Nick Carter Weekly (no. 208) (1900 12 22)
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ICK CARTER WEEKLY Issued weekly. Subscription price $2.50 per year, Entered as second class matter at the N. Y. Post Ofice by SrReET & SMITH. No, 208. , } . . : Price 5 Cents. INMYSTICVALE
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: ICK CARTER. WEEKLY. Hniered according to Act of Congress in the year me by Sh bi < Snrith, inthe Office of the Librarian of Oongress, ashinglon, D. Entered as second class Matter at the Noe York, N. ¥., Post Office. Subscription price, $2.50 per year. Issued weekly. Decembér 22, 1900. N o. 208. STREET & SMITH, Publishers. NEW YORK. 238 William 8t., N. Y. 5 Cents, SAVED FROM THE FLAMES; OR, Nick Carter at Mystic Vale Crematory. By the Author of ‘‘NICK CARTER.”’ CHAPTER I. NICK CARTER’S SHREWD TRICK. On a wintry day in January, about three o’clock,.P.M., Nick Carter, in disguise, stood in the chapel of a curious-looking, one-story stone’ building, surrounded by a dozen or more sad relatives of a man whose body was about to be cremated at the Mystic Vale Crematory in New York. They had gathered to witness the last sad vites, and from the big chimney, which rose above the roof, a thin wreath of vapor-like smoke curled upward, denoting that the process of heating the great retort had already begun. "Nick Carter had’ a intended. to wit- ness the entire process of cremation, but up i to this time he had never been present when the work was begun. ” Everything was as quiet as an ordinary churchyard burial, and except for a somber inscription upon the chapel wall, one would, have scarcely realized that but a few feet of masonry alone separated the room from a retort where the excessive heat would com- pletely consume a human body in sixty minutes. Yet such was the case, and it was to wit- ness the process and to otherwise study the ‘methods employed in thus disposing of the dead, that had prompted the detective to come to Mystic Vale. Presently a door opened and an attendant appeared, who quietly invited the little assembly to enter an adjoining room, from which a view of the interior of the retort could be had. The detective joined the party and stepped into the observation room. - Half a dozen little circular peepholes were arranged along the side of the retort, and through these narrow openings a good view of the interior could be obtained. a Nick ‘secured a convenient place of | sab 7
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er a , 2 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. — servation and peered into the roaring fur- nace of flame, which filled the interior of the retort with a glowing, milk-white heat. For a moment only was this scene con- tinued, when the flames were suddenly ex- tinguished, and only a dim, ghostly light pervaded the place as preparations were being made for introducing the, body. The huge shutters at one end of the retort were opened, and the body, placed upon a movable catafalque and completely covered * with a shroud, was moved forward into the furnace by the attendants in charge. Then the shutters were closed and the heat was once more applied. Two powerful jets of gas, meeting in the dome of the retort, ignited, and in a blind- ing, dazzling sheet of flame, swept across the space immediately above the body. Striking the opposite side of the retort, ‘and whirling back across the floor beneath and around the structure upon which the body lay, it completely enveloped the corpse in its winding sheet of flame, and submitted it to the double action of the fire. ‘ Nick could scarcely suppress a shudder, so vivid and striking was the picture. . In a single hour nothing but a handful of » ashes would remain of what had once been a man. “Science is. indeed making wonderful strides in thus performing in an hour what nature requires years to do,” mused Nick. But the’ scene presented two ideas to the detective—one of which was to be practi- cally demonstrated before he left the build- ing. * ; portunity for a murderer to effectually cover every trace of his crime, if he would run the serious chance of detection. Once inside that retort and every evidence tap a be : effectually destroyed. v cle if a man mee been peurenae and the _ The process of creniation presented an op- 1 remains consumed by that fire, every trace of the crime would be forever lost. “Tam going to know what papers are * required in order to get a body cremated,’ _ thought Nick, and he approached an at tendant with the request to be ass the vaults and preparing room. : The detective was qiickly ushered ae the room where the bodies are prepared for a the furnace. yo eae “Here the dead are removed front the caskets,’? said the man who accompanied — Nick. ‘‘@he corpse is placed upon a bench having a metal plate for the remains to: rest : upon, then a shroud is saturated with alum water and placed over the body as you see here,’’ and the attendant turned and pointed I toa side of the room where the metal cata- tas falue stood ready for the retort, bearing upon si its surface the form of one who had been ~ prepared for the consuming fire. - ‘ Mystic Vale Crematory has two retorts, “ and the body which awaited crema was | intended for the second a 4 - But the devouring flames were for. once’ ‘to ed be cheated of their prey. 7 Nick Carter’s wonderful sagacity ‘was. destined to play an important part in that strange tragedy. , ou Save ““We are very busy just now,’? replie is. the attendant to a question from ‘Nick. ‘There are three men sondacting the work, i Site was the reply. Nick took the papers in his hand carefully « examined them. eeegete [se Suddenly his keen, gray eyes . i, with a strange light as he turned |
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Yad “Is that the body of the young man.men- “tioned in these documents?’’ he asked, “*Tt is,’ was the quick reply. ‘*May Isee’it??’ ‘‘Certainly.”’ The attendant stepped to the low bench- ‘like structure upon which the body lay. He carefully turned back the shroud and exposed a light wire frame which held the cloth free from the body. ‘*Vou see,’’? spoke the attendant, by way _ of explanation, “‘when the intense heat of the furnace strikes that shroud the alum oxydizes and the covering retains its shape throughout the entire process, thus shutting out from the spectator’s eyes the action of the flames upon the body.” Nick plainly heard the words of the speaker, but for the moment his attention was riveted upon the face of the body. ' The light from a big gas burner overhead fell squarely upon the outstretched form, and Nick Carter started slightly as he beheld — the pale, upturned face of a young man of _ perhaps two and twenty. Ringlets of light, curling hair clustered about the high, intellectual forehead, and the thin lips were slightly parted, revealing _a double row of pearly teeth. ‘“This is the body of Allen Doyle?” asked Nick, as he again referred to the papers. ‘‘Tt is,’’ was the attendant’s quick reply, and he bent a glance of curiosity upon the great detective. ‘‘Did-you know him??’ “*T did not, know that he was dead,’’ was Nick’s evasive teply. ‘‘When was the body brought here?” «* About noon to-day.”’ < ‘The undertaker turned in these papers, did he?’ asked the detéctive, referring to the Certificate of death and the permission i cremation from the Board of Health. ees, why? Are they not all right?” ‘Evidently so; else they would not have. NICK CARTER WHEY «: re 3 ell been accepted. ‘The bins came ina casket, i of course??’ as “¢Ves, that one,”’ denpaatiag a plain, i ins expensive burial-case which was in one cor- ner of the room, close beside the door which led to the storage vaults. ‘‘What do you do with the ashes after the body is cremated ?’’ ae ‘‘We place them in an urn and keep them until the relatives call for them,’ was the reply. ““And the casket—what do you do with ’ that?’’ “Usually the undertaker in pater S atten: 4o that matter.’’ ““Who came with the body of young Doyl besides the undertaker?’ was the Littl Giant’s next inquiry. ““No one except his attendant.’’ At that moment the speaker was called into the other retort room, and Nick Carter was left alone with the dead. ‘*Allen Doyle,’’ mused the detective, as he glanced once more at the certicfiate which he still held in his hand. . ‘‘I will stake my reputation that these papers are forged.”’ ‘“‘He turned once more to the body and carefully removed the sheet above the sub- ject’s face. For a moment the detective ‘tod and gazed at the silent form of the seemingly lifeless man, apparently deciding upon some plan of action. Then he turned and glanced toward the door. The attendant was still in the oppo- site room with his associates. — ‘“There is foul play here,’’? muttered Nick, - .“T can easily circumvent the plotters, and I will do it.’”’ With sudden - resolution, he carefully turned back the alum-saturated sheet, and quickly raised the inanimate form from the bench and bore it swiftly across the room. “With one hand he lifted the cover from
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x 4 reached the detective’s side. your message that you were in a hurry for’ me, atid I made pretty good time in getting. = ees NICK CARTER WEEKLY. the casket, and gently raising his burden, ‘he deposited it inside the box, letting the lid fall noiselessly into place, ° Quickly returning to the metal frame upon which the body had lain, Nick drew the sheet back into place and carefully arranged it as it had been before.” To all appearances the shroud had not been disturbed, but the detective was not a moment too soon. He had scarcely com- pleted his task when the three men who were conducting the work entered. Everything was in readiness for placing the body ‘within ‘the retort, and one of the attendants quickly threw open the ponderous shutters, while the remaining two pushed the catafalque and its empty shroud forward into the retort. In an instant it was over. The great door swung into place again, the valves were “opened to their fullest extent, the flames roared fiercely through the great furnace, aud the attendants turned away, wholly unconscious of the deception which Nick Carter had practiced upon them. CHAPTER II. RESURRECTED BY ELECTRICITY. Half an hour later the famous detective’s assistant stepped from the train at Mystic Vale and cast a swift glance about: him, Presently his eyes rested upon an under- -taker’s horse and wagon which stood upon tle opposite side of thestreet, and he started forward as he saw the familiar form se his chief upon.the seat. “What is up, Nick?’ oe asked as. he “T knew by = ohere,’? * we “So you did; but this is a case of hurry, _ for as have made a little discovery at the crematory, aud: de w they were rattling over the road toward the was busy revolving. the circumstances. su ant, to get a body away - aes from there before any one knows that it not been consumed in the retort. I ‘thin there is some crime on foot, and if tl 2 crematory people do not know that the body is not. consumed, they certainly cannot say | anything that might put the culprits ae their guard.’” ‘Tell me about it, Nick. What arousee your suspicions ??’ : Fs 3 ‘‘T found a young fellow all ready for the’ ¢ retort, and I am satisfied that the papers | under which they received him are forged. _ According to these papers, his name w Allen Doyle, and the instant that I saw hit I made up my mind that he was not dead, “‘Horrible!’’ exclaimed Chick. ‘“Where is, the body now ?”’ “Still at the crematory, where we ar going,’’ and as he spoke Nick urged the horse into a brisk trot, and ina- mome crematory where the body of Allen is f awaited the detective’ s return. - For several moments Nick Carter’ S ata rounding the case, and then he spoke, ~“The handwriting upon the certificat ; was all by one mau,” he said. “‘We shall}. bast find later on that the vicim’s real name. not Allen Doyle.’* ‘““Then the crematory people ce de ceived by a clever forgery fai cr Yes, Chick, and they area as s yet enti Hinlcsigs and the atteadestai are ni that it has not been i: by the =4 ae ves remove a cate and its conte
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said Nick. ‘Then we will drive directly to ested in the case.’ ‘‘Hvidently you do not expect the piotiers to return for the casket, then?’’ ‘*No, Chick. The person who arranged / this plot is far too shrewd to give himself “away by ever returning for that casket. He will never even come back for the ashes of the dead, which I fear she not- be ‘very con- _ siderable in this case,’ a eae our first task will be to get the body to a place of safety, and then find the undertaker’s carriage —— _ brought the _ casket to the crematory. ar “Precisely ; although I have already found the wagon that was used by the would-be tmurderer.’’ “*Indeed ?”’ “Yes; you are riding in it.” Chick looked quickly at his chief, but he saw that Nick was in dead earnest. “Then you are already on the high road : ~ to success,’’ he remarked, ‘*Possibly; nevertheless, the man who - Owns this rig is as much in the dark as any one,’’ -““How so?” ys ‘‘HWe never heard of the matter until I looked him up and informed him. " not even” know that the horse and wagon had been out of the stable.” fae’ Then it was ‘borrowed’ by the plotter 3 for the oceasion ?”” nici ‘Exactly. Two men came to the stable with an order for the undertaker’s horse and wagon. While neither of the men was known to the stable keeper, yet they ap- » peared so business-like that he thought nothing of it, as the undertaker often sent s rig by strangers. NICK CARTER seer Dr. Reid’s and. ee the old epeveelice inter-- stranger. That horse left the prints of his — “He did This niataly! settles the matter that there were two men in the deal, at least — the head that originated the plot and forged the papers, and his subordinate, who was 4 others. ffosted on the matter of the team. ‘‘Doubtless they were both well disguised, _ but notwithstanding that fact, I guess that one of them can be easily identified.”’ a ‘*Then you have a clew to, work upon pes asked Chick. | “Yes; so far as identifying the man who . drove the body to the crematory is con-. cerned, When the stableman led the under- taker’s horse from the stall, it sprang at this — man And seized iim by the right arm, slak- ~ ing him as a dog would a cat, ‘“The beast had never shown any signs of £ being vicious before, but it appeared 40%, hate this man from es that it first : set eyes upon him.’ 4 : ‘That would plainly show that the come had seen the man before?’’ thoughtf replied Chick. ‘‘Perhaps the fellow been once in Undertaker Johnson’s empl -‘*Possibly. At any event, it strengt my original theory that the man was not a — teeth upon the man’s arm, and the mark will remain for days, so that, once found, he : can be easily identified.’’ Nick and_ his assistant had now reached. the crematory. sr ice Hitching the horse, they nae th . building. “‘We. have come for the casket i in. whic 7 Allen Doyle’s body. was sent: here to-day spoke Nick Carter. ‘The attendant closely regarded the spea
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6 i NICK CARTER WEEKLY... = **No; the horse bit him; and he was not able to attend to it,’” was the Little Giant’s quick reply. The answer seemed to allay the other’s suspicions, and he turned and entered the preparing room, closely followed by Nick Carter and his assistant. > The casket lay exactly as Nick had left it, and lifting the box with apparent care- lessness, the two detectives quickly conveyed their burden to the carriage, and a moment later the unsuspecting attendant saw them drive swiftly away. The Little Giant realized that no time was to be spared in getting medical aid, for he had only had an opportunity to note, on making the discovery, that the still alive; but whether his state of uncon- sciousness was the result of poison, or some other catfse, he could not tell. Fortunately, it was but a short drive to ‘the residence of a physician whom Nick knew to be one of the most skilled practi- man Was joners in the city, and a man who had ects, and he hastened to the old doctor’s e. liey found him in his office, and the ex- pert specialist greeted Nick Carter with a hearty grasp of the hand. ‘‘What is in the wind now, Carter?’’ he asked, as he saw the undertaker’s eaniiane at the door. ‘Nick quickly told him that he had a ¢riti- cal case in hand which demanded immediate attention, and the two detectives carried the body into the house and laid it upon the ¥ table in the physician’s consulting-room. After a careful and thorough examination of -the silent form, the old doctor turned to Nick and exclaimed: . ‘My. Carter, this man is hypnotized.’’ a ‘Ah, then, it is not poison?’ eagerly ex- claimed the detective. ‘‘Is he in imminent de a life study of poisons and their_ ee, Dr. Reid. “*Not necessarily,”’ was the reply; ‘‘but_ the person whose mind coutrols his should be found as soon as possible, for there is but the faintest sign of life in his body. The strain is liable to prove fatal, because the action of the lungs has been almost entirely ‘ suppressed. : : ‘Vou can see by the faint crimson tinge in the lobes of the ears that there isa very ~ slight action of the heart; but itis very slight indeed. Who is responsible for his present state?’ ““That’s: what I intend to find out,’ an- swered Nick, and he ther related the prin- cipal facts to the startled physician. “But for your timely discovery, then,” Reid, ‘‘that unfortunate would have, ere this, been completely incinerated ?”’ spoke Dr. ' “Yes, and the world might have remained ingorant of the crime,” was, ithe grim replys & . Then Nick told the physician about the -man who had been bitten at the stable, but before he had entirely finished, the doctor “ interrupted him excitedly. “‘Why, he must have been the identical man-who came here about one o’clock with his arm in a very painful condition from the bite of a horse. It was swollen to nearly twice its natural size, and the man was suffering intensely. Was he rather a short, thickset ~ ate who stammered slightly ?’’ i a. = we ‘he man whom I want is short and dark,’’ replied Nick. ‘‘He wore a checkered suit, a light gray overcoat, and a soft felt hat.”’ Nick made a mental comment of the fact that the doctor had mentioned that the man stammered slightly.. ae ‘‘That describes the fellow to aT!’ ex: ‘‘He came. witha man 4 who waited in the carriage while I attended ss
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY, — eee oe ‘Then you did not recognize either of the parties?’ asked Nick. | ‘*No; but evidently the man in the car- riage knew of me, for he told his compan- ion to come to me with his wound, and be- sides, they had one of Blanchard’s stable “rigs, so I suppose he was some one who ‘lives near. ‘*The horse that they had was a dark bay, and the carriage was a Goddard buggy, with a catched ‘top. Doubtless you can find out more about them at the stable.’’ But Nick had already made a sign to his assistant, who immediately left the doctor’s office and hastened away in the direction of Blanchard’s big livery stable, which was but a few blocks away. Dr. Reid turned once more to his patient, who still lay like one dead. To all appearances, the man was not breathing, and Nick could not distinguish the faintest flutter of the heart as he pressed his hand against the victim’s breast. The body was perfectly rigid, yet it did ‘not feel cold and death- like to ae touch of the expert physician. \ It was these striking symptoms which Nick’s alert eye had caught at the crema- P Lory. ae % Ever watchful, keen, active and with his senses about him, the shrewd detective had instantly discovered the signs of suppressed ‘animation which the less observing attend- ants had entirely failed to note, and it was due to the ao einann of chance and Nick Carter’s remarkable sagacity, that the young att was rescued at the last moment OES a horrible fate. “Only a skillea »hysician who had made af Study of such cases would think him still alive,’? said the old doctor. ‘‘In my years of > experience I never saw a subject so com- nletely under the hypnotic trance as he is. , The tps who holds him subservient to his will, is ‘capable of showing great power ins ee this way. I feel positive that itisa man.” “‘T agree with you, and he must be found. x You cannot restore him without the aid = the master mind which controls him?’ “*T may possibly be able to restore the action of the heart, Mr. Carter. I shall apply an electric current to the body, but I can’t restore the man’ s senses, for they are as if. absent from the body.”” \ }: ‘“You can keep him alive until this man is. found ?”’ ea: ““T. can; by the use of artificial stimulant and nourishment, if need be, but, Mr. Carter, find your party as soon as possible.”? > Those last words were spoken in a tone. Which Nick knew had a very serious mean- “ing, and as the physician came from an inner room bearing in his hand a medical battery, Nick promised that the poor Sagan $ life. . should be saved. ‘*I feel sure of it, my friend,’’ was the quiet reply, as the doctor knelt by his pa- . tient’s side, and carefully applied the elee-> trodes of his battery to the man’s arms and chest. : “| With skill and care he noted the result, . and presently Nick saw him start. “*Please hand me that mirror,’’ he said, pointing to a small handglass upon the table. ate : Nick complied with the request, and Dr. Reid was considerably relieved to note the result, as he placed the glass to his patient’s — lips. “Can you hear me?”’ suddenly shouted the physician in his patient’s ear, and the — answer came like a voice from one dead, — and caused, even to the Little Giant a news ‘ sensation, accustomed though he was to | uncanny sights and sounds. “*Yes,”? came the reply, in a deep; sepul 2 chral Bie « “Tam ates ras and ie am
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ee NICK CARTER WEEKLY. CHAPTER III. “IN ONE HOUR, NICK CARTER, HE WILL BE A RAVING MANIAC.”’ So quickly and with so little apparent effort had the change from seeming death to life been made, that Nick could but admire the superior skill of the scientist. But the almost mechanical answer which had escaped the victim’s lips plainly served ' to show how strong the unknown hypnotist’s power still was over the man. Dr. Reid once more applied the electric current to the sufferer’s body, and it-was perfectly evident that the action of the heart and lungs was quite restored) when, ten “minutes later, he rose from beside the sofa upon which the body lay. “‘You must spare no effort to find the per- son who controls his mind,’’ said the old » physician. ‘‘ This nian is not. strong enough to stand the extraordinary strain for any | - great length of time.’’ “J shall do the best I can to find him,” was the quiet reply, and just at that mo- ment Chick fae from his tour of inves- tigation, ‘You found the rig ?’’ asked Nick, as he saw his assistant’s expression of satisfaction. “Yes. the stable about three. hours. dy aman who lives on Fifty-eighth street, He has twice It was hired - just west of Sixth Avenue. before had a team at Blanchard’s stable, and once the hostler drove around to the door ~ for him.”’ “And the man who was bitten—what of “him? ie “He did not show up at the stable, and the Meee is that no such party has ever been thetes: : zs “We will take that statement with a grain of allowance. bf al: don’t lose my guess, the chap who was bitten by Undertaker John- 0 Ss horse ¢ can be best found at Blanchard’s That horse and buggy were out of , - s ae 13 stable. eighth street? What is the number?’ | ‘‘T don’t know yet, but I found out, with- out’ much trouble, that there is a granite — horse block at the curb before the door, with a plate set into the face of the stone %9) Where does this man live on Fifty- bearing the name ‘Babson. ‘*Very good. You take the undertaker’s ~ horse and wagon back to the stable, then a look up the Fifty-eighth street house. If you don’t find me near there inquire fora note for you at the drug ators at Fifty- eighth street and Sixth Avenue.’ a In a-moment the young detective was gone. Turning to the doctor, Nick saw that he was still busily engaged over the body of the — hypnotic, who still lay like one dead, except that there was a perceptible action of the breast, showing that the man was breath- ing. : The’ detective instructed the doctor to - spare no effort nor expense in attempting to restore the man, aud then he, too, left the | house. - It did not take fei fart to reach Sixth Avenue, and presently he entered ans corner drug store. Sid “‘Did you know young Mr. Babson?’ he” asked of the clerk in charge. Le “You mean Walter Babson, who lived | here on Fifty- -eighth street? I should say SO, . and a aa fellow. too—buried to- day, Ae: know.’ : ‘*Too bad, wasn’t it? He was a fine on indeed. Pretty wealthy, wasn’t he?”’ ‘i “I suppose he was well fixed. The old 2 Fel og oe ee about a year ago and Left .
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. i ~ “Oh. no. Although he is in no need of their wealth, yet they have an uncle, Mr. Hosmer Babson, their home for nearly a year, I should think, and they tell me that he is even better off than as ‘either of his brother’s children. fe" is a retired Australian gold miner, I be- lieve. At all events, he seems to be a very quiet sort of a man; always vere with money, and puts out but little.’ Nick. realized that he had struck a bo- Rinza Here was one of the very class of men whose superabundance of knowledge is more often turned to the harm than benefit of his neighbors, a; “resolv ed to pump him dry. “‘Miss. Babson will get about all of the property now, I suppose.’’ “Yes; a fine snap for some bright young blood who wants to. marry well,” was the reply, and Nick could not help mentally observing that he doubted the drug clerks — especial qualifications as regards brilliancy. —. After casually perusing the city directory ~ for a few moments, the detective leff the shop. “That was a good lift,’’ he thought. “Now, Mr. ‘Hosmer Babson, to look you up ea biti and then to get at the bottom facts of his” case.’ Nick strolled along Fifty-eighth street “ae covertly survey ed the Babson mansion _ from the opposite side. T think I will inquire into your gold mining interests a trifle by ps by, but first I will call y upon. your niece.’ Five minutes later he appeared as a wen: dressed elderly gentleman and walked up he steps of the Babson residence. } _ A heavy knot of crape was hanging to the and a strong who has been living in. and yet the detective “Babson. was expecting to call?” “quickly — _to one side and open ine door as sit to ad- j mit the caller. . “easiest and most natural reply that he could | ‘guised detective quickly stepped into mu house. < : ‘ tion-room, and ‘aaited him to be seated. pull at the bell hie caller, in a low tone, and his piace nes from the woman’s face to the black ae ings upon the knob. ; The woman bent her penetrating gaze squarely upon the speaker, and, ina signifi- ~ : cant fone, replied: Sasi ée ‘Mr. Babson is dead.” ar “But I mean Mr.° Walter Babson, ‘the 3 young man,’’ was the quick reply, as though ~ the man mistook her meaning as referring “to the elder Babson, who had died a year previous. **But he is dead, sir,’’ persisted the ‘wo- = ‘He died on Monday and was buried . at Lynngrove Cemetery to-day.”- = . “You don’t mean to say that Walter Bab- — son is dead?” cried Nick, in a well-feigned — tone of surprise. - ; man. nah AO, Sites : : oe ‘“Then I am too late—too late! But? — suddenly checking himself in his well -simu-. lated grief—‘ “perhaps I could see Miss Bab-_ son?’?’ ““Then you are the gentlemati whom ee asked the woman, and she instantly stepped SoVes 2? answered Nick, eniakiig that: the: make be: the SEGUE B OER youl? “Indeed! What is that?” andthe =e : Suse however, did not pee the
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10 “Miss Babson became violently insane over her brother’s sad death, and they had to take her to a hospital. immediately after the funeral,’’ she said, in a tone of sadness. = “‘Who attended to that matter?’’ quickly . asked Nick. “‘Her uncle.’’ ““What doctor did he have?’’ ‘A specialist whom I do not know, and then, to-day, a council was held, and it was decided that the only safe course was to take Miss Lillie to a hospital, where she could have better treatment.’’ A suspicion, which had already entered Nick’s mind, was increased as he listened to the words of the woman. Was it not probable that the disposal of Miss Babson was but a second step in the dark plot to remove every obstacle which _ interfered with a clear title to the property included in the will? Who, in such a case, would be the party most directly interested? With the thought, Nick turned to the woman. Ex: “Ig Mr. Babson in?” he asked. “Tf you will wait here a moment, I will see if he has returned,’’ was the reply. The woman left the room. “Here is a plot that will require some careful work to fathom,’’ mused Nitk. ‘‘Is “that woman interested in it, or is she inno- » cent of every thought of a crime? ‘“The expression in her eyes betrays hid- den emotion which may be ascribed to either of two reasons—it may be due entirely to the death of the young man and the excitement attending the funeral as well as to the events 5 which have followed it, or it may that the woman oe is a the bottom of the whole : affair.’ “ “Nick could find no immediate solution to the : aa but it remained for him to dis- NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ea greater cunning than any of her particular class who had ever before confronted him, _ Presently she returned with the informa- tion that Mr. Babson was net back yet from . his trip to the hospital, where he had gone to attend to the removal of the insane niece. ‘‘May I ask to what hospital she was taken?’ inquired Nick. ““I'do not know. Mr. Babson attended to that matter, and he can inform you when he returns.’’ ‘But I do not feel that I can wait long for him. When were the symptoms of in- sanity first discovered in the young lady?” ~ oa 2 **Not long before her brother died,” was. the somewhat indefinite reply. ‘‘Was she taken violently insane at the é start?’ ‘*No. hysteria, but later the symptoms became so At first the doctor pronounced: it~ much more violent that it was. plain to be. seen that she was in a very bad way.”’ ‘“This is, indeed, sad. Did the oe think hers an incurable case?”’ “J think the impression is that he did | regard it so, Mr. Babson toid me that he feared recover. the house, and. of course I could not learn the precise facts, but I do hope that she will it was doubtful if she would ever © I was very busy with the affairs of : soon be herself again, for she is one of the a sweetest girls in the country, and I 4 ani ‘com- of pletely unnerved by the sad affair.’ Indeed, the woman’s appearance Se not” belie her words. Her face was drawn and He tonck dark 4 circles showed beneath her eyes, and her. cheeks were sunken and pale, plainly show- — ing that some grave matter was preying upon her mind, f “ie While the woman was absent from the 2 room the detective had been scrutinizing t the % numerous ect which a the walls. e
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likenesses of a gentleman and lady of per- haps twenty- five years of age,,and Nick had . twice glanced in their direction while the servant had been speaking. Evidently she noted his look of inquiry, for her eyes suddenly dilated. . ‘Since you are an intimate friend of the fainily, 1 presume you recognize the pottrait of Mr. Babson ?”’ BN Her gaze sought the face upon the oppo- site wall as she spoke, and Nick turned again to look-at the picture. Drawing a pair of spectacles from his pocket, the detective adjusted them to his nosé as oue who was near-sighted, and then he stepped across the room toward the pic- tures in question. There was something in the woman’s ( voice which had commanded Nick’ s atten- tion. ” : _ Did she suspect that he was other than he appeared? Had she put this question in order to test his genuineness? . hese questions filled his mind as he _ crossed the carpeted floor and paused before the two gilt-framed portraits. “‘I did not know Walter Babson’s father and mother at the time these pictures were made,”’ he said, a moment later. He saw her start, and a slight flush of Surprise spread over the womian’s face as she instantly replied: “Indeed! I fancied that you did.’’ ats ‘was perfectly plain that Nick had hit the nail upon the head this time, for he had recognized the fact that the portraits were much older than they looked from the oppo- site side of the room, and furthermore, he had discovered the artist’s name in the lower } corner, and he knew that the man whose ‘name appeared there had been a well-known New Vork portrait painter, but that he had "been dead ten years; thus he realized that the pictures 5 were not those of young Babson & and his’ sister, NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ©. ut But, judging from her ae Nick fancied - that they might be the likenesses of the . parents. He was playing a careful game whereby he hoped to get a look at the faces’ of | Wal- ter and his insane sister: “I do not think that there was a eee resemblance between Walter and his father _ at that age,”’ remarked Nick a moment later, as he cast a sweeping glance about the . room as if to note the presence of the young man’s picture. ‘“Well, perhaps not. Walter never hada portrait of himself, although his sister had often urged him to sit. for one. Somehow, he never seemed to get ready to attend tots” Tens f ‘eitis surprising how many people neglect this matter, and like him, for instance, pass away without leaving as much as a decent photograph for their sorrowing relatives to _ look at.’? a “That is true, indeed, in his case,”” a hastily replied the woman. ‘‘ Walter and — Miss Babson had spoken of that matter quite ‘ often, but somehow they never got around to have the work done. He is dead and she 7 in an asylum, and all the likenesses that Ny either of them left are two little things in a locket which meee gave his sister some two years ago.’ ‘Well, possibly they are good ike? so. that they could be enlarged eh “Panes ; suggested Nick. Ve ““Yes, but I never thought them very. good. I have no doubt, however, that Mr. Babson will have them copied if the work can be successfully done. Do you know. a about such work ?’’ ‘‘ Well, I have had some experience,”’ was the detective’s quiet reply, and at the same 3 time he felt a thrill of satisfaction. ; ‘Was he likely to ae a look at ihe pictures after all?”
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12 : } “T do not pretend to be thoroughly posted in such matters, but if the likenesses are fairly good, with the modern improved photographic apparatus, I have no doubt the work could be successfully done.”’ _“*T will show you the pictures, that you may judge,’’ said the woman, and she left the room inquest of the locket. A few seconds only elapsed ere she re- turned, bearing in her hand a beautiful, diamond-studded gold locket, to which was attached a long, finely-wrought neck chain. The woman was tyring to open the little case as ‘she crossed the floor toward Nick, but somehow she could not seem to find the spring which held it closed. . As the detective took it in his hand, he saw ‘that the letters ‘‘L. E. B.’’ were en- -graved upon the case in monogram, and he - fancied that these were the initials of the young woman’s name. A little screw projected slightly from the edge of the case near the stem, and Nick pressed it slightly, at the same time raising his eyes to note the presence of the woman. : He saw that she had stepped back toa considerable distance from the spot; and in- ‘stantly a suspicion of danger flashed over * him. locket, but too late. - Snap! ‘The spring was released like a flash, and ~ the hinged case flew backward with sudden force. . A coiled spring within the locket was liberated, and instantly the detective’s head ; and the upper portion of his body was com- pletely enveloped in a smoke-like cloud of bluish- white powder, which the released spring had forced into the air about him. Like lightning, Nick Carter sprang back- NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘He madea quick movement to grasp the plotted to kill him. me ward, thus hoping to avoid the deadly — poison, but the very. air seraned filled sige ~ the noxious drug, choking, blinding and 2 suffocating him. 5 : He could not breathe. The air was stifling, and his nostrils, eyes and ears were com- pletely filled with the noisome dust. . He endeavored to cry out, but his lips e and tongue were instantly parched with the strange substance, and like lead he dropped. to the floor. f The horrible truth flashed upon him, and he realized that he had been duped: ; He felt a dizzy, whirling sensation, and then a sudden him. : 5 a faintness nearly overcame But he would not yield. With a gasp, he staggered to his oes His eyes were blurred. He could scarcely distinguish an object within the room. . ~ Once more he tried to shout,’then he started toward a window, groping with out- stretched arms, like one who is walking in the dark. . Sane Then there came a strange, benumbed sen- — sation of his brain, and an intense, over- whelming drowsiness to which one less ~ strong than the Little Giant would have : succumbed. ae But, yield. ; ‘ Zs He stumbled, reeled, plunged forward, me and would have struck the floor but t for the — heavy table which arrested his fall. feet Recovering his sepa he staggered to ward a door. : ig His imperfect-vision was suddenly cloud ed by the sight of a man. V 5 no! Nick Carter resolved not to — Certainly this must be his would- ee = stroyer—the wretch who had £6 -cratftil A mighty resolution seized Nick. eS ines He would at least kill ee Pry Bel
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ae ears of Chick outside. Surely Chick ‘ust have returned by this time. He fumbled for his revolver, but, as he ‘rew it from his pocket, he realized that he yas sinking. | Down, down he felt himself dropping, Ind then he raised his weapon in an un- steady manner and sought to cover the grin- ‘ping fiend who bent above him as he seemed to be slipping into an unknown depth. _ Then he felt himself plunging forward into space, and, still grasping his useless eapon in his hand, he pitched headlong to the floor, helpless, unconscious, insensible— A victim of the deadly powder which he had 5 rugeled so valiantly to overcome, “That settles Nick Carter forever!’ ex- laimed a powerful, heavily-built man, as he stepped into the room and bent above the es detective’s motionless form. “‘Tn one hour he will bea raving maniac!”? The woman, who, up to this time, had been a silent spectator of the tragedy, now } = forward and confronted the speaker. “How in the world did. you know it was Nick Carter?” she asked. ‘‘I fancied that every clew had been’ completely covered.”’ ‘fAnd so did I, but Hudson was in Blanchard’s stable at the time of the detec-_ tive’s call to inquire about the horse and carriage that we had this noon when we took the. girl away, and I was thus informed to be on the lookout for this chap. . Now he is solid enough, I guess.” : ‘‘ What will you do with him?” ‘‘Put him in the sub-cellar until it is dark, and then take him to where she is.” _ ‘You think he would be safe there?” “I do. Any man, woman or child who can out of there without help is welcome to is liberty. It is the very worst place in all ’ Island for a poor devil to get into.” Tell, what. do you suppose Bat him onto the track, an ow Laie The woman’s voice was filled with a Ags troubled tone, and her anxiety was apparent lest the detective knew more than theys sus- pected. “Oh, I presume the confounded. girl did communicate with him in some way. ‘That was a happy thought of yours to spring the locket racket on him just as you did. It worked just as well with him as it did on the girl.”’ “Yes; but I thought that he would get away once.”’ ‘*No fear of that. I had another dose of — the powder ready to dash into his face, ifI had seen that he was likely to get’ away. Now take up every trace of that powder, but mind you—do not get it into your nos- trils,’? and leaving the woman to do his bidding, the murderous wretch lifted Nick’s unresisting form from the floor and bore it away toward the basement of the house. He was gone for a considerable length of time, but when he did return, there was a malicious gleam of satisfaction in his eyes as he exclaimed: “Tf the accursed detective gets out of that fix I hope that I may die of my own drugs!”’ CHAPTER IV. CHICK COMES TO NICK’S RESCUE. Chick left the undertaker’s rig at the ‘stable and returned directly to Sixth Avenue and Fifty-eighth street. It was within five minutes of the time that "Nick ‘Carter sank to the floor insensible, “under the effects of that powerful drug, that his faithful assistant was inquiring for the note which Nick had promised to leave with the drug clerk if he had gone from the house. ‘That settles the matter,” thought the Ee young detective, as he stood for a minute “upon the corner and glanced. toward the Bab- son bene * “Nick is still in that: house,
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14 ‘ and it is my business to learn if he wants I will just walk past the house and signal him, as it is about time for anything of me. him to be showing up unless he has struck something pretty solid to work upgn.’’ Chick strolled along Fifty-eighth street by the house. To all appearances he was now a swell sport out for a short constitutional, and as he passed the building he carefully surveyed the windows for some sign of his chief, whom he might expect to signal him first, if he was anywhere in sight. But there was not the faintest sign of life in the building, so Chick resolved not to- wait longer. He returned underneath the windows, whistling an air familiar to his chief. Twice or three times he repeated the little. signal, but without the effect that he had hoped for. The young detective crossed over to the opposite side of the street, and although not appearing to do so, he scanned every win- dow thoroughly, as he once more passed the house. - He had hardly reached the corner when a shade was quickly drawn and a curtain flashed back from a window upon the first floor. > Then the lower sash was thrown up with sudden impulse, and at the same time Chick ‘caught the momentary glimpse of a hand. But that it was not the hand of his chief he was absolutely positive. The slim, tapering fingers were plainly those of a woman. What was the meaning of this? Was Nick '. within that room? ‘ ; ” Certainly the act betrayed haste upon the part of the woman who had raised the sash, and it was perfectly evident that something = unusttal was transpiring—something Be NICK CARTER WEEKLY. He coupled this very significant fact with’. the failure to get a reply from Nick, and his? conclusion was formed.. “Tam going into that building. . Nick | is in danger,’’ he muttered, ‘‘or I would have’! received a reply to my signal. Here goes.” : He entered a narrow areaway which com- 4 municated with the basement. Here he made a quick change in his dis- | guise, for he felt that he must be prepared to | -meet any one who might chance to confront him, although he little realized what a mur-— derous plot had just been enacted to pet Nicks forever out of the way. <n Chick listened for some sound, but none — ei z ; ~A second window had, however, been opened beside that which had attracted his attention while upon the'street. Pa se ‘The woman who had presented Nick that fatal locket was now busily engaged in came to his ears. removing every trace of the poisonous pow- | der from the articles of furniture in the front 4 room, and she apparently gave little thought to the possibility of being eeepeet in the act. Chick mounted a flight of stairs which . communicated with the first floor of the mansion, and when he had reached the ie | ing he paused and listened. Still he could hear no sound, ei ee cau oa tiously advanced to a door which stood — , slightly ajar. 4 The door opened into a side hall, fe as no one was in sight, the young detective ; resolved to pass through to the front of the 3 house. — It took him but a moment to ite ee ; library door, which, like that through whic he had just passed, stood ajar. wes ae Once in the library, he could plainly hear the sage of some one me about j in the a
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‘i by the door which opened into the front Toom., ( ‘A space of about three inches gave him a | good opportunity to see the interior of that i room, and he started with a puzzled look, as he saw the housekeeper with her head com- topletely muffled in a heavy veil, carefully Wiping the dust from the furniture, The woman presented a strange Sight in- deed, and for several seconds Chick watched her. cautious movements. © What did it mean? Every article of furniture was more or less covered with that mysterious powder, and | the manner in which she removed it showed very plainly that she felt a dread of touch- . ing it. | Was the substance some kind of a ‘poison _ Which had been used upon Nick? The thought came to the detective’s mind, and he gripped the door casing with a deter- mination to ascertain if such was indeed the CASGse are . “There is something that is not just right, anyhow,’’ thought Chick. “Tf Iam not mistaken, something impor- tant has taken place here, and I ueysa Serious work before me.”’ A few seconds late1 Chick was dantiously ascending the stairs to the upper floor of the house. At the first landing he paused and listened, He fancied that he heard the sound of footsteps near at hand, and as he strained his €ars to catch the faintest sound, a door was opened and closed with apparent haste, ‘and he felt that he was in danger of being discovered. _ Some one was approaching the stairs, and he knew that if he would escape detection he must act quickly. _ At the foot of the stairs there was a nar- “row alcove in the wall, and there a coat rack _afforded an excellent place of concealment. _ suspicious! / NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Pec Chick tack advantage of this, ant his ‘hiding-place he saw a man descend th stairs and pass along the hall to the e door the reception-room. P He cautiously opened the door, and spo to the woman inside. : ; “How are you-progressing ?”’ he asked. The answer came in a muffled tone, as the woman spoke from behind the heavy veil which she wore: “‘T will have it all removed soon. Are you | going out??? ES ““Yes, but I will not be gone long. If any. ,one calls do not admit him, for I think it would be best to keep the house closed for the present.’’ *‘Shall you notify diet directly rade ‘‘Yes, and until everything is fixed up it will be best to see that no one is admitted to the house.’’ \ Chick started, for the words might imply that his suspicions were true, and that his . chief was a prisoner within the building; - perhaps that Nick had been poisoned, and these people were plotting to convey his body to the crematory. A moment laterthe man turned and passed from the hall to the street. \ The detective heard him descending the steps, and he was not long in making a care- ful but thorough search of the upper part of the house. ' One of the chambers was locked with a 1 Yale lock, but this was no obstacle to the progress of Chick’s search, for the strange little . ‘picklock performed its work here as well as in other places, and presently he — stood in a room that was fitted up as a sort of laboratory. The walls of the room were adorned with several glass-covered cases which contained vials and tiny boxes that looked decidedly Many. books were haus upon the tabl : i } : * < See
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16 “and shelves, and these, Chick saw at a > glance, treated of poisons and their effects, = and among them were a number of volumes which dealt With animal magnetism and = hypnotism. == He was evidently in the den of the vile " plotter who had sought to take the life of the young man whom Nick had discovered at - the crematory. A little desk stood at one side of the room, and a pen lay near at hand, on which the Evidently it had just . been used, and as Chick stood examining it, ink “was still fresh. _ his glance took in the almost spotless blotter which lay across the desk. With an exclamation of surprise, he bent over the blotter. The outline of a sentence was quite plainly traced there, as though the writer had been — in a great hurry after he had penned the words, and Chick quickly took a little mir- ror from the table, and held it so that he could read the reflection of the characters in the glass, then he saw the words which sent a thrill through his body: - “Safe till you come.’’ And a little lower, upon the sheet, were these final words of a message: “In the sub-cellar.’’ ‘So the villain has’ written a telegram for some one, and gone out to send it. I must find my way to the sub-cellar at once. Chick succeeded in silently making his . - entrance to the cellar, and from this to the sub-cellar underneath it, where it was so dark he could distinguish nothing. Taking his bull’s-eye from his pocket, ‘Chick was about to press the spring, when he heard a sound made by the sudden rush > of a body toward him. % He darted back, and a second later he saw am man spring through the open pecan! into the main cellar. ~~ stop’cock, and the well- directed stream went One lance told seer that. the ae was NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Nick Carter, but that there was somethiti,, unusual in the expression of his face. ie In his uplifted hands the Little Gian grasped a heavy rod of iron—the bar wit, _ which the sub-cellar door had been ‘eaten As he moved slowly and with great cautio toward Chick, his eyes gleamed with the light of madness, and it was plain that i’ the uncertain light he failed to recognize his faithful assistant. Chick had retreated to a corner of the cel- lar, where he stood with his back against the. wall. ( oe A garden hose was hanging by his side upon a peg, and with one glance the young detective saw that it was attached to the’ water pipe near at hand. It was all ae for immediate use. He grasped the hose from the peg and turned it directly toward his chief. : Another second and he had opened the hissing through the nozzle, striking Nick squarely between the eyes in its course. With a gasp, Nick threw up his Sede an fell backward to the floor of the cellar, and = in an instant Chick was upon him. a He wrenched the iron bar form his chief’s, hands, and grasped Nick firmly by th shoulder, when the Little Giant suddenly raised his eyes, and Chick saw that therd was the returning light of recognition in their depths. ‘The shock from the deluge of | water had partially restored the toma reason. CHAPTER V.. ON THE RIGHT TRAIL at LAST. Upon coming to ‘this. decision;: Chic quickly assisted his somewhat. bewilde eG chief is rise.
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het acted ; k ad NICK CARTER WHEKLY. «Where are we?” he asked. ) “Tn the cellar of the Babson house,’’ was the quick reply. ‘¢ Ah, yes! I remember,’’ exclaimed Nick, at the same time passing his hand over his head in a dazed sort of way. ‘‘The locket ‘and the powder. But tell me how and where you found me?” Pe, Chick briefly related the facts of his dis- covery to his superior. Loi. thought you would do me sure,’ Riariked Chick, as he told of the exciting incident had resulted in Nick’s restoration. ‘‘I don’t know what in the world caused me to turn the hose on you, “but I knew that it was time for me to do which ‘something, and I hardly knew what else to - do. I cotld hardly make a fight, and be- sides, I had to make as little noise as_possi- ble, so as not to alarm the people in the -house,’’ (And you did just right, Chick, That water was just the thing—in fact, the only thing which would restore me. I was poi- Soned by a powder called ‘talavachi,’ which is prepared by the Indians of México, and. which destroys the reason within a few days, unless by a liberal application of »water upon the victim, when the effect of | the drug is destroyed.”’ ~ “Who poisoned you, Nick?” oe Lhe villain that we are after,’’ was the “ : reply. 7 Phen you know the man who tried to | murder: young Doyle?’’ é ‘‘Yes; weare on the right trail. I shall ‘be all right Ppresently,’’ as he saw the anx- Hous look upon Chick’s face. ‘‘I shall come “out of this whole—thanks to your prompt ae i m—but I was pretty much out of my then you opened that door, and I fan- ge th at 3 you were another of the gang.’’ . “It was almost a miracle that I discovered | “hea i tive. you, anyhow,” answered oe detec- AT. Ae ‘*Had I not heen thoroughly satisfied oe that you were under this roof, I hardly. “ think I should have found my way down _ here.”’ ‘¢Well, we have some difficult work aheage of us, Chick, and we want to go right ahead with it. . This man represents an awful power, both in the use of drugs and in his control over mind and matter.”’ “<I made a little discovery when I went back with Undertaker Johnson’s rig,” re- plied Chick. ‘‘He once had a man in his employ by the name of Hudson, whom he discharged about a year ago because he - would persist in getting full and abusing his horse. He wasa short, dark, thick-set man and he stammered slightly.” ‘Without doubt he is the man who drove the undertaker’s horse to-day, and when we find him we will also find upon his arm the 3 prints of that horse’ steeth. I tell you a dumb beast: rarely forgets an enemy.” : “This man is probably a hanger-on about Blanchard’s stable?” ““Ves. I believe that, he piped you off when you were there this afternoon, and came directly here and gave the alarm, which accounts for the attempt upon my life. It 1esks surely Walter Babson who lies in Dr. Reid’s ‘office under the mystic spell of a hypnotic power, and furthermore we will find his un- fortunate sister in a madhouse, the victim of _ the same Mexican poison which so nenly. finished me.’’ ‘Then she is not in the plot?” the! a ‘‘Not at all, There is only one solution to” _ this case. This man who is known as Hos- “mer Babson, and who represents himself - to. be the brother of Walter Babson’s dead +e father, is ‘a deep villain—a criminal and a murderer of the most skillful type’? pee A moment elapsed, in which the twain listened fatently i to discover if ee
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18 “‘T am told that Walter Babson was buried in Lynngtove Cemetery to-day. I want you, Chick, to find out if such is the case, and if so, I want you to get a permit to dig up that casket and see just what it contains.”’ ‘“‘And do you think that I will find the ‘young man’s body??’ asked Chick, with a significant smile. ‘‘Walter Babson cannot weil be in two places at one time, and I be- lieve it is your opinion that he is in Dr. ’ Reid’s office at this moment.’’ ‘The proof that the body is not in the casket will be strong evidence indeed that such is the case. I am going to Blanchard’s stable and look up this man, Hudson. You will return from the cemetery and report your success as soon as you find that there is nothing but rocks in the casket at Lynn- grove.”’ . _“T will find you at the house?’’ ‘“Ves, or at ‘least you. may come to the’ -house.’’ ‘‘Now to get out of the house and leave thé premises without the knowledge of our quarry,’’ and Chick quietly led the way to the. side door through which he had entered. ‘Would it do to pull in the woman now ?”’ asked Chick, after they were well outside. The Little Giant shook his head. “We may want to make her useful to us, and she must remain in perfect ignorance of our escape for the time being. The moment that we are sure that Allen Doyle is really Walter Babson, we will -be eee to round up the gang in short order.’ Nick and his assistant left the house un- observed, and a few moments later they were at the Buckingham on Sixth Avenue, where Nick telephoned to the superintendent of Lynngrove Cemetery as follows: 5) “Took up your records of burial and tell me if there was a body received there to-day frém New York for interment, under,the name of Walter Babson.”’ ie i Presently the reply came back that the oe ec fe om ci TR Ee IS, ae . been committed?’ asked the superintendent | ~ "thing wrong about it?”’ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. + young man’s body had been duly receive” and properly buried. 4 Nick thanked th official and rejoined his assistant. ; Chick bade. his chief good-by ‘and set ¢ for Brooklyn, while the Little Giant we This was sufficient. straight to Blanchard’s stable in search ¢h the man who had been bitten by Undertak Johnson’s horse. Z An hour later Chick had reached t cemetery and the shades of night wer, rapidly falling as he approached the office o the superintendent of burials. ii “‘T am here to make a little invéstignt) with your permission.’’ ai ‘“‘Ah! you are the party who telephon to me concerning that matter, some time ago?’ responded the superintendent. ‘*An hour ago—from Now York. ” ‘Precisely.’ Chick handed the official his card. y “I think there is something very “peculia about this matter, because some one el also made inquiry less than half an hour a about this satne burial,’’ said the official, he glanced at Chick’s card. ‘‘Is there som Dera That is just what 1 came e her ; to ascertain.’ ‘‘Have you any suspicions that a crime ‘ha in an anxious tone. ; It was plainlysevident that the man had ¢ horror of the possibilities of. associatin Lynngrove Contstegy with any shadow of a : y, + ’ iw Cn crime. : pres “TI do not know, Mr. Spencer, but Ree sees to be something irregular in relation to the death and burial of this young man, and I would like to have a quiet Ine tion made.”’ / SS
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Jee want to exhume that casket——’’ ‘What!’ exclaimed the superintendent. ‘Then it must be made known to the au- ae ‘But farther than that it is not necessary 19 publish the facts. If I find what I suspect, here will be but little that you need have ause to fear.’’ , **What do you suspect—that the man was erurdered pes 4, 00, _ I do not even think that he is “Can you mean that he was buried alive? 1 Ve have the certificates of death and the yurial permit!’’ gasped the astonished offi- ial. Seat **Never that,”’? replied Chick. “What we want to do is toexhume that cas- mind et as soon as possible.”’ **Not to-night!” ms Right away. At once,” The superintendent hesitated for a mo- ment. c Ass “1 will be responsible for all damages, Mr. Spencer. ‘Take your sexton and open that grave. ‘we will attend to the permits afterward.”’ “‘But that is expressly against the law.” ‘*Except in cases where the law directs, and in this case I represent the law,’ If you find a body in the casket was the calm rejoinder. !‘‘Very well,’’ reluctantly answered the . superintendent, as he turned away. “‘I will do as you direct, sir”? Five minutes later Chick and the official ' Nvere on their way to the little plot of ground which represented the Babson burial plot in Errore ese A sexton accompanied them with spade and pick. = Whe telephoned to you after you got my Ear a asked. Chick, as the trio passed mong the 1 humerous headstones toward a ‘oe wly- ‘made grave whicl ae be er i : NICK CARTER WEEKLY. _— ae “TJ don’t know. Not name. was given, ag ve inquity was made as to whether or snot die one had inquired about the burial, and of cofirse I answered in the affirmative, not knowing of any reason to the contrary.”” They soon, reached the spot where the ig freshly disturbed earth showed that a burial had recently taken place. The superintend- ent directed his sexton to get to work at once, and uncover the casket. -_ Chick “examined the granite shaft which stood in the center of the little lot, and saw upon it the name of Walter Babson’s father and mother, previous. who had died but a noe ‘ODhis is certainly the ‘right spot,’ he : thought, and he set to work to assist the laborer in removing the soil from the grave. The rest was easy. In a short time the box was reached, the catches which held the — lid in place were released, and when the sex- ton raised the top and exposed the interior of the burial case, the superintendent seized — Chick’s arm ina firm grasp, and pointed to — the empty casket. “It is as you said, ” he barely articulated. “The body is gone. g! The scene was indeed an uncanny one, as the trio stood there about that open grave, their only light a single oil lantern, which shed but a feeble glow about them. ——— CHAPTER VI. ‘ THE SCENE AT THE MAD-HOUSE. “What did you find, Chick?” Bo his. e. chief. 4 *©A sheet of lead in the bottom of the cas- aa ket which, I think, would weigh about one hundred and fifty pounds,” ‘“TMhen we are, indeed, getting at the facts, my boy. If that man was not buried eof him.” in _Lynngrove, I guess we know what bes ie
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20 at the bottom of the case,’’ came the young detective’s quiet reply. “T found the man, Hudson, Chick.’’ ‘‘Me is the mat who was .bitten by the horse ?”’ “Exactly.72= “Then he is also a pal of the chief villain : in the play ?’’ ‘*Precisely, and that sities villain is the pseudo Hosmer Babson—retired gold ‘miner, and all-around crook and murderer,” “How do you know already that he is a crook ?’’ asked Chick, unable longer to con- ceal his curiosity as he saw the gleam of J satisfaction which filled the eyes of his chief, Chick. He is an escaped convict.” “Nol? _ “*Yes. He has the regular prison chain step, and although he tried hard to conceal “the fact, and at times he was very success- ful, yet he would occasionally drop into that peculiar, shuffling left step—the mark which brands an old convict for life.’’ ‘““Where is Hudson now?’’ : “Tn the lock-up at pees. uy _ ‘What next?” ' navn **We must find the girl and capture this “TI can even tell you more than that, wretch who represents himself as Hosmer _ Babson.”’ fe “Where is the girl?’ : *TAt a private- mad-house away out on Long Island.”’ ee “Ah! Then you know the place?”’ és EE do, and it is one of the worst in the ? 5 country to-day. It will be no cinch to rescue - Lillian Babson from the grasp of those fiends and restore her to health and sanity. We _ will start to-night, for time imay be precious . to the young woman in this case.” = Half an hour later two men passed through VF sor NICK CARTER WEEKLY. I ong Island Railroad Epon the opposite Et The trip across the river was uneventful, and the two disguised detectives reached gee : depot of the Long Island road just in season to catch an outgoing train. es As they took a seat in the car, Nick nfa a sign to his assistant, which the other was not slow to comprehend, | — Aman had entered the 2 Se taken m3 seat just ahead of them, ie “What do you make of Rie ask Chick, a few moments Jater, after he ha nM exe ‘He is suspicious that he is being eueled, : and I think you will find that he hag — recently been in communication with ae very man that we most want.” S e carefully studied this individual. ‘‘Possibly he is the Keeper of ‘the ma : house,’’: suggested Chick, and instantly : Nick bowed in affirmation of his theory. ord : pet Ecodbe it in the least ”? was the reply. entered. the ear that he cast a a g up and down either side of the aisle. 1 glance told me as plainly as words that the man fancied that he might be followed.’ ~ ‘*Sure,’’ said Chick. = aN and I shave no doubt that this man, who an jiveatigetiin is on foot, so oti urally feels somewhat. nervous.’’ _ x The train was now on its way EC the ast, and Nick and Chick settled to hypothesis Z ee case. gee Rae, ue
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘tif nothing happens we will prove whether “we were right or wrong before the sun rises again.’’ “And provided that we are right——”’ ‘The proofs will be forthcoming, for I have cabled to Sydney, Australia, to get some clew to this man whom we know only as | Babson.” # ‘*Vou suspect that he can be traced by a description ?’’ “Fe will doubtless prove to be the mur- _derer of the very man whom he is attempting _ to personate.’’ _ Chick started, for now he fancied he saw through the entire plot. . Hosmer Babson had been killed; and the man who now appeared as the uncle of Wal- ter Babson and. his unfortunate sister was, - - - indeed, an escaped criminal, for without the knowledge that they had had an uncle in the wilds of Australia, the Babson children ‘ would scarcely have welcomed this etranes | to their home. Here was the sequel to the entire Bi “which could not well be unraveled until the missing Walter Babson was found and _proven to be none other than Allen Doyle, sor poor Lillian Babson was restored from her awful prison chamber Within the walls of gitad- -house. 3 But Nick Carter was upon the trail, and the ‘sufferings of the unfortunate young : woman were not destined to be of long “duration. re “How did you get into the ae graces of this” fellow at “Blanchard’ s livery stable??? asked. Chick, as the train sped along the Pes: “That was easy. You told me that Under- taker J ohnson art ie Sythe off because earth had sid them up. - i a stable, about the eS man that I set eyes eo tion of Hudson to perfection, except that he ~ ypon was a chap who answered the descrip- had been recently shaved and had his pai) re closely trimmed. ‘‘As I was passing the spot where he ~ stood, I slipped upon a spot where water had frozen upon the floor, and my hand struck ‘his arm, when he turned upon me with a savage oath, and cringed with pain as he raised his hand to the spot that I had touched. I knew that I had found my man— but, of course, I said that it was an accident. Then I gradually came around to the point . that I had at first planned to work, and when I asked him to join me in a drink, he quickly complied. ‘*We were soon on the very best of tenia: and although the fellow was shy of any questions pertaining to this matter, yet I pumped him in such an off-hand way that he did not suspect a thing ee I sprung the final surprise upon him.’ “You feared if you let him go again he would skip?’’ ‘*Ves; but he’s safe now.”’ During the following hour the two detec- tives kept a close watch upon their suspect, and when they were approaching the next station Nick pinched his companion sharply, although to all appearances the Little Giant was: busily engaged in looking out of the — car window. Chick caught the glance of his chief, and he noted the look of suspicion which ap- peared upon the face of the man who was apparently planning to leave the train. ‘‘He is our man,” spoke Nick, under his breath, and in a moment the train was draw- ing into the station. “s But when their quarry looked around — again Nick Carter and ‘his’ assistant had disappeared as suddenly as ee ee: 4
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mite ‘tion, the driver sprang erec‘ 22 . A moment Jater the man stepped cau- tiously from the train, and cast swift, search- ing glances up and down the station plat- form. But three or four passengers were seen to alight, and apparently he was at a loss to know the meaning of the sudden disappear- ance of Nick Carter and his assistant. _ A horse and a covered wagon were stand- ing alongside the platform, and the man ad- vanced to the side of the vehicle, and addressed the party upon the seat. ‘‘Ts that you, Nat?’’ he asked. ‘‘Ves,”’,came the gruff answer. ‘‘ Where’s your load?’” “Didn’t bring it,’’ was tie instantaneous reply. ‘‘Say, did you see two chaps get off here, who slid out of sight before the train fairly gtopped?”’ “No, I didn’t. Who were they ?’’ came the answer. “Tm not sure, but we want.to be getting out of this locality in short order, for if I am not mistaken, they were Nick Carter and his assistant, in disguise.’’ ; ‘* What!’ and with the startled exclama-. ‘*Are those devils onto Out, ‘*Oh, don’t be frightened, Nat, ”” replied the suspect, in a reassuring tone. ‘‘They have. no evidence, even if they are, for-we ” / have only done our duty—— + “But I am not going to get into any trouble,’ persisted the startled attendant. “Tf Nick Carter is onto you, you may as well: make up your mind that he has got .. principal. ? good reasons for it——’ **Don’t be: afool!’’ eoceaatiied the irate that you are wasting here chinning in get- # inga mniile of road behind you,’’ and the man a nes to Pix seat beside nie subordin- NICK GARTER WEEKLY. ikely man to stand guard over ge allape *‘You had better spend the time’ “I wonder where those two fellows went, 4 . he mused, as they spun over the road at aes “Tt doesn’t seem.to me that ar they could have remained upon “the train, ; and if they got off, they were onto me.’? | ; 1% The driver heard, but did not answer. = He was sitting gloomily in his corner of the seat, and apparently brooding over the situation. J a ic Presently he spoke. Ahan eo se # ‘J say, is the detective! ‘onto tie racket?’’ he asked. sat merry clip. “Sh! What is the use in ‘talking so loud? - You don’t know who may be along here | by the side of the road,” exclaimed the cau- tious individual, and without vouchsafing 3 any reply to his companion’ ’s query, he. whipped up the horse, and soon they aa fairly flying over the road toward the high bluffs, where was located the prison-lik mad-house in which Lillian Babson y eae posed to be confined. as ! ‘‘I don’t know exactly what to dae ab aT the girl,” spoke the asylum keeper, when half the ‘distance to the spot had been cov- ered. ‘‘I don’ t dare to trust ‘os to the olc would be no mately ibe him, on ‘That's right. You ought to have a ‘ete shoot if it was necessary.’ “‘Who would I get?’ “That is the question, but perhaps y could find some one in the city ” pe se CRG i itis oe 5 you know?” ‘*Yes; I know,’’ came th a “But what about to- night ? If Nick Cart was on the train, as you thought on hand before yc 1c: get t Hu
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‘You and I will attend to that to-night, and if the accursed detective shows up and goes to meddling with my affairs, he may as well prepare for a funeral,’’ and with a savage cut of his whip, the speaker urged his horse forward at a furious pace, as | though to escape the danger from behind. They reached the gloomy buildings which comprised the home of the asylum-keeper and the little prison-like stone building which rose upon the very brink of a giant bluff, that overlooked Long Island Sound— a veritable fortress in itself, Surely there was no escape from that gloomy pile of masonry except by outside aid. g » The twain quickly unhitched the horse, and as the asylum-keeper led the beast away to the stable, his-companion removed a blariket, and halter from the vehicle. To a close observer it might have appeared that he was a long time in finding the blanket—in fact, one* listening close by the side of the carriage might have overheard a hasty, whispered conversation within the vehicle, but presently the driver appeared and hastened away to the stable, and closely following him, a dark shadow crept from », the carriage, and disappeared in the direc- tion of the high cliffs which lay just beneath the walls of the dark and gloomy prison- house. The asylum-keeper did not discover the shrewd deception that was being practiced upon him, and he little knew that the man ~ who had acted as his driver from the depot - was none other than the prince of American : detectives, Nick Carter, in the disguise of “Nat, ’’ the wretch’s trusted ally. The doctor and Nick entered the building, and, after some discussion, it was decided “ithat Nick should spend the first, hours of the night keeping a careful watch for the appearance of any one about the premises. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. This was just as the Little Giant had planned, and within ten minutes after the asylum- lweeper retired he lighted a match at _ an upper window as a signal to Chick that ~he had so far succeeded in his plans. Chick had been keeping watch upon the beach, at the very base of the cliffs below, and when he saw that tiny flame, for one brief second, in the window above his head, he breathed a prayer of thanksgiving, for he knew that Nick had been successful. CHAPTER VII. HE RESCUR FROM THE MAD-HOUSE. Ten minutes later Chick stood upon the brink of the cliff, directly beneath the shad- ows of the mad- house, and here he waited and watched for the second signal from his chief which should inform him that Nick had found the girl. Presently he started, for he fancied that he saw a dark shadow creep along the rocks toward him, and he realized that he was in a most dangerous position if he was discov- ered. . At his right, arid not three feet away was a sheer descent of fifty feet to the jagged rocks which lined the shore of the Sound at the base of the almost perpendicular cliffs _ which formed the foundation upon which the mad-house stood. He was standing close against the wall of the building, which rose dark and gloomy, many feet above his head. ' There was only one way to escape from the point where he stood, and that was in the- direction nee he had seen the moving figure. At first. he fancied that his eyes might have deceived him, and that he had seen nothing to cause him alarm, but as he peered _ into the darkness, he became more than. ~ ever convinced that some one was creeping — toward him along the very brink of the cliff. _ F fem
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24 ‘ He determined to wait and prepare him- self for the moment should spring upon him, and this he did. when his adversary Crouching upon the rocks, which, at this point, were rough and afforded but an im- perfect foothold at the best, Chick remained as motionless as a portion of the cliff itself. Once or twice he fancied that he saw the movement of a dark body close at hand, but he could not fully establish the fact in his mind that he was being approached by a desperate and blood-thirsty foe. Yet such was indeed the case. Crawling along the surface of the cliff, yaud less than ten feet from: the spot where Chick was crouched against the mad-house wall, was the form of a man. In his hand he held a murderous-looking knife, while his — lips were firmly compressed and his dark face bore a look which was savage in the - extreme, “*Ourses on him!’’ hissed the wretch, as he ‘moved as silently as a shadow over the cold rocks. “If I can but get to him with- out beitig discovered, ih will kill him in a second!’ But this villain, clever as he was, could not spring a surprise on so watchful a sentry as Chick. ; Nearer and nearer he crept to the spot where the detective was awaitiig him, and then he paused, seeming to calculate the dis- tance which separated esis from his pros- . - pective victim. stood, half leaning against the wall of the ~ “ixevlum, when he felt a thrill of alarm, asa _ bright shaft of silvery light flashed upon him> from out of the gloom, and he stood _ revealed, clutching in his right hand the i NICK CARTER WEEKLY. _ Slowly, silently ie body rose, and he m rderpus yay with which he had ra : Instantly, however, ire Steet dh above his head. = "he exclaimed, as he cowered » before the muzzle of the intrepid, detect ve’ a six-shooter. S37 Bs “I eave,’ upon, his man, and he quickly conducted” him to the stable, where he made him fa to a post beneath the shed. he ‘You are the chap who has" mad-house keeper in his miserable scheme said Chick, as he made his prigg bound and gagged I was es to « anowered Chick, “Abt if you an bs on me I think that Xs which could
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ne ji } and tried the door by which Nick and the keeper had entered nearly half an hour previous. | To the reader it is plain that the villain who had appeared upon the scene was none other than the asylum-keeper’sdriver, whom Nick and Chick had surprised in the wagon at the depot, and whom the Little Giant had personated on the drive to the mad-house, while Chick was safely tucked away inside the vehicle. fone now plain to Chick that they had \ failed to securely bind him in the few | seconds in which the work had been done, and now he had appeared, minoney upon the scene. ut Chick had him secured this time, and ’ when he turned toward the mad-house he felt returned. of the “building a-wild, piercing shriek rent the air. As Chick approdched the door It was in the high, shrill tones of a wo- man’s voice, and the young detective realized | that there was some trouble within the | walls of the mad-house. * Bounding up the steps, he drew his pick- ‘Jock, from his pocket and ingerted it in the key- -hole. | The bolt yielded to the pressure, and the door shot open, just as another ear-piercing "shriek rang through the gloomy building. - Chick once more drew his bull’s-eye from his pocket, and pressed the spring. PAs ‘the light flashed upon the scene, he " discovered a flight of stairs leading to the | second floor, and sprang toward them, when he suddenly stopped. | Crack! crack! wo pistol shots rang out from rimies nd, ‘as he looked, ‘still another shot fol- d, while a a cry came vee 8 comm, tte } NICK CARTER WEEKLY. unexpectedly ° that he could find his prisoner when he © Rees Chick hesitated no eget “That means business,’ he ‘exclainied, as : he sprang up the stairs, two at a bound. ‘*Nick is in vo and I will be just in time to aid him.’ i Drawing his revolver as he ran, the young detective reached the top of the first flight, where he paused ‘and listened. Not a sound — & broke the silence of the hall, save the heavy breathing of the man who stood there, bull’s-eye in hand, alert and motionless, ready to give up his life, if pecs be, to save that of his chief. “Those sounds came from the third floor,’’ hé muttered, as he glanced at a second flight of stairs which led to the room above. ‘‘T am going up, anyhow, and will investigate,” and suiting the action to the words, he ran swiftly but silently up the long ae of stairs. At the top he paused. Two doers stood ajar, and through one of them a light threw its feeble rays into the hall. - There was a space of perhaps five inches between the edge of the door and the cas- ing. The sight which met Chick’s eyes as he glanced within thrilled him with alarm. "Lying prone tpon the floor was the form -of a young and once beautiful woman, her long, tangled hair thrown in confusion over ; her head and shoulders, and close at hand lay the asylum-keeper weltering inadark . pool of blood. , 3 The woman was silent and: saotionless, and Chick’s first thought was that she had died by the bullet of her keeper’s weapon. From the center of the rdom a ladder led to the roof. Chick glanced upward, and saw that a scuttle was open at the top. The floor of the prison-like cell was drenched with water, and upon the rounds of the ladder were the footprints of two per. on sous who had climbed to the top of the oe
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26 | With a quick bound, Chick crossed the floor, for he knew that Nick was somewhere close at hand, and he determined to aid him if he was in need of assistance. Up the ladder he sprang until his head was above the level of the roof, and then the sounds of a desperate struggle reached his ears, coming from a point some distance away, and near the edge of the roof above the cliffs. Chick instantly pressed the spring of his dark lantern and threw the penetrating shaft of light in the direction of the sounds. Then a sight was presented to'his gaze which sent a thrill of horror through his body, for, poised upon the very brink of the roof, was the form of Nick Carter and his antagonist, engaged in the fearful struggle which bade fair to ‘send both men to their doom upon the jagged rocks below. The Little Giant was struggling in the grasp of a powerful man, whose eyes shone _in the light of the bull’s- “eye like those of a “maniac. Rg He’ was fully six feet tall, and he seemed a perfect giant in strength as he grasped *yick about the, body, while the muscles stood out upon his arms and legs like whip- cords, as he sought to hurl the detective over the edge to an awful fate. They were fighting with the weapons which nature had provided, and it was plain that had not Nick been a perfect athlete, he could not have withstood the fearful strength of his foe. i But the detective had clutched his man by the hair of his head, and the other in turn was clinging to Nick’s body with all the desperation of a maniac, for such, in- deed, he was. It seemed from the point where Chick - stood that the two men must go over the NICK CARTER WEEKLY. in that deadly embrace. brink in a. thrice, a and fora Been, he was the scuttle, and a Saat escaped his fiat which was intended, to give Nick courage until he could reach the spot. firs ‘ It took but a second for him to. cross the ii roof, and in ‘another moment he was to the spot where the two men were eripp ed. "The herculean form of the madman was bending and swaying as he sought tot thro off the grip which Nick had fastened upon: him. Scarcely a foot —e them from th and the struggling combatants oslaiael been hurled to'their destruction; but fortune was once more with the ‘great detective, | for a felt the firm grasp of his assistant cane | aa) denly dee toward the cente r of he roof, x as Chick exerted all his strength in one el ast effort. his faithful ane ae bas a covou saved me that time, Chick, es said. ‘That man has the strength of an But come, we must get out of here, for n¢ one knows how many more of that be let loose upon ts.”’ of the ladder, Re: still Jay ven scious girl. ‘ Sag aS tee will es allt : :
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‘ j woman upon the floor. ‘“‘She has fainted ' from exhaustion, and we must ae her away from here befare she recovers.’ i They examined the wound of the wretched f that, dangerous, it was not necessarily fatal, and asylum-keeper and found although in a short time they had borne the fainting _trio from the building. Chick was not long in hitching up a team, ' and with their prisoners and the victim of the murderous plot, they were soon ‘upon their way to the station. » ‘*Tf we don’t lose the two birds in the } city, we will have wiped outa bad gang,” said Nick, as they bowled along the road ' toward the depot, and Chick replied with a nod of assent. " -f \ CHAPTER VII. hs - . NICK’S THRILLING ADVENTURE. L. Nick and Chick, with the rescued girl, and the trio of manacled prisoners, reached » the station in time to flag a train for New - VYork—the last that passed up the road at “night. Miss Babson was made as corikovtatile as possible on a sort of couch formed by laying { one of the cushions across from one seat to the next in front. - Scarcely had the train started when she \ sank into slumber, and she did not awaken - during the ride. k - The prisoners on the other side of the car were too firmly secured to give any trouble. i hus the two friends had leisure for review- ing the events of the evening. Se ! ‘“Ffow did you find her in the mad- house ?’’ asked Chick. f so entered the house with ‘that infernal ; old rascal,’’? said Nick, pointing to the keeper of the asylum. “‘We had arranged to spend the night watching for any signs of the approach of the authorities, and I took 4 turn first. I was to watch until two ey, i NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ~ 27 o’clock, when I- was to~ wake him andhe _ was to relieve me. i ‘He went with me to the room which — was occuppied by the young woman. I was to watch outside her door, which was a little ue way open. After he had gone I si ae you - that I was safely in the house. _ ‘For a long time Miss Babson stood at — the window looking out through the heavy — bars toward the Sound, and moaning i in an undertone all the while. ; “Then I saw something which caused me to shudder, As I peered through the narrow opening in her door I discovered that she had removed the bars which crossed her win- dow, and a moment later she sprang upon _ the narrow window ledgeas if she was about — to throw herself down to the jagged bowldets: below. ‘‘What could I do? Inmy hand I held the bucket of cold water with which I pur- posed to deluge her when the proper moment » should come, and now she had placed her- self in a position where to attempt to aid her would seem almost suicidal. ‘‘ Nevertheless, I made up my mind that there was but one way in which to settle the matter, and cautiously opening the door, I stepped inside the room. “The light was so dim that I could scarcely see her, as she was perched there upon the window ledge, ready to spring away from me at the first warning, but I determined to succeed. “T was about half way across the tor when she turned and saw me approaching. “With a wild scream, she threw up her hand, and at the same instant I dashed the pailful of water squarely into Her face. “Instantly I was by her side. Her body was already half way out of the window, and yet she seemed to cling to the sill with a certain intuitive sense that she was in dan- ger, but that rescue was close vat hand. I SONS
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seats} : 28 seized her skirt afd drew her into the roon, and just as I was about to speak, I saw her body collapse; and I knew that she had fainted. ‘°"Phen I turned toward the door, when I made a discovery which put matters in an altogether new light. ‘The heavy door was hung upon spring hinges, and it had closed behind me imme- diately after I had entered. ‘*It was locked upon the outside, and I was a helpless prisoner in the cell of the mad-house. I drew my. revolver from my pocket and resolved to signal to you by a shot from the window, when, chancing to look up, I saw a ladder which was hinged at one end beneath a scuttle that led to the - roof. “As the ottier end was held in place by a hook, I soon released it, and mounted to the trap-door, thinking that I would get out . upon the roof and let you know how I was situated. “Just as I had raised the trap I glanced back, and I saw that the cell door was being 7 opened, open” 1 Seadized that I had beén dis- a covered. Upon the threshold stood the villain ‘who had so long been the keeper of the unfortunate girl, and by his side ‘was NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ae oe another, whom I knew at the first glance to. be a madman. 2 “His eyes were fair’ me, and without a moment’s warning the asylum keeper raised his hand and fired at me as I stood upon the ladder, half way up. Bt answered his shot with one from my ~ own weapon, and I saw him reel and plunge forward almost to the spot where Lillian ‘Babson still lay unconscious upon the floor. “With a demonical yell, the madman hurled his huge form across the narrow cell, and his: gaesng « evra éeenied to emit aes at once ne the old ie ee Be forbore, sta uee I had no wish to hari him, ‘‘T sprang to the roof, “but not a foot | ahead of the maniac. His huge form rose | from the scuttle, with one terrible boun¢ 4a and then he grappled me. “I have engaged with some powerful | men, but I believe that he was: the harde st customer I ever met. Anyhow, it: sng oui a right, wake to Toe, Chick, and if eve: man whom he had Z cleverly Pee: ; The train at anal rolled into oe st tis on rated. riage, went to the house ok the phy who had taken charge of the: you whom Nick had saved from the ¢ flames of the Sesto
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was in the office, and he did not wish -Miss Babson to see him too soon. The doctor greeted Nick warmly. ‘Our patient is much improved,” he said. Indeed, that was evident, for the young man’s appearance showed it. His eyes were brighter, and his posture, as he sat in his chair, was more indicative of returning strength and self-control than Nick could have hoped. ‘‘Wis mind 1s still clouded,’’ the doctor whispered to Nick; require much to relieve him from what re- Some sud- ”> - mains of the hypnotic influence. den shock of eld association, as—— ‘Come in, Miss Babson,’ cried Nick, throwing back the folding door. — Both the doctor and his patient leaped up with surprise. The girl bore the shock well. Some words of Nick’s had partly prepared her, and when she saw her brother she knew in an instant’ that in herself lay his hope. The young man passed his hand across his ne eyes, as one who wakes, startled, from a ~~” deep sleep. Then he cried: “Tilly! dear little sister!’ and almost __ fell into her arms. ; ‘“‘TIt is done,’’ said the doctor, grasping the detective’s hand warmly. ‘‘The spell is ' broken. He has regained the a control of ~ his faculties.” die CHAPTER IX. ' A SHREWD GAME BLOCKED. When the brother and sister had ex- _ changed their affectionate greetings, they _ turned to Nick, and overwhelmed him with ” thanks for their deliverance. e “Vou ean thank me best,’’ said the detec- bree. “man Bene Beets to be your ues ? “‘but it would not 5 Shay: telling me all you know about this NICK CARTER WEEKLY. © ie Foe aaa 5 29° Lillian, whose memory was clearer t than | her brother’s, told the story. They had heard, some years before,. that their uncle had died of fever in the mining cams of Australia. When he appeared so suddenly i in New York, they were amazed, 3 but never doubted his identity. He had a plausible story, and he was well primed with the facts of their uncle’s lifes As neither of them remembered. Hosmer Babson’s personal appearance, the trick was comparatively easy. Soon the newcomer became a power in their household. Walter fell under his sway at once, but the girl felt a repulsion for him ‘which resisted all his wiles, and his un- doubtedly marvelous hypnotic power. Walter spent hours in his supposed uncle’s room. He seeméd to have lost all other in- terest in life except that inspired by this man’s presence and inysterious conversation. The young man had become nervous and pale. A strange illness aes to be sapping his vitality. 5 His sister blamed him for spending so much time indoors, and for neglecting his former healthful‘exercises. She had no idea of the dreadful plot which was develePels under that roof. Yet she continued to fear and dislike her: uncle, so that he could get "no power over her. ‘This unquestionably drove him to the use of drugs for her, while with her brother pure hypnotism was enough, The end of this deplorable business the reader already knows. : When Nick had heard all, he took the brother and sister to his house. | - There was.a message awaiting the detec: tive. It was from Chick, who, after leaving his prisoners at headquarters had gone at once to the house in Fifty-eighth street. _ This was the message: _ a : “The a have flown. I don’t think ey have left the city yet, for they shaven’ ay
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802. been out of the-house an hour. I am working European steamships. Cover the Brazilian liner sailing to-morrow. I shall not be able to get around to her. CHICK.”’ Searcely had Nick finished reading this when another report came. ‘This one was from Patsy, who had been working another . branch of the case. , The nature of his work will be clear to one who reads his message, which ran as follows: “They’ve cleaned up everything. By hypnotism the bogus uncle got Walter to put property under his control. The villain has sold right and left wherever he dared, and the woman has been in it, too. ‘‘Between them they’vedisposed of nearly , all that was immediately’ salable. They’ve f cleared about three hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars, and are getting away with it in cash. Patsy.’’ fr get into another. He had thwarted the mur- pas der of Walter Babson and the still more “0 3 infamous crime against his sister, and there ned - still remained this gigantic robbery which eo had been sticcessfully worked, so that no ' obstacle but the perils of eee stood in the “way of the criminals. /Nick instantly left the house and hurried down to the cable office, where he did what ‘little was possible to do to hurry up a reply to his cable to Australia, It came about sunrise, and, except that it was condensed, as all cable messages are, it ran thus: : “The man personating Hosmer Babson is -Lemuel Morello, suspected of murdering Babson, but convicted of another crime, and sent to the chain gang. ~ «He escaped over a year ago, and was supposed t to have fled to England. oe ‘Hei is accompanied by one of the shrewd- we =: o'clock. So Nick had cleared up one case only to~ has outdone the master this ti right, but——” NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Ti est female crooks ever seen in Australia. Her real name is not known here. She se S hundred aliases. 2 ae arrested, I want them both sent back _ Z here.’ This was signed by the chief.of police’ of: | Sydney. A second message gave brief descriptions of the two criminals, which fitted exactly. which strengthened Chick’s suggestion, that It also contained a hint — the two would flee to Brazil, The South American liner sailed at eight ; ; It was after seven before Nick ‘had “read io his Australian cables, but it required only a short time to get to the steamer’s pier. The captain stood at the head of the gang: a plank as Nick hurried up. ae whee In response to the detective’s question re- garding the criminals the captain said; _ : bs - ‘They must be the two just arrested on the pier. Your descriptions tally ieaey, ie They were caught. just as they stepped. out. of their carirage. I was told that it was one ; of Nick Caiter’s men who did it.” ; “Can Chick have got. ahead of me ie said - < y Nick. The captain laughed, Sek guess he has,’’ he said The !pup Nick turned to descend the. “sangplank. — Then he said, suddenly: “Did you see the arrest??? << d * a Bs ‘“‘No; but I was told about it. ‘ ws af : Bet oe Se a any longer than you can help, I’m all ready to pull out of the dock this moment.” ~ “J must verify your story,” said detective. ‘Of course, i [know years all
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY, ‘““Why, there’s my iefackiant now!” cried ~ the captain. He pointed to a tall man who was backing out of a passage way leading from the for- ward part of the boat. His motions were peculiar, and were not understood by Nick until he saw that a half-dozen sailors were carrying al enormous sea-chest through the “passage, and that there was no room to get by it. They had swept the man ont. “*T beg your. pardon, ~sir,”’ the captain - called. on the pier?”’ ‘‘Didn’t you tell me about an arrest / ““Why, yes,’’ said the man, coming for- ward ; “fa man and a woman. The next. instant the surprised captain saw Nick—who had stepped back out. of sight—suddenly leap forward and slip a pair of handcuffs to the wrists of the passenger. ‘*One of the shrewdest games I ever heard of,’’ said the detective. ‘‘That story, I don’t mind telling you, very nearly threw “me off the track. It was so bold, so simple, and so natural. ‘«This aes captain, is the criminal I was ‘looking for. He told you that story fearing that ik would come for him here. **It was a great trick, but I have my man now. crowded him out of that passage.’ The detective vated to the prisoner and _ snatched a false beard off his face. ‘“‘Lemuel Morello, the chain gang is wait- “ing for you,’’ he said. | _ A search of the vessel revealed the woman, cand both were taken to headquarters. +3 a8e, That night, in his cell, by a dim lantern’s light, Lemuel Morello was writing upon ‘a. I’m obliged to those sailors beak! scrap of paper ee his special guard seemed to be dozing in a corner. , ‘Nick Carter, the note read, “ you’ re a shrewd man—a hard man to beat==but you’re not good enough to send me back to _ the. chain gang, Oh, no; I have a little rem-. edy for misfortunes like this. ‘The next time you catch a prisoner, examine his teeth. If you had done that to “me, you would have found. a little capsule of enamel full of prussic acid in a cavity in one of them. : ‘ ‘I have,but to open my mouth wide, snap ° my teeth together hard, and the chain gang will be no more to me than to the most innocent babe in ‘this city. “Tf I-had not this means of deteatingg you, I tell you frankly that I would confess the murder of Hosmer Babson and hang for it, rather than goto the chain gang. ‘*But that is not necessary. I havean easier death to die. In one second it will’b over. Good-by.’’ : The pen dropped from the villain’s hand - Cold sweat was on his forehead. His eye rolled wildly. | A tremor passed over his frame, Then slowly his iron jaws parted widely. He hesitated an instant; then the jaws came together, with a ferocious suap. _ They met on a large piece of wood. Morello, with a stifled oath, leaped up; striving to grapple with Nick Cafter, who was holding the wood in his mouth, ‘ The guard instantly came to Nick’s assist- ance, The ruffian was bound fast. And still his jaws had not met; the wood separated them. “Excuse me for interrupting you,” said | MS Fe fifi We pear Sie 4 ve . Saat iA; e 2 wy of
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32 Nick. behind you and see what you were writing, Bi 3! was impolite for me to creep up but as.there happened to be a secret door in that side of the cell, I thought I’d-try it. “And now I’ll perforin asmall job of den- tistry for you. Open your mouth wide. . There! The capsule is in my hand, unbrok-. - en. ‘*Now, Lemuel Morello, take your choice between the chain gang and-the gallows, for they are all that remain.’’ On more mature consideration, Morello chose the chain gang, but the ‘Australian authorities had different views, and sent him to the gallows. The woman was sentenced to a long term / in prison. 09—The Mystery of the Yellow Cab; or, A Little Set-Back for Chick. (08—Saved from the Flames; or, Nick Carter at Mys- tic Vale Crematory. 207—The Hole in the Bank; or, Nick Carter’s Cam- paign Against “Capt. Gold.” 206—The Doctor’s Dangerous Hxperiment; or, Nick Carter’s Flying Trip to New Orleans. 205—The Passenger in the Lower Berth; or, a Star- tling pe DR a from a Railroad Sleeping 24—Tracked to Union Station; or, The Celebrated St. Louis Mystery. 2083—Pardoned by the President; or, antl Carter at the United States "Preasury eee, Counterfeiter’ s Gold Tooth; or, Nick Car- r’s Crooked Correspondent. ° “01—The ‘Great Life Insurance Fraud; or, Nick Car- ter’s Tussle with a Very Slick ‘Countryman. 200—The Beautiful Shop-Lifter;’ or, Nick Carter's Search tor an Old Offender. 7 /499-Nick Carter and the Forest Fires; or, A Nest of Vipers Burned Out. -198—Nick Carter Under the Knife; or, The Little Giant Among the Body- Snatchers, 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 Boy. 194—Nick Carter. on the Bowery; or, A Crippled Cracksman’s Detection. ‘ ere Carter on the dugides or, No Chance for the . Coroner. i _ 192—Nick Carter in Frisco; or, Instructed by a News- ~ paper Personal. - 1g1—Wanted for Embezzlement; or, What Became of the Treasurer. - 190—Nick Carter's BUDDELY Quarry; or, The: Case Against ‘Frisco J ae “Back numbers always on hand. - bring ses to you, by mail, Rosthald. NICK CARTER WHEHKLY. Nick Carter Weekly LATEST ISSUERS: Mf you cannot get our publications from your “newsdealer, five cents aco ‘Turning from these gloomy views of crime to brighter pictures, it should be said that the Babsons recovered nearly all that Morello had stolen, and bid fair to have happy lives with the wealth which cost them so much suffering, - Their gratitude to Nick is unbounded, © and at their oft-repeated invitation he is sometimes a gtiest in their handsome resis. dence, where he is always overwhelmed with thanks and praise. ee 7 THE END. The next number will contain ‘*The Mystery of the Yellow Cab; or, A Little = Set-Back for Chick.’’ euadke yan ie Proofs; or, Bad News. for- the 3 188—Nick Carter at the Races; or Tw Lead Pipe Cinch. pipes ts 1si—The Best Detective in the Country; or, A Prompt Reply to a Telegram. 186—Nick Carter Rescues a Daughter; or, The Junior Partner’s Strange Behavior. (gs5—Nick Cres Saves a Reputation; or, A Button Worth a Fortune. 4 184—Shielding a Murderer; or, Nick Carter’s Dealing with an Avenger. 183—Saved from the Penitentiary; or, “Three Toneteen ee for: Nick Carter. 182—The Blood-Stained Check; or, Nick Carter in the 181—In the Clutch of the: Ta Nick bepesd Ia ¢ | e ute of the WwW; or, Cc Ms Chain of Evidence. : — 180—The Government Custom'’s Swindle; or Carter’s Work for: the U, 8. Treasury, ’ 179—Nick Carter’s Beautiful Decoy; or, The Diamond 18 Nick C ei ohnent Cc 78—Nic arter Arrests a ] Found in the Flat. ient; or, The Boay. 177—Nick Carter's Dumb Assistant; or, The Man wit : a Dead Brain. s 116-Nick Carter Behind the Counter; or, A Peck of Pawn Tickets a 16 Wiok Carter s Pointers or, A Hungry Dog’ Din. drBy Whose Hand; or, Nick Carter Advertises for sckegaena Saks in Six Hours; or, Trouble in Room N in the ] 172—Bureglar Joe; or, Nick Carter's. Lea: ) ne ee beast Carter's Little selec or, the Yellow Dog. -
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"we 2 ANOTHER NEW IDEA The Shield Weekly RUE detective stories are stranger than fiction. The Shield Weekly is a new series of detective stories, but it is “‘some- thing different.’’ Street & Smith’s long experience in the publishing business has taught them that the average man and boy like nothing better than good detective stories. We have, in the past, published many of the old style, where the detective passes through a series of marvelous and hairbreadth escapes and finally secures his quarry. The Shield Weekly will, however, be an absolutely new departure. Each and every number of the : weekly will contain a history of a complete and intricate crime, the solution - of which is worked out by the skill and ability of the detectives. These are True stories, absolute chapters of experience taken from the note books of the greatest and most noted — Chiefs of Police in the largest cities of America. Their fund of knowledge upon this subject has been drawn upon by special arrangement. We propose to demonstrate to the reading public _of America through the Shield Weekly that the ¢rae histories of real crimes contain as much and more of romance than do the imaginative tales which have been constracted in the past by the Writers of detective stories. We feel that the time is ripe for the presentation of this absolutely new class of detective tales. The first number in this series will consist of manu- scripts from records in the archives of the Boston police, as repre- sented by INSPECTOR WATTS, who is well known throughout the New England states, in fact, throughout America, as one of the shrewdest and most clever Secret Service Officials in the world. The great Rispece ; of other large cities of the country will figure in due course. sith My 2 ; Wednesday, December 5, 1900. TrueDetectiveStories © "1,0, tout om sale at : ‘ Try a te. — cts. you will like ft PER COPY The S h i e ; d We e k f y Wedmues sf hippest 7 a ( STREET & SMITH, Publishers, “ i 238 William Street, New York —