Nick Carter Weekly (no. 261) (1901 12 28)

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déssued Weerty. No. 261. : : a NIOK SAW THE SOCIETY THIEF’S BODY QUIVER 4-5 tw

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NICK CARTE! WEEKLY Issued Weekly. By Subscription $250 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at the N. Y. Post Offce, by STREET & SMITH, 278 William St., N. Y. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1901, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. No. 243. NEW YORK, December 28, 1901. Price Five Cents. NICK CARTERS ADVENTURES. By the author of “NICHOLAS CARTER.” e % CHAPTER CXXX, his eyes all the time upon a man who stood close to , . SPOONS IN HIS POCKETS. the edge of the table. Mr. Horatio Belden’s splendid house) ow» Fifth This man had a heavy mustache and side whiskers, avenue, was filled with a crowd of fashionable peo- eH ple. Bees Tt was late in the evening, and yet people kept coming and adding to the crush in parlors and din- ; ing-room. . yo ‘ J l reg st i i - The greatest crush was in the latter room, for re- e pore not go fast if he tried, and a moment ai Pe - later the first man touched him on the shoulder., freshments were on the long table and guests and waiters were busy passing plates to the ladies. and he wore gold-rimmed eyeglasses. The first man had got almost beside him when the second turned and began to edge his way outwith a dish of ice cream held high so that it might not be “Good-evening,” he said. They were then five or six feet from the table, but still in a thick crowd. There was a perfect roar of chattering voices all My, Among the men present was one who stood quietly in a corner putting away a plate of ice cream. .. : was meantime looking around the room, and around them, and they would have ‘to speak loudly » Presently “his eyes brightened for an instant. rN See, Rie Pet tee emr eS & as ‘Then he began to edge his way into the crowd The second man looked around, with an expres- around. the table. sion of surprise, then turned away his head sith Once when he was in reach of the table he oui out and pressed on. = tis hand, but ‘it was only to set down his empty The first touched him, again. meals “Better step into the hall, where there's more | room,” he said quietly, but distinctly, 7 tiie ie ¢-e- 7 ‘ : » ¥ ee ee ee a eer eet Se.

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_ “I think you have the advantage of me,” re- gt as Pe the other, coldly. _ *There’s another think coming to you, then,” was - the retort, “but it’t true qrough that I have the ad- "vantage of you.” iw No one near had heard this exchange of remarks, e no one noticed the keen, determined look on the first - man’s face, or the pallor that crept on the second’s. - For a moment they stood face to face, and so close O bho their bodies touched. “Very well,” said the second, “if you insist, J will join you inamoment.” _ He started to edge his way back to the table, as t At that instant several ladies, who were making for the further end of the dining-room, came up and egan to pass between them. ' With a slight expression of annoyance, the first n stepped back to let them by. : “We second did not try to go to the table, but 19s advantage of the opportunity to get further from the first and fo go in a direction opposite to the hall. As. soon as the ladies were past, the first man ut hed into the crush again, and, working a little more tatty 2 than seis ba ps up with the f * . rts that!” he whispeted, harshly. I told you to. Never mind the plate!” sometimes eh eh! a ite suddenly meee “Go : e second man instantly une toward it, aa as Is s0, he threw the comers of his dish oot in the € effort to foree himself byt we “ien NICK CARTER WEEKLY. | Although people fell away before the second, he could -not make rapid progress, for the very con- — fusion caused men at a distance to push in that di- rection. : They wondered what was the matter, and wanted | to find out. Few, if any, guessed what was the matter, but they saw the two men come together. ' The second, finding himself overtaken, wheeled about and struck savagely at the first, who parried the blow with considerable skill and returned it with one that caught the second on the mouth, It displaced his heavy mustache, and those who were near enough saw that it stuck on the top of his nose, while one of his.leng side whiskers dropped down beneath his chin and the other skewed up be- side his ear, sticking out like a horn. Almost everybody shrank away from the pair. Two men tried to interfere and stop the disgrace- ful row, but they were called off by Mr. Belden him- self, who, fortunately, was standing near them. - It was over in a few seconds, that is, so far as the guests could see, and of all the guests there were comparatively few who had any view of the scrim- mage. t o¢ The first man fought the second with a fierce- ness of a mad, bull, and drove him steadily and rap-_ idly from the room into the hall, and then down a flight of stairs to the basement. Mr. Belden followed. “Don’t come,” he cried to others; “I'll be back in a minute and tell you eRe Ag . So, for a. minute or ‘two, the guests chatted ex- citedly. . When Mr. Belden returned from below, he rapped on the table to ‘obtain silence, and said: ; “My friends, the unpleasant occurrence that dis- turbed us all was due to the discovery by one of my friends that a: sneak thief somehdw had made his apa into the house and was pocketing the ‘table- <b es oe I e ai ene to fess that this

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a ‘detective. He regrets very much that he was unable to eget the stranger out without violence, and I re- it, too, but it is better that the thief should be captured. He is in the kitchen now, waiting for a policeman, We have searched him and found his »ckets full of spoons.” There was a chorus of “Ahs!” and “Ohs!” at this. =: Bese Coaches added Mr. Belden, with a smile, we have a few spoons left. I think there are Ost to go round, and I beg you for the sake of Ps my ¥ wife and daughter to remain and forget what has igen Y” CHAPTER CXXXI. MISS BELDEN’S DISCOVERY. Of course, the detective was not Nicholas Carter, ‘nor any one of that celebrated man’s clever assist- ants. He was a good fellow as detectives go, faith- nd brave, and with a good deal of shrewdness, as might be seen from his recognition of the sneak thief ‘in that disguise. . But he could not manage things as well as the Car- hose who have become familiar with the methods iled - > ges the thief out of the dining-roam aking a disturbance. ably would have let the man steal all he | made the arrest there. _ The arrest was made, however, as described, and down in the kitchen the detective was putting the through a severe examination. ; on,” ” he said, that heing the thief’s name, “how iv ge t into the house ?” ! s handcuffed, and the shied that had ve eet was on © table beside great four ‘know that not one of them would © _me. would have followed him from the . cA “fessed, telling how he had been bribed to let Neon. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 3 “You didn’t come in that way.” “No?” “You had a confederate.” “Sor” “Better make things easier for yourself “By squealing? Guess again, boss.” The detective frowned, but the answer satisfied him that he was on the right track.? Nixon would not have spoken of “squealing,” or looked so defiantly if he had not had a confederate. Several servants were in the room, listening with the greatest interest. . “You had a confederate, »” repeated the detective. “As he spoke he glanced as if carelessly at the group of servants. “You know a lot, don’t you?” retorted Nixon. Instead of answering, the detective stooped and brought the thief’s feet together. Then he quickly put a steel clasp around his ankles and sprung the catch. * “You'll do for a minute or two,” he said, and then addressing the servants: “I want you all to go out.” j _ They started to withdraw. ; «(ee “All but you,” added the detective, beckoning to one of the men ‘servants, who halted and looked | greatly alarmed. ‘Come into the back room with 9 . ot When they: were alone the detective said: e “You let that man into the house.” . + ms The servant stared a moment, andhis lips moved __ as if he would deny the charge. b Then he broke down. ‘ 5 “Don’t be hard on me’ he cried. “Who fou * you?” i" a ; “Never mind who told me. _ I want you to tell me * all about it. I know everything. nd you don’t tell, oF ie; _ the truth it willygo hard with you.” 2 : * _ Frightened half to death, the servant at once cons ay satis sep signs Sopecg was ~< under e ig

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ret | didn’ t suppose he was a thief,” whined the serv- “He said he was an intimate friend of Mr. Bel- den’ s, and wanted to surprise him.” “You never saw him before, I suppose?” remarked the detective, sarcastically. 2 “Never, sir, So ee me!” ies returned to the kitchen, and just ist the Si policeman who had been sent for arrived. Mr. Belden came in with him. , “This is Billy Nixon, notorious sneak thief, ci said \ detective, ‘and this is his confederate.” f ] ee Nixon ‘of auibe a confederate,” e x=" lained the detective, “in the presence of several : panty This one immediately showed suich signs fl Patahten sheiok his head slicks he had heard the nt’s explanation. I cannot believe that,” neg too.” = een! ‘youll go ee to he said. op eidaeetien ei cl has possi le that there was another ae EGR oe teal NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “He must be- ne \ and the two prisoners to the police station and did. not return to the house that night. : The reception went on very pleasantly until mid-— night, by which time the gtests began to depart. { Half-an-hour later all were gone, and the members _ of the family were making preparations to retire. Miss Natalie Belden had gone to her mother’s bedroom to put away the jewels she had been wear- ing during the evening. | Her mother had a strong, elegant cabinet in that room in which were drawers for holding jewel cases Mother and daughter had worn many gems that | evening, but by. no means all, or half, of what they | owned. Diamonds, pearls, isis and the like, in costliest | settings, had been left in the cabinet, and Mrs. Bel-_ den not only had kept the key with her, but had doit. the bedroom door locked also. The girl, leaving her parents in the library where they had set down to rest a few moments after the : last guest had gone, had taken the keys from her_ mother. >A 4 ‘ About a minute after she had gone upstairs she r came eypaing into the library. Her face was pale, and she stammered when she _ tried to speak. ; i “Mamma! papa!” she gasped, “we have been F robbed!” { “Of course,” responded her father, jokingly, “but the thief didn’t get away with anything. You were in the drawing-room at the time, but I supposed you had heard all about it.” or “What do you mean?” she asleei “Why,” he began, “a sneak thiei——” ey “Oh!” she interrupted, “I know all about that, and I thought it was dreadful enough to have the party interrupted in such a dreadful way, but mamma's . jewels—they are all gone!” saa: tits eee _ “What?” cried Mr. aah ah jumping up. — “AND” eh Mrs. Beh ene Soe

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: open. ‘All the drawers are pulled out and there’ 3 ne thing i in them but the empty cases!” _ Without a word, Mr. Belden ran upstairs to see Mlor himself. _ His wife and daughter followed him. _ It was as Miss Natalie had said. ag “Not a gem of their great collection was left, except _ those they had worn during the evening. Mr. Belden made a hasty examination of the win- dows... +, - f _ The catches were all Sateaiak _ The thief, then, had not come in through a win- E dow. S “Ah! !” he cried, what’ s ‘Oss use of sricuhie pri- vai ate detectives?” . “Mrs, Belden and Natalie had dropped into chairs, i ‘Overwhelmed by their loss. “What can you do about it, Socata: ?” asked Mrs. Belden, faintly. = oN ‘Notify the alee. and at once,” he returned. a must we have paar here Rt. CHAPTER CXXXIL oe A DAYLIGHT sHorT. counts of Neon spies at Mr, Belden’ . ni a some kind—— aed “Surely' !” exclaimed Nick. ing ae sone fee for any other hictins Miss | your call.” papers: had brief and very incorrect sgh h hslotead a davies Felicia, | pees NICK CARTER WEEKLY. | | ‘s¢ dence of Mrs. Theodore Van Pelt, a fashionable " woman of great wealth. A servant took his card and Nick waited in the re- ception-room. Presently Mrs. Van Pelt came in, looking sur- prised and somewhat disturbed. “Mr. Carter?” she said, inquiringly. “Yes, madam,” he answered. “You are annoyed to receive a call from a detective?” “Hardly that,” she responded, “but surprised.” “Especially as this detective is one you never saw er ae ee meee - Pe EA Se a rae 1 before.” “True.” “Permit me, then, to state my business briefly, There is to be a reception at your house this even- ing. ; “Yes, Mr. Carter, but I have already enghers aoa 9? ” private detective Nick interposed with a gesture. . “I do not come to ask an engagement,” ie said, — “When I am wanted, my clients come to — gravely. me.” “The fact is, Mr. Carter,” “T had that idea of you, for, of course, your name is familiar 7 to me, and’ that is what made my surprise the 4 I could think of no piney reason fers she returned, greater. “Let. me tell you, then. I want an invitation.” wey “An invitation?” ' “Precisely for myself and one of my assistants, who will pose as my daughter. I need hardly « . that we shall not be present under our real names “ He smiled as if the favor he asked was the: sim- ; plest matter in the world. . a ras take it for Bipot that this is detective w “] edie: not - thin have’ to- poe us sist wiley iia ipa, aa A,

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arrange all that with two of your guests, Mr. George ack and Mr. William Preston “Why, how did you know they were to be here?” Nick smiled. iy “Frankly,” he Sera “for I do not care to par tify you, I asked them.” _ “Then this is no sudden plan of yours?” “Not at all. I began to think about it the day fter the robbery at the Wendells’ reception last week. I suppose you know what happened at the eldens’ reception last night?” -*T do, but I am shocked to hear you speak with o much confidence. ny invited guests.” It is as if you suspected one of “The robbery at the Wendells,” continued Nick, ough a small affair, was of the same kind as that ‘the Beldens. I believe that the same hand was oth are tkods of mine, aie BY bate taken oe ay into : my confidence, for, as I have handled es for fen 3 know that I can trust to a their good ; They: will save me Hoa éeiliae fibs about ‘ ; ‘NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Mrs. Van Pelt held up her hands. “Don’t say anything more to me!” she cried. © “It actually scares me to think of a stranger knowing so much about my affairs.” = - He smiled, told her that she had nothing to fear from him, and, after a few more polite words, he took his departure. The cab was waiting for him, and Nick told the driver to go to William Preston’s place of business. That gentleman had just arrived at his yeenee when Nick was shown in. “Mr. Preston,” said Nick, “I am going to play that game I spoke of the other day.” “Indeed? Then you think you really know who the thief is?” “TI feel very sure of it. To-night’s work will tell. I shall be present at Mrs. Van Pelt’s as Carlo Spon- tini, an Italian banker.” “And I am to be an old friend, eh?” “Yes. Think you can play the part?” “There ought to be no difficulty. Ey erybody knows that I have traveled a good deal.” “We will arrive at ten-thirty. Be near Mrs. Van Pelt at that time. She will present us, you can recognize me and my daughter, and we can gotoa . corner to talk things over. Understand ?” “Perfectly, Carter.” “And you will speak to Black about it >” “Yes, indeed. 1 shall meet him at lunch,” “All right, then. That will save me some time.” Nick said “good-morning,” and went back to his cab, telling the driver to take him home. 5 It was about half-past eleven when he arrived there. As the cab stopped, the door “of Nick’s house opened and his wife came out. _ She was just starting for the shopping district. “How lucky !’ she cried. “If you don’t want the cab any longer, Nick, I'll take it.” “You're welcome to it, my dear,” he ati % getting out. ; His foot was yet on the cab step, when there w was a recs vic from across ee Sahat AY eT

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It was followed instantly by a tick! against the me cab wheel, and a bullet glanced from it, flew to the sor and buried itself in the frame within a foot of rs. Carter’s head. _l CHAPTER ,CXXXIIL. A SWELL suspPEcr. The great detective’s face became white as snow. by * igor Carter was frightened. | Those were when his wife or some dear friend meee lis . ae with perfect phatadcce for him to tell her what to do, if anything. “You'd better go in, Edith,” he said at once, and ‘i oe nitesbie zh Panik: : in the house, “I haven’ t been hit, and there’s no fur- danger. Somebody has been very careless. around the next corner in a ierry: and stop A i { F irom the cab, and the driver whipped for the present. There had been rare moments in his life when ; “No,” et Nick, se now that his wife was NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ae That was the action that made him put his hand to his head and sway from side to side. He had been holding the mirror so that it was concealed in the palm of his hand. The mirror had shown him all he wanted to see — When the cab got around the corner and stopped, it was in front of a real estate office. Nick went into the office, having first paid the ~ driver and dismissed him. ; es “Good-morning, Mr. Allen,” he said to the real — estate agent; “I want to speak to you privately.” “This way, Mr. Carter,” and the agent took him > y to an inner room. : “Who occupies the house opposite mine?” asked a3 Nick. ) “Exactly opposite, Mr. Carter?’ e “Yes.” 5 fle “Why! that has been vacant for months. Didn't : you know it?” am “I knew it looked unoccupied. I suppose you — have tried to let it.” ahs “Indeed I have, but without success.’ e “What do you do when somebody asks about the — house?” “Show it to the party.” “Do you go to the house with him?” “Sometimes. When I am busy, and. there is clerk to spare, I give the i erro the ee a thought so.”” ' “Is there something wrong, Mr. Carter?” “There is. I'll tell you in a minute, Who a to look at the house this morning ?” is Sah “Nobody.” | “Sure?” 2 “1 think 80. rl ask my clerks.” Ligeia _ “Do so, please.” aoe = ‘Allen. went in into the eeacial office, bes) din: ‘moment to is that penny had in a: : 0

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‘ lobody we Shae He said his name was Brown. and that he came from Philadelphia.” “Did you go to the house with him?” / “No, He took the keys.” “How long was he gone?” “About half-an-hour.” _ “I suppose he said when he came back that the “And he brought back all the keys?” “Oh, yes.” “Can you describe him?” rr. Allen thought a moment. Medium height,” he answered, presently, “blue e business suit, derby hat, full black beard, cut : , and he wore Seeeet, glasses.” Whe sks and this man is easily remembered be- + es : a“ his San kee ee gave A face a rather un- ; , of course, you haven't seen him since.” “Wel, Mr. Allen, somebody, and I guess it was yc man Brown, tried to kill me as : arrived home ey ae bullet cous diss me went into pa < ‘close, beside her. at, was fired from the x, ef 5 : e Carter! ortile! ay t's no fault of oe Laclede ° slass i ‘in the first floor the house. been worse, ‘you see, but it’s bad tome here to complain. oe “That's a be vasrca eniron iCK CARTER WEEKLY. _ “T suppose so,” stammered the agent, greatly diste turbed, “but why do you guess that it was this Mrigy Brown?” ty “Simply because he was the last man to look at te The fact that he concealed his eyes te makes the guess seem a good one.” +t “Well, is there anything I can do? Of course, 1 want to make an investigation.” , “I shall send my assistant, Patsy, to you. You! ‘know him. a baci his directions.” “T will do so.’ | , “Now,” said Nick, as if Hemi the pha ‘you | have some flats to let on East Sixty-fourth street, between Madison and Lexington avenues, havent ,you?”’ “Yes; I'm agent for a row of buildings there.” “J should like the use of a top-story flat in any one of those buildings for a little time.” _ “Certainly, Mr. Carter. Will you take the keys?’ “Tf you have them here.” z “T have,” and Mr. Allen took them from a rack be- — side his desk. “I will notify the janitor,” he added, © “that that flat is let.. What name shall I tell him?” . “Well,” answered Nick, smiling, : “tell him Brown. That name will do just as well for me as for the man — who tried to kill me.” This was the end of their talk, and Nick walked to Sixth avenue and Twenty-third street, where he found Patsy waiting for him. They took a private room in a restaurant near by,. and when luncheon had been brought in me the waiter had gone, Nick began: “I suppose my wife told you what had happened?” ae “Yes.” said Patsy. ; z “My first fear was for her, my sani that the plan I have made for to-night had been foreseen. | I haven’ t told you much about that.” : _ “No. All I know is that you believe the . we have. been working. against is at the back of Pg 4 _ Society robberies, and- that you | hope to vexetes * = " boss, the fellow who i is Higher Up.” Py) oi grr pet alps yar

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\ Steve he’s the man who commits these robberies in well houses. That thief is simply the agent of < H igher Up, unless I’m greatly mistaken. I mean at to find out to-night, and when this attempt was made to shoot me, I feared that Higher Up had tumbled to my scheme.” : : “You don’t think so now?” “No, though I do believe that Higher Up set the ‘trap for me this morning. It’s reasonable to sup- pose that such a clever fellow as he is has seen that 41 am eee everything else to work against him.” — pe tic: + uspected that before, and have tried to put you out of the way.” | “Indeed they have, but I don’t remember quite “such a bold attempt as this. Now, I don’t intend to have Edith’s life risked again. For that reason, as ’ ell as to mask my ‘movements to-night, I am go- ee ing to live somewhere else. Chick will be with me. Before I get through I will tell you what to say to him eae You will have $s look up the man Men who were not*so clever ashe is . have | ‘the real estate ie ; — to Allen,” he continued, “and get thie keys to “ the’ empty house. Of course, you will search the Ss house, and you will find that the man who fired had 3 all his plans laid for getting out unseen the instant ‘the shot was fired. You can probably trace him © through the locksmith who made a duplicate key ” a . fos it? Look around and see, Patsy. ° ii s Sa ae that the rascal entered the Sore To do that he must have '* the fashionable mods, a outside of it. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 9 “T don’t want you to go there to locate before to- morrow morning,” he said, “and by that time I may be ready to go home as usual.” He concluded by giving Patsy directions for Chick and Ida, and they separated. Nick, after making a complete change in his ap- pearance, went by a very rqupdabout way to the flat he had engaged. He feared that his unknown enemy would shadow him, and, While the great detective -had no alarm for his safety, he did dread to have his movements dis- covered. That was because his heart was set not only on capturing the society thief, but on learning through him who the chief of the criminals was. Nick’s plan for the evening was one of the shrewd- est he had ever made. The circumstances of the Wendell robbery, which — has been referred to, made him suspect that the — work was done from inside, that is, by one of the © guests. rae As a theft of jewels meant that somebody had to receive the stolen property, he suspected that the “fence” must be the same as that used by the gang with whom he had already had a couple of eae mishes. ~ : So, with the wide operations of the gang in snag 4 he had obtained a list of the nents who were press ent at the Wendell reception. Looking over this list, it was an easy matter to 3 strike out nearly all the names as those of persons who could not be suspected. a Most of those that were left were also struck out, if after a little quiet investigation. They were the 4 names of men who, though apparently tich, were | ; really in debt right and left. * _ Some of these names were well) gar ey only pee,

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F Yi ee Spite. #, at to cele ; ; Z Oger H ' : SL’ Pye Aw 4 \ = NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ck had looked up their records, and reported Nick knew a good deal about the neighborhood, all three as “doubtful.” That is, every one of them as a case had taken him into this very building. He remembered chasing a criminal over the roofs, and as soon as his furniture was put in he went up to the roof to see if there had been any changes since his last visit. All was as it had been, and he breathed a sigh of satisfaction. “Now, if all works well,” he said to himself, “and the fellow takes the bait, we shall have him where s ee had been a guest at both houses. tendon tals bivnese.”’ He was Melville Gaylord, a man who had never Late in the day, Chick, Mr. Brown’s “brother,” ane a stroke of work in his life. came with a couple of traveling bags, in which were be Gaylord had inherited a large fortune when he contained changes of clothing that they would need rhea about twenty-one, and had run a swift course’ for their work. S with it. “Ida is at the Waldorf-Astoria,” said Chick, “and oa ade thirty he was so far broke that he could not will be ready at ten o'clock,” the Pace, and he had disappeared irom New Nick nodded, and they went to: dinner at a res- Fi eaving many debts behind him. taurant. A little before ten o'clock they were putting on matters with his creditors, and had furnished the finishing touches to their disguises in the flat. Bat 8 O86 BE Sy root otuldtinige on Fifty- Nick appeared to be an elderly man, Chick some- eet, facing the park. what younger. Both would have been taken for been welcomed by all his old friends, of foreigners and meri of great wealth. “ee were many. Each wore a high hat. and full evening suits. For once they took none of the articles of their business that they usually carried with them, ex- cept a revolver apiece. Pocket lanterns, handcuffs, false beards, make-up paints, all such things were left behind. “Don’t you think,” said ‘Chick, as they were ae : cy bs to start, “that. we'd f better have at least a sichies : Pigf 28 in case——” | - )) “No,” said Nick, “If it won't work the way [I © ovr A sHApow. have planned, it won't work at all. Besides, I have had taken 4 possession of the flat, 2 fancy for doing this thing single-handed, so to_ 7 dealer's not far away, and had speak. We'll play robbers to-night, Chick, and Peegair ‘he was not sure that he teach this fellow some lessons in his own business,” So saying, he held the door of the flat open for Chicle to pass out. ; Ne oe ity was locked, meses was: + sey watery .

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Nick had decided that it would not do at all to be seen going down the stairs, or from the house. All this time he was in dread lest, in spite of his » Mata 3 _ On the roof, they turned toward Lexington ave- 3 The building they were in was the last in the row. Between it and the next was a space about four feet wide. ‘The night ° was densely dark, and a storm seemed be rising. Knowing their way, they stepped, safely across }: rg space, and went on over the roofs until they me to an empty building that faced on the avenue. They went down through this to the ground with- out meeting anybody. ee Then they walked to the Savoy pes where a carriage was waiting for Nick, that Chick had or- dered in the name of Carlo Spontini. oapene. -signor,” said Chick, as Nick got Bist me on the run. sa hello! 4 thought Chick, “what's this? ‘Has NICK CARTER WEEKLY. and didn’t want to get winded too early. Fifty-sixth street, and Chick jumped out. | 14% walked away from the hotel in the same direction that Nick’s carriage and the man had taken. / Before he got to Fifty-eighth street the carriage was free of the blockade and started on. Almost immediately the man ahead hastened his | steps, and before he had gone another block he was running again. J “Seems to be keeping along even with Nick, doesn’t he?” mused Chick. He beckonedsto the driver of a hansom. 5 - The cab was promptly driven up to the curb. ¥ “Here’s a dollar,” said Chick, handing up the money. “Set me down at the southeast corner of Fifty-sixth street.” “All right, sir,” responded the cabman; up, I s’pose.” “Well, you needn’t break your hortse’s neck, but push him a bit.” v Chick was already in the cab. “Oh, corks!” chuckled the driver, “dat’s the eas- iest plunker dat ever come my way!” agi He whipped up and the cab passed Midd car-. riage between Fifty-seventh and Fifty-sixth streets. . It passed the running man, too, at the same time. — He was on the east sidewalk, and was jogging — steadily along, as if he had a long distance to run x “St’s hurry | 7 Chick watched him in passing, and also turned to look at him through the cab window. He saw the man look over his caaane 3 toward — . Nick’s carriage. “That settles it!” said the weieliys to himielf. “He’s a shadow, and I shall have to make it any busi- ness to wipe him out.” m The next minute the cab stopped at the corner of \ Nick's | carriage was then about three rods away, _ aad the running man the same distance. AS it happened, there was nobody else at that n A — LiO Pts jez

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“elaore Taaeant, and began to run beside a . Tr ‘he man began to stammer and struggle. Chick's grip was like steel. < _ “Shut up!” he whispered, sternly, Rok ithe man began again, trying . vainly to “T don’t pro- “See here,” he began again, came! ; roughly pushed the shadow against the wall, him there with one hand, and with the other : Ww ho evolve r. hie: of seeing here,” said Chick, in a low, stern, tone; “well, you see, don’t you? or you Saint you mae’ any ie “about it, but me say a word e tt ‘ne shadow, Pats is ine ‘a had just used. oy Ua, aN ia case. ; The aeiies was curious about NICK CARTER WEEKLY: Immediately the cab was driven down the street to where Chick and his prisoner stood. “Want to work out the rest of that dollar?” asked Chick. “Well,” replied the cabman, disappointed, “a fare’s a fare, you know 4 The detective laughed. “All right, cabby,” he said; “here’s another fare,” and he handed up a bill. “Yes, sir; where to?” Chick and his prisoner got into the cab, and the detective gave his order through the trap: ; “Grand entee pare Station.” Nee ssir- “Say, cabby !” ‘Wee, ‘gir?’ “Go down by “Madison avenue. ‘ No more Fiith avenue on this trip; see?” “All right, sir.” Chick’s*reason for this was that if they went down Fifth avenue the shadow might recognize Nick’s car- riage. Then, if by any accident the fellow should escape, he might have information that would be troublesome when used against Nick. So the cab took them to the Grand Central police station by the Madison avenue route, and when they arrived Chick had one of the patrolmen on duty there to go to the messenger office in the station for a telegram blank and an envelope. The patrolman brought several blanks and envel- opes and took them into the captain’s room, where Chick had gone with his prisoner. 2 - PRG Up to that time the detective had not said a meer ia the man. Now, with the telegraph blanks in his hand, he “Your name? Speak up!” said: bs ra } ¥ “John Doe,” said the shadow. Ke “Very well; Doe will do as well as any aie name. You live in the East. aa don’t ?” _No answer. Dees that ii ro fi wale on. this blank what I tel 4

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NICK CARTER WEEKLY. =e Doe took the pen, deopad it, and waited. “We will begin with the address,” said Chick. 4 ‘Write, ‘Mr. Melville Gaylord.’ ” At the mention of this name John Doe’s face paled y uddenly, and his hand trembled. had thought out his plan while in the cab. “1 he doesn’t show any sign when I mention Gay- lord’s - ‘name,” he had thought, “I shall feel that I ve, ‘made a mistake,” ; lick knew now that he had sized the shadow. up , I tell you!” he iamanticd: i man obeyed,” but his hand trembled’ so that me could hardly be read. “Phat won't do,” said Chick. “Tear up that paper and try again. I'll tell you something, Doe,” he e added, more gently ; “do this thing enerehts and i Rik be half so troublesome for you.” : man responded, tak- ¥ 5 is “rl do what you ae the m . just bought a_ticket for Boston ken a berth in the eleven o'clock trai. I saw him go 1e Site car and Agee by hes tickets bic the porter. e er be. laid down, the ded 1 Chick, slowly. “Write Mr. re ston envelope.” . ia: “Do you suppose ‘I don’t biiow? e his correct address, and then with: ciel name pea 2s he will Legh agit, they were rolling up Fifth avenue. aren ot ane 7 a oo ees A Ya + i. ; 2S te 5 P . Up to this moment Chick had been bluffing. He Ponrsncomde and sogene? ma) 13 signed the initials “J. D. N.” at the bottom of the message. The quick way in which he wrote the initials proved to Chick that they were ones that would arouse no suspicions in Gaylord’s mind. f He put the message in the envelope and sealed it. “Oh! there’s. one thing more,’ said Chick, as if he had forgotten something; “did Gaylord expect you to send word to him, or call with it?” John Doe’s lips were pressed together for an in- stant, and his eyes wavered. “He expected me to bring him word,” he an- swered, _ “You lie!” remarked Chick, quietly. “He told you it would be better not go show yourself at his house late at night.” The shadow struck his fist violently on the desk. “You're on to everything!” he muttered. Chick smiled, but.said nothing. He had done some first rate guessing and binting, and all the — tricks were his.. John Doe was locked up, and, it may as well be said here that, as he proved to be a man for whom the police had a warrant, that Nick, after the night’s work was done, left him to be held on that warrant, as there was enough in Pras to keep him in a fora long time. betes ‘Chick took the message Bae to the messenger office, and had it sent to Gaylord’s address. : Then he went back to the Savoy to wait for Nick, +. CHAPTER CXXXV. . IDA “AT THE RECEPTION. penne Nick’ s driver took him to the Waldort- Astoria. Ida was waiting for him i in the ladies’ parlor, and £ Nick escorted her at once to the carriage. 4 “I don’t know about this, Ida,” said Nick, when “About what?” she asked, er

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* 4 Shed think it’s pee to set staat 3 unmarried swell “Oh, pshaw!” She spoke as if she had no use for unmarried _ swells, which was true enough, but she liked the com- pliment, and Nick knew it. - Indeed, she had never looked better. __ Ida Jones was a young woman of rare beauty, but fe ‘it generally happened that her work as a detective was of a kind-to make her conceal it. _ >) On this occasion, she had “got herself up regard- ee: “tee ” as the saying is, and the result was stunning. Beer a ‘Her naturally fair complexion had been changed Rg ‘by a delicate wash to one of brown. A string of pearls was around her throat, and there were diamonds in her hair that were likely to t outshine any she would meet during the evening. Her costume was one of richest elegance, and, altogether, Nick was confident ‘that nobody would suspect her of being an everyday New Yorker— for. there are none in her class.” f : They had no talk about the case in hand, for Ida oa alga ava ta what she was to do. dacs to get away from the house as quickly ne quietly as possible. -w Up near Mrs. Van Pelt’s residence. xe was a long line of carriages before the door. _ Nick had counted on that, and his own had to take ; s place i in line.” So several minutes passed before he and Ida could get out. n i the 1 ide corner. eee sit) “and if ee) will walk Ws deste am a the walk eink the r raised, and mounted the steps. he door without eeeests aad -Mrs. Van Pelt turned to him. ‘which | she isn’t,” thought the detective, proudly, _ was safely over. '. One thing happened exactly as Nick had fore- about her. | \ NICK CARTER WEEKLY. When they had laid aside their outer garment they met at the stairs and descended together. “Signor Carlo Spontini!” called the butler, an the next moment the detectives were bowing to Mrs Van Pelt. “So kind of you to come,” hand. Preston was near, according to agreement, an she said, extending he “Mr. Preston,” Signor Spon “Why!” interrupted Preston, ““Spontini and I hav met. How do you do, signor? and your daughter Glad to 'see you both. How long have you been i New York?” He immediately led the detectives to another part of the room, as if he wanted to talk over past events. she said, “I want you to mee Mr. Black joined them and was introduced to the “Italian banker” and his pevesbten as if they had not met before. The four then fell to talking, and the first part, and, as Nick believed, the hardest part of the affair He had wondered some whether Mrs. Van Pelt would be emah: to carrying off her small part in the scheme. The scene was very much like that at the Bel- dens on the night before, but there was not such an uncomfortable crowd. seen. ¥ _ Ida’s beauty did attract the attention of young men, two or three of whom asked Mrs. Van Pelt “Ask George Black to introduce you,” she told them, with a laugh. It was the best thing she could have said, a Black made it his business to talk all the time to ee a others felt shy of approaching. hos After the first moments nobody paid attention to them, except as glances of admiration seine seagen were directed at Ida.

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pad not been long in the house before they a name announced that interested them: Melville Gaylord!” her Black nor Preston noticed that the de- tectives gave this gentleman a sharp looking over as i he came j in, but from that instant the man’s every bs tion \ was watched by both of them. t igee.: le seemed to know. pretty nearly everybody at here, and it looked as if he was popular. At last he joined the throng that pressed into the " dining-room, and took part in the struggle at the i able. He soon came out with a dish in each hand. Res ‘went the whole length of the drawing-room h them, and’ handed them to two ladies who were t gled o out with ; a couple of iatea, which he passed to “| ladies in another part of the room. 2 “He's este eae ‘be seen by as many as pos- : or if Gaylord had decided not to this house. , Re Tete of j ice cream and cake for Ida. en he lly SAGES he said: impossible sake Nick ¢ ny keep Gaylord in without following him about i in © detective would not do. “ said: ; s Wp ht ‘ ahi "a ze tae?” NICK CARTER WEEKLY. | ites had passed with- Vat all, he quietly made a tour of the were teen for a friend in the : sili were there, listening and seater 15 « He gave her his arm, and slowly they paste their way through the throng. They went into the hall, where Ida left him and ascended the stairs, while Black returned to the din- ing-room by another door. A moment later Nick quietly disar; eared. He went to the gentlemen’s dressing-room and put on his overcoat, took his hat, and stepped into ‘ the upper hall to wait for Ida. She meantime had put on her cloak and made ready ‘to leave the house. : In this she was assisted by a single servant, who | had been left in the room to help late comers. Fortunately for Ida’s plan a late comer entered just as she was ready. to go, and while the ‘servant har busy with the new arrival, Ida slipped into an ad- joining. room. é If the servant noticed that she had gone, she doubtless supposed that she had gone into the hall. The room Ida entered was used ordinarily as a. a dressing-room by Mrs. Van Pelt, and next beyond it F; was her bedroom. — ' To-night neither the detain edo nor the bed- room were supposed to be in use. ’ | ~ Ida went softly to the bedroom door, and, with the 2 utmost caution, turned the handle. i She found, as she expected, that the door was i locked. eae & Then. she listened, and, after a moment, was quite ste certain that she heard somebody moving inside. os Steps seemeil to be approaching the door, h' lf she had disturbed the robber at his work, she ek had spoiled | Nick’s scheme, for he wanted the oy nae to get all he could. es: Perhaps he was coming to the door to see if. any HAPX Ida Jooked quickly around. -not do to go back to the room » she bas : there was:another otitis 2A cs Sa it SA. ye

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branch of the. hall jeanne toward the back of the This suited Ida as well as a closet, especially as she | saw ata Sone that the thief could have got into the bedroom without being observed. -__A flight of stairs was before her. He could have come up that way, gone through a the open dressing-room and so, if he had a key, as _ undoubtedly he had, could have unlocked the bed- By ey door and locked it behind him. i If he had come up the front stairs he would have » been seen by servants in a part of the house where ). gentlemen were not supposed to be on that even- Sey e- Roe Us rad hint fact, that men were not supposed to be in that | part of the house, that had made it neceitary B* for Nick to have Ida’s assistance. She stood there a full minute, and then returned to the dressing-room. _ The bedroom door was still closed, but her hand- kerchief, that she had purposely dropped on the floor close beside it, was now two feet away from it. ' ‘That showed that the door had been opened. ee Sega as much sass a as Nick wanted her P. : + door into the hall. ; A man was approaching softly, and he halted sud- ly het a8 of me: ro Eh ee or fear. ft “the greatest unconcern, NICK CARTER WEEKLY. © of Mrs, Van Pelt’s friends. r, , going | pabegh mle vac < ence in the room from which she has just come, bes . PSE a aca a more eee than I le F a rs ‘ a é Pa oe “I beg your pardon,” said he, stepping squarely in front of her. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction and triumph. “Sir!” she responded, haughtily. “T must ask you to wait a moment.” Ida gave him a crushing look and started on. Again he got in her way. cumstances “8 “I am very sorry,” he began, “but, under the cir- . He said nothing more just then, for hands were — laid upon his arms with an iron grip, and he was lifted clean off his feet and set carefully down upon the other side of the hall. “Does. zis fellow dare to speak to you, daughter?” demanded Signor Spontini, in low, stern tones. Nick had seen Foster making for the rear hall, and had followed softly, fearing just this sort of diffi- ) culty. “He stopped me, papa,” Nick’s Toigetties they started instanily for the main "stair. way. returned Ida, beans , arm. Foster darted quickly ahead of them, getting in their way just at the point where the branch con- nected with the main hall. “T can talk with a man,” he said rapidly, but in low tones, “and I advise you to listen. Iam an officer.” Here he pulled aside the lapel of his dress coat, and displayed a detective’s badge. “I do not know either of you. I never saw you before in this house, and I am iamiliar with the faces. If you are——” Nick interrupted stiffly, ; “I no understand zis outrage,” he said, producing: a card and handing it to Foster. “If you have ze , Tight to know me, read and let us pass.” Foster glanced at the card. : Teer “T was about to say,” he went on, coolly, tsi? it you are all right, and this lady can explain her pres- mie sh - sad

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sidltetne circumstances, I must be — And there ust be no scene, no disturbance “Zen why,” interposed Nick, “do you make ze ‘scene here?” and he turned-his head slightly in the direction of the stairs, where a number of persons : vere coming up. Foster looked around. After that disgraceful af- . fair at the Beldens the evening before, he was most an ious to win out here without letting the guests now that anything was going on. ae He had believed that if a robbery was attempted it Would be during the refreshment hour, and he had : quietly gone upstairs to have a look at the bedroom e the jewels were kept. ing a stranger coming from there, he was cert- that he had the thief in his grasp, and he did doubt that Ida had many gems concealed in her pie . well,” ‘aid ites “step this way.” along the hall to a room near the head of “ : It was a bedchamber. He. opened ae door and stood aside for Ida to enter. eC beying a nudge from Nick, she did so, and then paused, as if Rey a: that he would "Hee held the key concealed in his palm. _ “serene oni x ate hima: “sf Sage voices x the hall, passing d of the stairs. and other persons might be , if not suspicion, ee be ave sepoinegesesil NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Fez his sides, using his left arm for this, while he put up his right hand and held it immovably over Foster's mouth. At the same time he caught Foster’s knees be- tween his own, and the private detective could not stir a muscle. said Nick, then, “ into ze carriage.” “Felicia,” go, my child, and get Ida quickly opened the door, went out and closed it behind her, but, perceiving what Nick wanted, she did not Jet the door come wholly to. It could, therefore, be opened without the loss of a fraction of a second. : The instant she was well out of the room, Nick raised Foster from the floor, and hurled him upon * the bed. The man fell full length, with no sound that could be heard beyond the room. With two strides Nick was at the door. . Foster was still sprawling on the bed when he swiftly opened and closed it. No persons were near. Nick inserted the key in the lock, turned it, left it there, and calmly walked downstairs. He overtook Ida at the foot, and they went out together. “Call your carriage, sir?” asked the man whose duty it was to do that. Nick shook his head. They walked up to the corner and found sheie car- riage waiting, according to orders. | . “Drive around the block,” said Nick to the driver, as he got in. ‘ ’ Ida was all of a tremble. “Why ! what's the matter?” he asked. “Oh!” she nee, “T have ruined your aenet 24 : “What!” “There will be a scene, Foster will raise a wa racket——"" = ' ae Nick leaned io ae cashions a : et laughed until the te ae TTT ddr?” be eed Slee you ar eh

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TMF es ea 2 ae ed! You've faced the most desperate and blood- thirsty criminals without a tremor and yet you go into a fit over meeting a detective.” : “Well, there’s no reason for it. Things couldn't _ have gone better.” _. “Nick! you don’t mean it!” | basted do,” ‘ “You' re Saying so only to make me feel easier for having got you into such a : renih ge and spoiled all your plans.” , % 4 abe here, Ida,” he exclaimed, “you don’t under- : ‘stand the situation at all. Even if my plans were spoiled, it wouldn't be your fault, for you couldn't elp running up against Foster, but the fact is that it as mighty lucky that you did so. He was on his way to the boudoir. The thief was at ae sat wasn’t he?” oh? Yes-—that 1 is, Sain was in there.” Very well. Foster would have surprised him. wy I; don’t want this thief to be caught in the act! ‘Suppose war tons, eas a ‘facket. It wilt he a Y t's | his lookout. The point Gain he will suspect us of the robbery. Your stilas cana of neous work,” hada’ thought sit site #, hao bg ans well, what a’ going on, T pibaen ey: for, Bae course; Dosbee ‘stay locked in that bedroom very long. It ‘ thay there has been a robbery. The | not dare leave the house for a while, stink hee oceans Foster NICK CARTER WEEKLY. jon it and call to somebody to turn the: key, but that” life for OEE a or of thieves to lock him: ‘sae ‘cap The carriage had gone so nearly around a block that the line of other carriages waiting to move up_ to Mrs. Van Pelt’s door, was just in front of them. “I am going,” said Nick, getting out, “to let the driver take you quietly home, where you can an- swer Foster in any way you please, if he succeeds in tracing you there.. I don’t believe he will. “For myself, I shall stroll by the house to see if. anything is going on. Then [I shall join Chick and run the game out.” He said “good-night,” driver, and walked quietly on to Fifth avenue. Having crossed the avenue, so 2s to be on the side” opposite Mrs. Van Pelt’s, he strolled slowly by. Two or three guests were taking their departure, and a late comer was just going in. He saw nothing to indicate that trouble had been discovered. f . “Just for the fun of it,” thought Nick, “I should like to know what Foster is doing, poor fellow!” _ As he learned at a later time just what Poster did, the facts may be stated here. | iat Foster, as Nick surmised, did not stay long in ee bedroom. q He scrambled from mt bed as fast as he agai snd ran to the door, . , Finding it locked; his first thought was to pound gave instructions to the would be making a disturbance, which was against Mrs. Van Pelt’s wishes, and, besides, it would put the private detective in a very ridiculous position, He didn’t care to be laughed at for the rest of his” bedroom. reat a eats oe? w ‘So he ran around to. the sais dressing-room open- ing from the chamber, and through that into a by , room, where he found. a door that i ats oi This, jecaite as. ne iGaiictst, was unlocked, ‘ He went straight to the bedroom, which he V » ineleed, with a ae “Mrs. Lett nn pies

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‘What he saw there at a glance led him to hurry downstairs and ask the doormen about the de- parture of Carlo Spontini and his handsome daugh- ter. : By that time Nick and Ida were half-way around the block. The doormen told Foster what little they knew, id he summoned a policeman, who had been as- ‘signed to stay in the neighborhood during the re- eption. - Foster told the policeman to trace the Italian’s es. _ Drivers who were waiting had seen the carriage go away, and they knew the name of its driver and ere he belonged. A and orders were given to hunt up the driver at stable and make him give the police information AS where Spontini was stopping. _ Meantime Foster went back into the house and Sp poke quietly to Mrs. Van Pelt. - She preted herself to her guests, and went up © the bedroom with him. Foster pointed to the jewel cabinet. al peomatents, except the opr cases, had disap- + e was about to answer, ee he per- they were not alone. felv Ser age sae sao at the door. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. x i So the policeman reported the matter at his sta-" oe t door and drawers had been forced open and | cit Mrs Van Ret “her! what do ip 19 Mrs. Van Pelt,” he said, “but, knowing this man to be a detective, and seeing you “Beg pardon, go out with him, I fancied something bad had hap- pened—My soul! you've been robbed!” He said the latter as his eyes fell upon the open cabinet. “Yes, Mr. Gaylord,” “the detective was just going to tell me what he she answered, sorrowfully; knows about it. I hope none of the others noticed anything.” “T think not; in fact, I am quite sure of it.” It will not bring the jewels back to disturb the party. “T will be as silent as the grave, Mrs. Van Pelt.” “Thank you. Now, Mr. Foster.” She turned to the detective, but Foster hesitated, “Begging your pardon, madam,” he said, “and Mr. Gaylord’s pardon also, there are circumstances here that I'd much rather speak to you about alone.” “Then, please do not say anything. “Oh!” cried Gaylord, “don’t apologize to me. It’s all right, my man} I’m the one who should apolo- gize, but I couldy’t help being interested, don’t you know. If there’s anything I can do, any errand, notify the police “The police have been notified,” interrupted Fos- ter. - “Indeed! you lose no time. That’s right. Well, Mrs. Van Pelt, permit me to withdraw. If your ab- sence is noticed, I will make some reasonable ex- planation that will disarm suspicion of what has hap- pened.” “Dol!” she said. He bowed his way out, and Foster, appearing to be much embarrassed, said; ~ “The fact is, Mrs. Van Pelt, I had my kas on the thief, or thieves, for there were two of them. I~ almost caught her in the act, but I was so anxious ae not to create a scene'that I—I lost them.” “Lost them!” ; “Yes, that is—the fact ist took them into a chamber, eas to eeae for you and have it

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me down, anil they both ran out before I could get up!” : : - “Goodness! what a desperate pair. he they are?” : “The man gave me this card.” He handed Nick’s card to her. _ “Carlo Spontini!” she gasped, and ker eyes burned with amazement. “Oh! impossible!” a 2 “It is natural that you should think so,” “ter, “You would say he same about any of your : % “guests against whom I might bring a charge. But, tell me, Mrs. Van Pelt, doyou really know who this st , Htalian is? I never heard of him before this even- ing.” | ie Wes] now who he’ igo” began Mrs. Van Re Pelt, confidently, and ther she stopped suddenly and a k her face paled. A A terrible thought had come to her. is Did she’ really know who Carlo Spontini was? Mad she ‘been duped by a clever scoundrel, who had pretended to be the famous Nicholas Carter? It was a dreadful possibility ! She had never seen Nicholas. Carter—that is, not until this morning. ! how could she have been so careless? ae see that you have reason to suspect him,” re- marked ‘a bores Do you know said Fos- bout of Nick’s i aboiainoesesas there bec! no disturbance, that he would restore the y nothing of it to het own tebcbtive. ort here were her empty ies cases. A robbery Soe canned ‘ere now out of the { a fully. “I never saw Spontini, and know nothing about sas I wish there was something I rs do. to help.” * wy “ter thinks: ‘the best thing i is to say ey He. and. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. Foster was thinking of the gigantic strength dis- played by the man,.who had lifted him and thrown him as if he were a child. “Then what shall we do?” asked Mrs. Van Pelt. “Nothing,” he answered, promptly. “If the thief was a real Italian, or his daughter, the police and | If it was Nick Carter we musn’t do anything to interfere with his plans, what- ever they are. I am not jealous of Nick Carter, Mrs. Van Pelt. If it was any other detective, per- haps I might be, but Carter is the king of. us all, 25>) madam, and he has his own way of doing things, If it was he, he will tell me all about it when the right time comes, and will do everything he can to make up for turning me down as he did. Meantime, we myself will track them. shall gain nothing by saying anything about it, and if we said anything it might happen to block ahage ‘ and that must not happen.” ; | “I think you take a very generous view of it, said. Foster bowed. i, “T take off my hat to Nick Carter: every time” he g. remarked. ; j They started to leave the room, site she hesi- tated. Z % “There's Mr. Gaylord, * she. said, remembering a, that he knew what had happened. “He will ask— questions——” nh p “Tell him,” interrupted Foster, “that I think the thief was Spontini’s daughter. That will do a, ; harm, and I’m not yet sure that it isn’t the truth. _ Mrs. Van Pelt gave this message to Gaylord: when, ten iene later, he w Byte a ketene: aaaiat her. “I suppose it may be so,’ he answered, thougsiied * she ; e & # “Thank you,” said Mrs. Van Pelt, “but Mr. Fos

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‘CHAPTER CXXXVIL an ROBBING A THIEF. Jick walked rapidly.to the Savoy Hotel. hick was waiting for him, and at the moment of is arrival he happened to bé in the entrance. a. crossed the plaza at once, and went up iy “The Van Pelt job has been done, unless ca am reatly mistaken,” said Nick, and that was all the count of the matter he gave at the time, as they | vee a short distance to go. =. di g is one of the largest in the city. On floor there is a eaperintendent’ s office > main entrance. a Ors are used by the tenants and their visi- defectives, wish ‘hae iwerepats open, thus : on their Scan Fonks, and st left Mr. Gaylord at Mrs. Van Pelt’s, eh “He will be Rs} in a few min- ty Me me be necessary,” ‘said ‘the? soperintendent show these gentlemen to Mr. Gaylord’s.” ) : allowed the boy to the elevator, and went a a NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 21 think ‘he carries it to the fence the day after he gets it. I’ve reckoned all along that he hides it some- where in the flat until he has a chance to take it to the fence.” They were standing in Gaylord’s sitting-room. It was a splendidly furnished place. The chairs were of the most expensive kind, there were costly paintings on the walls, the floor was covered with elegant rugs, and on the mantels were vases and gold and silver ornaments. “He’s something of an athlete,” remarked Chick, pointing to the fireplace. That was the one part of the room where the arti- Over the mantel | cles in sight were, not expensive. hung a pair of boxing gloves, a set of foils, a fencing mask, and other things of that_sort, and on the floor beside the grate was a pair of Indian clubs. Nick nodded and went to a cabinet in a corner. It had glass doors, and on its shelves were various medals for success in athletic contests. The detective tried the cabinet door. readily, and he sounded the interior for secret draw- ers. ® Meantime Chick was searching behind the picture frames, and in other places. “Hardly likely to be in tlis room, anyway,” said “Nick. “Let's try his bathroom and bedroom.” It took but a minute to satisfy them that nothing was hidden in the first-named room. In the bed- room it was another matter. A good many articles of furniture were there, and. it took some’ time to investigate them all. Not a drawer was locked. Ev erything they ¥: touched opened readily, but nothing was aan _that was not periectly innocent. “This is beginning to look skittish, E ai Chick” , “The stuff is here somewhere,” returned Nick, prevctis “TI can’t believe that I've sized up oe _ fellow and his, penne fale ay, isso, ats It opened

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x (22 : , NICK CARTER WEEKLY. “We haven't half looked! !” exclaimed N ick, impa- Chick turned his half of the club upside down, and tiently. there rolled out thousands and thousands of dollars’ He went to the open window and looked out. “A fire escape,” he muttered. “That is as. I thought. Have you explored the bed, Chick?” 2x5 “Thoroughly.” ---—s- “Thert come back to the sitting-room. Wait! / There must be a dining-room to an apartment like , this.” 2 ‘They found a dining-room, with a large butler’s pantry and a china closet. - , Everything was easily searched, for here also nothing was locked up. 3 “I believe we’re on a false trail dius once,” Chick. “Guess again!” retorted Nick. ' simply too clever for us up to the present. not going to admit that we’re beaten, are you?” “Weil, I should hate to be found prowling around an innocent man’s rooms.” “Come back to the sitting-room.” Nick spoke sharply. He was nettled and impa- tient. Time was passing, and if Gaylord’s booty was not soon found the game would be lost. 1 He sat down in an easy-chair, and stared around the room. _ Chick went to turning over the rugs and poking under the table in search ak secret drawers. _ Presently Nick strolled over to the fireplace. » “Loose brick?” asked Chick, with a laugh. “No,” and Nick picked up the Indian, clubs. He balanced them in his hands a moment, as 1f 4% is. here weight, which, in fact, was what he was said “The fellow is bean’ iat. ees Oe a Pe ey ‘ i “Come here!” he said. Chick crossed. the room. ing the large end of the other toward him, “Take hold of it,” he said. Chick held the large ond with both hands, and Cie a 54 ert the small end. | a ‘moment ti ye oe was |} in iy pieces, and from ae one, which lass held, a diamond ring You’re — and there was'a moment of silence. . ; Nick had set down one of the clubs, and was hold-’ worth of jewels. “Better than I thought,” muttered Nick. “Here are some of the things stolen from the Wendells, and all the plunder he got last night from the Bel- dens. Put the club together again, Chick, and stand it up in the fireplace just as'we found it.” Be Chick did so, while Nick carried the jewels in his handkerchief to the bedroom and placed them on a bureau. There he knotted the corners of the handkerchief so as to make a bag ofit. ~ “Nearly twelve,” he remarked, looking at his watch. ‘Better turn off the lights, Chick.” os His assistant obeyed, feeling an excitement that es was not usual to him when chasing criminals; for. Chick knew that the most difficult part of their game was yet to be played. 2 He returned to the bedroom, and they waited in we the dark for several minutes. Then a key turned in the lock of the outside door, and they heard steps in the sitting-room. At the same time a line of light beneath the bed- room door showed that Gaylord had turned the elec- _ tric button, They heard him tale off his overcoat and toss it on a chair. . Brent he went to the dining-room, and they could : oA 13, 4 an oa ne eK ms a eae drink. A little later he went back to the sitting-room, Eni Then he came to the bedroom. é AR It was dark there, and Nick’s SRS were on the electric button. Just as Gaylord got well inside, Nick flashed th > lights. ’ Gaylord started violently, and found himself oo ing into the muzzle of a revolver. He had an Indian club in his hand. “The gun’s loaded, guynor,” said Nick, \ tl slangy drawl. “I'll shoot, ye as I would a Biss if you squirm. You might as well drop the cl It’s empty, and I’ve got the stuff that was in it: With his i hand he pee ont the handh ker full of jewels. Neaiees eth ass, ood from one

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. Then he lifted the club and shook ragged his sugges and let it fall to the “ & seen you Ae he said, ~ Nick nodded. . “Carlo Spontini, 1 believe. Well, it was well . You're from headquarters, | suppose? or are you Pinkertons?” “That doesn’t matter,” replied Nick; “we've got , and you'll have to go with us.’ . non that case,” said Gaylord, ‘you might as well il there is. The Van Pelt stuff is out there.” in,” Nick ordered. Le ol to the sitting-room, Nick holding at every step, and est ‘eer a table a tity of jewels. d your handkerchief, Billy,” said Nick, and obeyed, receiving the gems. and tying them up ‘k had done the others. "ve done. well,” ‘repeated Gaylord, desper- “TI can’t help admiring you. I suppose you'll ) saree a few articles of clothing in a bag?” 1 ” replied Nick. “I don’t want rbat here, so I'll step out and > me faith igs: Billy, and stand wv hi revolver and gave Nick his hand- t bieone sb. abe” ie Nick, | “and ie beady when I return.” nt,” replied Gaylord, Opiniig a closet atid aveling bag, nt to the ares began te ‘sia ont he a Cee yt , meantime, ou pede the bed, vane Nick it out through the sitting-room, poked slyly up at Chick. Sg to get pee ng sea don: ae ae NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 23 “What's the matter with retiring on a fortune?” he asked, with a keen look at Chick. “Do you mean that you'll divide?” asked the de- tective. “Yes. Three equal parts. Two for you men, one fez me. What could be fairer?” “Nothing, but it don't go.” “Then,” exclaimed Gaylord, nothing and die!” With the words he leaped upon Chick, and gave him a yiolent push, so that the detective fell back full length on the bed. At the same time Gaylord touc'ied a spring with ° his foot and the bed shut up instantly. Chick was caught in it, unable to move a muscle and doomed to smother to death unless quickly res- cued. In less than the two minutes he had spoken of Nick returned. He had not been further than the general hall of the building. He found the lights as he had left them, but it was suspiciously still in the bedroom. : . He hurried in there and took in the situation at a Slaace: Down came the bad with a bang! Chick sat up and gasped. “Gee!” he said, “that was a close call.” “Where's that fellow gone?” demanded wei in an angry tone. “How the devil do you suppose I thee 3 * retorted suddenly, “take - Chick, with an equal show of anger. Nick ran to the open windy, “Down the fire escape,” he said. “Well,” suggested Chick, “ain't we gd off as it is?” “Yes,” replied Nick, “that’s so. I didn’t know what to to with him, but I'd have felt safer to knock him on the head somewhere. HoweVer, he won't | dare tell on us. Think of that, Billy! He won't dare complain to the pare Oh! this isa rich even-— ing! Pern : “Right you are, but we don’t syestst” to hang round. _ here any longer. » Let's clear out.” Se “We can’t be too estoy about it.” 1) eof crinperanye the sitting-room and ioe, 0 off the before they gram ig door enh the — d hall ‘fa sooner had thy cowed the = oor ti em “a

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5. Se : NICK CARTER WEEKLY. came out who made all haste to find an overcoat and By its light they could see Gaylord within six feet slip to.the outside door, where he listened until he of them, pointing a revolver at them. heard the elevator stop at the floor, and start down “Why don’t you shoot, guvnor?” asked Nick, im- again. pudently.. “Are you afraid of the noise? I should When Nick and Chick left the elevator they be if I was in your place. That kind of a gun is the walked slowly through the main hall of the building very mischief for making a noise. Better chuck it to" the street. and get one of the pattern we use.” fe; “Going to take a cab?” dikea Chick in a tone loud “I shall shoot, just the same, and chance the — enough for the superintendent and hall boys to hear. noise,’ responded Gaylord, coolly, “if you don’t re- — “If it doesn’t rain,” replied Nick, equally loudly, store me my property. Drop that match and don't “I'd rather walk, but we can get a cab if we want light another. The lightning will give us all the il- one at the Plaza.” lumination we need.” It was not raining, but the sky was black with Nick let the match fall. clouds. A thunderstorm was beginning, but the dead added Gavin, “stand where you art detectives did not want a cab. It was part of their alf-minute and I'll tell you something. I suppose = game to walk. you two fellows have heard about honor among _ thieves? I want you to understand, then, that I~ spotted you for what you are while you were still in ei my rooms. At first, I admit that I thought you~ ‘As they came out upon the roof, Nick said softly: were detectives, and I felt pretty bad, but my sus-— “Go carefully. We don’t want to step across : the picions were aroused when one of you went out to — ige in the dark.” call a cab. Later you gave yourselves away, and ~ there’s no use of your trying the detective dodge * any further.” km “What do you mean? 1?” asked Nick. ae “I mean that I didn’t go down the fire escape as you thought. I was so sure that you were iiewanl that after I had shut ap one of you in my folding » 2 bed I slipped into my bathroom, where I heard every word you said. I left the bathroom door open, — their feet. and you were so crazy to get away with the swag They had come close to tHe open space between that you didn’ t even look in there.” : them, pnd the building in-which Nick had taken a “Well.” said Nick, “it’s the old question: Wha ‘flat, and: were going very cautiously, when there was are you goihg-to de-about-it?”, >: ar : s ser ie that lasted aati aie encod, “Do? I’m going to get my share of that plun- It lit up all the neighborhood, and they could set dee” 3 their ne ‘perfectly. “Your share?” oe i), As they were about to step across the open space<=. “Yes. I offered your partner a divvy, sed het was © : tbe heard a voice behind them, and Nick knew that {fool enough to refuse. Now, you must admit | Ai had worked and that they had convinced i've got the advantage of you both. I admire your ’ thei quarry that they weré only thieves. . cleverness and boldness, and I again offer to divid ee “Stand where you are, you ‘two! I’ve got a “I don’t see your advantage.” : gut revolver and it’s may turn now.” ‘ “Youdon’t? Do you think I won't shoot?” ms “You can’t hit more than one at a time, guy and the other will drop you before you can fire < That leaves the advantage with us.’ Gd bape . ee Lut ‘the one who is left. won't hav 2 They went down to Lexington avenue, turned _ north and walked up to the building through which they made their way to the roof. * i 2 “A; Dark was no name for it! They couldn’t see their’ hands before their faces except when the lightning flashed. That was frequently, and the thunderclaps fol- lowed the flashes almost instantly. | - Indeed, they were in the center of the storm, and every crash of thunder shook the buildings beneath m.

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7 There's something in that.” : this moment there was another long flash and is clap of thunder. the light they saw Gaylord ebandiliigs as before h his revolver leveled at them. _ There was the look of calm desperation in his eye that showed that he meant business. ‘ ‘And there’s something more,” said Gaylord, darkness had again come on; “have you fel- _ lows thought how you are going to turn that stuff into cash?” — ~ “Yes,” replied Nick, sigcy. “we have thought of it, and we allow that most likely you have the ad- tage of us there. It’s a rich haul, but we will ve to make big sacrifices at any fence we know € he plan. was working around to the aia he had ed for. The fact is,” added Gaylord, “that if we divide nand | you leave the fence to me, I can get so much of the stuff that your share wet be greater’ than 1 your own way.” . certain of that?” ji wered Gayiord, slowly, “I’ ne tell you. does that mean?” s that there is a sce se iedved: for AS t of business. I’m only one of it. Ido si society end, That's a big field,. and there’s of room in it for clever men like you. I'll let you 1 do the square thing now.” do} you think, Billy?” asked Nick. ounds well,” replied Chick, “but is his nobs the he ae. Can he do what he says?” head of the crowd,” said Gaylord, if ?. e chief. will be sid to take in such ie pine 7” eae NICK CARTER WEEKLY. ess er stacked up ane such a pair as Laut ef the question arid answer, “but my_ _ to leap across. > has In that 25 come up since I left the country a good many years ago. They say he’s a fiend for cleverness and cour- age, but I don’t fear him.” “Nor do we, but we'd like to see him out of the way.” “You shall. That's all arranged.” “Another flash of lightning came, and Gaylord started a little, as he saw that each of the detectives was pointing a revolver at him. Nick laughed. “Speaking of who's got the advantage,” he said, “I reckon it’s about hoss and hoss, ain’t it? Now, guvynor, we want to talk this thing out fair and square, but a roof on a rainy night is no place to do Jit.” “You're right.” “Will you come down to our den? flat in. the next building.” “You are two to my one,” answered Gaylord, “but I'll do it, for if you'll listen to me you'll see that it's for your interest to whack up.” “All right. I propose that each one of us puts up his gun.” - By the light of another flash, Gaylord saw the de- tectives pocketing their weaporfs. He did the same, and said : “Lead on.” Nick stepped over the opening to the next roof, and Chick followed him. “Look out for the open space,” called Nick, warn- ingly. In the darkness they heard Gaylord approaching. He had just put his foot on the low parapet of the roof when there came the most blinding flash. On the instant there was a terrific crash and roar, It’s the top ‘and the air all around them seemed te be cracking and tearing into pieces. Both Nick and Chick felt the sickly faintness that _ comes to all when they are in the very midst of a discharge of electricity. They heard the falling of bricks and knew that a) chimney within a few feet of them had been struck. But they saw something that was Fe. 32 worse than an electric shock. The flash that brought the tears to their eyes by its intense brightness gave them one glimpse of Gay- lord with his foot _— = Fassett ite hee

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ue shock, saw him lose his balance, sway, try to draw back, and then plunge headlong. There was a horrible sound, like a gasp and a groan of horror combined. Then an instant of dreadful silence, followed by a heart-sickening thud from the pavement below. “Good God!” whispered Chick, his blood freezing. ae Nick stood perfectly still for a moment. a - The roar of thunder died away, and there followed a series of short flashes without any loud report. ’ They saw the roofs before them with no living thing on them, save themselves. They saw the edge of the open space, where a mo- _. ment before the society thief had stood. = h Then Nick stepped to the edge and looked down. A flash revealed. a body at the bottom, the arms __. spread out, the head curled under. “Dead!” said Nick, gloomily, a J ever made gone with him!” Chick's response was a shudder. “and the best plan Sees. “T’ve seen death a good many times before this,” . remarked the young man, after a pause, “but never e : anything that seemed quite so awful.” os _ “It's the disappointment, my boy,” said Nick. 33 “Gayiord, of course, got no better than he deserved, but you and I were on the point of learning all about “a the smartest, biggest gang we ever played against, ioe and now we've got to begin all over again, because 6s oy . ; : ” x of an accident—or was it the hand of fate? mt _“T can't tell, but there’s no doubt that your scheme be “had worked perfectly. He was really convinced that - _we were thieyes——” ~ 4 Ts “It must be all right,” he said, smiling. “T sim feel as if the jewels were already back in the hous Foster spoke more truly than he imagined, f ‘that moment another servant came in with” and Chick’s cards. Of course, the detectives were admitted, and came in, looking so grave that Mrs. Van’ 7 a cry of alarm. “Mr. Carter!” she gasped, “have you failed?” igegl: madam,” he answered, “but | my ill be a —ae FP as Nicks , Wen-— ; ©

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ick then took his knotted handkerchief from a et and spread it open on a table. re were crieg of excitement as Mrs. Van Pelt gnized every article that had been stolen. Ah! sir,” said Mr. Helder, “I wish you could have done as much for us.’ s do I,” responded Nick, taking out his own a andkerchief. “I presume a little will be better than nothing. If you and Mr. and Mrs. Wendell will look these tangs: pou may find some articles that ) to you.” _ He laid out the gems that had been hidden in , 4 ord’s Indian club. “others gathered round, with’ many exclama- urprise and joy. o minutes they had picked out their pieces, and it was found that Nick had recovered every ar- : le that had been ,stolen from both houses. f n answer to a question he said: he thief was Melville Gaylord. The police now cha ; O! im.” ie the ladies and gentlemen were so 1 the they ‘were speechless. Nick took ad- : of t : pause & apologize to Foster. ly sorry,” he said, “to Spee you as I couldn’t see any other way.” / mention it, Mr. Carter,” returned Foster, g his hand, “I am immensely pleased that ght the rascal.” so are we,” said Mrs. Van Pelt. “I con- you, Mr. Carter, on your brilliant success.” cess ” ‘echoed Nick, with a bitterness of tone surprised. all of them. “I beg your pardon, and thank you for your kindness, but I feel T had failed miserably. Melville Gaylord is if ob mou give a fortune if he had lived a half- Bin 7 him to. explain, but he politely de- \ ine police will fell you how ” have still a ae, deal to a peut it amay be oie iter st aw Se heard of the stolen NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 27. it, “we will use for the expense in hunting for Higher Up.” Meantime, he had already begun his search anew. When they arrived at home, after leaving Mrs. Van Pelt’s, they found Patsy waiting for them. » “T can’t tell you as much as I wish I could,” said the young detective, “but it’s a starter. I found the locksmith who did the job. scribes brought him a key and asked him to make A man such as Allen de- a duplicate. There’s no hurry,’ this man said, ‘but I'd like to have the use of this key while you are at work.’ “So the locksmith took an impression of the key in wax, made a duplicate next day, and the man called and paid for it day before yesterday.” “Did you examine the house?” asked Nick. “Sure! I found that the previous occupants had | planted morning glories all along Of back of the — house, and beside the fence that incloses their back yard. The vines grow on strings, you know. As the vines are full grown, a man could crawl between them and the wall of the house on one side of the yard, and the fence on the other without being seen from windows. . “I am sure he went out that way, for at the end of the bank of morning glories there is a loose board in the fence. He could pull that aside and get into the yard of the house that faces on the other street. “That is an apartment-house, a and neither of the ground floor flats is occupied , “That’s clear, then,” ii aS Nick, “He got into the apartment-house, watched his chance and probably changed | his disguise in the basement, and then walked out qaiepy. Nobody would notice him.” LE RR “Well.” he. added, Sick, along breath, ‘ ‘us I said to Chick, we've got to begin all over again. The next _ step will be to find the man who fired at me - al- ‘most hit my wife.” How ths aad ae was s taken, ~2 - fold 4 - No.

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* ss FUN FOR EVERYBODY!- This is where all of ‘the funniest stories sent in by the contestants in the new contest will appear. Here are © _ some right off the bat. Read them, boys, and then send in your own, We expect to make these pages the funniest that were ever printed. The boys who read them will get a fund of stories that will keep their friends laughing for a week. : ey: A Shrewd Yankee. , (By John Brezee, Lowell, Mass.) ‘*What do you charge for boarding?’’ asked 4a tall, green mountain boy, as he walked up to the bar of a second-rate hotel in Boston. ‘‘ What do vee ask a week for boarding and lodging ?’’ “Five dollars and a halt.’’ “«Five dollarsand a half! ‘Miat's too much; but I sup- pose you will allow for the times I’m absent from dinner ' and ne ot “Certainly; thirty-seven and a half cents for each meal?’’ Here the conversation ended, and the Yankee took up his quarters for two weeks. During this time he lodged and breakfasted at the hotel, but did not take either din- ner or supper, saying his business detained him in another portion of the city. At the expiration of the ‘two weeks he again went up to the bar and said: “S’pose we settle that account, I'm going in a few minutes.”’ The landlord handed him the bill. pe ‘*Two weeks’ board at $5.50 a week, $11. S pest “Here, stranger,’’ said the Yankee, ae ‘vighé.” Haw so, sir?” ah aa “*You’ve made a mistake. You've not deducted the time I was absent from dinner and supper—fourteen days, two meals per day—twenty-eight meals at thirty- “*this is not seven and a half cents each, $11.50. If you've not the ey fifty cents in change that's due me I'll take a drink, if Bice ee please, and the bslanee in oii fae: peg tetas be Beating the Barbers. a f ay . (By Walter Downs, Toledo, Ohio.) A man who had been nearly talked to death by dbaeieions barbers went into a shop the other day and handed one of the artists a card bearing the words; ; “Give me an easy — ea) Oho go ae the toa chair, and then ee, Nimes dae Lis “sd Nitec and said: inere's ae phe get Stam ‘un, boys, wants an easy gash him oe can’t tall," : ‘replied one -he ran his fingers through the man’s hair. : bite ees vas shanging ve gould see der horses ven dey nee in, und easy schtanti / The boys laughed, and the operator, who in the mean- | time had lathered the man’s face, indulged in further comments as he urged the razor over the facial territory ou before him. ‘What a nose that is, where would I he?”’ ** Well, his cheek is harder than a razor hone.’ “Do you want us to help hold his nose wile you go » over his lips, Johnny ?’’ asked another of the idle Bree “ wielders, “Don’t know but what I wili want a little help.’’ ‘Be careful and don’t drop your razor down his ear or) you'll lose it,’’ admonished another. - i ‘“*What a dirty head he’s got,’’ observed Johnny, a | ‘* gay, <8 some of you fellows write a carél and ask: him if he don’ tu want a shamipoo.’’ The card was writteu and presented to the man, who | shook his head at it, and, the job being finished, nes arose from the chair. “Tt’s all: right, boys,” said he, as he laid down his fifteen cents; ‘‘I don’t mind your talk any. I coul stand it first-rate, so long as you didn’t say anything about baseball, third term, or the Whisky Ring frauds.” He disappeared, and those barbers sat down sai: . thought about him. : ’? said he. ‘‘If he should sneeze : P A Dutchman at the Races. (By Paul Watt, Danville, Conn.) - Dey yas hafing some lifely dimes oudt to der‘? dracks’’ der oder day, und Koppitz ask me didn’t vould like to go oudt und see der races; so I de! Katrina I vas going to been avay a leedle vhile, und take goot gare off der shop vhile I vas gone, und I ve me ondt mit him. Der vas blenty of drotters gs ; pooty goot horses dey vas, too Von off der horses vas galled der ‘Goldschmidt Ma und she was to drot ‘‘against dime,’’ as der ho say. She was a pooty mare, I dells you, und. dey her dree gheers ven she game oudt. ; Der beoples vas petting deir money all aboud us, hants pooty lifely, sidet aboud deir favorid horses. oup py der shudges stant, Pee one goot Lyons Se nk mit Ko dalking, ven: hint me:sey to ‘hisfrient.

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hate to-day, ain’t it? Schuist see how she shteps off! I pet she makes der first mile in 1:80.” I turns me rount, ven he says dot, und kind off piled at der idea off a dorse drotting a mile in von y, ven der vellow he sees me und say: Vot you laffing at, you pig Dutchman? I vant you % tant dot she gan schust do dot, und I pet ‘ou ten tollars, und put der money in dis shentelman's mts, und if she didn’t do dot der money vas yours.”’ i, I vasn’f a petting man, bud I dinks to mineself t dis vas a sure ding enahow, und dot no horse gould drot a mile in von eighdy, uulest he vas tied on mit a aeltvocd drains; so I dakes mine den tollars right avay 1dt und poots it into der shentelman’s hants, und ve “vaited vor der mare to get rount. She was a goot drotter atiyway, bud I velt me sure off der money, und ven der evas gifen 2:18 I schimled all ofer mine face mit bleasure, und say to der shentelman vot'held der money : os. Og mit blease you now I dakes dot dwenty tollars."’ “*Ffolt on,’’ says der vellow dot pet der money, ‘‘ton’t 1 @ hurry; vont you dold me vonce how much vas minute und eighdy seconds?” © & Dot kind off dook me town, vor I remembers dot dere | - vas seexty seconds in der minute, und so von eighdy vas saine as dwo dwendy, und der horse had drotted in eighdeen, vich was bedder as dot; den der vellow sated und kind off pooled town his lefd eye at me. ' ould Bay see dere somedings. creen dere?’ und vatks off mit ae tollars. Dot makes me veel pad, und I ton't _ nore to sooch blaces, und so I ton’t haf to ‘more kis viet fen tolar hue Re No. Ke pr ; rket with eggs. One tis ten (ro), ), and a third has fifty (50). They money. . How do they sell their eggs? itted by D. W. Tromly, Fairfield, Ill. No, 2.—ConNECTED DIamonps. Diamond.—1. A letter. 2. More than one who digs. 4. An army officer. 5, With of light. 7. A letter. eeIOL! dt. A letter. 2. An anjmal/ % - 4 cose wore “Aes ee 6 sh c= $: Smith, Ottawa, Leake: Pe er oe Be ie » same ratio, and each receives the same ~ | 1 to 8, one skilled in heraldry. NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 29 No. 4.—NucMERICAL Entema, I am a word of twelve letters. My 12, 10, 3, 9 is a girl’s name. My 9, 4, 11, 5, 2 is a kind of seed. My I, 2, 10, 3, 6 isa coin: My 6, 9, 7, 2 is a college. My 8, 11, 2, 4, 3, 12 is a city in Europe. My 2, 10, 8, 6 isa grudge. My 7, 9, 3, 2 is a narrow road, My 5, 4, 12, 1 is to break suddenly. My whole is a State in the United States, Submitted by Philip Seilleinier, Hackensack, N, J. No, 5.—Rimixess WHERL. Rite * * 8 2 *K * * * * * * * “ ee *), %* * 9 * 16 Io : TSR SR FRIIS TIS i Ee Bee i ia \ * 13 * : * Sages * CS a 5 * * * * * 6 * 4 * ‘ « : * 5 1 to 9, to lower, 2 to 10, clefts. 3 to 11, a cloak, 4 to 12, public, , | 5 to 13a poent. 6 to 14, to bring on. 7 to 15, dross (—a). 8 to 16, a natural covering. 9 to 16, private. Submitted by H. M. Griffin, Salem, West Va. No, 6,—ANAGRAM. ty That oak U sod. es in fa tae Vista ae

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7 : v 7: xy = No. 7.—Continvous BEHEADINGS. Our oars-with lily-pads are —— Our eager hands the blossoms —— Each cries, ‘‘ Dull care away ——”’ And echo answers ‘‘— Submitted by Albert Schmertz, Pittsburg, Pa. No. 8.—RIpDLE. I paint without colors, I fly without wings, I people the air with most ‘fanciful things: I hear sweet music where no sounds are heard, And eloquence moves me nor utters a word. The past and the present together I bring. The distant and near gather under my wing. Far swifter than lightning my wonderful flight’ Through the sunshine of day or the darkness of night. And those who would find me, must find me, indeed, As this picture they scan, and this posey read. Submitted by Jerry Boulding, Beavers Falls, Pa. No. 9.— DIAMOND. 1. A consonant. 2. A border of lace upon the inner edge of a bonnet. 3. A three-masted vessel. . 4. Resembling tiles. Pa Makes flat. 6. Delayed. 7. Viands. 8. Like blood. 9. A consonant. Submitted by Harry C. Pray, Roxbury, Mass. No. 10.—RIDDLE. I am the center of gravity, hold a prominent position in Vienna, and asI am foremost in every victory, am allowed by aij to be invaluable; always out gf tune, yet ever in voice; invisible, though clearly seen 1n the midst of a river; I have three associates in vice, and could name three who are in love with me. Stiil, it is ip vain you seek me, for I have long been in heaven, and even adinit to lie embalmed in the grave. Submitted by Arthur Bass, St. Louis, Mo. No. 11.—OsLIguk RECTANGLE. I, a letter; 2, one of the signs of the zodiac; _ which must come to all at the end of life; 4, edditgnal 3, that - NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 5, the most prominent Biblical kings of the time of the birth of Christ; 6, a native of ancient Rome; 7, little valleys; 8; at no time; 9, to cut; 10, to reverence; II, carousal; 12, torevolt; 13, one having a leprous disease; 14, an acidous fruit, resembling an orange; 15, actors’ parts, especially in dramas; 16, beneath; 17, instead; 18, purgatory; 19, Satan; 20, a male name; 21, ears; 22, the homes of birds; 23, a stairway; 24, parts of the body, not front or back; 25, cuts, as grain, with a sickle; 26, a small bowl, with long handle attached, used in preparing or partaking of food; 27, pertaining to the sun; 28, pertaining to a navy; 29, scoffs; 30, an ungulate, ruminating South American mammal, allied to the camel, but smaller and without a hump; 31, to mash; 32, remains of any fire; 33, a one-masted vessel, with fore and aft rig, generally having a centerboard; 34, having sobriety; 35, to caress; 36, a letter. Submitted by ‘‘ Knave’s Ink,’’ Wilmington, N. C. No. 12.—DIAMOND. 1, a letter; 2, over (contraction); 3, possessed; 4, restores, repays or returns; 5, having nature of reeds; 6, not wet, moist or damp; 7, a letter. Submitted by ‘‘Knave’s Ink,’’ Wilmington, N. C. epee. Se eee Answers to Last Week’s Puzzles: No. 1.— Honesty is the best policy. No. 2.—Man’s age, 45; lady’s, 15. No. 3.—Street & Smith, publishers. No. 4.—4x4 equals 16. Nine halves multiplied by i6 . equals 72. One-third of 72’ is 24. Seven halves of 24 is 84. One-third of 84 equals 28 years, her age. No. 5.— Coal. : No. 6.—The wine being in the eight gallon keg, you fill the three gallon keg from the eight and empty the three gallon keg into the five. Refill the three from the eight, then finish filling the five from the three, which will leave one gallon in the three gallon keg. Then empty the five into the eight, then empty the one gallon into — the five, then refill the three from the eight and empty _ the three into the five. You will now have four gallons in the five gallon keg and four gallons i in the eight gal- lon keg. Stamp and Coin eae nent, he : _ Each week, in this department, you will I find special articles about stamps and coins. We also give an oppor- as tunity to our readers to make exchanges of coins, as well as stamps, through this department free of cost. and we will answer, ina special column, any questions our readers: would like to ask on these subjects. Address all ‘com \spenications to the ‘‘Stamp and Coin Department.” Stain Collecting As An Inyestnient. i In making a collection with the investment object in , temember one thing, that its value is greatly en- Bik rocega Me condition of the cas chersin it is a rarity, and then only when slightly damaged, and replace it with a perfect copy as soon as possible. Dam aged stamps are pfactically worthless, and cannot, asa rule, be sold for one-tenth ef their catalogue value. Another thing to be watched is the centering) eda 7 a is said to be **well neers; Sees t - y & 4 = ee

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- tly in the center of the paper, with an in all atound. Stamps ‘‘off center’? are worth than those in perfect condition, so that they always be secured well centered, if possible. ei vy. cancellations also decrease the waive of stamps. these things should be borne in mind when amassing ion which will be a sure investment, and if our vestions are faithfully carried out, we believe the ‘ “CORRESPONDENCE. —Youir coins have no premium value. tothe ordinary half dollars of 1854. and 1858 iN ~The dealers charge| twenty-five cents ‘for an e in good condition. —The stamp you illustrate. is a twenty-cent gium issued in 1866. It is worth one cent. a. 3 /D.—The stamp you describe is probably the two of 1878 wis moe “can gaan Tt is not worth any- 5 ga eet note of 1864, portrait of au begets at the sides, is worth 1883 let aleheide teeeitiy- cenmosiarsde pre- tai inly we know. of no one who wants to pay bibe date is worn, of and. ithe inscription igi is worth the keeping. _ -A dollar of 1796 is ipod three Sathana, | Ose yap as your drawing seems to infer, two dol- , mee 1811 hell dollar sells for oo Ss. —Your ikagih batt iphay with date) 1700, vitor seoue of William IIJ., 1695-1702. The reverse shows Britannia seated. If the ai is in oF condition it is half a dollar. yok Wen -A good 1810 cent is feud half'a Satta.” 1811 ; 1826 and 1828 cents, twenty- piss while nice for a collection, ! THE ‘ is from an old Roman coin, ‘but be-classified. If you will send velope to your pew we will on you ask. ties of he 1836 half dal- | NICK CARTER WEEKLY. 31. latter for three dollars in good condition. 1893 Colum- bian half dollars are selling for seventy-five cents at the dealers. ; A. B.—We do not know of any ‘‘St. Louis Expedition stamp.” If you mean the two cent Omaha, it has no value at present. ‘ B. E.—All of the stamps you describe are common and worth very little. The envelope stamp is a Colum- bian, and the three cent locomotive was issued in 1869. H. M.—An 1843 quarter, if fine, is worth half a dol- lar. The Mexican silver coin is a one-fourth real, and this design was used between 1841 and 1861. They usually bring 15 cents. Mo is the mint mark of the city of Mexico. N. A.—Your rubbing is taken from a Bank of Eng- land dollar, 1804. This was struck during the reign of George III., and, as far as we know, is the only purely English coin with the word dollar on. It is worth two dollars and fifty cents, : A. S. A.—The one, two, five, eight and ten cent stamps of the United States were surcharged ‘‘Porto Rico.’’ Afterward the. oue and two cents were sur- charged ‘‘Puerto Rico.’’ The spelling on the higher values was not changed. N. B.—An American half dollar of Sit is ghten sevetity-five cents, and an einreich thaler 1778 of Fred- erick IT. (1740-86), of Germany, is worth two dollars. The ‘‘model penny’’.and the ordinary half penny and pennies of Victoria are all common. bigs a am ye dime, twenty-five cents. Your other cop- per rubbings are from common Cauadian, English and Freneli coins. The one you are more particularly anx- ious about isa French double tournois of Heury ays (1590-1610), 1608, and is worth thirty cents. A. B.—There are several varieties of the five cent, fifty ' ‘cent and one dollar values of United States Internal Reve- nue stamps of 1866. This is dependent upon the inscrip- tion in the lower label of the stamp. They vary in value from one cent each for the common ones to five dollars _ each for the scarcest. _ F. P.—Your coin is a two real of Charles III. (1760-89) of Spain. The mint mark Mo., on the reverse, anne that it was coined in Mexico for use in that coun- ry, then belonging to Spain. ma those of Spain, Lions and Castles, for Leon wae Cas- tile, the two original provinces of Spain. P. B.—The cents of 1800, 1805, 1807 and 1808 are worth respectively, one dollar, twenty- -five, seventy-five, fifty and sixty-five cents; 1818, twenty-five cents;,1831, thirty cents; 1837, 1845 and 1847, fifteen cents each; bss 1954 and 1853, five a “These test bah The arms on the reverse

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- NEW PRIZE CONTEST. “It is to Laugh!’ What is the funniest story you ever heard, boys? What’s the latest joke? Do you know any good ones? If you do, hereisa chance for you to win some dandy prizes. We are going to give away these Prizes to the boys who send us the Funniest Stories or the Best Jokes. Viel —————_ igeneccacesces The Three Boys Who Send Us the Funniest Stories will each receive a first-class, up-to-date Banjo. These banjos are beautiful instruments and are warranted in every particu- lar. They have 11-inch calf heads, walnut nécks, and veneered finger boards, with celluloid inlaid position dots, raised frets, - twenty-four nickel brackets and wired edge. These instru- ments can be easily mastered, and every boy should jump at the opportunity to win one. ; The Five Boys Who Send Us the Next Funniest Stories \ will each receive a complete Magic Trick Outfit, including : the Magician’s Mill, the Columbus Egg, the Enchanted Money Box, the Magician’s Whip, the Enchanted Rose, the Ghostly Finger, the Magic Box, the Great Transformer, the Phantom Ring, the Magic Dice, and the Fire Eater. Besides all the magic tricks, the outfit includes a private instruction book for the use of the operator. The Ten Boys Who Send Us the Next Funniest Stories will each receive a pair of heavy Military Regulation Leg- gings, just the thing for winter wear while coasting, or skat- ing, or for tramping the snow. Warm and durable. Made of extra heavy brown canvas, with four straps. Send in your stories at once, boys. All the best ones will be | published on another page. Watch for them! Some ofthe | funniest stories, jolliest jokes and side-splitting grinds ever | heard are going to appear there. This contest will close February 1. Remember, whether your story wins a prize or not, it stands a good chance of being . published, together with your name. To become a contestant for these prizes, you must cut out the Prize Contest Coupon, printed herewith; fill it out prop- | erly, and mail it to Nick Carrer Wenxty, care of Street & © Smith, 238 William St., New York City, together with your | story. No story will be considered that does not have this " coupon accompanying it. i COUPON NICK CARTER WEEKLY PRIZE CONTEST. POR ree adtccrseuteudiccsewpes lOen PEN ee ee Pate CTE Be pA ea a < £ City or FOUTS 65 uk a oa Cie ROUT Ci cee ee ER TPE NS. asa WES share ihc evodsecckepe P = Ay . «i Sr oo An ee ee eee eee 4 2) 4 SHELDON'S 20m CENTURY § LETTER WRITER | The best guide to correct modern letter writing published! PRICE, 10 CENTS. In this volume, every phrase of letter writing is treated, and innumerable samples of correctly-writ- ten letters are given, showing how a young man may address a banker or a teacher, a friend or a stranger, a bridegroom or a widower, etc., ete. A FEW OF THE MANY SUBJECTS: Grammat—Paragraphs—Titles—Construction of a Letter —Postcripts — Stamps-— Social Letters— Family Letters—A Father's Letter to an Erring Son—A Brother's Warning to a Sister—The Sister's Reply —Letters of Intr: duction—Letters of Condolence— Lettersof Congratulation —Love Letters—Wedding - Announcements—Ceremony and Reception—Form Suitable for Invitations—Marriage Announce- ment—Valentines—General Invitations—Accept- ances and Regrets—Notes of Ceremony and Com- . pliment—Business Letters—Application in Answer to Advertisement—Miscellaneous Letters, etc., etc. For sale by all newsdealers. If ordered by mail, add four cents for postage. STREET & SMITH, 238 William St., N. Y. City. ttt te ee ts ee ~~ Oe a A Book That Young Men May Read With Profit. WOMEN'S SECOETS How to be Beautiful fe = PRICH, 10 CENTS. Read the list of some of the subjects treated : of Beauty—Health Essential to Beauty+Exercise—Food— Brain and meres Foods—Muscle-Making Foods—Heat Producing Foods—Ventilation—Sleep—Clothing—General Hints on Dress— — Fabrics and Colors—Hints About Jewelry—The Skin. / Standard Recipes—For Sunburn and Freckles—For Blotebes and tC) les—Moth Patches and Moles—Face Powders and Rouges— my yi d Rouge. ip bale an Nose~ The Lips—The Breath—The Teeth—To De- Th lop Throat and Bust. The Haier Dandyufi—Pomades—To eg a Hair in Curl. © ands—Beauty Paste—Camphor ice. The ets Fe Corns—For ‘puniopa—For Moist Feet—Ingrowing | Nails. ; t ire Flesh—Effect of Mental Exertion—Love, eaten = ney Mate prea! and Imaginary Beauties—How to — G ae old poly kn naga Maternity. 9 The Woman e Future. The Perfect Man and Woman—Man—W oman. Por sale by all aewsdealers. If ordered by mail, add four cents for postage. STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 238 William Street, N. Y. 7

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“erage ‘ a er ren y Nick Carter Weekly, Large Size The Best Detective Stories in the World No. 228. .Nick Carter in Harness Again ; or, At Odds of Five to Two 229. .Nick Carter's Time Lock Puzzle ; or, The Mystery Five’s Big Haul 230. .Nick Carter’s Unknown Foe ; or, A Bold Game of Blackmail 231..Trapped by a Hypnotist ; or, Nick Carter on the Track of a Swell Abductor 232. .Nick Carter in the Air; or, The Perils of a Female Gymnast 233..Nick Carter in the Witness Chair ; or, A Surprise for a Shyster Lawyer 234.-Nick Carter’s Night Off ; or, Hot Work with a Volunteer Assistant 235..Nick Carter Against a Rival ; or, A Chase After Documents 236. .Nick Carter's Midnight Rescue ; or, A Rascally Millionaire 237..Nick Carter in a Fog ; or, The Strange Flight of a Bridegroom 238. .Nick Carter's Mysterious Neighbor ; or, The Occupant of the Third-Floor Flat eas 239. .The Rolling Mill Tragedy; or, Nick Carter's Hunt to Death 240. .Nick Carter’s Queer Burglary Case ; or, A Thief Robs a Thief 241..Nick Carter Downs a Doctor and Destroys a Prescription 242..Nick Carter Accused of Murder ; or, Identified by a Nose 243. .Nick Carter's Water Trail ; or, The Strange Hiding Place ofa Millionaire 244. .Nick Carter's Dynamite Fiend ; or, The Unraveling of False Clues 245.-.Nick Carter’s Child Rescue ; or, The Defeat of a Desperate Villain 246. .Nick Carter on the Racecourse ; or, Crooked Work in the Paddock 247..Nick Carter's Black Clue ; or, Heard in the Dark (SERIES) NICK CARTER’S ADVENTURES 248..Chapters 1 to 12 describe Nick Carter's Strange Vacation 249. .Chapters 13 to 26 describe Nick Carter Investigating a Leak - 250..Chapters 27 to 37 describe Nick Carter's Double Clue 251..Chapters 38 to 47 describe Nick Carter and ‘‘ The Brown Robin” 252. .Chapters 48 to 55 describe Nick Carter Tracking a Traitor 253. -Chapters 56 to 64 describe Nick Carter's Tunnel Mystery 254..Chapters 65 to 74 describe Nick Catter's Queer Murder Case 255..Chapfers 75 to 83 describe Nick Carter Challenged 256. .Chapters 84 to 93 describe Nick Carter and Arizona Jake os Back numbers always on hand. If you cannot get shill from your newsdealer, FIVE CENTS a copy will bring them to you by mail, postpaid ar — _ STREET & “SMITH, Publishers mtu Siem NEW Yon ~