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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..186f50b --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #68697 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/68697) diff --git a/old/68697-0.txt b/old/68697-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8d33a85..0000000 --- a/old/68697-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13816 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Toying with fate, by Nicholas 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: Toying with fate - or, Nick Carter's narrow shave - -Author: Nicholas Carter - -Release Date: August 5, 2022 [eBook #68697] - -Language: English - -Produced by: David Edwards, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOYING WITH FATE *** - - - - - - TOYING WITH FATE; - OR, - Nick Carter’s Narrow Shave - - BY - NICHOLAS CARTER - - Author of the celebrated stories of Nick Carter’s adventures, which - are published exclusively in the NEW MAGNET LIBRARY, conceded - to be among the best detective tales ever written. - - [Illustration] - - NEW YORK - STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS - 79-89 SEVENTH AVENUE - - - - - Copyright, 1903 - By STREET & SMITH - - Toying With Fate - - All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign languages, - including the Scandinavian. - - - - -_The Best of Everything!_ - - -Our experience with the American reading public has taught us that -it expects better reading than readers of any other nationality. -Why? Because Americans, as a rule, are better educated and more -intelligent. We make it a point to cater to all classes of readers -with our paper-covered novels. If a man likes adventure or detective -stories, he can find more and better ones in the S. & S. novel list -than he can among the cloth books. If a woman wants love, society, or -mystery stories, the S. & S. catalogue again contains just what she -wants at the lowest possible price. If a boy wants up-to-date baseball, -athletic, or treasure-hunt stories, he cannot get anything that will -please him so much as the books in the MEDAL and NEW MEDAL LIBRARIES, -no matter how much he has to spend for his reading matter. - -Here are a few suggestions: - - - BOOKS FOR MEN. - - The Nick Carter stories in the NEW MAGNET LIBRARY. - - The Howard W. Erwin stories in the FAR WEST LIBRARY. - - The William Wallace Cook stories in the NEW FICTION LIBRARY. - - The Dumas stories in the SELECT LIBRARY. - - - BOOKS FOR WOMEN. - - The Mrs. Georgie Sheldon stories in the NEW EAGLE SERIES. - - The Charles Garvice stories in the NEW EAGLE SERIES. - - The Bertha Clay stories in the BERTHA CLAY LIBRARY. - - The Southworth stories in the SOUTHWORTH LIBRARY. - - The Mrs. Mary J. Holmes stories in the EAGLE and SELECT LIBRARIES. - - - BOOKS FOR BOYS. - - The Burt L. Standish stories in the NEW MEDAL LIBRARY. - - The Horatio Alger stories in the MEDAL and NEW MEDAL LIBRARIES. - - The Oliver Optic stories in the MEDAL and NEW MEDAL LIBRARIES. - - The Edward C. Taylor stories in the NEW MEDAL LIBRARY. - -Send for our complete catalogue and look these stories up. It will pay -you. - - - STREET & SMITH, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - - - -Why Take a Chance? - - -Most everybody thinks that the public library is a mighty fine -institution--teaches people to read, and all that. Well, so it does, -but does any one ever think of the great risk that a person, who takes -a book out of a public library, runs of catching some contagious -disease? - -Every time a bacteriological examination is made of the public-library -book, germs of every known disease are found among its pages. Probably, -from your own experience, you know that lots of people never think of -taking a book from the public library, until some one in their family -is sick and wants something to read. - -As records prove that ninety per cent of the demand for books at the -public libraries is for works of fiction, it strikes us that the -reading public would do better to patronize the S. & S. novel list -which contains hundreds of books to be found in the public libraries, -and many hundreds of others just as good and interesting. - -The price of the S. & S. novels is a low one indeed to pay for -protection from disease-laden literature. Why run the risk, then, when -you can get a fresh, clean book for little money and thus insure your -health? - - STREET & SMITH, _Publishers_ - NEW YORK - - - - -TOYING WITH FATE. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -THE MYSTERIOUS OLD MAN. - - -“Move on, old man, and go home!” - -It was the stern voice of one of New York’s finest policemen that -uttered these words. - -“Home! I wonder where it is?” muttered the old man to whom the -policeman had spoken, and a shudder ran through his frame, as he slowly -moved down the street. - -As he reached the corner near old St. John’s Church, on Varick Street, -he paused, rubbed his eyes and gazed dreamily around him. - -For some time before the policeman had addressed him he had been -standing inside the church, looking through the railings into the -churchyard. - -His form was bent by decrepitude and sorrow, and his hair was as white -as the flaky snow that clung to the steeple of the old church, the -bells of which had just sounded the knell of the dying year. - -The old man only halted on the corner for a minute, and then, crossing -Beach Street, he shuffled along until he reached the center of the -block, where he came to a standstill in front of an old-fashioned -house, which was unoccupied. - -Then, as if a faintness had come over him, he grasped the rusty iron -railing to prevent himself falling to the ground, and he closed his -eyes, as though the sight of the snow-covered houses was too much for -him. - -The policeman had followed him at a distance, and was watching him from -where he was standing on the corner. - -“Poor devil!” muttered the guardian of the peace, as he swung his -nightstick back and forth. “I wonder who he is! He seems weak! Perhaps -at one time he amounted to something. God save me from ever coming to -his condition. I wonder why he stands so long in front of that old -empty house, which has been closed for twenty years, to my knowledge! -I’ll watch him a while, but I won’t molest him, poor devil!” - -As the policeman concluded his soliloquy the old man straightened up -and walked up to the door of the house, the old knocker on which he -caught hold of and gave it a rap. - -But suddenly, as if struck by some painful recollection, his hand fell -to his side and he staggered back to the middle of the sidewalk. - -“Strange,” the policeman ejaculated, noting this action. “Perhaps he -lived there at one time.” - -The old man looked up at the house, at which he gazed long and intently. - -Then, suddenly arousing himself, he ambled back to the corner, stopping -near the policeman. He looked confusedly around him, from the left to -the right, and the policeman gazed at him closely, but spoke not a -word. On his part, he did not seem to see the man in uniform. He stood -bewildered, appearing not to know which way to turn. - -“Why don’t you go home, old man?” the policeman asked, this time in a -softened tone of voice. - -“Home!” the old fellow ejaculated--his voice was like a wail, a -heartbroken sob. “Home! where is it?” - -“The Lord bless you, man, how can I tell you, if you can’t tell -yourself?” - -“Twenty years ago--twenty years behind darkened walls--and this----” He -muttered the words in such a forlorn tone that the policeman stared at -him. - -“Your brain is turned, old gentleman.” - -The old man laughed and looked up into his questioner’s face with a -quizzical expression. - -“My brain is clear, my friend,” he replied, in a clear, harsh tone. “I -have come from a prison--the world is strangely altered since I was in -it before.” - -“In it before? Why, what do you mean? I suppose you will try and -persuade me that you have been dead and have risen from the grave.” - -“Figuratively speaking, I have--I have been dead to the world--in -prison at Sing Sing. Mark me well--Sing Sing Prison--for twenty -years--to-day I was released. See me now. I am old, decrepit, hardly -able to walk. Once I stood erect, my hair was as black as the raven’s -wing, and now--look at me, a wreck without home or friends. Wife, -children, all gone! I have never seen nor heard of them since the day -I was taken out of yonder house a prisoner, by the unjust, hard, and -cruel decree of a so-called court of justice. Twenty years! A prisoner, -buried alive, as it were.” - -“You had committed a crime?” - -“No. I was innocent, but powerful conspirators plotted against me--the -evidence was perjured--and I--I--was entombed.” - -“You say you lived in yonder house twenty years ago?” - -“Yes, and no man carried his head higher than I did. I was rich--but -bah! what is the use of rehearsing those things to a stranger! Hardened -as you are by association with crime, you would not believe my story. -You would think that I was romancing. Things have sadly changed in this -neighborhood.” - -“You may bet they have.” - -“Once all these houses were occupied by rich people, but to-day they -are the abodes of the poor and the outcast.” - -“What is your name?” - -“My name! It matters not. Good night.” - -“Well, well, keep your secret, old man. God bless you, and may this new -year bring you happiness.” - -“Happiness! I shall never know that again. Good night, again.” - -He moved off slowly, and the policeman watched him until he turned the -corner into West Broadway, when he proceeded to patrol his beat. - -As the policeman moved away, a dark form came out of a near-by doorway -and hurried around the corner. - -The man was tall, he wore a long ulster with the collar turned up -around his neck, and a slouch hat was pulled down over his eyes. He -followed closely in the old man’s trail. - -The old man halted several times, and as he did so his form seemed to -lose its decrepitude. As the light from the street lamps shone upon his -face it could be seen that his eyes glared like two living coals; he -threw his hand aloft, and so fierce and startling was the action that -the man who was following him halted and shrank back for an instant, as -if he had been struck. - -“Vengeance!” the old man hissed, and then he started on again. - -The street was deserted, save by the old man and the man who was -following him. - -The former walked on, looking up at the tall warehouses and store -buildings, muttering to himself. - -More than once he put his hand up to his head and gazed about in a -bewildered manner. - -His limbs shook under him, for a long time had passed since they had -been used to such exertion. - -The fresh air came so strangely upon him that he panted for breath. - -Suddenly he halted in front of an old-fashioned three-story brick -building near Chambers Street. A beacon-shaped red lamp was burning -over the doorway, and upon the front pane of glass was painted: - - THE RED DRAGON INN. - Established by William Sill--1776. - -It was an old landmark in the neighborhood, and it had always been -a hostelry. In revolutionary times it was a post roadhouse, and was -famous as the headquarters of many of the British officers. During -later days it became the resort, at the noonday hour, of many of New -York’s most staid and solid merchants, whose places of business were in -the vicinity. - -At this time the ground floor was occupied by a man who ran a saloon -and restaurant, and who rented out the upstairs rooms to transient -lodgers. No improvements had been made about the place, and it stood -just as it did when it was conducted by its original owner. - -As the old man paused in front of the inn the sound of voices and the -clinking of glasses came from within. He walked up to the door and -opened it. Then he stepped into the saloon, staggered up to the bar -and, in a low tone, ordered a glass of toddy, which was supplied to him. - -A number of men were seated at the tables, drinking, and none of them -paid any attention to the newcomer, who drank his toddy while standing -and leaning against the bar. - -The old man placed his empty glass back upon the counter, and facing -the bartender, said: - -“I want a room for the night.” - -“There is only one empty,” the bartender replied. “It is in the attic.” - -“That will answer my purpose.” - -“It will cost you one dollar.” - -The old man drew a purse out of his pocket, took out the amount, and -handed it to the bartender, who asked: - -“Do you want to retire now?” - -“I do,” the old man answered. - -“I will show you the way up.” - -“It won’t be necessary. I am familiar with every room in the house. -Many a time I have stopped here in other days. If you will tell me -which room I am to occupy, I will go up to it.” - -“The second room in the back part of the attic on the left of the -stairway is the one. You will find a lamp on a table in the hall on the -second floor.” - -“All right.” - -The old man left the room, while the bartender gazed after him with -curiosity. He climbed the stairway and reached the second floor, where -he found the lamp, and then proceeded upstairs to the attic room. - -An hour after he retired, the house was silent, all the midnight -revelers having gone home, and the bartender having closed up the -saloon. - -New Year’s Day dawned bright and clear. - -The proprietor of the Red Dragon Inn opened the barroom, and at nine -o’clock the bartender came downstairs. - -For a time the two men stood talking. - -There were no customers in the place. - -At last the bartender asked the proprietor if he had seen anything of -the strange old man who had come in after midnight. - -The proprietor said that the old man had not appeared. - -“Did he request you to call him?” he inquired. - -“No,” the bartender answered. “Shall I go up and ask him if he wants -breakfast?” - -“Yes.” - -The bartender ascended to the attic. - -The door of the room which the old man had been assigned to stood ajar. - -The man knocked, but there was no answer. He pounded again and shouted. -Still no answer. Finally the man pushed the door open. A terrible -sight met his gaze. Stretched out upon the bed he beheld the old man, -with his throat cut from ear to ear. His hands were folded across his -breast, and he was covered by the coverlet of the bed. Evidently there -had been no struggle. - -The bartender uttered a cry of alarm, but he did not enter the room. - -As soon as he recovered from his surprise he dashed off downstairs, -crying “Murder!” at the top of his voice. - -Instantly the house was aroused, and in a short time a great crowd -congregated in the street in front of the door. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -SEARCHING FOR CLEWS. - - -Early on New Year’s morning Nicholas Carter, the famous detective, -arrived in Jersey City on a train from Chicago, where he had been -investigating a diamond case, which he had closed up successfully. - -Danny, his chauffeur, met him at the station, with his powerful touring -car; and in a few minutes they were crossing the Hudson River on the -downtown ferry over to Chambers Street. - -They had just landed and were beginning to get headway along that -thoroughfare, when their attention was attracted by a loud commotion in -the street. - -Leaning over, Carter beheld the crowd congregating in front of the Red -Dragon Inn, which was almost opposite. He heard the cries of murder. - -Instantly the veteran’s energies were aroused. He forgot all about his -not having had breakfast, and springing out, he pushed his way through -the crowd and entered the barroom of the Red Dragon Inn. - -There he found the proprietor pacing up and down in a state of nervous -excitement. - -A policeman was also there, and to him Nick applied for information. - -“I can’t make head nor tail of it,” the policeman replied to Carter’s -inquiry. “I’ve sent word to the police station, Mr. Carter, and I am -expecting the captain every minute.” - -“Have you been upstairs?” - -“No, sir. I thought it best to wait until the captain arrived.” - -“Where is the bartender?” - -“Standing over there,” and the policeman pointed to the man, who was -leaning against the bar. - -Carter stepped up to the bartender and asked: - -“What is your name?” - -“George Terry,” the bartender answered. - -“How long have you been employed here?” - -“Three years.” - -“I believe you discovered the murder?” - -“I did, sir.” - -“At what time?” - -“About twenty minutes ago.” - -“Do you know the man?” - -“No, sir, he is a stranger to me.” - -“What is his name?” - -“I forgot to ask him.” - -“Don’t you keep a register?” - -“No, sir.” - -“What time did the man arrive?” - -“Shortly after midnight.” - -“Did he have any luggage?” - -“No, sir.” - -“Tell me all about your conversation with him.” - -“As I said, he came in here shortly after midnight. He seemed weak and -exhausted as he slipped up to the bar. He requested me to make him a -hot toddy, which I did. - -“After he had finished his drink he asked me if I could let him have a -room for the night, and I told him that the attic room was vacant and -he could have that. He paid the price out of a well-filled purse. - -“I offered to conduct him up to the room, Mr. Carter, but he said it -would not be necessary, because he was familiar with the house, he -having stopped here on various occasions twenty years ago. He left -the room, and that was the last I saw of him until I discovered his -murdered body, when I went up to the attic to call him and opened the -door of the room he occupied.” - -“You heard him say he had stopped here on various occasions twenty -years ago?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“What is the proprietor’s name?” - -“Henry Lancaster.” - -“How long has he conducted this place?” - -“Ten years.” - -“Do you know the name of the man from whom he purchased it?” - -“I do not.” - -“Has any one been upstairs to the murdered man’s room since you made -the discovery?” - -“No one has been near it. Everything is undisturbed. I did not enter.” - -“I will speak to the proprietor.” - -Carter approached Mr. Lancaster, who was a middle-aged man of affable -manners. - -“The bartender informs me that you have conducted this place for about -ten years,” the detective said, as he came up to Mr. Lancaster. - -“I have owned it for nearly eleven years,” Mr. Lancaster replied. - -“From whom did you purchase it?” - -“A man named Peter Wright, who had been the proprietor for nearly a -quarter of a century.” - -“Is Mr. Wright alive?” - -“He is.” - -“Where does he reside?” - -“At the Cosmopolitan Hotel, across the street. He is a bachelor, and -entirely alone in the world, all of his relatives having died. He is -an Englishman by birth, and a courtly old gentleman. He has a moderate -income to live on, and he is enjoying himself in his declining years. -All of the merchants of old New York knew him, and when he conducted -the Red Dragon Inn it was famous as a chop house. - -“Mr. Wright’s acquaintance is extensive,” added Lancaster. “If you see -him, he may know something about the murdered man--if the man spoke the -truth when he said that he used to stop here twenty years ago. - -“I shall surely call upon Mr. Wright, and ask him to take a look at the -remains.” - -At this moment Carter felt a heavy hand laid upon his shoulder. He -turned around and beheld the captain of the precinct, who had just -arrived. - -“I am glad to see you, Mr. Carter,” the officer exclaimed. “You can -help us in this, and as usual I suppose you have gleaned considerable -information?” - -“I have found very little,” the detective replied. - -“Will you help us?” - -“Certainly.” - -“My mind is relieved. I hope you’ll take full charge of the case.” - -“What about headquarters?” - -“I will take care of that. While you have charge, the people at -headquarters will not interfere.” - -“Have you sent out an alarm?” - -“Yes.” - -“Let us go up to the attic room. Request your men to keep every one -downstairs.” - -“I will do that.” - -The police captain issued his instructions to his men, and then he and -Carter proceeded upstairs to the attic room in which the body of the -victim lay. - -The captain stood out in the hall on the threshold, while the detective -entered the room. - -Carter stepped up to the side of the bed and scrutinized the face of -the victim closely in silence. - -“His throat was cut while he slept,” Nick remarked, looking toward the -captain. - -“Do you see any sign of the weapon with which the crime was committed?” -the police official asked. - -“Not yet.” - -Carter turned around and commenced to inspect the room. - -For nearly fifteen minutes he was engaged in the work, without uttering -a word. - -The police captain watched him with close attention. - -The detective went over the ground with the avidity of a sleuthhound -scenting for a trail. - -Every nook and corner of the apartment was inspected, until the -detective stood by the window, the sash of which was raised. He looked -at the sill and then uttered an exclamation. - -“What is it?” the police captain asked, entering the room and stepping -up to Carter’s side. - -“See,” the detective replied, pointing with his forefinger to stains -upon the window sill and the lower part of the sash. “Here are imprints -of bloody fingers. The murderer, after he committed the crime, came -over to this window and raised the sash. And here are bloody tracks on -the outside. Look; there are imprints of shoes in the snow across the -roof--they lead from here to the edge. The murderer escaped this way. -Wait here.” - -“What are you going to do?” - -“You’ll see.” - -Carter crawled out of the window onto the roof, and followed the tracks -in the snow, until he came to the edge of the roof, where he halted and -looked over. - -There, attached to the side of the house, he beheld an iron ladder -leading from the roof down to the yard. - -Still he saw nothing of the weapon with which the crime had been -committed. - -There was no doubt now in his mind about the assassin having escaped by -the roof. He returned to the room and gave the captain an accurate but -brief account of what he had discovered. - -“This leads me to think the murderer possessed some knowledge of this -house,” the police captain remarked, after he had listened to what the -detective had to say. - -“Probably,” Carter rejoined, and then for a time he lapsed into deep -thought. - -The captain was also silent. - -Nick’s eyes wandered around the room and he bit his lips. - -Upon his face there was a strained expression. - -One could tell that he was following some train of thought. - -The pupils of his eyes blazed brilliantly. - -Minute after minute passed and still he did not speak. - -Patiently his companion waited. - -Carter’s eyes rested upon the clothing of the victim, which was lying -on a chair near the bed in a corner of the room. - -It was in a confused heap. - -The detective stepped forward. - -“We have overlooked these!” he exclaimed, pointing to the clothes. - -“I was just looking at them,” the police captain remarked. “It seems to -me that they must have been disturbed by the murderer.” - -“They were,” Carter rejoined, holding up the dead man’s vest for the -police captain to inspect. “There are bloodstains upon this and the -other garments.” - -“Search the pockets.” - -For some minutes the detective was engaged in making the search. When -he finished he looked at the captain. - -“Nothing,” he said tersely. - -“The murderer secured everything,” the police captain rejoined, in a -tone of disappointment, “he has not left a scrap of paper by which the -dead man could be identified.” - -“Everything is gone.” - -“It is too bad.” - -“Yes--but I have made a discovery.” - -“What is it?” - -“These are prison clothes--they are new.” - -“What! Are you sure?” - -“I am positive. They were made in Sing Sing Prison.” - -“And what is your conclusion?” - -“This murdered man was recently released from State’s prison.” - -“Perhaps the motive for the crime was revenge.” - -“Maybe, and still he may have been murdered because he possessed -information which some one was afraid would be divulged.” - -“That may be it.” - -“In one way this discovery is important.” - -“And you really think this man was a convict?” - -“I do. If he were not a released convict he would not have worn -clothing made expressly for the convicts.” - -“He may have purchased them from some one.” - -“That is so--but still I think he did not.” - -“There is one clew anyway.” - -“Yes.” - -“Let us go downstairs.” - -They left the room. - -Carter closed and locked the door. - -On the way downstairs the detective inspected the steps, but he found -nothing which would throw any light upon the mystery. There were no -tracks, except those in the snow on the roof. The leading question in -his mind was how the murderer had entered the house. - -After he had returned to the barroom he called the bartender aside and -asked: - -“Do you remember if any one came in after the old man retired?” - -“Yes, I do, now that I come to think of it,” the bartender exclaimed, -with considerable animation. “A tall man entered just as the old man -left the room. He wore a long ulster and a slouch hat. - -“This man, sir, stepped up to the bar and called for whisky, which I -served to him. He took a seat at a table near the hall door. - -“I was busy supplying the orders to the other customers and I did not -pay any attention to him. - -“When I came to close up he was gone. - -“When he went out, I do not know; but he may have left while I was -serving drinks at some one of the tables.” - -“Would you know the man if you should see him again?” inquired the -detective. - -“I cannot tell whether I would or not.” - -“Are you able to describe him?” - -“I should think he was about forty-five or fifty years old. His face -was covered with a heavy brown beard. His eyes were black, restless -and penetrating. That is all I can remember about him. I didn’t pay -particular attention to him.” - -“Who occupied the room next to the one in which the man was murdered?” - -“I did.” - -“What time did you retire?” - -“It was probably about half past one o’clock. As I was about to enter -my room I noticed that a light was burning in the old man’s room. I -thought at the time that he had not yet retired, but I didn’t hear him -make any noise.” - -“You were not awakened during the night?” - -“No.” - -“Are you a sound sleeper?” - -“I am.” - -“What time did you get up?” - -“About half past eight o’clock.” - -Carter went out into the back yard. - -There he found footprints in the snow leading from the foot of the -ladder over to a gate in the fence, which opened to an alley running -along between the yards into Hudson Street. - -The trail was plain and distinct. - -The detective followed it until it ended on Hudson Street. - -Then he returned to the yard, where he made a search for the weapon, -thinking the assassin might have thrown it away. - -But there was no trace of it to be found. - -Carter went back into the barroom. - -The coroner had arrived and was preparing to take charge of the body. - -The detective hurried across the street to the Cosmopolitan Hotel and -asked to see Mr. Wright, the former proprietor of the Red Dragon Inn. - -Mr. Wright was a portly old gentleman with a large, florid, jovial -face, and he received the detective instantly. He listened attentively -to what Carter had to say, and he complied with his request to -accompany him over to the inn and view the remains of the victim. - -“If that man spoke the truth,” Mr. Wright remarked, as he and the -detective left the hotel, “I may be able to identify the body.” - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE IDENTIFICATION. - - -Carter conducted Peter Wright upstairs to the attic room in which the -body of the victim lay. - -The coroner was making an examination, but he stepped aside, so as to -allow Mr. Wright to see the face of the murdered man. - -The former proprietor of the Red Dragon Inn looked at the ghastly white -countenance long and intently. - -All of the persons in the room watched him in silence. - -Several times the old man shook his head back and forth and his brow -became contracted. - -Finally he looked at Carter and shook his head dolefully. - -“There is a certain familiar expression about that man’s features,” he -said, in a tone of awe, “but for the life of me I cannot recall who he -is. If he were a patron of the Red Dragon Inn while I was proprietor, -he has changed so that I cannot remember him.” - -“I am very sorry that you are not able to identify the body, Mr. -Wright,” the detective said. “Will you kindly accompany me downstairs. -I want to have a private talk with you.” - -“Lead on, and I will follow.” - -The detective led the way down to the parlor. - -As soon as they were inside the room he closed the door. Presently he -and Mr. Wright were ensconced in easy-chairs. - -“Permit your memory to wander back ten or twelve years to the time when -you owned this place, and see if you can recall the name of any one of -your patrons who was sent to State’s prison.” - -Mr. Wright started. - -“By Jove!” he exclaimed. - -Carter smiled and his eyes sparkled. - -“What startles you?” the detective asked, with an assumed air of -surprise. - -“Nothing startles me,” Mr. Wright rejoined. - -“Then what is it?” - -“That man is Alfred Lawrence--he has changed mightily--it is no wonder -I did not recognize him. But I know him now.” - -“Who was Alfred Lawrence?” - -“He was one of my old customers. He was sent to Sing Sing for fifteen -years for forgery. Don’t you remember the famous Lawrence will case?” - -“I have a slight recollection of it. The trial took place while I was -away in Europe, and I read very little about it.” - -“I will tell you about it.” - -“Do so.” - -“Alfred Lawrence was a well-to-do produce merchant, who had an office -on West Street and lived on Beach Street. - -“His uncle, after whom he was named, was the senior member of the firm. -Old Alfred Lawrence was a bachelor. - -“When he died a will was found, and in it he left all his estate to his -nephew. - -“Simeon Rich, another nephew, and his sister contested the will. They -claimed that it was a forgery and that Alfred Lawrence had forged his -uncle’s signature. - -“The case came up before the surrogate and the fight was a bitter one -on both sides. - -“Lawrence’s wife, with whom he had lived unhappily, went before the -referee and swore that she had seen her husband forge the will. Her -testimony was corroborated by Blanchard, the chief witness, who was -Lawrence’s butler. - -“It was hinted at, at the time, that Mrs. Lawrence and Simeon Rich were -very intimate. - -“The will was broken. Lawrence was arrested, tried, convicted, and sent -to State’s prison. - -“Then people forgot all about him.” - -“What became of Mrs. Lawrence?” asked Carter. - -“She lived for a time in the Beach Street house. A year after her -husband’s conviction the house was closed up and Mrs. Lawrence and her -child disappeared. The house has remained closed ever since.” - -“Then there was a child?” - -“Yes--a girl--she was about twelve years old at the time.” - -“What became of Simeon Rich?” - -“I do not know.” - -“How was the estate divided?” - -“That I do not remember.” - -“Lawrence, you say, was a customer of yours?” - -“He was, and he was a mighty fine fellow. I always believed he was -innocent, notwithstanding the fact that all the evidence was strong -against him.” - -“And you believe that the murdered man is this same Alfred Lawrence?” - -“I do.” - -“Is this all the information you can give me, Mr. Wright?” - -“It is.” - -“What was the number of the old house on Beach Street in which Lawrence -resided?” - -“I don’t remember, but you can find it easily. It is near Varick -Street, and it is the only house on the block that is closed.” - -“Ah!” - -“Some one is at the door,” said Peter Wright. - -Carter arose from his chair and opened the door. - -The police captain entered the room, followed by a policeman. - -“Mr. Carter,” he said, “here is one of my men, Officer Pat Maguire; he -saw the murdered man last night.” - -“Did he?” Carter queried, casting a searching glance at Maguire, who -replied: - -“That I did, sir.” - -“Sit down and tell me all about it.” - -Pat Maguire took a seat. - -“This morning,” he said, “I reported at the station house and I heard -about the murder. The instant I heard a description of the man read I -concluded it was the poor, forlorn, down-and-out old chap with whom I -had talked last night while on my beat. - -“I came around here, took a look at the body, and I saw that it was the -old man. Then I instantly told the captain about the conversation I had -with him, and he brought me here to see you.” - -“Tell me about that conversation, Maguire.” - -Policeman Maguire gave Carter a clear account of the conversation -which he had held with the old man and described how he had acted. - -When he concluded, Mr. Wright ejaculated: - -“You see, Mr. Carter, that corroborates what I told you. There are no -reasonable doubts now about the man being Alfred Lawrence.” - -“Why did he try to enter that house on Beach Street?” - -“I cannot tell.” - -“There is a deep mystery here,” remarked Carter, “one which I intend to -solve. Gentlemen, I must leave you. Please keep silent about what you -have told me.” - -Before any one could utter a word, he had slipped out of the room. - -“A strange man,” the police captain remarked, as soon as Carter was -gone. “Why has he left the room without giving any intimation of what -he was going to do?” - -The information which had been imparted to Carter by Mr. Wright and the -policeman was important. He was certain now that the murdered man was -the ex-convict, Alfred Lawrence. - -It was his intention to probe into that man’s history and learn more of -the details of the will case and the trial. - -In doing this, would he be able to discover the motive of the murder? - -After leaving the Red Dragon Inn the detective at once--without waiting -to go home--went to a near-by telephone exchange and called up the -keeper of Sing Sing Prison. - -From this man he learned that Lawrence had been released early the day -before, that he had been furnished with clothing and a small sum of -money, and that he started for New York. - -“What train did he leave on?” Carter asked of the keeper. - -“The eleven-ten,” the keeper replied. - -“Was he an exemplary prisoner?” - -“Yes.” - -“Did he have any visitors call on him?” - -“None.” - -“Are you sure?” - -“Yes.” - -“During his imprisonment, did he receive many letters?” - -“None.” - -“Did he ever talk to you about himself?” - -“No, he was always a taciturn man and he never talked to me or to -others about himself. When he left here yesterday he said that he -intended to be revenged on the persons who had wronged him, for, he -said, he had suffered for a crime of which he was not guilty.” - -“Did he mention any names?” - -“No.” - -“How much money did you give him?” - -“Ten dollars.” - -From the telephone office the detective went in his automobile to the -old house on Beach Street. He stood on the sidewalk and inspected it. -There was no sign on the house to indicate that the formerly handsome -residence was for rent or for sale. All the windows were boarded up -tight. - -A man, who lived next door, noticed Carter, and coming up to his side, -coughed nervously, to attract his attention. - -“Are you thinking of buying or renting this place?” - -“Is it for sale?” the detective asked, without answering the man’s -question. - -“I do not know. I thought from the manner in which you were looking at -it that you thought about renting or buying it. No sign has ever been -up on the house.” - -“How long have you lived in this neighborhood?” - -“About twenty years.” - -“Then you are pretty well acquainted with it?” - -“That I am.” - -“How long has this house been uninhabited?” - -“About ten years, I think.” - -“Were you acquainted with the last tenant?” - -“I was. Alfred Lawrence and his family lived there. Lawrence was sent -to State’s prison on a charge of forgery. His wife and child moved -away, and from that day to this I never heard what became of them.” - -“Have you ever seen any one visit the house?” - -“No one has ever come here.” - -“Was the furniture taken away?” - -“Yes.” - -“Then the house is evidently empty?” - -“It is.” - -“Were you acquainted with Lawrence enough to know anything about his -affairs?” - -“I was not.” - -“All I know is what I read in the newspapers at the time.” - -“Was he a man of considerable means?” - -“I always thought so.” - -“Did you know Simeon Rich?” - -“No.” - -Not being able to secure any further information from the man, the -detective walked away. - -Many thoughts crowded his mind and he asked himself innumerable -questions in regard to the case. - -The prison keeper had told him over the telephone that Lawrence had -only ten dollars in his possession when he left Sing Sing, and the -bartender at the Red Dragon Inn had informed him that the man who had -been murdered had displayed a large sum of money when he paid for the -night’s lodging. - -“From whom had Lawrence received money?” the detective asked himself as -he pondered over this. “He must have got money from some one.” - -That was clear. - -But the bartender might have been mistaken. - -Nick told Danny to drive to a restaurant, where he procured an -excellent breakfast; then he directed the chauffeur to make a dash up -to the Grand Central Station, where he hoped to find some one who had -seen Lawrence leave the train and had noted the direction in which he -went. - -What had Lawrence done from the time he left the depot until Pat -Maguire saw him standing in front of St. John’s Church looking into the -churchyard? - -Would the detective be able to follow his footsteps? - -Many would have looked upon such a task as Carter had set out to -perform as hopeless. - -The railroad detective who was stationed at the depot was unable to -furnish Nick with any information. - -Carter made inquiries of the porters and others, but none of them -remembered seeing any man who answered to Lawrence’s description. - -Finally, he left the depot and went outside to the cab stand. - -Here he commenced to question the drivers. - -At last he found a man who, in reply to his question, said: - -“I drove the old chap downtown in my cab.” - -“Do you think you would be able to identify him if you should see him -again?” Carter asked. - -“I do,” the cabman answered. - -“Will you come with me?” - -“What for?” - -“I want you to take a look at a man and see if he is the same person -whom you drove downtown.” - -“I can’t leave my cab.” - -“Drive me down to the Cosmopolitan Hotel.” - -“I’ll do that.” - -Nick sent Danny home, got into the cab, and was driven away. - -He had his reasons for not telling the cabman anything about the case. - -Before he questioned him further he wanted to see if the murdered man -was the same person whom the man had had for a fare the previous day. - -The cab stopped in front of the Cosmopolitan Hotel and the detective -alighted. He and the driver crossed the street and entered the Red -Dragon Inn. - -To the chamber of death the detective conducted his surprised companion. - -When they entered the room Carter pointed to the corpse and asked: - -“Is that the man?” - -“Dead!” the cabman ejaculated, as he started back, after having glanced -at the face of the murdered man. “Yes, sir, it is the man, all right. -He has been murdered!” - -“Yes.” - -“Did you fetch me down here to place me under arrest?” - -“No.” - -“I know nothing about this.” - -“Come with me.” - -“I’ll go with you, but I swear----” - -“There, there, my man, don’t get excited. You will not be -arrested--rest easy on that score.” - -“But----” - -“Wait until we get outside, and then I will tell you what I want you to -do.” - -They returned to the cab and stood on the sidewalk near it. - -Carter was silent for a short time. - -Suddenly he looked up into the pale face of the cabman and asked: - -“Where did you drive him?” - -“You mean----” the man stammered. The question had been asked so -suddenly that he was slightly confused. - -“I mean the man whose body lies over there in the Red Dragon Inn.” - -“I drove him down to the Manhattan Safe Deposit Company. He got out of -the cab, told me to wait for him, and then he went into the building, -where he remained for nearly half an hour. When he came out he paid and -dismissed me.” - -“When he paid you did he display any large amount of money?” - -“He had quite a large-sized roll of bills in his hand.” - -“Did you drive away immediately after you received the money for your -services?” - -“I did.” - -“And you did not notice in which direction the old man went?” - -“He went back into the building.” - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -A PECULIAR INTERVIEW. - - -Carter lapsed into silence after the cabman had answered his last -question. - -It was clear to him now that Lawrence had secured money at the -Manhattan Safe Deposit Company. - -Did he get the money out of a box, which he owned, or from some one -connected with the company? - -The detective proposed to find out. He happened to be acquainted with -the cashier of the safe deposit company, so he ordered the cabman to -drive him to the gentleman’s house. - -Fortunately, Carter found the cashier at home, and he was received by -him in his library. - -“Were you acquainted with an Alfred Lawrence?” the detective inquired -of the cashier as soon as he was seated. - -The gentleman started in surprise, and asked: - -“Why do you ask that question?” - -“I want information,” Carter replied, with a smile. He paused for a -moment, and then he continued: “I can see from the manner in which you -started that you knew Alfred Lawrence.” - -“Yes, I did know Alfred Lawrence, and I always regarded him as an -honest man. In spite of the fact that he was tried and found guilty of -forgery, I have always believed he was innocent. But why do you come -here asking about Lawrence?” - -“Lawrence was murdered at the Red Dragon Inn early this morning.” - -“No! It can’t be true!” - -The gentleman bounded out of his chair and, standing in the center of -the room, gazed at Carter with an expression of astonishment upon his -face. - -“It is true, nevertheless,” the detective replied. - -“I saw him yesterday. He had just been released from Sing Sing Prison.” - -“Please be seated and try to be calm. I want you to recall to your mind -all that occurred yesterday between you and Lawrence. It is important -that you should remember everything.” - -“I will try and do as you request.” - -The gentleman resumed his seat, and for some time he bowed his head, -resting it upon his hand. - -The detective remained quiet. - -Patiently he waited for the cashier of the safe deposit company to -speak. He desired to let him have plenty of time in which to recall to -his mind all that had happened between him and the murdered man on the -previous day. - -Finally the gentleman raised his head and gazed intently into Carter’s -face. - -“This is a great shock to me,” he remarked, as he passed his hand over -his forehead. “Lawrence came into my office about two o’clock. - -“At first I did not recognize him on account of the great change that -had been wrought in him. - -“When I learned who he was I was glad to see him. - -“He sat down and told me about his prison experience. - -“In years gone by we had been friends. - -“When he was tried I did what I could to help him. - -“The evidence was too strong against him, and he was convicted. - -“When he was sent to prison he left in my care some securities to -dispose of. I sold them and placed the money on deposit with the Bank -of North America. - -“I wrote to him about it, and he said that he desired me not to -communicate with him again until he should be free. Then he would call -upon me. If I were to die I was to provide in my will that the money -should be placed with some trust company for him. - -“Well, as I said, he called on me yesterday. He asked me for two -hundred dollars, and I gave it to him.” - -The gentleman paused. - -“How much was the full amount?” asked Nick, upon whom the cashier’s -information was making a clear impression of innocence on the part of -Alfred Lawrence. - -“About seven thousand dollars,” the cashier answered. - -“Did Lawrence talk about his family?” - -“He did not.” - -“Did he talk about any one?” - -“All he said was that he intended to prove that he was not a forger.” - -“Did he say how he was going to do it?” - -“No.” - -“Were you ever acquainted with Simeon Rich?” - -“No.” - -“Is he living in the city?” - -“I don’t know.” - -“And you don’t know what became of Lawrence’s wife and child?” - -“I do not.” - -“Did you know that Lawrence’s house on Beach Street has remained vacant -for years?” - -“No.” - -“When Lawrence left you did he say where he was going?” - -“He did not.” - -“Did he say that he would call on you again?” - -“He promised to call and see me to-morrow.” - -“Did Lawrence run a safe deposit box?” - -“He did. He had one with our company.” - -“Did he open it yesterday?” - -“No. He told me that he intended to open it to-morrow.” - -“Did he have the key?” - -“He did.” - -“Do you know the number of the box?” - -“I do not.” - -“To-morrow I will find out the number for you.” - -“Can’t you do so to-day?” - -“Why?” - -“I want to examine the contents of that box.” - -“You will have to wait until to-morrow, Mr. Carter. Then I will get -permission for you to open the box.” - -“I suppose I’ll have to wait.” - -“I am sorry that I can’t help you to-day.” - -“So am I.” - -Carter gave the cashier an account of the mysterious murder at the Red -Dragon Inn and then he departed, promising to call on him at his office -early the next morning. - -So far he had progressed fairly well with the case, though he had not -secured any information which would throw light on the mystery. - -The murdered man’s identity was established and Carter had learned -something about his history. - -But that was not much. - -Who could have committed the crime? - -Was Lawrence murdered by a common thief or by one who was afraid of him -and desired to put him out of the way? - -Carter asked himself these questions. - -He was not prepared to answer either one of them. - -He had discovered no clew. - -He had learned nothing upon which he could base a theory. - -Leaving the cashier’s house, he dismissed the cabman, and, hailing a -taxicab, rode home, where he went to his study and sat down to smoke -and think. - -It was now evening. He had not wasted a moment since early in the -morning, but he was not satisfied with his work. He had looked through -the directory and had not been able to find in it the name of the man -who had been instrumental in sending Lawrence to State’s prison. - -Did he have any suspicion that that man could have anything to do with -the murder? - -If he did not, then why was he so anxious to find out what had become -of that man? He wished he had a more accurate description of the man -who had entered the barroom of the Red Dragon Inn after Lawrence. - -“That man may know nothing,” he muttered as he thought about him, -“but, nevertheless, I should like to find him. - -“Who is he? - -“What was he doing in the inn? - -“Did he simply step in to get a drink, or did he follow Lawrence in? - -“I’m puzzled.” - -The detective arose from his chair and commenced to pace back and forth -across the room. - -All the time he puffed away vigorously on his cigar and blew the smoke -out in a long stream. Whenever he was annoyed about anything he always -smoked in this way. He was so deep in thought that he did not hear a -knock on the door until the person without had knocked several times. - -Carter halted in the center of the room and called out: - -“Come in.” - -The door was opened by Nick’s butler and Peter Wright entered the room. - -At a glance the detective saw he was excited. - -“I’m glad you are in, Mr. Carter,” Wright ejaculated, as he sank down -in a chair. - -He was puffing and blowing from exertion, and it was several minutes -before he became composed. He mopped his brow with a large red bandanna -and laid his hat down on the floor by the side of his chair. - -“It was a peculiar experience,” he ejaculated, looking at the -detective, “very peculiar--very peculiar----” - -Mr. Wright had a rapid way of speaking when he was excited, and he had -a habit of repeating certain words and phrases to emphasize what he -said. - -“It was deucedly peculiar,” he repeated, after a slight pause. - -Carter could not help smiling as he said: - -“Mr. Wright, you forget that I know nothing about it.” - -“That’s so--confound it! I am so excited I can hardly collect my -thoughts. But it was a deucedly peculiar experience, all the same,” he -replied. - -“Tell me all about it.” - -“Tell you all about it? So I will--yes--yes. Peculiar--it was very -peculiar----” - -“No doubt. Try and collect your thoughts.” - -“I will.” - -Mr. Wright mopped his brow for the twentieth time, blew his nose, and -then, rolling his bandanna up into a ball, threw it into his hat, -saying, as he rested his elbows upon the arms of the chair and leaned -forward: - -“Mr. Carter, I think I have important information for you.” - -“That is what I want,” the detective replied. - -Nick was perfectly calm. - -Not a muscle of his face moved. - -But those shrewd eyes of his sparkled like two gems. - -“It was this way,” Mr. Wright continued, after a momentary silence: -“After you left me I returned to my room in the hotel and sat down -to glance at the morning newspaper. I could not remain quiet for any -length of time, because my mind was dwelling continuously on the murder. - -“Well, an hour passed. I was pacing up and down the room trying to -recall to my mind everything I had known and had heard about Lawrence, -when there came a knock at my door. - -“I called out for the party to come in, and a tall, handsome, stylishly -dressed woman entered the room. - -“I was taken by surprise and was slightly confused. I thought at first -the woman had mistaken my room for some one else’s. But she looked at -me very calmly, and when I did not speak she said: - -“‘Are you not Mr. Wright?’ - -“Instantly I pulled myself together and acknowledged that I was the -individual. I invited her to be seated. - -“As far as I could remember, Mr. Carter, I had never seen the woman -before in all my life. - -“‘You are Mr. Peter Wright?’ she asked again, as soon as she was -seated, and she placed considerable emphasis upon ‘Peter,’ looking me -straight in the eyes with such intensity as if she were endeavoring to -read my most secret thoughts. - -“‘My name is Peter Wright,’ I said, and I commenced to experience a -creeping sensation all over me. - -“Never before had I been in such a position. - -“It may have been my imagination, but I thought that she was making an -effort to exert some influence over me. - -“Well, that is neither here nor there. It is a waste of time for me to -go into details about my feelings----” - -“Go on,” Carter interrupted, “tell your story your own way, and do not -make any attempt to abridge it. I am deeply interested.” - -“Let me see--oh, yes. As I said, I thought she was trying to hypnotize -me. - -“As soon as I said that I was Peter Wright she asked: - -“‘Were you the owner of the Red Dragon Inn at one time?’ - -“I replied in the affirmative, and I saw a smile encircle her lips. - -“‘You don’t remember me,’ she said, after a pause. - -“‘Indeed, I do not,’ I replied. ‘I cannot recall that I ever saw you -before.’ - -“‘No doubt, no doubt,’ she murmured. She glanced around the room and -ran her hand across her forehead. ‘I have changed wonderfully,’ she -went on. ‘Twenty years works wonderful changes in all of us,’ and she -smiled, with the sweetest smile I ever beheld upon the face of a woman. - -“‘We all change,’ I interpolated, and she replied: - -“‘You are right. I was a girl when you saw me last, and now I am a -woman. Mr. Wright, do you not remember Isabella Porter?’ - -“The instant she mentioned the name I remembered her. - -“Her parents used to live a few doors from the Red Dragon Inn. Her -father was a produce merchant. When she was a small girl I used to give -her pennies to spend. Her father died and her mother moved out of the -neighborhood. I lost track of them, and I had not seen nor heard of -Isabella until she appeared in my room. - -“To tell you the truth, Mr. Carter, even after she had told me who -she was, I studied her face, but could not see a line in it that was -familiar to me. I believed she was Isabella Porter, all the same. - -“I told her that I remembered her name, and then for a time she was -silent. She bowed her head, and seemed lost in deep thought. - -“Suddenly she glanced up at me. - -“‘I’ve called to see you on a peculiar errand,’ she informed me. - -“‘What is it?’ I asked. - -“‘One night about ten or eleven years ago,’ she said, ‘a man called on -you at the Red Dragon Inn and gave you a package to keep. - -“‘The man was a stranger to you. - -“‘On the package was written the name of Edward Peters. - -“‘You put the package in your safe and the man never called for it.’ - -“She paused and fastened her eyes upon me, Mr. Carter, with that -strange, uncanny, searching look--it was certainly peculiar, _very_ -peculiar! - -“I recalled the incident distinctly, but something within me seemed to -tell me to pretend ignorance about the package, to try and draw her out -and find out what she was aiming at, so I said: - -“‘I don’t remember any such incident.’ - -“Isabella Porter started and her face darkened. - -“‘You don’t?’ she ejaculated, in a tone of annoyance. - -“‘No,’ I replied. I was perfectly calm now, you see, and I had full -command of my senses. - -“Isabella eyed me closely, but I returned her gaze unflinchingly. - -“Why I acted in this way I cannot tell. An unseen force seemed to be -guiding me. - -“‘What did you do with the contents of your safe?’ Isabella asked. - -“‘When I sold the place,’ I replied, ‘I removed the contents of the -safe. I placed the paper in a box and locked it up in the safe deposit -vault. Since that time I have never looked at it,’ which was the truth. - -“‘Then the package must be in your box,’ Isabella ejaculated, and her -countenance brightened. ‘Mr. Wright, I want that package.’ - -“‘If it should be among my papers,’ I replied, ‘I can’t see why I -should deliver it to you. It does not belong to you.’ - -“She bit her lips with annoyance and exclaimed: - -“‘I must get possession of that package, Mr. Wright.’ - -“‘Why?’ I asked. - -“‘I can’t tell you the reason why,’ she answered. ‘You would not -understand if I were able to explain. But, Mr. Wright, please let me -have that package.’ - -“‘What is in it?’ I asked. - -“‘I can’t tell you,’ she replied. - -“‘Oh, well,’ I said, with a false laugh. ‘It is nothing to me. -To-morrow I will hunt through my papers at the safe deposit company and -I will see if the package is among them.’ - -“‘Can’t you look to-day?’ she asked, with great eagerness. - -“‘No,’ I replied; ‘to-day is a holiday and the vault is closed.’ - -“‘Then I suppose I must wait. What time shall I call upon you -to-morrow?’ - -“‘About eleven o’clock,’ I answered. - -“‘I will be here on time,’ she said, and she arose from her chair. - -“‘Where are you living?’ I inquired. - -“‘At No. -- West Nineteenth Street,’ she replied. - -“‘With your mother?’ - -“‘My mother has been dead five years. I reside in a flat alone.’ - -“‘Are you married?’ - -“‘No, no,’ she laughed. - -“I wanted to question her further, but I refrained. - -“Isabella departed. - -“As soon as she was out of the room I locked the door. - -“I had lied to her, Mr. Carter. The box with the contents of my old -safe in it was not in the vault of the safe deposit company, but it was -resting under my bed. - -“I pulled it out into the center of the room and unlocked it. I -examined the contents, and at last came across the package with the -name of Edward Peters written across the face. - -“It was sealed. - -“I broke the seals and tore off the wrapper. - -“Another wrapper was beneath, and upon it was writing. - -“I read the indorsement. - -“As the words appeared before my eyes I was so overcome with excitement -that I could not move or think for some time.” - -Mr. Wright paused, looked at Carter, put his hand into the breast -pocket of his coat, and pulled out a large package. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -AN IMPORTANT PACKAGE. - - -“This is the package,” Mr. Wright ejaculated, as he held up the bundle. -“I have not opened it.” - -“What is the indorsement?” Carter asked. - -“Listen and I will read.” - -“Read.” - -“‘Papers relating to the Lawrence will case.’” - -“The deuce you say!” - -“Read for yourself.” - -Mr. Wright handed the package to the detective. - -Carter took hold of it and read the indorsement. - -“The writing is bold and clear,” he said. “No name signed to it.” - -“It is peculiar,” Mr. Wright rejoined. “It seems strange that this -should turn up just at this time, and it is remarkable that I should -have been impelled to act as I did.” - -“Yes,” Carter remarked, and he became thoughtful, while he held the -package in his hand and gazed at it fixedly. - -“What do you suppose those papers contain?” - -“We will examine them.” - -“Why was Isabella Porter so anxious to get possession of them?” - -“That we will have to find out.” - -“Who was Edward Peters?” - -“I can’t answer the question.” - -Carter laughed as he glanced at Mr. Wright, who joined him, remarking: - -“If I were not so excited I would never have asked such a question, Mr. -Carter.” - -“I am aware of that.” - -“Let us examine those papers. There may be something in them which will -furnish you with a clew.” - -“Or they may deepen the mystery.” - -Carter broke the seals and tore off the wrapper. - -Five documents fell into his lap. - -Mr. Wright drew up his chair close to the detective’s side. - -Carter picked up one of the papers and read the indorsement: - -“‘Confession of George Blanchard, butler, employed by Alfred Lawrence, -Esq.’” - -“Phew!” Mr. Wright gave a prolonged whistle. - -His and the detective’s eyes met. - -For some time they did not speak. - -“Confession of George Blanchard,” repeated Mr. Wright. - -“We will read it,” the detective remarked, and he opened the paper. - -Mr. Wright leaned back in his chair. - -Carter cleared his throat and commenced to read: - - “‘I, George Blanchard, knowing that I am about to die and to be - called upon to face my Maker, desiring to make reparation for - grievous wrongs and sins which I have committed, do make the - following confession, hoping thereby to ease my conscience. May God - have mercy upon my soul! - - “‘I was born in Manchester, England, and at the age of twenty I came - to America. - - “‘Shortly after my arrival in New York I was engaged by Alfred - Lawrence, Esq., to act as his butler, and I went to work at his - house, No. -- Beach Street. - - “‘Mr. Lawrence was engaged in business with his uncle, after whom he - was named. - - “‘Old Mr. Lawrence died, and when the will was read it was found that - his nephew was left all of the property. - - “‘Simeon Rich, another nephew of the deceased, proceeded to contest - the will, and he claimed that Mr. Alfred Lawrence had forged the - document. - - “‘Previous to the death of old Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Alfred Lawrence and - his wife became estranged. - - “‘They used to quarrel frequently. - - “‘Mrs. Lawrence was a cold, willful, and heartless woman. - - “‘One day I discovered that she was meeting Simeon Rich - clandestinely. This was before the death of her husband’s uncle. - - “‘I saw that I had her in my power, and I made a demand upon her for - hush money, which she gave to me. - - “‘I threatened her with exposure, and I received from her several - hundred dollars. - - “‘One night shortly after the death of old Mr. Lawrence, Simeon Rich - came to me and told me that he was going to contest the will. He said - he would pay me ten thousand dollars if I would swear that I had seen - Mr. Alfred Lawrence forge the will. - - “‘Mrs. Lawrence, he told me, would be on his side. - - “‘He paid me one thousand dollars down, and the balance he promised - to give me as soon as the will was broken. - - “‘I entered into the plot. - - “‘Papers which would have cleared Mr. Alfred Lawrence of the charge - of forgery I stole from his safe. - - “‘These papers I have always kept in my possession, and they will be - found with this confession. - - “‘One of the papers was a statement of the lawyer who had drawn up - the will and who had died just before the contest. - - “‘From time to time Simeon Rich has tried to get possession of these - papers, but I would never give them to him. - - “‘Another paper was a letter written by Mrs. Lawrence to Rich, in - which she outlined the whole plot. - - “‘Mr. Alfred Lawrence in some way got hold of this letter. - - “‘He was sent to State’s prison a year ago to-day. - - “‘Mrs. Lawrence and Rich have gone abroad together. - - “‘Two weeks ago, while crossing Broadway, I was knocked down by a - runaway team and taken to this hospital. - - “‘I have suffered terrible agony, and the doctors have informed me - that I cannot live. - - “‘I intrust this confession and the stolen documents, which - will clear Mr. Alfred Lawrence, to my chum, Edward Peters, with - instructions to deliver them to the proper authorities. - - “‘(Signed) GEORGE BLANCHARD. - - “‘Witnessed by: - “‘EDWARD PETERS, - “‘LEONARD THOMPSON, M. D., House Physician, Bellevue Hospital. - - “‘Dated August 17, 19--’” - - -For some time after Carter finished reading he and Mr. Wright sat in -silence. - -Mr. Wright was the first to speak. - -“That confession shows that Lawrence was innocent,” he remarked. - -“Yes,” the detective rejoined, “but it throws no light on the murder.” - -“I wonder what became of Edward Peters and what induced him to leave -the package of documents with me? If I had only known the value of -those papers years ago, I would have had Lawrence out of Sing Sing in a -jiffy.” - -“I wonder if Doctor Leonard Thompson, whose signature is attached to -this confession, is the famous specialist who now resides on upper -Fifth Avenue?” - -“We can easily find out by calling on him.” - -“We will start for his house immediately.” - -Carter put the papers into the inside pocket of his coat, and then he -and Mr. Wright started for the house of the Fifth Avenue physician. - -When the detective and his companion arrived at the palatial mansion -they were shown into a small reception room in which a number of -patients were seated. - -Carter gave his card to the butler, requesting him to present it to -his master and state that he desired to see the doctor on important -business. - -In a few minutes the butler returned and said that the doctor would see -them. - -Doctor Thompson was a man of fine physique and aristocratic bearing. - -At first he acted rather coldly when the detective and Mr. Wright -entered his private office. However, he invited them to be seated and -asked what they desired. - -“Were you ever house physician at Bellevue Hospital?” Carter inquired. - -“I was,” Doctor Thompson replied. - -“Is this your signature?” - -The detective took the Blanchard confession out of his pocket and -showed the doctor the signature. - -“This is my signature,” the physician said, after he had glanced at it, -and instantly he thawed out and became interested. “What is that paper?” - -“A confession of a man named George Blanchard,” the detective answered. -“He was at one time a butler for a Mr. Alfred Lawrence.” - -“I remember the man. He died from injuries received in a runaway. I -never knew what the confession related to. - -“A man named Peters was with him all the afternoon before he died. I -came up to the cot just as he signed the paper, and Peters requested me -to witness the signature, which I did. - -“My mind was busy with other matters, and I never thought to ask what -was in the paper. - -“I signed the death certificate, and, if my memory does not play me -false, I think Peters claimed the body and buried it. - -“A month later Peters was brought to the hospital in a dying condition. -He had been stabbed, I think, in some dark street downtown. - -“I recognized him as the man who had been with Blanchard and who had -requested me to sign the paper. - -“He died without recovering consciousness. - -“I can’t tell whether any one claimed his body or not.” - -“The records at Bellevue will show that?” - -“Certainly.” - -“Doctor, we are greatly obliged to you for this information.” - -“Why are you so anxious----” - -“I can’t tell you anything just at present----” - -“I understand, Mr. Carter. Well, if I can be of any further service to -you, don’t hesitate to call on me.” - -“Thank you.” - -Carter and Wright departed. - -As soon as they were outside in the street, the latter turned to the -former and said: - -“What are you going to do next?” - -“We will go over to Bellevue,” the detective rejoined. - -At the hospital Carter proceeded to examine the record of deaths. - -After a long search, he found the name of Edward Peters. - -“Here it is,” he said, turning to Peter Wright and holding his finger -on the name. - -“Read what the record says,” said Wright. - -“‘Peters, Edward. Forty, unmarried, native of England. Cause of death: -stab wound in back, over left lobe of heart. Occupation: butler. Where -employed: No. -- Fifth Avenue. Name of employer: Mrs. Isabella Porter. -Body claimed by Mrs. Porter. Date, September 21.’” - -“Well!” Wright ejaculated, and he looked at Carter, with a quizzical -expression upon his face. - -“More mystery,” the detective rejoined. - -“Peters stopped at the Red Dragon Inn on the night of September 20.” - -“How do you know that?” - -“I put the date on the wrapper of the package.” - -“Did you leave that wrapper in your room?” - -“I did.” - -“From this record, it appears that the man was Mrs. Porter’s butler.” - -“Yes. She never had a butler when they lived on West Broadway, and I -was not aware that she had gone to reside on Fifth Avenue.” - -“Mrs. Porter’s daughter was named after her?” - -“Obviously!” - -“Let us go to your hotel. When Miss Isabella Porter calls on you -to-morrow, tell her that you could not find the package.” - -“I’d like to know how she learned about it.” - -“That we will find out all in good time.” - -“I will put these papers away in a safe place.” - -“Do so.” - -It was quite late when the detective and Wright reached the hotel. - -Carter recovered the wrapper which had been outside of the package. He -sealed the documents up in an envelope, and had the bundle locked up in -the hotel safe. - -When he reached his house, an hour later, he did not retire to rest. - -As soon as he locked the door of his sanctum, he proceeded to change -his clothing. - -In a quarter of an hour he had changed his appearance so completely -that his most intimate acquaintance could not have recognized him. - -What did he intend to do? - -From the manner in which he acted, it was quite clear that he did not -propose to remain in. He examined his notebook before leaving the room, -and as he went out he muttered: - -“We will see what kind of place Miss Porter lives in.” - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE THREAT. - - -Carter desired to learn something about Isabella Porter. - -Her appearance at this time and her anxiety to secure the papers which -had been left in Mr. Wright’s possession so many years before seemed -peculiar. - -As the detective reviewed the incidents, and recalled the record of -Peters’ death to his mind, he was almost certain that the man had been -attacked by some one who desired to put him out of the way. - -Was Peters’ death planned because he had in his possession these -damaging papers? - -Carter pondered over this question. - -The circumstance was puzzling. - -Why was no attempt ever made until now to get possession of the -documents? - -How did Isabella Porter come to know or suppose that they were in the -possession of Mr. Wright? - -Was it any wonder that Carter was in a quandary when these questions -were presented to his mind? - -He did not know what to think. - -He was in the dark. - -There was a veil before his eyes, figuratively speaking. - -He felt that Isabella Porter had some connection with the mystery of -the Red Dragon Inn, but what this connection was he could not determine. - -Presently he arrived at the address on West Nineteenth Street. - -It was an apartment house. He went into the vestibule and examined the -names on the letter boxes. - -The name of the woman was not among them. - -“It is as I supposed,” the detective muttered, “she does not live here, -and she gave Mr. Wright this address simply as a blind.” - -To make sure that he was not wrong in his surmise, Carter called on the -janitor and questioned him. - -The man did not know any woman by the name of Isabella Porter, and he -was sure that no woman answering to her description lived in the house. - -“She had some deep object in view when she gave that false address,” -the detective thought. “The discovery alone is sufficient to make one -suspect her.” - -Early the next morning the detective called at the address on Fifth -Avenue which he had found in the record of Peters’ death. - -No one knew anything about any person by the name of Porter. - -He returned to the hotel, and went to Mr. Wright’s room, intending to -remain there until the woman called. - -He sent a message to the cashier of the safe deposit company, stating -that he had important business on hand, and he would see him later in -the day. - -Noon arrived, and Isabella Porter did not appear. - -Carter was impatient. - -“I’ve wasted the whole morning,” he remarked to Wright. - -“That woman promised to call early,” Wright rejoined. “Do you think her -suspicions were aroused?” - -“That I cannot tell.” - -“It is curious.” - -“Very.” - -Carter strode over to the window and looked out into the street. He was -in a brown study. - -What should he do? - -Just then some one knocked on the door, and the detective opened it. - -A messenger boy stood before him. - -“I’ve got a note for Mr. Peter Wright,” the boy said. - -Mr. Wright took the note, and opened it. He glanced at it, and then -turning to the boy, asked: - -“From whom did you receive this?” - -“A man,” the boy replied. - -“Where was he when he gave it to you?” - -“In the barroom of the Humberland House.” - -“What kind of a looking man was he?” - -“He was tall, had a smooth face and black hair.” - -“What did he say when he gave you the note?” - -“He said simply to fetch it down to you.” - -“Was that all?” - -“That was all.” - -“Did he pay you?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“You may go.” - -“Wait, sonny.” - -It was Carter who spoke. He had remained quiet during the time Peter -Wright was questioning the lad. - -“Let me see that note?” he asked, and Wright handed the message to him. -He read it, and a smile crossed his face. - -Then he looked at the boy, and asked: - -“Did you ever see the man before?” - -“No, sir,” the boy answered. - -“You may go.” - -When the messenger was out of the room, Carter turned to Mr. Wright, -and said: - -“This note shows that the woman suspected a trap.” - -“No doubt,” Mr. Wright rejoined. “Read the note to me. I just glanced -at it.” - - “‘_Mr. Peter Wright._ - - “‘DEAR SIR: I cannot call on you to-day. I thought you were a - gentleman, but I have discovered that I cannot trust you. After I - left you yesterday I learned that you held a conference with Nicholas - Carter, the detective, and he commenced to make inquiries about me. - That man had better beware of how he meddles with my affairs. I - know that you have that package in your possession, and if you turn - it over to that detective, you will live to regret it. Yours very - respectfully, - - “‘ISABELLA PORTER.’” - -“Humph!” Mr. Wright ejaculated, when the detective finished reading. -“_That_ for her threat!” and the old man snapped his fingers together, -while defiance shone in his eyes. - -“One thing is certain,” Carter remarked. - -“What is that?” - -“We’re watched.” - -“By whom?” - -“Probably by the man who gave the note to the messenger boy.” - -“What are you going to do?” - -“I am going to call on the cashier of the safe deposit company.” - -Half an hour later the detective was in the office of the safe deposit -company. He and the cashier visited the vault, and, after some -hesitation, the latter opened Lawrence’s box. - -It was empty. - -When this discovery was made, Carter uttered an exclamation of chagrin. - -“Who could have removed the contents?” the cashier ejaculated. -“Lawrence told me positively that he had valuable papers in this box.” - -“They have been removed, but whether recently; or years ago, we cannot -tell,” the detective said. - -“It is annoying.” - -Carter left the vault and started uptown. - -So far, he considered that he had made very little progress with the -investigation. - -He reached the Humberland House, and entered the café. - -It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and quite a number of men were -in the place. He thought that there might be a chance of learning -something here, and that was the reason why he had stopped. - -The man who had given Isabella Porter’s note to the messenger he -thought might come into the place. He sat down at one of the tables, -and proceeded to inspect the men around him. - -His attention was attracted toward a tall man who was seated at the -next table, with a short, stout man. - -The man was well dressed. - -There was something about his manner the detective did not like, and he -looked at him more closely than he otherwise would have done. - -All of a sudden it came to him that this man answered the description -of the man who had given the messenger boy Isabella Porter’s note. - -Carter acted cautiously, so that the man would not notice that he was -watching him. - -They spoke in low tones, and it was some time before the detective was -able to catch a word they said. - -He leaned back in his chair and listened. - -The men were drinking. - -After a time they commenced to talk louder, and the detective was able -to hear. - -A man of less experience would have started, and perhaps betrayed -himself when he heard the stout man address his companion as Rich. - -Not so Carter. He did not move in his chair, or show any sign that he -had heard a word. - -His eyes were fixed on a painting on the opposite wall, and apparently -he was examining it. - -“Well, Rich,” the detective heard the stout man ejaculate, “I think you -made a mistake.” - -For a while this was all he heard, for the man spoke in low tones again. - -But this was sufficient to make Carter more deeply interested in those -two men. - -“Can this be Simeon Rich who conspired against Lawrence?” he asked -himself. - -There was a chance that the man was in no way related to the murdered -man. - -After a time the detective heard the man Rich remark: - -“Isabella made a mistake.” - -“I don’t know about that,” the stout man rejoined, and at the same time -he lighted a fresh cigar, while he leaned back in his chair and blew -the smoke up in the air over his head. - -“Darwin,” replied Rich, in a low, clear, deep voice, “I think you are -unnecessarily alarmed.” - -“I am not. I have heard a great deal of that man’s ability.” - -“All such men are overestimated. When they are brought face to face -with shrewd men they fail.” - -“Make no mistake. That man has circumvented shrewder men than we.” - -“Bosh!” - -“Even at this moment he may be in possession of important evidence.” - -“How could he secure it?” - -“I do not know, and yet I do not feel safe.” - -“I tell you, we have nothing to fear.” - -“You should never have had that letter of Isabella’s delivered.” - -“The old fool will never dare to show it.” - -“That man has already been to Bellevue and examined the records.” - -“How do you know that?” - -“I made inquiries.” - -“When?” - -“This afternoon.” - -“Humph!” - -“It was well I had him watched.” - -“In one way it was.” - -“Yes, in many ways.” - -The men rested back in their chairs, and were silent. - -Carter had heard every word, and he was sure that the two men had -referred to him, although they had not mentioned any names. - -His heart beat violently, in spite of his stoicism. - -Outwardly he was composed, but inwardly he was excited. - -“Am I on the right trail at last?” he asked himself. - -“Have these men had anything to do with the mysterious murder at the -Red Dragon Inn? Ought I to suspect them?” - -Darwin arose from the table, paid the cashier for what they had had, -and then the two men strolled out of the café into the corridor of the -hotel, when they halted near the newspaper stand. - -Carter followed them openly but unobtrusively, and stood within a few -feet of them. - -The lobby was crowded with people, and it was easy to keep them under -surveillance without the fear of attracting their attention. - -“Well, Rich, what are you going to do?” Carter heard Darwin ask, after -they had stood silent for some time near the door. - -“I am going uptown,” Rich replied evasively. - -“To see Isabella?” - -“Yes.” - -“Try and induce her to take a trip to Philadelphia, and remain there -until things quiet down.” - -“She won’t listen to that.” - -“Confound these women, anyway! If you had let me manage that affair, -and kept her out of it, there would have been nothing to worry about. -As it is, you went ahead without asking my advice, and the result may -be that you have furnished that man with a clew which will lead up to -our downfall.” - -“Always croaking, Dick!” - -“No, I am not.” - -“What are _you_ going to do?” - -“I am going to take a trip down to Lem Samson’s joint, and see if -Brockey Gann has any report to make.” - -“What time to-morrow will you meet me?” - -“Eleven o’clock.” - -“Where?” - -“Here,” said Darwin. - -“If anything of importance has occurred, I will send you word.” - -“Then, good night.” - -They had walked out into the street, and now they separated, -one starting uptown and the other walking down to the corner of -Twenty-fourth Street, where he halted to wait for a car. - -For a moment or so Carter was in doubt about which one he ought to -follow. - -Richard Darwin had mentioned that he was going downtown to a place kept -by a man named Lem Samson. - -The detective was familiar with the place, which was one of the worst -crooks’ resorts on Houston Street, near Macdougal Street. - -He also knew that Brockey Gann was the leader of a gang of thugs. - -He had arrested Brockey several times, and once he succeeded in sending -him to State’s prison for a short term. - -Carter saw Darwin start out toward the center of the street as a -downtown car came along. - -In an instant his mind was made up. - -He ran out into the street and jumped aboard the car ahead of Darwin. - -On the way downtown the detective made a close study of the man. He -did not remember that he had ever seen him before. - -Darwin had the appearance of a man in prosperous circumstances. - -That he had been in the habit of associating with sporting men was -quite evident from certain phrases which Carter had heard him utter. - -At Houston Street Darwin jumped off the car. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -EAVESDROPPING. - - -Carter did not act hastily. He waited until Darwin had turned the -corner before he alighted from the car. Then he started after his -quarry, whom he soon caught sight of hurrying along on the south side -of Houston Street. - -The detective kept on the north side of the street. - -As he walked along, he made a few changes in his disguise, so that -if he and Darwin were brought face to face again the man would not -recognize him as the same person who had stood on the platform of the -car with him. - -Darwin entered the crooks’ resort. - -Carter followed him inside. - -A number of men were leaning up against the bar. - -Lem Samson, a tall, burly, broad-shouldered, red-faced man, with an -ugly scar over his left temple, was serving out the drinks. - -Darwin stepped up to the bar and spoke to Samson. - -Carter got near them, and heard what was said. - -“Have you seen Brockey?” Darwin asked. - -“He hasn’t been in this evening,” Samson replied. “Did you expect to -meet him to-night?” - -“I did.” - -“Go into the back room and wait.” - -“Is any one in there?” - -“No.” - -Carter sat down in a chair near the door of that room, and feigned -intoxication. - -No one paid any attention to him. - -The minutes passed. - -Then the door of the room opened, and a man entered. He was dressed in -black. His coat was tightly buttoned up, so as nearly to hide the white -handkerchief that encompassed his scrawny throat. His hair--and it was -not very luxuriant--was of a foxy color, and combed straight down, -giving the observer the idea that it had been operated on by the prison -barber. Pitted pockmarks covered his colorless, lean face. - -At a glance the detective recognized Brockey Gann. - -The rascal cast his restless eyes around the room, as if he were in -fear of some danger, and, thus shuffling up to the bar, he asked of -Samson, in a hoarse tone of voice: - -“Have you seen him?” - -“He’s waiting inside,” Samson replied, pointing toward the back room -with his thumb. - -Brockey, as he passed Carter, looked at him. - -The detective’s head was bending forward, and, apparently, he was -asleep. - -“Jaggy,” Brockey muttered as he passed into the room. - -“I’m glad you have come at last, Brockey,” the detective heard Darwin -exclaim. “Sit down. Help yourself to the rosy.” - -“Thank you,” Brockey replied, and he seated himself at the table, -pouring out a glassful of liquor and swallowing it at a gulp. - -Darwin handed him a cigar, which he lighted and proceeded to smoke. - -“That’s the stuff!” he ejaculated. - -“What did you discover this afternoon?” Darwin asked, after a pause. - -“Nothing much.” - -“Tell me what you did learn.” - -“Well, the cove left the hotel and went downtown to the Manhattan Safe -Deposit Company. - -“Then he returned to the house. - -“I laid around the place for several hours, thinking he would come out. -He did not put in an appearance, and I proceeded to make inquiries. - -“Then I discovered that he was not in his room, and I knew he had left -the hotel. - -“I haven’t been able to get on his trail.” - -“The deuce!” - -“That cove is like an eel.” - -For a time the men were silent. - -Carter realized that Brockey had been tracking him, and saw that in the -future he would have to be more cautious. - -It was only by a mere stroke of good luck that he had slipped out of -the hotel unrecognized. - -Finally, Darwin looked across the table at his companion, and said: - -“I think I can trust you, Brockey.” - -“Think you can!” Brockey ejaculated. “You have done so, and never found -me unworthy of the trust. You remember----” - -The blood left Darwin’s face when thus addressed, for a moment, and a -paleness usurped its place. - -“Why, Mr. Darwin, I was in hopes----” - -“I think you are misunderstanding me. I know you--I can trust you, and -it is not everybody I would; let that suffice. I shall want you to do -something more for me.” - -“What is that?” - -“Carter must be put out of the way.” - -“I begin to comprehend. That man has been the bitterest enemy that I -ever had.” - -“You don’t love him?” - -“No.” - -“Then you will undertake the job?” - -“For a consideration--yes.” - -“Oh, I don’t expect you to do it for nothing. I will pay you liberally. -But, remember, there must be no failure.” - -“I’ll do my best.” - -“Your best!” - -“That’s what I said,” retorted Brockey. - -“You must not fail.” - -“There is a chance that I may.” - -“You must not.” - -“See here, Darwin, that cove is one of the worst terrors in the -business.” - -“I am aware of that----” - -“Well--it----” - -“Well----” - -The men were sitting with their elbows leaning upon the table, and they -stared into each other’s eyes for some time in silence. - -“Say, Darwin,” Brockey finally blurted out, “I don’t like to be spoken -to in that way. You talk as if you had a hold on me.” - -“I _have_ a hold on you!” Darwin fairly hissed, and his face darkened, -while his eyes shone like two coals of fire. - -“So you think. But I have also a hold on you, my bully boy, and don’t -you forget it!” - -Again a silence fell on them. - -Darwin scowled. - -Brockey smiled, showing a hideous gold tooth. - -“We won’t quarrel,” Darwin at last remarked. - -“I guess not,” Brockey replied, with a chuckle. - -“Will you do the work?” - -“I told you I would.” - -“Then start out to-night to run him down.” - -“The exchequer is very low.” - -“How much will you need?” - -“Five hundred down and five thousand when the cove is out of the way.” - -“That is too much.” - -“Don’t talk in that way. You know it is not too much. You and that -other chap are going to pull out a big stake.” - -“I am no fool, Darwin.” - -“One word from me, and----” - -“Hush! We are in a public barroom, and you ought to be more cautious.” - -“Are you going to come to time?” - -“I’ll give you three hundred to-night, and to-morrow we will talk about -the balance.” - -“Fork out the three hundred.” - -Darwin took a roll of bills out of his pocket, counted out the amount, -and passed it over to Brockey, who smiled again and shoved the money -into his trousers pocket. - -“How will you proceed?” Darwin asked. - -“I’ll make up my mind later,” Brockey replied. - -“To-morrow I shall expect to hear----” - -“Don’t count on hearing to-morrow.” - -“Why not?” - -“I may not be able to find him to-night.” - -“All right.” - -“I’ll meet you here to-morrow afternoon at four o’clock. Are you going?” - -“Yes.” - -“I guess I’ll go with you.” - -Darwin and Brockey left the room. - -They passed the detective, and Darwin said: - -“Did you notice that fellow?” pointing to Carter. - -“Certainly,” Brockey answered. “He’s got a jag on.” - -They halted in the center of the room, and looked back at the -detective, who did not stir. - -“Suppose he should be shamming?” Darwin remarked, in an undertone. - -“G’way,” Brockey retorted. - -“He may have heard what we were talking about.” - -“Not much.” - -“I have a sort of feeling that he is a spy.” - -Brockey gazed intently at Carter. - -Without uttering a word, he strode across the room and clutched hold of -the detective by the shoulder, shaking him vigorously. - -“Wosh de ma-asher!” Carter growled, making no attempt to resist. “Wosh -de ma-asher,” he mumbled, a second time, in a maudlin tone. “Lesh a -fel’ alone.” - -“Get up out of here!” Brockey exclaimed, and he jerked the detective -out of the chair. - -Carter struggled from side to side, and his acting was perfect. - -No one in the place paid any attention to him and Brockey except Darwin. - -“Shay, ain’t chue a-goin’ t’ lea’ up?” Carter mumbled, and he caught -hold of Brockey by the arms, to steady himself. - -“Where do you live?” Brockey asked. - -“Nowhere.” - -The rascal was entirely deceived. He firmly believed that the detective -was nothing more than a drunken “bum.” He let go his hold on him, and, -with a grunt of well-feigned disgust, Carter staggered out of the den. - -Brockey and Darwin followed. - -The detective disappeared around the corner. - -The instant he was out of sight he straightened up and darted into the -doorway of a house, where he made a change in his disguise. He was -anxious not to lose sight of Darwin, and he hastened back around into -Houston Street again. - -He almost ran into Brockey, who had separated from Darwin, who was -hurrying off up the street in the direction of Broadway. - -Brockey did not recognize the detective, and, with an oath, he passed -around the corner. - -Carter started after Darwin. He reached Broadway a few seconds later -than he, and by a lucky chance he was able to get on the same car with -him. - -Carter was sure that he had struck the right trail. Indeed, he was -firmly convinced now that Darwin and Rich were implicated in the -murder, that they had formed together some dastardly plot. - -The detective did not make any effort to surmise what that plot was. - -It was too early yet to start to theorize. - -By the detective’s side on the platform of the car Darwin stood, -entirely unconscious that the man whom he had paid Brockey to kill was -near him. - -When the car reached Thirty-first Street, Darwin jumped off, lighted a -cigar, and strolled leisurely down the block, turning into Sixth Avenue. - -Carter was not far behind him. - -“I’m going to find out more about you, my lad,” the detective thought, -as he followed Darwin into a crowded dance hall. - -It was nearly midnight, and the place was filled with men and women. -A band was playing a popular waltz, and the floor was crowded with -dancers. Loud laughter and shouts of maudlin mirth were heard on all -sides. - -Darwin halted near the entrance, and cast his eyes over the dancers. - -“He’s looking for some one,” Carter mentally commented, as he noted his -every action. - -Darwin, at that moment, started up the stairway leading to the gallery. - -The detective followed close behind him. - -In the gallery, ranged along the railing, were small tables, at which -merry parties of men about town and tenderloiners were seated, drinking. - -The women were flashily and expensively dressed, and many of them were -adorned with valuable jewelry. - -Darwin, as soon as he reached the gallery, looked searchingly around. - -Suddenly he started across the rear, and reached a table at the -opposite side of which a young woman was sitting alone. The woman -looked at him, and nodded coldly as he drew up a chair beside her. - -Carter had also crossed the gallery, and he stood within a few feet of -the table. - -“What is the matter with you, Dora?” asked Richard Darwin, as he sat -down and ordered a waiter to fetch a bottle of champagne. - -“You know well enough what is the matter,” Dora snappishly replied. -“What’s the use of you trying to feign ignorance?” - -“You look real sweet when you talk in that way.” - -“How dare you!” - -Dora’s fine eyes flashed. She turned around in her chair, faced Darwin, -and glared at him. - -One could see that she was not in an amiable mood. She was angry about -something. Her face was flushed, and she raised her hand, as if she -would have liked to have struck her companion in the face. - -“Here’s the wine,” Darwin exclaimed, with a forced laugh, as the waiter -placed the bottle and glasses on the table. “Drink some, and see if it -won’t put you in a good humor.” - -“I want none of your wine,” Dora retorted. “Keep it for your----” - -“Yes, you do.” - -“I won’t touch it. You and I are quits from this night forth.” - -“Phew!” - -“Probably you think I don’t mean it?” - -“You _don’t_ mean it, my dear girl. Drink your wine.” - -“I want no wine that you have paid for. I want nothing from a man who -will deceive me.” - -“I haven’t deceived you, Dora. Indeed, I haven’t. I don’t understand -what you mean.” - -“You scoundrel!” - -The conversation was carried on in low tones, but it was exciting and -intense. - -Dora leaned back in her chair, as she called Darwin a scoundrel, and -she looked him squarely in the eyes. - -Carter, who had heard all that was said, was deeply interested. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -A WOMAN SCORNED. - - -Dora kept her eyes fastened on Darwin. - -There was a peculiar glitter in them. - -At first Darwin returned her gaze without flinching, but soon he -commenced to move about uneasily. - -For some time neither spoke. - -A cynical smile played around the corners of Dora’s lips. - -“You are contemptible,” she sneered. “Really, I should feel sorry for -you if I did not despise you so intensely!” - -“Really, Dora, I don’t understand you,” Darwin replied. - -“You don’t understand me? How can you sit there and say that? Where -were you to-day at eleven o’clock?” - -“Why--I--I----” - -“Don’t lie to me. Where were you?” - -“I was in O’Rourke’s restaurant.” - -“With whom?” - -“Sally Rich.” - -“What were you doing in her company?” - -“I met her by chance.” - -“You had an appointment with her.” - -“I did not.” - -“I was in O’Rourke’s at the time, and I saw both of you.” - -“Spying on me?” - -Darwin’s face darkened, and he bit the ends of his mustache. - -“I was _not_ spying on you,” Dora ejaculated. “I wouldn’t spy on any -one. But I am glad I’ve discovered your duplicity.” - -“You are jealous of Sally Rich,” Darwin retorted. - -“I am _not_! But I do hate her.” - -“I am aware of that. She hates _you_.” - -“She is a low----” - -“Hush!” - -“I will not hush! This is the third time that I have caught you with -her.” - -“You don’t understand. I have business with her brother----” - -“Do you expect me to believe that? Not much! I’m not green. As long as -you prefer that woman’s society to mine, you may go with her, and I -never want you to speak to me again.” - -“But, Dora----” - -“Dick Darwin, my mind is made up.” - -“Do listen to reason, Dora.” - -“Good night.” - -Dora arose from the table, cast a contemptuous glance at Darwin, and -walked into a side room. - -“Confound that woman!” Darwin muttered, as he gazed after her. “If she -turns against me, she may ruin me. I wish I hadn’t met Sally Rich--at -least, not for the present.” - -Carter heard what Darwin muttered, and he saw that the man was greatly -disturbed. - -“He’s afraid of Dora, for some reason,” the detective cogitated. “If -I could get her out of here, unseen by Darwin, while she is in her -present mood, I might be able to worm some information out of her. -Shall I make the attempt?” - -Carter looked into the next room, where he saw Dora putting on her -cloak. He glanced at Darwin, who was leaning back in his chair in a -brown study. - -“Shall I try?” the detective thought, and he gazed after Dora, who was -starting for the stairway. He saw that Darwin did not move, and he was -still thinking. - -In an instant his mind was made up, and he started after Dora. - -She went out into the street. - -Then the detective spoke to her. - -“You are a stranger to me,” she said coldly, with an air of affronted -dignity. - -“I am not such a stranger as you think, Miss Ferris. We have met -several times,” Carter rejoined. - -“I don’t seem to remember you.” - -“Perhaps not, in this rig. Will you come up to Sherton’s with me and -have some supper? I want to talk with you.” - -“Who are you?” - -“My name is Nicholas Carter.” - -“Why, I----” - -“You need not be afraid.” - -“I am not afraid.” - -“Will you accompany me?” - -“I don’t understand.” - -“I will explain when we get to Sherton’s. There we can secure a -secluded table, and no one will see us.” - -“It isn’t that----” - -“You will not regret it.” - -“I will go with you.” - -The detective and Dora had little to say until after the repast at -Sherton’s was placed upon the table, and they were alone. - -“Now we can talk,” the detective said, as soon as the waiter had left -the room. - -“You said you desired to secure some information from me?” Dora -remarked. - -“I do.” - -“I can’t imagine what it is about.” - -“You have been friendly with a man named Dick Darwin?” - -Dora started. She laid down her knife and fork, and looked at the -detective, with amazement depicted upon every line of her handsome face. - -“You heard what passed between us a while ago?” she ejaculated. - -“I did,” Carter calmly replied, and he smiled. - -“Then you know that I have thrown him over?” - -“Yes.” - -“I do not intend to have anything more to do with him.” - -“Do you really mean that?” - -“I do. I am serious. I have made many sacrifices for that man, and he -has treated me brutally.” - -“To-morrow you will change your mind.” - -“Mr. Carter, my mind is made up. Nothing will make me change it. I -possess my father’s nature. You were a friend of his, and you know how -bitter he could be against any one for whom he formed a dislike. It is -the same way with me.” - -“Then you will not hesitate to tell me all you know about Darwin?” - -“Has he committed a crime?” asked Dora. - -“Do _you_ think he has?” - -“I do not know.” - -“Neither do I,” asserted Carter, with a smile. - -“Then why are you so anxious to get information about him?” - -“I can’t tell you.” - -“Oh!” - -Dora gazed at the detective. She picked up the glass of wine and -commenced to sip the amber-colored liquid. - -Carter was silent, but he watched her closely. - -“Mr. Carter,” Dora said, as she set down the glass, “I will tell you -everything I know about that man.” - -“I thank you,” the detective rejoined. - -“I hate him.” - -Her eyes flashed. The hot blood mantled her brow, and she hissed out -the words between her clenched teeth. - -Now the detective saw that she was in earnest. He knew that she did -hate Dick Darwin, and no power could make her become friendly with him -again. - -“How long have you been acquainted with him?” Carter asked, after a -short silence. - -“About three years,” Dora answered. - -“Where did you first meet him?” - -“In London.” - -“What were you doing over there?” - -“I was in the chorus of ‘A Girl from New York.’ We were playing over -there at the Gayety.” - -“Were you introduced to him?” - -“I was.” - -“By whom?” - -“One of the other chorus girls, Sally Rich.” - -“Then you were acquainted with Miss Rich?” - -“Yes.” - -“And her brother?” - -“I know him.” - -“Well?” - -“Yes.” - -“How long have you known him?” - -“Four years.” - -“Where did you first meet him?” - -“At Koster & Bial’s, where his sister and I were singing together.” - -“Tell me all you know about Darwin.” - -“Give me time to collect my thoughts.” - -“Take all the time you desire.” - -Carter was succeeding better than he had calculated. - -At first he did not suspect that Dora felt so bitterly about the manner -in which she had been treated by Darwin. He congratulated himself on -the move he had made. - -As he watched Dora, and noted the fleeting shadows crossing her face, -he was able to read almost all her thoughts. He saw that she had no -compunctions of conscience, no tenderness for Darwin, and that she -would tell all she knew about the man. - -Did she know anything about the mysterious murder at the Red Dragon Inn? - -The detective was unable to surmise. - -Finally, Dora raised her eyes, and, gazing straight at Carter, she said: - -“Dick Darwin is a cousin of Simeon Rich. His mother was a sister of -Rich’s father. He was educated in England, and he resided there until -he was thirty years of age, when he came to New York to live. - -“When his father died he inherited a small fortune. He soon ran through -it. Then he became connected with several dramatic enterprises, and -made money. - -“Six months ago he took a company out on the road, and he became -stranded in Cincinnati. - -“I sent him money to return to New York. - -“When he got here he was broke. - -“For some time he and Rich did not speak, but after he got back to the -city they patched up their differences and became as thick as two peas -in a pod. Recently he got to going around with Sally Rich, unknown to -me, and when I found it out, and chided him for it, he insulted me. - -“Lately I have noticed that he was quite flush of money. He would not -let me know where he got it from. When I would ask him what he was -doing he would fly into a towering rage. - -“To-day when I saw him with Sally Rich I made up my mind to sever our -relationship.” - -Dora stopped talking and drank some wine. - -“You have not told me _all_ you know about Darwin,” Carter remarked. - -“How do you know that I have not?” - -“I can tell from the manner in which you spoke that you have kept -something back.” - -“What do you think I have kept back?” - -“Was Darwin ever guilty of any crime?” - -“Why?” - -“I want to know.” - -“In England he was arrested for forgery.” - -“Ah!” - -“He was released on bail, and he fled to this country.” - -“What did he forge?” - -“Checks.” - -“Then he was never tried?” - -“No. The charges are still pending against him.” - -“Is Dick Darwin his right name?” - -“Yes.” - -“Were you ever present when he and Rich were together?” - -“No.” - -“Don’t you know what business they are engaged in?” - -“I do not. I wish I did know.” - -“Did you ever hear Sally or her brother speak of a man named Lawrence?” - -“Sally Rich once told me that she had an uncle by that name.” - -“Did she ever speak about him?” - -“She only said that he died and left her and her brother a lot of -money. They had to fight for it in the courts.” - -“Was that all she told you?” - -“Yes.” - -Carter thought for some time before he asked another question. He -reviewed all that Dora had told him. He had gained some important -information, but not as much as he had expected. However, he was firmly -convinced that Dora had told him the truth, and that she had concealed -nothing. - -“Miss Ferris,” he said, after a time, “where was Dick Darwin on New -Year’s Eve?” - -“I don’t know where he was. He was with Rich. That I do know.” - -“How do you know?” - -“I saw them together, going down Sixth Avenue, about nine o’clock at -night. They did not see me.” - -“What time did you next see him?” - -“At two o’clock in the morning.” - -“Where?” - -“He came to my flat. He was greatly excited about something, and it -seemed to me that he was very nervous.” - -“Didn’t he say where he had been?” - -“No.” - -“Did you ask him?” - -“I did.” - -“And he would not tell you?” - -“He would not.” - -“You say he was very nervous?” - -“Very. His clothing was spattered with mud, and it seemed to me as if -he had been in some kind of a rumpus.” - -“Was he intoxicated?” - -“No.” - -“Is the clothing which he had on that night at your flat?” - -“It is in his room there. But, Mr. Carter, for what purpose are you -asking all these questions? What do you suspect?” - -“I can’t tell you now.” - -“You can trust me. I hate Dick Darwin so that I would help you to send -him to prison.” - -“Would you do that?” - -“I swear I would do it!” - -“I am afraid----” - -“Afraid I wouldn’t?” - -“Yes.” - -“Try me--trust me.” - -Carter looked at the woman intently for some time in silence. - -Over and over again he asked himself whether he dare to trust her or -not, and, at the same time, he was evolving a plan in his mind. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -MORE EVIDENCE. - - -Dora was the first to speak and break the silence. - -“Mr. Carter,” she said, “I can see that Rich and Darwin are implicated -in some affair which you are investigating. It may be a crime. It was -committed on New Year’s Eve, or you would not be so particular about -that date. I feel sure of that.” - -“You are a shrewd woman,” the detective remarked, with a smile. - -“I am not very shrewd, but I can read character, and I am able to form -conclusions by putting two and two together. - -“You asked about Dick Darwin’s clothing. If you desire to examine it, I -will take you to my flat, and you can inspect it.” - -“Darwin may be there now.” - -“No, he is not. He can’t get in. I have the key.” - -“I will go with you to your flat.” - -“Tell me first what case you are working on.” - -“That must remain a secret for the present.” - -“Ha, ha! I know!” - -“You know?” - -“Yes.” - -“What case am I working on?” - -“The mystery of the Red Dragon Inn.” - -Dora laughed heartily. - -Carter uttered an exclamation of annoyance. - -“When you mentioned the name of Lawrence, I remembered that a man by -that name had been murdered on New Year’s Eve at the Red Dragon Inn, -and I also remembered that it was stated that you were working on the -case. You see, I know.” - -“Humph!” - -“Now that I come to think of it, I remember reading that that man had -just been released from State’s prison. It was also stated that he was -the forger of the Lawrence will. If that be so, then he was a cousin of -Simeon and Sally Rich. Mr. Carter!” - -“What is the matter?” - -“A thought just occurred to me, and it startled me.” - -“What was it?” - -“Do you believe that Simeon Rich and Richard Darwin had a hand in that -murder?” - -“I can’t tell.” - -“Perhaps Rich was afraid of Lawrence----” - -“We will not talk any more about this matter. We will start for your -flat.” - -“I will help you.” - -“I believe you.” - -They arose from the table. - -Carter put on his facial disguise, and then they left the restaurant. - -Dora’s flat was situated on Thirty-ninth Street, next to a theater. -It was elaborately furnished in a style that evinced more money than -good taste, and Nick almost shuddered at the array of showy furniture, -useless bric-a-brac, draperies, and ornaments which crowded the little -parlor into which she ushered him. - -“Mr. Carter, I suppose you do not want to lose any time,” she said, -“so, if you will follow me, I will conduct you to Darwin’s room.” - -Carter followed Dora along a private hall. - -At last she opened a door, and led him into one of the bedrooms, -remarking: - -“This is the room.” - -After she had turned on the electric light, she looked around, and then -she uttered an exclamation of surprise. - -The room was in confusion. - -Carter looked at Dora. - -“He has been here and carted off all his things!” Dora ejaculated, as -soon as she recovered the use of her voice. - -“I thought you said he had no key?” Carter remarked. - -“He has none. He must have come here before the servant left.” - -“What time does she leave?” - -“Seven o’clock.” - -“Where does she live?” - -“On Twenty-seventh Street.” - -While Carter was asking these questions, his eyes were wandering about -the room. - -On the floor, in a corner, he spied several pieces of paper. - -He picked them up and smoothed them out. - -Two were blanks. - -The third had writing on it. - -The detective read it. - -His countenance brightened. - -Dora noticed the change. - -“What is it?” she asked. - -“A note,” replied the detective. - -“From whom?” - -“Rich.” - -“To Darwin?” - -“Yes.” - -“When was it written?” - -“On the afternoon of the day before New Year’s.” - -“Is it important?” - -“It may be.” - -“Will you read it?” - -Nick examined her face intently. - -“Do you still doubt me?” Dora asked. - -“No,” replied Carter, after a pause. - -Nick was satisfied. - -“You can rely on me to help you, Mr. Carter.” - -“I know it now.” - -“Will you read that note?” - -“Yes.” - -“Do so.” - - “‘December 31. - - “‘DEAR DICK: I was at the Grand Central this afternoon when he - arrived. Followed him downtown in a cab. He went to the safe deposit - company’s office. Have placed a party on his trail. Meet me at seven - o’clock to-night at the Knickerbocker Cottage. We will dine together. - Yours in haste, - - “‘SIMEON.’” - -“Then Darwin was with Rich that night?” - -“No doubt.” - -Carter folded the paper and placed it carefully away in his pocketbook. -He looked upon this note as an important piece of evidence. The “he” -mentioned in it, he felt confident, referred to the man who had been -murdered at the Red Dragon Inn. - -According to this note, Rich and Darwin had dined together at the -Knickerbocker Cottage. - -It would be an easy matter to find out what time they left that place. - -Another thing was clear, and that was that Darwin had taken fright -about something, or he never would have removed his things from the -flat in such haste. - -Was this move an indication of guilt? - -Carter turned to Dora, and asked: - -“Do you know where Rich and his sister reside?” - -“I do not,” Dora replied. - -“Did you ever hear Darwin speak of a woman named Isabella Porter?” - -“I know that woman.” - -“Where does she live?” - -“I do not know.” - -“Did you know that Darwin and Rich were acquainted with her?” - -“Rich has known her ever since she was a small girl.” - -“What about Darwin?” - -“He has only been acquainted with her a short time.” - -“When did you first meet her?” - -“She was in Rich’s company one night, and he introduced her to me.” - -“What do you know about her?” - -“She is the daughter of a rich merchant, I believe. Her mother and -father are dead. She has an income.” - -“Is that all you know?” - -“It is.” - -It was too late to continue the inquiries further that night, he -concluded, and he determined to go home, as long as he was uptown. - -Carter was in a very thoughtful mood. - -Many curious events had happened during the past twenty-four hours. - -He was walking along leisurely, with his head bowed, thinking of -plans for that day, and where he would go to make inquiries, when his -attention was attracted to two men, who were walking ahead of him. - -Instantly he raised his head and slackened his pace. - -One of the men he recognized as Darwin. - -The man’s companion he had never seen before. - -He could not get near enough to the men to hear their conversation. - -At the corner of Fifty-second Street, the men separated, and Darwin -started in an easterly direction. - -Carter decided to follow him, and he gave up the idea of going home. - -Darwin reached the east side of town, and turned into Second Avenue. - -“What business has he over here?” the detective asked himself, as he -kept on the trail of his quarry. - -Between Forty-first and Fortieth Streets Darwin halted under a street -lamp. - -From his pocket he took a slip of paper, consulted it, and then went -along examining the numbers of the houses. - -Carter stopped in the doorway of the corner store and watched him. - -At the same time he changed his disguise. He now looked as tough as any -of the night prowlers in the questionable neighborhood. - -Darwin entered a tall tenement. - -Carter hurried out of his place of concealment. - -He also went into the house and stood in the lower hall. - -On each floor lights were burning. - -As he looked up, he saw Darwin distinctly on the next floor, and he -heard him knock on the door of the back room. - -Darwin knocked a number of times, and no one opened the door. - -When he started to descend the stairs, Carter walked out, and took up a -position in a doorway of a house near the corner. - -Darwin came out of the tenement, walked to the corner, and halted. - -Back and forth he moved, and kept looking at the house. - -The detective saw that he was uneasy. He wondered whom Darwin had come -to see. - -Darwin, after a time, came back to the tenement, and entered again. - -Carter did not move from his hiding place. - -His quarry only remained inside a minute or so, and then came out, -going back to the corner and halting. - -Carter came out of the doorway. He strolled up to the corner, and -stopped within a few feet of Darwin, who saw and eyed him. - -Two or three times the man made a movement as if he were going to -address Carter. - -But he hesitated. - -The detective made no attempt to speak. He looked up and down the -street, and appeared unconcerned. - -Carter wanted to see if Darwin would speak to him. He judged that if he -waited long enough the man would do so. - -Darwin crossed the street, halted a moment, and then came back. He -glanced sharply, suspiciously, at Carter. - -“Excuse me,” he said, as he came to a standstill, “do you live around -here?” - -“Are you addressing me?” the detective asked, in a disguised tone of -voice. - -“I am.” - -“Oh, well, yes, I live in that house down there,” said Nick, pointing -to the tall tenement which Darwin had twice entered. - -“You do? What floor do you live on?” - -“The top. Why?” - -“I want some information about one of the tenants.” - -“Eh!” - -Carter bent forward and looked at Darwin. - -His acting was magnificent. - -“Say, are you a fly cop?” he asked, with suspicion. - -“No,” Darwin replied quickly, “I’m not a detective.” - -“You haven’t got the cut of one.” - -“No.” - -“What do you want to know?” - -“Are you acquainted with a woman named Lena Peters?” - -“You mean the woman who lives in the back room on the second floor?” - -“Yes, yes.” - -“I know her by sight.” - -“Have you seen her to-night?” - -“No.” - -“I’ve been to her room and knocked, but no one seems to be in.” - -“Did you have an appointment with her?” - -“Not exactly an appointment.” - -“Oh!” - -For a time they were silent. - -Then Carter said, in an offhand way: - -“What does Miss Peters do?” - -“She sings in a concert hall over on the West Side,” Darwin replied. - -“I often wondered what she worked at to keep her out so late at night.” - -“Will you see her when she comes in?” - -“I don’t know.” - -“Are you going to remain here long?” - -“All night.” - -“What for?” - -“I watch stores on the block.” - -“Oh!” - -“Why did you ask that question?” - -“Will you deliver a message to Lena Peters when she comes home?” - -“Certainly.” - -“Tell her that a gentleman named Richard called to see her, and that he -wants her to come to his room the first thing after noon.” - -“Where are your rooms?” - -“She is familiar with the address.” - -“Then she has called on you before?” - -“Yes.” - -“At your rooms?” - -“Yes.” - -“Have you ever been down here before?” - -“No.” - -“I’ll be sure and see Miss Peters.” - -“Here’s a dollar for your trouble.” - -“Thanks.” - -Carter pocketed the money. - -“I can depend on you?” Darwin asked uneasily. - -“You can,” the detective replied, and he hardly was able to repress a -smile. - -“Good night.” - -Darwin hurried away. - -Carter did not budge from the corner. - -That he had formed some new plan in his mind was evident, or he would -have made a move to keep on the trail of his quarry. - -“He said the woman’s name was Peters--Lena Peters,” the detective -muttered, a few minutes after Darwin had disappeared around the corner. -“She has seen him a number of times. Can she be any relation to the man -who died in Bellevue Hospital? If she is----” - -Carter stopped musing, as he saw a woman, who had hurried around the -corner, enter the tenement. - -Instantly he started toward the house, and went in. - -The woman was halfway up the stairs. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -LENA’S STORY. - - -Carter had entered the lower hall of the house without making any noise. - -The woman’s attention was not attracted toward him, so he stood back in -the shadow and watched her. - -She reached the landing, and, stopping in front of the door of the back -room, she inserted a key in the lock, opened the door and went in. - -Nick knocked on the door of the room. - -The woman opened the door. - -“What do you want?” she demanded, in surprise. - -“Is your name Lena Peters?” the detective asked. - -“It is.” - -“I want to talk with you.” - -Carter pushed his way into the room without ceremony, and closed the -door. - -The woman’s face became flushed with anger. She stepped back from the -detective, and her eyes flashed. - -“What do you want?” she demanded, with a string of oaths, and she -pulled out of her pocket a small pistol. - -“Don’t get excited,” Carter quietly said, with a scornful smile. “Put -up your pistol, Lena. I’m not going to harm you.” - -“Who are you?” - -“I will tell you in a few moments.” - -“You are a stranger to me.” - -“I guess not.” - -As Carter said this, he pulled off his disguise. - -Lena uttered a scream, and sank down into a chair. - -“Nick Carter!” she gasped, and the pistol fell from her grasp into her -lap. - -“You recognize me now?” the detective said, with a smile, as he sat -down. - -From this it will be seen that he and the woman had met before. - -After a pause, Carter remarked: - -“Let me see, Lena, it is several years since we have had the pleasure -of meeting. You haven’t changed any since I last saw you.” - -“No,” Lena stammered. - -“At that time you were singing at the Empire, on the Bowery, if my -memory does not play me false.” - -“Yes.” - -“A Western divine was robbed in the place of a large sum of money, -and you were charged with the theft. It was a cowardly charge. I -investigated the case----” - -“And you found out that I was innocent.” - -“Right.” - -“Only for you, I might have been sent to prison.” - -“Correct.” - -“I----” - -“Lena?” - -Carter paused, and looked straight into the woman’s eyes. - -“What is it?” she asked. - -“I want you to give me some information.” - -“Mr. Carter, I have always declared that if I could ever do you a favor -for what you did for me I would do it.” - -“Now is your chance.” - -“What do you want to know?” - -“Are you acquainted with a man named Dick Darwin?” - -“Yes--why----” - -“You have called on him a number of times?” - -“Yes.” - -“Where?” - -“He has a room in the Studio Building, at the corner of Twenty-sixth -Street and Broadway.” - -“How long have you known him?” - -“Only a few weeks.” - -“How did you become acquainted with him?” - -“I----” - -Lena hesitated. She looked at the detective, and her face turned pale. - -Carter kept his eyes riveted upon her. - -“Lena,” he said, “you must not try to conceal anything from me.” - -“Mr. Carter, did Darwin employ you?” Lena asked. - -“No. Why?” - -“I just wanted to know.” - -“What if he had employed me?” - -“I am unable to say.” - -Lena moved about uneasily in her chair. - -Carter kept still. - -He was giving the woman plenty of time to think. - -There was no need to hurry, for he was confident that he would get out -of her all the information he desired. - -“Mr. Carter, what do you know about Dick Darwin?” Lena finally blurted -out. - -“Very little,” the detective replied. “I want to learn what you know -about him.” - -“You are as sphinxlike as ever.” - -“I have to be.” - -Another silence followed. - -Lena arose from her chair and walked back and forth across the room -several times. She resumed her seat again. - -“I will tell you everything!” she exclaimed. - -“That is right,” the detective said, in an encouraging tone. - -Lena leaned back in her chair, and for some moments she sat with head -bowed. - -At length she looked up at the detective, and said: - -“I had a brother, whose name was Edward Peters. - -“He was employed by a Mrs. Porter, who lived on Fifth Avenue. - -“About ten years ago he was stabbed in the back, and he died in -Bellevue Hospital. - -“I always believed that some one murdered him, although I could never -secure any evidence to prove it. - -“He had for a chum a man named George Blanchard. - -“Blanchard also died in the hospital. - -“Previous to his death he made some kind of a confession to my brother -in regard to a will case. - -“I tried to get out of my brother what the confession was about, but he -would not tell me. - -“Three months ago I was looking through a trunk which contained some -things belonging to my brother, and I found an old memorandum book. - -“I opened it, and I was surprised to find written in it a short account -of Blanchard’s confession. - -“I was interested. - -“At the end of the confession I found a note.” - -“What was it?” - -“I will get the book and read it to you.” - -“Do so.” - -Lena got up, walked over to a bureau, opened a drawer, took out a -small, leather-bound book, returned to her seat, opened the book and -commenced to read: - -“‘This night I stopped at the Red Dragon Inn. I gave the confession of -Blanchard to the proprietor to lock up in his safe. I have seen Simeon -Rich three times. I have told him that unless he pays me ten thousand -dollars I will take Blanchard’s confession to the district attorney. I -did not let him know where I had put the documents. No one knows about -the contents of the papers except myself. Doctor Thompson did not ask -to read the confession when he signed his name as a witness. - -“‘Rich has promised to raise the money in a few days.’” - -“Is that all?” Carter asked, when Lena stopped reading. - -“It is.” - -“Let me have that book.” - -“Here it is.” - -The detective glanced at some of the pages, and then placed the book in -his pocket. - -“What did you do after reading that memorandum?” he asked. - -“I knew Simeon Rich,” Lena replied. “I met him some years ago. As soon -as I read that memorandum I made up my mind that Rich would have to pay -me well to keep silent. - -“The thought came to me that perhaps he might have had a hand in my -brother’s death. - -“I knew that Rich was quite sweet on Isabella Porter, the daughter of -the woman for whom my brother had worked.” - -“She is dead now--I mean Mrs. Porter.” - -“Did you see Rich?” - -“Yes; I hunted him up.” - -“Where was he living?” - -“In the Studio Building, with Darwin, to whom he introduced me.” - -“How did you find that out?” - -“I called on Miss Porter, whom I knew was living at the Gerlach.” - -“What did you say to Rich?” - -“I told him that I knew about the confession, and I knew where it was.” - -“Was he frightened?” - -“Yes. He held a conference with Darwin, and he then told me that they -would let me know how much they would pay me. - -“I demanded ten thousand dollars. - -“We have had several conversations about the matter, and a few days ago -I called on Darwin, and he gave me five thousand dollars on account. - -“I then gave him a copy of the memorandum in regard to the papers -having been left with the proprietor of the Red Dragon Inn.” - -“Have you seen him since then?” - -“Once.” - -“Did he pay you any more money?” - -“No, but he promised to do so.” - -From what Lena said, Carter knew now how it was that Rich had learned -of the existence of the Blanchard confession. - -The case was becoming clearer to the detective. - -But, still, for all that, he had not secured any positive evidence to -prove that Rich had anything to do with the murder. - -“Lena,” he said, “you say that you believe your brother was murdered?” - -“I do,” the woman replied. - -“Do you think Rich had anything to do with it?” - -“I am not sure.” - -“Will you be guided by me?” - -“I will.” - -“I want you to put on your things and accompany me.” - -“Are you going to place me under arrest?” - -“No.” - -“Then, what?” - -“I am going to take you to my house. I want you to remain there until I -have finished the case upon which I am at work.” - -“What is that?” - -“The mystery of the Red Dragon Inn.” - -“And you suspect Rich?” - -“I do.” - -“I have been reading about that case.” - -“You have?” - -“Yes, and it has seemed strange to me that the detectives have not been -able to find a clew.” - -“Will you accompany me?” - -“Yes.” - -“I may need your assistance.” - -“I will help you, Mr. Carter, gladly.” - -“Let us start.” - -Lena put on her hat and coat, packed a few articles in a valise, and -then she and the detective left the tenement. - -Day was dawning when Carter reached his home. He conducted Lena to Mrs. -Peters, his housekeeper, who gave her a room, in which she promised to -remain. - -Nick gave her a few instructions, and then he retired to his own room, -where he threw himself down upon a couch and went to sleep. - -It was late in the morning when Carter awoke. He had an interview with -Lena, and then, after partaking of a light breakfast, he went downtown. -Chickering Carter and Patsy Garvan, his two chief assistants, were -engaged upon another case--in which, by the way, Nick was fated to play -a prominent part--so he did not see them that morning. - -Nick stepped into the Cosmopolitan Hotel, and saw Mr. Wright, who -informed him that his room had been entered during the night by some -one. - -“I think I know who it was,” the detective remarked, and then he -departed, feeling sure that the person who had entered the room was -Brockey Gann. - -It tickled him to think that the rascal had been disappointed. - -Carter called at police headquarters, and there he learned that other -detectives had not made a discovery. He informed the chief inspector -that he was following a promising clew, and that he might be able to -render a report in a few days. - -After leaving headquarters, he went uptown to the Knickerbocker -Cottage. There he questioned the waiters, and at last he found the man -who had served Rich and Darwin on New Year’s Eve. - -“Did you hear any of their conversation?” the detective asked the -waiter. - -“Only a little,” the man answered. “They talked about some man who had -just arrived in the city.” - -“Was any name mentioned?” - -“Yes.” - -“Can you recall it?” - -“I think it was Lawrence.” - -“What did they say about him?” - -“I don’t know.” - -“What time did they leave here?” - -“About half past ten o’clock.” - -“Did you hear them mention where they were going?” - -“A messenger boy brought Rich a note. He read it, and then I heard him -remark that they had better hurry down to McKeever’s saloon.” - -“Was that all?” - -“Yes.” - -“Did you notice the number of the messenger?” - -“It was seven-twenty-one.” - -“Do you know the boy?” - -“He is attached to the office on Broadway and Thirtieth Street.” - -The waiter was unable to give the detective any more information. - -Carter hurried to the office of the district messenger company. - -There he found the messenger boy. - -“Do you remember delivering a note on New Year’s Eve to a man who was -dining at the Knickerbocker Cottage?” the detective asked the messenger. - -“Was he a tall man?” the boy queried. - -“Yes.” - -“He was with a short, stout man?” - -“Yes.” - -“I gave him the note.” - -“From whom did you receive it?” - -“A man.” - -“Did you ever see him before?” - -“No.” - -“Can you describe him?” - -“He was pock-marked.” - -“Was he a tough?” - -“Yes.” - -“Would you be able to recognize him again?” - -“Yes.” - -Carter gave the boy a bill and told him not to mention their -conversation to a soul. - -From the boy’s description he recognized Brockey Gann. - -At McKeever’s saloon the detective was fortunate enough to find the -bartender who had been on duty on New Year’s Eve. He was acquainted -with the man, and as soon as he made himself known to him he readily -answered all his questions. - -They retired into a back room together, and as soon as they were seated -Carter asked: - -“Are you acquainted with a man named Simeon Rich?” - -“I know who he is,” the bartender replied. - -“Do you remember if he was in here on New Year’s Eve?” - -“He was here with two men.” - -“At what time?” - -“It was about eleven o’clock.” - -“Do you know the men who were with him?” - -“One of the men was Brockey Gann--the other man I do not know, although -I have seen him several times.” - -“How long did they remain here?” - -“Only a few minutes. They held a whispered conversation and then went -out.” - -“Did you hear anything they said?” - -“Not a word.” - -This information only established one fact, and that was that Rich, -Darwin, and Brockey were together on New Year’s Eve. - -Carter left the saloon. - -He stood on the corner some time trying to determine what he ought to -do next. He was almost positive that Brockey Gann was the scoundrel who -had tracked the murdered man. - -But how was he going to prove that? - -This was a conundrum. - -After a time Carter crossed the street and entered the establishment of -a costumer. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -ACTING A PART. - - -Carter secured a disguise from the costumer. - -When he came out he looked like a typical tough. - -Nick had some plan in his mind. He was sure that he was on the right -trail, and that, such being the case, it would not be long before he -would have forged every link in the chain of evidence. - -While he was confident of success, still he did not know for a -certainty who had committed the dastardly crime at the Red Dragon Inn, -or what the real motive was. - -He had suspicions, and he had collected strong circumstantial evidence. - -But he wanted something more than this, and he was prepared to take -any risk to obtain it. On his way downtown he stopped at a telephone -station and called up Patsy, whose whereabouts he knew. - -“Meet me downtown at my den within two hours,” he said. - -At last he reached Lem Samson’s saloon, and entered. - -A bartender was on duty. - -Samson was not in the place. - -Only a few hangers-on were lolling about. - -Carter staggered up to the bar, and, calling for a drink, he cast his -eyes about the room. - -No one seemed to be paying any particular attention to him. - -Nearly all of the men had records, and were known to the police. - -The detective poured the liquor into a cuspidor when the bartender’s -back was turned. It was vile stuff, and he would not have drunk it -unless he had been forced to do so by dire expediency. - -After placing the glass back on the bar he walked into the back room -and sat down. He picked up a copy of a sporting weekly and pretended to -be deeply interested in examining the text and pictures. - -But while he seemed to be reading, his eyes were wandering about the -room, and every person who entered the barroom he scrutinized closely. - -He was waiting for some one. - -Was that some one Brockey? - -Half an hour passed. - -Carter had not stirred out of his chair. - -The side door opened. - -A man entered. - -The man was Brockey Gann. - -The detective saw him. - -Still he did not move. - -No change took place in his countenance. - -Not a muscle moved. - -Brockey looked around the back room. - -His eyes fell on Carter, whose eyes were bent on the paper. - -Brockey started, bent forward, and a change took place in the -expression of his evil face. He uttered an ugly oath and stepped up to -Carter, exclaiming: - -“Why, Mugsey Donovan, when did you get out?” - -Carter looked up, smiled inanely--a weak, silly, maudlin grin!--and -replied: - -“How are you, Brockey? Wot’s dot youse said? Sit down an’ have a ball -wid me?” - -“I asked you when you got out?” - -“Six weeks ago. Wot cher goin’ ter have? Name yer pisen?” - -“I’ll take some of the rosy.” - -“I’ve been on de tramp. I just dropped in here tinkin’ I’d run up agin’ -youse.” - -“Oh!” - -The bartender brought the liquor, and the two men were silent. - -It will be well to explain that Mugsey Donovan was an old pal of -Brockey’s, whom Carter had arrested and sent to prison for highway -robbery. - -The rascal was still in Sing Sing. - -It will be seen that the detective’s disguise must have been perfect to -have deceived Brockey as it did. - -The scoundrel actually believed that he was talking to his old pal. - -“How is it you got out so soon?” Brockey asked, after he had swallowed -his liquor. - -“Dey reduced me sentence,” the detective rejoined. - -“How was that?” - -“I saved one o’ de keepers’ life.” - -“Go way!” - -“I ain’t jollyin’ you.” - -“How did you do it?” - -“An insane mug tried to escape from his cell. De keeper catched him an’ -den he made an attempt to kill de keeper. I seed it an’ knocked ter mug -out, see? Den de jailer petitioned de guvnor ter lea’ me out.” - -“What are you going to do?” - -“Dat’s what I wanted to see youse about.” - -“I’m not into anything.” - -“Youse are not?” asked Nick dubiously. - -“What do you mean by looking at me in that way?” - -“Brockey, dis isn’t a safe place ter talk.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“Lea’ go some place where we kin talk wid safety.” - -“I don’t understand you.” - -“Brockey, don’ youse try ter gi’ an’ old pal like me any sich a bluff -as dat!” - -“Mugsey----” - -“Brockey, I’m on to yer game.” - -“You are on to my game?” - -“Sure.” - -“Come----” - -“Le’s go some place where we kin talk wid safety.” Brockey looked -intently at the detective. - -“I can’t see what’s in your nut,” he ejaculated. - -“Do youse want to talk over private matters here?” Carter asked, and -Brockey drawled: - -“No-o.” - -“Den le’s go down ter some quiet joint.” - -“I’ll be hanged!” - -“Brockey, I knows wot game youse is working?” - -“I am working no game. I’m on my uppers.” - -“Don’t try ter gi’ me eny game like dat, now, ’cause I’m on to de hull -layout.” - -“You----” - -“Wait.” - -“I----” - -“Brockey Gann, I tort youse’s never’d go back on an old pal in dis way.” - -“I’m not going back on you, Mugsey.” - -“Youse is when youse refuse to let me in on de game, so dat I kin git -some o’ de graft.” - -“You talk in riddles.” - -“I seed one t’ing.” - -“What’s that?” - -“I’ve got to speak more plain.” - -“You will.” - -“Den here goes--don’t youse blame me if eny one hears it an’ youse git -into a trap. Las’ winter youse was paid to----” - -“Wait, Mugsey.” - -Brockey bent forward. - -A strange expression was in his eyes. - -“I’m waitin’, Brockey,” Carter said, and he returned the rascal’s -searching gaze. - -“Where were you last night?” Brockey asked. - -Carter laughed. - -“Youse is comin’ to yer milk now, Brockey,” he remarked. - -“Were you in this place last night?” - -“Wot’s de use o’ talking here? It ain’t safe, Brockey. Le’ me gi’ you -a tip. Nick Carter may turn up here eny moment, an’ youse an’ me might -not be able to git on to him, see?” - -Brockey uttered an oath. His face turned pale. He glanced over his -shoulder and his eyes wandered about the room. - -“Ain’t my advice sensible?” the detective asked. - -“I guess it is,” Brockey replied. - -“Den le’s git out o’ here.” - -“All right. But I’ll be hanged if I can understand what----” - -“I’ll explain everything, Brockey.” - -“Where’ll we go?” - -“Ter a quiet crib dat I knows about.” - -“Is it far?” - -“No.” - -The two men arose from the table and hurried out of the saloon. - -Carter was playing a dangerous game. - -Would he be able to carry it through successfully to the end? - -At any moment he was liable to make a slip and Brockey would then be -able to penetrate his disguise. - -So far he had deceived the rascal. - -As they left the saloon the detective breathed easier. He had succeeded -in getting Brockey away from his friends. - -That was a great point gained. - -They turned into Macdougal Street. - -“Where are you goin’?” Brockey asked, after they had reached Fourth -Street. - -“Not far,” Carter replied. “I’ve got a room around here in Fo’rt’ -Street.” - -“When did you hire it?” - -“Ter-day.” - -“Oh!” - -“Here it is.” - -The detective led the way into a private house. - -Brockey’s suspicions were not aroused. - -If he had been aware that he was being led into a trap like a lamb to -slaughter he would have then and there made a desperate fight. - -Carter had rented a room in this house for years, and he had used it -frequently. He opened the door of the room with a key. - -The house was as quiet as a graveyard. - -“This is a quiet joint,” Brockey said, as he followed the detective -into the room and gazed around. - -There was nothing about the place to indicate for what purpose it -had been used by the detective. It was nothing more, to all outward -appearances, than a plainly furnished bedroom. - -“Take a seat, Brockey,” said Carter blandly, and at the same time he -turned the key in the lock, took it out, and put it into his pocket. - -“I wish you had some liquor about here,” Brockey remarked, as he sank -down into a chair. - -“I kin accommodate youse.” - -“Can you?” - -“Yes.” - -Carter opened a bureau drawer, took out a bottle and glasses and placed -them on the table. - -Brockey poured out a glassful of the liquor and drank it. - -A few minutes after it was down a look of surprise spread over his face. - -“Gosh!” he exclaimed. “Where did you get that, Mugsey?” - -“Ain’t it rich?” Carter asked, with a smile. - -“It’s more than rich.” - -“Where did you get it?” - -“I swiped it off a drunk.” - -“I thought you didn’t pay for it.” - -“Le’ us talk bizness now.” - -Brockey’s countenance changed. He leaned back in his chair, looked at -the detective, and made no reply. - -Carter was silent for a time, and then said: - -“Brockey, as I said down in Samson’s joint, I be on ter your game.” - -“And I’d like to know how you got on to it,” Brockey growled. - -“I’ll tell youse after a while.” - -“Go ahead.” - -“Youse is mixed up in de Red Dragon Inn murder!” - -“My Gawd!” - -Brockey bounded out of his chair as if he had received a shock of -electricity. His face was the color of ashes. He stood still and gasped -at Carter. - -“Youse needn’t t’row a fit,” the detective ejaculated. “Dere ain’t no -fly cop around here to hear me an’ pinch youse.” - -“I’m a fool,” Brockey exclaimed as he wiped the cold perspiration from -his brow and sat down in his chair again. - -“Rest easy, me covey.” - -“But, Mugsey, you puzzle me.” - -“Do I?” - -“Yes.” - -Carter laughed. - -“Fire ahead,” Brockey said. - -“Two rich blokes hired you to put Carter out o’ de way. - -“Un o’ dem’s named Darwin an’ de oder Rich----” - -“I----” - -“Wait.” - -“I----” - -“Es I said--dey hired youse, an’ las’ night youse broke into old -Wright’s room at de Cosmopolitan Hotel an’ youse got sold.” - -“Mugsey----” - -“Gi’ me a chance to git through.” - -“I will.” - -“Now, I knows all dese tings, an’ I know how much youse got--an’ want a -slice o’ de dough, see?” - -“And if I don’t agree to give up?” - -“Den I’ll go to yer friend, Carter.” - -“You wouldn’t do that?” - -“Jess youse try ter t’row me down an’ youse’ll see wot I’ll do.” - -“Mugsey----” - -“Brockey, youse’ve got to come ter time.” - -“I suppose I’ll have to.” - -“Youse kin gamble on dat.” - -“If I give up you’ll have to help me.” - -“All right.” - -“I’ll introduce you to Rich and Darwin.” - -“Tell me de full lay.” - -“Tell me how you got onto what you know.” - -“I piped youse.” - -“When?” - -“Las’ nite.” - -“Was that all?” - -“Yes.” - -“Humph!” - -“Doan git so disgusted.” - -“I’m not.” - -“Tell me de hull lay.” - -“I will.” - -Brockey became silent. - -Carter’s eyes sparkled as he watched his companion. - -His heart was beating rapidly, but outwardly he appeared composed. - -Patiently he waited for Brockey to commence to speak. - -“Would the rascal speak the truth?” he asked himself. - -Brockey was liable to tell a false story. - -“I know more dan youse t’ink, Brockey,” Carter remarked. “So if youse -go ter givin’ me any fairy tales I’ll be down on youse wid all me -force.” - -“I’m going to tell you all about the lay,” Brockey replied, as he -aroused himself out of his reverie. - -“Den fire ahead.” - -“Don’t get impatient.” - -“I’m not.” - -“Have you got anything to smoke?” - -“Cert.” - -“Then set it out.” - -Carter placed some cigars on the table. - -Brockey picked up one, lit it, and commenced to smoke. - -With a sigh, he settled himself back in the chair. - -Another silence followed, and it was nearly five minutes before he -commenced to talk. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -CAUGHT IN A TRAP. - - -“I want to tell you one thing, Mugsey,” Brockey exclaimed suddenly, -sitting bolt upright in his chair. “I’m not as deep in this affair of -the Red Dragon Inn as you suspect.” - -“Don’ gi’ me any o’ dat,” Carter rejoined, blowing a cloud of smoke up -in the air over his head. - -“Upon my honor, what I tell you is the truth.” - -Carter could not help smiling when Brockey spoke of his honor. - -Such a scoundrel as that does not know what honor is! - -The detective knew well that Brockey had no honor, that he would lie, -steal, and if he found himself in a tight place, he would not hesitate -to betray an accomplice, if by so doing he could save himself. - -Brockey noticed the smile, and he flared up instantly. - -“What are you smiling at, Mugsey?” he demanded. - -“Youse,” Carter replied, without moving a muscle, and he puffed away at -his cigar, unconcernedly. - -“You are laughing at me?” - -“Cert.” - -“I----” - -“Youse gi’ me a pain! Go on wid yer story.” - -“I want to know----” - -“Drop it.” - -“What were you laughing at?” - -“When _youse_ talk o’ honor it’s ’nuff ter make a dorg laff.” - -“Is----” - -“Come, Brockey--we’s understand each udder--speel ahead, neider of us -has got any honor, fur dat matter.” - -“All right.” - -Brockey quieted down. He took several pulls at his cigar, and then he -continued: - -“As I said, I’m not as deep in that Red Dragon Inn affair as you think.” - -“Let it go at dat.” - -“I’ll tell you all about the affair, Mugsey. - -“Then you and I can put our heads together and decide what to do.” - -“We’ll gi’ dem a good song and dance--make no mistake o’ dat.” - -“How shall I start?” - -“At de beginnin’.” - -“How else would I start?” - -“Youse might start at de tail.” - -“That will do.” - -“Youse is wastin’ time.” - -“Then keep quiet.” - -“I’m mum.” - -“Listen.” - -Brockey cleared his throat. - -“It was the day before New Year’s,” he said. - -“I was down on my luck and I hadn’t a cent in my pocket. - -“Not in a long time had I been in such a hole. - -“I tried to touch a dozen o’ the gang, but every one seemed to be in -the same boat. - -“No one could show me a cent. - -“I was at Samson’s saloon. - -“Along about four o’clock a bloke came in. - -“It was Sim Rich. - -“Darwin had given me a knockdown to him some time before. - -“At a glance I saw that he was excited about something. - -“He spied me, came up, caught hold of my arm, dragged me after him out -of the saloon, pushed me into a cab and ordered the cabby to hurry up -and not lose sight of another cab that was just turning into Broadway. - -“My breath was taken away. - -“I didn’t know what to make of Rich’s actions. - -“The cab started, and before I could utter a word, Rich said: - -“‘Brockey, I need your assistance.’ - -“‘You can have it, if you pay for it,’ I replied. - -“‘I’ll pay,’ Rich said. - -“‘Then what is it you want me to do?’ I asked. - -“‘I want you to track a man.’ - -“Well, Rich pulled out a roll of bills and staked me with a hundred. He -told me that in the cab which we were following was a man whom he hated -and whom he wanted to locate. - -“As soon as I found out where the man was going to put up I was to send -him word. - -“Rich got out of the cab. - -“Before he did so he told me he was going to dine that night at the -Knickerbocker Cottage, and I could send him word there.” - -“Why didn’t Rich keep in wid youse?” - -“He said he wanted to meet Darwin. He was in a very nervous condition, -and another thing I saw that he had been drinking heavily. - -“Well, he got out, and I kept on the bloke’s trail. - -“Finally the first cab stopped at the corner of Broadway and Sixteenth -Street. - -“My cab stopped on the next corner. - -“I got out in a hurry, and I saw an old man get out of the other cab.” - -“Wot was de number of de cab youse was in?” - -“Number one hundred and forty-seven.” - -“All right.” - -“As I said, an old man got out of the other cab. I got close up to him -when he was paying the driver, and I heard him tell the man that he -would not need him any longer. - -“As the old bloke walked off I noticed that he had the lock step.” - -“You don’t say!” interposed Nick. - -“I do. At first I was not sure, but as I followed him and noted every -action, I knew that he had been a guest at the big hotel up the river. -He looked respectable enough, but there was the stamp of the prison on -him. - -“I followed the old fellow around all evening. He stopped in at a -number of places and he seemed to be looking for some one. - -“About ten o’clock he entered a restaurant on Sixth Avenue, and sat -down at one of the tables. - -“I went to the office of the district messenger company, wrote a note, -and sent it to Rich, asking him to meet me at McKeever’s place. - -“In a short time he and Darwin met me in the saloon. - -“We all had a drink. - -“Then Rich listened to what I had to say about the old man. - -“When we got outside of the saloon Rich said that he wouldn’t need me -any more that night, but he might the next day.” - -“And youse went off to blow in de hundred plunks?” - -“Of course I did.” - -“Den youse don’ know wot Rich an’ Darwin did?” - -“I surmise.” - -“Wot?” - -“Rich and Darwin followed the old cove until they cornered him at the -Red Dragon Inn.” - -“Yes.” - -“Then Rich got into the place and--you can imagine the rest.” - -“Youse don’t know fer a certainty?” - -“I didn’t see it done.” - -“Was Rich familiar with the Red Dragon Inn?” - -“Darwin told me that he used to go there years ago.” - -Carter had stopped using the tough vernacular, but Brockey did not -notice it. - -The detective was slightly disappointed. He thought at first that -Brockey knew more about the crime. But still, the rascal’s evidence -would show that Rich and Darwin had said that they would follow the old -man. - -“Did Darwin tell you whether he or Rich followed the old man after you -left them?” Carter asked. - -“He did not,” Brockey replied. “But I guess Rich was the one.” - -“What makes you think so?” - -“Didn’t you read about what the bartender had to say?” - -“You mean about the tall man who entered the barroom after the old man?” - -“Yes.” - -“Is that all you know?” - -“It is, Mugsey.” - -“I think you know more.” - -“No.” - -Carter, while he was talking, rose from his chair, holding one of his -hands in the side pocket of his coat. - -Brockey did not move. - -Even when the detective drew up near to him he did not suspect that he -was in any danger. He poured out another glass full of liquor and drank -it. - -As he was in the act of placing the glass back on the table Carter -caught hold of him, and, before he could move or utter a word, the -detective had the handcuffs clasped around his wrists. - -“What does this mean?” Brockey ejaculated, with a fierce oath, and, as -he tried to jump to his feet, he faced the pistol which Carter pointed -at him. - -The detective pulled off his disguise. - -Brockey recognized him. He uttered a cry of terror, his face turned -pale with alarm, and he sank down into his chair. - -“Carter!” he gasped. - -“Yes, and you’re my prisoner,” the detective smilingly replied. - -“I’m done for.” - -“There is not the slightest room for doubt, my dear Brockey.” - -“I never thought I’d be taken in in such a way--curse the luck!” - -“There will be no chance for you to escape this time.” - -“If I had suspected----” - -“You would have tried to have killed me.” - -“I would.” - -From his pocket Nick pulled out a silk cord. - -With it he bound Brockey’s arms and legs so tight that there was no -chance for the rascal to escape. - -“What are you going to do with me?” Brockey asked, when Carter had -finished binding him. - -“I am going to let you remain here for the present,” the detective -answered. - -“Alone?” - -“Oh, no!” - -Brockey subsided into sullen silence, and glared fiercely at Carter. - -Inwardly he cursed him. - -The detective walked to the door and unlocked and opened it. Then he -stepped out into the hall and gave a peculiar whistle. - -In a few minutes Patsy bounded up the stairs from the floor below. - -“What do you want, Mr. Carter?” the young man asked as he confronted -his chief. - -“I have a prisoner in that room,” Carter replied, pointing toward the -room. “I want you to guard him.” - -“I’ll do it.” - -“See that you do, Patsy. If he should escape, my case might be ruined.” - -“He won’t get a chance to escape.” - -“I hope not.” - -“Who is it?” - -“Brockey Gann.” - -“Gee!” - -“You know him?” - -“I should say I do.” - -“He is a dangerous rascal.” - -“I’d like to have the honor of capturing him. I don’t see how you -accomplished it.” - -“I tricked him.” - -The young man entered the room and inspected Brockey. - -Carter loitered outside in the hall for a few minutes and then he -commenced to descend the stairs. He had considerable faith in his young -assistant, and he was confident that Patsy would guard the prisoner as -well as he would himself. - -In that respect his mind was easy. - -In the lower hall he made a few changes in his disguise and then he -left the house. - -He went up to the Grand Central Station and commenced to inspect the -cabmen. - -At last he found cab No. 147. - -“Hello! How are you?” - -The man looked at him for a moment and then exclaimed: - -“Hello! How are ye?” - -“Pretty well.” - -“Did you stick to the trail of that old bloke the other night?” - -“Yes.” - -Carter had made himself up in such a manner that he looked like -Brockey. He was delighted when the cabman recognized him as the thug. - -“Who was he?” the cabby asked, after a silence. - -“He was the man who was murdered at the Red Dragon Inn.” - -“You are joking!” - -“I am not,” protested Nick. - -“I wouldn’t like to stand in your shoes.” - -“Why not?” - -“The fly cops’ll get on to your following the old cove.” - -“They won’t if you don’t tell.” - -“I might make some money by telling.” - -“You won’t do that?” - -“Why shouldn’t I?” - -“You’ll get an innocent man into a hole.” - -“That’s so. But, I say, where’s the tall mug?” - -“Who do you mean?” - -“I mean the man who employed me.” - -“I thought you knew him?” - -“No, I don’t,” said the cabman. “He just picked me up here at the depot -and he ordered me to follow the other mug. - -“I thought he was a detective.” - -“You know who he is?” - -“Honestly, I do not.” - -“Would you call on him if I should give you his name and address?” - -“Of course, I would.” - -“What will you do?” - -“I’ll make him come down with the rocks.” - -“Will you whack up with me?” - -“Of course I will.” - -“You’ll play square?” - -“I swear it.” - -“His name is Simeon Rich, and he lives in the Studio Building, at the -corner of Broadway and Thirty-first Street.” - -“Gosh!” - -“What are you going to do?” - -“I’m going to get some one to mind my rig and I’m going to call on Mr. -Rich.” - -“I’ll see you downtown.” - -Carter hurried away. He stopped at a saloon and made a change in his -disguise in the back room. - -When he came out he was just in time to see cabby No. 147 making a bee -line down Park Avenue. He started after him. - -What object had Carter in view when he gave Rich’s name and address to -the cabman? - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -BLACKMAIL. - - -The cabman did not allow the grass to grow under his feet. - -It did not take him long to reach the Studio Building. - -“He’s a rascal,” Carter commented, as he tracked the cabman; “I can -make use of him.” - -The detective was amused. - -That he had formulated some shrewd move was quite certain from the -manner in which he was acting. - -The cabman entered the Studio Building. - -Carter was close behind him. - -Not for an instant did the man suspect that he was the person who had -given Rich’s name and address to him. - -“Does Mr. Rich live here?” the cabman asked of the elevator boy. - -Carter was standing in the elevator, and he heard what was said. - -“Mr. Rich lives on the top floor,” the boy replied to the cabman. - -“Is he in?” the cabman inquired, getting into the elevator. - -“You can go up and see.” - -“All right.” - -When the top floor was reached the elevator boy pointed out Rich’s room. - -The cabman hurried up and knocked on the door. - -Carter walked leisurely down the hall. He halted halfway down and -looked out of the window. He stood in such a position that he was able -to see the cabby. - -Three times the driver pounded on the door without receiving a response. - -The fourth time he knocked as if he were going to break in a panel. - -Some one opened the door. - -Carter could not see who it was from where he was standing, but he -heard the cabman exclaim: - -“I want to see Mr. Simeon Rich.” - -“He isn’t in,” a female voice replied. - -Carter did not recognize it, but he surmised that it belonged to either -Sally Rich or Isabella Porter. - -“I want to see him, miss,” the cabby insolently said. “If he isn’t in -I’ll wait until he comes.” - -“Who are you?” the woman within the room asked. - -“It doesn’t matter who I am.” - -“It doesn’t, eh? Well, I guess it does.” - -“Is Rich in there? If he is, tell him that the cabman who drove him -about town on the day before New Year’s wants to see him.” - -“Let him come in,” a man’s voice called out from the interior of the -room. - -The coachman pushed by the woman and entered the apartment. - -Instantly the door was closed. - -Carter hurried up to the door. - -A transom was above it. - -It was halfway open. - -Reaching up, Carter caught hold of the edge of the sill under the -transom and pulled himself up until he was able to peer into the room. -He beheld Rich and Darwin seated on divans at the side, and two women -lolling back in steamer chairs. The cabman was standing in the center -of the apartment gazing boldly at Rich. - -“What do you want?” Rich demanded, in a stern tone, as he glared at the -cabby. - -“Do you want me to talk out before these people?” the cabby asked, -looking around the room at those present and waving his hand toward -them. - -“I have no secrets from them.” - -“You haven’t, eh?” - -“No.” - -“Then you must all be in the same boat. This is rich graft.” - -“What do you mean?” - -Rich uttered an oath and sprang up. He realized that the cabby knew -something. He was enough of a student of human nature to read the man’s -intentions in the expression of his face. - -The cabman did not flinch. - -“I guess you’ll come to time, Mr. Rich,” he insolently remarked, with a -sneer. - -Rich stood within a few feet of him. He raised his arm above his head, -as if he intended to strike the man, but thinking better of it, he -allowed it to drop to his side again, and he muttered an oath. - -Cabby was no fool. He knew what was in Rich’s mind. - -“If you had tried to strike me then I’d have floored you,” he growled. -“And it is well for you that you did not try it on.” - -Rich made no reply. He only glared at the cabby in silence. - -His face was as dark as night. - -Carter hung on to the sill. He had viewed the scene through the -transom, and he had heard every word that had been uttered. - -His arms were aching. He was forced to let go his hold. - -Without making a noise he dropped to the floor. - -Now he stood outside the door and listened. - -At last he heard Rich exclaim: - -“Speak out, sir, and tell me how you learned my name and address?” - -“I’m not giving my friends away,” the cabby replied. - -“What do you want?” - -“Money.” - -“Money!” - -“Yes.” - -“What for?” - -“To keep my tongue from wagging.” - -“I----” - -“You understand me, Mr. Rich. The man whom you tracked from the Grand -Central on the day before New Year’s was the man who was murdered at -the Red Dragon Inn.” - -Carter had raised himself up again so that he was peering through the -transom when the cabman uttered these words. - -Rich did not start. He displayed not the least sign of fear. He glanced -at the man with a sinister expression upon his darkly handsome face. - -“I am aware of that,” he replied, in cold, harsh tones. - -“You are a good bluffer, Rich,” the cabby remarked, and he smiled. - -It was as good as looking at a play to watch these two men. - -Both now had their tempers under command. - -“You call me a bluffer,” Rich retorted. - -“I do,” cabby rejoined. “I am not afraid of you. I will go to the -police and inform them that you tracked Lawrence on the day before New -Year’s, and you hired one of the worst thugs in the city to keep on his -trail. Carter would reward me liberally for this information.” - -“You are a scoundrelly blackmailer.” - -“I acknowledge the corn. I’ve got you in a corner and you will have to -pay----” - -“Not one cent will I give you.” - -“Think twice, Mr. Rich.” - -“Be careful, Sim.” - -It was one of the women who spoke. She had come up to Rich’s side and -laid her hand gently upon his arm. - -The man glanced at her and said: - -“I know what I am about, Sally.” - -Carter knew from this that the woman was Rich’s sister. The other woman -he surmised was Isabella Porter. - -A broad grin spread over the cabby’s face. - -“Yes, be careful, Mr. Rich,” he sneered. He was becoming more insolent -the longer he waited. - -Rich wheeled around. His large, black eyes were flashing, his face was -aflame with passion. - -“_You_ be careful,” he hissed between his clenched, white teeth, and he -drew his arm back. - -Sally threw herself between her brother and the cabman. - -“Sim,” she ejaculated, “calm yourself.” - -“Yes, calm yourself, my covey,” cabby repeated with a chuckle. - -Rich bit the ends of his mustache and glared. He was making a desperate -effort to keep calm. A silence followed. - -Cabby kept his eyes on Rich. - -When he saw that Simeon was not going to speak he said: - -“Let us get down to business, Rich. There is no use of trying to bluff -me. I’m too old a bird to stand any kind of a jolly. - -“I can read your character, and you ought to be able to read mine. - -“If I should go to the police with the information which I possess, you -know they would come down on you heavily.” - -“Wait one moment.” - -“Let me finish. - -“I have no desire to injure you if you treat me halfway decently. - -“Times have been very bad with me lately, and I need money. - -“I feel convinced that you and your friends have gained by the death of -old Lawrence. - -“In to-day’s paper was published an account of the Lawrence will case, -and it was suggested that a search be made for you and the wife and -daughter of the murdered man. - -“The police do not know where you are. - -“They have no evidence against you. - -“But I can furnish that evidence. - -“Now, how much is it worth to you for me to keep silent?” - -The cabby spoke calmly and deliberately. Rich followed him closely. -He frowned, and his fingers worked nervously, as if he were desiring -to spring upon the man and strangle him. He did not reply for some -moments. He looked around at Darwin and the women. - -“What shall I do?” was in his eyes. - -“Pay,” Darwin said, alarmed. - -Rich turned his eyes on the cabman. - -“How much do you want?” he asked. - -“One thousand dollars,” cabby coolly replied, without changing an -expression. - -“Absurd!” - -“No, it is not.” - -“It is.” - -“To keep me quiet one thousand dollars is a small sum.” - -“How do I know, if I do pay you this sum, that you will not give me -away, anyhow?” - -“I never go back on my word.” - -“I will give you five hundred.” - -“Not a cent less than a thousand.” - -“I can’t give you any such sum as that to-day.” - -“I won’t be hard on you.” - -“Thank you.” - -“You don’t mean that. I’ll take part on account.” - -“I’ll give you one hundred.” - -“Make it three.” - -“I can’t, I tell you.” - -“I’ll take the century.” - -“Here it is.” - -“Now, when will you pay the balance?” - -“To-morrow.” - -“Shall I call here?” - -“No; I will send the money to you.” - -“At my stand?” - -“Yes.” - -“What time?” - -“Noon.” - -“Very well.” - -“It’ll be on hand.” - -“See that it is.” - -“What is your name?” - -“Pete McCree.” - -“What is the number of your cab?” - -“Number one hundred and forty-seven.” - -Cabby started toward the door. - -Before he turned around, Carter dropped. He ran toward the elevator, -which he reached before the door of the room was opened. - -While standing with his back turned he changed his disguise. - -Then he got into the elevator. - -As soon as the detective reached the street he halted near the entrance. - -When McCree came out he walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. - -“Hello!” McCree ejaculated. - -“I’m on hand,” Carter remarked. - -“So I see.” - -“How much did you get?” - -“Not much.” - -“How much?” - -“One hundred bones.” - -“Why didn’t you make him pay more?” - -“He couldn’t produce to-day, but he will do so to-morrow.” - -“I get half.” - -“Certainly.” - -“You are square.” - -“I’ll get this note changed.” - -“I’ll change it.” - -“Have you got fifty?” - -“Yes.” - -“Here’s the century.” - -Carter took the bill and handed the cabby back fifty dollars. - -“Now let me give you a piece of advice,” he said. - -“What is it?” McCree asked. - -“Keep out of risky places to-night and be on your guard.” - -“Why?” - -“You are dealing with desperate men.” - -“I am aware of that, pard.” - -“Rich may employ some one to try and put you out of the way.” - -“You should have seen how he acted.” - -“I can imagine what he said.” - -“I’d like to know what kind of a game he and those others are playing?” - -“So would I.” - -“I’ve got to get back to the stand. I’ll see you to-morrow.” - -Carter shook hands with the rascally cabman, and they separated. The -detective hastened away. - -Half an hour later he was ushered into the presence of the cashier of -the safe deposit company. - -“Have you discovered a clew?” the cashier asked. - -“I’ll reply to that question as soon as you have answered a few queries -which I am going to put to you,” the detective said. - -“What is it?” - -“You said that you gave Mr. Lawrence new bills.” - -“I did.” - -“Do you remember the numbers?” - -“I can tell you in a moment.” - -The cashier walked over to a desk, picked up a slip of paper, referred -to it and said: - -“They were from 177865B to 177870B.” - -“Keno!” Carter shouted. He held in his hand the note which Rich had -given to the cabman. He was looking at it when the cashier read the -numbers. - -“What is the matter?” the cashier asked. - -“Do you see this bill?” Carter said, as he held the bill out for the -cashier to inspect. - -“Gracious! Captain, that note is numbered one hundred and seventy-seven -thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine B! That is one of the bills which -I gave to Mr. Lawrence!” - -“Will you swear to that?” - -“I will. That is one of the bills.” - -“Thank you.” - -The two men were silent. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -TIGHTENING THE COILS. - - -The cashier of the safe deposit company kept gazing in silence at -Carter with open-mouthed astonishment. - -Nick’s countenance was illumined with an expression of triumph. He held -in his hand damaging evidence against Simeon Rich. - -If Rich were innocent of the murder, how was it that he had in his -possession one of the bills which the cashier of the safe deposit -company had paid to the man who had been so cruelly murdered at the Red -Dragon Inn? - -“This is a valuable clew,” the detective said, when the silence was -becoming oppressive. - -“How did that bill come into your possession?” the cashier asked. - -“I think you can keep a secret?” - -“I can.” - -“Then I will tell you.” - -Then Carter gave the cashier a short account of the evidence which he -had collected. - -When the detective finished the cashier remarked: - -“Captain, you are gradually weaving the coils around Simeon Rich.” - -“Yes,” Carter replied, “I am weaving coils around him, but I have no -positive evidence that he committed the crime.” - -“That note?” - -“Not positive. If he has others of the series in his possession, then -the coil will be stronger around him.” - -“I understand. What move will you make next?” - -“I cannot determine just now.” - -Carter was elated over the discovery. - -After leaving the cashier’s office he went direct to the house on -Fourth Street. - -Here he found that Brockey was still a prisoner. - -His young assistant was on guard. - -“Brockey,” said the detective, as he stood in front of the prisoner, -“have you spent all the money that Darwin gave you?” - -“What’s that to you?” Brockey snarled, being in an ugly mood. - -And no wonder! - -Who could blame him? - -Brockey was by no means a stoic or a philosopher. His was a nature -which would brood on troubles. - -There was bitter hatred and malice in every flash of his eye. No love -there, no appreciation of the detective’s ability! - -Carter gazed down into that dark countenance. He read the man’s -thoughts. - -“If you have any of that money left,” Carter replied, in a serious -tone, “some of it may be bills which were stolen from the murdered man. - -“I have the numbers of those bills in my possession.” - -Instantly the expression on Brockey’s face changed. - -A look of terror came over it. - -It had not occurred to him before that the money might have belonged to -the man who was killed at the Red Dragon Inn. - -“Do you understand?” Carter asked at length, when Brockey made no -reply. - -“I understand,” the rascal said, with a gasp. - -“If you should have one of those bills on you, and if it should be -identified as belonging to Lawrence, then, if I were so inclined, I -could fix the murder on you.” - -“You would not do that?” - -“No, I would not.” - -“I have some of the money.” - -“Is it in your pocket?” - -“Yes.” - -Carter put his hand into Brockey’s trousers pocket and pulled out a -small roll of bills. He ran the money over and found one of the series. - -“This is one,” he remarked, holding the bill up for Brockey to inspect. - -“My God!” the rascal ejaculated. - -“You will have to tell now in court how this came into your possession.” - -“I’ll tell quick enough.” - -“I guess you will.” - -“Let me look at the number.” - -“See?” - -“I do.” - -The rest of the money the detective gave to Brockey. - -The bill he marked and put away in his pocketbook with the others. - -The evidence against Rich was stronger. - -But still more evidence was needed before a case could be proven. - -Carter left the house. - -Slowly he walked through to Broadway, and when he reached that -thoroughfare he halted on the corner and reviewed the events of the -past few days. He was forced to acknowledge in spite of himself that -the evidence against Simeon Rich was strong. - -But still he was not satisfied. - -Dora Ferris’ testimony and that of Lena Peters would be damaging. - -The testimony of the cashier, the cabman, and Brockey would be -sensational. - -And the note which he had found in Darwin’s room in Dora’s flat would -tighten the coil. - -But it was not enough. - -“Every link in the chain of evidence must be complete,” Carter -muttered. What move ought he to make? - -“Should he close in on Rich and his pals and take the chance of -discovering the needed evidence against them?” - -“No, I won’t do that,” the detective muttered, as this question flashed -through his mind. - -He turned and wended his way uptown. - -It was seven o’clock when he halted in front of the Studio Building. - -Some force seemed to impel him to enter. He did not go near the -elevator; but he walked upstairs to the top floor. He strolled along -the hall and stopped in front of the door of Rich’s room. - -No light shone through the transom. - -Were the conspirators out? - -Carter knocked. - -No one came to the door. - -“They must have gone out,” he muttered. - -At the same time he pulled a skeleton key out of his pocket and -inserted it in the lock of the door. - -Two quick turns of the key and the bolt of the lock slipped back. - -Carter entered the room, and struck a match. - -As the flame flickered up, and after he had looked around, he uttered -an exclamation of surprise. - -Around him were all the evidences of hasty flight. - -The birds had flown. - -Carter lit the gas. - -Then he was able to make an inspection. - -A look of chagrin rested upon his face as his eyes wandered around the -room. - -The furniture belonging to the room of the building was not disturbed. - -The floor was strewn with rubbish. - -After the detective recovered from his surprise he commenced to make -a search of the apartment. He rooted among the scraps of paper on the -floor in the hope that he would find something of value. - -He made no discovery. - -Every bureau drawer was gone through. - -Nothing. - -At last Carter made a search of the two closets. - -Result? - -Nothing. - -He stood in the center of the room thinking. - -His eyes wandered around. - -Was there any evidence in that room? He asked the question over and -over again. - -He was confident that his search had been most thorough. But had -it been? Was there not some place about that room which contained -evidence, and which had escaped the eagle eyes of the visitor? - -Carter suddenly started. - -“The fireplace!” he ejaculated, and he sprang forward. - -At that moment his eyes had fallen on some soot which covered the -carpet in front of the fireplace. - -What did this indicate? He had not examined the fireplace! - -Down upon his knees he fell in front of the grate. - -Up into the chimney he thrust his hand and arm. - -The next instant he pulled out a large bundle. - -A cloud of soot fell down, and the detective was covered with it. - -He paid no attention to it. - -All of his thoughts were on that bundle, which he carried over to the -center of the room. - -Slowly he unwound the wrapper. - -Then a long ulster was disclosed. - -Carter shook out the folds. - -A black slouch hat and a false beard fell to the floor. - -Was it any wonder that the detective’s hands shook as he gazed upon and -held this evidence? - -He examined the ulster. - -Down the front were a number of dark stains. - -Upon the right sleeve was a large dark splash as large as a man’s hand. - -“Blood!” Carter ejaculated, as he inspected these stains. - -He looked inside the ulster at the stamp on the strap. - -“Made by Delaney,” he read. - -“This was made to order,” he muttered. - -“For whom?” - -That was the question. - -“I’ll find out!” he ejaculated, after a moment’s thought. - -Down into the pockets of this ulster his hand was shoved. - -One after the other was turned inside out. - -Not a scrap of paper could he find. - -All the outside pockets had been gone through. - -Then Carter turned his attention to those inside. - -“Nothing!” he muttered. - -It was disappointing. - -But the detective was not downcast. He picked up the slouch hat and the -beard, and examined them. - -Inside the beard was stamped the word Dazian. - -“That’s the name of the costumer,” Carter muttered, as he read that -name. - -There were no marks inside the hat. - -The lining had been torn out. - -The ulster and the hat the detective tied up in a bundle, and the false -beard he put into his pocket. - -For a few minutes longer he remained in the room searching, but he made -no further discovery. - -Taking the evidence under his arm, he left the apartment. - -It was an important discovery. He felt sure that he had in his -possession the ulster worn by the murderer when he committed the crime. - -In going down in the elevator the detective questioned the boy in -charge. - -The boy said that Rich and Darwin had moved out just at dusk, and they -did not say where they were going. - -Carter stopped at the office, and the clerk was not able to give him -any information. - -When he left the Studio Building he was perfectly calm. He did not seem -to be disturbed about the sudden departure of the men. - -The thought that they might have left the city did not enter his mind. - -Carter crossed Broadway to the little park in front of the bank -building. - -Here he moved about among the cabmen making inquiries. - -All claimed that they had not taken any fares from the Studio Building. - -From Greeley Square the detective walked across to the opposite corner, -where a solitary express wagon was standing. - -The man in charge was partly intoxicated. - -“Did you cart away anything from the Studio Building this evening?” -Carter asked as he came up to the man. - -“You may bet I did,” the man blurted out in thick tones. “I made a good -stake.” - -“They were nice men?” - -“You may bet they were.” - -“Where did you leave the things?” - -“In a flat at number two hundred and forty-one West Thirty-sixth -Street.” - -“What name?” - -“Lawrence.” - -“Are you sure that was the name?” - -“Of course I am. The tall fellow wrote it down on a slip of paper for -me.” - -“Was he at the flat to receive the things?” - -“No. The two ladies were there, though.” - -“Only the two ladies?” - -“That was all.” - -Carter did not go direct to the address on West Thirty-sixth Street -after he left the expressman. He hurried down to Union Square and -entered Dazian’s musty-smelling establishment. - -To the clerk in charge he showed the false beard. - -“We made that,” the clerk said, after he had examined the disguise. - -“Do you remember selling a beard like that lately?” the detective asked. - -“I remember selling this.” - -“You do?” - -“Yes.” - -“When did you sell it?” - -“The morning of the day before New Year’s.” - -“To whom did you sell it?” - -“A tall man.” - -“Did you sell him anything else?” - -“Yes.” - -“What?” - -“A Moorish dagger.” - -“Anything else?” - -“No.” - -“Did he give you his name?” - -“No. He paid for the things and he took them away with him.” - -“What kind of a coat had he on?” - -“An ulster.” - -“What kind of a hat?” - -“An old slouch.” - -“Is this the color of the ulster?” - -Carter untied the bundle while he was talking, and now he displayed the -ulster in front of the clerk. - -“It was that color,” the young man ejaculated. “And that is the slouch -hat. I remember noticing that the rim was slightly torn.” - -“Would you be able to identify that man?” - -“I would.” - -“Was he alone?” - -“Yes.” - -The detective next went to the tailoring establishment conducted by -Delaney. He showed the ulster to the manager. - -“We made that garment six years ago,” the manager said, after he had -inspected the coat. - -“Can you tell for whom?” Carter asked. “If you can tell me, I shall be -greatly obliged.” - -“I can. Do you notice this number in indelible ink on the pocket flap? -Well, that is the number of the order. I will refer to our books.” - -He walked back into the office and examined a large ledger. - -In a few moments he returned to Carter and said: - -“That coat was made for a gentleman named Simeon Rich.” - -“Thank you,” Carter rejoined, and then he departed. - -The coils around Rich were tightening, but the detective had not found -that weapon with which the crime had been committed. - -Perhaps the murderer had thrown it away. - -That was likely. - -That the weapon was a Moorish dagger and the one purchased at Dazian’s -the detective was convinced. - -On a mere whim, Nick took all his evidence down to police headquarters -and made a report to the chief inspector. - -When he was through the chief said: - -“I will send out men to fetch in all the witnesses. - -“We will assemble them here in this room, and then, if we corral the -conspirators, we will bring them in. Mark my word. We will get a -confession from one of them.” - -“I’ll make out a list of the witnesses.” - -“Call them off and I’ll write them down.” - -“The bartender at the Red Dragon Inn, Doctor Thompson, Peter Wright, -Brockey Gann, Lena Peters, Lem Samson, Dora Ferris, Dazian’s clerk, the -cashier of the safe deposit company, Delaney’s manager, and the cabman, -number one hundred and forty-seven.” - -“I’ll send out men for them.” - -“Very well.” - -“What are you going to do?” - -“Close in on Rich.” - -“Do you need assistance?” - -“Give me two men.” - -The chief inspector called in two men and they went out with Carter. - -They entered a taxicab and were driven to the address given to the -detective by the expressman. - -The name of Lawrence was on the letter box belonging to the first flat. - -Carter entered the hall with his men. - -One of them he sent back to guard the back door of the flat and prevent -escape by that exit. Then he knocked on the front door, which was -opened by a tall, comely, gray-haired woman. - -Within he heard voices. - -“What do you want?” the woman asked, as Carter and his aid shoved past -her. - -The detective made no reply. He and his companion darted into the -parlor. - -Rich and Darwin and three women were there. - -All sprang to their feet. - -The women screamed. - -Carter covered the men with his revolver and exclaimed: - -“Rich, there is no chance for you to escape. The house is surrounded by -my men. You may as well submit quietly.” - -“What does this intrusion mean?” Rich demanded. - -“It means that I arrest you for the murder of Alfred Lawrence, and -these others”--looking around the room at the others and pausing for a -moment--“I arrest them as your accomplices.” - -In a short time the two men were manacled. - -They offered no resistance, because they saw that it would be of no -avail. - -The two detectives guarded the prisoners while Carter made a search of -the flat. - -In a trunk belonging to Rich he found a Moorish dagger, the blade and -hilt of which were stained with blood. He also found an old pocketbook -with papers belonging to the murdered man in it. - -On this were marks of bloody fingers. - -The woman who admitted Carter was the wife of the murdered man, and the -third woman in the parlor was Lawrence’s daughter. She was a beautiful -young woman, but at a glance the detective saw that she had been -leading a life of dissipation. - -The prisoners were taken to police headquarters. - -When Rich was led into the chief inspector’s office and he beheld the -witnesses congregated there all his bravado fled. - -“The game is up!” he ejaculated, and he sank into a chair, his handsome -face the color of death. “You cornered me, Mr. Carter. I killed -Lawrence. There is no use for me to deny anything. When I learned that -he was about to be released from Sing Sing I made up my mind to kill -him. I feared him, and so did his wife. I knew there was evidence in -existence to prove that we had conspired against him. - -“I suppose you have received statements from all these people and there -is no use for me to make a long confession. - -“All I’ll say will be that I tracked Lawrence to the Red Dragon Inn, -and when the bartender’s back was turned I slipped upstairs and hid in -the parlor. - -“Then I waited until the house was quiet, when I stole up to Lawrence’s -room and killed him. - -“I escaped through the window and then down the ladder to the back yard. - -“I solemnly swear that Mrs. Lawrence and her daughter had nothing to do -with the crime.” - -The mystery of the Red Dragon Inn was solved at last, and when the -newspapers published the facts in regard to the work done by Carter -a sensation was created. Nick had little time to bask in the glow of -journalistic applause, even had he cared to do so. He was soon plunged -in the case to which his assistants had been paving his way by their -investigations. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -MURDER IN HELL’S KITCHEN. - - -To understand the preliminaries of the case on which Chick Carter and -Patsy had been working for their chief, we must go back to a time -before Simeon Rich was tried and executed, before Darwin was sent back -to England, where he afterward died in prison. - -To begin with, Old Mother Flintstone, well known in the neighborhood of -Hell’s Kitchen, was dead. - -All people have to die, and the old woman had to follow the written law -of all mankind; but, what was queer, her death was a subject for police -investigation. - -She had not lived the best of lives, this old hag, toothless and -decrepit in her hovel, where her couch was rags and the walls grimy and -almost black; she had been a fence and what not, and there were stories -about her that made people even in that delectable quarter of Gotham -shake their heads over them. - -She had died in the night. - -Death had come to the hovel in the wee sma’ hours of the darkness, when -the great city was supposed to sleep the sleep of the innocent and -righteous; but somehow or other there was a suspicion that a human hand -had helped Mother Flintstone out of the world. - -She lived alone, but now and then she was visited by a boy--a waif of -the streets, little, but shrewd and wiry. - -Mulberry Billy, as the boy was called, had a story to tell, and it was -his narrative which had set the police agog. - -The boy had gone to Mother Flintstone’s just before day, crawling into -the old place, where he knew there was always a bed for him, and had -found the old lady lying on her face on the floor. - -Billy tried to lift the body and bear it to the couch near by, but the -lot of bones slid from his hands. - -Then he saw the distorted face, the wide, staring eyes and the clenched -hands. - -Then he saw that his old benefactress was past all human aid, and he -stood stock-still and thought how kind she had been to him. - -But this was not all Billy saw. He was attracted to the right by a -noise in the direction of the only window in the room, and there he saw -the outlines of a face. - -It was not a rough face, as one would expect to see in that locality; -it was not the face of a hardened ruffian, seamed with sin and -desperate. It was a finely cut face, handsome, aristocratic, like those -Billy sometimes saw on Fifth Avenue or Broadway. It had good eyes, -white skin, a broad forehead, and well-chiseled lips. The mustache did -not entirely hide the latter, but it did not let the boy get a good -look at them. - -If the face at the window had been wicked-looking or desperate the boy -would not have been astonished, for he would have thought that the -desperate murderer had come back to see if the victim had yet been -discovered. - -Mother Flintstone was reputed rich; she was said to have accumulated by -her calling a good deal of wealth, which she had concealed somewhere, -but where even Billy, her one little confidant, did not know. - -The boy looked at the face till it seemed to be photographed on his -mind. He would know it among a thousand faces, he thought. - -It should not escape him, and he would give a certain person a full -description of it. - -In a moment, as it were, the face vanished. - -Billy turned again to the dead woman, but looked now and then toward -the window. He saw that the old woman had been killed, for the rent in -her throat told where the dagger had found her life and put an end to -her varied career. - -As yet the murder was his secret and the murderer’s. - -Mulberry Billy remained in the little room some time, or until he had -composed his nerves. - -One does not discover a terrible crime every day, not even in New York. -He wanted to think the matter over a little; he wanted to decide just -what to do. - -“I’ll see Patsy again, that’s best,” he said aloud, though addressing -himself. “Patsy Garvan once befriended me, and he’ll tell Mr. Carter -about this, and I know Mr. Carter’s the man to take charge of this -matter and avenge Mother Flintstone.” - -With this the street Arab slipped from the house and went out upon the -street again. - -In a few minutes he ran up a flight of steps leading to Nick’s downtown -den, where he had captured Brockey, and knocked at a door. - -Footsteps crossed the room beyond and the door was opened. - -“You, boy! Come in.” - -Billy entered, looking at the person who had opened the door, and who -now stood in the middle of the room looking at him with a smile on his -face. He had expected to find Chick Carter or Patsy there, and he was -surprised to meet the great detective himself already on the trail once -more. - -“What’s happened, boy?” asked Nick. - -“They’ve got Mother Flintstone at last, sir.” - -“Who have?” - -“That’s for you to find out, Mr. Carter.” - -“You don’t mean that the old lady’s dead, Billy?” - -“Don’t I?” - -“Where?” - -“In the crib.” - -“Do you know who saw her last?” - -“Yes, sir; the man who did it.” - -Carter smiled at the answer and took a seat at the table. - -“Give me the story,” he said. - -Billy did so. He omitted nothing, but he dwelt a long time on the face -at the window. - -The famous detective seemed to think that face an important matter, and -he made the boy describe it half a dozen times. - -Presently he arose and put on an overcoat, for the night was cold, and -perhaps he wanted to protect his face with the ample collar. - -The pair left the room together, and Billy piloted the detective to the -scene of the crime. - -“You can go now,” said Carter, when he had taken a survey of the -apartment. “I will need you to-morrow, Billy. Don’t go far. You can -take my lounge if you want a snooze till then.” - -The urchin went away, leaving Carter in the hovel where Mother -Flintstone lay. - -Nick went over the old place with his keen eyes and eager hands. - -If he found anything that let some light upon the mystery he did not -divulge the secret, and just as day was breaking over the spires of -Gotham he came out of the place and walked away. - -A few minutes later the police knew of the crime, and a sergeant took -possession of the old woman’s abode. - -Hell’s Kitchen had a new sensation, and its inhabitants stood about in -groups and discussed it. - -The sensation was too late for the morning papers, but it would do for -the afternoon journals; and as Mother Flintstone was a noted character, -half a dozen reporters came to the scene with ready pencils and -reportorial noses. - -The papers in the afternoon told all there was to tell. - -They dished up the past life of the old woman and colored it to suit -themselves. - -Some had her a woman once respected and wealthy, the wayward daughter -of a money king; others said she was related to royalty; none put her -down as plain Mother Flintstone--that, you know, being the unvarnished -truth, would never do! - -The wasted body was removed to the morgue and the surgeons brought -their skill to bear upon the case. All agreed that the old creature had -been foully killed by a dagger, and the coroner’s jury added “by some -person unknown,” and then turned the matter over to the police. - -The following night Carter, alone in his room, heard a rap on his door, -and he opened it to look into the face of a young woman. He held the -door open and the girl--she was no more than this in years--glided -into the room. - -“Lock the door, please,” she said, with an appealing look at the -detective. - -Carter did so and turned to her. - -His visitor had taken a chair, and in the light he saw how frightened -she was and how she trembled. - -“You haven’t any clew yet?” was her first question. - -“Clew to what?” - -“Why, to the murderer of Mother Flintstone.” - -“Oh, you’re interested in that, are you?” - -“I am.” - -“What is your name?” - -“Yes, I thought you’d want to know that and it’s no more than right -that I should tell you. You may call me Margie Marne.” - -“But that’s not your name.” - -The girl smiled. - -“Perhaps not; don’t, for Heaven’s sake, rob me of the only secret I -have--my true identity.” - -“I will not. You shall keep your name. That secret can belong to you as -long as you want it, or until you see best to disclose it.” - -“The time may come when I can speak,” was the reply. “But you haven’t -answered my question yet.” - -“About the clew? It’s a queer case.” - -“And a dark one?” - -“Yes.” - -“No reward has been offered?” - -“Not a dollar.” - -“But you want to find out who killed Mother Flintstone, and why.” - -“I do, and I will find out.” - -“Thank God!” cried Margie Marne, rising from her chair and seizing -Carter’s hands. “That’s the best thing I ever heard a man say.” - -“What was the old lady to you?” - -“Don’t ask me. Only find the hand that slew her.” - -“That’s my mission, as I’ve already told you.” - -“I’ll reward you,” and she seemed to smile again. “I don’t look like a -person of wealth, but I can reward the man who solves this mystery of -the tenements. I’m not as poor as I look, not a female Lazarus by any -means.” - -“You don’t look it, either.” - -The girl would have replied if footsteps had not approached the -detective’s door, and he crossed the room. - -Billy, the street Arab, bounded in the moment the door was opened. - -“I’ve located him!” he cried the moment he caught sight of Carter. “I -can show you the face I saw at the window last night. Come! Let the gal -stay. We don’t want her. No gals in the case for Mulberry Billy is my -motto,” and the boy darted toward the door again. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE MILLIONAIRE’S GUEST. - - -In another part of the city about the same time that witnessed these -events a scene was being enacted which is destined to have an important -bearing on Carter’s present case of mystery. - -This time it was not in the heart of that tough locality called Hell’s -Kitchen, but in the haunts of the better classes, indeed, in what might -be called the abode of wealth. - -Perry Lamont was a multimillionaire. He was a man of past fifty, but -with very few gray hairs and a florid complexion. He was not engaged in -any business, having retired from the “Street” some years prior to the -opening of our story, and now was resting at his ease. - -Surrounded with wealth of every description, this man was an envied -person and a man to be congratulated on the easy life he could lead in -his luxurious mansion. - -Blessed with wife and children, the latter grown to manhood and -womanhood, he passed his days in luxury, his only fad being fast -horses, with which his stables were filled. - -Perry Lamont sat in the splendid library of his home and smoked a prime -cigar. He was alone. His wife and daughter had gone to the opera and -his son was playing billiards at the club. - -Therefore Lamont had the whole house to himself, for it was the -servants’ night off, and he had resolved to take his ease. - -Suddenly the clear tones of the bell reverberated through the mansion, -but the millionaire did not rise. He did not want any visitors, and he -was not at all in the humor to be disturbed. - -Again the bell rang, a little sharper than before, and he laid down the -cigar. - -“Confound it all, why can’t a fellow get a little rest?” he growled, -crossing the room toward the hall. - -“It’s a pity some people haven’t the slightest notion about propriety, -but must come when a man wants to throw off the cares of the world and -enjoy himself.” - -For the third time the bell jangled, and the next moment Lamont reached -the door. He opened it with a growl on his lips, but all at once a man -rudely pushed past him into the hall. - -“Good evening,” said the stranger, who was tall and decidedly good -looking from what the millionaire could see of his face, for he kept -his collar up. “Don’t think I’m an intruder. Of course, I came here on -business, and that overleaps every other consideration, you know.” - -“Business? This way, then.” - -Lamont led the way to the library, where he waved his caller to a chair. - -“You have a son, I believe?” said the visitor. - -“I have. I guess that’s no disgrace,” smiled Perry Lamont, who was -inordinately proud of his son and heir. - -“He’s at the club just now?” - -“That’s his pleasure, I suppose.” - -“Certainly. Is he your only son?” - -“He is.” - -“And you look to him to keep up the honor of the house of Lamont?” - -“He’ll do that, never fear, Claude will.” - -“That is, he will if the law will let him.” - -The nabob started. - -“Have a care, sir!” he cried, coloring. “This is my house, and a man’s -house is his castle.” - -“That’s old, but good,” grinned the unwelcome and uncivil caller. “I’ve -often wondered where that saying originated, but never had time to look -it up.” - -Lamont looked at the man amazed, for he never saw such coolness in all -his life. - -“You’ve got a daughter, too,” continued the stranger. - -“What’s that to you?” - -“Not much, perhaps, but a good deal to you.” - -“There you’re right; but you shall not make sport of my child. My -affection for her is too sacred for that.” - -“She’s pretty and good. I know her.” - -“_You?_” almost roared the millionaire, falling back in his chair and -staring at the other. “This is carrying a joke too far.” - -“Just as you think; but let’s go back to Claude.” - -“No, I won’t have another thing to do with you. You remember you are -not an invited guest----” - -“That’s right--not an invited guest, but I don’t quit this house till I -care to go.” - -“By Jove----” - -“Come, come, keep your temper.” - -“You won’t let me,” said Lamont, with a faint smile. - -“Well, this boy of yours is a little wild. He’s the lion of the club, -but he don’t always keep within the bounds of the law.” - -“How?” - -“I don’t mean to insinuate anything, only to remind you that he is just -now harvesting his crop of wild oats.” - -“Just as far too as many boys do.” - -“But the yield is larger on some grounds than on others.” - -“You don’t mean----” - -“That your hopeful is reaping a gorgeous crop, eh? That’s it precisely.” - -“But he knows when to stop.” - -“The sheriff will do that.” - -Lamont started forward, and for the first time his face became really -pale. - -“That’s an insult!” - -“I thought you would consider it such.” - -“It is infamous!” - -“You’re good at words.” - -“Come, this interview is at an end.” - -“Not yet. What will you give to save your son?” - -“To save him? He’s committed no crime yet----” - -“Will you give ten thousand?” - -“Not a dollar! If Claude has committed some little indiscretion such as -young men will----” - -“He’s done more than that. It would be charity to designate it by -the name you have just mentioned, but the authorities would call it -something else.” - -“Where is Claude?” - -“At the club, just where you said he was.” - -“Then----” - -“I’ll take ten thousand and save the boy.” - -“From what?” - -“The electric chair!” - -Perry Lamont seemed to reel in his chair, and it was with difficulty -that he kept his seat. - -“It’s a lie!” he cried. - -“Just as you like. It’s all true, however.” - -“It’s false, I say, as false as perdition! My boy wouldn’t stoop to -crime.” - -“No; he’s an angel. And all he wants is a pair of wings which would -just fix him out.” - -Lamont reddened and then turned pale again. - -“I announce this interview terminated,” he said, but his voice was -agitated and his gaze wandered to the door across the room. - -“You can write out the check for the amount I have mentioned if you -have any regard for the honor of your house.” - -“Not a dollar!” - -“Then take the consequences!” - -So threatening, the man arose and coolly buttoned his coat. - -“You’re mad,” said the millionaire. - -“Perhaps. I’m money mad, but I want to save you and yours. I don’t want -to heap disgrace upon your wife and daughter. I don’t want to disgrace -you and see your boy go to the chair. I don’t want to do anything of -the kind, and I won’t if you pay me for the secret.” - -Perhaps something told Perry Lamont that he was dealing with a -desperate man, who, after all, might have the secret he spoke of, but -it was such a terrible thing to think of that it chilled his blood. - -“I’m a man of business. I want the check or your boy is exposed.” - -“What is the crime?” asked Lamont. - -“What did I say? They take life for murder only.” - -“My son!--a murderer!” - -“They will certainly lay hands on Claude if you don’t buy my silence.” - -“In Satan’s name, who are you?” - -“The man who knows!” - -In the drawer before the millionaire lay a self-cocking revolver, and -this flashed through his mind as he resolved upon desperate action. - -“All right,” he said, as nonchalantly as possible, and in a second he -had opened the drawer. - -The man near by stood in such a position that he could not look into -the place, and he did not see Lamont’s hand close about the black ivory -stock of the weapon. - -Suddenly the millionaire’s hand leaped from the drawer and the revolver -flashed in the stranger’s face. - -“I won’t be blackmailed,” hissed Lamont. “I’m as merciless as a tiger -when aroused, and I count your life as nothing as compared to the -welfare of my family. What is the lie you have made up for to-night’s -work? What is the infamous story you have planned about my son? Tell me -or I will kill you where you stand, and the world will lose your infamy -in this house.” - -The man on the carpet seemed to increase an inch in stature as he -looked down into the tensely drawn face of the man of many fortunes. - -“You’d do that, would you?” - -“As I live I will!” - -“You’re a fool, Perry Lamont.” - -“Why so?” - -“You might slay me here, but the net would be played out or drawn in -all the same. You don’t suppose I would place myself in your power the -sole custodian of this secret which, if let out, will send your son to -the electric chair? I’m no fool.” - -The tightly clutched weapon seemed about to fall from Lamont’s hand. - -“The secret is unloosed the moment I die at your hands,” continued the -cool stranger. “Come, treat me white, and I’ll treat you the same. I -want ten thousand for what I know. It saves your boy and rescues your -house from disgrace.” - -A singular cry welled from the millionaire’s throat, the revolver -slipped to the floor and he sank back in the chair in a dead faint. - -The stranger leaned forward and opened the drawer, and seeing something -there he transferred it to an inner pocket. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -BACK TO THE RED SPOT. - - -When Carter and Mulberry Billy reached the street at the foot of -Carter’s stairs the boy pointed toward a cab just driving away. - -“He must be in that,” said Billy. “I saw him talking to a man from the -cab window just now----” - -“The man whose face you saw at the window of Mother Flintstone’s den, -Billy?” - -“The same bloke.” - -The detective looked after the cab as it rounded a corner and then -turned again to the boy. - -“But the man who was spoken to from the cab?” queried the detective. - -“He’s gone, too.” - -In another instant there stepped from a doorway a few steps distant a -man at whom the boy pointed excitedly. - -“That’s him, Mr. Carter!” he exclaimed, as the man thus singled out -coolly lit a cigar. - -Carter eyed him for a moment and then looked away. - -The fellow walked off and the boy of the street watched him with much -curiosity. - -“Could you keep him in sight for me, Billy?” asked the detective. - -“Just as if I’d lose him on purpose!” - -Billy hurried away and watched the smoker with all the keenness he -could bring to bear upon the matter. - -For some time the boy was led a merry chase, for the man at first -seemed to suspect that he was watched, but at last he appeared to -think that he had baffled the young shadower, for he became bold and -sauntered along at his ease. - -Billy saw him walk up the steps of a noted clubhouse, and then stepped -back to wait for his reappearance. - -For this purpose the boy stationed himself in a doorway near at hand. - -An hour passed, and while many came out of the club this particular one -did not, and the street Arab grew a little impatient. - -“Seems to me he’s going ter roost there,” said Billy to himself. “I’m -booked for this doorway all night if he does, for I intend to keep my -agreement with Mr. Carter--to watch that man till doomsday.” - -All at once there sounded above the boy footsteps on the stairs, and as -he looked around he was pounced upon eaglelike by a hand that seemed to -sink into his bones. - -“Ouch!” cried the boy, as he drew back. - -“Not a chirp, you young imp,” hissed a voice, as he was pulled up over -the steps. - -Billy, of Mulberry Street, was dragged up the stairs and down a long -corridor, after which he was pulled into a room by his tormentor. He -heard the door locked behind him, and then the gas was quickly turned -on. Then he was jammed roughly into a chair, after which he got a look -at the man who had caught him. - -It was not the man he had watched, but quite another person, and Billy -wondered why he had caught him. - -“Spying, weren’t you?” said the man coolly. - -“Who are you?” demanded Billy. “And don’t you know you’ve no right to -treat me this way?” - -“I haven’t, eh? Just wait till I’m through with you before you crow -that way.” - -Then the man came forward and bent over Billy, who shrank into the -depths of the chair. - -“Who sent you after me?” he demanded. - -“No one.” - -“No falsehood! He did, didn’t he?” - -“Whom do you mean?” - -“You know.” - -“You must explain.” - -“Just as if you didn’t know anything, you little gutter rat! To be -plain, the man you were talking to to-night told you to dog my steps. I -know that much.” - -“Then that keeps me from explainin’,” smiled Billy, whereat the man’s -face grew dark. - -“No insolence! Little chicks get their necks wrung same as old ones.” - -Billy leaped from the chair and sprang forward, but he was arrested by -the hand of the fellow and held fast. - -“Tell me the truth. He sent you after me?” - -For once in his life at least Mulberry Billy was terrified. - -“Yes,” he said. - -“Nick Carter they call him, don’t they?” - -“Yes.” - -“Detective!” - -The boy said nothing. - -“Why am I to be watched?” - -“I don’t know.” - -“What has happened lately?” - -“Don’t you know? Don’t you ever read the papers?” - -“Sometimes.” - -“Then you must know that they’ve killed Mother Flintstone.” - -“Who’s she?” - -“My best friend, even if she didn’t have all the frills of society,” -said Billy, with a grin. - -“Where did she live?” - -“In Hell’s Kitchen.” - -“That’s a nice name!” - -“It fits the place.” - -“What was Mother Flintstone?” - -“She fenced some times.” - -“Oho!” The exclamation was followed by a prolonged whistle. “I see.” - -The man, dropping Billy suddenly, took several turns about the room. - -“Could you show me where she lived, boy?” he suddenly asked, coming -back to the boy. - -“I could----” - -“And you will? That’s good! Mother Flintstone, eh? Was that her right -name?” - -“Never heard any other for the old woman.” - -The countenance of the stranger seemed to soften and he told the boy to -guide him. - -They left the house together, the boy in advance, and Billy piloted the -man into Mulberry Bend and straight to Hell’s Kitchen. - -“It’s a tough place, I see,” was all the comment the stranger made as -they entered the locality. - -“No place tougher, but I’ve called it home for a long time.” - -Into the little old room--the place of sin and crime--Billy led the man -and a light was struck. - -“Where did she keep her valuables?” asked the man. - -“I don’t know.” - -“But she had papers, hadn’t she?” - -“I can’t say; but if she had the perlice must have found them.” - -“They searched the den, eh?” - -“They looked it over.” - -“Did Carter do it, too?” - -“Yes.” - -“What did he find?” - -The boy shook his head. - -“You’re not the custodian of his secrets, I see.” - -“I’m not.” - -“Let me see what I can find.” - -The man began to go through the place, watched by the boy with all -eyes. He was a good-looking fellow, only his beard seemed a little too -black and glossy to be natural, and the boy had an idea that it had -never grown on his face. - -All at once the man turned and looked at Billy. - -At the same time he put out one hand, and it fell upon a dusty shelf on -one side of the room. - -“Turn your back a moment, boy,” he commanded. - -Billy did so, and while he looked away he was certain that the stranger -did something. - -When again he looked around the man was standing at his ease and his -face was as calm as ever. - -“Look yonder,” suddenly cried the boy, pointing at the window. “There -it is again.” - -The stranger turned in an instant, and then looked at the street Arab. - -“I see nothing at the window,” he said. - -“It’s gone now. That’s the second time I saw it there.” - -“A face, was it, boy?” - -“Yes; the face of the man who killed Mother Flintstone!” - -“Then it’s not far off.” - -With this the stranger ran out of the place, and Billy heard him in the -narrow court beyond. - -“In the name of Satan, who is he?” ejaculated the boy, while he waited -for the man’s return. - -His question was followed by a sharp report, and in a second the boy -was outside. - -He smelled powder the moment he opened the door, and then a human -figure fell at his feet. - -Billy sprang back with a cry and heard a half-suppressed oath and -flying footsteps. - -“Say, boy,” said a voice, as the little fellow stooped over a prostrate -man on the bricks. - -“Did you see him?” - -“Only a glimpse.” - -“Well, he’s got me--just as I expected. But he didn’t get the -documents.” - -“What documents?” - -“Mother Flintstone’s. They’re here.” - -The wounded speaker laid one hand on his left breast. He tried to rise, -but sank again to the stones, and Billy could only look on, white-faced -and breathless. - -“You want a doctor and the perlice,” he said at last. - -“Neither one,” growled the man through set teeth. “I don’t want them, I -say. I’m not dead yet, though they gave me a close call to-night. Help -me up. There, you see I can stand all right. I feel better already. I’m -worth ten dead men, and in an hour I’ll be worth fifty. Come, let us -get out of this.” - -Billy was not loath to go, and they glided from the scene and struck -the street in a few seconds. - -“Great Cæsar!” cried the boy, falling back from the man the moment -he got a glimpse of him in the lamplight. “Be you the devil or Tom -Walker----” - -The man stopped the boy by throwing his hand to his face. - -The black beard was gone and the skin was smooth, and this was what had -called forth the street urchin’s exclamation. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -THE FATE OF A SPY. - - -Under the ground at last Mother Flintstone passed from the minds of -many. The hovel she had occupied in Hell’s Kitchen got other tenants -and the crime was forgotten. - -Not by everybody, however, for in the mind of more than one person the -old woman whose life no one seemed to know beyond a few years was of -some importance. - -Carter was on the trail, and he was destined to find it one of the -strangest if not the most exciting of his varied career. Nick had just -learned that Brockey Gann had been sent to Sing Sing for a short term, -and that Mrs. Lawrence and her daughter had gone abroad, never to -return to this country. - -It was the night after his last adventure--the one on the street with -Billy, of Mulberry Street--when the boy failed to point out the man he -had seen, that he stood in another part of the city. - -The famous detective was quite alone, and his gaze was riveted upon a -man who stood in front of a swell café lighting a cigar. - -This person was well dressed and looked as if he belonged to -uppertendom. - -His features were regular, though they showed some signs of fashionable -dissipation, and he carried a cane with an elaborate gold head. - -In short, this person was Claude Lamont, the son of the millionaire, -who had lately received the man who wanted ten thousand dollars to keep -a secret. - -Lamont was a favorite at the club because he spent his father’s money -freely, and at times gave swell suppers, which were the talk of the -town. - -Young Lamont appeared to be waiting for some one, and presently that -individual came out of the café. He looked a good deal like Claude, -only he seemed to be several years his junior, and when the two met -they walked away together. - -Carter followed. - -The men were talking earnestly, and at last Carter heard Lamont say: - -“You didn’t make it with the governor, eh?” - -“No; confound it all. He fainted just when I thought I had landed the -fish, and I came away with an empty hook.” - -“That’s bad.” - -“Couldn’t have been worse.” - -“Shall I try again?” - -“No, we must take another tack,” and then Claude laughed. - -This was all the detective heard, and the pair walked a little faster. - -After a while Carter let them go and turned his attention to another -part of the town. - -This time he pushed his way into an upper room in one of the most -disreputable localities and confronted a man who nearly leaped from a -chair at sight of him. - -“Never mind. Don’t get excited, Jack,” smiled the detective. “I’m not -after you this time.” - -The fellow, who was past thirty, with a slim face covered with a beard -of a week’s growth, seemed pleased, but at the same time he snarled -like a wild beast. - -“I’ve got work for you,” said the detective. - -“Not for me, no, sir! I won’t do any man’s work--not even yours,” he -growled. - -“Come, Jack. It won’t get you into trouble.” - -“I won’t, there!” - -The speaker settled back into his chair and looked ugly. - -“You remember Mother Flintstone?” - -“Yes, and I know she’s dead.” - -“And buried.” - -“I hope so, but I don’t care what they’ve done with her. I am out of -the business.” - -“You know Claude Lamont?” - -“The money king’s son? Of course I do, and I know nothing very good of -him, either.” - -“Well, Jack, I want you to get on with him.” - -“I say no.” - -The voice was determined, but this fact did not check the detective. - -“Listen to me, Jack.” - -“Not if you want to make a sleuth out of me.” - -“I don’t--in a sense.” - -“But you want me to get in with this young lion and get the worst of -the bargain.” - -Carter thought a moment. - -Was there not some other way of bringing this man to time? - -Nick had befriended him once, had saved him from a term up the river; -and now he needed him. - -Jack Redmond was a clever, all-around crook, and, at the same time, he -knew how to spy and do anything that required wits and cunning. - -Suddenly Nick turned again to the man and said: - -“You know Margie?” - -At this Redmond started and seemed to shiver. - -“Where is she?” he eagerly inquired. - -“Where she can be found at any time.” - -“Do you know?” - -“Will you help me?” - -Redmond sprang up and confronted the detective with a quick look. - -“Does she think of me yet?” - -“I can’t say that.” - -“Will you help me with Margie?” - -“So far as I can.” - -“Then I’m yours!” - -For a moment the detective watched the man and held out his hand; but -the crook refused it. - -“No, I’m yours. You’ve bought me,” he said. “Now, what am I to do?” - -For some time the detective talked, and was not interrupted. - -When he went away he seemed to smile to himself, and half an hour later -he was back in his own rooms. - -One hour later Claude Lamont was met in the club annex by a man, who -held out his hand. - -Lamont looked searchingly at this person and shook his head. - -“You have the best of me,” said he. - -“What, don’t you know me?” cried the other, as if surprised. “I’m -Belmont.” - -“The devil you are!” - -“That’s who I am, and I’m not surprised that you did not recognize me.” - -“I thought you were dead--in fact, three years ago I read about your -death at sea.” - -“So did thousands,” laughed the so-called Belmont, who was Jack -Redmond, the crook. “I thought at one time I was on the brink of -eternity. We had nine tough weeks on a tropical island, but were saved -by a liner.” - -This seemed to satisfy Lamont, for he fell to talking to Redmond, and -the two adjourned to the wine-room and opened several bottles. - -It was midnight before they parted, and then Redmond slunk away. - -He had broken the ice. - -“To-morrow,” said he, “I will go a little further, and before the -week’s out I’ll have my clutches on this man for Carter. He doesn’t -suspect, and I’ve completely hoodwinked him.” - -Jack went back to his little den, but did not lock the door. - -Ten minutes later he heard footsteps on the stair, and, thinking that -Carter was coming back, he watched the door with some curiosity. - -When the door opened he got pale, for instead of the detective another -man stood before him. - -“Spy and informer, your time has come!” cried this person, who seemed -as wiry as a tiger as he crossed the room. - -Jack Redmond started from his chair, but a revolver was thrust into his -face, and he fell back. - -“Silence! Not a word! That was a cool game you played to-night,” -continued the other. - -“What game?” stammered the crook. - -“You know, and it’s going to cost you your treacherous life.” - -“No.” - -“Yes, I say--your life!” - -Jack looked into the muzzle of the weapon and wondered if he could -cross the space between them and seize the man before he could press -the trigger. - -“You told a plausible tale, and he believed you. You passed yourself -off as Belmont, who lies in fifty fathoms of water, and he took it all -for gospel. You’ve got to die.” - -The crook said nothing. - -“Sit down,” commanded the stranger. - -Involuntarily Jack sat down and awaited the fellow’s next movement. - -“What have you to say before you die? Any word to send to any person?” - -“You don’t mean to take my life?” - -“I do. It isn’t worth the snuffing of a candle just now. All the money -in the world could not save you.” - -Suddenly Jack was pounced upon by the human wolf and crushed deeper -into the chair. - -A pair of demon hands seemed to meet behind his windpipe, and he tried, -but vainly, to rise. - -His eyes bulged from his head, his tongue protruded and he emitted a -groan. - -Three minutes later the demon arose and looked down at the dark face in -the chair. - -Then he went through the crook’s pockets and found nothing of value -even to him. - -Behind Jack was a wall tolerably white, and the murderer went toward -it. He took a pencil from his pocket and wrote in scrawling characters -across the surface a few words that seemed to please him. - -“That’s it. He’ll see it,” he hissed. “And he’ll know that it is a -death trail if he persists.” - -In another moment the little den was tenanted by no one but the silent -man in the chair. - -The gas burned over his head, sicklylike and blue, and the room seemed -filled with a noxious odor. - -It burned on till the first streaks of morning revealed the city, and -pedestrians reappeared on the sidewalks. - -No one came. - -Several hours passed and the streets swarmed again with their eager -thousands. - -Then the door was opened and Carter came in. - -He stood stock-still at sight of the dead man--his spy--in the chair, -and then he happened to glance at the wall. - -In another second he was there, and his bulging eyes had read: - -“The spy first, the master next! There is no escape for him!” - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -THE KNOCK-OUT DROPS. - - -The man of many trails read the inscription on the wall more than once -before he turned away. - -It meant him. - -There was not the least doubt of this, and for some time the detective -stood rooted to the spot, as it were, and looked at what appeared to be -a record of doom. - -At last he went over to the dead man in the chair, and, lifting the -body, he knew what had terminated Jack Redmond’s career. - -The hands of some fiend had strangled him, and Nick seemed to inspect -the marks on the throat for the time that had elapsed since the tragedy. - -Slowly and with deliberation the detective quitted the scene of crime -and went down the steps. - -At the bottom he nearly ran against a woman with a black shawl pulled -over her head in such a manner as to conceal her features. She tried to -escape the detective, but the detective’s hand shot out and drew her -toward him. - -With the other hand he removed the shawl and looked into a wan face -seamed with want and dissipation. - -“You know Jack?” he said. - -“Heavens! Jack! Yes.” - -“Will you go up and see him?” - -She fell back, but the hand stayed her. - -“He did it, then?” she cried. - -“You saw some one, then?” - -“Yes; but for Heaven’s sake don’t mix me up in anything like murder.” - -Carter watched the nervous twitching of the woman’s lips and waited for -her to calm herself. - -“When was he here?” he asked. - -“Last night.” - -“What was he like?” - -“He was rather tall, and had a step as stealthy as a tiger’s.” - -“You saw him come?” - -“Yes.” - -“And go?” - -“I did.” - -“How long was the man upstairs?” - -“Not over twenty minutes.” - -“Did you suspect a crime?” - -“I did; but I hadn’t the nerve to go up after he went away. I only -guessed his mission.” - -Nick at last released the creature, who had in the meantime called -herself Gutter Nan for identification, and went away. - -“It’s the second crime,” was all the remark he made to himself. - -The detective sent word to police headquarters, and as the crime, like -the murder of Mother Flintstone, came too late for the morning papers, -the afternoon journals got it. - -No one knew among the reporters that Jack Redmond had been Carter’s spy. - -None was told who was meant by “the master” in the sentence on the -wall; they only guessed at that, and some queer guesses they made, too. - -Carter found Margie Marne that same day, and the girl’s first question -was about his trail. - -“I’ve got a strange letter here,” said the girl, handing the detective -a note she had just received. - -The detective drew it from the envelope and read as follows: - - “MISS MARNE: If you want to hear of something to your advantage - please come to the Trocadero to-day at two and enter the first stall - on the right. Come alone, for this is business of importance, and - greatly concerns you. - - “BUSINESS.” - -After reading the message the detective looked up and found the eyes of -the girl riveted upon his face. - -“Well?” he asked. - -“Shall I go?” - -“Yes.” - -“I’ll do anything you tell me to,” was the reply, and a faint smile -flitted across the girl’s face. - -“Have you fears, Margie?” - -“Yes. I fear all the time ever since the death of Mother Flintstone.” - -“Who, think you, is ‘Business’?” - -“An enemy.” - -“Then, why go to the Trocadero?” - -“Because you say so.” - -Carter promised the girl that he would not be far off at the hour -mentioned in the letter, and Margie agreed to be on hand. He did not -see fit to tell her about Jack Redmond’s death, as it might unnerve -her, and, bidding her good-by, he left the house. - -It was near two that afternoon when a man, who would not have been -taken for Nick, entered the Trocadero on the Bowery, and seating -himself at a table called for a drink. - -The place was not very well filled at the time, and while he sipped his -wine the detective looked around the place. - -Presently he saw a man enter and go straight to the stall designated by -the letter to Margie, and the door was closed behind him. - -Now Carter began to wait for the girl, and ten minutes later she came -in. - -Glancing up and down the place as if looking for him Carter saw her -enter the same stall and heard a slight ejaculation when she found it -occupied. - -Just then the detective moved his seat to a table nearer the stall and -indulged again. - -After drinking a third glass a strange feeling of drowsiness seemed to -take possession of him, and he tried to shake it off. - -In vain, however, did he battle against the feeling, it only grew -stronger, till at last he became aware that he was sinking into -unconsciousness. - -His last recollection was of trying to rise and then sinking down upon -the chair, while everything became black about him. - -When the detective came to, a singular feeling racked his head and he -felt dizzy. - -With some effort he managed to stagger to his feet and then he went to -the suspected stall. - -The door now stood slightly ajar, and he pushed it open, but the place -was empty. - -Where was Margie, and what had taken place in that secluded spot where -perhaps more than one crime had been committed? - -After looking at the table and taking in the whole stall the detective -shut the door and started toward the walk. - -He knew the fame of the Trocadero. - -More than once a trail had led him across its precincts, and on several -occasions he had picked up important clews under its roof. - -But now he himself was the victim of trickery, the dupe of crime, for -he doubted not that the drinks had been drugged by some infamous hand -and for a purpose. - -Behind the bar stood the man who had carried the drinks to him, a -little man with one of the worst faces, and the detective thought he -looked at him with wonderment as if surprised that he--Carter--had -escaped death. - -Fixing his eyes upon this man he leaned over the bar and said: - -“What became of the girl?” - -The little wretch only grinned and turned away to wait on a new -customer. - -But he was not to get rid of the champion detective so easily, for the -hand of Carter darted over the counter and fastened on him like the -talons of a vulture. - -In Nick’s grip the man was a babe, and as the hand seemed to sink to -his bones he emitted a whimper that sounded like a whine and looked -blankly into the detective’s face. - -“I--I never saw the girl,” he cried. - -“No lies, sir. I want the truth. Who told you to drug me?” - -“No one. I--I drug nobody. I’m honest.” - -“So is Satan,” hissed the detective, and just then the little wretch -appealed to the owner of the establishment for protection. - -“No interference, Number Six,” said the detective, with a look at the -broad-shouldered owner of the Trocadero, and the man thus designated -winced. - -“Tell the gentleman the truth, Caddy,” he said to the little man; but -that person was still stubborn. - -“Caddy” hoped to be released without being forced to tell the truth, -but the detective had no idea of doing this. - -He actually pulled Caddy over the counter, to the amusement of the few -people in the place at the time, and, putting his ear close to the -barkeeper’s, he said: - -“The truth or Sing Sing. Take your choice!” - -This seemed to have a wonderful effect at once. - -The detective escorted Caddy down the sawdusted aisle and pushed him -into the first stall. - -“Where did they go?” he asked. - -Caddy was very meek now, and his voice trembled as he spoke. - -“They went out the back entrance,” he said. - -“Both of them?” - -“Yes.” - -“How was the girl?” - -“I don’t know.” - -“Did she seem to go willingly with the man?” - -“I don’t think she did.” - -“Was there a cab in the alley out there?” - -“Yes.” - -For a moment Carter looked daggers at the little scoundrel, his -indignation fast rising, but he kept his temper as he said: - -“You were that man’s agent. You fixed my drinks at his suggestion or -command.” - -“He paid me for it.” - -“But how did he designate me?” - -“He told me to fix the gentleman at a certain table--that’s all I know.” - -“Look here! You’ve played a cool hand for a great villain, and if -anything happens to the girl I’ll hold you, in part, responsible. Who -was the man?” - -“I don’t know.” - -“You do know,” cried Carter, and again his hand fell upon Caddy’s -shoulder. “You didn’t do all this for a total stranger. They don’t do -such things in the Trocadero. You know that man! Now who was he?” - -The little man could not avoid the sharp eyes of the best detective in -New York, and he felt the hand on his shoulder grow more viselike as -the question was put. - -“Tell me. That or Sing Sing!” said Carter. - -“He’s a rich bloke’s son,” answered Caddy. - -“That’s not enough. Who is he? You know!” - -“They call him Claude Lamont.” - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -AN INCORRUPTIBLE DETECTIVE. - - -“Ha, ha,” laughed Nick to himself. “So Mr. Lamont is playing a nice -little hand. We’ll see about it,” and then he turned his attention -again to the man he had in tow. - -“He told you to dose me, did he?” - -Caddy nodded. - -“Did he say why?” - -“No.” - -“But he was anxious to have me drugged?” - -“He seemed so.” - -“Now, don’t you know where he took the girl?” - -The little barkeeper of the Trocadero shook his head in a solemn -manner, and Carter felt that he was in earnest. - -“He hasn’t been back since?” he asked. - -“No.” - -The detective went to the back entrance of the place and saw where a -cab had stood. - -Beyond doubt this was the vehicle in which Margie Marne had disappeared -with Claude Lamont, and after looking the ground over without finding -an additional clew, Carter went back. - -It might be hard to track the cab, as there were hundreds in the city, -and under the influence of Claude’s money the drivers would not like to -betray a good customer. - -The detective put this and that together, and in a short time he might -have been seen on the front steps of the Lamont mansion. - -It was his first visit to the place, and he did not disguise himself in -the least. - -It was not a very fashionable hour for a call, but his ring caused the -door to open and he was ushered in by a wondering maid. - -“Is Mr. Lamont in?” asked the detective. - -“Yes, sir, but he is indisposed.” - -Sick or well, the detective had come to see the millionaire, and he was -not to be cheated out of his game. - -Handing the servant his card he waited in the hall, and presently she -came back asking him to step into the library. - -This the detective did, and in a few moments he stood face to face with -Lamont. - -He had seen the nabob on several occasions, but he seemed to have -greatly aged in a short time and his face looked haggard and pale. - -Lamont looked up at his visitor and tried to place him, but failed. - -“I don’t know you,” said he, glancing down at the detective’s card, -which he held in his hand. - -Carter, who had taken a chair opposite the man, said in his peculiar -tones: - -“I am a detective. I have come here on a matter of business which may -concern you.” - -“I am at a loss to know how.” - -“In the first place, sir, are we alone?” - -“Entirely so.” - -The detective, in spite of this assurance, lowered his voice. - -“Whatever became of your sister, Mr. Lamont?” - -There was a quick start, and the face of the millionaire got white. - -“I never had a sister,” said he, with an effort. - -“Make sure of that. Whatever became of her, I ask?” - -Lamont looked around the room like a wild beast seeking a loophole of -escape, but seeing none he came back to the detective. - -“Pardon me for trying to deceive you,” said he. “That is the black spot -on our family history. I had a sister once. But she is dead now.” - -“Her name was----” - -“Hester.” - -“And you say she is dead?” - -“She is.” - -“When did her death take place?” - -“Some twenty years ago.” - -A faint smile came to the detective’s face, and for half a second he -looked searchingly into Lamont’s. - -“Why try to deceive me?” he said. “You know that this sister died -within the last few days.” - -“What’s that?” and the millionaire almost started from his chair, while -his hands clutched the sides of it like a madman. - -“She died by violence,” coolly continued the detective. “She was -murdered--not for her money, for she hadn’t much. But she was killed -all the same.” - -“I can’t believe that,” cried Lamont. - -“Nevertheless it is true. Mother Flintstone was your sister, Mr. -Lamont.” - -“That old hag? Impossible!” - -“It is the truth, and, what is more, you knew it.” - -“It is false!” - -“Shall I prove it?” asked the detective, not in the least abating his -coolness. “Shall I prove beyond cavil to you that Mother Flintstone was -your sister?” - -“Who are you, man or devil?” exclaimed the money king. “And what can -buy your silence?” - -“I have told you who I am, and nothing on earth can buy my silence.” - -“You don’t want to disgrace my family?” - -“I am serving justice just now, no matter who is disgraced.” - -“It will kill my wife and daughter.” - -“Even that event will not take me from my trail.” - -“You have no heart.” - -“Neither had the man who killed that old woman.” - -“Who did it? Tell me that!” - -“I am not quite prepared to answer, but in time I will be. I am here to -tell you that the death of your ostracized sister shall be avenged, no -matter whose neck the rope stretches, figuratively speaking.” - -“You don’t mean to insinuate that I had a hand in the crime?” - -“I make no charges. I merely called to ask if she was not your sister?” - -“I’ve answered that question.” - -“And you let her go to the potter’s field?” - -“I did, and I would do it again under the circumstances.” - -“Don’t talk to me about my having no heart, Mr. Lamont.” - -“I couldn’t think of acknowledging her and having the body in my house.” - -“That’s all.” - -Nick arose and was watched by the man with a look like that of a tiger. - -Perry Lamont seemed to bite his lips through and his eyes emitted -sparks of rage. - -As the detective stepped toward the door it opened and a tall and -distinguished-looking young lady entered the room. - -“My daughter,” said the millionaire, with a wave of his hand toward the -young lady, but she did not seem to hear the words. - -Already she had turned upon Carter and her hands were clenched till the -nails seemed to cut the fair flesh to the palms. - -“You want to disgrace us all!” she cried, as she appeared to increase -an inch in stature. “You are one of those blackmailers with whom honest -and wealthy people must be bothered. You want to make us trouble. But -you shall not! Father shall not pay you one dollar to keep the false -secret you think you have discovered. Attempt to carry out your plans -and your life will not be worth the snuffing of a candle.” - -Carter was astounded at these words, and he could not take his eyes -from the flushed face of the girl who was really beautiful and vixenish. - -“Be calm, miss,” said he. “I don’t intend to disgrace your family name. -The truth never hurt anybody. I am a detective on the trail, and if -that trail leads to your house, why, you should not find fault, for the -dogs of justice seldom miss the scent.” - -“But you just said the old creature murdered in her hovel a few nights -ago was my father’s sister.” - -“Ask him.” - -Carter waved his hand toward the motionless man in the chair. - -“Father has not been himself for some time, and to-night is not -accountable for the admissions he may have made.” - -Carter looked again at Perry Lamont, whose gaze had wandered to his -daughter, and his hands, clasped before, had fallen apart. - -At that moment he did look like a man half demented, but the detective -soon returned to the tall girl. - -“You shan’t ruin us,” she cried. “You shall not unite our name with -that of Mother Flintstone, whose life, I am told, was anything but -honest. It will be worth your life to do this.” - -The look which accompanied these words told him that they were meant -for a terrible threat, and the tightly shut hands of the speaker were -proof that she was a fitting sister for Claude Lamont. - -“We will meet again, perhaps,” said the detective. “I am going to run -the guilty down. That is my present mission.” - -At this moment Perry Lamont raised his head and looked at the detective. - -“I’m not to be trifled with,” said he. “I can make it hot for the man -who brings us down to Mother Flintstone’s level.” - -“Well, you may proceed to do your worst,” was the cool answer. “You may -be ‘disgraced,’ as you say, by the relationship, but this affair must -not stop there.” - -With this parting shot the detective put out his hand to open the door, -but the white fingers of the daughter closed about his wrist. - -“Beware,” she almost hissed. “I don’t know who took the old hag’s life, -but you must not connect her with our family.” - -The detective shook the grip off and looked again at Perry Lamont. - -His head had dropped upon his breast, and his face was deathly white. - -“He’s gone into one of his strange spells,” said the girl. “You see -that he is almost an imbecile. At times he seems his old self, but in -reality he is but a human wreck. I’ll give you ten thousand dollars to -quit this ‘trail,’ as you call it.” - -Ten thousand dollars! - -Nick was silent and the girl took it as a sign of hesitation. - -“I’ll write out the check now,” she went on. “It shall be paid any way -you want it.” - -The detective shook his head. - -“You won’t, eh?” cried Miss Lamont. - -“I’m simply Nick Carter, and he has never been in the market, miss,” -was the response. - -In an instant the girl’s countenance changed again from expectancy to -wrath. - -She opened the door and pointed into the hall. - -“Take what comes!” she hissed, and with this Carter walked out. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -THE CARD CLEW. - - -Jack Redmond’s death promised to give the police of New York another -job, but no one suspected that he was Carter’s spy. - -The woman who had seen the strange man go up to Redmond’s room had -given her information to the detective alone, and Nick kept it to -himself. - -He did not doubt that the crook had been put out of the way because he -was on the right trail in the matter of spying, and as he--Carter--had -set Jack to keep track of Claude Lamont, he resolved to turn his own -attention to that young man. - -Then, the disappearance of Margie from the Trocadero, whither she had -gone to meet a person discovered to be the millionaire’s son, was an -additional incentive for the detective, and he went from Lamont’s -mansion to a certain part of the city where he expected to find the -heir. - -Through it all he did not lose sight of the fact that he was Mother -Flintstone’s avenger. - -That he kept in mind all the time, and with all his foresight he went -back to the original trail. - -It was some time after the exciting interview we have just recorded as -taking place in the palatial home of the retired money king that the -figure of Carter might have been seen to enter one of the fashionable -clubrooms of the city. - -No one would have known him without an introduction, and no one did. - -Attired like a person well-to-do, with sleek garments and a glossy -beard over his smooth face, the detective sat down in the smoking room. - -The room was most brilliantly lit up and expensively furnished, but the -detective who had trailed men in every walk of life was not astonished. - -He drew a cigar from his pocket and puffed leisurely away, all the time -taking a good survey of the place. - -A number of rich young men lounged about the room, filling the plush -chairs, while on the floor above could be heard the noise of the -billiard balls. - -Presently a young man entered the smoking room and took a seat nearly -opposite the detective. - -It was Claude Lamont. - -Perry Lamont’s son showed signs of high living, for his face was florid -and his nerves a little unstrung. He was faultlessly attired, for he -had the best tailor money could procure, and the detective watched him -furtively while he appeared to enjoy his Havana. - -Claude Lamont seemed to have a good deal of time on his hands, and so -did Carter. - -All at once a messenger boy entered the smoking room and looked around. - -Spying Claude, he hastened to him and handed him a letter. - -“Ha!” thought the watchful detective. “He is not forgotten to-night, -and now we’ll see if it is an important message.” - -Claude tipped the boy and opened the letter. He started a little as his -eye fell upon the page and quickly glanced up as if to see if he were -watched. - -Then he settled down to a quiet perusal of the message, during which -time Carter got a good look at the workings of his countenance. - -“Hang it all. It comes just when I don’t want to be bothered with the -matter,” growled Claude, as he rammed the message hurriedly into his -pocket and then went toward the cloakroom. - -Carter watched him through the open door and saw the letter drop from -his pocket as he put on his overcoat. - -Lamont walked out without noticing his loss, and the moment he -vanished, the letter was in the detective’s hands. - -In another second Nick vanished, too, and as he came out upon the steps -in front of the club he spied Lamont flitting around the nearest corner. - -“Let him go. The quarry will not be missed just yet,” smiled the -detective, and then he went into a near café and in one of the private -stalls opened the letter. - -“Didn’t want this matter to come up just now,” he laughed, as he -glanced down the page. “Well, I should think not.” - -It did not take the man of many trails long to master the lost missive, -and when he finished he read what follows: - - “MR. CLAUDE LAMONT: I send you this for the last time. I will not - be put off another day, and you must take the consequences, if you - have the hardihood to do it. You know what I know, and if you do - not come down I will unseal my lips. You fly high, like a bird with - golden plumage, but I’ll clip your feathers and bring you to prison - if you don’t pay attention to this letter. When my lips are unsealed - there’ll be the biggest sensation New York has ever had, and you - know it. Don’t put me off another day. You know what this means. I’m - master of the field, and I can wreck your every hope and blight your - fashionable life. - - “IMOGENE.” - -Twice did the detective read this over, and every word seemed to -engrave itself upon his mind. - -Quietly he folded the letter and smiled. - -Who was “Imogene”? - -Looking for her would be like hunting for a needle in the gutters of -Gotham. - -That she was a desperate woman the letter told him, and he did not -wonder that it paled Claude Lamont’s cheeks. - -Perhaps if he had followed the young man he might have been guided by -him to Imogene’s home, but he had to be content for the present with -the letter. - -Nick, with the letter reposing in an inner pocket, came out of the café -and for a moment stood under the lights that revealed the sidewalk. - -“I’ll find the boy now,” he said. “Billy may have discovered something -since I last saw him.” - -Ten minutes later he entered a little room on Mulberry Street and -aroused a boy who was sleeping on a rude couch. - -It was not far from Mother Flintstone’s late hovel, and Billy looked -astonished to see the detective in the den. - -“Been dreamin’ erbout you, Mr. Carter,” cried the boy, as he rubbed his -eyes. - -“Well, I’ll listen to the dream, Billy.” - -“No, it wasn’t any good, but all the time I saw your face in it. You -know the man who dragged me from Mother Flintstone’s?” - -“Yes.” - -“I ran afoul of him to-night.” - -“Where, Billy?” - -“Back in the old place, but this time he didn’t get to handle me.” - -“No?” - -“See here. He lost this in the house. It fell from his pocket when he -pulled his handkerchief out,” and Billy handed the detective a card. - -“Did you follow him after he left the old house?” he asked the boy. - -“No. I just let him go, for I wanted to see what was on this card, for -you, Mr. Carter.” - -“Thanks, Billy.” - -The name on the card stood out in bold relief to Nick’s gaze, and he -saw there one he might have seen before. - -“You don’t know this George Richmond, do you, Billy?” he asked, looking -down at the boy on the edge of the bed. - -“I don’t.” - -“George Richmond is a well-known man in certain quarters, but of late -he hasn’t shown up often.” - -“Is he crooked, Mr. Carter?” - -“Yes, in a manner. How did he look to-night, Billy?” - -“He wore a brown beard and was well dressed.” - -“Did he limp a little?” - -“Bless me if he didn’t, but I wouldn’t have thought of that if you -hadn’t mentioned it.” - -The detective seemed satisfied. - -“What did he seem to want in Mother Flintstone’s old quarters?” - -“I hardly know. He sounded several of the walls, as if looking for a -secret door, but he didn’t appear to find one.” - -“Anything else?” - -“He went over the floor like a fox, with his nose close to the boards.” - -“Was that all?” - -“No, he even sounded the ceiling.” - -“Quite particular,” smiled the detective. - -“Wasn’t he, though? I never saw anything just like that. He didn’t let -an inch of space escape him.” - -“Did he seem excited?” - -“Not a bit of it. He was as cool as a cucumber, and not for a minute -did he get off his base. He seemed disappointed, though, that’s all--as -if he expected to find some hidden wealth and didn’t, you see.” - -“Maybe he overlooked it, Billy.” - -“I don’t think there was any to overlook,” said the boy. “But, really, -there’s no telling what that man was huntin’, but he wasn’t thar for -any good you can bet your neck, Mr. Carter.” - -“I’ll agree with you on that score, boy,” and the detective put the -card in his pocket. “George Richmond never goes out after small game. -That’s his record.” - -“Do you think he had anything to do with the murder of Mother -Flintstone?” eagerly questioned the boy. - -“Time will tell,” was the detective’s reply. “Do you think he had, -Billy?” - -“I do, I do,” cried the boy. “Bless me if I kin get the idea out o’ my -head. That man either killed Mother Flintstone or he knows who did.” - -To this the detective made no reply, and he told the boy to go back to -bed. - -“Have you struck any clew yet, Mr. Carter?” asked Billy. - -“A little one. There, go to bed and let me go to work again.” - -“I will, but keep an eye on the man I saw to-night in Mother -Flintstone’s house. He needs watchin’ day and night. Good night, Mr. -Carter.” - -Five minutes later the famous detective was far from Billy’s uncouth -abode, and in an entirely different part of the city. - -He stopped at last, and looked up at a tall building that seemed to -cleave the darkened sky far overhead. - -The brief inspection seemed to satisfy him, for he entered the main -hallway and began to climb the uncarpeted stair. - -He reached the third floor before he encountered any one, and there he -was suddenly brought to a halt by a voice that rang down the ghostly -corridor. - -“Another step on your life! I have you at my mercy and I never fail to -bring down my man. Stand where you are, for another step means a bullet -in your brain!” - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -THE BIRD IN THE DEATH TRAP. - - -Leaving Carter, the shadow, in the net of doom, let us go back a little -in our story of crime and see how fared one of our other characters. - -You will recollect Margie Marne’s visit to the Trocadero in answer -to the mysterious note which had reached her, and how the detective -discovered that the person whom she encountered vanished with her into -the alley back of the café while the detective himself was coolly and -cleverly drugged by Caddy. - -If the detective could have tracked the cab he would have seen it stop -in front of a frame building not far from the East River. - -He would have seen the door open and a man step out. - -This person looked cautiously around, as if he feared he had been -followed, but seeing that no one was on his track, he reached into the -dark depths of the vehicle and brought out a limp form. - -It was the form of the young girl, and he hastily carried her into the -house. - -Margie looked unconscious, as, indeed, she was, for she made no move of -any kind, and once in the old house the man laid his burden on a sofa. - -Then he went outside and spoke to the man on the box of the cab and the -vehicle rattled away. - -All this did not occupy much time, and had been accomplished as neatly -as ever a dastardly job was. - -Soon afterward there was a slight movement on the part of the girl on -the sofa, and Margie looked up. - -She seemed to have an indistinct recollection of what had taken -place, for she arose with difficulty and tottered across the darkened -apartment. - -“This is not home,” she exclaimed. “Neither is it the café where I met -the stranger. What has happened and how came I to this house? I will -not remain here. I must get out of this trap, for trap it must surely -be.” - -She found the door, but could not open it, and then, as a full sense of -the horror overtook her, she fell to the floor. - -The next second the door opened softly, and a man looked into the room. - -His face, which was rather handsome, was full of devilish triumph, and -for half a second he gloated over the body on the carpet. - -“Caught,” he said. “Caught like a fly in the spider’s web! You didn’t -give us much trouble, girl. We expected a little more than we met. But -it’s all right. Now the coast will soon be clear. I’ll just turn you -over to Nora.” - -He went away with the last word on his lips, and five minutes later a -woman entered the room. She looked like a typical jaileress, for she -was tall, lean, rawboned and dark-faced. - -She smiled when she saw Margie. - -“Another one!” she grinned. “This one won’t give me much trouble. Why, -she’s but a girl. And such hands, too! I wonder where he netted her?” - -She went to work restoring Margie to consciousness, and in a short time -succeeded. - -At sight of her the young girl put forth her hands in pleading -gesture, but when the light fell upon the woman’s face she shuddered -and turned away. - -“That’s right. I’m no beauty,” said the woman. “I’m no princess like -the one in the fairy tale. They call me Nora, if you want to get -acquainted with me. Call me Nora, nothing more.” - -“But you’ve got another name?” - -“Guess not! Nora’s good enough for me.” - -“Then Nora, where am I?” - -“In my house.” - -“Who brought me here?” - -“There, don’t ask too many questions,” smiled the dark jaileress. “You -are liable to get some lies if you do.” - -“What, are you in the plot, too?” - -“I know my business,” evasively answered the woman. “You don’t think I -live here for nothing, little one?” - -Margie felt hope almost desert her soul. - -“But you don’t intend to keep me here,” she cried. “You have no right -to do that.” - -“I obey orders, never asking any questions.” - -“Then it is a plot against me. I remember the visit to the café. It was -a decoy letter, after all. I went; I fell into the snare and here I -am--lost!” - -“Don’t take such a black view of matters and things,” was the reply. -“Mebbe they aren’t quite as dark as you paint them.” - -“They are dark enough,” said the despairing girl. “You shall not keep -me here.” - -“Very well. Then go.” - -Margie bounded across the room and caught the doorknob wildly. - -“Why don’t you open the door?” coolly asked Nora. - -“Heavens, I cannot!” - -“That’s the easiest way to find out. No, you can’t get out till I say -so.” - -Margie looked at the woman and then once more at the window between her -and the street. - -“I’ll call for help,” she exclaimed. - -“All right, miss.” - -In a moment the poor girl was at the window, but when she drew back the -curtain she saw inner shutters of iron. - -Truly she was in durance. - -“Why am I here? Surely you will tell me that? What have I done to -deserve this fate?” - -“Wait and see. You want some sleep, don’t you?” - -“In this terrible house? No!” - -“But you must take a little rest. Come.” - -Nora gripped Margie’s wrist and led her from the room. She escorted her -upstairs and into a smaller apartment on the floor, where she pointed -toward a bed. - -“Not a particle of sleep till you tell me why I am treated thus,” cried -the distracted girl. - -“Then you’ll remain a long while awake,” was the quick answer. “I’ll -tell you nothing.” - -Margie grew desperate. She darted forward and clutched the woman’s -sleeve and looking into her face saw it grow white. - -“Tell me!” cried Margie. “I am the victim of some awful plot. Is it -because I am the detective’s friend?” - -“The detective?” echoed Nora. “What detective?” - -“Nicholas Carter.” - -The name had a magical effect on the woman, for she shrank as far away -as Margie’s hand would let her, and for half a minute gazed into the -girl’s face. - -“Where is he?” she cried. - -“On the trail.” - -“On what trail?” - -“On the trail of the hand that stilled Mother Flintstone’s life.” - -“My God! Can this be true, girl?” - -“It is true, and because I am Nick’s friend I am here. You know him.” - -Nora did not speak, but her lips parted in a gasp and she looked away. - -“You don’t want that man to implicate you in the plot, do you?” asked -Margie. - -No answer. - -“You don’t want to hang with the balance?” - -“I won’t; the rope that hangs me isn’t made. The hemp has never grown -for that purpose.” - -“Then let me out of here.” - -“To tell on me--to go to Carter with the story of where you’ve been?” - -“I’ll shield you, Nora.” - -Margie thought she was making headway with her jaileress, but the next -moment dispelled her hopes. - -“Not for the world, girl,” said Nora. “I can’t afford to do that. It -would doom me.” - -“But this man will find out. He intends to discover the hand that took -the old woman’s life. The murderer never escapes Nick Carter. He is -doomed from the moment the trail is found.” - -“I know him.” - -“Then you don’t want to be dragged into his net. I am more than Margie -Marne. I have another name, as I verily believe, and the man who -brought me here knows that.” - -“I cannot say.” - -“It is the foulest plot ever hatched in this or any other city. Look -here: Mother Flintstone lived alone in squalor and apparent poverty. -One night she is killed--stabbed in the neck. Why was the life of the -old woman taken? Who was the man who came back to the window, back to -the scene of his crime to be discovered by little Billy, the street -rat? What was Mother Flintstone to that man?” - -“Was he the murderer?” asked Nora. - -“If not, why did he come there? As I live, I believe that man has -Mother Flintstone’s blood on his hands.” - -“I don’t know,” she said, dropping her voice almost to a whisper. “But -go to sleep, girl. I can’t let you out.” - -In another moment Margie was alone, for the woman had broken from her -grasp, and the girl heard her footsteps on the stairs beyond the room. - -“I see. This woman is merely the tool of the plotters,” thought the -detective’s fair friend. “She serves them, while she fears Mr. Carter. -Nora knows the detective, but she stands by the man who brought me to -this place.” - -The girl did not dream of going to bed. - -She went to the window, and found it shuttered like the one in the -lower room. - -The old house was a prison, which seemed as solid as the Bastille, and -at last Margie came away from the window. - -An hour passed. - -She heard footsteps come up the stairs and stop at the door. - -It was Nora coming back to see if she was asleep, and in a few seconds -the steps receded. - -At last she threw herself upon the bed, and, wearied out, fell into a -dreamless slumber. - -Suddenly, however, she opened her eyes, and then bounded from the couch. - -Smoke which seemed to pour into the room over the door almost -suffocated her. - -She shrieked for help, she beat the door with her hands, she was here, -there, everywhere. - -But no help came, and as the walls of the little room grew hot Margie -Marne fell senseless and hopeless to the floor. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -CARTER AND HIS QUARRY. - - -It looked like a diabolical plot to make way with the girl who had -interested herself in the death of Mother Flintstone. - -Margie cried again for help, but none seemed to come. - -She heard the roar of flames just beyond the door, and knew that it was -locked. - -Seconds seemed hours to the doomed maiden, and she felt her strength -leave her. - -Suddenly there was a crash, and some one broke into the room. - -Margie tried to rise, but her powers could not stand the strain, and -she fell back once more. - -She felt some one lift her from the bed and carry her from the room. -She heard voices as in a dream, she felt smoke and flame in her face, -and then a rush of cold air. - -Was she saved? - -Had she been carried from the jaws of death and would she be able to -tell the story of her escape? - -She did not know. - -When she came to again she saw a woman standing over her, and a gentle -hand was laid upon her brow. - -“It was a narrow escape, child,” said the nurse, and Margie looked up -with a query in her eyes. - -“Tell me,” said the girl. - -“All I know is that a fireman saved you in the nick of time. He carried -you from the house, which was entirely consumed. It was a brave act, -and will get him a medal.” - -“But the woman?” - -“They saw no one but you in the house. Was there another?” - -“Yes; Nora.” - -The nurse shook her head. - -“The other one may have left the house in time,” she remarked. - -“She was my jaileress.” - -“You don’t mean to tell me that you were in that house against your -will?” - -“That’s it exactly.” - -“And you don’t know who Nora is?” - -“I do not.” - -Later in the day Margie, now fully recovered from the shock, was able -to sit up, and an officer came to see her. - -“The man I want to see is Mr. Carter, the detective. I will talk to -him,” said the girl, and they telephoned for the detective. - -In a short time the answer came back that the detective could not be -found, and Margie adhered to her declaration that she would talk to no -one but him. - -Meantime Carter, whom we left in the corridor of the tall building with -a revolver at his head, had had an adventure of his own. - -Eager to discover something about the man who had lost a card in Mother -Flintstone’s den, he had made his way to the building, only to reach -the third floor, where he was met by a man who covered him and told him -that another step would seal his doom. - -The detective had not bargained for an adventure of this kind, and the -threat took him unawares. He could see the well-built figure of the -speaker, though it was not too well revealed, but the man’s face seemed -to be half concealed by a mask. - -He stood but a few feet from the detective, and Nick noticed that the -hand which held the weapon did not quiver. - -There was a desperate man behind the six-shooter. - -“What do you want?” suddenly demanded the stranger. - -“I want to see you.” - -“Well, I’m here.” - -“George Richmond, we have not met for some time.” - -The stranger laughed. - -“George Richmond, eh? You don’t take me for that worthy, do you?” - -“You are that man and no one else,” was the reply. “I am here to tell -you this in spite of the menace of the revolver.” - -“Well, what do you want with George Richmond?” - -Nicholas Carter waved his hand toward a door near the man, and -continued: - -“You live in this building. We cannot talk in this hall.” - -“That’s right. Come this way, sir.” - -For the first time the weapon was lowered, and the man called George -Richmond by the detective opened the door. - -His action revealed a room scantily furnished, but Carter stepped -forward. - -The moment he crossed the threshold the door was shut, and the other -turned a key in the lock. - -“Now, sir, what is it?” he demanded. - -The detective turned and looked him in the face. - -“You have been to Hell’s Kitchen,” said the detective, as coolly as if -he addressed a man in the chief’s private room, instead of where he was. - -“That’s news to me,” laughed the listener, as his face seemed to lose -color. “What business would I have in that delectable locality?” - -“Never mind that. You went there.” - -“Who says so?” - -“The person who saw you.” - -“You?” - -“The person who saw you,” repeated the detective, with emphasis, as he -watched the man like a hawk. - -“Well, what of it?” - -“You sounded the walls.” - -“In Hell’s Kitchen?” - -“Yes, in Mother Flintstone’s den.” - -“Why, she’s dead.” - -“That’s true. You went to her house and sounded the walls. You examined -the floor and looked closely at the ceiling.” - -The fellow seemed to grow desperate. - -“What if I did?” he growled. - -“You lost something there.” - -The man started. - -“Don’t you know that a man bent on evil always leaves a clew behind?” - -“That’s an old story, but they don’t always do that. In the first -place, you have nothing to prove that I went to Mother Flintstone’s -den. I defy you.” - -One of Carter’s hands vanished into a pocket, and came out with a small -card between thumb and finger. - -“You left this there,” said he, coolly, displaying the bit of -pasteboard. - -The other fastened his eyes upon the card for a moment, and then glared -at Carter. - -“Supposing all this is true,” he said; “what are you going to make out -of it?” - -“You went there after something the old woman is supposed to have -concealed in the den. That is why you searched the walls, George -Richmond. Did you do it for your friend, or was it all done on your own -hook?” - -“For my friend?” - -“Yes, for the friend you serve--the money king’s heir.” - -At this there was a sudden start, and Richmond looked toward the door. - -“You are taking desperate chances in order to keep up your reputation -as a detective,” he said at last. “I never thought you would resort to -this. I know you. I know that you are Nick Carter, the detective, but -with all your shrewdness you can’t hoodwink me.” - -With this the speaker moved toward the door and laid his hand upon the -knob. - -Before Carter could cross the room he saw the door flung open, and the -man sprang out into the hall. - -The portal was slammed in Carter’s face, and a key turned in the lock. - -All this was the work of a second, and he heard the feet of the other -on the stairs without. - -As for himself, he was a prisoner in the room. - -The gas burning overhead revealed the place to him, and he went back -and stood for a little while at the table. - -He felt that Richmond was already on the street below and out of sight. - -“I must follow that villain,” said Nick, and again he was at the door. - -All his strength could not move the portal, and then he threw himself -against it, but still it would not yield. - -Other doors had fallen before his assaults, but this one seemed built -of adamant, and he drew back out of breath, but by no means discouraged. - -He knew he was in the third story of a building, and that the room -looked out upon a narrow alleyway between two houses. This he could -see from the window, and he saw, too, that he could not reach the fire -escape from where he was without great risk. - -But it was not his intention to remain in the room any longer than he -could help it. - -He raised the sash and measured the distance to the fire escape, upon -which he would be safe. - -The detective studied the situation for a short time, and then -dexterously leaped for the escape. - -His hands caught the irons, and he drew himself upon the platform. - -There he stopped a little while for breath and looked around. - -No one seemed to have witnessed his feat, and he congratulated himself -in silence that so far he had succeeded almost beyond his expectations. - -In another minute he was going down the iron rungs of the ladder with -the escaping villain in his mind. - -By that time George Richmond was far away, but the detective hoped -still to overhaul him. - -He gained the street, none the worse for his startling adventure, but, -of course, the quarry was gone. - -A few yards distant on a corner with the lamplight falling upon his -figure stood a policeman, and Carter went toward him. - -The copper had seen a man pass a short time before, and told Nick so. - -“He went that way a little fast,” said the policeman, pointing down the -street, and as Carter started off a carriage came around the corner. - -The light for a moment fell upon it, and the detective caught sight of -a man’s face at the window. - -He knew it at once--the face of Claude Lamont! - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -STARTLING DEVELOPMENTS. - - -Just what the millionaire’s son was doing in that part of the city at -that hour Carter could not conceive, but that his mission was not of -the most honest kind he did not doubt. - -The carriage was out of sight in a few moments, and the detective was -alone with the patrolman. - -Seeing that it was not worth while trying to find Richmond in that -locality, the detective made his way to his own quarters near Broadway. - -The moment he opened the door he was surprised to see Billy, the street -waif, spring from a couch in one corner of the room and bound toward -him. - -“I’ve got him located now!” cried the boy. - -“You’ve got who located, Billy?” - -“The man who gave me the slip the other night on the street.” - -“Where is he?” - -Billy told the detective that if he would follow him he would show him -the man in question, and Nick obeyed. - -“Look at the gentleman over there at the table in the corner,” said the -boy, when he had taken Carter to a little theater and from a secluded -spot in the gallery pointed to a man at a table on the ground floor. - -“That’s Claude Lamont. This is luck, Billy! When did you see him come -here?” - -“Half an hour ago.” - -“Well, I’ll take care of him now.” - -The detective sat down and watched the man below. - -The place was a free-and-easy, and the resort of a good many shady -people, but on that particular night it did not seem to enjoy its usual -custom. - -The detective could easily believe that Claude Lamont could have been -driven to the free-and-easy after he saw his face in the cab, and now -he intended to keep the young fellow in sight. - -For an hour Carter kept his post, when Claude suddenly arose and looked -at his watch. - -In another moment he spoke to a man near the table and that person -nodded. - -Nick left his seat and kept an eye on the nabob’s son. - -Claude coolly lit a cigar at the counter and moved toward the street. - -On the sidewalk he looked both ways and then started off. - -Carter was at his heels. - -Lamont walked several squares and then turned up the steps of a -well-to-do house. - -The detective drew back. - -Soon after the door had been shut a light appeared in the front window. - -Almost at the same time the door of the adjoining house opened slightly -and a face peeped out. - -“Heavens! Bristol Clara!” cried the detective the moment he spied this -face. “Things are playing into my hands better than I deserve. I wonder -if she will serve me now.” - -The door had barely shut ere Carter was there and his ring caused it to -open again. - -There was a slight cry from the woman in the hall, and the detective -pushed in and faced her. - -“You?” cried the woman, falling back. “You said you would never bother -me again.” - -“That’s true, Clara, but this is for the last time. Who is your -neighbor?” - -“Ha! don’t you know?” - -“If I did I wouldn’t ask you, would I?” - -“Perhaps not. You want to find out something about them?” - -“There are two, eh?” - -“Yes; one just came home.” - -“Which one, woman?” - -“The one with the dust.” - -“The other is the featherless bird, is he?” - -“Yes, but he’s the coolest one, I’m thinking.” - -“You don’t live here for nothing, Clara. This is a sort of double -house.” - -“That’s just what it is.” - -“Then, you know how to see what is going on in the side over there. I -want to see, too.” - -The woman moved across the room and was followed by the detective. - -“What’s the case now? Tell me that first,” said Bristol Clara, stopping -suddenly and turning upon the detective. - -“Murder.” - -The woman started. - -“Is it that bad?” she exclaimed. “Who was the victim--man or woman?” - -“One of your sex.” - -“Old or young?” - -“An old woman--a ‘fence,’ Clara.” - -“Not----” - -Bristol Clara stopped and looked away. - -“I guess you’ve heard about the crime,” said the detective. “I am on -the trail of the murderer of Mother Flintstone.” - -“I thought so. Well, the secret may be in that house beyond this -partition. Those men have talked about that very crime. I’ve heard -them.” - -The woman led the detective upstairs and opened a small door in one of -the walls. - -A dark apartment was disclosed, and she entered, followed by the man at -her heels. - -“We are now in the other house,” said Clara, laying her hand on the -detective’s arm, which she found in the dark. “Here is a stairway which -I accidentally discovered last summer, and which I have used on several -occasions.” - -“It leads down to the room where I saw the light, doesn’t it?” - -“Not exactly. There is a hole in the ceiling. I made it with a knife. -You see, I didn’t know how soon I would be wanting to find out -something about my neighbors, so I haven’t been idle.” - -“You’re worth your weight in gold, Clara.” - -In a little while Carter found himself in another dark place, and Clara -pointed to a ray of light that seemed to come up from some place under -their feet, and the detective drew closer. - -“Put your eye down to it,” said the woman. - -This Nick did, and soon became accustomed to the scene beneath him. - -He was looking into a large and expensively furnished room. - -Pictures in large gilt frames were arranged on the walls, and thick -Brussels carpet covered the floor. - -The chandeliers were of expensive make, and everything betokened great -wealth. - -The room was inhabited at the time by a man who reclined in an armchair -under the main light. - -Carter knew him at once. - -It was Claude Lamont. - -The detective had a good chance to study the young man’s features, and -he could note how eager he seemed to greet some one. He was not kept -long in suspense when the door leading to the main hall opened and some -one entered. - -“George Richmond--my old friend,” smiled Nick, as he watched the other -one. “He gave me the slip in the tall building, and now greets his old -chum, Claude.” - -“You’re a little behind,” said Claude, looking at his friend. “You must -have had an adventure.” - -“That’s just what I’ve had,” laughed the other, taking a cigar from the -open box on the table at Lamont’s elbow. “Say I didn’t play it on the -shrewdest old ferret in the city, will you?” - -“On a detective? What, have you had a bout with one of those people?” - -“Haven’t I? I left him in durance, and it will be some time before he -gets out, I’m thinking.” - -“Come, tell the whole story. I’ve had a little adventure myself,” -exclaimed Lamont. “You don’t mean to say that you’ve had a little -episode with our friend Carter?” - -“With no one else.” - -“Why didn’t you silence him?” - -“I hardly know. But we’ll fix him later on.” - -“Did he know you?” - -“Yes.” - -“What gave you away?” - -“One of my old cards. I lost it in the den.” - -“Oh, you’ve been back there, eh?” - -“Yes. I went back to give the old place another inspection. I sounded -the walls and inspected the floor, but I couldn’t find the papers.” - -“Then they don’t exist.” - -“I’m beginning to think that way myself. But the old hag certainly knew -the truth, and don’t you think she made out just such papers intending -to leave them some day to the girl or to the street rat?” - -“To the girl perhaps, but never to the rat,” said Lamont. “Margie knows -a good deal, and would be a dangerous person for us to fight if she -had the cleverness of some women. But she’s caged for some time, and -Nora will see that she remains silent. But the papers? We must have -something of the kind. If Mother Flintstone did not leave such, we must -make them.” - -“Now, that’s it.” - -“The governor won’t knuckle down till he sees them, and then we’ll get -all we want.” - -For half a second Richmond smoked in silence, and then he threw away -his cigar. - -“We must make the papers!” he cried. “Your father, Perry Lamont, -must give you free use of his purse strings. When I called on him -and threatened to send you to the gallows unless he handed over ten -thousand dollars he laughed in my face, and I came away with no cash at -all. But I picked a check book from the desk, as you know, with one -good check filled out. That’s helped us some.” - -“Yes; but it’s a mere drop in the bucket. The governor must be -confronted with certain papers proving that Mother Flintstone was his -sister and my aunt. That will open the cash box, I guess!” - -And young Lamont laughed. - -“The infernal villains!” ejaculated Carter, as these details of infamy -fell upon his ears; “if that isn’t a gallows pair then I never saw -one in all my life. Claude Lamont can’t get his hands on the Lamont -cash box, and that’s what worries him. One of those men killed Mother -Flintstone; but which one?” - -In another moment Claude and Richmond arose and left the room, and -Bristol Clara said: - -“That ends the exhibition for the present,” and the detective answered -that he was satisfied. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -A TERRIBLE COMPACT. - - -Perry Lamont, the millionaire, stood underneath the brilliant -chandelier in his luxurious library, apparently waiting for some one. -He looked anxiously toward the door, and when it opened his eyes -glittered. - -The person who entered the room was his son. - -For half a second father and son stood face to face, and then the -former waved the other to a chair. - -Claude, looking a little worse for the night out, complied, and waited -for his father to speak. - -“Who is this man Richmond?” asked Lamont, senior. - -The young man started. - -“He is your friend, I believe?” - -“He is, and he is a nice gentleman,” said Claude. - -“I judge so,” and a smile came to the father’s lips. - -“What has happened? You speak sarcastically this morning.” - -“Do I? Well, I want you to give up this ‘nice gentleman.’” - -Claude looked away, but in a moment his gaze came back to his father’s -face. - -“This man is a rascal,” spoke up the millionaire. - -“That’s a pretty bold charge against a friend of mine.” - -“Bold or not, it’s true.” - -“Who is the accuser?” - -“Never mind that.” - -“I demand to know. Mr. Richmond has a right to face his accuser, and he -will do so.” - -“But you haven’t denied the charge of your friend.” - -“I do it now.” - -“Then he is a nice gentleman still, is he?” - -“He is, sir.” - -Claude flushed. - -“I am the accuser,” and the face of the millionaire grew white. “I call -him a rascal.” - -“Upon what grounds?” - -“He tried to blackmail me.” - -“Mr. Richmond?” - -“Yes, sir. That man came here but a few days ago and wanted to rob me -of ten thousand dollars.” - -“Impossible!” cried Claude, feigning astonishment. - -“It is true, and what is more, he hinted that you had committed a great -crime.” - -“Come, come; you must have been dreaming.” - -“I was as wide awake then as I am now.” - -Lamont, senior, smiled knowingly. - -“You must drop this black bird.” - -“I am of age and have the right to choose my friends,” was his son’s -answer. - -“Then keep him and yourself in the future.” - -The young man gazed at his father in wide-open astonishment. - -“You certainly don’t mean that,” he said. - -“I do. He is your friend, you say. Keep him and yourself. I guess -that’s plain.” - -Claude Lamont arose and crossed the room. - -“You don’t know what you do,” he cried. - -“I know what I do. It is either lose this friend, as you call him, or -lose your fortune.” - -“He never tried to blackmail you.” - -“He did!” thundered the nabob. “In this very room he wanted to sell -the so-called secret for ten thousand dollars. I drove him away. I -wouldn’t have anything to do with the scoundrel. But it seems you do. -You are with him night and day, and you are old enough to know that you -can’t play with pitch and not become defiled.” - -Claude smiled derisively at this, and for a moment was silent. - -“Look here,” he suddenly said, “I can’t give this man up. He knows too -much.” - -“What’s that?” cried Lamont, senior. “Do you admit that you are in his -power?” - -“I didn’t say so. I only remarked that I can’t throw him to one side. -He knows too much.” - -“Against whom?” - -“Against the house.” - -“It cannot be.” - -“I’m afraid it’s true. This man is my friend, and I have been keeping -near him for a purpose, and that purpose the salvation of the good name -of Lamont.” - -A strange and eager light seemed to come into the millionaire’s eyes, -and for half a second he did not continue. - -“Sit down,” he said. “Tell me what this man knows.” - -Claude went back to the chair. - -“He knows a good deal more than we can afford to let him tell,” he -said. “I don’t say that Richmond will tell the secret on the street -or anything of that kind, but we can’t afford to let him have the -opportunity.” - -“In God’s name, what is the secret?” - -“Of course he never told me, but I only guess at it from hints he -has dropped while in his cups. It’s a terrible thing, if it’s true--a -fearful secret, father.” - -“Out with it. I am strong, you see, and can listen to any recital you -make.” - -Claude crossed the room, and looked cautiously into the hall. - -No one was there. - -Coming back, he resumed his seat in the chair and looked at the -white-faced man opposite. - -“Whatever became of Aunt Hester?” he asked. - -The expression that came into Perry Lamont’s face was most startling. - -Every vestige of color left it, and it became as white as a marble -statue. - -“Who ever told you that I had a sister named Hester?” he asked. - -“Never mind that. I only asked the question.” - -“Is this some of your friend’s work?” - -“That is a part of his secret. He says he has certain papers that will -startle the world, that he has in his possession a certain confession -or a family history written out by an old woman who called herself----” - -Young Lamont paused, for his father was gasping like a man fighting for -his breath. - -“Go on. Tell me all. What did this woman call herself?” he cried. - -“Mother Flintstone,” coolly said the son. “She lived in Hell’s -Kitchen, and after being threatened a number of times--in spite of the -protection of Carter’s assistants--she was murdered a few nights ago.” - -“Yes, yes. I saw something of that in the newspapers.” - -“Well, from what I have heard Richmond say in a dark way when in his -cups he can prove that Mother Flintstone, the old fence, was your -sister.” - -“Great heavens!” cried Perry Lamont. “Has he got the documents left by -this woman?” - -“I fear he has.” - -“But he didn’t offer them to me.” - -“I can’t say as to that.” - -“He only offered to keep the knowledge of your doings from the world -for ten thousand dollars.” - -“But he has the papers now. I am confident of that.” - -“Will he sell them?” eagerly asked the millionaire. - -“He might.” - -“For how much?” - -“You must negotiate with him.” - -“Look here, Claude, my boy. Can’t you get possession of those papers?” - -“How?” - -“Any way, I don’t care how you get them.” - -“You wouldn’t want me to rob my friend?” - -“I say I don’t care how you get them.” - -“But he would still possess the secret.” - -“We’ll take care of him after the documents have been found. How did he -get them? Was he familiar with Mother Flintstone?” - -“I don’t know.” - -“Merciless villain! He holds the peace of our house in his hands. -The man is the quintessence of rascality. Talk about your polished -blackmailers. He stands at the head of the procession. I’ll hand him -over to the police at once.” - -“Try it, and the whole thing will come out.” - -Lamont, senior, gasped again. - -“Where does Richmond board?” - -“He changes his place often. I don’t believe he sleeps two nights in -the same place.” - -“Like the sultan. But, look here, my boy. You don’t want the good name -of our house destroyed?” - -“One of the last things I want to see,” said the young rake. - -“Then help me destroy this man. Help me to get those papers and silence -him.” - -“It is true, then?” - -“It is true.” - -“Mother Flintstone was your sister?” - -“Yes, yes. She was Hester, the sister who contracted a poor marriage -years ago and finally drifted into crime.” - -Claude Lamont seemed struck with a thunderbolt, and for some time he -sat in the presence of his father, dazed and speechless. - -“I had hoped the truth would never come out,” continued the -millionaire. “I accidentally discovered a year ago who Mother -Flintstone was, but I said nothing. I would have given her thousands -to have thrown herself from the bridge or to have left the city, but I -dared not approach her. And so she left a confession behind; she has -left the secret to a scoundrel like this George Richmond. Why, this man -has more names than one.” - -“A good many people have nowadays,” answered Claude. - -“Well, he must be silenced somehow.” - -“With money?” - -“Not if I can help it. I would like to know what sort of communication -Mother Flintstone left.” - -“It seems to me the best way to deal with the secret holder is to come -to his terms,” suggested Claude. - -“And be bled every now and then? I’ll defy him first!” - -“Come, come. You can’t afford to do that. Think of our station in -society. Sister is on the eve of marriage, and mother’s health is not -what it used to be. We must come to his terms to save the house of -Lamont.” - -The millionaire began to pace the floor like a wild beast. - -“What will you take to strangle the scoundrel, Claude?” he suddenly -exclaimed, halting before his son. “You have every opportunity. Name -your price.” - -“You don’t really mean that?” cried the young man. - -“I do, every word of it. What will you take to silence this man -forever?” - -“Two hundred thousand cash in hand.” - -“Done!” exclaimed the millionaire. “That’s a bargain!” - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -THE DARK JAILERESS AGAIN. - - -It was a cool compact. - -Perry Lamont made answer to his son with all the cleverness of a -practiced villain, and Claude accepted it in the same manner. - -“I want this man silenced,” continued the millionaire. “He must not -possess this secret.” - -“Just as you say,” said Claude, picking up a cigar and coolly lighting -it. - -“He must not, I say. You’ve agreed to finish him, and when you’ve done -so the money is yours.” - -“Couldn’t you give me a little check now?” asked the son. - -Perry Lamont took a check book from the desk and opened it as he looked -at his son. - -“How much?” - -“Say five thousand. I may need the money in the venture, you know.” - -Without more ado the nabob drew up a check for five thousand dollars, -and passed it across the table. - -“This business must not lag,” said he. “While that man lives he is -dangerous.” - -Five minutes later the young man stood on a corner in another part of -the city. He was smoking complacently and apparently waiting for some -one, for he watched the door of a well-known resort. - -Presently the door opened and George Richmond came out. - -Claude joined him at once, and the pair walked away together. - -In a little while they seated themselves at a table in a room not far -from the corner, and Claude threw the check upon the table. - -“Jehu! did you make it?” cried Richmond. - -“I did.” - -“How?” - -The young scamp smiled. - -“It’s blood money,” he said. - -“Blood money?” exclaimed Richmond. “In Heaven’s name, whose blood does -it mean?” - -“Yours!” - -“Come, what joke is this?” - -“It is no joke. I never joke on serious matters like this.” - -The eyes of the two men met. - -“This check is signed by your father, and yet you tell me that it is -blood money.” - -“That’s precisely what it is. He’s hired me to kill you.” - -George Richmond broke into a laugh and leaned back in his chair. - -“You don’t look like it, boy,” he cried. “Well, if I’m to be killed, -why don’t you do it now?” - -Claude reached forward and picked up the check. - -“I’m to have a cool two hundred thousand for the job,” said he. “Just -think of it! You’re an important person.” - -“Hang me if I ain’t. Why does the old man want me out of the way?” - -“You hold the secret, and he believes you have the papers left by -Mother Flintstone.” - -“You gave him that gaff, did you?” - -“Yes, in great shape.” - -“I hardly thought you’d do it. But since you have I suppose you’re to -furnish proofs that I’ve been killed.” - -“Of course.” - -“You are not expected to furnish the corpse, I hope?” - -“No; not quite that. But he’s to have some sort of proofs, and then -we’ll get the two hundred thousand.” - -For an hour these men kept their heads together and talked in low tones. - -They discussed first one plan and then another, and when they at last -adjourned and stepped out upon the street they seemed satisfied about -something. - -Not far from the place of meeting a hand was laid upon Claude Lamont’s -arm, and he looked into the face of a tall woman. - -“You?” he cried, for he was alone, having separated from Richmond a few -moments previous. - -“Yes? Why not?” - -“I thought I left you in the nest with Margie.” - -“So you did, but there isn’t any nest now.” - -“No nest? What’s happened?” - -“The old place is in ashes.” - -Lamont uttered a startled cry, and looked at the woman, who did not -speak. - -“You weren’t to hurt the girl, you know?” said he. - -“That’s true, but I couldn’t help it.” - -“But tell me. Come in here. No one will listen to us. Now, what has -taken place?” - -Nora took a long breath and began. - -“The girl got almost unruly. I got her up to bed, but she faced me and -threatened.” - -“Well, you shouldn’t have paid any attention to her words.” - -“I couldn’t help it. She mentioned a name that drove every vestige of -color from my face.” - -“An old enemy’s name, eh?” - -“Yes; she spoke of a detective whom I fear with all my soul. She spoke -of Carter.” - -“And made you chicken-hearted, eh? Pshaw, woman!” - -“I couldn’t help it, I say. It filled me with fear, and I broke away.” - -“Well?” - -“By and by the room became still, and I found that she was asleep at -last.” - -“That’s good.” - -“In the room below I upset the lamp.” - -“The devil you did, woman! You must have been badly frightened.” - -“I was. In an instant it seemed the fire was everywhere. I saw it mount -the stairs and dart toward the girl’s room. Fear almost paralyzed me. I -tried to get upstairs, but failed. The fire was everywhere. It filled -the whole house, it seemed. I could no more stop its progress than I -could stop the river yonder. I fled for my life.” - -“And left Margie to perish in the flames?” - -“Got help me, I did.” - -Lamont leaned back and looked at the woman, whose face was deathly -white. - -“Did she perish?” he asked at last. - -“She must have died in the old house. I did not stay to look after her. -Fear lent speed to my limbs, and I ran like a deer. Not for the world -would I have gone back.” - -“You’ve killed the girl!” hissed Claude Lamont. “You’ve made a -murderess out of yourself.” - -Nora did not speak, but looked into the young man’s face and exposed -anew the whiteness of her own. - -“I suppose you haven’t been there since?” he said. - -“What, go back to that spot? Never!” - -Claude Lamont drained the glass at his elbow and seemed to take a long -breath. - -“What makes you fear this man, Carter? What did he ever do that gives -you the chills?” - -“That’s my secret,” cried the woman, half defiantly. - -“What makes him your enemy, and, pray, what did you do that his name -terrifies you?” - -She did not answer him. - -“Look here!” suddenly said Claude. “If you’ve killed the girl by your -faint heart I’ll hold you responsible.” - -“Just as you please,” was the reply. - -Nora seemed to be getting her old nerve back, for she spoke with -spirit, and her cheeks flushed for the first time. - -“You never got such orders from me,” he went on. - -“I know it. I dropped the lamp----” - -“Come, no excuses,” interrupted the young man. “I shall hold you -responsible--guilty of murder.” - -“Just as if you never did anything that has a shady side,” hissed the -woman. “You’re a nice man to talk thus. What have you done that makes -an angel out of you, I should like to know?” - -“No accusations, woman.” - -“Very well. Will you hand me over to the police? Will you tell the -inspector that I am the last person who saw the girl alive? I guess -not!” - -“Don’t dare me.” - -“What if I tell them that Margie was Mother Flintstone’s -granddaughter----” - -“She wasn’t!” flashed Claude Lamont. - -“You take it up in a jiffy,” grinned Nora. “If she wasn’t why did you -resent my words so soon?” - -For half a second Lamont watched the dark face before him, and then he -said: - -“We’ll call it quits. After all, perhaps you couldn’t have helped it. -The lamp fell from your hand, did it?” - -“I told you once.” - -“And you couldn’t stop the flames?” - -“I couldn’t. I’d give my eyes if that girl was alive to-day. I did not -do it intentionally. My evil genius must have been on the watch.” - -“We’ll say so, at any rate, Nora.” - -It was the first time he had spoken her name during the interview, and -his voice was considerably softened. - -“The department may have reached the fire in time to save the girl,” he -went on. - -“No, no! she perished. The whole house was in flames by the time I got -away. I’m going now.” - -“Still afraid of the detective’s shadow?” - -“Never mind the detective. I’m going, I say.” - -“Do you mean that you’re going away?” - -“Yes--to put ten thousand miles between me and that infernal crime of -mine.” - -Lamont drew forth his pocketbook and began to count out some bills. - -“Put up your money. It’s blood money!” cried Nora. “I wouldn’t touch a -penny of your father’s wealth. I don’t want money. I’ve got all I shall -need.” - -“Then you’re going but a short distance?” - -“Yes; not far.” - -The last word seemed to come from between clenched teeth, and a -desperate look settled on the woman’s face. - -“Then here’s to you, Nora, and good luck go with you,” and Lamont held -out his hand. - -She pushed it away, with a look of disdain. - -“It’s like your money. There’s blood on it, too!” she exclaimed. “Some -day you’ll wish you had never had anything to do with this game of -crime. Good-by.” - -She sprang up, gave him another look and vanished. - -“She’s mad, but it’s all right. She will try the river,” he laughed. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -FOUND IN THE TIDE. - - -After the scene the detective had witnessed through Bristol Clara’s -assistance he made his way to another part of the city and entered a -little house, where he was confronted by Billy, the street rat. - -The detective wanted to ascertain if the boy had picked up anything -new, and his first words startled him. - -“They didn’t burn her up, Mr. Carter.” - -“Didn’t burn who up, Billy?” - -“Margie, you know.” - -The detective as yet had heard nothing of the fire at which Margie -Marne nearly lost her life, and he lost no time questioning Billy. - -The boy had heard of the fire through a fireman, and had gone direct to -the hospital, where he had held an interview with the girl herself. - -“I’ll see her, too,” said Nick. “This is important, Billy, and Margie -must be seen.” - -Imagine the astonishment of the girl when she saw Carter walking up the -aisle toward her. - -A smile of pleasure overspread her face, and she held out her hand. - -“This is indeed a great pleasure,” cried Margie. “We’ve been sending -after you, and just when we give you up here you come. I’ve been within -the shadow of death.” - -“So Billy told me.” - -“I wonder if Nora, my jaileress, escaped?” - -“We will find that out by and by. Tell me the whole story, Margie, and -then we will see what can be done.” - -The girl proceeded, and gave the detective the entire story of her -adventures while in the hands of Claude Lamont and under Nora’s care, -and Nick listened attentively. - -“I think I can locate your jaileress,” said he, at the end of Margie’s -narrative. - -“Do so. She didn’t treat me badly, only she was true to her master. She -started at the mention of your name, though.” - -“Did she?” smiled Carter. - -“It drove every vestige of color from her face.” - -“She’s met me somewhere, then,” said the detective. “I want to see -Nora.” - -Half an hour later the detective reached the scene of the fire, and -looked upon the ruins of Margie’s prison. - -The house had been entirely destroyed, and some of the neighbors seemed -glad that it was so. - -“None of us liked the tall, dark-faced woman, with the little, red scar -over her left eye,” said a woman who lived near the place, and whom the -detective addressed. - -“What did you call her?” - -“Oh, we never called on her at all. She was very exclusive.” - -“Had no visitors, eh?” - -“Yes, sometimes. A man would drop in, generally after dark, and stay -about half an hour.” - -“You saw him, did you?” - -“I couldn’t help it, you see, from where I live.” - -“What was he like?” - -“He was younger than the woman. He was always well dressed, like a -swell nabob, and carried himself like a sport.” - -“Claude again,” thought Carter. “You never saw the woman go out?” - -His last question was addressed to the neighbor. - -“Not often. She remained at home, and seemed to attend to her own -business.” - -“You’re sure about that scar, are you?” - -“Bless you, yes. I saw it more than once, when we happened to meet in -the little grocery on the corner yonder. It was a real, red scar.” - -Carter handed the woman a piece of money, which she did not refuse, -and went away. He went direct to police headquarters and to the famous -rogues’ gallery. - -There he began to look through the large albums containing the faces -of criminals and suspects, and for nearly an hour he turned the thick -leaves industriously. - -At last he stopped and leaned over the page. - -His eyes seemed to become fastened upon a certain face, that of a -woman, angular and dark. - -Turning to the proper entry he read a description of the woman whose -photographed face was before him, and he seemed to smile when he noted -that she had a brilliant red scar over the left eye. - -“This must be our old friend,” said the detective. “This is Mag -Maginnis, the shoplifter, whom I sent up the river five years ago. I -didn’t see the scar then. She got it since, and the photograph is the -second one she’s had the honor of having in this collection. So Mag -started at mention of my name by Margie. No wonder. I filled her with -terror when I caught her in the dry-goods district in the very act of -plundering a counter. We’ll see.” - -He shut the album and walked away. - -The detective never let a trail get cold, and therefore he proceeded to -a part of the city where he hoped to strike Mag’s trail. - -“The Lord deliver us! Here’s Mr. Carter!” cried a woman’s shrill voice, -as the detective opened a door and confronted a female at a table. - -The woman had seen better days, for an air of refinement still lingered -about the place, the appointments of which were poor. - -She sat bolt upright, looking into the face she had instantly -recognized, and the detective stood for a moment at the door. - -“You don’t want me, I hope?” asked the woman. - -“Not at all, Sybil.” - -“That’s good, but I couldn’t see how you would, seeing that I’ve been -good for three years.” - -“I know that, and you’re to have all the credit, too.” - -“Thank you, Mr. Carter. But if you had come a little sooner you might -have seen an old friend,” and the woman laughed. - -“What old friend was here, Sybil?” - -“It was Mag. You remember her?” - -In spite of his coolness the detective started. - -“Yes,” continued the woman called Sybil, “Mag was here, and bade me -good-by. She’s going off. What’s happened, Mr. Carter? Mag wouldn’t -explain.” - -“Where did she go, Sybil?” asked the detective, paying no attention to -the woman’s query. - -“She did not tell me. But I never saw Mag in just the way she was. She -said she was tired of life, tired of pulling other people’s chestnuts -out of the fire, and now and then she acted like a person on the verge -of insanity. She may have gone to the river, for once or twice she -mentioned it in despairing tones.” - -“How long has she been gone?” eagerly questioned the detective. - -“Barely twenty minutes.” - -“I’ll see you later, Sybil,” cried the detective, turning to the door. -“I must find Mag, if possible.” - -“She’s Nora now, you know.” - -“Yes, yes.” - -“She dropped ‘Mag’ months ago, or soon after she came down the river.” - -“But she’s Mag yet,” smiled Carter, and in another second the woman was -left alone wondering why he wanted to see Nora so badly. - -There were many chances against Nick finding the woman he sought, but -he did not despair. - -The piers of New York are many and long. - -From them thousands have leaped to their death, or been thrown into the -waters after dark by those whose hands are red with crime. - -More than once the detective’s trail had taken him to the docks, and -there he had picked up more than one clew. - -Every dock in the city was known to Carter. - -While among them he was at home, and knew where they began and ended. - -The bare thought that this old criminal had gone to the river in a fit -of remorse, for he doubted not that she thought Margie had perished in -the fire, urged him on. - -Of course, if Nora intended to commit suicide she had had ample time to -carry out her plans, but still there was a chance that she had changed -her mind. - -The detective reached the river at a spot nearest the house he had just -left. - -He could see nothing of the hunted woman, and no crowd such as gathers -on the piers when the body of a suicide has been discovered greeted him. - -The detective walked along the river front for some distance with his -senses on the alert. - -All at once he caught sight of something floating in the water, and he -stopped suddenly and leaned forward. - -It did not take him long to see that the object was the body of a -woman, and Carter called a policeman who stood a short distance away. - -“That’s the same woman!” cried the patrolman the moment he caught sight -of the body. - -“What woman?” asked Carter. - -“Why, sir, the woman who came down here three hours ago and asked me -some fool questions about the river.” - -“Well?” - -“I didn’t notice which way she went. But that’s her.” - -Nick and the policeman managed to bring the body against the logs of -the pier, and the detective clambered down and hauled it up. - -The burden was a heavy one, but the detective’s hand did not lose its -grip, and in time the body lay on the wharf, which it drenched. - -The detective looked into the long face, and his gaze alighted upon a -little scar over the left eye. - -“This is Nora--Margie’s jaileress, but she’s Mag Maginnis, the old -offender. She’s not to blame entirely for this. The hand of her master -drove her to suicide, and he shall pay for it!” - -Carter seemed to speak the last words through clenched teeth, and his -voice told that he meant every word he said. - -The policeman in the meantime called the patrol, and Nick had extracted -from the woman’s bosom a little flat package like a memorandum, which -he hastily transferred to his own pocket. - -“That’s the end of one poor, storm-tossed soul,” muttered the detective -as he walked away. “I found Mag sooner than I expected, but we’ve not -heard the last of her.” - -Half a block from the river front the detective nearly ran against a -man who came out of a house with a reputation none of the best and -walked off. - -The walk and the well-known shoulders as revealed by the man caused -a light of recognition to leap up into Carter’s eyes, and his gaze -followed the fellow some distance. - -“What brought you to the scene of Nora’s death, Claude Lamont?” -mentally queried the man of clews. “Did you have to hound the poor -creature to the last terrible act of her life?” - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -A FAIR FOE. - - -The detective followed the young man until he lost him beyond the doors -of a well-known café, and then he turned away. - -Nora, alias Mag Maginnis, had ended her life in the cold waters of -the river, and the detective believed that Claude Lamont was morally -responsible. - -“Now for another visit to the lion’s den,” said Carter, as he made -his way to another part of the city and rang the bell attached to the -millionaire’s mansion. - -It was not the hour for a social call, but he found the money king at -home. He had not forgotten his former visit, when he was faced by the -daughter and warned not to carry his hunt too far. - -Carter still saw the fine figure of the girl before him and her -flashing eyes, but she had not deterred him. - -He was shown at once to the library, and Perry Lamont turned his chair -so as to face the detective. - -“What is it, sir?” he asked. - -Before Carter could reply the door opened and the daughter, Opal, came -in. - -Opal Lamont was handsome, with a fine figure and a bright face; but her -eyes seemed full of fire, and unnatural fire at that. - -Spying the detective, she advanced haughtily and faced him. - -“Are you going to hold an interview with this man?” she asked her -father. - -“I presume he is here to see me.” - -“I’ll remain,” answered Opal, and the next moment she dropped into a -chair and turned her face to the detective. - -Her manner was positive, if not insulting, and the detective swallowed -it mutely. - -Perry Lamont seemed rejoiced to have his daughter beside him. - -It made him look triumphantly at Carter, and for a moment a smile of -victory appeared at his mouth. - -“Now, sir, we’ll proceed,” he said. “Your mission here you can make -known and we will listen.” - -“You remember that I am on the trail of the person who killed Mother -Flintstone?” - -“I remember.” - -“You remember, too, begging the young lady’s pardon, that the old lady -was your near kin.” - -These words were like a spark to a magazine, and the next moment Opal -broke forth: - -“It’s the same old blackmailing scheme, father. You shall not listen to -it.” - -“Calm yourself, Miss Lamont----” - -“I am calm enough now. You shall not introduce such subjects in -this house. We do not recognize the old hag who was killed, perhaps -righteously, in the place called Hell’s Kitchen. You must talk about -another matter if you want to remain here.” - -Perry Lamont looked crushed and almost helpless in his chair. - -He glanced at his daughter, and then toward the door leading into the -hall. - -“Where’s Claude?” he asked. - -“He is not in just now,” answered Opal. - -“No, sir,” put in the detective. “Your son just now is not in; but I -could enlighten you as to his whereabouts.” - -“You’ve been playing spy, have you?” - -“I’ve been following the trail of one who has been your brother’s -friend, miss.” - -Opal Lamont colored and for half a second remained silent. - -“It is blackmail all the same,” she resumed at last. “In the first -place, whatever that old woman was to us we don’t intend to be bled.” - -“I believe you once offered me ten thousand dollars not to pursue this -trail, miss.” - -“I did it for his sake,” and she nodded toward her father. “I don’t -want his nerves shattered.” - -The detective glanced at Perry Lamont and pitied the abject old figure -in the chair. - -“They looked alike,” was all he said, with a glance at Miss Opal. - -The daughter curled her lip and looked away. - -“Never mind,” she said. “My day will come, Mr. Detective.” - -Carter turned once more to the millionaire and said: - -“I’ll state my business. I am here to ask you about that contract.” - -Lamont started. - -“What contract?” he asked. - -“The one you made with your son.” - -There was a cry and a sudden start, and the millionaire nearly fell -from his chair. - -“I made no contract!” he cried. - -“None whatever?” - -“None!” - -“You did not promise him a large sum if he would put a certain person -out of the way?” - -“I did not.” - -“That’s blackmail, pure and simple,” flashed Opal Lamont. “You cannot -succeed.” - -She arose and crossed the room. - -Perry Lamont seemed to grovel in his chair. - -“You deny the contract, do you?” queried the detective. - -“I do.” - -“He never lies!” exclaimed the girl. - -“And never forgets, eh?” - -“Never!” - -“Then his mind is greatly at fault this minute. Let me ask another -question.” - -“Not another one! He has been questioned enough. Don’t you see you have -excited him?” - -“Not so much but that he can answer intelligently. Perry Lamont, your -sister did not die heirless.” - -“My God!” - -“She left some of her blood behind. She did not pass out of the world -at the hand of the assassin without leaving behind some one who has a -right to her name!” - -The look of the millionaire became a stare, and his hand shook as he -laid it upon the desk before him. - -“Come!” cried Opal. “Must we really buy your silence?” - -“It is not in the market, miss, as I have once told you. I want to -reach the solution of this terrible crime. I shall not turn from the -trail till I am at the end of it. Mother Flintstone’s blood calls for -revenge, and----” - -Opal, who stood beside her father, leaned over him and whispered in his -ear. - -The old man’s face brightened. - -“Not another word till I come back,” continued the girl to her parent, -and with this she left the room. - -Two minutes later her steps were heard at the door across the room and -once more she stood before Nick. - -In that short time she had gowned herself for the street, and, stepping -to one side, she touched a button. - -“We are going out,” said she, looking at the detective. “I have just -ordered the carriage.” - -The detective looked amazed. - -Going out with that girl? - -The turn of affairs actually amused him. - -“I want you to accompany me to a certain place,” continued Opal Lamont. -“We shall not be there long; but you must go with me.” - -The detective consented, and in a few moments they entered the carriage -which had come to the front door. - -Opal had drawn a spotted veil over her face and had fallen back into -the depths of the vehicle saying nothing, although addressed by the -detective. - -The coachman seemed to know where to go. - -Carter had not heard the girl give him any orders, but he turned corner -after corner, as if his destination was plain to him. - -For at least ten minutes the vehicle bounced over the stones, and then -it halted in front of a two-story brick house in the lower part of -Gotham. - -The detective looked out, and took in the contour of the house, and -Opal opened the door of the cab. - -“We’re here,” she said, speaking for the first time since leaving -home, and in a moment she dismounted, to be followed by the nonplused -detective. - -The millionaire’s daughter led the way up the steps, and with a key -opened the front door. - -As she threw it back she motioned to the detective to enter, and Carter -soon stood in a fireless parlor darkened by heavy curtains at the -windows. - -“I’ll see you in a moment,” said Opal, rushing toward the door, and the -detective heard the sound of leather and silk on the stairs. - -“This is a queer adventure,” thought Carter. “This must be one of the -many houses Perry Lamont owns. The young woman is a cool-headed thing -and seems to have the nerves her father has lost. Why has she brought -me to this place? What new mystery is this? Ah! here she comes!” - -There were footsteps in the hall, and the detective watched the door. - -But the sounds did not seem to come all the way down the flight; they -appeared to stop midway, and the detective glanced up at the open -transom. - -The sight he saw there riveted him to the spot. - -Leaning over the banisters was Opal Lamont, but how changed. - -Her face was as white as a sheet, and her lips were welded like pieces -of steel. - -The hat had been discarded, and her long hair fell in uncombed masses -over her shoulder. - -The girl looked like an avenging spirit, and the detective thought he -had never seen a face just like hers. - -The whole thing appeared more visionary than real; it seemed some -hideous dream in which he was to be the victim, but that it was -terrible reality the detective soon discovered. - -The lips sprang apart suddenly, and Nick heard the voice of the -creature on the stairs. - -“I hardly expected to trap you so easily,” she said, in sharp, -triumphant tones. “You fell into the snare like a tenderfoot. Did you -think I was about to reveal something to you? Your time has come! I -hold death in my hand, and I haven’t practiced at the pistol galleries -for nothing.” - -Carter saw the revolver which Opal Lamont thrust forward; he tried to -spring to the door, but some unseen agency seemed to root him to the -carpet. Then came a flash, leaping tigerlike through the transom, as it -seemed--then darkness. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -THE BACK TRAIL. - - -All this time the carriage which had carried Opal and Carter to the -house had waited for the girl just around the nearest corner. - -When Opal emerged from the place no excitement was noticed about her. - -She walked as gayly as if she had not sent a man to his doom, and when -she stepped into the carriage there was a smile on her lips. - -She knew what she had done, and the secret was hers. - -The vehicle went straight to the Lamont mansion, and the girl dismissed -it at the door. - -She entered the house and passed directly to her room on one of the -upper floors, where she changed her gown; then she descended to the -library, where she had left her father. - -She found him in the same position at the desk as if he had not stirred -since her departure. - -He met her eye the moment she entered the room, and she came forward, -saying nothing. - -“I’m glad to see you back, Opal. Did you get rid of that man?” - -“Yes.” - -“You did not let him blackmail you?” - -“I did not.” - -“You did not----” - -Perry Lamont stopped as if he was on dangerous ground, but Opal could -not avoid his gaze. - -Her eyes seemed to betray her. - -“You surely did not----” began the millionaire again, but stopped as -before. - -“Never mind where he is,” put in Opal. “I’m quite sure Nick Carter will -not give us any more trouble.” - -“That’s good. I’m glad to hear you say that, and your manner convinces -me that it is so. I trust he didn’t give you any trouble, child?” - -“None in the least. There, don’t bother about that man. He’s out of the -way; won’t trouble you any more.” - -Opal arose and swept from the room, the eyes of the nabob following her -with mute questioning. - -He heard her on the floor above, and closed his eyes as he leaned back -in the chair. - -Did he suspect the truth? - -Did the rich man dream that his child had handled a revolver within the -last hour, and that she had aimed at a man’s breast? - -If he thought of such things he made no sign. - -It was some hours after these events that the door of the library was -opened and Claude, his son, came in. - -Lamont was now fast asleep, and the young sport watched him for ten -minutes. - -Stealing over to the desk, Claude opened a drawer near his father’s -hand and extracted a large envelope therefrom. - -As he was transferring it to his pocket Opal looked into the room, and -then came forward. - -“Don’t awaken him,” she said. “I want to see you, Claude. Come across -the hall.” - -“Mother----” - -“Mother won’t hear us, for she is lying down overhead. Come with me. I -didn’t know you were in the house.” - -“I just came in.” - -“Good.” - -The pair left the library and crossed the hall to the darkened parlor, -where Opal turned suddenly on her brother. - -“Have you done it yet?” she asked. - -Claude started in spite of himself. - -“Done what?” - -“You know. I happened to overhear you and father. Have you finished -him?” - -“I don’t understand you?” - -“Oh, yes, you do. You know about the two hundred thousand. You were to -get the confession, besides silencing him.” - -“I’ve done nothing yet. I understand now,” said Claude, with a faint -smile. - -“When will you?” - -“Just as soon as I get a chance.” - -“Don’t you think you’re putting it off too long?” - -“I don’t know. I’m doing my best.” - -“But while he lives and keeps the confession written in Hell’s Kitchen -it will be against us.” - -“Yes.” - -“You’re his chum. You know where he nests, and you are the proper -person to silence this man with the terrible secret. You’re not afraid -of the law, are you?” - -Again Claude Lamont started and looked down into the flushed face of -his sister. - -“No, I’m not afraid of that, but you see I can’t strike till I have a -fair target.” - -“I know that.” - -“There is that bothersome detective,” suggested Claude. - -“Never mind him,” laughed Opal; “he’s silenced.” - -“Since when?” - -“Don’t ask too many questions. He’s silenced, I say.” - -“I guess not. I’ve seen him lately.” - -“When?” - -“Yesterday.” - -“I’ve got later news than that!” cried the young girl. “I’m right from -the seat of war, so to speak.” - -Claude wanted to ask further questions, but she stopped him by laying -her hand on his shoulder. - -“That man was an enemy of us all,” she said. “He was dangerous, Claude.” - -“Positively so,” was the reply. - -“He was a living menace to our future happiness; he was as dangerous -as this man Richmond, your friend, and his confession. I shuddered -whenever I thought of Nick Carter, who would not let me buy him off.” - -“He was incorruptible, was he?” laughed Claude. - -“Yes, but he’s fixed now.” - -“With whose money, Opal? Father’s?” - -“With something that silences better than gold,” was the startling -answer. “I would never face him the second time with a bribe. I know -what’s what.” - -“See here. You’ve got me on nettles. What’s become of this man? I -demand to know?” - -Opal thought a moment, and then turned her head away. - -“When have you been to the Cedar Street house?” she asked, without -looking at him. - -“Not in six months.” - -“Here’s the key. Go and look inside.” - -“Pshaw! there’s nothing there for me.” - -“You don’t know what’s there, since you confess that you haven’t -crossed its threshold in six months.” - -“If you tell me the secret I won’t have to make the trip.” - -“Go and find it.” Opal pushed her brother away. “I want to make sure of -a certain thing.” - -“I see. You’ve been to the Cedar Street house.” - -Opal gave him a knowing look, and again pushed him toward the door. - -“I’ll go, hang me if I don’t!” he exclaimed. “I say, sis, if you’ve -intrusted a secret to that house it ought to be safe, for it hasn’t -been tenanted for half a year. Into which part of it shall I look?” - -“In the first room to the right.” - -“The old-fashioned parlor, eh?” - -“Yes, there, there!” cried the millionaire’s child. “God forgive me, -Claude, I couldn’t help it. I had him in the snare.” - -Five minutes later Claude Lamont stood on the sidewalk in front of his -home. - -“In creation’s name, what does sis mean?” he asked himself. “What has -she been doing in that old house? Something desperate, I’ll bet my -head.” - -He walked to the first corner, where he took a passing car and rode -downtown. - -A few minutes later he left it, and proceeded to Cedar Street. - -The millionaire owned half a dozen houses there, but the one designated -by Opal was the best of all. - -With the key supplied by his sister, the city sport let himself into -the house and shut the door carefully behind him. - -Then he made his way to the first room on the right of the hall and -opened its portal. - -It was quite dark, all the curtains down--Lamont kept his untenanted -houses already furnished--and Claude had to strike a match. - -“Jehu! what did sis mean, anyhow?” he exclaimed, as the light flickered -up. “No one here.” - -He held the lucifer above his head and took a survey of the parlor. - -Everything seemed in place, and he looked everywhere as he moved about -the room. - -He noticed that the transom over the hall door was wide open, but he -thought nothing of this. - -The faintest odor of burned powder assailed his nostrils and he stood -in the middle of the room a few seconds and sniffed the air. - -“The girl’s mad!” he suddenly cried. “What is the fool’s errand she -wanted me to attend to, I’d like to know? There’s nothing in this -room, and yet she wanted me to look nowhere else but in this chamber. -There’s the smell of powder here. What does it mean? She was here, she -admitted. She can shoot like a professional. I’ve seen her at it in the -gallery. I’ll have to go back and laugh at her foolery.” - -Claude quitted the room, and, to make sure there was nothing out of the -way in the house, went all over it. - -“Sis is out of her head,” he again exclaimed, when he had inspected -the last room. “She may have thought she trapped the detective, but she -did nothing of the kind.” - -When he left the Cedar Street house it was to go straight home. - -He peeped into the library, but his father was no longer there. - -“You?” cried a person who came out of the shadows of the bookcases, and -Claude Lamont stood in the presence of Opal. - -Her look was a question, but her lips framed one. - -“You’ve been there?” she cried. - -“You sent me down there, didn’t you?” - -“I did. Well?” - -“I always obey you, don’t I, sis?” - -“You do, Claude. You are my best friend. But tell me--you looked into -the room on the right?” - -“Yes.” - -“And----” - -“It was empty!” - -“Empty? My God!” and Opal, the millionaire’s daughter, staggered back -and dropped into her father’s chair. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - -THE MASTER DETECTIVE’S LITTLE GAME. - - -“Empty? That house?” again cried Opal, from the depths of the chair. “I -cannot believe it.” - -“It is true. I just came from the place,” answered Claude. “What did -you do there, sis?” - -“I shot him.” - -“Not the detective?” - -“Yes; Carter. I lured him to the place. He was here again, playing his -hand. I could not stand it. He was in our way. I wanted him removed. -Father was helpless, and the desperate scheme came into my head. I -lured him to the Cedar Street house and leaned over the banister, -shooting him through the transom while he stood in the parlor.” - -“And left him there?” - -“Yes, yes.” - -“Well, he wasn’t there when I looked into the room.” Opal Lamont looked -wildly around the library. - -“What could have become of him?” she asked. - -Claude shook his head. - -“Do you think he could not have been dead?” - -“I thought you went into the parlor afterward?” - -“I did. I bent over him.” - -“And he appeared at the end of the trail?” - -“He did.” - -“It’s a mystery to me.” - -“Why didn’t you look all over the house?” - -“That’s just what I did.” - -Opal sat silent for a moment longer, and then she sprang up with a -sharp cry. - -“If he lives he will try to get even. We must silence this man. It must -be done at once.” - -“Granted. You were a fool to decoy him to the old house.” - -“I knew of no other place,” was the reply. “I took the first plan that -entered my head. I never dreamed of failure.” - -“There, don’t think I’m finding fault, sis. You did the best you could; -I’m sure of that. The only wonder is that you didn’t make a sure shot -after what you’ve done at the galleries.” - -Half an hour after the interview with his sister Claude Lamont occupied -the armchair in the room in which he once showed himself to Carter and -Bristol Clara, the latter his near neighbor. - -This time he was alone. - -Presently he was startled by a rap on the front door, as if some one -outside had no use for a bell, and in a moment he had opened it. - -He found a well-dressed, dark-faced stranger on the step--a man with a -brownish beard and clear, gray eyes. - -Claude did not know just what to do with the man, but as he held the -door open the fellow entered and faced him in the hall. - -“Come this way if you have business with me,” said the city sport, and -he escorted his caller to the room he had just left. - -The man took a chair and laid his hat on his knees. - -“To whom am I indebted for this call?” asked Claude. - -“Call me Hugh Larkins,” answered the stranger, in a squeakish voice -that made a sound almost like a file. - -“I don’t know you, Mr. Larkins.” - -“Perhaps not. You don’t remember me. You have forgotten all about the -old place on the Bowery that flourished five or six years ago. You -don’t recall the barkeeper and the sometime pianist?” - -A smile flitted across Claude’s face. - -“Are you that person?” he asked. - -“I’m Hugh Larkins. Sometimes they call me ‘Rosy’ Larkins, you remember.” - -“I never recall nicknames.” - -“Mr. Lamont, you’ve got good quarters here.” - -Claude started a little at mention of his name. - -“You see, I know you. Why, you haven’t changed a great deal. You’ve -got a few more years on you, and you’ve grown a little stouter--good -living, I guess. The ‘Daisy Chain’ isn’t running now, I believe. I -dropped into the old place this morning, but the piano stopped four -years ago and the hole is a poor bucket shop at present.” - -“I don’t know,” said Claude. - -“Well, Mr. Lamont, let’s to business. I’m a little hard up--somewhat -desperate, to make use of a homely phrase.” - -“And you think I’m a nabob when it comes to cash, eh?” - -“I know you’re not Lazarus. I’ve got to have a little chink to keep the -proverbial wolf from the door, and----” - -“My dear sir, you’ve struck the wrong place,” broke in Claude. “I can’t -accommodate you.” - -Larkins fell back in his chair and seemed at his wits’ end. - -“That’s bad,” he suddenly squeaked. “It nearly puts me into the -river--a desperate man’s last resort, you see.” - -“I can’t help that,” said Claude coldly. “Every man can do as he -pleases with his anatomy, and if you see fit to immerse yours, why, I -can’t object.” - -“You can’t help Rosy Larkins, who used to play for you at the Daisy -Chain? You can’t give the old beau a lift?” - -“It wouldn’t stop with you,” was the reply. “It wouldn’t stop with you, -Rosy.” - -“I’m but the advance guard, eh?” - -“That’s it.” - -Rosy Larkins appeared to get upon his feet with difficulty. He looked -down at Claude Lamont and seemed to study him a minute. - -“Then I’ll have to sell it,” said he. - -In spite of himself the millionaire’s son lost a little color. - -“You’ll have to sell what?” he asked. - -“What I know!” - -“See here, that’s an old game,” cried Claude. “It’s a rascal’s last -resort. You can’t blackmail me.” - -“But I can sell what I know--to the police.” - -“You don’t know anything.” - -“Do you dare me?” - -“Yes.” - -“All right.” - -Larkins crossed the room, but stopped at the door, the knob of which he -held in his hand. - -“You wasn’t in the old place that night? Oh, no. You wasn’t in Hell’s -Kitchen a few nights ago? You never go to such a disreputable place? -Certainly not. The son of Perry Lamont never goes to such places. -Why, of course he doesn’t. Hell’s Kitchen? Why, there’s where Mother -Flintstone lived--and died, I believe.” - -Claude said nothing. - -He looked as if his tongue had become riveted to his palate; his eyes -seemed to bulge from his head, and his hand dropped from the table at -his right. - -“Of course you don’t go to Hell’s Kitchen, because you say you don’t,” -grinned Rosy Larkins in the same squeaky tones. - -“What are you driving at?” at last Claude made out to say. - -“At just what I’ve said. I’m pretty plain. My voice isn’t as sweet as -the notes of the oriole, but you understand my words all the same.” - -“You certainly don’t mean to say that you’ve got a secret about my -going to Hell’s Kitchen?” - -“Now you’ve hit it. You wasn’t there the night Mother Flintstone was -helped out of this world?” - -“I was not.” - -“But I know better.” - -“You do?” - -“Yes; you were there, and Rosy Larkins holds the secret so far all -alone.” - -Claude leaned forward and fastened his gaze upon the face before him. - -“Don’t you think silence is worth a thousand dollars?” queried his -caller. - -“Your silence?” - -“Mine! That’s not a large sum with you who has his hands upon the purse -strings of a millionaire. You don’t want the police to drag you forward -as being connected with the mystery of Hell’s Kitchen? I don’t want to -see one of my old patrons in such a fix.” - -“Did you see me there?” asked Claude, a little nervously. - -“I’ve got convincing proof.” - -“But I haven’t got the money, Larkins. You will have to come again.” - -“I won’t,” said Larkins, and the squeak seemed to get the snarl of a -wild beast. - -Claude looked at the table and then back at the man. - -Larkins was twirling his hat on one of his hands, and his face was -still immobile. - -“What if I can’t raise that amount, and then, what does a man of your -present standing want with a thousand dollars?” - -“What does a porcupine want with his quills?” flashed the young sport’s -visitor. “He uses them, that’s what. I can use a thousand dollars.” - -Lamont thought of his own account in bank. - -It would not do to give that man a check for the amount, for -identification might be followed with unpleasant recollections. - -Suddenly he thought of the five thousand he had lately received from -Lamont, senior. - -A part of it was still in his pocket. - -Biting his lips Claude produced the roll of bills and slowly counted -out the required amount. - -“There, don’t come again,” he said, looking up at Larkins, whose hand -reached out for the money. “But hold on. What assurance have I that you -won’t sell me out yet?” - -“My word.” - -“If it’s no better than your face I’m afraid it’s not worth a great -deal.” - -“That’s all right. I’m no seraph. Neither was Mother Flintstone, who -died that night--you know how,” and with this shaft Rosy Larkins opened -the door. - -As he stepped into the hall his face was for a moment turned from -Claude, and that moment the young man whipped a revolver from the table -drawer. - -As he started up there was a musical click, but the next instant the -bare hand of Larkins covered him. - -“Don’t be a fool,” he said. “The secret wouldn’t die with me, Mr. -Lamont.” - -The leveled weapon dropped and Claude went back again. - -“Aha, good-by. Thanks for the chink. It saves Rosy Larkins from the -river,” and the man with the squeaky voice was gone. - -He went from the scene of the interview almost straight to Mulberry -Street; he entered police headquarters and made his way to the -superintendent’s private office, where he handed the roll of money to a -young man. - -“Lock it up,” said he. “We’ll talk about it later. I’m rather tired of -this beard,” and Carter immediately stood revealed. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - -IN MOTHER FLINTSTONE’S DEN AGAIN. - - -The day following these exciting events George Richmond might have -been seen bending over a manuscript in a small room some distance from -Claude Lamont’s apartments. - -He had been diligently at work upon the document for some hours, now -and then refreshing himself from a bottle on the table. - -The chirography was not his own. - -It looked for all the world like the writing of an old person taken -with the palsy, and the man at work smiled every now and then as he -looked at his job. - -“It’s good for the two hundred thousand,” said he, half aloud. “That -was a cute bargain Claude made with the old nabob. I am to vanish, -of course; but I’ll see that I don’t lose any of my share. I am to -be killed off, and this paper is to fall into Lamont’s hands, to be -consigned of course to the flames. He’ll probably consider it cheap at -two hundred thousand, but I’ll take care that Claude doesn’t really -carry out the bargain.” - -The day had deepened into night, and still George Richmond worked. - -He did not stop till the nearest clock struck eight, and then he -finished his self-imposed task. - -Once more, like a good accountant, he glanced over his pages and -stuffed them into an old envelope prepared for the occasion. - -“That settles it,” he remarked. “Now for the proof of my demise, ha, -ha!” - -He thrust the whole into his pocket and buttoned his coat over it. - -After this he turned the gas low and filled the room with shadows, then -pulled his soft hat over his forehead and left the house. - -He did not know that he was seen to quit the place. - -He was not aware of the fact that during the last part of his work a -pair of foxlike eyes were watching him through a rent in the curtain, -thanks to a broken slat in the shutter. - -The owner of these eyes was on his trail. - -It was a boy, shrewd and wiry, and he kept George Richmond in sight, no -matter how many turns he made. - -Mulberry Billy had not played spy upon this man for nothing. - -While he could not see the writing, he felt that it was for no good, -and thus he slipped after the man as he crossed one street after -another, taking himself into a strange part of New York. - -George Richmond visited a well-known cheap café on the Bowery and had a -plain supper, after which, once more buttoning his coat to his chin, he -sauntered out under the lights. - -Billy was still his ferret. - -The boy tracked the man to the house occupied at times by Claude Lamont. - -He saw him mount the steps, but could not see beyond the door. - -George Richmond entered the library and turned on the light. - -There he looked around the room, but did not see any one. - -Claude was not at home. - -Richmond would have started if he could have seen the woman who all the -time was closely watching him. - -Bristol Clara, Carter’s friend, was on the alert, and, having seen him -come in, was looking at him through the secret crack. - -All at once Richmond started up. - -“What a fool I am,” he said. “Why didn’t I think of it before? I forgot -to look under the hearth--the very place an old woman like her would -hide precious papers.” - -He threw a hasty glance toward the door and was about to quit the house -when he heard a step. - -In another moment Claude Lamont stood before him. - -“I’ve been waiting for you,” said Richmond. - -“And I’ve been unavoidably detained. Couldn’t get here sooner. Well, -have you got the papers?” - -Richmond produced his work and threw the bundle upon the table. - -Claude pounced upon it and ran over the documents. - -“This is good. I didn’t know it was in you,” he cried, looking up at -Richmond. - -“I’ve been trained in more schools than one,” was the answer, and -Claude looked away. - -“Does it suit?” asked Richmond. - -“Perfectly.” - -“Will it deceive the governor?” - -“Of course it will. Now you must vanish.” - -“Yes, I’m to ‘die’ to his satisfaction. I believe you can’t draw -any more money till I’m out of the way and the ‘confession’ in your -father’s hands.” - -“That’s the bargain.” - -“Well, I thought of that and dashed off this.” - -Another bit of paper fell on the table and Claude read: - - - “FATAL ACCIDENT. - - “Last night at ten o’clock a man was seen to fall on the street near - the Brussel Block, on Broadway. His companion, apparently frightened - by his fall, hastened away, leaving his friend on the pavement. It - was discovered that the stricken man was a well-known character named - George Richmond, who of late has been subject to attacks of vertigo. - The unfortunate man was conveyed from the spot by others who happened - to know him, and taken to the rooms of a friend, where he died. - Richmond once did time, but of late has not done anything that called - for his arrest, though he was known as a shady character, liable to - embark on some scheme that promised to add to his wealth, no matter - how questionable the transaction.” - -“That’s good!” exclaimed Claude Lamont. “You’re dead--as dead as a -doornail, and please have the kindness to keep this in view. I don’t -think you could have done better. Now, what newspaper?” - -“I’ve made the proper arrangements. You can take it to the _Item_. It -will cost one hundred to get it inserted, but that’s all right. It’s -dirt cheap.” - -Claude placed the writing in his pocket and smiled. - -“It will hoodwink the old man nicely. He won’t want other ‘proof.’” - -“I thought not.” - -“I’ll see to that. Now I’ll attend to the matter. I understand that the -item is to appear in but the one paper, and in but one copy at that.” - -“That’s it. Too promiscuous publishing might spoil our plans.” The two -men arose and left the house. - -On the outside the same little figure saw them and again became -Carter’s spy. - -This time Billy tracked Claude Lamont, and saw him enter the office of -a morning newspaper with a limited circulation. - -He saw him in earnest conversation with a certain attaché of the -office, and some money changed hands. - -After this Claude Lamont, as Billy found out, seemed quite at ease, -for he followed him to a large café, where he ate heartily like a man -pleased with what he had done. - -Meantime George Richmond had gone to another part of the city. - -Once more he entered the locality known in the annals of the police -as Hell’s Kitchen, and slipped into the room once occupied by Mother -Flintstone. - -The people who had moved into the place were already gone, a few hours -sufficing, and he was alone in the old shell. - -Instead of sounding walls and ceiling, as he had done on a former -visit, he went straight to the old bricks on the hearth, and commenced -lifting them one by one. - -To accomplish his purpose the more readily he got down on his knees and -worked like a beaver. - -Each brick was carefully replaced, and he had gone over half the space -when he was interrupted. - -A door opened and shut behind him, and George Richmond started to his -feet. - -A man stood before him. - -“There, don’t draw,” said the person at the door. “It would do you no -good, George Richmond. Don’t let me disturb you. Go back to your work.” - -Richmond did not stir. - -“Go back to your work, I say. I’ll wait till you find it.” - -“Find what?” - -“You know. Your quest.” - -The ex-convict smiled grimly. - -“I was only seeing if the old woman placed anything under the bricks,” -said he. - -“Something valuable, eh?” - -“Perhaps.” - -“Not money, was it, George?” - -“Perhaps not.” - -“You’re a cool one. I thought your trip up the river reformed you. -Don’t you remember how the newspapers exploited your return, and said -you were quit of crime? It was a great fake, wasn’t it?” - -The speaker smiled, but Richmond did not. - -“Who are you?” he demanded. - -“That’s another matter. Don’t let me disturb you. You haven’t taken up -more than half the bricks. Go through the rest.” - -“I don’t care to. You’re playing spy, and, by heavens! that’s dangerous -work.” - -“You mean that the man who watches you may live to regret it?” - -“Yes.” - -“Well call me spy, then. Don’t you think you’re playing a pretty bold -hand just now, George?” - -“I?” - -“You. You are into it so deep that you don’t want to miss a good thing. -There’s nothing buried under those bricks; there never was. Mother -Flintstone hid it elsewhere.” - -“That’s false. She hid it in this house, and unless you----” - -“Come, George, don’t show your teeth like a tiger. It will do you no -good. You can’t find the confession, but the other one will do just as -well!” - -“What other one?” - -It was evident that the question had no sooner left Richmond’s lips -than he regretted the utterance. - -“You know; therefore I need not specify. I hope the work was well done.” - -“Devil! you’ve got to fight for your life,” and the next instant George -Richmond darted forward like a mad beast, and leaping clear of the -floor flung himself upon the stranger. - -That person braced himself for the ordeal, and warded off the initial -blow with the dexterity of a practiced pugilist. - -George found himself foiled, but he did not give up. - -Again he darted at his enemy, and the pair came together in a deadly -grapple. - -Back and forth over the floor they writhed like wrestlers before an -audience; now George obtaining a little advantage, now the other -getting the best of it. - -At last Richmond found himself held against the wall by a grip of iron. - -He panted in his adversary’s power. - -“But one man ever held me thus before this,” he cried. - -“Who was he?” - -“Nick Carter, and, by heavens! you must be that same man!” - -There was no reply. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII. - -MULBERRY BILLY’S “FIND.” - - -Margie Marne came out of the hospital shortly after her terrible -experience in the house guarded by Nora. - -Her escape had bordered on the miraculous, and the girl was glad to get -back to the humble home she occupied. - -Her first thought was of the woman who had been her jaileress and she -wondered if Nora herself had escaped the flames. - -Having a fair acquaintance with Billy, the street Arab, she sought out -the boy, and fortunately found him. - -Billy had heard of Nora’s suicide, and he at once posted Margie. - -“By the way,” said the little fellow, “I’ve made a find.” - -“You? What have you discovered, Billy?” - -“Something that I am going to show to Mr. Carter just as soon as I find -him.” - -“It may amount to nothing.” - -“But you don’t know where I found it,” cried the boy. - -“Tell me.” - -Billy came closer, and dropped his voice to a whisper as he laid his -hand upon the girl’s arm. - -“I found it in Mother Flintstone’s den,” said he. “Look here, Margie.” - -He produced a flat package, which looked like it had been stored away -for years, but the moment the girl’s eyes alighted on it she uttered a -little scream. - -“It’s the will, Billy!” she exclaimed. - -“What had Mother Flintstone to will away, I’d like to know?” said the -boy. - -“More than you think. Let me see the packet.” - -Billy laid it on the table, and watched Margie closely. - -The girl seemed to be afraid to touch the package, but at last she -picked it up. - -Opening the envelope, which looked nearly ready to fall to pieces, she -drew forth a paper and opened it. - -The first line startled her. - -“What is it?” asked the boy. - -Margie said nothing, but her eyes dilated. - -“It’s a will, you said, Margie?” - -“It’s more than that, Billy. It’s the true story of Mother Flintstone’s -life.” - -“Then it is important, sure enough.” - -Margie read on, her face changing color, and at last she reached the -end of the page. - -“Mother Flintstone left behind her an important document,” she remarked. - -“That’s what the dark-faced man was looking for when he sounded the -walls.” - -“No doubt of that.” - -“P’r’aps that’s why they killed her.” - -“They, Billy? Do you think more than one hand was at work that night?” - -“I do, Miss Margie,” cried the boy, confidently. “There are two hands -in this mystery. Mr. Carter will trip them up in time, see if he don’t.” - -“Yes, Billy, there is more than a will,” and Margie held the package -up before the street boy. “As I’ve told you, it is also the story of -Mother Flintstone’s life. Where did you find it, boy?” - -“Under the hearth.” - -“The place was not examined by the dark-faced man?” - -“Exactly! He looked every place else. I found it there safe from him -and the rats. Keep it, Margie. No, hide it from that man. He’ll have it -or your life if he knows you have it.” - -Margie placed the packet in her bosom, and looked gratefully at the -street boy. - -“I’ll see that you’re paid for this find,” said she. - -“I don’t want a penny. I only want ter get ahead of George Richmond and -his chum, Claude Lamont, the young sport. They’re into the biggest game -of their lives, but we’ll balk ’em all the same, Margie.” - -The girl expressed the hope that it would turn out thus, and in a short -time she was in another part of the city. - -She wanted to avoid the man into whose hands she had fallen at the -Trocadero. She was now confident that this personage was Claude Lamont -himself, and she had seen enough of his villainy. - -Margie Marne carried the precious package home, where she hid it -carefully, believing that no human eye could find it, and was satisfied. - -Night was coming on, and she quitted her humble lodgings, with her hood -pulled over her face so as to hide it. - -She had a visit to make, and soon she reached the room occupied by -Carter. - -Her raps were not answered, and she looked disappointed. - -When she again reached the street the lamps had been lit, and the girl -looked all about her. - -Thinking of the package she started home, but on a corner not far from -Carter’s rooms a hand fell upon her arm. - -Margie started, and uttered a little cry. She looked around at the same -time and into the face of a man, who leered at her with a half-vicious -look. - -“Don’t fly so fast, my bird,” laughed the fellow. “I don’t intend to -soil your plumage. You’re Miss Margie Marne, aren’t you?” - -“What if I am?” - -“Then you’re the very person I want to see.” - -“But I don’t want to see any one.” - -“I suppose not. That’s the way with some girls. I’m Caddy.” - -“Who’s Caddy?” demanded Margie. - -“I’m the ‘mixer’ at the Trocadero.” - -The mention of that name sent a chill through the girl’s nerves, and -she fell back. - -“Don’t mention that horrid place!” she exclaimed. - -“I know you had a rather unpleasant experience there, but, you see, it -wasn’t my fault. I can tell you something that may give you a chance to -get even.” - -“Speak quick, if you can. What is it?” - -“Let’s drop in here,” and the little man pointed toward a -decent-looking restaurant. - -Eager to learn something more about the man who had decoyed her to the -Trocadero, Margie went with the fellow, and he guided her to a little -table in the darkest corner of the place. - -“Why don’t you bleed him?” were the first words when they had seated -themselves. - -“Is that your suggestion? Do you want to make a blackmailer out of me?” -exclaimed the girl. - -“No; it wouldn’t be blackmail in this case,” explained Caddy. “It would -simply be getting pay for the indignity.” - -“I’ll get even with him some other way,” said Margie. “You know him, do -you?” - -“Why, of course. Ha, ha, nobody comes to the Trocadero whom I don’t -catch on to. Beat Caddy out of the game, if you can! You don’t want to -make him pay the fiddler, then?” - -“Not in the manner you’ve suggested.” - -“You’re a fool!” cried the little man. “See here, I’ll help you all -I can. I’ll go halves with you, and you won’t have to take any risk. -He’ll milk.” - -“But I’m not in that business.” - -Caddy at once changed color. - -His round face became positively hideous. - -He leaned across the table like a thoroughbred villain and his teeth -seemed to snap together. - -“If you don’t bleed him you’ll get into the net again,” he suddenly -cried. - -“Which means, I suppose, that you’ll help get me there?” - -“I didn’t say I would, but I won’t help keep you out.” - -Margie flushed. - -“You miserable wretch, keep your distance!” she exclaimed, and would -have left the table but for the clutch of the little man’s hand. - -“When you can’t cajole you threaten. It won’t pay, sir.” - -“I’ll see that it does pay!” laughed the mixer of the Trocadero, -unabashed. “I know my business. Sit down.” - -Margie was thrust back into her chair, and the fellow leered at her -again. - -“If you don’t want to milk the young sport himself, bleed the old man. -He’s a bird with golden plumage.” - -“What’s his name?” - -“Gad, don’t you know? It’s Perry Lamont. Lives on one of the avenues -and has mints of wealth at his command. He’s a pigeon worth plucking, -girl.” - -“No, let others do that.” - -“Where did you get your scruples, I’d like to know?” sneered Caddy. -“You’re one in ten thousand. Why, you can feather your nest in fine -shape----” - -Margie broke loose from the fellow’s grasp and fell back. - -He arose at the same time and came around the table. - -“Don’t touch me, serpent!” cried the girl. “You can’t use me in any of -your schemes. I try to be honest.” - -“You do, eh? Oh, you’ll get over it in time. Get a few more years on -you and you’ll be as tough----” - -“Here, what’s that? That’s an honest girl, sir,” put in a man eating -quietly at another table. “Don’t touch her, you little sinner, or I’ll -break your neck.” - -The speaker arose and came forward, gazed at by Caddy with feelings of -fear, while Margie thanked him mutely for his interference. - -“I don’t know you, miss, but I’ve seen this man,” continued the -stranger, who was tall and broad-shouldered. “I guess it’s not the -first time for him. Get out.” - -He pushed Caddy down the aisle with his large hand, and the little -drink mixer went without much urging. - -“I’ll see you later!” he flashed at Margie. - -“No threats!” cried the other man. “Get out, I say, and the sooner the -better.” - -Then the tall man turned to Margie and said: - -“Pardon me, but I thought I heard him call you Margie. It cannot be -Miss Margie Marne whom I address?” - -“That’s my full name, sir,” said the girl, dropping her eyes. - -“My name is McDonald--Jerry McDonald. I own a little business property -in this city. The man who just left is a little rascal. I suppose he -decoyed you hither?” - -Margie told the story of her coming to the place, and McDonald said: - -“He’s revengeful, and you will do well to look after him. If you ever -need my assistance in any way don’t hesitate to command it,” and he -handed the girl his card. - -In another moment the still astonished girl was alone. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - -THE COST OF A SECRET. - - -George Richmond found himself suddenly free from his antagonist in -Mother Flintstone’s den. - -The battle ended sooner than he thought, for his enemy gave a lurch -which disengaged them, and when George recovered he was the sole -occupant of the place. - -“Who was he?” the astonished man asked himself. - -The reply came from his imagination, and he sprang to the door and -looked out. - -No one there. - -“I accused him of being Carter, the detective, but he did not reply,” -he went on. “Years ago I was in Carter’s hands and the grip to-night -seemed the same. But I may have been mistaken. I mustn’t forget that -years have passed since Carter caught me red-handed. I cannot believe -that my foe to-night was the detective.” - -George did not resume his inspection of the old hearth, for he turned -away after replacing the last brick and slipped into the street. - -He was to vanish now. - -That was his bargain with Claude Lamont, and he knew that the -fictitious account of his death was even then in the hands of the -printers. - -He turned up later in another part of the city. - -He crossed the bridge and vanished in Brooklyn. - -Chuckling to himself, he thought of how he had played it on Perry -Lamont. - -In a small room he threw himself upon a couch to snatch a little sleep. - -He was to be pronounced dead by the newspaper to Perry Lamont. - -That was a part of the conspiracy. - -Claude, the blackmailer of his own father, was to attend to that part -of the work and he--George--was to get some of the blood money. - -Thinking how easily the game moved onward to success, he fell asleep, -nor waked till the next morning. - -Then he set about disguising himself most thoroughly. - -He changed his eyebrows, he darkened his hair and he gave his upper lip -a sweeping mustache. - -After his work no one would have called him George Richmond. - -Meantime, over in the larger city, Perry Lamont, entering the library -earlier than usual, as if he expected to hear some news, found Claude -there. - -Father and son looked at one another for a second, and Claude pointed -at a newspaper on the desk. - -The millionaire picked it up and his eager eyes discerned a pencil mark -at a certain paragraph. - -He devoured the falsehood eagerly and almost out of breath. - -The young sport watched him like a cat. - -“Thank Heaven!” cried Perry Lamont, as he shot a glance at Claude and -dropped into his chair. - -“It suits you, I see.” - -“Suits me?” was the reply. “You know it does.” - -A momentary silence followed between father and son, and then the elder -Lamont said: - -“Did you have any trouble?” - -“Not much.” - -“Did he suspect you?” - -“Yes, he did that; but I had to go on, you know.” - -“I know. He died for sure?” - -It was a singular question, as if the speaker half suspected the truth, -and Claude’s heart seemed to find a lodgment in his throat. - -“What does the paper say?” cried Claude, a little irritated. “It -records the death of the notorious George Richmond, doesn’t it?” - -“It does.” - -“That’s sufficient, I think. Do you want to see the--body?” - -“My God, no!” - -“Nor the burial certificate? They’ll probably hold a post mortem, but -we’re safe all the same. It’s all right, I assure you. There’s no -danger, but it took work.” - -“I’m proud of you, Claude. Now, what about the papers?” - -“I’ve got them, too.” - -“Here?” - -“Yes,” and Claude dived one hand into an inner pocket and drew forth a -package, at sight of which Lamont’s eyes seemed to bulge from his head. - -“There they are,” he resumed, throwing the packet upon the table. - -The millionaire snatched at it and opened the package. - -He found the documents forged by George Richmond, and opened the first -one. - -“Heavens! what have we escaped?” he ejaculated. “It was a very narrow -escape. Did you read these papers, Claude?” - -“No, never thought of that. I don’t care to know what the old hag was.” - -“Great Cæsar! these papers would have destroyed us,” and Perry Lamont -looked white. “She had it in her power to break me up, and I don’t see -why she didn’t exercise it. Why, they’re worth a million almost.” - -For some time Perry Lamont went over the papers in silence and did not -look up again till he had reached the end of the last sheet. - -Claude smiled inwardly all the time. - -He knew that George had done his work well. - -“Now, here they go,” said Lamont, senior, at last, as he moved toward -the grate where a fire burned. - -Claude saw his father hold the documents over the fire a few moments -and then drop them into it. - -As they caught fire the door opened and Opal came in. - -Her face was white and she was agitated. - -Perry Lamont pointed in silence at the hearth and looked toward his -daughter. - -Opal sprang to the fire and bent forward. - -“Did you get it?” she asked, looking at her brother. - -Claude said nothing. - -“Did you have any trouble?” - -“Some.” - -“You paid him well for that service, didn’t you?” she inquired of her -father. - -“We had an understanding.” - -“That’s good. It saved us. We are no longer in the toils of the -secret-keeper. Now no one can say that Mother Flintstone was our near -kin.” - -The tall, regal-looking girl seemed almost beside herself with joy. - -She would have embraced Claude had not his coldness repulsed her, and -in a few moments she withdrew. - -“I’ll take it now,” said Claude, addressing his parent. - -“Oh, yes. You’ll place it to your account, I suppose?” - -“Of course.” - -Perry Lamont filled out a check for two hundred thousand dollars, and -pushed it across the desk to his son. - -Claude looked at it a moment, and then transferred it to his pocket. - -It was the cost of a secret; it was also blood money, and the time was -near at hand when that deed was to return to plague the doers. - -“Safe at last!” exclaimed Perry Lamont, when he found himself alone. -“It’s in the fire and he’s out of the way. I would like to know if -Claude really had much trouble. The paper said it was vertigo, but we -know better. Claude is sure the post mortem will not reveal anything. -They won’t catch Claude!” - -He chuckled to himself and looked at the darkened ashes of the false -confession in the grate. - -By and by he returned to the desk and sat down, his head falling on his -breast like that of a weary man, and in a short time he was fast asleep. - -The house grew still. Outside Claude Lamont was hurrying downtown, -while Opal, in the parlor almost for the first time since her bout -with the detective, thrummed the piano. - -Some distance from the Lamont mansion Carter, the detective, was -watching the actions of a man who mixed drinks behind a bar. - -It was Caddy, the mixer at the Trocadero, and the detective, well -disguised, seemed to take more than a passing interest in his movements. - -By and by Caddy put on his coat and walked out, with Carter at his -heels. - -All at once the hand of the detective fell upon Caddy’s shoulder, and -the little man stopped at once. - -His face grew white when he looked up and saw the keen eyes that seemed -to read his inmost thoughts. - -“Don’t do it again,” said the detective. - -“What have I done?” - -“Don’t threaten Miss Marne again.” - -“But I--I--didn’t.” - -“You did. Please don’t try it any more. That’s all.” - -Caddy did not catch his breath till Carter was out of sight, and even -then he seemed to breathe hard. - -“Won’t I?” he hissed. “Just let me get another chance at the girl, and -I’ll make her think she isn’t anybody in particular. She refused to -play her part of the game I’ve made up, but I’ll bring her around in -spite of the two men, that I will.” - -But for all his braggadocio Caddy was ill at ease, for instead of -going on he retraced his steps to the Trocadero, took a “bracer,” and -remained indoors. - -Nick Carter proceeded on his way, and at last pulled up in front of -Bristol Clara’s house. - -The woman opened the door even before he knocked and led him into the -parlor. - -“George Richmond is dead,” she exclaimed, a smile coming to her lips. -“Not quite dead, but I heard the arrangements made. It’s a cool scheme, -isn’t it? Who are they going to beat out of two hundred thousand -dollars?” - -“Perry Lamont, the millionaire,” was the answer. “They’re all birds of -the same feather, even the girl. I had a narrow escape from her, but a -miss is just as good as a mile. She may know ere this that I don’t lie -dead in the parlor of the old mansion on Cedar Street. I want a place -at the peephole to-night, Clara.” - -“It’s at your service.” - -“I won’t need it after to-night.” - -“Are you going to close in on them?” - -The detective nodded. - -“Which one did it?” eagerly asked the girl. - -“Never mind, Clara. I won’t make any mistake.” - -“Of course not. You never do,” proudly answered the tenant of the house. - -Carter had set his time, but he could not prophesy what the coming -hours were to bring forth. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV. - -BETWEEN THE WALLS OF DOOM. - - -Shrewd as the detective was, he was destined to meet one who was almost -his equal in dexterity and cunning before the hour set for closing in -on his quarry came around. - -When he quitted Bristol Clara’s abode he proceeded to his own quarters, -where he desired, for the time, to be alone. - -The secrets of the trail he kept to himself. - -If he knew the hand which struck Mother Flintstone down he did not -reveal it by word or deed, and, like the experienced tracker, he was -silent. - -Several hours later the detective left the rooms and reappeared on the -street. - -He was within a block of his place when a boy approached him. - -He extended a letter, which the detective at once took. - -“Who sent this, boy?” he asked, as he glanced at the superscription. - -“The leddy, sir.” - -“But who was the lady?” - -“Look inside. I guess that tells; ha, ha!” and the messenger whisked -around the nearest corner and disappeared. - -Already the hands of Carter had broken the seal of the missive thus -strangely delivered, and in a moment he had read: - - “Could you spare me five minutes of your valuable time, Mr. Carter? - I can make some dark places clear to you. I can enlighten you about - some important things. Come secretly, for it is ticklish business. - I will be there. Come to Number -- Hester Street. Don’t knock! just - open the door and come to the first room on the left of the hall. - - “SARA P----” - -Nick Carter read the letter twice before he looked up again. - -He did not know Sara P----. - -He had never heard of such a person, and he racked his brain in vain to -think who she might be. - -He did not know what “dark places” she referred to. - -She might mean some old trail which he had run down, or she might have -reference to Mother Flintstone’s taking off. - -The detective was puzzled. - -However, he decided to see if there was anything in the affair, to go -to the designated number and meet this woman-informer face to face. - -As no time was set by the strange writer, he took it for granted that -she was to be found in the house at any hour, and in a few minutes he -was on his way. - -The detective was always ready to investigate anything that promised to -assist him on a trail. - -More than once he had picked up some startling clews from anonymous -letters, and he thought that perhaps “Sara P----” might know something -of importance. - -Hester Street is not the finest street in Gotham. Neither is it a -high-toned thoroughfare. There is a mixture of poverty and wealth on -Hester Street, but society there in spots is not of the highest order. - -Carter entered the street with some misgivings, but not afraid. - -He walked leisurely up the street, looking for the number, and -wondering what sort of looking woman his correspondent was. - -He found the house at last--a plain, two-story affair, with shutters in -front and signs of age about the structure. - -No one appeared at the door to greet him, but he did not expect any one. - -He walked up the steps and turned the knob. - -The door opened easily, and he was in the hall. - -“The first door to the left,” he mentally said, and then he advanced -toward it. - -In another second he had pushed this portal open and stood in a -darkened room. - -He saw no one. - -Perhaps “Sara P----” was in another part of the house and had not heard -him enter. - -Suddenly, however, he was undeceived, and in a flash he knew he had -entered another trap. - -The floor gave way beneath his feet, as if his weight had suddenly -broken it in. - -The entire floor seemed to fall. - -The detective made an effort to recover his equilibrium, but the Fates -were against him. - -He fell down--down--and struck on his feet to pitch forward in Stygian -darkness. - -At the same time a strange noise overhead told him that the floor had -resumed its original position, and then for a few moments all was still. - -The trapped detective had to smile to himself in spite of his -surroundings. - -He could not help laughing at his situation, however dark and hopeless -it seemed to be; he had been cleverly caught, and the bait had secured -the prize. - -It did not take him long to recover from the fall, which had not -injured him; only jarred him up a little. - -He went forward and found a wall ahead. - -He followed the wall around, and came back to the same spot, as he -could tell by a little stone under his feet. - -The dungeon apparently had no outlet; it was like a sealed-up prison of -the olden time. - -Carter put up his hands, but could not touch the floor overhead. - -Of course he could not tell how far he had fallen, but he knew that the -trap was directly above him. - -Had “Sara P----” sprung the trap? - -Had she lured him to this place to destroy him, and thus get even for -some of his detective work? - -He did not doubt it. - -Nick Carter, in the underground prison, said nothing while he went -around the walls. - -He heard no noises in the house overhead, and no one seemed to walk the -floors there. - -At last the detective struck a match on the stone wall. - -It revealed the dimensions of the dungeon, and he surveyed it with -eager curiosity. It was a dungeon sure enough. He saw the stone walls -and the manner in which the stones were put together. There was no -escape. - -Holding the little light above his head Carter saw the underpinning of -the floor. - -He also found the strong iron hinges upon which the great trap had -worked at crime’s bidding. - -He was like a trapped fox. - -Hemmed in by walls of stone, with an impregnable ceiling overhead, -where could there be an avenue of escape? - -All at once, at the last flashing of the lucifer, the detective saw -some words on the wall. - -It reminded him of the words on the wall of the room where Jack, his -spy, had been strangled. - -Had the same hand written them there? - -He threw the match to the ground, struck another and sprang eagerly -forward. - -He held the little light against the wall and read as follows: - - “I am doomed to perish here. There is no escape from this hole of - death. I was decoyed here like a rabbit, and I die for my folly. Let - the next unfortunate person know that I, Lewis Newell, was the victim - of Opal Lamont’s cunning. The woman is a tigress. Farewell. - - “LEWIS NEWELL.” - -For a full half minute the detective seemed to hold his breath. - -He read the writing again and again, and at last threw the stump of the -match at his feet. - -Doomed to die! - -Another had been before him, and that person ascribed his end to Opal -Lamont. - -Was this accusation true? - -The old detective recalled his adventure in the house on Cedar Street -and how narrowly he had escaped death at the hands of this same girl. - -Perhaps this house belonged to the millionaire, like that one. - -Once more in darkness, Carter had time to study the situation. - -His curiosity got the better of him, and again he looked at the writing -on the wall. - -It looked plainer than ever now. - -Who was Lewis Newell, the former victim? - -He had never heard of such a person, but he did not doubt the truth of -the inscription. - -Suddenly the detective heard a sound that seemed to come from above. - -As he turned his face upward the floor seemed to lift, and his eyes -were blinded by an intense glare. - -It was as if an electric globe had suddenly been uncovered in his face, -and the light was so strong that he fell back, blinking his eyes like -an owl. - -The glare vanished as suddenly as it came into being, but when he -looked again he caught sight of a little ball burning in one corner of -the trap. - -It sent out a singular odor, not unpleasant, but enervating, and the -detective’s system seemed to yield to its influence from the first. - -“The accursed thing is the death agent which may have killed Newell!” -he cried, as he sprang forward and set his foot on the burning ball. - -At that moment an explosion occurred, the interior of the dungeon -seemed to collapse and Carter became unconscious. - -Perhaps the end had come. - -When the detective came out of the darkness of doom, as it were, he was -lying on his face. - -In a moment he staggered up and put out his hands. - -They touched a wall as hard and cold as the one they had touched last. - -Where was he and in what sort of trap? - -Slowly the adventures of the last few hours came back to his excited -brain. - -He recalled the note, the visit to the house on Hester Street, the fall -through the trapdoor and the burning ball. - -These thoughts came fast and thick; they seemed to contend for -supremacy in his brain and he breathed hard. - -“I must get out,” was his cry. “Woman or tigress, she shall not keep me -in this vile place!” - -But getting out was the puzzle. - -He circumnavigated his prison like a captive in the dungeons of Venice. - -He sounded every foot of space, stood on his tiptoes in a vain effort -to reach the ceiling, felt the walls again and again and at last gave -up. - -For once at least the famous detective seemed at the end of life. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV. - -A COMPLETE KNOCK-OUT. - - -Meanwhile, Margie Marne was having an adventure of her own, to which we -will now recur. - -In another part of the city, and about the same hour that witnessed the -strange explosion in the dungeon where Carter was confined, the girl -sat in her little room. - -She was quite alone, but all the time she was watched by a pair of eyes -that did not lose sight of her. - -These eyes glittered in the head of a man on the floor above, and he -was enabled to watch the girl through a hole deftly cut in the floor. - -All unconscious of the espionage, the girl looked over a few papers -which she had taken from their hiding place in one corner of the room, -where they would baffle the lynx eyes of a keen man, and now and then a -smile came to her face. - -All at once she heard footsteps approach her door, and for the first -time in an hour she looked up. - -A rap sounded, but Margie hesitated. - -Should she open the door and admit her visitor? - -Perhaps it was Carter, whom she wanted to see just then, but a sudden -fear took possession of her. - -At last, however, Margie arose, and hiding the papers in her bosom, -crossed the room. - -Her hand was on the latch, but for all this she still hesitated. - -In another moment, as if beating down her last suspicion, Margie opened -the door. - -A man stood before her. It was not the person who had offered to -protect her from Caddy’s advances, nor was it Caddy himself. - -As she held the door open the stranger advanced into the apartment and -turned suddenly upon Margie. - -Her breath went fast, and she gazed at the man with half-stifled -feelings. - -“Miss Marne?” he asked in a peculiar voice. - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Alone, I see.” - -“I am quite alone, but I cannot imagine to whom I owe the present call.” - -“Sit down, girl.” - -There was something commanding in the tones, which had suddenly -changed, but Margie did not stir. - -“I want to talk with you,” continued the man. “And I prefer to have you -seated.” - -Margie glanced at the door and then toward the window, the eyes of her -caller following her, and for half a second her heart seemed in her -throat. - -“I want those papers,” and the fellow, whose face was covered with a -heavy brown beard, held out his hand. - -“What papers?” demanded the girl. - -“The ones you have just been looking over.” - -No wonder Margie started. - -“Come, don’t mince matters with me. I won’t have it. Are they in your -bosom, girl?” - -Margie fell back, but the man advanced. - -“I am here for them,” he went on. “You can’t cheat me out of them. -Come, hand them over.” - -“But----” - -“Not a word unless you intend to comply with my demand! You know where -the papers are. You got them in Mother Flintstone’s den.” - -“My God----” - -“I hit the nail on the head, did I?” brutally laughed the man. “I -thought my arrow wouldn’t go far wide of the mark. Here, I’ll despoil -you of the papers by force if you don’t tamely submit.” - -Margie was nearly against the wall now, and she looked at the man like -a startled fawn. - -She now felt, yes, knew that the beard was but a mask, and she asked -herself whom she faced. - -Claude Lamont or George Richmond? - -She could retreat no farther, and remembering her adventure in the -house which had succumbed to the fire fiend, she nearly fainted. - -Already the powerful hands of the unknown almost touched her bosom; she -could feel his hot, wine-laden breath on her cheek and she expected any -minute to be hurled across the room and robbed. - -She made one last effort, but the movement was intercepted, and she -stood in his grasp! - -He held her at arms’ length and glared at her after the manner of a -wild beast. - -The poor girl was a child in the iron grip of the man, and all at once -he drew her toward him and began to look for the documents. - -“Don’t! For Heaven’s sake, have some respect for my sex!” gasped -Margie. “You can have them.” - -“I can, eh? Well, hand them over.” - -Margie, with trembling fingers, did so, and at sight of the papers he -uttered a gleeful cry. - -The next moment he released her, and she sank into the nearest chair. - -She saw him step back a pace and open the papers, over which he eagerly -ran his eye. - -“Is this all you had, girl?” he suddenly demanded. - -“Yes.” - -“It’s a lie!” - -Margie’s face colored. - -“I want the others.” - -“I have no others.” - -“These are but letters from a lover. Where are the papers that once -belonged to the old hag?” - -“That is not for me to tell.” - -“You defy me, eh?” - -“I defy no one.” - -“I’ll choke you to death but what I get the truth. I’ll have the right -papers or your life!” - -“You must take my life, then.” - -The girl had strangely recovered her self-possession. - -She could look at him now without flinching, and the terrible hand -dreaded a few moments before had no terrors for her now. - -Suddenly the man threw the letters upon the table and looked fiercely -at the girl. - -She withstood his look like a heroine. - -“Be quick about it!” he cried. - -“I have no other papers,” calmly said Margie. - -He laughed derisively and then glanced toward the door. - -“I’ll fix you,” he exclaimed. “You’ve been in our road long enough, and -the only sure way to get rid of you is to leave you here a fit subject -for the morgue.” - -The moment he came toward her Margie sprang up. - -She was strong again, and suddenly catching up a poker which stood -near the chair, she placed herself in an attitude of defiance. - -“You advance at your peril,” she said, in determined tones. “I shall -defend myself to the last extremity.” - -“Against me? Why, girl, you don’t know what you are saying.” - -“You shall find out if you advance, I say.” - -He laughed again, and came forward. - -In an instant the heavy rod was lifted above the girl’s head, and the -next second she brought it down with all her might. - -It was a blow such as a giantess might have delivered, for the man’s -lifted arms went down, and he received the full weight of the poker -upon his head. - -He gave one gasp and sank to the floor like one killed outright, and -Margie, with the novel weapon still clutched in her hands, looked at -him, while a deathly pallor overspread her face. - -Had she killed him? - -For a short time she stood there, barely realizing that the whole thing -was not a dream, and then she bent over the man. - -As she touched the beard it came off and fell to the floor beside the -face. - -Margie uttered a scream. - -She had seen that face before--seen it in company with Claude Lamont, -and she knew that the man was his associate in evil and one of the -chief men in the plot against Mother Flintstone and herself. - -She sprang up suddenly and ran from the room, shutting the door behind -her. - -Down on the street she saw no one, though she looked everywhere for a -policeman. - -Moments were flitting away, and she suddenly thought of Carter. - -She knew where he lodged, and she would tell him of her adventure. - -In a moment she was on her way, but she was doomed to disappointment; -the detective’s door was locked and she could not elicit a response. - -Baffled, Margie turned back again. - -She had taken up nearly twenty minutes on the streets, and when she -reached the vicinity of her humble home she thought of the man left on -the floor. - -She glided upstairs cautiously, just as if the dead could hear her, but -at the door she stopped and listened. - -All was still beyond it. - -Margie put on a bold front, and opened the portal. - -The first look seemed to root her to the spot. - -The room was untenanted. - -No one lay on the floor, and the little place, with this exception, -seemed just as she left it. - -The man, her victim, was gone. - -“Thank Heaven! his blood is not on my hands, rascal though he was!” -exclaimed Margie Marne, as she leaped across the threshold and shut the -door behind her. - -If she had returned a little sooner she might have caught sight of her -would-be robber. - -She might have seen a man come out of the house, with his hat drawn -over his brows and the brown beard awry. - -This individual hurried away, nor looked he back, as if he thought he -was not safe from molestation, and his gait told how eager he was to -get out of the neighborhood. - -A few minutes later he turned up in a certain house in another part of -the city, and dropped into a chair as the tenant of the room demanded -to know if he had been in a prize fight. - -“Not quite, but I struck an Amazon,” was the reply, and he of the brown -beard tried to smile. - -“Tell me; did you encounter Margie?” - -“No one else. What made you guess her?” - -“Her name popped into my head somehow or other. Guess I must have been -thinking of her when you came in. What did she hit you with?” - -“With a crowbar, from the way my head feels; but never mind. It’s a -long lane, you know.” - -Claude Lamont smiled. - -“You do pretty well for a ‘dead man,’” and then both men burst into a -laugh. - -“I’ll wring her neck for it yet!” suddenly cried George Richmond. “I’ll -have the blood of that girl for her blow!” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI. - -THE PARRICIDE. - - -“You’d better not try it.” - -“Why not?” snarled Richmond. - -“She may be dangerous.” - -“That chit? Pshaw!” - -“Just try it. See here. You don’t want to be too gay just now. Don’t -you know you’re a dead man?” - -“So I am.” - -“Well, be a little careful. What if Carter gets on to our game?” - -“Carter mustn’t do that.” - -“Of course not, but we must see that he cannot.” - -Ten minutes longer the two men, watched by Bristol Clara, the tenant -in the next house, remained in the room, and then Richmond bade Claude -good night. - -The moment the millionaire’s son found himself alone he struck the -table with his fist. - -“Why didn’t I really kill that man?” he exclaimed. “He is bound to be -my evil genius, after all. I can’t see my way clear to ultimate success -with him in the way. He’ll blackmail me, and what can I do? If he were -really dead----” - -He did not finish the sentence, but broke it off suddenly, and arose, -throwing his cigar away. - -“I’ll go home,” he said. - -A few minutes later he was met at the door of his home by his sister -Opal, whose face told him that she had something of importance to say. - -“Father is gone,” said the girl, with a gasp, and would have fallen if -Claude had not caught her around the waist. - -“Gone?” echoed the young sport. - -“It is true. You can see for yourself.” - -Opal led the way to the library, and mutely pointed at her father’s -chair. - -“When did you miss him?” asked Claude. - -“An hour ago.” - -“Did he leave any message behind?” - -“Yes.” - -“Where is it?” - -Opal handed her brother a crumpled note, and the young man leaned -toward the light to read its contents. - -“My God! you don’t believe that?” he exclaimed, turning upon his sister. - -“I don’t know what to believe,” was the answer. - -“What have you done?” - -“Nothing. I’ve been waiting for you. I sent to the club, but the -message came back that you had not been there.” - -“Something must be done. Certainly father did not mean this. He has not -gone to the police.” - -“I--don’t--know.” - -“I’ll see. He may have gone to the river in a fit of madness. He would -not tell all he knows about Mother Flintstone.” - -“I should think he would not.” - -Claude seized his hat and rushed from the house. - -For a little while his brain seemed to swim, and the lights blinded him. - -He did not ask what Opal would do now that she was again the sole -occupant of the house. - -He did not seem to care. - -Perry Lamont was a runaway, with a great secret at his tongue’s end and -millions at stake. - -For some time the old nabob had been subject to strange spells of -mania, and the worst was to be feared. - -It was this that urged Claude Lamont on and on. - -He could not wait till he got downtown, and minutes seemed hours to him. - -He thought of a thousand things. - -He wondered what had become of Carter, and more than once he looked -back, as if he expected to see Nick on his trail. - -At a fashionable saloon he stopped long enough to gulp down something -for his nerves, and then he hastened on again. - -Suddenly he stopped, and then dropped into the shadow of a large -building. - -A man was crossing the street--coming toward him. - -His heart took a great leap into his throat, for it was the very man he -was hunting for--his father. - -Claude stood in the shadows and watched him like a hawk. - -He could not take his eyes off the old man, and as he neared him he -debated in his mind what to do. - -As the millionaire stepped upon the sidewalk within a few feet of him -the son darted forward and clutched him by the arm. - -“Father!” he cried. - -With a powerful effort Perry Lamont shook the grip loose and looked -into Claude’s face. - -“My God! he’s mad!” ejaculated the young man. - -“It is Claude. Don’t you know me?” pleaded the son. - -“Let me go. I’ve been looking after my sister--little Sis, you know.” - -“Heavens! he means Mother Flintstone!” thought Claude. - -“I can’t find her. What’s become of Sis?” - -“I’ll find her for you.” - -“What; you’ll show me where she is?” cried the old man. - -“Yes, yes. Come with me.” - -In an instant Lamont’s mind changed, and he became as docile as a lamb. - -As Claude was near the house he occupied when not at home he guided his -father thither and let him inside. - -Conducting him to the library, where he had just had an interview with -George Richmond, he seated his parent and took a chair himself. - -“Is she here?” asked Lamont. - -“Yes; you’ll see her presently.” - -“But I can’t wait. I want to see Sis now. I haven’t seen her for years, -and I want to tell her about the money I have kept for her so long.” - -“What money?” - -“I’ve kept it for Sis. It belongs to her--the thousands which were left -to her, you know.” - -“What if Sis isn’t in need of money?” queried Claude. - -“Then I’ll throw it into the fire! No one shall have it but her. I will -see to that. Who are you?” - -Claude smiled grimly. - -His father had not recognized him. - -“Come, you don’t want Sis to have the money,” he cried, and before the -son could prevent, the other was on his feet, his eyes glaring like the -orbs of a wolf. - -“I’ll have your blood if you don’t tell me!” shrieked the mad -millionaire. - -“I’m your son.” - -“No, you’re not! My son? It’s a lie!” - -Claude saw his danger, and the madman advancing upon him made him throw -out his hand in self-defense. - -“My son is at home!” cried Lamont, senior. “You are not he. I won’t -believe it!” - -“But, father----” - -The sentence was not finished, for all at once Perry Lamont sprang at -his son, and grabbing him by the shoulders, threw him against the wall. - -There was a startled cry on the other side of it from the woman whose -eyes seemed glued to the paper there. - -“I’ll kill you like a dog if you don’t tell me where Sis is. I went to -her den--they called her Mother Flintstone, you know--but she wasn’t -there. Where is she?” - -“Let me loose first.” - -“And let you run off? Not much; ha! ha!” and the maniac laughed. “I -won’t do anything of the kind.” - -“But I can’t show you where Sis is unless you do that. I won’t run -away, father.” - -“It is false. You can’t fool me. I will hold you here till you tell the -truth.” - -“Well, Sis, is asleep in the room yonder.” - -“Is that true?” - -Claude Lamont wanted to gain time. If he could get rid of his father’s -maddened hands he might effect his escape, for just now he was in -danger. - -Perry Lamont glanced toward the door, and seemed disposed to believe -his desperate son. - -But suddenly he appeared to change his mind, for again his eyes shot -forth sparks of fire. - -“Call her out here,” he said. - -Claude’s heart seemed to sink within him. - -He knew he could not call back the dead. - -He wished for the door to open and admit some one; he would have -rejoiced then, with his father’s fingers buried in his throat, to have -seen Carter. - -“I’ll give you one second, or to hades you go!” suddenly cried Perry -Lamont. - -Claude’s blood seemed to run cold. - -One second to live! - -What had become of George Richmond? - -Why didn’t that worthy turn up to save him in the nick of time? - -Why had he guided his father to that house and not home, where he would -have had Opal for an ally? - -Fate was against him. - -“Quick! quick!” exclaimed the madman. “Tell me where Sis is or I will -tear your throat here!” - -Claude made one last effort. - -He summoned all his strength and dashed forward. - -His father’s feet tripped on the carpet, and, falling, he dragged him -down. - -Father and son fell in a heap on the carpet, and for half a second -seemed stunned by the tumble. - -Claude was the first to recover. - -He raised himself and tore himself loose from the maniacal fingers. - -As he did so his father sprang up with the roar of a baffled tiger, and -launched himself forward. - -It left Claude little time for reflection or action. - -He saw danger ahead, and his hands were bare of any weapon. - -But suddenly he snatched up a glass paper weight from the desk, and -launched it straight at his father’s face. - -An arrow never went straighter to the mark than did the paper weight. -It struck the millionaire fairly in the face, and he went down like a -stricken ox. - -On the carpet he gave a convulsive gasp and moved one arm; that was all. - -“He invited it,” said Claude. “He forced it upon himself. They can’t -blame me for this thing.” - -Five minutes later he stood on the street, with the house darkened -behind him and the glim of the lamps in his eyes. - -He looked like Cain; the brand was on his brow. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII. - -CARTER’S ESCAPE. - - -We left Carter in durance in the dungeon where the strange explosion -had taken place. - -Truly the detective was in the direst straits, and he could not forget -the writing on the wall. - -He did not know who “Lewis Newell” was, and he did not stop to inquire. - -The sentence said that Opal Lamont, the fair daughter of the -millionaire, was responsible for the prisoner’s fate, and this set the -detective to thinking. - -Perhaps the house to which he had been decoyed belonged to Perry -Lamont, like another house he knew of. - -He recalled his visit to the nabob’s mansion, where he had confronted -Opal, and he recalled as well her demeanor. - -That she had revengeful blood he well knew. - -Her beauty was tigerish. - -But first of all the detective wanted to get out of the dark place, and -he resolved that it should not hold him long. - -How to get out was the question, but for all this he set about it with -all his wits at work. - -The singular odors arising from the bomb had not overcome him longer -than a few minutes, and now the dungeon seemed fairly free of them. - -Once more he went around the walls and sounded them again. He stooped -where he had seen the flash of light as the bomb burst, and found that -the wall had yielded. - -A stone was loosened, and this gave him hope. - -Beyond the wall must lie liberty. - -With an energy born of despair Carter toiled until he had made a hole -underneath the wall large enough to admit his body, and he did not -hesitate to squeeze through it. - -Beyond the wall sure enough lay freedom, for he felt the cool night air -on his cheeks and found himself in a cramped back yard. - -Out of durance at last, Carter breathed a prayer of thankfulness and -filled up the hole. - -He stood for some little time in the yard, and then cleared the fence -which stood between him and the street. - -Half an hour later he might have been seen to enter Bristol Clara’s -house. - -The woman uttered a cry as she saw him, and pulled him forward. - -“Thank Heaven!” she cried; “but why didn’t you come sooner?” - -“I couldn’t. Circumstances prevented,” said the detective, with a grim -smile, which Bristol Clara did not understand. - -“What’s happened, girl?” - -“Murder!” - -“Where?” - -“There!” - -The woman pointed across the room toward the next house and looked at -Carter. - -“Who committed it?” he asked. - -“Claude Lamont.” - -“Then they’re even,” was the detective’s answer. - -Clara did not reply, but led the detective to the peephole, and bade -him look. - -The room beyond the partition was dimly lighted, but he could see its -appointments and single tenant. - -A man was stretched on the floor, silent and still. - -“That’s the victim,” said the woman at his side. - -“Who is he?” - -“Perry Lamont.” - -“And you say Claude did it? His son?” - -“His son. I saw the whole affair.” - -“Tell me all about it, Clara.” - -Bristol Clara did so, and the detective listened without once -interrupting the woman. - -“I must see the man yonder,” said Nick. - -“That’s easy. The house is tenanted only by the dead. You can easily -get inside.” - -It did not take Carter long to reach the room where Perry Lamont lay. - -He raised the man’s head and saw the dark spot made by the murderous -paper weight; then he lowered it again to the floor. - -He searched the room thoroughly, and found more than one thing which -told him that it had been one of Claude Lamont’s nests. - -At last he rejoined Clara in the other house. - -“Now for the round-up,” said he. - -The woman looked at him, but did not speak. - -“You once asked me who killed Mother Flintstone,” said Nick. - -“Yes.” - -“I know.” - -“Of course you do. You find out all these things. I never doubted that -you would reach the end of this trail.” - -“Well, woman, I can tell you now.” - -Bristol Clara leaned forward, and Carter whispered a word into her ear. - -“My God! you don’t mean that?” cried the woman, as she recoiled, with -very little color in her face. - -“Every word of it.” - -“It cannot be.” - -“It is true.” - -“Then go and do your duty;” said she. “Don’t let the guilty escape, Mr. -Carter.” - -“I don’t intend to. I’ll see you later, Clara. Only keep a watch -over the man in yonder. The murderer may come back. Perhaps it was -self-defense, but he isn’t remorseful. It is murder all the same.” - -The detective made his way from the house and to another part of the -city. He had found in the desk a bit of paper, with a scrawled address -thereon. - -It was a certain number in Brooklyn, and inside the hour the detective -was across the river. - -It did not take him very long to reach the house, which he found -darkened and silent, but his ring brought footsteps downstairs and to -the door. - -As the portal opened Carter caught sight of an old man’s face, and he -addressed him. - -“I desire to see Mr. Holden, your roomer.” - -“He’s sound asleep, sir.” - -“I must see him all the same. Which room does he occupy?” - -The detective pushed forward, with one hand on the old man’s arm, and -the old fellow seemed to suspect the truth. - -“Don’t disturb my wife. She’s sick upstairs. You shall see Mr. Holden. -I hope he isn’t a fugitive from justice, sir?” - -There was no answer by the detective, for the old man opened a door and -motioned Nick across another threshold. - -As Carter entered the room a human figure sprang from a bed and stood -on the carpet before him. - -“How are you?” said the detective. - -The reply he got was a snort like a sound from a restive tiger, and -George Richmond, brought to bay, threw a swift glance toward the door. - -“What’s wanting?” he demanded. - -“I want you.” - -“What for?” - -“For conspiracy.” - -The man before Carter seemed to catch his breath. - -It was not so bad after all. - -In fact, a grim smile appeared at the corners of his mouth and his look -softened. - -“Who are you?” he next asked. - -“Come, you know me, George,” said the detective. “I’m not disguised.” - -“Well, here I am.” - -The half-dressed man stepped forward, but the moment Carter advanced a -step he picked up a chair and with the fury of a maniac threw it above -his head. - -The old landlord behind the detective uttered a terrified cry and -retreated, and as he held the only light there was, the room was -wrapped in darkness. - -Carter struck a match, and at the same time thrust forward his revolver. - -But the match revealed nothing. - -George Richmond was gone! - -For half a minute Carter stood like a person in a dream, but a sudden -cry from the old man aroused him. - -“He’s crept under the bed, sir,” was the cry. - -With a light laugh Carter sprang forward and caught hold of the foot he -found. - -The next moment a bullet whizzed past his head and then he dragged the -rascal forth. - -Lying on the floor, handcuffed, George Richmond looked up into Carter’s -face and grinned. - -“For conspiracy, eh?” he said. “That’s news to me.” - -“It’s better for that than murder,” was the answer, and then Carter -took his prisoner away. - -“Now for the other birds,” said the detective, as he turned from the -station house. - -He proceeded uptown and, late as it was, rang the bell of the Lamont -mansion. - -For some time no one answered him, and then he heard footsteps inside. - -“It’s Opal herself,” thought Carter, as he waited for the door to open. - -Yes, it was the handsome daughter of the dead millionaire, and she -maintained her composure as she looked into the detective’s face. - -“It’s a late call, miss,” said Carter, as he stepped inside. “But it is -a case of necessity. I’ve found your father.” - -“Indeed?” - -How terribly cool this girl was. - -“Yes; he’s been found and will be home shortly.” - -“That’s clever of you. I did not know you were looking for him. He -went off a little unexpectedly, you see----” - -“I understand. He is dead----” - -“Father dead?” - -It was a real start now, but in a moment Opal regained her composure. - -“Miss Lamont, did you ever know a man named Lewis Newell?” - -She fell back and seemed to gasp for breath. - -“Lewis Newell?” she echoed, trying to become calm again. “I don’t know -that I ever knew such a man.” - -“You did not decoy him to a dungeon? You did not coolly let him perish -there? I’ve read his last words on the wall, miss. I know that that is -not your only crime!” - -“It is false!” - -She looked defiant and her eyes flashed. - -“There’s another, miss,” continued Carter. - -“You dare not say that again.” - -“I say it again. There’s another crime. It is the greatest one of all.” - -“What is it, pray?” - -“The murder of Mother Flintstone!” - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII. - -JUSTICE’S ROUND-UP. - - -Opal Lamont seemed to grow into a statue before the detective. - -She did not move a muscle, but her face grew white, and the detective -thought she would sink to the floor. - -But suddenly she started up and calmly invited Carter into the parlor. - -The detective accepted and watched her like a hawk, for had not she -once faced him with a revolver, and was not this the woman named by -“Lewis Newell” on the wall of the dungeon? - -Opal Lamont seemed calm now. - -She faced the man of many trails and even smiled. - -“The murder of Mother Flintstone?” she said, recalling the detective’s -words in the hall. “You accuse me of that, do you?” - -“Yes.” - -“Let me see your proofs, please.” - -Carter dived one hand into his bosom and drew forth a little packet, -upon which the eyes of Opal Lamont were riveted from the first. - -He had never shown this to any one. - -No one knew that he found it in an obscure corner of Mother -Flintstone’s den the night he went thither with Mulberry Billy, the -street waif, and the old woman’s “chum.” - -Opal leaned forward and watched the hands of the detective open the -packet. - -She never took her eyes from the “find,” and when the last bit of -covering had been taken off she appeared to grow white. - -One-half of a ring lay in Carter’s hand, and he glanced from it to the -immobile face of the millionaire’s daughter. - -“You found that in the house, I suppose?” asked Opal. - -“Yes; in the darkest corner, not far from the spot where you struck the -blow.” - -“Is that all?” - -“Not quite.” - -“You need not go on. Look at me, Mr. Carter. It was for the honor of -this house. She was wicked.” - -“She was your father’s sister!” - -“She made a bad match. She was disowned, or, rather, she disinherited -herself.” - -“But that was no excuse for the crime.” - -“She might have paraded the relationship before the world,” cried Opal. -“She was positively dangerous. She was a perpetual menace. It was -dreadful.” - -“You took it upon yourself to put her out of the way. You went to the -house----” - -“To silence her tongue!” broke in Opal Lamont. “Murder was not in my -mind at first. But she taunted me; she laughed at me when I offered to -make her rich. She even threatened to appear in public and boast of the -kinship. That was more than I could stand.” - -“You struck her then?” - -“I did. I broke the ring with the blow. I did not miss it till I came -home. The other half strangely clung to my finger till I reached this -house. I thought I had lost the rest on the street.” - -“You nearly involved others in that crime.” - -“How’s that?” - -“Your brother was for a time suspected of the murder, and then his -chum, George Richmond.” - -“Did it deceive you?” - -“For a time. I traced out the ownership of the ring. I did it with the -utmost secrecy. But a short time ago I half believed that one of them -was the guilty person, but I am undeceived now.” - -A haughty smile came to the girl’s lips. - -She made an impatient gesture and then said: - -“Let us dismiss these things. We can come back to them, you know. You -said a while ago that father was dead.” - -“He is.” - -“Where is he?” - -“In one of the many houses he owned.” - -“I thought he would take his life in his madness. He would have given -his wealth for the keeping of the secret of the kinship. How did he do -it?” - -For a moment Carter was silent. - -“It was not suicide,” said he, looking at Opal. “It was the greater -crime--murder!” - -She started like one electrified. - -“Another murder? I want to see him avenged, even if I have hands that -are red! I want you to take the trail of his slayer. You will do this, -Mr. Carter? You won’t refuse to become the servant of your human -quarry?” - -“It is no mystery,” was the reply. “The murder of your father is not a -puzzle!” - -“Then you know----” - -“I know, for I have a living witness.” - -Opal was silent; but her deep eyes seemed to pierce the detective -through and through. - -“I’m calm now. Name him.” - -At this moment the front door opened and some one came in. - -“It is Claude, my brother,” said the girl, scarcely above a whisper. -“Wait a minute. He may go upstairs.” - -Carter looked toward the door and seemed to smile. - -“Call him in here. His coming will answer the question you have just -put.” - -Opal sprang across the carpet and opened the door, revealing the figure -of Claude in the main hall. - -“This way, Claude,” said she. “A gentleman wants to see you.” - -It was a lightning glance that passed from the hallway to the man in -the parlor. - -Claude Lamont knew the detective at once. - -He hesitated, but Opal clutched his sleeve and pulled him forward by -main force. - -“You know this man. It is the trailer,” she said. - -A dark scowl came to the young man’s face. - -“I know him!” he almost hissed. - -The next instant the daughter turned again to Carter and exclaimed: - -“Now, go on. You said you knew who killed father. Name the murderer.” - -The hand of the detective was raised as his figure straightened, and in -a second it covered the young man before him. - -“There’s the man!” was all he said. - -Though he spoke in low tones the words seemed to ring throughout the -handsome parlor. - -Claude Lamont grew white and Opal fell back. - -Suddenly, however, she started forward and paused in front of her -speechless brother. - -“Is it true?” she cried. - -There was no answer. - -“You must speak! You must tell the truth. My hands are red and yours -seem to be! You have heard this merciless trailer. He says you are a -parricide! Is it true? Before Heaven, answer me, Claude Lamont!” - -The lips of the young sport moved, but no words issued forth. - -He seemed to have been struck with palsy. - -“You heard me, murderer!” cried Opal, flinging herself upon her -brother. “You must not stand there like a log and say nothing. You -shall tell the truth. You did it.” - -Claude flung her off and she nearly toppled against the mahogany table. - -“I did it, and under the circumstances I would do it again!” he -exclaimed. “He was coming at me like a wild beast, and I had to fight -or perish.” - -“Swear this!” cried the girl. - -Claude raised one hand above his head. - -“Where did you find him?” - -“On the street.” - -“But you did not bring him home?” - -“I did not. I took him to one of our houses----” - -“And killed him there? Murderer!” - -That instant, with the fury of a madman, Claude turned upon his sister -and covered her white face with his quivering hand. - -“Murderer, eh? What are you? Don’t you know that the curse of blood has -been upon this house for years? The curse of blood and money! Nearly a -century ago one of your ancestors murdered his bride, and ever since -the stain has been upon the house. It has skipped a few generations, -but it is with us now. Richmond and I have kept your red secret. We -know who killed Mother Flintstone. Does the detective know?” - -“He knows,” calmly answered Opal. - -“And does he know that the girl called Margie Marne is the grandchild -of Mother Flintstone?” - -Nick nodded. - -“That’s all.” - -Claude Lamont turned and stalked coolly from the room. - -At the door he stopped and looked back. - -“I’ll be on hand when wanted,” he said. “It was self-defense. I had to -take the old man’s life.” - -Carter and Opal heard him on the stairs, and in a few moments they -heard a door shut overhead. - -Long before morning a policeman stood guard over the dead millionaire’s -mansion. - -The night passed slowly. - -New York was getting ready to awake to the solution of another murder -mystery and another crime. - -The detective was making the last move in the office of the chief of -police, who had listened to the story of his last trail. - -George Richmond lay in the station-house cell fast asleep, just as -if he had never been concerned in the plot to rob Perry Lamont, the -millionaire, with the aid of his scapegrace son. - -The morning broke. - -Carter went to the Lamont mansion. - -Upon parting the night before Opal had pledged her honor that she would -greet him when he came again. - -He entered the house, speaking first to the guardian at the door, who -assured him that all was well, and then he entered the parlor. - -He rang the silver call bell on the table, and a servant entered. - -“Your mistress?” said he. - -“She is upstairs.” - -Something in the servant’s tones attracted the detective, and he -bounded up the steps. - -Into the girl’s boudoir he burst, to stop just beyond the threshold. - -One glance was enough--one look at the form lying on the couch -satisfied the detective, and he did not remove the black-handled dagger -from the blood-flecked bosom. - -Claude was found fast asleep and was taken away, but the murderess was -left alone. - -The trail was ended. - -Opal, the murderer of Mother Flintstone, was past reach of judge or -jury, and the court acquitted Claude, for Bristol Clara, the only -living witness, had to testify in his favor. - -George Richmond was tried for conspiracy, and, as the law had long -wanted to get another hold on him, he was sent “up the river” for a -long term, which proved his last, for he died in Sing Sing. - -The outcome of the detective’s trail was a startling surprise to -Gothamites and became the talk of the town. - -Margie Marne received a goodly share of the Lamont wealth, and -afterward married, while Mulberry Billy, who played no insignificant -part in the Mother Flintstone affair, was placed beyond want by Margie, -who had formed an attachment for the boy. - -It afterward turned out that Lewis Newell was a man who once persecuted -Opal with his attentions, and the girl, with the coolness of a Borgia, -decoyed him to his doom and thus began her career of crime. - -Carter was highly complimented upon the result of his last trail, but -he will never forget his adventure in the dungeon to which he had been -decoyed by the daughter of the millionaire, nor the coolness with which -she met the terrible charge he brought home to her under her own roof. - - -THE END. - - -The title of the next volume of THE NEW MAGNET LIBRARY, No. 836, is -“The Heart of the Underworld,” by Nicholas Carter. The story leads you -through dark and devious ways of crime, through a labyrinth of mystery -and apparent defeat, out upon the broad highway of justice--where crime -is punished and wrongs are righted. The great detective is the guide -through this maze, and those who follow him in his perilous adventures -will find themselves thrilled from start to finish. - - - - - The S. & S. - Novels Have - No Rivals - - -Our books have a field entirely their own. They are the only novels to -which new, first-class titles are being added every week. - -No news dealer’s stock is complete without them. That’s why every -up-to-date dealer carries a good assortment of them on his shelves. - - - STREET & SMITH, _Publishers_ - NEW YORK - - - - - MASTERPIECES OF DETECTIVE LITERATURE - - ALL BOOKS COPYRIGHTED - - NEW MAGNET LIBRARY - - A New Book Issued Every Week in This Line - - -Our efforts to fill the enormous demand for scientific detective -literature at a reasonable price have been unceasing for the past eight -years. Any one who looks over the titles in the =New Magnet Library= -can hardly doubt that we have succeeded splendidly in giving American -readers the kind of mystery stories that is usually found between cloth -covers at $1.50. The price at which these books are sold seems very -insignificant in comparison to the amount and quality of reading. Our -watchword in connection with this line is “never be content,” and it -will be our earnest endeavor to not only maintain the high standard of -excellence that prevails in the stories that we have published, but -to improve upon it. Every lover of detective stories will rejoice in -having this line brought to his attention because it will place within -his reach just the sort of literature that he has been seeking. - - -ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT - - TO THE PUBLIC:--These books are sold by news dealers everywhere. If - your dealer does not keep them, and will not get them for you, send - direct to the publishers, in which case four cents must be added to - the price per copy to cover postage. - - 1--A Klondike Claim By Nicholas Carter - 2--The Great Enigma By Nicholas Carter - 3--A Titled Counterfeiter By Nicholas Carter - 4--Tracked Across the Atlantic By Nicholas Carter - 5--The Crime of a Countess By Nicholas Carter - 6--A Wall Street Haul By Nicholas Carter - 7--The American Marquis By Nicholas Carter - 8--An Australian Klondike By Nicholas Carter - 9--A Stolen Identity By Nicholas Carter - 10--The Old Detective’s Pupil By Nicholas Carter - 11--Fighting Against Millions By Nicholas Carter - 12--Playing a Bold Game By Nicholas Carter - 13--The Mysterious Mail Robbery By Nicholas Carter - 14--Caught in the Toils By Nicholas Carter - 16--A Woman’s Hand By Nicholas Carter - 17--The Piano Box Mystery By Nicholas Carter - 18--The Gamblers’ Syndicate By Nicholas Carter - 19--A Chance Discovery By Nicholas Carter - 21--A Deposit Vault Puzzle By Nicholas Carter - 23--Evidence by Telephone By Nicholas Carter - 39--Among the Counterfeiters By Nicholas Carter - 43--Among the Nihilists By Nicholas Carter - 46--Check No. 777 By Nicholas Carter - 49--At Odds with Scotland Yard By Nicholas Carter - 50--The Man from India By Nicholas Carter - 53--An Accidental Password By Nicholas Carter - 56--At Thompson’s Ranch By Nicholas Carter - 59--A Millionaire Partner By Nicholas Carter - 62--A Fair Criminal By Nicholas Carter - 65--Found on the Beach By Nicholas Carter - 68--The Double Shuffle Club By Nicholas Carter - 71--The Diamond Mine Case By Nicholas Carter - 73--Two Plus Two By Nicholas Carter - 75--The Clever Celestial By Nicholas Carter - 77--The Van Alstine Case By Nicholas Cartel - 79--The Sign of the Crossed Knives By Nicholas Carter - 81--Wanted by Two Clients By Nicholas Carter - 83--The Crescent Brotherhood By Nicholas Carter - 85--A Dead Man’s Grip By Nicholas Carter - 87--Nick Carter and the Green Goods Men By Nicholas Carter - 89--The Detective’s Pretty Neighbor By Nicholas Carter - 91--The Great Money Order Swindle By Nicholas Carter - 93--Harrison Keith, Detective By Nicholas Carter - 95--Sealed Orders; or, The Triple Mystery By Nicholas Carter - 97--The Puzzle of Five Pistols By Nicholas Carter - 99--Gideon Drexel’s Millions By Nicholas Carter - 101--The Stolen Pay Train By Nicholas Carter - 105--A Bite of an Apple By Nicholas Carter - 108--Nick Carter’s Clever Protégée By Nicholas Carter - 111--The Stolen Race Horse By Nicholas Carter - 114--The Man Who Vanished By Nicholas Carter - 117--A Herald Personal By Nicholas Carter - 120--The Twelve Tin Boxes By Nicholas Carter - 123--The Elevated Railroad Mystery By Nicholas Carter - 126--A Game of Craft By Nicholas Carter - 129--The Man Who Stole Millions By Nicholas Carter - 132--Nick Carter’s Girl Detective By Nicholas Carter - 135--The Crime of the French Café By Nicholas Carter - 138--Crossed Wires By Nicholas Carter - 141--Nick Carter Down East By the author of Nicholas Carter - 144--The Twelve Wise Men By Nicholas Carter - 147--Nick Carter’s Retainer By Nicholas Carter - 150--Lady Velvet By Nicholas Carter - 153--Nick Carter’s Clever Ruse By Nicholas Carter - 156--A Victim of Circumstances By Nicholas Carter - 159--A Framework of Fate By Nicholas Carter - 162--Nick Carter’s Star Pupils By Nicholas Carter - 165--Held for Trial By Nicholas Carter - 168--Brought to Bay By Nicholas Carter - 171--The Silent Passenger By Nicholas Carter - 174--A Princess of Crime By Nicholas Carter - 177--A Scrap of Black Lace By Nicholas Carter - 182--The Bottle with the Black Label By Nicholas Carter - 186--A Desperate Chance By Nicholas Carter - 189--The Man of Mystery By Nicholas Carter - 191--The Murray Hill Mystery By Nicholas Carter - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: - - -Italicized or underlined text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. - -Emboldened text is surrounded by equals signs: =bold=. - -Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - -Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. - -Archaic or variant spelling has been retained. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOYING WITH FATE *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. 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. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Toying with fate</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>or, Nick Carter's narrow shave</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Nicholas Carter</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: August 5, 2022 [eBook #68697]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: David Edwards, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOYING WITH FATE ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter hide"><img src="images/coversmall.jpg" width="450" alt="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/title.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> -<h1>TOYING WITH FATE;<br /> -<span class="tiny">OR,</span><br /> -Nick Carter’s Narrow Shave</h1> - -<p>BY<br /> -<span class="xlarge">NICHOLAS CARTER</span></p> - -<p>Author of the celebrated stories of Nick Carter’s adventures, which<br /> -are published exclusively in the <span class="smcap">New Magnet Library</span>, conceded<br /> -to be among the best detective tales ever written.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/titlelogo.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<p>NEW YORK<br /> -<span class="large">STREET & SMITH, <span class="smcap">Publishers</span></span><br /> -<span class="smcap">79-89 Seventh Avenue</span></p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center"> -Copyright, 1903<br /> -By STREET & SMITH<br /> -<br /> -Toying With Fate<br /> -<br /> -<br /> -All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign languages,<br /> -including the Scandinavian.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="ph2"><span class="u"><i>The Best of Everything!</i></span></p> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Our experience with the American reading public -has taught us that it expects better reading than readers -of any other nationality. Why? Because Americans, -as a rule, are better educated and more intelligent. -We make it a point to cater to all classes of readers -with our paper-covered novels. If a man likes adventure -or detective stories, he can find more and better -ones in the S. & S. novel list than he can among the -cloth books. If a woman wants love, society, or mystery -stories, the S. & S. catalogue again contains just what -she wants at the lowest possible price. If a boy wants -up-to-date baseball, athletic, or treasure-hunt stories, -he cannot get anything that will please him so much -as the books in the <span class="smcap">Medal</span> and <span class="smcap">New Medal Libraries</span>, -no matter how much he has to spend for his reading -matter.</p> - -<p>Here are a few suggestions:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<p class="ph1">BOOKS FOR MEN.</p> - -<p>The Nick Carter stories in the <span class="smcap">New Magnet Library</span>.</p> - -<p>The Howard W. Erwin stories in the <span class="smcap">Far West -Library</span>.</p> - -<p>The William Wallace Cook stories in the <span class="smcap">New Fiction -Library</span>.</p> - -<p>The Dumas stories in the <span class="smcap">Select Library</span>.</p> - -<p class="ph1">BOOKS FOR WOMEN.</p> - -<p>The Mrs. Georgie Sheldon stories in the <span class="smcap">New Eagle -Series</span>.</p> - -<p>The Charles Garvice stories in the <span class="smcap">New Eagle Series</span>.</p> - -<p>The Bertha Clay stories in the <span class="smcap">Bertha Clay Library</span>.</p> - -<p>The Southworth stories in the <span class="smcap">Southworth Library</span>.</p> - -<p>The Mrs. Mary J. Holmes stories in the <span class="smcap">Eagle</span> and -<span class="smcap">Select Libraries</span>.</p> - -<p class="ph1">BOOKS FOR BOYS.</p> - -<p>The Burt L. Standish stories in the <span class="smcap">New Medal -Library</span>.</p> - -<p>The Horatio Alger stories in the <span class="smcap">Medal</span> and <span class="smcap">New -Medal Libraries</span>.</p> - -<p>The Oliver Optic stories in the <span class="smcap">Medal</span> and <span class="smcap">New -Medal Libraries</span>.</p> - -<p>The Edward C. Taylor stories in the <span class="smcap">New Medal -Library</span>.</p> -</div></div> -<p class="center">Send for our complete catalogue and look these -stories up. It will pay you.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> -<p class="ph1">STREET & SMITH, <i>Publishers</i>, NEW YORK</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="ph2">Why Take<br /> -a Chance?</p> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<hr class="tbd" /> - -<p>Most everybody thinks that the public library is a -mighty fine institution—teaches people to read, and all -that. Well, so it does, but does any one ever think of -the great risk that a person, who takes a book out of -a public library, runs of catching some contagious -disease?</p> - -<p>Every time a bacteriological examination is made of -the public-library book, germs of every known disease -are found among its pages. Probably, from your own -experience, you know that lots of people never think -of taking a book from the public library, until some -one in their family is sick and wants something to read.</p> - -<p>As records prove that ninety per cent of the demand -for books at the public libraries is for works of fiction, -it strikes us that the reading public would do better to -patronize the S. & S. novel list which contains hundreds -of books to be found in the public libraries, and many -hundreds of others just as good and interesting.</p> - -<p>The price of the S. & S. novels is a low one indeed -to pay for protection from disease-laden literature. -Why run the risk, then, when you can get a fresh, -clean book for little money and thus insure your -health?</p> - -<hr class="tbd" /> -</div> -<p class="ph1">STREET & SMITH, <i>Publishers</i><br /> -NEW YORK</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span> - -<p class="ph2">TOYING WITH FATE.</p> - -<hr class="tiny" /> -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I.<br /> - -<small>THE MYSTERIOUS OLD MAN.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“Move on, old man, and go home!”</p> - -<p>It was the stern voice of one of New York’s finest -policemen that uttered these words.</p> - -<p>“Home! I wonder where it is?” muttered the old -man to whom the policeman had spoken, and a shudder -ran through his frame, as he slowly moved down -the street.</p> - -<p>As he reached the corner near old St. John’s Church, -on Varick Street, he paused, rubbed his eyes and gazed -dreamily around him.</p> - -<p>For some time before the policeman had addressed -him he had been standing inside the church, looking -through the railings into the churchyard.</p> - -<p>His form was bent by decrepitude and sorrow, and -his hair was as white as the flaky snow that clung to -the steeple of the old church, the bells of which had -just sounded the knell of the dying year.</p> - -<p>The old man only halted on the corner for a minute, -and then, crossing Beach Street, he shuffled along until -he reached the center of the block, where he came to a -standstill in front of an old-fashioned house, which -was unoccupied.</p> - -<p>Then, as if a faintness had come over him, he -grasped the rusty iron railing to prevent himself falling -to the ground, and he closed his eyes, as though<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span> -the sight of the snow-covered houses was too much -for him.</p> - -<p>The policeman had followed him at a distance, and -was watching him from where he was standing on the -corner.</p> - -<p>“Poor devil!” muttered the guardian of the peace, -as he swung his nightstick back and forth. “I wonder -who he is! He seems weak! Perhaps at one time he -amounted to something. God save me from ever -coming to his condition. I wonder why he stands so -long in front of that old empty house, which has been -closed for twenty years, to my knowledge! I’ll watch -him a while, but I won’t molest him, poor devil!”</p> - -<p>As the policeman concluded his soliloquy the old -man straightened up and walked up to the door of the -house, the old knocker on which he caught hold of -and gave it a rap.</p> - -<p>But suddenly, as if struck by some painful recollection, -his hand fell to his side and he staggered back -to the middle of the sidewalk.</p> - -<p>“Strange,” the policeman ejaculated, noting this -action. “Perhaps he lived there at one time.”</p> - -<p>The old man looked up at the house, at which he -gazed long and intently.</p> - -<p>Then, suddenly arousing himself, he ambled back -to the corner, stopping near the policeman. He looked -confusedly around him, from the left to the right, and -the policeman gazed at him closely, but spoke not a -word. On his part, he did not seem to see the man in -uniform. He stood bewildered, appearing not to know -which way to turn.</p> - -<p>“Why don’t you go home, old man?” the policeman -asked, this time in a softened tone of voice.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span>“Home!” the old fellow ejaculated—his voice was -like a wail, a heartbroken sob. “Home! where is it?”</p> - -<p>“The Lord bless you, man, how can I tell you, if -you can’t tell yourself?”</p> - -<p>“Twenty years ago—twenty years behind darkened -walls—and this——” He muttered the words in such -a forlorn tone that the policeman stared at him.</p> - -<p>“Your brain is turned, old gentleman.”</p> - -<p>The old man laughed and looked up into his questioner’s -face with a quizzical expression.</p> - -<p>“My brain is clear, my friend,” he replied, in a clear, -harsh tone. “I have come from a prison—the world -is strangely altered since I was in it before.”</p> - -<p>“In it before? Why, what do you mean? I suppose -you will try and persuade me that you have been dead -and have risen from the grave.”</p> - -<p>“Figuratively speaking, I have—I have been dead -to the world—in prison at Sing Sing. Mark me well—Sing -Sing Prison—for twenty years—to-day I was -released. See me now. I am old, decrepit, hardly -able to walk. Once I stood erect, my hair was as black -as the raven’s wing, and now—look at me, a wreck -without home or friends. Wife, children, all gone! -I have never seen nor heard of them since the day I -was taken out of yonder house a prisoner, by the unjust, -hard, and cruel decree of a so-called court of -justice. Twenty years! A prisoner, buried alive, as -it were.”</p> - -<p>“You had committed a crime?”</p> - -<p>“No. I was innocent, but powerful conspirators -plotted against me—the evidence was perjured—and -I—I—was entombed.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span>“You say you lived in yonder house twenty years -ago?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and no man carried his head higher than I -did. I was rich—but bah! what is the use of rehearsing -those things to a stranger! Hardened as you are -by association with crime, you would not believe my -story. You would think that I was romancing. Things -have sadly changed in this neighborhood.”</p> - -<p>“You may bet they have.”</p> - -<p>“Once all these houses were occupied by rich people, -but to-day they are the abodes of the poor and the -outcast.”</p> - -<p>“What is your name?”</p> - -<p>“My name! It matters not. Good night.”</p> - -<p>“Well, well, keep your secret, old man. God bless -you, and may this new year bring you happiness.”</p> - -<p>“Happiness! I shall never know that again. Good -night, again.”</p> - -<p>He moved off slowly, and the policeman watched -him until he turned the corner into West Broadway, -when he proceeded to patrol his beat.</p> - -<p>As the policeman moved away, a dark form came -out of a near-by doorway and hurried around the -corner.</p> - -<p>The man was tall, he wore a long ulster with the -collar turned up around his neck, and a slouch hat was -pulled down over his eyes. He followed closely in -the old man’s trail.</p> - -<p>The old man halted several times, and as he did so -his form seemed to lose its decrepitude. As the light -from the street lamps shone upon his face it could -be seen that his eyes glared like two living coals; he -threw his hand aloft, and so fierce and startling was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span> -the action that the man who was following him halted -and shrank back for an instant, as if he had been -struck.</p> - -<p>“Vengeance!” the old man hissed, and then he -started on again.</p> - -<p>The street was deserted, save by the old man and -the man who was following him.</p> - -<p>The former walked on, looking up at the tall warehouses -and store buildings, muttering to himself.</p> - -<p>More than once he put his hand up to his head and -gazed about in a bewildered manner.</p> - -<p>His limbs shook under him, for a long time had -passed since they had been used to such exertion.</p> - -<p>The fresh air came so strangely upon him that he -panted for breath.</p> - -<p>Suddenly he halted in front of an old-fashioned -three-story brick building near Chambers Street. A -beacon-shaped red lamp was burning over the doorway, -and upon the front pane of glass was painted:</p> - -<p class="center">THE RED DRAGON INN.<br /> - -Established by William Sill—1776.</p> - -<p>It was an old landmark in the neighborhood, and it -had always been a hostelry. In revolutionary times it -was a post roadhouse, and was famous as the headquarters -of many of the British officers. During later -days it became the resort, at the noonday hour, of -many of New York’s most staid and solid merchants, -whose places of business were in the vicinity.</p> - -<p>At this time the ground floor was occupied by a -man who ran a saloon and restaurant, and who rented -out the upstairs rooms to transient lodgers. No improvements -had been made about the place, and it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span> -stood just as it did when it was conducted by its -original owner.</p> - -<p>As the old man paused in front of the inn the sound -of voices and the clinking of glasses came from within. -He walked up to the door and opened it. Then he -stepped into the saloon, staggered up to the bar and, -in a low tone, ordered a glass of toddy, which was -supplied to him.</p> - -<p>A number of men were seated at the tables, drinking, -and none of them paid any attention to the newcomer, -who drank his toddy while standing and leaning -against the bar.</p> - -<p>The old man placed his empty glass back upon the -counter, and facing the bartender, said:</p> - -<p>“I want a room for the night.”</p> - -<p>“There is only one empty,” the bartender replied. -“It is in the attic.”</p> - -<p>“That will answer my purpose.”</p> - -<p>“It will cost you one dollar.”</p> - -<p>The old man drew a purse out of his pocket, took -out the amount, and handed it to the bartender, who -asked:</p> - -<p>“Do you want to retire now?”</p> - -<p>“I do,” the old man answered.</p> - -<p>“I will show you the way up.”</p> - -<p>“It won’t be necessary. I am familiar with every -room in the house. Many a time I have stopped here -in other days. If you will tell me which room I am -to occupy, I will go up to it.”</p> - -<p>“The second room in the back part of the attic on -the left of the stairway is the one. You will find a -lamp on a table in the hall on the second floor.”</p> - -<p>“All right.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span>The old man left the room, while the bartender -gazed after him with curiosity. He climbed the stairway -and reached the second floor, where he found the -lamp, and then proceeded upstairs to the attic room.</p> - -<p>An hour after he retired, the house was silent, all -the midnight revelers having gone home, and the bartender -having closed up the saloon.</p> - -<p>New Year’s Day dawned bright and clear.</p> - -<p>The proprietor of the Red Dragon Inn opened the -barroom, and at nine o’clock the bartender came downstairs.</p> - -<p>For a time the two men stood talking.</p> - -<p>There were no customers in the place.</p> - -<p>At last the bartender asked the proprietor if he -had seen anything of the strange old man who had -come in after midnight.</p> - -<p>The proprietor said that the old man had not appeared.</p> - -<p>“Did he request you to call him?” he inquired.</p> - -<p>“No,” the bartender answered. “Shall I go up and -ask him if he wants breakfast?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>The bartender ascended to the attic.</p> - -<p>The door of the room which the old man had been -assigned to stood ajar.</p> - -<p>The man knocked, but there was no answer. He -pounded again and shouted. Still no answer. Finally -the man pushed the door open. A terrible sight met -his gaze. Stretched out upon the bed he beheld the -old man, with his throat cut from ear to ear. His -hands were folded across his breast, and he was covered -by the coverlet of the bed. Evidently there had -been no struggle.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span>The bartender uttered a cry of alarm, but he did -not enter the room.</p> - -<p>As soon as he recovered from his surprise he dashed -off downstairs, crying “Murder!” at the top of his -voice.</p> - -<p>Instantly the house was aroused, and in a short time -a great crowd congregated in the street in front of -the door.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER II.<br /> - -<small>SEARCHING FOR CLEWS.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Early on New Year’s morning Nicholas Carter, the -famous detective, arrived in Jersey City on a train -from Chicago, where he had been investigating a diamond -case, which he had closed up successfully.</p> - -<p>Danny, his chauffeur, met him at the station, with -his powerful touring car; and in a few minutes they -were crossing the Hudson River on the downtown -ferry over to Chambers Street.</p> - -<p>They had just landed and were beginning to get -headway along that thoroughfare, when their attention -was attracted by a loud commotion in the street.</p> - -<p>Leaning over, Carter beheld the crowd congregating -in front of the Red Dragon Inn, which was almost -opposite. He heard the cries of murder.</p> - -<p>Instantly the veteran’s energies were aroused. He -forgot all about his not having had breakfast, and -springing out, he pushed his way through the crowd -and entered the barroom of the Red Dragon Inn.</p> - -<p>There he found the proprietor pacing up and down -in a state of nervous excitement.</p> - -<p>A policeman was also there, and to him Nick applied -for information.</p> - -<p>“I can’t make head nor tail of it,” the policeman -replied to Carter’s inquiry. “I’ve sent word to the -police station, Mr. Carter, and I am expecting the -captain every minute.”</p> - -<p>“Have you been upstairs?”</p> - -<p>“No, sir. I thought it best to wait until the captain -arrived.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span>“Where is the bartender?”</p> - -<p>“Standing over there,” and the policeman pointed to -the man, who was leaning against the bar.</p> - -<p>Carter stepped up to the bartender and asked:</p> - -<p>“What is your name?”</p> - -<p>“George Terry,” the bartender answered.</p> - -<p>“How long have you been employed here?”</p> - -<p>“Three years.”</p> - -<p>“I believe you discovered the murder?”</p> - -<p>“I did, sir.”</p> - -<p>“At what time?”</p> - -<p>“About twenty minutes ago.”</p> - -<p>“Do you know the man?”</p> - -<p>“No, sir, he is a stranger to me.”</p> - -<p>“What is his name?”</p> - -<p>“I forgot to ask him.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t you keep a register?”</p> - -<p>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p>“What time did the man arrive?”</p> - -<p>“Shortly after midnight.”</p> - -<p>“Did he have any luggage?”</p> - -<p>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Tell me all about your conversation with him.”</p> - -<p>“As I said, he came in here shortly after midnight. -He seemed weak and exhausted as he slipped up to -the bar. He requested me to make him a hot toddy, -which I did.</p> - -<p>“After he had finished his drink he asked me if I -could let him have a room for the night, and I told -him that the attic room was vacant and he could have -that. He paid the price out of a well-filled purse.</p> - -<p>“I offered to conduct him up to the room, Mr. -Carter, but he said it would not be necessary, because<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> -he was familiar with the house, he having stopped here -on various occasions twenty years ago. He left the -room, and that was the last I saw of him until I discovered -his murdered body, when I went up to the -attic to call him and opened the door of the room he -occupied.”</p> - -<p>“You heard him say he had stopped here on various -occasions twenty years ago?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p>“What is the proprietor’s name?”</p> - -<p>“Henry Lancaster.”</p> - -<p>“How long has he conducted this place?”</p> - -<p>“Ten years.”</p> - -<p>“Do you know the name of the man from whom -he purchased it?”</p> - -<p>“I do not.”</p> - -<p>“Has any one been upstairs to the murdered man’s -room since you made the discovery?”</p> - -<p>“No one has been near it. Everything is undisturbed. -I did not enter.”</p> - -<p>“I will speak to the proprietor.”</p> - -<p>Carter approached Mr. Lancaster, who was a middle-aged -man of affable manners.</p> - -<p>“The bartender informs me that you have conducted -this place for about ten years,” the detective said, as he -came up to Mr. Lancaster.</p> - -<p>“I have owned it for nearly eleven years,” Mr. Lancaster -replied.</p> - -<p>“From whom did you purchase it?”</p> - -<p>“A man named Peter Wright, who had been the -proprietor for nearly a quarter of a century.”</p> - -<p>“Is Mr. Wright alive?”</p> - -<p>“He is.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span>“Where does he reside?”</p> - -<p>“At the Cosmopolitan Hotel, across the street. He -is a bachelor, and entirely alone in the world, all of -his relatives having died. He is an Englishman by -birth, and a courtly old gentleman. He has a moderate -income to live on, and he is enjoying himself in his -declining years. All of the merchants of old New -York knew him, and when he conducted the Red -Dragon Inn it was famous as a chop house.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Wright’s acquaintance is extensive,” added -Lancaster. “If you see him, he may know something -about the murdered man—if the man spoke the truth -when he said that he used to stop here twenty years -ago.</p> - -<p>“I shall surely call upon Mr. Wright, and ask him -to take a look at the remains.”</p> - -<p>At this moment Carter felt a heavy hand laid upon -his shoulder. He turned around and beheld the captain -of the precinct, who had just arrived.</p> - -<p>“I am glad to see you, Mr. Carter,” the officer exclaimed. -“You can help us in this, and as usual I -suppose you have gleaned considerable information?”</p> - -<p>“I have found very little,” the detective replied.</p> - -<p>“Will you help us?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly.”</p> - -<p>“My mind is relieved. I hope you’ll take full charge -of the case.”</p> - -<p>“What about headquarters?”</p> - -<p>“I will take care of that. While you have charge, -the people at headquarters will not interfere.”</p> - -<p>“Have you sent out an alarm?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span>“Let us go up to the attic room. Request your -men to keep every one downstairs.”</p> - -<p>“I will do that.”</p> - -<p>The police captain issued his instructions to his -men, and then he and Carter proceeded upstairs to the -attic room in which the body of the victim lay.</p> - -<p>The captain stood out in the hall on the threshold, -while the detective entered the room.</p> - -<p>Carter stepped up to the side of the bed and scrutinized -the face of the victim closely in silence.</p> - -<p>“His throat was cut while he slept,” Nick remarked, -looking toward the captain.</p> - -<p>“Do you see any sign of the weapon with which -the crime was committed?” the police official asked.</p> - -<p>“Not yet.”</p> - -<p>Carter turned around and commenced to inspect the -room.</p> - -<p>For nearly fifteen minutes he was engaged in the -work, without uttering a word.</p> - -<p>The police captain watched him with close attention.</p> - -<p>The detective went over the ground with the avidity -of a sleuthhound scenting for a trail.</p> - -<p>Every nook and corner of the apartment was inspected, -until the detective stood by the window, the -sash of which was raised. He looked at the sill and -then uttered an exclamation.</p> - -<p>“What is it?” the police captain asked, entering -the room and stepping up to Carter’s side.</p> - -<p>“See,” the detective replied, pointing with his forefinger -to stains upon the window sill and the lower -part of the sash. “Here are imprints of bloody fingers. -The murderer, after he committed the crime, came<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span> -over to this window and raised the sash. And here -are bloody tracks on the outside. Look; there are -imprints of shoes in the snow across the roof—they -lead from here to the edge. The murderer escaped -this way. Wait here.”</p> - -<p>“What are you going to do?”</p> - -<p>“You’ll see.”</p> - -<p>Carter crawled out of the window onto the roof, -and followed the tracks in the snow, until he came to -the edge of the roof, where he halted and looked over.</p> - -<p>There, attached to the side of the house, he beheld -an iron ladder leading from the roof down to the -yard.</p> - -<p>Still he saw nothing of the weapon with which the -crime had been committed.</p> - -<p>There was no doubt now in his mind about the -assassin having escaped by the roof. He returned to -the room and gave the captain an accurate but brief -account of what he had discovered.</p> - -<p>“This leads me to think the murderer possessed -some knowledge of this house,” the police captain -remarked, after he had listened to what the detective -had to say.</p> - -<p>“Probably,” Carter rejoined, and then for a time -he lapsed into deep thought.</p> - -<p>The captain was also silent.</p> - -<p>Nick’s eyes wandered around the room and he bit -his lips.</p> - -<p>Upon his face there was a strained expression.</p> - -<p>One could tell that he was following some train -of thought.</p> - -<p>The pupils of his eyes blazed brilliantly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span>Minute after minute passed and still he did not -speak.</p> - -<p>Patiently his companion waited.</p> - -<p>Carter’s eyes rested upon the clothing of the victim, -which was lying on a chair near the bed in a -corner of the room.</p> - -<p>It was in a confused heap.</p> - -<p>The detective stepped forward.</p> - -<p>“We have overlooked these!” he exclaimed, pointing -to the clothes.</p> - -<p>“I was just looking at them,” the police captain -remarked. “It seems to me that they must have been -disturbed by the murderer.”</p> - -<p>“They were,” Carter rejoined, holding up the dead -man’s vest for the police captain to inspect. “There -are bloodstains upon this and the other garments.”</p> - -<p>“Search the pockets.”</p> - -<p>For some minutes the detective was engaged in -making the search. When he finished he looked at the -captain.</p> - -<p>“Nothing,” he said tersely.</p> - -<p>“The murderer secured everything,” the police captain -rejoined, in a tone of disappointment, “he has not -left a scrap of paper by which the dead man could be -identified.”</p> - -<p>“Everything is gone.”</p> - -<p>“It is too bad.”</p> - -<p>“Yes—but I have made a discovery.”</p> - -<p>“What is it?”</p> - -<p>“These are prison clothes—they are new.”</p> - -<p>“What! Are you sure?”</p> - -<p>“I am positive. They were made in Sing Sing -Prison.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span>“And what is your conclusion?”</p> - -<p>“This murdered man was recently released from -State’s prison.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps the motive for the crime was revenge.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe, and still he may have been murdered because -he possessed information which some one was -afraid would be divulged.”</p> - -<p>“That may be it.”</p> - -<p>“In one way this discovery is important.”</p> - -<p>“And you really think this man was a convict?”</p> - -<p>“I do. If he were not a released convict he would -not have worn clothing made expressly for the convicts.”</p> - -<p>“He may have purchased them from some one.”</p> - -<p>“That is so—but still I think he did not.”</p> - -<p>“There is one clew anyway.”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Let us go downstairs.”</p> - -<p>They left the room.</p> - -<p>Carter closed and locked the door.</p> - -<p>On the way downstairs the detective inspected the -steps, but he found nothing which would throw any -light upon the mystery. There were no tracks, except -those in the snow on the roof. The leading question -in his mind was how the murderer had entered the -house.</p> - -<p>After he had returned to the barroom he called the -bartender aside and asked:</p> - -<p>“Do you remember if any one came in after the -old man retired?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I do, now that I come to think of it,” the -bartender exclaimed, with considerable animation. “A<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span> -tall man entered just as the old man left the room. -He wore a long ulster and a slouch hat.</p> - -<p>“This man, sir, stepped up to the bar and called -for whisky, which I served to him. He took a seat -at a table near the hall door.</p> - -<p>“I was busy supplying the orders to the other customers -and I did not pay any attention to him.</p> - -<p>“When I came to close up he was gone.</p> - -<p>“When he went out, I do not know; but he may -have left while I was serving drinks at some one of -the tables.”</p> - -<p>“Would you know the man if you should see him -again?” inquired the detective.</p> - -<p>“I cannot tell whether I would or not.”</p> - -<p>“Are you able to describe him?”</p> - -<p>“I should think he was about forty-five or fifty -years old. His face was covered with a heavy brown -beard. His eyes were black, restless and penetrating. -That is all I can remember about him. I didn’t pay -particular attention to him.”</p> - -<p>“Who occupied the room next to the one in which -the man was murdered?”</p> - -<p>“I did.”</p> - -<p>“What time did you retire?”</p> - -<p>“It was probably about half past one o’clock. As I -was about to enter my room I noticed that a light -was burning in the old man’s room. I thought at the -time that he had not yet retired, but I didn’t hear him -make any noise.”</p> - -<p>“You were not awakened during the night?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Are you a sound sleeper?”</p> - -<p>“I am.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span>“What time did you get up?”</p> - -<p>“About half past eight o’clock.”</p> - -<p>Carter went out into the back yard.</p> - -<p>There he found footprints in the snow leading from -the foot of the ladder over to a gate in the fence, -which opened to an alley running along between the -yards into Hudson Street.</p> - -<p>The trail was plain and distinct.</p> - -<p>The detective followed it until it ended on Hudson -Street.</p> - -<p>Then he returned to the yard, where he made a -search for the weapon, thinking the assassin might -have thrown it away.</p> - -<p>But there was no trace of it to be found.</p> - -<p>Carter went back into the barroom.</p> - -<p>The coroner had arrived and was preparing to take -charge of the body.</p> - -<p>The detective hurried across the street to the Cosmopolitan -Hotel and asked to see Mr. Wright, the -former proprietor of the Red Dragon Inn.</p> - -<p>Mr. Wright was a portly old gentleman with a -large, florid, jovial face, and he received the detective -instantly. He listened attentively to what Carter had -to say, and he complied with his request to accompany -him over to the inn and view the remains of the -victim.</p> - -<p>“If that man spoke the truth,” Mr. Wright remarked, -as he and the detective left the hotel, “I may -be able to identify the body.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER III.<br /> - -<small>THE IDENTIFICATION.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Carter conducted Peter Wright upstairs to the attic -room in which the body of the victim lay.</p> - -<p>The coroner was making an examination, but he -stepped aside, so as to allow Mr. Wright to see the -face of the murdered man.</p> - -<p>The former proprietor of the Red Dragon Inn -looked at the ghastly white countenance long and intently.</p> - -<p>All of the persons in the room watched him in -silence.</p> - -<p>Several times the old man shook his head back and -forth and his brow became contracted.</p> - -<p>Finally he looked at Carter and shook his head -dolefully.</p> - -<p>“There is a certain familiar expression about that -man’s features,” he said, in a tone of awe, “but for -the life of me I cannot recall who he is. If he were -a patron of the Red Dragon Inn while I was proprietor, -he has changed so that I cannot remember -him.”</p> - -<p>“I am very sorry that you are not able to identify -the body, Mr. Wright,” the detective said. “Will you -kindly accompany me downstairs. I want to have a -private talk with you.”</p> - -<p>“Lead on, and I will follow.”</p> - -<p>The detective led the way down to the parlor.</p> - -<p>As soon as they were inside the room he closed the -door. Presently he and Mr. Wright were ensconced -in easy-chairs.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span>“Permit your memory to wander back ten or twelve -years to the time when you owned this place, and see -if you can recall the name of any one of your patrons -who was sent to State’s prison.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Wright started.</p> - -<p>“By Jove!” he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>Carter smiled and his eyes sparkled.</p> - -<p>“What startles you?” the detective asked, with an -assumed air of surprise.</p> - -<p>“Nothing startles me,” Mr. Wright rejoined.</p> - -<p>“Then what is it?”</p> - -<p>“That man is Alfred Lawrence—he has changed -mightily—it is no wonder I did not recognize him. -But I know him now.”</p> - -<p>“Who was Alfred Lawrence?”</p> - -<p>“He was one of my old customers. He was sent to -Sing Sing for fifteen years for forgery. Don’t you -remember the famous Lawrence will case?”</p> - -<p>“I have a slight recollection of it. The trial took -place while I was away in Europe, and I read very -little about it.”</p> - -<p>“I will tell you about it.”</p> - -<p>“Do so.”</p> - -<p>“Alfred Lawrence was a well-to-do produce -merchant, who had an office on West Street and lived -on Beach Street.</p> - -<p>“His uncle, after whom he was named, was the -senior member of the firm. Old Alfred Lawrence was -a bachelor.</p> - -<p>“When he died a will was found, and in it he left -all his estate to his nephew.</p> - -<p>“Simeon Rich, another nephew, and his sister contested -the will. They claimed that it was a forgery<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> -and that Alfred Lawrence had forged his uncle’s signature.</p> - -<p>“The case came up before the surrogate and the fight -was a bitter one on both sides.</p> - -<p>“Lawrence’s wife, with whom he had lived unhappily, -went before the referee and swore that she had -seen her husband forge the will. Her testimony was -corroborated by Blanchard, the chief witness, who was -Lawrence’s butler.</p> - -<p>“It was hinted at, at the time, that Mrs. Lawrence -and Simeon Rich were very intimate.</p> - -<p>“The will was broken. Lawrence was arrested, -tried, convicted, and sent to State’s prison.</p> - -<p>“Then people forgot all about him.”</p> - -<p>“What became of Mrs. Lawrence?” asked Carter.</p> - -<p>“She lived for a time in the Beach Street house. -A year after her husband’s conviction the house was -closed up and Mrs. Lawrence and her child disappeared. -The house has remained closed ever since.”</p> - -<p>“Then there was a child?”</p> - -<p>“Yes—a girl—she was about twelve years old at -the time.”</p> - -<p>“What became of Simeon Rich?”</p> - -<p>“I do not know.”</p> - -<p>“How was the estate divided?”</p> - -<p>“That I do not remember.”</p> - -<p>“Lawrence, you say, was a customer of yours?”</p> - -<p>“He was, and he was a mighty fine fellow. I always -believed he was innocent, notwithstanding the fact -that all the evidence was strong against him.”</p> - -<p>“And you believe that the murdered man is this same -Alfred Lawrence?”</p> - -<p>“I do.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span>“Is this all the information you can give me, Mr. -Wright?”</p> - -<p>“It is.”</p> - -<p>“What was the number of the old house on Beach -Street in which Lawrence resided?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t remember, but you can find it easily. It is -near Varick Street, and it is the only house on the -block that is closed.”</p> - -<p>“Ah!”</p> - -<p>“Some one is at the door,” said Peter Wright.</p> - -<p>Carter arose from his chair and opened the door.</p> - -<p>The police captain entered the room, followed by a -policeman.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Carter,” he said, “here is one of my men, -Officer Pat Maguire; he saw the murdered man last -night.”</p> - -<p>“Did he?” Carter queried, casting a searching glance -at Maguire, who replied:</p> - -<p>“That I did, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Sit down and tell me all about it.”</p> - -<p>Pat Maguire took a seat.</p> - -<p>“This morning,” he said, “I reported at the station -house and I heard about the murder. The instant I -heard a description of the man read I concluded it -was the poor, forlorn, down-and-out old chap with -whom I had talked last night while on my beat.</p> - -<p>“I came around here, took a look at the body, and -I saw that it was the old man. Then I instantly told -the captain about the conversation I had with him, and -he brought me here to see you.”</p> - -<p>“Tell me about that conversation, Maguire.”</p> - -<p>Policeman Maguire gave Carter a clear account of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> -the conversation which he had held with the old man -and described how he had acted.</p> - -<p>When he concluded, Mr. Wright ejaculated:</p> - -<p>“You see, Mr. Carter, that corroborates what I told -you. There are no reasonable doubts now about the -man being Alfred Lawrence.”</p> - -<p>“Why did he try to enter that house on Beach -Street?”</p> - -<p>“I cannot tell.”</p> - -<p>“There is a deep mystery here,” remarked Carter, -“one which I intend to solve. Gentlemen, I must leave -you. Please keep silent about what you have told -me.”</p> - -<p>Before any one could utter a word, he had slipped -out of the room.</p> - -<p>“A strange man,” the police captain remarked, as -soon as Carter was gone. “Why has he left the room -without giving any intimation of what he was going -to do?”</p> - -<p>The information which had been imparted to Carter -by Mr. Wright and the policeman was important. He -was certain now that the murdered man was the ex-convict, -Alfred Lawrence.</p> - -<p>It was his intention to probe into that man’s history -and learn more of the details of the will case and the -trial.</p> - -<p>In doing this, would he be able to discover the motive -of the murder?</p> - -<p>After leaving the Red Dragon Inn the detective at -once—without waiting to go home—went to a near-by -telephone exchange and called up the keeper of Sing -Sing Prison.</p> - -<p>From this man he learned that Lawrence had been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> -released early the day before, that he had been -furnished with clothing and a small sum of money, -and that he started for New York.</p> - -<p>“What train did he leave on?” Carter asked of the -keeper.</p> - -<p>“The eleven-ten,” the keeper replied.</p> - -<p>“Was he an exemplary prisoner?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Did he have any visitors call on him?”</p> - -<p>“None.”</p> - -<p>“Are you sure?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“During his imprisonment, did he receive many -letters?”</p> - -<p>“None.”</p> - -<p>“Did he ever talk to you about himself?”</p> - -<p>“No, he was always a taciturn man and he never -talked to me or to others about himself. When he -left here yesterday he said that he intended to be revenged -on the persons who had wronged him, for, he -said, he had suffered for a crime of which he was not -guilty.”</p> - -<p>“Did he mention any names?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“How much money did you give him?”</p> - -<p>“Ten dollars.”</p> - -<p>From the telephone office the detective went in his -automobile to the old house on Beach Street. He stood -on the sidewalk and inspected it. There was no sign -on the house to indicate that the formerly handsome -residence was for rent or for sale. All the windows -were boarded up tight.</p> - -<p>A man, who lived next door, noticed Carter, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span> -coming up to his side, coughed nervously, to attract -his attention.</p> - -<p>“Are you thinking of buying or renting this place?”</p> - -<p>“Is it for sale?” the detective asked, without answering -the man’s question.</p> - -<p>“I do not know. I thought from the manner in -which you were looking at it that you thought about -renting or buying it. No sign has ever been up on -the house.”</p> - -<p>“How long have you lived in this neighborhood?”</p> - -<p>“About twenty years.”</p> - -<p>“Then you are pretty well acquainted with it?”</p> - -<p>“That I am.”</p> - -<p>“How long has this house been uninhabited?”</p> - -<p>“About ten years, I think.”</p> - -<p>“Were you acquainted with the last tenant?”</p> - -<p>“I was. Alfred Lawrence and his family lived -there. Lawrence was sent to State’s prison on a charge -of forgery. His wife and child moved away, and -from that day to this I never heard what became of -them.”</p> - -<p>“Have you ever seen any one visit the house?”</p> - -<p>“No one has ever come here.”</p> - -<p>“Was the furniture taken away?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Then the house is evidently empty?”</p> - -<p>“It is.”</p> - -<p>“Were you acquainted with Lawrence enough to -know anything about his affairs?”</p> - -<p>“I was not.”</p> - -<p>“All I know is what I read in the newspapers at -the time.”</p> - -<p>“Was he a man of considerable means?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span>“I always thought so.”</p> - -<p>“Did you know Simeon Rich?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>Not being able to secure any further information -from the man, the detective walked away.</p> - -<p>Many thoughts crowded his mind and he asked himself -innumerable questions in regard to the case.</p> - -<p>The prison keeper had told him over the telephone -that Lawrence had only ten dollars in his possession -when he left Sing Sing, and the bartender at the -Red Dragon Inn had informed him that the man who -had been murdered had displayed a large sum of money -when he paid for the night’s lodging.</p> - -<p>“From whom had Lawrence received money?” the -detective asked himself as he pondered over this. “He -must have got money from some one.”</p> - -<p>That was clear.</p> - -<p>But the bartender might have been mistaken.</p> - -<p>Nick told Danny to drive to a restaurant, where he -procured an excellent breakfast; then he directed the -chauffeur to make a dash up to the Grand Central -Station, where he hoped to find some one who had -seen Lawrence leave the train and had noted the direction -in which he went.</p> - -<p>What had Lawrence done from the time he left -the depot until Pat Maguire saw him standing in front -of St. John’s Church looking into the churchyard?</p> - -<p>Would the detective be able to follow his footsteps?</p> - -<p>Many would have looked upon such a task as Carter -had set out to perform as hopeless.</p> - -<p>The railroad detective who was stationed at the -depot was unable to furnish Nick with any information.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span>Carter made inquiries of the porters and others, but -none of them remembered seeing any man who answered -to Lawrence’s description.</p> - -<p>Finally, he left the depot and went outside to the -cab stand.</p> - -<p>Here he commenced to question the drivers.</p> - -<p>At last he found a man who, in reply to his question, -said:</p> - -<p>“I drove the old chap downtown in my cab.”</p> - -<p>“Do you think you would be able to identify him -if you should see him again?” Carter asked.</p> - -<p>“I do,” the cabman answered.</p> - -<p>“Will you come with me?”</p> - -<p>“What for?”</p> - -<p>“I want you to take a look at a man and see if he -is the same person whom you drove downtown.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t leave my cab.”</p> - -<p>“Drive me down to the Cosmopolitan Hotel.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll do that.”</p> - -<p>Nick sent Danny home, got into the cab, and was -driven away.</p> - -<p>He had his reasons for not telling the cabman anything -about the case.</p> - -<p>Before he questioned him further he wanted to see -if the murdered man was the same person whom the -man had had for a fare the previous day.</p> - -<p>The cab stopped in front of the Cosmopolitan Hotel -and the detective alighted. He and the driver crossed -the street and entered the Red Dragon Inn.</p> - -<p>To the chamber of death the detective conducted his -surprised companion.</p> - -<p>When they entered the room Carter pointed to the -corpse and asked:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span>“Is that the man?”</p> - -<p>“Dead!” the cabman ejaculated, as he started back, -after having glanced at the face of the murdered man. -“Yes, sir, it is the man, all right. He has been murdered!”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Did you fetch me down here to place me under -arrest?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“I know nothing about this.”</p> - -<p>“Come with me.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll go with you, but I swear——”</p> - -<p>“There, there, my man, don’t get excited. You will -not be arrested—rest easy on that score.”</p> - -<p>“But——”</p> - -<p>“Wait until we get outside, and then I will tell you -what I want you to do.”</p> - -<p>They returned to the cab and stood on the sidewalk -near it.</p> - -<p>Carter was silent for a short time.</p> - -<p>Suddenly he looked up into the pale face of the -cabman and asked:</p> - -<p>“Where did you drive him?”</p> - -<p>“You mean——” the man stammered. The question -had been asked so suddenly that he was slightly confused.</p> - -<p>“I mean the man whose body lies over there in the -Red Dragon Inn.”</p> - -<p>“I drove him down to the Manhattan Safe Deposit -Company. He got out of the cab, told me to wait for -him, and then he went into the building, where he -remained for nearly half an hour. When he came out -he paid and dismissed me.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span>“When he paid you did he display any large amount -of money?”</p> - -<p>“He had quite a large-sized roll of bills in his hand.”</p> - -<p>“Did you drive away immediately after you received -the money for your services?”</p> - -<p>“I did.”</p> - -<p>“And you did not notice in which direction the -old man went?”</p> - -<p>“He went back into the building.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IV.<br /> - -<small>A PECULIAR INTERVIEW.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Carter lapsed into silence after the cabman had answered -his last question.</p> - -<p>It was clear to him now that Lawrence had secured -money at the Manhattan Safe Deposit Company.</p> - -<p>Did he get the money out of a box, which he owned, -or from some one connected with the company?</p> - -<p>The detective proposed to find out. He happened to -be acquainted with the cashier of the safe deposit -company, so he ordered the cabman to drive him to -the gentleman’s house.</p> - -<p>Fortunately, Carter found the cashier at home, and -he was received by him in his library.</p> - -<p>“Were you acquainted with an Alfred Lawrence?” -the detective inquired of the cashier as soon as he was -seated.</p> - -<p>The gentleman started in surprise, and asked:</p> - -<p>“Why do you ask that question?”</p> - -<p>“I want information,” Carter replied, with a smile. -He paused for a moment, and then he continued: “I -can see from the manner in which you started that you -knew Alfred Lawrence.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I did know Alfred Lawrence, and I always -regarded him as an honest man. In spite of the fact -that he was tried and found guilty of forgery, I have -always believed he was innocent. But why do you -come here asking about Lawrence?”</p> - -<p>“Lawrence was murdered at the Red Dragon Inn -early this morning.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span>“No! It can’t be true!”</p> - -<p>The gentleman bounded out of his chair and, standing -in the center of the room, gazed at Carter with -an expression of astonishment upon his face.</p> - -<p>“It is true, nevertheless,” the detective replied.</p> - -<p>“I saw him yesterday. He had just been released -from Sing Sing Prison.”</p> - -<p>“Please be seated and try to be calm. I want you to -recall to your mind all that occurred yesterday between -you and Lawrence. It is important that you -should remember everything.”</p> - -<p>“I will try and do as you request.”</p> - -<p>The gentleman resumed his seat, and for some time -he bowed his head, resting it upon his hand.</p> - -<p>The detective remained quiet.</p> - -<p>Patiently he waited for the cashier of the safe deposit -company to speak. He desired to let him have -plenty of time in which to recall to his mind all that -had happened between him and the murdered man on -the previous day.</p> - -<p>Finally the gentleman raised his head and gazed -intently into Carter’s face.</p> - -<p>“This is a great shock to me,” he remarked, as he -passed his hand over his forehead. “Lawrence came -into my office about two o’clock.</p> - -<p>“At first I did not recognize him on account of the -great change that had been wrought in him.</p> - -<p>“When I learned who he was I was glad to see -him.</p> - -<p>“He sat down and told me about his prison experience.</p> - -<p>“In years gone by we had been friends.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span>“When he was tried I did what I could to help him.</p> - -<p>“The evidence was too strong against him, and he -was convicted.</p> - -<p>“When he was sent to prison he left in my care -some securities to dispose of. I sold them and placed -the money on deposit with the Bank of North -America.</p> - -<p>“I wrote to him about it, and he said that he desired -me not to communicate with him again until he should -be free. Then he would call upon me. If I were to -die I was to provide in my will that the money should -be placed with some trust company for him.</p> - -<p>“Well, as I said, he called on me yesterday. He -asked me for two hundred dollars, and I gave it to -him.”</p> - -<p>The gentleman paused.</p> - -<p>“How much was the full amount?” asked Nick, -upon whom the cashier’s information was making a -clear impression of innocence on the part of Alfred -Lawrence.</p> - -<p>“About seven thousand dollars,” the cashier answered.</p> - -<p>“Did Lawrence talk about his family?”</p> - -<p>“He did not.”</p> - -<p>“Did he talk about any one?”</p> - -<p>“All he said was that he intended to prove that he -was not a forger.”</p> - -<p>“Did he say how he was going to do it?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Were you ever acquainted with Simeon Rich?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Is he living in the city?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span>“And you don’t know what became of Lawrence’s -wife and child?”</p> - -<p>“I do not.”</p> - -<p>“Did you know that Lawrence’s house on Beach -Street has remained vacant for years?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“When Lawrence left you did he say where he -was going?”</p> - -<p>“He did not.”</p> - -<p>“Did he say that he would call on you again?”</p> - -<p>“He promised to call and see me to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“Did Lawrence run a safe deposit box?”</p> - -<p>“He did. He had one with our company.”</p> - -<p>“Did he open it yesterday?”</p> - -<p>“No. He told me that he intended to open it to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“Did he have the key?”</p> - -<p>“He did.”</p> - -<p>“Do you know the number of the box?”</p> - -<p>“I do not.”</p> - -<p>“To-morrow I will find out the number for you.”</p> - -<p>“Can’t you do so to-day?”</p> - -<p>“Why?”</p> - -<p>“I want to examine the contents of that box.”</p> - -<p>“You will have to wait until to-morrow, Mr. Carter. -Then I will get permission for you to open the box.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose I’ll have to wait.”</p> - -<p>“I am sorry that I can’t help you to-day.”</p> - -<p>“So am I.”</p> - -<p>Carter gave the cashier an account of the mysterious -murder at the Red Dragon Inn and then he departed, -promising to call on him at his office early the next -morning.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span>So far he had progressed fairly well with the case, -though he had not secured any information which -would throw light on the mystery.</p> - -<p>The murdered man’s identity was established and -Carter had learned something about his history.</p> - -<p>But that was not much.</p> - -<p>Who could have committed the crime?</p> - -<p>Was Lawrence murdered by a common thief or by -one who was afraid of him and desired to put him -out of the way?</p> - -<p>Carter asked himself these questions.</p> - -<p>He was not prepared to answer either one of them.</p> - -<p>He had discovered no clew.</p> - -<p>He had learned nothing upon which he could base -a theory.</p> - -<p>Leaving the cashier’s house, he dismissed the cabman, -and, hailing a taxicab, rode home, where he went -to his study and sat down to smoke and think.</p> - -<p>It was now evening. He had not wasted a moment -since early in the morning, but he was not satisfied -with his work. He had looked through the directory -and had not been able to find in it the name of the -man who had been instrumental in sending Lawrence -to State’s prison.</p> - -<p>Did he have any suspicion that that man could have -anything to do with the murder?</p> - -<p>If he did not, then why was he so anxious to find -out what had become of that man? He wished he -had a more accurate description of the man who had -entered the barroom of the Red Dragon Inn after -Lawrence.</p> - -<p>“That man may know nothing,” he muttered as he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span> -thought about him, “but, nevertheless, I should like -to find him.</p> - -<p>“Who is he?</p> - -<p>“What was he doing in the inn?</p> - -<p>“Did he simply step in to get a drink, or did he -follow Lawrence in?</p> - -<p>“I’m puzzled.”</p> - -<p>The detective arose from his chair and commenced -to pace back and forth across the room.</p> - -<p>All the time he puffed away vigorously on his cigar -and blew the smoke out in a long stream. Whenever -he was annoyed about anything he always smoked in -this way. He was so deep in thought that he did not -hear a knock on the door until the person without had -knocked several times.</p> - -<p>Carter halted in the center of the room and called -out:</p> - -<p>“Come in.”</p> - -<p>The door was opened by Nick’s butler and Peter -Wright entered the room.</p> - -<p>At a glance the detective saw he was excited.</p> - -<p>“I’m glad you are in, Mr. Carter,” Wright ejaculated, -as he sank down in a chair.</p> - -<p>He was puffing and blowing from exertion, and it -was several minutes before he became composed. He -mopped his brow with a large red bandanna and laid -his hat down on the floor by the side of his chair.</p> - -<p>“It was a peculiar experience,” he ejaculated, looking -at the detective, “very peculiar—very peculiar——”</p> - -<p>Mr. Wright had a rapid way of speaking when he -was excited, and he had a habit of repeating certain -words and phrases to emphasize what he said.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span>“It was deucedly peculiar,” he repeated, after a -slight pause.</p> - -<p>Carter could not help smiling as he said:</p> - -<p>“Mr. Wright, you forget that I know nothing about -it.”</p> - -<p>“That’s so—confound it! I am so excited I can -hardly collect my thoughts. But it was a deucedly -peculiar experience, all the same,” he replied.</p> - -<p>“Tell me all about it.”</p> - -<p>“Tell you all about it? So I will—yes—yes. Peculiar—it -was very peculiar——”</p> - -<p>“No doubt. Try and collect your thoughts.”</p> - -<p>“I will.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Wright mopped his brow for the twentieth -time, blew his nose, and then, rolling his bandanna -up into a ball, threw it into his hat, saying, as he -rested his elbows upon the arms of the chair and -leaned forward:</p> - -<p>“Mr. Carter, I think I have important information -for you.”</p> - -<p>“That is what I want,” the detective replied.</p> - -<p>Nick was perfectly calm.</p> - -<p>Not a muscle of his face moved.</p> - -<p>But those shrewd eyes of his sparkled like two -gems.</p> - -<p>“It was this way,” Mr. Wright continued, after a -momentary silence: “After you left me I returned -to my room in the hotel and sat down to glance at -the morning newspaper. I could not remain quiet for -any length of time, because my mind was dwelling -continuously on the murder.</p> - -<p>“Well, an hour passed. I was pacing up and down -the room trying to recall to my mind everything I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span> -had known and had heard about Lawrence, when there -came a knock at my door.</p> - -<p>“I called out for the party to come in, and a tall, -handsome, stylishly dressed woman entered the room.</p> - -<p>“I was taken by surprise and was slightly confused. -I thought at first the woman had mistaken my room -for some one else’s. But she looked at me very calmly, -and when I did not speak she said:</p> - -<p>“‘Are you not Mr. Wright?’</p> - -<p>“Instantly I pulled myself together and acknowledged -that I was the individual. I invited her to be -seated.</p> - -<p>“As far as I could remember, Mr. Carter, I had -never seen the woman before in all my life.</p> - -<p>“‘You are Mr. Peter Wright?’ she asked again, as -soon as she was seated, and she placed considerable -emphasis upon ‘Peter,’ looking me straight in the eyes -with such intensity as if she were endeavoring to read -my most secret thoughts.</p> - -<p>“‘My name is Peter Wright,’ I said, and I commenced -to experience a creeping sensation all over -me.</p> - -<p>“Never before had I been in such a position.</p> - -<p>“It may have been my imagination, but I thought -that she was making an effort to exert some influence -over me.</p> - -<p>“Well, that is neither here nor there. It is a waste -of time for me to go into details about my feelings——”</p> - -<p>“Go on,” Carter interrupted, “tell your story your -own way, and do not make any attempt to abridge it. -I am deeply interested.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span>“Let me see—oh, yes. As I said, I thought she was -trying to hypnotize me.</p> - -<p>“As soon as I said that I was Peter Wright she -asked:</p> - -<p>“‘Were you the owner of the Red Dragon Inn at -one time?’</p> - -<p>“I replied in the affirmative, and I saw a smile -encircle her lips.</p> - -<p>“‘You don’t remember me,’ she said, after a pause.</p> - -<p>“‘Indeed, I do not,’ I replied. ‘I cannot recall that -I ever saw you before.’</p> - -<p>“‘No doubt, no doubt,’ she murmured. She glanced -around the room and ran her hand across her forehead. -‘I have changed wonderfully,’ she went on. -‘Twenty years works wonderful changes in all of us,’ -and she smiled, with the sweetest smile I ever beheld -upon the face of a woman.</p> - -<p>“‘We all change,’ I interpolated, and she replied:</p> - -<p>“‘You are right. I was a girl when you saw me last, -and now I am a woman. Mr. Wright, do you not -remember Isabella Porter?’</p> - -<p>“The instant she mentioned the name I remembered -her.</p> - -<p>“Her parents used to live a few doors from the Red -Dragon Inn. Her father was a produce merchant. -When she was a small girl I used to give her pennies -to spend. Her father died and her mother moved out -of the neighborhood. I lost track of them, and I had -not seen nor heard of Isabella until she appeared in -my room.</p> - -<p>“To tell you the truth, Mr. Carter, even after she -had told me who she was, I studied her face, but could<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> -not see a line in it that was familiar to me. I believed -she was Isabella Porter, all the same.</p> - -<p>“I told her that I remembered her name, and then -for a time she was silent. She bowed her head, and -seemed lost in deep thought.</p> - -<p>“Suddenly she glanced up at me.</p> - -<p>“‘I’ve called to see you on a peculiar errand,’ she -informed me.</p> - -<p>“‘What is it?’ I asked.</p> - -<p>“‘One night about ten or eleven years ago,’ she -said, ‘a man called on you at the Red Dragon Inn and -gave you a package to keep.</p> - -<p>“‘The man was a stranger to you.</p> - -<p>“‘On the package was written the name of Edward -Peters.</p> - -<p>“‘You put the package in your safe and the man -never called for it.’</p> - -<p>“She paused and fastened her eyes upon me, Mr. -Carter, with that strange, uncanny, searching look—it -was certainly peculiar, <i>very</i> peculiar!</p> - -<p>“I recalled the incident distinctly, but something -within me seemed to tell me to pretend ignorance about -the package, to try and draw her out and find out -what she was aiming at, so I said:</p> - -<p>“‘I don’t remember any such incident.’</p> - -<p>“Isabella Porter started and her face darkened.</p> - -<p>“‘You don’t?’ she ejaculated, in a tone of annoyance.</p> - -<p>“‘No,’ I replied. I was perfectly calm now, you -see, and I had full command of my senses.</p> - -<p>“Isabella eyed me closely, but I returned her gaze -unflinchingly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span>“Why I acted in this way I cannot tell. An unseen -force seemed to be guiding me.</p> - -<p>“‘What did you do with the contents of your safe?’ -Isabella asked.</p> - -<p>“‘When I sold the place,’ I replied, ‘I removed the -contents of the safe. I placed the paper in a box and -locked it up in the safe deposit vault. Since that time -I have never looked at it,’ which was the truth.</p> - -<p>“‘Then the package must be in your box,’ Isabella -ejaculated, and her countenance brightened. ‘Mr. -Wright, I want that package.’</p> - -<p>“‘If it should be among my papers,’ I replied, ‘I -can’t see why I should deliver it to you. It does not -belong to you.’</p> - -<p>“She bit her lips with annoyance and exclaimed:</p> - -<p>“‘I must get possession of that package, Mr. -Wright.’</p> - -<p>“‘Why?’ I asked.</p> - -<p>“‘I can’t tell you the reason why,’ she answered. -‘You would not understand if I were able to explain. -But, Mr. Wright, please let me have that package.’</p> - -<p>“‘What is in it?’ I asked.</p> - -<p>“‘I can’t tell you,’ she replied.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, well,’ I said, with a false laugh. ‘It is nothing -to me. To-morrow I will hunt through my papers at -the safe deposit company and I will see if the package -is among them.’</p> - -<p>“‘Can’t you look to-day?’ she asked, with great eagerness.</p> - -<p>“‘No,’ I replied; ‘to-day is a holiday and the vault -is closed.’</p> - -<p>“‘Then I suppose I must wait. What time shall I -call upon you to-morrow?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span>“‘About eleven o’clock,’ I answered.</p> - -<p>“‘I will be here on time,’ she said, and she arose -from her chair.</p> - -<p>“‘Where are you living?’ I inquired.</p> - -<p>“‘At No. — West Nineteenth Street,’ she replied.</p> - -<p>“‘With your mother?’</p> - -<p>“‘My mother has been dead five years. I reside -in a flat alone.’</p> - -<p>“‘Are you married?’</p> - -<p>“‘No, no,’ she laughed.</p> - -<p>“I wanted to question her further, but I refrained.</p> - -<p>“Isabella departed.</p> - -<p>“As soon as she was out of the room I locked the -door.</p> - -<p>“I had lied to her, Mr. Carter. The box with the -contents of my old safe in it was not in the vault of -the safe deposit company, but it was resting under -my bed.</p> - -<p>“I pulled it out into the center of the room and unlocked -it. I examined the contents, and at last came -across the package with the name of Edward Peters -written across the face.</p> - -<p>“It was sealed.</p> - -<p>“I broke the seals and tore off the wrapper.</p> - -<p>“Another wrapper was beneath, and upon it was -writing.</p> - -<p>“I read the indorsement.</p> - -<p>“As the words appeared before my eyes I was so -overcome with excitement that I could not move or -think for some time.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Wright paused, looked at Carter, put his hand -into the breast pocket of his coat, and pulled out a -large package.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER V.<br /> - -<small>AN IMPORTANT PACKAGE.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“This is the package,” Mr. Wright ejaculated, as -he held up the bundle. “I have not opened it.”</p> - -<p>“What is the indorsement?” Carter asked.</p> - -<p>“Listen and I will read.”</p> - -<p>“Read.”</p> - -<p>“‘Papers relating to the Lawrence will case.’”</p> - -<p>“The deuce you say!”</p> - -<p>“Read for yourself.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Wright handed the package to the detective.</p> - -<p>Carter took hold of it and read the indorsement.</p> - -<p>“The writing is bold and clear,” he said. “No name -signed to it.”</p> - -<p>“It is peculiar,” Mr. Wright rejoined. “It seems -strange that this should turn up just at this time, and -it is remarkable that I should have been impelled to -act as I did.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” Carter remarked, and he became thoughtful, -while he held the package in his hand and gazed at it -fixedly.</p> - -<p>“What do you suppose those papers contain?”</p> - -<p>“We will examine them.”</p> - -<p>“Why was Isabella Porter so anxious to get possession -of them?”</p> - -<p>“That we will have to find out.”</p> - -<p>“Who was Edward Peters?”</p> - -<p>“I can’t answer the question.”</p> - -<p>Carter laughed as he glanced at Mr. Wright, who -joined him, remarking:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span>“If I were not so excited I would never have asked -such a question, Mr. Carter.”</p> - -<p>“I am aware of that.”</p> - -<p>“Let us examine those papers. There may be something -in them which will furnish you with a clew.”</p> - -<p>“Or they may deepen the mystery.”</p> - -<p>Carter broke the seals and tore off the wrapper.</p> - -<p>Five documents fell into his lap.</p> - -<p>Mr. Wright drew up his chair close to the detective’s -side.</p> - -<p>Carter picked up one of the papers and read the -indorsement:</p> - -<p>“‘Confession of George Blanchard, butler, employed -by Alfred Lawrence, Esq.’”</p> - -<p>“Phew!” Mr. Wright gave a prolonged whistle.</p> - -<p>His and the detective’s eyes met.</p> - -<p>For some time they did not speak.</p> - -<p>“Confession of George Blanchard,” repeated Mr. -Wright.</p> - -<p>“We will read it,” the detective remarked, and he -opened the paper.</p> - -<p>Mr. Wright leaned back in his chair.</p> - -<p>Carter cleared his throat and commenced to read:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“‘I, George Blanchard, knowing that I am about to -die and to be called upon to face my Maker, desiring -to make reparation for grievous wrongs and sins which -I have committed, do make the following confession, -hoping thereby to ease my conscience. May God have -mercy upon my soul!</p> - -<p>“‘I was born in Manchester, England, and at the -age of twenty I came to America.</p> - -<p>“‘Shortly after my arrival in New York I was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> -engaged by Alfred Lawrence, Esq., to act as his butler, -and I went to work at his house, No. — Beach Street.</p> - -<p>“‘Mr. Lawrence was engaged in business with his -uncle, after whom he was named.</p> - -<p>“‘Old Mr. Lawrence died, and when the will was -read it was found that his nephew was left all of the -property.</p> - -<p>“‘Simeon Rich, another nephew of the deceased, -proceeded to contest the will, and he claimed that Mr. -Alfred Lawrence had forged the document.</p> - -<p>“‘Previous to the death of old Mr. Lawrence, Mr. -Alfred Lawrence and his wife became estranged.</p> - -<p>“‘They used to quarrel frequently.</p> - -<p>“‘Mrs. Lawrence was a cold, willful, and heartless -woman.</p> - -<p>“‘One day I discovered that she was meeting Simeon -Rich clandestinely. This was before the death of her -husband’s uncle.</p> - -<p>“‘I saw that I had her in my power, and I made a -demand upon her for hush money, which she gave -to me.</p> - -<p>“‘I threatened her with exposure, and I received -from her several hundred dollars.</p> - -<p>“‘One night shortly after the death of old Mr. -Lawrence, Simeon Rich came to me and told me that -he was going to contest the will. He said he would -pay me ten thousand dollars if I would swear that I -had seen Mr. Alfred Lawrence forge the will.</p> - -<p>“‘Mrs. Lawrence, he told me, would be on his side.</p> - -<p>“‘He paid me one thousand dollars down, and the -balance he promised to give me as soon as the will was -broken.</p> - -<p>“‘I entered into the plot.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span>“‘Papers which would have cleared Mr. Alfred -Lawrence of the charge of forgery I stole from his -safe.</p> - -<p>“‘These papers I have always kept in my possession, -and they will be found with this confession.</p> - -<p>“‘One of the papers was a statement of the lawyer -who had drawn up the will and who had died just -before the contest.</p> - -<p>“‘From time to time Simeon Rich has tried to get -possession of these papers, but I would never give -them to him.</p> - -<p>“‘Another paper was a letter written by Mrs. Lawrence -to Rich, in which she outlined the whole plot.</p> - -<p>“‘Mr. Alfred Lawrence in some way got hold of -this letter.</p> - -<p>“‘He was sent to State’s prison a year ago to-day.</p> - -<p>“‘Mrs. Lawrence and Rich have gone abroad together.</p> - -<p>“‘Two weeks ago, while crossing Broadway, I was -knocked down by a runaway team and taken to this -hospital.</p> - -<p>“‘I have suffered terrible agony, and the doctors -have informed me that I cannot live.</p> - -<p>“‘I intrust this confession and the stolen documents, -which will clear Mr. Alfred Lawrence, to my chum, -Edward Peters, with instructions to deliver them to -the proper authorities.</p> - -<p>“‘(Signed)<span class="floatright"><span class="smcap">George Blanchard</span>.</span><br /> -<br /> -“‘Witnessed by:<br /> - -<span class="indentleft">“‘<span class="smcap">Edward Peters</span>,</span><br /> - -<span class="indentleft">“‘<span class="smcap">Leonard Thompson</span>, M. D., House Physician, -Bellevue Hospital.</span></p> - -<p>“‘Dated August 17, 19—’”</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span>For some time after Carter finished reading he and -Mr. Wright sat in silence.</p> - -<p>Mr. Wright was the first to speak.</p> - -<p>“That confession shows that Lawrence was innocent,” -he remarked.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” the detective rejoined, “but it throws no -light on the murder.”</p> - -<p>“I wonder what became of Edward Peters and what -induced him to leave the package of documents with -me? If I had only known the value of those papers -years ago, I would have had Lawrence out of Sing -Sing in a jiffy.”</p> - -<p>“I wonder if Doctor Leonard Thompson, whose -signature is attached to this confession, is the famous -specialist who now resides on upper Fifth Avenue?”</p> - -<p>“We can easily find out by calling on him.”</p> - -<p>“We will start for his house immediately.”</p> - -<p>Carter put the papers into the inside pocket of his -coat, and then he and Mr. Wright started for the -house of the Fifth Avenue physician.</p> - -<p>When the detective and his companion arrived at -the palatial mansion they were shown into a small -reception room in which a number of patients were -seated.</p> - -<p>Carter gave his card to the butler, requesting him -to present it to his master and state that he desired -to see the doctor on important business.</p> - -<p>In a few minutes the butler returned and said that -the doctor would see them.</p> - -<p>Doctor Thompson was a man of fine physique and -aristocratic bearing.</p> - -<p>At first he acted rather coldly when the detective -and Mr. Wright entered his private office. However,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span> -he invited them to be seated and asked what they -desired.</p> - -<p>“Were you ever house physician at Bellevue Hospital?” -Carter inquired.</p> - -<p>“I was,” Doctor Thompson replied.</p> - -<p>“Is this your signature?”</p> - -<p>The detective took the Blanchard confession out of -his pocket and showed the doctor the signature.</p> - -<p>“This is my signature,” the physician said, after -he had glanced at it, and instantly he thawed out and -became interested. “What is that paper?”</p> - -<p>“A confession of a man named George Blanchard,” -the detective answered. “He was at one time a butler -for a Mr. Alfred Lawrence.”</p> - -<p>“I remember the man. He died from injuries received -in a runaway. I never knew what the confession -related to.</p> - -<p>“A man named Peters was with him all the afternoon -before he died. I came up to the cot just as -he signed the paper, and Peters requested me to witness -the signature, which I did.</p> - -<p>“My mind was busy with other matters, and I never -thought to ask what was in the paper.</p> - -<p>“I signed the death certificate, and, if my memory -does not play me false, I think Peters claimed the -body and buried it.</p> - -<p>“A month later Peters was brought to the hospital -in a dying condition. He had been stabbed, I think, -in some dark street downtown.</p> - -<p>“I recognized him as the man who had been with -Blanchard and who had requested me to sign the -paper.</p> - -<p>“He died without recovering consciousness.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span>“I can’t tell whether any one claimed his body or -not.”</p> - -<p>“The records at Bellevue will show that?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly.”</p> - -<p>“Doctor, we are greatly obliged to you for this information.”</p> - -<p>“Why are you so anxious——”</p> - -<p>“I can’t tell you anything just at present——”</p> - -<p>“I understand, Mr. Carter. Well, if I can be of any -further service to you, don’t hesitate to call on me.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you.”</p> - -<p>Carter and Wright departed.</p> - -<p>As soon as they were outside in the street, the latter -turned to the former and said:</p> - -<p>“What are you going to do next?”</p> - -<p>“We will go over to Bellevue,” the detective rejoined.</p> - -<p>At the hospital Carter proceeded to examine the -record of deaths.</p> - -<p>After a long search, he found the name of Edward -Peters.</p> - -<p>“Here it is,” he said, turning to Peter Wright and -holding his finger on the name.</p> - -<p>“Read what the record says,” said Wright.</p> - -<p>“‘Peters, Edward. Forty, unmarried, native of -England. Cause of death: stab wound in back, over -left lobe of heart. Occupation: butler. Where employed: -No. — Fifth Avenue. Name of employer: -Mrs. Isabella Porter. Body claimed by Mrs. Porter. -Date, September 21.’”</p> - -<p>“Well!” Wright ejaculated, and he looked at Carter, -with a quizzical expression upon his face.</p> - -<p>“More mystery,” the detective rejoined.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span>“Peters stopped at the Red Dragon Inn on the night -of September 20.”</p> - -<p>“How do you know that?”</p> - -<p>“I put the date on the wrapper of the package.”</p> - -<p>“Did you leave that wrapper in your room?”</p> - -<p>“I did.”</p> - -<p>“From this record, it appears that the man was -Mrs. Porter’s butler.”</p> - -<p>“Yes. She never had a butler when they lived on -West Broadway, and I was not aware that she had -gone to reside on Fifth Avenue.”</p> - -<p>“Mrs. Porter’s daughter was named after her?”</p> - -<p>“Obviously!”</p> - -<p>“Let us go to your hotel. When Miss Isabella -Porter calls on you to-morrow, tell her that you could -not find the package.”</p> - -<p>“I’d like to know how she learned about it.”</p> - -<p>“That we will find out all in good time.”</p> - -<p>“I will put these papers away in a safe place.”</p> - -<p>“Do so.”</p> - -<p>It was quite late when the detective and Wright -reached the hotel.</p> - -<p>Carter recovered the wrapper which had been outside -of the package. He sealed the documents up in -an envelope, and had the bundle locked up in the hotel -safe.</p> - -<p>When he reached his house, an hour later, he did not -retire to rest.</p> - -<p>As soon as he locked the door of his sanctum, he -proceeded to change his clothing.</p> - -<p>In a quarter of an hour he had changed his appearance -so completely that his most intimate acquaintance -could not have recognized him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span>What did he intend to do?</p> - -<p>From the manner in which he acted, it was quite -clear that he did not propose to remain in. He examined -his notebook before leaving the room, and as -he went out he muttered:</p> - -<p>“We will see what kind of place Miss Porter lives -in.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VI.<br /> - -<small>THE THREAT.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Carter desired to learn something about Isabella -Porter.</p> - -<p>Her appearance at this time and her anxiety to -secure the papers which had been left in Mr. Wright’s -possession so many years before seemed peculiar.</p> - -<p>As the detective reviewed the incidents, and recalled -the record of Peters’ death to his mind, he was almost -certain that the man had been attacked by some one -who desired to put him out of the way.</p> - -<p>Was Peters’ death planned because he had in his -possession these damaging papers?</p> - -<p>Carter pondered over this question.</p> - -<p>The circumstance was puzzling.</p> - -<p>Why was no attempt ever made until now to get -possession of the documents?</p> - -<p>How did Isabella Porter come to know or suppose -that they were in the possession of Mr. Wright?</p> - -<p>Was it any wonder that Carter was in a quandary -when these questions were presented to his mind?</p> - -<p>He did not know what to think.</p> - -<p>He was in the dark.</p> - -<p>There was a veil before his eyes, figuratively speaking.</p> - -<p>He felt that Isabella Porter had some connection -with the mystery of the Red Dragon Inn, but what -this connection was he could not determine.</p> - -<p>Presently he arrived at the address on West Nineteenth -Street.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span>It was an apartment house. He went into the vestibule -and examined the names on the letter boxes.</p> - -<p>The name of the woman was not among them.</p> - -<p>“It is as I supposed,” the detective muttered, “she -does not live here, and she gave Mr. Wright this -address simply as a blind.”</p> - -<p>To make sure that he was not wrong in his surmise, -Carter called on the janitor and questioned him.</p> - -<p>The man did not know any woman by the name of -Isabella Porter, and he was sure that no woman answering -to her description lived in the house.</p> - -<p>“She had some deep object in view when she gave -that false address,” the detective thought. “The discovery -alone is sufficient to make one suspect her.”</p> - -<p>Early the next morning the detective called at the -address on Fifth Avenue which he had found in the -record of Peters’ death.</p> - -<p>No one knew anything about any person by the -name of Porter.</p> - -<p>He returned to the hotel, and went to Mr. Wright’s -room, intending to remain there until the woman -called.</p> - -<p>He sent a message to the cashier of the safe deposit -company, stating that he had important business on -hand, and he would see him later in the day.</p> - -<p>Noon arrived, and Isabella Porter did not appear.</p> - -<p>Carter was impatient.</p> - -<p>“I’ve wasted the whole morning,” he remarked to -Wright.</p> - -<p>“That woman promised to call early,” Wright rejoined. -“Do you think her suspicions were aroused?”</p> - -<p>“That I cannot tell.”</p> - -<p>“It is curious.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span>“Very.”</p> - -<p>Carter strode over to the window and looked out -into the street. He was in a brown study.</p> - -<p>What should he do?</p> - -<p>Just then some one knocked on the door, and the -detective opened it.</p> - -<p>A messenger boy stood before him.</p> - -<p>“I’ve got a note for Mr. Peter Wright,” the boy -said.</p> - -<p>Mr. Wright took the note, and opened it. He -glanced at it, and then turning to the boy, asked:</p> - -<p>“From whom did you receive this?”</p> - -<p>“A man,” the boy replied.</p> - -<p>“Where was he when he gave it to you?”</p> - -<p>“In the barroom of the Humberland House.”</p> - -<p>“What kind of a looking man was he?”</p> - -<p>“He was tall, had a smooth face and black hair.”</p> - -<p>“What did he say when he gave you the note?”</p> - -<p>“He said simply to fetch it down to you.”</p> - -<p>“Was that all?”</p> - -<p>“That was all.”</p> - -<p>“Did he pay you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p>“You may go.”</p> - -<p>“Wait, sonny.”</p> - -<p>It was Carter who spoke. He had remained quiet -during the time Peter Wright was questioning the lad.</p> - -<p>“Let me see that note?” he asked, and Wright -handed the message to him. He read it, and a smile -crossed his face.</p> - -<p>Then he looked at the boy, and asked:</p> - -<p>“Did you ever see the man before?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span>“No, sir,” the boy answered.</p> - -<p>“You may go.”</p> - -<p>When the messenger was out of the room, Carter -turned to Mr. Wright, and said:</p> - -<p>“This note shows that the woman suspected a trap.”</p> - -<p>“No doubt,” Mr. Wright rejoined. “Read the note -to me. I just glanced at it.”</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>“‘<i>Mr. Peter Wright.</i></p> - -<p>“‘<span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>: I cannot call on you to-day. I thought -you were a gentleman, but I have discovered that I -cannot trust you. After I left you yesterday I learned -that you held a conference with Nicholas Carter, the -detective, and he commenced to make inquiries about -me. That man had better beware of how he meddles -with my affairs. I know that you have that package -in your possession, and if you turn it over to that detective, -you will live to regret it. Yours very respectfully,</p> - -<p class="right">“‘<span class="smcap">Isabella Porter.</span>’”</p> -</div> - -<p>“Humph!” Mr. Wright ejaculated, when the detective -finished reading. “<i>That</i> for her threat!” and the -old man snapped his fingers together, while defiance -shone in his eyes.</p> - -<p>“One thing is certain,” Carter remarked.</p> - -<p>“What is that?”</p> - -<p>“We’re watched.”</p> - -<p>“By whom?”</p> - -<p>“Probably by the man who gave the note to the -messenger boy.”</p> - -<p>“What are you going to do?”</p> - -<p>“I am going to call on the cashier of the safe deposit -company.”</p> - -<p>Half an hour later the detective was in the office of -the safe deposit company. He and the cashier visited<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span> -the vault, and, after some hesitation, the latter opened -Lawrence’s box.</p> - -<p>It was empty.</p> - -<p>When this discovery was made, Carter uttered an -exclamation of chagrin.</p> - -<p>“Who could have removed the contents?” the cashier -ejaculated. “Lawrence told me positively that he had -valuable papers in this box.”</p> - -<p>“They have been removed, but whether recently; or -years ago, we cannot tell,” the detective said.</p> - -<p>“It is annoying.”</p> - -<p>Carter left the vault and started uptown.</p> - -<p>So far, he considered that he had made very little -progress with the investigation.</p> - -<p>He reached the Humberland House, and entered -the café.</p> - -<p>It was four o’clock in the afternoon, and quite a -number of men were in the place. He thought that -there might be a chance of learning something here, -and that was the reason why he had stopped.</p> - -<p>The man who had given Isabella Porter’s note to -the messenger he thought might come into the place. -He sat down at one of the tables, and proceeded to -inspect the men around him.</p> - -<p>His attention was attracted toward a tall man who -was seated at the next table, with a short, stout man.</p> - -<p>The man was well dressed.</p> - -<p>There was something about his manner the detective -did not like, and he looked at him more closely than -he otherwise would have done.</p> - -<p>All of a sudden it came to him that this man answered -the description of the man who had given the -messenger boy Isabella Porter’s note.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span>Carter acted cautiously, so that the man would not -notice that he was watching him.</p> - -<p>They spoke in low tones, and it was some time before -the detective was able to catch a word they said.</p> - -<p>He leaned back in his chair and listened.</p> - -<p>The men were drinking.</p> - -<p>After a time they commenced to talk louder, and -the detective was able to hear.</p> - -<p>A man of less experience would have started, and -perhaps betrayed himself when he heard the stout -man address his companion as Rich.</p> - -<p>Not so Carter. He did not move in his chair, or -show any sign that he had heard a word.</p> - -<p>His eyes were fixed on a painting on the opposite -wall, and apparently he was examining it.</p> - -<p>“Well, Rich,” the detective heard the stout man -ejaculate, “I think you made a mistake.”</p> - -<p>For a while this was all he heard, for the man -spoke in low tones again.</p> - -<p>But this was sufficient to make Carter more deeply -interested in those two men.</p> - -<p>“Can this be Simeon Rich who conspired against -Lawrence?” he asked himself.</p> - -<p>There was a chance that the man was in no way -related to the murdered man.</p> - -<p>After a time the detective heard the man Rich remark:</p> - -<p>“Isabella made a mistake.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know about that,” the stout man rejoined, -and at the same time he lighted a fresh cigar, while -he leaned back in his chair and blew the smoke up -in the air over his head.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span>“Darwin,” replied Rich, in a low, clear, deep voice, -“I think you are unnecessarily alarmed.”</p> - -<p>“I am not. I have heard a great deal of that man’s -ability.”</p> - -<p>“All such men are overestimated. When they are -brought face to face with shrewd men they fail.”</p> - -<p>“Make no mistake. That man has circumvented -shrewder men than we.”</p> - -<p>“Bosh!”</p> - -<p>“Even at this moment he may be in possession of -important evidence.”</p> - -<p>“How could he secure it?”</p> - -<p>“I do not know, and yet I do not feel safe.”</p> - -<p>“I tell you, we have nothing to fear.”</p> - -<p>“You should never have had that letter of Isabella’s -delivered.”</p> - -<p>“The old fool will never dare to show it.”</p> - -<p>“That man has already been to Bellevue and examined -the records.”</p> - -<p>“How do you know that?”</p> - -<p>“I made inquiries.”</p> - -<p>“When?”</p> - -<p>“This afternoon.”</p> - -<p>“Humph!”</p> - -<p>“It was well I had him watched.”</p> - -<p>“In one way it was.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, in many ways.”</p> - -<p>The men rested back in their chairs, and were silent.</p> - -<p>Carter had heard every word, and he was sure that -the two men had referred to him, although they had -not mentioned any names.</p> - -<p>His heart beat violently, in spite of his stoicism.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span>Outwardly he was composed, but inwardly he was -excited.</p> - -<p>“Am I on the right trail at last?” he asked himself.</p> - -<p>“Have these men had anything to do with the -mysterious murder at the Red Dragon Inn? Ought -I to suspect them?”</p> - -<p>Darwin arose from the table, paid the cashier for -what they had had, and then the two men strolled out -of the café into the corridor of the hotel, when they -halted near the newspaper stand.</p> - -<p>Carter followed them openly but unobtrusively, and -stood within a few feet of them.</p> - -<p>The lobby was crowded with people, and it was easy -to keep them under surveillance without the fear of -attracting their attention.</p> - -<p>“Well, Rich, what are you going to do?” Carter -heard Darwin ask, after they had stood silent for -some time near the door.</p> - -<p>“I am going uptown,” Rich replied evasively.</p> - -<p>“To see Isabella?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Try and induce her to take a trip to Philadelphia, -and remain there until things quiet down.”</p> - -<p>“She won’t listen to that.”</p> - -<p>“Confound these women, anyway! If you had let -me manage that affair, and kept her out of it, there -would have been nothing to worry about. As it is, -you went ahead without asking my advice, and the -result may be that you have furnished that man with -a clew which will lead up to our downfall.”</p> - -<p>“Always croaking, Dick!”</p> - -<p>“No, I am not.”</p> - -<p>“What are <i>you</i> going to do?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span>“I am going to take a trip down to Lem Samson’s -joint, and see if Brockey Gann has any report to -make.”</p> - -<p>“What time to-morrow will you meet me?”</p> - -<p>“Eleven o’clock.”</p> - -<p>“Where?”</p> - -<p>“Here,” said Darwin.</p> - -<p>“If anything of importance has occurred, I will -send you word.”</p> - -<p>“Then, good night.”</p> - -<p>They had walked out into the street, and now they -separated, one starting uptown and the other walking -down to the corner of Twenty-fourth Street, where -he halted to wait for a car.</p> - -<p>For a moment or so Carter was in doubt about which -one he ought to follow.</p> - -<p>Richard Darwin had mentioned that he was going -downtown to a place kept by a man named Lem Samson.</p> - -<p>The detective was familiar with the place, which was -one of the worst crooks’ resorts on Houston Street, -near Macdougal Street.</p> - -<p>He also knew that Brockey Gann was the leader -of a gang of thugs.</p> - -<p>He had arrested Brockey several times, and once he -succeeded in sending him to State’s prison for a short -term.</p> - -<p>Carter saw Darwin start out toward the center of -the street as a downtown car came along.</p> - -<p>In an instant his mind was made up.</p> - -<p>He ran out into the street and jumped aboard the -car ahead of Darwin.</p> - -<p>On the way downtown the detective made a close<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span> -study of the man. He did not remember that he had -ever seen him before.</p> - -<p>Darwin had the appearance of a man in prosperous -circumstances.</p> - -<p>That he had been in the habit of associating with -sporting men was quite evident from certain phrases -which Carter had heard him utter.</p> - -<p>At Houston Street Darwin jumped off the car.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VII.<br /> - -<small>EAVESDROPPING.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Carter did not act hastily. He waited until Darwin -had turned the corner before he alighted from the -car. Then he started after his quarry, whom he soon -caught sight of hurrying along on the south side of -Houston Street.</p> - -<p>The detective kept on the north side of the street.</p> - -<p>As he walked along, he made a few changes in his -disguise, so that if he and Darwin were brought face -to face again the man would not recognize him as the -same person who had stood on the platform of the -car with him.</p> - -<p>Darwin entered the crooks’ resort.</p> - -<p>Carter followed him inside.</p> - -<p>A number of men were leaning up against the bar.</p> - -<p>Lem Samson, a tall, burly, broad-shouldered, red-faced -man, with an ugly scar over his left temple, was -serving out the drinks.</p> - -<p>Darwin stepped up to the bar and spoke to Samson.</p> - -<p>Carter got near them, and heard what was said.</p> - -<p>“Have you seen Brockey?” Darwin asked.</p> - -<p>“He hasn’t been in this evening,” Samson replied. -“Did you expect to meet him to-night?”</p> - -<p>“I did.”</p> - -<p>“Go into the back room and wait.”</p> - -<p>“Is any one in there?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>Carter sat down in a chair near the door of that -room, and feigned intoxication.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span>No one paid any attention to him.</p> - -<p>The minutes passed.</p> - -<p>Then the door of the room opened, and a man entered. -He was dressed in black. His coat was tightly -buttoned up, so as nearly to hide the white handkerchief -that encompassed his scrawny throat. His hair—and -it was not very luxuriant—was of a foxy color, -and combed straight down, giving the observer the -idea that it had been operated on by the prison barber. -Pitted pockmarks covered his colorless, lean face.</p> - -<p>At a glance the detective recognized Brockey Gann.</p> - -<p>The rascal cast his restless eyes around the room, as -if he were in fear of some danger, and, thus shuffling -up to the bar, he asked of Samson, in a hoarse tone -of voice:</p> - -<p>“Have you seen him?”</p> - -<p>“He’s waiting inside,” Samson replied, pointing toward -the back room with his thumb.</p> - -<p>Brockey, as he passed Carter, looked at him.</p> - -<p>The detective’s head was bending forward, and, -apparently, he was asleep.</p> - -<p>“Jaggy,” Brockey muttered as he passed into the -room.</p> - -<p>“I’m glad you have come at last, Brockey,” the detective -heard Darwin exclaim. “Sit down. Help yourself -to the rosy.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you,” Brockey replied, and he seated himself -at the table, pouring out a glassful of liquor and -swallowing it at a gulp.</p> - -<p>Darwin handed him a cigar, which he lighted and -proceeded to smoke.</p> - -<p>“That’s the stuff!” he ejaculated.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span>“What did you discover this afternoon?” Darwin -asked, after a pause.</p> - -<p>“Nothing much.”</p> - -<p>“Tell me what you did learn.”</p> - -<p>“Well, the cove left the hotel and went downtown -to the Manhattan Safe Deposit Company.</p> - -<p>“Then he returned to the house.</p> - -<p>“I laid around the place for several hours, thinking -he would come out. He did not put in an appearance, -and I proceeded to make inquiries.</p> - -<p>“Then I discovered that he was not in his room, and -I knew he had left the hotel.</p> - -<p>“I haven’t been able to get on his trail.”</p> - -<p>“The deuce!”</p> - -<p>“That cove is like an eel.”</p> - -<p>For a time the men were silent.</p> - -<p>Carter realized that Brockey had been tracking him, -and saw that in the future he would have to be more -cautious.</p> - -<p>It was only by a mere stroke of good luck that he -had slipped out of the hotel unrecognized.</p> - -<p>Finally, Darwin looked across the table at his companion, -and said:</p> - -<p>“I think I can trust you, Brockey.”</p> - -<p>“Think you can!” Brockey ejaculated. “You have -done so, and never found me unworthy of the trust. -You remember——”</p> - -<p>The blood left Darwin’s face when thus addressed, -for a moment, and a paleness usurped its place.</p> - -<p>“Why, Mr. Darwin, I was in hopes——”</p> - -<p>“I think you are misunderstanding me. I know you—I -can trust you, and it is not everybody I would;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span> -let that suffice. I shall want you to do something more -for me.”</p> - -<p>“What is that?”</p> - -<p>“Carter must be put out of the way.”</p> - -<p>“I begin to comprehend. That man has been the -bitterest enemy that I ever had.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t love him?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Then you will undertake the job?”</p> - -<p>“For a consideration—yes.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I don’t expect you to do it for nothing. I will -pay you liberally. But, remember, there must be no -failure.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll do my best.”</p> - -<p>“Your best!”</p> - -<p>“That’s what I said,” retorted Brockey.</p> - -<p>“You must not fail.”</p> - -<p>“There is a chance that I may.”</p> - -<p>“You must not.”</p> - -<p>“See here, Darwin, that cove is one of the worst -terrors in the business.”</p> - -<p>“I am aware of that——”</p> - -<p>“Well—it——”</p> - -<p>“Well——”</p> - -<p>The men were sitting with their elbows leaning -upon the table, and they stared into each other’s eyes -for some time in silence.</p> - -<p>“Say, Darwin,” Brockey finally blurted out, “I don’t -like to be spoken to in that way. You talk as if you -had a hold on me.”</p> - -<p>“I <i>have</i> a hold on you!” Darwin fairly hissed, and -his face darkened, while his eyes shone like two coals -of fire.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span>“So you think. But I have also a hold on you, my -bully boy, and don’t you forget it!”</p> - -<p>Again a silence fell on them.</p> - -<p>Darwin scowled.</p> - -<p>Brockey smiled, showing a hideous gold tooth.</p> - -<p>“We won’t quarrel,” Darwin at last remarked.</p> - -<p>“I guess not,” Brockey replied, with a chuckle.</p> - -<p>“Will you do the work?”</p> - -<p>“I told you I would.”</p> - -<p>“Then start out to-night to run him down.”</p> - -<p>“The exchequer is very low.”</p> - -<p>“How much will you need?”</p> - -<p>“Five hundred down and five thousand when the -cove is out of the way.”</p> - -<p>“That is too much.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t talk in that way. You know it is not too -much. You and that other chap are going to pull out -a big stake.”</p> - -<p>“I am no fool, Darwin.”</p> - -<p>“One word from me, and——”</p> - -<p>“Hush! We are in a public barroom, and you ought -to be more cautious.”</p> - -<p>“Are you going to come to time?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll give you three hundred to-night, and to-morrow -we will talk about the balance.”</p> - -<p>“Fork out the three hundred.”</p> - -<p>Darwin took a roll of bills out of his pocket, counted -out the amount, and passed it over to Brockey, who -smiled again and shoved the money into his trousers -pocket.</p> - -<p>“How will you proceed?” Darwin asked.</p> - -<p>“I’ll make up my mind later,” Brockey replied.</p> - -<p>“To-morrow I shall expect to hear——”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span>“Don’t count on hearing to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“Why not?”</p> - -<p>“I may not be able to find him to-night.”</p> - -<p>“All right.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll meet you here to-morrow afternoon at four -o’clock. Are you going?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“I guess I’ll go with you.”</p> - -<p>Darwin and Brockey left the room.</p> - -<p>They passed the detective, and Darwin said:</p> - -<p>“Did you notice that fellow?” pointing to Carter.</p> - -<p>“Certainly,” Brockey answered. “He’s got a jag -on.”</p> - -<p>They halted in the center of the room, and looked -back at the detective, who did not stir.</p> - -<p>“Suppose he should be shamming?” Darwin remarked, -in an undertone.</p> - -<p>“G’way,” Brockey retorted.</p> - -<p>“He may have heard what we were talking about.”</p> - -<p>“Not much.”</p> - -<p>“I have a sort of feeling that he is a spy.”</p> - -<p>Brockey gazed intently at Carter.</p> - -<p>Without uttering a word, he strode across the room -and clutched hold of the detective by the shoulder, -shaking him vigorously.</p> - -<p>“Wosh de ma-asher!” Carter growled, making no -attempt to resist. “Wosh de ma-asher,” he mumbled, -a second time, in a maudlin tone. “Lesh a fel’ alone.”</p> - -<p>“Get up out of here!” Brockey exclaimed, and he -jerked the detective out of the chair.</p> - -<p>Carter struggled from side to side, and his acting -was perfect.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span>No one in the place paid any attention to him and -Brockey except Darwin.</p> - -<p>“Shay, ain’t chue a-goin’ t’ lea’ up?” Carter mumbled, -and he caught hold of Brockey by the arms, to -steady himself.</p> - -<p>“Where do you live?” Brockey asked.</p> - -<p>“Nowhere.”</p> - -<p>The rascal was entirely deceived. He firmly believed -that the detective was nothing more than a -drunken “bum.” He let go his hold on him, and, with -a grunt of well-feigned disgust, Carter staggered out -of the den.</p> - -<p>Brockey and Darwin followed.</p> - -<p>The detective disappeared around the corner.</p> - -<p>The instant he was out of sight he straightened up -and darted into the doorway of a house, where he -made a change in his disguise. He was anxious not -to lose sight of Darwin, and he hastened back around -into Houston Street again.</p> - -<p>He almost ran into Brockey, who had separated -from Darwin, who was hurrying off up the street in -the direction of Broadway.</p> - -<p>Brockey did not recognize the detective, and, with -an oath, he passed around the corner.</p> - -<p>Carter started after Darwin. He reached Broadway -a few seconds later than he, and by a lucky chance -he was able to get on the same car with him.</p> - -<p>Carter was sure that he had struck the right trail. -Indeed, he was firmly convinced now that Darwin and -Rich were implicated in the murder, that they had -formed together some dastardly plot.</p> - -<p>The detective did not make any effort to surmise -what that plot was.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span>It was too early yet to start to theorize.</p> - -<p>By the detective’s side on the platform of the car -Darwin stood, entirely unconscious that the man whom -he had paid Brockey to kill was near him.</p> - -<p>When the car reached Thirty-first Street, Darwin -jumped off, lighted a cigar, and strolled leisurely down -the block, turning into Sixth Avenue.</p> - -<p>Carter was not far behind him.</p> - -<p>“I’m going to find out more about you, my lad,” -the detective thought, as he followed Darwin into a -crowded dance hall.</p> - -<p>It was nearly midnight, and the place was filled with -men and women. A band was playing a popular waltz, -and the floor was crowded with dancers. Loud laughter -and shouts of maudlin mirth were heard on all -sides.</p> - -<p>Darwin halted near the entrance, and cast his eyes -over the dancers.</p> - -<p>“He’s looking for some one,” Carter mentally commented, -as he noted his every action.</p> - -<p>Darwin, at that moment, started up the stairway -leading to the gallery.</p> - -<p>The detective followed close behind him.</p> - -<p>In the gallery, ranged along the railing, were small -tables, at which merry parties of men about town and -tenderloiners were seated, drinking.</p> - -<p>The women were flashily and expensively dressed, -and many of them were adorned with valuable -jewelry.</p> - -<p>Darwin, as soon as he reached the gallery, looked -searchingly around.</p> - -<p>Suddenly he started across the rear, and reached a -table at the opposite side of which a young woman<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span> -was sitting alone. The woman looked at him, and -nodded coldly as he drew up a chair beside her.</p> - -<p>Carter had also crossed the gallery, and he stood -within a few feet of the table.</p> - -<p>“What is the matter with you, Dora?” asked Richard -Darwin, as he sat down and ordered a waiter to -fetch a bottle of champagne.</p> - -<p>“You know well enough what is the matter,” Dora -snappishly replied. “What’s the use of you trying to -feign ignorance?”</p> - -<p>“You look real sweet when you talk in that way.”</p> - -<p>“How dare you!”</p> - -<p>Dora’s fine eyes flashed. She turned around in her -chair, faced Darwin, and glared at him.</p> - -<p>One could see that she was not in an amiable mood. -She was angry about something. Her face was -flushed, and she raised her hand, as if she would have -liked to have struck her companion in the face.</p> - -<p>“Here’s the wine,” Darwin exclaimed, with a forced -laugh, as the waiter placed the bottle and glasses on -the table. “Drink some, and see if it won’t put you -in a good humor.”</p> - -<p>“I want none of your wine,” Dora retorted. “Keep -it for your——”</p> - -<p>“Yes, you do.”</p> - -<p>“I won’t touch it. You and I are quits from this -night forth.”</p> - -<p>“Phew!”</p> - -<p>“Probably you think I don’t mean it?”</p> - -<p>“You <i>don’t</i> mean it, my dear girl. Drink your -wine.”</p> - -<p>“I want no wine that you have paid for. I want -nothing from a man who will deceive me.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span>“I haven’t deceived you, Dora. Indeed, I haven’t. -I don’t understand what you mean.”</p> - -<p>“You scoundrel!”</p> - -<p>The conversation was carried on in low tones, but -it was exciting and intense.</p> - -<p>Dora leaned back in her chair, as she called Darwin -a scoundrel, and she looked him squarely in the -eyes.</p> - -<p>Carter, who had heard all that was said, was deeply -interested.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VIII.<br /> - -<small>A WOMAN SCORNED.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Dora kept her eyes fastened on Darwin.</p> - -<p>There was a peculiar glitter in them.</p> - -<p>At first Darwin returned her gaze without flinching, -but soon he commenced to move about uneasily.</p> - -<p>For some time neither spoke.</p> - -<p>A cynical smile played around the corners of Dora’s -lips.</p> - -<p>“You are contemptible,” she sneered. “Really, I -should feel sorry for you if I did not despise you so -intensely!”</p> - -<p>“Really, Dora, I don’t understand you,” Darwin -replied.</p> - -<p>“You don’t understand me? How can you sit there -and say that? Where were you to-day at eleven -o’clock?”</p> - -<p>“Why—I—I——”</p> - -<p>“Don’t lie to me. Where were you?”</p> - -<p>“I was in O’Rourke’s restaurant.”</p> - -<p>“With whom?”</p> - -<p>“Sally Rich.”</p> - -<p>“What were you doing in her company?”</p> - -<p>“I met her by chance.”</p> - -<p>“You had an appointment with her.”</p> - -<p>“I did not.”</p> - -<p>“I was in O’Rourke’s at the time, and I saw both -of you.”</p> - -<p>“Spying on me?”</p> - -<p>Darwin’s face darkened, and he bit the ends of his -mustache.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span>“I was <i>not</i> spying on you,” Dora ejaculated. “I -wouldn’t spy on any one. But I am glad I’ve discovered -your duplicity.”</p> - -<p>“You are jealous of Sally Rich,” Darwin retorted.</p> - -<p>“I am <i>not</i>! But I do hate her.”</p> - -<p>“I am aware of that. She hates <i>you</i>.”</p> - -<p>“She is a low——”</p> - -<p>“Hush!”</p> - -<p>“I will not hush! This is the third time that I have -caught you with her.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t understand. I have business with her -brother——”</p> - -<p>“Do you expect me to believe that? Not much! I’m -not green. As long as you prefer that woman’s society -to mine, you may go with her, and I never want you -to speak to me again.”</p> - -<p>“But, Dora——”</p> - -<p>“Dick Darwin, my mind is made up.”</p> - -<p>“Do listen to reason, Dora.”</p> - -<p>“Good night.”</p> - -<p>Dora arose from the table, cast a contemptuous -glance at Darwin, and walked into a side room.</p> - -<p>“Confound that woman!” Darwin muttered, as he -gazed after her. “If she turns against me, she may -ruin me. I wish I hadn’t met Sally Rich—at least, -not for the present.”</p> - -<p>Carter heard what Darwin muttered, and he saw -that the man was greatly disturbed.</p> - -<p>“He’s afraid of Dora, for some reason,” the detective -cogitated. “If I could get her out of here, -unseen by Darwin, while she is in her present mood, -I might be able to worm some information out of her. -Shall I make the attempt?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span>Carter looked into the next room, where he saw -Dora putting on her cloak. He glanced at Darwin, -who was leaning back in his chair in a brown study.</p> - -<p>“Shall I try?” the detective thought, and he gazed -after Dora, who was starting for the stairway. He -saw that Darwin did not move, and he was still thinking.</p> - -<p>In an instant his mind was made up, and he started -after Dora.</p> - -<p>She went out into the street.</p> - -<p>Then the detective spoke to her.</p> - -<p>“You are a stranger to me,” she said coldly, with -an air of affronted dignity.</p> - -<p>“I am not such a stranger as you think, Miss Ferris. -We have met several times,” Carter rejoined.</p> - -<p>“I don’t seem to remember you.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps not, in this rig. Will you come up to -Sherton’s with me and have some supper? I want -to talk with you.”</p> - -<p>“Who are you?”</p> - -<p>“My name is Nicholas Carter.”</p> - -<p>“Why, I——”</p> - -<p>“You need not be afraid.”</p> - -<p>“I am not afraid.”</p> - -<p>“Will you accompany me?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t understand.”</p> - -<p>“I will explain when we get to Sherton’s. There we -can secure a secluded table, and no one will see us.”</p> - -<p>“It isn’t that——”</p> - -<p>“You will not regret it.”</p> - -<p>“I will go with you.”</p> - -<p>The detective and Dora had little to say until after<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span> -the repast at Sherton’s was placed upon the table, and -they were alone.</p> - -<p>“Now we can talk,” the detective said, as soon as -the waiter had left the room.</p> - -<p>“You said you desired to secure some information -from me?” Dora remarked.</p> - -<p>“I do.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t imagine what it is about.”</p> - -<p>“You have been friendly with a man named Dick -Darwin?”</p> - -<p>Dora started. She laid down her knife and fork, -and looked at the detective, with amazement depicted -upon every line of her handsome face.</p> - -<p>“You heard what passed between us a while ago?” -she ejaculated.</p> - -<p>“I did,” Carter calmly replied, and he smiled.</p> - -<p>“Then you know that I have thrown him over?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“I do not intend to have anything more to do with -him.”</p> - -<p>“Do you really mean that?”</p> - -<p>“I do. I am serious. I have made many sacrifices -for that man, and he has treated me brutally.”</p> - -<p>“To-morrow you will change your mind.”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Carter, my mind is made up. Nothing will -make me change it. I possess my father’s nature. -You were a friend of his, and you know how bitter -he could be against any one for whom he formed a -dislike. It is the same way with me.”</p> - -<p>“Then you will not hesitate to tell me all you know -about Darwin?”</p> - -<p>“Has he committed a crime?” asked Dora.</p> - -<p>“Do <i>you</i> think he has?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span>“I do not know.”</p> - -<p>“Neither do I,” asserted Carter, with a smile.</p> - -<p>“Then why are you so anxious to get information -about him?”</p> - -<p>“I can’t tell you.”</p> - -<p>“Oh!”</p> - -<p>Dora gazed at the detective. She picked up the glass -of wine and commenced to sip the amber-colored -liquid.</p> - -<p>Carter was silent, but he watched her closely.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Carter,” Dora said, as she set down the glass, -“I will tell you everything I know about that man.”</p> - -<p>“I thank you,” the detective rejoined.</p> - -<p>“I hate him.”</p> - -<p>Her eyes flashed. The hot blood mantled her brow, -and she hissed out the words between her clenched -teeth.</p> - -<p>Now the detective saw that she was in earnest. He -knew that she did hate Dick Darwin, and no power -could make her become friendly with him again.</p> - -<p>“How long have you been acquainted with him?” -Carter asked, after a short silence.</p> - -<p>“About three years,” Dora answered.</p> - -<p>“Where did you first meet him?”</p> - -<p>“In London.”</p> - -<p>“What were you doing over there?”</p> - -<p>“I was in the chorus of ‘A Girl from New York.’ -We were playing over there at the Gayety.”</p> - -<p>“Were you introduced to him?”</p> - -<p>“I was.”</p> - -<p>“By whom?”</p> - -<p>“One of the other chorus girls, Sally Rich.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span>“Then you were acquainted with Miss Rich?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“And her brother?”</p> - -<p>“I know him.”</p> - -<p>“Well?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“How long have you known him?”</p> - -<p>“Four years.”</p> - -<p>“Where did you first meet him?”</p> - -<p>“At Koster & Bial’s, where his sister and I were -singing together.”</p> - -<p>“Tell me all you know about Darwin.”</p> - -<p>“Give me time to collect my thoughts.”</p> - -<p>“Take all the time you desire.”</p> - -<p>Carter was succeeding better than he had calculated.</p> - -<p>At first he did not suspect that Dora felt so bitterly -about the manner in which she had been treated by -Darwin. He congratulated himself on the move he -had made.</p> - -<p>As he watched Dora, and noted the fleeting shadows -crossing her face, he was able to read almost all her -thoughts. He saw that she had no compunctions of -conscience, no tenderness for Darwin, and that she -would tell all she knew about the man.</p> - -<p>Did she know anything about the mysterious murder -at the Red Dragon Inn?</p> - -<p>The detective was unable to surmise.</p> - -<p>Finally, Dora raised her eyes, and, gazing straight -at Carter, she said:</p> - -<p>“Dick Darwin is a cousin of Simeon Rich. His -mother was a sister of Rich’s father. He was educated<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> -in England, and he resided there until he was thirty -years of age, when he came to New York to live.</p> - -<p>“When his father died he inherited a small fortune. -He soon ran through it. Then he became connected -with several dramatic enterprises, and made money.</p> - -<p>“Six months ago he took a company out on the -road, and he became stranded in Cincinnati.</p> - -<p>“I sent him money to return to New York.</p> - -<p>“When he got here he was broke.</p> - -<p>“For some time he and Rich did not speak, but -after he got back to the city they patched up their -differences and became as thick as two peas in a pod. -Recently he got to going around with Sally Rich, unknown -to me, and when I found it out, and chided -him for it, he insulted me.</p> - -<p>“Lately I have noticed that he was quite flush of -money. He would not let me know where he got -it from. When I would ask him what he was doing -he would fly into a towering rage.</p> - -<p>“To-day when I saw him with Sally Rich I made -up my mind to sever our relationship.”</p> - -<p>Dora stopped talking and drank some wine.</p> - -<p>“You have not told me <i>all</i> you know about Darwin,” -Carter remarked.</p> - -<p>“How do you know that I have not?”</p> - -<p>“I can tell from the manner in which you spoke -that you have kept something back.”</p> - -<p>“What do you think I have kept back?”</p> - -<p>“Was Darwin ever guilty of any crime?”</p> - -<p>“Why?”</p> - -<p>“I want to know.”</p> - -<p>“In England he was arrested for forgery.”</p> - -<p>“Ah!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span>“He was released on bail, and he fled to this -country.”</p> - -<p>“What did he forge?”</p> - -<p>“Checks.”</p> - -<p>“Then he was never tried?”</p> - -<p>“No. The charges are still pending against him.”</p> - -<p>“Is Dick Darwin his right name?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Were you ever present when he and Rich were -together?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t you know what business they are engaged -in?”</p> - -<p>“I do not. I wish I did know.”</p> - -<p>“Did you ever hear Sally or her brother speak -of a man named Lawrence?”</p> - -<p>“Sally Rich once told me that she had an uncle -by that name.”</p> - -<p>“Did she ever speak about him?”</p> - -<p>“She only said that he died and left her and her -brother a lot of money. They had to fight for it in -the courts.”</p> - -<p>“Was that all she told you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>Carter thought for some time before he asked another -question. He reviewed all that Dora had told -him. He had gained some important information, but -not as much as he had expected. However, he was -firmly convinced that Dora had told him the truth, and -that she had concealed nothing.</p> - -<p>“Miss Ferris,” he said, after a time, “where was -Dick Darwin on New Year’s Eve?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span>“I don’t know where he was. He was with Rich. -That I do know.”</p> - -<p>“How do you know?”</p> - -<p>“I saw them together, going down Sixth Avenue, -about nine o’clock at night. They did not see me.”</p> - -<p>“What time did you next see him?”</p> - -<p>“At two o’clock in the morning.”</p> - -<p>“Where?”</p> - -<p>“He came to my flat. He was greatly excited about -something, and it seemed to me that he was very -nervous.”</p> - -<p>“Didn’t he say where he had been?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Did you ask him?”</p> - -<p>“I did.”</p> - -<p>“And he would not tell you?”</p> - -<p>“He would not.”</p> - -<p>“You say he was very nervous?”</p> - -<p>“Very. His clothing was spattered with mud, and -it seemed to me as if he had been in some kind of a -rumpus.”</p> - -<p>“Was he intoxicated?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Is the clothing which he had on that night at your -flat?”</p> - -<p>“It is in his room there. But, Mr. Carter, for what -purpose are you asking all these questions? What -do you suspect?”</p> - -<p>“I can’t tell you now.”</p> - -<p>“You can trust me. I hate Dick Darwin so that I -would help you to send him to prison.”</p> - -<p>“Would you do that?”</p> - -<p>“I swear I would do it!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span>“I am afraid——”</p> - -<p>“Afraid I wouldn’t?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Try me—trust me.”</p> - -<p>Carter looked at the woman intently for some time -in silence.</p> - -<p>Over and over again he asked himself whether he -dare to trust her or not, and, at the same time, he was -evolving a plan in his mind.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IX.<br /> - -<small>MORE EVIDENCE.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Dora was the first to speak and break the silence.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Carter,” she said, “I can see that Rich and -Darwin are implicated in some affair which you are -investigating. It may be a crime. It was committed on -New Year’s Eve, or you would not be so particular -about that date. I feel sure of that.”</p> - -<p>“You are a shrewd woman,” the detective remarked, -with a smile.</p> - -<p>“I am not very shrewd, but I can read character, and -I am able to form conclusions by putting two and two -together.</p> - -<p>“You asked about Dick Darwin’s clothing. If you -desire to examine it, I will take you to my flat, and -you can inspect it.”</p> - -<p>“Darwin may be there now.”</p> - -<p>“No, he is not. He can’t get in. I have the key.”</p> - -<p>“I will go with you to your flat.”</p> - -<p>“Tell me first what case you are working on.”</p> - -<p>“That must remain a secret for the present.”</p> - -<p>“Ha, ha! I know!”</p> - -<p>“You know?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“What case am I working on?”</p> - -<p>“The mystery of the Red Dragon Inn.”</p> - -<p>Dora laughed heartily.</p> - -<p>Carter uttered an exclamation of annoyance.</p> - -<p>“When you mentioned the name of Lawrence, I remembered -that a man by that name had been murdered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span> -on New Year’s Eve at the Red Dragon Inn, and I also -remembered that it was stated that you were working -on the case. You see, I know.”</p> - -<p>“Humph!”</p> - -<p>“Now that I come to think of it, I remember reading -that that man had just been released from State’s -prison. It was also stated that he was the forger of -the Lawrence will. If that be so, then he was a cousin -of Simeon and Sally Rich. Mr. Carter!”</p> - -<p>“What is the matter?”</p> - -<p>“A thought just occurred to me, and it startled me.”</p> - -<p>“What was it?”</p> - -<p>“Do you believe that Simeon Rich and Richard Darwin -had a hand in that murder?”</p> - -<p>“I can’t tell.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps Rich was afraid of Lawrence——”</p> - -<p>“We will not talk any more about this matter. We -will start for your flat.”</p> - -<p>“I will help you.”</p> - -<p>“I believe you.”</p> - -<p>They arose from the table.</p> - -<p>Carter put on his facial disguise, and then they left -the restaurant.</p> - -<p>Dora’s flat was situated on Thirty-ninth Street, next -to a theater. It was elaborately furnished in a style -that evinced more money than good taste, and Nick -almost shuddered at the array of showy furniture, -useless bric-a-brac, draperies, and ornaments which -crowded the little parlor into which she ushered him.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Carter, I suppose you do not want to lose any -time,” she said, “so, if you will follow me, I will -conduct you to Darwin’s room.”</p> - -<p>Carter followed Dora along a private hall.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span>At last she opened a door, and led him into one of -the bedrooms, remarking:</p> - -<p>“This is the room.”</p> - -<p>After she had turned on the electric light, she looked -around, and then she uttered an exclamation of surprise.</p> - -<p>The room was in confusion.</p> - -<p>Carter looked at Dora.</p> - -<p>“He has been here and carted off all his things!” -Dora ejaculated, as soon as she recovered the use of -her voice.</p> - -<p>“I thought you said he had no key?” Carter remarked.</p> - -<p>“He has none. He must have come here before the -servant left.”</p> - -<p>“What time does she leave?”</p> - -<p>“Seven o’clock.”</p> - -<p>“Where does she live?”</p> - -<p>“On Twenty-seventh Street.”</p> - -<p>While Carter was asking these questions, his eyes -were wandering about the room.</p> - -<p>On the floor, in a corner, he spied several pieces of -paper.</p> - -<p>He picked them up and smoothed them out.</p> - -<p>Two were blanks.</p> - -<p>The third had writing on it.</p> - -<p>The detective read it.</p> - -<p>His countenance brightened.</p> - -<p>Dora noticed the change.</p> - -<p>“What is it?” she asked.</p> - -<p>“A note,” replied the detective.</p> - -<p>“From whom?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span>“Rich.”</p> - -<p>“To Darwin?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“When was it written?”</p> - -<p>“On the afternoon of the day before New Year’s.”</p> - -<p>“Is it important?”</p> - -<p>“It may be.”</p> - -<p>“Will you read it?”</p> - -<p>Nick examined her face intently.</p> - -<p>“Do you still doubt me?” Dora asked.</p> - -<p>“No,” replied Carter, after a pause.</p> - -<p>Nick was satisfied.</p> - -<p>“You can rely on me to help you, Mr. Carter.”</p> - -<p>“I know it now.”</p> - -<p>“Will you read that note?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Do so.”</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right">“‘December 31.</p> - -<p>“‘<span class="smcap">Dear Dick</span>: I was at the Grand Central this -afternoon when he arrived. Followed him downtown -in a cab. He went to the safe deposit company’s office. -Have placed a party on his trail. Meet me at seven -o’clock to-night at the Knickerbocker Cottage. We -will dine together. Yours in haste,</p> - -<p class="right">“‘<span class="smcap">Simeon</span>.’”</p> -</div> - -<p>“Then Darwin was with Rich that night?”</p> - -<p>“No doubt.”</p> - -<p>Carter folded the paper and placed it carefully away -in his pocketbook. He looked upon this note as an important -piece of evidence. The “he” mentioned in it, -he felt confident, referred to the man who had been -murdered at the Red Dragon Inn.</p> - -<p>According to this note, Rich and Darwin had dined -together at the Knickerbocker Cottage.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span>It would be an easy matter to find out what time -they left that place.</p> - -<p>Another thing was clear, and that was that Darwin -had taken fright about something, or he never would -have removed his things from the flat in such haste.</p> - -<p>Was this move an indication of guilt?</p> - -<p>Carter turned to Dora, and asked:</p> - -<p>“Do you know where Rich and his sister reside?”</p> - -<p>“I do not,” Dora replied.</p> - -<p>“Did you ever hear Darwin speak of a woman named -Isabella Porter?”</p> - -<p>“I know that woman.”</p> - -<p>“Where does she live?”</p> - -<p>“I do not know.”</p> - -<p>“Did you know that Darwin and Rich were acquainted -with her?”</p> - -<p>“Rich has known her ever since she was a small -girl.”</p> - -<p>“What about Darwin?”</p> - -<p>“He has only been acquainted with her a short time.”</p> - -<p>“When did you first meet her?”</p> - -<p>“She was in Rich’s company one night, and he introduced -her to me.”</p> - -<p>“What do you know about her?”</p> - -<p>“She is the daughter of a rich merchant, I believe. -Her mother and father are dead. She has an income.”</p> - -<p>“Is that all you know?”</p> - -<p>“It is.”</p> - -<p>It was too late to continue the inquiries further that -night, he concluded, and he determined to go home, -as long as he was uptown.</p> - -<p>Carter was in a very thoughtful mood.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span>Many curious events had happened during the past -twenty-four hours.</p> - -<p>He was walking along leisurely, with his head -bowed, thinking of plans for that day, and where -he would go to make inquiries, when his attention was -attracted to two men, who were walking ahead of him.</p> - -<p>Instantly he raised his head and slackened his pace.</p> - -<p>One of the men he recognized as Darwin.</p> - -<p>The man’s companion he had never seen before.</p> - -<p>He could not get near enough to the men to hear -their conversation.</p> - -<p>At the corner of Fifty-second Street, the men separated, -and Darwin started in an easterly direction.</p> - -<p>Carter decided to follow him, and he gave up the -idea of going home.</p> - -<p>Darwin reached the east side of town, and turned -into Second Avenue.</p> - -<p>“What business has he over here?” the detective -asked himself, as he kept on the trail of his quarry.</p> - -<p>Between Forty-first and Fortieth Streets Darwin -halted under a street lamp.</p> - -<p>From his pocket he took a slip of paper, consulted -it, and then went along examining the numbers of the -houses.</p> - -<p>Carter stopped in the doorway of the corner store -and watched him.</p> - -<p>At the same time he changed his disguise. He now -looked as tough as any of the night prowlers in the -questionable neighborhood.</p> - -<p>Darwin entered a tall tenement.</p> - -<p>Carter hurried out of his place of concealment.</p> - -<p>He also went into the house and stood in the lower -hall.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span>On each floor lights were burning.</p> - -<p>As he looked up, he saw Darwin distinctly on the -next floor, and he heard him knock on the door of the -back room.</p> - -<p>Darwin knocked a number of times, and no one -opened the door.</p> - -<p>When he started to descend the stairs, Carter walked -out, and took up a position in a doorway of a house -near the corner.</p> - -<p>Darwin came out of the tenement, walked to the -corner, and halted.</p> - -<p>Back and forth he moved, and kept looking at the -house.</p> - -<p>The detective saw that he was uneasy. He wondered -whom Darwin had come to see.</p> - -<p>Darwin, after a time, came back to the tenement, -and entered again.</p> - -<p>Carter did not move from his hiding place.</p> - -<p>His quarry only remained inside a minute or so, -and then came out, going back to the corner and halting.</p> - -<p>Carter came out of the doorway. He strolled up to -the corner, and stopped within a few feet of Darwin, -who saw and eyed him.</p> - -<p>Two or three times the man made a movement as -if he were going to address Carter.</p> - -<p>But he hesitated.</p> - -<p>The detective made no attempt to speak. He looked -up and down the street, and appeared unconcerned.</p> - -<p>Carter wanted to see if Darwin would speak to him. -He judged that if he waited long enough the man -would do so.</p> - -<p>Darwin crossed the street, halted a moment, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span> -then came back. He glanced sharply, suspiciously, at -Carter.</p> - -<p>“Excuse me,” he said, as he came to a standstill, -“do you live around here?”</p> - -<p>“Are you addressing me?” the detective asked, in a -disguised tone of voice.</p> - -<p>“I am.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, well, yes, I live in that house down there,” -said Nick, pointing to the tall tenement which Darwin -had twice entered.</p> - -<p>“You do? What floor do you live on?”</p> - -<p>“The top. Why?”</p> - -<p>“I want some information about one of the tenants.”</p> - -<p>“Eh!”</p> - -<p>Carter bent forward and looked at Darwin.</p> - -<p>His acting was magnificent.</p> - -<p>“Say, are you a fly cop?” he asked, with suspicion.</p> - -<p>“No,” Darwin replied quickly, “I’m not a detective.”</p> - -<p>“You haven’t got the cut of one.”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“What do you want to know?”</p> - -<p>“Are you acquainted with a woman named Lena -Peters?”</p> - -<p>“You mean the woman who lives in the back room -on the second floor?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes.”</p> - -<p>“I know her by sight.”</p> - -<p>“Have you seen her to-night?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve been to her room and knocked, but no one -seems to be in.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span>“Did you have an appointment with her?”</p> - -<p>“Not exactly an appointment.”</p> - -<p>“Oh!”</p> - -<p>For a time they were silent.</p> - -<p>Then Carter said, in an offhand way:</p> - -<p>“What does Miss Peters do?”</p> - -<p>“She sings in a concert hall over on the West Side,” -Darwin replied.</p> - -<p>“I often wondered what she worked at to keep her -out so late at night.”</p> - -<p>“Will you see her when she comes in?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know.”</p> - -<p>“Are you going to remain here long?”</p> - -<p>“All night.”</p> - -<p>“What for?”</p> - -<p>“I watch stores on the block.”</p> - -<p>“Oh!”</p> - -<p>“Why did you ask that question?”</p> - -<p>“Will you deliver a message to Lena Peters when -she comes home?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly.”</p> - -<p>“Tell her that a gentleman named Richard called -to see her, and that he wants her to come to his room -the first thing after noon.”</p> - -<p>“Where are your rooms?”</p> - -<p>“She is familiar with the address.”</p> - -<p>“Then she has called on you before?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“At your rooms?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Have you ever been down here before?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll be sure and see Miss Peters.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span>“Here’s a dollar for your trouble.”</p> - -<p>“Thanks.”</p> - -<p>Carter pocketed the money.</p> - -<p>“I can depend on you?” Darwin asked uneasily.</p> - -<p>“You can,” the detective replied, and he hardly was -able to repress a smile.</p> - -<p>“Good night.”</p> - -<p>Darwin hurried away.</p> - -<p>Carter did not budge from the corner.</p> - -<p>That he had formed some new plan in his mind was -evident, or he would have made a move to keep on -the trail of his quarry.</p> - -<p>“He said the woman’s name was Peters—Lena -Peters,” the detective muttered, a few minutes after -Darwin had disappeared around the corner. “She has -seen him a number of times. Can she be any relation -to the man who died in Bellevue Hospital? If she -is——”</p> - -<p>Carter stopped musing, as he saw a woman, who -had hurried around the corner, enter the tenement.</p> - -<p>Instantly he started toward the house, and went in.</p> - -<p>The woman was halfway up the stairs.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER X.<br /> - -<small>LENA’S STORY.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Carter had entered the lower hall of the house without -making any noise.</p> - -<p>The woman’s attention was not attracted toward -him, so he stood back in the shadow and watched her.</p> - -<p>She reached the landing, and, stopping in front of -the door of the back room, she inserted a key in the -lock, opened the door and went in.</p> - -<p>Nick knocked on the door of the room.</p> - -<p>The woman opened the door.</p> - -<p>“What do you want?” she demanded, in surprise.</p> - -<p>“Is your name Lena Peters?” the detective asked.</p> - -<p>“It is.”</p> - -<p>“I want to talk with you.”</p> - -<p>Carter pushed his way into the room without ceremony, -and closed the door.</p> - -<p>The woman’s face became flushed with anger. She -stepped back from the detective, and her eyes flashed.</p> - -<p>“What do you want?” she demanded, with a string -of oaths, and she pulled out of her pocket a small -pistol.</p> - -<p>“Don’t get excited,” Carter quietly said, with a -scornful smile. “Put up your pistol, Lena. I’m not -going to harm you.”</p> - -<p>“Who are you?”</p> - -<p>“I will tell you in a few moments.”</p> - -<p>“You are a stranger to me.”</p> - -<p>“I guess not.”</p> - -<p>As Carter said this, he pulled off his disguise.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span>Lena uttered a scream, and sank down into a chair.</p> - -<p>“Nick Carter!” she gasped, and the pistol fell from -her grasp into her lap.</p> - -<p>“You recognize me now?” the detective said, with -a smile, as he sat down.</p> - -<p>From this it will be seen that he and the woman -had met before.</p> - -<p>After a pause, Carter remarked:</p> - -<p>“Let me see, Lena, it is several years since we have -had the pleasure of meeting. You haven’t changed any -since I last saw you.”</p> - -<p>“No,” Lena stammered.</p> - -<p>“At that time you were singing at the Empire, on -the Bowery, if my memory does not play me false.”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“A Western divine was robbed in the place of a -large sum of money, and you were charged with the -theft. It was a cowardly charge. I investigated the -case——”</p> - -<p>“And you found out that I was innocent.”</p> - -<p>“Right.”</p> - -<p>“Only for you, I might have been sent to prison.”</p> - -<p>“Correct.”</p> - -<p>“I——”</p> - -<p>“Lena?”</p> - -<p>Carter paused, and looked straight into the woman’s -eyes.</p> - -<p>“What is it?” she asked.</p> - -<p>“I want you to give me some information.”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Carter, I have always declared that if I could -ever do you a favor for what you did for me I would -do it.”</p> - -<p>“Now is your chance.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span>“What do you want to know?”</p> - -<p>“Are you acquainted with a man named Dick Darwin?”</p> - -<p>“Yes—why——”</p> - -<p>“You have called on him a number of times?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Where?”</p> - -<p>“He has a room in the Studio Building, at the corner -of Twenty-sixth Street and Broadway.”</p> - -<p>“How long have you known him?”</p> - -<p>“Only a few weeks.”</p> - -<p>“How did you become acquainted with him?”</p> - -<p>“I——”</p> - -<p>Lena hesitated. She looked at the detective, and her -face turned pale.</p> - -<p>Carter kept his eyes riveted upon her.</p> - -<p>“Lena,” he said, “you must not try to conceal anything -from me.”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Carter, did Darwin employ you?” Lena asked.</p> - -<p>“No. Why?”</p> - -<p>“I just wanted to know.”</p> - -<p>“What if he had employed me?”</p> - -<p>“I am unable to say.”</p> - -<p>Lena moved about uneasily in her chair.</p> - -<p>Carter kept still.</p> - -<p>He was giving the woman plenty of time to think.</p> - -<p>There was no need to hurry, for he was confident -that he would get out of her all the information he -desired.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Carter, what do you know about Dick Darwin?” -Lena finally blurted out.</p> - -<p>“Very little,” the detective replied. “I want to learn -what you know about him.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span>“You are as sphinxlike as ever.”</p> - -<p>“I have to be.”</p> - -<p>Another silence followed.</p> - -<p>Lena arose from her chair and walked back and -forth across the room several times. She resumed her -seat again.</p> - -<p>“I will tell you everything!” she exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“That is right,” the detective said, in an encouraging -tone.</p> - -<p>Lena leaned back in her chair, and for some moments -she sat with head bowed.</p> - -<p>At length she looked up at the detective, and said:</p> - -<p>“I had a brother, whose name was Edward Peters.</p> - -<p>“He was employed by a Mrs. Porter, who lived -on Fifth Avenue.</p> - -<p>“About ten years ago he was stabbed in the back, -and he died in Bellevue Hospital.</p> - -<p>“I always believed that some one murdered him, although -I could never secure any evidence to prove it.</p> - -<p>“He had for a chum a man named George -Blanchard.</p> - -<p>“Blanchard also died in the hospital.</p> - -<p>“Previous to his death he made some kind of a -confession to my brother in regard to a will case.</p> - -<p>“I tried to get out of my brother what the confession -was about, but he would not tell me.</p> - -<p>“Three months ago I was looking through a trunk -which contained some things belonging to my brother, -and I found an old memorandum book.</p> - -<p>“I opened it, and I was surprised to find written in -it a short account of Blanchard’s confession.</p> - -<p>“I was interested.</p> - -<p>“At the end of the confession I found a note.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span>“What was it?”</p> - -<p>“I will get the book and read it to you.”</p> - -<p>“Do so.”</p> - -<p>Lena got up, walked over to a bureau, opened a -drawer, took out a small, leather-bound book, returned -to her seat, opened the book and commenced to read:</p> - -<p>“‘This night I stopped at the Red Dragon Inn. I -gave the confession of Blanchard to the proprietor to -lock up in his safe. I have seen Simeon Rich three -times. I have told him that unless he pays me ten -thousand dollars I will take Blanchard’s confession to -the district attorney. I did not let him know where -I had put the documents. No one knows about the -contents of the papers except myself. Doctor Thompson -did not ask to read the confession when he signed -his name as a witness.</p> - -<p>“‘Rich has promised to raise the money in a few -days.’”</p> - -<p>“Is that all?” Carter asked, when Lena stopped -reading.</p> - -<p>“It is.”</p> - -<p>“Let me have that book.”</p> - -<p>“Here it is.”</p> - -<p>The detective glanced at some of the pages, and -then placed the book in his pocket.</p> - -<p>“What did you do after reading that memorandum?” -he asked.</p> - -<p>“I knew Simeon Rich,” Lena replied. “I met him -some years ago. As soon as I read that memorandum -I made up my mind that Rich would have to pay me -well to keep silent.</p> - -<p>“The thought came to me that perhaps he might -have had a hand in my brother’s death.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span>“I knew that Rich was quite sweet on Isabella -Porter, the daughter of the woman for whom my -brother had worked.”</p> - -<p>“She is dead now—I mean Mrs. Porter.”</p> - -<p>“Did you see Rich?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; I hunted him up.”</p> - -<p>“Where was he living?”</p> - -<p>“In the Studio Building, with Darwin, to whom he -introduced me.”</p> - -<p>“How did you find that out?”</p> - -<p>“I called on Miss Porter, whom I knew was living -at the Gerlach.”</p> - -<p>“What did you say to Rich?”</p> - -<p>“I told him that I knew about the confession, and -I knew where it was.”</p> - -<p>“Was he frightened?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. He held a conference with Darwin, and he -then told me that they would let me know how much -they would pay me.</p> - -<p>“I demanded ten thousand dollars.</p> - -<p>“We have had several conversations about the matter, -and a few days ago I called on Darwin, and he -gave me five thousand dollars on account.</p> - -<p>“I then gave him a copy of the memorandum in -regard to the papers having been left with the proprietor -of the Red Dragon Inn.”</p> - -<p>“Have you seen him since then?”</p> - -<p>“Once.”</p> - -<p>“Did he pay you any more money?”</p> - -<p>“No, but he promised to do so.”</p> - -<p>From what Lena said, Carter knew now how it -was that Rich had learned of the existence of the -Blanchard confession.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span>The case was becoming clearer to the detective.</p> - -<p>But, still, for all that, he had not secured any positive -evidence to prove that Rich had anything to do -with the murder.</p> - -<p>“Lena,” he said, “you say that you believe your -brother was murdered?”</p> - -<p>“I do,” the woman replied.</p> - -<p>“Do you think Rich had anything to do with it?”</p> - -<p>“I am not sure.”</p> - -<p>“Will you be guided by me?”</p> - -<p>“I will.”</p> - -<p>“I want you to put on your things and accompany -me.”</p> - -<p>“Are you going to place me under arrest?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Then, what?”</p> - -<p>“I am going to take you to my house. I want you to -remain there until I have finished the case upon which -I am at work.”</p> - -<p>“What is that?”</p> - -<p>“The mystery of the Red Dragon Inn.”</p> - -<p>“And you suspect Rich?”</p> - -<p>“I do.”</p> - -<p>“I have been reading about that case.”</p> - -<p>“You have?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and it has seemed strange to me that the -detectives have not been able to find a clew.”</p> - -<p>“Will you accompany me?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“I may need your assistance.”</p> - -<p>“I will help you, Mr. Carter, gladly.”</p> - -<p>“Let us start.”</p> - -<p>Lena put on her hat and coat, packed a few articles<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> -in a valise, and then she and the detective left the -tenement.</p> - -<p>Day was dawning when Carter reached his home. -He conducted Lena to Mrs. Peters, his housekeeper, -who gave her a room, in which she promised to remain.</p> - -<p>Nick gave her a few instructions, and then he retired -to his own room, where he threw himself down -upon a couch and went to sleep.</p> - -<p>It was late in the morning when Carter awoke. He -had an interview with Lena, and then, after partaking -of a light breakfast, he went downtown. Chickering -Carter and Patsy Garvan, his two chief assistants, -were engaged upon another case—in which, by the -way, Nick was fated to play a prominent part—so he -did not see them that morning.</p> - -<p>Nick stepped into the Cosmopolitan Hotel, and saw -Mr. Wright, who informed him that his room had been -entered during the night by some one.</p> - -<p>“I think I know who it was,” the detective remarked, -and then he departed, feeling sure that the person who -had entered the room was Brockey Gann.</p> - -<p>It tickled him to think that the rascal had been -disappointed.</p> - -<p>Carter called at police headquarters, and there he -learned that other detectives had not made a discovery. -He informed the chief inspector that he was -following a promising clew, and that he might be able -to render a report in a few days.</p> - -<p>After leaving headquarters, he went uptown to the -Knickerbocker Cottage. There he questioned the -waiters, and at last he found the man who had served -Rich and Darwin on New Year’s Eve.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span>“Did you hear any of their conversation?” the detective -asked the waiter.</p> - -<p>“Only a little,” the man answered. “They talked -about some man who had just arrived in the city.”</p> - -<p>“Was any name mentioned?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Can you recall it?”</p> - -<p>“I think it was Lawrence.”</p> - -<p>“What did they say about him?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know.”</p> - -<p>“What time did they leave here?”</p> - -<p>“About half past ten o’clock.”</p> - -<p>“Did you hear them mention where they were going?”</p> - -<p>“A messenger boy brought Rich a note. He read -it, and then I heard him remark that they had better -hurry down to McKeever’s saloon.”</p> - -<p>“Was that all?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Did you notice the number of the messenger?”</p> - -<p>“It was seven-twenty-one.”</p> - -<p>“Do you know the boy?”</p> - -<p>“He is attached to the office on Broadway and -Thirtieth Street.”</p> - -<p>The waiter was unable to give the detective any -more information.</p> - -<p>Carter hurried to the office of the district messenger -company.</p> - -<p>There he found the messenger boy.</p> - -<p>“Do you remember delivering a note on New Year’s -Eve to a man who was dining at the Knickerbocker -Cottage?” the detective asked the messenger.</p> - -<p>“Was he a tall man?” the boy queried.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“He was with a short, stout man?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“I gave him the note.”</p> - -<p>“From whom did you receive it?”</p> - -<p>“A man.”</p> - -<p>“Did you ever see him before?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Can you describe him?”</p> - -<p>“He was pock-marked.”</p> - -<p>“Was he a tough?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Would you be able to recognize him again?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>Carter gave the boy a bill and told him not to mention -their conversation to a soul.</p> - -<p>From the boy’s description he recognized Brockey -Gann.</p> - -<p>At McKeever’s saloon the detective was fortunate -enough to find the bartender who had been on duty -on New Year’s Eve. He was acquainted with the man, -and as soon as he made himself known to him he -readily answered all his questions.</p> - -<p>They retired into a back room together, and as soon -as they were seated Carter asked:</p> - -<p>“Are you acquainted with a man named Simeon -Rich?”</p> - -<p>“I know who he is,” the bartender replied.</p> - -<p>“Do you remember if he was in here on New Year’s -Eve?”</p> - -<p>“He was here with two men.”</p> - -<p>“At what time?”</p> - -<p>“It was about eleven o’clock.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span>“Do you know the men who were with him?”</p> - -<p>“One of the men was Brockey Gann—the other -man I do not know, although I have seen him several -times.”</p> - -<p>“How long did they remain here?”</p> - -<p>“Only a few minutes. They held a whispered conversation -and then went out.”</p> - -<p>“Did you hear anything they said?”</p> - -<p>“Not a word.”</p> - -<p>This information only established one fact, and that -was that Rich, Darwin, and Brockey were together on -New Year’s Eve.</p> - -<p>Carter left the saloon.</p> - -<p>He stood on the corner some time trying to determine -what he ought to do next. He was almost -positive that Brockey Gann was the scoundrel who -had tracked the murdered man.</p> - -<p>But how was he going to prove that?</p> - -<p>This was a conundrum.</p> - -<p>After a time Carter crossed the street and entered -the establishment of a costumer.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XI.<br /> - -<small>ACTING A PART.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Carter secured a disguise from the costumer.</p> - -<p>When he came out he looked like a typical tough.</p> - -<p>Nick had some plan in his mind. He was sure that -he was on the right trail, and that, such being the -case, it would not be long before he would have forged -every link in the chain of evidence.</p> - -<p>While he was confident of success, still he did not -know for a certainty who had committed the dastardly -crime at the Red Dragon Inn, or what the real motive -was.</p> - -<p>He had suspicions, and he had collected strong circumstantial -evidence.</p> - -<p>But he wanted something more than this, and he -was prepared to take any risk to obtain it. On his -way downtown he stopped at a telephone station and -called up Patsy, whose whereabouts he knew.</p> - -<p>“Meet me downtown at my den within two hours,” -he said.</p> - -<p>At last he reached Lem Samson’s saloon, and entered.</p> - -<p>A bartender was on duty.</p> - -<p>Samson was not in the place.</p> - -<p>Only a few hangers-on were lolling about.</p> - -<p>Carter staggered up to the bar, and, calling for a -drink, he cast his eyes about the room.</p> - -<p>No one seemed to be paying any particular attention -to him.</p> - -<p>Nearly all of the men had records, and were known -to the police.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span>The detective poured the liquor into a cuspidor when -the bartender’s back was turned. It was vile stuff, -and he would not have drunk it unless he had been -forced to do so by dire expediency.</p> - -<p>After placing the glass back on the bar he walked -into the back room and sat down. He picked up a -copy of a sporting weekly and pretended to be deeply -interested in examining the text and pictures.</p> - -<p>But while he seemed to be reading, his eyes were -wandering about the room, and every person who entered -the barroom he scrutinized closely.</p> - -<p>He was waiting for some one.</p> - -<p>Was that some one Brockey?</p> - -<p>Half an hour passed.</p> - -<p>Carter had not stirred out of his chair.</p> - -<p>The side door opened.</p> - -<p>A man entered.</p> - -<p>The man was Brockey Gann.</p> - -<p>The detective saw him.</p> - -<p>Still he did not move.</p> - -<p>No change took place in his countenance.</p> - -<p>Not a muscle moved.</p> - -<p>Brockey looked around the back room.</p> - -<p>His eyes fell on Carter, whose eyes were bent on -the paper.</p> - -<p>Brockey started, bent forward, and a change took -place in the expression of his evil face. He uttered -an ugly oath and stepped up to Carter, exclaiming:</p> - -<p>“Why, Mugsey Donovan, when did you get out?”</p> - -<p>Carter looked up, smiled inanely—a weak, silly, -maudlin grin!—and replied:</p> - -<p>“How are you, Brockey? Wot’s dot youse said? -Sit down an’ have a ball wid me?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span>“I asked you when you got out?”</p> - -<p>“Six weeks ago. Wot cher goin’ ter have? Name -yer pisen?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll take some of the rosy.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve been on de tramp. I just dropped in here -tinkin’ I’d run up agin’ youse.”</p> - -<p>“Oh!”</p> - -<p>The bartender brought the liquor, and the two men -were silent.</p> - -<p>It will be well to explain that Mugsey Donovan was -an old pal of Brockey’s, whom Carter had arrested -and sent to prison for highway robbery.</p> - -<p>The rascal was still in Sing Sing.</p> - -<p>It will be seen that the detective’s disguise must -have been perfect to have deceived Brockey as it did.</p> - -<p>The scoundrel actually believed that he was talking -to his old pal.</p> - -<p>“How is it you got out so soon?” Brockey asked, -after he had swallowed his liquor.</p> - -<p>“Dey reduced me sentence,” the detective rejoined.</p> - -<p>“How was that?”</p> - -<p>“I saved one o’ de keepers’ life.”</p> - -<p>“Go way!”</p> - -<p>“I ain’t jollyin’ you.”</p> - -<p>“How did you do it?”</p> - -<p>“An insane mug tried to escape from his cell. De -keeper catched him an’ den he made an attempt to kill -de keeper. I seed it an’ knocked ter mug out, see? Den -de jailer petitioned de guvnor ter lea’ me out.”</p> - -<p>“What are you going to do?”</p> - -<p>“Dat’s what I wanted to see youse about.”</p> - -<p>“I’m not into anything.”</p> - -<p>“Youse are not?” asked Nick dubiously.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span>“What do you mean by looking at me in that way?”</p> - -<p>“Brockey, dis isn’t a safe place ter talk.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“Lea’ go some place where we kin talk wid safety.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t understand you.”</p> - -<p>“Brockey, don’ youse try ter gi’ an’ old pal like me -any sich a bluff as dat!”</p> - -<p>“Mugsey——”</p> - -<p>“Brockey, I’m on to yer game.”</p> - -<p>“You are on to my game?”</p> - -<p>“Sure.”</p> - -<p>“Come——”</p> - -<p>“Le’s go some place where we kin talk wid safety.” -Brockey looked intently at the detective.</p> - -<p>“I can’t see what’s in your nut,” he ejaculated.</p> - -<p>“Do youse want to talk over private matters here?” -Carter asked, and Brockey drawled:</p> - -<p>“No-o.”</p> - -<p>“Den le’s go down ter some quiet joint.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll be hanged!”</p> - -<p>“Brockey, I knows wot game youse is working?”</p> - -<p>“I am working no game. I’m on my uppers.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t try ter gi’ me eny game like dat, now, ’cause -I’m on to de hull layout.”</p> - -<p>“You——”</p> - -<p>“Wait.”</p> - -<p>“I——”</p> - -<p>“Brockey Gann, I tort youse’s never’d go back on -an old pal in dis way.”</p> - -<p>“I’m not going back on you, Mugsey.”</p> - -<p>“Youse is when youse refuse to let me in on de -game, so dat I kin git some o’ de graft.”</p> - -<p>“You talk in riddles.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span>“I seed one t’ing.”</p> - -<p>“What’s that?”</p> - -<p>“I’ve got to speak more plain.”</p> - -<p>“You will.”</p> - -<p>“Den here goes—don’t youse blame me if eny one -hears it an’ youse git into a trap. Las’ winter youse -was paid to——”</p> - -<p>“Wait, Mugsey.”</p> - -<p>Brockey bent forward.</p> - -<p>A strange expression was in his eyes.</p> - -<p>“I’m waitin’, Brockey,” Carter said, and he returned -the rascal’s searching gaze.</p> - -<p>“Where were you last night?” Brockey asked.</p> - -<p>Carter laughed.</p> - -<p>“Youse is comin’ to yer milk now, Brockey,” he -remarked.</p> - -<p>“Were you in this place last night?”</p> - -<p>“Wot’s de use o’ talking here? It ain’t safe, Brockey. -Le’ me gi’ you a tip. Nick Carter may turn up here -eny moment, an’ youse an’ me might not be able to git -on to him, see?”</p> - -<p>Brockey uttered an oath. His face turned pale. He -glanced over his shoulder and his eyes wandered about -the room.</p> - -<p>“Ain’t my advice sensible?” the detective asked.</p> - -<p>“I guess it is,” Brockey replied.</p> - -<p>“Den le’s git out o’ here.”</p> - -<p>“All right. But I’ll be hanged if I can understand -what——”</p> - -<p>“I’ll explain everything, Brockey.”</p> - -<p>“Where’ll we go?”</p> - -<p>“Ter a quiet crib dat I knows about.”</p> - -<p>“Is it far?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span>“No.”</p> - -<p>The two men arose from the table and hurried out -of the saloon.</p> - -<p>Carter was playing a dangerous game.</p> - -<p>Would he be able to carry it through successfully -to the end?</p> - -<p>At any moment he was liable to make a slip and -Brockey would then be able to penetrate his disguise.</p> - -<p>So far he had deceived the rascal.</p> - -<p>As they left the saloon the detective breathed easier. -He had succeeded in getting Brockey away from -his friends.</p> - -<p>That was a great point gained.</p> - -<p>They turned into Macdougal Street.</p> - -<p>“Where are you goin’?” Brockey asked, after they -had reached Fourth Street.</p> - -<p>“Not far,” Carter replied. “I’ve got a room around -here in Fo’rt’ Street.”</p> - -<p>“When did you hire it?”</p> - -<p>“Ter-day.”</p> - -<p>“Oh!”</p> - -<p>“Here it is.”</p> - -<p>The detective led the way into a private house.</p> - -<p>Brockey’s suspicions were not aroused.</p> - -<p>If he had been aware that he was being led into a -trap like a lamb to slaughter he would have then and -there made a desperate fight.</p> - -<p>Carter had rented a room in this house for years, -and he had used it frequently. He opened the door -of the room with a key.</p> - -<p>The house was as quiet as a graveyard.</p> - -<p>“This is a quiet joint,” Brockey said, as he followed -the detective into the room and gazed around.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span>There was nothing about the place to indicate for -what purpose it had been used by the detective. It -was nothing more, to all outward appearances, than a -plainly furnished bedroom.</p> - -<p>“Take a seat, Brockey,” said Carter blandly, and at -the same time he turned the key in the lock, took it -out, and put it into his pocket.</p> - -<p>“I wish you had some liquor about here,” Brockey -remarked, as he sank down into a chair.</p> - -<p>“I kin accommodate youse.”</p> - -<p>“Can you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>Carter opened a bureau drawer, took out a bottle -and glasses and placed them on the table.</p> - -<p>Brockey poured out a glassful of the liquor and -drank it.</p> - -<p>A few minutes after it was down a look of surprise -spread over his face.</p> - -<p>“Gosh!” he exclaimed. “Where did you get that, -Mugsey?”</p> - -<p>“Ain’t it rich?” Carter asked, with a smile.</p> - -<p>“It’s more than rich.”</p> - -<p>“Where did you get it?”</p> - -<p>“I swiped it off a drunk.”</p> - -<p>“I thought you didn’t pay for it.”</p> - -<p>“Le’ us talk bizness now.”</p> - -<p>Brockey’s countenance changed. He leaned back -in his chair, looked at the detective, and made no reply.</p> - -<p>Carter was silent for a time, and then said:</p> - -<p>“Brockey, as I said down in Samson’s joint, I be -on ter your game.”</p> - -<p>“And I’d like to know how you got on to it,” -Brockey growled.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span>“I’ll tell youse after a while.”</p> - -<p>“Go ahead.”</p> - -<p>“Youse is mixed up in de Red Dragon Inn murder!”</p> - -<p>“My Gawd!”</p> - -<p>Brockey bounded out of his chair as if he had received -a shock of electricity. His face was the color -of ashes. He stood still and gasped at Carter.</p> - -<p>“Youse needn’t t’row a fit,” the detective ejaculated. -“Dere ain’t no fly cop around here to hear me an’ -pinch youse.”</p> - -<p>“I’m a fool,” Brockey exclaimed as he wiped the -cold perspiration from his brow and sat down in his -chair again.</p> - -<p>“Rest easy, me covey.”</p> - -<p>“But, Mugsey, you puzzle me.”</p> - -<p>“Do I?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>Carter laughed.</p> - -<p>“Fire ahead,” Brockey said.</p> - -<p>“Two rich blokes hired you to put Carter out o’ -de way.</p> - -<p>“Un o’ dem’s named Darwin an’ de oder Rich——”</p> - -<p>“I——”</p> - -<p>“Wait.”</p> - -<p>“I——”</p> - -<p>“Es I said—dey hired youse, an’ las’ night youse -broke into old Wright’s room at de Cosmopolitan -Hotel an’ youse got sold.”</p> - -<p>“Mugsey——”</p> - -<p>“Gi’ me a chance to git through.”</p> - -<p>“I will.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span>“Now, I knows all dese tings, an’ I know how much -youse got—an’ want a slice o’ de dough, see?”</p> - -<p>“And if I don’t agree to give up?”</p> - -<p>“Den I’ll go to yer friend, Carter.”</p> - -<p>“You wouldn’t do that?”</p> - -<p>“Jess youse try ter t’row me down an’ youse’ll see -wot I’ll do.”</p> - -<p>“Mugsey——”</p> - -<p>“Brockey, youse’ve got to come ter time.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose I’ll have to.”</p> - -<p>“Youse kin gamble on dat.”</p> - -<p>“If I give up you’ll have to help me.”</p> - -<p>“All right.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll introduce you to Rich and Darwin.”</p> - -<p>“Tell me de full lay.”</p> - -<p>“Tell me how you got onto what you know.”</p> - -<p>“I piped youse.”</p> - -<p>“When?”</p> - -<p>“Las’ nite.”</p> - -<p>“Was that all?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Humph!”</p> - -<p>“Doan git so disgusted.”</p> - -<p>“I’m not.”</p> - -<p>“Tell me de hull lay.”</p> - -<p>“I will.”</p> - -<p>Brockey became silent.</p> - -<p>Carter’s eyes sparkled as he watched his companion.</p> - -<p>His heart was beating rapidly, but outwardly he -appeared composed.</p> - -<p>Patiently he waited for Brockey to commence to -speak.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span>“Would the rascal speak the truth?” he asked himself.</p> - -<p>Brockey was liable to tell a false story.</p> - -<p>“I know more dan youse t’ink, Brockey,” Carter remarked. -“So if youse go ter givin’ me any fairy tales -I’ll be down on youse wid all me force.”</p> - -<p>“I’m going to tell you all about the lay,” Brockey -replied, as he aroused himself out of his reverie.</p> - -<p>“Den fire ahead.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t get impatient.”</p> - -<p>“I’m not.”</p> - -<p>“Have you got anything to smoke?”</p> - -<p>“Cert.”</p> - -<p>“Then set it out.”</p> - -<p>Carter placed some cigars on the table.</p> - -<p>Brockey picked up one, lit it, and commenced to -smoke.</p> - -<p>With a sigh, he settled himself back in the chair.</p> - -<p>Another silence followed, and it was nearly five -minutes before he commenced to talk.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XII.<br /> - -<small>CAUGHT IN A TRAP.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“I want to tell you one thing, Mugsey,” Brockey -exclaimed suddenly, sitting bolt upright in his chair. -“I’m not as deep in this affair of the Red Dragon Inn -as you suspect.”</p> - -<p>“Don’ gi’ me any o’ dat,” Carter rejoined, blowing -a cloud of smoke up in the air over his head.</p> - -<p>“Upon my honor, what I tell you is the truth.”</p> - -<p>Carter could not help smiling when Brockey spoke -of his honor.</p> - -<p>Such a scoundrel as that does not know what -honor is!</p> - -<p>The detective knew well that Brockey had no honor, -that he would lie, steal, and if he found himself in a -tight place, he would not hesitate to betray an accomplice, -if by so doing he could save himself.</p> - -<p>Brockey noticed the smile, and he flared up instantly.</p> - -<p>“What are you smiling at, Mugsey?” he demanded.</p> - -<p>“Youse,” Carter replied, without moving a muscle, -and he puffed away at his cigar, unconcernedly.</p> - -<p>“You are laughing at me?”</p> - -<p>“Cert.”</p> - -<p>“I——”</p> - -<p>“Youse gi’ me a pain! Go on wid yer story.”</p> - -<p>“I want to know——”</p> - -<p>“Drop it.”</p> - -<p>“What were you laughing at?”</p> - -<p>“When <i>youse</i> talk o’ honor it’s ’nuff ter make a -dorg laff.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span>“Is——”</p> - -<p>“Come, Brockey—we’s understand each udder—speel -ahead, neider of us has got any honor, fur dat -matter.”</p> - -<p>“All right.”</p> - -<p>Brockey quieted down. He took several pulls at his -cigar, and then he continued:</p> - -<p>“As I said, I’m not as deep in that Red Dragon -Inn affair as you think.”</p> - -<p>“Let it go at dat.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell you all about the affair, Mugsey.</p> - -<p>“Then you and I can put our heads together and -decide what to do.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll gi’ dem a good song and dance—make no -mistake o’ dat.”</p> - -<p>“How shall I start?”</p> - -<p>“At de beginnin’.”</p> - -<p>“How else would I start?”</p> - -<p>“Youse might start at de tail.”</p> - -<p>“That will do.”</p> - -<p>“Youse is wastin’ time.”</p> - -<p>“Then keep quiet.”</p> - -<p>“I’m mum.”</p> - -<p>“Listen.”</p> - -<p>Brockey cleared his throat.</p> - -<p>“It was the day before New Year’s,” he said.</p> - -<p>“I was down on my luck and I hadn’t a cent in my -pocket.</p> - -<p>“Not in a long time had I been in such a hole.</p> - -<p>“I tried to touch a dozen o’ the gang, but every -one seemed to be in the same boat.</p> - -<p>“No one could show me a cent.</p> - -<p>“I was at Samson’s saloon.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span>“Along about four o’clock a bloke came in.</p> - -<p>“It was Sim Rich.</p> - -<p>“Darwin had given me a knockdown to him some -time before.</p> - -<p>“At a glance I saw that he was excited about something.</p> - -<p>“He spied me, came up, caught hold of my arm, -dragged me after him out of the saloon, pushed me -into a cab and ordered the cabby to hurry up and not -lose sight of another cab that was just turning into -Broadway.</p> - -<p>“My breath was taken away.</p> - -<p>“I didn’t know what to make of Rich’s actions.</p> - -<p>“The cab started, and before I could utter a word, -Rich said:</p> - -<p>“‘Brockey, I need your assistance.’</p> - -<p>“‘You can have it, if you pay for it,’ I replied.</p> - -<p>“‘I’ll pay,’ Rich said.</p> - -<p>“‘Then what is it you want me to do?’ I asked.</p> - -<p>“‘I want you to track a man.’</p> - -<p>“Well, Rich pulled out a roll of bills and staked -me with a hundred. He told me that in the cab which -we were following was a man whom he hated and -whom he wanted to locate.</p> - -<p>“As soon as I found out where the man was going -to put up I was to send him word.</p> - -<p>“Rich got out of the cab.</p> - -<p>“Before he did so he told me he was going to dine -that night at the Knickerbocker Cottage, and I could -send him word there.”</p> - -<p>“Why didn’t Rich keep in wid youse?”</p> - -<p>“He said he wanted to meet Darwin. He was in a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span> -very nervous condition, and another thing I saw that -he had been drinking heavily.</p> - -<p>“Well, he got out, and I kept on the bloke’s trail.</p> - -<p>“Finally the first cab stopped at the corner of Broadway -and Sixteenth Street.</p> - -<p>“My cab stopped on the next corner.</p> - -<p>“I got out in a hurry, and I saw an old man get -out of the other cab.”</p> - -<p>“Wot was de number of de cab youse was in?”</p> - -<p>“Number one hundred and forty-seven.”</p> - -<p>“All right.”</p> - -<p>“As I said, an old man got out of the other cab. -I got close up to him when he was paying the driver, -and I heard him tell the man that he would not need -him any longer.</p> - -<p>“As the old bloke walked off I noticed that he had -the lock step.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t say!” interposed Nick.</p> - -<p>“I do. At first I was not sure, but as I followed him -and noted every action, I knew that he had been a -guest at the big hotel up the river. He looked respectable -enough, but there was the stamp of the prison on -him.</p> - -<p>“I followed the old fellow around all evening. He -stopped in at a number of places and he seemed to be -looking for some one.</p> - -<p>“About ten o’clock he entered a restaurant on Sixth -Avenue, and sat down at one of the tables.</p> - -<p>“I went to the office of the district messenger company, -wrote a note, and sent it to Rich, asking him to -meet me at McKeever’s place.</p> - -<p>“In a short time he and Darwin met me in the -saloon.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span>“We all had a drink.</p> - -<p>“Then Rich listened to what I had to say about the -old man.</p> - -<p>“When we got outside of the saloon Rich said that -he wouldn’t need me any more that night, but he might -the next day.”</p> - -<p>“And youse went off to blow in de hundred plunks?”</p> - -<p>“Of course I did.”</p> - -<p>“Den youse don’ know wot Rich an’ Darwin did?”</p> - -<p>“I surmise.”</p> - -<p>“Wot?”</p> - -<p>“Rich and Darwin followed the old cove until they -cornered him at the Red Dragon Inn.”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Then Rich got into the place and—you can imagine -the rest.”</p> - -<p>“Youse don’t know fer a certainty?”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t see it done.”</p> - -<p>“Was Rich familiar with the Red Dragon Inn?”</p> - -<p>“Darwin told me that he used to go there years -ago.”</p> - -<p>Carter had stopped using the tough vernacular, but -Brockey did not notice it.</p> - -<p>The detective was slightly disappointed. He thought -at first that Brockey knew more about the crime. But -still, the rascal’s evidence would show that Rich and -Darwin had said that they would follow the old man.</p> - -<p>“Did Darwin tell you whether he or Rich followed -the old man after you left them?” Carter asked.</p> - -<p>“He did not,” Brockey replied. “But I guess Rich -was the one.”</p> - -<p>“What makes you think so?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span>“Didn’t you read about what the bartender had to -say?”</p> - -<p>“You mean about the tall man who entered the barroom -after the old man?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Is that all you know?”</p> - -<p>“It is, Mugsey.”</p> - -<p>“I think you know more.”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>Carter, while he was talking, rose from his chair, -holding one of his hands in the side pocket of his coat.</p> - -<p>Brockey did not move.</p> - -<p>Even when the detective drew up near to him he -did not suspect that he was in any danger. He poured -out another glass full of liquor and drank it.</p> - -<p>As he was in the act of placing the glass back on -the table Carter caught hold of him, and, before he -could move or utter a word, the detective had the -handcuffs clasped around his wrists.</p> - -<p>“What does this mean?” Brockey ejaculated, with -a fierce oath, and, as he tried to jump to his feet, he -faced the pistol which Carter pointed at him.</p> - -<p>The detective pulled off his disguise.</p> - -<p>Brockey recognized him. He uttered a cry of terror, -his face turned pale with alarm, and he sank down -into his chair.</p> - -<p>“Carter!” he gasped.</p> - -<p>“Yes, and you’re my prisoner,” the detective smilingly -replied.</p> - -<p>“I’m done for.”</p> - -<p>“There is not the slightest room for doubt, my dear -Brockey.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span>“I never thought I’d be taken in in such a way—curse -the luck!”</p> - -<p>“There will be no chance for you to escape this -time.”</p> - -<p>“If I had suspected——”</p> - -<p>“You would have tried to have killed me.”</p> - -<p>“I would.”</p> - -<p>From his pocket Nick pulled out a silk cord.</p> - -<p>With it he bound Brockey’s arms and legs so tight -that there was no chance for the rascal to escape.</p> - -<p>“What are you going to do with me?” Brockey -asked, when Carter had finished binding him.</p> - -<p>“I am going to let you remain here for the present,” -the detective answered.</p> - -<p>“Alone?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no!”</p> - -<p>Brockey subsided into sullen silence, and glared -fiercely at Carter.</p> - -<p>Inwardly he cursed him.</p> - -<p>The detective walked to the door and unlocked and -opened it. Then he stepped out into the hall and gave -a peculiar whistle.</p> - -<p>In a few minutes Patsy bounded up the stairs from -the floor below.</p> - -<p>“What do you want, Mr. Carter?” the young man -asked as he confronted his chief.</p> - -<p>“I have a prisoner in that room,” Carter replied, -pointing toward the room. “I want you to guard -him.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll do it.”</p> - -<p>“See that you do, Patsy. If he should escape, my -case might be ruined.”</p> - -<p>“He won’t get a chance to escape.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span>“I hope not.”</p> - -<p>“Who is it?”</p> - -<p>“Brockey Gann.”</p> - -<p>“Gee!”</p> - -<p>“You know him?”</p> - -<p>“I should say I do.”</p> - -<p>“He is a dangerous rascal.”</p> - -<p>“I’d like to have the honor of capturing him. I -don’t see how you accomplished it.”</p> - -<p>“I tricked him.”</p> - -<p>The young man entered the room and inspected -Brockey.</p> - -<p>Carter loitered outside in the hall for a few minutes -and then he commenced to descend the stairs. He had -considerable faith in his young assistant, and he was -confident that Patsy would guard the prisoner as well -as he would himself.</p> - -<p>In that respect his mind was easy.</p> - -<p>In the lower hall he made a few changes in his disguise -and then he left the house.</p> - -<p>He went up to the Grand Central Station and commenced -to inspect the cabmen.</p> - -<p>At last he found cab No. 147.</p> - -<p>“Hello! How are you?”</p> - -<p>The man looked at him for a moment and then -exclaimed:</p> - -<p>“Hello! How are ye?”</p> - -<p>“Pretty well.”</p> - -<p>“Did you stick to the trail of that old bloke the -other night?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>Carter had made himself up in such a manner that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span> -he looked like Brockey. He was delighted when the -cabman recognized him as the thug.</p> - -<p>“Who was he?” the cabby asked, after a silence.</p> - -<p>“He was the man who was murdered at the Red -Dragon Inn.”</p> - -<p>“You are joking!”</p> - -<p>“I am not,” protested Nick.</p> - -<p>“I wouldn’t like to stand in your shoes.”</p> - -<p>“Why not?”</p> - -<p>“The fly cops’ll get on to your following the old -cove.”</p> - -<p>“They won’t if you don’t tell.”</p> - -<p>“I might make some money by telling.”</p> - -<p>“You won’t do that?”</p> - -<p>“Why shouldn’t I?”</p> - -<p>“You’ll get an innocent man into a hole.”</p> - -<p>“That’s so. But, I say, where’s the tall mug?”</p> - -<p>“Who do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“I mean the man who employed me.”</p> - -<p>“I thought you knew him?”</p> - -<p>“No, I don’t,” said the cabman. “He just picked -me up here at the depot and he ordered me to follow -the other mug.</p> - -<p>“I thought he was a detective.”</p> - -<p>“You know who he is?”</p> - -<p>“Honestly, I do not.”</p> - -<p>“Would you call on him if I should give you his -name and address?”</p> - -<p>“Of course, I would.”</p> - -<p>“What will you do?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll make him come down with the rocks.”</p> - -<p>“Will you whack up with me?”</p> - -<p>“Of course I will.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span>“You’ll play square?”</p> - -<p>“I swear it.”</p> - -<p>“His name is Simeon Rich, and he lives in the -Studio Building, at the corner of Broadway and -Thirty-first Street.”</p> - -<p>“Gosh!”</p> - -<p>“What are you going to do?”</p> - -<p>“I’m going to get some one to mind my rig and -I’m going to call on Mr. Rich.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll see you downtown.”</p> - -<p>Carter hurried away. He stopped at a saloon and -made a change in his disguise in the back room.</p> - -<p>When he came out he was just in time to see cabby -No. 147 making a bee line down Park Avenue. He -started after him.</p> - -<p>What object had Carter in view when he gave -Rich’s name and address to the cabman?</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIII.<br /> - -<small>BLACKMAIL.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>The cabman did not allow the grass to grow under -his feet.</p> - -<p>It did not take him long to reach the Studio Building.</p> - -<p>“He’s a rascal,” Carter commented, as he tracked -the cabman; “I can make use of him.”</p> - -<p>The detective was amused.</p> - -<p>That he had formulated some shrewd move was -quite certain from the manner in which he was acting.</p> - -<p>The cabman entered the Studio Building.</p> - -<p>Carter was close behind him.</p> - -<p>Not for an instant did the man suspect that he was -the person who had given Rich’s name and address -to him.</p> - -<p>“Does Mr. Rich live here?” the cabman asked of -the elevator boy.</p> - -<p>Carter was standing in the elevator, and he heard -what was said.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Rich lives on the top floor,” the boy replied -to the cabman.</p> - -<p>“Is he in?” the cabman inquired, getting into the -elevator.</p> - -<p>“You can go up and see.”</p> - -<p>“All right.”</p> - -<p>When the top floor was reached the elevator boy -pointed out Rich’s room.</p> - -<p>The cabman hurried up and knocked on the door.</p> - -<p>Carter walked leisurely down the hall. He halted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span> -halfway down and looked out of the window. He -stood in such a position that he was able to see the -cabby.</p> - -<p>Three times the driver pounded on the door without -receiving a response.</p> - -<p>The fourth time he knocked as if he were going to -break in a panel.</p> - -<p>Some one opened the door.</p> - -<p>Carter could not see who it was from where he -was standing, but he heard the cabman exclaim:</p> - -<p>“I want to see Mr. Simeon Rich.”</p> - -<p>“He isn’t in,” a female voice replied.</p> - -<p>Carter did not recognize it, but he surmised that it -belonged to either Sally Rich or Isabella Porter.</p> - -<p>“I want to see him, miss,” the cabby insolently said. -“If he isn’t in I’ll wait until he comes.”</p> - -<p>“Who are you?” the woman within the room asked.</p> - -<p>“It doesn’t matter who I am.”</p> - -<p>“It doesn’t, eh? Well, I guess it does.”</p> - -<p>“Is Rich in there? If he is, tell him that the cabman -who drove him about town on the day before -New Year’s wants to see him.”</p> - -<p>“Let him come in,” a man’s voice called out from -the interior of the room.</p> - -<p>The coachman pushed by the woman and entered -the apartment.</p> - -<p>Instantly the door was closed.</p> - -<p>Carter hurried up to the door.</p> - -<p>A transom was above it.</p> - -<p>It was halfway open.</p> - -<p>Reaching up, Carter caught hold of the edge of -the sill under the transom and pulled himself up until -he was able to peer into the room. He beheld Rich<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span> -and Darwin seated on divans at the side, and two -women lolling back in steamer chairs. The cabman -was standing in the center of the apartment gazing -boldly at Rich.</p> - -<p>“What do you want?” Rich demanded, in a stern -tone, as he glared at the cabby.</p> - -<p>“Do you want me to talk out before these people?” -the cabby asked, looking around the room at those -present and waving his hand toward them.</p> - -<p>“I have no secrets from them.”</p> - -<p>“You haven’t, eh?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Then you must all be in the same boat. This is -rich graft.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?”</p> - -<p>Rich uttered an oath and sprang up. He realized -that the cabby knew something. He was enough of a -student of human nature to read the man’s intentions -in the expression of his face.</p> - -<p>The cabman did not flinch.</p> - -<p>“I guess you’ll come to time, Mr. Rich,” he insolently -remarked, with a sneer.</p> - -<p>Rich stood within a few feet of him. He raised his -arm above his head, as if he intended to strike the -man, but thinking better of it, he allowed it to drop -to his side again, and he muttered an oath.</p> - -<p>Cabby was no fool. He knew what was in Rich’s -mind.</p> - -<p>“If you had tried to strike me then I’d have floored -you,” he growled. “And it is well for you that you -did not try it on.”</p> - -<p>Rich made no reply. He only glared at the cabby -in silence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span>His face was as dark as night.</p> - -<p>Carter hung on to the sill. He had viewed the scene -through the transom, and he had heard every word -that had been uttered.</p> - -<p>His arms were aching. He was forced to let go -his hold.</p> - -<p>Without making a noise he dropped to the floor.</p> - -<p>Now he stood outside the door and listened.</p> - -<p>At last he heard Rich exclaim:</p> - -<p>“Speak out, sir, and tell me how you learned my -name and address?”</p> - -<p>“I’m not giving my friends away,” the cabby replied.</p> - -<p>“What do you want?”</p> - -<p>“Money.”</p> - -<p>“Money!”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“What for?”</p> - -<p>“To keep my tongue from wagging.”</p> - -<p>“I——”</p> - -<p>“You understand me, Mr. Rich. The man whom -you tracked from the Grand Central on the day before -New Year’s was the man who was murdered at the -Red Dragon Inn.”</p> - -<p>Carter had raised himself up again so that he was -peering through the transom when the cabman uttered -these words.</p> - -<p>Rich did not start. He displayed not the least sign -of fear. He glanced at the man with a sinister expression -upon his darkly handsome face.</p> - -<p>“I am aware of that,” he replied, in cold, harsh -tones.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span>“You are a good bluffer, Rich,” the cabby remarked, -and he smiled.</p> - -<p>It was as good as looking at a play to watch these -two men.</p> - -<p>Both now had their tempers under command.</p> - -<p>“You call me a bluffer,” Rich retorted.</p> - -<p>“I do,” cabby rejoined. “I am not afraid of you. I -will go to the police and inform them that you tracked -Lawrence on the day before New Year’s, and you -hired one of the worst thugs in the city to keep on his -trail. Carter would reward me liberally for this information.”</p> - -<p>“You are a scoundrelly blackmailer.”</p> - -<p>“I acknowledge the corn. I’ve got you in a corner -and you will have to pay——”</p> - -<p>“Not one cent will I give you.”</p> - -<p>“Think twice, Mr. Rich.”</p> - -<p>“Be careful, Sim.”</p> - -<p>It was one of the women who spoke. She had come -up to Rich’s side and laid her hand gently upon his -arm.</p> - -<p>The man glanced at her and said:</p> - -<p>“I know what I am about, Sally.”</p> - -<p>Carter knew from this that the woman was Rich’s -sister. The other woman he surmised was Isabella -Porter.</p> - -<p>A broad grin spread over the cabby’s face.</p> - -<p>“Yes, be careful, Mr. Rich,” he sneered. He was -becoming more insolent the longer he waited.</p> - -<p>Rich wheeled around. His large, black eyes were -flashing, his face was aflame with passion.</p> - -<p>“<i>You</i> be careful,” he hissed between his clenched, -white teeth, and he drew his arm back.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span>Sally threw herself between her brother and the -cabman.</p> - -<p>“Sim,” she ejaculated, “calm yourself.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, calm yourself, my covey,” cabby repeated with -a chuckle.</p> - -<p>Rich bit the ends of his mustache and glared. He -was making a desperate effort to keep calm. A silence -followed.</p> - -<p>Cabby kept his eyes on Rich.</p> - -<p>When he saw that Simeon was not going to speak -he said:</p> - -<p>“Let us get down to business, Rich. There is no -use of trying to bluff me. I’m too old a bird to stand -any kind of a jolly.</p> - -<p>“I can read your character, and you ought to be able -to read mine.</p> - -<p>“If I should go to the police with the information -which I possess, you know they would come down on -you heavily.”</p> - -<p>“Wait one moment.”</p> - -<p>“Let me finish.</p> - -<p>“I have no desire to injure you if you treat me -halfway decently.</p> - -<p>“Times have been very bad with me lately, and I -need money.</p> - -<p>“I feel convinced that you and your friends have -gained by the death of old Lawrence.</p> - -<p>“In to-day’s paper was published an account of the -Lawrence will case, and it was suggested that a search -be made for you and the wife and daughter of the -murdered man.</p> - -<p>“The police do not know where you are.</p> - -<p>“They have no evidence against you.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span>“But I can furnish that evidence.</p> - -<p>“Now, how much is it worth to you for me to keep -silent?”</p> - -<p>The cabby spoke calmly and deliberately. Rich followed -him closely. He frowned, and his fingers -worked nervously, as if he were desiring to spring -upon the man and strangle him. He did not reply for -some moments. He looked around at Darwin and the -women.</p> - -<p>“What shall I do?” was in his eyes.</p> - -<p>“Pay,” Darwin said, alarmed.</p> - -<p>Rich turned his eyes on the cabman.</p> - -<p>“How much do you want?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“One thousand dollars,” cabby coolly replied, without -changing an expression.</p> - -<p>“Absurd!”</p> - -<p>“No, it is not.”</p> - -<p>“It is.”</p> - -<p>“To keep me quiet one thousand dollars is a small -sum.”</p> - -<p>“How do I know, if I do pay you this sum, that you -will not give me away, anyhow?”</p> - -<p>“I never go back on my word.”</p> - -<p>“I will give you five hundred.”</p> - -<p>“Not a cent less than a thousand.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t give you any such sum as that to-day.”</p> - -<p>“I won’t be hard on you.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t mean that. I’ll take part on account.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll give you one hundred.”</p> - -<p>“Make it three.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t, I tell you.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll take the century.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span>“Here it is.”</p> - -<p>“Now, when will you pay the balance?”</p> - -<p>“To-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“Shall I call here?”</p> - -<p>“No; I will send the money to you.”</p> - -<p>“At my stand?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“What time?”</p> - -<p>“Noon.”</p> - -<p>“Very well.”</p> - -<p>“It’ll be on hand.”</p> - -<p>“See that it is.”</p> - -<p>“What is your name?”</p> - -<p>“Pete McCree.”</p> - -<p>“What is the number of your cab?”</p> - -<p>“Number one hundred and forty-seven.”</p> - -<p>Cabby started toward the door.</p> - -<p>Before he turned around, Carter dropped. He ran -toward the elevator, which he reached before the door -of the room was opened.</p> - -<p>While standing with his back turned he changed his -disguise.</p> - -<p>Then he got into the elevator.</p> - -<p>As soon as the detective reached the street he halted -near the entrance.</p> - -<p>When McCree came out he walked up to him and -tapped him on the shoulder.</p> - -<p>“Hello!” McCree ejaculated.</p> - -<p>“I’m on hand,” Carter remarked.</p> - -<p>“So I see.”</p> - -<p>“How much did you get?”</p> - -<p>“Not much.”</p> - -<p>“How much?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span>“One hundred bones.”</p> - -<p>“Why didn’t you make him pay more?”</p> - -<p>“He couldn’t produce to-day, but he will do so to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“I get half.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly.”</p> - -<p>“You are square.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll get this note changed.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll change it.”</p> - -<p>“Have you got fifty?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Here’s the century.”</p> - -<p>Carter took the bill and handed the cabby back fifty -dollars.</p> - -<p>“Now let me give you a piece of advice,” he said.</p> - -<p>“What is it?” McCree asked.</p> - -<p>“Keep out of risky places to-night and be on your -guard.”</p> - -<p>“Why?”</p> - -<p>“You are dealing with desperate men.”</p> - -<p>“I am aware of that, pard.”</p> - -<p>“Rich may employ some one to try and put you -out of the way.”</p> - -<p>“You should have seen how he acted.”</p> - -<p>“I can imagine what he said.”</p> - -<p>“I’d like to know what kind of a game he and those -others are playing?”</p> - -<p>“So would I.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve got to get back to the stand. I’ll see you -to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>Carter shook hands with the rascally cabman, and -they separated. The detective hastened away.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span>Half an hour later he was ushered into the presence -of the cashier of the safe deposit company.</p> - -<p>“Have you discovered a clew?” the cashier asked.</p> - -<p>“I’ll reply to that question as soon as you have answered -a few queries which I am going to put to -you,” the detective said.</p> - -<p>“What is it?”</p> - -<p>“You said that you gave Mr. Lawrence new bills.”</p> - -<p>“I did.”</p> - -<p>“Do you remember the numbers?”</p> - -<p>“I can tell you in a moment.”</p> - -<p>The cashier walked over to a desk, picked up a slip -of paper, referred to it and said:</p> - -<p>“They were from 177865B to 177870B.”</p> - -<p>“Keno!” Carter shouted. He held in his hand the -note which Rich had given to the cabman. He was -looking at it when the cashier read the numbers.</p> - -<p>“What is the matter?” the cashier asked.</p> - -<p>“Do you see this bill?” Carter said, as he held the -bill out for the cashier to inspect.</p> - -<p>“Gracious! Captain, that note is numbered one -hundred and seventy-seven thousand eight hundred -and sixty-nine B! That is one of the bills which I -gave to Mr. Lawrence!”</p> - -<p>“Will you swear to that?”</p> - -<p>“I will. That is one of the bills.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you.”</p> - -<p>The two men were silent.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIV.<br /> - -<small>TIGHTENING THE COILS.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>The cashier of the safe deposit company kept gazing -in silence at Carter with open-mouthed astonishment.</p> - -<p>Nick’s countenance was illumined with an expression -of triumph. He held in his hand damaging evidence -against Simeon Rich.</p> - -<p>If Rich were innocent of the murder, how was it -that he had in his possession one of the bills which -the cashier of the safe deposit company had paid to -the man who had been so cruelly murdered at the Red -Dragon Inn?</p> - -<p>“This is a valuable clew,” the detective said, when -the silence was becoming oppressive.</p> - -<p>“How did that bill come into your possession?” the -cashier asked.</p> - -<p>“I think you can keep a secret?”</p> - -<p>“I can.”</p> - -<p>“Then I will tell you.”</p> - -<p>Then Carter gave the cashier a short account of -the evidence which he had collected.</p> - -<p>When the detective finished the cashier remarked:</p> - -<p>“Captain, you are gradually weaving the coils -around Simeon Rich.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” Carter replied, “I am weaving coils around -him, but I have no positive evidence that he committed -the crime.”</p> - -<p>“That note?”</p> - -<p>“Not positive. If he has others of the series in his -possession, then the coil will be stronger around him.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span>“I understand. What move will you make next?”</p> - -<p>“I cannot determine just now.”</p> - -<p>Carter was elated over the discovery.</p> - -<p>After leaving the cashier’s office he went direct to -the house on Fourth Street.</p> - -<p>Here he found that Brockey was still a prisoner.</p> - -<p>His young assistant was on guard.</p> - -<p>“Brockey,” said the detective, as he stood in front -of the prisoner, “have you spent all the money that -Darwin gave you?”</p> - -<p>“What’s that to you?” Brockey snarled, being in an -ugly mood.</p> - -<p>And no wonder!</p> - -<p>Who could blame him?</p> - -<p>Brockey was by no means a stoic or a philosopher. -His was a nature which would brood on troubles.</p> - -<p>There was bitter hatred and malice in every flash -of his eye. No love there, no appreciation of the detective’s -ability!</p> - -<p>Carter gazed down into that dark countenance. He -read the man’s thoughts.</p> - -<p>“If you have any of that money left,” Carter replied, -in a serious tone, “some of it may be bills which -were stolen from the murdered man.</p> - -<p>“I have the numbers of those bills in my possession.”</p> - -<p>Instantly the expression on Brockey’s face changed.</p> - -<p>A look of terror came over it.</p> - -<p>It had not occurred to him before that the money -might have belonged to the man who was killed at the -Red Dragon Inn.</p> - -<p>“Do you understand?” Carter asked at length, when -Brockey made no reply.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span>“I understand,” the rascal said, with a gasp.</p> - -<p>“If you should have one of those bills on you, and -if it should be identified as belonging to Lawrence, -then, if I were so inclined, I could fix the murder -on you.”</p> - -<p>“You would not do that?”</p> - -<p>“No, I would not.”</p> - -<p>“I have some of the money.”</p> - -<p>“Is it in your pocket?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>Carter put his hand into Brockey’s trousers pocket -and pulled out a small roll of bills. He ran the money -over and found one of the series.</p> - -<p>“This is one,” he remarked, holding the bill up for -Brockey to inspect.</p> - -<p>“My God!” the rascal ejaculated.</p> - -<p>“You will have to tell now in court how this came -into your possession.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell quick enough.”</p> - -<p>“I guess you will.”</p> - -<p>“Let me look at the number.”</p> - -<p>“See?”</p> - -<p>“I do.”</p> - -<p>The rest of the money the detective gave to Brockey.</p> - -<p>The bill he marked and put away in his pocketbook -with the others.</p> - -<p>The evidence against Rich was stronger.</p> - -<p>But still more evidence was needed before a case -could be proven.</p> - -<p>Carter left the house.</p> - -<p>Slowly he walked through to Broadway, and when -he reached that thoroughfare he halted on the corner -and reviewed the events of the past few days. He was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span> -forced to acknowledge in spite of himself that the evidence -against Simeon Rich was strong.</p> - -<p>But still he was not satisfied.</p> - -<p>Dora Ferris’ testimony and that of Lena Peters -would be damaging.</p> - -<p>The testimony of the cashier, the cabman, and -Brockey would be sensational.</p> - -<p>And the note which he had found in Darwin’s room -in Dora’s flat would tighten the coil.</p> - -<p>But it was not enough.</p> - -<p>“Every link in the chain of evidence must be complete,” -Carter muttered. What move ought he to -make?</p> - -<p>“Should he close in on Rich and his pals and take -the chance of discovering the needed evidence against -them?”</p> - -<p>“No, I won’t do that,” the detective muttered, as -this question flashed through his mind.</p> - -<p>He turned and wended his way uptown.</p> - -<p>It was seven o’clock when he halted in front of the -Studio Building.</p> - -<p>Some force seemed to impel him to enter. He did -not go near the elevator; but he walked upstairs to the -top floor. He strolled along the hall and stopped in -front of the door of Rich’s room.</p> - -<p>No light shone through the transom.</p> - -<p>Were the conspirators out?</p> - -<p>Carter knocked.</p> - -<p>No one came to the door.</p> - -<p>“They must have gone out,” he muttered.</p> - -<p>At the same time he pulled a skeleton key out of his -pocket and inserted it in the lock of the door.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span>Two quick turns of the key and the bolt of the lock -slipped back.</p> - -<p>Carter entered the room, and struck a match.</p> - -<p>As the flame flickered up, and after he had looked -around, he uttered an exclamation of surprise.</p> - -<p>Around him were all the evidences of hasty flight.</p> - -<p>The birds had flown.</p> - -<p>Carter lit the gas.</p> - -<p>Then he was able to make an inspection.</p> - -<p>A look of chagrin rested upon his face as his eyes -wandered around the room.</p> - -<p>The furniture belonging to the room of the building -was not disturbed.</p> - -<p>The floor was strewn with rubbish.</p> - -<p>After the detective recovered from his surprise he -commenced to make a search of the apartment. He -rooted among the scraps of paper on the floor in the -hope that he would find something of value.</p> - -<p>He made no discovery.</p> - -<p>Every bureau drawer was gone through.</p> - -<p>Nothing.</p> - -<p>At last Carter made a search of the two closets.</p> - -<p>Result?</p> - -<p>Nothing.</p> - -<p>He stood in the center of the room thinking.</p> - -<p>His eyes wandered around.</p> - -<p>Was there any evidence in that room? He asked -the question over and over again.</p> - -<p>He was confident that his search had been most -thorough. But had it been? Was there not some place -about that room which contained evidence, and which -had escaped the eagle eyes of the visitor?</p> - -<p>Carter suddenly started.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span>“The fireplace!” he ejaculated, and he sprang forward.</p> - -<p>At that moment his eyes had fallen on some soot -which covered the carpet in front of the fireplace.</p> - -<p>What did this indicate? He had not examined the -fireplace!</p> - -<p>Down upon his knees he fell in front of the grate.</p> - -<p>Up into the chimney he thrust his hand and arm.</p> - -<p>The next instant he pulled out a large bundle.</p> - -<p>A cloud of soot fell down, and the detective was -covered with it.</p> - -<p>He paid no attention to it.</p> - -<p>All of his thoughts were on that bundle, which he -carried over to the center of the room.</p> - -<p>Slowly he unwound the wrapper.</p> - -<p>Then a long ulster was disclosed.</p> - -<p>Carter shook out the folds.</p> - -<p>A black slouch hat and a false beard fell to the -floor.</p> - -<p>Was it any wonder that the detective’s hands shook -as he gazed upon and held this evidence?</p> - -<p>He examined the ulster.</p> - -<p>Down the front were a number of dark stains.</p> - -<p>Upon the right sleeve was a large dark splash as -large as a man’s hand.</p> - -<p>“Blood!” Carter ejaculated, as he inspected these -stains.</p> - -<p>He looked inside the ulster at the stamp on the -strap.</p> - -<p>“Made by Delaney,” he read.</p> - -<p>“This was made to order,” he muttered.</p> - -<p>“For whom?”</p> - -<p>That was the question.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span>“I’ll find out!” he ejaculated, after a moment’s -thought.</p> - -<p>Down into the pockets of this ulster his hand was -shoved.</p> - -<p>One after the other was turned inside out.</p> - -<p>Not a scrap of paper could he find.</p> - -<p>All the outside pockets had been gone through.</p> - -<p>Then Carter turned his attention to those inside.</p> - -<p>“Nothing!” he muttered.</p> - -<p>It was disappointing.</p> - -<p>But the detective was not downcast. He picked up -the slouch hat and the beard, and examined them.</p> - -<p>Inside the beard was stamped the word Dazian.</p> - -<p>“That’s the name of the costumer,” Carter muttered, -as he read that name.</p> - -<p>There were no marks inside the hat.</p> - -<p>The lining had been torn out.</p> - -<p>The ulster and the hat the detective tied up in a -bundle, and the false beard he put into his pocket.</p> - -<p>For a few minutes longer he remained in the room -searching, but he made no further discovery.</p> - -<p>Taking the evidence under his arm, he left the apartment.</p> - -<p>It was an important discovery. He felt sure that -he had in his possession the ulster worn by the murderer -when he committed the crime.</p> - -<p>In going down in the elevator the detective questioned -the boy in charge.</p> - -<p>The boy said that Rich and Darwin had moved out -just at dusk, and they did not say where they were -going.</p> - -<p>Carter stopped at the office, and the clerk was not -able to give him any information.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span>When he left the Studio Building he was perfectly -calm. He did not seem to be disturbed about the sudden -departure of the men.</p> - -<p>The thought that they might have left the city did -not enter his mind.</p> - -<p>Carter crossed Broadway to the little park in front -of the bank building.</p> - -<p>Here he moved about among the cabmen making -inquiries.</p> - -<p>All claimed that they had not taken any fares from -the Studio Building.</p> - -<p>From Greeley Square the detective walked across -to the opposite corner, where a solitary express wagon -was standing.</p> - -<p>The man in charge was partly intoxicated.</p> - -<p>“Did you cart away anything from the Studio -Building this evening?” Carter asked as he came up -to the man.</p> - -<p>“You may bet I did,” the man blurted out in thick -tones. “I made a good stake.”</p> - -<p>“They were nice men?”</p> - -<p>“You may bet they were.”</p> - -<p>“Where did you leave the things?”</p> - -<p>“In a flat at number two hundred and forty-one -West Thirty-sixth Street.”</p> - -<p>“What name?”</p> - -<p>“Lawrence.”</p> - -<p>“Are you sure that was the name?”</p> - -<p>“Of course I am. The tall fellow wrote it down on -a slip of paper for me.”</p> - -<p>“Was he at the flat to receive the things?”</p> - -<p>“No. The two ladies were there, though.”</p> - -<p>“Only the two ladies?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span>“That was all.”</p> - -<p>Carter did not go direct to the address on West -Thirty-sixth Street after he left the expressman. He -hurried down to Union Square and entered Dazian’s -musty-smelling establishment.</p> - -<p>To the clerk in charge he showed the false beard.</p> - -<p>“We made that,” the clerk said, after he had examined -the disguise.</p> - -<p>“Do you remember selling a beard like that lately?” -the detective asked.</p> - -<p>“I remember selling this.”</p> - -<p>“You do?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“When did you sell it?”</p> - -<p>“The morning of the day before New Year’s.”</p> - -<p>“To whom did you sell it?”</p> - -<p>“A tall man.”</p> - -<p>“Did you sell him anything else?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“What?”</p> - -<p>“A Moorish dagger.”</p> - -<p>“Anything else?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Did he give you his name?”</p> - -<p>“No. He paid for the things and he took them away -with him.”</p> - -<p>“What kind of a coat had he on?”</p> - -<p>“An ulster.”</p> - -<p>“What kind of a hat?”</p> - -<p>“An old slouch.”</p> - -<p>“Is this the color of the ulster?”</p> - -<p>Carter untied the bundle while he was talking, and -now he displayed the ulster in front of the clerk.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span>“It was that color,” the young man ejaculated. “And -that is the slouch hat. I remember noticing that the -rim was slightly torn.”</p> - -<p>“Would you be able to identify that man?”</p> - -<p>“I would.”</p> - -<p>“Was he alone?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>The detective next went to the tailoring establishment -conducted by Delaney. He showed the ulster to -the manager.</p> - -<p>“We made that garment six years ago,” the manager -said, after he had inspected the coat.</p> - -<p>“Can you tell for whom?” Carter asked. “If you -can tell me, I shall be greatly obliged.”</p> - -<p>“I can. Do you notice this number in indelible ink -on the pocket flap? Well, that is the number of the -order. I will refer to our books.”</p> - -<p>He walked back into the office and examined a -large ledger.</p> - -<p>In a few moments he returned to Carter and said:</p> - -<p>“That coat was made for a gentleman named Simeon -Rich.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you,” Carter rejoined, and then he departed.</p> - -<p>The coils around Rich were tightening, but the detective -had not found that weapon with which the -crime had been committed.</p> - -<p>Perhaps the murderer had thrown it away.</p> - -<p>That was likely.</p> - -<p>That the weapon was a Moorish dagger and the -one purchased at Dazian’s the detective was convinced.</p> - -<p>On a mere whim, Nick took all his evidence down<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span> -to police headquarters and made a report to the chief -inspector.</p> - -<p>When he was through the chief said:</p> - -<p>“I will send out men to fetch in all the witnesses.</p> - -<p>“We will assemble them here in this room, and -then, if we corral the conspirators, we will bring them -in. Mark my word. We will get a confession from -one of them.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll make out a list of the witnesses.”</p> - -<p>“Call them off and I’ll write them down.”</p> - -<p>“The bartender at the Red Dragon Inn, Doctor -Thompson, Peter Wright, Brockey Gann, Lena Peters, -Lem Samson, Dora Ferris, Dazian’s clerk, the cashier -of the safe deposit company, Delaney’s manager, and -the cabman, number one hundred and forty-seven.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll send out men for them.”</p> - -<p>“Very well.”</p> - -<p>“What are you going to do?”</p> - -<p>“Close in on Rich.”</p> - -<p>“Do you need assistance?”</p> - -<p>“Give me two men.”</p> - -<p>The chief inspector called in two men and they -went out with Carter.</p> - -<p>They entered a taxicab and were driven to the -address given to the detective by the expressman.</p> - -<p>The name of Lawrence was on the letter box belonging -to the first flat.</p> - -<p>Carter entered the hall with his men.</p> - -<p>One of them he sent back to guard the back door -of the flat and prevent escape by that exit. Then he -knocked on the front door, which was opened by a -tall, comely, gray-haired woman.</p> - -<p>Within he heard voices.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span>“What do you want?” the woman asked, as Carter -and his aid shoved past her.</p> - -<p>The detective made no reply. He and his companion -darted into the parlor.</p> - -<p>Rich and Darwin and three women were there.</p> - -<p>All sprang to their feet.</p> - -<p>The women screamed.</p> - -<p>Carter covered the men with his revolver and exclaimed:</p> - -<p>“Rich, there is no chance for you to escape. The -house is surrounded by my men. You may as well -submit quietly.”</p> - -<p>“What does this intrusion mean?” Rich demanded.</p> - -<p>“It means that I arrest you for the murder of Alfred -Lawrence, and these others”—looking around the -room at the others and pausing for a moment—“I -arrest them as your accomplices.”</p> - -<p>In a short time the two men were manacled.</p> - -<p>They offered no resistance, because they saw that -it would be of no avail.</p> - -<p>The two detectives guarded the prisoners while -Carter made a search of the flat.</p> - -<p>In a trunk belonging to Rich he found a Moorish -dagger, the blade and hilt of which were stained with -blood. He also found an old pocketbook with papers -belonging to the murdered man in it.</p> - -<p>On this were marks of bloody fingers.</p> - -<p>The woman who admitted Carter was the wife of -the murdered man, and the third woman in the parlor -was Lawrence’s daughter. She was a beautiful young -woman, but at a glance the detective saw that she had -been leading a life of dissipation.</p> - -<p>The prisoners were taken to police headquarters.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span>When Rich was led into the chief inspector’s office -and he beheld the witnesses congregated there all his -bravado fled.</p> - -<p>“The game is up!” he ejaculated, and he sank into -a chair, his handsome face the color of death. “You -cornered me, Mr. Carter. I killed Lawrence. There -is no use for me to deny anything. When I learned -that he was about to be released from Sing Sing I -made up my mind to kill him. I feared him, and so -did his wife. I knew there was evidence in existence -to prove that we had conspired against him.</p> - -<p>“I suppose you have received statements from all -these people and there is no use for me to make a long -confession.</p> - -<p>“All I’ll say will be that I tracked Lawrence to the -Red Dragon Inn, and when the bartender’s back was -turned I slipped upstairs and hid in the parlor.</p> - -<p>“Then I waited until the house was quiet, when I -stole up to Lawrence’s room and killed him.</p> - -<p>“I escaped through the window and then down the -ladder to the back yard.</p> - -<p>“I solemnly swear that Mrs. Lawrence and her -daughter had nothing to do with the crime.”</p> - -<p>The mystery of the Red Dragon Inn was solved at -last, and when the newspapers published the facts in -regard to the work done by Carter a sensation was -created. Nick had little time to bask in the glow of -journalistic applause, even had he cared to do so. He -was soon plunged in the case to which his assistants -had been paving his way by their investigations.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XV.<br /> - -<small>MURDER IN HELL’S KITCHEN.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>To understand the preliminaries of the case on -which Chick Carter and Patsy had been working for -their chief, we must go back to a time before Simeon -Rich was tried and executed, before Darwin was sent -back to England, where he afterward died in prison.</p> - -<p>To begin with, Old Mother Flintstone, well known -in the neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen, was dead.</p> - -<p>All people have to die, and the old woman had to -follow the written law of all mankind; but, what was -queer, her death was a subject for police investigation.</p> - -<p>She had not lived the best of lives, this old hag, -toothless and decrepit in her hovel, where her couch -was rags and the walls grimy and almost black; she -had been a fence and what not, and there were stories -about her that made people even in that delectable -quarter of Gotham shake their heads over them.</p> - -<p>She had died in the night.</p> - -<p>Death had come to the hovel in the wee sma’ hours -of the darkness, when the great city was supposed to -sleep the sleep of the innocent and righteous; but somehow -or other there was a suspicion that a human hand -had helped Mother Flintstone out of the world.</p> - -<p>She lived alone, but now and then she was visited -by a boy—a waif of the streets, little, but shrewd and -wiry.</p> - -<p>Mulberry Billy, as the boy was called, had a story -to tell, and it was his narrative which had set the -police agog.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span>The boy had gone to Mother Flintstone’s just before -day, crawling into the old place, where he knew -there was always a bed for him, and had found the -old lady lying on her face on the floor.</p> - -<p>Billy tried to lift the body and bear it to the couch -near by, but the lot of bones slid from his hands.</p> - -<p>Then he saw the distorted face, the wide, staring -eyes and the clenched hands.</p> - -<p>Then he saw that his old benefactress was past all -human aid, and he stood stock-still and thought how -kind she had been to him.</p> - -<p>But this was not all Billy saw. He was attracted -to the right by a noise in the direction of the only -window in the room, and there he saw the outlines of -a face.</p> - -<p>It was not a rough face, as one would expect to see -in that locality; it was not the face of a hardened -ruffian, seamed with sin and desperate. It was a finely -cut face, handsome, aristocratic, like those Billy sometimes -saw on Fifth Avenue or Broadway. It had good -eyes, white skin, a broad forehead, and well-chiseled -lips. The mustache did not entirely hide the latter, but -it did not let the boy get a good look at them.</p> - -<p>If the face at the window had been wicked-looking -or desperate the boy would not have been astonished, -for he would have thought that the desperate murderer -had come back to see if the victim had yet been discovered.</p> - -<p>Mother Flintstone was reputed rich; she was said -to have accumulated by her calling a good deal of -wealth, which she had concealed somewhere, but where -even Billy, her one little confidant, did not know.</p> - -<p>The boy looked at the face till it seemed to be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span> -photographed on his mind. He would know it among -a thousand faces, he thought.</p> - -<p>It should not escape him, and he would give a certain -person a full description of it.</p> - -<p>In a moment, as it were, the face vanished.</p> - -<p>Billy turned again to the dead woman, but looked -now and then toward the window. He saw that the -old woman had been killed, for the rent in her throat -told where the dagger had found her life and put an -end to her varied career.</p> - -<p>As yet the murder was his secret and the murderer’s.</p> - -<p>Mulberry Billy remained in the little room some -time, or until he had composed his nerves.</p> - -<p>One does not discover a terrible crime every day, -not even in New York. He wanted to think the matter -over a little; he wanted to decide just what to do.</p> - -<p>“I’ll see Patsy again, that’s best,” he said aloud, -though addressing himself. “Patsy Garvan once befriended -me, and he’ll tell Mr. Carter about this, and -I know Mr. Carter’s the man to take charge of this -matter and avenge Mother Flintstone.”</p> - -<p>With this the street Arab slipped from the house and -went out upon the street again.</p> - -<p>In a few minutes he ran up a flight of steps leading -to Nick’s downtown den, where he had captured -Brockey, and knocked at a door.</p> - -<p>Footsteps crossed the room beyond and the door was -opened.</p> - -<p>“You, boy! Come in.”</p> - -<p>Billy entered, looking at the person who had opened -the door, and who now stood in the middle of the -room looking at him with a smile on his face. He had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span> -expected to find Chick Carter or Patsy there, and he -was surprised to meet the great detective himself already -on the trail once more.</p> - -<p>“What’s happened, boy?” asked Nick.</p> - -<p>“They’ve got Mother Flintstone at last, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Who have?”</p> - -<p>“That’s for you to find out, Mr. Carter.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t mean that the old lady’s dead, Billy?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t I?”</p> - -<p>“Where?”</p> - -<p>“In the crib.”</p> - -<p>“Do you know who saw her last?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir; the man who did it.”</p> - -<p>Carter smiled at the answer and took a seat at the -table.</p> - -<p>“Give me the story,” he said.</p> - -<p>Billy did so. He omitted nothing, but he dwelt a -long time on the face at the window.</p> - -<p>The famous detective seemed to think that face an -important matter, and he made the boy describe it half -a dozen times.</p> - -<p>Presently he arose and put on an overcoat, for the -night was cold, and perhaps he wanted to protect his -face with the ample collar.</p> - -<p>The pair left the room together, and Billy piloted -the detective to the scene of the crime.</p> - -<p>“You can go now,” said Carter, when he had taken -a survey of the apartment. “I will need you to-morrow, -Billy. Don’t go far. You can take my lounge if -you want a snooze till then.”</p> - -<p>The urchin went away, leaving Carter in the hovel -where Mother Flintstone lay.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span>Nick went over the old place with his keen eyes -and eager hands.</p> - -<p>If he found anything that let some light upon the -mystery he did not divulge the secret, and just as day -was breaking over the spires of Gotham he came out -of the place and walked away.</p> - -<p>A few minutes later the police knew of the crime, -and a sergeant took possession of the old woman’s -abode.</p> - -<p>Hell’s Kitchen had a new sensation, and its inhabitants -stood about in groups and discussed it.</p> - -<p>The sensation was too late for the morning papers, -but it would do for the afternoon journals; and as -Mother Flintstone was a noted character, half a dozen -reporters came to the scene with ready pencils and -reportorial noses.</p> - -<p>The papers in the afternoon told all there was to tell.</p> - -<p>They dished up the past life of the old woman and -colored it to suit themselves.</p> - -<p>Some had her a woman once respected and wealthy, -the wayward daughter of a money king; others said -she was related to royalty; none put her down as plain -Mother Flintstone—that, you know, being the unvarnished -truth, would never do!</p> - -<p>The wasted body was removed to the morgue and -the surgeons brought their skill to bear upon the case. -All agreed that the old creature had been foully killed -by a dagger, and the coroner’s jury added “by some -person unknown,” and then turned the matter over to -the police.</p> - -<p>The following night Carter, alone in his room, heard -a rap on his door, and he opened it to look into the -face of a young woman. He held the door open and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span> -the girl—she was no more than this in years—glided -into the room.</p> - -<p>“Lock the door, please,” she said, with an appealing -look at the detective.</p> - -<p>Carter did so and turned to her.</p> - -<p>His visitor had taken a chair, and in the light he -saw how frightened she was and how she trembled.</p> - -<p>“You haven’t any clew yet?” was her first question.</p> - -<p>“Clew to what?”</p> - -<p>“Why, to the murderer of Mother Flintstone.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, you’re interested in that, are you?”</p> - -<p>“I am.”</p> - -<p>“What is your name?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I thought you’d want to know that and it’s -no more than right that I should tell you. You may -call me Margie Marne.”</p> - -<p>“But that’s not your name.”</p> - -<p>The girl smiled.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps not; don’t, for Heaven’s sake, rob me of -the only secret I have—my true identity.”</p> - -<p>“I will not. You shall keep your name. That -secret can belong to you as long as you want it, or -until you see best to disclose it.”</p> - -<p>“The time may come when I can speak,” was the -reply. “But you haven’t answered my question yet.”</p> - -<p>“About the clew? It’s a queer case.”</p> - -<p>“And a dark one?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“No reward has been offered?”</p> - -<p>“Not a dollar.”</p> - -<p>“But you want to find out who killed Mother Flintstone, -and why.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span>“I do, and I will find out.”</p> - -<p>“Thank God!” cried Margie Marne, rising from -her chair and seizing Carter’s hands. “That’s the best -thing I ever heard a man say.”</p> - -<p>“What was the old lady to you?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t ask me. Only find the hand that slew her.”</p> - -<p>“That’s my mission, as I’ve already told you.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll reward you,” and she seemed to smile again. -“I don’t look like a person of wealth, but I can reward -the man who solves this mystery of the tenements. -I’m not as poor as I look, not a female Lazarus by -any means.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t look it, either.”</p> - -<p>The girl would have replied if footsteps had not -approached the detective’s door, and he crossed the -room.</p> - -<p>Billy, the street Arab, bounded in the moment the -door was opened.</p> - -<p>“I’ve located him!” he cried the moment he caught -sight of Carter. “I can show you the face I saw at -the window last night. Come! Let the gal stay. We -don’t want her. No gals in the case for Mulberry -Billy is my motto,” and the boy darted toward the -door again.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVI.<br /> - -<small>THE MILLIONAIRE’S GUEST.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>In another part of the city about the same time that -witnessed these events a scene was being enacted which -is destined to have an important bearing on Carter’s -present case of mystery.</p> - -<p>This time it was not in the heart of that tough locality -called Hell’s Kitchen, but in the haunts of the -better classes, indeed, in what might be called the abode -of wealth.</p> - -<p>Perry Lamont was a multimillionaire. He was a -man of past fifty, but with very few gray hairs and -a florid complexion. He was not engaged in any business, -having retired from the “Street” some years -prior to the opening of our story, and now was resting -at his ease.</p> - -<p>Surrounded with wealth of every description, this -man was an envied person and a man to be congratulated -on the easy life he could lead in his luxurious -mansion.</p> - -<p>Blessed with wife and children, the latter grown to -manhood and womanhood, he passed his days in luxury, -his only fad being fast horses, with which his -stables were filled.</p> - -<p>Perry Lamont sat in the splendid library of his -home and smoked a prime cigar. He was alone. His -wife and daughter had gone to the opera and his son -was playing billiards at the club.</p> - -<p>Therefore Lamont had the whole house to himself, -for it was the servants’ night off, and he had resolved -to take his ease.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span>Suddenly the clear tones of the bell reverberated -through the mansion, but the millionaire did not rise. -He did not want any visitors, and he was not at all -in the humor to be disturbed.</p> - -<p>Again the bell rang, a little sharper than before, and -he laid down the cigar.</p> - -<p>“Confound it all, why can’t a fellow get a little -rest?” he growled, crossing the room toward the hall.</p> - -<p>“It’s a pity some people haven’t the slightest notion -about propriety, but must come when a man wants to -throw off the cares of the world and enjoy himself.”</p> - -<p>For the third time the bell jangled, and the next -moment Lamont reached the door. He opened it with -a growl on his lips, but all at once a man rudely pushed -past him into the hall.</p> - -<p>“Good evening,” said the stranger, who was tall -and decidedly good looking from what the millionaire -could see of his face, for he kept his collar up. “Don’t -think I’m an intruder. Of course, I came here on -business, and that overleaps every other consideration, -you know.”</p> - -<p>“Business? This way, then.”</p> - -<p>Lamont led the way to the library, where he waved -his caller to a chair.</p> - -<p>“You have a son, I believe?” said the visitor.</p> - -<p>“I have. I guess that’s no disgrace,” smiled Perry -Lamont, who was inordinately proud of his son and -heir.</p> - -<p>“He’s at the club just now?”</p> - -<p>“That’s his pleasure, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly. Is he your only son?”</p> - -<p>“He is.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span>“And you look to him to keep up the honor of the -house of Lamont?”</p> - -<p>“He’ll do that, never fear, Claude will.”</p> - -<p>“That is, he will if the law will let him.”</p> - -<p>The nabob started.</p> - -<p>“Have a care, sir!” he cried, coloring. “This is my -house, and a man’s house is his castle.”</p> - -<p>“That’s old, but good,” grinned the unwelcome and -uncivil caller. “I’ve often wondered where that saying -originated, but never had time to look it up.”</p> - -<p>Lamont looked at the man amazed, for he never -saw such coolness in all his life.</p> - -<p>“You’ve got a daughter, too,” continued the -stranger.</p> - -<p>“What’s that to you?”</p> - -<p>“Not much, perhaps, but a good deal to you.”</p> - -<p>“There you’re right; but you shall not make sport -of my child. My affection for her is too sacred for -that.”</p> - -<p>“She’s pretty and good. I know her.”</p> - -<p>“<i>You?</i>” almost roared the millionaire, falling back -in his chair and staring at the other. “This is carrying -a joke too far.”</p> - -<p>“Just as you think; but let’s go back to Claude.”</p> - -<p>“No, I won’t have another thing to do with you. -You remember you are not an invited guest——”</p> - -<p>“That’s right—not an invited guest, but I don’t -quit this house till I care to go.”</p> - -<p>“By Jove——”</p> - -<p>“Come, come, keep your temper.”</p> - -<p>“You won’t let me,” said Lamont, with a faint -smile.</p> - -<p>“Well, this boy of yours is a little wild. He’s the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span> -lion of the club, but he don’t always keep within the -bounds of the law.”</p> - -<p>“How?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t mean to insinuate anything, only to remind -you that he is just now harvesting his crop of wild -oats.”</p> - -<p>“Just as far too as many boys do.”</p> - -<p>“But the yield is larger on some grounds than on -others.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t mean——”</p> - -<p>“That your hopeful is reaping a gorgeous crop, eh? -That’s it precisely.”</p> - -<p>“But he knows when to stop.”</p> - -<p>“The sheriff will do that.”</p> - -<p>Lamont started forward, and for the first time his -face became really pale.</p> - -<p>“That’s an insult!”</p> - -<p>“I thought you would consider it such.”</p> - -<p>“It is infamous!”</p> - -<p>“You’re good at words.”</p> - -<p>“Come, this interview is at an end.”</p> - -<p>“Not yet. What will you give to save your son?”</p> - -<p>“To save him? He’s committed no crime yet——”</p> - -<p>“Will you give ten thousand?”</p> - -<p>“Not a dollar! If Claude has committed some little -indiscretion such as young men will——”</p> - -<p>“He’s done more than that. It would be charity -to designate it by the name you have just mentioned, -but the authorities would call it something else.”</p> - -<p>“Where is Claude?”</p> - -<p>“At the club, just where you said he was.”</p> - -<p>“Then——”</p> - -<p>“I’ll take ten thousand and save the boy.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span>“From what?”</p> - -<p>“The electric chair!”</p> - -<p>Perry Lamont seemed to reel in his chair, and it was -with difficulty that he kept his seat.</p> - -<p>“It’s a lie!” he cried.</p> - -<p>“Just as you like. It’s all true, however.”</p> - -<p>“It’s false, I say, as false as perdition! My boy -wouldn’t stoop to crime.”</p> - -<p>“No; he’s an angel. And all he wants is a pair of -wings which would just fix him out.”</p> - -<p>Lamont reddened and then turned pale again.</p> - -<p>“I announce this interview terminated,” he said, but -his voice was agitated and his gaze wandered to the -door across the room.</p> - -<p>“You can write out the check for the amount I have -mentioned if you have any regard for the honor of -your house.”</p> - -<p>“Not a dollar!”</p> - -<p>“Then take the consequences!”</p> - -<p>So threatening, the man arose and coolly buttoned -his coat.</p> - -<p>“You’re mad,” said the millionaire.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps. I’m money mad, but I want to save you -and yours. I don’t want to heap disgrace upon your -wife and daughter. I don’t want to disgrace you and -see your boy go to the chair. I don’t want to do -anything of the kind, and I won’t if you pay me for -the secret.”</p> - -<p>Perhaps something told Perry Lamont that he was -dealing with a desperate man, who, after all, might -have the secret he spoke of, but it was such a terrible -thing to think of that it chilled his blood.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span>“I’m a man of business. I want the check or your -boy is exposed.”</p> - -<p>“What is the crime?” asked Lamont.</p> - -<p>“What did I say? They take life for murder only.”</p> - -<p>“My son!—a murderer!”</p> - -<p>“They will certainly lay hands on Claude if you -don’t buy my silence.”</p> - -<p>“In Satan’s name, who are you?”</p> - -<p>“The man who knows!”</p> - -<p>In the drawer before the millionaire lay a self-cocking -revolver, and this flashed through his mind as he -resolved upon desperate action.</p> - -<p>“All right,” he said, as nonchalantly as possible, and -in a second he had opened the drawer.</p> - -<p>The man near by stood in such a position that he -could not look into the place, and he did not see Lamont’s -hand close about the black ivory stock of the -weapon.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the millionaire’s hand leaped from the -drawer and the revolver flashed in the stranger’s face.</p> - -<p>“I won’t be blackmailed,” hissed Lamont. “I’m as -merciless as a tiger when aroused, and I count your -life as nothing as compared to the welfare of my -family. What is the lie you have made up for to-night’s -work? What is the infamous story you have -planned about my son? Tell me or I will kill you -where you stand, and the world will lose your infamy -in this house.”</p> - -<p>The man on the carpet seemed to increase an inch -in stature as he looked down into the tensely drawn -face of the man of many fortunes.</p> - -<p>“You’d do that, would you?”</p> - -<p>“As I live I will!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span>“You’re a fool, Perry Lamont.”</p> - -<p>“Why so?”</p> - -<p>“You might slay me here, but the net would be -played out or drawn in all the same. You don’t suppose -I would place myself in your power the sole custodian -of this secret which, if let out, will send your son to -the electric chair? I’m no fool.”</p> - -<p>The tightly clutched weapon seemed about to fall -from Lamont’s hand.</p> - -<p>“The secret is unloosed the moment I die at your -hands,” continued the cool stranger. “Come, treat me -white, and I’ll treat you the same. I want ten thousand -for what I know. It saves your boy and rescues your -house from disgrace.”</p> - -<p>A singular cry welled from the millionaire’s throat, -the revolver slipped to the floor and he sank back in -the chair in a dead faint.</p> - -<p>The stranger leaned forward and opened the drawer, -and seeing something there he transferred it to an -inner pocket.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVII.<br /> - -<small>BACK TO THE RED SPOT.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>When Carter and Mulberry Billy reached the street -at the foot of Carter’s stairs the boy pointed toward -a cab just driving away.</p> - -<p>“He must be in that,” said Billy. “I saw him talking -to a man from the cab window just now——”</p> - -<p>“The man whose face you saw at the window of -Mother Flintstone’s den, Billy?”</p> - -<p>“The same bloke.”</p> - -<p>The detective looked after the cab as it rounded a -corner and then turned again to the boy.</p> - -<p>“But the man who was spoken to from the cab?” -queried the detective.</p> - -<p>“He’s gone, too.”</p> - -<p>In another instant there stepped from a doorway a -few steps distant a man at whom the boy pointed excitedly.</p> - -<p>“That’s him, Mr. Carter!” he exclaimed, as the man -thus singled out coolly lit a cigar.</p> - -<p>Carter eyed him for a moment and then looked -away.</p> - -<p>The fellow walked off and the boy of the street -watched him with much curiosity.</p> - -<p>“Could you keep him in sight for me, Billy?” asked -the detective.</p> - -<p>“Just as if I’d lose him on purpose!”</p> - -<p>Billy hurried away and watched the smoker with -all the keenness he could bring to bear upon the matter.</p> - -<p>For some time the boy was led a merry chase, for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> -the man at first seemed to suspect that he was watched, -but at last he appeared to think that he had baffled the -young shadower, for he became bold and sauntered -along at his ease.</p> - -<p>Billy saw him walk up the steps of a noted clubhouse, -and then stepped back to wait for his reappearance.</p> - -<p>For this purpose the boy stationed himself in a -doorway near at hand.</p> - -<p>An hour passed, and while many came out of the -club this particular one did not, and the street Arab -grew a little impatient.</p> - -<p>“Seems to me he’s going ter roost there,” said Billy -to himself. “I’m booked for this doorway all night if -he does, for I intend to keep my agreement with Mr. -Carter—to watch that man till doomsday.”</p> - -<p>All at once there sounded above the boy footsteps -on the stairs, and as he looked around he was pounced -upon eaglelike by a hand that seemed to sink into his -bones.</p> - -<p>“Ouch!” cried the boy, as he drew back.</p> - -<p>“Not a chirp, you young imp,” hissed a voice, as he -was pulled up over the steps.</p> - -<p>Billy, of Mulberry Street, was dragged up the stairs -and down a long corridor, after which he was pulled -into a room by his tormentor. He heard the door -locked behind him, and then the gas was quickly turned -on. Then he was jammed roughly into a chair, after -which he got a look at the man who had caught him.</p> - -<p>It was not the man he had watched, but quite another -person, and Billy wondered why he had caught -him.</p> - -<p>“Spying, weren’t you?” said the man coolly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span>“Who are you?” demanded Billy. “And don’t you -know you’ve no right to treat me this way?”</p> - -<p>“I haven’t, eh? Just wait till I’m through with you -before you crow that way.”</p> - -<p>Then the man came forward and bent over Billy, -who shrank into the depths of the chair.</p> - -<p>“Who sent you after me?” he demanded.</p> - -<p>“No one.”</p> - -<p>“No falsehood! He did, didn’t he?”</p> - -<p>“Whom do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“You know.”</p> - -<p>“You must explain.”</p> - -<p>“Just as if you didn’t know anything, you little -gutter rat! To be plain, the man you were talking -to to-night told you to dog my steps. I know that -much.”</p> - -<p>“Then that keeps me from explainin’,” smiled Billy, -whereat the man’s face grew dark.</p> - -<p>“No insolence! Little chicks get their necks wrung -same as old ones.”</p> - -<p>Billy leaped from the chair and sprang forward, but -he was arrested by the hand of the fellow and held -fast.</p> - -<p>“Tell me the truth. He sent you after me?”</p> - -<p>For once in his life at least Mulberry Billy was -terrified.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” he said.</p> - -<p>“Nick Carter they call him, don’t they?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Detective!”</p> - -<p>The boy said nothing.</p> - -<p>“Why am I to be watched?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span>“What has happened lately?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t you know? Don’t you ever read the papers?”</p> - -<p>“Sometimes.”</p> - -<p>“Then you must know that they’ve killed Mother -Flintstone.”</p> - -<p>“Who’s she?”</p> - -<p>“My best friend, even if she didn’t have all the -frills of society,” said Billy, with a grin.</p> - -<p>“Where did she live?”</p> - -<p>“In Hell’s Kitchen.”</p> - -<p>“That’s a nice name!”</p> - -<p>“It fits the place.”</p> - -<p>“What was Mother Flintstone?”</p> - -<p>“She fenced some times.”</p> - -<p>“Oho!” The exclamation was followed by a prolonged -whistle. “I see.”</p> - -<p>The man, dropping Billy suddenly, took several -turns about the room.</p> - -<p>“Could you show me where she lived, boy?” he suddenly -asked, coming back to the boy.</p> - -<p>“I could——”</p> - -<p>“And you will? That’s good! Mother Flintstone, -eh? Was that her right name?”</p> - -<p>“Never heard any other for the old woman.”</p> - -<p>The countenance of the stranger seemed to soften -and he told the boy to guide him.</p> - -<p>They left the house together, the boy in advance, -and Billy piloted the man into Mulberry Bend and -straight to Hell’s Kitchen.</p> - -<p>“It’s a tough place, I see,” was all the comment the -stranger made as they entered the locality.</p> - -<p>“No place tougher, but I’ve called it home for a -long time.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span>Into the little old room—the place of sin and crime—Billy -led the man and a light was struck.</p> - -<p>“Where did she keep her valuables?” asked the -man.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know.”</p> - -<p>“But she had papers, hadn’t she?”</p> - -<p>“I can’t say; but if she had the perlice must have -found them.”</p> - -<p>“They searched the den, eh?”</p> - -<p>“They looked it over.”</p> - -<p>“Did Carter do it, too?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“What did he find?”</p> - -<p>The boy shook his head.</p> - -<p>“You’re not the custodian of his secrets, I see.”</p> - -<p>“I’m not.”</p> - -<p>“Let me see what I can find.”</p> - -<p>The man began to go through the place, watched -by the boy with all eyes. He was a good-looking fellow, -only his beard seemed a little too black and glossy -to be natural, and the boy had an idea that it had -never grown on his face.</p> - -<p>All at once the man turned and looked at Billy.</p> - -<p>At the same time he put out one hand, and it fell -upon a dusty shelf on one side of the room.</p> - -<p>“Turn your back a moment, boy,” he commanded.</p> - -<p>Billy did so, and while he looked away he was certain -that the stranger did something.</p> - -<p>When again he looked around the man was standing -at his ease and his face was as calm as ever.</p> - -<p>“Look yonder,” suddenly cried the boy, pointing at -the window. “There it is again.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span>The stranger turned in an instant, and then looked -at the street Arab.</p> - -<p>“I see nothing at the window,” he said.</p> - -<p>“It’s gone now. That’s the second time I saw it -there.”</p> - -<p>“A face, was it, boy?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; the face of the man who killed Mother Flintstone!”</p> - -<p>“Then it’s not far off.”</p> - -<p>With this the stranger ran out of the place, and -Billy heard him in the narrow court beyond.</p> - -<p>“In the name of Satan, who is he?” ejaculated the -boy, while he waited for the man’s return.</p> - -<p>His question was followed by a sharp report, and -in a second the boy was outside.</p> - -<p>He smelled powder the moment he opened the door, -and then a human figure fell at his feet.</p> - -<p>Billy sprang back with a cry and heard a half-suppressed -oath and flying footsteps.</p> - -<p>“Say, boy,” said a voice, as the little fellow stooped -over a prostrate man on the bricks.</p> - -<p>“Did you see him?”</p> - -<p>“Only a glimpse.”</p> - -<p>“Well, he’s got me—just as I expected. But he -didn’t get the documents.”</p> - -<p>“What documents?”</p> - -<p>“Mother Flintstone’s. They’re here.”</p> - -<p>The wounded speaker laid one hand on his left -breast. He tried to rise, but sank again to the stones, -and Billy could only look on, white-faced and breathless.</p> - -<p>“You want a doctor and the perlice,” he said at -last.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span>“Neither one,” growled the man through set teeth. -“I don’t want them, I say. I’m not dead yet, though -they gave me a close call to-night. Help me up. There, -you see I can stand all right. I feel better already. -I’m worth ten dead men, and in an hour I’ll be worth -fifty. Come, let us get out of this.”</p> - -<p>Billy was not loath to go, and they glided from -the scene and struck the street in a few seconds.</p> - -<p>“Great Cæsar!” cried the boy, falling back from the -man the moment he got a glimpse of him in the lamplight. -“Be you the devil or Tom Walker——”</p> - -<p>The man stopped the boy by throwing his hand to -his face.</p> - -<p>The black beard was gone and the skin was smooth, -and this was what had called forth the street urchin’s -exclamation.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> - -<small>THE FATE OF A SPY.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Under the ground at last Mother Flintstone passed -from the minds of many. The hovel she had occupied -in Hell’s Kitchen got other tenants and the crime was -forgotten.</p> - -<p>Not by everybody, however, for in the mind of more -than one person the old woman whose life no one -seemed to know beyond a few years was of some importance.</p> - -<p>Carter was on the trail, and he was destined to find -it one of the strangest if not the most exciting of his -varied career. Nick had just learned that Brockey -Gann had been sent to Sing Sing for a short term, and -that Mrs. Lawrence and her daughter had gone abroad, -never to return to this country.</p> - -<p>It was the night after his last adventure—the one -on the street with Billy, of Mulberry Street—when the -boy failed to point out the man he had seen, that he -stood in another part of the city.</p> - -<p>The famous detective was quite alone, and his gaze -was riveted upon a man who stood in front of a -swell café lighting a cigar.</p> - -<p>This person was well dressed and looked as if he -belonged to uppertendom.</p> - -<p>His features were regular, though they showed some -signs of fashionable dissipation, and he carried a cane -with an elaborate gold head.</p> - -<p>In short, this person was Claude Lamont, the son -of the millionaire, who had lately received the man -who wanted ten thousand dollars to keep a secret.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span>Lamont was a favorite at the club because he spent -his father’s money freely, and at times gave swell suppers, -which were the talk of the town.</p> - -<p>Young Lamont appeared to be waiting for some -one, and presently that individual came out of the -café. He looked a good deal like Claude, only he -seemed to be several years his junior, and when the -two met they walked away together.</p> - -<p>Carter followed.</p> - -<p>The men were talking earnestly, and at last Carter -heard Lamont say:</p> - -<p>“You didn’t make it with the governor, eh?”</p> - -<p>“No; confound it all. He fainted just when I -thought I had landed the fish, and I came away with -an empty hook.”</p> - -<p>“That’s bad.”</p> - -<p>“Couldn’t have been worse.”</p> - -<p>“Shall I try again?”</p> - -<p>“No, we must take another tack,” and then Claude -laughed.</p> - -<p>This was all the detective heard, and the pair walked -a little faster.</p> - -<p>After a while Carter let them go and turned his -attention to another part of the town.</p> - -<p>This time he pushed his way into an upper room -in one of the most disreputable localities and confronted -a man who nearly leaped from a chair at sight -of him.</p> - -<p>“Never mind. Don’t get excited, Jack,” smiled the -detective. “I’m not after you this time.”</p> - -<p>The fellow, who was past thirty, with a slim face -covered with a beard of a week’s growth, seemed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span> -pleased, but at the same time he snarled like a wild -beast.</p> - -<p>“I’ve got work for you,” said the detective.</p> - -<p>“Not for me, no, sir! I won’t do any man’s work—not -even yours,” he growled.</p> - -<p>“Come, Jack. It won’t get you into trouble.”</p> - -<p>“I won’t, there!”</p> - -<p>The speaker settled back into his chair and looked -ugly.</p> - -<p>“You remember Mother Flintstone?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and I know she’s dead.”</p> - -<p>“And buried.”</p> - -<p>“I hope so, but I don’t care what they’ve done with -her. I am out of the business.”</p> - -<p>“You know Claude Lamont?”</p> - -<p>“The money king’s son? Of course I do, and I -know nothing very good of him, either.”</p> - -<p>“Well, Jack, I want you to get on with him.”</p> - -<p>“I say no.”</p> - -<p>The voice was determined, but this fact did not -check the detective.</p> - -<p>“Listen to me, Jack.”</p> - -<p>“Not if you want to make a sleuth out of me.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t—in a sense.”</p> - -<p>“But you want me to get in with this young lion and -get the worst of the bargain.”</p> - -<p>Carter thought a moment.</p> - -<p>Was there not some other way of bringing this man -to time?</p> - -<p>Nick had befriended him once, had saved him from -a term up the river; and now he needed him.</p> - -<p>Jack Redmond was a clever, all-around crook, and,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span> -at the same time, he knew how to spy and do anything -that required wits and cunning.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Nick turned again to the man and said:</p> - -<p>“You know Margie?”</p> - -<p>At this Redmond started and seemed to shiver.</p> - -<p>“Where is she?” he eagerly inquired.</p> - -<p>“Where she can be found at any time.”</p> - -<p>“Do you know?”</p> - -<p>“Will you help me?”</p> - -<p>Redmond sprang up and confronted the detective -with a quick look.</p> - -<p>“Does she think of me yet?”</p> - -<p>“I can’t say that.”</p> - -<p>“Will you help me with Margie?”</p> - -<p>“So far as I can.”</p> - -<p>“Then I’m yours!”</p> - -<p>For a moment the detective watched the man and -held out his hand; but the crook refused it.</p> - -<p>“No, I’m yours. You’ve bought me,” he said. -“Now, what am I to do?”</p> - -<p>For some time the detective talked, and was not -interrupted.</p> - -<p>When he went away he seemed to smile to himself, -and half an hour later he was back in his own rooms.</p> - -<p>One hour later Claude Lamont was met in the club -annex by a man, who held out his hand.</p> - -<p>Lamont looked searchingly at this person and shook -his head.</p> - -<p>“You have the best of me,” said he.</p> - -<p>“What, don’t you know me?” cried the other, as if -surprised. “I’m Belmont.”</p> - -<p>“The devil you are!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span>“That’s who I am, and I’m not surprised that you -did not recognize me.”</p> - -<p>“I thought you were dead—in fact, three years ago -I read about your death at sea.”</p> - -<p>“So did thousands,” laughed the so-called Belmont, -who was Jack Redmond, the crook. “I thought at one -time I was on the brink of eternity. We had nine -tough weeks on a tropical island, but were saved by -a liner.”</p> - -<p>This seemed to satisfy Lamont, for he fell to talking -to Redmond, and the two adjourned to the wine-room -and opened several bottles.</p> - -<p>It was midnight before they parted, and then Redmond -slunk away.</p> - -<p>He had broken the ice.</p> - -<p>“To-morrow,” said he, “I will go a little further, -and before the week’s out I’ll have my clutches on this -man for Carter. He doesn’t suspect, and I’ve completely -hoodwinked him.”</p> - -<p>Jack went back to his little den, but did not lock the -door.</p> - -<p>Ten minutes later he heard footsteps on the stair, -and, thinking that Carter was coming back, he watched -the door with some curiosity.</p> - -<p>When the door opened he got pale, for instead of the -detective another man stood before him.</p> - -<p>“Spy and informer, your time has come!” cried this -person, who seemed as wiry as a tiger as he crossed -the room.</p> - -<p>Jack Redmond started from his chair, but a revolver -was thrust into his face, and he fell back.</p> - -<p>“Silence! Not a word! That was a cool game you -played to-night,” continued the other.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span>“What game?” stammered the crook.</p> - -<p>“You know, and it’s going to cost you your treacherous -life.”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I say—your life!”</p> - -<p>Jack looked into the muzzle of the weapon and wondered -if he could cross the space between them and -seize the man before he could press the trigger.</p> - -<p>“You told a plausible tale, and he believed you. -You passed yourself off as Belmont, who lies in fifty -fathoms of water, and he took it all for gospel. You’ve -got to die.”</p> - -<p>The crook said nothing.</p> - -<p>“Sit down,” commanded the stranger.</p> - -<p>Involuntarily Jack sat down and awaited the fellow’s -next movement.</p> - -<p>“What have you to say before you die? Any word -to send to any person?”</p> - -<p>“You don’t mean to take my life?”</p> - -<p>“I do. It isn’t worth the snuffing of a candle just -now. All the money in the world could not save you.”</p> - -<p>Suddenly Jack was pounced upon by the human wolf -and crushed deeper into the chair.</p> - -<p>A pair of demon hands seemed to meet behind his -windpipe, and he tried, but vainly, to rise.</p> - -<p>His eyes bulged from his head, his tongue protruded -and he emitted a groan.</p> - -<p>Three minutes later the demon arose and looked -down at the dark face in the chair.</p> - -<p>Then he went through the crook’s pockets and found -nothing of value even to him.</p> - -<p>Behind Jack was a wall tolerably white, and the -murderer went toward it. He took a pencil from his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span> -pocket and wrote in scrawling characters across the -surface a few words that seemed to please him.</p> - -<p>“That’s it. He’ll see it,” he hissed. “And he’ll know -that it is a death trail if he persists.”</p> - -<p>In another moment the little den was tenanted by -no one but the silent man in the chair.</p> - -<p>The gas burned over his head, sicklylike and blue, -and the room seemed filled with a noxious odor.</p> - -<p>It burned on till the first streaks of morning revealed -the city, and pedestrians reappeared on the sidewalks.</p> - -<p>No one came.</p> - -<p>Several hours passed and the streets swarmed again -with their eager thousands.</p> - -<p>Then the door was opened and Carter came in.</p> - -<p>He stood stock-still at sight of the dead man—his -spy—in the chair, and then he happened to glance at -the wall.</p> - -<p>In another second he was there, and his bulging eyes -had read:</p> - -<p>“The spy first, the master next! There is no escape -for him!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIX.<br /> - -<small>THE KNOCK-OUT DROPS.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>The man of many trails read the inscription on the -wall more than once before he turned away.</p> - -<p>It meant him.</p> - -<p>There was not the least doubt of this, and for some -time the detective stood rooted to the spot, as it were, -and looked at what appeared to be a record of doom.</p> - -<p>At last he went over to the dead man in the chair, -and, lifting the body, he knew what had terminated -Jack Redmond’s career.</p> - -<p>The hands of some fiend had strangled him, and -Nick seemed to inspect the marks on the throat for -the time that had elapsed since the tragedy.</p> - -<p>Slowly and with deliberation the detective quitted -the scene of crime and went down the steps.</p> - -<p>At the bottom he nearly ran against a woman with -a black shawl pulled over her head in such a manner -as to conceal her features. She tried to escape the -detective, but the detective’s hand shot out and drew -her toward him.</p> - -<p>With the other hand he removed the shawl and -looked into a wan face seamed with want and dissipation.</p> - -<p>“You know Jack?” he said.</p> - -<p>“Heavens! Jack! Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Will you go up and see him?”</p> - -<p>She fell back, but the hand stayed her.</p> - -<p>“He did it, then?” she cried.</p> - -<p>“You saw some one, then?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span>“Yes; but for Heaven’s sake don’t mix me up in -anything like murder.”</p> - -<p>Carter watched the nervous twitching of the -woman’s lips and waited for her to calm herself.</p> - -<p>“When was he here?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Last night.”</p> - -<p>“What was he like?”</p> - -<p>“He was rather tall, and had a step as stealthy as a -tiger’s.”</p> - -<p>“You saw him come?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“And go?”</p> - -<p>“I did.”</p> - -<p>“How long was the man upstairs?”</p> - -<p>“Not over twenty minutes.”</p> - -<p>“Did you suspect a crime?”</p> - -<p>“I did; but I hadn’t the nerve to go up after he -went away. I only guessed his mission.”</p> - -<p>Nick at last released the creature, who had in the -meantime called herself Gutter Nan for identification, -and went away.</p> - -<p>“It’s the second crime,” was all the remark he made -to himself.</p> - -<p>The detective sent word to police headquarters, and -as the crime, like the murder of Mother Flintstone, -came too late for the morning papers, the afternoon -journals got it.</p> - -<p>No one knew among the reporters that Jack Redmond -had been Carter’s spy.</p> - -<p>None was told who was meant by “the master” in -the sentence on the wall; they only guessed at that, -and some queer guesses they made, too.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span>Carter found Margie Marne that same day, and the -girl’s first question was about his trail.</p> - -<p>“I’ve got a strange letter here,” said the girl, handing -the detective a note she had just received.</p> - -<p>The detective drew it from the envelope and read -as follows:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Miss Marne</span>: If you want to hear of something -to your advantage please come to the Trocadero to-day -at two and enter the first stall on the right. Come -alone, for this is business of importance, and greatly -concerns you.</p> - -<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">Business.</span>”</p> -</div> - -<p>After reading the message the detective looked up -and found the eyes of the girl riveted upon his face.</p> - -<p>“Well?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Shall I go?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll do anything you tell me to,” was the reply, and -a faint smile flitted across the girl’s face.</p> - -<p>“Have you fears, Margie?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. I fear all the time ever since the death of -Mother Flintstone.”</p> - -<p>“Who, think you, is ‘Business’?”</p> - -<p>“An enemy.”</p> - -<p>“Then, why go to the Trocadero?”</p> - -<p>“Because you say so.”</p> - -<p>Carter promised the girl that he would not be far -off at the hour mentioned in the letter, and Margie -agreed to be on hand. He did not see fit to tell her -about Jack Redmond’s death, as it might unnerve her, -and, bidding her good-by, he left the house.</p> - -<p>It was near two that afternoon when a man, who -would not have been taken for Nick, entered the Trocadero<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span> -on the Bowery, and seating himself at a table -called for a drink.</p> - -<p>The place was not very well filled at the time, and -while he sipped his wine the detective looked around -the place.</p> - -<p>Presently he saw a man enter and go straight to the -stall designated by the letter to Margie, and the door -was closed behind him.</p> - -<p>Now Carter began to wait for the girl, and ten -minutes later she came in.</p> - -<p>Glancing up and down the place as if looking for -him Carter saw her enter the same stall and heard a -slight ejaculation when she found it occupied.</p> - -<p>Just then the detective moved his seat to a table -nearer the stall and indulged again.</p> - -<p>After drinking a third glass a strange feeling of -drowsiness seemed to take possession of him, and he -tried to shake it off.</p> - -<p>In vain, however, did he battle against the feeling, -it only grew stronger, till at last he became aware -that he was sinking into unconsciousness.</p> - -<p>His last recollection was of trying to rise and then -sinking down upon the chair, while everything became -black about him.</p> - -<p>When the detective came to, a singular feeling -racked his head and he felt dizzy.</p> - -<p>With some effort he managed to stagger to his feet -and then he went to the suspected stall.</p> - -<p>The door now stood slightly ajar, and he pushed it -open, but the place was empty.</p> - -<p>Where was Margie, and what had taken place in -that secluded spot where perhaps more than one crime -had been committed?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span>After looking at the table and taking in the whole -stall the detective shut the door and started toward -the walk.</p> - -<p>He knew the fame of the Trocadero.</p> - -<p>More than once a trail had led him across its precincts, -and on several occasions he had picked up important -clews under its roof.</p> - -<p>But now he himself was the victim of trickery, the -dupe of crime, for he doubted not that the drinks had -been drugged by some infamous hand and for a purpose.</p> - -<p>Behind the bar stood the man who had carried the -drinks to him, a little man with one of the worst faces, -and the detective thought he looked at him with wonderment -as if surprised that he—Carter—had escaped -death.</p> - -<p>Fixing his eyes upon this man he leaned over the -bar and said:</p> - -<p>“What became of the girl?”</p> - -<p>The little wretch only grinned and turned away -to wait on a new customer.</p> - -<p>But he was not to get rid of the champion detective -so easily, for the hand of Carter darted over the -counter and fastened on him like the talons of a vulture.</p> - -<p>In Nick’s grip the man was a babe, and as the hand -seemed to sink to his bones he emitted a whimper that -sounded like a whine and looked blankly into the detective’s -face.</p> - -<p>“I—I never saw the girl,” he cried.</p> - -<p>“No lies, sir. I want the truth. Who told you to -drug me?”</p> - -<p>“No one. I—I drug nobody. I’m honest.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span>“So is Satan,” hissed the detective, and just then -the little wretch appealed to the owner of the establishment -for protection.</p> - -<p>“No interference, Number Six,” said the detective, -with a look at the broad-shouldered owner of the Trocadero, -and the man thus designated winced.</p> - -<p>“Tell the gentleman the truth, Caddy,” he said to the -little man; but that person was still stubborn.</p> - -<p>“Caddy” hoped to be released without being forced -to tell the truth, but the detective had no idea of doing -this.</p> - -<p>He actually pulled Caddy over the counter, to the -amusement of the few people in the place at the time, -and, putting his ear close to the barkeeper’s, he said:</p> - -<p>“The truth or Sing Sing. Take your choice!”</p> - -<p>This seemed to have a wonderful effect at once.</p> - -<p>The detective escorted Caddy down the sawdusted -aisle and pushed him into the first stall.</p> - -<p>“Where did they go?” he asked.</p> - -<p>Caddy was very meek now, and his voice trembled -as he spoke.</p> - -<p>“They went out the back entrance,” he said.</p> - -<p>“Both of them?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“How was the girl?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know.”</p> - -<p>“Did she seem to go willingly with the man?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think she did.”</p> - -<p>“Was there a cab in the alley out there?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>For a moment Carter looked daggers at the little -scoundrel, his indignation fast rising, but he kept his -temper as he said:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span>“You were that man’s agent. You fixed my drinks -at his suggestion or command.”</p> - -<p>“He paid me for it.”</p> - -<p>“But how did he designate me?”</p> - -<p>“He told me to fix the gentleman at a certain table—that’s -all I know.”</p> - -<p>“Look here! You’ve played a cool hand for a great -villain, and if anything happens to the girl I’ll hold -you, in part, responsible. Who was the man?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know.”</p> - -<p>“You do know,” cried Carter, and again his hand -fell upon Caddy’s shoulder. “You didn’t do all this -for a total stranger. They don’t do such things in the -Trocadero. You know that man! Now who was he?”</p> - -<p>The little man could not avoid the sharp eyes of the -best detective in New York, and he felt the hand on -his shoulder grow more viselike as the question was -put.</p> - -<p>“Tell me. That or Sing Sing!” said Carter.</p> - -<p>“He’s a rich bloke’s son,” answered Caddy.</p> - -<p>“That’s not enough. Who is he? You know!”</p> - -<p>“They call him Claude Lamont.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XX.<br /> - -<small>AN INCORRUPTIBLE DETECTIVE.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“Ha, ha,” laughed Nick to himself. “So Mr. Lamont -is playing a nice little hand. We’ll see about it,” -and then he turned his attention again to the man he -had in tow.</p> - -<p>“He told you to dose me, did he?”</p> - -<p>Caddy nodded.</p> - -<p>“Did he say why?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“But he was anxious to have me drugged?”</p> - -<p>“He seemed so.”</p> - -<p>“Now, don’t you know where he took the girl?”</p> - -<p>The little barkeeper of the Trocadero shook his -head in a solemn manner, and Carter felt that he was -in earnest.</p> - -<p>“He hasn’t been back since?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>The detective went to the back entrance of the place -and saw where a cab had stood.</p> - -<p>Beyond doubt this was the vehicle in which Margie -Marne had disappeared with Claude Lamont, and after -looking the ground over without finding an additional -clew, Carter went back.</p> - -<p>It might be hard to track the cab, as there were -hundreds in the city, and under the influence of -Claude’s money the drivers would not like to betray -a good customer.</p> - -<p>The detective put this and that together, and in a -short time he might have been seen on the front steps -of the Lamont mansion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span>It was his first visit to the place, and he did not -disguise himself in the least.</p> - -<p>It was not a very fashionable hour for a call, but -his ring caused the door to open and he was ushered -in by a wondering maid.</p> - -<p>“Is Mr. Lamont in?” asked the detective.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir, but he is indisposed.”</p> - -<p>Sick or well, the detective had come to see the millionaire, -and he was not to be cheated out of his -game.</p> - -<p>Handing the servant his card he waited in the hall, -and presently she came back asking him to step into -the library.</p> - -<p>This the detective did, and in a few moments he -stood face to face with Lamont.</p> - -<p>He had seen the nabob on several occasions, but he -seemed to have greatly aged in a short time and his -face looked haggard and pale.</p> - -<p>Lamont looked up at his visitor and tried to place -him, but failed.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know you,” said he, glancing down at the -detective’s card, which he held in his hand.</p> - -<p>Carter, who had taken a chair opposite the man, -said in his peculiar tones:</p> - -<p>“I am a detective. I have come here on a matter -of business which may concern you.”</p> - -<p>“I am at a loss to know how.”</p> - -<p>“In the first place, sir, are we alone?”</p> - -<p>“Entirely so.”</p> - -<p>The detective, in spite of this assurance, lowered his -voice.</p> - -<p>“Whatever became of your sister, Mr. Lamont?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span>There was a quick start, and the face of the millionaire -got white.</p> - -<p>“I never had a sister,” said he, with an effort.</p> - -<p>“Make sure of that. Whatever became of her, I -ask?”</p> - -<p>Lamont looked around the room like a wild beast -seeking a loophole of escape, but seeing none he came -back to the detective.</p> - -<p>“Pardon me for trying to deceive you,” said he. -“That is the black spot on our family history. I had -a sister once. But she is dead now.”</p> - -<p>“Her name was——”</p> - -<p>“Hester.”</p> - -<p>“And you say she is dead?”</p> - -<p>“She is.”</p> - -<p>“When did her death take place?”</p> - -<p>“Some twenty years ago.”</p> - -<p>A faint smile came to the detective’s face, and for -half a second he looked searchingly into Lamont’s.</p> - -<p>“Why try to deceive me?” he said. “You know -that this sister died within the last few days.”</p> - -<p>“What’s that?” and the millionaire almost started -from his chair, while his hands clutched the sides of -it like a madman.</p> - -<p>“She died by violence,” coolly continued the detective. -“She was murdered—not for her money, for -she hadn’t much. But she was killed all the same.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t believe that,” cried Lamont.</p> - -<p>“Nevertheless it is true. Mother Flintstone was -your sister, Mr. Lamont.”</p> - -<p>“That old hag? Impossible!”</p> - -<p>“It is the truth, and, what is more, you knew it.”</p> - -<p>“It is false!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span>“Shall I prove it?” asked the detective, not in the -least abating his coolness. “Shall I prove beyond -cavil to you that Mother Flintstone was your sister?”</p> - -<p>“Who are you, man or devil?” exclaimed the money -king. “And what can buy your silence?”</p> - -<p>“I have told you who I am, and nothing on earth -can buy my silence.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t want to disgrace my family?”</p> - -<p>“I am serving justice just now, no matter who is -disgraced.”</p> - -<p>“It will kill my wife and daughter.”</p> - -<p>“Even that event will not take me from my trail.”</p> - -<p>“You have no heart.”</p> - -<p>“Neither had the man who killed that old woman.”</p> - -<p>“Who did it? Tell me that!”</p> - -<p>“I am not quite prepared to answer, but in time I -will be. I am here to tell you that the death of your -ostracized sister shall be avenged, no matter whose -neck the rope stretches, figuratively speaking.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t mean to insinuate that I had a hand -in the crime?”</p> - -<p>“I make no charges. I merely called to ask if she -was not your sister?”</p> - -<p>“I’ve answered that question.”</p> - -<p>“And you let her go to the potter’s field?”</p> - -<p>“I did, and I would do it again under the circumstances.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t talk to me about my having no heart, Mr. -Lamont.”</p> - -<p>“I couldn’t think of acknowledging her and having -the body in my house.”</p> - -<p>“That’s all.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span>Nick arose and was watched by the man with a -look like that of a tiger.</p> - -<p>Perry Lamont seemed to bite his lips through and -his eyes emitted sparks of rage.</p> - -<p>As the detective stepped toward the door it opened -and a tall and distinguished-looking young lady entered -the room.</p> - -<p>“My daughter,” said the millionaire, with a wave -of his hand toward the young lady, but she did not -seem to hear the words.</p> - -<p>Already she had turned upon Carter and her hands -were clenched till the nails seemed to cut the fair flesh -to the palms.</p> - -<p>“You want to disgrace us all!” she cried, as she -appeared to increase an inch in stature. “You are one -of those blackmailers with whom honest and wealthy -people must be bothered. You want to make us -trouble. But you shall not! Father shall not pay you -one dollar to keep the false secret you think you have -discovered. Attempt to carry out your plans and your -life will not be worth the snuffing of a candle.”</p> - -<p>Carter was astounded at these words, and he could -not take his eyes from the flushed face of the girl -who was really beautiful and vixenish.</p> - -<p>“Be calm, miss,” said he. “I don’t intend to disgrace -your family name. The truth never hurt anybody. -I am a detective on the trail, and if that trail -leads to your house, why, you should not find fault, -for the dogs of justice seldom miss the scent.”</p> - -<p>“But you just said the old creature murdered in her -hovel a few nights ago was my father’s sister.”</p> - -<p>“Ask him.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span>Carter waved his hand toward the motionless man -in the chair.</p> - -<p>“Father has not been himself for some time, and -to-night is not accountable for the admissions he may -have made.”</p> - -<p>Carter looked again at Perry Lamont, whose gaze -had wandered to his daughter, and his hands, clasped -before, had fallen apart.</p> - -<p>At that moment he did look like a man half demented, -but the detective soon returned to the tall -girl.</p> - -<p>“You shan’t ruin us,” she cried. “You shall not -unite our name with that of Mother Flintstone, whose -life, I am told, was anything but honest. It will be -worth your life to do this.”</p> - -<p>The look which accompanied these words told him -that they were meant for a terrible threat, and the -tightly shut hands of the speaker were proof that she -was a fitting sister for Claude Lamont.</p> - -<p>“We will meet again, perhaps,” said the detective. -“I am going to run the guilty down. That is my -present mission.”</p> - -<p>At this moment Perry Lamont raised his head and -looked at the detective.</p> - -<p>“I’m not to be trifled with,” said he. “I can make -it hot for the man who brings us down to Mother -Flintstone’s level.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you may proceed to do your worst,” was the -cool answer. “You may be ‘disgraced,’ as you say, -by the relationship, but this affair must not stop there.”</p> - -<p>With this parting shot the detective put out his -hand to open the door, but the white fingers of the -daughter closed about his wrist.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span>“Beware,” she almost hissed. “I don’t know who -took the old hag’s life, but you must not connect her -with our family.”</p> - -<p>The detective shook the grip off and looked again -at Perry Lamont.</p> - -<p>His head had dropped upon his breast, and his face -was deathly white.</p> - -<p>“He’s gone into one of his strange spells,” said the -girl. “You see that he is almost an imbecile. At times -he seems his old self, but in reality he is but a human -wreck. I’ll give you ten thousand dollars to quit this -‘trail,’ as you call it.”</p> - -<p>Ten thousand dollars!</p> - -<p>Nick was silent and the girl took it as a sign of hesitation.</p> - -<p>“I’ll write out the check now,” she went on. “It -shall be paid any way you want it.”</p> - -<p>The detective shook his head.</p> - -<p>“You won’t, eh?” cried Miss Lamont.</p> - -<p>“I’m simply Nick Carter, and he has never been in -the market, miss,” was the response.</p> - -<p>In an instant the girl’s countenance changed again -from expectancy to wrath.</p> - -<p>She opened the door and pointed into the hall.</p> - -<p>“Take what comes!” she hissed, and with this Carter -walked out.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXI.<br /> - -<small>THE CARD CLEW.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Jack Redmond’s death promised to give the police -of New York another job, but no one suspected that -he was Carter’s spy.</p> - -<p>The woman who had seen the strange man go up -to Redmond’s room had given her information to the -detective alone, and Nick kept it to himself.</p> - -<p>He did not doubt that the crook had been put out -of the way because he was on the right trail in the -matter of spying, and as he—Carter—had set Jack to -keep track of Claude Lamont, he resolved to turn his -own attention to that young man.</p> - -<p>Then, the disappearance of Margie from the Trocadero, -whither she had gone to meet a person discovered -to be the millionaire’s son, was an additional -incentive for the detective, and he went from Lamont’s -mansion to a certain part of the city where he expected -to find the heir.</p> - -<p>Through it all he did not lose sight of the fact that -he was Mother Flintstone’s avenger.</p> - -<p>That he kept in mind all the time, and with all his -foresight he went back to the original trail.</p> - -<p>It was some time after the exciting interview we -have just recorded as taking place in the palatial home -of the retired money king that the figure of Carter -might have been seen to enter one of the fashionable -clubrooms of the city.</p> - -<p>No one would have known him without an introduction, -and no one did.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span>Attired like a person well-to-do, with sleek garments -and a glossy beard over his smooth face, the -detective sat down in the smoking room.</p> - -<p>The room was most brilliantly lit up and expensively -furnished, but the detective who had trailed men in -every walk of life was not astonished.</p> - -<p>He drew a cigar from his pocket and puffed leisurely -away, all the time taking a good survey of the place.</p> - -<p>A number of rich young men lounged about the -room, filling the plush chairs, while on the floor above -could be heard the noise of the billiard balls.</p> - -<p>Presently a young man entered the smoking room -and took a seat nearly opposite the detective.</p> - -<p>It was Claude Lamont.</p> - -<p>Perry Lamont’s son showed signs of high living, for -his face was florid and his nerves a little unstrung. -He was faultlessly attired, for he had the best tailor -money could procure, and the detective watched him -furtively while he appeared to enjoy his Havana.</p> - -<p>Claude Lamont seemed to have a good deal of time -on his hands, and so did Carter.</p> - -<p>All at once a messenger boy entered the smoking -room and looked around.</p> - -<p>Spying Claude, he hastened to him and handed him -a letter.</p> - -<p>“Ha!” thought the watchful detective. “He is not -forgotten to-night, and now we’ll see if it is an important -message.”</p> - -<p>Claude tipped the boy and opened the letter. He -started a little as his eye fell upon the page and quickly -glanced up as if to see if he were watched.</p> - -<p>Then he settled down to a quiet perusal of the message,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span> -during which time Carter got a good look at the -workings of his countenance.</p> - -<p>“Hang it all. It comes just when I don’t want to -be bothered with the matter,” growled Claude, as he -rammed the message hurriedly into his pocket and -then went toward the cloakroom.</p> - -<p>Carter watched him through the open door and saw -the letter drop from his pocket as he put on his overcoat.</p> - -<p>Lamont walked out without noticing his loss, and -the moment he vanished, the letter was in the detective’s -hands.</p> - -<p>In another second Nick vanished, too, and as he -came out upon the steps in front of the club he spied -Lamont flitting around the nearest corner.</p> - -<p>“Let him go. The quarry will not be missed just -yet,” smiled the detective, and then he went into a -near café and in one of the private stalls opened the -letter.</p> - -<p>“Didn’t want this matter to come up just now,” he -laughed, as he glanced down the page. “Well, I should -think not.”</p> - -<p>It did not take the man of many trails long to -master the lost missive, and when he finished he read -what follows:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Mr. Claude Lamont</span>: I send you this for the last -time. I will not be put off another day, and you must -take the consequences, if you have the hardihood to -do it. You know what I know, and if you do not come -down I will unseal my lips. You fly high, like a bird -with golden plumage, but I’ll clip your feathers and -bring you to prison if you don’t pay attention to this -letter. When my lips are unsealed there’ll be the biggest<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span> -sensation New York has ever had, and you know -it. Don’t put me off another day. You know what -this means. I’m master of the field, and I can wreck -your every hope and blight your fashionable life.</p> - -<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">Imogene.</span>”</p> -</div> - -<p>Twice did the detective read this over, and every -word seemed to engrave itself upon his mind.</p> - -<p>Quietly he folded the letter and smiled.</p> - -<p>Who was “Imogene”?</p> - -<p>Looking for her would be like hunting for a needle -in the gutters of Gotham.</p> - -<p>That she was a desperate woman the letter told him, -and he did not wonder that it paled Claude Lamont’s -cheeks.</p> - -<p>Perhaps if he had followed the young man he might -have been guided by him to Imogene’s home, but he -had to be content for the present with the letter.</p> - -<p>Nick, with the letter reposing in an inner pocket, -came out of the café and for a moment stood under -the lights that revealed the sidewalk.</p> - -<p>“I’ll find the boy now,” he said. “Billy may have -discovered something since I last saw him.”</p> - -<p>Ten minutes later he entered a little room on Mulberry -Street and aroused a boy who was sleeping on a -rude couch.</p> - -<p>It was not far from Mother Flintstone’s late hovel, -and Billy looked astonished to see the detective in the -den.</p> - -<p>“Been dreamin’ erbout you, Mr. Carter,” cried the -boy, as he rubbed his eyes.</p> - -<p>“Well, I’ll listen to the dream, Billy.”</p> - -<p>“No, it wasn’t any good, but all the time I saw your<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span> -face in it. You know the man who dragged me from -Mother Flintstone’s?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“I ran afoul of him to-night.”</p> - -<p>“Where, Billy?”</p> - -<p>“Back in the old place, but this time he didn’t get to -handle me.”</p> - -<p>“No?”</p> - -<p>“See here. He lost this in the house. It fell from -his pocket when he pulled his handkerchief out,” and -Billy handed the detective a card.</p> - -<p>“Did you follow him after he left the old house?” -he asked the boy.</p> - -<p>“No. I just let him go, for I wanted to see what -was on this card, for you, Mr. Carter.”</p> - -<p>“Thanks, Billy.”</p> - -<p>The name on the card stood out in bold relief to -Nick’s gaze, and he saw there one he might have seen -before.</p> - -<p>“You don’t know this George Richmond, do you, -Billy?” he asked, looking down at the boy on the edge -of the bed.</p> - -<p>“I don’t.”</p> - -<p>“George Richmond is a well-known man in certain -quarters, but of late he hasn’t shown up often.”</p> - -<p>“Is he crooked, Mr. Carter?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, in a manner. How did he look to-night, -Billy?”</p> - -<p>“He wore a brown beard and was well dressed.”</p> - -<p>“Did he limp a little?”</p> - -<p>“Bless me if he didn’t, but I wouldn’t have thought -of that if you hadn’t mentioned it.”</p> - -<p>The detective seemed satisfied.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span>“What did he seem to want in Mother Flintstone’s -old quarters?”</p> - -<p>“I hardly know. He sounded several of the walls, -as if looking for a secret door, but he didn’t appear to -find one.”</p> - -<p>“Anything else?”</p> - -<p>“He went over the floor like a fox, with his nose -close to the boards.”</p> - -<p>“Was that all?”</p> - -<p>“No, he even sounded the ceiling.”</p> - -<p>“Quite particular,” smiled the detective.</p> - -<p>“Wasn’t he, though? I never saw anything just -like that. He didn’t let an inch of space escape him.”</p> - -<p>“Did he seem excited?”</p> - -<p>“Not a bit of it. He was as cool as a cucumber, -and not for a minute did he get off his base. He seemed -disappointed, though, that’s all—as if he expected to -find some hidden wealth and didn’t, you see.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe he overlooked it, Billy.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think there was any to overlook,” said the -boy. “But, really, there’s no telling what that man -was huntin’, but he wasn’t thar for any good you can -bet your neck, Mr. Carter.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll agree with you on that score, boy,” and the -detective put the card in his pocket. “George Richmond -never goes out after small game. That’s his -record.”</p> - -<p>“Do you think he had anything to do with the -murder of Mother Flintstone?” eagerly questioned the -boy.</p> - -<p>“Time will tell,” was the detective’s reply. “Do you -think he had, Billy?”</p> - -<p>“I do, I do,” cried the boy. “Bless me if I kin get<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span> -the idea out o’ my head. That man either killed Mother -Flintstone or he knows who did.”</p> - -<p>To this the detective made no reply, and he told -the boy to go back to bed.</p> - -<p>“Have you struck any clew yet, Mr. Carter?” asked -Billy.</p> - -<p>“A little one. There, go to bed and let me go to -work again.”</p> - -<p>“I will, but keep an eye on the man I saw to-night -in Mother Flintstone’s house. He needs watchin’ day -and night. Good night, Mr. Carter.”</p> - -<p>Five minutes later the famous detective was far -from Billy’s uncouth abode, and in an entirely different -part of the city.</p> - -<p>He stopped at last, and looked up at a tall building -that seemed to cleave the darkened sky far overhead.</p> - -<p>The brief inspection seemed to satisfy him, for he -entered the main hallway and began to climb the uncarpeted -stair.</p> - -<p>He reached the third floor before he encountered -any one, and there he was suddenly brought to a halt -by a voice that rang down the ghostly corridor.</p> - -<p>“Another step on your life! I have you at my -mercy and I never fail to bring down my man. Stand -where you are, for another step means a bullet in -your brain!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXII.<br /> - -<small>THE BIRD IN THE DEATH TRAP.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Leaving Carter, the shadow, in the net of doom, -let us go back a little in our story of crime and see -how fared one of our other characters.</p> - -<p>You will recollect Margie Marne’s visit to the Trocadero -in answer to the mysterious note which had -reached her, and how the detective discovered that the -person whom she encountered vanished with her into -the alley back of the café while the detective himself -was coolly and cleverly drugged by Caddy.</p> - -<p>If the detective could have tracked the cab he would -have seen it stop in front of a frame building not far -from the East River.</p> - -<p>He would have seen the door open and a man step -out.</p> - -<p>This person looked cautiously around, as if he -feared he had been followed, but seeing that no one -was on his track, he reached into the dark depths of -the vehicle and brought out a limp form.</p> - -<p>It was the form of the young girl, and he hastily -carried her into the house.</p> - -<p>Margie looked unconscious, as, indeed, she was, for -she made no move of any kind, and once in the old -house the man laid his burden on a sofa.</p> - -<p>Then he went outside and spoke to the man on the -box of the cab and the vehicle rattled away.</p> - -<p>All this did not occupy much time, and had been -accomplished as neatly as ever a dastardly job was.</p> - -<p>Soon afterward there was a slight movement on the -part of the girl on the sofa, and Margie looked up.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span>She seemed to have an indistinct recollection of what -had taken place, for she arose with difficulty and tottered -across the darkened apartment.</p> - -<p>“This is not home,” she exclaimed. “Neither is it -the café where I met the stranger. What has happened -and how came I to this house? I will not remain -here. I must get out of this trap, for trap it -must surely be.”</p> - -<p>She found the door, but could not open it, and then, -as a full sense of the horror overtook her, she fell -to the floor.</p> - -<p>The next second the door opened softly, and a man -looked into the room.</p> - -<p>His face, which was rather handsome, was full of -devilish triumph, and for half a second he gloated over -the body on the carpet.</p> - -<p>“Caught,” he said. “Caught like a fly in the spider’s -web! You didn’t give us much trouble, girl. We expected -a little more than we met. But it’s all right. -Now the coast will soon be clear. I’ll just turn you -over to Nora.”</p> - -<p>He went away with the last word on his lips, and -five minutes later a woman entered the room. She -looked like a typical jaileress, for she was tall, lean, -rawboned and dark-faced.</p> - -<p>She smiled when she saw Margie.</p> - -<p>“Another one!” she grinned. “This one won’t give -me much trouble. Why, she’s but a girl. And such -hands, too! I wonder where he netted her?”</p> - -<p>She went to work restoring Margie to consciousness, -and in a short time succeeded.</p> - -<p>At sight of her the young girl put forth her hands<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span> -in pleading gesture, but when the light fell upon the -woman’s face she shuddered and turned away.</p> - -<p>“That’s right. I’m no beauty,” said the woman. -“I’m no princess like the one in the fairy tale. They -call me Nora, if you want to get acquainted with me. -Call me Nora, nothing more.”</p> - -<p>“But you’ve got another name?”</p> - -<p>“Guess not! Nora’s good enough for me.”</p> - -<p>“Then Nora, where am I?”</p> - -<p>“In my house.”</p> - -<p>“Who brought me here?”</p> - -<p>“There, don’t ask too many questions,” smiled the -dark jaileress. “You are liable to get some lies if -you do.”</p> - -<p>“What, are you in the plot, too?”</p> - -<p>“I know my business,” evasively answered the -woman. “You don’t think I live here for nothing, -little one?”</p> - -<p>Margie felt hope almost desert her soul.</p> - -<p>“But you don’t intend to keep me here,” she cried. -“You have no right to do that.”</p> - -<p>“I obey orders, never asking any questions.”</p> - -<p>“Then it is a plot against me. I remember the visit -to the café. It was a decoy letter, after all. I went; -I fell into the snare and here I am—lost!”</p> - -<p>“Don’t take such a black view of matters and -things,” was the reply. “Mebbe they aren’t quite as -dark as you paint them.”</p> - -<p>“They are dark enough,” said the despairing girl. -“You shall not keep me here.”</p> - -<p>“Very well. Then go.”</p> - -<p>Margie bounded across the room and caught the -doorknob wildly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span>“Why don’t you open the door?” coolly asked Nora.</p> - -<p>“Heavens, I cannot!”</p> - -<p>“That’s the easiest way to find out. No, you can’t -get out till I say so.”</p> - -<p>Margie looked at the woman and then once more -at the window between her and the street.</p> - -<p>“I’ll call for help,” she exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“All right, miss.”</p> - -<p>In a moment the poor girl was at the window, but -when she drew back the curtain she saw inner shutters -of iron.</p> - -<p>Truly she was in durance.</p> - -<p>“Why am I here? Surely you will tell me that? -What have I done to deserve this fate?”</p> - -<p>“Wait and see. You want some sleep, don’t you?”</p> - -<p>“In this terrible house? No!”</p> - -<p>“But you must take a little rest. Come.”</p> - -<p>Nora gripped Margie’s wrist and led her from the -room. She escorted her upstairs and into a smaller -apartment on the floor, where she pointed toward a -bed.</p> - -<p>“Not a particle of sleep till you tell me why I am -treated thus,” cried the distracted girl.</p> - -<p>“Then you’ll remain a long while awake,” was the -quick answer. “I’ll tell you nothing.”</p> - -<p>Margie grew desperate. She darted forward and -clutched the woman’s sleeve and looking into her face -saw it grow white.</p> - -<p>“Tell me!” cried Margie. “I am the victim of some -awful plot. Is it because I am the detective’s friend?”</p> - -<p>“The detective?” echoed Nora. “What detective?”</p> - -<p>“Nicholas Carter.”</p> - -<p>The name had a magical effect on the woman, for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span> -she shrank as far away as Margie’s hand would let -her, and for half a minute gazed into the girl’s face.</p> - -<p>“Where is he?” she cried.</p> - -<p>“On the trail.”</p> - -<p>“On what trail?”</p> - -<p>“On the trail of the hand that stilled Mother Flintstone’s -life.”</p> - -<p>“My God! Can this be true, girl?”</p> - -<p>“It is true, and because I am Nick’s friend I am -here. You know him.”</p> - -<p>Nora did not speak, but her lips parted in a gasp -and she looked away.</p> - -<p>“You don’t want that man to implicate you in the -plot, do you?” asked Margie.</p> - -<p>No answer.</p> - -<p>“You don’t want to hang with the balance?”</p> - -<p>“I won’t; the rope that hangs me isn’t made. The -hemp has never grown for that purpose.”</p> - -<p>“Then let me out of here.”</p> - -<p>“To tell on me—to go to Carter with the story of -where you’ve been?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll shield you, Nora.”</p> - -<p>Margie thought she was making headway with her -jaileress, but the next moment dispelled her hopes.</p> - -<p>“Not for the world, girl,” said Nora. “I can’t afford -to do that. It would doom me.”</p> - -<p>“But this man will find out. He intends to discover -the hand that took the old woman’s life. The murderer -never escapes Nick Carter. He is doomed from the -moment the trail is found.”</p> - -<p>“I know him.”</p> - -<p>“Then you don’t want to be dragged into his net. -I am more than Margie Marne. I have another name,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> -as I verily believe, and the man who brought me here -knows that.”</p> - -<p>“I cannot say.”</p> - -<p>“It is the foulest plot ever hatched in this or any -other city. Look here: Mother Flintstone lived alone -in squalor and apparent poverty. One night she is -killed—stabbed in the neck. Why was the life of the -old woman taken? Who was the man who came back -to the window, back to the scene of his crime to be -discovered by little Billy, the street rat? What was -Mother Flintstone to that man?”</p> - -<p>“Was he the murderer?” asked Nora.</p> - -<p>“If not, why did he come there? As I live, I believe -that man has Mother Flintstone’s blood on his hands.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know,” she said, dropping her voice almost -to a whisper. “But go to sleep, girl. I can’t let you -out.”</p> - -<p>In another moment Margie was alone, for the -woman had broken from her grasp, and the girl heard -her footsteps on the stairs beyond the room.</p> - -<p>“I see. This woman is merely the tool of the plotters,” -thought the detective’s fair friend. “She serves -them, while she fears Mr. Carter. Nora knows the -detective, but she stands by the man who brought me -to this place.”</p> - -<p>The girl did not dream of going to bed.</p> - -<p>She went to the window, and found it shuttered like -the one in the lower room.</p> - -<p>The old house was a prison, which seemed as solid -as the Bastille, and at last Margie came away from -the window.</p> - -<p>An hour passed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span>She heard footsteps come up the stairs and stop at -the door.</p> - -<p>It was Nora coming back to see if she was asleep, -and in a few seconds the steps receded.</p> - -<p>At last she threw herself upon the bed, and, wearied -out, fell into a dreamless slumber.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, however, she opened her eyes, and then -bounded from the couch.</p> - -<p>Smoke which seemed to pour into the room over -the door almost suffocated her.</p> - -<p>She shrieked for help, she beat the door with her -hands, she was here, there, everywhere.</p> - -<p>But no help came, and as the walls of the little room -grew hot Margie Marne fell senseless and hopeless to -the floor.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIII.<br /> - -<small>CARTER AND HIS QUARRY.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>It looked like a diabolical plot to make way with the -girl who had interested herself in the death of Mother -Flintstone.</p> - -<p>Margie cried again for help, but none seemed to -come.</p> - -<p>She heard the roar of flames just beyond the door, -and knew that it was locked.</p> - -<p>Seconds seemed hours to the doomed maiden, and -she felt her strength leave her.</p> - -<p>Suddenly there was a crash, and some one broke -into the room.</p> - -<p>Margie tried to rise, but her powers could not stand -the strain, and she fell back once more.</p> - -<p>She felt some one lift her from the bed and carry -her from the room. She heard voices as in a dream, -she felt smoke and flame in her face, and then a rush -of cold air.</p> - -<p>Was she saved?</p> - -<p>Had she been carried from the jaws of death and -would she be able to tell the story of her escape?</p> - -<p>She did not know.</p> - -<p>When she came to again she saw a woman standing -over her, and a gentle hand was laid upon her brow.</p> - -<p>“It was a narrow escape, child,” said the nurse, and -Margie looked up with a query in her eyes.</p> - -<p>“Tell me,” said the girl.</p> - -<p>“All I know is that a fireman saved you in the nick -of time. He carried you from the house, which was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> -entirely consumed. It was a brave act, and will get -him a medal.”</p> - -<p>“But the woman?”</p> - -<p>“They saw no one but you in the house. Was there -another?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; Nora.”</p> - -<p>The nurse shook her head.</p> - -<p>“The other one may have left the house in time,” -she remarked.</p> - -<p>“She was my jaileress.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t mean to tell me that you were in that -house against your will?”</p> - -<p>“That’s it exactly.”</p> - -<p>“And you don’t know who Nora is?”</p> - -<p>“I do not.”</p> - -<p>Later in the day Margie, now fully recovered from -the shock, was able to sit up, and an officer came to -see her.</p> - -<p>“The man I want to see is Mr. Carter, the detective. -I will talk to him,” said the girl, and they telephoned -for the detective.</p> - -<p>In a short time the answer came back that the detective -could not be found, and Margie adhered to her -declaration that she would talk to no one but him.</p> - -<p>Meantime Carter, whom we left in the corridor of -the tall building with a revolver at his head, had had -an adventure of his own.</p> - -<p>Eager to discover something about the man who had -lost a card in Mother Flintstone’s den, he had made -his way to the building, only to reach the third floor, -where he was met by a man who covered him and told -him that another step would seal his doom.</p> - -<p>The detective had not bargained for an adventure<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span> -of this kind, and the threat took him unawares. He -could see the well-built figure of the speaker, though -it was not too well revealed, but the man’s face seemed -to be half concealed by a mask.</p> - -<p>He stood but a few feet from the detective, and -Nick noticed that the hand which held the weapon did -not quiver.</p> - -<p>There was a desperate man behind the six-shooter.</p> - -<p>“What do you want?” suddenly demanded the -stranger.</p> - -<p>“I want to see you.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’m here.”</p> - -<p>“George Richmond, we have not met for some -time.”</p> - -<p>The stranger laughed.</p> - -<p>“George Richmond, eh? You don’t take me for that -worthy, do you?”</p> - -<p>“You are that man and no one else,” was the reply. -“I am here to tell you this in spite of the menace of -the revolver.”</p> - -<p>“Well, what do you want with George Richmond?”</p> - -<p>Nicholas Carter waved his hand toward a door near -the man, and continued:</p> - -<p>“You live in this building. We cannot talk in this -hall.”</p> - -<p>“That’s right. Come this way, sir.”</p> - -<p>For the first time the weapon was lowered, and -the man called George Richmond by the detective -opened the door.</p> - -<p>His action revealed a room scantily furnished, but -Carter stepped forward.</p> - -<p>The moment he crossed the threshold the door was -shut, and the other turned a key in the lock.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span>“Now, sir, what is it?” he demanded.</p> - -<p>The detective turned and looked him in the face.</p> - -<p>“You have been to Hell’s Kitchen,” said the detective, -as coolly as if he addressed a man in the chief’s -private room, instead of where he was.</p> - -<p>“That’s news to me,” laughed the listener, as his -face seemed to lose color. “What business would I -have in that delectable locality?”</p> - -<p>“Never mind that. You went there.”</p> - -<p>“Who says so?”</p> - -<p>“The person who saw you.”</p> - -<p>“You?”</p> - -<p>“The person who saw you,” repeated the detective, -with emphasis, as he watched the man like a hawk.</p> - -<p>“Well, what of it?”</p> - -<p>“You sounded the walls.”</p> - -<p>“In Hell’s Kitchen?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, in Mother Flintstone’s den.”</p> - -<p>“Why, she’s dead.”</p> - -<p>“That’s true. You went to her house and sounded -the walls. You examined the floor and looked closely -at the ceiling.”</p> - -<p>The fellow seemed to grow desperate.</p> - -<p>“What if I did?” he growled.</p> - -<p>“You lost something there.”</p> - -<p>The man started.</p> - -<p>“Don’t you know that a man bent on evil always -leaves a clew behind?”</p> - -<p>“That’s an old story, but they don’t always do that. -In the first place, you have nothing to prove that I -went to Mother Flintstone’s den. I defy you.”</p> - -<p>One of Carter’s hands vanished into a pocket, and -came out with a small card between thumb and finger.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span>“You left this there,” said he, coolly, displaying the -bit of pasteboard.</p> - -<p>The other fastened his eyes upon the card for a -moment, and then glared at Carter.</p> - -<p>“Supposing all this is true,” he said; “what are you -going to make out of it?”</p> - -<p>“You went there after something the old woman -is supposed to have concealed in the den. That is -why you searched the walls, George Richmond. Did -you do it for your friend, or was it all done on your -own hook?”</p> - -<p>“For my friend?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, for the friend you serve—the money king’s -heir.”</p> - -<p>At this there was a sudden start, and Richmond -looked toward the door.</p> - -<p>“You are taking desperate chances in order to keep -up your reputation as a detective,” he said at last. “I -never thought you would resort to this. I know you. -I know that you are Nick Carter, the detective, but -with all your shrewdness you can’t hoodwink me.”</p> - -<p>With this the speaker moved toward the door and -laid his hand upon the knob.</p> - -<p>Before Carter could cross the room he saw the door -flung open, and the man sprang out into the hall.</p> - -<p>The portal was slammed in Carter’s face, and a key -turned in the lock.</p> - -<p>All this was the work of a second, and he heard the -feet of the other on the stairs without.</p> - -<p>As for himself, he was a prisoner in the room.</p> - -<p>The gas burning overhead revealed the place to him, -and he went back and stood for a little while at the -table.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span>He felt that Richmond was already on the street -below and out of sight.</p> - -<p>“I must follow that villain,” said Nick, and again -he was at the door.</p> - -<p>All his strength could not move the portal, and then -he threw himself against it, but still it would not yield.</p> - -<p>Other doors had fallen before his assaults, but this -one seemed built of adamant, and he drew back out -of breath, but by no means discouraged.</p> - -<p>He knew he was in the third story of a building, -and that the room looked out upon a narrow alleyway -between two houses. This he could see from the window, -and he saw, too, that he could not reach the -fire escape from where he was without great risk.</p> - -<p>But it was not his intention to remain in the room -any longer than he could help it.</p> - -<p>He raised the sash and measured the distance to -the fire escape, upon which he would be safe.</p> - -<p>The detective studied the situation for a short time, -and then dexterously leaped for the escape.</p> - -<p>His hands caught the irons, and he drew himself -upon the platform.</p> - -<p>There he stopped a little while for breath and looked -around.</p> - -<p>No one seemed to have witnessed his feat, and he -congratulated himself in silence that so far he had -succeeded almost beyond his expectations.</p> - -<p>In another minute he was going down the iron rungs -of the ladder with the escaping villain in his mind.</p> - -<p>By that time George Richmond was far away, but -the detective hoped still to overhaul him.</p> - -<p>He gained the street, none the worse for his startling -adventure, but, of course, the quarry was gone.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span>A few yards distant on a corner with the lamplight -falling upon his figure stood a policeman, and Carter -went toward him.</p> - -<p>The copper had seen a man pass a short time before, -and told Nick so.</p> - -<p>“He went that way a little fast,” said the policeman, -pointing down the street, and as Carter started off a -carriage came around the corner.</p> - -<p>The light for a moment fell upon it, and the detective -caught sight of a man’s face at the window.</p> - -<p>He knew it at once—the face of Claude Lamont!</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIV.<br /> - -<small>STARTLING DEVELOPMENTS.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Just what the millionaire’s son was doing in that -part of the city at that hour Carter could not conceive, -but that his mission was not of the most honest kind -he did not doubt.</p> - -<p>The carriage was out of sight in a few moments, -and the detective was alone with the patrolman.</p> - -<p>Seeing that it was not worth while trying to find -Richmond in that locality, the detective made his way -to his own quarters near Broadway.</p> - -<p>The moment he opened the door he was surprised -to see Billy, the street waif, spring from a couch in -one corner of the room and bound toward him.</p> - -<p>“I’ve got him located now!” cried the boy.</p> - -<p>“You’ve got who located, Billy?”</p> - -<p>“The man who gave me the slip the other night on -the street.”</p> - -<p>“Where is he?”</p> - -<p>Billy told the detective that if he would follow him -he would show him the man in question, and Nick -obeyed.</p> - -<p>“Look at the gentleman over there at the table in -the corner,” said the boy, when he had taken Carter -to a little theater and from a secluded spot in the -gallery pointed to a man at a table on the ground -floor.</p> - -<p>“That’s Claude Lamont. This is luck, Billy! When -did you see him come here?”</p> - -<p>“Half an hour ago.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span>“Well, I’ll take care of him now.”</p> - -<p>The detective sat down and watched the man below.</p> - -<p>The place was a free-and-easy, and the resort of a -good many shady people, but on that particular night -it did not seem to enjoy its usual custom.</p> - -<p>The detective could easily believe that Claude Lamont -could have been driven to the free-and-easy -after he saw his face in the cab, and now he intended -to keep the young fellow in sight.</p> - -<p>For an hour Carter kept his post, when Claude -suddenly arose and looked at his watch.</p> - -<p>In another moment he spoke to a man near the -table and that person nodded.</p> - -<p>Nick left his seat and kept an eye on the nabob’s -son.</p> - -<p>Claude coolly lit a cigar at the counter and moved -toward the street.</p> - -<p>On the sidewalk he looked both ways and then -started off.</p> - -<p>Carter was at his heels.</p> - -<p>Lamont walked several squares and then turned up -the steps of a well-to-do house.</p> - -<p>The detective drew back.</p> - -<p>Soon after the door had been shut a light appeared -in the front window.</p> - -<p>Almost at the same time the door of the adjoining -house opened slightly and a face peeped out.</p> - -<p>“Heavens! Bristol Clara!” cried the detective the -moment he spied this face. “Things are playing into -my hands better than I deserve. I wonder if she will -serve me now.”</p> - -<p>The door had barely shut ere Carter was there and -his ring caused it to open again.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span>There was a slight cry from the woman in the hall, -and the detective pushed in and faced her.</p> - -<p>“You?” cried the woman, falling back. “You said -you would never bother me again.”</p> - -<p>“That’s true, Clara, but this is for the last time. -Who is your neighbor?”</p> - -<p>“Ha! don’t you know?”</p> - -<p>“If I did I wouldn’t ask you, would I?”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps not. You want to find out something -about them?”</p> - -<p>“There are two, eh?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; one just came home.”</p> - -<p>“Which one, woman?”</p> - -<p>“The one with the dust.”</p> - -<p>“The other is the featherless bird, is he?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but he’s the coolest one, I’m thinking.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t live here for nothing, Clara. This is a -sort of double house.”</p> - -<p>“That’s just what it is.”</p> - -<p>“Then, you know how to see what is going on in the -side over there. I want to see, too.”</p> - -<p>The woman moved across the room and was followed -by the detective.</p> - -<p>“What’s the case now? Tell me that first,” said -Bristol Clara, stopping suddenly and turning upon the -detective.</p> - -<p>“Murder.”</p> - -<p>The woman started.</p> - -<p>“Is it that bad?” she exclaimed. “Who was the victim—man -or woman?”</p> - -<p>“One of your sex.”</p> - -<p>“Old or young?”</p> - -<p>“An old woman—a ‘fence,’ Clara.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span>“Not——”</p> - -<p>Bristol Clara stopped and looked away.</p> - -<p>“I guess you’ve heard about the crime,” said the -detective. “I am on the trail of the murderer of -Mother Flintstone.”</p> - -<p>“I thought so. Well, the secret may be in that house -beyond this partition. Those men have talked about -that very crime. I’ve heard them.”</p> - -<p>The woman led the detective upstairs and opened a -small door in one of the walls.</p> - -<p>A dark apartment was disclosed, and she entered, -followed by the man at her heels.</p> - -<p>“We are now in the other house,” said Clara, laying -her hand on the detective’s arm, which she found in -the dark. “Here is a stairway which I accidentally -discovered last summer, and which I have used on -several occasions.”</p> - -<p>“It leads down to the room where I saw the light, -doesn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“Not exactly. There is a hole in the ceiling. I made -it with a knife. You see, I didn’t know how soon I -would be wanting to find out something about my -neighbors, so I haven’t been idle.”</p> - -<p>“You’re worth your weight in gold, Clara.”</p> - -<p>In a little while Carter found himself in another -dark place, and Clara pointed to a ray of light that -seemed to come up from some place under their feet, -and the detective drew closer.</p> - -<p>“Put your eye down to it,” said the woman.</p> - -<p>This Nick did, and soon became accustomed to the -scene beneath him.</p> - -<p>He was looking into a large and expensively furnished -room.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span>Pictures in large gilt frames were arranged on the -walls, and thick Brussels carpet covered the floor.</p> - -<p>The chandeliers were of expensive make, and -everything betokened great wealth.</p> - -<p>The room was inhabited at the time by a man who -reclined in an armchair under the main light.</p> - -<p>Carter knew him at once.</p> - -<p>It was Claude Lamont.</p> - -<p>The detective had a good chance to study the young -man’s features, and he could note how eager he seemed -to greet some one. He was not kept long in suspense -when the door leading to the main hall opened and -some one entered.</p> - -<p>“George Richmond—my old friend,” smiled Nick, -as he watched the other one. “He gave me the slip -in the tall building, and now greets his old chum, -Claude.”</p> - -<p>“You’re a little behind,” said Claude, looking at his -friend. “You must have had an adventure.”</p> - -<p>“That’s just what I’ve had,” laughed the other, -taking a cigar from the open box on the table at -Lamont’s elbow. “Say I didn’t play it on the shrewdest -old ferret in the city, will you?”</p> - -<p>“On a detective? What, have you had a bout with -one of those people?”</p> - -<p>“Haven’t I? I left him in durance, and it will be -some time before he gets out, I’m thinking.”</p> - -<p>“Come, tell the whole story. I’ve had a little adventure -myself,” exclaimed Lamont. “You don’t mean -to say that you’ve had a little episode with our -friend Carter?”</p> - -<p>“With no one else.”</p> - -<p>“Why didn’t you silence him?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span>“I hardly know. But we’ll fix him later on.”</p> - -<p>“Did he know you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“What gave you away?”</p> - -<p>“One of my old cards. I lost it in the den.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, you’ve been back there, eh?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. I went back to give the old place another -inspection. I sounded the walls and inspected the -floor, but I couldn’t find the papers.”</p> - -<p>“Then they don’t exist.”</p> - -<p>“I’m beginning to think that way myself. But the -old hag certainly knew the truth, and don’t you think -she made out just such papers intending to leave them -some day to the girl or to the street rat?”</p> - -<p>“To the girl perhaps, but never to the rat,” said -Lamont. “Margie knows a good deal, and would be -a dangerous person for us to fight if she had the -cleverness of some women. But she’s caged for some -time, and Nora will see that she remains silent. But -the papers? We must have something of the kind. -If Mother Flintstone did not leave such, we must -make them.”</p> - -<p>“Now, that’s it.”</p> - -<p>“The governor won’t knuckle down till he sees them, -and then we’ll get all we want.”</p> - -<p>For half a second Richmond smoked in silence, and -then he threw away his cigar.</p> - -<p>“We must make the papers!” he cried. “Your -father, Perry Lamont, must give you free use of his -purse strings. When I called on him and threatened -to send you to the gallows unless he handed over ten -thousand dollars he laughed in my face, and I came -away with no cash at all. But I picked a check book<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span> -from the desk, as you know, with one good check -filled out. That’s helped us some.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; but it’s a mere drop in the bucket. The -governor must be confronted with certain papers proving -that Mother Flintstone was his sister and my aunt. -That will open the cash box, I guess!”</p> - -<p>And young Lamont laughed.</p> - -<p>“The infernal villains!” ejaculated Carter, as these -details of infamy fell upon his ears; “if that isn’t a -gallows pair then I never saw one in all my life. Claude -Lamont can’t get his hands on the Lamont cash box, -and that’s what worries him. One of those men killed -Mother Flintstone; but which one?”</p> - -<p>In another moment Claude and Richmond arose and -left the room, and Bristol Clara said:</p> - -<p>“That ends the exhibition for the present,” and the -detective answered that he was satisfied.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXV.<br /> - -<small>A TERRIBLE COMPACT.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Perry Lamont, the millionaire, stood underneath the -brilliant chandelier in his luxurious library, apparently -waiting for some one. He looked anxiously toward the -door, and when it opened his eyes glittered.</p> - -<p>The person who entered the room was his son.</p> - -<p>For half a second father and son stood face to face, -and then the former waved the other to a chair.</p> - -<p>Claude, looking a little worse for the night out, -complied, and waited for his father to speak.</p> - -<p>“Who is this man Richmond?” asked Lamont, -senior.</p> - -<p>The young man started.</p> - -<p>“He is your friend, I believe?”</p> - -<p>“He is, and he is a nice gentleman,” said Claude.</p> - -<p>“I judge so,” and a smile came to the father’s lips.</p> - -<p>“What has happened? You speak sarcastically this -morning.”</p> - -<p>“Do I? Well, I want you to give up this ‘nice gentleman.’”</p> - -<p>Claude looked away, but in a moment his gaze came -back to his father’s face.</p> - -<p>“This man is a rascal,” spoke up the millionaire.</p> - -<p>“That’s a pretty bold charge against a friend of -mine.”</p> - -<p>“Bold or not, it’s true.”</p> - -<p>“Who is the accuser?”</p> - -<p>“Never mind that.”</p> - -<p>“I demand to know. Mr. Richmond has a right to -face his accuser, and he will do so.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span>“But you haven’t denied the charge of your friend.”</p> - -<p>“I do it now.”</p> - -<p>“Then he is a nice gentleman still, is he?”</p> - -<p>“He is, sir.”</p> - -<p>Claude flushed.</p> - -<p>“I am the accuser,” and the face of the millionaire -grew white. “I call him a rascal.”</p> - -<p>“Upon what grounds?”</p> - -<p>“He tried to blackmail me.”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Richmond?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir. That man came here but a few days ago -and wanted to rob me of ten thousand dollars.”</p> - -<p>“Impossible!” cried Claude, feigning astonishment.</p> - -<p>“It is true, and what is more, he hinted that you had -committed a great crime.”</p> - -<p>“Come, come; you must have been dreaming.”</p> - -<p>“I was as wide awake then as I am now.”</p> - -<p>Lamont, senior, smiled knowingly.</p> - -<p>“You must drop this black bird.”</p> - -<p>“I am of age and have the right to choose my -friends,” was his son’s answer.</p> - -<p>“Then keep him and yourself in the future.”</p> - -<p>The young man gazed at his father in wide-open -astonishment.</p> - -<p>“You certainly don’t mean that,” he said.</p> - -<p>“I do. He is your friend, you say. Keep him and -yourself. I guess that’s plain.”</p> - -<p>Claude Lamont arose and crossed the room.</p> - -<p>“You don’t know what you do,” he cried.</p> - -<p>“I know what I do. It is either lose this friend, as -you call him, or lose your fortune.”</p> - -<p>“He never tried to blackmail you.”</p> - -<p>“He did!” thundered the nabob. “In this very room<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span> -he wanted to sell the so-called secret for ten thousand -dollars. I drove him away. I wouldn’t have anything -to do with the scoundrel. But it seems you do. You -are with him night and day, and you are old enough -to know that you can’t play with pitch and not become -defiled.”</p> - -<p>Claude smiled derisively at this, and for a moment -was silent.</p> - -<p>“Look here,” he suddenly said, “I can’t give this -man up. He knows too much.”</p> - -<p>“What’s that?” cried Lamont, senior. “Do you -admit that you are in his power?”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t say so. I only remarked that I can’t throw -him to one side. He knows too much.”</p> - -<p>“Against whom?”</p> - -<p>“Against the house.”</p> - -<p>“It cannot be.”</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid it’s true. This man is my friend, and -I have been keeping near him for a purpose, and that -purpose the salvation of the good name of Lamont.”</p> - -<p>A strange and eager light seemed to come into the -millionaire’s eyes, and for half a second he did not -continue.</p> - -<p>“Sit down,” he said. “Tell me what this man -knows.”</p> - -<p>Claude went back to the chair.</p> - -<p>“He knows a good deal more than we can afford to -let him tell,” he said. “I don’t say that Richmond will -tell the secret on the street or anything of that kind, -but we can’t afford to let him have the opportunity.”</p> - -<p>“In God’s name, what is the secret?”</p> - -<p>“Of course he never told me, but I only guess at it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span> -from hints he has dropped while in his cups. It’s a -terrible thing, if it’s true—a fearful secret, father.”</p> - -<p>“Out with it. I am strong, you see, and can listen -to any recital you make.”</p> - -<p>Claude crossed the room, and looked cautiously into -the hall.</p> - -<p>No one was there.</p> - -<p>Coming back, he resumed his seat in the chair and -looked at the white-faced man opposite.</p> - -<p>“Whatever became of Aunt Hester?” he asked.</p> - -<p>The expression that came into Perry Lamont’s face -was most startling.</p> - -<p>Every vestige of color left it, and it became as -white as a marble statue.</p> - -<p>“Who ever told you that I had a sister named Hester?” -he asked.</p> - -<p>“Never mind that. I only asked the question.”</p> - -<p>“Is this some of your friend’s work?”</p> - -<p>“That is a part of his secret. He says he has certain -papers that will startle the world, that he has in -his possession a certain confession or a family history -written out by an old woman who called herself——”</p> - -<p>Young Lamont paused, for his father was gasping -like a man fighting for his breath.</p> - -<p>“Go on. Tell me all. What did this woman call -herself?” he cried.</p> - -<p>“Mother Flintstone,” coolly said the son. “She -lived in Hell’s Kitchen, and after being threatened a -number of times—in spite of the protection of Carter’s -assistants—she was murdered a few nights ago.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes. I saw something of that in the newspapers.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span>“Well, from what I have heard Richmond say in a -dark way when in his cups he can prove that Mother -Flintstone, the old fence, was your sister.”</p> - -<p>“Great heavens!” cried Perry Lamont. “Has he got -the documents left by this woman?”</p> - -<p>“I fear he has.”</p> - -<p>“But he didn’t offer them to me.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t say as to that.”</p> - -<p>“He only offered to keep the knowledge of your -doings from the world for ten thousand dollars.”</p> - -<p>“But he has the papers now. I am confident of -that.”</p> - -<p>“Will he sell them?” eagerly asked the millionaire.</p> - -<p>“He might.”</p> - -<p>“For how much?”</p> - -<p>“You must negotiate with him.”</p> - -<p>“Look here, Claude, my boy. Can’t you get possession -of those papers?”</p> - -<p>“How?”</p> - -<p>“Any way, I don’t care how you get them.”</p> - -<p>“You wouldn’t want me to rob my friend?”</p> - -<p>“I say I don’t care how you get them.”</p> - -<p>“But he would still possess the secret.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll take care of him after the documents have -been found. How did he get them? Was he familiar -with Mother Flintstone?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know.”</p> - -<p>“Merciless villain! He holds the peace of our house -in his hands. The man is the quintessence of rascality. -Talk about your polished blackmailers. He stands at -the head of the procession. I’ll hand him over to the -police at once.”</p> - -<p>“Try it, and the whole thing will come out.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span>Lamont, senior, gasped again.</p> - -<p>“Where does Richmond board?”</p> - -<p>“He changes his place often. I don’t believe he -sleeps two nights in the same place.”</p> - -<p>“Like the sultan. But, look here, my boy. You -don’t want the good name of our house destroyed?”</p> - -<p>“One of the last things I want to see,” said the -young rake.</p> - -<p>“Then help me destroy this man. Help me to get -those papers and silence him.”</p> - -<p>“It is true, then?”</p> - -<p>“It is true.”</p> - -<p>“Mother Flintstone was your sister?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes. She was Hester, the sister who contracted -a poor marriage years ago and finally drifted -into crime.”</p> - -<p>Claude Lamont seemed struck with a thunderbolt, -and for some time he sat in the presence of his father, -dazed and speechless.</p> - -<p>“I had hoped the truth would never come out,” continued -the millionaire. “I accidentally discovered a -year ago who Mother Flintstone was, but I said nothing. -I would have given her thousands to have thrown -herself from the bridge or to have left the city, but -I dared not approach her. And so she left a confession -behind; she has left the secret to a scoundrel like this -George Richmond. Why, this man has more names -than one.”</p> - -<p>“A good many people have nowadays,” answered -Claude.</p> - -<p>“Well, he must be silenced somehow.”</p> - -<p>“With money?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span>“Not if I can help it. I would like to know what -sort of communication Mother Flintstone left.”</p> - -<p>“It seems to me the best way to deal with the secret -holder is to come to his terms,” suggested Claude.</p> - -<p>“And be bled every now and then? I’ll defy him -first!”</p> - -<p>“Come, come. You can’t afford to do that. Think -of our station in society. Sister is on the eve of -marriage, and mother’s health is not what it used to be. -We must come to his terms to save the house of Lamont.”</p> - -<p>The millionaire began to pace the floor like a wild -beast.</p> - -<p>“What will you take to strangle the scoundrel, -Claude?” he suddenly exclaimed, halting before his -son. “You have every opportunity. Name your price.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t really mean that?” cried the young man.</p> - -<p>“I do, every word of it. What will you take to -silence this man forever?”</p> - -<p>“Two hundred thousand cash in hand.”</p> - -<p>“Done!” exclaimed the millionaire. “That’s a bargain!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXVI.<br /> - -<small>THE DARK JAILERESS AGAIN.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>It was a cool compact.</p> - -<p>Perry Lamont made answer to his son with all the -cleverness of a practiced villain, and Claude accepted -it in the same manner.</p> - -<p>“I want this man silenced,” continued the millionaire. -“He must not possess this secret.”</p> - -<p>“Just as you say,” said Claude, picking up a cigar -and coolly lighting it.</p> - -<p>“He must not, I say. You’ve agreed to finish him, -and when you’ve done so the money is yours.”</p> - -<p>“Couldn’t you give me a little check now?” asked -the son.</p> - -<p>Perry Lamont took a check book from the desk -and opened it as he looked at his son.</p> - -<p>“How much?”</p> - -<p>“Say five thousand. I may need the money in the -venture, you know.”</p> - -<p>Without more ado the nabob drew up a check for -five thousand dollars, and passed it across the table.</p> - -<p>“This business must not lag,” said he. “While that -man lives he is dangerous.”</p> - -<p>Five minutes later the young man stood on a corner -in another part of the city. He was smoking complacently -and apparently waiting for some one, for he -watched the door of a well-known resort.</p> - -<p>Presently the door opened and George Richmond -came out.</p> - -<p>Claude joined him at once, and the pair walked -away together.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span>In a little while they seated themselves at a table -in a room not far from the corner, and Claude threw -the check upon the table.</p> - -<p>“Jehu! did you make it?” cried Richmond.</p> - -<p>“I did.”</p> - -<p>“How?”</p> - -<p>The young scamp smiled.</p> - -<p>“It’s blood money,” he said.</p> - -<p>“Blood money?” exclaimed Richmond. “In Heaven’s -name, whose blood does it mean?”</p> - -<p>“Yours!”</p> - -<p>“Come, what joke is this?”</p> - -<p>“It is no joke. I never joke on serious matters -like this.”</p> - -<p>The eyes of the two men met.</p> - -<p>“This check is signed by your father, and yet you -tell me that it is blood money.”</p> - -<p>“That’s precisely what it is. He’s hired me to -kill you.”</p> - -<p>George Richmond broke into a laugh and leaned -back in his chair.</p> - -<p>“You don’t look like it, boy,” he cried. “Well, if -I’m to be killed, why don’t you do it now?”</p> - -<p>Claude reached forward and picked up the check.</p> - -<p>“I’m to have a cool two hundred thousand for the -job,” said he. “Just think of it! You’re an important -person.”</p> - -<p>“Hang me if I ain’t. Why does the old man want -me out of the way?”</p> - -<p>“You hold the secret, and he believes you have the -papers left by Mother Flintstone.”</p> - -<p>“You gave him that gaff, did you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, in great shape.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span>“I hardly thought you’d do it. But since you have I -suppose you’re to furnish proofs that I’ve been killed.”</p> - -<p>“Of course.”</p> - -<p>“You are not expected to furnish the corpse, I -hope?”</p> - -<p>“No; not quite that. But he’s to have some sort of -proofs, and then we’ll get the two hundred thousand.”</p> - -<p>For an hour these men kept their heads together -and talked in low tones.</p> - -<p>They discussed first one plan and then another, and -when they at last adjourned and stepped out upon the -street they seemed satisfied about something.</p> - -<p>Not far from the place of meeting a hand was laid -upon Claude Lamont’s arm, and he looked into the face -of a tall woman.</p> - -<p>“You?” he cried, for he was alone, having separated -from Richmond a few moments previous.</p> - -<p>“Yes? Why not?”</p> - -<p>“I thought I left you in the nest with Margie.”</p> - -<p>“So you did, but there isn’t any nest now.”</p> - -<p>“No nest? What’s happened?”</p> - -<p>“The old place is in ashes.”</p> - -<p>Lamont uttered a startled cry, and looked at the -woman, who did not speak.</p> - -<p>“You weren’t to hurt the girl, you know?” said he.</p> - -<p>“That’s true, but I couldn’t help it.”</p> - -<p>“But tell me. Come in here. No one will listen to -us. Now, what has taken place?”</p> - -<p>Nora took a long breath and began.</p> - -<p>“The girl got almost unruly. I got her up to bed, -but she faced me and threatened.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you shouldn’t have paid any attention to her -words.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span>“I couldn’t help it. She mentioned a name that -drove every vestige of color from my face.”</p> - -<p>“An old enemy’s name, eh?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; she spoke of a detective whom I fear with -all my soul. She spoke of Carter.”</p> - -<p>“And made you chicken-hearted, eh? Pshaw, -woman!”</p> - -<p>“I couldn’t help it, I say. It filled me with fear, and -I broke away.”</p> - -<p>“Well?”</p> - -<p>“By and by the room became still, and I found that -she was asleep at last.”</p> - -<p>“That’s good.”</p> - -<p>“In the room below I upset the lamp.”</p> - -<p>“The devil you did, woman! You must have been -badly frightened.”</p> - -<p>“I was. In an instant it seemed the fire was everywhere. -I saw it mount the stairs and dart toward the -girl’s room. Fear almost paralyzed me. I tried to -get upstairs, but failed. The fire was everywhere. -It filled the whole house, it seemed. I could no more -stop its progress than I could stop the river yonder. -I fled for my life.”</p> - -<p>“And left Margie to perish in the flames?”</p> - -<p>“Got help me, I did.”</p> - -<p>Lamont leaned back and looked at the woman, -whose face was deathly white.</p> - -<p>“Did she perish?” he asked at last.</p> - -<p>“She must have died in the old house. I did not -stay to look after her. Fear lent speed to my limbs, -and I ran like a deer. Not for the world would I have -gone back.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span>“You’ve killed the girl!” hissed Claude Lamont. -“You’ve made a murderess out of yourself.”</p> - -<p>Nora did not speak, but looked into the young man’s -face and exposed anew the whiteness of her own.</p> - -<p>“I suppose you haven’t been there since?” he said.</p> - -<p>“What, go back to that spot? Never!”</p> - -<p>Claude Lamont drained the glass at his elbow and -seemed to take a long breath.</p> - -<p>“What makes you fear this man, Carter? What did -he ever do that gives you the chills?”</p> - -<p>“That’s my secret,” cried the woman, half defiantly.</p> - -<p>“What makes him your enemy, and, pray, what did -you do that his name terrifies you?”</p> - -<p>She did not answer him.</p> - -<p>“Look here!” suddenly said Claude. “If you’ve -killed the girl by your faint heart I’ll hold you responsible.”</p> - -<p>“Just as you please,” was the reply.</p> - -<p>Nora seemed to be getting her old nerve back, for -she spoke with spirit, and her cheeks flushed for the -first time.</p> - -<p>“You never got such orders from me,” he went on.</p> - -<p>“I know it. I dropped the lamp——”</p> - -<p>“Come, no excuses,” interrupted the young man. -“I shall hold you responsible—guilty of murder.”</p> - -<p>“Just as if you never did anything that has a shady -side,” hissed the woman. “You’re a nice man to talk -thus. What have you done that makes an angel out of -you, I should like to know?”</p> - -<p>“No accusations, woman.”</p> - -<p>“Very well. Will you hand me over to the police? -Will you tell the inspector that I am the last person -who saw the girl alive? I guess not!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span>“Don’t dare me.”</p> - -<p>“What if I tell them that Margie was Mother Flintstone’s -granddaughter——”</p> - -<p>“She wasn’t!” flashed Claude Lamont.</p> - -<p>“You take it up in a jiffy,” grinned Nora. “If she -wasn’t why did you resent my words so soon?”</p> - -<p>For half a second Lamont watched the dark face -before him, and then he said:</p> - -<p>“We’ll call it quits. After all, perhaps you couldn’t -have helped it. The lamp fell from your hand, did it?”</p> - -<p>“I told you once.”</p> - -<p>“And you couldn’t stop the flames?”</p> - -<p>“I couldn’t. I’d give my eyes if that girl was alive -to-day. I did not do it intentionally. My evil genius -must have been on the watch.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll say so, at any rate, Nora.”</p> - -<p>It was the first time he had spoken her name during -the interview, and his voice was considerably softened.</p> - -<p>“The department may have reached the fire in time -to save the girl,” he went on.</p> - -<p>“No, no! she perished. The whole house was in -flames by the time I got away. I’m going now.”</p> - -<p>“Still afraid of the detective’s shadow?”</p> - -<p>“Never mind the detective. I’m going, I say.”</p> - -<p>“Do you mean that you’re going away?”</p> - -<p>“Yes—to put ten thousand miles between me and -that infernal crime of mine.”</p> - -<p>Lamont drew forth his pocketbook and began to -count out some bills.</p> - -<p>“Put up your money. It’s blood money!” cried -Nora. “I wouldn’t touch a penny of your father’s -wealth. I don’t want money. I’ve got all I shall -need.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span>“Then you’re going but a short distance?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; not far.”</p> - -<p>The last word seemed to come from between -clenched teeth, and a desperate look settled on the -woman’s face.</p> - -<p>“Then here’s to you, Nora, and good luck go with -you,” and Lamont held out his hand.</p> - -<p>She pushed it away, with a look of disdain.</p> - -<p>“It’s like your money. There’s blood on it, too!” -she exclaimed. “Some day you’ll wish you had never -had anything to do with this game of crime. Good-by.”</p> - -<p>She sprang up, gave him another look and vanished.</p> - -<p>“She’s mad, but it’s all right. She will try the -river,” he laughed.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXVII.<br /> - -<small>FOUND IN THE TIDE.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>After the scene the detective had witnessed through -Bristol Clara’s assistance he made his way to another -part of the city and entered a little house, where he -was confronted by Billy, the street rat.</p> - -<p>The detective wanted to ascertain if the boy had -picked up anything new, and his first words startled -him.</p> - -<p>“They didn’t burn her up, Mr. Carter.”</p> - -<p>“Didn’t burn who up, Billy?”</p> - -<p>“Margie, you know.”</p> - -<p>The detective as yet had heard nothing of the fire -at which Margie Marne nearly lost her life, and he -lost no time questioning Billy.</p> - -<p>The boy had heard of the fire through a fireman, -and had gone direct to the hospital, where he had -held an interview with the girl herself.</p> - -<p>“I’ll see her, too,” said Nick. “This is important, -Billy, and Margie must be seen.”</p> - -<p>Imagine the astonishment of the girl when she saw -Carter walking up the aisle toward her.</p> - -<p>A smile of pleasure overspread her face, and she -held out her hand.</p> - -<p>“This is indeed a great pleasure,” cried Margie. -“We’ve been sending after you, and just when we give -you up here you come. I’ve been within the shadow -of death.”</p> - -<p>“So Billy told me.”</p> - -<p>“I wonder if Nora, my jaileress, escaped?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span>“We will find that out by and by. Tell me the whole -story, Margie, and then we will see what can be done.”</p> - -<p>The girl proceeded, and gave the detective the entire -story of her adventures while in the hands of Claude -Lamont and under Nora’s care, and Nick listened attentively.</p> - -<p>“I think I can locate your jaileress,” said he, at the -end of Margie’s narrative.</p> - -<p>“Do so. She didn’t treat me badly, only she was -true to her master. She started at the mention of your -name, though.”</p> - -<p>“Did she?” smiled Carter.</p> - -<p>“It drove every vestige of color from her face.”</p> - -<p>“She’s met me somewhere, then,” said the detective. -“I want to see Nora.”</p> - -<p>Half an hour later the detective reached the scene -of the fire, and looked upon the ruins of Margie’s -prison.</p> - -<p>The house had been entirely destroyed, and some -of the neighbors seemed glad that it was so.</p> - -<p>“None of us liked the tall, dark-faced woman, with -the little, red scar over her left eye,” said a woman -who lived near the place, and whom the detective addressed.</p> - -<p>“What did you call her?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, we never called on her at all. She was very -exclusive.”</p> - -<p>“Had no visitors, eh?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sometimes. A man would drop in, generally -after dark, and stay about half an hour.”</p> - -<p>“You saw him, did you?”</p> - -<p>“I couldn’t help it, you see, from where I live.”</p> - -<p>“What was he like?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span>“He was younger than the woman. He was always -well dressed, like a swell nabob, and carried himself -like a sport.”</p> - -<p>“Claude again,” thought Carter. “You never saw -the woman go out?”</p> - -<p>His last question was addressed to the neighbor.</p> - -<p>“Not often. She remained at home, and seemed to -attend to her own business.”</p> - -<p>“You’re sure about that scar, are you?”</p> - -<p>“Bless you, yes. I saw it more than once, when we -happened to meet in the little grocery on the corner -yonder. It was a real, red scar.”</p> - -<p>Carter handed the woman a piece of money, which -she did not refuse, and went away. He went direct -to police headquarters and to the famous rogues’ gallery.</p> - -<p>There he began to look through the large albums -containing the faces of criminals and suspects, and for -nearly an hour he turned the thick leaves industriously.</p> - -<p>At last he stopped and leaned over the page.</p> - -<p>His eyes seemed to become fastened upon a certain -face, that of a woman, angular and dark.</p> - -<p>Turning to the proper entry he read a description -of the woman whose photographed face was before -him, and he seemed to smile when he noted that she had -a brilliant red scar over the left eye.</p> - -<p>“This must be our old friend,” said the detective. -“This is Mag Maginnis, the shoplifter, whom I sent -up the river five years ago. I didn’t see the scar then. -She got it since, and the photograph is the second one -she’s had the honor of having in this collection. So -Mag started at mention of my name by Margie. No -wonder. I filled her with terror when I caught her<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span> -in the dry-goods district in the very act of plundering -a counter. We’ll see.”</p> - -<p>He shut the album and walked away.</p> - -<p>The detective never let a trail get cold, and therefore -he proceeded to a part of the city where he hoped -to strike Mag’s trail.</p> - -<p>“The Lord deliver us! Here’s Mr. Carter!” cried a -woman’s shrill voice, as the detective opened a door and -confronted a female at a table.</p> - -<p>The woman had seen better days, for an air of refinement -still lingered about the place, the appointments -of which were poor.</p> - -<p>She sat bolt upright, looking into the face she had -instantly recognized, and the detective stood for a -moment at the door.</p> - -<p>“You don’t want me, I hope?” asked the woman.</p> - -<p>“Not at all, Sybil.”</p> - -<p>“That’s good, but I couldn’t see how you would, -seeing that I’ve been good for three years.”</p> - -<p>“I know that, and you’re to have all the credit, -too.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you, Mr. Carter. But if you had come a -little sooner you might have seen an old friend,” and -the woman laughed.</p> - -<p>“What old friend was here, Sybil?”</p> - -<p>“It was Mag. You remember her?”</p> - -<p>In spite of his coolness the detective started.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” continued the woman called Sybil, “Mag was -here, and bade me good-by. She’s going off. What’s -happened, Mr. Carter? Mag wouldn’t explain.”</p> - -<p>“Where did she go, Sybil?” asked the detective, -paying no attention to the woman’s query.</p> - -<p>“She did not tell me. But I never saw Mag in just<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span> -the way she was. She said she was tired of life, tired -of pulling other people’s chestnuts out of the fire, and -now and then she acted like a person on the verge of -insanity. She may have gone to the river, for once or -twice she mentioned it in despairing tones.”</p> - -<p>“How long has she been gone?” eagerly questioned -the detective.</p> - -<p>“Barely twenty minutes.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll see you later, Sybil,” cried the detective, turning -to the door. “I must find Mag, if possible.”</p> - -<p>“She’s Nora now, you know.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes.”</p> - -<p>“She dropped ‘Mag’ months ago, or soon after she -came down the river.”</p> - -<p>“But she’s Mag yet,” smiled Carter, and in another -second the woman was left alone wondering why he -wanted to see Nora so badly.</p> - -<p>There were many chances against Nick finding the -woman he sought, but he did not despair.</p> - -<p>The piers of New York are many and long.</p> - -<p>From them thousands have leaped to their death, or -been thrown into the waters after dark by those whose -hands are red with crime.</p> - -<p>More than once the detective’s trail had taken him -to the docks, and there he had picked up more than -one clew.</p> - -<p>Every dock in the city was known to Carter.</p> - -<p>While among them he was at home, and knew where -they began and ended.</p> - -<p>The bare thought that this old criminal had gone to -the river in a fit of remorse, for he doubted not that -she thought Margie had perished in the fire, urged -him on.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span>Of course, if Nora intended to commit suicide she -had had ample time to carry out her plans, but still -there was a chance that she had changed her mind.</p> - -<p>The detective reached the river at a spot nearest the -house he had just left.</p> - -<p>He could see nothing of the hunted woman, and no -crowd such as gathers on the piers when the body of -a suicide has been discovered greeted him.</p> - -<p>The detective walked along the river front for some -distance with his senses on the alert.</p> - -<p>All at once he caught sight of something floating -in the water, and he stopped suddenly and leaned forward.</p> - -<p>It did not take him long to see that the object was -the body of a woman, and Carter called a policeman -who stood a short distance away.</p> - -<p>“That’s the same woman!” cried the patrolman the -moment he caught sight of the body.</p> - -<p>“What woman?” asked Carter.</p> - -<p>“Why, sir, the woman who came down here three -hours ago and asked me some fool questions about the -river.”</p> - -<p>“Well?”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t notice which way she went. But that’s -her.”</p> - -<p>Nick and the policeman managed to bring the body -against the logs of the pier, and the detective clambered -down and hauled it up.</p> - -<p>The burden was a heavy one, but the detective’s hand -did not lose its grip, and in time the body lay on the -wharf, which it drenched.</p> - -<p>The detective looked into the long face, and his gaze -alighted upon a little scar over the left eye.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span>“This is Nora—Margie’s jaileress, but she’s Mag -Maginnis, the old offender. She’s not to blame entirely -for this. The hand of her master drove her to suicide, -and he shall pay for it!”</p> - -<p>Carter seemed to speak the last words through -clenched teeth, and his voice told that he meant every -word he said.</p> - -<p>The policeman in the meantime called the patrol, -and Nick had extracted from the woman’s bosom a -little flat package like a memorandum, which he hastily -transferred to his own pocket.</p> - -<p>“That’s the end of one poor, storm-tossed soul,” -muttered the detective as he walked away. “I found -Mag sooner than I expected, but we’ve not heard the -last of her.”</p> - -<p>Half a block from the river front the detective -nearly ran against a man who came out of a house with -a reputation none of the best and walked off.</p> - -<p>The walk and the well-known shoulders as revealed -by the man caused a light of recognition to leap up -into Carter’s eyes, and his gaze followed the fellow -some distance.</p> - -<p>“What brought you to the scene of Nora’s death, -Claude Lamont?” mentally queried the man of clews. -“Did you have to hound the poor creature to the last -terrible act of her life?”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXVIII.<br /> - -<small>A FAIR FOE.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>The detective followed the young man until he lost -him beyond the doors of a well-known café, and then -he turned away.</p> - -<p>Nora, alias Mag Maginnis, had ended her life in -the cold waters of the river, and the detective believed -that Claude Lamont was morally responsible.</p> - -<p>“Now for another visit to the lion’s den,” said Carter, -as he made his way to another part of the city and -rang the bell attached to the millionaire’s mansion.</p> - -<p>It was not the hour for a social call, but he found -the money king at home. He had not forgotten his -former visit, when he was faced by the daughter and -warned not to carry his hunt too far.</p> - -<p>Carter still saw the fine figure of the girl before -him and her flashing eyes, but she had not deterred -him.</p> - -<p>He was shown at once to the library, and Perry -Lamont turned his chair so as to face the detective.</p> - -<p>“What is it, sir?” he asked.</p> - -<p>Before Carter could reply the door opened and the -daughter, Opal, came in.</p> - -<p>Opal Lamont was handsome, with a fine figure and -a bright face; but her eyes seemed full of fire, and -unnatural fire at that.</p> - -<p>Spying the detective, she advanced haughtily and -faced him.</p> - -<p>“Are you going to hold an interview with this -man?” she asked her father.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span>“I presume he is here to see me.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll remain,” answered Opal, and the next moment -she dropped into a chair and turned her face to the -detective.</p> - -<p>Her manner was positive, if not insulting, and the -detective swallowed it mutely.</p> - -<p>Perry Lamont seemed rejoiced to have his daughter -beside him.</p> - -<p>It made him look triumphantly at Carter, and for a -moment a smile of victory appeared at his mouth.</p> - -<p>“Now, sir, we’ll proceed,” he said. “Your mission -here you can make known and we will listen.”</p> - -<p>“You remember that I am on the trail of the person -who killed Mother Flintstone?”</p> - -<p>“I remember.”</p> - -<p>“You remember, too, begging the young lady’s pardon, -that the old lady was your near kin.”</p> - -<p>These words were like a spark to a magazine, and -the next moment Opal broke forth:</p> - -<p>“It’s the same old blackmailing scheme, father. You -shall not listen to it.”</p> - -<p>“Calm yourself, Miss Lamont——”</p> - -<p>“I am calm enough now. You shall not introduce -such subjects in this house. We do not recognize the -old hag who was killed, perhaps righteously, in the -place called Hell’s Kitchen. You must talk about another -matter if you want to remain here.”</p> - -<p>Perry Lamont looked crushed and almost helpless -in his chair.</p> - -<p>He glanced at his daughter, and then toward the -door leading into the hall.</p> - -<p>“Where’s Claude?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“He is not in just now,” answered Opal.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span>“No, sir,” put in the detective. “Your son just now -is not in; but I could enlighten you as to his whereabouts.”</p> - -<p>“You’ve been playing spy, have you?”</p> - -<p>“I’ve been following the trail of one who has been -your brother’s friend, miss.”</p> - -<p>Opal Lamont colored and for half a second remained -silent.</p> - -<p>“It is blackmail all the same,” she resumed at last. -“In the first place, whatever that old woman was to -us we don’t intend to be bled.”</p> - -<p>“I believe you once offered me ten thousand dollars -not to pursue this trail, miss.”</p> - -<p>“I did it for his sake,” and she nodded toward her -father. “I don’t want his nerves shattered.”</p> - -<p>The detective glanced at Perry Lamont and pitied -the abject old figure in the chair.</p> - -<p>“They looked alike,” was all he said, with a glance -at Miss Opal.</p> - -<p>The daughter curled her lip and looked away.</p> - -<p>“Never mind,” she said. “My day will come, Mr. -Detective.”</p> - -<p>Carter turned once more to the millionaire and said:</p> - -<p>“I’ll state my business. I am here to ask you -about that contract.”</p> - -<p>Lamont started.</p> - -<p>“What contract?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“The one you made with your son.”</p> - -<p>There was a cry and a sudden start, and the millionaire -nearly fell from his chair.</p> - -<p>“I made no contract!” he cried.</p> - -<p>“None whatever?”</p> - -<p>“None!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span>“You did not promise him a large sum if he would -put a certain person out of the way?”</p> - -<p>“I did not.”</p> - -<p>“That’s blackmail, pure and simple,” flashed Opal -Lamont. “You cannot succeed.”</p> - -<p>She arose and crossed the room.</p> - -<p>Perry Lamont seemed to grovel in his chair.</p> - -<p>“You deny the contract, do you?” queried the detective.</p> - -<p>“I do.”</p> - -<p>“He never lies!” exclaimed the girl.</p> - -<p>“And never forgets, eh?”</p> - -<p>“Never!”</p> - -<p>“Then his mind is greatly at fault this minute. Let -me ask another question.”</p> - -<p>“Not another one! He has been questioned enough. -Don’t you see you have excited him?”</p> - -<p>“Not so much but that he can answer intelligently. -Perry Lamont, your sister did not die heirless.”</p> - -<p>“My God!”</p> - -<p>“She left some of her blood behind. She did not -pass out of the world at the hand of the assassin without -leaving behind some one who has a right to her -name!”</p> - -<p>The look of the millionaire became a stare, and his -hand shook as he laid it upon the desk before him.</p> - -<p>“Come!” cried Opal. “Must we really buy your -silence?”</p> - -<p>“It is not in the market, miss, as I have once told -you. I want to reach the solution of this terrible -crime. I shall not turn from the trail till I am at the -end of it. Mother Flintstone’s blood calls for revenge, -and——”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span>Opal, who stood beside her father, leaned over him -and whispered in his ear.</p> - -<p>The old man’s face brightened.</p> - -<p>“Not another word till I come back,” continued the -girl to her parent, and with this she left the room.</p> - -<p>Two minutes later her steps were heard at the door -across the room and once more she stood before Nick.</p> - -<p>In that short time she had gowned herself for the -street, and, stepping to one side, she touched a button.</p> - -<p>“We are going out,” said she, looking at the detective. -“I have just ordered the carriage.”</p> - -<p>The detective looked amazed.</p> - -<p>Going out with that girl?</p> - -<p>The turn of affairs actually amused him.</p> - -<p>“I want you to accompany me to a certain place,” -continued Opal Lamont. “We shall not be there long; -but you must go with me.”</p> - -<p>The detective consented, and in a few moments they -entered the carriage which had come to the front door.</p> - -<p>Opal had drawn a spotted veil over her face and had -fallen back into the depths of the vehicle saying nothing, -although addressed by the detective.</p> - -<p>The coachman seemed to know where to go.</p> - -<p>Carter had not heard the girl give him any orders, -but he turned corner after corner, as if his destination -was plain to him.</p> - -<p>For at least ten minutes the vehicle bounced over -the stones, and then it halted in front of a two-story -brick house in the lower part of Gotham.</p> - -<p>The detective looked out, and took in the contour -of the house, and Opal opened the door of the cab.</p> - -<p>“We’re here,” she said, speaking for the first time<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span> -since leaving home, and in a moment she dismounted, -to be followed by the nonplused detective.</p> - -<p>The millionaire’s daughter led the way up the steps, -and with a key opened the front door.</p> - -<p>As she threw it back she motioned to the detective -to enter, and Carter soon stood in a fireless parlor -darkened by heavy curtains at the windows.</p> - -<p>“I’ll see you in a moment,” said Opal, rushing toward -the door, and the detective heard the sound of -leather and silk on the stairs.</p> - -<p>“This is a queer adventure,” thought Carter. “This -must be one of the many houses Perry Lamont owns. -The young woman is a cool-headed thing and seems to -have the nerves her father has lost. Why has she -brought me to this place? What new mystery is this? -Ah! here she comes!”</p> - -<p>There were footsteps in the hall, and the detective -watched the door.</p> - -<p>But the sounds did not seem to come all the way -down the flight; they appeared to stop midway, and -the detective glanced up at the open transom.</p> - -<p>The sight he saw there riveted him to the spot.</p> - -<p>Leaning over the banisters was Opal Lamont, but -how changed.</p> - -<p>Her face was as white as a sheet, and her lips were -welded like pieces of steel.</p> - -<p>The hat had been discarded, and her long hair fell -in uncombed masses over her shoulder.</p> - -<p>The girl looked like an avenging spirit, and the -detective thought he had never seen a face just like -hers.</p> - -<p>The whole thing appeared more visionary than real; -it seemed some hideous dream in which he was to be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span> -the victim, but that it was terrible reality the detective -soon discovered.</p> - -<p>The lips sprang apart suddenly, and Nick heard the -voice of the creature on the stairs.</p> - -<p>“I hardly expected to trap you so easily,” she said, -in sharp, triumphant tones. “You fell into the snare -like a tenderfoot. Did you think I was about to reveal -something to you? Your time has come! I hold death -in my hand, and I haven’t practiced at the pistol galleries -for nothing.”</p> - -<p>Carter saw the revolver which Opal Lamont thrust -forward; he tried to spring to the door, but some -unseen agency seemed to root him to the carpet. Then -came a flash, leaping tigerlike through the transom, as -it seemed—then darkness.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIX.<br /> - -<small>THE BACK TRAIL.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>All this time the carriage which had carried Opal -and Carter to the house had waited for the girl just -around the nearest corner.</p> - -<p>When Opal emerged from the place no excitement -was noticed about her.</p> - -<p>She walked as gayly as if she had not sent a man -to his doom, and when she stepped into the carriage -there was a smile on her lips.</p> - -<p>She knew what she had done, and the secret was -hers.</p> - -<p>The vehicle went straight to the Lamont mansion, -and the girl dismissed it at the door.</p> - -<p>She entered the house and passed directly to her -room on one of the upper floors, where she changed -her gown; then she descended to the library, where -she had left her father.</p> - -<p>She found him in the same position at the desk as -if he had not stirred since her departure.</p> - -<p>He met her eye the moment she entered the room, -and she came forward, saying nothing.</p> - -<p>“I’m glad to see you back, Opal. Did you get rid -of that man?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“You did not let him blackmail you?”</p> - -<p>“I did not.”</p> - -<p>“You did not——”</p> - -<p>Perry Lamont stopped as if he was on dangerous -ground, but Opal could not avoid his gaze.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span>Her eyes seemed to betray her.</p> - -<p>“You surely did not——” began the millionaire -again, but stopped as before.</p> - -<p>“Never mind where he is,” put in Opal. “I’m quite -sure Nick Carter will not give us any more trouble.”</p> - -<p>“That’s good. I’m glad to hear you say that, and -your manner convinces me that it is so. I trust he -didn’t give you any trouble, child?”</p> - -<p>“None in the least. There, don’t bother about that -man. He’s out of the way; won’t trouble you any -more.”</p> - -<p>Opal arose and swept from the room, the eyes of the -nabob following her with mute questioning.</p> - -<p>He heard her on the floor above, and closed his eyes -as he leaned back in the chair.</p> - -<p>Did he suspect the truth?</p> - -<p>Did the rich man dream that his child had handled -a revolver within the last hour, and that she had aimed -at a man’s breast?</p> - -<p>If he thought of such things he made no sign.</p> - -<p>It was some hours after these events that the door -of the library was opened and Claude, his son, came in.</p> - -<p>Lamont was now fast asleep, and the young sport -watched him for ten minutes.</p> - -<p>Stealing over to the desk, Claude opened a drawer -near his father’s hand and extracted a large envelope -therefrom.</p> - -<p>As he was transferring it to his pocket Opal looked -into the room, and then came forward.</p> - -<p>“Don’t awaken him,” she said. “I want to see you, -Claude. Come across the hall.”</p> - -<p>“Mother——”</p> - -<p>“Mother won’t hear us, for she is lying down overhead.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span> -Come with me. I didn’t know you were in the -house.”</p> - -<p>“I just came in.”</p> - -<p>“Good.”</p> - -<p>The pair left the library and crossed the hall to the -darkened parlor, where Opal turned suddenly on her -brother.</p> - -<p>“Have you done it yet?” she asked.</p> - -<p>Claude started in spite of himself.</p> - -<p>“Done what?”</p> - -<p>“You know. I happened to overhear you and father. -Have you finished him?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t understand you?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes, you do. You know about the two hundred -thousand. You were to get the confession, besides -silencing him.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve done nothing yet. I understand now,” said -Claude, with a faint smile.</p> - -<p>“When will you?”</p> - -<p>“Just as soon as I get a chance.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t you think you’re putting it off too long?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know. I’m doing my best.”</p> - -<p>“But while he lives and keeps the confession written -in Hell’s Kitchen it will be against us.”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“You’re his chum. You know where he nests, and -you are the proper person to silence this man with the -terrible secret. You’re not afraid of the law, are -you?”</p> - -<p>Again Claude Lamont started and looked down into -the flushed face of his sister.</p> - -<p>“No, I’m not afraid of that, but you see I can’t -strike till I have a fair target.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span>“I know that.”</p> - -<p>“There is that bothersome detective,” suggested -Claude.</p> - -<p>“Never mind him,” laughed Opal; “he’s silenced.”</p> - -<p>“Since when?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t ask too many questions. He’s silenced, I -say.”</p> - -<p>“I guess not. I’ve seen him lately.”</p> - -<p>“When?”</p> - -<p>“Yesterday.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve got later news than that!” cried the young -girl. “I’m right from the seat of war, so to speak.”</p> - -<p>Claude wanted to ask further questions, but she -stopped him by laying her hand on his shoulder.</p> - -<p>“That man was an enemy of us all,” she said. “He -was dangerous, Claude.”</p> - -<p>“Positively so,” was the reply.</p> - -<p>“He was a living menace to our future happiness; -he was as dangerous as this man Richmond, your -friend, and his confession. I shuddered whenever I -thought of Nick Carter, who would not let me buy -him off.”</p> - -<p>“He was incorruptible, was he?” laughed Claude.</p> - -<p>“Yes, but he’s fixed now.”</p> - -<p>“With whose money, Opal? Father’s?”</p> - -<p>“With something that silences better than gold,” -was the startling answer. “I would never face him -the second time with a bribe. I know what’s what.”</p> - -<p>“See here. You’ve got me on nettles. What’s become -of this man? I demand to know?”</p> - -<p>Opal thought a moment, and then turned her head -away.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span>“When have you been to the Cedar Street house?” -she asked, without looking at him.</p> - -<p>“Not in six months.”</p> - -<p>“Here’s the key. Go and look inside.”</p> - -<p>“Pshaw! there’s nothing there for me.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t know what’s there, since you confess -that you haven’t crossed its threshold in six months.”</p> - -<p>“If you tell me the secret I won’t have to make the -trip.”</p> - -<p>“Go and find it.” Opal pushed her brother away. -“I want to make sure of a certain thing.”</p> - -<p>“I see. You’ve been to the Cedar Street house.”</p> - -<p>Opal gave him a knowing look, and again pushed -him toward the door.</p> - -<p>“I’ll go, hang me if I don’t!” he exclaimed. “I say, -sis, if you’ve intrusted a secret to that house it ought -to be safe, for it hasn’t been tenanted for half a year. -Into which part of it shall I look?”</p> - -<p>“In the first room to the right.”</p> - -<p>“The old-fashioned parlor, eh?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, there, there!” cried the millionaire’s child. -“God forgive me, Claude, I couldn’t help it. I had -him in the snare.”</p> - -<p>Five minutes later Claude Lamont stood on the sidewalk -in front of his home.</p> - -<p>“In creation’s name, what does sis mean?” he asked -himself. “What has she been doing in that old house? -Something desperate, I’ll bet my head.”</p> - -<p>He walked to the first corner, where he took a -passing car and rode downtown.</p> - -<p>A few minutes later he left it, and proceeded to -Cedar Street.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span>The millionaire owned half a dozen houses there, but -the one designated by Opal was the best of all.</p> - -<p>With the key supplied by his sister, the city sport -let himself into the house and shut the door carefully -behind him.</p> - -<p>Then he made his way to the first room on the right -of the hall and opened its portal.</p> - -<p>It was quite dark, all the curtains down—Lamont -kept his untenanted houses already furnished—and -Claude had to strike a match.</p> - -<p>“Jehu! what did sis mean, anyhow?” he exclaimed, -as the light flickered up. “No one here.”</p> - -<p>He held the lucifer above his head and took a survey -of the parlor.</p> - -<p>Everything seemed in place, and he looked everywhere -as he moved about the room.</p> - -<p>He noticed that the transom over the hall door was -wide open, but he thought nothing of this.</p> - -<p>The faintest odor of burned powder assailed his -nostrils and he stood in the middle of the room a few -seconds and sniffed the air.</p> - -<p>“The girl’s mad!” he suddenly cried. “What is the -fool’s errand she wanted me to attend to, I’d like to -know? There’s nothing in this room, and yet she -wanted me to look nowhere else but in this chamber. -There’s the smell of powder here. What does it mean? -She was here, she admitted. She can shoot like a -professional. I’ve seen her at it in the gallery. I’ll -have to go back and laugh at her foolery.”</p> - -<p>Claude quitted the room, and, to make sure there -was nothing out of the way in the house, went all -over it.</p> - -<p>“Sis is out of her head,” he again exclaimed, when<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span> -he had inspected the last room. “She may have thought -she trapped the detective, but she did nothing of the -kind.”</p> - -<p>When he left the Cedar Street house it was to go -straight home.</p> - -<p>He peeped into the library, but his father was no -longer there.</p> - -<p>“You?” cried a person who came out of the shadows -of the bookcases, and Claude Lamont stood in the -presence of Opal.</p> - -<p>Her look was a question, but her lips framed one.</p> - -<p>“You’ve been there?” she cried.</p> - -<p>“You sent me down there, didn’t you?”</p> - -<p>“I did. Well?”</p> - -<p>“I always obey you, don’t I, sis?”</p> - -<p>“You do, Claude. You are my best friend. But tell -me—you looked into the room on the right?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“And——”</p> - -<p>“It was empty!”</p> - -<p>“Empty? My God!” and Opal, the millionaire’s -daughter, staggered back and dropped into her father’s -chair.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXX.<br /> - -<small>THE MASTER DETECTIVE’S LITTLE GAME.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“Empty? That house?” again cried Opal, from the -depths of the chair. “I cannot believe it.”</p> - -<p>“It is true. I just came from the place,” answered -Claude. “What did you do there, sis?”</p> - -<p>“I shot him.”</p> - -<p>“Not the detective?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; Carter. I lured him to the place. He was -here again, playing his hand. I could not stand it. He -was in our way. I wanted him removed. Father was -helpless, and the desperate scheme came into my head. -I lured him to the Cedar Street house and leaned over -the banister, shooting him through the transom while -he stood in the parlor.”</p> - -<p>“And left him there?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes.”</p> - -<p>“Well, he wasn’t there when I looked into the room.” -Opal Lamont looked wildly around the library.</p> - -<p>“What could have become of him?” she asked.</p> - -<p>Claude shook his head.</p> - -<p>“Do you think he could not have been dead?”</p> - -<p>“I thought you went into the parlor afterward?”</p> - -<p>“I did. I bent over him.”</p> - -<p>“And he appeared at the end of the trail?”</p> - -<p>“He did.”</p> - -<p>“It’s a mystery to me.”</p> - -<p>“Why didn’t you look all over the house?”</p> - -<p>“That’s just what I did.”</p> - -<p>Opal sat silent for a moment longer, and then she -sprang up with a sharp cry.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span>“If he lives he will try to get even. We must -silence this man. It must be done at once.”</p> - -<p>“Granted. You were a fool to decoy him to the -old house.”</p> - -<p>“I knew of no other place,” was the reply. “I took -the first plan that entered my head. I never dreamed -of failure.”</p> - -<p>“There, don’t think I’m finding fault, sis. You did -the best you could; I’m sure of that. The only wonder -is that you didn’t make a sure shot after what you’ve -done at the galleries.”</p> - -<p>Half an hour after the interview with his sister -Claude Lamont occupied the armchair in the room -in which he once showed himself to Carter and Bristol -Clara, the latter his near neighbor.</p> - -<p>This time he was alone.</p> - -<p>Presently he was startled by a rap on the front -door, as if some one outside had no use for a bell, and -in a moment he had opened it.</p> - -<p>He found a well-dressed, dark-faced stranger on the -step—a man with a brownish beard and clear, gray -eyes.</p> - -<p>Claude did not know just what to do with the man, -but as he held the door open the fellow entered and -faced him in the hall.</p> - -<p>“Come this way if you have business with me,” said -the city sport, and he escorted his caller to the room -he had just left.</p> - -<p>The man took a chair and laid his hat on his knees.</p> - -<p>“To whom am I indebted for this call?” asked -Claude.</p> - -<p>“Call me Hugh Larkins,” answered the stranger, in -a squeakish voice that made a sound almost like a file.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span>“I don’t know you, Mr. Larkins.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps not. You don’t remember me. You have -forgotten all about the old place on the Bowery that -flourished five or six years ago. You don’t recall the -barkeeper and the sometime pianist?”</p> - -<p>A smile flitted across Claude’s face.</p> - -<p>“Are you that person?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“I’m Hugh Larkins. Sometimes they call me ‘Rosy’ -Larkins, you remember.”</p> - -<p>“I never recall nicknames.”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Lamont, you’ve got good quarters here.”</p> - -<p>Claude started a little at mention of his name.</p> - -<p>“You see, I know you. Why, you haven’t changed -a great deal. You’ve got a few more years on you, -and you’ve grown a little stouter—good living, I guess. -The ‘Daisy Chain’ isn’t running now, I believe. I -dropped into the old place this morning, but the piano -stopped four years ago and the hole is a poor bucket -shop at present.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know,” said Claude.</p> - -<p>“Well, Mr. Lamont, let’s to business. I’m a little -hard up—somewhat desperate, to make use of a homely -phrase.”</p> - -<p>“And you think I’m a nabob when it comes to cash, -eh?”</p> - -<p>“I know you’re not Lazarus. I’ve got to have a -little chink to keep the proverbial wolf from the door, -and——”</p> - -<p>“My dear sir, you’ve struck the wrong place,” broke -in Claude. “I can’t accommodate you.”</p> - -<p>Larkins fell back in his chair and seemed at his -wits’ end.</p> - -<p>“That’s bad,” he suddenly squeaked. “It nearly puts<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span> -me into the river—a desperate man’s last resort, you -see.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t help that,” said Claude coldly. “Every man -can do as he pleases with his anatomy, and if you -see fit to immerse yours, why, I can’t object.”</p> - -<p>“You can’t help Rosy Larkins, who used to play -for you at the Daisy Chain? You can’t give the old -beau a lift?”</p> - -<p>“It wouldn’t stop with you,” was the reply. “It -wouldn’t stop with you, Rosy.”</p> - -<p>“I’m but the advance guard, eh?”</p> - -<p>“That’s it.”</p> - -<p>Rosy Larkins appeared to get upon his feet with -difficulty. He looked down at Claude Lamont and -seemed to study him a minute.</p> - -<p>“Then I’ll have to sell it,” said he.</p> - -<p>In spite of himself the millionaire’s son lost a little -color.</p> - -<p>“You’ll have to sell what?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“What I know!”</p> - -<p>“See here, that’s an old game,” cried Claude. “It’s -a rascal’s last resort. You can’t blackmail me.”</p> - -<p>“But I can sell what I know—to the police.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t know anything.”</p> - -<p>“Do you dare me?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“All right.”</p> - -<p>Larkins crossed the room, but stopped at the door, -the knob of which he held in his hand.</p> - -<p>“You wasn’t in the old place that night? Oh, no. -You wasn’t in Hell’s Kitchen a few nights ago? You -never go to such a disreputable place? Certainly not. -The son of Perry Lamont never goes to such places.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span> -Why, of course he doesn’t. Hell’s Kitchen? Why, -there’s where Mother Flintstone lived—and died, I -believe.”</p> - -<p>Claude said nothing.</p> - -<p>He looked as if his tongue had become riveted to his -palate; his eyes seemed to bulge from his head, and -his hand dropped from the table at his right.</p> - -<p>“Of course you don’t go to Hell’s Kitchen, because -you say you don’t,” grinned Rosy Larkins in the -same squeaky tones.</p> - -<p>“What are you driving at?” at last Claude made -out to say.</p> - -<p>“At just what I’ve said. I’m pretty plain. My voice -isn’t as sweet as the notes of the oriole, but you understand -my words all the same.”</p> - -<p>“You certainly don’t mean to say that you’ve got a -secret about my going to Hell’s Kitchen?”</p> - -<p>“Now you’ve hit it. You wasn’t there the night -Mother Flintstone was helped out of this world?”</p> - -<p>“I was not.”</p> - -<p>“But I know better.”</p> - -<p>“You do?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; you were there, and Rosy Larkins holds the -secret so far all alone.”</p> - -<p>Claude leaned forward and fastened his gaze upon -the face before him.</p> - -<p>“Don’t you think silence is worth a thousand dollars?” -queried his caller.</p> - -<p>“Your silence?”</p> - -<p>“Mine! That’s not a large sum with you who has -his hands upon the purse strings of a millionaire. You -don’t want the police to drag you forward as being -connected with the mystery of Hell’s Kitchen? I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span> -don’t want to see one of my old patrons in such a -fix.”</p> - -<p>“Did you see me there?” asked Claude, a little -nervously.</p> - -<p>“I’ve got convincing proof.”</p> - -<p>“But I haven’t got the money, Larkins. You will -have to come again.”</p> - -<p>“I won’t,” said Larkins, and the squeak seemed to -get the snarl of a wild beast.</p> - -<p>Claude looked at the table and then back at the -man.</p> - -<p>Larkins was twirling his hat on one of his hands, -and his face was still immobile.</p> - -<p>“What if I can’t raise that amount, and then, what -does a man of your present standing want with a -thousand dollars?”</p> - -<p>“What does a porcupine want with his quills?” -flashed the young sport’s visitor. “He uses them, that’s -what. I can use a thousand dollars.”</p> - -<p>Lamont thought of his own account in bank.</p> - -<p>It would not do to give that man a check for the -amount, for identification might be followed with unpleasant -recollections.</p> - -<p>Suddenly he thought of the five thousand he had -lately received from Lamont, senior.</p> - -<p>A part of it was still in his pocket.</p> - -<p>Biting his lips Claude produced the roll of bills -and slowly counted out the required amount.</p> - -<p>“There, don’t come again,” he said, looking up at -Larkins, whose hand reached out for the money. “But -hold on. What assurance have I that you won’t sell -me out yet?”</p> - -<p>“My word.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span>“If it’s no better than your face I’m afraid it’s not -worth a great deal.”</p> - -<p>“That’s all right. I’m no seraph. Neither was -Mother Flintstone, who died that night—you know -how,” and with this shaft Rosy Larkins opened the -door.</p> - -<p>As he stepped into the hall his face was for a moment -turned from Claude, and that moment the young -man whipped a revolver from the table drawer.</p> - -<p>As he started up there was a musical click, but the -next instant the bare hand of Larkins covered him.</p> - -<p>“Don’t be a fool,” he said. “The secret wouldn’t -die with me, Mr. Lamont.”</p> - -<p>The leveled weapon dropped and Claude went back -again.</p> - -<p>“Aha, good-by. Thanks for the chink. It saves -Rosy Larkins from the river,” and the man with the -squeaky voice was gone.</p> - -<p>He went from the scene of the interview almost -straight to Mulberry Street; he entered police headquarters -and made his way to the superintendent’s -private office, where he handed the roll of money to a -young man.</p> - -<p>“Lock it up,” said he. “We’ll talk about it later. -I’m rather tired of this beard,” and Carter immediately -stood revealed.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXI.<br /> - -<small>IN MOTHER FLINTSTONE’S DEN AGAIN.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>The day following these exciting events George -Richmond might have been seen bending over a manuscript -in a small room some distance from Claude -Lamont’s apartments.</p> - -<p>He had been diligently at work upon the document -for some hours, now and then refreshing himself from -a bottle on the table.</p> - -<p>The chirography was not his own.</p> - -<p>It looked for all the world like the writing of an old -person taken with the palsy, and the man at work -smiled every now and then as he looked at his job.</p> - -<p>“It’s good for the two hundred thousand,” said he, -half aloud. “That was a cute bargain Claude made -with the old nabob. I am to vanish, of course; but -I’ll see that I don’t lose any of my share. I am to be -killed off, and this paper is to fall into Lamont’s hands, -to be consigned of course to the flames. He’ll probably -consider it cheap at two hundred thousand, but I’ll -take care that Claude doesn’t really carry out the bargain.”</p> - -<p>The day had deepened into night, and still George -Richmond worked.</p> - -<p>He did not stop till the nearest clock struck eight, -and then he finished his self-imposed task.</p> - -<p>Once more, like a good accountant, he glanced over -his pages and stuffed them into an old envelope prepared -for the occasion.</p> - -<p>“That settles it,” he remarked. “Now for the proof -of my demise, ha, ha!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span>He thrust the whole into his pocket and buttoned his -coat over it.</p> - -<p>After this he turned the gas low and filled the room -with shadows, then pulled his soft hat over his forehead -and left the house.</p> - -<p>He did not know that he was seen to quit the place.</p> - -<p>He was not aware of the fact that during the last -part of his work a pair of foxlike eyes were watching -him through a rent in the curtain, thanks to a broken -slat in the shutter.</p> - -<p>The owner of these eyes was on his trail.</p> - -<p>It was a boy, shrewd and wiry, and he kept George -Richmond in sight, no matter how many turns he -made.</p> - -<p>Mulberry Billy had not played spy upon this man -for nothing.</p> - -<p>While he could not see the writing, he felt that it -was for no good, and thus he slipped after the man as -he crossed one street after another, taking himself -into a strange part of New York.</p> - -<p>George Richmond visited a well-known cheap café -on the Bowery and had a plain supper, after which, -once more buttoning his coat to his chin, he sauntered -out under the lights.</p> - -<p>Billy was still his ferret.</p> - -<p>The boy tracked the man to the house occupied at -times by Claude Lamont.</p> - -<p>He saw him mount the steps, but could not see beyond -the door.</p> - -<p>George Richmond entered the library and turned on -the light.</p> - -<p>There he looked around the room, but did not see -any one.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span>Claude was not at home.</p> - -<p>Richmond would have started if he could have seen -the woman who all the time was closely watching him.</p> - -<p>Bristol Clara, Carter’s friend, was on the alert, and, -having seen him come in, was looking at him through -the secret crack.</p> - -<p>All at once Richmond started up.</p> - -<p>“What a fool I am,” he said. “Why didn’t I think -of it before? I forgot to look under the hearth—the -very place an old woman like her would hide precious -papers.”</p> - -<p>He threw a hasty glance toward the door and was -about to quit the house when he heard a step.</p> - -<p>In another moment Claude Lamont stood before -him.</p> - -<p>“I’ve been waiting for you,” said Richmond.</p> - -<p>“And I’ve been unavoidably detained. Couldn’t get -here sooner. Well, have you got the papers?”</p> - -<p>Richmond produced his work and threw the bundle -upon the table.</p> - -<p>Claude pounced upon it and ran over the documents.</p> - -<p>“This is good. I didn’t know it was in you,” he -cried, looking up at Richmond.</p> - -<p>“I’ve been trained in more schools than one,” was -the answer, and Claude looked away.</p> - -<p>“Does it suit?” asked Richmond.</p> - -<p>“Perfectly.”</p> - -<p>“Will it deceive the governor?”</p> - -<p>“Of course it will. Now you must vanish.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I’m to ‘die’ to his satisfaction. I believe you -can’t draw any more money till I’m out of the way -and the ‘confession’ in your father’s hands.”</p> - -<p>“That’s the bargain.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span>“Well, I thought of that and dashed off this.”</p> - -<p>Another bit of paper fell on the table and Claude -read:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="center">“FATAL ACCIDENT.</p> - -<p>“Last night at ten o’clock a man was seen to fall -on the street near the Brussel Block, on Broadway. -His companion, apparently frightened by his fall, -hastened away, leaving his friend on the pavement. -It was discovered that the stricken man was a well-known -character named George Richmond, who of -late has been subject to attacks of vertigo. The unfortunate -man was conveyed from the spot by others -who happened to know him, and taken to the rooms of -a friend, where he died. Richmond once did time, but -of late has not done anything that called for his -arrest, though he was known as a shady character, -liable to embark on some scheme that promised to add -to his wealth, no matter how questionable the transaction.”</p> -</div> - -<p>“That’s good!” exclaimed Claude Lamont. “You’re -dead—as dead as a doornail, and please have the kindness -to keep this in view. I don’t think you could have -done better. Now, what newspaper?”</p> - -<p>“I’ve made the proper arrangements. You can take -it to the <i>Item</i>. It will cost one hundred to get it inserted, -but that’s all right. It’s dirt cheap.”</p> - -<p>Claude placed the writing in his pocket and smiled.</p> - -<p>“It will hoodwink the old man nicely. He won’t -want other ‘proof.’”</p> - -<p>“I thought not.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll see to that. Now I’ll attend to the matter. I -understand that the item is to appear in but the one -paper, and in but one copy at that.”</p> - -<p>“That’s it. Too promiscuous publishing might spoil -our plans.” The two men arose and left the house.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span>On the outside the same little figure saw them and -again became Carter’s spy.</p> - -<p>This time Billy tracked Claude Lamont, and saw -him enter the office of a morning newspaper with a -limited circulation.</p> - -<p>He saw him in earnest conversation with a certain -attaché of the office, and some money changed hands.</p> - -<p>After this Claude Lamont, as Billy found out, -seemed quite at ease, for he followed him to a large -café, where he ate heartily like a man pleased with -what he had done.</p> - -<p>Meantime George Richmond had gone to another -part of the city.</p> - -<p>Once more he entered the locality known in the -annals of the police as Hell’s Kitchen, and slipped -into the room once occupied by Mother Flintstone.</p> - -<p>The people who had moved into the place were -already gone, a few hours sufficing, and he was alone -in the old shell.</p> - -<p>Instead of sounding walls and ceiling, as he had -done on a former visit, he went straight to the old -bricks on the hearth, and commenced lifting them one -by one.</p> - -<p>To accomplish his purpose the more readily he got -down on his knees and worked like a beaver.</p> - -<p>Each brick was carefully replaced, and he had gone -over half the space when he was interrupted.</p> - -<p>A door opened and shut behind him, and George -Richmond started to his feet.</p> - -<p>A man stood before him.</p> - -<p>“There, don’t draw,” said the person at the door. -“It would do you no good, George Richmond. Don’t -let me disturb you. Go back to your work.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span>Richmond did not stir.</p> - -<p>“Go back to your work, I say. I’ll wait till you -find it.”</p> - -<p>“Find what?”</p> - -<p>“You know. Your quest.”</p> - -<p>The ex-convict smiled grimly.</p> - -<p>“I was only seeing if the old woman placed anything -under the bricks,” said he.</p> - -<p>“Something valuable, eh?”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps.”</p> - -<p>“Not money, was it, George?”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps not.”</p> - -<p>“You’re a cool one. I thought your trip up the -river reformed you. Don’t you remember how the -newspapers exploited your return, and said you were -quit of crime? It was a great fake, wasn’t it?”</p> - -<p>The speaker smiled, but Richmond did not.</p> - -<p>“Who are you?” he demanded.</p> - -<p>“That’s another matter. Don’t let me disturb you. -You haven’t taken up more than half the bricks. Go -through the rest.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t care to. You’re playing spy, and, by -heavens! that’s dangerous work.”</p> - -<p>“You mean that the man who watches you may live -to regret it?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Well call me spy, then. Don’t you think you’re -playing a pretty bold hand just now, George?”</p> - -<p>“I?”</p> - -<p>“You. You are into it so deep that you don’t want -to miss a good thing. There’s nothing buried under -those bricks; there never was. Mother Flintstone hid -it elsewhere.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span>“That’s false. She hid it in this house, and unless -you——”</p> - -<p>“Come, George, don’t show your teeth like a tiger. -It will do you no good. You can’t find the confession, -but the other one will do just as well!”</p> - -<p>“What other one?”</p> - -<p>It was evident that the question had no sooner left -Richmond’s lips than he regretted the utterance.</p> - -<p>“You know; therefore I need not specify. I hope the -work was well done.”</p> - -<p>“Devil! you’ve got to fight for your life,” and the -next instant George Richmond darted forward like a -mad beast, and leaping clear of the floor flung himself -upon the stranger.</p> - -<p>That person braced himself for the ordeal, and -warded off the initial blow with the dexterity of a -practiced pugilist.</p> - -<p>George found himself foiled, but he did not give up.</p> - -<p>Again he darted at his enemy, and the pair came -together in a deadly grapple.</p> - -<p>Back and forth over the floor they writhed like -wrestlers before an audience; now George obtaining a -little advantage, now the other getting the best of it.</p> - -<p>At last Richmond found himself held against the -wall by a grip of iron.</p> - -<p>He panted in his adversary’s power.</p> - -<p>“But one man ever held me thus before this,” he -cried.</p> - -<p>“Who was he?”</p> - -<p>“Nick Carter, and, by heavens! you must be that -same man!”</p> - -<p>There was no reply.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXII.<br /> - -<small>MULBERRY BILLY’S “FIND.”</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Margie Marne came out of the hospital shortly after -her terrible experience in the house guarded by Nora.</p> - -<p>Her escape had bordered on the miraculous, and the -girl was glad to get back to the humble home she occupied.</p> - -<p>Her first thought was of the woman who had been -her jaileress and she wondered if Nora herself had -escaped the flames.</p> - -<p>Having a fair acquaintance with Billy, the street -Arab, she sought out the boy, and fortunately found -him.</p> - -<p>Billy had heard of Nora’s suicide, and he at once -posted Margie.</p> - -<p>“By the way,” said the little fellow, “I’ve made a -find.”</p> - -<p>“You? What have you discovered, Billy?”</p> - -<p>“Something that I am going to show to Mr. Carter -just as soon as I find him.”</p> - -<p>“It may amount to nothing.”</p> - -<p>“But you don’t know where I found it,” cried the -boy.</p> - -<p>“Tell me.”</p> - -<p>Billy came closer, and dropped his voice to a whisper -as he laid his hand upon the girl’s arm.</p> - -<p>“I found it in Mother Flintstone’s den,” said he. -“Look here, Margie.”</p> - -<p>He produced a flat package, which looked like it -had been stored away for years, but the moment the -girl’s eyes alighted on it she uttered a little scream.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span>“It’s the will, Billy!” she exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“What had Mother Flintstone to will away, I’d -like to know?” said the boy.</p> - -<p>“More than you think. Let me see the packet.”</p> - -<p>Billy laid it on the table, and watched Margie closely.</p> - -<p>The girl seemed to be afraid to touch the package, -but at last she picked it up.</p> - -<p>Opening the envelope, which looked nearly ready to -fall to pieces, she drew forth a paper and opened it.</p> - -<p>The first line startled her.</p> - -<p>“What is it?” asked the boy.</p> - -<p>Margie said nothing, but her eyes dilated.</p> - -<p>“It’s a will, you said, Margie?”</p> - -<p>“It’s more than that, Billy. It’s the true story of -Mother Flintstone’s life.”</p> - -<p>“Then it is important, sure enough.”</p> - -<p>Margie read on, her face changing color, and at -last she reached the end of the page.</p> - -<p>“Mother Flintstone left behind her an important -document,” she remarked.</p> - -<p>“That’s what the dark-faced man was looking for -when he sounded the walls.”</p> - -<p>“No doubt of that.”</p> - -<p>“P’r’aps that’s why they killed her.”</p> - -<p>“They, Billy? Do you think more than one hand -was at work that night?”</p> - -<p>“I do, Miss Margie,” cried the boy, confidently. -“There are two hands in this mystery. Mr. Carter will -trip them up in time, see if he don’t.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, Billy, there is more than a will,” and Margie -held the package up before the street boy. “As I’ve -told you, it is also the story of Mother Flintstone’s -life. Where did you find it, boy?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span>“Under the hearth.”</p> - -<p>“The place was not examined by the dark-faced -man?”</p> - -<p>“Exactly! He looked every place else. I found it -there safe from him and the rats. Keep it, Margie. -No, hide it from that man. He’ll have it or your life -if he knows you have it.”</p> - -<p>Margie placed the packet in her bosom, and looked -gratefully at the street boy.</p> - -<p>“I’ll see that you’re paid for this find,” said she.</p> - -<p>“I don’t want a penny. I only want ter get ahead -of George Richmond and his chum, Claude Lamont, -the young sport. They’re into the biggest game of -their lives, but we’ll balk ’em all the same, Margie.”</p> - -<p>The girl expressed the hope that it would turn out -thus, and in a short time she was in another part of -the city.</p> - -<p>She wanted to avoid the man into whose hands she -had fallen at the Trocadero. She was now confident -that this personage was Claude Lamont himself, and -she had seen enough of his villainy.</p> - -<p>Margie Marne carried the precious package home, -where she hid it carefully, believing that no human -eye could find it, and was satisfied.</p> - -<p>Night was coming on, and she quitted her humble -lodgings, with her hood pulled over her face so as to -hide it.</p> - -<p>She had a visit to make, and soon she reached the -room occupied by Carter.</p> - -<p>Her raps were not answered, and she looked disappointed.</p> - -<p>When she again reached the street the lamps had -been lit, and the girl looked all about her.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span>Thinking of the package she started home, but on a -corner not far from Carter’s rooms a hand fell upon -her arm.</p> - -<p>Margie started, and uttered a little cry. She looked -around at the same time and into the face of a man, -who leered at her with a half-vicious look.</p> - -<p>“Don’t fly so fast, my bird,” laughed the fellow. “I -don’t intend to soil your plumage. You’re Miss Margie -Marne, aren’t you?”</p> - -<p>“What if I am?”</p> - -<p>“Then you’re the very person I want to see.”</p> - -<p>“But I don’t want to see any one.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose not. That’s the way with some girls. -I’m Caddy.”</p> - -<p>“Who’s Caddy?” demanded Margie.</p> - -<p>“I’m the ‘mixer’ at the Trocadero.”</p> - -<p>The mention of that name sent a chill through the -girl’s nerves, and she fell back.</p> - -<p>“Don’t mention that horrid place!” she exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“I know you had a rather unpleasant experience -there, but, you see, it wasn’t my fault. I can tell you -something that may give you a chance to get even.”</p> - -<p>“Speak quick, if you can. What is it?”</p> - -<p>“Let’s drop in here,” and the little man pointed toward -a decent-looking restaurant.</p> - -<p>Eager to learn something more about the man who -had decoyed her to the Trocadero, Margie went with -the fellow, and he guided her to a little table in the -darkest corner of the place.</p> - -<p>“Why don’t you bleed him?” were the first words -when they had seated themselves.</p> - -<p>“Is that your suggestion? Do you want to make a -blackmailer out of me?” exclaimed the girl.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span>“No; it wouldn’t be blackmail in this case,” explained -Caddy. “It would simply be getting pay for -the indignity.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll get even with him some other way,” said Margie. -“You know him, do you?”</p> - -<p>“Why, of course. Ha, ha, nobody comes to the -Trocadero whom I don’t catch on to. Beat Caddy out -of the game, if you can! You don’t want to make him -pay the fiddler, then?”</p> - -<p>“Not in the manner you’ve suggested.”</p> - -<p>“You’re a fool!” cried the little man. “See here, -I’ll help you all I can. I’ll go halves with you, and -you won’t have to take any risk. He’ll milk.”</p> - -<p>“But I’m not in that business.”</p> - -<p>Caddy at once changed color.</p> - -<p>His round face became positively hideous.</p> - -<p>He leaned across the table like a thoroughbred villain -and his teeth seemed to snap together.</p> - -<p>“If you don’t bleed him you’ll get into the net -again,” he suddenly cried.</p> - -<p>“Which means, I suppose, that you’ll help get me -there?”</p> - -<p>“I didn’t say I would, but I won’t help keep you -out.”</p> - -<p>Margie flushed.</p> - -<p>“You miserable wretch, keep your distance!” she -exclaimed, and would have left the table but for the -clutch of the little man’s hand.</p> - -<p>“When you can’t cajole you threaten. It won’t pay, -sir.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll see that it does pay!” laughed the mixer of -the Trocadero, unabashed. “I know my business. Sit -down.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span>Margie was thrust back into her chair, and the -fellow leered at her again.</p> - -<p>“If you don’t want to milk the young sport himself, -bleed the old man. He’s a bird with golden plumage.”</p> - -<p>“What’s his name?”</p> - -<p>“Gad, don’t you know? It’s Perry Lamont. Lives -on one of the avenues and has mints of wealth at his -command. He’s a pigeon worth plucking, girl.”</p> - -<p>“No, let others do that.”</p> - -<p>“Where did you get your scruples, I’d like to know?” -sneered Caddy. “You’re one in ten thousand. Why, -you can feather your nest in fine shape——”</p> - -<p>Margie broke loose from the fellow’s grasp and fell -back.</p> - -<p>He arose at the same time and came around the -table.</p> - -<p>“Don’t touch me, serpent!” cried the girl. “You -can’t use me in any of your schemes. I try to be -honest.”</p> - -<p>“You do, eh? Oh, you’ll get over it in time. Get a -few more years on you and you’ll be as tough——”</p> - -<p>“Here, what’s that? That’s an honest girl, sir,” put -in a man eating quietly at another table. “Don’t touch -her, you little sinner, or I’ll break your neck.”</p> - -<p>The speaker arose and came forward, gazed at by -Caddy with feelings of fear, while Margie thanked -him mutely for his interference.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know you, miss, but I’ve seen this man,” -continued the stranger, who was tall and broad-shouldered. -“I guess it’s not the first time for him. Get -out.”</p> - -<p>He pushed Caddy down the aisle with his large<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span> -hand, and the little drink mixer went without much -urging.</p> - -<p>“I’ll see you later!” he flashed at Margie.</p> - -<p>“No threats!” cried the other man. “Get out, I -say, and the sooner the better.”</p> - -<p>Then the tall man turned to Margie and said:</p> - -<p>“Pardon me, but I thought I heard him call you -Margie. It cannot be Miss Margie Marne whom I -address?”</p> - -<p>“That’s my full name, sir,” said the girl, dropping -her eyes.</p> - -<p>“My name is McDonald—Jerry McDonald. I own -a little business property in this city. The man who -just left is a little rascal. I suppose he decoyed you -hither?”</p> - -<p>Margie told the story of her coming to the place, -and McDonald said:</p> - -<p>“He’s revengeful, and you will do well to look after -him. If you ever need my assistance in any way don’t -hesitate to command it,” and he handed the girl his -card.</p> - -<p>In another moment the still astonished girl was -alone.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXIII.<br /> - -<small>THE COST OF A SECRET.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>George Richmond found himself suddenly free from -his antagonist in Mother Flintstone’s den.</p> - -<p>The battle ended sooner than he thought, for his -enemy gave a lurch which disengaged them, and when -George recovered he was the sole occupant of the -place.</p> - -<p>“Who was he?” the astonished man asked himself.</p> - -<p>The reply came from his imagination, and he sprang -to the door and looked out.</p> - -<p>No one there.</p> - -<p>“I accused him of being Carter, the detective, but -he did not reply,” he went on. “Years ago I was in -Carter’s hands and the grip to-night seemed the same. -But I may have been mistaken. I mustn’t forget that -years have passed since Carter caught me red-handed. -I cannot believe that my foe to-night was the detective.”</p> - -<p>George did not resume his inspection of the old -hearth, for he turned away after replacing the last -brick and slipped into the street.</p> - -<p>He was to vanish now.</p> - -<p>That was his bargain with Claude Lamont, and he -knew that the fictitious account of his death was even -then in the hands of the printers.</p> - -<p>He turned up later in another part of the city.</p> - -<p>He crossed the bridge and vanished in Brooklyn.</p> - -<p>Chuckling to himself, he thought of how he had -played it on Perry Lamont.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span>In a small room he threw himself upon a couch to -snatch a little sleep.</p> - -<p>He was to be pronounced dead by the newspaper to -Perry Lamont.</p> - -<p>That was a part of the conspiracy.</p> - -<p>Claude, the blackmailer of his own father, was to -attend to that part of the work and he—George—was -to get some of the blood money.</p> - -<p>Thinking how easily the game moved onward to success, -he fell asleep, nor waked till the next morning.</p> - -<p>Then he set about disguising himself most thoroughly.</p> - -<p>He changed his eyebrows, he darkened his hair and -he gave his upper lip a sweeping mustache.</p> - -<p>After his work no one would have called him George -Richmond.</p> - -<p>Meantime, over in the larger city, Perry Lamont, -entering the library earlier than usual, as if he expected -to hear some news, found Claude there.</p> - -<p>Father and son looked at one another for a second, -and Claude pointed at a newspaper on the desk.</p> - -<p>The millionaire picked it up and his eager eyes discerned -a pencil mark at a certain paragraph.</p> - -<p>He devoured the falsehood eagerly and almost out -of breath.</p> - -<p>The young sport watched him like a cat.</p> - -<p>“Thank Heaven!” cried Perry Lamont, as he shot -a glance at Claude and dropped into his chair.</p> - -<p>“It suits you, I see.”</p> - -<p>“Suits me?” was the reply. “You know it does.”</p> - -<p>A momentary silence followed between father and -son, and then the elder Lamont said:</p> - -<p>“Did you have any trouble?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span>“Not much.”</p> - -<p>“Did he suspect you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, he did that; but I had to go on, you know.”</p> - -<p>“I know. He died for sure?”</p> - -<p>It was a singular question, as if the speaker half -suspected the truth, and Claude’s heart seemed to find -a lodgment in his throat.</p> - -<p>“What does the paper say?” cried Claude, a little -irritated. “It records the death of the notorious -George Richmond, doesn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“It does.”</p> - -<p>“That’s sufficient, I think. Do you want to see the—body?”</p> - -<p>“My God, no!”</p> - -<p>“Nor the burial certificate? They’ll probably hold -a post mortem, but we’re safe all the same. It’s all -right, I assure you. There’s no danger, but it took -work.”</p> - -<p>“I’m proud of you, Claude. Now, what about the -papers?”</p> - -<p>“I’ve got them, too.”</p> - -<p>“Here?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” and Claude dived one hand into an inner -pocket and drew forth a package, at sight of which -Lamont’s eyes seemed to bulge from his head.</p> - -<p>“There they are,” he resumed, throwing the packet -upon the table.</p> - -<p>The millionaire snatched at it and opened the package.</p> - -<p>He found the documents forged by George Richmond, -and opened the first one.</p> - -<p>“Heavens! what have we escaped?” he ejaculated.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span> -“It was a very narrow escape. Did you read these -papers, Claude?”</p> - -<p>“No, never thought of that. I don’t care to know -what the old hag was.”</p> - -<p>“Great Cæsar! these papers would have destroyed -us,” and Perry Lamont looked white. “She had it in -her power to break me up, and I don’t see why she -didn’t exercise it. Why, they’re worth a million almost.”</p> - -<p>For some time Perry Lamont went over the papers -in silence and did not look up again till he had reached -the end of the last sheet.</p> - -<p>Claude smiled inwardly all the time.</p> - -<p>He knew that George had done his work well.</p> - -<p>“Now, here they go,” said Lamont, senior, at last, -as he moved toward the grate where a fire burned.</p> - -<p>Claude saw his father hold the documents over the -fire a few moments and then drop them into it.</p> - -<p>As they caught fire the door opened and Opal -came in.</p> - -<p>Her face was white and she was agitated.</p> - -<p>Perry Lamont pointed in silence at the hearth and -looked toward his daughter.</p> - -<p>Opal sprang to the fire and bent forward.</p> - -<p>“Did you get it?” she asked, looking at her brother.</p> - -<p>Claude said nothing.</p> - -<p>“Did you have any trouble?”</p> - -<p>“Some.”</p> - -<p>“You paid him well for that service, didn’t you?” -she inquired of her father.</p> - -<p>“We had an understanding.”</p> - -<p>“That’s good. It saved us. We are no longer in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span> -the toils of the secret-keeper. Now no one can say -that Mother Flintstone was our near kin.”</p> - -<p>The tall, regal-looking girl seemed almost beside -herself with joy.</p> - -<p>She would have embraced Claude had not his coldness -repulsed her, and in a few moments she withdrew.</p> - -<p>“I’ll take it now,” said Claude, addressing his -parent.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes. You’ll place it to your account, I suppose?”</p> - -<p>“Of course.”</p> - -<p>Perry Lamont filled out a check for two hundred -thousand dollars, and pushed it across the desk to his -son.</p> - -<p>Claude looked at it a moment, and then transferred -it to his pocket.</p> - -<p>It was the cost of a secret; it was also blood money, -and the time was near at hand when that deed was to -return to plague the doers.</p> - -<p>“Safe at last!” exclaimed Perry Lamont, when he -found himself alone. “It’s in the fire and he’s out of -the way. I would like to know if Claude really had -much trouble. The paper said it was vertigo, but we -know better. Claude is sure the post mortem will not -reveal anything. They won’t catch Claude!”</p> - -<p>He chuckled to himself and looked at the darkened -ashes of the false confession in the grate.</p> - -<p>By and by he returned to the desk and sat down, -his head falling on his breast like that of a weary -man, and in a short time he was fast asleep.</p> - -<p>The house grew still. Outside Claude Lamont was -hurrying downtown, while Opal, in the parlor almost<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span> -for the first time since her bout with the detective, -thrummed the piano.</p> - -<p>Some distance from the Lamont mansion Carter, -the detective, was watching the actions of a man who -mixed drinks behind a bar.</p> - -<p>It was Caddy, the mixer at the Trocadero, and the -detective, well disguised, seemed to take more than -a passing interest in his movements.</p> - -<p>By and by Caddy put on his coat and walked out, -with Carter at his heels.</p> - -<p>All at once the hand of the detective fell upon -Caddy’s shoulder, and the little man stopped at once.</p> - -<p>His face grew white when he looked up and saw -the keen eyes that seemed to read his inmost thoughts.</p> - -<p>“Don’t do it again,” said the detective.</p> - -<p>“What have I done?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t threaten Miss Marne again.”</p> - -<p>“But I—I—didn’t.”</p> - -<p>“You did. Please don’t try it any more. That’s -all.”</p> - -<p>Caddy did not catch his breath till Carter was out -of sight, and even then he seemed to breathe hard.</p> - -<p>“Won’t I?” he hissed. “Just let me get another -chance at the girl, and I’ll make her think she isn’t -anybody in particular. She refused to play her part -of the game I’ve made up, but I’ll bring her around -in spite of the two men, that I will.”</p> - -<p>But for all his braggadocio Caddy was ill at ease, -for instead of going on he retraced his steps to the -Trocadero, took a “bracer,” and remained indoors.</p> - -<p>Nick Carter proceeded on his way, and at last pulled -up in front of Bristol Clara’s house.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span>The woman opened the door even before he knocked -and led him into the parlor.</p> - -<p>“George Richmond is dead,” she exclaimed, a smile -coming to her lips. “Not quite dead, but I heard the -arrangements made. It’s a cool scheme, isn’t it? Who -are they going to beat out of two hundred thousand -dollars?”</p> - -<p>“Perry Lamont, the millionaire,” was the answer. -“They’re all birds of the same feather, even the girl. -I had a narrow escape from her, but a miss is just as -good as a mile. She may know ere this that I don’t -lie dead in the parlor of the old mansion on Cedar -Street. I want a place at the peephole to-night, -Clara.”</p> - -<p>“It’s at your service.”</p> - -<p>“I won’t need it after to-night.”</p> - -<p>“Are you going to close in on them?”</p> - -<p>The detective nodded.</p> - -<p>“Which one did it?” eagerly asked the girl.</p> - -<p>“Never mind, Clara. I won’t make any mistake.”</p> - -<p>“Of course not. You never do,” proudly answered -the tenant of the house.</p> - -<p>Carter had set his time, but he could not prophesy -what the coming hours were to bring forth.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXIV.<br /> - -<small>BETWEEN THE WALLS OF DOOM.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Shrewd as the detective was, he was destined to -meet one who was almost his equal in dexterity and -cunning before the hour set for closing in on his -quarry came around.</p> - -<p>When he quitted Bristol Clara’s abode he proceeded -to his own quarters, where he desired, for the time, -to be alone.</p> - -<p>The secrets of the trail he kept to himself.</p> - -<p>If he knew the hand which struck Mother Flintstone -down he did not reveal it by word or deed, and, like -the experienced tracker, he was silent.</p> - -<p>Several hours later the detective left the rooms and -reappeared on the street.</p> - -<p>He was within a block of his place when a boy -approached him.</p> - -<p>He extended a letter, which the detective at once -took.</p> - -<p>“Who sent this, boy?” he asked, as he glanced at the -superscription.</p> - -<p>“The leddy, sir.”</p> - -<p>“But who was the lady?”</p> - -<p>“Look inside. I guess that tells; ha, ha!” and the -messenger whisked around the nearest corner and disappeared.</p> - -<p>Already the hands of Carter had broken the seal of -the missive thus strangely delivered, and in a moment -he had read:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“Could you spare me five minutes of your valuable<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span> -time, Mr. Carter? I can make some dark places clear -to you. I can enlighten you about some important -things. Come secretly, for it is ticklish business. I -will be there. Come to Number — Hester Street. -Don’t knock! just open the door and come to the first -room on the left of the hall.</p> - -<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">Sara P——</span>”</p> -</div> - -<p>Nick Carter read the letter twice before he looked -up again.</p> - -<p>He did not know Sara P——.</p> - -<p>He had never heard of such a person, and he racked -his brain in vain to think who she might be.</p> - -<p>He did not know what “dark places” she referred to.</p> - -<p>She might mean some old trail which he had run -down, or she might have reference to Mother Flintstone’s -taking off.</p> - -<p>The detective was puzzled.</p> - -<p>However, he decided to see if there was anything -in the affair, to go to the designated number and meet -this woman-informer face to face.</p> - -<p>As no time was set by the strange writer, he took -it for granted that she was to be found in the house -at any hour, and in a few minutes he was on his -way.</p> - -<p>The detective was always ready to investigate anything -that promised to assist him on a trail.</p> - -<p>More than once he had picked up some startling -clews from anonymous letters, and he thought that perhaps -“Sara P——” might know something of importance.</p> - -<p>Hester Street is not the finest street in Gotham. -Neither is it a high-toned thoroughfare. There is a -mixture of poverty and wealth on Hester Street, but -society there in spots is not of the highest order.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[284]</span>Carter entered the street with some misgivings, but -not afraid.</p> - -<p>He walked leisurely up the street, looking for the -number, and wondering what sort of looking woman -his correspondent was.</p> - -<p>He found the house at last—a plain, two-story affair, -with shutters in front and signs of age about the -structure.</p> - -<p>No one appeared at the door to greet him, but he -did not expect any one.</p> - -<p>He walked up the steps and turned the knob.</p> - -<p>The door opened easily, and he was in the hall.</p> - -<p>“The first door to the left,” he mentally said, and -then he advanced toward it.</p> - -<p>In another second he had pushed this portal open -and stood in a darkened room.</p> - -<p>He saw no one.</p> - -<p>Perhaps “Sara P——” was in another part of the -house and had not heard him enter.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, however, he was undeceived, and in a -flash he knew he had entered another trap.</p> - -<p>The floor gave way beneath his feet, as if his weight -had suddenly broken it in.</p> - -<p>The entire floor seemed to fall.</p> - -<p>The detective made an effort to recover his equilibrium, -but the Fates were against him.</p> - -<p>He fell down—down—and struck on his feet to -pitch forward in Stygian darkness.</p> - -<p>At the same time a strange noise overhead told -him that the floor had resumed its original position, -and then for a few moments all was still.</p> - -<p>The trapped detective had to smile to himself in -spite of his surroundings.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[285]</span>He could not help laughing at his situation, however -dark and hopeless it seemed to be; he had been -cleverly caught, and the bait had secured the prize.</p> - -<p>It did not take him long to recover from the fall, -which had not injured him; only jarred him up a -little.</p> - -<p>He went forward and found a wall ahead.</p> - -<p>He followed the wall around, and came back to the -same spot, as he could tell by a little stone under his -feet.</p> - -<p>The dungeon apparently had no outlet; it was like -a sealed-up prison of the olden time.</p> - -<p>Carter put up his hands, but could not touch the -floor overhead.</p> - -<p>Of course he could not tell how far he had fallen, -but he knew that the trap was directly above him.</p> - -<p>Had “Sara P——” sprung the trap?</p> - -<p>Had she lured him to this place to destroy him, and -thus get even for some of his detective work?</p> - -<p>He did not doubt it.</p> - -<p>Nick Carter, in the underground prison, said nothing -while he went around the walls.</p> - -<p>He heard no noises in the house overhead, and no -one seemed to walk the floors there.</p> - -<p>At last the detective struck a match on the stone -wall.</p> - -<p>It revealed the dimensions of the dungeon, and he -surveyed it with eager curiosity. It was a dungeon -sure enough. He saw the stone walls and the manner -in which the stones were put together. There was -no escape.</p> - -<p>Holding the little light above his head Carter saw -the underpinning of the floor.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[286]</span>He also found the strong iron hinges upon which -the great trap had worked at crime’s bidding.</p> - -<p>He was like a trapped fox.</p> - -<p>Hemmed in by walls of stone, with an impregnable -ceiling overhead, where could there be an avenue of -escape?</p> - -<p>All at once, at the last flashing of the lucifer, the -detective saw some words on the wall.</p> - -<p>It reminded him of the words on the wall of the -room where Jack, his spy, had been strangled.</p> - -<p>Had the same hand written them there?</p> - -<p>He threw the match to the ground, struck another -and sprang eagerly forward.</p> - -<p>He held the little light against the wall and read -as follows:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“I am doomed to perish here. There is no escape -from this hole of death. I was decoyed here like a -rabbit, and I die for my folly. Let the next unfortunate -person know that I, Lewis Newell, was the victim -of Opal Lamont’s cunning. The woman is a -tigress. Farewell.</p> - -<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">Lewis Newell.</span>”</p> -</div> - -<p>For a full half minute the detective seemed to hold -his breath.</p> - -<p>He read the writing again and again, and at last -threw the stump of the match at his feet.</p> - -<p>Doomed to die!</p> - -<p>Another had been before him, and that person -ascribed his end to Opal Lamont.</p> - -<p>Was this accusation true?</p> - -<p>The old detective recalled his adventure in the house -on Cedar Street and how narrowly he had escaped -death at the hands of this same girl.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span>Perhaps this house belonged to the millionaire, like -that one.</p> - -<p>Once more in darkness, Carter had time to study -the situation.</p> - -<p>His curiosity got the better of him, and again he -looked at the writing on the wall.</p> - -<p>It looked plainer than ever now.</p> - -<p>Who was Lewis Newell, the former victim?</p> - -<p>He had never heard of such a person, but he did -not doubt the truth of the inscription.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the detective heard a sound that seemed -to come from above.</p> - -<p>As he turned his face upward the floor seemed to -lift, and his eyes were blinded by an intense glare.</p> - -<p>It was as if an electric globe had suddenly been -uncovered in his face, and the light was so strong that -he fell back, blinking his eyes like an owl.</p> - -<p>The glare vanished as suddenly as it came into -being, but when he looked again he caught sight of a -little ball burning in one corner of the trap.</p> - -<p>It sent out a singular odor, not unpleasant, but -enervating, and the detective’s system seemed to yield -to its influence from the first.</p> - -<p>“The accursed thing is the death agent which may -have killed Newell!” he cried, as he sprang forward -and set his foot on the burning ball.</p> - -<p>At that moment an explosion occurred, the interior -of the dungeon seemed to collapse and Carter became -unconscious.</p> - -<p>Perhaps the end had come.</p> - -<p>When the detective came out of the darkness of -doom, as it were, he was lying on his face.</p> - -<p>In a moment he staggered up and put out his hands.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span>They touched a wall as hard and cold as the one -they had touched last.</p> - -<p>Where was he and in what sort of trap?</p> - -<p>Slowly the adventures of the last few hours came -back to his excited brain.</p> - -<p>He recalled the note, the visit to the house on Hester -Street, the fall through the trapdoor and the burning -ball.</p> - -<p>These thoughts came fast and thick; they seemed to -contend for supremacy in his brain and he breathed -hard.</p> - -<p>“I must get out,” was his cry. “Woman or tigress, -she shall not keep me in this vile place!”</p> - -<p>But getting out was the puzzle.</p> - -<p>He circumnavigated his prison like a captive in the -dungeons of Venice.</p> - -<p>He sounded every foot of space, stood on his tiptoes -in a vain effort to reach the ceiling, felt the walls -again and again and at last gave up.</p> - -<p>For once at least the famous detective seemed at -the end of life.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXV.<br /> - -<small>A COMPLETE KNOCK-OUT.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Meanwhile, Margie Marne was having an adventure -of her own, to which we will now recur.</p> - -<p>In another part of the city, and about the same hour -that witnessed the strange explosion in the dungeon -where Carter was confined, the girl sat in her little -room.</p> - -<p>She was quite alone, but all the time she was watched -by a pair of eyes that did not lose sight of her.</p> - -<p>These eyes glittered in the head of a man on the floor -above, and he was enabled to watch the girl through -a hole deftly cut in the floor.</p> - -<p>All unconscious of the espionage, the girl looked -over a few papers which she had taken from their -hiding place in one corner of the room, where they -would baffle the lynx eyes of a keen man, and now and -then a smile came to her face.</p> - -<p>All at once she heard footsteps approach her door, -and for the first time in an hour she looked up.</p> - -<p>A rap sounded, but Margie hesitated.</p> - -<p>Should she open the door and admit her visitor?</p> - -<p>Perhaps it was Carter, whom she wanted to see just -then, but a sudden fear took possession of her.</p> - -<p>At last, however, Margie arose, and hiding the papers -in her bosom, crossed the room.</p> - -<p>Her hand was on the latch, but for all this she still -hesitated.</p> - -<p>In another moment, as if beating down her last suspicion, -Margie opened the door.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[290]</span>A man stood before her. It was not the person who -had offered to protect her from Caddy’s advances, nor -was it Caddy himself.</p> - -<p>As she held the door open the stranger advanced -into the apartment and turned suddenly upon Margie.</p> - -<p>Her breath went fast, and she gazed at the man -with half-stifled feelings.</p> - -<p>“Miss Marne?” he asked in a peculiar voice.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p>“Alone, I see.”</p> - -<p>“I am quite alone, but I cannot imagine to whom I -owe the present call.”</p> - -<p>“Sit down, girl.”</p> - -<p>There was something commanding in the tones, -which had suddenly changed, but Margie did not stir.</p> - -<p>“I want to talk with you,” continued the man. “And -I prefer to have you seated.”</p> - -<p>Margie glanced at the door and then toward the -window, the eyes of her caller following her, and for -half a second her heart seemed in her throat.</p> - -<p>“I want those papers,” and the fellow, whose face -was covered with a heavy brown beard, held out his -hand.</p> - -<p>“What papers?” demanded the girl.</p> - -<p>“The ones you have just been looking over.”</p> - -<p>No wonder Margie started.</p> - -<p>“Come, don’t mince matters with me. I won’t have -it. Are they in your bosom, girl?”</p> - -<p>Margie fell back, but the man advanced.</p> - -<p>“I am here for them,” he went on. “You can’t cheat -me out of them. Come, hand them over.”</p> - -<p>“But——”</p> - -<p>“Not a word unless you intend to comply with my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span> -demand! You know where the papers are. You got -them in Mother Flintstone’s den.”</p> - -<p>“My God——”</p> - -<p>“I hit the nail on the head, did I?” brutally laughed -the man. “I thought my arrow wouldn’t go far wide -of the mark. Here, I’ll despoil you of the papers by -force if you don’t tamely submit.”</p> - -<p>Margie was nearly against the wall now, and she -looked at the man like a startled fawn.</p> - -<p>She now felt, yes, knew that the beard was but a -mask, and she asked herself whom she faced.</p> - -<p>Claude Lamont or George Richmond?</p> - -<p>She could retreat no farther, and remembering her -adventure in the house which had succumbed to the -fire fiend, she nearly fainted.</p> - -<p>Already the powerful hands of the unknown almost -touched her bosom; she could feel his hot, wine-laden -breath on her cheek and she expected any minute -to be hurled across the room and robbed.</p> - -<p>She made one last effort, but the movement was intercepted, -and she stood in his grasp!</p> - -<p>He held her at arms’ length and glared at her after -the manner of a wild beast.</p> - -<p>The poor girl was a child in the iron grip of the -man, and all at once he drew her toward him and began -to look for the documents.</p> - -<p>“Don’t! For Heaven’s sake, have some respect for -my sex!” gasped Margie. “You can have them.”</p> - -<p>“I can, eh? Well, hand them over.”</p> - -<p>Margie, with trembling fingers, did so, and at sight -of the papers he uttered a gleeful cry.</p> - -<p>The next moment he released her, and she sank into -the nearest chair.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[292]</span>She saw him step back a pace and open the papers, -over which he eagerly ran his eye.</p> - -<p>“Is this all you had, girl?” he suddenly demanded.</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“It’s a lie!”</p> - -<p>Margie’s face colored.</p> - -<p>“I want the others.”</p> - -<p>“I have no others.”</p> - -<p>“These are but letters from a lover. Where are the -papers that once belonged to the old hag?”</p> - -<p>“That is not for me to tell.”</p> - -<p>“You defy me, eh?”</p> - -<p>“I defy no one.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll choke you to death but what I get the truth. -I’ll have the right papers or your life!”</p> - -<p>“You must take my life, then.”</p> - -<p>The girl had strangely recovered her self-possession.</p> - -<p>She could look at him now without flinching, and -the terrible hand dreaded a few moments before had -no terrors for her now.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the man threw the letters upon the table -and looked fiercely at the girl.</p> - -<p>She withstood his look like a heroine.</p> - -<p>“Be quick about it!” he cried.</p> - -<p>“I have no other papers,” calmly said Margie.</p> - -<p>He laughed derisively and then glanced toward the -door.</p> - -<p>“I’ll fix you,” he exclaimed. “You’ve been in our -road long enough, and the only sure way to get rid -of you is to leave you here a fit subject for the -morgue.”</p> - -<p>The moment he came toward her Margie sprang up.</p> - -<p>She was strong again, and suddenly catching up a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[293]</span> -poker which stood near the chair, she placed herself -in an attitude of defiance.</p> - -<p>“You advance at your peril,” she said, in determined -tones. “I shall defend myself to the last extremity.”</p> - -<p>“Against me? Why, girl, you don’t know what you -are saying.”</p> - -<p>“You shall find out if you advance, I say.”</p> - -<p>He laughed again, and came forward.</p> - -<p>In an instant the heavy rod was lifted above the -girl’s head, and the next second she brought it down -with all her might.</p> - -<p>It was a blow such as a giantess might have delivered, -for the man’s lifted arms went down, and -he received the full weight of the poker upon his head.</p> - -<p>He gave one gasp and sank to the floor like one -killed outright, and Margie, with the novel weapon -still clutched in her hands, looked at him, while a -deathly pallor overspread her face.</p> - -<p>Had she killed him?</p> - -<p>For a short time she stood there, barely realizing -that the whole thing was not a dream, and then she -bent over the man.</p> - -<p>As she touched the beard it came off and fell to the -floor beside the face.</p> - -<p>Margie uttered a scream.</p> - -<p>She had seen that face before—seen it in company -with Claude Lamont, and she knew that the man was -his associate in evil and one of the chief men in the -plot against Mother Flintstone and herself.</p> - -<p>She sprang up suddenly and ran from the room, -shutting the door behind her.</p> - -<p>Down on the street she saw no one, though she -looked everywhere for a policeman.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span>Moments were flitting away, and she suddenly -thought of Carter.</p> - -<p>She knew where he lodged, and she would tell him -of her adventure.</p> - -<p>In a moment she was on her way, but she was -doomed to disappointment; the detective’s door was -locked and she could not elicit a response.</p> - -<p>Baffled, Margie turned back again.</p> - -<p>She had taken up nearly twenty minutes on the -streets, and when she reached the vicinity of her humble -home she thought of the man left on the floor.</p> - -<p>She glided upstairs cautiously, just as if the dead -could hear her, but at the door she stopped and -listened.</p> - -<p>All was still beyond it.</p> - -<p>Margie put on a bold front, and opened the portal.</p> - -<p>The first look seemed to root her to the spot.</p> - -<p>The room was untenanted.</p> - -<p>No one lay on the floor, and the little place, with this -exception, seemed just as she left it.</p> - -<p>The man, her victim, was gone.</p> - -<p>“Thank Heaven! his blood is not on my hands, rascal -though he was!” exclaimed Margie Marne, as she -leaped across the threshold and shut the door behind -her.</p> - -<p>If she had returned a little sooner she might have -caught sight of her would-be robber.</p> - -<p>She might have seen a man come out of the house, -with his hat drawn over his brows and the brown -beard awry.</p> - -<p>This individual hurried away, nor looked he back, as -if he thought he was not safe from molestation, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span> -his gait told how eager he was to get out of the neighborhood.</p> - -<p>A few minutes later he turned up in a certain house -in another part of the city, and dropped into a chair -as the tenant of the room demanded to know if he had -been in a prize fight.</p> - -<p>“Not quite, but I struck an Amazon,” was the reply, -and he of the brown beard tried to smile.</p> - -<p>“Tell me; did you encounter Margie?”</p> - -<p>“No one else. What made you guess her?”</p> - -<p>“Her name popped into my head somehow or other. -Guess I must have been thinking of her when you -came in. What did she hit you with?”</p> - -<p>“With a crowbar, from the way my head feels; but -never mind. It’s a long lane, you know.”</p> - -<p>Claude Lamont smiled.</p> - -<p>“You do pretty well for a ‘dead man,’” and then -both men burst into a laugh.</p> - -<p>“I’ll wring her neck for it yet!” suddenly cried -George Richmond. “I’ll have the blood of that girl -for her blow!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXVI.<br /> - -<small>THE PARRICIDE.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“You’d better not try it.”</p> - -<p>“Why not?” snarled Richmond.</p> - -<p>“She may be dangerous.”</p> - -<p>“That chit? Pshaw!”</p> - -<p>“Just try it. See here. You don’t want to be too -gay just now. Don’t you know you’re a dead man?”</p> - -<p>“So I am.”</p> - -<p>“Well, be a little careful. What if Carter gets on -to our game?”</p> - -<p>“Carter mustn’t do that.”</p> - -<p>“Of course not, but we must see that he cannot.”</p> - -<p>Ten minutes longer the two men, watched by Bristol -Clara, the tenant in the next house, remained in the -room, and then Richmond bade Claude good night.</p> - -<p>The moment the millionaire’s son found himself -alone he struck the table with his fist.</p> - -<p>“Why didn’t I really kill that man?” he exclaimed. -“He is bound to be my evil genius, after all. I can’t -see my way clear to ultimate success with him in the -way. He’ll blackmail me, and what can I do? If he -were really dead——”</p> - -<p>He did not finish the sentence, but broke it off suddenly, -and arose, throwing his cigar away.</p> - -<p>“I’ll go home,” he said.</p> - -<p>A few minutes later he was met at the door of his -home by his sister Opal, whose face told him that she -had something of importance to say.</p> - -<p>“Father is gone,” said the girl, with a gasp, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span> -would have fallen if Claude had not caught her around -the waist.</p> - -<p>“Gone?” echoed the young sport.</p> - -<p>“It is true. You can see for yourself.”</p> - -<p>Opal led the way to the library, and mutely pointed -at her father’s chair.</p> - -<p>“When did you miss him?” asked Claude.</p> - -<p>“An hour ago.”</p> - -<p>“Did he leave any message behind?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Where is it?”</p> - -<p>Opal handed her brother a crumpled note, and the -young man leaned toward the light to read its contents.</p> - -<p>“My God! you don’t believe that?” he exclaimed, -turning upon his sister.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know what to believe,” was the answer.</p> - -<p>“What have you done?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing. I’ve been waiting for you. I sent to the -club, but the message came back that you had not been -there.”</p> - -<p>“Something must be done. Certainly father did -not mean this. He has not gone to the police.”</p> - -<p>“I—don’t—know.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll see. He may have gone to the river in a fit of -madness. He would not tell all he knows about Mother -Flintstone.”</p> - -<p>“I should think he would not.”</p> - -<p>Claude seized his hat and rushed from the house.</p> - -<p>For a little while his brain seemed to swim, and the -lights blinded him.</p> - -<p>He did not ask what Opal would do now that she -was again the sole occupant of the house.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[298]</span>He did not seem to care.</p> - -<p>Perry Lamont was a runaway, with a great secret -at his tongue’s end and millions at stake.</p> - -<p>For some time the old nabob had been subject to -strange spells of mania, and the worst was to be -feared.</p> - -<p>It was this that urged Claude Lamont on and on.</p> - -<p>He could not wait till he got downtown, and minutes -seemed hours to him.</p> - -<p>He thought of a thousand things.</p> - -<p>He wondered what had become of Carter, and more -than once he looked back, as if he expected to see -Nick on his trail.</p> - -<p>At a fashionable saloon he stopped long enough to -gulp down something for his nerves, and then he -hastened on again.</p> - -<p>Suddenly he stopped, and then dropped into the -shadow of a large building.</p> - -<p>A man was crossing the street—coming toward him.</p> - -<p>His heart took a great leap into his throat, for it -was the very man he was hunting for—his father.</p> - -<p>Claude stood in the shadows and watched him like -a hawk.</p> - -<p>He could not take his eyes off the old man, and as -he neared him he debated in his mind what to do.</p> - -<p>As the millionaire stepped upon the sidewalk within -a few feet of him the son darted forward and clutched -him by the arm.</p> - -<p>“Father!” he cried.</p> - -<p>With a powerful effort Perry Lamont shook the grip -loose and looked into Claude’s face.</p> - -<p>“My God! he’s mad!” ejaculated the young man.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span>“It is Claude. Don’t you know me?” pleaded the -son.</p> - -<p>“Let me go. I’ve been looking after my sister—little -Sis, you know.”</p> - -<p>“Heavens! he means Mother Flintstone!” thought -Claude.</p> - -<p>“I can’t find her. What’s become of Sis?”</p> - -<p>“I’ll find her for you.”</p> - -<p>“What; you’ll show me where she is?” cried the -old man.</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes. Come with me.”</p> - -<p>In an instant Lamont’s mind changed, and he became -as docile as a lamb.</p> - -<p>As Claude was near the house he occupied when -not at home he guided his father thither and let him -inside.</p> - -<p>Conducting him to the library, where he had just -had an interview with George Richmond, he seated -his parent and took a chair himself.</p> - -<p>“Is she here?” asked Lamont.</p> - -<p>“Yes; you’ll see her presently.”</p> - -<p>“But I can’t wait. I want to see Sis now. I haven’t -seen her for years, and I want to tell her about the -money I have kept for her so long.”</p> - -<p>“What money?”</p> - -<p>“I’ve kept it for Sis. It belongs to her—the thousands -which were left to her, you know.”</p> - -<p>“What if Sis isn’t in need of money?” queried -Claude.</p> - -<p>“Then I’ll throw it into the fire! No one shall have -it but her. I will see to that. Who are you?”</p> - -<p>Claude smiled grimly.</p> - -<p>His father had not recognized him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span>“Come, you don’t want Sis to have the money,” he -cried, and before the son could prevent, the other was -on his feet, his eyes glaring like the orbs of a wolf.</p> - -<p>“I’ll have your blood if you don’t tell me!” shrieked -the mad millionaire.</p> - -<p>“I’m your son.”</p> - -<p>“No, you’re not! My son? It’s a lie!”</p> - -<p>Claude saw his danger, and the madman advancing -upon him made him throw out his hand in self-defense.</p> - -<p>“My son is at home!” cried Lamont, senior. “You -are not he. I won’t believe it!”</p> - -<p>“But, father——”</p> - -<p>The sentence was not finished, for all at once Perry -Lamont sprang at his son, and grabbing him by the -shoulders, threw him against the wall.</p> - -<p>There was a startled cry on the other side of it -from the woman whose eyes seemed glued to the -paper there.</p> - -<p>“I’ll kill you like a dog if you don’t tell me where -Sis is. I went to her den—they called her Mother -Flintstone, you know—but she wasn’t there. Where -is she?”</p> - -<p>“Let me loose first.”</p> - -<p>“And let you run off? Not much; ha! ha!” and -the maniac laughed. “I won’t do anything of the -kind.”</p> - -<p>“But I can’t show you where Sis is unless you do -that. I won’t run away, father.”</p> - -<p>“It is false. You can’t fool me. I will hold you -here till you tell the truth.”</p> - -<p>“Well, Sis, is asleep in the room yonder.”</p> - -<p>“Is that true?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span>Claude Lamont wanted to gain time. If he could -get rid of his father’s maddened hands he might effect -his escape, for just now he was in danger.</p> - -<p>Perry Lamont glanced toward the door, and seemed -disposed to believe his desperate son.</p> - -<p>But suddenly he appeared to change his mind, for -again his eyes shot forth sparks of fire.</p> - -<p>“Call her out here,” he said.</p> - -<p>Claude’s heart seemed to sink within him.</p> - -<p>He knew he could not call back the dead.</p> - -<p>He wished for the door to open and admit some -one; he would have rejoiced then, with his father’s -fingers buried in his throat, to have seen Carter.</p> - -<p>“I’ll give you one second, or to hades you go!” suddenly -cried Perry Lamont.</p> - -<p>Claude’s blood seemed to run cold.</p> - -<p>One second to live!</p> - -<p>What had become of George Richmond?</p> - -<p>Why didn’t that worthy turn up to save him in the -nick of time?</p> - -<p>Why had he guided his father to that house and not -home, where he would have had Opal for an ally?</p> - -<p>Fate was against him.</p> - -<p>“Quick! quick!” exclaimed the madman. “Tell me -where Sis is or I will tear your throat here!”</p> - -<p>Claude made one last effort.</p> - -<p>He summoned all his strength and dashed forward.</p> - -<p>His father’s feet tripped on the carpet, and, falling, -he dragged him down.</p> - -<p>Father and son fell in a heap on the carpet, and for -half a second seemed stunned by the tumble.</p> - -<p>Claude was the first to recover.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span>He raised himself and tore himself loose from the -maniacal fingers.</p> - -<p>As he did so his father sprang up with the roar of -a baffled tiger, and launched himself forward.</p> - -<p>It left Claude little time for reflection or action.</p> - -<p>He saw danger ahead, and his hands were bare of -any weapon.</p> - -<p>But suddenly he snatched up a glass paper weight -from the desk, and launched it straight at his father’s -face.</p> - -<p>An arrow never went straighter to the mark than -did the paper weight. It struck the millionaire fairly -in the face, and he went down like a stricken ox.</p> - -<p>On the carpet he gave a convulsive gasp and moved -one arm; that was all.</p> - -<p>“He invited it,” said Claude. “He forced it upon -himself. They can’t blame me for this thing.”</p> - -<p>Five minutes later he stood on the street, with the -house darkened behind him and the glim of the lamps -in his eyes.</p> - -<p>He looked like Cain; the brand was on his brow.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[303]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXVII.<br /> - -<small>CARTER’S ESCAPE.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>We left Carter in durance in the dungeon where -the strange explosion had taken place.</p> - -<p>Truly the detective was in the direst straits, and he -could not forget the writing on the wall.</p> - -<p>He did not know who “Lewis Newell” was, and -he did not stop to inquire.</p> - -<p>The sentence said that Opal Lamont, the fair daughter -of the millionaire, was responsible for the prisoner’s -fate, and this set the detective to thinking.</p> - -<p>Perhaps the house to which he had been decoyed -belonged to Perry Lamont, like another house he -knew of.</p> - -<p>He recalled his visit to the nabob’s mansion, where -he had confronted Opal, and he recalled as well her -demeanor.</p> - -<p>That she had revengeful blood he well knew.</p> - -<p>Her beauty was tigerish.</p> - -<p>But first of all the detective wanted to get out of -the dark place, and he resolved that it should not hold -him long.</p> - -<p>How to get out was the question, but for all this he -set about it with all his wits at work.</p> - -<p>The singular odors arising from the bomb had not -overcome him longer than a few minutes, and now -the dungeon seemed fairly free of them.</p> - -<p>Once more he went around the walls and sounded -them again. He stooped where he had seen the flash -of light as the bomb burst, and found that the wall had -yielded.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[304]</span>A stone was loosened, and this gave him hope.</p> - -<p>Beyond the wall must lie liberty.</p> - -<p>With an energy born of despair Carter toiled until -he had made a hole underneath the wall large enough -to admit his body, and he did not hesitate to squeeze -through it.</p> - -<p>Beyond the wall sure enough lay freedom, for he -felt the cool night air on his cheeks and found himself -in a cramped back yard.</p> - -<p>Out of durance at last, Carter breathed a prayer of -thankfulness and filled up the hole.</p> - -<p>He stood for some little time in the yard, and then -cleared the fence which stood between him and the -street.</p> - -<p>Half an hour later he might have been seen to enter -Bristol Clara’s house.</p> - -<p>The woman uttered a cry as she saw him, and pulled -him forward.</p> - -<p>“Thank Heaven!” she cried; “but why didn’t you -come sooner?”</p> - -<p>“I couldn’t. Circumstances prevented,” said the detective, -with a grim smile, which Bristol Clara did not -understand.</p> - -<p>“What’s happened, girl?”</p> - -<p>“Murder!”</p> - -<p>“Where?”</p> - -<p>“There!”</p> - -<p>The woman pointed across the room toward the next -house and looked at Carter.</p> - -<p>“Who committed it?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Claude Lamont.”</p> - -<p>“Then they’re even,” was the detective’s answer.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[305]</span>Clara did not reply, but led the detective to the -peephole, and bade him look.</p> - -<p>The room beyond the partition was dimly lighted, -but he could see its appointments and single tenant.</p> - -<p>A man was stretched on the floor, silent and still.</p> - -<p>“That’s the victim,” said the woman at his side.</p> - -<p>“Who is he?”</p> - -<p>“Perry Lamont.”</p> - -<p>“And you say Claude did it? His son?”</p> - -<p>“His son. I saw the whole affair.”</p> - -<p>“Tell me all about it, Clara.”</p> - -<p>Bristol Clara did so, and the detective listened without -once interrupting the woman.</p> - -<p>“I must see the man yonder,” said Nick.</p> - -<p>“That’s easy. The house is tenanted only by the -dead. You can easily get inside.”</p> - -<p>It did not take Carter long to reach the room where -Perry Lamont lay.</p> - -<p>He raised the man’s head and saw the dark spot -made by the murderous paper weight; then he lowered -it again to the floor.</p> - -<p>He searched the room thoroughly, and found more -than one thing which told him that it had been one of -Claude Lamont’s nests.</p> - -<p>At last he rejoined Clara in the other house.</p> - -<p>“Now for the round-up,” said he.</p> - -<p>The woman looked at him, but did not speak.</p> - -<p>“You once asked me who killed Mother Flintstone,” -said Nick.</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“I know.”</p> - -<p>“Of course you do. You find out all these things.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[306]</span> -I never doubted that you would reach the end of this -trail.”</p> - -<p>“Well, woman, I can tell you now.”</p> - -<p>Bristol Clara leaned forward, and Carter whispered -a word into her ear.</p> - -<p>“My God! you don’t mean that?” cried the woman, -as she recoiled, with very little color in her face.</p> - -<p>“Every word of it.”</p> - -<p>“It cannot be.”</p> - -<p>“It is true.”</p> - -<p>“Then go and do your duty;” said she. “Don’t -let the guilty escape, Mr. Carter.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t intend to. I’ll see you later, Clara. Only -keep a watch over the man in yonder. The murderer -may come back. Perhaps it was self-defense, but he -isn’t remorseful. It is murder all the same.”</p> - -<p>The detective made his way from the house and -to another part of the city. He had found in the desk -a bit of paper, with a scrawled address thereon.</p> - -<p>It was a certain number in Brooklyn, and inside the -hour the detective was across the river.</p> - -<p>It did not take him very long to reach the house, -which he found darkened and silent, but his ring -brought footsteps downstairs and to the door.</p> - -<p>As the portal opened Carter caught sight of an old -man’s face, and he addressed him.</p> - -<p>“I desire to see Mr. Holden, your roomer.”</p> - -<p>“He’s sound asleep, sir.”</p> - -<p>“I must see him all the same. Which room does -he occupy?”</p> - -<p>The detective pushed forward, with one hand on -the old man’s arm, and the old fellow seemed to suspect -the truth.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[307]</span>“Don’t disturb my wife. She’s sick upstairs. You -shall see Mr. Holden. I hope he isn’t a fugitive from -justice, sir?”</p> - -<p>There was no answer by the detective, for the old -man opened a door and motioned Nick across another -threshold.</p> - -<p>As Carter entered the room a human figure sprang -from a bed and stood on the carpet before him.</p> - -<p>“How are you?” said the detective.</p> - -<p>The reply he got was a snort like a sound from a -restive tiger, and George Richmond, brought to bay, -threw a swift glance toward the door.</p> - -<p>“What’s wanting?” he demanded.</p> - -<p>“I want you.”</p> - -<p>“What for?”</p> - -<p>“For conspiracy.”</p> - -<p>The man before Carter seemed to catch his breath.</p> - -<p>It was not so bad after all.</p> - -<p>In fact, a grim smile appeared at the corners of his -mouth and his look softened.</p> - -<p>“Who are you?” he next asked.</p> - -<p>“Come, you know me, George,” said the detective. -“I’m not disguised.”</p> - -<p>“Well, here I am.”</p> - -<p>The half-dressed man stepped forward, but the moment -Carter advanced a step he picked up a chair and -with the fury of a maniac threw it above his head.</p> - -<p>The old landlord behind the detective uttered a terrified -cry and retreated, and as he held the only light -there was, the room was wrapped in darkness.</p> - -<p>Carter struck a match, and at the same time thrust -forward his revolver.</p> - -<p>But the match revealed nothing.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[308]</span>George Richmond was gone!</p> - -<p>For half a minute Carter stood like a person in a -dream, but a sudden cry from the old man aroused -him.</p> - -<p>“He’s crept under the bed, sir,” was the cry.</p> - -<p>With a light laugh Carter sprang forward and -caught hold of the foot he found.</p> - -<p>The next moment a bullet whizzed past his head -and then he dragged the rascal forth.</p> - -<p>Lying on the floor, handcuffed, George Richmond -looked up into Carter’s face and grinned.</p> - -<p>“For conspiracy, eh?” he said. “That’s news to -me.”</p> - -<p>“It’s better for that than murder,” was the answer, -and then Carter took his prisoner away.</p> - -<p>“Now for the other birds,” said the detective, as he -turned from the station house.</p> - -<p>He proceeded uptown and, late as it was, rang the -bell of the Lamont mansion.</p> - -<p>For some time no one answered him, and then he -heard footsteps inside.</p> - -<p>“It’s Opal herself,” thought Carter, as he waited -for the door to open.</p> - -<p>Yes, it was the handsome daughter of the dead -millionaire, and she maintained her composure as she -looked into the detective’s face.</p> - -<p>“It’s a late call, miss,” said Carter, as he stepped -inside. “But it is a case of necessity. I’ve found your -father.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed?”</p> - -<p>How terribly cool this girl was.</p> - -<p>“Yes; he’s been found and will be home shortly.”</p> - -<p>“That’s clever of you. I did not know you were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[309]</span> -looking for him. He went off a little unexpectedly, -you see——”</p> - -<p>“I understand. He is dead——”</p> - -<p>“Father dead?”</p> - -<p>It was a real start now, but in a moment Opal regained -her composure.</p> - -<p>“Miss Lamont, did you ever know a man named -Lewis Newell?”</p> - -<p>She fell back and seemed to gasp for breath.</p> - -<p>“Lewis Newell?” she echoed, trying to become calm -again. “I don’t know that I ever knew such a man.”</p> - -<p>“You did not decoy him to a dungeon? You did -not coolly let him perish there? I’ve read his last -words on the wall, miss. I know that that is not your -only crime!”</p> - -<p>“It is false!”</p> - -<p>She looked defiant and her eyes flashed.</p> - -<p>“There’s another, miss,” continued Carter.</p> - -<p>“You dare not say that again.”</p> - -<p>“I say it again. There’s another crime. It is the -greatest one of all.”</p> - -<p>“What is it, pray?”</p> - -<p>“The murder of Mother Flintstone!”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[310]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXXVIII.<br /> - -<small>JUSTICE’S ROUND-UP.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Opal Lamont seemed to grow into a statue before -the detective.</p> - -<p>She did not move a muscle, but her face grew white, -and the detective thought she would sink to the floor.</p> - -<p>But suddenly she started up and calmly invited -Carter into the parlor.</p> - -<p>The detective accepted and watched her like a hawk, -for had not she once faced him with a revolver, and -was not this the woman named by “Lewis Newell” on -the wall of the dungeon?</p> - -<p>Opal Lamont seemed calm now.</p> - -<p>She faced the man of many trails and even smiled.</p> - -<p>“The murder of Mother Flintstone?” she said, recalling -the detective’s words in the hall. “You accuse -me of that, do you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Let me see your proofs, please.”</p> - -<p>Carter dived one hand into his bosom and drew -forth a little packet, upon which the eyes of Opal -Lamont were riveted from the first.</p> - -<p>He had never shown this to any one.</p> - -<p>No one knew that he found it in an obscure corner -of Mother Flintstone’s den the night he went thither -with Mulberry Billy, the street waif, and the old -woman’s “chum.”</p> - -<p>Opal leaned forward and watched the hands of the -detective open the packet.</p> - -<p>She never took her eyes from the “find,” and when<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[311]</span> -the last bit of covering had been taken off she appeared -to grow white.</p> - -<p>One-half of a ring lay in Carter’s hand, and he -glanced from it to the immobile face of the millionaire’s -daughter.</p> - -<p>“You found that in the house, I suppose?” asked -Opal.</p> - -<p>“Yes; in the darkest corner, not far from the spot -where you struck the blow.”</p> - -<p>“Is that all?”</p> - -<p>“Not quite.”</p> - -<p>“You need not go on. Look at me, Mr. Carter. -It was for the honor of this house. She was wicked.”</p> - -<p>“She was your father’s sister!”</p> - -<p>“She made a bad match. She was disowned, or, -rather, she disinherited herself.”</p> - -<p>“But that was no excuse for the crime.”</p> - -<p>“She might have paraded the relationship before -the world,” cried Opal. “She was positively dangerous. -She was a perpetual menace. It was dreadful.”</p> - -<p>“You took it upon yourself to put her out of the -way. You went to the house——”</p> - -<p>“To silence her tongue!” broke in Opal Lamont. -“Murder was not in my mind at first. But she taunted -me; she laughed at me when I offered to make her -rich. She even threatened to appear in public and -boast of the kinship. That was more than I could -stand.”</p> - -<p>“You struck her then?”</p> - -<p>“I did. I broke the ring with the blow. I did not -miss it till I came home. The other half strangely<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[312]</span> -clung to my finger till I reached this house. I thought -I had lost the rest on the street.”</p> - -<p>“You nearly involved others in that crime.”</p> - -<p>“How’s that?”</p> - -<p>“Your brother was for a time suspected of the -murder, and then his chum, George Richmond.”</p> - -<p>“Did it deceive you?”</p> - -<p>“For a time. I traced out the ownership of the -ring. I did it with the utmost secrecy. But a short -time ago I half believed that one of them was the -guilty person, but I am undeceived now.”</p> - -<p>A haughty smile came to the girl’s lips.</p> - -<p>She made an impatient gesture and then said:</p> - -<p>“Let us dismiss these things. We can come back -to them, you know. You said a while ago that father -was dead.”</p> - -<p>“He is.”</p> - -<p>“Where is he?”</p> - -<p>“In one of the many houses he owned.”</p> - -<p>“I thought he would take his life in his madness. -He would have given his wealth for the keeping of -the secret of the kinship. How did he do it?”</p> - -<p>For a moment Carter was silent.</p> - -<p>“It was not suicide,” said he, looking at Opal. “It -was the greater crime—murder!”</p> - -<p>She started like one electrified.</p> - -<p>“Another murder? I want to see him avenged, -even if I have hands that are red! I want you to take -the trail of his slayer. You will do this, Mr. Carter? -You won’t refuse to become the servant of your human -quarry?”</p> - -<p>“It is no mystery,” was the reply. “The murder of -your father is not a puzzle!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[313]</span>“Then you know——”</p> - -<p>“I know, for I have a living witness.”</p> - -<p>Opal was silent; but her deep eyes seemed to pierce -the detective through and through.</p> - -<p>“I’m calm now. Name him.”</p> - -<p>At this moment the front door opened and some one -came in.</p> - -<p>“It is Claude, my brother,” said the girl, scarcely -above a whisper. “Wait a minute. He may go upstairs.”</p> - -<p>Carter looked toward the door and seemed to smile.</p> - -<p>“Call him in here. His coming will answer the -question you have just put.”</p> - -<p>Opal sprang across the carpet and opened the door, -revealing the figure of Claude in the main hall.</p> - -<p>“This way, Claude,” said she. “A gentleman wants -to see you.”</p> - -<p>It was a lightning glance that passed from the hallway -to the man in the parlor.</p> - -<p>Claude Lamont knew the detective at once.</p> - -<p>He hesitated, but Opal clutched his sleeve and pulled -him forward by main force.</p> - -<p>“You know this man. It is the trailer,” she said.</p> - -<p>A dark scowl came to the young man’s face.</p> - -<p>“I know him!” he almost hissed.</p> - -<p>The next instant the daughter turned again to Carter -and exclaimed:</p> - -<p>“Now, go on. You said you knew who killed father. -Name the murderer.”</p> - -<p>The hand of the detective was raised as his figure -straightened, and in a second it covered the young man -before him.</p> - -<p>“There’s the man!” was all he said.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[314]</span>Though he spoke in low tones the words seemed to -ring throughout the handsome parlor.</p> - -<p>Claude Lamont grew white and Opal fell back.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, however, she started forward and paused -in front of her speechless brother.</p> - -<p>“Is it true?” she cried.</p> - -<p>There was no answer.</p> - -<p>“You must speak! You must tell the truth. My -hands are red and yours seem to be! You have heard -this merciless trailer. He says you are a parricide! -Is it true? Before Heaven, answer me, Claude Lamont!”</p> - -<p>The lips of the young sport moved, but no words -issued forth.</p> - -<p>He seemed to have been struck with palsy.</p> - -<p>“You heard me, murderer!” cried Opal, flinging herself -upon her brother. “You must not stand there like -a log and say nothing. You shall tell the truth. You -did it.”</p> - -<p>Claude flung her off and she nearly toppled against -the mahogany table.</p> - -<p>“I did it, and under the circumstances I would do -it again!” he exclaimed. “He was coming at me like -a wild beast, and I had to fight or perish.”</p> - -<p>“Swear this!” cried the girl.</p> - -<p>Claude raised one hand above his head.</p> - -<p>“Where did you find him?”</p> - -<p>“On the street.”</p> - -<p>“But you did not bring him home?”</p> - -<p>“I did not. I took him to one of our houses——”</p> - -<p>“And killed him there? Murderer!”</p> - -<p>That instant, with the fury of a madman, Claude<span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[315]</span> -turned upon his sister and covered her white face with -his quivering hand.</p> - -<p>“Murderer, eh? What are you? Don’t you know -that the curse of blood has been upon this house for -years? The curse of blood and money! Nearly a -century ago one of your ancestors murdered his bride, -and ever since the stain has been upon the house. It -has skipped a few generations, but it is with us now. -Richmond and I have kept your red secret. We know -who killed Mother Flintstone. Does the detective -know?”</p> - -<p>“He knows,” calmly answered Opal.</p> - -<p>“And does he know that the girl called Margie -Marne is the grandchild of Mother Flintstone?”</p> - -<p>Nick nodded.</p> - -<p>“That’s all.”</p> - -<p>Claude Lamont turned and stalked coolly from the -room.</p> - -<p>At the door he stopped and looked back.</p> - -<p>“I’ll be on hand when wanted,” he said. “It was -self-defense. I had to take the old man’s life.”</p> - -<p>Carter and Opal heard him on the stairs, and in a -few moments they heard a door shut overhead.</p> - -<p>Long before morning a policeman stood guard over -the dead millionaire’s mansion.</p> - -<p>The night passed slowly.</p> - -<p>New York was getting ready to awake to the solution -of another murder mystery and another crime.</p> - -<p>The detective was making the last move in the office -of the chief of police, who had listened to the story -of his last trail.</p> - -<p>George Richmond lay in the station-house cell fast -asleep, just as if he had never been concerned in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[316]</span> -plot to rob Perry Lamont, the millionaire, with the -aid of his scapegrace son.</p> - -<p>The morning broke.</p> - -<p>Carter went to the Lamont mansion.</p> - -<p>Upon parting the night before Opal had pledged -her honor that she would greet him when he came -again.</p> - -<p>He entered the house, speaking first to the guardian -at the door, who assured him that all was well, and -then he entered the parlor.</p> - -<p>He rang the silver call bell on the table, and a -servant entered.</p> - -<p>“Your mistress?” said he.</p> - -<p>“She is upstairs.”</p> - -<p>Something in the servant’s tones attracted the detective, -and he bounded up the steps.</p> - -<p>Into the girl’s boudoir he burst, to stop just beyond -the threshold.</p> - -<p>One glance was enough—one look at the form lying -on the couch satisfied the detective, and he did not -remove the black-handled dagger from the blood-flecked -bosom.</p> - -<p>Claude was found fast asleep and was taken away, -but the murderess was left alone.</p> - -<p>The trail was ended.</p> - -<p>Opal, the murderer of Mother Flintstone, was past -reach of judge or jury, and the court acquitted Claude, -for Bristol Clara, the only living witness, had to testify -in his favor.</p> - -<p>George Richmond was tried for conspiracy, and, as -the law had long wanted to get another hold on him, -he was sent “up the river” for a long term, which -proved his last, for he died in Sing Sing.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[317]</span>The outcome of the detective’s trail was a startling -surprise to Gothamites and became the talk of the -town.</p> - -<p>Margie Marne received a goodly share of the Lamont -wealth, and afterward married, while Mulberry -Billy, who played no insignificant part in the Mother -Flintstone affair, was placed beyond want by Margie, -who had formed an attachment for the boy.</p> - -<p>It afterward turned out that Lewis Newell was a -man who once persecuted Opal with his attentions, -and the girl, with the coolness of a Borgia, decoyed him -to his doom and thus began her career of crime.</p> - -<p>Carter was highly complimented upon the result of -his last trail, but he will never forget his adventure in -the dungeon to which he had been decoyed by the -daughter of the millionaire, nor the coolness with -which she met the terrible charge he brought home to -her under her own roof.</p> - -<p class="center">THE END.</p> - -<p>The title of the next volume of <span class="smcap">The New Magnet -Library</span>, No. 836, is “The Heart of the Underworld,” -by Nicholas Carter. The story leads you through dark -and devious ways of crime, through a labyrinth of -mystery and apparent defeat, out upon the broad highway -of justice—where crime is punished and wrongs -are righted. The great detective is the guide through -this maze, and those who follow him in his perilous -adventures will find themselves thrilled from start to -finish.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="ph2">The S. & S.<br /> -Novels Have<br /> -No Rivals</p> - -<p>Our books have a field entirely -their own. They are -the only novels to which new, -first-class titles are being added -every week.</p> - -<p>No news dealer’s stock is complete -without them. That’s why -every up-to-date dealer carries -a good assortment of them on -his shelves.</p> - -<p class="ph1">STREET & SMITH, <i>Publishers</i><br /> -NEW YORK</p> -</div></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="ph1">MASTERPIECES OF DETECTIVE LITERATURE</p> - -<p class="center">ALL BOOKS COPYRIGHTED</p> - -<p class="ph2">NEW MAGNET LIBRARY</p> - -<p class="center">A New Book Issued Every Week in This Line</p> - -<p>Our efforts to fill the enormous demand for scientific detective -literature at a reasonable price have been unceasing for the past -eight years. Any one who looks over the titles in the <b>New -Magnet Library</b> can hardly doubt that we have succeeded -splendidly in giving American readers the kind of mystery stories -that is usually found between cloth covers at $1.50. The price at -which these books are sold seems very insignificant in comparison -to the amount and quality of reading. Our watchword -in connection with this line is “never be content,” and it will be -our earnest endeavor to not only maintain the high standard of -excellence that prevails in the stories that we have published, -but to improve upon it. Every lover of detective stories will -rejoice in having this line brought to his attention because it -will place within his reach just the sort of literature that he -has been seeking.</p> - -<p class="ph1">ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT</p> - -<p>TO THE PUBLIC:—These books are sold by news dealers everywhere. -If your dealer does not keep them, and will not get them for -you, send direct to the publishers, in which case four cents must be -added to the price per copy to cover postage.</p> -</div></div> - -<hr class="tbd" /> - -<table> -<tr><td class="tdr">1</td><td>—A Klondike Claim</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">2</td><td>—The Great Enigma</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">3</td><td>—A Titled Counterfeiter</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">4</td><td>—Tracked Across the Atlantic</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">5</td><td>—The Crime of a Countess</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">6</td><td>—A Wall Street Haul </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">7</td><td>—The American Marquis</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">8</td><td>—An Australian Klondike</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">9</td><td>—A Stolen Identity</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">10</td><td>—The Old Detective’s Pupil</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">11</td><td>—Fighting Against Millions</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">12</td><td>—Playing a Bold Game</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">13</td><td>—The Mysterious Mail Robbery</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">14</td><td>—Caught in the Toils</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">16</td><td>—A Woman’s Hand</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">17</td><td>—The Piano Box Mystery</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">18</td><td>—The Gamblers’ Syndicate</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">19</td><td>—A Chance Discovery</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">21</td><td>—A Deposit Vault Puzzle</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">23</td><td>—Evidence by Telephone</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">39</td><td>—Among the Counterfeiters</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">43</td><td>—Among the Nihilists</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">46</td><td>—Check No. 777</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">49</td><td>—At Odds with Scotland Yard</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">50</td><td>—The Man from India</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">53</td><td>—An Accidental Password</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">56</td><td>—At Thompson’s Ranch</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">59</td><td>—A Millionaire Partner</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">62</td><td>—A Fair Criminal</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">65</td><td>—Found on the Beach</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">68</td><td>—The Double Shuffle Club</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">71</td><td>—The Diamond Mine Case</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">73</td><td>—Two Plus Two</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">75</td><td>—The Clever Celestial</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">77</td><td>—The Van Alstine Case</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Cartel</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">79</td><td>—The Sign of the Crossed Knives</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">81</td><td>—Wanted by Two Clients</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">83</td><td>—The Crescent Brotherhood</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">85</td><td>—A Dead Man’s Grip</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">87</td><td>—Nick Carter and the Green Goods Men</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">89</td><td>—The Detective’s Pretty Neighbor</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">91</td><td>—The Great Money Order Swindle</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">93</td><td>—Harrison Keith, Detective</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">95</td><td>—Sealed Orders; or, The Triple Mystery</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">97</td><td>—The Puzzle of Five Pistols</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">99</td><td>—Gideon Drexel’s Millions</td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">101</td><td>—The Stolen Pay Train </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">105</td><td>—A Bite of an Apple </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">108</td><td>—Nick Carter’s Clever Protégée </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">111</td><td>—The Stolen Race Horse </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">114</td><td>—The Man Who Vanished </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">117</td><td>—A Herald Personal </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">120</td><td>—The Twelve Tin Boxes </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">123</td><td>—The Elevated Railroad Mystery </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">126</td><td>—A Game of Craft </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">129</td><td>—The Man Who Stole Millions </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">132</td><td>—Nick Carter’s Girl Detective </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">135</td><td>—The Crime of the French Café </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">138</td><td>—Crossed Wires </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">141</td><td>—Nick Carter Down East </td><td class="tdr"> By the author of Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">144</td><td>—The Twelve Wise Men </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">147</td><td>—Nick Carter’s Retainer </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">150</td><td>—Lady Velvet </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">153</td><td>—Nick Carter’s Clever Ruse </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">156</td><td>—A Victim of Circumstances </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">159</td><td>—A Framework of Fate </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">162</td><td>—Nick Carter’s Star Pupils </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">165</td><td>—Held for Trial </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">168</td><td>—Brought to Bay </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">171</td><td>—The Silent Passenger </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">174</td><td>—A Princess of Crime </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">177</td><td>—A Scrap of Black Lace </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">182</td><td>—The Bottle with the Black Label </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">186</td><td>—A Desperate Chance </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">189</td><td>—The Man of Mystery </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">191</td><td>—The Murray Hill Mystery </td><td class="tdr"> By Nicholas Carter</td></tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/bcover.jpg" alt="" /></div> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="transnote"> -<p class="ph1">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> - -<p>Obvious 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