Nick Carter Weekly (no. 165) (1900 02 24)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
ial pies. Tesued weekly, Subscription price $2.50 per year. Entered as second class matier at the N. Y. Post Office by Braver & Sart. No. 165, ' Price 5 Cents. a a, StosSsS A HUMAN HAND REACHED NOISELESSLY THROUGH THK BuOKEN PANEL. FOUR NEW NUMBERS 1* OF EVERY WiC:
Page 2
NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Bntered according to Act of QOongress in the years p50 ON ree Smith, inthe Office of the Tabrarian of Oongrest, snengton, Db : Issued weekiees Entered as second class Viauten ai the New York, N2 ¥., Post Office. Subscription price, $2.50 per year, February 24, 1900, . No 165. _ STREET & Smira, Publishers. NEW YORK. 298 William 8t., N.¥. 5 Cents A PLAN TO CATCH HIM THAT DIDN'T WORK By the Author of NICK CARTER." a one i CHAPTER I. BRUNETTE AND BLONDE. “Wanted ?”” ‘Particularly !"” ‘*By whom ??? “Myself.”” ‘(Att indeed!’ Nick Carter closed the doot which he had j just opened. _ The person he confronted proceeded to lock it. . Both stood in the private office of the shrewdest lawyer in New York City— Silas Keene. For thirty years this eminent and ac- ‘ tive man of law had held his own—head and shoulders above even the reputed giants of the local -bar. As he faced the clever detective now, ~ however, he was as eager and excitable as a young lawyer about to discuss his first brief. business, you eae mu cede know—in your case. Histen, Mi. % I They were excellent friends, these two —this peer of Choate and Webster, and this wonderful secret service expert whose fame was world-wide and deserved. A Jook of inquiry rested on the face of the latter, for he had not been invited tors .. seat himself. Se The small-sized but bigehtaineds lawyer drew down the door shade in a‘hurried, | at o fussy way. ‘Then he glanced nervously his watch. “Ten!” he said, in a low tone to him self. ” “‘What of it?” interrogated Nick. a Nearly the hour.”? **Ror what??? ‘*A double appointment. ’’ “(How about this of mine?’’ “Quckily you are prompt!’ “T try to be, always—the essence of ce Carter,”
Page 3
a> “TY am all attention.’’ **You know me pretty well?’’ “J am. honored ‘in answering yes’ to tiiate’2 -‘T usually paddle my own canoe Teck “Invariably, I should say.’ © ; ‘Sometimes, however, the shrewdest . of us strike a snag.” “*Have you??? {*We shall see. Two women are due here within the next ten minutes.*’ ‘Both at the same time?”’ “Yes, not in the same room.’’ “Tl am interested.”’ : “T need your advice—I must have it!” ‘Yours to command, you know. It ap- pears to me, however,’’ observed Nick, “that you are letting the precious mo- ments flit by. Keene.”’ “No—you must see; you must watch, study, ponder—direct me.”? There came an interrupting tap at the hall door: Instantly, himself eeaaras on tip-toe, the lawyer pushed his visitor towards an inner door. It stood half open—he drew it wholly so, Nick, both amused and amazed, al- lowed himelf to be thrust over the thresh- - old. : _ The door closed—the detective found | himself in a narrow closet.” It had’ once beet? a connecting hallway of some kind, but its two ends had been “sealed up. Nick was shut in. It appeared that the ' attorney was bound to be sure of his 3 man, for he had slipped the lock catch. A voluntary prisoner, Nick . inspected his quarters, for there was sufficient light to enable him to do so. At one side of the closet was am aper- ture—at the other its counterpart. Zo State your case, Mr. _, One of the apertures looked into the , _ private office and over it was a shutter formed of slanted slats. Its exact euterpart fronted the oes NICK CARTER WEEKLY. way, cominanding a small apartment that contained the law library ofthe firm, From either side, therefore, Nick could look into a room, could hear with equal facility all that was.going on. ‘The library ‘was tenautless, although in complete or-— der—with chairs set, with an air of readi- — ness, as if for a visitor. The private office was “of cotirse ee first point of interest, for the tap at the door had been repeated, The lawyer opened this; a clerk stood | at the threshold. Nick had not noticed this man on en- tering, having slipped by all outposts in the silent, guarded way he usually adopt- ed when ne felt that a summons aIOLW ee “Ca case.” The man was a stranger to him; he must have recently taken the | place of a 5 person Nick had been used to see, on : duty, about the office for years past. : The newcomer had fishy, staring eyes, —a bad mouth that Nick did not like. What Nick did like was the direct way in which the fellow stated his business. “One,’’ he said, briefly. — “One only?’ spoke the lawyer, in gn but quick accents. The usher bowed assentingly. ‘‘Show her in here.’? “And when the other comes——’” “‘Show her into the law library, as-I _ directed you.” “ST understand, Mr. fone. ibd “Qlose the door updn her; let no’ one — intrude.”?’ oo The man withdrew. Fifteen seconds went by, the lawyer standing holding the open door expectantly. A veiled figure crossed the Oieshiold, It. was girlish, but steady. As the veil was hastily drawn aside, Nick saw a dark-featured beauty of the — Le Spanish type. Her Sues 8 wete se neots spark : ling, audacious, ‘Miss Eva Romaine?” See the lawyet, bowing with geet stage, ‘3 infoetip’ io
Page 4
: NICK CARTER WEEKLY, : 2 \ - “Mr. Keene?’’? responded the visitor, murmuringly, with a graceful inclination of her head. ‘YT eceived your card,’’ observed Keene, seating himself in the chair at his desk. ‘And my note??? ‘‘Ves, Miss Romaine.”? “Tt surprised you?” ‘*Why, no, for I was expecting you.”’ The lawyer fumbled over some papers —he drew out a tiny, delicate note. “Tn this you make an appointment,”* he observed. **For ten this morning,” ‘Exactly. Have you brought the docu- ment ?”? ae ~ J have.’ ‘‘May I glance at it?” ‘*Most certainly.”’ The young lady unwrapped a small handbag and drew out a long, yellow e: en- velope. E ~It bore the name and address of the lawyer. Mr. Keene fixed his eyes upon his vis- itor, holding the envelope poised unread for the moment. “Now, Miss Romaine,’’ he said, brisk- ~ ly, ‘‘to the business of the occasion!’ ‘Ves, sir.’ . 8A few months ago I raceieaa a letter: from an old client of mine—Mr. Volney - Weare.” “My adopted parent—my best friend !”? murmured Miss Romaine, feelingly. ““He sent ine instructions to dispose of ,alarge amount of property. I did so, realizing something over one handeed thousand dollars,” “(A great sum, sir)? ‘He stated his intentions; in the pur- suit of science he was penetrating the ‘wildest part of Central America.’ ‘Wild, indeed!” murmured Miss Ro- maine. 2 PES: “He spoke of his faithful -Sompanions ee > an old Mexican wonian, a 7 deaf mute “*Paquita!?? breathed handsome client. ce ‘ST believe that was the name. There was also his secretary—his literary com- panion——’? the lawyer’s ““Mvself,”? unhesitatingly aunounced . the visitor. ‘Whom he had adopted. She had faith- fully nursed him in his illness; she had been invaluable in his work. He instruct- ed me, in case of his death, that this ac- cumulated fortune should be handed over to her.”’ > ‘‘His death was sudden.”’ ‘Ves; I had the particulars from the persons who shipped the body.’? ‘‘He had left us only two weeks——” “Vourself and this Mexanan woian ?? (Ves, ” i "Where is she??? ea ‘‘Paquita died only a few days later. I alone survived. I came North, because Mr. Weare had so directed me before his death.”? 5 ‘’To claim the fortifne?” ff “TOs fitst preaest my proofs of iden- tityee ‘These are the proofs in question?” ‘*You will find them so, I think.’ The lawyer opened the envelope. From Iris place of espionage the detec- tive could see that the enclosure removed was a sheet of writing paper, with a pho- tograph pinned or pasted on its centre. . ““Yes,”” nodded Kener is Si client’s handwriting.” “You recognize it, sir??’ ‘‘Perfectly. And this also is the letter —the instructions—he advised me he would send should death overtake him,” : ‘Then——”? ‘““Your address, Miss Romaine?” said” the lawyer. erated He pushed towards her pencil and pa = per. :
Page 5
Y se NICK CARTER WERKLY. Slie hesitated, as though she would - like to ask some questions. The lawyer, professionally however, had set lis face sphynx-like, aud she shrewdly repressed her inclinations. ~ Miss Romaine scribbled off a quick line. “You will leave this paper ?’’ intimated the lawyer, indicating the enveloped document. “Certainly—in such trusted hands. as yours.’ Eee Thanks? Keene arose; he accompanied his vise. itor to the door. * ‘And I. shall hear from) you—— questioned Miss Romaine, rather aux- iously. =f ‘To-morrow.’ The.lawyer bowed his client out into the hall. At the door he lingered. For he could just hear another door open and shut farther down the suite. Nick Carter heard it also. “All the detective had to. Chapter Two in the episode was to turn around in the ‘present occupied. A second young woman had just been Ws do to begin shown into the library room. This one was unveiled. She was quite the reverse of the law- _yer’s first visitor—a blonde. CHAPTER IT. NUMBER THREE! - Almost immediately the lawyer entered = the apartment into which’ Nick Carter was now looking. “Its occupant arose, “Mr. Keene ?”? she murmured, inter- -rogatively. ae “You are Miss ‘Eva Romaine?’ “That i is my name.” “You left. a card Yesterday?” of the hour closet he at- mean. ‘*Stating that I would -eall at ten this morning.’? i ‘Very true. Resume your seat. You — left word that you possessed-a document — | I was A) te from a dead client of mine. : L ‘*Ves—Mr. Volney Weare.”’ ‘*May I see it?” "Certainly, sir.” i The new caller drew from her pocket an envelope, < It was large, like the one just tenderers by the lawyer’s previous female visitor, It was the same in, color—yellow. It bore the name and office address. of Silas Keene, Esq. - There was a sameness in all this dace at once informed the detective why he had been seut for—he even anticipated the lawyer’s first words. Srey wete: ‘*You present this, I infer, on instr tion from my client in question?” ““Ves, Mr. Keene.’? zai 3 - “You are aware that the case = jel coasters: money. \ See “ you had in trust. ae 4 { ‘“And which you expect me to turn | over to you?”’ Masi Be) The lawyer bowed, reflected. “Mr. Weare wrote me of his itoningé daughter and. her older companion, bi he” at length rec nmenced. AThe ‘“Mexicait nurse, Ene ita, I teas G think that was the ame.’” “Dead. Gs ; “Indeed!” _ ; 4 As he spoke the teaver opened the eee | sealed “envelope. an its _ counterpart, this. ‘docu crit eal i t Mis x | There was a ¢ monotony about the sit
Page 6
NICK CARTER WEREKLY. ~ « ‘ § “Miss Romaine,’’ he said—unruffled to exterior viéw—‘‘you will kindly leave this document.’”. The young Buy Golndi, “Willingly.’” 5 - “Give me your address.” ‘*T will note it on this card.’’ ‘“That will do very well.’ “And T shall cal]l——?? ‘‘No—I will send you word.”? “When, may I ask?” “To-morrow.” ‘“Thank you, sir.’’ The last comer arose, left the room; in “a minute or two the lawyer followed lier. He gave way to his pent-up emotions as he rushed into his own Private apart- iment, Locking the hall door after him, he popurtied)y ppaned that concealing the de- ‘tective. “Come out!’ he Fes “Excited?” insinuated an with a _ cool smiiie. ~ “Bamboozled! Sit down, Mr. Carter!” exclaiined the lawyer. ‘‘What do you BN of that??? - He flung the first document received on the desk before Nick. "And: thats gM ca ae Its apparent counterpart followed. . — They were different in only one. point, Nick observed, as he picked them up and deliberately scanned them. ‘The same face did not exist in both _ photographs, “Permit me a moment’s study,” re- marked the detective. The body'of the documents were fake tical—the same words, pnpesaely the same handwriting Written around a tuled-off square was a direction to the lawyer. It told him to pay over on demand the 1 day he held i in trust “to iny faithful _ daughter, secretary and ela. explorer =~ Miss. Eva : Romaine] feat = He dropped i in incidentally.’ , ‘‘Whose picture is appended,’’ pre-— ceded the signature of the dead testator. In each document the photograph, was - pinned to the paper sheet. ‘‘Well, well?’? urged the lawyer, ov. nettles of irritation and suspense. “What do you want?” “*A decision.’ “Tam not a Soloinon!”” “But you are Nick Carter!” : “Did you ever know Nick Carter to blindly commit himself??? “Ah—no!”. “Nor shall I do so at present,’’ leisure- ly proclaimed the detective. “Bring me_ the papers in this case.’” Vhe lawyer had the same at haud— two letters froin the deceased. Nick looked them over. He compared — - their handwriting with that of one and then the.other of the sheets just deliv- ered, “His handwriting ?’’ questioned Keene. “It is a question—that.”’ ““Now, Mr. -Carter, what ain I to be- lieve ?”? ; ‘*How do your ideas incline?” — “One is the real Eva Romaine.” ‘Vou think so.” *. San ea Bits eeuen see oe ee “Mere guesswork to attempt to answer =: that, just now. The addresses."” Zs Nick took possession of these. With — disappointment and disquiet, the lawyer watched the entire batch of documentary. — evidence disappear- within his visitor's. pocket. sie “What next??? he hatica: venga, “Why, next,’’ said Nick, “lend me your clerk.” ; “My clerk ?”” ; “The usher, the new man nT see “you have liere.’ : “The old one is home, sick.’? “Where did you get this new spec men??? eke
Page 7
& | . NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘Well, I wish rand.” ) “Goncerning this affair?” “Certainly.’? ““Vou will take it up?” ‘SAt onte,?? It was Nick’s intention to dispatch a directing and explanatory note to Ida, his little lady detective at home headquar- ters. ; He had penciled half a line, when the lawyer, who had left the room, returned. He was followed, not by the man who had disposed of the two recent callers, but by a boy. “Will this one answer?’ asked Keene. ‘“Ves—but the other ?”’ “He has strangely absented — himself to send him on. an er- without perinission.’’ , ‘eT see..”? ’ Nick finished his note and dispatched it. “(I shall have to wait for a while,’ he observed. “Allright, Mr. Carter. And now, what do you think?’ “Why, it is simple,’? declared Nick. “You certainly share my opinion—some- body is attempting a fraud.” “‘Some one is trying to palm off a ficti- tious heiress. Which of the two is the =e one??? Nick refused to commit himself. ‘“We have till to-morrow to find out.’’ “Tf if the addresses are all right.”’ *‘Tda will soon settle that question.’’ _ ‘Vou have seut for Ida?”’ “‘VYes, You are wanted, it seems.’ “That annoying new fellow!’’ ejacu- lated the lawyer, much perturbed—‘‘no- body on hand to attend to callers.” _A visitor ~»was announced by a tap at the door. The lawyer petulantly ‘unlocked and opened it. **Well??? he said. Nick glanced past him. He caught a glimpse as a feminine form ere Hecue closed the door with a a and the words: ‘*No—too busy !”? ‘“‘Another female?’ inquired Nick. **Yes—soine canvasser or peddler. The annoyance!’ “Bound to come in!’ ‘‘Now, what do you want?’ irritably demanded the lawyer, in response to an- other knock, and reopening the door. There was no reply, but this time the latest caller pressed forcibly past the law- yer. He was a small man, and she was quite a heavily-built woman. = She had a strange bit simple face, very dark, and in her apparel suggested the gipsy. On one arm she bore a_ half ate half reticuie, formed of closely woven gtasses, and to the lawyer this had given her the semblance of a peddler. There was a placid dignity about her that attracted Nick, and he scanned Be closely. ‘ Keene was much wrought up; he- stamped his foot at the unconventional entrance. “The brass! the assurance }?? he stormed. ‘**Hold on,’? said Nick=o""this ‘is no peddler.”’ ‘““Why doesn’t she speak ? 2? CL aa pretty sure she does not kiew* how.”? ny “what ??? : Nick’s glance had taken in a patient, set expression about the lips that was en- lightening, “She.is evidently dumb.” “Charity racket, eh?” “Not at all.”’ OS Nick had arisen and waved his hand — graciously to the woman. ; ‘Her eyes went the rounds of the room. She walked over to where a. sade calen- dar hung from a hook, It was s evident te ae could aot read, Ee
Page 8
7 NICK CARTER-WEEKLY. Pptigde te ene S f . but she began fingering the square spaces in which the numbers were set. This she did with the deftness remind- ful of an expert accountant annotating, _or a skilled musician playing some instru- ment. Speedily her quick nace ran the card, till the index digit finally rested ona date. s She squares. had counted off twenty-one “The twenty- “first of the month, eh?’? remarked Nick. ‘“That is to-day,’’ observed the lawyer, half interested. The woman proceeded to a. corner where a duster hung. She bunched the feathery end, and lifted the slim, long handle, pointer-like. There was a large clock on the wall. Running tle handle across the glass face, she began traversing the dial space as she had covered the calendar sheet. She paused at the figure ‘‘ten,’’ looked at Nick, looked at the lawyer, replaced the duster in its original resting-place, and sat down. The peveiivensrved attorney was on nettles. ‘What's this hocus-pocus??’ *‘Wait,’? said Nick, almost solemnly. ‘There is a mystery liere.” _ “Nonsenge!”?’ ‘**Nbout to be unfolded.” The woman suddenly attracted the at- tention of both in a marked degree. She scanned Nick sharply, and then the lawyer. _ prised her as to the habitual occupant of -the office. Advancing to the idwver. she opened — her basket, and drew from it an envelope. It was long and yellow. Opening the envelope, she drew out a thrice-folded sheet of paper. It was covered with writing—but in its + centre was a deo pews ees tny Fah The inspection evidently , ap- The lawyer gave a start, aud looked” sharply at it. His hands went excitedly to his head as” though his senses were suddenly sent | reeling. stat mei ; “Three!” he positively shouted. ‘Mr. Carter, here’s another one!” CHAPTER III. NICK CARTER ‘‘WAITS.’? The lawyer’s case was turning out to be a complicated, but a decidedly inter- esting, affair. © The reiteration, the sameness, would have been farcical toa person not gifted with Nick Carter’s foresight and intui- tion. To the skilled expert it was ‘serious, promising, draimatic. “(lm bewildered !’’ breathed the law-- er. ; “‘T hope not,’’ instantly remarked Nick —'‘‘no need of losing your head. have simply another claimant. the Mexican woman.”’ ‘*Paquita?”’ Ct agi } “Dead !”” * “Oh, nol! alive—very much alive!’’ Thedawyer rubbed his head in a con- fused way. ~ - “JT am not used to stich scndeniaseiee he declared. “Let ime look at document three,’’ suggested Nick. The wonjan seeined perfectly willing to allow the lawyer to take this. He did so, and handed it to Nick. For several minutes Nick sat at the table, in- This is nuinber specting it, comparing it with the others and the Weare letters. We Tle woman had gone over to the re- | es motest corner of the room. There she seated herself. She smiled in ~ a simple, trustful way at the lawyer. ‘She again opened her strange basket, a: From it she had drawn a knitting outfit.
Page 9
She plied her needles deftly. among a mass of fine woolen strands. “Why! this is becoming positively weird!’’ commented the lawyer. “Why so?” interrogated Nick, com- pleting his inspection. “Took at her!’ “* see? “*Planted!”’ “With a purpose.’’ “Bh 3? Nick advanced to the woman and _ten- dered the envelope. He was making a test—it siicceeded, She pointed to the lawyer—im plying entire ease and confidencg. . She pointed also at the calendar #and the clock in succession. “That simplifies affairs,” announced Nick. : ; ously. ou “Certainly. can woman, Paquita.’’ “You said that before.”’ “T reiterate it more positively. waiting for somebody.”’ - “Whoni she expected to meet here?’’ “At ten—on the twenty-first." “This hour.’’ “And to-day.’’ This person is the Mexi- ® She is “Well?” : 7 ee : i “Perhaps tat person is delayed, and : _ stared in- profound admiration at Nie’ may vet come.’ “Still another !”’ (6Ves,?? 2 “Who—this time?’ The owner of that papery aadecdt you will allow me a bold guess—the real claimant.’ “The genuine Eva Romaine! ‘Beyond doubt. Ete impostors. es ee oe “We can’t be positive, Mr. Carter! We can—those other two are proven he y) _ Impostors. a te st Rigyena eo Be, ad I | show 3 ‘you face ee rae NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “as though, driven to~straits, Weare had “‘Does it??? debated the lawyer, a than For the others are . | - ‘*Please do so,” “(By stating two facts. First, both of them falsified as to the death of this per- son, Paquita.. Again, the letters you re-_ ceived froin Mr. Weare were written at a distance from civilization. i ‘What of that??? — . a “In a climate where ink becomes muddy and dries up very quickly,’ “Did you note that!” és ‘It is my business to note such things.’ “True; but—clever |!’ * “Oht no—quite commonplace. This last screed, of all the three} post’ resen)- bles in ink marks the fluid the original writer employed. In fact, it looks to me 4 nigiaiant aise his own nutgall aud. other chemicals.” pe as “He was able to do. Site cag tence ‘eA scieutist—doubtlessly. But, more that, lis last sheeted letter was pinned together, ’’ “'T remember it,” : “The photographs on all three of the | various sheets brought in here so strange- ly during the past hour are pinned on.’’ “What do you make of that?” ‘ “This: That the pin in the Weare letter is a silvered pin that had lain in among sulphur for some me propane in a medicine chest.” a ‘The lawyer, pretty knowing himself, Carter—still more knowing, * ‘Aha!’ he interjected. ye “Examine the pin holding thle. pee a photograph——”” And you find?” “It is discolored similar to the one in the letter.” “And the other two?” mi **Plainy untarnished.’? —. 9.” ; oe “A point?” pen “ey think so. Weare’s pin, and this last pin, came from the same place.” : “Then what have we sto do Res We Ms
Page 10
oe NICK CARTER WEEKLY. . 5S “Tf this woman could speak !”” “«T am satisfied she is dumb.” ‘Or hear!” “She has not caught a sound since we have been talking,’ declared Nick, with a scrutinizing glance at the simple, open face of the last visitor. ‘‘She expects her young mistress,’’ murmured the lawyer. “Her picture shows a being of quite a different stamp from either the blonde or brunette.”’ “She is very pretty and intellectual looking. Now, those other two——”’ be- gan the baibek a ““Well, Mr. Keene??? “They are, of course, not working to- gether.’’ ‘‘What? Spoil what might have been a successful imposition. but for _this last complication? Ah, no!’? “But how did two persous come to get onto the matter so clearly, “so identi- cally 2”? ; “T cannot answer Hhistovee 2 ‘Aud the triple appearance here, at the _. same hour?”? “We shail soon fathom this.” “With the coming of Ida?” ‘Initially —yes, Be The lawyer sat down, silently thought- ; ful for some mouients. Nick blocked out the progranine ahead; ~ one of its features was the introduction of a Mexican he knew, in case the original of the last photograph presented should not appear. Nick Carter did not > believe that she would appear, — ~ There had been a mniss, a hiteli with - ‘the two feminine impostors, as affecting thenselves—and likewise a blunder edi cerning this Mexican woman and her be young niistress. Nick was still ae Ida’s* Pa eeY A when the hour ‘hand of the clock on ‘the wall mo oved past the eleven | numeral. The fae _ observe _ passed through the office doorway. t, glanced ale 3 culatingly where the sunlight came in — across the floor in a broad stream. She arose calmly, put away her knit- ting, and took up the duster once more. She counted off three more sane on. the dial. ‘She is going away,’’ announced Ree “But we must not allow it!’? “On the contrary,’’ said Nick—'‘by all means! She has indicated that she will return at two o’clock.’” ““With the expectation of finding her young mistress here ??’ \“Undeniably.”’ “‘She seems to feel perfectly éasy in her mind.”’ ‘““That is because she has no idea of the plot that must- exist against the real Miss Eva Romaine.”’ ‘(With such a plot there must be rare wickedness!”’ ‘Naturally.’ “This woman may fall in with en- ~ - emies ?”? **So much the better,’? 79 How? 2) ‘<I shall be on hand to learn see. ues are.” : Fee ‘‘Ah! Isee what you are getting a, 4 Mr. Carter—you are going to follow this woman??? 4 “To see where she is stopping—that will furnish additional enlightenment as to her past movements. Again, I have a plan to see if, with the assistance of a Mexican I kuow, she cannot be mate ‘to * tark;? ‘PG talk 1s 4 ‘To express, pee ae Eras see. Ae . ans. wouran was, therefore, allowed te oe et Nick and the lawyer. é She bowed pleasantly to them, 7 N ick: started to Oey as the |
Page 11
10 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. footsteps echoed a safe distance down thie hall. He paused at the door to briefly an- nounce his intentions to the lawyer. As he got ready to overtake the depatt- ing visitor, Ida came flitting from the suite entry. She advanced towards Nick as he mads a gesture—her arrival swiftly modified “the detective’s plans. “he woman who just left here, Ida - ——?? explained Nick. ‘What—with a basket?’ ‘The same.’ ‘‘Why, something has happened to her,’’ reported Ida, very quickly. “‘Something has happened to her?” ‘‘Ves—just as I reached the door.’ — ‘What ??? ‘‘Rainted, possibly—she fell. There is a little crowd about her—you_ can see for yourself.’? Nick hurriedly followed Ida to the out- er hall. On the landing of the street staircase a group hovered over a huddled form on the floor. It was the woman Nick had intended __ to shadow, and she lay outstretched and silent, like one dead. Paquita was .not a dead, but she was terribly hurt. : When i “source of her injury, some rather grave suggestions stirred his mind. ‘ The affair had resolved itself into the tragic in a marked and sudden way. When the woman was about half way 3 down the stairs a heavy piece of wood had fallen upor her. ee It had struck her head with stunning . force, and she had gone down likea clod. beam, about five feet long, and weighing not less than seventy pounds. / There was only one way that it could have fallen upon her—it had been ie = gies dropped. It had descended from, the floc direct- 3 eg a ee Ye Nick came to investigate the _ This timber was an. eight-by-eight ly above, and it must have been lifted over the railing of the balustrade. The timber was a piece used to brace the’cables across a hall window whenever a safe was lifted or lowered. A surgeon, hastily summoned, pro- nounced the woiman to be suffering from severe concussion of the brain, Leaving Ida to accompany her toa hos- pital, Nick made eg initial discover- ies. He followed them up by endeavoring to trace the miscreaut who had commiit- ted the murderous act. Ida had come up ‘by a side street en- trance, and had not witnessed the dis- aster. On the floor above, Nick could find no- body who had observed a strange lurker, . or any person acting suspiciously at the period ofthe crime. The incident seriously disrupted the detective’s plans for the time being. When Ida returned to report the wo- wmiau in the hands of persons who under- stood how to safely guard ‘‘a Nick Car-. ter patient,’’ the detective at once gave her the addresses of the lawyer’s two first female callers of the morning. They were at quite widely distant points. was a nervous, excitable man. The episode of the day had much dis- turbed the even tenor of his way. The more so was he aroused, when at three o’clock that afternoon Nick re-ap- peared to interview him with an air of _manifest gravity. “What have you learned ?’’ the lawyer — at once interrogated. “Vour uew clerk has not yet re- turned ?’’ asked Nick, © .. wae ‘Not, he? Vexatious! ‘Everything "seems going to the dogs!” - | “Nor have I been able to find him. Le eee is eh " Nick appointed the hour of three for a report at the lawyer’s ro oa Keene, despite his rare legal acumen,”
Page 12
the same serious tone, NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘*And his record,’’ proceeded Nick in “fis quite as shady and unsatisfactory.’’ “You have been looking for Purnell!’’ *T have been locking for Purnell.” “That was why you asked so many questions about him this morning ?”” “Was it not natural that I should?” “His dropping away in this fashion is not all right,”? ‘“*T consider him extremely wrong,’’ served Nick. ob- - in this man—he came into your employ- ment with a purpose.” ‘*You don’t mean in connection with this bewildering Weare case ??” “T do not know that, but in some way he has got in touch with one or both of the female impostors, and I sbould not be» surprised if the accident Me your latest caller, the Mexican wonat, was brought about by this vihiin’ s hands.”? “‘Vou amaze—you appal me!’ The little lady detective appeared at that moment. Her report was brief—as discouraging as brief, in fact. She had visited €ach address in turn that Nick had given to her. Oue of the persons for whom she in- quired had been at home at eiglit o’clock, aud the other at eleven o’clock.’ With singular unanimity of ~ purpose _and apparent motive, at precisely noon each had informed the landlady in charge - of the establishment where she roomed that she was about to leave the city. Not the slightest trace of them could be found after they had left their last boarding places. They had appeared strangely—they had departed abruptly, mysteriously, and effectually. At the hospital, in a precarious condi- tion, dey the Mexican j momen, exiticaliy is | The = smporar’ ys dlerk ois the Keene ‘‘Vou have been deceived « h office had vanished like a stone in the water, a bird in‘the air. ~ The original of the last shun presented to the lawyer‘did not put in an appearance. — The Weare affair became a dense, ap- parently unfathomable, mystery. One, two, three days passed Rectaa "trace, no development. gives probability to the suspicion | that he The baffling Weare case slumbered. But only slumbered! — ' CHAPTER IV. “DISAGREED !’? Nick Carter had been especially sum- moned to the office of Silas Keene tlie morning when the Weare case caine to the front, He had been almost a daily visitor to the place for some three weeks preceding, however, The detective and the lawyer—as Hea been stated— were close acquaintances. Nick, besides, was transacting just now attorney. The business was this: The detective had been compelled to. f ‘an important matter of business with the. catty one of his hardest-fought cases be- | yond the usual culmination. That is, he had tracked and caged: Schwarz, the notorious New York fire- — bug and life insurance swindler, to find — the battle resumed in the higher courts of justice. From police magistrate, Schwarz, alias ‘‘the Count Rudolf Volmar,” had disputed every inch of the way to.the doors of. Sing Sing. 3 Behind this man were brains, capital, the secret co-operation of one of the most — dangerous confederations of crime that . had ever existed in New Vork City. very possible delay was encompassed, — his first arraignment befere a x i every legal technicality that could favo 2 the prisoner was taken advantage of. as
Page 13
‘limit, were out on bail. 12 NICK CARTER WEEKLY, > eat Nick was deterinined to ‘‘land’’ this Many f ; His associates,” members of a ting that had played the fire, life and burglar insurance frauds to the most audacious Tn the building Schwarz had ‘burned, an old janitor had been suffocated by the smoke. The charge of murder was added to arson and swindling; therefore Schwarz had been refused bail. The trial came on, and Nick had privately secured the co-operation. of Lawyer Keene. He did this to be certain that by no quirk or quibble could the defense put the regular prosecuting officials off their guard. On the fourth day “after the events that had heralded the materialization of the Weare mystery all the evidence was in on the Schwarz case. Nick was perfectly satisfied with the way in which it had been conducted. He had left court at eleven o’clock, while the judge was giving his closing instructions to the jury. There was not. the slightest doubt in his mind that Schwarz would be awarded - the extreme penalty of the law. - With time now for exclusive attention to other matters, Nick naturally bent his_ steps toward the office of Silas Keene. Chick, his assistant, was to follow him there after attending to some necessary - -matters‘in the court where the trial had e taken place. _ “Nick found the lawyer engaged. He was soon at leisure, upon becoming ad- - vised of the detective’s presence in ‘the waiting room. The Schwarz case, Mr. Carter ?’” ¥e2 3 intimated, as aipreliminary query. ~ “Practially closed.’’ ef the hands of the jury?” ~ “Ves—two hours since.’’ Pa fellow is sure of the full pen- alty.’ , “IT think there is no doubt on that | point.” Keene rubbed his thin hands together ; with entire satisfaction. , : “We have beaten them on every appli- | cation for bail,’’ he observed. ‘Which meant freedom for the prison- er, for he would have jumped. fi Olne certainly! And we have prevent- ed his tricky lawyers tripping or trapping > us. It is as good as settled. I wish, Mr. Carter,’’? resumed the lawyer, with an anxious glance—‘‘I wish we could say as much for that other exasperating affair!” “The Weare case??? “Of course,” iii “We shall—soon. I am_ now ready to devote my full time to that matter. Ah} that is the tap of iy assistant, Chick.” * Nick could recognize a hand touch, once familiarized, as readily asa human — enter, which he did rather hurriedly, _ “J didn’t wait to fossa he ex- plained. “Where. was. thet need? Something up?’ questioned Keene. ie¥es 2 “Wrong ??? “Oh, decidedly !’” “With——” “The Schwarz case.’? “What is that, Chick??? cates the detective, hastily arising to his feet, 2 “The jury have disagreed,” 7 ‘‘Disagreed |’ paciaiengg the lawyer. . "Veg. 12 2 : 4 voice. ‘ Chick it was, and he was requested to q ‘*Im possible !”’ 2s ee ERO “The jury came into court, after a stormy discussion of the evidence, with the positive announcement that an agrtee- is ment was out of the question. ed “Mr. Carter! what does this mean roe questioned the lawyer, turning: excited! to Nick. :
Page 14
, NICK CARTER WEEKLY, ® The detective shrugged his shoulders. *‘How can I tell?”’ “But—you intend to know!” ‘Oh, yes. We will have to postpone » “*Myat other matter.’ ‘“Teimporarily.’? “Tt is too bad !?? ~ ‘ - “Come, Chick.” The detective led his professional asso- ‘ciate frou the room. ‘How did the jury stand?’ inquired Nick. “Kleven to one, “Ah! and the dissenter—did you find out who he was??? —. ‘““Tmade that my urgent business at once, of course.’? “Who was it??? “You remember ‘the sick juror?’ ”’ So called—in fact.” “*His name is David ;Trent.”? man, Well, that is the person who ine the jeye ey Nick was extremely astonished. ~He had scanned the jury narrowly. There had not been a bad or unworthy face among the twelve. Particularly had the person Chick named met the detetive’s idea of complete fitness for honest jury service. “You are sure of this man, are 2 you, Chick ?”” ‘Positive. The others, when they were discharged, made no concealment of the identity of their dissenting member. Fur- ther, they indilged i in soine pretty lively comments on his unexpected and «1 war- ranted course in the matter.’? % “Fixed, eli??? “T see ‘no other way to construe it. Though, what they gain——"" “A new trial.” s ‘‘We shall be on n hand jist the s same !”? “Ves, Chick ; but delay in the crim- oe I remember the: name and pis. captious,’’ for home.’’~ 2 inal’s reprieve. Perhaps you have not got this David T'rent’s address handy ?”? “Ves, I liave.?? “Give it to me.”’ “T secured all points at once—I knew you would insist upon investigating the matter.”’ \ ‘‘Certainly—that must be done.”? ‘‘T have kept comparatively close track of the jurors, day by _day,’’ explained Chick. ‘You intimated that the defense was sparing no money ‘or pains to get Schwarz free.”’ “Vou discovered ee suspicious, Chick ?”” ‘Nor underhanded. The officer in charge is incorruptible.. I am satisfied that no one has approached the jury since the trial began.”’ al “Then this David Trent either is a man planted at the start——” “Or an obstinate, unevenly balanced eccentric!’ ‘(T incline to the former theory.”? “You must be right. Still, the man’s record does not favor the assumption.” ‘(What is his record, Chick?” “He is an honest, industrious me- chanic, with pleasant family relations. — You know he has been designated as ‘the sick. juror??? (Ves. V4 : ‘*He had a_ bad swelling on tis face several days ago. It became so large and 4 painful that the officer in charge of the jury has been obliged to take him three mornings in succession to have itlanced."? Nick recalled’ all this; ‘‘the sick — juror,’ with his bandaged head, had been a conspicuous feature of the jury cae box the last day or twa. am his discomfort made him — pursued Chick. ‘At all events, as soon as the jury was discharge Trent, usually jovial,. moodily departe ‘Perhaps “Had he expressed any opinion on.the
Page 15
14 merits of the case prior to the final de- cision ?’? inquired the detective. ‘*Rorcibly so.”’ ‘How did he incline??? **To a life sentence for incnalauettes 3 *‘And he voted for a discharge this morning?! *“‘Insistently.”? **We will have to look into this mat- ter. ’* A conveyance took the two profession- als back to the court. Chick had burrowed very thoroughly into jury box secrets, but Nick wished to prosecute afew necessary investigations personally. He saw the judge, who expressed his unbounded surprise at the verdict. _ No new application for bail had* been made, and he assured Nick that he should tesist the same, if advanced: ‘*We shall press for an immediate new triaf, ”? said Nick. “The sooner the better, Mr. Carter. J ain satisfied that this Schwarz has a pow- erfui influence backing his interests, and that the jury was tainpered with.” The jurors had been given their pay warrants, as Nick ascertained from the court clerk. Quite incidentally, that ofiees chanced “to be atywork on the record book; as Nick asked him a few casual questions. Nick observed the signature, ‘‘David Trent’’—on the pepcite page it pre- viously occurred. This first signature appeared in the original jury roll. ‘Nick merely scanned ‘first one and then © the other signature, but it was a thor- ough scrutiny. He rejoined Chick. “We must follow this matter up with- out delay,’’ observed Nick in a tone that convinced his shrewd, observing associate that he was urged by some discovery. - §*Round out something additional here?” down on the floor. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “Why, yes, Chick,’ anawered the de. tective. ‘‘I have foe two widely dis- similar signatures in the name of this. David Trent.” ey CHAPTER V. THE ‘‘FIXED?? JUROR. - Within half an hour the two detectives: reached the home of the dissenting juror. . Trent could not have preceded them long, for when Nick rang the doorbell the woman wlio answered it announced i in. ; response to his first question that ‘‘David had just returned.”’ She was his wife, as her joyous face in- dicated. . ‘It is some one “to see you, David | she said, unceremoniously ushering Nick. and Chick into a little sitting room. “The sick juror’? was rather moodily and stupidly regarding a prattling young- ‘ster on his knee. ‘*Hello!’’ he ejaculated, his eyes bright- ening. He scanned Nick, nen Chick; his glance fell. | “Go on with your work, Mary,” he | said to the woman, and re went out, with a curious look, closing the door be- hind her. Nick uninvited took a seat; took possession of a second chair. David Trent looked uneasy. He made an elaborate feint, at playing’ with the child, but soon rather irritably put it ‘ Chick ““What’s the trouble?’’? he demaiiage sharply, breaking a spell of. complete silence, pars “Why should there be trouble?” asked Nick. “Well, what are you after?” “You know who I @m?” questioned Nick. “Certainly !”” eee “Aud, my friend 2c ioe
Page 16
4. NICK CARER WEEKLY. 6b “Ves, of course; I heard your testi- mony, both of ygu, didn’t 1?” “Which did not strike you as very con- Vincing, it seems?’’ intimated Nick. Trent fidgeted and scowled. “Well, that’s as may bel’? he mut- tered. ‘‘It’s over and done, and that’s the end of it.” “True, my man,’’ retorted Nick— “over and done, as you say, but not the end of it,”’ Rh rats ‘“Trent,’? asked Nick, ‘“have you any- thing to say to me?” ‘“The sick juror’? evaded the searching eyes of his questioner. » “Why, what should I have to’ say?” -he demanded. et , . “Vou verdict on’ this gave your Schwarz matter in accordance with a clear conscience, did you??? pressed Nick. “(7 tell you that’s over and past! I Served—the matter is settled. - torturing me, and I’m not well! come here to bally-rag me——’” “Why, no, Trent. I simply come to give you a chance.’’ If’ you ‘“A chanee for what?” “To show up as the honest man we. presumed you to be.”’ “Who says I’m not honest?” ee Trent. Nick did not reply. : “Vm honest, and poor—too poor to be hauled away from a steady job to be Cooped up for three weeks at a paltry two dollars a day !”. - “Poor, are you, Trent?’ said Nick, Softly. ‘Why, no!” . “Bh Y? “Yours » ‘‘Where did you get that?’ “Yours, T asked??? 2 ““Ves—it’s mine!” “Prove property, then!’ stin eee eee had intervened, My ‘face is. the Schwarz caseth or ee Chick felt that Nick Carter in done a fine thing. The little child, set down on the floor, had proceeded to amuse itself. _ Playing with the ring of a work table drawer, it pulled this open. Something flat, een and fresh had fallen out. = The child began to pound this little package with its. chubby fists. . Nick had deftly leaned over, picked up the package, at a glance discerned its value, and propounded. the questions that had manifestly discomposed Trent. The latter put ont his hand. “Heres? he said, gruffly, pretty bold, it appears to me!”’ ‘“This thousand dollars——”’ “How do you know it’s a thousand dollars ?”’ ‘‘So marked on the band—this thou- sand dollars is a pretty good sum for a poor man, Trent!” Sa “‘Mind your own affairs.” “This is my ,affair.’? “And that is my money.” > ‘‘And I say—prove property!”” “I don’t have to!’?> ‘*Yes) you, dom aosmamee Nick thrust the money package into an inside pocket; then he buttoned up his coat. foes : ; Trent had sprang to his feet, and with clenched hatid glared into Nick's eyes. “Better keep your seat, Trent,’ ad- vised Nick, coolly, resuming his own. This is too much !? stormed Trent. “It is a good deal—for a poor man!’” ‘youre ““T mean your highhanded interfer- ~ence!”? “s “T mean your underhanded thousand dollars!” si “Underhanded ?”” ah “Did you come by it honestly??? “Ves! 9» t x “It is not the price of tent verdict in \ “Nol
Page 17
‘ Pe 5 “My statement i is true. uae) 16 “You did not vote for his acguittal in consideration of——”? “Stop right there!’ A change had come into Trent’s face, and he extended his arm in an ishpeceive, gesture to enforce silence. ‘Very well—what for ?”’ “*T didn’t vote for acquittal.”’ "Oh, yes—it was you.”’ ‘*T didn’t vote at all.”’ “That’s all romance, ‘I'rent!”? “Por J wasn’t present at the court when the verdict was given.”’ “Vou were not present?’ ‘‘No, sit! You have surprised me, caught me before I could make up my mind what was tight and what was wroug; I’d finally have come out right, though.’’ ‘What are you talking about?” “That thousand dollars.’? **Well ?”’ : . **Keep it.’’ “TY intend to.’? “I wouldn’t touch a cent of it, and I’m glad you came to hurry my determina- tion.’’ Nick discerned that in a roundabaut but earnest manner Trent was working for a definite point. sey Trent went to the door, “Mary !’? he called. ‘Ves, David,’’ said his wife appear- ing. “Bring me a pail of cold water.” {GA pail of —~=—’? ‘Cand a coarse towel.’? “Why! David——”’ a Do as Tsay! ‘ Nick did not interfere, though Chick regarded Trent as an irresponsible being. ‘Phe sick juror” plunged his head in- - tothe bucket, brought it out dripping, and gave it a fierce rubbing. “Now, then, gentlemen !’’ he said, fac- . ing the detectives fresh and briskly, ay ain awake once more!’’ * “Have you been asleep?’’ inquired ANGIE tas “T guess I have pe _ “Explain.”’ ae “That direnseana dollars is not the price of any verdict. ”’ 4 ““VYou said so.’ “For IT gave no Ras aie a “That, h1s6: ena ‘dirty work done!”’ me out of cotirt to mee =. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. —- j “Where did you get ie money, , thet at “YT found it.”’ Ase “You found it, eh??? ~ j “Most assuredly.”’ “Where?” “Practically in my pocket.” } ‘When ?”? ‘“A bout court time this morning, ” “In court??? ‘‘No;- I. tell you I wasn’t near the court nor the jury room this morning.” ‘““The man is telling the truth,’’ whis- pered Nick, to his assistant. Then, aloud: “‘T see you have something to tell, Trent?’’ “(Tndeed, I have!’ ‘Mell it!” “Provided you will repeat it to. the. judge ?”’ ‘*T shall do so.”? ¥ ‘And hand him that thousand dol- Jars. ” (gel ¥s és Se “Something interesting is coming” murmured Chick. “Ves,’? nodded Nick. The detective fixed a scrutinizing eye on Trent's face, which now glowed with | its usual honest energy. Trent had, indeed, ‘‘woke apt he moved about and gesticulated with the upheaval of exciting thoughts. _ ‘You see,’’ he prefaced, ‘‘there’s been _ With you the victim?” “Undoubtedly. 19. ell us‘all about it, Trent, a invited Nick, encouragingly. ; EW . ee St , CHAPTER VI... TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD, David Trent began his story. It was about as unique and extravagant a recital as any one Nick Carter had ever listened to. a “To state the case ‘leery. Trent be- gan, ‘‘we were twelve honest fellows in) that jury box.”’ “*T should doubt my powers of discern- ment if it turned out otherwise. eee “Myself included.” 4, ee “Of course.’? eae ‘Last Monday eciccisian et
Page 18
NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 25 A7 ~. . “Who was he??’ ve “Tl never saw hin before. He had de- clared to the officer that my wifesent him —important bu.iness. ” “Did he make it patent to you??? “Why, yes—in a way.”’ “What was?” “I carry a little life insurance. I was behind in the payments. He sasked me when I could catch up. All the time the officer listened—that was all.’’ “It does not appear inuch.’” “It was the start of everything.”’ “Proceed,” “As the man was about to go away, he laughed at my extra growth of beard. Hey, officer!’’ said he, playfully rubbing his hand over my jaw, ‘I’ll stand a dime to get this fellow shaved!’ ”’ ‘*He rubbed his hand over your face, did he??? observed Nick. ; “Quite roughly—though, I fancied, in un. “Which side of your face?’’ pressed S503 eee een “This, of course!’? answered ‘Trent, putting his hand to the poultice that had won him the designation of ‘‘the sick juror.”’ : ; ‘ ; ““Why, yes, I see—of course!’ nodded Nick. : “You understand,’’ observed ‘Trent, “that he fixed my face there and then?’ “T so understand, now, that you have let light in on the incident.”’ ~““That’s just what he did. He never caine from niy wife. Nor even from the insurance company.?? mf “you found that out?’ _ My wife has told me enough to “Nice ine on both points.” con- you, as you term it?’ “And he did just that! Next day that swelling appeared on my face. ‘I'he next. it grew so large and painful that the offi- cer had to take me to a surgeon.” Nick nodded assentingly ; he was aware "of all this, : s (Rope a Z ee ivaat 2 ] fi i _ F#orthree mornings right before court time the officer took ure over to the sur- ~ geon’s office, some niystifying kind of blood poisoning, and had hetter be attended to right Pee vr . ote , y hen he simply visited you to ‘fx’ The surgeon said it was . Alone ?? “He lanced it each day, until this -morning.’’ “And not this morning ?” No.” “(Why not?’ § 2 “J didn’t see him.”’ **How, was that?’’ ‘““Here was the way: The officer and I would enter the reception room of the surgeon’s suite. I would pass into the consultation room. ‘hen afew minutes in the operating room: My face would get fixed up, and we would return to court.’’ ‘‘Ves, I understand,’ said Nick. ‘‘Now, this morning, as I left the officer and entered the consultation room, a young man approached me.”? “Where did he come from ?”” “Through a doorway letting out into the hall.’’ ““Who was he??? ‘*T supposed an attache of the surgeon’s office.’ “Had you seeu him before?” “No, but he bowed friendly like, and . said: ‘The. doctor will attend to you in his private room across the hall this. — morning, Mr. Trent.’ ’” “Vou took that in??? : aes “Why not? He had the entree. He was bareheaded—looked like a doctor himself, and—yes, I followed him.”’ “Across the hall?”’ ‘Direct.’ : : Bis “Into a room that was not the sur geon’s private office ?”’ : “Not at all. Ididu’t have an oppor- tunity to realize that, though.” ‘oWhy not?” “The minute I got across the threshold my conductor turned, gave me a swing, slammed the door, and I was flung straight into the arms of two men waiting for ne.’ - ae ‘What did they do?” ie, “Applied a drenched cloth to my face.’ sec ‘‘Chloroform ?”” “I guess that !?? Es ‘And then??? ieee “‘T remembered nothing further.’? ““W hen you: awoke—— tae “T was lying on my back on the bare floor of an unfurnished room.” pee?
Page 19
i) 18 **Perfectly alone. thing tumbled off my chest.’ **That package of money, I infer ??’ “Yes, anda note.” “Where is the note ?’? *“Tmust have dropped it—left ‘it be- hind. I was dizzy, confused, scared.’ *“What was the note?” *** single line.’’ “*And it said?” “ “Best to keep muin and enjoy your thousand dollars.’ ’? “Go ahead.”? “*T half.realized what had been done— I hdd heatd of kidnapping witnesses, juryinen, and all that before.’ “What did you do?” “T lett the room.”? “Its door was locked ?”” “Yes, but it was no trick at all to force it. I came down onthe street, Two hours —ten, Icouldn’t of myself tell how long I had been in that state.’”’ “Did you go to the court?” . ; **T drifted to its neighborhood.’ ‘Proceed.’ “JT saw a boy who had just left the building. I stood in a doorway and hailed _ him. He was in a lawyer’s office, I guess, for he promptly answered ine when. [ asked him if the Scliwarz case was fin- ished.”’ ; “He said yes ?’’ ‘Aud told ine of the verdict.”’ “What then?” “T came home.’ “With your thousand dollars??? : ‘Not mine—yours, the judge’. I tell you, I wouldn’t have kept ita second once I got mygbrain steadied }”? “T believe you in that,’ said Nick. “Have you mentioned this to your wife ?”’ ““Not yet.’’ “Defer it.” “What? Smother up this rascally out- _ rage!’ exclaimed Trent, indignantly. “Ostensibly accept your bribe, yes.’ ~ “Why—well, you say that?” pele Gay. atta! ® “‘You, Mr. Nick Catter—so, I guess I understand. You intend to ferret out this hocus-pocus ?”” To the last bottom fact.” “Then—give your orders,’’ - Nick explained that by assuming a _ passive acceptance of conditions | the cul- cael seit : Pie ee aeeeene ft = : 2 iw. AsI got up, some- NICK CARTER WEEKLY. . [ va At prit might be thrown off his guard. he would not be warned | and least, aroused. With Chick the detective Drsceede to traverse all necessary ground that might give additional particulars. - When they met an hour dieeaaneld both had considerable to offer, much to suggest. ~“ “JT visited the room geon’s,’’ declared Nick. ; cl find—nobody ?” s ‘“And nothing, except the crumpled written line about ‘keeping mum,’ nar- rated Nick. ‘‘The scheme was simple, | clean-cut, effective. Schwarz’s backers had one last hope—to hany the jury. near_the sur- Fearing they could not corrupt, ‘they risked a high-handed venture.” “T can imagine it all,’? remarked Chick. “The man who visited Trent poisoned his face. They watched their chance—he aud his accomplices. ’? “Friends, backers of Schwarz?” “Of course. His bandaged face made an imposition easy. The surgeon states that his jury patient did not appear tos day. The false Trent simply slipped back across the hall and joined the officer.”? » *‘As though the real Trent, with his face fixed.”’ ' “That is it. At the court no one sus- pected that it »was other than Trent in evidence.’ : { “Trent's aelenetions of his caller aia his Mecoy are alike vague, unsatisfac- tory,’’ suggested Chick. ‘*Ah, no guide at all. You see, Chick, q this is not an ordinary juty fixing ma The ultimate aim is to liberate Schwarz. Having secured_a disagreement, before another trial comes around these friends of the firebug and swindler aim to leave things so arranged that a conviction will be absolutely impossible.” “The fellows have covered. up their tracks all right.’? “But are bound to break out afresh am confident,’ asserted the oiot beet detective, “that the jury-fixing act is only section one of a daring and important criminal scheme.’? EN ie ie ARSE the time fa Chick urotits the startling news = the} ay Cece to . °
Page 20
Nick Carter, at the office of Silas Keene, the lawyer, a man bounded from a car- Tfage down a narrow, crooked street near the East River, in whom the detective ested had they caught a sight of him ‘there and then. To all appearance and seeming, this aman was David Trent, ‘the sick juror.” He was, in fact, his ‘*double.’’ ’ The fellow had the clothing, the band-, aged hiead, the general form and outlines of the chloroformed mechanic. The carriage resumed its course; its J late passenger threaded a.tortuous maze of by-street and passage ways. : Finally he reached one of those sinister ~bnildings that are common in thickly-set- ‘tied, criminal- infested localities. It was a rear house, having uo street frontage whatever, and was shut in and “sheltered by solid rows, describing .the boundary of a square, he man unlocked a door, ascended a Staircase, then another, unlocked a sece ~Ond door at the top of the house, and en- tered a room reeking with tobacco smoke. “Ali! back ??? exclaimed its sole occus pant. _ He rose from four chairs serving asa lounging place, where he had been lying stretched. out. _ ‘Ves, and IJ have had a derned close shave!’ answered the intruder, grimly. (Vet yousdid_ite. oa ‘But wouldn’t try it the second time! ‘The risk was too great.’’ . ; i gs. “There came to light a visage with, un- ‘usually strong features—suggestive of the _keen business aman, and yet ‘of the eXpo- nent of tragedy. on the mimic stage as “well. F The other approached, his face indicat- ing satisfaction and curiosity. ; *Merckle, you're a trump!’ he de- clared, enthusiastically. “Give me a drink! spoke the new- -comer hurriedly. “*VYou’re drenched -and ‘shilleitig all Over!” “It was a hot ordeal, Pisnell| hee “Yet they never suspected ? re 8 _ ‘No one suspected. Vet the strain has_ ; best terrific. Think! if I was found out, At they learned who Tam ay |: twain would have been immensely inter-. The newcomer tore off his face caver- y ; F a et ity NICK CARTER WEEKLY. | 19 “But—-you successfully enacted your part.”’ ‘And it is my last appearance in any such role. But for the fact that Schwarz is my sister’s husband, that a dozen deals hang on his liberty, I would not have stitred-a step personally.” The man addressed as Purnell was the missing clerk from the law office for whom ‘Nick Carter and his assistants had been looking so diligently. He Tielped his comrade to the contents of a black bottle, all the time regarding him with undisguised admiration. When the one had resumed his nor- .mal nerve, and the other had got over his “excitement, the man addressed as Merckle - said: “Now, then—to business, sharp and close !’? / ‘All right,’? nodded the other. “*We have accomplished that which we Started out to do.”’ ““Yes,’’ assented Purnell, ‘‘I played the lawyer’s clerk, and I kept you and your friends posted. Y» “Tt helped. We have gained Schwarz a respite.’” ~ “Which is something.” “Which is everything!” **You see that ahead, do you?” “*Clear as crystal!” ‘Despite Nick Carter?” “Despite Nick Carter>~he was the rock in the road.” “But now shoved aside ?”’ “‘No—only burrowed under.”’ “Still there, then??? - “Ves, curse him! still there.’’ Into the eyes of Merckle there came a baleful, vindictive expression. ‘‘But that is my affair!’”? he observed, grimly, and with terseness. ‘Now I shall leave you. I am going home; I relapse once more into the staid, respectable burgher. My work is — practically doue:’? g “Done?” ‘Or. will be, before I leave New York,’’ stated Merckle. ‘‘You can finish up what little remains. ’’ signe “Little 2”? SU saidt te” i : “With Nick Carter in active evidence ?” Merckle shrugged his shoulders, “Sorry for Nick Carter!” he. said— quite fronically. ‘But. ‘he is dangerous, There is an end that must be gained, wr
Page 21
Let those standing in the way look out for themselves. You.see,’’ he continued, after a long pause, ‘‘Nick Carter’s repu- tation hangs on convicting Schwarz.’ **Ves, ” eke 1S Working on the mystery of the girl also.’ “You mnrean ‘the girls. ?” ‘TAs yot ptt it.’ “T stumbled across that affair in capacity as lawyer’s clerk,”’ “Vou handled it neatly.’’ “ “And played isto your hands.’ “As a tnatter of fact, yes. ie sa big case—we expect it to net a hundred thousand dollars. In the meanwhile the nly Schwarz case sleeps, and in time Scliwarz’ will stand another trial.’ “T can’t see what you gain. The same - witnesses——’? ‘“Not all the saine Gieriesses 1? nounced Merckle, incisively. * “Ah! not all—that is your sclieme?’’ “JT have the best reasons for believing that the next trial will not result in a dis- greeiment.”’ **But a dismissal ?”’ “T guarantee it. This will be—say, a month from now. While the Schwarz case is pending, the Eva Romaine case for a side diversion.’ ‘You coutro! the strifige in that affair.’* 'Byery one of thei.’ ‘At your home.” ‘Beyond the city’s din, unsuspected. ¥3 ', “There are three girls. play all three ?”’ ‘*Nlo—only one.’’ “Which one??? “That depends.’ “And this Mexican woman, Paquita— pro- you tell me she is dying atthe hospital.”’ “Well, even if she recovers,she is as » good as dead for all our intents and pur- oses, ’” ‘*She could not speak before——” “She will not even be able to think, hereafter !”’ ‘Then the board is clear for us to lay our plans for this Weare fortune in any way we choose?’? “The course would be clear were it not - for Nick Carter.” ~ -Merckle scowled impatiently. _ “Again Nick Carter!” he nruttered be-- “The one important witness in wits Schwarz case, He. OS ~ tween his set teeth. ‘to jimmp at your call—to, the last one of You cannot NICK CARTER WEEKLY, wheel in the Weare matter! ‘Let Nick _Carter have a care of hiinself!? ‘He has outlived all threats, Merckle.’” “ “Tam not a threatening nran.. Once aroused, I strike direct for dead centre.’”~ a “Are you going to do so now?” Bee “Tam. Paper! pens! ink!" Purnell regarded his companion fixedly. Merckle had called for writing materials” as would an exectitioner,, for the death warrant. . He bared a wrist, his face set in a pose — | of unusual and menacing composure, yet | determination. When Purnell brought’a pad of writing paper, with péhs and ink, he scrawled a — few hasty lines. Cow ae These he signed, with a quick dash of the pen. It was not a naine, however—it — was ainark. In fact, it wasa series of © marks, all connected, yet whirled into ~ the enclosure of a circle that resembled a — - coiled serpent. ‘*Purnell,’’ said ¥, 1 thea oc i, ay: fe Merckle, ‘how many in New York City remember my old sign manual ?”? “Ha! of the old days—when that mark — on a bursted safe door nettled the police, when its appearance in boozing ken and fence rallied the best of the néotession ee Fifty at the least, all choice spirits, ready them!’ * “ae ‘‘Despite my Ave years of retirement from the profession, they ‘would take mie isi word ??* ai : “As gold!”’ “Very well—I have written. ’”’ And 1?” res ‘‘Copy or show, as you ‘like—on E care in informing ‘only those who are true Gs blue and clear grit.’’ “Trust me for that! What is it??? “‘A proclamation.- Read it.’? aay It was a ‘‘Reward’’—a reward. ‘*fo Nick Carter—dead or alive!’ And the sui offered was ten thoiwsand, dollars. late : Nick ete: elshdes ae pe of the secret ser-
Page 22
NICK CARTER WEEKES. It. was couched in language that indi- cated at once to Nick that he mniight ex- " pect a request regarding some new ctim- - inal matter. This was not at all to the veteran de- tective’s fancy. The sécret service expert had never yet abandoned a case. A problem. of mystery, intrigue or erime, which had come within his prov- ince, and continued unsolyed and aban- datied was yet to be, Things*were at a standstill] in the mat- ter of Schwarz & Co. _ The bafflitig Weare matter was yet a shrouded affair. No trace had been gained of the men who had fixed the jury. Scliwarz, secretive, saréastic, smoked, - read and chatted in his cell with a com- ‘placency that told of defiance and hope commingled: Concerning the mystifying Eva Ro- maine complication, things were dark, ~ dubious and stationary. The blonde and brunette had left no trace behind them. She whom far-seeing Nick Carter had decided to be the real claiinant: had not come to the surface. The fraudulent lawyer’s clerk seemed no longer in the land of the living. " At the hospital, the Mexican woman, Paquita, lingered on—and that_was all— ‘with a fractured skull and sealed lips. ~ Hence, all was cloudy, and the veil of » darkness seemed to defy all Nick Carter’s . power of penetration. Matters were in this shape when the summons came from the chief of the de- ; partment. A brisk welcome greeted Nick, aeaah eG ‘‘Busy, Mr. Carter, of course?’’ re- marked the chief, interrogatively. Nick bowed. ‘And actively so??? ‘On the contrary—passively.”’ “Important?” ‘*Most assuredly.’’ / ‘‘Suppose you give me a few details?” as Nick did so; he recited the particulars . fe of the two cases that were giving not only - ynsatisfactory results, but. Su an- - noyance and anxiety. Nick observed that. ‘the chief, while . paying. cOlisteaye apten bas searcel: oe tigate tow aD ysa 2 ed the matters with the average interest he ordinarily betrayed. Ali he commented, rather Weegee “fall this will keep.”? “(What do you mean, chief?” “The trial of Schwarz is not due for ; three weeks, and he cannot eee se- cure bail.’ “‘T have seen to that.’? ‘Therefore, for nearly a month he is’ caged. Then why not let the matter sim- mer—in other words, develop itself?” “That is not my system.” . ‘No, vou are not the kind of a man to trust to luck. Still, what better can you do? As the date of the trial comes nearer, the man’s backers will make a move into renewed activity.” “*T hope so.”’ “Tlren you have them.’’ Nick was silent. ‘“Now,’’ resumed the official, ‘tas to: this Weare affair. The stake—one hun- dred thousand dollars—will be claimed by the real or the false Eva Romaine.” “‘One or the otler—yes. ”’ ‘The lawyer will advise you. You ob- serve, Mr. Carter,’’ easily ran on the chief, ‘‘that time is an essential here— the sole one. You will have to wait. You must let matters rest, and develop.” The chief’s hand ran over some papers on the desk before him. Nick’s eyes naturally followed - the movement, and they became glued on a card. The chief, noting the inspection, — tried to hide it. **So Chick has been gated Nick. ‘‘Why, yes; merely dropped in. What . I-would like to call your attention: tO.” continued the chief, hurriedly, and in an embarrassed way, ily a matter down in, ‘Texas.’ Nick did not look exactly gratified. ‘“What is it?’ he inquired. “‘Wholesale horse stealing.’? “Where are the sheriffs. ”’ ‘“The sufferers are asking that.”’ “Well?” “I fancy we had better try gu answer them. LAR fae “Certainly. Nick. resorted the chet rather nar~ here??? t Bo horse stealing case in Texas W interro- A gang is. at work, Smash it shake ON
Page 23
, with something metropolitan, and Nick v 3 : rather a far-fetched affair for the New York police department. Still, cases much farther away than that oftentimes had a direct connection waited for an explanation. The chief gave none. He siinply handed a letter to Nick—a commonplace statement, and an appeal for expert talent. “You see, Mr. Carter,’’ said the chief, *‘vou had better go straight down to Dal- las.”’ “You think so.” ‘The writer of this letter will meet you there and give full particulars. ”’ ‘How long need I be gone?’ _ **Perhaps a week.”’ ‘“Very well.’ ‘Tl can count on you?’ ““T will try and arrange to be here for final instructions at 3:30.’’- The chief looked relieved. He took pains to shake Nick!s hand 1n a very cor- dial fashion. ‘*What is he upto?’ This was Nick’s personal query the minute he got outside of headquarters. ‘He wants ine out of the way,’’ added the discerning expert. ‘‘The Texas case is a bagatelle—a mere pretence. Whiat’s brewing!” ray Nick set his wits at work to find out. He ‘iad proceeded about a block, and was still grappling with the situation, when his keen, eye flashed. Intuitively Nick Carter knew whenever any one was following or watching him. Some one was following Nick just now, anda discovery of the identity of _ tle party caused Nick considerable as- tonishment. Ata distance and in a most cautious fashion, the detective’s youngest assist- ant, Patsy, was on thie trail. There could not be the slightest doubt that the subordinate was shadowing his superior. Nick went home. He smiled grimly as he found an explanation of the sudden disappearance of liis trailer during the last square or two. Patsy was writing in! the detective’s private consultation room, and he looked constrained as Nick proceeded to various closets letting off from what was familiar-. ly designated as ‘‘the dressing room.”?— NICK CARTER WEEKLY, : ° ee : When these were visited it. generally indicated a tour, a trail. The detective went over his disguise paraphernalia pretty thoroughly. He selected a few garments and a ya- riety of wigs and false beards. These he laid out upon a chair near an unfilled satchel, ready for immediate packing. ‘“Are you going away??? here asked Patsy. ‘‘T havea call to Texas,”’ iste. Nick. Patsy dropped his eves half inl tse although Nick was not looking at him. The detective had passed to a wardrobe © to sécure a case of pigments and the like, another auxiliary to ie disguise — pata~_ phernalia. d rp Nick found the case, but he paused to — exainine tlhe other contents of the ward- robe. The detective kept everything in ‘that - line in order—knew to a golf cap the ex- act position of every article the receptacle - g ” contained. “Something. missing,”’ soliloquized — Nick. Ouite easually, hosevet, he turned to Patsy.: ‘Where is Chick? ” he inauled: “Why, Chick???” stumbled ow “oh! he ‘has left the city, I believe.” ‘*Since when ??? ‘*He came in some hours ago. Said he wished to follow ip an outside clew on~ \ the Schwarz case.’ “Did he??? murmured Nick, “It might take him a day, perhaps two days.’ So—he fitted out ?’’ 3 i L : ut nigh ‘‘Why, yes,’’ assented Patsy—“‘I isnpale lieve he went fixed for the océasion.”’ ‘(Tt seeins so,’’ commented Nick. (Ni ‘‘He'left word that he would take care of affairs in general, worry or hurry.”? ‘‘Worry—about what?” “The Schwarz case.’ “And hurry—where and how?” Patsy was flurried. iY so you need not — ‘‘When you were away,’’ he said, laniely. 2a Bans Away where ?”’ Boke ghee ‘Texas. it “Oh! so Chick knew 1° was going Texas?” Ke
Page 24
Patsy looked extremely disturbed. “He said so, yes.?? ‘*How did he find out ?’’ “Really, I don’t know.’’ “Something brewing—more cértainly than ever!’ soliloquized Nick. ‘‘My own 4 ae and kin playing me! Now, what is here?’ seitiek did not stop to pack up his satchel.” He left the house and proceeded to the main office of a telegraph company. Nick was known, and he got what he - wanted—an instrument exclusively to himself. / He called Dallas, and he got Dallas. The detective’s well-trained underwent a variety of significant changes during the succeeding two hours. — Whien he left the telegraph office, he had got the ‘‘particulars’? of which the chief of the service had been so chary. “Nick started for headquarters forthwith —a gleam of deteriniuation in his eyes. Nick had not gone a square, when he cast a sidelong glance down the street he was crossing. . The detective was being shadowed anew—but not by Patsy this time. “CHAPTER VIII. “nICK CA (Tse DEATH-WARRANT.”’ Nick had ‘ jacovared Ida, his little lady detective, on his trail. There was a serious end to the affair, he at once discerned. Nick was not exactly being shadowed ' —but guarded. There could be no other explanation to the unprecedented actions of his pro- fessional associates. Patsy had lurked outside of Police Headquarters, and had kept Nick com- pany at a safe distance “nearly to his home. - Jda must have slipped into his place as - Nick started for the telegraph office. Awaiting Iris io 3 from thence, she had patiently watched the building for _ over two hours. + Ida followed Nick clear to Police Head- quarters. ae Then she aiyeteriousiy disappeared, but Nick did not doubt had slipped to tem- - porary hiding, to resume the trail when The appeared. e features. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 23° Nick somewhat surprised the chief of the service as he entered his presence, by closing and locking the door so as to pre- vent intrusion. “*Ready ?”” insinuated the official, with an equivocal simile. ‘*T went home to gust ready,’’ auswered Nick. “Good! there is the 5:21 train; let me telephone for sleeping accommodation for you,” “Don’t trouble, chief,’ dissented Nick. CBR? Pie ‘If I go, I shall not care to sleep.”? - Why——’” ‘‘No,’’? pursued Nick, snoothly—‘'T shall occupy my time striving to guess out the meaning of a few peculiar discov- erties I have made.”’ ‘“Discoveries ??? repeated’ the chief— and he looked ee soe I ask what they are???’ “‘Surely, for you may be able to ex- plain.them.”’ ‘*How is that?’ “Well, when I-went home I learned that my assistant——’’ “Chick ?” “That Chick knew I was going to Texas before I even knew it myself.” “Why—ah—ves!’’? stammered the chief, ‘‘You see, he was here a short time before you first canie.’’ : “*T believe you mentioned that.’’ ‘‘Certainly—do vou not remember ?”’ “After I had found it out, though.’? “O}) }>? “7 further found, chief, that Chick had gone off on a two days’ absence.’? “‘Struck some new clew, perhaps.” ‘*He must have done so. But here is the queerest part of the affair!’ The chief looked expectant—disquiet- ed, as well, however. “Chick had taken with him a disguise that I cannot account for.” “What disguise was that, Mr. Carter?’ inquired the chief. “One in which, on a previous occa- sion, he made up to represent myself.’? _ “Indeed ?”? are” the official, looking crestfallen. “Rather singular, that, chief?” . “Of course Chick has some purpose in view——.”’ ; “In personating myself??? ee het idee
Page 25
.24 : NICK CARTER WEEKLY, ‘Why not, indeed ?’’? said Nick. ‘'So, let ts pass that. For here is another ex- traordiiary double occurrence, I was shadowed from headquarters home when I left lere—J was shadowed back from home as I Jones ge here.” * ‘“By— “My own aauseante” Patsy, Ida.’’ “Shadowed ??* “Tet mie correct that—guarded would be the better term.”’ “Guarded?” murmured “Why? he “You answer that!” The chief inet the thrust direct with a forced bluff. “Mr. Carter, you fancied all this!’ Nick smiled indulgently. ‘‘Ani I given to fancies?’ he sharply inquired. Well, no—you ate guided by facts, usually.’ ‘‘Here are some additional facts, then —I wanted to know my ground down in Texas there.’’ “Bh? Ha! yes—just so. Naturally.’’ - The chief turned all colors— Nick was suave, but definite. the chief, ‘In quest of facts, I got in touch with Dallas.’ : ; ‘Mr. Carter, you are—indomitable!”’ “Tet us proceed,’’ went on Nick, de- liberately, ‘‘and perhaps some - word will fit better. I wanted those par- ticulars you were so pare about. ’? “Particulars ?”” “Concerning the great horse-stealing case.”’ - **How do they pan out?” , “They don’t pan out at all.’ ST hey don’t?’ - ~~ No, It is just the slow, unimportant kind ‘of an affair that you might’ put a new man ou ora cheap one, to break him -in—nothing, better.’ : “Mr, Carter, you. have ‘Poorea us, I see!” was clear confession. ; “Now, ay said Nick, ‘Texas? ; Well—no.? “And what have you. been paying. me “T don’t go to eM re Caster. es See other The “ehiet threw up his hands—this ~ ‘hick assumed 1 ay “id ne The chief did not say. ‘‘Why is it necessary to guard me on the public street like the Czar of Russia fearing a bomb ?”’ **VYou want to know that ” **T must know that.” ‘Very well, then—thereisa arith, veri table and menacing, to guard against.’” z ‘‘Meant for me??? . ; ‘Ves, And my effort,to get you out of the way, the actions of your assistants, — are one andall influenced by our deep” consideration and solicitude for your wel fare.’’ “Thanks, but——”? “s “T know what you are going to say. ee “*Tndeed ?”? “That you can take care of yourself.” ae **You express it finely, chief!’’ : The official had been growing steadily more and more serious—he shook his head ie now in a grave way. ‘‘Not in the present instance, Mr. Car ter!’? he asserted. “*T aim threatened ??” ‘*Worse than that!” ‘*Well—explain."’ ‘fA price is set on your head !”” Nick took it rather coolly. . ‘““A price on my head, eli?” peated, | “Ten thousand dollars!’ ‘“So mutch as that!’ “They fear you—that is sure.?? _ “Tam to be put out of the way?? | ‘© ‘Dead or alive’ the teward offe 21 reads !”? e ‘There is oue, then?” eure ‘There may be a thousand seated broadcast, for all we know! : “Conld I see a sample?” ‘SV oticcariy?* Nick calmly took up the sheet of pe that the chief tendered; the hand official was unsteady. he te- iberately: remarked Nick. cel ‘Mr... Carter,” said the chief f° a secret service with emotion | and solem- nity, ‘‘do not jest on th 21 atte peat, offer of Tew
Page 26
2 : E % Ake NICK CARTER WEEKLY. CHAPTER IX. = DANGER! The document that the chief had hand- ed to Nick Carter comprised half a sheet of manifold paper. It was one of numerous copies, Nick discerned; it was brief and to the point. ‘*A bid for bloodshed or kidnapping, ’” ‘observed the detective. “Do you see the signature?” } ‘(That suake-like scrawl. i “Vou understand?” lie “7 think I do,’? answered Nick, studi- ~ ously scanning the-signatute in question. It was notorious—ten years. back.” “And even later than.that.” “Tn derision, a skilled burglar often ~ Jeft it scrawled on desks, vault doors, or ‘ we Oo fe by. pant? os 2, ee > < the walls, where he operated.”” ei recall that brief spell of mysterious ‘ pillage. Tay ‘“The man was never caught. bs ‘“*He retired wealthy.’ _ **Whiere to?” s: ~ “England, they said.”’ _ “Ale is in America now, it appears!” _'‘How did vou come by this paper ?”’ ~ We found it on the floor of a den raid-- ed yesterday evening by the police.’ _ “And then you apprised any assist- “*T sent for Chick, yes.’ » “And put up this play to get me out of the way ?’’ challenged Nick, ~ ‘(Why not? Wecan hardly afford to shave you eompletely out of the way, Mr. Carter!“ ‘And Chick ??? questioned Nick. _‘*What-about him ?”’ ly eNO, advised——”” “Nothing, save the best measures for protecting yon.’? ‘‘You were not aware that he iutetded a making of himself the target, while I was ‘safe in another section of the country ?”’ ‘CA target!” “Certainly 3 has he not made up to ~ yneet ny own personality ?”” 2 4 ne ye ‘(But his motive——”’ “Sacrifice, if need be—a risk I ete ‘allow him to undertake!” declared Nick, » firmly. The chief looked quite grave—there was occasion. He had not anticipated Chick's move, A now so apparent in its’ heroic motive. Ra sured Ida, who looked auxious.- By ae 2b - “T presume,’ said Nick, as he started -~ towards the door, “‘that this fellow who travels on a sign manual rather than a name, must be known to the general criminal community of the City 22: “Well known, of course.” z ‘So that his bid is understood as being genuine, and the cash ready.’’ “Tt must be that way.’’ ie “Certainly the man has a motive,’’ pursued Nick, ‘‘and I surmise that that motive is connected with Schwarz.’ “This announcement caused the chief to look distressed. “Just one more question,’’ said Nick, his hand on the lock of the door. ‘In_ whiat especial den was that reward | paper found ?”” The official told, aud Nick memorized. “Wait!” exclaimed the chief, deeply aroused at Nick’s prompt, brisk proceed- ings, announcing a final departure. *“Well, chief ??’ ‘‘Vou are going——”? *“To find Chick.” ‘Where?’ ‘*T shall strike the trail soshedat Maite i: swered the detective, confidently; ‘‘if it does not come to meet me, I shall pro- ceed to search for it.’ : “It is vague—a blind hunt!’ Nick proceeded from headquarters. He was worked up considerably over Chick’s” ““defection.”’ He knew his fearless assistant like a book; it was precisely like the ardent young professional to strive to draw the enemy’s fire, failing any better way. to force them to discover themselves. a5. Nick paused on the pavement outside to cast a brief glance around in quest of Ida. He soon discovered her, : 4 Only keen, practiced eyes like hisowne could have discerned and ‘recognized an unobtrusive figure hovering in a sane hallway. iad Nick took out his handkerchief. He . smiled to himself as he fancied. the sur- prise of his charming little associate at recognizing a distinct direction Le aos _ proach. When they met, Nick told her he: ae é was fully apprised of the situation so far as it concerned his proBable peril. 3 “‘T will take care of niyself,’’ he as- 2 “But these is septs ak evetywliere sR
Page 27
k 26 _ “Chick is sharing it?!’ pertinently sug- gested Nick, “Al, yes—Chick!”’ ‘Between us we nay divide and weak- en the intentions of the enemy. Besides, for the time being I aim going uowhere in particular.’’ Ida looked her full concern. ‘And this reward offer,’’ the detective resumed, “may, be a fake, a scare—pure and simple.?? Nick, having assured himself that Ida was really headed homewards, recalled the raided point of the. previous evening where the reward document had been found on the floor. , He lost no time in visiting the ’ Jolie station whence thie descent had been or- ganized. The officer in ninege shel told the de- tective all that he knew. A drinking den and dancing hall had been complained of by neighboring shop- keepers. When raided, a motley crowd of men and women had been found, They were taken to the police station, a small fine was imposed, and the license of the haunt was revoked. At just about dusk Nick worked around to the vicinity of the place, He anticipated no great resuits froma “survey close at hand—still, he made it thorough. The neighborhood was a hard one. After . satisfying himself that it would , scarcely pay to spend the evening in the various surrounding ‘haunts on the slender hope of happening - upon some suspicious crook, Nick turned down a uarrow street in the direction of the heart of the city. He was planning some broad drag-net explorations, with the assistance of Patsy, Ida\and one-or two picked department men, when, passing wider an electric are light it sprang into flame. The whole street was at once ablaze, the lighting “hour having arrived; and _just then Nick was focussed in refulgent view. ‘He put up his hand to ‘slightly shade his face with” his hat, for the neighbor- hood was not to his fancy. ‘His hand expertenced a seating contact —there passed through his hat a “bullet. ‘(4 close shave,’’ muttered Nick, ‘‘and acitt wes NICK CARTER WEEKLY. course. He could not trace the report; the! shot, he calculated, had been fired from a secoud-story window: i Immediately Nick turned into a di-— hese street. The shot had apprised him that his life was no longer safe in New York.. = Out of range, Nick uence a pocket to see if he carried with him sufficient” immaterial to put up a presentable disguise, _ if only a facial one. % This was not so, and he started on briskly. However, the shot impelled hime, to. decide upon an early return to this shady vicinity well prépared for action, Almost immediately came a second © token of disturbance. Nick heard a woman screain.. She came out of a doorway, or rather gate- | way, leading between two buildings. a As she.darted down the street, there appeared in pursuit a policenran in full | uniform. © | He shouted at her. She half paused, turned, lifted a watch and chain she held — in her grasp, and flung it full in _the offie ; cer’s face. This somewhat unsteadied the polite. man. He lost time picking up the ieweleyJ —then he resumed the chase. Nick had halted. The professional im- ‘ pulse was to seats ing runner and aid jus- tice. As the woman’s face came into clear view, however, Nick, with somewhat of a stare, became passive, simply watching. — He was prepared to follow, when to his © surprise the woman ran almost directly to the spot where he was. it She brushed Ey him, passing “without - observing hiin.: Instantly she stooped. It was to attempt to seize and lift one side of the heavy grating pagrecten to a store area,. ee As she failed, Nick decided on his He stooped, and with one hand drew up tlie heavy grating. ‘*Courage!’’ he said. ““Oh—thanks!?’ At that. moment ‘thie poligentan came rushing up. Nick was in shadow—the spot was in deep gloom. Besides, eS was not ac- quainted with ‘the officer, “Shut nae out—we, can! 17 came an” down a the grating. * - 12 5 Pu ar > in ONES
Page 28
- blow—though it was not _ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. s a7 That request seemed inviting. At all ‘hazards, Nick was resolved to make his | play to remain with the woman. He turned upon the officer as the latter plunged toward him and the grating. Nick delivered a deft and stinging intended to prove serious. The officer reeled back, stumbled and measured his length on the sidewalk. Nick sprang down the steps, letting _ ’ the grating fall. } ‘‘Good! We are safe!’” was breathed in his ear. A. white, shapely hand reached past Nick, and instantly it snapped a padlock around the connecting gratings. Then its owner uttered a_ slightly - scornful, triumphant laugh. t oT lost the booty,’? she observed, ‘‘but _ I slipped the policeman. You ‘did ‘splen- *° did 17? The woman heedlessly confessed her status; Nick was a trifle surprised at this. He had assisted her to escape, and he had knocked an officer down, for a very _ cogent reason. In the fugitive Nick Carter had recog- nized one of the two visitors to Lawyer - Keene’s.office, who had both answered to - the name of Miss Eva Romaine. This one—positively aud unmistakably — was the brunette. CHAPTER X. IN DISGUISE, a In the semi-gloom, the same dashing, daring siren eves that-Nick trad noticed when boxed in at the lawyer’s office, he noticed now. The wonian was gloating over her tri- umpl—she looked up through tle grat- ing as though disposed to ieire a risk: for the privilege of witnessing the police _ officer’s discomfiture, Nick kept ont of range of all light. The furious officer, having arisen, came to the grating , drawing his revolver. The gitl allowed Nick to lead her out of range, though the pabeees did not - fire, She laughed back at him derisively. ee officer al at Oe grating, calling © fo help. “Vou are not safe nessa? auaaeice _ Nick. Oh, yes!’’ “You are sure of that??? “Why, Eesiarnly ! AS Oe did splendid!” She tried to make out what ee cham pion looked like, but the light did not suffice. ‘*Just follow me,”’ she advised: ‘“You seem to know where you are,’?’ remarked Nick. . _ ‘Perfectly. Hurry, now.” ‘‘Going to take care of mie also ??? sug~ gested Nick. ‘*VYou may rely on me.”’ : **T rieed to be taken care of.’? “Do you, really ??? |“ Ves—really.”? There was no banter in Nick’s voice; he spoke as if thoroughly in earnest. The grating padlock had now been broken or forced, for they heard some one drop to the steps they had recently left. Nick’s conductress darted along a pass- ageway leading under the house, then in- to a basement and up a flight of steps, where she pushed up a slanting door. Nick found himself in a hallway on the street level. The girl went to its end and knocked. There was no response and she whistled, clear and shrill as a man’s whis- tle. “Tam getting on!’’ she remarked, as though all this were a frolic, and she -was enjoying it immensely. | ‘How is that ?”? questioned Nick. ‘“These people will-aid us.” “Who are they ?’’ “T-don’t know them pastiegtouly.” “You don’t know them pe? ( “But they know -me at least, who I come froin.”’ ‘And who is that?” ‘Ah! that is telling.’ **T am not curious to know.” ‘*Here he is—come, quick !”” ‘ A wicket in a door dropped. Through a square hole appeared a broad ray of light. z Nick kept out of its range. A man’s face appeared at tlie other side of cae t At: hole. “Who is it??? ehallengedia a gruff voice. “It is I,’? said the girl, bold ye oF “Oh—who are you?” The girl simply put up her hand, ae Instantly the voice beyond spoke: a, commu ces = it etek
Page 29
ad All tight.?’ When the door opened, Nick looked i wm upon a curious apartment. | — It was littered with dresses, suits of clothes, wigs, rows. of false heads, mus- taches—even cardboard strips holding all kinds of eyebrows. Nick took the place for an emporium where masquerade outfits were kept for hire. z The woman passed in hurriedly, and pulled Nick after her. = ‘““Hold on! what’s the hurry??? de- niauded her host. “I didn’t come from the street-—and there is the hurry !”’ ‘And who is this?’ “‘A friend. Let us pass, if you don’t waut the police down on youl?! ‘This hastened the inan’s movenients. Nick passed through.” He instantly drew back into a maze of costtfmes hanging from wall hooks. had the m Nick decided that 1ieither should. _ ter, dead or alive The woman had. gone on a few steps: Not yet had she seen Nick’s face—nor man who had admitted them. He gave them just one glance—then the detective attended strictlv to business, That. glance stimulated Nick marvel- -ously—it revealed the magic power of the brunette’s shapely hand. Turned palm inwards was the netiinng < of a great seal ring. * It faced Nick tliis time—its monogram, its sign manual, slowed clearly, It was a counterpart of the signature to the ‘death warrant’’—the reward offer of ten thousand dollars ‘‘for Nick Car- ? he detective had struck the trail! Even if it had vot come in this way— — even though this woman had not ‘borne tlie remotest hint of a connection “with the mysterious seeker after lis life, Nick : would have been satisfied. Because, above dil else, ave was one of the principal actors in the Weare 1npos- ture. Nick ieee all that was said between the two, a few feet beyond him. The woman explained that, close driv- ie aaah had been forced to take a secret way to a place of refuge of which—and of = MaNY * sighs in fact—she had been ad- ite ie vised. NIOK CARTER WEEKLY. she went on. i Bs Sa sen or euL a CO Her credentials were all right. Then to fit her out, with a clever disguise! ‘But about that man??? suggested her companion, turning to see what had be- come of Nick. ““He’s all right—I vouch for him.’ "On your own -confession, you don’t know him?” } “T know his acts—he saved me, and he ‘did’ the policeman. ee “All right. “What is this? You’ _ cool!”’ Nick had coolly helped himself to a disguise; the materials for half a hundred} lay in- reach, The man recognized his — own goods— he scowled. ‘Isnt it all right?’ questioned Nick,” deliberately. ‘ i He addressed the woman. She nodded vivaciously. ? ‘‘VYou’re shady, too—are you?’ she smiled), 24 - “More so than ever, since I laid ie! policeman out!’ “Oh, yes—vyon’re shady, that’s clear.’ ” The woman moved among the disguise paraphernalia and picked out what site waited, Le As she advanced towards a darik room, she turned to say to Nick: ae: “OV du wait fot: tes; apie scaums tas 4 ‘(Of course.” **T want to talk to you—I fancy you "e the right sort.” She came back as much changed from ; her recent appearance as was Nick him self from his recent personality. gr “Will J ee she dnguased: of ae ol man. ; “Vou will pass.’ P ‘“Now—one Fikes horsaen 3 “Go ahead ?”? ‘*T was sent here to find some orient nell; Nick took in that familiar. name etge m it signified. “Cant you find him?” 4 ‘‘No, and he is wanted badly. eto ae “By : Ce The woman again lifted the ting: “Vou see, came to hunt him up,” “T got all the points, like this place here, but: it’s strange to an out- sider. I took a flyer. on a y own hook in in place over pent if ea RULES a
Page 30
/ “A watch and chain temptiugly close, ona young fellow with more money than brainus.’? “Shall I try and hunt up Purnell for you?? Will you??? “For the man who sent .you—cer- tainly !”’ “OTe you are to tell him that. he is wauted, and I will go back.” “Just aaovell.”? ‘Give him a message, first. ’” The woman lowered her tones here, but Nick overheard. _~ ‘What is your message ?”” Tel] him te call off.’? “On what?” “The reward.” “Oh! Oe conte one has won it?” ““Some one has won it. ‘I'ell Putnell that we have got Nick Carter!” em pees eenet CHAPTER: XI. BROUGHT TO TIME. Murder_ was heartless. \ Never had Nick been in an atmosphere of crime so sinister, so sanguinary. es the brunette delivered the mes- sage, ‘‘We have got Nick Carter!’’ he, . Ww 6 knew otherwise, surmised © what-had transpired. ° in the air—wholesale, | When the brunette left the disguise den, Nick accompanied her. He’ had won both her confidence and her gratitude. mee Vous did= me a good turn,’’ she de- Clared; ‘We are safe to go whiere we like, disguised.” “‘Yes,”? asseuted Nick, “In the absence of a man I was sent for, you might fit in.” ‘Work aM ‘Paying work,” «A Jong task?” ~4¢® short oe.” » "Would I do?” ‘TT will recommend you.” “Din agreeable.” 2 ' Bo; it became plain sailing for Nick ar ter, The Ae tio its eaAn the numerous. ed to the man who had offered mg te NICK CARTER WEEKLY. = f 29 But only because the skilled expert had set the wires ariglit at the beginuing. Of course the man who had sent the brunette to the city was Merckle. Back to Merckle she took Nick—up bevond Harlem, to a sparsely settled neighborhood, where the ex-criminal king had played the honest burgher until _ ties of kindred and the lure of anoney had induced him to make the last cast of the die. Nick was sdaihied by the brunette to a solid-looking house. As he was led to a’ room wirere he was bidden to remain, through the half ope door of another he got a view of a man “he took to be the originator of the ser- pent coil signature. In still another room gitl he had seen before. It was the second of the female impos- tors—the blonde, this tfine. Inside of half an hour Nick knew what he had been brought to the place to do. The brunette re-appeared, and to him she handed a knife in a sheath. “Are you nervy?” she asked, fixing those bold, wicked eyes of hers upon the detective, Nick knew what was coming—he was to be hired to do what Purnell had a shown up to do, He was to-‘‘kill Nick Carter!”’ This was Chick, of course.. Nick was. ‘willing ;’? he wished to reach Chick. So, atter some persuasion, he lent him- self to the plan entlitisiastically. He agreed to put a troublesome enemy — of ‘a certain party” o1it of the way for a money consideration. 3 The woman led Nick toa dark cellar. She unlocked a door. ‘In there,’?? she said— miss !?? “Too much at stake!’ assured cold- blooded Nick Carter. + ee The detective found Chick as he fa expected to find him—gagged, helpless, awaiting the assassin’s blade. Chick did not know how he had been brought hither; his downfall, posing “as. Nick observed a ‘make 10 | Nick Carter, had come ina criminal den Ss he had invaded. While drugged, fare been transport. thousand dollars: teward.
Page 31
80 NIOK CARTER WEEKLY. nation,’ Chick observed, as calmly as though he had not just grazed a terrible fate. Chick had overheard some talk an hour previous; it concerned a girl, a piaaas er, in the attic. "There was a discussion, and the two as tectives cautiously left the cellar. It was apportioned to Chick to keepa secret eye on the blonde, the brunette and _Merckle. Nick penetrated to the upper part of the house. He tried many doors; one he finally reached that was locked. Nick applied his eye to the keyhole; quite an animated scene met his gaze, “The right room,’ instantly decided ~ the detective. There could be no doubt of that, for at ‘an open window leading upon a_ sharply slanting roof, a pale-faced, frightened- looking girl was «tealthily stepping. Nick, it seemed, had arrived at a mo- ment of attempted escape. He spoke softly; the girl did ndt heed him. Then she passed out of view. Dropping all care or cautiou, Nick put his broad shoulder to the door. It gave in with more of acrack thana crash. Nick was fairly appalled as he neaned the open window. The girl had mistaken her ‘ests and overestimated her ability; she was just toppling towards the edgéd of the roof. A plunge to the street far below seemed inevitable, when Nick made a masterly, leap. : ’ The detective’s ania shot out to- 3 “wards the terrified girl. It was a narrow chance; in time, but justin time, the detective saved that j im- periled life. She fainted as he brought her within the rooin and placed | her ona couch. © He/ went. down “the stairs on tiptoe; abruptly he changed that cautious prog- ress to a series of bounds. « Two pistol shots rang putea wounan’s Scream followed. ‘Thete was the sound of shattering glass, as Nick got to the ground floor. - Cowering ina corner were two women ‘blonde and brunette. _ A shattered window showed. *BRovlow!”? said Chick, briefly, and cic Nick understood ; the director of schemes, forged credentials on the same day. : shown ae ei the man who had panes his doom, had | escaped. g Nick was outside in a hurry, ‘but the ~ fugitive had got away. When the detective caine back into thes house, he found a peculiar state of affairs, At first he fancied that the materializa- tion of ‘‘two Nick Carters’? had thrown the blonde and brunette into a condition — ; “of hysterical shock. This was not true. An investigation | : brought out some startling facts. ; These women had beén poisoned—and it required the services of two hard-work-— ing physicians several hours to save their / lives. é Hig It seemed that the arch-scliemer they had trusted had played them doubly false. ~ Believing Nick Carter done fot, he had f aimed to silence these two confederates. Possibly he intended to remove the cap- tive up stairs, fire the house, and carry out his schemes—with n9 complicating — attachments. s Whit those intentions were, Nick and _ Chick partly knew by midnight. The girl up stairs restored to conscious= — . pee: was soon able to talk. Her story was clear, simple Convincing ~ —slie was the real Eiva Romaine. The brunette was a Southern elas * turess; the blonde was an ex-variety (pers former, = : Roth of these persons had inet Miss, Romaine at a town in ‘Texas, where she 4 was nursing the Mexican woman, who was then very ill. Both had become aware of the histox and the secret of the young heiress. — ‘ie It was a remarkable coincidence, but. e each had struck the same scheme without, being aware ‘of the other’s a in it. 33 As fate would have it, they had ap “ peared at Lawyer Keene! s with their They had left the girl, Eva, apparently _ engaged for at least a. week in restoring her nurse to health. Therefore, sere was plenty of time to operate in. On that day when they 1 speared at Lawyer es the false clerk} watching the Schwarz case, | got onto and discovered their geass ini-)— posture. : ; ' He had SF
Page 32
) , ts NICK CARTER WEEKLY. their case, but stood in danger of arrest if they re-appeared. He told them of his patron—Merckle. When Paquita appeared, the villain had not hesitated to put her out of the ways, “ Advised of the Mexican woman’s ap- pearance, the brunette knew enought _ about Miss Romaine’s intentions to get ou her trail. he was found and carried to the home of the avaricious-Merckle just as she was preparing to join Paquita at the lawyer’s office. F The ensuing day all the tangle was straiglitened out, Paquita removed from the hospital to Miss Romaine’s care, and an expert.surgeon engaged. It was not until two days afterwards, however, that the case was practically wound up. Chick had run down Purnell, and he was jailed—but Merckle evaded the de- tectives. They ascertained that he was planning to flee the country. They traced him to the crook’s disguis- er, and there lost the clew; then, one evening, Nick Carter found it. Nick found it because he had learned at ‘Jast the identity that Merckle had assumed ae was that of the typical Hebrew ped- Chas The last act in the famous jury- fixing case ended three hours later. The disguised Mereckle—awaiting the ‘sailing of a tramp steamer—Nick found in the. wretched room of a low hovel. Here on a table was a satcliel full to bursting with his ill-gotten wealth, and two rtevolvets lying beside it. Merckle dozed before a smouldering fire. The door of the room was a wreck, but bolted on the inside. The refugee was not aware that a hu- man hand reached noiselessly through the broken panel. As Nick caught up the two weapons, the ferret nature of the greatest criminal ‘New Vork had ever known roused in- stinctively. f ; There was a shout, a grapple, a strug- gle—brief, one- sided, decisive. The man who thought he had put the famous detective ina hole by offering a reward of ten thousand. dollars ‘for Nick. _ Carter, dead or alive!’’ that night slept. 31 in a cell with. his rascally colleague, Schwarz, the firebug. ‘Nick Carter had foiled a plan.to catch him, and scored a brilliant professional success all around. Gee Pines END. } "a8 The next number of the Nick CARTER WEEKLY will contain “Nick Carter Pre- vents a Disturbance.’ Nick Carter Quarterly. The earlier issues of Nick Carter Weekly, are now on sale in the form of Quarterlies, each including 13 consecutive issues of thig favorite weekly, together with the 13 original illuminated ‘illastra~ tions. and an elegant cover in colors. ‘The price is Cents per volume, for which sum they will be sent by raaih, ssh -puid to any address in the United States. No, 1, including Nos, 1 to 13 of Nick Carter Weekly. No. 2, i Ss. 14 to 26 of Nick Carter Weekly. °. Nos No. 3, ae Nos. 27 s 39 of Nick Carter Weekly. No. 4, ” Nos. 40 to 52 of Nick Carter Weekly. No. 5, s Nos. 53 to 65 of Nick Carter Weekly. If your Newsdealer has not got the Quarterlles, remit direct to the publishers. STREET & SMITH, 238 William St., N. ¥. Che Cip Cop Quarterlies. GOOD READING AND LOTS OF IT. Thirteen Weeklies in Each Quarterly. No. x.—Frank Merriwell’s School Days, No. 2.—Frank Merriwell Out West. No. 3.—Frank Merriwell in Foreign Lands. No. 4.—Frank Merriwell at Yale. No. 5.—Frank Merriwell’s Ras Tour Across _ the Continent, No. 6.—Frank Merriwell as an All-round Athlete. No. 7.—Frank Merriwell’s ce Tefm at »Yale. No. 8.—Frank Merriwell’s Vacation. No. 9.—Frank Merriwell in Maine. No. 10.—Frank Merriwell as a Railroad Man. No, 11.—Frank Merriwell as an Actor. No. 1g.—Frank Merriweli’s Fight for Pros- — perity. ' . 13.—Frank Merziwell’s Exciting Adven- - tures in England and France, The Merriwell series are written in groups of thir- teen. Each quarterly is a complete series or group, _ PRICE FIFTY CENTS EACH From all newsdealers, or by mail postpaid, from the ptsblishers, ; Admirers of Frank Mertiwell, desirous of following his adventures from the first will find these quarterlies the most advantageous form in which to procure the <i numbers. \ a STREET & SMITH, Publishers, ; ce 238 William weer ok York.
Page 33
i Prices Are-On Vacation THE MEDAL LIBRARY ts Oliver Opti¢ and Others. ao oe * The Right Books at the Right Pree. Fhere ts a line of classics for youth—the books your fathers read—the books you want to read—the ‘books Fe oie Sa girls will read and like as long as the English language endures. They have done more to shape the m pd of American boys for the last fifty years than any others. We refer to the writings of Oliver Optic, Horatio Al Edward S. Ellis, Lieut. Lounsberry, James Otis, William Murray Graydon, etc. These names are “arniliat Gaeta : the American flag floats. Unfortunately, they have heretotore been procurable only in expensive binding at from $1.00 to $1.50. each. The average boy has not got $1.50 to invest. Ten cents is nearer his price. We have made the ten cent book — the leader with the elder readers. Now we are going to do the same thing for the boys, and give them their favorites ina form in every respect equal to our well-known Eagle and Magnet Libraries, at the uniform price of tén cents, Thousands of boys have asked us to issue this line. Thousands more are ready to buy it on sight. There is no line like it in the world. We_can justly call it the Medal series, as every book will be a prize winner. It will contain no ~ story that the boys have not approved as a ‘‘standard.’? They have Rosight them by thousands at $1.00 and up- — wards, and now they can get them for TEN CENTS A COPY, ceeasar csv 1—The Boat Club S " . By Oliver Optic ‘ ’ 2—Cadet Kit Carey -. Ps 4 ; ‘ i * a . By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry 382All Aboard . 7 ‘ 3 A * A . By Oliver Optic 4—-Lieutenant Carey’s Luck z ; . : . 5 - : By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry 16—The White King of Africa r A % B ; . . By William Murray Graydon 17—Ensign Merrill . ; “ i 5 sinees %° By. Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry — 18—The Silver Ship : ¥ x r . 6s hse Sate 2. = » By Lewis Leon 19—Jack Archer * : é a ; 4 ve By Gilbert Patten 29—True to the Old Flag . . . : ogee Fe See es, : By G, A. Henty ~ 30—Peter Simple : ; 2 é ’ - 5 f A ‘By Captain Marryat 31—The Cruise of the Snow Bird cs F % . . micas c . By Gordon Stables 32—The Curse of Carnes’ Hold : r é é sie ‘ fi . By G. A. Henty 33—Jud -and*Joe, Printers and Publishers 7 ria r > ° - By Gilbert Patten — 4—The Adventures of Mr. Verdant ae j yh Sd ° F . ‘By Cuthbert Bede, B. A. 35—In the Reign of Terror. a . e & By G. A. Henty ; 36—In Barracks and Wigwam , : S . F A r “By William Murray Graydon 37—Commodore Junk . 4 7 z fe : $ i By Geers’ Manville Fenn * 38—Gay Dashleigh’s Academy Days 7 = a : . y Arthur Sewall 39—With Boers and British in the Transvaal < < ‘ é . By william : eae Graydon 40—Canoe and Campfire . : j 4 - f . By St. George Rathbone | 4i—Check 2134 aes ie ; “ ; ee . By Edward 8. nits ie OTHERS EQUALLY Goop TO FOLLOw. ip 3 Order them at once. If you cannot get them send to us. Remenitee, these are 12mo books, printed from new plates, with a ‘COVErS, cand” are the “real thing,” ‘and only TEN ae = COPY.
Page 34
Price, Five Cents. 990000040000 040600:000008 Back Numbers always on hand. | Price, post-paid, Five cents each. ick Carter Illuminated Cover. THE BEST LIBRARY OF Lape aera STORIES. - the ; \ COPA HHO OOO HEHEHE 114—Officer Dugan's Beat; or, The New Member of the Force, 115—Nick Carter's Chance Clew; or, The Rogue ot the Race Track, ~ W6—Nick + arter After a Missing Man; or, The Werk of Ghouls 117—Nick Garter at Hellion City; or, The Notice Posted on the loor. 118—The Great Poisoning Case: pened at the Laboratory. ~119—Nick Carter Among t e Peter Players 120—Fighting the Circus Crooks; or, ‘Ten Thous- and Dollarss hort. > 121-—Ouw ofthe \evil’s Clutches; or, Nick Carter’s New Friend 122—Waiting to be Robbed; or, Nick Carter's Diamond Case. 123—The sleeping Car Mystery. 124—Killed by His Victim; or, The Green-goods Men at Work. 125—Nick Carter a Prisoner; or, How Bob Dalton Found His Match. 126—Set On Fire; or, Nick Carter’s Bravery. 127—A Demand fur Justice; or, F Offered a Bri e. 128—Was It Murder; or, Nick Carter’s Short Vacation. 129—Nick Carter's Mascot; or, Treachery Among hy Thieves. ~-130—Roxy" 8 Signal In the Sky; or, A Gold-Bug ~ Worth a Foitune. 18g At Kessler Switch; or, Nick Carter's Train Robbery Case. 132—The Face in the Bottle; or, Detcstive Buff and -One’of the Finest. “133-—A fraid of Nick Carter; or, The Man who Wasn't Korn Yesterday. _ -184—The Malay’s Charge; or, Roxy's Life Saved “4 by a New Pet. Pts 136—The Great Abduction Vase; or, A Baby’s Ory My for Freedom. -186—Short Work with Train Robbers; or, the Mask that was Marked with Blood. 37—Bob Ferret’s ‘Trump Card; Found on a Century Run. or, What Slap or, What Was Doe Helstone. B9—Strnck Down; or, How the Superintendent Lent a Hand. Nick Carter’s Greatest Com vee ick Carter On the Limited; or, The Man on the Smoker Who Didn’t Sikes STREET & SMITH, os Re Nick Carter | W38— Nick Curter’s Mouse Trap; or, The End of’ 142 —Nick Carter Meets a Wizard and Shows Him a New rick. 143—Nick Carter’s Handsome Prisoner; or, How Her Smile Faiied to Fascinute Him. 144—Nick Curter Clams a Fortune, and Turns it Over to the Right Owners « 145—Ni k Carter's Midnight Arrest; or, An Inter- 3 ruption of a l’oker “Game. 146—Nick Carter’s Race tor Life; or, An Accident in the Nick of ‘lime. 147—Nick Carter’s Turn at the Wheel; Red and Black Both the Same. is 148—Nick Carter's Snap Shot; or, A Photograph: That Guve Evidence } 149—Nick Curter Excha: ges Priso.ers; or, A Li eness Eavily Explained. 150- Nick Carter's Hast Kargain; Of Outwitted by Dup icate Methods. ea me 151—Nick Curter Stands a Bluff, ane Wins a Game Which Ends in Limbo. 152—Nick Carter’s Fake Murder Case; or, The $4 Plan to Wipe Out the Agency. 153—Nick Carter's Midught Caller; or, A Case Concluded Before Daylight. 154—Nick Carter Setties a Conspiracy; or, A Tele- s gram That Wasn't Signed. By: 155—Nick Carter's Curious Clent; or, A Criminal t With More Gall Than Sense. 156—Nick (Carter's Si ent Search; or, A Drive at - @ Fake Detective. 157—Nick Varter as an Expert; or, A Battery That Was Tampered With. Me 158—Nick Carter »nd the Sawdust Man; or, An In- — vestment ‘That ( aused Trouble. bai 159—Nick Carter’s New Uniform; or, A Bribe That ; Was Expected. ; 160—Nick Carter's Steamer Trunk; or, A Oriente ® Mid-Ocean eS 161—Nick Carter Corners a Bank President; or, A Balance that was Crooked. — 162—Nick Carter Saves a Life, ‘and Earns @ Woman’s Gratitude. F 163—Nick Carter Jumps a Train, and Takes Big ner Chances. <a 164—Nick Carter off the Track, But Has Another @ String to His Bow. bf See or, 165—Nick Carter in Hole; or, A Plan to Catch ee Him That Didn’t Work. — 166—Nick Carter Prevents » Distur na e7-—Nick Carter Makes a Loan that Brings ay Returns. iy ‘06 Stier Carter’s Second Sight; or, A Dum founded Prisoner. PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK. a For Sale by all Wen ecen la)