Nick Carter Weekly (no. 205) (1900 12 01)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
pic age Issued weekly. Subscription price $2.50 per year. Entered as second class matter at the N. Y. Post Office by StReEY & SMITH, No. 205. nay Price 5 Cents. z q — ar aa PONT mt LL SSENGERTHELC DC MGICN THE : oRIA STARTLIN FROM THE SLEEPING-CAR CONDUCTOR WAS SEEN SNEAKING OUT OF THE LOWER BERTH.
Page 2
“CARTER “9 | AVEEKLY. Buiter ed according to Act of Congress in the year Sofie) ao a Smith, in the Office of the Librarian of Sha i Washington, D: > Issued weekly. : ar 5 Putered as second class Matter at the New York, N. ¥., Post Office. Subscription price, $2.50 per year. December 1, 1900. oy STREET & Smiru, Publishers. No. 205. CHAPTER I. THE DISAPPRARANCE OF LESTER KINGDON. ‘Tt is the most puzzling case of disappear- _. ance I ever heard of, Mr. Carter.’’ These words were addressed to America’s _* greatest detective by an assistant manager of ; the Sleeping- -Car Company’ s ‘office in New York. ~~ Nick had been summoned to his presence os = en . in a private office of the B. and O.-Railway ~ building in the lower part of the city. He had inquired what was the nature of i the business on which he had been sum- ke ‘moned, and the official’s reply was as above : “Who has disappear pr “A young New. Yorker named Lester ”? NEW YORK. | A Startling Disappearance from a Railroad Sleeping-Car. -and valise were there. wee did not show up, oe conviction sprea 238 William 8t., N. Y. 5 Cents, - THE PASSENGER IK THE LOWER BERTH: Bee OR, | ; By the Author of ‘NICK CARTER.’' “On the sleeping-car Domerset running as part of train No. 514 of the B. and O, road from Washington to New York.’’ “Suppose you put me in possession of as many of the facts of the case as are known 2: to you,’’ suggested the detective. ‘“That is soon done, Mr. Carter. As J said, Mr. Kingdon was returning to New York from a business trip to Washington. ae “He occupied lower berth number six, Ie and retired about twelve o'clock, or soon after the train left Washington. When the : train approached Jersey City this morning and the porter called the Passengers, lower _ six was empty. Sa es “The occupant was gone, but his clothes = “It was first believed that he was in the a toilet room, “But ag the train ee Jersey City a
Page 3
ae NICK CARTER ee ‘‘TIn short, the man disappeared suddenly and mysteriously.’’ ‘“Mr. Kingdon was a small man,’’ said Nick, as if addressing a fact to himself, “Oh! then you knew him?’’ ‘*Never saw him in my life.’’ “Surely I didn’t mention his size.’”’ “*No, but one of my assistants did. ‘*VYou see,’’ continued Nick, ‘‘my assist- aut, Patsy, was in Washington yesterday attending to some business. on the sleeper Domerset, and gathered up a He came home few pointers on the spot without disclosing __._ his identity or profession.”’ “How fortunate! Then he may help you ~ materially.”’ \ ‘“That is possible. I shall want to see somebody who is acquainted with the busi- ness which called Kingdon to the capital.’’ “““"Dhat is easily arranged. His partner, Eugene White, isin the outer office. We _ thought you would like to talk with him.’’ ‘Then I shall want to ask a few questions | of the porter of the car and the sleeping-car ~~ eonductor.”’ “They, too, are outside.’ (- “Have you questioned any of the tures) ie “No. before you came, arid we thought it best to “wait and let you do the questioning.” 4°That’s good. You did well. ae White first.”’ Mr. White just arrived a moment That gentleman was summoned from the outer office. He was a man of. middle age, large in- | frame, stocky of build, dark complexioned, with a full set of black, bushy whiskers, and he almost constantly wore spectacles. — It was plain to be seen that Eugene White was mtich excited over the cise esas of his partner. the gentleman ¢ entered, ‘‘this is Nick Carter, the detective. I will see lawyer. sharply. is “Mr. White,”’ said the railroad official, as- : ‘was not. as, We have sreupagnce him to take up the mystery surrounding your oad | ner, and we hope it will meet with your approval,”’ : Baie ey ‘Tt does, I assure-you. Nick Carter can — solve the riddle if any one can.’’ ee He extended his hand to the Betechve who. greeted him warmly. - “Tt is necessary, Mr. White, for me to be — informed of certain things concerning King+ don and his affairs before I can go ahead in- telligently in the case.’’ “I know! Iknow! Anything in my power to tell you is at your command,’’ was the unhesitating response. 3 ‘“What is your business? 2? ‘‘Tawyers and solicitors.”’ How long has Kingdon been your part- : ner? < re i ‘‘About two years; since the death of the senior member of the firm. Kingdon wasa_ So I took him into ~ clerk in the office then. a nominal partnership.’’ ““How nominal ?’’ ‘“Well, his name appears as one of the — firm, but he still remains on a salary.’ “Not a large Sali I Presets ven- . tured Nick. ~ =i ‘Fair, but I fear not enough to maneearite exactly easy for hin since his marriage.’”’ . ‘He is married, then?” ota See ee oe ‘And his wife knows?” “‘No. She is out of town. We have tot notified her. Perhaps I should tell you——’? — White hesitated as if he fea he ba 4 made a blunder. “You should’ tell me eon Ww! ich might lead me in my investigations, Mr. White,’’ declared Nick, as he ee at. a J “Well; I don’t believe Kingdon riage was a happy one, ae ‘know i ere) = anes iss He told you so?
Page 4
’ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. | pies. ‘Oh, no! But I could see, When he mar- ~ ried, soon ‘after he became my partner, his _ wife was supposed to be an heiress. “Then her father suddenly failed—lost e ery dollar he had in the world, and died “from the éffect of his ipa coo the secret of Kingdon’s loveless mar- ge. Since then he has not tried to conceal om me his disgust of his position. “Kingdon was inclined to be .a high ‘roller. That is, he loved to spend money and didn’t like his profession too well on account of its exacting requirements. , ze ‘‘Besides, it took. most of his salary to keep his wife at Lakewood, ‘a fashionable winter resort, or at some watering place in ‘summer. Yet he gave up the bulk of his income to keep her away from him.’ “In a word,’’ said Nick, ‘‘he fished for an heiress and hooked a tartar.’” ‘‘That’s about it, and he seemed of late to worry over it exceedingly.’’ ‘Do’ you think there could have been another woman in ate? “T think not. Kingdon never cared for women, and I knew when he married that it must be for money. He loved money for ~ what it would buy, but was a woman hater.’’ “What is your theory of the ie sae ance ?”? “T have none. It might be suicide, insan- ity, or foul play.”’ ey _<*You do not believe it eh have been a case of voluntary disappearance ?’’ “Certainly not.’’ _ “He was honest?” “Tve never known him to do a dishonest - ants?” = ‘And how long have you known him?” bi “Since he entered: the office, a boy of “S ‘yelve. te te aS How. old is he, if he j is still alive? ize i “About Mpenty dive. a re ‘Why was he in Washington?” = ‘*He went in answer to a telegram from a client—Donald Ogden, the retired broker.’’ — ‘‘What was.Ogden’s business with King-. don??? & “T don’t know. The telegram merely said, ‘Send Kingdon or come yourself at once. Important.’ “‘T sent Kingdon. He went down by the train night before last. That was the last I saw or heard of him. I have telegraphed to Ogden, and’ expect a reply soon: It will be brought here when it comes,’’ - ‘“‘“Humph! I am told that Kingdon’s clothes and valise were found in his berth. Where are they now?”’ Zz ““We have them here,’’ answered the rail- road official. ‘‘The conductor and_ porter brought everything left behind just as they were found in dis berth. Shall I ee them ?”’ “Tf you please.’’ The official unlocked a door of a Small closet and brought forth a large valise or hand trunk and a package of bulky size. He set the hand trunk on the floor and placed the bundle on a flat table. Then he cut the string and opened the latter. | Nick noticed that White had adjusted his glasses and stared at the hand trunk longer than seemed natural. When the lawyer’s eyes left that article they were fixed Hp Bi the contents of the bundle. x These were a man’s: coat, vest, trousers, ore | underclothes, collar; cuffs, tie, shoes, socks, watch, revolver, hat and pocket-book, “Hex doesn’ t seem to have taken mich — with him,” mused Nick. ‘*You see, whatever became of him he had nothing on but his nightshirt. He always went to bed in a sleeper just as if he were at i home,’’ explained White. . ““Have you examined the pockets of the clothes?’ aebed the detective. : 4 rs
Page 5
a . NICK CARTER WEEKLY. oe “No. They have not been disturbed.” * ‘“Then suppose, Mr. White, you see what is in them.”’ White acted on the advice, and the con- tents of all the pockets were emptied on the table. There wasa bunch of keys, some import-: ant business letters, a pocket-knife, several cigars, a lead pencil and a memoranda book. Nick watched White while the examina- tion was going on. He noticed that the lat- ter dropped the bunch of keys into his own pocket. ‘You want to keep those keys, Mr. _ White?”’ he asked. ‘“‘Not the bunch, perhaps. Only those which belong to the office and—the safe. I should feel easier if they were in my pos- session, though I. know they would be safe in your keeping, Mr. Carter.’’ He ‘had produced the bunch again and handed them to Nick. . ‘*T want only the key which will open that big valise or hand trunk, Mr. White,’ Ze said, taking them and looking the bunch “Ah! this is it, I think.” As he turned toward the large leather receptacle, he hesitated, looked over his shoulder, and addressed White: ‘*By the way, isn’t this a rather large - traveling bag for so short a journey ?”’ “T had the same thought,’’ acknowledged - White. - that affair unless he was going to be absent ~~ more than a few days, or had use for a dress “over. -_ **T’ve never known him to carry suit.’’ Without reply, Nick opened the portable trunk, and as he stepped back, exclaimed: ‘Well, there’s your dress suit.’’ Sure enough. His words were true. ‘‘What on earth did he want with a dress = suit ¢ on that trip? Why, he went one night and came back, the-next2??- 355 Ss ¥ sok and: os is not ‘His intentions vegan. may ha e beer to have stayed longer,”’ nee the ra road official. = ‘*Well, he didn’ t take it along for noth . ing,’’ remarked Nick. > he added, turning to White. ‘«Why, certainly,’? was the response. — Nick then picked up the pocket-book and There was little in : it except. fifteen dollars in bills. <5 examined the contents. ‘*That surprises me,’’ declared White, fi as he saw Nick count out the money. — ea ‘Why?’ was the detective’s inquiry. as “‘T know that he had more than five hun- dred dollars when he left for Washington.’ ‘*But here is his watch and the pocket- — book with these small bills in it. oe found under his pillow, I suppose??? _ * eg ‘““That’s right,’’ nodded the railroad 0 ae cial. i ea “But he couldn’ t Have spent much money in so short a time,’’ persisted White. Before Nick could make a reply, there was a knock on the door, and; a messenger a handed in a telegram, ae peck “Tt is for you, Mr. White,” said’ Nick, : who had received it. : ‘Ah! now we shall get news s of Kingdon while he was in wasnt Tt is tte n Ogden, I presume.’ pee er fs ip et hie The lawyer ei gerty. tore off the envelope. _ As his eyes scanned the words of the me; 2 sage, his face paled. — ey ‘‘Great heavens, gentlemen!’ he cried. ‘What does this mean?’ — Nick took the message. ‘At read: erenals Geee died mere dant nent Washington 1 Patel ‘Donald Ogden dead!”
Page 6
} ine F pee : tween him and Ogden on his visit to the | capital.” re ., Then he siboned locked the big valise, ! shoved it aside with,one foot, and indulged in a silent chuckle unknown to any one of } those who were watching him. —— CHAPTER II. “oe MYSTERIOUS PASSENGER IN UPPER SIX. ““We will now hear what the sleeping-car conductor “has to tell us,’’ said Nick, ad- dressing his remarks to the railroad official. | The latter went to the door and called: “Step in here a moment, Thorne.’’ ) A man wearing the uniform of the sleep- ; ing-car conductor entered, cap in hand. : Nick gave him a sweeping glance, and ‘saw.a good-looking, dark-featured man about five feet six tall, and slimly built. His hair was close-cut, and a heavy, drooping black mustache was the only adornment of a sates amg os | ‘ rather pale face. ““Thorne,’’ said his superior, as soon as 4 the door behind him was. closed, ‘‘this is “Nick Carter. I suppose you have heard of him before?” ‘Who is there that has not?’’ responded ‘the conductor. ‘Now, Mr. Thorne, ” proceeded Nick, _ without delay, ‘‘as soon as we learn all that ' there is to know about this disappearance, maybe we can discover what became of Les- _ ter Kingdon. So let’s get right down to x ~ business. “First, are you sure it was Lester King- _ don who occupied lower six last night?” “I know it was a man who calls himself ; Lester ‘Kingdon. He told me several months ; ago that it was his name and gave me his “| -eard.” Ee | ‘*Where??”” - : On the train. He has gone over the road . you describe him,”’ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. eS ee ‘‘That’s right,’’ interjected White. — ‘‘We'vé a great deal of businessin Baltimore” and Washington, and Kingdon has inyari- ably attended to it.” ‘*Suppose, to es sure of the identity: ’ suggested Nick. _ “He was about my size, light complexion, light hair, and smooth face.’’ “*No beard or mustache ?”’ ‘No, sir; not the sign of either. His face looked so smooth that I sometimes won-- dered if he ever shaved, and no one would | _ take him to be much more than a boy:.”” ‘‘Oh, there is no doubt about it having: been Kingdon!”’ exclaimed White. ‘‘The description is perfect.’’ “‘And you seem to have known him pretty well,’’ continued Nick, addressing the con- - ductor. Z “Yes, sir. He and I became pretty fairly friendly, and talked together considerable from time to time. He went down with me night before last, and started back last night. I talked with him as the train was leaving Washington. He asked me to do something for him.’’ ““What?’’ ‘Requested that I keep a lookout and notice whether a man with a close-cut red beard and sandy hair, dressed in a brown suit, with brown sack coat and a gray Al- pine hat, got on the train at Baltimore, and to let him know after we left that city.’’ “Well?” “y kept a pretty good watch for sucha person, but none passed through the gates, ‘Just before we. pulled out I went to the guard fence to speak to the depot master, and as I.glanced out into the waiting-room of the Camden street station, I caught a A glimpse of a man passing out to the street § _who I thought, so far as I could notice. by y a short view I had, answered es descrip-
Page 7
6 ‘“Then what ??’ “T informed Kingdon of what I saw, when I returned to the car, after the train started.’’ ‘“‘What did he say ?’’ ‘Merely thanked me and requested not to be disturbed until barely time to get dressed for Jersey City.”’ ‘He had retired?” Ves:?? ‘*VYou noticed nothing strange about his berth during the rest of the night.’’ ‘*No, sir; for after turning over my tickets to the train conductor, I went into the small stateroom, which was not taken on that trip, closed the door, and sat down to smoke. I want to acknowledge right here that I fell asleep soon afterward and didn’t wake till we got almost to Philadelphia.’’ {Ts that your usual custom ?’’ - ‘By no means. I am usually awake dur- ing my entire trip. I sleep in the daytime at each end of the route, I can’t understand why I dropped off, for, although I lost my usual sleep yesterday, I didn’t feel the effect j of it when I went into that stateroom to smoke.”’ ‘ ‘‘Oh, you did not get your usual sleep yesterday, then?”’ **No, sir.’’ ** Flow so?”’ “J had an engagement with Mr. Kingdon, which kept me going.’’ “What ‘was it?” ; ‘He asked me to call on him at his hotel in Washington at eleven o’clock and go out - to Mt. Pleasant to look at a piece of prop- erty he wanted to buy.” ‘““That’s strange,’’? muttered White. : ‘And did you go with him ?’’ asked Nick. “Not at that hour. When I called at ele- - ven, he said he was detained, and asked me — ie to call again at two o’clock.”? — ieee _ TY did so, and then we took the trip ina _two-horse ® buggy.’ eee ee NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Se le pede negro, perh. “You went to Mt. Pleasant?” ‘‘No; he took another direction, and drove over to Alexandria. On the way told me he had come down prepared to Pp five thousand dollars spot cash for the piec of property, but heard after his arrival that) the owner had gone to Chicago.”’ ; ‘*Inconceivable!’” muttered White. “What, did he mean? Kingdon couldh’t have con trolled that much cash had he made the, effort.”? 4 a *‘I beg your pardon,”’ aid Thorne, ' : he had a very large sum with him. It migh not have been so much, but it was quit roll and the wrapper was a five- hundr dollar bill.’’ “You noticed this large valise ??” As Nick. “*T did.” me a ‘*Did he explain to you why he carried | i on such a short trip?”’ SNover didn’t ‘ask, and he didn’t -e plain,”’ ge Nick’s next aqnantiest ‘took everybody . = eae |] ‘“Who occupied oe + appari wet e C ead tion six?’’ ae “Why, Bobolyo” rpalede ‘surprise. pied. There were tens Towers ieee ‘*And no uppers were made AD see **Oh, I don’t know about that, sir. we have a few uppers prepared in overflow oi the pe agua ‘car: again. 4 ee Fe > As soon as Thorne left the room thie ere was called bs a ; That individual appeared in fh pers +e
Page 8
$88, dressed in the usual uniform of a _sleeping- cat porter... He seemed decidedly incomfortable in the presence of the little ompany. Nick Carter’s eyes scarcely left the por- iter’ s face while he asked his questions. The (great detective was engaged in taking one of his famous mind pictures, which were always as trie to nature as the best photo- * graphic artist could make a portrait. * ‘What is your name, my man?’ began Nick. ““George Brooks, sah, but I’m called ‘Dad’ sometiines,’’ “Did you know Lester Kingdon?’ | “‘De gen’leman as disappeared las’ night? Oh! yaas, sah, I knowed him. He trabled with us right offen.’’ ‘*When did you see him last ?’’ ‘When he done went to bed ’bout twelve o’clock.’’ =f ‘‘Sayw nothing of him afterward?”’ SMO; sah.’’ : “Where. wete you most of the time after he train left Baltimore until it got to Phila- “delphia?”’ “In - the Apne -room, sah, blackin’ de )gen’lemen’s shoes.’ “Where was the sleeping-c -car conductor 1 uring this time?’’ , time. He passed t’rough into de day coach oncet, but I didn’t see him come back. ..Next "see him wur at Philuimdelphy.’’ Where was thet train when you saw Mr. 4 on ‘We wur crossin’ the high bridge bet de pe at Habre de Grace.” “You're sure it was he?’’ zi Lot! bress ye, yaas. I passed him jes’ as ihe wur comin’ from de aisle, and saw him cde doah an’ go on trough.” ” /“*T don’t know, sah, whar he wur all de passed through?’ gens you any idea what pacar of Mr. 7 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Bh “Good ts no, sah! He jes’ seemed to be whisked away.”’ -“*Couldn’t have walked out of the car?”’ _f* Not withotit help, sah.” “Why not?’’ *“Case de vesterbule doahs on de wfetiot ms at each end ob de cah wur found fassened on de inside; and ef he’d hab walked t’rough de day coach in his night shirt some body’d hab seed him shoo!’ “The windows?” ‘Dey wur shet, Sah. He could’ hab jumped out and shet ’em affer him.’ All these facts Nick knew were true, be- cause Patsy had so reported. “‘Who occupied upper six, Brooks?”’ The porter’s eyes blinked a score of times to the second before he answered. ‘“Uppah six, sah? jest nobody.” ‘“Had you any upper = passengers last night?” “*No, sah.” ‘*Were there any upper berths made up?” ““Seberal wur, sah. We always makes up a few inde center ob’ de cah, in case oba Why, nobody, sah— CEES pe rush at Baltimo’. ‘‘But they were not needed last night ?”’ “No, sah.”? ; “Your coach is next to the day coach ?’’ “ ‘“The door was locked last night, I pre- sume??? “Ob co’se, sah.” 2 “Did Thorne lock it after him when he i - “J dun forgot to notice, bat I reckon fa: es T ll ax him ie you say 80.” ah
Page 9
8 “Better not. Thorne might resent your meddling. I'll ask him myself. I think that will do for the present, Brooks. But don’t go away. we may want to ask for more information,’ After Brooks went out, White said, rather excitedly: _‘*Mr. Carter, one of those men is lying.” “*Tt looks that way, doesn’t it??? smiled the detective. ‘"Thorne says he slept all the way to ‘i Philadelphia. Brooks says Thorne went into the day coach as the train was crossing the Susquehanna, cities.’’ midway between the two «“Then who lies?’ ‘*In that instance we’ll not decide. the porter lied in another case.”’ But *“Flow so?”’ *‘He said he had no upper berth passen- ger last night.” ; : **So did Thorne say so.’’ ‘True: but Thorne may have been de- ceived. The negro couldn’t Have been.’’ ‘‘And there was an upper berth passen- ger?’ asked the railroad manager. “Ves. He occupied upper six,” ““Hlow did you find it out?’’ _ “Don’t forget that one of my assistants was on the train.’’ ‘And he saw——’? ‘*He saw the porter ined the ladder oppo: site number six-shortly after the train crossed _ the bay at Baltimore. ‘“Mhe porter then went forward to the smoking-room. Five minutes later some one came in from that end of the coach, mounted | "by the stepladder to upper six, and pulled . the curtains together. the smoking compartment. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ie ‘Several minutes later still the porter ; removed the ladder and once more retired to_ “My. ssistant a the time thou ht nothing: ered next morning he thought about ih occupant of upper six, but on glancing the berth, it appeared to have been aa turbed. ae eT ‘*Now, gentlemen, I have no oust: the. occupant of upper six left ne coach: as sua 3 teriously as he entered hee: < ‘‘He knows a good deal about what ee pened to Kingdon, or “T must find that missing PE oft upper six before I can find the man who | occupied the lower berth.”? ‘Thorne and, Brooks should be ‘ee d under arrest until they show, if. they can, that they are not concerned in Kingdon’s: disappearance,’’ excitedly declared White ‘Not at all!”’ replied Nick. “T can use| | them to better advantage, with your assi Lp as ance,”’ addressing the railroad manager.. “T am wholly at your command, 42 said » that official.. pare sens = «Phen at the last 1 mon ht ] Thorne and Brooks Roeatated: and se it Washington by different routes. coi it done?”’ ‘‘Basily. Ican x “yania road. ” ese Til fave a perias on ie will not suspect to be other t his face. Salts means that _ watched as 5 they conductor for Ls ' yania car. :
Page 10
Sates private parlor. ““Of course I know you never come to Washington except on business,’’ explained the ster, “So you must pardon my cu- riosity.’ “That I can readily do,” was the busi- _ ness-like response, ‘‘since by gratifying your curiosity I may get you, at the same time, _ a to aid me,”’ ‘“How can I aid you?” “‘We will see presently. Donald Ogden, the New York broker, died in this hotel recently, 2 » **Ves, last night. from natural causes?” ““T have no reason to doubt. it. is s still here?’ **Oh; yes. 5 It will The ese His son 1 will atfive to-night Surely his death was
Page 11
10 ‘Where? In Washington or New York?” ‘‘Oh, here, of course. Ogden lived here formerly. He married in this city. His son was born here, and his mother is buried in But——”’ ; ““Who was with him when he died?’’ Washington. SSB professional nurse and his physician.” ““What was the cause of death?’ ‘*Heart trouble of some kind.’’ **He was very ill?’’ “Yes. Took to his bed a week ago, soon after he arrived from New York. Became very bad, and had two trained nurses, one or the other of which was with him all the time.’ ““He had a visitor yesterday ?’’ ‘‘Not that I know of.’’ Nick looked at the clerk intently for some time after this answer. Apparently he con- cluded that the latter was speaking truly. ‘“*You know Lester Kingdon, of New York?’’ “Tntimately. He always stops here when in Washington. He was here yesterday.’’ "And started for New Vork last night?’ = Ohh: He left for the South on the eight o’clock train last evening.”’ ‘“That’s what he told you?” ; ‘Yes. I ordered a cab and had him driven to the depot.’’ ‘‘What time did he leave the hotel?” ‘‘About seven-thirty.’’ “Vou a ‘‘Why, I suppose so. He started for that train, and the cabman never said anything different.’’ ‘‘Can I see the cabman?’” » ‘*Certainly. I'll send for him.’’ ‘Not immediately. “First let me tell you that Kingdon left by the eleven-thirty train no. re sure he went to the ‘depot a be _ for New York, but never reached Jersey \ City.” ny “Rh? Why, where did he soe ‘‘ We don’t know. That is why I am here — Washington ; trying to trace him.’” NICK CARTER WEEKLY. at half-past seven last evening??? sae Nick then hastily and briefly related thi), main incidents in the mysterious case. ‘““We know he came here in answer to. 1, telegram from Donald Ogden,”’ = Nick. S is ‘“That’s queer,’ mused the clerk. ‘I wa on duty when he came in—was on fill eigh o’clock, and he never said a word abou{ Ogden or inquired for him.”” a ‘‘You. have no knowledge of his visitin the sick room?’* i ““None.”’ ‘*You say one of the two nurses wa always at Ogden’s bedside ?’’ “Yes. ‘The doctor’s instructions to th were not to leave him alone a moment.” ‘“Who was his physician?” “Dr. Morse, of K street.’’ fe “Now, if you will send for the Ca biad who drove Kingdon away from the hotel las ; evening, I'll be obliged.” The clerk rang a bell, and told the bo} who answered it to find Cabman James a anc ‘s send him to the room. _ Bs They didn’t have to wait long till the ca man appeared, hat in hand. “*James,’’ inquired the clerk, ‘“where did you leave your fare whom you drove awa a ‘‘Why, at the Pennsylvania depot, sor?’’ The clerk looked at Nick curiously. The detective arose and asked James: \) “"Is your cab handy?” as = ‘It's at the dure, sor.” BES (‘Then I want you to drive me eto Morse? s office in K street.’ o Nick was fortunate in finding ‘the docto at home. He lost no time in introducing; himself.
Page 12
Nick CARTER WEES " ssurance from the hotel people that he saw fr. Ogden Fosters however, so I come to Vou.” = “Nobody saw Ogden yesterday of my nowledge,’* said Dr. Morse, positively. ‘‘Was he forbidden by you to see visitors?’’ “ No. ay: “Was he aware of his dangerous condi- ion??? “He was—during the last few days. Day efore yesterday he forced me to tell him hat his present attack might prove fatal.’’ ““He asked you about it?” 2 F Mert @ ‘'I would like to see his nurses. If he ad a visitor yesterday, one or the other would know it?”’ “Certainly. Unfortunately, I can direct © vou to only oné of the two.’’ Z 3 Hama) De Wade ‘‘The other has disappeared.” y, ‘‘When did she disappear?” “She was relieved by her assistant at oon yesterday and should have returned at ix o’clock for duty until midnight, but she jdidn’t. Indeed, no one has seen her since.’? id “‘She was on duty yesterday noon ?’? ~ “Ves, from six o’clock till twelve.” _ “What was her name?’’ _ ‘Mary Isabel.”’ | “Where does she live?” | “She boarded somewere on othe Avenue, She had no regular home.’ “What do you know concerning her, doctor?” “About four months ago she applied to he hospital here in Washington for a posi- Sion as assistant nurse, and was put, to work. She knew almost nothing of the duties re- quired of a nurse, but was so attentive and iso" apt at learning: that she was retained. re met her at the hospital during my pro- el essional “visits at the hotel: tion, however. 11 ‘*Qn the day after I was first called to Seescs) Donald Ogden at the hotel Miss Isabel came to my office and begged to be sent to nurse him through his sickness. ‘*T asked her how she had heard of such a man being ill and under my care, and she showed mea newspaper paragraph which stated that Donald Ogden was lying very ill. She had found, on inquiry, that I was the attending physician, : «I knew there must be some peional. _ feason which urged her to apply for this special case, and asked her if there was not. She admitted there was; that she knew Mr. — Ogden, but that he didn’t know her. ‘‘She assured me that she was most anxious he should get well. _ ‘Thad faith in her as an honest girl and a fairly good nurse, so'I sent her to nurse Ogden, and promised not to let the patient know she had any pcre in him other than a professional one,’ = “* After she left the hotel, eres did she return to hér boarding placeon Marlyand Avenue?’’ ‘*Oh, yes; but only to remove her few effects to some place unknown to her land- lady. a “You know nothing ‘of her past es then?” ‘*Absolutely nothing. Yet in spite of everything, I am willing to vouch for her honesty and purity.’ Nick got the address of the other nurse, whom he hunted up at once, ; She could give him no further PapCr Di: ‘I relieved Mary at noon,’’ said Mrs. Clark, ‘‘and if there was a visitor to the sick ‘room during the forenoon I do not know it. ‘When she didn’t come back, I remained — in her place, for the patient grew worse ae during the afternoon and sank rapidl, alk 3 La he died | shortly after 33
Page 13
12 **No, I- know absolutely nothing about Miss Isabel. like, but inclined to be a little melancholy She was a girl any one would at times. She would talk on any subject but I think she had a history of which she was not, probably, very proud.’ Without entering into a discussion with about herself. Mrs. Clarke on that point, Nick gota min-— ute description of Mary Isabel, after which he returned to the ‘hotel and went to bed, not, however, before he had left word at thé office to be called, if any telegrams arrived for him during the night. About five o’clock in the morning the ex- pected telegram came. It was brought to his - room. Nick lighted his gas and-read it. The message was from Chick, sent from Wilmington, and ran thus: ““Brooks sent message from Chester‘to his wife, No.— —— street, telling her to be on her paar, as he feared something was . wrong.’ ‘Nick did not go back to bed. On the con- trary, he rose; took a bath, dressed, and weut out on the street. He walked directly to the nearest station house and made himself known to the officer: in charge. When he left the station nee 3 local detective went with him. They proceeded to the vicinity of Brooks’ house, a small cottage on a narrow back street. 3 ore “That is the place,’’ said Nick, pointing out the cottage. ‘““Keep a sharp watch on it. Note all the people who go in and out. As soon as possible after Brooks gets home _ manage to bring him to me at the hotel, but don’t let his wife or any of his friends sus- — _ pect that he has gone away other than by his i ye accord.”* Nick returned to the hotel and ordered Spreakfast served in his room for three, at : ght « 0 chee Bee ; “ied NICK CARTER WEEKLY. and scratching his head. : Chick? 2 inquired Nick. Chick came in first. “You got my telegram, Nick?’ was his first query. ay ‘All right, Chick, and [ve got Brooks’ house under: surveillance. Anything to re port?”’ ‘“‘Not much. Brooks was talkative seb : and although he was undoubtedly worried about something, I couldn’t get a word ou of him which might in any manner bear ot the -case until we reached the depot in this) city.” % “Then what occurred??? eee re Oe ee ““As the passengers were leaving the sta-) tion, Brooks’ eyes followed a well-d essed | lady who came through with us from New} York. : Bias: “She was met at the gate by a cabman who took her handbag, placed her if carriage, and drove away.. ‘All this time Brooks stood radia hes | “Just as the carriage started away al speed, Brooks slapped his hand on 1 his eS and exclaimed: oat ‘ ( WS ABY golly, I hab it!’ £ ‘« ‘Have what?? I asked ane atege “<*T knowed Td seed "minded me ob dat lady, but to gabe 1 brack soul I couldn’t jes’ now "member wh it was.’ ae “la Ethers ““ “And of whom does she remind y “ “Ob Mistah Kingdon, sah.” ” ‘* <Tat! tut? I exclaimed. to bea , wallatied “ pusson, an’ he wur k light ’plexioned like.’ ”” “Did you notice ‘the: _womla
Page 14
: and she retired at once. She did not get up is ‘until we were almost into Washington. Brooks, it appears, succeeded in seeing more » of her than I. I am convinced that the porter and conductor have no secret in common.’’ Nick, in turn, related what he had learned since he reached Washington. © "'T have it, Nick!” suddenly exclaimed ut) Chick. ‘‘What if my mysterious female passenger should be Mary Isabel, the miss- ing nurse?’ ) Before Nick could reply, Patsy, still in his | disguise of the sleeping-car Bo gkse burst ha- into. the room. “és ~ “Hello, Patsy,” greeted Nick. ‘‘You aw} appear to be in a hurry.”’ mek ange a the boys “Pye run away from my wife.’ “Your what?’’ ““My wife—Mrs. ‘Dad’ Brooks. . waiting for meat the depot, and great Scott! She was how she did-lambast me for being sucha all fool as to send her a telegram like that, jee though I don’t know anything about the telegram yet. : ‘She yanked me off as fast as she could. Refused to talk much, however, till we could he get home, as people might hear. my ‘All she said was that the lady was wait- vhaizg to see me, and from the lady’s manner | she was sure something had gone wrong. _*‘ “That’s what you git foh’ lettiti’ white ' trash lead you ’round by yo’ nose, yo’ fool nigger,’ she whispered. “While I ‘was studying how I could get ame away from her before she got me to her ee where the real Brooks might be wait- nost #28 with a razor, she came to my rescue. ndet | ¢home a chuck steak fo’ breakfast, an’ don’t __| YOu lose no time ’bout it, d’ye hear? 3 BES heard and I drapped off at the corner. [ae s Went it to the eee shop, but I. did NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘““Drap off at de corner dar an’ fotch he pale must eon the met whiskered Baltnor ‘« As soon as she was out of sight I cut, and here I am.”’ ‘And how about tue trip down?” asked Nick. “Tf Thorne knows anything ation King- don’s disappearance he does not share it with Brooks,’’ said Patsy, positively. ‘‘He asked me what the detective wanted — to learn from me, and I told him mere facts, as you suggested. “So far as Thorne is concerned, I found « He’s as close as an oyster. out very little. He was very pale- most of the trip, and looked as if he really might be ill. Iasked — him if he was sick, but he declared it was - nothing to worry about, but he didn’t feel very well. pe ‘He was feeling he: after effect of that fore,’’ said Nick, with a smile. ‘‘How -would a nap*make him sick?” — asked Patsy. " unexpected nap on the train the night be- — “The nap wouldn’t , but the morphine in the cigar which put him asleep would.” ‘““There was only one other. thing I no- ticed along the way that might bear on our case, Nick. At Chester aman boarded the , train who was dressed exactly like the man Sie described by Kingdon to Thorne, who, the — ¥ latter says, Kingdon asked him to es out for at Baltimore.’ - \ ““Oh! The red- whiskered man ina Eawn suit and Alpine hat ?’’ “Yes. Well, such a man got on at Chester and left the train at Baltimore. in the smoking-car. ‘*J -passed through once and | saw him talking to the brakeman. “JT heard the man say to the brakeman: “©*T tell you, you are mistaken. not on the train that trip,’ ””~ “That is important, my boy, 1» said! Nic He traveled E Bao? “4
Page 15
14 Thorne doesn’t lie, Kingdon was interested ein knowing whether that mysterious indi- vidual got on the train on the night of the puzzling disappearance.”’ ‘*But how will we.get him ?’’ asked Chick. ‘“Through the brakeman, who probably knows him, since Patsy saw the two in con- versation. At present——’’ ae tap on the door interrupted him. Nick himself responded. After looking out into the hall, he made a quick sign, and Patsy and Chick hastily disappeared into the bed- room. } - Then Nick opened the door and in walked the local detective with the real‘ ‘‘Dad’’ Brooks in charge. Fright was written all over Brooks’ black face. He recognized Nick at once as the ~ man who questioned him in New York. ‘‘Brooks,’’ said Nick, without any delay in approaching his subject matter, ‘‘I am . Nick Carter, the detective. : “Now, I know that you are concealing something from.me which occurred night before last on your trip to New York in charge of the Domerset.’’ “*Fo’ de Lawd——”’ “Stop,” interrupted Nick. ‘‘You had a - passenger on that trip who was not reported. ‘*He entered the car from the day coach after the train crossed the bay. ‘‘You left your ladder for him opposite section six. ‘‘He quietly climbed into upper six and pulled the curtains together. ., “A little later on you came through and temoved the ladder. ‘«Some time before the train reached Jer- sey City, this passenger succeeded in leaving the train without it being generally known _ he was aboard, NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘*That passenger can tell us what became | of Hemet, ae and you can tell us” ‘Who “I might as well ‘knowledge all, I reck. ,”’ Brooks chattered.. ‘‘Eberyt’ing’s done gone went, Eben my wife she a gous crazy.’ z ‘*Crazy! Your wife crazy?’ ‘*As a bedbug, sah. She sw’ars she done meet me dis mawnin’ at de Baltimo’ an’ Ohio depot an’ ride home wid me on de street cah, when I done come in om-de Penn road. : ch ‘Den she gib me de debil fo’ not bringin’ home a chuck steak, as she told me, an’ tT’ sw’ar to goodness she hadn’t no chance to say chuck to me once. Oh, she’s as crazy as_ a bedbug. * le “Tf I hadn’t gone fat that ee as quick * as I did, I belieb dat nigger would hab done cut me widarazer, But befo’ I could get ; dat-steak dis yar gemman yanked me away, ~ an’ now you tell me’bout dat Bue six bizz——”’ ‘Well! well!” cried Nick, cotieeiig the | chattering porter ee ‘“There ee je upper six passenger.’ si Jes’ as you’ve said, though | ‘* Kerrect. how you knowed——”’ ‘Who was he?’’ Pave ace “It wurn’t a boys sah. It wur a woman ! ie = CHAPTER. Bie THE. MYSTERY OF LOWER SIX, “A. woman aes ‘<A woman?” repeated Nick, without skirts?’’ ‘‘Dat’s it, sah. She wor + dressed: asa man.”?. —- Re Ne “‘Well, Brooks, oS greatly ‘bentefit yourself and oblige me by ees all —_ know about this strange affair.” **T’m goin’ to, ssah. No use tryin’ to i *bout de bush. An’ Iain’t done nuffin wrong
Page 16
el NICK CARTER WEEKLY. facts or keeping any of them back, IJ] have you locked up for ninety-nine days.”’ Day afore yésterday affernoon while I wur snoozin’ at home, my “Tt am jes’ like dis: wife come an’ tole me a lady was waitin’ to see me. So I gits up an’ goes out to meet her. “She seemed innercent an’ straight *nuff, an’ somehow knowed I°wur de portah ob de Domerset, an’ dat de cah wur goin’ out dat night. ‘*She’ wanted to watch one ob de passen- gers, she said, widout him knowin’ she wur on board, and axed me to smuggle her in up de road widout any one seein’ her. “T wouldn’t' heah ‘bout it at fust, but she swore by her hopes ob salvation dat she didn’t want to do no creature no harm. $he offahed to gib me fifty dollars to help her . t’rough. “Dat didn’t fase me, sah, but when she said she’d gib me fifty dollahs cash down an’ fifty arter I got back to Washington if .1 worked it all right, I gub in an’ ’cepted. “““Afore we lef’ we had it all planned out. ‘She wur to hab uppah six shu’, an’ dis wur de way it wur to be wuked: “‘I done tol’ her dat de bestest time to git into de cah would be arter we hed crossed de bay. sea > ; ‘“‘Iwur to lebe de laddah alongside six. Den I'd unlock de do’ nex’ de day cah. fp. “She'd be whar she could see me, an’ “would cum | back, sees up in six and dar - she’d be. Den Pd take, ac laddah away, an’ dar ae be ag’in. -‘*So shé got de pies from my wife to change her clo’es from a woman’s rig toa = nian’s. ‘She lef’ her dress an’ sich wid Mrs. ‘Brooks an’ a gold watch as ’surance: she ie. ‘come back an’ pay de odder Sie dol- labse eS ; ‘a moment’s hesitation, greatly to the detec-. = - tive’s surprise. ; _ became of Max angden oo 15 “‘Den she lef? airly in de ebenin’ fur Bal- timo’, whar she said she’d board de day cah as we passed trough. : : ‘*Well, sah, eberyt’ing wuked splendifer- ously jes’ as she’d planned. ‘‘She slipped out into de day cah ag’in jes’ befo’ we got to Wilmington, an’ dat’s de las’ I seed ob her.’’ “Don’t you know where she can be found ?”’ : “* Deed I does. She am sweetly snoozin’ in Mrs, Brooks’ uppah bedroom, or wur whenrI lef’. Leastwise, dat’s what I gathahed from my wife’s brief an’ unloosed remawks befo’ she sent me fuh dat chuck steak.” ‘‘We are going to send for the lady.”’ ; Chick was soon on the street, in response _ to a hasty order from Nick, while Brooks was led away into an opposite room. ‘Then Patsy, as his false double, came out of hid- ing and kept Nick company. ra Nearly an hour elapsed before Chick re- — turned. An exceedingly handsome, plainly-dressed young woman accompanied him. | | J , She was very pale, and a wild look came :: from her dark eyes as she entered the room. When her gaze fell upon Patsy she gave a slight gasp, and, putting one hand out, caught at the back of a chair. Eris ‘*Good. She thinks Patsy is Brooks,’ —— thought Nick. ‘‘ Please be seated, madame,” spoke Nick, kindly, and she gladly complied. “ ‘‘You probably can guess why you have a been brought here,’’ Nick began. _‘*Who are you, sir?” “‘T am Nick Carter, the detective.’’ Her next words came‘calmly and without RN ‘‘And you are trying. to discover what
Page 17
16 ‘“No. But perhaps I may aid you.’ ‘What was he to you?’’ ‘*Nothing whatever.” ‘But you seem to have known him ?’’ “Only since the day of his disappear- ance.’’ “You mean to say you never saw him be- fore that day?” “Yes.” ““Who are you??’ ‘*Don’t you know?”’ “‘T can guess. Your name is Mary Isabel.’’ She merely nodded an affirmation. # ‘*VYou never saw Kingdon until you met him in Mr. Ogden’s room in this hotel the day before yesterday ?’’ **T never did.’’ d She had admitted that Kingdon was with Ogden. _ “*What was Kingdon’s business. with Ogden, Miss Isabel ?’’ - **T cannot tell you, sir.’’ “You mean you will not?”’ “T said I could not, I was in the room five minutes while they were together, and the two men were locked 4p with each other for . - two hours.”’ ‘«Vou left them alone by request?” “T did.” . “By request of whom ?’’ **Of Mr. Ogden.”’ “Why did you fail to tell others of ise: _» don’s visit?” “Because Mr. Ogden asked me not to do so. » f “Was that the only reason?” IN O,2? - ‘*What other reason was there?’’ - She hesitated slightly, and then replied: :: _“T had no good opportunity; I did not return in the evening.”’ oe ha he ; ‘NICK CARTER WEEKLY. . an hand.”’ That was something accomplished. ~ his possession which was not worth a “ Ah, yes; for Baltimore, where os: boarded the midnight train northbound.’” She gave a reproving glance at Ratsy; then sighed: “As you say.’’ “‘Now, Miss Isabel, will you tell me ew you made that strange journey in such a strange manner?’’ SUN Prag ‘‘On one condition I will, and I promise that what I tell you of that trip will be of: great interest to you in your, sere for Mr. Kingdon,”’ fae ‘‘What is your condition?” ~ 2 ‘UPhat after I tell you ‘everything Ikn Ww relative to Kingdon’s disappearance, you will not press me for inforination which} would have no. bearing on the case you havef AY ’ Nick hesitated only a moment be before he replied: me “J grant your condition.’ ; “Then Pll begin by telling you the obj of my strange trip. ‘Iwanted to get som thing from Mr. Kingdon before he reach New York with it.’’ , ‘‘You mean your object was ‘s rob him, } while he slept? fra ad Scarcely that. But heshad siatitig yune toa living soul except to me, and trying ae pee Jet. bus say—lose it f him.”’ rae Ne “*Did you get it?” sy -did.”” wee pee ‘“How?” 1 ae Ber ‘Took it from the inside poe the ae oe 2 ‘“Then you saw him pete
Page 18
| <Let us not beat About the bush any nger, Miss Isabel. Please come to the int which I am trying to reach,”’ he said, pees testily. — “Willingly. To begin with, I saw him ‘ juy his sleeping-car ticket for lower six. I i vas satisfied that none of the uppers would en I found out where the porter of fie car lived, and I looked him up. ‘I presume he has told you about the bar- in I made with him,’ she added, aad ward Patsy. Wes es. _ You ay oi that part,”’ Alien “<cWell, ‘the inlke worked well. ared witha Sponge fixed to a wire, which {intended to lower, and by which I expected } apply chloroform after I was once assured was asleep, in order to take his sleep ost sass I was pre- ee wn, I became aware that some one was pving around in the lower berth. “This continued for five minutes, when, ‘a current of cold air which came upin the ‘pr of me, I realized that a window had wen 1 opened. 5 ot were crossing a bridge or weatie ‘Presently the curtains shook. ‘Well, ‘you. saw—what?”’ urged Nick. 3 ‘I saw the Sleeping-car conductor sneak of the lower berth and hutry hastily out ‘the car,”’ she exclaimed. as “Which way dia he go?” : _ | Forward, toward the day coaches.” hat confirms Brooks’ A da said “i eatin to his chief. eee NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ~ Kingdon’s | disappearance, which would also. -. fore I could leave the train. 17 “* Please proceed, os ‘* After waiting perhaps ten minutes, and feeling assured that the conductor was not coming back; and realizing that every- thing below me was very qitiet, I ventured to peer down into the berth.”’ ‘‘It was empty?’’ added Nick, as she again paused with dramatic effect. “Tt had no occupant,’’ though all of Mr. Kingdon’s clothes were there as he had taken them off. “T saw his coat hanging on a hook. “Mindful of nothing but the object I was pursuing, I gently let thyself down and secured from the coat pocket, where I saw _ him put it on the day before, the object I was after, ‘“Then, for the first time, it occurred to me that something strange and mysterious had happened in that berth. 4 ‘The occupant was missing. His clothes — were all there. ‘The conductor had just left the berth. One window was wide open. “‘Tt had been opened shes we were cross- oa ing a bridge. “IT knew it must have ae the high bridge across the Susquehanna. “Mr. Carter, it flashed on my mind just then that Kingdon’s body had been shoved _ through that window and dropped scores of feet below into the water. ‘*‘T almost fainted. 3 ‘‘But a cool breeze blew in through the window and revived me. “Tt also warned me of the danger of the open window, for it stirred the curtain. “It might cause some of the train onoes to look into the berth. ss es “That would inean the discovery of Mr. mean my discovery in the upper berth, be- “Therefore, I closed the windo an
Page 19
‘ ~)dress.””) 18 lay half scared to death until the train ap- proached Wilmington. ‘“At that point the porter, as arranged, passed through and coughed to notify me where we were. ‘‘T slipped out of my berth and succeeded in getting into the day coach unobserved, as I believed. : “T passed through into the smoking-car, intending to get off at the station just as the train was about to pull out, but something then occurred which induced me to stay on till we reached Chester.’’ “What was that?’’ : ‘‘T saw a man come out of the toilet room and walk out onto the platform ahead of me. The sight of him caused me to turn back, and as that was the only platform which was not vestibuled, I had no other way of get- ting off since the train was in motion,” “Did the man get off?”’ ‘‘T guess so, for I saw him no more, and. I remained on till I got to Chester.’’ “Why did he scare you?”’ ‘‘T bélieved him to be some one vhadow- ing me.”’ . ‘“Eixplain.’’ ‘*As,I came into the Camden depot at Bal- _ timore, I had just about time to get through the gates and catch the train. ‘‘Well, as I. walked hastily through the waiting-room that man, was standing there. ‘(He eyed me so that it made me feel uneasy. ‘* After I had reached the train I looked back and was relieved to see him walking away toward the street. : ‘Tt didn’t seam possible that he could have got through the gate in time for the train. ‘‘Vet, Mr. Carter, it was the same man who got off in front of me at Wilmington. I. knew him by his peculiar beard and NICK CARTER WEEKLY. . my lad, but I’m not so sure that™he kj~ Cry \ ‘*Describe him.’’ ‘He was a small man, with sandy, ol cropped hair, a red beard, wore a br}, suit, anda light-colored Alpine hat.’? | ‘“By Jove!’ whispered Chick. ‘*K don’s shadow again.’’ eee ““The man who Thorne says he saw le the depot,’’ commented Nick, though in an undertone to his assistant. ; - Then, after reflecting a few moments,/ detective continued: Acct of Lester Kingdon.”’ iB “‘Let me go and bring the brake” He knows the man and caff”’ us where to find him,’’ urged Patsy. 5 “You may go and fetch the braked” here, then. where our man can be found.’’ ME There was a tap on Be door. Nick to see who it was. _ He passed out into the hall. returned, a tall, aatadtoualllls, y. man was with him. ~~ = The latter no sooner entered the room" Miss Isabel sprang to her feet with a? The young man at sight of her : tice if shot at. ’ Only for a moment, however. Then, as he threw out his arms, Y* claimed : basi i “Isabel, at 1ast I ive found you!” Before he could reach her, the }° -Jady’s body swayed, and she ae me upon the floor. * ee | - CHAPTER V. \
Page 20
NICK CARTER WEHEKLY. | s ‘She is in a dead faint,’’ was Nick’s an- mcement, as he looked into her pale, urned face, ‘‘She was under a terrible ous strain for half an hour before you * and your unexpected entrance brought’ bmplete collapse.’ ie. rang bell and directed the boy who vered to send in the housekeeper-or her giant at once. ‘hen he picked up Miss Isabel’ Ss uricon- us form, bore it into his bedchamber, Iaid it on the couch. ly, that time the housekeeper herself ap- ed. ; iek, briefly explained the condition of young lady in the other room and turned latter. over to the matronly care of the r woman, {iter she had gone in to her charge, he ed the communicating door. ‘ n the next place he whispered something ) Patsy’s ear, whereupon the latter picked is hat and left the room. jurning to the tewcomer, Nick said: Will you kindly takea seat, Mr. Ogden?” tthe name Ogden, Chick gave the young another. quick, scrutinizing glance, this thought flashed through his mind: Ogden, eh! The son of the dead man. ecagnized the girl. She recognized him fainted. ‘The girl acted as nurse for his et and followed the man who paid that t visit to the dying man’s room, Nick. Will soon be able to put this and together, I think.”’ They, told. me at the hotel office that you arrived,” explained Nick, ‘‘and I re- ted that they ask you to visit me here our earliest convenience. : in este $4 Was giving me valuable informa- The young " nodding his head toward the Fie you entero ona a subject about 19 ‘“You. are not; but on deceased father may have been. On the forenoon prior to his death, he had a secret visit in his sick- — » room from a man who, the following night, mysteriously disappeared.”” “(What was the man’s name?” «Lester Kingdon.”’ ‘‘Why, that was one of his lawyers !”” cried Ogden, as his face lost color. oe “TI know it. Your father summoned him by telegraph. He came and remained alone with your father for two hours. Only one other person save themselves knew of King- don’s visit to the sick-room until that other one told me.’’ ‘““Who was the other one?’’ “The nurse.” ‘Did the nurse know the object of the lawyer’s visit?’ “Tf she did, she has informed no one. Can you guess what it was?” “‘T fear I can. My father has. threatened to disinherit me for disobedience. I suppose he fulfilled that threat.”’ i ‘*Made a will, eh, cutting you off?’’ “‘T presume that is about the size of it,’’ was the dogged reply. — ; ‘‘What was the difference between you and your father ??’ : ‘A matter of the heart. I was determined to marry a poor girl—a typewriter—but pure as an angel and a lady by instinct as well as training. ‘*She and I met at ens office of a friend, where she was’ employed. We fell in love. | She promised to marry me. ‘‘When father heard of it, he was furious, For a certain reason he cannot bear the sight of a female typewriter. In vain I tried to induce him to call with me upon the “young lady. I hoped if he saw her—talked to her—he would relent. 2 : er. “But he mogie not even look upon 1
Page 21
20 ‘*The young lady heard of my father’s dislike to members of her craft and of his threat against me if I married her. “As a result, she sent me a letter in which she gave me up and said good-by— being unwilling, as she expressed it, to ruin I had always been rich, she said, and could not bear poverty. She had always been poor and could continue in that state. my life merely to gratify her love. ‘‘She disappeared without leaving a trace - behind her. ‘*But she didn’t know me. I defied my father even after she seemed lost to me, and ever since that day, four or five months ago, I have spent my time looking for her. “‘This rekindled my father’s wrath, and ‘he has repeatedly asserted that unless I renounced the ‘madnes3,’ as he called it, he would cut me off without a penny.’’ “‘And you think he has done so just as you have found your sweetheart ?’’ “‘T see you understand that the young lady in there is the girl who made the sacrifice ’ Sey: occupied. She even, while thus traveling, picked his pocket of something which he for my sake. Well, you are right. She is Isabel Kersey.’’ ‘*Mary Isabel Kersey ?’’ suggested Nick! ‘‘Yes, though she never used the ‘name ‘Mary’ unless when ES her name in full.”’ ‘She was known here in Washington as Mary Isabel, Mr. Ogden.”’ “*You said she was giving you some valua- ble information about the missing lawyer?”’ exclaimed Ogden, as if under the influence of a new train of thought. ‘‘What did she know about it ?’’ : “*A good deal, sir. Miss Kersey followed him from Washington. She was on the same train from which he disappeared—the same sleeper, in the berth above that which he was eens away; and with it left the train NICK CARTER WEEKLY. : ‘What did she take from the pocket??? | “‘She will not tell. But when I inform y that Miss Kersey was the nurse who al Acnew of the meeting of your father and | lawyer in his room, you may imagine wl it was which Kingdon carried away, and which she relieved him as I have said. - oF ‘A will!’ ejaculated young Ogden. a Nick made no reply. a ft ‘‘She—she had ‘nothing to do wits disappearance ?’’ suddenly exclaimed Oxdk in some excitement. ‘‘Nothing. Of that Tm: eure. i ‘‘And she got the—the will, aad — Ly “She must have got what she said § went after, for no will was found inf Ki _don’s effects which he left on the train. fs deed, she says she got what "ay follow him to get. i e At this moment the door between the t* F Ife aoe rooms opened and Isabel Kersey hers appeared on the threshold. ; Young Ogden fairly ran to meet oe )- She did not repulse him, but submitted his loving greeting: with a silent nape which she could not oriceal. é by her side with one of her hands in Ogden gently led her to a chair iid own. pice oem re ea “Miss Kersey, I have eiseied from Ogden of your unselfish sacrifice in behalf. It is needless to say, therefore, the nature of your pursuit of _Kingdo 7 that mysterious trip becomes more deff} and certain.” Sueeaa He stopped pecokingys but uke reply. “T am going ‘to ake you, Miss Keg’'é whether you were not called upon to Hi a document in Mr. Ogden’s ‘room wits Kingdon drew up while he and yo at ‘I were together?’ “ | “Mr. Carter, I ee cried, slowly osi
Page 22
“It was that document which yot saw Kingdon put into his pocket aud which to et out of his possession you followed him n that trip toward New York.’’ % She made no response. Hage e youthat ws olga Miss peaey? 2? $uts Pk Mr. Carter, is deere No ne save myself shall ever know what it Was.’? te E “Not even Mr. Onten ; : ‘‘Especially not he.” {““But when Kingdon is found——’’ 4 She turned a startled look upon Nick, who gopped his sentence and returned her stare. f ‘' Mr. Kingdon, if found, will be’ dead,” he half whispered. " “Iam inclined to differ with you, Miss ersey..”’ “You mean it???’ ¢ “I do most decidedly. I have every reason pelieve Kingdon is alive and will turn dookers 3 Be : ‘then then—he night—he would——’’ g ‘‘ He would, of course, do what you refuse do—tell what. the thing was which you tok from his pocket. Now will you tell us that it was?” ; g No.” x Slowly turning to her lover, she put both ms ‘around his neck, looked up into his es, and, unmindful of the Presence of the Wo detectives, said: it“ Jules, you have often urged me to marry %4, offering to sacrifice everything for the piness it would give you to call me your fe.” oy és Ps ‘. Ko; > man,” he asserted, warmly. ‘Are you still of that mind BY ‘Tam doubly so now.’ ‘Ww NICK pee OS WEEKLY. ‘ And I meant every word of it, little ee 21 Steal ask you nothing only to love 1 me aod become mine for all time.’ : “Then let us go. The sooner I can call you husband the better it will please me.” The two lovers left the room without stop- ping to ask anybody’s consent, or to say au vevoir. Chick looked at Nick as the door closed behind the reunited couple, expecting to see a frown on his chief’ S face. Instead, a broad smile “Gllumined Nick’s phiz, and a little chuckle. grnttied : in his throat. . ’ Xx ; X ‘*A woman in love is as transparent as Sis glass,’’ He said, turning to his assistant. “Do you think she destroyed the will, , Nick?’’ asked Chick. ‘‘No. For a good reason, too.” ‘“What reason ?’’ : “There was no will.” “But she would not deny that she wit- nessed a document which Kingdon drew up for Ogden.’’ . ““T know. She did witness such a docu- ment, She also believed it wasa will. To — get hold of this will and destroy it, she fol- —~ lowed Kingdon. She succeeded—got the document, and has destroyed it.” ; “Then why are you so sure it was no will??’ Nick smiled at his assistant in a way that was nettling. : ‘The minute she was made to believe that Kingdon might turn up alive, she — wanted to marry Ogden at once. a ‘“That’s so, but what's: that got to do with it??? sates “Byerything my boy. Mary Isabel Kersey is a girl -with a mind as well informed as _womén usually get. Had it been a will which as she destroyed that would be the end of it. wy ie Kingdon’s unsupported testimony would no fos sess to establish it in a court:
Page 23
22 “But his sworn testimony would, in the absence of the document itself, be sufficient, together with circumstantial facts, to estab- ‘lish a+—’? “* Ae what ?’’ ‘* \ confession.’ “‘Great Scott, Nick! What do you mean ??’ ‘‘T’ve been raking up the past in my mem- ory in the light of what we’ve recently heard,’’ skid Nick, contemplatively. “*Among other things, I recall the fact “that a typewriter—a young and handsome y: 5 Hah eae was employed in the brokerage office of Ogden & Son, some three years ago, committed suicide. At least, that was the verdict of the coroner. ~ ‘‘She took poison in the oltice. Her body __ was found there. ' *‘Soon afterward Ogden retired from busi- ness. “‘His son has just told us about the old man’s dislike for typewriters, which must. have antedated the death of that girl. ‘“There was some reason for it, Chick. ‘‘T remember now that gossip at the time connected the old man’s name with the dead typewriter. ‘*She had no friends, yet dressed and lived in a style away beyond her known source of income. ; “Chick, you can bet every dollar you have laid away in bank that old Ogden pois- oned that typewriter when her hold on him became too burdensome. ~*(The’ businéss preyed on his mind so much that he grew to hate all girls who followed his victim’s mode of earning a living. ‘*Hence his threat against the son. “When he found he was going to die, he made a confession. Had it written out by his lawyer, signed — witnessed By mass - don and the nurse. "ax NICK CARTER WEEKLY. would have been needed, inasmuch as King don would not have been available in thd capacity. . ““Miss Kersey believed it was a will. ‘“To save her loyver’s fortune, she too. these extraordinary risks. “When she found it was a confession iq stead, which pronounced the father a niu} derer, she destroyed it and resolved to kee the secret, believing that Kingdon had t bee killed. and pitched through the car ae - into the Susquehanna by the eleeping: 4 conductor. ‘“As soon as I raised even a doubt in he mind of Kingdon’s gat she resolved a marry Ogden at once.’ “Sg ; “I see now, a interrupted Chick.. father had died a murderer.’’ ‘‘Exactly.”’ est Nick, was that her Bhgeo in SBR \ old Gpienc ad steal his will?’’ ‘Not at all, my boy. Mary Isabel Ker can tell you, if she will, that she sought ¥ place for the purpose of trying to win’ t old man’s regards for her, to overcome B™ repugnance to at least one ex-typewri and pave the way to a reconciliation with marriage between her and his son. ee i ‘*She did not succeed, thoag®? Nick. ‘‘Fvidently not. say, and so never revealed her Te _ “She’s a dandy, Nick. But now “Wait a moment. Here is Palsy brake: Get into the other room,
Page 24
The latter looked at Nick, and spoke right rh uaa ‘‘Are you de feller as wants to chin me bout somet’in’ as happened on de road las’ ight. Dat’s what. ‘Dad’ hur says is de I want to ask you about a certain ger with whom ‘Dad’ saw you talking Ufter the train left Wilmington.”’ ‘‘Well, fire away. I’m in a hurry. Me See?” “This man had sandy hair, a red beard, “Hore a brown suit, and a light Alpine hat. now him 2’ mes’ val’able. ne <<Know dat feller? Ah! I sh’ld say s0. hy, dat’s Tom McGovern. He lives if altimore, but has a meat store in Chester. Why, he’s been goin’ over de road every ladder night fur a year. Know Tom McGov- nan’ his brown suit! Say! Tiom’s wore et suit fur a year, and now he has a new fe jest like it. See?”’ ‘Naw! but he had de night afore. Yet bloke tried to make me believe dat he dn’t went up on our train dat night. I {id a notion to punch his head fur tryin’ to ny it. Dingedif I don’t believe he was amed of the new suit, fur he kep’ mighty se till we got right to Wilmington,.an’ he odn’t get off till we wur pullin’ ont. Didn’ t 3 ) to Chester, eider. “f ““He kem outen de gents’ closet an’ made id break fur de ground afore o#ar. Dat was de only time I seed him on (tip. I'd a believed he'd ‘been hidin’ all t time in de closet of de car ef it wasn’t Tecould get What s rhe 29, - ; C ‘Why, ten minutes afore I oi de sleep- i NICK CARTER WEEKLY. : 23 o’ stumps me. I see Thorne go in, but not rs come out, an’ I see McGovern come out, but not go in. I guess I mus” have dropped | off in a doze betwixt times, though I’d a-swore I wur awake de whole time.” Nick gave the voluble brakeman a cigar and a drink of whisky and dismissed him. “'Chick,'’ said the great detective, as the latter came from the inner room and Patsy closed the door behind the trainman, ‘‘that man has furnished me with an important link of evidence.”’ a CHAPTER VI. - THE SUITS PICKED UP BY NICK ON THE BOWERY. ey Patsy was sent into Nick’s bedroom to wash the black from his face. : While he was thus engaged, Nick drew Brooks into a friendly conversation, and at last referred to the female passenger who bore such a strong resemblance to Lester Kingdon.. “Ef I'd a-only got onto dat semblance soonah, sah, by golly, ’d a-watched her closah,’’ declared Brooks. ‘‘She left the depot in a carriage?”’ ‘“Yaas, sah.” . ; “Do you think you would know the car- riage driver who took her away if you saw him again?” ‘Would I know him? hwoutd I know Mart Higgins? Why, I knows ee, like a book.’? “The carrigse 7 then ?’’ “Golly! I guess ‘not. Mart’s been dave: that team for more’n fo’ years, an’ he mos’ ly hangs roun’ de depots,an’ hotels." ‘«Where can we find him now?’ «* Bout dis time I spects he’ll be at ssi ' man is na stranger ta you, » feedin’ up.” Sens HE Do you know where he lives?” .
Page 25
24 ‘Then take me to his house.’’ They didn’t find Higgins at his house, however. “A pudgy ‘little woman, with a baby on one arm, met them at the door. red-cheeked, She had very evidently been crying. Her . eyes were red and swollen. “*No; said, in answer to Nick’ s cite Mr. Higgins is not at home,’’ she ““He’s not in town.’ ‘‘When did he go away » inquired the detective, at the same time checking Brooks’ readiness to ‘‘cut it.’’ ““Not more than an hour ago.’’ ‘“Where has he gone?’’ ‘“To New York. He sails for England to. morrow ewan B on the ie, It’s all very sudden, sir.’ **“What is?’ ‘‘Why, you see, sir, Mart has fell heir to I forgot how He jest got word to-day from some New York law- a snug fortune over there. many thousand dollars it’ll make. yers. They sent him money to come right on and sail with one of them for England to- morrow to claim what’s been left him. ‘So Mart had only time to leave me enough money from that the lawyers sent. him to live on till he comes back or sends for me. But come in, sir, and set down. I’m so broke’ up over. Mart’s suddin’ goin’ away that I can’t be polite. parted since we were married.’”’ Nick declined the invitation and then asked: ‘*Do you know the name of his lawyers in New York, who sent him the message?’ We've never been ‘“‘T forgot to ask. But I think one of ’em _ must be named Kingdon.’’ ‘*Why do you think so?’’ ‘Well, because a gentleman aed gre: by that name has visited Mart here at the NICK CARTER WEEKLY. congratulate you, the funeral. Led oe house a niunber of times igang the last axe . right intimate. He called to see Mart a evening before last, about nine o’clock.’ ‘‘T’m not surprised,’’ was Nick’s thou A few minutes later he was on his back to the hotel, accompanied by 3 Brooks. ; ‘Is this Higgins a large or a small f Brooks?’’ asked Nick, as they proceeded town. in “He? s larger dan Mistah Kingdon, 6 was the reply. “Mart? s jes’ about dey ob dat lawyah, White, “dat was at de offi New a when. you axed me all dem qj tions.’ ‘“They’ve gone on the twelve-fiff train,” muttered Nick, looking at his we | ‘We can’t get away till four. But I gf that will be time enough.’’ Then he once more drew Brooks into! versation, and they hastened up town, At. the hotel he ran up against Ogden. latter, extending his hand. “Though 1 » lost my father, I’ve found a wife.”’ “You are then ?’’ Nick, accepting the proffered hand. ‘® Mr. Ogden, with allito Your wife is one of God’s nob, creatures. : pee aS ha going to leave for New York shi 3 married, heart. room. We, too, shall go to non York = whew AUEAL young lady’s rice apoke kindly and low tone:
Page 26
‘But you said you believed Mr. Kingdon ald come back to his friends.’’ < ‘He is almost sure to come back, but I mise you that no one shall ever know im him anything that he learned at the side of your last patient. Be be as happy our as you deserve.’ yes filled with tears. She pressed “bk? s hands in both of her own, and fal- ed: F Heaven bless you, sir. You are indeed noble gentleman whoin reputation ad ? 4t was nearly nine o’clock that evening fen Nick, Chick and Paty landed from at COZTessional Limited in Jersey City. sll three took the Cortlandt street ferry. their way across North River, Nick said E hick: Lawyer White is a bachelor and lives at Vendome, If he is not there, they can gbably tell you where to find him. Don’t ede up the hunt for him till you have found Ih , then bring him straight to the house.” JIf you get to the house before I do, wait. yom" let him get away from you.’’ ?atsy and Chick took the elevated train itown, when they: teached the New York 10k Hick walked across the city and pee @ Bowery. § 1-His destination was the. store of a cos- o er and theatrical outfitter. cas accorded a private interview with the fer. y & Phe interview lasted half an. hour. ¥ jhen the great detective ‘took a Third ef nue elevated train up town. 1G it was nearly half past. ten when he fled his rouse, ; NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Pe found the proprietor disengaged, and e news that Chick the drove up to the curb in front of the house, -and Nick’s patience had meanwhile been sorely ttieds sss : Chick had his man in tow, and ushered the lawyer into the Lea ‘of Nick and — Patsy. ‘ “T had quis a huvt of it,” explained Chick. ‘Mr. White had gone to the theatre with a friend, and my search for him was rather unfruitfiul, eae : “T had to wait, therefore, until they re- turned to their club, and here we are.”’ * «And now that I am here, Mr. Carter, “will you get through with me as soon as possible? I’ve a friend with me as a guest who sails on the Afvuvia to-morrow morn- ing at eight o’clock. Iam anxious to give si him as much of my time as possible. We expect to make a night of it.” “Who is this friend ?”’ inquired Nick, very much interested. “An old college mate. We were indeed room mates at Yale, and in the same class. — He has lived in California forthe past twenty years, where he became very rich. He arrived from the West at six o’clock last evening, and I am showing him the town during his brief stay.’”’ “You'll have to let your friend wait an : = hour or two, I regret to say, Mr. White,” _ replied Nick, as he motioned the lawyer to take a seat. “I presume your interest in the fate of your partner is not inconsiderable?””. a “Bless my soul, no. Have you found any | trace of Kingdon?” “You shall judge for yourself, after I’ve told you what I learned in Washington.’” Then Nick» related the death of Ogden, Senior, Kingdon’ s mysterious visit to the sick man_at the hotel, the confession of the nurse who followed him, and yee oe of
Page 27
26 “mysterious movements of the man in the brown suit and gray Alpine hat. When he paused, as if he had. finished, White, who had been listening intently all the time, exclaimed: “What in Heaven’s name does it portend, Mr. Carter? I can’t make head or tail of it.’ That hack driver, Martin Higgins, with whom your ‘Well, 1’1l now help you out. partner became so intimate, is a person of your size. ‘You are a man who can easily be imi- tated in appearance, the size being the same. A black, bushy false beard, a-pair of spec- tacles, and a suit of clothes similar to those you wear would make Higgins easily mis- 3 taken for you—after dark.’’ t “office, I found it not one-half full. - was in it could have been carried in a much “Good heavens, Carter! What does that mean??? “Tt means ‘that this Martin Higgins, edachman, is about to personate you under the skilled guidance of another—a master hand at plotting.’’ “Who??t “Your partner, Lester Kingdon.’’ White could do nothing but sit and stare at Nick in hopeless inystification. “Let me now show you how I ran your _ partner’s plans to earth,’’ said Nick: “My first definite clew was that big valise. “The unreasonable size for such a trip struck: me forcibly from the start. (i “When I examined All that smaller bag. i “But there were unmistakable signs about the hand trunk that it had recently been quite well filled: “Brooks, the porter, confirmed this, and iti a I oy his ote uN ne a it in the railroad size. ‘berth was caused by his donning his conde : NICK CARTER WEEKLY<_ je the car to the company’ S office, after the dis - appeaiaaae than it was when he carried oe berth when he made up the passer Ss bed.’’ = “‘And all this means what?’’ acked White, “Tt means that the valise originally con- - tained more clothes than what we found it ; iti-a full suit from the skin out, including shoes and hat—the suit which he wore when he left the sleeper. ef “The nurse thought she saw ‘Thorne, the sleeping-car conductor, leave owes six and © go forward. x H “The porter also declared that Thorne a! went into the day coaches. ar “Thorne, however, Hewlarés he was ; asleep | in the state-room nearly all the way from | Baltimore to Philadelphia: ‘The result, by the way, of a drugged giege which Z / gave him see “The brakeman saw *ithoriee as he will swear, enter the closet of the smoking-car, “That’s the last any one saw of the m . dressed like Thorne. ; mt = “It was really Kingdon. = ah “He had, in that valise, a suit the cute terpart of the one worn by Thorne, an ca" second suit of underclothes, a pair of sh £ a cap, and several other things. a “He and Thorne were about | the | coat ‘A wig and false mustache made the dis- 3 ‘= guise close enough to answer his purpose. z “The noise whigh the nurse heard in tor’ 8 suit.
Page 28
/ J NICK CARTER WEEKLY. $3 opened the window. That would suggest suicide. 2 . “Unfortunately for him, the nurse closed Ac window. | "It must have puzzled him to find no : account in the newspapers of the window’s : beingopen in number six. ‘Dressed as Thorne, he passed forward to ithe smoker. . “In his frequent trips over the road he “became familiat with Thorne’s habits. “The drugged cigar made sure of Thorne’s - quietude. “Tuek was with him. Had not: Brooks ‘unlocked the door of the sleeper for the nurse and left it for her retreat, Kingdon would have met with a repulse to his plans at that spot, for he had no key. 5 “As it was, he walked through to the smoking-car and entered the closet. That’s ) the last of ‘Thorne, thie counterfeit.’ 3 “What became of him?” inquired White. “Vou heard Thorne tell about Kingdon asking him to watch for a sandy-haired, red- whiskered man In a brown suit and gray Alpine hat at Baltimore, and let him know ~if'such a person got on the train?’ Weciaas ‘Yes. ip ‘You heard Thorne tell how he s saw gach aman at the depot who, however, did not board the train?” - oeeT rue.” .“T’ve told you how the nurse also noticed thé same man in the depot?” “Ves! yes!” fete “We know, £00, that the nurse and the brakeman will swear that this man in the brown suit got off that train at Wilmington, “while the brown- sultan man himself swears he was not on the train.’ fAbt” : EE: “Remember that the brakeman says his “friend, ‘McGovern, had on a new brown suit ‘that night.” i “A ta OE “I see! I see! The man pres of | the closet and left the 7 at Wilmingion a was Kingdon?’’ ; aoe “*Tt was.”? een ‘‘He changed dokene oe inthe closet?” “No. He turned them. “¢What ??? iiss “That valise ae me another clew. In > rummaging, around among its contents i found a small card—the pilsiaede card of a. theatrical wardrober on the Bowery. <3 “The card had probably been slipped: into a the pocket of a vest or coat atid fell out without Kingdon knowing of its existence. “TI went to this costumer to-night for an explanation, and got it. *“He remembers making a suit for a cus- tomer who. claimed to belong to a dramatic company in which he. played three charac- ters. ts , ; ‘The suit was a Hiei one. One side — was the uniform of a sleeping-car conductor. “The other was of brown material. ‘«The man also got a conductor’s cap and a gray Alpine hat. ‘He further secured a heayy black mus- tache, a red beard, a black, bushy beard, a wig of sandy hair, and one of black hair, besides some dark stain for the face. . ‘When he went to the closet, he reversed the coat and trousers, changed wigs, put on the full red beard instead of the black mus- tache, and replaced the cap with the Alpine hat.. “When he came out to get off at Wilming- ton, he was a good counterfeit of McGovern, whom he had studied on some of his ps 8 ; up and down thé road. ui ‘“He. knew that McGovern was in the habit of going up and down between Balti- moreand Chester on that train and always rode in the smoking-car. j ““That was why he. wanted to be sure Me- rice was not aboard on that articular
Page 29
28 ‘“He got off at Wilmington for fear he might be spoken to for McGovern at Ches- Lio) on ““Thus, as he thought, he had completely lost his identity, and every one would con- sider him dead.’’ ‘*But what did he do after he got off at Wilmington?” “‘T told you that he represented to the costumer that he played three characters in that dramatic company.’’” “So you did.’ ~The third was that of a female. The costumer fitted him out as a woman ina His small form and effemi- nate face made that disguise easy. traveling’ suit. ‘<The female rig was somewhere in Ches- ter, I suppose, and there he got his third disguise. “As a woman, he came to New York and remained hidden all night, when he went to Washington, and was, no doubt, worried to find that Brooks was the porter of the car on the other road, and Thorne was the con- | ductor, as he believed. _ **He would have been more worried than ever had he known that my chief assistant was the conductor who punched’ his berth ticket and gave him his check. ~ “At Washington he was met by a man whom he somehow persuaded to help him carry out his’ scheme.”’ “Phe man Higgins?” exclaimed White. ““Ves, It was Higgins’ size and manner of walk which probably suggested the idea to use the man as an accomplice. A pair of - spectacles, a bushy biack-beard, and a suit of clothes like you wear would make out of Higgins a fair counterfeit of you in bese ance.’ By. Clothes, did you Say??? gasped White. £o%; said clothes. For the costumer made a NICK CARTER “WEEKLY. te os suit or outfit as a friend of Kingdon’ Sie “‘From the description, =i am sure it wa‘« a duplicate of the suit you wore yesterday ve morning, even to the coat y collar, and the soft felt hat.”” New York to-night,’’ said Nick. White sprang from his chair as if gies one had touched him with a live electri wire. ey “‘T see it!’” he gasped. “The nat . ‘The safe? What safe?” ““The safe in our office. California has two hundred thousand di lars there in Bank of England notes to. ta with him to-morrow.” lege ‘And Kingdon knew this?? “No. How could he? It was a secret be- tween me and my old friend. the amount. Iwas to ee tee it for Englis ee and pus it in my safe so. ae could et cae. White.” 7 ee a, # “Not: when you pee a aL At, aa WHO < owns valuable mining ‘interests whic!
Page 30
NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘Therefore, when he goes abroad he will d dae the cash on hand to close the bargain, igi he can drive it, during the voyage. J ‘For politic reasons, he wanted to make hae journey from San Francisco to Liverpool ha; the Englishman’s company. “(He knew the latter would reach New a ‘ork. Jast evening and sail in the morning, agnd he didn’t want to carry so much cash cross the continent. h “Therefore he explained all and called on ime to help him, as I have related.”’ ‘*And the money is in your safe now?” ne. ae Gove ic ‘‘Perhaps.’’ «What ??? _ ‘We have no time to lose, White. Quick! homie with me. i‘ ‘* Where???) . Kingdon and his tool are after that two hundred thousand dollars.’’ = CHAPTER VII. ‘TWO PASSENGERS CAME BACK. — They got a cab and hurried down town. y’ “On the way White insisted that Kingdon Jenew nothing about the two hundred thou- Isand dollars, and if he did, could not get into the building or office, as he had no keys. ‘| ‘‘He has somehow found out—seen that letter from your friend’? asserted Nick. As for keys, he didn’t fail to have dupli- ‘cate sets made before he left his'old ones in The safe combination has the sleeping-car. ‘not been changed since he disappeared, has a : _. White only groaned. L—they left the carriage several. blocks from the building in which White’s office was ‘situated and approached cautiously. he street was deserted, and everything ‘i “Ro your office. We may be too late as it ‘ing at White. _ bit, Then he questioned Dan. little escapade.” met the night watchman, whe looked at White rather queerly. ‘‘Any one been here to-night, Dan? » the merchant asked, in a tone that slightly trembled. ee “No, sir,’’ was the aTepts: witha suspicious cough. ‘*Tell us the truth, my aan said Nick. **1’'m an officer, and. it would be best to not keep anything back. from us or to lie.” _ The watchman Brisvicd oe. at aie and growled: “Then let him answer ae own questions. I was a fool to be taken in so,’’ “What do you mean?’’ cried White, turn- ing on the watchman. . ‘*Oh, none of that !’’ growled Dan. eee not get me into no trouble for a ten-dollar bill.” There’s your dinged money. I don't want it,’’ and he threw a banknote at White's feet, : Nick picked it up. ‘‘Somebody gave you this to- night?” he inquired. muttered Dan, scowl- “‘He came sneakin’ in here with a woman all muffled up. I ketched him tryin’ to get up-stairs with her. Then I was silly enough to be shet up with a measly old ten-dollar bill. But I’ll not git into no trouble for no ten dollars, an’ he’ll run no more women in here while I’m watchman, if this doesn’t lose me my job as it is,’’ Nick whispered to White to move on a ‘*He give it to me,”’ <ithey came in about eleven o’clock, an’ were. up-stairs half an hour, I guess, after which they left. I was surprised, for Mr. White never did that way before.” “‘Tll see that no harm comes to you out of — a 16,2 encouraged Nick, ‘‘and we'll make it more of an object to keep mum about the ‘So saying, he held a one nadie dll
Page 31
30 bill before Dan’s eyes and then stuffed it into the latter’s vest pocket. Turning to White, he motioned the latter to lead the way ‘up stairs. They were soon in White’s private office. The safe was opened. The money, of course, was gone. ‘“Too late!’ groaned White, sinking into \ a seat. “Not by a jugful! We'll get the man and the money yet or my name ist’t Nick Car- teri. ““Where’ll you find them ?”’ “On down the bay to-morrow morning.”’ ° board the Etruria, when she sails ‘Why, surely Kingdon will not go aboard the ship on which he knows my friend in-.- tends to saiil.’’ *“Won’t he, though? Kingdon expects, naturally, that in the discovery of the loss of his money your friend will let the Etruria _sail and be blessed. Don’t make a mistake. He and Higgins will be passengers on thé Etruria.” fe On the way up town he cautioned White to not let his friend know of ‘the loss until _ after they went to the office for the money in the morning. ‘When the Zéruria sailed at eight o’clock next morning, White’s California friend was “not aboard, much to the surprise of the a Englishman with whom he had traveled — across the continent. » But Nick, well disguised as an Hast India missionary, was among those who waved | good- -by to the crowd on the pier. “When the pilot was dropped olitside the bar, the passengers 0 on deck were bacthes NICK CARTER WEEKLY. young woman passenger also — } the boat. ; 2 3 es The captain explained that at the wee ment he had been persuaded to return, a as to all appearance, there was only one 4 to be persuaded, the idea prevailed that girl had followed the missionary and him to turn back at the last momen ae Nick had the two hundred: sand dollars, as well as Kingdon. Of course, He dispatched his business so quickly W wie cA Kingdon that Higgins, who was already : Ss sick in his state- -room, did not know why happened, and was allowed to continue eb voyage across. nae Nick didn’t want him. It might * causéd undtie publicity, to return .to. ( York with the man who looked so much i White. Kingdon broke down complete ane tray, a full confession. Pete: sum eleginn, was a Rave twenty ve ho sand dollars and passage paid for ae fami to England. He admitted ties the doctin
Page 32
ed}, ck kept his promise to the brave ae dung Jules Ogden, but to do it he had to a tingdon go scot-free. 1,4 after all, it is best,’’ he explained to ne) tee “ed young’ Ogden would be disgraced, df it would not help you any.”’ ‘‘Kingdon’s wife would be dis- _ , with the promise that he would keep es! Ogden’s ee and never return, King- was put’ upon a vessel sailing for Cal- ; wh and none but a select few knew that y S mystery of his disappearance was ever Whovered. “he railroad manager was taken into xk’s confidence, however, in order that hire might not suffer under a charge of N Wigence. aa Veantime the brakeman of 514 and ‘Tom ree never meet on those ‘‘owl’’ trips Tal | Balitmore to Chester that they don’t arrel aud call each other liars over that PSputed event of the night when the pas- Mager i in lower six so my sterioueey disap ated. ‘al : THE END. 4 ; we desire to call the special attention of a" readers of the Nick CARTER WEEKLY to tele publication, THe SHIELD WEEKLY, 1 announcement of which is made on the ct page. We are certain that all lovers of Psd: -detective stories will be well pleased Cith this publication, and urge you to buy ® copy oF’ two from your newsdealer and arn its merits. ‘The first number, which will be ready eae é. treat NICK CARTER WERKLY. 20i—The Great Life Insurance Fraud; or, ecember 5th, is entitled, “‘ Inspector Watt’s_ Sapture; or, The Case of Alvord, the mbezzler,’” which alow a complete and ‘aphic history of the events whieh led to the capture of this bold embezzl : brilliant strategy of Inspector Watts, ier Chief of the Boston police. pease Remember, this story will be for ile oe all newsdealers Wednesday, December 5th. . & ¥ Thee LATEST ISSUES. 206—The’ Doctor's Dangerous Ex periment: or, Nick Carter’s Flying 2 ee aN Orleans.. 205—The Passenger in the Low Sporth: or, a tling Disappearance. fone: a Railrc 204—Tracked to Union Station; or, The Celebrated “St. Louis Mystery. : 2083—Pardoned by the President or, Nick Carter at the United States ‘Treasury. ee ‘Counterfeiter's Gold Tooth; or, Nick Car-— ter’s Crooked Correspondent. Nick Car- ter’s Tussle with a Very Slick ‘Countryman. 200—The Beautiful ia Lifter; Search for an : Offender. 199—Nick Carter and ie Forest Fires; or, A Nest of Vipers Burned Out. 198—Nick Carter Under ree “Knife; or, The Little Giant Among the Body-Snatch ers, 197—The Little Glass Vial; or, A Beautiful Black- ‘Mailer Brought to Bay. 196—A Man of Wood; or, Who Killed Dr. Startle? 195—Nick Carter's Grateful Client; or, Saving the Honor of the Old Man's Bo; A Crippled y. 194—Nick Carter on the Bowery; 193—Nick ead on the Inside; or, No Chance for the a Star- or, ‘or, Cracksman’s Detection.» Co 192—Nick Dpapter in Frisco; or, Instructed by a News- paper Personal. _1ei—Wanted for Embezzlement; or, What Became of e Treasurer. 190—Nick Carter's Sulnpeey. Quarry;; The Case Against ’Frisco Jim 139— Fy cree Carter's Proofs; or, Bad News for the uil 188—Nick Carter at the Races; Lead Pipe Cinch. 187—The Best Detective in the Country; or, A Prompt Reply to a Telegram. 186—Nick Carter Rescues a Daughter; or, Bhe Junior Partner's Strange Behavior. or, or, Two Kinds of ate et Re Carter Saves a Reputation; or, A Button oy or, th a Fortune. 184—Shielding a Murderer; or, Nick Carter’s Dealings with an Avenger. 183—Saved from the Penitentiary; or, Three Cheers for Nick Carter. 182—The Blood-Stained Check; or, Nick Carter in the Dissecting-Room. 181—In the Clutch of the Law; Nick Carter's Chain of Evidence. 180—The Government Custom’s Swindle; or, Nick Carter's Work for the U, S. Treasury. 179—Nick Carter's Beautiful Decoy; or, The Diamond Duke of Chicago, 178—Nick Carter Fapcers a Client; or, The Body Found in the Fla 177—Nick enters s Dumb: ‘Assistant; or, The Man with a Dea 176—Nick Carter Behind the Counter; or, A Peck of Pawn Tickets. gees Seiee ss s Pointer; or, A Hungry Dog's Din- im—By Whose Hand; or, Nick Carter Advertises for a Cab-Driver. 11a—Calight in Six Hours; or, Trouble in Room No. 172—Burglar Joe; or, Nick Capter's Leap in the Dark. ego 5 Carter s Bittle Shadow; or, The Man with ellow Do 110—Caueht by Miscthicity: or, Nick Carter Bags an Old Offender. gate rie Nick Carter; or, An Attempt at ac 1G —-Nicke Gare Second Sight; or, A Dumfounded 167—Nick ck Canter Makes a Loan That Brings Him Big 10s Nick, Carter Prevents a Disturbance, and Loses Disguis 165-—Nick Carter “in b Hole: or, A Plan to Catch Him hat Didn't “Work. 164—Nick Carter io the Track, but Has Another nae String to His B Back numbers always on rae Tf yon cannot get our mblie anions: from your newsdealer, tive. neaty fie ren $4 you by ‘a nesgoai: . Be age =~ Nick Carter's _ Sleeping ~ v H ues ze
Page 33
ANOTHER NEW IDEA | RUE detective stories are stranger than fiction. The ~ e) Weekly is a new series of detective stories, but it is “som thing different.” Street & Smith’s long experience in th publishing businéss has taught them that the average mal | K me and boy like nothing better than good detective stories. W (- have, in the past, published many of the old style, wher the detective passes through a series of marvelous and hairbreadt escapes and finally secures his quarry. The Shield Weekly wil however, be an absolutely new departure. Each and every number of th @ ‘weekly will contain a history of a complete and intricate crime, the solutio of which is worked out by the skill and ability of the detectives. These ar from the note books of the greatest and most notes ( True stories, absolute chapters of experience take Chiefs _of Police in the largest cities of Ame rica Their fund of knowledge upon this subject has been drawn upon E special arrangement. We propose to demonstrate to the reading publi¢ of America through the Shield Weekly that the true histories of real crim contain as mach and more of romance than do the imaginative tales which ee been constracted in the past by the Writers of detective stories. We feel tha (¢ the time is ripe for the presentation of this absolutely . new c detective tales. The first number in this series will consist of manu scripts from records in the archives of. the Boston police, as repr sented by INSPECTOR WATTS, who is well known throughout t New England states, in fact, throughout America, as one of the shre and most clever Secret Service Officials in the world. The great inspect of other large cities of the country will figure in due course. Niemeue No. 1 appears Wednésday, December 5, 1900. lt can be found on sale all mewsdealers. Try one. We know you i) like it.
Page 34
STREET & SMITH introduced the illuminated covers on five-cent eo STREET & SMITH originated the continuous series of stories, each complete | in itself, yet part of a consistent whole. Bee tt Smee, the best authors, and pay the highest prices Py a a their work. STREET & SMITH’S five-cent weeklies are of uniform dimensions (same size as this one), and those not conforming are not Street and Smith’s. STREET & SMITH’S Tip Top Weekly has three times the circulation of any publication issued by rival publishers. STREET & SMITH’S lines are the most popular because they are the best. STREET & SMITH’S publications have been weakly imitated by envious rivals. STREET & SMITH’S publications invariably give complete satistaction—make no rash experiments. STREET & SMITH’S Tip Top Weekly contains the only Frank Miertiwell Stories. Burt L. Standish is the author. ‘ STREET & SMITH’S Do and Dare. The only Phil Rushington is the hero of this series. Stanley Norris is the author. STREET & SMITH’S Comrades. The Railroad Adventures of Tom Wright and his Chums. By Robert Steel. STREET & SMITH’S My Queen. The best and most life-like stories for girls. By Grace Shirley. STREET & SMITH’S Nick Carter Weekly. The only stories of the greatest detective in the world. STREET & SMITH’S Diamond Dick, Jr. The best stories of the west. Get STREET & SMITH’S and you get the best. Look for the firm’s imprint on each and every copy. Take none but Street & Smith’s. iY if