Nick Carter Weekly (no. 202) (1900 11 10)
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SMITH. Price 5 Cents. Wy nay? 7 BEFORE NICK COULD FREE HIMSELF, A DARK PIT YAWNED AT HIS FEET.
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See ae Be Me Sia obed Bet coe ' NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Entered: according to Act of Congress in the wie uy, Sb = a Smith, in the Opfee of the Librarian of Oongress, ashington, D. Entered as second class Matter at the New York, N. Y,, Post Office. Tssued weekly. Subscriplion price, $2.50 per year. November To, 1900, No. 202, sraner & Smrrn, Publishers. NEW YORK. 288 William 8t., N. ¥. 5 Cents, @ The Counterfeiter’s Gold Tooth; és apee: A OR, NICK CARTER'S CROOKED CORRESPONDENT. EELY, By the Author of ‘‘NICK CARTER.” a. N Se Fa < ; ’ Re 5 as : a ral CHAPTER TI. In his excitement the individual in ques- THE FINGER-PRINTS ON A CIGAR BOX. tion tried to wrench himself clear, exclaim- ig ot ing: 4 “Hold on, young man;, you are my pris- = ‘ : Let me go! I must not miss this train. — ~oner!” : ; : te? It is moving. Stand back, or. oe aes The abrupt, ominous command instantly : Just then he was nearly, hurled from his — checked the headlong rush of passengers : feet, and pulled furiously backward, while toward the N. Y. & N. H. express, as the long train stood in the station at Stamford pear 2% Ee z above the confusion of the scene, ' on. its incoming trip. . the sharp scream of a woman’s voice rang At this very moment Nick Carter, the. At the very moment the conductor’s “all : ; é : great New York detective, was turning away aboard!” rang out, a blue-coated official ; 3 : ; Sax from the telegraph office, with a dispatch in pushed his way thropgh the jostling throng, : ‘ ca we ci § his hand reading: until he brought his heavy hand down “Look sharp. for a tall young man, with | : : _ Close-cut hair, smooth face, dark-brown eyes, in the van of the crowd, with the startling and with the air of a sporting man. When last seen he wore smartly upon the shoulder of a young man a
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plug hat. He is about twenty-four, and he comes from Fairfield. He is known among He shoved his associates as Curt Smart. the queer at Bridgeport.” Nick had left his home the day before, at the request of Chief Hazen, to track down the perpetrators of one of the most baffling conspiracies that has ever troubled the United States Government. It was nothing less than a bold scheme of counterfeiting | Uncle’ Sam’s legal tender. Nothing like it had been known since the _ days when Brockway and “Tom” Ballard z sent ott their spurious United States bonds ~ and railroad securities, in such perfect imita- tions of the originals that bankers and brok- ers were purchasing them on every hand without dreaming of their utter worthless- ness. Nick had barely scanned the hasty mes- sage as the officer’s command, followed by the voice with womanly sharpness in it, sud- a denly stopped the hum of all other voices. ‘Then the momentary lull that fell on the . ~ scene was broken by the voice of the im- “patient conductor, as he repeated: “All aboard !” Those who were obliged to take the train - started up the steps reluctantly, while the of- , ficer continued to move away with his charge, the woman keeping beside him and his: pris- ~ oner. 5 Nick+saw at a glance that the arrested man was the identical person he had been tele- 2 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. him. The woman, or, more strictly speaking, the girl, for she could not have been over seven- ie z teen, possessed rare beauty of the blonde type. ' = She was weeping and wringing her hands, while she appealed to the officer to release her friend. As if to add to the dramatic excitement of the situation, a second official ran forward at this moment, exclaiming to the first: “Egad, Thompson! I guess V'll have a hand in this game. I have just got word to stop this girl! She’s old Stowell’s daughter, eS at Kent, and she was running away with this precious scamp.”” The girl’s screams were redoubled as he . seized her in no easy grasp and proceeded ae to pull her away in an dopacite direction. —~ But she resisted so furiously that he ost. his hold: when she darted back to the side = : the young man. ; “You can't take me away, and you a sha’n’t!” she cried. “We have done nothin, wrong.” “The she-cat!” exclaimed the officer, re- peating his aie. “Come with me, Mis : Stowell ; you shall not be hurt. My orders are to hold you until your father gets here.” “But what means this atrest of Mr. Smart?” she demanded, suddenly checkin; her flow of tears and looking defiantly at the officer. ee aes “He has been passing counterfeit money, miss. You don’t want anything to do h ”
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “He hasn't!” she cried, sharply. “Curt Smart is honest.” By this time the train was moving out of the station, and the officers had taken their . charges out of each other’s sight, the crowd that had witnessed the scene beginning to scatter, Nick followed the course taken by the of- ficer attempt to keep close to them. When he reached the police station, he found that several of the officials had col- lected about the place, discussing the new- comer, who had been taken to a ¢ell. “There doesn’t seem to be any of the queer in his pocket-book,” said the chief, who was examining the personal property just taken _ from the prisoner. “I wonder what is in this box?” he continued, taking up a small parcel the young man had had in his hands at the time of his capture. Tearing away the paper wrapped carefully about the object, it was found to be a com- mon cigar box of the small size. A saontien later an exclamation of surprise escaped the chief’s lips, as he raised the cover of the box. “By the great dominion, boys! Look here! See the wealth the fellow had,” point- ing to a large pile of United States Treasury ‘notes: _ “All ten-dollar bills, and there is more than But every one is coun- a hundred of them! Be terfeit. ing the chap so easily.” and his prisoner, though he made no: T call that a streak of luck in catch- “Let me look at the box, chief,” said Nick, — who had ene a place by the speaker’s side. “Hilloa, Nick! this you? How is it you 2 are always on hand on occasions like this?” — “Tt is my business,” was the quiet reply, as ' the great detective took the box. “T can’t say I admire the fellow’s choice for cigars any more than I do for his money.” “Can I see you alone a moment, chief?” “Certainly,” replied the officer, evidently surprised by the request. of this property, boys; you know it will all be needed at the trial.” “Do you know anything of this young Smart ?” asked Nick, as soon as he was closeted with Chief Duggan. “Enough to send him to State prison for the best part of his life.” “T didn’t mean that. How came you to have him arrested ?” * “Why, he was eloping with old man Sto-" well’s only daughter. Then, no sooner had we got word to stop him than word came “J will take care that he had been shoving the queer at Bridge- port. If that isn’t enough, I should like to know what is. “Say, old man, I hope you don’t feel bad because we got in ahead and scooped the man. ; that purpose. Ha, ha! was that the first time you ever got in second ?” age I. suppose you were down here for just — i a
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“See for yourself.” i A swift examination of the forged bills showed that they were all counterfeit of the United States Treasury notes of the series of | e » 1880, check letter B, head of Daniel Web- a ster, plate cuthtied 2250, signed by W. S. Rosencrans, Register, and J. W. Hyatt, Treasurer. “Isn’t that a boss counterfeit?” asked the chief. fibre paper, while the whole imprint is so per- “See what a perfect imitation of silk- » fect as to deceive almost any one but an ex- pert.” “All the same denomination,” said Nick. _ of paper fell from the lot and fluttered down to the floor. “Whew! what is that?” asked the chief. “Tt is a section of a bill, which has been torn from the rest. It belonged to a e308 note, but of the same series as the forged ones.” “Pethaps the rest is there.” “I hardly think so.” 3 *, As Nick spoke, he scrutinized the half bill s closely. It had not been torn, as he had ¢ thought at first, but had been cut in a peculiar zig-zag fashion by some sharp instrument . with teeth like a saw. As he recognized this fact, he said to him- _ which, however, eee in his expression of countenance. ok thought so. It is the sat same ad gang, NICK CARTER WEEKLY. As Nick lifted up the pile, a small piece _ self, with inward satistaction, not a hint OL it has been shown in court.” “ou tion. I thought that confession of Jim cr ) ford would be useful some day.” Then, turning to the chief, he remarked, quietly : io8 “If you have no objection, I would like to keep this.” : Ko “Certainly. Is it possible you think of eS looking further for the gang?” 7 Nick was turning the cigar box back and Rs forth between is hands, and, after a mo- ment’s pattse, he ariswered this question by another. : “Have you noticed this cigar box care- fully ?” . a oMes. 2.0 sis tiie: Star brand of cigars— 2 five-centers, and poor ones at that. For some reason, the Government stamp has been ss scraped off.” o : = “Did you see anything worthy oe net about the wrapper?” ; eae ee “Didn’t think to look at it, Hullo! as I live! Here is an address written in a fine hand upon the wrapper with a lead pencil : Mrs. Scott Burrows, No. 17 Ann street, Nes ie York.” ee = Better keep that Bas ea in town, I want a picture oe this box.” Ww “I don’t care for it,” replied Nick,
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you think they are, chief, or you would have seen the finger-prints made by him who held it in his hand before the cover was wrapped around it.” | “Rinper-prints! By the great dominion, Nick Carter, you are right. Mighty strange I did not think to look for them. But they. don’t show up plain enough for every one to see.” Then the chief gave Nick a sudden look of intelligence. “By. Jove! afoot in getting that photographed.” I believe you have some trick Nick made no reply to this, and a few ‘minutes later they had reached the studio of a reputable photographer. “I want this side of the box ‘taken’ under the strongest light possible,” said Nick, plac- ‘ing the object in the position he wanted it to stand. When the photographer had obtained a perfect negative, the great detective handed the box back to the chief, saying: “T have no further use for it, Daven: I advise you to keep it with as little: handling as possible.” Turning to the photographer, Nick said: “T want that photo enlarged as many times as it is necessary to bring out each line dis- tinctly, Mr, Terrace. I will call for it to- morrow. - “Now, chief, I would like to visit the pris- * es oner in company with Lawyer Butterworth.” “AIL right, Nick. ‘But Tam going t to tell - for - ever undertook.” - ‘than you have against him. “T am after the truth, that is all. I wish to\tell you, however, that I have already more proof toward clearing Curtis Smart “But I am in luck, for there comes Mr. Butterworth now, and I will pay my respects to the prisoner at once.” CHAPTER IT. WHAT WAS THE NUMBER, Nick and his companion were given a hearty reception by the prisoner, who looked’ upon their coming as a ray of hope. “What have they done with her—Miss Stowell?” were almost his first words. “She is safe. think of yourself just now. You are in a bad fix.” You have more reason tc “Am I? But I am innocent. I did not : I got it in payment ie know it was a bad bill. of a debt from a inde in Fairfield. It was ° Mr, Durgin.” : “But the box?” said Nick. “Oh! to me by a man on the train.” I had forgotten that. It was given “Under what circumstances?” — “I was passing from one car to an when I met a stranger who asked m was going to New. Se When I tol
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6 coat, eae asked me to deliver it as ad- dressed.” “What was the address.” The wind was “T did not read the name. blowing hard, and I was anxious to get into the car. I thought it. was rather a strange ‘request, but I took the box, told him I would deliver it, and passed on.” Sas Mise Stowell widr you?” “No, sir. Yoti see, I had left her in the _ other car to go into the smoker. I! have that - bad habit, but God knows I never tried to - cheat any one.” f — “So there was no witness to the meeting © betweene you and this stranger?” _ “Not that I am aware of.” “Did he pass on into the car you had left?” “T cannot tell; I left him standing on the _ platform.” “You did not see him afterward?” “No, sir.” “Describe him.” “As near as I can tell from the hasty glance I gave him, he was nearly six feet - = “tall, wore dark whiskers, had glasses on, and ‘a glove on one hand. I noticed the other = ee particularly, as it was too white for a man who worked out of doors for a living. He had on a het frock-coat, and looked like a gentleman.” “Ts that all you know about the box?” - “Yes, sir. Is there anything wrong about NICK CARTER WEEKLY. The great detectiv your right hand, Mr. Smart, so that I can see the inside.” . The prisoner did as he was requested ¢ without hesitation. “That is sufficient. What has been your business ?” “I have worked in the hat shops of Dan- bury. Iam a curler.” | “You were eloping with Squire Stowell’s daughter ?” “You might call it that, sir. It is on her account I feel worse that this has happened.” _ “What has been done ee her?” us “She is in good hands. liek her father is expected to come and take her home.” __ “He can’t come, sir; he is sick in bed. Oh, that I should get into this awkward scrape _at this time of all others! Do you think they - will keep me long?” “Mr. Butterworth will talk with you fur- ther, if you desire. My advice is to tell the truth and stick to it.” Leaving Lawyer Butterworth still talking — with the prisoner, Nick started away. He was an excellent judge of character, Pe as we know, and he had been very favorably - impressed by young Smart. After his talk with him, Nick came to the : conclusion that in all probability the prisoner. / ; ‘ e was speaking the truth, and he was prett: well convinced that he was innocent of the crime charged against him. = = e returned to the polic
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office when the chief came hastily forward to meet him. “Just in time,” he said, and drew the de- tective into his private room. “Tt seems as if there was no end to this counterfeiting business to-day. A stranger was brought to the station inquiring for you. I told him I would hunt you up. The fellow ~ is badly used up, and, though I have had the doctors fix him up as best they could, they. say he can’t live long. He has something he wants to say, and it’s about counterfeiters. But I wouldn’t let a soul near him but you. “Here we are. You will find him lying on that couch.” Nick saw in the farther corner of the room 4 huddled figure, and the groans of one in great distress came to his ears. “Here is the man for whom you were ask- ing,’ said Duggan, bending over the suf- ferer. “Nick Carter?” “Yes, Nick Carter.” “T had ruther see him than any other man in the world, But I’m afraid it’s too late.” - “What have you to say?” asked Nick, ap- proaching the man, whom he did not recog- nize. The man glanced at the chief. : “TI would rather see you alone,” he said, ; faintly, to Nick. : : - Chief Duggan caught the words, made a ~ gesture of acquiescence, and left the room. & “Tt’s about that Cash Brazen—dum him!” NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “Cash Brazen?” “Yes, the head of ‘the counterfeiting gang. Oh! I was one of them.” “Well?” “He cheated me out of my share. And | g when I kicked and threatened to eno zs them—more fool I—he attacked me, in the: = street, as I was going home. He’s done for me—killed me—at least he’s fixed me so I’m ; here.” “Who brought you here?” “A policeman—who found me—lying on 2 the sidewalk half conscious. I asked to be brought here—to find you—to—to get even with him—before I die. J—I——” : A fit of coughing stopped further articula- tion for several minutes. Nick could not help seeing that the man’s — career was nearly ended. = say.” 4 “You hev been a long time a-comin’—too long fer me. I’ve ’bout spun my drei 2 Put yer hand in my vest-pocket—t’other one . Got it? — Nick’s fingers had closed on something, and, as he opened his hand, he beheld a hal Ye'll find a bit 0’ paper there, of a ten-dollar Treasury note, cut in the same! identical way as was the one he had found in the cigar box of counterfeit money. = “Ig that all?” asked Nick that. How my throat fills up.”
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“That piece of a note you have taken from my pocket is the token, the pass-word, so to speak, of one of the worst gangs of counter- ae feiters in’ this country since the days of Tom - Ballard and Jim Brockway, who was my cousin. _. “Oh, I ain’t any chicken myself, but that 3 : Cash Brazen is the worst cuss as hoofs it— 3 he an’ Bill Swazey. I’m givin’ it to you 2 _ straight now. s “Them two can make money faster than "" Uncle Sam, an’ it goes, too! “Where are they located?” “Tm coming to that, only give me time. “As I \was saying, this torn note is the company’s token. It is used as a species of : Pidentification, not only among ourselves, but One- And also among the shovers of the queer. half was given to me, and Bill had one. for the Government—he had another, and ash Brazen kept one for himself. “Don’t know what has become of Turner. It'd be just like Cash to knock him out when Bik he ain't any worse’n Bill Swazey. I told Bill I’d get even with them if they ever played foul with me. I will.” fg “Where is this Cash Brazen?” asked Nick, tho feared every word would be the man’s He’s too “Fe ain’t called that now. n’, Cash’ is. Ou pe know 5 him at NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “words. Turner—he was the engraver—used to work he had got through with him, same’s he did ; cries, while he thrashed the air with his arms. -nearer—nearer ! ‘Bill has an every-day | ‘Dan Tucker’ for all he’s worth—always — doin’ it. But Pll get even with them both, an’ I want you to find them. You promise — that?” . . “Yes; but you are losing valuable time. Finish your story before it is too late.” 3 A furious fit of coughing again ae the stranger’s words, so it seemed a long time before he resumed. : ; “T am givin’ ye this straight. I—oh, I be- : lieve I am chokin’ to death! I am dyin’!’ . Nick lifted the man so he was more com= fortable. But it was evident his moments were num- bered. His next words showed that his mind =a was wandering. fe: “T swore that I would get even with Pat ee. Cash, and Joe, Brockway never Gate his Look out for him, Nick Carter !” he : added, suddenly changing his manner. “Cash Brazen boasts that no man can match Not him. He is the devil himself. “Bill Swazey i isn’t slow. You will know him by his fiddle. = Plays ‘Dan Tucker’ like lightning!” Here the speaker ended with incoherent — Then he became more quiet, and resumed in a lower tone: “Tt is growing dark, Nick Carter, I cannot see you.” “Where does Cash Brazen live?” Nick, almost fiercely. = “New York—West Nineteenth No.
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“Tt was a great scheme—a million dollars —the torn bank-note—the tomb—the watch- word—plays ‘Dan Tucker’ like lightning— my revenge, Bill Cash—it is over at last!” _ The lips ceased to move, while the man fell back as motionless as a wooden figure. ~ He was dead. “West Nineteenth street,” murmured the detective; “but what number?” Nick lifted the right arm, to look at the palm of the hand and the inside of the fin- gers. “There is no scar,” he murmured, as he let the limp limb fall back upon the body. There was nothing more to be learned here, ‘and he returned to the chief’s office. CHAPTER MUTI. ‘THE Y=SHAPED SCAR. Just as he entered the room, he heard the startling exclamation : “You are accused of a serious crime. I . must hold you until I can learn ‘more about you.” Instantly the hum of voices and. shuffling ; of feet ceased, and a death-like silence fell upon the scene. Nick paused quietly and surveyed the scene. He - The speaker was Chief Duggan. He had addressed his words to a tall, farm- __er-looking man of apparently fifty years of NICK CARTER WEEKLY. . he was attacked. You were the only man on son you claim to be.” “It shall cost you ear if A pallor came over his countenance now, and his voice trembled ashe said: . “Hold me? Impossible! What have v against me?” “A man was stabbed on the street, and you were seen coming away from the place where the block when the policeman ran forward at the man’s cry.” “Lord bless me! Do I look like a mur- derer? Why, my son, I am a peaceful, lav abiding citizen, as I can saat prove to you. Why, I am deacon of the Baptist church. Cornwall, as you can find out by asking any one there. x “My name is Alanson Honeywell, and I was sent down here by Squire Stowell 6 fetch home his daughter, who ran off with that scamp of a Smart. The squire was too | sick to come himself.” There was an apparent honesty in th speaker’s tone, while he seemed greatly a: fected by his situation. There was really nothing against the mat except his proximity to the place of attac here until I can learn that you are t Pe
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iO Butterworth, and he knows me like an open os Bible. “T never was so glad to see you in my life, John. misunderstanding—that is, these gentlemen The fact is, I have got into a little are slightly mistaken.” “What, & brought you down here?” deacon! this you? What has “Squire Stowell sent me after his girl. That is, I was coming as far as Norwalk, and as he was too sick to leave his bed, he wanted me to look up that runaway girl of his. Oh, dear! these girls!” a At this juncture the bewildered chief called _ the lawyer aside. “Do you know that man?” “Yes: he is Alanson Honeywell, 2 Corn- =? wall, his State.” be?” - “He is a deacon of the church in good standing. I know nothing against him.” “Then you vouch for him?” *“Most certainly. What is the trouble?” _In a few words Chief Duggan made the situation clear to the lawyer. 6 ment, and was loud in his asservations of the Butterworth expressed his amaze- farmer’s innocence. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. _ “Then he is what he represents himself to — Chief Duggan finally decided’ to let the made a movement as if he would interrupt, but thinking better of it, resumed his careless attitude. Rs aS . j a Neither the chief nor’ Mr. Butterworth — would have been flattered could they have =» known the detective’s opinion of their astute- ness. Deacon Honeywell, with profuse expres- sions of gratitude, took his departure. Nick then advanced to the chief’s desk. “Learn anything of importance?” asked Duggan, quickly. ; “Nothing complete. He was too far gone. to hold up long enough to tell what he want- ed to.” , “Did he implicate Curt Smart?” “Tn no way.” “You must stay to the examination, Nick.” ye “T shall try to, though just now you will _ have to excuse me, as I must send a mes- sage to my assistant in New York.” Nick then hastened to the telegraph office, thinking: : e : “T must find out more about that Deacon — Honeywell. Brockway is another link in the — chain. I must get Chick to work as soon as. possible. We must find out the number. \S But how? Ah, I have it! A personal in the j Herald may catch him.” A full and explicit Taleghaihy, in da was sent to Chick. : From the telegraph office Nick went to the age ee) Seta se
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. the ball of the middle finger. There seems to be a blur there.” : * declared Nick, as he ex- “T could ask for “Tt is well done,’ amined the photograph. nothing better. How much is your bill?” The I am “f shall make no-charge for that, sir. satisfaction of doing it is sufficient. sorry about that imperfection, and I will try — again if you say so.” “No need of it. yours. . 1 would not have it off for a hundred dutlars. It was a scar on the finger.” “Well! well! why hadn’t I thought of that? Let me see that again, please. It is the shape of the letter Y. How plain I see it now.” “Enough to convict somebody,” thought _. Nick, as he hurried away from the photog- rapher. ‘ He had, resolved to remain in Stamford until after the examination of young Smart, to improve his leisure in looking the town over, The following morning Nick received a New York newspaper containing among the personals a notice which seemed to. interest him exceedingly. The advertisement simply asked for any oe “person who wished to invest in a money- : ~ making scheme to correspond with the under- signed. The advertisement was wordad in a way to attract the attention of unscrupu- lous ee That place is no fault of: “Chick has begun operations. Now for Ba Mr. Smart’s examination.” As Nick had expected, at this picleae trial nothing new was developed. . Curtis Smart told his story in a straight- Bi forward manner substantially as he had given it to the detective. The case was so strong against him- that he was indicted ‘and bound over to appear at — the higher court. = _ With small Hoge of being able to tenia bonds, the prisoner was completely pros- 3 é trated by the thoughts of his situation. ; That evening there appeared an advertise > ment in the same paper Chick had used for _ 2 his personal, and worded in a way which told | plainly enough to him who understood such methods that it was a reply to the other. = The next morning brought a bulky letter = containing from Chick, several answers which had come to the advertisement. # Among them was one saying: ce “What is your scheme? Address A. B., 919 West igth street.” ; Nick, as he read this, gave a chuckle ae delight. ss The plan had worked. ss o
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12 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “by the appearance of a man sitting at one of On the third finger Nick saw the gleam of a ; the windows. es sparkling diamond ring. DSpupeOegeaae Any other person might have passed this On the inside of the middle finger of the stranger without a second look, but some- right hand-he saw what interested him just es thing in his general appearance caused Nick then more than a‘ thousand rings could lieepes, ; ae Carter to give a more searching gaze, though. done. ! he did not stop his BENERCS, It was the Y-shaped scar, of which he car- - Like himecif, the man seemed to have eyes ried a photograph in his pocket! for everything around him, and as his keen, The train was already moving out of the _ gray orbs of vision for a moment rested on station. , _ him, the great detective felt a thrill of inter- There was no time for further reflection. | ey est awakened, as he said to himself. To avoid the notice of the other, Nick = “T have seen those eyes before!” made no move to gain the steps, but waiting. a The stranger’ s features were regular and until the last coach had passed him, he leaped : clear-cut, with a skin of remarkable purity. | down upon the track behind it, and, catching The lower part of the face was hidden-by upon the’ railing on the side away from the — a heavy,. jet-black beard, parted with mathe- platform, swung himself upon the moving _ matical precision on the chin, and a long, car. _ drooping mustache of a slightly lighter hue. © : A He was dressed faultlessly. CHAPTER IV. A coat of speckless broadcloth, a shirt , rere te DOUBLE, ry _ front of immaculate whiteness, a spotless Knowing the train, which was an a dete ig collar and cravat adjusted with scrupulous would not stop before reaching Greenwich, - eee ook: ond all vied with che Seg Nick entered the car behind. that containing Z _ ness of his personal appearance. _the man with the Y-shaped scar, and appar- / The only exception was the unmistakable ently gave his undivided attention to the newspaper he took from his pocket. The hunted man did not alight at Green- wich, but remained unconcerned in his se until the Grand Central station was reach . Even then he showed none of the haste oe oe eee ‘of ‘dict pie his bare, ©
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Nick was already on the platform, in readi- ness for his man. He had expected the person would take a carriage*of some sort, but to his surprise he did not. Instead he walked complacently out of the station, and proceeded leisurely along Forty- second street. Graduating his gait to that of the other, Nick followed silently and cautiously on his heels. Reaching the elevated station, he mounted the stairs, Nick still following. Both entered the first down train. : At Eighteenth street the stranger got out. Nick, needless to say, did likewise. The man turned into Nineteenth street, and the detective, at a discreet distance, still kept him in sight. Finally the stranger ascended the stone steps of a fine-looking residence, and, without stopping to touch the bell, entered the build- ing. Nick sauntered slowly past, glancing up as he did so, “By Jove!” This mental exclamation was called forth by the fact that the house bore the number ps 2 O19- k . He thought best to’wait until evening be- fore pursuing his investigations further, as it _ was just possible the man had observed he was followed, So Nick went to his office, da ong interview with Chick and that — ise He saw a phleatie plate bearing the name of Merrymount upon the door; gave a vise 3 orous pull at the bell, and, in answer to the 2 colored porter’s query, he inquired for that ‘ gentleman. : : “He has just returned from a visit in the ~ country, sah. “Who shall I tell him wishes to’ — see him?” “Mr. Bondman, the broker. Sorry I have lost my last card. Please tell him my busi- = ness is urgent.” o3 “Yes, sah.” In a short time the man returned, and mo- se tioned Nick to follow him. The house was furnished in an elegant fe style, the soft, heavy carpet giving back no a sound of a footfall. In fact, an unnatural sis lence seemed to hang over the abode. oe a When Nick had been escorted into the sit- ting-room and told to be seated, almost any s other man would have been taken by surprise at the swift, silent approach of the man he had _ = expected to meet. ; “Bondman, the broker, if I understood my man aright?” he said, extending a white shapely hand as he advanced to the detec- — tive’s side. “To what am I indebted for this visit 2” az His lips were parted with a smile, showing
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14 It was a gold tooth in the middle of its perfect companions. 2 “It is business of the utmost importance, : Mr. Merrymount,” said Nick, as he took the proffered hand. He improved the opportunity to look for the Y-shaped scar. = : It was not there! “He is not the man I[ tracked this after- noon!” flashed through Nick’s mind. “But 2 he is worth as much to me.” Any other one must have failed to’ have é seen the difference between this cool, suave, / dark-looking, rakish-appearing man and him of the scarred finger. The beard was of the same hue, and parted with the same exactness; the eyes were iden- ; tical, and the clothes were of similar style. ~All this*and much. more Nick saw at a s glance, as he replied: ' “T have come in regard to an advertisement in the Herald, and which some one in this house answered.” ee: The stranger gave him one quick, keen ; glance: : ; ie answered that advertisement,” he said, quietly, “Well?” | ¢ “I am in search of a cool, level-headed man 4 schemes of speculation that ever entered the mind of man. I think you are the one to rry it out. s : -. “Don’t think that Iam a madman, but I hig “ : learned to study Aa . to undertake with me one of the greatest. men in my day. I - NICK CARTER WEEKLY, very handy,” saying this in a tone and with — : a look which was iateuded to convey a mean- ing likely to find an affinity with the thoughts of him he was addressing. Nick saw that the words were not without. tea their effect. 3 “What is your scheme?” Z “Tn the first place,” replied Nick, “I want to tell you that Ifosd been a great euch in my day. Part of the time I have traveled. for pleasure and observation, and if I have done a little globe trotting on account of ne-. cessity, why, it’s nobody’s business, is it?” looking the other in the face. “Of course not; go on,” replied the sharper, who showed that he was both puzzled, and pleased by the appearance of this strange caller, “Well, as I started to say, in my wander- ings—no ‘matter where just now—I struck upon the fairest spot on earth! Of course, I - expect you will take exceptions to this, until you have seen it. Then you will go into ec- ‘ stacy over it as I have done. Eden. I had to do a little nervy figuring to : get this, but that’s neither here not there. In : the fight for the almighty dollar I calculate — men don’t always stand for trifles and mustn’t , be too particular.” ~ ae ~ : Lea en < “Go on,” said the other, impatiently. — = eae “But look here!” suddenly exclaimed Nick,
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% NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “No danger of that here,” replied the As he spoke, Nick began to tap. carelessly sharper; “I know who is in my own house. upon the table, while he listened to a repeti- But if you wish we can go into my private tion of the sounds that seemed to come from apartment.” ss below him. With these words he arose and led the way “Do I look like a man who would balsaeee as to a smaller and less elegantly furnished hist? dentanted Shas companion, sharply. a room, followed by Nick. “Have done with this fooling. No man ever _ “T feel freer here,” he said, with a long- sige with me.” P drawn breath. “Nor me!” gritted Nick, from between his %: Then, as he sank into the seat pointed out inched te eth, at the same time tapping upon by the other, he continued : a glass paper-weight near at hand after the “My scheme has millions in it, only it takes following manner: Une quick, short ‘ap a say se a few thousand to begin. It could not fail, two longer and heavier taps, succeeded by a & with you and Isto manage it. short pause; then four short raps in ‘rapid Zs The other remained silent, while he toyed succession, and a stop; again’two short taps, _ with the ring on his finger, and continued 4p. whole meaning: to watch his visitor, ~ “Who? eee As Nick paused for a moment, a faint tap- ao : ae P P “There are diamonds in my scheme—un- : ; aa ah ; ping, ke snp Soe ees told wealth for him who has the nerve to finger on a window-pane, reached his ear. : : eee ? Dea 8 pes carry it through,” said Nick, without waiting His companion did not seem to notice it, glee for the reply to his secret message. “I spo ce { while he waited impatiently for Nick to re- of-iny- Bdens shat ie a grec tau ae sume. : have something far better—more ready But the keen sense of the detective’s hear- _. money in it.” ing had noticed a singular uniformity in the : ; ; In a whisper, he added: t succession of taps, one after another, until ; “T have the secret to fine r di he recognized in them the code of telegraphy mine nay. monds at my will. Only I need Renate: made up of the dots and dashes used in trans- y a ai si “Bah!” exclaimed his companion, spring: mitting messages. sr ae een ing to his feet. “I know of a secret worth He soon spelled out one word: s : Sui “Hy Ip!” x more than that. 4 elp: a : “e thd . “Before I betray myself,” he resumed, with My scheme: 18 eee. ses | ay apparent caution. “I must know that you Nick opened wide his eyes in feigned ‘on ill swear eternal secrecy to what I am oing der.
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= a _ ply repeating the same supplication as at first. No reply to his query. “Yes,” _ have the nerve to carry it through.” went on the man. “y think you “Try me, if there is the ring of the dollars in it.” “There may not be their ring, but their softer touch, worth none the less because not heard.” | By this time Nick was upon his feet. “Show them !” he said, hoarsely. “Tust wait here a minute; I won’t be gone long. I will show you something that will make your eyes snap.” With these words the other left the room - with his cat-like steps. » No sooner was he alone than Nick set = about to solve the mystery of the rapping. ; He had fancied that it was communicated “by the wall behind him. _ Ina moment he was sounding the partition | es i with his fist. He had not struck half a dozen light blows: _ before he was rewarded by a ring which told pase a vacant space. In an instant the tapping blow was re- peated. Nick quickly asked his question again, and ‘in a moment came the reply: “Turner! e “The engraver ?” “Yes. Who are you?” NICK CARTER WEEKLY. zen!” ‘that he had hit upon iron and that behind it “Bound—iron cage—dying—Cash ‘Bra. More was following, which Nick checked — with a warning tap, while he resumed his s seat just as Cash Brazen, as he had learned ‘to 2g consider his host, re-entered the room, “What do you think of that?” asked the man, laying a ten-dollar Treasury note on the . z table. | It was the identical counterfeit of the gang ee Nick was hunting down. pees He took the note, to give it a critical ex- amination, saying when he had finished : “Capital! I see but one fault.” “What?” demanded the owner, parting his — lips in 4 sardonic smile, displaying two full rows of gleaming ivory. ie Nick missed the gold tooth! This man was not the one he had piri: bac ously talked with! ; ee He looked at the Baad: and as it was lifted up he saw there on the middle finger the Y- : shaped scar! Otherwise there was no difference in the appearance of the two. Had Cash Brazen a counterfeit self like the money he was making? : pect: “There ought to be others to keep ve com- pany,” Nick replied_ “There shall be company enough if yo _ have the nerve to want it.” “Try me,” was»Nick’s simple reply. oe “You'll do. Isn’t that a beauty ” sm
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he a Se help 4 ae “Tt beats all I ever saw,” said Nick, in ap- parent admiration of the note. “I don’t see how you got hold of such paper; I couldn’t.” “That’s my secret. There is no one to tell, either. How much do you want?” Nick counted out a hundred dollars in good money, saying: “That is as deep as I can go to-day; but I suppose you will let me have another oppor- _ tunity? How much for that?” “Three for one. Rather better than your scheme, eh?” “Easier to get at. But I don’t give mine up yet. Still I have another worth a hun- dred of them both.” “Another?” exclaimed the man, showing that Nick’s earnestness had not been lost upon him. “Name it.” “Before'l do it, I want to let you know that I am sharper than you give me credit for. _ “You are not the man I talked with a min- ute ago!” The counterfeiter half sprang to his feet, but sank back again at sight of the weapon in- Nick’s hand. “Who are you?” he gasped. - “Your master, sir. Sit still! Are you will- ing to go with me peacefully, or shall I be obliged to overpower you?” . “What does this mean? I will call for {?? ait will do no good. It would only make NICK CARTER WEEKLY. _ tive, erying “It would be useless. I waited until he had left the house.” “How do you know he has left the house?” “Caught a glimpse of his back as you came ; through the door. He had his hat on then. a Heard the outside door open and close im- by this time.” The counterfeiter turned pale, for if’ Nick. mediately after that. He is well on his way bad spoken in part at random he had hit the ~ truth. “Man or devil, who are you?” “You can select your own answer. But I cannot give you much time. Are——” _ “My heaven! I see now! bat I have been! You are Nick Carter!” “What if I am?” What a blind — “I told Cash to look out for you. Our jig . is up.” “TI am glad you are so sensible in your con- _ clusions. I trust you will——” “By heavens!” exclaimed the counter- feiter suddenly, “my capture shall not jeop- ardize the rest. Take me, Nick Carter; but — I warn you that it will be the dearest job you — ever did. The Brazen boys die game.” “Lead the way,” said Nick, pointing to the door with his left hand. Brazen arose as if to obey. 5% At his first step, however, he tripped and staggered forward toward Nick, flinging his arms as he did so. z he detec: _ The next instant he caught at oe Sr eee
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18 __ “T’ll show you who is master, Nick Car- ter!” It was a sorry moment for him when he did, however. The Little Giant met him midway. The desperado suddenly felt himself lifted from his feet. It seemed as if a thunderbolt had hit him. Innumerable stars danced before his be- wildered vision. Then ra was dashed upon the floor with a force that made him ache in every joint. “Will you come peacefully, or shall I be obliged to handcuff you?” “I will come peacefully. You have out- witted me, Nick Carter, and I deserve to pay for my foolishness. “After all, I defy you to prove more that five years against me. I can afford that time at my age.” : r CHAPTER V. PLANING “DAN TUCKER !” Nick had no further difficulty in taking his prisoner to the police headquarters, where - he was received with due amazement, In answer to the many questions with which he was plied, he had but one answer: | “Hold fast to your man, and keep silent until I have got the rest. Above all things, don’t bring him into court until I tell you.” With this caution Nick asked for a couple m the chief, when the three re- NICK CARTER. WEEKLY. rymount,” to look for the imprisoned en- — graver, Turner. They found the house in charge of half a dozen frightened servants, as Nick had ascer- 3 tained before leaving that these simple folks : 2 knew nothing of a prisoner in the house. Nor did they know the real character of their master. Nick at once went to the room where he _ had captured the counterfeiter, and began again the tapping on the wall. But he failed to get any reply. After a short examination of the place, he found a sort of sliding panel, fitted in so nicely as to defy notice on the part of the casual observer. Pressing this aside, he found a wide cavity — | leading down to the basement, all of the sides being made of heavy sheet iron. Knowing there must be some way to reach the bottom, Nick soon led the way to the basement. There, in an iron pen, bound and gagged, they found the unconscious Turner. Upon carrying him to the next story he showed signs of returning consciousness, though it was evident it would be a long time before he would be able to explain how he had come in that place. But Nick had already an answer.
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “T did not expect you would. “Cash Brazen has shown himself too shrewd to do that.” “Where shall we find them?” “Perhaps this fellow will tell,’ said. the third, indicating the prisoner. : “When the gang—all there are left of it— have had time to covér themselves,” said Nick, disdainfully, and then added, with sud- den. resolution : “Take this ilies into safe keeping. I am going on a little journey on my own hook.” Nick was at the Grand Central in season to take the three-twenty New Haven train. “IT must add the gold tooth to my collection of rarities,” he mused, ‘and Deacon Honey- well will receive the surprise of his life.” At Bridgeport Nick changed to the Housa- tonic road, leaving the train at Cornwall. - He was disguised as a dust-covered, un- couth-looking specimen of that species of genus homo, the tramp. The sun was sinking behind the HONEA. : of the valley of the Hudson, as he started on 2 foot along the hilly highway leading from 4 ‘the village of Cornwall to the adjoining town of Goshen. He had not gone far before he was ac- “costed by the driver of a raw-boned horse ‘with the query: _“Hilloa, mister! want a lift!” een or eighteen, with a thickly freckled The speaker was a red-headed youth of — As he spoke he pulled up his ancient steed 19° with an abruptness that nearly threw the creature into the ditch. _ Looking up with affected indifference, © Nick replied: “Mebbe you can tell me where Deacon Hionaywellliges 2 “T should smile,” answered the youth, with a snicker, though what caused the laugh would have puzzled one to have told. “I’m going purty near past his house. Jump in.” ti ate Sal it ogi Nick accepted the invitation without fur- ae ther delay. “Lookin’ for wuk?” asked the boy, as he whipped up the horse. “Some.” “Deacon’s a master hand to keep a parcel _ of men round him. Has a big farm.” “He’s rich?” “You bet. Just flings the money right round. Why, he almost built that new — church you see at the eee a buster.” “Great churchman?” “Yes; longest of enny man in Cornwall. heerd Squire Stowell say so.” “Stowell lives near here?” - “Just over the line in Kent. “The squire’s terrible done, too, on *count his darter running off with that Curt Smart. Got him locked up down to Stamford for. The deacon’s — he can pray the loudest and the Fact! I
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20 Dad Leastways that’s “Gol dang the counterfeit money! got tucked on a ten-spot. what he told me when I axed him for a bit. Them ten-spots are thicker round here than miskeeters. “S’pose theyll stop now they hev got Curt?” _ “Mebbe. in this town?” How long has the deacon lived “Six or seven years. He bought the old Baxton farm. Fixed it up mightily. Well he might with all the help he has.” “Got any family?” “Onily a wife, an’ I’ll bet he didn’t wish he had her. That is, most ennybody else would. - The- deacon never. finds fault, _ Hands all like him.” “What's the trouble with his wife?” “Ain't just right in her upper story. they say. B'lieve they lost a boy or girl, gol danged if I know which. It upset her. Never goes out enny into comp’ny. “She has a funny notion of going to the cemetery of nights. Nothing but the deacon must harness up the hoss and take her down be to the family tomb, where she will stay—the _°.deacon only knows how long. Some of us boys watched ’em one night, and they didn’t come out for more’n two hours. out we’d watched ’em. “There ain’t menny men as would harness - up at midnight just to take his wife to the grave-yard, is there? Gol dang it! dad just a - bangs round fit to kill if marm happens to ask him to git a pail of water arter dark. But the. deacon’s more religiouser ’n dad. I NICK CARTER WEEKLY. My!) weren’t the deacon hoppin’ when he found “None to hurt me as I knows on. “I s’pose now the fall work is comin’ on, the deacon will want more help?” “Shouldn’t be s’prised. But hold on! you — said you wanted to see the deacon?” SY es 7 “Ain’t this Tuesday?” Mes “So I mapped it out. it’s prayer meetin’ night.” “What of it?” Wull, gol dang it! “Why, if you wanter see the deacon you'll _ : hev to go to Mister Golding’s, where they’s — holdin’ meetin’. “You'll hev to git out up here to the cor- ner. house you would keep right on up the hill. I go purty near to the farm.” “I guess I'll go to the deacon’s house, an’ ee wait till he comes home.” “Mebbe thet would be best. wouldn’t shine much in-company. Git up, — If you was goin’ right to the deacon’s Guess you Duke! seems as if you was slower’n ever to- night.” Keeping up his course of questioning, Nick gleaned some interesting points in re- gard to Deacon Honeywell, though it wae impossible to learn anything of his histor: f prior to his advent into Cornwall. a “The deacon ain’t much on spoutin’ ‘bout hisself enny. But here you are, as near as His house’n is up yender— where Gol dange am goin’. you see that clump of maples. purty place, an’ sightly, too. foe
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slow step, all the while studying his sur- roundings. As the youth with the red head had said, it was a beautiful place, and it commanded a wide view of the adjoining country. Though the night had fairly set in, it was light enough for him to see the church stee- ple in the distance, and around it the white walls and dark roofs of certain of the village houses. ‘ Off to his right, and seen with more grew- some distinctness, he saw the large, old- fashioned looking cemetery where Deacon Honeywell was wont to make his nightly pilgrimages with his crazy wife. _ The tall, marble grave-stones looked spec- tral in the distance. The house belonging to the man he was hunting down was a two-story structure, with a long ell connecting it with a large barn and other outbuildings. No light was burning at the homestead, and at first he was inclined to think that no one was at home. But as he got nearer he discovered the fig- “ure of a man sitting upon the piazza that had been built to the south side of the main house. greeted Nick, as “Good-evening,” he heared the steps leading up to the front = “door. ; “The evening is well enough,” replied the man, without moving. “Deacon Honeywell lives here?” “ “Do ‘you mean that for a question or a I should judge it was Selectman Goodwin NICK CARTER WEEKLY. statement? If the last, you are right. But 21° “I want to see Deacon Honeywell. I am after a job.” “What kind of a job do you want? I should judge it should be one without much work about it.” “Sho! mebbe you set yourself up as.one ~ of these fortin-tellers. I ain’t enny gosling, I’d hev you know. I’ve knocked ’bout con- sider’ble in my day, an’ I ain’t through yet. “Where’s the deacon?” “Gone to prayer-meeting. So’s the rest of the boys.” “Sho! do ’em good, mebbe. “Pears to me if I was left alone with such a fine house as this I’d hev a light.” “Who said I was alone?” “Don’t git ruckus, podner. you’re settin’ here ‘lone in the dark made me think you were ’lone.” “T have always been able to take care of myself, and I think I shall be a while longer.” “A good bit, I daresay. If you don’t kick me off, I’ll tarry with you till the deacon — comes.” ~ _ To this cool speech the man made no re-_ ply, though he was still eyeing the new- comer closely. Nick had seen that he was a smooth-faced __ man of about forty, of medium size, and with a close-knit frame, giving promise of great strength. “What is your name?” “T ain’t perticular what you call wie. os This was said in a tone which caused. the man to utter a low whistle. ain’t half so perticular as some other folks _ The fac. <2
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This brought the man to his feet, but he _ quickly sank back into the chair. _, “What has that got to do about you?” “Tm his cousin! You can call me Bob Ballard, if you want to, though ’tain’t alwus I own up to it.” At this the man rose and came over to where he was sitting. Nick quietly took out of his vest-pocket the half bill he had taken from the dying counterfeiter, and held it carelessly between his thumb and forefinger so that the zig-zag edges showed distinctly. The stranger started and gave Nick one long, keen glance. - Then he held out his hand, which the de- __ tective grasped. ; “S’prised, podner, but glad to see you. running away with my head.” Nick leaned forward and asked, with a . suddenness which was startling: €¥ “Say, who is this Deacon Honeywell?” : _ But the shot failed of its effect. The other was on his guard, at least so far as : his tongue was concerned. : “Deacon Honeywell!” he echoed, mani- festing some surprise. “Why, he’s Deacon "Honeywell, of course.” Nick did not press the question, but said, carelessly : “Humph! Fancied he mought be one of us. Say, mebbe there’s a mug of cider handy. Such a nice place as this must have plenty ‘of good, ripe cider.” _Cider—here? oat ee would NICK CARTER WEEKLY. - So will Ca—— But, s’cuse me, my tongue’s - I will tell you a secret worth more’n. € every night! Must be a hard man to work | for.” “One of the best. swears by the deacon.” “Sho! What time will he be home?” “About half-past nine or ten.” Everybody round here ; “And he goes out to ride with the ol’ lady : as soon as he gets home?” “Seems to me you know an oe fired sight : for your clothes!” fees “Feller like me picks up a sight. You SGC, 8 I improve all the time.” 2 “Should say you did.” “Ever im Etaly?” NOE: “I never was. Know where Tombigura is?” ' et. “No.” “Funny ; I don’t. that did.” — “Haven't you got about through?” Orful dry. Say, does ‘the deacon ‘low enny musie on the place?” “Purty near. “Supposing he does?” “I feel just like whistling! marster whistler you ever see. Hear me.’ Thereupon Nick began to whistle “Dan Tucker” as if his life depended upon eos ‘his. seemed to arouse the other, for he immediately began to pace back and fo on the ten until he exclaimed, eee x to hear any one murder that song.” “Mebbe you can do it better. If you thing you ever heard of.” “Let me get my fiddle,” cried the n _ “Pil sho
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~ like that!’ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. As the speaker entered the house, Nick followed him in, “Let’s have a light. 1 can only hev a light to listen by.” I do enjoy music if Striking a match, the other lighted a kero- senée lamp standing on a table near the centre of the room. Nick saw that the apartment was fur- nished after the style of the country sitting- room of a well-to-do farmer. In the midst of his examination his com- panion produced a battered violin, and with- out any preliminary “tuning up” struck into the tune “Dan Tucker,” going through the strains with a rapidity worthy of Joe Brockway’s description. There was no further doubt. about the identity of the man. He was Bill Swazey, just as the detective had expected. Nick Carter’s plans were already laid. He must effect the capture of this outlaw hefore the return of Deacon Honeywell, whom he no longer considered other than the terrible desperado Cash Brazen, for whom the Government officers were at that moment scouring the country in every di- rection. “Td give a hundred dollars if I could play exclaimed Nick, beginning to execute a double shuffle about the room. “So you like my playing?” asked the man. “It’s bootiful! bootiful!” replied Nick, = dancing around the floor, until he came close to the fiddler. _ Then, throwing his strong arms about the urprised man, he said: “Surrender, a “Swazey! 5 are my CHAPTER VI. THE DOOR IN THE FLOOR, The strain of “Dan ‘Tucker’ suddenly — stopped; while the violin fell from the trapped man’s grasp. “What do you mean?” he gasped, as the. detective’s powerful arms tightened about him like a vise. “Just what I say, Bill Swazey. You are my prisoner.” “I—I don’t understand you. Don’t grip me so; you'll break every rib in my body. Who are you? Help!” : I have friends near, wait- For the last time, I ask you to give up with——” “Not a word. ing my signal to come to my assistance. Beginning -to realize his true: situation, Swazey made a wild attempt to break away — from his captor. He proved himself to be no mean foe for Nick, and the twain staggered furiously around the room before the detective could gain a complete mastery. Even then, at the moment when the coun= — terfeiter’s arms were pinioned by his sides, so he could not longer resist his assailant, he struick out madly with one foot. The toe of his boot hit an iron in the floor, and the movement was followed by a dull — click. The next instant Nick felt the door fall- ing away beneath him. He tried to spring aside, as‘a dark pit yawned at his feet, but, before he could free himself from the outlaw, both were carried downward at a ara cease rate.
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SE ot ties © et peep Uae by your companion’s. 24 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Nick had gone first in such a way that the force of Swazey’s body was largely upon him, so that he got the worst of the tumble. _ The outlaw was quick to rally. A faint stream of light struggled down into the gloomy pit, lending a weirdness to the hand-to-hand combat. With an oath Swazey tried to clutch Nick’s throat, but the arm of the Little Giant was longer and quicker. Swazey received a blow behind the ear which sent him reeling backward, and, be- fore he could recover, Nick had overpow- ered him. “Who in Satan’s name are you?” demand- ed the defeated counterfeiter, as he found himself bound hands and feet. “Tf it will afford you any satisfaction, I am, willing you should know. “T am Nick Carter.” “Great Scott! Brazen said he would look after you.” It can’t be so. “Then he wants to attend to his duty bet- “ter, Let me drag you to the light, You may believe your eyes, if you cannot my voice.” Nick then pulled Swazey along, until they were both under the rays of the light: He then removed enough of his disgtise for the captive counterfeiter to see his face. Bill Swazey looked, and a ghastly pallor came over his face as he exclaimed: “My God! We are undone. "tis true. - Somebody has betrayed us.” - “Your own work, Bill Swazey; yours and Only Cash Brazen is left, and he shall be in the hands of the law before Cash. chief to enter the house, to find that twin brother, lie at this moment in Lardloy street jail.” aoe “Have scheme ?” you found out the deacon “Every part of it.” “How did you know me?” “By your violin. You play ‘Dan Tucker? like ‘an——” 38 I ought to have looked It is too late n “T was a fool! through your disguise. What are you going to do with me?” “Answer me two questions, and I will te you.” “What are they?” “Who goes to the tomb with Cash Brazen?” i “T do.” Bes se “Disguised-as his wife?” a “Yes. of it. Cash Brazen sha’n’t escape if 4 don a I might as well make a clean br Carter. Hel——” into it. Glancing hastily ana him, | Nick saw | one wey of escape, and that was by the tral door. The wagon wheels aeundae plainer. team was stopping in front ‘of the door. = It would never do for the counter
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RA NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Catching hold upon the edge of the floor, he drew his weight rapidly Apwants until he had gained the room. By the sounds he knew that the party was alighting from the carriage. Brushing the dust and dirt which he had brought upon the floor back into the abyss, he swiftly raised the trap-door and slipped the bolt into its socket. At that moment two or three persons stepped upon the piazza. Dextrously adjusting his disarranged dis- guise, he sank into the nearest chair as the foremost of the new-comers entered the apartment. CHAPTER VII. --NICK’S GREWSOME MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE. As Deacon Honeywell stepped across the = threshold a look of terror swept over his countenance, swiftly followed by the demand: “Who are you in my house?” “Beg your pardon, podner,” said Nick, ris- 3 ing to his feet. “I hope you'll s’cuse me, but re I meant no ’fense. I wuz nigh “bout fagged - out, an’ an ol’ friend told me to rest till you | come. He said Deacon Honeywell would _ turn no poor man away from his door. you the deacon?” _ “Where’s. Jimson?” asked Deacon Honey- Swell unheeding the tramp’s question. “He wuz thet tired he’s gone to bed. ‘He knew everything would be safe with me round. é _ The farmer scowled at this remark, casting nurtied glance about the apartment. i Ss are you?” Be | want me to help you. Iam ae at any- thing.” “Did you ride up here with. Saul Wright?” “Dunno, deacon, honor bright. You see,. I’m a stranger in these parts.” “Was he a red-headed youngster? Drove a sorrel horse?” “C’rect, deacon ; couldn’t told it straighter myself, se “T expected it from what he said. Well, I couldn’t think of hiring a man to help me who came to me with a red-headed boy. I am not superstitious, but I have a mortal dread for red-headed folks. 1 ” that settles your fate. “Oh, dear me, deacon! surely you ain't goin’ to turn me out into the cold world! Such a kind-hearted sain as you are, too. I know your kindly nature will not tum against me. . They have told ‘such lovin’ stories of you.” Once more the torn bank-note was brought into action and displayed prominently in a Nick’s hand. The great detective saw the eyes of the so- called deacon Honeywell fixed upon it, and instantly there was a change in the latter’s demeanor—a change Nick was quick to note. The man he knew to be Cash Brazen made _ no allusion to the token, however, but, after , considering a moment, said, in a pleasanter tone than he had hitherto employed: ; “You can stop until morning. Then we will discuss any business you may have with 92 me,” with a decided emphasis on the word business. “Here, Jolin, show Mr.—the gen- tleman to the east chamber.”
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26 The torn bank-note had certainly proved a talisman thus far. “Where’s Jimson sleep?” he asked, as they gained the second floor. “In that room there.” “This one?” “No. wife.” That belongs to the deacon’s crazy “T have heard of her. Ever see her?” “No, ’cepting a few times when she was starting off with the deacon to visit the tomb at dead of night.” “Sho! muss be a strange practice, mister.” “So tis. But the body of their little boy that died, and was embalmed, is there. It is a whim of hers to visit the place, and the deacon is an uncommonly kind-hearted man, so he humors her. Not many men would do it.” “Why does she want to go at night?” “Boy died at that time, I believe. You never hear anything of her at day-time, but sometimes at night she screams for hours to- Too bad! beautiful woman; but here you are at your gether. They say she was a very room. Hope you will rest well, sir. Hope Mrs. Honeywell’s cries won't disturb you.” Nick saw that the room assigned to him ‘was ‘small and poorly furnished, and at the , extreme corner of the house. “Well,” he mused, as he sank into the only chair, “Deacon Honeywell, the crisis is close at hand.” _ Nick’s first move was to see that the door could be locked. Assured of this, he turned the key ‘in the lock, from the outside, and started toward | a the room ‘supposed to be occupied dee the man NICK CARTER WEEKLY. He found the door of the latter room un- locked, and with the key on the inside. This apartment was better furnished than the one he had left, and showed signs of recent occupancy. ae Taking the precaution to lock the door, — Nick then began the exploration of the place, to find, as he had expected, communication | leading to the room claimed to belong to the deacon’s crazy wife. a a “Such a person evidently exists only in story,” he thought. “My next move, then, 3 is to gain an entrance to the place.” This door proved to be locked so securely — that the detective had to work some | time” before he could effect an entrance. . As he had expected, the apartment wa untenanted, though there was a woman’s — wardrobe thrown over one of the chairs, and there were pieces of clothes scattered abo belonging to the imaginary person. “IT suppose I must dress in readiness fo the deacon’s coming,” and he began to in vest himself in the cast-off garments, which — showed by their size that the supposed lun tic possessed no slight figure. ee 2 Finding a kerosene lamp in the room, Nick did not hesitate to light it, knowing that Swazey must have been in the habit o ass doing so. Thus he had no dificutty in arranging disguise, while he had plenty of time, as i was fully an hour later before a low knoe’ : at the door announced that the time for action had come. f Nick answered the summons by a
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Nick noiselessly opened the door, and stepped out into the hali. “Tt took the men a confounded while to get off to bed,” declared the deacon ; “but the way is lear now. “Won't you take my arm, Mary?” he added, speaking in a louder key. Nick silently obeyed, and when they had reached the outside of the house he saw that a horse hitched to a covered carriage was standing near by, while one of the hired men - was waiting a few steps away. “T shall try and get back shortly,” said the deacon to the latter, “so you remain up to care for the horse.” 7 The next moment Nick and his strangely mated companion were riding slowly down the road. The horse was evidently used to these noc- turnal journeys, for it jogged along without any guidance on the part of its driver. As they rode out of the broad yard, the _ shrill shirrup of an August cricket came from the neighboring hedge. “How I do hate the sound of those crea- tures!” exclaimed the deacon, snatching the: s whip from the socket and giving the horse a smart blow. “Chick is on hand,” thought Nicky “He will look after affairs at the house.” ' “Say, Bill,” said Nick’s companion, in a Jow tone. “I’m about tired of these midnight 3 trips, = they have answered us a good ‘ Sheplimin 3-5 tied the Bo: to a convenient ‘post, the ai 27 Turner out of the way as soon as possible. He has done it before this time, if the fool The idea of a man’s weakening at the very moment of has not already worn himself out. success.” “We shall never find a better engraver.” “Right you are; and he ought to have been, _ working for the Government as long as he had. But we are risking too much by this talk. Better wait till we get there. ““T seem to be uncommonly nervous to- night. Just the chirping of that cricket un- hinged my nerves. I hate myself for it. “By the way, who do you suppose that queer-looking individual was who came to the house to-night ?” “Haven’t an idea. He had the torn bank- bill, though.” Mes: ably some greenhorn who wants some of the Did he show it to you, too? Prob+ My brother must have given him that Well, we'll find out about him in the morning.” queer. bank-note. Nothing further was said until the ceme- tery gate was passed, and they rode along the well-worn path leading to what seemed the private vault of a family. “It was light enough for Nick to see the name of Honeywell on the granite front, while a weeping willow was growing on either side. The plot was near the centre of the _ grounds, so the white head-stones and monu- ments loomed all about them, looking in the — pale moonlight not unlike so many spectral 5 watchers over these sacred domains. — Nick remained in the carriage while the
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ae 28 © times before that it had hollowed out an ex- cavation under its fore feet. Then, carrying out the farce to its min- utest detail, so a chance observer could not have seen anything wrong, Deacon Honey- well stepped back to the side of the carriage and politely assisted the veiled figure to alight. Producing a heavy key, he inserted it into the lock, and when he had turned it slightly he followed it with another, and that with still another, and the third with a fourth, be- fore the massive lock yielded. “Tt is a case of safe bind,” thought Nick, as at last the iron door swung noiselessly in on its well-oiled hinges, and he preceded the other into the pitchy darkness of the tomb. “Safe counterfeiter chief, as he closed the door be- hind him and fastened it. here once more!” exclaimed the I never dare breathe Ah, Bill! “Now for a light. fully till I am safely here. who dreams of our secret here? - “Wasn’t it a shrewd plan? And now our harvest is near at hand.” — “You are sure they are going?” asked Nick, still imitating the voice of Swazey., “How can they fail? Such imitations were never put on the market. To show you how easily they go, I will tell you that we caught a sucker this very day just as easy as hook- ing pouts. “Fle proved to be that fellow who was ad- -vertising for a scheme, which I answered. ee Tel brought him right into our clutches. Devoll had barely got home, so I met him at I had to leave sterols we aad oe hooked eae but Eon can the door of our city residence. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “You bet!” replied Nick, “Did he draw deep?” oe “Didn't I tell you I came away before the ‘ 2 ae ion deal was completed? “As there is nothing to do but to see that e: everything is all right, you can remain here 2 ES at the door, while I go down into the work. os room. I will be back in a moment.” “Tt always gives me the shivers to stay said Nick. too, and I would like to get it. here alone,” “IT forgot my knife, There is no— need of my staying here.” Before this time his companion had stic- ceeded in lighting a torch, the flickering ligh ) of which threw a weird glamour over the un derground scene. Nick saw several coffins standing in a ro on shelves on the sides of the cavern-like treat, Wodet he imagined they were empty. Cash Brazen showed in his every mov fo ment that he was a careful schemer. In its rock walls and flagstone bottom the was nothing to betray it other than a com: mon receptacle of the dead. “Come along, if you wish,” said the dea- con, passing down to the farther end of th vault, when, pressing smartly on a spot ne the centre of the wall, a slab of granite moved swiftly and silently on its well-oiled pivots revealing a dark passage beyond. Into this the deacon led the way, folld ‘ closely Ds Nick.
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. In a short time they reached the end of the passage, which opened into a large room, where Nick quickly’ saw the work of the gang had been done. No one was there now, for the manufacture of the spurious money had been mainly car- ried to completion. On one side was a pile of imitation silk fibre paper, such as is used by the Govern- ment in printing its issue of paper money. “The monument that Brockway left,” said Nick’s companion, pointing to the bogus pa- per. “It will come handy by and by, though it does not look so we might need more very soon with a million dollars worth of printed sheets on hand.” “Are you sure that Joé is dead?” asked Nick. . “Sure? hand?” demanded the other. Are you sure you have a right “T believe I had a hand in that!” and his lips parted, showing the rows of gleaming ivory between the dis- colored mustache and beard, and the gold tooth that had betrayed him shone more con- spicuously than ever, Near by the paper was a full set of plates that had evidently been the work of Turner. Besides the plates for the ten-dollar Treas- ury note already seen there were those for a _twenty-dollar gold. certificate, as finely exe- cuted as the others, and also a perfect series of plates for a ten-dollar bank-note on the Mystic River National Bank of Mystic, Conn. “Tt takes a magnifying glass to detect the “Turner error in them,” declared the chief. was a good one, and I hated to part with “Ts there anything new in that young _ Smart's c case?” asked Nick. ‘note in with the queer. lost it.” - 29 “No; only the fool has got into. a web that : he won’t get clear of ina hurry. The officials . think they did a shrewd thing! Bah! TI like to laugh at them in my sleeve. “To be serious, however, I would like to get hold of that box Smart had when they captured him. Not that it is likely to work us any harm, but Devoll, the careless fool! must have dropped his section of that bank- — At any rate, he has “Brockway’s has not been found, either, — has it?” “No. I think we shall have to drop the whole scheme, and adopt a new signal.” “T think it will be best; and if you have no — objections, I would like to propose the new token,” “I am willing. We will talk it over as soon as we get back to the house.” “T’m agreed.” | In addition to the plates and paper, Nick saw the presses, inks, chemicals, silk floss, in oe fact, everything that belongs to a complete counterfeiter’s outfit, such as had never been : produced in this country before. ; Not alone was there all this paraphernalia — : for making spurious money, but the identical article itself was stacked up in tiers. “What would Uncle Sam give to get his august eye on this pile?” exclaimed the pre- a tended deacon. “Or Nick Carter, even,” said the great de- — tective, boldly, still imitating, so faithfully pe as to deceive the sharp counterfeiter, the voice of Bill Swazey. “Ay, Nick Carter, too! But Eh did ee mention. him???
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30) “Oh! he happened to be in my mind, I suppose.” CHAPTER VIII. THE TABLES TURNED, “Everything is all right here; let’s return to the house as soon as possible. “T am dry as a fish, and while we drink we will talk over a disposition and division of the spoils. “Devoll will be along to-morrow.” Nothing loath now, Nick assented to leav- ing the dismal place, with its dark secrets. He had seen enough of the counterfeiters’ headquarters. 5 Every part proved the cunning of its pro- moter, ‘Cash Brazen. It hardly seemed possible that the man be- side him was the far-seeing outlaw . for whose apprehension the United States Goy- ernment was offering such big rewards. In silence the villain led the way back to the entrance. “Hold the torch, lock. Nick took the torch. Bill, while I undo this It has bothered me the last few times.” » Instead of holding it in his hand, how- ever, he stuck it in a crevice in the tocky wall. 7 Cash Brazen paid no heed to this, as he continued to manipulate the refractory lock. . ; Neither did he see Nick Carter drawing "gradually closer to him. The sharp click of the key, as it turned on its pivot, rang out distinctly on the deep si- lence of the “Scene, and, half turning his head, the doomed man disclosed that mocking, el smile so common 10 ee NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Before he could speak, Nick sprang upon him. : : Cash Brazen was a powerful man, and, though taken by surprise, in an instant he was exerting all his strength. The tussle was severe, but would undoubt- — edly have been in Nick’s favor, had not one of his feet slipped upon the slimy mold of the floor of the tomb. < He fell heavily to the ground, his head — coming in contact with some hard object. Involuntarily he stretched out his hands : and clutched a short piece of iron, the broken end of a crowbar. ayes é Cash Brazen leaped forward to clutch his fallen foe. But he was too late. He saw Nick’s uplifted arm, and caught a q gleam of the descending bar of iron. ~ Then, with a faint cry of rage, he sank ‘ upon the bottom of the tomb, just as the door swung in, letting in a current of air from the outside world. - The gust of wind extinguished the flicker- ing torch, but it did not affect the result of ’ te that lonely scene. Nick Carter’s arm had not failed of its: _ purpose, and he was relieved that it was not found necessary to use a bullet instead of an iron bar. mee Bese. When Cash Brazen came slowly back to an understanding of his situation, he found him- him. Even in his bewildered state of mind
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‘ing the unconscious prisoner in the vehicle, and he was now heading the animal toward ~ the house. “What does this mean?” demanded the outwitted counterfeiter. “That you are my prisoner, Cassius Bra- zen. Your game is up.” “Who are you?” “Tf it will afford you any consolation, I am willing you should know. “When I am free from this disguise I am called Nick Carter.” An oath escaped the lips of the other. “I knew you were no ordinary man to trap me in that way. But how came you here in this way? tig “TI came as the tramp.” “Brought by that confounded ete headed boy! I knew he would be the evil genius to bring me my ruin.” “Don’t lay too much to him. I had already . tracked you down.” “How did you know Deacon Honeywell was my disguise?” “That gold tooth first betrayed you.” “Curses upon my stupidity! But where is that Swazey? He has flown, the cunning jay. “Not a bit of it. him before you arrived. ” I was careful to capture I have all of your gang now; at least all that are living.” “T believe you lie.” Cash Brazen had recovered his usual self- possession, “Under ordinary circumstances I should resent that speech. But I do not believe in striking a man when he is down.” | “You are a sharp one—sharper than I, fter all. — gl NICK CARTER WEEKLY, “Perhaps you will be kind enough to name those you have captured.” “T can see no objection to that. “Tn the first place, Joe Brockway is dead from the effects of blows dealt by your own hands. . . “Then, Russell Turner and your twin brother, with the scar on his finger, lie in Ludlow street jail. : “Bill Swazey is up at the house, tied hands and feet.” : ~ Another oath, fiercer than the first, left the lips of the defeated outlaw. “How Say, will you answer one more “Devoll in your hands?” he added. came that? question ?” “A dozen, if you wish.” “Were you that infernal fellow who called at the house in New York?” “T did pay you the honor of a visit there. Your brother liked my company so well hess went away with me.” “The fates have been against us after all. I am too young a man to have been caught like this.” At this moment the horse turned into the — door-yard. s Chick came down the steps to meet his friend. “The man Swazey, whom I have cared for, — seems to be all we want of those around the place, except as witnesses at the trial.” “Very well. It has not been a long job.” The following morning the detectives started for New York with their prisoners, having left the tomb as they ‘had found it, safe from intrusion, until the proper outa ties could overhaul it. eis saw Curtis Smart at Stamford, and
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32 when he learned the news he declared that he was the happiest man on earth. ° “The squire has yielded, and now I will be married in short metre to the best girl on earth !”’ In the Ludlow street jail, awaiting that trial which is sure to place them for the balance of. their lives behind the bars, lies the king of counterfeiters and his confederates, Cash Brazen, Bill Swazey and Russell Turner. It is not pleasant to acknowledge that Devoll Brazen is again at liberty. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. POT: Such is the case. Feigning sickness, and then death, he care ried out the deception so well as to deceive those who had him in charge, and eventually } escaped, thus for a time longer cheating jus- tice of its dues. But some time and somewhere Nick Carter will find him. THE END. The next number will contain ‘‘Par- doned by the President; or, Nick Carter at the United States Treasury.’’ is THE BEST LIBRARY O1 OF > DETECTIVE ot Oe cy LATEST ISSUES: } 208—Pardoned by the President; or, Nick Carter at & the. United States Treasury. gaPalas® Pie alin hae Gold Tooth; or, Nick Car- 5 s Crooked Correspondent. Vs 201—The "Gréat Life Insurance Fraud; or, Nick Car- ter’s Tussle with a Very Slick ‘Countryman. 200—The Beautiful Shop-Lifter; or, Nick Carter's Search for an Old Offender. q 199—Nick Carter and the Forest Fires; or, A Nest * of Vipers Burned Out. ‘ 198—Nick Carter Under the Knife; * Giant Among the Body- Snatchers, =» ~19T—The Tittle Glass Vial; or, A Beautiful Black- Z mailer Brought to Bay 196—A Man of Wood; or, Who Killed Dr. Startle? 495—Nick Carter's Grateful Client; or, Saying the ates’ . Honor of the Old Man’s Boy. — JA 194-Nick Carter on the Bowery; or, A Crippled Cracksman’s Detection. “ots Cort ag on the Inside; or, No Chance for the 192—-Nisk "Carter in Frisco; or, Instructed by a News- paper Personal. 1a1—Wanted for Embezzlement; or, What Became of the Treasurer. 190—Nick Carter's Slippery Quarry; ~ Against ’Frisco Jim. #189—Nick peace Proofs; or, Bad News for the t Two Kinds of Gui 48S8—Nick Carter at the Races; Lead Pipe Cinch. 181—The Best Detective in the Country; or, A Prompt Reply to a Telegram. 1ge—Nick Carter Rescues a i a Nea or, The Junior aE Partner's Strange Behavior. 18—Nick Carter Saves a Reputation; or, A Button Worth a Fortune. 184—Shielding a Murderer; or, Nick Carter’s Dealings ; with an Avenger. ec Me from ioe Penitentiary; r Nick Carte yee Blood- Stained Check; or, ys nog or, or, Nick Carter in the Dissecting-Room, the Clutch of the Law; Chain of Evidence. eS w 179—Nick Carter’s Beautiful Decoy; or, The Diamond — 5 or, The Little § ¥ 14—By. Whose Hand; or, Nick Carter Advertises for The Case 16™—Nick Carter Makes a Loan That Brings Him Big Y 168—Nick Carter Jumps a ‘Train, and Takes Big or, Three snaps | 160—Nick Carter’s Steamer Trunk; or, A Crime in i or, Nick Carter's 4 158—Nick Carter and the Sawdust Man; or, An In- KS ~ Back numbers always on hand. If you cannot get our publications from your newsdealer, ; cents: a ene will bring them to you by mail, postpaid. STREET & SETH Publishers, 238 *180—The Government Custom's Swindle; or, Nick — Carter’s Work for the U. 8. Treasury. Duke of Chicago. ‘€ 178—Nick Carter Arrests a Client; or, ‘The Body | & Found in the Fiat. rt eee Carter’s Dumb Assistant; or, The Man with’ . Dead Brain. 176—Nick Carter | ea the Counter; or, A Peck of Pawn Ticket Nick Bie 3 s Beier: or, A Hungry Dog's. Din- : ab-Driver. I7g—Catught in Six Hours; or, Trouble in Room No. 172—Burglar Joe; or, Nick Carter’s Leap in the Dark. 171—Nick Carter's Little Shadow; or, The Man with the Yellow Dog. eee Pa ee Biectrictty: or, Nick Carter Bags an en 169—Unmasked oy. "Nick Carter; or, An Attempt at Blackmail. 168—Nick Carter’s. Second Sight; or, A Dumfounded Prisoner. {160aviek Carter Prevents a Disturbance, and Loses. sguise, «165—Nick Carter in a Hole; or, A Plan to Catch Him That Didn't_ Work. : -164—Nick Carter Off the Track, but Has Another String to His Bow. Chances. F ee Carter Saves a Life, and Earns a Woman’s titu 161—Nick Carter Corners a Bank President; or, A Balance That Was Crooked. Mid-Ocean. \\, 159—Nick Carter's New Uniform; or, A Bribe That Was Expected. vestment That Caused Trouble. 3
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