Nick Carter Weekly (no. 169) (1900 03 24)
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Issued weekly. Subscription price $2.50 per year. No. 169. a ANA | Ee : re ! ii at RS 2 MN nt a iii AN Entered as second class matter at the N. Y. Post Office by SY REET & SMITH. Price 5 Cents. un \\ i a Hi i i NY iy i WAL \ Nt i WW | int i i ! MN i ] ii Nii
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NI@K CARTER WEEKLY. Bntered according to Act of Congress in the year ae by Str er Smith, in the Office of the Librarian of ppc tets Washangton, Entered as second class Matten at the New Yort, N. ¥., Post Office. Subscription price, $2.50 per year. Issued weekly. No. 169. ee ee * “ev —e BIREET & SMITH, Publishers. NEW YORK. Mreh 24, > 5 Cents 238 William 8t., N. Y. Unmasked by Nick Carter; AN ATTEMPT AT BLACKMAIL. By the Author of ‘NICK CARTER.” . CHAPTER I. A SOCIETY BELLE’S LOVE. The following advertisement appeared not long ago in the New York Herald: ! Monday while riding in “1,” train, a pocket-book containing a sinall suin of money, theatre ticket, and memorandums. Suitable reward will be paid and no questions asked by returning pocket-book, theatre ticket, and papers to Q. Z., Herald office.’” “Tost—on The day following the publication of the above a young woman sat in her bou- doir in a handsome and richly furnished mansion a few blocks from Madison square, gazing out of the window with an - expression of mingled anxiety and fear on her beautiful face. “Tf they should fall into any but honest hands,’ she muttered, ‘‘I am lost, for if ‘Horace learns what the letters contain, he Will spurn me with scorn and contempt.” While she mused bitterly over her situ- ation the bell rang, announcing-the pres- ence of some one at the front door. Hope instantly sprang into her heart. “T expect no one to-day,’? washer thought, ‘‘that is, no one but the person who shall come in answer to the adyer- tisement.”? “ As she arose and stood before her mir- ror, her scarlet lips slightly parted over her small milk-white teeth in satisfaction at her appearance, the sound of a well- known voice in the hall below caused the red flush of hope to leave her cheeks, and an ashy paleness to take its place. “He may already know the terrible, truth,’ spoke her guilty conscience, ‘“‘and he may have cone to end our engage- ment. ’? ; : b She trembled for an instant: at the thought of what to her was a crushing possibility, but her self-possession re- turned as her quick, intelligent brain went over the ground and showed the im- a probability. of her conjecture. a e ‘ ee
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‘ 2 “How weak I am,” she muttered, in. contempt at her late fears. *‘He know so soon ? Pshaw, there’s been no chance for Fs himto make the discovery that Iam’— she parsed, bit her lip, and weit on oe i-am nots the innocent, guileless cor that lis soff heart has gee ue.??, Looking once ore Shuto the mirror she _.gaveia few deft touches to her blonde hair, x an@ there was a stedly brillianey in. her violet eyes as she turned to await. the “Scoming of theservant. Nay Please, Miss Ferrier, it’s Mr. Horace. You told:me to admit him whenever he Seanie.?” te aac, Yes, Fauny, so I did, but—but to-day » Tain not at home:to any ove. I an indis- posed. Stay,’ as the servant was about to depart, ‘‘I will send hiitva note, that he ay uot think my refusalSeto see him is , the false, conventional one: This is what Horace Boushene the handsome young stock broker, read a few minutes later: “You dear, impatient creatnre—I ain suffering froin neutalgia, and am such a fright that I couldn’t think of seeing you “to- ‘day. Come to-morrow and be assured : aot a welcome then that shall amply com- pensate you for your present epeapromt: ment. or ae “Vour own, ‘““CLARICE,’? As “s Boughton pressed the delicately per-. fumed missive to his lips and- tien pre- pared to depart. Fanny, the sewing-maid, looked at t his tall, admirably-proportioned. figure, caught 'a glimpse of the dark, honest eyes which reflected the deep, passionate love that filled his heart, and sighed softly. ‘Poor yeung man,’’ she thought. ashame that he should this outrageous manuer,”? But the girl’s pity went no further. - - She had a good place, and she was anx- ious to. retain Het : AT'S be deceived in NICK CARTER WEEKLY, The mansion belonged to Miss eet fee 's amit, a bed- ridden invalid, and it was heavily mortgaged. But few people were aware of the fact, — however, and in society the queenly Cla-__, tice was tegarded as ai heiress. Horace Boughton, rich and clever, in- tellectually, but of a trusting, unsuspi- cious nature, loved her for herself alone, and tiever gave a thought to her financial worth. : He had easily surrendered to'the chathls of her blonde, seusuous beatity, and the fascinations she so artfully exercised., She did not love him, but her desire was to hecome the mistress of his wealth, and be able to shine with even greater’ luster in the society whosey exigeiit, ca-"s pricious demands required of her at pres~ ent so many makeshifts and petty econo t nies. rages And now something Wad occurred which threatened to blast ‘all her prospects, Her pocket- book had been lost, ard in it were ~ letters which compromised her reputation. “i Half an hour after Horace Boughton had taken his leave, she came to the con-> ‘clusion that the person who ad wade & pocket-book had resolved not to auswer the advertisement. % There was but one thing 6 be done Gf she hoped to recover the lost property, ; aiid that was to seek the services of some’ shrewd and skillful detective. uae Fanny, the maid, who was to some ex. tent her mistress’ confidante, they having been schoolmates in the days when Cla- a rice was living in liumbleness and poverty, “had urged her to take this step the imo- ment she heard of the loss. ‘Cand if youll take niy advice, Miss — Ferrier,’ she said, earnestly, ‘‘you’ll see Dick Huttell. He’s ina private agency” on Broadway and I] know he’s a eee one.”’ ; ae you acquainted | with him?” ,
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, NICK CARTER WHEKLY. ingly admitted that she had known him for over a year. ‘CA thief stole my watch over at Coney Island at a picnic last sumimer,’? she said, ‘‘and Dick—Mr. Huttell, I mean, who was a stranger to me, then, found it in half an hour.’’ ‘*Ves, I remember. He’s the little, smooth-faced, Henry Irving sort of a looking fellow, who Galled to see you last. week.” “Ves, ma’am,’’ said Fanny, meekly, ‘and he’s. not only the living image of Henry Irving, but he-can act like him. Ive seen and heard him.”’ _ “A very remarkable young man, then.’’ **Indeed he is.”’ Miss Ferrier thought of her conversa- tion with Fanny later in the day. ‘“‘Why not?’ she said to herself. ‘This Huttell may be the very man to succeed.’ i % Late ‘in, the afternoon she, was in one of » the private. offices of Starr & Co.’s de- » tective . agency, in earnest conversation with Mr. ‘Ri¢hard Huttell. There waae look of eager interest on his lean, strongly marked face, as the so- ciety belle stated her loss, “Can you describe any of the persons who were on the car with you?” he asked.. ‘Let me see. The-car was crowded, and I can’t think of anything that im- pressed nie. excepta stout old lady ae sat next to ine on one of the side seats. ’ “I cau imagine the sort of impression she left,’’ laughed the detective. — Miss Ferrier Bee not simile at this wit- ticism, \ She rather aitee Huttell’s familiar- ity, and it was gall and wormwood to her to make hii the repository of her secrets. ‘I'he detective’s face flushed slightly at her cold glance, and he went on hur- Tiedlv: ow ee stout woman—was there any- thing remarkable in her appearance ?”’ Boe ait, and yet———” % os S “She had a = pudgy face, and she snielled-of beer.’ ‘Did you see her hands?” “Yes, They were around, a baby ae the time.’? “Then it was not she who ~~ the pocket-book.”’ “Do you believe it was stolen ?’” “Tt might have been. Now, who was on the other side of you?” : “An asthmatic old gentleman. He wheezed so much that I should have left the car before reaching my destination, if he had not noticed my distress and re- pugnance, and taken a vacant seat ina corner.”? Xs! sity Roe “Describe him as minutely as you can.”? “Tam afraid my description will be in= adequate.” 5; Bay “Why? ‘*Because the greater part of his ice was covered with a muffler.” ‘*Was he smooth-faced, or did he Basics. a mustache or beard?’ ‘‘He wore a _ heavy beard—alimost white; and his hair was long and white.’? . ‘*His hands—did you see them?’ os ‘‘No. He kept them concealed in his pockets.’?. ““That’s unfertunate,’’ said Dick Hut- tell, with a shake of the head. ‘Why so?” é ‘Because I can tell a man’s character by his hands. The pickpocket has slender hands with long, flexible fingers.” He showed one of his gwun hands as he spoke. It was ‘small and chubby. os Clarice Ferrier looked at it indifferently. : Then she said; ‘‘Hadn’t we better dismiss the idea of theft, aud take up the other branch of the | subject ?’? * : “Ves, ves. But I wanted first to deter- mine whether there was a -possibility that the pocket-book might not have been stolen from you in thecar. The asthmatie is the only person who might have filched
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4 % NICK CARTER WEEKLY. He paused and looked thoughtfully at the floor. ‘And yet what?’? queried she, iit some curiosity. a “And yet Ido not think he was the thie + Tam not mistaken, he is a re- spectable coal dealer in Brooklyn. I shall satisfy myself on that point within a few hours. Now as to the proposition that you accidentally dropped the book. First question under that head: Are vou sure you had it when you entered the car?”’ "Perfectly so, for I had sy open it to find the money for my fare.’ “When did you first discover loss??? “When I got off ‘the car at Thirty- ~ fourth street.” ‘*Did vou feel in your pocket for it?” ‘*No, and for the very good reason that I had no pocket, and had carried it in my your hand tee the moment I undertook the journey.’ neeiat, es course; I should have inferred as much,’’ said Huttell, hastily. “An what did. you do when. you found the book was gone?’? “YT waited at the house of a friend in . the neighborhood until the train returned. Then I saw the conductor for a moment - when the train stopped at the station, and asked him if he found it or knew the name of the person into whose’ hands it had fallen. A negative answer to both of these questions was returned.”’ “And then you went to the Herald ~ office aiid inserted the advertisement ?”’ “ “'T sent my imaid,’? Ah, yes. Fanny. the same thing.’ Dick Huttell now looked her search- ingly in the face. : “ Well??? she said, coldly. “T must have your fullest confideice,’’ he said, quietly, but impressively. ‘‘It is uot the money you are anxious. to re- cover?” : : “No.” That amounts to. **Nor the theatre ticket ?”’ “No. ” , **Therefore it nust be the letters.’’ COW ag. 2? She cast down her eyes for a moment, then raised them resolutely. “Who was the writer of the letters?” ‘Must I tell you?” “Yes, or my work may come to naught. If the finder is holding them for the pur- pose of blackmail, he will not confine his operations to you; he will pay his respects to the writer of the letters as well.”’ Miss Ferrier turned pale. ‘‘And,’’ continued Huttell, with a glance full of meaning, *‘he may not stop with the writer. There may be other patties who would consider the letters of inestimable value. ’’ Miss Ferrier shuddered. **T will tell you all,’’ she said,“with a strong effort at s€lf-control. The detective put on an expression of professional complacency. “The letters were written by Dr. Winze.’? “The noted Specialist in nervous dis- eases ?”’ (Veg)? ‘He is married is he not?’ toVag.?! 4 : oe ‘‘And the letters—were they such as might be written by one friend to another or by a doctor to his patient?” “‘T have been and ain his patient.” Huttell looked at the beautiful woman who appeared to be the embodiment of physical health and smiled inwardly. “But the letters could not have been * metre business communications or you — would not be so anxious to regain th ee sion of them.”’ ‘“They contained no reference to busi- ness—in the medical line I mean.” “Then I am to infer that they would not have met the approval of the aes $ wife??? >: : ‘Miss Ferrier flushed slightly. ¢ ~
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\“ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘They were the insane utterances of a mau who had forgotten his positon in so- ciety, his duties——”? “No. his wife?” ‘‘Probably the lady who bears his naine y would so coustrue them.’ ‘‘t see,’’? said Huttell, in a cool, busi- uess-like tone. ‘‘The doctor fell in love with his patient, and wrote her letters which revealed his passion and——”’ He paused, and his gaze became more intent—impertinent she thought—than ever. ““T said-I would tell you all,’’.she said. “Tn the meantime, please put a bridle upon your imagination. ’’ ‘‘] beg your pardon,’’ he’ Lage) re- turned. ““The letters referred to appointments and sone other matters which I do not care to have made public.’’ Huttell nodded his lead. ‘He now understood without further ex- planation the exact relationship that lad existed between the stylish doctor and the society belle. ~ “J had intended to pay the person who found the pocket-book, and brouglit it to me with the original contents intact, one hundred dollars. I will give you five hun- dred, if you lek place the lost prckeaty in my hands.’ Dick Huttell siniled. “T accept the commission, and I think I shall,succeed. There is a chance that I may recover the letters to-morrow after- noon.”? Miss Ferrier’s face brightened instantly. “If I sueceed, it will be by means of the theatre ticket, which you informed me, when you stated your case, was for Wariciae afternoon’ s matinee at the Garden Theatre. ” “Do you think the thief will mak to. tise the ticket?’ “Tt js very probable, for it is not likely” that he would stispect. you. had employed -a detective so seo7 after the insertion of 1 & i's ; t Pie eg 5 the advertisement. If he does not go him- self—assuiniug for the moment that the thief is a man—he may give the ticket to some one else, and through the second party the person we want may be tracked.'’ “‘Your reasoning is plausible.» “And again,’ pursued Huttell, ‘the thief may be a beginner in the business, and therefore not gifted with the shrewd- ness aud cunning of the professional bird of prey. The matinee will decide this poiut.’? “You must report to me to-morrow evening whether you have recovered the property or not.’’ ‘*T will do so. May I ask whio gave you the ticket?’ ‘Dr. Witize.”” ‘“‘He will be at the matinee, . I pré- sume???’ “Nese ‘‘In au adjoining seat to that called for by the missing ticket? “Ves, ” - Dick Huttell did not o his fai client why the doctor had given her the ticket instead of retaining it himself and accoi- panying her to the performance. Dr. Winze’s position as a married man forbade such a display. And yet he had provided for a meeting with Miss Ferrier by taking a seat next to hers. The conversation with the detective lasted bit a few minutes longer. Huttell rubbed his hands in satisfaction» when the door was closed upon her form, “Succeed!” he said to himself, in su- preme confidence. ‘‘I am bound to suc- — ceeds” : The next afternoon he was at the Gar- den Theatre ten minutes before the open-— ing of the performance in a disguise that was not likely to be penetrated. Five minntes before the curtain went up Dr. Winze cae down the aisle and took his seat. ; : ote A minute afterward a young girl ee
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6 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘modest appearance, who evidently be- longed to the middle walks of life, was ushered into the seat called for by the ticket which Miss Ferrier had lost. Dick Huttell, sitting close by, looked at the girl and frowned, She was pretty and refined, and in her large brown eyes there Iurked no trace of evil. ‘ Clearly she had hot found the pocket- book. How, then, could she have edme in possession of the ticket?” that her name was Rose Chaney, ‘door, Hutteil speculated over the matter in vain. But when the girl left the theatre he followed her to a respectable, but unpre- tentious, dwelling in Harlem. Before leaving the locality he learned that she was a dressmaker, and lived with her in- valid nother. That evening when he made his report to Miss Ferrier, he did not notice a tough- looking individual about medium height, who stood at the cornet nearby inteutly . watching his movements, Nor had he the slightest suspicion ‘that he was being shadowed when le left the mausion half an hour later and returned to his Broadway office. The tough saw him enter Starr & Co.’s ‘and then hatled a cab and was driven to an Twenty-third street. It was nine o’clock when he tang the bell. ) To the servant wlio came to the door he said, curtly: ee ant “Ig der doc it?” Nos) “When'll he be in??? “Not before midnight. He has gone to attend a patient over in Brooklyn.”’ “Am: Den Vl have ter see dér missus. _ Give her dis cyard, Susan.’’ “My. name’s Beis My angepse the serv- } aristocratic dwelling on “Ver don’t say,’’ said the tough, im- pudently. ‘Well, Mary, yer pooty enough ter be Susan. See??? The maid elevated her nose, though she was not insensible to the compliment that the uncouth caller’s words conveyed, “T ain’t no dude,’’ he went on, glanc- ing at his shabby clothes, ‘‘but I’ve got der dougli, all der saine; see ?”’ Mary’s nose went up still higher. She then hurried away to give the card to her mistress. There was a look of surprise on her face when she returned. Se “Vou may come in,’’? she éaid, shartly. ’ J ’ ¥; The tough smiled and followed her through the drawing-room and itito the library. ‘A lady of about ae with a “idle, anxious face, arose from the lounge on which she had béen reclining and gave him her hand, with a faint smile. ‘*You have come sooner than I expect- ed, Mr. Canes I hope you are the es of good tiews.’ The great detective, for it was lie, an- swered quietly: “T have made some disdveries: Mrs. Wiuze, and I think 1 ami in a fair way to succeed. ”’ ee et CHAPTER II. ~} NICK CARTER IN THE FIELD. Mrs. Winze was a suffered much. woman who had When she married Dr. Winze he Séeied™ to her the beau ideal of aman. Handsome aud intelligent, with a dash ing manuer and a fascinating address, lie. had easily won the winsome but unso his- ~ p Ex ticated country maid. In afew months she was distllusionized. ~The doctor began first to neglect her and then to abuse her when strated, _ At last ie came out with the: brutal, oe es truth: Neg i ae remon-
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, NICK CARTER WEEKLY. aes “You deceived me,’’ he said, after one of their domestic quarrels; ‘‘you led ime to believe before our marriage that you were your uncle’s heiress.’ rey **So I am,’ she calmly replied. ‘‘A pretty heiress, you ate,’? he sneered. “Here the old boy is dead, and you haven’t received a cent of his money,”’ ‘But I will get the whole of es fortune when I ain thirty years of age.’ ‘‘T'welve years to wait. He a as well have thrown his millions into the tiver, for we may both be dead before the twelve years lave passed.”’ She had nothing to say in answer to this speech, but her look said plainer than words: ‘Oh, how I despise you.’? As his practice increased, his home hours became fewer and fewer, until at the time that this story opens, he spent all his days, and nearly all his evenings, away from her. Mts. Winze endured his harshness and neglect in silence, until about six months before tiie arrival of the thirtieth anni- versaty-of her birth. Vhen a. remark made by the doctor, which was followed by a certain discov- ery, awakened her from her lethargy, aud made her resolve to free herself from her hateful bonds. “In six mouths we will be able to tke a miansion nearer Broadway,’’ he said; with a smile,the first he had bestowed on her for years, The little word ‘‘we’’ irritated her. “T have not made up my mind what I shall do with my money,’’ she ‘said, quickly, and with a little rasp iu her voice. “As your husband,”’ lie te coolly, » “T may be able to advise you.’ Nothing more was said on the’ subject. The-next day she had reason to go to her husband’s down town office for money. He had never given her an allowance, and whenever slie wanted money for her personal needs she had to ask him for it. Arrived in frout of the office door she heard the voice of a woman within. ‘“There,”? said the voice, ‘you ‘shan’t kiss me again for a week.’? aay « “What!’? exclaimed ‘the doctor, in a_ mock-anery tone. ‘*Starve the man aan love and who loves you?” “Hush!” replied the woman, in alarm. “Vou may be heard.’? Mrs. Winze, with a white face, and lips tightly pressed together, withdrew from the building unoiselessly. But she posted herself in a hallway across the street so that she could observe the woman when she left the doctor’s office. In a few minutes Clarice Ferrier, heavily veiled, came down the stairs. Mrs. Winze saw her enter a street car, but was not quick enough to become a. passenger herself. With her mind made upto a certain course of action, she returned to her hus- band’s office. He was alone when slie entered. After obtaining the money which she had come for, she said, carelessly: — “Who was that woman whio left here ae 2 few minutes ago?’ ex The doctor started, and then looked at her keenly. - But her face was a inask, : “Oh,’’ he said, indifferently. ‘That's one of my patients.” ‘“What’s her name??? \ ‘““Mrs. Archer of Brooklyn,’’ was the. prompt alswer. x ‘He lies,” thought the wife. ‘But L will find out who slie is, and betoae: a = week has passed,’” She spent the most of her time during the ensuing three days in watching Ei ee doctor’s office. ,On the third day Miss Ferrier, Galen as before, paid anotlier visit to the doctor. Mrs. Winze, at the door, heard enough to canvince vd her that the woman was — . something more eae a patient. ies
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S 8 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. She also heard the doctor say sowie- thing which made her heart stand still. This time she tracked Miss Ferrier to her home and learned her name and stand- ing in society. Having obtained this. information, she called on Nick Carter, the great New York detective. “‘T want a divorce from my husband,’’ she said. ‘‘He is a bad man.’’ **Such cases are not in my line,’? re- sponded Nick. ‘‘Hadn’t you better——’”’ “Please hear my story first,’’ she inter- rupted, with a pleading look. “Very well.”’ “Tam afraid of my life,’’ she said, shudderingly. “Why should the-doctor want to mute. der you?” “He is in love with another woinan, and I believe he would have put me out of the way before this but for the money which will come to me six mouths hence.’’ Then she told him about her uncle’ Ss fortune. “When that comes into my hands he will try to get rid of ime.’’ “What leads you to think that he would take such a terrible step?” “Brom words that he used at his last interview with the woman he is in love with, aud who visits him at his office.”’ After telling the great detective what she had discovered in relation to Miss Ferrier and her husband, she said: “TY heard him say this to her: ‘The old lady’—yneaning ine—‘is of a very delicate constitution. She is uot likely to live more than six mouths, and when she dies you and I will take a trip to Europe.’ ‘°T hope you are not mistaken,’ the shameless creature replied; ‘for if your '- wife is alive next Christmas I must marry Horace Boughton.’ "Vou shall never marry him,’ imy husband fiercely exclaimed, ‘not if I can . help it, and I Cot: 93 Pease Mrs. Winze paused. Nick Carter looked thoughtfully at the floor. At last he said, firinly: : ‘“T will take your case, madam, for I believe you are in the meshes of a terrible ‘plot.’ “Thank you,’’ she replied, with ‘a grateful expression. The next day after this interview the advertisement concerning the lost pocket- book appeared in the Herald. The publication interested more than’ one party. Nick Carter smiled when he read it. He knew that it had been inserted ss Clarice Ferrier. On the day of the loss, Nick, made up as a inan about town, happened to be coming up East Thirty-fourth street from the ferry, when Miss Ferrier, with her veil raised, ascended to the platform of the L train, and> engaged the conductor in a short conversation. When she had descended, Nick, out of curiosity, determined to find out, if pos- sible, what. Mrs. Winze’s rival’s business — with the conductor was. — : An hour or so later he had a talk with the conductor hiniself. - The great detective not only learned that Miss Ferrier had lost a pocket-bhook, but he got a description of several persons who were in the car with the society belle during her ride. The next evening he called on Mrs. Winze in the character of a tough. “Among other things,” said Nick, “I have discovered that Miss Ferrier has em- ployed a detective to recover a pocket- book which she lost in a car of the ele- vated yesterday.’’ The doctor’s wife was all interest at once. etek _ ‘The book contained a small sum of mouey, a theatre ticket and some memor- _ audums, She would not have hired a de- tective to recover either the money or the _ 7%
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NICK CARTER WHEKLY. 2° ticket. Therefore, it is the memoranduuis which she is so anxious to regain posses- sion of. ‘‘Now what valuable menio- randums could she have had?” Mrs. Winze shook her head. “Por ‘inemorandums’ substitute ‘“let- ters,’ and the cause of her anxiety is ap- parent.’’ “*T begin to see.’’ “Certainly you do,’’ said Nick, with a simile. ‘‘And she wouldn’t throw away a few hundred dollars to recover ordinary letters. Ergo, the letters she has lost con- tain matters of a delicate nature. Now, who would be: likely to write compro-. os Ly mtising letters to her?’ “The: doctor,’’? exclaimed Mrs. Winze, quickly. ‘And, oh, Mr. Carter, if you can obtain these letters my case will be clear. I shall then have no trouble in ob- taining a divorce.’’ “YT think myself that the letters will prove your case. I have already located the person who now holds them.”? . “‘Who is he??? ‘*An ex-convict named James Hone— better known as Jimmy the Glib.”’ ‘Describe him.” “He is short, thickset, with a sai, babyish face, and a pair of small, hia’ eyes.”? ‘Miss Ferrier will suspect him.’ ‘‘He was not a passenger at the ‘time she lost her pocket-book.”? Then how can he be the thief?” ‘(He is a thief because he retains prop- erty whiclt does not belong to him.’’ ‘How did he come into possession of the book, Mr. Carter ?’’ said Mrs. Winze, with a puzzled look. “YT will explain. In the first place, the book was stolen by a baby.’’ . What! “By a baby,’’ repeated. Nick, soberly. “On one side of Miss Ferrier sat an old woman. On her lap was the baby. It is a lively child, and more than once made prabs at Miss Ferrier’s hands, and at the f eral stations pass; watch chain at her belt. This I learned from a gentleman wlio sat opposite to her. On the other side of Miss Ferrier sat an. asthmatic old man, who kept his hands in his pockets, and had his face covered with a muffler. . Most persons, after hear- ing of the circumstances, would put him down for the thief.”’ “T certainly would, Mr. Carter.”’ “After sitting beside her for several blocks, much to her discomfiture, for he wheezed terribly, he got up and went to a vacant seat in the corner; he was on the train when Miss Ferrier got off. ‘“Now,’’ continued Nick, ‘‘do you think it-likely that a thief, after having done a neat peace of work, would remain near his victini for an per iee| length of time?’ oN Ook! ‘So I reasoned. He would have got off at the first station. The asthmatic let sev- he did not even leave the train when Miss Ferrier got off.”’ “But the baby, Mr. Carter—how could it have taken the pocket-book without Miss Ferrier’s knowledge?’ ‘Very easily. You niust remember that Miss Ferrier was just returning from a visit to the doctor. .Hermind was filled with thoughts of him. She was therefore abstracted, and gave but little attention to her surroundings. At times she noticed the actions of the baby with listless inter- est; at others, her thoughts were far away from it. “Now, at one of > bigs periods, accord- : ing to my reasoning—which, by the way, has proved to be correct—she allowed the book to slip from her hand into her lap, Then it was that the baby snatched it.” “But the mother must have seen the action.”’ “Soshe did, and her first impulse was to return the pocket-book to Miss Ferrier. The second, when she saw the baby’s ade” tion had not been observed, was to keep tt; for she is a washerwoman, and Rie ee See
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10 poor, while the dress and style of Miss Ferrier.indicated affluence and aristocratic tastes. The moment the baby got the book the old woman’s hands closed over it, aud it was quickly thrust under the child. “Acting upon the deductions I had made after obtaining all the information Icould from the conductor and one of the passenvers, I set out to find the woman and the baby. “YT have said that she was a washer- woman. The sinell of soapsuds which saluted’ the nostrils of the passenger who sat opposite to her, together with the ap- pearance of her hands, induced me to be- lieve that such was her occupation. “She got off at Fifty-ninth street. T'wo blocks from there I found a number of *poor dwellings, and in one of them the woman I was in search of. -“T used a little deception when I ap- peared before her. ‘Mrs. Carnes,’ I said, ‘IT was on the L train yesterday when your baby snatched a pocket-book from a young lady. I lave come for it.’ ‘At my words, quickly and sternly Aspoken, she treinbled and turned pale. — “ *Gome,’ continued I,‘ this is a serious matter. Produce the book or make ready to accomipany ine to jail.’* ‘J.T haven’t got it,’ she whimpered, ~‘T was looking at it wheu Jimmy the Glib came in and snatched it out, of my hands.’ “(What is Jimimy to you?” asked. ‘(He's my son-in-law. He married my daughter, who is dead, sir—rest-her soul. It’s her baby that I’m raising.’ “T knew Jimmy tie Glib well, though JT hadn’t seen him since he was released from Sing Sing for buncoing a New Jer- sey clergyman. ‘( (Where is he?’ I demanded. “* *T don’t know, sir.’ ‘« “Where does. he lodge ?’ Pha T Have ne idea, sir. He never told *) ine.’ NICK CARTER WHEKLY. ‘“¢ (Have you seen him since he took the pocket-book from you?” SN OS Babe “The woman’s voice and manner con- vinced me that she was telling the truth. I Jeft her to begin a search for Jimmy. “‘T had three hours at my disposal, for at two o’clock in the afternoon I intended tc be at the Garden Theatre niatinee, for Mrs. Carnes had informed me that she had looked at the theatre ticket\and seen that it was for Wednesday afternoon’s performance. “J did not expect to fad Jiminy the Glib in Miss Ferrier’s seat, for I had too niuch respect for the fellow’s cunning to. imagine that he would give luimself away by using the ticket. “Some one else might use it, though, and besides—— But I will come to that later on. “Not finding my man within the time mentioned, I went to the Garden Theatre. The seat which the lost ticket called for was occupied by a young girl, whose face bespoke an honest, guileless character, Your husband sat in the seat Cap hagab on the left.” The villain!’ ejaculated Mrs. ones. “T expected to find him there, so I was not surprised. But I made another dis- covery which I had not looked for, ‘I'he seat on the right of the young girl was occupied by a detective. ‘Hired by Miss Ferrier, I’ll be bound.” “Tcame to that conclusion from the looks he cast upon the girl and the aos We) pe? § “Do you know him?” “By reputation, yes. He is a shrewd © chap, but he is not at the top of his pro- fession’ yet. He was in disguise, but J casily penetrated it.”? Mrs. Winze’s face fell for a moment. “Tt’s woman against woman, and de- tective agaiust detective,’’ she said, then quickly added, as her expression changed to one of indomitable resolution, ‘‘but the
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- NICK CARTER WEEKLY. tight is on our side, and we must and will. succeed,” “'T hope so,’ said Nick. ‘Then he continued: *‘Huttell, the de- tective, followed the young git] home. I followed Huttell. ‘‘He did not attempt to interview her. 3ut he has by this time probably discov- ered that the girl found the ticket on the’ doorstep of her mother’s house. “Tt was. undoubtedly placed there by. Not daring to use. the in front Jimmy the Glib, ticket himself, le — it dowi of Mrs. iidney? $ door.’ “Ts the girl’s name Rose Chaney? ah “Ves? 8 “T know her. ‘her in dressmaking. I have often .employed “She isa modest, hard-working, ‘respectabe girl. It can’t be possible that she is intimately acquainted with this disreputable ex-convict.”’ ‘‘She does not know that he exists.” ‘“‘T am glad of it.”? Nick rose to depart. At that moment the door-bell rang, “Some one after tlie doctor probably,”’ said Mrs. Winze. “Such calls are fre- quent.” | : The servant came in ‘eeeaew: with an made a study-of handwriting. Whoever envelope in her hand. “T went to the door and at no oue there,’’ she said. ‘‘But this letter lay on e sil? A gleam of understanding came. into Nick Carter’s eyes. Mrs. Winze opened the envelope and read the lines written on the enclosure with a face that expressed a variety of emotions, ere Then, without a word, she handed it to the great detective. It ran thus: : Mrs, 'Winze— “Dear Madame: I five in my posses- sion a number-of letters written by your husband to Miss Clarice Ferrier. ‘Tliey are corkers, and give, the doctor dead away. You: may have them on pay:nent of one thousand dollars, Puta personal in the Herald addressed to M, E., if you want to invest. Arrangements can made afterward. Maas ‘The handwriting is that of a woineags said Mrs. Winze, when Nick had Guislies his reading. “Undoubtedly. And yet it was aides by aman. The wording shows that. No woman, who spells correctly aud uses fair English, injects slang into a business. communication like this.’’ . Nick looked at. the note again, this time more closely. ‘ “Ah! he exclaimed, ‘‘we were both wroug in one respect.’? ‘‘What is that???” “The note was not written wholly by a woman.’’ “How do. you know that?” “ Because the names ‘Mrs, Winze’ and ‘Miss Ferrier,’ show another person's ear marks, so to speak.’ tee Mrs. Winze looked at the names and shook her head, said. eBid ¥ cau, Mrs. Winze,. for Y oe wrote the names of yourself and the wo- 1 be “T cannot detect. any difference,’? she , nian who is trying to supplant you, and it was probably aman, endeavored to imi-- tate the hand of the petsgn who wrote ile body of the note, ‘““The failure to do this successfully arose fromthe fact that a different pen was used, and from the further fact that he was unable to make his letters with the delicacy and precision that character- ized the effort of his amanuensis. Besides, “in the matter of Miss Ferrier’s namie, the’ space was so small that he was obliged to crowd the letters somewhat.” “But why should this double author- ship have been necessary ?” “I will suppose a case, and then per- haps you may understand why the person — & Ye Fs Ft
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» son,?’ was his quick comment. - -amanuensis—— 12 who has these letters for sale has taken this peculiar action. “‘Let us suppose that he is acquainted “with a young lady who has no idea that he is other than an honest, well-meaning young man. He obtains the letters and resolves to undertake a course of, black- mail. His shrewduess and cunning teach him that it would be a dangerous policy to write letters himself to the persons le has selected as his victims. Under some pretext, he induces, the young lady to write lis communications for him. But he does not give her the naines, for such a proceeding might awaken her suspicions. So he has the letters written, all but the names, which he afterward puts in him- Belt,) ~“Vour reasoning is very ingenious, Mr. Carter,’’ said Mrs. Winze, with a look of appreciation. ‘‘Now, if you found the young lady, she might give you the ine formation that would lead you to the place where the holder of the letter resides.” “T believe she might.”? Mrs. Winze went to a secretary, opened a drawer, aud taking up.a number of let- ters; selected one and handed it to the de- tective. “I think I can aid you,’’. she said, with asinile. ‘Please compare the writing of _this letter with that of the note just re- ceived.”’ Nick did so. “They were written by the same per- ‘“And the letter vou just gave me is signed ‘Rose.’ It can’t be——”’ “Yes,’’ the doctor’s wife interrupted, “it can be, for it is.” “Then Jimmy the Glib had for an ” “Rose Chaney.’? CHAPTER III. THE DOCTOR BECOMES DESPERATE. Nick Carter was surprised when the evidence showing that Rose Chauey’s as NICK CARTER WEEKLY. hand had written the body of the black- niailing effusion was presented to him. ‘I said a few minutes ago,’’ he re- marked, to Mrs. Winze, ‘‘that the girl had no idea that such a person as Jimmy the Glib exists. I will now qualify that assertion by saying that she does not know that the smart young man who in- duced her to write the note is Jimmy the Glib. But through’ her assistance,’’ he added, “‘I hope’ to find my man.”’ Nick left the house, but not to seek his own fiteside, ‘ While he counted on ‘tending Jimny the Glib to earth through the information which Rose Chaney would probably be able to give him, he yet resoived to put in a few hours in search for his man with- out other aid than a knowledge of the thief’s old haunts gave him. “If I don’t run across him to-night,’ ran his thoughts, ‘‘I will call on Miss Chaney in the morning.’ Nick knew of a low resort that Jimmy the Glib had been in the habit of fre- quenting before he was sent to prison. It was within a few blocks of the ap- proach to the Brooklyn Bridge. Before he had gone a mile he discov- ered that, he was being followed by a. roughly-dressed man of tall figure. Who could the fellow be? It irritated the great detective to think that his disguise had been penetrated, and that the fact of his employment by Mrs. Winze was known to a third party. It was not until Nick turned into Wa- ter street that he took practical measures to hoodwink his shadow. Stepping into a dark hallway, he wait- ed for the unknown to approach, But the fellow was wary. He had seen Nick dart into the hall- way, aud instead of walking boldly for- ward, he stepped around the corner again. Nick heard the retreating footsteps and smiled. - ee
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. — “1]] fool him yet,’ he said to himself, grimly. The stairs from the hallway led toa to- bacco factory. There was another entrance by way of the street into which the shadower had retreated. Nick knew the proprietor of the fac- tory, and liad once before made use of the two entrances. Quickly ascending-the stairs, he opened the factory door by means of a key which the foreman had given hii. Once inside, he made a rapid change in. his personal afpearance. Two minutes after his entrance into the establishment*had not elapased before he was noiselessly descending the other stairs. ; Arrived at the street entrance, he halt- ed and peered down the sidewalk in the direction of Water street. The shadower was just turning the cor- ner, having made up. his mind that he would lose his quarry if he remained in concealinent any longer. Nick boldly stepped after him. As he turned the corner, the spy looked back with a start, but after noting that the oncomer was garbed like’ a seaman, - and used his legs like one, he resumed his walk. At the hallway of the tobacco ecko he stopped, and the electric light permit- ted Nick to see his face and person ‘dis- tinctly. : He was heavily bearded, aud wore a large slouch hat, which was pulled down so as to conceal his eyes. “Another clever disguise,’’ thought Nick, with an inward chuckle, ‘‘but there’s but one nose in New York like that, and it belongs to Dick Huttell.”’ The great detective guessed why he was being shadowed. In some manher Huttell had learned of Nick’s engagement by Mrs. Winze, and he was now taking the initiatory steps 13 toward preventing his professional rival from capturing the thief who held the comproiising letters. Nick stopped when he came Roapnette the other detective. Pretending to’ be considerably under the influence of liquor, he asked, in a thick voice: : “Shay, old son, wheresh South street ?”? Huttell gave the ‘required direction curtly. ““S’loon down there kep’ by fel’ called : I’sh Hank ?” 2 OV eg.) ‘Think I ¢’n git there half’n hour, mate???’ “Tf you walk fast.”’ | ‘‘Gotter be there, or I'll looshe twenny, dose. “Then hurry on. You’re wasting time talking to me,’ said Huttell, impatiently. “Don’ care for th’ twenny dol’s, but hate ter dis’point Nick. He’sh ole fren’ mine, ish Nick.’’ ‘Nick who??? asked Miss Ferrier’s de- tective, quickly. "he false, sailor winked one eye, and grinned cunningly. “Mushn’t tell,’? he answered. shecret, on q. t. Un’stan’?’ “No. But I presume you are to do this Mr. Nick a service, eh??? ‘“That’sh what, mate.’’ “Tl bet,’ continued Huttell, dropping his voice, and looking carefully about as if fearful of being overheard, ‘‘that we are on the same lay.’” ‘What, you workin’ fer Nick, too?’ ‘Tam working for Nick, certainly.’’ ‘“Who’sh your Nick?’ “Tell me the name of yours, and I'll tell you.whether he’s my Nick or not,’ The false sailor shook his head. ““T’ won’ do,’ -he’ replied. “It?s. <a shecret; musn’ be give away. Un 'stan’?”” Huttell took a flask of whisky from his pocket, and removing the stopper, put it to-his lips. UTp¢ a-
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hy Ah! he exclaiined in. satisfaction, *‘but that’s the stuff, to take the chill off. Have a drink, partner?’ Nick reached out his hand eagerly. Huttel saw him drink with an expres- sion of malicious joy. ‘Now I'll get him,’’ he onahen : Nick handed the hask back with ‘the emphatic comment: ‘*Bes’ stuff I’ve tackled since I lef’ Ja- maica.”’ “Nick gave it to me.”’ “Bully fer Nick, who mus’ be a brick when he ain’ sick an’ is able ter kick,” rejoined the false sailor in a. rollicking “voice. ‘*Nobody like Nick Carter,’’ said Hut- -tell, boldly. Betcher life. An’ we’te both workin’ fer him. Ain’ that funny?’ : “Very funny indeed.” ‘‘Well, 1 mus’ go. Gotter be at I'sh Hank’s ’n half ’n hour.”’ “Nick is waiting for vou, ee I sup- pose,’’ said Huttell, insinuatingly.. » Cer’ aly.” **7]] bet it’s about the same business he has entrusted me with.” ‘“What’sh that?” “‘Let’s compare notes, and then we'll. know all about it.’ Nick looked up aud down the street, his body swaying as he did so. Then he looked toward the staircase of the tobacco factory. ‘ “Phish no place t? talk, mate, speshly bout shecret. Sabe?” “Ves, ” “Tf I had time, I’d shay les’ go upstairs 'u talk.” 11] get you to Irish Hank's in time. I havea cab waiting down the street for ie eSSIE co “ Hones’ Injun?’ “Do you think I’d. lie?’ indignantly. 71) tell you aft” I’ve taken nother drink.” ea gee NICK CARTER WEEKLY. | Huttell passed over the flask with alac- tity. The false sailor held the mouth of the flask to his lips for nearly a minute. When he removed it, he said, firmly: ‘Th? man as says you’re ‘liat’s eotter fight me. Un’stan’??? “That’s all right. And now will you step up the stairs?” ‘‘Betcher gizzard, mate.’’ Nick Carter could scarcely. conceal his satisfaction as he followed his unsuspect- ing quarry to the dark landing above. Huttell might have had ‘a suspicion that he was being played with, if the idea had entered his brain before this that Nick Carter had discovered 'the fact of his employment by Miss Ferrier. . But secure in the belief that his em- ployment was not suspected, and carried away, besides, by his eagerness. to spike his rival’s guns, he had accepted the false sailor’s statements as truth. Arrived at the head of the stairs, Nick proceeded to give Huttell an unwelcome surprise. z. Taking the’ rival deteneeee unawares, he sprang upon him, hurled him tothe ~ floor and had his fingers twined about his throat before Huttell- could fairly ste . what had happened. “Not a word, not a whisper,” iiesed, Nick, ‘‘or I'll choke the life out of you.”’ Huttell was a brave man, and in spite of the threat, he made a valiant effort at _ resistance. Bc In vaift. oq Believing that the end justified the jneans, Nick put forth all lis skill. and strength in the work of subjugating his ~ adversary, aiid in a few moments had Huttell bound and gagged. 4 Unlocking the factory door, he dragged his victim into the main room, used Dyes the workmen. **Now,’” said Nick,\ didwaisite voice, when he had closed the door, “‘Y am going to tell you something that wil 3 hiss sis
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NICK CAR THR WEEKLY. surprise you as much as the attack I made on you. Tam the man you have been hunting, aud whom Nick Carter would vive five hundred dollars to catclr. I have, got the letters’’—tapping his pocket— Stand yowll never see them-until I’ve niade them produce a big wad of dough. See?” Huttell blinked his eyes a moment and then closed them. “T mean you uo harm,’ pursued Nick, “and I will send a man up here to release you in a couple of hours,, perhaps sooner. Good-by, Mr. Huttell, and while I am gone, you can put imthe time concocting some nice tale to pour into Miss’Ferrier’s ears. to-morrow. ”’ If the great detective could have seen the expression of Huttell’s face as the _above words were uttered, he might have remained lounger in the room with him. It was after midnight when Nick reached the low resart several blocks be- low, on Water street, where he hoped to pick up some information regarding Jim- ny the Glib. The joint’s front door was closed, but Nick went boldly to the side entrance, gave a peculiar knock, and was instantly . admitted. Half a dozen persons were in the bar- room, one of whom stood at the counter sipping a glass of hot Scotch. He turned his head and sharply re-’ garded the newcouer. It was Jimmy the Glib. Nick had not ree such a stroke of ¥ good luck. The ex-convict’s back was flushed, and, there was,an angry frown on his face, He had been driuking heavily. | Reckoning, to the disguised detective, he called out, roughly: ‘‘Come up here, tarpaulin, and astonish yer ee with some of this elegant booze.’ Nick gave a liitch to his trousers and quickly complied. Bis) One drink was followed by another, Nick doing lis share of the treating, un- til Jimmy the Glib could scarcely Reap his feet. The great detective wondered at his recklessuess, for in-the old days he was accounted one of the ost se gee crooks in the metropolis. —. ‘ Perliaps he had met with some gteat niisfortune, and was Sete his sorrow in drink. - Nick made up his mind to stick to jimmy like a leech. it is no unusual thing for strangers meeting when both are well primed with liquor, to strike up a violent friendship, Nick resolved to try a game of this kind on the despondent thief. ; Much to his joy, though somewhat to his surprise, his sociable advances, were met more than half way. After they had stood at the bar counter. _ for more than half an hour, and Jimmy the Glib had imbibed enough whisky to floor au ordinary drunkard, and Nick had seemingly done the same, the thief sud- \denly threw his arms around his com- panion’s neck and burst inte a flood of tears. “Old fel’,’” he sae in maudlin ac- cents, ‘I’ve been played for a sucker an? I don’ care who knows it.’’ did ther playin’, mate,’’ advised the false sailor, with a belligerent look. © bac Jimny the Glib laughed bitterly. : ‘Find him? Did you ever try to. fava needle in a haystack? “tNo: »” “Or th’ man what struck Billy | Patter. son ?? ‘“Who’sh he??? “He’sh firs’ cousin to th” put th’ soup ter nre.”’ “What'd he do to you?’” “Who?” ‘ “Bill Pat’son’s firs’ cousin.’ Shay?’ bloke that ‘‘Les’ go out an’ lick ther bloke that
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16 NiCK CARTER WEEKLY. “‘He beat ine out o’ th’ chance of makin’ fi’ thousan’ shiners.’ “How ?”? A knock at the side door arrested the answer that trembled on the thief’s lps. The barkeeper opened the door and ad- utitted a handsome, distinguished-looking man of about thirty-five. He seeimed il] at ease, and after glauc- ing about the room, said, in a low voice, to the barkeeper: *‘T expected to finid a party here, who wishes tobe known as ‘Sikesey.’ ”’ Jimmy the Glib heard the words .and turned around quickly. Straightening himself up, he waved his hand and said, theatrically : “‘T am the iman you seek.”’ Nick Carter again wondered thief’s recklessness. He was acting in a most peculiar man- nex for one who had been noted for his shrewdness and cunning. As for the newcomer, the great detec- tive at once recognized him as Dr. Winze. Jimmy the Glib stepped toward a pri- at tlie vate room at the rear and beckoned tlre doctor to follow hiin. Nick was. debating as to luis next course of action, when Jiminy: the Glib wheeled quickly when he was within a few feet of the door, and addressing the false sailor, said, in a tone of command: “Come, this your pie as well as mine.’’ This speecli was even more mystifying than the thief’s previous actions. But Nick did not hesitate a moment. He followed the doctor and Jiminy the Glib into the private room. The thief, after closing and locking the door, sat down iu a chair and motioned for his two conipanions to do the same. The great detective, whose brain had been working rapidly for the last moment or two, now began to have a shrewd idea of the situation. But Dr. Winze Septnee more ill at ease than ever.. Glaucing suspiciously at Nick Carter, he asked: ‘““Who is this man??? Jimmy the Glib, who had become par- tially sober, at once responded: ‘Don’t you know him ?”’ “Me ?. No.’ The thief looked at the doctor sharply. Then he said, with a wink at Nick, which he took care Mrs. Winzet’s hus- band did not observe: ‘*He’s a friend of : mnine—in’ fact, we’re pards.”” : OI? ct: The tone of relief in which this was’ uttered made Jimmy the Glib smile. ‘*Now to business,’’ said the latter, in a brisk, sober tone. ‘‘I wrote you a uote yesterday afternoon making an appoitt- ment for this place. In it, I promised to give you infornration which would lead to’ the recovery of certain letters written by you to Miss Clarice Ferrier, provided you come to the centre with one thousand dollars.’’ / ‘*Ves, ves,’’ rejoined the doctor, anx- iously. g ““Y want one huudred dollars before I opeu my mouth to put you on the track.” Dr. Winze frowned. ‘“Phat is no way to do business. I may be throwing so inuch money away.’’ “Suit yourself,’’ said Jimmy the Glib, indifferently, ‘‘for that’s ny way of doing business. I’m not particular about trading with you, anyway,’ he went on, ‘‘for since I wrote the letter I have thought of a uew scheme to raise the wind. Your wife——”’ ‘(Say no more,’’ interrupted Dr. Winze, as his face suddenly paled. ‘‘Here is the money.” He opened his pocketbook, selected two notes of fifty dollars each, and handed them to the thief. er Nick Carter looked on ae a quiet smile. ‘He aise prevented this cies = Pa
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. nailing operation, but to have done so might have sériously interfered with his plans for the relief of Mrs. Winze. ‘‘Now,’’ said the doctor, as he put away the pocket-book and buttoned lis coat, ‘‘for the information. You have the letters yourself, I presume.”’ Jimmy the Glib shook his head. ‘“‘T know where they are, though,’’ he teplied, ‘‘and they are under my control. You didn’t think I’d be such a fool as to bring them here, did you?’’ ‘Why uot?” ‘“‘VYou might have put upa jobon me to yet them,’’ said Jimmy, with a cunning leer. “YT can put up the job now, my man, if I feel inclined, for you have admitted that you know where the letters are.’ The thief laughed in the doctor’s face. . ‘Rats!’ he conteimptuously responded. “What can youdo? Arrest ne? Would that action produce the letters? Not:much, for the minute you plav a trick of that kind the letters will be put into your _wife’s hands. I know what I am about, doctor, and I didn’t run any risk at all in making the appointment to meet you here; no,’not if you had brought a dozen detectives along with you. Ain’t that so, mate ??’ turning to Nick, with a curious grin. “That's so,’? was the prompt reply. Dr. Winze gazed steadily in the auda- cious thief’s face for a moment, Then his eyes began to scintillate mur- derously. Jiminy the Glib, having no suspicion of what was coming, leaned back in his chair and chuckled Taticiously: Quick as a flash the doctor drew a “te volver, and with the butt of it struck the thief a resounding blow on the head, and then turned to give Jimmy the Glib’s al- leged friend and partner some of the same medicine. But his wrist was caught and twisted, ‘ -. wet Le and the revolver wreuched out of his hand in a twinkling. Then a blow that caught him between the eyes doubled hin up in a corner. "Vou acted like a fool, doctor,’’ said Nick Carter, quietly, as he stood over him ready to bestow further punishment upon him if necessary. ; The doctor rose unsteadily to his feet, apparently cowed. ‘€So I have,’’ he said. He staggered to a chair and pressed his — hands to his aching head. ‘*My advice is,’’ continued Nick, “that you go home and leave the matter of the recovery of the letters to me.” | . As he said this he nodded his head sig- nificantly at Jimmy the Glib, who had just opened his eyes. “Can’t you place them in any hands to- night?’ asked the doctor, with a groan. “No; but I may call at-your office and tell you something that will settle this letter business forever before twenty-four hours have passed.’’ “Pll give you two thousand dollars,” said Dr. Winze, desperately, ‘‘if you will place those documents in my hands,’ “Rely on me to find them,’? said Nick, with an eniginatical smile. ‘‘And now go _ before there is further trouble.” The doctor put on his hat, which had fallen to the floor, and accompanied by the detective, started for the side door of the saloon. i While there Nick was seized with a violent fit of coughing. Dr. Winze paid no attention to this, but hurried rapidly down the street. Nick watched his departure with a Pe: culiar sinile, » The smile did not disappear, but rather deepened, when he heard. some Berson down the street pa “After the Ball.” Closing the door, he ANHISTES ‘to the _ private room,
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- actions at the bar showed'this. 18 Jimmy the Glib was sitting up with a savage expression on-his face. “‘VH do him up if I hang for it,’’ he said, hoarsely, as he saw Nick. Whio, the doctor ?’’ eCourse. Better let him alone. him.”’ “Nick no longer talked like the sailor. ‘Yo his mind, the necessity for that dis- guise no louger existed. “I thought you were a detective,” said Jimury the Glib, ‘‘when I asked you to come in here. Now fF know it.”’ “(Tam a detective.” I'll. attend to CHAPTER IV. A SCHEME WHICH FAILED. Nick Carter sat down so as to face the thief, and regarded him with a smile. “You liave-made a hundred dollars on the letter racket, Jimmy,’ said the great detective, ““but you won’t make a cent > mnore.’’ “Why won't 1??? “Because you can’t deliver the goods; that is tosay, you haven’t got iky let-, ters.” ( “How do you know I haven’t?’’ asked the thief, in surprise. “‘Observation, and putting two and two together.”’ _‘*You want to work me for points—I see your game,’’ returned Jimmy, surlily. ‘“You have worked yourself,’’ said Nick, calmly. ‘‘When I entered the room I knew that you had lost the letters. Your Do you think, if you. had had the documents _ which promised you such a rich return that you would have come to this saloon to keep au appointment with Dr. Winze, and proceeded upon your arrival to fill yourself up with bad whisky and make an all-around ass of yourself ?’’ _ Jimmy the Glib winced, but he said nothing in reply. NICK CARTER WHEKLY: “Of coursé you wouldn’t. You had lost the letters aud you were all broke up, so to speak. ‘Io drown your rage and disap- pointinent, you: tried to get drunk, and because you were drink and reckless, you made a partial confidant of the first stranger ee you happened to meet— that’s me. “*T had nothing to loose by opening up a'little to you,’’ grunted the thief. “T know it.?’” ‘‘And when the doctor came in, I braced up and determined to play him for a'hundred if I eould,’”? he continued. ‘‘] was on to your game, Jimmy.’? “T thought at first that you were a de- tective employed by him, but the way he . spoke and acted soon convinced me that you were working for the other side.”? “I admire your penetration, while I have little respect for your recklessness, Jiminy. ”’ ; “You may keep your opinions to your- self,’’ replied the thief, surlily. “TI think I have a right to be frank, blunt, if you will, after the favor I did, you in saving your life to-night.”’ ‘“Fhat’s so; I had forgotten. ‘That was a good turn you did me. I’m glad now I invited you to come in.” ‘‘May I ask why you were desirous of my company duriug your confab with the doctor?” : : ‘¢Vou’re so smart about other things— — can’t you guess this?” “T think J cai, doctor might work some gale ov you, and you wanted a backer.’ ; “That’s about the size of it. I was making a desperate play for the hundred dollars, and I thought that, as the capture of it wouldn’t require any valuable return on iny part, you would be-willing to wink your eye at the racket, take half the swag, to be plain, and say nothing.”’ “You have a poor opinion of detec- tives,’’? said Nick, coldly. ; “Oh, I know ’em. Tey re all on nthe fg You were afraid the.
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NICK CARTER WEEELY. make. Dough is what they’re after, and whatever virtue they may possess will never strike in and kill them.’’ Nick let this contemptuous opinion go without comment. ; Jiminy the Glib’s ideas on moral ethics and the sinuosities of human nature did not interest him a particle, “Suppose I say te you,’’ he said, after a patise, and giving the thief a look that made him turn pale, ‘‘that I am going to take you to jail for blackmailing the doc- tore; “*T would say, take me and be blowed, for the doctor will never prosecute me.”’ “Perhaps not, Jimmy, but I could fix it so that you would remain in jail a mouth or two before your case came to trial.’’ The thief bit his lips augtilys: ‘‘What do you want of me?’’ he said, snappishly.. ‘‘Spit it out, quick, for I want to hunt my roost.” ““T want you 7 tell me-all you know about the letters.’ «Dm willing 6 do that. >» “Ten go aliead.?? “T got them from Mrs. Carnes, my ‘ mother-in-law. She——”’ ‘CNeyver imind where she found them. It is- your part in the play that I am in- terested in.’ ‘‘Well, I took the pocket-book from her, threw the theatre ticket away——’’ “Vou didn’t place it purposely on Mrs. Chaney’s doorstep, then ?’’ ‘No. I don’t know Mrs. Clianey.” “Nor her daughter?” “Didn’t know she had a daughter,”’ Nick looked surprised at this announce- 5 nient. = “Didn’t you get her to write you a note which you afterwards seut to Mrs. Winze?”’ ‘‘No, I never wrote to Mrs. Winze. My only dealings thus far have been with the doctor.’’ Nick . was satisfies ee the ‘thighs voice aid manner that he was speaking the truth. Here, then, was another mystery. Perhaps the explanation would come before the thief finished his story. “What did you do after you got the letters in. your hands®” said Nick. ~ “T took them. to a friend of mine:”’ “That friend was a woian, wasn’t it??? | Ves.” “What's her name?’ “Cora Laplace, eurse her.’” ‘Where does she live?” “One Hundred and Thinty-eighth street— Harlem.” 1 “Rose Chaney resides in Harlem, and not far from Mrs. Laplace’s,’’ thought the detective. “What is her business, if she has: any » was Nick’s next question. ‘She is a dressmaker.” Bi “So is Rose Chaney,’’ said the detec- tive to himself, and here again he put ‘*two and two together,’’ and made a sat- - isfactory deduction. “*T gave them to her, told her what ny plan was—she and I am pretty thick, -you _ understand—on the q. t., though—and she agreed to help me all he coud. “When I left her yesterday afternoon to send the note to Dr. Winze, I said this Or 2 her: ‘Cora, there’s big money in these letters. Don’t lose ’em, for if’ you do, I will wring your neck.’ I didn’t mean that she should take my words literally, but now I am satisfied that she did.” “Why? What occurred afterward?” “At six o’clock I returned to her house. She was not there, but on her bureau was an envelope directed to me.”’ Jimmy the Glib ‘put his hand ‘in The latter read the following: a Dege Jimny : ‘The letters have been stolen, and I’m so afraid you'll do me- harin that I have gone into the country fora = weeks. ol > 19 . x WS Dis ‘ pocket and took out a crumpled note and - handed it to Nick. CORA,” Sapen
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20 Nick. Carter’s sticcess as a detective was owing not only to his courage and dash, but to his quick wit, his keen pene- tration, and his remarkable meimory. Looking at the note carefully, he be- came convinced that the writer was tlie saine person who had pentied the names of Miss Ferrier and Mrs. Winze to the blackmailing letter which had been sent to the latter lady. But he did not give voice to his. discov- ery. He was ‘Hot yet ready to tell Jimmy the Glib that his mistress had deceived him. “Ill keep this if you have no objec- tion,’’ he said. ‘‘Aud I'll keep the hundred dalled, eh ?”’ returned the thief, with a grin. (ay Ves. ) Nick left Jimmy the Glib after inform- ing him in unmistakable terms that if he bothered Dr. Winze he would soon find himself behind bolts and bars. __ It was after two o’clock in the morning when he ascended the stairs leading to the tobacco factory for the purpose of liberating Dick Huttell. To his astonishment, he saw a light burning in the workmen’s rooin, Knockiug at the door, he was preseutly face to face with the foreman, with whoin he was well acquainted. : ““T am Nick Carter,’’ he said, smiling- ly, as the foreman gazed doubtfully at the sailor’s disguise. SO i> ‘“(T came to see a man I left here awhile ago.”? “Tied up?” Creagh? “Did you fix him???’ STidida? “Gee whiz! Then I’m afraid I’ve put my foot in it, Mr. Carter.’? “What! Have you released him?’ ‘“That’s what I’ve done.’’ Nick frowned. “Thad been toa halls uM the foreman NICK CARTER WEEKLY. went on to explain, hurriedly, ‘tand I thought I would look in at the factory before I went home. Judge of imy sur- prise when I found Mr. Huttell on the floor, bound and gagged. I took the gag “out of his suouth first, and asked him who he was, and how he came here. ‘‘He said he was a detective, told me to look in his pockets for papers to prove his assertion, and alleged‘ that he had been attacked by thugs, who had a key to. the door, and dragged him in. “Then it was that I made a bad break. Says I to him: ‘It would be a. good joke. if the thugs stole their key from Nick Carter.’ ‘¢ ‘What,’ said Huttell, ‘does iny friend Nick Carter have a key to this place?’ ‘Ves,’ I replied, not thinking there was any hari in giving the feel away to a brother detective and friend.” Nick’s lips curled ge tat h ‘CA pretty friend he is,’’? he remarked. “Tam sorry,’? began the foreman, when Nick interrupted him. “T don’t blame you a bit, ees he said, frankly. ‘‘You were imposed upon, that’s all.”’ The great detective left the factory, considerably vexed over Dick Huttell’s escape. He was still on Water street, but sev- eral blocks from the tobacco factory, when aman, armed with a sandbag, sud- denly sprang from a doorway, and _ap- proaching from behind, raised his arm to strike. For au instant the sandbag was — poised in the air. Then it descended upon the detective’s head, and he fell like a log on the side- walk. The assailant, who was tall and stoutly built, looked like a night-hawk. He was stooping over the insensible body of his victim when a man, wearing a long ulster, with the collar drawn Dna “sg.as to partially conceal his face, rushed
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A.
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22 himself by-an ulster which he must have procured in the saloon. Chick soon recognized the doctor’s companion as Blunt Lightfoot, and in- stantly surmised that some dark plot had been concocted. The doctor and the thug started for Water street, and were within a-short distance of the saloon in which the former liad left Jimmy the Glib and the false sailor, when they were met by a inan with a heavy beard atid a large slouch hat pulled down over his eyes. The latter took the doctor aside and whispered a few words into his ear.” The three men hurried away, and Chick lost sight of them fora time when they dashed into an alley a short distance above the tobacco factory. He was exploring the alley, and had just discovered a way of exit through a tumble-down building at the rear, when the quick patter of feet across the Water street pavement made him turn and rush out of the alley. “You know what happened after that,’’ said he to Nick. “Tf Idon’t know, I can cies was the great detective’s smiling response. After he had told his story, Nick said: “The man with the beard and slouch hat, who accosted Dr. Winze down the street was Dick Huttell.” “Then why didn’t he show up when the circus was going on?” ‘““He wanted to save his reputation, I Sapposes”*.-7 *. “Then he must be somewhere about Reine * “J don’t think so. My idea is that he has met the doctor and gone to the lat- ter’s office with him. Suppose we ,go down that way ??’ “Tn agreeable.’ They hunted up a-conveyance which took them toa point a short distance from : » thre building where Dr. Winze’s office was. _ located. , * NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Chick removed the grease paint from his face with a handkerchief, made a few changes in his appearance, and then leav- ing Nick a few doors below tlie office, softly ascended the stairs. ; ‘In a few minutes he rejoined his chief. ‘‘Huttell is in the office with the doc- tor,’’? he ‘said. ‘‘I recognized lis veice,. but I couldn’t hear what was said.” The two detectives parted soon after, Chick having orders to shadow Dick Hut- tell the next day, while Nick took upon himself the task of finding the writer of the note sent to Mrs. Winze. Among the many discoveries of the night was one which convineed him that the lost letters must coutain more dam- aging allusions to the relatiouship exist- ing between Dr. Winze aud Clarice Fetr- rier than he had at first supposed. Instance Na. 1: The desperate effort of the doctor td obtain possession of the let- ters. . ‘Instance Ne 2: The co-operation of ~ the doctor and Miss Ferrier and their joint employment of a detective. | “T wonder where Hnttell contrived to meet Miss Ferrier yesterday,”’ thought Nick. ‘It wasn’t at the doctor’s office, for she wouldn't dare to go there now. Ah, I have it. They met at Huttell’s office.”’ | iy _eries Nick had made a correct guess. After Huttell had reported thé discov- — which followed his visit to’ the theatre, she had dispatched a messenger with a note to the doctor, requesting him to meet her an hour later at Starr & Co.’s detective agency. 3 While there they held a long and inter- esting conversation, The doctor promised to furnish oS ‘ thousand dollars, if necessary, ae the recovery of the letters, ‘When she returned home, Miss Ferrier _, found a letter awaiting her. ‘s It was ina different sogese eae from see ~
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that of the Jetter which Mrs. Wince had received, but it was to the same effect. “M. E.? would the ‘letters on payment of one thousand dollars. Before she retired that night she seut a personal to the Herald. Nick Carter read it in while eating his break fast. “M. E: Accept terms, Where can I eet you? return the morning “You Know Who.”’ % “Tf I don’t suare my bird,’? commented the great detective, ‘this sort of thing will be kept up until the price is raised to ten thousand dollars.”’ f At ten o’clock he was at Mrs. Chaney’s door. f Rose was within, aud he was soon in conversation with her im the cozy Sub ed: room of the house. He had introduced himself in this wise : “T am a detective in search of certain information which I hope you may be able to furnish.’’ “J ?’—in surprise. ‘‘You come to the wroitg person.’’ ‘¢Vour name is Rose Chaney, is it not??’ “Yes, sir.” ‘‘And you are a dressmaker ?”? sASs Ste ee : “And you are acquainted with Miss Cora Laplace, another dressmaker ge on this street??? “T know her, yes.’” » “Ts'she your friend ?”? ‘No; merely an acquaintance. I have met: her at Madame Charmond’s parlors. She is the Fifth Avenue modiste, I sup- must have Oe Meta Pee Oe ee Ae ee AM eT as SOPs Pla aaa, >. ae ee eee ee —‘‘and she has called an me.once.’ “May I ask when this call was made? ?? “Yesterday afternoon,"” “Did she ask you to do her a favor?’’ “No. > “Did she say anything aber. finding anything ?”’ “No; the talk was upon eee -matters.’’ i ai - \. oe hb NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘pose you know?’—Nick inclined = head 23 “She ‘said nothing about leaving the city??? : ‘No: ” Nick took another tack and came straight to the point. ak “You wrote a-letter that evening for somebody, didn’t you??? Rose Chaney’s answer Sao: promptly; ‘*No, sir?” Nick Carter looked at her steadily for a moment, she wondering the while to what his questions were tending, and then cast his eyes to the floor in perplexity. As he did so, he caught sight of a small paper-covered book lying at his feet. It had evidently fallen from the iaule by which he was sitting. This book gave him an idea. + His eyes kindled as he regarded it. It was a printed copy of one of the late Dion Boucicault’s popular plays, Picking the book up, he remarked, with affected carelessness: ‘‘Vou are a lover of the drama, I see?’ ‘*] belong to an amateur association,’’ she said, ‘‘and I also copy parts for the stage manager of —— theatre, and any other parties who may desire my services. i “Vou copied a a last night, didn’t you fists “Ves, sir; but how did you know it? The gentleman who gave me the book said it was for a private entertainient to be given as a surprise toa society lady, and that I was to say nothing about the inatter to any one.’’ “Vou will tell me about it, I am sure,’’ returned Nick, earnestly, ‘‘when I inform, you that a crime has been committed and that you have been made the innocent tool of the criminal?’ Rose Clianey looked into Nick’s honest face, felt the personal maguetisin which he unconsciously exerted, and at once said : 2 : “Ask me any questions you like, and I will answet them.” S
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24 ‘Was the book priuted from which the part you copied was taken ?’’ “Ves, Lo oe ‘*TIs it in your possession now ?”? PB 8 he get it for you.”’ “*T would very much like to look at it.’’ Rose left the room, to return in a few minutes with a pamphlet similar to the one the great detective had picked up froin the floor. It was entitled ‘‘The Blackmiailer’s Victiin,’’? and was a translation from the ‘French. Nick scanned the pages. ciel until he came to one where the villain of the play sits down to write a letter to a person he intends to blackmail. ‘The letter bore some similarity to the one sent to Mrs. Winze. “Did you copy this verbatim ?’’ Nick asked, as he put his finger on the letter? No. ” “Why did you change it ?’’ ‘“The gentleman who gave me the book said that the play was to be localized, and that another letter would have to be sub- stituted for the one in the book.. He dic- tated it to me, leaving blank spaces for the names, ye he said could be after- ward filled in.’ “Did the gentleman remain ‘while you - were eng, Eis part for him?” "Ves, sir. ‘(How long did it take you?” ‘*Half an hour.”’ “And he took the letter away with him, I suppose ?’’ “He did, sir.’’ ‘(Had you ever seen him etre 2 ceNGe Sit,!? ‘How did he know that you did copy- ing of the kind ?”’ “He said the stage manager of the Gar- den Theatre had recommended me.”’ “Can you describe him ?’’ “He was tall, had reddish pointed beard of the same color. hair and a If you desire to see it, I will - As for NICK CARTER WEEKLY. his dress, it was like that of most of the actors you may see auy day promenading _the Rialto. His other features did not im- press themselves on my memory.”? ‘What kind of a voice had he?’’ “It was low and musical, and had one peculiarity, a slight lisp.’ Nick Carter gave a start. “T know you now, Mr. Smoothly,’’ he said to himself, ‘‘and if I don’t catch you, — then luck will be terribly against ine.’’ — There was nothing more to be learned , from Rose Chaney. In the afternoon he went to his private office, where he found Chick and a note from Mrs, Winze. The note read as follows: “Dear Mr. Carter: The doctor has been at home all the forenoon, and two men have been with him most of the time in the library. Iam afraid that some new plot against my peace is hatching. Come to me at once, if you can. ; “AELEN WiNZE.’? CHAPTER VI. NICK ON A FALSE SCENT. Nick passed the note over to Chick. without comiient. “T kriow who the two men ware? he. said. ‘‘Dick Huttell and a Broadway statue—‘Billy the Turk,’ the other mash- ers call him.”’ “What's up, think you?”’ ‘SDeviltry of some sort.’ “It looks that way. You shadowed Huttell to the doctor’s residence, I sup- pose ?”’ ‘Ves, after I had seen him part with Miss Ferrier at her house.’? Nick rose to his feet. “Keep your eve on Huttell fora while longer, Chick,’’ he said, as they descend- ed-to the street, ‘‘for I suspect that he is planning some dangerous move against ' wires “All right, Nick. ‘He's cat the oa
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alata estes aaa a NICK CARTER WEEKLY. restaurant now, and when he comes out 4H camp on his trail till I hear from you again, or have run against something that will pay ine for my trouble. ’’ To reach. Dr. Winze’s residence, Nick had to pass the Garden Theatre. He weut to the office, and there, to his satisfaction, found the stage manager in conversation with the treasurer. The moment the stage manager’s eyes rested on the great detective he came out of the office beaming with smiles. “Why, old fellow, where have you been ?’’ he said, with great cordiality, as he extended his hand. ‘*Haven’t seen you for a dog’s age.”® “Tl have been very busy lately.’’ “Why, you and Byrnes and Steers and the rest of ’em ought to have all the rogues driven out of New York by this time.’? ‘We drive some out,’’ said Nick, with a sinile, ‘‘but as fast as they go otliers come in. The steamers and the trains bring them, and while we have the rest of America and all of Europe to contend with, the battle with crime will continue. By the way, you know Miss Chaney, the copyist, I presume ?”’ ‘(T have heard of her.’? “Did you recommend her to’a man yesterday who wanted the parts of a new play copied?” TINO! Nick was not surprised. In fact, he had expected a negative answer. After some further conversation, on or- dinary matters, Nick took his leave. “The fellow who imposed on Miss Chaney is a cunning scoundrel,’ he said to himself, as he pursued his journey, “but it never entered his head, probably, > that his agency in the affair would be traced to him by means of a baby. “Having no suspicion that Mrs. Carnes would be suspected, he could not there- fore foresee that the steps taken from 25 Mrs. Carnes to Jimmy the Glib, from Jimmy the Glib to Cora Laplace, and from the latter to Rose Chaney, would be the means of fastening the guilt wpon himsel#, ‘*No doubt he reasoned in this way: ‘Rose Chaney will be sought for by de- tectives anxious to recover the letters, and when they learn that she found the theatre ticket, and has no knowledge whatever of the letters, their interest in the pretty dressmaker will cease. Then I may step in and play my little game with her? On reaching Dr. Winze’s residence, Nick found Mrs. Winze anxiously await- ing him in the drawing-room. ‘*The doctor has gone out,’’ she began, “‘but he acted so strangely that I wouldn’t be surprised at his return at any mo- ment.’’ “You have something to tell me be- ‘sides what was written in your note,’’ he said, with a searching glance at her pale face. “‘Yes. I had some words with the doc- tor this morning. It was at the breakfast table. He was out of sorts, said lie hadn’t slept a wink, and accused me of hems the cause of it. “©*VYou may blame your guilty con- science, not me,’ I said. ‘““Then he turned upon me, and used the foulest language a man could utter. “*T] was first dumbfounded, then en- raged, and when I spoke I used words that I have since regretted.’ “What did you say ?”? “I told him I would soon be rid of such _ a brute; that I intended to apply for a divorce. ” Nick looked grave, but said sie “* “Apply for a divorce, will you?’ the doctor roared. ‘We’ll see about that, madame. Mark my words, you will be mighty glad to give that idea up before the week is over.’ “When he left me I did not expect to
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x 28 see him again before evening, but in an . hour he returned with two men, and they were BB sae in the library bien Ailes? noon, : With the new information that Mrs. Winze had given him, Nick thought le saw through the doctor’s latest sclreine. “You may receive a caller this after- noon,’? he ‘said, ‘‘and it is ny wish, as your ageut, to remain in the house while he is here. Is there any place where I may conceal myself, and yet be able to overhear what will be said?” ““Will that screen do???’ “I can make it do, T think.” Nick lifted it from its position by the side of the window and placed it neara corner. He was looking at the screen when there came a ring at the doorbell. Mrs. Winze went to answer it herself. Nick got behind the screen quickly. , _ In a few moments the doctor’s wife ushered into the drawing-room an over- dressed young ‘man, with a face tlrat might have been handsome but for its amark of. dissipation and ai ill-speut life. Nick recognized him as Billy the Turk, the Broadway masher, Mrs Winze motioned him to a seat and, thei said coldly: “Vou have come to me i certain letters, you say?” ‘Ves, nadanre,’’ “Well?” z “Tam willing to place them in your hands at once.’ Billy the Turk’s apparent earnestness aud sincerity did not deceive tle doctor’s wife. She, had reason to suspect iss good faith, aud her answer, therefore, did not betray any joy or satisfaction. ‘ “*VYou expect soe in return, do you not?”? eer She had nét taken a seat herself, but ~ reference to stood by the niantel, with one hand.rest- gine dpon dt. <2 3 NICK CARTER WHEKLY. “Yam nota blackmailer, madame,” lie replied, with a fine assumption of indig=_ nation. “Tam ae: to hear it. Give me the letters, then, please.’” . Billy the Turk rose to his feet. At that moment Nick Carter heard the front door softly open. ‘“‘Madame,’’ said the masher; in a loud- er tone than before, and one charged with true dramatic fervor, “I lave long ad- mired you. I also deplore the unfortunate position in which you ate placed.”® / Mrs. Winze liad not expected tliis out- burst, and her first impulse was to order the fellow to leave the house. But the thought of Nick Carter’s pres- ence, and of the necessity for a little de- ception, in order ‘that the wretch before her might show his hand plainly, induced her to say, with a i semblance of anger: rn ‘(How dare you, sir?’ My love makes me dare anything,” Billy the Turk burst forth, with one hand on his heart, the other extended toward her, pleadingly. ti “Vou have not brought the letters, — then?’’ she said, ignoring his speech. “Ves, I have, and they shall be yours ‘ 7f you will deign to look kindly. ou my suit.” “Tet me see them first,’’ she insisted. Billy the bogus letters from his pocket and handed it to her. Turk drew a package of Thrusting it into her bosom, she turned | on him with a clrange of manner, all her contempt for the despicable abel show- ing itself in her face, . ‘*Now, go,’’ she said, and pelea to-. ward the door. — ¥ Billy the Turk fell om his knees ce ze her and seized her hands. ‘“No, no,’? he exclaimed, oudly, ' q will not ‘go; I will dare anything, even i the coming of the doctor, for you have | said that you bovnert d that you will
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se SS bf eet NICK CARTER WEEKLY. fly witlr me. Go? Never, for you are mine now by the right of our mutual. love. ”? While Mrs. Wirze struggled to free herself, the door of the drawing-room was opened quickly, and two men rushed in from the hall. They were Dr. Winze and Dick Huttell, and they had been list- ening to the conversation. Billy the Turk jumped to his feet in well-acted surprise and terror. ‘¢Ahal’? exclaimed,the villainous doc- tor, ‘‘we have caught you nicely, madame- Sue me for a divorce now, will you?” Mrs. Winze said nothing, but the look she gave him would have caused’ a man of finer sensibilities to hang his head. Dick Huttell took Billy the Turk by the eat aud led him to the door, “Git, you hound,’ he said, with simue lated sternness, ‘‘and’ consider yourself lucky in escaping with a whole skin.” When Huttell returned to the drawing- room Nick Carter felt that it was about time for him to show himself, ‘J have this gentleman as a witness,”’ said Dr. Winze to his wife, ‘‘and if you ’ don’t give up your idea of divorce, Pl disgrace you by a counter-suit and the publication in all the papers of what we heard and saw here this afternoon.” ‘No, you won't, doctor,’ said Nick Carter, quickly, as he slipped from be-— hind the screen and confronted the pair of conspirators. If a thunderbolt had descented at the feet of Mrs. Winze’s rascally husband, he could not haye been more surprised. Huttell’s face paled for a moment. ’ But quickly recovering his self-posses- sion, lve said, with a’ smile: “TY assure. you, Mr. Career; that I am no party toa couspitacy® come here as a favor, but what I have seen and heard does not lower Mrs. Winze in my esteem one particle. Dr. Winze “must have been blinded by jealousy, or he pons, not think of assailing the char- roared, I was asked to~ acter of his wife upon such flimsy evi- dence as the artful utterance of such 2 liar as Billy the Turk.”’ ; Dr. Winze turned upon Huttell fiercely: “Why, you——” he began, vehement- ly, but the swift, meaning glance which the detective shot at him cape him stop suddenly. ee ss He realized in an instant that he was no match for Huttell in cunning. Nick Carter caught the glance and time derstood it perfectly. “Y am glad that you have taken this course, Mr. Huttell,’? Nick said, gravely, ‘(for perhaps it saves me from the painful necessity of arresting both you and the doctor for criininal conspiracy.” Dr. Winze flared up at this. Se my house, you scoundrel,’? he Stand never show . your spying face iu it again.”? \ “*T shall consult my own n wishes: in that respect,’? returned Nick, quietly. Dr. Winze clenched his fist and moved toward the great detective as if to strike him down. - “Don’t fool with me, doctor. It won’t be a healthy proceeding for you,’’ was Nick’s low, stern utterance. Huttell took the doctor by the arm and led him to a chair. “Sit down,’’ he said, in a disgusted voice, ‘‘and see if you can’t come to your senses,.”’ : Mrs. Winze now left the room. Nick Carter started for the door, " As he passed Huttell, he said, quietly but firmly: i “‘Tinust see you outside, immediately.” ah: ss “All right.” t Huttell followed Nick to the sidewalk. There tlie great detective said: = “You must accompany me to the office of a notary public, and make affidavit _ that what you saw and heard in the draw- ing-room inside while Billy the Turk “was present, was a ae ofa PeePiee Rea 4 Se -
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bs 28 : NICK CARTER WEDPKLY. which Mrs. Winze was to have been the innocent victim.’ Huttell bit his lip and frowned. “Vou are asking too much of me,’’ he said, ‘‘for I can only infer that there was a conspiracy. Besides, there’s no neces- sity for an sree: for the matter will go no further.’ ‘fAll the saine, I want your affidavit, Huttell,’’ said Nick, firmly. “Want and be blowed!’’ suddenly ex- claimed the sorely pressed detective; and he sprane up the steps of Dr. Winze’s house, entered the door, slammed it with a bang, aud ran toward the rear, On his way he caught sight of both Dr. Winze and his wife. They were sitting in the drawing-room and conversing in low tones, Beckoning the doctor to him, Huttell said, hurriedly: “No. +— Patchen Avenue, Brooklyn, at ten to-night.’’ : He was gone before the doctor could say a word in reply. Mrs. Winze heard Huttell’s words, and when Nick Carter came in half an hour afterward, after the doctor had gone, she told him what Huttell had said. ‘*He didn’t mean that I should hear, I am sure, Mr. Carter, but he was so great- ly excited that he neglected to lower lis voice sufficiently to keep his announce- ment froin my ears.’? “Then Pll be preseut at the meeting in Brooklyn,’’ said Nick, with a satisfied expression. ‘‘I am glad you heard what he said, for now it doesn’t matter whether Shick, my assistant, runs him down or not.’’. “Nick then told her that he had seef Huttell escape by the back way, and had sent Chick after hin. The latter had followed the rascally de- tective to the house, and had been in waiting outside while the dramatic pro- ceedings were going on within. The doctor will try another scheme to Soe © = ter afterwards sent to Mrs. Winze. rnin my reputation, now this one has failed,’’ said Mrs. Winze, in some agita- tion. “T have no doubt of it, but I think I can put a spoke in his wheel of: villainy, ‘if I ean overhear what he and Huttell may say to éach other at their meeting to-night.?’ Nick left the house aud went to his office. He was there but a short time when Chick appeared, wearing a disappointed look. ‘He doubled on me, got into a cab, rode a ways, jumped out in a mob of ve- hicles on Broadway, wriggled to the side- walk like an eel, ran into a big clothing store, shot out the back way as ] was com- ing in the front, and went the devil knows whiere.’? Nick consoled his baffled assistant by informing him of the Brooklyn appoiut- ment, ‘We lave several hours at ourdis- posal,’’ he concluded, ‘‘and during that time we must find Cora Laplace, if possi- ble. “T am satisfied, Chick, after what has _ occurred, that she has two lovers. Jimmy the Glib is one, but his nose is out of joint at present; the other is the chap who holds the stolen letters. “Now, my theory of the matter is this: Lover No, 2 visited Cora after Jimmy the Glib had gone ont to post the blackmail- ing letter addressed to Dr, Winze. ‘He either discovered her in the act of reading the letters, orelse she told him that she had them, Realizing that there was a bonanza for him in the documents, he induced her to turn them over to him, and change her quarters, after leaving the decoy note for Jfiumy the Glib. “The next: move of the smooth rascal was to go to Rose Chaney, and under pre- text-of having her copy a part in a play, induced her to write the body of tiie let-
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NICK CARTHR WEHEKLY. “Teaving the house, he went to Cora Laplace’s new abode, and had her write the names of Miss Ferrier and Mrs. Winze in the blank spaces of the blackmailing letter. Then he sent it off for delivery,”’ After-developments proved Nick’s the- ory to be true in every essential par- ticular. The two detectives went separate ways when they left Nick's office. At eight o’clock in the evening they met by appointment near the approach to the Brooklyn Bridge. “T have run her down, Nick,?? said Chick, with the natural exultation of a man who has done a good piece of work. “Bound where she hangs out, aud got a glimpse of her face at the window.”’ ‘Good. We'll pay her a an after we settle the Brooklyn matter.’ It proved to be an old, pt ie house, standing in a large lot, and froin external appearances—broken windows and a gen- eral air of neglect and untlrift—had not been occupied for some time. They cautiously teconnoitered it, and could seé neither lights nor hear voices. After a while they entered it from the rear. When every room. had been svelandt Nick Carter came to the conclusion that he had been duped. “‘T see it all now,’’ he said, to Chick, with an angry flash in his eyes. ‘‘Dick Huttell purposely spoke loud enough for Mrs. Winze to hear, on purpose to send me on a wild-goose chase.”’ “That’s the trick, sure,’’ assented Chick ; ‘(We must hurry-back to Dr. Winze’s house. I fear that some new game ae been sprung on us during our absence.’ - They reached the doctor’s house at inidnight. | ; Nick went boldly to the frout door and rang the bell. After atime a maid-servant appeared, pretty dressmaker’s * 29 Nick looked into her scared face and feared the worst. “Ts Mrs.” Winze at haen he de- manded, quickly. “*No, sit, She went away in a closed carriage two hours ago.”’ ‘“Of her own accord??? Ves osit,?” “Do you know what caused her to go Ott : ‘“No, sir, She got a message from somebody, and instantly put on her things and got into the carriage which was wait- ing outside,’’ “*It was a forged. message from me, I'll bet a hat,’’ said Nick to Chick, with a lowering brow, when they had left the house, ‘‘and that scoundrel of a husband, aided by Dick Fitted has spirited her away.’ ‘*We've got to find her, Nick, ”” replied ‘Chick, resolutely. “Tf we don’t,’’ rejoined the great de- tective, ‘‘Dr. Winze will be a widower before long.’? “Do you think he means to kill her?’ “T do. And,’? he added, quickly, as a new idea came to him, “I think I can guess the modus operandi. Mrs. Wiuze is in delicate health, and a -succession of rude shocks, or a long and systematic course of fiendish treatment, would kill iver ‘‘] begin to see what you are driving at, Nick. They have taken her to a pri- vate lunatic asylum.’ ‘“‘T am almost sure of it.” ee CHAPTER VIII. UNMASKED AT LAST. The next forenoon, while Miss Cora Laplace was’ engaged in the perusal of a French novel at lier sitting-room in a flat on East One Hundred and Twenty-fifth street, a young man with. reddish hair and Vandyke beard, opened the door and came in, witha smile on his face.
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~ters now, 30 “Well?” she said, without rising. “We've made the trip.” “What do*you mean?’ “J mean that Miss Ferrier has agreed to pay me eight thousand dollars for the letters; “‘How did you manage it??? regarding him with mingled respect and admiration. “T met heron the street and told her that the business would lave to be settled to-day; that if she didn’t conie to the centre I would publish the letters and cer- tain facts in connection with them which I have lately discovered.’’: What did she say ?”’ ‘She accepted at once. Of course she’ll get the money from Dr. Winze.”’ “Won’t she lead you into a trap?”’ “No danger of that. I have a pull she little dreams of.”? : , “Well, Johu, I always said you were a cute one.’?’ “Tm no slouch, if. } do say it, Cora.’’ “You'll take that little trip to Paris with me as you promised, won’t you, ~ -when you get the money ??’ said the woin- an slowly, and with-eyes fixed on him keenly. “Of course. I wouldn’t dare to do oth- erwise. You might betray me, you know, if I didn’t. By the way, I want the let- In an hour the transaction will be completed.’? — » Miss Laplace arose and went toa closet. As soon as her back was turned, the door, which had not beer locked, was quickly opened, aud two men rushed in, They were Nick and Chick. | The former sprang on the man with the reddish hair and bore him to the * floor. Chick had a revolver ies at Cora Laplace when she turned from the closet » with the letters im her hand. ~ “Drop them!” said Chick, sternly, “or Vl] pull the trigger.’ The woman turned pale as death and “threw the package of letters at lis feet. ms NICK CARTER WEEKLY. With the pistol still pointed at her, Nick’s assistant stooped, picked up the letters; and put them in his pocket. He then stepped tothe door and opened it. ‘*You may go,’’ he said. ‘Cora Laplace ueeded no second bidding. Hastily douning a hat and wrap, she left the room without bestowing a glance at her fallen lover. 5 At the street door she, encountered a policeman who took her in charge, and conveyed her to the Tombs. ~ : Nick had his prisoner bound when Chick closed the door and turned toward hin. f The man with the reddish hair had not yet uttered a word. _ But the expression of his face was one of abject despair, Bs “Vou were not so aioe as you Mcouaie 3 you were,’’ said the great detective, as he arose and stood over the prisoner. The latter now found his voice. ‘“‘Kill.me at once and do me a favor,” he a “for I can never outlive this dis- grace.’ “Bah! such feliows as you don’t die of remorse. If you ever serve out a term in the prison to which I shall send you, the — chances are that vO become a bigger scoundrel than ever.’ . ‘Curse you!’ shrieked the discomfited wretch. ‘How! wish now that I had. killed you last night.’ **Vou weren’t so pretty then as you are now,’’ returned Nick, quietly. “That black beard didn’t become you as well as ~ this terra cotta Vandyke. you'll look without any disguise.” With these words he jerked the-wig and false beard from the prostrate villain’s head and face. * The features of Dick . Attell, the ee pee pepe. were revealed. . Ga ar . ery . ° * Let’s see how — Nick oe3 had ee Hnttell as the qe sae
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y NICK CARTER WEEKLY, + ou the occasion of his interview Rose Chaney. As has been said before, his theory as to Huttell’s relations with°Cora Laplace, and the steps the rascally detective had taken after discovering that his niistress had the letters, was the correct one, Cora Laplace, to whom Huttell had confided all his secrets, nade a full con- fession after reaching. the Tombs. Acting on the information she fur- nished, Nick Carter went to a private in- sane asyluur uear Morrisania, and there found: Mrs. Winze. She had been lured to the place upon the representation that she was to meet Nick Carter, who had something of great iniportance to communicate to het. Dr. Winze was arrested at his office by the great detective. He and Huttell were tried under one indictment for criminal conspiracy, and sentenced to five years each in Sing Sing. Cora Laplace was. made a witness for the prosecution, After the trial she was given erty. j Miss Clarice Ferrier. disappeared from New York after the arrest of Dr. Winze with her lib- , ‘and Dick Huttell. - When Horace Boughton found that he had been deceived he yowed to reinain a bachelor through life. But the interest he is at present taking in a pretty little dressmaker, to whom he Was introduced by Nick Carter, leads us to think that he may shortly reconsider his determination and become a Benedict after all. He could not certainly find a worthiér helpmeet than Rose Chaney. Mrs. Winze got her divorce and recov- ered her health., ; She is now gujoyitig the fortune left her by her uncle, and spends a large part of the income in geeks s of charity. One of her most valued friends i is Nick Carter. B [THE END. ] The next uuinber of the Nick CARTER Werekiy will contain ‘‘Canght by Elec- tricity; or, Nick Bags an Old Offender.” Pe é ; * — Che Cip Cop sD Quarters, GOOD READING Al AND LOTS OF IT. Thirteen Weeklies in Hach Quarterly- — -No. %.—Frank Merriwell’s School oa: No. 2.—Frank Merriwell Out West. No. (rane Merriwell in Foreign Lands. No. /4.—Frank Merriwell at Yale. No. 5.—Frank Merriwell’s Bicycle Tour Across the Continent. ; No. 6—Frank Merriwell as an All-round Athlete. ‘ pa f No. 7.—Frank Merriwell’s Second Term at ale, No, 8.—Frank Merriwell’s Vacation. | No. 9.—Frank Merriwell in Maine. No. 10.—Frank Merriwell asa Railroad Man. No. 11.—Frank Merriwell as an Actor, No, 12.—Frank Merriwell’s Fight for Pros. perity. No. 13.—Frank Merriwell’s Exciting Adven- tures in England and France. Baie Merriwell series are written in groups of thir- » Each quarterly is a complete series or group. PRICE FIFTY CENTS EACH From all newsdealets, or by mail postpaid, from the publishers. Admirers of Frank Merriwell, desirous of olidwing his adventures from the first will find these quarterlies the most advantageous form in which to procure the eatlier numbers, STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 238 William Street, New Yerk. AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY, Many people imagine thata photographer's camera isu diticult machine to handle, and that Ue work Is dirty and disagreeable. All thisisa mistake. Photography is a clean, Hight, and pleasant ac couiplishment, within the reach of all. "The camera will prove a, , triend, reporter, and helper With & very inexpensive cainera any boy or girl can now learn not only to uke good pictures, but pictures that there is everywhere a denimand for at rensnnerative prices. A- complete guide to this fascinating art, entitled AMATEUR MaNnoar or PHOPOGRALUY Will ha sent on receipt of ten cents, Address STREET & SMITH, 238 William ten N. fal Nick Carter Quarterly. The earlier issues of Nick Curter Weekly, are now on sale in the — form of Quarterlies, each including 18 consecutive issues of this. favorite weekly, together with the 13 original illuminated ilistra- Hons, and an elegant cover in colors. The price is 50 Cents per volume, for which sum they will be sent By: mail ‘post-pald ‘to any address in the United States, No. 1, inemding Nos, 1 to 13 of Nick Carter: Weekly. © No. 2, a Nos. 14 to 26 of Nick Carter Weekly. No. 3, %s Nos, 27 to 39 of Nick Carter Weekly. No. 4, } Nos. 40 to 52 of Nick Carter-Weekly. No. 5, “ Nos. 58 to 65 of Nick Carter Weekly, _ _ If your Newsdealer has not got the Quarteriies, reiuit direct to the publishers. > STREET = inh 238 William St, ats Xe.
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‘Bish Prices Are On Vacation THE MEDAL LIBRARY Oliver Optic and Others. -% & The Right Books at the Right Price. There is a line of classics for youth-—the books your fathers read—the books you want to read—the books the boys and girls will read and like as long as the English language endures. They have done more to shape the mind of American boys for the last fifty years’ than any others. We refer to the writings of Oliver Optic, Horatio Alger, Edward S. Ellis, Lieut. Lounsberry, James Otis, William Murray Graydon, etc. These names are farniliar wherever the American flag floats. Unfortunately, they have heretofore 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 thein their favorites in a form in every respect equal to our well-known Eagle and Magnet Libraries, at the uniform price of ten’ cents. Thousands of boys have asked us £0 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, ry They have Doughe them by thousands at $1.00 and up- wards, and now they can get them for TEN CENTS A COPY. ppdiget LE 1—The Boat Club ; a ; By Oliver Optic 2—Cadet Kit Carey ; : i 3 . 2 5 : 53 By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry. 38—All Aboard . 2 ‘ 5 . 3 5 : ‘ ; By Oliver Optic 4—Lieutenant Carey’ 8 Luck 4 ; . * ; : . By Lieut. Lionel Louasberry 2 5—Now or Never . 4 é - F By Oliver Optic 6—Captain Carey of the Gallant Seventh : : ¢ « eB Lieut. Lionel. Lounsberry 7—Chased Through Norway y 3 é é - . = ' By James Otis 8—Kit Carey’s Protege . ¢ 5 = > : . > $Y. Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry 9—Try Again, é . ° : : * : : 5 By Oliver Optic 10—Don Kirk, ‘the Boy Cattle King . By Gilbert Patten - 11—From Tent to White House. (Boyhood and Life of President McKinley. ) By Edward S. Ellis 12—Don Kirk’s Mine pees i By Gilbert Patten 18—Up the Ladder 7 F . By Lieut. Murray 14—The Young Colonists. A Story o: Life and. Warin Africa . J . By G. A. Henty 15-—Midshipman Merrill . ‘ z P a ‘ Fi ‘ By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry 16—The White King of Africa : 5 Z = Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry * 18—The Silver Ship : , rs ‘i . : s - 3 . . By Lewis Leon 19—Jack Archer fe 4 = z . * ‘ % A Ps Fi By G. A. Henty ~ 20—Wheeling for Fortune . ‘ 3 . F 2 ‘ f . By James Otis 21—Won at West Point. 3 - fe ° ' . By Lieut, Lionel Lounsberry 22—From Lake to Wilderness 3 a . 4 A ‘4 Pies od waniame Murray Graydon e 23—The Dragon and the Raven ... < ° ‘ Be 5 ¥ on By G. A. Henty 24—The Boy from the West . - 2 Pee ir é ¥ . ‘ . By Gilbert Patten —Through the Fray . z Paci é aX v = ‘ - By G. A. Henty 26—The Cryptogram . rae tise ee aoe s . By William Murray Graydon 27—Centre-Board Jim . ‘ ‘ . . “ 5 ge BY Lieutenant Lionel Lounshberry Pe 28—The Boy Boomers... ¥ 3 ‘ a - i F : By Gilbert Patten 29—True to the Old Flag . ‘ < + OF sas iia caste ? " By G. A. Henty 30—Peter Simple , é yeaa ° - . . a . By Captain Marryat 31—The Cruise of the Snow Bird i < . 5 . 2 -, +° . By Gordon Stables 32—The Curse of Carnes’ Hold é . eee : rs g j . By G. A. Henty © 383—Jud and Joe, Printers and Publishers 5 See . 5 2 i By Gilbert Patten 34—The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green . fs ‘i ° : - By Cuthbert Bede, B. A. - 35—In the Reign of Terror . ke : . . . . é By G. A. Henty 36—In Barracks and Wigwam . . . . . ars “By William Murray Graydon 87—Commodore Junk . 3 . . * : 3 : By George Manville Fenn 38—@ay Dashleigh’s Academy Days . A . . % ; By Arthur Sewall 39—With Boers and British in the Transvaal Pees . ‘ . By William Murray Graydon 40—Canoe and Campfire . r ' ‘ ‘ 4 : ¥ . By St. George Rathbone - 41—Check 2134 : P ° 5 “aBY Edward Ss. Bilis OTHERS EQUALLY Goop To FOLLOW. . Order them at once. If you cannot get them send to us. Remember : these are 12mo books, printed from new plates, with elegant covers, and are the “‘real thing,” and only TEN CENTS A COPY. STREET & SMITH, Publishers s
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, fy. oS dae or eee ag Se Slew | BESS SSS Sas eaaasss - STREET & SMITH always up to date ANY readers of our ever-popular libraries are so enthusiastic as to wish us to publish the Tip Top twice a week—or even every day in the week, so as to give them more of their favorite reading. It will be readily understood that this would be inadvisable for many reasons. Mr. Burt Standish writes the Merriwell stories carefully and well, as you all know. He does not feel that he can afford to jeopardize the quality in the slightest degree by increasing the quantity. We will not permit any other publishers to supply the wants of our readers, as we are the originators of this class of refined, entertaining and instructive literature, which has attained world-wide popularity. It affords us pleasure to say to our friends that we shall soon issue other new libraries, which will be far superior to anything of similar character issued by other publishers, and certain to be favorites with the readers of the Tip Top Weekly. The first of these new libraries will be known as the DO AND DARE WEEKLY It will contain 32 pages, with illustrated cover, conforming in size and appearance to the Tip Top. No.4 will be on sale February 13,1900, and will be found at all newsdealers. The price will be 5 cents per copy. The Do and Dare Weekly will tell of the exploits and adventures of one PHIL RUSHINGTON, a lively, hustling, bright and brave American boy— a first-class all-round athlete, and a thorough gentleman in all the phases of his eventful career. The author of these stories is Mra Stanley Norris, an able writer, and one thoroughly in sympathy with the wants of our boys and girls in the line of reading. His work is bound ‘to please. The first number is entitled— Phil Rushington, or, The Sophs of Springvale Academy a rattling, strong story. Read about the eighteen pretty rebels from the neighboring Normal School for girls, who set up a camp on an island and defy the faculty. Read how Phil runs the gauntlet, and turns the tables on his would-be hazers. Read of Phil’s “terrible right.” In fact, read the first number and you will like it. There is no doubt about it. Our other proposed new libraries will be announced and issued as soon as “ Do and Dare” is well introduced. Yours faithfully, = STREET & SMITH. LBIBIGIGNSISNSICNSICN NGI SESS SESS SS SSS SSS 5S SS SSS Ss sss sssa5) a