LARGEST CIRCULATION OF ANY LIBRARY PUBLISHED.

The Best 5 Cont a es of te Stories.

Entered 0 Accrding to Act of Congress, in the Year 1892, by Street & Smith, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D.C
Entered as Second-class Matier at the New York, N. Y., Post Office, August 8, 1891. Issued Weekly. Subseription Price, $2.50 per Year. May 28, 1892.

No. 43, STREET & SMITH, Publishers, NEW YORK, 81 Rose St., P. O. Box 2784. 5 Cents.

Te an El

DY tH Apso OS ee es CARTER.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

me a

= AT NTF

 

 

THERE ON THE FLOOR LAY THE BODY OF THE DEAD WOMAN, AND CLOSE TO HER RIGHT HAND WERE RANGED A
NUMBER OF BLOODY CENTS, FORMING THE LETTERS A AND I.

 
 
 
 
 

= NICK CA RIER ‘LIBRARY,

 

No. 48.

 

 

The Letters on the Floor:

NICK CARTERS cua DECIPHER,

BY THE AUTHOR OF 2GNICK CARTER.’

 

CHAPTER I.
A HORRIBLE CRIME,

“Thieves! Murder! Help!”

It was a startling cry that rang out upon the early Sun-
day morning air.

It came from the door-way of a small house situated in
the heart of Millburn, N. J., a thriving village within
walking distance of the great manufacturing city of
Newark.

The cry was uttered by an aged man, who ran out into
the street hatless, and with a wild look of terror upon his
face.

He was -a night watchman at a hat factory, not far dis-
tant, and had returned to his home but a few minutes
before.

He had entered the kitchen expecting to find his good
old wife and warm breakfast awaiting him.

All was dark and silent. There was no fire in the stove,
the lamp remained unlit, and the shutters in the front of
the house, which did duty as a store, were still up.

A terrible, unnamed dread forced itself,upon him.

“Eliza! Eliza!” ne-called:

There was no answer, and he opened the door leading to
the store.

It was so dark he could see nothing.

Then he ran up stairs into the bed-room.

Here all was confusion. His wife’s writing desk, in
which the couple kept their small savings, was broken
open, and lecters and papers were strewn in all directions.

The old man was fairly dazed at the sight.

He tottered down the stairs and out of the house, crying
at the top of his voice.

In front of the place he met his employer, out for a Sun-
day morning walk.

“Hullo, Joe, what’s the matter?”

‘“My house has been robbed, and I can’t find my wife!”
cried the old man.

His employer was startled at this, and the two entered
the cottage, and went up stairs.

“Robbery, beyond a doubt,” said the hat manufacturer.
“But where is your wife?”

‘“Alas, alas! I don’t know!”
“Wiigza!l HKlza!’ he called.

But as before all was silent.

“T?ll go and tell the constable,” said the gentleman, and
he hurried off. and did so.

The three went through all the rooms, but could find no
solution or clew to the mystery.

“Was your wife in the habit of going away ?”” ‘asked the
constable.

“Very, very seldom,” was the reply,
ways told me beforehand.”

““Have you looked in the store?”

“T looked in the back door, but the shutters are up and
all is dark.”

“We will go below.”

The old man led the way, and, opening the door a the
store, took a step into the piace.

wailed the old man.

‘fand then she al-

He stumbled over something, and gave a fearful shriek |

of horror.

There on the floor, with her head within a foot of the
door, lay the body of his wife ia a pool of blood.

It was quite cold, and had an old red shawl twisted
tightly around her head. Close at hand lay a large table
knive, covered with blood, and blood was also smeared
over the little counter and the door leading to the kitchen.

 

 

 

 

“Murdered !
sank back, completely prostrated by the awful discovery.

He was led away, and for many days was in a state of

mind bordering upon insanity.

The murdered woman had been most fearfully used.
There were a dozen or more stab wounds in her breast,
and a deep gash in the left side of her neck, running three
inches back from the throat.

The authorities were summoned, and a sear ching i in-
vestigation was at once begun.

The house is a two-story affair, having its gable end
pointed to the street. There is a single door to the store
on the ground floor, and beside it a small ny window,
used to display candy, stationery, books, and cheap jew-
elry. Inside, the store is cluttred up with stuffed birds and
animals, specimens of the old man’s work, and also a
number of watches, clocks, musical boxes, and_ the like,
the old man taking all such things in to repair during his
idle hours.

The rear room, of the same size as the store, contains a
lounge, a Sewing-machine, a table, two chairs, and a
stove. From this apartment a stair-way leads to the upper
floor, whichis divided into three bed-rooms.

From the fact that the house up stairs was free from
blood spots it was decided that the murder had been com-
mitted after the thief had ransacked the bed-rooms.
Every closet and bureau drawer had been opened and ex-
amined, and from top to bottom all was topsy tur vy. On
the table in the kitchen stood a pail of water, and in this
the murderer had washed his hands, dr ying them upon
the table cloth,

The murdered woman had been slightly crippled by
rheumatism, but this had not prevented her from tending
to the little store regularly. She was in the habit of clos-

,ing early, but on the night of the foul deed, kept open till

some time aiter ten o'clock.

The supposition was that some time after closing up and
getting ready to retire the woman had heard a noise in
the store, and gone below to see what was the matter.

Here tke thief had seized her in the dark and butchered
her with one of the table knives, caught up out in the
kitchen, before she could utter any outcry. She fell upon
her back, and then the blade was thrust into her breast
again and again, to make sure of the work.

No sound was heard by the neighbors, and people pass-
ing the house as late as one o’clock saw nothing unusual
about the place.

A curicus thing In connection with the murder was the
position of a number of bloody cents found upon the store
floor.

They lay close to the woman’s right hand, and were
ranged as follows, forming the letters A and L.

O
O

O
00000

[QOS
©

O

How much money the thief had secured could not be as-
certained. The old man stated that his wife was in the
habit of paying all bills and taking care of their savings,

and he could give no idea of the amount, excepting that it

was the hoardings of twenty odd years.

From the fact of finding the cents on the floor in such a
peculiar position, and also that the thief must have known
something of the interior of the house and the habits of
the old couple, suspicion fell upon a certain Be
whose initials were A. L.

This man had for a while been employed as engineer in
the same hat factory as the old man. But he was a worth-
less character, and two months previous had been dis-
charged for drunkenness. He knew the old couple well,

and was in the habit of coming to the store.

Upon inquiry concerning this man, it was learned that
he was wanted for the theft of a watch in Orange, and since
that time had kept out of the way of the police. He was
desirous of returning to Europe, and was trying to raise
money for that purpose.

But the local detectives were on their metal, and early
Tuesday morning the German was caught ina saloon 1 in
Newark.

Murdered!” moaned the old man, and he

 

ee a

———

ie

       
 

 

a a

= =

  

   

 

2 me TERRE Sees
 

+

ie pe Cory

 

ee

—_——

ne

 

 

 
  
 
  
     
        
    
 

story:

-pale and trembled. He explained that he had gotten into

~bind him with a chain of circumstantial evidence that

and back?” he asked.

to the depot.”

- procured an excursion ticket for Millburn, and got onto

No. ar NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

Co

 

 

 

He laughed when accused of the murder. At the police
precinct he was closely questioned, and told the following

“fT was in Millburn Saturday, but came to Newark with
the expressmen early. Here I pawned a watch for five
dollars. On that money I had a good time all around
Newark. I returned to the saloon where you found me on,
Monday, and that’s all I’ve got to say. I didn’t know any-
thing about the murder till I read it in the papers.”

To this story he stuck, and inquiry about the city proved
that the greater part of the story was true.

But there were several little contradictions that came |
out during a cross-examination, and these, coupled with |
the fact that the man could not account for several hours |
of the time Saturday night, made the case look black ,
against him.

A day later it was learned that during Sunday the Ger-
man had visited New York and stopped at.a hotel. Here
it was noticed that his shirt was bloody, and that he was

 

a little bar-room brawl, and that he wanted to wash up.
This was considered strong evidence to hold him as the
murderer, and it was accordingly done.
Almost every one in the town believed him guilty, and
thought it would not be long before the detectives would

could not be broken.
But meanwhile other matters in connection with this

mysterious murder were transpiring, important events,
of which not only the detectives but also the authorities
were totally ignorant.

 

CHAPTER II.
NICK CARTER’S IDEA OF THE CASE.

At the time that the startling murder occurred at Mill-
burn, Nick Carter, the greatest of all American detec-
tives, had just successfully finished his labors on a South-
ern case, and was stopping off at Newark to see a friend
when the morning paper containing an account cof ‘the
tragedy was handed to him. .

“Here’s a chance for you, Nick,” said his friend, as he
pointed out the article.

“Ag to that, there are chances for mein every paper
sold,” laughed the detective.

However, he took the paper, and read the account of the
affair carefully.

“What do you think of it, Nick?”

“Don’t want to think, captain. It don’t pay.”

“But you must have some idea,” persisted Captain Stout.

Nick gave a slight yawn.

“How long will it take me to take a run up to Millburn

“Then you will go in for solving the mystery ?”

“T can’t say. I'll take a look around first. If it’s only
an ordinary affair, as the paper seems to indicate, I won’t
touch it. There are plenty of others to do such work.”

“You can go up to Millburn on the D. L. & W. road in
fifteen minutes.”

‘‘And when can I get a train?”

“In twenty minutes. Take the Broad street cars direct

“Thanks.”

Five minutes later a well-dressed Irishman jumped
upon one of the cars going up town. His hair was red, and
he wore fiery Galways to match.

It did not take him long to reach the depot, and here he

the smoking-car as the train rolled into the station.
- He made himself at home on the train, and showed that
he possessed money by the fact that he smoked one of the
choicest of Havana cigars.

Millburn was soon reached.

Throwing away his half-smoked weed, the Irishman ap-
proached a lounger seated on a trunk on the platform.

-“@ood-marnin’, neighbor,” he began. “ An’ can yez tell

me the sphot where the murder took place ”

“Big excitement, eh?”

“ Greatest excitement since Presidential ‘lection. Come

along, I’ll take another look at the place.”

And the lounger jumped down from the trunk and led.
the way.

“Who does yez think is after doin’ the deed?” went on.
the Irishman.

“There ain’t no thinkin’ ’bout it, stranger.”

66 No oe

*“ No, sirree.”

“Sure ov the man?”

“Positive, mister. That German did the thing, and no
one else.”

And the man bobbed his head to show that he was fully

convinced that he was right.

In two minutes they had reached the house.

They found the place well guarded, and a perfect mob
outside.

“No admittance,” said the man at the door. “The place
is in charge of the coroner.”

“T would loike to see the gintleman,” said the Irishman.

“Who are you?”

“Dinnis Melntire, artist fer the Associate Press.”

Ve here is the coroner, you can speak to him your-
self.”

The pretended artist called the coroner to one side, and
whispered something into his ear.

“Why, Mr. Carter, you surprise me. I have never had
the pleasure of meeting you, but I have heard of you often
and understand something of your wonderful skill. I trust
you will give us some material help on the case.”

“T only want to take a view of things,” replied Nick.
“T wish no one but you io know that I am here.”

‘‘You can trust me,” was the reply.

A moment later the great detective had a note-book out
of his pocket, and pencil in hand, he went around pre-
tending to make sketches of this object and that.

His keen eye took in every detail of the crime that had
been committed.

His examination of the store occupied fully an hour, the
back room half that time, and then he went up stairs.

“What do you think?” asked the coroner, in a whisper.

The detective merely elevated his eyebrows and com-
pressed his lips.

“Stumped ?”

“No. But I never try to think. I am hunting for facts.”

“Ah, I see! Well, let me here from you before you go.”

Nick did not reply, and the coroner went below.

Upon the floor of the room, which the detective had
entered, was a well-worn carpet.

As Nick examined every foot of its surface, he came
across an odd-shaped bit of leather, that had evidently
done duty as part of a suspender.

He looked at the clothing that lay strewn around, but
could find no pair of suspenders to which the bit of leather
might have belonged.

“T’ll keep that,” he muttered to himself, and put the
find into his pocket. a

He had hardly done so before two gentleman came into
the room.

One was a local detective, and the other a fleshy gentle-
man, addressed as doctor.

“Ves, Mr. Waller, it is a fearful crime,” remarked the
doctor, with a deep shake of his head.

“Yes, Dr. Colet, it is,” was the reply. “It’s going to
make us boys jump to get onto the track of the guilty
party.’

“Do you think that German guilty ?”

“T do and I don’t. Tell you better in a day or two,”
with a slight laugh.

Meanwhile Nick began to make a sketch of the interior
of the room, sitting down on a chair in the corner to finish
his work.

Dr. Colet eyed him rather sharply for a moment, and
then walked to the closet and took a keen look around.

“Wonder what he wants here?” thought Nick. “Has
he any official connection with the case?”

: Have taken a survey of the closet, the doctor went
elow.

 

 

 

“Wall, I guess I kin,” was the reply. “ Ain’t nobudy in
town as don’t know it.”

Without being exactly able to tell why, Nick followed
the man, leaving the other detective alone.

       
   
    
    
 
    
         
      
 
 

 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
   
 
 
 
  
 
 

il i

   
 

   

  
  
   
   
   
  

4

NICK CaRTER LIBRARY.

 

No, 43.

 

 

Down stairs, the doctor made a search of the kitchen,
and then went into the store.

No one was in the place at the time, and Nick did not
enter, but took a position behind the door, where he could
see what might occur.

Making sure that the coroner and _ his fellows were not
watching him, Dr. Colet stooped down and looked under
the counters and the work-bench in the place.

Then he examined all the shelves, pulled out the draw-
ers and rummaged into the corners.

“That’s not idle curiosity,” said Nick to himself.
man is hunting for something.”

oe the doctor gave a deep sigh and rubbed his
ehin.

His face plainly indicated that he was disappointed over
something.

What could it be?

The coroner came in.

““A curious case, eh, doctor?” he said.

“Tt is, indeed.”

“Have any opinion?”

*“ None.”

And a moment later Dr. Colet buttoned up his overcoat,
and left the premises.

““Who is that man?” asked Nick, after he was gone.

“That was Dr. Colet, of Orange.”

“Has he any connection with the case ?”

““Oh, no! Heis only a friend I let in.”

“Did he know the murdered woman 2”

**T think not.”

Nick turned away, and continued his investigation.

As he did so, his thoughts were busy.

“That man was here for a purpose, not out of idle curi-
osity.

“He was searching for something that he couldn’t find.

“It will pay to follow him up as soon as Iam done
here.”

On the table in the kitchen stood the pail of water in
which the murderer had washed his hands.

The fluid was red, but not dirty.

“Saving for the blood, the murderer’s hands were clean,”
said Nick to himself. ‘“An ordinary man’s hands would
have been more or less dirty. That is fact No. 1.”

Pulling up his cuff, he plunged his hand into the pail,
and felt around the bottom.

“‘Find anything?” asked the other detective, who had
just come below.

“Blood,” replied Nick, with a grim smile, and he wiped
his hand and turned away.

But between his fingers he held something. concealed,
something that he had found resting upon the bottom of
the pail.

It was a little gold sleeve button, of a peculiar pattern.

Nick put the button in his pocket beside the bit of
leather.

Then he made a final sketch in his note-book, whispered
to the coroner that he might see him later, and left.

“This mystery is ten times deeper than they suspect it
is,” he murmured to himself, as he hurried away.

“That

 

CHAPTER III.
DLVIDING CLE Ws.

When Nick left the house he took a short turn up a side
road to change his disguise.

In a moment he re-entered the town as an old man, with
white hair and beard.

He hurried to the railroad station, and the first person
he raet was Dr. Colet.

“Do you know what time the next train goes fer the
Oranges?” he asked, in a drawl.

“In ten minutes,” was the doctor’s reply.
to take the train myself. af

“Be you? That’s good. I allers likes ter have company
when I’m on a journey.”

The doctor’s face clouded fora moment. .

Evidently he did not relish the idea of a companion.

““Great murder here,” went on Nick. “ Haven’t seen

“T am going

bad about the old lady, indeed it was.

 

the like since the Jennie Cramer mystery years ago. Too!

   

Did you know her?”
The doctor started.
“Me? Oh, no!” he replied, hastily.

“She was anice old lady, an’ no mistake. Thought I
seed you,a-comin’ outer the house, the reason I ask.”

“T just took a look at the place, that was all,” was the
hasty reply.

There was a second of silence, and then the detective
continued :

“How long did you say we'd have ter wait?”

“Ten minutes.’

“Then I guess I’ll hunt up a bite to eat before she comes
along. Ef I ain’t back in time, tell the conductor ter wait
fer me, will you?”

“I’m afraid he won’t do it?”
laugh.

“Well, ef he’s too stuck-up ter do so, he can go ahead
and IJ’ll hoof it, seein’ as its only a few miles, anyway.”

And with these words Nick meandered off.

“Didn’t know the woman, eh?” he muttered to him-
self. ‘I would like to know if he spoke the truth.”

It did not take the great detective long to find out.

As he walked from the station, so did another man,
fully as old as Nick represented himself to be.

The two were soon side by side.

‘‘Say, friend,” asked the detective, “can you direct me
to some good place where I can get something to eat?”

“Certainly. Stranger in Millburn ?”

“Kinder. JI come over from East Orange to see near
this tearin’ old murder you've been a-havin’.”

“Tt is bad,” was the stranger’s reply. ‘Been down to
the place ?”

“Yes, me an’ that other man was down.”

“The stout man I saw at the depot?”

(39 Yes. 99

“He knew the woman, didn’t he?”

“What makes you think so?” asked Nick.

“Why, I see him go into her shop only Friday night.”

“Ts that so?
say much to me.”

“Yes, I was coming home from work, and I met him
just at the door. He had a package under his arm, and he
almost let it slip just as I passed him; that’s how I came
to remember him.’

“What kind of a package ?”

“Something about a foot square, done up in a piece of
brown paper. I thought it might be some clock he wanted.
the woman’s old man to fix up.”

‘‘Did you see him when he came away from the store?”

“Oh, no, I went right home! Here is the place to geta
square meal.”

“Thank you. Well, it’s an awful murder, an’ no mis-
take. Much oblige to vou fer showin’ me this tavern.”

Nick stood at the tavern door until the stranger had
passed on, and then he slid around the corner.

“There is one lie nailed,” thought Nick. “Dr. Colet will
bear watching, and no mistake. :

“T wonder what that package he left at the store con-
tained ?

“Was it that for which he was hunting while down
there 2”

- Suddenly Nick thought to examine the button he had

was the reply, with a

| picked from the bottom of the pail of bloody water.

He had not had a chance to do so very thoroughly while
in the house.

He gave a skight cry.

The sleeve button contained the initial C.

‘““Can it be possible that I have BOrICE the right track so

soon?” thought Nick.

It certainly would seem so.

Yet the great detective thought it not best to jump to
conclusions.

He wished he knew if the odd sleeve button . was, in
truth, the doctor’s proper ty.

And what the man’s business had been in the little shop
on Friday evening.

If the old man who had thus suddenly been bereft of his
wife could have talked rationally, Nick might have gone
to him for the latter information.

But, for the present, this was out of the question.

I don’t know him very well, an’ he didn’t

        
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aetna oe 4
eee ¢
j

 

 

 

a

   
    
  

 

 

    
     
 
 

   
  

    

 

 

 
  

  
   

Haber

ee hee gee
Pena:

Neer aetna ee
TAC ead aa aE past ie #
rena i i t
} ¢ 4

j

 

 

   
  
  
  
  
   

I
ER Tee eas raphe

ye

_like he was tryin’ to stand on his head.”

 

on the corner.”

oa - NICK CART

The old man was completely stunned by what had hap-
pened, and the physician forbade that he be disturbed.

“DTH go down to Orange and find out if the doctor was
out Saturday night or at home,” he concluded, mentally.

He had hardly made the resolve when he heard the
whistle of the approaching train.

He made a dash for the depot, and arrived there just in
time to leap upon the steps of the last car.

“Good jump for you, old man,” observed the conductor.
“But you want to be more cautious in the future.”

“That’s so. I ain’t so spry as I uster be,” was the reply.

Nick entered the train, and walked through until he
came to where Dr. Colet was seated.

Puffing and blowing, he dropped beside the professional
gentleman.

“Caught her, after all,” he remarked. “It wasa tight
go, though.”

Dr. Colet started up from the reverie into which he had
fallen.

“Eh?” he ejaculated. “Oh, it’s you!” and he fell back.

“Yes, I jest caught her, an’ no more.”

There was no reply, and Nick remained silent, trying to
determine what was best to do next.

As he did so, Dr. Colet took his note-book from his
pocket, and made a memorandum in it.

“If Tonly had that book I might tell where he spent
Saturday night,” thought the detective.

How could he gain possession of the volume?

“Hullo! what’s that over therein that next lot?” he
eried, suddenly, pointing out of the window with one
hand. .

The doctor’s attention was arrested on the instant by
this old trick, and he turned to the spot indicated. As he
did so, Nick had no trouble in transferring the note-book
to his own pocket. 2

“TY didn’t see anything,” remarked the doctor,

“It was a crazy bull, I guess,” replied Nick. ‘Looked

And he broke into a loud laugh.

The doctor bit his lips with annoyance.

“Guess I'll take the seat behind so I can look outer the
winder,” went on Nick, and he did go.

But instead of looking out of the window, he opened the
note-book, and, holding it down behind the seat in front of
him, he scanned the pages rapidly.

There were numerous entries, but only the following
interested him :

Saturday, Jan. 31.—Mrs. Hopper, night call for Harry. Plain croup.
Mrs. Carlette, personal night call. Treatment of
Dec. continued,

Sunday, Feb. 1.—Mrs. Carlette, day call, same treatment,

Making a note of these names, Nick closed the book,
and allowed it to slide over on the next seat and onto the
floor. :

Dr. Colet heard it fall, and hastily picked it up, and
stuffed it into his pocket. : :

‘“Humph! carelessness!” he muttered to himself.

By this time the train was approaching the Brick
Church Station in Orange.

The doctor arose to get out, and Nick followed.

On the platform the detective allowed the man of medi-
cine to walk to a carriage that was in awaiting without
further shadowing.

Then Nick passed around the corner of a building, and
changed his disguise.

It was his policy never to wear the same disguise for
any length of time. This prevented any one from tracing
his movements.

When he entered the depot, he wore a heavy dark mus-
tache and curly brown hair, and he looked like a substan-
tial business man.

‘‘Can you tell me where Mrs. Hopper lives?” he asked
of the agent.

“Which Mrs. Hopper do you mean 2”

‘J don’t know her first name. She has a son Harry.”

“Oh, that’s Mrs. Franklin P. Hopper.. She lives right
down in this direction, three blocks. It’s a white house

 
 

Me WIRRARY 5

“Thank you.”

Nick hurried away at once.

“I will strike while the iron is hot,” he said to himself.
: Now, to invent some excuse for interviewing these two
adies.

It did not take him long t> cover the distance to the
first house, an elegant mansion of the most approved
Queen Anne style. —

Mounting the steps, he rang the bell, and a tidy girl ap-
peared.

“Is Mrs. Hopper at home?” he asked.

“Tl see, sir. Please step in. What name, sir?”

“Mr. Harold Brown. I wish to find outif Dr. Colet is
here.”

The girl disappeared, and a moment later a lady, hand-
somely attired, descended the stair-case.

“I beg your pardon, madam,” said Nick, with his most
finished bow. “But I am looking for Dr. Colet.”

““He was here this morning, but only for a few mo-
ments,” was the reply.

“Then I suppose you cannot tell me where I can find
him,” went on Nick, with a disappointed look upon his.
face. “My wife heard he was a good doctor for croup,
and I wished to get him.”

“He may be over to Mrs. Carlette’s, the fourth house
below.”

‘“Thank you, madam.”

Harry was taken down Saturday night about twelve
o’clock, and he came right over and remained until two
o’clock, and got him quite out of danger.” sl
“I am glad to hear it. I will step over to the other
house at once. Please pardon me for troubling you, and
accept my thanks for your information. Good-day.”
And with a polite bow, the detective withdrew.
“So far so good,” he muttered to himself, as he hurried
on.
In two minutes he was at the other house.
rs. Carlette proved to be a magnificent woman, of
forty-five or fifty. _
“No. I have not seen Dr. Colet since Sunday morning,”
she replied, in return to his question.
‘‘He was here, then ?”
“Yes, I called him about three o’clock. I am troubled
with my heart.”
‘‘Indeed! I am sorry to hear it, madam.”
“It is an old complaint, and the doctor is the only one
who seems able to help me.”
“T have heard he is a first-class physician ; that is why E
seek his services.”
“He helps me wonderfully. He came at once, and re-
mained till daylight, and by that time I felt, oh, ever so
much better !”
“I must find him soon or else get somebody else,” re-
turned the detective. ‘“ Excuse my haste.”
“Don’t mention it, pray. Is any one seriously ill ?”
“My wife has an attack brought on by my son’s sick-
ness. Good-day. ©
“His time all accounted for from midnight to dawn,”
said Nick to himself, as he strode away. “If the murder
was committed during that time, he can easily prove an
alibi. But, perhaps, the deed was done between eleven
and twelve o’clock. I must find out where this man was
before midnight.” :

 

CHAPTER IV.
A TURN OF AFFAIRS.

As we know, with Nick, to think was to act.

He hurried back to the station, and it was not long be-
fore he learned that Dr. Colet kept his horse and carriage
at a certain livery stable in the vicinity.

This information obtained, he walked over to the stable,
and questioned the proprietor, as he sat toasting his -feet
by the stove.

“Don’t know where Dr. Colet is at present,” was the
reply. “He went off early this morning, and ain’t got
back.”

 

“Thank you. Is it anywhere near Mrs. Carlette’s?”
“Mrs. Carlette lives four houses below.”

“Too had,” said Nick. “I want tosee him. Do you
know if he made a call Saturday night?”

 

 

 

 

“ He is very good for croup,” went on thelady. “Myson

  
      
     
      
    
  

 

     

     
    

   

 

 

od

NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

    

No, 43.

 

 

—

The livery stable-keeper mused for a moment.

“Yes, went out about ten o’clock.”

“Over to Smith’s?”

“JT don’t know where.”

“ When did he come in?”

“Somewheres around twelve o’clock. Why did you
want to know ?”

“T wanted to know how old Smith was getting on, that’s
aul,”

“T don’t know nothing about the matter.
is the doctor’s rig, now.”

And the man pointed out of the window, and up to the
end of the next block.

“Good! I’m off,” cried Nick.

And he hurried out of the stable office.

As he approached the carriage, which was standing
around the corner from a fine-looking mansion,. his
thoughts were busy.

“Tf the doctor visited Millburn before midnight on Sat-
urday, he must have gone in his carriage, and if he went
dn his carriage who knows but what that vehicle may
ghow some signs that will point a clew?”

‘On the strength of this theory, Nick resolved to inves-
tigate the interior of the turnout without delay.

It was arisky thing to do, but, as usual, the great de-
tective was equal to the emergency.

He found the horse untied, and easily turned his head
toward the street.

Opposite were a number of vacant lots, so that when
the detective jumped into the carriage he was totally un-
observed.

Keeping one eye on the house, through the little glass in
¢he back of the cover, he made a hasty search of the car-
riage bottom, and then lifted up the seat.

What was this?

Drops of blood, five in number, and all fresh.

Here was a discovery.

Blood was also to be seen on the side of the seat and at
the top of the whip-holder.

These were faint spots, but they did not escape the de-
tective’s keen eyes.

How had the spots got on the carriage?

Surely, if the doctor had had any surgical operation to
perform, he would have washed his hands thoroughly be-
fore entering his turnout.

But had not the murderer washed his hands in the pail
on the kitchen table?

And yet there was the sleeve button with the letter Ch

Matters were getting mixed. ~~

But Nick’s head was perfectly clear.

“711 find out where he went Saturday night,” he
thought. .

He jumped from the carriage.

As he did so the front door of the mansion opened and
Dr. Colet stepped out and came down to the gate.

Of course, he did not recognize Nick in his new disguise.

“Good afternoon, sir,” said the detective. “This is Dr.
Colet, I believe?”

“That's my name, sir.”

“May I ask are you th
Saturday nightt ©

“Mr. Olds? I dont’ know any such gentleman.”

“Fle was taken sick about eleven o’clock Saturday
night, and I am trying to find out who attended him.”

“Must have been one of the other doctors,” returned

Dr. Colet. ‘I was not out from nine o’clock until I made
a call at Mrs. Hopper’s, some time past midnight.”

“Thank you,” returned the detective. “Iwill hunt up

the other physicians. I want to find the man who was

He is—there

e doctor who attended Mr. Olds

good enough to come for a stranger and pay my bill. I
had his name and address, but lost it.”

And Nick walked away.

“That is queer,” he muttered to himself. “The livery

“Yes. But he’s so queer I didn’t get much satisfaction,”
returned Nick.
“The doctor is queer,” said. the livery stable man. ck
noticed it this morning when I took the rig down to the
depot.”

“T would like to know if he attended Smith. Did be
come for the rig himself Saturday night ?”

“T think he did.”

“You are not sure.”

“Well, I was half-asleep in the chair, and called one of
the niggers to attend to the order. The doctor didn’t come
into the office, merely talked to me from the door.”

“And you couldn't; say if it was him or not?”

“T guess it was. No one else ever uses the rig.”

“Then he must have attended old Smith. Now, say.”
“Well?” ‘

“T would like to hire a horse and buggy for the rest of
the day.”

“Where do you want to go?”

“Over to Irvington and then down to Newark.”

The livery stable-keeper scratched his head.

“No offense, stranger, but can you give me a reference ?”
“What will the rig be worth?”

‘‘Qlose on to three hundred dollars.”

Nick drew a roll of bills from his pocket.

“ How will the cash do?” he asked.

The man looked at him for a moment.

“You're all right. Put up the wad. We have to be
careful, you know.”

And he went off to get the turnout.

“Had quite a murder in Millburn, 1 understand,” said

' Nick, as he followed.

“Awful, sir, awful. I hope they string the man up as
did it.”

“TI suppose that German is the guilty man.”

“Not the slightest doubt in my mind.”

“Can I go through Millburn on my way to Irvington,
without losing too much time? I would like to take a look
at the scene of the tragedy.”

“Of course you can. Take this main road down about
half a mile, then turn to your right until you cross the
bridge, and you’ll see the sign-board.”

“How far is it?”

“ About six miles.”

“Good! Now, I’m off.”

Nick drove away atarapid gait, and was soon a fair
distance on the way.

While driving, he worked a
pearance.

His black hat was turned inside out and became a
brown, his coat was treated in the same way and shown
as a blue, the tip of his nose was reddened and also his
cheeks, and his neat scarf gave place to a flaring red tle.

Then he put on several heavy stone rings, and adjusted
a regular ounce-to-the-link watch chain over the front of
his vest.

When he had finished, nine out of ten people would have
taken him for some wealthy German, probably a beer
brewer. | >

Presently he came in sight of a tidy farm-house, where
a man was at work clearing up the door-yard.

Nick pulled up and pretended to fix something on the
harness.

“What's the matter?” asked the man.

“Der pelly-pand vos got loose,” replied the detective.
“Der buckle vos no goot.”

“Want any help?”

“No, it vos all right, now. Say?”

“What is it?” u

“Did you vos see amans mit a carriage mit avite and _
brown horse go by here last Saturday night, ain’t it?”

“Saturday night?” :

ee Veue. 6

complete change in his ap-

 

stable-keeper says he went out at ten o’clock, and the doc-
tor says he was in doors at the time. That is pretty plain
evidence that something is wrong.
“Before I go any further, I must find out which state-
ment is true.”
He walked back to the livery stable.

, “What time?”
-“ Apout den o’clock or later ?”
‘“‘T heard somebody go past,” replied-the farmer, slowly.
~**Vou don’t vos see him ?”
“No. What’s up?”
“Mine poy runed avay from dere house owit.

 

“Catch him ?” asked the man in charge.

drive fast?”

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did he ©
  

 
 
  

| 3
| ona

 

 

 

 
  

   

No. 48.

 

 
 

NICK CARTER LIBRAR x. 7

 

 

“Yes, very fast.”

“And he vent dis vay ?”

ce Yes. 28)

“Did you hear him come back ?”

“T heard somebody coming tudder way about syelvs
o’clock.”

“But you did not see of him 2”

“No, I wasin bed. The fast driving woke me up.”

“Of I vos cotch dot poy, I vos knock his head clear by
his neck off.” -

In another moment Nick was off.

He stopped at four more places along the road, but could
gather no further information but that some carriage had
passed and gone back about the time mentioned.

At length he came to a tumbled down shanty, where a’

colored man stood by the door smoking a pipe and trying |
to amuse a little baby.

“Goot morning. Vos dis der road to Madison ?”

“It’s one ob de roads, boss,” was the reply.

“Not der best road?”

“No, boss, you wants ter take de road back a space.”

“Yah? Well, now I vos started I goesmedis vay. Say,
did you see anydings of a mans driving past here last Sat-
urday night ?”

The coon paused for a moment.

“T seen Dr. Colet, of Orange, go past about half-past ten
or leben o’clock.”

‘“You.are sure it was the doctor?”

“T thought it was. 1t was his rig, boss.”

“And he came back a leetle vile aftervard ?”

‘About an hour after, sar.”

“But you didn’t vos see der doctor ?”

“T seed his high hat, boss. I dun reckon it was him fo’
suah.”

CHAPTER V.
FOR OR AGAINST?

Nick could gain no further information from the colored
man, and, after handing the coon a quarter for “beer
money,” he drove on.

As he did so, his brow wrinkled in deep perplexity.

For once facts and fancy were having a struggle within
him.

“Tf I only knew what that bundle he took to the store
that Friday night contained,” he murmured.

_ “The circumstantial evidence against this man is strong,
and one or two more points are all that is necessary to
convict him.

“And yet, ever since I looked into that man’s eyes, I
believe in my soul that he is innocent.

“Yet itis also my conviction that heis in some way
connected with the murder.

“Was there anything between him and the oli woman

that now lies dead ?

“Did she know any of his shady Bieri secrets ?

“ Was her death the price of silence?

“Tf so, did he hire an assassin to do the work, and loan
that assassin his carriage for the occasion ?

‘“Was the hired man ‘the German so strongly suspected ?

“Perhaps it will be better to work on the mystery from
that end for a while.”

Thus musing, Nick drove into Millburn, and began a
still hunt for additional information.

In an hour fe had learned several important facts.

The first was that the horse and carriage had been seen
just beyond the depot at eleven o’clock on Saturday night.

Also that its occupant had been seen within a block of
the scene of the tragedy.

The horse and carriage had been driven away within
half an hour of its arrival.

It was quite late when Nick found himself with all this
information in his possession.

He drove back to Orange, and, after taking his rig back
to the livery stable, took the train for Newark, and
ehanged his disguise.

“Well, did you go up to Millburn?” asked Captain

Stout. &

 

 

Pe On

“What do you think of the murder?”

“It’s a deep one?”

“Do you think the German guilty ?”

“Excuse me, captain, you know [ never think much.”

“But you must have formed some opinion.”

‘‘Nothing that I care to mention. But, by the way, cap-
tain, do you know Dr. Colet, of Orange?”

“Quite well. He is a distant relative of my wife.”

“Rather a queer fellow, isn’t he?”

“Oh, no, I always found him very gentlemanly and
kind. He has alarge circle of friends. Why do you ask 2?”
‘Oh, I just happened to meet him in Millbur n, that was

all?

Not wishing to excite suspicion, Nick turned the con-
‘versation in another channel, and half an hour later left
|for the Market street depot, to take the Pennsylvania
Road for New York.

“Extra! Full account of the Millburn murder !”

It was a newsboy’s cry, and the detective bought one of
the papers.

A glance at it told him that the German had been caught
in one of the city saloons as has been mentioned.

The great detective at once left the depot, and made his
way to the police precinct.

A word with the captain gained him admittance to the
hearing.

The man’s story had been found to be truthful in the
main, but some points were cloudy.

“What kind of suspenders does he wear?” asked Nick.

“Pretty ragged ones,” laughed the captain of police.

“Let me see them, please.”

They were brought forth.

The bit of leather the detective had found in the bed-
room of the house fitted to them perfectly, and showed
how a strong wrench of some kind had parted the seam.

“Can I have a few minutes’ talk with the man?” asked
Nick.

‘‘Certainly.”

He passed into a private room, and presently the Ger-
man was brought in.

He was a vagabond in appearance, unwashed and un-
combed, and his face bore a sour, downcast look.

“Do you know me?” asked Nick.

GC No. 9)

Suchwas the reply, with a strong German accent.

“My name is Smith. Iam adetective. I want you te
answer a few questions.”

‘“T’ve done nothing but answer questions since I’ve been
caught. I didn’t do the murder.”

“Perhaps not. If so, it will be best for you to answer
me, and do so truthfully.”

“There was no answer.”

“Do you know Dr. Colet, of Orange 2”

“]_-J—_why do you ask that question?” was the slow
reply.

‘*Because I want to know.”

“ TI know him, but not very well.”

= Did you ever work tor him ?”

eG

“Never did a job of any kind for him ?”

NG; 7

“Did the woman who was yeaa know him ?”

“How should I know 2”

“ Answer the question.”

“T don’t know.”

“Did you see his horse and carriage in Millburn the
night of the murder?”

“JT wasn’t in Millburn at that time,” cried the German.
“You are trying to get me intoa trap. You are crazy,
like all the other detectives. I don’t know anything about
this murder, and I won’t say another word.”

“Who drove that carriage to Millburn?”

No reply.

“How did a piece of your suspender get up into the bed-
room of the house?”

“Tt didn’t get up there. My suspenders are here.”

“All but a small part, and that part was found near the
bed-room closet door. Gus, you are standing mighty near
the end of a rope.”

“Tain’t. I am ‘innocent.

 

 

I wasn’t near Millburn. I

  

 
8

 

 

NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

No. 48.

 

lost that piece of suspender two weeks ago. MaybelI lost ‘‘Oh, if I only knew that he wasn’t guilty !” he cried, as

it in the store some time when I was there. We was good
friends, and I never killed a cat. I never did any wrong.”

“You stole a watch in Orange.”

There was no answer to this charge.

“Tf you are guilty, you had better confess, or, if you ar
not and know who is, you had better turn State’s evi-
dence.”

“T ain’t got nothing more to say. You detectives are all
humbugs.”

And after this the German would not utter another
word.

Nick passed out into the office.

“Well, what do you think of him?” asked the captain.

“Worth holding until further investigation,” responded
the detective, briefly.

Then he made his way once more to the depot, and took
the train for Jersey City and crossed the ferry to New
York.

At his home; late as it was, he found Chick, his faith-
ful assistant, awaiting him.

“Glad to see you home again, Nick.”

‘‘And I’m glad to get back, Chick. Lots of work ahead,
I suppose.” :

“Yes, sir. I want afew instructions at once.”

“Allright. Fire away. I’m tired and want to get to
bed.”

The conference between the two lasted until the small
hours of the morning.

Then Chick made off, and Nick retired to take a
earned rest.

He was completely worn out, and it was after ten
o’clock the next morning ere he arose and dressed.

While he was getting breakfast, the door-bell rang.

“ A stranger to see you, sir,” was the word sent in.

“'W hat’s his name?”

**Didn’t give any, sir.
ing a case.”

“Tell him I’ll be at leisure in a few moments.”

Five minutes later the great detective finished his
breakfast.

Then donning one of his home disguises, so as not to be
seen in his real personality, he entered the room where
the stranger awaited him..

His surprise may be imagined when he learned that his
vistor was Dr. Colet. .

well-

He wishes to see you about tak-

CHAPTER VI.

THE DOCTOR’S STRANGE STORY.

“What can this man want of me?” thought Nick.

“Does he know I have been tracing up his movements ?”

He was almost dumfounded by the unexpected visit,
but his manner betrayed not a sign of his feelings.

His nerves were so well trained that not even a muscle
of his eye twitched.

“You want to see me?”
tone. é

“Tg this Nick Carter, the’ celebrated detective?” asked
the doctor, gazing at him curiously.

“T am Detective Carter, yes.”
- “Inspector Byrnes has sent me to you. He said you
were the smartest man he could recommend.”

“Very kind of the inspector,” was all Nick replied.

There was a moment’s pause, and Dr. Colet passed his

hand over his brow.

“JT have a very deep and mysterious case on hand, and
I wish it solved,” he said, slowly. “Can you undertake
the work, if I am willing to pay the price??

**T will have to know something of the case first.”

“Tt isa family affair that has gotten mixed up witha

ublic crime. If possible, I desire that your work be done

in secret, and not exposed unless I say so.” :

Nick tapped on his desk with the ends of his fingers.
_ He wondered what the man was driving at.

“Tf a detective unearths a crime, it is his duty to ex-
pose it,” he replied, finally.

The doctor jumped to his feet.

he asked, in a matter-of-fact

 

he strode up and down. “I would give fifty thousand dol-
lars to prove his innocence.” ~

“Of whom are you speaking?” asked Nick. curiously.

“Of my nephew. He hasrun away, and I fear he has
committed a horrible crime.”

‘What crime?”

“ Murder.”

As the doctor uttered the word, he sank back into his
chair, and the detective saw that tears filled his eyes.

“That is the greatest of crimes, sir.” =

“Ah, how well I know it! And it looks so black for the
boy.”

“Was your nephew of a bad nature or wild ?”

$6 No. ”

“Was he of a hasty temper ?”

“Tmpulsive, but not ugly.”

“Was there any motive for his committing the crime,
of which you think him guilty ?”

“1 do not, cannot, think him guilty.”

“Well, then, supposing you did think him guilty, what
would be your reason for the thought?”

“ Because, if he knew certain things, and he was unscru-
pulous, he might gain much by the foul deed.”

“Are you sure the murder has been committed ?”

ee Yes. bp) or:

“Ts your nephew suspected ?”

‘By the police do you mean?”

ee Yes. oP)

“Tam sure not.”

“Who has a suspicion concerning him besides yourself?”

‘““{[—I—hardly think there is any one.”

“You are not sure ?”

“Tam full of a nervous dread. Iam a doctor of wide
experience, but I never had to do with crime ‘of any kind,
and this unnerves me.”

“1 see.”

“And you will not take the case and make it
private ?” 3
‘‘No, not where the crime is murder, which is a public
offense. Were ita private matter, that could be adjusted
among the parties interested, I would be most pleased to

serve you.”

“Then I will have to give the matter up, Mr. Carter. I
cannot expose my own sister’s child.”

And Dr. Colet arose.

“Sit down again, doctor,” said the detective.
you go, I must have a talk with you.
a word of advice.”

“But if you will not undertake——”

“Stop. Did it ever strike you that to tell half a story —
is sometimes far worse than to tell the whole of it?”

“What do you mean ?” =:

“Simply this. You are Dr. Colet, of the Brick Church
district of the Oranges, are you not?”

“I did not tell you I was,” came the surprised answer.

“But I knew it.”

“Who told you?” :

‘Never mind. It is sufficient to know the fact.”

“Yes, I am Dr. Colet.”

“Your conversation has been in reference to the mysteri-
ous murder at Millburn.”

: he physician turned white, and he shook from head to
oot.

“Man, you are surely a wizard,” he gasped.

“Not quite,” laughed Nick.

“But you seem to have read my very thoughts.”

“And Pam right?”

“Yes,” with a sigh. eee

“You suspect your nephew of having committed the
crime ?” oe

“Yes,” with another sigh. “What is the use of trying
to bide anything from such a person as you.”

“There, now you are talking common sense. Now tell
me, did you or did you not take something to the store in

absolutely

“ Before
I want to give you

_| Millburn on Friday night?”

Per at

“What was it?” 5 :
‘“A musical box that I wanted the old man to repair,” =
“ Did you go back for the box Saturday night?” a

‘No, it was not to be done until seme time this week.” a : cae

 
ae No. 43.

NICK CARTER LIBRARY. | 3 9

 

 

“Then the box is still at the shop ?”

re No. 9

“It is not?”

“T did not see it there.”

“Do you suppose the old man took it away fe repair ?”

46 No. Pb

“Do you think the murderer stole it ?”

Ves: bb)

“What was the box worth ?”

“As a musical box, about thirty or forty dollars.”

“Was there any other value attached to it?”

“ Yes. ”

“What sort of value ?”

“Hidden in the bottom of the box were papers worth to
several people two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”

CHARTER VET.
WHO IS GUILTY?

Nick Carter took in the foregoing remarkable statement
without a word of comment.
“J think I may as well tell you the whole story,” went
on Dr. Colet, after a pause. a
“IT think so, too,” was the reply. ‘Of course, you know
that there is a man already under arrest for the crime?”
“T know it. But Iam sure he is innocent.”
“How do you know ?”
**Because as far as I could see, nothing was taken from
the shop but the musical box.”
“Money was taken, and the place was ransacked,
“Only as a blind to hide the real deed.”
‘Could not the box have been stolen from your own
house just as well?” 8
a No. bb)
“Why qu
“ Because it belonged to my mother, and was kept in her
room. She is an invalid, and has a constant attendant.”
‘““And the box belonged to her?”
66 Yes. ”
“Were the papers her’s also?”
“Yes.”
“ How is it that she kept them in the box 2”
“She is rather eccentric, and thought that was the best
_ place for them.”
“Why did she not remove them when the box was taken
away for repair?”
“She thought to do so would bring bad luck. The papers
were in a secret compartment that no workman would be
likely to discover.”
‘Who knew the papers were in the box?”
“My mother, myself, and my nephew.”
**W hat is your nephew’s name ?”
“Lawrence Alling.”
Nick stopped short.
His mind flashed back to the letters L and A found upon
the floor.
Was there any connection between those letters and the
name just given?
“Does he live with you? ”
“Part of the time. He is attending Princeton College.”
“ How old is he?”
“ Just twenty.”
“You are sure no one else knew of the Wi eaahouts of

-- the papers?”

“T am not sure, but I think not.”
“How is it that you came to take the box to delta.
instead of Newark or New York ?”
“My mother knew the murdered woman, and wanted to
help her husband, who is a good workman, along.”
“Does he know of the ee ae
“7 think not.”
“ Are you sure?”
“He says he does not, and I wish to avoid ee publicity
in the matter.”
“On account of your nephew ?”
ra Yes. ” :
“What is it you wish me to do?”
_“ Recover the stolen i that were hidden in the |

_ musical box.”

 

“Without finding out anything in regard to the mur-
der?” went on Nick, significantly.

A look of pain shot across Dr. Colet’s face.

“T—]—wish to do nothing contrary to law,” he cried.
“But I loved the boy so much. I wish the papers—I must
have them, but I would rather believe the boy innocent.”

“IT gee. Yet to shield a murderer——”

“Don’t, don’t !”

“And besides, doctor, since you have taken me into your
confidence, I will take you into mine. Do you know that
you have been suspected of this murder ?”

ac I pe

“That’s what I said.”

“Impossible.” :

“Nevertheless true. There are many points that would
tend to confirm such a suspicion.”

“How can that be? Because I delivered the box there
Friday ?”

“That, combined with the fact that your horse and car-
riage were used to make a trip to the store between ten
and twelve o’clock Saturday night.”

‘My horse and carriage was not out of the stable that
night.”

“You mean, not to your knowledge.”

“Then you are sure they were used ?”

“Yes, sir, and by a party the livery stable-keeper took
to be you.”

Dr. Colet gave a loud cry, and sank back into a chair.

“It must have been Lawrence!” he moaned. ‘Oh, what
a wicked, ungrateful boy !”

“What makes you think it was your nephew ?”

“Who else could it be? He was the only one who knew
of the whereabouts of the documents, and he knew much of
my ptivate affairs.”

“Have you any idea where your nephew can be found?”

LENO:

“Had he any particular friends?”

_ “None that I know.”
Nick mused for a moment.
He had heard a family story that touched him to the

| heart.

His duty was plain.

“Dr. Colet, if the papers have not been destroyed, I will
obtain them for you,” he said, briefly.

“And my nephew ?”

“T think if he is guilty, he should suffer the penalty of
the law.”

“But, but——”

“It is right that he should. Besides, were he guilty,
you would want nothing to do with him i in the future.”

“T could not see him go to prison.’

“He would probably go to the gallows.”

“No, no! not my nephew !”

“Unless you are willing thatthe law should take its
course, I will not undertake the case.”

“Then be itso. I would rather lose all the money in the
world than send any of my blood to the hangman.”

And Dr. Colet arose, and walked to the door.

Nick made no reply.

The doctor walked out into the hall, and here paused.

“ He'll be back,” thought the detective.

He was not mistaken.

Dr. Colet returned, and placed his hand on Nick’s
shoulder.

“Find those papers, and I will give you five thousand
dollars,” he said.

“And about the guilty party ?”

“Tf the guilty party be my nephew, and he must suffer
the five thousand will still be yours. Butif you obtain
the papers without concerning yourself about who did the
deed, or without implicating Lawrence Alling, I will make
the reward ten thousand dollars.”

SOE Tc a £0. ”

“When will you start on the case ?”

“TJ have started already.”

“And when will I hear from you | q

-“ Ags soon as I obtain the papers.”

Quarter of an hour later Dr. Colet left, and the great

detective sat owe to figure on the posibilities of the case

| before him. ~

 
NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

No. 43,

 

CHAPTER VIII.
NOSING AROUND.

For half an hour Nick sat in his chair without moving.

Carefully he reviewed all the evidence that had been
brought to light.

He was now on his metal, and he was resolved, come
what might, to sift the Millburn mystery to the bottom.

Dr. Colet had given him an accurate description of Law-
rence Alling, and the detective thought that the first thing
to do was to hunt up the present whereabouts of the young
man.

Once in his presence, it would not take Nick long to de-
termine if he was guilty or not.

“J°ll go back to the livery stable, and see if. I can’t find
out what became of him after he brought back the doctor’s
carriage.”

A little after noon, Nick, disguised as°a regular down
South coon, took the train for the Oranges.

He got off at Brick Church, and rambled slowly in the
direction of the livery stable.

Tne boss had gone to dinner, and he found two colored
men in charge.

“ Flullo, dar!” he exclaimed, as he shuffled in.

The two men were having a gay time over apack of
cards.

“What's wanted?” asked one.

' “Nuffin, much,” replied the detective.
job heah ?”

“T tinks not, stranger.

“Trenton.”

“Been doin’ time?”, laughed the coon, who had not
spoken.

“Only a yeah,” was the reply.

“What fo’ ?”

“JT picked up de wrens harness, dat’s all.
a’tall?”

‘*Vo’ kin see de boss.”

“Whar ?”

“When he comes to de place arfter dinner.”

“All right.”

The two men went on playing eae and the detective
took a look around the stable.

“Say ?” he exclaimed, suddenly.

““W had ?”

“Does yo’ know a young gen’man by de name ob Law-
rence Alling?”

“ Deed I does,” replied one of the stable hands.

“Whar’s he now ?”

“He's stoppin’ ober to his uncle’s place.”

“No, he went away.’

“T seed him ober to Ne wark, Saturday night,” put in the
other colored man.

“Whar?”

“On Market street near Halsey. Guess he war gettin’
ready to go to de variety show.”

“Whad time war dis?”

“ About eight o’clock.”

2 Did he 02”

“T dunno.”

_“Whad fo’ yo’ wanter know so precisely?” put in the
other stable hand to Nick.

“Mistah Alling’s a good friend ob me.
work, ef I bones him fo’ it.”

o Den yo’ bettah look him up, >cause de boss heah won’t
hab nuffin fo’ yo’ most likely.”

“¥ done reckon I will,” replied Nick.

And he shuffled off.

“The first clew,” he muttered to himself.

He took the train for Newark, and, walking out of sight
behind a lot of freight cars behind the depot, made a
change in his costume. |
~ When he came back he was still a colored man, but to
all appearances one of wealth and culture.

“Chance fo’ a

Whar yo’ from?”

Say, no job

He’ll gib me

 

TO of

He was soon down in the nelehionieod the stable hand
had mentioned.

Drawn up to the pavement were several cabs with their.
owners waiting to catch jobs.

Nick approached one of them.

The man was a heavy set Irishman.

“Cab, sur?” he hailed.

“Maybe, sah,” replied Nick.
yo’ heah Saturday night?”

“Sure, an’ Oi’m here ivery noight, so Oi am, was the
reply.

“But I mean about eight o’clock, sah.”

“T was that, sur.”

oe yo" remember two gen’men standin’ heah talking,
sah.”

“Phat koind of gintlemen ?”

“One war a tall, slim young man, wid a light mustache
and light hair

“Sure, an’ I do.

“Let me ask yo’, sah, war

The two of ’em nearly got into a row,

so they did.”

“Indeed, sah. What about?”.

“The light haired feller wanted to go to the show, and
the other feller insisted that he go off sumwhere else.”

“ An’ did they go, sah?”

“They wint off, so they did, bad luck to ’em, too, fer —
they wint off in another feller’s hack.”

“Where did they go to?”

“Yez will have ter ask Jim Peters.

‘An’ whar is he?”

“ Anything in it, sur?”

‘‘Half a dollah, sah.”

The Irishman led the way up to the corner of Market
and Broad streets.

‘“That’s Jim,” he said, and pointed to a cabman stand-
ing near.

“ Kerect.
yo’self.”

“Oi will, sur.’

Nick took a good look at the cabman, so that he would
remember the nian’s face, and then hurried away.

He walked down to the Central Railroad station, and_
entered.

Ten minutes later he emerged.

The black was gone from his face, and he looked likea
regular chappie around town. |

He walked up to the cab-stand, and hailed the cabman.

“Wanter see you a moment, don’t cherknow !” he ex-
claimed.

“What is it, sir?”

“You drove a couple of friends of mine Saturday night,
don’t cherknow.”

‘‘Where from ?”

“Down the street here, don’t cherknow. Took ’em up
about eight o’clock.”

“So. I did.”

“Big lark that. Where did you take ’em?”

The cabman closed one eye and winked with the other.

“Took them where they wanted to go.’

‘““Ah, don’t fool me, me deah fellow! It was a good
joke, but I can’t stand jokes, don’t cherknow. Tell me
where you took the two, and I’ll stand the treat.”

The cabman hesitated.

“T can’t describe the place,” he said, finally.
you to it for five dollars.”

“FWive dollars! You surely don’t mean that, my deah
fellow !”

“That's 1.”

“Make it two.”

“No, sir; five or Aothing ®

“All right. m

“Pay in advance.”

“‘Can’t you twust me?”

“Don’t trust anybody for this kind of work. "

Without another word Nick handed over the money,

He drove ’em.”

Keep dis talk to

Heah’s de half-dollah.

“T’ll take

|and entered the cab.

In a moment they were off.

They went straight up Broad street in the direction of
Woodside. .

Then the driver began to drive up one street and down
another.

Finally he came to a halt near a vacant corner.

 
yo

No. 43,

NICK CARTER LIBRARY.»

 

 

No one was around. Z
“Here you are boss,” he said, as he opened the eab door.
Without replying Nick grasped him by the arm, and
held him in a grip of iron. : :

“Get in here!” he commanded.

“ What's that?” cried the cabman, in astonishment.

“Get in here!”

“What for?”

“Because I say so.”

“But you wanted me to drive you to this place.”

You lie.”

“What's that?” ~

“T gay youlie. I wanted you to take me to the place
you took those two men Saturday mieht. 7s

‘‘There is the house over there.”

© You le.’

“Make care there or I’ll hammer that pretty face of
yours.to a jelly.”

“Tf you think you can, try it on,” replied Nick, coolly.
“Tf you think I am to be bamboozled by acabman like
you, you are mistaken. Jim Peters, IT know you too well.
I know why you skipped out of New York less than two
years ago.”

‘““Who are you?”
tonishment.

“Never mind wholam. If you want to save yourself
from doing time, put me on the right track, and that
quickly. 2

“Vou are a detective.”

“You've struck it.”

“Then I give in. But talking straight, boss, T had noth-
ing to do with this affair, except to drive the two gents
where they wanted to go.” —

“How much did they give you for keeping quiet about
it, and putting other people on the wrong lay ?”

“Ten dollars.”

“Well, here’s twenty. Now, put me on the right lay.

‘Mind, no crooked work, or up you go.”

Vi do it, boss."

Peters got up once more on

He drove out of Woodside,
the Passaic River.

At length he left the neighborhood, that was thickly
- gettled, and drove down a side road that ran close to the

Wavere =.
Then he came to a bend in the road, and here he stopped
short.
Nick sprang out.
“ Where is the place?” he demanded.
“This is it, boss,” replied the cabman.
a6 This g2 i
“Yes, sir.”
“Right here in the open?”
“That’s it.”
“You are fooling.”
“Hope to die, if I ain’t giving it to you straight.”
“Which way did the two men go?”
“Down that way.” é
“ How far?”
“T couldn’t tell.
“*All right.”
*Can-l £0?”
“‘Not yet. Are you sure this is the exact spot?”
“Yes, boss; there are the tracks where I turned around.”
“Then wait a moment till I see if your story is correct.”
Getting down Nick examined the soft ground. .
~Glose at hand he saw where two men had landed heavily.
“That settles it, you can go,” he said, as he arose. ‘‘But
mind, as you value your own liberty, not a word of my
coming to any one.”
“All right, boss.”
“Here is your money.
here?” :
“here isa sort of a high-toned river house a bit ahead.”
“And next to that?”
“Miss Rita Lefure’s summer home.”
“Who is she?”
“Some high-toned French-American lady.”
“ Any one else?”
~ “Not that I know.”
“AO. K. You can go.”

cried the cabman, falling back. in as-

his box.
and directed his way toward

It was dark.”

Do you know who lives beyond

 

CHAPTER IX.
THE RIVER HOUSE.

Ags soon as he was left to himself the detective brushed
up, waxed the little mustache he wore, cut for himself a
heavy cane, and set out for the high-toned river house the
cabman had mentioned.

It was getting toward sunset when he reached the place,
and he found it brilliantly illuminated.

In the stables to one side numerous turn-outs were stand-
ing, on the river below were a goodly swarm of boats, and
from the interior of the dining and bar-rooms came the
sounds of music and revelry.

“ Just the place a young fellow around town would steer
for,” he thought, as he entered the bar-room.

The place was comfortably filled, and, sitting down to
a little side table, Nick took in the scene.

A keen glance around convinced him that Lawrence
Alling was not present.

‘From where he was seated Nick could get a good look at
the dining-room.

Presently he became interested in the actions of a
couple who sat near.

The lady was quite young. She was painted and pow-
dered in the height of style, and evidently posed as a
beauty. ¢

The man beside her was a dark and evil eyed Spaniard.

He was evidently in hot dispute with his fair companion,
for, as Nick watched the pair, he slowly drew from under
his coat a long and sharp stiletto, and grasped it ready to
plunge into the woman's breast.

“You will do it, Rita?” he hissed.

“Never, Lopez,” she replied, firmly.

“And after all zat I haf done for you?”

“ Bah! some have done much more.”

“You lof zat American baby-face boy ?”

“J ghall not tell you.”

‘You shall nefer haf him.”

66 Why ee

“Wor zis.”

The stiletto flashed in the light. :

But before it could descend Nick sprang forward.

He grasped the man’s arm, and in another instant the
dagger went spinning out of the window into the stream
below.

The whole scene occurred so
noticed it. :

“Vy you do zat?” demanded the Spaniard.

“Oh, how can I thank you !” put in the lady, quickly.

She tried to act calmly, but two bright spots on her
cheeks showed her excitement.

“Tam glad to be of assistance to a lady,” said Nick,
with a deep bow. “Is this Miss Rita Lefare to whom I am
speaking ?”

“That is my name.
me?”
“My name is Richard Holbrook.” e

“T vill settle vid you later,” put in the Spaniard, with a
meaning look at Nick.

“Just as you please,” was the careless reply. ‘In the
meanwhile, Miss Lefare, can I be of any further assistance
to you?”

of live but a short distance beyond here ; will you kindly
see me home?” :

“With pleasure.

“Tt shall not be,” hissed the Spaniard.

“Stop there,” put in Nick. “If you say another word.
I'll either hand you over to the police——”

“Ha, ha! hand me over to the police,
laughed the Spaniard. ‘

‘‘No, no!” cried the woman, anxiously. :

“No; else Vl pitch you through the window into the
river,” finished the detective. -

At the last words the Spaniard

quickly that no outsiders.

And who has done so much for

”

if you dare!”

slunk back.

 
12°

NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

 

“Ve shall meet again,” he cried from between his teeth.
“And, Rita, think not I vill forgif quickly. I haf done too
much dirty work for you to throw me off like von dog.”

And in an instant more he had vanished through the
door and into the darkness.

“J will go home at once,” said the woman. ‘‘Mr. Hol-
brook, | will take your arm.”

And she did so.

The couple were soon out into the darkness.

“Shall we walk, or shall I get a carriage?” asked Nick.

“Tt is not worth riding; let us walk.”
“ As you say.”

As they made their way down the road, the detective’s
thoughts were busy.

Who was the Spaniard, and what dirty work had he
_ done for the woman by his side?

Who was Rita Lefare, and who was the baby-faced boy
she evidently loved ?

Questions easy to ask, but difficult to answer.

One thing was certain, Miss Rita was not the innocent
woman she would have the detective believe.

No doubt the Spaniard had good grounds for being
angry with her.

But for the present it was not the detective’s purpose to
allow his true ideas concerning this matter fo become
known. ;

“Here we are,” said Rita, presently, as they approached
a house built upon the river bank. “Will you not come in
for a little while?”

“Thank you, I shall be‘most happv to do so.”

She mounted to the front door, and gave four distinct
raps.

The door was opened by a colored man, and a flood of
light streamed out upon the lawn.

One glance at the interior showed Nick the character of
the place. |

It was a gambling-hell, and, perhaps, worse.

Rita Lefare led the way into the parlor, and sank down
into an easy-chair, motioning Nick to do the same.

“You will have a little wine?”

“Thank you, a little.”

* George, some wine.”

The colored man disappeared, and the two were left
alone.

Suddenly there was the report of a pistol, and a bullet
whizzed into the open window, and buried itself behind
the woman’s head.

“ Lopez is trying to shoot me,” she gasped, sinking back.

Then there was another report, and a bullet passed
through Nick’s wig.

“This won’t do,” he cried.
lesson. Miss Lefare, pray excuse me.
presently.”

And, with a single bound, he was through the window,
and running across the lawn at the top of his speed.
~ He had seen the flash of the pistol, and now he made
directly for the spot. .

In a moment he caught sight of a figure fleeing up the
read.

“Stop!” he cried. “Stop, or I'll fire !”
There was no reply, and he pulled trigger.

The report of his pistol was followed by a cry of pain.

The bullet had struck the Spaniard in the calf of his leg,
and, when Nick came up, he found the man doubled up on
a rock, moaning and cursing at the top of his voice.

“J vill kill you,” he shrieked.

“You'll do nothing of the kind,” said Nick. “Hand over
that pistol.” as

This the Spaniard refused to do, and the detective was
compelled to take the weapon away from him.

“Now, hold up your hands !”

“What for?” 2

“You'll see.”

“TJ vill not do so.”

“Yes, you will.”

And the detective pulled out his revolver again.

At the sight of the shining barrel the Spaniard held out
his hands, and they were quickly bound.

“Vat you do vid me, sair?”

“You'll see fast enough. What did you mean by trying
to stab Miss Lefare ?”

“T must teach that fellow a
I will be back

 

 

“She is von false-hearted creature.”
“ How so?” : ee
“She marry me in secret, zen she vont to marry ze
American boy.” Stes ie
“What boy ?” :
““Zat fellow called Alling.”
“She wants to marry Alling?”
oe Yes. ”
“Lawrence Alling?”
“Zatis zeman. Are you his friend ?”
“No, I don’t know him.”
“He is von bad man, Rita say so herself.”
“You say Alling is bad. What has he done?” —
The Spaniard was silent.
Nick thought a little bulldozing wouldn’t hurt.
: took his pistol, and placed it against the man’s fore-
ead.
“Come, answer me!” he said, sternly.
The Spaniard was terror-stricken.
“No shoot, please.”
“ Answer my question.”
“ Alling killed von vomans.”
“Killed a woman ?”
6c Yes. ”
“Where?” .
“Tn Millburn.”
“When ?”
“Saturday night.”
“Why ?”
“T know not. I hear Rita tell her mother of it this
morning when I waked up.”
“You were stopping at the house?”
“Yes, I drink too much wine, and I go to sleep. When
: get up I hear the two talking, and I crawl down and
isten.”
“Ts Alling in the house, now ?”
“T think zat he is.”
“You are not sure?”
66 No. bb) -
“Do you think Rita got Alling to commit the murder?” —
The Spaniard shrugged his shoulders.
“Perhaps. I lof her, but she is von bad vomans.”

CHAPTER X.

DRUGGED DRINKS,

Nick could get no more information from the Spaniard,
and after depriving the man of his weapons the detective
allowed him to go. is

“Take my advice and have nothing more todo with >
Rita Lefare,” he said. “Sheis a woman who will some —
day place arope around your neck. See what she has ©
brought you tu to-night? Go, leave the vicinity at once,
or I will have you arrested, and you know what that
means.”

_“T vill go,” was the reply.
suffer? her and that Alling?”

“Tf they are guilty as you say, yes.”

“Zen I am satisfied, sair.”

And the Spaniard. disappeared into the darkness.

Nick lost no time in getting back to the house.

He found Rita anxiously awaiting him. oe
“What luck?” she asked. ae
“T chased him out of sight, and fired a shot after him. —
He won’t bother you for a long while to come.” ae

“Oh, thank you! He isa terrible man. Here, have som
wine.”
She poured out a glass, and handed it to him. ee
Nick took the glass, and, without suspecting what the
effect would be, tossed it off. 5
“How do you like the vintage?”

asked the young .
woman, with a smile. 8

“But you will take hey:

“Very good,” replied Nick. “Port, I believe?”
“Yes. Won’t you have another glass?” ee
“Thank you, I drink but little.”  - S ooo
“Oh, do have another glass.” ee

And it was poured out.

 
NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

 

 

BO taacde. two glasses of Pee wine would have. pas no |
effect upon Nick.

But this wine was drugged.

- Hach glass that was handed to him contained a single
drop of the tincture of opium.
Y One glass was enough to put an ordinary man to sleep.
_. Nick had no sooner drained the second glass than he
-felta drowsy sensation stealing over him.
In vain he tried to arouse himself.
His head fell forward upon his breast, and, when he
sprang to his feet in alarm, he found he could not stand.
_ “What’s the meaning of this?” he demanded.

“Of what, sir?” asked Rita.

Before the detective could say more he was sound asleep.

Rita touched a bell, and a servant appeared.

“The gentleman has had a little too much wine,” she
said. “Take him up to one of the rooms.”

The man in attendance did as he was told.

The young woman followed him up to the room, and,
when the man had departed, closed and locked the door
behind him.

“ He doesn’t look like a fellow who would have much
money about him,” she muttered to herself. ‘‘But Rita

_ Lefare does not drug people for nothing, and I need funds

badly.”

With a dextrous hand she went through the detec-
tive’s pockets.

_ As we know, Nick always carried considerable money
with him.

“Fifteen hunderd dollars, ” she ejaculated. “The best
-haulin months. Won’t he raise a row when he finds it is
gone. I must invent some good excuse before he comes to
himself.”

_ She allowed several dollars of loose change to remain in
his pocket, and added to them a theater check and several
pool checks.

“When he finds them, they will mix him all up, and ie
will think he lost his money in some saloon,” she went
on. “Now, I will leave him to himself.”

She crossed over to the door, and was about to leave the

apartment when something in ‘the detective’s appearance
_made her pause.

‘She turned white, and her whole form trembled.

“Tt cannot be possible,’ ” she ejaculated under her breath.

She returned and bent over him once more.

_ A moment later she bounded back with flashing eyes.

“ Nick Carter.”

The name was fairly hissed out.

“Nick Carter on my track,” she went on. “I was

warned of him. Can it be possible that he suspects——)

No, no, all was too skillfully arranged. Lawrence All-|
ing—. oF *

Then she stopned short and grated her teeth.
“Nevertheless, there can be no mistake. He is here for
a purpose, and that means but one thing.”
_ She shook her fist into the sleeping man’s face.

“Nick Carter you are smart, but Rita Lefare is still
ahead.

YOU thought to track me to my fate.
“This is my answer to your coming.
“You shall never leave this place alive. si
And she shook her small fist again in the detective’s
face. She walked up and down the apartment in deep
hought.
__ Then she seemed to come to a sudden determination.
“T will fix him,” she muttered. “He shall learn what it
s to cross Rita Lefare’ § path.”
Going to a closet she procured a strong rope.
With this she bound the detective’s hands and feet.
hen she walked out into the hall-way, and peered in
directions.
one was in sight.
_ With a suddenly acquired strength, she dragged Nick? Ss
ody out of the room and into asmallapartment at the
r of the house.
flere she lit a lamp, sod then opened a eke -door in the

he did so, the detective gave a deep sigh, =
Is, waking up,” she exclaimed. “I must Ey z
e pushed Nick’s body toward the opening.
or an instant the detective’ s form hung upon the edge:

 

 

Then it slid down into the darkness beneath.
Splash! -

Then all became silent.

Rita Lefare closed the trap, and bolted it.

* That settles Nick Carter,” she muttered.

And, likea phantom, she ‘glided from the room.

CHAPTER XI,
WITHIN AN INCH OF DEATH.

Expert as Nick was in sconce danger ahead, for onee
he had been taken off his guard.

Searcely had he tossed off the second glass of wine than
he realized the position in which he was placed.

But then it was too late.

Try his best he could not shake off the terrible sleep
that bound his senses.

Reason would not act, and his very mind was in a whirl.

All was dark and wavering before his eyes, which were
tightly closed. ;

Then came a sensation, but faintly, of being lifted and
moved.

But by whom or where he could not tell.

He felt himself going down.

Was this death ?

Encountering no obstacle, his body sank deep into the
black waters under the trap.

A few bubbles arose.

Was this to be the end of the great detective? :

Presently the cool water brought Nick to his senses
with a jump.

He realized that he must act quickly or it would be too
late.

He arose to the surface of the water, and for a moment
lay upon his back collecting his thoughts.

All was dark around him.

He allowed his body to float with the current, and it
soon struck shore,

Having reached this, it did not take him long to get rid
of the rope that bound him.

As he worked his thoughts were busy.
“Rita Lefare is one of the worst of women,” he mut-
tered. “This is nothing but a gambling-house and a
place to rob patrons while under the influence of dr BEECH

drinks.

“She is married to this Spaniard, and yet she is in love
with Lawrence Alling.

“If the young man is infatuated with her, it was neo
doubt through her instrumentality that he committed the
murder in Millburn.

“No doubt he is somewhere in hiding about this foniee.

“T must discover his whereabouts first, then recover the
papers, and bag them both.

“What a shock this revelation will be to Dr. Colet.

“But it can’t be helped ; the law is the law, and it must
be upheld.”

By crawling around Nick learned that he was under the
rear end of the house, and that there was no outlet on any
side large enough to admit of the passage of his body.

What was to be done?

“Tf I.can’t find an opening I’ll have to make one,” was

-his conclusion.

Presently a trap door was opened, and a lot of slops
came tumbling down.

Then the trap was closed, and Nick heard footsteps re-
ceding along the hall.

The detective had carefully located the position of the
trap, and it did not take him long to reach it and lift up
the door.

He found that the opening led into a sort of store-room.

He pulled himself up without makng a sound.

All was dark and still.

Taking out his waterproof match-safe, Nick struck a
light.

‘Close at hand was a lantern, and this he lit.

The store-room was filled with boxes and barrels and
several cases of liquor. :

 
4 : NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

aioe

Besides these there were several suits of clothing hane-

ing up on some nails.
it did not take the

suit for a dry one.

This done, he opened a bottle of brandy, and, after as-
guring himself that it was the pure stuff, took a small nap.

This made him feel more like himself, and, putting Sut
the lantern, he opened the door, and crept into the hall.

In an upper room he heard the voices of a number of
men who were playing cards.

Was Lawrence Alling among them ?

“JT wil) soon find out,” said Nick to himself.

He was about to mount the stairs, when a door close
beside him opened and Rita Lefare came out.

The woman carried a lamp in one hand and a flat basket
in another,

Instantly Nick stepped out of sight behind a curtain.

Rita looked around the hall-way, raising the lamp as
she did so.

“No one here,” Nick heard her say.

Then she passed down the hall-way.

Like a ghost Nick followed her.

The young woman entered the room next to the one
from which the detective had emerged and locked the
door after her.

It did not take Nick long to pick the lock of the door
and open it.

He discovered a flight of stone steps just beyond, and,
descending these, found himself in a well-kept cellar, not
far from the river’s edge. .

To the left was a long and narrow passage built entirely
of stone. S

He caught the glimmer of a light ahead.

Picking his way cautiously, he followed in the direction.

The way was damp and slippery.

Suddenly the light disappeared.

“Hulo! what does that mean ?”

Nick continued to move on, but in less than half a min-
ute came to an abrupt halt.

Beyond was nothing but a rocky wall.

He paused for a moment in perplexity.

Had he made some mistake?

It would seem so, and yet he felt certain that Rita Le-
fare had passed in that identical direction.

Striking a light once more he examined the rocks with
great care.

The one in the center gave forth a hollow sound.
He pressed upon it in several different ways.
- It remained firm.

detective long to exchange his wet

“There must be an opening of some sort,” thought Nick. »

“J must examine the flooring.”

He got down on his hands and knees, and did so.

In one corner, between the stones he found a small iron
knob.

He pressed upon this, and instantly the rock in front of
him slid to one side.

A flood of light streamed in upon him, and he heard
voices directly ahead. ©

Cautiously he peered through the opening.

An elegant apartment was revealed to his gaze, one fin-
ished off in hard wood and sumptuously furnished.

Then voices broke upon his ears.

“Ah, Rita, you have come at last !”

“Yes, Lawrence, my love. Are you not glad ””

Nick Carter had found Lawrence Alling at last.

CHAPTER XII.
A WOMAN WITHOUT A HEART.”

The rocky opening to the apartment was in one corner,
so that Nick entered without being seen by the occupants.

He allowed the rock to slide into place again, and then |
took up his station out of sight behind some drapery.

He felt that he was in a dangerous position, and that,
too, without pistol or other weapon.

Murderers are always desperate people to handle, and

=

“The hours that you have been away seem ages.” 8

young woman. a

“Where have you been?” |

“ Getting rid of Lopez.”

“Rita, you do not care for that man, do you?”

“Lawrence, how can I, loving you as I do?”

“Yes, I know, but——”

‘But what?”

“He is around you so much.”

“He will not be in the future.”

“What have you done to him?”

“Sent him off.”

“He will be back.”

 Ptbink nob’

“Did you tell him that we were married, Rita?”

“No; but I told him that there was no hope for him,
which was just as good.”

“T am glad of that.
that we are married.”

“Why not? Am I not good enough——’

“Don’t, Rita. But my uncle is so
peculiar. Ina few weeks——’

“That is what you said last week.”

“T know, but I must break the news gradually. He
does not even know that I am in love with any one.”

“Lawrence, you baven’t any backbone.”

“My uncle’s good will is much tome. Remember, I am

Ido not want my uncle to know

Of course you are.

)

“You wouldn’t be if you had those papers that are hid-
den in the musical box.” a

“Yes, but Rita, even if I had the papers, they would not
dome any good. I would not dare to destroy them.”

“Why not?”

“Tt would be a crime.” :

“Bah! If I were you, Lawrence, I wouldn’t hesitate a
minute.” :

The man was silent, and Nick heard the clatter of dishes,

“Qee what a nice supper I have brought to you,” went
on Rita Lefare.

“T do not care to eat, Rita.”

“Why not?”

“T have no appetite.”

“Nonsense, Lawrence. Come, be a man for once!”

“J wonder what my uncle thinks of my staying away
from home.”

“Don’t bother your head about that.”

“T love my uncle——”’

“Don’t you love me?”

“On? Rita!”

“You act as if you didn’t.
Your nerves need it.”

~

‘|for me.”

“Pooh !”
“Rita, do you know, I fancy the wine you gave me Sat-

urday night was drugged.”
“What makes you think such a foolish thing? We ha
no drugged wine in the house.”

in man’s clothes, and come down to Newark after me?” —
“Twas afraid Lopez meant todo you harm. -Thati

 

_ Nick felt that he must go slow.

why I wanted you to remain in hiding for a short time.”

ee No. 43, ae

“T am glad indeed, Rita,” replied Lawrence Alling. ©

“T could not help being away so long,” replied the —

 

dependent upon him, to a large extent.” .

 

 

 

 

Here, have a glass of wine. —

“Thank you; I have had more wine now thar is good 2

o

“No? It was all so strange. What made you dress up

   
   
   
   

 

 

  
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 

 

 

 
 
 
   
 
  
   
   
 
 

 

 

  
 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

    
 

ip e

and a fortune.

No. 43.

‘Wick CARTE oR LIGRARY.

 

 

oy Don’ t you think I can defend myself ? C
“You are too soft hearted, Lawrence.”
“Tam getting tired of being down here, even though it

is so luxurious.”

“What do you intend to do when you leave?”

“Go to my uncle, and make a confession.”

“And suppose he gets angry and turns you from his
door ?”

“Then I must fight the battle of life alone.”

“And all because a bundle of papers stands between you

Lawrence, I would not do it.”
“What do you advise, Rita?”

The young woman bent over the man and caressed him.

‘Lawrence, do you love me?”

‘Indeed, Rita, I do.”

“Then take the papers and destroy them.”

Lawrence Alling sprang to his feet.

“No, no! It would make me——”

“A rich man, Lawrence. Come, don’t be a fool!”

“But the crime! Besides, I haven’t the papers.”

“You can easily get them.
do this thing and make us both rich.”

The young man was silent, but Nick saw that his brow
was growing stern.

“Tt is easily done,” went on Rita Lefare. “It can be ar-
ranged in such a manner that no one will know you are
the guilty party. Let me tell you a secret.”

“Rita, what are you saying.”

“T have the papers.”

The young man staggered back.

66 You ?

“Veg,”

“Where did you get them ?”

Rita Lefare shrugged her shoulders.

“T have a way of doing things.”

“You stole them.”

“T took them for your sake.”

“From Dr. Colet’s house ?”

“Never mind. Suppose we destroy them together.
Then you will be a rich man. Remember, the money is to
come to you at your uncle’s death, anyway.”

“Then let us wait.”

“Bah! I want to be rich now.”

“T will not commit a crime, Rita.”

“Then you do not loveme. Remember, I had much
trouble in getting the papers.”

“T love you too well to do wrong.”

“Tt is no wrong. The money is rightly yours.”

“Tt is not.”

“And I have taken so many risks to get the papers.”

“What did you do?”

“Much more than I intended when I started. But it had
to be done or J would have been discovered. Asit is, no
one outside knows what has become of the documents.
Let me destroy them. Then you disclaim all knowledge

of them, and all will go well.”

8
CHAPTER XIII.

NICK CARTER ON HAND,

The foregoing conversation had been a revelation to the

great detective.
Ata glance he saw through what had occurred.

Rita Lefare was the guilty party.

 

 

 

If you love me, Lawrence, |

 

 

Dressed asamanshe had gone to Orange, called for
Dr. Colet’s turn-out, and driven to Millburn. _ /

Here she had stolen the musical box, been discovered in
the act, and had committed murder to escape discovery.

Lawrence Alling was more or less under the influence of

-her fascinating ways, and she hoped to make him her con-

federate in crime.
The two had been secretly married, but whether the

i marriage was a binding one or not was questionable.

As Rita Lefare finished she poured out a glass of wine,
and tossed it off.

Lawrence Alling drew himself up slowly.

“Rita, what did you do?” he demanded.

She was silent for a moment.

‘“Do you want to know ?”

= Yes,”

“Then, let me tell you.
murder.”

“ Murder !”
“Exactly.
The old woman saw me steal the box.
any more. It is all oy, and we are safe.

the world suspects us.’

“Ug! You mean yourself.”

‘Are we not husband and wife?”

Lawrence Alling gave a groan.

“Rita, this is horrible, horrible !”

‘‘Not when you get used to it. I have the papers in my
private secretary up stairs.”

“T will not touch them. Return them to my uncle.”

“What nonsense. After I run so much risk.”

“There is blood on them.

The young man shut his teeth hard.

‘‘Rita I hate you for that,” he cried.’

“Hate me {”

“Yes, hate you.”

Rita Lefare sprang up, her eyes blazing with anger.

“Take back those words, Lawrence Alling, or I will kill
you.”

“Never. Ihave been a fool, duped into marrying you.
But my eyes are open now, and you can deceive me no
longer.”

“ Have a care.”

“T will have nothing to do with: your devilish plots.
Give me those papers that I may return them to my
uncle.”

For reply the woman pulled a Doreee from her breast.

“Vou shall not leave this place alive. You would ex-
pose me after all I have done for you.”

The blade flashed in the air.

eStop ©

Tt was Nick who uttered the word. |

And, tushing forward, he hit the woman’s arm, and
sent the dagger flying from her hand.

“Who are you?” demanded Lawrence Alling.

“ A detective, come ‘to save you and arrest this woman
for murder,” was the cool reply.

Rita Lefare fell back pale as a ghost.

‘Nick Carter,” she ejaculated.

“Bxactly, Mrs. Lopez.”

- Atthe mention of the name the young woman gave a
loud shriek.

“Who told you that?”

“Never mind. As you see, madam, I have escaped your
foul designs, and now I shall have the pleasure of sending
you to prison, and, perhaps, to the gallows.”

For your sake I committed

I did not intend to, but it became necessary.
But don’t ask me
Not a soul in

 
16

NICK CARTER LIBRARY. So Nod

 

 

“Never,” she hissed. ‘“I will take your life first.”

And quickly catching up the caper she plunged it into
the detective’s side.

It was but a slight flesh wound, yet it made Nick stag-
ger back.

‘““Now, catch me if you can,” she screamed, and darted
off up the passage.

In a second Nick was after her, and Lawrence Alling
followed on behind.

When Nick reached the door at the end of the passage,
he found it tightly closed.

It took fully a minute to open it.

Once beyond he found that Rita Lefare had leaped out
of a window, and passed down to aroad that ran beside
the river.

On and on she sped, with Nick close behind her.

Presently she turned from the road, and pursued her
way up the Erie Railroad tracks,

Slowly but surely the detective gained upon her.

“Stop, stop!” he cried.

She would not listen, and, putting forth all his speed,
he at length reached her, and grasped her by the shoulder.

“You are my prisoner,” he cried.

At that instant both heard-the thunder of an approach-
ing train.

“Never,” she cried.
justice to stand the mockery of a trial.
intend to do it here.”

And she caught both of his hands.

“You shall die with me,” she went on, witha . blood-
curdling laugh.

Nick gave a cry of horror.

He tried to pull her from the track, but it was useless.

Meanwhile the train, a heavy freight, came nearer and
nearer.

Rita Lefare planted her feet between the ties, and held
on to Nick with a death-like grip.

The glaring head-light flashed into the detective’s face,
but neither the fireman nor the engineer saw them, till so
late that they were powerless to act.

The cow-catcher of the locomotive was not five feet
away.

Gathering himself together, Nick wrenched himself
from the woman’s grasp, and fell to one side.

Rita Lefare tumbled across the tracks; and the next in-
stant the engine struck her, killing her instanily.

But little remains to be told.

The Millburn mystery was solved’ at last, and Dr. Colet
was overjoyed to learn that his nephew was not the guilty
party.

The musical box and the papers were vahoeared: and in
the secretary were found evidences to show that Rita Le-
fare had been married to Lopez for some time previous to
the illegal ceremony with Lawrence Alling.

Nick Carter obtained the reward that had been offered,
and also the heartfelt thanks of Lawrence Alling, whom
he had saved from a fate worse than death.

“You shall not hand me over to
If I must die, I

(THE END.)

The Nick Carter Liprary has the largest circulation

of any Library ever published.

“Nick CARTER ON His METTLE,” by the author of “Nick
Carter,” will be published in the next number (44) of

the Nick CARTER LIBRARY.

 

NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

The only Five Cent Library of Detective Stories.
ISSUED EVERY SATURDAY. PRICE FIVE CENTS.

1—NICK CARTER, DETECTIVE. Tuer Souvrion or A Re-
MARKABLE CASE. By a Celebrated Author.
2—NICK CARTER’S GUICK WORK; Or, A QuEeN OF CoUNTER-
FEITERS. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
3—A MILLION DOLLAR CHECK; Or, Tue Lirriz Gur AT
Work. ‘By the Author of ‘‘Nick ‘Carter.”
4—ONE AGAINST TWENTY-ONE; Or, Toe Rancu Ropeery.
By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
5—THE CIPHER LETTER; Or,
By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
6—NICK CARTER IN PHILADELPHIA; Or, Tae Nicur Hawks ~
OF THE QUAKER City. By the Author of ‘Nick Carters. @s
7—OLD THUNDERBOLT, LOCOMOTIVE; Or, Tae Packace in
THE MipnicuT Matt. By the Authur of “Nick Carter.” é
8—NICK CARTER BEFORE THE MASI; Or, A Ses Mystery.
By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
9—A MAN WITH FOUR IDENTITIES; Or, Tur Lirtir Grant’s
Propitem. By the Arthur of ‘Nick Carter.”
. 10—NICK CARTER’S DOUBLE GAME; Or, THE Guost oF
Ravenswoop Hovsr. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”
. 1I—NICK CARTER IN BOSTON; Or, A Crever ForGer’s
Scuems. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
. L2B—CHECK No. 777; Or, Huntrne tHE Same Man Twrcs.
the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”” .
. 13—3,005 MILES BY FREIGHT; Or, Tue Mysrmry or a Piano
Box. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
. 14—THE THIRTEEN’S OATH OF VENGEANCE; Or, A Crim-
mnau Compact. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
.15—THE FATE OF DOCTOR QUARTZ; Or, THe Murprr
tHE DissEcTING Room. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
. 16—PACKAGE ‘17 A;” Or, THE Srecrer or a Faminy Frup. By
the Author of “Nick Carter.”

. 17—NICK CARTER’S GREAT PERIL; Or, A Prisoner ror Lire
Wirth tHE Drap. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
.18—THE GREAT DETECTIVE DEFIED; Or, Zxztma,
Frmare Firnp. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
.19—THE LITTLE GIANT'S TASK; Or, Nick Carter’s Won-

pERFUL NERVE. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”
.20—BROUGHT TO BAY AT LAST; Or, Ovtwirrrep, Ovr-
GENERALED AND OvuTpoNE. By the ‘Author of ‘Nick Carter.’
. 21—NICK CARTER AT WESTERN UNION JUNCTION; Or,
Tue Sr. Pavut Trarn Rosppery. By the author of ‘‘Nick
Carter.”
. 22—NICK CARTER’S CELEBRATED CASE; Or, Tur Mystrerizs
oF GotHaM. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.’
, 23—THE LITTLE GIANT ON DECK; Or, THe Great Axspuc-
TION Casz. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”
24--NICK CARTER AT GLENDALE; Or, Tue Rospsery or THE
’*Frisco Nicgut Express. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter,”
. 25—YOUNG HERCULES, NICK CARTER’S ASSISTANT ; Or, A
Man oF Musciz anp Nerve. By the Author of “Nick Carter, =
. 26—-NICK CARTER IN SAN FRANCISCO; Or, UnzartHine
Crime IN Cuotnatown. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”
. 27-—NICK CARTER IN CHICAGO; Or, THE CRIME OF THE LAKE
City. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”
. 28—THE PASSENGER GOING EAST. By the Author of “Nick
Carter,”
. 29—NICK CARTER’S MYSTERIOUS CASE; Or, THE Roap- _
Hovust Tracepy. By the Author of “Nick Carter,’
. 830.—MAD MADGE, THE QUEEN OF CROOKS: 67, Fieutine
AN Artrun For. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
. 31—A DEAD MAN’S GRIP; Or, THe Sxeneron in tHE CLoseEr.
By the Author of ‘“‘Nick Garter.”
32—NICK CARTER IN KANSAS CITY; Or, Tum Nicur Hawxs
Revivep. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”
: 33—THE MYSTERIOUS MAIL BAG ROBBERY ; Or, Nick. Car-
TER'S Great CatcH. By the Auther of ‘Nick “Carter.”
. 84— YOUNG HERCULES IN MEXICO: Or, Puuck anp Muscum
Aaatnst Stratecy. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
. 85—NINETY MILES AN HOUR; Or, Tus Propuem or SEeven
Deratus. By the Author of ‘* Nick Carter.”
. 86—NICK CARTER IN ST. LOUIS; or, Tar Nicut Hawks’ Lasr
ScreecH. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”
37—_NICK CARTER IN BALTIMORE; or, Tur Consprracy or
THE Rep Leacun. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”
. 88—NICK CARTER IN NEW ORLEANS; .Or, Tur Rep Leaavuy’s
Last Errort. By the Author of ‘‘ Nick Carter.”
. 88—THREE TIMES DEAD; Or, Nick Carrmr in a Tica Prace. ©
By the Author of ‘‘ Nick Carter.”

. 40—THE GREAT JEWEL ROBBERY ; Or, Nick Carrer AMONG
tHE Hotei Tureves. By the Author of ** Nick Carter.”
.41—THE FOURFOLD MURDER; Or,

Work IN Fiortrpa. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”
. 42 THE N. Y. CENTRAL TRAIN ROBBERY; Or, Tue Nerviesr
_ QurTiaw Autve. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.” eee
. 48—THE LETTERS ON THE FLOOR; Or, Nick Carten’s CLEVER
Decreuer. By the Author of “Nick Carter. o

No.

Nick Cartrer’s Iron NERVE.

By

THE

.44—NICK CARTER ON HIS METTLE; Or, A CHASE Arran ec

A Fortune, By the Author of ‘ Nick Garter,” ete.

For sale by all newsdealers at five cents per copy, or sent postued .
on receipt of price.

STREET & SMITH, Publishers, * —
P. O. BOX 2734. 31 ROSE STREET NEW YORK. 3

 

Nick CarTEer’s CLEVER