Nick Carter Weekly (no. 213) (1901 01 26)
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ICK CARTER WEEKLY Issued weekly. Subscription price $2.50 per year. Hntered as second class matter at the N. Y. vost Office by StREET & SMITH. No. 2/3. : ~” Price 5 Cents. PETTICO i SHE LOOKED AND MET NICK’S GAZE. ‘‘I WILL MARRY YOU ON TWO CONDITIONS.’?
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NICK CARTER | WEEKLY. Entered aecording to Act of Congress in the ee Oe by sheet Smith, in the Offtce of the Librarian of Oongrese, ashingtoi, Entered as second class Matter al the New York, ae Y., Post Office. Subscription price, $2.50 per yeu: NEW YORK. Issued weekly. No, 213. STREET & SmirH, Publishers. January 26, 1901. 5 Cents. 238 William 8t., N. ¥. A Swindler in Petticoats; & OR, NICK CARTER’S PRETTY PRISONER. By the Author of ‘‘NICK CARTER.” CHAPTER I. iy ee TOC. Nick Carter’s daily habit is to glance over the “personal”? advertisements in the Herald, every morning, as he eats his breakfast. That column has, on more than one occasion, furnished him with clews which Many of the messages therein found have pecu- led up to important information. liar interest to the great detective. On the morning to which I particularly refer, Nick’s eyes suddenly became fixed upon this particular personal: “Tf C. K. is in the city, why does he not communicate at once with L. Z??’ Ordinarily, the advertisement would But another circumstance, fresh in his mind at have had no significance for him. - the time, caused him to read it over the ~ second tite: 2% = See vey: O22 A At that moment the door of the dining- room opened, aud Chick came in. assistant took his place at the table, with the remark that his early walk had sharp- ened his appetite. ‘‘Well, who lives at No. — West Fifty- ‘seventh street ?”” was Nick’s inquiry, when Chick got fairly started at his breakfast. “Wilbur Luddington,”? “‘Tuddington? The lawyer??? Pe “That's his profession, but I reckon he doesn’t have to follow it Ss a = " smiled Chick. - Be “No, I bates he is very rich. But he — retains his offices on Broadway, if Iam ~— not mistaken.” ‘‘Now, Nick, maybe you’ll tell me why I was requested to go up there and find — a out who lived at that number. ”’ Pus “Certainly. I found that little slip of | paper in a suspicious place last evening The — +
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a ' 2 : NICK CARTER WEEKLY. and I am curious to discover what it means.” . Nick laid a small slip of rather dirty paper on the table, on which was written “No, — West Fifty-seventh street.”’ “‘Where did you get it?” ‘From beneath the lining of the hat of a man who now lies on a slab in the dead house at’ Bellevue Hospital.’’ ; Chick went on with his breakfast, but gave his chief a look as much as to say: » Pell me all about it.’? And Nick com- plied. “T received a telephone message last evening from young Dr.. G——, of. the ~ house staff, to come over, and I went. ‘¢«T want yot to take a look at a dead “man, Mr. Carter, about whom there. is some mystery, I am sure. ~~ (Fe was brought in here several hours 3 »ago, dying from’ heart trouble, and lived The fellow vet spoke a word after he was lifted into _ the ambulance. ily about forty minutes. ‘of paper on him, to tell who or what he was. Still, I believe he belongs to the bet-_ ter grade of the criminal class, and if he ~ does, I thought you might recognize him.’ “The doctor did not make a mistake. The body was that of a notorious crimi- nal, and I recognized him almost as soon as I looked at thie face, though I last saw him alive many years ago.” “Any one I knew, Nick??? “You ought to remember him. Do you ‘tecollect the robbery of the jewelry store on Grand street in 1884?” ‘Stop! One moment. You don’t mean Casimer Kane?’ — a i ‘There isn’t even so much as a scrap his pals, got away so successfully with that rich haul, and has never been seen by the police to this day.’’ * : ‘‘Where has he been all these years, Nick ?”” : “Not in this city, you may be sure, unless for a very few days, su ‘“Had he changed so little, Nick ” ‘Not enough to conceal his identity. even in death; and he took no chances, either, in whatever brought him, back.” “Disguised ?” REI “Ves; false beard aid wig. That was, what made Dr. G—— conclude he was a criminal. ’? ‘““Where did they get him?” Plas saloon on Tyird Avenue. _ He went into the saloon about four ° ‘clock, took a seat ata table, and ordereda drink, ‘The drink was served, but when the waiter tried to collect for it the customer ig was insensible. They summoned an am- % bulance and sent him to Bellevue.”’ vis “Did you trace him previous to his. | going into that saloon?” a “No; I set him — at it last evening, and bee oe not 5 a Patsy is on that tack. reported. 2 “Nick, you’ always” believed Kane and the whole kit left Aterica after tha t Grand street job.’ “'T am sure of it.”? ea re oa ‘‘Then may it not be that ‘Kane had but lately returned ?’’ et ‘That is what I feel sure of.” = ‘‘And that address of Lawyer Wilbt Luddington was all that you could find in his clothes?” woe ‘There wasn’t a mark ‘of any kind, _ except the slip of. ee about his Be E oS “Nobody but Casimer Kane, who, with 5 .
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. : 5a ‘(Why was he carrying that memoran- dum, Nick? A man like him usually has a memory which would make such a thing unnecessary. at ‘“The memorandum Was not for him- self, my boy.”’ Seng” “As you say, Casimer Kane wouldn’t need such a guard to his memory. It was put into his hat lining for just such an emergency as it served.”’ “JT don’t catch gn.”’ ‘Well, for once -you’re dead slow, Chick.. The man was troubled with heart disease, and feared’a Sudden death.’ “Great Scott! You don’t mean the slip of paper was carried so as to notify Wil- bur ‘Luddington in case of his sudden death ?’? ‘What other use could it serve??’ “You must be right. But what was there in common between Kane and Lud- dington ?”’ ‘How much of a family has Lawyer Luddington? I presume you made some inquiry on that point?” “Oh, yes. The officer on the beat, I think, has a friend below stairs in the Luddington household, for he seems pretty well posted. “Luddington is a widower, with no child living. His only son died, or was killed abroad a year or soago. The widow of this son is now living with her father- in-law.”? “‘And here comes Patsy,’’ said Nick, as the latter, in his usual tempestuous way, caine bursting into the room. “Did : you run down your man, Patsy?” “Didn’t I, though. He landed two days ago from the French steamer La — full Gascogne. Came ashore under the weather, — and has been keeping close to his room at the Brevoort House ever since.’? ‘(What name did he use?’”. ““Giles Barremore,” ““Humph! Well, had he lived till this — morning, he might have been interested in reading this.” = Nick pointed to the Herald personal signed L. Z. Patsy and Chick both read it. “Wonder wlio ‘L. Z.’ is, Nick?” said . Chick. “Don’t know, but I’m dead anxious to find out and make that person’s acquaint- When I do, I'll strike something big, for nothing short of thousands would ance. = ? have induced Casimer Kane, otherwise Giles Barremore, to return to America.”’ ‘(A gentleman wishes to see you, Mr. Carter,’’ said a servant, at this moment, _ _entering from the hall. “What name did he give, John?” “None, sir; said he was a stranger to ou.” “Show him in here, John. sight, boys.’’ Out of . * ; Chick and Patsy at once igideety bess hind some curtains, whenice they could see _ and lear all which might take place i : tween Nick and his. visitor. The latter was soon ushered into the detective’s presence. He was a young man, with close:cropped, fair hair, and a G yellow beard, which covered his — _entire face. ‘You are Mr. Carter, the detective, I. presume ?’’ he said, before Nick could ee a word of greeting. © “Yes; and to whom have I the honor of speaking ?””
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+ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “One who has come back from the dead,’? was the queer reply. “(Indeed !”’ , ‘(One who has been buried and experi- enced the novelty of the resurrection.” “And one who. talks like a lunatic,’ coolly responded Nick, without, taking his eyes off his visitor. “No doubt of it,’” was the quick reply. “Nine men out of every ten would be a gibbering maniac had they gone through with what I have within’ the last year.”’ ‘. Perhaps you will be good enough to Ce eS S ‘ tell me your name before you go further into personal experience.”’ ‘With pleasure. My name is Brandt Luddington.”’ CHAPTER II. BACK FROM THE GRAVE. 3 Nick Carter stared steadily at his visi- eit tor for nearly a minute after the latter Then he invited _ aninounced his name. the young man to be seated, “T see you have considerable to tell -me,’’ said the detective, as Luddington accepted the proffered chair. ‘You are the subject of strange adventures ?”’ ~~. “So strange that I shall perhaps stagger your belief in the truth of what I will tell you, Mr. Carter.’’ ; “We shall see. But you paves! t sought ‘me out for the mere pleasure of relating PORE te -. your adventures, I presume?” ~~ Certainly not. _ professional services.’’ “No what end ?”’ “To discover, if you cau, who plotted ie for my death, and what object my would- be murderers had, or have, in view. Ayres, South America. I came to engage your - _died from poison self- administered. The universal belief that my body now lies under a foreign sod thousands of miles away, food for worms, ought to make your work the easier.” - | “Who knows that you are alive?” ‘No one who knew me as Brandt Lud- € Ee eee a ” dington ‘‘Not even your father??? o “Especially not he.’” = ‘Suppose you put your story in as e- precise form as possible, Mr. Ludding- ton?” | ' “Twill try,’? was the ready response, as the young man os a cigar from Nick. Having lighted it, he related the {ol lowing: obs “Tt am my father’s only child, aes herit from my dead: smother a fortune of nearly a million dollars. = ; ‘“Three years ago I concluded to takea trip around the world until I became tired of the life. programme, I started out... Without any settled . route or’ “T have two fads, which, with my in- come, I was enabled to gratify, as I went — from place to place. One is painting, the | other writing romance. . ‘Thirteen months ago I was” in sStienos “There J spent some time painting and writing, fs “While I was there I died, or wae SuD- : posed to have died. = “They said I cominitted suicide, - essay 2 . “*T was found lifeles ss in my studio one » morning, with an empty vial which had 4 5 held poison on the floor at my side. ith ‘There was evidence enough, it seen a for the authorities to decide that Thad So, without making: much nee over | it, gsc! oe Daa ;
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Be “Buried 2” echoed Nick. “Buried. That’s it. Put under the ground. I told you-in the start that I would startle you and try your credulity - sorely. Yes, sir, they buried me, and had it not been for the professional zeal of two medical students, I should now be rotting beneath six feet of South Ameri- can earth. ’? ‘“They dug you up?”’ “Thank God, yes! My body seemed to But the first totich of the cold steel in my them a good subject for dissection. nerves arotised my suspended animation. They were horrified to find life in the ‘With the true instincts of doctors, the corpse. two men set to work, and in time brought me back to life. Then they were between the devil and the deep sea. ‘In Buenos Ayres grave robbing is a crime which is punished severely. They appealed to me to shield them. I could not do otherwise, since 1 owed them my _ life. “Without betraying their secret, I left Buenos Ayres under an assumed name, taking passage in a ship for England. “‘On the voyage across the Atlantic the ~ vessel was wrecked. We were rescued by _aship bound for Australia, and carried to that place. ‘“‘The spirit Of adventure was. still strong in me, and I concluded to try roughing it for a while as a man without an income. “But soon tired ‘of that and concluded ‘to return to New York and to the enjoy- ment of my fortune. uy arrived yesterday, and went to my _ father’s office on Broadway. : ‘s “He wasn’t in, and I soon dissoveret that his clerks didn’t know me. “After all, I should not have been sur- prised at it, for my appearance had been zB wholly changed after I left Buenos Ayres. “Up to that time I wore no beard or mustache, and ny hair grew long, falling almost to my shoulders. “On board ship bound to Australia I _ never shaved. ‘The result was this heavy beard, which pleased™ine so well I’ve never removed. But too much hair had a tendency to make me over conspicuous. © Therefore I cut my hair close. ‘“The result is to almost absolutely dis- guise ine, so that my most intimate sen will not know me. “While talking to my father’s clerks, I~ learned that hisson Brandt had died more * than a year ago in South America, and _ Inurderer.”’ was buried there. “Also, that his widow, whom he mar- ried at Buenos Ayres, had come on, and is now living with my father in Hiltye seventh street. ‘“That was the startling piece of news, — Mr. Carter, which induced. me to leave the office before my father could return, and which now brings me to seek your services. ’’ “Do you mean that this professed widow of yours is afraud, Mr. gees ton ?’? asked Nick. ‘fA fraud, and probably more.’’ “Humph! ¥ ‘The supposed successful attempt upon — | my life and the appearance of this false _ claimant looks as if she is the doubly — guilty party.” 2 “Don’t you know who shee is?” re 4 ogee a iar a You mean your would- ses ba
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- 6 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “No. I’ve neither seen her nor know “I believe you “are righty Mr. Carter. what she-looks like. ”’ There is something of a very deep nature “But do you not suspect who she may. going on beneath iy father’s roof. The. be???’ sooner we nip it the better, ’’ “Not in the slightest. I’ve cudgeled ‘“‘Let us not spoil everything by too my brains, and recalled every woman I much haste,’’ cautioned Nick. ‘‘A plot ‘met in Buenos Ayres, without remember- of that daring nature and stupendous pro- ing one who could be imade to answer.’’ portions cannot be compassed by a single ‘Flas it occurred to you, Mr. Ludding- move of the hand of the law. ‘That wo- ton, that whoeveg.the woman is, she came. man is not alone in her work, depend well prepared for the role she is playing?’” -upon it. We must reach her accomplices (OR) 2? when we get ready to take herin.’’ / © “Your father is a lawyer. He would “What would you do first?” not be easily satisfied by a poorly trumped- ‘Rind out who she is, of course, Vou — upelaim, Without knowing differently, had acquaintances in Buenos Ayres, I pre- _ Ishould say he would take steps to satisfy sume?’’ . 5 rae ooh himself as to whether or not his pretended “Very few. The American Poitsul al daughter-in-law’s claims were just. I became quite intimate, and T under- - ‘A year has elapsed since your sup- ‘stand he had me decently buried and sent posed death—more than enough time for my effects to New York.” the prosecution of whatever investigation” ‘‘But there were others??? * 3 he might want to make. oe “Only passing acquaintances, with “Phe fact that she is still under his oue exception. . Nearly ball Cie finie I was roof indicates that he believes her claimis in Buenos Ayres I was busy writing a to be just. novel and painting a picture In painting : “As your widow, this woman would the picture I had two models, who sat be entitled, by law, to one-third of your for me alternately—a man and a woman. - private fortune, which would ‘be several Those two were the only persons who ever hundred thousands of dollars. _ entered my apartments, except my land- ‘Without knowing, I will venture the Jady.”’ "prediction that she is s playing for a higher ‘And what of them ?” * tate? _ “The woman is dead, ‘The man rather me “What?” . pleased me, and I took a fancy to him. I ‘*Your entire fortune, perhaps. You ‘don’t know what became of him.”? * say your father is himself a rich man: “What was his name?’ ms : “Therefore it seems natural that he ‘‘Giles Barremore.’? : might be induced to make over to his Nick did not show the slightest mark z son’s widow all that son’s fortune, espe- of surprise. at.this name, though it was. _ cially as the son received it from his the same which Patsy reported was used — ~» mother.” by the man who lay dead at Bellevue ; = Pusding pidod up suddenly. : Hospital. eat *
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. The detective, not an hour before, in speaking to Chick and Patsy, had said: “Nothing have induced Gasimer Kane, otherwise short of thousands would Giles Barremore, to return to America.’’ And now he knew that it was a plot for thousands which did bring him back. The directions in the dead man’s hat indicated that in case of sudden death he wanted some one at Luddington’s resi- dence to know it. That some one could be none-other but the pretended widow. Was she the L. Z. of the personal? CHAPTER TII. TWO FACES IN A PICTURE, Without indicating in any manner the interest he was taking in Luddington’s narrative, Nick Carter continued to ask . - questions. ‘‘What became of your effects, Mr.. Luddington, after you, as was supposed, died at Buenos Ayres ?”’ “T presume they were sent to my father by the United States Consul. a chance to I never had inquire, but I’m_ positive some of York.” ““Why are you positive?’ my traps were sent to New “*Because r saw one of my Buenos Ayres belongings i in this city yesterday.”’ Tn your father’s office??? Nes? ‘“What was it?” ‘“The picture which I was painting at the time.”’ ; “Painted from your two models?” MSs, but——” “One » moment. You told me your male model was this Giles Barremore, of whom you spoke. Is his face, then, on es can- 7 vas?” “It was when I last touched Hee ture. It is not now. I was about to speak of that fact when you interrupted me. = “Then goon. Vl hear what you have to tell of the picture.” ~ » “Well, I recognized the canvas, and the entire picture as soon as I saw it—all except the two faces.”’ ‘“The two faces?” ‘Ves, “sir. mddels, and roughly substituted others in their places. ’’ ‘Did you ever see faces like the substi- tutes ?”? ‘‘None like the face of the woman. But the features put in place of Barre- more’s were very familiar, and gave mea great surprise, ”’ “Indeed!” “They wete my own.’ If Luddington expected Nick to show surprise at this information he was disap- pointed. His next question led away from the main subject, it seemed. ‘““Who saw this picture while you were painting it?” “No one'except the two models and the — woman who cared for my room.’ ‘What was her name??? ‘‘Loloa Zonetta.’” “Young?” ‘‘Middle-aged.”’ Nick picked up the Herald from the table and showed Luddington the personal _ ; which had povaie his sans an he ; before. Some one had erased the. faces, or rather the features of both my — ee has this to do with the case? a aeietRcats M35 =.
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asked the young man, reading the adver- tiseinent a second time, ‘It is signed L. Z.” Trigg? ‘The initials of the woman who cared for your rooms in Buenos Ayres. " “Hal! Loloa Zonetta.”’ “Toloa Zonetta; yes.” LOW O:1s °C. o eae “Casimer Kane, her confederate.’ “T never heard of him.’’ “Not by that naine, . Gilés Barremore.”’ “Great Scott! Are they both in New . York ?”? “Ves, ‘Where? Do you know???’ “Not where Zonetta is. You knew him as her by means of that personal. my hands on your man, Barremore,”’ ‘Where is he?” = “11 tell you later.’’ T can lay “But the woman who is in my father’s house as my widow; can she be Loloa Zonetta?”? Nick smiled. “Not by a jugful. I think you'll find . that interesting person to bea, younger and more attractive woman when you see her. You will doubtless retognize her . instantly, too.” “Recognize her? Why ?”’ “By her resemblance to her picture. ’’ Luddington’s jaw dropped as he gazed hard at the detective. truth was dawning on his mind. Something of the ‘The face substituted in my painting ?”’ “The same. There was method in the - substitution of those faces, yours and hers. Don’t you see? Proof of the marriage. é Besides, Casimer Kane, or Giles Barre- = SF Sp alt We may find’ nor yet from Loloa Zonetta. ote ae NICK CARTHR WEEKLY. more, would never have let his picture be sent to the United States if he could have helped it.”” “But I never saw the original of that picture in my life.’ “Well, you will see it when you meet your widow.”’ Nick laughed, but enews began to show indignation. “Tet us denounce her at once,’’- he ex- claimed, striding across the room. ‘“‘And give everybody else in the plot a chance to escape? No! no! If we are to” gather in the whole outfit we must move carefully.’ oe ‘“That personal, as you say, ought to- trap the woman Zonetta.’’ : ‘Perhaps. Then to get*the rest ——”” ‘“TMhe rest? How do you know there are others except Barremore?”’ ““She had help in deceiving your father. The help did not come from Barremore, "There are others, and I’m going to bag the whole — set, if you’ll aid me with your patience’? “Oh, Pil do that. Since waiting this long, Ican wait longer. What am I to do?’ pat see “Go to your hotel and stay there, with- out changing your appearance, where I can see you whenever it is necessary. — Leave the rest to me.” “Dm at your service, Mr. Carter. don’t let my widow escape you.”’ ‘‘Leave that to me. Remain about your hotel for the rest of the day; I may want | to see you this afternoon.” But When young Luddington. was gone, Chick and Patsy came from behind the” : curtains and sat down with Nick to talk - over the strange chain of circumstances —
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ee eae which had been woven by three incidents: Nick’s summons to Bellevue, the Herald - personal and the visit of the man who had been buried. ‘‘Ym going to take hold of this case and work it from the ground up,’’ said Nick, who at oncé outlined his plans to his assistants. ‘“‘T shall need the help of” dae geld he. ‘Tell her to stay here in the house and be ready for orders, Chick. Pack a case of make-up material, and fetch it to me at the Everett House about four o’clock this afternoon.” “Tts a daring plan, Nick; Said Chick, shaking his head doubtingly. ‘It will take a daring plan to round up that gang without losing a trick,” -was the reply. CHAPTER IV. NICK CARTER’S BOLD MOVE. About two o’clock on the afternoon of the same day a smooth-faced man, appar- ently fifty years of age, and well dressed, called at the Everett House and sent his card to Walter Graham, Room 402.. The card bore the name and address of : WILBUR LUDDINGTON, Attorney at Law, 246 Broadway. The boy who took his card returned immediately with the reply that Mr. Luddington was to go right up to Room 402. Se man, with long white hair, attired in black, and having the appearance of a Minister of the gospel. You sent me this, T believe?’ said guise. sae Paseo Luddington, handing a-letter to Graham, oo no other than Nick Carter in a new dis- 2 The latter glanced at the note; iiiee merely said : ee Ar hy Stine, “T met your son Brandt, and supposing you might like to hear something about — him previous to the unfortunate ending at Buenos Ayres, I drop you these few lines to say that I will be in my room at the Everett House till four o’clock this afternoon. If you will call, I may give you that which will be news concerning © your son. WALTER GRAHAM.’? “Ves, I sent this note to you. Will you be seated, Mr. Luddington ?”? “You met my unfortunate son in South America, then, Mr. Graham?’ said the lawyer, showing great interest, as he sank into the proffered seat. ; rf BO Ate “J probably knew more about his : doings while there than any other person oe save himself.”? his widow.” The lawyer found the occupant of © : Room 402 to be an elderly-appearing The lawyer did not aGicarpt to conceal his growing interest in what NMiciwig “4 saying.
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3 ‘without the 10 “Has she been put ‘into possession of your son’s fortune?’ ‘Not all of it. Iam making a final set- tlement, sen turn it all over to a bed in” a few weeks.’ “Being a lawyer, Mr. Luddington, I suppose you would not take such a step strongest proofs of her claims?’ é : ‘“‘Certainly not. I don’t know how they I confess my but they could be much stronger. suspicions were great at first, were all finally dissipated.’ “Would you mind telling me what the proofs were ?’’ - “Pirst may I demand that you tell me why I should putsuch confidence in you, ~ a stranger ?”’ ‘‘Because I am the best enc your son had, next to yourself, and because I am here to prove to you conclusively that the ‘woman who represents herself as your son’s widow is an arratit fraud.” The lawyer sprang to his feet m amaze- ment. “You mean it?” he gasped. ““Byery word of it. Ifyou will tell me how she imposed upon you so thoroughly, _TH give you proofs of her perfidy which “you caunot reject or even doubt. * “As I said,’’ replied Luddington, ‘I - yeceived her at first very suspiciously, E ‘though I was somewhat prepared for some- ve thing of the kind. ‘“’The American Consul at Buenos Ayres “sent to me all the effects which my son ‘deft, Among them was—— 7? “The painting, which isin mondiaelice w Pp y “ interrupted Nick. “You've seen it?’’ asked the lawyer, in suepct NICK CARTER WEEKLY.. “Ive heard of it. Her face and his are on the canvas ?”’ VES? ‘““Those faces are not the work of your son’s brush, Mr. Luddington.”’ BAD Dive das “Somebody, between the time of his’ 7 death and the discovery of his body, got into his studio, erased the features of the ‘man and woman who had been his models, and substituted those of himself and this pretended widow.” * ‘“‘But this seems incredible!’ “Do not the faces on the painting sug- gest such hasty work ?”” ? “Perhaps. The faces are crudely done, ‘ but I presumed res were unfinished— merely sketched_in. “Humph! Is that picture your only proof ?”” ‘ There was a letter left by him for me, acknowledging a secret ‘“By no means. matriage, confessing his disgust with life, announcing his intended suicide, and re- questing me to see that his widow got what was her due as such.’ Nick showed unusual interest in this part of the lawyer’s statement. “She produced such a letter ?”’ “No; it was sent by the consul with his other effects. I got it weeks before she The letter was upon the table be- caine. side which the body was found.” ‘CA forgery, I suppose. ’’ rE ‘No, I had experts examine it. writing was my son’s.’? ‘Signed ??? “No; a signature was not necessary. Sy “Did it name the girl hehad married ? Bee. \ (CNTo, ” “What other proof have you??? a ahi are The
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Sie ‘‘Her marriage certificate. ’’ ‘She produced such a document ?”’ “Ves, and has it still, showing her marriage to Brandt Luddington, a month before my son’s death.’’ “But you didn’t stop at that?” **No. and pretended to accept her as she offered While I took her into my house herself, I secretly sent an envoy to Buenos Ayres to look up all the particulars offi- cially.”? : *‘And he reported?” ‘He reported everything to be as she represented, even to the return of an officially certified copy of the marriage record.”? “Who was your agent?” ‘‘My nephew, Philip Ferguson.”’ ‘“Where is he??? “Here in New Vork. He lives with me,’’ Nick seemed to give himself- up to He was in- terrupted by Luddington, who said: thought for a few moments. “Perhaps it is you, sit, who have been od deceived.’’ ‘““That is impossible, as I shall soon convince you.”’ “ ‘“How?? 7 “By bringing you face to face with your son’s most intimate friend,’ Nick walked to a door connecting with an adjoining room, opened it, and Brandt Luddington walked into his father’s pres- ence. $ The latter was plainly startled when Brandt stepped into the room, but a direct ‘ fecognition on his part was not the result | of the meeting. “This young man,” said Nick, ‘‘brings you startling news. Can you stand the ‘best kind of news, Mr. Luddington ?’” aa “J—J—think so. What do you mean? My son—Brandt——’’ “Did not die at Buenos Ayres, as re- ported, we have every reason to believe,” Luddington never took his eyes from the young man as he fairly gasped : “Did not die! Why, what are you tell- ing me??? , % “Only that this young man saw him— was with him afterward. Has been with ~* him very lately, indeed, this very day.” The lawyer’s eyes fairly burned into the young man’s face, and his breath was coming fast, while his face grew deadly pale. . Brandt’s countenance began to beam with a tell-tale smile. a “Is it possible, Mr. Luddington, that you do not know your own son?” That was all which was needed to com- plete the revelation. Father and son were instantly in each other’s armis. — Half an hour’s time was necessary to bring the situation to a calm, deliberative basis. Then the lawyer had to be in- formed of a good deal which has already _ been told. Healso learned that the pseudo Graham was Nick Carter, the celebrated detective. | *‘Now,”? said Nick, after father and son. = gave him a chance to go on with facts ii the case, ‘‘I want to know about that sup- posed letter to your father.” “I saw through that the moment I~ overheard father tell you about it. For — E once the experts were right. I wrote it.”’ “*You wrote it?” ‘Yes, It was two pages from the nove! on which I was engaged when I met wi . - eae 5 hee . =) oe DAS =
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12 that accident. Though I had no inten- tion of committing suicide, I fashioned my hero after myself, and the heroine after the lady who had been my model. ‘This letter was on two separate sheets, and could easily be detached from the test of the manuscript. By the way, father, was not the entire novel sent you??? “T saw none of it—except those two sheets. ’” “eT he test of the manuscript was destroyed -by “Of course not,’’? observed Nick. b) the same persons who plotted so well. There is one point which is not so plain, -however,’’ said Nick. ‘“‘How could Philip Ferguson get a certified copy of a mar- riage return when there was no marriage return to be certified ?”’ Brandt flushed perceptibly at. these words, but answered, promptly: ‘I think 1 can explain that, too. I was married in Buenos Ayres. ’’ “What?” cried the elder Luddington. “It was a sectet marriage to the lady who was my model, Madeline Parker. uy “Where is she?”? “) “Poor gitl! She died suddenly of heart disease soon after she heard I was dead.”’ ‘You're sure she died ?”’ asked’ Nick. ‘‘T satisfied myself on that point before I secretly left Buenos. Ayres. She was. almost alone in the city. My marriage to her was, I confess, a mistake, and 1 didn’t grieve over her death as I shoes per- - haps.” “But the certificate which this woman brought to. me, as well as the certified “copy” ‘which Philip fetched back, bears the name of Lucille Zonetta,”’ said the- ~ tive. NICK CARTER WEEKLY: Nick and the son ~ both uttered-the ex- clamation at once. : “(Lucille Zonetta;’? muttered the detec- took care of your apartments, no doubt. It is all coming out clearly.” ‘“Then, after all, that personal signed L. Z,.may have been inserted by the daughter, and the mother, Loloa, may not be in New York,’’ suggested Brandt. “J believe they are both here, others with them. hat certified marriage certificate has significance because it is fraudulent on its face,’’ ‘What does that signify??? asked the lawyer: 8 “Tt means that your nephew has either been deceived or has deceived you, Mr. Luddington.”’ “‘Good heavens! What a nest of vipers I’ve been living among these last months. I cannot ae myself to go into their presence. ”’ “Vou must not go near them.’” ~“But my absence may alarm them. She may get away and take the money which I have already turned over to her.” “DPI look after that. Mr. Luddington, could you trust your house and household _ to me for a few days?” ‘‘T— what do you mean?”’ “With your permission, I’m going to impersonate you. while you eee out of - the way.’’ At that moment Chick apenas with a a huge hand- trunk. Both Luddington and his son pee in amazement as the detective opened the hand-trunk, ands began | to assume a make- : and ‘Daughter of Loloa Zonetta, who .
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him into such a close double of the fawyes that it looked like magic. ie ‘‘Now, if you’ll exchange clothes with ; the,’’ said Nick, ‘‘I guess TJ] do as Wil- _ bur Luddington, the lawyer.” And if I don’t get pretty well acquainted with the widow of Brandt Luddington and her select circle of friends, it will not be for want of opportunity. ”’ Father and son were amazed at the - boldness of the detective’s scheme, and doubted Nick’s ability to carry it out, neither offered serious objec- while both tion to its trial. For an hour or more, Nick questioned Luddington rapidly on scores of subjects, so as to inform himself on matters with which he would undoubtedly be con- fronted in his bold undertaking.’ ' Among other things, he secured a clever understanding of the interior of the Luddington residence. And at about eight o’clock that evening the counterfeit Wilbur Luddington ad- mitted himself to No. — West Fifty- seventh street, while the real owner of the house was in possession of a suite of rooms at the Everett House, in company ~ with his son, who had come back from the dead, as it were. © —_— ‘CHAPTER V. AN INTERVIEW IN THE DARK. Nick Carter, in his disguise as Lawyer . Luddington, passed directly up-stairs and entered the owner’s private room, all of “which he was able to do without hesita- tion, by means of the directions he had taken of the interior of the residence. — “> A servant appeared almost as soon as he ioe entered the room. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 13 “Dinner has been waiting for you, sir,”’ said the man, who was evidently the but- ler. : “T have dined,” he replied, in a voice exactly like that of Luddington. ‘‘Have the rest been waiting?” | “No, sir. Mr. Philip did not come in, and Madame. Lucille was served at the usual hour.”’ ‘*Where is Lucille??? ‘In her room, I think.’ ‘“Send her to me.’’ ~ Hetes Sine ; “Yes, I am not feeling very well, tell her.’? The man departed, and Nick sat down neat the window, so as to #put his face partly in the deep shadows. ‘The gas had not been lighted, and Nick did not intend that it should be, at least until he had held his interview with the pearenced widow. ; Ten minutes passed before Lucille made her appearance. She opened the door softly, and crossed the threshold, evi- dently surprised to find the room dark. ‘Are syou here, Mr. Luddington?” came her words, in a voice which was beautifully modulated and sweet, as she hesitated and peered into the darkness. - “Come in and take this chair,’? was Nick’s reply, pushing a chair toward her which he had selected for the purpose. She left the door from the hall open, and, advancing, sank into the chair he had placed for her, “Why do- you, ‘sit. in sake dark ?”” she queried. “IT came in ‘tired, and with a slight headache, I am going to netize Pee b
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14 before I go to bed’I havesomething to say to you.”’ ‘If it is to urge me to decide whether I will marry you or not, do not. press me for an answer to-night. Give me one week, and I will say pasiuey then what nmry decision is.’? This reply fairly stunned Nick, and was g revelation he was not prepared for. So the elder Luddington had become infatuated with his son’s supposed widow and had been pressing his suit. The lawyer had nof confessed his folly, either. He probably was very glad of his lucky escape,after he heard the story of the young worvan’s crime, but had not the courage to acknowledge his weakness. “Tt is not that I do not esteem you most highly, Mr. Luddington,’’ she con- “Tn- and I’ve no doubt tinued, when he made no response, deed, I do like you, could easily learn to love’ you as a true wife should, especially as you are dear Brandt's . father. ; things confronting me which I want cleared away first’ Then I'll reply at, once and definitely.’’ \ ‘What are these things which stand in But there are ~ several the -way of your answer now?’” Nick jasked. _ “J will tell you at the end of a week, whatever my answer is, Please don’t ask ‘me to tell you before, for I cannot.’? “Nothing dishonorable ?”’ es °tNo. ? re hen -a week let it be. : i away to-morrow night. Ina week I will return for my answer. While I am ete pe a ne a visitor in the a ee I am going . NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “Yes; a young woman like yourself,’ “Who is she??? ‘“Her name is the same as ny own— Madeline Luddington. ee ‘Madeline Luddington ?’ The words came almost in a gasp. “She is the Widow of a distant relative ‘of the same name. Iam going to look up some business for her in New Orleans, — and while I am gone I have invited her to stay here. She will come around from the hotel to-morrow.’’ Nick hesitated a little, to. give her a ¥ Sere ts poi A chance to say something, but she sat — mute, and he went on: “She knows nothing of my family affairs, but in a moment of tecklessness Tes gave her, to understand that I am mat- ried, and that she would be my wife’s - “f SUES 5 Sees “Your wife’s guest?” ‘*T confess I wanted to make bet behese you are amy wife. It will do no harm. When. Tt return she will leave at once. Will you humor my whim in this instance aud keep up the deception ?”’ po “You have cause for it??” ‘Perhaps I have.”? ‘What is it?” “T will tell you when I come back, pe eer will be easy to get the servant to aid us in the little masquerade. ”’ , “And Philip!” ‘Philip must fall in with the plan, too. He might amuse himself by making love | to the widow—she’s pretty.’ Lucille gave a gasp, which was not one - oe this eS It was a soaae of
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iow NICK CARTER WEEKLY. - “Aha! he thought. ‘“The wind blows that way! I thought so.” “Is it a bargain?’ he asked, ‘Yes, I suppose so.’’ ‘(Where is Philip?’’ ‘(He has gone to Boston.”? “When will he be back ?”? ‘“To-morrow night.” ‘Then Dll not see him till I come back from New Orleans. You mustinform him. about Madeline. Now I think I’ll ask you to excuse me. I’m going to retire, and be off to the office before you are up to-mor- row. He held out his hand, which she barely Then she said good-night and So Pll say good-by now.’? touched. swept from the room without another word. Nick locked his door, but instead of going to bed, he sat smoking cigar after cigar in the dark, till nearly midnight, with no company but his thoughts. When he at last undressed and went to . bed, he said to himself: ‘‘Well, if Ida don’t have some fun with that woman, I shall miss my mark.” , Before any of the servants were awake in the house next morning, Nick arose, dressed and left his room quietly, being careful to leave the room door open. Then noise, and left the house. he went down-stairs without He turned up at his own house in time for breakfast, after which he had a half U of . . hour’s earnest conversation with his young ‘lady assistant, Ida Jones, when he finally asked: “Do you think you can carry it all out pee She replied, without hesitation : 15 “J am sure I can. I should like deine ey better than to try.’ ‘““Then success to you.’? In the hall he met Chick, and gave a few words of instruction to him, after which he went down sata the Jawyer’s office. . seh = He passed through the main room and merely nodded to ‘the two clerks, who returned the salutation without showing the least suspicion that it was not the real Luddington to whom they spoke. He passed on into the private office, and proceeded to make himself at home. Scarcely had he seated himself at the 4 jawyer’s desk when one of the clerks stuck his head in through the door and said: ‘“May berry Brotiexs: have telephoned to ask when you will be able to examine into the title of that Fourteenth street property for them.”? ; ‘Tell them I ain called to New Orleans’ on important business to-night, and it will have to be postponed till I come back,’’ said Nick, and the clerk with-— drew. o “‘T can’t stay here longer than to estab- lish the fact that the lawyer was at the . office, or I’ll run against a legal snag that will wreck me. I’]]——”’ x He was interrupted by the door open- ing, and a woman entering without being - “announced. He knew her as soon as his eyes met her face. = It was the saine face which appeared in the picture which hung on the wall above . the desk; the picture which came from Buenos Ayres. ; 5 It was Lucille Luddington, or the woman who called herself by that name, _
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CHAPTER VI. WHAT HAPPENED TO IDA. This unexpected appearance of the swindler-in petticoats would have discom- posed almost any man in Nick Cartet’s peculiar predicament except the great detective himself. It was the last thing in the world he would have asked to happen just then, for he realized that if anybody could pene- trate his disguise it would be this woman, who had seen him the night before ina dim light; but now had daylight to aid her. Still, he was not disconcerted, though he realized thatgif he could pass through this interview with her unsuspected, it might result to his gain, for she certainly had a well-defined object in making this ~ unexpected call. , : Without showing surprise at her en- trance, Nick said: ‘“‘Ah, good-morning, Lucille. am. I. indebted for this early call? Take ee this seat.’’ Nick arose from the chair at his desk “and. motioned her toward it, She sat down and. Nick Btoord before her. “The adventuress attempted S scan his * face with a look which convineed Nick * that she was not altogether satisfied of her . - ground. But his glance into her face was so steady that it seemed to either drown her ‘remote suspicions or confuse her, for she soon dropped her eyes. _ Nick was aware that the only way she could detect the deception of his make-up would be either by some betraying words or by aslight difference in the color of his and Luddington’s eyes. He, however, stood so that direct light would not strike his face, and he meant to . be guarded in everything he said to her. “T came down to see you before you “f should leave for New Orleans,’’ she said, e“end: also to make a proposition.» Ae Rete 16 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. To what -eash before the close of banking hours “J aim ready to hear the brope=ae ae said Nick. ‘‘What is it?” : “Yast night I told you I could not give> my answer about marrying you in less than a week. I have changed my mind.’’ ~ She suddenly looked upand met Nick’s) gaze. “Changed your mind?” he replied, without showing any excitement, “FRavor- ably to me?”’ : “I. will give my answer now eet you goaway. I will aay you on two conditions. “One is that the marriage takes plane: right away, to-day. The other is that be- ~ fore you ask me to take the marriage vows, ot immediately afterward, you place in my hands the entire portion of your late son Say. dead husband’ s—. : property.’? : io ‘But I can’t do that. It is not in — power to convey the property so bei as you should know.”’ = ‘Not the property,” she replied, “but its equivalent. You have given me my — widow’s third, one hundred thousand dol- lars. There are two hundred thousand — dollars left. You can command that much to-day, for you are rich. I will quit claim ta all rights to your son’s estate sss sac oe do so.”’ Nick seemed to ponder over the propo- sition, and she watched him from beneath” s her eyelashes. . é 5 “I am not in a condition to do it, Du. Ey cille—not now. I have promised to go ‘to. cs New Orleans, and cannot honorably get — out of it, But if you’ll leave the proposi- ~~ tion open till I come back and give me — two or three days to raise the two hun- | dred thousand dollars, 11] accent salman offer. ’? She did not seem to be very much dis= appointed with the reply. : je “That means oe teas ten days? Lae
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‘Just about.’ “All right. It simplifies matters at— the house, too. I can the better pass as your wife to this Mrs. Luddington, since I so soon shall be. It is a bargain then?’ ‘ ‘Ves, ” “(Well, I'll say good-by. Don’t consider me bold if I say it as should your prom-_ ised wife.’ - Before Nick fairly realized what she meant, she came quickly up, kissed him, - and turning, left the office. “I can’t make out. whether she sus- pects or not,’? he muttered, as the door closed and he pulled himself together. “Tf she did she might easily have satisfied herself by a tug of my wig or false eye- brows, “Pll go none and find out where she goes from here.’ Bidding his clerks look well after the affairs of the office, and tell all clients he “would be back ina week, Nick left the! building, ostensibly to get ready for his New Orleans trip, but really to go to his home and change his disguise, so as to impersonate another important character. Before he had accomplished the change Chick came in on him. “She went right back to the house, ’’ said Chick, before Nick could ask a ques- tion. ‘‘Patsy says she stopped nowhere on the way.”’ ‘ “And is there now ?”’ Ves, ) ‘‘How about Ida?’ “You mean Mrs. Madeline Ludding- ton?’ laughed Chick. “Oh, ‘She has just taken a carriage and gone to Ludding- ton’s house, too. You should have seen the style in which the New Orleans widow is gotten up, Nick.’’ ‘Well, she’ll soon bring the Buenos ‘Ayres widow to bay,’ smilingly answered _ Nick, as he went on with his make-up. Chick watched him carefully a while Mbcfore he said: | NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 17— “That's simiebade alse Se are coun- terfeiting, Nick?’ “Right you are, lad.’’ ‘*Anyone I know???’ ‘Guess you never met him. But I used to know him as I knew my brother.”’ “Who ??? ‘*Casimer Kane.’’ “The fellow lying dead at Bellevue state “Hum!” ‘As he’d really look without the dis. guise he wore when he was taken to = hospital ?”’ Phat’ s at22 “What do you. eae to ag: as his double?” “Going to call on the moe from Buenos Ayres.’’ ‘‘Nick, you are playing it high.” ‘Have to, my boy. Ida will work her up till I get there, and as Casimer Kane Vil bring on the climax. When we get through with her she’ll be ready to turn — her confederates over into our hands, whether willing or not. Is Patsy on guard ?”? “Yes. No one can go in or out of the | Luddington house without being seen by him.”? “Good. two hours. that time. ’’ When’ Nick Carter, in n the gitise @ of the great criminal, Casimer Kane, entered I’m going to tak@a nap for | Have me called at the end of the house of Lawyer Luddington that ~ afternoon he inquired for Mrs. Ludding- ton, and sent up a card on which was written ‘‘C. K., Buenos Ayres.”? The servant who took it had not been — up-stairs a moment until she came flying — down again in a terrible state of fright. Nick rushed out into the hall and met — the frightened maid at the foot of the ii steps. i ‘“What is the matter?” he said, seizing her by the shoulder and checking her’ wild flight. . “«J_—T—don’t know,’’ she chattered. Pe
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18 “But Madame Lucille is not in her room, ~ and——”’ “Well?’? urged Nick, giving her a shake as she stopped to shudder. ‘There’s a strange woman, half-dressed; lying on the floor—oh, Lord! I guess she’s dead !”” Nick let go of the girl’s shoulder, and — went flying up-stairs, three steps at a leap, muttering: “Tt's Ida. ‘I'he she-devil someliow has outwitted her. ’’ He made his way to the door of a rear room on the secotid floor, which he knew to be that occupied by the false widow. . The sight which greeted him as he. passed the threshold was not wholly a surprise. Ida lay stretched upon the floor, but not dead. She lay on her Suit and both eyes’were wide open. Her outside clothes had been Seteae from her person. Both arms and ankles were securely bound, and a gag was in her mouth. Nick lost no time in releasing her. - As Ida got up, rubbing her mouth with one hand _ Nick asked : “What does this mean, Ida?” |. She recognized his voice, and giving “him a glance of expressive satisfaction, replied : “It means that I am a blockhead, I am afraid.’ ‘Where’s your clothes ?’’ “Last I saw of them my hostess had them on going out of that door.” . Nick could not help laughing. “T deserve it,’’ said Ida. “But, Nick, that woman is my game. Tf you don’t leave her to me, I shall feel like resigning my position as your assist- amitie? pas “All tight, Ida. She shall be your mark. ‘{here come the servants. You borrow some of Mrs. Luddington’s clothes and looking very sheepish, NICK CARTER WEEKLY. in ‘place of those she took from you. keep them quiet, meanwhile. ”? When Nick and Ida left the house they soon realized that some one was following them. It was Patsy, as Nitk knew, “and the detective chuckled. = Ida wore the clothes which the adven- turess had laid aside. Patsy” failed to. recognize Nick in his disguise, and he thought he was on a hot trail. ae To the amusement of Nick and Ida, and to Patsy’s complete confusion, the — fe Dug ae them to Nick’s own —— . “qe “guiess" the Sans is going to give themselves up, or I’m a guy from Guy- town,’’ muttered Patsy, as he followed his game into Nick Carter’s library, where he was chagrined to realize how he had been taken in and had let the swindler in’ etticoats walk away from before his eyes — dressed in Ida’s clothes. CHAPTER VIL = WOMAN AGAINST WOMAN. This is what occurred when Ida went _to Lawyer-Luddington’s house. She sent up her card, ‘‘Mrs. Madeline Luddington,’’ to ‘‘the lady of the house.’ Lucille came down herself and greeted : . Ida most graciously. “My husband told me you were com-. ing, but the servants have not yet com- pleted the preparation of your, rooms. Will you not come with me to my private Sis parlor till they are ready ?”’ Ida followed her intended victim: up- stairs to the room where Nick afterward found her. Lucille relieved her of her wraps, aud the two young women ‘sat | down face to face, each eee’ studying the other. =. ‘Your. baggage will be ‘Pong presently, a e I suppose ?”” quetied Lucille. “Oh, yes. Tt will be forwarded froni the short this afternoon. ape
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “ae ‘‘Vou will stay a week, I believe.” Ida elevated her eyebrows and replied: ‘“A week? Why, I expect to make Mr. Luddington’s house my home.’ “Oh, do you?’’ was the rather uncon- cerned response. ‘‘My husband said you would be here only a week. You’re re- lated to him, I think he said—distantly ?” “‘T ain his daughter-in-law. ”’ Lucille stared at Ida for some seconds; then she said: “Why, I thought he had but one son.”? “So he had, my husband, Brandt Lud- dington, who aed at Buenos Ayres thir- teen months ago.’ “You were with him when ee died, I presume?’ was the cool, unconcerned answer. % Ida stared at this female puzzle before - her and answered : ‘“‘Oh, no. He left me in New Orleans when he went to South America.’’ ‘‘“Vou are from New Orleans, I be- lieve??? “Yes; we were married there. I pre- sume your husband told you why he was going to New Orleaus?’’ ‘(He said he was:called there on busi- ness. I didn’t ask him what it oaaaat caine the bored reply. “Well, you see,’ said Ida, “as his son’s widow, I will get a widow’s share of my husband’s fortune, which your hus- band controls. But before he will pay it over to me he insists on going to New Orleans to investigate our marriage per- sonally. “He would not even erept my mar- _ riage certificate as evidence.’ “Vou showed him your certificate “éE mattiage, then?’ yawned Lucille. “Why, yes. Maybe you’ll not be so ‘hard to convince,’’ said Ida, drawing a paper from the bosom of her dress, and handing it to Lucille. — The latter glanced it over, handed it back, and ‘said: OTg: seems to be all right, ny The document which Ida gave her was really a marriage certificate issued some ~ years before at New Orleans. It was among Nick’s effects when he laid his plan in this case, and by the use- of acids he had removed theoriginal dates and names and written in adate corre- ~~ sponding to a time when Brandt Lud- dington was in New Orleans, and substi- tuted the names of Luddington and Made- line Parker, the girl Brandt married in Buenos Ayres. If the certificate interested the adven- turess, she did tiot show it. ““T heard that Brandt Luddington died in Buenos Ayres,’? she said, as Ida watched her froma corner ofg her eye. ‘‘Hleart disease, I believe ?”’ = “No; they said it was suicide, I’ve found out it was murder.’’ ‘Mercy! How horrible! Murdered ? By whom ?”? “By the woman of whom he rented his room, aud her confederate, a man who . sat for him asamodel. This man went by the name of Barremore down there. His real name was Casimer Kane, and he had fled from New York years ago,’’ “Surprising story. How did you find this out?”’ : “Mr. Luddington told me. , He em- ployed that great detective, Nick Carter, to investigate his son’sdeath. This detec- ~ tive not only discovered that Brandt was _ poisoned, but that the woman who did it” and her confederate, Barremore, are now in New York hiding somewhere.” “I am surprised,’? was Lncille’s an- swer: She was still effecting an uncon- cern. inost natural except. that Ida noticed a slight paleness stealing over her face. . “T am surprised, she said, in even tones, ‘that Mr. Luddington should not have told me OS: and yet confided itto you.” ams si el ate not rr) strange, afer all.-. I. am 2a Brandt's semiant he sigh not 6 ie a
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20 to worry his wife with such unpleasant knowledge.’? ‘‘But he has scarcely acknowledged you as his son’s widow,’’ came the response, to Ida’s small annoyance. “That is so, yet the story is true, I assure you.”’ “TY think your room is ready by this time. Will you go to it?” Ida assented and arose. As she stood up, Lucille dropped her handkerchief. . It fell on the end of a narrow rug upon which Ida stood, With a pretense of picking up thie handkerchief, the adventuress stooped, grasped thesend of the rug in both Hands, and pave it a vicious jerk. Before” Ida realized what her danger was, her heels were jerked from beneath her and she-fell with stunning force upon the hardwood floor. Lucille lost none of her opportunity, and before Nick’s young lady assistant could collect her half-stunned faculties, the wicked Lvcille struck her over the temple with a heavy substance which deprived her entirely of her senses, . When she revived she was:stripped of ’ her outer clothing, and was lying bound and gagged upon the floor. _Imcille was coolly exchanging her own “dress for that which she had stripped from Ida. _ “Hello!” she calmly exclaimed, as'Ida opened her eyes. ‘That was a hard fall you had, Mrs. Brandt Luddington. These hard wood floors are so slippery. “Tam going to borrow your togs for a_ few days. There’s a fellow outside watch- ing the house. I think he must be one of the assistants of that devilish smart fellow you call Nick Carter, for he followed me here a while ago. “T don’t care to be bothered by these es detectives, s so Ill just make him believe it is you who is going away. | “As you’ve come to get Basade Lud- dington’s one hundred. thousand dallas as old as Luddington. NICK CARTER WEEKLY, might just as well be you not to bother, for I have it here.’ She displayed a roll of one thousand- dollar bills, and then concealed them ina large false pocket of an inner skirt. » ‘‘T feared I-might be called away sud- denly, you see, and had the money put into the most convenient form. for carry- ing. = ‘There is an individual personating your father-in- law, and it’s the best make- up double I ever saw. “He was here last night, and I saw him this morning. — ‘‘My suspicions were first abouped: when. I found on visiting hisroom this morning that he had smoked numerous cigars last “night. “T thought it strange, for Mr. Lud- dington never smokes tobacco, for the smell of it makes him sick, “Then I visited him at the office, and was more convinced when I kissed him. I saw the connection of the wig to the head, but I had to kiss him in order to get near enough to be sure. ‘I’m certain the man I kissed was not. I’ve had experi- ence in kissing men, and consider myself — an expert.. So mies so that I could al- most tell a man’s age in the’ dark by kiss- — ing him. = “Shouldn't sronier one bit if it was your friend, the clever Nick Carter. ne “Well, after kissing him, I’d be — ashamed to meet him SERPs or my hus- af band, either. ae “So I'll quietly disappear. “Tell them not tolook for me. They'll - have no more chance to find me than — they will to run across this Kane and his female accomplice you were. e telling me. about.’? By this time she had all Ida’ s lattes on, and stood at the door looking back at the sus Ida. 2 costs ee
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. SES there just get up or ring for a servant. Vin off.’? And she shut the door, leaving Ida _ alone in her dilemma. CHAPTER VIII NICK SESSA TE RAGE, Such was the account which Ida gave to Nick and his other assistants of her adventures at the house of cries Lud- dington. ‘This swindler in petticoats is a codl one, and game as they make ’em, Nick,’” commented Patsy. ‘‘And very beautiful,’’ added the detec- tive. ‘‘She has inherited each characteris- ioe SCR?” f “Beauty from her mother, and nerve and cunning from her father.” ‘‘You mean Casimer Kane?”’ “Ves, Lucille is undoubtedly his daughter. When he skipped from New York he left a wife anda little girl ‘be- hind. They soon afterward disappeared also. I remegiber seeing Mrs. Kane once, and she was a very beautiful woman. If imy memory serves me right this Lucille looks something like the mother. looked then, though much handsomer.’ Be the mother must. have been a stunner.’ ‘“She was.” ‘‘And you believe Loloa Zonetta, who rented rooms to Brandt Luddington, was Mrs. Casimer Kane?’ ; “Undoubtedly. She is in New York hiding. Her daughter is no doubt with her. Thev7are expecting Kane, or Barre- “ynore, and don’t know he’s dead.”’ “And do you think they’ll now get away as quickly as possible?” “No;.1 think they’ll lay low—proba- bly relying on some good disguise, and © _wait for things to blow over,’’ said Nick. ‘‘Well, how will you get at them ? 2 queried pigees “Tim going to reply to that Herald personal,’’ was Nick’s answer. The detective took the slip out of his pocket and read it again. “Tf C, K. isin the city, why does he not communicate with L. Z. at once?” Then he sat down at his desk and wrote: “1. Z,—Have lost your address. - Meet me to-day at noon, sharp, in front of Her- ‘ald Building, Thitty- -fifth street side. SO: Ki hi Jpn “Put that in to-morrow morning’s He/- ald,’’ he said to Chick. “Thunder, Nick. You don’t expect them to bite at that. They’ll smell a trap right away.’ : ae ‘That's right. They’]]l scent a trick, but they’ll bite all right. L. Z. wouldn’t miss a chance to see what it means for a good deal.’ ‘““And are you going there fade up as Kane?”? ; ‘“’That’s what I ‘am, ny boy,-and all three of -you will be on hand to,watch the crowd, or help me do it. : “Meanwhile, I'll just cover up my smooth Casimer Kane face witha full beard, and go round to see Luddington and son.” “Nick, ’? exclaimed Chick, as the detec- tive arose to go, ‘‘what will you do with Philip Ferguson when he comes back -from Boston ?” ‘He is already back from Boston:’’ ““How do you know ?”’ ‘Because he never went to Boston. I am satisfied that he is here in New York, being used by Lucille and her gang to further their schemes. If I’m not off the track, Ferguson, by his love for this pretty adventuress, is wholly in her power, and I have reason to believe she is quite as much wrapped up in him as he is.in her. “When we find Loloa and Lucille, we'll ‘ probably find Inddington’ s nephew, ie guson.”? : Nick ae at once to es Everett i) Sie athe el aces
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he found father and son. chafing under their enforced restraint. ‘Mr. Luddington,’’ he said to the elder, ‘‘I shall now release you,-and let you go about your business in your proper person. ”’ This very much pleased the lawyer. Nick then sat down and told the Lud- dingtons all that had happened, and, of course, he never had more interested listeners in his life. “What a little devil she is!’’ muttéred Luddington, the elder. ‘“*Vét you wanted to marry her,’’ smiled Nick. ‘Don’t mention that folly,’’ pleaded the lawyer; flushing and holding up ae hand. ‘‘She must have betwitcled me.’ “Well, you made a narrow escape; had it not been for your nephew she would have had you in her trap ere this.”’ ” Vou mean would have married me?” “Yes, and had all of Brandt's poe in her possession.’? . “What had Ferguson to do with it?” “She fell in love with him, and, be- sides, I imagine he has another hold over her. You sent him to South America to investigate her claims of widowhood. He came back and confirmed them—even_ “brought a certified copy of, the certificate of marriaye. Had) they met much before Ferguson went to Buenos Avres?’’ “They were both inmates of my house - for nearly two months before he made the trip.’ “Then that was enough. They had time to form a partnership. But why did you wait so long before you sent Fergu- son on that mission ?’’ ‘““T first wrote to the American Consul at Buenos Ayres. His answer was not sat- isfactory, and I sent Philip to make a _ personal investigation. ’’ Turning to Brandt, Nick asked: Ee “Did you never know, while occupying eatin Zonetta’ Ss tooms, that she had a NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ‘““No. She told me she had but one child, a boy of fifteen.’? “Oh, ho! And this boy?” “T never saw him: She said is was at school most of the time.’ ‘Well, the boy at school (in her mined) was Lucille. If you didn’t see her I’ll bet a cool thousand she saw you often. Yow never dreamed that your model, Barre- more, was Madame Zonetta’s husband ?”’ - “Why, certainly not. hinted such a thing. they were acquainted, Y Neither ever ~ I didn’t even know ; “I imagine you talkeda good dae e about yourself to one or the other, ” oe a served Nick. “No, I can’t say that I did,” “Humph! Ever happen to» mention — that the novel you were engaged on drew - on your own life for incidents ny, “I think I did, now that you speak of it. while he was sitting for me, and I remem- I talked considerable to Barremore *- ber he asked me once where I got my7 characters for the story. I replied that. the main male character was as nearly — copied after myself and my own life as : possible.’ “That will do. The rest is. plain. When you were absent from your rooms _ this man or the Zonettas read and studied _ the manuscript of the novel, and so- learned your history and~ expecta tare The plot followed.”’ ‘‘A daring plot it was, too,’’ declared _ the lawyer. { siag a “Well, yes. ‘million or more.’ ‘“A million? Brandt’s property ‘ is Roo wotth over three hundred Phones dollars.” ere “But you possess more than twice as) much.’ he 8 See but what——”” complete t their pans, ” interrup "34! They were Playene for. a . * oe
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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ~aniracle which snatched him from the grave, both his and your fortune would have been in their hands before this year ended, and you, sir, would have followed your son.’’ “Good God? lawyer. ‘Rather drugged into the appearance of death, and buried alive, as he was. In that way no trace of poison could be dis- Poisoned !’’ gasped the covered in case of a post mortem, and the: post mortem would, if performed, answer the same ptrpose as burial alive.’’ The lawyer shuddered, and Brandt _ turned pale, ‘Luckily for you both,’ continued Nick, ‘‘and unfortunately for them, they did not hold a post mortem examination on the son at Buenos Ayres.”’ _ “What an escape!’’ said Luddington. “And now,’’ went on Nick, ‘‘we must be alive and round upthe gang. We must not only capture the whole outfit, but recover the one hundred thousand dollars which they already have.’?’- “Yes, -easily said,’? smiled Brandt, “but how ?”? Bf “Follow my directions, both of you, and I guess it will come out all tight. You, Mr. Luddington, can resume your own clothes, which will be here presently. Then you can go to your house and office and announce that you’ve changed your mind about the trip to New Orleans. Then go about: your business as if every- thing was just as you expected it to be.”’ Turning to Brandt, Nick said: “J suppose, of course, you’d know Barremore, or Kane, if you saw him here in New York?” “Why, certainly, guised.’’ “Well, then, I want you to bei in Her- ald Square to-morrow at precisely noon. When the bronze figures on top of this building strike twelve there will be the _ usual crowd around to see and hear. Fegelas carefully i in oY crowd for pee “Gif he is not dis- 23 met Kane, otherwise your man, Barre- more”. : ‘Why, you certainly cannot have any assurance that lie will be in the crowd.’ “IT think I can promise that you’ll find him there.”? ‘And if I do?” ‘Go right up to. itn and make yourself known.’ “And have him arrested ?”” “‘By no means. Don’t even hint that you know he had anything to do with your South American adventure. ’’ “Why, I don’t suppose he’d recognize me in this beard,’’ said Brandt. “Tf he doesn’t, you must make yourself known,”’ “Well, P1l do as you say, but——” “That's right; leave the rest to mé.”’ “After I’ve done talking to him, what then??? “‘Go about your business.’ - ‘And not follow him to see where he goes?’ “Not for all you are worth. to be on hand. I’m off.”’ Don’t fail That evening Nick had itothan con-, ference with Chick, Patsy and Ida. At its conclusion he said: “And if I’m not mistaken, there will be a little drama among that crowd in front of ve Herald Building at noon to- morrow.’ ‘“That’s so, Nise and the two bronzed men over the front door of the building, whom Minerva commands to tell the hour, will not make the only strike in that neighborhood,’’ commented Patsy. rs Nick smiled. CHAPTER IX. _ NICK CARTER IN IRONS. Nick Carter’s plan to pick up the trail of his game, which had been lost, was unique and most ingenious. _ Of course, he knew that C. K. had not, and would not, answer 1. Z.’s s peter PE.
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24 in the Herald. He was equally certain that L. Z. having inserted the personal, would each morning scan the personal column of the saine paper, hoping therein to find a reply. He was also confident, as he. had ex- pressed himself, that L. Z., whoever L. Z. was, would suspect that tlie second per- sonal was inserted by an impostor, because LU. Z. would know, as well as he knew, that Casimer Kane would never appoint such a’ conspicuous meeting-place in broad daylight, even if there were not other reasons why the great criminal would not ask for such a meeting. . He, however, knew that L,. Z. or Ts Zs friends, would not miss the opportunity to be ‘present at the place and time, probably “well disguised, to try to find out what the game was, »He intended once more to assume -Kane’s double as he used it before. Of course, his strong resemblance to the real Casiiner ‘Kane, as he made up from his own recollection of that person in life, and his study of the man’s dead face at the hospital, would attract L. Z.’s.atten- tion. L. Z. would see Brandt come up ah “address him; L. Z. would be ‘consumed by curiosity with what happened, and would follow one or the other. He meant that it would not be he who would be followed, aud had arranged to make assurance doubly stre, as will be seen. Then L. Z. would follow Brandt Lud- - dington. At least that mysterious person could not possibly, he argued, fail to fall under the watchful eyes of one of his three trusted assistants, who would be in the crowd scanning the people there, _ Once spotted, the rest would be easy. . , The ustial twelve o’clock crowd were gathered around the little square in front. of the Herald Building, at the junction ; of Broadway and Sixth: epee next AY -know what he was talking about. Brandt came up to Nick’s ponds ee yee hearing him speak, ae ie vather NICK bee ves ns WHEKLY,. Sane for the bronze figtires t to: ee the hour on the big bell. A few minutes before twelve the avis of a man whom any one acquainted with Barremore, late of Buenos Ayres, would have sworn was he, pushed his way through the crowd till he fetched up — against. the iron fence on Thirty-fifth Street. : He backed up against the fence, and — slouching his hat down over his eyes, ~ anxiously began to scan the people around — him, instead’ of watching the bronze : figures above. None but his assistants in all that crowd knew it was the great detective in dis- guise, but there were two others who, ~ while not knowing the masquerader’s — identity, were sure he was ayimposter, — There was one in that crowd, however, who was ready to swear it was the teal sae Casimer Kane. That one was Brandt Luddington. The make-up was so good that the lawyer’s son could have sworn ite was the man he had known at-Buenos Ayres as Barremore. 2 ee As soon as he caught sight of the iaise ise guised detective, he exclaimed, under his - breath? 4°" b, “Well, hang me, if the sae dite tt ba: Batremore, as sure as I’m alive, and he’ gee looking for some one, I guess. Dare “Well, I've got nothing to do but to carry out Carter’s orders. Won't I give my old model a jolly surprise, though?” Edging his way through the crowd, - ping him on the shoulder, said: ' “Hello, old: fellow! I’m jolly glad to see you, though I never expected to fin you in this quarter of the world.’” Nick pretended to be greatly surprised, and somewhat. startled, when Brandt slapped him on the shoulder. | But. after looking the young man in thé face, a
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afraid I’m watched. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “T guess you are mistaken, sir. I don’t know you.’’ “Oh, no, I’m not mistaken, and I don’t blame you for not recognizing me with this beard. You surely haven’t forgotten Brandt Luddington, Barremore?’’ The start which Nick gave was so natural that it perfectly satisfied Brandt, who was expecting it. But he pretended to pull himself together somewhat and — replied: ‘ ‘‘Vou are surely mistaken. My name is not Barremore, and I never knew. any one of the name you mention.”’ Before Brandt could reply, an unex- pected interruption took place—unex- pected to both men. A tall, slim, dark-complexioned man, dressed in black, and about thirty years old, who had been elbowing his way through the crowd, seized Nick’s hand ~ and said, rapidly, in a low tone: ““T am delighted to find you, Zonetta, for I could not find Lucille, and was all at sea. I only arrived this morning, and sent directly to the house, but she wasn’t there. They said she had gone away for good, but didn’t know where. I saw you accidentally. What’s up? Anything gone wrong?’ Nick realized that this was an acci- dental ten-strike, and though he didn’t know his man he knew it was one of the band of local conspirators who had just arrived from South America. He had asked for Lucille, otherwise the daughter of Kane, who in Buenos Ayres was known as Douala to everyone but Brandt, to whom he was Barremore. Nick*didn’t let go of the fellow’s hand while the latter was so busy saying so much in a breath, but as soon as the ‘stranger stopped, he turned away and said, a little above a whisper: “Not so loud. We can’t talk here. I’m Where are you stop- - ping?” ‘At the Marlborough, over there.” “Tll see you there in a few hours. Now, break away.’’ Nick left the stranger just asthe Herald figures finished their mid-day act, and the crowd began to disperse. ' Brandt watched both men—Nick as he 3 worked his way over toward Sixth ave- nue, and the stranger as he walked off toward Broadway. “I’ve seen that tall, alitn fellow in Buenos Ayres sure. But where I—ah,. yes. It’s the man I’ve seen lounging around her house so much. ‘Teaching her son French, she said, I believe. Hum!”’ Something attracted his attention to- ward the direction Nick had taken. He turned to see a crowd gathering near-the southeast corner of the Herald Building. There was a struggle between the man he supposed was Barremore and two men in citizen’s clothes. By the time he reached the crowd he found handcuffs upon the counterfeit Barremore, ‘and the two men pushing their prisoner through the crowd. ‘‘What’s up?’’ he asked, of a policeman. in uniform,gwho just came up. “I don’t know. Them’s two of Super- intendent Byrnes’ headquarter men, and they got a crook in the crowd, I guess,” The policeman looked at Brandt, and asked: “You're a reporter, ain’t you?”’ Brandt nodded. “Well, there’s big game in that pull, I think,’’ said the: officer, lowering his voice. ‘I don’t mind giving you a tip, if you don’t give me away, and are willing to whack up on a good beat.” “But how do I know it’ll. be a beat?”’ “Tf it isn’t, you don’t need to whack 5 see? This is my beat. You'll know where to find me.” : ‘Well, it’s a go.” ‘‘J’ve been on the force sixteen years, and I think I recognize that man. If it’s - the one I think it is, is is wanted tors one :
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26 of the biggest robberies ever perpetrated. It occurred on: Grand street; twelve years ago. There comes the roundsman. I'm off.’? Brandt turned and walked down Broad- way, wondering where Nick Carter was - during all this time. He didn’t suspect that it was the great detective whom Bytnes’ two trusted detectives were lead- ing to the nearest station hotise in hand- cuffs. But the detectives and Nick had a per- fect understanding. So had the officers at the station-louse. A big crowd followed and saw Nick searched; watched him as he stood mute wlien questioned. Saw the sergeant put the name on the slate as ‘‘John Doe,” and the charge ‘‘suspicion.’’ They then saw the supposed desperate criminal marched back to the cell-room to be locked up, as they supposed. “CHAPTER X. IDA AS A JANITRESS. More had come into the net than Nick expected. ‘The tall, slim, dark-man was a factor not counted upon. The. detective was mote than ever pleased -with that incident, and he knew that the man who had shaken his hand and mistaken him for Zonetta, otherwise Kane, had fallen tinder the watchful eye of either Chick or Patsy, and would not, escape. ¢ It was not Nick’s wish to be followed, and about the. only place to which he | ‘ was ‘sure he could go and not be tracked into his seclusion was the station-louse. Hence he had arranged with Superin- tendent Byrnes and two detectives from headquarters for the mock arrest. Nor was it his intention to be locked up at”’the station-house and lose any valuable time. Everything had previously been arranged with the official at that és Be ‘There was a private Fi, door leading into | NICK CARTER WHEKLY, the captain’s room from the cell corridors, and the detective passed directly into the former. Material to change his disguise com- pletely had been left there, and when he emerged no one would have recognized in ‘the elderly man with white beard and stooped shoulders the prisoner who fifteen mintites before had been led back to the cell, and who was registered as John Doe. Nick left the station-house by a rear way, and went directly toa room at the - St. James, where he had arranged to meet his assistants. Ida was there when he came in. ° “ Ajone?’? he asked, looking around. “Ves, I’ve been here half an hour, There was nothing for metodo, Patsy and Chick have the work in tow.” ats “Ait Then the boys strac a trail?” “Each of them: struck a trail. Patsy — followed the man you shook hands with, and =e went after Brandt Luddiiee ton.’ ‘After young Luddington? Why »? ‘‘Because some. one else followed Lud- dington. ” Nick nodded his head and smiled. ‘Who was it ?”’ ; ‘CA rather handsome, medium-sized, ' dark-complexioned mau, of stylish dress. ’?” ‘Well, what else?” ‘There was another party whom I had “e picked out to follow—a_slightly-built ace fellow, about fifteen years old, | who was with the fellow who followed Brandt. ‘“This boy did not ubdianar? ae other: one, and I had made up my mind that he was my especial charge, seeing that Patsy had singled out the Marlboro giteet when something happened.’’ “AHumph! The boy also followed the man to the Marlboro?’ said Nick. : “Yes. So Patsy had them both in tow. — I watched them all three enter the hotel.
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~ said Nick. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Broadway. I saw Patsy following, so I came down here to wait.”’ Before another word could be spoken the door opened and Chick came in. “Got your game under cover, eh?”’ said Nick, as soon as Chick closed the door. ww “Sure. I left Patsy on guard.”’ “Oh, yes! You both fetched up at the same burrow. Naturally, since the game of each belonged to one covey.” Chick nodded. ‘Right, Nick. When my game took to cover, I found Patsy on watch near by, having tracked his charge into the same entrance ten minutes-before. So I left him on watch and came to report.”’ ‘“That’s right. You followed the man who tracked Brandt Luddington ?”” (Veg. Pe) ‘(Where did Luddington go?” ‘First to your house.” “But be wasn’t admitted?” “No; I suppose John told him you. were not in, and would not be in.”’ ‘“T’hen where did he go?” ‘“To his father’s residence.’ ‘The devil! And this man followed him to both places??? “Ves. But he got into his father’s house. That seemed to satisfy the fellow following him, for he set off, and went directly to an apaitment house on West Thirty-sixth street.’’ ‘Same one Patsy traced the boy to?” ‘‘Yes. The boy entered first. He got in by ringing one of the bells on the right- hand side.’? “(Which one??’ “(He wasn’t close enough to be sure.”’ ‘Well, ’? commented Nick, ‘‘that proves that some one was already in the flat to hear the boy’s ring.*’ “But my man let himself in bls a key,’* said Chick. ‘Which proves that he lives there,” “Now then, Chick, go and _ bring the janitor of those flats here right away. And don’t let anybody get on to what you are after. ”” As soon as Chick was gone, Nick said to Ida: “Step into the adjoining room anti wait till I need you.”’ “Remember your promise, Nick,’ said the girl, as she arose to obey. ‘‘I am to . have that Lucille when the round-up comes, ’? “You have my promise, Ida.’’ Chick was gone half an hour when he returned he had a heavy-set young Irish- man in charge. ‘“This is your man, Nick.’ The Irishman made an awkward bow. “*Sit down, my man. I have sent for you to do a public service and also to put you in the way of making several hundred dollars.’ ‘“Thank ye, sor. It’s not Pat Donovan as will refuse to airn that much money in a dacent and honorable way.”’ ; “‘Oh, we shall not ask you to do any-— thing an honest man will be afraid of. I am Nick Carter. Perhaps you have heard of me??? ~The Irishman arose and bowed twice, with awkward sincerity, as he exclaimed: ‘*Heered av ye, is it? Faith, who has not heerd av Nick Carther in New York, _ especially the rogues? Not -auet I’m wan av thim, though.”’ “But you have a rogue and a criminal in your building, and I want you to help me land him in prison.”’ ‘The saints purtect us! What is it ye are tellin’? me? A criminal in the Kady Flats! Worra! Who kin it be?” “Can’t you guess ??” “Sure an’? I can’t, though. I never dreamed that the Kady sheltered any wan but an honest person.’’ “Describe your man, Nick. ; Chick gave a hasty but complete description of the man who had followed Chick ?? said ‘Brandt Luddington from Herald Square. _
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« : breakfast, 28 Pat Donovan sat listening with open mouth, and amazement all over his honest face. ; ‘‘Howly St. Patrick preserve us!’’ he gasped. ‘‘Why, that’s the Senor Silver- man!’ ‘“Who is Senor Silverman ?”’ “A paintin’ gintleman, sor, who lives on the fourth flure all alone by himself.”’ ‘“How long has he been there?” ‘Goin’ on to siven months now. he’s sich a quiet, good tinnint, too.’ ‘Well, your Senor Silverman is as great a rogue as is out of Sing Sing, Donovan, aud we want him.’’ ‘“The Lord save us, sor! I’d never have thought it. But if you do be sayin’ so, Misther Carther, I know it’s true.’’ “Thank you. Now, Donovan, does he An? haye any visitors ?”’ ‘There do be a young “fellow livin’ with him timporarily since yisterday—a nevvy, I believe he told my wife, Bridget. An’ he do have a gintleman and lady come to see him now and thin. He be paintin’ for them, Bridget tells me. The man stays all night sometimes, but the lady always goes after an hour or two, av coorse.’” ‘Your wife, Bridget, is -acquainted -with the painter, then?” ‘“Sure, she do take care of the gintl - man’s apartments. At least, she takes his dinners and suppers to him ivety day, from the restaurant on the avente.’’ Nick wrinkled his brow at this in- formation—a sure sign, as Chick knew, that a sudden idea had taken possession of liis brain. ‘ “What time does your A take his supper to him ??’ “At siven, sor, ivery noight. She goes up and ei the orther about half an hour , -before, an’-goes back for the dishes an hour afterward. ’’ 2 Cam pot bring pase wife here without NICK CARTER WHEKLY. arousing anybody’s curiosity, Mr. Dono- — van ?”? “*T can, sor. to come ?’? ‘Right away.” ““Then right away it will be, sor.” “‘Gogd ! Here’s twenty dollars as a . starter for your trouble.”’ a The Irishman received the money with many thanks and decided marks of appre- ciation. ‘Then he left, to bring as. wife to the hotel. He didn’t know it, but Chick never | lost sight of him from the time he left the hotel till he entered his rooms in the basement of the Kady, and from the time he and Bridget emerged therefrom till they got back to Nick’s room at the hotel. Bridget Dofiovan was a_strongly-built woman, about thirty years Ne “Mrs, Donovan,” said Nick, “T sup- pose your husband has told you whoI — am, and something about your tenant, ze Senor Silverman ??’ : ‘‘He have, sor, the saints defend us!’? - ‘‘Now, we are going to arrest this fel- low aud send him to-prison. But before we take him in, we must get some informa- ion, and you'll have te-help us.) os | “Me pee you, is it? Be pee ss When do ye want Bridget ag’in for sts whole av Ireland. Het may be a murderer for all I know.’ ‘‘That’s just what he 187”? es “Look at that now! An’. I’ve been goin’ up there in his room all alone with him !?. sare “You ate expected to take his supper to him this evening——”’ =o ‘An’ ll not do it fur all the gold in’ New York i she almost ae get ting excited. ‘ pene ‘You need not, but I’m going to sen his = a woman to doit in your place, and he’l think it is you.” Nick went to the communicating &0 and called Ida out. Ida had heard all
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~the job,’’ smiled Nick. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. y which passed, and was prepared for what followed. ; “Her take his supper upand him think * it me?” exclaimed Bridget as she looked at Ida. ‘‘Just wait. till we get her fixed up for “Go into that room with this young lady, and do dust what she tells you.”’ ' Bridget obeyed. Ten minutes later Ida and’ she appeared again. Ida was dressed in Bridget’s clothes, and Bridget wore a suit of much better quality. But Nick got to work on Ida, and she assisted him materially. Occasionally Ida went into the private room alone. Every time she came out the clothes fitted better. She seemed to be filling out or growing ‘into them. Finally she turned on Bridget and Pat, and struck an attitude. Both uttered cries of astonishment. ‘‘Be the powers above, is it your ghost, Bridget ?’’ said Donovan. » ‘Sure it’s the divil’s own doin’ so it is. She could be ine twin sister, an’ no wan would question it.’’. “Will she fool, Senor Silverman, do you think?’ asked Nick: : “Sure she’d fool me own mither, if she kept her tongue shtill.”” > Nick winked at Ida, and the made-up Bridget said: ‘‘Ah, thin, and it’s hould me tongue, is it, I dunno? Sure me tongue’s me own, an’ I’ll do wid it as Iplase.”? : The voice was so like the real Bridget’s that Donovan jumped out of his chair and exclaimed : , ‘It’s the divil’s own work, so it is!’’ “Nick’s laugh quieted him. “No, Donovan,’’ said the detective. “Gt is just the power of imitation of a cléver young woman. She’ll go with you, “and Mrs. Donovan will remain here till later on, some time this evening.” Mrs. Donovan was inclined to object at first, which caused Chick to laugh at Ida’s — 29 expense, but Nick succeeded in satisfying all concerned. Therefore, when Senor etre: Silver- man, the pseudo artist, gave his orders that evening for supper, he did not sus- pect that it was not Bridget Donovan, the janitor’s wife, who took it. The order was for three. Half an hour later Ida, with the tray heaped with the smoking meal, knocked at Silverman’s doot, arid it was opened in the usual way by Silverman himself. She entered. He turned the key, put up the chain in the door, and followed her through the private hall. —- tl CHAPTER XL HOW THE ROUND-UP WAS MADE. To any one not familiar with Nick Car- ter’s ways it might have seemed strange that he took all this precaution, unneces- sary, as it seems, in capturing his prisou- ers. floor flat, and by guarding the fire-escape he could have broken in the door and arrested the inmates. There were, of course, good réasons for the mode he had adopted to capture thei. . One was because he wanted to accom- plish his object with.as little noise and notoriety as possible. He had them corralled in the fourth® Another object was to get more in-_ formation of the relationship of the con- spirators to each other than he possessed. Finally, he feared that two of the lot at least would commit suicide rather than be taken, if they found escape was cut off. Therefore, he must gain access to the © | flat by strategy—not by force. “He knew from what Bridget told see that no one ever got into the Silverman. flat until the door was opened only a few inches and held there by a strong chain — until Silverman hada chance to look out and see over the entire oe at that lanai
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~ the tray,” ee Just as he turned the key the boy whom _front room, 3c Ida was fully informed about the ar- rangement of ‘the flat and her duties in detail, having got all her points pat from Bridget Donovan, As soon as she entered, therefore, she knew exactly what to do, and where to go with the tray of food and dishes. Instead of going with it to the dining- room in the rear, she carried it into the and busied herself at once in clearing off a*large center table, Spreading her cloth thereon, and transferring the dishes from the tray. She placed the supper on the table and had everything ready for Silverman and his two guests, when she seemingly by accident struck a glass of red wine with | her arin, knocking it to the floor, and shattering the goblet into bits. ‘*Bad cess, it’s awk’ard I am, though,”’’ she muttered, as she picked up the broken bits of glass. ‘‘I7ll take this out, and be back in a minute wid a wet rag from the * kitchen to wipe up es liquor from. the carpet.’? — “Well, hurry up, confound you!’? mut- tered Silverman, as Ida shuffied back to the kitchen in the rear. She was aware that Silverman never permitted the jani- tress to remain in the flat while he ate, but she had to return Jater and carry away the dishes. Ida’s object in getting an excuse to go to the kitchen was soon made clear. The moment she reached that part of the flat and saw she was not followed, she slid back the lock which held the window. _ Then -she threw her broken glass into _ the range with considerable noise, secured a cloth, held it under the hydrant, and hurried back to the parlor, where ‘she wiped up the wine as well as she could. “Leave the cloth till you return for snarled Silverman, as she started to take it back to the kitchen. “Then he showed her out into the hall, and locked the door after her. i! - retirement while Ida set the tabie. NICK CARTER WEHEKLY, Patsy had followed from the Marlboro — appeared from a middle room,.and said: _ ‘‘Suppose we go back to the kitchen and make sure that the Irishwoman had © no design in breaking the glass. ”’ “Eh? exclaimed the person known as Silverman. ‘‘Design? What design?” aa ‘I don’t know that she had any, but I wouldn’t trust any one just now out of my sight. It'll do no harm to take a peep at the. window which opens onto the: fire- escape, anyhow. ”’ ‘*Maybe you’re right,’’? muttered Silver- man. ‘‘We’ll go and see.’” So they walked back and inspected the window. ‘You see your suspicions are unfound- ed,’’ said Silverman, pointing to the win- dow, which was locked. : _ ‘Well, it does no harm to-%e sure. We can now enjoy our. meal all the better. » I’ll tell Philip supper is ready.” No sooner had both returned to ‘the front of the flat than a man stepped ont : from a closet where he had. evidently hastily hidden. = The man was thé same who had been arrested in front of the Herald Building -at noon that day. It was Nick Carter, disguised as we “a mer Kane. E ‘‘Lucky I took the precaution to lock aos the window temporarily. I imagined they might be cautious,’’ he thought. nes T’'ll leave the window open for Ida ens Chick.’ rat He unlocked the window again, idee then stole noiselessly to the front part of — the house. He knew exactly where he was going, having a clear knowledge of the flat and its arrangement from* ‘Brid- get’s description. A minute later he was crouched be hind a curtain which divided a sides bedroom from the parlor. It was in this room that Silverman’s two guests were in = poe had not seen orthen
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NICK CARTER WHEKLY. Silverman and his guests had just sat down to their supper. ; Nick peered through the curtains, and readily recognized, Philip Ferguson as one of the guests from the description he had of the young man froin Luddington. The detective had all along been con- vinced that Silverman was Loloa Zonetta in disguise, and that the boy was ae precious daughter, Lucille. He had quick proof that his conclusions were right, Ferguson seemed to have no appetite. He was plainly frightened. Silverman was saying, as Nick reached the curtain: ‘(This will be our last meal together for some weeks—perhaps for some months.”’ “Why, mother, what do you mean?”’ asked the pseudo boy. ““Yve made up my mind to remain and find out what is the meaning of that man’s masquerading as your father, Lu- cille, and, if possible, to discover where your father is—what has become of him. ‘‘But the trail is getting too hot. That “aceursed Nick Carter will be down on us unless we skip. You and Philip must leave for Canada to-night. Once across the border, you can easily get to London, where I?ll join you. “Vou have the one hundred thousand dollars. That will Bee us going till somata else turus up.’ Jef Marvin!’ <i Lucille. “Took out for him, mother.’ ‘Oh, he’s harmless. Del Marvin has served our purpose, poor dupe. He imag- ined that you would marry him after you secured Brandt Luddington’s money, and to that end he used his position to forge official records: We are done with Del “Marvin.” Perhaps I ‘should have kept that - promise, mother, had I not met Philip.” _ And she put her atms around the young ow s neck. aK It was cleat to Nick? s eyes “that Philip reat od Ferguson was frightened almost out of his” wits at the danger which hung over him, but he returned the caress of the beautiful adventuress. ae “It would not be well for Del Marvin to know that Philip, after inducing him to cominit a crime for the purpose of marry- ing you, came back with the proofs of that crime in his possession and married you himself. It is just as well that Philip and he should not meet.’’ ‘She smiled at the couple across the table. ‘‘We may all be happy ek she said, ‘in spite of the partial failure of our plans. If I could only find your father alive and well——”’ A startling interruption came to her words in the sudden appearance of Brid- get, the janitress, who dashed. through the curtains from the hall into their pres- ence, At her back was a man who fixed the frightened gaze of mother and daugliter. “Tord Bridget (it was Ida, of course); ‘‘he says he’s just escaped, and is your husband, Senor Silverman, though how he kin be a husband to aman I dunnoat all, atall.’’ save us!’’ panted the false , ‘Woman, how did you get in, and who are you?’ hissed the disguised Mrs, Zonetta, dividing her words between the two. \ ‘‘Sure I kem in frim the foire-escape, and he kin spake for himself. »’ “T ain Casimer Kane’s ghost, I guess,” said Nick. ‘‘At least, I look enough like him to have fooled Del Marvin, the clerk | of the Marriage Registry at Bueuos Ayres, and also your old tenant, Brandt Lud- dington, Therefore, I must-be your hus- band’s ghost, Mrs. Zonetta, for he’s lying dead at Bellevue.’ - “You lie!” | “Do I? Well, you can see him if you'll go around to the hospital with the. Pe Hoe
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32 NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “Vou—you—said—Brandt Luddington ——’? gasped the disguised Lucille. “Brandt Luddington can speak for himself,’? said Nick. Then Chick and another man walked into the room. The other man was Brandt Luddington with his whiskers shaven off. Lucille and her mother recognized him ‘at once. So did the cousin, Philip Fer- guson, Lucille uttered a moan, and raised her _ hand toward her mouth. Ida had moved unobserved to the back of Lucille’s chair, and as Nick warned her by a sign, she, by a quick movement, pulled Lwcille’s chair backward, and the occupant was thrown violently to the _ floor. Instantly Ida had her in her grasp: She ‘had turned the tables on the woman who on the day before Se her with such violence. The mother, quick as a flash, pulled a pistol, and aimed it at the struggling » women on the floor. whether she intended to shoot Ida or kill ‘her child, and then. kill herself. But a shot from his pistol rang out, and her hand fell limply to her side, while the pistol in it dropped to the floor. Mother and daughter were quickly se- cured. On the hand of each Nick found a ring containing, in a secret cell, enough poison to kill instantly. A similar ring was found on Casimer -Kane’s hand at the hospital. Nick after- ward saw its duplicate on Lucille’s finger, ‘and he suspected that each member of the family thus went prepared for sudden ‘suicide when convinced that capture was inevitable. It was the movement of the hand on : which the ring was worn toward Lucille’s “mouth which caused Nick’s timely sign of warning to Ida. _ Ferguson was an easy captive. ‘almost paralyzed with fright. He was Nick did not know~ our publications f _ Mother and daughter agreed to plead will brn guilty to obtaining money under false pretences, and take ten years in the State’s prison at Auburn rather than be _ sent back to Buenos Ayres and stand trial for attempted murder, for which, if con- victed, they would, by the laws of that land; forfeit their lives. ‘They are now serving their terms, To save the disgrace to the family of the lawyer, Ferguson was permitted to go free, on promise that he would leave America and never return under penalty of ‘arrest and prosecution for his participa- tion inthe plot to secure e the Luddington fortune. Brandt Luddington’s one hundred thou- sand dollars were restored to him. Very little publicity was made of the affair, and few of the real facts in vas case were pub- lished. Del Marvin had been forced into a con- fession by Nick, at the Marlboro, before- the descent on the Silverman flat. He was afterward glad to be permitted to return to Buenos Ayres without. being tried for complicity in the plot against the Lud- _ dington’s or to have his forgeries of offi-. — cial records exposed. Ida took great satisfaction in getting even with Lucille, the ‘‘Swindler in Petticoats,’’ and Nick Carter will tell you that he never had a prettier or more nervy a prisoner in his life than the daughter of 4 the notorious Casiimer <ugiaite 4 THE END. The next number will contain ‘Black- ; mailed for Thousands; or, The Facts in ~ the Famous Ford Poisoning Case.”? ne HO 4 LATEST ISSU hs 214—Blackmailed for Thousands; or, The Facts in the — Famous Ford Poisoning Cas Nick Carter's” 213—A Swindler in Petticoats; a Pretty Prisoner. $ 22—The Wizard of the Cue; or, Nick Carter and- Pool Room Case. see ae Down in Toronto; or, ‘Nick Carter's” Work. for a Friend, ee Man With the Big, Head; or, Who ae Combination Sa: 209—The Mvstery of the iow ee tees Litt! Set-Back for ‘Chi ck. Back numbers z lways on hand, Wf ou cannot ‘om your tewsdealer, five cents a co her to you byt mail, postpaid.
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aig 2 ANOTHER NEW IDEA — RUE detective stories are stranger than fiction. The ‘Shield ec, 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 soluti 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-notec Chiefs of Police in the largest cities of America, Their fund of knowledge upon this subject has been drawn upon by spectal arrangement. We propose to demonstrate to the reading public of America through the Shield Weekly that the érue histories of real crimes contain as much and more of romance than do the imaginative tales which hawe been constructed 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 inspectors of other large Cities of the country will figure in due course. — y It is issued every week on The Shield Weekly @ yee. "ons | True Detective Stories (i “It can be found on sale at with Real Plots as all newsdealers. a Try one. We know cts. you sine like it. PER COPY ae STREET & SMITH, Publishers, . - 2 238 William Street, New ‘York rn ee