Nick Carter Weekly (no. 184) (1900 07 07)

Page 1

— FOUR NEW NUMBERS 187 ae cure ICK (ARTE WEEKLY Ne nie ae Feri ‘7 2 NICK TOOK THE GLASS OF POISONED WINE FROM THE DOCTOR’S HAND.

Page 2

Page 3

NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Entered according to Act of Congress in the ome 1900 by Street é Smith, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, = Washtngton, D. C. Entered as second class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Office, + Issued weekly. Subscription price, $2.50 per year. July 7, 1900. 3 No 184. sraver& surrn, Publishers. NEW YORK. 288 William 8t., N.Y. 5 Cents. s 6 Shielding a Murderer; } «et = OR, NICK CARTER’S DEALINGS WITH AN AVENGER. : By the Author of ‘NICK CARTER.” CHAPTER I, THE TRACKS IN THE GARDEN. _ The village marshal unlocked and opened the door of a rear room. “There,” he said, pointing inside, body was found in front of the bureau.” Nick Carter stepped into the apartment and glanced sharply around, his keen eyes taking in every detail of the place. “Has anything been disturbed?” he asked, in a moment. = “Nothing,” was the reply. “With one or ae two. exceptions, the room is exactly as I found it yesterday morning, when the body of f the murdered woman was discovered lying 2 there on the floor.” = “You have done en 4s replied Nick, with “smile. “Very few out-of-town officers 3 i have exercised such judgment.” “the 3 a years a member: of the New York police force.” : “Your work shows - excellent training,” said Nick. “T am glad you think so,” replied the offi- cial, pleased to have his efforts commended by so noted a detective as Nick Carter, “and Tam glad to know that I have been of service to you, for you once helped me out of a diffi- cult case in New York.” “So that is how I came to be called into this case?” asked the detective, with a smile. “Yes,” was the reply. “When this murder was discovered, I went straight to the county sheriff and asked that you be employed on the case. My only fear was that you were too busy to take it.” “Well,” replied the detective, “I wanted a breath of fresh air, and so here I am.” The marshal stepped into the front room of the little cottage and dismissed the two watchers who were sitting Pes the beey of

Page 4

e > 2) = “a ue ‘Sof es . eet 2 “¢; NICK CARTER WEEKLY. the murdered woman, laid ready for burial in a small sleeping-room adjoining the parlor and sitting-room combined. “You may go for the present,” he said, in explanation. “We want the place to our- selves for a time.” . This duty performed, he went back to the detective, who had just arrived from New York in response to a telegram. “When you want to see the body,” he said, “you will find it there in the bed-room.”. “Who'discovered the body?” asked Nick. “The milkman.” “Did he look through the cottage ?” “Not at all,” was the reply. “He came to the back door with his can, and receiving no answer to his knock, he opened the door and stepped inside.” “And then?” “He saw the body lying on the floor and hastened away, scared half to death.” “Were you notified at once?” “Yes; I happened to be passing at the time, and was the second person in the house.” “You saw the body, then, before it was moved from the position in which it was found ?” peg is: “Describe the position in which it lay.” “Tt lay all ina heap there on the floor, with the limbs drawn up as iftthe last moments of the poor creature had been passed in great “Go on,” said Nick. ; “There was a cloth gag in the mouth, and the huads and feet were securely bound.” . “Who has had access to this room since the removal of the body?” asked the detec- tive ~ _ “No one,” _ “Are you sure of that?” “Well, the husband of the woman was here - “And since that time the room has been locked, as we found it?” “Exactly.” The marshal stepped to the front of the house, and the detective got down on his hands and knees and went over every inch of the floor, even opening and examining the ‘ contents of thé little cupboard under the sink. This completed, he went to the room where the body lay. The face he sav, rigid in death, and with a look of unutterable terror upon it, was that of a woman not far from fifty years of age The nose was prominent, the cheek-bones were high, the upper lip was short, and the _ jaw was large and square. On the whole it was a strong and resolute face. : The hair was quite gray, and just above the left ear was a small mole. During the youth of the woman, it must have been en- tirely concealed by the hair, which was now quite thin. From the bed-room the detective went to the little garden in the rear of the cottage and made a close examination of the little patch of ground. When he returned to his sitting-room his face wore a puzzled look. “Now,” he said, throwing himself into a chair in front of the door leading to the kitchen, “tell me what you have discovered regarding the matter.” The marshal looked confused. “Nothing,” he ‘said, slowly; nothing.” “You have a theory, of course?” “Certainly,” was the reply. “The woman was murdered for her money; there can be no doubt of that.” : Nick smiled as he glanced sound the small and poorly furnished rooms. The marshal was quick to catch the signifi- cance oe the defective’ s manner, | “absolutely

Page 5

“Notwithstanding the. general air of pov- y,” he said, “the woman had money, and was foolish enough to exhibit it when- _ it once too often.” “What did the doctors say?” demanded _ Nick, abruptly. “3 “There were no wounds on the body,” was “Tt is clear that the woman was “smothered to death by the cloth used to pre- _ vent her-crying out.” __ “What about her husband?” “According to his story, he arose as usual mat morning, after breakfast had been pre- pared, ate his breakfast, and went away to his work, carrying his dinner pail as usual,” _ “Where is he employed?” _ “At the tub factory?” 33 “What sort of a’man is he?” “Silent and reserved. I believe he is not = liked by his shopmates.” 4 “At what hour did he leave the house on : the morni of the murder?” ‘ 3 six o'clock, he says.” on ae “What time was the murder discovered is “Shortly after seven.’ - “And he was notified at once?” “OF course.” : oe “How did he act.” “He seemed to be greatly agitated.” _ “How long has he lived here?” os “About a year, I assure you that suspicion does alleen > arose and walked p-and) dows the r mr a monet and then-asked: * you ee: of een. ' NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 3 “Tt seems so, for Mr. Clark has been un- able to find it.” “How did such a sum of money as you describe come into the possession of the wife of a common mechanic? Doesn’t Clark know where she kept it?” “Those are questions I cannot answer, but he did not act as if he knew.” “And so he searched the premises on gen- eral principles ?” “Yes, that is what he was in the kitchen for.” “Did he make an exhaustive search?” “It did not seem so to me.” “Describe the man, please.” -“He is a very ordinary man, about fifty years of age, short, rather muscular.” “Give me his full name, please.” “Sidney Clark.” Nick pondered a moment, and then said: _“T can’t understand why he shotld tell a falsehood about what took place here on the morning of the murder.” The village marshal sprang excitedly to his feet. e ees “Y don’t understand you,” he said. “There is no proof that hie did not tell the truth.” “The proof is very plain,” said the detec- tive, “that when Sidney Clark went to his work that morning he left the woman dead on the kitchen fioor!” “Do you mean,” exclaimed the marshal, turning pale, “that I have foolishly allowed the guilty person to escape?” “Wait a moment,” said the detective. “Al- low me to describe what took place here on the morning of the murder. Then you may draw your own conclusions.” The marshal sank weakly into his chair, and Nick walked to the kitchen door. “First,” began the detective, “Sidney Clark was not in bed when the murdered woman arose that morning. He was not evea in the . =p salt Pe si

Page 6

4 4 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. The village official gazed at the detective in open-mouthed amazement. “How do you know that?” he demanded. Nick pointed to the kitchen stove. “The house,” he said, “is a model of neat- ness. Do you think a good housekeeper would make such a muss as that in building the morning fire? Certainly not. That is the work of a man, and the work of a man not familiar with the premises.” The marshal looked blankly before him and said not a word. “See,” continued the detective, “the oven was full of dry wood, and.yet it was not touched. On the other hand, the builder of the fire tore papers from the cupboard shelves in order to make a quick blaze. He did this in great haste, for some of the dishes are _ overturned. Then, observe how he threw the _ burnt matches about and punched a hole in the mica in the front door of the stove.” “What do you infer from all this?” asked the marshal, finding his tongue at last. “The inference plainly stated before,” re- plied the detective, “the inference that Sidney, Clark lied about what took place here on the morning of the murder. Now, if he lied about his wife getting up first and preparing breakfast, it is more than probable that he lied about everything that took place that morning.” . “There: must be some mistake,” said the marshal. a can’t think I have been deceived in the man.’ “The building of the fire bea settled, “3 continued the detective, “let us get to the ac’, next point. No breakfast was fread here a _ on the morning in question.” ___. The village official seemed absolutely stu- 2a - pefied by the assertion of the detective. eee *You are putting it on pretty thick,” he ae » finally lly said, with a slow smile, which seemed ee tage and committed the crime.” “See,” he said, “the fire burned but a few moments, and the dishes remain in the posi-_ tion in which the hasty removal of the papers from the shelves left them. It is clear that the fire did not burn long enough to cook even a frugal meal that morning, and equally plain that the dishes were not used at all.” “What was the fire built for?” demanded the marshal. . “For the purpose of destroying papers of some kind,” was the reply. Nick opened the pocket-book as he spoke. “Tt seems,” he continued, “that the fire did not do its work well, for I have a number of half-burned documents throW some light on the case.” The marshal stepped forward to examine the find, but the detective closed the book and returned it to his pocket. “There will be time énough to look at the papers,” he said, “after we have learned something about the murder.” here which may “This looks like magic,” said the marshal. “Can it be possible that Sidney Clark mur- dered his wife and went calmly away to his work, leaving her dead body lying on the kitchen floor ?” “No,” said Nick, murder his wife.” “Who did, then?” asked the marshal. “That is what we are here to discover,” was the reply. “Sidney Clark left his home before sunrise that morning, wearing a pair of long-topped rubber boots. He passed out at the back door and went in the direction of the railway depot. After he had disap- . “Sidney Clark did not _peared, the murderer, who had lain, concealed in the garden for some time, entered the cot- “But he must have returned home,” said the marshal, “for he went to the factory with , bis dinner pail in his hand.” “He did return,” said Nick, “and when he entered the house he found his wife dead.”

Page 7

_“This is incomprehensible,” Page official. “Do you mean to say that he _ was the first one to discover the murder, and _ that he went away without giving the alarm?” _ “Exactly. He took off his ‘heavy rubber boots, put on the light ones worn in the shop, threw some crusts and scraps of meat into his dinner pail, and went off to the factory, 4 _ knowing that he would be called back di- rectly.” “If this is all true, Sidney Clark is an ac- ; _ cessory before the fact,” said-the marshal. ; “Don’t be too fast,” said the detective. cc are just starting in on this case, and we must feel our way. What,possible motive * “could he have had in the death of his wife? Were they ever known to quarrel?” “I think not.” Ree = cae let us give Siiney Clart the benefit _ fo "sunrise, , about the rubber boots, and about the way he put up his noonday lunch.” ; Nick opened the door of the little cupboard er the sink. _ “There are the rubber boots,” he sei ‘a3 “and there is the dinner pail, just as he took ito the shop that morning.” - _ “The pail tells its own story,” said the mar- 2 looking oh its “but how about the ! _murder was committed on Tuesday rning ” said Nick. “Well, it rained heavi- 1 of Monday night, and on Tuesday Sore earth hereabouts was soaked fist back of of the garden fabs there is a of clay. The y of the clay lon the boot, and the prints of the are still observable in the clay. - said the vil- . -prints were made when the ‘ satu ae with Sea or NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 5 they would not be so deep. If they had been made at some time previous to Tuesday, they would have been washed away by the rain. . “So, you see, the tracks were made after the rain, and before the earth had time,to dry off, or before the hot sun of Tuesday shone down on the patch of clay.” “But I can’t understand-——” “We are not supposed to understand the ‘matter the first hour,” interrupted Nick, with a smile. “Now mark what took place after _the departure of Sidney Clark, summoned away in order that the murderer might have full swing in the cottage.” “Yes,” said the marshal, “he must have been drawn from the house by a note or mes- sage of some kind.” : “Well,” continued Nick, “after the depart- ure of the husband the murderer crept in from the garden.” CHAPTER II. IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT. The village official was about to speak when Nick laid a hand on his arm and point- ed toward the gate in front. “Who is the person just entering the yard?” he asked. The marshal shook his head. “He doesn’t belong in the village,” he said, regarding the new-comer steadily. “I never saw him before.” “Just as I supposed,” said Nick. ste be careful what you say in his presence.” The stranger passed through the gateway and up the path leading to the cottage door. He seemed to be a remarkably well-pre- served man of about sixty. He was expen- sively dressed, and his gray beard was care- fully trimmed. As he advanced along the — ts 3 walk he gave no evidence of haste or excite- ment. He seemed to be a thorough man of the world: 3 Pe ~_ When his knock sounded « on fs, panel of

Page 8

ee _ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. _ the cottage door Nick stepped forward and admitted him. After glancing hastily around the apart- ‘ment for a moment he turned to the marshal. “T beg your pardon,” he said, “but I ex- pected to find Mrs. Sidney Clark here.” Without saying a word the village official pointed to the little sleéping-room. The stranger stepped quickly into the room and stood bent for a moment over the still figure on the bed. Nick stood by his side, marching « every ex- pression of his face. He started at the first sight of the body, and then stood for some moments looking down on the dead face. “When did she die?” he asked, finally. “Yesterday morning,” replied the detec- tive. : “That is singular,” said the stranger, cool- ly. “Tam managing some small business af- fairs for her and I was not even aware that she was ill.” “She was in her usual health five minutes + before her death,” said the detective. “She _ was murdered.” “Murdered!” | The stranger started violently as he spoke, : but his face was without excitement. BP _ Nick Carter made a megial note of the fact } baa waited. } t “Who could have aniered the inoffensive old lady ?” continued the stranger. “I was not auger that she had an enemy in the worlc Be “Te. is a seake eos said the village te official. > “Have the officers been set to work?” de- “af “manded. the other. “Has the murderer been ee caught?” : ee “The officers are at work,” replied the de- cctive, “but the man who committed the is not yet in ambos. megehs 8 ihe bed and looked up into the face of the detective. “She was murdered for what little money she had in the house?” he asked. “Certainly,” was the reply. “You, as her man of, business, ought to know how much money she had.” “Very little,” was the guarded answer. “Not more than a thousand dollars in all.” There was a short silence, during which the stranger seemed to be mentally sizing up the detective. Nick aided him in arriving at a conclusion by looking as stupid as possible. “I came here,” began the stranger, in a moment, “to secure legal papers, important in a small way, for record. I may look for them, I presume?” The marshal shook his head. “You must wait,” he said, “until the return of her husband.” “She had a husband then?” . “Certainly.” “T have done her business for a long time,” said the other, “but I always believed her to be a widow.” ; i “Her husband will be here at noon,” said the marshal. “But my. business is important, and my time is valuable,” began;the stranger, “per- haps——-” At a motion from Nick the marshal inter- rupted him. “Tam sorry,” he said, “but it is useless-to urge the matter. I am ‘in charge here, and nothing shall be disturbed until the arrival of Mr. Sidney Clark.” An expression of rage swept over the face of the attorney. _ \ “You shall regret this,” he said, rising to his feet. “You shall learn that my business is not to be delayed by the boorishness of coun- try constables.” Nick thought the attorney raised his voice

Page 9

NICK CARTER WEEKLY. * 7 to an unnecessarily loud key, and for an in- stant he waited for a reply, the lawyer’s words = _ seeming to him like a — previously ~ agreed upon. _ The attorney started toward the he Then the answer came. A cloud of smoke swept into the room, and 4 from the street outside came a cry of fire. The fire seemed to be in the basement, for little puffs of smoke were already making their way through the flooring. __ The attorney sprang back into the cottage i: and stood pointing toward the dead woman = lying on the bed. . “Don’t let the corpse burn, ” he shouted. “Carry it out, and let me see what can be E a ~ toward saving the cottage.” e “Without a word Nick darted into the __ kitchen and sprang through the rear door = into the garden, where he had previously ob- = “served an outside cellar door. ~ wall of shrubbery which concealed the back of the garden from view, the detective saw a rapidly disappearing form. Ina short time, in response to his oie ‘01 r assistance, a dozen men were at his side, ) ling and tearing at the pile of blazing boxes which had been stacked nears the l and fired by some unknown hand. ‘Seeing that the blaze could not last long er such vigorous treatment, the detective ed { to the room above. a The marshal stood in the door keeping a _ crowd of excited villagers at bay. = The : attorney, with a look of eager expec- "taney upon his face, stood by the head of the “Nick noticed that his hands rested care- ly upon the unbroken surface of the cot- Ae EI bed. * to i he ee) aF The door was open, and just beyond the . The attorney started back with a frown. “I meant to secure the papers in spite of you and your boorish companion,” he ex- claimed, “but it seems that they are not here.” He moved toward the door as he spoke, and Nick followed on after him, still with that meaning smile on his face. “I regret to lose your company at this crit- ical moment,” he said, “but it may be neces- sary for me to meet you in Chicago before I have done with the case. Good-day.” The lawyer started at the word Chicago, then bowed and pushed his way through the crowd to the gate and made his way down the street. : “Don’t let him go away without giving a: account of himself,” whispered the marsha “T believe he had something to do with se ting fire to the cottage.” The detective drew the excited man bacs into the cottage and closed the door. “Why do you think of that ?” he asked. “It looks like it, doesn’t it?” was the reply. _ “Besides, we ought to learn from him some- "thing regarding the past life of the woman.” ‘Nick, laughing softly to himself, drew a tape measure from his pocket and bent over the spot on the floor where the attorney had stood upon entering the room. _ The marshal looked on in amazement. The detective unrolled his tape and took a measurement, | “The fellow’s heel rested exactly on the edge of this crack,” he said, “while his toe reached to this knot, thus giving the length of his shoe.” “What has that to do with the matter ?” de- manded the marshal, in an impatient tone. “It proves,” was the reply, “that the gentle- man who has just favored us with a call i is not on the morning of the murder.” “But he attracted our attention while his confederate set-fire to the cottage,” enna thereilage oficial Sols eign Es

Page 10

8 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “You are undoubtedly correct,” said Nick, coolly, “but we are not here to investigate a case of arson.” “But we might have learned something from him regarding the woman,” persisted the marshal. “I don’t understand why you allowed him to escape.” “THat will develop later on,” replied Nick. “Tt is enough for the present for us to know that he did not succeed in destroying by fire the documents which the murderer failed to _ secure,” : ‘The marshal remained silent. -“We.could have learned nothing from the fellow,” Nick continued, “for he would have lied us off the track.” “T guess you are right.” “There is no doubt of it.” “So far as the documents are concerned,” said the marshal, “we have proof that the murderer secured some of them, and that he fed them to the kitchen stove. You have some of. the remnants in your possession now.” ; “He did not secure all of them,” said Nick, ‘coolly, “so he set fire to the cottage before leaving it, hoping to destroy them and to hide all traces of his bloody act.” . “Do you mean that this is the secorid at- _ tempt thet has been made to burn the __ house?” - “Certainly. The seuustiaies: prepared the _ pile of dry materials in the cellar, and set Bre _ to it before leaving the scene of his crime.” “Then why didn’t the house burn down?” . “Because the husband came back in time to “3 i rene the blaze.” : ~The wondering marshal seer silent, * looking at the detective as he might have looked at a magician, — + ae making a visit to the cellar,” con- tinued the detective, “you will see charred pee Seas Sainte. ago, ber the morning of the murder. boots, fresh from the, patch of clay in the reas of the garden.” “Well,” said the marshal, “this is all Greek to me, but it seems to have been a mighty foolish thing, this setting fire to the house the second time in broad daylight, and in the presence of a crowd of people. No one but a fool would have attempted’ such a thing.” “You don’t seem to understand the neces- sities of the case,” said Nick. “The husband is expected here at noon. Well, they wanted to secure the papers or destroy them before That is why they attempted so daring a crime, and it shows what sort of men we have to deal with in the case. his arrival. “They had an idea that in the excitement of removing the body from the burning building the papers could be secured, or they possibly thought that the cottage would be burned to the ground and the papers de- ae You see, they had two chances of success,’ “Why do you say ‘they?’ ” “Because we are dealing with three men, possibly with four, all strangers here.” “Who are they?” “The murderer, the attorney, and the man who disappeared over the garden fence after setting fire to the house.” “And you are allowing the only two that you know anything about to escape,” said the marshal, reproachfully. “They will return,” said Nick quietly. “T am not:so sure of that.” “They will risk everything for the papers.” “How could valuable papers be in the possession of the wife _of a common’ mechanic ?” ; ~ “The dead woman was something more than the wife of a common mechanic, and she was not murdered for the money she had concealed in the house. Let me tell you something more of what took place here on

Page 11

ay “First, the husband was called away by a note, asking him to meet the writer in the vicinity of the railway depot before sunrise. _ “He kept the appointment, but found no one there. On his return home, in the ex- _citement of finding his wife was dead, he dropped the note under the sink when he re _ away his rubber boots. “After the departure of Sidney Clark from "the house, the man who had for some time remained concealed in the raspberry bushes in the garden, crept into the house, probably _ thinking to find the woman asleep. “was up and engaged in dressing. She in- - stantly recognized the intruder and arose to _ talk with him instead of crying out. So she ' must have known him well “She passed into the kitchen, wearing a pair of blue woolen stockings, and was there ~ seized and strangled to death. _ “She was a strong woman, and fought hard, but was finally overcome. ~ Then the murderer burned the papers he had discov- _ ered, and continued his search for’ more, _ which he did not find.” — : =. Het feet were dressed as you describe, 2 what s iad wore?” = : - woolen yarn caught cnitder long slivers of the hard wood floor. os “The husband returned while ‘the search was in progress,” continued. the detective, ' a Serer ee unseen to the ; “a z eae c barrels he found there up in a heap, end- by setting them on fire. — . then he made his escape, but the hus- warned of the condition’ of affairs by oke, hastened to ins ae and extin- the e before it had gained Nick passed the afternoon in a systematic “He ~ search of the house, and at dusk had a neat — bundle of things which Se wished to look into. ; coum ‘and piled the boxes \, The husband had not returned. At ten o'clock eva Snir alias. tekk the tetinres and Nick extinguished the lights and sat — dowp to wait. — = At twelve o ‘clock there 9 was a slight move. : ment at the window of the little sleeping- — room where the body lay, and the detective

Page 12

10 He arose and crept softly in that direction. The window was up and the body was not in its old place, Then another dark form appeared ‘in the opening, and a stealthy footstep was heard on the floor. The detective sprang forward, but the next instant he was caught from behind and forced back against the wall of the sitting- room, The next-moment the bed-room sash fell with a loud crash. CHAPTER III. MR, SIDNEY CLARK. “At last, murderer!” Following the fall of the sash, there was a rush of footsteps in front of the cottage, and then all was still. Nick Carter realized that a mistake had been made. The man who held him as with a grip of steel was not the man he was there to take “into custody! The men who had twice attempted the de- struction of the cottage, and possibly the murderer, were escaping while he struggled with an unknown foe i in the darkness. “At last, murderer!” repeated the detec- : utive’s antagonist. “Now that we are face to é face, and alone, we can settle the matter with- out the aid of the law.” : For a moment the struggle was a desperate one, for the detective had been taken una- 2 _ wares, and his antagonist was both strong ae a nimble. ¥y _ E&erting all his wonderful streegth, Nick n threw the man to the floor and held there, clasping both his hands in order Reread may weapon. "Now," ‘he said, slowly, “perhaps you will Clark. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. The man on the floor started at the sound of the detective’s voice. At that instant the sound of a pistol. shot came from the street outside. Then the voices of excited men were heard. “T have blundered again,” panted the pris- oner. “For God’s sake don’t keep me here. Don’t you hear them running away ?” “Tf they are running away,” said Nick, “it is your own fault. Why did you interfere? I should have had them both in a moment.” “This is no time to talk,” said the other. “Release me.” “Not so fast,” replied Nick, coolly. “Tell me who you are, and why you used the lan- guage you did a moment ago.” “T am Sidney Clark,” was the reply, “and I thought I had one of the murderers in my power.” The voice of the village marshal was now heard at the door. “What is wrong?” he asked. _ “Nothing,” replied Nick. “But,” insisted the official, “I heard a sash fall here, and then two men ran away.” “And you shot at them ?” *¥'es Sidney Clark raised his head as if about to speak, but the detective warned him to be silent. “T want to talk with you before the mar- shal knows you are here,” he whispered. “I will ask the question you had in mind.” “Come,” said the marshal, “why don’t you Yet me in?” ; “All in good time,” “Did your shot take effect?” “T am afraid not,” was the reply. and. Clark seemed relieved. “Then watch the railway depot for an hese and then return here.” , “They won't go to the depot,” haetensd replied Nick.

Page 13

gers ‘NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “Of course not, but I must keep the mar- > - shal busy or he will be prowling around the cottage. » ; Nick waited until the soarilial’s s footsteps * could no longer be heard, and then led Clark into the kitchen. __ First seeing that the heavy window shades were closely drawn, the detective produced ~ his dark lantern and flashed its rays upon the face of his late antagonist. It was the face of a determined, sullen and revengeful ‘man, not far from fifty years of age. The man shasta away from the strong light and made.an effort to move toward the door. . > » “Tt appears to me,” meat lun Mdletective, ' “that I have seen you before. Your face seems familiar.” “Possibly.” ‘ ~ “You came here in search of the man who Saints ee in a mo- ow % cei Clash re silent. “And you trailed the men who were here a ae moment ago from the es, of course? You said a moment ago that you Butta: is ‘had one of them.” Ps ‘mi eA Clark only frowned. ole. Syinccpion I mean that you earned in the p city. that they were here, and followed them owt, taking pe way ad ada to have 1 a : ; tt ok on mean that you followed in their st of "1 te de a man’s questions. eae ‘; 11 “Lie number one,” said Nick, “was the statement that you left your wife alive and well when you went to the factory or th morning of the ‘murder.” “Who are you?” demanded the husband “What right have you to make such asser tions?” : “Allow me-to explain why you went to Chicago,” said Nick, without noticing the “When you left your wife lying dead on the kitchen floor that morning, you knew what hand had stricken her down.” _ An exclamation of rage came from the lips of the unwilling listener, but Nick went on remorselessly : “After extinguishing the fire started by the murderer in the cellar, you went to the shop, partly to gain time for thought, and partly to protect the murderer of your wife.” “Tt is false!” “What reason you had, and still have, for protecting the man is a mystery tome. Well, you were called from the shop, but you re- mained silent regarding your senowienee of © " the happenings of the morning.” “I had nothing to tell,” broke in the en- raged man. “Is it likely that I would protect the man who murdered my wife?” “It is not natural that you should do so,” was the reply, “but that is exactly what you. did do, and exactly what you are doing now.” Sidney Clark made a movement toward the door again, and Nick drew a pair of shin- ing handcuffs from his pocket» and placed . them on the tablée within reach. a's “Make the slightest effort to escape,” he said, “and I wilk orriament _your wine with ae tad - va Clark’ sade . sullenly back into his chair. -- “While y you are talking,” he said, “the men ag recently attempted to force an entrance into the house a getting away.” Ptr the details of the bur- e

Page 14

12 away to Chicago, not to procure clothing, as you have just stated, but to seek the murderer in haunts well known to yourself.” “You seem to be a fair imitation of Nick Carter,” broke in Clark, with an evil smile. “Arriving in Chicago, you proceeded to look for your man. He was not to be found, On the contrary, you learned that he, know- ing you were in Chicago, had dispatched confederates to this place for the purpose of - completing in your absence the work he had begun:” “Go on,” said Clark, grimly. “You trailed the confederates here; but ar- rived too late to effect their capture.” “My arrival at the exact moment of the at- tempted burglary was purely accidental,” said Clark. _ “That is lie number three,” said Nick, “and it does not agree with your former statement. You have some strong reason for not turning these men over to the law. I have no doubt you would shoot them on sight. Now, with -- regard to the murderer, the man you fol- ~ lowed: to Chicago. “You expected to find him here, for you _ believed he had followed his confederates. __. In this you were mistaken, for he did not re- turn. He is still in Chicago.” Clark started again, but remained silent. _* “I say murderer,” continued Nick, “for the crime was committed by one man, and a re- markably muscular man at that.” Clark’s face, seen under the : strong light of = _ thedant ern, looked like the face of a corpse. <4 ~ “You must be a wizard,” os said, “to know all this.” é. “IT say he was a sii man,” resumed detective, “because your wife was a tpi strong woman, and he strangled her to death, zie 4s handed. and alone.” arose and. went to the place where - “According to your own story,” “But she \ was bound hand and. foot,’ 35 sug- NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Removing the wrapping, he took from the package three strips of strong cotton cloth. “Observe the large piece with which she was gagged,” he said. “It is torn and strain- ed in the centre, and there is rfo kind of doubt that the straining and tearing was done with human hands and teeth. In short, by the hands So she was gagged before she was bound. and teeth of your wife. “Now, observe these two pieces, with which her hands and feet were secured. They are not strained in the least. The wrinkles are hardly removed from the fabric. This shows that there was no struggle after they were placed in the position in which they - were found, on the hands and feet of the murdered woman. . “This proves conclusively that they were adjusted after she was dead. Now, what does this prove? Simply that the murderer sought to leave the impression that the crime had been committed for the purpose of robbery, and that the woman had been bound*hand and foot and gagged merely to prevent her crying out and resisting the taking of her property.” “Before you go any further,” interrupted Clark, “be good enough to tell me who you are. “All in good time,” said Nick. “Now let us get back to the murderer, a description of whom you might have given to the officers on the morning the crime was discovered.” said Clark, “I did not see the man who murdered my wife.” “No, not that morning, for you would have , = killed him on sight, as I said a few moments ago. You did not see him that morning, but you knew then and know now who he was. Had you told-the truth, he would not be at large now.” - - Clark did not speak. “On: account of pos | failure to. describe the

Page 15

NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ~ fellow,” resumed the detective, “I am obliged _ «to give a description of my own.” Clark smiled. ~ Nick took a thorny Patio stalk from his bundle and held it up to the light. as, “Kirst,” he said, “he was dressed in a fine black suit-of imported cloth. What do you say to the ordinary thug wearing that kind of garments?” - Clark restrained himself only by a ees - effort. “Second, Za continued the detective, “he _ wore ‘a pair of ‘toothpick’ shoes and a silk E ae® = “You are a good gutesser,” _ Clark. interrupted : . = -Clark sprang to his feet. * - “This is s extraordinary, ” he exclaimed: scription” asked Nick, easing ¢ a fellow 4 cased ; a Clark hesitated. ‘ ae | know nothing about: the daa,” he said, eS “And yet,” said Nick, “you remarked a Se ne too es ¥ gi detective, be Fase “You have Power co aie easy” work of this in throwing every en, , you" are a detective x estion pee a touch of = £ ~ ae said Midk, “hej is a man about five © you to say regarding the de- 4 Se aaron 8 oo > Eye did not see hims-that a tia _. impression that you are doing it because you way of the officers. Boe, =n $ <€ : , ae “y $ 13 Clark laughed harshly. “If you succeed,” he said, prive me of a very pleasant duty.” “You mean to take the law into your own hands, just as I have been saying,” said Nick. “T would kill him on sight.” “you will de- “I believe you,” replied Nick. “Your manner at the time of our encounter in the next room ought to be proof enough of your intentions in the matter. You. want to avenge your wile’s death, and you want the murderer out of the way.” Clark rose and walked up and down the floor, laboring, evidently, under great excite- ment. “Tf I had remained at home that morning,” he said, “all would have been well.” “Had you no suspicions ?” “None whatever. Why should I have had?” a “And yet, you had good reason to know that the life of your wife = be attempted at any moment.” ‘How do you know that?” “Because it was finally taken, and because for some reason you are eee. the mur- derer.” “You are unreasonable. Why should I do that? © “Well, ” said Nick aasatiy “T don’t know as I can state the reason exactly, but it is my dare not aid in bringing him to trial.” “And yet you said a short time ago that I meant to kill him,” said Clark. * “Killing and bringing to trial are two dif- ferent things,” said the detective. “What do you mean?” “1 mean,” replied Nick, “that at some time .in your life you have been very intimate with _the man we are talking of; and that you are afraid he would make unpleasant disclosures — 2 were he brought to trial.” ek, Clark ‘did not ier but his spans indi- - pate ae 4% as

Page 16

14 cated that the detective had made'a ten- strike. “This being the case,” continued Nick, “I have little to hope for so far as your assist- ance is concerned.” “You do not seem to be making much progress at the present time,” said Clark. “Your friend, the village marshal, will be- cotre impatient.” At that instant Gubsieps. were heard out- side, and the voice of the marshal came through the broken sash. “What are you doing in there?” he -de- ( manded. “Will you show yourself, or must I force my way in?” y ‘Warning Clark to remain where he was Nick stepped to the door and opened it. “Did you find the burglars?” he asked. -, “Certainly not. They had too long a _start.” < : 3 “What next ?” asked Nick. - “TI leave that to you,” said the marshal. “Who were you talking with? I am certain _ Theard voices as I came up.” be “With Sidney Clark.” : “Impossible! When did he arrive ?” “He followed the burglars from Chicago.” «~ Hearing his name mentioned, Clark stepped into the room. 3 ‘The open bed-room door at once attracted his attention,.and he was soon at the side of - the bed. “Look here,” he shouted, in & moment, “what vandal has sia: disturbing the body?” _ The detective had been 1 reserving this sur- prise for the last ‘moment. aoe! The body, as Nick had before’ piaarved: te, had been moved from ‘the position in which Mit haa been left by the watchers, and now lay ed 5 on eae against the wall at the back of the ie ~The front of the mattre& was thrown air ds small ot on the under r side, -, , NICK CARTER WEEKLY. : Ei! know. baie fe pie ane eco . “My God,” he exclaimed, “they seem to have gotten the papers they sought.” “So,” said Nick, with a smile, “they were after papers, after all?” “Yes,” said Clark, “and they deal with more than one life.” CHAPTER IV.° OLOSED BY DEATH, Nick hastened outside and bent over the fresh marks in the soft earth under the broken window. The foot-prints were clearly not those of the ‘disguised man who had visited the cot- tage that day. They were identical with the foot-prints of the man who had fled from the garden at the time of the fire. = “T thought so,” mused Nick. “The lawyer brought this fellow alorig fo do the dirty ’ work. Now, I wonder why the lawyer's foot- prints do not show. There were certainly two men at the window.” A/closer examination of the earth under the window revealed the faint prints of a — large pair of rubbers. a “he lawyer is cunning,” thought the de- tective, “and he has:doubtless been up to tricks of this sort before.” When Nick arose to his feet he saw the marshal standing only a few feet away. “What do you make out?” asked the © official. 4 ‘Nick briefly explained what he had dis- covered. . “Clark is about crazy over the loss of the papers,” said the marshal, after the detective had concluded. : ; ac) “He is searching the house again, 3 pre- . ‘sume ?” said Nick. “ ¥Yess “he thinks the papers ‘may - still be | . there. THe fact of the matter is that he does 4 $i a) 4 ce en ae 1

Page 17

NICK CARTER WEEKLY. him hunt,” said Nick, “only we must fe sure and not let him make off with them N case they are found.” . “Do you think he will try that np ct “Certainly. - “Why should he?” _ “Because they might supply the ‘clew we ant.” “How so?” _ “They may point to persons having a mo- ive for the murder of the woman, and they May place Clark in the power of the murder- rs and so insure his silence.” “T ought to have thought of that,” said the marshal. : : There was a short silence, during which the detective listened to the hasty steps of the Searcher in the cottage; and then the marshal Se : j “But supposing that he dees not find hem 2” q “Then he may be sufficiently angry to give is the clew we want. He has only to open is mouth to clear up the whole case.” “Tt seems to me that you are too positive bout his knowing all about the perpetrators f the crime,” said the marshal. = I ‘am willing to stake my reputation on ” said Nick. “He knows who the men are, nd means to have them punished.” - “Then why doesn’t he tell?” _ “Because he means to murder them with s own hand.” — ; ie marshal shuddered. “You are a strange man,” he said. hen Sat and allow. the Taw, to take it a ” in his life, he has been mixed up in with these men, and he knows that a nd conviction would end in their all g together. In planning to take the he ae ind is. aie Pr to “hotel. uldn’t it be much better for him to point ; rt rg his oi of view. ‘At some. 15 * “T see.” “And so,” continued Nick, “he will have to be pretty angry in order to open his mouth.” “I should think so, when his life is at stake.” “Still, he may do so, if he discovers that the papers are in the hands of the men who mur- dered his wife; that is, if we are there to talk with him when he makes the discovery, and promise him partial immunity from punish- ment for his misdeeds.” “Then. he must be watched.” “Of course, and he must not know that he is watched.” “We can easily keep track of his move- ments from the windows.” “Yes,” said Nick, “go in and tell him any story you please to account for our absence.” The marshal disappeared and soon re- ~ turned with the statement that Clark had ap- peared greatly pleased at the idea of being left alone in the cottage. “Now,” said the detective, “one can watch him as well as two. I am anxious to examine the scraps of papers taken from the stove this morning, for they may furnish some clew : to work on,/and so | will take’a room at the i Be vigilant, and on no account leave the fellow alone for an instant.” “And if he finds the papers?” “Arrest him.” . “And if he does not find them?” “Arrest him.” The marshal laughed. “Whichever way it goes,” he said, “the fel- low is in hard luck.” “He may not be in custody long,” said Nick. “T hope not,” was the Ray, one I pity the fellow.” ‘Nick moved away toward the Hotel, and the village official turned back to the broken window, from which a fair view of the two. front rooms of the cottage could be had, the

Page 18

16 bed-room door-way being near the front wall. In the meantime Clark was busy in the lit- tle bed-room. ; First, he went over the. floor, prying into the cracks with the point of his knife, in the hope of finding some secret hiding place. Unsuccessful at this point, he next began an examination of the walls of the room. ~ After a long search he discovered, by sounding the wall, a secret panel at the head of the bed. The spot was the exact one upon which the lawyer’s hand had rested. Trembling with expectancy, Clark opened the panel and drew out a small box. Looking in from the window, the marshal saw him convey the box to the sitting-room “and place it on the table. . _. The face of the man was whiter tlian that of * the woman lying in the room he had just left. He forced the blade of his knife under the cover and pried it up. The box was empty. With an exclamation of rage Clark has- tened into the bed-room and threw up the edge of the mattress. __A little pocket on the under side, which me _ Nick had previously observed, was now in| ” plain sight, _ Clark bent over and inoked into it, _ A moment later he drew out a small key. : Then, moving back to the box, he inserted ae - eee key i in ‘the lock, : It opened without difficulty. 3 “I understand it all now,” he muttered. “The body was misplaced in order to secure the key. I wonder why they returned it to its place after opening the box?” _ ‘The marshal watched with bated breath. _ __ “It was a cunning piece of work,” mut- tered Clark, i in a moment. “I was not to be a to know that the papers had been z ‘To have removed the box, or to have _ broken open, or to have. carried away the NICK CARTER WEEKLY. After some thought Clark restored the box to the secret hiding place where he had found it, and replaced the key in the pocket. “There,” he muttered, “they will deny hav- ing the papers, and will point to the undis- turbed box and key as proof of the assertion that my wife removed the papers before her death! Oh, I have cunning men to deal with, but we shall see who will win in the end.” The marshal moved away from the window and approached the front door of the cottage. He had not heard Clark’s muttered expres- sions, but the discovery of the empty box had told the story. He believed that the papers had been taken from the box by the men who had entered the cottage, and who would have been captured by the detectives but for Clark’s untimely ar- rival and subsequent mistake. He wondered at the intruders’ knowledge of the hiding place, but had no time to waste in theories. Clark had clearly abandoned the search, and the only thing for him to do was to obey the orders of the detective and take him into custody. ae As. the official opened the door, Clark sprang to his feet and hastened into the little room. ; “It is possible,” he muttered, “that they did not have time to get to the box, or that they found it empty.” The marshal watched him search the room for some evidence of the success of the burglars. In a moment Clark threw up his hand with an oath. “There it is!” he shouted, facing the mar- shal, then seen for the first time since his sup- ‘posed departure. “What is it?” Clark bent over. and raised a small pink ribbon from the floor. “There,” he said, wt wife kept that about

Page 19

_ the papers. I wonder that I did not see it before, but the room was none too light.” “Was it there yesterday morning?” asked the marshal, hardly knowing, in the excite- ment of the moment, what he was saying. “It was not,” almost shouted Clark. “I should have seen it by daylight. The papers have been stolen.” “You seem to aise the loss of the papers as a greater calamity than the murder of your « wife,” said the marshal. ¥ Clark threw himself into a chair. | “Yoy don’t understand,” he said. There was a short silence. The duty of arresting the man was to the “marshal a hateful one. arell me about the papers,” he said: finally. looked up with a strange expression in his*eyes. | In the faint light of the isis which had been lighted for the purpose of making the search, he looked more like a demon than a . man. att “Am I right,” he said, “in supposing that = the man I mistook for the murderer to-night =i 38.3 city detective having charge of the case?” ‘The marshal nodded. 4 fe _“Then bring him here,” said Clark, “and I will bring. these. men to the gallows if I keep them company.” - “He was right, then, in supposing that you kas know who the murderers are?” asked the Rss 02.) iad Sie ee ee WF. al me ee ; we > = = mn aa ae ‘The marshal hesitated, oe ie : “You will not beat escape’ a% o with me to Twill tell elas here, by the dead my wife or not at all.” =. _ marshal. . oes eine) him | there at MCeeRE Ss i: NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 17 He turned toward the door as he spoke, but Clark stopped him with a low exclama- tion, and he turned back. “What is it?” he asked. Clark pointed toward the rear room. “Did you hear that?” he asked. “T heard nothing.” “Surely I heard the sound of stifled breath- ing.” The marshal took the lamp in his hand and started toward the kitchen door. Clark sprang to his feet. “Go on,” he said. mistaken.” In the short silence that followed the sound of soft footsteps came from the thick dark- ness of the rear room. The marshal, wondering at the sudden “T must have been ‘change in the man, again started toward the door, Clark seized him roughly by the arm. “Go and bring your friend,” he said, ‘hoarsely, “or I shall refuse to make the dis- closures I promised a moment ago.” « “But there is some one out there.” 3 “Tt must have been the wind.” The marshal placed the lamp on the table and left the cottage. Clark heard the gate close, and then hastily extinguished the light. The next moment he was crouching in a corner of the room, with a knife in his hand. He was at no loss to account for the noises he had heard. Sa ee He had been watched by the murderers! He knew that his conversation with the marshal had been overheard, - ‘The men whose lives he sought might even ‘then be within reach of his hand, knowing = that he meant to betray them. He exulted in the thought. He had sent the marshal away knowing that the fight would be to the death. _ As he listened the sound of stealthy foot-

Page 20

18 The heavy window shades were closely drawn, and the room was pitchy dark. Even the faint light of the stars was ex- cluded. The steps drew nearer, and Clark crept noiselessly toward the door leading into the kitchen. In an instant there came a movement at the front door, and Clark realized that the fight would be two to one. He moved back into the corner and waited, expecting every moment to hear the front door open, The person in the kitchen no longer at- tempted to conceal his presence. _ He advanced boldly to the doorway and whispered : j “Clark !” There was no answer. “Come,” he’continued. is spoiled. You may as well make your es- cape now, for it will be impossible for you to make the treacherous disclosures you prom- ised” Clark crept nearer to the doorway. “You have the papers 2” he whispered. Ot *No” ies The front door opened softly. . Guided by the sound of the man’ $ voice, Clark sprang forward. = In an- instant a See: struggle was in _ | progress. : “es “Madman !’* panted the ster man, __ *what would you do?” “Punish a murderer !” was the reply. << _ The struggle was now on the floor. that a third person was advancing apes him from behind, deities He felt the warm blood’of his enemy gush- ing into his face na omental resistance ee “Your little game Clark struck hard and quick, for he knew / NICK CARTER WEEKLY. At that instant hurried steps came up the walk from the gate. The marshal was returning with the de- tective. There was a quick movement and a blow, and Clark fell to the floor, the blood pouring from a wound in his breast. His antagonist bounded over his prostrate body and disappeared in the direction of the kitcheh. Then Clark looked up to see the light of the detective’s dark lantern shining in his face. He tried to speak, and Nick bent over him. “What does he say ?” asked the marshal. “He is trying to repeat a name.” There was a monient’s silence. Nick bent closer and listened. It was too late! Clark made one convulsive movement and fell back. “Tt is over,” PY en “And with the man perishes our clew?” said the marshal. “T am afraid so.” Nick said not a word regarding the plain disobedience of orders which had led to this result. ‘i He turned to the second i feare fring on the floor. * There was no hope ure’ The man was dead. An examination of the pockets of the dead men revealed nothing, Nick coolly produced his measuring tape and laid it upon the foot of the dead man. “This fellow,” he said, “is the man who fired the cottage this morning.” “And the man who has just escaped?” “Ts doubtless the disguised attorney,” said Nick, thoughtfully.

Page 21

; NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 19 CHAPTER V. - “It is plain enough,” said Nick. “I learned “THE LAUNDRY LIST. the color and texture of his clothes from the “Tt strikes me,” said Chick, laying a bundle shreds which caught on the thorny stick you, of papers on the table, “that the case is atan see there on the table.” end.” - “Well?” 4 ' “Why do you say that?” asked Nick, with “I got his height from my tape measure. a smile. He lay at full length on the ground under the “Well,” plied Chick; “Sidney Clark died . bushes, and the marks of his feet and one without giving you the slightest clew,; is that shoulder were quite distinct. 4 ; “Very good.” — 4 = ss Certainly.” “T got his complexion from the hairs which a “And you know nothing of the motive of caught on the bushes.” the crime?” “What ?” ‘Sy “That is hardly right,” said Nick, “but go “His hair is very harsh, coarse, and black, a on,” : so the chances are a hundred to one that he “And you know nothing of the where- has a swarthy skin and black eyes.” s - abouts of the-murderer or the man who visit- “But the shoes ?”” _ ed the cottage in disguise that day?” “The points of the toes showed plainly in ae “The seeming attorney does business the garden, and they were unmistakably heres”. . 2»... ‘toothpicks.’ ” _ “How do you know that? cok ; “But he may not wear such shoes here.” > = 3 aged ‘told me, when I stated that I “Yes he will. He is a good dresser, and 4 “yet call on him i in Chicago in connec- that style of shoes are now all the rage.’ tion ‘with the case.” “> ., “Well, admit all this,” said Chick, fairly “Well, admit that = does live here” said © driven into a corner, “what do you know © tae does not prove: that the mur-_ about the past life of the woman and her hus- - derer also lives here”. ; 4 band? I have you there, at least.” =o) < “FT think it does. The two. men are @- work . . “My son,” said Nick, with a smile, “don’t ing together. - Besides, Clark a hore to decide the case until the proof is all in.” ~ find them.” : As he spoke, Nick laid a partly printed and ec “ ‘Admit that, Sor what have ie oahin! partly written paper before his assistant. 4 “You would not know the murderer if you Chick seiged it eagerly, looked it over, and — meet him on the street.” ce - Maid it down with a laugh. = yes, I would.’ te as _ “This is simply a laundry list,” he Said. \ “From the written: description fas Fast “Very true,” was the reply, “but it is the nanded mer Piet: clew we want.” fs “ie asi = “You are too“deep for gee said Chick,” Sys lhe: 2 of my, lighting a cigar. ‘i% “get that description ?” fe | “Please-observe the name on the list.” i in. Me ” Chick picked up the list once more. ; found ee a raphery bushes in “The name seems to be Mrs. Sarah Sid- cottage & = | ney,” he said. my ‘ nar as the assistant. was with Nick “Exactly,” replied Nick, “and it was found . rhe Chick vould not are Se. ee woman in th: ae

Page 22

~~ , _ the false whiskers. 20 , NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ~ Chick sprang to his feet, all excitement. “And so,” he said, “Mrs. Sidney Clark at Verona became Mrs. Sarah sect in Chicago?” “It seems so.” “You beat me,” said Chick. “Here I have been wondering why you came to Chicago to complete the case, when it is as plain as day.” “Yes,” said Nick, “the conspiracy which ended in the murder of the husband and wife began in Chicago a year ago.” “Still,” ventured Chick, doubtfully, “you ; have lost track of the man who lay in the gar- den that morning, and also of the man with aber may be in San Francisco by this time.” “That does not matter,” was the reply. “With the past life and associations of the , dead woman laid bare before me, I will have no difficulty in locating her murderers.” “By the way,” said Chick, “how do you know that the man who lay concealed in the garden committed the murder?” “Because the kitchen floor told me so. In the struggle the loam from the garden be- came scattered over the floor. I found bits of it under the patches of clay, which fell from Sidney Clark’ 's rubber boots, which proves that it was there before he returned from the fruitless ‘errand on which he was sent by the murderer.” , The two detectives ‘were sitting in a cozy Si room in the Palmer House, Chicago, '_~ It was evening, and Nick had been in the ~ city several hours, while Chick” had just ar- “rived from New York, in response to a tele- 2 gram from his chief. te aa 4. x Sagan list would prove but a slender e) Se, list i is etiieed." said Nick, “which eye not ustal. ee eset id Bil me “Tt is No. 4,575.” “Exactly ; and the name is there, too?” “Ves, but the name will not be found on the books of the laundry.” “But the number is there.” “Of course.” “And the address of the customer will also be found there.” “Perhaps not. You see, it was delivered at the laundry office.” Nick smiled. “But it is there,” he said, “for I found it there. Mrs. Sarah Sidney did not call for all her clothing. Some of it was delivered at the house where she lived.” “Well?” “Well, all we have to do now is to ascer- tain what sort of a life the woman lived there, und who her associates were.” “That will be easy enough to do.” “Then we must learn why she, a woman of great wealth, lived the life of a mechanic’s wife in a country town.” “A-woman of great wealth ?” Chick repeated the words of his chief with a look of incredulity on his face which was highly amusing to Nick. “Ves,” said the detective, “the scraps of paper I rescued from the kitchen stove show that she was worth a million.” “What were the papers?” “Statements of bank dividends and Te quests for proxies in board elections.” “This is astonishing.” _ “And now,” said Nick, “the next thing is o to discover by what crime, or series aor crimes, “Say what you will, ” said Chicky, in a mo-. this woman secured this money.” % + _ment, “with any other man but Rick” ‘Carter, ; “You think she came by it unlawfully ? tf _ “Tam sure of it. The man and woman were in hiding in that village, if I am not greatly mistaken. And they were in deadly fear of their former confederates, the men

Page 23

"tained? Ee _ “Probably bonds“ and incriminating let- p ters.” me 3, ‘ distinct soils 3 in “he. se from eee thes _ “Have you any idea what the box con-. a short hall to the east, the rooms having- Drsz 4 a movement i in Chick's ‘ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 21 Chick was breathing regularly in his bed, while the soft movement on the carpet came from a point nearer to the door connecting the two rooms. From where he lay the detective could see the open doorway. The intruder had not yet reached it. Nick left his bed with one quick, silent movement, and crept into the closet, taking his precious package with him and leaving the door slightly ajar. He could now observe whatever took place in the room without himself being in sight. “The fellow seems to’ have a good deal of nerve,” he thought. “I wonder whether he means robbery or murder?” “The next moment the figure of a man made its appearance in the open doorway. In leaving his bed Nick had taken care to arrange the clothing so as to give the impres- sion that it was still occupied. The man in the doorway stood perfectly still for a moment, and then turned toward the bed. As he did so,the detective saw that he was ‘anew man in the case. He was too tall to fit the description of the ‘man who had committed the murder, and much too heavy to be maseee for the dis- guised lawyer. Nick remained perfectly still while the fel- low crept toward the bed. _ He was thinking fast. ES: _ “He is a mere tool,” he thought, “who does not know the risk he is running in coming ~~ here. He doubtless thinks he is here to plun- der some sleepy traveler. Now the = is, what shall T do with him ?” “The fellow was now bending over the bed, and Nick had very y little time to decide. “If T arrest him,” he thought, “that will only close his mouth. The crime of entering an Scape s room in the ce time is J 3 a

Page 24

H 22 ? ishment and remain silent. Still, I can’t arouse Chick, and I am.in no shape to follow him now, though he will doubtless’ go straight to the man who employed him to do this job.” The detective would have given a good many dollars to have been dressed and ready for the street. While he studied over the matter, he was treated to an unexpected surprise. The figure bending over the bed made no movement to molest what he evidently be- lieved to be a sleeping man. “Slipping his hand under the pillow, he sought the package which the detective had removed. After a moment’s search he drew a peach: age from his pocket and pushed it under the - pillow. Then for the first time he seemed to dis- cover that the bed was unoccupied, - He hesitated a moment, but did not remove the package. Presently he turned away and moved to- ward the door of Chick’s room. ; - Nick knew well enough what it ‘all meant. . The fellow had, placed an infernal machine in his bed. “Tt is a desperate scheme,” Nick thought, “but a clever one for all that. I wonder how long it will run before exploding?” A little thought convinced Nick that the _ machine would run a long time before enter- ing upon its work of destruction, =~ _ Had it been set for quick work, it would ‘not have been placed in the bed in the ab-— sence of the man it was designed to kill. * Doubtless believing thatthe occupant of | the bed had left it only eeeeea ty the fellow - .; ‘had left the infernal. machine there to do its Fas te after his return. — the parti murderer passe NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ~ The detective’s habit pf always leaving his clothes so that he could dress in an instant now stood him in good stead. Still, the intruder would have been out of the room and lost in the tangle of hall-ways beyond had not fortune favored the detective. ‘As the fellow reached the middle of the room Chick moved uneasily in his sleep and yawned, t Crouching back against the wall, the fellow waited. Nick understood what had taken place. He softly removed the infernal machine from the bed and held it up to his ear. ‘Then he heard the faint ticking oftclock- ‘work. Stepping to a pitcher of water sitting in the oom, he carefully immersed the machine. Then he listened again. The water had penetrated the interior of the machine, and the clock-work had stopped. There was no longer any danger from the apparatus. om “Now,” thought the detective,- “if Chick only sleeps soundly to let this fellow out of the room withoutefrightening him, I shall soon know who sent him here.” t Fortune again favored the detective, for his assistant turned over and slept again. Then the intruder opened the door and stepped out into: the hall. Waiting only’ an instant, Nick followed him. , The little hall was empty, but Nick heard the stealthy footsteps of the fellow on the - stairs. CHAPTER VI MRS. SARAH SIDNEY. «Mien Cities awoke in » the morning he saw ~ “fooking apparatus in his hand. / ee “What ay yon, pig a ——

Page 25

“This,” was the reply, “is infernal machine _ No. 10,” “Do you mean,” asked Chick, springing out of bed, “that you have received another 2 a of those funny little machines?” “Yes,” was the reply, “and it makes the _ tenth one that has been presented to me : Beatin’ I have been engaged. in the detective _ business.” ‘In a few words Nick explained what had _ taken place in the rooms on the previous _ night. “JT am ashamed of myself for sleeping so _ soundly,” said Chick, “but I had been up for __ several nights, and nature will have her way _ now and then. “tt is a good thing you are a _ light sleeper.” “You would Ses spoiled everything by & waking,” said Nick. _ “Where did the fellow take you?” asked the assistant. _ “To a gambling house not far from the pe eeees Deine. replied Nick. = “Well?” “J learned that dhe? place is kept by one ‘Witliam Ball, that the man I had followed _then I came away.” $ er seiont getting inside, or sizing the pro- r up?” “Certainly. The proprietor will keep. We . n get him at any time. Besides, I was anx- ‘ious to get back to bed.” ca “But you did not coin back vere ra 6 Yes, I did, and found you sleeping es b by.” =a Now,” said Chick, “the question is this, proprietor of the gambling-house the ““T secured a description of the man from an ’"was the reply, “and it tallies exactly description of the r man who lay con- » garden shame er on the NICK CARTER WEEKLY. would talk with no one but the proprietor, you came here to find, or is he another er of gc Ns 23 “That seems to settle the case,” said Chick, “The rest is simply a matter of detail.” “Hardly. We must collect our proof be- fore making a single arrest. We must find out, first of all, what interest this man had in the death of Mrs. Sidney Clark.” “You are right, as usual,” said Chick. “The first thing to do,” continued Nick, “is to go to the address secured at the laun- dry and ascertain what sort of a life the woman lived in Chicago.” “Of course.” “This will in some way connect her with ~ the man who took her life, and then the whole’ gang can easily be brought to book.” “And there are the banks referred to in the partly destroyed papers,” suggested Chick. “Tt might be well to find out what is known about her there.” “Yes, that is a good job for you. In the meantime wé shall make it appear that we have left the city, frightened away by the at- tempt of last night, by causing the noon edi- tions of the daily papers to insert an item to that effect, without mentioning our names or in any way referring to this murder case.’ “Just the thing.” While Chick was dressing, Nick wrote the notice as he desired to have it appear and took it down to the clerk, who readily prom- ised to secure its insertion. This done, Chick started away to the banks, while Nick sought the house where the woman had lived under the name of Sarah Sidney. To say that he was surprised when he reached the number expresses it very mildly. The house was an elegant brown-stone front, situated in an aristocratic »eighbor- hood near the lake front on the north side. The spacious grounds surrounding the — structure had been laid out with great care and at great expense, but they now showed

Page 26

24 * The house looked deserted, and the few outbuildings were falling into decay. No one answered the detective’s ring, and he was turning away to secure the informa- tion he desired in another quarter when an officer paused at the gate. “The hduse is preecapen. ” he said, shortly. Nick passed out of the gate and walked up and down, talking with the policeman, a long time. As he turned toward the south side again, he thrust a bank-note into the fellow’s hand. When Nick reached the hotel, he found Chick there waiting“for him. The. detectives, who would not have been recognized by their best friends as the men who had engaged rooms there the night be- fore, were shown to new apartments. “This is proper,” said Nick, with a smile, “for we are supposed to be on the way to New York now, scaredyaway by that machine.” “What did you learn? ?” asked Chick. “Wait a moment,” was the reply. “me what you discovered at the banks.” “Mrs. Sarah Sidney. ” began Chick. “Inherited. a large sum of money from an unexpected source about a year ago,” inter- = _ Tupted Nick. 5 “Precisely.” “And,” continued Nick, “she invested a large share of the money in bonds and bank stock. What next?” « A short time ago every dollar of the bank _ stock was disposed of.” Sees Me ae me nes Of Der.” - “Certainly.” _“And that is all?” | Every word I could get out of the “Tell of the woman, your place being taken by a NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “Tf he has ever been arrested as proprietor of the house, I want to know the name of the lawyer who defended him. “Tf he has been arrested more than once, and has employed different attorneys, get a description of each one of them. “Then, find out all you can about the char- ‘acter of the man and the lawyers, taking special pains to learn all you can regarding the financial condition of our friend Ball. I will be here at two o’clock to receive your report.” Chick laughed. “T understand what you want,” he said, “and when I come to a man resembling the disguised attorney I shall go no farther. Is that alt right?” “Yes,” said Nick, whether Ball is in bad shape financially.” “And where he was on the night before the murder at the Verona cottage = “if you also find out “We can reach that point in another way,” said Nick, turning away. Chick took his departuré at once, and half an hour later Nick was closeted with a famous physician in his private officeron State street. “Up to within 4 few weeks of her death,” he said, abruptly, “you were the family phy- sician of the late Mrs. Lucy Hamilton?” The physician nodded. “You were finally dismissed by the nephew — physician-picked up somewhere in Europe?” “T fail to see,” said the doctor, “why we should discuss the matter at this late day. Mrs. Hamilton paid with her life the penalty of her rash act.” “Of her nephew’s act, you mean?” “No, she dismissed me in person, although she did it at the instigation of thé man you mention.” “You understood her case thoroughly ?” “T eee so at the time.” —-

Page 27

- NICK CARTER WEEKLY. _ “And you naturally kept track of the case up to the time of her death?” er “Ves” ; “Have you ever - had suspicions as to the real cause of her death?” “I certainly have.” 7 - “You know where her property went ?” ~. “Yes, - that is another aenge feature of 4 “the case.” Nick drew his chair closer to that of the Eedector:; and the two men talked in low tones _ for an hour. _ “Well,” said Nick, rising to depart at the end of the interview, “if you will call at the place mentioned at three o’clock this after- noon, I will convince you that your suspi- cions were well founded.” The doctor _ epee and Nick hastened eo cr _ The detective seemed to desire a good deal me ‘medical advice that day, for the next place - stopped at was the office of another noted physician, who lived in magnificent quarters on a fashionable street, and had the reputa- ‘tion of being very wealthy. : _ After waiting some time in an outer room, Bae a ee tortor e pragttc apart- em am Ebbve 2 a strange iguanas to ask,” he said, TO owing himself into a chair. © e doctor lifted his weil-tarnet. eyebrows n surprise. B resecs” he said. “My time is valuable.” sy want to know,” said Nick, “whether it is ossible to recall to life for one instant a per- lly dead.” ir : x ‘indeed a strange question,” said . ones pete at the detective. raced 3 - 25 The doctor hesitated. “I have had a great many strange cases,” he finally said. “T feel encouraged by your words and said Nick. ‘Now, supposing such a thing should be «done, what condition would the woman’s—if it was a woman— mind be in during the brief time she con- tinued to live after being called back to life >” “That depends:on the medicines used.” “Would the will power exist?” “Hardly.” “Would she be responsible for her acts?” “T should say not.” ; “She would simply be the creature of an- other?” EV eg? The doctor’s voice was growing husky, and his face was very pale. | manner,” “Then she would do whatever she was told to do? She would even undo the work of a life-time at a command whispered in her ear 2” “She might.” ‘The doctor sank into a chair and wiped great drops of perspiration from his face. “What do you mean by asking all these questions ?” he demanded, in a voice trem-_ bling with excitement. — : “I am an officér of the law,” was the cool reply, ‘and I am working on a case in which such an occurrence might have taken place.” The doctor gasped and reached out for a glass of wine. Nick noticed that he took the glass from a distant corner,of the table, where it had been concealed by a pile of papers, and that it contained a white sediment. = As the doctor was about to raise the glass to his lips, the detective took it from his hand. “I beg your pardon,” he said, “but there is something floating on the'wine: Allow me to aa é remove it.” ‘ re “As he spoke Nick steppe tthe inky

Page 28

emptied the glass of its contents, and refilled it from a decanter on the table. “You might have wees yourself,” he added. “Tt was nothing,” gasped the doctor. “To return to our case,” resumed Nick. “If I understand you correctly, there would be no danger of the use of the wonderful drug being discovered?” “Tell me who you are!” almost shouted the doctor. “IT am Nick Carter, at your service.” “At last!” The doctor would have fallen to the floor but for the supporting arm of the detective. When Nick left the office, a few moments later, the doctor accompanied him, and “Closed for the day” was the sign posted on the door. Nick felt satisfied with his morning’s work. - CHAPTER VII. SOLVING THE MYSTERY — NICK CARTER’S PARTY. “Well,” asked Nick, walking into Chick’s room at the Palmer House, “what about William. Ball and the attorney ?” “First,” replied Chick, “William Ball is a gambler in hard luck.” — ‘ “What is-his record with the officers?” “He has been arrested many times.” “And has always been defended by the same lawyer?” “Yes.” “And that lawyer is the man who visited the cottage in disguise?” - “Undoubtedly. You seem to know all about what F discovered.” _ Nick pondered a moment, _ “How long has Ball been in hard luck?” he finally asked. “About six monthd, Before that tiga tes played on the empite, ites large sum of NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “He had plenty of money a year ago, then ?” “Yes, he was very wealthy at that time. The chief thinks he must have squandered a With the remnants of his fortune he bought the gam- bling-house, hoping to win back some of his million in yachts, horses and cards. money.” = “And failed.” “Yes, Everything goes against him.” “Did you learn where he got his fortune? He certainly did not accumulate it.” “No; he inherited it from a most unex- pected source,” “T thought so, and he has been receiving money from unknown quarters during the past six months, all of which has been squan- dered.” “How do you know that?” Nick smiled. “You shall know at the proper time.” he said. Nick walked thoughtfully up and down the floor for some moments. “Do you know where to find this lawyer?” he finally asked. “Certainly. His name is Simon Edwards, and he*has offices on La Salle street.” “What do the officers say regarding him?” “His reputation is decidedly shady, still he seems to have plenty of money.” “Well, put on a messenger suit and go to his office. Tell him to be at the old home- ~ stead on the lake shore at dusk to-night. Say that William Ball ordered you to tell him, and that Ball is out of the city, and will be until night.” Vag tee “Then go to the gambling-house and ask for Ball. Tell him the same thing, with the necessary changes.” Yes," “Then come back here.” “J

Page 29

NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Chick hastened away and Nick sat down to _ The assistant was not gone long. He came back well pleased with his success. He had _ found both men readily, and both had prom- ased to“keep the appointments. _ Just before three o’clock the two detectives entered the old house from the rear, Nick using his pick-lock in order to gain admit- _ tance. A few moments later, 'a soft knock sounded on the basement door, and Nick admitted the doctor he had first visited. “T am giving a little party here,” the detec- tive said, with a smile, “and expect more _ guests presently.” _ Leaving the basement door unlocked, the _ two detectives and their companion ascended to the second story of the house. _ The doctor pointed out a room at the front of the building. _ “She occupied be 2 went during her il ness,” he said. _ Entering the room, the et at once pro- ceeded to a large closet opening from it. are sides were lined with shelves. The s were filled with bottles, either empty Say filled with medicine. The bottles were of all sizes, and were tightly corked and n labeled. ; _ The doctor begam at the window and ex- amined every bottle in turn, passing some neatly “Now aad then tie put one pee with the remark that the contents bas: not been pre- seribell by him. i agp In an hour’s “tise. ‘the examination was ay eat, -ompletec and then the doctor looked up | an agar pe of disappointment on his an not found what you expected to _ The ima, was well lighted, and the walls. By i ha hasty reading of the label and uncork- — Toate bat had oe every. 27 The doctor shook his head. “Judging from the symptoms of the woman, as learned from the old nurse,” he said, “there ought to be other medicines here.” “The ones before us would not produce the results shown ?” “Decidedly not.” Nick removed a number of bottles and pressed a spring concealed in the window casing. A small door flew open, revealing a small cupboard packed with bottles which were all partly filled and none of which bore a label. “Please examine those,” he said. In a moment the doctor stepped back with a look of Horror on his face. “The proof is here,” he said. “I wonder why they kept the stuff after it had done its work ?” . “Tt is not an unusual mistake for murderers to make,” said Nick, coolly. “It may be that the conspirators expected to have use for the remaining poisons, and so put them away in what they regarded as a perfectly secure place.” The detectives then spent an hour examin- ing the different articles in the room. Finally, ina secret drawer in a secretary, Nick discovered a large ‘diary, written care- fully in a woman’s handwriting. eats He spent some time reading it, and then placed it in his pocket. 5 Just then the door of the room opened, and a policeman in plain clothes stepped into the room. ; “We entered without being observed,” he said. “Where is your companion?” asked Nick. “In the basement, in charge of an officer,” was the reply. Nick pointed toward the closet. “Conceal yourself there,” he said, “and

Page 30

28 The two detectives and the doctor now de- scended to the parlor on the first floof. Just then the sound of a key was heard in the front door, and a moment later William Ball stepped into the hall-way. Nick motioned to Chick and the doctor to conceal themselves behind the heavy hang- ings and stepped forward. “What are you doing here?” demanded Ball, catching sight of the detective, Before Nick could reply the front door opened again and Simon Edwards entered the hall-way. Nick was dressed exactly as he had been at the cottage, and the lawyer started back at the sight of him. “What does this mean?” he demanded. “If you two gentlemen will step into the parlor,” replied Nick, “I will explain why I am here. I told you, Mr. Edwards, that I might meet you in Chicago.” Ball sprang forward with an oath. “Tg you don’t leave instantly,” he said, “I will put you out with my own hands.” As the enraged man advanced upon the de- tective the lawyer checked him with a motion of his hand. “Let us hear his explanation,” he said. “Now,” began Nick, motioning the two men to seats in the parlor, and lighting the © gas, “I have a short story to tell.” “Tell it to the policeman on the corner,” said Ball, with a forced laugh. - “Some years ago,” continued Nick, “three _ sisters inherited considerable money from ssthelete bet. Bes “One of the sisters was married to Charles ste. are lived but a short time. , Her ‘them off, willing all her vast fortune to very NICK CARTER WEEKLY. and settled here, finally becoming very rich. “The second sister married Leonard Ball, who squandered his wife’s fortune and sent her to her grave with a broken heart. This sister left a wild and reckless son_named William.” . “Come, come,” broke in Ball, “there is no need to go into the history of}the family.” “The third sister,” continued Nick, with- ~ out noticing the interruption, “married Clark Sidney, a gambler and a spendthrift. “The wife of Leonard Ball was the only one of the three sisters to bear children, and only one of hers lived, the one I have men- tioned. “Tn the natural course of events he would have inherited the fortune of his aunt, as she had no children, but his conduct was such that she disinherited him. : “For a time she remained friendly with her sister and her husband, Clark Sidney, but in time their conduct became such that she cast distant relatives.” Ball laughed scornfully. “You are off the track,” he said. “She re- membered her sister and her nephew at last.”’. “While living a vagabond life in London,” resumed Nick, “William Ball picked up an unscrupulous physician in the slums and brought him to Chicago and put him on his — feet with the proceeds of a crime committed in England.” “It is a lie!” said Ball. “This doctor, Stephen Seymour by name, | learned his lesson well, and in a short time became, by what subterfuges I am unable to state, the family physician of Mrs. Hamilton. “Then the work of bringing the ruined and —

Page 31

" WICK CARTER WEEKLY. . poverty-stricken sister and nephew into favor with the woman, now in ill health, was begun, but did not succeed. “So murder and fratid were decided upon.” | Ball sprang to his feet and made a dash for ~ the door, but Nick drew_a pair of handcuffs from his pockets and motioned him back into the parlor. “A subtle poison, unknown to most practi- . tioners, was administered by the physician to the woman until she lay at the point of death. She still refused to see her sister or nephew, declaring that they should never handle a ‘dollar of her money.” Bali moved uneasily in his chair, but did not again attempt to escape. E: “Then the services of a disreputable bnovyes ‘named Simon Edwards were called in,’ sumed Nick. ree one ae re- : _“Be careful what you say,” thundered the - lawyer. . » “A will was prepared dividing the property equally between the sister and the nephew,” continued Nick, “and, in order to make the sudden change of purpose appear more nat- ural, the sister and the nephew, without the “Rnowitedge of the dying woman, took up their residence in the house, being careful to keep and erully murdering.” ay “At last di dt akg x diay ane diahe ne came, and the old will was still in force, ¢ new oie not haing-been signed,” con- e the detective. a =yae doctor was called, and the woman died ig Sage akon hen « powerhl the out of sight of the woman they were eed 29 nephew, and the servants were summoned .to the bedside of the dying woman, and the new will was produced by the lawyer. “While under the influence of the drug, and with the last strength of her life,. Mrs. Hamilton signed that will and declared, re-_ peating words whispered in her ear; that the act was of her own free will. The next mo- ment she was dead. “That will, prepared in fraud, and executed by a woman unconscious of her acts, was pro- bated, and the property passed into the hands of her murderers.” “You shall pay for this,” gasped the lawyer. At a motion from Nick, Chick stepped from behind the drapery and took a position close to the lawyer, while Nick advanced to- ward Ball. “There were many rumors of foul play after the death of the woman,” continued Nick, “but the money of the murderers hushed them all. Then the nephew began to squander his money, and the sister became afraid of him. ales “She sought to lose herself to him and her old associates by retiring with her husband to a small village, and more completely to keep up the deception, the husband worked as a Medias mechanic.” The lawyer and the gambler were now déadly pale. “ - “The nephew,” resumed Nick, “shut up the house where the murder had been committed and set about spending his ill-gotten money. He did not even remove the remains of the ; : poisons with which the woman had been killed. < “At last the nephew ran out of money, He ~

Page 32

30 hunted up his aunt and began a systematic course of blackmail. The aunt supplied him with money to purchase a gambling-house, hoping that he would recover a part of his money. . “The hope was a vain one. The nephew made new demands for money, and the sister sold her bank stock and prepared to leave the country. ° “Then the nephew decided to murder her and steal the bonds into which the money had been placed. He journeyed down to the vil- lage, decoyed the husband away by a note, and, after watching the house for some time from the garden, entered aint murdered the sister by stranguiation. “The husband returned to find his wife dead on the floor. He knew at once that the nephew had committed the crime, but he lied to the village gered and went to his work as usual.” “Why should he do that?” sneered Ball. “Because he knew Ball to be a coward as well as a murderer,” was the reply. “He knew that Ball, with the rope about his neck, would implicate him in the murder of Mrs. Hamilton. So he formed the desperate re- solve of killing the nephew with his own hand, and so ending the whole case. “He did not succeed, but was murdered by | Simon Edwards in the sitting-room of his own cottage, which the detective in charge of ‘the case had temporarily left in charge of the village marshal.”. Satie tek ick lies y tagno- bao, - “Before leaving the cottage, after the mur- Snes of his aunt,” ‘continued Nick, “Ball searched for the bonds and some identifying comer ten NICK CARTER WEEKLY. He did not find the bonds, but he found part of the papers, and made an her possession. attempt to burn them. “They were afterward found, only partly destroyed, by the detective, and used to good purpose. ; “The bonds and the true will were secured by Simon Edwards on the night of the hus- band’s murder, and where do you think the nephew hid them? In the secret closet where he. had hidden the poisons.” Nick took a package of papers from his pocket as he spoke. “These documents,” he said, “were found in a secret hiding place in the cottage, which was undoubtedly discovered by the murder- ers only after long and patient watching. At some time before the murder they must have seen the woman open it. ~ “There are other details,” added Nick, “which are unnecessary to repeat now, among which are the killing of a confederate by Sidney Clark—known in the village as Sidney Clark—and the attempted murder of the detective at the Palmer House last “niglit.” “This is a very pretty story,” said Ball. “How do you know that the woman mur- dered in the village was Mrs. Sarah Sidney?” “Because of a small mole above her ear, and because of the papers found among her possessions. papers was laundry list No. 4,575, which led to her former residence in this city, and pointed to this house, where she had had work sent. The rest was easy. Now, mur= derers, what do you say?” “Tt is all false!” shouted Edwards. At that moment. the parlor door opened The most important of these

Page 33

and two policemen entered, leading the doc- tor Nick had that afternoon taken from his office. “Tt is all true,” said the doctor. bear the strain no longer. I supplied the poison with which Mrs. Hamilton was mur- dered. Write it down! I administered the drug which brought back sufficient muscular power for her to sign the fraudulent will! Write that down! I have lived in deadly fear of William Ball ever since, for he has twice attempted the life I am weary of, and now gladly yield up!” The doctor raised his hand to his mouth, and Nick sprank forward, but was too late. teeth and fell back dead. The old family physician stepped into the : eae _ “T have the i of the poisons used,” he said: “If you like,” said Nick, turning to the two ; prisoners, “T will show you where they were . found.” * Oa ; ~ “No, not there!” said Ball. ” of this house. The air is heavy with blood.” 2 “Tell me,” said Nick, “what became of the * confederate who left the infernal machine at the Palmer House last night.” aA, know PORS. of him,” a the “Take us out : ‘ 7 ete ny falda ew pl or aaa a ” NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “T can ‘The doctor crushed a small pill between his. ’ ¥ 31 done him such good service in leading him to the gambling-house. “Now,” said Chick, as the detectives seated themselves in their room that night, “how did you learn about the three sisters? Surely the laundry list did not tell you that?” “The policeman on that beat knew all about the family, about the new doctor, and the strange death, and about the new will at the last moment.” : “That is strange.” “No,” said Nick, “not under the circum- stances, for the matter made quite a stir at the time, and the officer was at work on the “case.” “But discovered nothing?” “Nothing. Well, he told-me about the doctors, and the family physician told me enough to go on when I met the man who killed himself in the house. When I stated a suppositious case to him he weakened. The ‘Test came easy. The doctor who committed suicide was tired of life.” “But how did you learn so much about Mrs. Hamilton?” , : “Found her diary.” _ “And the secret closet in the Sac one?” “The doctor described where the poisons _were kept after I took him to headquarters this afternoon.” | “Well,” said Chick, “it makes a pretty case, but isn’t it strange that Clark, as he was called, did not know where the bonds and papers were kept?” “Tt does seem strange,” was the reply, “but the chances are that his wife was afraid of him. He might have been the sort of a sets to have made off with them.” Oe is probably be. bee ; =

Page 34

32 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. The lawyer and Ball were convicted in Chicago of the murder of Mrs, Hamilton, and executed, while the confederate was sent up for a long term of years for the infernal machine act. The heirs named in the first will received the property. “And it all came about through laundry list No. 4,575,” said Nick, as he read of the hanging while seated in his New York home. “That is all right,” said Chick, “but the Jaundry list had to be backed by brains and activity.” THE END, The next number of the Nick CARTER WEEKLY will contain ‘‘Nick Carter Saves a Reputation; or, A Button Worth a Fortnne.’’ Nick Carter Weekly THE BEST LIBRARY OF DETECTIVE STORIES. LATEST ISSUES: . 186—Nick Carter Rescues a Daughter; or, The Junior Partner’s Strang: o Bobavier. orth a Fortune. egy a See or, Nick Carter’s Dealings th an Ave 188—Saved from the. Penitentiary; or, Three Cheers oe Nick Cart lood-Stained Check; or, Nick Carter in the Ane Sg oom, 181—In the Clutch of the Law; or, Nick Carter’s Chain of Evidence. 18—The Government Custom’s it ad or, Carter’s Work for the U. 8. Treas tere Carter's Beautiful Decoy; or, The ‘Diamond 178—Nick Set ree a Client; or, The Body e btacgmagne ts en guess Assistant; or, The Man with * 176—Nick Carter Behind the Counter; or, A Peck of Pawn Tickets. sieges Carter’s Pointer; or, A Hungry Dog’s Din- 1m4—By ‘Whose Hand; or, Nick Carter Advertises for a Cab-Driver. ght in Six Sleura: or, Trouble in Room No. REP sei dat aease? aris Be Paks 119-Cet aks yBlee icity; or, Nick Carter Bags an 169—Unmasked by Nick Carter; or, An Attempt at 168 Nick. Carter's Second Sight; or, A Dumfounded 167—Nick Gorter Makes a Loan That Brings Him Big 166—Nick Carter Prevents a Disturbance, and Loses Ni Carter in a a or, A Plan to Catch Him set -wige Carter On Th en e Track, but Has Another 163—Nick oer: ‘Jumps — a Train, and Takes Big 162—Nick Carter Saves a Life, and Earns a Woman's Steamer Soouk: or, A eebais in Carter Saves a Reputation; or, A Button — Nick asa Cagtare, ew Uniform; or, A Bribe That ° Mack Sachin always on hand. If you cannot get our publications from your newsdealer, five ; will bring them to you by mail, postpaid. ees: SMITH, Bus teers, .208- Willem: St Few ort 158—Nick Carter aa the Sawdust Man; or, An In- vestment That Caused ahi oy 157—Nick Carter as an Expert; or, A Battery That Was Tampered With 156—Nick Carter's Silent Search; or, A Drive at a Fake Detective. or, A Criminal 155—Nick Carter’s Curious Client; with More Gall than Sense. ’ 154—Nick Carter Settles a Conspiracy; or, A Telegram That Wasn't Signed. 153—Nick Carter's Midnight ur: or, A Case Con- eluded Before Daylight ga =! BP aber s Fake Murder Case; or, The Plan pe Out the Agency. 151—Nick “Carter Stands a Bluff, and Wins a Game ea ich Ends in Limbo. 150—Nick Carter's Bogus Bargain; or, Outwitted by "Spica Methods. 149—Nick Carter Exchanges Prisoners; or, A Like- ness Easily Explained. 148—Nick Carter’s Snap Shot; or, A Photograph That Gave Evidence. 147—Nick "Carter's Turn at the Wheel; or, Red and Black Both the Same. 146—Nick Carter's Race for Life; or, An Accident in the Nick of Time, 145—Nick Carter’s Midnight Arrest; or, An Interrup- tion of a Poker Game. 144—Nick Carter Claims a Fortune, and Turns It Over to the Right Owners. 143—Nick Carter’ s Handsome Prisoner; or, How Her Smile Failed to Fascinate Him. Hari fag naa a Wizard and Shows Him a ric lirieke ‘Carter on the Limited; or, The Man on he Smoker Who Didn't Smoke. 140—-Nick Carter’s Greatest Compliment 139—Struck een; or, How the Superintendent Lent a Ha 188—Nick Cs Carter’s Mouse Trap; or, The End of Doc elstone. 137—Bob Ferret's ek Card; or, What Was Found on a Santry oa Men Ngo he th "Train ay TE or, The Mask t Was Marked with B 185 The Great 4 Abduction Case; on ~ Baby's Cry for reedom. 18¢—The Malay's_ Charge; or, Roxy’s Life Saved by 133—Afraid of Nick Carter; or, The Man Who Wasn't Born Yesterday. 132—The Face in the Bottle; or, tis Buff and One of the Finest. 131—At_ Kessler Switch; or, Nick Carter's Train Rob- bery Case. ?

Page 35

Page 36

The Tip Top Weekly AND THE FRANK MERRIWELL STORIES. No modern series of tales for boys and youth has met with anything like the cordial reception and popularity accorded to the Frank [erriwell Stories, published in Street & Smith's TIP TOP WEEKLY, a publication which has to-day a circulation larger than that of all similar publications combined. There must be a reason for this, and there Is. Frank Merriwell, as portrayed by the author, is a jolly, wholesouled, honest, courageous American lad, who appeals to the hearts of the boys. He has no bad habits, and his manliness inculcates the idea that itis not necessary for a boy to indulge in petty vices to be a hero. shining light for every ambitious lad to follow. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE LATEST ISSUES: 207—Frank Merriwell’s Influence; or, Inza, the Mascot | 214—Frank Merriwell’s Stroke; of the Crew. } Friendship. 208—Frank Merriwell’s Theory; or, A Fight fora Friend #15—Frank Merriwell’s Favor; or, True as Steel. 209—Frank Merriwell’s Five; or, Old Friends at Yale. 216—Frank Merriwell’s Phantom: or, The Ghost of 210—Franuk Merriwell’s Honor; or, The Nobility of Barney Mulloy. Frank Merriwell's example is a or, The Test of Badger. | 217—Frank Merriwell's “ Pull;:” or, True and Tried. 211—Frank~ Merriwell’s Reward; or, Buck Badger’s | 218—Frank Merriwell’s * Liner;” or, Elsie, the Mascot Humiliation. of the Nine, 219—Frank Merriwell’s Compact; or, The Triumph of Badger. 220—Frank Merriwell’s Curves; Tiver’s Claws. 32 PAGES AND ILLUMINATED COVER. 212—Frank Merriwell’s Football; or, the Disappear- ance of Jack Ready 213—Frank Merriwell’s Handicap; or, The Heroism of Elsie. ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY. or, Clipping the 5c. PER COPY. MORE LIBRARIES TO SUIT “TIP TOP”’ READERS. The Do and Dare Weekly PHIL RUSHINGTON, THE ACTOR-MANAGER. Thies ‘“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 line of reading. His work is bound to please. The following are the latest issues: 11—Phil Rushineton's Great Show ; or, Anoticr Whirl of Fortune’s Wheel. 12—Phil Rushington's Star Rider; or, Rivals of the Rins. 13—Phil Rushington’s Home Trip; or, Two Kinds of a Circus, 14—Piiil Rushington’s Loss; or, A Lion Hunt in the 16—Phil Rushingron’s Clown; or, The Secret of the Star Rider. 17—Phil Rushingtow'’s Temptation; or, Down on the Bills 18—Phil Rushington’s Race; or, The Pursuit of the Rival Circus, 1v—Phil Rushington’s Prize; or, The Show for Tent Number we, 20—Phil Rushingten'’s Search; Rider of the Ring. The “‘ Do and Dare Weekly ’’ appears every Tuesday. 32 pages, illuminated cover, uniform in size and style with ‘* Tip Top.” ) 8—Tom Wright on the Flyer; or, The Missing Ex- press Package. 4 9—Tom Wright's Resolve; or, A Railroad Chuim’s Noble Sacrifice. en 10—Tom Wright on Duty; or, A Battle Against Rail- | road Crooks. | 12—Tom Wright in Demand; or, A Mile a Minute ina Private Car. 13—Tom Wright's Right-of-Way ; or, Stealing «a March on the Eneuy, . 4—Tom Wright Misju@ged; or, Called Down by the Company. 15—Tom Wright Switched Off; or, A New Start on a New Railroad. Remember, ‘‘COMRADBS"’ appears every Wednesday—Read it—Price 5c. 32 pages, illuminated cover, uniform in size and style with “Tip Top,”