Nick Carter Weekly (no. 170) (1900 03 31)
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ICK CARTER WEEKLY Issued weekly. Subscription price $2.50 per year. Entered as second class matter at the N. Y. Post Office by STREET & SMITH. No ONE HALE_PENNY Pasa yogi | ap ih MRR Sy ay
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Pntered according to Act of Congress in the year 1900 by Slreet & Smith, in the Office of the Librarian of Oongress, Washtngton, D. C. Entered as second class Maller at the New York, N. Y., Post Office. Subscription price, $2.50 per year. Tssued weekly. _Mareh 31, 1900. STREET & SMITH, Publishers. No. 170. Caught by EN YORK. 5 Cents 238 William 8t., N. Y. Electricity; NICK CARTER BAGS AN OLD OFFENDER. By the Author of ‘‘NICK CARTER.” . : CHAPTER I. RIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS SHOR'T. ‘Well, the amount must be charged to me.’’ j “Charged to you?” The president of the Carrier Creek Lumber and Salt Company looked the -manager of the concern squarely in the face as he repeated the sentence given above. Maurice Dodge, the wealthy president of inore tllan one successful enterprise, had never regarded Ashley Sheldon, the handsome and popular manager of the Carrier Creek Company, with that degree of favor accorded him by the other mem-. To use “never bers of the board of directors. Dodge’s blunt expression, he had had any use for the fellow.” - - Sheldon had tried in every way to gain the favor of the president, but ae not succeeded. The two men were now seated in the Chicago office of the lumber and salt com- pany. ; The president had just discovered that the manager was eighty thousand dollars short in his accounts. The manager had just admitted the shortage, but seemed to regard the matter very lightly. ‘‘Ves,’? he repeated, in answer to Dodge’s abrupt exclamation, ‘‘the amount niust be charged to me.’? He was a slim, graceful fellow, with black hair “and eyes, and one of those clinging black beards whieh make the face of the wearer seem 2 and re- fined. *“Charged to you ?”? thundered Dodge; “vou are not authorized to use the com- pany’s money for your own purposes. What good will it do to charge the amount to you? The company will still be eighty — thousand dollars short !”’ *“You are wrong, Mr. Dodge.”’ The president. sprang to his feet and ;
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> Caras NICK CARTER WEEKLY. fairly raged up and down the private office. “Well, ofall the impudent rascals,’’ he began. Sheldon lit a cigar, and elevated his . nicely polished shoes to the arm of the chair the president had just vacated. Don’t say too much,’’ he said, coolly. “But we want the money.’ Its loss will tuin the company.’? The president wiped his florid face with a huge silk handkerchief as he spoke, and looked like a tan who had lost his all. - Sheldon simply laughed. ‘“My dear sir,’? he began, ‘‘you prob- ably know that J have othes interests in the city. Well, this money has in some way become entangled with my other af- fairs. It is merely a matter of book-keep- ing. Charge the entire amount to my personal account, and before the bank closes'to-morrow night you shall have the eighty thousand dollars in your vault here in the office.’’ ‘‘How can you raise eighty thousand dollars in that short time?’’ demanded the president. “7 don’t have to raise it.”’ “AHumplh !”? “T tell you the money is on hand some- where, and only needs looking up,’’ per- sisted Sheldon. ‘‘Well, look it up,’’ said Dodge. ‘I ‘give you until to-morrow night to deposit it in the vault.’’ “Very well, Mr. Dodge.”’ The president grasped his cane and abruptly left the office. Sheldon locked the door behind him and thiew himself into a chair. Now that the strain was over, his old ease of manner had entirely departed. His face was deadly pale, aud wore a haggard look. “At last;”? he muttered, ‘fat last.’? ’ He sat for a long time with his shapely head bowed upon his hands. ‘‘T can’t sit idly here,’’ he muttered at / ee » r length. ‘‘Something must be done at Once) 5 Taking a numbet of papers marked ‘private’? from the safe, he closed the private office, announced ‘to the clerks in the outer room that he should not return that day, and hastened away in the diree- tion of La Salle street. Not far from Washington street he en- tered a massive stone. structure, aud took the elevator to the fifth floor. . Everywhere on the street and in the main corridor of the building he was greeted with pleasant words and smiles from the wealthy bankers and business men of the city. “They wouldn’t smile and bow if they knew,’’ he thought, bitterly. Atriving at the fifth floor, Sheldon en- tered an elegant suite of offices, where a number of clerks were at work. The sign over the door read: Sheldon, Attorney-at-Law.”’ Summoning a clerk from the public room, Sheldon entered the private office “Ashley and closed tlie door. He was again the same pleasant, care- free business man who had faced the pres- ident of the Carrier Creek Company, a few moments before, in that other office. ‘‘Wilkins,’’ he said, addressing the clerk, ‘‘what money has been paid in to- day?” ‘A large sum, sir.’’ ““Alow much?” ‘Nearly a hundred thousand Jolla ae “Then the Chapin mortgages, which I hold in trust, must have been paid off??? ‘“They were, and the sum _ received from the mortgagor was upward a ceterty thousand dollars, all in currency. “Have you received any word from the Chapins?”’ : f ‘Nop Sita? ‘‘Let me see,’’? said Sheldon, careless- _ ly, ‘‘they. are in New York,. are shee. Pee ee :
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“That is where we heard from them last, sir.’?’ ‘‘Well, put the money into a valise and go to the bank and buy New York drafts’ with it. It is too large a sum for me to run the risk of holding. being paid in currency.”? The'clerk bowed, and went away. Then Sheldon opened another door, and stepped into a small, neatly furnished too adjoining his private office. A smartly dressed young fellow, who would have been handsome but for the marks of dissipation on his face, was the only occupant of the room. 3 ‘“Ah, Ash, how are you to-day??? He laid down a sporting paper as he spoke, and threw himself back in his chair with an air of great weariness. “Things ate a trifle slow,’’ replied Sheldon. James Mosely laughed sarcastically. “If things are slow with you,’ he asked, ‘‘what do you think of the shape of my affairs, old fel? I’m flat broke.’ ' “Bad luck at the races, eh???’ ‘tT should say so. Bad luck every- where.’ . ; _ *Well,’’ said Sheldon, ‘‘I got pinched on wheat, nipped on pork, and knocked out on lard: Besides, the devil is to pay in other ways.’? *‘You’ve been going it at a pretty good pace, old fel.’’ Sheldon frowned. “My streaks,’’? he said. before long.”’ “T wish I could say as much,’’ said Mosely. ‘‘I realy don’t know where to get the cash for my meals, to say nothing of a stake for the races to-morrow.”? Sheldon pondered a moment, and then said, in a husky, uncertain voice: “T have a scheme, Jim, if you don’t mind taking a bit of a risk.?? good and bad luck runs in “T shall be all right Mosely sprang to his feet. ae I wonder at its » NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 2 3 “Confound the tisk,’’ he said. ‘How much is there in it??? Sheldon was pale and haggard again, He spoke witl great effort. '“*Ten thousand dollars,’ he said. “Whew !’? **You can use that much ready cash, I presunie,’? said Sheldon. “Use it? I should think so! But the risk must be something horrible, old mai?” “Not if you play the game with the same nerve with whith you play the races.”’ **Unfold it.’? ‘**A large sum of money was paid i in to- day,’? began Sheldon. 6tVes, ” “And, while I have use for every dol- lar of it, it is liable to be demanded of me to-morrow.”’ **T don’t doubt that you have plenty of use for it.”’ “‘You may be sure I have. have just sent out after eighty thousand dollars in New York drafts.’? “Whew! Is there so much money i in the world?” Mosely laughed as he spoke. “*Well,’’ continued Sheldon, ‘‘suppose these drafts should be stolen and cashed at some interior bank ??”’ Mosely regarded his companion in amazement. ‘What do you mean?’ he asked. **You are slow of comprehension to- day,’ said Sheldon, impatiently, “Then talk plainly,’’ was the reply. “Suppose these drafts were stolen and cashed. You return here with the money, and the paying bank stands the loss,” “‘But see what shape it leaves me in,” “You can cover up -your tracks easily enough. You might have to go abroad. for a few monthis.”? “But what interior bank will put up so much money to anventire stranger ??’ **I have figured that all out.’® Well, I
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a NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “Well?! “You take the drafts and ‘go to some wealthy Michigan town and introduce yotirself as a lumber merchant.’ SSleseery =" “Go to the bank and personate me. Tell the cashier you are a little short of currency. Indorse oue of the drafts and have it sent on for collection.”? “Veas,?? “Tt will be paid, of course, and then you will lave easy sailing with the re- mainder.’’ “Good scheme. Then what?” “After sending one or two of the drafts on for collection, go out and look up pine land. ‘hen draw all the money and come back here." “But all this will take time.’”. “That makes no difference. There will nothing be said about the drafts, for I am still.supposed to have them in my posses- siou,’’ *“But the paid drafts will come back -here,.’ “Of course, but I shall not be notified. When we have the cash, I can learn in some way of the negotiation of the paper and declare tire signatures to be Sc gs Ay “And then?” oWhy, the bank which cashed them will have to stand the loss, while we shall be just eighty thousand dollars better off.’’ “Vou mean you will?”? ““Vou-vill have your share.’ Mosely pondered a smoment, and then said: et . **T want half.”’ : “Vou are unreasonable.’ “But I might get the money and give you the slip.” “Pl tell you what i’ll do,’ said Shel- don. ‘‘I need the money very badly just now, but I'l] give you twenty thousand -and make up the rest in a few weeks. “Will that.do?” -“T suppose so. The scheme is a good t * one, and seenis safe. All we lave to do is to stick together.” “That is all,’ replied Sheldon, draw- ing his eyes away from the keen glance of his companion. ‘When shail I start?’ ‘This very night.”’ ‘“When will the drafts be brought in?” - “They may be in the outer office now.” — Sheldon left.the room, closing the door behind him. Mosely arose and paced the floor ex- citedly. “It is risky,’’ he muttered, ‘but Tain not in shape to be particular about where or how I get money now. I may have to leave Sheldon in the lurch ae take it alin?) Just then the door opened again, and — Sheldon stepped back into the room. The New York drafts were in his hand. His face looked haggard and drawn | again, but he tried to appear cheerful, ‘(Here they are,”’ he said, laying the important papers down on tlie table. Mosely looked thein over carefully. ‘*They seem to be all right,’’ he said, at length. ‘I can start to-night, but I must have money to go with.’ Sheldon took a roll of bills from his pocket and counted out one hundred dol- lars. “Will that do?’ he asked. x “T think so. It depends on where I have to go.” “Tt is not far to the Iumber country Of-< re Michigan,’’ suggested Sheldon. ‘Perhaps aa you had better go to Grand Rapids. There Ayes is plenty of money there.’? “T’ll see when I get there.” pocket. ber, that we stand of fall together.” _ “‘T shall keep my word.”’ “TT have eighty thousand dollars to ees Mosely put the money and drafts i in i a “We must trust to each sae Ss. ‘one6s a in this matter,” said Sheldon. ‘“‘Remem-
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. tS I can do it. Ina few days, if this scheme works, I shall be out of the hands of the inoney lenders.”’ ‘(And I shall be in the wild, wild West,’’ said Mosély. “Do your work well,’’ said Sheldon, ‘and you have nothing to fear.” After some further talk, the schemers patted, Mosely going to the depot, and Sheldon returning to the outer office, ‘‘T left the drafts on your table,’? said the chief clerk, as he stepped into the room. ‘‘All right,’’ said Sheldon, carelessly. “J presume they are all right.” ‘“‘He’s careless with his thought the clerk. ‘“‘He’s mighty sure of me,’’ thought Mosely, a few moments later, as he step- ped aboard a train. ‘‘I wonder whether he will ever see this money again ?”’ And Sheldon went away, thinking his mouey troubles were nearly over! money,’ CHAPTER II. f NICK CARTER BECOMES INTERESTED. “Nick Carter, by all that’s wonderful!’ The great detective raised a warning hand and conducted his friend to a quiet corner of the magnificent club of which _he was 4 member. “Don't use that name here,’’ he said, **for, while I am known by iny own namie here, there are very few of the members of this most exclusive club who imagine they have a detective in their midst.”’ ‘“What are you doing in Chicago?’ asked the friend, Jason Boyd, au old school chum and room mate of the famous detective. ‘“Came up to see the big fair,’’ replied Nick. ‘‘Are you located in the city? It gees years since I heard from you.’’ ‘Ves, I am here, and in the old busi- ness. ’” ; ‘Blectricity?”_ “Certainly.” “Doing well, I hope 6: “Yes. I am superintendent of a es up here, and am doing well.” ; As Boyd ceased speaking, a handsomely dressed fellow passed through the room where they were sitting and nodded fam- iliarly to him. The electrician caught the detective by the arm. ; ‘*Size that fellow up,’’ he whispered. © The detective saw a slim, graceful fel- low, with black hair and eyes, and one of those clinging black beards which make the face of the wearer look pale and re- fined. ‘That,’ said Boyd, as the man passed out of the room, ‘‘is Ashley Sheldor, a reputed millionaire, of the fellow ?”’ Nick looked puzzled for a momet.c. “T don’t know what to think,’’ lie finally said. ‘The chap seems to have impressed _ you in some way,’’ said Boyd, ‘Yes,’ was the reply, ‘‘I have seen him before somewhere, and under entire- ly different circumstances.” “You may have him on your list, ” said Boyd, with a light laugh. “T shouldn’t wonder,”’ soberly. ‘‘Well,’? said Boyd, ‘I believe the fel- low to be a fraud—a millionaire fraud, it may be, but still a fraud.”’ ‘“Tel] me about him.’’ said Nick, ‘‘He owns a handsome residence up ~ there in the vicinity of my plant, and he has it wired so that nearly everything about the house can be done by the use Oh electricity.” “That ought to make the fellow very dear to your heart,’’ laughed the detec- tive, **T¢ does make him dear to ae was. the reply, ‘‘but not in the way you mean,’’ Nick looked inystified. ‘As I said before,” continued Boyd, = What do you think —
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6 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “‘he uses a great deal of power, but he does not get it from us.’? “Prom a rival, eh?” ‘*We have no rival.’? “Well, then——”’ ‘‘He claims to make it himself.’’ “There are many private electric plants, you know,’’ suggested Nick. ‘*Ves,’’? was the reply, ‘‘but Sheldon never manufactures all the power he uses in the little shanty he claims to use for that purpose.’”’ “Vou think he steals it from you???’ Veg)? , -“Can’t you find out?” “Tt isa hard thing todo. Our wires may have been tapped at some distance from his house.’’ “T should,,try, Nick. “There is another thing about the fel- low,’’ resumed Boyd. ‘‘He says he has invented a new process which will reduce the cost of electricity at least one-half, and this in the face of the fact that he knows nothing whatever about tle science of electricity.’’ The detective smiled, silent. “\T believe he is making money out of the claim, too,’’ continued Boyd, ‘for I know of several capitalists he has asked to invest money in his discovery.’? (AW I? y Boyd looked up in surprise. ‘Does that give you an idea?” he asked. \ ; <\Goron.” “There is nothing more to say, except to express the belief that the fellow is an all-around fraud.”’ “J begin to share your belief,’? said Nick..-: Bovd sprang to his feet. ‘(Suppose you investigate the fellow,”’ at all events,’’ said but remained Thecsaid. [he detective hesitated. ““} came here to see the fair,’’ he said, “and I really a t like to get back into harness again. “It seems to imeé,’’ said eee “that you might peste the electrical fraud in a very short time.’ Nick arose and took his friend by the arin. ‘‘Tet us move around,’ he said. ‘‘We may see more of him. What did you call his name?”? ‘‘Sheldon—Ashley Sheldon.” ‘TY have an idea that I ought to know the fellow,’? said Nick, ‘‘but I can’t place him.’ The two men wandered about the club house for some time before meats the object of their search. When they did find him he was en- gaged in conversation with a young gen- tleman whom Nick Carter recognized as Fred S. Chapin, of New York. The detective thought Sheldon looked worried, but as he watched him he saw that he brightened up wonderfully. “All right,’? they heard him say. ‘I'll see about the investment in the morn- ing.” See ““But,’? said the young man, “‘I must _ have twenty thousand in the forenoon. Don’t forget that.” Sheldon smiled, bowed, and passed on. ‘*T wonder,’’ whispered Nick, “if that is the fellow who handles the Chicago end of the Chapin estate? I hope not, for the sake of the young heirs.”’ Boyd laughed. a ‘‘You begin ‘to suspect him, do you?’ he asked. aS Vina: ” ‘““Then perhaps you'd better work up the electric case. The company will come down handsomely if you catch him, and then your trip to the big fair mal ager: you nothing.”’ ““P]] think it over,’’ replied Nick. Young Chapin, who knew Nick in New York asa business man, but not as a de- tective, now stepped up. |
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. — 7 *‘T am pleased to meet you,’’ he said, taking Nick’s hand. i “‘Looking over the fair?’’ asked Nick. **No,’? was the reply. ‘‘Came here on business. ’? “JT think I know the gentleman you were talking with,’’ said Nick. “Sheldon ?”? asked Chapin. ‘Oh, ev- erybody knows him. He has the handling of a good deal of money for Eastern peo- ple. o)] ““ Yours ‘neluded ?”? asked Nick. “Ves. He’s a good fellow, and all “ right.”” “Good financier, eh ?’’ “‘First class, He got in eighty thousand dollars for us to-day, and to-inorrow most of it goes out again at eight per cent.” Nick moved away and joined his friend again. _ They, seated themselves in a quiet little alcove, and looked out on the crowded roo beyond. Presently the voices of ‘oe inen en- gaged in earuest conversation attracted their attention. “Did you see Sheldon?”’ one of them asked. (Ves? ““He was looking for you early in the evening.”’ ‘Ves; lie wants more money.’’ ‘“More money? Why I thought he/had money to loan,’’ said the other, ‘“Well,’’? was the reply, ‘She wants fifty thousand dollars for a few days.”? “Are you going to let him have it?” “TI guess so. His securities.are all right.” “What are they?” ‘Mortgages, principally.” “His own?” “They apBeBE to be. At least, they are in his name. The two men moved away, and Boyd turned to his companion with a smile. “We are hearing lots about Sheldon to- mags ”” he said. : ‘€Ves,’’ replied Nick, “he took in eighty thousand to-day for the Chapin estate, and still wants to borrow money to-morrow. ‘‘Well,’? added Nick, ‘‘I mean to look the fellow up, beginning on the electrical business. ’? ‘Glad of it, old man. I should like to see Sheldon run to earth. He has been carrying things with a high hand lately.”’ Nick and his friend soon proceeded to the large dining hall, where the members of the club-were being aniused by the performances of a number of Kast Indians from the village in the midway plaisance. Presently a tall, weird-looking fellow, who had been producing immense quan- tities of ftuits.and reptiles from his flow- ing sleeves, turned to a companion and began to make passes before his face. In a moment the fellow was completely hy piotized, ' Before being restored to his normal condition, he was made to do all sorts of strange things. ““Pshaw!’? said a gentleman, sequtae close to the detective’s side, ‘‘we havea meniber here who can do that in far bet- ter shape.” ‘“Who is it???’ asked Boyd. **Sheldon.”?’ The man’s remarks had attracted at- tention in the little circle, and Sheldon was loudly called for. That gentleman finally appeared with _ anything but a pleased Jook on his face. “Come, Sheldon,’’ said the man who had first mentioned his name in connec- tion with hypnotism, “I have been tell- ing our friends here that you can discount _ these East Indians at their own games. Don’t make me out to be a liar.”’ SoVEsa? sponte others, ‘‘let us see what you can do.’ Sheldon flushed painfully, but declined a to make any experiments. 2 “T can ey do my little tricks under Dee
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8 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. the imost favorable. circumstances,’’ he said. ‘‘T would not-dare try thei here.”’ “Try, try,’’? shouted the members of the club. ~ Sheldon glanced around the room. “Tl don’t see a favorable subject,’’ he said. One of the men pushed -young Chapin to the froit. “Try Fred,’’ he said. ‘‘He ought to be easy to hypnotize.”’ “Yes,’’ said Chapin, “try me,” with a laugh, Then, watching the face of the at- torney, Nick saw a strange look creep over it. The eyes brightened and flushed. z The attorney’s face was the face of a man suddenly possessed of a daring idea. Nick called Boyd to one side. “Stop it if you can,’’ he whispered. ‘It is not best for Chapin to come under that man’s influence. ’? “What do you mean ??’ the face “Remember,’’ whispered Nick, ‘‘that voung Chapin is here to transact import- ant business with Sheldon,’’ Boyd stepped into the little circle, but he was too late. Already the stronger mind was acting upon tte weaker. After a few quick passes, Chapin sank down into a chair, completely overcoine. At the suggestion of the ‘members of the club, who seemed to enjoy the affair hugely, Sheldon caused the unconscious ‘young inan to do many strange and coin- ical things, and then he was released from control. “JT never knew a thing about it,’’ he said, with a laugh, when told what had taken place. | Sheldon sow seemed to want to: keep continually in the young mat’s company. “Sheldon is playing a desperate game of some kind,’’ said Nick, a few moments later, as the lawyer and young Chapin started away together, ‘*Suppose we follow them ?’’ said Boyd. “‘T was about to suggest the same thing,’’? said Nick, ‘‘but I don’t see how you can be of much use-as a shadow.”? **You think I will be in the way?’ - “Frankly, yes.’? ‘*Then,’’ replied Boyd, good-naturedly, “TIT go to the. hotel, and you show up in the morning and report progress. ’’ Nick agreed to this, and soon hastened ‘away after the attorney aud the young mau from New York. Fe Sheldon had a carriage in waiting, and they were soon on the way to his magnifi- ceut home in a northern suburb of Chi- cago. Nick, who had secured the street and number of the attorney’s residence from Boyd, hired a hack and drove rapidly in the same direction, taking, however, a different street, ae. The distance was not. great, and in little nore than half an hour Nick saw the house he was looking for. It was brilliantly lighted from basement to attic. : As the hack drew near the place the detective saw the light of the attorney’s. catriage approaching in another direction. Before long the velicles- crossed each other, and Nick saw that the young man from New York was still engaged in earn- est conversation with Sheldon. While in the hack, Nick had made an entire change in his appearance, and when he dismissed the vehicle and walked © carelessly down the street toward tiie Sheldon residence, no one would have recognized him as the elegantly dressed gentleman who had spent the evening at the club. : He was now a very plainly dressed — mechanic, with oiley, bushy black hair and a scragely black beard. : The detective never traveled withont at least one complete disguise with him. 2, eee Ste Be
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 9 This, in a great measure, accounted for his wonderful success. It was after imidnight, and there was no moon, but the sky was clear and the stars gave a dim light. Selecting a suitable place, where he would be free from observation, the de- tective settled down to watch the house. “Chapin will undoubtedly remain with his seeming friend all night,’ he thought, ‘‘but I may get some idea what they are up to by waiting.’” ‘ Presently the lights in the house began to die out, and before long the one in the front parlor was the only one in siglit, except those in the servants’ room above. The shades were not drawn, and Nick could see the two men sitting by a table. In a moment Sheldon drew a long leather pocket-book froin his coat and be- gan counting out money! “Surely he is not going to pay him money at this time of night, »” thought the detective. But that is just what Sheldon was doing. Before long the men arose, and Chapin . pocketed a large roll of bank notes. Then le moved toward the door. : Sheldon called him back for a moment, and then an aged man, who looked like a coachman, entered the room and wrote something on a narrow slip of paper that was lying on the table. “He is witnessing a receipt,’’ thought Nick. This was exactly what was taking place. Sheldon had paid Chapin the sum of twenty thousand dollars, and had taken a witnessed receipt for it. Then Nick. began to understand what was being done. He crept out to the street, and secreted himself behind a clump of evergreens which grew between the walk and ie CRTDat Refore long the door was opened, and v the two men walked toward the little suburban failway station, uot far away. “Tf you must go to-night,’’ Sheldon was saying, ‘‘you will have but a short time to wait for the train. It always stops lieeeer: ‘There is nothing to detain me,’’ re- plied-Chapin, ‘Snow that I have received the money I came after. By going to the city now I can get off on an early train.” The men parted on the next corner, or, rather, seemed to part, for Sheldon fol- lowed stealthily along after his client. Nick saw him making rapid passes. In a moment Chapin paused and drew his hand across his forehead. Then, as if moved by some uncontroll- able impulse, he wheeled about and start-_ ed toward the Sheldon louse. Sheldon himself darted passed inside. As Chapin passed the detective, Nick saw that his eyes were closed, and that he made his way along the smooth street like one walking in sleep. f “He is under Sheldon’s asnenes thought Nick, ‘‘and will be made to re- turn the money without taking up the re- ceipt.”’ : Nick knew that hypnotism ed fre- quently been used as a means of perpe- — trating crime, and he had no doubt that Sheldon was using his infltience over Chapin torob him. — “Gabrielle Bompard,” thought the de- tective, ‘murdered Gouffe in Paris while acting under the direction of Eyraud, and, in California, Livernash nearly mur- dered Ethridge while acting under hyp- notice influence which was self-imposed.”’ When Chapin reached the front door of the house the lights in the parlor were extinguished. Sheldon was no were in sight. ; Chapin paused a moment at the steps — leading to the porch, and Nick crept for- ward to his side. jee The detective’s position was between : away and
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10 .. the house and the hypnotized man, and he was not in sight from the open door- way, as was Chapin. He could hear a shuffling of feet in the dark hallway, and knew that Sheldon was there watching his victim. Just then the sound of wheels “vas heard, and the hall door was softly closed. Chapin groped around a moment, and then reached forward in the direction of the open newspaper box fastened under the shelter of the porch. Nick saw that he had a roll of bank notes in his hand. ‘CHAPTER III. A TIPSY VISITOR. “Tf he drops those bank notes in that box,’’ thought the detective, ‘fit will be a long time before Mr. Ashley Sheldon gets his hands on them.’’ {ua moment Chapin’s hand reached the box. Nick heard him feeling around fora moment, and then saw him turn away. The passing vehicle was now directly in front of the house, and the door re- mained closed. Nick reached his hand in the box and drew out the money. Then he darted away toward the corner of the building in his rear, and gained the - shelter of a bunch of evergreens. - In another moment he was in street. In the ineaitime Chapin had proceeded down the walk, and was staggering across the street. Nick hastened to his side, caught him by the arm, and drew him away toward the spot where he had left his hack. At that instant the door opened, and a faint shaft of light crept out on the porch. Then Sheldon made his appearance. Nick saw him reach his hand toward the box. A moment later he drew back with an exclamation of surprise and rage. the NICK CARTER WHEKLY. find the money the detective, with a ““He expected to there,’’ thought sniile, ; Sheidon darted toward the street, and Chapin tried to draw away from the side of the detective. He was still under the influence of the attorney. Nick grasped him firmly by the throat, and held hiny back by inain strength. Sheldon stood there for an instant in the dim shaft of light, waving his hands as Nick had seen him wave them in the street and at the club house. Chapin inade a faint effort to get away, but did not succeed. He struggled for an instant in the strong grasp of the detective, and then becaine a dead weight in his arms. ‘He had fainted. Nick heard Sheldon searching along the street. “(He wonders why he did not find the money in the box,’’? thought the detec- tive, ‘‘and is likely to continue his search for Chapin for a long time.’’ Taking the unconscious man in his ~ arms, Nick proceeded down the street at - a swift pace. : Chapin was little more than a child in his arms. Stopping now and then, to make sure that he was not followed, Nick hastened to the hack and deposited his burden on the seat. Caer ‘“‘Raith,’? said the driver, ‘it’s quare things yees pick up in these parts.’ “Are you acquainted up here??? asked Nick. 7 “Only so-so,’’ was the reply. ‘‘I have a customer who lives forninst the corner there.’? ‘‘Whiat’s his name?’’ asked Nick. **Sheldon.”” ie pat him well,’’ said Nick. fellow.’ “Ips ai cay boy he is,’’? replied the hackman. ‘‘Many’s the time I've brought ‘Nice ”
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. him home wid the sun risin’ out of the lake.’?’ “*He’s rich, and can afford to go to bed when he likes,’’ said Nick. ‘Rich, is it??? demanded the hackman. “Raith, thin, he’d better be afther payin’ me little bill.”’ “How much does he owe you?’’ asked Nick. ‘“Tin dollars.”’ ‘Do you ever expect to get it?’’ asked the detective. “Sure an I’ll take five for it,’? was the reply. ‘‘He’s owed me many aday.” The detective saw a chance to make a point. “"See here,’’ he said, “Pll pay you the ten dollars if you'll take me to the place where you pick him up when he’s out niglits.’ = . ' “Din -yer man, mister.’ ‘(But first,’’? said Nick, “‘I want you to reniain here and take good care of this man while I look around a little.” “What's the ‘matter wid him?’’ asked the hackman. ‘ “(He was taken sick a little while ago,”’ was the reply. The hackman grunted suspiciously, but made no reply. “Tf he wakes up and wants to go away,’’ continued Nick, ‘‘you hang to him. He is not-responsible for' what he does to-night.” The hackman looked as if he thought the detective was another manu who did not know what he was about. He pocketed the ten-doliar note, how. ever, and did not say what he thought. “Now, don’t get tired aud go away,”’ conciuded Nick; ‘‘the lounger you stay here the more pay you’ll get.” The hackman nodded, and Nick walked awav in the direction of Sheldon’s tesi- dence. “Tl may as well find out what I can about the place, now that I am up here,’’ he thought. \ When he got back to the vicinity of the house the door was still open. Sheldon was yet out searching for his victim. All was quiet in the hallway, and, after a inoment’s deliberation, the detec- tive stepped softly inside. The hall and the parlors opening from it were elegantly furnished, and many ~ handsome and costly works of art were scattered about. : Nick stepped into the back parlor, and looked about for a place of concealment. As he did so, a heavy step sounded out- side, and then a sturdy form sae in the doorway. — “Mr, Sheldon !’’ Nick concealed himself behind heavy portiere, and waited. It was evident that one of the pach had heard him enter. ‘“‘Mighty strange doings,’’ muttered the fellow, after a moment, tle front door open, and no oue in the front of the house.”” the Presently quick footsteps were heard on the walk leading to the street, and then Sheldon’s voice was heard. “Who's there?’ he asked. ‘‘Andy, sir,’? was the reply. ‘‘Have you been here ever since J went — out?’ was the next question. The serving man unhesitatingly replied in the affirmative. He thought more of his situation than he did of the truth, “Very well,’’ said Sheldon. ‘You may ‘lock up the house and go to your roonr,”? The servant went away, and Sheldon threw himself into a chair and took a bundle of papers into his hand. “Ryverything works against me,’’ he muttered. ‘‘I thought I was sure of that fellow. should have had the money in my hands at this smoment.”’ Nick, es like a statue Sctind ag eae Only for that cursed team, I~ a
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£2 portiere, smiled as he felt the roll of bank notes in his awn pocket. The detective had been very successful so far, but he now found himself in an uncomfortable position. He was not ten feet away from the at- torney, and could not move without at- ttacting his attention. . Sheldon worked away at his papers, and Nick stood impatiently in his hiding- place for at least an hour. Then there came a light tap on one of the front windows. Sheldon started, and bent his head for- ward in a listening attitude, The noise was repeated, and the at- torney went to ‘he front door and opened it a trifle. “What is it??? Nick heard him ask. The reply was too faint to be heard from the hiding-plaec of the detective. In a moment the door was opened about half way, and the man outside stepped into the hall. “What do you want?’’ demanded Shel- . don. ‘tAs I said before,’’ replied the new- comer, ‘‘I come from Mosely.’’ Nick saw the attorney start, but he soon recovered himself-and led the way into the front parlor. “This is a strange time for Mosely to send any one to me,’’ he said. ‘Why didn’t he come himself?” ‘tT don’t know, sir.’? The newcomer was well dressed, but his manuer was coarse and disrespectful. ‘He looked and acted like a man who had been drinking heavily. “Tell. me what Mosely said,’’ said Sheldon, with a strange quiver in his voice. ‘He said he got full and lost the papers you gave him.’ Sheldon sprang to his feet and paced up and down the floor, once or twice coming within a foot = the hidden de- ae tective., e NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘‘My God,’’ he exclaimed. “It ‘don’t seem possible.’’ The messenger lolled back contentedly in his luxurious chair and gazed critical- ly about the room {‘What else did he say?’’ demanded Sheldon. lee! said you was to come to him at once.’ ‘Did he tell you what the papete were??? : . ‘No; but I found out.’’’ “How? “He got broke gambling, and tried to shove one of them.” | Sheldon’s face was a picture of misery and rage. ‘““The miserable fool, he almost shout- ed. aus shall pay dearly for his careless- ‘ness.’ The bearer of the unwelcome news looked the attorney impudently in the ‘face. “*T guess he?ll come out all ‘hina. he said. “What do you mean ??’. “YT mean that I know what he was go- ing to do with the drafts.”’ “Well???” ‘‘T know all about the scheme.” Sheldon laughed hoarsely. ; “J don’t care what you know,”’ he said. “Mosely has probably been telling a lot of lies to shield himself.’’ “T guess not.’’ “Where did you leave him?’’ “At the C. O. D. club.” ““T’ll go there at once.’’ ‘‘And have him arrested, I suppose, ”! sneered the fellow. ‘“‘What’s that to you?” demanded Shel- don. ¢ The messenger braced hintself up after the fashion of drunken men. “Ym goin’ to stand by him,’ he ‘ick “That’s very kind of you,’’ said Shel- _ don, ‘‘and, in the méantime, you will iss endty: eet. out of a Sede ae we
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-* + Ars ‘ eee”. a NICK CARTER WEEKLY. | The fellow sprang to his feet with an oath. ‘You'll pay ii this,’ he shouted. “}] anake you sweat for those words. The whole story shall be told in the pa- pets to-morrow.”’ “You are drunk,’’ said Sheldon. out.’? "Ves, I'l] get out,’’ said the other, ‘but there’ll be some nice reading in thie “Get papers to-morrow. Men don’t send fellers ° like Jim Mosely away with eighty thou- sand dollars’ worth of New York drafts for nothing. Oh, you’re a great schemer.” “Tll have you in prison if you say a word of what Mosely has been telling in his drunken moments,’’ said Sheldon. ‘‘T an not afraid of you, but I don’t care to have my name mentioned in. connection with the ravings of a drunken man.”’ ‘*Your name won’t protect you,’’ shout. ed the other. ‘‘You and Mosely tried to rob the banks of eighty thousand dollars.’’ **You lie!’ The messenger sprang upon the at- torney. They fought like tigers for a moment, and then Sheldon reached the bell rope aud pulled it. In a moment hurrying footsteps were heard in the hall, and then the door swung open. ‘Ihe servant who had heen sent to his room a short time before, stepped inside and struck the messenger a terrible blow: with his fist, The fellow staggered back, caught hold of the portiere to save himself from fall- ing, and finally went down, tearing the heavy fabric from the rings above as he did so. The detective stead revea.ed in bright light of the room. Sheldon started back with an oath. The messenger was too badly injured by the blow and the fall to rise to his feet. ~The servant sprang toward the detec- tive. the 13 “Down with him,’’ roared the attorney. “He caiiie here to rob me.” As the fellow sprang forward, Nick struck at him, but his foot became en- tangled in the folds of the portiere, and the man was upon him before he could dodge out of tiie way of his bull-like rush. As they grappled, the servant gave Nick a blow which would *have settled the contest right there had it been delivered with as much judgment as violence. The detective knew that a blow at such close quarters would not do much towards relieving him of the fellow, so he grasped him by the throat and tried to shut off his wind, But the fellow’s throat was iron-hard and muscular, and even the strong fingers of the detective made but little impression upon it. Sheldon had selected a fighter in pick- ing out a servant. The two men twisted, wriggled, and bumped from side to side, while the at- torney stood helplessly by. He had no doubt that his mam would win in the end, At last Nick twined his foot about his opponent's leg and threw him. He fell heavily, striking his head hard against the corner of the doorway. . Nick went down with him, still cling- ing to his muscular throat, They rolled about, each endeavoring to keep upperniost. Finally, by a lucky accident, the serv- ant got on top and placed his ines on. His deteetive’s breast. “Now will you give in?’ he demanded. “Kill him!’ shouted Sheldon. While the fellow waited fot lis auswer, Nick got his fist free and struck his an- tagonist under the chin. His teeth came together with a click like the snap of a rifle trigger, and it was plain that his neck was nearly dislocated. Then the detetive gavea sudden pees: = aud threw the fellow co ee
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14 A moment later they were both on their feet. . Then Sheldon began to see that it was necessaty for him to be moving. He rushed to the hall door and shouted at the top of his voice. “Help! help!’ he cried. robbers in the house. ’’ A noise was heard upstairs, and Shel- don turned to his i cae ““Hold him,’’ he said; ‘ plenty of help soon.’’ “There are ‘you will have The messenger, who up to this tim® lad remaifed quiet, his feét and reached for a weapon. ‘You insulted me a monient ago,’’ he said, scowling at Sheldon, ‘‘but I don’t mind helping you out.”’ Things began to for the detective. He could not afford to be taken captive there and dragged before a police justice in the morning. arose toa lock There was no doubt that he would come out all right, in case he chose to reveal his identity, but he did not want to do that. Such a course would destroy all hope of detecting the millionaire fraud. Beside the electric business, on which he had started. in, he now had. the New York drafts to look up, and Chapin’s in- “terest to protect. : By starting in on a comparatively in- significant case,-in order to please a friend, Nick had got entangled in a case which promised to be a most important one. ‘ He preferred to pose as a burglar for the time being, and make his sos from the house if possible. He backed away toward the front door. : As he did: so the door opened softly, and the head of the hackman was thrust inside. . Suspicious of the character of his em- ployer, the fellow liad followed Nick to . ’ NM 2 Tes NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 3 : ate decidedly blue. } the house, and had been waiting outside all the time. It will be remembered that the eG tive had entered the hack asa fashionably “dressed young man, with a smooth face, and had alighted as a mechanic with a heavy beard. This, of course, had excited the suspi« cious of the hackman. Then the detective had appeared a short time after leaving the hack with an un- cousciots man in his arms. ze The hackman was sure he had caught a burglar. - As he opened the door he séized Nick by the shoulder. “Cone wid ime,’ he said. Nick saw that it was useless to talk to the fellow. Quick as a flash he whirled and struck out with his right, landing the fellow on his head in the porch. The servants, headed by Sheldon, now spiaug forward, but the door was open, and Nick bonded out. “After him,’’ shoyted Sheldon. “A hundred dollars to the man who brings him back.” But Nick was too quick on his feet for the slow-moving servants, and in a mo- ment he was out of sight in the darkness. He made his way toward the hack. He wanted to get Chapin out of the reach of the attorney. But the hack was not where he had left it. i: The suspicious driver had moved it to another place before following the detec- tive to Sheldon’s louse. CHAPTER IV. MOSELY AND THE DRAFTS. It was after midnight, and the officer in charge of the night detective detail at the city hall sat in his room wondering - i whether it wasn’t about time to ae to bed.
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. As he lit his fifth cigar the door of his apartment opened, and the night clerk made his appearatice. ‘‘Man out here asking for you,” he said. ‘*Shall I send him in?” “Who is it?” ‘*Some mossback.’’ “What does he want ??” ‘Some robbery case. I suppose some of the boys have been doing him. He iooks green enough for anything.” The officer was tired of doing nothing, ‘and he told the clerk to admit the fellow. The next moment a sprightly old man, with long white hair and whiskers, and tinted spectacles, entered the room. The officer pointed to a chair. “Well, uncle,’’ he said, ‘‘what can I do for you?” The visitor tossed a card on the table, took a cigar from the box in front of the officer, and sat down. The officer sprang to his feet. *‘Nick Carter!’’ he exclaimed. brings you here?”’ “Business, ’? replied the detective. **T didu’t know you were in the city.’’ “Came in yesterday,’? was the reply, ‘tand got into a terrible muss the first thing.’’ Another murder case !”’ ‘‘Not so bad as that,’’ replied Nick. - “Tam after one of your first citizens.’’ The officer laughed. “‘T hope you’ll get him,’’ he said. “Has anything peculiar in the shape of robbery been reported to-night??? asked Nick. : “*No, nothing peculiar in any shape,”’ was the reply. Nick gave a sigh of relief. “Then Iam in time,’’ he said. “What is it?’ “Unless I am very much mistaken in my man,’ was the reply, ‘‘you will hear the story at first hand before long.” © Just then the outer door opened again. ‘*Another visitor,’’ said the clerk. “What ’ The officer was about to decline an in- terview, but. Nick motioned to him — to do so. “Tet him come in,”’ he said. “Present me as one of your men, and, unless I tell you differently, put me on the case.”’ **You’re a queer fellow,’’ laughed the officer, ‘‘but I suppose you must have your own way.”’ **T think,’’ said Nick, ‘‘that.the man in the other room is the man I am look- ing for.”’ The officer inotioned to the clerk to ad- mit the visitor. | Ina moment Mr. Ashley Sheldon en- tered the room. Nick signaled to the officer that the man was tle one he had been expecting. *Can I see the chief?’’ asked Sheldon. ““The chief isin bed,’’ was the reply. “What can I do for you?’’ ‘“‘T have a peculiar case to report,”’ said Sheldon, glancing uneasily at the seem- ing old man. ‘*Never inind Mr. officer. “‘If you have a case, he may have to work it, so don’t be annoyed if he asks questions. It is a way he has.” Nick thanked the officer with a smile, and drew his chair nearer to the table. “This afternoon,’’ began Sheldon, ‘I purchased New York drafts to the amount of eighty thousand dollars.”’ “Quite a large amount,’* said Nick. Sheldon glanced sharele at the detec- tive and went on. ‘These drafts I gave to James Mosely, with instructions to proceed to Michigan immediately, and negotiate for the pur- chase of certain lots of pine land.”’ “Was that judicious?” Sheldon turned ee: toward the | detective. ““What,do you mean?” he Senicated. “Was it judicious to entrust him with the drafts before the bargain was comes pleted ?’’ replied Nick. “I cant tell the story if I am to be in- Sweet,”’ said the - 15
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16 terrupted,’’ said Sheldon. ‘Besides; noth- ing has been said tending to show that the bargain was not completed.”’ ‘“Was it completed ?’’ insisted Nick. “Hardly; but then, you kiow, pine land must occasionally be bought on the jump.”’ The detective glanced significantly to- ward the officer. “Go on,’’ he said. **Well, Mosely is a clever fellow, but he drinks. Once a year or so he gets on a spree, which lasts several days.’’ *‘T have heard of such cases,’’ said the officer, with a smile. “Instead of proceeding to Michigan, it seems Mosely proceeded toa club house known as the C. O. D., and got drunk.” “How much money did he have,’’ asked Nick. “One hundred dollars and the drafts.’’ ‘“Were the drafts indorsed ?”’ “Certainly not, but he had authority to - indorse thei in my name.’’ Again Nick glanced at the officer. “Well, he got drunk. Go on.” “Yes, he got drunk and went to gam- bling.” ‘And lost the drafts ?’’ asked the officer. "Yes, he lost them. I don’t know whether he lost them in a game, or whether they were stolen from him,’? “Well???” ; ‘He sent word to my house that he had lost them, and I am now on my way to find him. ot an officer.’ “*Very well,’’ said the officer. may take Mr. Sweet.’’ Sheldon looked annoyed. “Wouldn’t it be well,’’ he said, send a younger man?’ - He had evidently taken a great dislike re the alleged Mr. Sweet. “TY have no other man handy,’? replied I should like the assistance “Vou Slto _ the officer. Sheldon arose to his feet. “That is a good reason for seating NICK CARTER WEEKLY. hini,’’? he said. ‘*Are you ready?’ he added, looking toward Nick. { “I shall be ready,’’ was the reply, ‘‘a soon as 1. oe in private with my ae i perior officer.’ Sheldon left the room and Nick closed the door. ‘So that is. your man ?”? asked the aia cer. ; “Yes. I knew about the affair before I came here, but wanted an excuse to be with him.’? “Where did you learn of the affair?’’ *“At Sheldon’s house.’ “You know him, then?” ‘*Certainly.’’ ‘*What is there of it??? ‘I guess the drafts have disappeared, but I think there is a scheme back of it ally? ‘“What sort of a scheme ?’’ “A scheme to beat some bank.”’ ‘Vou surprise me. Why, Ashley Shel-. don is worth a million.” ‘So I hear,’’? was the cool reply, ‘‘but you will hear more about him during the next few days.’ “Do you want any help on the case?’ “No. I think I can work it best _ aloue.’’ 5 ‘It seenis to be a very important mat- ter, Mr. Carter,’’ urged the officer. ‘‘Well,”? said Nick, ‘I have worked _ important cases before. The fact is, I am not satisfied in my own mind about this affair.”’ “then you’d better have help.’ ‘“‘Not at present. It is charged that the — man Mosely was in a conspiracy with — Sheldon to beat some bank, as I said be- fore. Now, I can’t say whether there is anything to the charge or not.” 3 “But how was the scheme to be ~ worked ?”’ . . pe ‘It could be worked in only one way— by having some one cash the drafts, claim larceny, and make the paying bank lose the money.” in fags :
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. eel }* The officer made a hasty note and looked at the detective keeuly. “So youthink the drafts have not been stolen ?”’ he said. **Oh, yes, they have been stolen, That is, unless they were cashed yesterday af- ternoou, and I don’t think they were.’’ “Well, let me know if you want- any help,’’ said tlie officer. ‘It may be,’’ said Nick, ‘‘that some of your officers will run upon the drafts. In that case, do not give them to Sheldon. I know aman wlio ought to have them, as they were doubtless bought with money paid in for his benefit.” ‘*The plot deepens, ’’ laughed the officer. ‘‘Well, keep me posted.’” — ou: Nick turned away and accompanied Sheldon to the street. : The two men entered a hack and turned south. In a short time they were at the C. O. D. club. It was situated in a fine building on State street, and the lighted windows showed that business was still in full blast. The place, although run in the name of a club, was little better than a first- class gambling house. It was open day and night, and drinks were always to be had. Sheldon entered the steward’s office and asked for Mosely. He seenied to be well kuown er for . _allthe attendants bowed respectfully to him. “Mosely is in one of the back rooms,”’ said the ts “He has been asking for you. ‘‘Where’s Hendershaw ?’’ asked the at- torney. ‘(He's in the uext rooim,’’ was the re- ply, ‘“‘and he wants to see you before you go to Mosely.’’ ~ Sheldon turned away. When he reached the door he noticed ” 17 that the seeming old man was close be- hind him. “T want to talk with the manager of the club in private,’? he said, with a frown. ‘““That’s just what I don’t want you to do.”’ Sheldon started back. ‘*Vou are iinpertinent,’’ he said. ‘‘You must remember that I am not under sur- veillance.”’ ‘*How do you know what my instruc- tions are ?’’ asked Nick. He saw that he would have to make a strong bluff in order to seroayles his purpose, Sheldon looked both frightened and an- noyed. **T shall report you to the chief in the moruing,’’ he said. “T can’t help that,’? was the reply. ‘tT must obey orders. I am not here to watch you, but to hear everything that is — said about the robbery.” Sheldon laoked relieved. “Very well,”’ he said. ‘‘With that ex- planation, you may hear what he says.” The attorney opened the door, and both men stepped iuto a brilliantly lighted room. Hendershaw, the manager of the club, sat at a table counting a pile of silver. ‘*Good- ~evening, Mr. Sheldon,’’ he said, rising. “What has been going on here to- night?’’ demanded the attorney, in an angry tone. = The manager looked inquiringly. at the | seeming old mau. ‘‘He’s all right,’’ said Sheldon. ‘‘You need uot fear to talk out before him.” — “Friend of yours?” Sheldon hesitated. ‘‘One of my attorneys,’ he finally said. Hendersliaw seemed satisfied. ‘‘T suppose you came to see. about the | Mosely matter,’’ he said. “Ves, Whiat is there of it?” 7
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18 “Well,” said Hendershaw, “the fellow was robbed here.?’ “Was he drunk?’ “Ves ;-very drunk.” “Did he play cards?” ie Yes. ” ‘*How did he lose the papers?” “He was imprudent. He lost money playing, and tried to put up one of the drafts for more money.”? ‘**Did he succeed ?”” “No.” Then Nick struck in. “Were the drafts indorsed?’ he asked, Sheldon leaned forward) eagerly. The detective thought he was trying to tell the manager what answer ‘to make. “They were not,’? he replied. ‘*Are you sute?’’ asked Sheldon. - “*Ves; Iain positive.”’ The attorney looked relieved. “That helps me out,’ he said, ‘‘for the fellow had authority to indorse them with my naime.’’ “Yes, that helps you out,’’ said Nick, “for the drafts are of no earthly use with- out your name on the back of them. Any one who negotiates them now must com- mit the crime of forgery, and the bank which cashes thein will lose the money.’’ “The man he-was urging to loan him nioney on the papers did not like to do so ‘unless the drafts were indorsed,” said the slowly, '. Manager. Nick saw that the fellow had taken his cue from the attorney. “While Mosely and the other were dis- cussing the matter, a party of young fel- low rushed into the roomy and began tu pull the eg around ina half drunken manner.’ “Ves, ” Nick waited for Sheldon to ask fora description of the men, but he did not do so. . “He doesn’t want me to hear that part of it,’? he thought, ‘‘but I can find out later on.’? NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “When the young men left the rooin the drafts were missed,’ continued Hen- dershaw, ‘‘and in a moment all was con- fusion.” “Did you see the young men again?” “ asked Nick. ‘"No; before I could learn the facts of the case and take a look through the rooms they had disappeared.’” “‘And they were all strangers?’ asked Sheldon. “T thought so,’ mused Nick. “‘Shel- don don’t want to have the young men nained or described.’ “Have you now told all you know about the matter ?”’ asked Sheldon, after Hendershaw had made the desired answer that the three men were all entire stran- gers. ““Yes,’’ was the reply. the rest fron: Mosely.’ Mosely was too drunk to talk much. After trying to get some explanation of -his conduct from the fellow, Sheldon “turned away in seeming done: But the detective caught a gleam of satisfaction in the bold eyes of the at- torney. “You are up to some deep game here,’’ thought Nick, ‘‘and you have sue- ceeded in temporarily puzzling me.” “Vou can learn CHAPTER V. NICK GETS INTO ‘TROUBLE. Nick saw that he could get no more in- formation at the club house. He was satisfied that Sheldon was working a double game, and knew that the case must be won by following him. He was anxious about Chapin, and wanted to know if the scheming attorney had found him in the cab, and if so, what he had done with him, but he could not leave Sheldon long enough to trace him. . “T can’t stay here all night on sucha — case as this,’’ he finally said. “I'll go to / \
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. bed, and you can report at the city hall in the morning.’? — Again a look of satisfaction mented up the face of the attorney. **T ain sorry to lose you,’’ he said, ‘“but perhaps it is just as well that I should continue my talk with this man alone.”’ Nick went down stairs and sought a cheap lodging house not far off. He was out of sight of the entrance to the club rooms but a short time. When he returned to the foot of the stairs he had a perfect fitting suit of clothes ou, and seemed to be very drunk. He looked and acted exactly like a “rounder”? out for a good time. Presently Sheldon came down stairs and started north. Then he turned east to Wabash avenue, and finally entered a building which seemed to be an apartinent house. Nick crept up the stairs after him. Sheldon, stopped at the second floor and tried a door. It was locked, and the transom above revealed no light inside. “Where can the fellow be???’ heard him mutter. come straight here.” “Now,” thought the detective, ‘‘he’s after one of the young men who rushed junto the club room just before the drafts disappeared. “He didn’t want the manager to de- scribe thein, because he wanted to keep me in the dark. “Tt is as plain as day that Sheldon knows where those drafts are. “Still, Iean’t understand his scheme at all. “(Why should he give one man such work to do, and then get another man to take the job off his hands?’ In the meantime Sheldon was kicking and pounding at the door. “The fellow may be playing | ine He - Nick “He ought to have ‘19 - crooked,”? he muttered. ‘I’ haunt on place until I find him.’’ Presently the attorney went down stairs and stood in the entrance hall. “Now,’? thought Nick, ‘‘if he goes away, shall I follow him, or shall I stay here and size up the fellow he is so auxious to meet?’’ After some thought, remain. When Sheldon walked away he crept up stairs again and applied his handy little picklock to the door. It opened easily, and the detective found himself in an ordinary ‘‘furnished rooi.”’ His quick eye took in every detail of the place. A small trunk, locked dead strapped, stood beside the door, and all the hooks and shelves about the little room were empty. : The bed had not been disturbed. “It is plain,’ thought Nick, “that the fellow has just moved in,”’ He looked under the bed and inspect- ed the little closet carefully. ‘““Ves,’? he repeated, ‘“‘he has just moved in. A man packing up to change lodgings would be sure to leave a litter on the floor. There are no discarded artti- cles or bits of paper here, so it is plain’ that he has just taken the room.” A half-consumed imatch lay on the floor not far from the door, and Nick picked it up and examined it. Then he placed his hand on the gas” burner. “Tt is not ten iinutes,’? he thought, *‘since this room was oceupied. Ah!’ This exclamation was caused by the discovery of a bit of paper in the bottom of the otherwise empty slop bucket. It was a piece of an envelope. One corner bore the printed card of Ashley Sheldon. 12 “There was some talk about the drafts Nick decided to » being in an envelope,’’ mused the detec- : 5S =
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20 tive, ‘fand the chances are that this is the one.’ Then a folded paper caught the eyes of the detective, aud he uufolded it. It proved to be the Serald of morning before. A sinall slip had. been cut from one of the pages. the The matter above and below the cut showed that it was a railway time’ table that had been removed. “Tf I only knew the arrangement of the time cards in the Herald of yester- day,’ thowght Nick, ‘‘I could very easily tell which road the occupant of this room intends to favor with his patronage to- day.”’ cs Next the detective exainined-the trunk, but there was uo name or mark of any kind on it. It was a new trunk. “The scheme they are working was well laid, at all events,’’ thought the de- tective. Just then a noise at the door attracted Nick’s attention. A key was insertd in the lock, and the knob was suddenly turned. But the door did not open. ‘There was soinething the matter with the lock. Nick crept up to the door and listened. Presently he heard a voice outside. It_was Sheldon. He was muttering to himself, and ut- tering curses on the door and the. absent occupant of the room. Then Nick heard him spring up and catch on the casing of the door. . He was trying té gain entrance through the transom. Presently a door opened farther down the hall, and a woman’s voice called out: ‘What do vou want ?"’ “T want to get into this room.’? “Tt is not vour room, Go away, or rl € call an officer.”’ Re og: saa * “T wish NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 5 : | “Tam to stay here with my friend ti. night,’’ Sheldon replied. ie | “Your friend came in a little while a and went away again,’’ said the ce oe he would stay away. He only game to-day, but he acts as if he owned. the block.’’ | ‘‘How long ago did asked Sheldon. “About ten minutes. You are the sec- ond one who has made a disturbance in the hall since he went away.’’ “*T was up here once before,’ said Shel- don. ‘*Well, don’t come again.’’ The woman banged the door and went into her room. : Sheldon moved away down the hall. When his footsteps had died out, Nick inserted his picklock agai and turned it. Before he opened the door, however, he turned and made a private mark on the trunk. “If I had time,’? he thought, “I'd search it now, but the fellow imay return, and I'll have to do that at the depot.” When. Nick moved the door, a door be- hind him opened very softly. It was a door connecting with another room located in the front of the building. Nick had observed the door, but had not giving it a second thought. He did not hear it open. The slide was now over his dark lan- tern, and he saw uo one advancing toward him in the darkness. He had no means of knowing that ev- ery movement he had made in the room had been watched. As he moved through the doorway a received a savage blow on the back of the head, and fell to the floor. Bh Sess: with a quick motion, he was _ drawn ieee into the room and the door ‘closed and locked. = The detective tried to spring to ie he go away?’ feet, but his limbs refused to answet his. es will. Borie Pag
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY, _ The man who had dealt the blow now lit the gas and turned toward the pros- trate detective. ““What are you doing here?’’ he de- manded, with an oath. “‘T don’t seem to be doing. much of anything just now,’’ replied Nick, coolly. ‘“What did you come into this room for?’’ ‘“To see what I could find. room??? Before replying, the fellow bent over and tied Nick’s hands and feet in a very workinan-like manner. “*Is this your room ?’’ repeated Nick. “Nios” ‘Whose room is it ?”’ “It belongs to my chum. in.’ Is it your Just moved “(Where is your chum ?’’ ‘Took here,’’ said the fellow, eyeing - Nick suspiciously by the light of the blazing gas flaine, ee ain’t no sneak thief.”’ ‘Thanks,’ replied Nick. ‘(Tf you came here to steal,’’ continued the fellow, ‘‘why didn’t you bust open that trunk ??’ . “Never thought of it.’’ “You're lying to me,’’ said the captor, ‘fand I’ve a good mind to give you one in the neck.”’ “If vou’ll Jet me up,’’ replied: Nick, **you can try that if you want to.’’ Want to fight, eh?’ “Ym not particular,’? replied Nick, wondering how it was that one blow had placed him so completely in the fellow’s power. ‘Vou didn’t tell ine what -you came in here for,’’ said the captor. _‘‘Perhaps I'll let you go if you tell.” “T came in here to see what I could --get,”’ replied the detective. ‘‘I told you that once before.”’ The fellow glanced hastily around the ‘room, ere 21 “You didn’t take anything, did you? yu he asked. ‘No. There was nuthiag to take, only the trunk, and that was too heavy.’’ ‘“Well,'’ said the fellow, slowly, '*I think I’ll go out and get a policeman.’’ “Hurry up,’’ said Nick. The truth was that Nick was in a great hurry for the fellow to act. Once at the police station he would be released at once, and would be at liberty to pursue the clew upon which he was — working. His only fear was that the man would delay until the occupant of the room re- turned. ‘“You don’t seem to be much afraid of the coppers,”’ said the man, bending over Nick with a look of cunning on his face. ““See here,’’ said Nick, ‘‘you have no right to keep me here in this manner. Hither let me-go or call an officer. If you let ine go, I’ll give you ten dollars.’ ‘““That settles it,’’ said the fellow. **Out you go.”’ He began to loosen the cords as he spoke. : ‘For a long time,’’ he said, “‘I’ve heen the only square man in my crowd, and it ain’t a fit.’ Now I’m going crooked. Get Ai cee Nick arose to his feet, but his hands were still tied. ‘Ts the occupant of this room crooked ?”” he asked. ‘Ves, he’s so badly bent that it’s a wonder his head don’t drag on the ground when he walks.” ‘*What does he do that’s crooked ?” ‘Never you mind what he does that’s crooked. I wish some one would come along and give me twenty dollars. for turning you over to the coppers. I ain’t getting money enough out of this.’’ “Hurry,’’ said BuGE ‘and I'll give you twenty dollars.’ ATE right-22 es: wife the fellow tients) at the knots oe
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22 . the sound of footsteps was heard on thie stairs. **T guess that’s Dick coming,’’ said the fellow, pausing in his work te listen. The footsteps ascended the stairs and. advanced up the hall. The detective strained at the cords with which his hands were tied behind his back, but could not break them: ‘Oh, you’re tied fast enough,’’ said the fellow, with a grin. ‘I used to bea ~ sailor.’ “Hurry up,’ said Nick. ‘‘I don’t want to have that man see ine here after my trying to'rob him.” Just then the sound of the footsteps ceased, and then another person was heard ascending the stairs. The fellow stepped to the door and looked out. In a moment he drew his head inside with a jerk and shut the door. Then he turned down the gas. **It ain’t Dick,’ he said. “Who is it?’’ **Some dude that caine here to see him once before. ’’ _ The detective knew what that meant. . The man was Sheldon! The second person was now heard ad- vancing along the hall, and presently voices were heard. aor ‘Where have you been ?’’ - It was Sheldon’s voice. “T have been attending to business,”’ was the reply. “I thought you had gone back on me.”? ‘*No; I had trouble in getting away from the gang.’’ “That is false,’? said Sheldon. ‘You were lrere once before to-night, and went away again.’? “That's tight,” was the reply. ‘‘I left the fellows down staive and ran up for a moment.’ “Did you get the papers?’ **Of course.”’ ‘*Vou did well.”’ x ‘the breast. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “Did you come down town to watch me??? “No; Mosely sent for me.??.- ‘Oh, he did? Well, he was drunk — enough to do anything.’ “‘Come,’’ said Sheldon, ‘‘let’s get in- “ gide and talk the matter over.’ Nick beckoned to his captor to draw nearer. : : “Pll give you a hundred dollars,” he said, ‘if you?ll hide me somewhere with. in sound of their voices,’’ ‘‘T’m increasing in value every mo- ment,’? was the reply. ‘*I guess I'll hold on for a rising market.’’ . Nick struggled at his bonds again. Outside, the men were already at the doer. Nick’s captor turned the yas clear out, and started for his room, keeping his hand in the detective’s collar as he did so, The detective marched aiate readily enough. He was waiting for the ens moinent to come, As the fellow closed his ‘agar the two men in the hall opened their door, — For a single instant the noise blended together. That was the instant Nick had beén | waiting for. “ Quick as lightning he sprang froit the floor. Both of his feet struck his captor in. He fell to the floor like a log. Nick’s first act was to back up against the door and turn the key, which had been left i in the lock. ‘Then he listened. What was that ?’’ asked Sheldon. “The rattling of the door,’’ reply. ‘‘This old barn of a house is not fit to live in, but Pm only here for a ey day.’ a . “But I thought I heard another — sound.”? ee “IT noticed that. Echo, I guess.) The detective was still struggling with was the
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 23 the rope, which held his hands like a Vise. In the dim light shining through the windows he saw a dresser at one side of the room. ‘““There must be matches there,’’ he thought, walking toward it. There were plenty of matches, and the detective seized one in his hand, pushed a chair up to the gas jet and stepped up into the seat. Then, always working behind his back, he struck the match and turned on the gas. Iu order to make the job more secure, the fellow had placed each wrist in a loop, the two loops being connected’by a short piece of rope. This was ong reason why all Nick’s efforts to wrencli his hands apart had failed. Had they been tied in one knot, the enormous strength of the detective might have stretched the rope so that one hand could have been slipped out. The manner in which he had been tied now, however, made the burning of the rope over the gas jet less painful than it would otherwise have been. His wrists were two inches or more apart, and while the flame burned and blistered the flesh. terribly, no very serious injury was done. In a very short time Nick’s hands were free. : His first act was to bandage his wrists so as to protect the burns from thie air. - All this haa occupied but a moment's time. Nick ‘had heard the two men in the next room talking all the time, although during the burning process he had not paid much attention to what they were saying. He now drew a chair to the door, and listened intently. ‘I tell you it’s all right,’’ he heard the mau who had been called Dick say. “The mau will put up the stock for the drafts, and then the other feliow will put up. the cash for the stock.” “How long will all this take?’ asked Sheldon. : “Tt can all be done this forencon.”’ ‘And then you must get out.”’ “T must do nothing of the kind. They know at the club that one of six men got the drafts. If I should light out now they would all say it was I. That’s too thin.” “But you will be recognized here.” “No, I won’t. You ouglit to see the make-up I have when I go down in the country. ’’ ‘‘What time does the train ieave? “Hight o’clock.’’ ‘“Then you ought to be back here long before the bank closes, with the stock.’? ““T guess I can.’? Then the men moved away from the door, and Nick could not hear all that was said. He was certain, however, that he heard the name of Chapin mentioned more than once. As the detective ae at the door listen. ing, the man he had knocked down be« gan moving about uneasily on the floor. He was fast regaining consciousness. Nick stepped back toward him, but he was not quick enough to prevent his — swinging one arm out and knocking over a chair. It fell to the floor with a terrible crash. The next moment Sheldon was stand- ing at the door opening into the hall, while Dick was trying to get in by means of the door connecting the two rooms. ‘“‘What’s up, Nate??? roared the latter. “Nothing. I tipped over a chair.’’ Nick spoke in a disguised voice, but it did not deceive the sharp ears of the man- on the other side of the door. ‘Let me in,’? he said. In the meantime Sheldon was asking for admission at the other door. = Then, to render matters more compli-r
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24. NICK CARTER cated, Nate stagyered to his feet and called out to his friend to break door. _ Nick sprang toward the hall entrance. The key was in the lock on thie inside. ‘*Look out,’’ shouted Nate. ing through the hall door.’ Nick opened the door and sprang ont upon Sheldon. In a second Nate was on striking with all his might. -The detective threw both dashed down stairs. “Who was it??? panted Sheldon. ‘A burglar,’’ replied Nate. ‘‘He was in the next room and I caught him, but he got the best'of me, and has been here ever since.’ “It’s a detective,’’ said Sheldon. must make haste out of this place.’’ **Well,’’ said Dick, ‘‘you will find me at the Northeastern depot.’ in the his back, men off and “We CHAPTER VI. THE PRESIDENT WANTS HIS MONEY. “Wake up, Boyd.’’ It was five o’clock in the morning, and Nick was pounding at the electrician’s ‘ door at the Palmer House. He made so iwnuch noise that the em- ployees of the hotel were gathering in the hall when Boyd’s door opened and the detective stepped inside and threw him- self into a chair. “Vou look tired,’’ said Boyd. . ‘I never get tired when I have a good case,’’ said Nick, ‘‘and this is a-lulu.’? “What have von found out ??’. In afew words Nick explained every- thing that had taken place since parting with Boyd at tle club. “‘You have had a lively time,’’ said Boyd. “And here,” thousand dollars. for me.’? vsaid Nick, ‘is. twenty Put it in the hotel safe ‘*He’s go- ‘Bovd. ‘said Boyd. are ee WEEKLY. “By the way,” said Boyd, ‘what do you think has become of Chapin?” ‘He is undoubtedly all right, although Sheldon may have him where he can use him again as he did last night.”? “Yes, he has no motive for doing frig any harm, except financially,’’ replied ‘“The case is a strange one all the way through, and my poor little electric case seems to have been lost sight of en- tirely. “Tl attend to that,’’ replied Nick, “fas soon as I settle this matter of the drafts. ’? : ‘“‘T don’t see what Sheldon is up to,” “‘!’m completely at sea in re- gard to the drafts,” “T think I have it all figured out, ” said Nick. ‘““Well, tell me about it.” ‘‘First,’’ said Nick, ‘this man Sheldon is hard up.’’ Ves,” ‘““He has eighty thousand dollars be- longing tothe Chapin estate in his posses- sion, and wants to make some ready money out of the act.’’ ‘Of course.”? ‘‘He plans to have the drafts bought with the money cashed by another person at some distant bank, and then make it appear that the drafts were ‘stolen, and his signature forged.” ce Ves. ” ‘‘Well, he does a sharp bit of work. He wants to make a sure thing of it so that he will not be suspected of lying when the statement is made that the drafts were stolen.”’ ‘ ‘SOf course.”’ ‘So he takes Mosely into the 3éheine, sends him out with the drafts, and sends ey another man to rob him of them.” ‘Why should he do that??? . “Because he wanted a noise made about the robbery at the very time it took Blass)
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NICK GARTER WEEKLY. “Yes, I see. Do you think Mosely knew he was going to be robbed ?”’ ‘Certainly not. Sheldon did not let him into that part of the scheme.’? ‘*But it seems to me,’’ said Boyd, ‘‘that the noise made about the robbery would prevent any one cashing them. Sheldon even reported the robbery to the police. ”’ *“Ah,”’ replied Nick, “but Sheldon had a place to put the drafts before they were bought. The intending purchaser lives somewhere out of the city, and will know nothing of the game until he finds out that the drafts are no good.”’ *‘T see. And that is why they are to meet at the Northwestern depot at eight o’clock this morning ??? ‘*Yes, the man called Dick is going out to place the drafts.”’ “7d like the fun of going with them.’? “Well,’’ replied Nick, ‘‘I don’t know but you had better go. I havea little business in the city with Mr. Sheldon.”’ “Vou think he won’t go??’ “T think the fellow is crowded for money, and will have to stay in the city and hustle. Remember-that he was trying to get money of one of the elub meinbers last night.’’ “It was said that he wanted it to-day, wasn’t it?’? ‘Ves, so you see the fellow is in some kind of a pinch.”’ Boyd dressed and took the money down to the office, where it was placed in the vault, and a receipt taken for it. At eight o’clock both Nick and his _friend were at the Northwestern depot, at the corner of Wells and Kinzie streets. Sheldon was nowhere to be seen. Nick did not know the man Dick by sight, and the. chase promised to be a long one. “Tt is evident,’ said Boyd, ‘‘that Shel- don is not going out into the country this morning.?? “It wouldn’ t do for him to go out,” said the detective. ‘‘He would not dare ae & have anything to do with placing the drafts. I had an idea, however, that he would be here to see that his man Dick got away all right.” Nick, disguised as a negro, wandered about the depot until nearly train time without seeing anything of his man. Presently a hack stopped at the Kinzie street entrance, and a young man got out. Then the detective heard Sheldon’s voice, speaking from, the hack. “Get back on the noon train if you cau,’’ he said. “*T think I can do that easily enough.” The voice was that of the man he had heard talking in the room on Wabash av- enue the night before. The detective motioned to Boyd, and walked away. ‘There they are,’’ he said, iia a . qtiiet place had been reached. “‘You think you will net go,’’ asked Boyd. ‘*No, it won’t do for me to leave the city,’? said. Nick, “‘but you will have some one with you.’’ Boyd- looked at his friend in surprise. Nick laughed. “When I left vou a little while ago,’’ he said, ‘‘I went to the city hall’and got a detective. You must not seem to know him until you get away from here.’ “But I don’t know him,’? said Boyd. “He is sizing you up now,’? replied Nick, ‘‘and will make himself known at the proper tinie.”” ; ‘*Aud he will be on hand to make the arrest ?”? “Ves, but don’t tush matters. We want the drafts as well as the men. Under- stand ?”’ “T shall leave it all to him,’? replied Boyd, In a short time. Dick went into the depot, and Sheldon was driven away. Nick recognized the hackiman as the- man with whom he had done business the night before.
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26, He followed the -hack to Sheldon’s office, where the attorney got ot't and passed up stairs. The hackinan did not drive away, and Nick knew that Sheldon would soon ulake his appearance again. While he waited, Mosely, looking very- tougl, went into the building. He had evideutly been out all night, and had been drinking to excess. After a short time Sheldon and Mosely came down stairs and entered the hack. They were driven directly to the offices of the Carrier Creek Lumber and Salt Company. There Sheldon got out, and Nick heard him say to his companion: “Now go to the house, and remain there until you hear from me.’’ The .detective rushed away, made a quick change in costume, and took a car- riage for the Sheldon residence. “Now,’’? he thought, ‘Ill see what I ean dé in the way of solving the electric light mystery.” Then he thought that he might pos- sibly need help there, and ordered his driver to take him to police headquarters. “lf I only iad Chick. here,” ‘he thought, “I wouldn’t have to bother the Chicago officers.’’ In the meantime Sheldon entered the private office of the lumber company and found himself face to face with the presi- dent of the corporation. “Mou are here early, torney, with a smile. “J have been here all night,’’ was the cool reply. “Here all night?” repeated Shatdot turning pale. ‘Ves,’ was the reply, ‘‘I. have been going through the books.”’ ‘Well, what do you find?”’ "Y find that you need more than eighty thousand dollars to’square yourself.” hat is unfortunate,’’ replied Shel- don, coolly. Ni ”” said the at- \ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “Unfortunate? You use a inild word, Mr. Sheldon,’’ said the president, grimly. ‘‘T say unfortunate,’? answered Shel- don, ‘‘because I have just had a great loss which will delay me for some days.’’ ‘““What is the loss?” ‘After I left here yesterday I bought — eighty thousand dollars worth of New York drafts, intending to purchase securi- ties with them.’ . ““Couldn’t you buy the securities with money ??? “Yes, but I did not want to keep the cash in my possession.’ ‘““Well, what became of the drafts oe ¢ ‘*They were solen from my agent ot night.”? “Too thin.” ‘Oh, you will see how thin it is,”’ said Sheldon. ‘‘They were stolen from a club house on State street, and I received word > in the night, The police have been work- ing on the case ever since.’?’ ‘How does all this affect me??? .**You will have to wait for your money until the bank will issue new drafts.” ‘I refuse to wait, sir,’? said the presi- dent, sternly. After transacting some trifling business at the office, Sheldon went away, and took a hack for home. ‘*T shall come out all right yet,’’ he muttered. ‘If Dick makes his point, I shall have plenty of cash before night, and have the drafts as well.’ - i CHAPTER VIL HOW IT ALL CAME OUT, Just about the time Sheldon was leav- ing the office of the lumber company a man in a workiman’s suit walked up the steps of the Sheldon se and rang the bell. | He carried a Giapidated valise in inva hand, and, as he walked, there was a great clanking of tools in the Be as s z
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NiCK CARTER WEEKLY. 27 When the door was opened the work- man took off his hat. “T come from Mr. Sheldon,’’ he said. “Tam to fix some of the pipes in the basement and look over the wires in the house.”’ The servant was the same one with whom the detective had had the struggle the previous night. He glanced at the workman suspi- ciously. ‘*I always attend to those things my- self,’’ he said. ‘*But Mr. Sheldon sent me,’ insisted the workman. ‘“*Where did you see him ?”? “At the office of the Carrier Creek Luinber and Salt Company,’’ was the re- ply. ‘What did he say?’ ‘‘He said for me to tell Andy it was all right,’’ replied the detective, with a knowing wink. ‘““Andy is my name,’’ said the servant, ‘‘and I suppose you must come in. Is Sheldon coming up before long ??’ **He didn’t say.” The servant conducted the detective to the basement, and sat ‘down to watch him. That was not what Nick wanted. He was there to find Chapin, if possi- ble,.and to find out where the electricity, with which the house was well supplied, came from. He could do nothing with Andy watch- ing him. He examined the furnace, cinta on the pipes, and traced one or two lines through the place. f Andy remained by his side. There was only one thing to do. He must get the best of him, and. lay him away somewhere until he could search the house. But he was saved this trouble. Before long they neard the sound of angry words above, and Andy started y , / \ away, saying that he would send another man down in a moment. The other man was Mosely. Nick did not fool with him Jong. Before he had been in the basement. ten minutes Nick had him under the in- fluence of a drug which was likely to keep him quiet for some time. Then the detective crept up stairs. . The servants seemed to be working in the back part.of the house, and Nick got to the second floor without difficulty. He crept from room to room, until he found one door that was locked. This he opened with his pick lock, and stepped inside. There, lying on the bed, was anit: Nick felt of his pulse, listened to his breathing, and bent over to see if there was any trace of chloroforin or any other drug about him. There seemed to be none, and the pulse,. although faint, was not in bad shape. He was evidently enjoying a natural sleep, after an exciting night. | There was a table in one corner of the room, and the detective advanced to it. It was covered with scraps of paper, upon which much figuring had been done, and Nick examined every particle Par tiently. The persons doing the’ figuring had evi- dently been computing interest, and the amount upon which the calculations had been made was eiglity thousand dollars. ‘‘Sheldon and Chapin have been work- ing together,’ thought Nick. whether Sheldon got a- teceipt for the whole amount ?’? Presently the detective came upon a blank receipt. TE had been spoiled in eee, and had been torn in two: Only one word was decipherable, and that was the word ‘‘eighty.”’ “*T guess Sheldon has made good use of his time,’’? thought the detective. ‘I \ “T wonder
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28 wonder if I had better wake Chapin and find out about it??? He finally decided to do so, and stepped toward the bed. Then he heard a step in the hall, and a voice called out: ‘Has any one been in this room?” It was the voice of the servant, Andy. Nick could not hear the reply. **Well,’’ continued Andy, *‘1’ll go in myself as soon as I come back.’? The detective looked around for a place: of concealment. There was absolutely no hiding-place in the apartinent. Nick heard Andv walk away. Then he opened the door a trifle and looked out. The way was clear, and he crept along the hall and made his way to the basement again. ' He had barely reached the large room where the furnace was located when he realized that he had been followed. There was a sinall cell-like room in one » corner of the place, and Nick hastened into this, taking his tools with him. Once there, he lit his lamp and appeared to be very busy with his work of inspecting the pipes. The next moment Andy appeared in the doorway. As Nick turned about to speak to him the heavy door was slammed in his face, and locked from the outside. “What does this mean?” he demanded. “It means,’’ shouted Andy, ‘that I » have caught a sneak tliief.”’ Nick did not reply. “T followed you up stairs,’’ said Andy, “‘and saw you go into the room where our guest is sleeping. What did you get in there?” Nick remained silent. “Then,’’ continued Andy, ‘‘I called out to warn you and get you down here. How do you like it?’’ te tE dont like it? “You'll have to stay here until Mr. — NICK CARTER WHEKLY, Sheldon comes home, whether you like it or not,’’ said Andy. ‘*And then what??? “Oh, you may get hungry and thirsty before you get out, that’s all I can say now,’’ was the reply. Nick was, indeed, in serious trouble. It was very important that he should ‘be at liberty when Sheldon returned, He had instructed the detective secured at the city hall not to arrest Dick, but to allow him to make the deal he was to make and then follow him to thie city, first warning the man who had taken the drafts that they were worthless. He knew that Dick would not go to Sheldon’s office with the stock for which the drafts were to be exchanged, because __ Sheldon could not afford to lave him seen there. iS Therefore, the chances were that he would meet Sheldon at the house as soon as he could do so after reaching the city, 9 Then, if the detective obeyed orders, - the case would end right there. — . ‘Nick’s idea in having the matter set- tled at the house was to have Chapin a present when Sheldon was shown up.) He had never had any doubt that — Chapin was still at the attorney’s resi- dence. : Besides, this would give ae a chance ; to solve the electric lighting puzzle in the presence of the detective. The whole thing. had been adenine os > planned. : But this new move was likely to — everything. a While he pondered over the matter, ‘ie “re heard Sheldon’s voice on the other side of m5 the door. - tara ‘‘What did you come here for?” asked ae the worthy. fe Ay S. Nick did not reply. <A “T had trouble enough with you last — 2 night,” continued Sheldon, ‘and YON aes must expect no merey now. It is” VOUS ats life or mine.” ar
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. _ ~ Then the detective heard Sheldon giy- ing instructions to Andy. “You stay right here and watch this - door,” he said, ‘‘until I-call you away.”’ ‘Better let ime fill the sneak full of lead,’’ said Andy. “It may come to that,” replied Shel- don, ‘‘but not now.’’ Then Sheldon went on up stairs and sought Chapin’s room. He found that gentleman walking the floor impatiently. He looked excited, and glanced keenly at Sheldon as he entered. “Any track of the robber?’ he asked. “No,’? was the reply. ‘It’s a strange thing that a man could be robbed of tweuty thousaud dollars in this neighbor- hood without a soul witnessing the deed.” “Well, I’ twenty thousand dollars out, just the same,’’ said the young man. “What will my people say ?’’ The young man evidently did not sus- pect anything. : “The robber was considerate,’’ said Sheldon, ‘for he took you to a hack. That, if you remember, is how I came to find you.’?’ “Ttis a strange case.’’ The two men talked together for a long time, aud then a loud ring at the door called Sheldon away. As he supposed, the man waiting there was Dick. ‘Well?’ he said. “T got the mining stock,’’ replied ‘Dick. ‘And got away all slick and clear?’’ “Ves. I thought once I was tollowed, but was mistaken. I wore a rig that would shave done credit to a preacher.”’ “Then you changed your clothes after you left the depot?” “Of course. It was when J came out of the room where I changed that I thought ~ J was watched.” “Where did the man go when he got the drafts ?”’ “He had other men waiting for es and kept. right on doing business. Can you place the stock to-day ?”’ ‘“Vou must do that, and do it at once. I have been watched, if you have not, and have a baie locked up in the base- ment now. ‘The devil.” Just then there was another ring at the . door. ‘‘Anudy is watching the detective,’’ ex- plained Slreldon, ‘tand so I have to tend> the door nivself.”’ The attorney left the room, and pres- ently returned, accompanied by an elderly gentleman, who glanced quickly around the room as he entered. “This man comes from the chief of police,’? Sheldon said. ‘‘He wants to know more about the drafts.” Chapin arose and started out of the room. “‘T°l] just wander around a little while,” he said, ‘‘and return.’ He had been when Andy entered: ‘“‘Who is doing your work while you are away?’ asked Sheldon. Andy looked up in surprise. “Why,” he said, ‘Chapin told me you wanted ime to attend to the door.’ ‘‘He misunderstood me,’’ said Sheldon, hastily. ‘*Go back.”’ Andy hastened away. The conversation about the drafts was again interrupted in a moment. Andy came in and called Sheldon out- side. “Chapin is not theres?’ he said, ‘and, gone but a few moments there is something strange about the door. I can’t unlock it. It acts as if the lock had been tampered with.” Sheldon started toward the basement. — Then another ring came at the door, and he wet back to receive eae new- = comer. It was po ae qicuieadd of the lumber com- tes pany.
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30 4 *“*T want to see you in private,’ he said to Sheldon. The words were hardly out of his mouth when a third ring came. This time a middle-aged, farmer-look- ing gentleman, accompanied by a man who looked like a country merchant, was shown in. “T want to see Mr. Sheldon,’’ the former said. Sheldon, followed by Andy and Chapin, stepped into the room from the hall. The country merchant moved around toward the door. “‘T bought some drafts of you to-day,”’ he said, addressing Sheldon, ‘‘and I want to know why the bank will not cash them.”’ ‘“‘Of me??? gasped Sheldon. “Of yourman. They bear your name.’? “T sent out no drafts,’’? said Sheldon. * “Oh, yes, you did,’’ said, the farmer, “for I saw you part with your man at the depot.’’ The merchant laid down the drafts. “Give me my mining stock,’’ he said. The president of the lumber company stood looking on like one in a dream. . “have no mining stock,’ said Shel- don, turning white, “This man Dick has it,’’ said the seem- ing farmer. Sheldon sprang forward with an oath, “What business have you here?’’ he demanded. “By the way,’ drawled Chapin, ‘‘that looks like the man I just let out of thie basement. ’’ ; Sheldon was now ghastly pale. “It is a conspiracy,’’ he gasped. “Tt looks like it,’’ said the seeming farmer. ‘‘While you are about it, you may as well produce the receipt for twenty- thousand dollars Mr. Chapin gave you last night.’’ ‘What do you know about my affairs ??’ ~ shouted Shelden. ‘‘Get out of my house.’ ‘*VYou see,’’? said Nick, turning to tlie ’ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. president of the lumber company, ‘‘Shel- don paid Mr. Chapin: twenty thousand dollars last night, in this house, and then, by. the exercise of a strange influ- ence known as hypnotisin, caused him to give it back.”? ' Chapin started toward the attorney. ‘*So that is the way I was robbed ?’’ he said. ‘ ‘That is the way,’’ said Nick. ‘‘And the way Mosely was robbed was not far different.” ‘*Mosely can speak for himself,’’ said Sheldon. : “No, he can’t,’? said Nick.’ “I put him tosleep in the basement a little while ago.”’ ; ‘“Who are you?’ asked Sheldon. “Y am Nick Carter,’? was the reply, ‘and I have had quite a dance with you since last night. You had me dead to rights down ou Wabash avenue once, but. I got out.”’ “Yes,’? sneered Sheldon, “and you sneaked into my house last night -in dis- guise.’ ‘Of course I did. I came here to find out who was furnishing your place with electric light, and found out about the. draft scheme. I have been hard at work ever since.”’ ‘‘Tell me about it,’’ said the president. Then Nick told the whole story, about as it has been told in these pages. ‘*And he steals his light from the com- pany,’’ he concluded. ‘“The part relating to me is all true,’ said Dick. ‘‘I thought I was followed.” ‘You were followed,’ said the city de- tective, who had been masquerading as a country merchant. ‘‘Don’t I look like the man you sold the drafts to?”’ ‘“Exactly,’’ said Dick. “Well,” said Sheldon, ‘‘the drafts are good, anyway.”’ ; “They will be,’’ said Nick, ‘when you indorse them.’’ oot
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “But they are indorsed,” said the pres- ident. “‘Borgery,”’ said Nick. ‘*The bank upon which they are drawn would have been uotified not to pay them. They are supposed to have been stolen.” Then the elderly gentleman who had first entered spoke up. “T have warrants for you, Mr. Shel- don,’’ le said. This time Nick looked surprised. “The chief thought best to send me up here,’’ said the detective, ‘‘aud I swore out the warrants in order to protect my- self.’? Sheldon sat down and wrote his name on the drafts, and handed them to Chapin. “They were bought with your money,’? he said. ‘‘Now tell me how you came to let this man, Carter, out of the base- meut.”’ “Tl followed Andy down stairs,’’ was the reply, ‘‘and heard what he said to him. I was becoming suspicious, and thought I’d talk with the imprisoned man. So I sent Andy away and let him Outs? “Anda good job you did,’’ laughed Nick. ‘I have been caught three times in this case.’’ There was another ring at the door, and Boyd was shown in. “*T couldn’t wait any longer,’’ he said, addressing Nick. ‘‘Did you find out where he gets his light ?”’ 9 ‘*Ves,”? said Nick, with a laugh, ‘‘he | steals it from you.” : ‘Vou see,’ said Boyd, turning to Shel- don, ‘‘if you had paid for your light you might uever have been caught.” “Ves,” said Nick, ‘‘you were caught by an electric current, if ever a man was.”? “T told him he’d get caught,’’ said *. Andy. The officers started away with Sheldon and Dick, while Nick went into the base- ment and got Mosely. The president of the lumber company z Es went away in a rage, for the shortage in. Sheldon’s books was likely to become a permanent one. Both Sheldon and Dick received long terms, while Mosely got off with a shorter sentence by helping the officers untangle the case when it came on for trial. — '“*It was a short case,”’ said Nick, ‘‘bute a warm one. Now I'll take in the great fair. If you have any more millionaire frauds, keep them: out of my way for a few days.”’ ‘‘T won’t trot out another,’’ laughed Boyd, “‘until Ican start you in on an- other electric current. It counted in this case.’’ ‘“Well,”? said Nick, ‘‘we’ve bagged an old offender. He was formerly known as ‘Slick Pete’ in New York.” [THE END. ] The next uumber of the Nick CARTER WEEKLY will contain ‘‘Nick Carter’s Little Shadow; or, The Man With the Yellow Dog.”’ Che Cip Cop Quarterlies. GOOD READING AND LOTS OF IT. No. 1.—Frank Merriwell’s School Days. No. 2.—Frank Merriwell Out West. No. 3.—Frank Merriwell in Foreign Lands, No. 4.—Frank Merriwell at Yale. No. 5.—Frank Merriwell’s Bicyele Tour Across the Continent. No. 6.—Frank Merriwell Athlete. No, Sree Merriwell’s Second Term at ale. No. 8.—Frank Merriwell’s Vacation, No. g.—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. The Merriwell series are written in’ groups of thir- teen. Each quarterly is. a complete series or group. PRICE FIFTY CENTS EACH From all newsdealers, or by mail postpaid, from the publishers, : Admirers of Frank Merriwell, desirous of following his adventures from the first will find these quarterlies the most advantageous form in which to procure the fer numbers. ; > STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 238 William Street, New York. as an All-round
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High Prices Are On Vacation THE MEDAL LIBRARY Ollver Optic and Others. o ve ve wo Che Right Books at the Right Price There is a line of classics for youth—the books your fated 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 familiar wherever the American flag floats. Unfortunately, they have heretotore been procurable only in expensive binding at from $1.00 to $1.50 each. The average boy has not got $1.50 to invest. Ten cents is nearer his price. We have made the ten cent book the leader with the elder readers. Now we are going to do the same thing for the boys, and give them their favorites in a form in every respect equal to our well-known Eagle and Magnet Libraries, at the uniform price of tei cents. Thousands of boys hiave asked us to issue this line. Thousands more are ready to buy it on sight. There is no line like it in the world, We can justly call it the Medal series, as every book will be a prize winner. — It will contain no story that the boys have not approved as a ‘‘standard.’? They have bought them. by thousands at $1.00 and up- wards, and now they can get them for TEN CENTS A COPY. ce Bigs sacle 1—The Boat Club é A By Oliver Optic 2—Cadet Kit Carey . ? ‘ 6 a . i “By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry 3—All Aboard . is $ 4 é r r = k By Oliver Optic : 4—Lieutenant Carey’ $ Luck 5 5 ’ s é y 1 By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry 5—Now or Never . F < 3 4 ; By Oliv..: Optic 6—Captain Carey of the Gallant Seventh é f ; : WR hy Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry 7—Chased Through Norway. * 2 5 s ; ; By James Otis 8—Kit Carey’s Protege . : F ‘ - - i ‘i . By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry 9—Try Again. y . é 2 fe - if ; 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 ; rye " By Gilbert Patten 13—Up the Ladder ’ ; : . By Lieut. Murray 14—The Young Colonists. A Story oO. Life and “War in Africa . . By G. A. Henty 15—Midshipman Merrill . 4 3 . y i By Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry 16—The White King of Africa é ; E = ; 5 . By William Murray Graydon 17—Ensign Merrill : 2 ; * ‘ ee Ey Lieut. Lionel Lounsberry 18—The Silver Ship 3 5 4 i f / ¥ j . By Lewis Leon , 19—Jack Archer ; - A ‘ ° ‘ F 3 Z 7 . By G. A. Henty 20—Wheeling for For tune t : Z A i a 3 A . By James Otis 21—Won at West Point. i , : ‘ a . é By Lieut, Lionel Lounsberry : 22—From Lake to Wilderness é . ‘ é ‘ 7 ; ats William Murray Graydon 23—The Dragon and the Raven , : fe : ; P - A By G. A. Henty a D4 The Boy trom thewest. 9. 2 \se ee gc hy ee en By Gilbert Patten : 25—Through the Fray . r ; 5 5 Re ‘ F y . By G. A. Henty x 26—The Cryptogram . 5 . * ; 4 : 5 F By Wiltiam Murray Graydon 27—Centre-Board Jim . y a : ‘ A P 3 ~ Lieutenant Lionel Lounsberry 28—The Boy Boomers . ; ‘i * y 7 P a ; By Gilbert Patten 29—True to the Old Flag . 5 = : . ; 5 é ' : i By G. A, Henty < 30—Peter Simple ae 3 3 . A 7 ; . By Captain Marryat age 31—The Cruise of the Snow Bird 4) Pe By Gordon Stables ge 82—The Curse of Carnes’ Hold 4 - 5 * 2 : : : . By GA. Henty € 33—Jud and Joe, Printers and Publishers é = . / : 5 By Gilbert Patten 84—The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green . 5 ; i 2 . By Cuthbert Bede, B. A. - 35—In the Reign of Terror . : 4 ‘ Fieger i % By G. A. Henty 36—In Barracks and Wigwam 2 ‘ . : ; F : “By William ‘ifanias Graydon 87—Commodore Junk . § 5 ‘ i ‘ 7 By George Manville Fenn 38—Gay Dashleigh’s Academy Days % A - ° By Arthur Sewall 39—With Boers and British in the Transvaal : z 3 2 . By William Murray Graydon 40—Canoe and Campfire . $ { 7 ; . By St. George Rathbone 41—Check 2134 . ; : 5 . By Hdward S. Ellis : OTHERS EQUALLY bon ro 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
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DGGE GEG EGE GOOG OIOS More Libraries STREET & SMITH always up to date . ANY readers of our ever-popular libraries are so enthusiastic as to M 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.1 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 Mrz 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, (a) STREET & SMITH. REA AEs ICAI GGG ECCI GIGI SIGIGIGIG SISISSISISSISISISSISSIS SSSI C OCG CIOS) FISTS SSS SSSI SISIGIS SSIS SISSON! G)