Nick Carter Weekly (no. 183) (1900 06 30)

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ICK, CARTER y STREET & {iTH. Price 5 Cents. wie sad “QUITE A SMALL FORTUNE YOU HAVE THERE, MY FRIEND,’’ SAID NICK, AN EVEN TONE OF

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Saved from the Penitentiary; OR, ~ THREE CHEERS FOR NICK CARTER. By the Author of ‘‘NICK CARTER.” CHAPTER I. A PUZZLING MYSTERY. = In many respects the Gladeville bank rob- bery case was the most remarkable mystery of the many which fell to the professional Tot i of the great detective, Nick Carter, to un- ~ ravel. ~ It was distinctly peculiar, because the mys- tery, upon which the whole case hinged, had _ for its key an incident which very seldom be- comes an important element in crime. Nick Carter was called into the case by a _ young’ lawyer named Parkman—Fred Park- __ man—whom he had met in New York a year 7 a _ Previously, but whom he had almost forgot- i ten when one afternoon he received a tele- cw ‘gram, sent in the care _of Superintendent SF wi, The message read as follows: ; GLADEVILLE, June roth. ICHOLAS Carter, Police Headquarters, York: City :—Please come here at once the most puzzling bank robbery : ey FReD Seca Ys NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Entered according to Act of Congress in the sien 1000 by ear Smith, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, ashtngton, Entered as second class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Office. Issued weekly. Subscription price, $2.50 per year. June 30, 1900. ' No 183. srexer & smrrn, Publishers. NEW YORK. . 288 William 8t., N. Y. 5 Cents. Nick readily remembered Parkman, om ac- count of the place of the latter’s residence. He happened to be disengaged at that time, and the reference to the “most puzzling ” bank robbery on recor to his love of professional work. appealed strongly An hour after he received the telegram, he “was on the way to Gladeville, having left word behind for his assistant, Chick, to be ready to follow by a later train when sent for. Gladeville was several hours’ run by rail from New York. It was a place of a few thousand inhabitants, and was situated in the midst of a rich agricultural district. Nick was received at the Gladeville station by Fred Parkman. Though a year had passed since the two men met last, each recognized the other in spite of the fact that Nick was in disguise when he stepped from the train. It happened that Nick remembered dis- tinctly and minutely the disguise in which he appeared when Parkman had met him on -

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2 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. that previous occasion, and before he started to Gladeville he once more made himself up in the same way. So he appeared to Parkman as the same middle-aged, sedate, professional-looking person whom the\latter remembered as the Nick Carter of his previous acquaintance. “Come right to my office,” said Parkman, in an undertone, as he took Nick’s hand. “Say nothing about what brought you here, until we are locked up in my sanctum.” There were not many people at the station, but the few who happened to be there gave the newly-arrived passenger more than a passing glance. As he entered a public car- riage with Parkman, and was driven away, the loungers and station officials watched him till he disappeared from their sight. Then they talked together in low tones, and indulged in many mysterious wags of = head and winks of the eye. Meanwhile, Nick and his host were ‘driven through the main street at a rapid rate. The detective’s comprehensive eye took in the fact that an unusual commotion pre- vailed in the town. Excited groups of men stood on the different corners discussing the one prevailing subject with earnestness, and _ often with vehemence. Near the centre of the town the crowd was large, numbering several hundred per- sons. It was gathered about the corner of a business block. The first floor on this particular corner _ was elevated about five feet above-the pave- Hs ‘ment, and access from the strect was ob- tained by six or seven stone steps, > % Above the door was a large gilt sign, _ bearing the words: : \ GLADEVILLE Nationa BANK. | The curtains on the glass doors and on the A aise were drawn, and a placard stared the ons ae face, on 1 which were the sig- =£5) would?” it All this Nick noted as the carriage in which he rode picked its way through the assembled crowd. | Several minutes later he was alone with Parkman in the latter’s office “Now, then, I am ready to hear all about this record,’ ”’ said Nick, as soon as Parkman had locked the office door. “I believe that is how you styled it.” “Yes, and when you have heard about it, I believe’ you will say I have not exag- gerated.” “Humph! Possibly! When did this rob- bery occur?” “This morning.” “What timé this morning?” ‘most puzzling’ bank robbery on “Between two and three o’clock.” “How do they fix the hour?” “By seeing the party come out of the bank.” “Oh! Then the thief is known?” “T don’t think so, or I should not have sent for the shrewdest detective in the world.” “But you just said the hour of the robbery was fixed by some one having seen a party leave the bank at that time.” “Yes. I was giving you the general or public belief.” “Who was the party?” “The cashier.” “What is his name?” “Gilbert Kingdon.” “Ts he missing?” “No.” “Under agrest ?” “Yes. Locked up in the town prison.” “You do not believe him guilty?” . “T am sure he is not.” “Why do you think so?” “Because I am positive he Seat; prove an alibi, if he would.” —

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“He admits he was not in Gladeville last account of his whereabouts during that time.” “Ahem! How about his being seen to come out of the bank between two and three o’clock this morning?” is part of the puzzling phase of the case.” “Who say they saw_him come out of the bank so late at night?” = “Two persons; the son of the president of _ the bank and the man who has charge of my a _ office, a young.Irishman named Teddy Ter- hune.” » “Are they reliable?” “I would not believe the former, Len % Drew, on oath; but the Irishman’s word is ¥ as reliable as any man’s. He is as honest as 3 they make them.” eS _ “Were these two—Drew and Teddy Ter- hune—together when they saw the supposed _ cashier leave the bank?” a. _ “No. - Neither was aware of what és - other saw, until each had first told a third ” a party. f Siisigh for both to see their man distinctly ?’” “Teddy says he was not ten feet from the _ man ‘when the latter came down the steps and passed him. And there is a lamp di- ee in front of the bank door.” “Well, I will talk to the Irishman himself ice on about what he saw,” said Nick. “There is more evidence against your friend, I take it, Mr. gnc Sm is your os, is sent? —but it is very danraging, 6 night, but he positively refuses to give any. “That is something I cannot explain. That _ “Were they near enough ies was it light — eels more evidence sgsinet hin NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 3 “Save one. “Yes. “The father of Len Drew, I believe you called him?” “The same.” “Well, that should help Kingdon some.” “What?” “The fact that the bank president had the safe combination also.” “But it doesn’t. The bank president has Then there was another ?” The president.” - been ill almost to death for more than a week. He could not leave his bed, much less stand on his legs.” “That makes it bad for Kingdon.” “And there is more. Among the money packages placed in the safe last night was oné of five thousand dollars in new five- hundred dollar bills, which came in yester- day afternoon from New York by express. That ‘package was part of the stolen money, and it was found on Kingdon this morning when he was arrested.” “What explanation does he ihe abogt it?’ “None. His actions are most puzzling.” “Mr. Parkman, you say you are Kingdon’s friend; how much of a friend are you to — him ?” : Parkman Mhkseed a few moments, and his face slightly flushed. Then he answered : “Confidentially, I will answer you, Mr. Carter. I am so much his friend that I hope some day to call his sister my wife.” “His sister!’ How much of a family has he?” “Only this sister, Clara. They have lived together in a little cottage on the edge of the town since she came here two years ago.” “Where is she now?” “At the cottage, I suppose. “I want to see tn “When?” “The sooner the better.” siot “Well, I'll take you around, but I prefer

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“ay Wee 4 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. for the present that she should not know you are a detective.” “How will you manage it?” “T leave that to you, Mr. Carter.” “Has Kingdon engaged counsel?” “No. But I suppose I'll act for him.” “Then, of course, you'll need help.” “Well, I presume it would be best to——” “And I’m just the man you need.” “Eh?” ’ “T'll be 2 lawyer for the time being. I’m Douglas Blackstoae, attorney-at-law, of New York City, and you have called me into the case with you.” é “An excellent idea,” nodded Parkman. “Tt will not hamper you in your work, I hope?” “On the contrary, I think it will help me” “Then let us go to see Miss Kingdon.” “T want tq send a telegram first,’” said Nick. _ “We pass the telegraph office on our way to the cottage.”* “So they stopped long aSigh for Nick to send this message on the wire to Chick: “Bring trunk H with you, and work for the other side, if you can.” “We'll whipsaw the case, I reckon,” thought Nick, as he followed Parkman from _ the telegraph office on their way to see the * ‘sister of the accused and imprisoned cashier. CHAPTER I. ‘THE SISTER'S STORY. _ They found Miss Kingdon at home. She _ did not keep them, waiting long. Mer greet- " ing of Fred Parkman was silent, but wonder- Phas expressive. ‘She gave him her wise shapely hand, Seal turned her large, deep blue eyes to his _ with a look that was full of a mute appeal and y trust. — “almost: fad her. - thoughts "before Clara Kingdon was not a pretty young woman in the true sense of the word. She could scarcely be called handsome; but she was certainly attractive, and a lady who was sure to make men look at her more than with a passing glance whenever they met her, She was tall, stately, rather mannish in her movements, and there was a certain manner- ism about her which reminded Nick of the theater and its stage. Her features were large, clear-cut, and full of expression.. Her face was remarkably fair—almost milk-white—and its effect was heightened by a head of golden hair, which set off her fair complexion to perfection. Nick was introduced as Mr. Blackstone from New York, who had come up in re- sponse to Parkman’s telegram, and would re- main and help him in an effort to extricate her brother from a most puzzling and dan- gerous position. “And do you think you can save Gilbert from his madness?” she asked, appealing to Nick. “That I shall be better able to answer after I know more of his.case,” said Nick. “Has not Fred told you?” “He has told me all he knows, I presume, but I am convinced there is much more be- hind than is in Mr. Parkman’s knowledge. You have not told him all that you yourself know, Miss Kingdon.” _ “T—you—why, what 1 stammer. she began to “There is no need for you to feel at all guilty, Miss Kingdon, because you have been secretive even to him. I appreciate the po- sition you are placed in, and honor your sup- posed sense of sisterly duty,” interrupted Nick. “My supposed sense of “Exactly,” again interrupted he. “But you could not do your brother a greater wrong than to keep from his attorneys any-

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thing you know aie might throw light on the puzzling case.” “Why do you not go to him—to Gilbert? is “We will go to him later. But from what I have heard I am prepared to find a stub- born, self-willed man who can in nowise be a moved from his inexplicable purpose. There- | fore we must, to a great degree, depend on you to do what you can to aid us in rescuing __ him from his great and impending danger.” = “Danger—impending danger?” echoed. é ¥ : “Yes, danger you may not have thought ‘of. How much money was taken from that ~ bank?” ' - The question was addressed to Parkman, who answered: _ = “About two hundred thousand dollars.” oe: “It belonged mostly to the farmers here- z “That 1 means ruin, practically, to hundreds of those: est, but, when driven to the “s wall, desperate men. ‘Many of them are now town; are gathered in. crowds upon the and Miss Kingdon began to get ed by mobs for less provocations.” Miss Kingdon. turned so deathly pale that Nici feared she would faint. Bpercies, he -Hopsliad st tu ‘T want c from the little I know of this she > from you?” impression of Nick’s meaning. Nick — note?” belave your Boer Ld a. oath- NICK CARTER WEEKLY, ——& pense of that secret, whatever it is. He has a secret even from you, Miss Kingdon?” CYes? “Humph! He was absent on a peculiar mission last night?” “He was.” “You don’t know where?” “No.” “Nor what the mission was?” “I have not the slightest suspicion,” “Was he in the habit of keeping secrets “On the contrary, until last evening I did not know he had a secret in the world from me.” “And this one—— “When I charged him with it, he hushed me with a kiss and an assurance that the secret was another’s, not his own, or I should ” know it—share it with him.” “Tell us how you learned of this secret.” “We were at supper when a boy rode up on horseback. Our servant, Lena, went out ‘4 to see what was wanted. The boy did not _ dismount, but asked that Gilbert should come out to him. “My brother left the supper-table, went out, and received from the lad a sealed note. As soon as it was delivered the messenger rode away as if pursued by an enemy.” “And what did your brother do?” “He stood out there by the gate, broke the seal, and’read the contents of the message. “Then he returned to the dinning-room, ~ and hastily finished his supper.” “And did not tell you what was in the “No. I asked him. He PRE oS _ was something I should know all about in good time.” . * _ “Well, afte? supper——”" _ _ “After supper he took his hat and went down town.” z Li aa ¥ “What part ofthe town

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es NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “I don’t know. It was getting dark when he came back. He went at once to his room, and changed his clothes—the blue suit he had on—for a better one of the same color.” “Getting ready for a, night journey?” “Yes. When he came downstairs, he called me into the sitting-room, gave me a kiss, and told me he was going out of town for the night. It might be he would be back early in the morning, and it was possible that he might be gone several days.” “Ah? Go on.” “Then he gave me three things—two sealed notes and d piece of paper with some figures on it.” “What were they for?” “The latter was the combination of the © safe. He explained to me how the figures wete used in opening the safe. I was to take these to the assistant cashier at nine o'clock this morning, if he had not returned at that time, tell the assistant cashier how to use the figures, and give him one of the sealed notes.” “That is interesting. Proceed, Miss King- don. “He said he might’ return in time to re- lieve me of such a rather disagreeable task. He also left his keys of the bank with me, to be turned over likewise to his assistant in the event of his detention.” “There was a second note, Miss King- don?” reminded Nick. Miss Kingdon blushed crimsoy, cast a con- fused look at Parkman, and murmured: “Yes.” “For whom?” _ “For—Fred—for Mr. Parkman.” “For me?” exclaimed the young lawyer. “Why, you never told See did not give Eee: Bias kewaea oe Eile givaater note it was to be delivered only in case Gil- “And you gave it back to him?” asked Parkman. “No, I destroyed it.” - “But not till you had read its contents,” said Nick, dryly. Again that vivid flush overspread her face. “T admit it,” she said; “but I am not as guilty as you suppose.” “Explain yourself.” “T did not break the seal of the note.” “Who did?” “T don’t know.” “That is a strange assertion.” “Yet true. Let me explain: When I re- tired I placed the two notes under my pillow. When I awoke this morning neither was where I had put them.” “Where did you find them ?” “Both envelopes lay on my dresser, and both had been torn open. The note of the one addressed ‘to Mr. Parkman’ was lying- unfolded on one end of the dresser, and the envelope on the other.” “You say the note to the assistant cashier was also opened ?” See" “What was in it?” “T don’t know. Nothing when I picked up the envelope.” “Its contents were gone?” “Yes. I looked carefully through the room and through the house for some trace of what it contained, but found nothing.” “What were the contents of Mr. Park- man’s note?” Again for the third time came that furious flush. 5 “Must I tell?” she asked, appealingly. “For your brother's sake I think you had better tell,” said Nick, in a matter-of-fact way. “Then I will tell—for his sake. It—he asked Fred—to—that is—if he should not have returned in a week to—to—make me his wife, and move into the cottage.” ee - i Meaeee e 2 : : aml a =~ Gh Pe : ." ee a oe tee ee, Cee 4 a

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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. | 7 Here she broke down and began to sob, covering her confused face with her hands. -. Parkman went over to her side, and put his arms around her while Nick walked to a __ window and looked out. os Five minutes later the detective returned to his catechism. ae _ “Somebody removed both the notes from opened them?” at “T suppose so.’ “And read their contents in your room?” “Yes, certainly. - spe “Where were thé keys of the bank?” __ *T found them right where I had put them _ when I went to bed—tied to the girdle of my > peace treed “And the piece of paper containing the fig- 4 “ures of the combination of the safe lock?” “That I destroyed before I went to sleep.” “What 2” This information plainly sia Nick. “I burned the paper after having carefully _ beneath your pillow, while you slept, and - coi the figures to memory,” she Te- when he came in flushed, dusty, and bearing all the marks of excitement. The safe had just been opened, and the robbery discov- ered.” “He was at once accused ?” “Yes, sir. The president’s son claims to have seen him come out of the bank, and was substantiated in that statement by another.” “Have you seen ‘your brother since his ar- rest ?” “Yes,” “He would explain nothing?” “Nothing at all. He declares he was not in Gladeville all night, but says he has abso- lutely no chance to prove an alibi.” “You told him about the opened notes ?” “Yes,” : “And he knows that the contents of the note to the assistant cashier is missing?” “Yes. I told him.” “What did he say?” “Nothing. He merely groaned. He acts strangely toward me. Mr. Blackstone, I fear he is losing his mind.” _ Nick made no reply, but deep down in his soul he was saying: “No! No! Gilbert Kingdon is not losing his mind as much as some people, are losing their wits.” ‘ ’ ———_ CHAPTER III. THE CASHIER’S SECRET. Accompanied by Parkham, Nick Carter left the cottage, and went to the town prison. Gladeville was not the county seat, and the . lock-up was by no means a formidable place to keep prisoners. It consisted of a brick “L” built to the residence of the marshal. As the prisoner’s attorneys, the two men et secured admission to Gilbert Kingdon’s ~ t strong room. +34 Seis tai gis eile ithe Since Sg seentel Seresiey of pti , - 7 ; aa, ese’ e "

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“8 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Gilbert Kingdon was a young man of medium height, rather slimly built, and the resemblance to his sister was at once notice- able. There was, however, this contrast between the two whereas Clara was a pure blonde, young Kingdon was very dark. He had black hair and mustache, eyes so brown as to seem black, and a skin that was a mixture of olive and sallow. Nick was introduced as Mr. Blackstone, of New York, whom Parkman had brought up from New York to help defend Kingdon from the charges on which he had been arrested. The young cashier thanked Parkman for his good intentions, but remarked, with a shake of his head: “I fear you will both find it very hard to get me out of my dilemma.” “That will, to a large degree, depend upon yourself, Mr. Kingdon,” remarked Nick, as he watched the young man-more closely. “Then your task will be harder still, Mr. «Blackstone, for I am powerless to give you any help.” “You are innocent, Mr. Kingdon—you did _ not rob the bank ?” “T am—I did not.” “When two men say they saw you ‘come out of the bank. between two and three o'clock this morning, they lie?” & 4 “I would not put it that strong—but they ee certainly are mistaken. At that hour I was miles away from Gladeville.” pte . “Well, you can prove it?” “Unfortunately, I cannot.” _ _ “You mean you will not?” = y aes mean I Sanne: ve “Oh, yes! I took it from the bank safe myself.” “When ?” “Last evening.” “Before the bank closed ?” “No. “That is where you went after you received the note from the boy on horseback ?” “Yes.” “The money was yours?” “What do you mean?” “J mean’ you had that much deposited there to your credit?” “No. My deposit did not amount to one- fifth of the amount.” “Surely, you did not steal it, then?” “I did not, It was not a theft according to my intentions and arrangements.” “Then explain it.” “T cannot.” After supper.” “Mr. Kingdon, we have seen your sister.” Kingdon’s face took on a look of sudden interest, and his eyes were leveled at Nick with a keenness bordering on alarm. “She has told us all she knows about your case, I think.” Nick made a slight pause, but, as Kingdon did not speak, he continued: “She told us the story of that envelope you left for the assistant cashier.” At last Kingdon broke his silence with one WOR es ee, “Well?” é “What was in that envelope when you sealed it, and left it with your sister?” Kingdon’s glance fell. He compressed his lips, and nervously toyed with the arm of the chair on which he sat. Finally he said: “T am not at liberty to tell you or any one.” “And you don't know what became’ of the contents of that envelope ?” “T do not. I wish I did.” “Tt would. explain why you took that five- _ ‘thousand dollar package?” Fen dg Se 1 ays ee aie i SoS ee ss Net ips 8 oF

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4 | a Yes.” : “Do you realize that if you persist in your present course nothing can save you from the -_— penitentiary, Mr. Kingdon ? a “Clearly.” ; _ “And yet you refuse to save yourself?” “A thousand times, yes.” “te “You would rather take a sentence in prison for ten or twenty years than explain your movements of last night?” “Yes, I would,” and Kingdon smiled. __ “Do you realize what that means?” ™What ?” . a. “To be shut up in prison for ten or twenty E-Oh, I wanidn s serve such a term out, ; “You don’ t mean suicide?” “Oh, dear no! I mean that my innocence will be easily established i in good time—long e wee by erin to work on Kingdon’ $s oa in that line, so he Played another vite land ip response cen word were hoarse ee: would be rank with you. ye against your ever mn hare © of the _ before a ett sentence could be a: dee NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 9 but Kingdon took their meaning as Nick wished. “Good God! gasped. “The thought of death by hanging is not as light on your brain as going to the peni- What shall I. do?” he tentiary.” “Death! No! No! I must live. do.."t know how much I have to live for,” said Kingdon, looking appealingly, first at Nick then at Parkman. “So! So! As I thought. There is a woman in the case, sure!” thotight Nick. Aloud, he said: “Then, to save your life, you may be will- ing to tell where you were last night.” Kingdon’s face paled again, and he did not hesitate with the reply: “No. I'll die a dozen deaths before I'll do that.” “He's going to be obdurate,” thought Nick. “I'll have to try some other plan to- get at his secret. — must be got out of prison.” After a moment’s reflection Nick lowered his voice, and said: “At least you will not be so rash as to re- You fuse to escape from custody should the occa- sion offer?” “No. I'll glaaly accept such a chance _ should it turn up, since my life is in danger | from a mob. Can an escape be arranged?” _ “I think so, very easily.” sprang to his feet. Hie tace | grew “How?” “Leave that to. Parcain and me.” “But when can I try it? Do not ask me- to wait too long.” ’ There was a burning. eee ‘in “his ‘ Tepe es words and manner. “We must not be ‘aah about it. Nothing de teks ad eae T hardly think the ‘mob ‘witt make. any demonstrations in — Bog <<: Spar cea no attempt to take you oe a

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really? re. 10 started with you for the county jail to-mor- row. Your preliminary trial is to occur to- morrow morning. That would be a danger- ous time for you.” “T must not be on hand when the case is called, Mr. Blackstone.” “You shall not be, if you trust me im- Pplicitly.” “I will, provided you ask me to explain nothing about my movements last night.” “T promise.” “Then Iam at your command.” “Hold yourself so,” was Nick’s parting words. After he and Parkman had left Kingdon, and were out on the street again, the latter asked: _ “Do you mean to furnish him with the means of escape?” “Certainly.” “Why. Is he in danger from a mob “He: may be. But my main object is not solely to get him beyond the vengeance of the ruined depositors.” “Then what is it?” “T'll tell you some wither time.” “How will you manage to work his es- cape?” “I can’t tell you.” “Why?” “Because you might block my plas a “1_block your plan? Why, man, are you a . “Not at all. After the plan has been put in - operation you will admit I was wise in not ketting you into a knowledge of’ it before- NICK CARTER WEEKLY. CHAPTER IV. TEDDY TERHUNE’S TALE. - From the lock-up the two men went back to Parkman’s office. There they were fortu- nate in finding the latter’s man-of-all-work, Teddy Terhune. This individual was a bright, jolly young Irishman. Nick had not been acquainted with him five minutes before he was telling himself: “Here’s a fellow who will be very useful to me, unless I misjudge my man.” “There be the divil’s own toime beyant, -Misther Parkman, or I dunno throuble whin I mate it on the shtrate wid its coat on its arrim, begob,” said Teddy, with a wag of his red head. “Trouble? What trouble?” “Throuble fur Misther dunno.” “For Kingdon? What do you mean?” “Thim farmers be muttherin’ among thim- lamp-posths, tilegraph poles, ropes wid loops on the ind, an’ that kind ay nicnacks. An’ Misther Kingdon, he be niver from their memories at all, at all.” “This is serious, Blackstone,” said Park- man, looking at Nick, who sat silently tak- ing in all the Irishman had said. “Are you certain you have heard aright, Teddy?” “Shure, me ears are not so schmall, nor be they shtuffed wid, cotton that sound cannot git into me blissed head. An’ whin I hear Americans talkin’ American, be the powers, I can make out what it manes, if I am Irish.” “Parkman,” interrupted Nick, “suppose ~ you go out on the street, mingle a little with the crowd, and see what yon can gather from the conversation going on pees 3 = state of affairs.” “A good idea. You will wait for me here?” Kingdon, I silves consarnin’ to" Yes. I want to chat with Mr. Terhune neki reaps es Se ate Bs oie

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trustworthiness, so that he may not have _ «misgivings in talking freely to me.” “Oh, Teddy will not fight shy of any friend of mine, especially'a fellow-lawyer whom I __ have brought from New York to help me get _ Mr. Kingdon out of his trouble.” c _ “Shure, sor, a friend av Misther Parkman_ _ an’ Misther Kingdon can twisht the secrets _ from me soul, if it will serve to help. that young gintleman “out av 2 tends was ‘ Teddy’ 's ready response, _ When Parkman was gone, Nick lost no time in pumping the Trishman. “You are onevof the two parties, Mr. Ter- une who saw, or thought *you saw, King- _ don come out of the bank last night?” xis ~ 3 who s saw it, sor.” he saw the same tineet a “Bad cess 0 ‘me I did. Te es, seein’ in’ doin’ thim things thot I hadn't orter.” “Phere can be no mistake about it?” : “About my seein’ Mr. Kingdon comin’ av the bank? There cannot, sor, unless | wor a dropical collusion.”" “How 1 near were you to him?” me nes ras I am to. you, sor. I pashed a Disgaea NICK CARTER, WEEKLY. _ “Twas wan av thim two, if there wor two. : “Tf there were? Why, young ‘Drew 5 you going?” “me by widout 11 “He noticed you?” “Tf he did, he pretinded not to.” ‘How did he look? Excited?” “He wor white as your shirt front, sor, an’ he niver turned his eyes from straight afore his face.” “You saw him coming out of-the bank?” “T did, sor. Saw him coom out, lock the dure, an’ pash me forninst the lamp.” £Did you see any one else at that time?” ‘\ “Divila wan, sor, but Misther eee : an’ our two shadows.” : “Sure Len Drew was not somewhere in the neighborhood ?” ; “If he wor, the blackguard, he wor hid.” “That was between two and three o’clock this morning?” “Thrue for ye, sor.” “Where had you been, and where were - “Fwhere had I bin, is it, an’ fwhere was I goin’, I bgt aoe Shure, I had been sparkin’, ~ an’ I wor goin’ home as all decint young min should be doin’ at that hour o’ night.” "Well, I should say so,” laughed Nick. _ “Sparking, ch?” me “Shure, it’s not a crime an’ mishdemanor to ceort the gurrel ov yer soul at all, at all,” _ protested’ the Irishman. “Certainly not. heart live?” “At Mr. Khigdon’ $ cottage.” “Why, I thought the Kingdon’s kept gnly “one servant ?” : “So they do. . That’s the wan.” Where’ does your sweet- Who, Lena?” Sha & “Hiven save her swate soul! Yes.” ~ " wit “Why, that’ sa German name.” . Fae “Well, begob, it belongs to a German , eat: wineee

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12 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “T didn’t know an Irishman would marry a German girl?” “Begob, I'd marry Lena, if she wor a nagor—she be so swate.” “She must be sweet to keep you at her side till two o’clock in the morning?” “Shure, I’d be there yet if she hadn’t put me out an’ barred the dure.” Parkman interrupted the conversation by bursting into the office in a very excited con- dition of mind. _ “Teddy was right,” he panted. “The devil is going to be to pay. The crowd is discuss- ing lynch law, and working up to that pitch gradually. Whatever is done to save King- don must not be put off too long.”. * - confident no violence will be offered before night, and my plan cannot be put into opera- tion till dark. Parkman, I am going back to the cottage.” “Tl go with you.” “No. I want you and Teddy to stay on the street. In case of an unexpected turn of , let me know.” ; “We'll find you there?” “Either at the cottage, or at the hotel.” iy Half an hour later Nick was once mgre in _ + “the presence of Clara Kingdon. ~ “You have seen Gilbert?” was her eager inquiry. j “Yes, we have seen him.” ee “Well?” ‘|. ¥'hat is all the good it has done.” ks : “He will tell nothing?” “Absolutely nothing that will, help us." - Miss Kingdon, will you answer me truly ae _when I ask whether you'left this cottage last . night after nightfall, or before daylight? ” eet eet I will. i did | n “Nor must it be begun too soon. I am _ Nick was soon inspecting Miss Kingdon’s bed-chamber on the second floor of the cot-. tage. ~ He examined the windows, and satisfied himself that no one could enter the room from the yard without the aid of a ladder with which to ascend to the window sills. Though to Miss Kingdon it appeared that Nick’s sole reason was to inspect the room, and note the possibilities of an entrance be- ing effected from without, the shrewd detec- tive’s object was as far away from that pur-- pose as the. North Pole’is distant from the South Pole. — When they were once more in the parlor, Nick turned to her and said: “Miss Kingdon, your brother will not help us to save him from prison.” “Oh, what is to be done, then?” she wailed. “But he will ace us to save his life from the vengeance of the mob,” he continued. “His life—the mob? Why—why she stammered, her face getting very pale. “T mean that there is a mob forming with the purpose of taking him from the lock-up. and lynching him.” “Does he know it?” “Yes.” “And will not speak and save his life?” “No.” “Oh, why do you tell me this?” “Because I believe you are a brave woman. ‘. Becasue I want your help to save him, and believe I can rely on you to the letter.” “T help to save him? Why, how?” “Though he will not open his mouth to save even his life, Fo brother will escape if . the chance is offer “Yes! Yes! But h how man I aid in this es~ “cape?” Nick was looking « at her intently. as mee reply: Agen * <r £ ‘* i ah ade teas ELS SOE Le ae

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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “T have noticed, Miss Kingdon, that you are a tall lady.” : “Yes, I am five feet eight inches,” reply, while her eyes looked eagerly into Nick’s face as if to ask: “What of it?” “Your brother is not much taller.” “He is no taller. We are exactly the same height.” _ “Then I think he could wear your clothes; he is reasonably slim for a man of his size, and you, Miss Kingdon, are heavily built,” _ Miss Kingdon blushed. was her i aes _“You—you intend he shall escape by put- a ieog on my clothes and impersonating me?” is = “Precisely.” . er ; “How will you get the clothes to him?” “You must take them to him.” — - “They would be seen.” Nick smiled. “Certainly; for you would wear them.” ‘fk “Bu—ohat would become of me?” “Not—surely. ge ‘tiange -lothes ” she *Y cee Prk it on over that which he wears. J shall expect you, of course, to wear one ‘gown. s a “Is it necessary?” ‘Certainly. When the marshal comes to let Miss Kingdon “out—there must be a Gil- d—one whom he be- ne Kingdon left a. “Only to take off your dress, and. let him SS ~ “About your stage secret. No, nor shall 4 13 “Excuse me, sir. Did your last sentence have any particular. meaning?” “Perhaps. It may have meant that I saw you before I came to New York.” “When?” “About three years ago.” “Where ?” “In Chicago.” “Chicago is a large city.” “And it has a great many theaters.” “Please come*to the point.” 4 ' “You have been an ‘actress, Miss King- | don ??’ “What I have been, or will be, scarcely concerns you, sir,” she replied, with an angry flush. . ‘ “But it deeply concerns your brother's” welfare,” he replied, coolly. “Pray how?” - “Your stage experience might aid you in your efforts to make up to look enough like 5 your brother and deceive. the marshal. ve *. The angry flush slowly feeds from , her face, = , “T’ll do my best,” she finally responded. “No one could ask more. Our main diffi- culty will be your brother’s close-cut, black hair.” “I think I can arrange that. "I have a ° woman’s wig of nearly the color of my nat- _ ural hair. When am I to go?” “As soon as it is dark. Make your visit to your brother, and lose no time in acquaint- ing him with the plan.” o> _ “He doesn’t know?” | = “Not what the plan is. You ae to carry ‘that to him,” “Mr. Blackstone, does he—Mr. Parkman — _~ —know?” “About the ple. of acer Not a sleet ae F mean—about—about——” a sa = she so far as IT am concerned.” So ae

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14 and pressed it gratefully, while tears rolled down her face, as she murmured: _ “God bless you.” “Tt is always a good trait in a detective to never forget a face,” muttered Nick, as he left the cottage. “I'he moment I met Miss King- , don to-day, I knew I had seen her somewhere before. But I couldn’t decide when and e where till IT saw that photograph of her as see: ‘The Lady of Lyons’ standing on the mantle i ~ofther bedroom. Bn oe: ~ “Tf I could only believe her capable of : falsehood, I would be ready to set up a 'toler- _. ably good explanation of this mystery., But Tamas firmly convinced as I am that I live, . ae that she spoke truthfully when she said she had not been outside the cottage between is nightfall and daylight last night. “This is, indeed, a puzzling case. But Tih get to the bottom of it, if it takes all sum- a4 “mer.” ‘ j f om +» CHAPTER V. “THE ATTACK UPON THE PRISON. — Chick | arrived at Gladeville on the six, o’elock ‘train, and went straight to the prin- is cipal hotel, accompanied by trunk “H” with its supply ‘of variegated disguises. : Nick was soon closeted with his assistant, _ and it was not long till Chick was as well ac- es: ccm with the” Bonk puzzle as his chief ~ was. i se oT want you to follow Kingdon yhen he =i escapes, and not lose sight of him after he _ leaves his house,” said Nick, as they got > ready to quit their room at the hotel. i “Leaves his house?” echoed Chick. ss | “Exactly. He'll go directly to the cottage = “tn =o ¢ ames doing nothing, because here is NICK CARTER WEEKLY. the temper of the people is. It is growing dark rapidly.” They met Parkman at the hotel door. young man’s lpoks were full of anxiety. “Carter,” he whispered, excitedly, “ The you must lose no time in getting him out.” “What has happened?” was Nick’s quiet, calm inquiry. “Nothing serious yet. But things are If he isn't free in two hours from now, he’ll be dangling from rapidly coming to a focus. the limb of some tree.” _ “T don’t believe the danger to your friend is so deadly as you imagine. Let‘us go and mingle with the crowd.” “They are gathering in a great mob at the bank corner.” “Then we can watch them to better advan- tage.” Turning to Chick, he said: “You had’ better go and make some obser- vations in the neighborhood of the prison.” Chick walked rapidly away without utter- ing a word in reply. Parkman looked after him in astonishment. Then he asked: ~ “Who was that?” “My assistant and right-hand man.” “Chick?” “Chick.” “T’'ve heard of him. You sent for him——” “When I left that telegram at the office. Come.” ~ , They found the temper’ of the mob even worse than Parkman had described it. = _ As the crowd increased in BOREL, it kept growing more lawless, — “All the people lack to set them loose upon the marshal’ s weak prison is a leader,” whis- pered Nick to Parkman, “And yet you ‘stand here doing nothing. My God! Man——” “Don’t get excited,” * admonished Nick, “I a Somban

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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “But Kingdon——” “T don’t think this mob will find Kingdon when they go to get him.” Parkman seemed to understand at last that the detective’s plan, whatever it might be, . was already well laid. They had been in the crowd nearly half an hour before the leader, which Nick declared was necessary to set the mob in motion, made his appearance. He was a young, slim- faced, sallow complexioned man with sandy hair and English side ‘whiskers. This fellow mounted a store box on the sidewalk, and held up his hand to attract the _ attention of the crowd. : “Who is he?” asked Nick. “Len Drew,” was Parkman’s reply. “T thought so. Let’s hear what he has to say. And this is what the bank president’s son : said: ; “Fellow citizens: I fear your meeting wee here bodes no good. e are men among you whose hearts burn to take the man who robbed you from oe and mete out justice _ in your own way.” ss *That’s the ticket, ” shouted a voice. “But is it right? True, his guilt is beyond c= question, and we all know the law’s delays; se the many loop-holes by which he might es- a __ cape*his just deserts, but——” “Hang him!” yelled a voice, and a mur- ‘mur of approval went up from a hundred ies, © «Do not be too rash-in your actions, neigh- bors,” urged the Mephistopheles of the mob. ; examination will come off . sgpiteentntes That he will be held for the grand jury, and sent to the county jail s just as sure as it i is that he will face the rges before the sania Sots ce becomes 15 you all know, a miserable excuse. He must not escape.” “No! No! Hang him!” arose a dozen cries. “Rather let us go to the prison, surround it, constitute ourselves a guard, and see that he does not escape,” counseled the wily speaker. Instantly there was a swaying motion to the mob. It began to move backward and forward, and finally to surge down the street in the direction of the marshal’s residence. Nick and Parkman kept on the outside of the mob. “That devil,” hissed Parkman. “What is behind young Drew’s motives?” asked Nick, quietly. Parkman hesitated a moment before he replied. “Miss Kingdon has refused to receive his lover-like attentions. He seeks revenge on her brother.” “Tt is not all revenge,” calmly commented the detective. “What do you mean by that?” By this time the excited mob was moving rapidly down the street, sweeping onward toward the prison, while a constant rumble as of the approach of a hurricane followed in its wake. Nick took advantage of the situation to evade an answer to Parkman's question. In- stead he asked: “Can you head off the mob? Do you know a short way to the prison by which we can hurry there without being observed?” “Yes,” “Then lead the way, and lose no time.” “Follow me,” said Parkman, as he walked into a cross-street. — ats Once out of sight of the moving mob, the lawyer broke into a trot, and was soon flying ~ along on a dead run with the detective at his side. ae

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Their course lay principally through alleys and across vacant lots. When they came in sight of the marshal’s house and the town prison, they were just in time to see a figure dressed as a female emerging from the front door. The person had a handkerchief pressed over the face, and a heavy veil fell over the ~ hand and the handkerchief. Whoever it was, the departing guest _ seemed to be weeping bitterly. Parkman grasped Nick by the arm, and o? whispered : “Clara! He must be in there yet.” Nick said nothing, but moved along until ‘he came up to the figure of a man standing _in the shadow of an elm-tree on the sidewalk. ““Tt’s all right,” remarked the man at the tree, nodding his head toward the female _ figure, which. was moving off down the : street, . “You must follow him to the house, Chick,” said Nick. “The mob is coming. I dare not aesve this yer while she is in there.” “All right. I’m off. “ ~ As Chick darted down the street the roar of the mob was plainly heard. Presently the advance guard swept around the nearest cor- ner, and the unruly throng advanced toward the’ prison. te Several minutes later the marshal’s resi- oe ~dence was environed by the half-crazed de- - The marshal himself met diesmob ak his front door. He was a brave man, but his er face was as pale as the face of a corpse. He realized too well what the demonstration = Ranh we deeming NICK CARTER WEERKELY. “Men of Gladeville and Jefferson County,” he shouted, as the crowd surged forward with a roar of many voices. “What means this unlawful demonstration ?” “It means that we don’t intend to let your prisoner escape,” shouted back a voice which Nick and Parkman recognized as belonging to Len Drew. A roar of approval greeted this response. “The prisoner is safe in my hands. I guar- antee he shall not escape,” came in stentorian tones from the marsha]’s lips. “Hang the cashier! He has ruined us!” yelled a big, black-bearded man, standing near Nick and Parkman, who had pushed their way into the crowd. The lawyer and the detective turned their eyes upon this fellow at the same time. “Who is he?” whispered Nick. “T never saw him in my life,” man, The black-bearded man’s words acted like said Park- yeast in a batch of dough. Instantly a roar went up from the crowd, and there was a wild movement forward. The marshal’s two-hands came from be- hind his back, and in each hand there was a large, ugly-looking revolver. “Back?” he cried, as he pointed them at thermob. “The first man to put a foot upon the.second step down there will be a corpse. I have sworn to do my duty, and I'll do it at whatever cost.” The men in the front ranks of the crowd came to a halt, but showed no spirit of panic. The marshal, however, for the time being had an advantage, and there was a chance that he might press the advantage to a suc- cessful termination. Len Drew was‘quick to size up the situa- tion. He had crowded his way to the side of the black-whiskered man, and whispered something into the latter’s ear. The black-whiskered man’s voice arose — z agate iby ace an See way ea ee pl. ome t= — he

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prisoner is in there now?” “You have my word for it, shal. ofks “We want better proof,” came the reply. “What better proof can you have?” “Seeing him. Show us the prisoner, and we'll be satisfied. “ e For a moment the marshal hesitated, as if _ debating in his mind what he should do. “Tf I show you the prisoner, will you promise to leave him undisturbed in my S- charpe?? 3° _ “Yes. But let us see that you have him.” = The marshal said something to.a young x man who had been standing just behind him. 3 The young man disappeared within the house. . “Good God, Carter, he is making a mis- wey murmured Parkman. _ Nick smiled, but asked: —- “Why?” ; Pure theyclting, Kingdon ‘os, he's iwijead man. Those two” plotters: intend to -precipi- ete ee ee ” said the mar- a3 = “That i is true. ‘Such is their intention, and _ the marshal in theory has made a blunder. ‘ But oe will not be in danger.” Becitbe ‘the messenger sent for him will t find his man,” was Nick’s response. © was watching Len Drew and the pin the hictahear as he uttered. these os, “therefore, aroised. by feeling as th ae ; If mi page went — ie a 3 me BY 5 a is NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “Mr. Marshal, how do we know that the 17 Surely he was not mistaken. That was Kingdon himself standing there at the mar- shal’s side, with the awfully white face made more ghastly still by contrast with the black mustache and deep black hair. Had Kingdon after all refused to accept his sister as a substitute ? Then suddenly there flashed on his mind Teddy T erhune’s description of Kingdon, as he met him coming out of the bank in the small hours of the night. Grasping Parkman by the arm, in turn, he said: “Come,” and began to push his way through the crowd to the front.- “Hang him, hang him!” came a voice from the mob which Nick recognized as that of the black-whiskered man. It was like throwing a match into a maga- zine. The mob at once became uncontrollable. At the same time the form at the marshal’s side began to sway. There was a faint moan, tnd ‘as the crowd surged forward the object of its wrath fell against the marshal, and grasped at his arms. For a moment the marshal was thus pulled off his guard, and the advantage was not lost by the mob. . But Nick had managed to be a step or two in front of even the foremost of that on- charging’ mass of humanity. _ As the marshal was raising his deadly weapons again, Nick gave him a push and neatly tripped him up. In trying to save himself, the official dropped both pistols. - The body of the prisoner rebounded into Nick’s arms. ‘ Without showing apparent intestlon. the detective managed to get.one hand on the ~ black mustache and one on hs black hair of see pret mt “the head. Both ang aie so the nie blonde hair of a woman tal are biseuoes..-

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Turning with lightning rapidity, he was just in time to hold up wig and false mus- tache before the faces of the front rank of the mob, and shout: “Hold, men! It’s a woman!” CHAPTER VI. THE ARREST OF CLARA. ° The scene which ensued cannot be de- scribed. ‘ No pen can. depict the temper of a mob which finds itself balked: It was some minutes before the angry de- positors began to realize how they, as well as the marshal, had been tricked. It required an explanation from the mar- shal, which he proceeded to make—address- ing the throng from the steps where he stood, “This, as most of. you know,” he said, pointing down to the form of the devoted and ' insensible sister supported by Nick Carter, one cr don, “is the sister of the man you are after. came here just after dark to visit her brother. “They were alone together for fifteen minutes. I myself let her out, as I supposed. “T submit to your sense of what is fair, whether any of you would not have been de- ceived by the clever trick. “I saw, as I thought, the brother sitting on his cot in the cell, and I escorted, as I sup- posed, the weeping sister to the door.” “Hang her in his place! ” came a voice from the crowd, readily recognized by Nick as be- longing to the black-whiskered man. But Parkman's voice arose above the mur- mur of the crowd, as he shouted : “No! Shame upon such cowardice! You are men, not brutes. This girl has done no wrong, unless it be to rescue her brother from his danger. If that be a crime, then all women are criminals at heart.”" | The effect of his words was magical. Some ““Three cheers for Miss King- ane mre ten with ute She NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Len Drew had gradually crawled forward. His face was disfigured with a furious frown. Mounting the steps till he stood near the still insensible heroine, he turned and addressed the crowd: “Fellow citizens, there is some mystery This woman must not be allowed to go free. have been for her brother to have escaped the law had he stood trial. to prove an alibi. This duplicate proves it.” “What woull you have done with her?” inquired a voice from the crowd—the same here. You see now how easy it would They were prepared well-known voice of the black-whiskered man. | “Hold her as a hostage for her brother.” “We are not in the Middle Ages,” re- sponded Parkman. “Hostages are not held in America.” “Might is right,” yelled Drew. “Not while habeas corpus lives,” retorted the lawyer. “Then I charge her with complicity with her brother in the bank robbery, and order her arrest.” “Swear out your warrant first.” -“It is not necessary,” remarked Nick, speaking for the first time. “Miss Kingdon will surrender to the marshal, and stand trial on the charge of complicity.” Parkman was about to reply, but Nick silenced him by a look. ° “And who are you?” asked Drew, staring at Nick with an insolent sneer on his lips. “T am her New York attorney,” was the placid reply. “Mr. Marshal, will you take charge of your prisoner. As her attorney, | surrender her to you.” “We will place a guard around the house this time to see that she, at least, does not escape,” yelled Drew. “Do. And be sure to make yourself one of the guards,” remarked Nick. “You are - 4

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¥ a NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 19 3 : just the stuff to make one of a dozen brave “You ran into deadly peril. Had I not guards of and spies upon a woman.” 4 “Do you mean to insult me?” sputtered i Drew, advancing toward Nick in a threaten- ing manner, : ~ “Insult you! Oh, dear, no! I never, could insult a man without honor.” : - _- fury. The detective picked him up as‘if he were a Skye poodle, and Beene him out F into the crowd. . pe we looked like an accident, when his de- - scending” body struck the* black-whiskered ‘man on the shoulder, and the two confeder- ates went sprawling on the ground together. But it was no accident. Nick’s aim was Bt well/ taken, and he had _purposely sent the _ bank president’s son to join his confederate. 3 A general laugh at Drew's expense went up, and as the marshal carried the limp form of Miss Kingdon into the caus. the mob, "with farioys ends intent only a few utes before, began to thin out and work sor in es up town,” so : ‘Nick considered it a sedidslabte- ‘coinci- “dence aes there was no attempt made to g some trace of the escaped fugitive. He soon came to the conclusion, however, at the weakness of the mob was its lack of le ership. ‘The discomfiture into which he : “suddenly and literally “thrown” the two- "Men who were acting as such by innuendos Drew threw himself at Nick, with a cry of | been on the scene, you might have been lynched before the mob discovered their mis- take.” “But I didn’t intend to faint,’ innocently that Nick could not suppress a smile. , ’ she said, so “You are, for the present, to consider yourself a prisoner in the marshal’s charge,” said the detective, suddenly. = “A prisoner? For what?” sy ; “Charged with complicity in the bank rob- . bery.” “Mercy! I-am not guilty. that, Mr. Blackstone,” she cried. “Tt will do no harm, and may do much good, however, for you to answer to the charge before the magistrate to-morrow.” “Oh, if you think so, I will freely submit. You will appear for me on the trial?” “Certainly. Meantime, I am confident the ~ marshal will make you comfortable for the _ night.” The marshal. frowned. * “She has brought me into dishonor among ne tcet atee= he muttered, “and I ought to lock = up in a cell like any common prisoner.” You know Kien “No, you ought not. * She did only as your wife or daughter or any true woman would have done in hér place,” declared Nick. “Well, I guess that’s so. If she gives me her word not to try to get away, I'll turn her ? over to my wife’s care.’ Clara willingly gave the promise. “Now, I'm going to see if Kingdon can be found,” said the rharshal, buckling on his pis- tols and starting toward the door. oe Nick. followed. : % bs When they were clear_ of aise hearing of others, Nick touched him on few arm and said: ve i

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“Thank you, sir. Friends—true friends— are too few to be repulsed; when they throw themselves at a person.” “Asa friend, I’d like to offer some advice.’ “What is it?” “Don’t waste time ¢ teymg to. find Re: don. ” = “Why?” a 4 _, “Because in the first place you'll not find > him. Secondly, if you did find him, it would pos ere ee “be only to run him into deadly danger. o- =. Thirdly, because he is an innocent man, and rt ad eae? SS animal.” res - “How do.you knoweall this re on ** “Did you ever hear of Nick Carter?” “Who has not? Yes, I’ve often heard of ring Nick Carter. He did me a favor once which z x I'll never forget. It was two years ago, | aad 7, 18 - “+ “Never mind that now. Would you be- lieve him if he told you what I have just now © said?” ; “Would I believe? Yes.” . “Then believe him?” se * “Eh?” as “T am Nick Carter.” : “You! Impossible! I've seen Nick Car- ae ter ” oan “Seger teeth disguise. No more now than you did two years ago.” * “How do I know that?” + And Nick related the story of two years : me's “pein which the marshal had started out to 5 eae ee minute before, The result was that the marshal grasped Nick's ba, ‘shook it ears. and’ ex- does not deserve to be peed like a wild . NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “T now feel assured that everything will turn out right in the end.” “Thank you. Now, if you like, you may pretend to hunt for Kingdon. But don’t burst a blood-vessel doing it.” “You know where he is ?” “No.” “But you were at the bottom of the plan by | which he escaped?” pee ag : « “Why did you do it?” “To save an innocent man from the mob, and to finally bring the guilty to justice.” CHAPTER VII. LENA’S IMPORTAN, INFORMATION. The marshal left Nick in the hall, went out _to the stable, saddled and mounted his horse, and rode away into the night, making a pre- tense of looking for his escaped prisoner. Nick and Parkman, after being satisfied that Ciara would be made comfortable for the night by the marshal’s wife, also left’ the house. © = Miss Kingdon had asked her lover to go to the cottage, and inform the servant, Lena, of the state of affairs, so that the honest girl _would not worry over her absence from home. ‘So Parkman started for the cottage, and “Nick walked with him. “I presume, Mr. Carter, it was at your sug- gestion that Miss Kingdon exchanged cos- tumes with her brother,” said Parkman, as they proceeded, : | “Partly,” responded the detective. “But she went farther than I would have advised.” “Farther... How so?” “Her disguise was more than I anticipated The man’s wig and the mustache were a sur- prise to me, as was also ye; brave appearance before. the mob. w “You would not have suggested the wig, ‘ or the agatachey had a saris she poss . var aL Ve

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= NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ~> “T certainly should not. Miss Kingdon made a serious mistake in wearing them to- night.” Why” % i “Why? Because it gave her enemy, Len Drew, the chance at which he jumped, to ac- cuse her of complicity with ner brother in the ~ bank robbery.” “But you don't believe it » “Mr. Parkman, did it.occur to you that Teddy’s. description of the person who came ~ out of the bank last night, and passed him near the lamp, would correspond better with Miss Kingdon as she appeared before the mob. to-night than it would with her - brother?” “Look here, Carter! You don’t mean to _ Say you believe she robbed that bank?” There was a flush of anger on the young lawyer's face. iit wee eye if fae ii lie mst 3 : 3 “Tam simply placing the matter before presented at the preliminary hearing to-mor- _ row. Miss Kingdon assured me that she went to bed early last | evening, and didn’t awake till sun-up, and I believe she i is incapa- ble of telling a lie.” : ie “Then Teddy must have seen her brother coming out of the bank, as bs says ; is pt : _ what you believe ?” 408 = os “No; I believe Kingdon also told: us the ae: ‘truth, so far as it went.” _ “Then who was it Teddy saw?” “A ghost—very likely," smiled Nick. "You don't believe ‘that, Mr. Carter,” pro-- tested Parkman. “Men in your business don’t deapy jow, Mr. Parkman, ‘we have to deal. with nortal: ‘not ghosts,” exclaimed Nick. "You. and Teach have duties to perform ‘hist ry un ike in their nature. We both believe Mis An etealcong We. . ” ¥ _ you in the light in which it will have to be 21 “You must marry Miss Kingdon!” — “I? To-night?” “To-night. Certainly. You owe her that much in her hour of trouble. I compelled her to disclose the contents of her brother’s note to you. The brother is now gone. trouble. Is your course not clear to you?” Parkman grasped Nick’s hand. “By Heaven, Carter, you are right. stupid I have been.” “Then, as soon as we have seen Lena, you She ‘is in How must get the license, take a minister to the” — ne ee house, and make her Mrs: Park- ~ man.’ They found Lena sitting in the kitchen’ ~- door of the cottage, evidently enjoying the cool night breeze. cheeked girl, with the flaxen hair and blue eyes so peculiar to the Teutonic race. “All alone, Lena?” greeted Parkman, as - the two men walked up. “Vell, I haaf not mooch beobles protiie me alretty, I guess,” she smiled. . “Your mistress is out?” “Miss Glara! No, she is oop stairs. She coom in an hour ago, an’ hurry right into dem house. I haaf not seen her since. I vill gall her.” “Don't bother. She went out again when ~ you didn’t see her. She is at the’ marshal’s house, and ag stay there all right. us to tell you.” The girl’ 5 big eyes opened still wider ae ex- ~ press some surprise, but, true to her German “ nature, she; said = to emphasize ‘the look. She sent She was a buxom, rosy- _ “Miss Kingdon PRE always tell ra ai ( whens she goés out for a walk, I guess,” re- marked Nick. “Now, I warrant she never told you that she was out last night.” - “She did not tolt me, but I knowd him yust the same,” was the reply. _ Nick’s question and Lena's response were

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a | -. eee ” _ have cried out had he not felt the quick pres- sure of the detective’s hand on his arm. | “How did you find it out?” asked Nick. “TI tolt you how dot vos. Vhen I goes up to Her room in dot morning, to git dot ~ bitcher vat I need it, she vas ashleept so _ sount as never vas.” _~ “YT vas shtroge mit my addenshun by her shoes vhich sitted by der pet.” ae _ “What was the matter with the shoes?” en- >: couraged Nick. hee = * “What did she say about e Ses when discovered you. had seen them?” 3 “She dit not discover dot. Vhile she sleepit ; Triped dem off on mine apron undil all dose ~ dust undt mut vas gone. Hat I saw vhat 1. saw yust after I vould haaf fer 5 shoes alone alretty.” ' -“What else did you see?” = “Yust as I hat cleant dem shoes, I saw _ Mashter Gilbert's glose lying on dem floor, _undt on der pure au vas a peart mit’a vig.” “What did you make | of that?” ~: “I guess me Miss Glara vas haffin som von mit somepoties a as she haaf ste: me to- “With you?” “Yaw ts he coomes in an hour ago and # ; ‘Soon a man coomes out of © dat door, undt ‘he say to me: “Lena, your eink mistress she vant 1 ‘not to be disturbed bogight goes Oop | any more alretty,’ undt then he goes avay.” “Who was the man?” “y dit pelieve iden it vas Masher Gilbert.” “But you skate know?” tha : eet ¢leanin’. to-morfows,” winked the girl. ac ¢ Sacwhiak es with some- ste heag of oie: It's” a bears T-am this Be Te, ao. Bode NICK CARTER WEEKLY. the two started up town, leaving Lena sitting in the doorway muttering: “She vill glean-her shoes herselluf next dime, I bed your life.” ’ “Mr. Carter, do, you believe that girl’s story?” asked Parkman, after the two had walked some distance in silence. “What story ?” _ “About the—muddy shoes and the mas- querading costume?” “Yes, sir. She rhinitis told the truth,” “Then you. believe Miss Kingdon is de- ceiving us—has not told us the truth in spite of——” ‘ Nick interrupted: “Parkman, I am going to leave you mw for the rest of the night. All I have to say at present is this: If you believe Miss King- don is the soul of truth, honor, and inno- ~ cence, you will do as I have advised, get a _ license and a Minister, go to the town prison, marry her this very night, and leave her there without asking one question of her about her connection with this unfortunate affair.” “But if I do not believe it,” asked Park- man, after a few moments of silent thought. “Then hunt up Len Drew and offer him your services to prosecute the girl to-mor- roy for. complicity in the bank robbery.” Before Parkman could make a reply, he was standing alone on the street. The detec- - tive had suddenly disappeared. CHAPTER VIL IN THE OLD DESERTED MILL. » Nick had not gone a block after leaving - Parkman until he ran almost i ‘into the arms of Teddy Terhune. : ; eit out, ‘my man!” explained Nick. ‘Are you going for a doctor?” “Divil a docthor do I want, Misther Black- Pox . Z 2 een y. a * 7 ws

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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “A detective, eh? And what are you de- tecting ?” “Whist, but I’m that- full av informashun as an edicated pig. It’s tryin’ to l’arn some- what about him as is gone and him as is come that I am, sor.” “Him that is gone—you mean Gilbert Kingdon?” “I do, thin.” swe” “Well, what have you learned about him?” “He rid away whin he Jeft Gladeville lasht noight.” “Rode, did he?” ; “Faith did he. He loaned a horse frim the lavery shtable, an’ rid away as if the divil wur chasin’ him. He rid the baste back agin like mad nixt mornin’ at nine o clock, jumped off, and made a bee line for the bank. The poor horse didn’t git done blowin’ fur an hour, an’ he wur that wet ye could a’ -_ schwum frim the tip av his tail to his two __ ears widout touchin’ bottom.” ; “That means that the horse was hard rid- _ den and long.” | “It m’ans that, an’ divil anyt’ing else.” __ - _ “You said something ghom some one who _. has come.” ~ < “Shure, ie’ a ii wid black w whiskers an’ x a a blacker SOUL or “The man in the mob who was yelling, ies him!’ so persistently ?” “The same, sor, may the divil fly away wid him.” _+- “Who is he?” ~ ¢: “The son av Satan—berring, I don’t know “his name. But he’s well mated, Je ays 2 _ “How so?” 2 ag “He's wid Len\Drew this blissid minit. two av thim are in Drew’s rooms at the hotel. “Len will not let the son av Satan out : i his sight. Begorra I tink he’s in love wid a eee oe. ‘so close to him.” — 23 “Drew, he do be interjucin’ him as Misther Black, a frind from New Yorrick. Be heavens, the spalpeen is Black frim his heart to his name.” “How long has he been in Gladeville ?” “He come in on the evenin’ train day afore yisterday.” “And has been Drew’s guest at the hotei ever since?” “He has, Drew met him at the deepow. I wur SE, and seed it wid me blissid two eyes.” “And so Drew is keeping Mr. Black com- pany to-night, eh?” sor. “No, sor, he’s kapin’ him in his room, though, an’ I heard him say at the black divil under his breath loike, ‘You don’t git out of my sight or r’ach till after it’s safe for us to dissolve partnership, and go off on a tour for our health.’ ” “Well, Teddy, Lena is waiting for you at the cottage.” “Thin I'll not kape her waitin’ long. I’m off for the cottage.” “And I’m off to watch Drew and his black- whiskered guest,” muttered Nick. Going to the hotel, he made a thorough change i in his appearance, and then got out- side without attracting attention. He was not long in finding a hiding place, where he himself would not be observed, but where he could watch every exit from the hotel. “T] will make sure that those two fellows do ‘not leave the hotel without my knowledge,” he said to himself, after he had made himself comfortable. “At the same time I will see Chick as soon as he approaches, if he does “Drew and Black may not leave their 1ooms to-night, but, if they do, it will be for a purpose. “Black was Drew's "s guest last night, and last night Drew was abroad between two and

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three o’clock. Therefore it follows that Black was with him, “Teddy didn’t see Drew when he saw that man come out of the bank. _ “Then where was Drew at that time? “When I recognized Mr. Black to-night, in spite of his whiskers, I was materially aided in getting at the roots of this case. “Then Lena’s information and Miss King- don’s zeal untangled the mystery still more. - “Yet there is considerable more for me to clear up before I dare swoop down on the _~ right parties. : __ “Maybe when Chick gets back he will have in his possession the missing links.” Musing thus over the mysterious case, _ Nick sat in his bower of concealment, keep- ing a ceaseless watch upon the hotel. Midnight passed. ~The clock on the town hall struck one. Ten minutes passed and then Nick muttered: “At last!” | His watch was rewarded. er Two men sneaked out of the shadows of “the hotel, through the back yard, and made their way toward the stables and alley-way in the rear. Nick had no doubt as to the identity of the couple, though it was not aad enough to distinguish features. Nick kept stealthily upon the trail. f Patan ae! It led out of town through side streets and ~ alleys; thence across the open fiekls to an ex- tensive piece of woodland skirting the banks of a small stream of water. . ¢ “The two men followed a path along the ‘west bank of the stream for several miles. a As near as Nick could judge by the time pry in the trip, they must have gone five yoneoed the two men suddenly came out ; ee 77; NICK CARTER WEEKLY. flouring mill, long since abandoned by its owner, Drew and Black stopped on the edge of the opening, and seemed to be making sure that the place was wholly deserted before they proceeded farther. After satisfying themselves that they were alone in this dismal spot, the two night prowlers crossed the opening and disap- peared through a hole in the side of the old mill. Nick was on the point of taking the risk of being discovered by following them, when he was thrilled by the touch of a hand on his shoulder. Quick as a flash of light he wheeled to grapple with his unseen antago- nist, but a single word whispered in his ear staid his hands. “Nick !? “Ha! Chick! Where the deuce did you spring from?” “JT didn’t spring. But I had a better right to this tree as a hiding place than you. I was here first.” “What were you doing?” “Admiring that old mill in the half moon- light when you and your friends broke in on my meditations. Who are they, Nick?” “One is Len Drew. The other is a guest of his from New York, whom I think you will recognize when you see him.” “What are they doing in there at this time of night?” “IT don’t know. I was going to follow and see when you paralyzed me with your ghostly ~ touch.” “Fortunate I did.” “Why ?”? “You'd have been seen.” “No. They do not suspect they have been ; followed.” “T don’t mean Bem have been seen by

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“By t’other fellow.” “Who ?” -“T don’t know; but a man went in there * ~ just in time not to be seen -by Drew and his pal.” “Where did he come from?” “From the mill. He came out, I guess, to get a little moonlight. While I stood watch- ing him he and I both heard a twig snap un- der the feet of Drew or his friend, and he shot back into the’ mill like a scared rabbit.” - “Not a confederate of theirs, then?” _ “That's certain.” ; _. “Then they’re watched from within and without.” ~“Tt’'ll do to bet on.” _ “Chick, you didn’t happen here by chance? _ That was not Kingdon who went in there to hide?” > “One at a time, please,” said Chick. “No, I didn’t come here by chance. This is my 4 ‘second visit to-night to the old mill I fol- lowed Kingdon here the first time.” “Oh, he came here?” “Directly on leaving his home after laying ; i iaieae his sister’s clothes.” “What did he want here?” e . ra give it up. He went in there, and was "gone ten minutes. Just as I was about to pe ellos, and find out what he was veers he me out and resumed his journey.” "You followed, of course?” _ ~# did; to the very end?” peck where was that end?” Sheets jail at Huxborough.” % bio vitho showing ‘much: sents _at Chick's information. aes : a snide tga It’s the first tinié in ienc _ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. and surrendered, eh?” aid , Nick, that I trailed any man» whispered Nick. a “Can't say I am. He did the best thing possible under the circumstances.” “What is his object ?” “He doesn’t intend to give up his secret of last night, and he takes no chances of his sis- ter being punished for aiding him in escaping from the officers of the law. Hist! See! They’re coming away again.” It was true. Drew and Black had emerged from the old mill, and were crossing the | opening almost on a direct line with the tree behind which the two detectives were con- cealed. They walked slowly, evidently satisfied that no human being besides themselves was within a mile of the place. As they came within earshot of the men in hiding, Drew’was saying: “I tell you it is absolutely safe there. No one ever comes near the place, at night espe- ‘cially, because it is said to be haunted.” “There are rats about, I guess. They might gnaw through the box, and destroy some of it,” growled Black. “No danger. That cubby-hole is lined with sheet iron. The old miller used it to keep his account books in. It’s safe there un- til after this excitement blows over. Then I'll divide with you, and you can go to the devil with your share for what I care. Till then you and I'll be like Siamese twins.” “I'd a felt easier if that feller had been hung by the mob.”: “So would I; but we can’t help what we can’t.” “They say he can prove an alibi.” “Well, you and I know better. He can't prove——” ; Here the two prowlers disappeared in sie woods, and passed out of hearing. “You saw the man with the whiskers?” “I guess I wasn’t blind.” “And or Bea P Bo

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26 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “More by his voice than by his face. What on earth is Slick Sam'doing up here?” “Why, attending to business, of course,” chuckled Nick. “Well, by Jove!’ muttered the younger ‘ detective. ___ Ten minutes later the two detectives were _ inside the deserted mill. ‘Then began a noiseless exploration, such * as only Nick Carter and his chief pupil are capable of making. alas "Nothing rewarded their search on the lower floor, but a ladder reached to an open- ing through the floor above their heads, and _ Nick saw, by the disturbed dust.on the rungs, that it had been used recently. A: Noiselessly he and Chick ascended to the floor above. Slivers Of light attracted their attention as soon as their heads rose above the surface of the floor. The light came through the cracks of a ‘Partition which divided that story into two rooms. The light was in the room beyond. Without exchanging even a word in a whisper, the two detectives tiptoed their way across the rotten floor to a door-way which ‘communicated with the other apartment. There a strange sight met their eyes. __ By the light of a rudely constructed torch a young man was bending over a wooden _ box about eighteen ‘inches square. Hé had apparently pulled the box out of a _ hole in the wall near the floor, which had ‘been concealed by a a lot of rubbish piled Pao against - ~ ox As Nick and’ Chick tiptoed their way to. “ “ The defendant, clad in a costume becom-— , ‘ng her sex, entered by 2 private door in the ae BA ite 2

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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 27 3 tear, leaning on the arm of Frank Parkman, “This morning,” answered the dazed jus- ; and followed by the marshal and his as-_ tice. ‘> sistant. “Then I repeat, it is clearly defective. The os As soon as she was seated the magistrate defendant was married last evening.” = announced that, he was ready to hear the “Surely Mr. Blackstone knows that the Si charges made by the State against the pris- dismissal of this charge on that technical ee oer.“ _ xfound would be followed by a new informa- * The State was represented by the assistant tion and arrest,” remarked the prosecuting prosecuting attorney, who had come up from attorney. ‘Huxborough the night before forthe especial © “Yes. It is surely a matter of form, but we case. a. . insist on our rights. The quicker the mis- Lén Drew satvat his sideto:coach him. take is rectified, the quicker the case can be He arose, and stated his case briefly. brought to a hearing.” 2 “Who appears for the presser ?” inquired YOU mean you and your client will re- the magistrate. main here in court until the mistake is cor-~ = Nick arose, bowed to his Sine. and laid ected?” asked the astonished magistrate. a card on the latter’s table, on which was “Certainly. We have no desire to try to written: = escape on a technicality, but we do insist on a all our rights.” = * + Dovuctas BLACKSTONE, . . a : So there was a long delay while the magis- Attorney-at-Law, New York City. trate entered a dismissal of the case on his _ The magistrate adjusted his glasses, read docket, new information was filed, and the _ the name, and then said: record was made right. “Ah, Mr. Blackstone, have you any wishes —_—_a jj this time only a few knew that the sup- _ to express before the mate of the case PrO- posed shrewd New York lawyer was the = ‘eeeds?” Sy great detective, and that he was merely using ee. “Vek. your honor. Has there been the his extensive knowledge of law to gain time. — _ proper information’ file¢ ead my client?” The case was finally taken up, however. ; “There fhas. Here it is.” The assistant cashier testified to the de- he Nick took thé legal oS from he fendant’s visit to the bank on the morning - magistrate’s hand’ and slowly glanced it after the robbery, bringing with her the com- cae ee bination to the safe and her brother’s keys. nae “This ents 0 Ae icteciitanit oss are ir He then told of opening the safe and the = ;Kified on, spinster,” he said, fol ding it up. “1 Sowers of the robbery. ~imove, your honor, # that amy client be dis- The discovery was scarcely made when : missed from cyt as tat is ‘not Het proper the cashier himself came rushing in flushed, 3 . perspiring, excited, and covered with dust. —— spectlecce his Mr, Drew soon appeared on the scene and =e Salle a ‘murmur of astonishment went charged Kingdon with the robbery. The lat- sp from the spectators.. “Not her proper ter made no denial, and no attempt at a de- : 2 fense. x “My hint is Mrs. Frederick Parkman,” The witness further testified that no one - ‘2 ick, calmly. “The information is but the cashier and the president knew the | ear eee _ When was it drawn up?” epi AE Se bieciant eae

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28 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. sick in bed, unable to raise his head for sev- eral weeks. “Take the witness,” said the prosecutor to Nick. “T have only two questions to ask,” said Nick. “First. when you reached the bank did you find the safe securely locked ?” “We did.” “When you opened it, did you find inside _ a note written to you by Mr. Kingdon, in- closing a certificate of deposit?” “T did not,” was the answer. __ Though Nick’s eyes were apparently set in another direction, he saw the startled look _ which was exchanged by Drew and the black - whiskered man. - Len Drew, Teddy PaaS and several ae witnesses were called. The two former gave their evidence about seeing some one ~ who looked like Kingdon come from the bank on.the night of the robbery. To everybody’s surprise, and to Drew’s evident relief, Nick did not cross-question either of the two. For the defense, Nick called the prisoner to the chair, . - “Mrs, Parkman, were you out of your house on the night of the robbery between the hours of ten P. M. and six A. M?” he asked. . “T was not,” was the clear answer.. . “To your knowledge?” added Nick. _ “Certainly to my knowledge,” smiled Clara. “I suppose I should have cig it if I had been abroad.” “Possibly,” was the quaint reply, which _ aroused a faint laugh among the spectators. oe Then he drew from her the story of her - brother’s movements on the evering before the robbery, and told of the two sealed mes- sages and of the mystery which followed: “When you arose in the morning and dis- covered that the envelopes had been tam- pered with during the night, did you observe _ that anything else in the toom, had , been = a “Have, no (ietieation in answering, Mrs. sa Parkman,” encouraged Nick. - Then she said in a low voice: “Yes, several articles were lying in places where I had not left them.” “Articles of what kind?” “Clothing.” “The suit of your brother’s clothes which you wore when you appeared before the mob last evening.” Clara blushed furiously, but Saar ees. “As well as the wig and false black mus- tache ?” Again she answered. “Ves.” “You had arrayed yourself in these the evening before?” “Yes, just before I went to bed.” “For what purpose?” “To assure myself what I knew before— that I could almost duplicate my brother in appearance.” - “Any other reason?” “T once had a mere notion to play a trick on Gilbert by calling on several of his lady friends, who would afterward mention it to him to his confusion.” “Mrs. Parkman, supposing your servant should testify that next morning before you awoke she found your shoes at your bedside covered with dust and dew damp; what would you say?” “I would say she must certainly be dream- ing.” “Ts she a girl worthy of belief?” “T have always found her the soul of truth.” “Now, I'll ask you another question, Mrs. Parkman, which you may answer or not as you please: Were you ever known to walk in your sleep?” The question had a startling effect upon the audience. In that instant the theory of the defense was uncovered, and a rustle ot excitement swept over the crowd, to almost instantly subside so that Clara’s answer could be heard. “I used to have that weakness when quite ‘a young girl, but not in late years.” “That will do. I would like to recall the assistant cashier,” said Nick, as he saw two men come in from the back door and take up - we ne = « : <a 3 oe as a — y Se rare ick a RN ky Mle me Sa ome

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Be positions Sivectly in the rear of Drew and the, man in the black beard. % __ The assistant cashier came forward to the __ witness chair. 5 ez, “Would you récognize the stolen money, Ee if you saw it?” Nick asked. “I think I should,” cautiously answered Be the puzzled bank official, as he watched “§ Nick slowly remove the wrapping from a _ package which he placed on a table before him. A =. In this way he revealed a square wooden a, the sight of which struck consternation ed the souls of Drew and his friend. Opening this box, Nick, to the amazement Pot ‘court, witnesses and spectators, took pack- - age after package of bills from the box and laid them on the table. 3 “Is this the missing money?” he asked. be “It-is.” - Turning to Clara, Nick said: “Mrs, Parkman, have you ever been in the old mill on Mud Creek, five miles south of me ille 2" : _ “A number of times—yes?” ‘Well, that’s where this box was found peas away. Now, you or your brother was n the bank y morning between two Sat three o'clock. It must have been you, a your brother at that hour was miles away from Gladeville.” Again Packitiak whispered in her ear, and _ She grew calmer. = Shey were Het tie Mrs. Parkman.” SESE appeared t to be too Sas ‘sur- 4 to do anything but stare at the well- ) forms of ie Soerit erat the man who in “ont of the dumfounded _ Nick adaressed she cour, Mi. Kigon, te NICK CARTER WEEKLY. : “I—in the bank—at——?” gasped Clara. , 29 prisoner, refuses, as I understand, to make any statement concerning his movements at the time of the robbery. “Under these circumstances it behooves me as his counsel to make the statement for him.” Kingdon shot a startled look at Nick, but the latter pretended to not see it, and, turn- ing toward the place where Drew and the _ pseudo Black sat, he suddenly extended his arm, and said: ever met a professional bank robber from California, known in police circles as ‘Slick Sam: ? ” The effect was Seaicat sprang to their feet as if impelled by a com- _. “Will Mr. Drew kindly state whether he — Drew and Black mon force, and confusion was plainly written _ on their faces. Before they could -realize the sudden change which had come over their fortunes, the two men who had been standing behind their chairs seized them, and snapped hand- cuffs upon the pair. Their two captors were Chick and a meee sheriff. CHAPTER X. IN WHICH NICK SOLVES THE PUZZLING MYSTERY. "Nick made a motion to some one in the rear of the stage: - Gilbert Kingdon’s face turned pale as he saw a young man come forward at Nick’s deck. | “ Gladeville and Jefferson Fe said Nick, bowing to the magistrate. “A year ago Gilbert Kingdon, cashier of the bank, met a young lady in New York, and they fell in love with each other. “For ‘some reason the father of the young. lady opposed Kingdon’s suit, and bade him “The home of this lady and her father is near Salem, fifteen miles away. “A secret correspondence was carried on between Mr. Kingdon and the young lady sii the peer fa a ees Ie: at =

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6 eae ~ ait 30 who was enti to receive Kingdon’s let- ters to the lady and deliver them to her. “It was he who brought that message to Kingdon on the evening preceding the bank robbery. “Tt was a hastily written letter from his sweetheart. “She was in trouble. Her father had sud- denly announced his intention of sailing with her next day for Europe. They would start for New York on the morning train, and sail on the afternoon of the same day. “She dare not oppose her father’s plans, ‘because he was suffering from acute heart trouble, and his physician had warned her that the least anger or excitement might prove fatal instantly. “She wanted to see Kingdon to say good- by, and to ask him to interest himself in her brother, who had recently got into serious trouble. “Inclosed in her note was a eareiGense of deposit on a New York bank for five thous- and dollars, payable to her order. “This certificate she, in turn, made payable to his order, that he might secure the cash and bring it to her, to be turned over to her brother’s use. “Kingdon went to the bank, got the money, and wrote a note of explanation to the assistant cashier. “This sealed note, with the certificate of deposit inclosed, he intrusted to his sister as she has testified. “When he left home he was undecided as to what would be his course after seeing his sweetheart, the more so as he was only partly informed as to,the extent and nature of her brother’s trouble. “Should he be able to return before the bank opened the following day, he would not need the certificate, but could*arrange the five thousand dollars as a temporary loan un- til he could replace it with his own fynds. “He went away, however, with a firm re- solve to try to persuade the young lady to elope with him, because he knew that it was ther’s great desire that she should wed husband. and he strongly suspected it ‘was to that end the old gentleman was taking ht in secret. She re- NICK CARTER WEEKLY. fused to elope, but he finaly got her consent to a secret marriage on giving his word. of honor that he would keep the matter, a secret until she herself disclosed it. She feared to risk the effect of the announcement on her father in his precarious condition. “That was’one reason why Kingdon pre- ferred prison rather than to reveal his where- abouts on the night of the robbery. His word of honor was more precious to him than life. “His other reason for silence was that he -found his wife’s brother’s troubles more seri- ous than had been supposed at first report. “The young man had come into Salem on that night’s-train—a fugitive from the offi- cers of the law. “While intoxicated and in bad company this brother was accused of robbery, and was forced to fly from New York. “This trouble of the son, however, was carefully kept from the father. “After witnessing the secret marriage of his sister to-Kingdon, the young fugitive, Walter Clyde, who stands here before you, left Salem with his new-made brother-in-law and went with the latter to the old mili on Mud Creek, not far from this town, where he agreed to remain in hiding till Kingdon could get him out of the way of his danger. “While hidden there in that mill he was surprised by visitors. “Two mén came to thé mill late last night, and unearthed this box from its hiding place. Two detectives, Nick Carter and his assist- ant, tracked the two men to the mill, and so when they were examining their booty to as- sure themselves it was safe, there were three witnesses to their guilty act. “In this same box was also found this cer- tificate of deposit, with this letter, written by Kingdon to his assistant, and thi$ diamond stud and fine gold watch.” As Nick named each article he picked it . out of the box and held it up before the eyes of the crowd. “The watch and pin are the articles which young Clyde was accused of having taken from his friend in New York. “They were deposited in the box with the bank money for safe keeping by the real cul- prit, and while the two robbers were in the mill, one of them, Slick Sam, a ee Si: 9 bw 25

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" ~ one, Len fane: fe story how he himself had _ done the robbery and succeeded in throwing _ Suspicion on Clyde. _ “Now about the certificate of deposit, and Kingdon’s note to the assistant cashier? _ How came they in this box ?, } +4 _ “The robbers found both in omg bank when “t took the money. “The note and the certificate were placed in the safe by the lady who is now Mrs. Seen _ “You have heard her testify about cee pri- _ vate masquerading act in her room before “going to bed. When she fell asleep her brain. was filled with that idea, with the com- a i ination of the Safe, and with the unknown rm contents of her brother’s two letters left in _ her care. wy “In her sleep she arose, opened both let- tes , and read their contents. _ “Then came the desire to place the certifi- ; and the note to the assistant cashier in the bank safe where he would find it in the “morning. _ “The mysterious impulse of the sleep- walker controlled her. _ “She again put on the disguise, personat- ‘ing her brother, went to the bank, opened the safe, deposited the certificate and King- ‘don’s letter, and came away, failing to lock © safe, however. Let Drew and Slick Sam were in the nk when she entered. She surprised them. “They watched her open the safe, and saw er leave without locking it. Se was simple luck for. them. The pur- ane Drew had penpanets Sam te Gare id ‘unexpectedly been accom- pbiegiraects 3 eee eat 4 a Forte roel tkng eho te rica ad the note to the assistant cashier, locked th he sale and escaped by the way they en- through the Seep een Seem, to pene the-sale was other than Gilbert person “pass ‘reat Terhune ‘he was so sure of fixing the his partner in a ; NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 31 crime hid their booty in the old mill, and re- mained in Gladeville to set the matter forever at rest by working upon a mob of depositors till the latter should lynch the cashier. “How nearly they succeeded you all know. “Had it not been for his brave sister, Kingdon’s innocent life might have been sacrificed.” “Let’s hang Drew and Slick Sam,” yelled some one in the audience, and immediately a shout of approval went up. Nick raised his hand, and cried : “No! No! Your money is all here. Their scheme failed. Let the law take its course. They cannot escape. Nick Carter promises that.” “Where is Nick Carter?” bree “aid an Be farmer. “Standing before you! ter,” said \Nick. “Three cheers for Nick Carter, the great- est detective the world ever knew,” shouted the same old man. And such cheers as followed were never heard in Gladeville. Nick’s promise was kept to the letter. Drew and Slick Sam were both sent to. State prison for a long term of years. Slick Sam made a free confession, fully ex- onerating young Clyde ia the New York robbery. SS But he persists in muttering a dozen times a day as he labors along in his prison life: “J cracked many a safe in my day, and never got ketched. And to think that there Gladeville affair, which I considered a regu- lar cinch, should after all land me in this here place.” Nick Carter got possession of the facts which he related to the people of Gladeville I am Nick Car- in the following manner: The man whom he and Chick surprised in the mill was, of course, Walter Clyde, King- don’s hidden brother-in-law. . After the first surprise of the meeting wore off, explanations followed. From Clyde Nick gradually got the story of Kingdon’s bi to on the night of the robbery. He then sent Chick back to Huxborough with a message t o the sheriff. Chi sep

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32 ing with his chief, carried out the Huxbor- ough part of the programme to perfection. The revelation of Clara’s sleep-walking ex- perience was, of course, largely a matter of Nick's deductions, but it was undoubtedly correct. Gilbert Kingdon’s father-in-law died on the trip across the Atlantic, and his remains were brought back by the daughter on the return voyage. Gilbert met his wife at New York, and _ went. with her to Salem, where her late father’s funeral occurred. Then he took her to Gladeville, where they took possession of a home of their own, leaving the Kingdon cottage to the occupancy. of Parkman and Clara: In a smaller, less pretentious residence live Mr. and Mrs. Teddy Terhune. Mr. Terhune is fond of repeating to his wife: NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “Be me soul but I made a donkey av me- silf the noight I played detective, wid the grandhest mimber ay thot perfishun laugh- in’ at me fit-to kill.” Lena looks up, and asks: “How: dot Mester Garder know so mooch alretty all der dimes, Deddy?” “Ah, darlint!” says Teddy, with a wise wag of his head. “He do put this an’ that thegither, an’ divil a bit av onxt’ing atwixt on’ bechune escapes his observashun. Nick Carter niver had his aqual on airth ‘cpt wanice.” ; “Who vas dot ?” “Saint Patrick the Just.” Sere THE END. The next number of the Nick CARTER WEEKLY will contain ‘‘Shielding a Mur- derer; or, Nick Carter’s Dealings with an Avenger.”’ Nick Carter Weekly THE BEST LIBRARY OF DETECTIVE STORIES. LATEST ISSUES: at a Fortune. 194-Shiciaing a pro: or, Nick Carter’s Dealings with an Aven a-Seyot ed EC an eres Penitentiary or, Three Cheers art 12—THe Blood-stained | Check; or, Nick Carter in the 181—In the Cluten of the Law; or, Nick Carter's Chain of Evidence. > 180—The Sovetement Custom, Pe hn. Ey or, Nick ‘arter’ rk for the U 1ENick Carter's Beautiful Decoy; or, The Diamond sis a @€Client; or, The Body a ext hind the Counter; or, A Peck of wn | ; 17%5—Nick —- Pointer; or, A Hungry Dog's Din- Hand; or, Nick Carter Advertises for ab-Driver. t in Six "ours; or, Trouble in Room No, r Joe: or, Nick Carter's Leap in the Dark. s Little Shadow; or, The Man with san 5 by Bleetrieity; 0 or, Nick Carter Bags an 169—-Unmasked by Nick Carter; or, An Attempt at os ‘461—Nick Carter Makes a Loan That Brings Him Big c Prevents a Pertenece, and Loses” ET & SM ‘We—Nick, Carte er’s Second Sight; or, A Dumfounded | r Saves a Reputation; or, A See Wick © Carter in a gh or, A Plan to Catch Him Didn’t_ Wor 164—Nick Carter Oft ‘ae Track, but Has Another String to His Bow. 163—Nick Pgs Jumps a Train, and Takes Big Ch: 162—Nick Caster Saves-a Life, and Earns a Woman's Gratitude, 161—Nick cease Corners a Bank President; or, A Balance That Was Crooked. 100—Nick Carter's Steamer Trunk; or, A Crime in ee 3 Carter’s New Uniform; or, A Bribe That Was Expected, 158—Nick Carter and the Sawdust Man; or, An In- vestment That Caused Trouble. 157—Nick Carter as ga apes or, A Battery That Was Tam mper ith. 156—Nick Carter's Silent Search; or, A Drive at a 155—Nick ‘Carter's Gurious Cli A Criminal ‘arter’s us ent; or, with More Gall than Sense. 1b4—Nick Carter Settles a Conspiracy; or, A Telegram That asn’t Signed. ghee Sasterh Midnik ht Corer: or, A Case Con- luded Before Day. viight 152— ick £ Carters Fake Murder Case; or, The Plan W ies Out the Agency. 151—Nick Carter Stands a Bluff, and Wins a Game Which thes seen wo petes ¥e 150—) er’s Bogus Bargain; or, twitted I Seote’ fp tee! ‘ mi 49—Nick Carter Exchanges Prisoners; or, Like- ? “ness Easily Explained. d 14s—Nick Carter's Snap Shot; or, A Photograph That — Gave Evidence. IftNick Carter’s aa at the Wheel; or, Red and Black Both the Same. : srumibets Aaa on hand. If you cannot get our epenien 1 from your newsdealer, five will bring them to you by mail, postpaid. SMTi Gaauecrag ie William St. New bi shite 4 ; wee nies ee a a

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he Tip Top ' AND THE FRANK MERRIWELL STC No modern series of tales for pers and youth has met with any ton, like the c accorded to the Frank Merriwell Stories, published in Street & Smith’s TIP which has to-day a circulation | than that of all similar publications comb for this, and there I Is. Prank well, as po-trayed by the author, is a jolly, wh American lad, who appeals to the hearts of the boys. He has no bad bits. and hi idea that It is not necessa! EE Tame® & petty vices to beg ero, Prank shining light for every am follow hy THE FOLLOWING ARE THE LATEST ISSUES: 200—Frank Merriwell’s Skates ; or, Into the Ice Trap. } 207—Frank words Yoon os, the Mascot 201—Frank Merriwell’s Ice Yacht; or, Wing and Wing. of the Crew. 202—Frank Merriwell's Sleigh ; or, ‘Warm Hearts and | 208—Frank Merriwell’ 8 Theory ; « or, ght for a Friend. 209—Frank Merriwell’s Five ; or, Did ends at Yale. d popularity ', 4 publication e must be a reason honest, courageous inculcates the i’s example is a 209—Frank Merrie! ‘Musketeers ; or, The Mountain | seg! Merriwell’s Honor; or, The Nobility of 204—Frank Merriwell's Opponent ‘or, For the Ice Hockey | 21i—Frank | Merriwells Reward; or, Buck Radger’s 205k Meniwal Deceived ; _ or, A Heart of | eK fk tne’ or, The Disappearance 206—Frank Merriwell's Mishap ; or, A Friend in the | 213—Frank Merriwell's Handicap; or, The Heroism of Guise of a Foe. | Elsie. ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY. 4 5c. PER COPY. 32 PAGES AND ILLUMINATED COVER. a MORE LIBRARIES TO SUIT “TIP TOP”? READERS. The Do and Dare Weekly PHIL RUSHINGTON, THE ACTOR-MANAGER. HE ‘Do and Dare Weekly "tells 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 MR. STANLEY NORRIS, an able writer, and one thoroughly in sympathy with the wants of our boys and girls in the lineof reading. His work is bound to please. The following are the latest issues: 6—Phil Rushington’s Danger; or, A Bright Light for | 11—Phil Rushington’s Great Show ; or, Another Whirl of Friends . / Fortune's Wheel, 7—Phil Rushington’s Friends ; Springvale Boys ina | oe Rushington’s Star Rider; or, Rivals of the ioe Lumber Camp. Ring. FF —_ ushington’s New Role; or ‘The Play’s the | Aide Rushington’ s Home Trip; or, Two Kinds of a hin: o-Phil Titties Soubrette ; or, The Rockdale M—PhiT Rushington’s Loss; or, A Lion Hunt in the uecess. ig-Pht Se Set Back; or, Fast Friends and ease ~ "Rhshington's Rivals; or, Three Shows in One ickle F ‘own. 2; The “‘ Do and Dare Weekly’’ appears every Tuesday. 32 pages, illuminated cover, uniform in size and style with “ Tip Top.’”’ “6 Comrades i THE BEST RAILROAD STORIES EVER WRITTEN. 4 4, hero of “‘ Comrades,"’ is a bright boy who has decided to devote his life to the service of ‘‘ King }one of the t railroads of our land. Rest assured he will reach fame and fortune on the lightning xpress. The life ie n ambitious railroad man is full of exciting incident, and Tom has his full share of ad- S “ventures. Through all of these, he will ound Wright by name, ren in word, right in deed, always right. one many adventures ‘om and his friends will followed with the deepest > ¢ Fite ee all who are fortunate enough to read this new series of splendid stories. Tom is gee by several ‘‘comrades,’’ who join hands with him and stand by him in his various ses. TR. ROBERT STEEL is an author of wide experience in the field covered stories, and his work will please all who admire the well-known “ Tip Top * and ** Do and Dare Weekly,'’ to which ‘‘Comrades’’ will be a companion. 1—Tom Wright on ! jor, A Clear Track to Success. 6—Tom W. right’s Fast Run ; or, The Million-Dollar Train. - —_ 2-Tom Wright ‘Station gent; or “Saving - Superin- | 7—Tom Wright's Cholee ; or, The Engineer's Strange ten is “¥ : $—Tom beiig =r rt , The Belle of the Mid- egg on the Flyer; or, The Missing Express m Wright 9—Tom Wright’ »; or, A Railroad Chum’s Noble 4—Tom Wright, the orite ; or, The Raid on | yt. rie samme? um’s the Through Express 10—Tom Ww rest on Duty ; or, A Battle Against Railroad 5—Tom Wright, Car Finder; or, The Search for 1313. “Gomrades ”’ appears every woiadinimaiile it—Price 5c. 32) pages, illuniinated cover, uniform in size and vr with ‘ Tip Top.” *- — —&.: — a = i © & ~~ OG > —e- —& <