of his wooden leg, the act should be -construed as a declaration of war. Through the American State department -he has applied for the return of a wooden leg, a steel foot, and four -hundred dollars in gold, which were taken from him while he was a -prisoner of the Carranza forces in Guaymas. - -By profession Conners is a chronicler of heroes. He was employed by -General Francisco Villa to prepare and publish a volume to be entitled -“Heroes of Mexico.” Villa furnished him with an automobile and agreed to -pay him one hundred dollars a week in gold. - -Conners found everybody in northern Mexico for Villa. Also he found that -every one was a hero. By the time he arrived at Guaymas he had collected -photographs and brief biographies of no less than 280 Mexican patriots -who had risked their lives and fortunes that Villa might triumph and -Mexico might become the greatest nation on the face of the earth. - -Amid the Villa “vivas” of the populace Conners retired one night in a -Guaymas hotel. He was awakened by a soldier who told him that the city -was in the hands of the Carranza forces and that he was a prisoner. The -280 biographies and photographs, also four weeks’ salary, were -confiscated. Conners was placed in jail and his typewriter was thrown in -after him, with a scornful suggestion that he get busy and write -something more about “thees Meester Villa.” - -In a railroad accident several years ago Conners lost his left leg and -part of his right foot. He had purchased the best wooden leg that money -could buy and used a steel extension to fill out the right shoe. When -the jailer entered his cell the next morning, Conners’ artificial leg -and foot were lying on the floor. - -Now, this jailer had also lost his left leg, and wore a rude peg in its -place. With a cry of delight he pounced upon Conners’ expensive -artificial limb. His delight became ecstasy when he tried it on and -found that it was a perfect fit. Saying something about a trade, he -departed. For some reasons he also took the steel extension. The peg, -which was the limb of a mesquite tree, was left lying on the floor. - -A few minutes later the jailer returned. “I give you what you Americanos -call some boot,” he remarked pleasantly. Whereupon he set before Mr. -Conners a plate of luscious tomatoes. - -That afternoon the American consul got Conners out of jail. Another -jailer unlocked the door for him. Conners wanted to start out -immediately in search of his wooden leg and steel foot, but the consul -persuaded him that discretion was the better part of valor, and induced -him to board a tramp steamer for San Francisco. After he reached San -Francisco, Conners remembered that he also lost an automobile in -Guaymas. That, however, troubles him little. The auto was Villa’s, but -the leg, the foot, and the $400 were Conners’ very own, and he expects -Uncle Sam to demand their return without any beating around the bush by -Mexico’s warring heroes. - - -Meteor Falls in Michigan. - -A meteor which fell near Standish, Mich., narrowly missed the residence -of Charles Selman. The visitor whizzed down in the midst of a brilliant -meteoric display, and buried itself so deep in Mr. Selman’s yard that it -hasn’t been found. The hole in the ground is four feet across. - - -“Slippery John” Again at Liberty. - -If the police of Charlestown, W. Va., succeed in their efforts to locate -John Truslow, known to them as “Slippery John” and many other things, -including aliases, it is probable that they will suspend a large anvil -from his neck and nail his clothing to a cell wall. He has escaped, drat -him! for the eighth time in two months, and, with right hands raised, -the police are remarking that, so help them, never again! - -John Truslow, according to the police, has been tried and found guilty -of every crime of which a mentality such as John Truslow’s is capable. -This has limited John’s activities greatly, but recently, while awaiting -trial on a charge of stealing a straw hat, he burst from the jail, -nearly sweeping it away, and ran to the bird store of John Fisher in the -dead of a Saturday night. - -There the police, attracted by eight electric bulbs that John -illuminated, found him whispering to a gold fish and acting in a -frightfully suspicious manner. They crept upon him stealthily, as the -department requires them to do. Just as they reached him, a parrot, -awakened its sleep, said: “Officer, there’s your man!” There could be no -mistake, they had corroboration. - -When the reserves, with Slippery John sliding along among them, reached -the jail, they saw the warden come screaming from the building. They -asked him wherefore the noise and whence his course, to which he replied -that Slippery John, the demon skidder, had flown the jail. Then he saw -the prisoner, and wept, kissed him on the forehead, and slammed him back -in his cell. - -All went well until the other night, at the well-known and justly -revered witching hour of midnight. Peter Austin, member of a very -aristocrooked family, rose up feebly from his part of John’s cell and -declared he was ill, requiring water. The warden, who sometimes drinks -the stuff himself, was merciful, and let Peter patter out. - -The cell door--gods, what an error!--was left open, and when Peter -returned--tableaux! Slippery John gone again! - -The warden is inconsolable. He has issued an order that hereafter all -prisoners that gasp for water must remain in their cells and drink from -the nozzle of the hose. - - -Vaudeville Stunts in Mountain Settlements. - -Little mountain settlements in the region of Julian, Cal., have their -vaudeville circuits, and they are as important to the people and afford -them as much pleasure as Keith’s or the Orpheum afford pleasure seekers -of the large cities. - -The players are generally Mexicans. They travel by wagon or burro, -coming up from lower California, swinging across the mining region, and -turning south again into the peninsula. - -A handbill pinned to the door of the post office or store is the only -program. It announces, in Spanish, that a company of artists, -unsurpassed for excellence, will be honored to entertain the people at -greatly reduced prices--fifteen cents for children and twenty-five cents -for adults, whereas in large cities, like Ensenada, the company wouldn’t -attempt to do the same thing for less than a dollar admission. - -Sometimes the performance is acrobatic; sometimes it is a concert, with -accordion and guitar, to be followed with a dance; again it may be an -old-fashioned Punch and Judy show, or a roaring comedy, the actors -speaking their lines in Spanish, which, by the way, makes no difference -to the border folks, all of whom understand that tongue. - -In addition to the handbill, a crier goes through the vicinity, -announcing from house to house the merits of the performers, and urging -everybody not to miss this last and only chance to see and hear so rare -a collection of stars, who, meanwhile, are preparing their evening meal -beside the road and making their beds under a tree. - -The play is staged wherever shelter can be found--in schoolhouse or some -large barn, or, more likely, in the dance hall, for nearly every -settlement has such a place. The settings are easily procured. A plank -across the tops of two barrels may serve either as a terrible abyss or a -shaded silvan walk. - -The following morning the all-star troupe rolls out of its separate and -individual blankets, cooks breakfast in the open, jumps astride burros, -or tumbles into a wagon and makes for the next-night stand. - - -Roughrider’s Story of German “Wild West.” - -Herman Kepple, a circus rider, whose home was formerly in Afton, Okla., -at one time with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West circus, and for several years -a member of a German “Wild West” aggregation, has just returned on -account of the circus having been broken up by the war in Europe. Kepple -says that he was more than sorry that he had to return, for his monthly -salary with the German show was equal to a small fortune. The big circus -was composed of close to 2,000 persons, and rifle shooting, riding, and -other “dare-devil” stunts, such as made the stolid Germans gasp, was -Kepple’s specialty. - -As soon as war was declared, the Cossacks with the show were placed in -prison, the English and Japanese actors were taken into custody, and -most of the German members had to join the colors. - -Still the management tried to keep the show going, using neutral actors -and Germans who did not have to join the army, but the attendance grew -less and less. Then, as a last resort, they began the production of a -spectacular scene known as “Europe in Flames.” This showed--with the -crash of big guns and the clash of steel--the progress of the war, and -the supposed ending, all leaning in favor of the Germans. - -Kepple was supposed to be a royal hussar for a while, then an English -soldier and prisoner of war; at times he played dead, and was carried -off the field. The beginning of the spectacle pictured the cause of the -war, and ended with a general drawing of swords and presenting of arms, -with the kaiser, of course, being the last one to draw his weapon. This -last was always received with many cheers. - -Another Oklahoma cowboy, A. W. Beasley, and Arma Reuter, from Texas, -were with the same outfit. Kepple says that Reuter returned to Texas, -but does not know what became of Beasley. - -Always the Germans won in this mimic war. Even so, the populace soon -tired of it, for the real war was carrying off thousands of the nation’s -sons. The owners decided to disband. Kepple and Reuter concluded to join -the German army, but when they found that they would have to renounce -their own country, they backed out. - - -Negro Finds Rope with Cow Attached. - -A negro, Arthur Chairs--his name was part of the set--brought into the -Memphis city court on a charge of larceny, carried with him a minstrel -joke that Dan Rice used to knock ’em off the seats with years ago. It -was so old that it became new when viewed in the serious light in which -the negro placed it. - -Nobody ever thought that there was any foundation for the old, -exculpatory joke that a thief picked up a rope that had a horse at the -other end of it, until Arthur Chairs demonstrated beyond doubt that the -joke had a foundation in serious fact. - -The negro was charged with the larceny of a cow from the rural districts -around Oakville. Henry Grant, a negro, appeared as prosecutor. Henry -lost the cow. - -“Your honor,” said the detective who apprehended the prisoner and his -bovine charge, “Henry Grant, here, the prosecutor, lost a cow, and we -found Arthur Chairs trying to sell it.” - -“What was the cow worth?” asked Justice Biggs, who was wielding the -gavel at the session. - -“About fifty dollars,” said Grant. - -“Must have been a Jersey,” said the judge. - -“It was, judge,” said the detective, “and a young heifer, at that.” - -“Arthur.” - -“Yessah, jedge.” - -“Ever been up here before on a charge of this kind?” asked the judge. - -“Nossah, jedge, I sho nevah wah heah befo’ in mah life.” - -“What do you do for a living?” - -“I wucks, jedge, wucks all de time.” - -“What sort of work do you engage in?” asked the judge. - -“I does mos’ any kinds of wuck I kin find ter do dese days.” - -“Now, then, Arthur, the preliminaries are settled. Tell us about this -cow.” - -“I don’t know much ’bout dat cow, jedge, I sho don’t.” - -“Your associations with this bovine were of a pleasant nature, if not of -much duration, were they not?” smiled the judge. - -“Yassah, jedge, yassah.” - -“Just to come right down to plain words, you stole that cow, did you -not?” asked the judge sharply. - -“Nossah, jedge, I can’t say dat I done stole dat cow at all.” - -“Does your high regard for the truth prevent you making a statement to -that effect?” - -“Yassah, jedge, yassah. I sho gwine ter tell yo’ de trufe ’bout it.” - -“I feel justified in expecting that,” laughed the judge. - -“Yassah, jedge, yassah.” - -“If you did not steal the cow, tell us how you became the possessor of -it.” - -“Tells yo’, jedge. I’s passin’ ’long de road, an’ dis cow standin’ dah, -seemin’ lak she lost. I stops and ’gins ter see if I kin identify huh. -Den she ’pears ter know me, an’ I rubs her about de neck, an’ she lay -huh haid ovah on me jes’ lak she wants me ter take care ob huh. Den I -drap de rope aroun’ huh horns an’ walked away.” - -“She followed you?” - -“Yassah, jedge, yassah; she sho did.” - -“Didn’t have to pull on the rope?” - -“Nossah, jedge, not er bit.” - -“Hold him for the State,” ordered the judge, and the cow’s guardian _pro -tem._ was escorted below. - - -Disabled Coal Miner Dies. - -After five years’ struggle against great physical and financial odds, -Fred Ellwanger, sole survivor of the Marianna mine disaster in 1908, -died at his home in Charleroi, Pa. - -Ellwanger came to this country from Germany in 1908, and secured work in -the Marianna mine just the day before the explosion that cost about two -hundred lives. On that day Ellwanger was at work at the bottom of the -shaft. He told friends afterward that he was afraid to work in the mine -on account of the large amount of gas he noticed in the reaches. - -When the explosion came, he was knocked senseless, but fell with his -head near a pool of water; this kept his head moist and saved him from -death. - -He was the only man saved from the explosion. He was rushed to a -hospital, where the physicians said he could not live. Forty-two pieces -of coal and stone were taken from his body. - -For weeks he lingered between life and death, and finally was pronounced -on the road to recovery. He never fully recovered. - -Unable to work, he published a book telling his story of the disaster. -The coal company promptly attempted to suppress the book, and it is -still under the company’s ban. - - - - -The Nick Carter Stories - -ISSUED EVERY SATURDAY BEAUTIFUL COLORED COVERS - - -When it comes to detective stories worth while, the =Nick Carter Stories= -contain the only ones that should be considered. They are not overdrawn -tales of bloodshed. They rather show the working of one of the finest -minds ever conceived by a writer. The name of Nick Carter is familiar -all over the world, for the stories of his adventures may be read in -twenty languages. No other stories have withstood the severe test of -time so well as those contained in the =Nick Carter Stories=. It proves -conclusively that they are the best. We give herewith a list of some of -the back numbers in print. You can have your news dealer order them, or -they will be sent direct by the publishers to any address upon receipt -of the price in money or postage stamps. - -704--Written in Red. -707--Rogues of the Air. -709--The Bolt from the Blue. -710--The Stockbridge Affair. -711--A Secret from the Past. -712--Playing the Last Hand. -713--A Slick Article. -714--The Taxicab Riddle. -717--The Master Rogue’s Alibi. -719--The Dead Letter. -720--The Allerton Millions. -728--The Mummy’s Head. -729--The Statue Clue. -730--The Torn Card. -731--Under Desperation’s Spur. -732--The Connecting Link. -733--The Abduction Syndicate. -736--The Toils of a Siren. -738--A Plot Within a Plot. -739--The Dead Accomplice. -741--The Green Scarab. -746--The Secret Entrance. -747--The Cavern Mystery. -748--The Disappearing Fortune. -749--A Voice from the Past. -752--The Spider’s Web. -753--The Man with a Crutch. -754--The Rajah’s Regalia. -755--Saved from Death. -756--The Man Inside. -757--Out for Vengeance. -758--The Poisons of Exili. -759--The Antique Vial. -760--The House of Slumber. -761--A Double Identity. -762--“The Mocker’s” Stratagem. -763--The Man that Came Back. -764--The Tracks in the Snow. -765--The Babbington Case. -766--The Masters of Millions. -767--The Blue Stain. -768--The Lost Clew. -770--The Turn of a Card. -771--A Message in the Dust. -772--A Royal Flush. -774--The Great Buddha Beryl. -775--The Vanishing Heiress. -776--The Unfinished Letter. -777--A Difficult Trail. -782--A Woman’s Stratagem. -783--The Cliff Castle Affair. -784--A Prisoner of the Tomb. -785--A Resourceful Foe. -789--The Great Hotel Tragedies. -795--Zanoni, the Transfigured. -796--The Lure of Gold. -797--The Man with a Chest. -798--A Shadowed Life. -799--The Secret Agent. -800--A Plot for a Crown. -801--The Red Button. -802--Up Against It. -803--The Gold Certificate. -804--Jack Wise’s Hurry Call. -805--Nick Carter’s Ocean Chase. -807--Nick Carter’s Advertisement. -808--The Kregoff Necklace. -811--Nick Carter and the Nihilists. -812--Nick Carter and the Convict Gang. -813--Nick Carter and the Guilty Governor. -814--The Triangled Coin. -815--Ninety-nine--and One. -816--Coin Number 77. - - -NEW SERIES - -NICK CARTER STORIES - -1--The Man from Nowhere. -2--The Face at the Window. -3--A Fight for a Million. -4--Nick Carter’s Land Office. -5--Nick Carter and the Professor. -6--Nick Carter as a Mill Hand. -7--A Single Clew. -8--The Emerald Snake. -9--The Currie Outfit. -10--Nick Carter and the Kidnapped Heiress. -11--Nick Carter Strikes Oil. -12--Nick Carter’s Hunt for a Treasure. -13--A Mystery of the Highway. -14--The Silent Passenger. -15--Jack Dreen’s Secret. -16--Nick Carter’s Pipe Line Case. -17--Nick Carter and the Gold Thieves. -18--Nick Carter’s Auto Chase. -19--The Corrigan Inheritance. -20--The Keen Eye of Denton. -21--The Spider’s Parlor. -22--Nick Carter’s Quick Guess. -23--Nick Carter and the Murderess. -24--Nick Carter and the Pay Car. -25--The Stolen Antique. -26--The Crook League. -27--An English Cracksman. -28--Nick Carter’s Still Hunt. -29--Nick Carter’s Electric Shock. -30--Nick Carter and the Stolen Duchess. -31--The Purple Spot. -32--The Stolen Groom. -33--The Inverted Cross. -34--Nick Carter and Keno McCall. -35--Nick Carter’s Death Trap. -36--Nick Carter’s Siamese Puzzle. -37--The Man Outside. -38--The Death Chamber. -39--The Wind and the Wire. -40--Nick Carter’s Three Cornered Chase. -41--Dazaar, the Arch-Fiend. -42--The Queen of the Seven. -43--Crossed Wires. -44--A Crimson Clew. -45--The Third Man. -46--The Sign of the Dagger. -47--The Devil Worshipers. -48--The Cross of Daggers. -49--At Risk of Life. -50--The Deeper Game. -51--The Code Message. -52--The Last of the Seven. -53--Ten-Ichi, the Wonderful. -54--The Secret Order of Associated Crooks. -55--The Golden Hair Clew. -56--Back From the Dead. -57--Through Dark Ways. -58--When Aces Were Trumps. -59--The Gambler’s Last Hand. -60--The Murder at Linden Fells. -61--A Game for Millions. -62--Under Cover. -63--The Last Call. -64--Mercedes Danton’s Double. -65--The Millionaire’s Nemesis. -66--A Princess of the Underworld. -67--The Crook’s Blind. -68--The Fatal Hour. -69--Blood Money. -70--A Queen of Her Kind. -71--Isabel Benton’s Trump Card. -72--A Princess of Hades. -73--A Prince of Plotters. -74--The Crook’s Double. -75--For Life and Honor. -76--A Compact With Dazaar. -77--In the Shadow of Dazaar. -78--The Crime of a Money King. -79--Birds of Prey. -80--The Unknown Dead. -81--The Severed Hand. -82--The Terrible Game of Millions. -83--A Dead Man’s Power. -84--The Secrets of an Old House. -85--The Wolf Within. -86--The Yellow Coupon. -87--In the Toils. -88--The Stolen Radium. -89--A Crime in Paradise. -90--Behind Prison Bars. -91--The Blind Man’s Daughter. -92--On the Brink of Ruin. -93--Letter of Fire. -94--The $100,000 Kiss. -95--Outlaws of the Militia. -96--The Opium-Runners. -97--In Record Time. -98--The Wag-Nuk Clew. -99--The Middle Link. -100--The Crystal Maze. -101--A New Serpent in Eden. -102--The Auburn Sensation. -103--A Dying Chance. -104--The Gargoni Girdle. -105--Twice in Jeopardy. -106--The Ghost Launch. -107--Up in the Air. -108--The Girl Prisoner. -109--The Red Plague. -110--The Arson Trust. -111--The King of the Firebugs. -112--“Lifter’s” of the Lofts. -113--French Jimmie and His Forty Thieves. -114--The Death Plot. -115--The Evil Formula. -116--The Blue Button. -117--The Deadly Parallel. -118--The Vivisectionists. -119--The Stolen Brain. -120--An Uncanny Revenge. -121--The Call of Death. -122--The Suicide. -123--Half a Million Ransom. -124--The Girl Kidnapper. -125--The Pirate Yacht. -126--The Crime of the White Hand. -127--Found in the Jungle. -128--Six Men in a Loop. -129--The Jewels of Wat Chang. -130--The Crime in the Tower. -131--The Fatal Message. -132--Broken Bars. -133--Won by Magic. -134--The Secret of Shangore. -135--Straight to the Goal. -136--The Man They Held Back. -137--The Seal of Gijon. -138--The Traitors of the Tropics. -139--The Pressing Peril. -140--The Melting-Pot. - Dated May 22d, 1915. -141--The Duplicate Night. - Dated May 29th, 1915. -142--The Edge of a Crime. - Dated June 5th, 1915. -143--The Sultan’s Pearls. - Dated June 12th, 1915. -144--The Clew of the White Collar. - - -=PRICE, FIVE CENTS PER COPY.= If you want any back numbers of our weeklies - and cannot procure them from your news dealer, they can be obtained - direct from this office. 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