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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/35902-8.txt b/35902-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4badc91 --- /dev/null +++ b/35902-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11583 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Final Proof, by R. Ottolengui + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Final Proof + or the Value of Evidence + +Author: R. Ottolengui + +Release Date: April 18, 2011 [EBook #35902] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FINAL PROOF *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Ernest Schaal, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +book was produced from scanned images of public domain +material from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + + + + + BY RODRIGUES OTTOLENGUI + + +=An Artist in Crime.= 16^o, $1.00; paper, 50 cts. + +=A Conflict of Evidence.= 16^o, $1.00; paper, 50 cts. + +=A Modern Wizard.= 16^o, $1.00; paper, 50 cts. + +=The Crime of the Century.= 16^o, $1.00; paper, 50 cts. + +=Final Proof, or, the Value of Evidence.= 16^o, $1.00; paper, 50 cts. + + + G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS + + NEW YORK & LONDON + + + + + FINAL PROOF + OR + THE VALUE OF EVIDENCE + + + BY + R. OTTOLENGUI + + + AUTHOR OF "AN ARTIST IN CRIME," "A CONFLICT OF EVIDENCE," + "THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY," ETC. + + + [Illustration] + + + G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS + NEW YORK AND LONDON + The Knickerbocker Press + 1898 + + + + + Copyright, 1898 + BY + G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS + Entered at Stationers' Hall, London + + + The Knickerbocker Press, New York + + + + + PREFATORY + + +The first meeting between Mr. Barnes, the detective, and Robert Leroy +Mitchel, the gentleman who imagines himself to be able to outdo +detectives in their own line of work, was fully set forth in the +narrative entitled _An Artist in Crime_. Subsequently the two men +occupied themselves with the solution of a startling murder mystery, the +details of which were recorded in _The Crime of the Century_. The +present volume contains the history of several cases which attracted +their attention in the interval between those already given to the +world, the first having occured shortly after the termination of the +events in _An Artist in Crime_, and the others in the order here given, +so that in a sense these stories are continuous and interdependent. + + R. O. + + + + + CONTENTS + + + PAGE + + I + THE PHOENIX OF CRIME 1 + + II + THE MISSING LINK 132 + + III + THE NAMELESS MAN 151 + + IV + THE MONTEZUMA EMERALD 169 + + V + A SINGULAR ABDUCTION 189 + + VI + THE AZTEC OPAL 210 + + VII + THE DUPLICATE HARLEQUIN 230 + + VIII + THE PEARLS OF ISIS 261 + + IX + A PROMISSORY NOTE 294 + + X + A NOVEL FORGERY 325 + + XI + A FROSTY MORNING 341 + + XII + A SHADOW OF PROOF 365 + + + + + FINAL PROOF + + OR + + THE VALUE OF EVIDENCE + + + + + FINAL PROOF + + I + + THE PHOENIX OF CRIME + + I + + +Mr. Mitchel was still at breakfast one morning, when the card of Mr. +Barnes was brought to him by his man Williams. + +"Show Mr. Barnes in here," said he. "I imagine that he must be in a +hurry to see me, else he would not call so early." + +A few minutes later the detective entered, saying: + +"It is very kind of you to let me come in without waiting. I hope that I +am not intruding." + +"Not at all. As to being kind, why I am kind to myself. I knew you must +have something interesting on hand to bring you around so early, and I +am proportionately curious; at the same time I hate to go without my +coffee, and I do not like to drink it too fast, especially good coffee, +and this is good, I assure you. Draw up and have a cup, for I observe +that you came off in such a hurry this morning that you did not get +any." + +"Why, thank you, I will take some, but how do you know that I came off +in a hurry and had no coffee at home? It seems to me that if you can +tell that, you are becoming as clever as the famous Sherlock Holmes." + +"Oh, no, indeed! You and I can hardly expect to be as shrewd as the +detectives of romance. As to my guessing that you have had no coffee, +that is not very troublesome. I notice three drops of milk on your coat, +and one on your shoe, from which I deduce, first, that you have had no +coffee, for a man who has his coffee in the morning is not apt to drink +a glass of milk besides. Second, you must have left home in a hurry, or +you would have had that coffee. Third, you took your glass of milk at +the ferry-house of the Staten Island boat, probably finding that you had +a minute to spare; this is evident because the milk spots on the tails +of your frock-coat and on your shoe show that you were standing when you +drank, and leaned over to avoid dripping the fluid on your clothes. Had +you been seated, the coat tails would have been spread apart, and +drippings would have fallen on your trousers. The fact that in spite of +your precautions the accident did occur, and yet escaped your notice, is +further proof, not only of your hurry, but also that your mind was +abstracted,--absorbed no doubt with the difficult problem about which +you have come to talk with me. How is my guess?" + +"Correct in every detail. Sherlock Holmes could have done no better. But +we will drop him and get down to my case, which, I assure you, is more +astounding than any, either in fact or fiction, that has come to my +knowledge." + +"Go ahead! Your opening argument promises a good play. Proceed without +further waste of words." + +"First, then, let me ask you, have you read the morning's papers?" + +"Just glanced through the death reports, but had gotten no further when +you came in." + +"There is one death report, then, that has escaped your attention, +probably because the notice of it occupies three columns. It is another +metropolitan mystery. Shall I read it to you? I glanced through it in +bed this morning and found it so absorbing that, as you guessed, I +hurried over here to discuss it with you, not stopping to get my +breakfast." + +"In that case you might better attack an egg or two, and let me read the +article myself." + +Mr. Mitchel took the paper from Mr. Barnes, who pointed out to him the +article in question, which, under appropriate sensational headlines, +read as follows: + + * * * * * + +"The account of a most astounding mystery is reported to-day for the +first time, though the body of the deceased, now thought to have been +murdered, was taken from the East River several days ago. The facts are +as follows. On Tuesday last, at about six o'clock in the morning, +several boys were enjoying an early swim in the river near Eighty-fifth +Street, when one who had made a deep dive, on reaching the surface +scrambled out of the water, evidently terrified. His companions crowded +about him asking what he had seen, and to them he declared that there +was a 'drownded man down there.' This caused the boys to lose all +further desire to go into the water, and while they hastily scrambled +into their clothes they discussed the situation, finally deciding that +the proper course would be to notify the police, one boy, however, wiser +than the others, declaring that he 'washed his hands of the affair' if +they should do so, because he was not 'going to be held as no witness.' +In true American fashion, nevertheless, the majority ruled, and in a +body the boys marched to the station-house and reported their discovery. +Detectives were sent to investigate, and after dragging the locality for +half an hour the body of a man was drawn out of the water. The corpse +was taken to the Morgue, and the customary red tape was slowly unwound. +At first the police thought that it was a case of accidental drowning, +no marks of violence having been found on the body, which had evidently +been in the water but a few hours. Thus no special report of the case +was made in the press. Circumstances have developed at the autopsy, +however, which make it probable that New Yorkers are to be treated to +another of the wonderful mysteries which occur all too frequently in the +metropolis. The first point of significance is the fact, on which all +the surgeons agree, that the man was dead when placed in the water. +Secondly, the doctors claim that he died of disease, and not from any +cause which would point to a crime. This conclusion seems highly +improbable, for who would throw into the water the body of one who had +died naturally, and with what object could such a singular course have +been pursued? Indeed this claim of the doctors is so preposterous that a +second examination of the body has been ordered, and will occur to-day, +when several of our most prominent surgeons will be present. The third, +and by far the most extraordinary circumstance, is the alleged +identification of the corpse. It seems that one of the surgeons +officiating at the first autopsy was attracted by a peculiar mark upon +the face of the corpse. At first it was thought that this was merely a +bruise caused by something striking the body while in the water, but a +closer examination proved it to be a skin disease known as 'lichen.' It +appears that there are several varieties of this disease, some of which +are quite well known. That found on the face of the corpse, however, is +a very rare form, only two other cases having been recorded in this +country. This is a fact of the highest importance in relation to the +events which have followed. Not unnaturally, the doctors became greatly +interested. One of these, Dr. Elliot, the young surgeon who first +examined it closely, having never seen any examples of lichen before, +spoke of it that evening at a meeting of his medical society. Having +looked up the literature relating to the disease in the interval, he was +enabled to give the technical name of this very rare form of the +disease. At this, another physician present arose, and declared that it +seemed to him a most extraordinary coincidence that this case had been +reported, for he himself had recently treated an exactly similar +condition for a patient who had finally died, his death having occurred +within a week. A lengthy and of course very technical discussion ensued, +with the result that Dr. Mortimer, the physician who had treated the +case of the patient who had so recently died, arranged with Dr. Elliot +to go with him on the following day and examine the body at the Morgue. +This he did, and, to the great amazement of his colleague, he then +declared, that the body before him was none other than that of his own +patient, supposed to have been buried. When the authorities learned of +this, they summoned the family of the deceased, two brothers and the +widow. All of these persons viewed the corpse separately, and each +declared most emphatically that it was the body of the man whose funeral +they had followed. Under ordinary circumstances, so complete an +identification of a body would leave no room for doubt, but what is to +be thought when we are informed by the family and friends of the +deceased that the corpse had been cremated? That the mourners had seen +the coffin containing the body placed in the furnace, and had waited +patiently during the incineration? And that later the ashes of the dear +departed had been delivered to them, to be finally deposited in an urn +in the family vault, where it still is with contents undisturbed? It +does not lessen the mystery to know that the body in the Morgue (or the +ashes at the cemetery) represents all that is left of one of our most +esteemed citizens, Mr. Rufus Quadrant, a gentleman who in life enjoyed +that share of wealth which made it possible for him to connect his name +with so many charities; a gentleman whose family in the past and in the +present has ever been and still is above the breath of suspicion. +Evidently there is a mystery that will try the skill of our very best +detectives." + + * * * * * + +"That last line reads like a challenge to the gentlemen of your +profession," said Mr. Mitchel to Mr. Barnes as he put down the paper. + +"I needed no such spur to urge me to undertake to unravel this case, +which certainly has most astonishing features." + +"Suppose we enumerate the important data and discover what reliable +deduction may be made therefrom." + +"That is what I have done a dozen times, with no very satisfactory +result. First, we learn that a man is found in the river upon whose face +there is a curious distinguishing mark in the form of one of the rarest +of skin diseases. Second, a man has recently died who was similarly +afflicted. The attending physician declares upon examination that the +body taken from the river is the body of his patient. Third, the family +agree that this identification is correct. Fourth, this second dead man +was cremated. Query, how can a man's body be cremated, and then be +found whole in the river subsequently? No such thing has been related in +fact or fiction since the beginning of the world." + +"Not so fast, Mr. Barnes. What of the Phoenix?" + +"Why, the living young Phoenix arose from the ashes of his dead +ancestor. But here we have seemingly a dead body re-forming from its own +ashes, the ashes meanwhile remaining intact and unaltered. A manifest +impossibility." + +"Ah; then we arrive at our first reliable deduction, Mr. Barnes." + +"Which is?" + +"Which is that, despite the doctors, we have two bodies to deal with. +The ashes in the vault represent one, while the body at the Morgue is +another." + +"Of course. So much is apparent, but you say the body at the Morgue is +another, and I ask you, which other?" + +"That we must learn. As you appear to be seeking my views in this case I +will give them to you, though of course I have nothing but this +newspaper account, which may be inaccurate. Having concluded beyond all +question that there are two bodies in this case, our first effort must +be to determine which is which. That is to say, we must discover whether +this man, Rufus Quadrant, was really cremated, which certainly ought to +be the case, or whether, by some means, another body has been exchanged +for his, by accident or by design, and if so, whose body that was." + +"_If_ it turns out that the body at the Morgue is really that of Mr. +Quadrant, then, of course, as you say, some other man's body was +cremated, and----" + +"Why may it not have been a woman's?" + +"You are right, and that only makes the point to which I was about to +call your attention more forcible. If an unknown body has been +incinerated, how can we ever identify it?" + +"I do not know. But we have not arrived at that bridge yet. The first +step is to reach a final conclusion in regard to the body at the Morgue. +There are several things to be inquired into, there." + +"I wish you would enumerate them." + +"With pleasure. First, the autopsy is said to have shown that the man +died a natural death, that is, that disease, and not one of his +fellow-beings, killed him. What disease was this, and was it the same as +that which caused the death of Mr. Quadrant? If the coroner's physicians +declared what disease killed the man, and named the same as that which +carried off Mr. Quadrant, remembering that the body before them was +unknown, we would have a strong corroboration of the alleged +identification." + +"Very true. That will be easily learned." + +"Next, as to this lichen. I should think it important to know more of +that. Is it because the two cases are examples of the same rare variety +of the disease, or was there something so distinct about the location +and area or shape of the diseased surface, that the doctor could not +possibly be mistaken?--for doctors do make mistakes, you know." + +"Yes, just as detectives do," said Mr. Barnes, smiling, as he made notes +of Mr. Mitchel's suggestions. + +"If you learn that the cause of death was the same, and that the lichen +was not merely similar but identical, I should think that there could be +little reason for longer doubting the identification. But if not fully +satisfied by your inquiries along these lines, then it might be well to +see the family of Mr. Quadrant, and inquire whether they too depend upon +this lichen as the only means of identification, or whether, entirely +aside from that diseased spot, they would be able to swear that the body +at the Morgue is their relative. You would have in connection with this +inquiry an opportunity to ask many discreet questions which might be of +assistance to you." + +"All of this is in relation to establishing beyond a doubt the identity +of the body at the Morgue, and of course the work to that end will +practically be simple. In my own mind I have no doubt that the body of +Mr. Quadrant is the one found in the water. Of course, as you suggest, +it will be as well to know this rather than merely to think it. But once +knowing it, what then of the body which is now ashes?" + +"We must identify that also." + +"Identify ashes!" exclaimed Mr. Barnes. "Not an easy task." + +"If all tasks were easy, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, "we should have +little need of talent such as yours. Suppose you follow my advice, +provided you intend to accept it, as far as I have indicated, and then +report to me the results." + +"I will do so with pleasure. I do not think it will occupy much time. +Perhaps by luncheon, I----" + +"You could get back here and join me. Do so!" + +"In the meanwhile shall you do any--any investigating?" + +"I shall do considerable thinking. I will cogitate as to the possibility +of a Phoenix arising from those ashes." + + + II + +Leaving Mr. Mitchel, Mr. Barnes went directly to the office of Dr. +Mortimer, and after waiting nearly an hour was finally ushered into the +consulting-room. + +"Dr. Mortimer," said Mr. Barnes, "I have called in relation to this +remarkable case of Mr. Quadrant. I am a detective, and the extraordinary +nature of the facts thus far published attracts me powerfully, so that, +though not connected with the regular police, I am most anxious to +unravel this mystery if possible, though, of course, I should do nothing +that would interfere with the regular officers of the law. I have +called, hoping that you might be willing to answer a few questions." + +"I think I have heard of you, Mr. Barnes, and if, as you say, you will +do nothing to interfere with justice, I have no objection to telling +you what I know, though I fear it is little enough." + +"I thank you, Doctor, for your confidence, which, I assure you, you +shall not regret. In the first place, then, I would like to ask you +about this identification. The newspaper account states that you have +depended upon some skin disease. Is that of such a nature that you can +be absolutely certain in your opinion?" + +"I think so," said the doctor. "But then, as you must have found in your +long experience, all identifications of the dead should be accepted with +a little doubt. Death alters the appearance of every part of the body, +and especially the face. We think that we know a man by the contour of +his face, whereas we often depend, during life, upon the habitual +expressions which the face ever carries. For example, suppose that we +know a young girl, full of life and happiness, with a sunny disposition +undimmed by care or the world's worry. She is ever smiling, or ready to +smile. Thus we know her. Let that girl suffer a sudden and perhaps +painful death. In terror and agony as she dies, the features are +distorted, and in death the resultant expression is somewhat stamped +upon the features. Let that body lie in the water for a time, and when +recovered it is doubtful whether all of her friends would identify her. +Some would, but others would with equal positiveness declare that these +were mistaken. Yet you observe the physical contours would still be +present." + +"I am pleased, Doctor, by what you say," said Mr. Barnes, "because with +such appreciation of the changes caused by death and exposure in the +water, I must lay greater reliance upon your identification. In this +case, as I understand it, there is something peculiar about the body, a +mark of disease called lichen, I believe?" + +"Yes. But what I have said about the changes caused by death must have +weight here also," said the doctor. "You see I am giving you all the +points that may militate against my identification, that you may the +better judge of its correctness. We must not forget that we are dealing +with a disease of very great rarity; so rare, in fact, that this very +case is the only one that I have ever seen. Consequently I cannot claim +to be perfectly familiar with the appearance of surfaces attacked by +this disease, after they have suffered the possible alterations of +death." + +"Then you mean that, after all, this spot upon which the identification +rests does not now look as it did in life?" + +"I might answer both yes and no to that. Changes have occurred, but they +do not, in my opinion, prevent me from recognizing both the disease and +the corpse. To fully explain this I must tell you something of the +disease itself, if you will not be bored?" + +"Not at all. Indeed, I prefer to know all that you can make intelligible +to a layman." + +"I will use simple language. Formerly a great number of skin diseases +were grouped under the general term 'lichen,' which included all growths +which might be considered fungoid. At the present time we are fairly +well able to separate the animal from the vegetable parasitic diseases, +and under the term 'lichen' we include very few forms. The most common +is _lichen planus_, which unfortunately is not infrequently met, and is +therefore very well understood by the specialists. _Lichen ruber_, +however, is quite distinct. It was first described by the German, Hebra, +and has been sufficiently common in Europe to enable the students to +thoroughly well describe it. In this country, however, it seems to be +one of the rarest of diseases. White of Boston reported a case, and Fox +records another, accompanied by a colored photograph, which, of course, +aids greatly in enabling any one to recognize a case should it occur. +There is one more fact to which I must allude as having an important +bearing upon my identification. _Lichen ruber_, like other lichens, is +not confined to any one part of the body; on the contrary, it would be +remarkable, should the disease be uncontrolled for any length of time, +not to see it in many places. This brings me to my point. The seat of +the disease, in the case of Mr. Quadrant, was the left cheek, where a +most disfiguring spot appeared. It happened that I was in constant +attendance upon Mr. Quadrant for the trouble which finally caused his +decease, and therefore I saw this lichen in its incipiency, and more +fortunately I recognized its true nature. Now whether due to my +treatment or not, it is a fact that the disease did not spread; that is +to say, it did not appear elsewhere upon the body." + +"I see! I see!" said Mr. Barnes, much pleased. "This is an important +point. For if the body at the Morgue exhibits a spot in that exact +locality and nowhere else, and if it is positively this same skin +disease, it is past belief that it should be any other than the body of +your patient." + +"So I argue. That two such unique examples of so rare a disease should +occur at the same time seems incredible, though remotely possible. Thus, +as you have indicated, we have but to show that the mark on the body at +the Morgue is truly caused by this disease, and not by some abrasion +while in the water, in order to make our opinion fairly tenable. Both +Dr. Elliot and myself have closely examined the spot, and we have agreed +that it is not an abrasion. Had the face been thus marked in the water, +we should find the cuticle rubbed off, which is not the case. +Contrarily, in the disease under consideration, the cuticle, though +involved in the disease, and even missing in minute spots, is +practically present. No, I am convinced that the mark on the body at the +Morgue existed in life as the result of this lichen, though the +alteration of color since death gives us a much changed appearance." + +"Then I may consider that you are confident that this mark on the body +is of the same shape, in the same position, and caused by the same +disease as that which you observed upon Mr. Quadrant?" + +"Yes. I do not hesitate to assert that. To this you may add that I +identify the body in a general way also." + +"By which you mean?" + +"That without this mark, basing my opinion merely upon my long +acquaintance with the man, I would be ready to declare that Mr. +Quadrant's body is the one which was taken from the water." + +"What, then, is your opinion as to how this strange occurrence has come +about? If Mr. Quadrant was cremated, how could----" + +"It could not, of course. This is not the age of miracles. Mr. Quadrant +was not cremated. Of that we may be certain." + +"But the family claim that they saw his body consigned to the furnace." + +"The family believe this, I have no doubt. But how could they be sure? +Let us be accurate in considering what we call facts. What did the +family see at the crematory? They saw a closed coffin placed into the +furnace." + +"A coffin, though, which contained the body of their relative." + +Mr. Barnes did not of course himself believe this, but made the remark +merely to lead the doctor on. + +"Again you are inaccurate. Let us rather say a coffin which once +contained the body of their relative." + +"Ah; then you think that it was taken from the coffin and another +substituted for it?" + +"No. I do not go so far. I think, nay, I am sure, that Mr. Quadrant's +body was taken from the coffin, but whether another was substituted for +it, is a question. The coffin may have been empty when burned." + +"Could we settle that point by an examination of the ashes?" + +The doctor started as though surprised at the question. After a little +thought he replied hesitatingly: + +"Perhaps. It seems doubtful. Ashes from bone and animal matter would, I +suppose, bring us chemical results different from those of burned wood. +Whether our analytical chemists could solve such a problem remains to be +seen. Ordinarily one would think that ashes would resist all efforts at +identification." The doctor seemed lost in thoughtful consideration of +this scientific problem. + +"The trimmings of the coffin might contain animal matter if made of +wool," suggested Mr. Barnes. + +"True; that would certainly complicate the work of the chemist, and +throw doubt upon his reported results." + +"You admitted, Doctor, that the body was placed in the coffin. Do you +know that positively?" + +"Yes. I called on the widow on the night previous to the funeral, and +the body was then in the coffin. I saw it in company with the widow and +the two brothers. It was then that it was decided that the coffin should +be closed and not opened again." + +"Whose wish was this?" + +"The widow's. You may well understand that this lichen greatly +disfigured Mr. Quadrant, and that he was extremely sensitive about it. +So much so that he had not allowed any one to see him for many weeks +prior to his death. It was in deference to this that the widow expressed +the wish that no one but the immediate family should see him in his +coffin. For this reason also she stipulated that the coffin should be +burned with the body." + +"You say this was decided on the night before the funeral?" + +"Yes. To be accurate, about five o'clock in the afternoon, though at +this season and in the closed rooms the lamps were already lighted." + +"Was this known to many persons? That is, that the coffin was not again +to be opened?" + +"It was known of course to the two brothers, and also to the undertaker +and two of his assistants who were present." + +"The undertaker himself closed the casket, I presume?" + +"Yes. He was closing it as I escorted the widow back to her own room." + +"Did the brothers leave the room with you?" + +"I think so. Yes, I am sure of it." + +"So that the body was left with the undertaker and his men, after they +knew that it was not to be opened again?" + +"Yes." + +"Did these men leave before you did?" + +"No. I left almost immediately after taking the widow to her own room +and seeing her comfortably lying down, apparently recovered from the +hysterical spell which I had been summoned to check. You know, of +course, that the Quadrant residence is but a block from here." + +"There is one more point, Doctor. Of what disease did Mr. Quadrant die?" + +"My diagnosis was what in common parlance I may call cancer of the +stomach. This, of course, I only knew from the symptoms. That is to say, +there had been no operation, as the patient was strenuously opposed to +such a procedure. He repeatedly said to me, 'I would rather die than be +cut up.' A strange prejudice in these days of successful surgery, when +the knife in skilful hands promises so much more than medication." + +"Still these symptoms were sufficient in your own mind to satisfy you +that your diagnosis was accurate?" + +"I can only say in reply that I have frequently in the presence of +similar symptoms performed an operation, and always with the same +result. The cancer was always present." + +"Now the coroner's autopsy on the body at the Morgue is said to have +shown that death was due to disease. Do you know what they discovered?" + +"Dr. Elliot told me that it was cancer of the stomach." + +"Why, then, the identification seems absolute?" + +"So it seems. Yes." + + + III + +Mr. Barnes next called at the home of the Quadrants, and was informed +that both of the gentlemen were out. With some hesitation he sent a +brief note in to the widow, explaining his purpose and asking for an +interview. To his gratification his request was granted, and he was +shown up to that lady's reception-room. + +"I fear, madame," said he, "that my visit may seem an intrusion, but I +take the deepest sort of interest in this sad affair of your husband, +and I would much appreciate having your permission and authority to +investigate it, with the hope of discovering the wrong-doers." + +"I see by your note," said Mrs. Quadrant in a low, sad voice, "that you +are a detective, but not connected with the police. That is why I have +decided to see you. I have declined to see the regular detective sent +here by the police, though my husband's brothers, I believe, have +answered all his questions. But as for myself, I felt that I could not +place this matter in the hands of men whom my husband always distrusted. +Perhaps his prejudice was due to his politics, but he frequently +declared that our police force was corrupt. Thus you understand why I am +really glad that you have called, for I am anxious, nay, determined, to +discover if possible who it was who has done me this grievous wrong. To +think that my poor husband was there in the river, when I thought that +his body had been duly disposed of. It is horrible, horrible!" + +"It is indeed horrible, madame," said Mr. Barnes sympathizingly. "But we +must find the guilty person or persons and bring them to justice." + +"Yes! That is what I wish. That is what I am ready to pay any sum to +accomplish. You must not consider you are working, as you courteously +offer, merely to satisfy your professional interest in a mysterious +case. I wish you to undertake this as my special agent." + +"As you please, madame, but in that case I must make one condition. I +would ask that you tell this to no one unless I find it necessary. At +present I think I can do better if I am merely regarded as a busybody +detective attracted by an odd case." + +"Why, certainly, no one need know. Now tell me what you think of this +matter." + +"Well, it is rather early to formulate an opinion. An opinion is +dangerous. One is so apt to endeavor to prove himself right, whereas he +ought merely to seek out the truth. But if you have any opinion, it is +necessary for me to know it. Therefore I must answer you by asking the +very question which you have asked me. What do you think?" + +"I think that some one took the body of my husband from the coffin, and +that we burned an empty casket. But to guess what motive there could be +for such an act would be beyond my mental abilities. I have thought +about it till my head has ached, but I can find no reason for such an +unreasonable act." + +"Let me then suggest one to you, and then perhaps your opinion may +be more useful. Suppose that some person, some one who had the +opportunity, had committed a murder. By removing the body of your +husband, and replacing it with that of his victim, the evidences of his +own crime would be concealed. The discovery of your husband's body, +even if identified, as it has been, could lead to little else than +mystification, for the criminal well knew that the autopsy would show +natural causes of death." + +"But what a terrible solution this is which you suggest! Why, no one had +access to the coffin except the undertaker and his two men!" + +"You naturally omit your two brothers, but a detective cannot make such +discrimination." + +"Why, of course I do not count them, for certainly neither of them could +be guilty of such a crime as you suggest. It is true that Amos--but that +is of no consequence." + +"Who is Amos?" asked Mr. Barnes, aroused by the fact that Mrs. Quadrant +had left her remark unfinished. + +"Amos is one of my brothers--my husband's brothers, I mean. Amos +Quadrant was next in age, and Mark the youngest of the three. But, Mr. +Barnes, how could one of the undertakers have made this exchange which +you suggest? Certainly they could not have brought the dead body here, +and my husband's body never left the house prior to the funeral." + +"The corpse which was left in place of that of your husband must have +been smuggled into this house by some one. Why not by one of these men? +How, is a matter for explanation later. There is one other possibility +about which you may be able to enlighten me. What opportunity, if any, +was there that this substitution may have occurred at the crematory?" + +"None at all. The coffin was taken from the hearse by our own +pall-bearers, friends all of them, and carried directly to the room into +which the furnace opened. Then, in accordance with my special request, +the coffin, unopened, was placed in the furnace in full view of all +present." + +"Were you there yourself?" + +"Oh! no, no! I could not have endured such a sight. The cremation was +resorted to as a special request of my husband. But I am bitterly +opposed to such a disposition of the dead, and therefore remained at +home." + +"Then how do you know what you have told me?--that there was no chance +for substitution at the crematory?" + +"Because my brothers and other friends have related all that occurred +there in detail, and all tell the same story that I have told you." + +"Dr. Mortimer tells me that you decided to have the coffin closed +finally on the evening prior to the funeral. With the casket closed, I +presume you did not consider it necessary to have the usual watchers?" + +"Not exactly, though the two gentlemen, I believe, sat up through the +night, and occasionally visited the room where the casket was." + +"Ah! Then it would seem to have been impossible for any one to enter the +house and accomplish the exchange, without being detected by one or both +of these gentlemen?" + +"Of course not," said Mrs. Quadrant, and then, realizing the necessary +deduction, she hastened to add: "I do not know. After all, they may not +have sat up through all the night." + +"Did any one enter the house that night, so far as you know?" + +"No one, except Dr. Mortimer, who stopped in about ten as he was +returning from a late professional call. He asked how I was, and went +on, I believe." + +"But neither of the undertakers came back upon any excuse?" + +"Not to my knowledge." + +At this moment some one was heard walking in the hall below, and Mrs. +Quadrant added: + +"I think that may be one of my brothers now. Suppose you go down and +speak to him. He would know whether any one came to the house during the +night. You may tell him that you have seen me, if you wish, and that I +have no objection to your endeavoring to discover the truth." + +Mr. Barnes bade Mrs. Quadrant adieu and went down to the parlor floor. +Not meeting any one, he touched a bell, and when the servant responded, +asked for either of the gentlemen of the house who might have come in. +He was informed that Mr. Mark Quadrant was in the library, and was +invited to see him there. + +Mr. Mark Quadrant was of medium height, body finely proportioned, erect +figure, a well-poised head, keen, bright eyes, a decided blond, and wore +a Vandyke beard, close trimmed. He looked at Mr. Barnes in such a manner +that the detective knew that whatever he might learn from this man would +be nothing that he would prefer to conceal, unless accidentally +surprised from him. It was necessary therefore to approach the subject +with considerable circumspection. + +"I have called," said Mr. Barnes, "in relation to the mysterious +circumstances surrounding the death of your brother." + +"Are you connected with the police force?" asked Mr. Quadrant. + +"No. I am a private detective." + +"Then you will pardon my saying that you are an intruder--an unwelcome +intruder." + +"I think not," said Mr. Barnes, showing no irritation at his reception. +"I have the permission of Mrs. Quadrant to investigate this affair." + +"Oh! You have seen her, have you?" + +"I have just had an interview with her." + +"Then your intrusion is more than unwelcome; it is an impertinence." + +"Why, pray?" + +"You should have seen myself or my brother, before disturbing a woman in +the midst of her grief." + +"I asked for you or your brother, but you were both away. It was only +then that I asked to see Mrs. Quadrant." + +"You should not have done so. It was impertinent, I repeat. Why could +you not have waited to see one of us?" + +"Justice cannot wait. Delay is often dangerous." + +"What have you to do with justice? This affair is none of your +business." + +"The State assumes that a crime is an outrage against all its citizens, +and any man has the right to seek out and secure the punishment of the +criminal." + +"How do you know that any crime has been committed?" + +"There can be no doubt about it. The removal of your brother's body from +his coffin was a criminal act in itself, even if we do not take into +account the object of the person who did this." + +"And what, pray, was the object, since you are so wise?" + +"Perhaps the substitution of the body of a victim of murder, in order +that the person killed might be incinerated." + +"That proposition is worthy of a detective. You first invent a crime, +and then seek to gain employment in ferreting out what never occurred." + +"That hardly holds with me, as I have offered my service without +remuneration." + +"Oh, I see. An enthusiast in your calling! A crank, in other words. +Well, let me prick your little bubble. Suppose I can supply you with +another motive, one not at all connected with murder?" + +"I should be glad to hear you propound one." + +"Suppose that I tell you that though my brother requested that his body +should be cremated, both his widow and myself were opposed? Suppose that +I further state that my brother Amos, being older than I, assumed the +management of affairs, and insisted that the cremation should occur? And +then suppose that I admit that to thwart that, I removed the body +myself?" + +"You ask me to suppose all this," said Mr. Barnes quietly. "In reply, I +ask you, do you make such a statement?" + +"Why, no. I do not intend to make any statement, because I do not +consider that you have any right to mix yourself up in this affair. It +is my wish that the matter should be allowed to rest. Nothing could be +more repugnant to my feelings, or to my brother's, were he alive, poor +fellow, than all this newspaper notoriety. I wish to see the body +buried, and the mystery with it. I have no desire for any solution." + +"But, despite your wishes, the affair will be, must be, investigated. +Now, to discuss your imaginary proposition, I will say that it is so +improbable that no one would believe it." + +"Why not, pray?" + +"First, because it was an unnatural procedure upon such an inadequate +motive. A man might kill his brother, but he would hardly desecrate his +brother's coffin merely to prevent a certain form of disposing of the +dead." + +"That is mere presumption. You cannot dogmatically state what may +actuate a man." + +"But in this case the means was inadequate to the end." + +"How so?" + +"If the combined wishes of yourself and the widow could not sway your +brother Amos, who had taken charge of the funeral, how could you hope +when the body should be removed from the river, that he would be more +easily brought around to your wishes?" + +"The effort to cremate the body having failed once, he would not resist +my wishes in the second burial." + +"That is doubtful. I should think he would be so incensed by your act, +that he would be more than ever determined that you should have no say +in the matter. But supposing that you believed otherwise, and that you +wished to carry out this extraordinary scheme, you had no opportunity to +do so." + +"Why not?" + +"I suppose, of course, that your brother sat up with the corpse through +the night before the funeral." + +"Exactly. You suppose a good deal more than you know. My brother did not +sit up with the corpse. As the coffin had been closed, there was no need +to follow that obsolete custom. My brother retired before ten o'clock. +I myself remained up some hours longer." + +Thus in the mental sparring Mr. Barnes had succeeded in learning one +fact from this reluctant witness. + +"But even so," persisted the detective, "you would have found difficulty +in removing the body from this house to the river." + +"Yet it was done, was it not?" + +This was unanswerable. Mr. Barnes did not for a moment place any faith +in what this brother had said. He argued that had he done anything like +what he suggested, he would never have hinted at it as a possibility. +Why he did so was a puzzle. Perhaps he merely wished to make the affair +seem more intricate, in the hope of persuading him to drop the +investigation, being, as he had stated, honestly anxious to have the +matter removed from the public gaze, and caring nothing about any +explanation of how his brother's body had been taken from the coffin. On +the other hand, there was a possibility which could not be entirely +overlooked. He might really have been guilty of acting as he had +suggested, and perhaps now told of it as a cunning way of causing the +detective to discredit such a solution of the mystery. Mr. Barnes +thought it well to pursue the subject a little further. + +"Suppose," said he, "that it could be shown that the ashes now in the +urn at the cemetery are the ashes of a human being?" + +"You will be smart if you can prove that," said Mr. Quadrant. "Ashes +are ashes, I take it, and you will get little proof there. But since you +discussed my proposition, I will argue with you about yours. You say, +suppose the ashes are those of a human being. Very well, then, that +would prove that my brother was cremated after all, and that I have been +guying you, playing with you as a fisherman who fools a fish with +feathers instead of real bait." + +"But what of the identification of the body at the Morgue?" + +"Was there ever a body at the Morgue that was not identified a dozen +times? People are apt to be mistaken about their friends after death." + +"But this identification was quite complete, being backed up by +scientific reasons advanced by experts." + +"Yes, but did you ever see a trial where expert witnesses were called, +that equally expert witnesses did not testify to the exact contrary? Let +me ask you a question. Have you seen this body at the Morgue?" + +"Not yet." + +"Go and see it. Examine the sole of the left foot. If you do not find a +scar three or four inches long the body is not that of my brother. This +scar was the result of a bad gash made by stepping on a shell when in +bathing. He was a boy at the time, and I was with him." + +"But, Mr. Quadrant," said Mr. Barnes, astonished by the new turn of the +conversation, "I understood that you yourself admitted that the +identification was correct." + +"The body was identified by Dr. Mortimer first. My sister and my brother +agreed with the doctor, and I agreed with them all, for reasons of my +own." + +"Would you mind stating those reasons?" + +"You are not very shrewd if you cannot guess. I want this matter +dropped. Had I denied the identity of the body it must have remained at +the Morgue, entailing more newspaper sensationalism. By admitting the +identity, I hoped that the body would be given to us for burial, and +that the affair would then be allowed to die." + +"Then if, as you now signify, this is not your brother's body, what +shall I think of your suggestion that you yourself placed the body in +the river?" + +"What shall you think? Why, think what you like. That is your affair. +The less you think about it, though, the better pleased I should be. And +now really I cannot permit this conversation to be prolonged. You must +go, and if you please I wish that you do not come here again." + +"I am sorry that I cannot promise that. I shall come if I think it +necessary. This is your sister's house, I believe, and she has expressed +a wish that I pursue this case to the end." + +"My sister is a fool. At any rate, I can assure you, you shall not get +another chance at me, so make the most of what information I have given +you. Good morning." + +With these words Mr. Mark Quadrant walked out of the room, leaving Mr. +Barnes alone. + + + IV + +Mr. Barnes stood for a moment in a quandary, and then decided upon a +course of action. He touched the bell which he knew would call the +butler, and then sat down by the grate fire to wait. Almost immediately +his eye fell upon a bit of white paper protruding from beneath a small +rug, and he picked it up. Examining it closely, he guessed that it had +once contained some medicine in powder form, but nothing in the shape of +a label, or traces of the powder itself, was there to tell what the drug +had been. + +"I wonder," thought he, "whether this bit of paper would furnish me with +a clue? I must have it examined by a chemist. He may discern by his +methods what I cannot detect with the naked eye." + +With this thought in his mind, he carefully folded the paper in its +original creases and deposited it in his wallet. At that moment the +butler entered. + +"What is your name?" asked Mr. Barnes. + +"Thomas, sir," said the man, a fine specimen of the intelligent New York +negro. "Thomas Jefferson." + +"Well, Thomas, I am a detective, and your mistress wishes me to look +into the peculiar circumstances which, as you know, have occurred. Are +you willing to help me?" + +"I'll do anything for the mistress, sir." + +"Very good. That is quite proper. Now, then, do you remember your +master's death?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"And his funeral?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"You know when the undertaker and his men came and went, and how often, +I presume? You let them in and saw them?" + +"I let them in, yes, sir. But once or twice they went out without my +knowing." + +"At five o'clock on the afternoon before the funeral, I am told that +Mrs. Quadrant visited the room where the body was, and ordered that the +coffin should be closed for the last time. Did you know this?" + +"No, sir." + +"I understand that at that time the undertaker and two of his men were +in the room, as were also the two Mr. Quadrants, Mrs. Quadrant, and the +doctor. Now, be as accurate as you can, and tell me in what order and +when these persons left the house." + +"Dr. Mortimer went away, I remember, just after Mrs. Quadrant went to +her room to lie down. Then the gentlemen went in to dinner, and I served +them. The undertaker and one of his men left together just as dinner was +put on table. I remember that because the undertaker stood in the hall +and spoke a word to Mr. Amos just as he was entering the dining-room. +Mr. Amos then turned to me, and said for me to show them out. I went to +the door with them, and then went back to the dining-room." + +"Ah! Then one of the undertaker's men was left alone with the body?" + +"I suppose so, unless he went away first. I did not see him go at all. +But, come to think of it, he must have been there after the other two +went away." + +"Why?" + +"Because, when I let out the undertaker and his man, their wagon was at +the door, but they walked off and left it. After dinner it was gone, so +the other man must have gone out and driven off in it." + +"Very probably. Now, can you tell me this man's name? The last to leave +the house, I mean?" + +"I heard the undertaker call one 'Jack,' but I do not know which one." + +"But you saw the two men--the assistants, I mean. Can you not describe +the one that was here last?" + +"Not very well. All I can say is that the one that went away with the +undertaker was a youngish fellow without any mustache. The other was a +short, thick-set man, with dark hair and a stubby mustache. That is all +I noticed." + +"That will be enough. I can probably find him at the undertaker's. Now, +can you remember whether either of the gentlemen sat up with the corpse +that night?" + +"Both the gentlemen sat in here till ten o'clock. The body was across +the hall in the little reception-room near the front door. About ten the +door-bell rang, and I let in the doctor, who stopped to ask after Mrs. +Quadrant. He and Mr. Amos went up to her room. The doctor came down in a +few minutes, alone, and came into this room to talk with Mr. Mark." + +"How long did he stay?" + +"I don't know. Not long, I think, because he had on his overcoat. But +Mr. Mark told me I could go to bed, and he would let the doctor out. So +I just brought them a fresh pitcher of ice-water, and went to my own +room." + +"That is all, then, that you know of what occurred that night?" + +"No, sir. There was another thing, that I have not mentioned to any one, +though I don't think it amounts to anything." + +"What was that?" + +"Some time in the night I thought I heard a door slam, and the noise +woke me up. I jumped out of bed and slipped on some clothes and came as +far as the door here, but I did not come in." + +"Why not?" + +"Because I saw Mr. Amos in here, standing by the centre-table with a +lamp in his hand. He was looking down at Mr. Mark, who was fast asleep +alongside of the table, with his head resting on his arm on the table." + +"Did you notice whether Mr. Amos was dressed or not?" + +"Yes, sir. That's what surprised me. He had all his clothes on." + +"Did he awaken his brother?" + +"No. He just looked at him, and then tiptoed out and went upstairs. I +slipped behind the hall door, so that he would not see me." + +"Was the lamp in his hand one that he had brought down from his own +room?" + +"No, sir. It was one that I had been ordered to put in the room where +the coffin was, as they did not want the electric light turned on in +there all night. Mr. Amos went back into the front room, and left the +lamp there before he went upstairs." + +"Do you know when Mr. Mark went up to his room? Did he remain downstairs +all night?" + +"No, sir. He was in bed in his own room when I came around in the +morning. About six o'clock, that was. But I don't know when he went to +bed. He did not come down to breakfast, though, till nearly noon. The +funeral was at two o'clock." + +"That is all, I think," said Mr. Barnes. "But do not let any one know +that I have talked with you." + +"Just as you say, sir." + +As it was now nearing noon, Mr. Barnes left the house and hastened up to +Mr. Mitchel's residence to keep his engagement for luncheon. Arrived +there, he was surprised to have Williams inform him that he had received +a telephone message to the effect that Mr. Mitchel would not be at home +for luncheon. + +"But, Inspector," said Williams, "here's a note just left for you by a +messenger." + +Mr. Barnes took the envelope, which he found inclosed the following from +Mr. Mitchel: + +"FRIEND BARNES:-- + +"Am sorry I cannot be home to luncheon. Williams will give you a bite. I +have news for you. I have seen the ashes, and there is now no doubt that +a body, a human body, was burned at the crematory that day. I do not +despair that we may yet discover whose body it was. More when I know +more." + + + V + +Mr. Barnes read this note over two or three times, and then folded it +thoughtfully and put it in his pocket. He found it difficult to decide +whether Mr. Mitchel had been really detained, or whether he had +purposely broken his appointment. If the latter, then Mr. Barnes felt +sure that already he had made some discovery which rendered this case +doubly attractive to him, so much so that he had concluded to seek the +solution himself. + +"That man is a monomaniac," thought Mr. Barnes, somewhat nettled. "I +come here and attract his attention to a case that I know will afford +him an opportunity to follow a fad, and now he goes off and is working +the case alone. It is not fair. But I suppose this is another challenge, +and I must work rapidly to get at the truth ahead of him. Well, I will +accept, and fight it out." + +Thus musing, Mr. Barnes, who had declined Williams's offer to serve +luncheon, left the house and proceeded to the shop of the undertaker. +This man had a name the full significance of which had never come home +to him until he began the business of caring for the dead. He spelled it +Berial, and insisted that the pronunciation demanded a long sound to the +"i," and a strong accent on the middle syllable. But he was constantly +annoyed by the cheap wit of acquaintances, who with a significant titter +would call him either Mr. "Burial," or Mr. "Bury all." + +Mr. Barnes found Mr. Berial disengaged, undertakers, fortunately, not +always being rushed with business, and encountered no difficulty in +approaching his subject. + +"I have called, Mr. Berial," said the detective, "to get a little +information about your management of the funeral of Mr. Quadrant." + +"Certainly," said Mr. Berial; "any information I can give, you are +welcome to. Detective, I suppose?" + +"Yes; in the interest of the family," replied Mr. Barnes. "There are +some odd features of this case, Mr. Berial." + +"Odd?" said the undertaker. "Odd don't half cover it. It's the most +remarkable thing in the history of the world. Here I am, with an +experience in funerals covering thirty years, and I go and have a man +decently cremated, and, by hickory, if he ain't found floating in the +river the next morning. Odd? Why, there ain't any word to describe a +thing like that. It's devilish; that's the nearest I can come to it." + +"Well, hardly that," said Mr. Barnes, with a smile. "Of course, since +Mr. Quadrant's body has been found in the river, it never was cremated." + +"Who says so?" asked the undertaker, sharply. "Not cremated? Want to bet +on that? I suppose not. We can't make a bet about the dead. It wouldn't +be professional. But Mr. Quadrant was cremated. There isn't any question +about that point. Put that down as final." + +"But it is impossible that he should have been cremated, and then +reappear at the Morgue." + +"Just what I say. The thing's devilish. There's a hitch, of course. But +why should it be at my end, eh? Tell me that, will you? There's just as +much chance for a mistake at the Morgue as at the funeral, isn't there?" +This was said in a tone that challenged dispute. + +"What mistake could have occurred at the Morgue?" asked Mr. Barnes. + +"Mistaken identification," replied the undertaker so quickly that he had +evidently anticipated the question. "Mistaken identification. That's +your cue, Mr. Barnes. It's happened often enough before," he added, with +a chuckle. + +"I scarcely think there can be a mistake of that character," said Mr. +Barnes, thinking, nevertheless, of the scar on the foot. "This +identification is not merely one of recognition; it is supported by +scientific reason, advanced by the doctors." + +"Oh! doctors make mistakes too, I guess," said Mr. Berial, testily. +"Look here, you're a detective. You're accustomed to weigh evidence. +Now tell me, will you, how could this man be cremated, as I tell you he +was, and then turn up in the river? Answer that, and I'll argue with +you." + +"The question, of course, turns on the fact of the cremation. How do you +know that the body was in the coffin when it was consigned to the +furnace?" + +"How do I know? Why, ain't that my business? Who should know if I don't? +Didn't I put the body in the coffin myself?" + +"Very true. But why could not some one have taken the body out after you +closed the coffin finally, and before the hour of the funeral?" + +Mr. Berial laughed softly to himself, as though enjoying a joke too good +to be shared too soon with another. Presently he said: + +"That's a proper question, of course; a very proper question, and I'll +answer it. But I must tell you a secret, so you may understand it. You +see in this business we depend a good deal on the recommendation of the +attending physician. Some doctors are real professional, and recommend a +man on his merits. Others are different. They expect a commission. +Surprises you, don't it? But it's done every day in this town. The +doctor can't save his patient, and the patient dies. Then he tells the +sorrowing friends that such and such an undertaker is the proper party +to hide away the result of his failure; failure to cure, of course. In +due time he gets his little check, ten per cent. of the funeral bill. +This seems like wandering away from the point, but I am coming back to +it. This commission arrangement naturally keeps me on the books of +certain doctors, and vicy versy it keeps them on mine. So, working for +certain doctors, it follows that I work for a certain set of people. Now +I've a Catholic doctor on my books, and it happens that the cemetery +where that church buries is in a lonesome place; just the spot for a +grave-robber to work undisturbed, especially if the watchman out there +should happen to be fond of his tipple, which I tell you, again in +confidence, that he is. Now, then, it has happened more than once, +though it has been kept quiet, that a grave filled up one afternoon +would be empty the next morning. At least the body would be gone. Of +course they wouldn't take the coffin, as they'd be likely to be caught +getting rid of it. You see, a coffin ain't exactly regular household +furniture. If they have time they fill the grave again, but often enough +they're too anxious to get away, because, of course, the watchman might +not be drunk. Well, these things being kept secret, but still pretty +well known in the congregation, told in whispers, I might say, a sort of +demand sprung up for a style of coffin that a grave-robber couldn't +open,--a sort of coffin with a combination lock, as it were." + +"You don't mean to say--" began Mr. Barnes, greatly interested at last +in the old man's rather lengthy speech. He was interrupted by the +undertaker, who again chuckled as he exclaimed: + +"Don't I? Well, I do, though. Of course I don't mean there's really a +combination lock. That would never do. We often have to open the coffin +for a friend who wants to see the dead face again, or for folks that +come to the funeral late. It's funny, when you come to think of it, how +folks will be late to funerals. As they only have this last visit to +make, you'd think they'd make it a point to be on time and not delay the +funeral. But about the way I fasten a coffin. If any grave-robber +tackles one of my coffins without knowing the trick, he'd be astonished, +I tell you. I often think of it and laugh. You see, there's a dozen +screws and they look just like ordinary screws. But if you work them all +out with a screw-driver, your coffin lid is just as tight as ever. You +see, it's this way. The real screw works with a reverse thread, and is +hollow on the top. Now I have a screw-driver that is really a screw. +When the screw-threaded end of this is screwed into the hollow end of +the coffin-bolt, as soon as it is in tight it begins to unscrew the +bolt. To put the bolt in, in the first place, I first screw it tight on +to my screw-driver, and then drive it in, turning backwards, and as soon +as it is tight my screw-driver begins to unscrew and so comes out. Then +I drop in my dummy screw, and just turn it down to fill the hole. Now +the dummy screw and the reverse thread of the real bolt is a puzzle for +a grave-robber, and anyway he couldn't solve it without one of my own +tools." + +Mr. Barnes reflected deeply upon this as a most important statement. If +Mr. Quadrant's coffin was thus fastened, no one could have opened it +without the necessary knowledge and the special screw-driver. He +recalled that the butler had told him that one of Mr. Berial's men had +been at the house after the departure of the others. This man was +therefore in the position to have opened the coffin, supposing that he +had had one of the screw-drivers. Of this it would be well to learn. + +"I suppose," said Mr. Barnes, "that the coffin in which you placed Mr. +Quadrant was fastened in this fashion?" + +"Yes; and I put the lid on and fastened it myself." + +"What, then, did you do with the screw-driver? You might have left it at +the house." + +"I might have, but I didn't. No; I'm not getting up a combination and +then leaving the key around loose. No, sir; there's only one of those +screw-drivers, and I take care of it myself. I'll show it to you." + +The old man went to a drawer, which he unlocked, and brought back the +tool. + +"You see what it is," he continued--"double-ended. This end is just the +common every-day screw-driver. That is for the dummies that fill up the +hollow ends after the bolts are sent home. The other end, you see, looks +just like an ordinary screw with straight sides. There's a shoulder to +keep it from jamming. Now that's the only one of those, and I keep it +locked in that drawer with a Yale lock, and the key is always in my +pocket. No; I guess that coffin wasn't opened after I shut it." + +Mr. Barnes examined the tool closely, and formed his own conclusions, +which he thought best to keep to himself. + +"Yes," said he aloud; "it does seem as though the mistake must be in the +identification." + +"What did I tell you?" exclaimed Mr. Berial, delighted at thinking that +he had convinced the detective. "Oh, I guess I know my business." + +"I was told at the house," said Mr. Barnes, "that when you left, after +closing the coffin, one of your men stayed behind. Why was that?" + +"Oh, I was hungry and anxious to get back for dinner. One of my men, +Jack, I brought away with me, because I had to send him up to another +place to get some final directions for another funeral. The other man +stayed behind to straighten up the place and bring off our things in the +wagon." + +"Who was this man? What is his name?" + +"Jerry, we called him. I don't know his last name." + +"I would like to have a talk with him. Can I see him?" + +"I am afraid not. He isn't working with me any more." + +"How was that?" + +"He left, that's all. Threw up his job." + +"When was that?" + +"This morning." + +"This morning?" + +"Yes; just as soon as I got here, about eight o'clock." + +Mr. Barnes wondered whether there was any connection between this man's +giving up his position, and the account of the discoveries in regard to +Mr. Quadrant's body which the morning papers had published. + + + VI + +"Mr. Berial," said Mr. Barnes after a few moments' thought, "I wish you +would let me have a little talk with your man--Jack, I think you called +him. And I would like to speak to him alone if you don't mind. I feel +that I must find this other fellow, Jerry, and perhaps Jack may be able +to give me some information as to his home, unless you can yourself tell +me where he lives." + +"No; I know nothing about him," said Mr. Berial. "Of course you can +speak to Jack. I'll call him in here and I'll be off to attend to some +business. That will leave you alone with him." + +Jack, when he came in, proved to be a character. Mr. Barnes soon +discovered that he had little faith in the good intentions of any one in +the world except himself. He evidently was one of those men who go +through life with a grievance, feeling that all people have in some way +contributed to their misfortune. + +"Your name is Jack," said Mr. Barnes; "Jack what?" + +"Jackass, you might say," answered the fellow, with a coarse attempt at +wit. + +"And why, pray?" + +"Well, a jackass works like a slave, don't he? And what does he get out +of it? Lots of blows, plenty of cuss words, and a little fodder. It's +the same with yours truly." + +"Very well, my man, have your joke. But now tell me your name. I am a +detective." + +"The devil a much I care for that. I ain't got nothin' to hide. My +name's Randal, if you must have it. Jack Randal." + +"Very good. Now I want to ask you a few questions about the funeral of +Mr. Quadrant." + +"Ask away. Nobody's stoppin' you." + +"You assisted in preparing the body for the coffin, I think?" + +"Yes, and helped to put him in it." + +"Have you any idea how he got out of it again?" asked Mr. Barnes +suddenly. + +"Nit. Leastways, not any worth mentionin', since I can't prove what I +might think." + +"But I should like to know what you think, anyway," persisted the +detective. + +"Well, I think he was took out," said Randal with a hoarse laugh. + +"Then you do not believe that he was cremated?" + +"Cremated? Not on your life. If he was made into ashes, would he turn up +again a floater and drift onto the marble at the Morgue? I don't +think." + +"But how could the body have gotten out of the coffin?" + +"He couldn't. I never saw a stiff do that, except once, at an Irish +wake, and that fellow wasn't dead. No, the dead don't walk. Not these +days. I tell you, he was took out of the box. That's as plain as your +nose, not meanin' to be personal." + +"Come, come, you have said all that before. What I want to know is, how +you think he could have been taken out of the coffin." + +"Lifted out, I reckon." + +Mr. Barnes saw that nothing would be gained by getting angry, though the +fellow's persistent flippancy annoyed him extremely. He thought best to +appear satisfied with his answers, and to endeavor to get his +information by slow degrees, since he could not get it more directly. + +"Were you present when the coffin lid was fastened?" + +"Yes; the boss did that." + +"How was it fastened? With the usual style of screws?" + +"Oh, no! We used the boss's patent screw, warranted to keep the corpse +securely in his grave. Once stowed away in the boss's patent screw-top +casket, no ghost gets back to trouble the long-suffering family." + +"You know all about these patent coffin-screws?" + +"Why, sure. Ain't I been working with old Berial these three years?" + +"Does Mr. Berial always screw on the coffin lids himself?" + +"Yes; he's stuck on it." + +"He keeps the screw-driver in his own possession?" + +"So he thinks." + +"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Barnes, immediately attentive. + +"Just what I say. Old Berial thinks he's got the only screw-driver." + +"But you know that there is another?" + +"Who says so? I don't know anything of the sort." + +"Why, then, do you cast a doubt upon the matter by saying that Mr. +Berial thinks he has the only one?" + +"Because I do doubt it, that's all." + +"Why do you doubt it?" + +"Oh, I don't know. A fellow can't always account for what he thinks, can +he?" + +"You must have some reason for thinking there may be a duplicate of that +screw-driver." + +"Well, what if I have?" + +"I would like to know it." + +"No doubt! But it ain't right to cast suspicions when you can't prove a +thing, is it?" + +"Perhaps others may find the proof." + +"Just so. People in your trade are pretty good at that, I reckon." + +"Good at what?" + +"Proving things that don't exist." + +"But if your suspicion is groundless, there can be no harm in telling it +to me." + +"Oh, there's grounds enough for what I think. Look here, suppose a case. +Suppose a party, a young female party, dies. Suppose her folks think +they'd like to have her hands crossed on her breast. Suppose a man, me, +for instance, helps the boss fix up that young party with her hands +crossed, and suppose there's a handsome shiner, a fust-water diamond, on +one finger. Suppose we screw down that coffin lid tight at night, and +the boss carts off his pet screw-driver. Then suppose next day, when he +opens that coffin for the visitors to have a last look at the young +person, that the other man, meanin' me, happens to notice that the +shiner is missin'. If no other person notices it, that's because they're +too busy grievin'. But that's the boss's luck, I say. The diamond's +gone, just the same, ain't it? Now, you wouldn't want to claim that the +young person come out of that patent box and give that diamond away in +the night, would you? If she come out at all, I should say it was in the +form of a ghost, and I never heard of ghosts wearin' diamonds, or givin' +away finger rings. Did you?" + +"Do you mean to say that such a thing as this has occurred?" + +"Oh, I ain't sayin' a word. I don't make no accusations. You can draw +your own conclusions. But in a case like that you would think there was +more than one of them screw-drivers, now, wouldn't you?" + +"I certainly should, unless we imagined that Mr. Berial himself returned +to the house and stole the ring. But that, of course, is impossible." + +"Is it?" + +"Why, would you think that Mr. Berial would steal?" + +"Who knows? We're all honest, till we're caught." + +"Tell me this. If Mr. Berial keeps that screw-driver always in his own +possession, how could any one have a duplicate of it made?" + +"Dead easy. If you can't see that, you're as soft as the old man." + +"Perhaps I am. But tell me how it could be done." + +"Why, just see. That tool is double-ended. But one end is just a common, +ordinary screw-driver. You don't need to imitate that. The other end is +just a screw that fits into the thread at the end of the bolts. Now old +Berial keeps his precious screw-driver locked up, but the bolts lay +around by the gross. Any man about the place could take one and have a +screw cut to fit it, and there you are." + +This was an important point, and Mr. Barnes was glad to have drawn it +out. It now became only too plain that the patented device was no +hindrance to any one knowing of it, and especially to one who had access +to the bolts. This made it the more necessary to find the man Jerry. + +"There was another man besides yourself who assisted at the Quadrant +funeral, was there not?" asked Mr. Barnes. + +"There was another man, but he didn't assist much. He was no good." + +"What was this man's name?" + +"That's why I say he's no good. He called himself Jerry Morton, but it +didn't take me long to find out that his name was really Jerry Morgan. +Now a man with two names is usually a crook, to my way of thinkin'." + +"He gave up his job here this morning, did he not?" + +"Did he?" + +"Yes. Can you tell why he should have done so? Was he not well enough +paid?" + +"Too well, I take it. He got the same money I do, and I done twice as +much work. So he's chucked it, has he? Well, I shouldn't wonder if there +was good reason." + +"What reason?" + +"Oh, I don't know. That story about old Quadrant floatin' back was in +the papers to-day, wasn't it?" + +"Yes." + +"Very well. There you are." + +"You mean that this man Morgan might have had a hand in that?" + +"Oh, he had a hand in it all right. So did I and the boss, for that +matter. But the boss and me left him screwed tight in his box, and Jerry +he was left behind to pick up, as it were. And he had the wagon too. +Altogether, I should say he had the chance if anybody. But mind you, I +ain't makin' no accusations." + +"Then, if Jerry did this, he must have had a duplicate screw-driver?" + +"You're improvin', you are. You begin to see things. But I never seen +him with no screw-driver, remember that." + +"Was he in Mr. Berial's employment at the time of the other affair?" + +"What other affair?" + +"The case of the young lady from whose finger the diamond ring was +stolen." + +"Oh, that. Why, he might have been, of course, but then, you know, we +was only supposin' a case there. We didn't say that was a real affair." +Randal laughed mockingly. + +"Have you any idea as to where I could find this man Morgan?" + +"I don't think you will find him." + +"Why not?" + +"Skipped, I guess. He wouldn't chuck this job just to take a holiday." + +"Do you know where he lived?" + +"Eleventh Avenue near Fifty-fourth Street. I don't know the number, but +it was over the butcher shop." + +"If this man Morgan did this thing, can you imagine why he did it?" + +"For pay; you can bet on that. Morgan ain't the man as would take a risk +like that for the fun of the thing." + +"But how could he hope to be paid for such an act?" + +"Oh, he wouldn't hope. You don't know Jerry. He'd be paid, part in +advance anyway, and balance on demand." + +"But who would pay him, and with what object?" + +"Oh, I don't know. But let me tell you something. Them brothers weren't +all so lovin' to one another as the outside world thinks. In the fust +place, as I gathered by listenin' to the talk of the servants, the one +they called Amos didn't waste no love on the dead one, though I guess +the other one, Mark, liked him some. I think he liked the widow even +better." Here he laughed. "Now the dead man wanted to be cremated--that +is, he said so before he was dead. The widow didn't relish the idea, but +she ain't strong-minded enough to push her views. Now we'll suppose a +case again. I like that style, it don't commit you to anything. Well, +suppose this fellow Mark thinks he'll get into the good graces of the +widow by hindering the cremation. He stands out agin it. Amos he says +the old fellow wanted to be burned, and let him burn. 'He'll burn in +hell, anyway.' That nice, sweet remark he did make, I'll tell you that +much. Then the brothers they quarrel. And a right good row they did +have, so I hear. Now we'll suppose again. Why couldn't our friend, Mr. +Mark, have got up this scheme to stop the cremation?" + +Mr. Barnes was startled to hear this man suggest exactly what Mark +himself had hinted at. Could it be only a coincidence or was it really +the solution of the mystery? But if so, what of the body that was really +cremated? But then again the only evidence in his possession on that +point was the bare statement in the note received from Mr. Mitchel. Two +constructions could be placed upon that note. First, it might have been +honestly written by Mr. Mitchel, who really believed what he wrote, +though, smart as he was, he might have been mistaken. Secondly, the note +might merely have been written to send Mr. Barnes off on a wrong clue, +thus leaving Mr. Mitchel a chance to follow up the right one. Resuming +his conversation with Randal, Mr. Barnes said: + +"Then you imagine that Mr. Mark Quadrant hired this man Morgan to take +away the body and hide it until after the funeral?" + +"Oh, I don't know. All I'll say is, I don't think Jerry would be too +good for a little job like that. Say, you're not a bad sort, as +detectives go. I don't mind givin' you a tip." + +"I am much obliged, I am sure," said Mr. Barnes, smiling at the fellow's +presumption. + +"Don't mention it. I make no charge. But see. Have you looked at the +corpse at the Morgue?" + +"No. Why?" + +"Well, I stopped in this morning and had a peep at him. I guess it's +Quadrant all right." + +"Have you any special way of knowing that?" + +"Well, when the boss was injectin' the embalmin' fluid, he stuck the +needle in the wrong place first, and had to put it in again. That made +two holes. They're both there. You might wonder why we embalmed a body +that was to be cremated. You see, we didn't know the family wasn't going +to let him be seen, and we was makin' him look natural." + +"And you are sure there are two punctures in the body at the Morgue?" + +"Dead sure. That's a joke. But that ain't the tip I want to give you. +This is another case of diamond rings." + +"You mean that there were diamond rings left on the hand when the body +was placed in the coffin?" + +"One solitaire; a jim dandy. And likewise a ruby, set deep like a +carbuncle, I think they call them other red stones. Then on the little +finger of the other hand there was a solid gold ring, with a flat top to +it, and a letter 'Q' in it, made of little diamonds. Them rings never +reached the Morgue." + +"But even so, that does not prove that they were taken by the man who +removed the corpse from the coffin. They might have been taken by those +who found the body in the river." + +"Nit. Haven't you read the papers? Boys found it, but they called in the +police to get it out of the water. Since then the police has been in +charge. Now I ain't got none too good an opinion of the police myself, +but they don't rob the dead. They squeeze the livin', all right, but not +the dead. Put that down. You can believe, if you like, that Jerry carted +that body off to the river and dumped it in, diamond rings and all. But +as I said before, you don't know Jerry. No, sir, if I was you, I'd find +them rings, and find out how they got there. And maybe I can help you +there, too,--that is, if you'll make it worth my while." + +Mr. Barnes understood the hint and responded promptly: + +"Here is a five-dollar bill," said he. "And if you really tell me +anything that aids me in finding the rings, I will give you ten more." + +"That's the talk," said Randal, taking the money. "Well, it's this way. +You'll find that crooks, like other fly birds, has regular haunts. Now I +happen to know that Jerry spouted his watch, a silver affair, but a good +timer, once, and I take it he'd carry the rings where he's known, +'specially as I'm pretty sure the pawnbroker ain't over inquisitive +about where folks gets the things they borrow on. If I was you, I'd try +the shop on Eleventh Avenue by Fiftieth Street. It don't look like a +rich place, but that kind don't want to attract too much attention." + +"I will go there. I have no doubt that if he took the rings we will find +them at that place. One thing more. How was Mr. Quadrant dressed when +you placed him in the coffin? The newspapers make no mention of the +clothing found on him." + +"Oh, we didn't dress him. You see, he was to be burned, so we just +shrouded him. Nothin' but plain white cloth. No buttons or nothin' that +wouldn't burn up. The body at the Morgue was found without no clothes +of any kind. I'd recognize that shroud, though, if it turns up. So +there's another point for you." + +"One thing more. You are evidently sure that Mr. Quadrant's body was +taken out of the coffin. Do you think, then, that the coffin was empty +when they took it to the crematory?" + +"Why, sure! What could there be in it?" + +"Suppose I were to tell you that another detective has examined the +ashes and declares that he can prove that a human body was burned with +that coffin. What would you say?" + +"I'd say he was a liar. I'd say he was riggin' you to get you off the +scent. No, sir! Don't you follow no such blind trail as that." + + + VII + +As Mr. Barnes left the undertaker's shop he observed Mr. Burrows coming +towards him. It will be recalled that this young detective, now +connected with the regular police force of the metropolis, had earlier +in life been a _protégé_ of Mr. Barnes. It was not difficult to guess +from his being in this neighborhood that to him had been intrusted an +investigation of the Quadrant mystery. + +"Why, hello, Mr. Barnes," Mr. Burrows exclaimed, as he recognized his +old friend. "What are you doing about here? Nosing into this Quadrant +matter, I'll be bound." + +"It is an attractive case," replied Mr. Barnes, in non-committal +language. "Are you taking care of it for the office?" + +"Yes; and the more I look into it the more complicated I find it. If you +are doing any work on it, I wouldn't mind comparing notes." + +"Very well, my boy," said Mr. Barnes, after a moment's thought, "I will +confess that I have gone a little way into this. What have you done?" + +"Well, in the first place, there was another examination by the doctors +this morning. There isn't a shadow of doubt that the man at the Morgue +was dead when thrown into the water. What's more, he died in his bed." + +"Of what disease?" + +"Cancer of the stomach. Put that down as fact number one. Fact number +two is that the mark on his face is exactly the same, and from the same +skin disease that old Quadrant had. Seems he also had a cancer, so I +take it the identification is complete; especially as the family say it +is their relative." + +"Do they all agree to that?" + +"Why, yes--that is, all except the youngest brother. He says he guesses +it's his brother. Something about that man struck me as peculiar." + +"Ah! Then you have seen him?" + +"Yes. Don't care to talk to detectives. Wants the case hushed up; says +there's nothing in it. Now I know there is something in it, and I am not +sure he tells all he knows." + +"Have you formed any definite conclusion as to the motive in this +case?" + +"The motive for what?" + +"Why, for removing the body from the coffin." + +"Well, I think the motive of the man who did it was money. What the +motive of the man who hired him was, I can't prove yet." + +"Oh! Then you think there are two in it?" + +"Yes; I'm pretty sure of that. And I think I can put my finger on the +man that made the actual transfer." + +The two men were walking as they talked, Mr. Burrows having turned and +joined the older detective. Mr. Barnes was surprised to find his friend +advancing much the same theory as that held by Randal. He was more +astonished, however, at the next reply elicited. He asked: + +"Do you mind naming this man?" + +"Not to you, if you keep it quiet till I'm ready to strike. I'm pretty +sure that the party who carried the body away and put it in the river +was the undertaker's assistant, a fellow who calls himself Randal." + +Mr. Barnes started, but quickly regained his self-control. Then he said: + +"Randal? Why, how could he have managed it?" + +"Easily enough. It seems that the coffin was closed at five on the +afternoon before the funeral, and the undertaker was told, in the +presence of this fellow Randal, that it would not be opened again. Then +the family went in to dine, and Berial and the other man, a fellow with +an alias, but whose true name is Morgan, left the house, the other one, +Randal, remaining behind to clear up. The undertaker's wagon was also +there, and Randal drove it to the stables half an hour or so later." + +Mr. Barnes noted here that there was a discrepancy between the facts as +related by Mr. Burrows and as he himself had heard them. He had been +told by Berial himself that it was "Jack" who had left the house with +him, while Burrows evidently believed that it was Jack Randal who had +been left behind. It was important, therefore, to learn whether there +existed any other reason for suspecting Randal rather than Morgan. + +"But though he may have had this opportunity," said Mr. Barnes, "you +would hardly connect him with this matter without corroborative +evidence." + +"Oh, the case is not complete yet," said Mr. Burrows; "but I have had +this fellow Randal watched for three days. We at the office knew about +this identification before the newspapers got hold of it, be sure of +that. Now one curious thing that he has done was to attempt to destroy +some pawn-tickets." + +"Pawn-tickets?" + +"Yes. I was shadowing him myself last night, when I saw him tear up some +paper and drop the pieces in the gutter at the side of the pavement. I +let my man go on, for the sake of recovering those bits of paper. It +took some perseverance and no little time, but I found them, and when +put together, as I have said, they proved to be pawn-tickets." + +"Have you looked at the property represented yet?" + +"No. Would you like to go with me? We'll go together. I was about to +make my first open appearance at the undertaker's shop to face this +fellow, when you met me. But there's time enough for that. We'll go and +look at the rings if you say the word." + +"Rings, are they?" said Mr. Barnes. "Why, I would like nothing better. +They might have been taken from the corpse." + +"Haven't a doubt of it," said Mr. Burrows. "Here are the pawn-tickets. +There are two of them. Both for rings." He handed the two pawn-tickets +to Mr. Barnes. The pieces had been pasted on another bit of paper and +the two were consequently now on a single sheet. Mr. Barnes looked at +them closely and then said: + +"Why, Burrows, these are made out in the name of Jerry Morgan. Are you +sure you have made no mistake in this affair?" + +"Mistake? Not a bit of it. That fellow thinks he is smart, but I don't +agree with him. He imagines that we might guess that one of those who +had the handling of the body did this job, and when he pawned the rings +he just used the other fellow's name. It's an old trick, and not very +good, either." + +Mr. Barnes was not entirely convinced, though the theory was possible, +nay, plausible. In which case, the tip which Randal had given to Mr. +Barnes was merely a part of his rather commonplace scheme of +self-protection at the expense of a fellow-workman. He was glad now that +he had met Burrows, for his possession of the pawn-tickets made it easy +to visit the pawnbroker and see the rings; while his connection with the +regular force would enable him to seize them should they prove to have +been stolen from the body of Mr. Quadrant. It was noteworthy that the +pawn-tickets had been issued by the man to whose place Randal had +directed him. Arrived there, Mr. Burrows demanded to see the rings, to +which the pawnbroker at first demurred, arguing that the tickets had +been torn, that they had not been issued to the one presenting them, and +that unless they were to be redeemed he must charge a fee of twenty-five +cents for showing the goods. To all of this Mr. Burrows listened +patiently and then showing his shield said meaningly: + +"Now, friend Isaac, you get those rings out, and it will be better for +you. The Chief has had an eye on this little shop of yours for some +time." + +"So help me Moses!" said the man, "he can keep both eyes on if he +likes." + +But his demeanor changed, and with considerable alacrity he brought out +the rings. There were three, just as Randal had described to Mr. Barnes, +including the one with the initial "Q" set in diamonds. + +"Who left these with you?" asked Mr. Burrows. + +"The name is on the ticket," answered the pawnbroker. + +"You are inaccurate, my friend. A name is on the ticket, yes, but not +the name. Now tell me the truth." + +"It's all straight. I ain't hiding anything. Morgan brought the things +here." + +"Morgan, eh? You are sure his name is Morgan? Quite sure?" + +"Why, that's the name I know him by. Sometimes he goes by the name of +Morton, I've heard. But with me it's always been Morgan, Jerry Morgan, +just as it reads on the ticket." + +"Oh, then you know this man Morgan?" + +"No; only that he borrows money on security once in a while." + +"Well, now, if his name is Morgan, did you think this ring with a 'Q' on +it was his? Does 'Q' stand for Morgan?" + +"That's none of my affair. Heavens, I can't ask everybody where they get +things. They'd be insulted." + +"Insulted! That's a good one. Well, when I get my hands on this chap +he'll be badly insulted, for I'll ask him a lot of questions. Now, +Isaac, let me tell you what this 'Q' stands for. It stands for Quadrant, +and that's the name of the man found in the river lately, and these +three rings came off his fingers. After death, Isaac; after death! What +do you think of that?" + +"You don't say! I'm astonished!" + +"Are you, now? Never thought your friend Morgan or Morton, who works out +by the day, and brought valuable diamonds to pawn, would do such a +thing, did you? Thought he bought these things out of his wages, eh?" + +"I never knew he wasn't honest, so help me Moses! or I wouldn't have had +a thing to do with him." + +"Perhaps not. You're too honest yourself to take 'swag' from a 'crook,' +even though you loan about one quarter of the value." + +"I gave him all he asked for. He promised to take them out again." + +"Well, he won't, Isaac. I'll take them out myself." + +"You don't mean you're going to keep the rings? Where do I come in?" + +"You're lucky you don't come into jail." + +"May I ask this man a few questions, Burrows?" said Mr. Barnes. + +"As many as you like, and see that you answer straight, Isaac. Don't +forget what I hinted about the Chief having an eye on you." + +"Why, of course, I'll answer anything." + +"You say you have known this man Morgan for some time?" asked Mr. +Barnes. "Can you give me an idea of how he looks?" + +"Why, I ain't much on descriptions. Morgan is a short fellow, rather +stocky, and he's got dark hair and a mustache that looks like a +paintbrush." + +Mr. Barnes recalled the description which the butler had given of the +man who had remained at the house when the others went away, and this +tallied very well with it. As Berial had declared that it was Morgan who +had been left at the house, and as this description did not fit Randal +at all, he being above medium height, with a beardless face which made +him seem younger than he probably was, it began to look as though in +some way Mr. Burrows had made a mistake, and that Randal was not +criminally implicated, though perhaps he had stolen the pawn-tickets, +and subsequently destroyed them when he found that a police +investigation was inevitable. + +There was no object in further questioning the pawnbroker, who pleaded +that as the owners of the property were rich, and as he had "honestly" +made the loan, they might be persuaded to return to him the amount of +his advance, adding that he would willingly throw off his "interest." + +Leaving the place, and walking together across town, Mr. Barnes said to +Mr. Burrows: + +"Tom, I am afraid you are on a wrong scent. That man Randal stole those +pawn-tickets. He did not himself pawn the rings." + +"Maybe," said the younger man, only half convinced. "But you mark my +word. Randal is in this. Don't believe all that 'fence' says. He may be +in with Randal. I fancy that Randal pawned the things, but made the Jew +put Morgan's name on them. Now that we ask him questions, he declares +that Morgan brought them to him, either to protect Randal, or most +likely to protect himself. Since there is a real Morgan, and he knew the +man, he had no right to write his name on those tickets for things +brought to him by some one else." + +"But why are you so sure that Morgan is innocent? How do you know that +he was the one that went off with old Berial when they left the house?" + +"Simply because the other man, Randal, took the wagon back to the +stables." + +"Are you certain of that?" + +"Absolutely. I have been to the stables, and they all tell the same +story. Randal took the wagon out, harnessing the horse himself, as he +often did. And Randal brought it back again, after six o'clock; of that +they are certain, because the place is merely a livery for express +wagons, trucks, and the like. The regular stable-boys go off between six +and seven, and there is no one in charge at night except the watchman. +The drivers usually take care of their own horses. Now the watchman was +already there when Randal came in with the wagon, and two of the +stable-boys also saw him." + +"Now, Tom, you said that in your belief there was another man in this +case,--one who really was the principal. Have you any suspicion as to +that man's identity?" + +"Here's my idea," said Mr. Burrows. "This fellow Randal was sounded by +the man who finally engaged him for the job, and, proving to be the +right sort, was engaged. He was to take the body out of the coffin and +carry it away. The man who hired Randal must have been one of the +brothers." + +"Why?" + +"It must have been, else the opportunity could not have been made, for, +mark me, it was made. See! The widow was taken to the room to see the +corpse, and then it was arranged that the coffin should be closed and +not opened again before the funeral. That was to make all sure. Then +came the closing of the coffin and the departure of two of the +undertakers. The third, Randal, remained behind, and while the family +lingered at dinner the job was done. The body was carried out to the +wagon and driven off. Now we come to the question, which of the brothers +did this?" + +"Which have you decided upon?" + +"Why, the object of this devilish act was to please the widow by +preventing this cremation to which she objected. The man who concocted +that scheme thought that when the body should be found it would then be +buried, which would gratify the widow. Now why did he wish to gratify +her? Because he's in love with her. She's not old, you know, and she's +still pretty." + +"Then you think that Mark Quadrant concocted this scheme?" + +"No! I think that Amos Quadrant is our man." + +It seemed destined that Mr. Burrows should surprise Mr. Barnes. If the +older detective was astonished when he had heard Burrows suggest that +Randal had been the accomplice in this affair, he was more astounded now +to hear him accuse the elder brother of being the principal. For, had +not Mark Quadrant told him that it was Amos who had insisted upon the +cremation? And that Amos, being the elder, had assumed the control of +the funeral? + +"Burrows," said Mr. Barnes, "I hope that you are not merely following +your impulsive imagination?" + +Mr. Burrows colored as he replied with some heat: + +"You need not forever twit me with my stupidity in my first case. Of +course I may be mistaken, but I am doing routine work on this affair. I +have not any real proof yet to support my theories. If I had I should +make an arrest. But I have evidence enough to make it my duty to go +ahead on definite lines. When the mystery clears a little, I may see +things differently." + +"I should like to know why you think that Amos is in love with his +sister-in-law." + +"Perhaps it would be safer to claim that he was once in love with her. +The past is a certainty, the present mere conjecture. I got the tip from +a slip of the tongue made by Dr. Mortimer, and I have corroborated the +facts since. I was speaking with Dr. Mortimer of the possibility of +there being any ill-feeling between the members of this family, when he +said: 'I believe there was some hard feeling between the deceased and +his brother Amos arising from jealousy.' When he had let the word +'jealousy' pass his lips, he closed up like a clam, and when I pressed +him, tried to pass it off by saying that Amos was jealous of his +brother's business and social successes. But that did not go down with +me, so I have had some guarded inquiries made, with the result that it +is certain that Amos loved this woman before she accepted Rufus." + +"What if I tell you that I have heard that the younger brother, Mark, is +in love with the widow, and that it was he who opposed cremation, while +it was Amos who insisted upon carrying out the wishes of his brother?" + +"What should I say to that? Well, I should say that you probably got +that yarn from Randal, and that he had been 'stuffing you,' as the +vernacular has it, hoping you'll excuse the vulgar expression." + +It nettled Mr. Barnes to have his younger _confrère_ guess so accurately +the source of his information, and to hear him discredit it so +satirically. He recognized, however, that upon the evidence offered Mr. +Burrows had not yet made out his case, and that therefore the mystery +was yet far from solved. + +"Look here, Burrows," said Mr. Barnes. "Take an older man's advice. +Don't go too fast in this case. Before you come to any conclusion, find +this man Jerry Morgan." + +"Why, there won't be any trouble about that." + +"Oh, then you know where he is?" + +"Why, he is still with Berial. At least he was up to last night." + +"Ah, now we come to it!" Mr. Barnes was gratified to find that Burrows +had not kept full control of his case. "Last night was many hours ago. +Morgan threw up his job this morning, and left." + +"The devil you say!" + +"Oh, yes," said Mr. Barnes, determined now to make Mr. Burrows a little +uncomfortable. "I have no doubt he intends to skip out, but, of course, +he cannot get away. You have him shadowed?" + +"Why, no, I have not," said Mr. Burrows, dejectedly. "You see, I did not +connect him in my mind with----" + +"Perhaps he is not connected with the case in your mind, Burrows, but he +is connected with it in fact. He is unquestionably the key to the +situation at present. With him in our hands we could decide whether it +was he or Randal who pawned those rings. Without him we can prove +nothing. In short, until you get at him the case is at a standstill." + +"You are right, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Burrows, manfully admitting his +error. "I have been an ass. I was so sure about Randal that I did not +use proper precautions, and Morgan has slipped through my fingers. But +I'll find his trail, and I'll track him. I'll follow him to the opposite +ocean if necessary, but I'll bring him back." + +"That is the right spirit, Tom. Find him and bring him back if you can. +If you cannot, then get the truth out of him. Let me say one thing more. +For the present at least, work upon the supposition that it was he who +pawned those rings. In that case he has at least two hundred dollars for +travelling expenses." + +"You are right. I'll begin at once without losing another minute." + +"Where will you start?" + +"I'll start where he started--at his own house. He's left there by now, +of course, but I'll have a look at the place and talk a bit with the +neighbors. When you hear from me again, I'll have Morgan." + + + VIII + +Mr. Barnes returned to his home that night feeling well satisfied with +his day's work. With little real knowledge he had started out in the +morning, and within ten hours he had dipped deeply into the heart of the +mystery. Yet he felt somewhat like a man who has succeeded in working +his way into the thickest part of a forest, with no certainty as to +where he might emerge again, or how. Moreover, though he had seemingly +accomplished so much during the first day, he seemed destined to make +little headway for many days thereafter. On the second day of his +investigation he ascertained one fact which was more misleading than +helpful. It will be recalled that Mark Quadrant had told him that his +brother had a scar on the sole of his foot made by cutting himself +whilst in swimming. Mr. Barnes went to the Morgue early, and examined +both feet most carefully. There was no such scar, nor was it possible +that there ever could have been. The feet were absolutely unmarred. +Could it be possible that, in spite of the apparently convincing proof +that this body had been correctly identified, nevertheless a mistake had +been made? + +This question puzzled the detective mightily, and he longed impatiently +for an opportunity to talk with one of the family, especially with the +elder brother, Amos. Delay, however, seemed unavoidable. The police +authorities, having finally accepted the identification, delivered the +body to the Quadrants, and a second funeral occurred. Thus two more days +elapsed before Mr. Barnes felt at liberty to intrude, especially as it +was not known that he had been regularly retained by Mrs. Quadrant. + +Meanwhile nothing was heard from Burrows, who had left the city, and, as +a further annoyance, Mr. Barnes was unable to catch Mr. Mitchel at home +though he called three times. Failing to meet that gentleman, and +chafing at his enforced inactivity, the detective finally concluded to +visit the cemetery in the hope of learning what had occurred when Mr. +Mitchel had inspected the ashes. Again, however, was he doomed to +disappointment. His request to be allowed to examine the contents of the +urn was refused, strict orders to that effect having been imposed by the +Chief of the regular detective force. + +"You see," explained the superintendent, "we could not even let you look +into the urn upon the order of one of the family, because they have +claimed the body at the Morgue, and so they have no claim on these +ashes. If a body was burned that day, then there is a body yet to be +accounted for, and the authorities must guard the ashes as their only +chance to make out a case. Of course they can't identify ashes, but the +expert chemists claim they can tell whether a human body or only an +empty coffin was put into the furnace." + +"And are the experts making such an analysis?" asked Mr. Barnes. + +"Yes. The Chief himself came here with two of them, the day before +yesterday. They emptied out the ashes onto a clean marble slab, and +looked all through the pile. Then they put some in two bottles, and +sealed the bottles, and then put the balance back in the urn and sealed +that also. So, you see, there isn't any way for me to let you look into +that urn." + +"No, of course not," admitted the detective, reluctantly. "Tell me, was +any one else present at this examination besides the Chief and the two +experts?" + +"Yes. A gentleman they called Mitchel, I believe." + +Mr. Barnes had expected this answer, yet it irritated him to hear it. +Mr. Mitchel had information which the detective would have given much to +share. + +During the succeeding days he made numerous ineffectual efforts to have +an interview with Amos Quadrant, but repeatedly was told that he was +"Not at home." Mrs. Quadrant, too, had left town for a rest at one of +their suburban homes, and Mark Quadrant had gone with her. The city +house, with its closed shutters, seemed as silent as the grave, and the +secret of what had occurred within those walls seemed almost hopelessly +buried. + +"What a pity," thought the detective, "that walls do not have tongues as +well as ears." + +A week later Mr. Barnes was more fortunate. He called at the Quadrant +mansion, expecting to once more hear the servant say coldly, "Not at +home," in answer to his inquiry for Mr. Quadrant, when, to his surprise +and pleasure, Mr. Quadrant himself stepped out of the house as he +approached it. The detective went up to him boldly, and said: + +"Mr. Quadrant, I must have a few words with you." + +"Must?" said Mr. Quadrant with an angry inflection. "I think not. Move +out of my way, and let me pass." + +"Not until you have given me an interview," said Mr. Barnes firmly, +without moving. + +"You are impertinent, sir. If you interfere with me further, I will have +you arrested," said Mr. Quadrant, now thoroughly aroused. + +"If you call a policeman," said Mr. Barnes, calmly, "I will have you +arrested." + +"And upon what charge, pray?" said Mr. Quadrant, contemptuously. + +"I will accuse you of instigating the removal of your brother's body +from the coffin." + +"You are mad." + +"There are others who hold this view, so it would be wise for you to +move carefully in this matter." + +"Would you object to telling me what others share your extraordinary +opinion?" + +"I did not say that it is my opinion. More than that, I will say that it +is not my opinion, not at present at all events. But it is the view +which is receiving close attention at police headquarters." + +"Are you one of the detectives?" + +"I am a detective, but not connected with the city force." + +"Then by what right do you intrude yourself into this affair?" + +Mr. Barnes knew that he must play his best card now, to gain his point +with this man. He watched him closely as he answered: + +"I am employed by Mrs. Quadrant." + +There was an unmistakable start. Amos Quadrant was much disturbed to +hear that his sister-in-law had hired a detective, and curiously enough +he made no effort to hide his feelings. With some show of emotion he +said in a low voice: + +"In that case, perhaps, we should better have a talk together. Come in." + +With these words he led the way into the house, and invited the +detective into the same room wherein he had talked with Mark Quadrant. +When they had found seats, Mr. Quadrant opened the conversation +immediately. + +"What is your name?" he asked. + +"John Barnes," was the reply. + +"Barnes? I have heard of you. Well, Mr. Barnes, let me be very frank +with you. Above all things it has been my wish that this supposed +mystery should not be cleared up. To me it is a matter of no consequence +who did this thing, or why it was done. Indeed, what suspicions have +crossed my mind make me the more anxious not to know the truth. Feeling +thus, I should have done all in my power to hinder the work of the +regular police. When you tell me that my sister-in-law has engaged your +services, you take me so by surprise that I am compelled to think a bit +in order to determine what course to pursue. You can readily understand +that my position is a delicate and embarrassing one." + +"I understand that thoroughly, and you have my sympathy, Mr. Quadrant." + +"You may mean that well, but I do not thank you," said Mr. Quadrant, +coldly. "I want no man's sympathy. This is purely an impersonal +interview, and I prefer to have that distinctly prominent in our minds +throughout this conversation. Let there be no misunderstanding and no +false pretenses. You are a detective bent upon discovering the author of +certain singular occurrences. I am a man upon whom suspicion has +alighted; and, moreover, guilty or innocent, I desire to prevent you +from accomplishing your purpose. I do not wish the truth to be known. Do +we understand one another?" + +"Perfectly," said Mr. Barnes, astonished by the man's manner and +admiring his perfect self-control and his bold conduct. + +"Then we may proceed," said Mr. Quadrant. "Do you wish to ask me +questions, or will you reply to one or two from me?" + +"I will answer yours first, if you will reply to mine afterwards." + +"I make no bargains. I will answer, but I do not promise to tell you +anything unless it pleases me to do so. You have the same privilege. +First, then, tell me how it happened that Mrs. Quadrant engaged you in +this case." + +"I called here, attracted merely by the extraordinary features of this +case, and Mrs. Quadrant granted me a short interview, at the end of +which she offered to place the matter in my hands as her +representative." + +"Ah! Then she did not of her own thought send for you?" + +"No." + +"You told me that the regular detectives are considering the theory that +I instigated this affair. As you used the word instigated, it should +follow that some other person, an accomplice, is suspected likewise. Is +that the idea?" + +"That is one theory." + +"And who, pray, is my alleged accomplice?" + +"That I cannot tell you without betraying confidence." + +"Very good. Next you declared that you yourself do not share this view. +Will you tell me on what grounds you exculpate me?" + +"With pleasure. The assumed reason for this act of removing your brother +from his coffin was to prevent the cremation. Now it was yourself who +wished to have the body incinerated." + +"You are mistaken. I did not wish it. On the contrary, I most earnestly +wished that there should be no cremation. You see I incriminate myself." + +He smiled painfully, and a dejected expression crossed his face. For an +instant he looked like a man long tired of carrying some burden, then +quickly he recovered his composure. + +"You astonish me," said Mr. Barnes. "I was told by Mr. Mark that you +insisted upon carrying out your brother's wish in this matter of +disposing of his body." + +"My brother told you that? Well, it is true. He and I quarrelled about +it. He wished to have a regular burial, contrary to our brother's +oft-repeated injunction. I opposed him, and, being the elder, I assumed +the responsibility, and gave the orders." + +"But you have admitted that you did not wish this?" + +"Do we always have our wishes gratified in this world?" + +The detective, watching the man's face closely, again noted that +expression of weariness cross his features, and an instinctive feeling +of pity was aroused. Once more the skein became more entangled. His own +suspicion against Mark Quadrant rested upon the supposition that the act +was committed with the intent of making capital out of it with the +widow, and was based upon the theory that Amos wished to have his +brother incinerated. If now it should transpire that after all it was +Amos who managed the affair, his motive was a higher one, for, while +appearing to carry out the wishes of his deceased brother, he must have +aimed to gratify the widow, without admitting her to the knowledge that +his hand had gained her purpose. This was a higher, nobler love. Was +Amos Quadrant of this noble mould? The question crossing the detective's +mind met a startling answer which prompted Mr. Barnes to ask suddenly: + +"Is it true that, speaking of this cremation, you said: 'Let him burn; +he'll burn in hell anyway'?" + +Amos Quadrant flushed deeply, and his face grew stern as he answered: + +"I presume you have witnesses who heard the words, therefore it would be +futile to deny it. It was a brutal remark, but I made it. I was +exasperated by something which Mark had said, and replied in anger." + +"It is a sound doctrine, Mr. Quadrant," said the detective, "that words +spoken in anger often more truly represent the speaker's feelings than +what he says when his tongue is bridled." + +"Well?" + +"If we take this view, then it is apparent that you did not hold a very +high regard for your brother." + +"That is quite true. Why should I?" + +"He was your brother." + +"And because of the accident of birth, I was bound to love him? A +popular fallacy, Mr. Barnes. He was equally bound, then, to love me, but +he did not. Indeed he wronged me most grievously." + +"By marrying the woman you loved?" + +Mr. Barnes felt ashamed of his question, as a surgeon often must be +sorry to insert the scalpel. To his surprise it elicited no retort. Mr. +Quadrant's reply was calmly spoken. All he said was: + +"Yes, he did that." + +"Did she know?" ventured the detective hesitatingly. + +"No, I think not--I hope not." + +There was a painful pause. Mr. Quadrant looked down at the floor, while +Mr. Barnes watched him, trying to decide whether the man were acting a +part with intent to deceive, as he had announced that he would not +hesitate to do; or whether he were telling the truth, in which case the +nobility of his character was brought more into perspective. + +"Are you sure," said Mr. Barnes after a pause, "that the body taken from +the river was that of your brother Rufus?" + +"Why do you ask that?" said Mr. Quadrant, on the defensive at once. "Can +there be any doubt?" + +"Before I reply, let me ask you another question. Did your brother Rufus +have a scar on the sole of his foot?" + +The other man started perceptibly, and paused some time before +answering. Then he asked: + +"What makes you think so?" + +"Mr. Mark Quadrant told me that his brother had such a scar, caused by +gashing his foot while in swimming." + +"Ah, that is your source of information. Well, when Mark told you that +his brother had met with such an accident, he told you the truth." + +"But did the accident leave a scar?" Mr. Barnes thought he detected a +carefully worded evasive answer. + +"Yes, the cut left a bad scar; one easily noticed." + +"In that case I can reply to your question. If, as you both say, your +brother had a scar on the sole of his foot, then there exists +considerable doubt as to the identification of the body which was at the +Morgue, the body which you have both accepted and buried as being that +of your relative. Mr. Quadrant, there was no scar on that body." + +"Odd, isn't it?" said Mr. Quadrant, without any sign of surprise. + +"I should say it is very odd. How do you suppose it can be explained?" + +"I do not know, and, as I have told you before, I do not care. Quite the +reverse; the less you comprehend this case the better pleased I shall +be." + +"Mr. Quadrant," said Mr. Barnes, a little nettled, "since you so frankly +admit that you wish me to fail, why should I not believe that you are +telling me a falsehood when you state that your brother told me the +truth?" + +"There is no reason that I care to advance," said Mr. Quadrant, "why you +should believe me, but if you do not, you will go astray. I repeat, what +my brother told you is true." + +It seemed to the detective that in all his varied experience he had +never met with circumstances so exasperatingly intricate. Here was an +identification for many reasons the most reliable that he had known, and +now there appeared to be a flaw of such a nature that it could not be +set aside. If the body was that of Mr. Quadrant, then both these men +had lied. If they told the truth, then, in spite of science, the +doctors, and the family, the identification had been false. In that case +Rufus Quadrant had been cremated after all, and this would account for +the statement in Mr. Mitchel's note that a human body had been +incinerated. Could it be that these two brothers were jointly implicated +in a murder, and had pretended to recognize the body at the Morgue in +order to have it buried and to cover up their crime? It seemed +incredible. Besides, the coincidence of the external and internal +diseases was too great. + +"I would like to ask you a few questions in relation to the occurrences +on the day and evening preceding the funeral," said Mr. Barnes, pursuing +the conversation, hoping to catch from the answers some clue that might +aid him. + +"Which funeral?" said Mr. Quadrant. + +"The first. I have been told that you and your brother were present when +the widow last viewed the face of her husband, and that at that time, +about five o'clock, you jointly agreed that the coffin should not be +opened again. Is this true?" + +"Accurate in every detail." + +"Was the coffin closed at once? That is, before you left the room?" + +"The lower part of the coffin-top was, of course, in place and screwed +fast when we entered the room. The upper part, exposing the face, was +open. It was this that was closed in my presence." + +"I would like to get the facts here very accurately, if you are willing. +You say, closed in your presence. Do you mean merely covered, or was the +top screwed fast before you went out of the room, and, if so, by whom?" + +"Mark took our sister away, but Dr. Mortimer and myself remained until +the screws were put in. Mr. Berial himself did that." + +"Did you observe that the screws were odd? Different from common +screws?" + +Mr. Barnes hoped that the other man would betray something at this +point, but he answered quite composedly: + +"I think I did at the time, but I could not describe them to you now. I +half remember that Mr. Berial made some such comment as 'No one can get +these out again without my permission.'" + +"Ah! He said that, did he? Yet some one must have gotten those screws +out, for, if your identification was correct, your brother's body was +taken out of that casket after the undertaker had put in those screws, +which he said could not be removed without his permission. How do you +suppose that was accomplished?" + +"How should I know, Mr. Barnes, unless, indeed, I did it myself, or +instigated or connived at the doing? In either case, do you suppose I +would give you any information on such a point?" + +"Did your brother Rufus have any rings on his fingers when placed in the +coffin?" asked Mr. Barnes, swiftly changing the subject. + +"Yes--three: a diamond, a ruby, and a ring bearing his initial set in +diamonds." + +"These rings were not on the body at the Morgue." + +"Neither was that scar," said Mr. Quadrant, with a suppressed laugh. + +"But this is different," said Mr. Barnes. "I did not find the scar, but +I have found the rings." + +"Very clever of you, I am sure. But what does that prove?" + +"It proves that your brother's body was taken from the coffin before the +coffin was placed in the crematory furnace." + +"Illogical and inaccurate," said Mr. Quadrant. "You prove by the +recovery of the rings, merely that the rings were taken from the +coffin." + +"Or, from the body after it was taken out," interjected Mr. Barnes. + +"In either case it is of no consequence. You have rooted up a theft, +that is all. Catch the thief and jail him, if you like. I care nothing +about that. It is the affair of my brother's death and burial that I +wish to see dropped by the inquisitive public." + +"Yes, but suppose I tell you that the theory is that the man who stole +the rings was your accomplice in the main matter? Don't you see that +when we catch him, he is apt to tell all that he knows?" + +"When you catch him? Then you have not caught him yet. For so much I am +grateful." He did not seem to care how incriminating his words might +sound. + +"One thing more, Mr. Quadrant. I understand that you retired at about +ten o'clock on that night--the night prior to the first funeral, I mean. +You left your brother Mark down here?" + +"Yes." + +"Later you came downstairs again." + +"You seem to be well posted as to my movements." + +"Not so well as I wish to be. Will you tell me why you came down?" + +"I have not admitted that I came downstairs." + +"You were seen in the hall very late at night, or early in the morning. +You took the lamp out of the room where the casket was, and came in here +and looked at your brother, who was asleep. Then you returned the lamp +and went upstairs. Do you admit now that you had just come downstairs?" + +"I admit nothing. But to show you how little you can prove, suppose I +ask you how you know that I had just come downstairs? Why may it not be +that I had been out of the house, and had just come in again when your +informant saw me?" + +"Quite true. You might have left the house. Perhaps it was then that the +body was taken away?" + +"If it was taken away, that was certainly as good a time as any." + +"What time?" + +"Oh, let us say between twelve and two. Very few people would be about +the street at that hour, and a wagon stopping before a door would +attract very little attention. Especially if it were an undertaker's +wagon." + +"An undertaker's wagon?" exclaimed Mr. Barnes, as this suggested a new +possibility. + +"Why, yes. If, as you say, there was an accomplice in this case, the +fellow who stole the rings, you know, he must have been one of the +undertaker's men. If so, he would use their wagon, would he not?" + +"I think he would," said Mr. Barnes sharply. "I thank you for the point. +And now I will leave you." + + + IX + +Mr. Barnes walked rapidly, revolving in his mind the new ideas which had +entered it during the past few minutes. Before this morning he had +imagined that the body of Rufus Quadrant had been taken away between +five and six o'clock, in the undertaker's wagon. But it had never +occurred to him that this same wagon could have been driven back to the +house at any hour of the day or night, without causing the policeman on +that beat to suspect any wrong. Thus, suddenly, an entirely new phase +had been placed upon the situation. Before, he had been interested in +knowing which man had been left behind; whether it had been Morgan or +Randal. Now he was more anxious to know whether the wagon had been taken +again from the stable on that night, and, if so, by whom. Consequently +he went first to the undertaker's shop, intending to interview Mr. +Berial, but that gentleman was out. Therefore he spoke again with +Randal, who recognized him at once and greeted him cordially. + +"Why, how do you do," said he. "Glad you're round again. Anything turned +up in the Quadrant case?" + +"We are getting at the truth slowly," said the detective, watching his +man closely. "I would like to ask you to explain one or two things to me +if you can." + +"Maybe I will, and maybe not. It wouldn't do to promise to answer +questions before I hear what they are. I ain't exactly what you would +call a fool." + +"Did you not tell me that it was Morgan who was left at the house after +the coffin was closed, and that you came away with Mr. Berial?" + +"Don't remember whether I told you or not. But you've got it straight." + +"But they say at the stables that it was you who drove the wagon back +there?" + +"That's right, too. What of it?" + +"But I understood that Morgan brought the wagon back?" + +"So he did; back here to the shop. He had to leave all our tools and +things here, you see. Then he went off to his dinner, and I took the +horse and wagon round to the stables." + +"Where do you stable?" + +"Harrison's, Twenty-fourth Street, near Lex." + +"Now, another matter. You told me about the loss of those rings?" + +"Yes, and I gave you the tip where you might find them again. Did you go +there?" + +"Yes; you were right. The rings were pawned exactly where you sent me." + +"Oh, I don't know," said the fellow, airishly. "I ought to be on the +police force, I guess. I can find out a few things, I think." + +"It isn't hard to guess what you know," said the detective, sharply. + +"What do you mean?" Randal was on the defensive at once. + +"I mean," said Mr. Barnes, "that it was you who pawned those rings." + +"That's a lie, and you can't prove it." + +"Don't be too sure of that. We have the pawn tickets." + +This shot went home. Randal looked frightened, and was evidently +confused. + +"That's another lie," said he, less vigorously. "You can't scare me. If +you have got them, which you haven't, you won't find my name on them." + +"No; you used your friend Morgan's name, which was a pretty low trick." + +"Look here, you detective," said Randal blusteringly, "I don't allow no +man to abuse me. You can't talk that way to me. All this talk of yours +is rot. That's what it is, rot!" + +"Look here, Randal. Try to be sensible if you can. I have not yet made +up my mind whether you are a scoundrel or a fool. Suppose you tell me +the truth about those tickets. It will be safest, I assure you." + +Randal looked at the detective and hesitated. Mr. Barnes continued: + +"There is no use to lie any longer. You were shadowed, and you were seen +when you tore up the tickets. The pieces were picked up and put +together, and they call for those rings. Don't you see we have you fast +unless you can explain how you got the tickets?" + +"I guess you're givin' it to me straight," said Randal after a long +pause. "I guess I better take your advice and let you have it right. One +afternoon I saw Morgan hide something in one of the coffins in the shop. +He tucked it away under the satin linin'. I was curious, and I looked +into it after he'd gone that night. I found the pawn tickets. Of course +I didn't know what they were for except that it was rings. But I guessed +it was for some stuff he'd stolen from the corpse of somebody. For it +was him took the other jewels I told you about, and I seen him with a +screw-driver the match to the boss's. So I just slipped the tickets in +my pocket thinkin' I'd have a hold on him. Next day I read about this +man bein' found in the river, and I stopped to the Morgue, and, just as +I thought, his rings was gone. I worried over that for an hour or two, +and then I thought I better not keep the tickets, so I tore them up and +threw them away." + +"That, you say, was the night after this affair was published in the +papers?" + +"No; it was the same night." + +"That is to say, the night of that day on which I came here and had a +talk with you?" + +"No, it was the night before. You're thinkin' about the mornin' papers, +but I seen it first in the afternoon papers." + +This statement dispelled a doubt which had entered the mind of the +detective, who remembered that Mr. Burrows had told him that the +pawn-ticket incident had occurred on the evening previous to their +meeting. This explanation, however, tallied with that, and Mr. Barnes +was now inclined to credit the man's story. + +"Very good," said he. "You may be telling the truth. If you have nothing +to do with this case, you ought to be willing to give me some +assistance. Will you?" + +Randal had been so thoroughly frightened that he now seemed only too +glad of the chance to win favor in the eyes of Mr. Barnes. + +"Just you tell me what you want, and I'm your man," said he. + +"I want to find out something at the stable, and I think you can get the +information for me better than I can myself." + +"I'll go with you right away. The boy can mind the shop while we're +gone. Charlie, you just keep an eye on things till I get back, will +you? I won't be out more'n ten minutes. Come on, Mr. Barnes, I'm with +you." + +On the way to the stable Mr. Barnes directed Randal as to what he wished +to learn, and then at his suggestion waited for him in a liquor saloon +near by, while he went alone to the stable. In less than ten minutes +Randal hurried into the place, flushed with excitement and evidently +bubbling over with importance. He drew the detective to one side and +spoke in whispers. + +"Say," said he, "you're on the right tack. The wagon was out again that +night, and not on any proper errand, neither." + +"Tell me what you have learned," said Mr. Barnes. + +"Of course the night watchman ain't there now, but Jimmy, the day +superintendent, is there, and I talked with him. He says there was some +funny business that night. First I asked him about the wagon bein' out +or not, and he slaps his hand on his leg, and he says: 'By George!' says +he, 'that's the caper. Didn't you put that wagon in its right place when +you brung it in that afternoon?' he says to me. 'Of course,' says I; +'where do you think I'd put it?' 'Well,' says he, 'next mornin' it was +out in the middle of the floor, right in the way of everything. The boys +was cussin' you for your carelessness. I wasn't sure in my own mind or I +would have spoke; but I thought I seen you shove that wagon in its right +place.' 'So I did,' says I, 'and if it was in the middle of the stable, +you can bet it was moved after I left. Now who moved it?' 'I don't +know,' says he, 'but I'll tell you another thing what struck me as odd. +I didn't have nothin' particular to do that night, and I dropped in for +an hour or so to be sociable like with Jack'--that's the night watchman. +'While I was there,' he goes on, 'while I was there, who should come in +but Jerry Morgan! He didn't stop long, but he took us over to the saloon +and balled us off'--that means he treated to drinks. 'Next day I come +round about six o'clock as usual,' says Jimmy, goin' on, 'and there was +Jack fast asleep. Now that's the fust time that man ever dropped off +while on watch, and he's been here nigh on to five years. I shook him +and tried every way to 'waken him, but it didn't seem to do no good. +He'd kind of start up and look about dazed, and even talk a bit, but as +soon as I'd let up, he'd drop off again. I was makin' me a cup of +coffee, and, thinkin' it might rouse him, I made him drink some, and, do +you know, he was all right in a few minutes. At the time I didn't think +much about it, but since then I have thought it over a good deal, and, +do you know what I think now?' 'No,' says I; 'what do you think?' 'I +think,' says he, 'I think that Jimmy was drugged, and if he was, Jerry +Morgan done the trick when he balled us off, and you can bet it was him +took that wagon out that night.' That's the story Jimmy tells, Mr. +Barnes, and it's a corker, ain't it?" + +"It certainly is important," said Mr. Barnes. + +Once more he had food for thought. This narrative was indeed important; +the drowsiness of the watchman and his recovery after drinking coffee +suggested morphine. The detective likewise recalled the story of the +butler who claimed that he had seen Mark Quadrant asleep while he was +supposed to be guarding the coffin. Then, too, there was the empty paper +which had once held some powder, and which he had himself found in the +room where Mark Quadrant had slept. Had he too been drugged? If so, the +question arose, Did this man Morgan contrive to mix the morphine with +something which he thought it probable that the one sitting up with the +corpse would drink, or had Amos given his brother the sleeping-potion? +In one case it would follow that Morgan was the principal in this +affair, while in the other he was merely an accomplice. If his hand +alone managed all, then it might be that he had a deeper and more potent +motive than the mere removal of the body to avoid cremation, the latter +being a motive which the detective had throughout hesitated to adopt +because it seemed so weak. If Morgan substituted another body for the +one taken from the coffin, then the statement of Mr. Mitchel that a body +had been cremated was no longer a discrepancy. There was but one +slightly disturbing thought. All the theorizing in which he now indulged +was based on the assumption that Randal was not deceiving. Yet how could +he be sure of that? Tom Burrows would have said to him: "Mr. Barnes, +that fellow is lying to you. His story may be true in all except that it +was himself and not Morgan who did these things." For while he had +thought it best to let Randal go alone to the stable to make inquiries, +this had placed him in the position of receiving the tale at +second-hand, so that Randal might have colored it to suit himself. For +the present, he put aside these doubts and decided to pursue this clue +until he proved it a true or false scent. He dismissed Randal with an +injunction to keep his tongue from wagging, and proceeded to the house +of the man Morgan, regretting now that he had not done so before. + +The tenement on Eleventh Avenue was one of those buildings occupying +half a block, having stores on the street, with narrow, dark, dismal +hallways, the staircases at the farther end being invisible from the +street door, even on the sunniest days, without a match. Overhead, each +hallway offered access to four flats, two front and two back, the doors +being side by side. These apartments each included two or three rooms +and what by courtesy might be called a bathroom, though few indeed of +the tenants utilized the latter for the purpose for which it had been +constructed, preferring to occupy this extra space with such of their +impedimenta as might not be in constant use. + +When one enters a place of this character asking questions, if he +addresses any of the adults he is likely to receive scant information in +reply. Either these people do not know even the names of their +next-door neighbors, or else, knowing, they are unwilling to take the +trouble to impart the knowledge. The children, however, and they are as +numerous as grasshoppers in a hayfield, not only know everything, but +tell what they know willingly. It is also a noteworthy fact that amidst +such squalor and filth, with dirty face and bare legs, it is not +uncommon to find a child, especially a girl, who will give answers, not +only with extreme show of genuine intelligence, but, as well, with a +deferential though dignified courtesy which would grace the +reception-rooms of upper Fifth Avenue. + +It was from such an urchin, a girl of about twelve, that Mr. Barnes +learned that Jerry Morgan had lived on the fifth floor back. + +"But he's gone away, I guess," she added. + +"Why do you think so?" asked Mr. Barnes. + +"Oh, 'cause he ain't been in the saloon 'cross the way for 'bout a week, +and he didn't never miss havin' his pint of beer every night 's long 's +he 's been here." + +"Do you think I could get into his room?" asked Mr. Barnes. + +"I could get you our key, an' you could try," suggested the girl. "I +reckon one key will open any door in this house. It's cheaper to get +locks in a bunch that way, I guess, an' besides, poor folks don't get +robbed much anyhow, an' so they ain't got no 'casion to lock up every +time they go out. What little they've got don't tempt the robbers, I +guess. Maybe the 'punushment fits the crime' too quick." + +"'The punishment fits the crime,' you think," said Mr. Barnes with a +smile. "Where did you get that from?" + +"Oh, I seen the Mikado oncet," said the girl rather proudly. "But I +didn't mean what you said; I said it fits 'too quick'; that's too snug, +you know, though sometimes it's 'quick' too. You see, I guess they don't +get enough out of flats like these to pay for the risk." + +"You are quite a philosopher," said Mr. Barnes, approvingly. "Now run +and get the key, and we will see whether it fits or not." + +She hurried upstairs, and was awaiting Mr. Barnes, with the key in her +hand, when he reached the third landing. This she gave to him, and then +followed him up the remaining flights, where she pointed out the door +which led into Morgan's flat. The key was not needed, as the door was +not locked, and the detective pushed it open and entered. The room +seemed bare enough, what little furniture there was being too evidently +the product of a second-hand furniture store. There seemed little hope +of finding anything helpful to his investigation in this room, yet the +detective, with his usual thoroughness, examined every drawer, and every +corner or crevice in which anything might have been hidden, or have been +accidentally dropped, and at last he did discover something which more +than repaid him. + +In the darkest corner of the dark closet, where perhaps it had dropped +unperceived, he found an old vest, of no value in itself. But a search +of the pockets brought an exclamation of gratification to the +detective's lips, as from one of them he drew forth a folded paper still +containing a whitish powder. Mr. Barnes was certain that this powder was +morphine, and at length he felt his feet on solid ground in trailing the +criminal. No longer need he doubt Randal. His story of the probable +drugging of the night watchman at the stable now became not only +credible, but probable. Thinking that he might gain something by further +questioning the girl, Mr. Barnes said: + +"Why, here is some medicine! Perhaps he was sick and has gone away for +his health." + +With the keen intelligence of her class, the girl replied: + +"Some folks go away for their health without bein' sick." + +"How do you mean?" + +"When it gets so it ain't healthy for them to stay in town, you know." + +"You mean for fear of the police?" + +"Sure! What else?" + +"But do you think that this man Morgan would do anything that would make +him afraid of meeting a policeman?" + +"Oh, I don't know. But 'birds of a feather flock together,' you know. +One of his pals was pinched, and he's workin' for the country now, on +the Island." + +"Who was that?" Mr. Barnes did not regret the time spent in talking with +this observing youngster. + +"I don't know his right name. They called him Billy the Red, over to the +saloon." + +Mr. Barnes started. This was a clue indeed. This was a well-known +criminal whom she had named; one who had earned his sobriquet by killing +two men in a barroom fight, when he had been one of the celebrated Whyo +gang. If Morgan consorted with such as he, there could be little doubt +as to his social status. + +"You say Billy the Red was one of Morgan's pals. Did he have any others +that you know of?" Mr. Barnes continued. + +"Well, he used to be with him most till he went up, but lately he's been +travellin' with Tommy White." + +"Where can I find him; do you know?" + +"Better look him up on the Island, too, I guess. He ain't been round +here for quite some days." + +"Perhaps he does not come because Morgan is away?" + +"Oh, no, that can't be, 'cause he stopped showin' up before Morgan left. +The neighbors was beginnin' to wonder and talk, just 'bout the time +Morgan skipped. You see, Tommy White he lived right next door, in the +next flat, him and Nellie." + +"Ah, he had a wife?" + +"I don't know about that. She was his girl anyway, though some thought +Morgan was sweet on her too." + +Mr. Barnes thought the fog was lifting. + +"Where is this Nellie now?" + +"You can search me! She's gone too. The hull three has skipped out." + +"What, all three at the same time?" + +"No, that's the funny part of it. That's what makes folks talk. You see, +we didn't see nothin' of Tommy White for two or three days, but Nellie +she was round all right. But when Morgan he cut it, Nellie she lit out +too." + +"Let me get this right, my girl. And mind you make no mistake, for this +is important." + +"I ain't makin' no mistakes, mister. I'm givin' it to you dead right, +and that's more 'n you'd get out of anybody else in this castle. But +I've got my reasons, and," this she added with a sly wink, "you ain't +fooled me any, you know. You're a detective, that's what you are." + +"What makes you think so?" + +"Oh, there ain't much to guess. People dressed like you don't come to a +place like this and nose into another man's rooms just for amusement. +Not much they don't. It's business with you." + +"Well, never mind that. Tell me, are you sure that White disappeared +first, and that the girl was here afterwards, but that she has not been +seen since Morgan went away?" + +"That's right. You got it straight the first time. Now what do you make +of it? I know my own opinion." + +"Suppose you tell me your opinion first," said Mr. Barnes, anxious to +hear her answer. + +"Well," said the girl, "it's very simple, what I think. I think Tommy's +been done for." + +"Done for?" Mr. Barnes comprehended her meaning but preferred to have +her speak more plainly. + +"Yes, done for, that's what I said. They've put him out of the way, +those two. And if that's right, it's a shame, 'cause Tommy was a good +fellow. It was him took me to the theatre, that time when I seen the +Mikado." + +Evidently this one visit to a theatre had been an event in her weary +little life, and the man who had given her that bit of pleasure and had +afforded her that one glimpse of what she would have described as the +"dressed-up folks," had by that act endeared himself to her childish +heart. If he had been injured, her little soul longed for vengeance, and +she was ready to be the instrument which might lead Justice to her +victim. + +Mr. Barnes began to believe that the solution of this mystery was near +at hand. He left the building, thanking the child for what she had told +him, and promising to find out what had become of her friend Tommy +White. Crossing the street he entered the saloon where the girl had told +him that Morgan had been in the habit of buying his daily pint of beer. +By talking with the bartender he hoped to elicit further information. + +The gentlemanly dispenser of liquid refreshment, whose constant boast +was that he knew how to manufacture over three hundred different mixed +drinks without using any intoxicant, stood beside the mahogany counter, +polishing up the glasses, which he piled in an imposing pyramid on the +shelf at the back, where the display was made doubly attractive by the +plate mirror behind. His hair was scrupulously brushed and his short +white coat was immaculately clean. Fortunately there was no one else in +the place, so that the detective was afforded a good opportunity for +free conversation. He asked for a Manhattan cocktail, and admired the +dexterity with which the man prepared the drink. Raising it to his lips +and tasting it as a connoisseur might, Mr. Barnes said: + +"Could not be better at the Waldorf." + +"Oh, I don't know," said the fellow, deprecatingly, but pleased at the +implied compliment. + +"Your face is very familiar to me," said Mr. Barnes; "have you ever met +me before?" + +"Never in my life," said the bartender, without the slightest change of +expression. + +"That's odd," said Mr. Barnes, pursuing the point with a purpose; "I am +pretty good at faces. I seldom forget one, and just as seldom make a +mistake. I would almost swear I have seen you before." + +"I was tending bar at the Astor House for two years. Perhaps you saw me +there," suggested the man. + +"Ah, that is it," said Mr. Barnes, pretending to accept this +explanation; "I often take my luncheon there. By the way, I suppose you +are pretty well acquainted around the neighborhood?" + +"Oh, I know a few people," said the man, cautiously. + +"You know Tommy White, of course?" + +"Do I?" + +"Don't you?" + +"I might, without knowing his name. Our customers don't all leave their +cards when they buy a drink. I don't know your name, for instance." + +"Yes, but I do not live in the neighborhood. White must come here +often." + +"Well, he hasn't been in lately," said the bartender, and then stopped +short as he noted the slip that he had made. The detective did not +choose to appear to notice it, but asked: + +"That is the point. Isn't it odd that he should have disappeared?" + +"Oh, I don't know. A man can go out of town if he wants to, I guess." + +"Do you know that White went out of town?" + +"No." + +"Have you seen Tommy White since Jerry Morgan skipped?" + +"See here! what the devil are you asking me all these questions for? Who +are you, anyway, and what are you after?" + +"I am Jack Barnes, detective, but I'm not after you, Joe Allen, alias +Fred Martin, alias Jimmy Smith, alias Bowery Bill, alias the Plug." + +This sally left the man stolidly unmoved, but it affected his attitude +towards his questioner, nevertheless, as he sullenly answered: + +"There's nothing you can get against me, so I don't scare even if you +know me. If you don't want me, what do you want?" + +"Look here, Joe," said Mr. Barnes, in friendly, confidential tones, "a +bluff does not go with me, and you know it never did. Now why did you +not acknowledge that you knew me when I first came in?" + +"What's the use of courtin' trouble? I wasn't sure you'd remember my +face. It's quite a time since we met." + +"True. It is five years since that Bond Street affair, and you got three +years for that, if I remember rightly." + +"Well, I served my time, didn't I? So that's ended, ain't it?" + +"Yes. But what about that little business of the postage-stamp robbery +out in Trenton?" + +"Why, I didn't have no hand in that." + +"Well, two of your pals did, and when they were caught and sent up they +were square enough not to peach on you. The Mulberry Street crowd did +not know how thick you were with those boys, or you might have got into +trouble. But I knew, and you know that I knew." + +"Well, what if you did? I tell you I wasn't in that." + +"You would not like to be obliged to prove where you were that night, +would you?" + +"Oh, I suppose it's always hard to prove I was one place, when fellows +like you go on the stand and swear I was somewhere else. So, as I said +before, what's the use of courtin' trouble?" + +"Now you are sensible, and as I said, I am not after you. All I want is +some information. Give me another cocktail, and have one yourself." + +"Thanks, I will. Go ahead with your catechism; I'll answer so long as +you don't try to make me squeal on any of my friends. I'd go up before +I'd do that. And you know that." + +"That's all right. I know you're square, and that is why I feel sure you +would not be mixed up in a murder." + +"Murder?" + +This time the fellow was frightened. How could he be sure that this +detective was not trying to entrap him? How could he know positively +that he had not been accused by some pal who wished to shift +responsibility from himself to another? This is the Damocles sword that +ever hangs over the head of the wrong-doer. His most chosen companions +may either tell of what he has done, or accuse him of crime which he has +not committed. + +"I am afraid so. But what are you worrying over? Did I not tell you that +you are not in it? Listen to me, Joe. This Jerry Morgan has skipped out +of town, and it looks as though he took Tommy White's girl Nellie with +him. Now, where is Tommy White?" + +"I don't know a thing. I swear I don't." + +"Yes, you do. You do not know what has become of him, but you know +something. Morgan isn't any pal of yours, is he?" + +"No." + +"Very well. Then why not tell me what you know? If he has done anything +to White, he ought not to go free, ought he? You do not stand in with +murder, do you?" + +"No, I don't. But how do I know there's been any murder?" + +"You don't know it, but since I suggested it to you, you think so. I see +that in your face. Now, what do you know?" + +"Well, I don't know much, but what I know I don't want used to make +another fellow go to the chair." + +"That is no affair of yours. You are not responsible for what the law +does. Come, I have no more time to waste. Tell me what you know, or say +right out that you will not. Then I will know what to do." + +The implied threat decided the man, and without further attempt at +evasion he said: + +"Well, I suppose there ain't any use my runnin' any risk for a man +that's nothin' to me. It's this way: Morgan's an old-time crook--I +suppose you know that?" Mr. Barnes nodded, although this was news to +him. Allen continued: "He's been at it since he was a kid. Was in the +reformatory, and learned more there about crooked work in a year than he +would have picked up in ten outside. He's never done time, though, since +he graduated from that institution. Learned enough, I guess, to keep +out of sight of your crowd. Two years ago he moved into this +neighborhood and since then I've seen him in here a good deal. He took +up with Tommy White--a young fellow that would have lived straight only +he was in bad company, and was railroaded with a gang for a job he +really had no hand in. That settled him. When he came out of Sing Sing +he wasn't likely to go for a straight job at a dollar a day, when he +could lay around idle and pick up a good thing every now and then that +would keep him going. I guess he and Morgan done a good many jobs +together; anyway, they never was short of money. One thing was funny +about those two--nobody ever seen them in the daytime. They used to say +they was 'workin',' but that didn't go with the crowd that hangs out +here. Neither Morgan nor White would work if they could help it. They +was just like brothers, those two, till White took up with this girl +Nellie. I think Morgan was jealous of his luck from the first, 'cause +the girl is a peach. One of your real blondes, without no bleachin' +stuff. She's got a skin like velvet, and hands and feet like a lady. +White soon found out that his pal was sweet on the girl, and many a time +they've rowed over her. Finally, about two weeks ago the two of them was +in here, and they was drinkin' pretty hard and just ready for a scrap, +when the girl comes in. Morgan goes up to her and puts his arm round her +and kisses her plump. White was mad in a minute, but he turned on her +instead of him and he says, says he: 'Nellie, I want you to hammer that +duffer over the head for doin' that,' and he picks up a beer glass and +hands it to her. Nellie she takes the glass, and she says: 'I've heard +of a kiss for a blow,' she says, 'but a blow for a kiss is a new one on +me. It ain't that way in the Bible, Tommy, so I guess if you want any +hammerin' done, you'd better do it yourself. I'm thinkin' of joinin' the +Salvation Army, you know.' This made Morgan and the crowd laugh, and +White got fierce. He snatched the glass out of Nellie's hand and made +for Morgan. But Morgan he ducks and lets White go by him, and he picks +up a beer glass too; then when White came for him again he landed a +terrible blow with the glass right back of White's ear. Tommy went down +in a heap and lay on the ground quiverin'. The whole thing happened so +quick nobody could interfere. Morgan got sober in a second, I tell you, +and he was scared. Everybody crowded round, and the girl she was a +wonder. You'd think bein' a woman she'd cry and make a fuss? Not a bit +of it. She got some ice and put it on White's head, and threw water in +his face, and she puts her ear down to his heart, and then she looks up +after a bit, and she says, as cool as could be: 'Boys, he's only +stunned. He'll come round all right. Some of you help get him home, and +I'll look after him. He'll sleep off his liquor and he won't know what +hurt him when he wakes in the mornin'.' Well, Morgan and the others they +did what she said. They took White up and carted him over to his flat, +and put him to bed. My! but he was limp, and his face was that blue it's +been before me ever since." + +"Did White get over that blow?" + +"That's the point. Nellie and Morgan said he did; that he was a bit sore +next day and had a headache. That was likely enough. But when you talked +about murder a while ago, I admit I got scared, cause White's never been +seen since that night." + +"You are sure of that?" + +"Dead sure. Nellie said he was gone out of town, and the boys swallowed +the story. But when both Morgan and Nellie skipped it looked bad, and +folks began to talk. As for me, I've been nervous for days. Why, when +that body was picked out of the river I just couldn't keep away from the +Morgue. I just had to have a peep at it. I was sure it would be White, +and that Morgan had pitched him over. My, but wasn't I glad to see it +was another man!" + +Assuring Allen that his story would not be used in any way that would +bring him into conflict with the authorities, Mr. Barnes left the saloon +and went to his office, feeling that at last this problem had been +solved. Evidently White had died of his wound, and when Morgan learned +that the coffin of Mr. Quadrant was not to be opened before it was +consigned to the crematory, he had conceived one of the most ingenious +schemes ever devised for disposing of a murdered body. By placing White +in the coffin and allowing his body to be incinerated, all traces of +his crime would seem to have been obliterated. To accomplish this it was +necessary to have the use of the undertaker's wagon, and this he had +managed by drugging the watchman, as well as Mark Quadrant. The transfer +made, he was still left with the other body, and his disposition of that +was the most ingenious part of the plan. By throwing the corpse of Rufus +Quadrant into the water he apparently took little risk. It could not be +recognized as White of course, and if correctly identified a mystery +would be created that ought to baffle the detectives, however clever +they might be. Mr. Barnes felt that he had been fortunate, to learn so +much from such unpromising clues. + +At his office he found a telegram and a letter, both bearing on the +case. The telegram was from Mr. Burrows, and informed him that Morgan +had been captured in Chicago, and would be in New York on the following +day. This was more than gratifying, and Mr. Barnes mentally praised the +young detective. The letter was from Mr. Mitchel, and read: + + "FRIEND BARNES: + + "At last I have fathomed the Quadrant mystery. Will drop in + on you about noon to-morrow and tell you how the affair was + managed. You will be surprised, I am sure. + + "MITCHEL." + +"Will I?" said Mr. Barnes to himself. + + + X + +Mr. Burrows arrived at the offices of Mr. Barnes about eleven o'clock on +the following morning, which much pleased the older detective, who +wished to have his case complete before the arrival of Mr. Mitchel. + +"Well, Tom," said Mr. Barnes, cordially, "so you have caught your man +and brought him back?" + +"Did I not promise you that I would?" replied Mr. Burrows. + +"Yes, but even a cleverer man than yourself cannot always hope to keep +such a promise. Do you know that this fellow, Morgan, is a professional +crook who has never been caught at his work before?" + +"So he has told me," said Mr. Burrows, modestly refraining from any +boastfulness. + +"He told you the truth in that instance, and I trust you have also +succeeded in getting a confession from him as to his connection with +this Quadrant matter?" + +"He has pretended to make a clean breast of it, but of course we must +verify his story. One cannot place too much faith in the confessions of +a crook." + +"Does he admit that he took the rings?" + +"Yes, it seems you were right there." + +"Does he explain how and why he took the body from the coffin?" + +"On the contrary, he denies having done so." + +"Then he lies," said Mr. Barnes. "I have not been idle since you went +away, but my tale will keep. Let me hear first what Morgan's alleged +confession amounts to." + +"He admits that he stole the rings. He has a duplicate of that +screw-driver of which old Berial is so fond of bragging, and when he was +left alone with the body, he opened the coffin and took the rings, and, +in keeping with his limited standard of morals, he offers a rather +ingenious excuse for his act." + +"I should like to hear a good excuse for robbing the dead." + +"That is his point exactly. He says that as the dead cannot own +property, the dead cannot be robbed. As the family had declared that the +coffin was not to be opened again, Morgan says he considered the rings +as practically consigned to the furnace, and then he asks, 'What was the +use of seeing stuff like that burned up, when it was good money to me?' +It is a nice point, Mr. Barnes. If the owner elects to throw away or +destroy his property, can we blame a man for appropriating the same?" + +"We may not be able to blame him, but we certainly have the power to +punish him. The law will not accept such sophistry as palliation for +crime. What else does the fellow admit?" + +"The rest of his tale is quite interesting, and I think would surprise +you, unless, indeed, you have discovered the truth yourself." + +"I think I could make a shrewd guess," said Mr. Barnes. + +"Well, I wish you would tell me your story first. You see, after all, I +am the legally employed investigator of this matter, and I should like +to hear your story before telling mine, that I may be absolutely certain +that your results have been arrived at by a different line of work, +though of course you understand that I do not for a moment imagine that +you would intentionally color your story after hearing mine." + +"I understand you perfectly, Tom," said Mr. Barnes, kindly, "and I am +not at all offended. You are right to wish to have the two stories +independently brought before your reasoning faculties. Morgan tells you +that he stole the rings in the afternoon. Perhaps he did, and perhaps he +took them later. It does not now seem to be material. The subsequent +facts, as I deduce them from the evidence, are as follows: Morgan had a +pal, who was sweet on a girl called Nellie. By the way, did you get any +trace of her?" + +"She was with Morgan when I found him and she has come back with us." + +"Good. Very good, It seems that Morgan also admired the girl, and that +finally he and his pal had a saloon fight over her, during which Morgan +struck the other man with a beer glass. This man fell to the floor +unconscious, and was taken to his home in that condition. He has not +been seen in the neighborhood since. Now we come to another series of +events. Morgan admits taking the rings. Suppose we accept his story. He +then left the house and drove the wagon back to the shop. Randal took +it from there to the stables, but later in the evening Morgan visited +the stables and induced the night watchman to take a drink. That drink +was drugged, and the drug was morphine. The watchman slept soundly, and +there is little doubt that while thus unconscious Morgan took the +undertaker's wagon out of the stable on some errand. There is an +interesting series of links in this chain which convicts Morgan of using +morphine to accomplish his purpose. First, it is nearly certain that the +watchman was drugged; second, a witness will testify that he found Mr. +Mark Quadrant sound asleep, when he was supposed to be watching the +coffin; third, I have taken from the pocket of a vest found in Morgan's +rooms a powder which a chemist declares is morphine. Is not that fairly +good evidence?" + +"It is good evidence, Mr. Barnes, but it does not prove that Morgan took +that body from the coffin." + +"What, then, does it show?" + +"It makes him an accomplice at least. He undoubtedly drugged the +watchman and took the wagon out of the stables, but beyond that you can +prove nothing. You have not offered any motive that would actuate him in +stealing the body." + +"The motive is quite sufficient, I assure you. His pal, whom he struck +down with the beer glass, and who has not been seen by his neighbors +since that night, must have died from the blow. It was his body that was +cremated." + +Mr. Burrows shook his head, and seemed sorry to upset the calculations +of his old friend. + +"I am afraid you cannot prove that," said he. "Tell me, what was the +name of this pal? Have you learned that?" + +"Yes; Tommy White." + +"Do you know him by any other name?" + +"No; but as he is unquestionably a crook he probably has a dozen +aliases." + +"One will suffice at present. Tommy White is none other than your +disinterested informant, Jack Randal." + +"What!" exclaimed Mr. Barnes, recognizing instantly that if this were +true his whole edifice tumbled to the ground. + +"Yes. I think that Morgan has told me a clean-cut story, though, as I +said before, we must verify it. You see, he is a crook and ready to +acquire other people's property, but I think he has a wholesome dread of +the electric chair that will keep him out of murder. He was at one time +a pal of Billy the Red, now in Sing Sing. After that fellow was put away +he took up with Tommy White, alias Jack Randal. Randal, it seems, +induced Morgan to join him in his nefarious schemes. The undertaker has +told you, perhaps, as he has told me, that he invented his patent coffin +because of numerous grave robberies that had occurred in one of the +cemeteries. He little suspected that the robbers were his two +assistants. These fellows would steal from the dead, while preparing the +bodies for burial, if it seemed safe, as, for example, was the case with +Mr. Quadrant, where it was known that the coffin was not again to be +opened. In other cases they would visit the grave together. Sometimes +they merely appropriated what jewelry there might be, but in not a few +instances they stole the bodies as well, disposing of them to medical +students." + +"What a diabolical partnership!" + +"Yes, indeed. Now, coming to the saloon fight, you are correct enough +except as to the results. White, or Randal, was unconscious during the +greater part of the night, and in the morning had but a dim recollection +of what had occurred. He understood, however, that his injury had been +the result of a fight with Morgan, and also that the girl Nellie had +'thrown him over,' to adopt the vernacular. He therefore left the +neighborhood, and though the two men continued to work for Berial, they +did not resume their friendship. White evidently was nursing his +grievances, and only awaited an opportunity to make trouble for his old +pal Morgan. This he hoped to accomplish by the information which he gave +to you." + +"You will hardly expect me to believe that Morgan gave up his position +and left town without some better reason than a mere quarrel with his +pal, and a petty theft?" + +"Morgan did not give up his position, nor did he leave town of his own +volition. He was sent away." + +"Sent away? By whom?" + +"By the principal in this case. I told you from the first that there +were two in it. He has admitted to me what I did not know, but what I +believe now because you tell me the same story. He confesses that he +drugged the watchman at the stables and then drove the wagon away. But +he denies that he either took Quadrant's body from the coffin, or indeed +that he drove the wagon to the Quadrant house. In fact, he says he was +paid to get the wagon unknown to the watchman, and that he was furnished +with the powders with which he was to drug the man." + +"Am I to understand that one of the dead man's brothers hired Morgan to +do this?" + +Mr. Barnes was thinking of his conversation with Amos Quadrant, during +which that gentleman had suggested that an undertaker's wagon might +approach the house at any hour without attracting attention. He was +consequently astonished by the younger detective's reply. + +"No," said Mr. Burrows; "he does not implicate either of the Quadrants. +He declares that it was old Berial who hired him to do his part of the +job." + + + XI + +New possibilities crowded into the thoughts of Mr. Barnes as he heard +this unexpected statement. Berial hired Morgan to procure the wagon! Did +it follow, then, that Berial was the principal, or was he in turn but +the tool of another? Amos Quadrant had confessed that secretly it had +not been his wish to have his brother cremated. Yet his was the +authority which had engaged the undertaker and directed the funeral. Had +he chosen to avoid the cremation without permitting the widow to know +that his will accomplished her wish, how easy for him to engage the +undertaker to carry out his purpose, oddly planned as it was! How +readily might the poor undertaker have been bribed by this wealthy man +to take the risk! After all, if this were the explanation, wherein lay +the crime? By what name would it be designated in the office of the +district attorney? Yet, even now, when all seemed known, two unexplained +facts stood out prominently. How was it that the foot of the deceased +Quadrant showed no scar? And what of the assertion made by Mr. Mitchel +that a human body had been cremated? Could it be that Berial, taking +advantage of the opportunity offered by his employer, had secretly +disposed of some other body, while merely supposed to have removed Rufus +Quadrant from his coffin? If so, whose body was it that had been +cremated, and how could identification be looked for among the ashes in +the urn at the cemetery? Mr. Barnes was chagrined to find such questions +in his mind with no answer, when Mr. Mitchel might arrive with his +promised surprise at any moment. Perhaps Morgan was lying when he +accused the undertaker. + +"Have you been able yet," asked Mr. Barnes, "to verify any part of this +man's story?" + +"Well, we only arrived at six this morning, but I may say yes, I have +found some corroborative evidence." + +"What?" + +"I have the shroud in which Rufus Quadrant was dressed in his coffin." + +"That is important. Where did you find it?" + +"In quite a suggestive place. It was locked up in old Berial's private +closet at the shop, which we searched this morning." + +"That certainly is significant. But even so, Tom, how do we know that +this Morgan, who robs the dead and has duplicate screw-drivers for +opening patented coffin fastenings, would hesitate to place a shroud +where it would seem to substantiate his accusation of another?" + +"We do not know positively, of course. We have not fully solved this +mystery yet, Mr. Barnes." + +"I fear not, Tom," said Mr. Barnes, glancing at the clock as he heard a +voice asking for him in the adjoining office; "but here comes a man who +claims that he has done so." + +Mr. Mitchel entered and saluted the two men cordially, after receiving +an introduction to the younger. + +"Well, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, "shall I surprise you with my +story, or have you two gentlemen worked it all out?" + +"I do not know whether you will surprise us or not," said Mr. Barnes. +"We do not claim to have fully solved this mystery; that much we will +admit at once. But we have done a great deal of work, and have learned +facts which must in the end lead to the truth." + +"Ah, I see. You know some things, but not all. The most important fact, +of course, would be the identity of the body which is the centre of this +mystery. Do you know that much?" + +"I have no doubt that it has been correctly identified," said Mr. +Barnes, boldly, though not as confident as he pretended. "It was the +corpse of Rufus Quadrant, of course." + +"You are speaking of the body at the Morgue?" + +"Certainly. What other?" + +"I alluded to the body which was cremated," said Mr. Mitchel quietly. + +"It has not been proven that any body was cremated," replied Mr. Barnes. + +"Has it not? I think it has." + +"Ah, you know that? Well, tell us. Who was the man?" + +"The man in the coffin, do you mean?" + +"Yes. The man who was cremated in place of Mr. Quadrant." + +"Have you any suspicion?" + +"I did have until an hour ago. I supposed that the criminal who managed +this affair had thus disposed of the remains of a pal whom he had killed +in a saloon row--a man called Tommy White." + +"No, that is wrong. The body cremated was the corpse of a woman." + +"Of a woman!" exclaimed both detectives in concert. + +"Yes, gentlemen," said Mr. Mitchel, "it was a woman's body that was +placed in the furnace. I think, Mr. Barnes, that I suggested such a +possibility to you on the day when you first called my attention to this +affair?" + +"Yes. You said it might be a woman as well as a man. But that was merely +a caution against hastily deciding as to the sex of the victim, +supposing that a murder had been committed and the criminal had thus +proceeded to hide his crime. But subsequent investigations have not +brought to us even a suspicion that any woman has been foully dealt +with, who could have been placed in the coffin by any who had the +opportunity." + +"Which only proves," said Mr. Mitchel, "that as usual you detectives +have worked in routine fashion, and consequently, by beginning at the +wrong end, you have not reached the goal. Now I have reached the goal, +and I venture the belief that I have not done one half of the work that +either of you have been compelled to bestow upon your investigations." + +"We cannot all be as intellectually brilliant as yourself," said Mr. +Barnes testily. + +"Come, come, Mr. Barnes. No offense meant, I assure you. I am only +upholding the argument, which I have advanced previously, that the very +routine which gentlemen of your calling feel bound to follow often +hampers if it does not hinder your work. I am merely a tyro, but not +being professionally engaged on this case I was perhaps freer to see +things with eyes unblinded by traditional methods of work. It is just as +the onlooker often sees an opportunity to win, which the men playing a +game of chess overlook. The player has his mind upon many combinations +and sees much that the onlooker does not see. So here. You and Mr. +Burrows have probably discovered many things that I do not even suspect, +but it has been my luck to get at the truth. If you care to hear it, I +will describe in detail how I worked out the problem." + +"Of course we wish to hear the truth," said Mr. Barnes reluctantly; +"that is, if indeed you have learned what it is." + +"Very good. As I have said, hampered by the seeming necessity of +following your investigations along customary lines, you probably began +with the body at the Morgue. I pursued the opposite course. The case +seemed so unique that I was convinced that the motive would prove to be +equally uncommon. If the body at the Morgue were really that of Mr. +Quadrant, as seemed probable from the identifications by the family and +the doctor, I was sure that it had been taken from the coffin to make +room for the corpse of another. No other motive occurred to my mind +which appeared to be adequate. Consequently I thought that the first +essential in unravelling the mystery would be the establishment of the +fact that a human body had been cremated, and then, if possible, to +discover the identity of that body." + +"In other words, to identify the ashes of a cremated body," interjected +Mr. Barnes, with a slight sneer. + +"Just so. That in itself was a problem so novel that it attracted my +interest. It is usually considered that cremation has the objectionable +feature that it offers a means of hiding the crime of murder. This idea +has contributed not a little to thwart those who have endeavored to make +this means of disposing of the dead popular. Would it not be an +achievement to prove that incineration is not necessarily a barrier +against identification?" + +"I should say so," said Mr. Barnes. + +"So thought I, and that was the task which I set myself. I visited the +chief of the detective bureau, and soon interested him in my theories. +He even permitted me to be present at the examination of the ashes, +which was undertaken at my suggestion, an expert chemist and his +assistant going with us. At the cemetery the urn was brought forth and +its contents spread out on a clean marble slab. It was not difficult to +discern that a human being had been cremated." + +"Why was it not difficult?" + +"When one hears of the ashes of the dead, perhaps it is not unnatural to +think of these human ashes as similar to cigar ashes, or the ashes of a +wood fire. Where complete combustion occurs the residue is but an +impalpable powder. But this is not commonly the result in the cremation +of the dead, or at least it does not invariably occur. It did not in +this instance, and that is the main point for us. On the contrary, some +of the bones, and parts of others, sufficiently retained their form to +be readily distinguishable as having come from the human skeleton." + +"As I have never examined a cremated body," said Mr. Barnes, "I must +admit that your statement surprises me. I had supposed that all parts of +the body would be brought to a similar state. But even if what you say +is true, and granting that from pieces of charred bone it could be +demonstrated that a human being had been burned, still I would like you +to explain how you could differentiate between man and woman." + +"Perhaps it would be difficult, or even impossible, judging from the +charred bits of skeleton alone. But if we remember that a woman's garb +is different from the dress of a man, we might find a clue. For example, +if you saw what could unmistakably be recognized as parts of corset +steels, what would you think?" + +"Of course the deduction would be that the body had been that of a +woman, but I should think it an odd circumstance to find that a body +prepared for burial had been corseted." + +"The same thought occurred to me, and from it I drew an important +deduction, since substantiated by facts. I concluded from the corset +steels that the body had not been prepared for burial." + +"I follow you," said Mr. Barnes, now thoroughly interested in Mr. +Mitchel's analytical method. "You mean that this woman was placed in the +coffin clothed as she had died?" + +"Practically so, but I did not decide that she had necessarily died +clothed as she was when placed in the coffin. My conclusion was that it +must have been as essential to dispose of the clothing as of the body. +Thus the clothing would have been placed in the coffin with her, even +though perhaps not on her." + +"A good point! A good point!" nodded the detective, approvingly. + +"So, you see, the ashes of the dead had already revealed two clues. We +knew that a human being had been cremated, and we could feel reasonably +sure, though not absolutely positive, that it had been a woman. Next, +the question arose as to the identity. If cremation would hide that, +then the criminal might hope to escape justice by this means." + +"It seems incredible that the ashes could be identified, unless indeed +some object, provably connected with a certain person, and which would +resist fire, had been placed in the coffin." + +"No, that would not satisfy me. A false identification could thus be +planned by your thoughtful murderer. What I sought was some means of +identifying the actual remains of a cremated body. I have succeeded." + +"You have succeeded?" + +"Yes. I had a theory which has proven to be a good one. If some of the +bones of the body resist cremation, or at least retain their form though +calcined, it should follow that the teeth, being the most resistant +bones, and, moreover, protected by being imbedded in other bones, might +well be expected to remain intact. If not all, at least a sufficient +number of them might be found to serve the ends of justice." + +"Even if you could find the teeth with shape undisturbed, I fail to see +how you could identify the remains by them." + +"The method is as reliable as it is unique. In these days of advanced +dentistry, the people of this country have been educated up to such an +appreciation of their dental organs that, from the highest to the +lowliest, we find the people habitually saving their teeth by having +them filled. I knew by personal experience that it is a common practice +among dentists to register in a book of record all work done for a +patient. In these records they have blank charts of the teeth, and on +the diagram of each tooth, as it is filled, they mark in ink the size +and position of the filling inserted. Now while the teeth themselves +might resist the heat of the furnace, retaining their shapes, we would +not expect the fillings, whether of gold or other material, to do so. +Thus, I expected to find the teeth with cavities in them. I did find +fourteen of the teeth fairly whole, sufficiently so that we might +identify them, and know what position in the mouth they had occupied. No +less than ten of these teeth had cavities, which, from the regularity of +their outline, it was fair to assume had been filled. These I took to my +dentist for an opinion. He was at once interested, because it seems +that members of the dental profession have long urged upon the police +the reliance that may be placed upon the dentist in identifying living +criminals or unknown dead bodies. He examined the charred teeth, and +taking a blank chart of the mouth, he plotted out the size and positions +of the fillings which once had been present. Another very interesting +point was that we found two teeth, known as the central incisor and the +cuspid (the latter commonly called the eye-tooth), united together by a +staple of platinum. This staple had of course resisted the heat because +platinum melts at so high a temperature. My dentist pointed out to me +that this staple had been a foundation for what he called a bridge. One +end of the staple had been forced into the root of one tooth, the other +end passing similarly into the other. Thus the space was spanned, and an +artificial tooth had been attached to the bar, thus filling the space. +He also pointed out that the bar was covered with a mass which was +evidently the porcelain of the tooth which had melted in the furnace." + +"This is very interesting," said Mr. Barnes, "but unless you could find +the man who did that work, you still could not identify the person +cremated." + +"My dentist, as I have said, made out for me a chart of the person's +mouth, which you may examine. You will see that it is quite specific. +With that number of fillings, occupying definite positions in special +teeth, and coupled with the presence of the tooth bridged in and the +manner of making the bridge, it would be an unexampled coincidence to +find that two persons had obtained exactly similar dental services. +Would it not?" + +[Illustration: Missing teeth marked with X--Of 14 teeth examined 10 +contain cavities--16 in all.--Central incisor and cuspid united with +platinum bar, originally held by fillings.--Remains of porcelain +material fused on the bar. + +CHART FURNISHED BY MR. MITCHEL'S DENTIST.] + +"That is sound reasoning," said Mr. Barnes. + +"Very well. I had a statement published in the four leading dental +magazines, accompanied by a _facsimile_ of the chart made by my dentist, +and I solicited correspondence with any dentist who could show a similar +chart in his records." + +"That was a good method, provided, of course, the dentist who did the +work subscribed to one of these magazines." + +"Of course the advertisement might not meet the eye of the dentist who +treated the dead woman, but even though he were not a subscriber he +might hear of this matter through some acquaintance, because, as I have +said, this subject of identification through dental work is one that +widely interests the dentists. However, success rewarded us. I received +a letter from a dentist in one of the New Jersey towns, stating that he +believed he could match my chart. I lost no time in visiting him, and, +after examining his book, was satisfied that the person who had been +cremated that day was an elderly, eccentric woman, named Miss Lederle, +Miss Martha Lederle." + +"Mr. Mitchel, you have done a remarkably clever bit of work, and though +you have succeeded where I have failed, I must congratulate you. But +tell me, after learning the name of the woman how did you trace her to +this city?" + +"I deserve no credit for that. It seems that Miss Lederle had long had +a little fleshy tumor on the inside of her cheek, which had had an +opportunity to grow because of the loss of a tooth. Her dentist often +advised her to have it removed, lest it might become cancerous. She put +it off from time to time, but recently it had grown more rapidly, and at +last she called on the dentist and asked him to recommend a surgeon. He +tells me that he gave her the names of three, one residing in Newark, +and two in this city. Of the New York men, one was Dr. Mortimer." + +"By Jove! Doctor Mortimer!" exclaimed Mr. Barnes. "I begin to see +daylight. It was he who supplied the morphine powders, then?" + +"Ah, then you know so much? Yes, Dr. Mortimer instigated the transfer of +bodies. As soon as I charged him with murder, he thought it safest to +tell me the truth and throw himself upon my mercy." + +"Upon your mercy?" said Mr. Barnes, mystified. + +"Yes; the man has not committed a crime, at least not the crime of +murder. It seems that on the afternoon of the day before that fixed for +the funeral of Mr. Quadrant, this Miss Lederle called at his office and +requested him to remove the tumor from her cheek. He consented, and +suggested the use of cocaine to deaden the parts. The woman insisted +that she must have chloroform, and the doctor explained that in the +absence of his assistant he would not care to undertake the +administration of an anæsthetic. But the woman was persistent; she +offered a liberal fee if the operation could be done immediately, since +it had required so much time for her to bring her courage to the point +of having the tumor removed; then the operation itself seemed so simple +that at last the surgeon was overruled, and proceeded. He did cause the +patient to remove her corset, and, her garments thoroughly loosened, she +was placed on the operating-table. He says he administered very little +chloroform, and had not yet attempted to operate when the patient +exhibited dangerous symptoms. In spite of his most untiring efforts she +succumbed, and he found himself in the dreadful position of having a +patient die under an operation, with no witnesses present. He closed and +locked his office and walked from the house in great mental agitation. +He called at the Quadrants', and heard there that the coffin would not +again be opened. Then a great temptation came to him. The woman had not +given him her address, nor had she stated who had sent her to Dr. +Mortimer, merely declaring that she knew him by reputation. There was no +way to communicate with the woman's relatives except by making the +affair public. He recalled that a similar accident to an old surgeon of +long-established reputation, where several assistants had been present, +had nevertheless ruined the man's practice. He himself was innocent of +wrong-doing, except, perhaps, that the law forbade him to operate alone, +and he saw ruin staring him in the face, just at a time, too, when great +prosperity had appeared to be within his grasp. The undertaker, Berial, +was an old acquaintance, indebted to him for many recommendations. + +"The plan seemed more and more feasible as he thought of it, and finally +he sought out Berial, and confided to him his secret. For a liberal fee +the undertaker agreed to dispose of the body. Dr. Mortimer supplied him +with a drug with which to overcome the watchman at the stables, so that +the wagon could be taken out unknown. He himself visited the Quadrant +house, and, under the plea of relieving Mark Quadrant of a headache, +gave him also a dose of morphine. At the appointed time Berial arrived +at the doctor's office and took away the woman's body, first replacing +the corset, which, of course, they were bound to dispose of. Together +they went to the Quadrants', and there exchanged the bodies. Subsequent +events are known to you. Thus the truth has arisen, Phoenix-like, from +the ashes of the dead. The question remaining is, what claim has Justice +upon the doctor? Gentlemen, is it needful to disgrace that man, who +really is a victim of circumstances rather than a wrong-doer? He tells +me, Mr. Barnes, that he has not had a moment of mental rest since you +asked him whether ashes could be proven to be the residue of a human +body." + +"I recall now that he started violently when I spoke to him. Perhaps, +had I been more shrewd, I might have suspected the truth then. The +difficulty of hushing this matter up, Mr. Mitchel, seems to be the +friends and relatives of the dead woman. How can they be appeased?" + +"I will undertake that. I think the real estate which she leaves behind +will satisfy the one relative. I have already communicated with this +man, a hard, money-grubbing old skinflint, and I think that with the +assistance of Mr. Berial we can have one more funeral that will satisfy +the curiosity of the few neighbors." + +And thus the matter was permitted to rest. There was yet one point which +puzzled Mr. Barnes, and which never was made clear to him. + +"What of the scar that I could not find on Rufus Quadrant's foot?" he +often asked himself. But as he could not ask either of the brothers, he +never got a reply. Yet the explanation was simple. Mark Quadrant told +Mr. Barnes that his brother had such a scar, his object being to baffle +the detective by suggesting to him a flaw in the identification. The +idea occurred to him because his brother Amos really had such a scarred +foot, and he so worded his remark that he literally told the truth, +though he deceived Mr. Barnes. When the detective repeated this +statement to Amos, he noticed the care with which his brother had +spoken, and, in turn, he truthfully said that his brother had spoken +truthfully. + + + + + II + + THE MISSING LINK + + +"The object of my visit," began Mr. Barnes, "is of such grave importance +that I approach it with hesitation, and I may even say reluctance. Will +you give me your closest attention?" + +"I understood from your note," replied Mr. Mitchel, "that you wished to +consult me in regard to some case which you are investigating. As you +are well aware, I take the keenest interest in the solving of criminal +problems. Therefore proceed. But first let me light a Havana. A good +cigar always aids my perception." + +The two men were in the sumptuous library of Mr. Mitchel's new house, +which he had bought for his wife shortly after their marriage. It was +ten in the morning, and Mr. Mitchel, just from his breakfast-room, was +comfortably attired in a smoking-jacket. After lighting his cigar, he +threw himself into a large Turkish chair, rested his head upon the +soft-cushioned back, and extended his slippered feet towards the grate +fire, his legs crossed. As he blew little rings of smoke towards the +detective, he seemed absolutely unsuspicious of the story about to be +told. + +Mr. Barnes, on the contrary, appeared ill at ease. He declined a cigar, +and, without removing his overcoat, he leaned his left arm on the low +marble mantel as he stood talking, his right being free for gestures +when he wished to emphasize a point. + +After a brief pause he began: + +"Whilst I am not officially connected with the regular police, my young +friend Burrows is, and is highly esteemed by the Chief. You will +remember him in connection with the Quadrant case. He called upon me +about noon on last Sunday. The story which he had to tell was the most +remarkable in some respects that I have heard. Briefly, it is as +follows: As you know, it is common practice among speculating builders +to erect a row of houses, finishing them at one end first, so that, not +infrequently, one or two of the row may be sold while the mechanics are +still at work on the other end. In this manner ten houses have been +built in this immediate vicinity." + +"In the street just back of me," said Mr. Mitchel. + +Mr. Barnes watched him closely at this moment, but he seemed entirely +composed and merely attentive. The detective proceeded. + +"It appears that two of these houses have been sold and are already +occupied. The next four are completed, and the sign "For Sale" appears +in the windows. The others are still in the hands of the workmen. The +four which are for sale are in the care of a watchman. They are open for +inspection during the day, but he is supposed to lock all the doors +before going to his home in the evening, and to open them to the public +again on the following day. According to this man, he locked all the +doors of these four houses on Saturday night at six o'clock, and opened +them again at eight on Sunday morning. Between eight and nine he showed +two parties through one of the houses and, after dismissing the last, +was sitting on the stoop reading the morning paper, when he was startled +by hearing a scream. A moment later he saw two women rush out of the +house next to where he sat, and from their actions it was evident that +they were terribly frightened. It was some time before he could get any +lucid explanation from either, and when he did he understood them to +intimate that some one had been murdered in the house. He asked them to +show him to the spot, but they most positively declined. He therefore, +with unusual display of common sense, summoned a policeman, and with him +visited the room indicated by the frightened women, who made no attempt +to run away, though they again refused to go into the house, even with +the officer. What the two men found was horrible enough to account for +the women's actions. In the bathtub lay the body of a woman, the head, +hands, and feet having been cut off and removed." + +"I should say that, under these circumstances, identification would be +most difficult," said Mr. Mitchel, "unless, indeed, the clothing might +afford some clue." + +"The body was nude," said the detective. + +"In that case, you have to deal with a man who has brains." + +"Yes; the murderer has adopted just such methods as I imagine you would +pursue, Mr. Mitchel, were you in his predicament." + +Mr. Mitchel frowned very slightly, and said: + +"You offer me a doubtful compliment, Mr. Barnes. Proceed with your case. +It is interesting, to say the least." + +"It grows more so as we proceed, for we have once more an evidence of +the futility of planning a crime which shall leave no clue behind." + +"Ah, then you have found a clue?" Mr. Mitchel removed his cigar to +speak, and did not resume his smoking, but seemed more attentive. + +"Listen," said the detective. "The policeman immediately notified his +superiors, and by ten o'clock Burrows was at the house, having been +detailed to make an examination. Having done so, and recognizing that he +was face to face with a crime of unusual importance, he hastened to +solicit my assistance, that I might be early upon the scene. I am +satisfied that I reached the house before any material alteration had +been made in any of those small and minute details which are overlooked +by the careless eye, but which speak volumes to one with experience." + +"I suppose, then, that you can describe what existed, from your personal +investigation. That is more interesting than a report at second hand." + +"I went over the ground thoroughly, as I think you will admit when I +have told you all. Here was one of those wonderful cases where the +criminal exercised extreme caution to obliterate all traces of the +crime. His actions could only be surmised through analytical and +deductive methods. There are some facts which cannot be hidden, and from +these a keen mind may trace backwards. For example, the head and +extremities had been removed, and a minute scrutiny of the remaining +parts might disclose many things." + +"Ah, here we note the triumph of mind over matter." There was just a +slight sneer, which nettled the detective. + +Mr. Barnes proceeded with some asperity. Indeed, he spoke more like +himself; that is, with less hesitancy, as though heretofore he had found +the story hard to tell, but that now his scruples had vanished. + +"An examination of the stumps of the arms proved conclusively that a +sharp knife had been used, for not only had the tendons and vessels been +cleanly severed, but in two places the cartilage capping the ends of the +bone had been shaved off smoothly." + +"Come, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, "do not dwell so upon unimportant +details." + +"The weapon is always counted as a very important detail," said Mr. +Barnes, sharply. + +"Yes, yes, I know," said Mr. Mitchel. "But you are above the ordinary +detective, and you surely perceive that it is a matter of no consequence +whether the knife used was sharp or dull. In either case it could be +hidden or destroyed, so that it could not be found to serve in +evidence." + +"Oh, very well," said Mr. Barnes, testily. "I will come to the +deductions concerning the neck. Here there were several points of +interest. Again it was evident that a sharp knife was used, and in this +instance the condition of the edge of the knife becomes important." + +"Indeed! How so?" + +"The most minute scrutiny of the body disclosed no wound which could +have been the cause of death. Unless poison had been administered, there +are but three ways by which death could have been effected." + +"And those are?" + +"Suffocation, either by choking or otherwise; drowning, by holding the +head under water in the bathtub; or by some mortal wound inflicted about +the head, either by a blow, the use of a knife, or a pistol shot. I +doubted the pistol, because so careful a man as the assassin evidently +was, would have avoided the noise. A stab with a knife was possible, but +unlikely because of the scream which would surely result. A blow was +improbable, unless the man brought the weapon with him, as the house was +empty, and nothing would accidentally be found at hand. To drown the +woman, it would have been necessary to half fill the tub with water +before thrusting the victim in it, and such an action would have aroused +her suspicion. Besides, the clothes would have been wet, and this would +have interfered with burning them. Thus by exclusion I arrived at the +belief that the woman had been choked to death, a method offering the +least risk, being noiseless and bloodless." + +"What has the sharpness of the knife to do with this?" + +"It was, in my mind, important to decide whether the head had been +removed before or after death. A dull knife would not have aided me as a +sharp one did. With a sharp knife a severing of the carotid artery +before death would have resulted in a spurting of blood, which would +have stained the walls or floor, so that it would have been difficult, +or impossible, to wash away the telltale marks. But after death, or even +while the victim was unconscious, a cool hand, with a sharp blade, could +cut down upon the artery in such a way that the blood would flow +regularly, and, the body being in the bathtub, and water flowing from +the faucets, no stains would be left." + +"Then you think that the woman was choked to death?" + +"I have not a doubt of it. There was a terrible struggle, too, though in +an empty house we could find no such signs as would inevitably have been +made in a furnished apartment. But the woman fought for her life and +died hard. This I know because, despite the precaution of the assassin +in removing the head, there are two or three distinct marks on the neck, +made by the ends of his fingers and nails." + +"Well, having discovered so much, you are as far as ever from the +identity of the criminal, or of the woman." + +"Every point unravelled is so much gain," said Mr. Barnes, evasively. +"My next deduction was more important. Let us picture the scene of the +crime. For causes as yet unknown, this man wished to kill this woman. He +lures her into this empty house, and, choosing a favorable moment, +seizes her by the throat and strangles her to death. To prevent the +identification of the corpse, he decides to remove the head, hands, and +feet, parts which are characteristic. He takes off the clothes and burns +them. We found the ashes in the kitchen stove. He takes the body to the +bathroom, and, placing it in the porcelain tub, turns on the water, and +then proceeds with his diabolical scheme. Even though we suppose that he +first filled the tub with water, the better to avoid stains, when we +remember that he took away the severed parts it is inconceivable that +not a stain of blood, not a smudge of pinkish tint, would be left +anywhere. Granting that he might have endeavored to wash away any such +drippings, still it would be marvellous that not one stain should be +left." + +"Yet you found none?" Mr. Mitchel smiled, and resumed his smoking. + +"Yet I found none," said Mr. Barnes. "But this was a most significant +fact to me. It led me to a suspicion which I proceeded to verify. The +plumbing in this house is of the most approved pattern. Under the +porcelain bathtub there is a patent trap for the exclusion of +sewer-gas. This is so fashioned that some water always remains. +Supposing that bloody water had passed through it, I should find this +trap partly filled with water tinted in color. I removed the screw, +which enabled me to catch the water from the trap in a bowl. It was +perfectly clear. Not a trace of color." + +"From which you deduced?" asked Mr. Mitchel. + +"From which I deduced," said the detective, "that the woman had not been +killed, or dismembered, in the house where her body was found. By +examining the other houses and emptying the traps, I found one which +yielded water plainly colored with blood, and I also found a few smudges +about the bathtub; places where blood had splashed and been washed off. +The assassin thought that he had made all clean, but as so often happens +with porcelain, when dried there still remained a slight stain, which +even showed the direction in which it had been wiped." + +"Very good! Very good indeed!" Mr. Mitchel yawned slightly. "Let me see. +You have discovered--what? That the knife was sharp. And that the woman +was killed in one house and carried to another. How does that help you?" + +At this point Mr. Barnes gave Mr. Mitchel a distinct surprise. Instead +of answering the question, he asked suddenly: + +"Mr. Mitchel, will you permit me to examine that watch-chain which you +are wearing?" + +Mr. Mitchel sat straight up in his chair, and looked sharply at the +detective, as though trying to read his innermost thoughts. The +detective stared back at him, and both were silent a moment. Then +without speaking, Mr. Mitchel removed the chain, and handed it to Mr. +Barnes, who took it with him to the window, and there examined it +closely through a lens. Mr. Mitchel threw the remains of his cigar into +the fire, and, placing both hands behind his head as he lay back in his +chair, awaited developments. Presently Mr. Barnes returned to his place +by the mantel, and in resuming his narrative it was noticeable from his +tone of voice that he was more than ever troubled. + +"You asked me," said he, "how my discoveries helped me. I say from the +bottom of my soul that they have helped me only too well. That I proceed +in this matter is due to the fact that I must follow the dictates of my +conscience rather than my heart." + +"Brutus yielded up his son," suggested Mr. Mitchel. + +"Yes. Well, to resume my story. The point of importance was this. +Imagine the assassin with both hands at the woman's throat--two things +were inevitable. The woman would surely struggle, with arms and legs, +and the murderer would be unable to resist, his own hands being +occupied. What more natural than that the arms of the dying woman should +be wrapped about the body of her assailant? That the hands should grasp +and rend the clothing? Might perhaps come into contact with a +watch-chain and tear it off, or break it?" + +"And you are intending to examine all the watch-chains in the +neighborhood upon such a chance as that?" Mr. Mitchel laughed, but Mr. +Barnes took no notice of the intended taunt. + +"I have examined the only chain I wished to look at. Deducing the +struggle, and the possible tearing off of some part of the assassin's +attire, I was glad to know which house was the scene of the crime. +Having satisfied myself in this direction, I proceeded to search for the +missing link in the chain of evidence, though I must confess that I did +not expect it to be truly a link, a part of a real chain. The idea that +a watch-chain might have been broken in the struggle did not occur to me +until I held the evidence in my hand." + +"Oh; then you did find your missing link?" + +"Yes. I personally swept every room, and the staircase, and at last I +found the link. But it would be more correct to say _your_ missing link, +than mine, Mr. Mitchel, for it was from this chain that it was broken." + +"Indeed!" + +Mr. Barnes was amazed at the imperturbable manner in which this +statement was received. Becoming slightly agitated himself, he +continued: + +"As soon as I picked up that link, I was shocked at my discovery, for, +from its peculiar shape, I recognized it as similar to your chain, which +I had often observed. Still, I hoped that there might be some mistake; +that it might have fallen from some other man. But you permitted me to +examine this chain, and the last doubt is swept away. I note that every +alternate link is solid, the intermediate ones having a slit, by which +the links are joined into a chain. The wrench given by the dying woman +strained one of these links so that it opened, allowing the chain to +part, and later this particular link dropped off. Either you did not +observe it at once, or else, being small, you could not find it. If this +occurred as I have described, what would be the result? Your chain, +where parted, would terminate at each end with a solid link. Thus, to +unite the chain again, my lens shows me that you have sawed through one +link, and so rejoined your chain. And not only do I see the freshly +sawed link, but, as must necessarily be the case, we have two links +adjacent, each of which can be opened." + +"And your next move will be?" asked Mr. Mitchel, still apparently +undisturbed. + +"I have no recourse open to me except to arrest you. That is why I have +found this whole interview so painful." + +"I understand your position, and sympathize with you thoroughly," said +Mr. Mitchel. "And yet, see how easily you might dismiss this whole +theory of yours. These houses are in my neighborhood, immediately back +of me, in fact. I am a householder. What more natural than my taking an +interest in property so near me? Why may I not have visited the houses +to examine them? Then what more possible than the chance that in passing +from one room to another, my chain should have caught on a door-knob, +and have been broken, the link dropping as you have suggested? My +repairing the damage would be but a natural sequence, and the subsequent +murder and your train of reasoning is resolved into a mere coincidence." + +"That is ingenious, Mr. Mitchel. But some instinct tells me that I am +right, and that you did commit this crime." + +"Intuition, which I suppose is what you mean by instinct, is not always +reliable, but, oddly enough, in this instance you are correct. I did +kill that creature. Moreover, the sequence of events was as you have +deduced. I commend you for your skill, for, believe me, I used every +precaution to prevent detection." + +"Then you confess? My God! This is horrible!" + +At the prospect of arresting Mr. Mitchel, a man who had won his most +ardent admiration, Mr. Barnes was so overcome that he sank into a chair +and stared blankly at his companion. + +"Come! come!" said Mr. Mitchel. "Don't break down like that. The affair +is bad enough, I admit, but it might be worse." + +"Might be worse!" ejaculated Mr. Barnes, amazed at the words as well as +the half-jocular tone. + +"Why yes. Much worse. Why, Mr. Barnes, have you not had evidence of my +ability to thwart detectives before to-day? Do you suppose that I shall +permit myself to be detected, arrested, imprisoned in this affair? +Nothing is further from my mind, I assure you. True, you have, with +your uncommon skill, discovered a part of the truth. But that need not +trouble me, for no other detective will be so shrewd." + +"Do you mean to suggest that I should shield you in this matter?" + +"Well, yes. That is about what I expect from your friendship." + +"Impossible! Impossible! I wish that I could do what you ask! But no! It +is impossible!" + +"There. I have tried your patience long enough. Let me tell you the +whole story, and then you may decide as you please. A few years ago, in +Paris, a friend presented me with a poodle. French poodles, as you know, +are considered the most intelligent of all dogs, and this one seemed to +be the wisest of his species. My friend had already trained him to +perform many tricks, and these were done at command, without special +signals, so that I could but believe what my friend claimed, that the +dog actually understood what was said to him. Thinking this matter over +one day, it presented itself to me in a singular light. + +"In the training of animals, man has always aimed to make the dumb brute +understand, and carry out, the master's wishes. No one, so far as I then +knew, had ever trained a dog to express his own wishes, in any way +intelligible to the master. This I undertook to do, and was fairly +successful. I printed words on cards, such as 'food,' 'drink,' 'yard,' +etc., and, by means which I need not recapitulate, I taught my dog to +bring me the special card which would represent his wishes. Thus, when +he was thirsty, he could ask for 'water,' or when he wished to leave the +house, he brought the card marked 'yard.' Imagine my astonishment when +one day a little sky-terrier, belonging to another lodger in the house, +came to me with the 'food' card in his mouth. At first I supposed it to +be merely an accident, but I soon discovered that the terrier understood +the cards as well as did the poodle. How, unless the poodle had taught +him? Do dogs, then, have a language by which they may communicate with +each other? + +"This was a new thought, which attracted me more and more as I revolved +it in my mind. Then it occurred to me that if animals have a language, +monkeys would offer the best field for study, and I began investigating. +The discovery that the apes do have a language has been made by Mr. +Garner, and by him the fact has been published to the world. But I made +the discovery several years ago, though I kept it to myself, for reasons +which you shall hear. + +"I practised upon the monkeys in the Zoölogical Gardens in Paris and +London, until I was a veritable crank on the subject of monkey language. +Nothing would satisfy me but a trip to Africa. Thither I went, and made +great progress, so that by the time I captured a fine chimpanzee on the +Congo, I was able to readily make him understand that I meant him no +harm. At first he received my overtures with hesitation, his previous +experience with my race rendering him skeptical as to my good +qualities. But after a time, we became good friends; I might even say +chums. After that I gave him his liberty, and we took strolls together. +He was a very sociable fellow when one really got to know him well, but +we found the resources of the monkey language inadequate to our needs. +The experiment with my dog recurred to me, and I undertook to teach him +a human tongue. I chose German as the best adapted to his limitations, +and he made such progress that in a few months we could converse with +tolerable ease. + +"I decided to tell him something of the world of civilization, and one +day it occurred to me to expound to him the Darwinian theory. He +listened with an expression of learned thought upon his face which would +have well suited the countenance of a philosopher, but when I had +finished, he astounded me by announcing that he thought he could show me +that higher race of apes, which, being more humanly developed than any +species now known, might well be designated 'the missing link' which +connects the Simian race with man. I begged him to do so, and he +undertook the task, though he said that it involved a long journey. I +urged him to go, and he left me. + +"A month had passed, and I had begun to think that my new-found friend +had deserted me, when one day he walked into camp, accompanied by the +most human-like ape I had ever seen. It was neither chimpanzee nor +gorilla, but a combination of both in those characteristics which were +most manlike. The most conspicuous advance beyond the anthropoid apes +now known, was the hairless skin. The hands and feet, too, were more +human in shape, though on the latter the hallux still retained its +prehensile character, which perhaps is necessary to a tree dweller. The +face was peculiarly human, though the jaws retained certain +distinguishing attributes of the ape, as, for example, the space between +the anterior and posterior teeth, and the fang-like canine teeth. + +"As you must already suspect the sequel, I may hurry on to the end. The +creature was a female, and in the trip to our camp my chimpanzee friend +had become much attached to her; indeed, I may say he had fallen in love +with her. He had also begun her higher education, so that when we met +she was able to address a few words to me in German. As you may well +imagine, I was greatly interested in this animal, and did all in my +power to teach her. She made even more rapid progress than the +chimpanzee had, and I was thinking of the sensation I could produce in +Paris by sending cards of invitation to the nuptials of my monkey +friends, which I determined should occur in the great metropolis. + +"Imagine my horror one morning, upon finding the chimpanzee dead. I did +not immediately comprehend the full significance of this, but upon +questioning the ape a few days later, she candidly confessed to me that +she had strangled the chimpanzee, her only reason being, that having +decided for the future to live as a human being, she deemed it wise to +destroy her companion, that he might not be able to divulge the secret +of her origin. + +"Instantly my mind was awakened to a danger which menaced myself. I too +knew the secret of her savage ancestry, and the fact that she had not +slain me also was probably due to her hope that I would fulfil my +promise and take her with me to more civilized parts. Indeed, so certain +was I of this, that I took the first opportunity to foster that ambition +in her bosom. At the same time I carefully planned a secret departure, +and a few nights later succeeded in getting away unobserved, while the +ape slept. Throughout the journey to the coast I constantly feared +pursuit, but was fortunate enough to get safely on shipboard without +hearing more of the savage creature. + +"At dusk on last Saturday, I was strolling through the next street, +when, to my amazement, I saw coming towards me what appeared to be a +woman, whose face however was so startlingly like the ape which I had +left in Africa that for a moment I was dazed. In the next instant, +realizing that if my suspicion was true, I might be in danger even after +the lapse of time, and hoping that it was merely a chance resemblance, I +quickly turned into one of the new houses still open for inspection. I +did not dare to look behind me, and even thought it a trick of my +excited imagination when I fancied that I heard steps following me as I +ascended to the second floor. I turned upon reaching the floor above, +and instantly with a savage cry the brute was upon me, her hands upon +my throat, making a desperate effort to strangle me. I gripped her neck +in a similar manner, scarcely hoping to save my life. Fortune favored +me, however, and, after a lengthy struggle, the ape lay dead at my feet. +I suppose that several years of life in civilization had sapped her +savage strength. + +"My subsequent proceedings were actuated by two motives. In the first +place any public connection of my name with such a horrible encounter +would naturally have greatly annoyed my wife, and secondly I could not +resist my innate fondness for contending with detectives. I removed the +head, hands, and feet, to prevent identification, and also because with +them I can convince you that the animal was an ape, and not a woman. As +there is no law against the killing of an ape, you must see, Mr. Barnes, +that it would be futile to arrest me." + +"You are right," replied Mr. Barnes, "and I am truly glad that your +explanation places you beyond the law. You must forgive me for my +suspicion." + +The two men joined hands in a firm clasp, which cemented their +friendship, and guaranteed that the secret which they shared would never +be divulged by either. + + + + + III + + THE NAMELESS MAN + + +Mr. Barnes was sitting in his private room, with nothing of special +importance to occupy his thoughts, when his office boy announced a +visitor. + +"What name?" asked Mr. Barnes. + +"None," was the reply. + +"You mean," said the detective, "that the man did not give you his name. +He must have one, of course. Show him in." + +A minute later the stranger entered, and, bowing courteously, began the +conversation at once. + +"Mr. Barnes, the famous detective, I believe?" said he. + +"My name is Barnes," replied the detective. "May I have the pleasure of +knowing yours?" + +"I sincerely hope so," continued the stranger. "The fact is, I suppose I +have forgotten it." + +"Forgotten your name?" Mr. Barnes scented an interesting case, and +became doubly attentive. + +"Yes," said the visitor; "that is precisely my singular predicament. I +seem to have lost my identity. That is the object of my call. I wish you +to discover who I am. As I am evidently a full-grown man, I can +certainly claim that I have a past history, but to me that past is +entirely blank. I awoke this morning in this condition, yet apparently +in possession of all my faculties, so much so, that I at once saw the +advisability of consulting a first-class detective, and, upon inquiry, I +was directed to you." + +"Your case is most interesting--from my point of view, I mean. To you, +of course, it must seem unfortunate. Yet it is not unparalleled. There +have been many such cases recorded, and, for your temporary relief, I +may say that, sooner or later, complete restoration of memory usually +occurs. But now, let us try to unravel your mystery as soon as possible, +that you may suffer as little inconvenience as there need be. I would +like to ask you a few questions." + +"As many as you like, and I will do my best to answer." + +"Do you think that you are a New Yorker?" + +"I have not the least idea whether I am or not." + +"You say you were advised to consult me. By whom?" + +"The clerk at the Waldorf Hotel, where I slept last night." + +"Then, of course, he gave you my address. Did you find it necessary to +ask him how to find my offices?" + +"Well, no, I did not. That seems strange, does it not? I certainly had +no difficulty in coming here. I suppose that must be a significant fact, +Mr. Barnes?" + +"It tends to show that you have been familiar with New York, but we must +still find out whether you live here or not. How did you register at the +hotel?" + +"M. J. G. Remington, City." + +"You are quite sure that Remington is not your name?" + +"Quite sure. After breakfast this morning I was passing through the +lobby when the clerk called me twice by that name. Finally, one of the +hall-boys touched me on the shoulder and explained that I was wanted at +the desk. I was very much confused to find myself called 'Mr. +Remington,' a name which certainly is not my own. Before I fully +realized my position, I said to the clerk, 'Why do you call me +Remington?' and he replied, 'Because you registered under that name.' I +tried to pass it off, but I am sure that the clerk looks upon me as a +suspicious character." + +"What baggage have you with you at the hotel?" + +"None. Not even a satchel." + +"May there not be something in your pockets that would help us; letters, +for example?" + +"I am sorry to say that I have made a search in that direction, but +found nothing. Luckily I did have a pocketbook, though." + +"Much money in it?" + +"In the neighborhood of five hundred dollars." + +Mr. Barnes turned to his table and made a few notes on a pad of paper. +While so engaged his visitor took out a fine gold watch, and, after a +glance at the face, was about to return it to his pocket, when Mr. +Barnes wheeled around in his chair, and said: + +"That is a handsome watch you have there. Of a curious pattern, too. I +am rather interested in old watches." + +The stranger seemed confused for an instant, and quickly put up his +watch, saying: + +"There is nothing remarkable about it. Merely an old family relic. I +value it more for that than anything else. But about my case, Mr. +Barnes; how long do you think it will take to restore my identity to me? +It is rather awkward to go about under a false name." + +"I should think so," said the detective. "I will do my best for you, but +you have given me absolutely no clue to work upon, so that it is +impossible to say what my success will be. Still I think forty-eight +hours should suffice. At least in that time I ought to make some +discoveries for you. Suppose you call again on the day after to-morrow, +at noon precisely. Will that suit you?" + +"Very well, indeed. If you can tell me who I am at that time I shall be +more than convinced that you are a great detective, as I have been +told." + +He arose and prepared to go, and upon the instant Mr. Barnes touched a +button under his table with his foot, which caused a bell to ring in a +distant part of the building, no sound of which penetrated the private +office. Thus any one could visit Mr. Barnes in his den, and might leave, +unsuspicious of the fact that a spy would be awaiting him out in the +street who would shadow him persistently day and night until recalled by +his chief. After giving the signal, Mr. Barnes held his strange visitor +in conversation a few moments longer to allow his spy opportunity to get +to his post. + +"How will you pass the time away, Mr. Remington?" said he. "We may as +well call you by that name, until I find your true one." + +"Yes, I suppose so. As to what I shall do during the next forty-eight +hours, why, I think I may as well devote myself to seeing the sights. It +is a remarkably pleasant day for a stroll, and I think I will visit your +beautiful Central Park." + +"A capital idea. By all means, I would advise occupation of that kind. +It would be best not to do any business until your memory is restored to +you." + +"Business? Why, of course, I can do no business." + +"No. If you were to order any goods, for example, under the name of +Remington, later on when you resume your proper identity you might be +arrested as an impostor." + +"By George! I had not thought of that. My position is more serious than +I had realized. I thank you for the warning. Sight-seeing will assuredly +be my safest plan for the next two days." + +"I think so. Call at the time agreed upon, and hope for the best. If I +should need you before then, I will send to your hotel." + +Then, saying "Good morning," Mr. Barnes turned to his desk again, and, +as the stranger looked at him before stepping out of the room, the +detective seemed engrossed with some papers before him. Yet scarcely had +the door closed upon the retreating form of his recent visitor, when Mr. +Barnes looked up, with an air of expectancy. A moment later a very tiny +bell in a drawer of his desk rang, indicating that the man had left the +building, the signal having been sent to him by one of his employees, +whose business it was to watch all departures and notify his chief. A +few moments later Mr. Barnes himself emerged, clad in an entirely +different suit of clothing, and with such alteration in the color of his +hair that more than a casual glance would have been required to +recognize him. + +When he reached the street the stranger was nowhere in sight, but Mr. +Barnes went to a doorway opposite, and there he found, written in blue +pencil, the word "up," whereupon he walked rapidly uptown as far as the +next corner, where once more he examined a door-post, upon which he +found the word "right," which indicated the way the men ahead of him had +turned. Beyond this he could expect no signals, for the spy shadowing +the stranger did not know positively that his chief would take part in +the game. The two signals which he had written on the doors were merely +a part of a routine, and intended to aid Mr. Barnes should he follow; +but if he did so, he would be expected to be in sight of the spy by the +time the second signal was reached. And so it proved in this instance, +for as Mr. Barnes turned the corner to the right, he easily discerned +his man about two blocks ahead, and presently was near enough to see +"Remington" also. + +The pursuit continued until Mr. Barnes was surprised to see him enter +the Park, thus carrying out his intention as stated in his interview +with the detective. Entering at the Fifth Avenue gate he made his way +towards the menagerie, and here a curious incident occurred. The +stranger had mingled with the crowd in the monkey-house, and was +enjoying the antics of the mischievous little animals, when Mr. Barnes, +getting close behind him, deftly removed a pocket-handkerchief from the +tail of his coat and swiftly transferred it to his own. + +On the day following, shortly before noon, Mr. Barnes walked quickly +into the reading-room of the Fifth Avenue Hotel. In one corner there is +a handsome mahogany cabinet, containing three compartments, each of +which is entered through double doors, having glass panels in the upper +half. About these panels are draped yellow silk curtains, and in the +centre of each appears a white porcelain numeral. These compartments are +used as public telephone stations, the applicant being shut in, so as to +be free from the noise of the outer room. + +Mr. Barnes spoke to the girl in charge, and then passed into the +compartment numbered "2." Less than five minutes later Mr. Leroy Mitchel +came into the reading-room. His keen eyes peered about him, scanning +the countenances of those busy with the papers or writing, and then he +gave the telephone girl a number, and went into the compartment numbered +"1." About ten minutes elapsed before Mr. Mitchel came out again, and, +having paid the toll, he left the hotel. When Mr. Barnes emerged, there +was an expression of extreme satisfaction upon his face. Without +lingering, he also went out. But instead of following Mr. Mitchel +through the main lobby to Broadway, he crossed the reading-room and +reached Twenty-third Street through the side door. Thence he proceeded +to the station of the elevated railroad, and went uptown. Twenty minutes +later he was ringing the bell of Mr. Mitchel's residence. The "buttons" +who answered his summons informed him that his master was not at home. + +"He usually comes in to luncheon, however, does he not?" asked the +detective. + +"Yes, sir," responded the boy. + +"Is Mrs. Mitchel at home?" + +"No, sir." + +"Miss Rose?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Ah; then I'll wait. Take my card to her." + +Mr. Barnes passed into the luxurious drawing-room, and was soon joined +by Rose, Mr. Mitchel's adopted daughter. + +"I am sorry papa is not at home, Mr. Barnes," said the little lady, "but +he will surely be in to luncheon, if you will wait." + +"Yes, thank you, I think I will. It is quite a trip up, and, being here, +I may as well wait a while and see your father, though the matter is not +of any great importance." + +"Some interesting case, Mr. Barnes? If so, do tell me about it. You know +I am almost as interested in your cases as papa is." + +"Yes, I know you are, and my vanity is flattered. But I am sorry to say +that I have nothing on hand at present worth relating. My errand is a +very simple one. Your father was saying, a few days ago, that he was +thinking of buying a bicycle, and yesterday, by accident, I came across +a machine of an entirely new make, which seems to me superior to +anything yet produced. I thought he might be interested to see it, +before deciding what kind to buy." + +"I am afraid you are too late, Mr. Barnes. Papa has bought a bicycle +already." + +"Indeed! What style did he choose?" + +"I really do not know, but it is down in the lower hall, if you care to +look at it." + +"It is hardly worth while, Miss Rose. After all, I have no interest in +the new model, and if your father has found something that he likes, I +won't even mention the other to him. It might only make him regret his +bargain. Still, on second thoughts, I will go down with you, if you will +take me into the dining-room and show me the head of that moose which +your father has been bragging about killing. I believe it has come back +from the taxidermist's?" + +"Oh, yes. He is just a monster. Come on." + +They went down to the dining-room, and Mr. Barnes expressed great +admiration for the moose's head, and praised Mr. Mitchel's skill as a +marksman. But he had taken a moment to scrutinize the bicycle which +stood in the hallway, while Rose was opening the blinds in the +dining-room. Then they returned to the drawing-room, and after a little +more conversation Mr. Barnes departed, saying that he could not wait any +longer, but he charged Rose to tell her father that he particularly +desired him to call at noon on the following day. + +Promptly at the time appointed, "Remington" walked into the office of +Mr. Barnes, and was announced. The detective was in his private room. +Mr. Leroy Mitchel had been admitted but a few moments before. + +"Ask Mr. Remington in," said Mr. Barnes to his boy, and when that +gentleman entered, before he could show surprise at finding a third +party present, the detective said: + +"Mr. Mitchel, this is the gentleman whom I wish you to meet. Permit me +to introduce to you Mr. Mortimer J. Goldie, better known to the sporting +fraternity as G. J. Mortimer, the champion short-distance bicycle rider, +who recently rode a mile in the phenomenal time of 1.36, on a three-lap +track." + +As Mr. Barnes spoke, he gazed from one to the other of his companions, +with a half-quizzical and wholly pleased expression on his face. Mr. +Mitchel appeared much interested, but the newcomer was evidently +greatly astonished. He looked blankly at Mr. Barnes a moment, then +dropped into a chair with the query: + +"How in the name of conscience did you find that out?" + +"That much was not very difficult," replied the detective. "I can tell +you much more; indeed, I can supply your whole past history, provided +your memory has been sufficiently restored for you to recognize my facts +as true." + +Mr. Barnes looked at Mr. Mitchel, and winked one eye in a most +suggestive manner, at which that gentleman burst out into hearty +laughter, finally saying: + +"We may as well admit that we are beaten, Goldie. Mr. Barnes has been +too much for us." + +"But I want to know how he has done it," persisted Mr. Goldie. + +"I have no doubt that Mr. Barnes will gratify you. Indeed, I am as +curious as you are to know by what means he has arrived at his quick +solution of the problem which we set for him." + +"I will enlighten you as to detective methods with pleasure," said Mr. +Barnes. "Let me begin with the visit made to me by this gentleman two +days ago. At the very outset his statement aroused my suspicion, though +I did my best not to let him think so. He announced to me that he had +lost his identity, and I promptly told him that his case was not +uncommon. I said that in order that he might feel sure that I did not +doubt his tale. But truly, his case, if he was telling the truth, was +absolutely unique. Men have lost recollection of their past, and even +have forgotten their names. But I have never before heard of a man who +had forgotten his name, _and at the same time knew that he had done +so_." + +"A capital point, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel. "You were certainly +shrewd to suspect fraud so early." + +"Well, I cannot say that I suspected fraud so soon, but the story was so +improbable that I could not believe it immediately. I therefore was what +I might call 'analytically attentive' during the rest of the interview. +The next point worth noting which came out was that, although he had +forgotten himself, he had not forgotten New York, for he admitted having +come to me without special guidance." + +"I remember that," interrupted Mr. Goldie, "and I think I even said to +you at the time that it was significant." + +"And I told you that it at least showed that you had been familiar with +New York. This was better proven when you said that you would spend the +day at Central Park, and when, after leaving here, you had no difficulty +in finding your way thither." + +"Do you mean to say that you had me followed? I made sure that no one +was after me." + +"Well, yes, you were followed," said Mr. Barnes, with a smile. "I had a +spy after you, and I followed you as far as the Park myself. But let me +come to the other points in your interview and my deductions. You told +me that you had registered as 'M. J. G. Remington.' This helped me +considerably, as we shall see presently. A few minutes later you took +out your watch, and in that little mirror over my desk, which I use +occasionally when I turn my back upon a visitor, I noted that there was +an inscription on the outside of the case. I turned and asked you +something about the watch, when you hastily returned it to your pocket, +with the remark that it was 'an old family relic.' Now can you explain +how you could have known that, supposing that you had forgotten who you +were?" + +"Neatly caught, Goldie," laughed Mr. Mitchel. "You certainly made a mess +of it there." + +"It was an asinine slip," said Mr. Goldie, laughing also. + +"Now, then," continued Mr. Barnes, "you readily see that I had good +reason for believing that you had not forgotten your name. On the +contrary, I was positive that your name was a part of the inscription on +the watch. What, then, could be your purpose in pretending otherwise? I +did not discover that for some time. However, I decided to go ahead, and +find you out if I could. Next I noted two things. Your coat opened once, +so that I saw, pinned to your vest, a bicycle badge, which I recognized +as the emblem of the League of American Wheelmen." + +"Oh! Oh!" cried Mr. Mitchel. "Shame on you, Goldie, for a blunderer." + +"I had entirely forgotten the badge," said Mr. Goldie. + +"I also observed," the detective went on, "little indentations on the +sole of your shoe, as you had your legs crossed, which satisfied me that +you were a rider even before I observed the badge. Now then, we come to +the name, and the significance thereof. Had you really lost your memory, +the choosing of a name when you registered at a hotel would have been a +haphazard matter of no importance to me. But as soon as I decided that +you were imposing upon me, I knew that your choice of a name had been a +deliberate act of the mind; one from which deductions could be drawn." + +"Ah; now we come to the interesting part," said Mr. Mitchel. "I love to +follow a detective when he uses his brains." + +"The name as registered, and I examined the registry to make sure, was +odd. Three initials are unusual. A man without memory, and therefore not +quite sound mentally, would hardly have chosen so many. Then why had it +been done in this instance? What more natural than that these initials +represented the true name? In assuming an alias, it is the most common +method to transpose the real name in some way. At least it was a working +hypothesis. Then the last name might be very significant. 'Remington.' +The Remingtons make guns, sewing-machines, typewriters, and bicycles. +Now, this man was a bicycle rider, I was sure. If he chose his own +initials as a part of the alias, it was possible that he selected +'Remington' because it was familiar to him. I even imagined that he +might be an agent for Remington bicycles, and I had arrived at that +point during our interview, when I advised him not to buy anything until +his identity was restored. But I was sure of my quarry when I stole a +handkerchief from him at the park, and found the initials 'M. J. G.' +upon the same." + +"Marked linen on your person!" exclaimed Mr. Mitchel. "Worse and worse! +We'll never make a successful criminal of you, Goldie." + +"Perhaps not. I shan't cry over it." + +"I felt sure of my success by this time," continued Mr. Barnes, "yet at +the very next step I was balked. I looked over a list of L. A. W. +members and could not find a name to fit my initials, which shows, as +you will see presently, that, as I may say, 'too many clues spoil the +broth.' Without the handkerchief I would have done better. Next I +secured a catalogue of the Remingtons, which gave a list of their +authorized agents, and again I failed. Returning to my office I received +information from my spy, sent in by messenger, which promised to open a +way for me. He had followed you about, Mr. Goldie, and I must say you +played your part very well, so far as avoiding acquaintances is +concerned. But at last you went to a public telephone, and called up +some one. My man saw the importance of discovering to whom you had +spoken, and bribed the telephone attendant to give him the information. +All that he learned, however, was that you had spoken to the public +station at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. My spy thought that this was +inconsequent, but it proved to me at once that there was collusion, and +that your man must have been at the other station by previous +appointment. As that was at noon, a few minutes before the same hour on +the following day, that is to say, yesterday, I went to the Fifth Avenue +Hotel telephone and secreted myself in the middle compartment, hoping to +hear what your partner might say to you. I failed in this, as the boxes +are too well made to permit sound to pass from one to the other; but +imagine my gratification to see Mr. Mitchel himself go into the box." + +"And why?" asked Mr. Mitchel. + +"Why, as soon as I saw you, I comprehended the whole scheme. It was you +who had concocted the little diversion to test my ability. Thus, at +last, I understood the reason for the pretended loss of identity. With +the knowledge that you were in it, I was more than ever determined to +get at the facts. Knowing that you were out, I hastened to your house, +hoping for a chat with little Miss Rose, as the most likely member of +your family to get information from." + +"Oh, fie! Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel; "to play upon the innocence of +childhood! I am ashamed of you!" + +"'All's fair,' etc. Well, I succeeded. I found Mr. Goldie's bicycle in +your hallway, and, as I suspected, it was a Remington. I took the number +and hurried down to the agency, where I readily discovered that wheel +No. 5086 is ridden by G. J. Mortimer, one of their regular racing team. +I also learned that Mortimer's private name is Mortimer J. Goldie. I was +much pleased at this, because it showed how good my reasoning had been +about the alias, for you observe that the racing name is merely a +transposition of the family name. The watch, of course, is a prize, and +the inscription would have proved that you were imposing upon me, Mr. +Goldie, had you permitted me to see it." + +"Of course; that was why I put it back in my pocket." + +"I said just now," said Mr. Barnes, "that without the stolen +handkerchief I would have done better. Having it, when I looked over the +L. A. W. list I went through the 'G's' only. Without it, I should have +looked through the 'G's,' 'J's,' and 'M's,' not knowing how the letters +may have been transposed. In that case I should have found 'G. J. +Mortimer,' and the initials would have proved that I was on the right +track." + +"You have done well, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel. "I asked Goldie to +play the part of a nameless man for a few days, to have some fun with +you. But you have had fun with us, it seems. Though, I am conceited +enough to say, that had it been possible for me to play the principal +part, you would not have pierced my identity so soon." + +"Oh, I don't know," said Mr. Barnes. "We are both of us a little +egotistical, I fear." + +"Undoubtedly. Still, if I ever set another trap for you, I will assign +myself the chief _rôle_." + +"Nothing would please me better," said Mr. Barnes. "But, gentlemen, as +you have lost in this little game, it seems to me that some one owes me +a dinner, at least." + +"I'll stand the expense with pleasure," said Mr. Mitchel. + +"Not at all," interrupted Mr. Goldie. "It was through my blundering that +we lost, and I'll pay the piper." + +"Settle it between you," cried Mr. Barnes. "But let us walk on. I am +getting hungry." + +Whereupon they adjourned to Delmonico's. + + + + + IV + + THE MONTEZUMA EMERALD + + +"Is the Inspector in?" + +Mr. Barnes immediately recognized the voice, and turned to greet the +speaker. The man was Mr. Leroy Mitchel's English valet. Contrary to all +precedent and tradition, he did not speak in cockney dialect, not even +stumbling over the proper distribution of the letter "h" throughout his +vocabulary. That he was English, however, was apparent to the ear, +because of a certain rather attractive accent, peculiar to his native +island, and to the eye because of a deferential politeness of manner, +too seldom observed in American servants. He also always called Mr. +Barnes "Inspector," oblivious of the fact that he was not a member of +the regular police, and mindful only of the English application of the +word to detectives. + +"Step right in, Williams," said Mr. Barnes. "What is the trouble?" + +"I don't rightly know, Inspector," said Williams. "Won't you let me +speak to you alone? It's about the master." + +"Certainly. Come into my private room." He led the way and Williams +followed, remaining standing, although Mr. Barnes waved his hand towards +a chair as he seated himself in his usual place at his desk. "Now then," +continued the detective, "what's wrong? Nothing serious I hope?" + +"I hope not, sir, indeed. But the master's disappeared." + +"Disappeared, has he." Mr. Barnes smiled slightly. "Now Williams, what +do you mean by that? You did not see him vanish, eh?" + +"No, sir, of course not. If you'll excuse my presumption, Inspector, I +don't think this is a joke, sir, and you're laughing." + +"All right, Williams," answered Mr. Barnes, assuming a more serious +tone. "I will give your tale my sober consideration. Proceed." + +"Well, I hardly know where to begin, Inspector. But I'll just give you +the facts, without any unnecessary opinions of my own." + +Williams rather prided himself upon his ability to tell what he called +"a straight story." He placed his hat on a chair, and, standing behind +it, with one foot resting on a rung, checked off the points of his +narrative, as he made them, by tapping the palm of one hand with the +index finger of the other. + +"To begin then," said he. "Mrs. Mitchel and Miss Rose sailed for +England, Wednesday morning of last week. That same night, quite +unexpected, the master says to me, says he, 'Williams, I think you have +a young woman you're sweet on down at Newport?' 'Well, sir,' says I, 'I +do know a person as answers that description,' though I must say to you, +Inspector, that how he ever came to know it beats me. But that's aside, +and digression is not my habit. 'Well, Williams,' the master went on, 'I +shan't need you for the rest of this week, and if you'd like to take a +trip to the seashore, I shan't mind standing the expense, and letting +you go.' Of course, I thanked him very much, and I went, promising to be +back on Monday morning as directed. And I kept my word, Inspector; +though it was a hard wrench to leave the young person last Sunday in +time to catch the boat; the moon being bright and everything most +propitious for a stroll, it being her Sunday off, and all that. But, as +I said, I kept my word, and was up to the house Monday morning only a +little after seven, the boat having got in at six. I was a little +surprised to find that the master was not at home, but then it struck me +as how he must have gone out of town over Sunday, and I looked for him +to be in for dinner. But he did not come to dinner, nor at all that +night. Still, I did not worry about it. It was the master's privilege to +stay away as long as he liked. Only I could not help thinking I might +just as well have had that stroll in the moonlight, Sunday night. But +when all Tuesday and Tuesday night went by, and no word from the master, +I must confess that I got uneasy; and now here's Wednesday noon, and no +news; so I just took the liberty to come down and ask your opinion in +the matter, seeing as how you are a particular friend of the family, +and an Inspector to boot." + +"Really, Williams," said Mr. Barnes, "all I see in your story is that +Mr. Mitchel, contemplating a little trip off somewhere with friends, let +you go away. He expected to be back by Monday, but, enjoying himself, +has remained longer." + +"I hope that's all, sir, and I've tried to think so. But this morning I +made a few investigations of my own, and I'm bound to say what I found +don't fit that theory." + +"Ah, you have some more facts. What are they?" + +"One of them is this cablegram that I found only this morning under a +book on the table in the library." He handed a blue paper to Mr. Barnes, +who took it and read the following, on a cable blank: + + "Emerald. Danger. Await letter." + +For the first time during the interview Mr. Barnes's face assumed a +really serious expression. He studied the despatch silently for a full +minute, and then, without raising his eyes, said: + +"What else?" + +"Well, Inspector, I don't know that this has anything to do with the +affair, but the master had a curious sort of jacket, made of steel +links, so tight and so closely put together, that I've often wondered +what it was for. Once I made so bold as to ask him, and he said, said +he, 'Williams, if I had an enemy, it would be a good idea to wear that, +because it would stop a bullet or a knife.' Then he laughed, and went +on: 'Of course, I shan't need it for myself. I bought it when I was +abroad once, merely as a curiosity.' Now, Inspector, that jacket's +disappeared also." + +"Are you quite sure?" + +"I've looked from dining-room to garret for it. The master's derringer +is missing, too. It's a mighty small affair. Could be held in the hand +without being noticed, but it carries a nasty-looking ball." + +"Very well, Williams, there may be something in your story. I'll look +into the matter at once. Meanwhile, go home, and stay there so that I +may find you if I want you." + +"Yes, sir; I thank you for taking it up. It takes a load off my mind to +know you're in charge, Inspector. If there's harm come to the master, +I'm sure you'll track the party down. Good morning, sir." + +"Good morning, Williams." + +After the departure of Williams, the detective sat still for several +minutes, lost in thought. He was weighing two ideas. He seemed still to +hear the words which Mr. Mitchel had uttered after his success in +unravelling the mystery of Mr. Goldie's lost identity. "Next time I will +assign myself the chief _rôle_," or words to that effect, Mr. Mitchel +had said. Was this disappearance a new riddle for Mr. Barnes to solve? +If so, of course he would undertake it, as a sort of challenge which his +professional pride could not reject. On the other hand, the cable +despatch and the missing coat of mail might portend ominously. The +detective felt that Mr. Mitchel was somewhat in the position of the +fabled boy who cried "Wolf!" so often that, when at last the wolf really +appeared, no assistance was sent to him. Only Mr. Barnes decided that he +must chase the "wolf," whether it be real or imaginary. He wished, +though, that he knew which. + +Ten minutes later he decided upon a course of action, and proceeded to a +telegraph office, where he found that, as he had supposed, the despatch +had come from the Paris firm of jewellers from which Mr. Mitchel had +frequently bought gems. He sent a lengthy message to them, asking for an +immediate reply. + +While waiting for the answer, the detective was not inactive. He went +direct to Mr. Mitchel's house, and once more questioned the valet, from +whom he obtained an accurate description of the clothes which his master +must have worn, only one suit being absent. This fact alone, seemed +significantly against the theory of a visit to friends out of town. +Next, Mr. Barnes interviewed the neighbors, none of whom remembered to +have seen Mr. Mitchel during the week. At the sixth house below, +however, he learned something definite. Here he found Mr. Mordaunt, a +personal acquaintance, and member of one of Mr. Mitchel's clubs. This +gentleman stated that he had dined at the club with Mr. Mitchel on the +previous Thursday, and had accompanied him home, in the neighborhood of +eleven o'clock, parting with him at the door of his own residence. Since +then he had neither seen nor heard from him. This proved that Mr. +Mitchel was at home one day after Williams went to Newport. + +Leaving the house, Mr. Barnes called at the nearest telegraph office and +asked whether a messenger summons had reached them during the week, from +Mr. Mitchel's house. The record slips showed that the last call had been +received at 12.30 A.M., on Friday. A cab had been demanded, and was +sent, reaching the house at one o'clock. At the stables, Mr. Barnes +questioned the cab-driver, and learned that Mr. Mitchel had alighted at +Madison Square. + +"But he got right into another cab," added the driver. "It was just a +chance I seen him, 'cause he made as if he was goin' into the Fifth +Avenoo; but luck was agin' him, for I'd scarcely gone two blocks back, +when I had to get down to fix my harness, and while I was doin' that, +who should I see but my fare go by in another cab." + +"You did not happen to know the driver of that vehicle?" suggested Mr. +Barnes. + +"That's just what I did happen to know. He's always by the Square, along +the curb by the Park. His name's Jerry. You'll find him easy enough, and +he'll tell you where he took that fly bird." + +Mr. Barnes went down town again, and did find Jerry, who remembered +driving a man at the stated time, as far as the Imperial Hotel; but +beyond that the detective learned nothing, for at the hotel no one knew +Mr. Mitchel, and none recollected his arrival early Friday morning. + +From the fact that Mr. Mitchel had changed cabs, and doubled on his +track, Mr. Barnes concluded that he was after all merely hiding away for +the pleasure of baffling him, and he felt much relieved to divest the +case of its alarming aspect. However, he was not long permitted to hold +this opinion. At the telegraph office he found a cable despatch awaiting +him, which read as follows: + + "Montezuma Emerald forwarded Mitchel tenth. Previous owner + murdered London eleventh. Mexican suspected. Warned + Mitchel." + +This assuredly looked very serious. Casting aside all thought of a +practical joke, Mr. Barnes now threw himself heart and soul into the +task of finding Mitchel, dead or alive. From the telegraph office he +hastened to the Custom-House, where he learned that an emerald, the +invoiced value of which was no less than twenty thousand dollars, had +been delivered to Mr. Mitchel in person, upon payment of the custom +duties, at noon of the previous Thursday. Mr. Barnes, with this +knowledge, thought he knew why Mr. Mitchel had been careful to have a +friend accompany him to his home on that night. But why had he gone out +again? Perhaps he felt safer at a hotel than at home, and, having +reached the Imperial, taking two cabs to mystify the villain who might +be tracking him, he might have registered under an alias. What a fool he +had been not to examine the registry, as he could certainly recognize +Mr. Mitchel's handwriting, though the name signed would of course be a +false one. + +Back, therefore, he hastened to the Imperial, where, however, his search +for familiar chirography was fruitless. Then an idea occurred to him. +Mr. Mitchel was so shrewd that it would not be unlikely that, meditating +a disappearance to baffle the men on his track, he had registered at the +hotel several days prior to his permanently stopping there. Turning the +page over, Mr. Barnes still failed to find what he sought, but a curious +name caught his eye. + +"Miguel Palma--City of Mexico." + +Could this be the London murderer? Was this the suspected Mexican? If +so, here was a bold and therefore dangerous criminal who openly put up +at one of the most prominent hostelries. Mr. Barnes was turning this +over in his mind, when a diminutive newsboy rushed into the corridor, +shouting: + +"Extra _Sun_! Extra _Sun_! All about the horrible murder. Extra!" + +Mr. Barnes purchased a paper and was stupefied at the headlines: + + ROBERT LEROY MITCHEL DROWNED! + + _His Body Found Floating in the East River._ + + A DAGGER IN HIS BACK. + + _Indicates Murder._ + +Mr. Barnes rushed out of the hotel, and, quickly finding a cab, +instructed the man to drive rapidly to the Morgue. On the way, he read +the details of the crime as recounted in the newspaper. From this he +gathered that the body had been discovered early in the morning by two +boatmen, who towed it to shore and handed it over to the police. An +examination at the Morgue had established the identity by letters found +on the corpse and the initials marked on the clothing. Mr. Barnes was +sad at heart, and inwardly fretted because his friend had not asked his +aid when in danger. + +Jumping from the cab almost before it had fully stopped in front of the +Morgue, he stumbled and nearly fell over a decrepit-looking beggar, upon +whose breast was a printed card soliciting alms for the blind. Mr. +Barnes dropped a coin, a silver quarter, into his outstretched palm, and +hurried into the building. As he did so he was jostled by a tall man who +was coming out, and who seemed to have lost his temper, as he muttered +an imprecation under his breath in Spanish. As the detective's keen ear +noted the foreign tongue an idea occurred to him which made him turn and +follow the stranger. When he reached the street again he received a +double surprise. The stranger had already signalled the cab which Mr. +Barnes had just left, and was entering it, so that he had only a moment +in which to observe him. Then the door was slammed, and the driver +whipped up his horses and drove rapidly away. At the same moment the +blind beggar jumped up, and ran in the direction taken by the cab. Mr. +Barnes watched them till both cab and beggar disappeared around the next +corner, and then he went into the building again, deeply thinking over +the episode. + +He found the Morgue-keeper, and was taken to the corpse. He recognized +the clothing at once, both from the description given by Williams, and +because he now remembered to have seen Mr. Mitchel so dressed. It was +evident that the body had been in the water for several days, and the +marks of violence plainly pointed to murder. Still sticking in the back +was a curious dagger of foreign make, the handle projecting between the +shoulders. The blow must have been a powerful stroke, for the blade was +so tightly wedged in the bones of the spine that it resisted ordinary +efforts to withdraw it. Moreover, the condition of the head showed that +a crime had been committed, for the skull and face had been beaten into +a pulpy mass with some heavy instrument. Mr. Barnes turned away from the +sickening sight to examine the letters found upon the corpse. One of +these bore the Paris postmark, and he was allowed to read it. It was +from the jewellers, and was the letter alluded to in the warning cable. +Its contents were: + + "DEAR SIR:-- + + "As we have previously advised you the Montezuma Emerald was + shipped to you on the tenth instant. On the following day + the man from whom we had bought it was found dead in Dover + Street, London, killed by a dagger-thrust between the + shoulders. The meagre accounts telegraphed to the papers + here, state that there is no clue to the assassin. We were + struck by the name, and remembered that the deceased had + urged us to buy the emerald, because, as he declared, he + feared that a man had followed him from Mexico, intending to + murder him to get possession of it. Within an hour of + reading the newspaper story, a gentlemanly looking man, + giving the name of Miguel Palma, entered our store, and + asked if we had purchased the Montezuma Emerald. We replied + negatively, and he smiled and left. We notified the police, + but they have not yet been able to find this man. We deemed + it our duty to warn you, and did so by cable." + +The signature was that of the firm from which Mr. Barnes had received +the cable in the morning. The plot seemed plain enough now. After the +fruitless murder of the man in London, the Mexican had traced the +emerald to Mr. Mitchel, and had followed it across the water. Had he +succeeded in obtaining it? Among the things found on the corpse was an +empty jewel-case, bearing the name of the Paris firm. It seemed from +this that the gem had been stolen. But, if so, this man, Miguel Palma, +must be made to explain his knowledge of the affair. + +Once more visiting the Imperial, Mr. Barnes made inquiry, and was told +that Mr. Palma had left the hotel on the night of the previous Thursday, +which was just a few hours before Mr. Mitchel had undoubtedly reached +there alive. Could it be that the man at the Morgue had been he? If so, +why was he visiting that place to view the body of his victim? This was +a problem over which Mr. Barnes puzzled, as he was driven up to the +residence of Mr. Mitchel. Here he found Williams, and imparted to that +faithful servant the news of his master's death, and then inquired for +the address of the family abroad, that he might notify them by cable, +before they could read the bald statement in a newspaper. + +"As they only sailed a week ago to-day," said Williams, "they're hardly +more than due in London. I'll go up to the master's desk and get the +address of his London bankers." + +As Williams turned to leave the room, he started back amazed at the +sound of a bell. + +"That's the master's bell, Inspector! Some one is in his room! Come with +me!" + +The two men bounded up-stairs, two steps at a time, and Williams threw +open the door of Mr. Mitchel's boudoir, and then fell back against Mr. +Barnes, crying: + +"The master himself!" + +Mr. Barnes looked over the man's shoulder, and could scarcely believe +his eyes when he observed Mr. Mitchel, alive and well, brushing his hair +before a mirror. + +"I've rung for you twice, Williams," said Mr. Mitchel, and then, seeing +Mr. Barnes, he added, "Ah, Mr. Barnes. You are very welcome. Come in. +Why, what is the matter, man? You are as white as though you had seen a +ghost." + +"Thank God, you are safe!" fervently ejaculated the detective, going +forward and grasping Mr. Mitchel's hand. "Here, read this, and you will +understand." He drew out the afternoon paper and handed it to him. + +"Oh, that," said Mr. Mitchel, carelessly. "I've read that. Merely a +sensational lie, worked off upon a guileless public. Not a word of truth +in it, I assure you." + +"Of course not, since you are alive; but there is a mystery about this +which is yet to be explained." + +"What! A mystery, and the great Mr. Barnes has not solved it? I am +surprised. I am, indeed. But then, you know, I told you after Goldie +made a fizzle of our little joke that if I should choose to play the +principal part you would not catch me. You see I have beaten you this +time. Confess. You thought that was my corpse which you gazed upon at +the Morgue?" + +"Well," said Mr. Barnes, reluctantly, "the identification certainly +seemed complete, in spite of the condition of the face, which made +recognition impossible." + +"Yes; I flatter myself the whole affair was artistic." + +"Do you mean that this whole thing is nothing but a joke? That you went +so far as to invent cables and letters from Paris just for the trifling +amusement of making a fool of me?" + +Mr. Barnes was evidently slightly angry, and Mr. Mitchel, noting this +fact, hastened to mollify him. + +"No, no; it is not quite so bad as that," he said. "I must tell you the +whole story, for there is yet important work to do, and you must help +me. No, Williams, you need not go out. Your anxiety over my absence +entitles you to a knowledge of the truth. A short time ago I heard that +a very rare gem was in the market, no less a stone than the original +emerald which Cortez stole from the crown of Montezuma. The emerald was +offered in Paris, and I was notified at once by the dealer, and +authorized the purchase by cable. A few days later I received a despatch +warning me that there was danger. I understood at once, for similar +danger had lurked about other large stones which are now in my +collection. The warning meant that I should not attempt to get the +emerald from the Custom-House until further advices reached me, which +would indicate the exact nature of the danger. Later, I received the +letter which was found on the body now at the Morgue, and which I +suppose you have read?" + +Mr. Barnes nodded assent. + +"I readily located the man Palma at the Imperial, and from his openly +using his name I knew that I had a dangerous adversary. Criminals who +disdain aliases have brains, and use them. I kept away from the +Custom-House until I had satisfied myself that I was being dogged by a +veritable cutthroat, who, of course, was the tool hired by Palma to +rob, perhaps to kill me. Thus acquainted with my adversaries, I was +ready for the enterprise." + +"Why did you not solicit my assistance?" asked Mr. Barnes. + +"Partly because I wanted all the glory, and partly because I saw a +chance to make you admit that I am still the champion detective-baffler. +I sent my wife and daughter to Europe that I might have time for my +scheme. On the day after their departure I boldly went to the +Custom-House and obtained the emerald. Of course I was dogged by the +hireling, but I had arranged a plan which gave him no advantage over me. +I had constructed a pair of goggles which looked like simple smoked +glasses, but in one of these I had a little mirror so arranged that I +could easily watch the man behind me, should he approach too near. +However, I was sure that he would not attack me in a crowded +thoroughfare, and I kept in crowds until time for dinner, when, by +appointment, I met my neighbor Mordaunt, and remained in his company +until I reached my own doorway late at night. Here he left me, and I +stood on the stoop until he disappeared into his own house. Then I +turned, and apparently had much trouble to place my latch-key in the +lock. This offered the assassin the chance he had hoped for, and, +gliding stealthily forward, he made a vicious stab at me. But, in the +first place, I had put on a chain-armor vest, and, in the second, +expecting the attack to occur just as it did, I turned swiftly and with +one blow with a club I knocked the weapon from the fellow's hand, and +with another I struck him over the head so that he fell senseless at my +feet." + +"Bravo!" cried Mr. Barnes. "You have a cool nerve." + +"I don't know. I think I was very much excited at the crucial moment, +but with my chain armor, a stout loaded club in one hand and a derringer +in the other, I never was in any real danger. I took the man down to the +wine-cellar and locked him in one of the vaults. Then I called a cab, +and went down to the Imperial, in search of Palma; but I was too late. +He had vanished." + +"So I discovered," interjected Mr. Barnes. + +"I could get nothing out of the fellow in the cellar. Either he cannot +or he will not speak English. So I have merely kept him a prisoner, +visiting him at midnight only, to avoid Williams, and giving him rations +for another day. Meanwhile, I disguised myself and looked for Palma. I +could not find him. I had another card, however, and the time came at +last to play it. I deduced from Palma's leaving the hotel on the very +day when I took the emerald from the Custom-House, that it was +prearranged that his hireling should stick to me until he obtained the +gem, and then meet him at some rendezvous, previously appointed. Hearing +nothing during the past few days, he has perhaps thought that I had left +the city, and that his man was still upon my track. Meanwhile I was +perfecting my grand _coup_. With the aid of a physician, who is a +confidential friend, I obtained a corpse from one of the hospitals, a +man about my size, whose face we battered beyond description. We dressed +him in my clothing, and fixed the dagger which I had taken from my +would-be assassin so tightly in the backbone that it would not drop out. +Then one night we took our dummy to the river and securely anchored it +in the water. Last night I simply cut it loose and let it drift down the +river." + +"You knew of course that it would be taken to the Morgue," said Mr. +Barnes. + +"Precisely. Then I dressed myself as a blind beggar, posted myself in +front of the Morgue, and waited." + +"You were the beggar?" ejaculated the detective. + +"Yes. I have your quarter, and shall prize it as a souvenir. Indeed, I +made nearly four dollars during the day. Begging seems to be lucrative. +After the newspapers got on the street with the account of my death, I +looked for developments. Palma came in due time, and went in. I presume +that he saw the dagger, which was placed there for his special benefit, +as well as the empty jewel-case, and at once concluded that his man had +stolen the gem and meant to keep it for himself. Under these +circumstances he would naturally be angry, and therefore less cautious +and more easily shadowed. Before he came out, you turned up and stupidly +brought a cab, which allowed my man to get a start of me. However, I am +a good runner, and as he only rode as far as Third Avenue, and then took +the elevated railroad, I easily followed him to his lair. Now I will +explain to you what I wish you to do, if I may count on you?" + +"Assuredly." + +"You must go into the street, and when I release the man in the cellar, +you must track him. I will go to the other place, and we will see what +happens when the men meet. We will both be there to see the fun." + +An hour later, Mr. Barnes was skilfully dogging a sneaking Mexican, who +walked rapidly through one of the lowest streets on the East Side, until +finally he dodged into a blind alley, and before the detective could +make sure which of the many doors had allowed him ingress he had +disappeared. A moment later a low whistle attracted his attention, and +across in a doorway he saw a figure which beckoned to him. He went over +and found Mr. Mitchel. + +"Palma is here. I have seen him. You see I was right. This is the place +of appointment, and the cutthroat has come here straight. Hush! What was +that?" + +There was a shriek, followed by another, and then silence. + +"Let us go up," said Mr. Barnes. "Do you know which door?" + +"Yes; follow me." + +Mr. Mitchel started across, but, just as they reached the door, +footsteps were heard rapidly descending the stairs. Both men stood aside +and waited. A minute later a cloaked figure bounded out, only to be +gripped instantly by those in hiding. It was Palma, and he fought like a +demon, but the long, powerful arms of Mr. Barnes encircled him, and, +with a hug that would have made a bear envious, the scoundrel was soon +subdued. Mr. Barnes then manacled him, while Mr. Mitchel ascended the +stairs to see about the other man. He lay sprawling on the floor, face +downward, stabbed in the heart. + + + + + V + + A SINGULAR ABDUCTION + + +Mr. Barnes was alone in his sanctum when an elderly gentleman of +cultured manners was ushered in. The visitor sank into a seat and began +his appeal at once. + +"Oh, Mr. Barnes," said he, "I am in great distress. I hardly dared to +hope that assistance was possible until I met my friend, Mr. Leroy +Mitchel. You know him?" Mr. Barnes assented with a smile. "Well," +continued the old gentleman, "Mr. Mitchel said that you could surely +assist me." + +"Certainly. I will do all that is in my power," said the detective. + +"You are very kind. I hope you can aid me. But let me tell you the +story. I am Richard Gedney, the broker. Perhaps you have heard the +name?" Mr. Barnes nodded. "I thought so. 'Old Dick,' they call me on the +street, and sometimes 'Old Nick,' but that is only their joke. I do not +believe they really dislike me, though I have grown rich. I have never +cheated any one, nor wronged a friend in my life. But that is +immaterial, except that it makes it hard to understand how any one +could have done me the great injury of stealing my daughter." + +"Stealing your daughter?" interrupted the detective. "Abduction?" + +"Abduction I suppose is your technical term. I call it plain stealing. +To take a girl of fourteen away from her father's home is stealing, +plain and simple." + +"When did this occur?" + +"Two days ago. Tuesday morning we missed her, though she may have been +taken in the night. She was slightly ill on Monday evening, and her maid +sent for our doctor, who ordered her to be put to bed and kept there. +Next morning, that is, Tuesday, he called early, as he was going out on +his rounds. He was admitted by the butler and went straight up to her +room. He came down a few minutes later, rang the door-bell to call a +servant, and reported that the child was not in her room. He left word +that she must be put back to bed and that he would return in an hour. +The butler gave the message to her maid, who became alarmed, as she +supposed her mistress to be in bed. A search was begun, but the child +had vanished." + +"How is it, Mr. Gedney, that the doctor did not speak to you personally +instead of to the servant?" + +"I cannot too much condemn myself. You see, I am an old whist player, +and the temptation to play made me linger so late with some friends on +Monday night that I preferred to remain in Newark where I was, and so +did not reach home till ten o'clock Tuesday morning. By that time the +misfortune had occurred." + +"Have you made no discoveries as to what has become of her?" + +"None. We have sent to all of our friends in the vain hope that she +might have arisen early and gone out, but no one has seen her. She has +disappeared as thoroughly as though she had been swallowed by an +earthquake. Here, however, is a letter which reached me this morning. I +cannot tell whether there is anything in it, or whether it is merely a +cruel joke perpetrated by some crank who has heard of my loss." He +handed the letter to the detective, who read as follows: + +"Your daughter is safe if you are sensible. If you want her back all you +have to do is to state your figures. Make them high enough, and she'll +be with you. Put a 'Personal' in the _Herald_ for D. M., and I will +answer." + +"Mr. Gedney," said Mr. Barnes, "I am afraid this is a serious case. What +has been done has been so thoroughly well accomplished that I believe we +have no fool to deal with. His is a master hand. We must begin our work +at once. I will take this up personally. Come, we must go out." + +They proceeded first to the _Herald_ uptown office, and Mr. Barnes +inserted the following advertisement: + + "D. M. Communicate at once, stating lowest terms. GEDNEY." + +"Now we will go to your home, Mr. Gedney," said Mr. Barnes, and thither +they went. + +Seating himself in a comfortable leather chair in the library, Mr. +Barnes asked that the butler should be called. The man entered the room, +and it was apparent at once that here was a good servant of the English +type. + +"Moulton," began Mr. Barnes, "I am a detective. I am going to find out +where your young mistress has been taken." + +"I hope so, sir," said the butler. + +"Very well," said the detective. "Now answer a few questions explicitly, +and you may give me great assistance. On Tuesday morning you admitted +the doctor. At what time was it?" + +"It was about eight o'clock, sir. We had just taken our seats at +breakfast in the servants' hall, when the bell rang. That is how I know +the hour. We are regular about meals in this house. We eat at eight and +the master at nine." + +"What happened when you admitted the doctor?" + +"He asked for Miss Nora, and I told him she was not down yet. He said he +supposed he could go up, and I said I supposed so, and he went." + +"What did you do next?" + +"I went back to my breakfast." + +"Did you tell the maid that the doctor had called?" + +"Not just then, sir, for she had not come into the breakfast-room." + +"When did you tell her?" + +"After I saw the doctor the second time. I heard the door-bell again and +went up, when, to my surprise, there was the doctor. He said he rang +because he did not know how else to call me. Then he said that Miss Nora +had left her room, which was against the orders he gave the night +before, and that I was to tell the maid to have her back to bed, and he +would call again. I went back to the breakfast-room. This time the maid +was there, and frightened she was when I gave her the message." + +"How long was it after you admitted the doctor the first time, when you +answered his second ring?" + +"I should think five minutes, sir; though it might have been ten." + +"And during this five or ten minutes the maid was not in the +breakfast-room?" + +"No, sir." + +"Send her to me." The butler left the room, and, whilst waiting for the +maid, Mr. Barnes addressed Mr. Gedney. + +"Mr. Gedney," said he, "you have not told me the name of the doctor." + +"His name is Donaldson. Everybody knows Dr. Donaldson." + +"Has he served you long?" + +"Ever since I came to live in this neighborhood. About two years, I +should say. He has seemed to be very fond of Elinora. Why, he has been +here a half-dozen times asking for news of her since her disappearance. +He has a curious theory which I can hardly credit. He thinks she may +have wandered off in the night, asleep. But then he has not seen this +letter from 'D. M.' yet." + +"I would like to speak to him about his somnambulistic idea. Do you +think he will drop in to-day?" + +"He may be in at any moment, as he has not called yet this morning. Here +is my daughter's maid." + +This directed the attention of Mr. Barnes to a young woman who at that +moment entered. She was evidently dreadfully alarmed at being summoned +to meet a detective, and her eyes showed that she had been weeping. + +"Come, my girl," said Mr. Barnes, reassuringly, "you need not be +frightened. I am not an ogre. I only wish to ask you a few questions. +You are willing to help me find your mistress, are you not?" + +"Oh, indeed, indeed yes, sir!" + +"Then begin by telling me how she was on Monday night when you sent for +the doctor." + +The girl composed herself with an effort, evidently satisfied that a +detective was just like any ordinary man, and replied: + +"Miss Nora acted rather odd all Monday, and was melancholy like. She +would sit and stare out of the window and not answer when she was spoken +to. I thought perhaps something had bothered her, and so I left her +alone, meaning to speak to her father at dinner-time. But he sent a +telegram saying he had to go out of town. So when Miss Nora wouldn't +come down to dinner, and wouldn't answer me, but just kept staring out +of the window, I got scared a little, and thought it best to send for +Dr. Donaldson." + +"What did he say when he came?" + +"He talked to her, but she wouldn't answer him either. He patted her on +the head, and said she was sulky. Then he told me perhaps she was angry +because her father hadn't come home, but that she must not be allowed to +brood over trifles. He said I must put her to bed, and he gave her some +medicine that he said would put her to sleep." + +"Did you have any trouble to get her to bed?" + +"No, sir, though that was strange. She just stood still and let me do +everything. She did not help me or prevent me." + +"When did you see her after that?" + +"I never saw her after that," and she began to cry softly. + +"Come, come, don't cry. Your mistress is all right. I will bring her +back. Now tell me why you did not see her again. Is it not your business +to attend her in the morning?" + +"Yes, sir, but she only gets up about eight o'clock, and the doctor told +me he would call the first thing in the morning, and that I must not +disturb her till he came. He said he wanted to wake her himself and see +how she acted." + +"You were not in the breakfast-room at eight o'clock," said the +detective, watching her closely; "where were you?" + +The girl turned crimson, and stammered a few words inaudibly. + +"Come, tell me where you were. You were somewhere, you know. Where were +you?" + +"I was in the downstairs hallway," she said, slowly. + +"Doing what?" + +"I was talking to the policeman," she replied, more reluctantly. + +"Your beau?" asked Mr. Barnes, significantly. + +"No, sir. He is my husband." She tossed her head defiantly, now that her +secret was divulged. + +"Your husband?" said Mr. Barnes, slightly surprised. "Why, then, did you +hesitate to tell me of him?" + +"Because--because,"--she stammered, again much troubled,--"because, +maybe, if I hadn't been talking to him, Miss Nora wouldn't have been +carried off. He might have seen the thief." + +"Just so," said Mr. Barnes. "Well, that will do." The girl retired only +too gladly. + +Mr. Barnes asked to be shown the room where the missing girl had slept, +and made minute examinations of everything. Up in the room a thought +occurred to him, and he once more asked for the maid. + +"Can you tell me," he asked, "whether your mistress took any of her +clothing with her?" + +"Well, sir," she replied, "I miss the whole suit that she wore on +Monday. It looks as though she must have dressed herself." + +Mr. Barnes made a few notes in his memorandum-book, and then with Mr. +Gedney returned to the library. Here they found Dr. Donaldson, who had +arrived whilst they were upstairs. Mr. Gedney introduced the doctor, a +genial, pleasant man, who shook Mr. Barnes cordially by the hand, +saying: + +"I am delighted, Mr. Barnes, that my old friend Gedney has been sensible +enough to engage you to unravel this affair rather than call in the +police. The police are bunglers anyway, and only make scandal and +publicity. You have looked into the matter, eh? What do you think?" + +"That is precisely the question, Doctor, which I wish to ask you. What +do you think? Mr. Gedney says you suggest somnambulism." + +"I only said it might be that. I would not like to be too positive. You +know that I called to see the dear girl Monday night. Well, I found her +in a strange mood. In fact, thinking it over, I have almost convinced +myself that what we took for stubbornness--sulks, I think I called +it--was somnambulism. That, in fact, she was asleep when I saw her. That +would account for her not replying to questions, and offering no +resistance when her maid removed her clothing to put her to bed. Still +it is merely a guess. It is possible that she got up in the night and +wandered out of the house. I only venture it as a possibility, a chance +clue for you to work on." + +"What do you think of this letter?" asked Mr. Barnes, handing the doctor +the anonymous communication from "D. M." + +The doctor read it over twice, and then said: + +"Looks more like somnambulism than ever. Don't you see? She dressed +herself in the night, and wandered off. Some scoundrel has found her and +taken her to his home. Knowing that her father has money, he holds her +for ransom." + +"How do you know, Doctor," said Mr. Barnes, quietly, "that 'D. M.' is a +he? The communication is in typewriting, so that nothing can be learned +from the chirography." + +"Of course I don't know it," said the doctor, testily. "Still I'll wager +that no woman ever concocted this scheme." + +"Again, how should her abductor know that her father is rich?" + +"Why, I suppose her name may be on her clothing, and once he discovered +her parentage, he would know that. However he found it out, it is plain +that he does know, or how could they, or he, or she, if you wish me to +be so particular, have written this letter?" + +This was unanswerable, so Mr. Barnes remained silent. + +"What move will you make first?" asked the doctor. + +Mr. Barnes told him of the advertisement which he had inserted, and took +his departure, requesting that if Mr. Gedney received any answer he +should be notified at once. + +About half-past ten the next morning, Mr. Gedney presented himself to +the detective and handed him the following letter: + + "I am glad you are sensible. Saw your advertisement, and I + answer at once. I want twenty thousand dollars. That is my + price. Now note what I have to say, and let me emphasize + the fact that I mean every word. This is my first offer. + Any dickering will make me increase my price, and I will + never decrease it. To save time, let me tell you something + else. I have no partner in this, so there is no one to + squeal on me. No one on earth but myself knows where the + girl is. Now for future arrangements. You will want to + communicate with me. I don't mean you to have any chance to + catch me with decoy letters or anything of that sort. I + know already that you have that keen devil Barnes helping + you. But he'll meet his match this time. Here is my plan. + You, or your detective, I don't care which, must go to the + public telephone station in the Hoffman House at two + o'clock sharp. I will go to another, never mind where, and + will ring you up. When you answer, I will simply say, 'D. + M.' You will recognize the signal and can do the talking. I + will not answer except by letter, because I won't even run + the risk of that detective's hearing my voice, and some + time in the future recognizing it. You see, I may need + Barnes myself some day and wouldn't like to be deprived of + his valuable services. I enclose a piece of the girl's + cloth dress and a lock of her hair to show that I am + dealing square. + "D. M." + +"Mr. Gedney," said Mr. Barnes, "make your mind easy. Your daughter is +safe, at all events. I suppose this bit of cloth and the hair satisfy +you that the scoundrel really has her?" + +"Yes, I am convinced of that. But how does that make the girl safe?" + +"The fellow wants the money. It is to his interest to be able to restore +your daughter. My business shall be to get her without payment of +ransom, and to catch the abductor. I'll meet you at the Hoffman House at +two o'clock." + +As soon as Mr. Gedney had gone, Mr. Barnes wrote the following note: + + "DR. DONALDSON:-- + + "Dear Sir--I believe that I am on the right track, and all + through the clue supplied by yourself. Please aid me a + little further. I would like to know the exact size of the + missing girl. As a physician, you will supply this even + better than the father. Also inform me of any mark or + peculiarity by which I might recognize her, alive or dead. + Please answer at once. + "Yours truly, + "J. BARNES." + +This he sent by a messenger, and received the following in reply: + + "MR. BARNES:-- + + "Dear Sir--I hope you will succeed. Elinora is small and + slim, being rather undersized for her age. I should say + about four feet ten inches, or thereabout. I know of no + distinctive mark whereby her body could be recognized, and + hope that nothing of the sort seemingly suggested may be + necessary. + "Yours truly, + "ROBERT DONALDSON, M.D." + +Mr. Barnes read this, and appeared more pleased than its contents seemed +to authorize. At the appointed time he went to the Hoffman House. He +found Mr. Gedney impatiently walking up and down the lobby. + +"Mr. Gedney," said he, "at the beginning of this case you offered me my +own price for recovering your daughter. Now, supposing that you pay this +ransom, it would appear that you would have had little need of my +services. If, however, I get your daughter, and save you the necessity +of paying any ransom at all, I suppose you will admit that I have earned +my reward?" + +"Most assuredly." + +After this, Mr. Gedney was rather startled when he heard what the +detective said to "D. M." through the telephone. They shut themselves up +in the little box, and very soon received the call and then the signal +"D. M." as agreed. Mr. Barnes spoke to the abductor, who presumably was +listening. + +"We agree to your terms," said he. "That is, we will pay twenty thousand +dollars for the return of the girl unharmed. You are so shrewd that we +suppose you will invent some scheme for receiving the money which will +protect you from arrest, but at the same time we must be assured that +the girl will be returned to us unharmed. In fact, she must be given to +us as soon as the money is paid. Notify us immediately, as the father is +in a hurry." + +Mr. Barnes put up the instrument and "rang off." Then he turned to Mr. +Gedney and said: + +"That may surprise you. But what may astonish you more is that you must +obtain twenty thousand dollars in cash at once. We will need it. Ask no +questions, but depend upon me and trust me." + +On the next day Mr. Gedney received the following letter: + + "You have more sense than I gave you credit for. So has + that Barnes fellow, for it was his voice I heard through + the 'phone. You accept my terms. Very well. I'll deal + square and not raise you, though I ought to have made it + twenty-five thousand at least. Come to the 'phone to-day, + same hour, and I'll ring you up, from a different station. + Then you can tell me if you will be ready to-night, or + to-morrow night. Either will suit me. Then here is the + plan. You want to be sure the girl is all right. Then let + the ambassador be your friend, Doctor Donaldson. He knows + the girl and can tell that she is all right. Let him start + from his house at midnight, and drive from his office up + Madison Avenue rapidly till hailed by the signal 'D. M.' He + must go fast enough to prevent being followed on foot. If + there is no detective with him or following him, he will be + hailed. Otherwise he will be allowed to pass. I will be in + hiding with the girl. Warn the doctor that I will be armed, + and will have a bead on him all the time. Any treachery + will mean death. I will take the cash, give up the girl, + and the transaction will be ended." + +When this was shown to the detective, he proposed that he and Mr. Gedney +should call upon the doctor. This they did, and, after some argument, +persuaded him to undertake the recovery of the girl that same night. + +"Mr. Gedney has decided to obtain his child at any sacrifice," said Mr. +Barnes, "and this scoundrel is so shrewd that there seems to be no way +to entrap him. No effort will be made to follow you, so you need have no +fear of any trouble from the thief. Only be sure that you obtain the +right girl. It would be just possible that a wrong one might be given to +you, and a new ransom demanded." + +"Oh, I shall know Elinora," said the doctor. "I will do this, but I +think we ought to arrest the villain, if possible." + +"I do not despair of doing so," said Mr. Barnes. "Get a glimpse of his +face if you can, and be sure to note where you receive the girl. When we +get her she may give me a clue upon which an arrest may be made. We will +wait for you at Mr. Gedney's house." + +After midnight that night, Mr. Gedney paced the floor anxiously, while +Mr. Barnes sat at a desk looking over some memoranda. Presently he went +into the hall and had a long talk with the butler. One o'clock passed, +and still no news. At half-past, however, horses' hoofs sounded upon the +asphalt pavement, and a few minutes later the door-bell jingled. The +door was quickly opened, and the doctor entered, bearing little Elinora +asleep in his arms. + +"My daughter!" exclaimed the excited father. "Thank God, she is restored +to me!" + +"Yes," said the doctor, "here she is, safe and sound. I think, though, +that she has been drugged, for she has slept ever since I received her." + +"Did you have any trouble?" asked Mr. Barnes, entering at this moment. +He had lingered outside in the hall long enough to exchange a word with +the butler. + +"None," said the doctor. "At One Hundred and Second Street I heard the +signal and stopped. A man came out of the shadow of a building, looked +into the carriage, said 'All right,' and asked if I had the cash. I +replied affirmatively. He went back to the sidewalk and returned with +the child in his arms, but with a pistol pointed at me. Then he said, +'Pass out the money.' I did so, and he seemed satisfied, for he gave me +the child, took the package, and ran off. I saw his face, but I fear my +description will not avail you, for I am sure he was disguised." + +"Very possibly your description will be useless," said Mr. Barnes; "but +I have discovered the identity of the abductor." + +"Impossible!" cried the doctor, amazed. + +"Let me prove that I am right," said Mr. Barnes. He went to the door and +admitted the butler, accompanied by the policeman who had been off his +beat talking with the maid. Before his companions understood what was +about to happen, Mr. Barnes said: + +"Officer, arrest that man!" Whereupon the policeman seized the doctor +and held him as though in a vise. + +"What does this outrage mean?" screamed the doctor, after ineffectually +endeavoring to release himself. + +"Put on the manacles, officer," said Mr. Barnes; "then we can talk. He +is armed, and might become dangerous." With the assistance of the +detective this was accomplished, and then Mr. Barnes addressed himself +to Mr. Gedney. + +"Mr. Gedney, I had some slight suspicion of the truth after questioning +the butler and the maid, but the first real clue came with the answer to +the 'Personal.' You brought that to me in the morning, and I noted that +it was postmarked at the main office downtown at six A.M. Of course, it +was possible that it might have been written after the appearance of the +newspaper, but if so, the thief was up very early. The doctor, however, +knew of the 'Personal' on the day previous, as I told him of it in your +presence. That letter was written in typewriting, and I observed a +curious error in the spelling of three words. I found the words +'emphasize,' 'recognize,' and 'recognizing.' In each, instead of the +'z,' we have a repetition of the 'i,' that letter being doubled. I +happen to know something about writing-machines. I felt certain that +this letter had been written upon a Caligraph. In that machine the bar +which carries the letter 'i' is next to that which carries the letter +'z.' It is not an uncommon thing when a typewriter is out of order for +two bars to fail to pass one another. Thus, in writing 'emphasize' the +rapid writer would strike the 'z' key before the 'i' had fully +descended. The result would be that the 'z,' rising, would strike the +'i' bar and carry it up again, thus doubling the 'i,' instead of writing +'iz.' The repetition of the mistake was evidence that it was a faulty +machine. I also noted that this anonymous letter was upon paper from +which the top had been torn away. I wrote to the doctor here, asking +about the 'size' of the girl, and for any marks whereby we might be able +to 'recognize' the body. I used the words 'size' and 'recognize,' hoping +to tempt him to use them also in reply. In his answer I find the word +'recognized' and also a similar word, 'undersized.' In both we have a +repetition of the double 'i' error. Moreover, the paper of this letter +from the doctor matched that upon which the anonymous communication had +been written, provided I tore off the top, which bore his letterhead. +This satisfied me that the doctor was our man. When the last letter +came, proposing that he should be the ambassador, the trick was doubly +sure. It was ingenious, for the abductor of course assured himself that +he was not followed, and simply brought the girl home. But I set another +trap. I secretly placed a cyclometer upon the doctor's carriage. He says +that to-night he drove to One Hundred and Second Street, and back here, +a total of ten miles. The cyclometer, which the butler obtained for me +when the doctor arrived a while ago, shows that he drove less than a +mile. He simply waited at his house until the proper time to come, and +then drove here, bringing the girl with him." + +The doctor remained silent, but glared venomously at the man who had +outwitted him. + +"But how did he get Elinora?" asked Mr. Gedney. + +"That queer yarn which he told us about somnambulism first suggested to +me that he was possibly less ignorant than he pretended to be. I fear, +Mr. Gedney, that your daughter is ill. I judge from the description of +her condition, given by her maid, and admitted by this man, that she was +suffering from an attack of catalepsy when he was summoned. When he +called the next day, finding the girl still in a trance, he quickly +dressed her and took her out to his carriage. Then he coolly returned, +announced that she was not in her room, and drove away with her." + +"It seems incredible!" exclaimed Mr. Gedney. "I have known the doctor so +long that it is hard to believe that he is a criminal." + +"Criminals," said Mr. Barnes, "are often created by opportunity. That +was probably the case here. The case is most peculiar. It is a crime +which none but a physician could have conceived, and that one fact makes +possible what to a casual observer might seem most improbable. An +abduction is rarely successful, because of the difficulties which attend +the crime, not the least of which are the struggles of the victim, and +the story which will be told after the return of the child. Here all +this was obviated. The doctor recognized catalepsy at the first visit. +Perhaps during the night the possibility of readily compelling you to +pay him a large sum of money grew into a tremendous temptation. With the +project half formed, he called the next morning. Circumstances favored +the design. He found the girl unattended, and unresistant because of her +condition. He likewise knew that when he should have returned her, she +could tell nothing of where she had been, because of her trance. He +started downstairs with her. There was no risk. If he had met any one, +any excuse for bringing her from her room would have been accepted, +because uttered by the family physician. He placed her in the carriage +unobserved, and the most difficult part of the affair was accomplished. +Many men of high degree are at heart rascals; but through fear, either +of law or loss of position, they lead fairly virtuous lives. Temptation, +accompanied by opportunity, coming to one of these, compasses his +downfall, as has occurred in this instance. Criminals are recruited from +all classes." + +The ransom money was recovered by searching the apartments of the +doctor, and his guilt was thus indubitably proven. Mr. Mitchel, +commenting upon the affair, simply said: + +"I sent you to him, Mr. Gedney, because Mr. Barnes is above his kind. He +is no ordinary detective." + + + + + VI + + THE AZTEC OPAL + + +"Mr. Mitchel," began Mr. Barnes, after exchanging greetings, "I have +called to see you upon a subject which I am sure will enlist your +keenest interest, for several reasons. It relates to a magnificent +jewel; it concerns your intimate friends; and it is a problem requiring +the most analytical qualities of the mind in its solution." + +"Ah, then you have solved it?" asked Mr. Mitchel. + +"I think so. You shall judge. I have to-day been called in to +investigate one of the most singular cases that has fallen in my way. It +is one in which the usual detective methods would be utterly valueless. +The facts were presented to me, and the solution of the mystery could +only be reached by analytical deductions." + +"That is to say, by using your brains?" + +"Precisely. Now, as you have admitted that you consider yourself more +expert in this direction than the ordinary detective, I wish to place +you for once in the position of a detective, and then see you prove your +ability." + +"Early this morning I was summoned, by a messenger, to go aboard of the +steam yacht _Idler_ which lay at anchor in the lower bay." + +"Why, the _Idler_ belongs to my friend, Mortimer Gray!" exclaimed Mr. +Mitchel. + +"Yes," replied Mr. Barnes; "I told you that your friends are interested. +I went immediately with the man who had come to my office, and in due +season I was aboard of the yacht. Mr. Gray received me very politely, +and took me to his private room adjoining the cabin. Here he explained +to me that he had been off on a cruise for a few weeks, and was +approaching the harbor last night, when, in accordance with his plans, a +sumptuous dinner was served, as a sort of farewell feast, the party +expecting to separate to-day." + +"What guests were on the yacht?" + +"I will tell you everything in order, as the facts were presented to me. +Mr. Gray enumerated the party as follows: besides himself and his wife, +there were his wife's sister, Mrs. Eugene Cortlandt, and her husband, a +Wall Street broker; also, Mr. Arthur Livingstone and his sister, and a +Mr. Dennett Moore, a young man supposed to be devoting himself to Miss +Livingstone." + +"That makes seven persons, three of whom are women. I ought to say, Mr. +Barnes, that, though Mr. Gray is a club friend, I am not personally +acquainted with his wife, nor with the others. So I have no advantage +over you." + +"I will come at once to the curious incident which made my presence +desirable. According to Mr. Gray's story, the dinner had proceeded as +far as the roast, when suddenly there was a slight shock as the yacht +touched a bar, and at the same time the lamps spluttered and then went +out, leaving the room totally dark. A second later the vessel righted +herself and sped on, so that, before any panic ensued, it was evident to +all that the danger had passed. The gentlemen begged the ladies to +resume their seats, and remain quiet till the lamps were lighted; this, +however, the attendants were unable to do, and they were ordered to +bring fresh lamps. Thus there was almost total darkness for several +minutes." + +"During which, I presume, the person who planned the affair readily +consummated his design?" + +"So you think that the whole series of events was prearranged? Be that +as it may, something did happen in that dark room. The women had started +from their seats when the yacht touched, and when they groped their way +back in the darkness some of them found the wrong places, as was seen +when the fresh lamps were brought. This was considered a good joke, and +there was some laughter, which was suddenly checked by an exclamation +from Mr. Gray, who quickly asked his wife, 'Where is your opal?'" + +"Her opal?" asked Mr. Mitchel, in tones which showed that his greatest +interest was now aroused. "Do you mean, Mr. Barnes, that she was wearing +the Aztec Opal?" + +"Oh, you know the gem?" + +"I know nearly all gems of great value; but what of this one?" + +"Mrs. Gray and her sister, Mrs. Cortlandt, had both donned _décolleté_ +costumes for this occasion, and Mrs. Gray had worn this opal as a +pendant to a thin gold chain which hung around her neck. At Mr. Gray's +question, all looked towards his wife, and it was noted that the clasp +was open, and the opal missing. Of course it was supposed that it had +merely fallen to the floor, and a search was immediately instituted. But +the opal could not be found." + +"That is certainly a very significant fact," said Mr. Mitchel. "But was +the search thorough?" + +"I should say extremely thorough, when we consider it was not conducted +by a detective, who is supposed to be an expert in such matters. Mr. +Gray described to me what was done, and he seems to have taken every +precaution. He sent the attendants out of the _salon_, and he and his +guests systematically examined every part of the room." + +"Except the place where the opal really was concealed, you mean." + +"With that exception, of course, since they did not find the jewel. Not +satisfied with this search by lamplight, Mr. Gray locked the _salon_, so +that no one could enter it during the night, and another investigation +was made in the morning." + +"The pockets of the seven persons present were not examined, I presume?" + +"No. I asked Mr. Gray why this had been omitted, and he said it was an +indignity which he could not possibly show to a guest. As you have +asked this question, Mr. Mitchel, it is only fair for me to tell you +that when I spoke to Mr. Gray on the subject he seemed very much +confused. Nevertheless, however unwilling he may have been to search +those of his guests who are innocent, he emphatically told me that if I +had reasonable proof that any one present had purloined the opal, he +wished that individual to be treated as any other thief, without regard +to sex or social position." + +"One can scarcely blame him, because that opal is worth a fabulous sum. +I have myself offered Gray twenty thousand dollars for it, which was +refused. This opal is one of the eyes of an Aztec idol, and if the other +could be found, the two would be as interesting as any jewels in the +world." + +"That is the story which I was asked to unravel," continued Mr. Barnes, +"and I must now relate to you what steps I have taken towards that end. +It appears that, because of the loss of the jewel, no person has left +the yacht, although no restraint was placed upon anyone by Mr. Gray. All +knew, however, that he had sent for a detective, and it was natural that +no one should offer to go until formally dismissed by the host. My plan, +then, was to have a private interview with each of the seven persons who +had been present at the dinner." + +"Then you exempted the attendants from your suspicions?" + +"I did. There was but one way by which one of the servants could have +stolen the opal, and this was prevented by Mr. Gray. It was possible +that the opal had fallen on the floor, and, though not found at night, a +servant might have discovered and have appropriated it on the following +morning, had he been able to enter the _salon_. But Mr. Gray had locked +the doors. No servant, however bold, would have been able to take the +opal from the lady's neck." + +"I think your reasoning is good, and we will confine ourselves to the +original seven." + +"After my interview with Mr. Gray, I asked to have Mrs. Gray sent in to +me. She came in, and at once I noted that she placed herself on the +defensive. Women frequently adopt that manner with a detective. Her +story was very brief. The main point was that she was aware of the theft +before the lamps were relighted. In fact, she felt some one's arms steal +around her neck, and knew when the opal was taken. I asked why she had +made no outcry, and whether she suspected any special person. To these +questions she replied that she supposed it was merely a joke perpetrated +in the darkness, and therefore had made no resistance. She would not +name anyone as suspected by her, but she was willing to tell me that the +arms were bare, as she detected when they touched her neck. I must say +here, that although Miss Livingstone's dress was not cut low in the +neck, it was, practically, sleeveless; and Mrs. Cortlandt's dress had no +sleeves at all. One other significant statement made by this lady was +that her husband had mentioned to her your offer of twenty thousand +dollars for the opal, and had urged her to permit him to sell it, but +she had refused." + +"So it was madame who would not sell? The plot thickens." + +"You will observe, of course, the point about the naked arms of the +thief. I therefore sent for Mrs. Cortlandt next. She had a curious story +to tell. Unlike her sister, she was quite willing to express her +suspicions. Indeed, she plainly intimated that she supposed that Mr. +Gray himself had taken the jewel. I will endeavor to repeat her words. + +"'Mr. Barnes,' said she, 'the affair is very simple. Gray is a miserable +old skinflint. A Mr. Mitchel, a crank who collects gems, offered to buy +that opal, and he has been bothering my sister for it ever since. When +the lamps went out, he took the opportunity to steal it. I do not think +this--I know it. How? Well, on account of the confusion and darkness, I +sat in my sister's seat when I returned to the table; this explains his +mistake. He put his arms around my neck, and deliberately felt for the +opal. I did not understand his purpose at the time, but now it is very +evident.' + +"'Yes, madame,' said I, 'but how do you know it was Mr. Gray?' + +"'Why, I grabbed his hand, and before he could pull it away I felt the +large cameo ring on his little finger. Oh, there is no doubt whatever.' + +"I asked her whether Mr. Gray had his sleeves rolled up, and, though she +could not understand the purport of the question, she said 'No.' Next I +had Miss Livingstone come in. She is a slight, tremulous young lady, +who cries at the slightest provocation. During the interview, brief as +it was, it was only by the greatest diplomacy that I avoided a scene of +hysterics. She tried very hard to convince me that she knew absolutely +nothing. She had not left her seat during the disturbance; of that she +was sure. So how could she know anything about it? I asked her to name +the one who she thought might have taken the opal, and at this her +agitation reached such a climax that I was obliged to let her go." + +"You gained very little from her, I should say." + +"In a case of this kind, Mr. Mitchel, where the criminal is surely one +of a very few persons, we cannot fail to gain something from each +person's story. A significant feature here was that though Miss +Livingstone assures us that she did not leave her seat, she was sitting +in a different place when the lamps were lighted again." + +"That might mean anything or nothing." + +"Exactly. But we are not deducing values yet. Mr. Dennett Moore came to +me next, and he is a straightforward, honest man if I ever saw one. He +declared that the whole affair was a great mystery to him, and that, +while ordinarily he would not care anything about it, he could not but +be somewhat interested, because he thought that one of the ladies, he +would not say which one, suspected him. Mr. Livingstone also impressed +me favorably, in spite of the fact that he did not remove his cigarette +from his mouth throughout the whole of my interview with him. He +declined to name the person suspected by him, though he admitted that he +could do so. He made this significant remark: + +"'You are a detective of experience, Mr. Barnes, and ought to be able to +decide which man amongst us could place his arms around Mrs. Gray's neck +without causing her to cry out. But if your imagination fails you, +suppose you inquire into the financial standing of all of us, and see +which one would be most likely to profit by thieving? Ask Mr. +Cortlandt.'" + +"Evidently Mr. Livingstone knows more than he tells." + +"Yet he told enough for one to guess his suspicions, and to understand +the delicacy which prompted him to say no more. He, however, gave me a +good point upon which to question Mr. Cortlandt. When I asked that +gentleman if any of the men happened to be in pecuniary difficulties, he +became grave at once. I will give you his answer. + +"'Mr. Livingstone and Mr. Moore are both exceedingly wealthy men, and I +am a millionaire, in very satisfactory business circumstances at +present. But I am very sorry to say that though our host, Mr. Gray, is +also a distinctly rich man, he has met with some reverses recently, and +I can conceive that ready money would be useful to him. But for all +that, it is preposterous to believe what your question evidently +indicates. None of the persons in this party is a thief, and least of +all could we suspect Mr. Gray. I am sure that if he wished his wife's +opal, she would give it to him cheerfully. No, Mr. Barnes, the opal is +in some crack or crevice which we have overlooked. It is lost, not +stolen.' + +"That ended the interview with the several persons present, but I made +one or two other inquiries, from which I elicited at least two +significant facts. First, it was Mr. Gray himself who had indicated the +course by which the yacht was steered last night, and which ran her over +a sand-bar. Second, some one had nearly emptied the oil from the lamps, +so that they would have burned out in a short time, even though the +yacht had not touched." + +"These, then, are your facts. And from these you have solved the +problem. Well, Mr. Barnes, who stole the opal?" + +"Mr. Mitchel, I have told you all I know, but I wish you to work out a +solution before I reveal my own opinion." + +"I have already done so, Mr. Barnes. Here; I will write my suspicion on +a bit of paper. So. Now tell me yours, and you shall know mine +afterwards." + +"Why, to my mind it is very simple. Mr. Gray, failing to obtain the opal +from his wife by fair means, resorted to a trick. He removed the oil +from the lamps, and charted out a course for his yacht which would take +her over a sand-bar, and when the opportune moment came he stole the +jewel. His actions since then have been merely to cover his crime by +shrouding the affair with mystery. By insisting upon a thorough search, +and even sending for a detective, he makes it impossible for those who +were present to accuse him hereafter. Undoubtedly Mr. Cortlandt's +opinion will be the one generally adopted. Now what do you think?" + +"I think I will go with you at once, and board the yacht _Idler_." + +"But you have not told me whom you suspect," said Mr. Barnes, somewhat +irritated. + +"Oh, that is immaterial," said Mr. Mitchel, calmly preparing for the +street. "I do not suspect Mr. Gray, so if you are correct you will have +shown better ability than I. Come, let us hurry." + +On their way to the dock from which they were to take the little steam +launch which was waiting to carry the detective back to the yacht, Mr. +Barnes asked Mr. Mitchel the following question: + +"Mr. Mitchel," said he, "you will note that Mrs. Cortlandt alluded to +you as a 'crank who collects gems.' I must admit that I have myself +harbored a great curiosity as to your reasons for purchasing jewels +which are valued beyond a mere conservative commercial price. Would you +mind explaining why you began your collection?" + +"I seldom explain my motives to others, especially when they relate to +my more important pursuits in life. But in view of all that has passed +between us, I think your curiosity justifiable, and I will gratify it. +To begin with, I am a very wealthy man. I inherited great riches, and I +have made a fortune myself. Have you any conception of the difficulties +which harass a man of means?" + +"Perhaps not in minute detail, though I can guess that the lot of the +rich is not as free from care as the pauper thinks it is." + +"The point is this: the difficulty with a poor man is to get rich, while +with the rich man the greatest trouble is to prevent the increase of his +wealth. Some men, of course, make no effort in that direction, and those +men are a menace to society. My own idea of the proper use of a fortune +is to manage it for the benefit of others, as well as one's self, and +especially to prevent its increase." + +"And is it so difficult to do this? Cannot money be spent without +limit?" + +"Yes; but unlimited evil follows such a course. This is sufficient to +indicate to you that I am ever in search of a legitimate means of +spending my income, provided that I may do good thereby. If I can do +this, and at the same time afford myself pleasure, I claim that I am +making the best use of my money. Now, I happen to be so constituted that +the most interesting studies to me are social problems, and of these I +am most entertained with the causes and environments of crime. Such a +problem as the one you have brought to me to-day is of immense +attractiveness to me, because the environment is one which is commonly +supposed to preclude rather than to invite crime. Yet we have seen that +despite the wealth of all concerned, some one has stooped to the +commonest of crimes,--theft." + +"But what has this to do with your collection of jewels?" + +"Everything. Jewels--especially those of great magnitude--seem to be a +special cause of crime. A hundred-carat diamond will tempt a man to +theft as surely as the false beacon on a rocky shore entices the mariner +to wreck and ruin. All the great jewels of the world have murder and +other crimes woven in their histories. My attention was first called to +this by accidentally hearing a plot at a ball to rob the lady of the +house of a large ruby which she wore on her breast. I went to her, and +told her enough to persuade her to sell the stone to me. I fastened it +into my scarf, where the plotters might see it if they remained at the +ball. By my act I prevented a crime that night." + +"Then am I to understand that you buy jewels with that end in view?" + +"After that night I conceived this idea. If all the great jewels in the +world could be collected together, and put in a place of safety, +hundreds of crimes would be prevented, even before they had been +conceived. Moreover, the search for, and acquirement of, these jewels +would necessarily afford me abundant opportunity for studying the crimes +which are perpetrated in order to gain possession of them. Thus you +understand more thoroughly why I am anxious to pursue this problem of +the Aztec Opal." + +Several hours later Mr. Mitchel and Mr. Barnes were sitting at a quiet +table in the corner of the dining-room at Mr. Mitchel's club. On board +the yacht Mr. Mitchel had acted rather mysteriously. He had been +closeted a while with Mr. Gray, after which he had had an interview with +two or three of the others. Then, when Mr. Barnes had begun to feel +neglected, and tired of waiting alone on the deck, Mr. Mitchel had come +towards him, arm in arm with Mr. Gray, and the latter had said: + +"I am very much obliged to you, Mr. Barnes, for your services in this +affair, and I trust the enclosed check will remunerate you for your +trouble." + +Mr. Barnes, not quite comprehending it all, had attempted to protest, +but Mr. Mitchel had taken him by the arm, and hurried him off. In the +cab which bore them to the club the detective asked for an explanation, +but Mr. Mitchel only replied: + +"I am too hungry to talk now. We will have dinner first." + +The dinner was over at last, and nuts and coffee were before them, when +Mr. Mitchel took a small parcel from his pocket, and handed it to Mr. +Barnes, saying: + +"It is a beauty, is it not?" + +Mr. Barnes removed the tissue paper, and a large opal fell on the +table-cloth, where it sparkled with a thousand colors under the electric +lamps. + +"Do you mean that this is----" cried the detective. + +"The Aztec Opal, and the finest harlequin I ever saw," interrupted Mr. +Mitchel. "But you wish to know how it came into my possession? +Principally so that it may join the collection and cease to be a +temptation in this world of wickedness." + +"Then Mr. Gray did not steal it?" asked Mr. Barnes, with a touch of +chagrin in his voice. + +"No, Mr. Barnes. Mr. Gray did not steal it. But you are not to consider +yourself very much at fault. Mr. Gray tried to steal it, only he failed. +That was not your fault, of course. You read his actions aright, but you +did not give enough weight to the stories of the others." + +"What important point did I omit from my calculations?" + +"I might mention the bare arms which Mrs. Gray said she felt around her +neck. It was evidently Mr. Gray who looked for the opal on the neck of +his sister-in-law, but as he did not bare his arms before approaching +her, he would not have done so later." + +"Do you mean that Miss Livingstone was the thief?" + +"No. Being hysterical, Miss Livingstone changed her seat without +realizing it, but that does not make her a thief. Her excitement when +with you was due to her suspicions, which, by the way, were correct. But +let us return for a moment to the bare arms. That was the clue from +which I worked. It was evident to me that the thief was a man, and it +was equally plain that, in the hurry of the few moments of darkness, no +man would have rolled up his sleeves, risking the return of the +attendants with lamps, and the consequent discovery of himself in such a +singular disarrangement of costume." + +"How do you account for the bare arms?" + +"The lady did not tell the truth, that is all. The arms which encircled +her neck were not bare. Neither were they unknown to her. She told you +that lie to shield the thief. She also told you that her husband wished +to sell the Aztec Opal to me, but that she had refused. Thus she deftly +led you to suspect him. Now, if she wished to shield the thief, yet was +willing to accuse her husband, it followed that the husband was not the +thief." + +"Very well reasoned, Mr. Mitchel. I see now where you are tending, but I +shall not get ahead of your story." + +"So much I had deduced before we went on board the yacht. When I found +myself alone with Gray I candidly told him of your suspicions, and your +reasons for harboring them. He was very much disturbed, and pleadingly +asked me what I thought. As frankly, I told him that I believed that he +had tried to take the opal from his wife,--we can scarcely call it +stealing since the law does not,--but that I believed he had failed. He +then confessed; admitted emptying the lamps, though he denied running +the boat on the sand-bar. But he assured me that he had not reached his +wife's chair when the lamps were brought in. He was, therefore, much +astonished at missing the gem. I promised him to find the jewel upon +condition that he would sell it to me. To this he most willingly +acceded." + +"But how could you be sure that you would recover the opal?" + +"Partly by my knowledge of human nature, and partly because of my +inherent faith in my own abilities. I sent for Mrs. Gray, and noted her +attitude of defense, which, however, only satisfied me the more that I +was right in my suspicions. I began by asking her if she knew the origin +of the superstition that an opal brings bad luck to its owner. She did +not, of course, comprehend my tactics, but she added that she 'had heard +the stupid superstition, but took no interest in such nonsense.' I then +gravely explained to her that the opal is the engagement stone of the +Orient. The lover gives it to his sweetheart, and the belief is, that +should she deceive him even in the most trifling manner, the opal will +lose its brilliancy and become cloudy. I then suddenly asked her if she +had ever noted a change in her opal. 'What do you mean to insinuate?' +she cried out angrily. 'I mean,' said I, sternly, 'that if any opal has +ever changed color in accordance with the superstition, this one should +have done so. I mean that though your husband greatly needs the money +which I have offered him, you have refused to allow him to sell it, and +yet you permitted another to take it from you last night. By this act +you might have seriously injured if not ruined Mr. Gray. Why have you +done it?'" + +"How did she receive it?" asked Mr. Barnes, admiring the ingenuity of +Mr. Mitchel. + +"She began to sob, and between her tears she admitted that the opal had +been taken by the man whom I suspected, but she earnestly declared that +she had harbored no idea of injuring her husband. Indeed, she was so +agitated in speaking upon this point, that I believe that Gray never +thoroughly explained to her why he wished to sell the gem. She urged me +to recover the opal if possible, and purchase it, so that her husband +might be relieved from his pecuniary embarrassment. I then sent for the +thief, Mrs. Gray having told me his name; but would you not like to hear +how I had picked him out before he went aboard? I still have that bit of +paper upon which I wrote his name, in confirmation of what I say." + +"Of course I know that you mean Mr. Livingstone, but I would like to +hear your reasons for suspecting him." + +"From your account Miss Livingstone suspected some one, and this caused +her to be so agitated that she was unaware of the fact that she had +changed her seat. Women are shrewd in these affairs, and I was confident +that the girl had good reasons for her conduct. It was evident that the +person in her mind was either her brother or her sweetheart. I decided +between these two men from your account of your interviews with them. +Moore impressed you as being honest, and he told you that one of the +ladies suspected him. In this he was mistaken, but his speaking to you +of it was not the act of a thief. Mr. Livingstone, on the other hand, +tried to throw suspicion upon Mr. Gray." + +"Of course that was sound reasoning after you had concluded that Mrs. +Gray was lying. Now tell me how you recovered the jewel." + +"That was easier than I expected. When I got him alone, I simply told +Mr. Livingstone what I knew, and asked him to hand me the opal. With a +perfectly imperturbable manner, understanding that I promised secrecy, +he quietly took it from his pocket and gave it to me, saying: + +"Women are very poor conspirators. They are too weak." + +"What story did you tell Mr. Gray?" + +"Oh, he would not be likely to inquire too closely into what I should +tell him. My check was what he most cared for. I told him nothing +definitely, but I hinted that his wife had secreted the gem during the +darkness, that he might not ask her for it again; and that she had +intended to find it again at a future time, just as he had meant to pawn +it and then pretend to recover it from the thief by offering a reward." + +"One more question. Why did Mr. Livingstone steal it?" + +"Ah; the truth about that is another mystery worth probing, and one +which I shall make it my business to unravel. I will venture a prophecy. +Mr. Livingstone did not steal it at all. Mrs. Gray simply handed it to +him in the darkness. There must have been some powerful motive to lead +her to such an act; something which she was weighing, and decided +impulsively. This brings me to a second point. Livingstone used the word +conspirators; that is a clue. You will recall that I told you that this +gem is one of a pair of opals, and that with the other, the two would +be as interesting as any jewels in the world. If anyone ever owns both +it shall be your humble servant, Leroy Mitchel, Jewel Collector." + + + + + VII + + THE DUPLICATE HARLEQUIN + + +One day about two weeks after the unravelling of the mystery of the opal +lost on board the yacht _Idler_, Mr. Barnes called upon Mr. Mitchel and +was cordially received. + +"Glad to see you, Mr. Barnes. Anything stirring in the realm of crime?" + +"'Stirring' would be a fitting adjective, I think, Mr. Mitchel. Ever +since the _Idler_ affair I have occupied myself with a study of the +problem, which I am convinced we have but partially solved. You may +recall that you gave me a clue." + +"You mean that Livingstone, when he gave me the opal, remarked, 'Women +are poor conspirators.' Yes, I remember calling your attention to that. +Has your clue led to any solution?" + +"Oh, I am not out of the maze yet; more likely just entering the most +intricate depths. Still, I flatter myself that I have accomplished +something; enough to satisfy me that 'mischief is brewing,' and that the +conspirators are still conspiring. Moreover, there is little doubt that +you are deeply concerned in the new plot." + +"What! You insinuate that I am in this conspiracy?" + +"Only as a possible victim. You are the object of the plot." + +"Perhaps you think that I am in danger?" Mr. Mitchel smiled as though +the idea of danger were a pleasurable one. + +"Were you any other man than yourself, I should say most decidedly that +you are in danger." + +"But, being myself, you fancy that the danger will pass from me?" + +"Being yourself, I anticipate that you will compel the danger to pass +from you." + +"Mr. Barnes, you flatter me. Perhaps I may be able to thwart the +conspirators, now that you warn me; if I do, however, I must admit my +great indebtedness to you. To be forewarned is to have the fight half +won, and I candidly say that I was entirely unsuspicious of any lurking +danger." + +"Exactly. With all your acumen, I was sure that your suspicions had not +been aroused. The conspirators are wary, and, I assure you, unusually +skilful. So, under all the circumstances, I felt it my duty to be on the +alert." + +"Ah, I see," said Mr. Mitchel, in that tone peculiar to him, which made +it doubtful whether he spoke in earnest, or whether his words hid keen +satire. "The old cat being asleep, the kitten watches. That is very nice +of you. Really, it is quite a comforting thought that so skilful a +detective is ever guarding my person. Especially as I am the owner of +so many gems to which the covetous must ever look longingly." + +"That is just how I reasoned it," said Mr. Barnes, eagerly, wishing to +justify his actions, which he began to suspect Mr. Mitchel might resent. +"You explained to me your reasons why you have purchased so many +valuable jewels. You claimed that almost every large gem has been the +cause, or rather the object, of crime. The Aztec Opal came into your +possession under most peculiar circumstances. In fact, you thwarted a +criminal just as he had come into possession of it. But this criminal is +a wealthy man. Not perhaps as rich as yourself, but rich enough to be +above stealing even such a valuable bauble. It could not have been the +intrinsic value of the opal which tempted him; it must have been that +some special reason existed; some reason, I mean, for his acquiring +possession of this particular opal. All this being true, it would be a +natural sequence that his efforts to get the opal would not cease merely +because it had changed hands." + +"Your argument is most interesting, Mr. Barnes, especially as it is +without a flaw. As you say, from all this reasoning it was a natural +sequence that Mr. Livingstone would continue his quest for the opal. +This being so obvious, did you imagine that it had escaped me?" + +Mr. Barnes was confused by the question. He really admired Mr. Mitchel +very much, and though he considered him quite conceited, he also +admitted that he had great analytical powers and remarkable acumen. He +also, more than anything else, desired a perpetuation of his friendship; +indeed, it had been with an idea of increasing the bond between them +that he had called. He had spent much of his time, time which could have +been occupied with other matters to better financial advantage, and all +with the purpose of warding off from his friend a danger which he had at +first considered as a distant possibility, but which later he looked +upon as certain, if nothing intervened to hinder the plot, which he knew +was rapidly approaching the moment of execution. He therefore hastened +to make further explanation: + +"Not at all--not at all. I am merely indicating the steps by which I +reached my conclusions. I am giving you my reasons for what I fear you +now may consider my interference in your affairs. Yet I assure you I +meant it all----" + +"For the best. Why, of course, my friend; did you suppose that I doubted +your good intent, merely because I spoke brusquely?" Mr. Mitchel held +out his hand cordially, and Mr. Barnes grasped it, glad to note the +altered demeanor of his companion. Mr. Mitchel continued: "Will you +never learn that my weakness is for antagonizing detectives? When you +come here to tell me that you have been 'investigating' my private +affairs, how could I resist telling you that I knew all about it, or +that I could take care of myself? I would not be Leroy Mitchel were it +otherwise." + +"How do you mean that you know all about it?" + +"Well, perhaps not all. I am not exactly omniscient. Still, I know +something. Let me see, now. How much do I know? First, then, you have +had this Livingstone watched. Second, you have introduced one of your +spies, a young woman, into the home of Mrs. Gray. In spite of your +alleged faith in Dennett Moore, you had him watched also, though for +only two or three days. Lastly, you have discovered Pedro Domingo, +and----" + +"In Heaven's name, Mr. Mitchel, how do you know all this?" Mr. Barnes +was utterly dumbfounded by what he had heard. + +"All this?" said Mr. Mitchel, with a suave smile; "why, I have mentioned +only four small facts." + +"Small facts?" + +"Yes, quite small. Let us run them over again. First, I stated that you +had Mr. Livingstone watched. That was not hard to know, because I also +had a spy upon his track." + +"You?" + +"Yes, I. Why not? Did you not just now agree that it was obvious that he +would continue his efforts to get the opal? Being determined that I +should never part with it whilst alive, it likewise followed that he +must kill me, or have me killed, in order to obtain it. Under these +circumstances it was only common caution to have the man watched. +Indeed, the method was altogether too common. It was _bizarre_. Still, +my spy was no common spy. In that, at least, my method was unique. +Secondly, I claimed that you had introduced a woman spy into the home of +Mrs. Gray. To learn this was even easier. I deduced it from what I know +of your methods. You played the same trick on my wife once, I think you +will recall. Supposing Mrs. Gray to be a conspirator (that was your +clue, I think), you would hardly watch Livingstone and neglect the +woman. Yet the actual knowledge came to me in a very simple manner." + +"How was that?" + +"Why, Mr. Gray told me." + +"Mr. Gray told you?" + +"Mr. Gray himself. You see, your assistants are not all so clever as +yourself, though I doubt not this girl may think that she is a genius. +You told her to seek a position in the house, and what does she do? She +goes straight to Mr. Gray and tells him her purpose; hints that it might +be well for him to know just what really actuated Mrs. Gray in the +curious affair on the yacht, and agrees to 'discover everything'--those +were her words--if he would give her the opportunity. Poor man, she +filled his mind with dire suspicions and he managed it so that she was +taken into service. Up to the present time she has discovered nothing. +At least, so she tells him." + +"The little she-devil! You said that she explained her whole purpose. Do +you mean----" + +"Oh, no. She did not implicate you, nor divulge her true mission. The +fun of the thing is that she claimed to be a 'private detective' and +that this venture was entirely her own idea. In fact, she is working +for Mr. Gray. Is not that droll?" Mr. Mitchel threw back his head and +laughed heartily. Mr. Barnes did not quite see the fun, and looked grim. +All he said was: + +"She acted beyond her instructions, yet it seems that she has not done +any harm; and though she is like an untamed colt, apt to take the bit +between her teeth, still she is shrewd. But I'll curb her yet. Now as to +your third fact. How did you know that I had Mr. Moore watched, and only +for two or three days?" + +"Why, I recognized one of your spies following him one day down +Broadway, and as Moore sailed for Europe two days after, I made the +deduction that you had withdrawn your watch-dog." + +"Well, then," said Mr. Barnes, testily, "how did you know that I had, as +you declare, 'discovered Pedro Domingo'?" + +"How did I know that? Why--but that can wait. You certainly did not call +this morning to ask me all these questions. You came, as I presume, to +convey information." + +"Oh, you know so much, it is evidently unnecessary for me to tell you of +my trifling discoveries." Mr. Barnes was suffering from wounded pride. + +"Come, come," exclaimed Mr. Mitchel, cheerily, "be a man; don't be +downcast and fall into the dumps merely because I surprised a few +trifling facts in your game, and could not resist the fun of guying you +a little. You see, I still admit that what I know are but trifling +facts; what you know, on the contrary, is perhaps of great importance. +Indeed, I am assured that without your information, without a full +knowledge of all that you have discovered, my own plans may go awry, and +then the danger at which you hint might be all too real. Do you not see +that, knowing that you are interested in this case, I have been only too +willing to let half the burden of the investigation fall upon you? That +to your skill I have intrusted all of that work which I knew you could +do so well? That in the most literal sense we have been silent partners, +and that I depended upon your friendship to bring you to me with your +news, just as it has brought you?" + +This speech entirely mollified Mr. Barnes, and, with a brightening +countenance, he exclaimed: + +"Mr. Mitchel, I'm an ass. You are right to laugh at me." + +"Nonsense! I defy all other detectives, because Mr. Barnes works with +me." + +"Bosh!" said the detective, deprecatingly, but pleased nevertheless by +the words of flattery. "Well, then, suppose I tell you my story from the +beginning?" + +"From the beginning, by all means." + +"In speaking of the woman whom I set to spy upon Mrs. Gray, you just now +mentioned that I had once played the same trick upon your wife. Very +true, and not only is this the same trick, but it is the same girl." + +"What! Lucette?" + +"The same. This is not the first time that she has chosen to resort to +her own devices rather than to follow strictly the orders given to her. +In this case, however, as I said before, she has done no harm, and on +the contrary, I think you would find her report, which I received an +hour ago, quite interesting." + +"Ah, you have brought it with you?" + +"Yes. I will read it to you. Of course it is not addressed to me, +neither is there any signature. No names are mentioned except by +initial. All this is the girl's own devising, so you see she is not +entirely stupid. She writes: + +"'At last I have discovered everything.' You observe that she is not +unappreciative of her own ability. 'Mr. L. was right. Women are bad +conspirators. At least he is right as to Mrs. G. She has dropped the +conspiracy entirely, if she ever was a real conspirator, which I doubt, +for, though you may not suspect it, she loves her husband. How do I +know? Well, a woman has instincts about love. A man may swear eternal +devotion to a woman eight hours a day for a year, without convincing +her, when she would detect the true lover by the way he ties her +shoe-string, unasked. So here. I have not heard madame talking in her +sleep, neither has she taken her maid for a confidante, though I think +she might find a worse adviser. Still I say she loves her husband. How +do I know? When a woman is constantly doing things which add to the +comfort of a man, and for which she never receives thanks, because they +are such trifles, you may be sure the woman loves the man, and by +hundreds of such tokens I know that Mrs. G. is in love with her husband. +To reach the next point I must give you an axiom. A woman never loves +more than one man at a time. She may have many lovers in the course of a +lifetime, but in each instance she imagines that all previous affairs +were delusions, and that at last the divine fire consumes her. To this +last love she is constant until he proves unworthy, and ofttimes even +after. No, a man may be able to love two persons, but a woman's +affections are ever centred in a single idol. From which it is a logical +deduction that Mrs. G. does not and did not love Mr. L. Then why did she +give him the opal? A question which will puzzle you, and for which you +are at a loss for an answer.'" + +"She is not complimentary," interrupted Mr. Mitchel. + +"Not very," said Mr. Barnes, and then he continued reading: + +"'This is a question at which I arrived, as you see, by logical mental +stages. This is the question to which I have found the reply. This is +what I mean when I say I have discovered all: Yesterday afternoon Mr. L. +called. Madame hesitated, but finally decided to see him. From her +glances in my direction, I was sure she feared I might accidentally find +it convenient to be near enough to a keyhole to overhear the +conversation which was about to ensue, and, as I did not wish her to +make such an "accident" impossible, I innocently suggested that if she +intended to receive a visitor, I should be glad to have permission to +leave the house for an hour. The trick worked to a charm. Madame seemed +only too glad to get rid of me. I hurried downstairs into the back +parlor, where, by secreting myself between the heavy portieres and the +closed folding-doors, my sharp ears readily followed the conversation, +except such few passages as were spoken in very low tones, but which I +am sure were unimportant. The details I will give you when I see you. +Suffice it to say that I discovered that madame's reason for refusing to +let her husband sell the jewel to that crank Mr. M. ----'" + +"Ah; I see she remembers me," said Mr. Mitchel, with a smile. + +"How could she forget your locking her in a room when she was most +anxious to be elsewhere? But let me finish this: + +"'--to that crank Mr. M. was because Mr. L. was telling her how to make +a deal more money out of the jewel. It seems that he has the mate to it, +and that the two were stolen from an idol somewhere in Mexico, and that +a fabulous sum could be obtained by returning the two gems to the native +priests. Just how, I do not know.'" + +"So she did not discover everything, after all," said Mr. Mitchel. + +"No; but she is right in the main. Her report continues: + +"'Madame, however, hesitated to go into the venture, partly because Mr. +L. insisted that the matter be kept secret from her husband, and more +particularly because the money in exchange was not to be forthcoming +immediately. On the yacht she changed her mind impulsively. The result +of that you know.' + +"That is all," said Mr. Barnes, folding the paper and returning it to +his pocket. + +"That is all you know?" asked Mr. Mitchel. + +"No; that is all that Lucette knows. I know how the fabulous sum of +money was to be had in exchange for the two opals." + +"Ah; that is more to our immediate purpose. How have you made this +discovery?" + +"My spies learned practically nothing by shadowing Livingstone, except +that he has had several meetings with a half-breed Mexican who calls +himself Pedro Domingo. I decided that it would be best for me to +interview Señor Domingo myself, rather than to entrust him to a second +man." + +"What a compliment to our friend Livingstone!" said Mr. Mitchel, with a +laugh. + +"I found the Mexican suspicious and difficult to approach at first. So I +quickly decided that only a bold play would be successful. I told him +that I was a detective, and related the incident of the stealing of the +opal. At this his eyes glistened, but when I told him that the gem had +been sold to a man of enormous wealth who would never again part with +it, his eyes glared." + +"Yes, Domingo's eyes are glary at times. Go on." + +"I explained to him that by this I meant that it would now be impossible +for Mr. Livingstone to get the opal, and then I boldly asked him what +reward I might expect if I could get it." + +"How much did he offer?" + +"At first he merely laughed at me, but then I explained that you are my +friend, and that you merely buy such things to satisfy a hobby, and +that, having no especial desire for this particular jewel, I had little +doubt that I could obtain it, provided it would be of great financial +advantage to myself. In short, that you would sell to a friend what none +other could buy." + +"Not bad, Mr. Barnes. What did Domingo say to that?" + +"He asked for a day to think it over." + +"Which, of course, you granted. What, then, is his final answer?" + +"He told me to get the opal first, and then he would talk business." + +"Bravo! Domingo is becoming quite a Yankee." + +"Of course I watched the man during the interval, in order to learn +whether or not he would consult with Mr. L., or any other adviser." + +"What did this lead to?" + +"It led to Pasquale Sanchez." + +"What! More Mexicans?" + +"One more only. Sanchez lives in a house near where Domingo has his +room. He tells me that he comes from the same district as Domingo. +Although Domingo did not make a confidant of him, or even ask his +advice, his visit to his friend cleared up some things for me, for by +following Domingo I came upon Sanchez." + +"What could he know, if, as you say, he was not in the confidence of +Domingo?" + +"He knew some things which seem to be common knowledge in his native +land. He is even more Americanized than his friend, for he fully +appreciates a glass of whiskey, though I doubt not the habit was first +acquired at home. I should think it would take many years to acquire +such a--let me call it--capacity. I never saw a man who could swallow +such powerful doses without a change of expression. The only effect +seemed to be to loosen his tongue. It is needless to repeat all the +stages by which I approached my subject. He knew all about the Aztec +opals,--for really there are two of them,--except of course their +present whereabouts. I asked him if they would be valuable, supposing +that I could get possession of them. He was interested at once. 'You get +them, and I show you million dollars.' I explained to him that I might +see a million dollars any day by visiting the United States Treasury, +upon which, with many imprecations and useless interpolations of bad +Spanish, he finally made it clear to me that the priests who have the +idol from which the opals were obtained, have practically little power +over their tribe while the 'god is in heaven,' as has been explained to +the faithful, the priests not caring to exhibit the image without its +glowing eyes. These priests, it seems, know where the mine is from which +these opals were taken, and they would reveal this secret in exchange +for the lost opals, because, though this mine is said to be very rich, +they have been unable themselves to find any pieces sufficiently large +and brilliant from which to duplicate the lost gems." + +"Then you think it was to obtain possession of this opal mine that Mr. +Livingstone sought to obtain Mrs. Gray's opal?" + +"Undoubtedly. So certain am I of this that I would wager that he will +endeavor to get the opal from you." + +"Let me read a letter to you, Mr. Barnes." + +Mr. Mitchel took out a letter and read as follows: + + "'LEROY MITCHEL, Esq.:-- + + "'Dear Sir--In my letter of recent date I offered to you the + duplicate of the Aztec Opal which you recently purchased + from Mr. Gray. You paid Gray twenty thousand dollars, and I + expressed my willingness to sell you mine for five thousand + dollars in advance of this sum. In your letter just + received, you agree to pay this amount, naming two + conditions. First, you ask why I consider my opal worth more + than the other, if it is an exact duplicate. Secondly, you + wish me to explain what I meant by saying on the yacht that + "women are poor conspirators." + + "'In reply to your first question, my answer is, that + however wealthy I may be I usually do business strictly on + business principles. These opals separately are worth in the + open market twenty thousand dollars each, which sum you paid + to Gray. But considering the history of the gems, and the + fact that they are absolute duplicates the one of the other, + it is not too much to declare that as soon as one person + owns both gems, the value is enhanced twofold. That is to + say, that the pair of opals together would be worth seventy + or eighty thousand dollars. This being true, I consider it + fair to argue that whilst I should not expect more than + twenty thousand dollars from any other person in the world, + twenty-five thousand is a low sum for me to ask of the man + who has the duplicate of this magnificent harlequin opal. + + "'In regard to my remark about the "conspirators," the + conspiracy in which I had induced Mrs. Gray to take part was + entirely honorable, I assure you. I knew of Gray's financial + embarrassments and wished to aid him, without, however, + permitting him to suspect my hand in the affair. He is so + sensitive, you know. I therefore suggested to Mrs. Gray that + she entrust her jewel to me, and promised to dispose of the + two jewels together, thus realizing the enhanced value. I + pointed out that in this manner she would be able to give + her husband much more than he could possibly secure by the + sale of the one stone. + + "'Trusting that I have fully complied with your conditions, + I will call upon you at noon to-day, and will bring the opal + with me. We can then complete the transaction, unless you + change your mind in the interval. Cordially yours, etc.' + +"So you see," said Mr. Mitchel, "he offers to sell me his opal, rather +than to purchase mine." + +"It is strange," said Mr. Barnes, musingly. "Why should he relinquish +his hope of getting possession of that mine? I do not believe it. There +is some devilish trickery at work. But let me tell you the rest of my +story." + +"Oh, is there more?" + +"Why, certainly. I have not yet explained my reason for thinking you +might be in danger." + +"Ah, to be sure. My danger. I had forgotten all about it. Pardon my +stupidity." + +"In further conversation with this Sanchez I put this proposition to +him. 'Suppose,' said I, 'that your friend Domingo had one of these +opals, and knew the man who had the other. What would he do?' His answer +was short, but to the point. 'He get it, even if he kill.'" + +"So you think that Domingo might try murder?" + +"It is not impossible." + +"But, Mr. Barnes, he does not want my life. He wants the opal, and as +that is, or rather has been until to-day, in the safety-vaults, how +could he get it, even by killing me?" + +"You have just admitted that it is not in the vaults at present." + +"But it is quite as much out of his reach in my safe here in this +room." + +"But you might take it out of the safe. You might, in some manner, be +persuaded to do so, to show it to some one." + +"Very true. In fact, that is why it is here. I must compare my opal with +the one which Mr. Livingstone offers for sale, before I part with +twenty-five thousand dollars. For you must remember that such a sum is a +fabulous price for an opal, even though, as you know, these are the +largest in the world." + +"From a money standpoint, of course, your precaution is proper. But do +you not see that you are really making possible the very danger of which +I came to warn you?" + +"You mean----" + +"Murder in order to get possession of that accursed ill-luck stone. But +I fear my warning is not appreciated." + +"Indeed, my friend, it is, and I am glad that you have come in person to +acquaint me with your anxiety in my behalf. This I will more thoroughly +explain to you later. For the present, I may say that I am glad to have +you here as a possible witness, in case murder, or any other crime, +should be attempted." + +"What other crime do you anticipate as possible? Surely not theft?" + +"Why not?" + +"What! Steal that opal from you, while you are present to see the deed +committed? That is a joke." Mr. Barnes laughed heartily. + +"Your laugh is a compliment," said Mr. Mitchel. "Yet that is exactly +what I most anticipate--theft. I am not sure that it may not be +undertaken before my very eyes. Especially as the thief did not hesitate +at a table filled with men and women. Sh! He is here." + +The electric street-door bell had sounded. Mr. Mitchel arose, and spoke +hurriedly in a low tone. + +"That is probably Mr. Livingstone come to sell his opal, or to steal +mine. We shall see. Especially I desire that you should see. +Consequently I have arranged matters in advance. Slip behind this +bookcase, which I have placed across the corner that you may have room +to breathe. The books on the top shelf have been removed, and the tinted +glass of the doors will not obstruct your view. From behind you will be +able to see through quite readily." + +"Why, you seem to have expected me," said Mr. Barnes, getting into the +hiding-place. + +"Yes, I expected you," said Mr. Mitchel, vouchsafing no further +explanation. "Remember now, Mr. Barnes, you are not to interfere, +whatever happens, unless I call you. All I ask is that you use your +eyes, and that good eyes will be required be sure, or I never should +have arranged to have an extra pair to aid me on this occasion." + +A moment later Williams announced Mr. Livingstone. + +"Ask Mr. Livingstone to come up here to the library," said Mr. Mitchel, +and a little later he greeted his guest. + +"Ah, glad to see you, Mr. Livingstone. Take a seat here by my desk, and +we can get right to business. First, though, let me offer you a cigar." + +Mr. Livingstone chose one from the box which Mr. Mitchel offered to him, +and lighted it as he sat down. + +"What a companionable feeling steals over one as he puffs a fine cigar, +Mr. Mitchel! Who would accept such an offering as this and betray the +confidence of his host?" + +"Who, indeed?" said Mr. Mitchel. "But why do you say that?" + +"Why, I am not entirely a fool. You do not trust me. You are not sure in +your own mind whether or not I committed a theft on board of the yacht." + +"Am I not?" Mr. Mitchel asked this in a tone that made Mr. Livingstone +look upon it in the light of a question, whereas Mr. Barnes, behind the +bookcase, considered it as an answer. + +"Why, no," said Mr. Livingstone, replying. "Had you believed that the +opal changed hands honorably, even though secretly, under cover of the +darkness, you would not have asked me to explain my allusion to +'conspirators.' I trust, however, that my letter made it all clear to +you." + +"Quite clear." + +"Then you are still willing to make the purchase?" + +"If you still desire to sell. A certified check for the amount is ready +for you. Have you brought the opal?" + +"Yes. Have you the duplicate? It would be well to compare them before +you purchase." + +"If you do not mind, I will do so." + +Mr. Mitchel turned to his safe and brought out a box which Mr. Barnes +thought he recognized. Opening it he drew out a marvellous string of +pearls, which he laid aside, while he took from beneath, a velvet case +which contained the opal. Returning the pearls to the box he restored +that to the safe, which he locked. + +"Now, if you will let me see your opal," said Mr. Mitchel, "I will +compare the gems." + +"Here it is," said Mr. Livingstone, handing Mr. Mitchel his opal. + +Mr. Mitchel took the two opals in his hand, and, as they lay side by +side, he examined them closely, observing the play of light as he turned +them in various positions. To his critical eye they were marvellously +beautiful; matchless, though matched. None could see these two and +wonder that the old priests in Mexico had searched in vain for a second +pair like them. + +"Do you know why these opals are so exactly alike?" asked Mr. +Livingstone. + +"I am not sure," said Mr. Mitchel, apparently absorbed in his scrutiny +of the opals. "I have heard many reasons suggested. If you know the true +explanation, suppose you tell me." + +"Willingly. You will observe that in each opal red lights seem to +predominate on one side, while the blue and green are reflected from the +other. Originally, this was one great egg-shaped opal, and it was cut +in that shape, and then poised in the forehead of a single-eyed idol by +the priests of a thousand years ago. By an ingenious mechanism the eye +could be made to revolve in its socket, so that either the red or the +blue-green side would be visible, as it suited the purpose of the +priests, when overawing the tribesmen by pretended prophecies and other +miraculous performances. In more recent times, since the advent of the +Christians, one-eyed idols are not so plausible, and the priests cut the +opal in half, thus making it serve in what may be termed a modernized +idol." + +"Yes, I have heard that tale before. In fact, I have a metal ring which +I was told would exactly encircle the two opals, if placed together to +form an egg." + +"How could you have such a thing?" asked Mr. Livingstone, with genuine +surprise. + +"The man who stole the jewels, so the story goes, wishing to enhance +their value as much as possible, arranged this as a scheme by which the +genuineness of the opals could be tested. He placed the opals together, +as before they were cut, and had a silver band made which would exactly +clasp them in that position. This band opens and shuts with a spring +catch, like a bracelet, and as, when closed, it exactly fits the opals, +holding the two firmly together, the owner of the band could easily tell +whether the true opals were before him, or not. In some way the opals +were next stolen without the band, and their whereabouts was unknown +when a dealer in Naples told me the story of the silver band, which he +offered to sell me. I scarcely credited his tale, but as all large +jewels might in time be offered to me, I thought it well to purchase the +band." + +"Why, then, if you still have it, it would be interesting to make the +test, would it not?" + +"Yes, I think so. I will get the band." + +Mr. Mitchel placed the two opals on the desk before him and went over to +the safe, where he was occupied some time opening the combination lock. +While he was thus busy a strange thing seemed to occur. At least it +seemed strange to Mr. Barnes. He had marvelled to see Mr. Mitchel place +the two opals within easy reach of Mr. Livingstone, and then +deliberately turn his back while he opened the safe. But what seemed +more mysterious was Mr. Livingstone's action. Mr. Mitchel had scarcely +stooped before the safe when his guest leaned forward, with both arms +outstretched simultaneously; his two hands grasped the opals, the hands +then swiftly sought his vest pockets, after which he calmly puffed his +cigar. Thus he seemed to have taken the opals from the table and to have +placed them in his pockets. Yet how could he hope to explain their +absence to Mr. Mitchel? This thought flashed through Mr. Barnes's mind +as his eyes instinctively turned again to the desk, when, to his utter +astonishment, he saw the opals exactly where Mr. Mitchel had placed +them. Had the thought that he could not explain away the disappearance +caused the man to change his mind at the very moment when he had +impulsively clutched the treasures? Mr. Barnes was puzzled, and somewhat +worried too, for he began to fear that more had happened, or was +happening, than he comprehended. + +"Here is the band," said Mr. Mitchel, returning to the desk, and +resuming his seat. "Let us see how it fits the opals. First, let me ask +you, are you confident that you are selling me one of the genuine Aztec +opals?" + +"I am. I have a history which makes its authenticity indubitable." + +"Then we will try our little test. There; the band clamps the two +perfectly. Look for yourself." + +"Certainly; the test is complete. These are undoubtedly the Aztec opals. +Mr. Mitchel, you are to be congratulated upon gaining possession of such +unique gems." + +Mr. Livingstone arose as though about to leave. + +"One moment, Mr. Livingstone; the jewels are not mine, yet. I have not +paid you for yours." + +"Oh, between gentlemen there is no hurry about such matters." + +"Between gentlemen it may be as you say. But you said this was to be +strictly in accordance with business methods. I prefer to pay at once. +Here is my certified check. I will also ask you to sign this receipt." + +Mr. Livingstone seemed to hesitate for a moment. Mr. Barnes wondered +why? He sat at the desk, however, and, after reading the receipt, he +signed it, and took the check, which he placed in his pocketbook, +saying: + +"Of course we will be businesslike, if you insist, though I did not +anticipate that you would take me so literally. That being over, Mr. +Mitchel, I will bid you good morning." + +"You may go, Mr. Livingstone, when the transaction is over, but not +before." + +"What do you mean?" demanded Mr. Livingstone aggressively, as he turned +and faced Mr. Mitchel, who now stood close beside him. + +"I mean that you have accepted my money. Now I wish you to give me the +opal." + +"I do not understand. There are your opals, just where you placed them +on the table." + +"We will have no quibbling, Mr. Livingstone. You have taken twenty-five +thousand dollars of my money, and you have given me in exchange a +worthless imitation. Not satisfied with that, you have stolen my genuine +opal." + +"Damn you----" + +Mr. Livingstone made a movement as though to strike, but Mr. Mitchel +stepped quickly back, and, quietly bringing forward his right arm, which +had been held behind his back, it became evident that he held in his +hand a revolver of large calibre. He did not raise the weapon, however, +but merely remarked: + +"I am armed. Think before you act." + +"Your infernal accusation astounds me," growled Mr. Livingstone. "I +hardly know what to say to you." + +"There is nothing to say, sir. You have no alternative but to give me my +property. Yes, you have an alternative,--you may go to prison." + +"To prison!" The man laughed, but it was not a hearty laugh. + +"Yes, to prison. I believe that is the proper lodging-place for a +thief." + +"Take care!" cried Mr. Livingstone, advancing upon Mr. Mitchel. + +"Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, still without raising his weapon. At +this the man stopped as quickly as he had when the weapon was first +shown. He seemed confounded when the detective stepped into view. + +"Ah," he sneered; "so you have spies upon your guests?" + +"Always, when my guests are thieves." + +Again the words enraged him, and, starting forward, Mr. Livingstone +exclaimed: + +"If you repeat those words, I'll strangle you in spite of your weapon +and your spy." + +"I have no wish to use harsh language, Mr. Livingstone. All I want is my +property. Give me the two opals." + +"Again I tell you they are on your desk." + +"Where are the genuine opals, Mr. Barnes? Of course you saw him commit +the--that is, you saw the act." + +"They are in his vest pocket, one in each," said the detective. + +"Since you will not give them to me, I must take them," said Mr. +Mitchel, advancing towards Mr. Livingstone. That gentleman stood +transfixed, livid with rage. As his antagonist was about to touch his +vest pocket, his hand arose swiftly and he aimed a deadly blow at Mr. +Mitchel, but not only did Mr. Mitchel as swiftly lower his head, thus +avoiding the blow, but before another could be struck, Mr. Barnes had +jumped forward and grasped Mr. Livingstone from behind, pinioning his +arms and holding him fast by placing his own knee in his adversary's +back. Mr. Livingstone struggled fiercely, but almost instantly Mr. +Mitchel took the opals from his pockets, and then quietly remarked: + +"Release him, Mr. Barnes. I have my property." + +Mr. Barnes obeyed, and for an instant Mr. Livingstone seemed weighing +his chances, but evidently deciding that the odds were in all ways +against him, he rushed from the apartment and out of the house. + +"Well, Mr. Mitchel," said Mr. Barnes, "now that the danger has passed, +an explanation seems to be in order. You seem to have four opals." + +"Yes; but that is merely seeming. You will readily understand why I +wished your eyes, for without them I could not have taken my own off of +the opals even for an instant." + +"Then you purposely turned your back when you went to get the silver +band?" + +"Assuredly. Why could I not have taken out the band in the first +instance, and why did I lock the safe, making it necessary for me to +take time with the combination? Simply to give my man the opportunity +to do his trick. You see, I knew before he came here exactly what he +would do." + +"How did you know?" + +"You will recall that in his letter he offers to sell me the duplicate +opal. That made me smile when I read it, for I already had been notified +that he had had duplicates of his opal made." + +"You had been notified?" + +"Yes. This whole affair flatters my vanity, for I anticipated the event +in its minutest detail, and all by analytical deduction. You quite +correctly argued that Livingstone would not abandon his quest of the +opal. I also reached that point, and then I asked myself, 'How will he +get it, knowing that I would not sell?' I could find but one way. He +would offer to sell his, and during the transaction try to steal mine. +As he would need both opals in his Mexican mining venture, his only +chance of carrying both away with him would be to have two others to +leave in their stead. Thus I argued that he would endeavor to have two +duplicates of his opal made. Ordinarily, opals are not sufficiently +expensive to make it pay to produce spurious specimens. Consequently, it +has been little done; indeed, I doubt that the members of the trade in +this city have any idea that doublet opals have been made and sold in +this city. But I know it, and I know the man who made the doublets. +These were common opals, faced with thin layers of a fine quality of +'harlequin' which often comes in such thin layers that it is +practically useless for cutting into stones, though it has been utilized +for cameos and intaglios. This lapidary does his work admirably, and his +cement is practically invisible. I went to this man and warned him that +he might be called upon to duplicate a large and valuable opal, and I +arranged that he should fill the order, but that he should notify me of +the fact." + +"Ah, now I understand. The genuine opals lay on the desk, and when you +turned to the safe Livingstone merely exchanged them for the spurious +doublets. But tell me why did he risk bringing the real opal here at +all? Why not offer you one of the doublets, and then merely have one +exchange to make?" + +"He was too shrewd to risk that. In the first place, he knows I am an +expert, and that I would compare the two jewels before making the +purchase; he feared that under such close scrutiny I would discover the +deception. Secondly, the two genuine opals absolutely match each other. +So also the two doublets are actual mates. But the doublets only +approximately resemble the real opals." + +"Mr. Mitchel, you have managed Livingstone admirably, but there still +remains the man Domingo. Until he is disposed of I still think there is +danger. Pardon my pertinacity." + +"I told you at the beginning of this incident that I had a spy upon +Livingstone, but that though the method was commonplace, my choice of a +spy was unique. My spy was Livingstone's partner, Domingo." + +"What! You were on intimate terms with Domingo?" + +"Was not that my best course? I found the man, and at once explained to +him that as Livingstone never could get my opal, it would be best to +shift the partnership and aid me to get Livingstone's. Thus you see, +having, as it were, conceived the logical course for Livingstone to +pursue, I had his partner Domingo suggest it to him." + +"Even the idea of the doublets?" + +"Certainly. I gave Domingo the address of the lapidary, and Domingo +supplied it to Livingstone." + +"Mr. Mitchel, you are a wonder as a schemer. But now you have Domingo on +your hands?" + +"Only for a short time. Domingo is not such a bloodthirsty cutthroat as +your friend Sanchez made you believe. He readily admitted that the game +was up when I explained to him that I had one of the opals, a fact which +Livingstone had not communicated to him. I had little difficulty in +persuading him to become my assistant; money liberally applied often +proving a salve for blasted hopes. Besides, I have raised his hopes +again, and in a way by which he may yet become possessed of that opal +mine, and without a partner." + +"Why, how do you mean?" + +"I shall give him the doublets, and I have no doubt he can palm them off +on the old priests, who will not examine too closely, so anxious are +they to see the eyes of the idol restored." + +"There is yet one thing that I do not fully understand. Sanchez told +me----" + +"Sanchez told you nothing, except what he was instructed to tell you." + +"Do you mean to say----" + +"I mean that Sanchez's story of my danger was told to you so that you +would come here this morning. You noted yourself that I must have +expected you, when you found the bookcase arranged for you. I had an +idea that I might need a strong and faithful arm, and I had both. Mr. +Barnes, without your assistance, I must have failed." + + + + + VIII + + THE PEARLS OF ISIS + + +Mr. Barnes sat for a while in silence, gazing at Mr. Mitchel. The +masterly manner in which that gentleman had managed the affair +throughout won his admiration and elevated him more than ever in his +esteem. The dénouement was admirable. Before handing over the check Mr. +Mitchel had led Mr. Livingstone to state in the presence of a concealed +witness that the opal about to be sold was genuine, whereas, as a matter +of fact, the one on the desk at that moment was spurious. Then the +payment with a check and the exacting of a receipt furnished tangible +proofs of the nature of the transaction. Thus, even eliminating the +theft of the other opal, Mr. Mitchel was in the position to prove that +the man had obtained a large sum of money by false pretenses. The +recovery of the stolen opal practically convicted Mr. Livingstone of a +still greater crime, and with a witness to the various details of the +occurrence Mr. Mitchel had so great a hold upon him that it would be +most improbable that Mr. Livingstone would pursue his scheme further. +The second conspirator, Domingo, was equally well disposed of, for if +he returned to Mexico with the imitation opals, either the priests would +discover the fraud and deal with the man themselves, or, by their +failing to do so, he would gain possession of the opal mine. + +In either event there would be no reason for him to return to trouble +Mr. Mitchel. + +"I see the whole scheme," said Mr. Barnes at length, "and I must +congratulate you upon the conception and conduct of the affair. You have +courteously said that I have been of some assistance, and though I doubt +it, I would like to exact a price for my services." + +"Certainly," said Mr. Mitchel. "Every man is worthy of his hire, even +when he is not aware of the fact that he has been hired, I presume. Name +your reward. What shall it be?" + +"From my place of concealment, a while ago, I observed that before you +took out the opal, you removed from the box a magnificent string of +pearls. As you have claimed that all valuable jewels have some story of +crime, or attempted crime, attached to them, I fancy you could tell an +interesting tale about those pearls." + +"Ah; and you would like to hear the story?" + +"Yes; very much!" + +"Well, it is a pretty old one now, and no harm can come, especially if +you receive the tale in confidence." + +"Assuredly." + +"They are beautiful, are they not?" said Mr. Mitchel, taking them up +almost affectionately, and handing them to Mr. Barnes. "I call them the +Pearls of Isis." + +"The Pearls of Isis?" said Mr. Barnes, taking them. "An odd name, +considering that the goddess is a myth. How could she wear jewelry?" + +"Oh, the name originated with myself. I will explain that in a moment. +First let me say a few words in a general way. You ask me for the story +of that string of pearls. If what is told of them in Mexico is true, +there is a pathetic tale for each particular pearl, aside from the many +legends that are related of the entire string." + +"And do you know all of these histories?" + +"No, indeed. I wish that I did. But I can tell you some of the legendry. +In Humboldt's _American Researches_ you will find an illustration +showing the figure of what he calls 'The Statue of an Aztec Priestess.' +The original had been discovered by M. Dupé. The statue was cut from +basalt, and the point of chief interest in it is the head-dress, which +resembles the calantica, or veil of Isis, the Sphinxes, and other +Egyptian statues. On the forehead of this stone priestess was found a +string of pearls, of which Humboldt says: 'The pearls have never been +found on any Egyptian statue, and indicate a communication between the +city of Tenochtitlan, ancient Mexico, and the coast of California, where +pearls are found in great numbers.' Humboldt himself found a similar +statue decorated with pearls in the ruins of Tezcuco, and this is still +in the museum at Berlin, where I have seen it. Humboldt doubted that +these statues represented priestesses, but thought rather that they were +merely figures of ordinary women, and he bases this view on the fact +that the statues have long hair, whereas it was the custom of the +tepanteohuatzin, a dignitary controlling the priestesses, to cut off the +tresses of these virgins when they devoted themselves to the services of +the temple. M. Dupé thought that this statue represented one of the +temple virgins, while, as I have said, Humboldt concluded that they had +no religious connection. My own view is that both of these gentlemen +were wrong, and that these and similar statues were images of the +goddess Isis." + +"But I thought that Isis was an Old World goddess?" + +"So she was, and the oldest world is this continent. We need not now +enter upon a discussion of the reasons upon which I base my belief. +Suffice it to say that I think I can prove to the satisfaction of any +good archæologist that both Isis and Osiris belong to Central America. +And as those pearls in your hand once adorned an Aztec basaltic statue +similar to those of Dupé and Humboldt, I have chosen to call them the +'Pearls of Isis.'" + +"Ah; then it is from their origin that you imagine that so many stories +are connected with them. I have always heard that the priests of ancient +Mexico were a bloodthirsty lot, and as pearls are supposed by the +superstitious to symbolize tears, I can imagine the romances that might +be built around these, especially if they were guarded by virgin +priestesses." + +"Now you are utilizing your detective instinct to guess my tale before +it is told. You are partly right. Many curious legends are to be heard +from the natives in Mexico, explanatory of these pearl-bedecked idols. +Two are particularly interesting, though you are not bound to accept +them as strictly true. The first was related to me personally by an old +man, who claimed a connection with the priesthood through a lineage of +priestly ancestors covering two thousand generations. This you will +admit is a long service for a single family in worshipful care of a lot +of idols, and it would at least be discourteous to doubt the word of +such a truly holy man." + +"Oh, I shall not attempt to discredit or disprove the old fellow's +story, whatever it may be." + +"That is very generous of you, considering your profession, and I am +sure the old Aztec would feel duly honored. However, here is his story. +According to him, there were many beautiful women among the Aztecs, but +only the most beautiful of these were acceptable to the gods as +priestesses. Their entrance into the service of the temple, I imagine, +must have been most trying, for he stated that it was only when the +women came before the priests with their chosen lovers to be married +that the priests were permitted to examine their faces in order to +determine whether they were beautiful enough to become temple virgins. +If, on such an occasion, the bride seemed sufficiently beautiful, the +priest, instead of uniting her to her lover, declared that the gods +demanded her as their own, and she was forthwith consecrated to the +service of the temple. They were then compelled to forswear the world, +and, under threats of mysterious and direful punishments, they promised +to guard their chastity, and devote their virgin lives to the gods. The +mysterious punishment meted out to transgressors the old priest +explained to me. Usually in such instances the girl would elope, most +often with the lover of whom she had been deprived at the altar. No +effort was made to recapture her. Such was the power of the priests, and +such the superstitious dread of the anger of the gods, that none would +hold communication of any kind with the erring couple. Thus isolated and +compelled to hide away in the forests, the unfortunate lovers would +eventually live in hourly dread of disaster, until either the girl would +voluntarily return to the priests to save her lover from the imagined +fury of the gods, or else to save himself he would take the girl back. +In either case the result would be the same. None ever saw her again. +But, shortly after, a new pearl would appear upon the forehead of the +idol." + +"A new pearl? How?" + +"The old priest, whose word you have promised not to doubt, claimed that +beneath the temple there was a dark, bottomless pool of water in which +abounded the shell-fish from which pearls were taken. These molluscs +were sacred, and to them were fed the bodies of all the human beings +sacrificed on their altars. Whenever one of the temple virgins broke her +oath of fidelity to the gods, upon her return she was dropped alive into +this pool, and, curious to relate, at the appearance of the next new +moon the tepanteohuatzin would invariably discover a pearl of marvellous +size." + +"Why, then, each pearl would represent a temple virgin reincarnated, as +it were?" + +"Yes; one might almost imagine that in misery and grief over her unhappy +love affair, she had wept until she had dissolved, and that then she had +been precipitated, to use a chemical term, in the form of a pearl. +Altogether the legend is not a bad one, and if we recall the connection +between Isis and the crescent moon, you must admit my right to call +these the Pearls of Isis." + +"Oh, I promised to dispute nothing. But did you not say that there was +another legend?" + +"Yes, and I am glad to say it has a much more fortuitous finale and is +altogether more believable, though this one was not told to me by a man +of God, or perhaps to be more accurate I should say a 'man of the gods.' +According to this rendition the temple virgins were chosen exactly as +related in the other narrative, but before actually entering upon their +duties there was a period of probation, a period of time covering 'one +moon.' You see we cannot escape the moon in this connection. During this +probationary period it was possible for the lover to regain his +sweetheart by paying a ransom, and this ransom was invariably a pearl +of a certain weight and quality. By placing these pearls on the forehead +of the goddess she was supposed to be repaid for the loss of one of her +virgin attendants. All of which shows that her ladyship, Isis, in her +love for finery, was peculiarly human and not unlike her sisters of +to-day." + +"This second story is very easy to believe, if one could understand +where the pearls were to be found." + +"Oh, that is easily explained. Humboldt was right in supposing that +there was a communication with the Californian coast. There was a +regular yearly journey to and from that place for the purposes of trade, +and many of the Aztecs travelled thither purposely to engage in fishing +for pearls. Whenever one of these fishers was fortunate enough to find a +pearl of the kind demanded by the priests, he would hoard it up, and +keep his good luck a secret. For with such a pearl could he not woo and +win one of the fairest daughters of his tribe? We can well imagine that +without such a pearl the more cautious of the beauties would turn a deaf +ear to lovers' pleadings, fearing to attract the eyes of the priests at +the altar. Verily, in those days beauty was a doubtful advantage." + +"Yes, indeed. Now I understand what you meant when you said that each of +these pearls might have its own romance. For, according to the legends, +they are either the penalty or the price of love. But you have not told +me the particular story of these pearls." + +"There may be as many as there are pearls, but I can tell you but one; +though as that involves a story of crime, it will interest you I am +sure. You will remember that when we were going to the yacht on that day +when we solved the first opal mystery, I explained to you my reasons for +buying up large gems. I think I told you of my first venture?" + +"Yes; you overheard a plot to steal a ruby, and you went to the hostess +and bought the jewel, which you then stuck in your scarf, where the +plotters could see it and know that it had changed hands." + +"That is the tale exactly. You will consider it a curious coincidence +when I tell you that these pearls came into my possession in an almost +similar manner." + +"That is remarkable, I must say." + +"And yet not so remarkable, either, all things considered. Crime, or +rather the method of committing a crime, is often suggested by previous +occurrences. A body is found in the river dismembered, and is a nine +days' wonder. Yet, even though the mystery may be solved, and the +murderer brought to justice, the police may scarcely have finished with +the case before another dismembered body is discovered. Often, too, the +second criminal goes unpunished; in imitating his predecessor he avoids, +or attempts to avoid, his mistakes. I suppose that is easier than +formulating an entirely new plan. So I imagine that the attempt to steal +the ruby, which I frustrated, and the stealing of the pearls, which was +successfully managed, may have some connection, more especially as both +affairs occurred in the same house." + +"In the same house?" + +"Yes, and within a month, or, to follow the legend, I might say in the +same 'moon.' I was in New Orleans at the time, and as it was in the +Mardi Gras season, masked balls were common occurrences. One who was +especially fond of this class of entertainment was Madame Damien. She +was a widow, not yet thirty, and as her husband, Maurice Damien, had +belonged to one of the wealthiest and most distinguished of the old +Creole families, there was no apparently good reason for denying her the +rightful privilege of mixing with and receiving the best people of the +city. Nevertheless, there were a few who declined to associate with her, +or to allow the younger members of their households to do so." + +"What were their reasons?" + +"Reasons there were, but of such an impalpable nature that even +those who most rigorously shunned her, ventured not to speak openly +against her. For reasons, it might have been said that she smoked +cigarettes--but other good women did likewise; she entertained often, +and served wine intemperately--others did the same; she permitted +card-playing in her rooms, even for money stakes,--but the same thing +occurred in other houses, though perhaps not so openly. Thus none of +these reasons, you see, was sufficiently potent. But there were others, +less easily discussed and more difficult to prove. It was whispered, +very low and only in the ears of most trustworthy intimates, that +Madame Damien permitted, nay, encouraged, young men to pay court to her. +If true, she managed her courtiers most admirably, for openly she was +most impartial in distributing her favors, while secretly--well, none +penetrated the secrets of Madame Damien. One thing was certainly in her +favor; there were no duels about her, and duelling was not uncommon in +those days." + +"I should say she was a clever woman." + +"Just the word. Some, who could say nothing more, said she was +altogether too clever. It was this woman who sold me the ruby." + +"The first acquisition to your collection?" + +"Yes. I may as well briefly give you the facts, for thus you may see the +connection between the two affairs. Land is not so valuable in our +southern country as it is here in New York, and the houses of the +wealthy are often in the midst of extensive gardens. Some of these not +only have beautiful flower-beds, but likewise palms, cacti, oleanders, +azaleas, and other tropical plants. Madame Damien's residence was in a +garden which might almost be called a miniature park. The paths were of +snow-white oyster shells, rolled and beaten until they resembled smooth +white marble. The hedges were of arbor vitæ cut with square top, except +here and there where the trees were trained to form arched gateways +through which the flower-beds could be reached. In places, often nearly +concealed by flowering plants, were little houses,--lovers' nooks they +are called,--made also of trained arbor vitæ. Of larger trees there +were the palmetto, the orange, and the magnolia. On fête nights these +beautiful grounds would be illuminated with Chinese lanterns, +sufficiently numerous to make the scene a veritable fairy picture, but +not shedding enough light to interfere with the walks of lovers who +sought the garden paths between the dances." + +"Your description reminds one of Eden." + +"The similarity is greater than you imagine, for the serpent lurked in +the rose bowers. At one of Madame Damien's masquerade fêtes I had left +the warm rooms for a breath of the perfume-laden air without, and was +walking along a path which led to the farthest end of the garden, when I +was attracted by a stifled cry. I stopped and listened, and as it was +not repeated I was just thinking that I had heard the mournful cry of a +dove, when a tug at my sleeve caused me to turn quickly. At my side was +a little creature in a green domino scarcely distinguishable from the +shrubbery that lined the walk. The girl stood on her toes, drew my head +down to hers, and in a frightened tone whispered: + +"'The men. They mean mischief--to them--in there.' + +"She pointed to one of the little arbor-vitæ houses near us, and turning +fled back along the path before I could restrain her. + +"Much mystified, I stepped softly toward the little house, intending to +discover if possible who might be within, when I seemed to hear voices +behind me. Listening intently, I traced the sounds to the opposite side +of the hedge, and therefore I crept cautiously in that direction, +satisfied that here were the men to whom the girl had made allusion. +Here is what I heard: + +"'As they come out, we must follow them. When I whistle, you jump on +madame; I will take care of him. I will undertake to hurt him enough to +make him squeal. That will alarm Madame, who will be so fearful lest her +precious lover be hurt that you will have no difficulty in getting the +ruby.'" + +"Quite a neat little plot; only needs the detail of garroting to afford +us a perfect picture of the Spanish brigand," said Mr. Barnes. + +"The men were undoubtedly professional thieves who considered the +masquerade a good opportunity. As soon as they mentioned the ruby, I +knew that the woman was none other than Madame Damien, who possessed a +stone of rare beauty which she frequently wore. The point of greatest +interest was that Madame seemed about to lose her usual good luck by +having one of her love affairs discovered. How could I warn her without +myself learning who was with her? Strange though it may seem, I had no +wish to know the name of her companion, so I hit upon an expedient. +Going to the door of the little house I called aloud: + +"'Madame Damien! Will you allow me to speak to you a moment?' Of course +she did not reply. From the deathlike stillness of the place one might +have thought it empty. I was too sure, however, that she was there, so I +spoke again. + +"'Madame, your very life is in danger, if you do not come out and speak +to me.' In an instant she was at my side, talking in a quick whisper. + +"'Who are you? What do you mean?' + +"'Pardon my intruding, but I was obliged to adopt this course, I assure +you.' + +"I was speaking loudly enough to be heard by the men on the other side +of the hedge. 'I was passing here just now, with no suspicion that you +were here, alone,'--I purposely used the word, so that she might feel +easy about her companion,--'when I chanced to overhear the plotting of +two ruffians who are even now hidden in the hedge. They are lying in +wait for you, intending to rob you of your ruby.' + +"'Steal my ruby? I don't understand.' + +"'Had I not heard their plan, they would undoubtedly have partly +strangled you while they stole the jewel. It was to save you from the +danger of this encounter and the loss that I felt it my duty to call you +out to speak with me.' + +"'What shall I do?' + +"'I advise you to sell the stone to me.' + +"'Sell it to you? How would that help matters?' + +"'I have my check-book with me. You know who I am,--Leroy Mitchel. There +is light enough by this lantern to write, and I have a fountain-pen. If +you sell me the ruby, and take the check, you may safely go to the +house. The would-be thieves are listening and perhaps watching us. +Consequently, they will know of this transaction and will have no reason +to follow you.' + +"'But yourself?' + +"'I can take care of myself, especially as I am armed. I shall follow +you in a few moments, and I am sure no attack will be made upon me.' + +"She hesitated a moment. She did not really wish to sell the stone, yet +her only other alternative was to inform me that as another man was +present we might go to the house together without fear. But not wishing +to disclose the presence of this other man, she decided to sell me the +stone, or rather to appear to do so, for her plan was to return my check +later and recover the ruby. This offer she made to me on the following +day, but I declined because the idea of forming my collection of rare +gems had entered my mind when I heard the plotters talking. Before +finally yielding she made one effort, being a plucky woman. + +"'I need not sell you the ruby, Mr. Mitchel, for if, as you say, you are +armed, I have no fear of accepting your escort to the house.' + +"This of course would have defeated my purpose, so I hastily explained +to her that I wished to stay behind because I intended to attempt to +capture one or both of the ruffians. Whether or not she might have found +some other means of avoiding my offer, she did not think of one then, so +she handed me the ruby and I gave her the check. After she had left me, +I cautiously searched the hedges but met no one. I was satisfied, +however, that the men had heard all that had passed, and I also believed +that they might still imagine that there would be a chance to get the +ruby, under the supposition that my purchase was but a pretense, and +that as soon as I should return to the parlors I would restore the +jewel. It was for this reason that I wore it conspicuously in my scarf." + +"What of the little woman in the green domino? Did you see her again?" + +"I caught a glimpse of her only, though I am sure she got a better view +of me. It was in the house. Here, also, there was a profusion of green, +the place being literally strewn with potted plants. I was standing near +a group of palms when I caught sight of my lady of the green domino, +gazing intently at me. As she saw that I had detected her presence, she +swiftly glided away, and I lost her in the throng. I was certain, +however, that she saw the ruby in my scarf, and so knew that I had +prevented the mischief of which she had warned me." + +"It would have been interesting to discover her identity." + +"All in good time, Mr. Detective. We come now to the story of the string +of pearls. It was just three weeks later. Madame was holding another +fête. Once more I was destined to play eavesdropper, though this time +with even still more startling results. I had been dancing a quadrille, +my unknown partner being charmingly dressed in a costume which at the +time I did not understand. I had noticed her several times during the +evening, standing always alone, apparently neglected by the young men. +So I asked her to be my partner, rather in the spirit of giving her +some of the pleasures of the evening, though you must understand that I +was at that time young myself and quite susceptible to the charms of the +opposite sex. She had seemed reluctant at first to dance with me, and +then, as though impulsively altering her mind, she had expressed her +willingness more in act than by any word, for she had not spoken. +Clutching my arm nervously, she had led me a little way across the +floor, and stopped where a couple was needed to fill a quadrille. _En +vis-à-vis_ was a couple who attracted her attention to such an extent +that I almost imagined that my partner had brought me into this set with +the purpose of watching them. The man was unmistakably dressed as Romeo, +while the costume of his partner was as mystifying to me as that of the +girl beside me. I afterwards learned that she was assuming the guise of +Helen of Troy." + +"Your hostess, Madame Damien, I'll be bound." + +"You make a good guesser, Mr. Barnes. Madame Damien it was, though, +truth to tell, I was so much interested in the silent, watchful girl +beside me that I paid little attention to the others. The quadrille had +just ended and I was wondering how best to make my little sphinx talk, +when a strange thing happened. The couple opposite to us crossed toward +us, and as they approached my partner swayed as though about to fall, +and then suddenly toppled over against me, and in a whisper she said: + +"'I am dizzy. Take me out in the air.' + +"Just then, 'Helen of Troy,' hanging on the arm of her 'Romeo,' passed +so close to us that the women's costumes touched. She looked +scrutinizingly at the girl with me, and I heard her say to her +companion,-- + +"'That girl is a sphinx.' + +"Then they passed on. Her words startled me, for I had just used the +epithet in my own mind in connection with my partner. I thought of her +as a sphinx because of her silence. But now that some one else called +her a sphinx, I observed that she wore a curious head-dress which +reminded one of the great monument of the Eastern desert. Perhaps, then, +she was but playing the part which she had assumed with her costume. At +all events there seemed to be a mystery worthy of the effort at +penetration. So I hurried out into the air with my little sphinx, and +soon we were walking up one of the snow-white walks. I tried to induce +her to talk, but though she seemed willing to remain in my +companionship, she trembled a good deal but kept as mum as the stone +image to which I now likened her. I was wondering by what device I might +make her talk, when she utterly startled me by crying out: + +"'I wish I dared to tell you everything. Perhaps you might help me.' + +"'Tell me what you will, little one,' said I, 'and I will help you if I +can, and keep your secret besides.' + +"'Oh, there is no secret,' she exclaimed; 'I am not so wicked as that. +But we cannot talk here. Come, I know a place.' + +"I followed her as she hurried me on, more mystified than before. She +tells me 'there is no secret,' and that she is 'not as wicked as that.' +Why need she be wicked, to have a secret? I could not fathom it, but as +I was to know all, even though it were no secret, I was able to await +the telling. Oddly enough, as it seemed to me then, she led me to the +very lovers' nook in which I had found Madame Damien when I purchased +the ruby. Before entering, my little sphinx took the precaution to +extinguish the lanterns at the doorway, so that when we passed inside we +were in gloom as impenetrable as that of one of the passageways in the +pyramids. She seemed familiar with the place, for she took my hand and +led me away to one side, where there was a rustic bench. Here we sat +down, and after a few minutes she began. + +"'You do not know me, of course,' said she. + +"'Why, no,' I replied; 'how should I?' + +"'I was afraid you might have recognized my voice. But then I haven't +spoken much to you, have I?' + +"'No; but now I do recognize your voice at least. It was you who warned +me, here at this very spot, at the last fête. Was it not?' + +"'Yes; I heard the men talking and I was afraid they might hurt--might +hurt some one. Then you came along, and so I told you. I recognized you +to-night because you have the same dress.' + +"I began to suspect that the 'some one' whom she had shielded that night +was not our fair hostess, but rather the man who had been with her. I +was wondering whether it would be wise to ask her this question, or +whether to wait for her to tell her story in her own way, when I was +startled at feeling the softest of hands pressed tightly over my lips, +and to hear a whisper close to my ear. + +"'Don't speak,' she said; 'they are coming--they are coming here.' + +"I strained my ears and at first heard nothing, but love sharpens the +ears I suppose, for presently I did hear footsteps, and then low voices, +growing louder as though approaching, and finally the persons, evidently +a man and woman, actually entered our place of concealment. The +situation was embarrassing, especially as that little hand still rested +over my mouth as though warning me to do nothing. Luckily, the intruders +did not come to our side of the place, but took seats apparently +opposite. They were talking in earnest tones, the woman finishing a +sentence as they came in. + +"'--my mind, whether to release you or not. At all events, I must know +more about this somewhat curious proposition of yours.' + +"I recognized at once the voice of Madame Damien. It was evident, +therefore, that the man was her partner of the dance, and that it was he +who had been with her in this place on the other occasion seemed a +probability. He answered her as follows: + +"'I do not think the proposition is a curious one. I only do what women +always do. Certainly my sex should have the same privileges in an +affair of this character.' + +"'That is a question that philosophers might discuss,' said Madame +Damien, 'but we need not. Whether you have the right or not it is +evident that you choose to exercise it. And what is this right?' + +"'The right to tell you the truth. The right to tell you that I do not +love you, that I have made a terrible blunder.' + +"The little hand over my mouth trembled violently, and slipped away. I +could hear the girl next to me breathing so distinctly that it seemed +odd that the others did not hear also. Perhaps they were too much +occupied with their own affair. + +"'The right to tell me that you do not love me,' repeated Madame; 'but +you have so often told me that you do love me, and you have told me of +your love so eloquently, that now when you come to me and say that you +have made a blunder, naturally I have the right to question you. Here +are two opposite statements. How am I to know which to believe?' + +"'I am telling you the truth, now.' + +"'Perhaps; you may be right. You may know your heart at last, and if +what you say is really true, of course I have no desire to try to keep +what you only supposed to be love, however eloquently you told about it, +however well you played the part. The awkward thing is that to-morrow, +next week, by the new moon perhaps, you may be at my feet again singing +the same old songs, old love songs. You will tell me that what you say +then is truth, but that what you are telling me now is false. How, then, +shall I know what to think?' + +"'What I tell you now is true. I shall not tell you otherwise at any +time in the future.' + +"'Of this you are quite sure?' + +"'Quite sure!' + +"Up to this point the woman had spoken softly, almost with love in her +voice. It sounded like a mother talking with her son who was confessing +a change of heart, or rather a change of sweethearts. Now, suddenly, all +was changed. When she spoke again it was in the voice of rage, almost of +hate. It was the woman spurned; more than that,--it was the woman +jealous of the rival who had replaced her in her lover's heart. + +"'So you are quite sure that you will not make love to me again!' she +cried, with such ferocity that the girl beside me moved closer to me as +though seeking protection; 'you are sure of that? Then you love another. +There is no other test by which you could be so sure. Answer me, is it +true? Is it true, I say? Answer me at once; I want no lies.' + +"'Well, and what if it is true,' said the man, angered by her speech. + +"'What if it is true? You ask me that? Well, I'll answer. If it is true, +then the other girl is welcome to you. She may have you, with your +second-hand love. May she be happy in the love that changes with the +moon. So much for her. But with you. Ah, that must be different. You +wish to be released? Well, you shall pay for your liberty, my fickle +lover; you shall pay!' + +"'I will pay you whatever you demand. What is it?' + +"'So. You value your liberty so much that you promise before you know my +terms! Very well, then. You will bring me to-night, before an hour has +passed, the string of pearls that your mother wore on her wedding-day.' + +"'My God, no! Not that! It is impossible!' + +"'How quickly you make and break promises! Your ideas of honor are as +slim as your notions of love. And why is it impossible to give me the +pearls?' + +"'They are not mine. Anything that is mine I will give. But the pearls +are not mine.' + +"'If not yours whose are they, pray?' + +"'Let me explain. They have been in my family for generations. They were +taken from an idol in Mexico by one of my ancestors who was with Cortez. +He gave them to his bride, and declared that they should descend to the +eldest sons for all time, to be given as a bridal present to their +wives. Moreover he declared that so long as this behest was strictly +followed, no dishonor should come to our house and name.' + +"'What you tell me makes me only more determined to have the pearls. +Your ancestor was a good prophet. You dishonor your house when you offer +me your love and then withdraw from your contract. You asked me to be +your wife, and according to your ancestor's will the pearls should be +my bridal decoration. I could claim them in that manner, did I choose.' + +"'What do you mean?' + +"'I mean to have those pearls. No other woman shall wear them. If the +loss brings dishonor to your house, yours is the fault. But I have +talked long enough. I loathe myself for bartering with you. Now I give +you my command. Bring me those pearls within an hour.' + +"She rose and started to leave the place. The man jumped up and called +after her: + +"'What if I should refuse?' + +"She paused for a moment to reply, and her words reminded me of the hiss +of a serpent. + +"'If you do not obey, when my guests unmask to-night I will announce my +engagement, our engagement, and introduce you as my Romeo.' + +"She laughed mockingly, and hurried away. The man did not wait, but went +out immediately. I felt about for my companion, but she seemed not to be +near me. I took out a match and struck it, only to find myself alone. +Seated nearer to the door than I, she must have slipped out without my +knowledge." + +"Then you did not learn the secret of your sphinx maiden after all," +said Mr. Barnes. + +"Not immediately. But hear the sequel. You may be sure I was near our +hostess when midnight arrived and the moment came to unmask. Madame +Damien herself gave the signal, and then, standing at the end of the +room, she slowly unwound a thread-lace scarf which covered her head and +face, serving in place of a mask, and draped about her shoulders. The +shawl thrown aside revealed her bare neck, around which hung resplendent +the pearls in your hand. Madame made a sensation with her pearls. Though +she owned many jewels of rare price she often wore them, and her guests +were quite familiar with her usual display; but pearls she had never +worn before. And such pearls! What wonder there were whisperings and +guessings! I looked around for the other two actors in the romantic +drama, but neither Romeo nor my sphinx maiden was to be seen. + +"Refreshments were served in several small rooms, and it was from one of +these that presently a cry was heard that startled all of the guests, so +that they rushed back into the main ballroom. There we found Madame +Damien, pale with rage, calling for her servants, who rushed from all +directions. + +"'I have been robbed,' she cried; 'robbed of my pearls! They have been +taken from me within a minute! Let no one leave the house! Close and +lock the doors! No one shall leave this house, until my pearls are +restored!' + +"Imagine the consternation and indignation which this aroused. Madame +was so enraged at the loss, and so wildly determined to recover the +jewels, her jealous fear lest her rival might obtain them so intense, +that she had entirely forgotten all the courtesy and duties of a hostess +to her guests. All that she knew, all that she cared for, was that the +person who had robbed her was still in the house, and she wished to +prevent escape. + +"You may guess the hubbub that followed. Women and men congregated in +groups asking each other what it all meant. Some demanded their wraps +and the opportunity to leave instantly. Others declared that they were +quite willing, nay, anxious, to await the dénouement, which would +certainly prove interesting. 'At least it was well to know who of their +number might be a thief,' etc. + +"In these circumstances, I undertook to relieve the tension and restore +tranquillity. I went up to Madame Damien, and said to her in a low tone: + +"'If you will let me speak to you alone for two minutes I will recover +the lost pearls.' + +"'What do you know? What can you do?' she asked eagerly. 'Come into this +room; we will be alone.' + +"I followed her into an anteroom, and we stood as we talked. She was +laboring under such excitement that it was impossible for her to sit +quietly. + +"'Tell me first just how the pearls were taken, Madame.' + +"'That is the miserable part of it. To think that a thief could take +them from my neck! It is mortifying. All I know is that I was in one of +the refreshment-rooms, standing near the window that opens into the +ballroom. I knew nothing, felt nothing, until like a flash they were +twitched from my neck. I clutched at them, but too late. The thief had +stood in the ballroom, and passed her arm through the window, till she +reached and unlocked the clasp of the necklace. Then with one quick tug, +she had the pearls. I cried out, and the stupid people crowded about me +so that it was a whole minute, a precious minute, before I could get out +into the ballroom. It was empty, of course. The woman had hurried into +one of the small rooms. But she has not left the house and she shall +not, until the pearls are in my possession again.' + +"'You allude to the thief as a woman. How did you discover that, since +from your account you could hardly have seen her?' + +"'No; I saw no one. But I know it was a woman. Never mind how I know. +What, though, if it were--no! no! Impossible. He is not here; besides, +he would not dare.' + +"Of course I understood that she referred to our friend Romeo, and I +might also have thought of him, had I not made sure that he was not +present after the unmasking. + +"'If you did not see the thief, you cannot be sure it was a woman,' I +continued. 'Now, Madame, I have a proposal to make. I will purchase your +pearls.' + +"'You will do nothing of the sort, Mr. Mitchel. You got my ruby, but you +will not get the pearls. Besides, I have not them to deliver, even if I +were willing to sell them to you.' + +"'That is the attractive feature of my proposition. I will pay for the +pearls, their full value, and I will undertake to recover them.' + +"'But I tell you I won't sell them. And besides, how could you recover +them?' + +"'I will tell you nothing in advance, except that I guarantee to recover +them, and that, I imagine, is the main object with you.' + +"'What do you mean? You talk in riddles.' + +"'Listen. I will make my purpose clear to you. You obtained those pearls +to-night, and----' + +"'How do you know that?' + +"'And you obtained them for a purpose,' I went on, ignoring her +interruption. 'You made a man give them to you, because you were +determined that another woman should not have them.' + +"'You are a magician,' she cried in wonder. + +"'You are angry at the loss of the pearls, not so much because of their +value, as because you fear they may be restored to that other woman. You +even think that she herself is the thief.' + +"'You are right; I do think that. What other woman would do such a thing +as to steal a string of pearls from a woman's very person?' + +"'What if I tell you that she is not in the house?' + +"'Ah, then you know her? Who is she? Tell me who she is and you may have +the pearls.' Madame spoke eagerly. + +"'I will only tell you enough to convince you that she is not the thief. +You remember after one of the quadrilles passing a girl and saying, +"That girl is a sphinx"?' + +"'Yes; was she----' + +"'Yes. Now if you search your rooms you will not find her. I know this +because I have looked for her for half an hour.' + +"'If not she, then the thief was some emissary of hers. Those pearls +shall never reach her. Never! never! never! I'll search every person in +this house first.' + +"'And accomplish what? Nothing, except to ruin yourself before the +world. Remember, your guests have rights. Already you have insulted them +by having the doors locked. Come, we are wasting time. Sell me the +pearls, and I will promise you two things. First, I will satisfy your +guests and restore you to their good opinion. Secondly, I will recover +and keep those pearls. Your rival shall never wear them.' + +"'My rival?' + +"'Your rival. Why mince matters? Is it not evident to you that I know +all the details of this affair?' + +"'You are a devil! Have your own way then. Take the pearls at your own +price, and pay for them when you like. All I demand is that you fulfil +your agreement. She must not have them. Good night. I cannot meet my +guests again. Explain things for me, will you?' + +"She was nothing but a woman again--a conquered woman, relying upon the +chivalry of her conqueror. + +"'Trust me,' I replied. 'Lean on me and I will escort you to the +stairway.' + +"All eyes followed us as we crossed the ballroom, and Madame looked ill +enough to evoke pity. At any rate, my explanation was accepted +generously, and Madame was forgiven." + +"I am curious to know," said Mr. Barnes, "how you recovered or expected +to recover those pearls?" + +"It certainly was a unique bargain, to purchase stolen property while +yet in the possession of the thief. I will tell you what I did. After +leaving Madame in the care of her maids at the foot of the stairway, I +returned to the ballroom, and made a little speech. Addressing the +throng that crowded about me, I said: + +"'Friends, I beg that you will forgive Madame Damien's hasty words. She +was overwrought, and spoke irresponsibly. She had just met with a +serious loss under most peculiar circumstances. Imagine her standing at +the refreshment table, while one of her guests intrudes an arm through +the window behind her, unclasps and removes from her neck a string of +pearls worth a fabulous sum of money. Naturally her first thought was to +recover the pearls, and to her distracted mind the only way seemed to be +to demand that no one should leave the house. Of course she now regrets +her words, for no loss can excuse such treatment of guests. But I am +sure you will forgive her, especially the ladies, who will appreciate +her feelings. Now, in regard to the pearls I may state that I have +undertaken to recover them. Fortunately I witnessed the theft, though +from a distance, so that I could not prevent it. But I know who took +the pearls, and who has them. Consequently it is unnecessary to cause +anyone any further annoyance in the matter. To the thief, I will say +that I understand the motive of the theft, and that I am in a position +to promise that that motive can be consummated if the pearls are +returned to me within three days. If they are not returned, it will be +necessary to have the person arrested and imprisoned.'" + +"A bold stroke, and ingenious too," exclaimed Mr. Barnes. "The thief, of +course, could not know whether you saw the act or not, and if a person +of high social position it would be too great a risk not to return the +pearls." + +"So I argued. Of course, had it been a man, he might have taken even +that risk, believing that my threat was a 'bluff,' as we say in poker. +But a woman--a woman would not take such a risk, especially as I +promised that her purpose could still be fulfilled." + +"Now it is my turn to be mystified. Did you not say that your sphinx +maiden was absent? Who else could steal the pearls? What other woman, I +mean?" + +"Why, no other woman, of course. Therefore it followed that my little +mysterious maiden must have been present, which merely means that as +soon as she found that Madame would insist upon having the pearls, she +boldly plotted to recover them. Her first move was to rush off and +change her costume. You see, I was the one she most feared. Others +might know her face, but they would not know her reasons for committing +such an act. I could do that but I could recognize her by her costume +only. Thus I was sure that she was still in the house, though +differently attired." + +"How did your plan result?" + +"Of course she brought me the pearls, though not until the third day. +She delayed action as long as she dared. Then she came to me openly and +confessed everything. It was really a pitiful tale. She was an orphan, +living with an aged aunt. She met the young man, and at once they loved. +After a time she began to suspect that he was not absolutely true to +her, and she followed him to the first masquerade to spy upon him. She +overheard enough that night to make her believe that the young man was +making a dupe of her. Then she also heard the men plotting the robbery, +and feared that he might be hurt. Seeing me she told me enough to +prevent that. Then she went home, and brooded over her sorrow until she +decided to go into a convent. Then came the second fête, and the +temptation once more to watch her fickle swain. This time what she heard +brought her happiness, for did he not give up the other woman for her? +Did he not even yield up his greatest family treasure, the pearls? + +"She decided to recover the pearls, and she had the courage to carry out +her purpose. When compelled through fear of arrest to bring them to me, +she was delighted to know that they would not be restored to Madame +Damien. It was when I told her this, that she drew from her bosom the +pink pearl which is now in the centre of the string, but which does not +belong to the set as they came from the brow of the idol. + +"'There is a story,' said she, 'that these pearls each represent the +price of a maiden's honor; the price of withdrawing from the service of +God's temple. So I will add this pearl to the string, for I had promised +to devote myself to God's work, and now I am going to my lover. This +pearl was worn by my mother, and it is said that her mother also wore +it, and that her blood stained it the color that it is. Her stupid +husband, my grandfather, doubted her wrongfully and stabbed her with a +dagger, so that she died. I think the pearl is worthy of a place among +the others.' + +"I took the pink pearl, agreeing with her that it might better be with +the others. Then, as she turned to go, I asked her: + +"'Why did you choose the costume of the Sphinx for the ball?' + +"Her reply astonished me, as it will you. She said: + +"'Why, I did not represent the Sphinx. I was dressed as Isis.' + +"A strange coincidence, was it not?" + + + + + IX + + A PROMISSORY NOTE + + +Mr. Mitchel walked into the office of Mr. Barnes one afternoon as the +clock struck two. + +"Here I am, Mr. Barnes," said he. "Your note asked me to be here at two, +sharp. If your clock is right, I have answered your summons to the +second." + +"You are punctuality itself, Mr. Mitchel. Sit down. I am in a good +humor. I flatter myself that I have done a clever thing, and we are +going to celebrate. See, there is a cold bottle, and a couple of glasses +waiting your arrival." + +"You have done something clever, you say? Some bright detective work, I +suppose. And you did not honor me this time by consulting me?" + +"Oh, well," said the detective, apologetically, "I should not be always +bothering you with my affairs. It's business with me, and only amusement +with you. When I have a matter of grave importance I like to have your +assistance, of course. But this case, though interesting, very +interesting, in fact, was really quite simple." + +"And you have solved it?" + +"Oh, yes; it is completed. Wound it up at noon to-day; ended happily, +too. Let me fill your glass, and I'll tell you all about it." + +"We will drink to your success. 'All's well that ends well,' you know, +and this case you say is ended?" + +"Oh, yes; the tale is complete down to the word 'finis.' Let me see, +where shall I begin?" + +"Why, at the beginning, of course. Where else?" + +"Sounds like a reasonable suggestion, yet it is not always so easy to +tell just where a story does begin. I often wonder how the romance +writers get their stories started. Does a love story, for example, begin +with the birth of the lovers, with their meeting, with their +love-making, or with their marriage?" + +"I am afraid that love stories too often end with the marriage. If yours +is a love story, perhaps you may as well begin with the meeting of the +lovers. We will take it for granted that they were born." + +"So be it. I will transpose events slightly. Here is a document which +was forwarded to me by mail, and evidently the sender expected me to +receive it before the visit of a man who intended to consult me in a +serious case. Oddly enough, the man called before the package reached +me. Thus I had his story soonest; but perhaps it will be better for you +to read this first, after which you will better comprehend the purpose +of my client." + +Mr. Mitchel took the type-written pages and read as follows: + + "MY DEAR MR. BARNES:-- + + "Within a few hours after reading this statement you will + receive a visit from a man who will introduce himself as + William Odell, which is not his true name, a circumstance + which, however, is of no consequence. He will ask you to + interpose your reputed skill to save him from fate. I am + ready to admit that you have great skill and experience, but + it will be utterly useless for you to interfere in this + matter, for, as I have said, the man is seeking to escape + from a doom which is his fate. Who ever altered what was + fated to be? We may philosophize a little and ask what it is + that we mean, when we speak of 'fate'? My view is that fate, + so called by men, is naught but the logical and necessary + effect of a cause. Thus if the cause exists, the effect must + follow. So it is with this man, whom we will call Odell. The + cause exists, has existed for a number of years. The time + for the effect is now approaching; he knows this; he knows + that it is fate,--that he cannot escape. Yet, with the hope + of a hopeless man, in his last extremity he will ask you to + turn aside, or at least to defer, this fate. This you cannot + do, and that you may understand the utter futility of + wasting your time, which I presume is valuable, I send you + this statement of the facts. Thus comprehending the + incidents precedent to the present situation, you will + appreciate the inevitable nature of the occurrence which + this miserable man seeks with your aid to set aside." + + * * * * * + +"I thought you said this was a simple case, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. +Mitchel, interrupting his reading. + +"I found it so," replied Mr. Barnes, sipping his wine. + +"The writer says that the 'occurrence' was 'inevitable,' yet am I to +understand that you prevented it?" + +"He thought it to be inevitable. I disagreed with him, and prevented +it." + +"I hope you have not been over-confident." + +"There is no danger. Did I not tell you that the affair ended?" + +"So you did. I forgot that. This paper is entertaining. I will read on." + +The statement went on as follows: + + "I was born and reared and spent all my life in Texas. In fact, + you may consider me a cowboy, though it is long since I have + thrown a lariat, and one would hardly count me a boy now. What a + life do we lead down there on the Texas plains! Miles and miles + of country stretching in easy undulations from the rising-place + to the set of the sun. Day after day in the saddle, till one + imagines himself a part of the animal which he bestrides. How + often in play have I dropped a red bandana, and then picked it + from the grass as I galloped my horse by at top speed! + + "One day I was riding along, free from all worldly care, happy, + contented. My horse was going easily, though we had several + miles yet to cover. Glancing carelessly ahead, neither seeking + nor expecting adventure of any kind, I thought I saw, a hundred + yards or more ahead of me, the bright red of a handkerchief in + the grass. A bandana dropped by a cowboy perhaps. With nothing + better to do, I touched my horse's flank, and with instant + response his head was down and we charged the spot. Leaning so + low on one side that I could have touched the ground easily with + my hand, we rapidly neared that bit of color, and I was almost + upon it before I realized that it was something more than a lost + handkerchief,--that it was really a bundle of some sort. Yet in + time I noted this, and therefore exerted enough strength when I + clutched it to lift it firmly from the ground, though the weight + of it astonished me. Swinging myself back upon my horse, I + brought him to a walk, that I might better examine my prize. + Imagine my feelings when I found that the little bundle + contained a thing of life--a baby girl! + + "There is no need to extend this part of my tale. How the child + got there I never learned. Whether it was dropped from a wagon + travelling along the trail, or deposited there purposely by one + of those fiends who accept the pleasures of life and shirk its + responsibilities, I do not know. Indeed, at the time I took but + a passing interest in the affair. I had picked up a baby on the + plains. What of it? How could a cowboy like myself be expected + to evince any great interest in a baby? My father was rich, and + I had always been indulged in all things, though always held + rigidly by what I was taught to consider the rules of honor. I + had had a taste of the big world too, for I had been first at a + military academy, and afterwards had graduated from Harvard. + Then I had gone back to Texas, back to the life on horseback in + the open air, the life that I loved best. So you can understand + that women and babies had not yet come into my mind as necessary + adjuncts to life. + + "The child was given into the care of the very negro mammy who + had practically reared me, my mother having died when I was yet + a boy. Thus it was not until Juanita--I forget how she got the + name, but so she was called--was twelve, that I began to feel + some personal responsibility in relation to her future. My + father meantime had died, and I was master of the old home, the + ranch and all the stock. Thus there was no lack of money to + carry out whatever plan might seem best. I took counsel with + some women of our town, and the end of it was that Juanita was + sent as far north as Atlanta to boarding-school. Here she + remained until she was sixteen, but she never really enjoyed + herself. A child of the plains almost literally, one might say, + living through her earlier girlhood with little if any + restraint, the duties of the school-room were irksome to her, + and she longed to be back in Texas. This yearning grew upon her + so that at length she began to make references to her feelings + in her letters. I had missed her from about the place more than + I should have imagined possible, and the strong inclination was + to grant her wishes and bring her back; but I knew the value of + education, and felt in duty bound to urge her continuance of her + studies. When first she went, it had been arranged that she + should remain in Atlanta studying for eight years, but finally I + offered as a compromise that she might come home at the end of + six, at which time she would have been eighteen. You may guess + my surprise when one morning on my return from a long ride after + the cattle, I saw a horse dashing swiftly towards me, and when + close enough, recognized Juanita on his back. Breathless she + pulled up beside me, and before I could speak cried out: + + "'Now don't say you are going to send me back. Don't say it! + Don't! Don't! Don't! It would break my heart!' + + "What could I do? There she was, exuberant in her happiness, all + the wild energy of her animal spirits aroused by the + exhilaration of that liberty for which she had so long yearned. + Of course I thought a good deal, but I said nothing. + + "'Watch me!' she exclaimed. 'I haven't forgotten how to ride. + See!' + + "Like a flash she was off towards a clump of bushes fifty yards + away. I called after her, fearing that four years of school life + would have left her less of a horsewoman than she imagined. But + she only laughed, and when near the hedge raised her horse with + the skill of an adept and cleared it by a foot. + + "During the next two years the whole tenor of my life was + changed. Juanita went with me everywhere. Like myself she lived + in the saddle, and soon she could throw a lariat or round up a + herd of cattle as well as almost any of my men. + + "What wonder that I learned to love the girl? Philosophers tell + us that two may meet, exchange glances, and love. Madness! That + is admiration, magnetic attraction, passionate desire,--what you + please,--it is not love. Love may spring from such beginning, + but not in an instant, a day, an hour. Too many have been + wrecked by that delusion, wedding while intoxicated with this + momentary delirium, and awaking later to a realization of a + dread future. For what can be worse misery than to be married + and not mated? No, love thrives on what it feeds on. Daily + companionship, hourly contact breeds a habit in a man's life, + creates a need that can but be filled by the presence of the one + who excites such heart longings. Thus we learn to love our horse + or dog, and the possession of the animal satisfies us. So when + we come to love a woman, to love her with that love which once + born never dies, so, too, possession is the only salve, the only + solution. After two years I realized this, and began to think of + marrying my little one. 'Why not?' I asked myself. True, I was + forty, while she was but eighteen. But I was young in heart, + energy, and vitality. And who had a greater right to possess her + than myself? None. Then a dreadful thought came to me. What if + she did not love me in return? My heart turned cold, but I never + dreamed of coercing her. I would tell her my wish, my hope, and + as she should answer so should it be. + + "This was my determination. You will admit that I was honorable. + Having formed my conclusion I sought a favorable moment for its + execution. At this you may wonder. Were we not together daily, + riding side by side, often alone with God and Nature for hours + together? True! But I dreaded a mistake. Should I speak when her + heart was not ready, the answer might blight my life. + + "So I waited day after day, no moment seeming more propitious + than another. Yet when I did speak, it was all so simple, that I + wondered at myself for my long anxiety. We had been riding + together for three or four hours, when, reaching a shaded knoll + in which I knew there was a cold spring where we might refresh + ourselves and our horses, we stopped. As she jumped from her + horse, Juanita stood a moment looking back and forth across the + plains, and then, in full enjoyment of the scene, she exclaimed: + + "'Isn't it all grand! I could live here forever!' + + "My heart leaped, and my tongue moved unbidden: + + "'With me?' I cried. 'With me, Juanita?' + + "'Why, yes; with you, of course. With whom else?' + + "She turned and gazed into my eyes frankly, wondering at my + question, and my hand burned as with a fever as I took hers in + mine, and almost whispered: + + "'But with me, little one, as my own? As my very own? As my + little wife, I mean?' + + "A dainty blush beautified her cheek, but she did not turn away + her eyes as she answered: + + "'Why, yes. As your wife, of course. I have always thought you + meant it should be. Always lately, I mean.' + + "So she had understood before I had known myself. She had been + simply waiting, while I had been worrying. I had but to reach + forth my hand and grasp my happiness. Well, I had been an ass + not to know, but at last the joy was mine. + + "Be sure there was little further delay. The wedding was simple + yet impressive. Cowboys came from miles around, and one and all + they kissed the bride. We had a feast on the grass, the tables + extending a quarter of a mile, and all were welcome. There were + no cards of invitation; all within fifty miles were my + neighbors, and all neighbors were expected at the cowboy's + wedding. The ceremony was held out in the open air, and five + hundred men stood with bared heads as the worthy father gave me + my treasure and declared her mine before God and them. + + "Thus Juanita came to be mine own. First given to me by that + Providence who rules the Universe, when the unguided steps of my + horse carried me to the tiny bundle lying on a boundless plain, + and lastly given to me with her own consent by the worthy man + who united us in the name of the Father of us all. Was she not + mine then, and thenceforward forever? Could any man rightly take + her from me? You shall hear. + + "A year passed. A year of happiness such as poets prate of and + ardent men and maids hope for, but rarely realize. Then the + serpent entered my Eden. The tempter came, in the form of this + man who tells you that his name is Odell, but who lies when he + tells you so. He was from the North, and he had a fine form and + a fair face. Fair, I mean, in the sense that it was attractive + to women. He soon had the few young women of our neighborhood + dangling after him, like captured fish on a blade of palmetto. I + saw all this, and, seeing, had no suspicion that with the chance + to choose from so many who were still unclaimed, he would seek + to win my own dear one. + + "I cannot dwell on this. Indeed, I never knew the details, only + the finale. The blow came as unsuspected as might an earthquake + in a land where tranquillity had reigned for centuries. I had + been away all day, and for once my wife had not ridden with me. + I had myself bidden her remain at home, because of the intense + heat of an August sun. She had begged to go with me, perhaps + fearing to be left alone. But I knew nothing, suspected nothing + of the ache and terror in her heart. When I got back, it was + already dark, and having been away from Juanita all day, I + called for her at once. The empty echoes of my voice coming back + as the only answer to my cry struck my heart with a chill, and a + nameless, hideous dread seized me. Had anything happened? Was + she ill, or dead? Dead it must be, I thought, or she would have + answered. I wandered through the house; I searched the whole + place; I sprang back upon my horse and rode from house to house + throughout that whole awful night. I discovered nothing. No one + could tell me aught. At daybreak I returned fagged out, with a + vague hope that perhaps I had made some blunder and that she was + still at home. At last, in the room where I kept my accounts and + transacted business, I found a note upon my desk which explained + the horrible truth. Here is a copy of it. Note the hideous + braggadocio. It read: + + "'I. O. U. One wife. (Signed) L---- R----.' + + "That you may fully appreciate how this taunt stung, I must + remind you that, as I have said, my father had taught me to + follow most rigidly the rules of honor. In transactions + involving even very great sums of money, it was not uncommon + amongst us cattlemen to acknowledge an indebtedness in this + primitive, informal way,--simply writing upon a slip of paper, + perhaps torn from the edge of a newspaper, 'I. O. U.', giving + the amount, and adding the signature. No dates were really + necessary, though sometimes added, because the possession of the + paper proved the debt, the cancellation by payment always + leading to the destruction of the I. O. U. + + "Thus this heartless young brute from the North had not only + stolen from me my chief treasure, but he had left behind an + acknowledgment of his debt in that form which was most binding + among us. + + "Does it cause you surprise to have me say that I carefully + preserved that bit of paper, and swore to make him meet the + obligation when the day of reckoning might come? This explains + to you that cause, which at the outset I said brings with it a + result which now is, and always has been, inevitable. + + "Of course it is certain that had I been able to find my + betrayer while my anger still raged, and my anguish yet at its + most acute point, I would simply have shot the man on sight, + recklessly, thoughtlessly. But I could not get trace of him, and + so had time to think. + + "Too late I learned that I had made one dreadful error. I have + told you my views of love, how engendered and how nourished. My + mistake was in thinking that such a love is the necessary rather + than merely the possible result of constant companionship + between congenial spirits. In my own heart the fire of true love + burned only too brightly, but with Juanita, poor child, it was + but the glow reflected from my own inward fires that warmed her + heart. She was happy with me, sharing my life, and when I asked + her to marry me, mistook her calm friendship for what she had + heard called love. Love she had never experienced. When later + the younger man devoted himself to her, she was probably first + merely intoxicated by an overpowering animal magnetism, which + was nothing but passion. But even as I have admitted that this + impulsive desire may drift into the truer, nobler quality of + love, so, later, I found, must have been the case with my + cherished one. + + "A full year passed before I had the least idea of the + whereabouts of the elopers. Then one day the mail brought me a + brief, plaintive note from her. All she wrote was, 'Dear one, + forgive me. Juanita.' The date showed that it had been written + on the anniversary of our wedding, and from this I knew that the + day had brought to her remorseful memories of me. But the + envelope bore a postmark, and I knew at last that they were in a + suburb of the great metropolis. + + "I started for New York that very night, bent on vengeance. But + one approaches a revengeful deed in a different spirit a year + after the infliction of the wrong, and so by the time I reached + my destination, my mind had attained a judicial attitude, and my + purpose was tempered by the evident wisdom of investigating + before acting. I had little difficulty in finding the nest to + which my bird had flown, and a happy nest it appeared to be. It + seems like yesterday, and the picture is distinct before my + vision. I came cautiously towards the cottage, which was + surrounded by a grassy lawn, and my heart came into my throat + with a choking sensation as suddenly I saw her there, my little + Juanita, lazily swinging in a hammock under a great elm, + singing! Singing so merrily that I could not doubt that she was, + for the moment at least, happy. So, then, she was happy--happy + with him. The thought affected me in a twofold manner. I + resented her happiness for myself, and gloried in it for her own + sake. I did not venture to interrupt her life by intruding + myself into it. I quietly prosecuted my inquiries, and learned + that she was known as his wife, indeed that a regular marriage + had taken place. Thus at least he gave her the apparent + protection of his name. Moreover, I found that he was still kind + to her, and that the two were counted a happy couple. + + "Therefore I returned to Texas, and never again set eyes upon my + dear one, in life. But before leaving I perfected arrangements + whereby I might receive regular communications, and so be in the + position to know how it fared with Juanita, and I am bound to + admit that the reports were ever favorable. So far as I know, he + always treated her with loving kindness. In exchange for this, + he must count that he has been left undisturbed by me. On that + score, then, we are quits. But the paper on which he wrote that + infamous I. O. U. remained, and so long as it was in my + possession it was an obligation still to be met. + + "Five years elapsed, and then one day suddenly I was summoned by + telegraph. Juanita was ill--was likely to die. I sped North as + fast as the swiftest express train could travel, but I arrived + three hours after her sweet spirit had flown. He did not + recognize me as I mingled with the crowd in the house at the + funeral, and so got a last glimpse of her face. But after the + grave was filled, and the little mound was covered with flowers, + the mound which held all that had stood between him and fate, I + stepped forward and stood where his eyes must meet mine. + + "At first he did not recognize me, but presently he knew me, and + the abject terror that came into his face brought to me the + first sensation of pleasure that I had experienced since that + hour in which I had found my home deserted. I stepped back into + the crowd, and I saw him look about eagerly, and pass his hand + across his eyes, as though brushing aside some horrible vision. + But he was soon to learn that it was no spectral fancy, but + myself with whom he had to deal. + + "I waited till nightfall and then sought him at his house, and + told him my purpose. I showed him that bit of paper on which he + had scrawled the words 'I. O. U. One wife,' and I told him that + in exacting a settlement we would change the letter 'w' to the + letter 'l.' That for my wife, I would expect his life, in + return. I gave him a respite of a few days, but this he will + explain to you. I know this, for twice have I seen him approach + your offices, and then alter his mind and depart without going + in. But his fate is now so near that by to-morrow, at the + latest, he will no longer have the courage to delay. He will go + to you. He will lie to you. He will endeavor to obtain your aid. + Fool! Of what avail? He cannot escape even if you undertake to + assist him. But after reading the truth, as here written, will + you?" + +Mr. Mitchel put down the last page of the statement, and, turning to Mr. +Barnes, he said: + +"And you say you have thwarted this man's purpose?" + +"Yes; absolutely. Of course, that tale of his makes me sympathize with +him, but the law does not grant a man the right to murder even when a +wife is stolen. Certainly not after the lapse of five years." + +"I should think that the author of that document would be a man who +would carefully plan whatever scheme he might have decided upon, and if +you have really thwarted him, then you have been very clever. Very +clever, indeed. How was it?" + +"To explain that," replied Mr. Barnes, "I must begin by telling you of +the visit of this man who calls himself Odell. You will note that the +Texan says that his adversary 'will explain,' etc. Thus he evidently +intended his communication to reach me before the visit of my client. +But it was otherwise. Mr. Odell, as we must call him, came here two days +ago, whereas that communication did not reach me until yesterday +morning." + +"Did this man Odell tell you the same story as that sent to you by the +Texan?" + +"Essentially the same, yet differing materially in some of the details. +He came into my office in a very nervous, excited frame of mind, and +even after I had asked him to be seated and to state his business he +seemed half inclined to go away. However, he finally concluded to +confide his trouble to me, though he began the conversation in a +singular manner. + +"'I hardly know,' said he, 'whether you can help me or not. Your +business is to detect crimes after they have been committed, is it not?' + +"'It is,' said I. + +"'I wonder,' said he, 'whether you could prevent a crime?' + +"'That would depend much upon the circumstances and the nature of the +crime.' + +"'Let us say that a murder was contemplated. Do you think you might be +able to prevent it?' + +"'Do you know who is threatened? Who is the person to be murdered?' + +"'Myself.' + +"'Yourself? Tell me the circumstances which lead you to believe that +such a danger threatens you.' + +"'The circumstances are peculiar. I suppose I must tell you the whole +miserable story. Well, so be it. Some years ago I went into one of the +southern states, it matters not which, and there I met a young girl with +whom I fell madly in love. There is nothing out of the common about the +story except as regards her guardian. I suppose that is what he would be +called. This man was quite a wealthy ranchman, and it seems that he had +found the girl when an infant, on the open plains. He took her home, and +raised her. Of course he grew fond of her, but the fool forgot that he +was twenty years older than herself and fell in love with her. +Consequently I knew that it would be useless to ask his consent to our +marriage, so we eloped.'" + +"That is a different version," interrupted Mr. Mitchel. + +"Very different," said Mr. Barnes. "But when I heard it, it was the only +version known to me. I asked him how long a time had passed since the +elopement, and he replied: + +"'Five years. I married the girl of course, and we have been living +until recently up the Hudson. A month ago she died, and in grief I +followed her body to the grave. The last sod had just been placed on the +mound, when looking up I saw the man, the guardian, let us call him, +standing glaring at me in a threatening manner. I was startled, and as a +moment later he seemingly disappeared, I was inclined to believe that it +had been merely a trick of the mind. This seemed not improbable, for if +the man harbored any ill-will, why had he not sought me out before?' + +"'Perhaps he did not know where to find you,' I suggested. + +"'Yes, he did. I know that, because my wife told me that she wrote to +him once. But it was not imagination, for that same night he came to my +house, and coolly informed me that now that the girl was dead, there was +nothing to delay longer his purpose to take my life.' + +"'He told you this openly?' + +"'He made the announcement as calmly as though he were talking of +slaying one of his steers. I don't know why, for I am not a coward, but +a terrible fear seized me. I seemed to realize that it would be useless +for me to make any resistance; whether he chose to take my life at that +moment or later, it seemed to me that I could and would make no effort +to save myself. In fact, I imagine I felt like a man in a trance, or it +might be in a dream-disturbed sleep wherein, while passing through +dreadful experiences, and wishing that some one might arouse me, yet I +myself was powerless to awaken.' + +"'Perhaps the man had hypnotized you.' + +"'Oh, no. I don't make any such nonsensical claim as that. I was simply +terrified, that is all,--I who have never known fear before. Worse than +all, I have not for an instant since been able to escape from my feeling +of helpless terror. He talked to me in the quietest tone of voice. He +told me that he had known of my whereabouts all the time, and that he +had spared me just so long as the girl was happy; that so long as her +happiness depended upon my living, just so long had he permitted me to +live. Throughout the interview he spoke of my life as though it belonged +to him; just as though, as I said before, I might have been one of his +cattle. It was awful.' + +"'Did he say when or how he would murder you?' + +"'He did worse than that. He did the most diabolical thing that the mind +of man could conceive. He explained to me that he considered me in his +debt, and that the debt could only be cancelled with my life. And then +he had the horrible audacity to ask me to give him a written +acknowledgment to that effect.' + +"'How? I do not understand.' + +"'He drew out a large sheet of paper on which were some written words, +and handed me the paper to read. This is what I saw: "On or before the +thirtieth day from this date I promise to pay my debt to the holder of +this paper."' + +"'How very extraordinary!' + +"'Extraordinary! Nothing like this has ever occurred in all the world. +The man asked me practically to give him a thirty-day note to be paid +with my life. Worse than that, I gave it to him.' + +"'You gave it to him! What do you mean?' + +"'At his dictation I copied those words on a similar sheet that he +furnished, and I signed the hellish document. Don't ask me why I did it. +I don't know, unless in my terror and despair I thought at the moment +only of getting rid of my visitor, and of gaining even the short respite +that here seemed held out to me. At all events I wrote the thing, and he +folded it carefully and put it in his pocket with a satanic smile. Then +he rose to go, but further explained to me that as the note said "on or +before" thirty days, he would feel at liberty to conclude the matter at +his own pleasure. This doubled the horror of the situation. What he said +next, however, seemed to offer a ray of hope, if hope might be sought +under such circumstances. He told me that if I could by any means manage +to live beyond the limitations of the note, he would return the paper to +me to be burned, and in that case I might consider the matter +terminated.' + +"'Why, then, he did give you one chance of living.' + +"'I have tried to make myself think so. But as I have thought it over, +sometimes I imagine that there is merely an added deviltry in +this,--that he held out this hope only to intensify my sufferings; for +total despair might have led me to suicide, thus shortening the period +of my mental agony. If this was his purpose, he succeeded only too well. +A dozen times I have been on the verge of blowing my brains out to +abbreviate the torture, when the thought has come to me that as another +day had passed finding me still alive, so might the remaining ones; that +I might escape after all. So I have lived and entered another day of +torment.' + +"'But why have you allowed this affair to so prey upon your mind?' + +"'Allowed it? How could I have escaped from it? You do not know the +expedients of that fiend. I will tell you a few of the things that have +made it impossible for me to forget. In the first place, every morning I +have received a postal-card on which would appear some figures,--"30 +minus 1 equals 29,"--"30 minus 2 equals 28,"--"30 minus 3 equals 27," +and so on. Can you imagine my feelings this morning when the card was +placed in my hand on which I found "30 minus 28 equals 2"?' + +"'But why have you read these cards?' + +"'Why? Why does the bird go to the snake that devours it? The cards have +exerted a fascination for me. In my mail I would look first to see if +one were there. Finding it, I would read it over and over, though of +course I would know in advance the ghoulish calculation that would be +there. But this is not all. On the third day I was about to smoke a +cigar, when its peculiar shape attracted my attention. I looked at it a +long time stupidly, and then broke it in half. Inside I found a slender +metal tube, which later I discovered was filled with some horribly +explosive preparation. I do not think that any other cigar of that +nature has reached me. But, my suspicions once aroused, I began opening +my cigars, to make sure, and in this manner, of course, they were +rendered useless. Why, I have been suspicious even of cigars offered to +me by some of my best friends. The more cordial the presentation, the +more certain I have felt that the man might be in the plot against me. +So I have been obliged to forego smoking, a great trial, as you may +imagine, in such a condition of mind as I have been in, when a sedative +would have been so acceptable.' + +"'You might have used cigarettes,' suggested the detective. + +"'Cigarettes? It seemed so at first. Of course not those ready-made, but +I might make them for myself. I made one. Just one! I rolled it, using +paper and tobacco that had been in my own room for over a month. When I +applied a match the thing sizzled like a firecracker. Whether or not +some powder had been dropped into my tobacco, I do not know. Undoubtedly +I could have obtained fresh tobacco and fresh paper, and thus have +enjoyed the longed-for smoke. But I tell you I have been unable to +think these things out. I have been as feeble-minded as any imbecile. +For a few days I obtained a little consolation out of liquor, but one +night after taking a drink I thought I noticed a sediment in the bottom +of the glass. I looked at it closer, and there it was. A whitish powder. +Undoubtedly arsenic.' + +"'Why not sugar?' said Mr. Barnes. + +"'I don't know. That never occurred to me. Perhaps it was. At all events +I have not had a drop of anything since, except water. No tea, no +coffee, no liquor that might hide a poison. Only clear water, drawn from +the hydrant with my own hands, into a cup that I carried about my +person, and washed out before every draught. I was determined that he +should not poison me except by poisoning the reservoir. This +necessitated adopting a plan for eating that would be equally safe. So I +have taken to eating at restaurants, a different one for every meal.' + +"'You have allowed yourself to become morbid on this subject. I should +not be surprised if this man really has no intention of committing this +murder, but has taken this means of having revenge, by causing you a +month of mental suffering.' + +"'I hardly think that. He has made several efforts to kill me already.' + +"'In what manner?' + +"'Well, twice, in my own house, I was shot at from without. I heard the +report of a pistol each time, and a ball passed close to me and entered +the wall at my side. After the second attempt I decided to change my +place of abode, and took a room at my club. The room had but one window, +and that opened on the interior court. I was particular that it should +not be exposed to the street. For several days nothing happened; then +one night, just as I was putting out my gas, and consequently standing +by the window, again I heard a pistol shot, and another bullet whistled +past me, all too close. The odd thing was that though I had an immediate +investigation made, it is certain that my enemy was not in the +building.' + +"'In that case, the shot must have come in accidentally. Some one +opposite was probably handling his pistol and carelessly touched the +trigger, causing the explosion. Naturally, when he found that you had +nearly been shot, he chose not to make any explanations.' + +"'However that may be, I thought it best to move again. This time I +found a room in a hotel, where the only ventilation is from a skylight +opening upon the roof. In there at least I have felt safe from intruding +bullets. But I am disturbed by the regularity with which those +postal-cards come to me. The address has always been changed as I have +moved from one place to another.' + +"'Evidently your man keeps an eye upon you.' + +"'Very evidently, though I have never set eyes upon him since his visit +on the night when he made me give him that diabolically conceived +promissory note. Now that is the story. Can you do anything for me?' + +"'Let me see; according to the calculation on the card that reached you +this morning there are still two days of respite?' + +"'Not of respite. There is no respite from my torture till the end +comes, be that what it may. But there are two days remaining of the +thirty.' + +"That was the problem, Mr. Mitchel," said Mr. Barnes, "which I was +called upon to solve. Bearing in mind that I had not yet received the +other man's communication, you will, of course, concede that it was my +duty to endeavor to save this man?" + +"Undoubtedly. It was your duty to save the man under any circumstances. +We should always prevent crime where we can. The question here was +rather _how_ you might be able to accomplish this." + +"How would you have proceeded, had the case been in your care?" + +"Oh, no, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, laughing. "You cannot be allowed +to get my advice after the affair is over. I must come in as principal +or spectator. In this instance I am merely a spectator." + +"Very well. As you please. My plan, I think, was as ingenious as it was +simple. It was evident to me either that we had to deal with a man who +did not intend to kill his victim, in which case any course would save +him; or else the affair might be serious. If the man really was plotting +murder, the affair occupying so long a time was unquestionably +premeditated and thoroughly well planned. Whatever the scheme, it was +equally obvious that we could not hope to fathom it. The blow, if it +should come, would be swift and sure. Consequently but one course lay +before us." + +"And that was?" + +"To remove our man to such a place of safety that the blow, however well +conceived, could not by any possibility reach him." + +"Ah, well argued! And could you find such a place?" + +"Yes. A private room in a safe-deposit vault." + +"Not bad. Not half bad. And you did this?" + +"Without delay. I explained my purpose to the officers of one of these +institutions, and before another hour had passed I had Mr. Odell 'safely +deposited,' where none could reach him except myself." + +"Of course you supplied him with eatables?" + +"Yes, indeed, and liquor and cigars beside. Poor fellow! How he must +have enjoyed his cigars! When I visited him yesterday, on opening the +door of his room he looked like a spectre in a fog. Now I must further +remind you that I put Mr. Odell in this safety-vault before receiving +the letter from the Texan, firmly believing at the time that we were +taking unnecessary precautions. After reading the Texan's story I +altered my mind, becoming convinced that any other course would have +been fatal. Indeed so impressed was I with the determination of this man +to have Mr. Odell's life, that though I had the intended victim +absolutely safe, still I felt it my duty to make assurance doubly sure, +by remaining at the vault myself throughout the rest of the final +twenty-four hours, which terminated at noon to-day." + +"Then you released your prisoner?" + +"I did, and a happier man than he you never saw. He stood out in the +open air and took a long breath as eagerly as a drunkard drinks his +tipple." + +"And then what?" + +"Why, then we separated. He said he would go to his hotel for a good +sleep, for he had little rest in that vault." + +"And that, you think, ends the case?" + +A quizzical tone in Mr. Mitchel's voice attracted Mr. Barnes's keen +sense of hearing, and, slightly disturbed, he said: + +"Why, yes. What do you think?" + +"I think I would like to go to that man's hotel, and I think we cannot +get there too quickly." + +"Why, what do you mean? Explain." + +"I cannot explain. There is no time. Do not waste another minute, but +let us go at once and call on your client." + +Mystified, Mr. Barnes jumped up, and the two men hurried out of the +building and up Broadway. They had only a few blocks to walk, and were +soon in the elevator of the hotel ascending to the top floor where was +that room whose only communication with the outer world was a skylight. +Reaching the door, Mr. Barnes tried the knob, but the door was locked. +He knocked first lightly and then more violently, but there was no +response. + +"It is useless, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel. "We must break in the +door, and I fear we may be too late." + +"Too late?" said Mr. Barnes, wonderingly; but without losing more time +throwing his weight against the door it yielded and flew in. The two men +and the hall-boy entered, and pointing to the floor where lay the body +of a man, Mr. Mitchel said: + +"See! we are too late." + +They lifted the man to the bed, and hastily summoned medical aid, but he +was dead. While the hall-boy was gone to call the doctor, Mr. Barnes +ruefully said: + +"This is incomprehensible to me. After reading that Texan's letter, I +was so assured that however vengeful he might be, still he was an +honorable man, that I felt positive he would keep his word, and that +this man would be safe at the expiration of the note." + +"You were entirely right in your estimate of the Texan's character, Mr. +Barnes. Your fatal error was in regard to the expiration of the note." + +"Why, the thirty days expired at noon to-day." + +"Very true. But you have overlooked the usual three days' grace!" + +"The devil." + +"Just so; the devil,--in this instance the devil being the Texan. +Ordinarily the extra three days is an extension demanded by the maker of +the note, but in this instance it has been utilized by the deviser of +the scheme, who, knowing that his man would be on guard during the +thirty days, misled him by a promise of safety thereafter. But he did +more than that." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Why, how has he accomplished his purpose? How has he killed this man up +here in a locked room, which has no window through which a bullet might +be fired?" + +"I do not know; that is another puzzle to be solved." + +"I have already solved it. The promissory note is the vehicle of his +vengeance,--the means by which the opportunity was obtained, and the +means by which the end has been consummated. You will recall that Odell +told you that the Texan promised that if he should live beyond the +limitation of the note it would be returned so that he might burn it, +and he might then consider the matter terminated. These were very +suggestive words, and have wrought this man ruin. Evidently soon after +he reached this hotel, feeling that at last he had escaped his +threatened doom, an envelope was sent up to him, which contained the +so-called promissory note. It being too dark in here to read, he lighted +his gas. The reception of this paper caused him satisfaction because it +seemed to show that his adversary was keeping faith. It had been +suggested to him that he might 'burn' the note, and so 'terminate' the +affair. Therefore he set fire to the paper, which evidently had been +charged with an explosive substance. The explosion not only stunned if +it did not kill the man, but it extinguished the gas, leaving the jet +open, so that if not destroyed by the explosive he certainly must have +been asphyxiated by the escaping gas. Here on the floor is a bit of the +paper, and we can still see a few of the words which we know were +contained in the promissory note. Then there is the gas turned on, while +it is still daylight without. Am I right?" + +"Unquestionably," said Mr. Barnes. "What a diabolical scheme from +conception to the final act! But suppose that Mr. Odell had not burned +that paper? Then the scheme must have failed." + +"Not at all. You still overlook the three days of grace, of which but a +few hours have yet expired." + + + + + X + + A NOVEL FORGERY + + +Mr. Barnes was wondering whether he would soon have a case which would +require special mental effort in its solution. "Something that will make +me think," was the way he phrased it to himself. The same idea had +occupied him for some time. Not that he had been idle, but his "cases" +had all been of such a nature that with a little supervision it had been +safe to intrust them entirely to his subordinates. Nothing had occurred +to compel his personal investigation. On this morning, however, fate had +something peculiarly attractive for him. His office-boy announced a +visitor, who, when shown into the detective's sanctum, introduced +himself thus: + +"I am Stephen West, cashier of the Fulton National Bank. Is this Mr. +Barnes?" + +"Yes, sir," replied the detective. "Is your business important?" + +"It is very important to me," said Mr. West. "I am interested to the +extent of forty thousand dollars." + +"Forty thousand dollars! Forgery?" Receiving an assenting nod, Mr. +Barnes arose and closed the door of the office after instructing the boy +to prevent his being disturbed. Returning to his seat, he said: "Now +then, Mr. West, tell me the story. All of it, as far as you know it. +Omit no detail, however unimportant it may seem to you." + +"Very good. My bank has been swindled out of forty thousand dollars in +the most mysterious manner. We have received four checks, each for ten +thousand dollars. These were signed with the name John Wood, one of our +best customers. In making up his monthly balance these checks were sent +to his house in the usual order of business. To-day Mr. Wood came to the +bank, and declared them to be forgeries." + +"Were these checks paid by you personally?" + +"Oh, no. We received them through the Clearing-House. They had been +deposited at the Harlem National Bank, and reached us in the routine +way. They were taken on four different days." + +"Who was the depositor at the Harlem Bank?" + +"There is a mystery there. His name is Carl Grasse. Inquiry at the +Harlem Bank shows that he has been a depositor for about a year. He had +a seemingly flourishing business, a beer-garden and concert place. +Recently he sold out and returned to his home in Germany. Before doing +so he drew out his deposits and closed his account." + +"How is it that you did not yourself detect the forgeries? I supposed +you bank people were so expert nowadays that the cashing of a worthless +check would be impossible." + +"Here are the forged checks, and here is one cashed by us since the +accounting, which is genuine. Compare them, and perhaps you will admit +that anyone might have been deceived." + +Mr. Barnes examined the checks very closely, using a lens to assist his +eyes. Presently he laid them down without comment, and said: + +"What do you wish me to do, Mr. West?" + +"To me it seems like a hopeless task, but at least I should like to have +the forger arrested. I will gladly pay five hundred dollars as a +reward." + +Mr. Barnes took up the checks again, examined them most carefully with +the lens, and once more laid them down. He strummed on his desk a moment +and then said suddenly: + +"Mr. West, suppose that I not only arrest the guilty man, but recover +the forty thousand dollars?" + +"You don't mean to say----" began Mr. West, rather astonished. + +"I said 'suppose,'" interrupted Mr. Barnes. + +"Why, in that case," said Mr. West, "I would gladly give a thousand +more." + +"The terms suit me," said the detective. "I'll do my best. Leave these +checks with me, and I'll report to you as promptly as possible. One +moment," as Mr. West was about to depart; "I will make a memorandum of +something you must do yourself." He wrote a few lines on a sheet of +paper and handed it to Mr. West, saying, "Let me have those to-day, if +possible." + +One week later Mr. West received the following note: + + "STEPHEN WEST, Esq.:-- + + "Dear Sir--I have completed my investigation of your case. + Please call at my office at four o'clock. If convenient, you + may as well bring with you a check for fifteen hundred + dollars, made payable to + + "JOHN BARNES." + +"Great heavens!" ejaculated the cashier upon reading the above, "he +tells me to bring fifteen hundred dollars. That means he has recovered +the money. Thank God!" He dropped into his chair, overcome at the sudden +release from the suspense of the previous week, and a few tears trickled +down his cheek as he thought of his wife and little one who would not +now be obliged to give up their pretty little home to make good his +loss. + +Promptly at four he was ushered into the presence of Mr. Barnes. +Impatient to have his hopes confirmed, he exclaimed at once: + +"Am I right? You have succeeded?" + +"Most thoroughly," said the detective. "I have discovered the thief, and +have him in prison. I also have his written confession." + +"But the forty thousand dollars?" + +"All safe and sound. Your bank does not lose a dollar--except the +reward." Mr. Barnes added the last after a pause and with a twinkle of +his eye. + +"Oh, Mr. Barnes, that is a trifle compared to what I expected. But tell +me, how was this trick played on us? Who did it?" + +"Suppose I give you a detailed account of my work in solving the riddle? +I am just in the humor for telling it, and besides you will be more +appreciative." + +"That is just what I should most desire." + +"Very well," began Mr. Barnes. "We will go back to the moment when, +after scrutinizing the checks, I asked what you would give for the +recovery of the money. I asked that because a suspicion had entered my +mind, and I knew that if it should prove to be correct, the arrest of +the criminal and the recovery of the money would be simultaneous. I will +not explain now why that should be a necessary sequence, as you will see +that I was right. But I will tell you what made me entertain the +suspicion. In the first place, as you know, of course, John Wood uses a +private special check. The forgeries were upon blanks which had been +stolen from his check-book. Thus the thief seemingly had access to it. +Next, as is commonly done nowadays, the amount of the check was not only +written, but also punched out, with the additional precaution of +punching a dollar mark before and after the figures. It would seem +therefore almost impossible that any alterations had been made after the +check was originally drawn. Such things have been done, the holes being +filled up with paper pulp, and new ones punched afterwards. But in this +case nothing of the sort had been attempted, nor indeed was any such +procedure necessary, for the checks were not raised from genuine ones, +but had been declared by Wood to be forgeries outright. That is, he +denied the signatures." + +"Certainly. They were declared to be spurious." + +"Exactly. Now that was all that I knew when you were here last except +that the signatures seemed to be very similar. It was possible that they +were tracings. The plain deduction from this was that the forger was +some one in John Wood's establishment; some one who could have access to +the checkbook, to the punch, and also have a chance to copy the +signature, if it was copied." + +"All that is quite clear, but how to proceed?" + +"I instructed you to send me a list of all the checks which had been +paid out on John Wood's account, giving their dates, numbers, and +amounts. I also asked you to procure for me from the Harlem National +Bank a similar list of checks paid on order of Carl Grasse. These two +lists you sent to me, and they have been very useful. As soon as you +left me, and whilst awaiting your lists, I tried some experiments with +the forged checks. First I argued that if the signatures were traced, +having been made, as it were, from a model, it would follow necessarily +that they would exactly coincide if superimposed the one upon the other. +Now whilst a man from habit will write his name very similarly a +thousand times, I doubt if in a million times he would, or could, +exactly reproduce his signature. The test of placing one over the other +and examining with transmitted light satisfied me that they were not +tracings. I compared each check with each of the others, and with the +genuine one which you also left with me. No two were exact counterparts +of one another. Still this did not completely prove that they were not +tracings, for an artistic criminal might have gone so far as to trace +each check from a different model, thus avoiding identity whilst +preserving similarity." + +"Mr. Barnes," said Mr. West, admiringly, "you delight me with your care +in reasoning out your point." + +"Mr. West, in speculating upon circumstantial evidence the most thorough +care must be used, if one would avoid arresting the innocent. Nothing, +to my mind, is stronger proof against a criminal than a complete chain +of circumstantial evidence, but again, nothing is so misleading if at +any stage a mistake, an omission, or a misconstruction be allowed to +occur. In this case, then, as I was starting out to prove what was +merely a suspicion, I determined to be most careful, for indeed I +dislike following up suspicion at any time. A suspicion is a +prejudgment, and may prove a hindrance to correct reasoning. Not +entirely satisfied, therefore, I took the next step. A tracing can be +made in either of two ways: with a lead-pencil, or with a stylus of +glass or agate. The former leaves a deposit of the lead, whilst the +latter makes an indentation upon the paper. In the first case the forger +will attempt to remove the lead with an erasing rubber, but will not +succeed thoroughly, because some of it will be covered by the ink, and +because of the danger of injuring the surface of the paper. In the +latter instance, if he be a very thoughtful man, he might undertake to +remove the indentation by rubbing the opposite side with the end of his +knife or with an ivory paper-cutter. In either case a careful scrutiny +with a strong glass would show the burnishing upon the reverse side. I +could find nothing of the sort. Taking one of the checks I applied a +solution to remove the ink. A thorough examination disclosed that there +was no sign either of the graphite, or of the indentation from the +stylus. In fact, I became satisfied that the signatures had not been +traced." + +"But what did that prove? They might have been imitations made by a +clever penman." + +"They might have been, but I doubted it; and since you ask, I will give +my reasons. In the first place, the signatures were accepted at your +bank not once, but four times. It would be a remarkably clever man to +deceive experts so well. However, I did not abandon this possibility +until further developments showed conclusively to my mind that it would +be a waste of time to follow up that line of research. Had it been +necessary to do so, I should have discovered who in the place had the +opportunity to do the work, and by examining their past I should have +received a hint as to which of these was most likely to be my man. For +any man who could have the ability to commit such a clever forgery must +have acquired it as a sequence of special skill and aptitude with his +pen of which his friends would be cognizant. Once I looked up such a +man, and found that as a boy he had forged his parents' names to excuses +for absences from school. Later he turned to higher things. In this +instance I was satisfied that the only person having the access to +materials, the knowledge of the financial condition of the concern, and +the ability to write the checks, was Mr. John Wood himself." + +"John Wood!" exclaimed the cashier. "Impossible! Why, that would mean +that----" + +"Nothing is impossible, Mr. West. I know what you would say. That it +involved his having an accomplice in this Carl Grasse? Well, that is +what I suspected, and that is why I asked for an additional reward for +the recovery of the funds. If I could prove that John Wood made the +checks himself, they ceased to be forgeries in one sense, and the bank +could rightfully charge the amounts against his account. But let me tell +you why I abandoned your theory that an expert penman was at work. +Observe that though you would have honored a check for forty thousand +dollars drawn by John Wood, yet the forgeries were four in number. That +showed that the man was not afraid of arousing your suspicion. The only +man who could feel absolutely sure upon that point was John Wood. But +there is another pretty point. These checks being spurious, and yet +being numbered, could arouse your suspicion in two ways. If the numbers +upon them greatly varied from those upon genuine checks coming in at the +same time, the fraud would have been detected quickly. On the other +hand, he could not give you correct numbers without being either in +collusion with his bookkeeper or else duplicating the numbering of other +checks. That the latter course was pursued, exempted the bookkeeper. All +the numbers on the forged checks were duplicates of those on genuine +ones." + +"But, Mr. Barnes, that did not arouse our suspicion, because----" + +"Just so," interrupted Mr. Barnes, "but let me tell you why, as the +_why_ is a very significant link in our chain. Your list of this man's +checks helped me there. About a year ago Carl Grasse appeared upon the +scene in Harlem, buying out a beer-garden, and starting an account in +the Harlem National Bank. Now observe that prior to that time, from the +first check sent to you by Wood, the strictest regularity as to +numbering obtained. There is not a break or a skip anywhere. But in +February, the month after Carl Grasse moved to Harlem, there is a +duplication in Wood's checks. Two have the same numbering, but both are +for trifling amounts, sixteen dollars in one instance and forty in the +other. You possibly passed it over. Next month, I find two duplications, +and from then on this apparent mistake happens no less than ten times." + +"Mr. Barnes, the bookkeepers did notice this, and we spoke to Mr. Wood, +but he said it was simply a clerical error of his own due to haste in +business hours." + +"Exactly, but he was paving the way for his big coup. He was disarming +you of suspicion. This one fact satisfied me that I was on the right +track, but your list gave me even better corroboration. On February 1st +I find that Wood cashed a check payable to himself for ten thousand and +fifty-nine dollars. On February 2d, Carl Grasse opened an account with +the Harlem Bank, depositing ten thousand dollars, paying in the amount, +in cash. This might seem but a coincidence, but by looking over the +books of the beer-garden, which is still in existence, Grasse having +sold it out, I find that on February 2d, Grasse paid his employees just +fifty-nine dollars. The difference, you see, between Wood's draft and +Grasse's deposit." + +"It certainly seems to connect the two, when we remember that the final +forgeries were checks signed by Wood in favor of Grasse." + +"Precisely, but follow this a little further. For several months there +is nothing to connect the two so far as their banking goes, but note +that during this lapse Grasse does not draw a single check in favor of +himself, nor does he deposit any checks from others. His transactions +with his customers are strictly cash, and his checks are all to dealers, +who supply him with his stock. None of these are for large amounts, and +his balance does not exceed twelve thousand dollars at any time. On +October 1st he deposited five thousand dollars in cash. On the day +before that, Wood drew that amount out of your bank. On the 12th, this +is repeated by both, and on the 14th, Grasse cashes a check for twelve +thousand dollars, taking cash. This goes through successfully, and the +Harlem Bank is made to see that Grasse commands large amounts and uses +large amounts. This is repeated in varying amounts in November, and +again in December, the bank by this time being quite ready to pay out +money to Grasse. On January 2d, Wood has his check account balanced. On +the 3d, Grasse deposits Wood's check for ten thousand dollars. This goes +through the Clearing-House, and is accepted by your bank. The Harlem +Bank is therefore satisfied of its authenticity. On the 5th, Grasse +deposits check number two, and at the same time cashes a check for ten +thousand dollars. The second spurious check goes through all right, and +on the 10th and 15th, the transactions are repeated. On the 20th, Grasse +explains to the Harlem Bank that he has sold his business, and is going +home to Germany. He closes his account, taking out his money, and +disappears from the scene. You are forty thousand dollars out by a +clever swindle, with nothing to prove your suspicions save a few +coincidences in the banking records of the two men." + +"But assuredly, Mr. Barnes, enough evidence upon which to arrest Mr. +Wood?" + +"To arrest him, yes. But to convict him? That is another affair. Without +conviction you do not recover your money. No, my work was by no means +finished. I first sought to follow Grasse. I did not have far to go. At +the Hamburg-American line I found him booked, but investigation showed +that he never sailed. The ticket which he bought has never been taken +up." + +"Then the accomplice is still in this country?" + +"No; the accomplice is not in this country," said Mr. Barnes, dryly. +"Don't get ahead of the story. At this stage of the game I made some +singular discoveries. I found, for example, that Carl Grasse slept over +his saloon, but that he frequently would be absent all night. I also +learned that when he did sleep there, he would leave about nine o'clock +in the morning for that mysterious realm, 'down-town.' When he slept +elsewhere, he usually reached the saloon at eight, and still went +'down-town' at nine. It was his general custom to get back about five in +the afternoon. Extending my researches in the direction of John Wood, I +learned that he was customarily at his office at ten o'clock, seldom +leaving before four. Moreover, at his apartment the janitor told me that +he frequently slept elsewhere, and that when he passed the night at that +place, he would leave about seven in the morning. Do you follow me?" + +"Do you mean that John Wood and Carl Grasse are one and the same +person?" + +"That idea entered my mind about this time. Up at the saloon I found +some other small evidences that this was a probability. You see, a man +may disguise his personal appearance, but it is difficult for him to +change his habits with his clothing. For example, I found that Mr. Wood +always uses Carter's writing fluid, and Mr. Grasse had the same +predilection, as the empty bottles attest. Moreover, the bottles are of +the same size in both places. Next I observe that both men used the same +make of stub pens. Again note that though Carl Grasse is a German name +and the man was keeping a beer saloon, he was never seen to drink beer +himself. John Wood has the same antipathy to malt. But most singular is +the fact that this man, who so carefully laid his plans, should have +actually bought a check-punching stamp of the same make and style of +figures as that used in the Wood establishment." + +"Perhaps he did that so that he could make the spurious checks up-town +instead of down-town, where he might be discovered." + +"More than likely, but he should have taken it away with him. There is +always some little detail of this kind that even the most skilful +overlooks. He probably thought that the similarity of the instruments +would never be detected, or made to count against him. It is nothing in +itself, but as a link in a chain it mends a break. There was one fact, +however, at wide variance with the theory of the identity of the two +men. Wood is of ordinary build, with black hair and smooth-shaven face. +Grasse is described as very stout, with red hair and whiskers. Of +course, following the theory of impersonation, if Wood transformed +himself into a stout man, totally different clothing would be needed +for the two parts which he played. I found that Wood always dressed in +the finest broadcloth, whilst Grasse wore conspicuous plaids. Supposing +that he wore a red wig and false whiskers, I determined to find the man +from whom he had procured them. I guessed that he would avoid any +well-known place, and I began my hunt in the costumers' shops on Third +Avenue. I went to several without obtaining any clue, when at last +fortune favored me. I found a place where, upon their books, in last +January was a record of 'red wig and whiskers' for the same customer. +Moreover, they had furnished this person with a 'make-up' for a fat +German, giving him the necessary 'pads,' as they are called, a suit of +underwear wadded so as to increase the proportion of the body. Can you +guess what I did next?" + +"I think not." + +"It was an inspiration. I ordered a similar outfit for myself, including +the plaid suit. This morning they were delivered to me, and, dressed in +them, I induced the costumer to go with me to Wood's place. As soon as I +was shown into his presence, I began to talk in a most excited, angry +tone. I said 'Mr. Wood, I come for satisfaction. I am Carl Grasse, the +man you have been personating up-town. I am the man whose name you +forged to the back of your own checks. And this is the costumer who sold +you the disguise. Am I not right?' This last speech I addressed to the +costumer, who, to my intense satisfaction, said, 'Yes, that is the +gentleman; but I did not know he was going to impersonate anybody.'" + +"What happened then?" asked the cashier. + +"Well," said Mr. Barnes, "I had better luck than I had expected, though, +in line with my hopes. You see, my sudden appearance before him, my +words, and my rapid speech, all tended to confuse him. He suddenly heard +himself accused of forging the name of 'Carl Grasse,' and for the moment +thought only of defending himself from that charge. He was utterly taken +back, and stammered out, 'I did not forge anybody's name. The checks had +my own signature, and the endorsement--that was "Carl Grasse." There is +no such person.' Then suddenly seeing that he was making a mistake and +incriminating himself, he exclaimed, 'Who the devil are you?' + +"'I am a detective,' I answered, quickly seizing his arms and putting on +a pair of manacles, 'and I arrest you for swindling the Fulton Bank, +whether your offense be forgery or not.' That settled him. He wilted and +began to cry for mercy. He even offered me money to let him escape. I +delivered him to the Central Office officials, and since then the +Inspector has obtained a voluntary confession from him. Are you +satisfied, Mr. West?" + +"I am more than satisfied. I am amazed. Mr. Barnes, you are a genius." + +"Not at all, Mr. West, I am a detective." + + + + + XI + + A FROSTY MORNING.[A] + + [A] Copyright by Short Story Publishing Company. Republished + from the _Black Cat_, by permission. + + +"Thank heaven, you have come," exclaimed Mr. Van Rawlston, as Mr. +Mitchel entered. "I have a thousand pounds on my mind, and----" + +"Never heard of the disease," interrupted Mr. Mitchel. "If you consider +mind and brain to be synonymous, the locality is popularly supposed to +be inundated with water occasionally--but then, you mentioned a thousand +pounds, and, a pound being a pint, we would have a thousand pints, or +five hundred quarts, and--well, really, your head seems hardly large +enough, so----" + +"I am talking of money," ejaculated Mr. Van Rawlston, sharply; "English +money. Pounds sterling." + +"The deuce you are! Money, eh? Money on the brain! Oh, I've heard of +that. It is a very common disorder." + +"Mitchel, I sent for you to help me. I am up to my ears in a mystery. +I've been in this room nearly all day trying to solve it. I've had your +friend Barnes working on it for several hours, yet we have made no +progress. In despair I thought of you; of your cool, keen, analytical +brain, and I decided that you could discover the truth, if any man can. +But if you are in a jesting humor, why----" + +"A thousand pardons, old friend. That is one pardon for each of your +pounds. But, there, forgive me, and I will be serious. I received your +note late, because I did not reach home until dinner time. You asked me +to call here as soon as possible, and here I am within half an hour of +reading your message. Now, then, about this thousand pounds sterling. +Where are they, or is it, as you are most accustomed to speaking. The +plural or singular verb seems to be a matter of choice with large +amounts." + +"The money is in this room." + +"In this room? You know that, and yet cannot find it?" + +"Therein lies the mystery. I had it in my hands this morning, and within +a few minutes it had vanished." + +"Now, Mr. Van Rawlston, if you are presenting a problem for me to solve, +I beg of you to be minutely accurate in your statements. You say 'had +vanished.' That is manifestly an impossibility. I presume you mean +'seemed to have vanished.'" + +"There was no seeming about it. It was a single bank-note, and I placed +it on this table. Five minutes later it had disappeared." + +"'Disappeared' is a better word, by long odds. It passed out of your +sight, you mean. That I can believe. The question then arises, how was +this disappearance managed. I say managed, which is an intimation of my +belief that the note did not hide itself, but rather that it was hidden. +From this postulate I deduce that two or more persons, besides yourself, +were present at the time of said disappearance of said bank-note. Am I +correct?" + +"You are, but really I can't see how you have guessed that there was +more than one person with me!" + +"It could not be otherwise. Had there been but one person in this room +with you, you would not think, you would know absolutely that he took +the note. That you have a doubt as to the identity of the culprit, shows +that you suspect one of two or more persons." + +"Mitchel, I am delighted that I sent for you. You are exactly the man to +recover this money." + +"What about Barnes? I think you mentioned his name?" + +"Yes. Naturally my first thought was to send for a detective, and I +remembered him in connection with that ruby robbery of yours, which +occurred at my house. He is now following a clue which he considers a +good one, and will report during the evening. But perhaps I should +relate the exact circumstances of this affair. The details are +strikingly curious, I assure you." + +"Now that I know that Barnes is on the scent, I may say that I am eager +for the fray. Nothing would please me better than to succeed where he +fails. Every time I outwit him, it is a feather in my cap, and another +argument in favor of my theory that the professional detective is a much +over-rated genius. Allow me to light a cigar, and make myself +comfortable, in exchange for which privilege I will devote my undivided +attention to your tale of woe." + +Mr. Mitchel drew forth a handsome gold case, which bore his monogram in +diamonds, and selected a choice Havana, which he puffed complacently as +Mr. Van Rawlston proceeded. + +"Some thirty years ago, or more," began Mr. Van Rawlston, "there came +into my office a young Englishman, who introduced himself as Thomas +Eggleston. The object of his visit was curious. He wished to borrow four +thousand dollars upon collateral. Imagine my surprise when the security +offered proved to be an English bank-note for one thousand pounds. It +seemed odd that he should wish to borrow, when he could readily have +exchanged his note for American currency, but he explained that for +sentimental reasons he wished not to part with this note permanently. He +desired to redeem it in the future, and keep it as a memento--the +foundation of the fortune which he hoped to earn in this new land." + +"A singular wish," interposed Mr. Mitchel. + +"Singular indeed. So much so that my interest was keenly aroused. I +agreed to advance the sum demanded without charge. Moreover, I put him +in the way of some good speculations which paved his way to success at +the outset. It was not long before his thousand-pound note was back in +his possession. Since then we have been close friends, and I was not +surprised, when he died a few days ago, to find that I had been named as +executor of his estates. Now I must speak of three other persons. When +Eggleston came to this country he brought with him a sister. A few years +later she married a man named Hetheridge, a worthless scamp, who +supposed he was marrying money, and who soon abandoned his wife when he +learned that she was poor. I think he drank himself to death. Mrs. +Hetheridge did not survive him very long, but she left a little girl, +now grown to womanhood. Alice Hetheridge is one of the persons who was +present when the bank-note disappeared. A second was Arthur Lumley, of +whom I know little, except that he is in love with Alice, and that he +was here to-day. Robert Eggleston was also present. He is the nephew of +the deceased, and proved to be the heir to the bulk of the estate. He +has only been in this country a few months, and has lived in this house +during that time. Now I come to the events of to-day." + +"Kindly be as explicit as possible," said Mr. Mitchel. "Omit no detail, +however trifling." + +"My friend died very unexpectedly," continued Mr. Van Rawlston. "On +Saturday he was well, and on Monday dead. On Wednesday morning, the day +of the funeral, his man of business brought me his client's will. I +learned by it that I was chosen an executor, and I undertook to make its +contents known to the family. I appointed this morning for that purpose, +and when I came, I was surprised to find young Lumley present. Alice +took me aside, and explained that she had invited him, and so I was +silenced. I asked her to bring me a certain box described in the will, +which she did. It was locked, the key having been brought to me with the +will. I took from it a packet which contained a bank-note for a thousand +pounds; the same upon which I had once loaned Eggleston money. There +were also some government bonds, and railroad securities. Having +compared these with the list attached to the will, I then read aloud the +testament of my dear friend. A part of this I will read to you, as +possibly shedding some light upon the situation." + +"One moment," interposed Mr. Mitchel. "You said that the packet taken +from the box contained the bank-note as well as the bonds and other +securities. Are you sure that the note was there?" + +"Oh, yes. I found it first, and placed it on the table in front of me, +while I went through the other papers. When I looked for it again, it +had vanished. I say vanished, though you do not like the word, because +it seems incredible that one would dare to steal in the presence of +three others. But listen to an extract from the will. After bequeathing +all of his property to his nephew, Eggleston inserted this paragraph: + +"'To my dear niece I must explain why she is not named as my heiress. My +father married twice. By his first wife he had a son, William, and by my +own mother, my sister and myself. When he died, my half-brother, +William, was ten years my senior, and had amassed a considerable +fortune, whereas I found myself penniless and dependent upon his bounty. +He was not a generous man, but he presented me a bank-note for a +thousand pounds, and paid my passage to this country. My first impulse, +after my arrival, was to make my way as rapidly as I could, and then to +return to William the identical bank-note which he had given me. For +this reason I used it as collateral, and borrowed money, instead of +changing it for American currency. By the time the note was again in my +possession my brother had given me another proof of his recognition of +our consanguinity, and I decided that it would be churlish to carry out +my intention. Recently William lost his entire fortune in unfortunate +speculations, and the shock killed him. Before he died he gave his son +Robert a letter to me, reminding me that all that I owned had been the +fruit of his bounty, and claiming from me a share of my fortune for his +son. I took Robert into my house, and I am bound to say that I have not +learned to love him. This, however, may be a prejudice, due to the fact +that he had come between me and my wish to make Alice my heiress. It may +be in recognition of the possibility of this prejudice that I feel +compelled to ease my conscience by bequeathing to William's son the +fortune which grew out of William's bounty. The original bank-note, +however, was a free gift to me, and I certainly may dispose of it as I +please. I ask my niece Alice to accept it from me, as all that my +conscience permits me to call my own.'" + +"An interesting and curious statement," commented Mr. Mitchel. "Now tell +me about the vanishment of the note." + +"There is my difficulty. I have so little to tell. After reading the +will, I laid it down, and reached out my hand, intending to give the +bank-note to Alice, whereupon I discovered that it had disappeared." + +"Tell me exactly where each person was seated." + +"We were all at this table, which, you see, is small. I sat at this end, +Alice at my right hand, young Eggleston at my left, and Lumley opposite +to me." + +"So that all three were easily within reach of the bank-note when you +placed it upon the table? That complicates matters. Well, when you +discovered that you could not find the note, who spoke first, and what +comment was made?" + +"I cannot be certain. I was stunned, and the others seemed as much +surprised as I was. I remember that Eggleston asked Alice whether she +had picked it up, adding, 'It is yours, you know.' But she made an +indignant denial. Lumley said nothing, but sat looking at us as though +seeking an explanation. Then I recall that Eggleston made a very +practical suggestion." + +"Ah, what was that?" + +"He laughed as he did so, but what he said was reasonable enough. In +substance it was, that if each person in the room were searched, and the +note not found, it would thus be proven that it had merely been blown +from the table by some draught, in which case a thorough search should +find it." + +"Was his suggestion acted upon?" + +"You may be sure of that. I declined once to allow my guests to be +searched when that fellow Thauret suggested it, at the time of the ruby +robbery. And you will remember that the scoundrel himself had the jewel. +That taught me a lesson. Therefore when Eggleston made his suggestion, I +began with him. The search was thorough, I assure you, but I found +nothing. I had as little success with Lumley, and I even examined my own +pockets, with the vague hope that I might have inadvertently put the +note in one of them. But all my looking was in vain." + +"Might not one of these men have secreted the bank-note elsewhere, and +then have possessed himself of it after your search?" + +"I took care to prevent that. As soon as I had gone through Eggleston, I +unceremoniously bundled him out of the room. I did the same with Lumley, +and neither has been allowed in here since." + +"What about the young lady?" + +"It would be absurd to suspect her. The note was her property. Still she +insisted upon my searching her, and I examined her pocket. Of course, I +found nothing." + +"Ah, you only examined her pocket. Well, under the circumstances, I +suppose that was all you could do. Thus, having sent the three persons +out of the room, you think that the bank-note is still here. A natural +deduction, only I wish that the woman might have been more thoroughly +searched. I suppose you have looked about the room?" + +"I sent for Mr. Barnes, and he and I made a most careful search." + +"What view does he take of the case?" + +Before Mr. Van Rawlston could reply there was a sharp ring at the +door-bell, and a moment later Mr. Barnes himself was ushered in. + +"Speak of the Devil, and his imps appear," said Mr. Mitchel, jocularly. +"Well, Mr. Imp of Satan, what luck? Has your patron assisted you? Have +you had the Devil's own luck, and solved this problem before I fairly +got my wits upon it? You look flushed with victory." + +"I did not know you were to be called in, Mr. Mitchel," replied Mr. +Barnes, "and I am sorry if you shall be disappointed, but really, I +think I can explain this affair. The truth is, it did not strike me as +very complex." + +"Hear that," exclaimed Mr. Mitchel. "Not complex! The sudden vanishing +of a thousand-pound note, before the very eyes, and under the very +noses, as it were, of four persons, not complex! The Devil certainly +has sharpened your wits; eh, Mr. Barnes?" + +"Oh, I don't mind your chaffing. Let me explain why I considered this +case simple. You will agree that the note was either mislaid or stolen?" + +"Logical deduction number one," cried Mr. Mitchel, turning down a finger +of the right hand. + +"It was not mislaid, or we would have found it. Therefore it was +stolen." + +"A doubtful point, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, "but we will give you +the benefit of the doubt, and call it logical deduction number two." He +turned down another finger. + +"If stolen the note was taken by one of three persons," pursued the +detective. + +"He leaves you out of it, Van Rawlston. Well, I suppose I must give you +the benefit of the doubt this time. So there goes L. D. number three." +He dropped another finger. + +"Of these three, one actually owned the note, and another had just heard +of the inheritance of a large fortune. The third, therefore, comes under +suspicion." + +"Illogical deduction number one," said Mr. Mitchel, sharply, as he +turned down a finger of the left hand. + +"Why illogical?" asked the detective. + +"First, people have been known to steal their own goods; second, rich +men are often thieves. Mr. Lumley, being in love with the owner of the +note, was as unlikely to steal it as she was herself." + +"Suppose that he had stolen it before he heard that his sweetheart was +to inherit it?" + +"In that case, of course, he may have desired to return it, and yet not +have had the opportunity." + +"Such was probably the fact. That he stole the note I am reasonably +certain." + +"How did he get it out of this room?" asked Mr. Van Rawlston. + +"He must have hidden it elsewhere than in his pockets," said Mr. Barnes. +"You overlooked the fact, Mr. Van Rawlston, that you cannot thoroughly +search a man in the presence of a lady." + +"Good point," exclaimed Mr. Mitchel. "You have your wits about you +to-day, Mr. Barnes. Now tell us what you have learned in corroboration +of your theory." + +"Lumley is in love with Miss Hetheridge. Up to a few hours ago, he was a +clerk, upon a salary not sufficient to permit him to marry. Curiously +enough, for one would hardly have thought him so foolish, when he left +this house he went direct to his employer and resigned his position. +Next, I traced him to a business agency, where he obtained an option to +purchase a partnership in a good concern, agreeing to pay five thousand +dollars for the same." + +"Five thousand dollars! About one thousand pounds," said Mr. Mitchel, +thoughtfully. + +"The scoundrel!" cried Mr. Van Rawlston. "Undoubtedly he is the thief. I +trust you have arrested him, Mr. Barnes?" + +"No. He left the city by a train leaving the Grand Central an hour ago." + +"Track him, Mr. Barnes. Track him to the end of the earth if necessary. +Spare no money. I'll pay the expense." Mr. Van Rawlston was excited. + +"I do not know his destination," said the detective, "but, fortunately, +the train is a 'local,' and he cannot go far on it. I will do my best to +catch up with him. But no time is to be lost." + +As he hurried out, Mr. Mitchel shouted after him: + +"Luck, and the Devil go with you, Mr. Barnes." Then, turning to Mr. Van +Rawlston, he continued: "After all, shrewd detective though he be, Mr. +Barnes may be on the wrong scent. The note may still be in this house. I +do not like to say in this room, after your thorough search. Still, if +it could be managed, without the knowledge of Eggleston and Miss +Hetheridge, I would like to remain here to-night." + +"You wish to make a search yourself, eh? Very good. I will arrange it. +By the way, I should tell you that there is to be an auction here +to-morrow. Eggleston had arranged a sale of his library before his +sudden death, and as the date was fixed and the catalogues sent to all +possible buyers, we have thought best to allow the sale to proceed. This +being the library, you will see the necessity for settling this mystery +before to-morrow, if possible." + +"A crowd coming here to-morrow? Excellent. Nothing could be better. Rest +easy, Van Rawlston. If Barnes does not recover the bank-note, I will." + +It was already nine o'clock in the evening, and Mr. Van Rawlston decided +to go to his own home. Upon inquiry he learned that Eggleston was not in +the house, and that Miss Hetheridge was in her room. He dismissed the +servant, and locked Mr. Mitchel in the library. Next he went up-stairs +to Miss Hetheridge, told her that he had thought best to lock the +library door, and bade her good-night. Passing out to the street, he +handed the door-key to Mr. Mitchel through the front window. + +Left thus alone in a strange house, Mr. Mitchel dropped into an easy +chair and began to analyze the situation. He did not light the gas, as +that would have betrayed his presence, but the glowing grate-fire shed +light enough for him to see about him. + +Mr. Eggleston had amassed a great collection of books, for the library +was a long room occupying the whole of one side of the house, the +parlors being on the opposite side of the hallway. Windows in front +overlooked the street, and at the back opened upon a small yard. Just +below these back windows extended a shed, the roof of an extension, +which served as a laundry. + +Mr. Mitchel went over in his mind the incidents which had been related +to him, and two of his conclusions are worthy of note here: + +"Barnes argues," thought he, "that Lumley may have taken the bank-note +before he knew that it had been bequeathed to his sweetheart. But the +same holds good with the girl herself, and might well explain her +stealing what was really her own property. That is one point worth +bearing in mind, but the best of all is my scheme for finding the note +itself. Why should I trouble myself with a search which might occupy me +all night, when by waiting I may see the thief take the note from its +present hiding-place, always supposing that it is in this room? +Decidedly, patience is a virtue in this instance, and I have only to +wait." + +A couple of hours later, Mr. Mitchel started up from a slight doze, and +realized that he had been disturbed, though at first he could not tell +by what. + +Then he heard a sound which indicated that someone was fitting a key +into the lock. Perhaps the thief was coming! This thought awakened him +to his full faculties, and he quickly hid among the folds of some heavy +draperies which served upon occasion to divide the room into two +apartments. The door opened, and he heard the stealthy tread of soft +footsteps, though at first the figure of the intruder was hidden from +his view by the draperies which surrounded him. In a few moments his +suspense was at an end. A young woman, of girlish figure, passed by him +and went over to the fireplace. She was in a dainty night-robe, her long +black hair hanging in rich profusion down her back. She leaned against +the mantel, and gazed into the fire without moving, for some minutes, +and then turning suddenly, crossed the room, going directly to one of +the book-shelves. Here she paused, then took down several books which +she placed upon a chair near by. Her back was towards Mr. Mitchel, but +he could see her reach into the recess with her arm, which was bared by +the act, the loose sleeve of her gown falling aside. Then there was a +clicking sound just perceptible to the ear, and Mr. Mitchel muttered to +himself: + +"A secret closet, with a spring catch." + +In another moment, the girl was replacing the books, and, this done, she +hurried from the library, locking the door after her. Mr. Mitchel +emerged from his hiding-place, and, going to the shelf where the girl +had been, removed the books and searched for the spring which would +unlock the secret compartment. It was not easily found, but Mr. Mitchel +was a patient and persistent man, and after nearly an hour discovered +the way of removing a sliding panel, and took an envelope from the +recess behind. Carrying this to the fireplace, he dropped to his knees, +and withdrawing its contents, held in his hand a Bank of England note +for one thousand pounds. He looked at it, smiled, and said in a low +tone: + +"And Mr. Barnes was so certain that he would catch the thief!" Then he +smiled again, replaced the books on the shelf, decided that the large +sofa might serve as a comfortable bed, and so went to sleep. + +He was awakened early, by a sense of cold. Starting up, for a moment +dazed by his unfamiliar surroundings, he gazed first at the gray ashes +of the dead fire in the grate, and then looked towards the windows +thickly covered with frost, and shivered. Remembering where he was, he +threw his arms about, and walked up and down the long room to start his +blood moving, and induce a little warmth. Presently he went to the back +windows and looked at the beautiful frosting, which resembled long fern +leaves. Suddenly he seemed unusually interested, and especially +attracted to one of the panes. He examined this closely, and taking a +note-book from his pocket made a rapid sketch of the pattern on the +glass. Then he raised the sash, looked out upon the shed, and emitted a +low whistle. Next he stepped out through the window, went down on his +hands and knees upon the tinned roof, and looked closely at something +which he saw there. Returning to the room, one would have said that his +next act was the most curious of all. He again opened the secret panel, +and replaced the envelope containing the bank-note. Then he went to the +table where Mr. Van Rawlston claimed that the note had vanished, and he +sat in the chair where Mr. Van Rawlston had been when he read the will. + +Several hours later when Mr. Van Rawlston came in, Mr. Mitchel was +sitting in the same chair looking through a Bible. + +"Well," said Mr. Van Rawlston. "How did you pass the night? Did the +thief pay you a visit?" + +"I think so," replied Mr. Mitchel. + +"Then you know who took the note?" asked Mr. Van Rawlston, eagerly. + +"Perhaps; I do not like to jump to conclusions. This is a magnificent +Bible, Mr. Van Rawlston. Is it in the sale to-day? If so, I think I will +bid on it." + +"Oh, yes; it is to be sold," replied Mr. Van Rawlston, testily. He +thought Mr. Mitchel merely wished to change the subject, and at that +moment he was more interested in bank-notes than in Bibles. He had no +idea that Mr. Mitchel really coveted the Bible. But then he did not know +that Mr. Mitchel collected books as well as gems. He was therefore much +astonished, some hours later, when the auction was in progress, to find +Mr. Mitchel not only bidding on the Bible, but bidding heavily. + +At first the bidding was spiritless, and the price rose slowly until Mr. +Mitchel made an offer of five hundred dollars. After a moment's +hesitation young Eggleston bid fifty dollars more, and it was seen that +the contest was now between him and Mr. Mitchel. Bidding fifty dollars +at a time the price rose to nine hundred dollars, when Eggleston +remarked: + +"I bid nine-fifty," then turned to Mr. Mitchel and added, "This is a +family relic, sir, and I hope you will not raise me again." + +"This is an open sale, I believe," said Mr. Mitchel, bowing coldly. "I +offer a thousand dollars." + +"One thousand and fifty," added Eggleston, quickly. + +At this moment Mr. Barnes entered the room, accompanied by a short, +young man, and Mr. Mitchel's attention seemed attracted away from the +Bible. The auctioneer noticing this, called him by name, and asked if he +wished to bid again. + +"One moment, please," said Mr. Mitchel. "May I look again at the +volume?" + +It was passed to him, and he appeared to scrutinize it closely, started +slightly as though making a discovery, and handed it back, saying: + +"I have made a mistake. I supposed that this was a genuine Soncino, but +I find that it is only a reprint." Then he turned to Eggleston with a +curious smile, and said, "You may have the family relic. I shall not bid +against you." + +The auction over, the crowd dispersed, and when all strangers had +departed, Mr. Mitchel nodded meaningly to Mr. Barnes, and approached +young Eggleston, who was tying up the Bible in paper. Touching him upon +the arm, he said very quietly: + +"Mr. Eggleston, I must ask the officer here to arrest you!" + +Eggleston's hands quivered over the knot, and he seemed too agitated to +speak. The detective realizing that Mr. Mitchel had solved the problem, +quickly stepped closer to Eggleston. + +"What does this mean?" asked Mr. Van Rawlston. + +"Call Miss Hetheridge, and I will explain," said Mr. Mitchel. + +"No, no! Not before her!" cried Eggleston, breaking down completely. "I +confess! I loved Alice, and wished to make it impossible for her to +marry Lumley. The note is here! Here, in the Bible. I stole it, and hid +it there!" With nervous fingers he tore off the wrappings, and rapidly +turning the pages searched for the note. "Heavens! It is not here!" He +looked at Mr. Mitchel inquiringly. + +"No; it is not there. You paid too much for that Bible. Mr. Van +Rawlston, I prefer to have the lady called, if you please." + +Mr. Van Rawlston left the room, and Mr. Mitchel addressed Mr. Barnes. + +"By the way, Barnes, have you abandoned your theory?" + +"I suppose I must now, though I had not up to a moment ago. I found Mr. +Lumley, and accused him of the theft. He would offer no explanation, but +willingly agreed to return with me." + +"We seem to have arrived just in time," said Mr. Lumley, quietly. + +"In the very nick of time, as you shall hear," said Mr. Mitchel. "Ah, +here is Miss Hetheridge. Will you be seated, please, Miss Hetheridge." +He bowed courteously as the young woman sat down, and then proceeded. + +"I did not think that the bank-note had been removed from this room. +Why? Because I argued that the theft and the hiding must have +necessarily occupied but a moment; a chosen moment when the attention of +all three others was attracted away from the table where it lay. The one +chance was that Miss Hetheridge may have hidden it in the folds of her +gown. The men's pockets seemed too inaccessible. I agreed with Mr. +Barnes, that the lady would scarcely steal what was her own, though even +that was possible if she did not know that it was to be hers. For a +similar reason, I did not suspect Mr. Lumley, and thus by elimination +there was but one person left upon whom to fasten suspicion. I supposed +he would return here during the night to recover the bank-note, and I +remained in this room to watch for him." + +At this Miss Hetheridge made a movement of her lips as though about to +speak, but no words escaped, and she shrank back in her chair. + +"During the night," proceeded Mr. Mitchel, "Miss Hetheridge came into +this room, and hid something. After she had left the room, relocking the +door with a duplicate key, I found what she had hidden. It was a one +thousand-pound note." + +There was silence for a moment, then Miss Hetheridge cried out: + +"I can explain!" + +"That is why I sent for you," said Mr. Mitchel. + +"The note was my own," said the girl, speaking rapidly, "but after the +disappearance of the other, I was afraid to have it in my room lest it +be found, and seem to inculpate me. I only received it a few days before +my dear uncle died. He told me that his brother William had sent it as a +present to my mother upon her marriage, but as he had doubted the good +intentions of my father, he had kept the matter a secret. As both my +parents died, he had held the note in trust for me. He did not invest +it, because he thought that his own fortune would be an ample legacy to +leave me. A short time before he died, I passed my twenty-first +birthday, and he gave me the note. That is the whole truth." + +"To which I can testify," interjected Mr. Lumley. "And I may now add +that Miss Hetheridge had not only promised to be my wife, but she +offered me the use of her money to buy the partnership, which to Mr. +Barnes seemed such a suspicious act." + +"I have only to explain then," continued Mr. Mitchel, "how it was that I +decided that Miss Hetheridge was not the thief. This morning I found +heavy frost on the window-panes. Upon one, however, I noticed a +circular, transparent spot, where the pattern of the frosting had been +obliterated. Instantly I comprehended what had occurred. The thief, the +real thief, had come in the night, or rather in the morning, for I know +almost the hour. He stood upon the shed outside, and melted the frost by +breathing upon the pane, with his mouth close to the glass. Thus making +a peep-hole, he must have seen me asleep on the sofa, and so knew that +it would be useless for him to attempt an entrance. As the person who +did this trick stood upon the shed, I had but to measure the distance +from the shed to his peep-hole to be able to guess his height, which I +estimated to be more than six feet. Next, there was some very +interesting evidence in the frost on the tin roof. The marks made by the +man's feet, or his heels rather, for the frost was so light that only +the impressions of the nails in the heels would show. My own made +complete little horseshoe-shaped marks composed of dots. But those of my +predecessor were scarcely more than half a curve, which proved that he +walks on the side of his foot, thus slightly lifting the opposite side +from the ground, or roof, as it was in this instance. This much decided +me that Miss Hetheridge was not the thief, and I returned her bank-note +to the place where she had hidden it. Then I sat at the table where the +will was read, and studied the situation. The easiest way to hide the +note quickly seemed to be to slip it into the Bible which stood on the +table. Therefore I was not surprised when I found the bank-note which I +have here." + +He drew forth the bank-note from his pocket and handed it to Mr. Van +Rawlston, who asked: + +"But why, then, did you try to buy the Bible?" + +"I had no idea of doing so. You forget that I had not seen Mr. Lumley. +He, too, might have been six feet high, and he, too, might have had the +habit of walking on the side of his heel, as I quickly observed that Mr. +Eggleston does. With only one of the men before me I decided to run up +the price of the Bible, knowing that if he were guilty he would bid over +me. Mr. Eggleston followed my lead, and I was almost sure of his guilt, +when he made the remark that he was buying a family relic. It was a +possible truth, and I was obliged to go on bidding, to see how anxious +he was to possess the volume. Then, as I said awhile ago, Mr. Lumley +arrived in the nick of time. One glance at his short stature, and I was +ready to let the Bible go." + +"You said you could almost tell the hour at which this man peeped +through the window," said Mr. Barnes. + +"Ah, I see! You wish me to teach you tricks in your own trade, eh? Well, +frost forms on a window-pane when the thermometer is near or below +thirty-two. On the wall here I found a recording thermometer, which +discloses the fact that at three o'clock this morning the temperature +was as high as forty-five, while at four it was below thirty. Frost +began to form between those hours. At five it was so cold, twenty +degrees, that I awoke. Our man must have come between half-past four and +five. Had he come before then, his peep-hole would have been fully +covered again with frost, whereas it was but thinly iced over, the mere +freezing of the water of the melted frost, there being no design, or +pattern, as there was over every other part of the window-pane. So I may +offer you a new version of an old saw, and say that, 'Frost shows which +way a thief goes.'" + + + + + XII + + A SHADOW OF PROOF + + (_Letter from Mr. Barnes to Mr. Mitchel_) + + +"MY DEAR MR. MITCHEL:-- + +"I am leaving town in connection with a matter of considerable +importance, and am thus compelled to abandon a little mystery unsolved. +It is not a very serious case, yet it presents certain unique features +which I fancy would make it attractive to you. I therefore take the +liberty of relating to you the occurrence as it was told to me by the +person who sought my aid, as well as such steps as have been taken by me +towards its elucidation. I must confess, however, at the outset, that +though I have learned some things, the knowledge thus gained appears to +me to complicate the affair, rather than otherwise. + +"Two days ago a district messenger boy brought me a summons, on scented +paper. The writer was a woman, who explained that she wished to intrust +to me the investigation of 'a great mystery involving the honesty of one +or two of our society leaders.' I was urged to call without loss of +time, and was at the Madison Avenue mansion within an hour. + +"In response to my card, I was shown up to the lady's boudoir, where I +found Mrs. Upton eager to unfold her story, which evidently to her mind +was of paramount consequence. I accepted an invitation to be seated, and +she began at once, assuming a low tone, which was almost a whisper, as +though she imagined that when talking with a detective the utmost +stealth and secrecy were essential. + +"'Mr. Barnes' she began, 'this affair is simply awful. I have been +robbed, and the thief is a woman of my own social status. I am horrified +to discover that one of my set could stoop so low as to steal. And then +the thing itself was such a trifle. A diamond stud, worth two hundred +dollars at the outside valuation. What do you think of it?' + +"Observe that she had told me little enough before asking for an +opinion. She seemed to be a woman of mediocre mental grasp, though +perhaps as bright as most of the butterflies that flit about the +fashionable ballrooms. I decided to treat her as though she were really +very shrewd, and by a little flattery I hoped perhaps to learn more than +she might otherwise be willing to confide to a detective, a class of +beings whom she too evidently looked upon as necessary evils. I answered +her in about these words: + +"'Why, Mrs. Upton' said I,'if you really know the thief, and if, as you +say, she is a society woman and rich, it would seem to be possibly a +case of kleptomania.' + +"'Kleptomania?' she exclaimed. 'Kleptomania? Rubbish! That is the +excuse all rich women give for what I call plain stealing. But your idea +is not new to me. I believe in being perfectly just in these matters. I +would not harm a flea, unless he had bitten me; but when he does bite +me, I kill him. There are no half-way measures that will suit me. No, +Mr. Barnes, there is to be no compromise in this case. I will not +condone theft, even if the thief be respectable and rich. And as for +kleptomania, as I've said before, I've looked that up. I find it is a +sort of insanity. Now there is no insanity in this case. Quite the +contrary, I assure you.' + +"'You are very keen in your perceptions, Mrs. Upton,' I ventured. 'If we +set aside the kleptomania idea, why, then, do you imagine a rich woman +would steal a thing of such little value?' + +"'Spite!' she snapped back without a moment's hesitation. 'Spite, Mr. +Barnes. Let that be your cue. But I must tell you just how this +happened. You see, I hold a somewhat influential position in the society +of "The Daughters of the Revolution," and because I do have some +influence, I am constantly bothered by people who could not become +members rightfully, if their titles were closely scrutinized; so they +undertake to gain their end through me. They grow suddenly attentive, +effusive, gushing. I am their "dearest friend," they think me "so +charming," "so beautiful," "so delightfully cosmopolitan and yet so +exclusive." To hear them talk you would be persuaded that I belong to +both Belgravia and Bohemia in the same moment. But I usually see +through their wiles, and long before they broach the subject I say to +myself, "My dear madame, you want one of our society badges to pin on +your breast; that is what _you_ are after." Then at last comes the note +asking for a "confidential interview," and when I grant it a lot of +documents are shown to me which are meant to uphold the candidate's +claim to membership. But there is always the little flaw, the bar +sinister as it were, which they hope to override through influence; +through my influence, which I may state, they never get.' + +"'Ah, then, this lady, whom you suspect of taking your stud, had hoped +to join your society?' + +"'I cannot answer that with a single word. I cannot say either yes or +no. You see, there are two women.' + +"'Oh, I thought you knew the thief?' + +"'So I do. I know it is one of two women. If I knew exactly which, of +course I should not need your help. But you have interrupted my story. +Where was I?' + +"She evidently thought me an ass. + +"'Oh, yes,' she resumed. 'I was telling you how people bother me to get +into our society. Well, a woman of that kind has been fairly running +after me all winter. She is a Mrs. Merivale. She was born an Ogden, and +some of the Ogden branch are fully entitled to membership. But, +unfortunately for her, she traces back to the brother of the +Revolutionary Ogden, and _her_ ancestor, far from fighting for our +independence, is said to have made quite a tidy fortune by observing a +shrewd neutrality; sometimes crying for England and sometimes the +reverse, according to the company present. Of course, that is not Mrs. +Merivale's fault; it all happened too long ago for her to have had any +influence. But, you see, she is not in the direct line, and we only +recognize the direct line. Heavens! if we did not, who knows where we +would end? No, collateral branches are out of it, so far as our society +is concerned, and I told her so plainly this morning. Of course, you can +see how she might be spiteful about it. It was a great disappointment to +her.' + +"'Then you think this Mrs. Merivale took your stud just to annoy you?' + +"'Dear me; how stupid you are! Did I not tell you there were two women? +The other is Mrs. Ogden Beaumont. You see she clings to the family name. +She also was an Ogden, and in the line. She is a member, and she had +considerable influence in our society at one time. But she lost it by +just such schemes as she is trying to persuade me into. She manoeuvred +till she had two or three of her friends elected, who have even less +claim than her cousin, Mrs. Merivale. Finally, it got so that if she +were to propose a name, the Membership Committee would be suspicious at +once. Now she wants Mrs. Merivale elected, and according to her little +plan I was to be the cat's paw. The scheming of those two women to get +into my good graces has been a source of amusement to me all winter, +and the climax came this morning, when I told them both very frankly +that I had seen through them from the start. Mrs. Merivale was horribly +disappointed, but she behaved like a lady. I must admit that, though she +said some bitter things, things she will be sorry for, I assure you. But +Mrs. Beaumont just lost all control of her temper. She stormed and +raged, and said vile things, all of which had as little effect on me as +a pea-shooter would against the rock of Gibraltar. So the two women went +off, and in less than five minutes I discovered that my diamond stud had +gone with them.' + +"'Gone with them? Of that you are sure?' + +"'Of course I am sure. Do you suppose I would make such a charge without +knowing that I am in the right? Come with me, and I will convince you.' + +"She led the way into a little anteroom next to her boudoir. It was not +more than eight feet square, and not crowded with furniture. The floor +of hardwood, covered by one large silk rug, afforded little opportunity +to lose anything by dropping it. There were four chairs, a small +reading-lounge, a revolving case filled with novels, a handsome +piano-lamp, and a little tea-table with all requisites for making tea. + +"'This is my little den where I retire when I am wearied by people and +things,' continued Mrs. Upton. 'Here I am surrounded by my friends, the +people that our best writers have created. I love my books, and I get as +fond of the characters as though they were all living; more, I think, +because I do not come into actual contact with them. I can admire the +nice people, and the mean ones may be as mean as they like without +affecting me. Well, I was lying here reading when these women were +announced, and as I was too comfortable to get up and dress, I thought I +would have them up and excuse my toilet on the plea of indisposition. +"Indisposed" is always a useful word; indisposed to be bothered by the +visitors, you know,--the nicest of all the white lies. So they came up +here and sat around my lounge and began to bring their all-winter's +scheme to a climax. After awhile, when I saw that the time had arrived +to disillusionize these women, I dismissed my headache and got up to +have a frank talk with them. As I arose my diamond stud dropped from the +collar of my waist which I had opened, and I picked it up and placed it +on that little tea-table. Then we had our little scene. It was as good +as a play. I kept my temper, as a hostess always must, but my guests +were not so self-possessed, and, as I have said, Mrs. Merivale said a +few things, and Mrs. Beaumont a great many more, that would not sound +pretty coming out of a phonograph. Then they left, and I walked to my +window and saw them jump into their carriage, Mrs. Beaumont slamming the +door herself with a bang that must have weakened the hinges. That is +all, except that I immediately remembered my stud and came here for it. +It was gone.' + +"'I suppose, of course, you have searched this room, under the +possibility of its having dropped to the floor?' I inquired. + +"'Yes, indeed,' she answered. 'I had my own maid up, and superintended +the search myself. But I took the precaution to see that nothing should +be removed from the room. I had the door closed, and then we took up the +rug carefully and shook it. Nothing fell from it, and the stud was not +on the floor or elsewhere. You can see yourself that it cannot be a +difficult matter to search this little room thoroughly. It has been done +without success, but if you like you may search again. I assure you that +nothing has been taken from the room. If one of those two women has not +taken that stud, you may count me an idiot.' + +"'You have admitted that your maid was in this room, and that brings +another possibility into the case,' I said. + +"'You mean that Janet might have taken it? Not at all a possibility. In +the first place she is devoted to me, as my people adopted her when she +was but a child, and she has been personally in my service for more than +ten years. No, Janet would not do such a thing, but even if she would, +she could not have done so. I took precautions.' + +"'What precautions?' I asked. + +"'Why, she would need one hand to pick it up, and I not only kept both +of her hands occupied, but I did not permit her to stoop to the floor.' + +"'How could you keep her hands always occupied?' said I. + +"'Why, most of the time she was handling the broom, and that requires +two hands. It was only when she shook the rug and moved the sofa that +her hands were otherwise occupied. I myself did the searching, and I am +absolutely certain that Janet had not the least opportunity to pick up +so much as a pin.' + +"'And you think that one of your friends would do what you would not +attribute to your maid?' + +"'Assuredly. In the first place these women are not friends of mine; +after to-day, I should rather say enemies. Moreover, I would trust Janet +as I would few of my real friends. You see I have not tested all my +friends, and I have tested Janet. She has had temptation enough and +opportunity enough to rob me a thousand times over, were she so +disposed. No, I tell you one of those two women has that diamond stud.' + +"'Would you mind saying which one you are the more inclined to suspect?' +I asked. + +"'Why, that is a hard question. Sometimes I think one, and then again +the other. Mrs. Beaumont showed so much venom that I can see more reason +to suspect her if I decide from motive alone. It is really her scheme to +get her cousin into the society. It is she who feels most thwarted, +because of her lost influence. On the other hand, I cannot remember +seeing her within reach of the tea-table, while Mrs. Merivale was near +it all the time. So Mrs. Merivale had the opportunity, while the +incentive through temper was with Mrs. Beaumont.' + +"This was the little problem which I was asked to solve, and I think +that you will comprehend my meaning when I say that it was intricate +because of its very simplicity. Let me enumerate the facts so as to get +a sort of bird's-eye view of the situation. + +"First, we have two women present when the missing property is placed on +a table accessible to at least one, and possibly to both. Second, a +small room, with floor devoid of cracks, and covered by a rug easily +moved and shaken. Third, only a few pieces of simple furniture in the +room. Fourth, the visitors depart, and the property is missed. Fifth, a +search without discovery, a third possible thief entering upon the +scene. + +"We have apparently but four solutions; either one of the three women +took the stud, or else the alleged loser lies. I omit the possibility +that the stud was merely mislaid or accidentally out of sight in the +room; this, because I personally conducted a search, which was so +systematic as to make it absolutely assured that the stud was not in the +room when I looked for it. + +"Of the four theories, then, I preferred first to consider that one +which the mistress declared to be ridiculous. I insisted upon seeing and +catechising the maid Janet, thereby deepening madame's doubts as to my +ability. After talking with this girl for half an hour, I felt so +convinced of her integrity that I mentally eliminated her from the case. +Next in order we had the two visitors, one of whom, according to Mrs. +Upton, had a motive while the other had the opportunity. The first +postulate always is that the guilty person must have both opportunity +and motive, unless indeed we are dealing with an insane person, when +motive may be eliminated, though frequently the insane are actuated by +quite intelligible motives. Thus we seemed obliged either to discover +that Mrs. Beaumont had an opportunity to obtain possession of the stud, +or else that Mrs. Merivale had a motive, except that the latter may have +simply acted upon the opportunity without motive, in which case we would +be dealing with the kleptomaniac. After due consideration I decided to +call separately upon these two ladies, and went to Mrs. Merivale first. + +"She courteously received me, and as soon as I met her I was pleasantly +impressed by her personality. After five minutes' talk I was certain +that if she took the stud, it was, after all, the act of a kleptomaniac, +and that no petty motive of revenge would have tempted this high-born, +beautiful gentlewoman to descend to theft. She asked me the object of my +call, and looked at me so frankly that there was no chance for +subterfuge. Consequently I openly declared the purpose of my visit. + +"'Madame,' said I, 'I regret very much the embarrassing nature of my +errand. But you visited Mrs. Upton this morning, I believe?' + +"'I did, in company with my cousin, Mrs. Beaumont.' + +"'Did you happen to notice that while you were there she placed a +diamond stud on the tea-table?' + +"'Yes; I remember the circumstance perfectly, because of the impression +which it made upon me.' + +"'Would you mind telling me what that impression was?' + +"'Why, simply that it was very discourteous, or at least very untidy. +When we were shown to her room, she was lying down, with the collar of +her waist open. After a while she arose, the stud dropped to the floor, +and she picked it up and placed it on the little tea-table. I thought +that it would have shown a greater sense of propriety if she had +replaced it and fastened her collar.' + +"'Do you recall whether the stud was still on the table when you left?' + +"'Why, no! How should I? I paid no further attention to it whatever.' +Then as a new idea entered her mind, her eyes flashed, and the color +rose in her cheeks as she said to me sharply: + +"'You cannot mean that Mrs. Upton dares to intimate----' + +"'She intimated nothing,' I hastened to interject. 'Immediately after +your departure the stud was missed, and the most thorough search has +failed to discover it. In these circumstances Mrs. Upton sought my aid, +and I drew from her the details of her morning's experiences.' + +"'I imagine you had little difficulty in drawing forth the details.' She +said this with a sneer, which made me understand how this woman could +say unpleasant things without forgetting her dignity. + +"'I assure you,' I hastened to add, 'Mrs. Upton knows nothing of my +visit here. I have on my own responsibility called with the idea that if +I could obtain an account of your visit from yourself, there might be +some slight difference in the two stories which would show me how to +proceed.' + +"'I know no more than I have told you, and as I am far from being +interested in Mrs. Upton's lost baubles, I must beg you to excuse me +from further discussion of the subject.' + +"I was dismissed. It was courteously done, but done nevertheless. I +could do nothing but take leave. Still I made one venture,-- + +"'I must ask your pardon for intruding, but, as I have said, I thought +you might be able to supply a missing detail. For example, do you recall +whether Mrs. Upton's maid entered the room while you were there?' + +"'I am sorry, Mr. Barnes,' said she in courteous but firm tones, 'but I +must decline to pursue this conversation further.' + +"That was all. I had seen one of the suspected persons, and learned +nothing. Still an interview of this character is bound to leave an +impression, and in this case the impression was very strongly in favor +of Mrs. Merivale. Without irrefutable proof I could not believe that +this dignified, frank woman had stolen the stud. For the time at least I +also dismissed all theories of kleptomania. + +"Thus my attention was directed toward the woman who had a motive, but +was reported to have lacked the opportunity. I called at once upon Mrs. +Beaumont. + +"This lady is of quite a different mould from her cousin. Older by at +least ten years, she is still handsome, her beauty being, however, +physical in character only. She lacks the self-poise and dignity which +renders Mrs. Merivale's beauty so much more attractive. Moreover, she is +voluble, where the other is reserved, a trait which I welcomed as +affording me more opportunity to gain some possible clue to truth. + +"She came into her reception-room where I awaited her, evidently brimful +of curiosity. I had sent in my card, and it seems she had heard of me in +connection with that somewhat famous wager of yours. + +"'Mr. Barnes, the detective, I believe,' she said as she entered. + +"'At your service, Madame,' I replied. 'May I have a few minutes' +conversation with you upon a trifling, yet quite puzzling matter?' + +"'Why, certainly,' said she, 'but don't keep me in suspense. I am +burning with curiosity to know why a detective should call on me.' + +"I thought that this woman might be caught by a sudden attack, and made +the venture. + +"'A diamond stud was stolen from Mrs. Upton this morning, while you were +there!' I said, watching her closely. She did not flinch, but seemed +honestly not to comprehend the suggestiveness of my words. + +"'I do not understand you,' said she. + +"'It is not a serious matter, Madame, but Mrs. Upton placed a diamond +stud on her tea-table while you and Mrs. Merivale were with her, and +missed it a moment after you had left. Therefore----' + +"This was plain enough, and she grasped the truth at a flash. In an +instant she gave me evidence of that temper against which I had been +warned by Mrs. Upton. + +"'You dare to insinuate that I took her miserable little stud? I wish +my husband were at home; I would have you horsewhipped. No, I wouldn't +either. It is not you who suspect me, it is that self-sufficient +she-devil, Mrs. Upton. So she accuses me of being a thief, does she? +Well, mark me well, Mr. Detective, I shall make her pay dearly for +that insult. I have stood enough of that woman's impertinent +superciliousness. This is going too far. If she has a shadow of proof +against me, she can meet me in open court. Do you understand me? Go back +and tell Mrs. Upton, with my compliments, that she must either prove +that I stole her stud, or else I will sue her for libel. I'll let her +see with whom she is fooling.' + +"'Really, Mrs. Beaumont,' said I as soon as I found a chance to speak, +'you have rather gotten ahead of my intentions. I assure you that no +accusation has been made against you.' + +"'Indeed!' said she, scornfully uplifting her nose. 'And pray, then, why +have you called? Certainly Mrs. Upton cannot imagine that I would be +interested in the petty thieving that goes on in her house.' + +"'The point is just this, Madame,' said I. 'The stud was placed on a +tea-table while you were present. Mrs. Merivale has told me that she +remembers this distinctly. When you had left, the stud was missed, and +the most thorough search has been made, not once but twice, without +finding it. Indeed, there is no place in the room where it could have +been lost. According to the story of Mrs. Upton, the affair, trifling as +it is, is a really puzzling problem. But I ventured to hope that either +Mrs. Merivale or yourself might remember some incident which might give +me a clue; such, for example, as the entrance of one of the house +servants.' + +"'That is nothing but a smooth story invented by yourself,' said she, +'in order to pacify my righteous indignation. But you cannot deceive me. +Mrs. Upton has told you that I stole her stud, and you have come here to +endeavor to prove it.' + +"'In justice to Mrs. Upton,' said I, 'I must state, on the contrary, +that she very distinctly told me that you could have had no opportunity +to take the stud, as you were not at any time near enough to the +tea-table to touch it.' + +"'If she told you that, it shows how little observation she has. I don't +at all object to admitting that I had the thing in my hand.' + +"'You had it in your hand!' I exclaimed, surprised. + +"'Yes. It happened in this way, Mrs. Upton received us with her collar +unbuttoned, in the most slovenly fashion. After a while she got up from +the lounge, where she was feigning a headache because too lazy to +arrange her toilet before receiving guests. It was then that the stud +fell to the floor. She picked it up and placed it on the table. When we +were leaving she led the way out of the room, Mrs. Merivale following, +and I leaving the room last. As I passed, I thoughtlessly picked up the +stud and looked at it. I then put it back. I have a vague idea that it +rolled off and fell to the floor, but I can't be sure.' + +"'That is singular,' said I; 'for if it fell to the floor it should have +been found.' + +"'Undoubtedly. Very likely it has been found; I should say, by one of +the servants. You will never induce me to believe that Mrs. Upton took +the trouble to search for that stud without help. She is too lazy by +far.' + +"I thought it best to keep discreetly silent, preferring not to mention +the fact that the maid had been in the room. It being evident to my mind +that this woman would adhere to this story, true or false, I deemed it +prudent to at least appear to believe her. + +"'I am much indebted to you, Madame,' said I. 'You see that, after all, +my visit has led me to the truth, for we know that the stud probably +fell to the floor, and is therefore either still in the room, or else, +as you suggest, one of the servants may have picked it up.' + +"'All that is very well, Mr. Barnes,' said she; 'and you are very clever +in shielding Mrs. Upton. But, as I said before, you do not deceive me. +This matter is more serious than you imagine. That woman has worked +systematically for two years to supplant me in our society, "The +Daughters of the Revolution." Just now she fancies that she has +triumphed over me; but in spite of that, she is jealous of my influence +with the members, and would go to any extreme to injure me socially. She +well knows that I did not take her stud, but she is quite willing to +allow this suspicion to drift out to the world, knowing that it would be +difficult to prove my innocence of a charge so vaguely circulated, and +that there might be some who would turn aside from me because of this +shadow. Now this I shall not permit. If she does not prove her charge, I +shall certainly sue her for libel, and have the whole matter cleared up +in the open tribunal of the law. You may tell her this from me. There +shall be no half-way measures. One thing more before you go. I must call +my maid.' + +"She rang a bell, and a moment later her maid responded, and at her +mistress's orders went upstairs and brought down a jewel-case of large +size. This, Mrs. Beaumont opened, and taking out the contents strewed +them on the table. + +"'There, do you see these?' said she with pride in her voice. 'These are +my jewels. Mrs. Upton perhaps is richer than I am, but I defy her to +show such jewelry as I have. Some of these things are two hundred years +old. Here is a necklace which one of my ancestors wore at the first +inauguration of Washington. Here is another which my grandmother wore at +the coronation of Queen Victoria. Here is an emerald ring, presented to +my own mother by Napoleon. And you see what the others are. Nearly all +have some history which adds to their intrinsic value. And with these in +my possession, to think that that woman would accuse me of stealing a +common little diamond stud! It makes my blood boil. But I have told you +what course I shall pursue, and you may warn Mrs. Upton.' + +"This ended the interview. I had gained some information at least, for I +had learned that Mrs. Beaumont did have the opportunity to take the +stud, but, on the other hand, the motive for such an act seemed less +tenable. She certainly would not take it for its value, and in view of +her own magnificent array of jewels, she would be less likely to imagine +that she was giving Mrs. Upton any great annoyance by the petty theft. +Then, too, her assertion that Mrs. Upton is systematically seeking to +undermine her influence in their society connections, affords a possible +reason for our last theory, that Mrs. Upton lied in declaring that the +stud had been stolen. Thus the matter rests, as I have had no +opportunity to have another interview with Mrs. Upton. If you call on +her, I am sure that you will be well received because of the fact that +she knows all about your outwitting me in that wager matter. Trusting +that you may care to give this little affair some of your time and +attention, and with the belief that you will certainly unravel the +tangle if you do, I am + + "Very sincerely yours, + "JACK BARNES." + + + (_Letter from Mr. Mitchel to Mr. Barnes_) + +"MY DEAR BARNES:-- + +"I read your letter with considerable interest. As you very truly say, +the case was intricate because of its simplicity. As you had followed up +three theories with apparently the result that you were at least +tentatively satisfied that neither held the key to the mystery, it +seemed proper to take up the affair where you had left it, and to +endeavor to learn whether or not Mrs. Upton had lied to you, and still +had the stud in her own possession. For this and other reasons I decided +to adopt your suggestion and call upon Mrs. Upton. I did so, and, as you +surmised, was cordially received. She met me first in her parlor, and I +at once stated to her the object of my visit. + +"'Mrs. Upton,' said I, 'you are perhaps aware that I have a friendly +regard for Mr. Barnes, the detective, ever since the affair of my little +wager. I have received a letter from him this morning in which he states +that an important criminal case compels him suddenly to leave the city; +he has also given me a succinct statement of the few facts in relation +to the loss of your stud, and has asked me to interest myself in the +solution of this little mystery." + +"'And you mean to do it?' she exclaimed, impulsively. 'Why, how +delightful! Of course you will find out all about it. To think that you, +Mr. Mitchel, the man who outwitted Mr. Barnes, will take up my case! I +am honored, I assure you.' + +"I give you her exact words, though her flattery was somewhat +embarrassing. In the course of the conversation she referred to you in +terms which I repeat, though I do not at all share her poor estimate of +your ability. + +"'Of course,' said I, 'I am not a detective, yet I do take a trifling +interest in these little problems, I find it mentally exhilarating to +measure minds, as it were, with these wrong-doers. Thus far I have +generally been successful, which, however, only proves my claim that +those who stoop to crime are not really ever sound mentally, and +consequently, either from too little or from too much care, some slight +detail is overlooked, which, once comprehended by the investigator, +leads unerringly to the criminal.' + +"'Ah, how delightfully you talk!' said she. 'I am so glad you have taken +this up, for, do you know, I rather thought Mr. Barnes a little dull, +not to say stupid. Why, he actually suggested that my maid took the +stud!' + +"Here, I thought, was an opportune moment to follow the method which you +employed with Mrs. Beaumont, and by a sudden, unexpected accusation, to +endeavor to surprise the truth from her. I said: + +"'Oh, Mr. Barnes has given up that idea now, and has almost adopted one +even more startling. He thinks that perhaps you took the stud yourself." + +"I had expected from your estimate of this woman's character, which you +recall was not very flattering to her mental calibre, that if indeed it +were true that she had concocted this little scheme to injure a society +rival, thus taken unawares she would feign great indignation. On the +contrary, she laughed so heartily, and spoke of your theory so lightly +that I was practically convinced that again we were on the wrong scent. +All she said by way of comment was: + +"'Well, if that is the result of his investigation, he is a bigger fool +than I took him to be. It is certain, therefore, that he will never +discover the truth, and so I am doubly glad that he has gone out of +town, and that you have consented to take his place.' + +"'You must not so quickly condemn Mr. Barnes,' said I, feeling bound to +defend you. 'He has really worked in this matter quite systematically, +and this final theory has been reached by exclusion.' + +"'I do not understand,' said she, puzzled. + +"'Well, first he accepted your assurance that the maid Janet was not +guilty because she had no opportunity. Then he called upon Mrs. +Merivale, and from his interview with her judged that she too must be +innocent, a view in which I must concur after reading his report of what +passed. Then he called upon Mrs. Beaumont, and though she admitted, what +you did not yourself observe, that she actually took the stud in her +hand when leaving the room, yet it seems equally certain that she +replaced it, as she says she did. Thus, if the stud is really not in the +room, there apparently could be no other explanation than that you are +misleading us.' + +"'Us? Does that mean that you too held the view that I merely pretend +that the stud was lost?' + +"'My dear Madame,' I replied: 'such an idea, of course, seems +preposterous, but a detective cannot set aside any theory without +thorough investigation. In an analysis of this character the personal +equation must have a secondary place. In this affair it could not help +us at all. Perhaps you will not understand my meaning. But do you not +see that it is just as inconceivable that either of the other ladies +should have stolen this stud of yours, as it is to believe that you +merely pretend that it is lost? From the view-point of the impartial +investigator there can be no choice between these propositions.' + +"'I must say that you are not very flattering,' said she, troubled, as +she realized that social position could not protect her from suspicion +any more than it would the other women. 'Why, I have my enmities, of +course, and I frankly admit that I do not love either Mrs. Merivale or +Mrs. Beaumont, especially not the latter. Still, to concoct such a +scandalous calumny against an innocent woman would be awful. I could not +be so low as that.' + +"'I believe you,' said I, and I did. 'But, on the other hand, would it +not be equally low for these ladies, your social equals, to stoop to +petty theft?' + +"'I suppose you are right,' said she reluctantly; 'but how did the stud +disappear? Don't you see that I had strong evidence against one of them? +It was there when they were in the room, and gone when they had left. +There must be some explanation of that. What can it be?' + +"'Of course,' said I, 'there must be, and there is, an explanation. The +most plausible seems to be the one suggested by Mrs. Beaumont, that it +rolled from the table to the floor when she put it back. It seems +incredible that two searches have failed to discover it, yet it is a +small object, and may be lying now in some crevice which you all have +over-looked.' + +"'I think not,' said she, shaking her head dubiously. 'Suppose you come +up and see for yourself. You won't find any crevices. Why, we have even +run wires along the line where the seat and back of the lounge are +joined. No, the stud is not in that room.' + +"And now, friend Barnes, we come to the finale, for I may as well tell +you at once that I have found the stud,--that, indeed, as soon as I +looked into the room, I suspected that it was within those four walls, +in a place where no one had thought of looking, though, to mystify you a +little more, I may say that it may not have been in the room when you +made your search. + +"I inclose with this a sciagraph, that is to say, a picture taken with +the X-ray. You will observe that the skeleton of a small animal is +discernible surrounded by a faint outline which suggests the form of a +dog. If you understand something of anatomy, look where the stomach of +the dog should be, and you will notice a dark spot. This is the shadow +of the missing stud, which, as Mrs. Beaumont suggested, must have +dropped to the floor. There it evidently attracted the attention of Mrs. +Upton's pet dog, Fidele, who took it into his mouth, with the result +shown in the sciagraph. You will ask how I guessed this at once? In the +first place I had perfect confidence in the thoroughness of your search, +so when I saw the dog in the room, lying on a silk pillow, two pertinent +facts were prominent at once. First, the dog may not have been in the +room when you examined the place, and consequently you could not have +counted him in as a possible place of search. Secondly, he might easily +have been present when the two ladies called, and this was probable +since his mistress was lying down and the dog's sleeping-pillow was near +the head of the lounge. If you noted this, you may not have comprehended +its use; perhaps you took it for one which had slipped from the lounge. +At all events, I do not consider that you have been at all at fault. I +had better luck than you, that is all. + + "Very sincerely yours, + "ROBERT LEROY MITCHEL. + +"P. S.--I do not myself believe in luck. I must also state that Mrs. +Upton has sent letters of apology to the other ladies. The dog, Fidele, +is to undergo an operation to-morrow. One of our most skilful surgeons +has agreed to regain the stud and preserve the life of the pet. A +laparotomy, I believe they, call it.--R. L. M." + + THE END. + + + + + Transcriber's Note: + +On the first page of advertisements, the "^o" represents a +superscripted "o". 16^o is for an abbreviation for sextodecimo, +which refers to the book size (6.75" x 4"). + +Throughout the document, the oe ligature was replaced with "oe". + +Throughout the dialogues, there were words used to mimic accents of the +speakers. Those words were retained as-is. + +Passages in italics were indicated by _underscores_. + +Passages in bold were indicated by =equal signs=. + +Small caps were replaced with ALL CAPS. + +On the title page, a comma was placed after "A CONFLICT OF EVIDENCE". + +On page 95, "but, as. well," was replaced with "but, as well,". + +On page 122, the question mark after "It was +not difficult to discern that a human being had been +cremated" was replaced with a period. + +On page 160, "moment" was replaced with "moments". + +On page 177, "dimunitive" was replaced with "diminutive". + +On page 178, "momnt" was replaced with "moment". + +On page 187, "attacted" was replaced with "attracted". + +On page 191, "in _Herald_ for D.M.," was replaced with "in the _Herald_ +for D.M.,". + +On page 226, a single quotation mark was added after "Why have you done +it?". + +On page 230, "stiring" was replaced with "stirring". + +On page 257, "Livingston" was replaced with "Livingstone". + +On page 274, a single quotation mark was added before "Madame, your life +is in danger." + +On page 319, a double quotation mark was deleted after "remaining of the +thirty.'". + +On page 327, a double quotation mark was added after "I said +'suppose,'". + +On page 329, a quotation mark was added after "will be more +appreciative". + +On page 368, the double quotation mark after "yes," was replaced with a +single quotation mark. + +On page 384, the double quotation mark after "this little +mystery." was replaced with a single quotation mark. + +On page 386, the double quotation mark after "you took the stud +yourself." was replaced with a single quotation mark. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Final Proof, by R. 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Ottolengui + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Final Proof + or the Value of Evidence + +Author: R. Ottolengui + +Release Date: April 18, 2011 [EBook #35902] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FINAL PROOF *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Ernest Schaal, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +book was produced from scanned images of public domain +material from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="blockquote"> +<div class="bbox"> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By</span> RODRIGUES OTTOLENGUI</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="indent"><b>An Artist in Crime.</b> 16°, $1.00; +paper, 50 cts.</p> + +<p class="indent"><b>A Conflict of Evidence.</b> 16°, $1.00; +paper, 50 cts.</p> + +<p class="indent"><b>A Modern Wizard.</b> 16°, $1.00; +paper, 50 cts.</p> + +<p class="indent"><b>The Crime of the Century.</b> 16°, +$1.00; paper, 50 cts.</p> + +<p class="indent"><b>Final Proof, or, the Value of Evidence.</b> +16°, $1.00; paper, 50 cts.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cnobmargin">G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS</p> +<p class="cnotmargin">NEW YORK & LONDON</p> +</div> +</div> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<p class="h1">FINAL PROOF</p> + +<p class="cnomargins">OR</p> + +<p class="h2">THE VALUE OF EVIDENCE</p> + +<p class="center">BY</p> + +<p class="h2">R. OTTOLENGUI</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">author of "an artist in crime," "a conflict of evidence,"<br /> +"the crime of the century," etc.</span></p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS</p> +<p class="cnomargins">NEW YORK AND LONDON</p> +<p class="cnomargins"><span class="cursive">The Knickerbocker Press</span></p> +<p class="cnotmargin">1898</p> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<p class="cnobmargin"><span class="smcap">Copyright</span>, 1898</p> +<p class="cnomargins">BY</p> +<p class="cnomargins">G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS</p> +<p class="cnotmargin">Entered at Stationers' Hall, London</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<p class="center"><span class="cursive">The Knickerbocker Press, New York</span></p> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span> +</p> + +<p class="h2">PREFATORY</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">The</span> first meeting between Mr. Barnes, the detective, +and Robert Leroy Mitchel, the gentleman who +imagines himself to be able to outdo detectives in +their own line of work, was fully set forth in the +narrative entitled <i>An Artist in Crime</i>. Subsequently +the two men occupied themselves with the solution +of a startling murder mystery, the details of which +were recorded in <i>The Crime of the Century</i>. The +present volume contains the history of several cases +which attracted their attention in the interval between +those already given to the world, the first +having occured shortly after the termination of the +events in <i>An Artist in Crime</i>, and the others in the +order here given, so that in a sense these stories are +continuous and interdependent.</p> + +<p class="right">R. O.</p> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span> +</p> + +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2> + +<p class="right">PAGE</p> +<p class="cnobmargin">I</p> +<p class="lnotmargin">The Phœnix of Crime <span class="ralign"><a href="#I">1</a></span></p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">II</p> +<p class="lnotmargin">The Missing Link <span class="ralign"><a href="#II">132</a></span></p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">III</p> +<p class="lnotmargin">The Nameless Man <span class="ralign"><a href="#III">151</a></span></p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">IV</p> +<p class="lnotmargin">The Montezuma Emerald <span class="ralign"><a href="#IV">169</a></span></p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">V</p> +<p class="lnotmargin">A Singular Abduction <span class="ralign"><a href="#V">189</a></span></p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">VI</p> +<p class="lnotmargin">The Aztec Opal <span class="ralign"><a href="#VI">210</a></span></p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">VII</p> +<p class="lnotmargin">The Duplicate Harlequin <span class="ralign"><a href="#VII">230</a></span></p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">VIII</p> +<p class="lnotmargin">The Pearls of Isis <span class="ralign"><a href="#VIII">261</a></span></p> + +<p class="cnobmargin"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">IX</a></p> +<p class="lnotmargin">A Promissory Note <span class="ralign"><a href="#IX">294</a></span></p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">X</p> +<p class="lnotmargin">A Novel Forgery <span class="ralign"><a href="#X">325</a></span></p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">XI</p> +<p class="lnotmargin">A Frosty Morning <span class="ralign"><a href="#XI">341</a></span></p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">XII</p> +<p class="lnotmargin">A Shadow of Proof <span class="ralign"><a href="#XII">365</a></span></p> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<p class="h2">FINAL PROOF</p> + +<p class="cnomargins">OR</p> + +<p class="h2a">THE VALUE OF EVIDENCE</p> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span> +</p> + +<h2><a name="I" id="I"></a>FINAL PROOF</h2> + +<h2>I</h2> + +<p class="h2a">THE PHŒNIX OF CRIME</p> + +<p class="h2">I</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">Mr. Mitchel</span> was still at breakfast one morning, +when the card of Mr. Barnes was brought to him by +his man Williams.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Show Mr. Barnes in here," said he. "I imagine +that he must be in a hurry to see me, else he would +not call so early."</p> + +<p class="indent">A few minutes later the detective entered, saying:</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is very kind of you to let me come in without +waiting. I hope that I am not intruding."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not at all. As to being kind, why I am kind +to myself. I knew you must have something interesting +on hand to bring you around so early, and +I am proportionately curious; at the same time I +hate to go without my coffee, and I do not like to +drink it too fast, especially good coffee, and this is +good, I assure you. Draw up and have a cup, for +I observe that you came off in such a hurry this +morning that you did not get any."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> +"Why, thank you, I will take some, but how do +you know that I came off in a hurry and had no +coffee at home? It seems to me that if you can +tell that, you are becoming as clever as the famous +Sherlock Holmes."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, no, indeed! You and I can hardly expect +to be as shrewd as the detectives of romance. +As to my guessing that you have had no coffee, that +is not very troublesome. I notice three drops of +milk on your coat, and one on your shoe, from +which I deduce, first, that you have had no coffee, +for a man who has his coffee in the morning is +not apt to drink a glass of milk besides. Second, +you must have left home in a hurry, or you would +have had that coffee. Third, you took your glass +of milk at the ferry-house of the Staten Island boat, +probably finding that you had a minute to spare; +this is evident because the milk spots on the tails of +your frock-coat and on your shoe show that you +were standing when you drank, and leaned over +to avoid dripping the fluid on your clothes. Had +you been seated, the coat tails would have been +spread apart, and drippings would have fallen on +your trousers. The fact that in spite of your precautions +the accident did occur, and yet escaped +your notice, is further proof, not only of your hurry, +but also that your mind was abstracted,—absorbed +no doubt with the difficult problem about which you +have come to talk with me. How is my guess?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Correct in every detail. Sherlock Holmes could +have done no better. But we will drop him and get +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> +down to my case, which, I assure you, is more astounding +than any, either in fact or fiction, that has +come to my knowledge."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Go ahead! Your opening argument promises a +good play. Proceed without further waste of words."</p> + +<p class="indent">"First, then, let me ask you, have you read the +morning's papers?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Just glanced through the death reports, but had +gotten no further when you came in."</p> + +<p class="indent">"There is one death report, then, that has escaped +your attention, probably because the notice of it +occupies three columns. It is another metropolitan +mystery. Shall I read it to you? I glanced through +it in bed this morning and found it so absorbing +that, as you guessed, I hurried over here to discuss +it with you, not stopping to get my breakfast."</p> + +<p class="indent">"In that case you might better attack an egg or +two, and let me read the article myself."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Mitchel took the paper from Mr. Barnes, who +pointed out to him the article in question, which, +under appropriate sensational headlines, read as +follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="indent">"The account of a most astounding mystery is reported +to-day for the first time, though the body of +the deceased, now thought to have been murdered, +was taken from the East River several days ago. +The facts are as follows. On Tuesday last, at about +six o'clock in the morning, several boys were enjoying +an early swim in the river near Eighty-fifth +Street, when one who had made a deep dive, on +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> +reaching the surface scrambled out of the water, +evidently terrified. His companions crowded about +him asking what he had seen, and to them he declared +that there was a 'drownded man down there.' +This caused the boys to lose all further desire to go +into the water, and while they hastily scrambled into +their clothes they discussed the situation, finally deciding +that the proper course would be to notify the +police, one boy, however, wiser than the others, +declaring that he 'washed his hands of the affair' if +they should do so, because he was not 'going to be +held as no witness.' In true American fashion, +nevertheless, the majority ruled, and in a body the +boys marched to the station-house and reported +their discovery. Detectives were sent to investigate, +and after dragging the locality for half an hour +the body of a man was drawn out of the water. The +corpse was taken to the Morgue, and the customary +red tape was slowly unwound. At first the police +thought that it was a case of accidental drowning, +no marks of violence having been found on the body, +which had evidently been in the water but a few +hours. Thus no special report of the case was made +in the press. Circumstances have developed at the +autopsy, however, which make it probable that New +Yorkers are to be treated to another of the wonderful +mysteries which occur all too frequently in the +metropolis. The first point of significance is the +fact, on which all the surgeons agree, that the man +was dead when placed in the water. Secondly, the +doctors claim that he died of disease, and not from +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> +any cause which would point to a crime. This conclusion +seems highly improbable, for who would +throw into the water the body of one who had died +naturally, and with what object could such a singular +course have been pursued? Indeed this claim of +the doctors is so preposterous that a second examination +of the body has been ordered, and will occur +to-day, when several of our most prominent surgeons +will be present. The third, and by far the most +extraordinary circumstance, is the alleged identification +of the corpse. It seems that one of the surgeons +officiating at the first autopsy was attracted +by a peculiar mark upon the face of the corpse. At +first it was thought that this was merely a bruise +caused by something striking the body while in the +water, but a closer examination proved it to be a +skin disease known as 'lichen.' It appears that +there are several varieties of this disease, some of +which are quite well known. That found on the +face of the corpse, however, is a very rare form, only +two other cases having been recorded in this country. +This is a fact of the highest importance in relation +to the events which have followed. Not unnaturally, +the doctors became greatly interested. One of +these, Dr. Elliot, the young surgeon who first examined +it closely, having never seen any examples +of lichen before, spoke of it that evening at a meeting +of his medical society. Having looked up the +literature relating to the disease in the interval, he +was enabled to give the technical name of this very +rare form of the disease. At this, another physician +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +present arose, and declared that it seemed to him a +most extraordinary coincidence that this case had +been reported, for he himself had recently treated +an exactly similar condition for a patient who had +finally died, his death having occurred within a +week. A lengthy and of course very technical +discussion ensued, with the result that Dr. Mortimer, +the physician who had treated the case of the +patient who had so recently died, arranged with Dr. +Elliot to go with him on the following day and +examine the body at the Morgue. This he did, +and, to the great amazement of his colleague, he +then declared, that the body before him was none +other than that of his own patient, supposed to have +been buried. When the authorities learned of this, +they summoned the family of the deceased, two +brothers and the widow. All of these persons +viewed the corpse separately, and each declared +most emphatically that it was the body of the man +whose funeral they had followed. Under ordinary +circumstances, so complete an identification of a +body would leave no room for doubt, but what is to +be thought when we are informed by the family and +friends of the deceased that the corpse had been +cremated? That the mourners had seen the coffin +containing the body placed in the furnace, and had +waited patiently during the incineration? And +that later the ashes of the dear departed had been +delivered to them, to be finally deposited in an urn +in the family vault, where it still is with contents +undisturbed? It does not lessen the mystery to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> +know that the body in the Morgue (or the ashes at +the cemetery) represents all that is left of one of our +most esteemed citizens, Mr. Rufus Quadrant, a +gentleman who in life enjoyed that share of wealth +which made it possible for him to connect his name +with so many charities; a gentleman whose family +in the past and in the present has ever been and +still is above the breath of suspicion. Evidently +there is a mystery that will try the skill of our very +best detectives."</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"That last line reads like a challenge to the +gentlemen of your profession," said Mr. Mitchel to +Mr. Barnes as he put down the paper.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I needed no such spur to urge me to undertake +to unravel this case, which certainly has most astonishing +features."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Suppose we enumerate the important data and +discover what reliable deduction may be made +therefrom."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is what I have done a dozen times, with +no very satisfactory result. First, we learn that +a man is found in the river upon whose face there +is a curious distinguishing mark in the form of +one of the rarest of skin diseases. Second, a man +has recently died who was similarly afflicted. The +attending physician declares upon examination that +the body taken from the river is the body of his +patient. Third, the family agree that this identification +is correct. Fourth, this second dead man +was cremated. Query, how can a man's body be +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +cremated, and then be found whole in the river +subsequently? No such thing has been related in +fact or fiction since the beginning of the world."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not so fast, Mr. Barnes. What of the Phœnix?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, the living young Phœnix arose from the +ashes of his dead ancestor. But here we have seemingly +a dead body re-forming from its own ashes, the +ashes meanwhile remaining intact and unaltered. +A manifest impossibility."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah; then we arrive at our first reliable deduction, +Mr. Barnes."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Which is?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Which is that, despite the doctors, we have two +bodies to deal with. The ashes in the vault represent one, +while the body at the Morgue is another."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course. So much is apparent, but you say +the body at the Morgue is another, and I ask you, +which other?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That we must learn. As you appear to be +seeking my views in this case I will give them to +you, though of course I have nothing but this newspaper +account, which may be inaccurate. Having +concluded beyond all question that there are two +bodies in this case, our first effort must be to determine +which is which. That is to say, we must discover +whether this man, Rufus Quadrant, was really +cremated, which certainly ought to be the case, or +whether, by some means, another body has been +exchanged for his, by accident or by design, and if +so, whose body that was."</p> + +<p class="indent">"<i>If</i> it turns out that the body at the Morgue is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> +really that of Mr. Quadrant, then, of course, as +you say, some other man's body was cremated, +and——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why may it not have been a woman's?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are right, and that only makes the point +to which I was about to call your attention more +forcible. If an unknown body has been incinerated, +how can we ever identify it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I do not know. But we have not arrived at +that bridge yet. The first step is to reach a final +conclusion in regard to the body at the Morgue. +There are several things to be inquired into, there."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I wish you would enumerate them."</p> + +<p class="indent">"With pleasure. First, the autopsy is said to +have shown that the man died a natural death, that +is, that disease, and not one of his fellow-beings, +killed him. What disease was this, and was it the +same as that which caused the death of Mr. Quadrant? +If the coroner's physicians declared what +disease killed the man, and named the same as that +which carried off Mr. Quadrant, remembering that +the body before them was unknown, we would have +a strong corroboration of the alleged identification."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very true. That will be easily learned."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Next, as to this lichen. I should think it important +to know more of that. Is it because the two +cases are examples of the same rare variety of the +disease, or was there something so distinct about +the location and area or shape of the diseased surface, +that the doctor could not possibly be mistaken?—for +doctors do make mistakes, you know."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +"Yes, just as detectives do," said Mr. Barnes, +smiling, as he made notes of Mr. Mitchel's suggestions.</p> + +<p class="indent">"If you learn that the cause of death was the +same, and that the lichen was not merely similar but +identical, I should think that there could be little +reason for longer doubting the identification. But +if not fully satisfied by your inquiries along these +lines, then it might be well to see the family of Mr. +Quadrant, and inquire whether they too depend +upon this lichen as the only means of identification, +or whether, entirely aside from that diseased spot, +they would be able to swear that the body at the +Morgue is their relative. You would have in connection +with this inquiry an opportunity to ask +many discreet questions which might be of assistance +to you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"All of this is in relation to establishing beyond a +doubt the identity of the body at the Morgue, and +of course the work to that end will practically be +simple. In my own mind I have no doubt that the +body of Mr. Quadrant is the one found in the water. +Of course, as you suggest, it will be as well to know +this rather than merely to think it. But once knowing +it, what then of the body which is now ashes?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"We must identify that also."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Identify ashes!" exclaimed Mr. Barnes. "Not +an easy task."</p> + +<p class="indent">"If all tasks were easy, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. +Mitchel, "we should have little need of talent such +as yours. Suppose you follow my advice, provided +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +you intend to accept it, as far as I have indicated, +and then report to me the results."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I will do so with pleasure. I do not think it +will occupy much time. Perhaps by luncheon, +I——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You could get back here and join me. Do +so!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"In the meanwhile shall you do any—any investigating?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I shall do considerable thinking. I will cogitate +as to the possibility of a Phœnix arising from those +ashes."</p> + +<p class="h2">II</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">Leaving</span> Mr. Mitchel, Mr. Barnes went directly +to the office of Dr. Mortimer, and after waiting +nearly an hour was finally ushered into the consulting-room.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Dr. Mortimer," said Mr. Barnes, "I have +called in relation to this remarkable case of Mr. +Quadrant. I am a detective, and the extraordinary +nature of the facts thus far published attracts me +powerfully, so that, though not connected with the +regular police, I am most anxious to unravel this +mystery if possible, though, of course, I should do +nothing that would interfere with the regular officers +of the law. I have called, hoping that you might +be willing to answer a few questions."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think I have heard of you, Mr. Barnes, and if, +as you say, you will do nothing to interfere with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +justice, I have no objection to telling you what I +know, though I fear it is little enough."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I thank you, Doctor, for your confidence, which, +I assure you, you shall not regret. In the first place, +then, I would like to ask you about this identification. +The newspaper account states that you have depended +upon some skin disease. Is that of such a +nature that you can be absolutely certain in your +opinion?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think so," said the doctor. "But then, as +you must have found in your long experience, all +identifications of the dead should be accepted with +a little doubt. Death alters the appearance of every +part of the body, and especially the face. We think +that we know a man by the contour of his face, +whereas we often depend, during life, upon the +habitual expressions which the face ever carries. +For example, suppose that we know a young girl, +full of life and happiness, with a sunny disposition +undimmed by care or the world's worry. She is +ever smiling, or ready to smile. Thus we know her. +Let that girl suffer a sudden and perhaps painful +death. In terror and agony as she dies, the features +are distorted, and in death the resultant expression +is somewhat stamped upon the features. Let that +body lie in the water for a time, and when recovered +it is doubtful whether all of her friends would identify +her. Some would, but others would with equal +positiveness declare that these were mistaken. Yet +you observe the physical contours would still be +present."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +"I am pleased, Doctor, by what you say," said +Mr. Barnes, "because with such appreciation of the +changes caused by death and exposure in the water, +I must lay greater reliance upon your identification. +In this case, as I understand it, there is something +peculiar about the body, a mark of disease called +lichen, I believe?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. But what I have said about the changes +caused by death must have weight here also," said +the doctor. "You see I am giving you all the +points that may militate against my identification, +that you may the better judge of its correctness. +We must not forget that we are dealing with a disease +of very great rarity; so rare, in fact, that this +very case is the only one that I have ever seen. +Consequently I cannot claim to be perfectly familiar +with the appearance of surfaces attacked by this disease, +after they have suffered the possible alterations +of death."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you mean that, after all, this spot upon +which the identification rests does not now look as +it did in life?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I might answer both yes and no to that. +Changes have occurred, but they do not, in my +opinion, prevent me from recognizing both the disease +and the corpse. To fully explain this I must +tell you something of the disease itself, if you will +not be bored?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not at all. Indeed, I prefer to know all that +you can make intelligible to a layman."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I will use simple language. Formerly a great +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +number of skin diseases were grouped under the +general term 'lichen,' which included all growths +which might be considered fungoid. At the present +time we are fairly well able to separate the animal +from the vegetable parasitic diseases, and under the +term 'lichen' we include very few forms. The most +common is <i>lichen planus</i>, which unfortunately is not +infrequently met, and is therefore very well understood +by the specialists. <i>Lichen ruber</i>, however, is +quite distinct. It was first described by the German, +Hebra, and has been sufficiently common in +Europe to enable the students to thoroughly well +describe it. In this country, however, it seems to +be one of the rarest of diseases. White of Boston +reported a case, and Fox records another, accompanied +by a colored photograph, which, of course, +aids greatly in enabling any one to recognize a case +should it occur. There is one more fact to which I +must allude as having an important bearing upon +my identification. <i>Lichen ruber</i>, like other lichens, +is not confined to any one part of the body; on the +contrary, it would be remarkable, should the disease +be uncontrolled for any length of time, not to see it +in many places. This brings me to my point. The +seat of the disease, in the case of Mr. Quadrant, was +the left cheek, where a most disfiguring spot appeared. +It happened that I was in constant attendance +upon Mr. Quadrant for the trouble which +finally caused his decease, and therefore I saw this +lichen in its incipiency, and more fortunately I +recognized its true nature. Now whether due to my +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +treatment or not, it is a fact that the disease did not +spread; that is to say, it did not appear elsewhere +upon the body."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I see! I see!" said Mr. Barnes, much pleased. +"This is an important point. For if the body at +the Morgue exhibits a spot in that exact locality +and nowhere else, and if it is positively this same +skin disease, it is past belief that it should be any +other than the body of your patient."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So I argue. That two such unique examples of +so rare a disease should occur at the same time +seems incredible, though remotely possible. Thus, +as you have indicated, we have but to show that the +mark on the body at the Morgue is truly caused by +this disease, and not by some abrasion while in the +water, in order to make our opinion fairly tenable. +Both Dr. Elliot and myself have closely examined +the spot, and we have agreed that it is not an abrasion. +Had the face been thus marked in the water, +we should find the cuticle rubbed off, which is not +the case. Contrarily, in the disease under consideration, +the cuticle, though involved in the disease, and +even missing in minute spots, is practically present. +No, I am convinced that the mark on the body at +the Morgue existed in life as the result of this +lichen, though the alteration of color since death +gives us a much changed appearance."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then I may consider that you are confident that +this mark on the body is of the same shape, in the +same position, and caused by the same disease as +that which you observed upon Mr. Quadrant?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +"Yes. I do not hesitate to assert that. To this +you may add that I identify the body in a general +way also."</p> + +<p class="indent">"By which you mean?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That without this mark, basing my opinion +merely upon my long acquaintance with the man, I +would be ready to declare that Mr. Quadrant's body +is the one which was taken from the water."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What, then, is your opinion as to how this +strange occurrence has come about? If Mr. Quadrant +was cremated, how could——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It could not, of course. This is not the age of +miracles. Mr. Quadrant was not cremated. Of +that we may be certain."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But the family claim that they saw his body +consigned to the furnace."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The family believe this, I have no doubt. But +how could they be sure? Let us be accurate in +considering what we call facts. What did the family +see at the crematory? They saw a closed coffin +placed into the furnace."</p> + +<p class="indent">"A coffin, though, which contained the body of +their relative."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes did not of course himself believe this, +but made the remark merely to lead the doctor on.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Again you are inaccurate. Let us rather say a +coffin which once contained the body of their relative."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah; then you think that it was taken from +the coffin and another substituted for it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No. I do not go so far. I think, nay, I am +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +sure, that Mr. Quadrant's body was taken from the +coffin, but whether another was substituted for it, is +a question. The coffin may have been empty when +burned."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Could we settle that point by an examination of +the ashes?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The doctor started as though surprised at the +question. After a little thought he replied hesitatingly:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps. It seems doubtful. Ashes from bone +and animal matter would, I suppose, bring us chemical +results different from those of burned wood. +Whether our analytical chemists could solve such a +problem remains to be seen. Ordinarily one would +think that ashes would resist all efforts at identification." +The doctor seemed lost in thoughtful consideration +of this scientific problem.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The trimmings of the coffin might contain +animal matter if made of wool," suggested Mr. +Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"True; that would certainly complicate the work +of the chemist, and throw doubt upon his reported +results."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You admitted, Doctor, that the body was placed +in the coffin. Do you know that positively?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. I called on the widow on the night previous +to the funeral, and the body was then in the +coffin. I saw it in company with the widow and +the two brothers. It was then that it was decided +that the coffin should be closed and not opened +again."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +"Whose wish was this?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The widow's. You may well understand that +this lichen greatly disfigured Mr. Quadrant, and +that he was extremely sensitive about it. So much +so that he had not allowed any one to see him for +many weeks prior to his death. It was in deference +to this that the widow expressed the wish that no +one but the immediate family should see him in his +coffin. For this reason also she stipulated that the +coffin should be burned with the body."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You say this was decided on the night before +the funeral?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. To be accurate, about five o'clock in the +afternoon, though at this season and in the closed +rooms the lamps were already lighted."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Was this known to many persons? That is, +that the coffin was not again to be opened?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It was known of course to the two brothers, and +also to the undertaker and two of his assistants who +were present."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The undertaker himself closed the casket, I +presume?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. He was closing it as I escorted the widow +back to her own room."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did the brothers leave the room with you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think so. Yes, I am sure of it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So that the body was left with the undertaker +and his men, after they knew that it was not to be +opened again?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did these men leave before you did?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> +"No. I left almost immediately after taking the +widow to her own room and seeing her comfortably +lying down, apparently recovered from the hysterical +spell which I had been summoned to check. +You know, of course, that the Quadrant residence is +but a block from here."</p> + +<p class="indent">"There is one more point, Doctor. Of what +disease did Mr. Quadrant die?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"My diagnosis was what in common parlance I +may call cancer of the stomach. This, of course, +I only knew from the symptoms. That is to say, +there had been no operation, as the patient was +strenuously opposed to such a procedure. He repeatedly +said to me, 'I would rather die than be +cut up.' A strange prejudice in these days of successful +surgery, when the knife in skilful hands +promises so much more than medication."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Still these symptoms were sufficient in your +own mind to satisfy you that your diagnosis was +accurate?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I can only say in reply that I have frequently +in the presence of similar symptoms performed an +operation, and always with the same result. The +cancer was always present."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now the coroner's autopsy on the body at the +Morgue is said to have shown that death was due to +disease. Do you know what they discovered?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Dr. Elliot told me that it was cancer of the +stomach."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, then, the identification seems absolute?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"So it seems. Yes."</p> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +</p> + +<p class="h2">III</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">Mr. Barnes</span> next called at the home of the +Quadrants, and was informed that both of the +gentlemen were out. With some hesitation he sent +a brief note in to the widow, explaining his purpose +and asking for an interview. To his gratification +his request was granted, and he was shown up to +that lady's reception-room.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I fear, madame," said he, "that my visit may +seem an intrusion, but I take the deepest sort of interest +in this sad affair of your husband, and I would +much appreciate having your permission and authority +to investigate it, with the hope of discovering +the wrong-doers."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I see by your note," said Mrs. Quadrant in a +low, sad voice, "that you are a detective, but not +connected with the police. That is why I have decided +to see you. I have declined to see the regular +detective sent here by the police, though my husband's +brothers, I believe, have answered all his +questions. But as for myself, I felt that I could +not place this matter in the hands of men whom +my husband always distrusted. Perhaps his prejudice +was due to his politics, but he frequently declared +that our police force was corrupt. Thus you +understand why I am really glad that you have +called, for I am anxious, nay, determined, to discover +if possible who it was who has done me this +grievous wrong. To think that my poor husband +was there in the river, when I thought that his body +had been duly disposed of. It is horrible, horrible!"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +"It is indeed horrible, madame," said Mr. +Barnes sympathizingly. "But we must find the +guilty person or persons and bring them to justice."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes! That is what I wish. That is what I am +ready to pay any sum to accomplish. You must +not consider you are working, as you courteously +offer, merely to satisfy your professional interest in +a mysterious case. I wish you to undertake this as +my special agent."</p> + +<p class="indent">"As you please, madame, but in that case I must +make one condition. I would ask that you tell this +to no one unless I find it necessary. At present I +think I can do better if I am merely regarded as a +busybody detective attracted by an odd case."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, certainly, no one need know. Now tell +me what you think of this matter."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, it is rather early to formulate an opinion. +An opinion is dangerous. One is so apt to endeavor +to prove himself right, whereas he ought merely to +seek out the truth. But if you have any opinion, it +is necessary for me to know it. Therefore I must +answer you by asking the very question which you +have asked me. What do you think?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think that some one took the body of my husband +from the coffin, and that we burned an empty +casket. But to guess what motive there could be +for such an act would be beyond my mental abilities. +I have thought about it till my head has +ached, but I can find no reason for such an unreasonable +act."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Let me then suggest one to you, and then perhaps +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +your opinion may be more useful. Suppose +that some person, some one who had the opportunity, +had committed a murder. By removing the +body of your husband, and replacing it with that of +his victim, the evidences of his own crime would be +concealed. The discovery of your husband's body, +even if identified, as it has been, could lead to little +else than mystification, for the criminal well knew +that the autopsy would show natural causes of +death."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But what a terrible solution this is which you +suggest! Why, no one had access to the coffin except +the undertaker and his two men!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You naturally omit your two brothers, but a +detective cannot make such discrimination."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, of course I do not count them, for certainly +neither of them could be guilty of such a +crime as you suggest. It is true that Amos—but +that is of no consequence."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who is Amos?" asked Mr. Barnes, aroused by +the fact that Mrs. Quadrant had left her remark unfinished.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Amos is one of my brothers—my husband's +brothers, I mean. Amos Quadrant was next in age, +and Mark the youngest of the three. But, Mr. +Barnes, how could one of the undertakers have +made this exchange which you suggest? Certainly +they could not have brought the dead body here, +and my husband's body never left the house prior +to the funeral."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The corpse which was left in place of that of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +your husband must have been smuggled into this +house by some one. Why not by one of these men? +How, is a matter for explanation later. There is +one other possibility about which you may be able +to enlighten me. What opportunity, if any, was +there that this substitution may have occurred at +the crematory?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"None at all. The coffin was taken from the +hearse by our own pall-bearers, friends all of them, +and carried directly to the room into which the furnace +opened. Then, in accordance with my special +request, the coffin, unopened, was placed in the +furnace in full view of all present."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Were you there yourself?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh! no, no! I could not have endured +such a sight. The cremation was resorted to as a +special request of my husband. But I am bitterly +opposed to such a disposition of the dead, and +therefore remained at home."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then how do you know what you have told +me?—that there was no chance for substitution at +the crematory?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Because my brothers and other friends have related +all that occurred there in detail, and all tell +the same story that I have told you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Dr. Mortimer tells me that you decided to have +the coffin closed finally on the evening prior to the +funeral. With the casket closed, I presume you +did not consider it necessary to have the usual +watchers?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not exactly, though the two gentlemen, I believe, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +sat up through the night, and occasionally +visited the room where the casket was."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah! Then it would seem to have been impossible +for any one to enter the house and accomplish +the exchange, without being detected by one or +both of these gentlemen?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course not," said Mrs. Quadrant, and then, +realizing the necessary deduction, she hastened to +add: "I do not know. After all, they may not +have sat up through all the night."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did any one enter the house that night, so far +as you know?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No one, except Dr. Mortimer, who stopped in +about ten as he was returning from a late professional +call. He asked how I was, and went on, I +believe."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But neither of the undertakers came back upon +any excuse?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not to my knowledge."</p> + +<p class="indent">At this moment some one was heard walking in +the hall below, and Mrs. Quadrant added:</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think that may be one of my brothers now. +Suppose you go down and speak to him. He +would know whether any one came to the house +during the night. You may tell him that you have +seen me, if you wish, and that I have no objection +to your endeavoring to discover the truth."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes bade Mrs. Quadrant adieu and went +down to the parlor floor. Not meeting any one, he +touched a bell, and when the servant responded, +asked for either of the gentlemen of the house who +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +might have come in. He was informed that Mr. +Mark Quadrant was in the library, and was invited +to see him there.</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Mark Quadrant was of medium height, body +finely proportioned, erect figure, a well-poised head, +keen, bright eyes, a decided blond, and wore a Vandyke +beard, close trimmed. He looked at Mr. +Barnes in such a manner that the detective knew +that whatever he might learn from this man would +be nothing that he would prefer to conceal, unless +accidentally surprised from him. It was necessary +therefore to approach the subject with considerable +circumspection.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have called," said Mr. Barnes, "in relation to +the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death +of your brother."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Are you connected with the police force?" +asked Mr. Quadrant.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No. I am a private detective."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you will pardon my saying that you are +an intruder—an unwelcome intruder."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think not," said Mr. Barnes, showing no +irritation at his reception. "I have the permission +of Mrs. Quadrant to investigate this affair."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh! You have seen her, have you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have just had an interview with her."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then your intrusion is more than unwelcome; +it is an impertinence."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, pray?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You should have seen myself or my brother, +before disturbing a woman in the midst of her grief."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +"I asked for you or your brother, but you were +both away. It was only then that I asked to see +Mrs. Quadrant."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You should not have done so. It was impertinent, +I repeat. Why could you not have waited +to see one of us?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Justice cannot wait. Delay is often dangerous."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What have you to do with justice? This affair +is none of your business."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The State assumes that a crime is an outrage +against all its citizens, and any man has the right to +seek out and secure the punishment of the criminal."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How do you know that any crime has been +committed?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"There can be no doubt about it. The removal +of your brother's body from his coffin was a criminal +act in itself, even if we do not take into account the +object of the person who did this."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And what, pray, was the object, since you are +so wise?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps the substitution of the body of a victim +of murder, in order that the person killed might be +incinerated."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That proposition is worthy of a detective. You +first invent a crime, and then seek to gain employment +in ferreting out what never occurred."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That hardly holds with me, as I have offered +my service without remuneration."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I see. An enthusiast in your calling! A +crank, in other words. Well, let me prick your +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +little bubble. Suppose I can supply you with +another motive, one not at all connected with +murder?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should be glad to hear you propound one."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Suppose that I tell you that though my brother +requested that his body should be cremated, both +his widow and myself were opposed? Suppose +that I further state that my brother Amos, being +older than I, assumed the management of affairs, +and insisted that the cremation should occur? And +then suppose that I admit that to thwart that, I removed +the body myself?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You ask me to suppose all this," said Mr. +Barnes quietly. "In reply, I ask you, do you +make such a statement?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, no. I do not intend to make any statement, +because I do not consider that you have any +right to mix yourself up in this affair. It is my +wish that the matter should be allowed to rest. +Nothing could be more repugnant to my feelings, +or to my brother's, were he alive, poor fellow, than +all this newspaper notoriety. I wish to see the +body buried, and the mystery with it. I have no +desire for any solution."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But, despite your wishes, the affair will be, +must be, investigated. Now, to discuss your imaginary +proposition, I will say that it is so improbable +that no one would believe it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why not, pray?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"First, because it was an unnatural procedure +upon such an inadequate motive. A man might +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +kill his brother, but he would hardly desecrate his +brother's coffin merely to prevent a certain form of +disposing of the dead."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is mere presumption. You cannot dogmatically +state what may actuate a man."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But in this case the means was inadequate to +the end."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How so?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"If the combined wishes of yourself and the +widow could not sway your brother Amos, who had +taken charge of the funeral, how could you hope +when the body should be removed from the river, +that he would be more easily brought around to +your wishes?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The effort to cremate the body having failed +once, he would not resist my wishes in the second +burial."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is doubtful. I should think he would be so +incensed by your act, that he would be more than +ever determined that you should have no say in the +matter. But supposing that you believed otherwise, +and that you wished to carry out this extraordinary +scheme, you had no opportunity to do so."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I suppose, of course, that your brother sat up +with the corpse through the night before the +funeral."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Exactly. You suppose a good deal more than +you know. My brother did not sit up with the +corpse. As the coffin had been closed, there was +no need to follow that obsolete custom. My brother +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +retired before ten o'clock. I myself remained up +some hours longer."</p> + +<p class="indent">Thus in the mental sparring Mr. Barnes had succeeded +in learning one fact from this reluctant +witness.</p> + +<p class="indent">"But even so," persisted the detective, "you +would have found difficulty in removing the body +from this house to the river."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yet it was done, was it not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">This was unanswerable. Mr. Barnes did not for a +moment place any faith in what this brother had +said. He argued that had he done anything like +what he suggested, he would never have hinted at +it as a possibility. Why he did so was a puzzle. +Perhaps he merely wished to make the affair seem +more intricate, in the hope of persuading him to +drop the investigation, being, as he had stated, +honestly anxious to have the matter removed from +the public gaze, and caring nothing about any explanation +of how his brother's body had been taken +from the coffin. On the other hand, there was a +possibility which could not be entirely overlooked. +He might really have been guilty of acting as he +had suggested, and perhaps now told of it as a cunning +way of causing the detective to discredit such +a solution of the mystery. Mr. Barnes thought it +well to pursue the subject a little further.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Suppose," said he, "that it could be shown +that the ashes now in the urn at the cemetery are +the ashes of a human being?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You will be smart if you can prove that," said +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +Mr. Quadrant. "Ashes are ashes, I take it, and +you will get little proof there. But since you discussed +my proposition, I will argue with you about +yours. You say, suppose the ashes are those of a +human being. Very well, then, that would prove that +my brother was cremated after all, and that I have +been guying you, playing with you as a fisherman +who fools a fish with feathers instead of real bait."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But what of the identification of the body at +the Morgue?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Was there ever a body at the Morgue that was +not identified a dozen times? People are apt to be +mistaken about their friends after death."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But this identification was quite complete, being +backed up by scientific reasons advanced by experts."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, but did you ever see a trial where expert +witnesses were called, that equally expert witnesses +did not testify to the exact contrary? Let me ask +you a question. Have you seen this body at the +Morgue?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not yet."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Go and see it. Examine the sole of the left +foot. If you do not find a scar three or four inches +long the body is not that of my brother. This scar +was the result of a bad gash made by stepping on a +shell when in bathing. He was a boy at the time, +and I was with him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But, Mr. Quadrant," said Mr. Barnes, astonished +by the new turn of the conversation, "I understood +that you yourself admitted that the identification +was correct."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +"The body was identified by Dr. Mortimer first. +My sister and my brother agreed with the doctor, +and I agreed with them all, for reasons of my own."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Would you mind stating those reasons?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are not very shrewd if you cannot guess. +I want this matter dropped. Had I denied the +identity of the body it must have remained at the +Morgue, entailing more newspaper sensationalism. +By admitting the identity, I hoped that the body +would be given to us for burial, and that the affair +would then be allowed to die."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then if, as you now signify, this is not your +brother's body, what shall I think of your suggestion +that you yourself placed the body in the river?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What shall you think? Why, think what you +like. That is your affair. The less you think about +it, though, the better pleased I should be. And now +really I cannot permit this conversation to be prolonged. +You must go, and if you please I wish that +you do not come here again."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am sorry that I cannot promise that. I shall +come if I think it necessary. This is your sister's +house, I believe, and she has expressed a wish that +I pursue this case to the end."</p> + +<p class="indent">"My sister is a fool. At any rate, I can assure +you, you shall not get another chance at me, so +make the most of what information I have given +you. Good morning."</p> + +<p class="indent">With these words Mr. Mark Quadrant walked out +of the room, leaving Mr. Barnes alone.</p> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +</p> + +<p class="h2">IV</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">Mr. Barnes</span> stood for a moment in a quandary, +and then decided upon a course of action. He +touched the bell which he knew would call the +butler, and then sat down by the grate fire to wait. +Almost immediately his eye fell upon a bit of white +paper protruding from beneath a small rug, and he +picked it up. Examining it closely, he guessed that +it had once contained some medicine in powder +form, but nothing in the shape of a label, or traces +of the powder itself, was there to tell what the drug +had been.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I wonder," thought he, "whether this bit of +paper would furnish me with a clue? I must have +it examined by a chemist. He may discern by his +methods what I cannot detect with the naked eye."</p> + +<p class="indent">With this thought in his mind, he carefully folded +the paper in its original creases and deposited it in +his wallet. At that moment the butler entered.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What is your name?" asked Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thomas, sir," said the man, a fine specimen of +the intelligent New York negro. "Thomas Jefferson."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, Thomas, I am a detective, and your +mistress wishes me to look into the peculiar circumstances +which, as you know, have occurred. Are +you willing to help me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll do anything for the mistress, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very good. That is quite proper. Now, then, +do you remember your master's death?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And his funeral?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You know when the undertaker and his men +came and went, and how often, I presume? You +let them in and saw them?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I let them in, yes, sir. But once or twice they +went out without my knowing."</p> + +<p class="indent">"At five o'clock on the afternoon before the +funeral, I am told that Mrs. Quadrant visited the +room where the body was, and ordered that the coffin +should be closed for the last time. Did you know +this?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I understand that at that time the undertaker +and two of his men were in the room, as were also +the two Mr. Quadrants, Mrs. Quadrant, and the +doctor. Now, be as accurate as you can, and tell +me in what order and when these persons left the +house."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Dr. Mortimer went away, I remember, just +after Mrs. Quadrant went to her room to lie down. +Then the gentlemen went in to dinner, and I served +them. The undertaker and one of his men left together +just as dinner was put on table. I remember +that because the undertaker stood in the hall and +spoke a word to Mr. Amos just as he was entering +the dining-room. Mr. Amos then turned to me, +and said for me to show them out. I went to the +door with them, and then went back to the dining-room."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +"Ah! Then one of the undertaker's men was +left alone with the body?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I suppose so, unless he went away first. I did +not see him go at all. But, come to think of it, he +must have been there after the other two went +away."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Because, when I let out the undertaker and his +man, their wagon was at the door, but they walked +off and left it. After dinner it was gone, so the +other man must have gone out and driven off in it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very probably. Now, can you tell me this man's +name? The last to leave the house, I mean?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I heard the undertaker call one 'Jack,' but I do +not know which one."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But you saw the two men—the assistants, I +mean. Can you not describe the one that was here +last?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not very well. All I can say is that the one +that went away with the undertaker was a youngish +fellow without any mustache. The other was a +short, thick-set man, with dark hair and a stubby +mustache. That is all I noticed."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That will be enough. I can probably find him +at the undertaker's. Now, can you remember +whether either of the gentlemen sat up with the +corpse that night?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Both the gentlemen sat in here till ten o'clock. +The body was across the hall in the little reception-room +near the front door. About ten the door-bell +rang, and I let in the doctor, who stopped to ask +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +after Mrs. Quadrant. He and Mr. Amos went up +to her room. The doctor came down in a few +minutes, alone, and came into this room to talk with +Mr. Mark."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How long did he stay?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't know. Not long, I think, because he +had on his overcoat. But Mr. Mark told me I could +go to bed, and he would let the doctor out. So I +just brought them a fresh pitcher of ice-water, and +went to my own room."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is all, then, that you know of what occurred +that night?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, sir. There was another thing, that I have +not mentioned to any one, though I don't think it +amounts to anything."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What was that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Some time in the night I thought I heard a door +slam, and the noise woke me up. I jumped out of +bed and slipped on some clothes and came as far as +the door here, but I did not come in."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Because I saw Mr. Amos in here, standing by +the centre-table with a lamp in his hand. He was +looking down at Mr. Mark, who was fast asleep +alongside of the table, with his head resting on his +arm on the table."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did you notice whether Mr. Amos was dressed +or not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir. That's what surprised me. He had +all his clothes on."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did he awaken his brother?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +"No. He just looked at him, and then tiptoed +out and went upstairs. I slipped behind the hall +door, so that he would not see me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Was the lamp in his hand one that he had +brought down from his own room?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, sir. It was one that I had been ordered to +put in the room where the coffin was, as they did +not want the electric light turned on in there all +night. Mr. Amos went back into the front room, +and left the lamp there before he went upstairs."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you know when Mr. Mark went up to his +room? Did he remain downstairs all night?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, sir. He was in bed in his own room when +I came around in the morning. About six o'clock, +that was. But I don't know when he went to bed. +He did not come down to breakfast, though, till +nearly noon. The funeral was at two o'clock."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is all, I think," said Mr. Barnes. "But +do not let any one know that I have talked with +you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Just as you say, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">As it was now nearing noon, Mr. Barnes left the +house and hastened up to Mr. Mitchel's residence to +keep his engagement for luncheon. Arrived there, +he was surprised to have Williams inform him that +he had received a telephone message to the effect +that Mr. Mitchel would not be at home for luncheon.</p> + +<p class="indent">"But, Inspector," said Williams, "here's a note +just left for you by a messenger."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes took the envelope, which he found +inclosed the following from Mr. Mitchel:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="lnobmargin">"Friend Barnes:—</p> + +<p class="indent">"Am sorry I cannot be home to luncheon. Williams +will give you a bite. I have news for you. I +have seen the ashes, and there is now no doubt that +a body, a human body, was burned at the crematory +that day. I do not despair that we may yet +discover whose body it was. More when I know +more."</p> +</div> + +<p class="h2">V</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">Mr. Barnes</span> read this note over two or three +times, and then folded it thoughtfully and put it in +his pocket. He found it difficult to decide whether +Mr. Mitchel had been really detained, or whether he +had purposely broken his appointment. If the latter, +then Mr. Barnes felt sure that already he had +made some discovery which rendered this case +doubly attractive to him, so much so that he had +concluded to seek the solution himself.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That man is a monomaniac," thought Mr. +Barnes, somewhat nettled. "I come here and attract +his attention to a case that I know will afford +him an opportunity to follow a fad, and now he +goes off and is working the case alone. It is not +fair. But I suppose this is another challenge, and +I must work rapidly to get at the truth ahead of +him. Well, I will accept, and fight it out."</p> + +<p class="indent">Thus musing, Mr. Barnes, who had declined +Williams's offer to serve luncheon, left the house +and proceeded to the shop of the undertaker. This +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +man had a name the full significance of which had +never come home to him until he began the business +of caring for the dead. He spelled it Berial, and +insisted that the pronunciation demanded a long +sound to the "i," and a strong accent on the middle +syllable. But he was constantly annoyed by the +cheap wit of acquaintances, who with a significant +titter would call him either Mr. "Burial," or Mr. +"Bury all."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes found Mr. Berial disengaged, undertakers, +fortunately, not always being rushed with +business, and encountered no difficulty in approaching +his subject.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have called, Mr. Berial," said the detective, +"to get a little information about your management +of the funeral of Mr. Quadrant."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly," said Mr. Berial; "any information +I can give, you are welcome to. Detective, I +suppose?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; in the interest of the family," replied Mr. +Barnes. "There are some odd features of this case, +Mr. Berial."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Odd?" said the undertaker. "Odd don't +half cover it. It's the most remarkable thing in +the history of the world. Here I am, with an experience +in funerals covering thirty years, and I go +and have a man decently cremated, and, by hickory, +if he ain't found floating in the river the next morning. +Odd? Why, there ain't any word to describe +a thing like that. It's devilish; that's the nearest +I can come to it."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +"Well, hardly that," said Mr. Barnes, with a +smile. "Of course, since Mr. Quadrant's body has +been found in the river, it never was cremated."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who says so?" asked the undertaker, sharply. +"Not cremated? Want to bet on that? I suppose +not. We can't make a bet about the dead. It +wouldn't be professional. But Mr. Quadrant was +cremated. There isn't any question about that +point. Put that down as final."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But it is impossible that he should have been +cremated, and then reappear at the Morgue."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Just what I say. The thing's devilish. There's +a hitch, of course. But why should it be at my end, +eh? Tell me that, will you? There's just as much +chance for a mistake at the Morgue as at the funeral, +isn't there?" This was said in a tone that challenged +dispute.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What mistake could have occurred at the +Morgue?" asked Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mistaken identification," replied the undertaker +so quickly that he had evidently anticipated the +question. "Mistaken identification. That's your +cue, Mr. Barnes. It's happened often enough before," +he added, with a chuckle.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I scarcely think there can be a mistake of that +character," said Mr. Barnes, thinking, nevertheless, +of the scar on the foot. "This identification is not +merely one of recognition; it is supported by scientific +reason, advanced by the doctors."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh! doctors make mistakes too, I guess," said +Mr. Berial, testily. "Look here, you're a detective. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +You're accustomed to weigh evidence. Now tell +me, will you, how could this man be cremated, as I +tell you he was, and then turn up in the river? +Answer that, and I'll argue with you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The question, of course, turns on the fact of +the cremation. How do you know that the body +was in the coffin when it was consigned to the +furnace?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"How do I know? Why, ain't that my business? +Who should know if I don't? Didn't I put the +body in the coffin myself?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very true. But why could not some one have +taken the body out after you closed the coffin +finally, and before the hour of the funeral?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Berial laughed softly to himself, as though +enjoying a joke too good to be shared too soon with +another. Presently he said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's a proper question, of course; a very +proper question, and I'll answer it. But I must +tell you a secret, so you may understand it. You +see in this business we depend a good deal on the +recommendation of the attending physician. Some +doctors are real professional, and recommend a man +on his merits. Others are different. They expect +a commission. Surprises you, don't it? But it's +done every day in this town. The doctor can't save +his patient, and the patient dies. Then he tells the +sorrowing friends that such and such an undertaker +is the proper party to hide away the result of his +failure; failure to cure, of course. In due time he +gets his little check, ten per cent. of the funeral bill. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> +This seems like wandering away from the point, but +I am coming back to it. This commission arrangement +naturally keeps me on the books of certain +doctors, and vicy versy it keeps them on mine. So, +working for certain doctors, it follows that I work +for a certain set of people. Now I've a Catholic +doctor on my books, and it happens that the cemetery +where that church buries is in a lonesome place; +just the spot for a grave-robber to work undisturbed, +especially if the watchman out there should happen +to be fond of his tipple, which I tell you, again in +confidence, that he is. Now, then, it has happened +more than once, though it has been kept quiet, that +a grave filled up one afternoon would be empty the +next morning. At least the body would be gone. +Of course they wouldn't take the coffin, as they'd +be likely to be caught getting rid of it. You see, a +coffin ain't exactly regular household furniture. If +they have time they fill the grave again, but often +enough they're too anxious to get away, because, +of course, the watchman might not be drunk. Well, +these things being kept secret, but still pretty +well known in the congregation, told in whispers, I +might say, a sort of demand sprung up for a style +of coffin that a grave-robber couldn't open,—a +sort of coffin with a combination lock, as it were."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You don't mean to say—" began Mr. Barnes, +greatly interested at last in the old man's rather +lengthy speech. He was interrupted by the undertaker, +who again chuckled as he exclaimed:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't I? Well, I do, though. Of course I don't +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +mean there's really a combination lock. That +would never do. We often have to open the coffin +for a friend who wants to see the dead face again, +or for folks that come to the funeral late. It's +funny, when you come to think of it, how folks will +be late to funerals. As they only have this last +visit to make, you'd think they'd make it a point +to be on time and not delay the funeral. But +about the way I fasten a coffin. If any grave-robber +tackles one of my coffins without knowing +the trick, he'd be astonished, I tell you. I often +think of it and laugh. You see, there's a dozen +screws and they look just like ordinary screws. But +if you work them all out with a screw-driver, your +coffin lid is just as tight as ever. You see, it's this +way. The real screw works with a reverse thread, +and is hollow on the top. Now I have a screw-driver +that is really a screw. When the screw-threaded +end of this is screwed into the hollow end of the +coffin-bolt, as soon as it is in tight it begins to unscrew +the bolt. To put the bolt in, in the first +place, I first screw it tight on to my screw-driver, +and then drive it in, turning backwards, and as +soon as it is tight my screw-driver begins to unscrew +and so comes out. Then I drop in my +dummy screw, and just turn it down to fill the +hole. Now the dummy screw and the reverse +thread of the real bolt is a puzzle for a grave-robber, +and anyway he couldn't solve it without +one of my own tools."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes reflected deeply upon this as a most +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +important statement. If Mr. Quadrant's coffin was +thus fastened, no one could have opened it without +the necessary knowledge and the special screw-driver. +He recalled that the butler had told him +that one of Mr. Berial's men had been at the house +after the departure of the others. This man was +therefore in the position to have opened the coffin, +supposing that he had had one of the screw-drivers. +Of this it would be well to learn.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I suppose," said Mr. Barnes, "that the coffin +in which you placed Mr. Quadrant was fastened in +this fashion?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; and I put the lid on and fastened it +myself."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What, then, did you do with the screw-driver? +You might have left it at the house."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I might have, but I didn't. No; I'm not +getting up a combination and then leaving the key +around loose. No, sir; there's only one of those +screw-drivers, and I take care of it myself. I'll +show it to you."</p> + +<p class="indent">The old man went to a drawer, which he unlocked, +and brought back the tool.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You see what it is," he continued—"double-ended. +This end is just the common every-day +screw-driver. That is for the dummies that fill up +the hollow ends after the bolts are sent home. The +other end, you see, looks just like an ordinary screw +with straight sides. There's a shoulder to keep it +from jamming. Now that's the only one of those, +and I keep it locked in that drawer with a Yale lock, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +and the key is always in my pocket. No; I guess +that coffin wasn't opened after I shut it."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes examined the tool closely, and formed +his own conclusions, which he thought best to keep +to himself.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes," said he aloud; "it does seem as though +the mistake must be in the identification."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What did I tell you?" exclaimed Mr. Berial, +delighted at thinking that he had convinced the +detective. "Oh, I guess I know my business."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I was told at the house," said Mr. Barnes, "that +when you left, after closing the coffin, one of your +men stayed behind. Why was that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I was hungry and anxious to get back for +dinner. One of my men, Jack, I brought away with +me, because I had to send him up to another place +to get some final directions for another funeral. +The other man stayed behind to straighten up the +place and bring off our things in the wagon."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who was this man? What is his name?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Jerry, we called him. I don't know his last +name."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I would like to have a talk with him. Can I +see him?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am afraid not. He isn't working with me +any more."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How was that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He left, that's all. Threw up his job."</p> + +<p class="indent">"When was that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"This morning."</p> + +<p class="indent">"This morning?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +"Yes; just as soon as I got here, about eight +o'clock."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes wondered whether there was any connection +between this man's giving up his position, +and the account of the discoveries in regard to Mr. +Quadrant's body which the morning papers had +published.</p> + +<p class="h2">VI</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">"Mr. Berial,"</span> said Mr. Barnes after a few +moments' thought, "I wish you would let me have +a little talk with your man—Jack, I think you called +him. And I would like to speak to him alone if you +don't mind. I feel that I must find this other fellow, +Jerry, and perhaps Jack may be able to give +me some information as to his home, unless you can +yourself tell me where he lives."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; I know nothing about him," said Mr. +Berial. "Of course you can speak to Jack. I'll +call him in here and I'll be off to attend to some +business. That will leave you alone with him."</p> + +<p class="indent">Jack, when he came in, proved to be a character. +Mr. Barnes soon discovered that he had little faith +in the good intentions of any one in the world except +himself. He evidently was one of those men +who go through life with a grievance, feeling that +all people have in some way contributed to their +misfortune.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your name is Jack," said Mr. Barnes; "Jack +what?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> +"Jackass, you might say," answered the fellow, +with a coarse attempt at wit.</p> + +<p class="indent">"And why, pray?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, a jackass works like a slave, don't he? +And what does he get out of it? Lots of blows, +plenty of cuss words, and a little fodder. It's the +same with yours truly."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well, my man, have your joke. But now +tell me your name. I am a detective."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The devil a much I care for that. I ain't got +nothin' to hide. My name's Randal, if you must +have it. Jack Randal."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very good. Now I want to ask you a few +questions about the funeral of Mr. Quadrant."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ask away. Nobody's stoppin' you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You assisted in preparing the body for the +coffin, I think?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, and helped to put him in it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have you any idea how he got out of it +again?" asked Mr. Barnes suddenly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Nit. Leastways, not any worth mentionin', +since I can't prove what I might think."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But I should like to know what you think, anyway," +persisted the detective.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, I think he was took out," said Randal +with a hoarse laugh.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you do not believe that he was cremated?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Cremated? Not on your life. If he was made +into ashes, would he turn up again a floater and +drift onto the marble at the Morgue? I don't +think."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> +"But how could the body have gotten out of the +coffin?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He couldn't. I never saw a stiff do that, +except once, at an Irish wake, and that fellow +wasn't dead. No, the dead don't walk. Not +these days. I tell you, he was took out of the +box. That's as plain as your nose, not meanin' +to be personal."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come, come, you have said all that before. +What I want to know is, how you think he could +have been taken out of the coffin."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Lifted out, I reckon."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes saw that nothing would be gained by +getting angry, though the fellow's persistent flippancy +annoyed him extremely. He thought best +to appear satisfied with his answers, and to endeavor +to get his information by slow degrees, since he could +not get it more directly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Were you present when the coffin lid was +fastened?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; the boss did that."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How was it fastened? With the usual style of +screws?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, no! We used the boss's patent screw, warranted +to keep the corpse securely in his grave. +Once stowed away in the boss's patent screw-top +casket, no ghost gets back to trouble the long-suffering +family."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You know all about these patent coffin-screws?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, sure. Ain't I been working with old +Berial these three years?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +"Does Mr. Berial always screw on the coffin lids +himself?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; he's stuck on it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"He keeps the screw-driver in his own possession?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"So he thinks."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Barnes, immediately +attentive.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Just what I say. Old Berial thinks he's got +the only screw-driver."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But you know that there is another?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who says so? I don't know anything of the +sort."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, then, do you cast a doubt upon the matter +by saying that Mr. Berial thinks he has the only +one?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Because I do doubt it, that's all."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why do you doubt it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I don't know. A fellow can't always +account for what he thinks, can he?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You must have some reason for thinking there +may be a duplicate of that screw-driver."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, what if I have?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I would like to know it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No doubt! But it ain't right to cast suspicions +when you can't prove a thing, is it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps others may find the proof."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Just so. People in your trade are pretty good +at that, I reckon."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good at what?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Proving things that don't exist."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +"But if your suspicion is groundless, there can be +no harm in telling it to me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, there's grounds enough for what I think. +Look here, suppose a case. Suppose a party, a +young female party, dies. Suppose her folks think +they'd like to have her hands crossed on her breast. +Suppose a man, me, for instance, helps the boss fix +up that young party with her hands crossed, and +suppose there's a handsome shiner, a fust-water +diamond, on one finger. Suppose we screw down +that coffin lid tight at night, and the boss carts off +his pet screw-driver. Then suppose next day, when +he opens that coffin for the visitors to have a last +look at the young person, that the other man, meanin' +me, happens to notice that the shiner is missin'. +If no other person notices it, that's because they're +too busy grievin'. But that's the boss's luck, I +say. The diamond's gone, just the same, ain't it? +Now, you wouldn't want to claim that the young +person come out of that patent box and give that +diamond away in the night, would you? If she +come out at all, I should say it was in the form of a +ghost, and I never heard of ghosts wearin' diamonds, +or givin' away finger rings. Did you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you mean to say that such a thing as this +has occurred?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I ain't sayin' a word. I don't make no +accusations. You can draw your own conclusions. +But in a case like that you would think there was +more than one of them screw-drivers, now, wouldn't +you?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +"I certainly should, unless we imagined that Mr. +Berial himself returned to the house and stole the +ring. But that, of course, is impossible."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Is it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, would you think that Mr. Berial would +steal?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who knows? We're all honest, till we're +caught."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Tell me this. If Mr. Berial keeps that screw-driver +always in his own possession, how could any +one have a duplicate of it made?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Dead easy. If you can't see that, you're as +soft as the old man."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps I am. But tell me how it could be +done."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, just see. That tool is double-ended. +But one end is just a common, ordinary screw-driver. +You don't need to imitate that. The +other end is just a screw that fits into the thread at +the end of the bolts. Now old Berial keeps his +precious screw-driver locked up, but the bolts lay +around by the gross. Any man about the place +could take one and have a screw cut to fit it, and +there you are."</p> + +<p class="indent">This was an important point, and Mr. Barnes was +glad to have drawn it out. It now became only too +plain that the patented device was no hindrance to +any one knowing of it, and especially to one who had +access to the bolts. This made it the more necessary +to find the man Jerry.</p> + +<p class="indent">"There was another man besides yourself who +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> +assisted at the Quadrant funeral, was there not?" +asked Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"There was another man, but he didn't assist +much. He was no good."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What was this man's name?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's why I say he's no good. He called +himself Jerry Morton, but it didn't take me long +to find out that his name was really Jerry Morgan. +Now a man with two names is usually a crook, to +my way of thinkin'."</p> + +<p class="indent">"He gave up his job here this morning, did he +not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did he?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. Can you tell why he should have done +so? Was he not well enough paid?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Too well, I take it. He got the same money I +do, and I done twice as much work. So he's +chucked it, has he? Well, I shouldn't wonder if +there was good reason."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What reason?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I don't know. That story about old Quadrant +floatin' back was in the papers to-day, wasn't it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well. There you are."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You mean that this man Morgan might have +had a hand in that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, he had a hand in it all right. So did I +and the boss, for that matter. But the boss and +me left him screwed tight in his box, and Jerry he +was left behind to pick up, as it were. And he had +the wagon too. Altogether, I should say he had +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +the chance if anybody. But mind you, I ain't +makin' no accusations."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then, if Jerry did this, he must have had a +duplicate screw-driver?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're improvin', you are. You begin to see +things. But I never seen him with no screw-driver, +remember that."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Was he in Mr. Berial's employment at the time +of the other affair?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What other affair?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The case of the young lady from whose finger +the diamond ring was stolen."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, that. Why, he might have been, of course, +but then, you know, we was only supposin' a case +there. We didn't say that was a real affair." +Randal laughed mockingly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have you any idea as to where I could find this +man Morgan?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't think you will find him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Skipped, I guess. He wouldn't chuck this job +just to take a holiday."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you know where he lived?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Eleventh Avenue near Fifty-fourth Street. I +don't know the number, but it was over the butcher +shop."</p> + +<p class="indent">"If this man Morgan did this thing, can you +imagine why he did it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"For pay; you can bet on that. Morgan ain't +the man as would take a risk like that for the fun of +the thing."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +"But how could he hope to be paid for such an +act?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, he wouldn't hope. You don't know +Jerry. He'd be paid, part in advance anyway, +and balance on demand."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But who would pay him, and with what object?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I don't know. But let me tell you something. +Them brothers weren't all so lovin' to one +another as the outside world thinks. In the fust +place, as I gathered by listenin' to the talk of the +servants, the one they called Amos didn't waste no +love on the dead one, though I guess the other one, +Mark, liked him some. I think he liked the widow +even better." Here he laughed. "Now the dead +man wanted to be cremated—that is, he said so before +he was dead. The widow didn't relish the +idea, but she ain't strong-minded enough to push +her views. Now we'll suppose a case again. I +like that style, it don't commit you to anything. +Well, suppose this fellow Mark thinks he'll get into +the good graces of the widow by hindering the cremation. +He stands out agin it. Amos he says the +old fellow wanted to be burned, and let him burn. +'He'll burn in hell, anyway.' That nice, sweet +remark he did make, I'll tell you that much. Then +the brothers they quarrel. And a right good row +they did have, so I hear. Now we'll suppose again. +Why couldn't our friend, Mr. Mark, have got up +this scheme to stop the cremation?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes was startled to hear this man suggest +exactly what Mark himself had hinted at. Could it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +be only a coincidence or was it really the solution +of the mystery? But if so, what of the body that +was really cremated? But then again the only evidence +in his possession on that point was the bare +statement in the note received from Mr. Mitchel. +Two constructions could be placed upon that note. +First, it might have been honestly written by Mr. +Mitchel, who really believed what he wrote, though, +smart as he was, he might have been mistaken. +Secondly, the note might merely have been written +to send Mr. Barnes off on a wrong clue, thus leaving +Mr. Mitchel a chance to follow up the right one. +Resuming his conversation with Randal, Mr. Barnes +said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you imagine that Mr. Mark Quadrant +hired this man Morgan to take away the body and +hide it until after the funeral?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I don't know. All I'll say is, I don't +think Jerry would be too good for a little job like +that. Say, you're not a bad sort, as detectives go. +I don't mind givin' you a tip."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am much obliged, I am sure," said Mr. +Barnes, smiling at the fellow's presumption.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't mention it. I make no charge. But see. +Have you looked at the corpse at the Morgue?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No. Why?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, I stopped in this morning and had a peep +at him. I guess it's Quadrant all right."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have you any special way of knowing that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, when the boss was injectin' the embalmin' +fluid, he stuck the needle in the wrong place +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> +first, and had to put it in again. That made two +holes. They're both there. You might wonder +why we embalmed a body that was to be cremated. +You see, we didn't know the family wasn't going +to let him be seen, and we was makin' him look +natural."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And you are sure there are two punctures in +the body at the Morgue?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Dead sure. That's a joke. But that ain't the +tip I want to give you. This is another case of +diamond rings."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You mean that there were diamond rings left on +the hand when the body was placed in the coffin?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"One solitaire; a jim dandy. And likewise a +ruby, set deep like a carbuncle, I think they call +them other red stones. Then on the little finger of +the other hand there was a solid gold ring, with a +flat top to it, and a letter 'Q' in it, made of little +diamonds. Them rings never reached the Morgue."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But even so, that does not prove that they were +taken by the man who removed the corpse from the +coffin. They might have been taken by those who +found the body in the river."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Nit. Haven't you read the papers? Boys +found it, but they called in the police to get it out +of the water. Since then the police has been in +charge. Now I ain't got none too good an opinion +of the police myself, but they don't rob the dead. +They squeeze the livin', all right, but not the dead. +Put that down. You can believe, if you like, that +Jerry carted that body off to the river and dumped +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +it in, diamond rings and all. But as I said before, +you don't know Jerry. No, sir, if I was you, I'd +find them rings, and find out how they got there. +And maybe I can help you there, too,—that is, if +you'll make it worth my while."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes understood the hint and responded +promptly:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Here is a five-dollar bill," said he. "And if +you really tell me anything that aids me in finding +the rings, I will give you ten more."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's the talk," said Randal, taking the +money. "Well, it's this way. You'll find that +crooks, like other fly birds, has regular haunts. +Now I happen to know that Jerry spouted his +watch, a silver affair, but a good timer, once, and I +take it he'd carry the rings where he's known, +'specially as I'm pretty sure the pawnbroker ain't +over inquisitive about where folks gets the things +they borrow on. If I was you, I'd try the shop on +Eleventh Avenue by Fiftieth Street. It don't look +like a rich place, but that kind don't want to attract +too much attention."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I will go there. I have no doubt that if he took +the rings we will find them at that place. One thing +more. How was Mr. Quadrant dressed when you +placed him in the coffin? The newspapers make +no mention of the clothing found on him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, we didn't dress him. You see, he was to +be burned, so we just shrouded him. Nothin' but +plain white cloth. No buttons or nothin' that +wouldn't burn up. The body at the Morgue was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +found without no clothes of any kind. I'd recognize +that shroud, though, if it turns up. So there's +another point for you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"One thing more. You are evidently sure that +Mr. Quadrant's body was taken out of the coffin. +Do you think, then, that the coffin was empty when +they took it to the crematory?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, sure! What could there be in it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Suppose I were to tell you that another detective +has examined the ashes and declares that he can +prove that a human body was burned with that +coffin. What would you say?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'd say he was a liar. I'd say he was riggin' +you to get you off the scent. No, sir! Don't you +follow no such blind trail as that."</p> + +<p class="h2">VII</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">As</span> Mr. Barnes left the undertaker's shop he observed +Mr. Burrows coming towards him. It will +be recalled that this young detective, now connected +with the regular police force of the metropolis, had +earlier in life been a <i>protégé</i> of Mr. Barnes. It was +not difficult to guess from his being in this neighborhood +that to him had been intrusted an investigation +of the Quadrant mystery.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, hello, Mr. Barnes," Mr. Burrows exclaimed, +as he recognized his old friend. "What +are you doing about here? Nosing into this Quadrant +matter, I'll be bound."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is an attractive case," replied Mr. Barnes, in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +non-committal language. "Are you taking care of +it for the office?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; and the more I look into it the more complicated +I find it. If you are doing any work on it, +I wouldn't mind comparing notes."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well, my boy," said Mr. Barnes, after a +moment's thought, "I will confess that I have gone +a little way into this. What have you done?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, in the first place, there was another examination +by the doctors this morning. There isn't +a shadow of doubt that the man at the Morgue was +dead when thrown into the water. What's more, +he died in his bed."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of what disease?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Cancer of the stomach. Put that down as fact +number one. Fact number two is that the mark on +his face is exactly the same, and from the same skin +disease that old Quadrant had. Seems he also had +a cancer, so I take it the identification is complete; +especially as the family say it is their relative."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do they all agree to that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, yes—that is, all except the youngest +brother. He says he guesses it's his brother. +Something about that man struck me as peculiar."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah! Then you have seen him?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. Don't care to talk to detectives. Wants +the case hushed up; says there's nothing in it. +Now I know there is something in it, and I am not +sure he tells all he knows."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have you formed any definite conclusion as to +the motive in this case?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +"The motive for what?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, for removing the body from the coffin."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, I think the motive of the man who did it +was money. What the motive of the man who +hired him was, I can't prove yet."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh! Then you think there are two in it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; I'm pretty sure of that. And I think I +can put my finger on the man that made the actual +transfer."</p> + +<p class="indent">The two men were walking as they talked, Mr. +Burrows having turned and joined the older detective. +Mr. Barnes was surprised to find his friend +advancing much the same theory as that held by +Randal. He was more astonished, however, at the +next reply elicited. He asked:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you mind naming this man?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not to you, if you keep it quiet till I'm ready +to strike. I'm pretty sure that the party who carried +the body away and put it in the river was the +undertaker's assistant, a fellow who calls himself +Randal."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes started, but quickly regained his self-control. +Then he said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Randal? Why, how could he have managed it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Easily enough. It seems that the coffin was +closed at five on the afternoon before the funeral, +and the undertaker was told, in the presence of this +fellow Randal, that it would not be opened again. +Then the family went in to dine, and Berial and the +other man, a fellow with an alias, but whose true +name is Morgan, left the house, the other one, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +Randal, remaining behind to clear up. The undertaker's +wagon was also there, and Randal drove it +to the stables half an hour or so later."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes noted here that there was a discrepancy +between the facts as related by Mr. Burrows and as +he himself had heard them. He had been told by +Berial himself that it was "Jack" who had left the +house with him, while Burrows evidently believed +that it was Jack Randal who had been left behind. +It was important, therefore, to learn whether there +existed any other reason for suspecting Randal +rather than Morgan.</p> + +<p class="indent">"But though he may have had this opportunity," +said Mr. Barnes, "you would hardly connect him +with this matter without corroborative evidence."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, the case is not complete yet," said Mr. +Burrows; "but I have had this fellow Randal +watched for three days. We at the office knew +about this identification before the newspapers got +hold of it, be sure of that. Now one curious thing +that he has done was to attempt to destroy some +pawn-tickets."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Pawn-tickets?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. I was shadowing him myself last night, +when I saw him tear up some paper and drop the +pieces in the gutter at the side of the pavement. I +let my man go on, for the sake of recovering those +bits of paper. It took some perseverance and no +little time, but I found them, and when put together, +as I have said, they proved to be pawn-tickets."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +"Have you looked at the property represented +yet?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No. Would you like to go with me? We'll +go together. I was about to make my first open +appearance at the undertaker's shop to face this +fellow, when you met me. But there's time enough +for that. We'll go and look at the rings if you say +the word."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Rings, are they?" said Mr. Barnes. "Why, I +would like nothing better. They might have been +taken from the corpse."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Haven't a doubt of it," said Mr. Burrows. +"Here are the pawn-tickets. There are two of +them. Both for rings." He handed the two pawn-tickets +to Mr. Barnes. The pieces had been pasted +on another bit of paper and the two were consequently +now on a single sheet. Mr. Barnes looked +at them closely and then said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, Burrows, these are made out in the name +of Jerry Morgan. Are you sure you have made no +mistake in this affair?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mistake? Not a bit of it. That fellow thinks +he is smart, but I don't agree with him. He imagines +that we might guess that one of those who had +the handling of the body did this job, and when he +pawned the rings he just used the other fellow's +name. It's an old trick, and not very good, either."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes was not entirely convinced, though +the theory was possible, nay, plausible. In which +case, the tip which Randal had given to Mr. Barnes +was merely a part of his rather commonplace scheme +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +of self-protection at the expense of a fellow-workman. +He was glad now that he had met Burrows, +for his possession of the pawn-tickets made it easy +to visit the pawnbroker and see the rings; while his +connection with the regular force would enable him +to seize them should they prove to have been stolen +from the body of Mr. Quadrant. It was noteworthy +that the pawn-tickets had been issued by the man +to whose place Randal had directed him. Arrived +there, Mr. Burrows demanded to see the rings, to +which the pawnbroker at first demurred, arguing +that the tickets had been torn, that they had not +been issued to the one presenting them, and that +unless they were to be redeemed he must charge a +fee of twenty-five cents for showing the goods. To +all of this Mr. Burrows listened patiently and then +showing his shield said meaningly:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, friend Isaac, you get those rings out, and +it will be better for you. The Chief has had an eye +on this little shop of yours for some time."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So help me Moses!" said the man, "he can +keep both eyes on if he likes."</p> + +<p class="indent">But his demeanor changed, and with considerable +alacrity he brought out the rings. There were +three, just as Randal had described to Mr. Barnes, +including the one with the initial "Q" set in +diamonds.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who left these with you?" asked Mr. Burrows.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The name is on the ticket," answered the pawnbroker.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are inaccurate, my friend. A name is on +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +the ticket, yes, but not the name. Now tell me +the truth."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It's all straight. I ain't hiding anything. +Morgan brought the things here."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Morgan, eh? You are sure his name is Morgan? +Quite sure?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, that's the name I know him by. Sometimes +he goes by the name of Morton, I've heard. +But with me it's always been Morgan, Jerry Morgan, +just as it reads on the ticket."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, then you know this man Morgan?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; only that he borrows money on security +once in a while."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, now, if his name is Morgan, did you think +this ring with a 'Q' on it was his? Does 'Q' +stand for Morgan?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's none of my affair. Heavens, I can't +ask everybody where they get things. They'd be +insulted."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Insulted! That's a good one. Well, when I +get my hands on this chap he'll be badly insulted, +for I'll ask him a lot of questions. Now, Isaac, let +me tell you what this 'Q' stands for. It stands for +Quadrant, and that's the name of the man found in +the river lately, and these three rings came off his +fingers. After death, Isaac; after death! What +do you think of that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You don't say! I'm astonished!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Are you, now? Never thought your friend +Morgan or Morton, who works out by the day, +and brought valuable diamonds to pawn, would do +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +such a thing, did you? Thought he bought these +things out of his wages, eh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I never knew he wasn't honest, so help me +Moses! or I wouldn't have had a thing to do with +him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps not. You're too honest yourself to +take 'swag' from a 'crook,' even though you loan +about one quarter of the value."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I gave him all he asked for. He promised to +take them out again."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, he won't, Isaac. I'll take them out +myself."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You don't mean you're going to keep the +rings? Where do I come in?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're lucky you don't come into jail."</p> + +<p class="indent">"May I ask this man a few questions, Burrows?" +said Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"As many as you like, and see that you answer +straight, Isaac. Don't forget what I hinted about +the Chief having an eye on you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, of course, I'll answer anything."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You say you have known this man Morgan for +some time?" asked Mr. Barnes. "Can you give me +an idea of how he looks?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, I ain't much on descriptions. Morgan +is a short fellow, rather stocky, and he's got +dark hair and a mustache that looks like a paintbrush."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes recalled the description which the +butler had given of the man who had remained at +the house when the others went away, and this +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +tallied very well with it. As Berial had declared +that it was Morgan who had been left at the house, +and as this description did not fit Randal at all, he +being above medium height, with a beardless face +which made him seem younger than he probably +was, it began to look as though in some way Mr. +Burrows had made a mistake, and that Randal was +not criminally implicated, though perhaps he had +stolen the pawn-tickets, and subsequently destroyed +them when he found that a police investigation was +inevitable.</p> + +<p class="indent">There was no object in further questioning the +pawnbroker, who pleaded that as the owners of the +property were rich, and as he had "honestly" made +the loan, they might be persuaded to return to him +the amount of his advance, adding that he would +willingly throw off his "interest."</p> + +<p class="indent">Leaving the place, and walking together across +town, Mr. Barnes said to Mr. Burrows:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Tom, I am afraid you are on a wrong scent. +That man Randal stole those pawn-tickets. He did +not himself pawn the rings."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Maybe," said the younger man, only half convinced. +"But you mark my word. Randal is in +this. Don't believe all that 'fence' says. He may +be in with Randal. I fancy that Randal pawned +the things, but made the Jew put Morgan's name +on them. Now that we ask him questions, he declares +that Morgan brought them to him, either to +protect Randal, or most likely to protect himself. +Since there is a real Morgan, and he knew the man, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +he had no right to write his name on those tickets +for things brought to him by some one else."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But why are you so sure that Morgan is innocent? +How do you know that he was the one that +went off with old Berial when they left the house?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Simply because the other man, Randal, took +the wagon back to the stables."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Are you certain of that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Absolutely. I have been to the stables, and +they all tell the same story. Randal took the +wagon out, harnessing the horse himself, as he often +did. And Randal brought it back again, after six +o'clock; of that they are certain, because the place +is merely a livery for express wagons, trucks, and +the like. The regular stable-boys go off between +six and seven, and there is no one in charge at night +except the watchman. The drivers usually take +care of their own horses. Now the watchman was +already there when Randal came in with the wagon, +and two of the stable-boys also saw him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, Tom, you said that in your belief there +was another man in this case,—one who really was +the principal. Have you any suspicion as to that +man's identity?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Here's my idea," said Mr. Burrows. "This +fellow Randal was sounded by the man who finally +engaged him for the job, and, proving to be the right +sort, was engaged. He was to take the body out of +the coffin and carry it away. The man who hired +Randal must have been one of the brothers."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> +"It must have been, else the opportunity could +not have been made, for, mark me, it was made. +See! The widow was taken to the room to see the +corpse, and then it was arranged that the coffin +should be closed and not opened again before the +funeral. That was to make all sure. Then came +the closing of the coffin and the departure of two of +the undertakers. The third, Randal, remained behind, +and while the family lingered at dinner the +job was done. The body was carried out to the +wagon and driven off. Now we come to the question, +which of the brothers did this?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Which have you decided upon?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, the object of this devilish act was to +please the widow by preventing this cremation to +which she objected. The man who concocted that +scheme thought that when the body should be +found it would then be buried, which would gratify +the widow. Now why did he wish to gratify her? +Because he's in love with her. She's not old, you +know, and she's still pretty."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you think that Mark Quadrant concocted +this scheme?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No! I think that Amos Quadrant is our man."</p> + +<p class="indent">It seemed destined that Mr. Burrows should surprise +Mr. Barnes. If the older detective was astonished +when he had heard Burrows suggest that Randal +had been the accomplice in this affair, he was more +astounded now to hear him accuse the elder brother +of being the principal. For, had not Mark Quadrant +told him that it was Amos who had insisted +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +upon the cremation? And that Amos, being the +elder, had assumed the control of the funeral?</p> + +<p class="indent">"Burrows," said Mr. Barnes, "I hope that you +are not merely following your impulsive imagination?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Burrows colored as he replied with some heat:</p> + +<p class="indent">"You need not forever twit me with my stupidity +in my first case. Of course I may be mistaken, but +I am doing routine work on this affair. I have not +any real proof yet to support my theories. If I had +I should make an arrest. But I have evidence +enough to make it my duty to go ahead on definite +lines. When the mystery clears a little, I may see +things differently."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should like to know why you think that Amos +is in love with his sister-in-law."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps it would be safer to claim that he was +once in love with her. The past is a certainty, the +present mere conjecture. I got the tip from a slip +of the tongue made by Dr. Mortimer, and I have +corroborated the facts since. I was speaking with +Dr. Mortimer of the possibility of there being any +ill-feeling between the members of this family, when +he said: 'I believe there was some hard feeling between +the deceased and his brother Amos arising +from jealousy.' When he had let the word 'jealousy' +pass his lips, he closed up like a clam, and +when I pressed him, tried to pass it off by saying +that Amos was jealous of his brother's business and +social successes. But that did not go down with +me, so I have had some guarded inquiries made, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +with the result that it is certain that Amos loved +this woman before she accepted Rufus."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What if I tell you that I have heard that the +younger brother, Mark, is in love with the widow, +and that it was he who opposed cremation, while it +was Amos who insisted upon carrying out the wishes +of his brother?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What should I say to that? Well, I should say +that you probably got that yarn from Randal, and +that he had been 'stuffing you,' as the vernacular +has it, hoping you'll excuse the vulgar expression."</p> + +<p class="indent">It nettled Mr. Barnes to have his younger <i>confrère</i> +guess so accurately the source of his information, +and to hear him discredit it so satirically. He +recognized, however, that upon the evidence offered +Mr. Burrows had not yet made out his case, and that +therefore the mystery was yet far from solved.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Look here, Burrows," said Mr. Barnes. "Take +an older man's advice. Don't go too fast in this +case. Before you come to any conclusion, find this +man Jerry Morgan."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, there won't be any trouble about that."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, then you know where he is?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, he is still with Berial. At least he was +up to last night."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, now we come to it!" Mr. Barnes was +gratified to find that Burrows had not kept full control +of his case. "Last night was many hours ago. +Morgan threw up his job this morning, and left."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The devil you say!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, yes," said Mr. Barnes, determined now +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +to make Mr. Burrows a little uncomfortable. "I +have no doubt he intends to skip out, but, of course, +he cannot get away. You have him shadowed?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, no, I have not," said Mr. Burrows, dejectedly. +"You see, I did not connect him in my +mind with——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps he is not connected with the case in +your mind, Burrows, but he is connected with it in +fact. He is unquestionably the key to the situation +at present. With him in our hands we could decide +whether it was he or Randal who pawned those +rings. Without him we can prove nothing. In +short, until you get at him the case is at a standstill."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are right, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Burrows, +manfully admitting his error. "I have been an ass. +I was so sure about Randal that I did not use +proper precautions, and Morgan has slipped through +my fingers. But I'll find his trail, and I'll track +him. I'll follow him to the opposite ocean if necessary, +but I'll bring him back."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is the right spirit, Tom. Find him and +bring him back if you can. If you cannot, then +get the truth out of him. Let me say one thing +more. For the present at least, work upon the +supposition that it was he who pawned those rings. +In that case he has at least two hundred dollars for +travelling expenses."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are right. I'll begin at once without +losing another minute."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where will you start?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +"I'll start where he started—at his own house. +He's left there by now, of course, but I'll have a +look at the place and talk a bit with the neighbors. +When you hear from me again, I'll have Morgan."</p> + +<p class="h2">VIII</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">Mr. Barnes</span> returned to his home that night feeling +well satisfied with his day's work. With little +real knowledge he had started out in the morning, +and within ten hours he had dipped deeply into the +heart of the mystery. Yet he felt somewhat like a +man who has succeeded in working his way into the +thickest part of a forest, with no certainty as to where +he might emerge again, or how. Moreover, though +he had seemingly accomplished so much during the +first day, he seemed destined to make little headway +for many days thereafter. On the second day of +his investigation he ascertained one fact which was +more misleading than helpful. It will be recalled +that Mark Quadrant had told him that his brother +had a scar on the sole of his foot made by cutting +himself whilst in swimming. Mr. Barnes went to +the Morgue early, and examined both feet most carefully. +There was no such scar, nor was it possible +that there ever could have been. The feet were absolutely +unmarred. Could it be possible that, in +spite of the apparently convincing proof that this +body had been correctly identified, nevertheless a +mistake had been made?</p> + +<p class="indent">This question puzzled the detective mightily, and +he longed impatiently for an opportunity to talk +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +with one of the family, especially with the elder +brother, Amos. Delay, however, seemed unavoidable. +The police authorities, having finally accepted +the identification, delivered the body to the Quadrants, +and a second funeral occurred. Thus two +more days elapsed before Mr. Barnes felt at liberty +to intrude, especially as it was not known that he +had been regularly retained by Mrs. Quadrant.</p> + +<p class="indent">Meanwhile nothing was heard from Burrows, who +had left the city, and, as a further annoyance, Mr. +Barnes was unable to catch Mr. Mitchel at home +though he called three times. Failing to meet that +gentleman, and chafing at his enforced inactivity, +the detective finally concluded to visit the cemetery +in the hope of learning what had occurred when Mr. +Mitchel had inspected the ashes. Again, however, +was he doomed to disappointment. His request to +be allowed to examine the contents of the urn was +refused, strict orders to that effect having been imposed +by the Chief of the regular detective force.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You see," explained the superintendent, "we +could not even let you look into the urn upon the +order of one of the family, because they have claimed +the body at the Morgue, and so they have no claim +on these ashes. If a body was burned that day, +then there is a body yet to be accounted for, and +the authorities must guard the ashes as their only +chance to make out a case. Of course they can't +identify ashes, but the expert chemists claim they +can tell whether a human body or only an empty +coffin was put into the furnace."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +"And are the experts making such an analysis?" +asked Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. The Chief himself came here with two of +them, the day before yesterday. They emptied out +the ashes onto a clean marble slab, and looked all +through the pile. Then they put some in two +bottles, and sealed the bottles, and then put the +balance back in the urn and sealed that also. So, +you see, there isn't any way for me to let you look +into that urn."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, of course not," admitted the detective, reluctantly. +"Tell me, was any one else present at +this examination besides the Chief and the two +experts?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. A gentleman they called Mitchel, I believe."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes had expected this answer, yet it irritated +him to hear it. Mr. Mitchel had information +which the detective would have given much to share.</p> + +<p class="indent">During the succeeding days he made numerous +ineffectual efforts to have an interview with Amos +Quadrant, but repeatedly was told that he was +"Not at home." Mrs. Quadrant, too, had left +town for a rest at one of their suburban homes, and +Mark Quadrant had gone with her. The city house, +with its closed shutters, seemed as silent as the +grave, and the secret of what had occurred within +those walls seemed almost hopelessly buried.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What a pity," thought the detective, "that +walls do not have tongues as well as ears."</p> + +<p class="indent">A week later Mr. Barnes was more fortunate. He +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +called at the Quadrant mansion, expecting to once +more hear the servant say coldly, "Not at home," +in answer to his inquiry for Mr. Quadrant, when, to +his surprise and pleasure, Mr. Quadrant himself +stepped out of the house as he approached it. The +detective went up to him boldly, and said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Quadrant, I must have a few words with +you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Must?" said Mr. Quadrant with an angry inflection. +"I think not. Move out of my way, and +let me pass."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not until you have given me an interview," said +Mr. Barnes firmly, without moving.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are impertinent, sir. If you interfere with +me further, I will have you arrested," said Mr. +Quadrant, now thoroughly aroused.</p> + +<p class="indent">"If you call a policeman," said Mr. Barnes, +calmly, "I will have you arrested."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And upon what charge, pray?" said Mr. Quadrant, +contemptuously.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I will accuse you of instigating the removal of +your brother's body from the coffin."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are mad."</p> + +<p class="indent">"There are others who hold this view, so it would +be wise for you to move carefully in this matter."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Would you object to telling me what others +share your extraordinary opinion?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I did not say that it is my opinion. More than +that, I will say that it is not my opinion, not at +present at all events. But it is the view which is +receiving close attention at police headquarters."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +"Are you one of the detectives?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am a detective, but not connected with the +city force."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then by what right do you intrude yourself +into this affair?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes knew that he must play his best card +now, to gain his point with this man. He watched +him closely as he answered:</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am employed by Mrs. Quadrant."</p> + +<p class="indent">There was an unmistakable start. Amos Quadrant +was much disturbed to hear that his sister-in-law +had hired a detective, and curiously enough he +made no effort to hide his feelings. With some +show of emotion he said in a low voice:</p> + +<p class="indent">"In that case, perhaps, we should better have a +talk together. Come in."</p> + +<p class="indent">With these words he led the way into the house, +and invited the detective into the same room wherein +he had talked with Mark Quadrant. When they had +found seats, Mr. Quadrant opened the conversation +immediately.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What is your name?" he asked.</p> + +<p class="indent">"John Barnes," was the reply.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Barnes? I have heard of you. Well, Mr. +Barnes, let me be very frank with you. Above all +things it has been my wish that this supposed +mystery should not be cleared up. To me it is a +matter of no consequence who did this thing, or +why it was done. Indeed, what suspicions have +crossed my mind make me the more anxious not to +know the truth. Feeling thus, I should have done +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +all in my power to hinder the work of the regular +police. When you tell me that my sister-in-law has +engaged your services, you take me so by surprise +that I am compelled to think a bit in order to determine +what course to pursue. You can readily understand +that my position is a delicate and embarrassing +one."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I understand that thoroughly, and you have my +sympathy, Mr. Quadrant."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You may mean that well, but I do not thank +you," said Mr. Quadrant, coldly. "I want no +man's sympathy. This is purely an impersonal interview, +and I prefer to have that distinctly prominent +in our minds throughout this conversation. Let +there be no misunderstanding and no false pretenses. +You are a detective bent upon discovering the author +of certain singular occurrences. I am a man upon +whom suspicion has alighted; and, moreover, guilty +or innocent, I desire to prevent you from accomplishing +your purpose. I do not wish the truth to +be known. Do we understand one another?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perfectly," said Mr. Barnes, astonished by the +man's manner and admiring his perfect self-control +and his bold conduct.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then we may proceed," said Mr. Quadrant. +"Do you wish to ask me questions, or will you reply +to one or two from me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I will answer yours first, if you will reply to +mine afterwards."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I make no bargains. I will answer, but I do +not promise to tell you anything unless it pleases +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> +me to do so. You have the same privilege. First, +then, tell me how it happened that Mrs. Quadrant +engaged you in this case."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I called here, attracted merely by the extraordinary +features of this case, and Mrs. Quadrant +granted me a short interview, at the end of which +she offered to place the matter in my hands as her +representative."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah! Then she did not of her own thought send +for you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You told me that the regular detectives are considering +the theory that I instigated this affair. As +you used the word instigated, it should follow that +some other person, an accomplice, is suspected likewise. +Is that the idea?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is one theory."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And who, pray, is my alleged accomplice?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That I cannot tell you without betraying confidence."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very good. Next you declared that you yourself +do not share this view. Will you tell me on +what grounds you exculpate me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"With pleasure. The assumed reason for this +act of removing your brother from his coffin was to +prevent the cremation. Now it was yourself who +wished to have the body incinerated."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are mistaken. I did not wish it. On the +contrary, I most earnestly wished that there should +be no cremation. You see I incriminate myself."</p> + +<p class="indent">He smiled painfully, and a dejected expression +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> +crossed his face. For an instant he looked like a +man long tired of carrying some burden, then +quickly he recovered his composure.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You astonish me," said Mr. Barnes. "I was +told by Mr. Mark that you insisted upon carrying +out your brother's wish in this matter of disposing +of his body."</p> + +<p class="indent">"My brother told you that? Well, it is true. +He and I quarrelled about it. He wished to have a +regular burial, contrary to our brother's oft-repeated +injunction. I opposed him, and, being the elder, I +assumed the responsibility, and gave the orders."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But you have admitted that you did not wish +this?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do we always have our wishes gratified in this +world?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The detective, watching the man's face closely, +again noted that expression of weariness cross his +features, and an instinctive feeling of pity was +aroused. Once more the skein became more entangled. +His own suspicion against Mark Quadrant +rested upon the supposition that the act was committed +with the intent of making capital out of it +with the widow, and was based upon the theory that +Amos wished to have his brother incinerated. If +now it should transpire that after all it was Amos +who managed the affair, his motive was a higher +one, for, while appearing to carry out the wishes of +his deceased brother, he must have aimed to gratify +the widow, without admitting her to the knowledge +that his hand had gained her purpose. This was a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> +higher, nobler love. Was Amos Quadrant of this +noble mould? The question crossing the detective's +mind met a startling answer which prompted Mr. +Barnes to ask suddenly:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Is it true that, speaking of this cremation, you +said: 'Let him burn; he'll burn in hell anyway'?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Amos Quadrant flushed deeply, and his face grew +stern as he answered:</p> + +<p class="indent">"I presume you have witnesses who heard the +words, therefore it would be futile to deny it. It +was a brutal remark, but I made it. I was exasperated +by something which Mark had said, and +replied in anger."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is a sound doctrine, Mr. Quadrant," said the +detective, "that words spoken in anger often more +truly represent the speaker's feelings than what he +says when his tongue is bridled."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"If we take this view, then it is apparent that you +did not hold a very high regard for your brother."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is quite true. Why should I?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He was your brother."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And because of the accident of birth, I was +bound to love him? A popular fallacy, Mr. Barnes. +He was equally bound, then, to love me, but he did +not. Indeed he wronged me most grievously."</p> + +<p class="indent">"By marrying the woman you loved?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes felt ashamed of his question, as a +surgeon often must be sorry to insert the scalpel. +To his surprise it elicited no retort. Mr. Quadrant's +reply was calmly spoken. All he said was:</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> +"Yes, he did that."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did she know?" ventured the detective hesitatingly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, I think not—I hope not."</p> + +<p class="indent">There was a painful pause. Mr. Quadrant looked +down at the floor, while Mr. Barnes watched him, +trying to decide whether the man were acting a part +with intent to deceive, as he had announced that he +would not hesitate to do; or whether he were telling +the truth, in which case the nobility of his character +was brought more into perspective.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Are you sure," said Mr. Barnes after a pause, +"that the body taken from the river was that of +your brother Rufus?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why do you ask that?" said Mr. Quadrant, on +the defensive at once. "Can there be any doubt?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Before I reply, let me ask you another question. +Did your brother Rufus have a scar on the sole of +his foot?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The other man started perceptibly, and paused +some time before answering. Then he asked:</p> + +<p class="indent">"What makes you think so?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Mark Quadrant told me that his brother +had such a scar, caused by gashing his foot while in +swimming."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, that is your source of information. Well, +when Mark told you that his brother had met with +such an accident, he told you the truth."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But did the accident leave a scar?" Mr. +Barnes thought he detected a carefully worded +evasive answer.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> +"Yes, the cut left a bad scar; one easily noticed."</p> + +<p class="indent">"In that case I can reply to your question. If, +as you both say, your brother had a scar on the sole +of his foot, then there exists considerable doubt as +to the identification of the body which was at the +Morgue, the body which you have both accepted +and buried as being that of your relative. Mr. +Quadrant, there was no scar on that body."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Odd, isn't it?" said Mr. Quadrant, without +any sign of surprise.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should say it is very odd. How do you suppose +it can be explained?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I do not know, and, as I have told you before, +I do not care. Quite the reverse; the less +you comprehend this case the better pleased I +shall be."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Quadrant," said Mr. Barnes, a little nettled, +"since you so frankly admit that you wish me to +fail, why should I not believe that you are telling +me a falsehood when you state that your brother +told me the truth?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"There is no reason that I care to advance," said +Mr. Quadrant, "why you should believe me, but if +you do not, you will go astray. I repeat, what my +brother told you is true."</p> + +<p class="indent">It seemed to the detective that in all his varied +experience he had never met with circumstances so +exasperatingly intricate. Here was an identification +for many reasons the most reliable that he had +known, and now there appeared to be a flaw of such +a nature that it could not be set aside. If the body +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> +was that of Mr. Quadrant, then both these men had +lied. If they told the truth, then, in spite of science, +the doctors, and the family, the identification had +been false. In that case Rufus Quadrant had been +cremated after all, and this would account for the +statement in Mr. Mitchel's note that a human body +had been incinerated. Could it be that these two +brothers were jointly implicated in a murder, and +had pretended to recognize the body at the Morgue +in order to have it buried and to cover up their +crime? It seemed incredible. Besides, the coincidence +of the external and internal diseases was too +great.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I would like to ask you a few questions in relation +to the occurrences on the day and evening preceding +the funeral," said Mr. Barnes, pursuing the +conversation, hoping to catch from the answers +some clue that might aid him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Which funeral?" said Mr. Quadrant.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The first. I have been told that you and your +brother were present when the widow last viewed +the face of her husband, and that at that time, +about five o'clock, you jointly agreed that the coffin +should not be opened again. Is this true?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Accurate in every detail."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Was the coffin closed at once? That is, before +you left the room?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The lower part of the coffin-top was, of course, +in place and screwed fast when we entered the +room. The upper part, exposing the face, was +open. It was this that was closed in my presence."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> +"I would like to get the facts here very accurately, +if you are willing. You say, closed in your +presence. Do you mean merely covered, or was +the top screwed fast before you went out of the +room, and, if so, by whom?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mark took our sister away, but Dr. Mortimer +and myself remained until the screws were put in. +Mr. Berial himself did that."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did you observe that the screws were odd? +Different from common screws?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes hoped that the other man would betray +something at this point, but he answered quite +composedly:</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think I did at the time, but I could not describe +them to you now. I half remember that Mr. +Berial made some such comment as 'No one can get +these out again without my permission.'"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah! He said that, did he? Yet some one +must have gotten those screws out, for, if your +identification was correct, your brother's body was +taken out of that casket after the undertaker had +put in those screws, which he said could not be removed +without his permission. How do you suppose +that was accomplished?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"How should I know, Mr. Barnes, unless, indeed, +I did it myself, or instigated or connived at +the doing? In either case, do you suppose I would +give you any information on such a point?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did your brother Rufus have any rings on his +fingers when placed in the coffin?" asked Mr. +Barnes, swiftly changing the subject.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +"Yes—three: a diamond, a ruby, and a ring bearing +his initial set in diamonds."</p> + +<p class="indent">"These rings were not on the body at the +Morgue."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Neither was that scar," said Mr. Quadrant, with +a suppressed laugh.</p> + +<p class="indent">"But this is different," said Mr. Barnes. "I +did not find the scar, but I have found the rings."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very clever of you, I am sure. But what does +that prove?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It proves that your brother's body was taken +from the coffin before the coffin was placed in the +crematory furnace."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Illogical and inaccurate," said Mr. Quadrant. +"You prove by the recovery of the rings, merely +that the rings were taken from the coffin."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Or, from the body after it was taken out," interjected +Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"In either case it is of no consequence. You +have rooted up a theft, that is all. Catch the thief +and jail him, if you like. I care nothing about +that. It is the affair of my brother's death and +burial that I wish to see dropped by the inquisitive +public."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, but suppose I tell you that the theory +is that the man who stole the rings was your accomplice +in the main matter? Don't you see that +when we catch him, he is apt to tell all that he +knows?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"When you catch him? Then you have not +caught him yet. For so much I am grateful." He +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> +did not seem to care how incriminating his words +might sound.</p> + +<p class="indent">"One thing more, Mr. Quadrant. I understand +that you retired at about ten o'clock on that night—the +night prior to the first funeral, I mean. You +left your brother Mark down here?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Later you came downstairs again."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You seem to be well posted as to my movements."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not so well as I wish to be. Will you tell me +why you came down?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have not admitted that I came downstairs."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You were seen in the hall very late at night, or +early in the morning. You took the lamp out of +the room where the casket was, and came in here +and looked at your brother, who was asleep. Then +you returned the lamp and went upstairs. Do you +admit now that you had just come downstairs?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I admit nothing. But to show you how little +you can prove, suppose I ask you how you know +that I had just come downstairs? Why may it not +be that I had been out of the house, and had just +come in again when your informant saw me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Quite true. You might have left the house. +Perhaps it was then that the body was taken away?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"If it was taken away, that was certainly as good +a time as any."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What time?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, let us say between twelve and two. Very +few people would be about the street at that hour, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> +and a wagon stopping before a door would attract +very little attention. Especially if it were an undertaker's +wagon."</p> + +<p class="indent">"An undertaker's wagon?" exclaimed Mr. +Barnes, as this suggested a new possibility.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, yes. If, as you say, there was an accomplice +in this case, the fellow who stole the rings, you +know, he must have been one of the undertaker's +men. If so, he would use their wagon, would he +not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think he would," said Mr. Barnes sharply. +"I thank you for the point. And now I will leave +you."</p> + +<p class="h2">IX</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">Mr. Barnes</span> walked rapidly, revolving in his +mind the new ideas which had entered it during the +past few minutes. Before this morning he had imagined +that the body of Rufus Quadrant had been +taken away between five and six o'clock, in the +undertaker's wagon. But it had never occurred to +him that this same wagon could have been driven +back to the house at any hour of the day or night, +without causing the policeman on that beat to suspect +any wrong. Thus, suddenly, an entirely new +phase had been placed upon the situation. Before, +he had been interested in knowing which man +had been left behind; whether it had been Morgan +or Randal. Now he was more anxious to know +whether the wagon had been taken again from the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +stable on that night, and, if so, by whom. Consequently +he went first to the undertaker's shop, intending +to interview Mr. Berial, but that gentleman +was out. Therefore he spoke again with Randal, +who recognized him at once and greeted him cordially.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, how do you do," said he. "Glad +you're round again. Anything turned up in the +Quadrant case?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"We are getting at the truth slowly," said the +detective, watching his man closely. "I would +like to ask you to explain one or two things to me +if you can."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Maybe I will, and maybe not. It wouldn't do +to promise to answer questions before I hear what +they are. I ain't exactly what you would call a +fool."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did you not tell me that it was Morgan who +was left at the house after the coffin was closed, and +that you came away with Mr. Berial?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't remember whether I told you or not. +But you've got it straight."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But they say at the stables that it was you who +drove the wagon back there?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's right, too. What of it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"But I understood that Morgan brought the +wagon back?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"So he did; back here to the shop. He had to +leave all our tools and things here, you see. Then +he went off to his dinner, and I took the horse and +wagon round to the stables."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +"Where do you stable?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Harrison's, Twenty-fourth Street, near Lex."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, another matter. You told me about the +loss of those rings?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, and I gave you the tip where you might +find them again. Did you go there?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; you were right. The rings were pawned +exactly where you sent me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I don't know," said the fellow, airishly. +"I ought to be on the police force, I guess. I can +find out a few things, I think."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It isn't hard to guess what you know," said +the detective, sharply.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What do you mean?" Randal was on the defensive +at once.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I mean," said Mr. Barnes, "that it was you +who pawned those rings."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's a lie, and you can't prove it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't be too sure of that. We have the pawn +tickets."</p> + +<p class="indent">This shot went home. Randal looked frightened, +and was evidently confused.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's another lie," said he, less vigorously. +"You can't scare me. If you have got them, which +you haven't, you won't find my name on them."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; you used your friend Morgan's name, +which was a pretty low trick."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Look here, you detective," said Randal blusteringly, +"I don't allow no man to abuse me. You +can't talk that way to me. All this talk of yours is +rot. That's what it is, rot!"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> +"Look here, Randal. Try to be sensible if you +can. I have not yet made up my mind whether +you are a scoundrel or a fool. Suppose you tell me +the truth about those tickets. It will be safest, I +assure you."</p> + +<p class="indent">Randal looked at the detective and hesitated. +Mr. Barnes continued:</p> + +<p class="indent">"There is no use to lie any longer. You were +shadowed, and you were seen when you tore up the +tickets. The pieces were picked up and put together, +and they call for those rings. Don't you +see we have you fast unless you can explain how +you got the tickets?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I guess you're givin' it to me straight," said +Randal after a long pause. "I guess I better take +your advice and let you have it right. One afternoon +I saw Morgan hide something in one of the +coffins in the shop. He tucked it away under the +satin linin'. I was curious, and I looked into it +after he'd gone that night. I found the pawn +tickets. Of course I didn't know what they were +for except that it was rings. But I guessed it was +for some stuff he'd stolen from the corpse of somebody. +For it was him took the other jewels I told +you about, and I seen him with a screw-driver the +match to the boss's. So I just slipped the tickets +in my pocket thinkin' I'd have a hold on him. +Next day I read about this man bein' found in the +river, and I stopped to the Morgue, and, just as I +thought, his rings was gone. I worried over that +for an hour or two, and then I thought I better not +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> +keep the tickets, so I tore them up and threw them +away."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That, you say, was the night after this affair +was published in the papers?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; it was the same night."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is to say, the night of that day on which I +came here and had a talk with you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, it was the night before. You're thinkin' +about the mornin' papers, but I seen it first in the +afternoon papers."</p> + +<p class="indent">This statement dispelled a doubt which had entered +the mind of the detective, who remembered +that Mr. Burrows had told him that the pawn-ticket +incident had occurred on the evening previous to +their meeting. This explanation, however, tallied +with that, and Mr. Barnes was now inclined to credit +the man's story.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very good," said he. "You may be telling +the truth. If you have nothing to do with this +case, you ought to be willing to give me some +assistance. Will you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Randal had been so thoroughly frightened that +he now seemed only too glad of the chance to win +favor in the eyes of Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Just you tell me what you want, and I'm your +man," said he.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I want to find out something at the stable, and +I think you can get the information for me better +than I can myself."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll go with you right away. The boy can +mind the shop while we're gone. Charlie, you just +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +keep an eye on things till I get back, will you? I +won't be out more'n ten minutes. Come on, Mr. +Barnes, I'm with you."</p> + +<p class="indent">On the way to the stable Mr. Barnes directed +Randal as to what he wished to learn, and then at +his suggestion waited for him in a liquor saloon near +by, while he went alone to the stable. In less than +ten minutes Randal hurried into the place, flushed +with excitement and evidently bubbling over with +importance. He drew the detective to one side and +spoke in whispers.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Say," said he, "you're on the right tack. +The wagon was out again that night, and not on +any proper errand, neither."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Tell me what you have learned," said Mr. +Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course the night watchman ain't there now, +but Jimmy, the day superintendent, is there, and I +talked with him. He says there was some funny +business that night. First I asked him about the +wagon bein' out or not, and he slaps his hand on +his leg, and he says: 'By George!' says he, 'that's +the caper. Didn't you put that wagon in its right +place when you brung it in that afternoon?' he says +to me. 'Of course,' says I; 'where do you think +I'd put it?' 'Well,' says he, 'next mornin' it +was out in the middle of the floor, right in the way +of everything. The boys was cussin' you for your +carelessness. I wasn't sure in my own mind or I +would have spoke; but I thought I seen you shove +that wagon in its right place.' 'So I did,' says I, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> +'and if it was in the middle of the stable, you can +bet it was moved after I left. Now who moved +it?' 'I don't know,' says he, 'but I'll tell you +another thing what struck me as odd. I didn't +have nothin' particular to do that night, and I +dropped in for an hour or so to be sociable like with +Jack'—that's the night watchman. 'While I was +there,' he goes on, 'while I was there, who should +come in but Jerry Morgan! He didn't stop long, +but he took us over to the saloon and balled us off'—that +means he treated to drinks. 'Next day I come +round about six o'clock as usual,' says Jimmy, goin' +on, 'and there was Jack fast asleep. Now that's +the fust time that man ever dropped off while on +watch, and he's been here nigh on to five years. I +shook him and tried every way to 'waken him, but +it didn't seem to do no good. He'd kind of start +up and look about dazed, and even talk a bit, but as +soon as I'd let up, he'd drop off again. I was +makin' me a cup of coffee, and, thinkin' it might +rouse him, I made him drink some, and, do you +know, he was all right in a few minutes. At the +time I didn't think much about it, but since then +I have thought it over a good deal, and, do you +know what I think now?' 'No,' says I; 'what do +you think?' 'I think,' says he, 'I think that +Jimmy was drugged, and if he was, Jerry Morgan +done the trick when he balled us off, and you can +bet it was him took that wagon out that night.' +That's the story Jimmy tells, Mr. Barnes, and it's +a corker, ain't it?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> +"It certainly is important," said Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">Once more he had food for thought. This narrative +was indeed important; the drowsiness of the +watchman and his recovery after drinking coffee +suggested morphine. The detective likewise recalled +the story of the butler who claimed that he +had seen Mark Quadrant asleep while he was supposed +to be guarding the coffin. Then, too, there +was the empty paper which had once held some +powder, and which he had himself found in the +room where Mark Quadrant had slept. Had he too +been drugged? If so, the question arose, Did this +man Morgan contrive to mix the morphine with +something which he thought it probable that the one +sitting up with the corpse would drink, or had Amos +given his brother the sleeping-potion? In one case +it would follow that Morgan was the principal in +this affair, while in the other he was merely an accomplice. +If his hand alone managed all, then it +might be that he had a deeper and more potent +motive than the mere removal of the body to avoid +cremation, the latter being a motive which the detective +had throughout hesitated to adopt because +it seemed so weak. If Morgan substituted another +body for the one taken from the coffin, then the +statement of Mr. Mitchel that a body had been +cremated was no longer a discrepancy. There was +but one slightly disturbing thought. All the theorizing +in which he now indulged was based on the +assumption that Randal was not deceiving. Yet +how could he be sure of that? Tom Burrows would +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> +have said to him: "Mr. Barnes, that fellow is lying +to you. His story may be true in all except that it +was himself and not Morgan who did these things." +For while he had thought it best to let Randal go +alone to the stable to make inquiries, this had +placed him in the position of receiving the tale at +second-hand, so that Randal might have colored it +to suit himself. For the present, he put aside these +doubts and decided to pursue this clue until he +proved it a true or false scent. He dismissed Randal +with an injunction to keep his tongue from +wagging, and proceeded to the house of the man +Morgan, regretting now that he had not done so +before.</p> + +<p class="indent">The tenement on Eleventh Avenue was one of +those buildings occupying half a block, having stores +on the street, with narrow, dark, dismal hallways, +the staircases at the farther end being invisible from +the street door, even on the sunniest days, without +a match. Overhead, each hallway offered access to +four flats, two front and two back, the doors being +side by side. These apartments each included two +or three rooms and what by courtesy might be called +a bathroom, though few indeed of the tenants +utilized the latter for the purpose for which it had +been constructed, preferring to occupy this extra +space with such of their impedimenta as might not +be in constant use.</p> + +<p class="indent">When one enters a place of this character asking +questions, if he addresses any of the adults he is +likely to receive scant information in reply. Either +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +these people do not know even the names of their +next-door neighbors, or else, knowing, they are unwilling +to take the trouble to impart the knowledge. +The children, however, and they are as numerous +as grasshoppers in a hayfield, not only know everything, +but tell what they know willingly. It is also +a noteworthy fact that amidst such squalor and filth, +with dirty face and bare legs, it is not uncommon +to find a child, especially a girl, who will give answers, +not only with extreme show of genuine intelligence, +but, as well, with a deferential though dignified +courtesy which would grace the reception-rooms of +upper Fifth Avenue.</p> + +<p class="indent">It was from such an urchin, a girl of about twelve, +that Mr. Barnes learned that Jerry Morgan had lived +on the fifth floor back.</p> + +<p class="indent">"But he's gone away, I guess," she added.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why do you think so?" asked Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, 'cause he ain't been in the saloon 'cross the +way for 'bout a week, and he didn't never miss +havin' his pint of beer every night 's long 's he 's +been here."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you think I could get into his room?" +asked Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I could get you our key, an' you could try," +suggested the girl. "I reckon one key will open +any door in this house. It's cheaper to get locks +in a bunch that way, I guess, an' besides, poor folks +don't get robbed much anyhow, an' so they ain't +got no 'casion to lock up every time they go out. +What little they've got don't tempt the robbers, I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +guess. Maybe the 'punushment fits the crime' too +quick."</p> + +<p class="indent">"'The punishment fits the crime,' you think," +said Mr. Barnes with a smile. "Where did you +get that from?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I seen the Mikado oncet," said the girl +rather proudly. "But I didn't mean what you +said; I said it fits 'too quick'; that's too snug, +you know, though sometimes it's 'quick' too. +You see, I guess they don't get enough out of flats +like these to pay for the risk."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are quite a philosopher," said Mr. Barnes, +approvingly. "Now run and get the key, and we +will see whether it fits or not."</p> + +<p class="indent">She hurried upstairs, and was awaiting Mr. Barnes, +with the key in her hand, when he reached the third +landing. This she gave to him, and then followed +him up the remaining flights, where she pointed out +the door which led into Morgan's flat. The key +was not needed, as the door was not locked, and the +detective pushed it open and entered. The room +seemed bare enough, what little furniture there was +being too evidently the product of a second-hand +furniture store. There seemed little hope of finding +anything helpful to his investigation in this room, yet +the detective, with his usual thoroughness, examined +every drawer, and every corner or crevice in which +anything might have been hidden, or have been accidentally +dropped, and at last he did discover something +which more than repaid him.</p> + +<p class="indent">In the darkest corner of the dark closet, where +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> +perhaps it had dropped unperceived, he found an +old vest, of no value in itself. But a search of the +pockets brought an exclamation of gratification to +the detective's lips, as from one of them he drew +forth a folded paper still containing a whitish powder. +Mr. Barnes was certain that this powder was morphine, +and at length he felt his feet on solid ground +in trailing the criminal. No longer need he doubt +Randal. His story of the probable drugging of the +night watchman at the stable now became not only +credible, but probable. Thinking that he might +gain something by further questioning the girl, Mr. +Barnes said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, here is some medicine! Perhaps he was +sick and has gone away for his health."</p> + +<p class="indent">With the keen intelligence of her class, the girl +replied:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Some folks go away for their health without +bein' sick."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How do you mean?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"When it gets so it ain't healthy for them to +stay in town, you know."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You mean for fear of the police?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Sure! What else?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"But do you think that this man Morgan would +do anything that would make him afraid of meeting +a policeman?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I don't know. But 'birds of a feather flock +together,' you know. One of his pals was pinched, +and he's workin' for the country now, on the +Island."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> +"Who was that?" Mr. Barnes did not regret the +time spent in talking with this observing youngster.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't know his right name. They called him +Billy the Red, over to the saloon."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes started. This was a clue indeed. +This was a well-known criminal whom she had +named; one who had earned his sobriquet by killing +two men in a barroom fight, when he had been +one of the celebrated Whyo gang. If Morgan consorted +with such as he, there could be little doubt +as to his social status.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You say Billy the Red was one of Morgan's +pals. Did he have any others that you know of?" +Mr. Barnes continued.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, he used to be with him most till he went up, +but lately he's been travellin' with Tommy White."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where can I find him; do you know?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Better look him up on the Island, too, I guess. +He ain't been round here for quite some days."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps he does not come because Morgan is +away?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, no, that can't be, 'cause he stopped showin' +up before Morgan left. The neighbors was beginnin' +to wonder and talk, just 'bout the time Morgan +skipped. You see, Tommy White he lived right +next door, in the next flat, him and Nellie."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, he had a wife?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't know about that. She was his girl anyway, +though some thought Morgan was sweet on her too."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes thought the fog was lifting.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +"Where is this Nellie now?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You can search me! She's gone too. The +hull three has skipped out."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What, all three at the same time?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, that's the funny part of it. That's what +makes folks talk. You see, we didn't see nothin' +of Tommy White for two or three days, but Nellie +she was round all right. But when Morgan he cut +it, Nellie she lit out too."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Let me get this right, my girl. And mind you +make no mistake, for this is important."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I ain't makin' no mistakes, mister. I'm givin' +it to you dead right, and that's more 'n you'd get +out of anybody else in this castle. But I've got +my reasons, and," this she added with a sly wink, +"you ain't fooled me any, you know. You're a +detective, that's what you are."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What makes you think so?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, there ain't much to guess. People dressed +like you don't come to a place like this and nose +into another man's rooms just for amusement. Not +much they don't. It's business with you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, never mind that. Tell me, are you sure +that White disappeared first, and that the girl was +here afterwards, but that she has not been seen since +Morgan went away?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's right. You got it straight the first +time. Now what do you make of it? I know my +own opinion."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Suppose you tell me your opinion first," said +Mr. Barnes, anxious to hear her answer.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> +"Well," said the girl, "it's very simple, what I +think. I think Tommy's been done for."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Done for?" Mr. Barnes comprehended her +meaning but preferred to have her speak more +plainly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, done for, that's what I said. They've +put him out of the way, those two. And if that's +right, it's a shame, 'cause Tommy was a good fellow. +It was him took me to the theatre, that time +when I seen the Mikado."</p> + +<p class="indent">Evidently this one visit to a theatre had been an +event in her weary little life, and the man who had +given her that bit of pleasure and had afforded her +that one glimpse of what she would have described +as the "dressed-up folks," had by that act endeared +himself to her childish heart. If he had been injured, +her little soul longed for vengeance, and she +was ready to be the instrument which might lead +Justice to her victim.</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes began to believe that the solution of +this mystery was near at hand. He left the building, +thanking the child for what she had told him, +and promising to find out what had become of her +friend Tommy White. Crossing the street he entered +the saloon where the girl had told him that +Morgan had been in the habit of buying his daily +pint of beer. By talking with the bartender he +hoped to elicit further information.</p> + +<p class="indent">The gentlemanly dispenser of liquid refreshment, +whose constant boast was that he knew how to +manufacture over three hundred different mixed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> +drinks without using any intoxicant, stood beside +the mahogany counter, polishing up the glasses, +which he piled in an imposing pyramid on the shelf +at the back, where the display was made doubly +attractive by the plate mirror behind. His hair was +scrupulously brushed and his short white coat was +immaculately clean. Fortunately there was no one +else in the place, so that the detective was afforded +a good opportunity for free conversation. He asked +for a Manhattan cocktail, and admired the dexterity +with which the man prepared the drink. Raising it +to his lips and tasting it as a connoisseur might, +Mr. Barnes said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Could not be better at the Waldorf."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I don't know," said the fellow, deprecatingly, +but pleased at the implied compliment.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your face is very familiar to me," said Mr. +Barnes; "have you ever met me before?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Never in my life," said the bartender, without +the slightest change of expression.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's odd," said Mr. Barnes, pursuing the point +with a purpose; "I am pretty good at faces. I seldom +forget one, and just as seldom make a mistake. +I would almost swear I have seen you before."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I was tending bar at the Astor House for two +years. Perhaps you saw me there," suggested the +man.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, that is it," said Mr. Barnes, pretending to +accept this explanation; "I often take my luncheon +there. By the way, I suppose you are pretty well +acquainted around the neighborhood?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +"Oh, I know a few people," said the man, +cautiously.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You know Tommy White, of course?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do I?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I might, without knowing his name. Our customers +don't all leave their cards when they buy a +drink. I don't know your name, for instance."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, but I do not live in the neighborhood. +White must come here often."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, he hasn't been in lately," said the bartender, +and then stopped short as he noted the slip +that he had made. The detective did not choose to +appear to notice it, but asked:</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is the point. Isn't it odd that he should +have disappeared?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I don't know. A man can go out of town +if he wants to, I guess."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you know that White went out of town?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have you seen Tommy White since Jerry +Morgan skipped?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"See here! what the devil are you asking me all +these questions for? Who are you, anyway, and +what are you after?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am Jack Barnes, detective, but I'm not after +you, Joe Allen, alias Fred Martin, alias Jimmy +Smith, alias Bowery Bill, alias the Plug."</p> + +<p class="indent">This sally left the man stolidly unmoved, but it +affected his attitude towards his questioner, nevertheless, +as he sullenly answered:</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> +"There's nothing you can get against me, so I +don't scare even if you know me. If you don't +want me, what do you want?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Look here, Joe," said Mr. Barnes, in friendly, +confidential tones, "a bluff does not go with me, +and you know it never did. Now why did you not +acknowledge that you knew me when I first came +in?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What's the use of courtin' trouble? I wasn't +sure you'd remember my face. It's quite a time +since we met."</p> + +<p class="indent">"True. It is five years since that Bond Street +affair, and you got three years for that, if I remember +rightly."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, I served my time, didn't I? So that's +ended, ain't it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. But what about that little business of the +postage-stamp robbery out in Trenton?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, I didn't have no hand in that."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, two of your pals did, and when they were +caught and sent up they were square enough not to +peach on you. The Mulberry Street crowd did not +know how thick you were with those boys, or you +might have got into trouble. But I knew, and you +know that I knew."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, what if you did? I tell you I wasn't in +that."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You would not like to be obliged to prove +where you were that night, would you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I suppose it's always hard to prove I was +one place, when fellows like you go on the stand and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> +swear I was somewhere else. So, as I said before, +what's the use of courtin' trouble?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now you are sensible, and as I said, I am not +after you. All I want is some information. Give +me another cocktail, and have one yourself."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thanks, I will. Go ahead with your catechism; +I'll answer so long as you don't try to make me +squeal on any of my friends. I'd go up before I'd +do that. And you know that."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's all right. I know you're square, and +that is why I feel sure you would not be mixed up +in a murder."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Murder?"</p> + +<p class="indent">This time the fellow was frightened. How could +he be sure that this detective was not trying to +entrap him? How could he know positively that +he had not been accused by some pal who wished +to shift responsibility from himself to another? +This is the Damocles sword that ever hangs over +the head of the wrong-doer. His most chosen +companions may either tell of what he has done, +or accuse him of crime which he has not committed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am afraid so. But what are you worrying +over? Did I not tell you that you are not in it? +Listen to me, Joe. This Jerry Morgan has skipped +out of town, and it looks as though he took Tommy +White's girl Nellie with him. Now, where is +Tommy White?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't know a thing. I swear I don't."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, you do. You do not know what has become +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +of him, but you know something. Morgan +isn't any pal of yours, is he?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well. Then why not tell me what you +know? If he has done anything to White, he ought +not to go free, ought he? You do not stand in with +murder, do you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, I don't. But how do I know there's been +any murder?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You don't know it, but since I suggested it to +you, you think so. I see that in your face. Now, +what do you know?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, I don't know much, but what I know I +don't want used to make another fellow go to the +chair."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is no affair of yours. You are not responsible +for what the law does. Come, I have no +more time to waste. Tell me what you know, or +say right out that you will not. Then I will know +what to do."</p> + +<p class="indent">The implied threat decided the man, and without +further attempt at evasion he said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, I suppose there ain't any use my runnin' +any risk for a man that's nothin' to me. It's this +way: Morgan's an old-time crook—I suppose you +know that?" Mr. Barnes nodded, although this +was news to him. Allen continued: "He's been +at it since he was a kid. Was in the reformatory, +and learned more there about crooked work in a +year than he would have picked up in ten outside. +He's never done time, though, since he graduated +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> +from that institution. Learned enough, I guess, to +keep out of sight of your crowd. Two years ago +he moved into this neighborhood and since then +I've seen him in here a good deal. He took up +with Tommy White—a young fellow that would +have lived straight only he was in bad company, +and was railroaded with a gang for a job he really +had no hand in. That settled him. When he came +out of Sing Sing he wasn't likely to go for a straight +job at a dollar a day, when he could lay around idle +and pick up a good thing every now and then that +would keep him going. I guess he and Morgan +done a good many jobs together; anyway, they +never was short of money. One thing was funny +about those two—nobody ever seen them in the +daytime. They used to say they was 'workin',' +but that didn't go with the crowd that hangs out +here. Neither Morgan nor White would work if +they could help it. They was just like brothers, +those two, till White took up with this girl Nellie. +I think Morgan was jealous of his luck from the +first, 'cause the girl is a peach. One of your real +blondes, without no bleachin' stuff. She's got a +skin like velvet, and hands and feet like a lady. +White soon found out that his pal was sweet on the +girl, and many a time they've rowed over her. +Finally, about two weeks ago the two of them was +in here, and they was drinkin' pretty hard and just +ready for a scrap, when the girl comes in. Morgan +goes up to her and puts his arm round her and kisses +her plump. White was mad in a minute, but he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> +turned on her instead of him and he says, says he: +'Nellie, I want you to hammer that duffer over the +head for doin' that,' and he picks up a beer glass +and hands it to her. Nellie she takes the glass, and +she says: 'I've heard of a kiss for a blow,' she says, +'but a blow for a kiss is a new one on me. It ain't +that way in the Bible, Tommy, so I guess if you +want any hammerin' done, you'd better do it yourself. +I'm thinkin' of joinin' the Salvation Army, +you know.' This made Morgan and the crowd +laugh, and White got fierce. He snatched the glass +out of Nellie's hand and made for Morgan. But +Morgan he ducks and lets White go by him, and he +picks up a beer glass too; then when White came +for him again he landed a terrible blow with the +glass right back of White's ear. Tommy went down +in a heap and lay on the ground quiverin'. The +whole thing happened so quick nobody could interfere. +Morgan got sober in a second, I tell you, and +he was scared. Everybody crowded round, and the +girl she was a wonder. You'd think bein' a woman +she'd cry and make a fuss? Not a bit of it. She +got some ice and put it on White's head, and threw +water in his face, and she puts her ear down to his +heart, and then she looks up after a bit, and she +says, as cool as could be: 'Boys, he's only stunned. +He'll come round all right. Some of you help get +him home, and I'll look after him. He'll sleep off +his liquor and he won't know what hurt him when +he wakes in the mornin'.' Well, Morgan and the +others they did what she said. They took White +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> +up and carted him over to his flat, and put him to +bed. My! but he was limp, and his face was that +blue it's been before me ever since."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did White get over that blow?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's the point. Nellie and Morgan said he +did; that he was a bit sore next day and had a +headache. That was likely enough. But when you +talked about murder a while ago, I admit I got +scared, cause White's never been seen since that +night."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are sure of that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Dead sure. Nellie said he was gone out of +town, and the boys swallowed the story. But when +both Morgan and Nellie skipped it looked bad, and +folks began to talk. As for me, I've been nervous +for days. Why, when that body was picked out of +the river I just couldn't keep away from the Morgue. +I just had to have a peep at it. I was sure it would +be White, and that Morgan had pitched him over. +My, but wasn't I glad to see it was another man!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Assuring Allen that his story would not be used +in any way that would bring him into conflict with +the authorities, Mr. Barnes left the saloon and went +to his office, feeling that at last this problem had +been solved. Evidently White had died of his +wound, and when Morgan learned that the coffin of +Mr. Quadrant was not to be opened before it was +consigned to the crematory, he had conceived one +of the most ingenious schemes ever devised for disposing +of a murdered body. By placing White in +the coffin and allowing his body to be incinerated, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> +all traces of his crime would seem to have been obliterated. +To accomplish this it was necessary to +have the use of the undertaker's wagon, and this he +had managed by drugging the watchman, as well as +Mark Quadrant. The transfer made, he was still +left with the other body, and his disposition of that +was the most ingenious part of the plan. By throwing +the corpse of Rufus Quadrant into the water he +apparently took little risk. It could not be recognized +as White of course, and if correctly identified +a mystery would be created that ought to baffle the +detectives, however clever they might be. Mr. +Barnes felt that he had been fortunate, to learn so +much from such unpromising clues.</p> + +<p class="indent">At his office he found a telegram and a letter, +both bearing on the case. The telegram was from +Mr. Burrows, and informed him that Morgan had +been captured in Chicago, and would be in New +York on the following day. This was more than +gratifying, and Mr. Barnes mentally praised the +young detective. The letter was from Mr. Mitchel, +and read:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="lnobmargin">"Friend Barnes:</p> + +<p class="indent">"At last I have fathomed the Quadrant mystery. +Will drop in on you about noon to-morrow and tell +you how the affair was managed. You will be surprised, +I am sure.</p> + +<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Mitchel.</span>"</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"Will I?" said Mr. Barnes to himself.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> +</p> + +<p class="h2">X</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">Mr. Burrows</span> arrived at the offices of Mr. Barnes +about eleven o'clock on the following morning, +which much pleased the older detective, who wished +to have his case complete before the arrival of Mr. +Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, Tom," said Mr. Barnes, cordially, "so +you have caught your man and brought him back?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did I not promise you that I would?" replied +Mr. Burrows.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, but even a cleverer man than yourself cannot +always hope to keep such a promise. Do you +know that this fellow, Morgan, is a professional crook +who has never been caught at his work before?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"So he has told me," said Mr. Burrows, modestly +refraining from any boastfulness.</p> + +<p class="indent">"He told you the truth in that instance, and I +trust you have also succeeded in getting a confession +from him as to his connection with this Quadrant +matter?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He has pretended to make a clean breast of it, +but of course we must verify his story. One cannot +place too much faith in the confessions of a crook."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Does he admit that he took the rings?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, it seems you were right there."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Does he explain how and why he took the body +from the coffin?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"On the contrary, he denies having done so."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then he lies," said Mr. Barnes. "I have not +been idle since you went away, but my tale will +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +keep. Let me hear first what Morgan's alleged confession +amounts to."</p> + +<p class="indent">"He admits that he stole the rings. He has a +duplicate of that screw-driver of which old Berial is +so fond of bragging, and when he was left alone +with the body, he opened the coffin and took the +rings, and, in keeping with his limited standard of +morals, he offers a rather ingenious excuse for his +act."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should like to hear a good excuse for robbing +the dead."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is his point exactly. He says that as the +dead cannot own property, the dead cannot be +robbed. As the family had declared that the coffin +was not to be opened again, Morgan says he considered +the rings as practically consigned to the +furnace, and then he asks, 'What was the use of +seeing stuff like that burned up, when it was good +money to me?' It is a nice point, Mr. Barnes. If the +owner elects to throw away or destroy his property, +can we blame a man for appropriating the same?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"We may not be able to blame him, but we certainly +have the power to punish him. The law will +not accept such sophistry as palliation for crime. +What else does the fellow admit?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The rest of his tale is quite interesting, and I +think would surprise you, unless, indeed, you have +discovered the truth yourself."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think I could make a shrewd guess," said Mr. +Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, I wish you would tell me your story first. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> +You see, after all, I am the legally employed investigator +of this matter, and I should like to hear your +story before telling mine, that I may be absolutely +certain that your results have been arrived at by a +different line of work, though of course you understand +that I do not for a moment imagine that you +would intentionally color your story after hearing +mine."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I understand you perfectly, Tom," said Mr. +Barnes, kindly, "and I am not at all offended. +You are right to wish to have the two stories independently +brought before your reasoning faculties. +Morgan tells you that he stole the rings in the afternoon. +Perhaps he did, and perhaps he took them +later. It does not now seem to be material. The +subsequent facts, as I deduce them from the evidence, +are as follows: Morgan had a pal, who was +sweet on a girl called Nellie. By the way, did you +get any trace of her?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"She was with Morgan when I found him and +she has come back with us."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good. Very good, It seems that Morgan also +admired the girl, and that finally he and his pal had +a saloon fight over her, during which Morgan struck +the other man with a beer glass. This man fell to +the floor unconscious, and was taken to his home in +that condition. He has not been seen in the neighborhood +since. Now we come to another series of +events. Morgan admits taking the rings. Suppose +we accept his story. He then left the house and +drove the wagon back to the shop. Randal took it +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +from there to the stables, but later in the evening +Morgan visited the stables and induced the night +watchman to take a drink. That drink was drugged, +and the drug was morphine. The watchman slept +soundly, and there is little doubt that while thus +unconscious Morgan took the undertaker's wagon +out of the stable on some errand. There is an interesting +series of links in this chain which convicts +Morgan of using morphine to accomplish his purpose. +First, it is nearly certain that the watchman +was drugged; second, a witness will testify that he +found Mr. Mark Quadrant sound asleep, when he +was supposed to be watching the coffin; third, I +have taken from the pocket of a vest found in Morgan's +rooms a powder which a chemist declares is +morphine. Is not that fairly good evidence?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is good evidence, Mr. Barnes, but it does not +prove that Morgan took that body from the coffin."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What, then, does it show?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It makes him an accomplice at least. He undoubtedly +drugged the watchman and took the +wagon out of the stables, but beyond that you can +prove nothing. You have not offered any motive +that would actuate him in stealing the body."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The motive is quite sufficient, I assure you. +His pal, whom he struck down with the beer glass, +and who has not been seen by his neighbors since +that night, must have died from the blow. It was +his body that was cremated."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Burrows shook his head, and seemed sorry to +upset the calculations of his old friend.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> +"I am afraid you cannot prove that," said he. +"Tell me, what was the name of this pal? Have +you learned that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; Tommy White."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you know him by any other name?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; but as he is unquestionably a crook he +probably has a dozen aliases."</p> + +<p class="indent">"One will suffice at present. Tommy White is +none other than your disinterested informant, Jack +Randal."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What!" exclaimed Mr. Barnes, recognizing +instantly that if this were true his whole edifice +tumbled to the ground.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. I think that Morgan has told me a clean-cut +story, though, as I said before, we must verify +it. You see, he is a crook and ready to acquire +other people's property, but I think he has a wholesome +dread of the electric chair that will keep him +out of murder. He was at one time a pal of Billy +the Red, now in Sing Sing. After that fellow was +put away he took up with Tommy White, alias Jack +Randal. Randal, it seems, induced Morgan to join +him in his nefarious schemes. The undertaker has +told you, perhaps, as he has told me, that he invented +his patent coffin because of numerous grave +robberies that had occurred in one of the cemeteries. +He little suspected that the robbers were his two +assistants. These fellows would steal from the dead, +while preparing the bodies for burial, if it seemed +safe, as, for example, was the case with Mr. Quadrant, +where it was known that the coffin was not +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +again to be opened. In other cases they would +visit the grave together. Sometimes they merely +appropriated what jewelry there might be, but in +not a few instances they stole the bodies as well, +disposing of them to medical students."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What a diabolical partnership!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, indeed. Now, coming to the saloon fight, +you are correct enough except as to the results. +White, or Randal, was unconscious during the greater +part of the night, and in the morning had but a dim +recollection of what had occurred. He understood, +however, that his injury had been the result of a +fight with Morgan, and also that the girl Nellie had +'thrown him over,' to adopt the vernacular. He +therefore left the neighborhood, and though the two +men continued to work for Berial, they did not resume +their friendship. White evidently was nursing +his grievances, and only awaited an opportunity to +make trouble for his old pal Morgan. This he +hoped to accomplish by the information which he +gave to you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You will hardly expect me to believe that Morgan +gave up his position and left town without some +better reason than a mere quarrel with his pal, and +a petty theft?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Morgan did not give up his position, nor did he +leave town of his own volition. He was sent away."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Sent away? By whom?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"By the principal in this case. I told you from +the first that there were two in it. He has admitted +to me what I did not know, but what I believe now +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> +because you tell me the same story. He confesses +that he drugged the watchman at the stables and +then drove the wagon away. But he denies that he +either took Quadrant's body from the coffin, or indeed +that he drove the wagon to the Quadrant +house. In fact, he says he was paid to get the +wagon unknown to the watchman, and that he was +furnished with the powders with which he was to +drug the man."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Am I to understand that one of the dead man's +brothers hired Morgan to do this?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes was thinking of his conversation with +Amos Quadrant, during which that gentleman had +suggested that an undertaker's wagon might approach +the house at any hour without attracting +attention. He was consequently astonished by the +younger detective's reply.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No," said Mr. Burrows; "he does not implicate +either of the Quadrants. He declares that it +was old Berial who hired him to do his part of the +job."</p> + +<p class="h2">XI</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">New</span> possibilities crowded into the thoughts of +Mr. Barnes as he heard this unexpected statement. +Berial hired Morgan to procure the wagon! Did it +follow, then, that Berial was the principal, or was +he in turn but the tool of another? Amos Quadrant +had confessed that secretly it had not been his wish +to have his brother cremated. Yet his was the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +authority which had engaged the undertaker and +directed the funeral. Had he chosen to avoid the +cremation without permitting the widow to know +that his will accomplished her wish, how easy for +him to engage the undertaker to carry out his purpose, +oddly planned as it was! How readily might +the poor undertaker have been bribed by this wealthy +man to take the risk! After all, if this were the explanation, +wherein lay the crime? By what name +would it be designated in the office of the district +attorney? Yet, even now, when all seemed known, +two unexplained facts stood out prominently. How +was it that the foot of the deceased Quadrant showed +no scar? And what of the assertion made by Mr. +Mitchel that a human body had been cremated? +Could it be that Berial, taking advantage of the opportunity +offered by his employer, had secretly disposed +of some other body, while merely supposed +to have removed Rufus Quadrant from his coffin? +If so, whose body was it that had been cremated, +and how could identification be looked for among +the ashes in the urn at the cemetery? Mr. Barnes +was chagrined to find such questions in his mind +with no answer, when Mr. Mitchel might arrive with +his promised surprise at any moment. Perhaps +Morgan was lying when he accused the undertaker.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have you been able yet," asked Mr. Barnes, +"to verify any part of this man's story?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, we only arrived at six this morning, but +I may say yes, I have found some corroborative +evidence."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> +"What?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have the shroud in which Rufus Quadrant was +dressed in his coffin."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is important. Where did you find it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"In quite a suggestive place. It was locked up +in old Berial's private closet at the shop, which we +searched this morning."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That certainly is significant. But even so, Tom, +how do we know that this Morgan, who robs the +dead and has duplicate screw-drivers for opening +patented coffin fastenings, would hesitate to place a +shroud where it would seem to substantiate his accusation +of another?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"We do not know positively, of course. We +have not fully solved this mystery yet, Mr. Barnes."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I fear not, Tom," said Mr. Barnes, glancing at +the clock as he heard a voice asking for him in the +adjoining office; "but here comes a man who claims +that he has done so."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Mitchel entered and saluted the two men +cordially, after receiving an introduction to the +younger.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, "shall I +surprise you with my story, or have you two gentlemen +worked it all out?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I do not know whether you will surprise us or +not," said Mr. Barnes. "We do not claim to have +fully solved this mystery; that much we will admit +at once. But we have done a great deal of work, +and have learned facts which must in the end lead +to the truth."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> +"Ah, I see. You know some things, but not +all. The most important fact, of course, would be +the identity of the body which is the centre of this +mystery. Do you know that much?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have no doubt that it has been correctly +identified," said Mr. Barnes, boldly, though not as +confident as he pretended. "It was the corpse of +Rufus Quadrant, of course."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are speaking of the body at the Morgue?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly. What other?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I alluded to the body which was cremated," +said Mr. Mitchel quietly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It has not been proven that any body was cremated," +replied Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Has it not? I think it has."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, you know that? Well, tell us. Who was +the man?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The man in the coffin, do you mean?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. The man who was cremated in place of +Mr. Quadrant."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have you any suspicion?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I did have until an hour ago. I supposed that +the criminal who managed this affair had thus disposed +of the remains of a pal whom he had killed in +a saloon row—a man called Tommy White."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, that is wrong. The body cremated was +the corpse of a woman."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of a woman!" exclaimed both detectives in +concert.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, gentlemen," said Mr. Mitchel, "it was a +woman's body that was placed in the furnace. I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +think, Mr. Barnes, that I suggested such a possibility +to you on the day when you first called my attention +to this affair?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. You said it might be a woman as well as +a man. But that was merely a caution against +hastily deciding as to the sex of the victim, supposing +that a murder had been committed and the +criminal had thus proceeded to hide his crime. But +subsequent investigations have not brought to us +even a suspicion that any woman has been foully +dealt with, who could have been placed in the coffin +by any who had the opportunity."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Which only proves," said Mr. Mitchel, "that +as usual you detectives have worked in routine +fashion, and consequently, by beginning at the +wrong end, you have not reached the goal. Now I +have reached the goal, and I venture the belief that +I have not done one half of the work that either of +you have been compelled to bestow upon your investigations."</p> + +<p class="indent">"We cannot all be as intellectually brilliant as +yourself," said Mr. Barnes testily.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come, come, Mr. Barnes. No offense meant, +I assure you. I am only upholding the argument, +which I have advanced previously, that the very +routine which gentlemen of your calling feel bound +to follow often hampers if it does not hinder your +work. I am merely a tyro, but not being professionally +engaged on this case I was perhaps freer to +see things with eyes unblinded by traditional methods +of work. It is just as the onlooker often sees +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +an opportunity to win, which the men playing a +game of chess overlook. The player has his mind +upon many combinations and sees much that the onlooker +does not see. So here. You and Mr. Burrows +have probably discovered many things that I +do not even suspect, but it has been my luck to get +at the truth. If you care to hear it, I will describe +in detail how I worked out the problem."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course we wish to hear the truth," said Mr. +Barnes reluctantly; "that is, if indeed you have +learned what it is."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very good. As I have said, hampered by the +seeming necessity of following your investigations +along customary lines, you probably began with the +body at the Morgue. I pursued the opposite course. +The case seemed so unique that I was convinced +that the motive would prove to be equally uncommon. +If the body at the Morgue were really that +of Mr. Quadrant, as seemed probable from the +identifications by the family and the doctor, I was +sure that it had been taken from the coffin to make +room for the corpse of another. No other motive +occurred to my mind which appeared to be adequate. +Consequently I thought that the first +essential in unravelling the mystery would be the +establishment of the fact that a human body had +been cremated, and then, if possible, to discover +the identity of that body."</p> + +<p class="indent">"In other words, to identify the ashes of a cremated +body," interjected Mr. Barnes, with a slight +sneer.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +"Just so. That in itself was a problem so novel +that it attracted my interest. It is usually considered +that cremation has the objectionable feature +that it offers a means of hiding the crime of murder. +This idea has contributed not a little to thwart those +who have endeavored to make this means of disposing +of the dead popular. Would it not be an +achievement to prove that incineration is not necessarily +a barrier against identification?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should say so," said Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"So thought I, and that was the task which I set +myself. I visited the chief of the detective bureau, +and soon interested him in my theories. He even +permitted me to be present at the examination of +the ashes, which was undertaken at my suggestion, +an expert chemist and his assistant going with us. +At the cemetery the urn was brought forth and its +contents spread out on a clean marble slab. It was +not difficult to discern that a human being had been +cremated."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why was it not difficult?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"When one hears of the ashes of the dead, perhaps +it is not unnatural to think of these human +ashes as similar to cigar ashes, or the ashes of a +wood fire. Where complete combustion occurs the +residue is but an impalpable powder. But this is +not commonly the result in the cremation of the +dead, or at least it does not invariably occur. It +did not in this instance, and that is the main point +for us. On the contrary, some of the bones, and +parts of others, sufficiently retained their form to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +be readily distinguishable as having come from the +human skeleton."</p> + +<p class="indent">"As I have never examined a cremated body," +said Mr. Barnes, "I must admit that your statement +surprises me. I had supposed that all parts +of the body would be brought to a similar state. +But even if what you say is true, and granting that +from pieces of charred bone it could be demonstrated +that a human being had been burned, still I would +like you to explain how you could differentiate between +man and woman."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps it would be difficult, or even impossible, +judging from the charred bits of skeleton alone. +But if we remember that a woman's garb is different +from the dress of a man, we might find a clue. For +example, if you saw what could unmistakably be +recognized as parts of corset steels, what would you +think?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course the deduction would be that the body +had been that of a woman, but I should think it an +odd circumstance to find that a body prepared for +burial had been corseted."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The same thought occurred to me, and from +it I drew an important deduction, since substantiated +by facts. I concluded from the corset +steels that the body had not been prepared +for burial."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I follow you," said Mr. Barnes, now thoroughly +interested in Mr. Mitchel's analytical method. +"You mean that this woman was placed in the +coffin clothed as she had died?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> +"Practically so, but I did not decide that she had +necessarily died clothed as she was when placed in +the coffin. My conclusion was that it must have +been as essential to dispose of the clothing as of the +body. Thus the clothing would have been placed +in the coffin with her, even though perhaps not on +her."</p> + +<p class="indent">"A good point! A good point!" nodded the +detective, approvingly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"So, you see, the ashes of the dead had already +revealed two clues. We knew that a human being +had been cremated, and we could feel reasonably +sure, though not absolutely positive, that it had +been a woman. Next, the question arose as to +the identity. If cremation would hide that, then +the criminal might hope to escape justice by this +means."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It seems incredible that the ashes could be +identified, unless indeed some object, provably connected +with a certain person, and which would resist +fire, had been placed in the coffin."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, that would not satisfy me. A false identification +could thus be planned by your thoughtful +murderer. What I sought was some means of +identifying the actual remains of a cremated body. +I have succeeded."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You have succeeded?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. I had a theory which has proven to be a +good one. If some of the bones of the body resist +cremation, or at least retain their form though calcined, +it should follow that the teeth, being the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> +most resistant bones, and, moreover, protected by +being imbedded in other bones, might well be expected +to remain intact. If not all, at least a sufficient +number of them might be found to serve the +ends of justice."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Even if you could find the teeth with shape undisturbed, +I fail to see how you could identify the +remains by them."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The method is as reliable as it is unique. In +these days of advanced dentistry, the people of this +country have been educated up to such an appreciation +of their dental organs that, from the highest to +the lowliest, we find the people habitually saving +their teeth by having them filled. I knew by personal +experience that it is a common practice among +dentists to register in a book of record all work done +for a patient. In these records they have blank +charts of the teeth, and on the diagram of each +tooth, as it is filled, they mark in ink the size and +position of the filling inserted. Now while the teeth +themselves might resist the heat of the furnace, retaining +their shapes, we would not expect the fillings, +whether of gold or other material, to do so. +Thus, I expected to find the teeth with cavities in +them. I did find fourteen of the teeth fairly whole, +sufficiently so that we might identify them, and +know what position in the mouth they had occupied. +No less than ten of these teeth had cavities, +which, from the regularity of their outline, it was +fair to assume had been filled. These I took to my +dentist for an opinion. He was at once interested, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +because it seems that members of the dental profession +have long urged upon the police the reliance +that may be placed upon the dentist in identifying +living criminals or unknown dead bodies. He +examined the charred teeth, and taking a blank +chart of the mouth, he plotted out the size and positions +of the fillings which once had been present. +Another very interesting point was that we found +two teeth, known as the central incisor and the +cuspid (the latter commonly called the eye-tooth), +united together by a staple of platinum. This +staple had of course resisted the heat because platinum +melts at so high a temperature. My dentist +pointed out to me that this staple had been a foundation +for what he called a bridge. One end of the +staple had been forced into the root of one tooth, +the other end passing similarly into the other. +Thus the space was spanned, and an artificial tooth +had been attached to the bar, thus filling the space. +He also pointed out that the bar was covered with +a mass which was evidently the porcelain of the +tooth which had melted in the furnace."</p> + +<p class="indent">"This is very interesting," said Mr. Barnes, "but +unless you could find the man who did that work, +you still could not identify the person cremated."</p> + +<p class="indent">"My dentist, as I have said, made out for me a +chart of the person's mouth, which you may examine. +You will see that it is quite specific. With +that number of fillings, occupying definite positions +in special teeth, and coupled with the presence of +the tooth bridged in and the manner of making the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> +bridge, it would be an unexampled coincidence to +find that two persons had obtained exactly similar +dental services. Would it not?"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 491px;"> +<img src="images/illus.png" width="491" height="400" +alt="Missing teeth marked with X—Of 14 teeth examined 10 +contain cavities—16 in all.—Central incisor and cuspid +united with platinum bar, originally held by fillings.— +Remains of porcelain material fused on the bar. + +CHART FURNISHED BY MR. MITCHEL'S DENTIST." +title="Missing teeth marked with X—Of 14 teeth examined 10 +contain cavities—16 in all.—Central incisor and cuspid +united with platinum bar, originally held by fillings.— +Remains of porcelain material fused on the bar. + +CHART FURNISHED BY MR. MITCHEL'S DENTIST." /> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"That is sound reasoning," said Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well. I had a statement published in the +four leading dental magazines, accompanied by a +<i>facsimile</i> of the chart made by my dentist, and I +solicited correspondence with any dentist who could +show a similar chart in his records."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That was a good method, provided, of course, +the dentist who did the work subscribed to one of +these magazines."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course the advertisement might not meet the +eye of the dentist who treated the dead woman, but +even though he were not a subscriber he might hear +of this matter through some acquaintance, because, +as I have said, this subject of identification through +dental work is one that widely interests the dentists. +However, success rewarded us. I received a letter +from a dentist in one of the New Jersey towns, +stating that he believed he could match my chart. I +lost no time in visiting him, and, after examining his +book, was satisfied that the person who had been +cremated that day was an elderly, eccentric woman, +named Miss Lederle, Miss Martha Lederle."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Mitchel, you have done a remarkably clever +bit of work, and though you have succeeded where +I have failed, I must congratulate you. But tell +me, after learning the name of the woman how did +you trace her to this city?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I deserve no credit for that. It seems that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +Miss Lederle had long had a little fleshy tumor on +the inside of her cheek, which had had an opportunity +to grow because of the loss of a tooth. Her +dentist often advised her to have it removed, lest it +might become cancerous. She put it off from time +to time, but recently it had grown more rapidly, and +at last she called on the dentist and asked him to +recommend a surgeon. He tells me that he gave +her the names of three, one residing in Newark, and +two in this city. Of the New York men, one was +Dr. Mortimer."</p> + +<p class="indent">"By Jove! Doctor Mortimer!" exclaimed Mr. +Barnes. "I begin to see daylight. It was he who +supplied the morphine powders, then?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, then you know so much? Yes, Dr. Mortimer +instigated the transfer of bodies. As soon as +I charged him with murder, he thought it safest to +tell me the truth and throw himself upon my +mercy."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Upon your mercy?" said Mr. Barnes, mystified.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; the man has not committed a crime, at +least not the crime of murder. It seems that on +the afternoon of the day before that fixed for the +funeral of Mr. Quadrant, this Miss Lederle called +at his office and requested him to remove the tumor +from her cheek. He consented, and suggested the +use of cocaine to deaden the parts. The woman +insisted that she must have chloroform, and the +doctor explained that in the absence of his assistant +he would not care to undertake the administration +of an anæsthetic. But the woman was persistent; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> +she offered a liberal fee if the operation could be +done immediately, since it had required so much +time for her to bring her courage to the point of +having the tumor removed; then the operation itself +seemed so simple that at last the surgeon was overruled, +and proceeded. He did cause the patient to +remove her corset, and, her garments thoroughly +loosened, she was placed on the operating-table. +He says he administered very little chloroform, and +had not yet attempted to operate when the patient +exhibited dangerous symptoms. In spite of his +most untiring efforts she succumbed, and he found +himself in the dreadful position of having a patient +die under an operation, with no witnesses present. +He closed and locked his office and walked from the +house in great mental agitation. He called at the +Quadrants', and heard there that the coffin would +not again be opened. Then a great temptation +came to him. The woman had not given him her +address, nor had she stated who had sent her to Dr. +Mortimer, merely declaring that she knew him by +reputation. There was no way to communicate +with the woman's relatives except by making the +affair public. He recalled that a similar accident to +an old surgeon of long-established reputation, where +several assistants had been present, had nevertheless +ruined the man's practice. He himself was innocent +of wrong-doing, except, perhaps, that the law forbade +him to operate alone, and he saw ruin staring him +in the face, just at a time, too, when great prosperity +had appeared to be within his grasp. The undertaker, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +Berial, was an old acquaintance, indebted to +him for many recommendations.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The plan seemed more and more feasible as he +thought of it, and finally he sought out Berial, and +confided to him his secret. For a liberal fee the +undertaker agreed to dispose of the body. Dr. Mortimer +supplied him with a drug with which to +overcome the watchman at the stables, so that the +wagon could be taken out unknown. He himself +visited the Quadrant house, and, under the plea of +relieving Mark Quadrant of a headache, gave him +also a dose of morphine. At the appointed time +Berial arrived at the doctor's office and took away +the woman's body, first replacing the corset, which, +of course, they were bound to dispose of. Together +they went to the Quadrants', and there exchanged +the bodies. Subsequent events are known to you. +Thus the truth has arisen, Phœnix-like, from the +ashes of the dead. The question remaining is, what +claim has Justice upon the doctor? Gentlemen, is +it needful to disgrace that man, who really is a victim +of circumstances rather than a wrong-doer? He tells +me, Mr. Barnes, that he has not had a moment of +mental rest since you asked him whether ashes could +be proven to be the residue of a human body."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I recall now that he started violently when I +spoke to him. Perhaps, had I been more shrewd, I +might have suspected the truth then. The difficulty +of hushing this matter up, Mr. Mitchel, seems +to be the friends and relatives of the dead woman. +How can they be appeased?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +"I will undertake that. I think the real estate +which she leaves behind will satisfy the one relative. +I have already communicated with this man, +a hard, money-grubbing old skinflint, and I think +that with the assistance of Mr. Berial we can have +one more funeral that will satisfy the curiosity of +the few neighbors."</p> + +<p class="indent">And thus the matter was permitted to rest. There +was yet one point which puzzled Mr. Barnes, and +which never was made clear to him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What of the scar that I could not find on Rufus +Quadrant's foot?" he often asked himself. But as +he could not ask either of the brothers, he never got +a reply. Yet the explanation was simple. Mark +Quadrant told Mr. Barnes that his brother had such +a scar, his object being to baffle the detective by +suggesting to him a flaw in the identification. The +idea occurred to him because his brother Amos +really had such a scarred foot, and he so worded his +remark that he literally told the truth, though he +deceived Mr. Barnes. When the detective repeated +this statement to Amos, he noticed the care with +which his brother had spoken, and, in turn, he +truthfully said that his brother had spoken truthfully. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> +</p> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<h2><a name="II" id="II"></a>II</h2> + +<p class="h2a">THE MISSING LINK</p> + +<p class="indent">"<span class="smcap">The</span> object of my visit," began Mr. Barnes, +"is of such grave importance that I approach it +with hesitation, and I may even say reluctance. +Will you give me your closest attention?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I understood from your note," replied Mr. +Mitchel, "that you wished to consult me in regard +to some case which you are investigating. As you +are well aware, I take the keenest interest in the +solving of criminal problems. Therefore proceed. +But first let me light a Havana. A good cigar +always aids my perception."</p> + +<p class="indent">The two men were in the sumptuous library of +Mr. Mitchel's new house, which he had bought for +his wife shortly after their marriage. It was ten in +the morning, and Mr. Mitchel, just from his breakfast-room, +was comfortably attired in a smoking-jacket. +After lighting his cigar, he threw himself +into a large Turkish chair, rested his head upon the +soft-cushioned back, and extended his slippered feet +towards the grate fire, his legs crossed. As he blew +little rings of smoke towards the detective, he +seemed absolutely unsuspicious of the story about +to be told.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +Mr. Barnes, on the contrary, appeared ill at ease. +He declined a cigar, and, without removing his overcoat, +he leaned his left arm on the low marble mantel +as he stood talking, his right being free for +gestures when he wished to emphasize a point.</p> + +<p class="indent">After a brief pause he began:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Whilst I am not officially connected with the +regular police, my young friend Burrows is, and is +highly esteemed by the Chief. You will remember +him in connection with the Quadrant case. He +called upon me about noon on last Sunday. The +story which he had to tell was the most remarkable +in some respects that I have heard. Briefly, it is as +follows: As you know, it is common practice among +speculating builders to erect a row of houses, finishing +them at one end first, so that, not infrequently, +one or two of the row may be sold while the mechanics +are still at work on the other end. In this +manner ten houses have been built in this immediate +vicinity."</p> + +<p class="indent">"In the street just back of me," said Mr. Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes watched him closely at this moment, +but he seemed entirely composed and merely attentive. +The detective proceeded.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It appears that two of these houses have been +sold and are already occupied. The next four are +completed, and the sign "For Sale" appears in the +windows. The others are still in the hands of the +workmen. The four which are for sale are in +the care of a watchman. They are open for inspection +during the day, but he is supposed to lock all +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> +the doors before going to his home in the evening, +and to open them to the public again on the following +day. According to this man, he locked all the +doors of these four houses on Saturday night at six +o'clock, and opened them again at eight on Sunday +morning. Between eight and nine he showed two +parties through one of the houses and, after dismissing +the last, was sitting on the stoop reading the +morning paper, when he was startled by hearing a +scream. A moment later he saw two women rush +out of the house next to where he sat, and from +their actions it was evident that they were terribly +frightened. It was some time before he could get +any lucid explanation from either, and when he did +he understood them to intimate that some one had +been murdered in the house. He asked them to +show him to the spot, but they most positively declined. +He therefore, with unusual display of common +sense, summoned a policeman, and with him +visited the room indicated by the frightened women, +who made no attempt to run away, though they +again refused to go into the house, even with the +officer. What the two men found was horrible +enough to account for the women's actions. In the +bathtub lay the body of a woman, the head, hands, +and feet having been cut off and removed."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should say that, under these circumstances, +identification would be most difficult," said Mr. +Mitchel, "unless, indeed, the clothing might afford +some clue."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The body was nude," said the detective.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> +"In that case, you have to deal with a man who +has brains."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; the murderer has adopted just such +methods as I imagine you would pursue, Mr. +Mitchel, were you in his predicament."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Mitchel frowned very slightly, and said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"You offer me a doubtful compliment, Mr. +Barnes. Proceed with your case. It is interesting, +to say the least."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It grows more so as we proceed, for we have +once more an evidence of the futility of planning a +crime which shall leave no clue behind."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, then you have found a clue?" Mr. Mitchel +removed his cigar to speak, and did not resume his +smoking, but seemed more attentive.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Listen," said the detective. "The policeman +immediately notified his superiors, and by ten +o'clock Burrows was at the house, having been detailed +to make an examination. Having done so, +and recognizing that he was face to face with a +crime of unusual importance, he hastened to solicit +my assistance, that I might be early upon the scene. +I am satisfied that I reached the house before any +material alteration had been made in any of those +small and minute details which are overlooked by +the careless eye, but which speak volumes to one +with experience."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I suppose, then, that you can describe what +existed, from your personal investigation. That is +more interesting than a report at second hand."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I went over the ground thoroughly, as I think +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +you will admit when I have told you all. Here was +one of those wonderful cases where the criminal +exercised extreme caution to obliterate all traces of +the crime. His actions could only be surmised +through analytical and deductive methods. There +are some facts which cannot be hidden, and from +these a keen mind may trace backwards. For example, +the head and extremities had been removed, +and a minute scrutiny of the remaining parts might +disclose many things."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, here we note the triumph of mind over +matter." There was just a slight sneer, which +nettled the detective.</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes proceeded with some asperity. Indeed, +he spoke more like himself; that is, with less +hesitancy, as though heretofore he had found the +story hard to tell, but that now his scruples had +vanished.</p> + +<p class="indent">"An examination of the stumps of the arms proved +conclusively that a sharp knife had been used, for +not only had the tendons and vessels been cleanly +severed, but in two places the cartilage capping the +ends of the bone had been shaved off smoothly."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, "do not +dwell so upon unimportant details."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The weapon is always counted as a very important +detail," said Mr. Barnes, sharply.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, yes, I know," said Mr. Mitchel. "But +you are above the ordinary detective, and you +surely perceive that it is a matter of no consequence +whether the knife used was sharp or dull. In either +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> +case it could be hidden or destroyed, so that it could +not be found to serve in evidence."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, very well," said Mr. Barnes, testily. "I +will come to the deductions concerning the neck. +Here there were several points of interest. Again +it was evident that a sharp knife was used, and in +this instance the condition of the edge of the knife +becomes important."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Indeed! How so?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The most minute scrutiny of the body disclosed +no wound which could have been the cause of death. +Unless poison had been administered, there are but +three ways by which death could have been effected."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And those are?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Suffocation, either by choking or otherwise; +drowning, by holding the head under water in the +bathtub; or by some mortal wound inflicted about +the head, either by a blow, the use of a knife, or +a pistol shot. I doubted the pistol, because so careful +a man as the assassin evidently was, would have +avoided the noise. A stab with a knife was possible, +but unlikely because of the scream which would +surely result. A blow was improbable, unless the +man brought the weapon with him, as the house +was empty, and nothing would accidentally be found +at hand. To drown the woman, it would have been +necessary to half fill the tub with water before +thrusting the victim in it, and such an action would +have aroused her suspicion. Besides, the clothes +would have been wet, and this would have interfered +with burning them. Thus by exclusion I arrived at +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +the belief that the woman had been choked to death, +a method offering the least risk, being noiseless and +bloodless."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What has the sharpness of the knife to do with +this?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It was, in my mind, important to decide whether +the head had been removed before or after death. +A dull knife would not have aided me as a sharp +one did. With a sharp knife a severing of the +carotid artery before death would have resulted in a +spurting of blood, which would have stained the +walls or floor, so that it would have been difficult, +or impossible, to wash away the telltale marks. But +after death, or even while the victim was unconscious, +a cool hand, with a sharp blade, could cut +down upon the artery in such a way that the blood +would flow regularly, and, the body being in the +bathtub, and water flowing from the faucets, no +stains would be left."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you think that the woman was choked to +death?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have not a doubt of it. There was a terrible +struggle, too, though in an empty house we could +find no such signs as would inevitably have been +made in a furnished apartment. But the woman +fought for her life and died hard. This I know because, +despite the precaution of the assassin in removing +the head, there are two or three distinct +marks on the neck, made by the ends of his fingers +and nails."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, having discovered so much, you are as far +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +as ever from the identity of the criminal, or of the +woman."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Every point unravelled is so much gain," said +Mr. Barnes, evasively. "My next deduction was +more important. Let us picture the scene of the +crime. For causes as yet unknown, this man wished +to kill this woman. He lures her into this empty +house, and, choosing a favorable moment, seizes her +by the throat and strangles her to death. To prevent +the identification of the corpse, he decides to +remove the head, hands, and feet, parts which are +characteristic. He takes off the clothes and burns +them. We found the ashes in the kitchen stove. +He takes the body to the bathroom, and, placing +it in the porcelain tub, turns on the water, and then +proceeds with his diabolical scheme. Even though +we suppose that he first filled the tub with water, +the better to avoid stains, when we remember that +he took away the severed parts it is inconceivable +that not a stain of blood, not a smudge of pinkish +tint, would be left anywhere. Granting that he +might have endeavored to wash away any such drippings, +still it would be marvellous that not one stain +should be left."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yet you found none?" Mr. Mitchel smiled, +and resumed his smoking.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yet I found none," said Mr. Barnes. "But +this was a most significant fact to me. It led me to +a suspicion which I proceeded to verify. The +plumbing in this house is of the most approved +pattern. Under the porcelain bathtub there is a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +patent trap for the exclusion of sewer-gas. This is +so fashioned that some water always remains. Supposing +that bloody water had passed through it, I +should find this trap partly filled with water tinted +in color. I removed the screw, which enabled me +to catch the water from the trap in a bowl. It was +perfectly clear. Not a trace of color."</p> + +<p class="indent">"From which you deduced?" asked Mr. Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"From which I deduced," said the detective, +"that the woman had not been killed, or dismembered, +in the house where her body was found. +By examining the other houses and emptying the +traps, I found one which yielded water plainly +colored with blood, and I also found a few smudges +about the bathtub; places where blood had splashed +and been washed off. The assassin thought that he +had made all clean, but as so often happens with +porcelain, when dried there still remained a slight +stain, which even showed the direction in which it +had been wiped."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very good! Very good indeed!" Mr. Mitchel +yawned slightly. "Let me see. You have discovered—what? +That the knife was sharp. And +that the woman was killed in one house and carried +to another. How does that help you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">At this point Mr. Barnes gave Mr. Mitchel a distinct +surprise. Instead of answering the question, +he asked suddenly:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Mitchel, will you permit me to examine +that watch-chain which you are wearing?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Mitchel sat straight up in his chair, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +looked sharply at the detective, as though trying to +read his innermost thoughts. The detective stared +back at him, and both were silent a moment. Then +without speaking, Mr. Mitchel removed the chain, +and handed it to Mr. Barnes, who took it with him +to the window, and there examined it closely through +a lens. Mr. Mitchel threw the remains of his cigar +into the fire, and, placing both hands behind his head +as he lay back in his chair, awaited developments. +Presently Mr. Barnes returned to his place by the +mantel, and in resuming his narrative it was noticeable +from his tone of voice that he was more than +ever troubled.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You asked me," said he, "how my discoveries +helped me. I say from the bottom of my soul that +they have helped me only too well. That I proceed +in this matter is due to the fact that I must follow +the dictates of my conscience rather than my heart."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Brutus yielded up his son," suggested Mr. +Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. Well, to resume my story. The point of +importance was this. Imagine the assassin with +both hands at the woman's throat—two things were +inevitable. The woman would surely struggle, +with arms and legs, and the murderer would be unable +to resist, his own hands being occupied. What +more natural than that the arms of the dying woman +should be wrapped about the body of her assailant? +That the hands should grasp and rend the clothing? +Might perhaps come into contact with a +watch-chain and tear it off, or break it?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +"And you are intending to examine all the +watch-chains in the neighborhood upon such a +chance as that?" Mr. Mitchel laughed, but Mr. +Barnes took no notice of the intended taunt.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have examined the only chain I wished to +look at. Deducing the struggle, and the possible +tearing off of some part of the assassin's attire, I +was glad to know which house was the scene of the +crime. Having satisfied myself in this direction, I +proceeded to search for the missing link in the +chain of evidence, though I must confess that I did +not expect it to be truly a link, a part of a real +chain. The idea that a watch-chain might have +been broken in the struggle did not occur to me +until I held the evidence in my hand."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh; then you did find your missing link?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. I personally swept every room, and the +staircase, and at last I found the link. But it would +be more correct to say <i>your</i> missing link, than mine, +Mr. Mitchel, for it was from this chain that it was +broken."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Indeed!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes was amazed at the imperturbable manner +in which this statement was received. Becoming +slightly agitated himself, he continued:</p> + +<p class="indent">"As soon as I picked up that link, I was shocked +at my discovery, for, from its peculiar shape, I +recognized it as similar to your chain, which I had +often observed. Still, I hoped that there might be +some mistake; that it might have fallen from some +other man. But you permitted me to examine this +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> +chain, and the last doubt is swept away. I note +that every alternate link is solid, the intermediate +ones having a slit, by which the links are joined into +a chain. The wrench given by the dying woman +strained one of these links so that it opened, allowing +the chain to part, and later this particular link +dropped off. Either you did not observe it at once, +or else, being small, you could not find it. If this +occurred as I have described, what would be the result? +Your chain, where parted, would terminate at +each end with a solid link. Thus, to unite the chain +again, my lens shows me that you have sawed +through one link, and so rejoined your chain. And +not only do I see the freshly sawed link, but, as +must necessarily be the case, we have two links +adjacent, each of which can be opened."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And your next move will be?" asked Mr. +Mitchel, still apparently undisturbed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have no recourse open to me except to arrest +you. That is why I have found this whole interview +so painful."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I understand your position, and sympathize +with you thoroughly," said Mr. Mitchel. "And +yet, see how easily you might dismiss this whole +theory of yours. These houses are in my neighborhood, +immediately back of me, in fact. I am a +householder. What more natural than my taking +an interest in property so near me? Why may I +not have visited the houses to examine them? +Then what more possible than the chance that in +passing from one room to another, my chain should +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +have caught on a door-knob, and have been broken, +the link dropping as you have suggested? My repairing +the damage would be but a natural sequence, +and the subsequent murder and your train of reasoning +is resolved into a mere coincidence."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is ingenious, Mr. Mitchel. But some instinct +tells me that I am right, and that you did +commit this crime."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Intuition, which I suppose is what you mean by +instinct, is not always reliable, but, oddly enough, +in this instance you are correct. I did kill that +creature. Moreover, the sequence of events was as +you have deduced. I commend you for your skill, +for, believe me, I used every precaution to prevent +detection."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you confess? My God! This is horrible!"</p> + +<p class="indent">At the prospect of arresting Mr. Mitchel, a man +who had won his most ardent admiration, Mr. Barnes +was so overcome that he sank into a chair and stared +blankly at his companion.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come! come!" said Mr. Mitchel. "Don't +break down like that. The affair is bad enough, I +admit, but it might be worse."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Might be worse!" ejaculated Mr. Barnes, amazed +at the words as well as the half-jocular tone.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why yes. Much worse. Why, Mr. Barnes, +have you not had evidence of my ability to thwart +detectives before to-day? Do you suppose that I +shall permit myself to be detected, arrested, imprisoned +in this affair? Nothing is further from my +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> +mind, I assure you. True, you have, with your +uncommon skill, discovered a part of the truth. But +that need not trouble me, for no other detective will +be so shrewd."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you mean to suggest that I should shield +you in this matter?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, yes. That is about what I expect from +your friendship."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Impossible! Impossible! I wish that I could +do what you ask! But no! It is impossible!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"There. I have tried your patience long enough. +Let me tell you the whole story, and then you may +decide as you please. A few years ago, in Paris, a +friend presented me with a poodle. French poodles, +as you know, are considered the most intelligent of +all dogs, and this one seemed to be the wisest of his +species. My friend had already trained him to perform +many tricks, and these were done at command, +without special signals, so that I could but believe +what my friend claimed, that the dog actually +understood what was said to him. Thinking this +matter over one day, it presented itself to me in a +singular light.</p> + +<p class="indent">"In the training of animals, man has always aimed +to make the dumb brute understand, and carry out, +the master's wishes. No one, so far as I then knew, +had ever trained a dog to express his own wishes, in +any way intelligible to the master. This I undertook +to do, and was fairly successful. I printed +words on cards, such as 'food,' 'drink,' 'yard,' etc., +and, by means which I need not recapitulate, I taught +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> +my dog to bring me the special card which would +represent his wishes. Thus, when he was thirsty, +he could ask for 'water,' or when he wished to leave +the house, he brought the card marked 'yard.' +Imagine my astonishment when one day a little sky-terrier, +belonging to another lodger in the house, +came to me with the 'food' card in his mouth. At +first I supposed it to be merely an accident, but I +soon discovered that the terrier understood the cards +as well as did the poodle. How, unless the poodle +had taught him? Do dogs, then, have a language +by which they may communicate with each other?</p> + +<p class="indent">"This was a new thought, which attracted me +more and more as I revolved it in my mind. Then +it occurred to me that if animals have a language, +monkeys would offer the best field for study, and I +began investigating. The discovery that the apes +do have a language has been made by Mr. Garner, +and by him the fact has been published to the +world. But I made the discovery several years +ago, though I kept it to myself, for reasons which +you shall hear.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I practised upon the monkeys in the Zoölogical +Gardens in Paris and London, until I was a veritable +crank on the subject of monkey language. Nothing +would satisfy me but a trip to Africa. Thither I +went, and made great progress, so that by the time +I captured a fine chimpanzee on the Congo, I was +able to readily make him understand that I meant +him no harm. At first he received my overtures +with hesitation, his previous experience with my +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> +race rendering him skeptical as to my good qualities. +But after a time, we became good friends; I might +even say chums. After that I gave him his liberty, +and we took strolls together. He was a very sociable +fellow when one really got to know him well, but +we found the resources of the monkey language inadequate +to our needs. The experiment with my +dog recurred to me, and I undertook to teach him +a human tongue. I chose German as the best +adapted to his limitations, and he made such progress +that in a few months we could converse with +tolerable ease.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I decided to tell him something of the world of +civilization, and one day it occurred to me to expound +to him the Darwinian theory. He listened +with an expression of learned thought upon his face +which would have well suited the countenance of a +philosopher, but when I had finished, he astounded +me by announcing that he thought he could show +me that higher race of apes, which, being more +humanly developed than any species now known, +might well be designated 'the missing link' which +connects the Simian race with man. I begged him +to do so, and he undertook the task, though he said +that it involved a long journey. I urged him to go, +and he left me.</p> + +<p class="indent">"A month had passed, and I had begun to think +that my new-found friend had deserted me, when +one day he walked into camp, accompanied by the +most human-like ape I had ever seen. It was neither +chimpanzee nor gorilla, but a combination of both +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +in those characteristics which were most manlike. +The most conspicuous advance beyond the anthropoid +apes now known, was the hairless skin. The +hands and feet, too, were more human in shape, +though on the latter the hallux still retained its +prehensile character, which perhaps is necessary to a +tree dweller. The face was peculiarly human, +though the jaws retained certain distinguishing attributes +of the ape, as, for example, the space between +the anterior and posterior teeth, and the +fang-like canine teeth.</p> + +<p class="indent">"As you must already suspect the sequel, I may +hurry on to the end. The creature was a female, +and in the trip to our camp my chimpanzee friend +had become much attached to her; indeed, I may +say he had fallen in love with her. He had also begun +her higher education, so that when we met she +was able to address a few words to me in German. +As you may well imagine, I was greatly interested +in this animal, and did all in my power to teach her. +She made even more rapid progress than the chimpanzee +had, and I was thinking of the sensation I +could produce in Paris by sending cards of invitation +to the nuptials of my monkey friends, which I determined +should occur in the great metropolis.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Imagine my horror one morning, upon finding +the chimpanzee dead. I did not immediately comprehend +the full significance of this, but upon +questioning the ape a few days later, she candidly +confessed to me that she had strangled the chimpanzee, +her only reason being, that having decided +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +for the future to live as a human being, she deemed +it wise to destroy her companion, that he might +not be able to divulge the secret of her origin.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Instantly my mind was awakened to a danger +which menaced myself. I too knew the secret of +her savage ancestry, and the fact that she had not +slain me also was probably due to her hope that I +would fulfil my promise and take her with me to +more civilized parts. Indeed, so certain was I of +this, that I took the first opportunity to foster that +ambition in her bosom. At the same time I carefully +planned a secret departure, and a few nights +later succeeded in getting away unobserved, while +the ape slept. Throughout the journey to the coast +I constantly feared pursuit, but was fortunate enough +to get safely on shipboard without hearing more of +the savage creature.</p> + +<p class="indent">"At dusk on last Saturday, I was strolling through +the next street, when, to my amazement, I saw coming +towards me what appeared to be a woman, whose +face however was so startlingly like the ape which I +had left in Africa that for a moment I was dazed. +In the next instant, realizing that if my suspicion +was true, I might be in danger even after the lapse +of time, and hoping that it was merely a chance resemblance, +I quickly turned into one of the new +houses still open for inspection. I did not dare to +look behind me, and even thought it a trick of my +excited imagination when I fancied that I heard +steps following me as I ascended to the second floor. +I turned upon reaching the floor above, and instantly +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> +with a savage cry the brute was upon me, her hands +upon my throat, making a desperate effort to strangle +me. I gripped her neck in a similar manner, scarcely +hoping to save my life. Fortune favored me, however, +and, after a lengthy struggle, the ape lay dead +at my feet. I suppose that several years of life in +civilization had sapped her savage strength.</p> + +<p class="indent">"My subsequent proceedings were actuated by +two motives. In the first place any public connection +of my name with such a horrible encounter +would naturally have greatly annoyed my wife, and +secondly I could not resist my innate fondness for +contending with detectives. I removed the head, +hands, and feet, to prevent identification, and also +because with them I can convince you that the +animal was an ape, and not a woman. As there is +no law against the killing of an ape, you must see, +Mr. Barnes, that it would be futile to arrest me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are right," replied Mr. Barnes, "and I am +truly glad that your explanation places you beyond +the law. You must forgive me for my suspicion."</p> + +<p class="indent">The two men joined hands in a firm clasp, which +cemented their friendship, and guaranteed that the +secret which they shared would never be divulged +by either. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> +</p> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<h2><a name="III" id="III"></a>III</h2> + +<p class="h2a">THE NAMELESS MAN</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">Mr. Barnes</span> was sitting in his private room, with +nothing of special importance to occupy his thoughts, +when his office boy announced a visitor.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What name?" asked Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"None," was the reply.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You mean," said the detective, "that the man +did not give you his name. He must have one, of +course. Show him in."</p> + +<p class="indent">A minute later the stranger entered, and, bowing +courteously, began the conversation at once.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Barnes, the famous detective, I believe?" +said he.</p> + +<p class="indent">"My name is Barnes," replied the detective. +"May I have the pleasure of knowing yours?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I sincerely hope so," continued the stranger. +"The fact is, I suppose I have forgotten it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Forgotten your name?" Mr. Barnes scented +an interesting case, and became doubly attentive.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes," said the visitor; "that is precisely my +singular predicament. I seem to have lost my +identity. That is the object of my call. I wish +you to discover who I am. As I am evidently a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> +full-grown man, I can certainly claim that I have a +past history, but to me that past is entirely blank. +I awoke this morning in this condition, yet apparently +in possession of all my faculties, so much so, +that I at once saw the advisability of consulting a +first-class detective, and, upon inquiry, I was +directed to you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your case is most interesting—from my point of +view, I mean. To you, of course, it must seem unfortunate. +Yet it is not unparalleled. There have +been many such cases recorded, and, for your temporary +relief, I may say that, sooner or later, complete +restoration of memory usually occurs. But now, +let us try to unravel your mystery as soon as +possible, that you may suffer as little inconvenience +as there need be. I would like to ask you a few +questions."</p> + +<p class="indent">"As many as you like, and I will do my best to +answer."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you think that you are a New Yorker?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have not the least idea whether I am or not."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You say you were advised to consult me. By +whom?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The clerk at the Waldorf Hotel, where I slept +last night."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then, of course, he gave you my address. Did +you find it necessary to ask him how to find my +offices?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, no, I did not. That seems strange, does it +not? I certainly had no difficulty in coming here. I +suppose that must be a significant fact, Mr. Barnes?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> +"It tends to show that you have been familiar +with New York, but we must still find out whether +you live here or not. How did you register at the +hotel?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"M. J. G. Remington, City."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are quite sure that Remington is not your +name?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Quite sure. After breakfast this morning I was +passing through the lobby when the clerk called me +twice by that name. Finally, one of the hall-boys +touched me on the shoulder and explained that I +was wanted at the desk. I was very much confused +to find myself called 'Mr. Remington,' a name +which certainly is not my own. Before I fully +realized my position, I said to the clerk, 'Why do +you call me Remington?' and he replied, 'Because +you registered under that name.' I tried to pass it +off, but I am sure that the clerk looks upon me as a +suspicious character."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What baggage have you with you at the hotel?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"None. Not even a satchel."</p> + +<p class="indent">"May there not be something in your pockets +that would help us; letters, for example?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am sorry to say that I have made a search in +that direction, but found nothing. Luckily I did +have a pocketbook, though."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Much money in it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"In the neighborhood of five hundred dollars."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes turned to his table and made a few +notes on a pad of paper. While so engaged his +visitor took out a fine gold watch, and, after a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +glance at the face, was about to return it to his +pocket, when Mr. Barnes wheeled around in his +chair, and said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is a handsome watch you have there. Of +a curious pattern, too. I am rather interested in +old watches."</p> + +<p class="indent">The stranger seemed confused for an instant, and +quickly put up his watch, saying:</p> + +<p class="indent">"There is nothing remarkable about it. Merely +an old family relic. I value it more for that than +anything else. But about my case, Mr. Barnes; +how long do you think it will take to restore my +identity to me? It is rather awkward to go about +under a false name."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should think so," said the detective. "I will +do my best for you, but you have given me absolutely +no clue to work upon, so that it is impossible +to say what my success will be. Still I think forty-eight +hours should suffice. At least in that time I +ought to make some discoveries for you. Suppose +you call again on the day after to-morrow, at noon +precisely. Will that suit you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well, indeed. If you can tell me who I +am at that time I shall be more than convinced that +you are a great detective, as I have been told."</p> + +<p class="indent">He arose and prepared to go, and upon the instant +Mr. Barnes touched a button under his table +with his foot, which caused a bell to ring in a distant +part of the building, no sound of which penetrated +the private office. Thus any one could visit +Mr. Barnes in his den, and might leave, unsuspicious +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +of the fact that a spy would be awaiting him out in +the street who would shadow him persistently day +and night until recalled by his chief. After giving +the signal, Mr. Barnes held his strange visitor in +conversation a few moments longer to allow his spy +opportunity to get to his post.</p> + +<p class="indent">"How will you pass the time away, Mr. Remington?" +said he. "We may as well call you by that +name, until I find your true one."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, I suppose so. As to what I shall do +during the next forty-eight hours, why, I think I +may as well devote myself to seeing the sights. It +is a remarkably pleasant day for a stroll, and I think +I will visit your beautiful Central Park."</p> + +<p class="indent">"A capital idea. By all means, I would advise +occupation of that kind. It would be best not to +do any business until your memory is restored to +you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Business? Why, of course, I can do no business."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No. If you were to order any goods, for example, +under the name of Remington, later on when +you resume your proper identity you might be +arrested as an impostor."</p> + +<p class="indent">"By George! I had not thought of that. My +position is more serious than I had realized. I +thank you for the warning. Sight-seeing will assuredly +be my safest plan for the next two days."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think so. Call at the time agreed upon, and +hope for the best. If I should need you before +then, I will send to your hotel."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +Then, saying "Good morning," Mr. Barnes turned +to his desk again, and, as the stranger looked at him +before stepping out of the room, the detective +seemed engrossed with some papers before him. +Yet scarcely had the door closed upon the retreating +form of his recent visitor, when Mr. Barnes looked +up, with an air of expectancy. A moment later a +very tiny bell in a drawer of his desk rang, indicating +that the man had left the building, the signal +having been sent to him by one of his employees, +whose business it was to watch all departures and +notify his chief. A few moments later Mr. Barnes +himself emerged, clad in an entirely different suit of +clothing, and with such alteration in the color of his +hair that more than a casual glance would have been +required to recognize him.</p> + +<p class="indent">When he reached the street the stranger was nowhere +in sight, but Mr. Barnes went to a doorway +opposite, and there he found, written in blue pencil, +the word "up," whereupon he walked rapidly uptown +as far as the next corner, where once more he +examined a door-post, upon which he found the +word "right," which indicated the way the men +ahead of him had turned. Beyond this he could +expect no signals, for the spy shadowing the stranger +did not know positively that his chief would take +part in the game. The two signals which he had +written on the doors were merely a part of a routine, +and intended to aid Mr. Barnes should he follow; +but if he did so, he would be expected to be in +sight of the spy by the time the second signal was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> +reached. And so it proved in this instance, for as +Mr. Barnes turned the corner to the right, he easily +discerned his man about two blocks ahead, and +presently was near enough to see "Remington" +also.</p> + +<p class="indent">The pursuit continued until Mr. Barnes was surprised +to see him enter the Park, thus carrying out +his intention as stated in his interview with the detective. +Entering at the Fifth Avenue gate he +made his way towards the menagerie, and here a +curious incident occurred. The stranger had mingled +with the crowd in the monkey-house, and was +enjoying the antics of the mischievous little animals, +when Mr. Barnes, getting close behind him, deftly +removed a pocket-handkerchief from the tail of his +coat and swiftly transferred it to his own.</p> + +<p class="indent">On the day following, shortly before noon, Mr. +Barnes walked quickly into the reading-room of the +Fifth Avenue Hotel. In one corner there is a handsome +mahogany cabinet, containing three compartments, +each of which is entered through double +doors, having glass panels in the upper half. About +these panels are draped yellow silk curtains, and in +the centre of each appears a white porcelain numeral. +These compartments are used as public telephone +stations, the applicant being shut in, so as to be free +from the noise of the outer room.</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes spoke to the girl in charge, and then +passed into the compartment numbered "2." Less +than five minutes later Mr. Leroy Mitchel came into +the reading-room. His keen eyes peered about +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> +him, scanning the countenances of those busy with +the papers or writing, and then he gave the telephone +girl a number, and went into the compartment +numbered "1." About ten minutes elapsed +before Mr. Mitchel came out again, and, having +paid the toll, he left the hotel. When Mr. Barnes +emerged, there was an expression of extreme satisfaction +upon his face. Without lingering, he also +went out. But instead of following Mr. Mitchel +through the main lobby to Broadway, he crossed +the reading-room and reached Twenty-third Street +through the side door. Thence he proceeded to +the station of the elevated railroad, and went uptown. +Twenty minutes later he was ringing the bell +of Mr. Mitchel's residence. The "buttons" who +answered his summons informed him that his master +was not at home.</p> + +<p class="indent">"He usually comes in to luncheon, however, does +he not?" asked the detective.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir," responded the boy.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Is Mrs. Mitchel at home?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Miss Rose?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah; then I'll wait. Take my card to her."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes passed into the luxurious drawing-room, +and was soon joined by Rose, Mr. Mitchel's +adopted daughter.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am sorry papa is not at home, Mr. Barnes," +said the little lady, "but he will surely be in to +luncheon, if you will wait."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> +"Yes, thank you, I think I will. It is quite a +trip up, and, being here, I may as well wait a while +and see your father, though the matter is not of any +great importance."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Some interesting case, Mr. Barnes? If so, do +tell me about it. You know I am almost as interested +in your cases as papa is."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, I know you are, and my vanity is flattered. +But I am sorry to say that I have nothing on hand +at present worth relating. My errand is a very +simple one. Your father was saying, a few days +ago, that he was thinking of buying a bicycle, and +yesterday, by accident, I came across a machine of an +entirely new make, which seems to me superior to +anything yet produced. I thought he might be interested +to see it, before deciding what kind to buy."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am afraid you are too late, Mr. Barnes. +Papa has bought a bicycle already."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Indeed! What style did he choose?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I really do not know, but it is down in the lower +hall, if you care to look at it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is hardly worth while, Miss Rose. After all, +I have no interest in the new model, and if your +father has found something that he likes, I won't +even mention the other to him. It might only +make him regret his bargain. Still, on second +thoughts, I will go down with you, if you will take +me into the dining-room and show me the head of +that moose which your father has been bragging +about killing. I believe it has come back from the +taxidermist's?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> +"Oh, yes. He is just a monster. Come on."</p> + +<p class="indent">They went down to the dining-room, and Mr. +Barnes expressed great admiration for the moose's +head, and praised Mr. Mitchel's skill as a marksman. +But he had taken a moment to scrutinize the bicycle +which stood in the hallway, while Rose was opening +the blinds in the dining-room. Then they returned +to the drawing-room, and after a little more conversation +Mr. Barnes departed, saying that he could not +wait any longer, but he charged Rose to tell her +father that he particularly desired him to call at +noon on the following day.</p> + +<p class="indent">Promptly at the time appointed, "Remington" +walked into the office of Mr. Barnes, and was announced. +The detective was in his private room. +Mr. Leroy Mitchel had been admitted but a few +moments before.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ask Mr. Remington in," said Mr. Barnes to his +boy, and when that gentleman entered, before he +could show surprise at finding a third party present, +the detective said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Mitchel, this is the gentleman whom I wish +you to meet. Permit me to introduce to you Mr. +Mortimer J. Goldie, better known to the sporting +fraternity as G. J. Mortimer, the champion short-distance +bicycle rider, who recently rode a mile in +the phenomenal time of 1.36, on a three-lap track."</p> + +<p class="indent">As Mr. Barnes spoke, he gazed from one to the +other of his companions, with a half-quizzical and +wholly pleased expression on his face. Mr. Mitchel +appeared much interested, but the newcomer was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> +evidently greatly astonished. He looked blankly +at Mr. Barnes a moment, then dropped into a chair +with the query:</p> + +<p class="indent">"How in the name of conscience did you find +that out?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That much was not very difficult," replied the +detective. "I can tell you much more; indeed, I +can supply your whole past history, provided your +memory has been sufficiently restored for you to +recognize my facts as true."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes looked at Mr. Mitchel, and winked +one eye in a most suggestive manner, at which that +gentleman burst out into hearty laughter, finally +saying:</p> + +<p class="indent">"We may as well admit that we are beaten, +Goldie. Mr. Barnes has been too much for us."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But I want to know how he has done it," persisted +Mr. Goldie.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have no doubt that Mr. Barnes will gratify +you. Indeed, I am as curious as you are to know +by what means he has arrived at his quick solution +of the problem which we set for him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I will enlighten you as to detective methods +with pleasure," said Mr. Barnes. "Let me begin +with the visit made to me by this gentleman two +days ago. At the very outset his statement aroused +my suspicion, though I did my best not to let him +think so. He announced to me that he had lost his +identity, and I promptly told him that his case was +not uncommon. I said that in order that he might +feel sure that I did not doubt his tale. But truly, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> +his case, if he was telling the truth, was absolutely +unique. Men have lost recollection of their past, +and even have forgotten their names. But I have +never before heard of a man who had forgotten his +name, <i>and at the same time knew that he had done so</i>."</p> + +<p class="indent">"A capital point, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel. +"You were certainly shrewd to suspect fraud so +early."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, I cannot say that I suspected fraud so +soon, but the story was so improbable that I could +not believe it immediately. I therefore was what I +might call 'analytically attentive' during the rest +of the interview. The next point worth noting +which came out was that, although he had forgotten +himself, he had not forgotten New York, for he admitted +having come to me without special guidance."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I remember that," interrupted Mr. Goldie, "and +I think I even said to you at the time that it was +significant."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And I told you that it at least showed that you +had been familiar with New York. This was better +proven when you said that you would spend the +day at Central Park, and when, after leaving here, +you had no difficulty in finding your way thither."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you mean to say that you had me followed? +I made sure that no one was after me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, yes, you were followed," said Mr. Barnes, +with a smile. "I had a spy after you, and I followed +you as far as the Park myself. But let me +come to the other points in your interview and my +deductions. You told me that you had registered +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> +as 'M. J. G. Remington.' This helped me considerably, +as we shall see presently. A few minutes +later you took out your watch, and in that little +mirror over my desk, which I use occasionally when +I turn my back upon a visitor, I noted that there +was an inscription on the outside of the case. I +turned and asked you something about the watch, +when you hastily returned it to your pocket, with +the remark that it was 'an old family relic.' Now +can you explain how you could have known that, +supposing that you had forgotten who you were?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Neatly caught, Goldie," laughed Mr. Mitchel. +"You certainly made a mess of it there."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It was an asinine slip," said Mr. Goldie, laughing +also.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, then," continued Mr. Barnes, "you readily +see that I had good reason for believing that you +had not forgotten your name. On the contrary, I +was positive that your name was a part of the inscription +on the watch. What, then, could be your +purpose in pretending otherwise? I did not discover +that for some time. However, I decided to +go ahead, and find you out if I could. Next I +noted two things. Your coat opened once, so that +I saw, pinned to your vest, a bicycle badge, which +I recognized as the emblem of the League of American +Wheelmen."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh! Oh!" cried Mr. Mitchel. "Shame on +you, Goldie, for a blunderer."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I had entirely forgotten the badge," said Mr. +Goldie.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> +"I also observed," the detective went on, "little +indentations on the sole of your shoe, as you had +your legs crossed, which satisfied me that you were +a rider even before I observed the badge. Now +then, we come to the name, and the significance +thereof. Had you really lost your memory, the +choosing of a name when you registered at a hotel +would have been a haphazard matter of no importance +to me. But as soon as I decided that you +were imposing upon me, I knew that your choice of +a name had been a deliberate act of the mind; one +from which deductions could be drawn."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah; now we come to the interesting part," +said Mr. Mitchel. "I love to follow a detective +when he uses his brains."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The name as registered, and I examined the +registry to make sure, was odd. Three initials are +unusual. A man without memory, and therefore +not quite sound mentally, would hardly have chosen +so many. Then why had it been done in this instance? +What more natural than that these initials +represented the true name? In assuming an alias, +it is the most common method to transpose the real +name in some way. At least it was a working +hypothesis. Then the last name might be very +significant. 'Remington.' The Remingtons make +guns, sewing-machines, typewriters, and bicycles. +Now, this man was a bicycle rider, I was sure. If +he chose his own initials as a part of the alias, it was +possible that he selected 'Remington' because it +was familiar to him. I even imagined that he might +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> +be an agent for Remington bicycles, and I had +arrived at that point during our interview, when I +advised him not to buy anything until his identity +was restored. But I was sure of my quarry when +I stole a handkerchief from him at the park, and +found the initials 'M. J. G.' upon the same."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Marked linen on your person!" exclaimed Mr. +Mitchel. "Worse and worse! We'll never make +a successful criminal of you, Goldie."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps not. I shan't cry over it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I felt sure of my success by this time," continued +Mr. Barnes, "yet at the very next step I was +balked. I looked over a list of L. A. W. members +and could not find a name to fit my initials, which +shows, as you will see presently, that, as I may say, +'too many clues spoil the broth.' Without the +handkerchief I would have done better. Next I +secured a catalogue of the Remingtons, which gave +a list of their authorized agents, and again I failed. +Returning to my office I received information from +my spy, sent in by messenger, which promised to +open a way for me. He had followed you about, +Mr. Goldie, and I must say you played your part +very well, so far as avoiding acquaintances is concerned. +But at last you went to a public telephone, +and called up some one. My man saw the importance +of discovering to whom you had spoken, and +bribed the telephone attendant to give him the information. +All that he learned, however, was that +you had spoken to the public station at the Fifth +Avenue Hotel. My spy thought that this was inconsequent, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> +but it proved to me at once that there +was collusion, and that your man must have been +at the other station by previous appointment. As +that was at noon, a few minutes before the same +hour on the following day, that is to say, yesterday, +I went to the Fifth Avenue Hotel telephone and +secreted myself in the middle compartment, hoping +to hear what your partner might say to you. I +failed in this, as the boxes are too well made to +permit sound to pass from one to the other; but +imagine my gratification to see Mr. Mitchel himself +go into the box."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And why?" asked Mr. Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, as soon as I saw you, I comprehended +the whole scheme. It was you who had concocted +the little diversion to test my ability. Thus, at last, +I understood the reason for the pretended loss of +identity. With the knowledge that you were in it, +I was more than ever determined to get at the facts. +Knowing that you were out, I hastened to your +house, hoping for a chat with little Miss Rose, as +the most likely member of your family to get information +from."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, fie! Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel; "to +play upon the innocence of childhood! I am +ashamed of you!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"'All's fair,' etc. Well, I succeeded. I found +Mr. Goldie's bicycle in your hallway, and, as I suspected, +it was a Remington. I took the number +and hurried down to the agency, where I readily +discovered that wheel No. 5086 is ridden by G. J. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> +Mortimer, one of their regular racing team. I also +learned that Mortimer's private name is Mortimer +J. Goldie. I was much pleased at this, because it +showed how good my reasoning had been about the +alias, for you observe that the racing name is merely +a transposition of the family name. The watch, of +course, is a prize, and the inscription would have +proved that you were imposing upon me, Mr. Goldie, +had you permitted me to see it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course; that was why I put it back in my +pocket."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I said just now," said Mr. Barnes, "that without +the stolen handkerchief I would have done +better. Having it, when I looked over the L. A. +W. list I went through the 'G's' only. Without +it, I should have looked through the 'G's,' 'J's,' +and 'M's,' not knowing how the letters may have +been transposed. In that case I should have found +'G. J. Mortimer,' and the initials would have proved +that I was on the right track."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You have done well, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. +Mitchel. "I asked Goldie to play the part of a +nameless man for a few days, to have some fun with +you. But you have had fun with us, it seems. +Though, I am conceited enough to say, that had it +been possible for me to play the principal part, you +would not have pierced my identity so soon."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I don't know," said Mr. Barnes. "We are +both of us a little egotistical, I fear."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Undoubtedly. Still, if I ever set another trap +for you, I will assign myself the chief <i>rôle</i>."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +"Nothing would please me better," said Mr. +Barnes. "But, gentlemen, as you have lost in this +little game, it seems to me that some one owes me a +dinner, at least."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll stand the expense with pleasure," said Mr. +Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not at all," interrupted Mr. Goldie. "It was +through my blundering that we lost, and I'll pay +the piper."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Settle it between you," cried Mr. Barnes. "But +let us walk on. I am getting hungry."</p> + +<p class="indent">Whereupon they adjourned to Delmonico's. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> +</p> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<h2><a name="IV" id="IV"></a>IV</h2> + +<p class="h2a">THE MONTEZUMA EMERALD</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">"Is</span> the Inspector in?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes immediately recognized the voice, and +turned to greet the speaker. The man was Mr. +Leroy Mitchel's English valet. Contrary to all precedent +and tradition, he did not speak in cockney +dialect, not even stumbling over the proper distribution +of the letter "h" throughout his vocabulary. +That he was English, however, was apparent +to the ear, because of a certain rather attractive +accent, peculiar to his native island, and to the eye +because of a deferential politeness of manner, too +seldom observed in American servants. He also +always called Mr. Barnes "Inspector," oblivious of +the fact that he was not a member of the regular +police, and mindful only of the English application +of the word to detectives.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Step right in, Williams," said Mr. Barnes. +"What is the trouble?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't rightly know, Inspector," said Williams. +"Won't you let me speak to you alone? It's +about the master."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly. Come into my private room." He +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> +led the way and Williams followed, remaining standing, +although Mr. Barnes waved his hand towards a +chair as he seated himself in his usual place at his +desk. "Now then," continued the detective, +"what's wrong? Nothing serious I hope?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I hope not, sir, indeed. But the master's disappeared."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Disappeared, has he." Mr. Barnes smiled +slightly. "Now Williams, what do you mean by +that? You did not see him vanish, eh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, sir, of course not. If you'll excuse my +presumption, Inspector, I don't think this is a joke, +sir, and you're laughing."</p> + +<p class="indent">"All right, Williams," answered Mr. Barnes, assuming +a more serious tone. "I will give your tale +my sober consideration. Proceed."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, I hardly know where to begin, Inspector. +But I'll just give you the facts, without any unnecessary +opinions of my own."</p> + +<p class="indent">Williams rather prided himself upon his ability +to tell what he called "a straight story." He +placed his hat on a chair, and, standing behind it, +with one foot resting on a rung, checked off the +points of his narrative, as he made them, by tapping +the palm of one hand with the index finger of the +other.</p> + +<p class="indent">"To begin then," said he. "Mrs. Mitchel and +Miss Rose sailed for England, Wednesday morning +of last week. That same night, quite unexpected, +the master says to me, says he, 'Williams, I think +you have a young woman you're sweet on down at +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> +Newport?' 'Well, sir,' says I, 'I do know a person +as answers that description,' though I must say +to you, Inspector, that how he ever came to know +it beats me. But that's aside, and digression is +not my habit. 'Well, Williams,' the master went +on, 'I shan't need you for the rest of this week, +and if you'd like to take a trip to the seashore, I +shan't mind standing the expense, and letting you +go.' Of course, I thanked him very much, and I +went, promising to be back on Monday morning as +directed. And I kept my word, Inspector; though +it was a hard wrench to leave the young person last +Sunday in time to catch the boat; the moon being +bright and everything most propitious for a stroll, +it being her Sunday off, and all that. But, as I +said, I kept my word, and was up to the house +Monday morning only a little after seven, the boat +having got in at six. I was a little surprised to find +that the master was not at home, but then it struck +me as how he must have gone out of town over +Sunday, and I looked for him to be in for dinner. +But he did not come to dinner, nor at all that +night. Still, I did not worry about it. It was the +master's privilege to stay away as long as he liked. +Only I could not help thinking I might just as well +have had that stroll in the moonlight, Sunday night. +But when all Tuesday and Tuesday night went by, +and no word from the master, I must confess that +I got uneasy; and now here's Wednesday noon, +and no news; so I just took the liberty to come +down and ask your opinion in the matter, seeing as +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +how you are a particular friend of the family, and an +Inspector to boot."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Really, Williams," said Mr. Barnes, "all I see +in your story is that Mr. Mitchel, contemplating a +little trip off somewhere with friends, let you go +away. He expected to be back by Monday, but, +enjoying himself, has remained longer."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I hope that's all, sir, and I've tried to think +so. But this morning I made a few investigations +of my own, and I'm bound to say what I found +don't fit that theory."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, you have some more facts. What are +they?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"One of them is this cablegram that I found only +this morning under a book on the table in the +library." He handed a blue paper to Mr. Barnes, +who took it and read the following, on a cable blank:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="indent">"Emerald. Danger. Await letter."</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">For the first time during the interview Mr. +Barnes's face assumed a really serious expression. +He studied the despatch silently for a full minute, +and then, without raising his eyes, said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"What else?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, Inspector, I don't know that this has +anything to do with the affair, but the master had a +curious sort of jacket, made of steel links, so tight +and so closely put together, that I've often wondered +what it was for. Once I made so bold as to +ask him, and he said, said he, 'Williams, if I had +an enemy, it would be a good idea to wear that, because +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> +it would stop a bullet or a knife.' Then he +laughed, and went on: 'Of course, I shan't need it +for myself. I bought it when I was abroad once, +merely as a curiosity.' Now, Inspector, that jacket's +disappeared also."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Are you quite sure?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I've looked from dining-room to garret for it. +The master's derringer is missing, too. It's a +mighty small affair. Could be held in the hand +without being noticed, but it carries a nasty-looking +ball."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well, Williams, there may be something +in your story. I'll look into the matter at once. +Meanwhile, go home, and stay there so that I may +find you if I want you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir; I thank you for taking it up. It takes +a load off my mind to know you're in charge, Inspector. +If there's harm come to the master, I'm +sure you'll track the party down. Good morning, +sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good morning, Williams."</p> + +<p class="indent">After the departure of Williams, the detective sat +still for several minutes, lost in thought. He was +weighing two ideas. He seemed still to hear the +words which Mr. Mitchel had uttered after his success +in unravelling the mystery of Mr. Goldie's lost +identity. "Next time I will assign myself the chief +<i>rôle</i>," or words to that effect, Mr. Mitchel had said. +Was this disappearance a new riddle for Mr. Barnes +to solve? If so, of course he would undertake it, +as a sort of challenge which his professional pride +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> +could not reject. On the other hand, the cable despatch +and the missing coat of mail might portend +ominously. The detective felt that Mr. Mitchel was +somewhat in the position of the fabled boy who +cried "Wolf!" so often that, when at last the wolf +really appeared, no assistance was sent to him. +Only Mr. Barnes decided that he must chase the +"wolf," whether it be real or imaginary. He +wished, though, that he knew which.</p> + +<p class="indent">Ten minutes later he decided upon a course of +action, and proceeded to a telegraph office, where +he found that, as he had supposed, the despatch had +come from the Paris firm of jewellers from which +Mr. Mitchel had frequently bought gems. He sent +a lengthy message to them, asking for an immediate +reply.</p> + +<p class="indent">While waiting for the answer, the detective was +not inactive. He went direct to Mr. Mitchel's +house, and once more questioned the valet, from +whom he obtained an accurate description of the +clothes which his master must have worn, only one +suit being absent. This fact alone, seemed significantly +against the theory of a visit to friends out of +town. Next, Mr. Barnes interviewed the neighbors, +none of whom remembered to have seen Mr. Mitchel +during the week. At the sixth house below, however, +he learned something definite. Here he found +Mr. Mordaunt, a personal acquaintance, and member +of one of Mr. Mitchel's clubs. This gentleman +stated that he had dined at the club with Mr. Mitchel +on the previous Thursday, and had accompanied +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> +him home, in the neighborhood of eleven o'clock, +parting with him at the door of his own residence. +Since then he had neither seen nor heard from him. +This proved that Mr. Mitchel was at home one day +after Williams went to Newport.</p> + +<p class="indent">Leaving the house, Mr. Barnes called at the nearest +telegraph office and asked whether a messenger +summons had reached them during the week, from +Mr. Mitchel's house. The record slips showed that +the last call had been received at 12.30 A.M., on +Friday. A cab had been demanded, and was sent, +reaching the house at one o'clock. At the stables, +Mr. Barnes questioned the cab-driver, and learned +that Mr. Mitchel had alighted at Madison Square.</p> + +<p class="indent">"But he got right into another cab," added the +driver. "It was just a chance I seen him, 'cause +he made as if he was goin' into the Fifth Avenoo; +but luck was agin' him, for I'd scarcely gone two +blocks back, when I had to get down to fix my +harness, and while I was doin' that, who should I +see but my fare go by in another cab."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You did not happen to know the driver of that +vehicle?" suggested Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's just what I did happen to know. He's +always by the Square, along the curb by the Park. +His name's Jerry. You'll find him easy enough, +and he'll tell you where he took that fly bird."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes went down town again, and did find +Jerry, who remembered driving a man at the stated +time, as far as the Imperial Hotel; but beyond that +the detective learned nothing, for at the hotel no one +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> +knew Mr. Mitchel, and none recollected his arrival +early Friday morning.</p> + +<p class="indent">From the fact that Mr. Mitchel had changed cabs, +and doubled on his track, Mr. Barnes concluded +that he was after all merely hiding away for the +pleasure of baffling him, and he felt much relieved +to divest the case of its alarming aspect. However, +he was not long permitted to hold this opinion. At +the telegraph office he found a cable despatch awaiting +him, which read as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="indent">"Montezuma Emerald forwarded Mitchel tenth. +Previous owner murdered London eleventh. Mexican +suspected. Warned Mitchel."</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">This assuredly looked very serious. Casting aside +all thought of a practical joke, Mr. Barnes now +threw himself heart and soul into the task of finding +Mitchel, dead or alive. From the telegraph office +he hastened to the Custom-House, where he learned +that an emerald, the invoiced value of which was no +less than twenty thousand dollars, had been delivered +to Mr. Mitchel in person, upon payment of +the custom duties, at noon of the previous Thursday. +Mr. Barnes, with this knowledge, thought he +knew why Mr. Mitchel had been careful to have a +friend accompany him to his home on that night. +But why had he gone out again? Perhaps he felt +safer at a hotel than at home, and, having reached +the Imperial, taking two cabs to mystify the villain +who might be tracking him, he might have registered +under an alias. What a fool he had been not to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +examine the registry, as he could certainly recognize +Mr. Mitchel's handwriting, though the name signed +would of course be a false one.</p> + +<p class="indent">Back, therefore, he hastened to the Imperial, +where, however, his search for familiar chirography +was fruitless. Then an idea occurred to him. Mr. +Mitchel was so shrewd that it would not be unlikely +that, meditating a disappearance to baffle the men +on his track, he had registered at the hotel several +days prior to his permanently stopping there. +Turning the page over, Mr. Barnes still failed to +find what he sought, but a curious name caught his +eye.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Miguel Palma—City of Mexico."</p> + +<p class="indent">Could this be the London murderer? Was this +the suspected Mexican? If so, here was a bold and +therefore dangerous criminal who openly put up at +one of the most prominent hostelries. Mr. Barnes +was turning this over in his mind, when a diminutive +newsboy rushed into the corridor, shouting:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Extra <i>Sun</i>! Extra <i>Sun</i>! All about the horrible +murder. Extra!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes purchased a paper and was stupefied +at the headlines:</p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">ROBERT LEROY MITCHEL DROWNED!</p> + +<p class="cnomargins"><i>His Body Found Floating in the East River.</i></p> + +<p class="cnomargins">A DAGGER IN HIS BACK.</p> + +<p class="cnotmargin"><i>Indicates Murder.</i></p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +Mr. Barnes rushed out of the hotel, and, quickly +finding a cab, instructed the man to drive rapidly to +the Morgue. On the way, he read the details of +the crime as recounted in the newspaper. From +this he gathered that the body had been discovered +early in the morning by two boatmen, who towed it +to shore and handed it over to the police. An examination +at the Morgue had established the identity +by letters found on the corpse and the initials marked +on the clothing. Mr. Barnes was sad at heart, and +inwardly fretted because his friend had not asked +his aid when in danger.</p> + +<p class="indent">Jumping from the cab almost before it had fully +stopped in front of the Morgue, he stumbled and +nearly fell over a decrepit-looking beggar, upon +whose breast was a printed card soliciting alms for +the blind. Mr. Barnes dropped a coin, a silver +quarter, into his outstretched palm, and hurried +into the building. As he did so he was jostled by +a tall man who was coming out, and who seemed to +have lost his temper, as he muttered an imprecation +under his breath in Spanish. As the detective's +keen ear noted the foreign tongue an idea occurred +to him which made him turn and follow the stranger. +When he reached the street again he received a +double surprise. The stranger had already signalled +the cab which Mr. Barnes had just left, and was entering +it, so that he had only a moment in which to +observe him. Then the door was slammed, and +the driver whipped up his horses and drove rapidly +away. At the same moment the blind beggar +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +jumped up, and ran in the direction taken by the +cab. Mr. Barnes watched them till both cab and +beggar disappeared around the next corner, and then +he went into the building again, deeply thinking +over the episode.</p> + +<p class="indent">He found the Morgue-keeper, and was taken to +the corpse. He recognized the clothing at once, +both from the description given by Williams, and +because he now remembered to have seen Mr. Mitchel +so dressed. It was evident that the body had +been in the water for several days, and the marks +of violence plainly pointed to murder. Still sticking +in the back was a curious dagger of foreign +make, the handle projecting between the shoulders. +The blow must have been a powerful stroke, for the +blade was so tightly wedged in the bones of the spine +that it resisted ordinary efforts to withdraw it. +Moreover, the condition of the head showed that a +crime had been committed, for the skull and face +had been beaten into a pulpy mass with some heavy +instrument. Mr. Barnes turned away from the +sickening sight to examine the letters found upon +the corpse. One of these bore the Paris postmark, +and he was allowed to read it. It was from the +jewellers, and was the letter alluded to in the warning +cable. Its contents were:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="lnobmargin">"Dear Sir:—</p> + +<p class="indent">"As we have previously advised you the Montezuma +Emerald was shipped to you on the tenth +instant. On the following day the man from whom +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> +we had bought it was found dead in Dover Street, +London, killed by a dagger-thrust between the +shoulders. The meagre accounts telegraphed to +the papers here, state that there is no clue to the +assassin. We were struck by the name, and remembered +that the deceased had urged us to buy the +emerald, because, as he declared, he feared that a +man had followed him from Mexico, intending to +murder him to get possession of it. Within an +hour of reading the newspaper story, a gentlemanly +looking man, giving the name of Miguel Palma, entered +our store, and asked if we had purchased the +Montezuma Emerald. We replied negatively, and +he smiled and left. We notified the police, but they +have not yet been able to find this man. We +deemed it our duty to warn you, and did so by cable."</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">The signature was that of the firm from which Mr. +Barnes had received the cable in the morning. The +plot seemed plain enough now. After the fruitless +murder of the man in London, the Mexican had +traced the emerald to Mr. Mitchel, and had followed +it across the water. Had he succeeded in obtaining +it? Among the things found on the corpse was an +empty jewel-case, bearing the name of the Paris +firm. It seemed from this that the gem had been +stolen. But, if so, this man, Miguel Palma, must +be made to explain his knowledge of the affair.</p> + +<p class="indent">Once more visiting the Imperial, Mr. Barnes made +inquiry, and was told that Mr. Palma had left the +hotel on the night of the previous Thursday, which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +was just a few hours before Mr. Mitchel had undoubtedly +reached there alive. Could it be that the +man at the Morgue had been he? If so, why was +he visiting that place to view the body of his victim? +This was a problem over which Mr. Barnes puzzled, +as he was driven up to the residence of Mr. Mitchel. +Here he found Williams, and imparted to that faithful +servant the news of his master's death, and then +inquired for the address of the family abroad, that +he might notify them by cable, before they could +read the bald statement in a newspaper.</p> + +<p class="indent">"As they only sailed a week ago to-day," said +Williams, "they're hardly more than due in London. +I'll go up to the master's desk and get the +address of his London bankers."</p> + +<p class="indent">As Williams turned to leave the room, he started +back amazed at the sound of a bell.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's the master's bell, Inspector! Some one +is in his room! Come with me!"</p> + +<p class="indent">The two men bounded up-stairs, two steps at a +time, and Williams threw open the door of Mr. +Mitchel's boudoir, and then fell back against Mr. +Barnes, crying:</p> + +<p class="indent">"The master himself!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes looked over the man's shoulder, and +could scarcely believe his eyes when he observed +Mr. Mitchel, alive and well, brushing his hair before +a mirror.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I've rung for you twice, Williams," said Mr. +Mitchel, and then, seeing Mr. Barnes, he added, +"Ah, Mr. Barnes. You are very welcome. Come +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> +in. Why, what is the matter, man? You are as +white as though you had seen a ghost."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thank God, you are safe!" fervently ejaculated +the detective, going forward and grasping Mr. +Mitchel's hand. "Here, read this, and you will +understand." He drew out the afternoon paper +and handed it to him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, that," said Mr. Mitchel, carelessly. "I've +read that. Merely a sensational lie, worked off +upon a guileless public. Not a word of truth in it, +I assure you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course not, since you are alive; but there is +a mystery about this which is yet to be explained."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What! A mystery, and the great Mr. Barnes +has not solved it? I am surprised. I am, indeed. +But then, you know, I told you after Goldie made +a fizzle of our little joke that if I should choose to +play the principal part you would not catch me. +You see I have beaten you this time. Confess. +You thought that was my corpse which you gazed +upon at the Morgue?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well," said Mr. Barnes, reluctantly, "the identification +certainly seemed complete, in spite of the +condition of the face, which made recognition impossible."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; I flatter myself the whole affair was +artistic."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you mean that this whole thing is nothing +but a joke? That you went so far as to invent +cables and letters from Paris just for the trifling +amusement of making a fool of me?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +Mr. Barnes was evidently slightly angry, and Mr. +Mitchel, noting this fact, hastened to mollify +him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, no; it is not quite so bad as that," he +said. "I must tell you the whole story, for there +is yet important work to do, and you must help me. +No, Williams, you need not go out. Your anxiety +over my absence entitles you to a knowledge of the +truth. A short time ago I heard that a very rare +gem was in the market, no less a stone than the +original emerald which Cortez stole from the crown +of Montezuma. The emerald was offered in Paris, +and I was notified at once by the dealer, and authorized +the purchase by cable. A few days later I received +a despatch warning me that there was danger. +I understood at once, for similar danger had lurked +about other large stones which are now in my collection. +The warning meant that I should not attempt +to get the emerald from the Custom-House until +further advices reached me, which would indicate +the exact nature of the danger. Later, I received +the letter which was found on the body now at the +Morgue, and which I suppose you have read?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes nodded assent.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I readily located the man Palma at the Imperial, +and from his openly using his name I knew that I +had a dangerous adversary. Criminals who disdain +aliases have brains, and use them. I kept away +from the Custom-House until I had satisfied myself +that I was being dogged by a veritable cutthroat, +who, of course, was the tool hired by Palma to rob, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +perhaps to kill me. Thus acquainted with my adversaries, +I was ready for the enterprise."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why did you not solicit my assistance?" asked +Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Partly because I wanted all the glory, and partly +because I saw a chance to make you admit that I am +still the champion detective-baffler. I sent my wife +and daughter to Europe that I might have time for +my scheme. On the day after their departure I +boldly went to the Custom-House and obtained the +emerald. Of course I was dogged by the hireling, +but I had arranged a plan which gave him no advantage +over me. I had constructed a pair of goggles +which looked like simple smoked glasses, but in one +of these I had a little mirror so arranged that I could +easily watch the man behind me, should he approach +too near. However, I was sure that he would not +attack me in a crowded thoroughfare, and I kept +in crowds until time for dinner, when, by appointment, +I met my neighbor Mordaunt, and remained +in his company until I reached my own doorway +late at night. Here he left me, and I stood on the +stoop until he disappeared into his own house. +Then I turned, and apparently had much trouble to +place my latch-key in the lock. This offered the +assassin the chance he had hoped for, and, gliding +stealthily forward, he made a vicious stab at me. +But, in the first place, I had put on a chain-armor +vest, and, in the second, expecting the attack to +occur just as it did, I turned swiftly and with one +blow with a club I knocked the weapon from the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> +fellow's hand, and with another I struck him over +the head so that he fell senseless at my feet."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Bravo!" cried Mr. Barnes. "You have a cool +nerve."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't know. I think I was very much excited +at the crucial moment, but with my chain armor, a +stout loaded club in one hand and a derringer in the +other, I never was in any real danger. I took the +man down to the wine-cellar and locked him in one +of the vaults. Then I called a cab, and went down +to the Imperial, in search of Palma; but I was too +late. He had vanished."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So I discovered," interjected Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I could get nothing out of the fellow in the +cellar. Either he cannot or he will not speak English. +So I have merely kept him a prisoner, visiting +him at midnight only, to avoid Williams, and giving +him rations for another day. Meanwhile, I disguised +myself and looked for Palma. I could not find him. +I had another card, however, and the time came at +last to play it. I deduced from Palma's leaving the +hotel on the very day when I took the emerald from +the Custom-House, that it was prearranged that his +hireling should stick to me until he obtained the +gem, and then meet him at some rendezvous, previously +appointed. Hearing nothing during the +past few days, he has perhaps thought that I had +left the city, and that his man was still upon my +track. Meanwhile I was perfecting my grand <i>coup</i>. +With the aid of a physician, who is a confidential +friend, I obtained a corpse from one of the hospitals, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> +a man about my size, whose face we battered beyond +description. We dressed him in my clothing, +and fixed the dagger which I had taken from my +would-be assassin so tightly in the backbone that it +would not drop out. Then one night we took our +dummy to the river and securely anchored it in the +water. Last night I simply cut it loose and let it +drift down the river."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You knew of course that it would be taken to +the Morgue," said Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Precisely. Then I dressed myself as a blind +beggar, posted myself in front of the Morgue, and +waited."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You were the beggar?" ejaculated the detective.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. I have your quarter, and shall prize it as +a souvenir. Indeed, I made nearly four dollars during +the day. Begging seems to be lucrative. After the +newspapers got on the street with the account of my +death, I looked for developments. Palma came in +due time, and went in. I presume that he saw the +dagger, which was placed there for his special benefit, +as well as the empty jewel-case, and at once concluded +that his man had stolen the gem and meant +to keep it for himself. Under these circumstances +he would naturally be angry, and therefore less +cautious and more easily shadowed. Before he +came out, you turned up and stupidly brought a cab, +which allowed my man to get a start of me. However, +I am a good runner, and as he only rode as far +as Third Avenue, and then took the elevated railroad, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> +I easily followed him to his lair. Now I will +explain to you what I wish you to do, if I may count +on you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Assuredly."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You must go into the street, and when I release +the man in the cellar, you must track him. I will +go to the other place, and we will see what happens +when the men meet. We will both be there to see +the fun."</p> + +<p class="indent">An hour later, Mr. Barnes was skilfully dogging a +sneaking Mexican, who walked rapidly through one +of the lowest streets on the East Side, until finally +he dodged into a blind alley, and before the detective +could make sure which of the many doors had allowed +him ingress he had disappeared. A moment +later a low whistle attracted his attention, and across +in a doorway he saw a figure which beckoned to him. +He went over and found Mr. Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Palma is here. I have seen him. You see I +was right. This is the place of appointment, and +the cutthroat has come here straight. Hush! What +was that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">There was a shriek, followed by another, and then +silence.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Let us go up," said Mr. Barnes. "Do you +know which door?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; follow me."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Mitchel started across, but, just as they +reached the door, footsteps were heard rapidly descending +the stairs. Both men stood aside and +waited. A minute later a cloaked figure bounded +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> +out, only to be gripped instantly by those in hiding. +It was Palma, and he fought like a demon, but the +long, powerful arms of Mr. Barnes encircled him, +and, with a hug that would have made a bear envious, +the scoundrel was soon subdued. Mr. Barnes +then manacled him, while Mr. Mitchel ascended the +stairs to see about the other man. He lay sprawling +on the floor, face downward, stabbed in the +heart. + +</p> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="V" id="V"></a>V</h2> + +<p class="h2a">A SINGULAR ABDUCTION</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">Mr. Barnes</span> was alone in his sanctum when an +elderly gentleman of cultured manners was ushered +in. The visitor sank into a seat and began his appeal +at once.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, Mr. Barnes," said he, "I am in great distress. +I hardly dared to hope that assistance was +possible until I met my friend, Mr. Leroy Mitchel. +You know him?" Mr. Barnes assented with a +smile. "Well," continued the old gentleman, +"Mr. Mitchel said that you could surely assist me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly. I will do all that is in my power," +said the detective.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are very kind. I hope you can aid me. +But let me tell you the story. I am Richard Gedney, +the broker. Perhaps you have heard the +name?" Mr. Barnes nodded. "I thought so. +'Old Dick,' they call me on the street, and sometimes +'Old Nick,' but that is only their joke. I do +not believe they really dislike me, though I have +grown rich. I have never cheated any one, nor +wronged a friend in my life. But that is immaterial, +except that it makes it hard to understand how any +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> +one could have done me the great injury of stealing +my daughter."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Stealing your daughter?" interrupted the detective. +"Abduction?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Abduction I suppose is your technical term. I +call it plain stealing. To take a girl of fourteen +away from her father's home is stealing, plain and +simple."</p> + +<p class="indent">"When did this occur?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Two days ago. Tuesday morning we missed +her, though she may have been taken in the night. +She was slightly ill on Monday evening, and her +maid sent for our doctor, who ordered her to be put +to bed and kept there. Next morning, that is, +Tuesday, he called early, as he was going out on +his rounds. He was admitted by the butler and +went straight up to her room. He came down a +few minutes later, rang the door-bell to call a servant, +and reported that the child was not in her room. +He left word that she must be put back to bed and +that he would return in an hour. The butler gave +the message to her maid, who became alarmed, as +she supposed her mistress to be in bed. A search +was begun, but the child had vanished."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How is it, Mr. Gedney, that the doctor did not +speak to you personally instead of to the servant?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I cannot too much condemn myself. You see, +I am an old whist player, and the temptation to play +made me linger so late with some friends on Monday +night that I preferred to remain in Newark +where I was, and so did not reach home till ten +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> +o'clock Tuesday morning. By that time the misfortune +had occurred."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have you made no discoveries as to what has +become of her?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"None. We have sent to all of our friends in the +vain hope that she might have arisen early and gone +out, but no one has seen her. She has disappeared as +thoroughly as though she had been swallowed by an +earthquake. Here, however, is a letter which reached +me this morning. I cannot tell whether there +is anything in it, or whether it is merely a cruel joke +perpetrated by some crank who has heard of my +loss." He handed the letter to the detective, who +read as follows:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your daughter is safe if you are sensible. If +you want her back all you have to do is to state +your figures. Make them high enough, and she'll +be with you. Put a 'Personal' in the <i>Herald</i> for D. M., +and I will answer."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Gedney," said Mr. Barnes, "I am afraid +this is a serious case. What has been done has been +so thoroughly well accomplished that I believe we +have no fool to deal with. His is a master hand. +We must begin our work at once. I will take this +up personally. Come, we must go out."</p> + +<p class="indent">They proceeded first to the <i>Herald</i> uptown office, +and Mr. Barnes inserted the following advertisement:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="indent">"D. M. Communicate at once, stating lowest +terms. <span class="smcap">Gedney.</span>"</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> +"Now we will go to your home, Mr. Gedney," +said Mr. Barnes, and thither they went.</p> + +<p class="indent">Seating himself in a comfortable leather chair in +the library, Mr. Barnes asked that the butler should +be called. The man entered the room, and it was +apparent at once that here was a good servant of +the English type.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Moulton," began Mr. Barnes, "I am a detective. +I am going to find out where your young +mistress has been taken."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I hope so, sir," said the butler.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well," said the detective. "Now answer +a few questions explicitly, and you may give me +great assistance. On Tuesday morning you admitted +the doctor. At what time was it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It was about eight o'clock, sir. We had just +taken our seats at breakfast in the servants' hall, +when the bell rang. That is how I know the hour. +We are regular about meals in this house. We eat +at eight and the master at nine."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What happened when you admitted the +doctor?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He asked for Miss Nora, and I told him she was +not down yet. He said he supposed he could go +up, and I said I supposed so, and he went."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What did you do next?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I went back to my breakfast."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did you tell the maid that the doctor had +called?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not just then, sir, for she had not come into the +breakfast-room."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +"When did you tell her?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"After I saw the doctor the second time. I +heard the door-bell again and went up, when, to my +surprise, there was the doctor. He said he rang +because he did not know how else to call me. +Then he said that Miss Nora had left her room, +which was against the orders he gave the night before, +and that I was to tell the maid to have her +back to bed, and he would call again. I went back +to the breakfast-room. This time the maid was +there, and frightened she was when I gave her the +message."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How long was it after you admitted the doctor +the first time, when you answered his second ring?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should think five minutes, sir; though it might +have been ten."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And during this five or ten minutes the maid +was not in the breakfast-room?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Send her to me." The butler left the room, +and, whilst waiting for the maid, Mr. Barnes addressed +Mr. Gedney.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Gedney," said he, "you have not told me +the name of the doctor."</p> + +<p class="indent">"His name is Donaldson. Everybody knows +Dr. Donaldson."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Has he served you long?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ever since I came to live in this neighborhood. +About two years, I should say. He has seemed +to be very fond of Elinora. Why, he has been here +a half-dozen times asking for news of her since her +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> +disappearance. He has a curious theory which I can +hardly credit. He thinks she may have wandered +off in the night, asleep. But then he has not seen +this letter from 'D. M.' yet."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I would like to speak to him about his somnambulistic +idea. Do you think he will drop in to-day?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He may be in at any moment, as he has not +called yet this morning. Here is my daughter's +maid."</p> + +<p class="indent">This directed the attention of Mr. Barnes to a +young woman who at that moment entered. She +was evidently dreadfully alarmed at being summoned +to meet a detective, and her eyes showed +that she had been weeping.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come, my girl," said Mr. Barnes, reassuringly, +"you need not be frightened. I am not an ogre. +I only wish to ask you a few questions. You are +willing to help me find your mistress, are you not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, indeed, indeed yes, sir!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then begin by telling me how she was on Monday +night when you sent for the doctor."</p> + +<p class="indent">The girl composed herself with an effort, evidently +satisfied that a detective was just like any ordinary +man, and replied:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Miss Nora acted rather odd all Monday, and +was melancholy like. She would sit and stare out +of the window and not answer when she was spoken +to. I thought perhaps something had bothered +her, and so I left her alone, meaning to speak to +her father at dinner-time. But he sent a telegram +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> +saying he had to go out of town. So when Miss +Nora wouldn't come down to dinner, and wouldn't +answer me, but just kept staring out of the window, +I got scared a little, and thought it best to send for +Dr. Donaldson."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What did he say when he came?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He talked to her, but she wouldn't answer him +either. He patted her on the head, and said she +was sulky. Then he told me perhaps she was angry +because her father hadn't come home, but that she +must not be allowed to brood over trifles. He said +I must put her to bed, and he gave her some medicine +that he said would put her to sleep."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did you have any trouble to get her to +bed?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, sir, though that was strange. She just +stood still and let me do everything. She did not +help me or prevent me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"When did you see her after that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I never saw her after that," and she began to +cry softly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come, come, don't cry. Your mistress is all +right. I will bring her back. Now tell me why +you did not see her again. Is it not your business +to attend her in the morning?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir, but she only gets up about eight +o'clock, and the doctor told me he would call the +first thing in the morning, and that I must not disturb +her till he came. He said he wanted to wake +her himself and see how she acted."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You were not in the breakfast-room at eight +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +o'clock," said the detective, watching her closely; +"where were you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The girl turned crimson, and stammered a few +words inaudibly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come, tell me where you were. You were +somewhere, you know. Where were you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I was in the downstairs hallway," she said, +slowly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Doing what?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I was talking to the policeman," she replied, +more reluctantly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your beau?" asked Mr. Barnes, significantly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, sir. He is my husband." She tossed her +head defiantly, now that her secret was divulged.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your husband?" said Mr. Barnes, slightly surprised. +"Why, then, did you hesitate to tell me +of him?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Because—because,"—she stammered, again +much troubled,—"because, maybe, if I hadn't been +talking to him, Miss Nora wouldn't have been carried +off. He might have seen the thief."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Just so," said Mr. Barnes. "Well, that will +do." The girl retired only too gladly.</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes asked to be shown the room where +the missing girl had slept, and made minute examinations +of everything. Up in the room a thought +occurred to him, and he once more asked for the +maid.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Can you tell me," he asked, "whether your +mistress took any of her clothing with her?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, sir," she replied, "I miss the whole suit +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +that she wore on Monday. It looks as though she +must have dressed herself."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes made a few notes in his memorandum-book, +and then with Mr. Gedney returned to the +library. Here they found Dr. Donaldson, who had +arrived whilst they were upstairs. Mr. Gedney introduced +the doctor, a genial, pleasant man, who +shook Mr. Barnes cordially by the hand, saying:</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am delighted, Mr. Barnes, that my old friend +Gedney has been sensible enough to engage you to +unravel this affair rather than call in the police. +The police are bunglers anyway, and only make +scandal and publicity. You have looked into the +matter, eh? What do you think?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is precisely the question, Doctor, which I +wish to ask you. What do you think? Mr. Gedney +says you suggest somnambulism."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I only said it might be that. I would not like +to be too positive. You know that I called to see +the dear girl Monday night. Well, I found her in +a strange mood. In fact, thinking it over, I have +almost convinced myself that what we took for +stubbornness—sulks, I think I called it—was somnambulism. +That, in fact, she was asleep when I +saw her. That would account for her not replying +to questions, and offering no resistance when her +maid removed her clothing to put her to bed. Still +it is merely a guess. It is possible that she got up +in the night and wandered out of the house. I +only venture it as a possibility, a chance clue for +you to work on."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +"What do you think of this letter?" asked Mr. +Barnes, handing the doctor the anonymous communication +from "D. M."</p> + +<p class="indent">The doctor read it over twice, and then said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Looks more like somnambulism than ever. +Don't you see? She dressed herself in the +night, and wandered off. Some scoundrel has +found her and taken her to his home. Knowing +that her father has money, he holds her for +ransom."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How do you know, Doctor," said Mr. Barnes, +quietly, "that 'D. M.' is a he? The communication +is in typewriting, so that nothing can be learned +from the chirography."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course I don't know it," said the doctor, +testily. "Still I'll wager that no woman ever concocted +this scheme."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Again, how should her abductor know that her +father is rich?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, I suppose her name may be on her clothing, +and once he discovered her parentage, he would +know that. However he found it out, it is plain +that he does know, or how could they, or he, or she, +if you wish me to be so particular, have written this +letter?"</p> + +<p class="indent">This was unanswerable, so Mr. Barnes remained +silent.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What move will you make first?" asked the +doctor.</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes told him of the advertisement which +he had inserted, and took his departure, requesting +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> +that if Mr. Gedney received any answer he should +be notified at once.</p> + +<p class="indent">About half-past ten the next morning, Mr. Gedney +presented himself to the detective and handed +him the following letter:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="indent">"I am glad you are sensible. Saw your advertisement, +and I answer at once. I want twenty +thousand dollars. That is my price. Now note +what I have to say, and let me emphasize the fact +that I mean every word. This is my first offer. +Any dickering will make me increase my price, and +I will never decrease it. To save time, let me tell +you something else. I have no partner in this, so +there is no one to squeal on me. No one on earth +but myself knows where the girl is. Now for future +arrangements. You will want to communicate with +me. I don't mean you to have any chance to catch +me with decoy letters or anything of that sort. I +know already that you have that keen devil Barnes +helping you. But he'll meet his match this time. +Here is my plan. You, or your detective, I don't +care which, must go to the public telephone station +in the Hoffman House at two o'clock sharp. I will +go to another, never mind where, and will ring you +up. When you answer, I will simply say, 'D. M.' +You will recognize the signal and can do the talking. +I will not answer except by letter, because I won't +even run the risk of that detective's hearing my +voice, and some time in the future recognizing it. +You see, I may need Barnes myself some day and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +wouldn't like to be deprived of his valuable services. +I enclose a piece of the girl's cloth dress and a lock +of her hair to show that I am dealing square.</p> + +<p class="right">"D. M."</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Gedney," said Mr. Barnes, "make your +mind easy. Your daughter is safe, at all events. I +suppose this bit of cloth and the hair satisfy you +that the scoundrel really has her?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, I am convinced of that. But how does +that make the girl safe?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The fellow wants the money. It is to his interest +to be able to restore your daughter. My business +shall be to get her without payment of ransom, +and to catch the abductor. I'll meet you at the +Hoffman House at two o'clock."</p> + +<p class="indent">As soon as Mr. Gedney had gone, Mr. Barnes +wrote the following note:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="lnobmargin">"Dr. Donaldson:—</p> + +<p class="indent">"Dear Sir—I believe that I am on the right +track, and all through the clue supplied by yourself. +Please aid me a little further. I would like to know +the exact size of the missing girl. As a physician, +you will supply this even better than the father. +Also inform me of any mark or peculiarity by which +I might recognize her, alive or dead. Please answer +at once.</p> + +<p class="margin-left8">"Yours truly,</p> + +<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">J. Barnes.</span>"</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +This he sent by a messenger, and received the +following in reply:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="lnobmargin">"Mr. Barnes:—</p> + +<p class="indent">"Dear Sir—I hope you will succeed. Elinora is +small and slim, being rather undersized for her age. +I should say about four feet ten inches, or thereabout. +I know of no distinctive mark whereby her +body could be recognized, and hope that nothing +of the sort seemingly suggested may be necessary.</p> + +<p class="margin-left8">"Yours truly,</p> +<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Robert Donaldson</span>, M.D."</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes read this, and appeared more pleased +than its contents seemed to authorize. At the appointed +time he went to the Hoffman House. He +found Mr. Gedney impatiently walking up and down +the lobby.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Gedney," said he, "at the beginning of +this case you offered me my own price for recovering +your daughter. Now, supposing that you pay +this ransom, it would appear that you would have +had little need of my services. If, however, I get +your daughter, and save you the necessity of paying +any ransom at all, I suppose you will admit that +I have earned my reward?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Most assuredly."</p> + +<p class="indent">After this, Mr. Gedney was rather startled when +he heard what the detective said to "D. M." +through the telephone. They shut themselves up +in the little box, and very soon received the call and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> +then the signal "D. M." as agreed. Mr. Barnes +spoke to the abductor, who presumably was listening.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We agree to your terms," said he. "That is, +we will pay twenty thousand dollars for the return +of the girl unharmed. You are so shrewd that we +suppose you will invent some scheme for receiving +the money which will protect you from arrest, but +at the same time we must be assured that the girl +will be returned to us unharmed. In fact, she must +be given to us as soon as the money is paid. Notify +us immediately, as the father is in a hurry."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes put up the instrument and "rang off." +Then he turned to Mr. Gedney and said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"That may surprise you. But what may astonish +you more is that you must obtain twenty thousand +dollars in cash at once. We will need it. Ask no +questions, but depend upon me and trust me."</p> + +<p class="indent">On the next day Mr. Gedney received the following +letter:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="indent">"You have more sense than I gave you credit for. +So has that Barnes fellow, for it was his voice I heard +through the 'phone. You accept my terms. Very +well. I'll deal square and not raise you, though I +ought to have made it twenty-five thousand at least. +Come to the 'phone to-day, same hour, and I'll ring +you up, from a different station. Then you can tell +me if you will be ready to-night, or to-morrow night. +Either will suit me. Then here is the plan. You +want to be sure the girl is all right. Then let the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> +ambassador be your friend, Doctor Donaldson. He +knows the girl and can tell that she is all right. Let +him start from his house at midnight, and drive from +his office up Madison Avenue rapidly till hailed by +the signal 'D. M.' He must go fast enough to +prevent being followed on foot. If there is no detective +with him or following him, he will be hailed. +Otherwise he will be allowed to pass. I will be in +hiding with the girl. Warn the doctor that I will +be armed, and will have a bead on him all the time. +Any treachery will mean death. I will take the +cash, give up the girl, and the transaction will be +ended."</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">When this was shown to the detective, he proposed +that he and Mr. Gedney should call upon the +doctor. This they did, and, after some argument, +persuaded him to undertake the recovery of the girl +that same night.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Gedney has decided to obtain his child at +any sacrifice," said Mr. Barnes, "and this scoundrel +is so shrewd that there seems to be no way to entrap +him. No effort will be made to follow you, so you +need have no fear of any trouble from the thief. +Only be sure that you obtain the right girl. It +would be just possible that a wrong one might be +given to you, and a new ransom demanded."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I shall know Elinora," said the doctor. +"I will do this, but I think we ought to arrest the +villain, if possible."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I do not despair of doing so," said Mr. Barnes. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> +"Get a glimpse of his face if you can, and be sure +to note where you receive the girl. When we get +her she may give me a clue upon which an arrest +may be made. We will wait for you at Mr. Gedney's +house."</p> + +<p class="indent">After midnight that night, Mr. Gedney paced the +floor anxiously, while Mr. Barnes sat at a desk +looking over some memoranda. Presently he went +into the hall and had a long talk with the butler. +One o'clock passed, and still no news. At half-past, +however, horses' hoofs sounded upon the asphalt +pavement, and a few minutes later the door-bell +jingled. The door was quickly opened, and the +doctor entered, bearing little Elinora asleep in his +arms.</p> + +<p class="indent">"My daughter!" exclaimed the excited father. +"Thank God, she is restored to me!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes," said the doctor, "here she is, safe and +sound. I think, though, that she has been drugged, +for she has slept ever since I received her."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did you have any trouble?" asked Mr. Barnes, +entering at this moment. He had lingered outside +in the hall long enough to exchange a word with the +butler.</p> + +<p class="indent">"None," said the doctor. "At One Hundred +and Second Street I heard the signal and stopped. +A man came out of the shadow of a building, +looked into the carriage, said 'All right,' and asked +if I had the cash. I replied affirmatively. He went +back to the sidewalk and returned with the child in +his arms, but with a pistol pointed at me. Then +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> +he said, 'Pass out the money.' I did so, and he +seemed satisfied, for he gave me the child, took the +package, and ran off. I saw his face, but I fear my +description will not avail you, for I am sure he was +disguised."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very possibly your description will be useless," +said Mr. Barnes; "but I have discovered the identity +of the abductor."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Impossible!" cried the doctor, amazed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Let me prove that I am right," said Mr. Barnes. +He went to the door and admitted the butler, accompanied +by the policeman who had been off his +beat talking with the maid. Before his companions +understood what was about to happen, Mr. Barnes +said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Officer, arrest that man!" Whereupon the +policeman seized the doctor and held him as though +in a vise.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What does this outrage mean?" screamed the +doctor, after ineffectually endeavoring to release +himself.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Put on the manacles, officer," said Mr. Barnes; +"then we can talk. He is armed, and might become +dangerous." With the assistance of the detective +this was accomplished, and then Mr. Barnes +addressed himself to Mr. Gedney.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Gedney, I had some slight suspicion of the +truth after questioning the butler and the maid, but +the first real clue came with the answer to the +'Personal.' You brought that to me in the morning, +and I noted that it was postmarked at the main office +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> +downtown at six <span class="smcap">a.m.</span> Of course, it was possible +that it might have been written after the appearance +of the newspaper, but if so, the thief was up very +early. The doctor, however, knew of the 'Personal' +on the day previous, as I told him of it in your +presence. That letter was written in typewriting, +and I observed a curious error in the spelling of +three words. I found the words 'emphasize,' 'recognize,' +and 'recognizing.' In each, instead of the 'z,' +we have a repetition of the 'i,' that letter being +doubled. I happen to know something about writing-machines. +I felt certain that this letter had been +written upon a Caligraph. In that machine the bar +which carries the letter 'i' is next to that which +carries the letter 'z.' It is not an uncommon thing +when a typewriter is out of order for two bars to +fail to pass one another. Thus, in writing 'emphasize' +the rapid writer would strike the 'z' key before +the 'i' had fully descended. The result would +be that the 'z,' rising, would strike the 'i' bar and +carry it up again, thus doubling the 'i,' instead of +writing 'iz.' The repetition of the mistake was +evidence that it was a faulty machine. I also noted +that this anonymous letter was upon paper from +which the top had been torn away. I wrote to the +doctor here, asking about the 'size' of the girl, and +for any marks whereby we might be able to 'recognize' +the body. I used the words 'size' and 'recognize,' +hoping to tempt him to use them also in reply. +In his answer I find the word 'recognized' and also a +similar word, 'undersized.' In both we have a repetition +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> +of the double 'i' error. Moreover, the paper +of this letter from the doctor matched that upon +which the anonymous communication had been +written, provided I tore off the top, which bore his +letterhead. This satisfied me that the doctor was +our man. When the last letter came, proposing +that he should be the ambassador, the trick was +doubly sure. It was ingenious, for the abductor of +course assured himself that he was not followed, and +simply brought the girl home. But I set another +trap. I secretly placed a cyclometer upon the doctor's +carriage. He says that to-night he drove to +One Hundred and Second Street, and back here, a +total of ten miles. The cyclometer, which the butler +obtained for me when the doctor arrived a while +ago, shows that he drove less than a mile. He +simply waited at his house until the proper time to +come, and then drove here, bringing the girl with +him."</p> + +<p class="indent">The doctor remained silent, but glared venomously +at the man who had outwitted him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"But how did he get Elinora?" asked Mr. Gedney.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That queer yarn which he told us about somnambulism +first suggested to me that he was possibly +less ignorant than he pretended to be. I fear, Mr. +Gedney, that your daughter is ill. I judge from the +description of her condition, given by her maid, and +admitted by this man, that she was suffering from +an attack of catalepsy when he was summoned. +When he called the next day, finding the girl still +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> +in a trance, he quickly dressed her and took her out +to his carriage. Then he coolly returned, announced +that she was not in her room, and drove away with +her."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It seems incredible!" exclaimed Mr. Gedney. +"I have known the doctor so long that it is hard to +believe that he is a criminal."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Criminals," said Mr. Barnes, "are often created +by opportunity. That was probably the case here. +The case is most peculiar. It is a crime which none +but a physician could have conceived, and that one +fact makes possible what to a casual observer might +seem most improbable. An abduction is rarely successful, +because of the difficulties which attend the +crime, not the least of which are the struggles of +the victim, and the story which will be told after the +return of the child. Here all this was obviated. +The doctor recognized catalepsy at the first visit. +Perhaps during the night the possibility of readily +compelling you to pay him a large sum of money +grew into a tremendous temptation. With the project +half formed, he called the next morning. Circumstances +favored the design. He found the girl +unattended, and unresistant because of her condition. +He likewise knew that when he should have +returned her, she could tell nothing of where she +had been, because of her trance. He started downstairs +with her. There was no risk. If he had met +any one, any excuse for bringing her from her room +would have been accepted, because uttered by the +family physician. He placed her in the carriage unobserved, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> +and the most difficult part of the affair was +accomplished. Many men of high degree are at +heart rascals; but through fear, either of law or loss +of position, they lead fairly virtuous lives. Temptation, +accompanied by opportunity, coming to one of +these, compasses his downfall, as has occurred in +this instance. Criminals are recruited from all +classes."</p> + +<p class="indent">The ransom money was recovered by searching +the apartments of the doctor, and his guilt was thus +indubitably proven. Mr. Mitchel, commenting upon +the affair, simply said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"I sent you to him, Mr. Gedney, because Mr. +Barnes is above his kind. He is no ordinary detective."</p> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="VI" id="VI"></a>VI</h2> + +<p class="h2a">THE AZTEC OPAL</p> + +<p class="indent">"<span class="smcap">Mr. Mitchel</span>," began Mr. Barnes, after exchanging +greetings, "I have called to see you upon +a subject which I am sure will enlist your keenest +interest, for several reasons. It relates to a magnificent +jewel; it concerns your intimate friends; +and it is a problem requiring the most analytical +qualities of the mind in its solution."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, then you have solved it?" asked Mr. +Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think so. You shall judge. I have to-day +been called in to investigate one of the most singular +cases that has fallen in my way. It is one in +which the usual detective methods would be utterly +valueless. The facts were presented to me, and the +solution of the mystery could only be reached by +analytical deductions."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is to say, by using your brains?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Precisely. Now, as you have admitted that +you consider yourself more expert in this direction +than the ordinary detective, I wish to place you +for once in the position of a detective, and then see +you prove your ability."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> +"Early this morning I was summoned, by a messenger, +to go aboard of the steam yacht <i>Idler</i> which +lay at anchor in the lower bay."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, the <i>Idler</i> belongs to my friend, Mortimer +Gray!" exclaimed Mr. Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes," replied Mr. Barnes; "I told you that +your friends are interested. I went immediately +with the man who had come to my office, and in +due season I was aboard of the yacht. Mr. Gray +received me very politely, and took me to his private +room adjoining the cabin. Here he explained to +me that he had been off on a cruise for a few weeks, +and was approaching the harbor last night, when, +in accordance with his plans, a sumptuous dinner +was served, as a sort of farewell feast, the party expecting +to separate to-day."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What guests were on the yacht?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I will tell you everything in order, as the facts +were presented to me. Mr. Gray enumerated the +party as follows: besides himself and his wife, there +were his wife's sister, Mrs. Eugene Cortlandt, and +her husband, a Wall Street broker; also, Mr. Arthur +Livingstone and his sister, and a Mr. Dennett +Moore, a young man supposed to be devoting himself +to Miss Livingstone."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That makes seven persons, three of whom are +women. I ought to say, Mr. Barnes, that, though +Mr. Gray is a club friend, I am not personally acquainted +with his wife, nor with the others. So I +have no advantage over you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I will come at once to the curious incident which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> +made my presence desirable. According to Mr. +Gray's story, the dinner had proceeded as far as the +roast, when suddenly there was a slight shock as the +yacht touched a bar, and at the same time the lamps +spluttered and then went out, leaving the room +totally dark. A second later the vessel righted herself +and sped on, so that, before any panic ensued, it +was evident to all that the danger had passed. The +gentlemen begged the ladies to resume their seats, +and remain quiet till the lamps were lighted; this, +however, the attendants were unable to do, and +they were ordered to bring fresh lamps. Thus there +was almost total darkness for several minutes."</p> + +<p class="indent">"During which, I presume, the person who +planned the affair readily consummated his design?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"So you think that the whole series of events was +prearranged? Be that as it may, something did +happen in that dark room. The women had started +from their seats when the yacht touched, and when +they groped their way back in the darkness some of +them found the wrong places, as was seen when the +fresh lamps were brought. This was considered a +good joke, and there was some laughter, which was +suddenly checked by an exclamation from Mr. Gray, +who quickly asked his wife, 'Where is your opal?'"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Her opal?" asked Mr. Mitchel, in tones which +showed that his greatest interest was now aroused. +"Do you mean, Mr. Barnes, that she was wearing +the Aztec Opal?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, you know the gem?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> +"I know nearly all gems of great value; but what +of this one?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mrs. Gray and her sister, Mrs. Cortlandt, had +both donned <i>décolleté</i> costumes for this occasion, +and Mrs. Gray had worn this opal as a pendant to a +thin gold chain which hung around her neck. At +Mr. Gray's question, all looked towards his wife, +and it was noted that the clasp was open, and the +opal missing. Of course it was supposed that it had +merely fallen to the floor, and a search was immediately +instituted. But the opal could not be found."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is certainly a very significant fact," said +Mr. Mitchel. "But was the search thorough?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should say extremely thorough, when we consider +it was not conducted by a detective, who is +supposed to be an expert in such matters. Mr. +Gray described to me what was done, and he seems +to have taken every precaution. He sent the attendants +out of the <i>salon</i>, and he and his guests +systematically examined every part of the room."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Except the place where the opal really was +concealed, you mean."</p> + +<p class="indent">"With that exception, of course, since they did +not find the jewel. Not satisfied with this search +by lamplight, Mr. Gray locked the <i>salon</i>, so that no +one could enter it during the night, and another +investigation was made in the morning."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The pockets of the seven persons present were +not examined, I presume?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No. I asked Mr. Gray why this had been +omitted, and he said it was an indignity which he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> +could not possibly show to a guest. As you have +asked this question, Mr. Mitchel, it is only fair for +me to tell you that when I spoke to Mr. Gray on +the subject he seemed very much confused. Nevertheless, +however unwilling he may have been to +search those of his guests who are innocent, he emphatically +told me that if I had reasonable proof +that any one present had purloined the opal, he +wished that individual to be treated as any other +thief, without regard to sex or social position."</p> + +<p class="indent">"One can scarcely blame him, because that opal +is worth a fabulous sum. I have myself offered +Gray twenty thousand dollars for it, which was refused. +This opal is one of the eyes of an Aztec +idol, and if the other could be found, the two would +be as interesting as any jewels in the world."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is the story which I was asked to unravel," +continued Mr. Barnes, "and I must now relate to +you what steps I have taken towards that end. It +appears that, because of the loss of the jewel, no +person has left the yacht, although no restraint was +placed upon anyone by Mr. Gray. All knew, however, +that he had sent for a detective, and it was +natural that no one should offer to go until formally +dismissed by the host. My plan, then, was to have +a private interview with each of the seven persons +who had been present at the dinner."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you exempted the attendants from your +suspicions?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I did. There was but one way by which one of +the servants could have stolen the opal, and this was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> +prevented by Mr. Gray. It was possible that the +opal had fallen on the floor, and, though not found +at night, a servant might have discovered and have +appropriated it on the following morning, had he +been able to enter the <i>salon</i>. But Mr. Gray had +locked the doors. No servant, however bold, would +have been able to take the opal from the lady's +neck."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think your reasoning is good, and we will confine +ourselves to the original seven."</p> + +<p class="indent">"After my interview with Mr. Gray, I asked to +have Mrs. Gray sent in to me. She came in, and at +once I noted that she placed herself on the defensive. +Women frequently adopt that manner with a +detective. Her story was very brief. The main +point was that she was aware of the theft before the +lamps were relighted. In fact, she felt some one's +arms steal around her neck, and knew when the opal +was taken. I asked why she had made no outcry, +and whether she suspected any special person. To +these questions she replied that she supposed it was +merely a joke perpetrated in the darkness, and therefore +had made no resistance. She would not name +anyone as suspected by her, but she was willing to +tell me that the arms were bare, as she detected +when they touched her neck. I must say here, that +although Miss Livingstone's dress was not cut low +in the neck, it was, practically, sleeveless; and Mrs. +Cortlandt's dress had no sleeves at all. One other +significant statement made by this lady was that her +husband had mentioned to her your offer of twenty +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> +thousand dollars for the opal, and had urged her to +permit him to sell it, but she had refused."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So it was madame who would not sell? The +plot thickens."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You will observe, of course, the point about the +naked arms of the thief. I therefore sent for Mrs. +Cortlandt next. She had a curious story to tell. +Unlike her sister, she was quite willing to express +her suspicions. Indeed, she plainly intimated that +she supposed that Mr. Gray himself had taken the +jewel. I will endeavor to repeat her words.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Mr. Barnes,' said she, 'the affair is very simple. +Gray is a miserable old skinflint. A Mr. Mitchel, a +crank who collects gems, offered to buy that opal, +and he has been bothering my sister for it ever since. +When the lamps went out, he took the opportunity +to steal it. I do not think this—I know it. How? +Well, on account of the confusion and darkness, I +sat in my sister's seat when I returned to the table; +this explains his mistake. He put his arms around +my neck, and deliberately felt for the opal. I did +not understand his purpose at the time, but now +it is very evident.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Yes, madame,' said I, 'but how do you know +it was Mr. Gray?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Why, I grabbed his hand, and before he could +pull it away I felt the large cameo ring on his little +finger. Oh, there is no doubt whatever.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"I asked her whether Mr. Gray had his sleeves +rolled up, and, though she could not understand the +purport of the question, she said 'No.' Next I had +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> +Miss Livingstone come in. She is a slight, tremulous +young lady, who cries at the slightest provocation. +During the interview, brief as it was, it was +only by the greatest diplomacy that I avoided a +scene of hysterics. She tried very hard to convince +me that she knew absolutely nothing. She had not +left her seat during the disturbance; of that she was +sure. So how could she know anything about it? +I asked her to name the one who she thought might +have taken the opal, and at this her agitation reached +such a climax that I was obliged to let her go."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You gained very little from her, I should say."</p> + +<p class="indent">"In a case of this kind, Mr. Mitchel, where the +criminal is surely one of a very few persons, we +cannot fail to gain something from each person's +story. A significant feature here was that though +Miss Livingstone assures us that she did not leave +her seat, she was sitting in a different place when +the lamps were lighted again."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That might mean anything or nothing."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Exactly. But we are not deducing values yet. +Mr. Dennett Moore came to me next, and he is a +straightforward, honest man if I ever saw one. He +declared that the whole affair was a great mystery +to him, and that, while ordinarily he would not care +anything about it, he could not but be somewhat +interested, because he thought that one of the ladies, +he would not say which one, suspected him. Mr. +Livingstone also impressed me favorably, in spite of +the fact that he did not remove his cigarette from +his mouth throughout the whole of my interview +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> +with him. He declined to name the person suspected +by him, though he admitted that he could +do so. He made this significant remark:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You are a detective of experience, Mr. Barnes, +and ought to be able to decide which man amongst +us could place his arms around Mrs. Gray's neck +without causing her to cry out. But if your imagination +fails you, suppose you inquire into the financial +standing of all of us, and see which one would be +most likely to profit by thieving? Ask Mr. Cortlandt.'"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Evidently Mr. Livingstone knows more than he +tells."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yet he told enough for one to guess his suspicions, +and to understand the delicacy which +prompted him to say no more. He, however, gave +me a good point upon which to question Mr. Cortlandt. +When I asked that gentleman if any of the +men happened to be in pecuniary difficulties, he +became grave at once. I will give you his answer.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Mr. Livingstone and Mr. Moore are both exceedingly +wealthy men, and I am a millionaire, in +very satisfactory business circumstances at present. +But I am very sorry to say that though our host, +Mr. Gray, is also a distinctly rich man, he has met +with some reverses recently, and I can conceive that +ready money would be useful to him. But for all +that, it is preposterous to believe what your question +evidently indicates. None of the persons in this +party is a thief, and least of all could we suspect +Mr. Gray. I am sure that if he wished his wife's +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> +opal, she would give it to him cheerfully. No, Mr. +Barnes, the opal is in some crack or crevice which +we have overlooked. It is lost, not stolen.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"That ended the interview with the several persons present, +but I made one or two other inquiries, +from which I elicited at least two significant facts. +First, it was Mr. Gray himself who had indicated +the course by which the yacht was steered last night, +and which ran her over a sand-bar. Second, some +one had nearly emptied the oil from the lamps, so +that they would have burned out in a short time, even +though the yacht had not touched."</p> + +<p class="indent">"These, then, are your facts. And from these +you have solved the problem. Well, Mr. Barnes, +who stole the opal?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Mitchel, I have told you all I know, but I +wish you to work out a solution before I reveal my +own opinion."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have already done so, Mr. Barnes. Here; I +will write my suspicion on a bit of paper. So. +Now tell me yours, and you shall know mine afterwards."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, to my mind it is very simple. Mr. Gray, +failing to obtain the opal from his wife by fair means, +resorted to a trick. He removed the oil from the +lamps, and charted out a course for his yacht which +would take her over a sand-bar, and when the opportune +moment came he stole the jewel. His +actions since then have been merely to cover his +crime by shrouding the affair with mystery. By +insisting upon a thorough search, and even sending +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> +for a detective, he makes it impossible for those who +were present to accuse him hereafter. Undoubtedly +Mr. Cortlandt's opinion will be the one generally +adopted. Now what do you think?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think I will go with you at once, and board +the yacht <i>Idler</i>."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But you have not told me whom you suspect," +said Mr. Barnes, somewhat irritated.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, that is immaterial," said Mr. Mitchel, +calmly preparing for the street. "I do not suspect +Mr. Gray, so if you are correct you will have shown +better ability than I. Come, let us hurry."</p> + +<p class="indent">On their way to the dock from which they were +to take the little steam launch which was waiting to +carry the detective back to the yacht, Mr. Barnes +asked Mr. Mitchel the following question:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Mitchel," said he, "you will note that Mrs. +Cortlandt alluded to you as a 'crank who collects +gems.' I must admit that I have myself harbored a +great curiosity as to your reasons for purchasing +jewels which are valued beyond a mere conservative +commercial price. Would you mind explaining +why you began your collection?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I seldom explain my motives to others, especially +when they relate to my more important pursuits +in life. But in view of all that has passed +between us, I think your curiosity justifiable, and I +will gratify it. To begin with, I am a very wealthy +man. I inherited great riches, and I have made a +fortune myself. Have you any conception of the +difficulties which harass a man of means?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> +"Perhaps not in minute detail, though I can +guess that the lot of the rich is not as free from care +as the pauper thinks it is."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The point is this: the difficulty with a poor man +is to get rich, while with the rich man the greatest +trouble is to prevent the increase of his wealth. +Some men, of course, make no effort in that direction, +and those men are a menace to society. My +own idea of the proper use of a fortune is to manage +it for the benefit of others, as well as one's self, and +especially to prevent its increase."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And is it so difficult to do this? Cannot money +be spent without limit?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; but unlimited evil follows such a course. +This is sufficient to indicate to you that I am ever +in search of a legitimate means of spending my income, +provided that I may do good thereby. If I +can do this, and at the same time afford myself +pleasure, I claim that I am making the best use of +my money. Now, I happen to be so constituted +that the most interesting studies to me are social +problems, and of these I am most entertained with +the causes and environments of crime. Such a +problem as the one you have brought to me to-day +is of immense attractiveness to me, because the environment +is one which is commonly supposed to +preclude rather than to invite crime. Yet we have +seen that despite the wealth of all concerned, some +one has stooped to the commonest of crimes,—theft."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But what has this to do with your collection of +jewels?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> +"Everything. Jewels—especially those of great +magnitude—seem to be a special cause of crime. A +hundred-carat diamond will tempt a man to theft as +surely as the false beacon on a rocky shore entices +the mariner to wreck and ruin. All the great jewels +of the world have murder and other crimes woven +in their histories. My attention was first called to +this by accidentally hearing a plot at a ball to rob +the lady of the house of a large ruby which she wore +on her breast. I went to her, and told her enough +to persuade her to sell the stone to me. I fastened +it into my scarf, where the plotters might see it if +they remained at the ball. By my act I prevented +a crime that night."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then am I to understand that you buy jewels +with that end in view?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"After that night I conceived this idea. If all +the great jewels in the world could be collected together, +and put in a place of safety, hundreds of +crimes would be prevented, even before they had +been conceived. Moreover, the search for, and acquirement +of, these jewels would necessarily afford +me abundant opportunity for studying the crimes +which are perpetrated in order to gain possession of +them. Thus you understand more thoroughly why +I am anxious to pursue this problem of the Aztec +Opal."</p> + +<p class="indent">Several hours later Mr. Mitchel and Mr. Barnes +were sitting at a quiet table in the corner of the +dining-room at Mr. Mitchel's club. On board the +yacht Mr. Mitchel had acted rather mysteriously. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> +He had been closeted a while with Mr. Gray, after +which he had had an interview with two or three of +the others. Then, when Mr. Barnes had begun to +feel neglected, and tired of waiting alone on the +deck, Mr. Mitchel had come towards him, arm in +arm with Mr. Gray, and the latter had said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am very much obliged to you, Mr. Barnes, +for your services in this affair, and I trust the enclosed +check will remunerate you for your trouble."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes, not quite comprehending it all, had +attempted to protest, but Mr. Mitchel had taken him +by the arm, and hurried him off. In the cab which +bore them to the club the detective asked for an explanation, +but Mr. Mitchel only replied:</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am too hungry to talk now. We will have +dinner first."</p> + +<p class="indent">The dinner was over at last, and nuts and coffee +were before them, when Mr. Mitchel took a small +parcel from his pocket, and handed it to Mr. Barnes, +saying:</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is a beauty, is it not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes removed the tissue paper, and a large +opal fell on the table-cloth, where it sparkled with +a thousand colors under the electric lamps.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you mean that this is——" cried the detective.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The Aztec Opal, and the finest harlequin I ever +saw," interrupted Mr. Mitchel. "But you wish to +know how it came into my possession? Principally +so that it may join the collection and cease to be a +temptation in this world of wickedness."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> +"Then Mr. Gray did not steal it?" asked Mr. +Barnes, with a touch of chagrin in his voice.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, Mr. Barnes. Mr. Gray did not steal it. +But you are not to consider yourself very much at +fault. Mr. Gray tried to steal it, only he failed. +That was not your fault, of course. You read his +actions aright, but you did not give enough weight +to the stories of the others."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What important point did I omit from my calculations?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I might mention the bare arms which Mrs. +Gray said she felt around her neck. It was evidently +Mr. Gray who looked for the opal on the +neck of his sister-in-law, but as he did not bare his +arms before approaching her, he would not have +done so later."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you mean that Miss Livingstone was the +thief?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No. Being hysterical, Miss Livingstone changed +her seat without realizing it, but that does not make +her a thief. Her excitement when with you was +due to her suspicions, which, by the way, were correct. +But let us return for a moment to the bare +arms. That was the clue from which I worked. It +was evident to me that the thief was a man, and it +was equally plain that, in the hurry of the few moments +of darkness, no man would have rolled up his +sleeves, risking the return of the attendants with +lamps, and the consequent discovery of himself in +such a singular disarrangement of costume."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How do you account for the bare arms?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> +"The lady did not tell the truth, that is all. The +arms which encircled her neck were not bare. +Neither were they unknown to her. She told you +that lie to shield the thief. She also told you that +her husband wished to sell the Aztec Opal to me, +but that she had refused. Thus she deftly led you +to suspect him. Now, if she wished to shield the +thief, yet was willing to accuse her husband, it followed +that the husband was not the thief."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well reasoned, Mr. Mitchel. I see now +where you are tending, but I shall not get ahead of +your story."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So much I had deduced before we went on +board the yacht. When I found myself alone with +Gray I candidly told him of your suspicions, and +your reasons for harboring them. He was very +much disturbed, and pleadingly asked me what I +thought. As frankly, I told him that I believed +that he had tried to take the opal from his wife,—we +can scarcely call it stealing since the law does +not,—but that I believed he had failed. He then +confessed; admitted emptying the lamps, though +he denied running the boat on the sand-bar. But +he assured me that he had not reached his wife's +chair when the lamps were brought in. He was, therefore, +much astonished at missing the gem. I promised +him to find the jewel upon condition that he would +sell it to me. To this he most willingly acceded."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But how could you be sure that you would recover +the opal?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Partly by my knowledge of human nature, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> +partly because of my inherent faith in my own abilities. +I sent for Mrs. Gray, and noted her attitude +of defense, which, however, only satisfied me the +more that I was right in my suspicions. I began by +asking her if she knew the origin of the superstition +that an opal brings bad luck to its owner. She did +not, of course, comprehend my tactics, but she added +that she 'had heard the stupid superstition, but took +no interest in such nonsense.' I then gravely explained +to her that the opal is the engagement stone +of the Orient. The lover gives it to his sweetheart, +and the belief is, that should she deceive him even +in the most trifling manner, the opal will lose its +brilliancy and become cloudy. I then suddenly +asked her if she had ever noted a change in her opal. +'What do you mean to insinuate?' she cried out +angrily. 'I mean,' said I, sternly, 'that if any opal +has ever changed color in accordance with the superstition, +this one should have done so. I mean that +though your husband greatly needs the money which +I have offered him, you have refused to allow him to +sell it, and yet you permitted another to take it +from you last night. By this act you might have +seriously injured if not ruined Mr. Gray. Why have +you done it?'"</p> + +<p class="indent">"How did she receive it?" asked Mr. Barnes, +admiring the ingenuity of Mr. Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"She began to sob, and between her tears she +admitted that the opal had been taken by the man +whom I suspected, but she earnestly declared that +she had harbored no idea of injuring her husband. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> +Indeed, she was so agitated in speaking upon this +point, that I believe that Gray never thoroughly explained +to her why he wished to sell the gem. She +urged me to recover the opal if possible, and purchase +it, so that her husband might be relieved from +his pecuniary embarrassment. I then sent for the +thief, Mrs. Gray having told me his name; but +would you not like to hear how I had picked him +out before he went aboard? I still have that bit of +paper upon which I wrote his name, in confirmation +of what I say."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course I know that you mean Mr. Livingstone, +but I would like to hear your reasons for suspecting +him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"From your account Miss Livingstone suspected +some one, and this caused her to be so agitated that +she was unaware of the fact that she had changed +her seat. Women are shrewd in these affairs, and +I was confident that the girl had good reasons for +her conduct. It was evident that the person in her +mind was either her brother or her sweetheart. I +decided between these two men from your account +of your interviews with them. Moore impressed +you as being honest, and he told you that one of the +ladies suspected him. In this he was mistaken, but +his speaking to you of it was not the act of a thief. +Mr. Livingstone, on the other hand, tried to throw +suspicion upon Mr. Gray."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course that was sound reasoning after you +had concluded that Mrs. Gray was lying. Now tell +me how you recovered the jewel."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> +"That was easier than I expected. When I got +him alone, I simply told Mr. Livingstone what I +knew, and asked him to hand me the opal. With +a perfectly imperturbable manner, understanding +that I promised secrecy, he quietly took it from his +pocket and gave it to me, saying:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Women are very poor conspirators. They are +too weak."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What story did you tell Mr. Gray?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, he would not be likely to inquire too closely +into what I should tell him. My check was what +he most cared for. I told him nothing definitely, +but I hinted that his wife had secreted the gem +during the darkness, that he might not ask her for +it again; and that she had intended to find it again +at a future time, just as he had meant to pawn it +and then pretend to recover it from the thief by +offering a reward."</p> + +<p class="indent">"One more question. Why did Mr. Livingstone +steal it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah; the truth about that is another mystery +worth probing, and one which I shall make it my +business to unravel. I will venture a prophecy. +Mr. Livingstone did not steal it at all. Mrs. Gray +simply handed it to him in the darkness. There +must have been some powerful motive to lead her +to such an act; something which she was weighing, +and decided impulsively. This brings me to a second +point. Livingstone used the word conspirators; +that is a clue. You will recall that I told you +that this gem is one of a pair of opals, and that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> +with the other, the two would be as interesting as +any jewels in the world. If anyone ever owns both +it shall be your humble servant, Leroy Mitchel, +Jewel Collector."</p> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="VII" id="VII"></a>VII</h2> + +<p class="h2a">THE DUPLICATE HARLEQUIN</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">One</span> day about two weeks after the unravelling of +the mystery of the opal lost on board the yacht +<i>Idler</i>, Mr. Barnes called upon Mr. Mitchel and was +cordially received.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Glad to see you, Mr. Barnes. Anything stirring +in the realm of crime?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Stirring' would be a fitting adjective, I think, +Mr. Mitchel. Ever since the <i>Idler</i> affair I have +occupied myself with a study of the problem, which +I am convinced we have but partially solved. You +may recall that you gave me a clue."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You mean that Livingstone, when he gave me +the opal, remarked, 'Women are poor conspirators.' +Yes, I remember calling your attention to that. +Has your clue led to any solution?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I am not out of the maze yet; more likely +just entering the most intricate depths. Still, I +flatter myself that I have accomplished something; +enough to satisfy me that 'mischief is brewing,' and +that the conspirators are still conspiring. Moreover, +there is little doubt that you are deeply concerned +in the new plot."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> +"What! You insinuate that I am in this conspiracy?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Only as a possible victim. You are the object +of the plot."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps you think that I am in danger?" Mr. +Mitchel smiled as though the idea of danger were a +pleasurable one.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Were you any other man than yourself, I should +say most decidedly that you are in danger."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But, being myself, you fancy that the danger +will pass from me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Being yourself, I anticipate that you will compel +the danger to pass from you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Barnes, you flatter me. Perhaps I may be +able to thwart the conspirators, now that you warn +me; if I do, however, I must admit my great indebtedness +to you. To be forewarned is to have +the fight half won, and I candidly say that I was +entirely unsuspicious of any lurking danger."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Exactly. With all your acumen, I was sure +that your suspicions had not been aroused. The +conspirators are wary, and, I assure you, unusually +skilful. So, under all the circumstances, I felt it +my duty to be on the alert."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, I see," said Mr. Mitchel, in that tone +peculiar to him, which made it doubtful whether he +spoke in earnest, or whether his words hid keen +satire. "The old cat being asleep, the kitten +watches. That is very nice of you. Really, it is +quite a comforting thought that so skilful a detective +is ever guarding my person. Especially as I am the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> +owner of so many gems to which the covetous must +ever look longingly."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is just how I reasoned it," said Mr. +Barnes, eagerly, wishing to justify his actions, which +he began to suspect Mr. Mitchel might resent. +"You explained to me your reasons why you have +purchased so many valuable jewels. You claimed +that almost every large gem has been the cause, or +rather the object, of crime. The Aztec Opal came +into your possession under most peculiar circumstances. +In fact, you thwarted a criminal just as he +had come into possession of it. But this criminal +is a wealthy man. Not perhaps as rich as yourself, +but rich enough to be above stealing even such a +valuable bauble. It could not have been the intrinsic +value of the opal which tempted him; it must +have been that some special reason existed; some +reason, I mean, for his acquiring possession of this +particular opal. All this being true, it would be a +natural sequence that his efforts to get the opal +would not cease merely because it had changed +hands."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your argument is most interesting, Mr. Barnes, +especially as it is without a flaw. As you say, from +all this reasoning it was a natural sequence that Mr. +Livingstone would continue his quest for the opal. +This being so obvious, did you imagine that it had +escaped me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes was confused by the question. He +really admired Mr. Mitchel very much, and though +he considered him quite conceited, he also admitted +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> +that he had great analytical powers and remarkable +acumen. He also, more than anything else, desired +a perpetuation of his friendship; indeed, it had been +with an idea of increasing the bond between them +that he had called. He had spent much of his time, +time which could have been occupied with other +matters to better financial advantage, and all with +the purpose of warding off from his friend a danger +which he had at first considered as a distant possibility, +but which later he looked upon as certain, if +nothing intervened to hinder the plot, which he +knew was rapidly approaching the moment of execution. +He therefore hastened to make further +explanation:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not at all—not at all. I am merely indicating +the steps by which I reached my conclusions. I am +giving you my reasons for what I fear you now may +consider my interference in your affairs. Yet I assure +you I meant it all——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"For the best. Why, of course, my friend; did +you suppose that I doubted your good intent, +merely because I spoke brusquely?" Mr. Mitchel +held out his hand cordially, and Mr. Barnes grasped +it, glad to note the altered demeanor of his companion. +Mr. Mitchel continued: "Will you never +learn that my weakness is for antagonizing detectives? +When you come here to tell me that you +have been 'investigating' my private affairs, how +could I resist telling you that I knew all about it, or +that I could take care of myself? I would not be +Leroy Mitchel were it otherwise."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> +"How do you mean that you know all about it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, perhaps not all. I am not exactly omniscient. +Still, I know something. Let me see, +now. How much do I know? First, then, you +have had this Livingstone watched. Second, you +have introduced one of your spies, a young woman, +into the home of Mrs. Gray. In spite of your +alleged faith in Dennett Moore, you had him +watched also, though for only two or three days. +Lastly, you have discovered Pedro Domingo, +and——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"In Heaven's name, Mr. Mitchel, how do you +know all this?" Mr. Barnes was utterly dumbfounded +by what he had heard.</p> + +<p class="indent">"All this?" said Mr. Mitchel, with a suave smile; +"why, I have mentioned only four small facts."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Small facts?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, quite small. Let us run them over again. +First, I stated that you had Mr. Livingstone watched. +That was not hard to know, because I also had a +spy upon his track."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, I. Why not? Did you not just now +agree that it was obvious that he would continue +his efforts to get the opal? Being determined that +I should never part with it whilst alive, it likewise +followed that he must kill me, or have me killed, in +order to obtain it. Under these circumstances it +was only common caution to have the man watched. +Indeed, the method was altogether too common. +It was <i>bizarre</i>. Still, my spy was no common spy. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> +In that, at least, my method was unique. Secondly, +I claimed that you had introduced a woman spy into +the home of Mrs. Gray. To learn this was even +easier. I deduced it from what I know of your +methods. You played the same trick on my wife +once, I think you will recall. Supposing Mrs. Gray +to be a conspirator (that was your clue, I think), you +would hardly watch Livingstone and neglect the +woman. Yet the actual knowledge came to me in +a very simple manner."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How was that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, Mr. Gray told me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Gray told you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Gray himself. You see, your assistants are +not all so clever as yourself, though I doubt not this +girl may think that she is a genius. You told her +to seek a position in the house, and what does she +do? She goes straight to Mr. Gray and tells him +her purpose; hints that it might be well for him to +know just what really actuated Mrs. Gray in the +curious affair on the yacht, and agrees to 'discover +everything'—those were her words—if he would give +her the opportunity. Poor man, she filled his mind +with dire suspicions and he managed it so that she +was taken into service. Up to the present time she +has discovered nothing. At least, so she tells him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The little she-devil! You said that she explained +her whole purpose. Do you mean——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, no. She did not implicate you, nor divulge +her true mission. The fun of the thing is that she +claimed to be a 'private detective' and that this +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> +venture was entirely her own idea. In fact, she is +working for Mr. Gray. Is not that droll?" Mr. +Mitchel threw back his head and laughed heartily. +Mr. Barnes did not quite see the fun, and looked +grim. All he said was:</p> + +<p class="indent">"She acted beyond her instructions, yet it seems +that she has not done any harm; and though she is +like an untamed colt, apt to take the bit between +her teeth, still she is shrewd. But I'll curb her yet. +Now as to your third fact. How did you know that +I had Mr. Moore watched, and only for two or three +days?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, I recognized one of your spies following +him one day down Broadway, and as Moore sailed +for Europe two days after, I made the deduction +that you had withdrawn your watch-dog."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, then," said Mr. Barnes, testily, "how did +you know that I had, as you declare, 'discovered +Pedro Domingo'?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"How did I know that? Why—but that can +wait. You certainly did not call this morning to +ask me all these questions. You came, as I presume, +to convey information."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, you know so much, it is evidently unnecessary +for me to tell you of my trifling discoveries." +Mr. Barnes was suffering from wounded +pride.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come, come," exclaimed Mr. Mitchel, cheerily, +"be a man; don't be downcast and fall into the +dumps merely because I surprised a few trifling +facts in your game, and could not resist the fun of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> +guying you a little. You see, I still admit that +what I know are but trifling facts; what you know, +on the contrary, is perhaps of great importance. +Indeed, I am assured that without your information, +without a full knowledge of all that you have discovered, +my own plans may go awry, and then the +danger at which you hint might be all too real. Do +you not see that, knowing that you are interested in +this case, I have been only too willing to let half the +burden of the investigation fall upon you? That to +your skill I have intrusted all of that work which I +knew you could do so well? That in the most +literal sense we have been silent partners, and that +I depended upon your friendship to bring you to me +with your news, just as it has brought you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">This speech entirely mollified Mr. Barnes, and, +with a brightening countenance, he exclaimed:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Mitchel, I'm an ass. You are right to +laugh at me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Nonsense! I defy all other detectives, because +Mr. Barnes works with me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Bosh!" said the detective, deprecatingly, but +pleased nevertheless by the words of flattery. +"Well, then, suppose I tell you my story from the +beginning?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"From the beginning, by all means."</p> + +<p class="indent">"In speaking of the woman whom I set to spy +upon Mrs. Gray, you just now mentioned that I had +once played the same trick upon your wife. Very +true, and not only is this the same trick, but it is +the same girl."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> +"What! Lucette?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The same. This is not the first time that she +has chosen to resort to her own devices rather than +to follow strictly the orders given to her. In this +case, however, as I said before, she has done no +harm, and on the contrary, I think you would find +her report, which I received an hour ago, quite +interesting."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, you have brought it with you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. I will read it to you. Of course it is not +addressed to me, neither is there any signature. No +names are mentioned except by initial. All this is +the girl's own devising, so you see she is not entirely +stupid. She writes:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="indent">"'At last I have discovered everything.' You +observe that she is not unappreciative of her own +ability. 'Mr. L. was right. Women are bad conspirators. +At least he is right as to Mrs. G. She +has dropped the conspiracy entirely, if she ever was +a real conspirator, which I doubt, for, though you +may not suspect it, she loves her husband. How +do I know? Well, a woman has instincts about +love. A man may swear eternal devotion to a woman +eight hours a day for a year, without convincing +her, when she would detect the true lover by +the way he ties her shoe-string, unasked. So here. +I have not heard madame talking in her sleep, neither +has she taken her maid for a confidante, though I +think she might find a worse adviser. Still I say +she loves her husband. How do I know? When +a woman is constantly doing things which add to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> +the comfort of a man, and for which she never receives +thanks, because they are such trifles, you may +be sure the woman loves the man, and by hundreds +of such tokens I know that Mrs. G. is in love with +her husband. To reach the next point I must give +you an axiom. A woman never loves more than +one man at a time. She may have many lovers in +the course of a lifetime, but in each instance she +imagines that all previous affairs were delusions, and +that at last the divine fire consumes her. To this +last love she is constant until he proves unworthy, +and ofttimes even after. No, a man may be able to +love two persons, but a woman's affections are ever +centred in a single idol. From which it is a logical +deduction that Mrs. G. does not and did not love +Mr. L. Then why did she give him the opal? A +question which will puzzle you, and for which you +are at a loss for an answer.'"</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"She is not complimentary," interrupted Mr. +Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not very," said Mr. Barnes, and then he continued +reading:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="indent">"'This is a question at which I arrived, as you +see, by logical mental stages. This is the question +to which I have found the reply. This is what I +mean when I say I have discovered all: Yesterday +afternoon Mr. L. called. Madame hesitated, but +finally decided to see him. From her glances in my +direction, I was sure she feared I might accidentally +find it convenient to be near enough to a keyhole +to overhear the conversation which was about to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> +ensue, and, as I did not wish her to make such an +"accident" impossible, I innocently suggested that +if she intended to receive a visitor, I should be glad +to have permission to leave the house for an hour. +The trick worked to a charm. Madame seemed +only too glad to get rid of me. I hurried downstairs +into the back parlor, where, by secreting myself +between the heavy portieres and the closed +folding-doors, my sharp ears readily followed the +conversation, except such few passages as were +spoken in very low tones, but which I am sure were +unimportant. The details I will give you when I +see you. Suffice it to say that I discovered that +madame's reason for refusing to let her husband sell +the jewel to that crank Mr. M. ——'"</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"Ah; I see she remembers me," said Mr. +Mitchel, with a smile.</p> + +<p class="indent">"How could she forget your locking her in a +room when she was most anxious to be elsewhere? +But let me finish this:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="indent">"'—to that crank Mr. M. was because Mr. L. +was telling her how to make a deal more money out +of the jewel. It seems that he has the mate to it, +and that the two were stolen from an idol somewhere +in Mexico, and that a fabulous sum could be +obtained by returning the two gems to the native +priests. Just how, I do not know.'"</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"So she did not discover everything, after all," +said Mr. Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; but she is right in the main. Her report +continues:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> +"'Madame, however, hesitated to go into the +venture, partly because Mr. L. insisted that the +matter be kept secret from her husband, and more +particularly because the money in exchange was not +to be forthcoming immediately. On the yacht she +changed her mind impulsively. The result of that +you know.'</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"That is all," said Mr. Barnes, folding the paper +and returning it to his pocket.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is all you know?" asked Mr. Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; that is all that Lucette knows. I know +how the fabulous sum of money was to be had in +exchange for the two opals."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah; that is more to our immediate purpose. +How have you made this discovery?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"My spies learned practically nothing by shadowing +Livingstone, except that he has had several +meetings with a half-breed Mexican who calls himself +Pedro Domingo. I decided that it would be +best for me to interview Señor Domingo myself, +rather than to entrust him to a second man."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What a compliment to our friend Livingstone!" +said Mr. Mitchel, with a laugh.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I found the Mexican suspicious and difficult to +approach at first. So I quickly decided that only a +bold play would be successful. I told him that I +was a detective, and related the incident of the stealing +of the opal. At this his eyes glistened, but +when I told him that the gem had been sold to a +man of enormous wealth who would never again +part with it, his eyes glared."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> +"Yes, Domingo's eyes are glary at times. Go on."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I explained to him that by this I meant that it +would now be impossible for Mr. Livingstone to get +the opal, and then I boldly asked him what reward +I might expect if I could get it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How much did he offer?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"At first he merely laughed at me, but then I explained +that you are my friend, and that you merely +buy such things to satisfy a hobby, and that, having +no especial desire for this particular jewel, I had +little doubt that I could obtain it, provided it would +be of great financial advantage to myself. In short, +that you would sell to a friend what none other +could buy."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not bad, Mr. Barnes. What did Domingo say +to that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He asked for a day to think it over."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Which, of course, you granted. What, then, +is his final answer?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He told me to get the opal first, and then he +would talk business."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Bravo! Domingo is becoming quite a Yankee."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course I watched the man during the interval, +in order to learn whether or not he would consult +with Mr. L., or any other adviser."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What did this lead to?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It led to Pasquale Sanchez."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What! More Mexicans?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"One more only. Sanchez lives in a house near +where Domingo has his room. He tells me that he +comes from the same district as Domingo. Although +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> +Domingo did not make a confidant of him, or even +ask his advice, his visit to his friend cleared up some +things for me, for by following Domingo I came +upon Sanchez."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What could he know, if, as you say, he was not +in the confidence of Domingo?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He knew some things which seem to be common +knowledge in his native land. He is even more +Americanized than his friend, for he fully appreciates +a glass of whiskey, though I doubt not the +habit was first acquired at home. I should think it +would take many years to acquire such a—let me +call it—capacity. I never saw a man who could +swallow such powerful doses without a change of +expression. The only effect seemed to be to loosen +his tongue. It is needless to repeat all the stages +by which I approached my subject. He knew all +about the Aztec opals,—for really there are two of +them,—except of course their present whereabouts. +I asked him if they would be valuable, supposing +that I could get possession of them. He was interested +at once. 'You get them, and I show you +million dollars.' I explained to him that I might +see a million dollars any day by visiting the United +States Treasury, upon which, with many imprecations +and useless interpolations of bad Spanish, +he finally made it clear to me that the priests who +have the idol from which the opals were obtained, +have practically little power over their tribe while +the 'god is in heaven,' as has been explained to +the faithful, the priests not caring to exhibit the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> +image without its glowing eyes. These priests, it +seems, know where the mine is from which these +opals were taken, and they would reveal this secret +in exchange for the lost opals, because, though this +mine is said to be very rich, they have been unable +themselves to find any pieces sufficiently large and +brilliant from which to duplicate the lost gems."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you think it was to obtain possession of +this opal mine that Mr. Livingstone sought to obtain +Mrs. Gray's opal?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Undoubtedly. So certain am I of this that I +would wager that he will endeavor to get the opal +from you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Let me read a letter to you, Mr. Barnes."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Mitchel took out a letter and read as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p>"'<span class="smcap">Leroy Mitchel</span>, Esq.:—</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Dear Sir—In my letter of recent date I offered +to you the duplicate of the Aztec Opal which you +recently purchased from Mr. Gray. You paid Gray +twenty thousand dollars, and I expressed my willingness +to sell you mine for five thousand dollars +in advance of this sum. In your letter just received, +you agree to pay this amount, naming two +conditions. First, you ask why I consider my opal +worth more than the other, if it is an exact duplicate. +Secondly, you wish me to explain what I +meant by saying on the yacht that "women are +poor conspirators."</p> + +<p class="indent">"'In reply to your first question, my answer is, +that however wealthy I may be I usually do business +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> +strictly on business principles. These opals separately +are worth in the open market twenty thousand +dollars each, which sum you paid to Gray. But +considering the history of the gems, and the fact +that they are absolute duplicates the one of the +other, it is not too much to declare that as soon as +one person owns both gems, the value is enhanced +twofold. That is to say, that the pair of opals together +would be worth seventy or eighty thousand +dollars. This being true, I consider it fair to argue +that whilst I should not expect more than twenty +thousand dollars from any other person in the world, +twenty-five thousand is a low sum for me to ask of +the man who has the duplicate of this magnificent +harlequin opal.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'In regard to my remark about the "conspirators," +the conspiracy in which I had induced Mrs. +Gray to take part was entirely honorable, I assure +you. I knew of Gray's financial embarrassments +and wished to aid him, without, however, permitting +him to suspect my hand in the affair. He is so +sensitive, you know. I therefore suggested to Mrs. +Gray that she entrust her jewel to me, and promised +to dispose of the two jewels together, thus realizing +the enhanced value. I pointed out that in this +manner she would be able to give her husband much +more than he could possibly secure by the sale of +the one stone.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Trusting that I have fully complied with your +conditions, I will call upon you at noon to-day, and +will bring the opal with me. We can then complete +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> +the transaction, unless you change your mind in the +interval. Cordially yours, etc.'</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"So you see," said Mr. Mitchel, "he offers to +sell me his opal, rather than to purchase mine."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is strange," said Mr. Barnes, musingly. +"Why should he relinquish his hope of getting +possession of that mine? I do not believe it. +There is some devilish trickery at work. But let +me tell you the rest of my story."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, is there more?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, certainly. I have not yet explained my +reason for thinking you might be in danger."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, to be sure. My danger. I had forgotten +all about it. Pardon my stupidity."</p> + +<p class="indent">"In further conversation with this Sanchez I put +this proposition to him. 'Suppose,' said I, 'that +your friend Domingo had one of these opals, and +knew the man who had the other. What would he +do?' His answer was short, but to the point. +'He get it, even if he kill.'"</p> + +<p class="indent">"So you think that Domingo might try murder?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is not impossible."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But, Mr. Barnes, he does not want my life. He +wants the opal, and as that is, or rather has been +until to-day, in the safety-vaults, how could he get +it, even by killing me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You have just admitted that it is not in the +vaults at present."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But it is quite as much out of his reach in my +safe here in this room."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> +"But you might take it out of the safe. You +might, in some manner, be persuaded to do so, to +show it to some one."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very true. In fact, that is why it is here. I +must compare my opal with the one which Mr. +Livingstone offers for sale, before I part with twenty-five +thousand dollars. For you must remember that +such a sum is a fabulous price for an opal, even +though, as you know, these are the largest in the +world."</p> + +<p class="indent">"From a money standpoint, of course, your precaution +is proper. But do you not see that you are +really making possible the very danger of which I +came to warn you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You mean——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Murder in order to get possession of that accursed +ill-luck stone. But I fear my warning is not +appreciated."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Indeed, my friend, it is, and I am glad that you +have come in person to acquaint me with your anxiety +in my behalf. This I will more thoroughly explain +to you later. For the present, I may say that I am +glad to have you here as a possible witness, in case +murder, or any other crime, should be attempted."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What other crime do you anticipate as possible? +Surely not theft?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What! Steal that opal from you, while you are +present to see the deed committed? That is a joke." +Mr. Barnes laughed heartily.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your laugh is a compliment," said Mr. Mitchel. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> +"Yet that is exactly what I most anticipate—theft. +I am not sure that it may not be undertaken before +my very eyes. Especially as the thief did not hesitate +at a table filled with men and women. Sh! +He is here."</p> + +<p class="indent">The electric street-door bell had sounded. Mr. +Mitchel arose, and spoke hurriedly in a low tone.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is probably Mr. Livingstone come to sell +his opal, or to steal mine. We shall see. Especially +I desire that you should see. Consequently I have +arranged matters in advance. Slip behind this bookcase, +which I have placed across the corner that you +may have room to breathe. The books on the top +shelf have been removed, and the tinted glass of the +doors will not obstruct your view. From behind +you will be able to see through quite readily."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, you seem to have expected me," said Mr. +Barnes, getting into the hiding-place.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, I expected you," said Mr. Mitchel, vouchsafing<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">no further explanation. "Remember now,</span><br /> +Mr. Barnes, you are not to interfere, whatever happens, +unless I call you. All I ask is that you use +your eyes, and that good eyes will be required be +sure, or I never should have arranged to have an +extra pair to aid me on this occasion."</p> + +<p class="indent">A moment later Williams announced Mr. Livingstone.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ask Mr. Livingstone to come up here to the +library," said Mr. Mitchel, and a little later he +greeted his guest.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, glad to see you, Mr. Livingstone. Take a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> +seat here by my desk, and we can get right to business. +First, though, let me offer you a cigar."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Livingstone chose one from the box which +Mr. Mitchel offered to him, and lighted it as he sat +down.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What a companionable feeling steals over one +as he puffs a fine cigar, Mr. Mitchel! Who would +accept such an offering as this and betray the confidence +of his host?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who, indeed?" said Mr. Mitchel. "But why +do you say that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, I am not entirely a fool. You do not +trust me. You are not sure in your own mind +whether or not I committed a theft on board of the +yacht."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Am I not?" Mr. Mitchel asked this in a tone +that made Mr. Livingstone look upon it in the light +of a question, whereas Mr. Barnes, behind the bookcase, +considered it as an answer.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, no," said Mr. Livingstone, replying. +"Had you believed that the opal changed hands +honorably, even though secretly, under cover of the +darkness, you would not have asked me to explain +my allusion to 'conspirators.' I trust, however, that +my letter made it all clear to you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Quite clear."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you are still willing to make the purchase?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"If you still desire to sell. A certified check for +the amount is ready for you. Have you brought +the opal?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> +"Yes. Have you the duplicate? It would be +well to compare them before you purchase."</p> + +<p class="indent">"If you do not mind, I will do so."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Mitchel turned to his safe and brought out a +box which Mr. Barnes thought he recognized. +Opening it he drew out a marvellous string of pearls, +which he laid aside, while he took from beneath, a +velvet case which contained the opal. Returning +the pearls to the box he restored that to the safe, +which he locked.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, if you will let me see your opal," said Mr. +Mitchel, "I will compare the gems."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Here it is," said Mr. Livingstone, handing Mr. +Mitchel his opal.</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Mitchel took the two opals in his hand, and, +as they lay side by side, he examined them closely, +observing the play of light as he turned them in +various positions. To his critical eye they were +marvellously beautiful; matchless, though matched. +None could see these two and wonder that the old +priests in Mexico had searched in vain for a second +pair like them.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you know why these opals are so exactly +alike?" asked Mr. Livingstone.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am not sure," said Mr. Mitchel, apparently +absorbed in his scrutiny of the opals. "I have +heard many reasons suggested. If you know the +true explanation, suppose you tell me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Willingly. You will observe that in each opal +red lights seem to predominate on one side, while +the blue and green are reflected from the other. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> +Originally, this was one great egg-shaped opal, and +it was cut in that shape, and then poised in the forehead +of a single-eyed idol by the priests of a thousand +years ago. By an ingenious mechanism the +eye could be made to revolve in its socket, so that +either the red or the blue-green side would be visible, +as it suited the purpose of the priests, when +overawing the tribesmen by pretended prophecies +and other miraculous performances. In more recent +times, since the advent of the Christians, one-eyed +idols are not so plausible, and the priests cut +the opal in half, thus making it serve in what may +be termed a modernized idol."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, I have heard that tale before. In fact, I +have a metal ring which I was told would exactly +encircle the two opals, if placed together to form an +egg."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How could you have such a thing?" asked Mr. +Livingstone, with genuine surprise.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The man who stole the jewels, so the story +goes, wishing to enhance their value as much as +possible, arranged this as a scheme by which the +genuineness of the opals could be tested. He placed +the opals together, as before they were cut, and had +a silver band made which would exactly clasp them +in that position. This band opens and shuts with +a spring catch, like a bracelet, and as, when closed, +it exactly fits the opals, holding the two firmly together, +the owner of the band could easily tell +whether the true opals were before him, or not. In +some way the opals were next stolen without the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> +band, and their whereabouts was unknown when a +dealer in Naples told me the story of the silver band, +which he offered to sell me. I scarcely credited his +tale, but as all large jewels might in time be offered +to me, I thought it well to purchase the band."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, then, if you still have it, it would be interesting +to make the test, would it not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, I think so. I will get the band."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Mitchel placed the two opals on the desk before +him and went over to the safe, where he was +occupied some time opening the combination lock. +While he was thus busy a strange thing seemed to +occur. At least it seemed strange to Mr. Barnes. +He had marvelled to see Mr. Mitchel place the two +opals within easy reach of Mr. Livingstone, and +then deliberately turn his back while he opened the +safe. But what seemed more mysterious was Mr. +Livingstone's action. Mr. Mitchel had scarcely +stooped before the safe when his guest leaned forward, +with both arms outstretched simultaneously; +his two hands grasped the opals, the hands then +swiftly sought his vest pockets, after which he +calmly puffed his cigar. Thus he seemed to have +taken the opals from the table and to have placed +them in his pockets. Yet how could he hope to +explain their absence to Mr. Mitchel? This thought +flashed through Mr. Barnes's mind as his eyes instinctively +turned again to the desk, when, to his +utter astonishment, he saw the opals exactly where +Mr. Mitchel had placed them. Had the thought +that he could not explain away the disappearance +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> +caused the man to change his mind at the very moment +when he had impulsively clutched the treasures? +Mr. Barnes was puzzled, and somewhat worried too, +for he began to fear that more had happened, or was +happening, than he comprehended.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Here is the band," said Mr. Mitchel, returning +to the desk, and resuming his seat. "Let us see +how it fits the opals. First, let me ask you, are you +confident that you are selling me one of the genuine +Aztec opals?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am. I have a history which makes its authenticity +indubitable."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then we will try our little test. There; the +band clamps the two perfectly. Look for yourself."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly; the test is complete. These are undoubtedly +the Aztec opals. Mr. Mitchel, you are +to be congratulated upon gaining possession of such +unique gems."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Livingstone arose as though about to leave.</p> + +<p class="indent">"One moment, Mr. Livingstone; the jewels are +not mine, yet. I have not paid you for yours."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, between gentlemen there is no hurry about +such matters."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Between gentlemen it may be as you say. But +you said this was to be strictly in accordance with +business methods. I prefer to pay at once. Here +is my certified check. I will also ask you to sign +this receipt."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Livingstone seemed to hesitate for a moment. +Mr. Barnes wondered why? He sat at the desk, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> +however, and, after reading the receipt, he signed it, +and took the check, which he placed in his pocketbook, +saying:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course we will be businesslike, if you insist, +though I did not anticipate that you would take me +so literally. That being over, Mr. Mitchel, I will +bid you good morning."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You may go, Mr. Livingstone, when the transaction +is over, but not before."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What do you mean?" demanded Mr. Livingstone +aggressively, as he turned and faced Mr. +Mitchel, who now stood close beside him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I mean that you have accepted my money. +Now I wish you to give me the opal."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I do not understand. There are your opals, +just where you placed them on the table."</p> + +<p class="indent">"We will have no quibbling, Mr. Livingstone. +You have taken twenty-five thousand dollars of my +money, and you have given me in exchange a worthless +imitation. Not satisfied with that, you have +stolen my genuine opal."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Damn you——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Livingstone made a movement as though to +strike, but Mr. Mitchel stepped quickly back, and, +quietly bringing forward his right arm, which had +been held behind his back, it became evident that +he held in his hand a revolver of large calibre. He +did not raise the weapon, however, but merely remarked:</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am armed. Think before you act."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your infernal accusation astounds me," growled +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> +Mr. Livingstone. "I hardly know what to say to +you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"There is nothing to say, sir. You have no +alternative but to give me my property. Yes, +you have an alternative,—you may go to prison."</p> + +<p class="indent">"To prison!" The man laughed, but it was not +a hearty laugh.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, to prison. I believe that is the proper +lodging-place for a thief."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Take care!" cried Mr. Livingstone, advancing +upon Mr. Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, still without raising +his weapon. At this the man stopped as quickly as +he had when the weapon was first shown. He seemed +confounded when the detective stepped into view.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah," he sneered; "so you have spies upon your +guests?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Always, when my guests are thieves."</p> + +<p class="indent">Again the words enraged him, and, starting forward, +Mr. Livingstone exclaimed:</p> + +<p class="indent">"If you repeat those words, I'll strangle you in +spite of your weapon and your spy."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have no wish to use harsh language, Mr. +Livingstone. All I want is my property. Give me +the two opals."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Again I tell you they are on your desk."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where are the genuine opals, Mr. Barnes? Of +course you saw him commit the—that is, you saw +the act."</p> + +<p class="indent">"They are in his vest pocket, one in each," said +the detective.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> +"Since you will not give them to me, I must take +them," said Mr. Mitchel, advancing towards Mr. +Livingstone. That gentleman stood transfixed, +livid with rage. As his antagonist was about to +touch his vest pocket, his hand arose swiftly and he +aimed a deadly blow at Mr. Mitchel, but not only +did Mr. Mitchel as swiftly lower his head, thus +avoiding the blow, but before another could be +struck, Mr. Barnes had jumped forward and grasped +Mr. Livingstone from behind, pinioning his arms and +holding him fast by placing his own knee in his adversary's +back. Mr. Livingstone struggled fiercely, +but almost instantly Mr. Mitchel took the opals +from his pockets, and then quietly remarked:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Release him, Mr. Barnes. I have my property."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes obeyed, and for an instant Mr. Livingstone +seemed weighing his chances, but evidently +deciding that the odds were in all ways against him, +he rushed from the apartment and out of the house.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, Mr. Mitchel," said Mr. Barnes, "now +that the danger has passed, an explanation seems to +be in order. You seem to have four opals."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; but that is merely seeming. You will +readily understand why I wished your eyes, for +without them I could not have taken my own off +of the opals even for an instant."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you purposely turned your back when you +went to get the silver band?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Assuredly. Why could I not have taken out +the band in the first instance, and why did I lock +the safe, making it necessary for me to take time +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> +with the combination? Simply to give my man the +opportunity to do his trick. You see, I knew before +he came here exactly what he would do."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How did you know?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You will recall that in his letter he offers to sell +me the duplicate opal. That made me smile when +I read it, for I already had been notified that he had +had duplicates of his opal made."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You had been notified?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. This whole affair flatters my vanity, for +I anticipated the event in its minutest detail, and +all by analytical deduction. You quite correctly +argued that Livingstone would not abandon his quest +of the opal. I also reached that point, and then I +asked myself, 'How will he get it, knowing that I +would not sell?' I could find but one way. He +would offer to sell his, and during the transaction +try to steal mine. As he would need both opals in +his Mexican mining venture, his only chance of +carrying both away with him would be to have two +others to leave in their stead. Thus I argued that +he would endeavor to have two duplicates of his +opal made. Ordinarily, opals are not sufficiently +expensive to make it pay to produce spurious specimens. +Consequently, it has been little done; indeed, +I doubt that the members of the trade in this +city have any idea that doublet opals have been made +and sold in this city. But I know it, and I know +the man who made the doublets. These were common +opals, faced with thin layers of a fine quality +of 'harlequin' which often comes in such thin layers +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> +that it is practically useless for cutting into stones, +though it has been utilized for cameos and intaglios. +This lapidary does his work admirably, and his +cement is practically invisible. I went to this man +and warned him that he might be called upon to +duplicate a large and valuable opal, and I arranged +that he should fill the order, but that he should +notify me of the fact."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, now I understand. The genuine opals lay +on the desk, and when you turned to the safe Livingstone +merely exchanged them for the spurious doublets. +But tell me why did he risk bringing the real +opal here at all? Why not offer you one of the doublets, +and then merely have one exchange to make?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He was too shrewd to risk that. In the first +place, he knows I am an expert, and that I would +compare the two jewels before making the purchase; +he feared that under such close scrutiny I would +discover the deception. Secondly, the two genuine +opals absolutely match each other. So also the +two doublets are actual mates. But the doublets +only approximately resemble the real opals."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Mitchel, you have managed Livingstone +admirably, but there still remains the man Domingo. +Until he is disposed of I still think there is danger. +Pardon my pertinacity."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I told you at the beginning of this incident that +I had a spy upon Livingstone, but that though the +method was commonplace, my choice of a spy was +unique. My spy was Livingstone's partner, Domingo."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> +"What! You were on intimate terms with Domingo?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Was not that my best course? I found the +man, and at once explained to him that as Livingstone +never could get my opal, it would be best to +shift the partnership and aid me to get Livingstone's. +Thus you see, having, as it were, conceived +the logical course for Livingstone to pursue, I had +his partner Domingo suggest it to him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Even the idea of the doublets?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly. I gave Domingo the address of +the lapidary, and Domingo supplied it to Livingstone."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Mitchel, you are a wonder as a schemer. +But now you have Domingo on your hands?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Only for a short time. Domingo is not such a +bloodthirsty cutthroat as your friend Sanchez made +you believe. He readily admitted that the game +was up when I explained to him that I had one of +the opals, a fact which Livingstone had not communicated +to him. I had little difficulty in persuading +him to become my assistant; money liberally +applied often proving a salve for blasted hopes. +Besides, I have raised his hopes again, and in a way +by which he may yet become possessed of that opal +mine, and without a partner."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, how do you mean?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I shall give him the doublets, and I have no +doubt he can palm them off on the old priests, who +will not examine too closely, so anxious are they +to see the eyes of the idol restored."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> +"There is yet one thing that I do not fully understand. +Sanchez told me——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Sanchez told you nothing, except what he was +instructed to tell you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you mean to say——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I mean that Sanchez's story of my danger was +told to you so that you would come here this morning. +You noted yourself that I must have expected +you, when you found the bookcase arranged for +you. I had an idea that I might need a strong +and faithful arm, and I had both. Mr. Barnes, +without your assistance, I must have failed." +</p> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="VIII" id="VIII"></a>VIII</h2> + +<p class="h2a">THE PEARLS OF ISIS</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">Mr. Barnes</span> sat for a while in silence, gazing at +Mr. Mitchel. The masterly manner in which that +gentleman had managed the affair throughout won +his admiration and elevated him more than ever in +his esteem. The dénouement was admirable. Before +handing over the check Mr. Mitchel had led Mr. +Livingstone to state in the presence of a concealed +witness that the opal about to be sold was genuine, +whereas, as a matter of fact, the one on the desk at +that moment was spurious. Then the payment +with a check and the exacting of a receipt furnished +tangible proofs of the nature of the transaction. +Thus, even eliminating the theft of the other opal, +Mr. Mitchel was in the position to prove that the +man had obtained a large sum of money by false +pretenses. The recovery of the stolen opal practically +convicted Mr. Livingstone of a still greater +crime, and with a witness to the various details of +the occurrence Mr. Mitchel had so great a hold +upon him that it would be most improbable that +Mr. Livingstone would pursue his scheme further. +The second conspirator, Domingo, was equally well +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> +disposed of, for if he returned to Mexico with the +imitation opals, either the priests would discover the +fraud and deal with the man themselves, or, by their +failing to do so, he would gain possession of the +opal mine.</p> + +<p class="indent">In either event there would be no reason for him +to return to trouble Mr. Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I see the whole scheme," said Mr. Barnes at +length, "and I must congratulate you upon the +conception and conduct of the affair. You have +courteously said that I have been of some assistance, +and though I doubt it, I would like to exact +a price for my services."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly," said Mr. Mitchel. "Every man is +worthy of his hire, even when he is not aware of the +fact that he has been hired, I presume. Name your +reward. What shall it be?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"From my place of concealment, a while ago, I +observed that before you took out the opal, you removed +from the box a magnificent string of pearls. +As you have claimed that all valuable jewels have +some story of crime, or attempted crime, attached +to them, I fancy you could tell an interesting tale +about those pearls."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah; and you would like to hear the story?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; very much!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, it is a pretty old one now, and no harm +can come, especially if you receive the tale in +confidence."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Assuredly."</p> + +<p class="indent">"They are beautiful, are they not?" said Mr. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> +Mitchel, taking them up almost affectionately, and +handing them to Mr. Barnes. "I call them the +Pearls of Isis."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The Pearls of Isis?" said Mr. Barnes, taking +them. "An odd name, considering that the goddess +is a myth. How could she wear jewelry?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, the name originated with myself. I will +explain that in a moment. First let me say a few +words in a general way. You ask me for the story +of that string of pearls. If what is told of them in +Mexico is true, there is a pathetic tale for each +particular pearl, aside from the many legends that are +related of the entire string."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And do you know all of these histories?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, indeed. I wish that I did. But I can tell +you some of the legendry. In Humboldt's <i>American +Researches</i> you will find an illustration showing +the figure of what he calls 'The Statue of an Aztec +Priestess.' The original had been discovered by +M. Dupé. The statue was cut from basalt, and the +point of chief interest in it is the head-dress, which +resembles the calantica, or veil of Isis, the Sphinxes, +and other Egyptian statues. On the forehead of +this stone priestess was found a string of pearls, of +which Humboldt says: 'The pearls have never +been found on any Egyptian statue, and indicate a +communication between the city of Tenochtitlan, +ancient Mexico, and the coast of California, where +pearls are found in great numbers.' Humboldt +himself found a similar statue decorated with pearls +in the ruins of Tezcuco, and this is still in the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> +museum at Berlin, where I have seen it. Humboldt +doubted that these statues represented priestesses, +but thought rather that they were merely +figures of ordinary women, and he bases this view +on the fact that the statues have long hair, whereas +it was the custom of the tepanteohuatzin, a dignitary +controlling the priestesses, to cut off the +tresses of these virgins when they devoted themselves +to the services of the temple. M. Dupé +thought that this statue represented one of the +temple virgins, while, as I have said, Humboldt +concluded that they had no religious connection. +My own view is that both of these gentlemen were +wrong, and that these and similar statues were +images of the goddess Isis."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But I thought that Isis was an Old World +goddess?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"So she was, and the oldest world is this continent. +We need not now enter upon a discussion +of the reasons upon which I base my belief. Suffice +it to say that I think I can prove to the satisfaction +of any good archæologist that both Isis and Osiris +belong to Central America. And as those pearls in +your hand once adorned an Aztec basaltic statue +similar to those of Dupé and Humboldt, I have +chosen to call them the 'Pearls of Isis.'"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah; then it is from their origin that you +imagine that so many stories are connected with +them. I have always heard that the priests of ancient +Mexico were a bloodthirsty lot, and as pearls +are supposed by the superstitious to symbolize +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> +tears, I can imagine the romances that might be +built around these, especially if they were guarded +by virgin priestesses."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now you are utilizing your detective instinct to +guess my tale before it is told. You are partly +right. Many curious legends are to be heard from +the natives in Mexico, explanatory of these pearl-bedecked +idols. Two are particularly interesting, +though you are not bound to accept them as strictly +true. The first was related to me personally by an +old man, who claimed a connection with the priesthood +through a lineage of priestly ancestors covering +two thousand generations. This you will admit is +a long service for a single family in worshipful care +of a lot of idols, and it would at least be discourteous +to doubt the word of such a truly holy man."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I shall not attempt to discredit or disprove +the old fellow's story, whatever it may be."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is very generous of you, considering your +profession, and I am sure the old Aztec would feel +duly honored. However, here is his story. According +to him, there were many beautiful women +among the Aztecs, but only the most beautiful of +these were acceptable to the gods as priestesses. +Their entrance into the service of the temple, I +imagine, must have been most trying, for he stated +that it was only when the women came before the +priests with their chosen lovers to be married that +the priests were permitted to examine their faces in +order to determine whether they were beautiful +enough to become temple virgins. If, on such an +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> +occasion, the bride seemed sufficiently beautiful, the +priest, instead of uniting her to her lover, declared +that the gods demanded her as their own, and she +was forthwith consecrated to the service of the +temple. They were then compelled to forswear +the world, and, under threats of mysterious and +direful punishments, they promised to guard their +chastity, and devote their virgin lives to the gods. +The mysterious punishment meted out to transgressors +the old priest explained to me. Usually +in such instances the girl would elope, most often +with the lover of whom she had been deprived at +the altar. No effort was made to recapture her. +Such was the power of the priests, and such the +superstitious dread of the anger of the gods, that +none would hold communication of any kind with +the erring couple. Thus isolated and compelled to +hide away in the forests, the unfortunate lovers +would eventually live in hourly dread of disaster, +until either the girl would voluntarily return to the +priests to save her lover from the imagined fury of +the gods, or else to save himself he would take the girl +back. In either case the result would be the same. +None ever saw her again. But, shortly after, a new +pearl would appear upon the forehead of the idol."</p> + +<p class="indent">"A new pearl? How?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The old priest, whose word you have promised +not to doubt, claimed that beneath the temple there +was a dark, bottomless pool of water in which +abounded the shell-fish from which pearls were taken. +These molluscs were sacred, and to them were fed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> +the bodies of all the human beings sacrificed on +their altars. Whenever one of the temple virgins +broke her oath of fidelity to the gods, upon her return +she was dropped alive into this pool, and, curious +to relate, at the appearance of the next new +moon the tepanteohuatzin would invariably discover +a pearl of marvellous size."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, then, each pearl would represent a temple +virgin reincarnated, as it were?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; one might almost imagine that in misery +and grief over her unhappy love affair, she had wept +until she had dissolved, and that then she had been +precipitated, to use a chemical term, in the form of +a pearl. Altogether the legend is not a bad one, +and if we recall the connection between Isis and the +crescent moon, you must admit my right to call +these the Pearls of Isis."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I promised to dispute nothing. But did +you not say that there was another legend?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, and I am glad to say it has a much more +fortuitous finale and is altogether more believable, +though this one was not told to me by a man of +God, or perhaps to be more accurate I should say a +'man of the gods.' According to this rendition the +temple virgins were chosen exactly as related in the +other narrative, but before actually entering upon +their duties there was a period of probation, a period +of time covering 'one moon.' You see we cannot +escape the moon in this connection. During this +probationary period it was possible for the lover to +regain his sweetheart by paying a ransom, and this +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> +ransom was invariably a pearl of a certain weight and +quality. By placing these pearls on the forehead +of the goddess she was supposed to be repaid for +the loss of one of her virgin attendants. All of +which shows that her ladyship, Isis, in her love for +finery, was peculiarly human and not unlike her +sisters of to-day."</p> + +<p class="indent">"This second story is very easy to believe, if one +could understand where the pearls were to be found."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, that is easily explained. Humboldt was +right in supposing that there was a communication +with the Californian coast. There was a regular +yearly journey to and from that place for the purposes +of trade, and many of the Aztecs travelled +thither purposely to engage in fishing for pearls. +Whenever one of these fishers was fortunate enough +to find a pearl of the kind demanded by the priests, +he would hoard it up, and keep his good luck a +secret. For with such a pearl could he not woo and +win one of the fairest daughters of his tribe? We +can well imagine that without such a pearl the more +cautious of the beauties would turn a deaf ear to +lovers' pleadings, fearing to attract the eyes of the +priests at the altar. Verily, in those days beauty +was a doubtful advantage."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, indeed. Now I understand what you meant +when you said that each of these pearls might +have its own romance. For, according to the legends, +they are either the penalty or the price of love. But +you have not told me the particular story of these +pearls."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> +"There may be as many as there are pearls, but +I can tell you but one; though as that involves a +story of crime, it will interest you I am sure. You +will remember that when we were going to the yacht +on that day when we solved the first opal mystery, I +explained to you my reasons for buying up large +gems. I think I told you of my first venture?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; you overheard a plot to steal a ruby, and +you went to the hostess and bought the jewel, which +you then stuck in your scarf, where the plotters +could see it and know that it had changed hands."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is the tale exactly. You will consider it +a curious coincidence when I tell you that these +pearls came into my possession in an almost similar +manner."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is remarkable, I must say."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And yet not so remarkable, either, all things +considered. Crime, or rather the method of committing +a crime, is often suggested by previous occurrences. +A body is found in the river dismembered, +and is a nine days' wonder. Yet, even though the +mystery may be solved, and the murderer brought +to justice, the police may scarcely have finished with +the case before another dismembered body is discovered. +Often, too, the second criminal goes unpunished; +in imitating his predecessor he avoids, or +attempts to avoid, his mistakes. I suppose that is +easier than formulating an entirely new plan. So I +imagine that the attempt to steal the ruby, which I +frustrated, and the stealing of the pearls, which was +successfully managed, may have some connection, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> +more especially as both affairs occurred in the same +house."</p> + +<p class="indent">"In the same house?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, and within a month, or, to follow the +legend, I might say in the same 'moon.' I was in +New Orleans at the time, and as it was in the Mardi +Gras season, masked balls were common occurrences. +One who was especially fond of this class of +entertainment was Madame Damien. She was a widow, +not yet thirty, and as her husband, Maurice Damien, +had belonged to one of the wealthiest and most distinguished +of the old Creole families, there was no +apparently good reason for denying her the rightful +privilege of mixing with and receiving the best people +of the city. Nevertheless, there were a few who +declined to associate with her, or to allow the +younger members of their households to do so."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What were their reasons?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Reasons there were, but of such an impalpable +nature that even those who most rigorously shunned +her, ventured not to speak openly against her. For +reasons, it might have been said that she smoked +cigarettes—but other good women did likewise; she +entertained often, and served wine intemperately—others +did the same; she permitted card-playing +in her rooms, even for money stakes,—but the same +thing occurred in other houses, though perhaps not so +openly. Thus none of these reasons, you see, was +sufficiently potent. But there were others, less easily +discussed and more difficult to prove. It was whispered, +very low and only in the ears of most trustworthy +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> +intimates, that Madame Damien permitted, +nay, encouraged, young men to pay court to her. +If true, she managed her courtiers most admirably, +for openly she was most impartial in distributing her +favors, while secretly—well, none penetrated the +secrets of Madame Damien. One thing was certainly +in her favor; there were no duels about her, +and duelling was not uncommon in those days."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should say she was a clever woman."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Just the word. Some, who could say nothing +more, said she was altogether too clever. It was +this woman who sold me the ruby."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The first acquisition to your collection?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. I may as well briefly give you the facts, +for thus you may see the connection between the +two affairs. Land is not so valuable in our southern +country as it is here in New York, and the houses +of the wealthy are often in the midst of extensive +gardens. Some of these not only have beautiful +flower-beds, but likewise palms, cacti, oleanders, +azaleas, and other tropical plants. Madame Damien's +residence was in a garden which might almost +be called a miniature park. The paths were of +snow-white oyster shells, rolled and beaten until they +resembled smooth white marble. The hedges were +of arbor vitæ cut with square top, except here and +there where the trees were trained to form arched +gateways through which the flower-beds could be +reached. In places, often nearly concealed by +flowering plants, were little houses,—lovers' nooks +they are called,—made also of trained arbor vitæ. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> +Of larger trees there were the palmetto, the orange, +and the magnolia. On fête nights these beautiful +grounds would be illuminated with Chinese lanterns, +sufficiently numerous to make the scene a veritable +fairy picture, but not shedding enough light to interfere +with the walks of lovers who sought the +garden paths between the dances."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your description reminds one of Eden."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The similarity is greater than you imagine, for +the serpent lurked in the rose bowers. At one of +Madame Damien's masquerade fêtes I had left the +warm rooms for a breath of the perfume-laden air +without, and was walking along a path which led to +the farthest end of the garden, when I was attracted +by a stifled cry. I stopped and listened, and as it +was not repeated I was just thinking that I had +heard the mournful cry of a dove, when a tug at my +sleeve caused me to turn quickly. At my side was +a little creature in a green domino scarcely distinguishable +from the shrubbery that lined the walk. +The girl stood on her toes, drew my head down to +hers, and in a frightened tone whispered:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'The men. They mean mischief—to them—in +there.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"She pointed to one of the little arbor-vitæ +houses near us, and turning fled back along the path +before I could restrain her.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Much mystified, I stepped softly toward the little +house, intending to discover if possible who might +be within, when I seemed to hear voices behind me. +Listening intently, I traced the sounds to the opposite +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> +side of the hedge, and therefore I crept cautiously +in that direction, satisfied that here were the men to +whom the girl had made allusion. Here is what I +heard:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'As they come out, we must follow them. +When I whistle, you jump on madame; I will take +care of him. I will undertake to hurt him enough +to make him squeal. That will alarm Madame, who +will be so fearful lest her precious lover be hurt that +you will have no difficulty in getting the ruby.'"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Quite a neat little plot; only needs the detail of +garroting to afford us a perfect picture of the Spanish +brigand," said Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The men were undoubtedly professional thieves +who considered the masquerade a good opportunity. +As soon as they mentioned the ruby, I knew that +the woman was none other than Madame Damien, +who possessed a stone of rare beauty which she frequently +wore. The point of greatest interest was +that Madame seemed about to lose her usual good +luck by having one of her love affairs discovered. +How could I warn her without myself learning who +was with her? Strange though it may seem, I had +no wish to know the name of her companion, so I +hit upon an expedient. Going to the door of the +little house I called aloud:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Madame Damien! Will you allow me to speak +to you a moment?' Of course she did not reply. +From the deathlike stillness of the place one might +have thought it empty. I was too sure, however, +that she was there, so I spoke again.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> +"'Madame, your very life is in danger, if you do +not come out and speak to me.' In an instant she +was at my side, talking in a quick whisper.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Who are you? What do you mean?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Pardon my intruding, but I was obliged to +adopt this course, I assure you.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"I was speaking loudly enough to be heard by the +men on the other side of the hedge. 'I was passing +here just now, with no suspicion that you were +here, alone,'—I purposely used the word, so that +she might feel easy about her companion,—'when I +chanced to overhear the plotting of two ruffians who +are even now hidden in the hedge. They are lying +in wait for you, intending to rob you of your ruby.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Steal my ruby? I don't understand.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Had I not heard their plan, they would undoubtedly +have partly strangled you while they stole +the jewel. It was to save you from the danger of +this encounter and the loss that I felt it my duty to +call you out to speak with me.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'What shall I do?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I advise you to sell the stone to me.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Sell it to you? How would that help matters?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I have my check-book with me. You know +who I am,—Leroy Mitchel. There is light enough +by this lantern to write, and I have a fountain-pen. +If you sell me the ruby, and take the check, you +may safely go to the house. The would-be thieves +are listening and perhaps watching us. Consequently, +they will know of this transaction and will +have no reason to follow you.'</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> +"'But yourself?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I can take care of myself, especially as I am +armed. I shall follow you in a few moments, and I +am sure no attack will be made upon me.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"She hesitated a moment. She did not really +wish to sell the stone, yet her only other alternative +was to inform me that as another man was present +we might go to the house together without fear. +But not wishing to disclose the presence of this other +man, she decided to sell me the stone, or rather to +appear to do so, for her plan was to return my +check later and recover the ruby. This offer she +made to me on the following day, but I declined because +the idea of forming my collection of rare gems +had entered my mind when I heard the plotters +talking. Before finally yielding she made one effort, +being a plucky woman.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I need not sell you the ruby, Mr. Mitchel, for +if, as you say, you are armed, I have no fear of accepting +your escort to the house.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"This of course would have defeated my purpose, +so I hastily explained to her that I wished to +stay behind because I intended to attempt to capture +one or both of the ruffians. Whether or not she +might have found some other means of avoiding my +offer, she did not think of one then, so she handed +me the ruby and I gave her the check. After she +had left me, I cautiously searched the hedges but +met no one. I was satisfied, however, that the men +had heard all that had passed, and I also believed +that they might still imagine that there would be a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> +chance to get the ruby, under the supposition that +my purchase was but a pretense, and that as soon +as I should return to the parlors I would restore the +jewel. It was for this reason that I wore it conspicuously +in my scarf."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What of the little woman in the green domino? +Did you see her again?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I caught a glimpse of her only, though I am +sure she got a better view of me. It was in the +house. Here, also, there was a profusion of green, +the place being literally strewn with potted plants. +I was standing near a group of palms when I caught +sight of my lady of the green domino, gazing intently +at me. As she saw that I had detected her +presence, she swiftly glided away, and I lost her in +the throng. I was certain, however, that she saw +the ruby in my scarf, and so knew that I had prevented +the mischief of which she had warned me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It would have been interesting to discover her +identity."</p> + +<p class="indent">"All in good time, Mr. Detective. We come now +to the story of the string of pearls. It was just +three weeks later. Madame was holding another +fête. Once more I was destined to play eavesdropper, +though this time with even still more +startling results. I had been dancing a quadrille, +my unknown partner being charmingly dressed in a +costume which at the time I did not understand. I +had noticed her several times during the evening, +standing always alone, apparently neglected by the +young men. So I asked her to be my partner, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> +rather in the spirit of giving her some of the pleasures +of the evening, though you must understand +that I was at that time young myself and quite susceptible +to the charms of the opposite sex. She +had seemed reluctant at first to dance with me, and +then, as though impulsively altering her mind, she +had expressed her willingness more in act than by +any word, for she had not spoken. Clutching my +arm nervously, she had led me a little way across +the floor, and stopped where a couple was needed to +fill a quadrille. <i>En vis-à-vis</i> was a couple who attracted +her attention to such an extent that I almost +imagined that my partner had brought me into this +set with the purpose of watching them. The man +was unmistakably dressed as Romeo, while the costume +of his partner was as mystifying to me as that +of the girl beside me. I afterwards learned that she +was assuming the guise of Helen of Troy."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your hostess, Madame Damien, I'll be bound."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You make a good guesser, Mr. Barnes. Madame +Damien it was, though, truth to tell, I was so much +interested in the silent, watchful girl beside me that +I paid little attention to the others. The quadrille +had just ended and I was wondering how best to +make my little sphinx talk, when a strange thing +happened. The couple opposite to us crossed toward +us, and as they approached my partner swayed +as though about to fall, and then suddenly toppled +over against me, and in a whisper she said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I am dizzy. Take me out in the air.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"Just then, 'Helen of Troy,' hanging on the arm +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> +of her 'Romeo,' passed so close to us that the +women's costumes touched. She looked scrutinizingly +at the girl with me, and I heard her say to her +companion,—</p> + +<p class="indent">"'That girl is a sphinx.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then they passed on. Her words startled me, +for I had just used the epithet in my own mind in +connection with my partner. I thought of her as a +sphinx because of her silence. But now that some +one else called her a sphinx, I observed that she +wore a curious head-dress which reminded one of the +great monument of the Eastern desert. Perhaps, +then, she was but playing the part which she had +assumed with her costume. At all events there +seemed to be a mystery worthy of the effort at penetration. +So I hurried out into the air with my little +sphinx, and soon we were walking up one of the +snow-white walks. I tried to induce her to talk, +but though she seemed willing to remain in my +companionship, she trembled a good deal but kept +as mum as the stone image to which I now likened +her. I was wondering by what device I might make +her talk, when she utterly startled me by crying out:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I wish I dared to tell you everything. Perhaps +you might help me.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Tell me what you will, little one,' said I, 'and +I will help you if I can, and keep your secret besides.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Oh, there is no secret,' she exclaimed; 'I am +not so wicked as that. But we cannot talk here. +Come, I know a place.'</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> +"I followed her as she hurried me on, more mystified +than before. She tells me 'there is no secret,' and +that she is 'not as wicked as that.' Why need she +be wicked, to have a secret? I could not fathom +it, but as I was to know all, even though it were +no secret, I was able to await the telling. Oddly +enough, as it seemed to me then, she led me to the +very lovers' nook in which I had found Madame +Damien when I purchased the ruby. Before entering, +my little sphinx took the precaution to extinguish +the lanterns at the doorway, so that when +we passed inside we were in gloom as impenetrable +as that of one of the passageways in the pyramids. +She seemed familiar with the place, for she took my +hand and led me away to one side, where there was +a rustic bench. Here we sat down, and after a few +minutes she began.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You do not know me, of course,' said she.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Why, no,' I replied; 'how should I?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I was afraid you might have recognized my +voice. But then I haven't spoken much to you, +have I?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'No; but now I do recognize your voice at least. +It was you who warned me, here at this very spot, +at the last fête. Was it not?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Yes; I heard the men talking and I was afraid +they might hurt—might hurt some one. Then you +came along, and so I told you. I recognized you +to-night because you have the same dress.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"I began to suspect that the 'some one' whom +she had shielded that night was not our fair hostess, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> +but rather the man who had been with her. I was +wondering whether it would be wise to ask her this +question, or whether to wait for her to tell her story +in her own way, when I was startled at feeling the +softest of hands pressed tightly over my lips, and to +hear a whisper close to my ear.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Don't speak,' she said; 'they are coming—they +are coming here.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"I strained my ears and at first heard nothing, +but love sharpens the ears I suppose, for presently +I did hear footsteps, and then low voices, growing +louder as though approaching, and finally the persons, +evidently a man and woman, actually entered +our place of concealment. The situation was embarrassing, +especially as that little hand still rested +over my mouth as though warning me to do nothing. +Luckily, the intruders did not come to our +side of the place, but took seats apparently opposite. +They were talking in earnest tones, the woman finishing +a sentence as they came in.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'—my mind, whether to release you or not. +At all events, I must know more about this somewhat +curious proposition of yours.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"I recognized at once the voice of Madame +Damien. It was evident, therefore, that the man +was her partner of the dance, and that it was he who +had been with her in this place on the other occasion +seemed a probability. He answered her as +follows:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I do not think the proposition is a curious +one. I only do what women always do. Certainly +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> +my sex should have the same privileges in an affair +of this character.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'That is a question that philosophers might +discuss,' said Madame Damien, 'but we need not. +Whether you have the right or not it is evident that +you choose to exercise it. And what is this right?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'The right to tell you the truth. The right to +tell you that I do not love you, that I have made a +terrible blunder.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"The little hand over my mouth trembled violently, +and slipped away. I could hear the girl next +to me breathing so distinctly that it seemed odd +that the others did not hear also. Perhaps they +were too much occupied with their own affair.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'The right to tell me that you do not love me,' +repeated Madame; 'but you have so often told me +that you do love me, and you have told me of your +love so eloquently, that now when you come to me +and say that you have made a blunder, naturally I +have the right to question you. Here are two opposite +statements. How am I to know which to +believe?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I am telling you the truth, now.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Perhaps; you may be right. You may know +your heart at last, and if what you say is really true, +of course I have no desire to try to keep what you +only supposed to be love, however eloquently you +told about it, however well you played the part. +The awkward thing is that to-morrow, next week, +by the new moon perhaps, you may be at my feet +again singing the same old songs, old love songs. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> +You will tell me that what you say then is truth, +but that what you are telling me now is false. +How, then, shall I know what to think?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'What I tell you now is true. I shall not tell +you otherwise at any time in the future.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Of this you are quite sure?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Quite sure!'</p> + +<p class="indent">"Up to this point the woman had spoken softly, +almost with love in her voice. It sounded like a +mother talking with her son who was confessing a +change of heart, or rather a change of sweethearts. +Now, suddenly, all was changed. When she spoke +again it was in the voice of rage, almost of hate. It +was the woman spurned; more than that,—it was +the woman jealous of the rival who had replaced her +in her lover's heart.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'So you are quite sure that you will not make +love to me again!' she cried, with such ferocity +that the girl beside me moved closer to me as though +seeking protection; 'you are sure of that? Then +you love another. There is no other test by which +you could be so sure. Answer me, is it true? Is +it true, I say? Answer me at once; I want no lies.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Well, and what if it is true,' said the man, +angered by her speech.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'What if it is true? You ask me that? Well, +I'll answer. If it is true, then the other girl is welcome +to you. She may have you, with your second-hand +love. May she be happy in the love that +changes with the moon. So much for her. But +with you. Ah, that must be different. You wish +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> +to be released? Well, you shall pay for your liberty, +my fickle lover; you shall pay!'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I will pay you whatever you demand. What +is it?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'So. You value your liberty so much that you +promise before you know my terms! Very well, +then. You will bring me to-night, before an hour +has passed, the string of pearls that your mother +wore on her wedding-day.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'My God, no! Not that! It is impossible!'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'How quickly you make and break promises! +Your ideas of honor are as slim as your notions of +love. And why is it impossible to give me the +pearls?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'They are not mine. Anything that is mine I +will give. But the pearls are not mine.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'If not yours whose are they, pray?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Let me explain. They have been in my family +for generations. They were taken from an idol in +Mexico by one of my ancestors who was with Cortez. +He gave them to his bride, and declared that +they should descend to the eldest sons for all time, +to be given as a bridal present to their wives. +Moreover he declared that so long as this behest +was strictly followed, no dishonor should come to +our house and name.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'What you tell me makes me only more determined +to have the pearls. Your ancestor was a +good prophet. You dishonor your house when you +offer me your love and then withdraw from your +contract. You asked me to be your wife, and according +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> +to your ancestor's will the pearls should be +my bridal decoration. I could claim them in that +manner, did I choose.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'What do you mean?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I mean to have those pearls. No other woman +shall wear them. If the loss brings dishonor to +your house, yours is the fault. But I have talked +long enough. I loathe myself for bartering with +you. Now I give you my command. Bring me +those pearls within an hour.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"She rose and started to leave the place. The +man jumped up and called after her:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'What if I should refuse?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"She paused for a moment to reply, and her +words reminded me of the hiss of a serpent.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'If you do not obey, when my guests unmask +to-night I will announce my engagement, our engagement, +and introduce you as my Romeo.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"She laughed mockingly, and hurried away. The +man did not wait, but went out immediately. I felt +about for my companion, but she seemed not to be +near me. I took out a match and struck it, only to +find myself alone. Seated nearer to the door than +I, she must have slipped out without my knowledge."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you did not learn the secret of your sphinx +maiden after all," said Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not immediately. But hear the sequel. You +may be sure I was near our hostess when midnight +arrived and the moment came to unmask. Madame +Damien herself gave the signal, and then, standing +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> +at the end of the room, she slowly unwound a thread-lace +scarf which covered her head and face, serving +in place of a mask, and draped about her shoulders. +The shawl thrown aside revealed her bare neck, +around which hung resplendent the pearls in your +hand. Madame made a sensation with her pearls. +Though she owned many jewels of rare price she +often wore them, and her guests were quite familiar +with her usual display; but pearls she had never worn +before. And such pearls! What wonder there were +whisperings and guessings! I looked around for the +other two actors in the romantic drama, but neither +Romeo nor my sphinx maiden was to be seen.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Refreshments were served in several small +rooms, and it was from one of these that presently +a cry was heard that startled all of the guests, so +that they rushed back into the main ballroom. +There we found Madame Damien, pale with rage, +calling for her servants, who rushed from all directions.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I have been robbed,' she cried; 'robbed of +my pearls! They have been taken from me within +a minute! Let no one leave the house! Close and +lock the doors! No one shall leave this house, until +my pearls are restored!'</p> + +<p class="indent">"Imagine the consternation and indignation which +this aroused. Madame was so enraged at the loss, +and so wildly determined to recover the jewels, her +jealous fear lest her rival might obtain them so +intense, that she had entirely forgotten all the +courtesy and duties of a hostess to her guests. All +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> +that she knew, all that she cared for, was that the +person who had robbed her was still in the house, +and she wished to prevent escape.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You may guess the hubbub that followed. +Women and men congregated in groups asking +each other what it all meant. Some demanded +their wraps and the opportunity to leave instantly. +Others declared that they were quite willing, nay, +anxious, to await the dénouement, which would certainly +prove interesting. 'At least it was well to +know who of their number might be a thief,' etc.</p> + +<p class="indent">"In these circumstances, I undertook to relieve +the tension and restore tranquillity. I went up to +Madame Damien, and said to her in a low tone:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'If you will let me speak to you alone for two +minutes I will recover the lost pearls.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'What do you know? What can you do?' she +asked eagerly. 'Come into this room; we will be +alone.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"I followed her into an anteroom, and we stood +as we talked. She was laboring under such excitement +that it was impossible for her to sit quietly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Tell me first just how the pearls were taken, +Madame.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'That is the miserable part of it. To think +that a thief could take them from my neck! It is +mortifying. All I know is that I was in one of the +refreshment-rooms, standing near the window that +opens into the ballroom. I knew nothing, felt +nothing, until like a flash they were twitched from +my neck. I clutched at them, but too late. The +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> +thief had stood in the ballroom, and passed her arm +through the window, till she reached and unlocked +the clasp of the necklace. Then with one quick +tug, she had the pearls. I cried out, and the stupid +people crowded about me so that it was a whole +minute, a precious minute, before I could get out +into the ballroom. It was empty, of course. The +woman had hurried into one of the small rooms. +But she has not left the house and she shall not, +until the pearls are in my possession again.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You allude to the thief as a woman. How did +you discover that, since from your account you +could hardly have seen her?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'No; I saw no one. But I know it was a +woman. Never mind how I know. What, though, +if it were—no! no! Impossible. He is not here; +besides, he would not dare.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course I understood that she referred to +our friend Romeo, and I might also have thought +of him, had I not made sure that he was not present +after the unmasking.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'If you did not see the thief, you cannot be sure +it was a woman,' I continued. 'Now, Madame, I +have a proposal to make. I will purchase your pearls.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You will do nothing of the sort, Mr. Mitchel. +You got my ruby, but you will not get the pearls. +Besides, I have not them to deliver, even if I were +willing to sell them to you.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'That is the attractive feature of my proposition. +I will pay for the pearls, their full value, and I will +undertake to recover them.'</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> +"'But I tell you I won't sell them. And besides, +how could you recover them?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I will tell you nothing in advance, except that +I guarantee to recover them, and that, I imagine, is +the main object with you.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'What do you mean? You talk in riddles.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Listen. I will make my purpose clear to you. +You obtained those pearls to-night, and——'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'How do you know that?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'And you obtained them for a purpose,' I went +on, ignoring her interruption. 'You made a man +give them to you, because you were determined that +another woman should not have them.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You are a magician,' she cried in wonder.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You are angry at the loss of the pearls, not so +much because of their value, as because you fear +they may be restored to that other woman. You +even think that she herself is the thief.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You are right; I do think that. What other +woman would do such a thing as to steal a string of +pearls from a woman's very person?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'What if I tell you that she is not in the +house?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Ah, then you know her? Who is she? Tell +me who she is and you may have the pearls.' Madame +spoke eagerly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I will only tell you enough to convince you +that she is not the thief. You remember after one +of the quadrilles passing a girl and saying, "That +girl is a sphinx"?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Yes; was she——'</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> +"'Yes. Now if you search your rooms you will +not find her. I know this because I have looked for +her for half an hour.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'If not she, then the thief was some emissary +of hers. Those pearls shall never reach her. Never! +never! never! I'll search every person in this +house first.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'And accomplish what? Nothing, except to +ruin yourself before the world. Remember, your +guests have rights. Already you have insulted +them by having the doors locked. Come, we are +wasting time. Sell me the pearls, and I will promise +you two things. First, I will satisfy your guests and +restore you to their good opinion. Secondly, I will +recover and keep those pearls. Your rival shall +never wear them.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'My rival?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Your rival. Why mince matters? Is it not +evident to you that I know all the details of this +affair?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You are a devil! Have your own way then. +Take the pearls at your own price, and pay for them +when you like. All I demand is that you fulfil +your agreement. She must not have them. Good +night. I cannot meet my guests again. Explain +things for me, will you?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"She was nothing but a woman again—a conquered +woman, relying upon the chivalry of her +conqueror.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Trust me,' I replied. 'Lean on me and I will +escort you to the stairway.'</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> +"All eyes followed us as we crossed the ballroom, +and Madame looked ill enough to evoke pity. At +any rate, my explanation was accepted generously, +and Madame was forgiven."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am curious to know," said Mr. Barnes, "how +you recovered or expected to recover those pearls?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It certainly was a unique bargain, to purchase +stolen property while yet in the possession of the +thief. I will tell you what I did. After leaving +Madame in the care of her maids at the foot of the +stairway, I returned to the ballroom, and made a +little speech. Addressing the throng that crowded +about me, I said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Friends, I beg that you will forgive Madame +Damien's hasty words. She was overwrought, and +spoke irresponsibly. She had just met with a serious +loss under most peculiar circumstances. Imagine her +standing at the refreshment table, while one of her +guests intrudes an arm through the window behind +her, unclasps and removes from her neck a string of +pearls worth a fabulous sum of money. Naturally +her first thought was to recover the pearls, and to +her distracted mind the only way seemed to be to +demand that no one should leave the house. Of +course she now regrets her words, for no loss can +excuse such treatment of guests. But I am sure +you will forgive her, especially the ladies, who will +appreciate her feelings. Now, in regard to the pearls +I may state that I have undertaken to recover them. +Fortunately I witnessed the theft, though from a +distance, so that I could not prevent it. But I know +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> +who took the pearls, and who has them. Consequently +it is unnecessary to cause anyone any further +annoyance in the matter. To the thief, I will say +that I understand the motive of the theft, and that +I am in a position to promise that that motive can +be consummated if the pearls are returned to me +within three days. If they are not returned, it will +be necessary to have the person arrested and imprisoned.'"</p> + +<p class="indent">"A bold stroke, and ingenious too," exclaimed +Mr. Barnes. "The thief, of course, could not know +whether you saw the act or not, and if a person of +high social position it would be too great a risk not +to return the pearls."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So I argued. Of course, had it been a man, he +might have taken even that risk, believing that my +threat was a 'bluff,' as we say in poker. But a +woman—a woman would not take such a risk, especially +as I promised that her purpose could still be +fulfilled."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now it is my turn to be mystified. Did you +not say that your sphinx maiden was absent? Who +else could steal the pearls? What other woman, I +mean?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, no other woman, of course. Therefore it +followed that my little mysterious maiden must have +been present, which merely means that as soon as +she found that Madame would insist upon having +the pearls, she boldly plotted to recover them. +Her first move was to rush off and change her costume. +You see, I was the one she most feared. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> +Others might know her face, but they would not +know her reasons for committing such an act. I +could do that but I could recognize her by her costume +only. Thus I was sure that she was still in +the house, though differently attired."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How did your plan result?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course she brought me the pearls, though +not until the third day. She delayed action as long +as she dared. Then she came to me openly and +confessed everything. It was really a pitiful tale. +She was an orphan, living with an aged aunt. She +met the young man, and at once they loved. After +a time she began to suspect that he was not absolutely +true to her, and she followed him to the first +masquerade to spy upon him. She overheard +enough that night to make her believe that the +young man was making a dupe of her. Then she +also heard the men plotting the robbery, and feared +that he might be hurt. Seeing me she told me +enough to prevent that. Then she went home, and +brooded over her sorrow until she decided to go into +a convent. Then came the second fête, and the +temptation once more to watch her fickle swain. +This time what she heard brought her happiness, +for did he not give up the other woman for her? +Did he not even yield up his greatest family treasure, +the pearls?</p> + +<p class="indent">"She decided to recover the pearls, and she had +the courage to carry out her purpose. When compelled +through fear of arrest to bring them to me, +she was delighted to know that they would not be +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> +restored to Madame Damien. It was when I told +her this, that she drew from her bosom the pink +pearl which is now in the centre of the string, but +which does not belong to the set as they came from +the brow of the idol.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'There is a story,' said she, 'that these pearls +each represent the price of a maiden's honor; the +price of withdrawing from the service of God's +temple. So I will add this pearl to the string, for I +had promised to devote myself to God's work, and +now I am going to my lover. This pearl was worn +by my mother, and it is said that her mother also +wore it, and that her blood stained it the color that +it is. Her stupid husband, my grandfather, doubted +her wrongfully and stabbed her with a dagger, so +that she died. I think the pearl is worthy of a place +among the others.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"I took the pink pearl, agreeing with her that it +might better be with the others. Then, as she +turned to go, I asked her:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Why did you choose the costume of the Sphinx +for the ball?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"Her reply astonished me, as it will you. She +said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Why, I did not represent the Sphinx. I was +dressed as Isis.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"A strange coincidence, was it not?"</p> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="IX" id="IX"></a>IX</h2> + +<p class="h2a">A PROMISSORY NOTE</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">Mr. Mitchel</span> walked into the office of Mr. Barnes +one afternoon as the clock struck two.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Here I am, Mr. Barnes," said he. "Your note +asked me to be here at two, sharp. If your clock is +right, I have answered your summons to the second."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are punctuality itself, Mr. Mitchel. Sit +down. I am in a good humor. I flatter myself +that I have done a clever thing, and we are going to +celebrate. See, there is a cold bottle, and a couple +of glasses waiting your arrival."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You have done something clever, you say? +Some bright detective work, I suppose. And you +did not honor me this time by consulting me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, well," said the detective, apologetically, +"I should not be always bothering you with my +affairs. It's business with me, and only amusement +with you. When I have a matter of grave importance +I like to have your assistance, of course. But +this case, though interesting, very interesting, in +fact, was really quite simple."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And you have solved it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, yes; it is completed. Wound it up at noon +to-day; ended happily, too. Let me fill your glass, +and I'll tell you all about it."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> +"We will drink to your success. 'All's well that +ends well,' you know, and this case you say is +ended?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, yes; the tale is complete down to the word +'finis.' Let me see, where shall I begin?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, at the beginning, of course. Where +else?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Sounds like a reasonable suggestion, yet it is +not always so easy to tell just where a story does +begin. I often wonder how the romance writers get +their stories started. Does a love story, for example, +begin with the birth of the lovers, with their meeting, +with their love-making, or with their marriage?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am afraid that love stories too often end with +the marriage. If yours is a love story, perhaps you +may as well begin with the meeting of the lovers. +We will take it for granted that they were born."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So be it. I will transpose events slightly. Here +is a document which was forwarded to me by mail, +and evidently the sender expected me to receive it +before the visit of a man who intended to consult +me in a serious case. Oddly enough, the man called +before the package reached me. Thus I had his +story soonest; but perhaps it will be better for you +to read this first, after which you will better comprehend +the purpose of my client."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Mitchel took the type-written pages and read +as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p>"<span class="smcap">My dear Mr. Barnes</span>:—</p> + +<p class="indent">"Within a few hours after reading this statement +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> +you will receive a visit from a man who will introduce +himself as William Odell, which is not his true +name, a circumstance which, however, is of no consequence. +He will ask you to interpose your reputed skill +to save him from fate. I am ready to +admit that you have great skill and experience, but +it will be utterly useless for you to interfere in this +matter, for, as I have said, the man is seeking to +escape from a doom which is his fate. Who ever +altered what was fated to be? We may philosophize +a little and ask what it is that we mean, when we +speak of 'fate'? My view is that fate, so called by +men, is naught but the logical and necessary effect +of a cause. Thus if the cause exists, the effect must +follow. So it is with this man, whom we will call +Odell. The cause exists, has existed for a number +of years. The time for the effect is now approaching; +he knows this; he knows that it is fate,—that +he cannot escape. Yet, with the hope of a +hopeless man, in his last extremity he will ask you +to turn aside, or at least to defer, this fate. This +you cannot do, and that you may understand the +utter futility of wasting your time, which I presume +is valuable, I send you this statement of the facts. +Thus comprehending the incidents precedent to the +present situation, you will appreciate the inevitable +nature of the occurrence which this miserable man +seeks with your aid to set aside."</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"I thought you said this was a simple case, Mr. +Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, interrupting his reading.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> +"I found it so," replied Mr. Barnes, sipping his +wine.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The writer says that the 'occurrence' was 'inevitable,' +yet am I to understand that you prevented it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He thought it to be inevitable. I disagreed with +him, and prevented it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I hope you have not been over-confident."</p> + +<p class="indent">"There is no danger. Did I not tell you that the +affair ended?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"So you did. I forgot that. This paper is entertaining. +I will read on."</p> + +<p class="indent">The statement went on as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="indent">"I was born and reared and spent all my life in +Texas. In fact, you may consider me a cowboy, +though it is long since I have thrown a lariat, and +one would hardly count me a boy now. What a life +do we lead down there on the Texas plains! Miles +and miles of country stretching in easy undulations +from the rising-place to the set of the sun. Day +after day in the saddle, till one imagines himself a +part of the animal which he bestrides. How often +in play have I dropped a red bandana, and then +picked it from the grass as I galloped my horse by +at top speed!</p> + +<p class="indent">"One day I was riding along, free from all worldly +care, happy, contented. My horse was going easily, +though we had several miles yet to cover. Glancing +carelessly ahead, neither seeking nor expecting adventure +of any kind, I thought I saw, a hundred +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> +yards or more ahead of me, the bright red of a handkerchief +in the grass. A bandana dropped by a +cowboy perhaps. With nothing better to do, I +touched my horse's flank, and with instant response +his head was down and we charged the spot. Leaning +so low on one side that I could have touched +the ground easily with my hand, we rapidly neared +that bit of color, and I was almost upon it before I +realized that it was something more than a lost +handkerchief,—that it was really a bundle of some +sort. Yet in time I noted this, and therefore exerted +enough strength when I clutched it to lift it +firmly from the ground, though the weight of it astonished +me. Swinging myself back upon my horse, +I brought him to a walk, that I might better examine +my prize. Imagine my feelings when I found that the +little bundle contained a thing of life—a baby girl!</p> + +<p class="indent">"There is no need to extend this part of my tale. +How the child got there I never learned. Whether +it was dropped from a wagon travelling along the +trail, or deposited there purposely by one of those +fiends who accept the pleasures of life and shirk its +responsibilities, I do not know. Indeed, at the time +I took but a passing interest in the affair. I had +picked up a baby on the plains. What of it? How +could a cowboy like myself be expected to evince +any great interest in a baby? My father was rich, +and I had always been indulged in all things, though +always held rigidly by what I was taught to consider +the rules of honor. I had had a taste of the big +world too, for I had been first at a military academy, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> +and afterwards had graduated from Harvard. Then +I had gone back to Texas, back to the life on horseback +in the open air, the life that I loved best. So +you can understand that women and babies had not +yet come into my mind as necessary adjuncts to life.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The child was given into the care of the very +negro mammy who had practically reared me, my +mother having died when I was yet a boy. Thus +it was not until Juanita—I forget how she got the +name, but so she was called—was twelve, that I +began to feel some personal responsibility in relation +to her future. My father meantime had died, and +I was master of the old home, the ranch and all the +stock. Thus there was no lack of money to carry +out whatever plan might seem best. I took counsel +with some women of our town, and the end of it +was that Juanita was sent as far north as Atlanta to +boarding-school. Here she remained until she was +sixteen, but she never really enjoyed herself. A +child of the plains almost literally, one might say, +living through her earlier girlhood with little if any +restraint, the duties of the school-room were irksome +to her, and she longed to be back in Texas. This +yearning grew upon her so that at length she began +to make references to her feelings in her letters. I had +missed her from about the place more than I should +have imagined possible, and the strong inclination +was to grant her wishes and bring her back; but I +knew the value of education, and felt in duty bound +to urge her continuance of her studies. When first +she went, it had been arranged that she should remain +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> +in Atlanta studying for eight years, but finally +I offered as a compromise that she might come home +at the end of six, at which time she would have been +eighteen. You may guess my surprise when one +morning on my return from a long ride after the +cattle, I saw a horse dashing swiftly towards me, +and when close enough, recognized Juanita on his +back. Breathless she pulled up beside me, and before +I could speak cried out:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Now don't say you are going to send me back. +Don't say it! Don't! Don't! Don't! It would +break my heart!'</p> + +<p class="indent">"What could I do? There she was, exuberant +in her happiness, all the wild energy of her animal +spirits aroused by the exhilaration of that liberty for +which she had so long yearned. Of course I thought +a good deal, but I said nothing.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Watch me!' she exclaimed. 'I haven't forgotten +how to ride. See!'</p> + +<p class="indent">"Like a flash she was off towards a clump of +bushes fifty yards away. I called after her, fearing +that four years of school life would have left her less +of a horsewoman than she imagined. But she only +laughed, and when near the hedge raised her horse +with the skill of an adept and cleared it by a foot.</p> + +<p class="indent">"During the next two years the whole tenor of +my life was changed. Juanita went with me everywhere. +Like myself she lived in the saddle, and +soon she could throw a lariat or round up a herd of +cattle as well as almost any of my men.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What wonder that I learned to love the girl? +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> +Philosophers tell us that two may meet, exchange +glances, and love. Madness! That is admiration, +magnetic attraction, passionate desire,—what you +please,—it is not love. Love may spring from such +beginning, but not in an instant, a day, an hour. +Too many have been wrecked by that delusion, +wedding while intoxicated with this momentary delirium, +and awaking later to a realization of a dread +future. For what can be worse misery than to be +married and not mated? No, love thrives on what +it feeds on. Daily companionship, hourly contact +breeds a habit in a man's life, creates a need that +can but be filled by the presence of the one who +excites such heart longings. Thus we learn to love +our horse or dog, and the possession of the animal +satisfies us. So when we come to love a woman, to +love her with that love which once born never dies, +so, too, possession is the only salve, the only solution. +After two years I realized this, and began to +think of marrying my little one. 'Why not?' I +asked myself. True, I was forty, while she was but +eighteen. But I was young in heart, energy, and +vitality. And who had a greater right to possess +her than myself? None. Then a dreadful thought +came to me. What if she did not love me in return? +My heart turned cold, but I never dreamed of coercing +her. I would tell her my wish, my hope, and +as she should answer so should it be.</p> + +<p class="indent">"This was my determination. You will admit +that I was honorable. Having formed my conclusion +I sought a favorable moment for its execution. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> +At this you may wonder. Were we not together +daily, riding side by side, often alone with God and +Nature for hours together? True! But I dreaded +a mistake. Should I speak when her heart was not +ready, the answer might blight my life.</p> + +<p class="indent">"So I waited day after day, no moment seeming +more propitious than another. Yet when I did +speak, it was all so simple, that I wondered at myself +for my long anxiety. We had been riding +together for three or four hours, when, reaching a +shaded knoll in which I knew there was a cold spring +where we might refresh ourselves and our horses, we +stopped. As she jumped from her horse, Juanita +stood a moment looking back and forth across the +plains, and then, in full enjoyment of the scene, she +exclaimed:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Isn't it all grand! I could live here forever!'</p> + +<p class="indent">"My heart leaped, and my tongue moved unbidden:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'With me?' I cried. 'With me, Juanita?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Why, yes; with you, of course. With whom +else?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"She turned and gazed into my eyes frankly, +wondering at my question, and my hand burned as +with a fever as I took hers in mine, and almost whispered:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'But with me, little one, as my own? As my +very own? As my little wife, I mean?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"A dainty blush beautified her cheek, but she +did not turn away her eyes as she answered:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Why, yes. As your wife, of course. I have +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> +always thought you meant it should be. Always +lately, I mean.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"So she had understood before I had known myself. +She had been simply waiting, while I had +been worrying. I had but to reach forth my hand +and grasp my happiness. Well, I had been an ass +not to know, but at last the joy was mine.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Be sure there was little further delay. The +wedding was simple yet impressive. Cowboys came +from miles around, and one and all they kissed the +bride. We had a feast on the grass, the tables extending +a quarter of a mile, and all were welcome. +There were no cards of invitation; all within fifty +miles were my neighbors, and all neighbors were +expected at the cowboy's wedding. The ceremony +was held out in the open air, and five hundred men +stood with bared heads as the worthy father gave +me my treasure and declared her mine before God +and them.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thus Juanita came to be mine own. First given +to me by that Providence who rules the Universe, +when the unguided steps of my horse carried me to +the tiny bundle lying on a boundless plain, and lastly +given to me with her own consent by the worthy +man who united us in the name of the Father of us +all. Was she not mine then, and thenceforward +forever? Could any man rightly take her from me? +You shall hear.</p> + +<p class="indent">"A year passed. A year of happiness such as +poets prate of and ardent men and maids hope for, +but rarely realize. Then the serpent entered my +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> +Eden. The tempter came, in the form of this man +who tells you that his name is Odell, but who lies +when he tells you so. He was from the North, and +he had a fine form and a fair face. Fair, I mean, in +the sense that it was attractive to women. He soon +had the few young women of our neighborhood +dangling after him, like captured fish on a blade of +palmetto. I saw all this, and, seeing, had no suspicion +that with the chance to choose from so many +who were still unclaimed, he would seek to win my +own dear one.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I cannot dwell on this. Indeed, I never knew +the details, only the finale. The blow came as unsuspected +as might an earthquake in a land where +tranquillity had reigned for centuries. I had been +away all day, and for once my wife had not ridden +with me. I had myself bidden her remain at home, +because of the intense heat of an August sun. She +had begged to go with me, perhaps fearing to be +left alone. But I knew nothing, suspected nothing +of the ache and terror in her heart. When I got +back, it was already dark, and having been away +from Juanita all day, I called for her at once. The +empty echoes of my voice coming back as the only +answer to my cry struck my heart with a chill, and +a nameless, hideous dread seized me. Had anything +happened? Was she ill, or dead? Dead it must +be, I thought, or she would have answered. I +wandered through the house; I searched the whole +place; I sprang back upon my horse and rode from +house to house throughout that whole awful night. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> +I discovered nothing. No one could tell me aught. +At daybreak I returned fagged out, with a vague +hope that perhaps I had made some blunder and +that she was still at home. At last, in the room +where I kept my accounts and transacted business, +I found a note upon my desk which explained the +horrible truth. Here is a copy of it. Note the +hideous braggadocio. It read:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I. O. U. One wife. (Signed) L—— R——.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"That you may fully appreciate how this taunt +stung, I must remind you that, as I have said, my +father had taught me to follow most rigidly the rules +of honor. In transactions involving even very great +sums of money, it was not uncommon amongst us +cattlemen to acknowledge an indebtedness in this +primitive, informal way,—simply writing upon a slip +of paper, perhaps torn from the edge of a newspaper, +'I. O. U.', giving the amount, and adding the signature. +No dates were really necessary, though sometimes +added, because the possession of the paper +proved the debt, the cancellation by payment always +leading to the destruction of the I. O. U.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thus this heartless young brute from the North +had not only stolen from me my chief treasure, +but he had left behind an acknowledgment of his +debt in that form which was most binding among us.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Does it cause you surprise to have me say that +I carefully preserved that bit of paper, and swore to +make him meet the obligation when the day of +reckoning might come? This explains to you that +cause, which at the outset I said brings with it a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> +result which now is, and always has been, inevitable.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course it is certain that had I been able to +find my betrayer while my anger still raged, and my +anguish yet at its most acute point, I would simply +have shot the man on sight, recklessly, thoughtlessly. +But I could not get trace of him, and so had +time to think.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Too late I learned that I had made one dreadful +error. I have told you my views of love, how engendered +and how nourished. My mistake was in +thinking that such a love is the necessary rather +than merely the possible result of constant companionship +between congenial spirits. In my own +heart the fire of true love burned only too brightly, +but with Juanita, poor child, it was but the glow +reflected from my own inward fires that warmed her +heart. She was happy with me, sharing my life, +and when I asked her to marry me, mistook her +calm friendship for what she had heard called love. +Love she had never experienced. When later the +younger man devoted himself to her, she was probably +first merely intoxicated by an overpowering +animal magnetism, which was nothing but passion. +But even as I have admitted that this impulsive desire +may drift into the truer, nobler quality of love, +so, later, I found, must have been the case with my +cherished one.</p> + +<p class="indent">"A full year passed before I had the least idea of +the whereabouts of the elopers. Then one day the +mail brought me a brief, plaintive note from her. +All she wrote was, 'Dear one, forgive me. Juanita.' +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> +The date showed that it had been written on the +anniversary of our wedding, and from this I knew +that the day had brought to her remorseful memories +of me. But the envelope bore a postmark, and I +knew at last that they were in a suburb of the great +metropolis.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I started for New York that very night, bent on +vengeance. But one approaches a revengeful deed +in a different spirit a year after the infliction of the +wrong, and so by the time I reached my destination, +my mind had attained a judicial attitude, and my +purpose was tempered by the evident wisdom of investigating +before acting. I had little difficulty in +finding the nest to which my bird had flown, and a +happy nest it appeared to be. It seems like yesterday, +and the picture is distinct before my vision. I +came cautiously towards the cottage, which was surrounded +by a grassy lawn, and my heart came into +my throat with a choking sensation as suddenly I +saw her there, my little Juanita, lazily swinging in a +hammock under a great elm, singing! Singing so +merrily that I could not doubt that she was, for the +moment at least, happy. So, then, she was happy—happy +with him. The thought affected me in a twofold +manner. I resented her happiness for myself, +and gloried in it for her own sake. I did not venture +to interrupt her life by intruding myself into it. +I quietly prosecuted my inquiries, and learned that +she was known as his wife, indeed that a regular +marriage had taken place. Thus at least he gave +her the apparent protection of his name. Moreover, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> +I found that he was still kind to her, and that the +two were counted a happy couple.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Therefore I returned to Texas, and never again +set eyes upon my dear one, in life. But before +leaving I perfected arrangements whereby I might +receive regular communications, and so be in the +position to know how it fared with Juanita, and I +am bound to admit that the reports were ever favorable. +So far as I know, he always treated her with +loving kindness. In exchange for this, he must +count that he has been left undisturbed by me. On +that score, then, we are quits. But the paper on +which he wrote that infamous I. O. U. remained, +and so long as it was in my possession it was an +obligation still to be met.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Five years elapsed, and then one day suddenly +I was summoned by telegraph. Juanita was ill—was +likely to die. I sped North as fast as the +swiftest express train could travel, but I arrived +three hours after her sweet spirit had flown. He +did not recognize me as I mingled with the crowd +in the house at the funeral, and so got a last glimpse +of her face. But after the grave was filled, and the +little mound was covered with flowers, the mound +which held all that had stood between him and fate, +I stepped forward and stood where his eyes must +meet mine.</p> + +<p class="indent">"At first he did not recognize me, but presently +he knew me, and the abject terror that came into +his face brought to me the first sensation of pleasure +that I had experienced since that hour in which I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> +had found my home deserted. I stepped back into +the crowd, and I saw him look about eagerly, and +pass his hand across his eyes, as though brushing +aside some horrible vision. But he was soon to +learn that it was no spectral fancy, but myself with +whom he had to deal.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I waited till nightfall and then sought him at his +house, and told him my purpose. I showed him +that bit of paper on which he had scrawled the +words 'I. O. U. One wife,' and I told him that in +exacting a settlement we would change the letter +'w' to the letter 'l.' That for my wife, I would +expect his life, in return. I gave him a respite of a +few days, but this he will explain to you. I know +this, for twice have I seen him approach your offices, +and then alter his mind and depart without going +in. But his fate is now so near that by to-morrow, +at the latest, he will no longer have the courage to +delay. He will go to you. He will lie to you. He +will endeavor to obtain your aid. Fool! Of what +avail? He cannot escape even if you undertake to +assist him. But after reading the truth, as here +written, will you?"</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Mitchel put down the last page of the statement, +and, turning to Mr. Barnes, he said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"And you say you have thwarted this man's +purpose?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; absolutely. Of course, that tale of his +makes me sympathize with him, but the law does +not grant a man the right to murder even when a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> +wife is stolen. Certainly not after the lapse of five +years."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should think that the author of that document +would be a man who would carefully plan whatever +scheme he might have decided upon, and +if you have really thwarted him, then you have +been very clever. Very clever, indeed. How was +it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"To explain that," replied Mr. Barnes, "I must +begin by telling you of the visit of this man who +calls himself Odell. You will note that the Texan +says that his adversary 'will explain,' etc. Thus +he evidently intended his communication to reach +me before the visit of my client. But it was otherwise. +Mr. Odell, as we must call him, came here +two days ago, whereas that communication did not +reach me until yesterday morning."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did this man Odell tell you the same story as +that sent to you by the Texan?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Essentially the same, yet differing materially in +some of the details. He came into my office in a +very nervous, excited frame of mind, and even after +I had asked him to be seated and to state his business +he seemed half inclined to go away. However, +he finally concluded to confide his trouble to me, +though he began the conversation in a singular +manner.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I hardly know,' said he, 'whether you can +help me or not. Your business is to detect crimes +after they have been committed, is it not?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'It is,' said I.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> +"'I wonder,' said he, 'whether you could prevent +a crime?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'That would depend much upon the circumstances +and the nature of the crime.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Let us say that a murder was contemplated. +Do you think you might be able to prevent it?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Do you know who is threatened? Who is the +person to be murdered?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Myself.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Yourself? Tell me the circumstances which +lead you to believe that such a danger threatens +you.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'The circumstances are peculiar. I suppose I +must tell you the whole miserable story. Well, so +be it. Some years ago I went into one of the +southern states, it matters not which, and there I +met a young girl with whom I fell madly in love. +There is nothing out of the common about the story +except as regards her guardian. I suppose that is +what he would be called. This man was quite a +wealthy ranchman, and it seems that he had found +the girl when an infant, on the open plains. He +took her home, and raised her. Of course he grew +fond of her, but the fool forgot that he was twenty +years older than herself and fell in love with her. +Consequently I knew that it would be useless to ask +his consent to our marriage, so we eloped.'"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is a different version," interrupted Mr. +Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very different," said Mr. Barnes. "But when +I heard it, it was the only version known to me. I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> +asked him how long a time had passed since the +elopement, and he replied:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Five years. I married the girl of course, and +we have been living until recently up the Hudson. +A month ago she died, and in grief I followed her +body to the grave. The last sod had just been +placed on the mound, when looking up I saw the +man, the guardian, let us call him, standing glaring +at me in a threatening manner. I was startled, and +as a moment later he seemingly disappeared, I was +inclined to believe that it had been merely a trick +of the mind. This seemed not improbable, for if the +man harbored any ill-will, why had he not sought +me out before?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Perhaps he did not know where to find you,' I +suggested.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Yes, he did. I know that, because my wife +told me that she wrote to him once. But it was +not imagination, for that same night he came to my +house, and coolly informed me that now that the +girl was dead, there was nothing to delay longer his +purpose to take my life.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'He told you this openly?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'He made the announcement as calmly as +though he were talking of slaying one of his steers. +I don't know why, for I am not a coward, but a +terrible fear seized me. I seemed to realize that it +would be useless for me to make any resistance; +whether he chose to take my life at that moment or +later, it seemed to me that I could and would make +no effort to save myself. In fact, I imagine I felt +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> +like a man in a trance, or it might be in a dream-disturbed +sleep wherein, while passing through +dreadful experiences, and wishing that some one +might arouse me, yet I myself was powerless to +awaken.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Perhaps the man had hypnotized you.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Oh, no. I don't make any such nonsensical +claim as that. I was simply terrified, that is all,—I +who have never known fear before. Worse than all, +I have not for an instant since been able to escape +from my feeling of helpless terror. He talked to +me in the quietest tone of voice. He told me that +he had known of my whereabouts all the time, and +that he had spared me just so long as the girl was +happy; that so long as her happiness depended upon +my living, just so long had he permitted me to live. +Throughout the interview he spoke of my life as +though it belonged to him; just as though, as I said +before, I might have been one of his cattle. It was +awful.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Did he say when or how he would murder +you?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'He did worse than that. He did the most +diabolical thing that the mind of man could conceive. +He explained to me that he considered me +in his debt, and that the debt could only be cancelled +with my life. And then he had the horrible audacity +to ask me to give him a written acknowledgment +to that effect.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'How? I do not understand.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'He drew out a large sheet of paper on which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> +were some written words, and handed me the paper +to read. This is what I saw: "On or before the +thirtieth day from this date I promise to pay my +debt to the holder of this paper."'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'How very extraordinary!'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Extraordinary! Nothing like this has ever +occurred in all the world. The man asked me practically +to give him a thirty-day note to be paid with +my life. Worse than that, I gave it to him.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You gave it to him! What do you mean?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'At his dictation I copied those words on a +similar sheet that he furnished, and I signed the +hellish document. Don't ask me why I did it. I +don't know, unless in my terror and despair I +thought at the moment only of getting rid of my +visitor, and of gaining even the short respite that +here seemed held out to me. At all events I wrote +the thing, and he folded it carefully and put it in +his pocket with a satanic smile. Then he rose to +go, but further explained to me that as the note +said "on or before" thirty days, he would feel at +liberty to conclude the matter at his own pleasure. +This doubled the horror of the situation. What he +said next, however, seemed to offer a ray of hope, +if hope might be sought under such circumstances. +He told me that if I could by any means manage to +live beyond the limitations of the note, he would +return the paper to me to be burned, and in that +case I might consider the matter terminated.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Why, then, he did give you one chance of +living.'</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> +"'I have tried to make myself think so. But as +I have thought it over, sometimes I imagine that +there is merely an added deviltry in this,—that he +held out this hope only to intensify my sufferings; +for total despair might have led me to suicide, thus +shortening the period of my mental agony. If this +was his purpose, he succeeded only too well. A +dozen times I have been on the verge of blowing +my brains out to abbreviate the torture, when the +thought has come to me that as another day had +passed finding me still alive, so might the remaining +ones; that I might escape after all. So I have lived +and entered another day of torment.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'But why have you allowed this affair to so prey +upon your mind?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Allowed it? How could I have escaped from +it? You do not know the expedients of that fiend. +I will tell you a few of the things that have made it +impossible for me to forget. In the first place, +every morning I have received a postal-card on +which would appear some figures,—"30 minus 1 +equals 29,"—"30 minus 2 equals 28,"—"30 minus +3 equals 27," and so on. Can you imagine my feelings +this morning when the card was placed in my +hand on which I found "30 minus 28 equals 2"?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'But why have you read these cards?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Why? Why does the bird go to the snake +that devours it? The cards have exerted a fascination +for me. In my mail I would look first to see if +one were there. Finding it, I would read it over +and over, though of course I would know in advance +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> +the ghoulish calculation that would be there. But +this is not all. On the third day I was about to +smoke a cigar, when its peculiar shape attracted my +attention. I looked at it a long time stupidly, and +then broke it in half. Inside I found a slender +metal tube, which later I discovered was filled with +some horribly explosive preparation. I do not +think that any other cigar of that nature has reached +me. But, my suspicions once aroused, I began +opening my cigars, to make sure, and in this manner, +of course, they were rendered useless. Why, I +have been suspicious even of cigars offered to me by +some of my best friends. The more cordial the +presentation, the more certain I have felt that the +man might be in the plot against me. So I have +been obliged to forego smoking, a great trial, as you +may imagine, in such a condition of mind as I have +been in, when a sedative would have been so acceptable.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You might have used cigarettes,' suggested the +detective.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Cigarettes? It seemed so at first. Of course +not those ready-made, but I might make them for +myself. I made one. Just one! I rolled it, using +paper and tobacco that had been in my own room +for over a month. When I applied a match the +thing sizzled like a firecracker. Whether or not +some powder had been dropped into my tobacco, I +do not know. Undoubtedly I could have obtained +fresh tobacco and fresh paper, and thus have enjoyed +the longed-for smoke. But I tell you I have been +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> +unable to think these things out. I have been as +feeble-minded as any imbecile. For a few days I +obtained a little consolation out of liquor, but one +night after taking a drink I thought I noticed a +sediment in the bottom of the glass. I looked at it +closer, and there it was. A whitish powder. Undoubtedly +arsenic.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Why not sugar?' said Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I don't know. That never occurred to me. +Perhaps it was. At all events I have not had a drop +of anything since, except water. No tea, no coffee, +no liquor that might hide a poison. Only clear +water, drawn from the hydrant with my own hands, +into a cup that I carried about my person, and +washed out before every draught. I was determined +that he should not poison me except by +poisoning the reservoir. This necessitated adopting +a plan for eating that would be equally safe. So I +have taken to eating at restaurants, a different one +for every meal.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You have allowed yourself to become morbid +on this subject. I should not be surprised if this +man really has no intention of committing this murder, +but has taken this means of having revenge, by +causing you a month of mental suffering.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I hardly think that. He has made several +efforts to kill me already.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'In what manner?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Well, twice, in my own house, I was shot at +from without. I heard the report of a pistol each +time, and a ball passed close to me and entered the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> +wall at my side. After the second attempt I decided +to change my place of abode, and took a room +at my club. The room had but one window, and +that opened on the interior court. I was particular +that it should not be exposed to the street. For +several days nothing happened; then one night, +just as I was putting out my gas, and consequently +standing by the window, again I heard a pistol shot, +and another bullet whistled past me, all too close. +The odd thing was that though I had an immediate +investigation made, it is certain that my enemy was +not in the building.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'In that case, the shot must have come in accidentally. +Some one opposite was probably handling +his pistol and carelessly touched the trigger, causing +the explosion. Naturally, when he found that you +had nearly been shot, he chose not to make any explanations.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'However that may be, I thought it best to +move again. This time I found a room in a hotel, +where the only ventilation is from a skylight opening +upon the roof. In there at least I have felt safe +from intruding bullets. But I am disturbed by the +regularity with which those postal-cards come to me. +The address has always been changed as I have +moved from one place to another.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Evidently your man keeps an eye upon +you.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Very evidently, though I have never set eyes +upon him since his visit on the night when he made +me give him that diabolically conceived promissory +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> +note. Now that is the story. Can you do anything +for me?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Let me see; according to the calculation on the +card that reached you this morning there are still +two days of respite?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Not of respite. There is no respite from my +torture till the end comes, be that what it may. But +there are two days remaining of the thirty.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"That was the problem, Mr. Mitchel," said Mr. +Barnes, "which I was called upon to solve. Bearing +in mind that I had not yet received the other +man's communication, you will, of course, concede +that it was my duty to endeavor to save this man?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Undoubtedly. It was your duty to save the +man under any circumstances. We should always +prevent crime where we can. The question here was +rather <i>how</i> you might be able to accomplish this."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How would you have proceeded, had the case +been in your care?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, no, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, laughing. +"You cannot be allowed to get my advice +after the affair is over. I must come in as principal +or spectator. In this instance I am merely a spectator."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well. As you please. My plan, I think, +was as ingenious as it was simple. It was evident +to me either that we had to deal with a man who +did not intend to kill his victim, in which case any +course would save him; or else the affair might be +serious. If the man really was plotting murder, the +affair occupying so long a time was unquestionably +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> +premeditated and thoroughly well planned. Whatever +the scheme, it was equally obvious that we +could not hope to fathom it. The blow, if it should +come, would be swift and sure. Consequently but +one course lay before us."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And that was?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"To remove our man to such a place of safety +that the blow, however well conceived, could not by +any possibility reach him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, well argued! And could you find such a +place?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. A private room in a safe-deposit vault."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not bad. Not half bad. And you did this?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Without delay. I explained my purpose to the +officers of one of these institutions, and before +another hour had passed I had Mr. Odell 'safely +deposited,' where none could reach him except +myself."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course you supplied him with eatables?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, indeed, and liquor and cigars beside. Poor +fellow! How he must have enjoyed his cigars! +When I visited him yesterday, on opening the +door of his room he looked like a spectre in a fog. +Now I must further remind you that I put Mr. Odell +in this safety-vault before receiving the letter from +the Texan, firmly believing at the time that we were +taking unnecessary precautions. After reading the +Texan's story I altered my mind, becoming convinced +that any other course would have been fatal. +Indeed so impressed was I with the determination +of this man to have Mr. Odell's life, that though I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> +had the intended victim absolutely safe, still I felt +it my duty to make assurance doubly sure, by remaining +at the vault myself throughout the rest of +the final twenty-four hours, which terminated at +noon to-day."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you released your prisoner?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I did, and a happier man than he you never saw. +He stood out in the open air and took a long breath +as eagerly as a drunkard drinks his tipple."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And then what?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, then we separated. He said he would go +to his hotel for a good sleep, for he had little rest +in that vault."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And that, you think, ends the case?"</p> + +<p class="indent">A quizzical tone in Mr. Mitchel's voice attracted +Mr. Barnes's keen sense of hearing, and, slightly +disturbed, he said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, yes. What do you think?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think I would like to go to that man's hotel, +and I think we cannot get there too quickly."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, what do you mean? Explain."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I cannot explain. There is no time. Do not +waste another minute, but let us go at once and call +on your client."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mystified, Mr. Barnes jumped up, and the two +men hurried out of the building and up Broadway. +They had only a few blocks to walk, and were soon +in the elevator of the hotel ascending to the top +floor where was that room whose only communication +with the outer world was a skylight. Reaching +the door, Mr. Barnes tried the knob, but the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> +door was locked. He knocked first lightly and then +more violently, but there was no response.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is useless, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel. +"We must break in the door, and I fear we may be +too late."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Too late?" said Mr. Barnes, wonderingly; +but without losing more time throwing his weight +against the door it yielded and flew in. The two +men and the hall-boy entered, and pointing to the +floor where lay the body of a man, Mr. Mitchel said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"See! we are too late."</p> + +<p class="indent">They lifted the man to the bed, and hastily summoned +medical aid, but he was dead. While the +hall-boy was gone to call the doctor, Mr. Barnes +ruefully said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"This is incomprehensible to me. After reading +that Texan's letter, I was so assured that however +vengeful he might be, still he was an honorable man, +that I felt positive he would keep his word, and that +this man would be safe at the expiration of the +note."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You were entirely right in your estimate of the +Texan's character, Mr. Barnes. Your fatal error +was in regard to the expiration of the note."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, the thirty days expired at noon to-day."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very true. But you have overlooked the usual +three days' grace!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The devil."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Just so; the devil,—in this instance the devil +being the Texan. Ordinarily the extra three days +is an extension demanded by the maker of the note, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> +but in this instance it has been utilized by the deviser +of the scheme, who, knowing that his man +would be on guard during the thirty days, misled him +by a promise of safety thereafter. But he did more +than that."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, how has he accomplished his purpose? +How has he killed this man up here in a locked +room, which has no window through which a bullet +might be fired?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I do not know; that is another puzzle to be +solved."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have already solved it. The promissory note +is the vehicle of his vengeance,—the means by +which the opportunity was obtained, and the means +by which the end has been consummated. You +will recall that Odell told you that the Texan +promised that if he should live beyond the limitation +of the note it would be returned so that he +might burn it, and he might then consider the +matter terminated. These were very suggestive +words, and have wrought this man ruin. Evidently +soon after he reached this hotel, feeling that at last +he had escaped his threatened doom, an envelope +was sent up to him, which contained the so-called +promissory note. It being too dark in here to read, +he lighted his gas. The reception of this paper +caused him satisfaction because it seemed to show +that his adversary was keeping faith. It had been +suggested to him that he might 'burn' the note, +and so 'terminate' the affair. Therefore he set fire +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> +to the paper, which evidently had been charged with +an explosive substance. The explosion not only +stunned if it did not kill the man, but it extinguished +the gas, leaving the jet open, so that if not destroyed +by the explosive he certainly must have been asphyxiated +by the escaping gas. Here on the floor +is a bit of the paper, and we can still see a few of +the words which we know were contained in the +promissory note. Then there is the gas turned on, +while it is still daylight without. Am I right?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Unquestionably," said Mr. Barnes. "What a +diabolical scheme from conception to the final act! +But suppose that Mr. Odell had not burned that +paper? Then the scheme must have failed."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not at all. You still overlook the three days of +grace, of which but a few hours have yet expired." +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> +</p> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<h2><a name="X" id="X"></a>X</h2> + +<p class="h2a">A NOVEL FORGERY</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">Mr. Barnes</span> was wondering whether he would +soon have a case which would require special mental +effort in its solution. "Something that will make +me think," was the way he phrased it to himself. +The same idea had occupied him for some time. +Not that he had been idle, but his "cases" had all +been of such a nature that with a little supervision +it had been safe to intrust them entirely to his subordinates. +Nothing had occurred to compel his +personal investigation. On this morning, however, +fate had something peculiarly attractive for him. +His office-boy announced a visitor, who, when shown +into the detective's sanctum, introduced himself +thus:</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am Stephen West, cashier of the Fulton +National Bank. Is this Mr. Barnes?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, sir," replied the detective. "Is your business +important?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is very important to me," said Mr. West. +"I am interested to the extent of forty thousand +dollars."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Forty thousand dollars! Forgery?" Receiving +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> +an assenting nod, Mr. Barnes arose and closed +the door of the office after instructing the boy to +prevent his being disturbed. Returning to his +seat, he said: "Now then, Mr. West, tell me the +story. All of it, as far as you know it. Omit +no detail, however unimportant it may seem to +you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very good. My bank has been swindled out +of forty thousand dollars in the most mysterious +manner. We have received four checks, each for +ten thousand dollars. These were signed with the +name John Wood, one of our best customers. In +making up his monthly balance these checks were +sent to his house in the usual order of business. +To-day Mr. Wood came to the bank, and declared +them to be forgeries."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Were these checks paid by you personally?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, no. We received them through the Clearing-House. +They had been deposited at the Harlem +National Bank, and reached us in the routine way. +They were taken on four different days."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who was the depositor at the Harlem Bank?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"There is a mystery there. His name is Carl +Grasse. Inquiry at the Harlem Bank shows that he +has been a depositor for about a year. He had a +seemingly flourishing business, a beer-garden and +concert place. Recently he sold out and returned +to his home in Germany. Before doing so he drew +out his deposits and closed his account."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How is it that you did not yourself detect the +forgeries? I supposed you bank people were so expert +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> +nowadays that the cashing of a worthless check +would be impossible."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Here are the forged checks, and here is one +cashed by us since the accounting, which is genuine. +Compare them, and perhaps you will admit that +anyone might have been deceived."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes examined the checks very closely, +using a lens to assist his eyes. Presently he laid +them down without comment, and said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"What do you wish me to do, Mr. West?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"To me it seems like a hopeless task, but at least +I should like to have the forger arrested. I will +gladly pay five hundred dollars as a reward."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Barnes took up the checks again, examined +them most carefully with the lens, and once more +laid them down. He strummed on his desk a moment +and then said suddenly:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. West, suppose that I not only arrest the +guilty man, but recover the forty thousand dollars?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You don't mean to say——" began Mr. West, +rather astonished.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I said 'suppose,'" interrupted Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, in that case," said Mr. West, "I would +gladly give a thousand more."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The terms suit me," said the detective. "I'll +do my best. Leave these checks with me, and I'll +report to you as promptly as possible. One moment," +as Mr. West was about to depart; "I will +make a memorandum of something you must do +yourself." He wrote a few lines on a sheet of paper +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> +and handed it to Mr. West, saying, "Let me have +those to-day, if possible."</p> + +<p class="indent">One week later Mr. West received the following +note:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="lnobmargin">"Stephen West, Esq.:—</p> + +<p class="indent">"Dear Sir—I have completed my investigation of +your case. Please call at my office at four o'clock. +If convenient, you may as well bring with you a +check for fifteen hundred dollars, made payable to</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">John Barnes.</span>"</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"Great heavens!" ejaculated the cashier upon +reading the above, "he tells me to bring fifteen +hundred dollars. That means he has recovered the +money. Thank God!" He dropped into his chair, +overcome at the sudden release from the suspense +of the previous week, and a few tears trickled down +his cheek as he thought of his wife and little one +who would not now be obliged to give up their +pretty little home to make good his loss.</p> + +<p class="indent">Promptly at four he was ushered into the presence +of Mr. Barnes. Impatient to have his hopes confirmed, +he exclaimed at once:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Am I right? You have succeeded?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Most thoroughly," said the detective. "I have +discovered the thief, and have him in prison. I also +have his written confession."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But the forty thousand dollars?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"All safe and sound. Your bank does not lose a +dollar—except the reward." Mr. Barnes added the +last after a pause and with a twinkle of his eye.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> +"Oh, Mr. Barnes, that is a trifle compared to +what I expected. But tell me, how was this trick +played on us? Who did it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Suppose I give you a detailed account of my +work in solving the riddle? I am just in the humor +for telling it, and besides you will be more appreciative."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is just what I should most desire."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well," began Mr. Barnes. "We will go +back to the moment when, after scrutinizing the +checks, I asked what you would give for the recovery +of the money. I asked that because a suspicion had +entered my mind, and I knew that if it should prove +to be correct, the arrest of the criminal and the recovery +of the money would be simultaneous. I will +not explain now why that should be a necessary +sequence, as you will see that I was right. But I +will tell you what made me entertain the suspicion. +In the first place, as you know, of course, John +Wood uses a private special check. The forgeries +were upon blanks which had been stolen from his +check-book. Thus the thief seemingly had access +to it. Next, as is commonly done nowadays, the +amount of the check was not only written, but also +punched out, with the additional precaution of +punching a dollar mark before and after the figures. +It would seem therefore almost impossible that any +alterations had been made after the check was originally +drawn. Such things have been done, the holes +being filled up with paper pulp, and new ones +punched afterwards. But in this case nothing of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> +the sort had been attempted, nor indeed was any +such procedure necessary, for the checks were not +raised from genuine ones, but had been declared by +Wood to be forgeries outright. That is, he denied +the signatures."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly. They were declared to be spurious."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Exactly. Now that was all that I knew when +you were here last except that the signatures seemed +to be very similar. It was possible that they were +tracings. The plain deduction from this was that +the forger was some one in John Wood's establishment; +some one who could have access to the checkbook, +to the punch, and also have a chance to copy +the signature, if it was copied."</p> + +<p class="indent">"All that is quite clear, but how to proceed?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I instructed you to send me a list of all the +checks which had been paid out on John Wood's account, +giving their dates, numbers, and amounts. I +also asked you to procure for me from the Harlem +National Bank a similar list of checks paid on order +of Carl Grasse. These two lists you sent to me, and +they have been very useful. As soon as you left +me, and whilst awaiting your lists, I tried some experiments +with the forged checks. First I argued +that if the signatures were traced, having been +made, as it were, from a model, it would follow necessarily +that they would exactly coincide if superimposed +the one upon the other. Now whilst a man +from habit will write his name very similarly a thousand +times, I doubt if in a million times he would, +or could, exactly reproduce his signature. The test +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> +of placing one over the other and examining with +transmitted light satisfied me that they were not +tracings. I compared each check with each of the +others, and with the genuine one which you also left +with me. No two were exact counterparts of one +another. Still this did not completely prove that +they were not tracings, for an artistic criminal might +have gone so far as to trace each check from a different +model, thus avoiding identity whilst preserving +similarity."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Barnes," said Mr. West, admiringly, "you +delight me with your care in reasoning out your +point."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. West, in speculating upon circumstantial +evidence the most thorough care must be used, if +one would avoid arresting the innocent. Nothing, +to my mind, is stronger proof against a criminal +than a complete chain of circumstantial evidence, +but again, nothing is so misleading if at any stage a +mistake, an omission, or a misconstruction be allowed +to occur. In this case, then, as I was starting out to +prove what was merely a suspicion, I determined +to be most careful, for indeed I dislike following up +suspicion at any time. A suspicion is a prejudgment, +and may prove a hindrance to correct reasoning. +Not entirely satisfied, therefore, I took the +next step. A tracing can be made in either of two +ways: with a lead-pencil, or with a stylus of glass or +agate. The former leaves a deposit of the lead, +whilst the latter makes an indentation upon the +paper. In the first case the forger will attempt to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> +remove the lead with an erasing rubber, but will not +succeed thoroughly, because some of it will be covered +by the ink, and because of the danger of injuring +the surface of the paper. In the latter instance, +if he be a very thoughtful man, he might undertake +to remove the indentation by rubbing the opposite +side with the end of his knife or with an ivory paper-cutter. +In either case a careful scrutiny with a +strong glass would show the burnishing upon the +reverse side. I could find nothing of the sort. +Taking one of the checks I applied a solution to +remove the ink. A thorough examination disclosed +that there was no sign either of the graphite, +or of the indentation from the stylus. In fact, +I became satisfied that the signatures had not been +traced."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But what did that prove? They might have +been imitations made by a clever penman."</p> + +<p class="indent">"They might have been, but I doubted it; and +since you ask, I will give my reasons. In the first +place, the signatures were accepted at your bank +not once, but four times. It would be a remarkably +clever man to deceive experts so well. However, I +did not abandon this possibility until further developments +showed conclusively to my mind that it +would be a waste of time to follow up that line of +research. Had it been necessary to do so, I should +have discovered who in the place had the opportunity +to do the work, and by examining their past I +should have received a hint as to which of these was +most likely to be my man. For any man who could +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> +have the ability to commit such a clever forgery +must have acquired it as a sequence of special skill +and aptitude with his pen of which his friends would +be cognizant. Once I looked up such a man, and +found that as a boy he had forged his parents' names +to excuses for absences from school. Later he turned +to higher things. In this instance I was satisfied +that the only person having the access to materials, +the knowledge of the financial condition of the concern, +and the ability to write the checks, was Mr. +John Wood himself."</p> + +<p class="indent">"John Wood!" exclaimed the cashier. "Impossible! +Why, that would mean that——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Nothing is impossible, Mr. West. I know what +you would say. That it involved his having an accomplice +in this Carl Grasse? Well, that is what I +suspected, and that is why I asked for an additional +reward for the recovery of the funds. If I could +prove that John Wood made the checks himself, +they ceased to be forgeries in one sense, and the +bank could rightfully charge the amounts against +his account. But let me tell you why I abandoned +your theory that an expert penman was at work. +Observe that though you would have honored a +check for forty thousand dollars drawn by John +Wood, yet the forgeries were four in number. That +showed that the man was not afraid of arousing your +suspicion. The only man who could feel absolutely +sure upon that point was John Wood. But there +is another pretty point. These checks being spurious, +and yet being numbered, could arouse your +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> +suspicion in two ways. If the numbers upon them +greatly varied from those upon genuine checks +coming in at the same time, the fraud would have +been detected quickly. On the other hand, he +could not give you correct numbers without being +either in collusion with his bookkeeper or else duplicating +the numbering of other checks. That the +latter course was pursued, exempted the bookkeeper. +All the numbers on the forged checks were duplicates +of those on genuine ones."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But, Mr. Barnes, that did not arouse our suspicion, +because——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Just so," interrupted Mr. Barnes, "but let me +tell you why, as the <i>why</i> is a very significant link in +our chain. Your list of this man's checks helped +me there. About a year ago Carl Grasse appeared +upon the scene in Harlem, buying out a beer-garden, +and starting an account in the Harlem National +Bank. Now observe that prior to that time, from +the first check sent to you by Wood, the strictest +regularity as to numbering obtained. There is not +a break or a skip anywhere. But in February, the +month after Carl Grasse moved to Harlem, there is +a duplication in Wood's checks. Two have the +same numbering, but both are for trifling amounts, +sixteen dollars in one instance and forty in the other. +You possibly passed it over. Next month, I find +two duplications, and from then on this apparent +mistake happens no less than ten times."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Barnes, the bookkeepers did notice this, and +we spoke to Mr. Wood, but he said it was simply a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> +clerical error of his own due to haste in business +hours."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Exactly, but he was paving the way for his big +coup. He was disarming you of suspicion. This +one fact satisfied me that I was on the right track, +but your list gave me even better corroboration. +On February 1st I find that Wood cashed a check +payable to himself for ten thousand and fifty-nine +dollars. On February 2d, Carl Grasse opened an +account with the Harlem Bank, depositing ten thousand +dollars, paying in the amount, in cash. This +might seem but a coincidence, but by looking over +the books of the beer-garden, which is still in existence, +Grasse having sold it out, I find that on February +2d, Grasse paid his employees just fifty-nine +dollars. The difference, you see, between Wood's +draft and Grasse's deposit."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It certainly seems to connect the two, when we +remember that the final forgeries were checks signed +by Wood in favor of Grasse."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Precisely, but follow this a little further. For +several months there is nothing to connect the two +so far as their banking goes, but note that during +this lapse Grasse does not draw a single check in +favor of himself, nor does he deposit any checks +from others. His transactions with his customers +are strictly cash, and his checks are all to dealers, +who supply him with his stock. None of these are +for large amounts, and his balance does not exceed +twelve thousand dollars at any time. On October +1st he deposited five thousand dollars in cash. On +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> +the day before that, Wood drew that amount out +of your bank. On the 12th, this is repeated by +both, and on the 14th, Grasse cashes a check for +twelve thousand dollars, taking cash. This goes +through successfully, and the Harlem Bank is made +to see that Grasse commands large amounts and uses +large amounts. This is repeated in varying amounts +in November, and again in December, the bank by +this time being quite ready to pay out money to +Grasse. On January 2d, Wood has his check account +balanced. On the 3d, Grasse deposits Wood's +check for ten thousand dollars. This goes through +the Clearing-House, and is accepted by your bank. +The Harlem Bank is therefore satisfied of its authenticity. +On the 5th, Grasse deposits check number +two, and at the same time cashes a check for ten +thousand dollars. The second spurious check goes +through all right, and on the 10th and 15th, the +transactions are repeated. On the 20th, Grasse explains +to the Harlem Bank that he has sold his business, +and is going home to Germany. He closes his +account, taking out his money, and disappears from +the scene. You are forty thousand dollars out by a +clever swindle, with nothing to prove your suspicions +save a few coincidences in the banking records of the +two men."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But assuredly, Mr. Barnes, enough evidence +upon which to arrest Mr. Wood?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"To arrest him, yes. But to convict him? That +is another affair. Without conviction you do not +recover your money. No, my work was by no +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> +means finished. I first sought to follow Grasse. I +did not have far to go. At the Hamburg-American +line I found him booked, but investigation showed +that he never sailed. The ticket which he bought +has never been taken up."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then the accomplice is still in this country?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; the accomplice is not in this country," +said Mr. Barnes, dryly. "Don't get ahead of the +story. At this stage of the game I made some +singular discoveries. I found, for example, that +Carl Grasse slept over his saloon, but that he frequently +would be absent all night. I also learned +that when he did sleep there, he would leave about +nine o'clock in the morning for that mysterious +realm, 'down-town.' When he slept elsewhere, he +usually reached the saloon at eight, and still went +'down-town' at nine. It was his general custom +to get back about five in the afternoon. Extending +my researches in the direction of John Wood, I +learned that he was customarily at his office at ten +o'clock, seldom leaving before four. Moreover, at +his apartment the janitor told me that he frequently +slept elsewhere, and that when he passed the night +at that place, he would leave about seven in the +morning. Do you follow me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you mean that John Wood and Carl Grasse +are one and the same person?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That idea entered my mind about this time. +Up at the saloon I found some other small evidences +that this was a probability. You see, a man may +disguise his personal appearance, but it is difficult +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> +for him to change his habits with his clothing. For +example, I found that Mr. Wood always uses Carter's +writing fluid, and Mr. Grasse had the same +predilection, as the empty bottles attest. Moreover, +the bottles are of the same size in both places. +Next I observe that both men used the same make +of stub pens. Again note that though Carl Grasse +is a German name and the man was keeping a beer +saloon, he was never seen to drink beer himself. +John Wood has the same antipathy to malt. But +most singular is the fact that this man, who so carefully +laid his plans, should have actually bought a +check-punching stamp of the same make and style +of figures as that used in the Wood establishment."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps he did that so that he could make the +spurious checks up-town instead of down-town, +where he might be discovered."</p> + +<p class="indent">"More than likely, but he should have taken it +away with him. There is always some little detail +of this kind that even the most skilful overlooks. +He probably thought that the similarity of the instruments +would never be detected, or made to +count against him. It is nothing in itself, but as a +link in a chain it mends a break. There was one +fact, however, at wide variance with the theory of +the identity of the two men. Wood is of ordinary +build, with black hair and smooth-shaven face. +Grasse is described as very stout, with red hair and +whiskers. Of course, following the theory of impersonation, +if Wood transformed himself into a stout +man, totally different clothing would be needed for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> +the two parts which he played. I found that Wood +always dressed in the finest broadcloth, whilst Grasse +wore conspicuous plaids. Supposing that he wore +a red wig and false whiskers, I determined to find +the man from whom he had procured them. I +guessed that he would avoid any well-known place, +and I began my hunt in the costumers' shops on +Third Avenue. I went to several without obtaining +any clue, when at last fortune favored me. I found +a place where, upon their books, in last January was +a record of 'red wig and whiskers' for the same +customer. Moreover, they had furnished this person +with a 'make-up' for a fat German, giving him +the necessary 'pads,' as they are called, a suit of +underwear wadded so as to increase the proportion +of the body. Can you guess what I did next?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think not."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It was an inspiration. I ordered a similar outfit +for myself, including the plaid suit. This morning +they were delivered to me, and, dressed in them, I +induced the costumer to go with me to Wood's place. +As soon as I was shown into his presence, I began +to talk in a most excited, angry tone. I said 'Mr. +Wood, I come for satisfaction. I am Carl Grasse, the +man you have been personating up-town. I am the +man whose name you forged to the back of your +own checks. And this is the costumer who sold you +the disguise. Am I not right?' This last speech I +addressed to the costumer, who, to my intense satisfaction, +said, 'Yes, that is the gentleman; but I did +not know he was going to impersonate anybody.'"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> +"What happened then?" asked the cashier.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well," said Mr. Barnes, "I had better luck than +I had expected, though, in line with my hopes. You +see, my sudden appearance before him, my words, +and my rapid speech, all tended to confuse him. +He suddenly heard himself accused of forging the +name of 'Carl Grasse,' and for the moment thought +only of defending himself from that charge. He +was utterly taken back, and stammered out, 'I did +not forge anybody's name. The checks had my +own signature, and the endorsement—that was "Carl +Grasse." There is no such person.' Then suddenly +seeing that he was making a mistake and incriminating +himself, he exclaimed, 'Who the devil are +you?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I am a detective,' I answered, quickly seizing +his arms and putting on a pair of manacles, 'and I +arrest you for swindling the Fulton Bank, whether +your offense be forgery or not.' That settled him. +He wilted and began to cry for mercy. He even +offered me money to let him escape. I delivered +him to the Central Office officials, and since then +the Inspector has obtained a voluntary confession +from him. Are you satisfied, Mr. West?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am more than satisfied. I am amazed. Mr. +Barnes, you are a genius."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not at all, Mr. West, I am a detective." +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> +</p> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<h2><a name="XI" id="XI"></a>XI</h2> + +<p class="h2a">A FROSTY MORNING.<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"> +<p class="indent"><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Copyright by Short Story Publishing Company. Republished +from the <i>Black Cat</i>, by permission.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"<span class="smcap">Thank</span> heaven, you have come," exclaimed Mr. +Van Rawlston, as Mr. Mitchel entered. "I have a +thousand pounds on my mind, and——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Never heard of the disease," interrupted Mr. +Mitchel. "If you consider mind and brain to be +synonymous, the locality is popularly supposed to +be inundated with water occasionally—but then, +you mentioned a thousand pounds, and, a pound +being a pint, we would have a thousand pints, or +five hundred quarts, and—well, really, your head +seems hardly large enough, so——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am talking of money," ejaculated Mr. Van +Rawlston, sharply; "English money. Pounds +sterling."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The deuce you are! Money, eh? Money on +the brain! Oh, I've heard of that. It is a very +common disorder."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mitchel, I sent for you to help me. I am up to +my ears in a mystery. I've been in this room +nearly all day trying to solve it. I've had your +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> +friend Barnes working on it for several hours, yet +we have made no progress. In despair I thought +of you; of your cool, keen, analytical brain, and I +decided that you could discover the truth, if any +man can. But if you are in a jesting humor, +why——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"A thousand pardons, old friend. That is one +pardon for each of your pounds. But, there, forgive +me, and I will be serious. I received your +note late, because I did not reach home until dinner +time. You asked me to call here as soon as possible, +and here I am within half an hour of reading your +message. Now, then, about this thousand pounds +sterling. Where are they, or is it, as you are most +accustomed to speaking. The plural or singular +verb seems to be a matter of choice with large +amounts."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The money is in this room."</p> + +<p class="indent">"In this room? You know that, and yet cannot +find it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Therein lies the mystery. I had it in my hands +this morning, and within a few minutes it had +vanished."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, Mr. Van Rawlston, if you are presenting +a problem for me to solve, I beg of you to be minutely +accurate in your statements. You say 'had +vanished.' That is manifestly an impossibility. I +presume you mean 'seemed to have vanished.'"</p> + +<p class="indent">"There was no seeming about it. It was a single +bank-note, and I placed it on this table. Five +minutes later it had disappeared."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> +"'Disappeared' is a better word, by long odds. +It passed out of your sight, you mean. That I can +believe. The question then arises, how was this +disappearance managed. I say managed, which is +an intimation of my belief that the note did not hide +itself, but rather that it was hidden. From this +postulate I deduce that two or more persons, besides +yourself, were present at the time of said disappearance +of said bank-note. Am I correct?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are, but really I can't see how you have +guessed that there was more than one person with +me!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It could not be otherwise. Had there been but +one person in this room with you, you would not +think, you would know absolutely that he took the +note. That you have a doubt as to the identity of +the culprit, shows that you suspect one of two or +more persons."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mitchel, I am delighted that I sent for you. +You are exactly the man to recover this money."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What about Barnes? I think you mentioned +his name?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. Naturally my first thought was to send +for a detective, and I remembered him in connection +with that ruby robbery of yours, which occurred at +my house. He is now following a clue which he +considers a good one, and will report during the +evening. But perhaps I should relate the exact +circumstances of this affair. The details are strikingly +curious, I assure you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now that I know that Barnes is on the scent, I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> +may say that I am eager for the fray. Nothing +would please me better than to succeed where he +fails. Every time I outwit him, it is a feather in +my cap, and another argument in favor of my theory +that the professional detective is a much over-rated +genius. Allow me to light a cigar, and make myself +comfortable, in exchange for which privilege I will +devote my undivided attention to your tale of woe."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Mitchel drew forth a handsome gold case, +which bore his monogram in diamonds, and selected +a choice Havana, which he puffed complacently as +Mr. Van Rawlston proceeded.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Some thirty years ago, or more," began Mr. +Van Rawlston, "there came into my office a young +Englishman, who introduced himself as Thomas +Eggleston. The object of his visit was curious. +He wished to borrow four thousand dollars upon +collateral. Imagine my surprise when the security +offered proved to be an English bank-note for one +thousand pounds. It seemed odd that he should +wish to borrow, when he could readily have exchanged +his note for American currency, but he +explained that for sentimental reasons he wished not +to part with this note permanently. He desired to +redeem it in the future, and keep it as a memento—the +foundation of the fortune which he hoped to +earn in this new land."</p> + +<p class="indent">"A singular wish," interposed Mr. Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Singular indeed. So much so that my interest +was keenly aroused. I agreed to advance the sum +demanded without charge. Moreover, I put him in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span> +the way of some good speculations which paved his +way to success at the outset. It was not long before +his thousand-pound note was back in his possession. +Since then we have been close friends, and I +was not surprised, when he died a few days ago, to +find that I had been named as executor of his +estates. Now I must speak of three other persons. +When Eggleston came to this country he brought +with him a sister. A few years later she married a +man named Hetheridge, a worthless scamp, who +supposed he was marrying money, and who soon +abandoned his wife when he learned that she was +poor. I think he drank himself to death. Mrs. +Hetheridge did not survive him very long, but she +left a little girl, now grown to womanhood. Alice +Hetheridge is one of the persons who was present +when the bank-note disappeared. A second was +Arthur Lumley, of whom I know little, except that +he is in love with Alice, and that he was here to-day. +Robert Eggleston was also present. He is +the nephew of the deceased, and proved to be the +heir to the bulk of the estate. He has only been in +this country a few months, and has lived in this +house during that time. Now I come to the events +of to-day."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Kindly be as explicit as possible," said Mr. +Mitchel. "Omit no detail, however trifling."</p> + +<p class="indent">"My friend died very unexpectedly," continued +Mr. Van Rawlston. "On Saturday he was well, +and on Monday dead. On Wednesday morning, +the day of the funeral, his man of business brought +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> +me his client's will. I learned by it that I was +chosen an executor, and I undertook to make its +contents known to the family. I appointed this +morning for that purpose, and when I came, I was +surprised to find young Lumley present. Alice +took me aside, and explained that she had invited +him, and so I was silenced. I asked her to bring +me a certain box described in the will, which she +did. It was locked, the key having been brought +to me with the will. I took from it a packet which +contained a bank-note for a thousand pounds; the +same upon which I had once loaned Eggleston +money. There were also some government bonds, +and railroad securities. Having compared these +with the list attached to the will, I then read aloud +the testament of my dear friend. A part of this I +will read to you, as possibly shedding some light +upon the situation."</p> + +<p class="indent">"One moment," interposed Mr. Mitchel. "You +said that the packet taken from the box contained +the bank-note as well as the bonds and other securities. +Are you sure that the note was there?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, yes. I found it first, and placed it on the +table in front of me, while I went through the other +papers. When I looked for it again, it had vanished. +I say vanished, though you do not like the word, +because it seems incredible that one would dare to +steal in the presence of three others. But listen +to an extract from the will. After bequeathing all +of his property to his nephew, Eggleston inserted +this paragraph:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span> +"'To my dear niece I must explain why she is +not named as my heiress. My father married twice. +By his first wife he had a son, William, and by my +own mother, my sister and myself. When he died, +my half-brother, William, was ten years my senior, +and had amassed a considerable fortune, whereas I +found myself penniless and dependent upon his +bounty. He was not a generous man, but he presented +me a bank-note for a thousand pounds, and +paid my passage to this country. My first impulse, +after my arrival, was to make my way as rapidly as +I could, and then to return to William the identical +bank-note which he had given me. For this reason +I used it as collateral, and borrowed money, instead +of changing it for American currency. By the time +the note was again in my possession my brother had +given me another proof of his recognition of our consanguinity, +and I decided that it would be churlish +to carry out my intention. Recently William +lost his entire fortune in unfortunate speculations, +and the shock killed him. Before he died he gave +his son Robert a letter to me, reminding me that +all that I owned had been the fruit of his bounty, +and claiming from me a share of my fortune for his +son. I took Robert into my house, and I am bound +to say that I have not learned to love him. This, +however, may be a prejudice, due to the fact that +he had come between me and my wish to make +Alice my heiress. It may be in recognition of the +possibility of this prejudice that I feel compelled to +ease my conscience by bequeathing to William's son +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> +the fortune which grew out of William's bounty. +The original bank-note, however, was a free gift to +me, and I certainly may dispose of it as I please. I +ask my niece Alice to accept it from me, as all that +my conscience permits me to call my own.'"</p> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"An interesting and curious statement," commented +Mr. Mitchel. "Now tell me about the +vanishment of the note."</p> + +<p class="indent">"There is my difficulty. I have so little to tell. +After reading the will, I laid it down, and reached +out my hand, intending to give the bank-note to +Alice, whereupon I discovered that it had disappeared."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Tell me exactly where each person was seated."</p> + +<p class="indent">"We were all at this table, which, you see, is +small. I sat at this end, Alice at my right hand, +young Eggleston at my left, and Lumley opposite +to me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So that all three were easily within reach of the +bank-note when you placed it upon the table? That +complicates matters. Well, when you discovered +that you could not find the note, who spoke first, +and what comment was made?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I cannot be certain. I was stunned, and the +others seemed as much surprised as I was. I remember +that Eggleston asked Alice whether she +had picked it up, adding, 'It is yours, you know.' +But she made an indignant denial. Lumley said +nothing, but sat looking at us as though seeking an +explanation. Then I recall that Eggleston made a +very practical suggestion."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> +"Ah, what was that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He laughed as he did so, but what he said +was reasonable enough. In substance it was, that +if each person in the room were searched, and +the note not found, it would thus be proven that +it had merely been blown from the table by some +draught, in which case a thorough search should +find it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Was his suggestion acted upon?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You may be sure of that. I declined once to +allow my guests to be searched when that fellow +Thauret suggested it, at the time of the ruby robbery. +And you will remember that the scoundrel +himself had the jewel. That taught me a lesson. +Therefore when Eggleston made his suggestion, I +began with him. The search was thorough, I assure +you, but I found nothing. I had as little success +with Lumley, and I even examined my own pockets, +with the vague hope that I might have inadvertently +put the note in one of them. But all my looking +was in vain."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Might not one of these men have secreted the +bank-note elsewhere, and then have possessed himself +of it after your search?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I took care to prevent that. As soon as I had +gone through Eggleston, I unceremoniously bundled +him out of the room. I did the same with Lumley, +and neither has been allowed in here since."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What about the young lady?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It would be absurd to suspect her. The note +was her property. Still she insisted upon my searching +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span> +her, and I examined her pocket. Of course, I +found nothing."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, you only examined her pocket. Well, +under the circumstances, I suppose that was all +you could do. Thus, having sent the three persons +out of the room, you think that the bank-note +is still here. A natural deduction, only I wish +that the woman might have been more thoroughly +searched. I suppose you have looked about the +room?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I sent for Mr. Barnes, and he and I made a +most careful search."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What view does he take of the case?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Before Mr. Van Rawlston could reply there was a +sharp ring at the door-bell, and a moment later Mr. +Barnes himself was ushered in.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Speak of the Devil, and his imps appear," said +Mr. Mitchel, jocularly. "Well, Mr. Imp of Satan, +what luck? Has your patron assisted you? Have +you had the Devil's own luck, and solved this problem +before I fairly got my wits upon it? You look +flushed with victory."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I did not know you were to be called in, Mr. +Mitchel," replied Mr. Barnes, "and I am sorry if +you shall be disappointed, but really, I think I can +explain this affair. The truth is, it did not strike +me as very complex."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hear that," exclaimed Mr. Mitchel. "Not +complex! The sudden vanishing of a thousand-pound +note, before the very eyes, and under the +very noses, as it were, of four persons, not complex! +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span> +The Devil certainly has sharpened your wits; +eh, Mr. Barnes?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I don't mind your chaffing. Let me explain +why I considered this case simple. You will +agree that the note was either mislaid or stolen?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Logical deduction number one," cried Mr. +Mitchel, turning down a finger of the right hand.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It was not mislaid, or we would have found it. +Therefore it was stolen."</p> + +<p class="indent">"A doubtful point, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, +"but we will give you the benefit of the doubt, and +call it logical deduction number two." He turned +down another finger.</p> + +<p class="indent">"If stolen the note was taken by one of three +persons," pursued the detective.</p> + +<p class="indent">"He leaves you out of it, Van Rawlston. Well, +I suppose I must give you the benefit of the doubt +this time. So there goes L. D. number three." He +dropped another finger.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of these three, one actually owned the note, +and another had just heard of the inheritance of a +large fortune. The third, therefore, comes under +suspicion."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Illogical deduction number one," said Mr. +Mitchel, sharply, as he turned down a finger of the +left hand.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why illogical?" asked the detective.</p> + +<p class="indent">"First, people have been known to steal their +own goods; second, rich men are often thieves. +Mr. Lumley, being in love with the owner of the +note, was as unlikely to steal it as she was herself."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span> +"Suppose that he had stolen it before he heard +that his sweetheart was to inherit it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"In that case, of course, he may have desired to +return it, and yet not have had the opportunity."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Such was probably the fact. That he stole the +note I am reasonably certain."</p> + +<p class="indent">"How did he get it out of this room?" asked +Mr. Van Rawlston.</p> + +<p class="indent">"He must have hidden it elsewhere than in his +pockets," said Mr. Barnes. "You overlooked the +fact, Mr. Van Rawlston, that you cannot thoroughly +search a man in the presence of a lady."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good point," exclaimed Mr. Mitchel. "You +have your wits about you to-day, Mr. Barnes. Now +tell us what you have learned in corroboration of +your theory."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Lumley is in love with Miss Hetheridge. Up +to a few hours ago, he was a clerk, upon a salary +not sufficient to permit him to marry. Curiously +enough, for one would hardly have thought him so +foolish, when he left this house he went direct to +his employer and resigned his position. Next, I +traced him to a business agency, where he obtained +an option to purchase a partnership in a good concern, +agreeing to pay five thousand dollars for the +same."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Five thousand dollars! About one thousand +pounds," said Mr. Mitchel, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The scoundrel!" cried Mr. Van Rawlston. +"Undoubtedly he is the thief. I trust you have +arrested him, Mr. Barnes?"</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span> +"No. He left the city by a train leaving the +Grand Central an hour ago."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Track him, Mr. Barnes. Track him to the end +of the earth if necessary. Spare no money. I'll +pay the expense." Mr. Van Rawlston was excited.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I do not know his destination," said the detective, +"but, fortunately, the train is a 'local,' and he +cannot go far on it. I will do my best to catch up +with him. But no time is to be lost."</p> + +<p class="indent">As he hurried out, Mr. Mitchel shouted after him:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Luck, and the Devil go with you, Mr. Barnes." +Then, turning to Mr. Van Rawlston, he continued: +"After all, shrewd detective though he be, Mr. +Barnes may be on the wrong scent. The note +may still be in this house. I do not like to say in +this room, after your thorough search. Still, if it +could be managed, without the knowledge of Eggleston +and Miss Hetheridge, I would like to remain +here to-night."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You wish to make a search yourself, eh? Very +good. I will arrange it. By the way, I should tell +you that there is to be an auction here to-morrow. +Eggleston had arranged a sale of his library before +his sudden death, and as the date was fixed and the +catalogues sent to all possible buyers, we have +thought best to allow the sale to proceed. This +being the library, you will see the necessity for settling +this mystery before to-morrow, if possible."</p> + +<p class="indent">"A crowd coming here to-morrow? Excellent. +Nothing could be better. Rest easy, Van Rawlston. +If Barnes does not recover the bank-note, I will."</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> +It was already nine o'clock in the evening, and +Mr. Van Rawlston decided to go to his own home. +Upon inquiry he learned that Eggleston was not in +the house, and that Miss Hetheridge was in her +room. He dismissed the servant, and locked Mr. +Mitchel in the library. Next he went up-stairs to +Miss Hetheridge, told her that he had thought best +to lock the library door, and bade her good-night. +Passing out to the street, he handed the door-key +to Mr. Mitchel through the front window.</p> + +<p class="indent">Left thus alone in a strange house, Mr. Mitchel +dropped into an easy chair and began to analyze the +situation. He did not light the gas, as that would +have betrayed his presence, but the glowing grate-fire +shed light enough for him to see about him.</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Eggleston had amassed a great collection of +books, for the library was a long room occupying +the whole of one side of the house, the parlors being +on the opposite side of the hallway. Windows in +front overlooked the street, and at the back opened +upon a small yard. Just below these back windows +extended a shed, the roof of an extension, which +served as a laundry.</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Mitchel went over in his mind the incidents +which had been related to him, and two of his conclusions +are worthy of note here:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Barnes argues," thought he, "that Lumley +may have taken the bank-note before he knew that +it had been bequeathed to his sweetheart. But the +same holds good with the girl herself, and might +well explain her stealing what was really her own +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> +property. That is one point worth bearing in mind, +but the best of all is my scheme for finding the note +itself. Why should I trouble myself with a search +which might occupy me all night, when by waiting +I may see the thief take the note from its present +hiding-place, always supposing that it is in this room? +Decidedly, patience is a virtue in this instance, and +I have only to wait."</p> + +<p class="indent">A couple of hours later, Mr. Mitchel started up +from a slight doze, and realized that he had been +disturbed, though at first he could not tell by what.</p> + +<p class="indent">Then he heard a sound which indicated that someone +was fitting a key into the lock. Perhaps the +thief was coming! This thought awakened him to +his full faculties, and he quickly hid among the folds +of some heavy draperies which served upon occasion +to divide the room into two apartments. The door +opened, and he heard the stealthy tread of soft footsteps, +though at first the figure of the intruder was +hidden from his view by the draperies which surrounded +him. In a few moments his suspense was +at an end. A young woman, of girlish figure, +passed by him and went over to the fireplace. She +was in a dainty night-robe, her long black hair hanging +in rich profusion down her back. She leaned +against the mantel, and gazed into the fire without +moving, for some minutes, and then turning suddenly, +crossed the room, going directly to one of +the book-shelves. Here she paused, then took +down several books which she placed upon a chair +near by. Her back was towards Mr. Mitchel, but +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span> +he could see her reach into the recess with her arm, +which was bared by the act, the loose sleeve of her +gown falling aside. Then there was a clicking +sound just perceptible to the ear, and Mr. Mitchel +muttered to himself:</p> + +<p class="indent">"A secret closet, with a spring catch."</p> + +<p class="indent">In another moment, the girl was replacing the +books, and, this done, she hurried from the library, +locking the door after her. Mr. Mitchel emerged +from his hiding-place, and, going to the shelf where +the girl had been, removed the books and searched +for the spring which would unlock the secret compartment. +It was not easily found, but Mr. Mitchel +was a patient and persistent man, and after nearly +an hour discovered the way of removing a sliding +panel, and took an envelope from the recess behind. +Carrying this to the fireplace, he dropped to his +knees, and withdrawing its contents, held in his +hand a Bank of England note for one thousand +pounds. He looked at it, smiled, and said in a low +tone:</p> + +<p class="indent">"And Mr. Barnes was so certain that he would +catch the thief!" Then he smiled again, replaced +the books on the shelf, decided that the large sofa +might serve as a comfortable bed, and so went to +sleep.</p> + +<p class="indent">He was awakened early, by a sense of cold. +Starting up, for a moment dazed by his unfamiliar +surroundings, he gazed first at the gray ashes of the +dead fire in the grate, and then looked towards the +windows thickly covered with frost, and shivered. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span> +Remembering where he was, he threw his arms +about, and walked up and down the long room to +start his blood moving, and induce a little warmth. +Presently he went to the back windows and looked +at the beautiful frosting, which resembled long fern +leaves. Suddenly he seemed unusually interested, +and especially attracted to one of the panes. He +examined this closely, and taking a note-book from +his pocket made a rapid sketch of the pattern on the +glass. Then he raised the sash, looked out upon +the shed, and emitted a low whistle. Next he +stepped out through the window, went down on his +hands and knees upon the tinned roof, and looked +closely at something which he saw there. Returning +to the room, one would have said that his next +act was the most curious of all. He again opened +the secret panel, and replaced the envelope containing +the bank-note. Then he went to the table +where Mr. Van Rawlston claimed that the note had +vanished, and he sat in the chair where Mr. Van +Rawlston had been when he read the will.</p> + +<p class="indent">Several hours later when Mr. Van Rawlston came +in, Mr. Mitchel was sitting in the same chair looking +through a Bible.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well," said Mr. Van Rawlston. "How did +you pass the night? Did the thief pay you a +visit?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think so," replied Mr. Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you know who took the note?" asked +Mr. Van Rawlston, eagerly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps; I do not like to jump to conclusions. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span> +This is a magnificent Bible, Mr. Van Rawlston. Is +it in the sale to-day? If so, I think I will bid +on it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, yes; it is to be sold," replied Mr. Van +Rawlston, testily. He thought Mr. Mitchel merely +wished to change the subject, and at that moment +he was more interested in bank-notes than in Bibles. +He had no idea that Mr. Mitchel really coveted the +Bible. But then he did not know that Mr. Mitchel +collected books as well as gems. He was therefore +much astonished, some hours later, when the auction +was in progress, to find Mr. Mitchel not only bidding +on the Bible, but bidding heavily.</p> + +<p class="indent">At first the bidding was spiritless, and the price +rose slowly until Mr. Mitchel made an offer of five +hundred dollars. After a moment's hesitation +young Eggleston bid fifty dollars more, and it was +seen that the contest was now between him and Mr. +Mitchel. Bidding fifty dollars at a time the price +rose to nine hundred dollars, when Eggleston remarked:</p> + +<p class="indent">"I bid nine-fifty," then turned to Mr. Mitchel +and added, "This is a family relic, sir, and I hope +you will not raise me again."</p> + +<p class="indent">"This is an open sale, I believe," said Mr. Mitchel, +bowing coldly. "I offer a thousand dollars."</p> + +<p class="indent">"One thousand and fifty," added Eggleston, +quickly.</p> + +<p class="indent">At this moment Mr. Barnes entered the room, +accompanied by a short, young man, and Mr. +Mitchel's attention seemed attracted away from the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span> +Bible. The auctioneer noticing this, called him by +name, and asked if he wished to bid again.</p> + +<p class="indent">"One moment, please," said Mr. Mitchel. +"May I look again at the volume?"</p> + +<p class="indent">It was passed to him, and he appeared to scrutinize +it closely, started slightly as though making +a discovery, and handed it back, saying:</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have made a mistake. I supposed that this +was a genuine Soncino, but I find that it is only a +reprint." Then he turned to Eggleston with a +curious smile, and said, "You may have the family +relic. I shall not bid against you."</p> + +<p class="indent">The auction over, the crowd dispersed, and when +all strangers had departed, Mr. Mitchel nodded +meaningly to Mr. Barnes, and approached young +Eggleston, who was tying up the Bible in paper. +Touching him upon the arm, he said very quietly:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Eggleston, I must ask the officer here to +arrest you!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Eggleston's hands quivered over the knot, and he +seemed too agitated to speak. The detective realizing +that Mr. Mitchel had solved the problem, quickly +stepped closer to Eggleston.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What does this mean?" asked Mr. Van Rawlston.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Call Miss Hetheridge, and I will explain," said +Mr. Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, no! Not before her!" cried Eggleston, +breaking down completely. "I confess! I loved +Alice, and wished to make it impossible for her to +marry Lumley. The note is here! Here, in the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> +Bible. I stole it, and hid it there!" With nervous +fingers he tore off the wrappings, and rapidly turning +the pages searched for the note. "Heavens! +It is not here!" He looked at Mr. Mitchel inquiringly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; it is not there. You paid too much for +that Bible. Mr. Van Rawlston, I prefer to have the +lady called, if you please."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Van Rawlston left the room, and Mr. Mitchel +addressed Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"By the way, Barnes, have you abandoned your +theory?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I suppose I must now, though I had not up to +a moment ago. I found Mr. Lumley, and accused +him of the theft. He would offer no explanation, +but willingly agreed to return with me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"We seem to have arrived just in time," said Mr. +Lumley, quietly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"In the very nick of time, as you shall hear," +said Mr. Mitchel. "Ah, here is Miss Hetheridge. +Will you be seated, please, Miss Hetheridge." He +bowed courteously as the young woman sat down, +and then proceeded.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I did not think that the bank-note had been removed +from this room. Why? Because I argued +that the theft and the hiding must have necessarily +occupied but a moment; a chosen moment when +the attention of all three others was attracted away +from the table where it lay. The one chance was +that Miss Hetheridge may have hidden it in the +folds of her gown. The men's pockets seemed too +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span> +inaccessible. I agreed with Mr. Barnes, that the +lady would scarcely steal what was her own, though +even that was possible if she did not know that it +was to be hers. For a similar reason, I did not suspect +Mr. Lumley, and thus by elimination there was +but one person left upon whom to fasten suspicion. +I supposed he would return here during the night to +recover the bank-note, and I remained in this room +to watch for him."</p> + +<p class="indent">At this Miss Hetheridge made a movement of her +lips as though about to speak, but no words escaped, +and she shrank back in her chair.</p> + +<p class="indent">"During the night," proceeded Mr. Mitchel, +"Miss Hetheridge came into this room, and hid +something. After she had left the room, relocking +the door with a duplicate key, I found what she had +hidden. It was a one thousand-pound note."</p> + +<p class="indent">There was silence for a moment, then Miss Hetheridge +cried out:</p> + +<p class="indent">"I can explain!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That is why I sent for you," said Mr. Mitchel.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The note was my own," said the girl, speaking +rapidly, "but after the disappearance of the other, +I was afraid to have it in my room lest it be found, +and seem to inculpate me. I only received it a few +days before my dear uncle died. He told me that +his brother William had sent it as a present to my +mother upon her marriage, but as he had doubted +the good intentions of my father, he had kept the +matter a secret. As both my parents died, he had +held the note in trust for me. He did not invest it, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span> +because he thought that his own fortune would be +an ample legacy to leave me. A short time before +he died, I passed my twenty-first birthday, and he +gave me the note. That is the whole truth."</p> + +<p class="indent">"To which I can testify," interjected Mr. Lumley. +"And I may now add that Miss Hetheridge +had not only promised to be my wife, but +she offered me the use of her money to buy the +partnership, which to Mr. Barnes seemed such a +suspicious act."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have only to explain then," continued Mr. +Mitchel, "how it was that I decided that Miss +Hetheridge was not the thief. This morning I +found heavy frost on the window-panes. Upon +one, however, I noticed a circular, transparent spot, +where the pattern of the frosting had been obliterated. +Instantly I comprehended what had occurred. +The thief, the real thief, had come in the night, or +rather in the morning, for I know almost the hour. +He stood upon the shed outside, and melted the +frost by breathing upon the pane, with his mouth +close to the glass. Thus making a peep-hole, he +must have seen me asleep on the sofa, and so knew +that it would be useless for him to attempt an entrance. +As the person who did this trick stood +upon the shed, I had but to measure the distance +from the shed to his peep-hole to be able to guess +his height, which I estimated to be more than six +feet. Next, there was some very interesting evidence +in the frost on the tin roof. The marks made +by the man's feet, or his heels rather, for the frost +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span> +was so light that only the impressions of the nails +in the heels would show. My own made complete +little horseshoe-shaped marks composed of dots. +But those of my predecessor were scarcely more +than half a curve, which proved that he walks on +the side of his foot, thus slightly lifting the opposite +side from the ground, or roof, as it was in this +instance. This much decided me that Miss Hetheridge +was not the thief, and I returned her bank-note +to the place where she had hidden it. Then I sat +at the table where the will was read, and studied +the situation. The easiest way to hide the note +quickly seemed to be to slip it into the Bible which +stood on the table. Therefore I was not surprised +when I found the bank-note which I have here."</p> + +<p class="indent">He drew forth the bank-note from his pocket and +handed it to Mr. Van Rawlston, who asked:</p> + +<p class="indent">"But why, then, did you try to buy the Bible?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I had no idea of doing so. You forget that I +had not seen Mr. Lumley. He, too, might have +been six feet high, and he, too, might have had the +habit of walking on the side of his heel, as I quickly +observed that Mr. Eggleston does. With only one +of the men before me I decided to run up the price +of the Bible, knowing that if he were guilty he would +bid over me. Mr. Eggleston followed my lead, and +I was almost sure of his guilt, when he made the +remark that he was buying a family relic. It was a +possible truth, and I was obliged to go on bidding, +to see how anxious he was to possess the volume. +Then, as I said awhile ago, Mr. Lumley arrived in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> +the nick of time. One glance at his short stature, +and I was ready to let the Bible go."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You said you could almost tell the hour at +which this man peeped through the window," said +Mr. Barnes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, I see! You wish me to teach you tricks in +your own trade, eh? Well, frost forms on a window-pane +when the thermometer is near or below +thirty-two. On the wall here I found a recording +thermometer, which discloses the fact that at three +o'clock this morning the temperature was as high as +forty-five, while at four it was below thirty. Frost +began to form between those hours. At five it was +so cold, twenty degrees, that I awoke. Our man +must have come between half-past four and five. +Had he come before then, his peep-hole would have +been fully covered again with frost, whereas it was +but thinly iced over, the mere freezing of the water +of the melted frost, there being no design, or pattern, +as there was over every other part of the +window-pane. So I may offer you a new version +of an old saw, and say that, 'Frost shows which way +a thief goes.'" +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> +</p> + +<hr class="hr2"/> + +<h2><a name="XII" id="XII"></a>XII</h2> + +<p class="h2a">A SHADOW OF PROOF</p> + +<p class="center">(<i>Letter from Mr. Barnes to Mr. Mitchel</i>)</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">My dear Mr. Mitchel</span>:—</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am leaving town in connection with a matter of +considerable importance, and am thus compelled to +abandon a little mystery unsolved. It is not a very +serious case, yet it presents certain unique features +which I fancy would make it attractive to you. I +therefore take the liberty of relating to you the +occurrence as it was told to me by the person who +sought my aid, as well as such steps as have been +taken by me towards its elucidation. I must confess, +however, at the outset, that though I have +learned some things, the knowledge thus gained +appears to me to complicate the affair, rather than +otherwise.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Two days ago a district messenger boy brought +me a summons, on scented paper. The writer was +a woman, who explained that she wished to intrust +to me the investigation of 'a great mystery involving +the honesty of one or two of our society leaders.' I +was urged to call without loss of time, and was at +the Madison Avenue mansion within an hour.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span> +"In response to my card, I was shown up to the +lady's boudoir, where I found Mrs. Upton eager to +unfold her story, which evidently to her mind was +of paramount consequence. I accepted an invitation +to be seated, and she began at once, assuming a low +tone, which was almost a whisper, as though she +imagined that when talking with a detective the utmost +stealth and secrecy were essential.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Mr. Barnes' she began, 'this affair is simply +awful. I have been robbed, and the thief is a +woman of my own social status. I am horrified to +discover that one of my set could stoop so low as +to steal. And then the thing itself was such a trifle. +A diamond stud, worth two hundred dollars at the +outside valuation. What do you think of it?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"Observe that she had told me little enough before +asking for an opinion. She seemed to be a +woman of mediocre mental grasp, though perhaps as +bright as most of the butterflies that flit about the +fashionable ballrooms. I decided to treat her as +though she were really very shrewd, and by a little +flattery I hoped perhaps to learn more than she +might otherwise be willing to confide to a detective, +a class of beings whom she too evidently looked +upon as necessary evils. I answered her in about +these words:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Why, Mrs. Upton' said I,'if you really know +the thief, and if, as you say, she is a society woman +and rich, it would seem to be possibly a case of +kleptomania.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Kleptomania?' she exclaimed. 'Kleptomania? +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span> +Rubbish! That is the excuse all rich +women give for what I call plain stealing. But your +idea is not new to me. I believe in being perfectly +just in these matters. I would not harm a flea, unless +he had bitten me; but when he does bite me, I +kill him. There are no half-way measures that will +suit me. No, Mr. Barnes, there is to be no compromise +in this case. I will not condone theft, even +if the thief be respectable and rich. And as for +kleptomania, as I've said before, I've looked that +up. I find it is a sort of insanity. Now there is no +insanity in this case. Quite the contrary, I assure +you.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You are very keen in your perceptions, Mrs. +Upton,' I ventured. 'If we set aside the kleptomania +idea, why, then, do you imagine a rich woman +would steal a thing of such little value?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Spite!' she snapped back without a moment's +hesitation. 'Spite, Mr. Barnes. Let that be your +cue. But I must tell you just how this happened. +You see, I hold a somewhat influential position in +the society of "The Daughters of the Revolution," +and because I do have some influence, I am constantly +bothered by people who could not become +members rightfully, if their titles were closely scrutinized; +so they undertake to gain their end through +me. They grow suddenly attentive, effusive, gushing. +I am their "dearest friend," they think me +"so charming," "so beautiful," "so delightfully +cosmopolitan and yet so exclusive." To hear them +talk you would be persuaded that I belong to both +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> +Belgravia and Bohemia in the same moment. But +I usually see through their wiles, and long before +they broach the subject I say to myself, "My dear +madame, you want one of our society badges to pin +on your breast; that is what <i>you</i> are after." Then +at last comes the note asking for a "confidential interview," +and when I grant it a lot of documents +are shown to me which are meant to uphold the +candidate's claim to membership. But there is +always the little flaw, the bar sinister as it were, +which they hope to override through influence; +through my influence, which I may state, they +never get.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Ah, then, this lady, whom you suspect of +taking your stud, had hoped to join your society?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I cannot answer that with a single word. I +cannot say either yes or no. You see, there are two +women.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Oh, I thought you knew the thief?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'So I do. I know it is one of two women. If +I knew exactly which, of course I should not need +your help. But you have interrupted my story. +Where was I?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"She evidently thought me an ass.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Oh, yes,' she resumed. 'I was telling you +how people bother me to get into our society. Well, +a woman of that kind has been fairly running after +me all winter. She is a Mrs. Merivale. She was +born an Ogden, and some of the Ogden branch are +fully entitled to membership. But, unfortunately +for her, she traces back to the brother of the Revolutionary +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> +Ogden, and <i>her</i> ancestor, far from fighting +for our independence, is said to have made quite a +tidy fortune by observing a shrewd neutrality; sometimes +crying for England and sometimes the reverse, +according to the company present. Of course, that +is not Mrs. Merivale's fault; it all happened too +long ago for her to have had any influence. But, +you see, she is not in the direct line, and we only +recognize the direct line. Heavens! if we did not, +who knows where we would end? No, collateral +branches are out of it, so far as our society is concerned, +and I told her so plainly this morning. Of +course, you can see how she might be spiteful about +it. It was a great disappointment to her.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Then you think this Mrs. Merivale took your +stud just to annoy you?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Dear me; how stupid you are! Did I not tell +you there were two women? The other is Mrs. +Ogden Beaumont. You see she clings to the family +name. She also was an Ogden, and in the line. +She is a member, and she had considerable influence +in our society at one time. But she lost it by just +such schemes as she is trying to persuade me into. +She manœuvred till she had two or three of her +friends elected, who have even less claim than her +cousin, Mrs. Merivale. Finally, it got so that if +she were to propose a name, the Membership Committee +would be suspicious at once. Now she wants +Mrs. Merivale elected, and according to her little +plan I was to be the cat's paw. The scheming of +those two women to get into my good graces has +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> +been a source of amusement to me all winter, and +the climax came this morning, when I told them +both very frankly that I had seen through them +from the start. Mrs. Merivale was horribly disappointed, +but she behaved like a lady. I must admit +that, though she said some bitter things, things she +will be sorry for, I assure you. But Mrs. Beaumont +just lost all control of her temper. She stormed +and raged, and said vile things, all of which had as +little effect on me as a pea-shooter would against the +rock of Gibraltar. So the two women went off, and +in less than five minutes I discovered that my +diamond stud had gone with them.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Gone with them? Of that you are sure?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Of course I am sure. Do you suppose I +would make such a charge without knowing that +I am in the right? Come with me, and I will convince +you.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"She led the way into a little anteroom next to +her boudoir. It was not more than eight feet square, +and not crowded with furniture. The floor of hardwood, +covered by one large silk rug, afforded little +opportunity to lose anything by dropping it. There +were four chairs, a small reading-lounge, a revolving +case filled with novels, a handsome piano-lamp, and +a little tea-table with all requisites for making tea.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'This is my little den where I retire when I am +wearied by people and things,' continued Mrs. Upton. +'Here I am surrounded by my friends, the +people that our best writers have created. I love +my books, and I get as fond of the characters as +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span> +though they were all living; more, I think, because +I do not come into actual contact with them. I can +admire the nice people, and the mean ones may be +as mean as they like without affecting me. Well, I +was lying here reading when these women were +announced, and as I was too comfortable to get up +and dress, I thought I would have them up and excuse +my toilet on the plea of indisposition. "Indisposed" +is always a useful word; indisposed to be +bothered by the visitors, you know,—the nicest of +all the white lies. So they came up here and sat +around my lounge and began to bring their all-winter's +scheme to a climax. After awhile, when I +saw that the time had arrived to disillusionize these +women, I dismissed my headache and got up to have +a frank talk with them. As I arose my diamond +stud dropped from the collar of my waist which I +had opened, and I picked it up and placed it on that +little tea-table. Then we had our little scene. It +was as good as a play. I kept my temper, as a hostess +always must, but my guests were not so self-possessed, +and, as I have said, Mrs. Merivale said a few +things, and Mrs. Beaumont a great many more, that +would not sound pretty coming out of a phonograph. +Then they left, and I walked to my window and saw +them jump into their carriage, Mrs. Beaumont slamming +the door herself with a bang that must have +weakened the hinges. That is all, except that I +immediately remembered my stud and came here for +it. It was gone.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I suppose, of course, you have searched this +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> +room, under the possibility of its having dropped to +the floor?' I inquired.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Yes, indeed,' she answered. 'I had my own +maid up, and superintended the search myself. But +I took the precaution to see that nothing should be +removed from the room. I had the door closed, and +then we took up the rug carefully and shook it. +Nothing fell from it, and the stud was not on the +floor or elsewhere. You can see yourself that it +cannot be a difficult matter to search this little room +thoroughly. It has been done without success, but +if you like you may search again. I assure you that +nothing has been taken from the room. If one of +those two women has not taken that stud, you may +count me an idiot.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You have admitted that your maid was in this +room, and that brings another possibility into the +case,' I said.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You mean that Janet might have taken it? +Not at all a possibility. In the first place she is devoted +to me, as my people adopted her when she +was but a child, and she has been personally in my +service for more than ten years. No, Janet would +not do such a thing, but even if she would, she could +not have done so. I took precautions.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'What precautions?' I asked.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Why, she would need one hand to pick it up, +and I not only kept both of her hands occupied, but +I did not permit her to stoop to the floor.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'How could you keep her hands always occupied?' +said I.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> +"'Why, most of the time she was handling the +broom, and that requires two hands. It was only +when she shook the rug and moved the sofa that +her hands were otherwise occupied. I myself did +the searching, and I am absolutely certain that Janet +had not the least opportunity to pick up so much +as a pin.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'And you think that one of your friends would +do what you would not attribute to your maid?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Assuredly. In the first place these women +are not friends of mine; after to-day, I should rather +say enemies. Moreover, I would trust Janet as I +would few of my real friends. You see I have not +tested all my friends, and I have tested Janet. She +has had temptation enough and opportunity enough +to rob me a thousand times over, were she so disposed. +No, I tell you one of those two women has +that diamond stud.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Would you mind saying which one you are the +more inclined to suspect?' I asked.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Why, that is a hard question. Sometimes I +think one, and then again the other. Mrs. Beaumont +showed so much venom that I can see more +reason to suspect her if I decide from motive alone. +It is really her scheme to get her cousin into the +society. It is she who feels most thwarted, because +of her lost influence. On the other hand, I cannot +remember seeing her within reach of the tea-table, +while Mrs. Merivale was near it all the time. So +Mrs. Merivale had the opportunity, while the incentive +through temper was with Mrs. Beaumont.'</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> +"This was the little problem which I was asked +to solve, and I think that you will comprehend my +meaning when I say that it was intricate because of +its very simplicity. Let me enumerate the facts so +as to get a sort of bird's-eye view of the situation.</p> + +<p class="indent">"First, we have two women present when the +missing property is placed on a table accessible to at +least one, and possibly to both. Second, a small +room, with floor devoid of cracks, and covered by a +rug easily moved and shaken. Third, only a few +pieces of simple furniture in the room. Fourth, the +visitors depart, and the property is missed. Fifth, +a search without discovery, a third possible thief +entering upon the scene.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We have apparently but four solutions; either +one of the three women took the stud, or else the +alleged loser lies. I omit the possibility that the +stud was merely mislaid or accidentally out of sight +in the room; this, because I personally conducted a +search, which was so systematic as to make it absolutely +assured that the stud was not in the room +when I looked for it.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of the four theories, then, I preferred first to +consider that one which the mistress declared to be +ridiculous. I insisted upon seeing and catechising +the maid Janet, thereby deepening madame's doubts +as to my ability. After talking with this girl for +half an hour, I felt so convinced of her integrity that +I mentally eliminated her from the case. Next in +order we had the two visitors, one of whom, according +to Mrs. Upton, had a motive while the other +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span> +had the opportunity. The first postulate always is +that the guilty person must have both opportunity +and motive, unless indeed we are dealing with an +insane person, when motive may be eliminated, +though frequently the insane are actuated by quite +intelligible motives. Thus we seemed obliged either +to discover that Mrs. Beaumont had an opportunity +to obtain possession of the stud, or else that Mrs. +Merivale had a motive, except that the latter may +have simply acted upon the opportunity without +motive, in which case we would be dealing with the +kleptomaniac. After due consideration I decided +to call separately upon these two ladies, and went to +Mrs. Merivale first.</p> + +<p class="indent">"She courteously received me, and as soon as I +met her I was pleasantly impressed by her personality. +After five minutes' talk I was certain that if +she took the stud, it was, after all, the act of a +kleptomaniac, and that no petty motive of revenge +would have tempted this high-born, beautiful gentlewoman +to descend to theft. She asked me the object +of my call, and looked at me so frankly that +there was no chance for subterfuge. Consequently +I openly declared the purpose of my visit.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Madame,' said I, 'I regret very much the embarrassing +nature of my errand. But you visited +Mrs. Upton this morning, I believe?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I did, in company with my cousin, Mrs. Beaumont.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Did you happen to notice that while you were +there she placed a diamond stud on the tea-table?'</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span> +"'Yes; I remember the circumstance perfectly, +because of the impression which it made upon me.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Would you mind telling me what that impression +was?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Why, simply that it was very discourteous, or +at least very untidy. When we were shown to her +room, she was lying down, with the collar of her +waist open. After a while she arose, the stud +dropped to the floor, and she picked it up and +placed it on the little tea-table. I thought that it +would have shown a greater sense of propriety if she +had replaced it and fastened her collar.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Do you recall whether the stud was still on the +table when you left?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Why, no! How should I? I paid no further +attention to it whatever.' Then as a new idea entered +her mind, her eyes flashed, and the color rose +in her cheeks as she said to me sharply:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You cannot mean that Mrs. Upton dares to +intimate——'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'She intimated nothing,' I hastened to interject. +'Immediately after your departure the stud was +missed, and the most thorough search has failed to +discover it. In these circumstances Mrs. Upton +sought my aid, and I drew from her the details of +her morning's experiences.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I imagine you had little difficulty in drawing +forth the details.' She said this with a +sneer, which made me understand how this woman +could say unpleasant things without forgetting her +dignity.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> +"'I assure you,' I hastened to add, 'Mrs. Upton +knows nothing of my visit here. I have on my own +responsibility called with the idea that if I could obtain +an account of your visit from yourself, there +might be some slight difference in the two stories +which would show me how to proceed.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I know no more than I have told you, and as +I am far from being interested in Mrs. Upton's lost +baubles, I must beg you to excuse me from further +discussion of the subject.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"I was dismissed. It was courteously done, but +done nevertheless. I could do nothing but take +leave. Still I made one venture,—</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I must ask your pardon for intruding, but, as +I have said, I thought you might be able to supply +a missing detail. For example, do you recall whether +Mrs. Upton's maid entered the room while you were +there?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I am sorry, Mr. Barnes,' said she in courteous +but firm tones, 'but I must decline to pursue this +conversation further.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"That was all. I had seen one of the suspected +persons, and learned nothing. Still an interview of +this character is bound to leave an impression, and +in this case the impression was very strongly in favor +of Mrs. Merivale. Without irrefutable proof I could +not believe that this dignified, frank woman had +stolen the stud. For the time at least I also dismissed +all theories of kleptomania.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thus my attention was directed toward the +woman who had a motive, but was reported to have +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> +lacked the opportunity. I called at once upon Mrs. +Beaumont.</p> + +<p class="indent">"This lady is of quite a different mould from her +cousin. Older by at least ten years, she is still +handsome, her beauty being, however, physical in +character only. She lacks the self-poise and dignity +which renders Mrs. Merivale's beauty so much more +attractive. Moreover, she is voluble, where the +other is reserved, a trait which I welcomed as affording +me more opportunity to gain some possible +clue to truth.</p> + +<p class="indent">"She came into her reception-room where I +awaited her, evidently brimful of curiosity. I had +sent in my card, and it seems she had heard of me +in connection with that somewhat famous wager of +yours.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Mr. Barnes, the detective, I believe,' she said +as she entered.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'At your service, Madame,' I replied. 'May +I have a few minutes' conversation with you upon a +trifling, yet quite puzzling matter?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Why, certainly,' said she, 'but don't keep me +in suspense. I am burning with curiosity to know +why a detective should call on me.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"I thought that this woman might be caught by +a sudden attack, and made the venture.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'A diamond stud was stolen from Mrs. Upton +this morning, while you were there!' I said, watching +her closely. She did not flinch, but seemed +honestly not to comprehend the suggestiveness of +my words.</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span> +"'I do not understand you,' said she.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'It is not a serious matter, Madame, but Mrs. +Upton placed a diamond stud on her tea-table while +you and Mrs. Merivale were with her, and missed it +a moment after you had left. Therefore——'</p> + +<p class="indent">"This was plain enough, and she grasped the +truth at a flash. In an instant she gave me evidence +of that temper against which I had been warned by +Mrs. Upton.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You dare to insinuate that I took her miserable +little stud? I wish my husband were at home; +I would have you horsewhipped. No, I wouldn't +either. It is not you who suspect me, it is that +self-sufficient she-devil, Mrs. Upton. So she accuses +me of being a thief, does she? Well, mark +me well, Mr. Detective, I shall make her pay dearly +for that insult. I have stood enough of that +woman's impertinent superciliousness. This is +going too far. If she has a shadow of proof against +me, she can meet me in open court. Do you understand +me? Go back and tell Mrs. Upton, with my +compliments, that she must either prove that I stole +her stud, or else I will sue her for libel. I'll let her +see with whom she is fooling.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Really, Mrs. Beaumont,' said I as soon as I +found a chance to speak, 'you have rather gotten +ahead of my intentions. I assure you that no accusation +has been made against you.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Indeed!' said she, scornfully uplifting her +nose. 'And pray, then, why have you called? +Certainly Mrs. Upton cannot imagine that I would +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span> +be interested in the petty thieving that goes on in +her house.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'The point is just this, Madame,' said I. 'The +stud was placed on a tea-table while you were present. +Mrs. Merivale has told me that she remembers +this distinctly. When you had left, the stud +was missed, and the most thorough search has been +made, not once but twice, without finding it. Indeed, +there is no place in the room where it could +have been lost. According to the story of Mrs. +Upton, the affair, trifling as it is, is a really puzzling +problem. But I ventured to hope that either Mrs. +Merivale or yourself might remember some incident +which might give me a clue; such, for example, as +the entrance of one of the house servants.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'That is nothing but a smooth story invented +by yourself,' said she, 'in order to pacify my righteous +indignation. But you cannot deceive me. +Mrs. Upton has told you that I stole her stud, and +you have come here to endeavor to prove it.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'In justice to Mrs. Upton,' said I, 'I must state, +on the contrary, that she very distinctly told me +that you could have had no opportunity to take the +stud, as you were not at any time near enough to +the tea-table to touch it.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'If she told you that, it shows how little observation +she has. I don't at all object to admitting +that I had the thing in my hand.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You had it in your hand!' I exclaimed, surprised.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Yes. It happened in this way, Mrs. Upton +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span> +received us with her collar unbuttoned, in the most +slovenly fashion. After a while she got up from the +lounge, where she was feigning a headache because +too lazy to arrange her toilet before receiving guests. +It was then that the stud fell to the floor. She +picked it up and placed it on the table. When we +were leaving she led the way out of the room, Mrs. +Merivale following, and I leaving the room last. +As I passed, I thoughtlessly picked up the stud and +looked at it. I then put it back. I have a vague +idea that it rolled off and fell to the floor, but I +can't be sure.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'That is singular,' said I; 'for if it fell to the +floor it should have been found.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Undoubtedly. Very likely it has been found; +I should say, by one of the servants. You will +never induce me to believe that Mrs. Upton took +the trouble to search for that stud without help. +She is too lazy by far.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"I thought it best to keep discreetly silent, preferring +not to mention the fact that the maid had +been in the room. It being evident to my mind +that this woman would adhere to this story, true or +false, I deemed it prudent to at least appear to believe +her.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I am much indebted to you, Madame,' said I. +'You see that, after all, my visit has led me to the +truth, for we know that the stud probably fell to +the floor, and is therefore either still in the room, or +else, as you suggest, one of the servants may have +picked it up.'</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span> +"'All that is very well, Mr. Barnes,' said she; +'and you are very clever in shielding Mrs. Upton. +But, as I said before, you do not deceive me. This +matter is more serious than you imagine. That +woman has worked systematically for two years to +supplant me in our society, "The Daughters of the +Revolution." Just now she fancies that she has +triumphed over me; but in spite of that, she is jealous +of my influence with the members, and would +go to any extreme to injure me socially. She well +knows that I did not take her stud, but she is quite +willing to allow this suspicion to drift out to the +world, knowing that it would be difficult to prove +my innocence of a charge so vaguely circulated, and +that there might be some who would turn aside from +me because of this shadow. Now this I shall not +permit. If she does not prove her charge, I shall +certainly sue her for libel, and have the whole matter +cleared up in the open tribunal of the law. You +may tell her this from me. There shall be no half-way +measures. One thing more before you go. I +must call my maid.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"She rang a bell, and a moment later her maid +responded, and at her mistress's orders went upstairs +and brought down a jewel-case of large size. +This, Mrs. Beaumont opened, and taking out the +contents strewed them on the table.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'There, do you see these?' said she with pride +in her voice. 'These are my jewels. Mrs. Upton +perhaps is richer than I am, but I defy her to show +such jewelry as I have. Some of these things are +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span> +two hundred years old. Here is a necklace which +one of my ancestors wore at the first inauguration +of Washington. Here is another which my grandmother +wore at the coronation of Queen Victoria. +Here is an emerald ring, presented to my own +mother by Napoleon. And you see what the others +are. Nearly all have some history which adds to +their intrinsic value. And with these in my possession, +to think that that woman would accuse me of +stealing a common little diamond stud! It makes +my blood boil. But I have told you what course I +shall pursue, and you may warn Mrs. Upton.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"This ended the interview. I had gained some +information at least, for I had learned that Mrs. +Beaumont did have the opportunity to take the +stud, but, on the other hand, the motive for such +an act seemed less tenable. She certainly would not +take it for its value, and in view of her own magnificent +array of jewels, she would be less likely to +imagine that she was giving Mrs. Upton any great +annoyance by the petty theft. Then, too, her assertion +that Mrs. Upton is systematically seeking to +undermine her influence in their society connections, +affords a possible reason for our last theory, that +Mrs. Upton lied in declaring that the stud had been +stolen. Thus the matter rests, as I have had no +opportunity to have another interview with Mrs. +Upton. If you call on her, I am sure that you will +be well received because of the fact that she knows +all about your outwitting me in that wager matter. +Trusting that you may care to give this little affair +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span> +some of your time and attention, and with the belief +that you will certainly unravel the tangle if you do, +I am</p> + +<p class="margin-left8">"Very sincerely yours,</p> + +<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Jack Barnes.</span>"</p> + +<p class="center">(<i>Letter from Mr. Mitchel to Mr. Barnes</i>)</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">My dear Barnes</span>:—</p> + +<p class="indent">"I read your letter with considerable interest. +As you very truly say, the case was intricate because +of its simplicity. As you had followed up three +theories with apparently the result that you were at +least tentatively satisfied that neither held the key +to the mystery, it seemed proper to take up the +affair where you had left it, and to endeavor to learn +whether or not Mrs. Upton had lied to you, and still +had the stud in her own possession. For this and +other reasons I decided to adopt your suggestion +and call upon Mrs. Upton. I did so, and, as you +surmised, was cordially received. She met me first +in her parlor, and I at once stated to her the object +of my visit.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Mrs. Upton,' said I, 'you are perhaps aware +that I have a friendly regard for Mr. Barnes, the +detective, ever since the affair of my little wager. +I have received a letter from him this morning in +which he states that an important criminal case compels +him suddenly to leave the city; he has also +given me a succinct statement of the few facts in relation +to the loss of your stud, and has asked me to +interest myself in the solution of this little mystery.'</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span> +"'And you mean to do it?' she exclaimed, impulsively. +'Why, how delightful! Of course you +will find out all about it. To think that you, Mr. +Mitchel, the man who outwitted Mr. Barnes, will +take up my case! I am honored, I assure you.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"I give you her exact words, though her flattery +was somewhat embarrassing. In the course of the +conversation she referred to you in terms which I +repeat, though I do not at all share her poor estimate +of your ability.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Of course,' said I, 'I am not a detective, yet +I do take a trifling interest in these little problems, +I find it mentally exhilarating to measure minds, as +it were, with these wrong-doers. Thus far I have +generally been successful, which, however, only +proves my claim that those who stoop to crime are +not really ever sound mentally, and consequently, +either from too little or from too much care, some +slight detail is overlooked, which, once comprehended +by the investigator, leads unerringly to the +criminal.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Ah, how delightfully you talk!' said she. 'I +am so glad you have taken this up, for, do you +know, I rather thought Mr. Barnes a little dull, not +to say stupid. Why, he actually suggested that my +maid took the stud!'</p> + +<p class="indent">"Here, I thought, was an opportune moment to +follow the method which you employed with Mrs. +Beaumont, and by a sudden, unexpected accusation, +to endeavor to surprise the truth from her. I said:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Oh, Mr. Barnes has given up that idea now, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span> +and has almost adopted one even more startling. +He thinks that perhaps you took the stud yourself."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I had expected from your estimate of this +woman's character, which you recall was not very +flattering to her mental calibre, that if indeed it +were true that she had concocted this little scheme +to injure a society rival, thus taken unawares she +would feign great indignation. On the contrary, +she laughed so heartily, and spoke of your theory so +lightly that I was practically convinced that again +we were on the wrong scent. All she said by way +of comment was:</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Well, if that is the result of his investigation, +he is a bigger fool than I took him to be. It is certain, +therefore, that he will never discover the truth, +and so I am doubly glad that he has gone out of +town, and that you have consented to take his place.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'You must not so quickly condemn Mr. Barnes,' +said I, feeling bound to defend you. 'He has really +worked in this matter quite systematically, and this +final theory has been reached by exclusion.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I do not understand,' said she, puzzled.</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Well, first he accepted your assurance that the +maid Janet was not guilty because she had no opportunity. +Then he called upon Mrs. Merivale, and +from his interview with her judged that she too +must be innocent, a view in which I must concur +after reading his report of what passed. Then he +called upon Mrs. Beaumont, and though she admitted, +what you did not yourself observe, that she +actually took the stud in her hand when leaving the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span> +room, yet it seems equally certain that she replaced +it, as she says she did. Thus, if the stud is really +not in the room, there apparently could be no other +explanation than that you are misleading us.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Us? Does that mean that you too held the +view that I merely pretend that the stud was lost?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'My dear Madame,' I replied: 'such an idea, +of course, seems preposterous, but a detective cannot +set aside any theory without thorough investigation. +In an analysis of this character the personal +equation must have a secondary place. In this affair +it could not help us at all. Perhaps you will not +understand my meaning. But do you not see that +it is just as inconceivable that either of the other +ladies should have stolen this stud of yours, as it is +to believe that you merely pretend that it is lost? +From the view-point of the impartial investigator +there can be no choice between these propositions.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I must say that you are not very flattering,' +said she, troubled, as she realized that social position +could not protect her from suspicion any more than +it would the other women. 'Why, I have my enmities, +of course, and I frankly admit that I do not +love either Mrs. Merivale or Mrs. Beaumont, especially +not the latter. Still, to concoct such a scandalous +calumny against an innocent woman would +be awful. I could not be so low as that.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I believe you,' said I, and I did. 'But, on +the other hand, would it not be equally low for +these ladies, your social equals, to stoop to petty +theft?'</p> + +<p class="indent"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span> +"'I suppose you are right,' said she reluctantly; +'but how did the stud disappear? Don't you see +that I had strong evidence against one of them? It +was there when they were in the room, and gone +when they had left. There must be some explanation +of that. What can it be?'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'Of course,' said I, 'there must be, and there +is, an explanation. The most plausible seems to be +the one suggested by Mrs. Beaumont, that it rolled +from the table to the floor when she put it back. It +seems incredible that two searches have failed to +discover it, yet it is a small object, and may be +lying now in some crevice which you all have over-looked.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"'I think not,' said she, shaking her head dubiously. +'Suppose you come up and see for yourself. +You won't find any crevices. Why, we have even +run wires along the line where the seat and back of +the lounge are joined. No, the stud is not in that +room.'</p> + +<p class="indent">"And now, friend Barnes, we come to the finale, +for I may as well tell you at once that I have found +the stud,—that, indeed, as soon as I looked into +the room, I suspected that it was within those four +walls, in a place where no one had thought of looking, +though, to mystify you a little more, I may say +that it may not have been in the room when you +made your search.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I inclose with this a sciagraph, that is to say, a +picture taken with the X-ray. You will observe that +the skeleton of a small animal is discernible surrounded +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span> +by a faint outline which suggests the form +of a dog. If you understand something of anatomy, +look where the stomach of the dog should be, and +you will notice a dark spot. This is the shadow of +the missing stud, which, as Mrs. Beaumont suggested, +must have dropped to the floor. There it +evidently attracted the attention of Mrs. Upton's +pet dog, Fidele, who took it into his mouth, with +the result shown in the sciagraph. You will ask +how I guessed this at once? In the first place I +had perfect confidence in the thoroughness of your +search, so when I saw the dog in the room, lying on +a silk pillow, two pertinent facts were prominent at +once. First, the dog may not have been in the +room when you examined the place, and consequently +you could not have counted him in as a +possible place of search. Secondly, he might easily +have been present when the two ladies called, and +this was probable since his mistress was lying down +and the dog's sleeping-pillow was near the head of +the lounge. If you noted this, you may not have +comprehended its use; perhaps you took it for one +which had slipped from the lounge. At all events, +I do not consider that you have been at all at fault. +I had better luck than you, that is all.</p> + +<p class="margin-left8">"Very sincerely yours,</p> +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Robert Leroy Mitchel.</span></p> + +<p class="indent">"P. S.—I do not myself believe in luck. I must +also state that Mrs. Upton has sent letters of apology +to the other ladies. The dog, Fidele, is to undergo +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span> +an operation to-morrow. One of our most skilful +surgeons has agreed to regain the stud and preserve +the life of the pet. A laparotomy, I believe they, +call it.—R. L. M."</p> + +<p class="center">THE END. +</p> + +<div class="tnote"> + +<p class="h2a">Transcriber's Notes:</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="indent">On the title page, a comma was placed after "A CONFLICT OF EVIDENCE".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 95, "but, as. well," was replaced with "but, as well,".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 122, the question mark after "It was +not difficult to discern that a human being had been +cremated" was replaced with a period.</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 160, "moment" was replaced with "moments".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 177, "dimunitive" was replaced with "diminutive".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 178, "momnt" was replaced with "moment".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 187, "attacted" was replaced with "attracted".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 191, "in <i>Herald</i> for D.M.," was replaced with +"in the <i>Herald</i> for D.M.,".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 226, a single quotation mark was added after "Why have you done it?".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 230, "stiring" was replaced with "stirring".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 257, "Livingston" was replaced with "Livingstone".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 274, a single quotation mark was added before "Madame, +your life is in danger."</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 319, a double quotation mark was deleted after "remaining of the thirty.'".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 327, a double quotation mark was added after "I said 'suppose,'".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 329, a quotation mark was added after "will be more +appreciative.</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 368, the double quotation mark after "yes," was replaced with a +single quotation mark.</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 384, the double quotation mark after "this little +mystery." was replaced with a single quotation mark.</p> + +<p class="indent">the double quotation mark after "you took the stud +yourself." was replaced with a single quotation mark.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Final Proof, by R. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Final Proof + or the Value of Evidence + +Author: R. Ottolengui + +Release Date: April 18, 2011 [EBook #35902] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FINAL PROOF *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Ernest Schaal, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +book was produced from scanned images of public domain +material from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + + + + + BY RODRIGUES OTTOLENGUI + + +=An Artist in Crime.= 16^o, $1.00; paper, 50 cts. + +=A Conflict of Evidence.= 16^o, $1.00; paper, 50 cts. + +=A Modern Wizard.= 16^o, $1.00; paper, 50 cts. + +=The Crime of the Century.= 16^o, $1.00; paper, 50 cts. + +=Final Proof, or, the Value of Evidence.= 16^o, $1.00; paper, 50 cts. + + + G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS + + NEW YORK & LONDON + + + + + FINAL PROOF + OR + THE VALUE OF EVIDENCE + + + BY + R. OTTOLENGUI + + + AUTHOR OF "AN ARTIST IN CRIME," "A CONFLICT OF EVIDENCE," + "THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY," ETC. + + + [Illustration] + + + G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS + NEW YORK AND LONDON + The Knickerbocker Press + 1898 + + + + + Copyright, 1898 + BY + G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS + Entered at Stationers' Hall, London + + + The Knickerbocker Press, New York + + + + + PREFATORY + + +The first meeting between Mr. Barnes, the detective, and Robert Leroy +Mitchel, the gentleman who imagines himself to be able to outdo +detectives in their own line of work, was fully set forth in the +narrative entitled _An Artist in Crime_. Subsequently the two men +occupied themselves with the solution of a startling murder mystery, the +details of which were recorded in _The Crime of the Century_. The +present volume contains the history of several cases which attracted +their attention in the interval between those already given to the +world, the first having occured shortly after the termination of the +events in _An Artist in Crime_, and the others in the order here given, +so that in a sense these stories are continuous and interdependent. + + R. O. + + + + + CONTENTS + + + PAGE + + I + THE PHOENIX OF CRIME 1 + + II + THE MISSING LINK 132 + + III + THE NAMELESS MAN 151 + + IV + THE MONTEZUMA EMERALD 169 + + V + A SINGULAR ABDUCTION 189 + + VI + THE AZTEC OPAL 210 + + VII + THE DUPLICATE HARLEQUIN 230 + + VIII + THE PEARLS OF ISIS 261 + + IX + A PROMISSORY NOTE 294 + + X + A NOVEL FORGERY 325 + + XI + A FROSTY MORNING 341 + + XII + A SHADOW OF PROOF 365 + + + + + FINAL PROOF + + OR + + THE VALUE OF EVIDENCE + + + + + FINAL PROOF + + I + + THE PHOENIX OF CRIME + + I + + +Mr. Mitchel was still at breakfast one morning, when the card of Mr. +Barnes was brought to him by his man Williams. + +"Show Mr. Barnes in here," said he. "I imagine that he must be in a +hurry to see me, else he would not call so early." + +A few minutes later the detective entered, saying: + +"It is very kind of you to let me come in without waiting. I hope that I +am not intruding." + +"Not at all. As to being kind, why I am kind to myself. I knew you must +have something interesting on hand to bring you around so early, and I +am proportionately curious; at the same time I hate to go without my +coffee, and I do not like to drink it too fast, especially good coffee, +and this is good, I assure you. Draw up and have a cup, for I observe +that you came off in such a hurry this morning that you did not get +any." + +"Why, thank you, I will take some, but how do you know that I came off +in a hurry and had no coffee at home? It seems to me that if you can +tell that, you are becoming as clever as the famous Sherlock Holmes." + +"Oh, no, indeed! You and I can hardly expect to be as shrewd as the +detectives of romance. As to my guessing that you have had no coffee, +that is not very troublesome. I notice three drops of milk on your coat, +and one on your shoe, from which I deduce, first, that you have had no +coffee, for a man who has his coffee in the morning is not apt to drink +a glass of milk besides. Second, you must have left home in a hurry, or +you would have had that coffee. Third, you took your glass of milk at +the ferry-house of the Staten Island boat, probably finding that you had +a minute to spare; this is evident because the milk spots on the tails +of your frock-coat and on your shoe show that you were standing when you +drank, and leaned over to avoid dripping the fluid on your clothes. Had +you been seated, the coat tails would have been spread apart, and +drippings would have fallen on your trousers. The fact that in spite of +your precautions the accident did occur, and yet escaped your notice, is +further proof, not only of your hurry, but also that your mind was +abstracted,--absorbed no doubt with the difficult problem about which +you have come to talk with me. How is my guess?" + +"Correct in every detail. Sherlock Holmes could have done no better. But +we will drop him and get down to my case, which, I assure you, is more +astounding than any, either in fact or fiction, that has come to my +knowledge." + +"Go ahead! Your opening argument promises a good play. Proceed without +further waste of words." + +"First, then, let me ask you, have you read the morning's papers?" + +"Just glanced through the death reports, but had gotten no further when +you came in." + +"There is one death report, then, that has escaped your attention, +probably because the notice of it occupies three columns. It is another +metropolitan mystery. Shall I read it to you? I glanced through it in +bed this morning and found it so absorbing that, as you guessed, I +hurried over here to discuss it with you, not stopping to get my +breakfast." + +"In that case you might better attack an egg or two, and let me read the +article myself." + +Mr. Mitchel took the paper from Mr. Barnes, who pointed out to him the +article in question, which, under appropriate sensational headlines, +read as follows: + + * * * * * + +"The account of a most astounding mystery is reported to-day for the +first time, though the body of the deceased, now thought to have been +murdered, was taken from the East River several days ago. The facts are +as follows. On Tuesday last, at about six o'clock in the morning, +several boys were enjoying an early swim in the river near Eighty-fifth +Street, when one who had made a deep dive, on reaching the surface +scrambled out of the water, evidently terrified. His companions crowded +about him asking what he had seen, and to them he declared that there +was a 'drownded man down there.' This caused the boys to lose all +further desire to go into the water, and while they hastily scrambled +into their clothes they discussed the situation, finally deciding that +the proper course would be to notify the police, one boy, however, wiser +than the others, declaring that he 'washed his hands of the affair' if +they should do so, because he was not 'going to be held as no witness.' +In true American fashion, nevertheless, the majority ruled, and in a +body the boys marched to the station-house and reported their discovery. +Detectives were sent to investigate, and after dragging the locality for +half an hour the body of a man was drawn out of the water. The corpse +was taken to the Morgue, and the customary red tape was slowly unwound. +At first the police thought that it was a case of accidental drowning, +no marks of violence having been found on the body, which had evidently +been in the water but a few hours. Thus no special report of the case +was made in the press. Circumstances have developed at the autopsy, +however, which make it probable that New Yorkers are to be treated to +another of the wonderful mysteries which occur all too frequently in the +metropolis. The first point of significance is the fact, on which all +the surgeons agree, that the man was dead when placed in the water. +Secondly, the doctors claim that he died of disease, and not from any +cause which would point to a crime. This conclusion seems highly +improbable, for who would throw into the water the body of one who had +died naturally, and with what object could such a singular course have +been pursued? Indeed this claim of the doctors is so preposterous that a +second examination of the body has been ordered, and will occur to-day, +when several of our most prominent surgeons will be present. The third, +and by far the most extraordinary circumstance, is the alleged +identification of the corpse. It seems that one of the surgeons +officiating at the first autopsy was attracted by a peculiar mark upon +the face of the corpse. At first it was thought that this was merely a +bruise caused by something striking the body while in the water, but a +closer examination proved it to be a skin disease known as 'lichen.' It +appears that there are several varieties of this disease, some of which +are quite well known. That found on the face of the corpse, however, is +a very rare form, only two other cases having been recorded in this +country. This is a fact of the highest importance in relation to the +events which have followed. Not unnaturally, the doctors became greatly +interested. One of these, Dr. Elliot, the young surgeon who first +examined it closely, having never seen any examples of lichen before, +spoke of it that evening at a meeting of his medical society. Having +looked up the literature relating to the disease in the interval, he was +enabled to give the technical name of this very rare form of the +disease. At this, another physician present arose, and declared that it +seemed to him a most extraordinary coincidence that this case had been +reported, for he himself had recently treated an exactly similar +condition for a patient who had finally died, his death having occurred +within a week. A lengthy and of course very technical discussion ensued, +with the result that Dr. Mortimer, the physician who had treated the +case of the patient who had so recently died, arranged with Dr. Elliot +to go with him on the following day and examine the body at the Morgue. +This he did, and, to the great amazement of his colleague, he then +declared, that the body before him was none other than that of his own +patient, supposed to have been buried. When the authorities learned of +this, they summoned the family of the deceased, two brothers and the +widow. All of these persons viewed the corpse separately, and each +declared most emphatically that it was the body of the man whose funeral +they had followed. Under ordinary circumstances, so complete an +identification of a body would leave no room for doubt, but what is to +be thought when we are informed by the family and friends of the +deceased that the corpse had been cremated? That the mourners had seen +the coffin containing the body placed in the furnace, and had waited +patiently during the incineration? And that later the ashes of the dear +departed had been delivered to them, to be finally deposited in an urn +in the family vault, where it still is with contents undisturbed? It +does not lessen the mystery to know that the body in the Morgue (or the +ashes at the cemetery) represents all that is left of one of our most +esteemed citizens, Mr. Rufus Quadrant, a gentleman who in life enjoyed +that share of wealth which made it possible for him to connect his name +with so many charities; a gentleman whose family in the past and in the +present has ever been and still is above the breath of suspicion. +Evidently there is a mystery that will try the skill of our very best +detectives." + + * * * * * + +"That last line reads like a challenge to the gentlemen of your +profession," said Mr. Mitchel to Mr. Barnes as he put down the paper. + +"I needed no such spur to urge me to undertake to unravel this case, +which certainly has most astonishing features." + +"Suppose we enumerate the important data and discover what reliable +deduction may be made therefrom." + +"That is what I have done a dozen times, with no very satisfactory +result. First, we learn that a man is found in the river upon whose face +there is a curious distinguishing mark in the form of one of the rarest +of skin diseases. Second, a man has recently died who was similarly +afflicted. The attending physician declares upon examination that the +body taken from the river is the body of his patient. Third, the family +agree that this identification is correct. Fourth, this second dead man +was cremated. Query, how can a man's body be cremated, and then be +found whole in the river subsequently? No such thing has been related in +fact or fiction since the beginning of the world." + +"Not so fast, Mr. Barnes. What of the Phoenix?" + +"Why, the living young Phoenix arose from the ashes of his dead +ancestor. But here we have seemingly a dead body re-forming from its own +ashes, the ashes meanwhile remaining intact and unaltered. A manifest +impossibility." + +"Ah; then we arrive at our first reliable deduction, Mr. Barnes." + +"Which is?" + +"Which is that, despite the doctors, we have two bodies to deal with. +The ashes in the vault represent one, while the body at the Morgue is +another." + +"Of course. So much is apparent, but you say the body at the Morgue is +another, and I ask you, which other?" + +"That we must learn. As you appear to be seeking my views in this case I +will give them to you, though of course I have nothing but this +newspaper account, which may be inaccurate. Having concluded beyond all +question that there are two bodies in this case, our first effort must +be to determine which is which. That is to say, we must discover whether +this man, Rufus Quadrant, was really cremated, which certainly ought to +be the case, or whether, by some means, another body has been exchanged +for his, by accident or by design, and if so, whose body that was." + +"_If_ it turns out that the body at the Morgue is really that of Mr. +Quadrant, then, of course, as you say, some other man's body was +cremated, and----" + +"Why may it not have been a woman's?" + +"You are right, and that only makes the point to which I was about to +call your attention more forcible. If an unknown body has been +incinerated, how can we ever identify it?" + +"I do not know. But we have not arrived at that bridge yet. The first +step is to reach a final conclusion in regard to the body at the Morgue. +There are several things to be inquired into, there." + +"I wish you would enumerate them." + +"With pleasure. First, the autopsy is said to have shown that the man +died a natural death, that is, that disease, and not one of his +fellow-beings, killed him. What disease was this, and was it the same as +that which caused the death of Mr. Quadrant? If the coroner's physicians +declared what disease killed the man, and named the same as that which +carried off Mr. Quadrant, remembering that the body before them was +unknown, we would have a strong corroboration of the alleged +identification." + +"Very true. That will be easily learned." + +"Next, as to this lichen. I should think it important to know more of +that. Is it because the two cases are examples of the same rare variety +of the disease, or was there something so distinct about the location +and area or shape of the diseased surface, that the doctor could not +possibly be mistaken?--for doctors do make mistakes, you know." + +"Yes, just as detectives do," said Mr. Barnes, smiling, as he made notes +of Mr. Mitchel's suggestions. + +"If you learn that the cause of death was the same, and that the lichen +was not merely similar but identical, I should think that there could be +little reason for longer doubting the identification. But if not fully +satisfied by your inquiries along these lines, then it might be well to +see the family of Mr. Quadrant, and inquire whether they too depend upon +this lichen as the only means of identification, or whether, entirely +aside from that diseased spot, they would be able to swear that the body +at the Morgue is their relative. You would have in connection with this +inquiry an opportunity to ask many discreet questions which might be of +assistance to you." + +"All of this is in relation to establishing beyond a doubt the identity +of the body at the Morgue, and of course the work to that end will +practically be simple. In my own mind I have no doubt that the body of +Mr. Quadrant is the one found in the water. Of course, as you suggest, +it will be as well to know this rather than merely to think it. But once +knowing it, what then of the body which is now ashes?" + +"We must identify that also." + +"Identify ashes!" exclaimed Mr. Barnes. "Not an easy task." + +"If all tasks were easy, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, "we should have +little need of talent such as yours. Suppose you follow my advice, +provided you intend to accept it, as far as I have indicated, and then +report to me the results." + +"I will do so with pleasure. I do not think it will occupy much time. +Perhaps by luncheon, I----" + +"You could get back here and join me. Do so!" + +"In the meanwhile shall you do any--any investigating?" + +"I shall do considerable thinking. I will cogitate as to the possibility +of a Phoenix arising from those ashes." + + + II + +Leaving Mr. Mitchel, Mr. Barnes went directly to the office of Dr. +Mortimer, and after waiting nearly an hour was finally ushered into the +consulting-room. + +"Dr. Mortimer," said Mr. Barnes, "I have called in relation to this +remarkable case of Mr. Quadrant. I am a detective, and the extraordinary +nature of the facts thus far published attracts me powerfully, so that, +though not connected with the regular police, I am most anxious to +unravel this mystery if possible, though, of course, I should do nothing +that would interfere with the regular officers of the law. I have +called, hoping that you might be willing to answer a few questions." + +"I think I have heard of you, Mr. Barnes, and if, as you say, you will +do nothing to interfere with justice, I have no objection to telling +you what I know, though I fear it is little enough." + +"I thank you, Doctor, for your confidence, which, I assure you, you +shall not regret. In the first place, then, I would like to ask you +about this identification. The newspaper account states that you have +depended upon some skin disease. Is that of such a nature that you can +be absolutely certain in your opinion?" + +"I think so," said the doctor. "But then, as you must have found in your +long experience, all identifications of the dead should be accepted with +a little doubt. Death alters the appearance of every part of the body, +and especially the face. We think that we know a man by the contour of +his face, whereas we often depend, during life, upon the habitual +expressions which the face ever carries. For example, suppose that we +know a young girl, full of life and happiness, with a sunny disposition +undimmed by care or the world's worry. She is ever smiling, or ready to +smile. Thus we know her. Let that girl suffer a sudden and perhaps +painful death. In terror and agony as she dies, the features are +distorted, and in death the resultant expression is somewhat stamped +upon the features. Let that body lie in the water for a time, and when +recovered it is doubtful whether all of her friends would identify her. +Some would, but others would with equal positiveness declare that these +were mistaken. Yet you observe the physical contours would still be +present." + +"I am pleased, Doctor, by what you say," said Mr. Barnes, "because with +such appreciation of the changes caused by death and exposure in the +water, I must lay greater reliance upon your identification. In this +case, as I understand it, there is something peculiar about the body, a +mark of disease called lichen, I believe?" + +"Yes. But what I have said about the changes caused by death must have +weight here also," said the doctor. "You see I am giving you all the +points that may militate against my identification, that you may the +better judge of its correctness. We must not forget that we are dealing +with a disease of very great rarity; so rare, in fact, that this very +case is the only one that I have ever seen. Consequently I cannot claim +to be perfectly familiar with the appearance of surfaces attacked by +this disease, after they have suffered the possible alterations of +death." + +"Then you mean that, after all, this spot upon which the identification +rests does not now look as it did in life?" + +"I might answer both yes and no to that. Changes have occurred, but they +do not, in my opinion, prevent me from recognizing both the disease and +the corpse. To fully explain this I must tell you something of the +disease itself, if you will not be bored?" + +"Not at all. Indeed, I prefer to know all that you can make intelligible +to a layman." + +"I will use simple language. Formerly a great number of skin diseases +were grouped under the general term 'lichen,' which included all growths +which might be considered fungoid. At the present time we are fairly +well able to separate the animal from the vegetable parasitic diseases, +and under the term 'lichen' we include very few forms. The most common +is _lichen planus_, which unfortunately is not infrequently met, and is +therefore very well understood by the specialists. _Lichen ruber_, +however, is quite distinct. It was first described by the German, Hebra, +and has been sufficiently common in Europe to enable the students to +thoroughly well describe it. In this country, however, it seems to be +one of the rarest of diseases. White of Boston reported a case, and Fox +records another, accompanied by a colored photograph, which, of course, +aids greatly in enabling any one to recognize a case should it occur. +There is one more fact to which I must allude as having an important +bearing upon my identification. _Lichen ruber_, like other lichens, is +not confined to any one part of the body; on the contrary, it would be +remarkable, should the disease be uncontrolled for any length of time, +not to see it in many places. This brings me to my point. The seat of +the disease, in the case of Mr. Quadrant, was the left cheek, where a +most disfiguring spot appeared. It happened that I was in constant +attendance upon Mr. Quadrant for the trouble which finally caused his +decease, and therefore I saw this lichen in its incipiency, and more +fortunately I recognized its true nature. Now whether due to my +treatment or not, it is a fact that the disease did not spread; that is +to say, it did not appear elsewhere upon the body." + +"I see! I see!" said Mr. Barnes, much pleased. "This is an important +point. For if the body at the Morgue exhibits a spot in that exact +locality and nowhere else, and if it is positively this same skin +disease, it is past belief that it should be any other than the body of +your patient." + +"So I argue. That two such unique examples of so rare a disease should +occur at the same time seems incredible, though remotely possible. Thus, +as you have indicated, we have but to show that the mark on the body at +the Morgue is truly caused by this disease, and not by some abrasion +while in the water, in order to make our opinion fairly tenable. Both +Dr. Elliot and myself have closely examined the spot, and we have agreed +that it is not an abrasion. Had the face been thus marked in the water, +we should find the cuticle rubbed off, which is not the case. +Contrarily, in the disease under consideration, the cuticle, though +involved in the disease, and even missing in minute spots, is +practically present. No, I am convinced that the mark on the body at the +Morgue existed in life as the result of this lichen, though the +alteration of color since death gives us a much changed appearance." + +"Then I may consider that you are confident that this mark on the body +is of the same shape, in the same position, and caused by the same +disease as that which you observed upon Mr. Quadrant?" + +"Yes. I do not hesitate to assert that. To this you may add that I +identify the body in a general way also." + +"By which you mean?" + +"That without this mark, basing my opinion merely upon my long +acquaintance with the man, I would be ready to declare that Mr. +Quadrant's body is the one which was taken from the water." + +"What, then, is your opinion as to how this strange occurrence has come +about? If Mr. Quadrant was cremated, how could----" + +"It could not, of course. This is not the age of miracles. Mr. Quadrant +was not cremated. Of that we may be certain." + +"But the family claim that they saw his body consigned to the furnace." + +"The family believe this, I have no doubt. But how could they be sure? +Let us be accurate in considering what we call facts. What did the +family see at the crematory? They saw a closed coffin placed into the +furnace." + +"A coffin, though, which contained the body of their relative." + +Mr. Barnes did not of course himself believe this, but made the remark +merely to lead the doctor on. + +"Again you are inaccurate. Let us rather say a coffin which once +contained the body of their relative." + +"Ah; then you think that it was taken from the coffin and another +substituted for it?" + +"No. I do not go so far. I think, nay, I am sure, that Mr. Quadrant's +body was taken from the coffin, but whether another was substituted for +it, is a question. The coffin may have been empty when burned." + +"Could we settle that point by an examination of the ashes?" + +The doctor started as though surprised at the question. After a little +thought he replied hesitatingly: + +"Perhaps. It seems doubtful. Ashes from bone and animal matter would, I +suppose, bring us chemical results different from those of burned wood. +Whether our analytical chemists could solve such a problem remains to be +seen. Ordinarily one would think that ashes would resist all efforts at +identification." The doctor seemed lost in thoughtful consideration of +this scientific problem. + +"The trimmings of the coffin might contain animal matter if made of +wool," suggested Mr. Barnes. + +"True; that would certainly complicate the work of the chemist, and +throw doubt upon his reported results." + +"You admitted, Doctor, that the body was placed in the coffin. Do you +know that positively?" + +"Yes. I called on the widow on the night previous to the funeral, and +the body was then in the coffin. I saw it in company with the widow and +the two brothers. It was then that it was decided that the coffin should +be closed and not opened again." + +"Whose wish was this?" + +"The widow's. You may well understand that this lichen greatly +disfigured Mr. Quadrant, and that he was extremely sensitive about it. +So much so that he had not allowed any one to see him for many weeks +prior to his death. It was in deference to this that the widow expressed +the wish that no one but the immediate family should see him in his +coffin. For this reason also she stipulated that the coffin should be +burned with the body." + +"You say this was decided on the night before the funeral?" + +"Yes. To be accurate, about five o'clock in the afternoon, though at +this season and in the closed rooms the lamps were already lighted." + +"Was this known to many persons? That is, that the coffin was not again +to be opened?" + +"It was known of course to the two brothers, and also to the undertaker +and two of his assistants who were present." + +"The undertaker himself closed the casket, I presume?" + +"Yes. He was closing it as I escorted the widow back to her own room." + +"Did the brothers leave the room with you?" + +"I think so. Yes, I am sure of it." + +"So that the body was left with the undertaker and his men, after they +knew that it was not to be opened again?" + +"Yes." + +"Did these men leave before you did?" + +"No. I left almost immediately after taking the widow to her own room +and seeing her comfortably lying down, apparently recovered from the +hysterical spell which I had been summoned to check. You know, of +course, that the Quadrant residence is but a block from here." + +"There is one more point, Doctor. Of what disease did Mr. Quadrant die?" + +"My diagnosis was what in common parlance I may call cancer of the +stomach. This, of course, I only knew from the symptoms. That is to say, +there had been no operation, as the patient was strenuously opposed to +such a procedure. He repeatedly said to me, 'I would rather die than be +cut up.' A strange prejudice in these days of successful surgery, when +the knife in skilful hands promises so much more than medication." + +"Still these symptoms were sufficient in your own mind to satisfy you +that your diagnosis was accurate?" + +"I can only say in reply that I have frequently in the presence of +similar symptoms performed an operation, and always with the same +result. The cancer was always present." + +"Now the coroner's autopsy on the body at the Morgue is said to have +shown that death was due to disease. Do you know what they discovered?" + +"Dr. Elliot told me that it was cancer of the stomach." + +"Why, then, the identification seems absolute?" + +"So it seems. Yes." + + + III + +Mr. Barnes next called at the home of the Quadrants, and was informed +that both of the gentlemen were out. With some hesitation he sent a +brief note in to the widow, explaining his purpose and asking for an +interview. To his gratification his request was granted, and he was +shown up to that lady's reception-room. + +"I fear, madame," said he, "that my visit may seem an intrusion, but I +take the deepest sort of interest in this sad affair of your husband, +and I would much appreciate having your permission and authority to +investigate it, with the hope of discovering the wrong-doers." + +"I see by your note," said Mrs. Quadrant in a low, sad voice, "that you +are a detective, but not connected with the police. That is why I have +decided to see you. I have declined to see the regular detective sent +here by the police, though my husband's brothers, I believe, have +answered all his questions. But as for myself, I felt that I could not +place this matter in the hands of men whom my husband always distrusted. +Perhaps his prejudice was due to his politics, but he frequently +declared that our police force was corrupt. Thus you understand why I am +really glad that you have called, for I am anxious, nay, determined, to +discover if possible who it was who has done me this grievous wrong. To +think that my poor husband was there in the river, when I thought that +his body had been duly disposed of. It is horrible, horrible!" + +"It is indeed horrible, madame," said Mr. Barnes sympathizingly. "But we +must find the guilty person or persons and bring them to justice." + +"Yes! That is what I wish. That is what I am ready to pay any sum to +accomplish. You must not consider you are working, as you courteously +offer, merely to satisfy your professional interest in a mysterious +case. I wish you to undertake this as my special agent." + +"As you please, madame, but in that case I must make one condition. I +would ask that you tell this to no one unless I find it necessary. At +present I think I can do better if I am merely regarded as a busybody +detective attracted by an odd case." + +"Why, certainly, no one need know. Now tell me what you think of this +matter." + +"Well, it is rather early to formulate an opinion. An opinion is +dangerous. One is so apt to endeavor to prove himself right, whereas he +ought merely to seek out the truth. But if you have any opinion, it is +necessary for me to know it. Therefore I must answer you by asking the +very question which you have asked me. What do you think?" + +"I think that some one took the body of my husband from the coffin, and +that we burned an empty casket. But to guess what motive there could be +for such an act would be beyond my mental abilities. I have thought +about it till my head has ached, but I can find no reason for such an +unreasonable act." + +"Let me then suggest one to you, and then perhaps your opinion may +be more useful. Suppose that some person, some one who had the +opportunity, had committed a murder. By removing the body of your +husband, and replacing it with that of his victim, the evidences of his +own crime would be concealed. The discovery of your husband's body, +even if identified, as it has been, could lead to little else than +mystification, for the criminal well knew that the autopsy would show +natural causes of death." + +"But what a terrible solution this is which you suggest! Why, no one had +access to the coffin except the undertaker and his two men!" + +"You naturally omit your two brothers, but a detective cannot make such +discrimination." + +"Why, of course I do not count them, for certainly neither of them could +be guilty of such a crime as you suggest. It is true that Amos--but that +is of no consequence." + +"Who is Amos?" asked Mr. Barnes, aroused by the fact that Mrs. Quadrant +had left her remark unfinished. + +"Amos is one of my brothers--my husband's brothers, I mean. Amos +Quadrant was next in age, and Mark the youngest of the three. But, Mr. +Barnes, how could one of the undertakers have made this exchange which +you suggest? Certainly they could not have brought the dead body here, +and my husband's body never left the house prior to the funeral." + +"The corpse which was left in place of that of your husband must have +been smuggled into this house by some one. Why not by one of these men? +How, is a matter for explanation later. There is one other possibility +about which you may be able to enlighten me. What opportunity, if any, +was there that this substitution may have occurred at the crematory?" + +"None at all. The coffin was taken from the hearse by our own +pall-bearers, friends all of them, and carried directly to the room into +which the furnace opened. Then, in accordance with my special request, +the coffin, unopened, was placed in the furnace in full view of all +present." + +"Were you there yourself?" + +"Oh! no, no! I could not have endured such a sight. The cremation was +resorted to as a special request of my husband. But I am bitterly +opposed to such a disposition of the dead, and therefore remained at +home." + +"Then how do you know what you have told me?--that there was no chance +for substitution at the crematory?" + +"Because my brothers and other friends have related all that occurred +there in detail, and all tell the same story that I have told you." + +"Dr. Mortimer tells me that you decided to have the coffin closed +finally on the evening prior to the funeral. With the casket closed, I +presume you did not consider it necessary to have the usual watchers?" + +"Not exactly, though the two gentlemen, I believe, sat up through the +night, and occasionally visited the room where the casket was." + +"Ah! Then it would seem to have been impossible for any one to enter the +house and accomplish the exchange, without being detected by one or both +of these gentlemen?" + +"Of course not," said Mrs. Quadrant, and then, realizing the necessary +deduction, she hastened to add: "I do not know. After all, they may not +have sat up through all the night." + +"Did any one enter the house that night, so far as you know?" + +"No one, except Dr. Mortimer, who stopped in about ten as he was +returning from a late professional call. He asked how I was, and went +on, I believe." + +"But neither of the undertakers came back upon any excuse?" + +"Not to my knowledge." + +At this moment some one was heard walking in the hall below, and Mrs. +Quadrant added: + +"I think that may be one of my brothers now. Suppose you go down and +speak to him. He would know whether any one came to the house during the +night. You may tell him that you have seen me, if you wish, and that I +have no objection to your endeavoring to discover the truth." + +Mr. Barnes bade Mrs. Quadrant adieu and went down to the parlor floor. +Not meeting any one, he touched a bell, and when the servant responded, +asked for either of the gentlemen of the house who might have come in. +He was informed that Mr. Mark Quadrant was in the library, and was +invited to see him there. + +Mr. Mark Quadrant was of medium height, body finely proportioned, erect +figure, a well-poised head, keen, bright eyes, a decided blond, and wore +a Vandyke beard, close trimmed. He looked at Mr. Barnes in such a manner +that the detective knew that whatever he might learn from this man would +be nothing that he would prefer to conceal, unless accidentally +surprised from him. It was necessary therefore to approach the subject +with considerable circumspection. + +"I have called," said Mr. Barnes, "in relation to the mysterious +circumstances surrounding the death of your brother." + +"Are you connected with the police force?" asked Mr. Quadrant. + +"No. I am a private detective." + +"Then you will pardon my saying that you are an intruder--an unwelcome +intruder." + +"I think not," said Mr. Barnes, showing no irritation at his reception. +"I have the permission of Mrs. Quadrant to investigate this affair." + +"Oh! You have seen her, have you?" + +"I have just had an interview with her." + +"Then your intrusion is more than unwelcome; it is an impertinence." + +"Why, pray?" + +"You should have seen myself or my brother, before disturbing a woman in +the midst of her grief." + +"I asked for you or your brother, but you were both away. It was only +then that I asked to see Mrs. Quadrant." + +"You should not have done so. It was impertinent, I repeat. Why could +you not have waited to see one of us?" + +"Justice cannot wait. Delay is often dangerous." + +"What have you to do with justice? This affair is none of your +business." + +"The State assumes that a crime is an outrage against all its citizens, +and any man has the right to seek out and secure the punishment of the +criminal." + +"How do you know that any crime has been committed?" + +"There can be no doubt about it. The removal of your brother's body from +his coffin was a criminal act in itself, even if we do not take into +account the object of the person who did this." + +"And what, pray, was the object, since you are so wise?" + +"Perhaps the substitution of the body of a victim of murder, in order +that the person killed might be incinerated." + +"That proposition is worthy of a detective. You first invent a crime, +and then seek to gain employment in ferreting out what never occurred." + +"That hardly holds with me, as I have offered my service without +remuneration." + +"Oh, I see. An enthusiast in your calling! A crank, in other words. +Well, let me prick your little bubble. Suppose I can supply you with +another motive, one not at all connected with murder?" + +"I should be glad to hear you propound one." + +"Suppose that I tell you that though my brother requested that his body +should be cremated, both his widow and myself were opposed? Suppose that +I further state that my brother Amos, being older than I, assumed the +management of affairs, and insisted that the cremation should occur? And +then suppose that I admit that to thwart that, I removed the body +myself?" + +"You ask me to suppose all this," said Mr. Barnes quietly. "In reply, I +ask you, do you make such a statement?" + +"Why, no. I do not intend to make any statement, because I do not +consider that you have any right to mix yourself up in this affair. It +is my wish that the matter should be allowed to rest. Nothing could be +more repugnant to my feelings, or to my brother's, were he alive, poor +fellow, than all this newspaper notoriety. I wish to see the body +buried, and the mystery with it. I have no desire for any solution." + +"But, despite your wishes, the affair will be, must be, investigated. +Now, to discuss your imaginary proposition, I will say that it is so +improbable that no one would believe it." + +"Why not, pray?" + +"First, because it was an unnatural procedure upon such an inadequate +motive. A man might kill his brother, but he would hardly desecrate his +brother's coffin merely to prevent a certain form of disposing of the +dead." + +"That is mere presumption. You cannot dogmatically state what may +actuate a man." + +"But in this case the means was inadequate to the end." + +"How so?" + +"If the combined wishes of yourself and the widow could not sway your +brother Amos, who had taken charge of the funeral, how could you hope +when the body should be removed from the river, that he would be more +easily brought around to your wishes?" + +"The effort to cremate the body having failed once, he would not resist +my wishes in the second burial." + +"That is doubtful. I should think he would be so incensed by your act, +that he would be more than ever determined that you should have no say +in the matter. But supposing that you believed otherwise, and that you +wished to carry out this extraordinary scheme, you had no opportunity to +do so." + +"Why not?" + +"I suppose, of course, that your brother sat up with the corpse through +the night before the funeral." + +"Exactly. You suppose a good deal more than you know. My brother did not +sit up with the corpse. As the coffin had been closed, there was no need +to follow that obsolete custom. My brother retired before ten o'clock. +I myself remained up some hours longer." + +Thus in the mental sparring Mr. Barnes had succeeded in learning one +fact from this reluctant witness. + +"But even so," persisted the detective, "you would have found difficulty +in removing the body from this house to the river." + +"Yet it was done, was it not?" + +This was unanswerable. Mr. Barnes did not for a moment place any faith +in what this brother had said. He argued that had he done anything like +what he suggested, he would never have hinted at it as a possibility. +Why he did so was a puzzle. Perhaps he merely wished to make the affair +seem more intricate, in the hope of persuading him to drop the +investigation, being, as he had stated, honestly anxious to have the +matter removed from the public gaze, and caring nothing about any +explanation of how his brother's body had been taken from the coffin. On +the other hand, there was a possibility which could not be entirely +overlooked. He might really have been guilty of acting as he had +suggested, and perhaps now told of it as a cunning way of causing the +detective to discredit such a solution of the mystery. Mr. Barnes +thought it well to pursue the subject a little further. + +"Suppose," said he, "that it could be shown that the ashes now in the +urn at the cemetery are the ashes of a human being?" + +"You will be smart if you can prove that," said Mr. Quadrant. "Ashes +are ashes, I take it, and you will get little proof there. But since you +discussed my proposition, I will argue with you about yours. You say, +suppose the ashes are those of a human being. Very well, then, that +would prove that my brother was cremated after all, and that I have been +guying you, playing with you as a fisherman who fools a fish with +feathers instead of real bait." + +"But what of the identification of the body at the Morgue?" + +"Was there ever a body at the Morgue that was not identified a dozen +times? People are apt to be mistaken about their friends after death." + +"But this identification was quite complete, being backed up by +scientific reasons advanced by experts." + +"Yes, but did you ever see a trial where expert witnesses were called, +that equally expert witnesses did not testify to the exact contrary? Let +me ask you a question. Have you seen this body at the Morgue?" + +"Not yet." + +"Go and see it. Examine the sole of the left foot. If you do not find a +scar three or four inches long the body is not that of my brother. This +scar was the result of a bad gash made by stepping on a shell when in +bathing. He was a boy at the time, and I was with him." + +"But, Mr. Quadrant," said Mr. Barnes, astonished by the new turn of the +conversation, "I understood that you yourself admitted that the +identification was correct." + +"The body was identified by Dr. Mortimer first. My sister and my brother +agreed with the doctor, and I agreed with them all, for reasons of my +own." + +"Would you mind stating those reasons?" + +"You are not very shrewd if you cannot guess. I want this matter +dropped. Had I denied the identity of the body it must have remained at +the Morgue, entailing more newspaper sensationalism. By admitting the +identity, I hoped that the body would be given to us for burial, and +that the affair would then be allowed to die." + +"Then if, as you now signify, this is not your brother's body, what +shall I think of your suggestion that you yourself placed the body in +the river?" + +"What shall you think? Why, think what you like. That is your affair. +The less you think about it, though, the better pleased I should be. And +now really I cannot permit this conversation to be prolonged. You must +go, and if you please I wish that you do not come here again." + +"I am sorry that I cannot promise that. I shall come if I think it +necessary. This is your sister's house, I believe, and she has expressed +a wish that I pursue this case to the end." + +"My sister is a fool. At any rate, I can assure you, you shall not get +another chance at me, so make the most of what information I have given +you. Good morning." + +With these words Mr. Mark Quadrant walked out of the room, leaving Mr. +Barnes alone. + + + IV + +Mr. Barnes stood for a moment in a quandary, and then decided upon a +course of action. He touched the bell which he knew would call the +butler, and then sat down by the grate fire to wait. Almost immediately +his eye fell upon a bit of white paper protruding from beneath a small +rug, and he picked it up. Examining it closely, he guessed that it had +once contained some medicine in powder form, but nothing in the shape of +a label, or traces of the powder itself, was there to tell what the drug +had been. + +"I wonder," thought he, "whether this bit of paper would furnish me with +a clue? I must have it examined by a chemist. He may discern by his +methods what I cannot detect with the naked eye." + +With this thought in his mind, he carefully folded the paper in its +original creases and deposited it in his wallet. At that moment the +butler entered. + +"What is your name?" asked Mr. Barnes. + +"Thomas, sir," said the man, a fine specimen of the intelligent New York +negro. "Thomas Jefferson." + +"Well, Thomas, I am a detective, and your mistress wishes me to look +into the peculiar circumstances which, as you know, have occurred. Are +you willing to help me?" + +"I'll do anything for the mistress, sir." + +"Very good. That is quite proper. Now, then, do you remember your +master's death?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"And his funeral?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"You know when the undertaker and his men came and went, and how often, +I presume? You let them in and saw them?" + +"I let them in, yes, sir. But once or twice they went out without my +knowing." + +"At five o'clock on the afternoon before the funeral, I am told that +Mrs. Quadrant visited the room where the body was, and ordered that the +coffin should be closed for the last time. Did you know this?" + +"No, sir." + +"I understand that at that time the undertaker and two of his men were +in the room, as were also the two Mr. Quadrants, Mrs. Quadrant, and the +doctor. Now, be as accurate as you can, and tell me in what order and +when these persons left the house." + +"Dr. Mortimer went away, I remember, just after Mrs. Quadrant went to +her room to lie down. Then the gentlemen went in to dinner, and I served +them. The undertaker and one of his men left together just as dinner was +put on table. I remember that because the undertaker stood in the hall +and spoke a word to Mr. Amos just as he was entering the dining-room. +Mr. Amos then turned to me, and said for me to show them out. I went to +the door with them, and then went back to the dining-room." + +"Ah! Then one of the undertaker's men was left alone with the body?" + +"I suppose so, unless he went away first. I did not see him go at all. +But, come to think of it, he must have been there after the other two +went away." + +"Why?" + +"Because, when I let out the undertaker and his man, their wagon was at +the door, but they walked off and left it. After dinner it was gone, so +the other man must have gone out and driven off in it." + +"Very probably. Now, can you tell me this man's name? The last to leave +the house, I mean?" + +"I heard the undertaker call one 'Jack,' but I do not know which one." + +"But you saw the two men--the assistants, I mean. Can you not describe +the one that was here last?" + +"Not very well. All I can say is that the one that went away with the +undertaker was a youngish fellow without any mustache. The other was a +short, thick-set man, with dark hair and a stubby mustache. That is all +I noticed." + +"That will be enough. I can probably find him at the undertaker's. Now, +can you remember whether either of the gentlemen sat up with the corpse +that night?" + +"Both the gentlemen sat in here till ten o'clock. The body was across +the hall in the little reception-room near the front door. About ten the +door-bell rang, and I let in the doctor, who stopped to ask after Mrs. +Quadrant. He and Mr. Amos went up to her room. The doctor came down in a +few minutes, alone, and came into this room to talk with Mr. Mark." + +"How long did he stay?" + +"I don't know. Not long, I think, because he had on his overcoat. But +Mr. Mark told me I could go to bed, and he would let the doctor out. So +I just brought them a fresh pitcher of ice-water, and went to my own +room." + +"That is all, then, that you know of what occurred that night?" + +"No, sir. There was another thing, that I have not mentioned to any one, +though I don't think it amounts to anything." + +"What was that?" + +"Some time in the night I thought I heard a door slam, and the noise +woke me up. I jumped out of bed and slipped on some clothes and came as +far as the door here, but I did not come in." + +"Why not?" + +"Because I saw Mr. Amos in here, standing by the centre-table with a +lamp in his hand. He was looking down at Mr. Mark, who was fast asleep +alongside of the table, with his head resting on his arm on the table." + +"Did you notice whether Mr. Amos was dressed or not?" + +"Yes, sir. That's what surprised me. He had all his clothes on." + +"Did he awaken his brother?" + +"No. He just looked at him, and then tiptoed out and went upstairs. I +slipped behind the hall door, so that he would not see me." + +"Was the lamp in his hand one that he had brought down from his own +room?" + +"No, sir. It was one that I had been ordered to put in the room where +the coffin was, as they did not want the electric light turned on in +there all night. Mr. Amos went back into the front room, and left the +lamp there before he went upstairs." + +"Do you know when Mr. Mark went up to his room? Did he remain downstairs +all night?" + +"No, sir. He was in bed in his own room when I came around in the +morning. About six o'clock, that was. But I don't know when he went to +bed. He did not come down to breakfast, though, till nearly noon. The +funeral was at two o'clock." + +"That is all, I think," said Mr. Barnes. "But do not let any one know +that I have talked with you." + +"Just as you say, sir." + +As it was now nearing noon, Mr. Barnes left the house and hastened up to +Mr. Mitchel's residence to keep his engagement for luncheon. Arrived +there, he was surprised to have Williams inform him that he had received +a telephone message to the effect that Mr. Mitchel would not be at home +for luncheon. + +"But, Inspector," said Williams, "here's a note just left for you by a +messenger." + +Mr. Barnes took the envelope, which he found inclosed the following from +Mr. Mitchel: + +"FRIEND BARNES:-- + +"Am sorry I cannot be home to luncheon. Williams will give you a bite. I +have news for you. I have seen the ashes, and there is now no doubt that +a body, a human body, was burned at the crematory that day. I do not +despair that we may yet discover whose body it was. More when I know +more." + + + V + +Mr. Barnes read this note over two or three times, and then folded it +thoughtfully and put it in his pocket. He found it difficult to decide +whether Mr. Mitchel had been really detained, or whether he had +purposely broken his appointment. If the latter, then Mr. Barnes felt +sure that already he had made some discovery which rendered this case +doubly attractive to him, so much so that he had concluded to seek the +solution himself. + +"That man is a monomaniac," thought Mr. Barnes, somewhat nettled. "I +come here and attract his attention to a case that I know will afford +him an opportunity to follow a fad, and now he goes off and is working +the case alone. It is not fair. But I suppose this is another challenge, +and I must work rapidly to get at the truth ahead of him. Well, I will +accept, and fight it out." + +Thus musing, Mr. Barnes, who had declined Williams's offer to serve +luncheon, left the house and proceeded to the shop of the undertaker. +This man had a name the full significance of which had never come home +to him until he began the business of caring for the dead. He spelled it +Berial, and insisted that the pronunciation demanded a long sound to the +"i," and a strong accent on the middle syllable. But he was constantly +annoyed by the cheap wit of acquaintances, who with a significant titter +would call him either Mr. "Burial," or Mr. "Bury all." + +Mr. Barnes found Mr. Berial disengaged, undertakers, fortunately, not +always being rushed with business, and encountered no difficulty in +approaching his subject. + +"I have called, Mr. Berial," said the detective, "to get a little +information about your management of the funeral of Mr. Quadrant." + +"Certainly," said Mr. Berial; "any information I can give, you are +welcome to. Detective, I suppose?" + +"Yes; in the interest of the family," replied Mr. Barnes. "There are +some odd features of this case, Mr. Berial." + +"Odd?" said the undertaker. "Odd don't half cover it. It's the most +remarkable thing in the history of the world. Here I am, with an +experience in funerals covering thirty years, and I go and have a man +decently cremated, and, by hickory, if he ain't found floating in the +river the next morning. Odd? Why, there ain't any word to describe a +thing like that. It's devilish; that's the nearest I can come to it." + +"Well, hardly that," said Mr. Barnes, with a smile. "Of course, since +Mr. Quadrant's body has been found in the river, it never was cremated." + +"Who says so?" asked the undertaker, sharply. "Not cremated? Want to bet +on that? I suppose not. We can't make a bet about the dead. It wouldn't +be professional. But Mr. Quadrant was cremated. There isn't any question +about that point. Put that down as final." + +"But it is impossible that he should have been cremated, and then +reappear at the Morgue." + +"Just what I say. The thing's devilish. There's a hitch, of course. But +why should it be at my end, eh? Tell me that, will you? There's just as +much chance for a mistake at the Morgue as at the funeral, isn't there?" +This was said in a tone that challenged dispute. + +"What mistake could have occurred at the Morgue?" asked Mr. Barnes. + +"Mistaken identification," replied the undertaker so quickly that he had +evidently anticipated the question. "Mistaken identification. That's +your cue, Mr. Barnes. It's happened often enough before," he added, with +a chuckle. + +"I scarcely think there can be a mistake of that character," said Mr. +Barnes, thinking, nevertheless, of the scar on the foot. "This +identification is not merely one of recognition; it is supported by +scientific reason, advanced by the doctors." + +"Oh! doctors make mistakes too, I guess," said Mr. Berial, testily. +"Look here, you're a detective. You're accustomed to weigh evidence. +Now tell me, will you, how could this man be cremated, as I tell you he +was, and then turn up in the river? Answer that, and I'll argue with +you." + +"The question, of course, turns on the fact of the cremation. How do you +know that the body was in the coffin when it was consigned to the +furnace?" + +"How do I know? Why, ain't that my business? Who should know if I don't? +Didn't I put the body in the coffin myself?" + +"Very true. But why could not some one have taken the body out after you +closed the coffin finally, and before the hour of the funeral?" + +Mr. Berial laughed softly to himself, as though enjoying a joke too good +to be shared too soon with another. Presently he said: + +"That's a proper question, of course; a very proper question, and I'll +answer it. But I must tell you a secret, so you may understand it. You +see in this business we depend a good deal on the recommendation of the +attending physician. Some doctors are real professional, and recommend a +man on his merits. Others are different. They expect a commission. +Surprises you, don't it? But it's done every day in this town. The +doctor can't save his patient, and the patient dies. Then he tells the +sorrowing friends that such and such an undertaker is the proper party +to hide away the result of his failure; failure to cure, of course. In +due time he gets his little check, ten per cent. of the funeral bill. +This seems like wandering away from the point, but I am coming back to +it. This commission arrangement naturally keeps me on the books of +certain doctors, and vicy versy it keeps them on mine. So, working for +certain doctors, it follows that I work for a certain set of people. Now +I've a Catholic doctor on my books, and it happens that the cemetery +where that church buries is in a lonesome place; just the spot for a +grave-robber to work undisturbed, especially if the watchman out there +should happen to be fond of his tipple, which I tell you, again in +confidence, that he is. Now, then, it has happened more than once, +though it has been kept quiet, that a grave filled up one afternoon +would be empty the next morning. At least the body would be gone. Of +course they wouldn't take the coffin, as they'd be likely to be caught +getting rid of it. You see, a coffin ain't exactly regular household +furniture. If they have time they fill the grave again, but often enough +they're too anxious to get away, because, of course, the watchman might +not be drunk. Well, these things being kept secret, but still pretty +well known in the congregation, told in whispers, I might say, a sort of +demand sprung up for a style of coffin that a grave-robber couldn't +open,--a sort of coffin with a combination lock, as it were." + +"You don't mean to say--" began Mr. Barnes, greatly interested at last +in the old man's rather lengthy speech. He was interrupted by the +undertaker, who again chuckled as he exclaimed: + +"Don't I? Well, I do, though. Of course I don't mean there's really a +combination lock. That would never do. We often have to open the coffin +for a friend who wants to see the dead face again, or for folks that +come to the funeral late. It's funny, when you come to think of it, how +folks will be late to funerals. As they only have this last visit to +make, you'd think they'd make it a point to be on time and not delay the +funeral. But about the way I fasten a coffin. If any grave-robber +tackles one of my coffins without knowing the trick, he'd be astonished, +I tell you. I often think of it and laugh. You see, there's a dozen +screws and they look just like ordinary screws. But if you work them all +out with a screw-driver, your coffin lid is just as tight as ever. You +see, it's this way. The real screw works with a reverse thread, and is +hollow on the top. Now I have a screw-driver that is really a screw. +When the screw-threaded end of this is screwed into the hollow end of +the coffin-bolt, as soon as it is in tight it begins to unscrew the +bolt. To put the bolt in, in the first place, I first screw it tight on +to my screw-driver, and then drive it in, turning backwards, and as soon +as it is tight my screw-driver begins to unscrew and so comes out. Then +I drop in my dummy screw, and just turn it down to fill the hole. Now +the dummy screw and the reverse thread of the real bolt is a puzzle for +a grave-robber, and anyway he couldn't solve it without one of my own +tools." + +Mr. Barnes reflected deeply upon this as a most important statement. If +Mr. Quadrant's coffin was thus fastened, no one could have opened it +without the necessary knowledge and the special screw-driver. He +recalled that the butler had told him that one of Mr. Berial's men had +been at the house after the departure of the others. This man was +therefore in the position to have opened the coffin, supposing that he +had had one of the screw-drivers. Of this it would be well to learn. + +"I suppose," said Mr. Barnes, "that the coffin in which you placed Mr. +Quadrant was fastened in this fashion?" + +"Yes; and I put the lid on and fastened it myself." + +"What, then, did you do with the screw-driver? You might have left it at +the house." + +"I might have, but I didn't. No; I'm not getting up a combination and +then leaving the key around loose. No, sir; there's only one of those +screw-drivers, and I take care of it myself. I'll show it to you." + +The old man went to a drawer, which he unlocked, and brought back the +tool. + +"You see what it is," he continued--"double-ended. This end is just the +common every-day screw-driver. That is for the dummies that fill up the +hollow ends after the bolts are sent home. The other end, you see, looks +just like an ordinary screw with straight sides. There's a shoulder to +keep it from jamming. Now that's the only one of those, and I keep it +locked in that drawer with a Yale lock, and the key is always in my +pocket. No; I guess that coffin wasn't opened after I shut it." + +Mr. Barnes examined the tool closely, and formed his own conclusions, +which he thought best to keep to himself. + +"Yes," said he aloud; "it does seem as though the mistake must be in the +identification." + +"What did I tell you?" exclaimed Mr. Berial, delighted at thinking that +he had convinced the detective. "Oh, I guess I know my business." + +"I was told at the house," said Mr. Barnes, "that when you left, after +closing the coffin, one of your men stayed behind. Why was that?" + +"Oh, I was hungry and anxious to get back for dinner. One of my men, +Jack, I brought away with me, because I had to send him up to another +place to get some final directions for another funeral. The other man +stayed behind to straighten up the place and bring off our things in the +wagon." + +"Who was this man? What is his name?" + +"Jerry, we called him. I don't know his last name." + +"I would like to have a talk with him. Can I see him?" + +"I am afraid not. He isn't working with me any more." + +"How was that?" + +"He left, that's all. Threw up his job." + +"When was that?" + +"This morning." + +"This morning?" + +"Yes; just as soon as I got here, about eight o'clock." + +Mr. Barnes wondered whether there was any connection between this man's +giving up his position, and the account of the discoveries in regard to +Mr. Quadrant's body which the morning papers had published. + + + VI + +"Mr. Berial," said Mr. Barnes after a few moments' thought, "I wish you +would let me have a little talk with your man--Jack, I think you called +him. And I would like to speak to him alone if you don't mind. I feel +that I must find this other fellow, Jerry, and perhaps Jack may be able +to give me some information as to his home, unless you can yourself tell +me where he lives." + +"No; I know nothing about him," said Mr. Berial. "Of course you can +speak to Jack. I'll call him in here and I'll be off to attend to some +business. That will leave you alone with him." + +Jack, when he came in, proved to be a character. Mr. Barnes soon +discovered that he had little faith in the good intentions of any one in +the world except himself. He evidently was one of those men who go +through life with a grievance, feeling that all people have in some way +contributed to their misfortune. + +"Your name is Jack," said Mr. Barnes; "Jack what?" + +"Jackass, you might say," answered the fellow, with a coarse attempt at +wit. + +"And why, pray?" + +"Well, a jackass works like a slave, don't he? And what does he get out +of it? Lots of blows, plenty of cuss words, and a little fodder. It's +the same with yours truly." + +"Very well, my man, have your joke. But now tell me your name. I am a +detective." + +"The devil a much I care for that. I ain't got nothin' to hide. My +name's Randal, if you must have it. Jack Randal." + +"Very good. Now I want to ask you a few questions about the funeral of +Mr. Quadrant." + +"Ask away. Nobody's stoppin' you." + +"You assisted in preparing the body for the coffin, I think?" + +"Yes, and helped to put him in it." + +"Have you any idea how he got out of it again?" asked Mr. Barnes +suddenly. + +"Nit. Leastways, not any worth mentionin', since I can't prove what I +might think." + +"But I should like to know what you think, anyway," persisted the +detective. + +"Well, I think he was took out," said Randal with a hoarse laugh. + +"Then you do not believe that he was cremated?" + +"Cremated? Not on your life. If he was made into ashes, would he turn up +again a floater and drift onto the marble at the Morgue? I don't +think." + +"But how could the body have gotten out of the coffin?" + +"He couldn't. I never saw a stiff do that, except once, at an Irish +wake, and that fellow wasn't dead. No, the dead don't walk. Not these +days. I tell you, he was took out of the box. That's as plain as your +nose, not meanin' to be personal." + +"Come, come, you have said all that before. What I want to know is, how +you think he could have been taken out of the coffin." + +"Lifted out, I reckon." + +Mr. Barnes saw that nothing would be gained by getting angry, though the +fellow's persistent flippancy annoyed him extremely. He thought best to +appear satisfied with his answers, and to endeavor to get his +information by slow degrees, since he could not get it more directly. + +"Were you present when the coffin lid was fastened?" + +"Yes; the boss did that." + +"How was it fastened? With the usual style of screws?" + +"Oh, no! We used the boss's patent screw, warranted to keep the corpse +securely in his grave. Once stowed away in the boss's patent screw-top +casket, no ghost gets back to trouble the long-suffering family." + +"You know all about these patent coffin-screws?" + +"Why, sure. Ain't I been working with old Berial these three years?" + +"Does Mr. Berial always screw on the coffin lids himself?" + +"Yes; he's stuck on it." + +"He keeps the screw-driver in his own possession?" + +"So he thinks." + +"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Barnes, immediately attentive. + +"Just what I say. Old Berial thinks he's got the only screw-driver." + +"But you know that there is another?" + +"Who says so? I don't know anything of the sort." + +"Why, then, do you cast a doubt upon the matter by saying that Mr. +Berial thinks he has the only one?" + +"Because I do doubt it, that's all." + +"Why do you doubt it?" + +"Oh, I don't know. A fellow can't always account for what he thinks, can +he?" + +"You must have some reason for thinking there may be a duplicate of that +screw-driver." + +"Well, what if I have?" + +"I would like to know it." + +"No doubt! But it ain't right to cast suspicions when you can't prove a +thing, is it?" + +"Perhaps others may find the proof." + +"Just so. People in your trade are pretty good at that, I reckon." + +"Good at what?" + +"Proving things that don't exist." + +"But if your suspicion is groundless, there can be no harm in telling it +to me." + +"Oh, there's grounds enough for what I think. Look here, suppose a case. +Suppose a party, a young female party, dies. Suppose her folks think +they'd like to have her hands crossed on her breast. Suppose a man, me, +for instance, helps the boss fix up that young party with her hands +crossed, and suppose there's a handsome shiner, a fust-water diamond, on +one finger. Suppose we screw down that coffin lid tight at night, and +the boss carts off his pet screw-driver. Then suppose next day, when he +opens that coffin for the visitors to have a last look at the young +person, that the other man, meanin' me, happens to notice that the +shiner is missin'. If no other person notices it, that's because they're +too busy grievin'. But that's the boss's luck, I say. The diamond's +gone, just the same, ain't it? Now, you wouldn't want to claim that the +young person come out of that patent box and give that diamond away in +the night, would you? If she come out at all, I should say it was in the +form of a ghost, and I never heard of ghosts wearin' diamonds, or givin' +away finger rings. Did you?" + +"Do you mean to say that such a thing as this has occurred?" + +"Oh, I ain't sayin' a word. I don't make no accusations. You can draw +your own conclusions. But in a case like that you would think there was +more than one of them screw-drivers, now, wouldn't you?" + +"I certainly should, unless we imagined that Mr. Berial himself returned +to the house and stole the ring. But that, of course, is impossible." + +"Is it?" + +"Why, would you think that Mr. Berial would steal?" + +"Who knows? We're all honest, till we're caught." + +"Tell me this. If Mr. Berial keeps that screw-driver always in his own +possession, how could any one have a duplicate of it made?" + +"Dead easy. If you can't see that, you're as soft as the old man." + +"Perhaps I am. But tell me how it could be done." + +"Why, just see. That tool is double-ended. But one end is just a common, +ordinary screw-driver. You don't need to imitate that. The other end is +just a screw that fits into the thread at the end of the bolts. Now old +Berial keeps his precious screw-driver locked up, but the bolts lay +around by the gross. Any man about the place could take one and have a +screw cut to fit it, and there you are." + +This was an important point, and Mr. Barnes was glad to have drawn it +out. It now became only too plain that the patented device was no +hindrance to any one knowing of it, and especially to one who had access +to the bolts. This made it the more necessary to find the man Jerry. + +"There was another man besides yourself who assisted at the Quadrant +funeral, was there not?" asked Mr. Barnes. + +"There was another man, but he didn't assist much. He was no good." + +"What was this man's name?" + +"That's why I say he's no good. He called himself Jerry Morton, but it +didn't take me long to find out that his name was really Jerry Morgan. +Now a man with two names is usually a crook, to my way of thinkin'." + +"He gave up his job here this morning, did he not?" + +"Did he?" + +"Yes. Can you tell why he should have done so? Was he not well enough +paid?" + +"Too well, I take it. He got the same money I do, and I done twice as +much work. So he's chucked it, has he? Well, I shouldn't wonder if there +was good reason." + +"What reason?" + +"Oh, I don't know. That story about old Quadrant floatin' back was in +the papers to-day, wasn't it?" + +"Yes." + +"Very well. There you are." + +"You mean that this man Morgan might have had a hand in that?" + +"Oh, he had a hand in it all right. So did I and the boss, for that +matter. But the boss and me left him screwed tight in his box, and Jerry +he was left behind to pick up, as it were. And he had the wagon too. +Altogether, I should say he had the chance if anybody. But mind you, I +ain't makin' no accusations." + +"Then, if Jerry did this, he must have had a duplicate screw-driver?" + +"You're improvin', you are. You begin to see things. But I never seen +him with no screw-driver, remember that." + +"Was he in Mr. Berial's employment at the time of the other affair?" + +"What other affair?" + +"The case of the young lady from whose finger the diamond ring was +stolen." + +"Oh, that. Why, he might have been, of course, but then, you know, we +was only supposin' a case there. We didn't say that was a real affair." +Randal laughed mockingly. + +"Have you any idea as to where I could find this man Morgan?" + +"I don't think you will find him." + +"Why not?" + +"Skipped, I guess. He wouldn't chuck this job just to take a holiday." + +"Do you know where he lived?" + +"Eleventh Avenue near Fifty-fourth Street. I don't know the number, but +it was over the butcher shop." + +"If this man Morgan did this thing, can you imagine why he did it?" + +"For pay; you can bet on that. Morgan ain't the man as would take a risk +like that for the fun of the thing." + +"But how could he hope to be paid for such an act?" + +"Oh, he wouldn't hope. You don't know Jerry. He'd be paid, part in +advance anyway, and balance on demand." + +"But who would pay him, and with what object?" + +"Oh, I don't know. But let me tell you something. Them brothers weren't +all so lovin' to one another as the outside world thinks. In the fust +place, as I gathered by listenin' to the talk of the servants, the one +they called Amos didn't waste no love on the dead one, though I guess +the other one, Mark, liked him some. I think he liked the widow even +better." Here he laughed. "Now the dead man wanted to be cremated--that +is, he said so before he was dead. The widow didn't relish the idea, but +she ain't strong-minded enough to push her views. Now we'll suppose a +case again. I like that style, it don't commit you to anything. Well, +suppose this fellow Mark thinks he'll get into the good graces of the +widow by hindering the cremation. He stands out agin it. Amos he says +the old fellow wanted to be burned, and let him burn. 'He'll burn in +hell, anyway.' That nice, sweet remark he did make, I'll tell you that +much. Then the brothers they quarrel. And a right good row they did +have, so I hear. Now we'll suppose again. Why couldn't our friend, Mr. +Mark, have got up this scheme to stop the cremation?" + +Mr. Barnes was startled to hear this man suggest exactly what Mark +himself had hinted at. Could it be only a coincidence or was it really +the solution of the mystery? But if so, what of the body that was really +cremated? But then again the only evidence in his possession on that +point was the bare statement in the note received from Mr. Mitchel. Two +constructions could be placed upon that note. First, it might have been +honestly written by Mr. Mitchel, who really believed what he wrote, +though, smart as he was, he might have been mistaken. Secondly, the note +might merely have been written to send Mr. Barnes off on a wrong clue, +thus leaving Mr. Mitchel a chance to follow up the right one. Resuming +his conversation with Randal, Mr. Barnes said: + +"Then you imagine that Mr. Mark Quadrant hired this man Morgan to take +away the body and hide it until after the funeral?" + +"Oh, I don't know. All I'll say is, I don't think Jerry would be too +good for a little job like that. Say, you're not a bad sort, as +detectives go. I don't mind givin' you a tip." + +"I am much obliged, I am sure," said Mr. Barnes, smiling at the fellow's +presumption. + +"Don't mention it. I make no charge. But see. Have you looked at the +corpse at the Morgue?" + +"No. Why?" + +"Well, I stopped in this morning and had a peep at him. I guess it's +Quadrant all right." + +"Have you any special way of knowing that?" + +"Well, when the boss was injectin' the embalmin' fluid, he stuck the +needle in the wrong place first, and had to put it in again. That made +two holes. They're both there. You might wonder why we embalmed a body +that was to be cremated. You see, we didn't know the family wasn't going +to let him be seen, and we was makin' him look natural." + +"And you are sure there are two punctures in the body at the Morgue?" + +"Dead sure. That's a joke. But that ain't the tip I want to give you. +This is another case of diamond rings." + +"You mean that there were diamond rings left on the hand when the body +was placed in the coffin?" + +"One solitaire; a jim dandy. And likewise a ruby, set deep like a +carbuncle, I think they call them other red stones. Then on the little +finger of the other hand there was a solid gold ring, with a flat top to +it, and a letter 'Q' in it, made of little diamonds. Them rings never +reached the Morgue." + +"But even so, that does not prove that they were taken by the man who +removed the corpse from the coffin. They might have been taken by those +who found the body in the river." + +"Nit. Haven't you read the papers? Boys found it, but they called in the +police to get it out of the water. Since then the police has been in +charge. Now I ain't got none too good an opinion of the police myself, +but they don't rob the dead. They squeeze the livin', all right, but not +the dead. Put that down. You can believe, if you like, that Jerry carted +that body off to the river and dumped it in, diamond rings and all. But +as I said before, you don't know Jerry. No, sir, if I was you, I'd find +them rings, and find out how they got there. And maybe I can help you +there, too,--that is, if you'll make it worth my while." + +Mr. Barnes understood the hint and responded promptly: + +"Here is a five-dollar bill," said he. "And if you really tell me +anything that aids me in finding the rings, I will give you ten more." + +"That's the talk," said Randal, taking the money. "Well, it's this way. +You'll find that crooks, like other fly birds, has regular haunts. Now I +happen to know that Jerry spouted his watch, a silver affair, but a good +timer, once, and I take it he'd carry the rings where he's known, +'specially as I'm pretty sure the pawnbroker ain't over inquisitive +about where folks gets the things they borrow on. If I was you, I'd try +the shop on Eleventh Avenue by Fiftieth Street. It don't look like a +rich place, but that kind don't want to attract too much attention." + +"I will go there. I have no doubt that if he took the rings we will find +them at that place. One thing more. How was Mr. Quadrant dressed when +you placed him in the coffin? The newspapers make no mention of the +clothing found on him." + +"Oh, we didn't dress him. You see, he was to be burned, so we just +shrouded him. Nothin' but plain white cloth. No buttons or nothin' that +wouldn't burn up. The body at the Morgue was found without no clothes +of any kind. I'd recognize that shroud, though, if it turns up. So +there's another point for you." + +"One thing more. You are evidently sure that Mr. Quadrant's body was +taken out of the coffin. Do you think, then, that the coffin was empty +when they took it to the crematory?" + +"Why, sure! What could there be in it?" + +"Suppose I were to tell you that another detective has examined the +ashes and declares that he can prove that a human body was burned with +that coffin. What would you say?" + +"I'd say he was a liar. I'd say he was riggin' you to get you off the +scent. No, sir! Don't you follow no such blind trail as that." + + + VII + +As Mr. Barnes left the undertaker's shop he observed Mr. Burrows coming +towards him. It will be recalled that this young detective, now +connected with the regular police force of the metropolis, had earlier +in life been a _protege_ of Mr. Barnes. It was not difficult to guess +from his being in this neighborhood that to him had been intrusted an +investigation of the Quadrant mystery. + +"Why, hello, Mr. Barnes," Mr. Burrows exclaimed, as he recognized his +old friend. "What are you doing about here? Nosing into this Quadrant +matter, I'll be bound." + +"It is an attractive case," replied Mr. Barnes, in non-committal +language. "Are you taking care of it for the office?" + +"Yes; and the more I look into it the more complicated I find it. If you +are doing any work on it, I wouldn't mind comparing notes." + +"Very well, my boy," said Mr. Barnes, after a moment's thought, "I will +confess that I have gone a little way into this. What have you done?" + +"Well, in the first place, there was another examination by the doctors +this morning. There isn't a shadow of doubt that the man at the Morgue +was dead when thrown into the water. What's more, he died in his bed." + +"Of what disease?" + +"Cancer of the stomach. Put that down as fact number one. Fact number +two is that the mark on his face is exactly the same, and from the same +skin disease that old Quadrant had. Seems he also had a cancer, so I +take it the identification is complete; especially as the family say it +is their relative." + +"Do they all agree to that?" + +"Why, yes--that is, all except the youngest brother. He says he guesses +it's his brother. Something about that man struck me as peculiar." + +"Ah! Then you have seen him?" + +"Yes. Don't care to talk to detectives. Wants the case hushed up; says +there's nothing in it. Now I know there is something in it, and I am not +sure he tells all he knows." + +"Have you formed any definite conclusion as to the motive in this +case?" + +"The motive for what?" + +"Why, for removing the body from the coffin." + +"Well, I think the motive of the man who did it was money. What the +motive of the man who hired him was, I can't prove yet." + +"Oh! Then you think there are two in it?" + +"Yes; I'm pretty sure of that. And I think I can put my finger on the +man that made the actual transfer." + +The two men were walking as they talked, Mr. Burrows having turned and +joined the older detective. Mr. Barnes was surprised to find his friend +advancing much the same theory as that held by Randal. He was more +astonished, however, at the next reply elicited. He asked: + +"Do you mind naming this man?" + +"Not to you, if you keep it quiet till I'm ready to strike. I'm pretty +sure that the party who carried the body away and put it in the river +was the undertaker's assistant, a fellow who calls himself Randal." + +Mr. Barnes started, but quickly regained his self-control. Then he said: + +"Randal? Why, how could he have managed it?" + +"Easily enough. It seems that the coffin was closed at five on the +afternoon before the funeral, and the undertaker was told, in the +presence of this fellow Randal, that it would not be opened again. Then +the family went in to dine, and Berial and the other man, a fellow with +an alias, but whose true name is Morgan, left the house, the other one, +Randal, remaining behind to clear up. The undertaker's wagon was also +there, and Randal drove it to the stables half an hour or so later." + +Mr. Barnes noted here that there was a discrepancy between the facts as +related by Mr. Burrows and as he himself had heard them. He had been +told by Berial himself that it was "Jack" who had left the house with +him, while Burrows evidently believed that it was Jack Randal who had +been left behind. It was important, therefore, to learn whether there +existed any other reason for suspecting Randal rather than Morgan. + +"But though he may have had this opportunity," said Mr. Barnes, "you +would hardly connect him with this matter without corroborative +evidence." + +"Oh, the case is not complete yet," said Mr. Burrows; "but I have had +this fellow Randal watched for three days. We at the office knew about +this identification before the newspapers got hold of it, be sure of +that. Now one curious thing that he has done was to attempt to destroy +some pawn-tickets." + +"Pawn-tickets?" + +"Yes. I was shadowing him myself last night, when I saw him tear up some +paper and drop the pieces in the gutter at the side of the pavement. I +let my man go on, for the sake of recovering those bits of paper. It +took some perseverance and no little time, but I found them, and when +put together, as I have said, they proved to be pawn-tickets." + +"Have you looked at the property represented yet?" + +"No. Would you like to go with me? We'll go together. I was about to +make my first open appearance at the undertaker's shop to face this +fellow, when you met me. But there's time enough for that. We'll go and +look at the rings if you say the word." + +"Rings, are they?" said Mr. Barnes. "Why, I would like nothing better. +They might have been taken from the corpse." + +"Haven't a doubt of it," said Mr. Burrows. "Here are the pawn-tickets. +There are two of them. Both for rings." He handed the two pawn-tickets +to Mr. Barnes. The pieces had been pasted on another bit of paper and +the two were consequently now on a single sheet. Mr. Barnes looked at +them closely and then said: + +"Why, Burrows, these are made out in the name of Jerry Morgan. Are you +sure you have made no mistake in this affair?" + +"Mistake? Not a bit of it. That fellow thinks he is smart, but I don't +agree with him. He imagines that we might guess that one of those who +had the handling of the body did this job, and when he pawned the rings +he just used the other fellow's name. It's an old trick, and not very +good, either." + +Mr. Barnes was not entirely convinced, though the theory was possible, +nay, plausible. In which case, the tip which Randal had given to Mr. +Barnes was merely a part of his rather commonplace scheme of +self-protection at the expense of a fellow-workman. He was glad now that +he had met Burrows, for his possession of the pawn-tickets made it easy +to visit the pawnbroker and see the rings; while his connection with the +regular force would enable him to seize them should they prove to have +been stolen from the body of Mr. Quadrant. It was noteworthy that the +pawn-tickets had been issued by the man to whose place Randal had +directed him. Arrived there, Mr. Burrows demanded to see the rings, to +which the pawnbroker at first demurred, arguing that the tickets had +been torn, that they had not been issued to the one presenting them, and +that unless they were to be redeemed he must charge a fee of twenty-five +cents for showing the goods. To all of this Mr. Burrows listened +patiently and then showing his shield said meaningly: + +"Now, friend Isaac, you get those rings out, and it will be better for +you. The Chief has had an eye on this little shop of yours for some +time." + +"So help me Moses!" said the man, "he can keep both eyes on if he +likes." + +But his demeanor changed, and with considerable alacrity he brought out +the rings. There were three, just as Randal had described to Mr. Barnes, +including the one with the initial "Q" set in diamonds. + +"Who left these with you?" asked Mr. Burrows. + +"The name is on the ticket," answered the pawnbroker. + +"You are inaccurate, my friend. A name is on the ticket, yes, but not +the name. Now tell me the truth." + +"It's all straight. I ain't hiding anything. Morgan brought the things +here." + +"Morgan, eh? You are sure his name is Morgan? Quite sure?" + +"Why, that's the name I know him by. Sometimes he goes by the name of +Morton, I've heard. But with me it's always been Morgan, Jerry Morgan, +just as it reads on the ticket." + +"Oh, then you know this man Morgan?" + +"No; only that he borrows money on security once in a while." + +"Well, now, if his name is Morgan, did you think this ring with a 'Q' on +it was his? Does 'Q' stand for Morgan?" + +"That's none of my affair. Heavens, I can't ask everybody where they get +things. They'd be insulted." + +"Insulted! That's a good one. Well, when I get my hands on this chap +he'll be badly insulted, for I'll ask him a lot of questions. Now, +Isaac, let me tell you what this 'Q' stands for. It stands for Quadrant, +and that's the name of the man found in the river lately, and these +three rings came off his fingers. After death, Isaac; after death! What +do you think of that?" + +"You don't say! I'm astonished!" + +"Are you, now? Never thought your friend Morgan or Morton, who works out +by the day, and brought valuable diamonds to pawn, would do such a +thing, did you? Thought he bought these things out of his wages, eh?" + +"I never knew he wasn't honest, so help me Moses! or I wouldn't have had +a thing to do with him." + +"Perhaps not. You're too honest yourself to take 'swag' from a 'crook,' +even though you loan about one quarter of the value." + +"I gave him all he asked for. He promised to take them out again." + +"Well, he won't, Isaac. I'll take them out myself." + +"You don't mean you're going to keep the rings? Where do I come in?" + +"You're lucky you don't come into jail." + +"May I ask this man a few questions, Burrows?" said Mr. Barnes. + +"As many as you like, and see that you answer straight, Isaac. Don't +forget what I hinted about the Chief having an eye on you." + +"Why, of course, I'll answer anything." + +"You say you have known this man Morgan for some time?" asked Mr. +Barnes. "Can you give me an idea of how he looks?" + +"Why, I ain't much on descriptions. Morgan is a short fellow, rather +stocky, and he's got dark hair and a mustache that looks like a +paintbrush." + +Mr. Barnes recalled the description which the butler had given of the +man who had remained at the house when the others went away, and this +tallied very well with it. As Berial had declared that it was Morgan who +had been left at the house, and as this description did not fit Randal +at all, he being above medium height, with a beardless face which made +him seem younger than he probably was, it began to look as though in +some way Mr. Burrows had made a mistake, and that Randal was not +criminally implicated, though perhaps he had stolen the pawn-tickets, +and subsequently destroyed them when he found that a police +investigation was inevitable. + +There was no object in further questioning the pawnbroker, who pleaded +that as the owners of the property were rich, and as he had "honestly" +made the loan, they might be persuaded to return to him the amount of +his advance, adding that he would willingly throw off his "interest." + +Leaving the place, and walking together across town, Mr. Barnes said to +Mr. Burrows: + +"Tom, I am afraid you are on a wrong scent. That man Randal stole those +pawn-tickets. He did not himself pawn the rings." + +"Maybe," said the younger man, only half convinced. "But you mark my +word. Randal is in this. Don't believe all that 'fence' says. He may be +in with Randal. I fancy that Randal pawned the things, but made the Jew +put Morgan's name on them. Now that we ask him questions, he declares +that Morgan brought them to him, either to protect Randal, or most +likely to protect himself. Since there is a real Morgan, and he knew the +man, he had no right to write his name on those tickets for things +brought to him by some one else." + +"But why are you so sure that Morgan is innocent? How do you know that +he was the one that went off with old Berial when they left the house?" + +"Simply because the other man, Randal, took the wagon back to the +stables." + +"Are you certain of that?" + +"Absolutely. I have been to the stables, and they all tell the same +story. Randal took the wagon out, harnessing the horse himself, as he +often did. And Randal brought it back again, after six o'clock; of that +they are certain, because the place is merely a livery for express +wagons, trucks, and the like. The regular stable-boys go off between six +and seven, and there is no one in charge at night except the watchman. +The drivers usually take care of their own horses. Now the watchman was +already there when Randal came in with the wagon, and two of the +stable-boys also saw him." + +"Now, Tom, you said that in your belief there was another man in this +case,--one who really was the principal. Have you any suspicion as to +that man's identity?" + +"Here's my idea," said Mr. Burrows. "This fellow Randal was sounded by +the man who finally engaged him for the job, and, proving to be the +right sort, was engaged. He was to take the body out of the coffin and +carry it away. The man who hired Randal must have been one of the +brothers." + +"Why?" + +"It must have been, else the opportunity could not have been made, for, +mark me, it was made. See! The widow was taken to the room to see the +corpse, and then it was arranged that the coffin should be closed and +not opened again before the funeral. That was to make all sure. Then +came the closing of the coffin and the departure of two of the +undertakers. The third, Randal, remained behind, and while the family +lingered at dinner the job was done. The body was carried out to the +wagon and driven off. Now we come to the question, which of the brothers +did this?" + +"Which have you decided upon?" + +"Why, the object of this devilish act was to please the widow by +preventing this cremation to which she objected. The man who concocted +that scheme thought that when the body should be found it would then be +buried, which would gratify the widow. Now why did he wish to gratify +her? Because he's in love with her. She's not old, you know, and she's +still pretty." + +"Then you think that Mark Quadrant concocted this scheme?" + +"No! I think that Amos Quadrant is our man." + +It seemed destined that Mr. Burrows should surprise Mr. Barnes. If the +older detective was astonished when he had heard Burrows suggest that +Randal had been the accomplice in this affair, he was more astounded now +to hear him accuse the elder brother of being the principal. For, had +not Mark Quadrant told him that it was Amos who had insisted upon the +cremation? And that Amos, being the elder, had assumed the control of +the funeral? + +"Burrows," said Mr. Barnes, "I hope that you are not merely following +your impulsive imagination?" + +Mr. Burrows colored as he replied with some heat: + +"You need not forever twit me with my stupidity in my first case. Of +course I may be mistaken, but I am doing routine work on this affair. I +have not any real proof yet to support my theories. If I had I should +make an arrest. But I have evidence enough to make it my duty to go +ahead on definite lines. When the mystery clears a little, I may see +things differently." + +"I should like to know why you think that Amos is in love with his +sister-in-law." + +"Perhaps it would be safer to claim that he was once in love with her. +The past is a certainty, the present mere conjecture. I got the tip from +a slip of the tongue made by Dr. Mortimer, and I have corroborated the +facts since. I was speaking with Dr. Mortimer of the possibility of +there being any ill-feeling between the members of this family, when he +said: 'I believe there was some hard feeling between the deceased and +his brother Amos arising from jealousy.' When he had let the word +'jealousy' pass his lips, he closed up like a clam, and when I pressed +him, tried to pass it off by saying that Amos was jealous of his +brother's business and social successes. But that did not go down with +me, so I have had some guarded inquiries made, with the result that it +is certain that Amos loved this woman before she accepted Rufus." + +"What if I tell you that I have heard that the younger brother, Mark, is +in love with the widow, and that it was he who opposed cremation, while +it was Amos who insisted upon carrying out the wishes of his brother?" + +"What should I say to that? Well, I should say that you probably got +that yarn from Randal, and that he had been 'stuffing you,' as the +vernacular has it, hoping you'll excuse the vulgar expression." + +It nettled Mr. Barnes to have his younger _confrere_ guess so accurately +the source of his information, and to hear him discredit it so +satirically. He recognized, however, that upon the evidence offered Mr. +Burrows had not yet made out his case, and that therefore the mystery +was yet far from solved. + +"Look here, Burrows," said Mr. Barnes. "Take an older man's advice. +Don't go too fast in this case. Before you come to any conclusion, find +this man Jerry Morgan." + +"Why, there won't be any trouble about that." + +"Oh, then you know where he is?" + +"Why, he is still with Berial. At least he was up to last night." + +"Ah, now we come to it!" Mr. Barnes was gratified to find that Burrows +had not kept full control of his case. "Last night was many hours ago. +Morgan threw up his job this morning, and left." + +"The devil you say!" + +"Oh, yes," said Mr. Barnes, determined now to make Mr. Burrows a little +uncomfortable. "I have no doubt he intends to skip out, but, of course, +he cannot get away. You have him shadowed?" + +"Why, no, I have not," said Mr. Burrows, dejectedly. "You see, I did not +connect him in my mind with----" + +"Perhaps he is not connected with the case in your mind, Burrows, but he +is connected with it in fact. He is unquestionably the key to the +situation at present. With him in our hands we could decide whether it +was he or Randal who pawned those rings. Without him we can prove +nothing. In short, until you get at him the case is at a standstill." + +"You are right, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Burrows, manfully admitting his +error. "I have been an ass. I was so sure about Randal that I did not +use proper precautions, and Morgan has slipped through my fingers. But +I'll find his trail, and I'll track him. I'll follow him to the opposite +ocean if necessary, but I'll bring him back." + +"That is the right spirit, Tom. Find him and bring him back if you can. +If you cannot, then get the truth out of him. Let me say one thing more. +For the present at least, work upon the supposition that it was he who +pawned those rings. In that case he has at least two hundred dollars for +travelling expenses." + +"You are right. I'll begin at once without losing another minute." + +"Where will you start?" + +"I'll start where he started--at his own house. He's left there by now, +of course, but I'll have a look at the place and talk a bit with the +neighbors. When you hear from me again, I'll have Morgan." + + + VIII + +Mr. Barnes returned to his home that night feeling well satisfied with +his day's work. With little real knowledge he had started out in the +morning, and within ten hours he had dipped deeply into the heart of the +mystery. Yet he felt somewhat like a man who has succeeded in working +his way into the thickest part of a forest, with no certainty as to +where he might emerge again, or how. Moreover, though he had seemingly +accomplished so much during the first day, he seemed destined to make +little headway for many days thereafter. On the second day of his +investigation he ascertained one fact which was more misleading than +helpful. It will be recalled that Mark Quadrant had told him that his +brother had a scar on the sole of his foot made by cutting himself +whilst in swimming. Mr. Barnes went to the Morgue early, and examined +both feet most carefully. There was no such scar, nor was it possible +that there ever could have been. The feet were absolutely unmarred. +Could it be possible that, in spite of the apparently convincing proof +that this body had been correctly identified, nevertheless a mistake had +been made? + +This question puzzled the detective mightily, and he longed impatiently +for an opportunity to talk with one of the family, especially with the +elder brother, Amos. Delay, however, seemed unavoidable. The police +authorities, having finally accepted the identification, delivered the +body to the Quadrants, and a second funeral occurred. Thus two more days +elapsed before Mr. Barnes felt at liberty to intrude, especially as it +was not known that he had been regularly retained by Mrs. Quadrant. + +Meanwhile nothing was heard from Burrows, who had left the city, and, as +a further annoyance, Mr. Barnes was unable to catch Mr. Mitchel at home +though he called three times. Failing to meet that gentleman, and +chafing at his enforced inactivity, the detective finally concluded to +visit the cemetery in the hope of learning what had occurred when Mr. +Mitchel had inspected the ashes. Again, however, was he doomed to +disappointment. His request to be allowed to examine the contents of the +urn was refused, strict orders to that effect having been imposed by the +Chief of the regular detective force. + +"You see," explained the superintendent, "we could not even let you look +into the urn upon the order of one of the family, because they have +claimed the body at the Morgue, and so they have no claim on these +ashes. If a body was burned that day, then there is a body yet to be +accounted for, and the authorities must guard the ashes as their only +chance to make out a case. Of course they can't identify ashes, but the +expert chemists claim they can tell whether a human body or only an +empty coffin was put into the furnace." + +"And are the experts making such an analysis?" asked Mr. Barnes. + +"Yes. The Chief himself came here with two of them, the day before +yesterday. They emptied out the ashes onto a clean marble slab, and +looked all through the pile. Then they put some in two bottles, and +sealed the bottles, and then put the balance back in the urn and sealed +that also. So, you see, there isn't any way for me to let you look into +that urn." + +"No, of course not," admitted the detective, reluctantly. "Tell me, was +any one else present at this examination besides the Chief and the two +experts?" + +"Yes. A gentleman they called Mitchel, I believe." + +Mr. Barnes had expected this answer, yet it irritated him to hear it. +Mr. Mitchel had information which the detective would have given much to +share. + +During the succeeding days he made numerous ineffectual efforts to have +an interview with Amos Quadrant, but repeatedly was told that he was +"Not at home." Mrs. Quadrant, too, had left town for a rest at one of +their suburban homes, and Mark Quadrant had gone with her. The city +house, with its closed shutters, seemed as silent as the grave, and the +secret of what had occurred within those walls seemed almost hopelessly +buried. + +"What a pity," thought the detective, "that walls do not have tongues as +well as ears." + +A week later Mr. Barnes was more fortunate. He called at the Quadrant +mansion, expecting to once more hear the servant say coldly, "Not at +home," in answer to his inquiry for Mr. Quadrant, when, to his surprise +and pleasure, Mr. Quadrant himself stepped out of the house as he +approached it. The detective went up to him boldly, and said: + +"Mr. Quadrant, I must have a few words with you." + +"Must?" said Mr. Quadrant with an angry inflection. "I think not. Move +out of my way, and let me pass." + +"Not until you have given me an interview," said Mr. Barnes firmly, +without moving. + +"You are impertinent, sir. If you interfere with me further, I will have +you arrested," said Mr. Quadrant, now thoroughly aroused. + +"If you call a policeman," said Mr. Barnes, calmly, "I will have you +arrested." + +"And upon what charge, pray?" said Mr. Quadrant, contemptuously. + +"I will accuse you of instigating the removal of your brother's body +from the coffin." + +"You are mad." + +"There are others who hold this view, so it would be wise for you to +move carefully in this matter." + +"Would you object to telling me what others share your extraordinary +opinion?" + +"I did not say that it is my opinion. More than that, I will say that it +is not my opinion, not at present at all events. But it is the view +which is receiving close attention at police headquarters." + +"Are you one of the detectives?" + +"I am a detective, but not connected with the city force." + +"Then by what right do you intrude yourself into this affair?" + +Mr. Barnes knew that he must play his best card now, to gain his point +with this man. He watched him closely as he answered: + +"I am employed by Mrs. Quadrant." + +There was an unmistakable start. Amos Quadrant was much disturbed to +hear that his sister-in-law had hired a detective, and curiously enough +he made no effort to hide his feelings. With some show of emotion he +said in a low voice: + +"In that case, perhaps, we should better have a talk together. Come in." + +With these words he led the way into the house, and invited the +detective into the same room wherein he had talked with Mark Quadrant. +When they had found seats, Mr. Quadrant opened the conversation +immediately. + +"What is your name?" he asked. + +"John Barnes," was the reply. + +"Barnes? I have heard of you. Well, Mr. Barnes, let me be very frank +with you. Above all things it has been my wish that this supposed +mystery should not be cleared up. To me it is a matter of no consequence +who did this thing, or why it was done. Indeed, what suspicions have +crossed my mind make me the more anxious not to know the truth. Feeling +thus, I should have done all in my power to hinder the work of the +regular police. When you tell me that my sister-in-law has engaged your +services, you take me so by surprise that I am compelled to think a bit +in order to determine what course to pursue. You can readily understand +that my position is a delicate and embarrassing one." + +"I understand that thoroughly, and you have my sympathy, Mr. Quadrant." + +"You may mean that well, but I do not thank you," said Mr. Quadrant, +coldly. "I want no man's sympathy. This is purely an impersonal +interview, and I prefer to have that distinctly prominent in our minds +throughout this conversation. Let there be no misunderstanding and no +false pretenses. You are a detective bent upon discovering the author of +certain singular occurrences. I am a man upon whom suspicion has +alighted; and, moreover, guilty or innocent, I desire to prevent you +from accomplishing your purpose. I do not wish the truth to be known. Do +we understand one another?" + +"Perfectly," said Mr. Barnes, astonished by the man's manner and +admiring his perfect self-control and his bold conduct. + +"Then we may proceed," said Mr. Quadrant. "Do you wish to ask me +questions, or will you reply to one or two from me?" + +"I will answer yours first, if you will reply to mine afterwards." + +"I make no bargains. I will answer, but I do not promise to tell you +anything unless it pleases me to do so. You have the same privilege. +First, then, tell me how it happened that Mrs. Quadrant engaged you in +this case." + +"I called here, attracted merely by the extraordinary features of this +case, and Mrs. Quadrant granted me a short interview, at the end of +which she offered to place the matter in my hands as her +representative." + +"Ah! Then she did not of her own thought send for you?" + +"No." + +"You told me that the regular detectives are considering the theory that +I instigated this affair. As you used the word instigated, it should +follow that some other person, an accomplice, is suspected likewise. Is +that the idea?" + +"That is one theory." + +"And who, pray, is my alleged accomplice?" + +"That I cannot tell you without betraying confidence." + +"Very good. Next you declared that you yourself do not share this view. +Will you tell me on what grounds you exculpate me?" + +"With pleasure. The assumed reason for this act of removing your brother +from his coffin was to prevent the cremation. Now it was yourself who +wished to have the body incinerated." + +"You are mistaken. I did not wish it. On the contrary, I most earnestly +wished that there should be no cremation. You see I incriminate myself." + +He smiled painfully, and a dejected expression crossed his face. For an +instant he looked like a man long tired of carrying some burden, then +quickly he recovered his composure. + +"You astonish me," said Mr. Barnes. "I was told by Mr. Mark that you +insisted upon carrying out your brother's wish in this matter of +disposing of his body." + +"My brother told you that? Well, it is true. He and I quarrelled about +it. He wished to have a regular burial, contrary to our brother's +oft-repeated injunction. I opposed him, and, being the elder, I assumed +the responsibility, and gave the orders." + +"But you have admitted that you did not wish this?" + +"Do we always have our wishes gratified in this world?" + +The detective, watching the man's face closely, again noted that +expression of weariness cross his features, and an instinctive feeling +of pity was aroused. Once more the skein became more entangled. His own +suspicion against Mark Quadrant rested upon the supposition that the act +was committed with the intent of making capital out of it with the +widow, and was based upon the theory that Amos wished to have his +brother incinerated. If now it should transpire that after all it was +Amos who managed the affair, his motive was a higher one, for, while +appearing to carry out the wishes of his deceased brother, he must have +aimed to gratify the widow, without admitting her to the knowledge that +his hand had gained her purpose. This was a higher, nobler love. Was +Amos Quadrant of this noble mould? The question crossing the detective's +mind met a startling answer which prompted Mr. Barnes to ask suddenly: + +"Is it true that, speaking of this cremation, you said: 'Let him burn; +he'll burn in hell anyway'?" + +Amos Quadrant flushed deeply, and his face grew stern as he answered: + +"I presume you have witnesses who heard the words, therefore it would be +futile to deny it. It was a brutal remark, but I made it. I was +exasperated by something which Mark had said, and replied in anger." + +"It is a sound doctrine, Mr. Quadrant," said the detective, "that words +spoken in anger often more truly represent the speaker's feelings than +what he says when his tongue is bridled." + +"Well?" + +"If we take this view, then it is apparent that you did not hold a very +high regard for your brother." + +"That is quite true. Why should I?" + +"He was your brother." + +"And because of the accident of birth, I was bound to love him? A +popular fallacy, Mr. Barnes. He was equally bound, then, to love me, but +he did not. Indeed he wronged me most grievously." + +"By marrying the woman you loved?" + +Mr. Barnes felt ashamed of his question, as a surgeon often must be +sorry to insert the scalpel. To his surprise it elicited no retort. Mr. +Quadrant's reply was calmly spoken. All he said was: + +"Yes, he did that." + +"Did she know?" ventured the detective hesitatingly. + +"No, I think not--I hope not." + +There was a painful pause. Mr. Quadrant looked down at the floor, while +Mr. Barnes watched him, trying to decide whether the man were acting a +part with intent to deceive, as he had announced that he would not +hesitate to do; or whether he were telling the truth, in which case the +nobility of his character was brought more into perspective. + +"Are you sure," said Mr. Barnes after a pause, "that the body taken from +the river was that of your brother Rufus?" + +"Why do you ask that?" said Mr. Quadrant, on the defensive at once. "Can +there be any doubt?" + +"Before I reply, let me ask you another question. Did your brother Rufus +have a scar on the sole of his foot?" + +The other man started perceptibly, and paused some time before +answering. Then he asked: + +"What makes you think so?" + +"Mr. Mark Quadrant told me that his brother had such a scar, caused by +gashing his foot while in swimming." + +"Ah, that is your source of information. Well, when Mark told you that +his brother had met with such an accident, he told you the truth." + +"But did the accident leave a scar?" Mr. Barnes thought he detected a +carefully worded evasive answer. + +"Yes, the cut left a bad scar; one easily noticed." + +"In that case I can reply to your question. If, as you both say, your +brother had a scar on the sole of his foot, then there exists +considerable doubt as to the identification of the body which was at the +Morgue, the body which you have both accepted and buried as being that +of your relative. Mr. Quadrant, there was no scar on that body." + +"Odd, isn't it?" said Mr. Quadrant, without any sign of surprise. + +"I should say it is very odd. How do you suppose it can be explained?" + +"I do not know, and, as I have told you before, I do not care. Quite the +reverse; the less you comprehend this case the better pleased I shall +be." + +"Mr. Quadrant," said Mr. Barnes, a little nettled, "since you so frankly +admit that you wish me to fail, why should I not believe that you are +telling me a falsehood when you state that your brother told me the +truth?" + +"There is no reason that I care to advance," said Mr. Quadrant, "why you +should believe me, but if you do not, you will go astray. I repeat, what +my brother told you is true." + +It seemed to the detective that in all his varied experience he had +never met with circumstances so exasperatingly intricate. Here was an +identification for many reasons the most reliable that he had known, and +now there appeared to be a flaw of such a nature that it could not be +set aside. If the body was that of Mr. Quadrant, then both these men +had lied. If they told the truth, then, in spite of science, the +doctors, and the family, the identification had been false. In that case +Rufus Quadrant had been cremated after all, and this would account for +the statement in Mr. Mitchel's note that a human body had been +incinerated. Could it be that these two brothers were jointly implicated +in a murder, and had pretended to recognize the body at the Morgue in +order to have it buried and to cover up their crime? It seemed +incredible. Besides, the coincidence of the external and internal +diseases was too great. + +"I would like to ask you a few questions in relation to the occurrences +on the day and evening preceding the funeral," said Mr. Barnes, pursuing +the conversation, hoping to catch from the answers some clue that might +aid him. + +"Which funeral?" said Mr. Quadrant. + +"The first. I have been told that you and your brother were present when +the widow last viewed the face of her husband, and that at that time, +about five o'clock, you jointly agreed that the coffin should not be +opened again. Is this true?" + +"Accurate in every detail." + +"Was the coffin closed at once? That is, before you left the room?" + +"The lower part of the coffin-top was, of course, in place and screwed +fast when we entered the room. The upper part, exposing the face, was +open. It was this that was closed in my presence." + +"I would like to get the facts here very accurately, if you are willing. +You say, closed in your presence. Do you mean merely covered, or was the +top screwed fast before you went out of the room, and, if so, by whom?" + +"Mark took our sister away, but Dr. Mortimer and myself remained until +the screws were put in. Mr. Berial himself did that." + +"Did you observe that the screws were odd? Different from common +screws?" + +Mr. Barnes hoped that the other man would betray something at this +point, but he answered quite composedly: + +"I think I did at the time, but I could not describe them to you now. I +half remember that Mr. Berial made some such comment as 'No one can get +these out again without my permission.'" + +"Ah! He said that, did he? Yet some one must have gotten those screws +out, for, if your identification was correct, your brother's body was +taken out of that casket after the undertaker had put in those screws, +which he said could not be removed without his permission. How do you +suppose that was accomplished?" + +"How should I know, Mr. Barnes, unless, indeed, I did it myself, or +instigated or connived at the doing? In either case, do you suppose I +would give you any information on such a point?" + +"Did your brother Rufus have any rings on his fingers when placed in the +coffin?" asked Mr. Barnes, swiftly changing the subject. + +"Yes--three: a diamond, a ruby, and a ring bearing his initial set in +diamonds." + +"These rings were not on the body at the Morgue." + +"Neither was that scar," said Mr. Quadrant, with a suppressed laugh. + +"But this is different," said Mr. Barnes. "I did not find the scar, but +I have found the rings." + +"Very clever of you, I am sure. But what does that prove?" + +"It proves that your brother's body was taken from the coffin before the +coffin was placed in the crematory furnace." + +"Illogical and inaccurate," said Mr. Quadrant. "You prove by the +recovery of the rings, merely that the rings were taken from the +coffin." + +"Or, from the body after it was taken out," interjected Mr. Barnes. + +"In either case it is of no consequence. You have rooted up a theft, +that is all. Catch the thief and jail him, if you like. I care nothing +about that. It is the affair of my brother's death and burial that I +wish to see dropped by the inquisitive public." + +"Yes, but suppose I tell you that the theory is that the man who stole +the rings was your accomplice in the main matter? Don't you see that +when we catch him, he is apt to tell all that he knows?" + +"When you catch him? Then you have not caught him yet. For so much I am +grateful." He did not seem to care how incriminating his words might +sound. + +"One thing more, Mr. Quadrant. I understand that you retired at about +ten o'clock on that night--the night prior to the first funeral, I mean. +You left your brother Mark down here?" + +"Yes." + +"Later you came downstairs again." + +"You seem to be well posted as to my movements." + +"Not so well as I wish to be. Will you tell me why you came down?" + +"I have not admitted that I came downstairs." + +"You were seen in the hall very late at night, or early in the morning. +You took the lamp out of the room where the casket was, and came in here +and looked at your brother, who was asleep. Then you returned the lamp +and went upstairs. Do you admit now that you had just come downstairs?" + +"I admit nothing. But to show you how little you can prove, suppose I +ask you how you know that I had just come downstairs? Why may it not be +that I had been out of the house, and had just come in again when your +informant saw me?" + +"Quite true. You might have left the house. Perhaps it was then that the +body was taken away?" + +"If it was taken away, that was certainly as good a time as any." + +"What time?" + +"Oh, let us say between twelve and two. Very few people would be about +the street at that hour, and a wagon stopping before a door would +attract very little attention. Especially if it were an undertaker's +wagon." + +"An undertaker's wagon?" exclaimed Mr. Barnes, as this suggested a new +possibility. + +"Why, yes. If, as you say, there was an accomplice in this case, the +fellow who stole the rings, you know, he must have been one of the +undertaker's men. If so, he would use their wagon, would he not?" + +"I think he would," said Mr. Barnes sharply. "I thank you for the point. +And now I will leave you." + + + IX + +Mr. Barnes walked rapidly, revolving in his mind the new ideas which had +entered it during the past few minutes. Before this morning he had +imagined that the body of Rufus Quadrant had been taken away between +five and six o'clock, in the undertaker's wagon. But it had never +occurred to him that this same wagon could have been driven back to the +house at any hour of the day or night, without causing the policeman on +that beat to suspect any wrong. Thus, suddenly, an entirely new phase +had been placed upon the situation. Before, he had been interested in +knowing which man had been left behind; whether it had been Morgan or +Randal. Now he was more anxious to know whether the wagon had been taken +again from the stable on that night, and, if so, by whom. Consequently +he went first to the undertaker's shop, intending to interview Mr. +Berial, but that gentleman was out. Therefore he spoke again with +Randal, who recognized him at once and greeted him cordially. + +"Why, how do you do," said he. "Glad you're round again. Anything turned +up in the Quadrant case?" + +"We are getting at the truth slowly," said the detective, watching his +man closely. "I would like to ask you to explain one or two things to me +if you can." + +"Maybe I will, and maybe not. It wouldn't do to promise to answer +questions before I hear what they are. I ain't exactly what you would +call a fool." + +"Did you not tell me that it was Morgan who was left at the house after +the coffin was closed, and that you came away with Mr. Berial?" + +"Don't remember whether I told you or not. But you've got it straight." + +"But they say at the stables that it was you who drove the wagon back +there?" + +"That's right, too. What of it?" + +"But I understood that Morgan brought the wagon back?" + +"So he did; back here to the shop. He had to leave all our tools and +things here, you see. Then he went off to his dinner, and I took the +horse and wagon round to the stables." + +"Where do you stable?" + +"Harrison's, Twenty-fourth Street, near Lex." + +"Now, another matter. You told me about the loss of those rings?" + +"Yes, and I gave you the tip where you might find them again. Did you go +there?" + +"Yes; you were right. The rings were pawned exactly where you sent me." + +"Oh, I don't know," said the fellow, airishly. "I ought to be on the +police force, I guess. I can find out a few things, I think." + +"It isn't hard to guess what you know," said the detective, sharply. + +"What do you mean?" Randal was on the defensive at once. + +"I mean," said Mr. Barnes, "that it was you who pawned those rings." + +"That's a lie, and you can't prove it." + +"Don't be too sure of that. We have the pawn tickets." + +This shot went home. Randal looked frightened, and was evidently +confused. + +"That's another lie," said he, less vigorously. "You can't scare me. If +you have got them, which you haven't, you won't find my name on them." + +"No; you used your friend Morgan's name, which was a pretty low trick." + +"Look here, you detective," said Randal blusteringly, "I don't allow no +man to abuse me. You can't talk that way to me. All this talk of yours +is rot. That's what it is, rot!" + +"Look here, Randal. Try to be sensible if you can. I have not yet made +up my mind whether you are a scoundrel or a fool. Suppose you tell me +the truth about those tickets. It will be safest, I assure you." + +Randal looked at the detective and hesitated. Mr. Barnes continued: + +"There is no use to lie any longer. You were shadowed, and you were seen +when you tore up the tickets. The pieces were picked up and put +together, and they call for those rings. Don't you see we have you fast +unless you can explain how you got the tickets?" + +"I guess you're givin' it to me straight," said Randal after a long +pause. "I guess I better take your advice and let you have it right. One +afternoon I saw Morgan hide something in one of the coffins in the shop. +He tucked it away under the satin linin'. I was curious, and I looked +into it after he'd gone that night. I found the pawn tickets. Of course +I didn't know what they were for except that it was rings. But I guessed +it was for some stuff he'd stolen from the corpse of somebody. For it +was him took the other jewels I told you about, and I seen him with a +screw-driver the match to the boss's. So I just slipped the tickets in +my pocket thinkin' I'd have a hold on him. Next day I read about this +man bein' found in the river, and I stopped to the Morgue, and, just as +I thought, his rings was gone. I worried over that for an hour or two, +and then I thought I better not keep the tickets, so I tore them up and +threw them away." + +"That, you say, was the night after this affair was published in the +papers?" + +"No; it was the same night." + +"That is to say, the night of that day on which I came here and had a +talk with you?" + +"No, it was the night before. You're thinkin' about the mornin' papers, +but I seen it first in the afternoon papers." + +This statement dispelled a doubt which had entered the mind of the +detective, who remembered that Mr. Burrows had told him that the +pawn-ticket incident had occurred on the evening previous to their +meeting. This explanation, however, tallied with that, and Mr. Barnes +was now inclined to credit the man's story. + +"Very good," said he. "You may be telling the truth. If you have nothing +to do with this case, you ought to be willing to give me some +assistance. Will you?" + +Randal had been so thoroughly frightened that he now seemed only too +glad of the chance to win favor in the eyes of Mr. Barnes. + +"Just you tell me what you want, and I'm your man," said he. + +"I want to find out something at the stable, and I think you can get the +information for me better than I can myself." + +"I'll go with you right away. The boy can mind the shop while we're +gone. Charlie, you just keep an eye on things till I get back, will +you? I won't be out more'n ten minutes. Come on, Mr. Barnes, I'm with +you." + +On the way to the stable Mr. Barnes directed Randal as to what he wished +to learn, and then at his suggestion waited for him in a liquor saloon +near by, while he went alone to the stable. In less than ten minutes +Randal hurried into the place, flushed with excitement and evidently +bubbling over with importance. He drew the detective to one side and +spoke in whispers. + +"Say," said he, "you're on the right tack. The wagon was out again that +night, and not on any proper errand, neither." + +"Tell me what you have learned," said Mr. Barnes. + +"Of course the night watchman ain't there now, but Jimmy, the day +superintendent, is there, and I talked with him. He says there was some +funny business that night. First I asked him about the wagon bein' out +or not, and he slaps his hand on his leg, and he says: 'By George!' says +he, 'that's the caper. Didn't you put that wagon in its right place when +you brung it in that afternoon?' he says to me. 'Of course,' says I; +'where do you think I'd put it?' 'Well,' says he, 'next mornin' it was +out in the middle of the floor, right in the way of everything. The boys +was cussin' you for your carelessness. I wasn't sure in my own mind or I +would have spoke; but I thought I seen you shove that wagon in its right +place.' 'So I did,' says I, 'and if it was in the middle of the stable, +you can bet it was moved after I left. Now who moved it?' 'I don't +know,' says he, 'but I'll tell you another thing what struck me as odd. +I didn't have nothin' particular to do that night, and I dropped in for +an hour or so to be sociable like with Jack'--that's the night watchman. +'While I was there,' he goes on, 'while I was there, who should come in +but Jerry Morgan! He didn't stop long, but he took us over to the saloon +and balled us off'--that means he treated to drinks. 'Next day I come +round about six o'clock as usual,' says Jimmy, goin' on, 'and there was +Jack fast asleep. Now that's the fust time that man ever dropped off +while on watch, and he's been here nigh on to five years. I shook him +and tried every way to 'waken him, but it didn't seem to do no good. +He'd kind of start up and look about dazed, and even talk a bit, but as +soon as I'd let up, he'd drop off again. I was makin' me a cup of +coffee, and, thinkin' it might rouse him, I made him drink some, and, do +you know, he was all right in a few minutes. At the time I didn't think +much about it, but since then I have thought it over a good deal, and, +do you know what I think now?' 'No,' says I; 'what do you think?' 'I +think,' says he, 'I think that Jimmy was drugged, and if he was, Jerry +Morgan done the trick when he balled us off, and you can bet it was him +took that wagon out that night.' That's the story Jimmy tells, Mr. +Barnes, and it's a corker, ain't it?" + +"It certainly is important," said Mr. Barnes. + +Once more he had food for thought. This narrative was indeed important; +the drowsiness of the watchman and his recovery after drinking coffee +suggested morphine. The detective likewise recalled the story of the +butler who claimed that he had seen Mark Quadrant asleep while he was +supposed to be guarding the coffin. Then, too, there was the empty paper +which had once held some powder, and which he had himself found in the +room where Mark Quadrant had slept. Had he too been drugged? If so, the +question arose, Did this man Morgan contrive to mix the morphine with +something which he thought it probable that the one sitting up with the +corpse would drink, or had Amos given his brother the sleeping-potion? +In one case it would follow that Morgan was the principal in this +affair, while in the other he was merely an accomplice. If his hand +alone managed all, then it might be that he had a deeper and more potent +motive than the mere removal of the body to avoid cremation, the latter +being a motive which the detective had throughout hesitated to adopt +because it seemed so weak. If Morgan substituted another body for the +one taken from the coffin, then the statement of Mr. Mitchel that a body +had been cremated was no longer a discrepancy. There was but one +slightly disturbing thought. All the theorizing in which he now indulged +was based on the assumption that Randal was not deceiving. Yet how could +he be sure of that? Tom Burrows would have said to him: "Mr. Barnes, +that fellow is lying to you. His story may be true in all except that it +was himself and not Morgan who did these things." For while he had +thought it best to let Randal go alone to the stable to make inquiries, +this had placed him in the position of receiving the tale at +second-hand, so that Randal might have colored it to suit himself. For +the present, he put aside these doubts and decided to pursue this clue +until he proved it a true or false scent. He dismissed Randal with an +injunction to keep his tongue from wagging, and proceeded to the house +of the man Morgan, regretting now that he had not done so before. + +The tenement on Eleventh Avenue was one of those buildings occupying +half a block, having stores on the street, with narrow, dark, dismal +hallways, the staircases at the farther end being invisible from the +street door, even on the sunniest days, without a match. Overhead, each +hallway offered access to four flats, two front and two back, the doors +being side by side. These apartments each included two or three rooms +and what by courtesy might be called a bathroom, though few indeed of +the tenants utilized the latter for the purpose for which it had been +constructed, preferring to occupy this extra space with such of their +impedimenta as might not be in constant use. + +When one enters a place of this character asking questions, if he +addresses any of the adults he is likely to receive scant information in +reply. Either these people do not know even the names of their +next-door neighbors, or else, knowing, they are unwilling to take the +trouble to impart the knowledge. The children, however, and they are as +numerous as grasshoppers in a hayfield, not only know everything, but +tell what they know willingly. It is also a noteworthy fact that amidst +such squalor and filth, with dirty face and bare legs, it is not +uncommon to find a child, especially a girl, who will give answers, not +only with extreme show of genuine intelligence, but, as well, with a +deferential though dignified courtesy which would grace the +reception-rooms of upper Fifth Avenue. + +It was from such an urchin, a girl of about twelve, that Mr. Barnes +learned that Jerry Morgan had lived on the fifth floor back. + +"But he's gone away, I guess," she added. + +"Why do you think so?" asked Mr. Barnes. + +"Oh, 'cause he ain't been in the saloon 'cross the way for 'bout a week, +and he didn't never miss havin' his pint of beer every night 's long 's +he 's been here." + +"Do you think I could get into his room?" asked Mr. Barnes. + +"I could get you our key, an' you could try," suggested the girl. "I +reckon one key will open any door in this house. It's cheaper to get +locks in a bunch that way, I guess, an' besides, poor folks don't get +robbed much anyhow, an' so they ain't got no 'casion to lock up every +time they go out. What little they've got don't tempt the robbers, I +guess. Maybe the 'punushment fits the crime' too quick." + +"'The punishment fits the crime,' you think," said Mr. Barnes with a +smile. "Where did you get that from?" + +"Oh, I seen the Mikado oncet," said the girl rather proudly. "But I +didn't mean what you said; I said it fits 'too quick'; that's too snug, +you know, though sometimes it's 'quick' too. You see, I guess they don't +get enough out of flats like these to pay for the risk." + +"You are quite a philosopher," said Mr. Barnes, approvingly. "Now run +and get the key, and we will see whether it fits or not." + +She hurried upstairs, and was awaiting Mr. Barnes, with the key in her +hand, when he reached the third landing. This she gave to him, and then +followed him up the remaining flights, where she pointed out the door +which led into Morgan's flat. The key was not needed, as the door was +not locked, and the detective pushed it open and entered. The room +seemed bare enough, what little furniture there was being too evidently +the product of a second-hand furniture store. There seemed little hope +of finding anything helpful to his investigation in this room, yet the +detective, with his usual thoroughness, examined every drawer, and every +corner or crevice in which anything might have been hidden, or have been +accidentally dropped, and at last he did discover something which more +than repaid him. + +In the darkest corner of the dark closet, where perhaps it had dropped +unperceived, he found an old vest, of no value in itself. But a search +of the pockets brought an exclamation of gratification to the +detective's lips, as from one of them he drew forth a folded paper still +containing a whitish powder. Mr. Barnes was certain that this powder was +morphine, and at length he felt his feet on solid ground in trailing the +criminal. No longer need he doubt Randal. His story of the probable +drugging of the night watchman at the stable now became not only +credible, but probable. Thinking that he might gain something by further +questioning the girl, Mr. Barnes said: + +"Why, here is some medicine! Perhaps he was sick and has gone away for +his health." + +With the keen intelligence of her class, the girl replied: + +"Some folks go away for their health without bein' sick." + +"How do you mean?" + +"When it gets so it ain't healthy for them to stay in town, you know." + +"You mean for fear of the police?" + +"Sure! What else?" + +"But do you think that this man Morgan would do anything that would make +him afraid of meeting a policeman?" + +"Oh, I don't know. But 'birds of a feather flock together,' you know. +One of his pals was pinched, and he's workin' for the country now, on +the Island." + +"Who was that?" Mr. Barnes did not regret the time spent in talking with +this observing youngster. + +"I don't know his right name. They called him Billy the Red, over to the +saloon." + +Mr. Barnes started. This was a clue indeed. This was a well-known +criminal whom she had named; one who had earned his sobriquet by killing +two men in a barroom fight, when he had been one of the celebrated Whyo +gang. If Morgan consorted with such as he, there could be little doubt +as to his social status. + +"You say Billy the Red was one of Morgan's pals. Did he have any others +that you know of?" Mr. Barnes continued. + +"Well, he used to be with him most till he went up, but lately he's been +travellin' with Tommy White." + +"Where can I find him; do you know?" + +"Better look him up on the Island, too, I guess. He ain't been round +here for quite some days." + +"Perhaps he does not come because Morgan is away?" + +"Oh, no, that can't be, 'cause he stopped showin' up before Morgan left. +The neighbors was beginnin' to wonder and talk, just 'bout the time +Morgan skipped. You see, Tommy White he lived right next door, in the +next flat, him and Nellie." + +"Ah, he had a wife?" + +"I don't know about that. She was his girl anyway, though some thought +Morgan was sweet on her too." + +Mr. Barnes thought the fog was lifting. + +"Where is this Nellie now?" + +"You can search me! She's gone too. The hull three has skipped out." + +"What, all three at the same time?" + +"No, that's the funny part of it. That's what makes folks talk. You see, +we didn't see nothin' of Tommy White for two or three days, but Nellie +she was round all right. But when Morgan he cut it, Nellie she lit out +too." + +"Let me get this right, my girl. And mind you make no mistake, for this +is important." + +"I ain't makin' no mistakes, mister. I'm givin' it to you dead right, +and that's more 'n you'd get out of anybody else in this castle. But +I've got my reasons, and," this she added with a sly wink, "you ain't +fooled me any, you know. You're a detective, that's what you are." + +"What makes you think so?" + +"Oh, there ain't much to guess. People dressed like you don't come to a +place like this and nose into another man's rooms just for amusement. +Not much they don't. It's business with you." + +"Well, never mind that. Tell me, are you sure that White disappeared +first, and that the girl was here afterwards, but that she has not been +seen since Morgan went away?" + +"That's right. You got it straight the first time. Now what do you make +of it? I know my own opinion." + +"Suppose you tell me your opinion first," said Mr. Barnes, anxious to +hear her answer. + +"Well," said the girl, "it's very simple, what I think. I think Tommy's +been done for." + +"Done for?" Mr. Barnes comprehended her meaning but preferred to have +her speak more plainly. + +"Yes, done for, that's what I said. They've put him out of the way, +those two. And if that's right, it's a shame, 'cause Tommy was a good +fellow. It was him took me to the theatre, that time when I seen the +Mikado." + +Evidently this one visit to a theatre had been an event in her weary +little life, and the man who had given her that bit of pleasure and had +afforded her that one glimpse of what she would have described as the +"dressed-up folks," had by that act endeared himself to her childish +heart. If he had been injured, her little soul longed for vengeance, and +she was ready to be the instrument which might lead Justice to her +victim. + +Mr. Barnes began to believe that the solution of this mystery was near +at hand. He left the building, thanking the child for what she had told +him, and promising to find out what had become of her friend Tommy +White. Crossing the street he entered the saloon where the girl had told +him that Morgan had been in the habit of buying his daily pint of beer. +By talking with the bartender he hoped to elicit further information. + +The gentlemanly dispenser of liquid refreshment, whose constant boast +was that he knew how to manufacture over three hundred different mixed +drinks without using any intoxicant, stood beside the mahogany counter, +polishing up the glasses, which he piled in an imposing pyramid on the +shelf at the back, where the display was made doubly attractive by the +plate mirror behind. His hair was scrupulously brushed and his short +white coat was immaculately clean. Fortunately there was no one else in +the place, so that the detective was afforded a good opportunity for +free conversation. He asked for a Manhattan cocktail, and admired the +dexterity with which the man prepared the drink. Raising it to his lips +and tasting it as a connoisseur might, Mr. Barnes said: + +"Could not be better at the Waldorf." + +"Oh, I don't know," said the fellow, deprecatingly, but pleased at the +implied compliment. + +"Your face is very familiar to me," said Mr. Barnes; "have you ever met +me before?" + +"Never in my life," said the bartender, without the slightest change of +expression. + +"That's odd," said Mr. Barnes, pursuing the point with a purpose; "I am +pretty good at faces. I seldom forget one, and just as seldom make a +mistake. I would almost swear I have seen you before." + +"I was tending bar at the Astor House for two years. Perhaps you saw me +there," suggested the man. + +"Ah, that is it," said Mr. Barnes, pretending to accept this +explanation; "I often take my luncheon there. By the way, I suppose you +are pretty well acquainted around the neighborhood?" + +"Oh, I know a few people," said the man, cautiously. + +"You know Tommy White, of course?" + +"Do I?" + +"Don't you?" + +"I might, without knowing his name. Our customers don't all leave their +cards when they buy a drink. I don't know your name, for instance." + +"Yes, but I do not live in the neighborhood. White must come here +often." + +"Well, he hasn't been in lately," said the bartender, and then stopped +short as he noted the slip that he had made. The detective did not +choose to appear to notice it, but asked: + +"That is the point. Isn't it odd that he should have disappeared?" + +"Oh, I don't know. A man can go out of town if he wants to, I guess." + +"Do you know that White went out of town?" + +"No." + +"Have you seen Tommy White since Jerry Morgan skipped?" + +"See here! what the devil are you asking me all these questions for? Who +are you, anyway, and what are you after?" + +"I am Jack Barnes, detective, but I'm not after you, Joe Allen, alias +Fred Martin, alias Jimmy Smith, alias Bowery Bill, alias the Plug." + +This sally left the man stolidly unmoved, but it affected his attitude +towards his questioner, nevertheless, as he sullenly answered: + +"There's nothing you can get against me, so I don't scare even if you +know me. If you don't want me, what do you want?" + +"Look here, Joe," said Mr. Barnes, in friendly, confidential tones, "a +bluff does not go with me, and you know it never did. Now why did you +not acknowledge that you knew me when I first came in?" + +"What's the use of courtin' trouble? I wasn't sure you'd remember my +face. It's quite a time since we met." + +"True. It is five years since that Bond Street affair, and you got three +years for that, if I remember rightly." + +"Well, I served my time, didn't I? So that's ended, ain't it?" + +"Yes. But what about that little business of the postage-stamp robbery +out in Trenton?" + +"Why, I didn't have no hand in that." + +"Well, two of your pals did, and when they were caught and sent up they +were square enough not to peach on you. The Mulberry Street crowd did +not know how thick you were with those boys, or you might have got into +trouble. But I knew, and you know that I knew." + +"Well, what if you did? I tell you I wasn't in that." + +"You would not like to be obliged to prove where you were that night, +would you?" + +"Oh, I suppose it's always hard to prove I was one place, when fellows +like you go on the stand and swear I was somewhere else. So, as I said +before, what's the use of courtin' trouble?" + +"Now you are sensible, and as I said, I am not after you. All I want is +some information. Give me another cocktail, and have one yourself." + +"Thanks, I will. Go ahead with your catechism; I'll answer so long as +you don't try to make me squeal on any of my friends. I'd go up before +I'd do that. And you know that." + +"That's all right. I know you're square, and that is why I feel sure you +would not be mixed up in a murder." + +"Murder?" + +This time the fellow was frightened. How could he be sure that this +detective was not trying to entrap him? How could he know positively +that he had not been accused by some pal who wished to shift +responsibility from himself to another? This is the Damocles sword that +ever hangs over the head of the wrong-doer. His most chosen companions +may either tell of what he has done, or accuse him of crime which he has +not committed. + +"I am afraid so. But what are you worrying over? Did I not tell you that +you are not in it? Listen to me, Joe. This Jerry Morgan has skipped out +of town, and it looks as though he took Tommy White's girl Nellie with +him. Now, where is Tommy White?" + +"I don't know a thing. I swear I don't." + +"Yes, you do. You do not know what has become of him, but you know +something. Morgan isn't any pal of yours, is he?" + +"No." + +"Very well. Then why not tell me what you know? If he has done anything +to White, he ought not to go free, ought he? You do not stand in with +murder, do you?" + +"No, I don't. But how do I know there's been any murder?" + +"You don't know it, but since I suggested it to you, you think so. I see +that in your face. Now, what do you know?" + +"Well, I don't know much, but what I know I don't want used to make +another fellow go to the chair." + +"That is no affair of yours. You are not responsible for what the law +does. Come, I have no more time to waste. Tell me what you know, or say +right out that you will not. Then I will know what to do." + +The implied threat decided the man, and without further attempt at +evasion he said: + +"Well, I suppose there ain't any use my runnin' any risk for a man +that's nothin' to me. It's this way: Morgan's an old-time crook--I +suppose you know that?" Mr. Barnes nodded, although this was news to +him. Allen continued: "He's been at it since he was a kid. Was in the +reformatory, and learned more there about crooked work in a year than he +would have picked up in ten outside. He's never done time, though, since +he graduated from that institution. Learned enough, I guess, to keep +out of sight of your crowd. Two years ago he moved into this +neighborhood and since then I've seen him in here a good deal. He took +up with Tommy White--a young fellow that would have lived straight only +he was in bad company, and was railroaded with a gang for a job he +really had no hand in. That settled him. When he came out of Sing Sing +he wasn't likely to go for a straight job at a dollar a day, when he +could lay around idle and pick up a good thing every now and then that +would keep him going. I guess he and Morgan done a good many jobs +together; anyway, they never was short of money. One thing was funny +about those two--nobody ever seen them in the daytime. They used to say +they was 'workin',' but that didn't go with the crowd that hangs out +here. Neither Morgan nor White would work if they could help it. They +was just like brothers, those two, till White took up with this girl +Nellie. I think Morgan was jealous of his luck from the first, 'cause +the girl is a peach. One of your real blondes, without no bleachin' +stuff. She's got a skin like velvet, and hands and feet like a lady. +White soon found out that his pal was sweet on the girl, and many a time +they've rowed over her. Finally, about two weeks ago the two of them was +in here, and they was drinkin' pretty hard and just ready for a scrap, +when the girl comes in. Morgan goes up to her and puts his arm round her +and kisses her plump. White was mad in a minute, but he turned on her +instead of him and he says, says he: 'Nellie, I want you to hammer that +duffer over the head for doin' that,' and he picks up a beer glass and +hands it to her. Nellie she takes the glass, and she says: 'I've heard +of a kiss for a blow,' she says, 'but a blow for a kiss is a new one on +me. It ain't that way in the Bible, Tommy, so I guess if you want any +hammerin' done, you'd better do it yourself. I'm thinkin' of joinin' the +Salvation Army, you know.' This made Morgan and the crowd laugh, and +White got fierce. He snatched the glass out of Nellie's hand and made +for Morgan. But Morgan he ducks and lets White go by him, and he picks +up a beer glass too; then when White came for him again he landed a +terrible blow with the glass right back of White's ear. Tommy went down +in a heap and lay on the ground quiverin'. The whole thing happened so +quick nobody could interfere. Morgan got sober in a second, I tell you, +and he was scared. Everybody crowded round, and the girl she was a +wonder. You'd think bein' a woman she'd cry and make a fuss? Not a bit +of it. She got some ice and put it on White's head, and threw water in +his face, and she puts her ear down to his heart, and then she looks up +after a bit, and she says, as cool as could be: 'Boys, he's only +stunned. He'll come round all right. Some of you help get him home, and +I'll look after him. He'll sleep off his liquor and he won't know what +hurt him when he wakes in the mornin'.' Well, Morgan and the others they +did what she said. They took White up and carted him over to his flat, +and put him to bed. My! but he was limp, and his face was that blue it's +been before me ever since." + +"Did White get over that blow?" + +"That's the point. Nellie and Morgan said he did; that he was a bit sore +next day and had a headache. That was likely enough. But when you talked +about murder a while ago, I admit I got scared, cause White's never been +seen since that night." + +"You are sure of that?" + +"Dead sure. Nellie said he was gone out of town, and the boys swallowed +the story. But when both Morgan and Nellie skipped it looked bad, and +folks began to talk. As for me, I've been nervous for days. Why, when +that body was picked out of the river I just couldn't keep away from the +Morgue. I just had to have a peep at it. I was sure it would be White, +and that Morgan had pitched him over. My, but wasn't I glad to see it +was another man!" + +Assuring Allen that his story would not be used in any way that would +bring him into conflict with the authorities, Mr. Barnes left the saloon +and went to his office, feeling that at last this problem had been +solved. Evidently White had died of his wound, and when Morgan learned +that the coffin of Mr. Quadrant was not to be opened before it was +consigned to the crematory, he had conceived one of the most ingenious +schemes ever devised for disposing of a murdered body. By placing White +in the coffin and allowing his body to be incinerated, all traces of +his crime would seem to have been obliterated. To accomplish this it was +necessary to have the use of the undertaker's wagon, and this he had +managed by drugging the watchman, as well as Mark Quadrant. The transfer +made, he was still left with the other body, and his disposition of that +was the most ingenious part of the plan. By throwing the corpse of Rufus +Quadrant into the water he apparently took little risk. It could not be +recognized as White of course, and if correctly identified a mystery +would be created that ought to baffle the detectives, however clever +they might be. Mr. Barnes felt that he had been fortunate, to learn so +much from such unpromising clues. + +At his office he found a telegram and a letter, both bearing on the +case. The telegram was from Mr. Burrows, and informed him that Morgan +had been captured in Chicago, and would be in New York on the following +day. This was more than gratifying, and Mr. Barnes mentally praised the +young detective. The letter was from Mr. Mitchel, and read: + + "FRIEND BARNES: + + "At last I have fathomed the Quadrant mystery. Will drop in + on you about noon to-morrow and tell you how the affair was + managed. You will be surprised, I am sure. + + "MITCHEL." + +"Will I?" said Mr. Barnes to himself. + + + X + +Mr. Burrows arrived at the offices of Mr. Barnes about eleven o'clock on +the following morning, which much pleased the older detective, who +wished to have his case complete before the arrival of Mr. Mitchel. + +"Well, Tom," said Mr. Barnes, cordially, "so you have caught your man +and brought him back?" + +"Did I not promise you that I would?" replied Mr. Burrows. + +"Yes, but even a cleverer man than yourself cannot always hope to keep +such a promise. Do you know that this fellow, Morgan, is a professional +crook who has never been caught at his work before?" + +"So he has told me," said Mr. Burrows, modestly refraining from any +boastfulness. + +"He told you the truth in that instance, and I trust you have also +succeeded in getting a confession from him as to his connection with +this Quadrant matter?" + +"He has pretended to make a clean breast of it, but of course we must +verify his story. One cannot place too much faith in the confessions of +a crook." + +"Does he admit that he took the rings?" + +"Yes, it seems you were right there." + +"Does he explain how and why he took the body from the coffin?" + +"On the contrary, he denies having done so." + +"Then he lies," said Mr. Barnes. "I have not been idle since you went +away, but my tale will keep. Let me hear first what Morgan's alleged +confession amounts to." + +"He admits that he stole the rings. He has a duplicate of that +screw-driver of which old Berial is so fond of bragging, and when he was +left alone with the body, he opened the coffin and took the rings, and, +in keeping with his limited standard of morals, he offers a rather +ingenious excuse for his act." + +"I should like to hear a good excuse for robbing the dead." + +"That is his point exactly. He says that as the dead cannot own +property, the dead cannot be robbed. As the family had declared that the +coffin was not to be opened again, Morgan says he considered the rings +as practically consigned to the furnace, and then he asks, 'What was the +use of seeing stuff like that burned up, when it was good money to me?' +It is a nice point, Mr. Barnes. If the owner elects to throw away or +destroy his property, can we blame a man for appropriating the same?" + +"We may not be able to blame him, but we certainly have the power to +punish him. The law will not accept such sophistry as palliation for +crime. What else does the fellow admit?" + +"The rest of his tale is quite interesting, and I think would surprise +you, unless, indeed, you have discovered the truth yourself." + +"I think I could make a shrewd guess," said Mr. Barnes. + +"Well, I wish you would tell me your story first. You see, after all, I +am the legally employed investigator of this matter, and I should like +to hear your story before telling mine, that I may be absolutely certain +that your results have been arrived at by a different line of work, +though of course you understand that I do not for a moment imagine that +you would intentionally color your story after hearing mine." + +"I understand you perfectly, Tom," said Mr. Barnes, kindly, "and I am +not at all offended. You are right to wish to have the two stories +independently brought before your reasoning faculties. Morgan tells you +that he stole the rings in the afternoon. Perhaps he did, and perhaps he +took them later. It does not now seem to be material. The subsequent +facts, as I deduce them from the evidence, are as follows: Morgan had a +pal, who was sweet on a girl called Nellie. By the way, did you get any +trace of her?" + +"She was with Morgan when I found him and she has come back with us." + +"Good. Very good, It seems that Morgan also admired the girl, and that +finally he and his pal had a saloon fight over her, during which Morgan +struck the other man with a beer glass. This man fell to the floor +unconscious, and was taken to his home in that condition. He has not +been seen in the neighborhood since. Now we come to another series of +events. Morgan admits taking the rings. Suppose we accept his story. He +then left the house and drove the wagon back to the shop. Randal took +it from there to the stables, but later in the evening Morgan visited +the stables and induced the night watchman to take a drink. That drink +was drugged, and the drug was morphine. The watchman slept soundly, and +there is little doubt that while thus unconscious Morgan took the +undertaker's wagon out of the stable on some errand. There is an +interesting series of links in this chain which convicts Morgan of using +morphine to accomplish his purpose. First, it is nearly certain that the +watchman was drugged; second, a witness will testify that he found Mr. +Mark Quadrant sound asleep, when he was supposed to be watching the +coffin; third, I have taken from the pocket of a vest found in Morgan's +rooms a powder which a chemist declares is morphine. Is not that fairly +good evidence?" + +"It is good evidence, Mr. Barnes, but it does not prove that Morgan took +that body from the coffin." + +"What, then, does it show?" + +"It makes him an accomplice at least. He undoubtedly drugged the +watchman and took the wagon out of the stables, but beyond that you can +prove nothing. You have not offered any motive that would actuate him in +stealing the body." + +"The motive is quite sufficient, I assure you. His pal, whom he struck +down with the beer glass, and who has not been seen by his neighbors +since that night, must have died from the blow. It was his body that was +cremated." + +Mr. Burrows shook his head, and seemed sorry to upset the calculations +of his old friend. + +"I am afraid you cannot prove that," said he. "Tell me, what was the +name of this pal? Have you learned that?" + +"Yes; Tommy White." + +"Do you know him by any other name?" + +"No; but as he is unquestionably a crook he probably has a dozen +aliases." + +"One will suffice at present. Tommy White is none other than your +disinterested informant, Jack Randal." + +"What!" exclaimed Mr. Barnes, recognizing instantly that if this were +true his whole edifice tumbled to the ground. + +"Yes. I think that Morgan has told me a clean-cut story, though, as I +said before, we must verify it. You see, he is a crook and ready to +acquire other people's property, but I think he has a wholesome dread of +the electric chair that will keep him out of murder. He was at one time +a pal of Billy the Red, now in Sing Sing. After that fellow was put away +he took up with Tommy White, alias Jack Randal. Randal, it seems, +induced Morgan to join him in his nefarious schemes. The undertaker has +told you, perhaps, as he has told me, that he invented his patent coffin +because of numerous grave robberies that had occurred in one of the +cemeteries. He little suspected that the robbers were his two +assistants. These fellows would steal from the dead, while preparing the +bodies for burial, if it seemed safe, as, for example, was the case with +Mr. Quadrant, where it was known that the coffin was not again to be +opened. In other cases they would visit the grave together. Sometimes +they merely appropriated what jewelry there might be, but in not a few +instances they stole the bodies as well, disposing of them to medical +students." + +"What a diabolical partnership!" + +"Yes, indeed. Now, coming to the saloon fight, you are correct enough +except as to the results. White, or Randal, was unconscious during the +greater part of the night, and in the morning had but a dim recollection +of what had occurred. He understood, however, that his injury had been +the result of a fight with Morgan, and also that the girl Nellie had +'thrown him over,' to adopt the vernacular. He therefore left the +neighborhood, and though the two men continued to work for Berial, they +did not resume their friendship. White evidently was nursing his +grievances, and only awaited an opportunity to make trouble for his old +pal Morgan. This he hoped to accomplish by the information which he gave +to you." + +"You will hardly expect me to believe that Morgan gave up his position +and left town without some better reason than a mere quarrel with his +pal, and a petty theft?" + +"Morgan did not give up his position, nor did he leave town of his own +volition. He was sent away." + +"Sent away? By whom?" + +"By the principal in this case. I told you from the first that there +were two in it. He has admitted to me what I did not know, but what I +believe now because you tell me the same story. He confesses that he +drugged the watchman at the stables and then drove the wagon away. But +he denies that he either took Quadrant's body from the coffin, or indeed +that he drove the wagon to the Quadrant house. In fact, he says he was +paid to get the wagon unknown to the watchman, and that he was furnished +with the powders with which he was to drug the man." + +"Am I to understand that one of the dead man's brothers hired Morgan to +do this?" + +Mr. Barnes was thinking of his conversation with Amos Quadrant, during +which that gentleman had suggested that an undertaker's wagon might +approach the house at any hour without attracting attention. He was +consequently astonished by the younger detective's reply. + +"No," said Mr. Burrows; "he does not implicate either of the Quadrants. +He declares that it was old Berial who hired him to do his part of the +job." + + + XI + +New possibilities crowded into the thoughts of Mr. Barnes as he heard +this unexpected statement. Berial hired Morgan to procure the wagon! Did +it follow, then, that Berial was the principal, or was he in turn but +the tool of another? Amos Quadrant had confessed that secretly it had +not been his wish to have his brother cremated. Yet his was the +authority which had engaged the undertaker and directed the funeral. Had +he chosen to avoid the cremation without permitting the widow to know +that his will accomplished her wish, how easy for him to engage the +undertaker to carry out his purpose, oddly planned as it was! How +readily might the poor undertaker have been bribed by this wealthy man +to take the risk! After all, if this were the explanation, wherein lay +the crime? By what name would it be designated in the office of the +district attorney? Yet, even now, when all seemed known, two unexplained +facts stood out prominently. How was it that the foot of the deceased +Quadrant showed no scar? And what of the assertion made by Mr. Mitchel +that a human body had been cremated? Could it be that Berial, taking +advantage of the opportunity offered by his employer, had secretly +disposed of some other body, while merely supposed to have removed Rufus +Quadrant from his coffin? If so, whose body was it that had been +cremated, and how could identification be looked for among the ashes in +the urn at the cemetery? Mr. Barnes was chagrined to find such questions +in his mind with no answer, when Mr. Mitchel might arrive with his +promised surprise at any moment. Perhaps Morgan was lying when he +accused the undertaker. + +"Have you been able yet," asked Mr. Barnes, "to verify any part of this +man's story?" + +"Well, we only arrived at six this morning, but I may say yes, I have +found some corroborative evidence." + +"What?" + +"I have the shroud in which Rufus Quadrant was dressed in his coffin." + +"That is important. Where did you find it?" + +"In quite a suggestive place. It was locked up in old Berial's private +closet at the shop, which we searched this morning." + +"That certainly is significant. But even so, Tom, how do we know that +this Morgan, who robs the dead and has duplicate screw-drivers for +opening patented coffin fastenings, would hesitate to place a shroud +where it would seem to substantiate his accusation of another?" + +"We do not know positively, of course. We have not fully solved this +mystery yet, Mr. Barnes." + +"I fear not, Tom," said Mr. Barnes, glancing at the clock as he heard a +voice asking for him in the adjoining office; "but here comes a man who +claims that he has done so." + +Mr. Mitchel entered and saluted the two men cordially, after receiving +an introduction to the younger. + +"Well, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, "shall I surprise you with my +story, or have you two gentlemen worked it all out?" + +"I do not know whether you will surprise us or not," said Mr. Barnes. +"We do not claim to have fully solved this mystery; that much we will +admit at once. But we have done a great deal of work, and have learned +facts which must in the end lead to the truth." + +"Ah, I see. You know some things, but not all. The most important fact, +of course, would be the identity of the body which is the centre of this +mystery. Do you know that much?" + +"I have no doubt that it has been correctly identified," said Mr. +Barnes, boldly, though not as confident as he pretended. "It was the +corpse of Rufus Quadrant, of course." + +"You are speaking of the body at the Morgue?" + +"Certainly. What other?" + +"I alluded to the body which was cremated," said Mr. Mitchel quietly. + +"It has not been proven that any body was cremated," replied Mr. Barnes. + +"Has it not? I think it has." + +"Ah, you know that? Well, tell us. Who was the man?" + +"The man in the coffin, do you mean?" + +"Yes. The man who was cremated in place of Mr. Quadrant." + +"Have you any suspicion?" + +"I did have until an hour ago. I supposed that the criminal who managed +this affair had thus disposed of the remains of a pal whom he had killed +in a saloon row--a man called Tommy White." + +"No, that is wrong. The body cremated was the corpse of a woman." + +"Of a woman!" exclaimed both detectives in concert. + +"Yes, gentlemen," said Mr. Mitchel, "it was a woman's body that was +placed in the furnace. I think, Mr. Barnes, that I suggested such a +possibility to you on the day when you first called my attention to this +affair?" + +"Yes. You said it might be a woman as well as a man. But that was merely +a caution against hastily deciding as to the sex of the victim, +supposing that a murder had been committed and the criminal had thus +proceeded to hide his crime. But subsequent investigations have not +brought to us even a suspicion that any woman has been foully dealt +with, who could have been placed in the coffin by any who had the +opportunity." + +"Which only proves," said Mr. Mitchel, "that as usual you detectives +have worked in routine fashion, and consequently, by beginning at the +wrong end, you have not reached the goal. Now I have reached the goal, +and I venture the belief that I have not done one half of the work that +either of you have been compelled to bestow upon your investigations." + +"We cannot all be as intellectually brilliant as yourself," said Mr. +Barnes testily. + +"Come, come, Mr. Barnes. No offense meant, I assure you. I am only +upholding the argument, which I have advanced previously, that the very +routine which gentlemen of your calling feel bound to follow often +hampers if it does not hinder your work. I am merely a tyro, but not +being professionally engaged on this case I was perhaps freer to see +things with eyes unblinded by traditional methods of work. It is just as +the onlooker often sees an opportunity to win, which the men playing a +game of chess overlook. The player has his mind upon many combinations +and sees much that the onlooker does not see. So here. You and Mr. +Burrows have probably discovered many things that I do not even suspect, +but it has been my luck to get at the truth. If you care to hear it, I +will describe in detail how I worked out the problem." + +"Of course we wish to hear the truth," said Mr. Barnes reluctantly; +"that is, if indeed you have learned what it is." + +"Very good. As I have said, hampered by the seeming necessity of +following your investigations along customary lines, you probably began +with the body at the Morgue. I pursued the opposite course. The case +seemed so unique that I was convinced that the motive would prove to be +equally uncommon. If the body at the Morgue were really that of Mr. +Quadrant, as seemed probable from the identifications by the family and +the doctor, I was sure that it had been taken from the coffin to make +room for the corpse of another. No other motive occurred to my mind +which appeared to be adequate. Consequently I thought that the first +essential in unravelling the mystery would be the establishment of the +fact that a human body had been cremated, and then, if possible, to +discover the identity of that body." + +"In other words, to identify the ashes of a cremated body," interjected +Mr. Barnes, with a slight sneer. + +"Just so. That in itself was a problem so novel that it attracted my +interest. It is usually considered that cremation has the objectionable +feature that it offers a means of hiding the crime of murder. This idea +has contributed not a little to thwart those who have endeavored to make +this means of disposing of the dead popular. Would it not be an +achievement to prove that incineration is not necessarily a barrier +against identification?" + +"I should say so," said Mr. Barnes. + +"So thought I, and that was the task which I set myself. I visited the +chief of the detective bureau, and soon interested him in my theories. +He even permitted me to be present at the examination of the ashes, +which was undertaken at my suggestion, an expert chemist and his +assistant going with us. At the cemetery the urn was brought forth and +its contents spread out on a clean marble slab. It was not difficult to +discern that a human being had been cremated." + +"Why was it not difficult?" + +"When one hears of the ashes of the dead, perhaps it is not unnatural to +think of these human ashes as similar to cigar ashes, or the ashes of a +wood fire. Where complete combustion occurs the residue is but an +impalpable powder. But this is not commonly the result in the cremation +of the dead, or at least it does not invariably occur. It did not in +this instance, and that is the main point for us. On the contrary, some +of the bones, and parts of others, sufficiently retained their form to +be readily distinguishable as having come from the human skeleton." + +"As I have never examined a cremated body," said Mr. Barnes, "I must +admit that your statement surprises me. I had supposed that all parts of +the body would be brought to a similar state. But even if what you say +is true, and granting that from pieces of charred bone it could be +demonstrated that a human being had been burned, still I would like you +to explain how you could differentiate between man and woman." + +"Perhaps it would be difficult, or even impossible, judging from the +charred bits of skeleton alone. But if we remember that a woman's garb +is different from the dress of a man, we might find a clue. For example, +if you saw what could unmistakably be recognized as parts of corset +steels, what would you think?" + +"Of course the deduction would be that the body had been that of a +woman, but I should think it an odd circumstance to find that a body +prepared for burial had been corseted." + +"The same thought occurred to me, and from it I drew an important +deduction, since substantiated by facts. I concluded from the corset +steels that the body had not been prepared for burial." + +"I follow you," said Mr. Barnes, now thoroughly interested in Mr. +Mitchel's analytical method. "You mean that this woman was placed in the +coffin clothed as she had died?" + +"Practically so, but I did not decide that she had necessarily died +clothed as she was when placed in the coffin. My conclusion was that it +must have been as essential to dispose of the clothing as of the body. +Thus the clothing would have been placed in the coffin with her, even +though perhaps not on her." + +"A good point! A good point!" nodded the detective, approvingly. + +"So, you see, the ashes of the dead had already revealed two clues. We +knew that a human being had been cremated, and we could feel reasonably +sure, though not absolutely positive, that it had been a woman. Next, +the question arose as to the identity. If cremation would hide that, +then the criminal might hope to escape justice by this means." + +"It seems incredible that the ashes could be identified, unless indeed +some object, provably connected with a certain person, and which would +resist fire, had been placed in the coffin." + +"No, that would not satisfy me. A false identification could thus be +planned by your thoughtful murderer. What I sought was some means of +identifying the actual remains of a cremated body. I have succeeded." + +"You have succeeded?" + +"Yes. I had a theory which has proven to be a good one. If some of the +bones of the body resist cremation, or at least retain their form though +calcined, it should follow that the teeth, being the most resistant +bones, and, moreover, protected by being imbedded in other bones, might +well be expected to remain intact. If not all, at least a sufficient +number of them might be found to serve the ends of justice." + +"Even if you could find the teeth with shape undisturbed, I fail to see +how you could identify the remains by them." + +"The method is as reliable as it is unique. In these days of advanced +dentistry, the people of this country have been educated up to such an +appreciation of their dental organs that, from the highest to the +lowliest, we find the people habitually saving their teeth by having +them filled. I knew by personal experience that it is a common practice +among dentists to register in a book of record all work done for a +patient. In these records they have blank charts of the teeth, and on +the diagram of each tooth, as it is filled, they mark in ink the size +and position of the filling inserted. Now while the teeth themselves +might resist the heat of the furnace, retaining their shapes, we would +not expect the fillings, whether of gold or other material, to do so. +Thus, I expected to find the teeth with cavities in them. I did find +fourteen of the teeth fairly whole, sufficiently so that we might +identify them, and know what position in the mouth they had occupied. No +less than ten of these teeth had cavities, which, from the regularity of +their outline, it was fair to assume had been filled. These I took to my +dentist for an opinion. He was at once interested, because it seems +that members of the dental profession have long urged upon the police +the reliance that may be placed upon the dentist in identifying living +criminals or unknown dead bodies. He examined the charred teeth, and +taking a blank chart of the mouth, he plotted out the size and positions +of the fillings which once had been present. Another very interesting +point was that we found two teeth, known as the central incisor and the +cuspid (the latter commonly called the eye-tooth), united together by a +staple of platinum. This staple had of course resisted the heat because +platinum melts at so high a temperature. My dentist pointed out to me +that this staple had been a foundation for what he called a bridge. One +end of the staple had been forced into the root of one tooth, the other +end passing similarly into the other. Thus the space was spanned, and an +artificial tooth had been attached to the bar, thus filling the space. +He also pointed out that the bar was covered with a mass which was +evidently the porcelain of the tooth which had melted in the furnace." + +"This is very interesting," said Mr. Barnes, "but unless you could find +the man who did that work, you still could not identify the person +cremated." + +"My dentist, as I have said, made out for me a chart of the person's +mouth, which you may examine. You will see that it is quite specific. +With that number of fillings, occupying definite positions in special +teeth, and coupled with the presence of the tooth bridged in and the +manner of making the bridge, it would be an unexampled coincidence to +find that two persons had obtained exactly similar dental services. +Would it not?" + +[Illustration: Missing teeth marked with X--Of 14 teeth examined 10 +contain cavities--16 in all.--Central incisor and cuspid united with +platinum bar, originally held by fillings.--Remains of porcelain +material fused on the bar. + +CHART FURNISHED BY MR. MITCHEL'S DENTIST.] + +"That is sound reasoning," said Mr. Barnes. + +"Very well. I had a statement published in the four leading dental +magazines, accompanied by a _facsimile_ of the chart made by my dentist, +and I solicited correspondence with any dentist who could show a similar +chart in his records." + +"That was a good method, provided, of course, the dentist who did the +work subscribed to one of these magazines." + +"Of course the advertisement might not meet the eye of the dentist who +treated the dead woman, but even though he were not a subscriber he +might hear of this matter through some acquaintance, because, as I have +said, this subject of identification through dental work is one that +widely interests the dentists. However, success rewarded us. I received +a letter from a dentist in one of the New Jersey towns, stating that he +believed he could match my chart. I lost no time in visiting him, and, +after examining his book, was satisfied that the person who had been +cremated that day was an elderly, eccentric woman, named Miss Lederle, +Miss Martha Lederle." + +"Mr. Mitchel, you have done a remarkably clever bit of work, and though +you have succeeded where I have failed, I must congratulate you. But +tell me, after learning the name of the woman how did you trace her to +this city?" + +"I deserve no credit for that. It seems that Miss Lederle had long had +a little fleshy tumor on the inside of her cheek, which had had an +opportunity to grow because of the loss of a tooth. Her dentist often +advised her to have it removed, lest it might become cancerous. She put +it off from time to time, but recently it had grown more rapidly, and at +last she called on the dentist and asked him to recommend a surgeon. He +tells me that he gave her the names of three, one residing in Newark, +and two in this city. Of the New York men, one was Dr. Mortimer." + +"By Jove! Doctor Mortimer!" exclaimed Mr. Barnes. "I begin to see +daylight. It was he who supplied the morphine powders, then?" + +"Ah, then you know so much? Yes, Dr. Mortimer instigated the transfer of +bodies. As soon as I charged him with murder, he thought it safest to +tell me the truth and throw himself upon my mercy." + +"Upon your mercy?" said Mr. Barnes, mystified. + +"Yes; the man has not committed a crime, at least not the crime of +murder. It seems that on the afternoon of the day before that fixed for +the funeral of Mr. Quadrant, this Miss Lederle called at his office and +requested him to remove the tumor from her cheek. He consented, and +suggested the use of cocaine to deaden the parts. The woman insisted +that she must have chloroform, and the doctor explained that in the +absence of his assistant he would not care to undertake the +administration of an anaesthetic. But the woman was persistent; she +offered a liberal fee if the operation could be done immediately, since +it had required so much time for her to bring her courage to the point +of having the tumor removed; then the operation itself seemed so simple +that at last the surgeon was overruled, and proceeded. He did cause the +patient to remove her corset, and, her garments thoroughly loosened, she +was placed on the operating-table. He says he administered very little +chloroform, and had not yet attempted to operate when the patient +exhibited dangerous symptoms. In spite of his most untiring efforts she +succumbed, and he found himself in the dreadful position of having a +patient die under an operation, with no witnesses present. He closed and +locked his office and walked from the house in great mental agitation. +He called at the Quadrants', and heard there that the coffin would not +again be opened. Then a great temptation came to him. The woman had not +given him her address, nor had she stated who had sent her to Dr. +Mortimer, merely declaring that she knew him by reputation. There was no +way to communicate with the woman's relatives except by making the +affair public. He recalled that a similar accident to an old surgeon of +long-established reputation, where several assistants had been present, +had nevertheless ruined the man's practice. He himself was innocent of +wrong-doing, except, perhaps, that the law forbade him to operate alone, +and he saw ruin staring him in the face, just at a time, too, when great +prosperity had appeared to be within his grasp. The undertaker, Berial, +was an old acquaintance, indebted to him for many recommendations. + +"The plan seemed more and more feasible as he thought of it, and finally +he sought out Berial, and confided to him his secret. For a liberal fee +the undertaker agreed to dispose of the body. Dr. Mortimer supplied him +with a drug with which to overcome the watchman at the stables, so that +the wagon could be taken out unknown. He himself visited the Quadrant +house, and, under the plea of relieving Mark Quadrant of a headache, +gave him also a dose of morphine. At the appointed time Berial arrived +at the doctor's office and took away the woman's body, first replacing +the corset, which, of course, they were bound to dispose of. Together +they went to the Quadrants', and there exchanged the bodies. Subsequent +events are known to you. Thus the truth has arisen, Phoenix-like, from +the ashes of the dead. The question remaining is, what claim has Justice +upon the doctor? Gentlemen, is it needful to disgrace that man, who +really is a victim of circumstances rather than a wrong-doer? He tells +me, Mr. Barnes, that he has not had a moment of mental rest since you +asked him whether ashes could be proven to be the residue of a human +body." + +"I recall now that he started violently when I spoke to him. Perhaps, +had I been more shrewd, I might have suspected the truth then. The +difficulty of hushing this matter up, Mr. Mitchel, seems to be the +friends and relatives of the dead woman. How can they be appeased?" + +"I will undertake that. I think the real estate which she leaves behind +will satisfy the one relative. I have already communicated with this +man, a hard, money-grubbing old skinflint, and I think that with the +assistance of Mr. Berial we can have one more funeral that will satisfy +the curiosity of the few neighbors." + +And thus the matter was permitted to rest. There was yet one point which +puzzled Mr. Barnes, and which never was made clear to him. + +"What of the scar that I could not find on Rufus Quadrant's foot?" he +often asked himself. But as he could not ask either of the brothers, he +never got a reply. Yet the explanation was simple. Mark Quadrant told +Mr. Barnes that his brother had such a scar, his object being to baffle +the detective by suggesting to him a flaw in the identification. The +idea occurred to him because his brother Amos really had such a scarred +foot, and he so worded his remark that he literally told the truth, +though he deceived Mr. Barnes. When the detective repeated this +statement to Amos, he noticed the care with which his brother had +spoken, and, in turn, he truthfully said that his brother had spoken +truthfully. + + + + + II + + THE MISSING LINK + + +"The object of my visit," began Mr. Barnes, "is of such grave importance +that I approach it with hesitation, and I may even say reluctance. Will +you give me your closest attention?" + +"I understood from your note," replied Mr. Mitchel, "that you wished to +consult me in regard to some case which you are investigating. As you +are well aware, I take the keenest interest in the solving of criminal +problems. Therefore proceed. But first let me light a Havana. A good +cigar always aids my perception." + +The two men were in the sumptuous library of Mr. Mitchel's new house, +which he had bought for his wife shortly after their marriage. It was +ten in the morning, and Mr. Mitchel, just from his breakfast-room, was +comfortably attired in a smoking-jacket. After lighting his cigar, he +threw himself into a large Turkish chair, rested his head upon the +soft-cushioned back, and extended his slippered feet towards the grate +fire, his legs crossed. As he blew little rings of smoke towards the +detective, he seemed absolutely unsuspicious of the story about to be +told. + +Mr. Barnes, on the contrary, appeared ill at ease. He declined a cigar, +and, without removing his overcoat, he leaned his left arm on the low +marble mantel as he stood talking, his right being free for gestures +when he wished to emphasize a point. + +After a brief pause he began: + +"Whilst I am not officially connected with the regular police, my young +friend Burrows is, and is highly esteemed by the Chief. You will +remember him in connection with the Quadrant case. He called upon me +about noon on last Sunday. The story which he had to tell was the most +remarkable in some respects that I have heard. Briefly, it is as +follows: As you know, it is common practice among speculating builders +to erect a row of houses, finishing them at one end first, so that, not +infrequently, one or two of the row may be sold while the mechanics are +still at work on the other end. In this manner ten houses have been +built in this immediate vicinity." + +"In the street just back of me," said Mr. Mitchel. + +Mr. Barnes watched him closely at this moment, but he seemed entirely +composed and merely attentive. The detective proceeded. + +"It appears that two of these houses have been sold and are already +occupied. The next four are completed, and the sign "For Sale" appears +in the windows. The others are still in the hands of the workmen. The +four which are for sale are in the care of a watchman. They are open for +inspection during the day, but he is supposed to lock all the doors +before going to his home in the evening, and to open them to the public +again on the following day. According to this man, he locked all the +doors of these four houses on Saturday night at six o'clock, and opened +them again at eight on Sunday morning. Between eight and nine he showed +two parties through one of the houses and, after dismissing the last, +was sitting on the stoop reading the morning paper, when he was startled +by hearing a scream. A moment later he saw two women rush out of the +house next to where he sat, and from their actions it was evident that +they were terribly frightened. It was some time before he could get any +lucid explanation from either, and when he did he understood them to +intimate that some one had been murdered in the house. He asked them to +show him to the spot, but they most positively declined. He therefore, +with unusual display of common sense, summoned a policeman, and with him +visited the room indicated by the frightened women, who made no attempt +to run away, though they again refused to go into the house, even with +the officer. What the two men found was horrible enough to account for +the women's actions. In the bathtub lay the body of a woman, the head, +hands, and feet having been cut off and removed." + +"I should say that, under these circumstances, identification would be +most difficult," said Mr. Mitchel, "unless, indeed, the clothing might +afford some clue." + +"The body was nude," said the detective. + +"In that case, you have to deal with a man who has brains." + +"Yes; the murderer has adopted just such methods as I imagine you would +pursue, Mr. Mitchel, were you in his predicament." + +Mr. Mitchel frowned very slightly, and said: + +"You offer me a doubtful compliment, Mr. Barnes. Proceed with your case. +It is interesting, to say the least." + +"It grows more so as we proceed, for we have once more an evidence of +the futility of planning a crime which shall leave no clue behind." + +"Ah, then you have found a clue?" Mr. Mitchel removed his cigar to +speak, and did not resume his smoking, but seemed more attentive. + +"Listen," said the detective. "The policeman immediately notified his +superiors, and by ten o'clock Burrows was at the house, having been +detailed to make an examination. Having done so, and recognizing that he +was face to face with a crime of unusual importance, he hastened to +solicit my assistance, that I might be early upon the scene. I am +satisfied that I reached the house before any material alteration had +been made in any of those small and minute details which are overlooked +by the careless eye, but which speak volumes to one with experience." + +"I suppose, then, that you can describe what existed, from your personal +investigation. That is more interesting than a report at second hand." + +"I went over the ground thoroughly, as I think you will admit when I +have told you all. Here was one of those wonderful cases where the +criminal exercised extreme caution to obliterate all traces of the +crime. His actions could only be surmised through analytical and +deductive methods. There are some facts which cannot be hidden, and from +these a keen mind may trace backwards. For example, the head and +extremities had been removed, and a minute scrutiny of the remaining +parts might disclose many things." + +"Ah, here we note the triumph of mind over matter." There was just a +slight sneer, which nettled the detective. + +Mr. Barnes proceeded with some asperity. Indeed, he spoke more like +himself; that is, with less hesitancy, as though heretofore he had found +the story hard to tell, but that now his scruples had vanished. + +"An examination of the stumps of the arms proved conclusively that a +sharp knife had been used, for not only had the tendons and vessels been +cleanly severed, but in two places the cartilage capping the ends of the +bone had been shaved off smoothly." + +"Come, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, "do not dwell so upon unimportant +details." + +"The weapon is always counted as a very important detail," said Mr. +Barnes, sharply. + +"Yes, yes, I know," said Mr. Mitchel. "But you are above the ordinary +detective, and you surely perceive that it is a matter of no consequence +whether the knife used was sharp or dull. In either case it could be +hidden or destroyed, so that it could not be found to serve in +evidence." + +"Oh, very well," said Mr. Barnes, testily. "I will come to the +deductions concerning the neck. Here there were several points of +interest. Again it was evident that a sharp knife was used, and in this +instance the condition of the edge of the knife becomes important." + +"Indeed! How so?" + +"The most minute scrutiny of the body disclosed no wound which could +have been the cause of death. Unless poison had been administered, there +are but three ways by which death could have been effected." + +"And those are?" + +"Suffocation, either by choking or otherwise; drowning, by holding the +head under water in the bathtub; or by some mortal wound inflicted about +the head, either by a blow, the use of a knife, or a pistol shot. I +doubted the pistol, because so careful a man as the assassin evidently +was, would have avoided the noise. A stab with a knife was possible, but +unlikely because of the scream which would surely result. A blow was +improbable, unless the man brought the weapon with him, as the house was +empty, and nothing would accidentally be found at hand. To drown the +woman, it would have been necessary to half fill the tub with water +before thrusting the victim in it, and such an action would have aroused +her suspicion. Besides, the clothes would have been wet, and this would +have interfered with burning them. Thus by exclusion I arrived at the +belief that the woman had been choked to death, a method offering the +least risk, being noiseless and bloodless." + +"What has the sharpness of the knife to do with this?" + +"It was, in my mind, important to decide whether the head had been +removed before or after death. A dull knife would not have aided me as a +sharp one did. With a sharp knife a severing of the carotid artery +before death would have resulted in a spurting of blood, which would +have stained the walls or floor, so that it would have been difficult, +or impossible, to wash away the telltale marks. But after death, or even +while the victim was unconscious, a cool hand, with a sharp blade, could +cut down upon the artery in such a way that the blood would flow +regularly, and, the body being in the bathtub, and water flowing from +the faucets, no stains would be left." + +"Then you think that the woman was choked to death?" + +"I have not a doubt of it. There was a terrible struggle, too, though in +an empty house we could find no such signs as would inevitably have been +made in a furnished apartment. But the woman fought for her life and +died hard. This I know because, despite the precaution of the assassin +in removing the head, there are two or three distinct marks on the neck, +made by the ends of his fingers and nails." + +"Well, having discovered so much, you are as far as ever from the +identity of the criminal, or of the woman." + +"Every point unravelled is so much gain," said Mr. Barnes, evasively. +"My next deduction was more important. Let us picture the scene of the +crime. For causes as yet unknown, this man wished to kill this woman. He +lures her into this empty house, and, choosing a favorable moment, +seizes her by the throat and strangles her to death. To prevent the +identification of the corpse, he decides to remove the head, hands, and +feet, parts which are characteristic. He takes off the clothes and burns +them. We found the ashes in the kitchen stove. He takes the body to the +bathroom, and, placing it in the porcelain tub, turns on the water, and +then proceeds with his diabolical scheme. Even though we suppose that he +first filled the tub with water, the better to avoid stains, when we +remember that he took away the severed parts it is inconceivable that +not a stain of blood, not a smudge of pinkish tint, would be left +anywhere. Granting that he might have endeavored to wash away any such +drippings, still it would be marvellous that not one stain should be +left." + +"Yet you found none?" Mr. Mitchel smiled, and resumed his smoking. + +"Yet I found none," said Mr. Barnes. "But this was a most significant +fact to me. It led me to a suspicion which I proceeded to verify. The +plumbing in this house is of the most approved pattern. Under the +porcelain bathtub there is a patent trap for the exclusion of +sewer-gas. This is so fashioned that some water always remains. +Supposing that bloody water had passed through it, I should find this +trap partly filled with water tinted in color. I removed the screw, +which enabled me to catch the water from the trap in a bowl. It was +perfectly clear. Not a trace of color." + +"From which you deduced?" asked Mr. Mitchel. + +"From which I deduced," said the detective, "that the woman had not been +killed, or dismembered, in the house where her body was found. By +examining the other houses and emptying the traps, I found one which +yielded water plainly colored with blood, and I also found a few smudges +about the bathtub; places where blood had splashed and been washed off. +The assassin thought that he had made all clean, but as so often happens +with porcelain, when dried there still remained a slight stain, which +even showed the direction in which it had been wiped." + +"Very good! Very good indeed!" Mr. Mitchel yawned slightly. "Let me see. +You have discovered--what? That the knife was sharp. And that the woman +was killed in one house and carried to another. How does that help you?" + +At this point Mr. Barnes gave Mr. Mitchel a distinct surprise. Instead +of answering the question, he asked suddenly: + +"Mr. Mitchel, will you permit me to examine that watch-chain which you +are wearing?" + +Mr. Mitchel sat straight up in his chair, and looked sharply at the +detective, as though trying to read his innermost thoughts. The +detective stared back at him, and both were silent a moment. Then +without speaking, Mr. Mitchel removed the chain, and handed it to Mr. +Barnes, who took it with him to the window, and there examined it +closely through a lens. Mr. Mitchel threw the remains of his cigar into +the fire, and, placing both hands behind his head as he lay back in his +chair, awaited developments. Presently Mr. Barnes returned to his place +by the mantel, and in resuming his narrative it was noticeable from his +tone of voice that he was more than ever troubled. + +"You asked me," said he, "how my discoveries helped me. I say from the +bottom of my soul that they have helped me only too well. That I proceed +in this matter is due to the fact that I must follow the dictates of my +conscience rather than my heart." + +"Brutus yielded up his son," suggested Mr. Mitchel. + +"Yes. Well, to resume my story. The point of importance was this. +Imagine the assassin with both hands at the woman's throat--two things +were inevitable. The woman would surely struggle, with arms and legs, +and the murderer would be unable to resist, his own hands being +occupied. What more natural than that the arms of the dying woman should +be wrapped about the body of her assailant? That the hands should grasp +and rend the clothing? Might perhaps come into contact with a +watch-chain and tear it off, or break it?" + +"And you are intending to examine all the watch-chains in the +neighborhood upon such a chance as that?" Mr. Mitchel laughed, but Mr. +Barnes took no notice of the intended taunt. + +"I have examined the only chain I wished to look at. Deducing the +struggle, and the possible tearing off of some part of the assassin's +attire, I was glad to know which house was the scene of the crime. +Having satisfied myself in this direction, I proceeded to search for the +missing link in the chain of evidence, though I must confess that I did +not expect it to be truly a link, a part of a real chain. The idea that +a watch-chain might have been broken in the struggle did not occur to me +until I held the evidence in my hand." + +"Oh; then you did find your missing link?" + +"Yes. I personally swept every room, and the staircase, and at last I +found the link. But it would be more correct to say _your_ missing link, +than mine, Mr. Mitchel, for it was from this chain that it was broken." + +"Indeed!" + +Mr. Barnes was amazed at the imperturbable manner in which this +statement was received. Becoming slightly agitated himself, he +continued: + +"As soon as I picked up that link, I was shocked at my discovery, for, +from its peculiar shape, I recognized it as similar to your chain, which +I had often observed. Still, I hoped that there might be some mistake; +that it might have fallen from some other man. But you permitted me to +examine this chain, and the last doubt is swept away. I note that every +alternate link is solid, the intermediate ones having a slit, by which +the links are joined into a chain. The wrench given by the dying woman +strained one of these links so that it opened, allowing the chain to +part, and later this particular link dropped off. Either you did not +observe it at once, or else, being small, you could not find it. If this +occurred as I have described, what would be the result? Your chain, +where parted, would terminate at each end with a solid link. Thus, to +unite the chain again, my lens shows me that you have sawed through one +link, and so rejoined your chain. And not only do I see the freshly +sawed link, but, as must necessarily be the case, we have two links +adjacent, each of which can be opened." + +"And your next move will be?" asked Mr. Mitchel, still apparently +undisturbed. + +"I have no recourse open to me except to arrest you. That is why I have +found this whole interview so painful." + +"I understand your position, and sympathize with you thoroughly," said +Mr. Mitchel. "And yet, see how easily you might dismiss this whole +theory of yours. These houses are in my neighborhood, immediately back +of me, in fact. I am a householder. What more natural than my taking an +interest in property so near me? Why may I not have visited the houses +to examine them? Then what more possible than the chance that in passing +from one room to another, my chain should have caught on a door-knob, +and have been broken, the link dropping as you have suggested? My +repairing the damage would be but a natural sequence, and the subsequent +murder and your train of reasoning is resolved into a mere coincidence." + +"That is ingenious, Mr. Mitchel. But some instinct tells me that I am +right, and that you did commit this crime." + +"Intuition, which I suppose is what you mean by instinct, is not always +reliable, but, oddly enough, in this instance you are correct. I did +kill that creature. Moreover, the sequence of events was as you have +deduced. I commend you for your skill, for, believe me, I used every +precaution to prevent detection." + +"Then you confess? My God! This is horrible!" + +At the prospect of arresting Mr. Mitchel, a man who had won his most +ardent admiration, Mr. Barnes was so overcome that he sank into a chair +and stared blankly at his companion. + +"Come! come!" said Mr. Mitchel. "Don't break down like that. The affair +is bad enough, I admit, but it might be worse." + +"Might be worse!" ejaculated Mr. Barnes, amazed at the words as well as +the half-jocular tone. + +"Why yes. Much worse. Why, Mr. Barnes, have you not had evidence of my +ability to thwart detectives before to-day? Do you suppose that I shall +permit myself to be detected, arrested, imprisoned in this affair? +Nothing is further from my mind, I assure you. True, you have, with +your uncommon skill, discovered a part of the truth. But that need not +trouble me, for no other detective will be so shrewd." + +"Do you mean to suggest that I should shield you in this matter?" + +"Well, yes. That is about what I expect from your friendship." + +"Impossible! Impossible! I wish that I could do what you ask! But no! It +is impossible!" + +"There. I have tried your patience long enough. Let me tell you the +whole story, and then you may decide as you please. A few years ago, in +Paris, a friend presented me with a poodle. French poodles, as you know, +are considered the most intelligent of all dogs, and this one seemed to +be the wisest of his species. My friend had already trained him to +perform many tricks, and these were done at command, without special +signals, so that I could but believe what my friend claimed, that the +dog actually understood what was said to him. Thinking this matter over +one day, it presented itself to me in a singular light. + +"In the training of animals, man has always aimed to make the dumb brute +understand, and carry out, the master's wishes. No one, so far as I then +knew, had ever trained a dog to express his own wishes, in any way +intelligible to the master. This I undertook to do, and was fairly +successful. I printed words on cards, such as 'food,' 'drink,' 'yard,' +etc., and, by means which I need not recapitulate, I taught my dog to +bring me the special card which would represent his wishes. Thus, when +he was thirsty, he could ask for 'water,' or when he wished to leave the +house, he brought the card marked 'yard.' Imagine my astonishment when +one day a little sky-terrier, belonging to another lodger in the house, +came to me with the 'food' card in his mouth. At first I supposed it to +be merely an accident, but I soon discovered that the terrier understood +the cards as well as did the poodle. How, unless the poodle had taught +him? Do dogs, then, have a language by which they may communicate with +each other? + +"This was a new thought, which attracted me more and more as I revolved +it in my mind. Then it occurred to me that if animals have a language, +monkeys would offer the best field for study, and I began investigating. +The discovery that the apes do have a language has been made by Mr. +Garner, and by him the fact has been published to the world. But I made +the discovery several years ago, though I kept it to myself, for reasons +which you shall hear. + +"I practised upon the monkeys in the Zoological Gardens in Paris and +London, until I was a veritable crank on the subject of monkey language. +Nothing would satisfy me but a trip to Africa. Thither I went, and made +great progress, so that by the time I captured a fine chimpanzee on the +Congo, I was able to readily make him understand that I meant him no +harm. At first he received my overtures with hesitation, his previous +experience with my race rendering him skeptical as to my good +qualities. But after a time, we became good friends; I might even say +chums. After that I gave him his liberty, and we took strolls together. +He was a very sociable fellow when one really got to know him well, but +we found the resources of the monkey language inadequate to our needs. +The experiment with my dog recurred to me, and I undertook to teach him +a human tongue. I chose German as the best adapted to his limitations, +and he made such progress that in a few months we could converse with +tolerable ease. + +"I decided to tell him something of the world of civilization, and one +day it occurred to me to expound to him the Darwinian theory. He +listened with an expression of learned thought upon his face which would +have well suited the countenance of a philosopher, but when I had +finished, he astounded me by announcing that he thought he could show me +that higher race of apes, which, being more humanly developed than any +species now known, might well be designated 'the missing link' which +connects the Simian race with man. I begged him to do so, and he +undertook the task, though he said that it involved a long journey. I +urged him to go, and he left me. + +"A month had passed, and I had begun to think that my new-found friend +had deserted me, when one day he walked into camp, accompanied by the +most human-like ape I had ever seen. It was neither chimpanzee nor +gorilla, but a combination of both in those characteristics which were +most manlike. The most conspicuous advance beyond the anthropoid apes +now known, was the hairless skin. The hands and feet, too, were more +human in shape, though on the latter the hallux still retained its +prehensile character, which perhaps is necessary to a tree dweller. The +face was peculiarly human, though the jaws retained certain +distinguishing attributes of the ape, as, for example, the space between +the anterior and posterior teeth, and the fang-like canine teeth. + +"As you must already suspect the sequel, I may hurry on to the end. The +creature was a female, and in the trip to our camp my chimpanzee friend +had become much attached to her; indeed, I may say he had fallen in love +with her. He had also begun her higher education, so that when we met +she was able to address a few words to me in German. As you may well +imagine, I was greatly interested in this animal, and did all in my +power to teach her. She made even more rapid progress than the +chimpanzee had, and I was thinking of the sensation I could produce in +Paris by sending cards of invitation to the nuptials of my monkey +friends, which I determined should occur in the great metropolis. + +"Imagine my horror one morning, upon finding the chimpanzee dead. I did +not immediately comprehend the full significance of this, but upon +questioning the ape a few days later, she candidly confessed to me that +she had strangled the chimpanzee, her only reason being, that having +decided for the future to live as a human being, she deemed it wise to +destroy her companion, that he might not be able to divulge the secret +of her origin. + +"Instantly my mind was awakened to a danger which menaced myself. I too +knew the secret of her savage ancestry, and the fact that she had not +slain me also was probably due to her hope that I would fulfil my +promise and take her with me to more civilized parts. Indeed, so certain +was I of this, that I took the first opportunity to foster that ambition +in her bosom. At the same time I carefully planned a secret departure, +and a few nights later succeeded in getting away unobserved, while the +ape slept. Throughout the journey to the coast I constantly feared +pursuit, but was fortunate enough to get safely on shipboard without +hearing more of the savage creature. + +"At dusk on last Saturday, I was strolling through the next street, +when, to my amazement, I saw coming towards me what appeared to be a +woman, whose face however was so startlingly like the ape which I had +left in Africa that for a moment I was dazed. In the next instant, +realizing that if my suspicion was true, I might be in danger even after +the lapse of time, and hoping that it was merely a chance resemblance, I +quickly turned into one of the new houses still open for inspection. I +did not dare to look behind me, and even thought it a trick of my +excited imagination when I fancied that I heard steps following me as I +ascended to the second floor. I turned upon reaching the floor above, +and instantly with a savage cry the brute was upon me, her hands upon +my throat, making a desperate effort to strangle me. I gripped her neck +in a similar manner, scarcely hoping to save my life. Fortune favored +me, however, and, after a lengthy struggle, the ape lay dead at my feet. +I suppose that several years of life in civilization had sapped her +savage strength. + +"My subsequent proceedings were actuated by two motives. In the first +place any public connection of my name with such a horrible encounter +would naturally have greatly annoyed my wife, and secondly I could not +resist my innate fondness for contending with detectives. I removed the +head, hands, and feet, to prevent identification, and also because with +them I can convince you that the animal was an ape, and not a woman. As +there is no law against the killing of an ape, you must see, Mr. Barnes, +that it would be futile to arrest me." + +"You are right," replied Mr. Barnes, "and I am truly glad that your +explanation places you beyond the law. You must forgive me for my +suspicion." + +The two men joined hands in a firm clasp, which cemented their +friendship, and guaranteed that the secret which they shared would never +be divulged by either. + + + + + III + + THE NAMELESS MAN + + +Mr. Barnes was sitting in his private room, with nothing of special +importance to occupy his thoughts, when his office boy announced a +visitor. + +"What name?" asked Mr. Barnes. + +"None," was the reply. + +"You mean," said the detective, "that the man did not give you his name. +He must have one, of course. Show him in." + +A minute later the stranger entered, and, bowing courteously, began the +conversation at once. + +"Mr. Barnes, the famous detective, I believe?" said he. + +"My name is Barnes," replied the detective. "May I have the pleasure of +knowing yours?" + +"I sincerely hope so," continued the stranger. "The fact is, I suppose I +have forgotten it." + +"Forgotten your name?" Mr. Barnes scented an interesting case, and +became doubly attentive. + +"Yes," said the visitor; "that is precisely my singular predicament. I +seem to have lost my identity. That is the object of my call. I wish you +to discover who I am. As I am evidently a full-grown man, I can +certainly claim that I have a past history, but to me that past is +entirely blank. I awoke this morning in this condition, yet apparently +in possession of all my faculties, so much so, that I at once saw the +advisability of consulting a first-class detective, and, upon inquiry, I +was directed to you." + +"Your case is most interesting--from my point of view, I mean. To you, +of course, it must seem unfortunate. Yet it is not unparalleled. There +have been many such cases recorded, and, for your temporary relief, I +may say that, sooner or later, complete restoration of memory usually +occurs. But now, let us try to unravel your mystery as soon as possible, +that you may suffer as little inconvenience as there need be. I would +like to ask you a few questions." + +"As many as you like, and I will do my best to answer." + +"Do you think that you are a New Yorker?" + +"I have not the least idea whether I am or not." + +"You say you were advised to consult me. By whom?" + +"The clerk at the Waldorf Hotel, where I slept last night." + +"Then, of course, he gave you my address. Did you find it necessary to +ask him how to find my offices?" + +"Well, no, I did not. That seems strange, does it not? I certainly had +no difficulty in coming here. I suppose that must be a significant fact, +Mr. Barnes?" + +"It tends to show that you have been familiar with New York, but we must +still find out whether you live here or not. How did you register at the +hotel?" + +"M. J. G. Remington, City." + +"You are quite sure that Remington is not your name?" + +"Quite sure. After breakfast this morning I was passing through the +lobby when the clerk called me twice by that name. Finally, one of the +hall-boys touched me on the shoulder and explained that I was wanted at +the desk. I was very much confused to find myself called 'Mr. +Remington,' a name which certainly is not my own. Before I fully +realized my position, I said to the clerk, 'Why do you call me +Remington?' and he replied, 'Because you registered under that name.' I +tried to pass it off, but I am sure that the clerk looks upon me as a +suspicious character." + +"What baggage have you with you at the hotel?" + +"None. Not even a satchel." + +"May there not be something in your pockets that would help us; letters, +for example?" + +"I am sorry to say that I have made a search in that direction, but +found nothing. Luckily I did have a pocketbook, though." + +"Much money in it?" + +"In the neighborhood of five hundred dollars." + +Mr. Barnes turned to his table and made a few notes on a pad of paper. +While so engaged his visitor took out a fine gold watch, and, after a +glance at the face, was about to return it to his pocket, when Mr. +Barnes wheeled around in his chair, and said: + +"That is a handsome watch you have there. Of a curious pattern, too. I +am rather interested in old watches." + +The stranger seemed confused for an instant, and quickly put up his +watch, saying: + +"There is nothing remarkable about it. Merely an old family relic. I +value it more for that than anything else. But about my case, Mr. +Barnes; how long do you think it will take to restore my identity to me? +It is rather awkward to go about under a false name." + +"I should think so," said the detective. "I will do my best for you, but +you have given me absolutely no clue to work upon, so that it is +impossible to say what my success will be. Still I think forty-eight +hours should suffice. At least in that time I ought to make some +discoveries for you. Suppose you call again on the day after to-morrow, +at noon precisely. Will that suit you?" + +"Very well, indeed. If you can tell me who I am at that time I shall be +more than convinced that you are a great detective, as I have been +told." + +He arose and prepared to go, and upon the instant Mr. Barnes touched a +button under his table with his foot, which caused a bell to ring in a +distant part of the building, no sound of which penetrated the private +office. Thus any one could visit Mr. Barnes in his den, and might leave, +unsuspicious of the fact that a spy would be awaiting him out in the +street who would shadow him persistently day and night until recalled by +his chief. After giving the signal, Mr. Barnes held his strange visitor +in conversation a few moments longer to allow his spy opportunity to get +to his post. + +"How will you pass the time away, Mr. Remington?" said he. "We may as +well call you by that name, until I find your true one." + +"Yes, I suppose so. As to what I shall do during the next forty-eight +hours, why, I think I may as well devote myself to seeing the sights. It +is a remarkably pleasant day for a stroll, and I think I will visit your +beautiful Central Park." + +"A capital idea. By all means, I would advise occupation of that kind. +It would be best not to do any business until your memory is restored to +you." + +"Business? Why, of course, I can do no business." + +"No. If you were to order any goods, for example, under the name of +Remington, later on when you resume your proper identity you might be +arrested as an impostor." + +"By George! I had not thought of that. My position is more serious than +I had realized. I thank you for the warning. Sight-seeing will assuredly +be my safest plan for the next two days." + +"I think so. Call at the time agreed upon, and hope for the best. If I +should need you before then, I will send to your hotel." + +Then, saying "Good morning," Mr. Barnes turned to his desk again, and, +as the stranger looked at him before stepping out of the room, the +detective seemed engrossed with some papers before him. Yet scarcely had +the door closed upon the retreating form of his recent visitor, when Mr. +Barnes looked up, with an air of expectancy. A moment later a very tiny +bell in a drawer of his desk rang, indicating that the man had left the +building, the signal having been sent to him by one of his employees, +whose business it was to watch all departures and notify his chief. A +few moments later Mr. Barnes himself emerged, clad in an entirely +different suit of clothing, and with such alteration in the color of his +hair that more than a casual glance would have been required to +recognize him. + +When he reached the street the stranger was nowhere in sight, but Mr. +Barnes went to a doorway opposite, and there he found, written in blue +pencil, the word "up," whereupon he walked rapidly uptown as far as the +next corner, where once more he examined a door-post, upon which he +found the word "right," which indicated the way the men ahead of him had +turned. Beyond this he could expect no signals, for the spy shadowing +the stranger did not know positively that his chief would take part in +the game. The two signals which he had written on the doors were merely +a part of a routine, and intended to aid Mr. Barnes should he follow; +but if he did so, he would be expected to be in sight of the spy by the +time the second signal was reached. And so it proved in this instance, +for as Mr. Barnes turned the corner to the right, he easily discerned +his man about two blocks ahead, and presently was near enough to see +"Remington" also. + +The pursuit continued until Mr. Barnes was surprised to see him enter +the Park, thus carrying out his intention as stated in his interview +with the detective. Entering at the Fifth Avenue gate he made his way +towards the menagerie, and here a curious incident occurred. The +stranger had mingled with the crowd in the monkey-house, and was +enjoying the antics of the mischievous little animals, when Mr. Barnes, +getting close behind him, deftly removed a pocket-handkerchief from the +tail of his coat and swiftly transferred it to his own. + +On the day following, shortly before noon, Mr. Barnes walked quickly +into the reading-room of the Fifth Avenue Hotel. In one corner there is +a handsome mahogany cabinet, containing three compartments, each of +which is entered through double doors, having glass panels in the upper +half. About these panels are draped yellow silk curtains, and in the +centre of each appears a white porcelain numeral. These compartments are +used as public telephone stations, the applicant being shut in, so as to +be free from the noise of the outer room. + +Mr. Barnes spoke to the girl in charge, and then passed into the +compartment numbered "2." Less than five minutes later Mr. Leroy Mitchel +came into the reading-room. His keen eyes peered about him, scanning +the countenances of those busy with the papers or writing, and then he +gave the telephone girl a number, and went into the compartment numbered +"1." About ten minutes elapsed before Mr. Mitchel came out again, and, +having paid the toll, he left the hotel. When Mr. Barnes emerged, there +was an expression of extreme satisfaction upon his face. Without +lingering, he also went out. But instead of following Mr. Mitchel +through the main lobby to Broadway, he crossed the reading-room and +reached Twenty-third Street through the side door. Thence he proceeded +to the station of the elevated railroad, and went uptown. Twenty minutes +later he was ringing the bell of Mr. Mitchel's residence. The "buttons" +who answered his summons informed him that his master was not at home. + +"He usually comes in to luncheon, however, does he not?" asked the +detective. + +"Yes, sir," responded the boy. + +"Is Mrs. Mitchel at home?" + +"No, sir." + +"Miss Rose?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Ah; then I'll wait. Take my card to her." + +Mr. Barnes passed into the luxurious drawing-room, and was soon joined +by Rose, Mr. Mitchel's adopted daughter. + +"I am sorry papa is not at home, Mr. Barnes," said the little lady, "but +he will surely be in to luncheon, if you will wait." + +"Yes, thank you, I think I will. It is quite a trip up, and, being here, +I may as well wait a while and see your father, though the matter is not +of any great importance." + +"Some interesting case, Mr. Barnes? If so, do tell me about it. You know +I am almost as interested in your cases as papa is." + +"Yes, I know you are, and my vanity is flattered. But I am sorry to say +that I have nothing on hand at present worth relating. My errand is a +very simple one. Your father was saying, a few days ago, that he was +thinking of buying a bicycle, and yesterday, by accident, I came across +a machine of an entirely new make, which seems to me superior to +anything yet produced. I thought he might be interested to see it, +before deciding what kind to buy." + +"I am afraid you are too late, Mr. Barnes. Papa has bought a bicycle +already." + +"Indeed! What style did he choose?" + +"I really do not know, but it is down in the lower hall, if you care to +look at it." + +"It is hardly worth while, Miss Rose. After all, I have no interest in +the new model, and if your father has found something that he likes, I +won't even mention the other to him. It might only make him regret his +bargain. Still, on second thoughts, I will go down with you, if you will +take me into the dining-room and show me the head of that moose which +your father has been bragging about killing. I believe it has come back +from the taxidermist's?" + +"Oh, yes. He is just a monster. Come on." + +They went down to the dining-room, and Mr. Barnes expressed great +admiration for the moose's head, and praised Mr. Mitchel's skill as a +marksman. But he had taken a moment to scrutinize the bicycle which +stood in the hallway, while Rose was opening the blinds in the +dining-room. Then they returned to the drawing-room, and after a little +more conversation Mr. Barnes departed, saying that he could not wait any +longer, but he charged Rose to tell her father that he particularly +desired him to call at noon on the following day. + +Promptly at the time appointed, "Remington" walked into the office of +Mr. Barnes, and was announced. The detective was in his private room. +Mr. Leroy Mitchel had been admitted but a few moments before. + +"Ask Mr. Remington in," said Mr. Barnes to his boy, and when that +gentleman entered, before he could show surprise at finding a third +party present, the detective said: + +"Mr. Mitchel, this is the gentleman whom I wish you to meet. Permit me +to introduce to you Mr. Mortimer J. Goldie, better known to the sporting +fraternity as G. J. Mortimer, the champion short-distance bicycle rider, +who recently rode a mile in the phenomenal time of 1.36, on a three-lap +track." + +As Mr. Barnes spoke, he gazed from one to the other of his companions, +with a half-quizzical and wholly pleased expression on his face. Mr. +Mitchel appeared much interested, but the newcomer was evidently +greatly astonished. He looked blankly at Mr. Barnes a moment, then +dropped into a chair with the query: + +"How in the name of conscience did you find that out?" + +"That much was not very difficult," replied the detective. "I can tell +you much more; indeed, I can supply your whole past history, provided +your memory has been sufficiently restored for you to recognize my facts +as true." + +Mr. Barnes looked at Mr. Mitchel, and winked one eye in a most +suggestive manner, at which that gentleman burst out into hearty +laughter, finally saying: + +"We may as well admit that we are beaten, Goldie. Mr. Barnes has been +too much for us." + +"But I want to know how he has done it," persisted Mr. Goldie. + +"I have no doubt that Mr. Barnes will gratify you. Indeed, I am as +curious as you are to know by what means he has arrived at his quick +solution of the problem which we set for him." + +"I will enlighten you as to detective methods with pleasure," said Mr. +Barnes. "Let me begin with the visit made to me by this gentleman two +days ago. At the very outset his statement aroused my suspicion, though +I did my best not to let him think so. He announced to me that he had +lost his identity, and I promptly told him that his case was not +uncommon. I said that in order that he might feel sure that I did not +doubt his tale. But truly, his case, if he was telling the truth, was +absolutely unique. Men have lost recollection of their past, and even +have forgotten their names. But I have never before heard of a man who +had forgotten his name, _and at the same time knew that he had done +so_." + +"A capital point, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel. "You were certainly +shrewd to suspect fraud so early." + +"Well, I cannot say that I suspected fraud so soon, but the story was so +improbable that I could not believe it immediately. I therefore was what +I might call 'analytically attentive' during the rest of the interview. +The next point worth noting which came out was that, although he had +forgotten himself, he had not forgotten New York, for he admitted having +come to me without special guidance." + +"I remember that," interrupted Mr. Goldie, "and I think I even said to +you at the time that it was significant." + +"And I told you that it at least showed that you had been familiar with +New York. This was better proven when you said that you would spend the +day at Central Park, and when, after leaving here, you had no difficulty +in finding your way thither." + +"Do you mean to say that you had me followed? I made sure that no one +was after me." + +"Well, yes, you were followed," said Mr. Barnes, with a smile. "I had a +spy after you, and I followed you as far as the Park myself. But let me +come to the other points in your interview and my deductions. You told +me that you had registered as 'M. J. G. Remington.' This helped me +considerably, as we shall see presently. A few minutes later you took +out your watch, and in that little mirror over my desk, which I use +occasionally when I turn my back upon a visitor, I noted that there was +an inscription on the outside of the case. I turned and asked you +something about the watch, when you hastily returned it to your pocket, +with the remark that it was 'an old family relic.' Now can you explain +how you could have known that, supposing that you had forgotten who you +were?" + +"Neatly caught, Goldie," laughed Mr. Mitchel. "You certainly made a mess +of it there." + +"It was an asinine slip," said Mr. Goldie, laughing also. + +"Now, then," continued Mr. Barnes, "you readily see that I had good +reason for believing that you had not forgotten your name. On the +contrary, I was positive that your name was a part of the inscription on +the watch. What, then, could be your purpose in pretending otherwise? I +did not discover that for some time. However, I decided to go ahead, and +find you out if I could. Next I noted two things. Your coat opened once, +so that I saw, pinned to your vest, a bicycle badge, which I recognized +as the emblem of the League of American Wheelmen." + +"Oh! Oh!" cried Mr. Mitchel. "Shame on you, Goldie, for a blunderer." + +"I had entirely forgotten the badge," said Mr. Goldie. + +"I also observed," the detective went on, "little indentations on the +sole of your shoe, as you had your legs crossed, which satisfied me that +you were a rider even before I observed the badge. Now then, we come to +the name, and the significance thereof. Had you really lost your memory, +the choosing of a name when you registered at a hotel would have been a +haphazard matter of no importance to me. But as soon as I decided that +you were imposing upon me, I knew that your choice of a name had been a +deliberate act of the mind; one from which deductions could be drawn." + +"Ah; now we come to the interesting part," said Mr. Mitchel. "I love to +follow a detective when he uses his brains." + +"The name as registered, and I examined the registry to make sure, was +odd. Three initials are unusual. A man without memory, and therefore not +quite sound mentally, would hardly have chosen so many. Then why had it +been done in this instance? What more natural than that these initials +represented the true name? In assuming an alias, it is the most common +method to transpose the real name in some way. At least it was a working +hypothesis. Then the last name might be very significant. 'Remington.' +The Remingtons make guns, sewing-machines, typewriters, and bicycles. +Now, this man was a bicycle rider, I was sure. If he chose his own +initials as a part of the alias, it was possible that he selected +'Remington' because it was familiar to him. I even imagined that he +might be an agent for Remington bicycles, and I had arrived at that +point during our interview, when I advised him not to buy anything until +his identity was restored. But I was sure of my quarry when I stole a +handkerchief from him at the park, and found the initials 'M. J. G.' +upon the same." + +"Marked linen on your person!" exclaimed Mr. Mitchel. "Worse and worse! +We'll never make a successful criminal of you, Goldie." + +"Perhaps not. I shan't cry over it." + +"I felt sure of my success by this time," continued Mr. Barnes, "yet at +the very next step I was balked. I looked over a list of L. A. W. +members and could not find a name to fit my initials, which shows, as +you will see presently, that, as I may say, 'too many clues spoil the +broth.' Without the handkerchief I would have done better. Next I +secured a catalogue of the Remingtons, which gave a list of their +authorized agents, and again I failed. Returning to my office I received +information from my spy, sent in by messenger, which promised to open a +way for me. He had followed you about, Mr. Goldie, and I must say you +played your part very well, so far as avoiding acquaintances is +concerned. But at last you went to a public telephone, and called up +some one. My man saw the importance of discovering to whom you had +spoken, and bribed the telephone attendant to give him the information. +All that he learned, however, was that you had spoken to the public +station at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. My spy thought that this was +inconsequent, but it proved to me at once that there was collusion, and +that your man must have been at the other station by previous +appointment. As that was at noon, a few minutes before the same hour on +the following day, that is to say, yesterday, I went to the Fifth Avenue +Hotel telephone and secreted myself in the middle compartment, hoping to +hear what your partner might say to you. I failed in this, as the boxes +are too well made to permit sound to pass from one to the other; but +imagine my gratification to see Mr. Mitchel himself go into the box." + +"And why?" asked Mr. Mitchel. + +"Why, as soon as I saw you, I comprehended the whole scheme. It was you +who had concocted the little diversion to test my ability. Thus, at +last, I understood the reason for the pretended loss of identity. With +the knowledge that you were in it, I was more than ever determined to +get at the facts. Knowing that you were out, I hastened to your house, +hoping for a chat with little Miss Rose, as the most likely member of +your family to get information from." + +"Oh, fie! Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel; "to play upon the innocence of +childhood! I am ashamed of you!" + +"'All's fair,' etc. Well, I succeeded. I found Mr. Goldie's bicycle in +your hallway, and, as I suspected, it was a Remington. I took the number +and hurried down to the agency, where I readily discovered that wheel +No. 5086 is ridden by G. J. Mortimer, one of their regular racing team. +I also learned that Mortimer's private name is Mortimer J. Goldie. I was +much pleased at this, because it showed how good my reasoning had been +about the alias, for you observe that the racing name is merely a +transposition of the family name. The watch, of course, is a prize, and +the inscription would have proved that you were imposing upon me, Mr. +Goldie, had you permitted me to see it." + +"Of course; that was why I put it back in my pocket." + +"I said just now," said Mr. Barnes, "that without the stolen +handkerchief I would have done better. Having it, when I looked over the +L. A. W. list I went through the 'G's' only. Without it, I should have +looked through the 'G's,' 'J's,' and 'M's,' not knowing how the letters +may have been transposed. In that case I should have found 'G. J. +Mortimer,' and the initials would have proved that I was on the right +track." + +"You have done well, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel. "I asked Goldie to +play the part of a nameless man for a few days, to have some fun with +you. But you have had fun with us, it seems. Though, I am conceited +enough to say, that had it been possible for me to play the principal +part, you would not have pierced my identity so soon." + +"Oh, I don't know," said Mr. Barnes. "We are both of us a little +egotistical, I fear." + +"Undoubtedly. Still, if I ever set another trap for you, I will assign +myself the chief _role_." + +"Nothing would please me better," said Mr. Barnes. "But, gentlemen, as +you have lost in this little game, it seems to me that some one owes me +a dinner, at least." + +"I'll stand the expense with pleasure," said Mr. Mitchel. + +"Not at all," interrupted Mr. Goldie. "It was through my blundering that +we lost, and I'll pay the piper." + +"Settle it between you," cried Mr. Barnes. "But let us walk on. I am +getting hungry." + +Whereupon they adjourned to Delmonico's. + + + + + IV + + THE MONTEZUMA EMERALD + + +"Is the Inspector in?" + +Mr. Barnes immediately recognized the voice, and turned to greet the +speaker. The man was Mr. Leroy Mitchel's English valet. Contrary to all +precedent and tradition, he did not speak in cockney dialect, not even +stumbling over the proper distribution of the letter "h" throughout his +vocabulary. That he was English, however, was apparent to the ear, +because of a certain rather attractive accent, peculiar to his native +island, and to the eye because of a deferential politeness of manner, +too seldom observed in American servants. He also always called Mr. +Barnes "Inspector," oblivious of the fact that he was not a member of +the regular police, and mindful only of the English application of the +word to detectives. + +"Step right in, Williams," said Mr. Barnes. "What is the trouble?" + +"I don't rightly know, Inspector," said Williams. "Won't you let me +speak to you alone? It's about the master." + +"Certainly. Come into my private room." He led the way and Williams +followed, remaining standing, although Mr. Barnes waved his hand towards +a chair as he seated himself in his usual place at his desk. "Now then," +continued the detective, "what's wrong? Nothing serious I hope?" + +"I hope not, sir, indeed. But the master's disappeared." + +"Disappeared, has he." Mr. Barnes smiled slightly. "Now Williams, what +do you mean by that? You did not see him vanish, eh?" + +"No, sir, of course not. If you'll excuse my presumption, Inspector, I +don't think this is a joke, sir, and you're laughing." + +"All right, Williams," answered Mr. Barnes, assuming a more serious +tone. "I will give your tale my sober consideration. Proceed." + +"Well, I hardly know where to begin, Inspector. But I'll just give you +the facts, without any unnecessary opinions of my own." + +Williams rather prided himself upon his ability to tell what he called +"a straight story." He placed his hat on a chair, and, standing behind +it, with one foot resting on a rung, checked off the points of his +narrative, as he made them, by tapping the palm of one hand with the +index finger of the other. + +"To begin then," said he. "Mrs. Mitchel and Miss Rose sailed for +England, Wednesday morning of last week. That same night, quite +unexpected, the master says to me, says he, 'Williams, I think you have +a young woman you're sweet on down at Newport?' 'Well, sir,' says I, 'I +do know a person as answers that description,' though I must say to you, +Inspector, that how he ever came to know it beats me. But that's aside, +and digression is not my habit. 'Well, Williams,' the master went on, 'I +shan't need you for the rest of this week, and if you'd like to take a +trip to the seashore, I shan't mind standing the expense, and letting +you go.' Of course, I thanked him very much, and I went, promising to be +back on Monday morning as directed. And I kept my word, Inspector; +though it was a hard wrench to leave the young person last Sunday in +time to catch the boat; the moon being bright and everything most +propitious for a stroll, it being her Sunday off, and all that. But, as +I said, I kept my word, and was up to the house Monday morning only a +little after seven, the boat having got in at six. I was a little +surprised to find that the master was not at home, but then it struck me +as how he must have gone out of town over Sunday, and I looked for him +to be in for dinner. But he did not come to dinner, nor at all that +night. Still, I did not worry about it. It was the master's privilege to +stay away as long as he liked. Only I could not help thinking I might +just as well have had that stroll in the moonlight, Sunday night. But +when all Tuesday and Tuesday night went by, and no word from the master, +I must confess that I got uneasy; and now here's Wednesday noon, and no +news; so I just took the liberty to come down and ask your opinion in +the matter, seeing as how you are a particular friend of the family, +and an Inspector to boot." + +"Really, Williams," said Mr. Barnes, "all I see in your story is that +Mr. Mitchel, contemplating a little trip off somewhere with friends, let +you go away. He expected to be back by Monday, but, enjoying himself, +has remained longer." + +"I hope that's all, sir, and I've tried to think so. But this morning I +made a few investigations of my own, and I'm bound to say what I found +don't fit that theory." + +"Ah, you have some more facts. What are they?" + +"One of them is this cablegram that I found only this morning under a +book on the table in the library." He handed a blue paper to Mr. Barnes, +who took it and read the following, on a cable blank: + + "Emerald. Danger. Await letter." + +For the first time during the interview Mr. Barnes's face assumed a +really serious expression. He studied the despatch silently for a full +minute, and then, without raising his eyes, said: + +"What else?" + +"Well, Inspector, I don't know that this has anything to do with the +affair, but the master had a curious sort of jacket, made of steel +links, so tight and so closely put together, that I've often wondered +what it was for. Once I made so bold as to ask him, and he said, said +he, 'Williams, if I had an enemy, it would be a good idea to wear that, +because it would stop a bullet or a knife.' Then he laughed, and went +on: 'Of course, I shan't need it for myself. I bought it when I was +abroad once, merely as a curiosity.' Now, Inspector, that jacket's +disappeared also." + +"Are you quite sure?" + +"I've looked from dining-room to garret for it. The master's derringer +is missing, too. It's a mighty small affair. Could be held in the hand +without being noticed, but it carries a nasty-looking ball." + +"Very well, Williams, there may be something in your story. I'll look +into the matter at once. Meanwhile, go home, and stay there so that I +may find you if I want you." + +"Yes, sir; I thank you for taking it up. It takes a load off my mind to +know you're in charge, Inspector. If there's harm come to the master, +I'm sure you'll track the party down. Good morning, sir." + +"Good morning, Williams." + +After the departure of Williams, the detective sat still for several +minutes, lost in thought. He was weighing two ideas. He seemed still to +hear the words which Mr. Mitchel had uttered after his success in +unravelling the mystery of Mr. Goldie's lost identity. "Next time I will +assign myself the chief _role_," or words to that effect, Mr. Mitchel +had said. Was this disappearance a new riddle for Mr. Barnes to solve? +If so, of course he would undertake it, as a sort of challenge which his +professional pride could not reject. On the other hand, the cable +despatch and the missing coat of mail might portend ominously. The +detective felt that Mr. Mitchel was somewhat in the position of the +fabled boy who cried "Wolf!" so often that, when at last the wolf really +appeared, no assistance was sent to him. Only Mr. Barnes decided that he +must chase the "wolf," whether it be real or imaginary. He wished, +though, that he knew which. + +Ten minutes later he decided upon a course of action, and proceeded to a +telegraph office, where he found that, as he had supposed, the despatch +had come from the Paris firm of jewellers from which Mr. Mitchel had +frequently bought gems. He sent a lengthy message to them, asking for an +immediate reply. + +While waiting for the answer, the detective was not inactive. He went +direct to Mr. Mitchel's house, and once more questioned the valet, from +whom he obtained an accurate description of the clothes which his master +must have worn, only one suit being absent. This fact alone, seemed +significantly against the theory of a visit to friends out of town. +Next, Mr. Barnes interviewed the neighbors, none of whom remembered to +have seen Mr. Mitchel during the week. At the sixth house below, +however, he learned something definite. Here he found Mr. Mordaunt, a +personal acquaintance, and member of one of Mr. Mitchel's clubs. This +gentleman stated that he had dined at the club with Mr. Mitchel on the +previous Thursday, and had accompanied him home, in the neighborhood of +eleven o'clock, parting with him at the door of his own residence. Since +then he had neither seen nor heard from him. This proved that Mr. +Mitchel was at home one day after Williams went to Newport. + +Leaving the house, Mr. Barnes called at the nearest telegraph office and +asked whether a messenger summons had reached them during the week, from +Mr. Mitchel's house. The record slips showed that the last call had been +received at 12.30 A.M., on Friday. A cab had been demanded, and was +sent, reaching the house at one o'clock. At the stables, Mr. Barnes +questioned the cab-driver, and learned that Mr. Mitchel had alighted at +Madison Square. + +"But he got right into another cab," added the driver. "It was just a +chance I seen him, 'cause he made as if he was goin' into the Fifth +Avenoo; but luck was agin' him, for I'd scarcely gone two blocks back, +when I had to get down to fix my harness, and while I was doin' that, +who should I see but my fare go by in another cab." + +"You did not happen to know the driver of that vehicle?" suggested Mr. +Barnes. + +"That's just what I did happen to know. He's always by the Square, along +the curb by the Park. His name's Jerry. You'll find him easy enough, and +he'll tell you where he took that fly bird." + +Mr. Barnes went down town again, and did find Jerry, who remembered +driving a man at the stated time, as far as the Imperial Hotel; but +beyond that the detective learned nothing, for at the hotel no one knew +Mr. Mitchel, and none recollected his arrival early Friday morning. + +From the fact that Mr. Mitchel had changed cabs, and doubled on his +track, Mr. Barnes concluded that he was after all merely hiding away for +the pleasure of baffling him, and he felt much relieved to divest the +case of its alarming aspect. However, he was not long permitted to hold +this opinion. At the telegraph office he found a cable despatch awaiting +him, which read as follows: + + "Montezuma Emerald forwarded Mitchel tenth. Previous owner + murdered London eleventh. Mexican suspected. Warned + Mitchel." + +This assuredly looked very serious. Casting aside all thought of a +practical joke, Mr. Barnes now threw himself heart and soul into the +task of finding Mitchel, dead or alive. From the telegraph office he +hastened to the Custom-House, where he learned that an emerald, the +invoiced value of which was no less than twenty thousand dollars, had +been delivered to Mr. Mitchel in person, upon payment of the custom +duties, at noon of the previous Thursday. Mr. Barnes, with this +knowledge, thought he knew why Mr. Mitchel had been careful to have a +friend accompany him to his home on that night. But why had he gone out +again? Perhaps he felt safer at a hotel than at home, and, having +reached the Imperial, taking two cabs to mystify the villain who might +be tracking him, he might have registered under an alias. What a fool he +had been not to examine the registry, as he could certainly recognize +Mr. Mitchel's handwriting, though the name signed would of course be a +false one. + +Back, therefore, he hastened to the Imperial, where, however, his search +for familiar chirography was fruitless. Then an idea occurred to him. +Mr. Mitchel was so shrewd that it would not be unlikely that, meditating +a disappearance to baffle the men on his track, he had registered at the +hotel several days prior to his permanently stopping there. Turning the +page over, Mr. Barnes still failed to find what he sought, but a curious +name caught his eye. + +"Miguel Palma--City of Mexico." + +Could this be the London murderer? Was this the suspected Mexican? If +so, here was a bold and therefore dangerous criminal who openly put up +at one of the most prominent hostelries. Mr. Barnes was turning this +over in his mind, when a diminutive newsboy rushed into the corridor, +shouting: + +"Extra _Sun_! Extra _Sun_! All about the horrible murder. Extra!" + +Mr. Barnes purchased a paper and was stupefied at the headlines: + + ROBERT LEROY MITCHEL DROWNED! + + _His Body Found Floating in the East River._ + + A DAGGER IN HIS BACK. + + _Indicates Murder._ + +Mr. Barnes rushed out of the hotel, and, quickly finding a cab, +instructed the man to drive rapidly to the Morgue. On the way, he read +the details of the crime as recounted in the newspaper. From this he +gathered that the body had been discovered early in the morning by two +boatmen, who towed it to shore and handed it over to the police. An +examination at the Morgue had established the identity by letters found +on the corpse and the initials marked on the clothing. Mr. Barnes was +sad at heart, and inwardly fretted because his friend had not asked his +aid when in danger. + +Jumping from the cab almost before it had fully stopped in front of the +Morgue, he stumbled and nearly fell over a decrepit-looking beggar, upon +whose breast was a printed card soliciting alms for the blind. Mr. +Barnes dropped a coin, a silver quarter, into his outstretched palm, and +hurried into the building. As he did so he was jostled by a tall man who +was coming out, and who seemed to have lost his temper, as he muttered +an imprecation under his breath in Spanish. As the detective's keen ear +noted the foreign tongue an idea occurred to him which made him turn and +follow the stranger. When he reached the street again he received a +double surprise. The stranger had already signalled the cab which Mr. +Barnes had just left, and was entering it, so that he had only a moment +in which to observe him. Then the door was slammed, and the driver +whipped up his horses and drove rapidly away. At the same moment the +blind beggar jumped up, and ran in the direction taken by the cab. Mr. +Barnes watched them till both cab and beggar disappeared around the next +corner, and then he went into the building again, deeply thinking over +the episode. + +He found the Morgue-keeper, and was taken to the corpse. He recognized +the clothing at once, both from the description given by Williams, and +because he now remembered to have seen Mr. Mitchel so dressed. It was +evident that the body had been in the water for several days, and the +marks of violence plainly pointed to murder. Still sticking in the back +was a curious dagger of foreign make, the handle projecting between the +shoulders. The blow must have been a powerful stroke, for the blade was +so tightly wedged in the bones of the spine that it resisted ordinary +efforts to withdraw it. Moreover, the condition of the head showed that +a crime had been committed, for the skull and face had been beaten into +a pulpy mass with some heavy instrument. Mr. Barnes turned away from the +sickening sight to examine the letters found upon the corpse. One of +these bore the Paris postmark, and he was allowed to read it. It was +from the jewellers, and was the letter alluded to in the warning cable. +Its contents were: + + "DEAR SIR:-- + + "As we have previously advised you the Montezuma Emerald was + shipped to you on the tenth instant. On the following day + the man from whom we had bought it was found dead in Dover + Street, London, killed by a dagger-thrust between the + shoulders. The meagre accounts telegraphed to the papers + here, state that there is no clue to the assassin. We were + struck by the name, and remembered that the deceased had + urged us to buy the emerald, because, as he declared, he + feared that a man had followed him from Mexico, intending to + murder him to get possession of it. Within an hour of + reading the newspaper story, a gentlemanly looking man, + giving the name of Miguel Palma, entered our store, and + asked if we had purchased the Montezuma Emerald. We replied + negatively, and he smiled and left. We notified the police, + but they have not yet been able to find this man. We deemed + it our duty to warn you, and did so by cable." + +The signature was that of the firm from which Mr. Barnes had received +the cable in the morning. The plot seemed plain enough now. After the +fruitless murder of the man in London, the Mexican had traced the +emerald to Mr. Mitchel, and had followed it across the water. Had he +succeeded in obtaining it? Among the things found on the corpse was an +empty jewel-case, bearing the name of the Paris firm. It seemed from +this that the gem had been stolen. But, if so, this man, Miguel Palma, +must be made to explain his knowledge of the affair. + +Once more visiting the Imperial, Mr. Barnes made inquiry, and was told +that Mr. Palma had left the hotel on the night of the previous Thursday, +which was just a few hours before Mr. Mitchel had undoubtedly reached +there alive. Could it be that the man at the Morgue had been he? If so, +why was he visiting that place to view the body of his victim? This was +a problem over which Mr. Barnes puzzled, as he was driven up to the +residence of Mr. Mitchel. Here he found Williams, and imparted to that +faithful servant the news of his master's death, and then inquired for +the address of the family abroad, that he might notify them by cable, +before they could read the bald statement in a newspaper. + +"As they only sailed a week ago to-day," said Williams, "they're hardly +more than due in London. I'll go up to the master's desk and get the +address of his London bankers." + +As Williams turned to leave the room, he started back amazed at the +sound of a bell. + +"That's the master's bell, Inspector! Some one is in his room! Come with +me!" + +The two men bounded up-stairs, two steps at a time, and Williams threw +open the door of Mr. Mitchel's boudoir, and then fell back against Mr. +Barnes, crying: + +"The master himself!" + +Mr. Barnes looked over the man's shoulder, and could scarcely believe +his eyes when he observed Mr. Mitchel, alive and well, brushing his hair +before a mirror. + +"I've rung for you twice, Williams," said Mr. Mitchel, and then, seeing +Mr. Barnes, he added, "Ah, Mr. Barnes. You are very welcome. Come in. +Why, what is the matter, man? You are as white as though you had seen a +ghost." + +"Thank God, you are safe!" fervently ejaculated the detective, going +forward and grasping Mr. Mitchel's hand. "Here, read this, and you will +understand." He drew out the afternoon paper and handed it to him. + +"Oh, that," said Mr. Mitchel, carelessly. "I've read that. Merely a +sensational lie, worked off upon a guileless public. Not a word of truth +in it, I assure you." + +"Of course not, since you are alive; but there is a mystery about this +which is yet to be explained." + +"What! A mystery, and the great Mr. Barnes has not solved it? I am +surprised. I am, indeed. But then, you know, I told you after Goldie +made a fizzle of our little joke that if I should choose to play the +principal part you would not catch me. You see I have beaten you this +time. Confess. You thought that was my corpse which you gazed upon at +the Morgue?" + +"Well," said Mr. Barnes, reluctantly, "the identification certainly +seemed complete, in spite of the condition of the face, which made +recognition impossible." + +"Yes; I flatter myself the whole affair was artistic." + +"Do you mean that this whole thing is nothing but a joke? That you went +so far as to invent cables and letters from Paris just for the trifling +amusement of making a fool of me?" + +Mr. Barnes was evidently slightly angry, and Mr. Mitchel, noting this +fact, hastened to mollify him. + +"No, no; it is not quite so bad as that," he said. "I must tell you the +whole story, for there is yet important work to do, and you must help +me. No, Williams, you need not go out. Your anxiety over my absence +entitles you to a knowledge of the truth. A short time ago I heard that +a very rare gem was in the market, no less a stone than the original +emerald which Cortez stole from the crown of Montezuma. The emerald was +offered in Paris, and I was notified at once by the dealer, and +authorized the purchase by cable. A few days later I received a despatch +warning me that there was danger. I understood at once, for similar +danger had lurked about other large stones which are now in my +collection. The warning meant that I should not attempt to get the +emerald from the Custom-House until further advices reached me, which +would indicate the exact nature of the danger. Later, I received the +letter which was found on the body now at the Morgue, and which I +suppose you have read?" + +Mr. Barnes nodded assent. + +"I readily located the man Palma at the Imperial, and from his openly +using his name I knew that I had a dangerous adversary. Criminals who +disdain aliases have brains, and use them. I kept away from the +Custom-House until I had satisfied myself that I was being dogged by a +veritable cutthroat, who, of course, was the tool hired by Palma to +rob, perhaps to kill me. Thus acquainted with my adversaries, I was +ready for the enterprise." + +"Why did you not solicit my assistance?" asked Mr. Barnes. + +"Partly because I wanted all the glory, and partly because I saw a +chance to make you admit that I am still the champion detective-baffler. +I sent my wife and daughter to Europe that I might have time for my +scheme. On the day after their departure I boldly went to the +Custom-House and obtained the emerald. Of course I was dogged by the +hireling, but I had arranged a plan which gave him no advantage over me. +I had constructed a pair of goggles which looked like simple smoked +glasses, but in one of these I had a little mirror so arranged that I +could easily watch the man behind me, should he approach too near. +However, I was sure that he would not attack me in a crowded +thoroughfare, and I kept in crowds until time for dinner, when, by +appointment, I met my neighbor Mordaunt, and remained in his company +until I reached my own doorway late at night. Here he left me, and I +stood on the stoop until he disappeared into his own house. Then I +turned, and apparently had much trouble to place my latch-key in the +lock. This offered the assassin the chance he had hoped for, and, +gliding stealthily forward, he made a vicious stab at me. But, in the +first place, I had put on a chain-armor vest, and, in the second, +expecting the attack to occur just as it did, I turned swiftly and with +one blow with a club I knocked the weapon from the fellow's hand, and +with another I struck him over the head so that he fell senseless at my +feet." + +"Bravo!" cried Mr. Barnes. "You have a cool nerve." + +"I don't know. I think I was very much excited at the crucial moment, +but with my chain armor, a stout loaded club in one hand and a derringer +in the other, I never was in any real danger. I took the man down to the +wine-cellar and locked him in one of the vaults. Then I called a cab, +and went down to the Imperial, in search of Palma; but I was too late. +He had vanished." + +"So I discovered," interjected Mr. Barnes. + +"I could get nothing out of the fellow in the cellar. Either he cannot +or he will not speak English. So I have merely kept him a prisoner, +visiting him at midnight only, to avoid Williams, and giving him rations +for another day. Meanwhile, I disguised myself and looked for Palma. I +could not find him. I had another card, however, and the time came at +last to play it. I deduced from Palma's leaving the hotel on the very +day when I took the emerald from the Custom-House, that it was +prearranged that his hireling should stick to me until he obtained the +gem, and then meet him at some rendezvous, previously appointed. Hearing +nothing during the past few days, he has perhaps thought that I had left +the city, and that his man was still upon my track. Meanwhile I was +perfecting my grand _coup_. With the aid of a physician, who is a +confidential friend, I obtained a corpse from one of the hospitals, a +man about my size, whose face we battered beyond description. We dressed +him in my clothing, and fixed the dagger which I had taken from my +would-be assassin so tightly in the backbone that it would not drop out. +Then one night we took our dummy to the river and securely anchored it +in the water. Last night I simply cut it loose and let it drift down the +river." + +"You knew of course that it would be taken to the Morgue," said Mr. +Barnes. + +"Precisely. Then I dressed myself as a blind beggar, posted myself in +front of the Morgue, and waited." + +"You were the beggar?" ejaculated the detective. + +"Yes. I have your quarter, and shall prize it as a souvenir. Indeed, I +made nearly four dollars during the day. Begging seems to be lucrative. +After the newspapers got on the street with the account of my death, I +looked for developments. Palma came in due time, and went in. I presume +that he saw the dagger, which was placed there for his special benefit, +as well as the empty jewel-case, and at once concluded that his man had +stolen the gem and meant to keep it for himself. Under these +circumstances he would naturally be angry, and therefore less cautious +and more easily shadowed. Before he came out, you turned up and stupidly +brought a cab, which allowed my man to get a start of me. However, I am +a good runner, and as he only rode as far as Third Avenue, and then took +the elevated railroad, I easily followed him to his lair. Now I will +explain to you what I wish you to do, if I may count on you?" + +"Assuredly." + +"You must go into the street, and when I release the man in the cellar, +you must track him. I will go to the other place, and we will see what +happens when the men meet. We will both be there to see the fun." + +An hour later, Mr. Barnes was skilfully dogging a sneaking Mexican, who +walked rapidly through one of the lowest streets on the East Side, until +finally he dodged into a blind alley, and before the detective could +make sure which of the many doors had allowed him ingress he had +disappeared. A moment later a low whistle attracted his attention, and +across in a doorway he saw a figure which beckoned to him. He went over +and found Mr. Mitchel. + +"Palma is here. I have seen him. You see I was right. This is the place +of appointment, and the cutthroat has come here straight. Hush! What was +that?" + +There was a shriek, followed by another, and then silence. + +"Let us go up," said Mr. Barnes. "Do you know which door?" + +"Yes; follow me." + +Mr. Mitchel started across, but, just as they reached the door, +footsteps were heard rapidly descending the stairs. Both men stood aside +and waited. A minute later a cloaked figure bounded out, only to be +gripped instantly by those in hiding. It was Palma, and he fought like a +demon, but the long, powerful arms of Mr. Barnes encircled him, and, +with a hug that would have made a bear envious, the scoundrel was soon +subdued. Mr. Barnes then manacled him, while Mr. Mitchel ascended the +stairs to see about the other man. He lay sprawling on the floor, face +downward, stabbed in the heart. + + + + + V + + A SINGULAR ABDUCTION + + +Mr. Barnes was alone in his sanctum when an elderly gentleman of +cultured manners was ushered in. The visitor sank into a seat and began +his appeal at once. + +"Oh, Mr. Barnes," said he, "I am in great distress. I hardly dared to +hope that assistance was possible until I met my friend, Mr. Leroy +Mitchel. You know him?" Mr. Barnes assented with a smile. "Well," +continued the old gentleman, "Mr. Mitchel said that you could surely +assist me." + +"Certainly. I will do all that is in my power," said the detective. + +"You are very kind. I hope you can aid me. But let me tell you the +story. I am Richard Gedney, the broker. Perhaps you have heard the +name?" Mr. Barnes nodded. "I thought so. 'Old Dick,' they call me on the +street, and sometimes 'Old Nick,' but that is only their joke. I do not +believe they really dislike me, though I have grown rich. I have never +cheated any one, nor wronged a friend in my life. But that is +immaterial, except that it makes it hard to understand how any one +could have done me the great injury of stealing my daughter." + +"Stealing your daughter?" interrupted the detective. "Abduction?" + +"Abduction I suppose is your technical term. I call it plain stealing. +To take a girl of fourteen away from her father's home is stealing, +plain and simple." + +"When did this occur?" + +"Two days ago. Tuesday morning we missed her, though she may have been +taken in the night. She was slightly ill on Monday evening, and her maid +sent for our doctor, who ordered her to be put to bed and kept there. +Next morning, that is, Tuesday, he called early, as he was going out on +his rounds. He was admitted by the butler and went straight up to her +room. He came down a few minutes later, rang the door-bell to call a +servant, and reported that the child was not in her room. He left word +that she must be put back to bed and that he would return in an hour. +The butler gave the message to her maid, who became alarmed, as she +supposed her mistress to be in bed. A search was begun, but the child +had vanished." + +"How is it, Mr. Gedney, that the doctor did not speak to you personally +instead of to the servant?" + +"I cannot too much condemn myself. You see, I am an old whist player, +and the temptation to play made me linger so late with some friends on +Monday night that I preferred to remain in Newark where I was, and so +did not reach home till ten o'clock Tuesday morning. By that time the +misfortune had occurred." + +"Have you made no discoveries as to what has become of her?" + +"None. We have sent to all of our friends in the vain hope that she +might have arisen early and gone out, but no one has seen her. She has +disappeared as thoroughly as though she had been swallowed by an +earthquake. Here, however, is a letter which reached me this morning. I +cannot tell whether there is anything in it, or whether it is merely a +cruel joke perpetrated by some crank who has heard of my loss." He +handed the letter to the detective, who read as follows: + +"Your daughter is safe if you are sensible. If you want her back all you +have to do is to state your figures. Make them high enough, and she'll +be with you. Put a 'Personal' in the _Herald_ for D. M., and I will +answer." + +"Mr. Gedney," said Mr. Barnes, "I am afraid this is a serious case. What +has been done has been so thoroughly well accomplished that I believe we +have no fool to deal with. His is a master hand. We must begin our work +at once. I will take this up personally. Come, we must go out." + +They proceeded first to the _Herald_ uptown office, and Mr. Barnes +inserted the following advertisement: + + "D. M. Communicate at once, stating lowest terms. GEDNEY." + +"Now we will go to your home, Mr. Gedney," said Mr. Barnes, and thither +they went. + +Seating himself in a comfortable leather chair in the library, Mr. +Barnes asked that the butler should be called. The man entered the room, +and it was apparent at once that here was a good servant of the English +type. + +"Moulton," began Mr. Barnes, "I am a detective. I am going to find out +where your young mistress has been taken." + +"I hope so, sir," said the butler. + +"Very well," said the detective. "Now answer a few questions explicitly, +and you may give me great assistance. On Tuesday morning you admitted +the doctor. At what time was it?" + +"It was about eight o'clock, sir. We had just taken our seats at +breakfast in the servants' hall, when the bell rang. That is how I know +the hour. We are regular about meals in this house. We eat at eight and +the master at nine." + +"What happened when you admitted the doctor?" + +"He asked for Miss Nora, and I told him she was not down yet. He said he +supposed he could go up, and I said I supposed so, and he went." + +"What did you do next?" + +"I went back to my breakfast." + +"Did you tell the maid that the doctor had called?" + +"Not just then, sir, for she had not come into the breakfast-room." + +"When did you tell her?" + +"After I saw the doctor the second time. I heard the door-bell again and +went up, when, to my surprise, there was the doctor. He said he rang +because he did not know how else to call me. Then he said that Miss Nora +had left her room, which was against the orders he gave the night +before, and that I was to tell the maid to have her back to bed, and he +would call again. I went back to the breakfast-room. This time the maid +was there, and frightened she was when I gave her the message." + +"How long was it after you admitted the doctor the first time, when you +answered his second ring?" + +"I should think five minutes, sir; though it might have been ten." + +"And during this five or ten minutes the maid was not in the +breakfast-room?" + +"No, sir." + +"Send her to me." The butler left the room, and, whilst waiting for the +maid, Mr. Barnes addressed Mr. Gedney. + +"Mr. Gedney," said he, "you have not told me the name of the doctor." + +"His name is Donaldson. Everybody knows Dr. Donaldson." + +"Has he served you long?" + +"Ever since I came to live in this neighborhood. About two years, I +should say. He has seemed to be very fond of Elinora. Why, he has been +here a half-dozen times asking for news of her since her disappearance. +He has a curious theory which I can hardly credit. He thinks she may +have wandered off in the night, asleep. But then he has not seen this +letter from 'D. M.' yet." + +"I would like to speak to him about his somnambulistic idea. Do you +think he will drop in to-day?" + +"He may be in at any moment, as he has not called yet this morning. Here +is my daughter's maid." + +This directed the attention of Mr. Barnes to a young woman who at that +moment entered. She was evidently dreadfully alarmed at being summoned +to meet a detective, and her eyes showed that she had been weeping. + +"Come, my girl," said Mr. Barnes, reassuringly, "you need not be +frightened. I am not an ogre. I only wish to ask you a few questions. +You are willing to help me find your mistress, are you not?" + +"Oh, indeed, indeed yes, sir!" + +"Then begin by telling me how she was on Monday night when you sent for +the doctor." + +The girl composed herself with an effort, evidently satisfied that a +detective was just like any ordinary man, and replied: + +"Miss Nora acted rather odd all Monday, and was melancholy like. She +would sit and stare out of the window and not answer when she was spoken +to. I thought perhaps something had bothered her, and so I left her +alone, meaning to speak to her father at dinner-time. But he sent a +telegram saying he had to go out of town. So when Miss Nora wouldn't +come down to dinner, and wouldn't answer me, but just kept staring out +of the window, I got scared a little, and thought it best to send for +Dr. Donaldson." + +"What did he say when he came?" + +"He talked to her, but she wouldn't answer him either. He patted her on +the head, and said she was sulky. Then he told me perhaps she was angry +because her father hadn't come home, but that she must not be allowed to +brood over trifles. He said I must put her to bed, and he gave her some +medicine that he said would put her to sleep." + +"Did you have any trouble to get her to bed?" + +"No, sir, though that was strange. She just stood still and let me do +everything. She did not help me or prevent me." + +"When did you see her after that?" + +"I never saw her after that," and she began to cry softly. + +"Come, come, don't cry. Your mistress is all right. I will bring her +back. Now tell me why you did not see her again. Is it not your business +to attend her in the morning?" + +"Yes, sir, but she only gets up about eight o'clock, and the doctor told +me he would call the first thing in the morning, and that I must not +disturb her till he came. He said he wanted to wake her himself and see +how she acted." + +"You were not in the breakfast-room at eight o'clock," said the +detective, watching her closely; "where were you?" + +The girl turned crimson, and stammered a few words inaudibly. + +"Come, tell me where you were. You were somewhere, you know. Where were +you?" + +"I was in the downstairs hallway," she said, slowly. + +"Doing what?" + +"I was talking to the policeman," she replied, more reluctantly. + +"Your beau?" asked Mr. Barnes, significantly. + +"No, sir. He is my husband." She tossed her head defiantly, now that her +secret was divulged. + +"Your husband?" said Mr. Barnes, slightly surprised. "Why, then, did you +hesitate to tell me of him?" + +"Because--because,"--she stammered, again much troubled,--"because, +maybe, if I hadn't been talking to him, Miss Nora wouldn't have been +carried off. He might have seen the thief." + +"Just so," said Mr. Barnes. "Well, that will do." The girl retired only +too gladly. + +Mr. Barnes asked to be shown the room where the missing girl had slept, +and made minute examinations of everything. Up in the room a thought +occurred to him, and he once more asked for the maid. + +"Can you tell me," he asked, "whether your mistress took any of her +clothing with her?" + +"Well, sir," she replied, "I miss the whole suit that she wore on +Monday. It looks as though she must have dressed herself." + +Mr. Barnes made a few notes in his memorandum-book, and then with Mr. +Gedney returned to the library. Here they found Dr. Donaldson, who had +arrived whilst they were upstairs. Mr. Gedney introduced the doctor, a +genial, pleasant man, who shook Mr. Barnes cordially by the hand, +saying: + +"I am delighted, Mr. Barnes, that my old friend Gedney has been sensible +enough to engage you to unravel this affair rather than call in the +police. The police are bunglers anyway, and only make scandal and +publicity. You have looked into the matter, eh? What do you think?" + +"That is precisely the question, Doctor, which I wish to ask you. What +do you think? Mr. Gedney says you suggest somnambulism." + +"I only said it might be that. I would not like to be too positive. You +know that I called to see the dear girl Monday night. Well, I found her +in a strange mood. In fact, thinking it over, I have almost convinced +myself that what we took for stubbornness--sulks, I think I called +it--was somnambulism. That, in fact, she was asleep when I saw her. That +would account for her not replying to questions, and offering no +resistance when her maid removed her clothing to put her to bed. Still +it is merely a guess. It is possible that she got up in the night and +wandered out of the house. I only venture it as a possibility, a chance +clue for you to work on." + +"What do you think of this letter?" asked Mr. Barnes, handing the doctor +the anonymous communication from "D. M." + +The doctor read it over twice, and then said: + +"Looks more like somnambulism than ever. Don't you see? She dressed +herself in the night, and wandered off. Some scoundrel has found her and +taken her to his home. Knowing that her father has money, he holds her +for ransom." + +"How do you know, Doctor," said Mr. Barnes, quietly, "that 'D. M.' is a +he? The communication is in typewriting, so that nothing can be learned +from the chirography." + +"Of course I don't know it," said the doctor, testily. "Still I'll wager +that no woman ever concocted this scheme." + +"Again, how should her abductor know that her father is rich?" + +"Why, I suppose her name may be on her clothing, and once he discovered +her parentage, he would know that. However he found it out, it is plain +that he does know, or how could they, or he, or she, if you wish me to +be so particular, have written this letter?" + +This was unanswerable, so Mr. Barnes remained silent. + +"What move will you make first?" asked the doctor. + +Mr. Barnes told him of the advertisement which he had inserted, and took +his departure, requesting that if Mr. Gedney received any answer he +should be notified at once. + +About half-past ten the next morning, Mr. Gedney presented himself to +the detective and handed him the following letter: + + "I am glad you are sensible. Saw your advertisement, and I + answer at once. I want twenty thousand dollars. That is my + price. Now note what I have to say, and let me emphasize + the fact that I mean every word. This is my first offer. + Any dickering will make me increase my price, and I will + never decrease it. To save time, let me tell you something + else. I have no partner in this, so there is no one to + squeal on me. No one on earth but myself knows where the + girl is. Now for future arrangements. You will want to + communicate with me. I don't mean you to have any chance to + catch me with decoy letters or anything of that sort. I + know already that you have that keen devil Barnes helping + you. But he'll meet his match this time. Here is my plan. + You, or your detective, I don't care which, must go to the + public telephone station in the Hoffman House at two + o'clock sharp. I will go to another, never mind where, and + will ring you up. When you answer, I will simply say, 'D. + M.' You will recognize the signal and can do the talking. I + will not answer except by letter, because I won't even run + the risk of that detective's hearing my voice, and some + time in the future recognizing it. You see, I may need + Barnes myself some day and wouldn't like to be deprived of + his valuable services. I enclose a piece of the girl's + cloth dress and a lock of her hair to show that I am + dealing square. + "D. M." + +"Mr. Gedney," said Mr. Barnes, "make your mind easy. Your daughter is +safe, at all events. I suppose this bit of cloth and the hair satisfy +you that the scoundrel really has her?" + +"Yes, I am convinced of that. But how does that make the girl safe?" + +"The fellow wants the money. It is to his interest to be able to restore +your daughter. My business shall be to get her without payment of +ransom, and to catch the abductor. I'll meet you at the Hoffman House at +two o'clock." + +As soon as Mr. Gedney had gone, Mr. Barnes wrote the following note: + + "DR. DONALDSON:-- + + "Dear Sir--I believe that I am on the right track, and all + through the clue supplied by yourself. Please aid me a + little further. I would like to know the exact size of the + missing girl. As a physician, you will supply this even + better than the father. Also inform me of any mark or + peculiarity by which I might recognize her, alive or dead. + Please answer at once. + "Yours truly, + "J. BARNES." + +This he sent by a messenger, and received the following in reply: + + "MR. BARNES:-- + + "Dear Sir--I hope you will succeed. Elinora is small and + slim, being rather undersized for her age. I should say + about four feet ten inches, or thereabout. I know of no + distinctive mark whereby her body could be recognized, and + hope that nothing of the sort seemingly suggested may be + necessary. + "Yours truly, + "ROBERT DONALDSON, M.D." + +Mr. Barnes read this, and appeared more pleased than its contents seemed +to authorize. At the appointed time he went to the Hoffman House. He +found Mr. Gedney impatiently walking up and down the lobby. + +"Mr. Gedney," said he, "at the beginning of this case you offered me my +own price for recovering your daughter. Now, supposing that you pay this +ransom, it would appear that you would have had little need of my +services. If, however, I get your daughter, and save you the necessity +of paying any ransom at all, I suppose you will admit that I have earned +my reward?" + +"Most assuredly." + +After this, Mr. Gedney was rather startled when he heard what the +detective said to "D. M." through the telephone. They shut themselves up +in the little box, and very soon received the call and then the signal +"D. M." as agreed. Mr. Barnes spoke to the abductor, who presumably was +listening. + +"We agree to your terms," said he. "That is, we will pay twenty thousand +dollars for the return of the girl unharmed. You are so shrewd that we +suppose you will invent some scheme for receiving the money which will +protect you from arrest, but at the same time we must be assured that +the girl will be returned to us unharmed. In fact, she must be given to +us as soon as the money is paid. Notify us immediately, as the father is +in a hurry." + +Mr. Barnes put up the instrument and "rang off." Then he turned to Mr. +Gedney and said: + +"That may surprise you. But what may astonish you more is that you must +obtain twenty thousand dollars in cash at once. We will need it. Ask no +questions, but depend upon me and trust me." + +On the next day Mr. Gedney received the following letter: + + "You have more sense than I gave you credit for. So has + that Barnes fellow, for it was his voice I heard through + the 'phone. You accept my terms. Very well. I'll deal + square and not raise you, though I ought to have made it + twenty-five thousand at least. Come to the 'phone to-day, + same hour, and I'll ring you up, from a different station. + Then you can tell me if you will be ready to-night, or + to-morrow night. Either will suit me. Then here is the + plan. You want to be sure the girl is all right. Then let + the ambassador be your friend, Doctor Donaldson. He knows + the girl and can tell that she is all right. Let him start + from his house at midnight, and drive from his office up + Madison Avenue rapidly till hailed by the signal 'D. M.' He + must go fast enough to prevent being followed on foot. If + there is no detective with him or following him, he will be + hailed. Otherwise he will be allowed to pass. I will be in + hiding with the girl. Warn the doctor that I will be armed, + and will have a bead on him all the time. Any treachery + will mean death. I will take the cash, give up the girl, + and the transaction will be ended." + +When this was shown to the detective, he proposed that he and Mr. Gedney +should call upon the doctor. This they did, and, after some argument, +persuaded him to undertake the recovery of the girl that same night. + +"Mr. Gedney has decided to obtain his child at any sacrifice," said Mr. +Barnes, "and this scoundrel is so shrewd that there seems to be no way +to entrap him. No effort will be made to follow you, so you need have no +fear of any trouble from the thief. Only be sure that you obtain the +right girl. It would be just possible that a wrong one might be given to +you, and a new ransom demanded." + +"Oh, I shall know Elinora," said the doctor. "I will do this, but I +think we ought to arrest the villain, if possible." + +"I do not despair of doing so," said Mr. Barnes. "Get a glimpse of his +face if you can, and be sure to note where you receive the girl. When we +get her she may give me a clue upon which an arrest may be made. We will +wait for you at Mr. Gedney's house." + +After midnight that night, Mr. Gedney paced the floor anxiously, while +Mr. Barnes sat at a desk looking over some memoranda. Presently he went +into the hall and had a long talk with the butler. One o'clock passed, +and still no news. At half-past, however, horses' hoofs sounded upon the +asphalt pavement, and a few minutes later the door-bell jingled. The +door was quickly opened, and the doctor entered, bearing little Elinora +asleep in his arms. + +"My daughter!" exclaimed the excited father. "Thank God, she is restored +to me!" + +"Yes," said the doctor, "here she is, safe and sound. I think, though, +that she has been drugged, for she has slept ever since I received her." + +"Did you have any trouble?" asked Mr. Barnes, entering at this moment. +He had lingered outside in the hall long enough to exchange a word with +the butler. + +"None," said the doctor. "At One Hundred and Second Street I heard the +signal and stopped. A man came out of the shadow of a building, looked +into the carriage, said 'All right,' and asked if I had the cash. I +replied affirmatively. He went back to the sidewalk and returned with +the child in his arms, but with a pistol pointed at me. Then he said, +'Pass out the money.' I did so, and he seemed satisfied, for he gave me +the child, took the package, and ran off. I saw his face, but I fear my +description will not avail you, for I am sure he was disguised." + +"Very possibly your description will be useless," said Mr. Barnes; "but +I have discovered the identity of the abductor." + +"Impossible!" cried the doctor, amazed. + +"Let me prove that I am right," said Mr. Barnes. He went to the door and +admitted the butler, accompanied by the policeman who had been off his +beat talking with the maid. Before his companions understood what was +about to happen, Mr. Barnes said: + +"Officer, arrest that man!" Whereupon the policeman seized the doctor +and held him as though in a vise. + +"What does this outrage mean?" screamed the doctor, after ineffectually +endeavoring to release himself. + +"Put on the manacles, officer," said Mr. Barnes; "then we can talk. He +is armed, and might become dangerous." With the assistance of the +detective this was accomplished, and then Mr. Barnes addressed himself +to Mr. Gedney. + +"Mr. Gedney, I had some slight suspicion of the truth after questioning +the butler and the maid, but the first real clue came with the answer to +the 'Personal.' You brought that to me in the morning, and I noted that +it was postmarked at the main office downtown at six A.M. Of course, it +was possible that it might have been written after the appearance of the +newspaper, but if so, the thief was up very early. The doctor, however, +knew of the 'Personal' on the day previous, as I told him of it in your +presence. That letter was written in typewriting, and I observed a +curious error in the spelling of three words. I found the words +'emphasize,' 'recognize,' and 'recognizing.' In each, instead of the +'z,' we have a repetition of the 'i,' that letter being doubled. I +happen to know something about writing-machines. I felt certain that +this letter had been written upon a Caligraph. In that machine the bar +which carries the letter 'i' is next to that which carries the letter +'z.' It is not an uncommon thing when a typewriter is out of order for +two bars to fail to pass one another. Thus, in writing 'emphasize' the +rapid writer would strike the 'z' key before the 'i' had fully +descended. The result would be that the 'z,' rising, would strike the +'i' bar and carry it up again, thus doubling the 'i,' instead of writing +'iz.' The repetition of the mistake was evidence that it was a faulty +machine. I also noted that this anonymous letter was upon paper from +which the top had been torn away. I wrote to the doctor here, asking +about the 'size' of the girl, and for any marks whereby we might be able +to 'recognize' the body. I used the words 'size' and 'recognize,' hoping +to tempt him to use them also in reply. In his answer I find the word +'recognized' and also a similar word, 'undersized.' In both we have a +repetition of the double 'i' error. Moreover, the paper of this letter +from the doctor matched that upon which the anonymous communication had +been written, provided I tore off the top, which bore his letterhead. +This satisfied me that the doctor was our man. When the last letter +came, proposing that he should be the ambassador, the trick was doubly +sure. It was ingenious, for the abductor of course assured himself that +he was not followed, and simply brought the girl home. But I set another +trap. I secretly placed a cyclometer upon the doctor's carriage. He says +that to-night he drove to One Hundred and Second Street, and back here, +a total of ten miles. The cyclometer, which the butler obtained for me +when the doctor arrived a while ago, shows that he drove less than a +mile. He simply waited at his house until the proper time to come, and +then drove here, bringing the girl with him." + +The doctor remained silent, but glared venomously at the man who had +outwitted him. + +"But how did he get Elinora?" asked Mr. Gedney. + +"That queer yarn which he told us about somnambulism first suggested to +me that he was possibly less ignorant than he pretended to be. I fear, +Mr. Gedney, that your daughter is ill. I judge from the description of +her condition, given by her maid, and admitted by this man, that she was +suffering from an attack of catalepsy when he was summoned. When he +called the next day, finding the girl still in a trance, he quickly +dressed her and took her out to his carriage. Then he coolly returned, +announced that she was not in her room, and drove away with her." + +"It seems incredible!" exclaimed Mr. Gedney. "I have known the doctor so +long that it is hard to believe that he is a criminal." + +"Criminals," said Mr. Barnes, "are often created by opportunity. That +was probably the case here. The case is most peculiar. It is a crime +which none but a physician could have conceived, and that one fact makes +possible what to a casual observer might seem most improbable. An +abduction is rarely successful, because of the difficulties which attend +the crime, not the least of which are the struggles of the victim, and +the story which will be told after the return of the child. Here all +this was obviated. The doctor recognized catalepsy at the first visit. +Perhaps during the night the possibility of readily compelling you to +pay him a large sum of money grew into a tremendous temptation. With the +project half formed, he called the next morning. Circumstances favored +the design. He found the girl unattended, and unresistant because of her +condition. He likewise knew that when he should have returned her, she +could tell nothing of where she had been, because of her trance. He +started downstairs with her. There was no risk. If he had met any one, +any excuse for bringing her from her room would have been accepted, +because uttered by the family physician. He placed her in the carriage +unobserved, and the most difficult part of the affair was accomplished. +Many men of high degree are at heart rascals; but through fear, either +of law or loss of position, they lead fairly virtuous lives. Temptation, +accompanied by opportunity, coming to one of these, compasses his +downfall, as has occurred in this instance. Criminals are recruited from +all classes." + +The ransom money was recovered by searching the apartments of the +doctor, and his guilt was thus indubitably proven. Mr. Mitchel, +commenting upon the affair, simply said: + +"I sent you to him, Mr. Gedney, because Mr. Barnes is above his kind. He +is no ordinary detective." + + + + + VI + + THE AZTEC OPAL + + +"Mr. Mitchel," began Mr. Barnes, after exchanging greetings, "I have +called to see you upon a subject which I am sure will enlist your +keenest interest, for several reasons. It relates to a magnificent +jewel; it concerns your intimate friends; and it is a problem requiring +the most analytical qualities of the mind in its solution." + +"Ah, then you have solved it?" asked Mr. Mitchel. + +"I think so. You shall judge. I have to-day been called in to +investigate one of the most singular cases that has fallen in my way. It +is one in which the usual detective methods would be utterly valueless. +The facts were presented to me, and the solution of the mystery could +only be reached by analytical deductions." + +"That is to say, by using your brains?" + +"Precisely. Now, as you have admitted that you consider yourself more +expert in this direction than the ordinary detective, I wish to place +you for once in the position of a detective, and then see you prove your +ability." + +"Early this morning I was summoned, by a messenger, to go aboard of the +steam yacht _Idler_ which lay at anchor in the lower bay." + +"Why, the _Idler_ belongs to my friend, Mortimer Gray!" exclaimed Mr. +Mitchel. + +"Yes," replied Mr. Barnes; "I told you that your friends are interested. +I went immediately with the man who had come to my office, and in due +season I was aboard of the yacht. Mr. Gray received me very politely, +and took me to his private room adjoining the cabin. Here he explained +to me that he had been off on a cruise for a few weeks, and was +approaching the harbor last night, when, in accordance with his plans, a +sumptuous dinner was served, as a sort of farewell feast, the party +expecting to separate to-day." + +"What guests were on the yacht?" + +"I will tell you everything in order, as the facts were presented to me. +Mr. Gray enumerated the party as follows: besides himself and his wife, +there were his wife's sister, Mrs. Eugene Cortlandt, and her husband, a +Wall Street broker; also, Mr. Arthur Livingstone and his sister, and a +Mr. Dennett Moore, a young man supposed to be devoting himself to Miss +Livingstone." + +"That makes seven persons, three of whom are women. I ought to say, Mr. +Barnes, that, though Mr. Gray is a club friend, I am not personally +acquainted with his wife, nor with the others. So I have no advantage +over you." + +"I will come at once to the curious incident which made my presence +desirable. According to Mr. Gray's story, the dinner had proceeded as +far as the roast, when suddenly there was a slight shock as the yacht +touched a bar, and at the same time the lamps spluttered and then went +out, leaving the room totally dark. A second later the vessel righted +herself and sped on, so that, before any panic ensued, it was evident to +all that the danger had passed. The gentlemen begged the ladies to +resume their seats, and remain quiet till the lamps were lighted; this, +however, the attendants were unable to do, and they were ordered to +bring fresh lamps. Thus there was almost total darkness for several +minutes." + +"During which, I presume, the person who planned the affair readily +consummated his design?" + +"So you think that the whole series of events was prearranged? Be that +as it may, something did happen in that dark room. The women had started +from their seats when the yacht touched, and when they groped their way +back in the darkness some of them found the wrong places, as was seen +when the fresh lamps were brought. This was considered a good joke, and +there was some laughter, which was suddenly checked by an exclamation +from Mr. Gray, who quickly asked his wife, 'Where is your opal?'" + +"Her opal?" asked Mr. Mitchel, in tones which showed that his greatest +interest was now aroused. "Do you mean, Mr. Barnes, that she was wearing +the Aztec Opal?" + +"Oh, you know the gem?" + +"I know nearly all gems of great value; but what of this one?" + +"Mrs. Gray and her sister, Mrs. Cortlandt, had both donned _decollete_ +costumes for this occasion, and Mrs. Gray had worn this opal as a +pendant to a thin gold chain which hung around her neck. At Mr. Gray's +question, all looked towards his wife, and it was noted that the clasp +was open, and the opal missing. Of course it was supposed that it had +merely fallen to the floor, and a search was immediately instituted. But +the opal could not be found." + +"That is certainly a very significant fact," said Mr. Mitchel. "But was +the search thorough?" + +"I should say extremely thorough, when we consider it was not conducted +by a detective, who is supposed to be an expert in such matters. Mr. +Gray described to me what was done, and he seems to have taken every +precaution. He sent the attendants out of the _salon_, and he and his +guests systematically examined every part of the room." + +"Except the place where the opal really was concealed, you mean." + +"With that exception, of course, since they did not find the jewel. Not +satisfied with this search by lamplight, Mr. Gray locked the _salon_, so +that no one could enter it during the night, and another investigation +was made in the morning." + +"The pockets of the seven persons present were not examined, I presume?" + +"No. I asked Mr. Gray why this had been omitted, and he said it was an +indignity which he could not possibly show to a guest. As you have +asked this question, Mr. Mitchel, it is only fair for me to tell you +that when I spoke to Mr. Gray on the subject he seemed very much +confused. Nevertheless, however unwilling he may have been to search +those of his guests who are innocent, he emphatically told me that if I +had reasonable proof that any one present had purloined the opal, he +wished that individual to be treated as any other thief, without regard +to sex or social position." + +"One can scarcely blame him, because that opal is worth a fabulous sum. +I have myself offered Gray twenty thousand dollars for it, which was +refused. This opal is one of the eyes of an Aztec idol, and if the other +could be found, the two would be as interesting as any jewels in the +world." + +"That is the story which I was asked to unravel," continued Mr. Barnes, +"and I must now relate to you what steps I have taken towards that end. +It appears that, because of the loss of the jewel, no person has left +the yacht, although no restraint was placed upon anyone by Mr. Gray. All +knew, however, that he had sent for a detective, and it was natural that +no one should offer to go until formally dismissed by the host. My plan, +then, was to have a private interview with each of the seven persons who +had been present at the dinner." + +"Then you exempted the attendants from your suspicions?" + +"I did. There was but one way by which one of the servants could have +stolen the opal, and this was prevented by Mr. Gray. It was possible +that the opal had fallen on the floor, and, though not found at night, a +servant might have discovered and have appropriated it on the following +morning, had he been able to enter the _salon_. But Mr. Gray had locked +the doors. No servant, however bold, would have been able to take the +opal from the lady's neck." + +"I think your reasoning is good, and we will confine ourselves to the +original seven." + +"After my interview with Mr. Gray, I asked to have Mrs. Gray sent in to +me. She came in, and at once I noted that she placed herself on the +defensive. Women frequently adopt that manner with a detective. Her +story was very brief. The main point was that she was aware of the theft +before the lamps were relighted. In fact, she felt some one's arms steal +around her neck, and knew when the opal was taken. I asked why she had +made no outcry, and whether she suspected any special person. To these +questions she replied that she supposed it was merely a joke perpetrated +in the darkness, and therefore had made no resistance. She would not +name anyone as suspected by her, but she was willing to tell me that the +arms were bare, as she detected when they touched her neck. I must say +here, that although Miss Livingstone's dress was not cut low in the +neck, it was, practically, sleeveless; and Mrs. Cortlandt's dress had no +sleeves at all. One other significant statement made by this lady was +that her husband had mentioned to her your offer of twenty thousand +dollars for the opal, and had urged her to permit him to sell it, but +she had refused." + +"So it was madame who would not sell? The plot thickens." + +"You will observe, of course, the point about the naked arms of the +thief. I therefore sent for Mrs. Cortlandt next. She had a curious story +to tell. Unlike her sister, she was quite willing to express her +suspicions. Indeed, she plainly intimated that she supposed that Mr. +Gray himself had taken the jewel. I will endeavor to repeat her words. + +"'Mr. Barnes,' said she, 'the affair is very simple. Gray is a miserable +old skinflint. A Mr. Mitchel, a crank who collects gems, offered to buy +that opal, and he has been bothering my sister for it ever since. When +the lamps went out, he took the opportunity to steal it. I do not think +this--I know it. How? Well, on account of the confusion and darkness, I +sat in my sister's seat when I returned to the table; this explains his +mistake. He put his arms around my neck, and deliberately felt for the +opal. I did not understand his purpose at the time, but now it is very +evident.' + +"'Yes, madame,' said I, 'but how do you know it was Mr. Gray?' + +"'Why, I grabbed his hand, and before he could pull it away I felt the +large cameo ring on his little finger. Oh, there is no doubt whatever.' + +"I asked her whether Mr. Gray had his sleeves rolled up, and, though she +could not understand the purport of the question, she said 'No.' Next I +had Miss Livingstone come in. She is a slight, tremulous young lady, +who cries at the slightest provocation. During the interview, brief as +it was, it was only by the greatest diplomacy that I avoided a scene of +hysterics. She tried very hard to convince me that she knew absolutely +nothing. She had not left her seat during the disturbance; of that she +was sure. So how could she know anything about it? I asked her to name +the one who she thought might have taken the opal, and at this her +agitation reached such a climax that I was obliged to let her go." + +"You gained very little from her, I should say." + +"In a case of this kind, Mr. Mitchel, where the criminal is surely one +of a very few persons, we cannot fail to gain something from each +person's story. A significant feature here was that though Miss +Livingstone assures us that she did not leave her seat, she was sitting +in a different place when the lamps were lighted again." + +"That might mean anything or nothing." + +"Exactly. But we are not deducing values yet. Mr. Dennett Moore came to +me next, and he is a straightforward, honest man if I ever saw one. He +declared that the whole affair was a great mystery to him, and that, +while ordinarily he would not care anything about it, he could not but +be somewhat interested, because he thought that one of the ladies, he +would not say which one, suspected him. Mr. Livingstone also impressed +me favorably, in spite of the fact that he did not remove his cigarette +from his mouth throughout the whole of my interview with him. He +declined to name the person suspected by him, though he admitted that he +could do so. He made this significant remark: + +"'You are a detective of experience, Mr. Barnes, and ought to be able to +decide which man amongst us could place his arms around Mrs. Gray's neck +without causing her to cry out. But if your imagination fails you, +suppose you inquire into the financial standing of all of us, and see +which one would be most likely to profit by thieving? Ask Mr. +Cortlandt.'" + +"Evidently Mr. Livingstone knows more than he tells." + +"Yet he told enough for one to guess his suspicions, and to understand +the delicacy which prompted him to say no more. He, however, gave me a +good point upon which to question Mr. Cortlandt. When I asked that +gentleman if any of the men happened to be in pecuniary difficulties, he +became grave at once. I will give you his answer. + +"'Mr. Livingstone and Mr. Moore are both exceedingly wealthy men, and I +am a millionaire, in very satisfactory business circumstances at +present. But I am very sorry to say that though our host, Mr. Gray, is +also a distinctly rich man, he has met with some reverses recently, and +I can conceive that ready money would be useful to him. But for all +that, it is preposterous to believe what your question evidently +indicates. None of the persons in this party is a thief, and least of +all could we suspect Mr. Gray. I am sure that if he wished his wife's +opal, she would give it to him cheerfully. No, Mr. Barnes, the opal is +in some crack or crevice which we have overlooked. It is lost, not +stolen.' + +"That ended the interview with the several persons present, but I made +one or two other inquiries, from which I elicited at least two +significant facts. First, it was Mr. Gray himself who had indicated the +course by which the yacht was steered last night, and which ran her over +a sand-bar. Second, some one had nearly emptied the oil from the lamps, +so that they would have burned out in a short time, even though the +yacht had not touched." + +"These, then, are your facts. And from these you have solved the +problem. Well, Mr. Barnes, who stole the opal?" + +"Mr. Mitchel, I have told you all I know, but I wish you to work out a +solution before I reveal my own opinion." + +"I have already done so, Mr. Barnes. Here; I will write my suspicion on +a bit of paper. So. Now tell me yours, and you shall know mine +afterwards." + +"Why, to my mind it is very simple. Mr. Gray, failing to obtain the opal +from his wife by fair means, resorted to a trick. He removed the oil +from the lamps, and charted out a course for his yacht which would take +her over a sand-bar, and when the opportune moment came he stole the +jewel. His actions since then have been merely to cover his crime by +shrouding the affair with mystery. By insisting upon a thorough search, +and even sending for a detective, he makes it impossible for those who +were present to accuse him hereafter. Undoubtedly Mr. Cortlandt's +opinion will be the one generally adopted. Now what do you think?" + +"I think I will go with you at once, and board the yacht _Idler_." + +"But you have not told me whom you suspect," said Mr. Barnes, somewhat +irritated. + +"Oh, that is immaterial," said Mr. Mitchel, calmly preparing for the +street. "I do not suspect Mr. Gray, so if you are correct you will have +shown better ability than I. Come, let us hurry." + +On their way to the dock from which they were to take the little steam +launch which was waiting to carry the detective back to the yacht, Mr. +Barnes asked Mr. Mitchel the following question: + +"Mr. Mitchel," said he, "you will note that Mrs. Cortlandt alluded to +you as a 'crank who collects gems.' I must admit that I have myself +harbored a great curiosity as to your reasons for purchasing jewels +which are valued beyond a mere conservative commercial price. Would you +mind explaining why you began your collection?" + +"I seldom explain my motives to others, especially when they relate to +my more important pursuits in life. But in view of all that has passed +between us, I think your curiosity justifiable, and I will gratify it. +To begin with, I am a very wealthy man. I inherited great riches, and I +have made a fortune myself. Have you any conception of the difficulties +which harass a man of means?" + +"Perhaps not in minute detail, though I can guess that the lot of the +rich is not as free from care as the pauper thinks it is." + +"The point is this: the difficulty with a poor man is to get rich, while +with the rich man the greatest trouble is to prevent the increase of his +wealth. Some men, of course, make no effort in that direction, and those +men are a menace to society. My own idea of the proper use of a fortune +is to manage it for the benefit of others, as well as one's self, and +especially to prevent its increase." + +"And is it so difficult to do this? Cannot money be spent without +limit?" + +"Yes; but unlimited evil follows such a course. This is sufficient to +indicate to you that I am ever in search of a legitimate means of +spending my income, provided that I may do good thereby. If I can do +this, and at the same time afford myself pleasure, I claim that I am +making the best use of my money. Now, I happen to be so constituted that +the most interesting studies to me are social problems, and of these I +am most entertained with the causes and environments of crime. Such a +problem as the one you have brought to me to-day is of immense +attractiveness to me, because the environment is one which is commonly +supposed to preclude rather than to invite crime. Yet we have seen that +despite the wealth of all concerned, some one has stooped to the +commonest of crimes,--theft." + +"But what has this to do with your collection of jewels?" + +"Everything. Jewels--especially those of great magnitude--seem to be a +special cause of crime. A hundred-carat diamond will tempt a man to +theft as surely as the false beacon on a rocky shore entices the mariner +to wreck and ruin. All the great jewels of the world have murder and +other crimes woven in their histories. My attention was first called to +this by accidentally hearing a plot at a ball to rob the lady of the +house of a large ruby which she wore on her breast. I went to her, and +told her enough to persuade her to sell the stone to me. I fastened it +into my scarf, where the plotters might see it if they remained at the +ball. By my act I prevented a crime that night." + +"Then am I to understand that you buy jewels with that end in view?" + +"After that night I conceived this idea. If all the great jewels in the +world could be collected together, and put in a place of safety, +hundreds of crimes would be prevented, even before they had been +conceived. Moreover, the search for, and acquirement of, these jewels +would necessarily afford me abundant opportunity for studying the crimes +which are perpetrated in order to gain possession of them. Thus you +understand more thoroughly why I am anxious to pursue this problem of +the Aztec Opal." + +Several hours later Mr. Mitchel and Mr. Barnes were sitting at a quiet +table in the corner of the dining-room at Mr. Mitchel's club. On board +the yacht Mr. Mitchel had acted rather mysteriously. He had been +closeted a while with Mr. Gray, after which he had had an interview with +two or three of the others. Then, when Mr. Barnes had begun to feel +neglected, and tired of waiting alone on the deck, Mr. Mitchel had come +towards him, arm in arm with Mr. Gray, and the latter had said: + +"I am very much obliged to you, Mr. Barnes, for your services in this +affair, and I trust the enclosed check will remunerate you for your +trouble." + +Mr. Barnes, not quite comprehending it all, had attempted to protest, +but Mr. Mitchel had taken him by the arm, and hurried him off. In the +cab which bore them to the club the detective asked for an explanation, +but Mr. Mitchel only replied: + +"I am too hungry to talk now. We will have dinner first." + +The dinner was over at last, and nuts and coffee were before them, when +Mr. Mitchel took a small parcel from his pocket, and handed it to Mr. +Barnes, saying: + +"It is a beauty, is it not?" + +Mr. Barnes removed the tissue paper, and a large opal fell on the +table-cloth, where it sparkled with a thousand colors under the electric +lamps. + +"Do you mean that this is----" cried the detective. + +"The Aztec Opal, and the finest harlequin I ever saw," interrupted Mr. +Mitchel. "But you wish to know how it came into my possession? +Principally so that it may join the collection and cease to be a +temptation in this world of wickedness." + +"Then Mr. Gray did not steal it?" asked Mr. Barnes, with a touch of +chagrin in his voice. + +"No, Mr. Barnes. Mr. Gray did not steal it. But you are not to consider +yourself very much at fault. Mr. Gray tried to steal it, only he failed. +That was not your fault, of course. You read his actions aright, but you +did not give enough weight to the stories of the others." + +"What important point did I omit from my calculations?" + +"I might mention the bare arms which Mrs. Gray said she felt around her +neck. It was evidently Mr. Gray who looked for the opal on the neck of +his sister-in-law, but as he did not bare his arms before approaching +her, he would not have done so later." + +"Do you mean that Miss Livingstone was the thief?" + +"No. Being hysterical, Miss Livingstone changed her seat without +realizing it, but that does not make her a thief. Her excitement when +with you was due to her suspicions, which, by the way, were correct. But +let us return for a moment to the bare arms. That was the clue from +which I worked. It was evident to me that the thief was a man, and it +was equally plain that, in the hurry of the few moments of darkness, no +man would have rolled up his sleeves, risking the return of the +attendants with lamps, and the consequent discovery of himself in such a +singular disarrangement of costume." + +"How do you account for the bare arms?" + +"The lady did not tell the truth, that is all. The arms which encircled +her neck were not bare. Neither were they unknown to her. She told you +that lie to shield the thief. She also told you that her husband wished +to sell the Aztec Opal to me, but that she had refused. Thus she deftly +led you to suspect him. Now, if she wished to shield the thief, yet was +willing to accuse her husband, it followed that the husband was not the +thief." + +"Very well reasoned, Mr. Mitchel. I see now where you are tending, but I +shall not get ahead of your story." + +"So much I had deduced before we went on board the yacht. When I found +myself alone with Gray I candidly told him of your suspicions, and your +reasons for harboring them. He was very much disturbed, and pleadingly +asked me what I thought. As frankly, I told him that I believed that he +had tried to take the opal from his wife,--we can scarcely call it +stealing since the law does not,--but that I believed he had failed. He +then confessed; admitted emptying the lamps, though he denied running +the boat on the sand-bar. But he assured me that he had not reached his +wife's chair when the lamps were brought in. He was, therefore, much +astonished at missing the gem. I promised him to find the jewel upon +condition that he would sell it to me. To this he most willingly +acceded." + +"But how could you be sure that you would recover the opal?" + +"Partly by my knowledge of human nature, and partly because of my +inherent faith in my own abilities. I sent for Mrs. Gray, and noted her +attitude of defense, which, however, only satisfied me the more that I +was right in my suspicions. I began by asking her if she knew the origin +of the superstition that an opal brings bad luck to its owner. She did +not, of course, comprehend my tactics, but she added that she 'had heard +the stupid superstition, but took no interest in such nonsense.' I then +gravely explained to her that the opal is the engagement stone of the +Orient. The lover gives it to his sweetheart, and the belief is, that +should she deceive him even in the most trifling manner, the opal will +lose its brilliancy and become cloudy. I then suddenly asked her if she +had ever noted a change in her opal. 'What do you mean to insinuate?' +she cried out angrily. 'I mean,' said I, sternly, 'that if any opal has +ever changed color in accordance with the superstition, this one should +have done so. I mean that though your husband greatly needs the money +which I have offered him, you have refused to allow him to sell it, and +yet you permitted another to take it from you last night. By this act +you might have seriously injured if not ruined Mr. Gray. Why have you +done it?'" + +"How did she receive it?" asked Mr. Barnes, admiring the ingenuity of +Mr. Mitchel. + +"She began to sob, and between her tears she admitted that the opal had +been taken by the man whom I suspected, but she earnestly declared that +she had harbored no idea of injuring her husband. Indeed, she was so +agitated in speaking upon this point, that I believe that Gray never +thoroughly explained to her why he wished to sell the gem. She urged me +to recover the opal if possible, and purchase it, so that her husband +might be relieved from his pecuniary embarrassment. I then sent for the +thief, Mrs. Gray having told me his name; but would you not like to hear +how I had picked him out before he went aboard? I still have that bit of +paper upon which I wrote his name, in confirmation of what I say." + +"Of course I know that you mean Mr. Livingstone, but I would like to +hear your reasons for suspecting him." + +"From your account Miss Livingstone suspected some one, and this caused +her to be so agitated that she was unaware of the fact that she had +changed her seat. Women are shrewd in these affairs, and I was confident +that the girl had good reasons for her conduct. It was evident that the +person in her mind was either her brother or her sweetheart. I decided +between these two men from your account of your interviews with them. +Moore impressed you as being honest, and he told you that one of the +ladies suspected him. In this he was mistaken, but his speaking to you +of it was not the act of a thief. Mr. Livingstone, on the other hand, +tried to throw suspicion upon Mr. Gray." + +"Of course that was sound reasoning after you had concluded that Mrs. +Gray was lying. Now tell me how you recovered the jewel." + +"That was easier than I expected. When I got him alone, I simply told +Mr. Livingstone what I knew, and asked him to hand me the opal. With a +perfectly imperturbable manner, understanding that I promised secrecy, +he quietly took it from his pocket and gave it to me, saying: + +"Women are very poor conspirators. They are too weak." + +"What story did you tell Mr. Gray?" + +"Oh, he would not be likely to inquire too closely into what I should +tell him. My check was what he most cared for. I told him nothing +definitely, but I hinted that his wife had secreted the gem during the +darkness, that he might not ask her for it again; and that she had +intended to find it again at a future time, just as he had meant to pawn +it and then pretend to recover it from the thief by offering a reward." + +"One more question. Why did Mr. Livingstone steal it?" + +"Ah; the truth about that is another mystery worth probing, and one +which I shall make it my business to unravel. I will venture a prophecy. +Mr. Livingstone did not steal it at all. Mrs. Gray simply handed it to +him in the darkness. There must have been some powerful motive to lead +her to such an act; something which she was weighing, and decided +impulsively. This brings me to a second point. Livingstone used the word +conspirators; that is a clue. You will recall that I told you that this +gem is one of a pair of opals, and that with the other, the two would +be as interesting as any jewels in the world. If anyone ever owns both +it shall be your humble servant, Leroy Mitchel, Jewel Collector." + + + + + VII + + THE DUPLICATE HARLEQUIN + + +One day about two weeks after the unravelling of the mystery of the opal +lost on board the yacht _Idler_, Mr. Barnes called upon Mr. Mitchel and +was cordially received. + +"Glad to see you, Mr. Barnes. Anything stirring in the realm of crime?" + +"'Stirring' would be a fitting adjective, I think, Mr. Mitchel. Ever +since the _Idler_ affair I have occupied myself with a study of the +problem, which I am convinced we have but partially solved. You may +recall that you gave me a clue." + +"You mean that Livingstone, when he gave me the opal, remarked, 'Women +are poor conspirators.' Yes, I remember calling your attention to that. +Has your clue led to any solution?" + +"Oh, I am not out of the maze yet; more likely just entering the most +intricate depths. Still, I flatter myself that I have accomplished +something; enough to satisfy me that 'mischief is brewing,' and that the +conspirators are still conspiring. Moreover, there is little doubt that +you are deeply concerned in the new plot." + +"What! You insinuate that I am in this conspiracy?" + +"Only as a possible victim. You are the object of the plot." + +"Perhaps you think that I am in danger?" Mr. Mitchel smiled as though +the idea of danger were a pleasurable one. + +"Were you any other man than yourself, I should say most decidedly that +you are in danger." + +"But, being myself, you fancy that the danger will pass from me?" + +"Being yourself, I anticipate that you will compel the danger to pass +from you." + +"Mr. Barnes, you flatter me. Perhaps I may be able to thwart the +conspirators, now that you warn me; if I do, however, I must admit my +great indebtedness to you. To be forewarned is to have the fight half +won, and I candidly say that I was entirely unsuspicious of any lurking +danger." + +"Exactly. With all your acumen, I was sure that your suspicions had not +been aroused. The conspirators are wary, and, I assure you, unusually +skilful. So, under all the circumstances, I felt it my duty to be on the +alert." + +"Ah, I see," said Mr. Mitchel, in that tone peculiar to him, which made +it doubtful whether he spoke in earnest, or whether his words hid keen +satire. "The old cat being asleep, the kitten watches. That is very nice +of you. Really, it is quite a comforting thought that so skilful a +detective is ever guarding my person. Especially as I am the owner of +so many gems to which the covetous must ever look longingly." + +"That is just how I reasoned it," said Mr. Barnes, eagerly, wishing to +justify his actions, which he began to suspect Mr. Mitchel might resent. +"You explained to me your reasons why you have purchased so many +valuable jewels. You claimed that almost every large gem has been the +cause, or rather the object, of crime. The Aztec Opal came into your +possession under most peculiar circumstances. In fact, you thwarted a +criminal just as he had come into possession of it. But this criminal is +a wealthy man. Not perhaps as rich as yourself, but rich enough to be +above stealing even such a valuable bauble. It could not have been the +intrinsic value of the opal which tempted him; it must have been that +some special reason existed; some reason, I mean, for his acquiring +possession of this particular opal. All this being true, it would be a +natural sequence that his efforts to get the opal would not cease merely +because it had changed hands." + +"Your argument is most interesting, Mr. Barnes, especially as it is +without a flaw. As you say, from all this reasoning it was a natural +sequence that Mr. Livingstone would continue his quest for the opal. +This being so obvious, did you imagine that it had escaped me?" + +Mr. Barnes was confused by the question. He really admired Mr. Mitchel +very much, and though he considered him quite conceited, he also +admitted that he had great analytical powers and remarkable acumen. He +also, more than anything else, desired a perpetuation of his friendship; +indeed, it had been with an idea of increasing the bond between them +that he had called. He had spent much of his time, time which could have +been occupied with other matters to better financial advantage, and all +with the purpose of warding off from his friend a danger which he had at +first considered as a distant possibility, but which later he looked +upon as certain, if nothing intervened to hinder the plot, which he knew +was rapidly approaching the moment of execution. He therefore hastened +to make further explanation: + +"Not at all--not at all. I am merely indicating the steps by which I +reached my conclusions. I am giving you my reasons for what I fear you +now may consider my interference in your affairs. Yet I assure you I +meant it all----" + +"For the best. Why, of course, my friend; did you suppose that I doubted +your good intent, merely because I spoke brusquely?" Mr. Mitchel held +out his hand cordially, and Mr. Barnes grasped it, glad to note the +altered demeanor of his companion. Mr. Mitchel continued: "Will you +never learn that my weakness is for antagonizing detectives? When you +come here to tell me that you have been 'investigating' my private +affairs, how could I resist telling you that I knew all about it, or +that I could take care of myself? I would not be Leroy Mitchel were it +otherwise." + +"How do you mean that you know all about it?" + +"Well, perhaps not all. I am not exactly omniscient. Still, I know +something. Let me see, now. How much do I know? First, then, you have +had this Livingstone watched. Second, you have introduced one of your +spies, a young woman, into the home of Mrs. Gray. In spite of your +alleged faith in Dennett Moore, you had him watched also, though for +only two or three days. Lastly, you have discovered Pedro Domingo, +and----" + +"In Heaven's name, Mr. Mitchel, how do you know all this?" Mr. Barnes +was utterly dumbfounded by what he had heard. + +"All this?" said Mr. Mitchel, with a suave smile; "why, I have mentioned +only four small facts." + +"Small facts?" + +"Yes, quite small. Let us run them over again. First, I stated that you +had Mr. Livingstone watched. That was not hard to know, because I also +had a spy upon his track." + +"You?" + +"Yes, I. Why not? Did you not just now agree that it was obvious that he +would continue his efforts to get the opal? Being determined that I +should never part with it whilst alive, it likewise followed that he +must kill me, or have me killed, in order to obtain it. Under these +circumstances it was only common caution to have the man watched. +Indeed, the method was altogether too common. It was _bizarre_. Still, +my spy was no common spy. In that, at least, my method was unique. +Secondly, I claimed that you had introduced a woman spy into the home of +Mrs. Gray. To learn this was even easier. I deduced it from what I know +of your methods. You played the same trick on my wife once, I think you +will recall. Supposing Mrs. Gray to be a conspirator (that was your +clue, I think), you would hardly watch Livingstone and neglect the +woman. Yet the actual knowledge came to me in a very simple manner." + +"How was that?" + +"Why, Mr. Gray told me." + +"Mr. Gray told you?" + +"Mr. Gray himself. You see, your assistants are not all so clever as +yourself, though I doubt not this girl may think that she is a genius. +You told her to seek a position in the house, and what does she do? She +goes straight to Mr. Gray and tells him her purpose; hints that it might +be well for him to know just what really actuated Mrs. Gray in the +curious affair on the yacht, and agrees to 'discover everything'--those +were her words--if he would give her the opportunity. Poor man, she +filled his mind with dire suspicions and he managed it so that she was +taken into service. Up to the present time she has discovered nothing. +At least, so she tells him." + +"The little she-devil! You said that she explained her whole purpose. Do +you mean----" + +"Oh, no. She did not implicate you, nor divulge her true mission. The +fun of the thing is that she claimed to be a 'private detective' and +that this venture was entirely her own idea. In fact, she is working +for Mr. Gray. Is not that droll?" Mr. Mitchel threw back his head and +laughed heartily. Mr. Barnes did not quite see the fun, and looked grim. +All he said was: + +"She acted beyond her instructions, yet it seems that she has not done +any harm; and though she is like an untamed colt, apt to take the bit +between her teeth, still she is shrewd. But I'll curb her yet. Now as to +your third fact. How did you know that I had Mr. Moore watched, and only +for two or three days?" + +"Why, I recognized one of your spies following him one day down +Broadway, and as Moore sailed for Europe two days after, I made the +deduction that you had withdrawn your watch-dog." + +"Well, then," said Mr. Barnes, testily, "how did you know that I had, as +you declare, 'discovered Pedro Domingo'?" + +"How did I know that? Why--but that can wait. You certainly did not call +this morning to ask me all these questions. You came, as I presume, to +convey information." + +"Oh, you know so much, it is evidently unnecessary for me to tell you of +my trifling discoveries." Mr. Barnes was suffering from wounded pride. + +"Come, come," exclaimed Mr. Mitchel, cheerily, "be a man; don't be +downcast and fall into the dumps merely because I surprised a few +trifling facts in your game, and could not resist the fun of guying you +a little. You see, I still admit that what I know are but trifling +facts; what you know, on the contrary, is perhaps of great importance. +Indeed, I am assured that without your information, without a full +knowledge of all that you have discovered, my own plans may go awry, and +then the danger at which you hint might be all too real. Do you not see +that, knowing that you are interested in this case, I have been only too +willing to let half the burden of the investigation fall upon you? That +to your skill I have intrusted all of that work which I knew you could +do so well? That in the most literal sense we have been silent partners, +and that I depended upon your friendship to bring you to me with your +news, just as it has brought you?" + +This speech entirely mollified Mr. Barnes, and, with a brightening +countenance, he exclaimed: + +"Mr. Mitchel, I'm an ass. You are right to laugh at me." + +"Nonsense! I defy all other detectives, because Mr. Barnes works with +me." + +"Bosh!" said the detective, deprecatingly, but pleased nevertheless by +the words of flattery. "Well, then, suppose I tell you my story from the +beginning?" + +"From the beginning, by all means." + +"In speaking of the woman whom I set to spy upon Mrs. Gray, you just now +mentioned that I had once played the same trick upon your wife. Very +true, and not only is this the same trick, but it is the same girl." + +"What! Lucette?" + +"The same. This is not the first time that she has chosen to resort to +her own devices rather than to follow strictly the orders given to her. +In this case, however, as I said before, she has done no harm, and on +the contrary, I think you would find her report, which I received an +hour ago, quite interesting." + +"Ah, you have brought it with you?" + +"Yes. I will read it to you. Of course it is not addressed to me, +neither is there any signature. No names are mentioned except by +initial. All this is the girl's own devising, so you see she is not +entirely stupid. She writes: + +"'At last I have discovered everything.' You observe that she is not +unappreciative of her own ability. 'Mr. L. was right. Women are bad +conspirators. At least he is right as to Mrs. G. She has dropped the +conspiracy entirely, if she ever was a real conspirator, which I doubt, +for, though you may not suspect it, she loves her husband. How do I +know? Well, a woman has instincts about love. A man may swear eternal +devotion to a woman eight hours a day for a year, without convincing +her, when she would detect the true lover by the way he ties her +shoe-string, unasked. So here. I have not heard madame talking in her +sleep, neither has she taken her maid for a confidante, though I think +she might find a worse adviser. Still I say she loves her husband. How +do I know? When a woman is constantly doing things which add to the +comfort of a man, and for which she never receives thanks, because they +are such trifles, you may be sure the woman loves the man, and by +hundreds of such tokens I know that Mrs. G. is in love with her husband. +To reach the next point I must give you an axiom. A woman never loves +more than one man at a time. She may have many lovers in the course of a +lifetime, but in each instance she imagines that all previous affairs +were delusions, and that at last the divine fire consumes her. To this +last love she is constant until he proves unworthy, and ofttimes even +after. No, a man may be able to love two persons, but a woman's +affections are ever centred in a single idol. From which it is a logical +deduction that Mrs. G. does not and did not love Mr. L. Then why did she +give him the opal? A question which will puzzle you, and for which you +are at a loss for an answer.'" + +"She is not complimentary," interrupted Mr. Mitchel. + +"Not very," said Mr. Barnes, and then he continued reading: + +"'This is a question at which I arrived, as you see, by logical mental +stages. This is the question to which I have found the reply. This is +what I mean when I say I have discovered all: Yesterday afternoon Mr. L. +called. Madame hesitated, but finally decided to see him. From her +glances in my direction, I was sure she feared I might accidentally find +it convenient to be near enough to a keyhole to overhear the +conversation which was about to ensue, and, as I did not wish her to +make such an "accident" impossible, I innocently suggested that if she +intended to receive a visitor, I should be glad to have permission to +leave the house for an hour. The trick worked to a charm. Madame seemed +only too glad to get rid of me. I hurried downstairs into the back +parlor, where, by secreting myself between the heavy portieres and the +closed folding-doors, my sharp ears readily followed the conversation, +except such few passages as were spoken in very low tones, but which I +am sure were unimportant. The details I will give you when I see you. +Suffice it to say that I discovered that madame's reason for refusing to +let her husband sell the jewel to that crank Mr. M. ----'" + +"Ah; I see she remembers me," said Mr. Mitchel, with a smile. + +"How could she forget your locking her in a room when she was most +anxious to be elsewhere? But let me finish this: + +"'--to that crank Mr. M. was because Mr. L. was telling her how to make +a deal more money out of the jewel. It seems that he has the mate to it, +and that the two were stolen from an idol somewhere in Mexico, and that +a fabulous sum could be obtained by returning the two gems to the native +priests. Just how, I do not know.'" + +"So she did not discover everything, after all," said Mr. Mitchel. + +"No; but she is right in the main. Her report continues: + +"'Madame, however, hesitated to go into the venture, partly because Mr. +L. insisted that the matter be kept secret from her husband, and more +particularly because the money in exchange was not to be forthcoming +immediately. On the yacht she changed her mind impulsively. The result +of that you know.' + +"That is all," said Mr. Barnes, folding the paper and returning it to +his pocket. + +"That is all you know?" asked Mr. Mitchel. + +"No; that is all that Lucette knows. I know how the fabulous sum of +money was to be had in exchange for the two opals." + +"Ah; that is more to our immediate purpose. How have you made this +discovery?" + +"My spies learned practically nothing by shadowing Livingstone, except +that he has had several meetings with a half-breed Mexican who calls +himself Pedro Domingo. I decided that it would be best for me to +interview Senor Domingo myself, rather than to entrust him to a second +man." + +"What a compliment to our friend Livingstone!" said Mr. Mitchel, with a +laugh. + +"I found the Mexican suspicious and difficult to approach at first. So I +quickly decided that only a bold play would be successful. I told him +that I was a detective, and related the incident of the stealing of the +opal. At this his eyes glistened, but when I told him that the gem had +been sold to a man of enormous wealth who would never again part with +it, his eyes glared." + +"Yes, Domingo's eyes are glary at times. Go on." + +"I explained to him that by this I meant that it would now be impossible +for Mr. Livingstone to get the opal, and then I boldly asked him what +reward I might expect if I could get it." + +"How much did he offer?" + +"At first he merely laughed at me, but then I explained that you are my +friend, and that you merely buy such things to satisfy a hobby, and +that, having no especial desire for this particular jewel, I had little +doubt that I could obtain it, provided it would be of great financial +advantage to myself. In short, that you would sell to a friend what none +other could buy." + +"Not bad, Mr. Barnes. What did Domingo say to that?" + +"He asked for a day to think it over." + +"Which, of course, you granted. What, then, is his final answer?" + +"He told me to get the opal first, and then he would talk business." + +"Bravo! Domingo is becoming quite a Yankee." + +"Of course I watched the man during the interval, in order to learn +whether or not he would consult with Mr. L., or any other adviser." + +"What did this lead to?" + +"It led to Pasquale Sanchez." + +"What! More Mexicans?" + +"One more only. Sanchez lives in a house near where Domingo has his +room. He tells me that he comes from the same district as Domingo. +Although Domingo did not make a confidant of him, or even ask his +advice, his visit to his friend cleared up some things for me, for by +following Domingo I came upon Sanchez." + +"What could he know, if, as you say, he was not in the confidence of +Domingo?" + +"He knew some things which seem to be common knowledge in his native +land. He is even more Americanized than his friend, for he fully +appreciates a glass of whiskey, though I doubt not the habit was first +acquired at home. I should think it would take many years to acquire +such a--let me call it--capacity. I never saw a man who could swallow +such powerful doses without a change of expression. The only effect +seemed to be to loosen his tongue. It is needless to repeat all the +stages by which I approached my subject. He knew all about the Aztec +opals,--for really there are two of them,--except of course their +present whereabouts. I asked him if they would be valuable, supposing +that I could get possession of them. He was interested at once. 'You get +them, and I show you million dollars.' I explained to him that I might +see a million dollars any day by visiting the United States Treasury, +upon which, with many imprecations and useless interpolations of bad +Spanish, he finally made it clear to me that the priests who have the +idol from which the opals were obtained, have practically little power +over their tribe while the 'god is in heaven,' as has been explained to +the faithful, the priests not caring to exhibit the image without its +glowing eyes. These priests, it seems, know where the mine is from which +these opals were taken, and they would reveal this secret in exchange +for the lost opals, because, though this mine is said to be very rich, +they have been unable themselves to find any pieces sufficiently large +and brilliant from which to duplicate the lost gems." + +"Then you think it was to obtain possession of this opal mine that Mr. +Livingstone sought to obtain Mrs. Gray's opal?" + +"Undoubtedly. So certain am I of this that I would wager that he will +endeavor to get the opal from you." + +"Let me read a letter to you, Mr. Barnes." + +Mr. Mitchel took out a letter and read as follows: + + "'LEROY MITCHEL, Esq.:-- + + "'Dear Sir--In my letter of recent date I offered to you the + duplicate of the Aztec Opal which you recently purchased + from Mr. Gray. You paid Gray twenty thousand dollars, and I + expressed my willingness to sell you mine for five thousand + dollars in advance of this sum. In your letter just + received, you agree to pay this amount, naming two + conditions. First, you ask why I consider my opal worth more + than the other, if it is an exact duplicate. Secondly, you + wish me to explain what I meant by saying on the yacht that + "women are poor conspirators." + + "'In reply to your first question, my answer is, that + however wealthy I may be I usually do business strictly on + business principles. These opals separately are worth in the + open market twenty thousand dollars each, which sum you paid + to Gray. But considering the history of the gems, and the + fact that they are absolute duplicates the one of the other, + it is not too much to declare that as soon as one person + owns both gems, the value is enhanced twofold. That is to + say, that the pair of opals together would be worth seventy + or eighty thousand dollars. This being true, I consider it + fair to argue that whilst I should not expect more than + twenty thousand dollars from any other person in the world, + twenty-five thousand is a low sum for me to ask of the man + who has the duplicate of this magnificent harlequin opal. + + "'In regard to my remark about the "conspirators," the + conspiracy in which I had induced Mrs. Gray to take part was + entirely honorable, I assure you. I knew of Gray's financial + embarrassments and wished to aid him, without, however, + permitting him to suspect my hand in the affair. He is so + sensitive, you know. I therefore suggested to Mrs. Gray that + she entrust her jewel to me, and promised to dispose of the + two jewels together, thus realizing the enhanced value. I + pointed out that in this manner she would be able to give + her husband much more than he could possibly secure by the + sale of the one stone. + + "'Trusting that I have fully complied with your conditions, + I will call upon you at noon to-day, and will bring the opal + with me. We can then complete the transaction, unless you + change your mind in the interval. Cordially yours, etc.' + +"So you see," said Mr. Mitchel, "he offers to sell me his opal, rather +than to purchase mine." + +"It is strange," said Mr. Barnes, musingly. "Why should he relinquish +his hope of getting possession of that mine? I do not believe it. There +is some devilish trickery at work. But let me tell you the rest of my +story." + +"Oh, is there more?" + +"Why, certainly. I have not yet explained my reason for thinking you +might be in danger." + +"Ah, to be sure. My danger. I had forgotten all about it. Pardon my +stupidity." + +"In further conversation with this Sanchez I put this proposition to +him. 'Suppose,' said I, 'that your friend Domingo had one of these +opals, and knew the man who had the other. What would he do?' His answer +was short, but to the point. 'He get it, even if he kill.'" + +"So you think that Domingo might try murder?" + +"It is not impossible." + +"But, Mr. Barnes, he does not want my life. He wants the opal, and as +that is, or rather has been until to-day, in the safety-vaults, how +could he get it, even by killing me?" + +"You have just admitted that it is not in the vaults at present." + +"But it is quite as much out of his reach in my safe here in this +room." + +"But you might take it out of the safe. You might, in some manner, be +persuaded to do so, to show it to some one." + +"Very true. In fact, that is why it is here. I must compare my opal with +the one which Mr. Livingstone offers for sale, before I part with +twenty-five thousand dollars. For you must remember that such a sum is a +fabulous price for an opal, even though, as you know, these are the +largest in the world." + +"From a money standpoint, of course, your precaution is proper. But do +you not see that you are really making possible the very danger of which +I came to warn you?" + +"You mean----" + +"Murder in order to get possession of that accursed ill-luck stone. But +I fear my warning is not appreciated." + +"Indeed, my friend, it is, and I am glad that you have come in person to +acquaint me with your anxiety in my behalf. This I will more thoroughly +explain to you later. For the present, I may say that I am glad to have +you here as a possible witness, in case murder, or any other crime, +should be attempted." + +"What other crime do you anticipate as possible? Surely not theft?" + +"Why not?" + +"What! Steal that opal from you, while you are present to see the deed +committed? That is a joke." Mr. Barnes laughed heartily. + +"Your laugh is a compliment," said Mr. Mitchel. "Yet that is exactly +what I most anticipate--theft. I am not sure that it may not be +undertaken before my very eyes. Especially as the thief did not hesitate +at a table filled with men and women. Sh! He is here." + +The electric street-door bell had sounded. Mr. Mitchel arose, and spoke +hurriedly in a low tone. + +"That is probably Mr. Livingstone come to sell his opal, or to steal +mine. We shall see. Especially I desire that you should see. +Consequently I have arranged matters in advance. Slip behind this +bookcase, which I have placed across the corner that you may have room +to breathe. The books on the top shelf have been removed, and the tinted +glass of the doors will not obstruct your view. From behind you will be +able to see through quite readily." + +"Why, you seem to have expected me," said Mr. Barnes, getting into the +hiding-place. + +"Yes, I expected you," said Mr. Mitchel, vouchsafing no further +explanation. "Remember now, Mr. Barnes, you are not to interfere, +whatever happens, unless I call you. All I ask is that you use your +eyes, and that good eyes will be required be sure, or I never should +have arranged to have an extra pair to aid me on this occasion." + +A moment later Williams announced Mr. Livingstone. + +"Ask Mr. Livingstone to come up here to the library," said Mr. Mitchel, +and a little later he greeted his guest. + +"Ah, glad to see you, Mr. Livingstone. Take a seat here by my desk, and +we can get right to business. First, though, let me offer you a cigar." + +Mr. Livingstone chose one from the box which Mr. Mitchel offered to him, +and lighted it as he sat down. + +"What a companionable feeling steals over one as he puffs a fine cigar, +Mr. Mitchel! Who would accept such an offering as this and betray the +confidence of his host?" + +"Who, indeed?" said Mr. Mitchel. "But why do you say that?" + +"Why, I am not entirely a fool. You do not trust me. You are not sure in +your own mind whether or not I committed a theft on board of the yacht." + +"Am I not?" Mr. Mitchel asked this in a tone that made Mr. Livingstone +look upon it in the light of a question, whereas Mr. Barnes, behind the +bookcase, considered it as an answer. + +"Why, no," said Mr. Livingstone, replying. "Had you believed that the +opal changed hands honorably, even though secretly, under cover of the +darkness, you would not have asked me to explain my allusion to +'conspirators.' I trust, however, that my letter made it all clear to +you." + +"Quite clear." + +"Then you are still willing to make the purchase?" + +"If you still desire to sell. A certified check for the amount is ready +for you. Have you brought the opal?" + +"Yes. Have you the duplicate? It would be well to compare them before +you purchase." + +"If you do not mind, I will do so." + +Mr. Mitchel turned to his safe and brought out a box which Mr. Barnes +thought he recognized. Opening it he drew out a marvellous string of +pearls, which he laid aside, while he took from beneath, a velvet case +which contained the opal. Returning the pearls to the box he restored +that to the safe, which he locked. + +"Now, if you will let me see your opal," said Mr. Mitchel, "I will +compare the gems." + +"Here it is," said Mr. Livingstone, handing Mr. Mitchel his opal. + +Mr. Mitchel took the two opals in his hand, and, as they lay side by +side, he examined them closely, observing the play of light as he turned +them in various positions. To his critical eye they were marvellously +beautiful; matchless, though matched. None could see these two and +wonder that the old priests in Mexico had searched in vain for a second +pair like them. + +"Do you know why these opals are so exactly alike?" asked Mr. +Livingstone. + +"I am not sure," said Mr. Mitchel, apparently absorbed in his scrutiny +of the opals. "I have heard many reasons suggested. If you know the true +explanation, suppose you tell me." + +"Willingly. You will observe that in each opal red lights seem to +predominate on one side, while the blue and green are reflected from the +other. Originally, this was one great egg-shaped opal, and it was cut +in that shape, and then poised in the forehead of a single-eyed idol by +the priests of a thousand years ago. By an ingenious mechanism the eye +could be made to revolve in its socket, so that either the red or the +blue-green side would be visible, as it suited the purpose of the +priests, when overawing the tribesmen by pretended prophecies and other +miraculous performances. In more recent times, since the advent of the +Christians, one-eyed idols are not so plausible, and the priests cut the +opal in half, thus making it serve in what may be termed a modernized +idol." + +"Yes, I have heard that tale before. In fact, I have a metal ring which +I was told would exactly encircle the two opals, if placed together to +form an egg." + +"How could you have such a thing?" asked Mr. Livingstone, with genuine +surprise. + +"The man who stole the jewels, so the story goes, wishing to enhance +their value as much as possible, arranged this as a scheme by which the +genuineness of the opals could be tested. He placed the opals together, +as before they were cut, and had a silver band made which would exactly +clasp them in that position. This band opens and shuts with a spring +catch, like a bracelet, and as, when closed, it exactly fits the opals, +holding the two firmly together, the owner of the band could easily tell +whether the true opals were before him, or not. In some way the opals +were next stolen without the band, and their whereabouts was unknown +when a dealer in Naples told me the story of the silver band, which he +offered to sell me. I scarcely credited his tale, but as all large +jewels might in time be offered to me, I thought it well to purchase the +band." + +"Why, then, if you still have it, it would be interesting to make the +test, would it not?" + +"Yes, I think so. I will get the band." + +Mr. Mitchel placed the two opals on the desk before him and went over to +the safe, where he was occupied some time opening the combination lock. +While he was thus busy a strange thing seemed to occur. At least it +seemed strange to Mr. Barnes. He had marvelled to see Mr. Mitchel place +the two opals within easy reach of Mr. Livingstone, and then +deliberately turn his back while he opened the safe. But what seemed +more mysterious was Mr. Livingstone's action. Mr. Mitchel had scarcely +stooped before the safe when his guest leaned forward, with both arms +outstretched simultaneously; his two hands grasped the opals, the hands +then swiftly sought his vest pockets, after which he calmly puffed his +cigar. Thus he seemed to have taken the opals from the table and to have +placed them in his pockets. Yet how could he hope to explain their +absence to Mr. Mitchel? This thought flashed through Mr. Barnes's mind +as his eyes instinctively turned again to the desk, when, to his utter +astonishment, he saw the opals exactly where Mr. Mitchel had placed +them. Had the thought that he could not explain away the disappearance +caused the man to change his mind at the very moment when he had +impulsively clutched the treasures? Mr. Barnes was puzzled, and somewhat +worried too, for he began to fear that more had happened, or was +happening, than he comprehended. + +"Here is the band," said Mr. Mitchel, returning to the desk, and +resuming his seat. "Let us see how it fits the opals. First, let me ask +you, are you confident that you are selling me one of the genuine Aztec +opals?" + +"I am. I have a history which makes its authenticity indubitable." + +"Then we will try our little test. There; the band clamps the two +perfectly. Look for yourself." + +"Certainly; the test is complete. These are undoubtedly the Aztec opals. +Mr. Mitchel, you are to be congratulated upon gaining possession of such +unique gems." + +Mr. Livingstone arose as though about to leave. + +"One moment, Mr. Livingstone; the jewels are not mine, yet. I have not +paid you for yours." + +"Oh, between gentlemen there is no hurry about such matters." + +"Between gentlemen it may be as you say. But you said this was to be +strictly in accordance with business methods. I prefer to pay at once. +Here is my certified check. I will also ask you to sign this receipt." + +Mr. Livingstone seemed to hesitate for a moment. Mr. Barnes wondered +why? He sat at the desk, however, and, after reading the receipt, he +signed it, and took the check, which he placed in his pocketbook, +saying: + +"Of course we will be businesslike, if you insist, though I did not +anticipate that you would take me so literally. That being over, Mr. +Mitchel, I will bid you good morning." + +"You may go, Mr. Livingstone, when the transaction is over, but not +before." + +"What do you mean?" demanded Mr. Livingstone aggressively, as he turned +and faced Mr. Mitchel, who now stood close beside him. + +"I mean that you have accepted my money. Now I wish you to give me the +opal." + +"I do not understand. There are your opals, just where you placed them +on the table." + +"We will have no quibbling, Mr. Livingstone. You have taken twenty-five +thousand dollars of my money, and you have given me in exchange a +worthless imitation. Not satisfied with that, you have stolen my genuine +opal." + +"Damn you----" + +Mr. Livingstone made a movement as though to strike, but Mr. Mitchel +stepped quickly back, and, quietly bringing forward his right arm, which +had been held behind his back, it became evident that he held in his +hand a revolver of large calibre. He did not raise the weapon, however, +but merely remarked: + +"I am armed. Think before you act." + +"Your infernal accusation astounds me," growled Mr. Livingstone. "I +hardly know what to say to you." + +"There is nothing to say, sir. You have no alternative but to give me my +property. Yes, you have an alternative,--you may go to prison." + +"To prison!" The man laughed, but it was not a hearty laugh. + +"Yes, to prison. I believe that is the proper lodging-place for a +thief." + +"Take care!" cried Mr. Livingstone, advancing upon Mr. Mitchel. + +"Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, still without raising his weapon. At +this the man stopped as quickly as he had when the weapon was first +shown. He seemed confounded when the detective stepped into view. + +"Ah," he sneered; "so you have spies upon your guests?" + +"Always, when my guests are thieves." + +Again the words enraged him, and, starting forward, Mr. Livingstone +exclaimed: + +"If you repeat those words, I'll strangle you in spite of your weapon +and your spy." + +"I have no wish to use harsh language, Mr. Livingstone. All I want is my +property. Give me the two opals." + +"Again I tell you they are on your desk." + +"Where are the genuine opals, Mr. Barnes? Of course you saw him commit +the--that is, you saw the act." + +"They are in his vest pocket, one in each," said the detective. + +"Since you will not give them to me, I must take them," said Mr. +Mitchel, advancing towards Mr. Livingstone. That gentleman stood +transfixed, livid with rage. As his antagonist was about to touch his +vest pocket, his hand arose swiftly and he aimed a deadly blow at Mr. +Mitchel, but not only did Mr. Mitchel as swiftly lower his head, thus +avoiding the blow, but before another could be struck, Mr. Barnes had +jumped forward and grasped Mr. Livingstone from behind, pinioning his +arms and holding him fast by placing his own knee in his adversary's +back. Mr. Livingstone struggled fiercely, but almost instantly Mr. +Mitchel took the opals from his pockets, and then quietly remarked: + +"Release him, Mr. Barnes. I have my property." + +Mr. Barnes obeyed, and for an instant Mr. Livingstone seemed weighing +his chances, but evidently deciding that the odds were in all ways +against him, he rushed from the apartment and out of the house. + +"Well, Mr. Mitchel," said Mr. Barnes, "now that the danger has passed, +an explanation seems to be in order. You seem to have four opals." + +"Yes; but that is merely seeming. You will readily understand why I +wished your eyes, for without them I could not have taken my own off of +the opals even for an instant." + +"Then you purposely turned your back when you went to get the silver +band?" + +"Assuredly. Why could I not have taken out the band in the first +instance, and why did I lock the safe, making it necessary for me to +take time with the combination? Simply to give my man the opportunity +to do his trick. You see, I knew before he came here exactly what he +would do." + +"How did you know?" + +"You will recall that in his letter he offers to sell me the duplicate +opal. That made me smile when I read it, for I already had been notified +that he had had duplicates of his opal made." + +"You had been notified?" + +"Yes. This whole affair flatters my vanity, for I anticipated the event +in its minutest detail, and all by analytical deduction. You quite +correctly argued that Livingstone would not abandon his quest of the +opal. I also reached that point, and then I asked myself, 'How will he +get it, knowing that I would not sell?' I could find but one way. He +would offer to sell his, and during the transaction try to steal mine. +As he would need both opals in his Mexican mining venture, his only +chance of carrying both away with him would be to have two others to +leave in their stead. Thus I argued that he would endeavor to have two +duplicates of his opal made. Ordinarily, opals are not sufficiently +expensive to make it pay to produce spurious specimens. Consequently, it +has been little done; indeed, I doubt that the members of the trade in +this city have any idea that doublet opals have been made and sold in +this city. But I know it, and I know the man who made the doublets. +These were common opals, faced with thin layers of a fine quality of +'harlequin' which often comes in such thin layers that it is +practically useless for cutting into stones, though it has been utilized +for cameos and intaglios. This lapidary does his work admirably, and his +cement is practically invisible. I went to this man and warned him that +he might be called upon to duplicate a large and valuable opal, and I +arranged that he should fill the order, but that he should notify me of +the fact." + +"Ah, now I understand. The genuine opals lay on the desk, and when you +turned to the safe Livingstone merely exchanged them for the spurious +doublets. But tell me why did he risk bringing the real opal here at +all? Why not offer you one of the doublets, and then merely have one +exchange to make?" + +"He was too shrewd to risk that. In the first place, he knows I am an +expert, and that I would compare the two jewels before making the +purchase; he feared that under such close scrutiny I would discover the +deception. Secondly, the two genuine opals absolutely match each other. +So also the two doublets are actual mates. But the doublets only +approximately resemble the real opals." + +"Mr. Mitchel, you have managed Livingstone admirably, but there still +remains the man Domingo. Until he is disposed of I still think there is +danger. Pardon my pertinacity." + +"I told you at the beginning of this incident that I had a spy upon +Livingstone, but that though the method was commonplace, my choice of a +spy was unique. My spy was Livingstone's partner, Domingo." + +"What! You were on intimate terms with Domingo?" + +"Was not that my best course? I found the man, and at once explained to +him that as Livingstone never could get my opal, it would be best to +shift the partnership and aid me to get Livingstone's. Thus you see, +having, as it were, conceived the logical course for Livingstone to +pursue, I had his partner Domingo suggest it to him." + +"Even the idea of the doublets?" + +"Certainly. I gave Domingo the address of the lapidary, and Domingo +supplied it to Livingstone." + +"Mr. Mitchel, you are a wonder as a schemer. But now you have Domingo on +your hands?" + +"Only for a short time. Domingo is not such a bloodthirsty cutthroat as +your friend Sanchez made you believe. He readily admitted that the game +was up when I explained to him that I had one of the opals, a fact which +Livingstone had not communicated to him. I had little difficulty in +persuading him to become my assistant; money liberally applied often +proving a salve for blasted hopes. Besides, I have raised his hopes +again, and in a way by which he may yet become possessed of that opal +mine, and without a partner." + +"Why, how do you mean?" + +"I shall give him the doublets, and I have no doubt he can palm them off +on the old priests, who will not examine too closely, so anxious are +they to see the eyes of the idol restored." + +"There is yet one thing that I do not fully understand. Sanchez told +me----" + +"Sanchez told you nothing, except what he was instructed to tell you." + +"Do you mean to say----" + +"I mean that Sanchez's story of my danger was told to you so that you +would come here this morning. You noted yourself that I must have +expected you, when you found the bookcase arranged for you. I had an +idea that I might need a strong and faithful arm, and I had both. Mr. +Barnes, without your assistance, I must have failed." + + + + + VIII + + THE PEARLS OF ISIS + + +Mr. Barnes sat for a while in silence, gazing at Mr. Mitchel. The +masterly manner in which that gentleman had managed the affair +throughout won his admiration and elevated him more than ever in his +esteem. The denouement was admirable. Before handing over the check Mr. +Mitchel had led Mr. Livingstone to state in the presence of a concealed +witness that the opal about to be sold was genuine, whereas, as a matter +of fact, the one on the desk at that moment was spurious. Then the +payment with a check and the exacting of a receipt furnished tangible +proofs of the nature of the transaction. Thus, even eliminating the +theft of the other opal, Mr. Mitchel was in the position to prove that +the man had obtained a large sum of money by false pretenses. The +recovery of the stolen opal practically convicted Mr. Livingstone of a +still greater crime, and with a witness to the various details of the +occurrence Mr. Mitchel had so great a hold upon him that it would be +most improbable that Mr. Livingstone would pursue his scheme further. +The second conspirator, Domingo, was equally well disposed of, for if +he returned to Mexico with the imitation opals, either the priests would +discover the fraud and deal with the man themselves, or, by their +failing to do so, he would gain possession of the opal mine. + +In either event there would be no reason for him to return to trouble +Mr. Mitchel. + +"I see the whole scheme," said Mr. Barnes at length, "and I must +congratulate you upon the conception and conduct of the affair. You have +courteously said that I have been of some assistance, and though I doubt +it, I would like to exact a price for my services." + +"Certainly," said Mr. Mitchel. "Every man is worthy of his hire, even +when he is not aware of the fact that he has been hired, I presume. Name +your reward. What shall it be?" + +"From my place of concealment, a while ago, I observed that before you +took out the opal, you removed from the box a magnificent string of +pearls. As you have claimed that all valuable jewels have some story of +crime, or attempted crime, attached to them, I fancy you could tell an +interesting tale about those pearls." + +"Ah; and you would like to hear the story?" + +"Yes; very much!" + +"Well, it is a pretty old one now, and no harm can come, especially if +you receive the tale in confidence." + +"Assuredly." + +"They are beautiful, are they not?" said Mr. Mitchel, taking them up +almost affectionately, and handing them to Mr. Barnes. "I call them the +Pearls of Isis." + +"The Pearls of Isis?" said Mr. Barnes, taking them. "An odd name, +considering that the goddess is a myth. How could she wear jewelry?" + +"Oh, the name originated with myself. I will explain that in a moment. +First let me say a few words in a general way. You ask me for the story +of that string of pearls. If what is told of them in Mexico is true, +there is a pathetic tale for each particular pearl, aside from the many +legends that are related of the entire string." + +"And do you know all of these histories?" + +"No, indeed. I wish that I did. But I can tell you some of the legendry. +In Humboldt's _American Researches_ you will find an illustration +showing the figure of what he calls 'The Statue of an Aztec Priestess.' +The original had been discovered by M. Dupe. The statue was cut from +basalt, and the point of chief interest in it is the head-dress, which +resembles the calantica, or veil of Isis, the Sphinxes, and other +Egyptian statues. On the forehead of this stone priestess was found a +string of pearls, of which Humboldt says: 'The pearls have never been +found on any Egyptian statue, and indicate a communication between the +city of Tenochtitlan, ancient Mexico, and the coast of California, where +pearls are found in great numbers.' Humboldt himself found a similar +statue decorated with pearls in the ruins of Tezcuco, and this is still +in the museum at Berlin, where I have seen it. Humboldt doubted that +these statues represented priestesses, but thought rather that they were +merely figures of ordinary women, and he bases this view on the fact +that the statues have long hair, whereas it was the custom of the +tepanteohuatzin, a dignitary controlling the priestesses, to cut off the +tresses of these virgins when they devoted themselves to the services of +the temple. M. Dupe thought that this statue represented one of the +temple virgins, while, as I have said, Humboldt concluded that they had +no religious connection. My own view is that both of these gentlemen +were wrong, and that these and similar statues were images of the +goddess Isis." + +"But I thought that Isis was an Old World goddess?" + +"So she was, and the oldest world is this continent. We need not now +enter upon a discussion of the reasons upon which I base my belief. +Suffice it to say that I think I can prove to the satisfaction of any +good archaeologist that both Isis and Osiris belong to Central America. +And as those pearls in your hand once adorned an Aztec basaltic statue +similar to those of Dupe and Humboldt, I have chosen to call them the +'Pearls of Isis.'" + +"Ah; then it is from their origin that you imagine that so many stories +are connected with them. I have always heard that the priests of ancient +Mexico were a bloodthirsty lot, and as pearls are supposed by the +superstitious to symbolize tears, I can imagine the romances that might +be built around these, especially if they were guarded by virgin +priestesses." + +"Now you are utilizing your detective instinct to guess my tale before +it is told. You are partly right. Many curious legends are to be heard +from the natives in Mexico, explanatory of these pearl-bedecked idols. +Two are particularly interesting, though you are not bound to accept +them as strictly true. The first was related to me personally by an old +man, who claimed a connection with the priesthood through a lineage of +priestly ancestors covering two thousand generations. This you will +admit is a long service for a single family in worshipful care of a lot +of idols, and it would at least be discourteous to doubt the word of +such a truly holy man." + +"Oh, I shall not attempt to discredit or disprove the old fellow's +story, whatever it may be." + +"That is very generous of you, considering your profession, and I am +sure the old Aztec would feel duly honored. However, here is his story. +According to him, there were many beautiful women among the Aztecs, but +only the most beautiful of these were acceptable to the gods as +priestesses. Their entrance into the service of the temple, I imagine, +must have been most trying, for he stated that it was only when the +women came before the priests with their chosen lovers to be married +that the priests were permitted to examine their faces in order to +determine whether they were beautiful enough to become temple virgins. +If, on such an occasion, the bride seemed sufficiently beautiful, the +priest, instead of uniting her to her lover, declared that the gods +demanded her as their own, and she was forthwith consecrated to the +service of the temple. They were then compelled to forswear the world, +and, under threats of mysterious and direful punishments, they promised +to guard their chastity, and devote their virgin lives to the gods. The +mysterious punishment meted out to transgressors the old priest +explained to me. Usually in such instances the girl would elope, most +often with the lover of whom she had been deprived at the altar. No +effort was made to recapture her. Such was the power of the priests, and +such the superstitious dread of the anger of the gods, that none would +hold communication of any kind with the erring couple. Thus isolated and +compelled to hide away in the forests, the unfortunate lovers would +eventually live in hourly dread of disaster, until either the girl would +voluntarily return to the priests to save her lover from the imagined +fury of the gods, or else to save himself he would take the girl back. +In either case the result would be the same. None ever saw her again. +But, shortly after, a new pearl would appear upon the forehead of the +idol." + +"A new pearl? How?" + +"The old priest, whose word you have promised not to doubt, claimed that +beneath the temple there was a dark, bottomless pool of water in which +abounded the shell-fish from which pearls were taken. These molluscs +were sacred, and to them were fed the bodies of all the human beings +sacrificed on their altars. Whenever one of the temple virgins broke her +oath of fidelity to the gods, upon her return she was dropped alive into +this pool, and, curious to relate, at the appearance of the next new +moon the tepanteohuatzin would invariably discover a pearl of marvellous +size." + +"Why, then, each pearl would represent a temple virgin reincarnated, as +it were?" + +"Yes; one might almost imagine that in misery and grief over her unhappy +love affair, she had wept until she had dissolved, and that then she had +been precipitated, to use a chemical term, in the form of a pearl. +Altogether the legend is not a bad one, and if we recall the connection +between Isis and the crescent moon, you must admit my right to call +these the Pearls of Isis." + +"Oh, I promised to dispute nothing. But did you not say that there was +another legend?" + +"Yes, and I am glad to say it has a much more fortuitous finale and is +altogether more believable, though this one was not told to me by a man +of God, or perhaps to be more accurate I should say a 'man of the gods.' +According to this rendition the temple virgins were chosen exactly as +related in the other narrative, but before actually entering upon their +duties there was a period of probation, a period of time covering 'one +moon.' You see we cannot escape the moon in this connection. During this +probationary period it was possible for the lover to regain his +sweetheart by paying a ransom, and this ransom was invariably a pearl +of a certain weight and quality. By placing these pearls on the forehead +of the goddess she was supposed to be repaid for the loss of one of her +virgin attendants. All of which shows that her ladyship, Isis, in her +love for finery, was peculiarly human and not unlike her sisters of +to-day." + +"This second story is very easy to believe, if one could understand +where the pearls were to be found." + +"Oh, that is easily explained. Humboldt was right in supposing that +there was a communication with the Californian coast. There was a +regular yearly journey to and from that place for the purposes of trade, +and many of the Aztecs travelled thither purposely to engage in fishing +for pearls. Whenever one of these fishers was fortunate enough to find a +pearl of the kind demanded by the priests, he would hoard it up, and +keep his good luck a secret. For with such a pearl could he not woo and +win one of the fairest daughters of his tribe? We can well imagine that +without such a pearl the more cautious of the beauties would turn a deaf +ear to lovers' pleadings, fearing to attract the eyes of the priests at +the altar. Verily, in those days beauty was a doubtful advantage." + +"Yes, indeed. Now I understand what you meant when you said that each of +these pearls might have its own romance. For, according to the legends, +they are either the penalty or the price of love. But you have not told +me the particular story of these pearls." + +"There may be as many as there are pearls, but I can tell you but one; +though as that involves a story of crime, it will interest you I am +sure. You will remember that when we were going to the yacht on that day +when we solved the first opal mystery, I explained to you my reasons for +buying up large gems. I think I told you of my first venture?" + +"Yes; you overheard a plot to steal a ruby, and you went to the hostess +and bought the jewel, which you then stuck in your scarf, where the +plotters could see it and know that it had changed hands." + +"That is the tale exactly. You will consider it a curious coincidence +when I tell you that these pearls came into my possession in an almost +similar manner." + +"That is remarkable, I must say." + +"And yet not so remarkable, either, all things considered. Crime, or +rather the method of committing a crime, is often suggested by previous +occurrences. A body is found in the river dismembered, and is a nine +days' wonder. Yet, even though the mystery may be solved, and the +murderer brought to justice, the police may scarcely have finished with +the case before another dismembered body is discovered. Often, too, the +second criminal goes unpunished; in imitating his predecessor he avoids, +or attempts to avoid, his mistakes. I suppose that is easier than +formulating an entirely new plan. So I imagine that the attempt to steal +the ruby, which I frustrated, and the stealing of the pearls, which was +successfully managed, may have some connection, more especially as both +affairs occurred in the same house." + +"In the same house?" + +"Yes, and within a month, or, to follow the legend, I might say in the +same 'moon.' I was in New Orleans at the time, and as it was in the +Mardi Gras season, masked balls were common occurrences. One who was +especially fond of this class of entertainment was Madame Damien. She +was a widow, not yet thirty, and as her husband, Maurice Damien, had +belonged to one of the wealthiest and most distinguished of the old +Creole families, there was no apparently good reason for denying her the +rightful privilege of mixing with and receiving the best people of the +city. Nevertheless, there were a few who declined to associate with her, +or to allow the younger members of their households to do so." + +"What were their reasons?" + +"Reasons there were, but of such an impalpable nature that even +those who most rigorously shunned her, ventured not to speak openly +against her. For reasons, it might have been said that she smoked +cigarettes--but other good women did likewise; she entertained often, +and served wine intemperately--others did the same; she permitted +card-playing in her rooms, even for money stakes,--but the same thing +occurred in other houses, though perhaps not so openly. Thus none of +these reasons, you see, was sufficiently potent. But there were others, +less easily discussed and more difficult to prove. It was whispered, +very low and only in the ears of most trustworthy intimates, that +Madame Damien permitted, nay, encouraged, young men to pay court to her. +If true, she managed her courtiers most admirably, for openly she was +most impartial in distributing her favors, while secretly--well, none +penetrated the secrets of Madame Damien. One thing was certainly in her +favor; there were no duels about her, and duelling was not uncommon in +those days." + +"I should say she was a clever woman." + +"Just the word. Some, who could say nothing more, said she was +altogether too clever. It was this woman who sold me the ruby." + +"The first acquisition to your collection?" + +"Yes. I may as well briefly give you the facts, for thus you may see the +connection between the two affairs. Land is not so valuable in our +southern country as it is here in New York, and the houses of the +wealthy are often in the midst of extensive gardens. Some of these not +only have beautiful flower-beds, but likewise palms, cacti, oleanders, +azaleas, and other tropical plants. Madame Damien's residence was in a +garden which might almost be called a miniature park. The paths were of +snow-white oyster shells, rolled and beaten until they resembled smooth +white marble. The hedges were of arbor vitae cut with square top, except +here and there where the trees were trained to form arched gateways +through which the flower-beds could be reached. In places, often nearly +concealed by flowering plants, were little houses,--lovers' nooks they +are called,--made also of trained arbor vitae. Of larger trees there +were the palmetto, the orange, and the magnolia. On fete nights these +beautiful grounds would be illuminated with Chinese lanterns, +sufficiently numerous to make the scene a veritable fairy picture, but +not shedding enough light to interfere with the walks of lovers who +sought the garden paths between the dances." + +"Your description reminds one of Eden." + +"The similarity is greater than you imagine, for the serpent lurked in +the rose bowers. At one of Madame Damien's masquerade fetes I had left +the warm rooms for a breath of the perfume-laden air without, and was +walking along a path which led to the farthest end of the garden, when I +was attracted by a stifled cry. I stopped and listened, and as it was +not repeated I was just thinking that I had heard the mournful cry of a +dove, when a tug at my sleeve caused me to turn quickly. At my side was +a little creature in a green domino scarcely distinguishable from the +shrubbery that lined the walk. The girl stood on her toes, drew my head +down to hers, and in a frightened tone whispered: + +"'The men. They mean mischief--to them--in there.' + +"She pointed to one of the little arbor-vitae houses near us, and turning +fled back along the path before I could restrain her. + +"Much mystified, I stepped softly toward the little house, intending to +discover if possible who might be within, when I seemed to hear voices +behind me. Listening intently, I traced the sounds to the opposite side +of the hedge, and therefore I crept cautiously in that direction, +satisfied that here were the men to whom the girl had made allusion. +Here is what I heard: + +"'As they come out, we must follow them. When I whistle, you jump on +madame; I will take care of him. I will undertake to hurt him enough to +make him squeal. That will alarm Madame, who will be so fearful lest her +precious lover be hurt that you will have no difficulty in getting the +ruby.'" + +"Quite a neat little plot; only needs the detail of garroting to afford +us a perfect picture of the Spanish brigand," said Mr. Barnes. + +"The men were undoubtedly professional thieves who considered the +masquerade a good opportunity. As soon as they mentioned the ruby, I +knew that the woman was none other than Madame Damien, who possessed a +stone of rare beauty which she frequently wore. The point of greatest +interest was that Madame seemed about to lose her usual good luck by +having one of her love affairs discovered. How could I warn her without +myself learning who was with her? Strange though it may seem, I had no +wish to know the name of her companion, so I hit upon an expedient. +Going to the door of the little house I called aloud: + +"'Madame Damien! Will you allow me to speak to you a moment?' Of course +she did not reply. From the deathlike stillness of the place one might +have thought it empty. I was too sure, however, that she was there, so I +spoke again. + +"'Madame, your very life is in danger, if you do not come out and speak +to me.' In an instant she was at my side, talking in a quick whisper. + +"'Who are you? What do you mean?' + +"'Pardon my intruding, but I was obliged to adopt this course, I assure +you.' + +"I was speaking loudly enough to be heard by the men on the other side +of the hedge. 'I was passing here just now, with no suspicion that you +were here, alone,'--I purposely used the word, so that she might feel +easy about her companion,--'when I chanced to overhear the plotting of +two ruffians who are even now hidden in the hedge. They are lying in +wait for you, intending to rob you of your ruby.' + +"'Steal my ruby? I don't understand.' + +"'Had I not heard their plan, they would undoubtedly have partly +strangled you while they stole the jewel. It was to save you from the +danger of this encounter and the loss that I felt it my duty to call you +out to speak with me.' + +"'What shall I do?' + +"'I advise you to sell the stone to me.' + +"'Sell it to you? How would that help matters?' + +"'I have my check-book with me. You know who I am,--Leroy Mitchel. There +is light enough by this lantern to write, and I have a fountain-pen. If +you sell me the ruby, and take the check, you may safely go to the +house. The would-be thieves are listening and perhaps watching us. +Consequently, they will know of this transaction and will have no reason +to follow you.' + +"'But yourself?' + +"'I can take care of myself, especially as I am armed. I shall follow +you in a few moments, and I am sure no attack will be made upon me.' + +"She hesitated a moment. She did not really wish to sell the stone, yet +her only other alternative was to inform me that as another man was +present we might go to the house together without fear. But not wishing +to disclose the presence of this other man, she decided to sell me the +stone, or rather to appear to do so, for her plan was to return my check +later and recover the ruby. This offer she made to me on the following +day, but I declined because the idea of forming my collection of rare +gems had entered my mind when I heard the plotters talking. Before +finally yielding she made one effort, being a plucky woman. + +"'I need not sell you the ruby, Mr. Mitchel, for if, as you say, you are +armed, I have no fear of accepting your escort to the house.' + +"This of course would have defeated my purpose, so I hastily explained +to her that I wished to stay behind because I intended to attempt to +capture one or both of the ruffians. Whether or not she might have found +some other means of avoiding my offer, she did not think of one then, so +she handed me the ruby and I gave her the check. After she had left me, +I cautiously searched the hedges but met no one. I was satisfied, +however, that the men had heard all that had passed, and I also believed +that they might still imagine that there would be a chance to get the +ruby, under the supposition that my purchase was but a pretense, and +that as soon as I should return to the parlors I would restore the +jewel. It was for this reason that I wore it conspicuously in my scarf." + +"What of the little woman in the green domino? Did you see her again?" + +"I caught a glimpse of her only, though I am sure she got a better view +of me. It was in the house. Here, also, there was a profusion of green, +the place being literally strewn with potted plants. I was standing near +a group of palms when I caught sight of my lady of the green domino, +gazing intently at me. As she saw that I had detected her presence, she +swiftly glided away, and I lost her in the throng. I was certain, +however, that she saw the ruby in my scarf, and so knew that I had +prevented the mischief of which she had warned me." + +"It would have been interesting to discover her identity." + +"All in good time, Mr. Detective. We come now to the story of the string +of pearls. It was just three weeks later. Madame was holding another +fete. Once more I was destined to play eavesdropper, though this time +with even still more startling results. I had been dancing a quadrille, +my unknown partner being charmingly dressed in a costume which at the +time I did not understand. I had noticed her several times during the +evening, standing always alone, apparently neglected by the young men. +So I asked her to be my partner, rather in the spirit of giving her +some of the pleasures of the evening, though you must understand that I +was at that time young myself and quite susceptible to the charms of the +opposite sex. She had seemed reluctant at first to dance with me, and +then, as though impulsively altering her mind, she had expressed her +willingness more in act than by any word, for she had not spoken. +Clutching my arm nervously, she had led me a little way across the +floor, and stopped where a couple was needed to fill a quadrille. _En +vis-a-vis_ was a couple who attracted her attention to such an extent +that I almost imagined that my partner had brought me into this set with +the purpose of watching them. The man was unmistakably dressed as Romeo, +while the costume of his partner was as mystifying to me as that of the +girl beside me. I afterwards learned that she was assuming the guise of +Helen of Troy." + +"Your hostess, Madame Damien, I'll be bound." + +"You make a good guesser, Mr. Barnes. Madame Damien it was, though, +truth to tell, I was so much interested in the silent, watchful girl +beside me that I paid little attention to the others. The quadrille had +just ended and I was wondering how best to make my little sphinx talk, +when a strange thing happened. The couple opposite to us crossed toward +us, and as they approached my partner swayed as though about to fall, +and then suddenly toppled over against me, and in a whisper she said: + +"'I am dizzy. Take me out in the air.' + +"Just then, 'Helen of Troy,' hanging on the arm of her 'Romeo,' passed +so close to us that the women's costumes touched. She looked +scrutinizingly at the girl with me, and I heard her say to her +companion,-- + +"'That girl is a sphinx.' + +"Then they passed on. Her words startled me, for I had just used the +epithet in my own mind in connection with my partner. I thought of her +as a sphinx because of her silence. But now that some one else called +her a sphinx, I observed that she wore a curious head-dress which +reminded one of the great monument of the Eastern desert. Perhaps, then, +she was but playing the part which she had assumed with her costume. At +all events there seemed to be a mystery worthy of the effort at +penetration. So I hurried out into the air with my little sphinx, and +soon we were walking up one of the snow-white walks. I tried to induce +her to talk, but though she seemed willing to remain in my +companionship, she trembled a good deal but kept as mum as the stone +image to which I now likened her. I was wondering by what device I might +make her talk, when she utterly startled me by crying out: + +"'I wish I dared to tell you everything. Perhaps you might help me.' + +"'Tell me what you will, little one,' said I, 'and I will help you if I +can, and keep your secret besides.' + +"'Oh, there is no secret,' she exclaimed; 'I am not so wicked as that. +But we cannot talk here. Come, I know a place.' + +"I followed her as she hurried me on, more mystified than before. She +tells me 'there is no secret,' and that she is 'not as wicked as that.' +Why need she be wicked, to have a secret? I could not fathom it, but as +I was to know all, even though it were no secret, I was able to await +the telling. Oddly enough, as it seemed to me then, she led me to the +very lovers' nook in which I had found Madame Damien when I purchased +the ruby. Before entering, my little sphinx took the precaution to +extinguish the lanterns at the doorway, so that when we passed inside we +were in gloom as impenetrable as that of one of the passageways in the +pyramids. She seemed familiar with the place, for she took my hand and +led me away to one side, where there was a rustic bench. Here we sat +down, and after a few minutes she began. + +"'You do not know me, of course,' said she. + +"'Why, no,' I replied; 'how should I?' + +"'I was afraid you might have recognized my voice. But then I haven't +spoken much to you, have I?' + +"'No; but now I do recognize your voice at least. It was you who warned +me, here at this very spot, at the last fete. Was it not?' + +"'Yes; I heard the men talking and I was afraid they might hurt--might +hurt some one. Then you came along, and so I told you. I recognized you +to-night because you have the same dress.' + +"I began to suspect that the 'some one' whom she had shielded that night +was not our fair hostess, but rather the man who had been with her. I +was wondering whether it would be wise to ask her this question, or +whether to wait for her to tell her story in her own way, when I was +startled at feeling the softest of hands pressed tightly over my lips, +and to hear a whisper close to my ear. + +"'Don't speak,' she said; 'they are coming--they are coming here.' + +"I strained my ears and at first heard nothing, but love sharpens the +ears I suppose, for presently I did hear footsteps, and then low voices, +growing louder as though approaching, and finally the persons, evidently +a man and woman, actually entered our place of concealment. The +situation was embarrassing, especially as that little hand still rested +over my mouth as though warning me to do nothing. Luckily, the intruders +did not come to our side of the place, but took seats apparently +opposite. They were talking in earnest tones, the woman finishing a +sentence as they came in. + +"'--my mind, whether to release you or not. At all events, I must know +more about this somewhat curious proposition of yours.' + +"I recognized at once the voice of Madame Damien. It was evident, +therefore, that the man was her partner of the dance, and that it was he +who had been with her in this place on the other occasion seemed a +probability. He answered her as follows: + +"'I do not think the proposition is a curious one. I only do what women +always do. Certainly my sex should have the same privileges in an +affair of this character.' + +"'That is a question that philosophers might discuss,' said Madame +Damien, 'but we need not. Whether you have the right or not it is +evident that you choose to exercise it. And what is this right?' + +"'The right to tell you the truth. The right to tell you that I do not +love you, that I have made a terrible blunder.' + +"The little hand over my mouth trembled violently, and slipped away. I +could hear the girl next to me breathing so distinctly that it seemed +odd that the others did not hear also. Perhaps they were too much +occupied with their own affair. + +"'The right to tell me that you do not love me,' repeated Madame; 'but +you have so often told me that you do love me, and you have told me of +your love so eloquently, that now when you come to me and say that you +have made a blunder, naturally I have the right to question you. Here +are two opposite statements. How am I to know which to believe?' + +"'I am telling you the truth, now.' + +"'Perhaps; you may be right. You may know your heart at last, and if +what you say is really true, of course I have no desire to try to keep +what you only supposed to be love, however eloquently you told about it, +however well you played the part. The awkward thing is that to-morrow, +next week, by the new moon perhaps, you may be at my feet again singing +the same old songs, old love songs. You will tell me that what you say +then is truth, but that what you are telling me now is false. How, then, +shall I know what to think?' + +"'What I tell you now is true. I shall not tell you otherwise at any +time in the future.' + +"'Of this you are quite sure?' + +"'Quite sure!' + +"Up to this point the woman had spoken softly, almost with love in her +voice. It sounded like a mother talking with her son who was confessing +a change of heart, or rather a change of sweethearts. Now, suddenly, all +was changed. When she spoke again it was in the voice of rage, almost of +hate. It was the woman spurned; more than that,--it was the woman +jealous of the rival who had replaced her in her lover's heart. + +"'So you are quite sure that you will not make love to me again!' she +cried, with such ferocity that the girl beside me moved closer to me as +though seeking protection; 'you are sure of that? Then you love another. +There is no other test by which you could be so sure. Answer me, is it +true? Is it true, I say? Answer me at once; I want no lies.' + +"'Well, and what if it is true,' said the man, angered by her speech. + +"'What if it is true? You ask me that? Well, I'll answer. If it is true, +then the other girl is welcome to you. She may have you, with your +second-hand love. May she be happy in the love that changes with the +moon. So much for her. But with you. Ah, that must be different. You +wish to be released? Well, you shall pay for your liberty, my fickle +lover; you shall pay!' + +"'I will pay you whatever you demand. What is it?' + +"'So. You value your liberty so much that you promise before you know my +terms! Very well, then. You will bring me to-night, before an hour has +passed, the string of pearls that your mother wore on her wedding-day.' + +"'My God, no! Not that! It is impossible!' + +"'How quickly you make and break promises! Your ideas of honor are as +slim as your notions of love. And why is it impossible to give me the +pearls?' + +"'They are not mine. Anything that is mine I will give. But the pearls +are not mine.' + +"'If not yours whose are they, pray?' + +"'Let me explain. They have been in my family for generations. They were +taken from an idol in Mexico by one of my ancestors who was with Cortez. +He gave them to his bride, and declared that they should descend to the +eldest sons for all time, to be given as a bridal present to their +wives. Moreover he declared that so long as this behest was strictly +followed, no dishonor should come to our house and name.' + +"'What you tell me makes me only more determined to have the pearls. +Your ancestor was a good prophet. You dishonor your house when you offer +me your love and then withdraw from your contract. You asked me to be +your wife, and according to your ancestor's will the pearls should be +my bridal decoration. I could claim them in that manner, did I choose.' + +"'What do you mean?' + +"'I mean to have those pearls. No other woman shall wear them. If the +loss brings dishonor to your house, yours is the fault. But I have +talked long enough. I loathe myself for bartering with you. Now I give +you my command. Bring me those pearls within an hour.' + +"She rose and started to leave the place. The man jumped up and called +after her: + +"'What if I should refuse?' + +"She paused for a moment to reply, and her words reminded me of the hiss +of a serpent. + +"'If you do not obey, when my guests unmask to-night I will announce my +engagement, our engagement, and introduce you as my Romeo.' + +"She laughed mockingly, and hurried away. The man did not wait, but went +out immediately. I felt about for my companion, but she seemed not to be +near me. I took out a match and struck it, only to find myself alone. +Seated nearer to the door than I, she must have slipped out without my +knowledge." + +"Then you did not learn the secret of your sphinx maiden after all," +said Mr. Barnes. + +"Not immediately. But hear the sequel. You may be sure I was near our +hostess when midnight arrived and the moment came to unmask. Madame +Damien herself gave the signal, and then, standing at the end of the +room, she slowly unwound a thread-lace scarf which covered her head and +face, serving in place of a mask, and draped about her shoulders. The +shawl thrown aside revealed her bare neck, around which hung resplendent +the pearls in your hand. Madame made a sensation with her pearls. Though +she owned many jewels of rare price she often wore them, and her guests +were quite familiar with her usual display; but pearls she had never +worn before. And such pearls! What wonder there were whisperings and +guessings! I looked around for the other two actors in the romantic +drama, but neither Romeo nor my sphinx maiden was to be seen. + +"Refreshments were served in several small rooms, and it was from one of +these that presently a cry was heard that startled all of the guests, so +that they rushed back into the main ballroom. There we found Madame +Damien, pale with rage, calling for her servants, who rushed from all +directions. + +"'I have been robbed,' she cried; 'robbed of my pearls! They have been +taken from me within a minute! Let no one leave the house! Close and +lock the doors! No one shall leave this house, until my pearls are +restored!' + +"Imagine the consternation and indignation which this aroused. Madame +was so enraged at the loss, and so wildly determined to recover the +jewels, her jealous fear lest her rival might obtain them so intense, +that she had entirely forgotten all the courtesy and duties of a hostess +to her guests. All that she knew, all that she cared for, was that the +person who had robbed her was still in the house, and she wished to +prevent escape. + +"You may guess the hubbub that followed. Women and men congregated in +groups asking each other what it all meant. Some demanded their wraps +and the opportunity to leave instantly. Others declared that they were +quite willing, nay, anxious, to await the denouement, which would +certainly prove interesting. 'At least it was well to know who of their +number might be a thief,' etc. + +"In these circumstances, I undertook to relieve the tension and restore +tranquillity. I went up to Madame Damien, and said to her in a low tone: + +"'If you will let me speak to you alone for two minutes I will recover +the lost pearls.' + +"'What do you know? What can you do?' she asked eagerly. 'Come into this +room; we will be alone.' + +"I followed her into an anteroom, and we stood as we talked. She was +laboring under such excitement that it was impossible for her to sit +quietly. + +"'Tell me first just how the pearls were taken, Madame.' + +"'That is the miserable part of it. To think that a thief could take +them from my neck! It is mortifying. All I know is that I was in one of +the refreshment-rooms, standing near the window that opens into the +ballroom. I knew nothing, felt nothing, until like a flash they were +twitched from my neck. I clutched at them, but too late. The thief had +stood in the ballroom, and passed her arm through the window, till she +reached and unlocked the clasp of the necklace. Then with one quick tug, +she had the pearls. I cried out, and the stupid people crowded about me +so that it was a whole minute, a precious minute, before I could get out +into the ballroom. It was empty, of course. The woman had hurried into +one of the small rooms. But she has not left the house and she shall +not, until the pearls are in my possession again.' + +"'You allude to the thief as a woman. How did you discover that, since +from your account you could hardly have seen her?' + +"'No; I saw no one. But I know it was a woman. Never mind how I know. +What, though, if it were--no! no! Impossible. He is not here; besides, +he would not dare.' + +"Of course I understood that she referred to our friend Romeo, and I +might also have thought of him, had I not made sure that he was not +present after the unmasking. + +"'If you did not see the thief, you cannot be sure it was a woman,' I +continued. 'Now, Madame, I have a proposal to make. I will purchase your +pearls.' + +"'You will do nothing of the sort, Mr. Mitchel. You got my ruby, but you +will not get the pearls. Besides, I have not them to deliver, even if I +were willing to sell them to you.' + +"'That is the attractive feature of my proposition. I will pay for the +pearls, their full value, and I will undertake to recover them.' + +"'But I tell you I won't sell them. And besides, how could you recover +them?' + +"'I will tell you nothing in advance, except that I guarantee to recover +them, and that, I imagine, is the main object with you.' + +"'What do you mean? You talk in riddles.' + +"'Listen. I will make my purpose clear to you. You obtained those pearls +to-night, and----' + +"'How do you know that?' + +"'And you obtained them for a purpose,' I went on, ignoring her +interruption. 'You made a man give them to you, because you were +determined that another woman should not have them.' + +"'You are a magician,' she cried in wonder. + +"'You are angry at the loss of the pearls, not so much because of their +value, as because you fear they may be restored to that other woman. You +even think that she herself is the thief.' + +"'You are right; I do think that. What other woman would do such a thing +as to steal a string of pearls from a woman's very person?' + +"'What if I tell you that she is not in the house?' + +"'Ah, then you know her? Who is she? Tell me who she is and you may have +the pearls.' Madame spoke eagerly. + +"'I will only tell you enough to convince you that she is not the thief. +You remember after one of the quadrilles passing a girl and saying, +"That girl is a sphinx"?' + +"'Yes; was she----' + +"'Yes. Now if you search your rooms you will not find her. I know this +because I have looked for her for half an hour.' + +"'If not she, then the thief was some emissary of hers. Those pearls +shall never reach her. Never! never! never! I'll search every person in +this house first.' + +"'And accomplish what? Nothing, except to ruin yourself before the +world. Remember, your guests have rights. Already you have insulted them +by having the doors locked. Come, we are wasting time. Sell me the +pearls, and I will promise you two things. First, I will satisfy your +guests and restore you to their good opinion. Secondly, I will recover +and keep those pearls. Your rival shall never wear them.' + +"'My rival?' + +"'Your rival. Why mince matters? Is it not evident to you that I know +all the details of this affair?' + +"'You are a devil! Have your own way then. Take the pearls at your own +price, and pay for them when you like. All I demand is that you fulfil +your agreement. She must not have them. Good night. I cannot meet my +guests again. Explain things for me, will you?' + +"She was nothing but a woman again--a conquered woman, relying upon the +chivalry of her conqueror. + +"'Trust me,' I replied. 'Lean on me and I will escort you to the +stairway.' + +"All eyes followed us as we crossed the ballroom, and Madame looked ill +enough to evoke pity. At any rate, my explanation was accepted +generously, and Madame was forgiven." + +"I am curious to know," said Mr. Barnes, "how you recovered or expected +to recover those pearls?" + +"It certainly was a unique bargain, to purchase stolen property while +yet in the possession of the thief. I will tell you what I did. After +leaving Madame in the care of her maids at the foot of the stairway, I +returned to the ballroom, and made a little speech. Addressing the +throng that crowded about me, I said: + +"'Friends, I beg that you will forgive Madame Damien's hasty words. She +was overwrought, and spoke irresponsibly. She had just met with a +serious loss under most peculiar circumstances. Imagine her standing at +the refreshment table, while one of her guests intrudes an arm through +the window behind her, unclasps and removes from her neck a string of +pearls worth a fabulous sum of money. Naturally her first thought was to +recover the pearls, and to her distracted mind the only way seemed to be +to demand that no one should leave the house. Of course she now regrets +her words, for no loss can excuse such treatment of guests. But I am +sure you will forgive her, especially the ladies, who will appreciate +her feelings. Now, in regard to the pearls I may state that I have +undertaken to recover them. Fortunately I witnessed the theft, though +from a distance, so that I could not prevent it. But I know who took +the pearls, and who has them. Consequently it is unnecessary to cause +anyone any further annoyance in the matter. To the thief, I will say +that I understand the motive of the theft, and that I am in a position +to promise that that motive can be consummated if the pearls are +returned to me within three days. If they are not returned, it will be +necessary to have the person arrested and imprisoned.'" + +"A bold stroke, and ingenious too," exclaimed Mr. Barnes. "The thief, of +course, could not know whether you saw the act or not, and if a person +of high social position it would be too great a risk not to return the +pearls." + +"So I argued. Of course, had it been a man, he might have taken even +that risk, believing that my threat was a 'bluff,' as we say in poker. +But a woman--a woman would not take such a risk, especially as I +promised that her purpose could still be fulfilled." + +"Now it is my turn to be mystified. Did you not say that your sphinx +maiden was absent? Who else could steal the pearls? What other woman, I +mean?" + +"Why, no other woman, of course. Therefore it followed that my little +mysterious maiden must have been present, which merely means that as +soon as she found that Madame would insist upon having the pearls, she +boldly plotted to recover them. Her first move was to rush off and +change her costume. You see, I was the one she most feared. Others +might know her face, but they would not know her reasons for committing +such an act. I could do that but I could recognize her by her costume +only. Thus I was sure that she was still in the house, though +differently attired." + +"How did your plan result?" + +"Of course she brought me the pearls, though not until the third day. +She delayed action as long as she dared. Then she came to me openly and +confessed everything. It was really a pitiful tale. She was an orphan, +living with an aged aunt. She met the young man, and at once they loved. +After a time she began to suspect that he was not absolutely true to +her, and she followed him to the first masquerade to spy upon him. She +overheard enough that night to make her believe that the young man was +making a dupe of her. Then she also heard the men plotting the robbery, +and feared that he might be hurt. Seeing me she told me enough to +prevent that. Then she went home, and brooded over her sorrow until she +decided to go into a convent. Then came the second fete, and the +temptation once more to watch her fickle swain. This time what she heard +brought her happiness, for did he not give up the other woman for her? +Did he not even yield up his greatest family treasure, the pearls? + +"She decided to recover the pearls, and she had the courage to carry out +her purpose. When compelled through fear of arrest to bring them to me, +she was delighted to know that they would not be restored to Madame +Damien. It was when I told her this, that she drew from her bosom the +pink pearl which is now in the centre of the string, but which does not +belong to the set as they came from the brow of the idol. + +"'There is a story,' said she, 'that these pearls each represent the +price of a maiden's honor; the price of withdrawing from the service of +God's temple. So I will add this pearl to the string, for I had promised +to devote myself to God's work, and now I am going to my lover. This +pearl was worn by my mother, and it is said that her mother also wore +it, and that her blood stained it the color that it is. Her stupid +husband, my grandfather, doubted her wrongfully and stabbed her with a +dagger, so that she died. I think the pearl is worthy of a place among +the others.' + +"I took the pink pearl, agreeing with her that it might better be with +the others. Then, as she turned to go, I asked her: + +"'Why did you choose the costume of the Sphinx for the ball?' + +"Her reply astonished me, as it will you. She said: + +"'Why, I did not represent the Sphinx. I was dressed as Isis.' + +"A strange coincidence, was it not?" + + + + + IX + + A PROMISSORY NOTE + + +Mr. Mitchel walked into the office of Mr. Barnes one afternoon as the +clock struck two. + +"Here I am, Mr. Barnes," said he. "Your note asked me to be here at two, +sharp. If your clock is right, I have answered your summons to the +second." + +"You are punctuality itself, Mr. Mitchel. Sit down. I am in a good +humor. I flatter myself that I have done a clever thing, and we are +going to celebrate. See, there is a cold bottle, and a couple of glasses +waiting your arrival." + +"You have done something clever, you say? Some bright detective work, I +suppose. And you did not honor me this time by consulting me?" + +"Oh, well," said the detective, apologetically, "I should not be always +bothering you with my affairs. It's business with me, and only amusement +with you. When I have a matter of grave importance I like to have your +assistance, of course. But this case, though interesting, very +interesting, in fact, was really quite simple." + +"And you have solved it?" + +"Oh, yes; it is completed. Wound it up at noon to-day; ended happily, +too. Let me fill your glass, and I'll tell you all about it." + +"We will drink to your success. 'All's well that ends well,' you know, +and this case you say is ended?" + +"Oh, yes; the tale is complete down to the word 'finis.' Let me see, +where shall I begin?" + +"Why, at the beginning, of course. Where else?" + +"Sounds like a reasonable suggestion, yet it is not always so easy to +tell just where a story does begin. I often wonder how the romance +writers get their stories started. Does a love story, for example, begin +with the birth of the lovers, with their meeting, with their +love-making, or with their marriage?" + +"I am afraid that love stories too often end with the marriage. If yours +is a love story, perhaps you may as well begin with the meeting of the +lovers. We will take it for granted that they were born." + +"So be it. I will transpose events slightly. Here is a document which +was forwarded to me by mail, and evidently the sender expected me to +receive it before the visit of a man who intended to consult me in a +serious case. Oddly enough, the man called before the package reached +me. Thus I had his story soonest; but perhaps it will be better for you +to read this first, after which you will better comprehend the purpose +of my client." + +Mr. Mitchel took the type-written pages and read as follows: + + "MY DEAR MR. BARNES:-- + + "Within a few hours after reading this statement you will + receive a visit from a man who will introduce himself as + William Odell, which is not his true name, a circumstance + which, however, is of no consequence. He will ask you to + interpose your reputed skill to save him from fate. I am + ready to admit that you have great skill and experience, but + it will be utterly useless for you to interfere in this + matter, for, as I have said, the man is seeking to escape + from a doom which is his fate. Who ever altered what was + fated to be? We may philosophize a little and ask what it is + that we mean, when we speak of 'fate'? My view is that fate, + so called by men, is naught but the logical and necessary + effect of a cause. Thus if the cause exists, the effect must + follow. So it is with this man, whom we will call Odell. The + cause exists, has existed for a number of years. The time + for the effect is now approaching; he knows this; he knows + that it is fate,--that he cannot escape. Yet, with the hope + of a hopeless man, in his last extremity he will ask you to + turn aside, or at least to defer, this fate. This you cannot + do, and that you may understand the utter futility of + wasting your time, which I presume is valuable, I send you + this statement of the facts. Thus comprehending the + incidents precedent to the present situation, you will + appreciate the inevitable nature of the occurrence which + this miserable man seeks with your aid to set aside." + + * * * * * + +"I thought you said this was a simple case, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. +Mitchel, interrupting his reading. + +"I found it so," replied Mr. Barnes, sipping his wine. + +"The writer says that the 'occurrence' was 'inevitable,' yet am I to +understand that you prevented it?" + +"He thought it to be inevitable. I disagreed with him, and prevented +it." + +"I hope you have not been over-confident." + +"There is no danger. Did I not tell you that the affair ended?" + +"So you did. I forgot that. This paper is entertaining. I will read on." + +The statement went on as follows: + + "I was born and reared and spent all my life in Texas. In fact, + you may consider me a cowboy, though it is long since I have + thrown a lariat, and one would hardly count me a boy now. What a + life do we lead down there on the Texas plains! Miles and miles + of country stretching in easy undulations from the rising-place + to the set of the sun. Day after day in the saddle, till one + imagines himself a part of the animal which he bestrides. How + often in play have I dropped a red bandana, and then picked it + from the grass as I galloped my horse by at top speed! + + "One day I was riding along, free from all worldly care, happy, + contented. My horse was going easily, though we had several + miles yet to cover. Glancing carelessly ahead, neither seeking + nor expecting adventure of any kind, I thought I saw, a hundred + yards or more ahead of me, the bright red of a handkerchief in + the grass. A bandana dropped by a cowboy perhaps. With nothing + better to do, I touched my horse's flank, and with instant + response his head was down and we charged the spot. Leaning so + low on one side that I could have touched the ground easily with + my hand, we rapidly neared that bit of color, and I was almost + upon it before I realized that it was something more than a lost + handkerchief,--that it was really a bundle of some sort. Yet in + time I noted this, and therefore exerted enough strength when I + clutched it to lift it firmly from the ground, though the weight + of it astonished me. Swinging myself back upon my horse, I + brought him to a walk, that I might better examine my prize. + Imagine my feelings when I found that the little bundle + contained a thing of life--a baby girl! + + "There is no need to extend this part of my tale. How the child + got there I never learned. Whether it was dropped from a wagon + travelling along the trail, or deposited there purposely by one + of those fiends who accept the pleasures of life and shirk its + responsibilities, I do not know. Indeed, at the time I took but + a passing interest in the affair. I had picked up a baby on the + plains. What of it? How could a cowboy like myself be expected + to evince any great interest in a baby? My father was rich, and + I had always been indulged in all things, though always held + rigidly by what I was taught to consider the rules of honor. I + had had a taste of the big world too, for I had been first at a + military academy, and afterwards had graduated from Harvard. + Then I had gone back to Texas, back to the life on horseback in + the open air, the life that I loved best. So you can understand + that women and babies had not yet come into my mind as necessary + adjuncts to life. + + "The child was given into the care of the very negro mammy who + had practically reared me, my mother having died when I was yet + a boy. Thus it was not until Juanita--I forget how she got the + name, but so she was called--was twelve, that I began to feel + some personal responsibility in relation to her future. My + father meantime had died, and I was master of the old home, the + ranch and all the stock. Thus there was no lack of money to + carry out whatever plan might seem best. I took counsel with + some women of our town, and the end of it was that Juanita was + sent as far north as Atlanta to boarding-school. Here she + remained until she was sixteen, but she never really enjoyed + herself. A child of the plains almost literally, one might say, + living through her earlier girlhood with little if any + restraint, the duties of the school-room were irksome to her, + and she longed to be back in Texas. This yearning grew upon her + so that at length she began to make references to her feelings + in her letters. I had missed her from about the place more than + I should have imagined possible, and the strong inclination was + to grant her wishes and bring her back; but I knew the value of + education, and felt in duty bound to urge her continuance of her + studies. When first she went, it had been arranged that she + should remain in Atlanta studying for eight years, but finally I + offered as a compromise that she might come home at the end of + six, at which time she would have been eighteen. You may guess + my surprise when one morning on my return from a long ride after + the cattle, I saw a horse dashing swiftly towards me, and when + close enough, recognized Juanita on his back. Breathless she + pulled up beside me, and before I could speak cried out: + + "'Now don't say you are going to send me back. Don't say it! + Don't! Don't! Don't! It would break my heart!' + + "What could I do? There she was, exuberant in her happiness, all + the wild energy of her animal spirits aroused by the + exhilaration of that liberty for which she had so long yearned. + Of course I thought a good deal, but I said nothing. + + "'Watch me!' she exclaimed. 'I haven't forgotten how to ride. + See!' + + "Like a flash she was off towards a clump of bushes fifty yards + away. I called after her, fearing that four years of school life + would have left her less of a horsewoman than she imagined. But + she only laughed, and when near the hedge raised her horse with + the skill of an adept and cleared it by a foot. + + "During the next two years the whole tenor of my life was + changed. Juanita went with me everywhere. Like myself she lived + in the saddle, and soon she could throw a lariat or round up a + herd of cattle as well as almost any of my men. + + "What wonder that I learned to love the girl? Philosophers tell + us that two may meet, exchange glances, and love. Madness! That + is admiration, magnetic attraction, passionate desire,--what you + please,--it is not love. Love may spring from such beginning, + but not in an instant, a day, an hour. Too many have been + wrecked by that delusion, wedding while intoxicated with this + momentary delirium, and awaking later to a realization of a + dread future. For what can be worse misery than to be married + and not mated? No, love thrives on what it feeds on. Daily + companionship, hourly contact breeds a habit in a man's life, + creates a need that can but be filled by the presence of the one + who excites such heart longings. Thus we learn to love our horse + or dog, and the possession of the animal satisfies us. So when + we come to love a woman, to love her with that love which once + born never dies, so, too, possession is the only salve, the only + solution. After two years I realized this, and began to think of + marrying my little one. 'Why not?' I asked myself. True, I was + forty, while she was but eighteen. But I was young in heart, + energy, and vitality. And who had a greater right to possess her + than myself? None. Then a dreadful thought came to me. What if + she did not love me in return? My heart turned cold, but I never + dreamed of coercing her. I would tell her my wish, my hope, and + as she should answer so should it be. + + "This was my determination. You will admit that I was honorable. + Having formed my conclusion I sought a favorable moment for its + execution. At this you may wonder. Were we not together daily, + riding side by side, often alone with God and Nature for hours + together? True! But I dreaded a mistake. Should I speak when her + heart was not ready, the answer might blight my life. + + "So I waited day after day, no moment seeming more propitious + than another. Yet when I did speak, it was all so simple, that I + wondered at myself for my long anxiety. We had been riding + together for three or four hours, when, reaching a shaded knoll + in which I knew there was a cold spring where we might refresh + ourselves and our horses, we stopped. As she jumped from her + horse, Juanita stood a moment looking back and forth across the + plains, and then, in full enjoyment of the scene, she exclaimed: + + "'Isn't it all grand! I could live here forever!' + + "My heart leaped, and my tongue moved unbidden: + + "'With me?' I cried. 'With me, Juanita?' + + "'Why, yes; with you, of course. With whom else?' + + "She turned and gazed into my eyes frankly, wondering at my + question, and my hand burned as with a fever as I took hers in + mine, and almost whispered: + + "'But with me, little one, as my own? As my very own? As my + little wife, I mean?' + + "A dainty blush beautified her cheek, but she did not turn away + her eyes as she answered: + + "'Why, yes. As your wife, of course. I have always thought you + meant it should be. Always lately, I mean.' + + "So she had understood before I had known myself. She had been + simply waiting, while I had been worrying. I had but to reach + forth my hand and grasp my happiness. Well, I had been an ass + not to know, but at last the joy was mine. + + "Be sure there was little further delay. The wedding was simple + yet impressive. Cowboys came from miles around, and one and all + they kissed the bride. We had a feast on the grass, the tables + extending a quarter of a mile, and all were welcome. There were + no cards of invitation; all within fifty miles were my + neighbors, and all neighbors were expected at the cowboy's + wedding. The ceremony was held out in the open air, and five + hundred men stood with bared heads as the worthy father gave me + my treasure and declared her mine before God and them. + + "Thus Juanita came to be mine own. First given to me by that + Providence who rules the Universe, when the unguided steps of my + horse carried me to the tiny bundle lying on a boundless plain, + and lastly given to me with her own consent by the worthy man + who united us in the name of the Father of us all. Was she not + mine then, and thenceforward forever? Could any man rightly take + her from me? You shall hear. + + "A year passed. A year of happiness such as poets prate of and + ardent men and maids hope for, but rarely realize. Then the + serpent entered my Eden. The tempter came, in the form of this + man who tells you that his name is Odell, but who lies when he + tells you so. He was from the North, and he had a fine form and + a fair face. Fair, I mean, in the sense that it was attractive + to women. He soon had the few young women of our neighborhood + dangling after him, like captured fish on a blade of palmetto. I + saw all this, and, seeing, had no suspicion that with the chance + to choose from so many who were still unclaimed, he would seek + to win my own dear one. + + "I cannot dwell on this. Indeed, I never knew the details, only + the finale. The blow came as unsuspected as might an earthquake + in a land where tranquillity had reigned for centuries. I had + been away all day, and for once my wife had not ridden with me. + I had myself bidden her remain at home, because of the intense + heat of an August sun. She had begged to go with me, perhaps + fearing to be left alone. But I knew nothing, suspected nothing + of the ache and terror in her heart. When I got back, it was + already dark, and having been away from Juanita all day, I + called for her at once. The empty echoes of my voice coming back + as the only answer to my cry struck my heart with a chill, and a + nameless, hideous dread seized me. Had anything happened? Was + she ill, or dead? Dead it must be, I thought, or she would have + answered. I wandered through the house; I searched the whole + place; I sprang back upon my horse and rode from house to house + throughout that whole awful night. I discovered nothing. No one + could tell me aught. At daybreak I returned fagged out, with a + vague hope that perhaps I had made some blunder and that she was + still at home. At last, in the room where I kept my accounts and + transacted business, I found a note upon my desk which explained + the horrible truth. Here is a copy of it. Note the hideous + braggadocio. It read: + + "'I. O. U. One wife. (Signed) L---- R----.' + + "That you may fully appreciate how this taunt stung, I must + remind you that, as I have said, my father had taught me to + follow most rigidly the rules of honor. In transactions + involving even very great sums of money, it was not uncommon + amongst us cattlemen to acknowledge an indebtedness in this + primitive, informal way,--simply writing upon a slip of paper, + perhaps torn from the edge of a newspaper, 'I. O. U.', giving + the amount, and adding the signature. No dates were really + necessary, though sometimes added, because the possession of the + paper proved the debt, the cancellation by payment always + leading to the destruction of the I. O. U. + + "Thus this heartless young brute from the North had not only + stolen from me my chief treasure, but he had left behind an + acknowledgment of his debt in that form which was most binding + among us. + + "Does it cause you surprise to have me say that I carefully + preserved that bit of paper, and swore to make him meet the + obligation when the day of reckoning might come? This explains + to you that cause, which at the outset I said brings with it a + result which now is, and always has been, inevitable. + + "Of course it is certain that had I been able to find my + betrayer while my anger still raged, and my anguish yet at its + most acute point, I would simply have shot the man on sight, + recklessly, thoughtlessly. But I could not get trace of him, and + so had time to think. + + "Too late I learned that I had made one dreadful error. I have + told you my views of love, how engendered and how nourished. My + mistake was in thinking that such a love is the necessary rather + than merely the possible result of constant companionship + between congenial spirits. In my own heart the fire of true love + burned only too brightly, but with Juanita, poor child, it was + but the glow reflected from my own inward fires that warmed her + heart. She was happy with me, sharing my life, and when I asked + her to marry me, mistook her calm friendship for what she had + heard called love. Love she had never experienced. When later + the younger man devoted himself to her, she was probably first + merely intoxicated by an overpowering animal magnetism, which + was nothing but passion. But even as I have admitted that this + impulsive desire may drift into the truer, nobler quality of + love, so, later, I found, must have been the case with my + cherished one. + + "A full year passed before I had the least idea of the + whereabouts of the elopers. Then one day the mail brought me a + brief, plaintive note from her. All she wrote was, 'Dear one, + forgive me. Juanita.' The date showed that it had been written + on the anniversary of our wedding, and from this I knew that the + day had brought to her remorseful memories of me. But the + envelope bore a postmark, and I knew at last that they were in a + suburb of the great metropolis. + + "I started for New York that very night, bent on vengeance. But + one approaches a revengeful deed in a different spirit a year + after the infliction of the wrong, and so by the time I reached + my destination, my mind had attained a judicial attitude, and my + purpose was tempered by the evident wisdom of investigating + before acting. I had little difficulty in finding the nest to + which my bird had flown, and a happy nest it appeared to be. It + seems like yesterday, and the picture is distinct before my + vision. I came cautiously towards the cottage, which was + surrounded by a grassy lawn, and my heart came into my throat + with a choking sensation as suddenly I saw her there, my little + Juanita, lazily swinging in a hammock under a great elm, + singing! Singing so merrily that I could not doubt that she was, + for the moment at least, happy. So, then, she was happy--happy + with him. The thought affected me in a twofold manner. I + resented her happiness for myself, and gloried in it for her own + sake. I did not venture to interrupt her life by intruding + myself into it. I quietly prosecuted my inquiries, and learned + that she was known as his wife, indeed that a regular marriage + had taken place. Thus at least he gave her the apparent + protection of his name. Moreover, I found that he was still kind + to her, and that the two were counted a happy couple. + + "Therefore I returned to Texas, and never again set eyes upon my + dear one, in life. But before leaving I perfected arrangements + whereby I might receive regular communications, and so be in the + position to know how it fared with Juanita, and I am bound to + admit that the reports were ever favorable. So far as I know, he + always treated her with loving kindness. In exchange for this, + he must count that he has been left undisturbed by me. On that + score, then, we are quits. But the paper on which he wrote that + infamous I. O. U. remained, and so long as it was in my + possession it was an obligation still to be met. + + "Five years elapsed, and then one day suddenly I was summoned by + telegraph. Juanita was ill--was likely to die. I sped North as + fast as the swiftest express train could travel, but I arrived + three hours after her sweet spirit had flown. He did not + recognize me as I mingled with the crowd in the house at the + funeral, and so got a last glimpse of her face. But after the + grave was filled, and the little mound was covered with flowers, + the mound which held all that had stood between him and fate, I + stepped forward and stood where his eyes must meet mine. + + "At first he did not recognize me, but presently he knew me, and + the abject terror that came into his face brought to me the + first sensation of pleasure that I had experienced since that + hour in which I had found my home deserted. I stepped back into + the crowd, and I saw him look about eagerly, and pass his hand + across his eyes, as though brushing aside some horrible vision. + But he was soon to learn that it was no spectral fancy, but + myself with whom he had to deal. + + "I waited till nightfall and then sought him at his house, and + told him my purpose. I showed him that bit of paper on which he + had scrawled the words 'I. O. U. One wife,' and I told him that + in exacting a settlement we would change the letter 'w' to the + letter 'l.' That for my wife, I would expect his life, in + return. I gave him a respite of a few days, but this he will + explain to you. I know this, for twice have I seen him approach + your offices, and then alter his mind and depart without going + in. But his fate is now so near that by to-morrow, at the + latest, he will no longer have the courage to delay. He will go + to you. He will lie to you. He will endeavor to obtain your aid. + Fool! Of what avail? He cannot escape even if you undertake to + assist him. But after reading the truth, as here written, will + you?" + +Mr. Mitchel put down the last page of the statement, and, turning to Mr. +Barnes, he said: + +"And you say you have thwarted this man's purpose?" + +"Yes; absolutely. Of course, that tale of his makes me sympathize with +him, but the law does not grant a man the right to murder even when a +wife is stolen. Certainly not after the lapse of five years." + +"I should think that the author of that document would be a man who +would carefully plan whatever scheme he might have decided upon, and if +you have really thwarted him, then you have been very clever. Very +clever, indeed. How was it?" + +"To explain that," replied Mr. Barnes, "I must begin by telling you of +the visit of this man who calls himself Odell. You will note that the +Texan says that his adversary 'will explain,' etc. Thus he evidently +intended his communication to reach me before the visit of my client. +But it was otherwise. Mr. Odell, as we must call him, came here two days +ago, whereas that communication did not reach me until yesterday +morning." + +"Did this man Odell tell you the same story as that sent to you by the +Texan?" + +"Essentially the same, yet differing materially in some of the details. +He came into my office in a very nervous, excited frame of mind, and +even after I had asked him to be seated and to state his business he +seemed half inclined to go away. However, he finally concluded to +confide his trouble to me, though he began the conversation in a +singular manner. + +"'I hardly know,' said he, 'whether you can help me or not. Your +business is to detect crimes after they have been committed, is it not?' + +"'It is,' said I. + +"'I wonder,' said he, 'whether you could prevent a crime?' + +"'That would depend much upon the circumstances and the nature of the +crime.' + +"'Let us say that a murder was contemplated. Do you think you might be +able to prevent it?' + +"'Do you know who is threatened? Who is the person to be murdered?' + +"'Myself.' + +"'Yourself? Tell me the circumstances which lead you to believe that +such a danger threatens you.' + +"'The circumstances are peculiar. I suppose I must tell you the whole +miserable story. Well, so be it. Some years ago I went into one of the +southern states, it matters not which, and there I met a young girl with +whom I fell madly in love. There is nothing out of the common about the +story except as regards her guardian. I suppose that is what he would be +called. This man was quite a wealthy ranchman, and it seems that he had +found the girl when an infant, on the open plains. He took her home, and +raised her. Of course he grew fond of her, but the fool forgot that he +was twenty years older than herself and fell in love with her. +Consequently I knew that it would be useless to ask his consent to our +marriage, so we eloped.'" + +"That is a different version," interrupted Mr. Mitchel. + +"Very different," said Mr. Barnes. "But when I heard it, it was the only +version known to me. I asked him how long a time had passed since the +elopement, and he replied: + +"'Five years. I married the girl of course, and we have been living +until recently up the Hudson. A month ago she died, and in grief I +followed her body to the grave. The last sod had just been placed on the +mound, when looking up I saw the man, the guardian, let us call him, +standing glaring at me in a threatening manner. I was startled, and as a +moment later he seemingly disappeared, I was inclined to believe that it +had been merely a trick of the mind. This seemed not improbable, for if +the man harbored any ill-will, why had he not sought me out before?' + +"'Perhaps he did not know where to find you,' I suggested. + +"'Yes, he did. I know that, because my wife told me that she wrote to +him once. But it was not imagination, for that same night he came to my +house, and coolly informed me that now that the girl was dead, there was +nothing to delay longer his purpose to take my life.' + +"'He told you this openly?' + +"'He made the announcement as calmly as though he were talking of +slaying one of his steers. I don't know why, for I am not a coward, but +a terrible fear seized me. I seemed to realize that it would be useless +for me to make any resistance; whether he chose to take my life at that +moment or later, it seemed to me that I could and would make no effort +to save myself. In fact, I imagine I felt like a man in a trance, or it +might be in a dream-disturbed sleep wherein, while passing through +dreadful experiences, and wishing that some one might arouse me, yet I +myself was powerless to awaken.' + +"'Perhaps the man had hypnotized you.' + +"'Oh, no. I don't make any such nonsensical claim as that. I was simply +terrified, that is all,--I who have never known fear before. Worse than +all, I have not for an instant since been able to escape from my feeling +of helpless terror. He talked to me in the quietest tone of voice. He +told me that he had known of my whereabouts all the time, and that he +had spared me just so long as the girl was happy; that so long as her +happiness depended upon my living, just so long had he permitted me to +live. Throughout the interview he spoke of my life as though it belonged +to him; just as though, as I said before, I might have been one of his +cattle. It was awful.' + +"'Did he say when or how he would murder you?' + +"'He did worse than that. He did the most diabolical thing that the mind +of man could conceive. He explained to me that he considered me in his +debt, and that the debt could only be cancelled with my life. And then +he had the horrible audacity to ask me to give him a written +acknowledgment to that effect.' + +"'How? I do not understand.' + +"'He drew out a large sheet of paper on which were some written words, +and handed me the paper to read. This is what I saw: "On or before the +thirtieth day from this date I promise to pay my debt to the holder of +this paper."' + +"'How very extraordinary!' + +"'Extraordinary! Nothing like this has ever occurred in all the world. +The man asked me practically to give him a thirty-day note to be paid +with my life. Worse than that, I gave it to him.' + +"'You gave it to him! What do you mean?' + +"'At his dictation I copied those words on a similar sheet that he +furnished, and I signed the hellish document. Don't ask me why I did it. +I don't know, unless in my terror and despair I thought at the moment +only of getting rid of my visitor, and of gaining even the short respite +that here seemed held out to me. At all events I wrote the thing, and he +folded it carefully and put it in his pocket with a satanic smile. Then +he rose to go, but further explained to me that as the note said "on or +before" thirty days, he would feel at liberty to conclude the matter at +his own pleasure. This doubled the horror of the situation. What he said +next, however, seemed to offer a ray of hope, if hope might be sought +under such circumstances. He told me that if I could by any means manage +to live beyond the limitations of the note, he would return the paper to +me to be burned, and in that case I might consider the matter +terminated.' + +"'Why, then, he did give you one chance of living.' + +"'I have tried to make myself think so. But as I have thought it over, +sometimes I imagine that there is merely an added deviltry in +this,--that he held out this hope only to intensify my sufferings; for +total despair might have led me to suicide, thus shortening the period +of my mental agony. If this was his purpose, he succeeded only too well. +A dozen times I have been on the verge of blowing my brains out to +abbreviate the torture, when the thought has come to me that as another +day had passed finding me still alive, so might the remaining ones; that +I might escape after all. So I have lived and entered another day of +torment.' + +"'But why have you allowed this affair to so prey upon your mind?' + +"'Allowed it? How could I have escaped from it? You do not know the +expedients of that fiend. I will tell you a few of the things that have +made it impossible for me to forget. In the first place, every morning I +have received a postal-card on which would appear some figures,--"30 +minus 1 equals 29,"--"30 minus 2 equals 28,"--"30 minus 3 equals 27," +and so on. Can you imagine my feelings this morning when the card was +placed in my hand on which I found "30 minus 28 equals 2"?' + +"'But why have you read these cards?' + +"'Why? Why does the bird go to the snake that devours it? The cards have +exerted a fascination for me. In my mail I would look first to see if +one were there. Finding it, I would read it over and over, though of +course I would know in advance the ghoulish calculation that would be +there. But this is not all. On the third day I was about to smoke a +cigar, when its peculiar shape attracted my attention. I looked at it a +long time stupidly, and then broke it in half. Inside I found a slender +metal tube, which later I discovered was filled with some horribly +explosive preparation. I do not think that any other cigar of that +nature has reached me. But, my suspicions once aroused, I began opening +my cigars, to make sure, and in this manner, of course, they were +rendered useless. Why, I have been suspicious even of cigars offered to +me by some of my best friends. The more cordial the presentation, the +more certain I have felt that the man might be in the plot against me. +So I have been obliged to forego smoking, a great trial, as you may +imagine, in such a condition of mind as I have been in, when a sedative +would have been so acceptable.' + +"'You might have used cigarettes,' suggested the detective. + +"'Cigarettes? It seemed so at first. Of course not those ready-made, but +I might make them for myself. I made one. Just one! I rolled it, using +paper and tobacco that had been in my own room for over a month. When I +applied a match the thing sizzled like a firecracker. Whether or not +some powder had been dropped into my tobacco, I do not know. Undoubtedly +I could have obtained fresh tobacco and fresh paper, and thus have +enjoyed the longed-for smoke. But I tell you I have been unable to +think these things out. I have been as feeble-minded as any imbecile. +For a few days I obtained a little consolation out of liquor, but one +night after taking a drink I thought I noticed a sediment in the bottom +of the glass. I looked at it closer, and there it was. A whitish powder. +Undoubtedly arsenic.' + +"'Why not sugar?' said Mr. Barnes. + +"'I don't know. That never occurred to me. Perhaps it was. At all events +I have not had a drop of anything since, except water. No tea, no +coffee, no liquor that might hide a poison. Only clear water, drawn from +the hydrant with my own hands, into a cup that I carried about my +person, and washed out before every draught. I was determined that he +should not poison me except by poisoning the reservoir. This +necessitated adopting a plan for eating that would be equally safe. So I +have taken to eating at restaurants, a different one for every meal.' + +"'You have allowed yourself to become morbid on this subject. I should +not be surprised if this man really has no intention of committing this +murder, but has taken this means of having revenge, by causing you a +month of mental suffering.' + +"'I hardly think that. He has made several efforts to kill me already.' + +"'In what manner?' + +"'Well, twice, in my own house, I was shot at from without. I heard the +report of a pistol each time, and a ball passed close to me and entered +the wall at my side. After the second attempt I decided to change my +place of abode, and took a room at my club. The room had but one window, +and that opened on the interior court. I was particular that it should +not be exposed to the street. For several days nothing happened; then +one night, just as I was putting out my gas, and consequently standing +by the window, again I heard a pistol shot, and another bullet whistled +past me, all too close. The odd thing was that though I had an immediate +investigation made, it is certain that my enemy was not in the +building.' + +"'In that case, the shot must have come in accidentally. Some one +opposite was probably handling his pistol and carelessly touched the +trigger, causing the explosion. Naturally, when he found that you had +nearly been shot, he chose not to make any explanations.' + +"'However that may be, I thought it best to move again. This time I +found a room in a hotel, where the only ventilation is from a skylight +opening upon the roof. In there at least I have felt safe from intruding +bullets. But I am disturbed by the regularity with which those +postal-cards come to me. The address has always been changed as I have +moved from one place to another.' + +"'Evidently your man keeps an eye upon you.' + +"'Very evidently, though I have never set eyes upon him since his visit +on the night when he made me give him that diabolically conceived +promissory note. Now that is the story. Can you do anything for me?' + +"'Let me see; according to the calculation on the card that reached you +this morning there are still two days of respite?' + +"'Not of respite. There is no respite from my torture till the end +comes, be that what it may. But there are two days remaining of the +thirty.' + +"That was the problem, Mr. Mitchel," said Mr. Barnes, "which I was +called upon to solve. Bearing in mind that I had not yet received the +other man's communication, you will, of course, concede that it was my +duty to endeavor to save this man?" + +"Undoubtedly. It was your duty to save the man under any circumstances. +We should always prevent crime where we can. The question here was +rather _how_ you might be able to accomplish this." + +"How would you have proceeded, had the case been in your care?" + +"Oh, no, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, laughing. "You cannot be allowed +to get my advice after the affair is over. I must come in as principal +or spectator. In this instance I am merely a spectator." + +"Very well. As you please. My plan, I think, was as ingenious as it was +simple. It was evident to me either that we had to deal with a man who +did not intend to kill his victim, in which case any course would save +him; or else the affair might be serious. If the man really was plotting +murder, the affair occupying so long a time was unquestionably +premeditated and thoroughly well planned. Whatever the scheme, it was +equally obvious that we could not hope to fathom it. The blow, if it +should come, would be swift and sure. Consequently but one course lay +before us." + +"And that was?" + +"To remove our man to such a place of safety that the blow, however well +conceived, could not by any possibility reach him." + +"Ah, well argued! And could you find such a place?" + +"Yes. A private room in a safe-deposit vault." + +"Not bad. Not half bad. And you did this?" + +"Without delay. I explained my purpose to the officers of one of these +institutions, and before another hour had passed I had Mr. Odell 'safely +deposited,' where none could reach him except myself." + +"Of course you supplied him with eatables?" + +"Yes, indeed, and liquor and cigars beside. Poor fellow! How he must +have enjoyed his cigars! When I visited him yesterday, on opening the +door of his room he looked like a spectre in a fog. Now I must further +remind you that I put Mr. Odell in this safety-vault before receiving +the letter from the Texan, firmly believing at the time that we were +taking unnecessary precautions. After reading the Texan's story I +altered my mind, becoming convinced that any other course would have +been fatal. Indeed so impressed was I with the determination of this man +to have Mr. Odell's life, that though I had the intended victim +absolutely safe, still I felt it my duty to make assurance doubly sure, +by remaining at the vault myself throughout the rest of the final +twenty-four hours, which terminated at noon to-day." + +"Then you released your prisoner?" + +"I did, and a happier man than he you never saw. He stood out in the +open air and took a long breath as eagerly as a drunkard drinks his +tipple." + +"And then what?" + +"Why, then we separated. He said he would go to his hotel for a good +sleep, for he had little rest in that vault." + +"And that, you think, ends the case?" + +A quizzical tone in Mr. Mitchel's voice attracted Mr. Barnes's keen +sense of hearing, and, slightly disturbed, he said: + +"Why, yes. What do you think?" + +"I think I would like to go to that man's hotel, and I think we cannot +get there too quickly." + +"Why, what do you mean? Explain." + +"I cannot explain. There is no time. Do not waste another minute, but +let us go at once and call on your client." + +Mystified, Mr. Barnes jumped up, and the two men hurried out of the +building and up Broadway. They had only a few blocks to walk, and were +soon in the elevator of the hotel ascending to the top floor where was +that room whose only communication with the outer world was a skylight. +Reaching the door, Mr. Barnes tried the knob, but the door was locked. +He knocked first lightly and then more violently, but there was no +response. + +"It is useless, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel. "We must break in the +door, and I fear we may be too late." + +"Too late?" said Mr. Barnes, wonderingly; but without losing more time +throwing his weight against the door it yielded and flew in. The two men +and the hall-boy entered, and pointing to the floor where lay the body +of a man, Mr. Mitchel said: + +"See! we are too late." + +They lifted the man to the bed, and hastily summoned medical aid, but he +was dead. While the hall-boy was gone to call the doctor, Mr. Barnes +ruefully said: + +"This is incomprehensible to me. After reading that Texan's letter, I +was so assured that however vengeful he might be, still he was an +honorable man, that I felt positive he would keep his word, and that +this man would be safe at the expiration of the note." + +"You were entirely right in your estimate of the Texan's character, Mr. +Barnes. Your fatal error was in regard to the expiration of the note." + +"Why, the thirty days expired at noon to-day." + +"Very true. But you have overlooked the usual three days' grace!" + +"The devil." + +"Just so; the devil,--in this instance the devil being the Texan. +Ordinarily the extra three days is an extension demanded by the maker of +the note, but in this instance it has been utilized by the deviser of +the scheme, who, knowing that his man would be on guard during the +thirty days, misled him by a promise of safety thereafter. But he did +more than that." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Why, how has he accomplished his purpose? How has he killed this man up +here in a locked room, which has no window through which a bullet might +be fired?" + +"I do not know; that is another puzzle to be solved." + +"I have already solved it. The promissory note is the vehicle of his +vengeance,--the means by which the opportunity was obtained, and the +means by which the end has been consummated. You will recall that Odell +told you that the Texan promised that if he should live beyond the +limitation of the note it would be returned so that he might burn it, +and he might then consider the matter terminated. These were very +suggestive words, and have wrought this man ruin. Evidently soon after +he reached this hotel, feeling that at last he had escaped his +threatened doom, an envelope was sent up to him, which contained the +so-called promissory note. It being too dark in here to read, he lighted +his gas. The reception of this paper caused him satisfaction because it +seemed to show that his adversary was keeping faith. It had been +suggested to him that he might 'burn' the note, and so 'terminate' the +affair. Therefore he set fire to the paper, which evidently had been +charged with an explosive substance. The explosion not only stunned if +it did not kill the man, but it extinguished the gas, leaving the jet +open, so that if not destroyed by the explosive he certainly must have +been asphyxiated by the escaping gas. Here on the floor is a bit of the +paper, and we can still see a few of the words which we know were +contained in the promissory note. Then there is the gas turned on, while +it is still daylight without. Am I right?" + +"Unquestionably," said Mr. Barnes. "What a diabolical scheme from +conception to the final act! But suppose that Mr. Odell had not burned +that paper? Then the scheme must have failed." + +"Not at all. You still overlook the three days of grace, of which but a +few hours have yet expired." + + + + + X + + A NOVEL FORGERY + + +Mr. Barnes was wondering whether he would soon have a case which would +require special mental effort in its solution. "Something that will make +me think," was the way he phrased it to himself. The same idea had +occupied him for some time. Not that he had been idle, but his "cases" +had all been of such a nature that with a little supervision it had been +safe to intrust them entirely to his subordinates. Nothing had occurred +to compel his personal investigation. On this morning, however, fate had +something peculiarly attractive for him. His office-boy announced a +visitor, who, when shown into the detective's sanctum, introduced +himself thus: + +"I am Stephen West, cashier of the Fulton National Bank. Is this Mr. +Barnes?" + +"Yes, sir," replied the detective. "Is your business important?" + +"It is very important to me," said Mr. West. "I am interested to the +extent of forty thousand dollars." + +"Forty thousand dollars! Forgery?" Receiving an assenting nod, Mr. +Barnes arose and closed the door of the office after instructing the boy +to prevent his being disturbed. Returning to his seat, he said: "Now +then, Mr. West, tell me the story. All of it, as far as you know it. +Omit no detail, however unimportant it may seem to you." + +"Very good. My bank has been swindled out of forty thousand dollars in +the most mysterious manner. We have received four checks, each for ten +thousand dollars. These were signed with the name John Wood, one of our +best customers. In making up his monthly balance these checks were sent +to his house in the usual order of business. To-day Mr. Wood came to the +bank, and declared them to be forgeries." + +"Were these checks paid by you personally?" + +"Oh, no. We received them through the Clearing-House. They had been +deposited at the Harlem National Bank, and reached us in the routine +way. They were taken on four different days." + +"Who was the depositor at the Harlem Bank?" + +"There is a mystery there. His name is Carl Grasse. Inquiry at the +Harlem Bank shows that he has been a depositor for about a year. He had +a seemingly flourishing business, a beer-garden and concert place. +Recently he sold out and returned to his home in Germany. Before doing +so he drew out his deposits and closed his account." + +"How is it that you did not yourself detect the forgeries? I supposed +you bank people were so expert nowadays that the cashing of a worthless +check would be impossible." + +"Here are the forged checks, and here is one cashed by us since the +accounting, which is genuine. Compare them, and perhaps you will admit +that anyone might have been deceived." + +Mr. Barnes examined the checks very closely, using a lens to assist his +eyes. Presently he laid them down without comment, and said: + +"What do you wish me to do, Mr. West?" + +"To me it seems like a hopeless task, but at least I should like to have +the forger arrested. I will gladly pay five hundred dollars as a +reward." + +Mr. Barnes took up the checks again, examined them most carefully with +the lens, and once more laid them down. He strummed on his desk a moment +and then said suddenly: + +"Mr. West, suppose that I not only arrest the guilty man, but recover +the forty thousand dollars?" + +"You don't mean to say----" began Mr. West, rather astonished. + +"I said 'suppose,'" interrupted Mr. Barnes. + +"Why, in that case," said Mr. West, "I would gladly give a thousand +more." + +"The terms suit me," said the detective. "I'll do my best. Leave these +checks with me, and I'll report to you as promptly as possible. One +moment," as Mr. West was about to depart; "I will make a memorandum of +something you must do yourself." He wrote a few lines on a sheet of +paper and handed it to Mr. West, saying, "Let me have those to-day, if +possible." + +One week later Mr. West received the following note: + + "STEPHEN WEST, Esq.:-- + + "Dear Sir--I have completed my investigation of your case. + Please call at my office at four o'clock. If convenient, you + may as well bring with you a check for fifteen hundred + dollars, made payable to + + "JOHN BARNES." + +"Great heavens!" ejaculated the cashier upon reading the above, "he +tells me to bring fifteen hundred dollars. That means he has recovered +the money. Thank God!" He dropped into his chair, overcome at the sudden +release from the suspense of the previous week, and a few tears trickled +down his cheek as he thought of his wife and little one who would not +now be obliged to give up their pretty little home to make good his +loss. + +Promptly at four he was ushered into the presence of Mr. Barnes. +Impatient to have his hopes confirmed, he exclaimed at once: + +"Am I right? You have succeeded?" + +"Most thoroughly," said the detective. "I have discovered the thief, and +have him in prison. I also have his written confession." + +"But the forty thousand dollars?" + +"All safe and sound. Your bank does not lose a dollar--except the +reward." Mr. Barnes added the last after a pause and with a twinkle of +his eye. + +"Oh, Mr. Barnes, that is a trifle compared to what I expected. But tell +me, how was this trick played on us? Who did it?" + +"Suppose I give you a detailed account of my work in solving the riddle? +I am just in the humor for telling it, and besides you will be more +appreciative." + +"That is just what I should most desire." + +"Very well," began Mr. Barnes. "We will go back to the moment when, +after scrutinizing the checks, I asked what you would give for the +recovery of the money. I asked that because a suspicion had entered my +mind, and I knew that if it should prove to be correct, the arrest of +the criminal and the recovery of the money would be simultaneous. I will +not explain now why that should be a necessary sequence, as you will see +that I was right. But I will tell you what made me entertain the +suspicion. In the first place, as you know, of course, John Wood uses a +private special check. The forgeries were upon blanks which had been +stolen from his check-book. Thus the thief seemingly had access to it. +Next, as is commonly done nowadays, the amount of the check was not only +written, but also punched out, with the additional precaution of +punching a dollar mark before and after the figures. It would seem +therefore almost impossible that any alterations had been made after the +check was originally drawn. Such things have been done, the holes being +filled up with paper pulp, and new ones punched afterwards. But in this +case nothing of the sort had been attempted, nor indeed was any such +procedure necessary, for the checks were not raised from genuine ones, +but had been declared by Wood to be forgeries outright. That is, he +denied the signatures." + +"Certainly. They were declared to be spurious." + +"Exactly. Now that was all that I knew when you were here last except +that the signatures seemed to be very similar. It was possible that they +were tracings. The plain deduction from this was that the forger was +some one in John Wood's establishment; some one who could have access to +the checkbook, to the punch, and also have a chance to copy the +signature, if it was copied." + +"All that is quite clear, but how to proceed?" + +"I instructed you to send me a list of all the checks which had been +paid out on John Wood's account, giving their dates, numbers, and +amounts. I also asked you to procure for me from the Harlem National +Bank a similar list of checks paid on order of Carl Grasse. These two +lists you sent to me, and they have been very useful. As soon as you +left me, and whilst awaiting your lists, I tried some experiments with +the forged checks. First I argued that if the signatures were traced, +having been made, as it were, from a model, it would follow necessarily +that they would exactly coincide if superimposed the one upon the other. +Now whilst a man from habit will write his name very similarly a +thousand times, I doubt if in a million times he would, or could, +exactly reproduce his signature. The test of placing one over the other +and examining with transmitted light satisfied me that they were not +tracings. I compared each check with each of the others, and with the +genuine one which you also left with me. No two were exact counterparts +of one another. Still this did not completely prove that they were not +tracings, for an artistic criminal might have gone so far as to trace +each check from a different model, thus avoiding identity whilst +preserving similarity." + +"Mr. Barnes," said Mr. West, admiringly, "you delight me with your care +in reasoning out your point." + +"Mr. West, in speculating upon circumstantial evidence the most thorough +care must be used, if one would avoid arresting the innocent. Nothing, +to my mind, is stronger proof against a criminal than a complete chain +of circumstantial evidence, but again, nothing is so misleading if at +any stage a mistake, an omission, or a misconstruction be allowed to +occur. In this case, then, as I was starting out to prove what was +merely a suspicion, I determined to be most careful, for indeed I +dislike following up suspicion at any time. A suspicion is a +prejudgment, and may prove a hindrance to correct reasoning. Not +entirely satisfied, therefore, I took the next step. A tracing can be +made in either of two ways: with a lead-pencil, or with a stylus of +glass or agate. The former leaves a deposit of the lead, whilst the +latter makes an indentation upon the paper. In the first case the forger +will attempt to remove the lead with an erasing rubber, but will not +succeed thoroughly, because some of it will be covered by the ink, and +because of the danger of injuring the surface of the paper. In the +latter instance, if he be a very thoughtful man, he might undertake to +remove the indentation by rubbing the opposite side with the end of his +knife or with an ivory paper-cutter. In either case a careful scrutiny +with a strong glass would show the burnishing upon the reverse side. I +could find nothing of the sort. Taking one of the checks I applied a +solution to remove the ink. A thorough examination disclosed that there +was no sign either of the graphite, or of the indentation from the +stylus. In fact, I became satisfied that the signatures had not been +traced." + +"But what did that prove? They might have been imitations made by a +clever penman." + +"They might have been, but I doubted it; and since you ask, I will give +my reasons. In the first place, the signatures were accepted at your +bank not once, but four times. It would be a remarkably clever man to +deceive experts so well. However, I did not abandon this possibility +until further developments showed conclusively to my mind that it would +be a waste of time to follow up that line of research. Had it been +necessary to do so, I should have discovered who in the place had the +opportunity to do the work, and by examining their past I should have +received a hint as to which of these was most likely to be my man. For +any man who could have the ability to commit such a clever forgery must +have acquired it as a sequence of special skill and aptitude with his +pen of which his friends would be cognizant. Once I looked up such a +man, and found that as a boy he had forged his parents' names to excuses +for absences from school. Later he turned to higher things. In this +instance I was satisfied that the only person having the access to +materials, the knowledge of the financial condition of the concern, and +the ability to write the checks, was Mr. John Wood himself." + +"John Wood!" exclaimed the cashier. "Impossible! Why, that would mean +that----" + +"Nothing is impossible, Mr. West. I know what you would say. That it +involved his having an accomplice in this Carl Grasse? Well, that is +what I suspected, and that is why I asked for an additional reward for +the recovery of the funds. If I could prove that John Wood made the +checks himself, they ceased to be forgeries in one sense, and the bank +could rightfully charge the amounts against his account. But let me tell +you why I abandoned your theory that an expert penman was at work. +Observe that though you would have honored a check for forty thousand +dollars drawn by John Wood, yet the forgeries were four in number. That +showed that the man was not afraid of arousing your suspicion. The only +man who could feel absolutely sure upon that point was John Wood. But +there is another pretty point. These checks being spurious, and yet +being numbered, could arouse your suspicion in two ways. If the numbers +upon them greatly varied from those upon genuine checks coming in at the +same time, the fraud would have been detected quickly. On the other +hand, he could not give you correct numbers without being either in +collusion with his bookkeeper or else duplicating the numbering of other +checks. That the latter course was pursued, exempted the bookkeeper. All +the numbers on the forged checks were duplicates of those on genuine +ones." + +"But, Mr. Barnes, that did not arouse our suspicion, because----" + +"Just so," interrupted Mr. Barnes, "but let me tell you why, as the +_why_ is a very significant link in our chain. Your list of this man's +checks helped me there. About a year ago Carl Grasse appeared upon the +scene in Harlem, buying out a beer-garden, and starting an account in +the Harlem National Bank. Now observe that prior to that time, from the +first check sent to you by Wood, the strictest regularity as to +numbering obtained. There is not a break or a skip anywhere. But in +February, the month after Carl Grasse moved to Harlem, there is a +duplication in Wood's checks. Two have the same numbering, but both are +for trifling amounts, sixteen dollars in one instance and forty in the +other. You possibly passed it over. Next month, I find two duplications, +and from then on this apparent mistake happens no less than ten times." + +"Mr. Barnes, the bookkeepers did notice this, and we spoke to Mr. Wood, +but he said it was simply a clerical error of his own due to haste in +business hours." + +"Exactly, but he was paving the way for his big coup. He was disarming +you of suspicion. This one fact satisfied me that I was on the right +track, but your list gave me even better corroboration. On February 1st +I find that Wood cashed a check payable to himself for ten thousand and +fifty-nine dollars. On February 2d, Carl Grasse opened an account with +the Harlem Bank, depositing ten thousand dollars, paying in the amount, +in cash. This might seem but a coincidence, but by looking over the +books of the beer-garden, which is still in existence, Grasse having +sold it out, I find that on February 2d, Grasse paid his employees just +fifty-nine dollars. The difference, you see, between Wood's draft and +Grasse's deposit." + +"It certainly seems to connect the two, when we remember that the final +forgeries were checks signed by Wood in favor of Grasse." + +"Precisely, but follow this a little further. For several months there +is nothing to connect the two so far as their banking goes, but note +that during this lapse Grasse does not draw a single check in favor of +himself, nor does he deposit any checks from others. His transactions +with his customers are strictly cash, and his checks are all to dealers, +who supply him with his stock. None of these are for large amounts, and +his balance does not exceed twelve thousand dollars at any time. On +October 1st he deposited five thousand dollars in cash. On the day +before that, Wood drew that amount out of your bank. On the 12th, this +is repeated by both, and on the 14th, Grasse cashes a check for twelve +thousand dollars, taking cash. This goes through successfully, and the +Harlem Bank is made to see that Grasse commands large amounts and uses +large amounts. This is repeated in varying amounts in November, and +again in December, the bank by this time being quite ready to pay out +money to Grasse. On January 2d, Wood has his check account balanced. On +the 3d, Grasse deposits Wood's check for ten thousand dollars. This goes +through the Clearing-House, and is accepted by your bank. The Harlem +Bank is therefore satisfied of its authenticity. On the 5th, Grasse +deposits check number two, and at the same time cashes a check for ten +thousand dollars. The second spurious check goes through all right, and +on the 10th and 15th, the transactions are repeated. On the 20th, Grasse +explains to the Harlem Bank that he has sold his business, and is going +home to Germany. He closes his account, taking out his money, and +disappears from the scene. You are forty thousand dollars out by a +clever swindle, with nothing to prove your suspicions save a few +coincidences in the banking records of the two men." + +"But assuredly, Mr. Barnes, enough evidence upon which to arrest Mr. +Wood?" + +"To arrest him, yes. But to convict him? That is another affair. Without +conviction you do not recover your money. No, my work was by no means +finished. I first sought to follow Grasse. I did not have far to go. At +the Hamburg-American line I found him booked, but investigation showed +that he never sailed. The ticket which he bought has never been taken +up." + +"Then the accomplice is still in this country?" + +"No; the accomplice is not in this country," said Mr. Barnes, dryly. +"Don't get ahead of the story. At this stage of the game I made some +singular discoveries. I found, for example, that Carl Grasse slept over +his saloon, but that he frequently would be absent all night. I also +learned that when he did sleep there, he would leave about nine o'clock +in the morning for that mysterious realm, 'down-town.' When he slept +elsewhere, he usually reached the saloon at eight, and still went +'down-town' at nine. It was his general custom to get back about five in +the afternoon. Extending my researches in the direction of John Wood, I +learned that he was customarily at his office at ten o'clock, seldom +leaving before four. Moreover, at his apartment the janitor told me that +he frequently slept elsewhere, and that when he passed the night at that +place, he would leave about seven in the morning. Do you follow me?" + +"Do you mean that John Wood and Carl Grasse are one and the same +person?" + +"That idea entered my mind about this time. Up at the saloon I found +some other small evidences that this was a probability. You see, a man +may disguise his personal appearance, but it is difficult for him to +change his habits with his clothing. For example, I found that Mr. Wood +always uses Carter's writing fluid, and Mr. Grasse had the same +predilection, as the empty bottles attest. Moreover, the bottles are of +the same size in both places. Next I observe that both men used the same +make of stub pens. Again note that though Carl Grasse is a German name +and the man was keeping a beer saloon, he was never seen to drink beer +himself. John Wood has the same antipathy to malt. But most singular is +the fact that this man, who so carefully laid his plans, should have +actually bought a check-punching stamp of the same make and style of +figures as that used in the Wood establishment." + +"Perhaps he did that so that he could make the spurious checks up-town +instead of down-town, where he might be discovered." + +"More than likely, but he should have taken it away with him. There is +always some little detail of this kind that even the most skilful +overlooks. He probably thought that the similarity of the instruments +would never be detected, or made to count against him. It is nothing in +itself, but as a link in a chain it mends a break. There was one fact, +however, at wide variance with the theory of the identity of the two +men. Wood is of ordinary build, with black hair and smooth-shaven face. +Grasse is described as very stout, with red hair and whiskers. Of +course, following the theory of impersonation, if Wood transformed +himself into a stout man, totally different clothing would be needed +for the two parts which he played. I found that Wood always dressed in +the finest broadcloth, whilst Grasse wore conspicuous plaids. Supposing +that he wore a red wig and false whiskers, I determined to find the man +from whom he had procured them. I guessed that he would avoid any +well-known place, and I began my hunt in the costumers' shops on Third +Avenue. I went to several without obtaining any clue, when at last +fortune favored me. I found a place where, upon their books, in last +January was a record of 'red wig and whiskers' for the same customer. +Moreover, they had furnished this person with a 'make-up' for a fat +German, giving him the necessary 'pads,' as they are called, a suit of +underwear wadded so as to increase the proportion of the body. Can you +guess what I did next?" + +"I think not." + +"It was an inspiration. I ordered a similar outfit for myself, including +the plaid suit. This morning they were delivered to me, and, dressed in +them, I induced the costumer to go with me to Wood's place. As soon as I +was shown into his presence, I began to talk in a most excited, angry +tone. I said 'Mr. Wood, I come for satisfaction. I am Carl Grasse, the +man you have been personating up-town. I am the man whose name you +forged to the back of your own checks. And this is the costumer who sold +you the disguise. Am I not right?' This last speech I addressed to the +costumer, who, to my intense satisfaction, said, 'Yes, that is the +gentleman; but I did not know he was going to impersonate anybody.'" + +"What happened then?" asked the cashier. + +"Well," said Mr. Barnes, "I had better luck than I had expected, though, +in line with my hopes. You see, my sudden appearance before him, my +words, and my rapid speech, all tended to confuse him. He suddenly heard +himself accused of forging the name of 'Carl Grasse,' and for the moment +thought only of defending himself from that charge. He was utterly taken +back, and stammered out, 'I did not forge anybody's name. The checks had +my own signature, and the endorsement--that was "Carl Grasse." There is +no such person.' Then suddenly seeing that he was making a mistake and +incriminating himself, he exclaimed, 'Who the devil are you?' + +"'I am a detective,' I answered, quickly seizing his arms and putting on +a pair of manacles, 'and I arrest you for swindling the Fulton Bank, +whether your offense be forgery or not.' That settled him. He wilted and +began to cry for mercy. He even offered me money to let him escape. I +delivered him to the Central Office officials, and since then the +Inspector has obtained a voluntary confession from him. Are you +satisfied, Mr. West?" + +"I am more than satisfied. I am amazed. Mr. Barnes, you are a genius." + +"Not at all, Mr. West, I am a detective." + + + + + XI + + A FROSTY MORNING.[A] + + [A] Copyright by Short Story Publishing Company. Republished + from the _Black Cat_, by permission. + + +"Thank heaven, you have come," exclaimed Mr. Van Rawlston, as Mr. +Mitchel entered. "I have a thousand pounds on my mind, and----" + +"Never heard of the disease," interrupted Mr. Mitchel. "If you consider +mind and brain to be synonymous, the locality is popularly supposed to +be inundated with water occasionally--but then, you mentioned a thousand +pounds, and, a pound being a pint, we would have a thousand pints, or +five hundred quarts, and--well, really, your head seems hardly large +enough, so----" + +"I am talking of money," ejaculated Mr. Van Rawlston, sharply; "English +money. Pounds sterling." + +"The deuce you are! Money, eh? Money on the brain! Oh, I've heard of +that. It is a very common disorder." + +"Mitchel, I sent for you to help me. I am up to my ears in a mystery. +I've been in this room nearly all day trying to solve it. I've had your +friend Barnes working on it for several hours, yet we have made no +progress. In despair I thought of you; of your cool, keen, analytical +brain, and I decided that you could discover the truth, if any man can. +But if you are in a jesting humor, why----" + +"A thousand pardons, old friend. That is one pardon for each of your +pounds. But, there, forgive me, and I will be serious. I received your +note late, because I did not reach home until dinner time. You asked me +to call here as soon as possible, and here I am within half an hour of +reading your message. Now, then, about this thousand pounds sterling. +Where are they, or is it, as you are most accustomed to speaking. The +plural or singular verb seems to be a matter of choice with large +amounts." + +"The money is in this room." + +"In this room? You know that, and yet cannot find it?" + +"Therein lies the mystery. I had it in my hands this morning, and within +a few minutes it had vanished." + +"Now, Mr. Van Rawlston, if you are presenting a problem for me to solve, +I beg of you to be minutely accurate in your statements. You say 'had +vanished.' That is manifestly an impossibility. I presume you mean +'seemed to have vanished.'" + +"There was no seeming about it. It was a single bank-note, and I placed +it on this table. Five minutes later it had disappeared." + +"'Disappeared' is a better word, by long odds. It passed out of your +sight, you mean. That I can believe. The question then arises, how was +this disappearance managed. I say managed, which is an intimation of my +belief that the note did not hide itself, but rather that it was hidden. +From this postulate I deduce that two or more persons, besides yourself, +were present at the time of said disappearance of said bank-note. Am I +correct?" + +"You are, but really I can't see how you have guessed that there was +more than one person with me!" + +"It could not be otherwise. Had there been but one person in this room +with you, you would not think, you would know absolutely that he took +the note. That you have a doubt as to the identity of the culprit, shows +that you suspect one of two or more persons." + +"Mitchel, I am delighted that I sent for you. You are exactly the man to +recover this money." + +"What about Barnes? I think you mentioned his name?" + +"Yes. Naturally my first thought was to send for a detective, and I +remembered him in connection with that ruby robbery of yours, which +occurred at my house. He is now following a clue which he considers a +good one, and will report during the evening. But perhaps I should +relate the exact circumstances of this affair. The details are +strikingly curious, I assure you." + +"Now that I know that Barnes is on the scent, I may say that I am eager +for the fray. Nothing would please me better than to succeed where he +fails. Every time I outwit him, it is a feather in my cap, and another +argument in favor of my theory that the professional detective is a much +over-rated genius. Allow me to light a cigar, and make myself +comfortable, in exchange for which privilege I will devote my undivided +attention to your tale of woe." + +Mr. Mitchel drew forth a handsome gold case, which bore his monogram in +diamonds, and selected a choice Havana, which he puffed complacently as +Mr. Van Rawlston proceeded. + +"Some thirty years ago, or more," began Mr. Van Rawlston, "there came +into my office a young Englishman, who introduced himself as Thomas +Eggleston. The object of his visit was curious. He wished to borrow four +thousand dollars upon collateral. Imagine my surprise when the security +offered proved to be an English bank-note for one thousand pounds. It +seemed odd that he should wish to borrow, when he could readily have +exchanged his note for American currency, but he explained that for +sentimental reasons he wished not to part with this note permanently. He +desired to redeem it in the future, and keep it as a memento--the +foundation of the fortune which he hoped to earn in this new land." + +"A singular wish," interposed Mr. Mitchel. + +"Singular indeed. So much so that my interest was keenly aroused. I +agreed to advance the sum demanded without charge. Moreover, I put him +in the way of some good speculations which paved his way to success at +the outset. It was not long before his thousand-pound note was back in +his possession. Since then we have been close friends, and I was not +surprised, when he died a few days ago, to find that I had been named as +executor of his estates. Now I must speak of three other persons. When +Eggleston came to this country he brought with him a sister. A few years +later she married a man named Hetheridge, a worthless scamp, who +supposed he was marrying money, and who soon abandoned his wife when he +learned that she was poor. I think he drank himself to death. Mrs. +Hetheridge did not survive him very long, but she left a little girl, +now grown to womanhood. Alice Hetheridge is one of the persons who was +present when the bank-note disappeared. A second was Arthur Lumley, of +whom I know little, except that he is in love with Alice, and that he +was here to-day. Robert Eggleston was also present. He is the nephew of +the deceased, and proved to be the heir to the bulk of the estate. He +has only been in this country a few months, and has lived in this house +during that time. Now I come to the events of to-day." + +"Kindly be as explicit as possible," said Mr. Mitchel. "Omit no detail, +however trifling." + +"My friend died very unexpectedly," continued Mr. Van Rawlston. "On +Saturday he was well, and on Monday dead. On Wednesday morning, the day +of the funeral, his man of business brought me his client's will. I +learned by it that I was chosen an executor, and I undertook to make its +contents known to the family. I appointed this morning for that purpose, +and when I came, I was surprised to find young Lumley present. Alice +took me aside, and explained that she had invited him, and so I was +silenced. I asked her to bring me a certain box described in the will, +which she did. It was locked, the key having been brought to me with the +will. I took from it a packet which contained a bank-note for a thousand +pounds; the same upon which I had once loaned Eggleston money. There +were also some government bonds, and railroad securities. Having +compared these with the list attached to the will, I then read aloud the +testament of my dear friend. A part of this I will read to you, as +possibly shedding some light upon the situation." + +"One moment," interposed Mr. Mitchel. "You said that the packet taken +from the box contained the bank-note as well as the bonds and other +securities. Are you sure that the note was there?" + +"Oh, yes. I found it first, and placed it on the table in front of me, +while I went through the other papers. When I looked for it again, it +had vanished. I say vanished, though you do not like the word, because +it seems incredible that one would dare to steal in the presence of +three others. But listen to an extract from the will. After bequeathing +all of his property to his nephew, Eggleston inserted this paragraph: + +"'To my dear niece I must explain why she is not named as my heiress. My +father married twice. By his first wife he had a son, William, and by my +own mother, my sister and myself. When he died, my half-brother, +William, was ten years my senior, and had amassed a considerable +fortune, whereas I found myself penniless and dependent upon his bounty. +He was not a generous man, but he presented me a bank-note for a +thousand pounds, and paid my passage to this country. My first impulse, +after my arrival, was to make my way as rapidly as I could, and then to +return to William the identical bank-note which he had given me. For +this reason I used it as collateral, and borrowed money, instead of +changing it for American currency. By the time the note was again in my +possession my brother had given me another proof of his recognition of +our consanguinity, and I decided that it would be churlish to carry out +my intention. Recently William lost his entire fortune in unfortunate +speculations, and the shock killed him. Before he died he gave his son +Robert a letter to me, reminding me that all that I owned had been the +fruit of his bounty, and claiming from me a share of my fortune for his +son. I took Robert into my house, and I am bound to say that I have not +learned to love him. This, however, may be a prejudice, due to the fact +that he had come between me and my wish to make Alice my heiress. It may +be in recognition of the possibility of this prejudice that I feel +compelled to ease my conscience by bequeathing to William's son the +fortune which grew out of William's bounty. The original bank-note, +however, was a free gift to me, and I certainly may dispose of it as I +please. I ask my niece Alice to accept it from me, as all that my +conscience permits me to call my own.'" + +"An interesting and curious statement," commented Mr. Mitchel. "Now tell +me about the vanishment of the note." + +"There is my difficulty. I have so little to tell. After reading the +will, I laid it down, and reached out my hand, intending to give the +bank-note to Alice, whereupon I discovered that it had disappeared." + +"Tell me exactly where each person was seated." + +"We were all at this table, which, you see, is small. I sat at this end, +Alice at my right hand, young Eggleston at my left, and Lumley opposite +to me." + +"So that all three were easily within reach of the bank-note when you +placed it upon the table? That complicates matters. Well, when you +discovered that you could not find the note, who spoke first, and what +comment was made?" + +"I cannot be certain. I was stunned, and the others seemed as much +surprised as I was. I remember that Eggleston asked Alice whether she +had picked it up, adding, 'It is yours, you know.' But she made an +indignant denial. Lumley said nothing, but sat looking at us as though +seeking an explanation. Then I recall that Eggleston made a very +practical suggestion." + +"Ah, what was that?" + +"He laughed as he did so, but what he said was reasonable enough. In +substance it was, that if each person in the room were searched, and the +note not found, it would thus be proven that it had merely been blown +from the table by some draught, in which case a thorough search should +find it." + +"Was his suggestion acted upon?" + +"You may be sure of that. I declined once to allow my guests to be +searched when that fellow Thauret suggested it, at the time of the ruby +robbery. And you will remember that the scoundrel himself had the jewel. +That taught me a lesson. Therefore when Eggleston made his suggestion, I +began with him. The search was thorough, I assure you, but I found +nothing. I had as little success with Lumley, and I even examined my own +pockets, with the vague hope that I might have inadvertently put the +note in one of them. But all my looking was in vain." + +"Might not one of these men have secreted the bank-note elsewhere, and +then have possessed himself of it after your search?" + +"I took care to prevent that. As soon as I had gone through Eggleston, I +unceremoniously bundled him out of the room. I did the same with Lumley, +and neither has been allowed in here since." + +"What about the young lady?" + +"It would be absurd to suspect her. The note was her property. Still she +insisted upon my searching her, and I examined her pocket. Of course, I +found nothing." + +"Ah, you only examined her pocket. Well, under the circumstances, I +suppose that was all you could do. Thus, having sent the three persons +out of the room, you think that the bank-note is still here. A natural +deduction, only I wish that the woman might have been more thoroughly +searched. I suppose you have looked about the room?" + +"I sent for Mr. Barnes, and he and I made a most careful search." + +"What view does he take of the case?" + +Before Mr. Van Rawlston could reply there was a sharp ring at the +door-bell, and a moment later Mr. Barnes himself was ushered in. + +"Speak of the Devil, and his imps appear," said Mr. Mitchel, jocularly. +"Well, Mr. Imp of Satan, what luck? Has your patron assisted you? Have +you had the Devil's own luck, and solved this problem before I fairly +got my wits upon it? You look flushed with victory." + +"I did not know you were to be called in, Mr. Mitchel," replied Mr. +Barnes, "and I am sorry if you shall be disappointed, but really, I +think I can explain this affair. The truth is, it did not strike me as +very complex." + +"Hear that," exclaimed Mr. Mitchel. "Not complex! The sudden vanishing +of a thousand-pound note, before the very eyes, and under the very +noses, as it were, of four persons, not complex! The Devil certainly +has sharpened your wits; eh, Mr. Barnes?" + +"Oh, I don't mind your chaffing. Let me explain why I considered this +case simple. You will agree that the note was either mislaid or stolen?" + +"Logical deduction number one," cried Mr. Mitchel, turning down a finger +of the right hand. + +"It was not mislaid, or we would have found it. Therefore it was +stolen." + +"A doubtful point, Mr. Barnes," said Mr. Mitchel, "but we will give you +the benefit of the doubt, and call it logical deduction number two." He +turned down another finger. + +"If stolen the note was taken by one of three persons," pursued the +detective. + +"He leaves you out of it, Van Rawlston. Well, I suppose I must give you +the benefit of the doubt this time. So there goes L. D. number three." +He dropped another finger. + +"Of these three, one actually owned the note, and another had just heard +of the inheritance of a large fortune. The third, therefore, comes under +suspicion." + +"Illogical deduction number one," said Mr. Mitchel, sharply, as he +turned down a finger of the left hand. + +"Why illogical?" asked the detective. + +"First, people have been known to steal their own goods; second, rich +men are often thieves. Mr. Lumley, being in love with the owner of the +note, was as unlikely to steal it as she was herself." + +"Suppose that he had stolen it before he heard that his sweetheart was +to inherit it?" + +"In that case, of course, he may have desired to return it, and yet not +have had the opportunity." + +"Such was probably the fact. That he stole the note I am reasonably +certain." + +"How did he get it out of this room?" asked Mr. Van Rawlston. + +"He must have hidden it elsewhere than in his pockets," said Mr. Barnes. +"You overlooked the fact, Mr. Van Rawlston, that you cannot thoroughly +search a man in the presence of a lady." + +"Good point," exclaimed Mr. Mitchel. "You have your wits about you +to-day, Mr. Barnes. Now tell us what you have learned in corroboration +of your theory." + +"Lumley is in love with Miss Hetheridge. Up to a few hours ago, he was a +clerk, upon a salary not sufficient to permit him to marry. Curiously +enough, for one would hardly have thought him so foolish, when he left +this house he went direct to his employer and resigned his position. +Next, I traced him to a business agency, where he obtained an option to +purchase a partnership in a good concern, agreeing to pay five thousand +dollars for the same." + +"Five thousand dollars! About one thousand pounds," said Mr. Mitchel, +thoughtfully. + +"The scoundrel!" cried Mr. Van Rawlston. "Undoubtedly he is the thief. I +trust you have arrested him, Mr. Barnes?" + +"No. He left the city by a train leaving the Grand Central an hour ago." + +"Track him, Mr. Barnes. Track him to the end of the earth if necessary. +Spare no money. I'll pay the expense." Mr. Van Rawlston was excited. + +"I do not know his destination," said the detective, "but, fortunately, +the train is a 'local,' and he cannot go far on it. I will do my best to +catch up with him. But no time is to be lost." + +As he hurried out, Mr. Mitchel shouted after him: + +"Luck, and the Devil go with you, Mr. Barnes." Then, turning to Mr. Van +Rawlston, he continued: "After all, shrewd detective though he be, Mr. +Barnes may be on the wrong scent. The note may still be in this house. I +do not like to say in this room, after your thorough search. Still, if +it could be managed, without the knowledge of Eggleston and Miss +Hetheridge, I would like to remain here to-night." + +"You wish to make a search yourself, eh? Very good. I will arrange it. +By the way, I should tell you that there is to be an auction here +to-morrow. Eggleston had arranged a sale of his library before his +sudden death, and as the date was fixed and the catalogues sent to all +possible buyers, we have thought best to allow the sale to proceed. This +being the library, you will see the necessity for settling this mystery +before to-morrow, if possible." + +"A crowd coming here to-morrow? Excellent. Nothing could be better. Rest +easy, Van Rawlston. If Barnes does not recover the bank-note, I will." + +It was already nine o'clock in the evening, and Mr. Van Rawlston decided +to go to his own home. Upon inquiry he learned that Eggleston was not in +the house, and that Miss Hetheridge was in her room. He dismissed the +servant, and locked Mr. Mitchel in the library. Next he went up-stairs +to Miss Hetheridge, told her that he had thought best to lock the +library door, and bade her good-night. Passing out to the street, he +handed the door-key to Mr. Mitchel through the front window. + +Left thus alone in a strange house, Mr. Mitchel dropped into an easy +chair and began to analyze the situation. He did not light the gas, as +that would have betrayed his presence, but the glowing grate-fire shed +light enough for him to see about him. + +Mr. Eggleston had amassed a great collection of books, for the library +was a long room occupying the whole of one side of the house, the +parlors being on the opposite side of the hallway. Windows in front +overlooked the street, and at the back opened upon a small yard. Just +below these back windows extended a shed, the roof of an extension, +which served as a laundry. + +Mr. Mitchel went over in his mind the incidents which had been related +to him, and two of his conclusions are worthy of note here: + +"Barnes argues," thought he, "that Lumley may have taken the bank-note +before he knew that it had been bequeathed to his sweetheart. But the +same holds good with the girl herself, and might well explain her +stealing what was really her own property. That is one point worth +bearing in mind, but the best of all is my scheme for finding the note +itself. Why should I trouble myself with a search which might occupy me +all night, when by waiting I may see the thief take the note from its +present hiding-place, always supposing that it is in this room? +Decidedly, patience is a virtue in this instance, and I have only to +wait." + +A couple of hours later, Mr. Mitchel started up from a slight doze, and +realized that he had been disturbed, though at first he could not tell +by what. + +Then he heard a sound which indicated that someone was fitting a key +into the lock. Perhaps the thief was coming! This thought awakened him +to his full faculties, and he quickly hid among the folds of some heavy +draperies which served upon occasion to divide the room into two +apartments. The door opened, and he heard the stealthy tread of soft +footsteps, though at first the figure of the intruder was hidden from +his view by the draperies which surrounded him. In a few moments his +suspense was at an end. A young woman, of girlish figure, passed by him +and went over to the fireplace. She was in a dainty night-robe, her long +black hair hanging in rich profusion down her back. She leaned against +the mantel, and gazed into the fire without moving, for some minutes, +and then turning suddenly, crossed the room, going directly to one of +the book-shelves. Here she paused, then took down several books which +she placed upon a chair near by. Her back was towards Mr. Mitchel, but +he could see her reach into the recess with her arm, which was bared by +the act, the loose sleeve of her gown falling aside. Then there was a +clicking sound just perceptible to the ear, and Mr. Mitchel muttered to +himself: + +"A secret closet, with a spring catch." + +In another moment, the girl was replacing the books, and, this done, she +hurried from the library, locking the door after her. Mr. Mitchel +emerged from his hiding-place, and, going to the shelf where the girl +had been, removed the books and searched for the spring which would +unlock the secret compartment. It was not easily found, but Mr. Mitchel +was a patient and persistent man, and after nearly an hour discovered +the way of removing a sliding panel, and took an envelope from the +recess behind. Carrying this to the fireplace, he dropped to his knees, +and withdrawing its contents, held in his hand a Bank of England note +for one thousand pounds. He looked at it, smiled, and said in a low +tone: + +"And Mr. Barnes was so certain that he would catch the thief!" Then he +smiled again, replaced the books on the shelf, decided that the large +sofa might serve as a comfortable bed, and so went to sleep. + +He was awakened early, by a sense of cold. Starting up, for a moment +dazed by his unfamiliar surroundings, he gazed first at the gray ashes +of the dead fire in the grate, and then looked towards the windows +thickly covered with frost, and shivered. Remembering where he was, he +threw his arms about, and walked up and down the long room to start his +blood moving, and induce a little warmth. Presently he went to the back +windows and looked at the beautiful frosting, which resembled long fern +leaves. Suddenly he seemed unusually interested, and especially +attracted to one of the panes. He examined this closely, and taking a +note-book from his pocket made a rapid sketch of the pattern on the +glass. Then he raised the sash, looked out upon the shed, and emitted a +low whistle. Next he stepped out through the window, went down on his +hands and knees upon the tinned roof, and looked closely at something +which he saw there. Returning to the room, one would have said that his +next act was the most curious of all. He again opened the secret panel, +and replaced the envelope containing the bank-note. Then he went to the +table where Mr. Van Rawlston claimed that the note had vanished, and he +sat in the chair where Mr. Van Rawlston had been when he read the will. + +Several hours later when Mr. Van Rawlston came in, Mr. Mitchel was +sitting in the same chair looking through a Bible. + +"Well," said Mr. Van Rawlston. "How did you pass the night? Did the +thief pay you a visit?" + +"I think so," replied Mr. Mitchel. + +"Then you know who took the note?" asked Mr. Van Rawlston, eagerly. + +"Perhaps; I do not like to jump to conclusions. This is a magnificent +Bible, Mr. Van Rawlston. Is it in the sale to-day? If so, I think I will +bid on it." + +"Oh, yes; it is to be sold," replied Mr. Van Rawlston, testily. He +thought Mr. Mitchel merely wished to change the subject, and at that +moment he was more interested in bank-notes than in Bibles. He had no +idea that Mr. Mitchel really coveted the Bible. But then he did not know +that Mr. Mitchel collected books as well as gems. He was therefore much +astonished, some hours later, when the auction was in progress, to find +Mr. Mitchel not only bidding on the Bible, but bidding heavily. + +At first the bidding was spiritless, and the price rose slowly until Mr. +Mitchel made an offer of five hundred dollars. After a moment's +hesitation young Eggleston bid fifty dollars more, and it was seen that +the contest was now between him and Mr. Mitchel. Bidding fifty dollars +at a time the price rose to nine hundred dollars, when Eggleston +remarked: + +"I bid nine-fifty," then turned to Mr. Mitchel and added, "This is a +family relic, sir, and I hope you will not raise me again." + +"This is an open sale, I believe," said Mr. Mitchel, bowing coldly. "I +offer a thousand dollars." + +"One thousand and fifty," added Eggleston, quickly. + +At this moment Mr. Barnes entered the room, accompanied by a short, +young man, and Mr. Mitchel's attention seemed attracted away from the +Bible. The auctioneer noticing this, called him by name, and asked if he +wished to bid again. + +"One moment, please," said Mr. Mitchel. "May I look again at the +volume?" + +It was passed to him, and he appeared to scrutinize it closely, started +slightly as though making a discovery, and handed it back, saying: + +"I have made a mistake. I supposed that this was a genuine Soncino, but +I find that it is only a reprint." Then he turned to Eggleston with a +curious smile, and said, "You may have the family relic. I shall not bid +against you." + +The auction over, the crowd dispersed, and when all strangers had +departed, Mr. Mitchel nodded meaningly to Mr. Barnes, and approached +young Eggleston, who was tying up the Bible in paper. Touching him upon +the arm, he said very quietly: + +"Mr. Eggleston, I must ask the officer here to arrest you!" + +Eggleston's hands quivered over the knot, and he seemed too agitated to +speak. The detective realizing that Mr. Mitchel had solved the problem, +quickly stepped closer to Eggleston. + +"What does this mean?" asked Mr. Van Rawlston. + +"Call Miss Hetheridge, and I will explain," said Mr. Mitchel. + +"No, no! Not before her!" cried Eggleston, breaking down completely. "I +confess! I loved Alice, and wished to make it impossible for her to +marry Lumley. The note is here! Here, in the Bible. I stole it, and hid +it there!" With nervous fingers he tore off the wrappings, and rapidly +turning the pages searched for the note. "Heavens! It is not here!" He +looked at Mr. Mitchel inquiringly. + +"No; it is not there. You paid too much for that Bible. Mr. Van +Rawlston, I prefer to have the lady called, if you please." + +Mr. Van Rawlston left the room, and Mr. Mitchel addressed Mr. Barnes. + +"By the way, Barnes, have you abandoned your theory?" + +"I suppose I must now, though I had not up to a moment ago. I found Mr. +Lumley, and accused him of the theft. He would offer no explanation, but +willingly agreed to return with me." + +"We seem to have arrived just in time," said Mr. Lumley, quietly. + +"In the very nick of time, as you shall hear," said Mr. Mitchel. "Ah, +here is Miss Hetheridge. Will you be seated, please, Miss Hetheridge." +He bowed courteously as the young woman sat down, and then proceeded. + +"I did not think that the bank-note had been removed from this room. +Why? Because I argued that the theft and the hiding must have +necessarily occupied but a moment; a chosen moment when the attention of +all three others was attracted away from the table where it lay. The one +chance was that Miss Hetheridge may have hidden it in the folds of her +gown. The men's pockets seemed too inaccessible. I agreed with Mr. +Barnes, that the lady would scarcely steal what was her own, though even +that was possible if she did not know that it was to be hers. For a +similar reason, I did not suspect Mr. Lumley, and thus by elimination +there was but one person left upon whom to fasten suspicion. I supposed +he would return here during the night to recover the bank-note, and I +remained in this room to watch for him." + +At this Miss Hetheridge made a movement of her lips as though about to +speak, but no words escaped, and she shrank back in her chair. + +"During the night," proceeded Mr. Mitchel, "Miss Hetheridge came into +this room, and hid something. After she had left the room, relocking the +door with a duplicate key, I found what she had hidden. It was a one +thousand-pound note." + +There was silence for a moment, then Miss Hetheridge cried out: + +"I can explain!" + +"That is why I sent for you," said Mr. Mitchel. + +"The note was my own," said the girl, speaking rapidly, "but after the +disappearance of the other, I was afraid to have it in my room lest it +be found, and seem to inculpate me. I only received it a few days before +my dear uncle died. He told me that his brother William had sent it as a +present to my mother upon her marriage, but as he had doubted the good +intentions of my father, he had kept the matter a secret. As both my +parents died, he had held the note in trust for me. He did not invest +it, because he thought that his own fortune would be an ample legacy to +leave me. A short time before he died, I passed my twenty-first +birthday, and he gave me the note. That is the whole truth." + +"To which I can testify," interjected Mr. Lumley. "And I may now add +that Miss Hetheridge had not only promised to be my wife, but she +offered me the use of her money to buy the partnership, which to Mr. +Barnes seemed such a suspicious act." + +"I have only to explain then," continued Mr. Mitchel, "how it was that I +decided that Miss Hetheridge was not the thief. This morning I found +heavy frost on the window-panes. Upon one, however, I noticed a +circular, transparent spot, where the pattern of the frosting had been +obliterated. Instantly I comprehended what had occurred. The thief, the +real thief, had come in the night, or rather in the morning, for I know +almost the hour. He stood upon the shed outside, and melted the frost by +breathing upon the pane, with his mouth close to the glass. Thus making +a peep-hole, he must have seen me asleep on the sofa, and so knew that +it would be useless for him to attempt an entrance. As the person who +did this trick stood upon the shed, I had but to measure the distance +from the shed to his peep-hole to be able to guess his height, which I +estimated to be more than six feet. Next, there was some very +interesting evidence in the frost on the tin roof. The marks made by the +man's feet, or his heels rather, for the frost was so light that only +the impressions of the nails in the heels would show. My own made +complete little horseshoe-shaped marks composed of dots. But those of my +predecessor were scarcely more than half a curve, which proved that he +walks on the side of his foot, thus slightly lifting the opposite side +from the ground, or roof, as it was in this instance. This much decided +me that Miss Hetheridge was not the thief, and I returned her bank-note +to the place where she had hidden it. Then I sat at the table where the +will was read, and studied the situation. The easiest way to hide the +note quickly seemed to be to slip it into the Bible which stood on the +table. Therefore I was not surprised when I found the bank-note which I +have here." + +He drew forth the bank-note from his pocket and handed it to Mr. Van +Rawlston, who asked: + +"But why, then, did you try to buy the Bible?" + +"I had no idea of doing so. You forget that I had not seen Mr. Lumley. +He, too, might have been six feet high, and he, too, might have had the +habit of walking on the side of his heel, as I quickly observed that Mr. +Eggleston does. With only one of the men before me I decided to run up +the price of the Bible, knowing that if he were guilty he would bid over +me. Mr. Eggleston followed my lead, and I was almost sure of his guilt, +when he made the remark that he was buying a family relic. It was a +possible truth, and I was obliged to go on bidding, to see how anxious +he was to possess the volume. Then, as I said awhile ago, Mr. Lumley +arrived in the nick of time. One glance at his short stature, and I was +ready to let the Bible go." + +"You said you could almost tell the hour at which this man peeped +through the window," said Mr. Barnes. + +"Ah, I see! You wish me to teach you tricks in your own trade, eh? Well, +frost forms on a window-pane when the thermometer is near or below +thirty-two. On the wall here I found a recording thermometer, which +discloses the fact that at three o'clock this morning the temperature +was as high as forty-five, while at four it was below thirty. Frost +began to form between those hours. At five it was so cold, twenty +degrees, that I awoke. Our man must have come between half-past four and +five. Had he come before then, his peep-hole would have been fully +covered again with frost, whereas it was but thinly iced over, the mere +freezing of the water of the melted frost, there being no design, or +pattern, as there was over every other part of the window-pane. So I may +offer you a new version of an old saw, and say that, 'Frost shows which +way a thief goes.'" + + + + + XII + + A SHADOW OF PROOF + + (_Letter from Mr. Barnes to Mr. Mitchel_) + + +"MY DEAR MR. MITCHEL:-- + +"I am leaving town in connection with a matter of considerable +importance, and am thus compelled to abandon a little mystery unsolved. +It is not a very serious case, yet it presents certain unique features +which I fancy would make it attractive to you. I therefore take the +liberty of relating to you the occurrence as it was told to me by the +person who sought my aid, as well as such steps as have been taken by me +towards its elucidation. I must confess, however, at the outset, that +though I have learned some things, the knowledge thus gained appears to +me to complicate the affair, rather than otherwise. + +"Two days ago a district messenger boy brought me a summons, on scented +paper. The writer was a woman, who explained that she wished to intrust +to me the investigation of 'a great mystery involving the honesty of one +or two of our society leaders.' I was urged to call without loss of +time, and was at the Madison Avenue mansion within an hour. + +"In response to my card, I was shown up to the lady's boudoir, where I +found Mrs. Upton eager to unfold her story, which evidently to her mind +was of paramount consequence. I accepted an invitation to be seated, and +she began at once, assuming a low tone, which was almost a whisper, as +though she imagined that when talking with a detective the utmost +stealth and secrecy were essential. + +"'Mr. Barnes' she began, 'this affair is simply awful. I have been +robbed, and the thief is a woman of my own social status. I am horrified +to discover that one of my set could stoop so low as to steal. And then +the thing itself was such a trifle. A diamond stud, worth two hundred +dollars at the outside valuation. What do you think of it?' + +"Observe that she had told me little enough before asking for an +opinion. She seemed to be a woman of mediocre mental grasp, though +perhaps as bright as most of the butterflies that flit about the +fashionable ballrooms. I decided to treat her as though she were really +very shrewd, and by a little flattery I hoped perhaps to learn more than +she might otherwise be willing to confide to a detective, a class of +beings whom she too evidently looked upon as necessary evils. I answered +her in about these words: + +"'Why, Mrs. Upton' said I,'if you really know the thief, and if, as you +say, she is a society woman and rich, it would seem to be possibly a +case of kleptomania.' + +"'Kleptomania?' she exclaimed. 'Kleptomania? Rubbish! That is the +excuse all rich women give for what I call plain stealing. But your idea +is not new to me. I believe in being perfectly just in these matters. I +would not harm a flea, unless he had bitten me; but when he does bite +me, I kill him. There are no half-way measures that will suit me. No, +Mr. Barnes, there is to be no compromise in this case. I will not +condone theft, even if the thief be respectable and rich. And as for +kleptomania, as I've said before, I've looked that up. I find it is a +sort of insanity. Now there is no insanity in this case. Quite the +contrary, I assure you.' + +"'You are very keen in your perceptions, Mrs. Upton,' I ventured. 'If we +set aside the kleptomania idea, why, then, do you imagine a rich woman +would steal a thing of such little value?' + +"'Spite!' she snapped back without a moment's hesitation. 'Spite, Mr. +Barnes. Let that be your cue. But I must tell you just how this +happened. You see, I hold a somewhat influential position in the society +of "The Daughters of the Revolution," and because I do have some +influence, I am constantly bothered by people who could not become +members rightfully, if their titles were closely scrutinized; so they +undertake to gain their end through me. They grow suddenly attentive, +effusive, gushing. I am their "dearest friend," they think me "so +charming," "so beautiful," "so delightfully cosmopolitan and yet so +exclusive." To hear them talk you would be persuaded that I belong to +both Belgravia and Bohemia in the same moment. But I usually see +through their wiles, and long before they broach the subject I say to +myself, "My dear madame, you want one of our society badges to pin on +your breast; that is what _you_ are after." Then at last comes the note +asking for a "confidential interview," and when I grant it a lot of +documents are shown to me which are meant to uphold the candidate's +claim to membership. But there is always the little flaw, the bar +sinister as it were, which they hope to override through influence; +through my influence, which I may state, they never get.' + +"'Ah, then, this lady, whom you suspect of taking your stud, had hoped +to join your society?' + +"'I cannot answer that with a single word. I cannot say either yes or +no. You see, there are two women.' + +"'Oh, I thought you knew the thief?' + +"'So I do. I know it is one of two women. If I knew exactly which, of +course I should not need your help. But you have interrupted my story. +Where was I?' + +"She evidently thought me an ass. + +"'Oh, yes,' she resumed. 'I was telling you how people bother me to get +into our society. Well, a woman of that kind has been fairly running +after me all winter. She is a Mrs. Merivale. She was born an Ogden, and +some of the Ogden branch are fully entitled to membership. But, +unfortunately for her, she traces back to the brother of the +Revolutionary Ogden, and _her_ ancestor, far from fighting for our +independence, is said to have made quite a tidy fortune by observing a +shrewd neutrality; sometimes crying for England and sometimes the +reverse, according to the company present. Of course, that is not Mrs. +Merivale's fault; it all happened too long ago for her to have had any +influence. But, you see, she is not in the direct line, and we only +recognize the direct line. Heavens! if we did not, who knows where we +would end? No, collateral branches are out of it, so far as our society +is concerned, and I told her so plainly this morning. Of course, you can +see how she might be spiteful about it. It was a great disappointment to +her.' + +"'Then you think this Mrs. Merivale took your stud just to annoy you?' + +"'Dear me; how stupid you are! Did I not tell you there were two women? +The other is Mrs. Ogden Beaumont. You see she clings to the family name. +She also was an Ogden, and in the line. She is a member, and she had +considerable influence in our society at one time. But she lost it by +just such schemes as she is trying to persuade me into. She manoeuvred +till she had two or three of her friends elected, who have even less +claim than her cousin, Mrs. Merivale. Finally, it got so that if she +were to propose a name, the Membership Committee would be suspicious at +once. Now she wants Mrs. Merivale elected, and according to her little +plan I was to be the cat's paw. The scheming of those two women to get +into my good graces has been a source of amusement to me all winter, +and the climax came this morning, when I told them both very frankly +that I had seen through them from the start. Mrs. Merivale was horribly +disappointed, but she behaved like a lady. I must admit that, though she +said some bitter things, things she will be sorry for, I assure you. But +Mrs. Beaumont just lost all control of her temper. She stormed and +raged, and said vile things, all of which had as little effect on me as +a pea-shooter would against the rock of Gibraltar. So the two women went +off, and in less than five minutes I discovered that my diamond stud had +gone with them.' + +"'Gone with them? Of that you are sure?' + +"'Of course I am sure. Do you suppose I would make such a charge without +knowing that I am in the right? Come with me, and I will convince you.' + +"She led the way into a little anteroom next to her boudoir. It was not +more than eight feet square, and not crowded with furniture. The floor +of hardwood, covered by one large silk rug, afforded little opportunity +to lose anything by dropping it. There were four chairs, a small +reading-lounge, a revolving case filled with novels, a handsome +piano-lamp, and a little tea-table with all requisites for making tea. + +"'This is my little den where I retire when I am wearied by people and +things,' continued Mrs. Upton. 'Here I am surrounded by my friends, the +people that our best writers have created. I love my books, and I get as +fond of the characters as though they were all living; more, I think, +because I do not come into actual contact with them. I can admire the +nice people, and the mean ones may be as mean as they like without +affecting me. Well, I was lying here reading when these women were +announced, and as I was too comfortable to get up and dress, I thought I +would have them up and excuse my toilet on the plea of indisposition. +"Indisposed" is always a useful word; indisposed to be bothered by the +visitors, you know,--the nicest of all the white lies. So they came up +here and sat around my lounge and began to bring their all-winter's +scheme to a climax. After awhile, when I saw that the time had arrived +to disillusionize these women, I dismissed my headache and got up to +have a frank talk with them. As I arose my diamond stud dropped from the +collar of my waist which I had opened, and I picked it up and placed it +on that little tea-table. Then we had our little scene. It was as good +as a play. I kept my temper, as a hostess always must, but my guests +were not so self-possessed, and, as I have said, Mrs. Merivale said a +few things, and Mrs. Beaumont a great many more, that would not sound +pretty coming out of a phonograph. Then they left, and I walked to my +window and saw them jump into their carriage, Mrs. Beaumont slamming the +door herself with a bang that must have weakened the hinges. That is +all, except that I immediately remembered my stud and came here for it. +It was gone.' + +"'I suppose, of course, you have searched this room, under the +possibility of its having dropped to the floor?' I inquired. + +"'Yes, indeed,' she answered. 'I had my own maid up, and superintended +the search myself. But I took the precaution to see that nothing should +be removed from the room. I had the door closed, and then we took up the +rug carefully and shook it. Nothing fell from it, and the stud was not +on the floor or elsewhere. You can see yourself that it cannot be a +difficult matter to search this little room thoroughly. It has been done +without success, but if you like you may search again. I assure you that +nothing has been taken from the room. If one of those two women has not +taken that stud, you may count me an idiot.' + +"'You have admitted that your maid was in this room, and that brings +another possibility into the case,' I said. + +"'You mean that Janet might have taken it? Not at all a possibility. In +the first place she is devoted to me, as my people adopted her when she +was but a child, and she has been personally in my service for more than +ten years. No, Janet would not do such a thing, but even if she would, +she could not have done so. I took precautions.' + +"'What precautions?' I asked. + +"'Why, she would need one hand to pick it up, and I not only kept both +of her hands occupied, but I did not permit her to stoop to the floor.' + +"'How could you keep her hands always occupied?' said I. + +"'Why, most of the time she was handling the broom, and that requires +two hands. It was only when she shook the rug and moved the sofa that +her hands were otherwise occupied. I myself did the searching, and I am +absolutely certain that Janet had not the least opportunity to pick up +so much as a pin.' + +"'And you think that one of your friends would do what you would not +attribute to your maid?' + +"'Assuredly. In the first place these women are not friends of mine; +after to-day, I should rather say enemies. Moreover, I would trust Janet +as I would few of my real friends. You see I have not tested all my +friends, and I have tested Janet. She has had temptation enough and +opportunity enough to rob me a thousand times over, were she so +disposed. No, I tell you one of those two women has that diamond stud.' + +"'Would you mind saying which one you are the more inclined to suspect?' +I asked. + +"'Why, that is a hard question. Sometimes I think one, and then again +the other. Mrs. Beaumont showed so much venom that I can see more reason +to suspect her if I decide from motive alone. It is really her scheme to +get her cousin into the society. It is she who feels most thwarted, +because of her lost influence. On the other hand, I cannot remember +seeing her within reach of the tea-table, while Mrs. Merivale was near +it all the time. So Mrs. Merivale had the opportunity, while the +incentive through temper was with Mrs. Beaumont.' + +"This was the little problem which I was asked to solve, and I think +that you will comprehend my meaning when I say that it was intricate +because of its very simplicity. Let me enumerate the facts so as to get +a sort of bird's-eye view of the situation. + +"First, we have two women present when the missing property is placed on +a table accessible to at least one, and possibly to both. Second, a +small room, with floor devoid of cracks, and covered by a rug easily +moved and shaken. Third, only a few pieces of simple furniture in the +room. Fourth, the visitors depart, and the property is missed. Fifth, a +search without discovery, a third possible thief entering upon the +scene. + +"We have apparently but four solutions; either one of the three women +took the stud, or else the alleged loser lies. I omit the possibility +that the stud was merely mislaid or accidentally out of sight in the +room; this, because I personally conducted a search, which was so +systematic as to make it absolutely assured that the stud was not in the +room when I looked for it. + +"Of the four theories, then, I preferred first to consider that one +which the mistress declared to be ridiculous. I insisted upon seeing and +catechising the maid Janet, thereby deepening madame's doubts as to my +ability. After talking with this girl for half an hour, I felt so +convinced of her integrity that I mentally eliminated her from the case. +Next in order we had the two visitors, one of whom, according to Mrs. +Upton, had a motive while the other had the opportunity. The first +postulate always is that the guilty person must have both opportunity +and motive, unless indeed we are dealing with an insane person, when +motive may be eliminated, though frequently the insane are actuated by +quite intelligible motives. Thus we seemed obliged either to discover +that Mrs. Beaumont had an opportunity to obtain possession of the stud, +or else that Mrs. Merivale had a motive, except that the latter may have +simply acted upon the opportunity without motive, in which case we would +be dealing with the kleptomaniac. After due consideration I decided to +call separately upon these two ladies, and went to Mrs. Merivale first. + +"She courteously received me, and as soon as I met her I was pleasantly +impressed by her personality. After five minutes' talk I was certain +that if she took the stud, it was, after all, the act of a kleptomaniac, +and that no petty motive of revenge would have tempted this high-born, +beautiful gentlewoman to descend to theft. She asked me the object of my +call, and looked at me so frankly that there was no chance for +subterfuge. Consequently I openly declared the purpose of my visit. + +"'Madame,' said I, 'I regret very much the embarrassing nature of my +errand. But you visited Mrs. Upton this morning, I believe?' + +"'I did, in company with my cousin, Mrs. Beaumont.' + +"'Did you happen to notice that while you were there she placed a +diamond stud on the tea-table?' + +"'Yes; I remember the circumstance perfectly, because of the impression +which it made upon me.' + +"'Would you mind telling me what that impression was?' + +"'Why, simply that it was very discourteous, or at least very untidy. +When we were shown to her room, she was lying down, with the collar of +her waist open. After a while she arose, the stud dropped to the floor, +and she picked it up and placed it on the little tea-table. I thought +that it would have shown a greater sense of propriety if she had +replaced it and fastened her collar.' + +"'Do you recall whether the stud was still on the table when you left?' + +"'Why, no! How should I? I paid no further attention to it whatever.' +Then as a new idea entered her mind, her eyes flashed, and the color +rose in her cheeks as she said to me sharply: + +"'You cannot mean that Mrs. Upton dares to intimate----' + +"'She intimated nothing,' I hastened to interject. 'Immediately after +your departure the stud was missed, and the most thorough search has +failed to discover it. In these circumstances Mrs. Upton sought my aid, +and I drew from her the details of her morning's experiences.' + +"'I imagine you had little difficulty in drawing forth the details.' She +said this with a sneer, which made me understand how this woman could +say unpleasant things without forgetting her dignity. + +"'I assure you,' I hastened to add, 'Mrs. Upton knows nothing of my +visit here. I have on my own responsibility called with the idea that if +I could obtain an account of your visit from yourself, there might be +some slight difference in the two stories which would show me how to +proceed.' + +"'I know no more than I have told you, and as I am far from being +interested in Mrs. Upton's lost baubles, I must beg you to excuse me +from further discussion of the subject.' + +"I was dismissed. It was courteously done, but done nevertheless. I +could do nothing but take leave. Still I made one venture,-- + +"'I must ask your pardon for intruding, but, as I have said, I thought +you might be able to supply a missing detail. For example, do you recall +whether Mrs. Upton's maid entered the room while you were there?' + +"'I am sorry, Mr. Barnes,' said she in courteous but firm tones, 'but I +must decline to pursue this conversation further.' + +"That was all. I had seen one of the suspected persons, and learned +nothing. Still an interview of this character is bound to leave an +impression, and in this case the impression was very strongly in favor +of Mrs. Merivale. Without irrefutable proof I could not believe that +this dignified, frank woman had stolen the stud. For the time at least I +also dismissed all theories of kleptomania. + +"Thus my attention was directed toward the woman who had a motive, but +was reported to have lacked the opportunity. I called at once upon Mrs. +Beaumont. + +"This lady is of quite a different mould from her cousin. Older by at +least ten years, she is still handsome, her beauty being, however, +physical in character only. She lacks the self-poise and dignity which +renders Mrs. Merivale's beauty so much more attractive. Moreover, she is +voluble, where the other is reserved, a trait which I welcomed as +affording me more opportunity to gain some possible clue to truth. + +"She came into her reception-room where I awaited her, evidently brimful +of curiosity. I had sent in my card, and it seems she had heard of me in +connection with that somewhat famous wager of yours. + +"'Mr. Barnes, the detective, I believe,' she said as she entered. + +"'At your service, Madame,' I replied. 'May I have a few minutes' +conversation with you upon a trifling, yet quite puzzling matter?' + +"'Why, certainly,' said she, 'but don't keep me in suspense. I am +burning with curiosity to know why a detective should call on me.' + +"I thought that this woman might be caught by a sudden attack, and made +the venture. + +"'A diamond stud was stolen from Mrs. Upton this morning, while you were +there!' I said, watching her closely. She did not flinch, but seemed +honestly not to comprehend the suggestiveness of my words. + +"'I do not understand you,' said she. + +"'It is not a serious matter, Madame, but Mrs. Upton placed a diamond +stud on her tea-table while you and Mrs. Merivale were with her, and +missed it a moment after you had left. Therefore----' + +"This was plain enough, and she grasped the truth at a flash. In an +instant she gave me evidence of that temper against which I had been +warned by Mrs. Upton. + +"'You dare to insinuate that I took her miserable little stud? I wish +my husband were at home; I would have you horsewhipped. No, I wouldn't +either. It is not you who suspect me, it is that self-sufficient +she-devil, Mrs. Upton. So she accuses me of being a thief, does she? +Well, mark me well, Mr. Detective, I shall make her pay dearly for +that insult. I have stood enough of that woman's impertinent +superciliousness. This is going too far. If she has a shadow of proof +against me, she can meet me in open court. Do you understand me? Go back +and tell Mrs. Upton, with my compliments, that she must either prove +that I stole her stud, or else I will sue her for libel. I'll let her +see with whom she is fooling.' + +"'Really, Mrs. Beaumont,' said I as soon as I found a chance to speak, +'you have rather gotten ahead of my intentions. I assure you that no +accusation has been made against you.' + +"'Indeed!' said she, scornfully uplifting her nose. 'And pray, then, why +have you called? Certainly Mrs. Upton cannot imagine that I would be +interested in the petty thieving that goes on in her house.' + +"'The point is just this, Madame,' said I. 'The stud was placed on a +tea-table while you were present. Mrs. Merivale has told me that she +remembers this distinctly. When you had left, the stud was missed, and +the most thorough search has been made, not once but twice, without +finding it. Indeed, there is no place in the room where it could have +been lost. According to the story of Mrs. Upton, the affair, trifling as +it is, is a really puzzling problem. But I ventured to hope that either +Mrs. Merivale or yourself might remember some incident which might give +me a clue; such, for example, as the entrance of one of the house +servants.' + +"'That is nothing but a smooth story invented by yourself,' said she, +'in order to pacify my righteous indignation. But you cannot deceive me. +Mrs. Upton has told you that I stole her stud, and you have come here to +endeavor to prove it.' + +"'In justice to Mrs. Upton,' said I, 'I must state, on the contrary, +that she very distinctly told me that you could have had no opportunity +to take the stud, as you were not at any time near enough to the +tea-table to touch it.' + +"'If she told you that, it shows how little observation she has. I don't +at all object to admitting that I had the thing in my hand.' + +"'You had it in your hand!' I exclaimed, surprised. + +"'Yes. It happened in this way, Mrs. Upton received us with her collar +unbuttoned, in the most slovenly fashion. After a while she got up from +the lounge, where she was feigning a headache because too lazy to +arrange her toilet before receiving guests. It was then that the stud +fell to the floor. She picked it up and placed it on the table. When we +were leaving she led the way out of the room, Mrs. Merivale following, +and I leaving the room last. As I passed, I thoughtlessly picked up the +stud and looked at it. I then put it back. I have a vague idea that it +rolled off and fell to the floor, but I can't be sure.' + +"'That is singular,' said I; 'for if it fell to the floor it should have +been found.' + +"'Undoubtedly. Very likely it has been found; I should say, by one of +the servants. You will never induce me to believe that Mrs. Upton took +the trouble to search for that stud without help. She is too lazy by +far.' + +"I thought it best to keep discreetly silent, preferring not to mention +the fact that the maid had been in the room. It being evident to my mind +that this woman would adhere to this story, true or false, I deemed it +prudent to at least appear to believe her. + +"'I am much indebted to you, Madame,' said I. 'You see that, after all, +my visit has led me to the truth, for we know that the stud probably +fell to the floor, and is therefore either still in the room, or else, +as you suggest, one of the servants may have picked it up.' + +"'All that is very well, Mr. Barnes,' said she; 'and you are very clever +in shielding Mrs. Upton. But, as I said before, you do not deceive me. +This matter is more serious than you imagine. That woman has worked +systematically for two years to supplant me in our society, "The +Daughters of the Revolution." Just now she fancies that she has +triumphed over me; but in spite of that, she is jealous of my influence +with the members, and would go to any extreme to injure me socially. She +well knows that I did not take her stud, but she is quite willing to +allow this suspicion to drift out to the world, knowing that it would be +difficult to prove my innocence of a charge so vaguely circulated, and +that there might be some who would turn aside from me because of this +shadow. Now this I shall not permit. If she does not prove her charge, I +shall certainly sue her for libel, and have the whole matter cleared up +in the open tribunal of the law. You may tell her this from me. There +shall be no half-way measures. One thing more before you go. I must call +my maid.' + +"She rang a bell, and a moment later her maid responded, and at her +mistress's orders went upstairs and brought down a jewel-case of large +size. This, Mrs. Beaumont opened, and taking out the contents strewed +them on the table. + +"'There, do you see these?' said she with pride in her voice. 'These are +my jewels. Mrs. Upton perhaps is richer than I am, but I defy her to +show such jewelry as I have. Some of these things are two hundred years +old. Here is a necklace which one of my ancestors wore at the first +inauguration of Washington. Here is another which my grandmother wore at +the coronation of Queen Victoria. Here is an emerald ring, presented to +my own mother by Napoleon. And you see what the others are. Nearly all +have some history which adds to their intrinsic value. And with these in +my possession, to think that that woman would accuse me of stealing a +common little diamond stud! It makes my blood boil. But I have told you +what course I shall pursue, and you may warn Mrs. Upton.' + +"This ended the interview. I had gained some information at least, for I +had learned that Mrs. Beaumont did have the opportunity to take the +stud, but, on the other hand, the motive for such an act seemed less +tenable. She certainly would not take it for its value, and in view of +her own magnificent array of jewels, she would be less likely to imagine +that she was giving Mrs. Upton any great annoyance by the petty theft. +Then, too, her assertion that Mrs. Upton is systematically seeking to +undermine her influence in their society connections, affords a possible +reason for our last theory, that Mrs. Upton lied in declaring that the +stud had been stolen. Thus the matter rests, as I have had no +opportunity to have another interview with Mrs. Upton. If you call on +her, I am sure that you will be well received because of the fact that +she knows all about your outwitting me in that wager matter. Trusting +that you may care to give this little affair some of your time and +attention, and with the belief that you will certainly unravel the +tangle if you do, I am + + "Very sincerely yours, + "JACK BARNES." + + + (_Letter from Mr. Mitchel to Mr. Barnes_) + +"MY DEAR BARNES:-- + +"I read your letter with considerable interest. As you very truly say, +the case was intricate because of its simplicity. As you had followed up +three theories with apparently the result that you were at least +tentatively satisfied that neither held the key to the mystery, it +seemed proper to take up the affair where you had left it, and to +endeavor to learn whether or not Mrs. Upton had lied to you, and still +had the stud in her own possession. For this and other reasons I decided +to adopt your suggestion and call upon Mrs. Upton. I did so, and, as you +surmised, was cordially received. She met me first in her parlor, and I +at once stated to her the object of my visit. + +"'Mrs. Upton,' said I, 'you are perhaps aware that I have a friendly +regard for Mr. Barnes, the detective, ever since the affair of my little +wager. I have received a letter from him this morning in which he states +that an important criminal case compels him suddenly to leave the city; +he has also given me a succinct statement of the few facts in relation +to the loss of your stud, and has asked me to interest myself in the +solution of this little mystery." + +"'And you mean to do it?' she exclaimed, impulsively. 'Why, how +delightful! Of course you will find out all about it. To think that you, +Mr. Mitchel, the man who outwitted Mr. Barnes, will take up my case! I +am honored, I assure you.' + +"I give you her exact words, though her flattery was somewhat +embarrassing. In the course of the conversation she referred to you in +terms which I repeat, though I do not at all share her poor estimate of +your ability. + +"'Of course,' said I, 'I am not a detective, yet I do take a trifling +interest in these little problems, I find it mentally exhilarating to +measure minds, as it were, with these wrong-doers. Thus far I have +generally been successful, which, however, only proves my claim that +those who stoop to crime are not really ever sound mentally, and +consequently, either from too little or from too much care, some slight +detail is overlooked, which, once comprehended by the investigator, +leads unerringly to the criminal.' + +"'Ah, how delightfully you talk!' said she. 'I am so glad you have taken +this up, for, do you know, I rather thought Mr. Barnes a little dull, +not to say stupid. Why, he actually suggested that my maid took the +stud!' + +"Here, I thought, was an opportune moment to follow the method which you +employed with Mrs. Beaumont, and by a sudden, unexpected accusation, to +endeavor to surprise the truth from her. I said: + +"'Oh, Mr. Barnes has given up that idea now, and has almost adopted one +even more startling. He thinks that perhaps you took the stud yourself." + +"I had expected from your estimate of this woman's character, which you +recall was not very flattering to her mental calibre, that if indeed it +were true that she had concocted this little scheme to injure a society +rival, thus taken unawares she would feign great indignation. On the +contrary, she laughed so heartily, and spoke of your theory so lightly +that I was practically convinced that again we were on the wrong scent. +All she said by way of comment was: + +"'Well, if that is the result of his investigation, he is a bigger fool +than I took him to be. It is certain, therefore, that he will never +discover the truth, and so I am doubly glad that he has gone out of +town, and that you have consented to take his place.' + +"'You must not so quickly condemn Mr. Barnes,' said I, feeling bound to +defend you. 'He has really worked in this matter quite systematically, +and this final theory has been reached by exclusion.' + +"'I do not understand,' said she, puzzled. + +"'Well, first he accepted your assurance that the maid Janet was not +guilty because she had no opportunity. Then he called upon Mrs. +Merivale, and from his interview with her judged that she too must be +innocent, a view in which I must concur after reading his report of what +passed. Then he called upon Mrs. Beaumont, and though she admitted, what +you did not yourself observe, that she actually took the stud in her +hand when leaving the room, yet it seems equally certain that she +replaced it, as she says she did. Thus, if the stud is really not in the +room, there apparently could be no other explanation than that you are +misleading us.' + +"'Us? Does that mean that you too held the view that I merely pretend +that the stud was lost?' + +"'My dear Madame,' I replied: 'such an idea, of course, seems +preposterous, but a detective cannot set aside any theory without +thorough investigation. In an analysis of this character the personal +equation must have a secondary place. In this affair it could not help +us at all. Perhaps you will not understand my meaning. But do you not +see that it is just as inconceivable that either of the other ladies +should have stolen this stud of yours, as it is to believe that you +merely pretend that it is lost? From the view-point of the impartial +investigator there can be no choice between these propositions.' + +"'I must say that you are not very flattering,' said she, troubled, as +she realized that social position could not protect her from suspicion +any more than it would the other women. 'Why, I have my enmities, of +course, and I frankly admit that I do not love either Mrs. Merivale or +Mrs. Beaumont, especially not the latter. Still, to concoct such a +scandalous calumny against an innocent woman would be awful. I could not +be so low as that.' + +"'I believe you,' said I, and I did. 'But, on the other hand, would it +not be equally low for these ladies, your social equals, to stoop to +petty theft?' + +"'I suppose you are right,' said she reluctantly; 'but how did the stud +disappear? Don't you see that I had strong evidence against one of them? +It was there when they were in the room, and gone when they had left. +There must be some explanation of that. What can it be?' + +"'Of course,' said I, 'there must be, and there is, an explanation. The +most plausible seems to be the one suggested by Mrs. Beaumont, that it +rolled from the table to the floor when she put it back. It seems +incredible that two searches have failed to discover it, yet it is a +small object, and may be lying now in some crevice which you all have +over-looked.' + +"'I think not,' said she, shaking her head dubiously. 'Suppose you come +up and see for yourself. You won't find any crevices. Why, we have even +run wires along the line where the seat and back of the lounge are +joined. No, the stud is not in that room.' + +"And now, friend Barnes, we come to the finale, for I may as well tell +you at once that I have found the stud,--that, indeed, as soon as I +looked into the room, I suspected that it was within those four walls, +in a place where no one had thought of looking, though, to mystify you a +little more, I may say that it may not have been in the room when you +made your search. + +"I inclose with this a sciagraph, that is to say, a picture taken with +the X-ray. You will observe that the skeleton of a small animal is +discernible surrounded by a faint outline which suggests the form of a +dog. If you understand something of anatomy, look where the stomach of +the dog should be, and you will notice a dark spot. This is the shadow +of the missing stud, which, as Mrs. Beaumont suggested, must have +dropped to the floor. There it evidently attracted the attention of Mrs. +Upton's pet dog, Fidele, who took it into his mouth, with the result +shown in the sciagraph. You will ask how I guessed this at once? In the +first place I had perfect confidence in the thoroughness of your search, +so when I saw the dog in the room, lying on a silk pillow, two pertinent +facts were prominent at once. First, the dog may not have been in the +room when you examined the place, and consequently you could not have +counted him in as a possible place of search. Secondly, he might easily +have been present when the two ladies called, and this was probable +since his mistress was lying down and the dog's sleeping-pillow was near +the head of the lounge. If you noted this, you may not have comprehended +its use; perhaps you took it for one which had slipped from the lounge. +At all events, I do not consider that you have been at all at fault. I +had better luck than you, that is all. + + "Very sincerely yours, + "ROBERT LEROY MITCHEL. + +"P. S.--I do not myself believe in luck. I must also state that Mrs. +Upton has sent letters of apology to the other ladies. The dog, Fidele, +is to undergo an operation to-morrow. One of our most skilful surgeons +has agreed to regain the stud and preserve the life of the pet. A +laparotomy, I believe they, call it.--R. L. M." + + THE END. + + + + + Transcriber's Note: + +On the first page of advertisements, the "^o" represents a +superscripted "o". 16^o is for an abbreviation for sextodecimo, +which refers to the book size (6.75" x 4"). + +Throughout the document, the oe ligature was replaced with "oe". + +Throughout the dialogues, there were words used to mimic accents of the +speakers. Those words were retained as-is. + +Passages in italics were indicated by _underscores_. + +Passages in bold were indicated by =equal signs=. + +Small caps were replaced with ALL CAPS. + +On the title page, a comma was placed after "A CONFLICT OF EVIDENCE". + +On page 95, "but, as. well," was replaced with "but, as well,". + +On page 122, the question mark after "It was +not difficult to discern that a human being had been +cremated" was replaced with a period. + +On page 160, "moment" was replaced with "moments". + +On page 177, "dimunitive" was replaced with "diminutive". + +On page 178, "momnt" was replaced with "moment". + +On page 187, "attacted" was replaced with "attracted". + +On page 191, "in _Herald_ for D.M.," was replaced with "in the _Herald_ +for D.M.,". + +On page 226, a single quotation mark was added after "Why have you done +it?". + +On page 230, "stiring" was replaced with "stirring". + +On page 257, "Livingston" was replaced with "Livingstone". + +On page 274, a single quotation mark was added before "Madame, your life +is in danger." + +On page 319, a double quotation mark was deleted after "remaining of the +thirty.'". + +On page 327, a double quotation mark was added after "I said +'suppose,'". + +On page 329, a quotation mark was added after "will be more +appreciative". + +On page 368, the double quotation mark after "yes," was replaced with a +single quotation mark. + +On page 384, the double quotation mark after "this little +mystery." was replaced with a single quotation mark. + +On page 386, the double quotation mark after "you took the stud +yourself." was replaced with a single quotation mark. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Final Proof, by R. 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