_ e ; @ 6
The Best 5 Cent Library of Detective Stories.
Entered According to Aet of Congress, in tiie Year 1892, by Street & Smith, iu the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washingtow, D.C.
iintered as Second-class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Office, August 8, 1891. issued Weekly. Subscription Price, $2.30 per Year, December 24, 1892.

NEW YORK, 31 Rose St., N.Y. P. O. Box 2734, 5 Gents,

No. 13, Srreer & Smiru, Publishers,

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_ point when it thaws and freezes at the same time.

“their throats.

‘ blessed if I do.” ] i

NICK CARTER LIBRARY. No. 73,

>

: ' . | marked that the light ahead was in the house which was
A Clever Criminal § iets destinaticn
) They approached it cautiously, although as yet the hour
OR, was much too early for them to be upon the lookout for
the men they were after.
NICK CARTER’S FORTUNATE CLEW. As they drew near Nick saw that the light proceeded
from a window at the front of the house, which afforded a
view of the geperal living-room, or “ sitting-room.”
“Shall you make your presence known here, Nick ?”
asked Chick, “or shall we wait outside in the—er—gloam-
ing, as it were?”
“ Wait,” was the latonic reply.

 

By the author of “NICK CARTER.”

 

é CHAPTER 1.
Te ee ee was in no mood for pleasantries.
A wild storm was raging. He rade no further remark, and together they went
Phe air was laden with sleet that cut like a knife, and|up close to the window and peered through.
the cold was intense, for the atmosphere had reached that; There was no curtain to obstruct their vision, and as
both at the same instant saw all. that was in the room
Two men were hurrying along with all speed through| they uttered a simultaneous exclamation of astonishment
the storm. Their heads were bowed against the blast, | and horror.

their hats were pulled down over their eyes, and their There was a center-table in the middle of the room, and.

coat-collars were turned up and buttoned tightly around | upon it a lamp was burning.
On the floor between the table and the window, where

“This is a wild night, Nick,” said one of them, “and I/| the detectives were standing, where the light of the lamp
don’t believe that a decent, respectable burglar will ven-|shone full upon his face, was the body of a man, cold in
ture to ply his trade in such weather.” death.

**Bosh, Chick !” Chick’s first impulse was to leap forward, shatter the

“All right. I’m not kicking, just moralizing ; see?” window, and enter the room.

They plodded on in silence tor some distance, and then But the tirm hand of Nick Carter restrained him.

Chick spoke again. “ Wait,” he said, sternly.

“What a beastly road !” he said. “Why ?” breathed Chick.

“ Country roads, and particularly those on Staten Island, “Wait,” said the detective again. “Let us remain where
are apt to be beastly in such weather as this,” responded | we are for a little time. There may be more to see than
the great detective. | nOW appears.”

“It’s darker than the proverbial pocket of the Ethi-|| “The man is dead,” insisted Chick. “There is a bullet
opian,” continued the young assistant, after another | hole in his temple; we can see that from here.”
pause. “‘I hope jyyou know where you are, Nick, ee Legs: | oy y

y \, . 1 “Nick was strangely silent.

) ‘“HWush,!Chick. $There is/our destination.” _ For once even his assistant could not understand him.

“What! Where that light glimmers?” He neither moved nor spoke, but remained motionless

a Y¥eg3 where he was standing, with his eyes fixed upon the mo-

“So the burglar’s intended victim lives there, eh?” « | tionless form within the room.

“That is the house that was mentioned in the letter. | Several moments passed, and Chick became impatient.
It remains to be seen whether an intended victim lives Presently he started forward, and was about to speak,
there or not.” when the iron grip of the detective fastened itself upon

“Precisely. Queer case this; don’t you think so?” | his arm, warning him to keep silent.

“Very.” | At the same moment Nick drew his assistant forcibly

Yet, when all is said, the case was not especially queer. | back, out of the rays of light which escaped from the un-

 

*

 

seas | :
A very illiterate and anonymous note had been received shaded window.

at police headquarters in New York, stating that a cer-| “Look!” he whispered.

tain house on Staten Island was to be burglarized during | A door at the opposite side of the room was opening.

the night in question. ; ! |. A young woman entered, and the two watchers could
The writer claimed to be one of the burglars, who, hav-, hear as well as see that she was singing merrily.

‘ing a grudge against his companions, had taken that course. There wasa piano near the door, and so situated that

for his revenge. ‘the table concealed from the woman’s vision the body of
The New York police at once communicated the matter _the man upon the floor. ;
to the Staten Island force, and the conclusion was finally, The detectives saw her glance around the room inacur-
reached that the letter was genuine, and that it referred sory way, and they fancied that an expression of vague
to a gang which had been for months terrorizing the in-| surprise crossed her face, as though she were astonished
habitants of the island. and which had defied all attempts to find the room tenantless.
on the part of the police to run the members down. | She went directly to the piano, and seated herself upon
Every possible effort had been made by the local police, | the stool.
and all had been failures Her fingers ran over the keys with remarkable skill,
When the letter came, apparently giving a splendid op-| and the room was in a moment flooded with music.
portunity for the capture, the chief of the Staten Island| A dashing waltz was followed by a grand old march,
force suggested that the famous Nick Carter be sent down | and that was succeeded by a brilliant galop. Next came
to assist his men in the work. | Strains and favorite airs from well known operas, and at
The great detective, of course, consented at once, but| last, as though she were overflowing with good spirits,
only after making his usual condition—that he be allowed | she burst into song.
to conduct matters in his own way, and that theentire| Ballad after ballad followed in quick succession.
charge of the case be given to him. | Some were familiar ; some were not. All were exquis-
The result was that the Staten Island police had nothing 'itely sung in a voice that would have done honor to any
to do with it. ' drawing-room.
Nick believed that the theory that too many cooks; “By Jove, but this is horrible !” muttered Chick.
spoiled a dinner applied to his own profession as well as| “Hush!” said Nick. .
to others, and the wariness and cunning displayed by the| ‘Fancy that poor girl sitting there, singing and playing
Staten Island gang, in the past, convinced him that they|in that way, while all the time that body is lying just be-
would be equally cautious on this particular occasion. yond the table, for her to discover sooner or later.
These few paragraphs: explain why the two detectives) Nick nodded. a.
were plodding along that lonely road together in the | “Ttg enough to drive her a mad-house,” cor.tinued
midst of the storm, and what Nick meant when he re- Chick. 3 pe

 

 

  
  

When his master spoke in that tone Chick knew that he

  
      
   
      
    
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
   
   
   
   
  
 
  
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
  
   
    
     
  
  
  
  

 

 

 

 

 
 
   
       
    
    
     
      
      
       
       
       
       
     
     
     
     
     
       
    
   
     
    
       
      
     
 

j No. 73

 

nie ee

 

| Ea : Quite so,” commented the detective.

a ‘She was looking for him when she entered the room,

iy too, eh, Nick 2” *

ae Nick nodded again.

“One could see that in her face,’
“She thinks her singing will bring him.”

“ Perhaps.”

“What is she to him anyhow?

: sister——”

i \ “ Widow, I should say.”

ee Newb ‘don’t want to see her when she finds that
body.”

66 Why g

“Tt will be awful.”

ee. .

“Let me go around to the front door, ring the bell, and
maybe we can break the thing a little more gently. ie

‘No; wait.” :

“ But, Nick——”

. Wait, I say !”

Presently, as though tired of music, the woman left the
piano stool and turned toward the table.

But she paused ere she had taken two steps, and seemed
to be thinking deeply.

The light shone full upon her face, and both detectives
had an opportunity to study it carefully.

It was a beautiful face—one which would attract ad-
miration anywhere.

_ It was fresh and piquant; with her large, innocent blue
eyes shaded by long lashes much darker than her hair,

- which was almost golden, she looked to be twenty years
of age, and might have been thirty.

It was her figure which added the extra ten years to her
possible age, for it was full, rounded, and more mature in
every way than would be probable in a young lady of

wenty.

~ Suddeniy she idened and went hastily to the door by
which she had entered. {

She opened it, but did not pass out, and the oreciiens
could plainly hear her calling :

“Henry! Hen-ry !”

“You'll never get an answer again, poor girl,” mut-
tered Chick, whose heart was full of sympathy.

x Presently she closed the door, and turned again toward
the table.

This time she went quite to it, and for a ison paused
A idly turned over several periodicals and papers that
._ were lying there, humming an air from an opera as she

did so.

Then she moved again, taking another step nearer to
that fatal spot.

Another and another, while the detectives without
almost ceased to breathe in the excitement of the moment,

Still another step, and then——

_ She paused, started back, her eyes dilated with horror,
her lips parted, and then, with one wild scream, she threw
herself forward full upon the horror before her.

‘ : | CHAPTER IL.
SEARCHING FOR CLEWS.,

It was time to make a move.
The two detectives had remained standing in the driv-
ing storm nearly thirty minutes, watching the strange
scene already described.
When the young woman discovered that she had been
playing and singing. to a lifeless body, and fell prostrate
upon it, Nick Carter bounded forward, and seized the
“window sash.

He gave one violent jerk, and the lower half of the win-
dow shot upward with a force that shattered several panes
_ of glass into fragments.

_ Even in the haste of the moment the detective found

time to make a mental note of the fact that the window

was unfastened, Le

_. He had applied suffi sient force to it to break the fasten-
ings had they been in place, and hence the result.

The window being opened, they bounded through, and

in another instant were bending over the two bodies

y

continued Chick.

Wife, daughter,

fi

   
  
   
   
 
 

 

  

    
   

  
 

 

answered her with great calmness.

, “Conduct your mistress to her room,” he said.

 

stretched upon the floor.
ie a en was ed uncons

  
 

  
 

f ©

{is missing.”

me LIBRARY.

3

RD

 

ing ied ily, as though stupefied, without being rendered
senseless by the horror that she had discovered. -.

Nick raised her from the floor, and bore her to the other
side of the room, where there was a large easy-chair.

With a quick command he ordered Chick not to touch
the body of the dead man, and then he gave his entire at-
tention to the woman.

Her eyes were wild and staring, and she presented .
every symptom of being on the verge of hysteria, but the
detective’s strong will and ready resource quickly brought
her to her senses.

‘Ts he dead ?” she gasped.

_“*Let us hope not,” replied Nick.

He was about to sav more when she leaped suddenly to
her feet with a wild cry.

“You! Whg are you?” she demanded. “Did you kill
Henry? Why are you here? Whoare you? How came
you at that window at this time?”

She trembled with intense excitement,

 

Se ee

eee ee

but Nick

“‘T and my friend are officers,” he said. “How we came a
here does not matter now. Are there servants in the :
house, or is there some one here who will assist you if I
ring?” a

“Yes—yes !” she gasped. a

Then the horror of it all seemed to return to ‘her with
redoubled force, and she burst into a wild spasm of gseb-
bing.

Chick heard the question and answer, and he pulled the
bell-cord.

A few moments later there was a tap upon the door, and
opening it the young assistant admitted a servant.

She was evidently about the same age as her mistress, .
and her eyes dilated with wonder when she saw two
strangers there in charge of her mistress, who was weep-
ing violently.

Her first impulse was to escape, but Chick stopped her.
‘This
There has ben an accident,

     

  

    
    
       
      
   
   
   
   
   
   
       
 

gentlejuan and I are officers,
and——”

* On: those dreadful burglars! cried the girl. .

x Yes,” returned Chick. a

With some difficulty the stricken woman was cond ated
from the room, and a few moments later the two de-
tectives were alone with the murdered man.

‘Now, lad,” said the detective, “we have got our hands
full.” .

“T should say so. What about the burglars ?”

“We will leave the burglars out of the question for the
present,” said Nick. “I think there is much more in this

case than now appears. y

“Evidently.”

They stood together beside the body of the ee ry
man; the assistant patiently waiting for his master to take
the initiative.

Henry Danton was a man of middle age, who looked
young for his years. That is, he was upward of fifty years
old, but would have passed for ten years younger easily.

There was scarcely a gray hair in his head, and his
mustache was still as black as coal.

That he had died instantly was at once apparent.

With the exception of the bullet hole in his temple and
the unsightly marks which accompanied it, his face was as_
placid and unmoved as it doubtless had been the instant —
before the shot was fired.

“Now, Chick,” said the detective, presently, “stand
back and pay attention to all I say. If you observe any-
thing which escapes my notice make a note of it, and re-
fer to it when T am through.”

“Correct!” °*

“Unless I greatly err this case is not one of. ordinary
murder. There isadeeper motive at work than mere
revenge or robbery.”

“Hh? Why?”

“Look there !”

_ Nick pointed at the murderdl man’s shirt bosom as he
spoke.

“He was in the habit of wearing a stud,” continued the
detective, “and doubtless it was a valuable one, since it

 
     
    

 

      
   
         
         
       
    

 
         
     
   
 
       
    
       
    
    
   
       
       
     
   
     
     
     
       
     
     
     
  
   
 
    

= “Yes, T noticed that, and—”

  
   
 

NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

No. 13.

 

 

. “And therefore thought of robbery. Look at \his right
hand now.’

Chick did so.

The hand was partly oneal beneath the skirt of his
coat, but yet the young assistant could see that a valuable
diamond gleamed upon the little finger.

“Why did the murderer neglect that if booty was what
he wanted ?” asked Nick.

“ Humph !” muttered Chick.

‘Lad, there has been a clever criminal at work here,
mark my word.- Look behind that screen.”

Chiek did so.

The screen referred to partly concealed a small iron safe
that stood in one corner of the room.

The key was in the lock, with a bunch of other keys
hanging from it.

The safe door was open, and several bundles of letters
and papers were strewn upon the floor before it.

‘ Another evidence of robbery,” continued Nick. “Those
keys were doubtless taken from the pocket of this man

after he was shot down.”
m Sure

~ “Now let us search his pockets.
it. ”

He did it, removing every article that he found, exam-
ining it separately, and then returning it as before.

In the breast-pocket of the coat was a large pocket-book.

Nick opened it, and found that it was filled with’ bills
and contained nearly two hundred dollars in money.

With a significant glance at his assistant he returned
the wallet to its place, and proceeded to an examination
_of the other pockets.

In one he found a mass of letters which he carefully
looked over.

But there was nothing among them to afford him any
clew, and he returned them.

Next came aj card case, which proved uninterdsting,
except for the fAct that it contained a small photograph of
the an who had played and sang in the parlor while
the body was stretched upon the floor, concealed by the
table...

Presently a small chamois bag was found, and upon
being opened the contents proved to be a half dozen unset
diamonds; true, they were not of great value, still they
were diamonds.

They were replaced, as the other things had been, and
the examination went on.

Nothing further was found, however, that told the de-
tectives anything, and the trousers pocket on the right
@ieide was empty.

“There is where he carried his keys,” said’ Nick, “and
whoever shot this man knew that fact.”

“Then something that was in the safe was the motive
for the crime,” said Chick. “Is that what you mean ?”

“It would appear so now.”

“Well, what next?”

“Have you studied the room at all, Chick ?”

““Yes; certainly.”

_“What do you make of it?”

“Mighty little.”

“That chair was where Henry Danton’ was sitting when
he was shot down.”

“Doubtless.”

“He must have been sitting with his left side to the

Stand back; I will do

‘ table, with the chair in that position.” aay

66 Sure. b>)

“The bullet entered his right temple, and produced in-
stant death.”

(79 Yes.”’

“Now, where was the assassin ?”

“Somewhere near the window, I should say.”

“ Just outside the window.”

6b Eh ey

“You heard me.’

= Yes, but the Bindow was s closed. There was no bullet
hole in any of the panes. If there had been we should have
noticed it.”

(73 True. 99

2 “Then——”

- “Chick, the bullet was fired fron outside the house.”
< ee P :

 

“ Hither the window was partly raised, or else——”

“What?”

“1t had been fixed so that it could be raised noiseiessly.”

‘Perhaps so--in decent weather. But at a time like this
the best made window in the world would swell.”

“True again. Did you notice that the window was un-
fastened ?”

6G Yes. 99

“Go now and try the window.
lower it noiselessly.”

Chick turned ‘to the window.

He crossed the room rapidly, and was bu to do as he
had been directed, when he uttered a sharp exclamation
of astonishment, and bounding for ward threw it violently
upward.

“Nick!” he exclaimed. The next instant he had leaped
through it into the darkness.

Astonished, Nick followed, but he only reached the case-
ment when Chick reappeared.

“That gets me!” he muttered.

“What is the matter Q”

“Nick.” said Chick, ‘“‘when I approached that window
to raise it, aS you said, I saw a face outside.”

60 Met 49? si

“Tt disappeared almost as soon as I discovered it, but.
not too soon for me to recognize it.”

“You recognized it!”

“It was the face of the woman whom we saw in this
room; who played on the piano and sang. It——”

But Nick did not wait to hear more.

‘*Remain here !” he exclaimed.

Then, with a bound, he crossed the room, went out into
the hall, and ran up the stairs with all speed.

See if you can raise and

ee if

CHAPTER Ut.
THE Soke nee Ss THEORY.

Nick Carter was scarcely a moment in rencHine the
room to which the woman had been conducted after her
frightful experiences in the parlor.

By good fortune the maid who attended her was near at
hand, and, as Nick rapped imperiously upon the panel,
she hastened forward and placed one restraining hand
upon his arm.

“Madam must not be disturbed,” she said.
her orders.”

“T must see her at once,’ > replied Nick, in that quick
way of his which left no roonijfor argument.

“But, sir——”

Nick "interrupted her by turning the knob in an effort
to enter the room.

But the door was locked.

“ Have you a key to this door?” he asked.

“Ves. sine:

“Then open it, or I will break it down.
is in danger.”

The last few words seemed to act like an gechat shock
upon the woman.

That her mistress might be in danger seemed very likely
to her, after what had ulready taken place.

In aninstant she drew the key from her pocket, and
inserted it in the lock.

The next moment the door swung open before them.

“Go in,” said Nick, quickly. “See that things are all
right. I ‘must enter at once,’

Tke maid passed through, and the detective, placing his
foot in such a pcsition that the door could not be again
closed without his permission, entered.

Only a moment passed, and then——

‘“Well?” demanded the detective, impatiently.

“You may enter, sir,” the maid replied.

Nick pushed the door ajar, and went into the room.

The maid was standing in the middle of the floor, and
in front of her, half buried in a large easy- -chair and
clothed in a loose house-wrapper, was the mistress e the
house.

Her eyes were red with weeping, but there was an ex-—
pression of indignant surprise upon her face when she be-
held Nick.

“Madam, you must pardon my aprupiies "he said;
“but necessity knows no law.”

“*Such were

Your’ mistress

 
   
     

No 73

NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

 

 

 

  
 
 

2 “T know that Iam indebted to you, sir,” she replied,
- quite calmly ; “but why you should force yourself into
my presence in this manner——”

“Pardon me again,” interrupted Nick.
you a few questions.”

“Hirst, sir, tell me who you are, and why you are here.”

“TI am Nick Carter, and I am here because I was sent
here,” he replied, quickly. |

Then he turned abruptly to the maid.

“Did you do as I directed?” he asked.
been summoned ?”

“T have just sent the message, sir,
added : “I have also sent for the police.”

“Good! Now, madam,” returning to the mistress of the
house, “ will you take into consideration the fact that I
am an officer and that my only desire is to aid you and to
unravel this mystery 2”

1 “ST will try to-do so.”

““You may have heard of me, and if so——
“T have heard of you, sir.” _
“Very good. Do you feel. os enough to reply to

-gome questions?”

“Yes; I will try.”

“Have you been out of this room since the maid and I
conducted you here?”

“No. Certainly not.”

“Have you a relative residing with you?

699

 

“T must ask

   
  
  
 

' “Has a doetor

  

4%

 

she replied ; and

    
  
  

”

  
  
 
   
   

One of your

   
  
  
  
  
  
   
 

own sex?
“T haven’t a relative in the world, sir, that Iam aware
of. bb]
~. “Tndeed! Did you ever meet or hear of anybody who
resembled you e?
“ Never.”
*«Pardon me,. but you are Mrs. Danton, I believe.”
e Ee 66 Yes. 39
_ “And your first name is——”
“ Sara.”

  

She leaned bavk still farther} in ie chair, and her face
* guddenly assumed the hue of chalk.

 

Nick, perceiving it, saw that her strength was not then |.

equal to the tax of replying to a host of questions.

“T will not trouble you more at present,” he said,

kindly.

“Thank you, sir.”

“As soon as you feel strong enough to talk-with me,

there are many questions which I would like toask. With
, your permission, [ will remain in the house until you are

- equal to the task.”

oe “In the morning, Mr. Carter.

oe I”

G She burst out sobbing again, and Nick, with a bow,

af withdrew. _

ft There was adeep wrinkle on his brow when he again

y entered the parlor.

“Chick,” he said, “we will soon have a lot of cops here,
as well as an officious doctor or two.’

e¢ Humph (eh

“Let us get through with what we want to do here be-
fore they come.’

46 Right. ” a

“Take your pocket- lamp, get out of the window, and
see if the ground will tell you anything.”

“Very good.”

“T will pursue my studies here. Work like a beaver
now, for I want to be through when the doctor and the
police arrive.’

Chick hastened to obey, and the two detectives were
soon perores in different fields although working to-
gether. —

At the end ‘of. half an hour, Chick stuck his head in at
the window, and discovered Nick seated in the very chair
in which the murdered man had doubtless been sitting
when the fatal shot was fired.

The paper which Danton had probably been engaged in

reading was in his hands, but it could plainly be seen
that the detective was not reading.

At that instant ‘the rattle of wheels was heard on the
graveled roadway, and, with a bound, Chick leaped into
-. the room. :

“The doctor, ” he said.
“Yes,” returned Nick, Peon the paper sacekiily upon

 

 

Just now I am stunned.

 
 
   
   
  
  
 

   
   
   

 

 

 

  

the floor where he had found it, and rising. “Have you
finished 2?”

CY Gg”?

‘*So have I.”

“What next, then?”

“Simply to wait for the doctor.” i

66 Ah! 477 ‘4

“You need not tell me anything yet,
want to know.”

‘Al right.”

The doctor presently entered the room. |

He was all bustle and activity. He was a man of mid-
dle age, with a shrewd but kindly face which inspired
confidence at once.

He glanced sharply at Nick and then at Chick.

“You are Officers, I suppose,” -he said. :

Nick nodded, and the physician hastened to the side of
the murdered man.

One glance sufficed him.

“Dead!” he said, quickly. “My services are more
needed up stairs, than here, I imagine.”

“Precisely so,” replied Nick.

“Has this body been moved?” continued the doctor,
sharply.

«et No. >]

**Good !”

“Nothing has been molested.”

“Good again.. May I inquire who you are, sir ”

Nick handed him a card'bearing his own name.

“Kh?” exclaimed the doctor. “Is it possible? Good! [
ant glad to meet you, Mr. Carter. How does Sar—er—Mrs.
Danton hear this?”

“Wonderfully, so far.”

74 Ah AS

“T fear a reaction, however. She bears up too well.”

“She is a wonderful woman, Carter; I have known her
since childhood. Yes, a wonderful woman; the daughter

of——. Hem, h’m!” .

“Indeed !” said Nick, dryly.

““T will go to her at once,” continued thd physician.

He turned at once and abruptly left the room.

“Nick,” said Chick, when they were alone, “did you
ever hear of that fellow? ”

66 Who ou

66 Hem er

“Often, lad; he is the individual who always steps in
between you. and something you were about to hear, but
don’t.”

“Here cothe the policemen,” said Chick,

In another moment they entered the room, five of them,

Nick, having with him the authority of the chief of the
Staten Island force, was at once virtually placed in charge
of matters, although he assured the sergeant that he had
already concluded his investigations.

‘Have you found.anything?” asked the sergeant.

“Nothing tangible.”

“ Nothing to afford a clew, eh?”

“Nothing that could be called one, certainly.”

“The thing is plain to me, Mr. Carter.”

“Indeed 2”

66 Yes. 2),

“Then your penetration goes farther = mine, for I
confess that Iam puzzled.”

“Have you noticed the safe ?”

66 Yeés. 9

“And the fact that a large diamond is missing from
Danton’s shirt-bosom ?”

“Was it a large diamond ? De

“Oh, yes! I have seen it often.”

“Indeed !”

“It was very large, very brilliant and exceedingly val-
uable.”

‘Ah 1?

“He always wore it.”

“A foolish thing to do.”

- That’s so. But its disappearacne makes our work
plain.”

46 How so? 999

“Why, this confounded gang of burglars when has in+
fested the island for months, has been here.”

be Ah! 1 i

I will ask when I

  
 
  

NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

     

 

 

 

 

‘It’s ag plain as the nose on your face.”

66 H’m! y??

you, ?gee, Mr. Danton was slightly deaf, and——”

s that so?”

“Hes, It was hardly noticeable, and yet he was deaf
enough so that he did not hear slight noises that would
attract your attention and mine.”

66 I see. 9

‘A man could approach him from behind without being
heard.”

“That’s a good point, sergeant.”

“Yes; it gives us a theory.”

‘You should be a detective, instead of on the regular
force. Let me hear your theory.”

“Why, we already know that burglars had their eyes
on this place to-night.”

“True.”

“Let us say that one of them came a little earlier to re-
econnoiter. He looked in at the window; he saw Danton
here; he saw the gleam of the diamond in his shirt-front ;
it was too much for him.”

“Humph! Well?”

CHAPTER IV.
WHO HEARD THE SHOT?

‘“Why, the whole thing seems very plain to me.”

“Explain; you interest me.”

‘We will say that this burglar knew that Mr. Danton
did not hear well.”

6b Yes.”

“He saw him in that chair. The night was dark and
stormy, and although it was scarcely seven o’clock in the
evening——”

‘““Why do you fix that hour? It is now ten.”

“True; but the thing must have happened at Hage three,
hours AZO ; an] t you think so?”

‘Ves! 27

“Well, the fellow reasoned that nobody would be near
on account of the storm, that the servants were in a dis-
tant part of the house at work, dinner being just over.”

**Good ; go on.”

‘“‘He wanted that diamond, and he took chances. He
tried the window, and—lI say, if you found that window
fastened, it spoils my theory.”

“It was not.”

“Good! He raised the window, and eaterad the room.
We will say his intention was to choke Mr. Danton, but
that for some reason he had to shoot.”

“Yes; well?”

“That frightened him. He grabbed the diamond and
sloped ; see?”

>

“Yes, But what about the safe?”
“Bless you! That must have been left open by the
owner. The burglar never went near it. He would not

dare spend the time after shooting his pistol.
might have heard it, you know.”
“Naturally.”
‘He did not count upon the necessity of using his gun
when he first thought of committing the robbery.”
‘Probably not.”

Somebody

“Having committed the deed and run away, he will

doubtless warn his associates and we will have no occa-
sion to look for them here to-night.”

‘‘T agree with you there.”

va seems like a plausible theory ; don’t you think so?”

‘*Ver

oinen we have only to run down that gang of burglars
to get our man. The others will not stand up for him ina
matter of this kind, and the work seems easy.”

Nick made no reply, and the sergeant, after waiting for
some time for an answer, turned away to give some in-
structions to his men.

A few moments later the doctor came down from his
attendance upon Mrs. Danton, and Nick at once ap-
proached him.

“Well, doctor?” he said.

“Well ?” replied the physician.

“ How, do vou find your patient?”

“Very much overcome, but bearing up wonderfully
well under the circumstances.”

 

 

66 Good! >? Z

“She seems unusually alert, and insists upon seeing you
at once.”

“Upon seeing me?”

   
 

Ge Yes. b))
“Ts she strong enough?”
“IT think so. Just at present the full force of the awful

 

scene is not fully realized by her. I really think she can
talk better with you now than twenty-four hours later.”

“Then I will go to her at once.”

“T think it a good plan.”

“First, I would like to ask you a few questions.”

be Ah on j

“Mr. Danton was much older than his wife, was he CA
not ?”

cb Yes. 9

“Is she his first wife?”

“No; his second.”

‘How long have they been married ?”

“About two years.”

“Lived happily, did they ?”

“Very! I never saw stronger evidence of love and con-
fidence between husband and wife than they presented.”

“Good! When we were talking together a few moments
ago, you made the remark that you had known her since
childhood.”

“ Ves.”

“And you started to tell me who her father was.”

ere.) es

“Something interrupted you; I don’t remember what.
Will you finish that sentence now? Who was her father ?”

‘What possible bearing can that have upon the case 2?”

“Perhaps none at all. Asa detective, 1am curious on
many seemingly unimportant points.”

“ Naturally.” ee

“Who was Mrs. Danton’s! father ?” of

“T would rather not tell.” es

“Indeed! Why?” i

‘“T will be frank with you, Mr. Carter.”

“Thanks.”

‘‘Her father was a very bad man.”

“Ah! A criminal ?”

“A very clever criminal, indeed. z

““H’m! Who was he?”

“For Mrs. Danton’s sake I will not answer that.”

“What you tell me would be in confidence.”

“TI know that. Still, I do not feel justified in replying.”

“Could the answer prejudice one against Mrs. Danton?”

“Tt might—you, particularly.”

66 I ae

Gb Yes.”

“Doctor, you puzzle me.”

“T regret that I am obliged to do so, sir. I have known
Mrs. Danton a good many years, and she has always been
above reproach in every way. Her father was the great- '
est scoundrel of his time, and you are the man who
brought his career to a close.”

 

 

  

 

 

KT 9”? ek
66 Yes.” f ‘ me
“Humph! Is she aware of that fact?” ae
“ Perfectly.”

“Ah! And consequently hates me ; eh ?”

“TI do not think so.”

“It would be but natural.”

“ Not in this case. , She feared and detested her father.
She knew him for what he was, and I is he was glad
when his career was ended.”

“Indeed! You will not tell me who he was?’ ‘ 7
“No.” : : t
‘You were the family physician here, I believe.” ee
“Ves.” ; *.

 

‘““Have you been so long?”

“Yes; a good many years.”

“Do you think this crime can be fread to anything like
revenge?”

“T do not.”

“What became of the first wife ?”

“She died.”

“Here? In this house?”

“ No; abroad.”

“Do you know that she did die -

  
 
 

    
 

 

 

ee | NICK CARTER LIBRARY. 7

“Certainly.”
‘*Was the life they lived together a ee one?”
“ Decidedly so.”

‘“There was no skeleton in the closet which might have
faben shape at this late day, and begotten the crime, you

think ?”

“T am sure of it.”

‘‘Danton was a rich man ?”

“Yes; though a plain one.”

C Retired from business ?”

“Yes; for several years. He was a banker, I think.”

“ Where did he meet his second wife ?”

‘At my house.”

“Ab! You were her guardian ?”

66 Yes. ”

“And approved of the marriage ?”

“ Decidedly !”

“Can you give me any idea to work upon in fathoming
the mystery of this case?”

“ None whatever, unless——”

“Unless what?”

“Unless the gang of thieves and burglars which has for
a long time infested the island is accountable.”

46 Humph! 0?

‘‘Don’t you think that may be the solution, Mr. Carter ?”

6 No. ”

“Kh? What, then?”

“T don’t know.”

oe Ah! 99?

‘Doctor, did you ever happen to know of a person who
very strongly resembles your ward ?”

“Do you mean Mrs. Danton ?”

ce Vag

“T never did.”

Nick was silent,

“Why do you ask ?” said the doctor, presently.

“For reasons of my own which, for the present, I must
keep to myself.”
“Very good.

phatic.”

be Well? 999

“Mrs. Danton is too beautiful to have a counterpart.”

Nick made ‘no reply, and presently the doctor added :

“She is waiting for you.”

“True. I will go to her now; but I would like to talk
with you again, doctor.”

“Tam always at your service, sir.”

“Thanks. You will, I hope, remain until the coroner
arrives?”

‘“‘Certainly.”

“By the way, did not Mr. Danton wear a large diamond
in his shirt-bosom ?”

“ Always.”

“Have you noticed that it is missing ?”

6 Yes. 99

‘And hence your theory of burglars, eh?”

“ Partially.”

“The safe is open, and there are papers upon the floor.
Did you notice that also?”

66 Yes. 99

“Was it Mr. Danton’s habit to leave his safe open after
making use of the contents?”

“TI never knew him to do so.”

“Tt would seem, then, that the keys were taken from
his pocket and the safe opened after the crime was com-
mitted, would it not?”

“That would be my opinion.”

“Just two or three questions more and then I will go
to Mrs. Danton.”

“Well ?”

‘Aside from your professional duties, were you a fre-
quent visitor here?”

66 Yes. 39

“And were familiar with the habits of the household ?”

“Perfectly.”

“ At what time did Mr. Danton dine 2?”

“At six; and he was always punctual.”

“He was not.a smoker, I believe ?”

“Oh, yes, an inveterate one!”

“Had you seen him lately?”

I will make my answer even more em-

    
  

‘‘He was well?”

* Perfectly.”

“Then how do you account for the fact that having just
dined he was not engaged in smoking at the moment of
the murder ?”

“Was he not?”

“There are no evidences of it.”

66 Humph! 4?

“We will leave that question for another.”

Well ie

“Dinner being just over—that is. supposing the crime
to have been committed at or near seven o’clock, who in
the house would have been most likely to have heard the
report of the pistol ?”

‘Mrs. Danton.”

“Why ? 97) %

“ Because her room is directly over this one. She. should
have heard it if she was in ne room at the time.”

CHAPTER Vv.
MRS. DANTON’S TESTIMONY.

Nick turned away, and went at once to Mrs. Danton’s
room,

He was strangely puzzled by the circumstances of the
case in which he had become involved, for his intuitive
sense assured him that there was more motive behind the
strange murder than had thus far appeared.

He found the mistress of the house expecting him.

Her face was flushed with momentary excitement, and
at first glance it seemed as though she were eager for the
interview.

“The doctor advised me to talk with you at once,” said
Nick, as he entered.

“ Yes: it is my wish.”

“I may ask questions which will seem offensive,
madam, but I beg you to understand that Ihave no such
inte sntion,” he continued.

‘‘T understand perfectly.”

“Very good. .There may be other questions which will
seem to you to have no bearing upon the case, yet: the
answers may be important.”

*T will answer if I can.”

“Then I will proceed. You and your husband always
ived happily together, I have been told.”

‘Entirely so.”

‘Had he an enemy of WORE existence you are aware?”
“Not one.”

“When did you last see him alive?”

“ At-dinner this evening.”

“What time was that?”

““Atisix.”

‘“‘Did you leave the table at the same time ?”

“Yes. We walked through the hall together.”

*“Do you know the time?”

“T know it exactly.”

be Ah se

“We parted at the door which opens into the parlor. I
to come to my room here; he to go to his death.”

Nick was silent, and she continued :

“My watch has been out of order for some time; it has
been losing. As we parted I asked him for the time, and
compared mine with his.”

“And the result?”

‘He told me that it was just six ny -two.”

“Ah! and then——”

“T came to my room.”

“'To this room 2?”

oe Yes. 7

**When did you leave it again?”

‘CA few moments later I remembered tuat I had left in
the dining-room a paper that I wanted.”

‘And you went for it?”

6h Yes. ”

“Then you again passed the parlor door.”

6 Nias :

‘How was that?”

‘“T went down by the back stairs.”

“ce Why Oo Si
“For no reason.

 

“This morning.”

stead of descending the front stairs, near my door, I went
long the hall and down by the back stair-way.”

rae

I simply went from my room, and in- -

 
 

    

   
 
  
       
       
     
     
     
     
    
  
   
    
  
  
 
   
  
  

  
 
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
   
   
 
 
 
  
  
   
  

  
 
 
 
    
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
    
    

     
   
  
  
  
  

  
  
  
 
 
  

   
   
    
  
     
     
   

NICK

 

CARTER LIBRARY.

     

    

No. 73.

 

 

 

““Did you meet or see Buy of the servants %”

eNO; 3)

“You got the paper ?”

a6 Yes. 9

“What was it ?” :

“The Commercial Advertiser.”

“Was there something in the paper that you particu-
larly wished to read ?”

“No; the general news.’

“You returned here at once 2?”

“Yes; or nearly so.’

“ How long were you absent from this room?”

“Not more than ten minutes.”

“You are positive of that?”

46 Yes. 2

“Then what did you do?”

“T read the paper.”

in: this room ?”

‘Ves.’

“When did you go out again ?”

“Not until I went to the parlor, when I played upon the
piano, when J——”

“Ves: [know. During the intervening time you sat
here reading? 2”

66 Yes. 99

“Did you drop asleep ?”

6h INO’

“You are positive of that?”

“Perfectly.”

“Did you hear the report of a pistol or anything which
suggested such a sound 2?”

&6 No. 97

“Try to remember.”

“T did not hear arsound that I remember.”

‘* Where is the dining-room situated ?”

“On the other side of the house and three rooms hack.
This is a large house.”

“Yes. In your opinion could you have heard the report
of a pistol fired at the parlor window if you were im the
dining-reom?? ‘|

“T don’t know.”

‘True. I will test that point.”

“T am positive of one thing.”

“What 1s that?”

“Had I been in this room when the pistol was fired I
would have heard it.”

“Yes; I think so, too. ”

“Then, sir"

“ Well 2”

a must have happened while I was in the dining-
room.’

“Probably. After returning here from dinner how long
did you remain before you. went for the paper ?”

“Not over five minutes.”

“We will say that from the time when you parted with |

your husband at the parlor door until you were. back |

again in the dining-room ten minutes elapsed.”

6c Yes. 99

“Then to carry out the theory suggested by your words
the pistol-shot must have been fired about eight minutes
before seven.”

“Yes.”

“Your husband smoked ?”

“Yes, constantly.”

“Was he smoking when you left him in the hall?”

“No. He usually lighted his cigar in the dining-room.
To-night he did not do so.”

66 Why aie

‘*He had none in his pocket.”

* Ah! 929

“He remarked laughingly that there was a fresh box in
the safe.”

“In the safe?”

66 Yes. 29 é

“Did he keep his cigars in the safe?”

Sh Yes. 9?

“Rather a rernarkable place for them, was it not?”

“JT thought so, and often laughed at my husband for
taking greater care of his cigars than of his diamonds;

but he had a fancy that the cigars preserved their flavor.

wetter if kept in an iron safe.”

“Ah!

66 Yes. bb)

“Was the safe open then ?”

“If it was I did not notice it.”

“Was it usually kept iocked 2?”

“* Always.”

‘And he carried the keys with him ?”

eves...

“Do you know in what pocket?”

“Tn the right hand trousers pocket.”

“Figuring that he went directly to the safe for his
cigars upon entering the room, he might have left the safe
open; don’t you think so?”

‘It is possible, but not at all like him.”

“T have examined the safe, Mrs. Danton, and I found a
box of cigars 1p it,”

66 Ah! ies

“But the box had never been opened. The stamp was
not broken, and therefore if he went to the safe he did
not touch the cigars.”

“But that seems impossible, knowing his habits as I do.”

“it may have been his intention to take a cigar from
the box; he may have proceeded as far as opening the
safe, and then have changed his mind.”

“Yes; it is possible.”

“Something mav have called his attention elsewhere
for the moment.”

* True.”

“At all events, he had not lighted a cigar when the shot
was fired, although the safe was open. Now I will touch
‘|upou another subject which may be painful to you.”

“What is it, sir?”

“You have been married about two years, have you

oer
me Yes.”

“Were you ever married before ?”

a Nour,”

“Was there a suitor for your hand who was repulsed ?
One who was jealous? Who made threats; or who failing,
to do so, was yet to be feared ?”

Were you in the parlor before dinner ?”

 

 

Her eyes gleamed strangely for one instant, and Nick
; continued :

“In other words, do you know of any incident in your
‘life or his which could explain this crime as the result of
| jealousy ?”

| “Ido not.”
“Think, madam.”
“JT have thought, sir.”
|. “Pardon me, but I fancied that you, hesitated when I
_ began these questions, as though you did in fact recall
something of the kind.”
“You were mistaken.”

| “Indeed! ‘Then why——”
| “Pardon me, sir. There can be nothing of that kind, I
assure you.’

‘‘Madam, I do not seek to incriminate anybody. Did
ae a circumstance exist I ~culd trace it to the minutest

detail before a shadow could fall upon the fair fame of

anybody.” 4
“T believe you, sir.”
“And there is nothing ?”

“ Nothing.”

“We will leave that point.

66 Yes. 99

“ Have you ever visited your husband’s safe since your
marriage ?”

“Never.”

“Nor had the key in your possession ?”

“Never; but WAL ate

Now, another.”

to have no meaning. Have you ever been in the room
when the safe was open ?”

‘*Possibly. _I cannot say.”

“Then, to the best of your recollection, you have not?”

“To the best of my recollection I have not.”

“Pardon me again; are you quite positive that you
never took anything from the safe at your husband’s re-
quest or otherwise ?”

= 66 Sir! 4»?
‘IT mean that you might have handed him a cigar or a

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Pardon me; this is a line of questioning which seems

   
    
   
  
  
  
   
   
   
   
  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
  
    
 
   
   
  
  
   
  
 

 
   
    
   
      

 

paper that he wanted,

vz

 

No. 73.

and the circumstance have
escaped you.”

“My hand was never inside the safe, sir.”

“You speak with some dignity upon this subject,
madam; was there any reason why you preferred to re-
main aioof from the safe?”

“There was.”

“Ah! Will you tell me what it was.”

“‘T will say this much. I often bantered him about the
safe, and endeavored to Lave it placed in another room.
It was the one thing in which he would not let me have
my way, and I was foolishly sensitive about it.”

‘Did he keep money in the safe?”

“Very little, if any.”

‘Only papers, eh ?”

“Deeds and mortgages; his will, I believe, and docu-
ments of a business character.”

“Your husband was fond of diamonds, I believe.”

“They were his hobby. He always had a number in his
possession, and he was constantly buying more, but he
always carried them in his pockets.” —

 

CHAPTER VI.
A FORTUNATE CLEW.

The detective was satisfied that he had learned all that
Mrs. Danton could tell him, at least for the present, and
as she appeared to be very much overcome by the ordeal
of questioning, he took his leave, and:returned to the room
below where the body of the murdered man still awaited

""* the arrival of the coroner.

 

 

 

 

 

  

   

 

 

Chick was there with eyes and ears on the alert, and
Nick at once drew him aside.
“Now, lad,” he said, ‘what did you find ?”
“ Mighty little.”
“But you did find something?”
: “Veg ”
“What?”

ys
we
Fy

“T found the prints of a woman’s shoe in the soil under-)

neath the window, where the grass does not grow.” '

66 Ah {2 i 5

“The foot-prints were made after we entered the house,
proving that I was not mistaken in the belief that I saw
a face at the window.”

**Good !”

“ And I believe that face either belonged to the mistress
of this house or to somebody as like her as two peas.”

“Tt could not have been herg, Chick.”

“Perhaps not.” ,

“T was only a moment in reaching her room, and she

‘was in her chair. She was dressed in a loose wrapper, and

I don’t believe she had moved since we first took her
there.”

“Who was it then?”

“You tell me.”

ft can t.”

“Did you get more than a glimpse of her?”

£6 No. 99

“Yet in that glance you should be able to say something
more than merely that she resembled Mrs. Danton.”

“ What, for instance?”

“Was she bareheaded 2”

“No; she wore some sort of a hood.”

oe Ah Ce

“Such a one, I should say, as forms a part of a iady’s
waterproof.”

“ Humph ! did she have on a waterproof?”

“T give it up.”

‘Were there traces of any other foot-prints out there?”

“Yes; our own——”’

“Of course.”

“And there were marks made by the same shoes as
those I just described, only they were made before ours.”

“Good |”

“Why 9”

‘““Why! They prove, do they not, that the woman whose
face you saw at the window had been there at least once
before to-night.”

“Qure.”

“ And that in all likelihood

NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

 

she either committed the
crime or saw it done.”

“Or at least knew who did it, eh?”
“Exactly.” ee, ;
“Nick, [ don’t believe a woman could shoot straight

enough to kill that man as Danton was Killed, from the — n

window, unless——” = 3

“Well?”

‘Unless she came in at the window and got cl
victim before she fired.” ag haces

“That was not done by her or by anybody, Chick,”

te Why 9”

“Because there would have been some evidence of the
fact left upon the carpet.”

79 Ah 12 2 :

“There was and is nota trace there that we did not
make ourselves.”

“T see.” — ae, Le
“Therefore the bullet was fired from the outside of the
window,” a :

Suddenly Chick, who had seemed to pay very little at-
tention to the last remark, turned and seized Nick’s arm.
-. “TD ve got it!” he exclaimed.

“Got what?”

“Walk over to the window with me.”

“Very good.”

“Have you examined it at all?”

“No. I left the window and all beyond it to you.”

“Look there!” said Chick, for they.had reached the
(window, and while the officers in the room watched them
with great interest the young assistant pointed at a mark
on the bottom of the casing.
. What he indicated was simply a smutch of mud on the
white paint. Examining it closely, traces of the palm of a
person’s hand could be seen, where Nature has drawn
such slender and delicate lines.

Nick was instantly all attention.

a you touched this at all, Chick?” he asked.

6c oO. 9 iy

&

1 What a mercy !”

“fhe vetective got-down upon his knees4y; the window.

He drew forth his little lantern and badé Chick do the —

same.

Then with the slender but fierce rays of light from both
lanterns thrown full upon the spot he began a minute in-
vestigation.

ao he straightened up, and turning to Chick
said :

a remarked a moment ago that you had got it.”

es.”
“What did you mean 2”

“Simply a proof that some person did enter the room,
whether traces were lett upon the carpet or not.”

“Chick, I have found two clews to-night. One that I
will not mention yet, and this.”

“You always see more than anybody else can. What is
there in this?”

“Hirst, let me ask you if you are sure this spot was not
made by either of us?” ;

rs Yes. 9

66 Why 9”

‘For two reasons.”

“What are they ?”

“For one, I don’t think either of us had any mud on
our hands when we reached the window to-night. We
both wore gloves, and——”

“What is the other reason 2?” oa

“That stain was made by mud that came from a _ barn-
yard.”

“Good! Correct!”

“And Iam mighty sure there wasn’t any such stain on
my hands to-night; nor do I believe there was on yours.”

“Right again. Is that all?”

& Yes. 9

“Chick, the hand that left that stain there was much
smaller than either yours or mine.”

66 Ah 17%

“Tt was a woman’s hand.”

‘How do you know that?”

“By the lines. They are very delicate, very finely
drawn. One can scarcely see them.”
True.”

“Tf you will go out of the window again and search the

    
   
   
 
  
   
 

   
 

   
 
  
  
10

NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

 

 

 

ground once more you will find a spot where a pair of
shoes were dropped to the ground from the window, that
is if they struck where they could leave a mark.”

*T’ll go and see,”

“No; never mind; I believe I am correct.

‘“The shot was fired from the outside of the window;
after it was fired and had taken effect the assassin
climbed upon the window-sill. Do you see?”

a6 Yes. 3

“There she—for I believe the assassin was a woman—
removed her shoes and dropped them outside.”

* Well?”

“The right one did not come off easily.”

“ How the dev——”

“Chick, that mark was made with the left aed, which
is the one that would be employed in removing the right
shoe.”

‘Of course.”

“Tf it came off easily the person wearing it would not
have been obliged to seize the sole in removing it.”

6 Ah te

‘The shoe had been worn in a barn-yard recently. Some
. of the soil stuck to it, just beneath the instep.”

* T see.”

_ “To-night the wet grass and the moisture of the earth
softened that particle which stuck there, so that when a
hand was pressed hard upon the spot it brought away the
stain.”

“That’s plain enough.”

‘“The shoes being removed and dropped outside, the per-
son—bah! let us say the woman !—placed her hand upon
the window-sill, in order to steady herself while she

stepped into the room.”
*Humph !”
“And the mark which you found was left.”
‘Good !”
“T want you to find a piece of thin white paper.” ‘
“Correct. 4 ©
“Grease it thoroughly, and then tack it over that stain.

When you have done that trace every line in that stain |
Be very careful, Chick,

upon the paper with your pencil.
and get it exactly right.”

‘You bet I will!”

“It is the palm, of a woman’s left hand.
thing about palmistry, and——”

“You don’t expect to be able to read the woman’s name
from that, do you?”

“Hardly.”

“Then what——”

“Chick, if you see a face to-day for the first time, but
meet it again to-morrow, you remember it; eh?”

“Sure.”

“When I have studied the drawing that you will give
me I will know the hand that placed that stain there if I
ever see it.”

‘‘That’s what I call a fortunate clew.”

‘Perhaps so; let us hope so.”

“T believe that it will unravel this mystery.”

“Good! Now, could you trace those foot-prints outside
at all?”

bb No.
not grow,’

‘And there was nothing ote on that spot?”

“Nothing,”

“No trace of stockinged feat?”

“7 didn’t find any.”

““Yet the woman must have gone out the same way she
came in.”

“Tt seems so.”

“T have it, Chick.”

“Well, what?”

“When she went out she jumped. Either by accident
or design she cleared the bare spot, and alighted nen the
grass.’

““That’s it.”

‘‘Then she reached for her shoes, and in a moment more
was gone. ”

“Sure.”

“The assassin was a woman, but what woman? Why
did she take Danton’s diamond stud and leave his money
and the loose gems ?”

I know some-

\

There is only a spot there where the grass does

 

“Give it up!” oe

“Why did she take the beounie to open the safe and _
search it, and what did she find there of value to her?”

“A will, perhaps.” .

“It may be. Tnere was something there that she
wanted, and, lad, she wanted it badly enough to commit
a murder to get it. p

CHAPTER VII.
LAYING A SNARE,

Both detectives remained silent for some moments.

“Chick,” said Nick, suddenly, ‘‘how’s your nose?”

“Bh?” and the assistant placed one hand tenderly to his
nasal organ.

“Take a walk over to that safe.”

“Certainly. What for?”

“You need not touch anything; only come back and
tell me what you smell.”

Chick went to the safe and got upon his knees before it.

But he did not remain there a moment.

He rose immediately, and rejoined Nick, uttering, as he
did so, the one word ;

56 Cloves ! i

“Right, Chick.”

“Have you searched the safe ?”

“Yes; very thoroughly.”

“Rind any cloves?”

ce No. 9

“Then where does the scent come from ?”

“How do you expect me to reply to that now ?”

“Ah! The other clew, eh?”

“Ves.” a

“Isn't it rather strange that there should be such a
scent of cloves in that safe if there are no cloves there,
but, on the contrary, tobacco, which should overcome it?”

i. Very.”

“Tobacco makes a very strong scent. One can plainly
smell the cigars in that box, and yet above it = is the
scent of cloves.”

‘*Precisely.”

‘“‘Nick, do you know what causes it?”

ae suspect, but I don’t know.”

6 Ah 1

“We have got two very small clews to work upon, lad;
clews which few would Soe at all, but I think they
will lead us to the Perse a fir ed that fatal shot.”

“I hope so.’

‘‘Make your drawing now, Mad The coroner will be here.

presently, and he will run things when he does come, you = = &§

may be sure.’

The drawing was made and safely tucked away inthe ©
detective’s pocket-book before that august individual ar-
rived, however. ue

Then the coroner came.

The usual examination was made of the scene surround-
ing the crime, and the body of the victim, and then per-
mission was given to remove to another room all that re-
mained of Henry Danton.

Nick did not get another chance to talk with the doctor.

To the detective it seemed as though he purposely held
aloof from him—as though he tried to avoid a conversa-
tion.

The night wore away and daylight came.

With it the storm ceased, and the sun came out bright
and glorious.

“Now, Chick,” said the detective, “I want you to do
some outside work.”

“T’m ready.”

‘First, go to the Staten Island chief and get the letter
that he received which brought us here.”

“ Correct.”

“Tell him that we have hit upon some clews, but don’t’~
tell him what they are yet.” !

66 Right. 99

‘Bring that letter to me.”

ob Yes. 9

“We may find another clew in that.”

“Why do you think that burglars——”

“T think burglars had nothing to do with it.”

* Then—

“T think ihe letter was a decoy.”

oe

 
No. 73.

 

NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

 

 

7

4 Ah! q??
_ “It was written by Eaeindy who had a deep purpose
in view.”

“Doubtless.”

“And that purpose was to bring somebody here either
in time to witness the murder or in time to discover what
we found.”

“By Jove!”

‘‘Kither the person who fired that shot sent the letter
or it was written by somebody who knew that the crime
was meditated.”

es I ‘see. Ph)

“Believe me, Chick, there was no burglary intended
here last night, or if there was the writer of that letter
did not know it.”

‘“Humph! $99

“Take a good sniff of that letter when you get hold of
it. bh,

“For cloves?”

oe Yes. pb}

‘Would the scent of the roses hang round it still?”

‘Perhaps. Ask the chief if he smelled cloves when he
received the letter.”

“*T will.”

‘When vou get through come back here.”

Chick departed.

A half-hour later Nick was at the stables, talking with
the hostler and admiring the animals.

‘““Mr. Danton was very fond of horses, wasn’t he,
Michael ?”

“Yis, sor; he loved ’em.”

“Quite right. And Mrs. Danton; is she fond of them
also 2?”

“She dotes on ’em, sor.”

“Who loved the horses best in all the house, Michael? I
love horses myself, atid a person who is fond of them goes
up several points in my regard. y
_ “Well, sor, I think the missus loves ’em best but for a

woman who knows a horse from frog to tooth give me
Jane.”

“Jane! Who is Jane?” y

‘“The missus’ maid, sor.”

‘Oh! Does she come to the stable often, Michael?”

“As often as she can, sor, an’ many’s the p’int about

hosses that she’s guv me, sor, too.’
‘Indeed! Where did she ae so much knowledge?”
‘From her fayther, sor.’
6 Ah We .
“He was a jockey i in his young days, I’ve heard her
say. ”
SAR ! That nceouiin for 1t of course.”
“Yis, sor.’
“ Jane is a very pretty girl, Michael. 3
~Y is, Sor:
‘“Are you sure she comes to see the horses ?”
$6 Bh a
‘“Doesn’t she like to talk to the hostler as well?”
“What! an ould man loike me, sor?”
6s Yes. 9 ‘
‘“Divil a bit. It’s the hosses sure.”
“Do you like Jane, Michael ?”
“Not over much, sor; still small right have I to say
aught agin a woman, sor.”
“Right. . Michael, do you see this?”
Michael’s eyes opened wide.
‘‘Haith, I do, sor,” he said. .
“Yes, a twenty-dollar bill.”
“That same. sir.”
“Took at it closely, and while you look at it answer a
few questions.”
“Faith, I will.” :
“You have a brother——”
“ Divil a brother, sor.”
“Tut, tut! You havea brother whose name is Patrick.
Have you forgutten him ?”
“Be Sob, I have, sor; divil a recollection have I of that
same.’
“Tut, tut!
CS iam, sor
“Now try to remember your br other Pat, who has been
coming to see you for a long time.’

“It’s a bill.”

Look more closely at the bill.”

 

“Tt begins to dawn on me, sor.”

“T?ll describe him for you.”

* That will be a great kindness, sor.
know him otherwise, the spalpeen !”

‘Yet he has not changed.”

“Of course not.”

“He has red hair.”

“Sure! That’s the Irish blood.”

‘And he is freckled.”

“So heis. Faith I had forgot that same.”

“He limps a little also.”

“True for you. Be gob, that’s where the priest gave
him a drubbing wanst in the ould country.” |

“Quite right, Michael. Your memory is improving.”

“Bedad! That’s a great memory I have, sure.”

“You have been expecting Pat for a long time.”

“ Wakes an’ wakes.”

‘“‘ He'll arrive to-day.”

“Bless the b’y. Sure his ould mither tould me to watch
over him, but what wid the hosses an’——”

“And Jane.”

“That same—divil a bit av watchin’ have I done.”

‘““He calls you Mickey for short.”

“Ah, sor, he has a lovin’ heart, has Pat.”

“How old are you, Michael ?”

“Forty-four, sor.”

“How old is Patrick ?”

“Sure, he must be thirty by this time.
a b’y he was, too.’

“Michael, you’re a jewel.”

“So is Pat, sor.”

Nick laughed. :

‘*You’ll find a place for Patrick to sleep and something
for him to eat when he comes.”

‘‘Haith I will, sor.”

_ Now can you find a place to an this bill?”

**T Gan, sor.

ae Patrick sent you a message.”

“The divil he did.”

“Yes. He won’t stay very long. When he goes away
he’ll leave another bill just like this with you.”
‘““He’s a jewel of a b’y, sor.”
“He ought to reach here by noon, Michael.”
“Cure he ought.”
**You will be looking for him ? 0”
“Won’tI! Faith it’s two years—no, three—since I saw
the darlint.”

“Good-by, Michael.”

‘“Good-by, sor.”

CHAPTER VIII.
NICK’S CLEVER STRATEGY.

It. was shortly after noon that same day that an Irish-
man, about thirty years old, with a stick and a bundle
over his shoulder, came in at the front gate and asked thé
gardener for Michael Donohoe.

He was directed to the stable, and he limped his way
along in that direction.

Michael was sitting just outside the door when the lame
fellow approached.

But he leaped to his feet, threw down his pipe, and
started like one who had seen a ghost.

“Be gob, it’s Pat!” he cried.

“So it is, Mickey,” returned the new-comer.

The next instant they were hugging like a pair of school-
irls. ;

: There was a reason for their effusiveness, for the maid,
Jane, was at that moment approaching from the house.

She looked on in surprise, and, when she came nearer,
she said, sharply :

“Who is this person, Michael ?”

“ Bedad, he’s my brother, so he is.”

“YT never heard that you had a brother.”

“Sure, ye never heard that I had lost me big toe on the
roight fut, did ye, Miss Jane?”

SS NOe

“Well, I’ve had that—sure, I mane I haven’t had it,

Faith, I wouldn’¢

A foine sprig of

longer than I’ve had me brother.’

“Ah, well! He must not remain here now, Michael. ”

“Och! ! Sure, Miss Jane, he’ll make no trouble at all, at
all. Hell slape in the stable along o’ me, and I'll give
him to ate——”

 
_ NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

RS
= cw

“No; I mean that under fhe pina daeae you must
not have company,” and she glanced suspiciously at the
detective, for the reader knows that Patrick was Nick
Carter in disguise.

“Sure!” cried Michael, indignantly, “if the master was
alive, rist his soul, he’d never turn me brother out.”

. Perhaps not, but—_—”

‘An’ by the same token, Miss Jane, he’ll stay till them
in authority says he must go.’

“Oh, very well! I will speak to Mrs. Danton.”

Michael tossed his head, and turned away.

Jane, having had her say, went on into the stable, and
Nick, stepping quickly behind her as she walked, crossed
her path within three or four feet of her.

He stopped suddenly.

“Mickey,” he said, impressively, a moment later.

ee Ay, Pat. m2

“Do you smell anything’ ”

“Sure, I do.”

“What?”

“The hosses.”

“Anything more ?”

“Me pipe.”

“No—no! There is something else.”

‘‘Then begob it’s. Miss Jane.”

“It is, Mickey.”

a Sure, she always smells that way, Pat. It’s the cloves
she ates.”

“True for you, Mickey.”

“T axed her wanst why she ate ’em.”

‘And she said—what ?”

“Because she liked ’em, bedad.”

“The best reason in the world, Mickey.”

“Sure, that’s why I smoke me pipe.’

“True. Does she always eat ,them, Mickey ie

“She always smells of them.”

‘How long have you had this job, Mickey. Sure, it’s a
fat place.”

“It is that. Three years have I been here, Pat.” ”

“That's foine> And Miss Jane?”

“She came with the missus.”

“Did she eat cloves, then?”

**Sure, she did.”

“I say, Mickey.”

* 'W hat ?”

‘“What do they do wid their ould shoes here?”

“Are ye wantin’ some, Pat?”

Slam.”

‘“Waith yer feet are so big——”

“T want ’em for me wife.”

“Are ye married, then?”

er. am. 29

“Have ye lost yer senses, Pat, since we left the ould
place? Butif it’s shoes ye want, begob ye shall have ’em.’

““Lady’s shoes, Mickey.”

“Sure.”

At that moment Jane left the stable and returned slowly
to the house, and, as she passed, Nick saw her take a
small pouch from her pocket, extract a clove, and place
it between her lips.

“A regular clove fiend,” he mused.
was she who fired that shot?”

He saw that she passed over a bit of soft earth on her
way back. A spot where the storm of the preceding day
had softened the-soil enough so that he knew the imprint
of her foot would be left there.

He kept up a rattling conversation with Michael until
Jane had disappeared.

Then he went hastily to the. spot described, and, draw-
ing a tape from his pocket, bent over the eround.

In a moment he returned to the stable door, and seated
ey upon a chair that Michael had brought out for

im

“Michael,” he said.

* What?

‘*Never moind the shoes.”

ae Kh 27?

**} don’t want ’em.”

“Pat, have ye lost yer wife?” asked the hostler, with
- great oravity.

Nick laughed.

=

“Can it be that it

F No. 73,

 

“No,” he: said ; “but she don’t need shoes as bad as she
did.”

Michael looked puzzled. fo

“Pat,” he said, presently, “what war ye doin’ iG the
tape ?”

. Moasurin’. %

“Ye don’t say so.

“The soil.”

“FWaith, how much did ye find ?”

“Just enough. -

‘Pat, ye puzzle me. When we war beys together, an’
old Father Conlin gave ye the drubbin’——’

Nick looked up quickly.

The sudden change in Michael’s tone told him to be on
his guard.

Jane was returning, and was already - within a few feet
of them. -

“ Michael,” she said, sharply.

“At yer sarvice, Miss Jane.”

“Mrs. Danton says that your brother cannot remain
here now.”

ce Why ? 97) 4

“ Because I advised her to send him away.”

“Why did ye do that?”

“Never mind, I did it. Give him his dinner, but let him
go elsewhere after that.”

“Sure, that’s hard, miss.’

It was Nick who "spoke, 8 his eyes rested meekly _
upon the clear, strong face of the woman before hini.

It was a strong face, full of character, and to a physi-
ognomist loyal and true.

She made no answer, and Nick continued :

“Miss, I have always been a wanderer. Me brother here
never sees me any more. Me fut is bad, an’ I wanted to
rest before I went farther.”

“T am sorry for you.”

“Thankee. Give me yer left hand for a minute, miss.’

“My hand! For what?” %

“Sure, I lived a long time wid BIpsey®, and they taught
me many things.” *

ao Anat 0?

“T can rade a icike a printed book. Sure, Pll
rade: yer fortune fur nothin’ av ye’ll let me stay till
mornin’. Then I’ll go on, so I will.”

“Will you leave in the morning?”

“ Afore yer up, miss.’

“Very well. You may remain till then.”

“Now, give me yer hand while I rade yer fate.”

“No; T don’t care for that.”

Nick saw that she was curious, however.

“It takes only wan glance, miss,” he said. “Then ye
can stand there as yer standin’ now; The left hand, miss.’

She extended it, half-reluctantly, and Nick grasped it
eagerly.

At the same instant he drew the tracing that Chick had ~
made from his pocket, and spread it open. —

“What is that?” she asked.

“Me oracle.”

“Ah! You have set rules to go by.” iS
“No, miss. Wait, kape silent now, for wan ee
then I will rade your hand.” :

She complied.

Nick held the paper close to her open palm, and his
flashing eyes went from one to the other with Hghtning
rapidity.

Then he released the hand, and quietly foe the
paper, placed:it in his pocket. _

“Well?” asked Jane.

“Miss, I don’t want to rade yer hand for you.”

_ Why not ?”

“Sometimes I see things that I hope ain’t 80.’

“But you think they are true?”

ce Yes. 9

“Tell me what you saw.’

“There are things that are better left untold, miss. »

(<4 Bah! 999

“Tf all that I see there is true, and you knew what was
to happen—no, I can’t tell you the fate I see there.”

Jane’s face grew very pale.

She tried to smile, but the effort was a failure.

Measurin’ what?”

 

“T insist that you tell me,” she said.

 
  
   

 

Nick shook his head, | as
‘“You promised,” she continued.
“po 1 did:?

“Then keep your word.”

impatiently.

  

with your brother.”

 

 

fe ye in not tellin’ all I saw in yer hand.”
 “Twant to hear what you have to say.”

  

since ye insist upon it.”
CHAPTER IX,
TWO FORTUNES.
Nick still appeared very reluctant to tell what he had
seen, conveying the impression that he only did it under
protest, but he began, as he had said he would.
‘There is a great burden on your mind, miss,” he said.
She started.
“You are kaping a secret which you want nobody livin’
to know.”
She started even“more violently.
“ Whether the secret is your very own, or ye are kapin’
it for somebody else, I don’t know, but sure, ye have the
secret.”
_“ Nonsense !”
“JT think the secret troubles you, and I know it will
bring you trouble.”
6b Ah be:
‘You ask me how I know that.”
a Yes. 1
“T see it-in your hand. Close beside the secret is great
trouble, and—TI can’t go on, niiss.” \
oo Panelist:

hind ’em.”
“What do you mean, you——’
‘Miss, I didn’t want to tell you what I saw.”
an “True. Goon.”
| ‘There is a death there, too.”
i “Great Heaven!”
“It is not your own, but it affects you.”
“How does it affect me.”
“You suffer for 16.”
: 6 I 92?
“Yes. In your heart, I think.”
“You are a strange man.”
VA an MISS, 73
“Ts there any more ?”
46 Yes. 39
_ & What?”
'.“T can give you a warning, if you will take it.”
‘“ What?”
“The trouble seems to cling to you only because of your
present surroundings.” .

4 Ah 12,

“T think by going away you could avoid them.”

“And your advice is for me to run away, then ?”

' “Tt is, miss.”

“From what?”

“From danger.”

“What kind of danger ?”

“TI can’t tell. It may be the prison. It may be the
death ; it may be the secret. I can only see that it’s great
trouble.”

_ Jane laughed a little, coldly.

“Tf fortunes were to be relied upon, I might take your
advice,” shesaid. “Asit is, I will not run away ; at least
not yet.” —

O “You must make your own choice, miss.”

“Thank you.”

‘There is a man and a woman mixed up in this affair.”

“Tndeed! A dark man and a jealous woman, who is a
fiend I suppose.”

“You're making game of me now, miss.”

“Bah !” she said, contemptuously..

i

 

 
   
   
  
  
 
 
   
 

eG

 
 
  
   
  
 
 
   
  
     
   

 

mee NOR CARER LipRaRy. % pe 13

“Miss, don’t ye see that it’s a kindness I’m tryin’ to do

' “So beit, miss. Ill tell ye what I saw in yer hand, | “I see that this hand recently grasped a twenty-dollar

‘‘T see prison bars. God grant it.ain’t you who goes be-

Z
ss

When she was gone, Michael turned and looked curi-
ously at his supposed brother.

“Pat,” he said, “ye bate me.”

TTROW a) 26 :

Still he seemed to hesitate, and Jane stamped her foot) .“Tellin’ fortins.”

“Shall I tell yours?”

“Come,” she said; ‘‘tell me what you mean, or I shall | ‘Yes, begob.”
_ withdraw the permission for you to remain here to-night) “Give me your hand.’

_ Michael extended his brawny and horny palin, which
smelled of the stable.

| “That’s a foine hand, Mickey,” said Nick.

“Go on wid the fortin.”

bill.”
“ Begob, what eyes ye have!”
“And it’s going to get another.”
“Sure, but that’s pleasant.”
“It may receive two more.”
“Eh? How?”
A doing just exactly as your long lost brother di-
rects.”
“What does he want?”
“He wants to enter the house to-night when all is still.”
“T’ll have to think about that.”
66 Why 2
“I ain’t seen that brother in so long that he may have
growed into a robber.”
‘No, Mickey, a robber-catcher.”
rT Hey 2”?
“A detective.”
“Who is he?” :
““He is known as Nick Carter, Mickey.”
‘“Arrah, there! Ye don’t mane it.”
oe A; do. oh} 5
“Then begob, Pat, it’s a true fortin. ye’ve told.”
““T thought so.”
'“Whist, now ! -How’ll ye get in?”
‘‘By the door, Mike.” agit
“Sure! But what have I to do?”
“Stay here where you are.”
“That’s aisy, too.”
“You have only to wait and keep silent.”
“ Begob, I kin do that same.”
“Of course.”
“Tsay, Pat.”
“What ?”
“ Are ye lookin’ for the spalpeen as shot the master ?”
66 Ves’ ‘
“Do ye think Jane done that same ?”
“T don’t think anybody did it, Mike.”
“Sure, did he fall dead just fur instance, thin?”
66 No.”
“What the divil do ye mane, anyhow 2?”
“T mean that I think I know who did it.”
**Oh 12
“That’s better than thinking.”
“It is that. What are you going into the house for ?”
“Because I want to, Mickey. Now, don’t ask any more
questions. Remember those two twenties, and keep your
mouth shut.”
“Sure!”
Just then a tramp turned in at the gate, and walked
directly toward the stable.
‘Blast the feller!” muttered Michael, “I'll make short
work of him.” -
‘*Let him alone, Mike.”
6 Why 9?)
“T want to talk to him?”
‘Is he another brother ?”
“Yes, of mine.”
‘Then he can come.”
The tramp came nearer, and, as there was nobody

around except the hostler and his companion, he spoke up
boldly.

“Never mind playing a part now, Chick,” said Nick.

“ Mike is all right.”

“Good!”
“Have you been to the police?”
“Yes.”

 

Then, without another word, she turned and hastened
- toward the house. ; |

“Did you get the note?”
ce Yes.” ;

   
       
   
    

     

  
  
   
   
    
  
   
   
  
  
 

x

 
   
 
     
     
      
 

     
       
 
 
  

 
   

    
      

         
   

     
 
      
  
  
  
   

   
     
        

    
  

    
   
NICK CARTER LIBRARY,

:

" No. 73.

 

 

“Smell cloves?”

Ves.”
-“Humph! The maid—oh, Nishael will you go and rub
- that bay horse down a little?”
“Sure. It’s mesilf who knows when I’m not wanted.”

“Well?” said Chick, when he had gone.

“The maid is a clove fiend. .

“ce Ah me

: She eats them constantly, and carries a lot about with
her.”

* Fine idea that.”

‘ Her clothing, her person, and her breath smells of
“them.”

. Humph Mee :

“She came out to the stable a little while ago, and left
her foot-print over there; see it?”

46 veg?

“1 measured it,”

“Of course.’

“Tt tallies exactly. a

“Then all we’ ve got to dois to clap the pees on her,
and take her in.’

‘‘Not so fast, Chick.”

66 Why? 999

‘“‘There’s one point that does not fit, y

“What?”

“The palm of her hand.”

“It doesn’t?”

& No. 39

66 Humph ! 49?

“Her hand is no more like the drawing you xiade than
mine is.’

“That's odd.”

“Tt’s puzzling.”

“T say, Nick, you searched that safe.”

4 Yes, 9)

“What made it smell of cloves? A person couldn’t
scent it up by blowing breath into it, or by walking past,

it. 99

Orie: 4 4

“Then, what did it?”

‘A paper.’

(<9 Oh! 47?

_ And I found the paper.”

“Indeed! What was it?”

“Wait. Anything which is put into a pocket were there
are a lot of cloves, will become scented with them.”

“Sure.”

“A paper had been put into that safe after the murder
was committed.”

“T see.”

‘“ Before being put there, it had been carried in a pocket
where there were cloves.”

* Humph !”

‘That is what retained the scent.”

“Exactly. What kind of a paper was it?”

“A will.” ;

“Ah! Danton’s will?”

46 Yes. 7

“Then we get at the motive; eh?”

“Perhaps. The will was easily and quickly read, and
it leaves the entire property to the wife.”

“Humph! Do you think she is mixed up in this thing?”

“Who can say ?”

‘Queer case, isn’t it, Nick ?”

“Very ; but ‘although it has just begun we are nearing
the end. I will know who shot Henry Danton before I am
twelve hours older.”

CONT Gl.

ce Well Oe

“Tt must have been his wife.”

“It may have been. Give me that nats now. I have use
for it.”

CHAPTER X.
A STRANGE DENOUEMENT.

It was eleven o’clock that night when Nick Carter
softly entered the house where so much had occurred in
the last few hours.

 

He was still arrayed in the disguise of Michael’s brother
Patrick, but he had forgotten the limp and all that went
with it,

During the afternoon, assisted by one of the girls in
the house who was very friendly with Michael, he had
succeeded in securing a specimen of Jane’s handwriting. —

Being an epert in matters of chirography, the detectiv
was not long in discovering that Jane was the writer o
the letter which had been sent to the chief of police “
the Staten Island force.

The case, as it stood, looked decidedly as though Jane
was the guilty party.

The cloves, the measurement of the shoes, the letter to
the police giving an account of the expected raid by the
burglars, and the woman’s over, evident suspicion of
Michael’s supposed brother, all tended that way.

Yet there was one point in which the evidence failed to
connect.

That point was the impression of the palm of some-
body’s left hand, left upon the window-seat of the parlor.

The detective was satisfied that whoever had left that
mark -there was the person who had fired the fatal shot,
and he was equally positive that Jane’s hand had not left
the impression.

Whose, then ?

His mission in the house was almost solely to find the
very shoes that had been worn by the guilty party, for he
was thoroughly convinced that the murderer was in the
house.

“Could it be the wife?” he mused, as he threaded his
way cautiously toward the rooms which he wished to ex-
amine.

“Can it be possible that a woman could shoot like fhat?
“Could she, having committed the deed, have returned —
to her rooms, have removed the evidence of her crime,
and then have descended to the parlor and played upon
the piano and sang, as did Mrs, Danton, knowing all the
time that a corpse—the corpse of her husband, was lying —
stark and stiff, just beyond the table?”

It seemed incredible.

The detective made his way softly up the stairs.

He had asked questions enough, and had made sufficient
investigation, so that he knew exactly the es of the
maid’s room.

He went at once to her door,

Bending forward, he listened cautiously for a sound
from within.

None came.

Everything was as silent as the grave.

Presently he softly turned the door knob, and pressed
upon it.

The door was not locked.

It opened at his touch, and he entered.

The moon shone in at the window, and by its light b he
could see the maid, Jane, lying upon her bed asleep.

She was fully dressed.

Above her head hung suspended a bell, and the detec-
tive at once reasoned that it communicated by acord with
he 100m of her mistress.

But the maid was asleep.

Tired nature had asserted itself; and she was totally
oblivious to all the world.

- Softly, step by step, the detective approached.

For a moment his eyes rested upon her.

Then, making no noise, he softly tiptoed to the closet
and opened the door.

Upon the inside hung a shoe-bag, such as ladies use for
a receptacle for their shoes and slippers.

Every pocket was full.

He began at the beginning, first pulling the door half-
shut and resorting to the light of his pocket lantern.

‘Each shoe was taken out, in turn, and examined.

It was not until he came to the last pair that his search
was rewarded.

There, securely wedged beneath the instep he found the

very thing for which he was searching.

A bit of soil, gathered from the stable, and still clinging
upon it, a pebble or two which might have come from the
bare spot beneath the parlor window,

He examined it critically.

 
a NICK CARTER LIBRARY. ok

 

 

: ‘There could be no mistake.

|

|

Mrs. Danton was walking up and down the room, talk-

“Everything except that hand,” he muttered. ‘How ing ina low, concentrated tone.

shall I explain that?”

Softly he stepped from the closet into the room, and
losed the door behind him.

ss he did so, the bell above the bed jangled sharply.

e would have darted again into the closet and con-

ealed himself had there been time.

But there was not.

With the touch of the bell, Jane leaped from the bed.

The light of the moon shone full upon the detective,

where it streamed in at the window.

She saw him instantly.

She did not scream, nor even cry out.

For an instant she stood still, tacing him.
_ Then, in a voice that was per fectly calm, she spoke:

«So |? she said, “my suspicions were true.”

“About me?” said Nick, as calmly.

6 Yes. 1)

“Evidently.”

“Who are you ?”

“Tam Nick Carter.”

“IT thought so.”

‘‘Jane, you are my prisoner.”

“ Indeed !”
pe Yes

“For what?”

‘For the murder of Henry Danton.”

‘She was silent for a moment.
7 Then, with strange calmness, she said:

“Tell me why you think me guilty.”

“There are many reasons.”

“Tell them to me.”’

“You placed a paper in your master’s safe last night.”

Ph aid,”

“Ha! You confess.”

“ Certainly.”

““™o the murder, also?

a6 No} 299

“The paper was a will——”

“Wait. I not only placed a paper there, but I took an-
other from the safe.”
‘Another will?”
“Find out. You who are so smart.”
“T traced you, Jane, because the paper smelt of cloves.”
bad Ah P?
“You eat them constantly.”
“Veg?
“You carried the willin your pocket with the cloves
before you put it in the safe?” <

mY es.”

“Was Henry Danton dead when you did that?”

64 Mies:
Did you shoot him ?”

“T will not answer that.”

“Listen, your footsteps measure the same as those
found beneath the window.”
3 oe Yes, 99
“And here, I find the shoes, the very shoes that were
worn by the murderer.”

erie.

“Then you wore Shem ?”

“T will not answer,”

“T must arrest you for ine murder.”

“You may do your duty ; but——”
“But what?”

.“T pray that you will let me answer that bell first.”

& Why an

“She has called me. I must go; if I do not——”
“Well, if you do not—

“Oh, I must go!”

“Go. I will be near at hand.”

She turned without a word, and went out of the room.
A moment later she opened the door to her wistress’
om, and entered. |

Nick, who was close behind her, placed his foot be-

)

 

Jane endeavored to hush her, but without avail.

“Jane!” she cried; “Jane!”

“Yes, madam.”

“Tt pursues me yet, Jane.”

“Nonsense. It cannot. We have buried it.”

“It has risen to haunt me. Ah, that eye—that flaming
eye! 1?

‘Hush ! Hush !”

“T will not hush! He wore it upon his bosom for go
long. I besought him to take it away, and he only
laughed.”

‘He did not know.”

“No; he did not know. How could he? That flamirg
eye ; that eye of a fiend, which he called a diamond.”

Nick started.

Then, obeying a sudden impulse, he thrust open the
door, and entered the room.

“We buried the eye, madam,” he said.

' Truly 2?

66 Yes. 9%

“Then all is well.”

“Tell me how you conquered it?”

She laughed softly.

Then, forgetting Jane, she came and stood in front of :
Nick.

“Don’t you know?” she asked.

‘*No; tell me.”

“Why, the eye bothered me. It came and woke mein
my sleep, and my life was made a hell by it.”

* T-gee.’

“Then, something whispered to me that I must get it,
and oh, how carefully I planned it. You will not tell?”

cONG: »

“Henry never knew. I asked him just now if he knew,
and he said no. They tell me that Henry is dead. Fools !
He lives!”

“OF cotrae,”

‘‘When he went tc the study, [came to my room. See
how cunning I was to get rid of the eye.”

“Oertainly.”

“Then I flew down the stairs; I went to the window; I
had a pistol—it isin the well. now, with the eye—that
terrible eye,’

be Yes. 9

‘*My father taught me how to shoot.”

“Ah! Who was your father ?”

“My name was Sara Quigley. My father was a bad
man; he was sometimes known as Doctor Quartz.”

(9 Oh sas

“Nick Carter can tell you about him.”

oe Yes.”

“I went to the window, I raised it a little; I fired, and
he fell. It was too bad to hurt Henry, but I knew he
would come back again.’

“Well¢ and then——”

“Why, I climbed in at the window. My shoes squeaked,
so I left them outside for fear of frightening the eye
away before I could secure it. Then I went in. I got the

jeye. I tore it from his shirt-bosom, and I have killed it

forever—only sometimes it glares at me.”

“ And then——”

“Then I went to my room, I put the shoes I had worn in
Jane’s shoe- bag. Oh, I was ae cunning, Jane knows!”

“Of course.” is

‘Henry says I did well.”

“Has the eye gone, now? Can you go to sleep?”

‘Yes, I think so.”

“Come, Jane,” said Nick, authoritatively.

She followed him from the room.

‘Mad, hopelessly mad,” said Nick to her, when they
were in the hall-way. ‘How long have you known this,
Jane?”

‘For weeks, sir.’

“Why were you line to fake this crime upon your-

tween the door and the casing, so that Jane could not shut self? Why did you change the wills?”

_ him out. | ‘‘Because—because I loved her. Because 1 knew that
He became at once aware that something remarkable she would recover; because I would give my life for her,

was taking place. ve sane or insane.

 
No. 73.

16

“T heard the shot which killed Mr. Danton. He knew: mad woman, and Nick Carter’s fortunate clew had ex-  .
that his wife’s reason tottered. He made 2 new will. I} plained all.
knew where the old one was, and I exchanged them after |
he was dead.” Phi : ;
“Did you know that your mistress went to the parlor| The Nick Carter Lisrary has the largest circulation
and played and sang while her husband lay dead upon} of any Library ever published:
the floor?” “THe LAST OF THE GLENDALE GANG; OR, NICK CARTER
“Yes, poor thing. She believed that her singing would | Great Success,” by the author of “ Nick Carter,” will be
call him back to life; she believes that it has done so.’ | published in tha next number (74) of the Nick CARTER
The mystery was solved ; the clever criminal was a/ LIBRARY. :

NICK CARTER LIBRARY.

 

 

 

(THE END.)

 

 

WEKCE CARTER LIBRARWYW
THE BEST FIVE CENT LIBRARY OF DETECTIVE STORIES.
ISSUED EVERY SATURDAY. PRICE, FIVE CENTS.

1—NICK CARTER, DETECTIVE. Tur Sonurron or A ReE-|.No. 38—NICK CARTER IN NEW ORLEANS: Or, Tot Rep Leaaun’s
MARKABLE CASE. By a Celebrated Author. Lasr Errort. By. the Author of “Nick Carter. "
2—NICK CARTER’S QUICK WORK; Or, A QUEEN or CoUNTER- 39—THREE TIMES DEAD; Ox, Nick Carrer i a TicHr Prace.
FeITERS. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.” _ By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”
—A MILLION DOLLAR CHECK; Or, Tus Lirtie No. 40-—-THE GREAT JEWEL ROBBERY ; Or, Nick Carrer AMonG
Work. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter. es THE Hore, Turmves. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”
4—ONE AGAINST’ TWENTY-ONE; Or, Tae Rancu Roppery. | -41—THE FOURFOLD MURDER; Or, Nick Carrrer’s Cuiver
By the Author of ‘“‘Nick Carter.” Work in Frormpa. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”
5—THE CIPHER LETTER, Or, Nick Carrer’s Iron Nerve. | No. 42—THE N, Y. CENTRAL TRAIN ROBBERY; Or, Taz Nervirsr
By the Author of ‘“‘Nick Carter.” : Ourtaw Ative. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
6—NICK- CARTER IN PHILADELPHIA; Or, THe Nicut Hawks —THE LETTERS ON THE FLOOR: ; Or, Nick CARTER’S CLEVE?
OF THE QuakER City, By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.” DercipHer. © By the Author. of ‘Nick Carter.’
7—OLD ‘THUNDERBOLT, LOCOMOTIVE; Or, THe PackacE IN .44_NICK CARTER ON HIS MET TLE; Or, A CuHase AFTER
THE Mipnicut Mair. By the Authur of ‘Nick Carter.” A Fortune By the Author ot. ‘* Nick Garter,” ete.
8—NICK CARTER BEFORE THE MAST; Or, A Sea Mysrery. . 45—NICK CARTER’S GREATEST PERIL; Or, On THE Trarr
By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.” Or A Human Fienp. By the Author of ‘Niek ‘Carter, ” ete.
9—A MAN WITH FOUR IDENTITIES; Or, Tue Lirrie Giant’s .46—THE GOLD. BRICK ‘SWINDLERS : Or, Nick CARTER’S
Prosuem. By the Arthur of ‘‘Nick Carter.” Great Exposurr. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter,’
.10%-NICK CARTER’S’ DOUBLE GAME; Or, Tue Gauost or . 47—_NICK CARTER ON THE BOWERY ;, On; Tux ae Or
Ravenswood Housre. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.’ OnE Nieut. By the Author of ‘‘Nick G rarter,”’
.11—NICK CARTER IN BOSTON; Or, A CxrEever ForcGer’s . 48—NICK CARTER’S HANDICAP; Or, Won in A Canter.
Scueme. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.” the Author of ‘Nick Garter.”
.12—GHECK No. 777;.Or, Hunrine THe Same Man .49—BOLD MASKED ROBBERS: Or, Nicx Canrrer’s Tavey
the Author of “Nick Carter.”’ ConFuict. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”
. 183—3,000 MILES BY FREIGHT; Or, Tue Mystery oF a Prano | No, 50—NICK CARTER’S FIGHT FOR LIVE; Or, THE MiLLIonarn’s
Box. By the Author of “Nick Carter. He Nemesis. By the Author ot “Nick Carter.
_14—THE T HIRTEEN’ S OATH OF VENGEANCE; 5i1—JUDGE LYNCH’S MISTAKE: ; Or, Nick Carrmr’s Srarcu
twat Compact. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.” FoR A Murprrrer. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”
15—THE ‘FATE OF DOCTOR QUARTZ; Or, THe Murpex r.| No. 52—A BOLD BANK ROBBERY; Ox, Nicx Carrer’s Great Haut,

 

 

 

 

 

No.

GIANT AT

. 43

By

TWICE.

 

By

Or, A. Crim- No,

tHE Dissicrine Room. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
», 16—PACKAGE “17 A;” Or, Tae Secrer oF A Pawtny Frvp
the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”

-17—NICK CARTER’S GREAT PERIL; Or, A Prisoner ror Lire
Wirth tHE Deap. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter,”
.18—THE GREAT DETECTIVE DEFIED; Or, Zea,
Fremate Frenp. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
.19—THE LITTLE GIANT'S TASK; Or, Nicx Carrzr’s
preRFUL Nerve. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
.290—BROUGHT: TO BAY AT LAST; Or, Ovrwirrep,. Our-

GENERALED AND Ourponr. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.’
.91—NICK CARTER AT WESTERN UNION JUNCTION; Or,
Tue Sr. Paut Train Ropspery. By the author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”’
. 22 NICK CARTER’S CELEBRATED CASE; Or, ‘THe Mysteries
oF GotHam. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
. 293—THE LITTLE GIANT ON DECK; Or, THe Great Axspuc-
tTIoN CasE. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”’
, 24 NICK CARTER AT GLENDALE; Or, Tur Rogsery or THE
‘Frisco Nicut Express. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
. 25—YOUNG HERCULES, NICK CARTER’S ASSISTANT ; Or, A
Man or Muscie anp Nerve. By the Author of “‘Nick Carter. -
. 296—NICK CARTER IN SAN FRANCISCO; Or, Unerarraine
Crime In Cuotnatown. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”
.27—NICK, CARTER IN CHICAGO; Or, Tum Crime or tHe Lake
Crry. By the Author of ‘‘Nick ‘Carter.
. 23—THE PASSENGER GOING EAST. By the Author of “Nick
Carter.”
. 99 NICK CARTER’S MYSTERIOUS CASE; Or, Tue Roap-
House Tracepy. By the Author of “Nick Carter.’’
Jo. 30.—MAD MADGE, THE QUEEN OF GROOKS: Or, Figurine
an Antrun. For. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
1._A DEAD MAN’S GRIP; Or, THe Sxeveton in THE CxosErT.
By the Author of ‘‘Nick Garter.”
_ 32--NICK CARTER IN KANSAS CITY; Or, Tue Nicur Hawzs
Revivep. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”
_ 33—THE MYSTERIOUS MAIL BAG ROBBERY ; Or, Nick Care
TER’s Great, Catcn. By the Auther of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
. 34 YOUNG HERCULES IN MEXICO: Or, Pruck anp Muscir
Aaatnst Strargeay. By the Author of “Nick Carter.”
.35—NINETY MILES AN HOUR; Or, Tur Prosiuem or Sven
Deatus. By the Anthor of ‘‘ Nick Carter.”
. 36—NICK GARTER IN ST. LOUIS; or, Tue Niegur Hawks’ Last
Scrrecn. By the Author of ‘‘Nick Carter.”
39 NICK CARTER IN BALTIMORE; or, Tae Consprracy or
THE RED Leacur. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter.”

By

THE

Won-

 

No. 5
No.
No.
No,
No.
No,
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.

No.

By the Author of ‘‘ Nick Carter. ”

—NICK CARTER IN WALL STREET ; Or, TRackiInG A

Forrung. By the author of “Nick Carter.”

TRICKED AND TRAPPED; Or, Nick Carrenr’s. GREEN

Goops Haun. By the author of ‘ Nick Carter.”

5)—ROBBED BY RIVER PIRATES; Or, Nick Carter AMONG
THE WuHarF Rats. By the author of “Nick Carter.’

56—A DARING DEED; Or, Nick Carrer Sonvine THE OAKLAND
Mystery. By the author of ‘“‘Nick Carter.”’

d7—A MYSTERY OF THE SURF; Or, Nicx CaRTER AT CONEY
Isuanp. By the author of “ Nick Carter.”

58—NICK CARTER IN CHINATOWN ; Or, Tue Dovers Srreer
Crmiunats, By the author of “Nick Carter, 2

59—NICK CARTER AT SING SING; Or, In Hor Pursvrr OF
AN EscaPep Criminau. By the author of Nick Carter.’

60—A MYSTERY OF. THE RIALTO; Or, Nick Carrer iw
New Yorr. By the author of ‘‘ Nick Carter.”

61—THE GREAT BANK HOLD UP IN DENVER: Or, Nick
Carter's Dirricutt Case. By the auther of « Nick Carter.”

62—SHOT WITH A ROULETTE BALL; Or, Nick Carrer
Amonc THE GamBLeRS. . By the author of “Nick Carter,”

63,—THE SIX ACES; Or, Exposina a Great Swinpus. By the
author of ‘‘Nick Carter. R

64.-THE GREAT GREEN GOODS SWINDLE; Orn, Nick
CARTER’S CLEVER CatcH. By the author of “Nick Carter. -

60—THREE OF A KIND; Or, Nick CARTER’S WINNING Hanp. By
the author of ‘Nick Garter.’ ;

66—THE SNAKE BROOCH ; or, Nick Carrer’s Starting Dts-

covery. By the author of ‘‘ Nick Carter.”

67.—THE DALTON GANG WIPED OUT; or, Nick Carren’s
Derapty Rirur. By the Author of ‘Nick Carter, My

68--HER SHREWD DOUBLE; or, Nick Carrur’s Lapy Assist-
Ant at Work. By the author of ‘*Nick Carter.”

69.— THE HYPNOTIST’S VICTIM; on, Nick. Carrer’s Compur-
CATED Cass. By the author of “Nick Carter.”

70—NICK CARTER. IN PITTSBURGH ; or, Escapep From Jatt.
By the author of ‘Nick Carter.”

71i—THE SUBURBAN SAFE CRACKERS; or, Nick Caprer’s
Marcuuess Sxinu. By the author of “Nick Carter. 2

72—MURDERED FOR REVENGE ; or, Nick Carrer’s Pecuria
Casg. Ry the author of ‘Nick Carter, y

73—A CLEVER CRIMINAL; or, Nick Carrer’s Fortunate
Crew. By the author of ‘‘Nick Carter,”

74—THE LAST OF THE GLENDALE GANG ; orn, Nick Carrun’s
Great Succzss. Bvy the author ‘Nick Carter. *

STOLEN

54—

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