By BURTON WYNNE Adventures in Seeking the Super- Phonograph

OR years my family has wanted a We read and heard of the Brunswick Fphonograph. Yet we hesitated. We Method of Reproduction, which included were on the verge of buying often, the Ultona and an improved amplifier. but delayed. And so we investigated. We were some- We love music. And we value the what skeptical — but we came away as phonograph for the wealth of world-wide proud owners. talent it brings to the home. For here, at last, was our ideal instru- But fr ankly, we ment one which played all records at their waited during the last — best, one with incomparable tone. few years, hearing the different phono- This remarkable instrument graphs and weighing ended our search. We found in their different advan- the Brunswick Meth- tages — never quite od of Reproduction satisfied. all we had looked for more. We felt that sooner and or later a better pho- The Ultona is a nograph would come, simple, convenient, overcoming all the current handicaps and all-record player, ad- setting new standards. justable to any type of record at a turn of We never liked the idea of a phonograph the hand. And now we buy our records which would play only its own make of according to artists rather than make. Thus records. No one catalog contained all our we overcome the old-time limitations. favorites. Each line of records offered its I am convinced that the tone of The attractions. Brunswick is far superior, and due chiefly Another thing we quarrelled with was to the strict observance of acoustic laws. tone. We were repelled at the The tone amplifier is built strident tones of some. And entirely of wood, molded so as others seemed to be nearly per- to give the sound waves full fect, but not quite. opportunity to develop. No metal I realize that all this sounds is used in this amplifier, so there like we were too critical and that are no stunted, metallic sounds. we set ourselves above the thou- My advice to every music lover sands who were content with the is to hear The Brunswick before phonographs we hesitated to buy. deciding. One’s ear immediately But we wanted to be sure before appreciates the difference. And we bought, so as to avoid regrets. old conceptions of the phono- graph are In our determination to find the changed.

1 super - phonograph, we came Brunswick dealers everywhere upon the new Brunswick. It was are delighted to play the new announced as something differ- Brunswick for you and to ex- ent, something advanced. plain its betterments. THE BRUNSWICK-BALKE-COLLENDER CO. General Offices: CHICAGO and NEW YORK

Branch Houses in Principal Cities of Canadian Distributors, Musical Merchandise Sales Co. United States, Mexico and Canada Excelsior Life Building, Toronto ffimm&wick ALL PHONOGRAPHS I N ONE 8

DETECTIVE STORY MAGAZINE EVERY TUESD* AY

Vol. XIX [g] Contents for December 10, 1918 [g] No. 5

ONE COMPLETE NOVEL

The Man With the Mole . . . J. Allan Dunn .... 3 THREE SERIALS

•. ' The Man Who Awoke . . Mary Imlay Taylor ... 54 A Seven-Part Story—Part Three

The Shrieking Pit . . « . Arthur J. Reea . ; . .85 A Seven-Part Story—Part Four

The Winning Clew . . . . James Hay, Jr. . . . It) A Seven-Part Story—Part Seven ' SIX SHORT STORIES

On the Inside • . Frederick Jackson . . 41 ” “Fools Rush in . • . Dahlia Graham . . . . 74

Through the Dragon’s Valley . Anna Alice Chapin . 79

Without Influence • . Harry M. Dean . 102

For Pretty Things • . Robert Winton . . 129

The Accusing Melody . Ronald Oliphant . . . 133

The Last Chapter • . C. C. Andrews . 140 MISCELLANEOUS

What Convicts’ Food Costs . , . 40 Excessive Cases of Insanity . . 78

Ethics of Juvenile Delinquency . . 40 An Unusual Roman Custom . 84

Fearful Eliza .... • . 53 Law Versus Wealth . . *•101

Generous Convicts . . 73 Dentists as Insanity Experts . 139

Inebriates in New York . • . 78 Junior Policemen of New York . . 152

Headquarters Chat • . . The Editor .... . 153 Including Under the Lamp', Expert Detective Advice, and Missing Department

Publication »93oed every Tuesday by Street & Smith Corporation. 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York City Ormond G. Smith, President; George C. Smith, Secretary and Treasurer. Copyright, 1918. by Street & Smith Corporation. New York. Copyright, 1918, by Street & Smith Corporation. Great Britain. All Rights Reserved. Publishers everywhere are cautioned against using any of the contents of this Magazine either wholly or in part, titered as Second-class Matter, September 4, 1917, at the Poet Office at New York, N. Y., under Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. Canadian subscription. $7.60. Foreign. UM. WARNINC—Do not subscribe through agents unknown to you. Complaints are daily made by persons thus victimized. IMPORTANT- Authors, agents and publishers are requested to note that this firm does not hold itself responsible for Joes of unsolicited manuscripts while at this office or in transit; and that it cannot undertake to hold uncalled for manuscripts for a longer period than six months. If the return of manuscript is expected, postage should be mcioeea. YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION, 9G.OO SINGLE COPIES, 15 CENTS Something of particular interest in the next issue. “Eh, what?” The Spider’s Command

By Johnston McCulley

“My word!” But it is a good story!

The Next Issue of the DETECTIVE

STORY MAGAZINE is Dated and Published onTuesday, December 17th. Please Order Yours Now. 9%e 9thi4i Mtfi

p- JAllan Dunn. Author of “ The Shred of Serge," “The Malay Creese,” “Treasure for Treasure,” etc.

CHAPTER I. “That is your signature on the back of the check, is it not?” FORGERY. The aggressiveness of the tone AZEDLY JACK SPERRY brought Sperry a little to his senses. stared at the pink slip in his “It looks very much like my writing,

hand. He turned it from the sir. But it cannot be. I have not en- front, where his stepfather’s dorsed any check of yours for any such clear signature—Simeon Cairns—ap- amount none at all since the last pay- ; peared as drafter of a check for ten ment of my allowance.” thousand dollars, to the back, where “Indeed? This is a check bearing showed the endorsement of John J. my name, bearing a number consider- Sperry in handwriting so like his own ably in advance of the last issued by that it staggered him. The check was me. I find it has been torn from the payable to the same John J. Sperry. back pages of my check book, kept by The three men grouped on the side of me in the drawer of this desk, as you the desk opposite to him gazed at him are well aware. You know this gentle- uncompromisingly. The one in the cen- man, Mr. Hilliard, president of the tral chair, Simeon Cairns himself, Agricultural National, of Longfield, spoke. and Mr. Burnside, cashier of the same 4 Detective Story Magazine institution.” The speaker looked ex- The cashier’s voice struck in, coldly pectantly at the bank president. metallic. “This check,” said Hilliard in a dry, “You did cash a check in the bank commercial voice,” was presented to yesterday ?” our junior paying teller, Mr. Reming- “I did. But it was one of my own. I ton, yesterday morning by this young have a balance of two hundred and fifty man. He is well known to Remington odd. Wait.” He produced his own and to the rest of us, as your stepson. pocket check book while the others No question was raised of identity, or looked on cynically. “My balance is of the authenticity of your signature, or two hundred and sixty-three dollars. I of the amount of the check. Your step- drew a check for twenty-five dollars. son intimated to Remington that he was There is the stub. Remington gave me going into business on his own account, two tens and a five. Look for your- and that this sum had been advanced, selves.” He flung the check book on or presented to him, as his working the big library desk. No attempt was capital. A majority portion of it was made to pick it up. to go toward a partnership, I under- Burnside went on: stand.” “Your balance is exactly two hundred Sperry gasped and then broke into and eighty-eight dollars. Remington expostulation. Cairns interrupted him. states that you presented only the one “You shall have your say in a mo- check, this signed by Mr. Cairns, and ment. Go on, Mr. Hillard.” took the money in five one-thousand- dollar bills and ten five-hundred-dollar “There is little more to say. The bills. I sorry for you, Sperry, but cash was paid out, as desired. Ordi- am the evidence is overwhelmingly against narily the irregularity would not have you.” been noticed for another twenty-four Sperry’s eyes flashed and he hours had you not requested the exact pounded the desk with his fist. amount of your balance early this after- “Do you mean to insinuate I noon, Mr. Cairns. Upon your declara- that forged the name of Simeon Cairns and tion that this check must be a forgery, tried to appropriate ten- thousand dol- we came up to see you immediately lars? Why, there is a hundred thou- after closing hours. I understand you sand dollars held for me in trust by do repudiate this signature ?” my mother under my father’s will.” “It is cleverly done, but it is not “And not available until you are mine,” said Cairns. thirty, five years from now. Unless, in “Naturally the bank does not feel in- the meantime, your mother and her ad- clined to sustain this loss. We are com- visers become convinced that you are pelled to protect ourselves, to guard capable of successfully applying the ourselves against such attacks. We are, sum to business methods,” spoke up however, inclined to view the matter Cairns. “And, unfortunately, she is not with an leniency equal to your own, Mr. so convinced. You have been sowing Cairns, providing, of course, the money wild oats. Jack, and this is the harvest, is restored.” my lad. Why didn’t you come to me “Do you hear that, demanded Jack?” frankly and own up to your entangle- his stepfather. “Restore this money, ment ?” and, for your mother’s sake, as well as “All that is a lie,” cried Sperry. “I ” for your own am in no entanglement. You have at- “But I did not cash that check,” said tempted to prejudice my mother against ” Sperry. “I me. You have magnified little things The Man with the Mole 5

into wild escapades. And you would ing with resentment, awaited his return have been the last person for me to ap- to the desk. ply to for aid.” The Cairn’s household was a divided “There is no use talking that way, one. Jack Sperry’s mother had remar- Jack,” said Cairns with a shrug of his ried, and Jack had not approved the shoulders. “I am glad your mother is match, though he did not voice his opin- away- for the present. The issue is, are ion openly, understanding somewhat -of you going to restore that money? If his mother’s nature, essentially femi-

so, I will say nothing more of it. Mr. nine, demanding some one upon whqm Hilliard has expressed his will toward to lean. He had tried his best to get leniency. If you will not do the honest, along with his new relation, but he re- repentant thing ” He shrugged his sented the dominant aggressiveness of shoulders once again. Simeon Cairns, disbelieved in his easily “I haven’t got it!” e&claimed Jack. assumed suavity, and objected to his !” “I never had it assumption of parental authority, his Hilliard got up, Burnside with him. complete reorganization of the house- “We cannot waste time in this mat- hold. ter,” said the president. “We are still Jack Sperry was twenty-five, and his

willing to give twenty-four hours for own master ; or he would be When the return of the ten thousand dollars. fairly launched on his own career. After If not, we shall be compelled to adopt college he had taken up civil engineering the usual course. One way or another, in earnest, serving an apprenticeship the penalty must be paid. Aside from with such success that he had been, of- the financial loss we have no real right fered a partnership. The capital for to countenance crime.” this he had looked to, under the terms Jack Sperry, feeling like an aniipal of his father’s will, as mentioned by that has suddenly found itself in a trap, Hilliard, from his mother. The hun- looked at the three men. They were dred thousand dollars was his rightful utterly aloof from him, unsympathetic. heritage, leaving ample for his mother

irf It was evident they believed him guilty, during her lifetime ; an equal sum, that he was in peril of arrest. fact, that would supposedly revert to “For the sake of Mrs. Cairns, the Sperry on her death, being meanwhile unhappy boy’s mother,” Cairns said, “I excellently invested. will make good the loss to the bank. I Since Mrs. Sperry had married do not wish a prosecution. If other Cairns, the latter’s masterful ways had, means fail, I shall send you my check by devious methods, blocked Jack’s the first thing in the morning.” ambitions, or so the latter fully believed. “Very well,” said Hilliard coldly. Cairns affected to treat him as a head- “That closes the incident. Remington, strong boy, using a bonhomie that Jack of course, has been discharged. He merely .believed a cover to his true per- should have detected the forgery.” sonality. And his mother, somewhat “That hardly seems fair,” said an invalid of late, seemed more and Cairns. “It is excellently done. But I more inclined to accept as infallible her suppose discipline must be maintained. second husband’s wisdom. I shall see what I can do for the young More, Cairns had made the most of man. He should not suffer from an- certain affairs, particularly one in which other’s crime.” Jack had aided a fraternity brother to Hillard and Burnside took their leave get out of a serious scrape. He had formally, Cairns seeing them to the managed to imbue Mrs. Cairns with the door of his library, while Sperry, boil- idea that her son was still unsuited for G Detective Story Magazine

the responsibilities of business and the —elsewhere. Under the circumstances handling of capital. All in all, the two I do not feel justified in letting you rubbed together no more smoothly than know where that is. I shall wire her to- do a coarse file and a rough casting. night of my departure, and I shall see,” Jack’s mother was wintering in Florida, he went on blandly, “that whatever mail

and the friction between the two had comes for you from her is, temporarily been more open of late. Now had come at least, withheld. Since you are re- this astounding accusation, leaving Jack solved to stay hardened, I also remind gasping, like a fish in a net, at the you that your presence in this house, meshes of evidence surrounding him. from this moment, is not to be toler- Cairns came back to the desk with a ated.” frown on his face. Sperry glared at him. He believed “Don’t be obstinate, Jack,” he said. that his stepfather’s eyes were full of “If you can’t get the money, if you’ve mockery and malice. applied it elsewhere, confess it to me “You have no right,” he cried hotly, and I’ll advance it temporarily.” “no right to hold my mail! You have “You’ve always hated me,” said no right to throw me out of my !” Sperry. “You have tried to estrange mother’s house me from my mother you ; have tried to “I think I should not be considered run my affairs as well as hers. This an usurper,” answered Cairns. “As for thing is a lie, a trick, and you know yourself, you have no rights. A felon it. Somewhere or other you are back forfeits such things. Your appeal to !” of this infernal business the law might prove unfortunate. This

“Are you accusing the president and is my house. Your mother has made it cashier of the Agricultural Bank, to- over to me in exchange for other mat- gether with the paying teller, who has ters.” been forced to give up his position to- A glaring light seemed to break ; gether with myself, of trying to fasten through Sperry’s brain, still confused a crime upon you that will, I sadly fear, from the charges, the crushing evidence break your mother’s heart if not jeop- against him. ardize her health ?” “And you seek to have me disin- "You leave her name out of it,” said herited,” he said. “I am on to your Sperry fiercely. crafty game now. It is you who are a ” “You forget that she is my wife, the criminal, a sneaking woman I love,” said Cairns with a cer- Simeon Cairn’s usually pallid face tain dignity. “She cannot be left out flamed crimson. He struck Sperry with of it. If you persist in your denial of his open hand, a resounding blow that this thing I shall restore the money but, left the mark of livid fingers on the after that, I shall wash my hands of it. latter’s cheek. It is not to be expected that this young Beside himself, reeling back, Sperry —er—Remington will accept his forced clutched a heavy inkstand of glass and loss of a job quietly. There will un- hurled it at his stepfather. He saw it doubtedly be publicity. I shall see your strike, saw the ink cover Cairn’s face mother immediately in order to break and, as the latter fell to the rug, saw the news to her as softly as possible.” crimson well out and mingle with the “I shall see her first,” broke in black of the ink. Cairns lay prone, his Sperry. eyes staring. Sperry heard footsteps in “I think not,” said Cairns softly. “I the hall and realized that their voices had a letter from her this morning. She had mounted in the rapidly culminating has left the I^oyal Poinciana and gone quarrel. “Felon!” The word surged The Man with the Mole 7

in his brain. Now he was fairly in the help them to trace hifn. By now the mesh of circumstances. butler would have roused the police at He sprang to the door and encoun- Longfield; they would be on the alert, tered Peters, the butler with whom stations would be watched, the very Cairns had supplanted the former func- trolley he was on would be searched as tionary, as he had all the original ser- soon as the telephones got working! vants. Peters, heavy, inclined to stout- To-morrow the threatened publicity ness, grasped for Sperry and the latter would contain the additional news that drove home a blow with all his weight he had murdered his stepfather. He to the butler’s stomach and floored him, was an outcast, a fugitive. There would breathless, agonized. Snatching his hat be a reward on his head. One faint and coat from the rack,’ Sperry raced hope lingered, that he had not killed out into the gloom of the early eve- Cairns. He would know that by the ning. papers. And, if that crime was spared him, he was not going to be caught, CHAPTER II. already condemned, and be put away FLIGHT. without an attempt to establish his in- 'T'HE Sperry house was in the Berk- nocence. shires. They had an apartment in Remington, the paying teller, had New York also, but the Berkshire place, lied. To what end ? He had been dis- at Swiftbrook Bowl, was kept open charged. And how could he prove the usually until Christmas, though Mrs. man a liar, how discredit the rest of the Cairns had gone South with the first ap- damning evidence? Sperry burned to proach of fall. A street railway con- find Remington, to choke the truth out nected with the manufacturing town of of him. That would mean his own im- Longfield, which was four hours from mediate arrest. But there were others New York by the express trains. back of Remington. Hilliard and Burn- As Sperry sped through the dusk, out side had been takefi in by the evidence. of the grounds and down the road to- It was Cairns who was at the bottom

ward the car line, he saw, dear through of all this ! Yet Cairns had, undeniably, the almost naked trees, the headlight of plenty of money. His balance at the an approaching trolley, and raced to bank was large. Sperry was helpless make connection with it, barely accom- >—practically penniless. And he was an plishing his end. outlaw.

In his pocket was the slim remnant Sperry groaned. Some one, i. man he of the twenty-five dollars he had drawn knew, leaned over from the seat back

from the bank, some six dollars in all. of him and asked him if he was ill. His first intention of seeking his mother This would not do. He forced a and attempting to establish with her his smile. “Ulcerated tooth,” he said. “Got innocence, died away in hopelessness. to have it fixed to-morrow.” He could raise a little money on the The man said something commiserat- jewelry he wore, but not nearly enough, ing and sat back again. even if he knew where she was. His Sperry forced his wits to work coher- balance in the bank would undoubtedly ently, dispassionately. The attack on

be appropriated ; at any rate checks Cairns, the forgery, his mother’s atti- would not be honored, and, if he dared tude—he could not help those for the to go where he could cash a check, he time. He had to get away or he would was in no mind to have them returned be irretrievably condemned, branded. “No Funds.” It would only add to his If he had only taken his own roadster! apparent dishonesty. Also, it would But there would not have been time for 8 Detective Stc ry Magazine that. They could have cut him off or Better to trip, to fall and be mangled, traced him. than caught, arrested, prosecuted, and Swiftbrook Bowl, that fashionable condemned—a swift sequence that resort, lay closer to New York than would inevitably follow. Longfield. And there was another Steel coal trucks were passing him, station between the Bowl and Longfield. punt-shaped. The train seemed slow- A plan formed itself. ing down a little. He jumped and found He swung off at a corner, about a a footing and a grip for his hands on quarter of a mile from this station, the cold rim of a truck as he flung him- Langley Dale, and struck up an un- self upward. In a moment he had lit side road as the trolley sped away. scuttled over the edge and slid down In half a mile he hit the railroad near a the sloping end into a rubble of coal siding and dodged into a thicket. Night dust. had practically fallen and he was safe For the present he was safe. Hobos for the present. Twenty minutes later at this time were rarities. There would the express for New York, ignoring be no search of the train as it lumbered Langley Dale, roared past him. Thirty on through the darkness. Somewhere minutes after that a local chugged in the yards of upper Manhattan he through, bound in the opposite direc- could get off, round about midnight. He tion. It reached the station and stayed would find a subway and get far down- there for what seemed to Sperry a long town in New York. There his plans time as he watched from his conceal- ceased, save that vaguely he resolved ment the red tail light. on smothering his identity, and— if Perhaps they were searching it for Cairns was only still alive—somehow him ? Then the red light began to back hanging on until, by hook or crook—for toward him with much snorting of the surely fortune must turn some time—he engine. He crouched low, shivering. could reinstate himself. If Cairns were The train came to a standstill opposite dead? He would wait till morning for him and he could see the people that, he tried to tell himself, hud- through the lighted windows, carefree, dled in the empty truck, jolted unmerci- save for their delay, eager to get home. fully, bruised, flung headlong with the

And he was homeless ! A sense of changing motions of the train, grimed, despair seemed to numb him and he cold, and, as the night wore on, hungry.

shook it off. The vision of Cairns lying in the rug There was the sound of a train pant- with the crimson and the ink streak- ing up the grade the other side of the ing the pale face in fantastic patterns, Dale. No other passenger was due for would not leave him. two hours. This must be the freight he At two in the morning he found him- had hoped for. Probably a long line of self far downtown in Manhattan. He empties going back to New York, great had bought himself two drinks of coal trucks, a car or two. Hope re- whisky and two sandwiches in a saloon vived. It would come in between him on the East Side, near the river, and and the local that had been backed on stopped the numbness that had begun

to the siding to let it pass. to turn to a poignant ache between his He lay low till the searching head- shoulders. He could not afford to risk light lifted over the crest of the grade, pneumonia from exposure. That meant flared down the right of way, and a hospital and recognition, when the passed him. The freight was gathering dirt had been cleansed from him. As speed now but Sperry would have tried soon as he could find a cheap lodging

for it had it been going twice as fast. house and get some sleep, he realized The Man with the Mole 9

that he must change his clothes. Filthy borhood he must be one of those who as they were from his trip, their cut dwelt here and dodged the law and de- and the quality of their cloth had al- fied it, knowing the manners and the ready made him an object of suspicion. codes of the underworld. Yet he must In this neighborhood they were shrewd have some place to hide away, to sleep, of eye, and Sperry already felt that he to wait the coming of the morning and had been sized up for what he was, a the announcement of the newspapers. defaulter from his caste, a gentleman A vicious gust of wind, flung down gone wrong; not a master crook, but a side street, pierced him as a spear an amateur, one to whom a reward might have stabbed him to the vitals. might be attached. He managed to get He suddenly felt sick in mind and body. some of the muck from his face and “What’s the use?” he asked himself bit- hands in the lavatory of the saloon, terly, his overstrung nerves reacting. thankful for the sanitary paper towel. Then came the rebound. He must brace Then he went out into the streets to up, put on a bold front, and accept the

look for a bed. conditions of his surroundings ; he It was bitterly cold. The searching must assume a toughness and demand a wind blew off the river, and Sperry was bed with a swagger and a tone that glad now of the good texture of his would deceive any one who might want clothes. But he ached intolerably- and to pry into his identity. He still had he longed for some shelter where he most of his six dollars, and he could could rest and think'. His thoughts pay for a room to himself. Another would not co-ordinate. They were a drink would bolster his courage. The jumble of what had happened, and wild reek of it on his breath would give him, conjectures as to what had led up to as it were, a local color. his entanglement. Silent, furtive fig- Down an alley he saw a figure come ures slunk by him, slid into nauseous out from a door near a distant corner, alleys or into such side-doors of pro- a door above which a light burned tected saloons as he had found his own dimly. Another entered. Here was way. Some of them staggered into the traffic, a saloon. He hurried down the uninviting doorway of rooming houses alley. Close to the door was piled a advertising “Beds for Men Only. 25c clutter of empty boxes, an array of and up.” refuse and ash cans. Some one was Fastidious, more from habit than groping among these as Sperry passed, present consciousness, Sperry hesitated but that person did not look at him. to enter these caravanseries of the poor. “Some penniless devil looking for His imagination, far too vivid to ease cast-off food,” thought Sperry, and the his present plight, conjured up horrors impulse came to ask the man in for a abovestairs. Further, he could not drink and some food. But he could not shake off the idea that he was being do that, he told himself. He must look trailed. out for his own safety first. The man “It’s absurd,” he told himself again might be inquisitive. As he reached the and again. “If they had managed in door a burly figure came out, lurching some manner to spread the net so far al- a little as if intoxicated. Sperry saw ready, they would not hesitate to draw the face under the lamp. in the folds.” But he was out of place The upper part was shaded with the here, a palpable misfit, and therefore brim of a derby hat. The lower showed to be suspected, to be watched, to be ex- a firm chin and a thin-lipped mouth ploited for what there might be in it. under a prominent nose. To the right To hide successfully in such a neigh- of the lips was a prominent mole, al- —

10 Detective Story Magazine

most black in that light, curiously, dis- said until Sperry he , nothing he had tinctively shaped. Sperry stood aside completed this process unaided, and as the man passed in the direction he had satisfactorily balanced his late op- himself had come. Casually he watched ponent. Then he turned to Sperry, him as he went, wondering idly if he surveying him with a comprehensive would safely avoid the cans and boxes. glance. The man with the mole almost brushed “What were you doing in this dump- Sperry, and Jack was aware of a shaded ing ground at this time of night?” he glitter of searching eyes upon him, that, asked. His voice was gruff but somehow, did not accord with the friendly, and there was a compelling drunken gait. quality in it that somehow gave Sperry Then a figure leaped from the medley a hazy impression that, even if he had of ash and refuse containers, leaped not grasped the killer’s wrist, the burly swiftly, and silently, just as the burly one would have found a means to take man went by. And, by the lamp, care of himself. Sperry saw the hand of the bum he had “I was going to get a drink,” he said. thought of inviting to a drink, shift to a “Then I was going to find a bed some- hip pocket, saw a glint of nickel, and, where.” in sheer instinct, he flung himself upon “A shot and a flop?” said the other. !” the would-be killer, gripping the wrist “We’ll fix that. Hello, you of the hand that was freeing the pistol, The killer was coming sullenly, vi- and cruelly twisting it as he flung his ciously out of his trance, glaring at the forearm round the man’s neck, forcing man he would have shot in the back. back his chin. Then Sperry saw the hate in his eyes The gun clattered to the cobbles of change to uncertainty. The man with the alley. The burly man with the mole the mole had taken off his hat, display- had turned with a swift precision that ing a skull practically bald, and he was belied intoxication and instantly shot a grinning at the killer. Front teeth lib- short, hard punch to the projecting jaw. erally filled with gold shone under the The killer crumpled in Sperry’s grasp lamp. and slid to the ground. The other coolly “Just why were you tryin’ to bump

picked up the gun and put it into his me off, pal?” he was saying. “What’s pocket, nodding to Sperry. the reason? Who -did you take me for, “Thanks,” he said. “I owe you a dick ? An’ who’re you ? I’ll know something for that, pal.” you next time, but I’ll swear this is the first.” The perplexity in the little rat eyes CHAPTER III. of the killer deepened. He mumbled BALDY BROWN. uncertainly and tried to get down from 'T'HE killer had fallen face downward the ash can. The man with the mole on* the slimy stones. The man set him back with a firm hand. with the mole turned him over with one ' “What’s your moniker, pard ?” he foot and a hand and surveyed him persisted. “An’, if there’s any reason keenly. The killer showed faint signs why I shouldn’t bash your dial in and Af returning consciousness, and the send you to the slab, you’d better come

other picked him up easily, much as if across with it now!’’ he cried, with a he was a half-stuffed sack of bran, and sudden ferocity and a snarl of his gold- jammed him into a sitting posture on filled teeth that made the killer shrink top of one of the ash cans, propped in terror. against the wall of the saloon. To “I’m Curly,” the latter managed to !

The Man with the Mole 11

articulate. “Curly Luke Conklin. I— takes me for a dick ! Oh, Lord ! He was say, I was in wrong, cull. I just got goin’ to bump me off with a gat when out ojf stir, see? The dick who sent me my pal here jumps him.” up was Jim Farrell, the low-livered The little audience, Dumpy included, crook. I swore I’d get him w’en I come roared at the jest. Evidently Baldy down the river, an’ I see you in at was popular. Curly wisely said noth- ” Dumpy’s there takin’ a drink, an’ ing. A blear-eyed individual shuffled “You thought I was what’s-his-name up close to Sperry, and the latter recog- Farrell, a dick, did you? You must be nized him as one of those at the first full of hop. I never met the flat-foot. saloon he had gone into, a man who I’m Baldy Brown of Chi’, and I struck had openly appraised him. town three weeks ago. I ain’t met with “This guy your pal, Baldy?” he your dick pals—yet. And I don’t xon- asked. sider it over and above easy bein’ taken “I said so, didn’t I?” asked Baldy for one, either. Sit up, you, and take coldly. “And a good one. Gentleman a good look at me. Do you think I look Manning, known back in Chi as The like a dick? Do you?” Duke. That right, Manning?” ( His face was so venomous that even Sperry nodded, playing up to the role. Sperry, disinterested in the controversy, He had to change his name. Manning drew back, but Baldy Brown suddenly was as good as any. Something told put out an arm and held him with a him that Baldy was a good man to tie grip of steel. Curly Conklin stuttered to, a bad one to cross. The blear-eyed a denial, an absolute disclaimer. man undoubtedly was of that opinion. “If I’d seen you wit your dicer off,” He wilted. he said; “or, if I’d piped that beauty “Just in from Chi, pal?” he queried ” mark ingratiatingly. “I seen youse over at “Never mind the beauty spot,” gruffly The Badger’s, an’ I knew youse was ?” put in Baldy. “I ain’t stuck on it. new to the Village. Couldn’t size you Some day I’m goin’ to get needled. You “I was looking for Baldy,” said didn’t take a good look, and, but for my Sperry. The man with the mole—it young pal here, you’d have bumped me was shaped like a dumb-bell, Sperry ” off. I’ve got a good mind to He noticed in the light, and it had several broke into .a hearty laugh and shoved hairs growing from it—flashed him a out a hand for Curly to grasp. “It’s look of appreciation. Sperry realized a good one on me after all,” he said. how apt was the moniker that Baldy “I’ll tell the boys. Took me for a dick had given him. As The Duke, his

Oh, Lord ! We’ll call it off, Curly, if you manners, his accent, would all pass un- promise to wear glasses. And I’ll buy challenged. Already what had hap- three drinks of Dumpy’s best right pened that afternoon seemed far off as now. Come on in, both of you.” if in another life. Now he was Gen- Still held by the arm, Sperry fol- tleman Manning of Chicago, an ac- lowed, willy-nilly, into the unsavory cepted consort of crooks, hobnobbing drinking shop. Perhaps a dozen men with them in a boozing ken. And he were there, at tables or at the bar. had shown himself a good man by de- Baldly advanced to the latter between fending Baldy, whom they all looked the two. up to. “Drinks for the house on me,” he The round was soon finished and

said. “No rotgut, Dumpy ; open a bot- Sperry felt in his pockets to buy an- tle of case goods. Drinks on me. Here’s other, but Baldy jogged his elbow. Curly Conklin, just out of stir, and “That’s enough,” he said. “I want a 12 Detective Story Magazine

talk with you, Duke, Dumpy, is the houses in a quiet part of Greenwich ?” back room empty Village. Baldy let himself in with a “If it ain’t, I’ll clear it,” said Dumpy latch-key and Sperry followed, obeying with alacrity. his host’s gesture for silence. On the When they were seated and the door next floor Baldy opened the door of a shut, Baldy looked quizzically at cosy bedroom and motioned to Sperry Sperry. Sperry felt the glance sum- to enter, leaving him. ming up mercilessly every line of his Within the minute he was back again drawn face. He knew it was drawn with a big towel and a suit of pajamas. and haggard. He could feel almost the “You can make out with these,” he hollows under his eyes. The glance said. “Bath is next room, to your right. took in his hands, his tie, every detail. Plenty of hot water. Sleep as late as “Well,” said Baldy at last, “what was you like. I’ll tip you off when to get up. it? Robbery or murder? Or both?” And don’t worry, pal. It don’t do a A light from his gray eyes seemed to bit of good, and half the time you worry illumine every secret of Sperry’s brain. over nothing. You get a souse in hot He tried to speak, to lick his lips. To water and turn in.” his relief his inquisitor nodded and Sperry obeyed orders willingly, and, smiled. his nerves and weary body relaxed by “Tell me about it to-morrow, pal,” the hot water of the bath, he subsided he said. “You’ve had your drink, now between the sheets upon a springy, I’ll give you a bed. Better one than yielding mattress and fell asleep. Night- you would have found. And a bath. I mares assailed him, but he slept on for said I owed you something.” half a dozen restful hours. When he “But,” objected Sperry, “I haven’t awoke, the wintry sun was streaming told you. You don’t know—I won’t through the window of his room. For ” know till morning just what a few moments his brain remained slug-

“Then we won’t worry about it till gish and he lay inert, conscious of the morning. I don’t care what you’ve odors of coffee and of bacon and, some- done. You’re safe with me. And we’ll where, a girl’s fresh voice singing talk it over after we chew in the morn- cheerily and sweetly in an undertone, as ing. Will you come?” He held out his a |jirl will when she sings at her work. hand and Sperry, lost for words, Sperry listened and smelled with gripped it and found something emanat- languid delight—and then in a flash the ing from the grip, a magnetic, inspiring whole phantasmagoria of what had hap- something that gave him heart to say pened came rushing over him, the “Thank you.” forged check; his stepfather lying on in freight train They walked out together, west and the floor ; the escape the ; north for several blocks. Then Baldy Baldy whom he had saved from the picked up a night-hawk of a taxicab, killer. He was in Baldy’s house, guest disreputable enough in paint and cush- of a notorious crook to whom the un- ions, but with a good engine, a roving derworld looked up. Sperry had heard pirate of those purlieus where speed of honor among thieves. Could it be was often necessary and well paid for. possible that gratitude was so strong a Uptown they sped until Prince Street virtue among criminals? He had seen and Broadway was reached. Then little sidelights of Baldy’s character the Baldy paid and tipped his man and once night before—earlier that morning, more they went west, to Macdougal rather—that spoke of a man callous and Street, north to Washington Square, desperate. Why should Baldy have across it, and so to one of a row of brick taken him into his own house, have The Man with the Mole 13 given him a moniker, have proclaimed “You’ve been out this morning,” said him a pal from Chicago? Sperry. “Did you get a paper?” Wide awake now, he sat up in bed “Son,” said Baldy, “outside of going and prepared to dress. His clothes in swimming, always tackle a job on a were gone ! Nothing that he had worn full stomach. First we eat.” the day before remained, not even his There was rough kindliness in his socks or his underwear. He was as words, but nevertheless they constituted completely a prisoner as if he had been a command; Sperry followed Baldy to manacled. Baldy had asked him wheth- the dining-room. This communicated er it had been robbery or murder or with the kitchen whence came the both ? The master crook had appraised fragrance of the food for which, despite him inside and out and now—now his mental anxiety, Sperry’s digestive what? Holding him for a reward? system clamored. Holding him to turn over to the police The door opened between the two and so curry favor for himself?. rooms and the trim figure of a girl The door opened and Baldy came in, came in, a girl so fresh, so utterly at a pile of clothing over his arm that he variance with the pro'ession and oc- put down on a chair while he grinned at cupation of Baldy Brown, that Sperry Sperry with his gold-filled teeth. forgot his manners. This girl, with “Didn’t think you’d be awake so golden hair and blue eyes, with a soon,” he said. “Your stomach was the rounded figure lithe in fresh calico, with alarm clock, I guess. Bess tells me a merry yet tender mouth, this girl- breakfast is close to ready, so you’d bet- woman of eighteen or nineteen, seemed ter slide into these togs. I’ve got you to have walked straight out of some in- a complete outfit; traded off the old spired play or operetta where she was stuff after it was brushed up a bit, and cast for the role of a sublimated shep- I swapped it for this and four dollars herdness or dairy maid. Only, the to boot. Nearly broke Uncle David’s divine freshness of her complexion was heart, but he came through. Here it is all her own. with five-thirty-five you had, and here’s Sperry did not know why Elizabeth your studs and links and the rest of suggested the open country, apple your junk. If I was you I wouldn’t blossoms, hay fields, an old-fashioned

wear any of it, ’cept the collar buttons.” garden, and a church spire back of Sperry gathered up his links, pin, clustering elms. But she did, she in- tie-clip, watch, and chain and the little vested that little New York room with litter of bills in amazement, not daring all the atmosphere of the fields and to look up at the host he had so mis- orchards, all their fragrance, with a

judged, aware that Baldy’s grin held touch of sanctity. And it all fitted in something quizzical. He slipped swiftly with her voice, that Sperry had heard into his new clothes—a tweed suit of singing and now heard talking. This fair quality and of a fair fit, tan shoes girl a crook’s daughter? As she slipped instead of his black ones; and, coming a slim cool hand into his when he rose back from the bathroom where he had to the introduction, he was conscious found a brush and comb, announced of Baldy’s eyes twinkling genially, himself to Baldy who still sat upon his proudly. bed. “Are you hungry?” asked the girl. “I want to- thank you,” he began. “I am ravenous,” and she showed a row “Nix on that stuff,” answered Baldy. of pearly teeth in a mouth pink as a “If you owe me anything I’ll give you kitten’s. There was surely some magic a chance to square up later.” about her, for Sperry ate and forgot his 14 Detective Story Magazine troubles while the girl passed him food, name as his late father, a well-known one in ' exclusive Berkshire circles. simple enough, but cooked in a way It is alleged by the officers of the Agri- that he had not tasted for many a day, cultural National Bank of Longfield that for all the craft of Cairn’s chef. She young Sperry presented a check for ten said little, neither did her father talk thousand dollars, made out to and in- at dorsed by himself, and purporting to be much ; and so, with the meal ended signed by Simeon Cairns. This check was last, they sat silent for a little while, taken from the back pages of Mr. Cairns’ table! until the girl started to clear the private check book, and the signature de- “Can’t I help ?” Sperry asked, but she clared a forgery by Mr. Cairns to President shook her head at him merrily and Hilliard and Cashier Burnside, of the bank, in an interview at which young Sperry was Baldy spoke. present. “Bess can handle it,” he said. “You A quarrel ensued between Sperry and his and me’ll have a little talk.” stepfather. The Cairns’ butler heard high words in the library, Instantly the atmosphere changed as and, attempting to en- ter, was struck down by Sperry. Recover- if malicious wizard had dissipated a a ing from the blow, the butler entered the fairy spell. Sperry’s troubles crowded room, to find Mr. Cairns unconscious with upon him, and the sunshine left the a deep cut in his .temple from am inkstand room as Baldy took some newspapers that Sperry had flung; at him before escap- ing from the house. from a drawer in the sideboard. Late this evening Mr. Cairns made a brief “It wasn’t very hard for me to pick statement in which he said that he regretted you out, son,” he said to Sperry. “John the publicity necessary, as Mrs. Cairns, who ?” was wintering in Florida, was in delicate J. Sperry He nodded as his eyes told health. As soon as he is able to travel, he him he had hit the mark. “All right; will break the news to her personally of her it’s Manning now. There ain’t such a son’s derelictions. lot about you in the news, you may be “It is the reaping of the wild oats,” said Mr. Cairns. "I agreed to make the a bit disappointed,” he added, with a money good to the bank, but this deliberate attack slight grin, tossing the papers across to upon my life removes from me any false Sperry. pity. I have placed the matter in the hands And, by some quirk, Sperry was con- of the police. I believe that such viciousness should be corrected by -the methods of the scious of a faint disappointment. It law.” Up to a late hour no trace of Sperry took him a minute to find the item. It has been discovered. was captioned, but far from being head- As Sperry set down the papers, lined. He knew with sudden relief that Baldy produced another from his coat he was not a murderer. Evidently some pocket. correspondent from Longfield had cov- “You see, this isn’t strictly a New ered the case for nearly all the New York matter,” he said. “They ain’t apt York press and the Associated News, to worry about the troubles of another for the items were practically identi- State until they are requested to by cal. heads included: “Commits The that State’s police. But they’ve played Forgery and Attempts Murder. Scion you up in Boston, and also, I imagine, of Well-known Family Presents False in your local paper, though of course 1 and Tries to Kill Stepfather.” Check didn’t know what that was when I was article read: The buying these this morning, and I prob- ably couldn’t have got one, anyway. Longfield, Massachusetts.—John J. Sperry, of Swiftbrook Bowl, the aristocratic resort But here’s the Boston Nation, with all of the Berkshire Hills, made a desperate at- the publicity any one could hope for tempt to take the life of hii stepfather, even Baldy Brown of Chicago,” h« Simeon Cairns, the millionaire who recently married Mrs. Caroline' Sperry, mother of the ended, with a laugh. wayward young man who bears the same The story was played clear across the The Man with the Mole 15 front of the Nation, with pictures of him differently. And how could he con- Sperry’s mother, of Cairns, and two of vince anyone ?

Sperry himself. He, with all due “A whole lot of use just to get it off caution for fear of possible libel, was your chest to some one,” said Baidy. excoriated unmercifully. A reward “I’ll tell you this much; I savvied last was out for him. The Massachusetts night this was your first job. It’s a State Detectives were scouring the cinch you plugged this stepfather of countryside to arrest him. He had yours. It’s a cinch they’ve got a re- last been seen leaving the trolley close ward out for you. If he’s a millionaire to Langley Dale, and it was supposed and got it in for you, he’ll have New he had boarded a train, though so far York all stirred m inside of twenty- no direct clew had been unearthed. But four hours, soon as they know things the police were confident of finding are really doing. You’ll have to stay him, said the article. Supposedly he. Manning. And you’re new to the game, had much of the ten thousand dollars they may nab you. Tell me the whole with him, and undoubtedly he would mess, and I can give you some expert try to leave the State by land or sea. If advice, anyway.” he did, he would find his journey ab- Sperry hesitated and then plunged ruptly checked. Descriptions of him into the whole yarn. Baldy listened were being sent broadcast. The bank non-committally. was joining in the prosecution. There “To a jury that would sound fishy,” was the usual flub-dub about society he caid. “You’ve got to own up to in general, and the many friends of that.” Mrs. Cairfls being shocked, and the “I do,” said Sperry. fears for the effect the news of her “I know you ain’t brought along ten son’s crime might have upon the thousand dollars. Whether you pulled mother. that check or not, you’ve still got ninety Interviews with President Hilliard thousand in the pot if you can ever get and Cairns and Peters, the butler, were a chance to sit back in the game. Right lengthened out, and the general opinion now you’re in wrong, in like a burglar, disseminated that the events were not as they say. You’re fairly safe in New a sudden outbreak, but the result of a York, as you are, for a day or two. I’ll constantly growing depravity. make a proposition to you. You can Sperry put down the paper with a help me, as it happens. If you’ll do it, hardened face. How rottenly unfair it I’ll do what I can for you. I ain’t was, he thought. Not a friend to speak promising you much, mind you, but I’ll for him ! None to offset the lying in- keep you clear of the bulls, reward or sinuations of his criminal intentions, his no reward. What do you say?” sowing of wild oats! Well, they hadn’t Sperry hung between thoughts. He got him, and they shouldn’t. did not want to get himself deeper into “Papers,” broke in Baldy’s voice, the clutches of the law by joining “slam at you, and you’ve got no come- forces with Baldy on the shady side. back unless it’s a libel suit and that’s He did want to prove his innocence. ; hard shooting. Suppose you tell me But that seemed impossible. He was your end of it?” bound by ties of hospitality and friend- “What’s the use?” asked Sperry sul- ship to Baldy. What if the latter did lenly. Baldy must believe him a crimi- want some repayment? He had prom- nal he had helped him ; out because he ised to keep him free of the police, and thought so. He might have nothing that was vital. And Sperry was des- more to do with him if he convinced perate. The world had turned against 16 Detective Story Magazine him. He was helpless, save for this “You mustn’t treat me like a girl in new friend. The sound of the girl’s a play,” she said. “I’m not used to it, voice humming as she washed the last even if I like it. Go on with your of the dishes came to him. She was an papers.” enigma. Girls could mean little in his “I’m through with them,” said Sperry life, yet he wanted to see more of this moodily. one, miserable as his plight was. Infinitely milder, there was yet some

Though he did not realize it, youth, of her father’s penetrating quality in that had been accused but not be- the glance of her blue eyes. She seemed smirched, called to youth. And the to hesitate a moment, then spoke softly, girl, after all, decided him. sympathetically. “If I can do anything to help you “Daddy said something to me about out,” he said to Baldy, “just tell me your trouble,” she said. “We don’t what it is.” Jjave any secrets between us. I heard “Good. There’s something I want something of what you told him just you to do this morning. I can’t let you now. I couldn’t help it,” she added into everything at once. Safer for you with a rising color, “though I sang. not to know it all. By the way, can And—and I want to tell you that I be- you drive a car?” lieve in you.” “Almost any kind on the market.” Sperry stared at the slender fingers “Know the Berkshires pretty well, I before he took them. She and her suppose ?” father had few secrets, and she believed

“Yes,” answered Sperry wonder- him innocent ! What sort of contradic- ingly. “From Longfield south, very tion, what kind of paradox was she? well.” Her flush held as he kept possession of Baldy only nodded. Sperry had her hand, and her eyelids drooped over noticed that Baldy’s speech held varia- her eyes. Here surely was virtue and tions. When he oonversed with innocence! Sperry read the riddle.

Sperry, it was fairly grammatical and Baldy was shrewd enough to let his well chosen. At times it was ex- daughter think she shared his secrets, ceedingly so. Very different from his but, hardened as he might be, the father talk at Dumpy’s. Baldy was evidently in him wished to keep the girl in ig- no ordinary crook. All things pointed norance of the crimes he committed, the to this. The game he was engaged in risk3 he ran. With a man of Baldy’s would be no minor play. He was a big caliber, that would not be difficult. And man, determined, clever, resourceful. he had trusted to Sperry’s breeding not There would be thrills in any enter- to give him away. Though, after all, prise he tackled. Sperry wondered Sperry knew nothing, and the girl what his daughter thought of him. Such would not believe hearsay or even a girl could not consider her father a proof. She was no weakling. criminal. Yet Baldy had not warned “Thank you,” he said. “Thank you. him against any special trend of talk. That helps.” “I am going to the corner to do some She raised' her eyes again. telephoning,” said Baldy. “I’ll be back “I am glad,” she said. “And you in ten minutes. Then we’ll go out to- must believe in my Daddy, too. Some- gether.” times he does things that seem strange, Left* alone, Sperry reread the papers. but I believe in him. I know him, you Presently the girl came in and he rose. see, and you don’t, so I am telling you She smiled at him and told him to sit beforehand.” down again. Sperry’s chivalry couched its lance. The Man with the Mole 17

If he could help to keep the girl’s be- offices. Not many people were purchas- lief in her father, he would do so. ing. The third counter was vacant in “Why wouldn’t I believe in him ?” he front. Back of it a red-haired clerk asked. “He has been very good to me.” was arranging a tray of small jewelry. And the entrance of the man with the His heart beating a trifle fast, Sperry mole spared him any more direct state- walked up the aisle toward the red- 1 ment as to his lurking belief in the lat- haired cler -. And then he felt a pre- ter’s irregularities. monition. Some one was watching They took the subway and went him. downtown again. But not this time into He had believed implicitly in Baldy’s the crime belt. First they went into a assurance that he was safe in New

well-known cafe and sat in a leather- York for a day or so ; it was impossible padded recess while Baldy gave his in- not to have confidence in what the man structions. with the mole did say. But now panic “We are going to walk past a big siezed him. He tried to master it, to jeweler’s,” he said. “I’ll nudge you force himself to look up. At last he

when we pass it. Then you are to did. Standing by the rail of the mez- saunter back, go in to the third counter zanine gallery and staring down at him, on the right, and ask the clerk to look a little uncertainly, was Remington, the at some tie-clips. If the red-headed paying teller of the bank at Longfield; clerk is not on duty and does not at- the man who had said he paid him ten tend to you, do not buy anything. If thousand dollars, the man who had been he is busy, try to gauge it so he can discharged for doing so. wait on you without making it too obvi- Fury surged over Sperry. He saw ous. You can say you are expecting that recognition was not yet mutual on some one. If it goes all right, look account of his clothes and their style, over six clips, pick up six and handle but soon it would become definite. He them, no more no less. Then ask to longed to rush up to the gallery and look again at the third one. Say to confront Remington. But that would him, ‘I think I like the one yon showed mean arrest. What was Remington me third the best. How much is it?’ doing here? He had been discharged, He will put it in a box which you will but how had he obtained this position bring back to me here. Here is money so soon? for the clip. Now repeat my direc- Then he became conscious that others tions.” were staring at him, that he was stand- All this was said in a way that ing in a defiant attitude, glaring at smacked of big business behind the pur- Remington. He saw the spark of rec- chase of the clip. The roll that Baldy ognition come into Remington’s eyes, a peeled a ten from was of considerable smile of triumph begin to come on his magnitude. Sperry went over his in- face. The ex-paying teller leaned for- structions. ward. They strolled along for some time, Sperry whirled abruptly and made until they passed a jeweler’s. At the for the entrance. He heard Remington corner they parted company, and saying something as the doors swung Sperry sauntered back again. It was behind him, knew there was a stir in the a large place with four aisles made up shop; and then he threaded his way by lengthy display cases of plate glass. swiftly through the crowd, shuttling At the back was a mezzanine gallery on hurriedly to a subway entrance down which some desks showed and glass which he raced, just managing to catch doors apparently opening back to the an express. It was a close shave. Rem- 18 Detective Story Magazine ington held all the cards. In another thoughts centered on what Baldy had moment he would have been held, and said about the box. Remington would have got the reward. “I shouldn’t have wanted them to For one moment the thought of find that box on you, or on any one.” treachery mastered him. Could Baldy Evidently the red-haired clerk was to have deliberately trapped him? But have put something in it beside tne tie- that was impossible. It did not hold clip. What? Information of some water. And he was ashamed of him- kind? Perhaps the numbers of a safe self for the suspicion. He got out at combination? Was Baldy planning to the next stop and made his way to the rob the jeweler’s? cafe, not without some fear of being But Baldy evinced no desire to give tapped on the shoulder. He was no him information. The incident of the longer safe in New York. .Whatever tie-clip was closed. From his packages was back of Remington’s lying about he produced what looked like dried the check and the money was a power- leaves and some dark crystals that ful force, and he had no defence, save Sperry recognized as permanganate of a vague feeling that Baldy mght aid potash. him. But he got to the padded recess “Lucky your eyes are hazel,” said and told his tale. The man with the Baldy. “I am going to change your mole listened seriously. hair-cut and then dye it—also your “Never mind about the tie-clip,” he complexion. I am going to make a said. “We’ll manage that some other brunet out of you, young man, as soon way. It is a good thing this Reming- as Bess comes in. She’ll be the barber.” ton chap spotted you as soon as he did. An hour later, after applications to I wouldn’t have wanted them to find his face, hands, and forearms of a solu- that box on you, or on any one. Your tion of permanganate, after dippings of stepfather said he was going to get this his clipped and trimmed hair into a young chap a job, didn’t he ? He doesn’t bath of henna, with careful dabbings of seem to have wasted any time about it. the borders, Sperry looked at himself But you must change your description with amazement. His light brown hair if you are going to be useful to me. I was almost black, with a suggestion of am going to send you home in a taxi. dull red. And it formed a pompadour. Get at out Washington Square and walk His face was a weird purplish tint. over. Stay there till I come.” The girl laughed at him. Sperry waited two hours before “That’ll tone down to a nice even Baldy appeared. The face of the man brown,” said Baldy. “And it’ll stand with the mole was serious. He brought washing for a while. Now then, re- in some small packages. member are Gentleman Manning you . ?” “Where is Bess he asked. of Chicago, The Duke. A swell-mob “She went out shopping,” said worker, specialty, ladies’ jewelry. To- Sperry. “Said she’d be back soon.” He night I am going to introduce you to had spent a delightful hour with the some of the gang. They’ll use you as girl. She was surprisingly well in- outside man.” formed, he found, and of a rare in- Sperry heard, amazed, looking at the

telligence and gracious instinct. Baldy still laughing face of the girl. Yet her had seen to her education. When she eyes held the same appeal as when she went on her marketing tour, Sperry had asked him to believe in her father.

continued his wonderment of her in How could she be innocent ? She must such surroundings, and then his be an accomplice to listen to this talk of The Man with the Mole 19 the underworld, to help transform him CHAPTER IV. to The Duke, “swell-mob worker.” THE DUKE MEETS THE GANG. But one thing was certain, para- mount. He was entirely in the power COME day New York will be purged of Baldy Brown. of the huddled-up buildings, the hidden alleys, cellars, “Let me look at your hands,” said the and the under- Baldy. Sperry held them out for in- ground ways that make up the warren spection. Baldy laid his forefinger on of the underworld. And many things the corresponding digit of Sperry’s left will be revealed, perhaps, that no one has suspected. long as drugs are hand. The first joint was distorted, out As of place. peddled and liquor can be distilled, with or without the sanction of the govern- “Baseball finger ?” queried Baldy. ment, so long will these things last, so “You had better wear gloves all you long will they be populated by the dregs can. When you’re driving, for in- of humanity, twisted in mind and body stance. That’s a give-away I can’t alike, dominated by some master minds remedy. Got to be covered up. Out- that defy the law. side of that you are pretty well camou- It devious flaged.” was by ways that Baldy and Sperry reached the rendezvous that The accent of the French word was evening. Sperry knew that he could excellent. Certain links between the re- never retrace the route. As it was, he finement of Elizabeth and her father did not penetrate to the actual meeting. were apparent. Sperry wondered what As “outside-man,” he remained outside the history of Baldy Brown contained, the council. They passed through a what sordid chapters had led up to his fence of boards, a portion of which present capacity. That his name was swung horizontally on a pivot to Baldy’s Brown he hardly believed. But, if he touch; they traversed deep cellars, lit- had changed it for frequent aliases, the tered with debris that exuded all kinds girl must have acquiesced, must have of musty odors, lit dimly by some light acknowledged them. It was a riddle to which Baldy always found a hidden that Sperry had to put aside. Mean- switch. Once, Sperry felt certain, they while, at Elizabeth’s suggestion—she passed underneath a street, slanting seemed to take an artistic pride in his deep down an earthy tunnel propped by disguise—he applied himself with beams, traversing a level section where materials she provided to cleanse his the smell of sewerage was abominable, nails of the telltale stain that had tinged then and through another cellar to them too darkly for nature. up brick stairs, at the head of which a All three went to a moving-picture stout door showed a peephole of light show that afternoon. Baldy laughed in response to certain knockings of heartily at the pictured triumph of a Baldy, checked by other knocks within. detective. Sperry went back with them. On the other side squatted a man “You’ll stay with us for the present,” without legs, the type of cripple that said Baldy, "until the big job is through. infests the streets and captures from It’s a good cover, and Bess has taken a sympathetic workers more in a day fancy to you.” than they could hard-eam in ten. He The last sentence Sperry appreciated, worked the opening of the door with a but he wondered what the big job was, leather strap. Round his stumped body and what part he would take in it. Per- was a belt holstered with two auto- haps he would find out when he met the matics. He challenged the appearance gang. of Sperry, now Manning. 20 Detective Story Magazine

“I don’t know this guy,” he said, in right now.” In which statement he guttural tones. spoke the truth. But he knew he had “I’m vouching for him,” said Baldy. served Baldy’s purpose. “He’s with me.” “And if he quits, I quit with him,” The dwarf hesitated, shifting a said Baldy. “That’s where I stand, holster to the front. Baldy boiled over chief or no chief! And, anyway, I with sudden ferocity. don’t go no further in the dark. I want “You cut that gun bluff out with me, to know where I get off. I’m goin’ to 1 Squatty,’ he said. "Get me? I gave have a pow-wow with the chief before the signals an’ you answered them. I run my neck into trouble any deeper. That’s where you quit.” You heard me, Blackberry.” Squatty visibly cowered, yet dared to The man with the stain whirled on touch a button back of him. Three the cripple. faint rings sounded. “What Baldy says is straight, “I’ll have a talk with you later,” said Squatty !” he exclaimed. “You got to Baldy. But he stayed where he was use some discretion. Get me?” until the figure of a man appeared com- “I will when you tell me what that ing down the passage. word means,” said Squatty. “What’s up?” said the newcomer, a “It means common sense, that’s what. man with beetle brows, his repellant Don’t you touch that push button with- countenance stained from cheek-bones out good reason, or you’ll get the grand to jaw on the left side with a port-wine razzoo ! Come on, gents.” mark. Up the passage and into a room, bar- “I come here with a pal,” said Baldy, ren of furniture and walled with rough quietly his voice ominous, “and this planks, they went at last ; it showed no remnant holds us up after I’ve vouched door, no means of egress. One dingy for him. This sort of stuff don’t go electric, the bulb spotted with flies, with me, Blackberry; it don’t go!” barely showed the dimensions of the The newcomer spread out deprecat- place. But Blackberry, at the far end, ing hands. trod on a plank, and a section of the “Chief’s orders, Baldy,” he said. walling rose, through which they passed “Any new guy’s got to be passed on on, up a flight of stairs, and so to what reg’lar.” was evidently the back room of the “I’m gettin’ tired of this ‘Chief’ stuff,” basement floor of a tenement house. said Baldy. “If we’re good enough to Sperry glimpsed a cemented furnace pull stuff for a man, we’re good enough room through the opening door by to see him. This game is too much which Blackberry disappeared. under cover to suit me. My dope was “Let me do the talking,” said Baldy, straight enough to suit the gang, wasn’t and Sperry was content. it? Then, when I bring in a pal that I The place was furnished with a pallet vouch for, the very man we’re needing, bed covered with greasy blankets, a I’m not goin’ to have him held up when table, and three broken-down chairs. it’s touch and go whether we can hold Soon they heard footsteps returning. him at all. What you got to say about Blackberry came back again with a

it, Duke?” He turned to Sperry. black-mustached, stout, prosperous- “I’m not over interested in this busi- looking man. The latter went to the ness,” said Sperry, playing up. “I point. don’t know what there is in it for me, “Who’s the new guy, Baldy ?” he and I don’t like working for any mys- asked; “and what’s this kick about the terious chiefs. I’d just as soon quit chief?” The Man with the Mole 21

“The last can wait/' said Baldy. calling-down, and presently they were “You know my kick, and I ain’t the seated in another padded niche in a only one kicking. I’ll take that up in- cafe, not the same one they had been in side. This is The Duke, Gentleman before. Manning of Chi. He’s a chauffeur, and “It’s for" to-morrow night,” said a good one. I’m vouching for him. Chi Baldy. “The car’s Sp^dwell. Know ain’t healthy for him just now, on ac- it?” count of the wind off the lake front and “Yes,” answered Sperry truthfully. him having weak lungs.” “We’ll see,” said Baldy. “Taking no The other grinned and surveyed chances. Come along.” Sperry. This time they took the subway far .“You’ll find New York a healthy uptown, and walked to a garage where coop for a lively bird,” he said. “Ever Baldy seemed to be well known. The live here?” Speedwell was in, and, at Baldy’s sug-

“He ran a car for a family up in gestion, they took it out and Sperry Lenox,” said Baldy. “They missed drove into the Park. He demonstrated

some ice and accused him of hiding it in that he knew its mechanism as well as the gasoline tank. He didn't. Point a Swiss watchmaker might understand is, he knows the Berkshires. Savvy? the interior economy of a dollar pocket Blake’s got pinched, as you told me. timepiece. Baldy stated himself satis- Well, this lad can take his place.” fied. “I guess it’s all right I’ll take your “Put on those two new rear tires, word for it. You’ll get a five per cent Tom,” he said to the attendant. “My divvy, Duke, of what stacks up from to- friend will be here to take the car out night. Does that go?” to-morrow night, about nine.” Sperry, borne on the tide of events, “The tires seem perfectly good,” said nodded. Sperry as they left the garage. “Then come on, Baldy,” said the man. “Taking no chances,” reiterated “We’re waiting to hear your spiel. Did Baldy. “Come on, we’ll get a snack you pull it off? You wait here, Duke.” somewhere. Bess will have gone to They left him, and Sperry lit a cigar- bed.” ette and then another, wondering to Not till they were back in Green- what he was committed. He didn’t wich Village did Baldy give him further much care. His own case seemed help- instructions. less, and he was conscious of a grow- “Get the car there at nine to-mor- ing exhilaration in the dark enterprise row,” he said, “pick me up in Wash- on hand. And, holding his promise to ington Square, where the buses stop, at the girl, he tried to believe in Baldy as ten sharp. Be driving slowly along. she would have him believe. Only, not I’ll be there. I’ll not be home to-mor- quite certain of what she did wish him row. You take Bess out to Bronx to subscribe to, he made hard work of Park. She wants to see the animals. it. Crazy about them. I’ve promised to He had no watch with him, and it take her, and haven’t had time, though seemed hours before Baldy came back, J’m fond of poking round there my- alone. What happened beyond the fur- self.” nace room remained a mystery to To-morrow would be a day well Sperry. spent, decided Sperry—up till nine “Come on,” said Baldy. They re- o’clock in the evening, at all events. traced their tortuous way, by the watch- After that, he committed himself to the ful Squatty, who still sulked from his unknown, and to Baldy. He felt pretty 22 Detective Story Magazine

confident of Baldy’s being able to pro- hippopotamus. Sperry seemed to be tect himself and any protege. living in another world of strange hap- “By the way,” said Baldy, yawning, penings, and he pledged himself to the “what does this Remington look like?” present. His own trouble-time seemed Sperry described him as best he very hazy, and the haze was permeated could. “Why ?” he asked when he con- with a rosy glow born of the happen- cluded. ings of the moment. He and the girl “Thought I saw him to-day,” said became very chummy, and he told her Baldy. “I was in the jeweler’s.” all about his own thwarted ambitions. With that he went to bed and left He told her of the exploits of his chosen

Sperry to follow his example. Sleep profession ; how they could bridge vast did not come easily. Why did Baldy chasms and make trails over great

want to change two perfectly good ranges ; how they could dam waters that tires for new ones? What kind of would make deserts blossom like the man was he who loved animals, who rose, and advance the cause of progress. trusted his daughter to a new acquaint- “It’s a fine profession,” she said en- ance, who consorted with the worst thusiastically. “If I were a man that’s types of criminals, and who, Sperry what I’d like to be. Pioneers of prog- was assured, was going to join in some ress, that’s what you are.” big robbery the next night, in which “Do you think you’d like the life?” affair he, Sperry, was bound by many asked Sperry. He knew he was talking ties of recklessness and obligation ? And nonsense, speaking like this to the what about Remington? Baldy, he had daughter of a master crook, himself a found out by this time, asked no ques- fugitive from justice, or at least from tions idly. And who was “the chief?” the law; disinherited, disgraced, about He went to sleep to dream that he to plunge further into lawlessness. But and Baldy were cracking a giant safe, all things seemed but the figments of a with Elizabeth holding a hair-clipper pleasant dream, and he was in no mind that, somehow, served as a brilliant to wake up when he had this girl as electric torch. And, when the safe was dream-mate, this enthusiastic girl that opened, Cairns stepped out of the was so wonderful a pal. He had never shadows and arrested all three of them. dreamed a girl could like this never be ; met a girl who could so understand a chap, so enter into his thoughts, have CHAPTER V. the same ideas, the same hopes. THE FAMILY VAULT. They had come to the cage of the C PERRY had a brief chat with Baldy bears and he halted. in the morning before the latter “I wish,” he said, and stopped. The went away on his own business, and bears doubtless had their dreams. And Sperry and Elizabeth, with a lunch the bars were the limit of their reality. packed for themselves, and ano'ther for Caged! certain special friends of the girl’s at “What?” she asked, a little shyly. the zoo, took the subway for Bronx “Nothing,” answered Sperry. “I was Park. There were not many visitors just getting broody over my luck, that’s on this chilly day, but they had a rare all.” time. Elizabeth appeared to know the “Don’t do that,” she said. “You trust keepers well, and they were given cer- to daddy. He—he likes you. I know tain privileges such as standing inside it.” the rail when the big cats were fed, and Sperry flung his bitter mood aside. scratching the warty back of the blind “Why?” he challenged her with a The Man with the Mole 23

back direct glance. She did not evade it, says : ‘All right Duke.’ You come though her face changed slowly to the with, ‘Duke Who?’ If he says ‘Man- transparent hue of the petals of an ning,’ it’s all right. If any one comes American Beauty rose. up with a broken line of talk, you beat “He let you take me out to-day,” she it. If a bull comes by and asks you said slowly. “He has never let any what you are hanging around for you other man do that.” Sperry wanted to tell him you are chaffeur for Mr. Gam- take her in his arms. There was no well of the Marine Insurance Associa- one in sight but the gobbling bears, busy tion, and you point right across the road over the buns they had brought them. to the fifth floor of the opposite build-

The girl knew it, and he saw her eyes ing. Gamwell won’t be there, but the thank him as he refrained and kept lights will be on in his suite. And the faith that Baldy Brown of Chi, there’ll be some one there to answer if master crook, had reposed in him. But the bull gets fresh. It’ll all go straight the want remained. enough.” “Daddy is going to help you,” she Sperry did not doubt the smoothness said. “Perhaps it will come true, after of the operations from the care with all, your building dams and bridges.” which the preliminaries had been ar-

“I hope it will all come true,” said ranged. And he could, in some meas- Sperry. And he saw her cheeks bloom ure, understand the joy of the outlaw, again. the pitting of brain against brain, the It was all wild nonsense they were risk, the thrill of it all. talking. He realized that as they wept “Yop take your orders from whoever homeward. To-night he was to play gets on the front seat,” said Baldy. chauffeur to a band of desperadoes. “There’ll likely be two men, perhaps And she, was she juggling, too? Play- three depends on the load. I won’t be ; ing at make-believe, despite her sur- with you. When you ar . through with roundings, her fate, as a crippled child the job, beat it back to the garage and may pretend that it has wings ? make the trip home by subway and The strangeness of the whole affair walking. Here’s a key to the door.” was emphasized in the preparation of As the cool steel met his palm, dinner. Baldy himself took a hand, Sperry felt assured of inis position with mashing the potatoes while Sperry con- Baldy. He was surely trusted. cocted the salad dressing and Elizabeth “You can depend on me,” he said. broiled the thick steak and handled the Elizabeth came in at the moment, rest of the concomitants. It was like a through with the dishes, and the talk picnic, Sperry felt; the informal meals switched. • Baldy left, and presently that attend great happenings. At eight Sperry departed for the garage. The o’clock they were through. new tires were on, he noticed, before “You know my motto, son,” said he sped downtown. Baldy. “Nothing like a full meal.” At Washington Square, on the south And, while Elizabeth was clearing and side, he picked up Baldy, and on cleaning up, he gave Sperry final in- Bleecker, the second man. At ten- structions. thirty they parked the car on a street

. “We’ll pick up a man on Bleecker well downtown in the financial district. Street,” he said. “I’ll show you where. Sperry recognized the locality, strange

He’s an outside man, like you. But not as it was at this deserted time. The car an active one. Now, when we arrive, had stopped around the corner from the

I’ll show you where to park. You hang jeweler’s shop where he had seen Rem- on there till some one comes up and ington. There both Baldy and the other 24 Detective Story Magazine

outside man got out. The latter walked of the other side of the street. The

up the street, but Baldy stayed to point bearded man noted it. out the lights in the fifth floor of a tall “It's all right,” he whispered. “That’s

building across from where the Speed- our lookout. If he whistles, beat it, well stood beside the curb. Then he, and stop at the corner of Broadway and too, left, melted mysteriously in the Chambers.” shadows. The speaker slipped out and down Sperry had always associated rob- and disappeared in the murky alley. He beries with the small hours, but now he was back again in an instant. Follow- recognized that downtown life practi- ing him came a procession of dim cally ceased after six-thirty. The shapes, each bearing a heavy package “gang” was now at work, and he had that they stowed quickly in the tonneau no longer any doubt that their object of the car. At last two men climbed in was the pilfering of the vaults of the after the bundles and pulled a rug over jewelry store, or that the red-haired the loot and themselves. The bearded clerk was involved as he was, in a man got in again beside Sperry. minor capacity. He pondered over “Slick and quick!” he said, with a what he was to do. Baldy had asked chuckle. “North, and go it.” him if he knew the Berkshires. Was he North they went and still north, to drive the loot to some treasure-trove climbing up where reservoirs- gleamed in the hills, there to await the disposi- among the pines, quickening their pace, tion of the chief? He filled in the time plunging, lunging on to the urging of with cigarettes and conjectures, and the man at Sperry’s side, until, above finally, warm in his coat and the fur Lake Mahopac, a front tire exploded robe with which the Speedwell was pro- and nearly threw them into a ditch. vided, leaned back half drowsily. No No one helped him. The two men in policeman broke his reverie, though one the tonneau stood about with the third passed twice. He heard Old Trinity until Sperry ordered one of them to chime the quarters and knew that it was hold an electric torch on his repairing. close to midnight before a figure came The bearded man did as requested, to the side of the car. throwing the ray where Sperry ordered.

“All right, Duke?” Once he delayed to shift it, and Sperry, The voice seemed dimly familiar, sweating with his work, despite the

though he could not place it. The man’s crisp night, spoke to him sharply. The face was muffled both with a beard and man looked at him queerly, but said the high collar of his coat upturned, nothing. At last the job was finished, and a scarf which circled his neck. A and Sperry put on his gloves and soft-brimmed hat was pulled low down started the car once more. The going over his brows. was hard and the roads here and there

“Duke Who?” parried Sperry. marked for detours, so that it was after “Manning,” replied the man and five by the clock in the front of the car clambered to the front seat without before they began to climb hills with further ado. “Round the block,” he which Sperry was familiar, the hills on said, “slowly.” the other side of the ridge from Swift-

Sperry obeyed orders, conscious that brook Bowl. But it was still dark, still the bearded man kept a sharp lookout. far from sunrise. He had been They met no one. Three quarters brusquely asked if he knew the way to around he got the word to halt, close to Galton, and had answered in the af- an alley dividing the big block. A firmative. Now they were approach- shadow drifted along in the obscurity ing that town. !

The Man with the Mole 25

“Straight through,” said the bearded It’s lightening strong. Want us to get man in his husky voice. “Don’t turn nipped ?” off to Ironton. Keep on up the moun- The three of them were bearing in tain.” their packages with frantic haste. Day- Sperry obeyed. They struck a bad light was coming. There was no time road, deep-rutted, slippery with mud, to spare lest some chore-seeking villager and the car made slow progress? One might see them and give an alarm. of the men behind spoke for the first Sperry lent a hand, bearing a heavy time. parcel into the musty burial plade, and “Open her up, can’t you? We got. to coming out gratefully into the fresh air get through before daylight.” They for another. At last they were through. passed by sleepy hamlets and hit the He started to mount the car. windy ridge at the watershed, then “Confound it !” said the bearded man. pitched down between wooded ravines. “We’ve left the keys back there. Duke, A clearing came, a suggestion of high- you’ve got the torch. Go get them, will land meadow strips, the sound of a you, while I light up? And hurry.” foaming torrent, the outline of a steeple Sperry went back into the charnel- against a blackish sky. house reluctantly, but loath to suggest “Is this Darlington ?” asked the that he was not willing to do his share. bearded man. “Then the first road to He had held a feeling ever since they the left past the village.” left New York that he was on proba-

They made it as the first hint of tion with his passengers, that they dawn showed. There was a faint dif- sensed somehow that he was not an ac- ference in the quality of the light. Trees cepted and qualified member of their began to separate themselves. On a craft, but was tolerated only on Baldy’s slope irregular ranks of tombstones de- say-so. He could not see the keys and veloped, gray and ghastly. threw about the circle of his light. Sud- The guide put a hand on Sperry’s denly he felt quick fanning of the close arm. air, heard a grating sound, then the “Into the graveyard,” he said. noise of the outer bar swinging into There were no gates, only a gravel place with a dull clang, followed by the road, crisp under the tires. To the click of locks. right rose a high bank in which tombs The ray of his lamp shone on the had been dug like caves, and sealed with closed doors of the vault. He flung iron doors. Their tops were rounded himself at them, pounding, kicking, and turfed above the level of the bank. without result, with hardly noise Here they halted. The two men got enough to reach to the road* He could out and one of them busied himself barely hear the explosion of the engine with a skeleton key, while the second as it broke into life and left him there, held the electric torch. deliberately abandoned among the loot Sperry read in its arc the graven let- and the coffins of the moldering dead tering in the stonework about the iron doors: “Family Tomb of Alvin Allen. CHAPTER VI. 1843.” SKELETONS AND JEWELS. The ghouls were going to deposit the loot in the ancient monument. Doubt- AFTER the first rage and sense of less all the Allens were dead, their ** horror had passed, Sperry forced crumbled remnants in the vault. himself to sum up the situation calmly. “Come on,” said the bearded man He deliberately shut off the light of the from the ground, “lend a hand here. electric lamp, knowing he might need it 26 Detective Story Magazine badly later. The place seemed to fill imagination, perhaps, but none the less with phantoms, indignant at this out- real, the air seemed heavier, more vi- rage of their last rest.' It was cold and tiated. He swept the place for some damp. Somewhere water percolated tool with which to attack the bricks and through and dropped on the rough dig through the dirt, at least to air, if cement of the floor, like the tick of a not to freedom. He wondered whether clock counting his last minutes. the packages they had brought might For he could not last very long, delib- not hold some safe-breakers’ tools. erately* abandoned as he had been with- While the light rapidly waned in the out hope of rescue. The air was limited, torch, he opened them. Most were cases and, if any came through the door made of heavy fiber, such as travelers cracks or an unseen crevice, it was only use, strapped. Two were grips. These enough to prolong life a short time. he handled first. One of them was The place seemed to put a coating on full of smaller cases, which presumably his tongue, to choke his laboring lungs. contained articles of jewelry. These he In the absolute silence, save for the did not touch. The second held a mass "tock-tock” of the dripping water, of gold chains and watches stripped Sperry could hear his heart beating as from trays. he strove for control. His burial had The battery gave only a flickering been preconceived by the bearded man glimmer now as he attacked the sample whose voice was dimly familiar, though cases. The first was a jumble of velvet- he had seen little of the man’s face, covered boxes, many of which had been muffled as it had been by the collar of opened and uncertainly closed. Among his coat, a slouch hat, and a woolen them strings of jewels, brooches, neck- scarf. Was it just a general suspicion laces, and rings shot out streaks of based on some slip he had made that many-colored light. And then the torch showed him up plainly as not one of failed utterly. By sense of touch he them—as a possible spy? went through the rest of the loot and If the voice of the bearded man had found no tools. Mechanically he re- been dimly familiar to him, why, in like strapped the sample cases as his mind degree, in stronger degree, for he had sought some way out. pot attempted any disguise of it, his A coffin handle ? own might have been familiar to this Stumbling across the boxes, he man. And he had shown his baseball groped his way to the stone slabs on finger while working on the blowout. which the caskets rested. He reached Had he been recognized? Would they up and felt along the side of one of come back for him or send some one to the grim receptacles, his fingers clutch- make his arrest and claim the reward? ing a handle that felt as if it were That was not likely, since they had made of iron, though it was pitted with left all the loot with him. He had been rust. Apparently it had been wrought deliberately left to die of hunger, thirst, in the early days when the trappings of and lack of air. the dead were less elaborate in these Once more he switched on his torch hillside communities. It might make and flashed it about his jail. It was a good weapon with which to pick a bricked, the roof in the shape of a low way through the bricks and mortar if arch, above which he had, noticed, out- he could only get it free from the wood. side, that earth, turfed at the top, was That he might do with his pocket-knife. piled thick. The ray faltered and he Something moved in the mausoleum, noticed, to his horror, that the battery something that sounded like the pat of was fast losing strength. And, to his a naked foot. Sperry’s hair bristled, ! —

The Man with the Mole 27 though his reasoning told him it must be the blows of a sledge upon some mighty made by a material thing. What was brazen gong, tolling off his last seconds. it? He listened, holding to the handle A swift vision came to him of the fig- of the casket. It came again and ures on Trinity’s clock in New York, halted. He cautiously shifted a foot pounding the hours. and touched something, small, yield- The weight on his chest turned to a ing, alive. Instantly the truth flashed pain within, an agony at each laboring upon him. It was a toad. He moved breath. He was breathing carbonic again in his relief and set his gases and he longed for their complete foot fair upon the creature. He slipped, anesthesia. He no longer wished for clinging to the iron handle. The life nor thought coherently. wood, set there almost a century ago, The pains ceased and a blessed ease perhaps, exposed to damp from with- encompassed him. He had passed the out and within, gave way with a Rubicon. Light was in his eyes, a bril- soft, shuddering crash under Sperry’s liant, dazzling light! Sweet air greeted weight. One end of the handle still his lungs. Vaguely he felt himself mov- clung for a moment and then, before he ing, slowly—slowly! Something was could recover his balance, the whole between his lips, something that burned hideous thing was upon him, rotted and choked him, but trickled down his wood and shreds of something that throat and started a fire of life within once had been quick and human. Dust him. He looked up and saw the stars. and crumbling shreds of cerements, Then they were obscured by a shape blinding, choking, appalling, descended and he heard a voice calling his name on him with a soft rush as if intent his own name “Jack! Jack!’’ upon a smothering vengeance He , tried to meet the summons, Sperry fell, half paralyzed by the sounding like the hail of some one far horror of it, and his head struck upon down a tunnel, some one he loved. The some dull edge. Light flashed before stars again! More of that life-giving his inner sight, and then—oblivion! fluid ! And then came the light, not so

When he came to, his head was ach- dazzling. And, above it, radiant, im- ing dully but persistently. There was ploring, anxious, was the face of Eli- a great weight upon his chest and he zabeth. could barely breathe. He could only Youth and hope and love now move his extremities feebly. How long brought him swiftly back to life. A he had been there he knew not, but his strong arm was about him and he sat returning consciousness told him that up. Another voice blended with the the air was nearly exhausted and that girl’s in low tones. It was Baldy’s. lack of it, with the blow, with want of “Give him some of the coup, Bess. food and a frightful, torturing thirst, Here’s the thermos. We’ll get him into had chained him too effectually for him the car. I’ll close up this place.” to think of another attempt to break He supped the broth and tried to get through the chamber that held the long to his feet. Baldy’s strength support- dead and the barely living. How long ing him on one side, the girl’s hand he had been there he had no way of under one elbow, he climbed up into telling. This was the end, or very the tonneau of a car and sank on its close to it. padded cushions with the girl beside Tock, tock! The drip on the floor him, rapidly recovering. Baldy was sounded on his sensitive nerves and closing the tomb once more. But this brain cells, congested by blood sluggish time, thank Heaven, he was on the out- and poisoned for lack of oxygen, like side. 28 Detective Story Magazine

“How did you find me?” he asked. credited with his rescue. Her father “Don’t talk until we get out of this,” did not count. said Baldy. “Bess, you’ll have to back Baldy came back from the open door out of here. I'm not an expert on these of the shack, got a lantern from the car, machines. Here, Jack, put away this and a roll of blankets, asking Sperry to sandwich and take another drink.” bring a box packed full with papered Sperry took the bread and meat and parcels, if he was able. The girl fol- the flask and obeyed orders as the girl lowed them inside the cabin that held left him and took the front seat, her some inexpensive furniture, including father edging over. The car reversed a rough bed and a rusty stove. down the little ascent to the tomb, “Sperry,” said the man with the mole, through the entrance of the cemetery “I want you to camp out here for a day to the main road, sped along it for per- or two. Here is enough to make you haps a quarter of a mile, and turned fairly comfortable. There is wood out- into a steep lane up which it plugged side, but I would rather you did not through stiff mud to the hill top, turned light any fire unless you must have it. in between the remnants of a gate, and This place is just above the cemetery. I struggled through what had once been want you to watch for the man or men a farmway to a standstill beside a who come to remove the loot, and to crudely constructed cabin. A broken follow them. It is barely possible you chimney jagged on the skyline; the may recognize one of them. But follow windows were boarded, the door still them, somewhere, to where they take intact. the stuff. Then come back to New The man with the mole got out and York and let me know as fast as you worked on the closed door. Sperry, al- can travel. Here is money.” most himself again, got into the front Sperry took it somewhat confusedly. seat with Elizabeth. Was Baldy seeking to double cross the “How did you ever find me?” he others? But in that case he would asked. simply have taken the loot. “Daddy will tell you. I told you to “Won’t they suspect something when believe in him, you know.” they find I am not there?” he asked. Seeing that her father was implicated “There is nothing to suspect. We with him in the deliberate robbery of a are not going to interfere with the re- jewelry establishment, Sperry made no moval of the stuff. It will not be the audible answer. But he took the girl’s crowd that you brought here and who hand and pressed it. They exchanged left you inside. In any event, the men a glance, a look that ignored all cir- who come would not be astonished to cumstance and set them on a bridge of find you there dead, or taken away. their own, a mutual platform of ap- They do not bother themselves about preciation and sincerity. And Sperry any details other than those laid out for found himself glowing with an added them to handle. The chief attends to resolve to protect this pure-eyed girl the finer points and all the links. The from all knowledge of her father’s point is, Jack, the gang is getting a bit crookedness, a renewal of his desire to tired of working in the dark. They prove his own integrity. Something want to get in touch with the chief. I passed between them, as of a current am at the head of that idea. I want to between two wires that touch in a mag- have a straight talk with him myself. netic field, and Sperry felt a tingle that Hitherto he issued all orders through mounted to his heart and stayed there. Blackberry and one or two others. I Just then it was Elizabeth whom he am no cat’s-paw, and the rest follow; The Man with the Mole 29 me. I believe this stuff in the tomb will “Won’t you tell me how you found go direct to the chief. I want to trace me?” asked Sperry. it. The tomb has been used before for Baldy smiled. “I wanted to find out a receiving house for the stuff. It is where this cache was. I like to have none of it sold to fences. The chief two strings to my bow. You were one finances the whole proposition, and of them. The other? You remember bides his time in disposing of the loot my having those two tires changed at through channels known only to him- the garage? Well, I supplied the car, self. He gets more for it that way, but and I also supplied two tires that are so the rest of us don’t—not enough of the marked as to make a very plain trail in difference. Now, if they won’t let me the mud for any one used to following see the chief, I’m going to find out for them. When the car came back with- myself who he is, and get to him. And out you—they left it at a downtown you can help me. Will you?” garage and let me know in the regular He spoke in a low voice. The girl way—when they came back with a yarn was trying to make the shack less com- about you having got cold feet and fortless. Sperry gave her a glance and given them the slip, I suspected that then answered Baldy. they had figured you out wrong in some “Considering you have just literally way. They didn’t like my bringing you picked me out of the jaws of death, I in the way. I did, and I imagined a should be worse than ungrateful not to grudge—and perhaps something else. help you. I owe you a lot.” Anyhow, I knew the destination was “We’ll come to a just settlement, somewhere in the Berkshires. On the some day, my son,” said Baldy. “You’ll main road I picked up the tire marks, have to sleep days and watch nights. and I didn’t lose them. Now tell me They’ll come some time after dark. I just how it all happened.” wouldn’t be surprised if they bring a He and the girl listened while Sperry team of horses, as being less notice- summed up the incidents briefly. able. I’ve a notion they won’t go very “It was the chap with the beard who far. That will make it all the easier did it, then?” asked Baldy. “I didn’t for you. The gang is uneasy. There see much of him. I was inside, and he are hints that the police are closing in showed only once. But we’ll attend to and they think, with me, it is time for a him later. You had better lay low for final divvy. Of course, I haven’t so a bit with the gang. And now we must much coming as some of them, but I am, be going.” in a way, the leader in this. As it He went outside to the car. Sperry stands, if anything breaks, the chief has looked at the girl. He seemed fairly got the goods and we stand for the con- launched in criminality, and yet this viction. He is too well covered. girl, daughter of Baldy Brown, ap- “He is a bit uneasy, too, I think. Any- peared a thing apart from such affairs, way, he has ordered one last haul—I’ll mixed up in them as she undoubtedly tell you about that when you come was. She held out both her hands and back to town—and then we may all he took them. Again the thrill mounted split up. But there is going to be a and took possession of him. She personal talk and a regular accounting seemed to sway a little toward him, first, with the chief in person. I don’t and the next instant her lips had met think you’ll have to stick round here his. long. Sorry for the accommodations, They stepped apart as Baldy re- but it wouldn’t do for you to be seen. turned. How much he had seen, Sperry Now we’ve got to be off.” could not guess, did not think of until 30 Detective Story Magazine the car had left and he was preparing Time and time again he went over to go on watch. But he was very fully everything and tried to patch things conscious of a strange, a welcome ex- together into some kind of sequence that hilaration that not al his troubles, all he could trace back, in order to dis- his desperation could modify. Eliza- cover some clew, some loophole he beth and he were living in a world might use as the commencement of his apart, and that world was lit by the un- own vindication. Remington! Every- quenchable hope of love. thing came back to Remington! He Baldy had left him an automatic was the one who had deliberately lied pistol, and he slipped it into his pocket, about the check’s presentation. Cairns before, fortified with food and drink, had stated that it was torn from the braced still by the touch of the girl’s back of his check book, and Sperry sus- lips, he put out his lantern, closed the pected Cairns of furnishing this bit of door, and crept down the hill through the evidence. This pointed inevitably leafless brush and a little grove of spec- to collusion between Cairns and Rem- tral white birches in the verge of which ington. Moreover, Cairns had inter- he crouched, amid the dried ferns, just ested himself in getting Remington a above the mound of the vault, keeping fresh situation. And the bank’s funds his lonely vigil. had been depleted ten thousand dollars, which Caims had at first promised to CHAPTER VII. restore with altogether too much equanimity, Sperry concluded, review- TEMPTATION. ing his stepfather’s demeanor. pOR the balance of that night and for Supposing that Remington had the two nights following, Sperry shared that ten thousand. Five thou- watched in the birch grove above the sand would not be much for Caims to tomb, eating and sleeping by day, holed pay as the price of getting Sperry out up in the deserted farm cabin. They of grace with his mother, of accom- were long vigils with the shortening plishing his final disinheritance, and

days, thirteen hours at a stretch in the giving Cairns full control of it, if not darkness, with one night continual ultimate possession. But there might rain that forced him to light a fire the be a third man, the one who had so next morning and dry out his sodden wonderfully imitated the signatures.

clothes. But he stuck to it and was con- Who was he? fident that no one had approached the Out in the blackness he revolved Cemetery as no one came near his cabin. these thoughts, his mind like a squirrel What he suffered from most was the in its turning-cage, and arrived at but fact that he dared not smoke while on one resolution, to seek Baldy’s help to guard, and found the lonely hours drag run down Remington, and, trapping interminably. His great consolation him, if that were necessary, force the was that, long before this, he would facts from him. \ave become one of the silent occupants He thought of his mother, none too of the tomb, uncoffined and unepi- strong, and of what insidious poison taphed, but most effectually out of the against him Cairns by this time had world. And he was very far from wish- succeeded in implanting in her confid- ing to have done with worldly affairs. ing nature. There, too, he was power- love her address. His of Elizabeth undoubtedly did less ; he did not even know much to give him a sane grip on events So his heart grew bitter and hard and furnish him. with hope of ultimate against his transgressors. The girl was rehabilitation. his only leaven of sweetness, and she —

The Man with the Mole 31 was not of his own world, as society in the light farm wagon. They worked apportioned it. She dwelt in the tents in silence. If they had expected to find of the wicked, and, if crime had not a recently dead body inside, they made besmirched her, it was because she was no comment at the lack of it. of pure gold that may be hidden, but Sperry wondered why the bearded remains intrinsically perfect. man and his two helpers had not said Baldy, too, was a man who had his something about their attempt to dis- qualities. Environment might have pose of him, or had not themselves forced him into his career, as indeed it tried to remove the supposed corpse. had forced Sperry. The man was one Was it true, as Baldy had hinted, that who would have made good in any the type of men entrusted by the mys- surroundings, have stood out head and terious chief to handle his loot were shoulders above his fellows. His surprised at nothing, asked no questions strength was misapplied, but his virtues beyond the scope of their own direc- were still unspoiled. As friend or tions ? enemy, he would go on to the end, and While these conjectures ran through Sperry felt that Baldy was his friend. his mind, he had other things to do; So the nights passed, and the days, to see if he could recognize these men and the fourth night brought action. —as Baldy had suggested he might There was a sharp frost, the tempera- and to trail the wagon to its destina- ture dropping with the sun, until, at tion. midnight, nested in the blankets he had They wielded their torch skillfully been forced to bring from the cabin, and sparsely. Sperry was unable to get

Sperry was hard put to it to keep warm. a glimpse of their features. One thing He was about to get up and walk about he noticed with satisfaction: they had on patrol to restore his congealing cir- a big tarpaulin in the wagon-bed which culation, when .certain noises arrested they threw over their load. It wqs him. They were not loud—the clink plain that one of them, at least, knew of a horse’s hoofs on frosty road metal, the locality, for he led the horses up the squeak of an axle. A team was the cemetery road to where he could coming on toward the cemetery. This swing them around a loop, not wishing was not the main all to road ; the farmers attempt to back them or turn them of the vicinity were long ago abed. in the narrow space, for fear of noise Excitement gripped him as the or mishap in the gloom. Sperry sounds grew closer and turned in to swiftly tucked away his blankets among the cemetery enclosure. Sperry had the bracken and slipped like a lizard wriggled forward until he lay prone on from the top of the tomb, gliding down the top of the curving mound that to the road, and, hidden behind a big formed the roof of the tomb. The elm, waited the coming out of the wagon stopped and two dim shapes got wagon. down. There was no moon, but the It went cautiously on down the steep

sky was clear with the frost, and the pitch, the brakes set. Behind it, at a steely stars gave sufficient light to ob- safe distance, strode Sperry. At the serve movement. The two men, with- bottom of the hill the wagon turned out a word, advanced to the doors and north across the valley on a fairly level opened them. Then the light from an road, the horses put to a jog-trot. electric torch sprayed out, and they Sperry changed his pace and kept fifty went into the vault. For fifteen min- yards behind without difficulty. Thus utes they worked, taking out the cases for a mile they went, and then came the and grips, and stowing them carefully long climb up the northern ridge. 32 Detective Story Magazine

Sperry knew the country well, and of wealth. The wagon drove on round knew that the team would be stopped to the back, and Sperry, his eyes con- for necessary breathing half-way up the stantly on the driver and his companion, hill. He slowly closed in, and, when the got clear of the tarpaulin and edged wagon halted on the midway bench of over the tail board. Despite his care, the ascent, he was less than ten yards his feet scuffed the gravel of the drive, away. and he instantly darted for the nearest He saw the striking of a match, the cover, a clump of evergreens, crackly passing of it from one man to the other, with the frost. The driver, pulling up the glow of a cigar and a pip£, and his horses at the moment, paid no at- caught the scent of tobacco. He saw tention, but the other man swung about more—the face of one of the men, and in his seat. the ruddy outline caused him to stop “What was that?” he demanded. with a little gasp. He had not seen “What?” enough to be sure of identity, but the “Something in the bushes back suggestion put his brain in a turmoil. there!” As he spoke the man flung The two men were talking in low the ray of the torch upon the laurels.

tones ; the heavy breathing of the Sperry lay perdu like a rabbit, fearful winded horses was plain on the cold that the shaking boughs would give him night air. Foot by foot, bent double, away. Just then a door opened, ruddy Sperry crept up to the wagon. He in thejiight. meant to climb over its tail board, cover “You’ve got the jumps,” said the himself with the tarpaulin, and get a driver. “There’s the boss, waiting for ride to wherever it was going. This he us. Get down and help out with the must do, he decided, at the moment of stuff.” starting up, so that whatever he might The other obeyed, though he walked make of noise or disturbance would be over to the evergreens and deliberately covered by the natural noise of the examined them. But Sperry had horses and wagon in getting into action. writhed out on the other side and The driver released his foot brake, chosen a fresh hiding place. The dis- and Sperry, with a little jump, glided traction of the opening door had given over the tail-board and pulled the edge time for the stiff branches to cease their of the tarpaulin over himself without motion, and the man gave up his idea attracting attention. The wagon went and proceeded to help the driver with on up the hill and down the other side. the packages. Once again the horses broke into a trot Sperry dodged around to one side ol which they kept up for mile after mile the big house. It was dark, save for a with little slackenings on minor hills. narrow strip of orange light where a felt pulled completely Sperry no longer the cold ; he was blind had not been tingling with excitement. He was be- down. Shrubbery grew close to the ginning to see a way out of his troubles wall. The frost in the ground was hard —not ai) easy path, but a possible one. enough to bear him without telltale foot- The team slowed up and turned off prints, he decided, and he badly wanted the main road to a smoother one. to have a look inside that room. He Sperry stuck his head out from the made his trip in safety, and, gripping tarpaulin. They were now in the pri- the stone sill of the telltale window vate grounds of a well-kept estate, driv- drew himself up until his eyes were on s ing between lawns set with shrubs and level with the crack. The window faced groups of trees. A house showed, gray- a door that was just opening. A mar white, no lights visible, a country place appeared and advanced toward a mas- The Man with the Mole 33

sive center table. Behind him ap- His mind, spurred by what he had peared the driver and his fellow, car- seen, worked clearly now. The half- rying the packages which they set on familiar voice of the bearded man was the table at the indication of the first plainly recognizable in the light of all man, who started to unstrap the pack- events. It had been Remington. His ages as the two others turned toward -own voice and his injured finger, dis- the doors. played when he had fixed the tires, had Sperry was forced to lower himself given him away, despite his disguise. to ease the pull on his muscles. He Just why Remington had not later re- had seen enough, yet he wanted to see moved his body he could not figure, but more. There was plenty of time ahead he did not bother with it. Evidently of him before he could get the early neither Peters nor Cairns had known train to New York. The cabin door of his joining the gang of which Cairns was closed properly; the blankets well was chief. That, too, he set aside for hidden, and he did not intend to go the time. back to the cemetery. Other parts of the pattern were form- Six times, at intervals, he hoisted ing swiftly. Cairns was a master crook, himself and peered1 through the inch of greater even than Baldy Brown, con- vision space at the foot of the blind. troller of a band, few of whom knew He saw the man finally dismiss the his identity. Cairns planned the rob- others, heard the wagon rattle off to beries. His own case had been but a some stable, saw the principal open the side issue in Cairns’ campaign, though packages, and gloat for a while over the fortune the man hoped to control the contents. These he separated en- was worth having. Aside from that tirely from their velvet covered boxes, had been the mutual dislike between and placed them within a big safe that Sperry and his stepfather, and the ob- was not at first sight apparent, being jection of the latter to having any one covered with sliding panels made to close to him who might suspect or clog conform with the woodwork of the his operations. walls. Then he touched a bell and the Remington, dismissed from the bank, driver once again appeared, devoid of had been placed in the jeweler’s with a his outer clothes, addressing the first view to the robbery. The red-haired man with respect, and starting to take clerk was in it, too. Remington may away the now emptied cases, grips, and -have furnished the combination which jeweler’s boxes. was to have been put by the redhead Now Sperry was through. He could into the box containing the tie-clip. That imagine the bulky stuff being burned in was why Remington had been on the a furnace, but he knew where the jewels balcony that morning—to watch for the were stored, and he knew now the mys- man who would buy the tie-clip. Doubt- terious chief’s identity. For the man less Remington, for his own reasons, who had put the loot in his safe was wanted to link up all he could of Cairns’ his stepfather, Cairns ; the driver was chain of operatives. Naturally he had Peters, and the helper a footman. become suspicious of Sperry’s appear- Here was cause for elation, yet how ance in the store. Once started, he had was he to make use of it? He himself been on the watch, and had recognized was still an outlaw, and must act him as the driver of the Speedwell car. through others. Baldy was his only That would link him up with Baldy. friend, and he was bound to Baldy by who had furnished the car and vouched many ties. But for the Chicago crook for Sperry with the gangf. he would be dead in the vault. Baldy must know all this. Sperry ;

34 Detective Story Magazine

found himself in a quandary. If he ac- certain that his present duty was to complished the arrest of Cairns, if he warn Baldy, who might be even now could find some one who would listen proclaimed as traitor to the gang by to him and act, it meant the arrest of Remington. If they had not hesitated Baldy, or at least his pursuit, and Baldy to leave him in the tomb, what might would know that Sperry, whom he had they not do to Baldy? And to Baldy’s befriended, had double crossed him. He daughter? He remembered that they had a good excuse, his own vindication, had merely told Baldy that he, Sperry, but—he had eaten Baldy’s salt ! More, had given them the slip with cold feet. he was himself mixed up with the gang. Were they giving the man with the mole Baldy’s friendship might have been the benefit of tnc doubt until the last only the ruse to use him as a tool, to job was pulled, needing his aid? Rem- procure the driver they needed, to act ington, recognizing Sperry, knew that as outside man—a mere matter of busi- Baldy lied when he called him Gentle- ness. But it would not have been neces- man Manning, the Duke, from Chi. sary for the man with the mole to have There were a lot of tangles in the taken him into his own house, to have skein that all his cogitation failed to

brought him into close contact with his unravel ; it failed to anything but merge daughter. He knew what Sperry was them into a greater snarl. Arrived at charged with that was whip enough, New York in midmorning, he hurried ; had he wanted to use it. to the house in Greenwich Village, tak- Instead, he had left Sperry alone with ing especial care to break the direct Elizabeth, had sent them off on a jaunt. journey, fearful that something had Walking along the lonely roads, gone wrong.

Sperry thrashed it out, and found him- Elizabeth met him, smiling. Her self at last between two questions, both daddy, she said, would be back at noon. concerning a woman. There was his “You look worried,” said the girl, mother to be considered, to be rescued “and you look—have you seen yourself from Cairns, to have her faith in her in a mirror lately? You need repairs.” own son restored. And there was Eli- Sperry regarded himself. The nights zabeth, whom he loved—a crook’s in the open had made his false com- daughter, but infinitely sweet. How plexion patchy the dye in his hair was ; could the two situations be reconciled? blotched, and a suggestion of blondness He did not attain the solution until showed plainly at the 'toots. he boarded the early train to New York, “You also look hungry,” said Eliza- at a station ten miles from his own beth. “When did you eat last?” home, trusting to his disguise, keeping It had been many hours since Sperry his baseball finger well gloved. had tasted warm food, and he had for- He was going to tell Baldy every- gotten breakfast in his hurry. The girl thing that occurred. Crook though he soon remedied that, and presently she was, the man was square, and he would was sitting across from him while he see both sides of the case. That Baldy devoured ham and eggs and wonderful would double cross Cairns, having once coffee, with still more wonderful bis- entered his gang, he could not imagine. cuits Baldy, sore at not meeting his prin- What a paradox she was, he thought cipal, at being used as a cat’s-paw, and fresh with that indescribable suggestion Baldy playing traitor, were two very of the open country. How could it be different things. But he felt sure that possible that Baldy was her father? A Baldy would find some way to help him happy solution presented itself. Like out of his dilemma, and he was very himself, she might have only a step- :

The Man with the Mole 35 father. But he hesitated to talk to her They hint vaguely at a master mind, at a powerful organization run upon strictly busi- about it. ness principles, if crime may be styled busi- As he finished his meal she brought ness or allowed any principles. There, hav- him a box of her father’s cigars and an ing established a hypothesis that bears some envelope addressed to him. claim to being logical, they stop. It is high time that this reign of terror be “Daddy said to give you these if you ended. Our merchants are not to be left got back while he was away,” she said, thus unprotected. It must be admitted that and left him to open the communica- some one with a fine mind for details has tion while she went humming off to get planned these depredations so successfully carried out. The robbery of Marshall & rid of the dishes. Co., the jewelers, is a case in point. But Inside the envelope were two clip- four days have passed, and the police ac- pings from newspapers, one long, one knowledge themselves helpless by their in- short. Sperry took the latter first. It activity. The Comet has before this taken con- read a spicuous hand in the unraveling of mysteries, Mrs. Simeon Cairns is now staying at the as its readers will well remember. We have no Isle of Pines, and is reported much improved desire to usurp the duties of the police, but, in health. In connection with recent unfor- if they are unable to secure the services of tunate family events, Mrs. Cairns stated to competent detectives, the Comet stands ready, our correspondent that she had every reason as heretofore, to volunteer the aid of their to believe that these would terminate satis- own representatives, who have already per- factorily, particularly with regard to 'the formed notably in the running down of status of her son, John J. Sperry, though she crime. declared that she had no knowledge of his The police have no information to give out whereabouts, nor had he personally commu- —01 will give none—which is tantamount to nicated with her. admitting that they lack even the clews they Mr. Cairns is not expected to join her this so often mention. To convince the public, if winter. The capitalist is at present in the they need such conviction, that the Comet Berkshires at the family residence. is zealous only for the common weal, and is not acting on unadvised impulse, we will state Here was more bewilderment! What information that has already been unearthed miracle had happened to stiffen his by us to this effect. At least a part of this mother’s mental backbone in behalf of band of criminals has recently been recruited her son? Had nature proven more from Chicago, and it should not be supremely difficult for the commissioner to make in- powerful than Cairns’ suggestions, and quiries along these lines. If the police de- the had mother risen in defense of her partment breaks into action that gives prom- own flesh and blood? It seemed so. ise of success or, at least, of progress, the And Sperry thought he could read be- Comet will gladly remain in its preferred position as recorder of events. its tween the lines of the diplomatic cor- Otherwise readers may expect in its columns the news respondent the prophesy of a disagree- of a vigorous campaign to uncover the iden- ment between Mr. and Mrs. Cairns, al- tity of this gang of arch criminals, and bring them to justice. What further information ready brewing. It was good news and the Comet now has, held back for obvious it heartened him. The other was not reasons, is at the service of the commissioner, so reassuring. It was a semi-editorial if he wants it. If not, we will act upon it and —there will be speedy developments. from a New York daily. It wa#: Sperry felt enmeshed in puzzles. ' It has long been evident that the series of What did this leader in robberies that the police have been so sin- the Comet gularly unable to prevent or follow up are mean? Baldy had seen it, of course, being committed by the same operatives. since he had clipped it. It looked like Each crime bears the distinct marks of inside more danger for the man with the mole work, coupled to skillful burglary. The po- and for himself. He also was supposed lice can find no trace of any endeavor to dispose of the valuables acquired, much less to be from Chicago. Was it a subtle any clew as to who may be the criminals. plan of Remington to get rid of Baldy? 36 Detective Story Magazine

That hardly seemed plausible. The ways than one of killing a goose and of Comet, Sperry, knew, had boosted its cooking it. I’m leaving for Longfield circulation enormously by previous bril- on the one-thirty train. You come on liant detective work. If it gave out the three-thirty. That brings you such clews that, as Sperry knew, were there well after dark. You know the true ones, how much more did it have Olympic Theater?” up the managerial sleeves? “Of course. But it’s closed.” When Baldy arrived, he did not do “For alterations and repairs. Those much to enlighten him. repairs are being pushed just now. “1 thought you would like to see that Night work, decorators and stage car- news about your mother,” he said. “So penters from New York. Get the did Bess. She found the item. As for idea ?” the other, don’t worry about it. I don’t. “No,” said Sperry; “I’m afraid I Now give me your news.” don’t.” To Sperry’s chagrin, his information “The Olympic Theater is five doors did not seem to impress Baldy over- from the bank. Its opening runs be- whelmingly. He laid stress only upon tween two stores. These have been one part of the discovery, that Sperry closed out under the new lease. I fancy had seen the jewels stowed in the safe your stepfather is back of that lease, that Cairns had installed in the library cleverly covered. The repairs give a since he had assumed mastership at fine opportunity for what has been Swiftbrook Bowl. starting going on ; a tunnel, underneath “Your affairs and mine seem to run the stage, runs up and under the main together, son,” he said whimsically. vault of the bank.” “And we’ll straighten out the whole mix “But that vault is at the end of before we get through with it, take it the safety-deposit department,” said from me. Meantime, don’t worry about Sperry. “There is only a heavy rail Remington. I’ve looked out for that. across, and the bank is lighted at night You are back just in time. This trip so that any one passing can see clear you will be an inside man. The last down to the end of the vault.” job is to be pulled to-night. It is the Baldy smiled. Agricultural Bank at Longfield, and, of “Wait and see,” he said. “Every- course, your esteemed stepfather and thing is timed for to-night. There is a Remington worked out the details of grip in your room with painters’ tools this some time ago, in all probability. inside of it. Just a precaution. But Also, Chief Cairns announces this as you take that along and breeze right the final wind-up. He has undoubtedly up to the theater. There’s a watchman seen the Comet, and read the writing on on there, one of the gang. He’ll ask the wall. He has agreed to see certain you ‘Why didn’t you show up at six of us as a committee after the job is o’clock?’ When you answer, ‘I mislaid done. We are to go over from Long- my card and lost the train,’ he’ll let you field to Swiftbrook Bowl by motor. You through. Go up back of the stage. The will be with the committee, and maybe curtain’ll be down. There’ll be a man you’ll have a chance to tell your step- or so working on the stage. You stick father what you think of him, and come around ; they won’t bother you. If they to some agreement.” do, tell ’em you are waiting for Black- "But I’m mixed up in this,” said berry. When they go under the stage, Sperry. “Look at this disguise.” you go with ’em. That’ll be to bring “It needs fixing,” said Baldy. “Bess out the stuff. It’ll be shipped through will do it. Remember, there are more the back door. But—here is your job. The Man with the Mole 37

Don’t be the last man out of the vaults passed the watchman and went back to or up oh the stage. As soon as there the stage'. Two men were pottering is any indication of the truck being out- about with saw and hammer, making a side, and before they open the stage noise but doing nothing definite. One doors at the back—the double scenery of them challenged him. ft was Curly doors—you send up that curtain. It’s Conklin, the killer who had tried to automatic-hydraulic; works on the pistol Baldy. He did not recognize right-hand side of the stage. There’s a Sperry, and was satisfied with his an- labeled button.” swers. He looked at Sperry keenly. “They’re prit’ nigh ready for us,” he “Don’t bother yourself as to why I’m said. “They was right under the floor asking you to do this. It’s vital to my last night. Truck’s to be here at eleven affairs and yours. I’ve picked you for sharp. And, let me tell you, it’ll be the job. I won’t put it on the grounds of some haul. They say this is the last trick gratitude for what I’ve done. I’m ask- for a while, and it’ll be a good one.” ing you to do it because no one else can Sperry wondered how they could ex- handle this. It's a favor to me. If you pect to get away with the loot inside don’t believe in me, call it off right now. of two hours, with no present signs of There may be a chance of danger in it. disturbance in the bank’s interior.

But if you do it nicely, that’s minimized. “Are they going through the vault I’ll be there. Will you do it?” floor?” he asked Curly. With the eyes of the man with the “Not much. It’s a foot of steel and mole boring into him, Sperry tried to re- concrete. Couldn’t make a hole big tain some self judgment, and at the enough to work through there without same time to be fair to Baldy. He giving the snap away. They’re coming came to the conclusion that Baldy up in front of the door and torching smelled a trap set for him at the last that. Didn’t you twig the picture? Say,

instant after his usefulness was ended that’s some job of painting, I’ll say. in connection with the job. And Eli- The guy that did it used to be wit’ a zabeth’s request was plain in his ears. high-class opery company. You could

“I believe in you. Won’t you believe stand a foot in front of it an’ not git in my daddy?” Baldy was his only wise. These hicks’ll stare when they friend, save the girl. And gratitude git on termorrer.”

did enter into it. Sperry nodded. “I’ll do it,” he said. They gripped “Good work,” he said. He knew hands. now what it was. A canvas screen, painted to represent the perspective of CHAPTER VIII. the last few feet of the deposit box cor- THE END OF BALDY. ridor and an exact representation of the OPERRY swung down the main street vault door, was set a few feet in ad- of Longfield at nine o’clock, bag in vance of the vault, and gave the safe- hand, his disguise retouched, and en- crackers ample room to work undis- larged upon, so that he felt confident of turbed while the occasional patrol not being recognized. He passed the passed and peered in,, sure that all was bank and glanced in. Back of the main well. There was no premises watch- floor he could see the wide corridor be- man in the bank. The utter publicity hind the bronze grating where the was relied on. And there had been in- safety-deposit boxes and the door of side work again to place the screen in the great vault were clearly visible position, he supposed. night and day. All looked as usual. He He leaned up against the side of the !

38 Detective Story Magazine curtain, smoking, till Curly admonished Some one shouted at him. “Here, noise. doin’ ?” him to make some what’re you . Then the voice “Some guys might be rubberin’ an’ died away. wonderin’ why they couldn’t hear nut- In the stage boxes were men, cover- tin’,” said the crook. “I’m tellin’ you ing the gang with revolvers; more in this gang works down to the fine points. the orchestra, the muzzles of their guns It’s a shame to bust it up. But the cops showing in the border lights of the is gettin’ hep, they tell me.” stage. A man was walking down the Presently a man appeared at the open center aisle, a big man, with authority trap in the stage and beckoned to them. in his manner and in the two guns he Sperry followed the others down aimed.

wooden steps, and then a ladder, to an - “Up with your hands, the lot of earthen tunnel shored with timber, and you !” he said. “Up with them, boys so on up into the bank and back of the No use trying the back door. There’s a canvas screen, unpainted on that side, truck there, but not the kind you were deftly fitted to the space. There was expecting.” a smell of gas, acrid and choking, and More men were behind him. They Sperry smothered a cough. There was swarmed over the footlights and herded no sign of Baldy or of Remington, with up the safe-crackers, taking charge of or without his beard. The vault door the barrels. The backdoors were opened was swung back, and he had no time and more detectives stood revealed, also to look for signs of the work of the a patrol wagon. oxy-acetylene torches that had been “Lord!” said the snarling voice of used. Some one gave a crisp command Curly Conkling, as he glared at the big in a low whisper, and they began to man who was in charge of the raid. carry out bags of coin and packages of “It’s Jim Farrell.” bills. Sperry gave a second look at the de- Up on the stage two men started to tective who had once sent Curly up the place these in old lime barrels, stuffing river, and whom Curly h^d mistaken the tops with excelsior. These were to Baldy for, on that night in the alley. be placed in the truck, Sperry gathered, Farrell nodded at him curtly. together .with odds and ends of scenery. “You come with us,”- he said. There was a clock on the proscenium Sperry found himself set on one side wall. The hands marked fifteen min- with two others. The rest were packed utes of eleven. into the patrol wagon. The money was Sperry looked at the great curtain, being taken back into the bank. Where blank, unresponsive. What lay behind was Baldy? What had gone wrong at it? As he started for his second trip the last moment? to the bank, a man stopped him. One thing was certain. Sperry him- “You ain’t needed,” he said. “It’s self was in custody. To his surprise no all on the way, Duke. Help with them one handcuffed him, though they wrist- barrels. The truck’ll be here any min- manacled the two others, who, with him, ute.” were placed in two motor cars with the Sperry fussed around with excelsior, big man and his assistants. A third watching the hands of the clock creep car, filled with plain-clothes men, fol- to ten and then to five minutes of the lowed .them as they sped through Long- hour. There was a sound of wheels field out into the country. ' Sperry rec- outside.' He slipped over to the pros- ognized the direction, and was soon sure cenium and touched the button. that they were on the way to Swift- Up went the big canvas silently. brook Bowl. The Man with the Mole 39

They were going to apprehend Cairns obeyed, trembling, but with

Cairns 1 He felt a vicious delight in rage. He wheeled on Slim and Jerry, the thought. Why was he taken along? his eyes blazing. The others were doubtless members of “You dirty stool pigeons!” he cried. the committee Baldy had spoken of. “I’ll get you yet for this.” They must know his identity, and they “They are not the stool pigeons, wanted to use him in connection with Cairns,” said Farrell. “I’m the only his stepfather’s arrest ! To that he was original stool pigeon in this case, if you willing to subscribe, but he worried want to call me one—although your pal about Baldy*, principally about Eliza- Remington was pretty nearly ready to beth. squeal last night. We’ve had him The third car with the plain-clothes tucked away safe for a few days, with men went ahead of them as they Gallagher and Martin.” reached the Cairns’ house, and the offi- He suddenly took off his hat, and cers jumped from the vehicle and with it came a wig of grayish hair, spread themselves about the residence. smiling as he did so. Sperry looked at The big man got out at the front door him open-mouthed. Farrell’s head was with two other prisoners and two de- nearly bald. But the teeth were daz- tectives. Those in Sperry’s car joined zlingly white, and there was no mole. the group. Farrell spoke. And yet? “I’m going to take off the cuffs, Slim, Farrell smiled directly at him. __ and off you, Jerry. But don’t try any “I’m Baldy Brown, all right,” he said. monkey business. When Peters an- “Cairns, let me introduce you to your swers the door, you tell him every- stepson, Jack Sperry. He’s been on thing’s O. K., and that you’re the com- your payroll lately as Gentleman Man- mittee, see? Once the door’s open, we’ll ning, of Chi, also called The Duke.” do the rest.” He turned to Sperry and caught him by the arm, pressing him CHAPTER IX. out of sight. The detectives stood in JIM FARRELL. the shadows as Slim rang the bell, con- scious of automatics covering him, and I HAD to keep you out of the know, 1 gave his message to Peters, attired as a Sperry,” said Farrell later, now butler. thoroughly identified as the head of a Then there was a swift rush, with famous agency. “You might have Peters knocked down as he tried to pull tipped the thing off. As for the dis- a gun, a glimpse of Cairns stepping guise—or the camouflage, that was easy, haughtily into the hall and turning though Curly would have bumped me ghastly pale under the electrics as Far- on general resemblance if you hadn’t rell called on him to throw up his been Johnny on the spot. I’ve got a hands. Sperry went with the rest into bald head, which, is handy for wigs fit- the library. ting properly. As Farrell I wear one. “The jig’s up, Cairns,” said Farrell. My front teeth are bad, and when I had “We’ve got the goods on you. If you’ll one bridge made, Tong ago, I had some slide back those wall panels so we can others finished up in various style. The get the stuff from Marshall’s out of mole was easy, letting the whiskers your safe, with a lot of other loot sprout to make it more natural. you’ve got there, you’ll save trouble for “You’ve helped a lot without know- us all. Don’t lower your hands. We ing it. Of course Bess was wise. We want you, not your corpse. Just tell us have few secrets between us.” He

the combination i that’ll do.” grinned knowingly at Sperry. 40 Detective Story Magazine

“Now everything will be straightened longer the Man with the Mole, lighting out. I don’t think your stepfather a cigar. damaged your mother’s property, and “You’re not such a good detective, as for her, I took occasion to let her after all,” said Sperry. “It’s Eliza- know by way of headquarters that her beth.” boy was no rascal, if her second hus- “Lord bless my soul, you don’t say band was. Also I had the Comet tipped so?” There was a twinkle in Farrell’s off to smooth matters for the climax. I eyes. “I rather fancy she’s expecting fancy, from the reports, that your both of us to dinner. You can’t go to mother was rather relieved to have the Isle of Pines by railroad, Sperry, Cairns uncovered. She wants you to and the next steamer doesn’t sail for a go to her, though I’m afraid your ap- couple of days. I’ve got some details pearance will startle her. But I sup- to attend to. Perhaps you had better pose you’ll not wait for a little thing go ahead. No need to take anything like that to stop you.” but short cuts this trip, my boy.” “I’m glad she knows about things,” But Sperry was gone and Farrell laid said Sperry. “I want to see her badly, down his cigar with a laugh. there’s !” but some one else I’d like to see “Not such a good detective after, all first, if you don’t mind.” he said softly. “Does he think I’m “Who’s that?” asked Farrell, no blind?”

WHAT CONVICTS’ FOOD COSTS y^N authority on prison reform, writing on the subject of what it costs to provide food for convicts, makes the statement that “a convict’s food is whatever the warden thinks sufficient to supply out of an appropriation originally inadequate.” The following table, compiled before food prices soared to their present high altitudes, is an accurate average of the cost of food per man per day in some of the larger institutions: Connecticut State Prison, Wethersfield, Indiana Prison, City, $.0775 ; State Michigan $.099 ; Indiana Reformatory, Jef- fersonville, $.1164; Iowa Reformatory, Anamosa, $.137; Iowa State Prison, Fort Madison, $.1733; Kentucky Penitentiary, Frankfort, $.1087; Maine State Prison, Thomaston, $.0997 ; Maryland Penitentiary, Baltimore, $.085 ; Michigan State Prison, Jackson, $.1282; Michigan Branch Prison, Marquette, $.124; Michigan Reformatory, Ionia, $.095; Minnesota State Prison, Stillwater, $.1172; Missouri Penitentiary, Jefferson City, $.141; New Jersey Reformatory, Rahway, $.094; New Jersey State Prison, Trenton, $.1265; New York State Prison, Sing Sing, $.103; Ohio Penitentiary, Columbus, $.17: Virginia Penitentiary, Richmond, $.156; Tennessee Penitentiary, Nashville, $.087.

ETHICS OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY f'JNE of the principles upon which the procedure regarding juvenile delin- quents is based is that violence, even the use of weapons, is easier to cure than other forms of delinquency, because it is the actuating impulse, the question of whether it is an act of habitual settled moral obliquity or that of a sudden impulse, which makes all the difference. QnTfie^nbideJ

Frederick J. Jackson Author of “For Business Reasons,” “Time and Tide,” etc.

ester coffma-n was an gent host’s humidor—when he was cer- adept at the gentle art of four- tain that he would not be detected. H flushing. Incidentally, he Once, in a cloak room at a ball, he was a clerk in the safety-de- had brushed against a heavy weight in posit vaults of a certain Los Angeles the overcoat hanging next to his. No bank. His weekly salary was twenty one being in sight, he had investigated, dollars, and he managed to make quite drawing forth from the pocket of the a showing on this. Living in an eight- other coat a heavy, black automatic dollar-a-month room in the residence of pistol. For this lethal weapon he really a poor widow, he had his mail ad- had no use, but pocketed it on the im- dressed to the Bachelor Club. His pulse of the moment, and went home breakfasts and lunches were eaten in early. He still had the g”n in his room,

it the cheapest of dairy lunches ; his din- intending to pawn some day when he ners, at the club—whenever he was not needed the money. invited out. Usually, however, he was To the petty, empty world of society, a “filler-in” at dinner parties, for, Coffman was an exemplary young man, through family connections, he had polite, polished and pleasingly enter- gained entry into fairly exclusive so- taining. Even though the money-mak- ciety circles in Los Angeles; and had ing men of their families thought him a become much in demand as a handy bit frivolous, he stood well with numer- dancing man. ous matrons. They liked him. Would When society staged an amateur one of them let him marry her daugh- theatrical performance, it was Coffman ter ? Oh, dear, no ! But at the same who ran away with the honors. As an time many of them were willing to lend actor he possessed much talent. Only a hand, should he be in need of it, in one thing kept him out of the motion advancing his matrimonial campaign in picture game and the large salaries at- other fields. tached thereto—he did not photograph The society game to Coffman was a well. As one director put it, he screened direct means to an end. He frankly in- like a piece of cheese. But he had the tended to marry money. But he was other attributes of the average actor; particular. The girl who would become his tailor pointed to him as a model cus- his wife, in addition to possessing tomer—a model of those to be kept off wealth, must be more than passing fair. his books in the future. Any young woman with these qualifica- Outside of like incidents, "Coffman tions would do. Love? He laughed at had never done anything dishonest; the word. Love to him was a mere that is, he had never been caught at it. stage rolef Should occasion demand, he But he had neither conscience nor could act it to perfection; could give a scruples at heart ; he was a petty sneak better imitation of the thing that makes thief, not being above transferring to the world go ’round than the real thing his pockets the contents of some indul- itself. 42 Detective Story Magazine

Biding his time, he at last met a girl opened right there and the contents re- who came up to his worldly specifica- moved or added to. Often, however, tions. Her name was Marcelle Hunting- the patron would carry the box to a ton. She liked Coffman, but was a bit private room before opening it. Then, worldly, too. The man she married upon returning to the vault, the renter must show more evidence of wealth would hand the box back to the clerk, than Coffman had ever done. who would lock it into its compart- From her seat on high, Destiny care- ment and return the patron’s key. fully scanned the situation, then stuck Mr. Cunningham, a fat and prosper- her tongue in her cheek as she impelled ous broker, returned his extra-large de- Coffman to fall desperately in love with posit box to Coffman early that morn- Marcelle Huntington. It was a selfish ing. Coffman locked the box into place, love, however, for he was incapable of turning both keys; then removed Cun- any other kind. No matter what agency ningham’s key to give it back into his or trick he employed to win her, the end possession. But the broker had disap- would justify the means. Thus he peared. His mind occupied by business reasoned. affairs, he had forgotten his key. Coff- To Coffman’s warped, shriveled soul man ran after him. the sin of a crime did not lie in its com- “Oh, Mr. Cunningham,” he said, mission but in its perpetrator’s being “you forgot your key.” caught. Discovery meant punishment. “Bless me if I didn’t !” exclaimed the And the latter he construed not so much other. “Let’s see—that’s about the as meaning a term in the penitentiary sixth time I’ve forgotten it, isn’t it? as the inevitable social ostracism that Good thing you’re honest, young man, follow the his would — downfall from or I’d be a few thousand short some of precarious in foothold society, the loss these days through my carelessness.” of his chance to marry Marcelle Hunt- Coffman smiled, too, as he walked ington and her wealth. back down the steps to the vault. But Coffman’s hours in the bank were the smile was sardonic. Cunningham from nine to four-thirty. As he worked had called him honest. Cunningham on the day following the evening that was right—up to a certain point. Marcelle Huntington had made it clear Coffman was too wise to loot a single to him that money was an essential box, when the robbery would inevitably possession of a man who would marry be traced to him. But Coffman was her, Coffman’s brain was stirred to un- thinking. Several times a day people wonted activity. A scheme began to forgot their keys—or, at least, the keys dawn on him. were out of their possession for a min- Two keys were necessary to open a ute or so. rent-box in* the vault. One was the key During his lunch hour that day, Coff- possessed by the renter of the box, the man walked over to the east side of other a pass-key, a duplicate of which Main Street. He sought the place of was carried by each clerk in the depart- business of a certain Mr. Isaacs. The ment. The common practice was for •latter was a locksmith, on the" second the patron to hand his or her key to the floor of a dilapidated building. If the clerk. The latter would then unlock reputation of Mr. Isaacs was compared the box, using the master key as well as the patron’s. The box would then be to a corkscrew, the cork-remover would removed from its compartment and show up like a plumb-line. given into the hands of the renter. “Can you make keys from an im- Sometimes the lid of the box would be pression ?” inquired Coffman. On the Inside 43

“That depends,” returned Mr. Isaacs a boarded-up flue in his room. Whis- craftily. tling to himself he entered the bath- “Upon what?” room. That night he was to dine at “Upon the vax, mine boy, upon the the home of Marcelle Huntington. vax you use.” Two days later Cunningham again “What kind of wax is the best?” visited the vault, and Coffman seized an “Mine own special preparation. And opportunity to press the broker’s key in ven you use it I tell no segrets.” Mr. the wax. He had a duplicate key to Isaacs winked knowingly. Cunningham’s box when he reached his “How much?” room that evening. Stepping on a chair, “Fife dollars, in a special box.” He he threaded the string through the hole showed the box to Coffman—a small, in the key, and allowed the latter to flat affair of tin, the lid working on a drop down into the flue. The upper spring. It could easily be concealed in end of the cord was- attached to a nail. the palm of the hand, and the lid opened The process reminded him of his boy- conveniently at a certain pressure. hood days when he had strung fish “I’ll take it,” said Coffman, handing through their gills with a string and over the money. “And how much to then dropped them back into the water. make keys?” A month passed. Seventeen keys “Vun dollar each, from the vax. now hung down the flue, each key bear- Tventy-fife cents, if you bring the key. ing a tag on which was written the num-

No segrets told on the vun-dollar kind.” ber of the box it would open. In the As he walked back to the bank, Coff- meantime Coffman had still been ar- man surreptitiously practiced manipu- dently pursuing the heiress. But he lating the box. An hour later he made was no closer to winning her than be- two impressions of a key, when an old fore. lady turned away to speak to a friend. Then one evening when he dropped in It took him but a moment to press one at the club, he found a letter from a side of the key into the plastic wax, then firm of eastern attorneys. They noti- turn the key over and record its other fied him that upon the proper proofs of side. As he locked the deposit box with his identity he would be forwarded his his right hand, he dropped the small tin share of the large estate left by one of box into his breast pocket with his left. his mother’s sisters. No one had seen him make the slightest The next day he met a reporter with suspicious movement. He made a men- whom he was on friendly terms. He tal note of the box number, repeating allowed the newspaper man to read the . over and over again to himself, “Five letter from the attorneys, and casually !” nine four seven ! Five nine four seven mentioned that his share of the estate Outwardly he was calm as he re- would be over one hundred thousand turned the key to the owner inwardly dollars. full ; Coffman well knew the his heart was thumping at an unac- value of publicity given to his inherit- customed pace. ance. It was better that Marcelle

After work that afternoon he again should read of it, than for him to in- called upon Mr. Isaacs. Arriving at his form her personally of his good for- home some time later, he affixed a small tune. tag to the new key he had with him. He builded better than he knew, for Upon this tag he wrote 5947. Search- the newspaper obtained his picture ing for a place to hide this incriminat- from a local photographer and ran it ing key, he hit upon the scheme of ty- with a half-column article. The fol- ing it to a string and lowering it down lowing week there was a noticeable in- ' I

44 Detective Story Magazine crease in the amount of mail that he re- reply. “Of course, you understand, ceived at the club, said' increase being this wig and diplomat’s beard would mostly due to invitations extended to look false under anything like close in- him from mothers with marriageable spection in the daylight, but at night— daughters. defy any one to tell this beard from a Fifteen hundred dollars was the sizk real one under the electric lights, unless of the check he at last received from some one tried to snatch it off.” the east. Disappointed, he deposited it “Fine!” said Coffman. “I’ll go in in an obscure bank in the northern out- evening dress as a diplomat; red band skirts of the business district. Judi- aslant across my shirt front, pointed ciously spent, it might be enough to en- mustache and all that. I’ll get a pair able him to marry Miss Huntington. of horn-rimmed spectacles, too. But, Then again, it might not, for Mareelle say, how can I disguise my voice ? was an expensive young woman. With That’ll give me away.” the double purpose of saving taxi fare “Try this.” The costumer extended and of impressing the girl, he invested something wrapped in waxed paper. in a second-hand roadster. For nine Coffman unwrapped a small solid hundred dollars in cash he received a ball of soft rubber. Two holes ran car that looked as though it must have through it at bisecting angles. cost twice the money. “What do I do with it? Eat it?”

The surplus melted rapidly away, like “No. Keep it in your mouth during

so much snow, under the sunshine of the masquerade, and it will change your Mareelle Huntington’s smile. Coff- voice so that your own mother wouldn’t man began to worry. He easily saw recognize it when you talk.” that the money would not last long “All right. Thank you!” enough to accomplish his aim. Cannily, After the costumer had shown him however, he had held onto his position how to adjust the wig, beard and mus- in the bank. tache, Coffman paid a deposit on them For some weeks he had neglected and drove home. making any more impressions of keys, Two hours he remained at the mas- having abandoned the plan for the con- querade the following evening, convers- templated robbery. For one thing, he ing gravely with several of his friends would undoubtedly need an accomplice whom he was able to recognize despite in order to keep his own reputation un- their masks and costumes. None recog- spotted. And accomplices were dan- nized him, however; not even Mareelle gerous; to be classed with edged tools Huntington, who had attended the ball and dynamite. with another cavalier. In order to obtain a proper garment The startling thought of being his for a masquerade ball, he paid a visit to own accomplice in robbing the safe-de- a theatrical costumer. Running his eye posit boxes suddenly occurred to him, over the list of available costumes, he and he retired to the veranda to work rejected them. All 6f them were too out the scheme in his mind. A little

hackneyed, an old story to him ; he had later he looked at his watch. It was ex- used every costume from Harlequin’s actly eleven oMock. The safety-de- to that of a foreign naval officer. posit department remained open until “Tell you what you might do,” he midnight every week day; this conven- suggested to the costumer. “How good ience being a special feature of the in- an imitation of an old, dignified man stitution. He would begin the details can you turn me into?” of his campaign this very night. “Pretty near the real thing,” was the His identity at the ball was unknown On the Inside 45 even to his hostess, each invited guest left hand, he filled in the blank. The having been mailed an engraved card writing was an awful scrawl, but it was

with no name on it, which was taken effectually disguised. He signed the up at the door by the butler when each name of Mortimer Dawson, with an masquerader arrived. The guests were out-of-town address. With money rep- to unmask at midnight. Going upstairs resenting the price of a year’s rental, he to the cloak room, he obtained his coat slid the paper back through the grill.

and hat. Then he drove home and Both clerks scrutinized it. One of gained his room unobserved by any one. them finally pulled the lever that swung Critically he examined his make-up in a open the gate in the bars. mirror, after turning on all the lights. Coffman passed through the gate. It It was excellent, he reassured himself, clicked shut behind him. and would pass inspection anywhere at “This way, sir,” spoke a clerk, lead- night—with the exception of the waxed ing the way through the huge circular, mustache ends, which were slightly ex- tunnel-like doorway into the immense aggerated. With a pair of scissors he electric-lighted inner vault itself. soon adjusted this. Then he removed Coffman was forced to restrain him- the crimson ribbon from his bosom. self, to call upon his gift as an actor Taking two large envelopes and stuff- to prevent himself from laughing. ing them with blank paper he slipped Scores, hundreds of times each week them into his pocket with a small black day he himself led patrons into this

leatherette box, the original container vault. .. of a one-dollar safety razor, then went The clerk used two keys to unlock a out to his roadster. When he arrived box, pulled it down from its steel com-

at the bank it was exactly eleven partment, and stood holding it. thirty-five. The vaults would close in Coffman lifted the covers of the box

twenty-five minutes. He went in and gravely dropped into it the two through the outer door and down the trash-filled envelopes and the empty stairs to the waiting room. This room leatherette case. was separated from the vault office by The box was then slipped back into a row of inch thick polished steel bars. place by the clerk, who turned both Stepping up to the grilled wicket open- keys and handed one of them to Coff- ing onto a desk behind the bars, he man. !” stated that he wished to lease a deposit “Thank you ! Good night said the box. To add verisimilitude to his re- new patron, secure in the knowledge quest, he brought the two thick enve- that his voice was unrecognizable. The lopes and the black leatherette box into rubber ball in his mouth caused his view. tones to be throaty and guttural. Two clerks were behind the desk, the During the noon hour the next day he others having gone off duty as the slack walked around to the costumer’s. hours toward midnight drew near. One “I’m sorry,” he informed the dealer, of them extended an application blank, “that the wig and beard were stolen with the request that it be filled in. from me last night. After the dance I Coffman seated himself at a desk out- wrapped them into a parcel, which I side the bars, dipped a pen in an inkwell left in my automobile when we entered and started to write. Then he caught a cafe. Coming out again an hour later, himself hastily; he had started to use I found that some one had taken the the £en with his right hand. He lap robe and the parcel from the ma- glanced up; neither of the clerks was chine.” watching him. Shifting the pen to his “In that case,” replied the costumer, ;

46 Detective Story Magazine

“your deposit is forfeited. I’m really he left the roadster in a garage for sorry, too, that you lost the beard. It nearly a month prior to his vacation, was a masterpiece that I cannot dupli- and devoted his leisure time to riding cate. And the deposit represented only the motor cycle. the wholesale price.” Marcelle Huntington had been at “I’ll put a want ad in the paper, of- Twin Buttes for a fortnight when Coff- fering a reward for the return of the man arrived there late on a Saturday articles taken with no questions asked,” afternoon. He drove up in his road- said Coffman. Which he proceeded to ster; the motor cycle arrived by ex- do, as a last touch to convince the cos- press the following Monday morning. tumer. This expenditure of forty cents The latter he stored in a barn about

was wise, he thought ; although he could sixty yards behind the Inn. There was not help grinning when he looked at method in this. the automobile robe and beard reposing Four delightful days were spent in safely in the closet of his room. the company of Marcelle. She was Six weeks later the cord down the nicer to him than she had ever been flue in his room had exactly forty*two before, and unfeignedly glad to explore

keys strung on it. At least twice a the mountain roads in his motor car. week during this time he had visited Cavaliers were scarce at Twin Buttes the safe deposit vaults in the guise it was too quiet. For the latter reason

of Mortimer Dawson, invariably show- her mother had selected it, thinking ing up between eleven o’clock and mid- that Marcelle needed a month of ab- night. This was for the purpose of get- solute rest. ting the vault clerks accustomed to his But all the time, Coffman’s brain was appearing late at night. seething with the details of the coup he Then he learned that Marcelle Hunt- had planned for Thursday night. ington and her mother were to spend a Locked in one of his suit cases were the month in the mountains, at Twin Buttes forty-two duplicate keys to the vault Inn, some thirty miles from Los An- boxes, the wig and beard, an old suit geles. His annual vacation of one week of clothes, discarded years before, and was near at hand, and he arranged his the automatic pistol he had stolen from plans accordingly. He would pass this the overcoat in the .cloak room. week at Twin Buttes. Miss Hunting- On Thursday afternoon, while chat- ton had accepted him as a very dear ting to Marcelle Huntington and her friend, nothing more; but with one mother, he began to complain bf a week with her in the mountains he headache. He intended this alleged ill- thought he could make better progress ness to be a part of his alibi, should in his suit than in the city, where most one be necessary. After dinner that of her time was taken up with a multi- evening he did an admirable bit of act- tude of social obligations. ing, pretending to be so ill that Mrs. In the bank was a balance of one Huntington suggested that he retire hundred and ninety dollars, the remain- early. This was what Coffman wanted. der of his legacy. He drew it all out. Apparently swayed by her solicitation, For one hundred and ten dollars he he went to his room at nine o’clock. purchased a second-hand motor cycle, Before leaving his friends, he stated twin-cylinder and with a free engine. that he was certain he. would be able An expert bicycle rider, with a knowl- to sleep soundly. edge of motors gained from experience Carefully locking the door of his with his roadster, he soon mastered the room, and hanging his hat on the door- little two-wheeled machine. In fact. knob lest some one attempt to peer On the Inside 47 through the keyhole, he proceeded to started, and he chugged away in the don the old suit of clothes. Next he direction of Los Angeles. gummed on the beard and mustache, At eleven o’clock Coffman dis- then slicked back his hair and adjusted mounted in an alley half a block from the wig. This done, and making cer- the bank. Around the corner, on Main tain that the keys and pistol were in his Street, shone the bright front of a pockets, he turned out the light and pawnbroker’s establishment. Walking noiselessly raised the window^ over to Main Street, he entered at the His room was on the ground floor, sig; of three golden balls and pur- at the rear. After looking out through chased a dilapidated but stout suit case. the darkness for several minutes to al- With this in his hand he strolled up the low his eyes to become accustomed to street to the Pacific Electric depot, the gloom and to be certain that no one where he lounged until the station clock was in the garden to witness his clan- announced eleven-thirty. Then he destine departure, he swung over the made his way directly to the bank, ar- sill and dropped to the ground. riving there less than two minutes later. Silently he made his way to the barn. The night watchman of the bank was Opening the door with much care, lest in the habit of slipping across the street it creak on its hinges and cause a stable to a chop house at eleven-thirty each hand to investigate, he entered. Noth- night. To consume a meal that would ing was discernible in the intense black- stay his appetite until morning took ness within the building. To his nos- about twenty minutes of his time. Thus trils came the sweet scent of the hay he would usually return about ten min- in the loft above him, mingled with utes before the clerks on duty in the odors from the cows and horses. He safe-deposit vaults quit their work for listened for a while, then hearing noth- the night. ing but the low crunch-crunch of ani- There was no risk in his leaving, for mals feeding and the occasional stamp he would lock the inner doors behind of a horse, he pressed the button of his him. The door from the street opened flash light. into a small lobby. At the left-hand His motor cycle stood leaning against side of this were the stairs that de- the wall. He had placed it in the barn, scended to the deposit vaults. No one where he could get it out at night with- could enter the main lobby of the bank out being seen. If he had left it in the during the watchman’s brief absence, garage with his roadster the night at- and the safe-deposit vault was protected tendant would be a damning witness from robbers by the wall of heavy against his alibi. Besides, he thought steel bars that separated it from the with a chuckle, the garage man would waiting room in the basement. Granted not have allowed him to take the ma- that some one managed to gain ad- chine out at all, for Mortimer Dawson mittance to the vault itself, what could was unknown at Twin Buttes. he do? Nothing. The deposit boxes The clutch was disengaged on the were safe—absolutely. And the space motor cycle. Silently he wheeled it out behind the desk, where at least one per- into the paved .back yard of the Inn, son always remained, was studded with then closed the door of the barn. A alarm buttons and levers. A slight quarter of a mile down the road he movement of hand or foot would suffice pushed the machine, then up to the brow to bring police reserves on a hurry-up of a little hill. At the top he mounted call.

and coasted down the slope. Near the Lester Coffman knew all this, and it bottom he let in the clutch; the engine was his intimate knowledge that en- 48 Detective Story Magazine abled him to carry out his plans suc- from behind a wicked-looking black au- cessfully. A glance through the win- tomatic, held waist high. dow of the chop house as he passed “Raise your hands!” he ordered showed him the watchman just climb- melodramatically. “That’s fine ! Now ing onto a high stool before the lunch turn around and walk to the door of counter. Crossing the street, he en- room six.”

tered the outer doors of the bank,' This private room for the use of

I snapped the latch so it would lock be- patrons in going over the contents of hind him, and descended to the base- their deposit boxes was, perhaps, six ment. feet by eight in size. Inside of it were The clerks knew Mortimer Dawson two chairs an electric-light globe on the as a jovial, dignified old gentleman who wall, and a small table. Nothing more was in the habit of coming late at night except the stationery, pens and ink on and who occasionally presented them the table. with exceptionally good, cigars. His “Both of you get inside!” requested hurried scrawl of identification was a Mr. Dawson, turning the request into mere matter of form; the gate was a command with a menacing forward opened for him even before he finished movement of the gun. penning his signature. To-night he car- The desk clerk and the vault clerk ried a suit case, which was unusual, but stepped within the doorway. !” they thought nothing of it. He had an “Hand over your pass-key was the out-of-town address and was probably order to the vault clerk. on his way home. “Sure, here it is,” replied-the latter, suit case on the floor laugh "but you Placing the with a nervous ; what do about eight feet in front of the desk expect to do with it? If you think you counter, he reached into his inside coat can get into the deposit boxes* you’re !” pocket and drew forth an envelope. crazy

From this he carefully removed a ball “That’s it ! I’m as crazy as a loon,” of cotton. admitted Mr. Dawson cheerfully. “I have here,” he said to the clerks, “Keep that in mind in case you should “the famous black diamond of the feel like raising an alarm. One yell Danube. You have doubtless heard of from either of you, or any disturbance, it and its bloody history in Vienna. I and I’ll start shooting through the door. ?” picked it up at a bargain—forty thou- Understand sand dollars. Would you care to see it They did. But they were comforted before I place it in my box?” by the thought that this marauder The prospect of gazing at a forty- would not get any loot. thousand-dollar gem was such a lure Outside the closed door of the private that the clerk came from behind the room, the thief himself, who will again counter. The other was already stand- be known as Coffman, was losing no ing beside Mr. Dawson. time. Bracing a chair beneath the To him the latter passed the roll of doorknob of ropm number six, he ran cotton. to his suit case, grabbed it up and hur- “Unwrap it,” he said. ried into the vault, where he spread the Heads close together, the clerks traveling bag wide open on the floor. grinned feebly when the unrolled cot- Swiftly he worked fitting keys to the ton exposed nothing more than a dried boxes. As he knew the location of prune. Mr. Dawson was not grinning, each box in the vault as well as a tele- however, when they looked at him. In- phone operator knows each number on stead, he was regarding them coldly a call board, he was able to work fast. On the Inside 49

It was sirpply a matter of reading the wheel, then started the engine. Riding number attached to a key, running to the length of the alley, he turned into the box and opening it. Long practice a street and started west. Half a block had made him perfect at rapidly in- in this direction, and he headed the serting and turning keys. motor cycle north. The contents of each deposit box Broadway, in Los Angeles, is prob- were dumped out and given a hasty ably the most deserted main thorough- sorting. Money, bonds, jewelry were fare of any city of its size in the United dropped into the suit case. All jewel States at midnight. The only bright boxes were emptied of their valuables spot Coffman saw was at First Street, —the boxes themselves would take up across from the office of a morning too much room. The suit case was full newspaper. Half a block west from when he had used all but seven of the this lay the police station. Taking the duplicate keys. He looked at his watch. most logical and direct way out of town, It was eleven-forty-six. He would have Coffman was heading for the Broadway to hurry away before the watchman re- tunnel. An officer stood on the bright turned. corner. Coffman rode slowly and Throwing the keys in on top of the looked straight ahead. The patrolman valuables, he locked the suit case, paid no attention to him. Once across snatched it up and hastened from the’ First Street, however, Coffman spe.d vault. From behind the counter he up a little, to mount the slope leading worked the lever that opened the gate- up past the Hall of Records and the way in the steel barrier, then hurried Court House to the tunnel. out and slammed the gate back onto Halfway up the hill, he heard the its automatic lock. Racing up the stairs, clamor of an automobile gong behind he opened the door to the street. him. He looked back. A large ma- A man stood on the sidewalk, looking chine, filled with men, was turning out directly into the doorway as Coffman of First Street and heading south on stepped out. Broadway. Coffman smiled to himself, “Vault closed?” asked the stranger. as the big car roared away in the op- “It isn’t twelve yet.” posite direction. The alarm had al- “It’s closed,” Coffman replied cas- ready been turned in; the detectives ually, losing his momentary qualm of were hurrying to the scene of the rob- fear as he swung the door shut behind bery. him and heard the latch snap into place. As he passed through the tunnel, “Too bad you were late,” he continued, Coffman began to review the plans he “but they generally close a little before had so thoroughly worked out in ad- midnight.” vance. The sickening realization “Thank you,” said the other, and dawned on him that he had neglected started walking away. one small thing; namely, to disguise Coffman took the opposite direction, with mud the license number of his heading for the alley in which he had motor cycle. Almost in a- panic he left* his motor cycle. Over his shoul- bumped across the car tracks on Tem- der, as he turned the comer, he saw the ple Street and opened the throttle. At watchman come out of the chop house this time of night there would be no and step off the curb toward the bank. speed cops in Sonoratown. The warm This had the effect of making Coff- night air was just enough to arouse his man quicken his steps. Reaching the faculties to the full as he rode at a machine, he hastily strapped the suit thirty-five-mile clip. Suppose the police- case on the luggage rack over the rear man had noted the license number of 50 Detective Story Magazine the motor cycle? Some one else, too, among the rocks and earth. Then he might have noticed the suit case cut through the orchard and climbed

strapped on behind the seat ; it was big in the window of his room unseen. enough to attract attention. To Coff- Closing the window behind him and man’s fearful imagination it suddenly pulling down the shade, he switched on loomed up as large as a bale of hay. the light. Of his wig, beard and old And the license number was woefully clothes he made a bundle, wrapping easy to remember. A simple sequence them in a newspaper. After rumpling of three figures : six-seven-eight. his hair to give the appearance of a On the level boulevards of San Fer- person just awakened from a sound nando Valley, he regained control of sleep, he donned a bath robe and walked himself and began to figure out a way down the hall to the office. There he to destroy every bit of evidence that chatted for a moment with the night might be against him. When he had clerk, saying that he had been feeling

reached the isolation of a mountain ill before retiring, but had awakened road, he stopped to dispose of the auto- to find his headache gone. Then he

matic pistol by throwing it far into a left a call for seven o’clock and went to gulley filled with poison oaks. Like- bed to snatch what sleep he could. wise the duplicate keys, which he When he was dressing, after a hasty opened the suit case to obtain. shave and bath later in the morning, Half a mile from Twin Buttes Inn he noticed a large fire in the back yard he stopped again, this time at a spot of the Inn. A huge pile of leaves, where the stony mountain road lay di- straw and old papers was being burned. rectly above a riotous creek. Below With the newspaper package under his this particular place the bed of the creek arm, he went out through the rear en- dropped suddenly to a great depth. In trance. As he walked past the fire he the dryest of seasons this pool was a dropped the old clothes and false hair refuge for big trout. Never was there into the heart of the flames.

less than twenty feet of water in it. Relieved, he returned to the Inn and Removing the suit case from the entered the dining room, where he motor cycle, Coffman wheeled the ma- found Mrs. Huntington and Marcelle

chine to the edge of the road and let it giving their breakfast order to the topple over. A huge splash, and it sank waiter. At Mrs. Huntington’s invita- into the unfathomable water. Later he tion, he joined them. would report to the owner of the Inn “I trust that you are feeling better that the motor cycle had been stolen this morning?” she inquired, when he from the barn. With a feeling of se- had taken a seat. curity he picked up the suit case and “Yes, thank you, I am. Slept like walked toward the Inn. a top until about two this morning, He had walked half the distance when I awoke feeling fine. Went out when he turned off the road and struck and left a call with the night clerk be- through the brush, using his flash light fore going back to sleep. Poor ac- to enable him to pick a path. In a commodations here; no telephones in group of rocks at the far end of the the rooms.” extensive orchard belonging to the Inn, "When are you expected back at the he stopped. Secure from interruption, bank?” she asked. “With your fine he opened the suit case, flashed the light inheritance I should think that you into it and gloatingly made a partial would go into business for yourself.” mental inventory of the plunder. A lit- “Yes, I’m thinking of doing that. But tle later he hid the case by burying it I like the banking business and will stay On the Inside 51 in it until I decide what to do. I am vault had been for the purpose of ascer- returning Sunday night.” taining the exact position of each box “I’m sorry/’ murmured Marcelle. he intended to rifle, in order to work “That gives you only two more days. according to a fixed program. Thus I’ve enjoyed my delightful drives with he had evidently been able to work fast you.” in the limited time at his disposal. “I’ll run up for the week-ends until At noon on Monday Coffman went to you return to town,” he promised, sud- an exclusive jewelry store and pur- denly exhilarated by the look he had chased for ten dollars a plain gold caught in her eyes. signet ring to grace his own little finger, But the light in Marcelle’s eyes was which was the same" ring-size as Mar- a false one,’ the kind that experienced celle’s third finger. The engraving was flirts since the world began have been done during the afternoon, and the ring able to command at will to the undoing was ready for him when he called for of their admirers. Marcelle had no it at four-thirty. The jewelry sales- love for Coffman, but his reputed one man, perhaps thinking that Coffman hundred thousand dollars was some- wished to wear the ring immediately, thing that appealed to her callous heart. brought it to him without a box. Coff- It seemed that Coffman was the best man asked for one. match in sight. Then, too, she was “Certainly, sir,” the salesman an- climbing up under the eaves of thirty, swered. and v/as beginning to lose out to the “A pink one, please,” said Coffman. debutantes. “This is a present to one of my sisters,” However, it was all jn the scheme of he added boldly. things, and Coffman was deliriously Pink was Marcelle’s favorite color. happy when he started to drive back The clerk brought a small pink-vel- to the city on Sunday night with Mar- vet box, lined with white satin. He

celle’s kisses still warm on his lips, and placed the ring in it. the measure of her ring finger in his “Thank you,” said Coffman, and pocket. went out of the store. The details of the vault robbery had Before going to work on the follow- been spread broadcast in the press of ing Saturday morning, Coffman packed the land. Coffman felt secure; the au- his suit case for the week-end and thorities were looking for a much older took it downtown with him, leaving it man. The mystery of how he had been in the machine when he parked the able to unlock the boxes was still un- roadster for the day in a near-by auto solved. Eastern detectives were work-' station. After finishing work at the ing on the theory that some employee bank, all departments of which closed of the firm that had manufactured the at noon on Saturday, he motored di- deposit boxes had been able to make rectly to Twin Buttes Inn. numbered duplicate keys, and had gone The afternoon was spent with Mar- west after a lapse of years, to accom- celle. In the evening he dined with her plish the theft. and Mrs. Huntington. Later, when the Coffman had reason to feel secure. tables had been cleared from the dining He resumed his duties in the vault as room, there would be a dance. though nothing had happened, and When both women retired to their speculated with the rest of the clerks as room for a time after dinner, Coffman to how deeply laid the plan had been. welcomed the opportunity. Obtaining He agreed with them that the numer- his flash light from his suit case, he de- ous visits of Mortimer Dawson to the parted from the Inn by the rear en- 52 Detective Story Magazine

trance and hastened through the or- “To-morrow night, then?” he in- chard to where he had hidden the loot. quired. From among the valuables he selected “No, I think not.” There was a hint a diamond solitaire, with a conven- of chill in her voice. tional engagement-ring setting. The Troubled, he determined to drive to stone was a magnificent one, and the Twin Buttes that night and bring the

ring would be a perfect fit for Mar- stolen valuables into the city. His in- celle’s finger. Rich, effulgent, the tention, after that, was to lock the suit splendor of the diamond burned in the case into a small trunk and place the light of the electric torch as he turned latter in storage. the ring at various angles to catch the Leaving the city a little after seven- scintillation from each facet. Entirely thirty, he arrived in the vicinity of the worthy of Marcelle, he thought in satis- Inn before nine o’clock. A quarter of faction as he pocketed the gem and a mile from the hostelry he ran the ma- prepared to return to the Inn. chine off to one side of the road. Kill- Back again in his room, he washed ing the engine, he locked the magneto his hands and brushed all traces of soil and made his way through the brush to from his shoes and apparel, then smiled where he had hidden the plunder as he fitted the ring into the pink velvet among the rocks. Fifteen minutes box. later he returned to the roadster and It would be the last necessary touch, dropped the suit case onto the front he fancied—this costly solitaire in a box seat. from Cragen’s. Cragen’s! A name to Then he lit a cigarette. His mind conjure with. In the west it represented was not clear as to the best course of everything that a certain name stands action regarding the motor cycle, which for in the east. he had neglected to inform the pro- prietor Two hours later, when she returned of the Inn had been stolen from with Coffman from the veranda, Mar- the barn. He had slipped up also in forgetting to disguise celle announced the engagement, show- the license num- ber. It still troubled him. ing the ring to her mother with an air If suspicion were directed that seemed to say “I told you so!” toward him, he was cer- tain it would be through his carelessness They breakfasted at ten, all three of about that one small part of his plan them. Marcelle held up her left hand to on the night of the robbery. show the ring to the best advantage. Nearly all criminals are caught, he ‘‘Do you know,” she said, ‘‘I haven’t knew, through some forgotten part of a taken it off since you placed it on my carefully worked-out program. But the finger.” more he thought it over the easier he Nor did she remove it during the day, began to feel in his mind. The motor which she passed with Coffman in a cycle, pshaw ! He would immediately long ride over the mountains. return to Los Angeles, and from there Late that night he returned to Los write to the inn, giving instructions for Angeles. Marcelle and her mother the machine supposed to be in the barn were to leave Twin Butt s the next to be shipped to him by express. The day. proprietor would inform him that the the following On afternoon, when he motor cyde was not in the barn. Per- left the bank, Coffman telephoned his to haps the hotel man would settle with fiancee. To his surprise she announced him, perhaps not. In any event he was that she had an engagement for the eve- safe from detection. ning and would be unable to see him. As he motored back to Los Angeles On the Inside 53

his mind was free, except for the fact knew, though, all too well the purpose that he could not account for Marcelle's of the visit. sudden coldness toward him. But he One of them pulled a paper from his comforted himself with the thought that pocket. A search warrant, he carefully she was taken up with previous social explained. engagements. Coffman tried to bluff, but knew it At ten forty-five he left his .roadster was useless. in the garage across the street from the The suit case was opened by thp de- place he" called home. Suit case in tectives. hand, he walked over to the house, in- “I’m caught, all right,” admitted serted his latchkey and opened the front Coffman, white-lipped. “But how? !” door. As he mounted the stairs to the The motor cycle !” second floor he felt a premonition that “Motor cycle ? Rats exclaimed one something was wrong. But ^e shook of the officers. “We know nothing off the feeling with an inward laugh. about a motor cycle. But you pulled His room was dark as he opened the a boner in presenting stolen jewelry to door. While he reached along the wall, a woman—even if the ring seemed like feeling for the light switch, he heard any other expensive engagement ring. the door close behind him. For a mo- I guess you didn’t take a good look at

ment he fancied it must have been the inside of it before you gave it to caused by the draft from the open win- her.”

dow. Then he turned on the light. “What ? No, I guess I didn’t look in- Two men were in the room—big, side,” muttered Coffman dazedly. “I burly men whom he instinctively dis- examined it with a flash light.” liked and feared. One stood behind “Oh, you flash light!” The other him. It was he who had closed the chuckled. “There was some fine en- door. - The other sat on the edge of the graving inside the ring. It belonged to bed. He arose to his feet as the light Miss Huntington’s aunt, given that lady went on. long ago by her fiance. The girl took

“What are you doing in my room?” it off to show it to her relative, and demanded Coffman heatedly. He that spilled the beans.”

FEARFUL ELIZA A MONG the many, terrible punishments inflicted on criminals during the Middle Ages, one of the most dreaded and diabolical was the stretching gallows to which the Germans of the period, with characteristically grim humor, gave the name of “Fearful Eliza.” The modern criminal, who considers himself fearfully ill-treated when put to some form of manual labor, has cause for being fervently thankful that he did not live and ply his trade four or five centuries ago. The peculiar thing about these cruel old-time punishments is that they did not seem to stamp out crime as effectively as our modern scientific, humanitarian penological methods. At the foot of the stretching gallows were strong iron rings, into which the victim’s feet were placed. His hands were then fastened to a triangle, which was raised by means of ropes and pulleys until he was stretched beyQnd endurance. As if this did not suffice to impress on the medieval criminal’s mind the enormity of his offense against the majesty of the law, it was the custom, after he was thus stretched, for the public executioner to whip or flay him at stated periods. —;

Mary ImlaV Tailor SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS. V\fAKING In a strange room and finding his appearance greatly changed and his memory imperfect, John Richieson, an automobile salesman, doubts his identity. His uncertainty is increased when he is told by Giles, a valet, and by Doctor Wallace, a physician, that he is Horace Barney, a millionaire, who hus lost his memory. The doctor informs Richieson that he is in Barney’s house in a Boston suburb Claypoole, a ; that Hester Townsend, a neighbor, is his cousin ; and Maurice lifelong friend, is trustee of his estate. Richieson falls in love with Hester. In a struggle, Richieson and Giles tumble into a private reservoir on the estate, but both manage to climb out. Richieson is having lunch in a Boston restaurant, when a brilliantly gowned woman faints upon catching sight of a ring he is wearing. Determined to prove his identity, Richieson goes to his aunt’s home in Yonkers. But she fails to recognize him, declaring that her nephew is selling auto- mobiles in South America. On his return to Boston, Richieson notices that he is being followed by a foreign-looking man. When he enters his room in Barney’s house that evening, Richieson finds there the woman who had fainted in the restaurant.

CHAPTER IX. She cast a startled glance over her ANOTHER DISAPPEARANCE. shoulder. A small black box on the table by the bed was open, its contents, FTER a moment of speechless principally papers, rather suggestively amazement Richieson’s sense spilled out. She blushed crimson, and of humor asserted itself. the blush made her look younger, less “This honor’s a little unex- dangerous. and, pardon I ?” pected, madam ; me, may “Do you mean you won’t let me go inquire which way you came?” she said in a low voice.

She was fairly caught. He was stand- He nodded, still smiling. “Not until ing between the two doors of his room you explain why you came.” she could reach neither of them without “And if I refuse?” Her hands were passing close to him. She hesitated. moving under her purple mantle. There was no rouge on her face to- He shrugged his shoulders. “Clay- night, it very pale but she and was ; poole’s coming, and Doctor Wallace. didn’t lose her wits. She was equal to Perhaps you know them? You may the occasion, a match for him, he prefer general explanations, eh?” thought. But she had whipped a small pistol “You’re Mr. Barney, aren’t you?” from under her cloak, and she leveled she asked quietly.” I know you are, I it at him. saw you yesterday! Then—I’m sure “Hold up your hands,” she com- you’ll say nothing. You’ll pardon my manded sharply. intrusion, and let me go—by the front Richieson obeyed, still smiling. stairs, please!” “If you fire you’ll bring the whole Richeson laughed grimly. “Am I hive about your ears,” he said calmly; Mr. Barney? If you can tell me that “Claypoole and Doctor Wallace and I’ll—I’ll see that you get something Giles—the charming and watchful handsome, something better than the Giles. I’d strongly advise that you contents of that little black box there, didn’t.” for instance.” She hesitated, and he saw her swift —

The Man Who Awoke 55 glance toward the windows. There She obeyed. She was shaking all were three in the room, one opening on over and her lips were white, but there a little iron balcony that overlooked the was still fight left in her. garden—a mere perch for the neighbor- “Dead game !” he thought grimly, ing pigeons ; the others were too high pocketing her revolver. and too difficult. ... Then she threw an- “Now, madam, why did you come ; other glance, less composed, toward the here? You’re no common thief. two doors. You’ve been searching my room and “That one’s locked,” she said, indi- you’ve asked about a ring that I’ve got, cating the one nearest the bed; “you at this minute, safe in my pocket. No, needn’t try to guard thatV It won’t you can’t have it until you prove owner- open I tried it. the one ; I’m going by ship. You seem to have some inside you used just now.” knowledge. Perhaps you can tell me “You’ll meet Claypoole and Wallace who I am. On my word, I’m not and the butler and—probably the cook.” Horace Barney.” She bit her lip, still covering him with “I don’t know anything about you,” her pistol. she replied stubbornly. “You look like “I shan’t tell them why I came, Mr. Horace Barney and you’re living in his !” Barney house. That’s enough for me. If you “Perhaps they won’t ask,” he sug- —if you’ve got any humanity you’ll tell gested “they might be a little difficult, ; me about that ring! It’s not yours, and you know. Besides, there’s the tele- !” you know it phone. Suppose, instead of threatening “Is it yours?” asked Richieson me, let offer you me a chair. We might gravely. talk things over.” “No yes! I’ve a good right to it. She lowered her weapon a little, her — Give it to me.” dark eyes fixed on his face, searching He shook his' head. "I think not. it eagerly. Not until I find out more about it, any- “Talk to you? Oh, how willingly, if way. You didn’t come here for that!” you’ll tell me about him! About that She was a brave woman, a daring ring of his. What have they done with him?” woman, but her nerves were under a strain she could not endure much more. “You mean Horace Barney?” ; “That ring belongs to a man who “Horace Barney? What do I care who’s disappeared,” she said, “a man for you? You’re Horace Barney, aren’t If you’ve any feel- you ?” who’s dear to me. ing you’ll tell me how you came by it.” He shook his head. “Blessed if I know !” “A man who has disappeared?” he Barney, and She stamped her foot furiously. repeated. “And not Horace have “You’re playing with me! Of course not Richieson? Then three men disappeared.” you know! You Jiad his ring. Have” nearer “Oh!” she cried. “I believe you’ve —she came ; she forgot her pis- tol killed him!” ; she was panting for breath—“have they killed him?” “I’ve killed nobody,” replied Richie- It was Richieson’s chance. With a son slowly; “I’m not fond of killing, as swift, swinging movement', he got her a rule. And I’ll tell you how I came wrist and wrenched the weapon away by this ring. I awoke one morning and from her. Then he led her to a chair. found it on my finger.” “Now—sit down and tell me about She flashed her scorn at him. “Do it,” he commanded sharply. you expect me to believe that?” ! ;

56 Detective Story Magazine

“It’s the truth. It happened here in grimly. Then something about her this room.” touched him in spite of himself. These She gazed at him, her face white and tears were real she caught and she ; was drawn—either with suffering or with was mortified. Perhaps, he reflected, fear, he couldn’t tell which. too, she was really frightened. He “If you had any heart you’d tell me,” didn’t think her a professional thief she said again. “I—it’s terrible; this he fancied some mystery as perplexing suspense, I mean! You must know; as his own, and, in that case, she was you have the ring!” to be pitied. At any rate, her tears were “I’ve told you the truth about the intolerable. He walked over to her ring,” he persisted, watching her, re- and touched her shoulder lightly. She membering how she had fainted. “Did started, recoiled with horror, and then you come here to find some one you’ve looked up pitifully. lost? It’s a queer place—as far as I “Come,” he said briefly. “I’ll get you !” know; but it seems safe. Only I think out—only don’t do it again not safe for—housebreaking.” She struggled, choking back her She rose unsteadily to her feet. “I’m sobs. She had been leaning forward, going! If you’re a gentleman you her face in her hands, but she straight- !” won’t try to keep me here ened herself now and looked at him “I tell you what I’ll do,” Richieson with tear-dimmed eyes. replied with exasperation,” I’ll help you “I—Will you give me the ring?” she get out and be in your debt, besides, if begged, still shaking. you’ll tell me what it’s all about. What’s He shook his head. “Come! You happened? Who’s lost? And how did may be able to get out without meeting they get me mixed up in it all? That’s others we’ll try. This way.” the ; what I want to know.” She followed him like a child. All She made an impatient gesture. her spirit to vanished her seemed have ; “You’re intolerable!” she exclaimed. face looked white and small and woe- “You know you have Maritski’s ring, begone. She had failed, evidently she ” and yet you—you mock me! I had failed altogether, in her errand. quite suddenly she burst into stormy By this time they were at the door, tears. and he pushed it open. As he did so Richieson, who hated tears, turned they both heard a step coming up the pink. Then he remembered the scene stairs. It was a light step, soft as a in the cafe. She was that sort of cat’s but they heard it. He turned to ; woman, of course ! It was her way of her with a grim smile. working on him. She had tried threats “It’s only Giles, I think.” she had even tried a revolver ! and, fail- But she caught at his arm. “Hide ing in these, she resorted to tears. He me!” she whispered. “Quick!” watched her critically, unmoved. But She was close to him and their eyes she was shaken like a reed in the wind. met. Hers were dark with terror. He saw, too, how slight she was—al- Some -one was coming, no doubt of most too thin for beauty, yet not quite. that; and there was not a ‘moment to She had a wonderful grace, and the lose. He turned quickly and pointed to delicate hollows in her cheeks only the French window. made her eyes seem larger and darker “The balcony,” he whispered. ind more appealing. He noticed that Without a word she stepped out he ; her hands, ungloved and beautiful, were saw her crouch against the wall. He :overed with rings. The loss of one had barely time to close the window was not a great matter, he reflected and draw the heavy curtains across it. The Man Who Awoke 57

it Giles, after all it was had refused to yield the in- But was not ; to female Claypoole who appeared at the thresh- truder. Richieson, still standing with old. It gave Richieson a shock; the his back to the mantel, watched him. man was so large and he had come up Claypoole turned the handle and the so lightly! door opened easily. The room beyond “Pussy-foot!” he thought and smiled was lighted. Richieson glimpsed a lux- inwardly. He was sure Claypoole had urious and cozy interior. But Clay- seen him pull that curtain across the poole stopped short. window. “Who’s been here ?” he asked harshly.

But Claypoole gave no sign of it. Richieson, mindful of his curtained “My dear boy, you were so long com- window, moved to the open door in a ing down that I came up after you. leisurely fashion, still smoking his Wallace is here, and we thought you cigarette. The room—which he had might want some supper.” not seen before—was lined with book- “Not a bit, dined on the car,” Richie- shelves, and had two large windows and son replied coolly. “I’m rather tired. another door, a small one, nearly oppo-

I think I’ll smoke here and then turn site. Like the rest of the house, it was in. I’ve decided to wait until morning handsomely furnished and a big read- — ; before I”—he smiled broadly “report ing-lamp hung low over the center table. my experiences.” But there were signs of confusion that As he spoke he turned to a box of were a little surprising. One of the cigarettes on the mantel and began to heavy window draperies had been hunt for the matches. wrenched from its rings and lay in a Claypoole looked thoughtful. “I heap on the floor the chairs were over- ; think Wallace wants to talk to you. turned, and the papers on the table had Shall I bring him up here?” been tossed in every direction. A light Richieson, engaged in lighting a wind was rising, suggesting a coming cigarette, was wondering how he could thunderstorm it added to the litter of ; get the woman out. If he left the room papers, blowing them about on the floor. and went downstairs Giles would prob- Claypoole looked about him with a dis- ably arrive in his absence and find her. turbed face, then he glanced question- Giles, he felt sure, was the spy. ingly at Richieson. “I’m not in need of a doctor,” he said “My dear boy, why in the world after a moment. “Got an idea of a do ?” lunacy commission?” Richieson shook his head with a dry “I can’t understand your new atti- laugh. tude, Horace,” Claypoole 'said, with a “Not guilty,” he said. note of feeling in his vo,ice “you seem He was really thinking of the woman. ; so suddenly hostile. Meanwhile, Wal- She had said it was locked, that door! lace and I stand ready to do anything Of course she had lied. What a fool for you. It’s our duty! I see a change he had been ! He glanced about curi- in you since yesterday. I hope, when ously. you went to Yonkers, you realized your “What was there in here,” he asked curious mistake. I hope, Wallace hopes quietly,” anything valuable?” it will bring you back to us—that you’ll Claypoole, who was still looking be convinced. Suppose you let Wallace troubled, answered at once. come up. The next room here, is your “Not a thing. Some one must have library. It was your father’s study. We been in here while we were coming out can smoke and talk in here.” from the city. I’ll call Giles. This As he spoke he went to the door that won’t do.” ' ! ;

58 Detective Story Magazine

“Suppose you don’t call Giles,” re- sion so candid, that they disarmed his turned Richieson coolly. adversaries. You cannot strike a smil- Claypoole looked up, rather sur- ing man in the face, especially when he prised; and then he smiled broadly. holds out the hand of fellowship.

“You’ve got it in for Giles, eh? You Richieson, without replying, walked mustn’t little slowly blame him ; he’s a zealous. to the open window and tossed He was with me when you met with his cigarette into the night. It was in- your accident, poor old fellow, and he tensely dark outside until a flash of

can’t it lightning illumined the it get over ; he can’t think you’re scene. In he well.” saw the great trees outlined against the “So he smashes up my den, I sup- sky and heard the rush of the- rising pose.” Richieson glanced back at his wind. He felt a sudden twinge of pity. own room. He heard the patter of the Suppose, like some other women, she rain on the leaves outside. “The lady was afraid of lightning. He turned will get a ducking,” he thought grimly. back and met Claypoole’s questioning But aloud, he said, “See here, Mr. Clay- glance. poole! I believe I’m boss in these “You’re quite right about my visit to rooms. If I am I’ll run them myself. I Yonkers,” he said calmly, “it’s had an may as well tell you that that door was illuminating effect. If you can post- locked when I came in.” pone your investigation of this litter “I think you’re mistaken,” Claypoole here. I’ll go downstairs with you. On replied gently, “the key’s on your side.” second thought, I’ll have a glass of wine It was. Richieson saw that now, and with you and Doctor Wallace before I * suppressed an impulse to laugh at him- turn ¥in.” self. “Good!” Claypoole looked relieved. “Where does the other door lead?” “Apd a game of chess, eh ? You always he asked, indicating the door opposite. loved chess, Horace.” “Have you forgotten ?” Claypoole They eyed each other a moment, and shook his head regretfully. Richieson laughed. Then he opened the door and re- “Of course,” he said carelessly. He vealed a staircase. had never played chess in his life that “It’s a short cut to the dining room. he could remember, but perhaps, after

Your father always used it. I remem- all, he was an expert ber you sliding down the banisters when “Suppose we take the short cut?” you were a youngster. We’re looking “It seemed to him that Claypoole forward to the day when you’ll remem- hesitated for \an instant, then he ber all this, Horace.” shrugged his big shoulders. Richieson, watching the man, was “Those stairs are for you, "Horace impressed with his composure. It was they’re too narrow for me. I’ll go evident that the littered room disturbed back the way I came.”

him, yet he gave little sign of it. He As he spoke he turned back into the was struck, too, for the second time, bedroom. Richieson saw that he had with the quite apparent fact that Clay- made a mistake to go into the other

all it poole,was a handsome man. He had, room at ; put Cyaypoole ahead of besides, that ease of bearing and sim- him now. But, fortunately, the plicity of manner that men attain who woman had not tried to come in from have traveled widely and mingled in the balcony. The curtains hung undis- foreign society. He was, perhaps, a turbed. She was braving even the little un-American. But his face and lightning, he reflected with an inward head were both so fine, and his expres- smile. The Man Who Awoke 59

“The storm’s right over us, Horace,” “There’s nothing else but salmon, Claypoole remarked; “perhaps I’d bet- ma’am,” replied the cook grimly, “and ter close this window securely.” that’s forty-two cents a pound for the Richieson swung around. “It’s tail.” closed !” he exclaimed sharply. “Don’t Hester; who had been called to the you see?” telephone, intervened. But Claypoole, with that peculiar “Mamma, Cousin Horace wants us lightness of movement that character- to go to the opera with him to-morrow izes some stout people, suddenly swept night and then have a late supper over the curtains aside and unlocked the there.” long French window. Richieson’s first Mrs. Townsend looked relieved. impulse had been to stop him, to stop “You can have the bass downstairs, him at any cost but why ? What was and brown bread, then. We’ll ; Jane, the woman to him? Besides, she must dine lightly on account of the supper.” have lied about the other door. He “Yes, ma’am,” said Jane, and retired stopped, instead, and stood waiting, a hastily. queer smile on his face. He suspected Hester, who had taken her seat at the that Claypoole or Giles had discovered table, laughed. that she was in the house, for Clay- “Mamma, she won’t eat black bass. poole, who had proclaimed his inten- They’ll have canned salmon and cu- tion of securing the window against the cumbers and ice cream. It will prob-

wind, opened it and looked out eagerly, ably kill them.” expectantly. “They’ll have nothing of the kind,” There was almost a perceptible shock retorted her mother sharply. “I think I of surprise as he drew back with a blank know how to manage my own serv- face—a surprise that was fully shared ants. How is Horace coming along? by Richieson. Still queer?” The balcony was empty. Hester, who had dismissed the maid, was pouring out her own coffee. She CHAPTER X. filled in the cream and set the cup down A PROPOSAL. before she answered. ZOOMING down rather late forbreak- “I don’t think he’s queer at all,” she fast, Hester found her mother observed. “He seems to me quite busily discussing the dinner menu for natural only ’’ ; the following day with the cook. Mrs. “Yes, only—I should think so! He Townsend, unlike her daughter, was a imagines first that he’s somebody else, large, placid woman who did not allow then he insists that he’s sane. Then he !” things to trouble her deeply, outside of lets a thief into the house her own menage but she was very par- Hester suspended her cup on the way ; ticular about her eating. It was a to her lips. “Just what do you mean, theory of hers that there was terrible mamma ?” waste in the kitchen, and that she only “Maurice told me.” Mrs. Townsend saved the family finances by holding sat down in her usual seat at the head tight onto the spigot—and letting the of the table, though she had finished money run out of the bunghole. She her breakfast. “It seems that day had decided upon fish for to-morrow’s Horace came back from New York dinner, and found that the least expen- with you he acted strangely. He went sive kinds were out of season. upstairs and stayed so long that “I don’t like black bass,” she said de- Maurice was alarmed. No wonder, too, cidedly, “it’s too bony.” after the way he ducked poor Giles! ! —

60 Detective Story Magazine

Well, Maurice went up and found that He’s really more himself than he has a thief had been in the house, and he’s been for months.” positive that Horace helped him es- “Is he?” Her mother spoke dryly. cape.” “Xhat’s the reason, then, that he in- “But why should Horace let a thief sisted he was called Richardson—or escape?” Hester argued, losing her ap- Robinson, is it?” petite. “I can’t see any sense in that. Hester, who had scarcely tasted her It’s nonsense! Maurice Claypoole is breakfast, rose and walked ovef to the dreadfully down on poor Horace.” window. Her mother looked at her severely. “Suppose he was Richieson,” she ?” said calmly “would you like it better “I don’t see how you can say that ; Why, Hester, that man’s devotion to Mrs. Townsend gave it up. “I never saw such a girl!” she exclaimed im- Horace has been simply beautiful ! Do patiently. “I should think you were you think it can have been a pleasant 1” thing for a fine man like that to devote falling in love with a lunatic himself to that poor, befogged boy ?” Hester laughed a little wavering laugh. “I’m not in love with any one,” “I think he’s made ten thousand a she declared. year out of it, mamma.” Mrs. Townsend, who had views of There was something in Hester’s her own for Hester, smiled grimly. She it tone that was new ; was almost was not a matchmaker, in the strictest defiant. Her mother’s quick ear caught sense of the word, but she wanted to get it. She turned a scrutinizing look on Hester out of Horace Barney’s way. her daughter. Horace was not mentally sound he had “I hope you’re not getting foolish ; never been sound since his accident; about Horace because he’s so—so dif- but Hester had always shown sympathy ferent! I wish he was sane; I wish and interest. Her mother had hitherto you could have married him and united regarded Hester’s attitude as merely the Barney millions. But I’ll never be- cousinly, but lately—in the last few lieve he’s right in his mind, and I'm days, in fact—Mrs. Townsend had sorry to see that he seems suddenly in taken alarm. Of course Hester could love with you. It’s a kind of infatua- not—and would not—marry a mental tion, I suppose. Does he say anything?” weakling. Not even if Horace “came Hester crimsoned. “Suppose we back” would Mrs. Townsend feel safe. don’t discuss Horace; mamma. I can’t She wanted to eet the girl away from help feeling for him and you always — any tender regrets. She had a sore take Claypoole's view, and the doctor’s. spot, too, back of it all. If only poor Poor Horace !” Horace—as long as he was to be in- “If he’d died out there in Japan in- ” capacitated—had died, Hester would stead of living to be an idiot have been the greatest heiress in Bos- !” “He isn’t an idiot protested Hester ton. Of course, she didn’t really want hotly. this, but—well, it was too bad! Mrs. “He might as well be! And you Townsend sighed. would have had all that money ! Dear “It’s a pity,” she said, a great pity, It’s strange how things happen.” “that poor Horace doesn’t get better “I don’t' want the money. I’ve got all that’s all!” I need,” her daughter replied, still Hester hesitated, thinking. She had flushed and unhappy. “Besides, it’s begun to lean toward her cousins’ ideas bad as it is enough —poor Horace ! You about his identity. She felt vaguely all jump at everything he says and does. that there was a difference between the The Man Who Awoke 61 cousin she had known, and this man, Mrs. Townsend paused on her way but she could not be certain about it. to the door. “Do you mean—are you Besides, the very force of his person- trying to confess at this late day—that ality, the rush of his feeling for her, you used to be in love with him, Hes- were affecting her strangely. Her ter?” nerves were taut. She began to be “Yes, I was. I thought I was, any- afraid that she was really in love with way.” him—mad as that would be if he turned “You were a mere baby ! He’s been out to be crazy. And he must be crazy, this way eight years. For Heaven’s or else something strange and inex- sake, don’t be silly about a man who !” plicable had happened ! But how could isn’t quite right in his head Mrs. anything happen? Men could not Townsend exclaimed. * change themselves, could not project “I’m not a bit silly. I simply feel their souls into familiar shapes! It that he isn’t Horace at all.” was madness, yet he did not seem mad “Perhaps,” her mother remarked at all. ironically, “you prefer this new person “I think he’s better,” she said after a to the old Horace?” moment, answering her mother in a Hester laughed weakly. “I’m not !” fact, that’s trouble dreamy way. “In I think he’s so sure ; the much better that I’m willing to believe “Hester!” Her mother cast a wild he isn’t Horace at all—if he wants me look out of the window. “There’s. to!” Maurice Claypoole now. I’m glad of

Mrs. Townsend looked shocked. “My it. I’ve got to go, but I’ll tell him to dear Hester, what can you mean?” talk sense to you.” “Just what I say. I have a feeling Hester started. It seemed as if she that it isn’t Horace, that it’s somebody almost intended to run after her else who is talking to me. Do you re- mother, that a confession of some kind member that curious superstition the was on the end of her tongue; but she Japanese told us about? How their checked herself. Mrs. Townsend had, priests can project their souls into other in fact, opened a window door on the people and learn all their secrets? I terrace and beckoned to Claypoole. feel as if some one’s soul had been pro- “Maurice,” she said, “I’m going out. jected into poor Horace’s body. I sup- Please talk sense to this child. She pose it’s a crazy notion, but I can’t help thinks Horace is better.” it. He—well, he isn’t Horace at all.” Hester drew a quick breath. She did Mrs. Townsend rose impatiently. not want to talk of Horace now, but She was a busy woman and she always she forced a smile a moment later when had a dozen errands in the morning. Claypoole came up, large and cheerful. But she looked keenly at her daughter. “I’ve brought you some of my new “I didn’t know you cared so much roses,” he said. “They’re just in bloom. about Horace,” she said sharply. The ones we planted, Hester.”

Again Hester blushed. This time it The girl took them almost reluctantly, was almost a painful blush. turning them around in the light. “I—I was very fond of him once, “They’re a beautiful color,” she said mamma,” she confessed with an effort. without enthusiasm, “and fragrant, She had been nerving herself to speak too.” out, but now suddenly she couldn’t. Meanwhile, Mrs. Townsend declared Her secret must be her secret still, un- that she could not stay a moment—she less he remembered. Would he re- was late now for her engagements. member ? “You- -tell Hester what you think —

62 Detective Story Magazine about Horace,” she said. “I .can’t make didn’t take Horace’s things, only a few her see it. He talks in a rational way, of mine. A small matter, as it turns I know, but I think he’s worse than out—a smaller matter than some other ever.” things.” “Don’t ask me to talk about Horace,” She turned around a little, looking Claypoole replied easily. “Hester can back into the room, and saw the ex- see for herself. He’s better and—he’s pression in his eyes. It made her heart worse !” beat quicker. Strangely enough, too, “That’s what I say! You better go she felt a little afraid. into the library. That’s in order, any- “Mr. Claypoole, I’m going to ask you way, and this room looks all topsy- a question. Perhaps you’ll think I’m turvy. Hester was late for breakfast.” queer to ask it. But you know the “I’m a delinquent to-day,” said Hes- wing of the house, the old wing that ter, smiling, as her mother departed. you don’t use? It’s locked up, isn’t “Shall we go into the library?” it?” He followed her in silence, a silence He smiled. “Why, yes. It’s got to that made her strangely uneasy. She be repaired. I’ve been waiting in hopes had always thought of Claypoole as a Horace would get well and decide about man of large and charitable purposes, ft himself. It’s been shut up- ever since devoted to .his old friend’s son, and Mr. Barney died.” well, nearing middle age. But lately “Well, there’s a light in it—yes,—every she knew that Claypoole had been night, up there”—she pointed “the gradually enveloping her in a new at- window under the roof.” mosphere, an atmosphere of roses and He stooped slightly forward in his little attentions, a subtle atmosphere chair to follow the direction of her that reached her always, that made her finger. "Oh, I see! That’s not part

feel as if she could not quite evade it of it, Hester. That little room opens, or escape him. She felt it strongly to- into Giles’ bedroom. Like as not he’s day, and she struggled against it. In up late. He’s a queer case, anyway.” the library she threw open the big win- “I don’t see how you can trust him dow that looked toward the Barney so much. He’s—well, he’s so dark and house; and perched on the broad sill, soft and sly,” said Hester. framed by the sunlight and the tendrils "And faithful. Don’t leave that out,

of the wistaria vine which clung to that Hester ! He’s so faithful that he’s for- side of the house, she made a very given Horace for ducking him.” At the charming picture. thought Claypoole laughed. “Have you caught your burglar?” “I don’t think I should,” she replied she asked carelessly. quietly, “and I don’t really believe he “You mean Horace’s burglar?” He has.” smiled indulgently. “No—only I’d “Don’t you like him, Hester ?” like to know how he jumped from the She looked around again, surprised. balcony.” “I think He makes me creep, Mr. “Did he?” Hester questioned it Claypoole,” she answered with a rueful noticed fir tree sagely. “Have you the little laugh ; “but I know you think he’s —the one that Mr. Barney loved so a treasure.” much ? It touches the balcony.” “I wouldn’t keep him a minute if I He considered this a moment, with an thought you didn’t want me to,” he re-

it easily. odd expression ; but dismissed plied, leaning toward her again, his eyes “He must have been something of an on her face. “Hester, do you know acrobat then,” he said. “Anyway, he why I came to-day.” The Man Who Awoke 63

She hesitated, raising her eyes re- “No,” she said unsteadily,” if you luctantly to his face. mean—am I in love with him. No, it “Hester, will you marry me?” he can’t be Horace.” asked in a low voice, after a long time, As she spoke she saw a change in his it seemed to her. face. He was looking past her, out of She shook her head. “I’m so sorry, the window, and his eyes seemed to con- Mr. Claypoole. I’ve—I’ve tried to centrate and darken. She turned, too, make you understand.” and saw Richieson coming toward them. “That you didn’t love me?” He had seen Hester at the window and She blushed. “Just that I—I can’t was ascending the terrace, bareheaded marry you.” She was a little less em- and smiling. Something in his look barrassed now, more like herself. sent a thrill of hope through her heart. He was silent for a while, and she He was a sane man—of that she was was aware of him, large and handsome sure. A sane man, but not Horace! and unmoved, watching her. She knew Ah, that was the question ! A moment that he had not given up, that he would before she had risked her declaration on never give up. She had suddenly a her belief that this man was not Horace, hunted feeling. She wanted to escape but now—seeing again the elusive like- and she d^red not; his eyes, his hand- ness—she was shaken. And Claypoole, some, brooding eyes, seemed to hold her watching her keenly, knew that she was against her will. shaken. “I—I’m sorry,” she murmured, and CHAPTER XI. then was angry with herself for saying UNDER THE OAK TREE. it. It gave him his chance. “I don’t want you sorry for a mo- 'T'HERE was something of elation in ment, Hester—not on my account, at Richieson’s glance as he entered least,” he rejoined softly. “I suppose the room and looked at Claypoole. A I’m too old, eh? Too much of an old certain pallor and weariness that had fogy for a young girl like you? But I been hanging about him had vanished. must love you, Hester; and 1 can’t give He was the picture of health. up. it, That’s you see ; I can’t give up. “Hello, Friend Claypoole,” he said, I'm going to keep on trying.” with delightful impertinence in his tone. “Oh, let’s try to think it’s just the “I thought you’d gone into Boston to !” same—as it was before you spoke she set another detective after our burglar.” exclaimed, struggling to stifle the fear Claypoole, secretly annoyed both at of him—a fear that seemed to be grow- the interruption and at the younger ing—that he would make her do just man’s manner, controlled an impulse of as he pleased. “I— I don’t want to resentment. marry any one!” she declared willfully. “Oh, that’s in the hands of the He smiled. He had risen and was police,” he replied carelessly. “But it’s standing over her. She felt the power true that I’m on my way into the city. of his eyes again. I’ve got to speak at the Barney Or- “Hester,” he said softly, “I’ve no phanage. It’s, your place to go along, right to ask, but I I can’t help feeling — Horace ; suppose you come. I’ve been a fear, an uneasiness. It isn’t Horace, letting you off because of your illness.” is it?” Richieson smiled. “Can’t possibly do

She started to her feet, too, flushing it, old man. You mustn’t ask too much crimson. Then something in his look, of a dotty patient. I’ve been giving him its unconsciousness, perhaps, reassured no end of anxiety, Hester; he thinks her. She felt suddenly drawn to him. I’m crazy as a June-bug. Oh, yes, it’s — —:;

64 Detective Story Magazine a fact; don’t deny it! He thinks I let that this morning; but, of course, I in the burglar the other night.” supposed the intruder was a man.” Claypoole, who had drawn his chair He nodded. “Yes, the fir tree. She nearer to Hester’s window seat, smiled left a bit of her cloak in the branches. enigmatically. He had recovered his Your precious detectives never saw it. admirable self-control and he only I salvaged it this morning.” moved Jais hands slowly along the arms “I’d like to have it,” said Claypoole; of his chair, caressing them as some “it/might be a clew. Perhaps, though, men caress a tame cat. It was a sleek, you can tell us the lady’s name,” he smoothing movement, as smooth as his added dryly. smile. Richieson shook his head, and then “You’re mistaken, Horace,” he said “Not yet! By the way, Hester, may good-naturedly. “I don’t think you let I smoke? Have one?” He offered his him in—I think you helped him out.” cigarette case to Claypoole. Hester looked up, startled. She The elder man refused impatiently,

realized that the two men were measur- and Richieson lit his cigarette delib- ing swords, but Richieson’s face was erately, enjoying himself. He wanted full of amusement. Leaning his elbow to annoy Claypoole, to shake his intoler- on the mantel, he looked down on the able calm, and at last he was doing it. two from a position of relative vantage. “At least, you can tell us about her,” “You’ve hit on it in one way,” he re- said Hester watching him, noticing lit- torted with a deepening of his tantaliz- tle tricks of speech and gesture that ing young smile did let like, ; “I your burglar were and yet unlike, her cousin. out on the balcony, Claypoole, but What a perplexing thing it was ! "How when you opened the window—the bal- it tormented and teased her ! And what cony was empty. It seems a bit queer, was this about a woman? What kind but, on my word, she was there when I of mystery was he hinting at now? closed that window.” Something—for he was teasing Clay- “She!” Hester exclaimed. poole. “Was she pretty? Did she He nodded, still smiling. “Yes, ‘she.’ wear boy’s clothes? Did she carry a It was a woman, Hester.” jimmy?” They both stared at him, Hester a lit- “She’s rather prettier at night than tle incredulous and startled again with in the daylight. She doesn’t 'wear boy’s strange doubts of his sanity ; Claypoole clothes, and she has a wonderful voice. with ill-concealed annoyances. For the It’s got tone to it. I knew it at once. first time he reddened. You see, I’d seen her before.” “Why didn’t you tell us this before, Claypoole rose arid pushed back his Horace?” he asked 'rather sharply, in chair. “Oh, if this is one of the ladies the tone of a guardian to an exasperat- of your foreign travels,” he said with a ing charge. suggestion of a sneer in his voice and Richieson laughed. He had turned manner, “we won’t press the question, and was idly moving some small ob- Horace.” jects of bric-a-brac about on the man- Something hardened in Richieson’s tel. “I wanted you to find out. At first, eyes. “We’ll discuss the subject I confess that her disappearance rather when I’m ready,” he replied coolly bowled me over. I thought she’d “just as we’ll discuss several other jumped from the balcony, but she things, Mr. Claypoole. As a matter of didn’t.” fact,” he added, turning to Hester with

“No, I know ! It was the fir tree,” his usual manner, “I saw the woman Hester said excitedly. “I. thought of once before—in a cafe in Boston—and •

The Man Who Awoke 65

I don’t know who she is. But there turning to Hester; “Horace is anxious was one thing she wanted of mine— to get rid of me, and I’ve no good ex- which she didn’t get—this sard ring on cuse for staying away from my en- my finger now.” As he spoke he held gagement. You and your mother are it out and the light caught it and glowed going to dine with us to-morrow night, red on it. Hester?” For a moment they were both aware “No; it’s the opera first and then of a change in Claypoole. It was al- supper, I believe,” replied Hester, with most indefinable, but it was there. He a glance at Richieson. eyed the ring coldly. Claypoole looked from one to the “I don’t remember that, Horace. other, surprised. Where did you get it ?” he asked slowly. “Changed the order of the day,” ex-

Richieson turned it around on his plained Richieson calmly ; “did it by finger and regarded it fondly. telephone. It’s my party, you know.” “Rather a good ring, isn’t it? You “Ah, I see !” Claypoole moved see, I found it on my finger. I think slowly to the door. it may belong to the fellow who upset There he stopped a moment, wrote a the furniture in the library, Claypoole. line on his card and handed it to

Perhaps he was looking for it, too.” Hester. “There’s that address I “I thought that was your burglar,” promised you,” he said meaningly. Hester interposed. She had a strange She colored. “Mother will want to feeling of alarm. It seemed to her that see you when she comes back, Mr. the two men were thrusting at each Claypoole.” Shj was trying lamely to other over her head, and she was pow- bridge things over. erless to prevent a clash. “I’ll phone to her,” he replied, and But Claypoole was calm. “I don’t then he waved his hand to Richieson. know what you mean, Horace,” he said “Be a good boy, Horace, and try to re- coldly. “I thought you just described member about our burglar. We mustn’t the burglar as a lady burglar. Now you let the lady escape; she got some of speak of ‘the fellow’ who upset the fur- your fathers papers.” niture. Aren’t you a little—well, just Hester, who had crushed Claypoole’s a little confused, my dear boy?” he card in her hand, blushed as she caught added significantly. Richieson’s amused blue eyes. Richieson flung all amused look at “I’ll phone the lady when I find her,” Hester. he retorted maliciously. “Meanwhile, “He still thinks I’m dotty,” he said don’t miss that engagement, Claypoole.” gopd-humoredly. “By the way, Friend Claypoole shot an annoyed look at Claypoole, isn’t it time to open that him, pressed Hester’s hand*and left, not orphanage? Don’t neglect your Chris- too hurriedly. tian duties on my account. I’m safe; As he disappeared Richieson tossed I’ve no doubt your good Giles Is watch- his cigarette out of the window. ing over me like a father.” “Do you think me mad, Hester, or Claypoole regarded him with sad for- an intolerable brute?” he asked her, bearance. with his whimsical smile. “My dear boy, the thing that hurts “I think you hate Maurice Clay- ” worse is your new attitude toward me. poole,” she replied promptly, “and You seem to regard me as an arch She hesitated, then she raised her eyes enemy. We have only labored to take steadily to his face. “Horace, I don’t care of a sick man—your father’s son. think you’re crazy, and I want you to But I see I’m in the way,” he added, be careful You make them think — —:

64 Detective Story Magazine a fact; don’t deny it! He thinks I let that this morning; but, of course, I in the burglar the other night.” supposed the intruder was a man.” Claypoole, who had drawn his chair He nodded. “Yes, the fir tree. She nearer to Hester’s window seat, smiled left a bit of her cloak in the branches. enigmatically. He had recovered his Your precious detectives never saw it. admirable self-control and he only I salvaged it this morning.” moved iiis hands slowly along the arms “I’d like to have it,” said Claypoole; of his chair, caressing them as some “it/might be a clew. Perhaps, though, men caress a tame cat. It was a sleek, you can tell us the lady’s name,” he smoothing movement, as smooth as .his added dryly. smile. Richieson shook his head, and then “You’re mistaken, Horace,” he said “Not yet! By the way, Hester, may good-naturedly. “I don’t think you let I smoke? Have one?” He offered his him in—I think you helped him out.” cigarette case to Claypoole. Hester looked up, startled. She The elder man refused impatiently,

realized that the two men were measur- and Richieson lit his cigarette delib- ing swords, but Richieson’s face was erately, enjoying himself. He wanted full of amusement. Leaning his elbow to annoy Claypoole, to shake his intoler- on the mantel, he looked down on the able calm, and at last he was doing it. two from a position of relative vantage. “At least, you can tell us about her,” “You’ve hit on it in one way,” he re- said Hester watching him, noticing lit- torted with a deepening of his tantaliz- tle tricks of speech and gesture that

ing young smile ; “I did let your burglar were like, and yet unlike, her cousin. out on the balcony, Claypoole, but What a perplexing thing it was ! llow

when you opened the window—the bal- it tormented and teased her ! And what cony was empty. It seems a bit queer, was this about a woman? What kind but, on my word, she was there when I of mystery was he hinting at now? closed that window.” Something—for he was teasing Clay- “She!” Hester exclaimed. poole. “Was she pretty? Did she He nodded, still smiling. “Yes, ‘she.’ wear boy’s clothes? Did she carry a It was a woman, Hester.” jimmy?” They both stared at him, Hester a lit- “She’s rather prettier at night than tle incredulous and startled again with in the daylight. She doesn’t-^vear boy’s

strange doubts of his sanity ; Claypoole clothes, and she has a wonderful voice. with ill-concealed annoyances. For the It’s got tone to it. I knew it at once. first time he reddened. You see, I’d seen her before.” “Why didn’t you tell us this before, Claypoole rose and pushed back his Horace?" he asked 'rather sharply, in chair. “Oh, if this is one of the ladies the tone of a guardian to an exasperat- of your foreign travels,” he said with a ing charge. suggestion of a sneer in his voice and Richieson laughed. He had turned .manner, “we won’t press the question, and was idly moving some small ob- Horace.” jects of bric-a-brac about on the man- Something hardened in Richieson’s tel. “I wanted you to find out. At first, eyes. “We’ll discuss the subject I confess that her disappearance rather when I’m ready,” he replied coolly; bowled me over. I thought she’d “just as we’ll discuss several other jumped from the balcony, but she things, Mr. Claypoole. As a matter of didn’t.” fact,” he added, turning to Hester with “No, I know! It was the fir tree,” his usual manner, “I saw the woman Hester said excitedly. “I. thought of once before—in a cafe in Boston—and — —

The Man Who Awoke 67 breath. "I couldn’t stand it; they’d after all, only maturity. Yet, as she drive me crazy!” looked at him, she felt that indefinable “It’s not pleasant. But it’s worse to personality that was new and strange. feel as I do at times, that I can’t be By this time they had come to the quite right in my head. You see, I edge of the trees and were under the know that I’m John Richieson. I’m old wall that inclosed the court of the only bluffing when I pretend to believe wing. Part of it had been a stable I’m Horace Barney. Bluffing to make yard and, long disused, it was closed them show their hands. I haven’t been and the hinges of the old gate were cov- bluffing you, Hester; but I’ve had to ered with rust. Against it an old oak let you hear me play the game with tree leaned its branches. Below the the others. Let’s make a bargain. If oak, a fallen tree was partly cut for the this man—the man I’m going to show large logs that Claypoole liked for his you—is youif cousin, then you’ll believe den fireplace. The stump of the tree me, won’t you? Believe that I am John made a half way step to the wide- Richieson ?” branching heart of the oak. Richieson “Yes,” she replied slowly, still look- stooped suddenly and lifted Hester to ing at him questioningly. “I’ll be sure the stump. She was small and he of it then. But—isn’t there anything swung her up like a child. else? Any other test? Couldn’t you “Stand still,” he whispered, “until I remember—well, something that hap- can help you.” pened long ago, for instance—if I re- As he spoke, he stripped off his coat, called it to your mind?” climbed into the oak and held down his They were skirting the trees now, on hand to her. their way to the Barney house, and he “Come,” he said, “and don’t speak. looked around at her quickly. • He’s here.” “Hester, what is it? You’ve got She was all excitement now. She something up your sleeve, as the saying clambered up and stood beside him on is! There’s something—I know it the oak tree. The deep green foliage some test that you could apply if you cloaked them and he steadied her with would, some jolt of memory. What is his arm around her waist. For an in- it? Try it!” stant Hester thought of the chance that She shook her head obstinately. “If this man was really her cousin and still you can’t remember—no, I can’t help mentally unsound. The next, she felt you,” she said. “Don’t ask me, Hor- the same strange confidence in him that ace.” she had felt at the first moment of their “But if I’m not Horace?” meeting in the Barney house. He was “Then you couldn’t remember, could sane and he was honest she knew it. you ?” ; He swept aside the foliage with a They both laughed, almost happily. cautious hand and gave her a loophole. When they were alone together he “Look !” he whispered. “He’s in the seemed so unlike Horace that Hester courtyard of the old stable.” always returned to her bewildering Hester, holding her breath, peered doubts. Yet, all the while, she felt that out. Suppose it was Horace; sup- he was more to her than poor Horace pose had ever been; she felt the difference, wandering aimlessly the force and will power that her cousin The man was had never shown. This man showed up and down. He was a tall man, both, but then her cousin had been a dressed in black, rather slender and boy when he was sane. This might be. stooping a little. As he turned and ! —!

68 Detective Story Magazine came toward them she saw his face “How do you know it, Hester?” He plainly and drew back. was eager, glad to feel that she knew

“Is it ?” questioned Richieson eagerly. it at last, that she believed him. She shook her head and looked up, “I can’t tell you how I know it,” she a strange relief in her face. said falteringly, “but I do. I feel it.

“No,” she said, “it’s not Horace You’re yourself, not any one else ! You Barney at all 1” must be John Richieson.” His eyes questioned hers. “And “I am John Richieson. I was so in you’re glad?” he asked with an odd hopes that poor dazed fellow back there catch in his voice. in the Barney house was Horace. Then Their faces were close together and the muddle might be cleared up in some hers answered unconsciously. way. But he isn’t. It doesn’t matter “Yes,” she said, and then added a so much, though, if I’ve made you be-

little wildly, “I was afraid it might be lieve in me.” Horace. I—I want you to be Horace. “Yes,” she admitted a little weakly, 1” I know it now—I do, indeed “you’ve made me believe In you. His arm held her steadily, but he felt You’re not my cousin.” that she was trembling. He drew a “Did I behave like such a monster?” long breath. .“Hester,” he whispered, She did not answer. They were “I love you. Heaven knows I hope I’m walking on together, and, after a mo- not Horace Barney, for—if I am—I’m ment, he spoke again in a troubled !” crazy, and, crazy or not, I love you voice. “Does it make so much difference, then ? Can’t you think a little of John CHAPTER XII. Richieson, too?” THE UNLOCKED DOOR. She lifted her eyes slowly to his ; she DEFORE he overtook her, Hester had -no words apparently. There was was halfway back to her own an eloquence, though, in her face, a house. Sh£ had been running, but she tenderness. She was not angry with stopped now and faced him, a little him then, but His head swam. breathless, but pale and lovely. Was it possible that that look was for “Hester!” His tone was full of re- him, for John Richieson? gret, of protest. “I beg your pardon “Hester !’ he caught both her hands I know I had no right. I was a brute. in his and held them. “Hester, do you But I loved you so much that—well, I love me, too?” had to kiss you. I suppose you’re sure She did not withdraw her hands, but now that I’m mad ?” she held herself back, tears in her eyes. She blushed. She had been so pale “Don’t—don’t kiss me again, John that the sudden rush of color made her Not now. I must tell you—I’ve got a look as if the sun shone in her face. long story to tell you. But I can’t “It—it wasn’t altogether that,” she to-day.” replied in a low voice. “I—oh, you see, But he held her hands. “You haven’t it was because I know now that you’re answered my question, Hester. Your not Horace Barney!” eyes tell me one thing and your lips !” He was blushing, too, in a boyish another ! Hester, answer me way, carried away by that moment of She slipped away from him and stood emotion when he had lifted her out of looking at him, her eyes still beautiful

the tree and kissed her ! He had dared and tender. it and he couldn’t be altogether sorry “I love you,” she answered simply

for it. at last. “No, don’t come any nearer ! I; —

The Man Who Awoke 69 waitl I’ve got my own story to tell headlong. He was half ashamed of his you. I—I -thought, at first, that you own rashness, but he was desperately ' were my cousin. Now I know you’re happy, too. not. I can’t see my way to explain it, “Hester, you’re coming to-morrow I can’t imagine how you came in his night ?” place, but I—I love you, John Richie- She nodded, smiling a little and dab- son—-if that’s your name—and—I Ain’t bing at tears in her eyes with a cobweb marry you !” of a handkerchief. “If you love me I’ll make you marry “I’m going to be strange; I’ve got a mel” he exclaimed joyfully, taking a scheme. But you won’t think I’m step toward her. mad?” He looked at her anxiously. But she backed farther away. She blushed deeply. “If I didn’t “Don’t!” she pleaded. “Please don’t think you mad when you kissed me, I say another word now. I can’t bear shan’t to-morrow night. You see” it ! I’ve got a reason. It’s been almost something— like mischief danced in her a shock to find it out, to know that eyes “I can expect anything. You’re you’re not Horace! I—I hoped you an amazing person.” !” were, and—and I didn’t "And you won’t give me away ? Let She was getting hopelessly confused, them think you still believe I’m Horace, but there was no confusion in the beau- eh?” tiful look in her eyes. That was love. “I’ll let them believe anything you

He had never seen it before, and it was want. I ” She gave a little gasp. like looking off across the world into a “There’s Doctor Wallace! Do you bit of heaven! That was the way he suppose he saw us?” thought of it. But it checked him, too Richieson scowled at the figure com- he must not make her feel that he ing through the trees. couldn’t wait until she gave it to him “No; he couldn’t. He’s coming the of her own free will. He could wait for other way. Claypoole has sent him to a love like that secure the lunatic. What is he like, “Hester,” he said in a low voice, Hester—I mean this doctor ?” “you’re cousin loved you. Was there “Why, he’s a nice man, I think,” she anything, any reason why you were glad answered quickly. “He’s our doctor, that he wasn’t there in the old ?” too. is court . His wife dead and his daughter “Yes,” she replied in a low voice, married last year. She’s in Montana.

“there was ! I’m going to tell He’s always been I you— most kind ; will tell you all about it-—but I can’t why, I’m so bewildered! I’ve trusted now. You see”—she looked—up at him these people all my life; I still trust and smiled through her tears “I didn’t them. I do really! It’s only that I know how I should feel until—until I know now that you’re not Horace, and knew that you were some one else.” I can’t explain it!” He did not answer that—perhaps, “Suppose I trust the^doctor, then?” because he, too, had a lump in his throat. Richieson smiled down on her perplex- There was something about her that ity, but he was thinking, thinking hard. moved him, something besides her Could he trust the doctor ? beauty and charm—a kind of simplicity, Meanwhile, Wallace came up smiling. a faith in him. She didn’t think he was “Too good a day to stay indoors, eh, an impostor with her silences and her Hester? I’m glad to see you outside. rebuffs. She should never put him off. We can’t make much of an invalid out He meant to win her and he could af- of Horace, can we? He’s looking ford to wait. He knew he had been pretty fit.” 70 Detective Story Magazine

As he spoke the doctor shook hands “You’ll be sure to come to-morrow laughingly, patting Richieson lightly night?” Richieson said to her as they and affectionately on the back. parted at the steps. “I’m glad you think so,” said Richie- “I’ve got a box at the opera and I’m son promptly. “I was on my way to going to give a supper afterward,” he your office for an examination. It’s explained to the doctor as they walked about time for a well man to get out over to the latter’s office. “I hope of the leading strings. Don’t you think you’re going to come, too ?” so, doctor?” Wallace cogitated; he wasn’t think- Wallace laughed again, looking ing of the opera. But he answered sharply from one to the other. He casually, “I’m not much of an opera could make nothing of the man’s face man, but I may show up at the supper. except a kind of grim resolution that It’s not formal, is it?”

shone in it. There was something else “Rather not !” Richieson laughed hap- that he didn’t understand—that is, until pily. “Just Claypoole, my cousin and he found the clew to it in Hester’s look. her mother. It’s—well, it’s a celebra- She was flushed and there was a tender- tion.” ness in her eyes that he had never seen “Of what?” The doctor was aware there before. of an inward start. That girl couldn’t “By Jove, he’s been making love to have been silly enough to engage her-

her!” the doctor thought inwardly. self to this crazy boy ? “And she’s fond of him. What’ll old “Of my coming to myself.” Richie- Claypoole say to that ?” son’s blue eyes were humorous when The situation amused him more than they met the doctor’s; he divined the

it amazed him. He had felt it coming, other man’s thought. “You see, I know as some people feel electricity in the air. now who I am.” He gave another quick look at Hester. “The deuce you do!” The doctor The thing was taking an extraordinary laughed, thrusting his latchkey now in turn. his own door, for they had reached the “I’m on my way back to my office house after a five-minute walk. “It’s now,” he said good-humoredly. “Aft- more than a good many of us do,” he erward I’m going to have lunch. added dryly, as he threw open his office Suppose you and Hester lunch with me, door. Horace. Bachelor’s fare, to be sure; Contrary to Richieson’s expectation, but pretty good, I think. Will you the room was empty. The doctor

come?” moved about it, sending the shades up “I will,” replied Richieson. “How to the top to get a better light on his about it, Hester?” patient. His tone conveyed subtly an under- Richieson stripped off his coat and standing between them. The doctor’s stood, smiling, in his shirt sleeves. He eyes twinkled as he waited. looked a young giant. That queer ash- But Hester shook her head. “I’m blond hair did not seem to blend with going home. Yes, I must, really !” She his ruddy color. pretended to look at her watch. “I “Suppose you go through me physi- hadn’t any idea it was so late.” cally and mentally, doctor,” he said Wallace noticed that the young man briskly.. “I want a report. See?” did not urge her to come. He seemed Wallace eyed him critically. “What willing to go alone to his luncheon, and for, my boy?” the doctor fancied a previous, under- Richieson returned his look steadily standing. for a moment before he answered. The Man Who Awoke 71

” “Because I’m a sane man and you Horace, only He paused signifi- know it. I want you to come out for cantly. me fair and square, or go the other “Only what?” Richieson who had way. I’ve no intention of playing sec- been finishing a chop, looked up keenly. ond fiddle, here, doctor. Either I’m The doctor reddened. “I can’t give sane and I get my property in my own you a clean bill, because, you’ve lost hands, or I’m a lunatic and Claypoole your memory. That’s where the cog is keeps it.” loose still, Horace. We’ve got to have The doctor looked grave for a mo- patience.” ment. “Oh, I seel" replied Richiesqn, with “You’ve got a not unnatural preju- a short laugh. “It’s the old story. You dice against Claypoole. You’ve been ill think I’m too ‘off’ to manage my own so long you look upon him as a jailor, I money? I suppose I failed to remember suspect. Well, come on. I’ll examine something that happened when I was a you—if that’s what you want.” kid?” It was a long examination, as it “Not quite. You don’t remember turned out, taking the better part of an anything at all, back of what you’ve hour. While it lasted the two men picked up in the last few weeks. Your did not talk of anything but the matter mind’s clear enough, but you’re only in hand. Richieson answered the doc- bluffing when you try to recall things. tor’s terse questions tersely, and sub- I know; I was in those bygone years mitted to a long cross-examination. He myself.” fancied that Wallace was using some Richieson lifted a glass of water to elaborate system of sanity tests. It was his lips and drank it slowly. He had irksome, but he kept well on his guard. been very shy of anything but water However, he was aware that he had since he had found himself in this made slips, and bad ones. He couldn’t strange situation. remember things that had obviously “I suppose a man can go on through never happened to him but had hap- life, though, without a memory. At pened to Horace Barney. However, he any rate, I don’t intend to stay tied up

had determined, for the present, to be in leading strings. I think I can con- Horace Barney. vince any fair-minded judge of my It was over at last. The doctor arose, sanity.” thrust aside his notes and opened the “I think you might convince him that door into the dining room. you were sure that you were somebody “I’m famished,” he said. “Let’s have else.” The doctor smiled. a bite and then I’ve got to get out on a Richieson gave him a quick look. case in the city. We’ll talk this over at “What?” luncheon.” “That’s the trouble, my boy. You’re But they had been at table some time only bluffing when you try to make me —the servant had placed the luncheon believe that you think you're Horace and withdrawn—before the doctor gave Barney. You don’t.” his verdict. - Richieson pushed back his chair and “You’re sound as a dollar,” he said rose from the table without ceremony. between mouthfuls, “even that place on “I see how it is,” he said harshly; your head is as good as new. I always “you’re on Claypoole’s side. I’m going thought that chap in Paris had made a to convince you of something— presently, bad job, but I beg his pardon, it’s all or”—he smiled grimly “I’ll accept right. Your nerves, too, have got over your theory and dawdle about all day the shock. I believe you’re quite sane, with a watch set on my footsetps.” !

72 Detective Story Magazine

“As far as that goes,” returned Wal- self in a mirror or the glass of some lace frankly, accompanying him to the shop window, he was startled. John door, “I think you’ll admit that we’ve Richieson became a phantom and Hor- had to watch a millionaire who was a ace Barney was flesh and blood beside little forgetful of—well, of everything.” him. He clung, at such moments, to Richieson made no reply to this. He Hester’s recognition of him. She knew was angry because he could not get the he was not Barney. He was carried doctor on his side. He waved him a away then by the memory of her in his good-by and went off briskly. Very arms, her soft cheek against hi& lips. briskly, indeed, for he was testing his If it hadn’t been for Hester he should liberty. He boarded a car and rode have left them in the lurch, gone away. into the city. He wanted to know Love kept him playing the game. He if he was being followed. He could knew that Claypople should not have

not discover that he was. He had her ! He did not know what she meant,

a plan in his head ; a plan for what she had to tell to him, but he could asserting himself. But now he began wait. He did not believe that there was to give way to the doctor’s reasoning. any reason why she could not marry After all, was he wrong? Was he him except a doubt of his sanity. He really a mental weakling, imagining would prove that and then things? In that case, his love-making Giles let him in. When the valet to Hester was a farce. It was worse opened the door for him, Richieson than a farce, it was brutal. But she had glimpsed his face in the light. It was believed in him. Beset as he was, at in- not a pleasant face ; hatred leaped up in tervals, with these curious doubts of his long eyes. Richieson remembered himself, he found the open air and the how he had ducked the man, and crowded city streets a refuge. He went grinned sardonically. farther and stayed longer than he had “Feeling well to-night, Giles?” he intended. He had begun to fear that, asked gayly. “By the way, you needn’t perhaps, his food had been drugged, for bring anything to my room. I dined in his mind refused to go farther than the town.” beginning of the journey to Springfield As he said it he caught Giles’ eye with to sell automobiles to Overbeck. He an inward start. He knew in a moment, had even refused to take morning coffee that the man had followed him. Giles from Giles. drank no wine and ate He knew just where he had beenl It filled with to-day, with' the caution. But him with a futile rage. He turned to thought of Hester coming back to him go upstairs and Claypoole appeared stayed again and again, he downtown promptly at the library door. They had and dined at the same cafe where he staged their scenes, then had first met the woman in the purple “Where have you been, Horace?” he cloak. He knew more of her now, called out genially. “Come in and have more than he chose to tell but he ate ; a smoke.” his dinner watchfully, looking for some !” „ “Thanks, no Richieson called back, one on his track. However, no one and went upstairs. appeared and his nerves steadied them- He knew that Claypoole stared after selves. him, and he thought he heard the man It was late, near eleven o’clock, when he went back to the Barney house. He speak to Giles. Of course the valet had had a full day and he had his plans would bring in the usual wine and laid. For all that, he was startled by cigars to the library. Claypoole was a anreality. Whenever he glimpsed him- man who drank much without being a The Man Who Awoke 73 drunkard. He and Giles performed the further. Something had happened late supper act with all the solemnity of there. But what? If he only knew, he a rite. Richieson was sure of being could get it all linked together. He alone for a while. He went to his room, might have been knocked senseless. locked the door behind him and put on But how about Barney ? He had found his dressing gown. Then he carefully a solution 'in the man in the wing, but concealed the pistol he had taken from now he knew that that man was not the woman. He had an idea that Giles Barney. It was still a lane without a would steal it if he got a chance. Con- turning.

sequently Richieson carried it about Feeling mentally worn out, he sank with him all day. back in his chair. A glance at the clock Secure of solitude, he sat down and told him that it was a quarter to one. began to figure. He was testing -him- He stared about the room angrily, self. Slowly and surely he recalled the aware of the silence of the house. whole sales of the year; even the dates Then his pye fell on the door op- came back. He found he could name posite, the one he had not locked. As places and people. But when he got to he looked at it the knob turned slowly the train leaving for Springfield he without a sound, as though a stealthy

failed. His memory would not go any hand had grasped it.

To be continued in the next issue of DETECTIVE STORY MAGAZINE, out Tuesday, December 17th. Do not forget that, as the magazine comes out every week, you will not have long to wait for the continuation of this fascinating story.

GENEROUS CONVICTS I NTERESTING statistics were collected recently by Henry F. Vogt, a prison 1 worker living in Oakland, California, upon the activity of the prisoners of San Quentin Penitentiary, one of the two State’s prisons of California. Vogt found that the prisoners had donated $656.65 to the Red Cross and, in addition, had pledged themselves to give small amounts, for a total of $213 a month. They had purchased $1,200 worth of Liberty Bonds and $2,000 worth of War Savings Stamps. Most significant of all was their generosity in contributing to the soldiers’ tobacco fund. It must be considered that the biggest treat a convict has is his tobacco ration. And yet these men have already donated four large barrels of tobacco and are now filling a fifth barrel. This can be accomplished in only one

is, prisoners going without their own tobacco rations. way ; that by the Vogt always takes a chance on a discharged prisoner. His generosity is widely known, and it is a common occurrence for a man just discharged from the penitentiary to come to him for a loan. He explains when he lends cash, that he is trusting to the man’s honesty, because if the money is not returned he will lose faith in the good intentions of the other prisoners. He declares that the released men’s debts to him have always been repaid. “Kindness," Vogt says, “if properly applied, will accomplish miracles." ,

yj)ahha Graham - Author of “Not So Green,” “Grease Paint and Violets," etc.

|ITH a rustling flirt of her times carries with it a penalty, and, con- skirts and a sharp upward scious that she had ^gted without fore- tilt to her chin, Mavis Pick- thought, Mavis entered a lunch room. ering flounced out of the She placed her make-up box on a chair dressing room. and ordered coffee and pie, but the cof- “I’m done—through—finished,” she fee grew lukewarm before she reached announced with emphatic finality; and, any decision regarding future means of in affirmation of her resolve, she took providing herself with the cash neces- a firmer grip on the battered cash box sary to pay for her room and board. that was tucked under her arm. This She had in her purse three dollars box, the high sign of the profession, and ninety cents, and she wore on her contained no loose change and bank fingers and wrists some glittering rings notes, but a mixed, untidy collection of and bracelets. The jewelry, alas, was grease paints, rouge, powder, eyebrow only nearly real. It looked all right, but pencils, lip salve, and other things re- the hardhearted Sliylock who lives at quired for the beautifying of a chorus the sign of the three balls is not taken girl. And if Mavis had not become in by a thin wash of gold on base metal. angry at the stage manager and de- A pawnbroker has no use either for scribed him to his -face as a sawed-off synthetic diamonds and rubies. He monkey, and if she had not grabbed her wants, and gets, full and adequate se- make-up box and left the theater in a curity for every cent he doles out. rage and a hurry, there would have been “Yet,” reflected Mavis, with tardy no confusion, fuss, or happening out of sorrow, “to-day is^Wednesday, and on the ordinary. Saturday I’ll have to pay nine dollars "By, Sammy,” said Mavis as she for my room. I’ve had -my say-so, ” passed through the narrow cubby-hole thrown up my job. Now occupied by the stage doorkeeper. “I’m At this distressing point the girl on my way.” looked up and her wandering gaze met The girl accompanied this farewell the eyes of a smirking, pimply complex- with a smile and a light laugh. Al- ioned youth seated at an adjacent table. though her surface appearance of free- He leered and showed a row of grin- dom from all cares and responsibilities ning fangs then he favored Mavis with ; endured until she had left the vicinity a repulsive appraising look of ap- of the theater, Mavis soon found her proval. anger cooling to an uncomfortable and “Fresh beast he is,” was the girl’s chill sensation of fear. By the time mental comment. Launching a parting she reached Thirty-second Street, there glare of disapproving, haughty con- was an expression of anxiety in her tempt at the would-be masher, she paid, large gray eyes, and a pathetic droop to for her pie and coffee and left the lunch her undeniably pretty mouth. room without her make-up box. Assertion of independence some- He of the poor complexion was in no- ” “Fools Rush In 75 wise perturbed by the girl’s rejection of and cold gray eyes. He saw that he his wordless invitation to become ac- was recognized and suspected of having quainted, but when his sidelong glance committed a daring robbery. assured him that she was indeed gone There are some men who cannot and out of sight, he stepped nimbly show themselves without being given across the floor. His acquisition of the the “double O,” when spotted by a de- cash box was an easy matter, and he tective, and Dashing Dick had a past

started for the door with an impudent that rendered it an awkward matter to swagger of proprietary right to Mavis’ contemplate explaining his possession

make-up box. He started, but of that box. He didn’t know what it “Slick—but a low-down, yaller-dog, contained, and didn’t believe it held any- mean trick,’’ said a voice. “Thought thing of value; but knowing that his nobody was watchin’ you gogglin’ at tale of the manner and reason he had that girl, eh? Well, next time you try taken charge of the box would be to pull off any mashin’ and sneak-thief scoffed at, Dick decided to let its fair tricks, make sure there ain’t somebody owner wait, and look after his own skin. around reading a newspaper with a hole He darted for the doorway of a near- in it. Which is it to be, a bash on that by office building, and was fortunate thing you call a nose, or a hand over of enough to reach the elevator before the that box?” figure of the detective darkened the en- Spotty- face backed away from this trance. It was Dick’s first intention to rough-spoken, interfering stranger, go up to the tenth or eleventh floor, but before he did so he thrust out the traverse the long corridor that he knew cash box. ran the whole length of the building, “I was going to run after her with and then descend by another elevator.

it,” he said, with quick cunning. But it was his habit to foresee the ac- “And I’ll save you the trouble,” re- tions of others ere they were consum- torted the other. Grabbing the box, he mated, and before the elevator reached left Spotty- face cursing in futile vi- the third floor Dick did some quick ciousness. thinking.

With commendable intentions, the “Bradley is on my trail. Isn’t it the new guardian of the girl’s property most likely and probable thing that he started after her in haste, but before he will make a bee line for the other exit ?” had gone three blocks in the direction While weighing this problematic she had taken downtown, the unex- point, Dashing Dick looked down at the pected developed and put a temporary box, and for one brief instant he check on the stranger’s intentions. thought of abandoning it and pursuing Mavis Pickering had pleased his sense his way unhampered; but a sporting, of beauty, and the unsavory youth’s stubborn streak urged him to take a behavior had roused his chivalry, but chance. Besides, he wanted the oppor- even for a pretty girl there are limits to tunity to get a closer look at the girl’s what a man will do. eyes. Were they blue or gray? She

“Dashing Dick ! Whadder you doing was tall, slender, graceful. She was ?” with that cash box —well, she was a girl decidedly worth These actual, challenging words were while rendering a service to. unheard by the stranger; but he saw a “I’ve got her coin-box, and I don’t square-shouldered, hard-jawed man know her name or anything,” thought crossing the street. In that one glimpse Dick. “Third floor,” he snapped. he read a determined -purpose and a Dick caught a descending elevator al- large query expressed in the man’s keen most at once. His hunch that the de- !

76 Detective Story Magazine tective was watching the other exit the girl’s property, or had she stolen proved a winner. them ! Was that the reason for her wor- At the corner of the block Dick ried air? Was the pimply-faced youth bought a Newspaper, rolled it carelessly a confederate? round the cash box, and chartered a Questions without answers—a mys- taxi. He drove to a hotel and sought tery without a key! Dick searched the seclusion of a room that he had again for some clew to the girl’s iden- hired for no other purpose but to open tity; then, finding nothing, he' pocketed the box and see if he could find the the rings, shut the box, and decided to name and address of the girl. The lock spend the night in the hotel and let yielded to the persuasion of a little tool events take their course for awhile. He that Dick was an adept at manipulating, scented danger, but couldn’t see where and he raised the battered lid. and how it was coming to him.

“Grease paint ! So she’s a stage girl What’s this ?” From a conglomerate mass of broken II. sticks of make-up, tubes, and rouge* For half an hour following Mavis stained powder puffs and hairpins, Dick Pickering’s abrupt departure from the disentangled a roll of crumpled paper. theater, there was the usual period of “Heavy,” he muttered as he shook it bustle that follows the final drop of the open, and stared in amazement at what matinee curtain. Then came an unre- fell out. hearsed sensation. The star toe dancer One by one he picked up a number came out of her private dressing room of rings. He examined them with the with a jump and a succession of shrieks eye of an expert. of bereaved dismay. Hubbub and con- “The genuine thing,” he said, with a fusion ensued. There was a hasty gasp. “Seven of ’em. This beats all. search for the seven rings that the star Five thousand bucks’ worth of diamond asserted had been stolen and were and ruby rings. Gee, what a scoop that valued at twenty thousand dollars: The guy in the lunch room would have management was faced with the loss of made ! And what a chance I took when half a season’s profits, and the police v I butted in ! Bradley would have nailed wert notified of the robbery/ me for unlawful possession, an’ I’d In the subsequent Inquiry that fol- have gone up for pullin’ a stunt that I lowed, the stage manager remembered never knew I was onto. Seven beauts, that Mavis Pickering had quit before hid away in a lot of female junk. That the last act. The inference was obvi- night have been a good looker, but I’m ous, damning, Mavis had faked the sure the stuff she had on in the jewelry quarrel for the purpose of getting at line was all phony. What’s tHe an- the star’s property when all hands were swer?” on the stage. Mavis was the thief. A A host of questions to which he could detective hurried hot-foot to her board- find no answer buzzed in Dashing ing house. Of course he didn’t expect Dick’s brain, and the more he consid- to find the girl there, but he might be ered his position, the less he liked it. able to pick up her tracks. Hitherto Dick had always planned his The detective found his first surprise affairs. Accident, chance, and a reli- when he met the placid, unruffled gaze ance on good fortune had never played of Mavis as she came into the sitting a part in his way of acquiring a living. room. Apart from her attitude, the Here, laying in the palm of his hand, mere fact of the girl being there at all was a small fortune. Were the rings argued that she was either innocent or “Fools Rush In ” 77

a mighty clever crook. On the basis make-up box was stolen, but there was of never believing a person innocent nothing in it of any value.” until they are proved not guilty, the de- “That may be,” said the detective, tective cross-examined the girl respect- “but all the same I must ask you to ing her movements since she had left cpme with me to the station. It is possi- the theater. From smiling, amused in- ble that we may have a photograph of terest Mavis passed to a condition of the young man you mentioned. Even if outraged dignity. we can’t find the jewels, we can at least “Evidently,” she observed, following try to get your box back. There’s no the detective’s meticulous and searching reason why a nice young lady like your- catechism, “you have made up your self should lose her make-up.” mind I have those rings. Why don’t The man’s words and tone were you arrest me, put on the bracelets, as suave enough, but there was a nasty you call them, and take me off to a cell ? suggestion about his manner that he dis- I’m willing. Wrongful accusation will believed her. Mavis bit her lip and sur- give nje a good case for damages. I’m rendered to the compulsion of circum- out of a job, and a few thousand dol- stance. lars will come in very handy to see me When they reached the street, Mavis through the winter.” discovered that the robbery had already “I have made no accusation that you become a matter of public interest. She have taken the rings,” said the detec- saw the headlines on the first news

tive, “but if I may, I’ll search your stand she passed. Under one pretext room.” and another, Mavis was kept at the sta- “Go as far as you like. I’ll wait tion for over two hours, and, during here,” said the girl. her stay, another and very thorough The detective’s search was nothing search of her room and an investigation but a formality. He returned to the of her antecedents were made. At the sitting room after a short absence. fag end of this fruitless inquiry, Detec- Then, however, he posed an awkward, tive Bradley came in. Although his pertinent question, and all of his suspi- story conflicted with the girl’s descrip- cions returned with redoubled force. tion of the youth who had annoyed her, “I did not see your make-up box,” he it substantiated the belief that she had

remarked. “You brought it from the been acting with a confederate. theater.” “Depend upon it,” declared Bradley, “Yes.” “she passed that box on to Dashing “Where is it?” Dick—though for the life of me I can’t “I don’t know.” figure it out, him being such a dub as to Mavis Pickering’s statement was fol- carry it on the street with him. It beats lowed by a flush that the sleuth inter- me the fool slips some crooks will make. preted as evidence that she was conceal- Get him, and we’ll get the rings.” ing something. When she told him that In this advance opinion, the detective she had left the box in the lunch room, overstepped the bounds of good proph- and had gone back and failed to find it, ecy. For three days they hunted high the detective smiled meaningly. and low for Dashing Dick, and for the “A good story,” he remarked dryly. same period of time a close but unob- "Who’s your friend?” trusive watch was kept on Mavis. Then Tears of mortification trembled on came another surprise that knocked the the girl’s lashes. bottom out of the theory that Mavis “I tell you,” she protested, “I didn’t was a thief. The real culprit confessed. go near the star’s dressing room. My It was the star’s personal maid, and she 78 Detective Story Magazine

“ had placed the rings in Mavis Picker- ’Low Brad,” said Dick amiably. ing’s box in case her mistress discov- “‘Have a smoke. No? Well, come an’ ered her loss before she had a chance have a drink. I’ll stand anythin’ you to leave the theater. like from a soda to a quart of wine.” Naturally enough the maid ha

On the evening of the third day a “Took it away from a low-down reward of a thousand dollars was an- sneak thief,” said Dick virtuously. nounced, and within half an hour of “And. the rings?” this inducement Mavis received a par- “Rings?” repeated Dick vaguely. cel by special messenger. She phoned “Oh, I found ’em. Picked ’em up in the police immediately that her make- the street. Bit of luck, eh? Well, up box had been returned. s’long, ole top.”

The rings were not in it. With a regretful glance, Detective At half past nine the same evening Bradley watched the going of the man Dashing Dick showed himself at the that he had never been able to nail. stage door and demanded admittance. “That’s over,” he said, with a sigh. “No ’phonin’ or yelpin’ for the cops,” “Dick’ll have a high old time for a he warned the doorkeeper. “Just you month or so an’ blow the lot in.” pass me along to the dame that put up Again was the detective wide of the the thousand simoleons for the recovery mark, for Mavis Pickering was visited of her rings. I may know where they that night by another special messenger can be found, and if she comes across and a load of financial worry dropped on the level there’s a ten-spot in it for from her miftd. you. Do I go in?” The thick envelope contained five Dick did, and when he gave over the hundred dollars and a short note. The rings, he held out the other hand for bold, clear writing was expressive of the money. When he returned to the Dashing Dick.” doorkeeper’s cubby-hole, there was I like your style. You’re on the level. So present a cold-eyed individual. am I—sometimes. Best of luck.—D. D.

INEBRIATES IN NEW YORK ABOUT ten thousand persons are admitted every year into Bellevue Hospital **• for treatment for alcoholism. They are regarded as diseased, and capable of individual diagnosis and treatment, and it is an acknowledged fact that the habit leads to violation of the law and makes otherwise orderly citizens into dangerous delinquents.

EXCESSIVE CASES OF INSANITY

I T is said that while, as a general rule, the proportion of insanity among crim- 1 inals is not any greater than among other people, in the case of women who ire convicted of cruelty to children the proportion of insanity is greatly in excess. ;

'fy'Anna Alice Chapin Author of ••In the Shadow of the Bat,” “Burning Steel,” ••The Celestial Sphinx,” etc.

Y as she would, Lois could growing clearness, and the physical pain not move. She tried to look grew with her returning faculties, until about her, and it was quite she seemed to be only one great hurt dark. And then, motionless, from head to foot. unseeing, she made a supreme effort to She remembered Wanda Herron, think, to remember. Wanda in her pale blue frock like a At first this failed, too. She did not Botticelli angel. How pretty and gentle know where she was, or what had hap- she had looked ! No wonder her

pened. The most active achievement fiancee, Dick Maynard, adored her ; she of which the brain seemed capable was was essentially the type that he would a dim and confused impression of adore—and all other men, doubtless. something overwhelmingly distressing She was very small and very fair, with —worse, agonizing. Nothing was con- a mouth like a flower and eyes like a child’s crete, nothing clear. ; and an atmosphere about her Then, apparently without her own suggested something wonderfully frag- volition or effort, her right leg moved ile and precious which had always been, a little, convulsively. And with the and must always be, kept safe from the movement came a stab of pain so poign- rough and rude jostling of this indu- ant that she gasped out a cry that was bitably rough and rude old world. Lois, cracked and harsh in her own ears. who had had to battle with life since The pain roused her. Like a dagger early girlhood, and who at twenty- thrust it reached her numb and sluggish eight was entirely^ self-reliant, and, out- brain and lashed it into consciousness. wardly, a little prosaic, had been obliged The sensation was as horrible as the to crush a good many queer half-sad, sudden blaze of light in the eyes of a half-synical thoughts anent the differ- person who has been blind for years. ence between her and Wanda. It was clarifying, but it meant anguish. And Lois was not an envious woman.

She remembered it all now : the little She did not envy Wanda her sheltered dinner for six at the most popular existence, or the comfortable income restaurant in town the spin which kept ; then out to her exquisitely dressed, ex- the Joybell Amusement Park in Harry quisitely cared for, and exquisitely Crawford’s big machine; the ridiculous protected from all sordid struggle things they had done, each having she would not have envied her if she solemnly vowed at starting to do every- had owned a crown and throne among thing once ! She remembered it with her other trinkets; she did not really : ! :

80 Detective Story Magazine envy her her beauty, save insomuch as veil after the chutes! Someone has it chanced to be a type more pleasing them—I don’t care! Someone.” That to Dick Maynard than her own dark memory was going now, she must try and vivid good looks. very hard to capture it, to fix it before There was the whole thing in a nut- it disappeared perhaps forever. “They shell. Lois envied Wanda the posses- are very valuable—my husband gave sion of Dick’s love. She herself had them to me ” Then came Harry cared for him for so long now that the Crawford’s soothing voice: “We’ll go caring had become part of her: she and report it at the police station, worked and ate and moved about with Mrs. Minton. Jerry, you’ll stay with it, lay down with it at night, and rose up the girls, won’t you? We’ll meet you with it in the morning. Sometimes she at Anderson’s beer garden in half an smiled a little secret smile in thinking hour.” And Jerry Barlow had said how amazed people would be if they “Sure. Come on, girls, we’ll go and knew that the conviction inside Lois try the prize thriller of the place. It’s Cranmer’s well-balanced brain was that called ‘Through the Dragon’s Valley,’ there was nothing on earth the least bit and they say it is a peach.” important but Dick Maynard! All clear now. She and Wanda and Her thoughts, and the increasing pain Jerry had gone to try the scenic railway that racked her body with returning life known as “Through the Dragon’s Val- and circulation, became jumbled up to- ley.” On the thick black darkness that gether, and a merciful blankness now surrounded her, Lois could still see wtapped her once more. mentally the high garish archway with This too passed, after what seemed the name in brilliant red letters flaring a century or two. The pain was sharp above it; could see the white ticket- and steady, now, but she was stronger. cage with the smiling girl in the gold-

Her mind was entirely clear and work- braided cap ; could see the waiting ing normally, save that it insisted on crowds, the glimpses of huge, cheap flinging recollections at her spasmodi- scenery that masked the dizzy curves cally, in detached scraps. The absence and dips of the railway, the incoming of continuity worried her, for she had car with its load of screaming, shout- a strong, and—save in regard to Dick ing, laughing people, bent on demon- —a logical mentality. strating how close the extremes of She remembered with a sudden flash sensation, pleasurable and the reverse, Ella Minton, the rich widow with the can come to actually meeting. And then cherubic proportions and the ornate the getting in the car herself, with jewels, who had chaperoned them. She Wanda. Only room for two on the had a round pink face and a giggle, and front seat, and they wanted to go there. she was wearing diamonds—diamonds Jerry Barlow had to squeeze in at the at an Amusement Park ! And then, hot very rear of the car. upon the flashing picture of Mrs. Min- Then followed the gliding rush into ton, came another, sudden, startling, a the first tunnel, the sickening, fascinat- tense, ugly moment balanced on the ing plunge downward, the leap up to theme of—what was it that glittered the crest of that hill of wooden scaffold- so ? Diamonds ! That was it—dia- ing, with the stars overhead, a million monds! They were all at a little table lights around and beneath them, a silver having iced drinks, and Ella Minton glimmer of the sea not far away. She was talking recalled' that Wanda had clung to her “I tell you I laid both those pins and cried, gasping: “Oh, this is the down on the table while I was fixing my worst yet. I’m frightened, Lois!” and —! —-!

Through the Dragon’s Valley 81 that at the moment she had been think-' we’ll see if together we can get this ing : “It’s got all the excitement of thing off me.” dying! That’s why we like it!” Wanda crept to her side, stopping of- Then—something had happened to ten to moan and declare she couldn’t do the universe. The sky had cracked it. And by the time she had reached asunder, the stars crashed into frag- Lois, what little nerve and strength she ments, there was no more world at all. may have had to begin with were gone. Only a monstrous, roaring confusion of She cast herself on the other’s shoulder all things, a return, thunderous and —causing Lois to wince with shut lips— cataclysmic, to the cosmic chaos. and gave herself up to pure hysteria. frantically, Lois Then nothing more till the pain. Sobbing she clung to and gasped out over and over again: It appeared that she was not the only “Oh, Lois I’m going to die here in one in pain. A faint, ceaseless moaning — —

this awful place ! I’m going to die die finally made itself heard by her hitherto —

die ! Oh, I can't die, I shan’t die unheeding ears. When she noticed it — Lois, what shall if they don’t get at last she knew that she had been hear- we do us out?” ing it subconsciously for some time. “You’ve been saying it over several She moistened her lips and tried to call times,” said Lois laconically. “We’ll out, but it was only after several vain die. they’ll get us out; they’ll get attempts that she was able to croak But you out, anyway. I’ve an idea that my harshly: “Who is it?” own particular clock has run down.” A low, sobbing cry—half of pain and Wanda hardly noticed the last words. half of relief answered her, Then Shewras listening eagerjy, and her hand Wanda’s voice, weak and tremulous, closed upon Lois’ arm in a convulsive came to her from close by : ‘KDh, Lois grip. Through the ruins of the scenic thank Heaven! I thought everyone in railway they could hear men’s voices the world was dead but me, and that I’d T’ shouting and calling excitedly, and there have to die here alone in the dark ! was the sound of heavy blows as though Lois smiled faintly and a little sar- they had begun to clear away the donically. It was so like Wanda to see wreckage. the situation only as it affected herself “They’re going to save us!” cried But, still in the painful, hoarse tone Wanda. “Oh, Lois, Lois! Do you which was all her bruised lungs seemed suppose we’ll live till then ?” able to emit, she said: “I can’t go to Lois was feeling rather faint. She you Wanda. There’s something big , had been making repeated efforts to rid and heavy part of the car, I think — herself of the weight that lay upon her, lying across me. Are you badly hurt?” ^but she knew that her strength must be “I ache all over,” wailed Wanda. inadequate and, for that matter, prob- “And my arm ” ably Wanda’s, too, even if she had cared “Yes, I know,” interrupted the older to try. girl with as much impatience as she had '“Lois!” whispered Wanda, close to strength for. “The only wonder is that her ear. “I—I’ve been terribly wicked we weren’t both killed instantly. I’m It would be awful to di#without telling afraid most of the others were, poor some one how wicked I’d been. Lois, souls ! I meant are you crushed, or — maybe we’ll both be dead in a little anything like that? Can you move, do while. Anyway ” she hesitated. you think?” “Anyway I probably shall,” said Lois, “Ye-es—but it hurts.” in a queer, faraway tone. “So I’m quite , !” “Never mind. Crawl over here, and safe. Tell me 82 Detective Story Magazine

"Lois, you know every one thinks longer were they unimportant or unin- we’re so awfully rich, but we aren’t, teresting. Not death himself could not really, any longer. We keep up ap- claim the attention of Lois Cranmer pearances, but for ages it’s been just when Dick Maynard was involved. that with dreadfully little back of it. She knew Dick well. They had been Mother helps ‘social climbers’ on the faithful friends for many years and the ; quiet for considerations and I—I play tie had never been frayed by a suspicion bridge, and—nearly always—win.” on his part that she loved him. She Her sad voice dropped till it was knew him, and she knew that Wanda nearly inaudible at the last word. was right. Kindly and generous in “You mean you cheat?” most of the relations of life, he would "I—yes.” A pause long enough for have no mercy on dishonesty. He

breath : a ; then "But—Lois—that isn’t would never marry a girl whom he knew the worst. I—well, you know people in to have been a thief, even if he loved our set have been—losing things lately.” her. And it was more than probable ” “You stole them? Well that the knowledge of the fact would All at once it came over Lois that in kill his love outright. Lois knew that a situation like theirs—waiting there in things like that do kill love in a man. the darkness, so close to death that they Not, in a woman—in fact, as she re- could touch its garments as it stood flected without bitterness, there are few irresolute beside them—such things as things that will kill love in women—ex-

stealing jewelry and cheating at cards cept, occasionally, starvation ! “And were unimportant and uninteresting. usually not even that, poor idiots !” she Surely there was, out there in eternity, thought, remembering her own lean but some court of law more nearly sublime loyal years. than the regulations and standards of And so to Lois—lying crushed, earth. Lois knew that stealing and broken, suffering, and helpless in a cheating were both wrong, but in this darkness that might at any moment strange and indefinably solemn hour merge into that greater and more mys- poor Wanda’s confession sounded terious darkness which is called the somehow ridiculous. shadow of death—came the great temp- “It’s like worrying about what sort of tation of her life. It was a real tempta- coffin you’ll have,” she murmured aloud. tion even though it was an unworthy

Then : “Don’t mind me, Wanda. I one. She could, always granted that think I’m a little light-headed. Don’t she was allowed to live until the res- worry; you can give Ella Minton back cuers reached them, tell the truth, brand her diamond pins—for of course you Wanda as a thief—the diamonds would took them—and I’m sure she won’t be sure to be upon her person some- prosecute or do anything beastly.” where—and could have the fierce “No, but she’ll talk, in confidence, to joy of knowing that whether she her- every one she knows, or / know, and self lived or died, Wanda would be out Dick will hear it—and you know what of Dick’s life forever. !” Dick is about honesty, and all that There was a deep, Indianlike streak

She broke dow* and wept more heart- of vengefulness in Lois Cranmer; it is brokenly than ever. just such natures, with their hard and Lois felt her vrhole being whirl with savage traits, which are often weakest her swift mental adjustment to this new in matters of love. Lois had a heart thought. Little Wanda’s sins had be- full of tenderness, but it was all for one come important at last since they af- person. To the rest of the world she fected, or would affect, Dick. No was merely kind and fair. ! : ;

Through the Dragon’s Valley 83

But Wanda "I thought you were dead—my own

All at once the name of this horrible love ! The structure broke, in the deep- scenic railway flashed across her mind est tunnel, and two cars Oh, it’s once more. “Through the Dragon’s too horrible. Poor Jerry Barlow! Valley !’\ Her brain, half delirious now Ghastly!—I say, where’s Lois? Is she from long strain and this unexpected all right?” crisis, painted the blackness before her “Very fit, thanks, Dicky,” said Lois with horrors and distortions, visualized calmly; “or will be when I am exca- ” the Dragon as her monstrous tempta- vated. If you would just tion, the thing she must fight and con- When they moved her, she fainted, quer if she wanted to die clean. but she did not die as soon as she had The perspiration poured down her hoped. In fact, after they had gotten face, not merely from weakness, not her out, and she lay under the glaring merely from pain, not even merely from festoons of the park lights, the hastily death. It was her soul's sweat of summoned surgeon rather frightened agony, the sweat of a big fight against her by telling her she had a chance. an enemy without mercy. Wanda hung about her, looking terri- The fantastic vision of the Dragon bly frightened. She was not sure, even filled fhe stuffy darkness—how appall- yet, what Lois meant to do about the ingly plose it was getting ! —as the diamond pins. Ella Minton, to do her noises made by the rescuing party drew justice, had dismissed the subject, and nearer. was really helpful and sympathetic, but “What shall I do, Loi\?” moaned Lois knew that the plump widow’s Wanda, and Lois felt her tremble as she cupidity would reawaken just as soon as pressed closer. Her own body did not this emergency should be past. She lay

it felt still holding the pins con- shake ; strangely —almost with closed eyes, rigid, in fact. And she was very cold, cealed. , and found it increasingly difficult to At last Wanda could bear the sus- breathe. pense no longer, and, leaning over her, The Dragon loomed vast, awful, in- whispered desperately ?” conceivably cruel. And then she found “Lois, are you going to tell she could., move her hand, though with .Lois opened her eyes and looked at difficulty, until it touched die younger her, then shook her head. Then, in a girl’s. voice heard only by Wanda, she began

“Give me the diamonds—quick 1” she to speak. » said, and at the same moment they saw “I suppose,” she said slowly; “that it a glimmer of light as the debris began would be harder to have to give some- to be heaved aside. She grasped two thing up after you’ve had it, than never cold, corrugated objects which Wanda’s to have it at all. Yes, I know it would. shaking fingers pressed into her palm. That ought to be reason enough for me There was no time for any further ac- to save you and let you keep—Dick. But tion, nor for any words. In another that isn’t the reason, not really. I’m a moment the men had shouldered and very one-ideaed person, you know. wormed and dug their way down to Dick wants you, and he shall have you them. The first was Dick, and by an that’s all. Nothing and nobody could electric torch the man next him carried, possibly count for anything with me he was ghastly. When he seized Wanda compared to Dick. . And in case I don’t in his arms he could not speak for a stand the next move so well as the last minute. —I hope you’ll be happy.” “Thank Heaven!” he said brokenly. And she meant it, chiefly because ! —

84 Detective Story Magazine with a woman like Wanda, that would truth. Why, it’s as impossible as ” mean that Dick would be happy too! that How queer everything was beginning For answer Lois slowly unclenched to look ! People, and houses, and the the stiffening fingers of her right hand. stars overhead, all mixed up together, In the multicolored glow of the electric and all out of proportion ! There was a lights that were still turned on, the dia- barker from one of the side shows, a fat monds glittered coldly and maliciously. man in yellow livery. He seemed to Mrs. Minton moved forward with a grow bigger and bigger, till he was as suppressed cry, then paused, half big as the moon ashamed of her eagerness at such a time. Then she looked at Dick, let her tired “Take them,” said Lois. eyes cling to the clean, comely vigor of And the widow did so. him, the race-horse build, the cleanly Dick Maynard turned without a modeled mouth and chin, the steady word, put his arm about Wanda, and eyes, grave and sorrowful now. She drew her away. She looked back, cry- looked—a long look, then pulled to- ing silently, but Lois would not meet gether every last ounce of strength and her eyes. courage that she had and spoke in a “Come, dear,” Dick said gently. “I clear steady voice which made the sur- must take you home to your mother. geon start, and watch her closely, for You need rest.” so do dying folk sometimes speak just In a moment they were gone. before the end. Ella Minton suddenly began to cry, ‘‘Mrs. Minton,” she said, “I am pretty her plump white hands spread before badly broken up, and perhaps I shan’t her face, and her round shoulders heav- get over it. I want to clear something ” ing with distress. up, first. You diamond pins !” for “Yes?” Even the imminent prospect “Oh, Lois she sobbed, hunting ran of Lois’ death could not keep Mrs. a handkerchief, while the tears Minton from being concerned about her frankly down her cheeks. “Why did thing? jewels. you do such a dreadful And think of its happening just before you “I stole them,” said Lois, without ” just before you are going to emotion. “I have been hard up lately, the handkerchief and and it was so easy to take them when She found again. “I’ve always been so you laid them down on the table, and sobbed — every one was looking at the procession fond of you, Lois,—and—and to steal !” like you, Lois, of camels. I stole them that’s all Why, it doesn’t seem — !” Dick Maynard started forward, his somehow face white and shocked. Lois smiled somewhat grimly. “Lois!” he exclaimed. “You are “Thanks !” she said, and closed her wandering; you can’t be speaking the eyes.

AN UNUSUAL ROMAN CUSTOM

I N Rome, if a master was murdered by one of his slaves, the law authorized that every slave belonging to the murdered man be put to death. In Athens, if a man was murdered, three members of his household could be held until the murderer was discovered, and if he were not found, these three people could be judged guilty in his stead. ;

<7)j

6/ Arthur J. Rees Author of “The Mystery of the Downs,” “The Hamstead Mystery,” etc.

SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS. A FTER a loss of consciousness resembling an epileptic fit, a young man, registered as Mr. Ronald, leaves the Grand Hotel at Durrington. The next day, David Colwyn, an American detective, and Sir Henry Durwood, an eminent London physician, who had observed Ronald’s seizure, hear that he is wanted for the robbery and murder ' of Roger Glenthorpe, an aged archaeologist, the preceding night. With Police Superintendent Galloway they go to the scene of the crime, an Inn some miles away. They find that the only persons known to be in The Golden Anchor at the time his of the murder were Mr. Glenthorpe ; Benson, the Innkeeper ; his Insane mother ; Peggy, daughter

Charles Lynn, a deaf waiter ; Ann, the maid ; and Ronald, who has disappeared. Marks from the Inn to the pit where Glenthorpe’s body had been thrown are identified as Ronald's shoe prints. Peggy, whom Colwyn had been watching, tells the detective that, requested by Glenthorpe, she had destroyed the dead man’s private papers. Informed by villagers that they have heard shrieks from the pit and have seen a man near It, Colwyn and a constable conduct a search. They find and arrest Ronald. Later it Is discovered that he is James Ronald Penreath, engaged to Constance Willoughby, and heir to a baronetcy.

CHAPTER XIV. have said that.” Mr. Oakham’s tone mr. oakham’s request. was both shocked and expostulatory. “Why not?” retorted Sir Henry in- HEN Colwyn went into lunch nocently. "Mr. Colwyn knows all the following day, after a about it—I told him myself. I thought walk on the shore at Durving- you wanted him to help you.” ton, he found Sir Henry Dur- “I am aware of that, but, my dear wood awaiting him in the lounge of the sir, this is an extremely delicate and Grand Hotel, with a visitor whose iden- difficult business. As Mr. Penreath’s tity the detective guessed before Sir professional adviser, I must*beg of you Henry introduced him. fo exercise more reticence.” “This is Mr. Oakham, Penreath’s “Then I had better go and have my lawyer,” said Sir Henry. “I have told lunch while you two have a chat,” said him of your investigation into this pain- Sir Henry urbanely, “or I shall only be ful case which has brought him to Nor- putting my foot in it again. Mr. Oak- folk.” ham, I shall see you before you go.” “I am returning to London by the Sir Henry moved off in the direction afternoon express, Mr. Colwyn,” said of the luncheon room. the lawyer. “I should be glad if you “Perhaps you will come to my sitting could spare me a little of your time be- room,” said Colwyn to Mr. Oakham. fore I go.” “We can talk quietly there.” “Certainly,” replied Colwyn courte- “Thank you,” responded Mr. Oak- ously. ham, and he went with the detective “Mr. Oakham saw Penreath this upstairs. \ morning before coming over,” said Sir Mr. Oakham, of Oakham and Pen- Henry. "He is quite mad, and refuses dules, Temple Gardens, was a little to say anything. Therefore, we have white-haired man of seventy, attired in ” come to the conclusion the somber black of the Victorian era, “Really, Sir Henry, you shouldn’t .with a polished, reticent manner befit- 86 Detective Story Magazine ting the senior partner of a firm of est doubt that this unhappy young man solicitors owning the most aristocratic has committed this murder.” practice in England; a firm so emi- “You have arrived at that conclu- nently respectable that they never ren- sion ?” asked the detective. dered a bill of costs to a client until he “It is impossible to arrive at any was dead, when the amount of legal ex- other conclusion, in view of the evi- penses incurred during his lifetime was dence.” treated as a charge upon the family “Which is purely circumstantial,” in- estate and deducted from the moneys terposed Colwyn. “I thought that per- accruing to the next heir, who, in his haps Penreath would have some state- turn, was allowed to run his allotted ment to make which would throw a course without a bill from Oakham and different light on the case.” Pendules. They were a discreet and “I will be frank with you, Mr. Col- dignified firm, as ancient as some of wyn,” said the lawyer. “You are ac- the names whose family secrets were quainted with all the facts of the case, locked away in their office deed boxes, and I hope you will be able to help us. and reputed to know more of the inner Penreath’s attitude is a very strange history of the gentry in Burke’s “Peer- one. Apparently he does not apprehend age” than all the rest of the legal pro- the grave position in which he stands. fession put together. I am forced to the conclusion that he is The arrest of the only son of Sir suffering from an unhappy aberration James Penreath, of Twelvetrees, Berk- of the intellect, which has led to his shire, on a charge of murder, had committing this crime. His conduct shocked Mr. Oakham deeply. The since coming to Norfolk has not been crime of murder was a thing hitherto that of a sane man. He has hidden outside his professional experience, and himself away from his friends and he believed that no gentleman would stayed here under a partially false commit a murder unless he were mad. name. I understand that he behaved in Since his arrival in Norfolk he had an eccentric and violent way in the come to the conclusion that young Pen- breakfast room of this hotel a few days reath wasTK5t only mad, but that he had ago, before leaving for the place where committed the murder with which he the murder was subsequently com- stood changed. Sir Henry Durwood mitted.” had been responsible for the first opin- “You have learned this from Sir ion, and the police had helped him to Henry, I presume?” form the second. Two interviews he “Yes. Sir Henry has conveyed to had had with his clien^ since the latter’s me his opinion, based on his observa- arrest had strengthened and deepened tion of Mr. Penreath’s eccentricity at both convictions. the breakfast table the last morning of his stay here, that is It was in this frame of mind that Mr. Penreath an Mr. Oakham seated himself in the de- epileptic, liable to attacks of furor epi- lepticus—a. phase of the disease which tective’s sitting room. He accepted a sometimes leads to outbreaks of terrible cigar from Colwyn's case and looked violence. He thought it advisable that amiably at his companion, who waited I should know this at once, in view of for him to speak. what has happened since. Sir Henry “This is very Mr. a unfortunate case, informed me that he confided a similar Colwyn,” the lawyer remarked. - opinion to you, as you were present at “Yes; it seems so,” replied Colwyn. the time and assisted him to convey “I am afraid there is not the slight- Penreath upstairs. May I ask what The Shrieking Pit 87 opinion you formed of his behavior at never been before, and murder an old the breakfast table, Mr. Colwyn?” man whom he had never seen previ- “I thought he was excited—nothing ously ? The police theory that this mur- more.” der was committed for the sake of “But the violence, Mr. Colwyn. Sir three hunched pounds, which the vic- Henry Durwood says Penreath was tim had drawn out of the bank that about to commit a violent assault on the day, seems incredible to me, in the case people at the next table when you both of a young man like Penreath.” interfered.” “The only way of accounting for the “The violence was not apparent—to whole unhappy business is on Sir me,” returned the detective, who did Henry hypothesis that Penreath is mad. not feel called upon to disclose his In acute epileptic mania there are cases secret belief that Sir Henry had acted in which there is a seeming calmness hastily. “Apart from the excitement of conduct, and these are the most he displayed on this particular morning, dangerous of all. The patient walks Penrealh seemed to me a normal and about like a man in a dream, impelled average young Englishman of his class. by a force which he cannot resist, and I certainly saw no signs of insanity does all sorts of things without con- about him. It occurred to me at the scious purpose. He will take long time that his excitement might be the walks to places he has never seen, will result of bad nerves. Has Penreath steal money or valuables, and commit ever shown any previous signs of epi- murder or suicide with apparent cool- lepsy?” ness and cunning. Sir Henry describes “Not so far ag I am aware; but hjs this as automatic action, and he says mother developed the disease in later that it is a notable characteristic of the years and ultimately died from it. Her form of epileptic mania from which illness was a source of great worry and Penreath is suffering. You will ob- anxiety to Sir James. Epilepsy, you serve that these symptoms fit in with all know, is hereditary.” the facts of the case against Penreath. “Pathologists differ on that point. I The facts, unfortunately, are so clear know something of the disease, and I that there is no controverting them.” doubt whether Penreath is an epileptic. “It seems so now,” said Colwyn He showed none of the symptoms which thoughtfully. “Yet, when I was in- I have always associated with epilepsy.” vestigating the facts yesterday, I came “An eminent specialist like Sir Henry across several points which suggested is hardly likely to be mistaken^ The the possibility of an alternative theory fact that Penreath seemed a sane and to the police theory.” collected individual to your eye proves “I should like to know what those nothing. Epileptic attacks are intermit- points are.” tent, and the sufferer may appear quite “I will tell you.” sane between the attacks. Epilepsy is a The detective proceeded to set forth remarkable disease. A latent tendency the result of his visit to the inn, and the to it may exist for years without those lawyer listened to him with close atten- nearest and dearest to the sufferer sus- tion. When he had finished Mr. Ohk- pecting it, so Henry says. Penreath’s ham remarked: case is a very strange and sad one.” “I am afraid there is not much in “It is a strange case in every way,” these points, Mr. Colwyn. Your sug- said Colwyn earnestly. “Why should a gestion that there were two persons in young man like Ronald go over to this the murdered man’s room is interesting,

remote Norfolk village, where he had but you have no evidence to support it. 88 Detective Story Magazine

The girl’s explanation of her visit to “I am afraid there is very little doubt the room is probably the true one. Far in this case,” replied the lawyer. “Here be it from me, as Penreath’s legal ad- is a young man of birth and breeding, viser, to throw away the slightest straw who hides from his friends under an of hope, but your conjectures— for, to assumed name, behaves in public in an my mind, they are nothing more—-do eccentric manner, is turned out of his not weigh against the array of facts and hotel, goes to a remote inn, and disap- suspicious circumstances which have pears before anybody is up. The body been collected by the police. And even of a gentleman who occupied the room if the police case were less strong, there next to him is subsequently discovered is another grave fact.” in a pit close by, and the footprints “You mean that Penrtath refuses to leading to the pit are those of our say anything?” said Colwyn. friend. The young man is subsequently “He appears to be somewhat indif- arrested close to the place where the ferent to the outcome,” returned the body was thrown, and not then, or lawyer guardedly. since, has he offered his friends any “It is his silence which baffles me,” explanation of his actions. In the cir- said Colwyn. “I saw him alone after cumstances, therefore, I shall avail my- his arrest, and said I was willing to self of Sir Henry’s evidence. In my help him if he could tell me anything own mind—from my own observation which would assist me to establish his and conversation with Penreath—I am innocence—if he were innocent. He convinced that he cannot be held re- replied that he had nothing to say.” sponsible for his actions. In view of “What you tell me deepens my con- tjie tremendously strong case against victions that Penreath does not realize him, in view of his peculiar attitude to the position in which he is placed, and you—and others—in the face of accu- cannot be held accountable for his ac- sation, and in view of his previous ec- tions.” centric behavior, I shall take the only “Is it your intention to plead mental possible course to save the son of Pen- incapacity at the trial ?” reath of Twelvetrees from the gallows. “Sir Henry has offered to give evi- I had hoped, Mr. Colwyn, that you, dence that, in his opinion, Penreath is who witnessed the scene at this hotel suffering from acute epileptic insanity and subsequently helped Sir Henry and is not responsible for his actions. convey this unhappy young man up- And that is the reason for my coming stairs, would see your way clear to sup- over here to see you this morning, Mr. port Sir Henry’s expert opinion thal Colwyn. You were present at the Penreath is insane. Your reputation breakfast table scene; you witnessed and renown would carry weight with this young man’s eccentricity and vio- the jury.” lence. The Penreath family is already “I am sorry, but I am afraid you under a debt of gratitude to you—will must do without me,” replied Colwyn, you increase the obligation? In other “In view of Penreath’s silence I can words, will you give evidence in support come to no other conclusion, though of the defence at the trial?” against my better judgment, than that “You want me to assist you in con- he is guilty, but I cannot take upon my- vicing the jury that Penreath is a crim- self the responsibility of declaring that inal lunatic,” said Colwyn ; “that is what he is insane. In spite of Sir Henry your defense amounts to. It is a grave Durwood’s opinion, I cannot believe responsibility. Doctors and specialists that he is, or was, in a condition of are sometimes mistaken, you know.” epileptic or post-epileptic automatism, The Shrieking Pit 89

It will be a difficult defense to establish but languid interest in the breasts of in the case of Penreath. If you wish the ordinary public. The newspapers the jury to say that Penreath is the had not given the story of the murder victim of a form of epilepsy in which much prominence in their columns, be- an outbreak of brutal or homicidal cause this particular case was not suffi- violence takes the place of an epileptic ciently sensational to appeal to the mass fit, with a similar break in the continu- of newspaper readers. ity of consciousness, you will first have Nevertheless, because of the peren- to convince the judge that Penreath’s nial interest which attaches to all mur- preceding fits were so slight as to per- der trials, the Norwich assizes court mit the possibility of their being over- was filled with spectators on the dull, looked, and you will also have to es- drizzling November day when the case tablish beyond doubt that the break in was heard, and the fact that the accused his consciousness existed from the time was young and good looking and of of the scene in the hotel breakfast room gentle birth probably accounted for the until the time the murder was com- sprinkling of well dressed women mitted. The test of that state is the apiong the audience. The younger ones unintelligent character of some of the eyed him with sympathy as he was acts of the sufferer. In my opinion, a brought into the courtroom. His good defense of insanity is not likely to be looks, his blue eyes,” his air of breeding, successful. Personally I shall go no his well-cut clothe? appealed to their further in the case, but I cannot give up sensibilities, and, if they had been given my original opinion that the whole of the opportunity, they would have ac- the facts have not been brought to light. quitted him, without the formality of a Probably they never will be—now.” trial, as far “too nice a boy” to have committed murder. CHAPTER XV. To the array of legal talent assembled together, the figure of the accused man FOR THE DEFENSE. had no personal significance; he was A LTHOUGH no hint of the defense merely a pawn in the great legal game, was supposed to transpire, the of which the lawyers were the players magic words “No precedent” were and the judge the referee, and the side whispered about in legal circles as the which won the pawn won the game. day for Penreath’s trial approached, As this particular game represented an and invested the case with more than attack on the sacred tradition of “prec- ordinary interest in professional eyes. edent,” both sides had secured the Editors of London legal journals en- strongest professional intellects possible deavored to extract something definite to contest the match. from Mr. Oakham when he returned to The leader for the prosecution was the metropolis to prepare the defense, Sir Herbert Templewood, a political but the lunches they lavished on him in barrister, with a society wife, a polished pursuit of information might have been manner, and a deadly gift of cross-ex- spent with equal profit on- the Sphinx. amination. With him was Mr. Grover The editors had to content themselves Braecroft, a dour Scotch lawyer of with sending shorthand writers to Nor- fifty-five, who was currently believed to wich to report the case fully for the know the law from A to Z. He was benefit of their circle of readers, whose a cunning and crafty lawyer, picked in appetite for a legal quibble was never the present case to supply the brains to satiated by repetition. Sir Herbert Templewood’s brilliance. On the other hand, the case aroused They were supported by a crown solici- 90 . Detective Story Magazine

tor well versed in precedents—a little into thp case. Mr. Oakman sat beside gray figure of a man, who sat with so Mr. Greyson, with various big books many volumes of judicial decisions and in front of him. reports of test cases piled in front of The judge was Mr. Justice Reding- him that only the upper portion of his ton, whose presence on the bench was gray head was visible above the books. always considered a strengthening fac- The defense relied mainly upon Mr. tor for the prosecution. Judges differ Reginald Middleheath, the eminent as much as ordinary human beings, and criminal counsel, who depended as are as human in their peculiarities as the much upon his imposing stage presence juries they direct and the prisoners they to bluff juries into an acquittal, as try. There are good-tempered and bad- upon his legal attainments, which were tempered judges, harsh and tender also considerable. Mr. Middleheath’s judges, learned and foolish judges, cardinal article of legal faith was that there are even judges with an eye to all juries were fools and should be self-advertisement, and a few wiso treated as such, because if they once ones. Mr. Justice Redington belonged got the idea into their heads that they to that class of judges who, while en- knew something about the case they deavoring to hold the balance fairly be- were trying, they were bound to convict tween the government and the defense, in order to sustain their reputa- see to it that the accused does not get tion for intelligence. One of Mr. Mid- overweight from the scales of justice. dleheath’s favorite tricks for disabus- Such judges take advantage of their ing a jury of the belief that it possessed judicial office by cross-examining wit- any common sense was, before ad- nesses for the defense after the crown dressing them, to stare each juryman prosecutor has finished with them, in in the face for half a minute or so with the effort to bring to light some damag- his piercing, penetrative eyes, accom- ing fact or contradiction which the pre- panying the look with a pitying, con- vious examination has failed to elicit. temptuous smile—the gaze and the In other respects Mr. Justice Reding- smile implying that counsel for the op- ton was a very fair judge, and he posite side may have flattered them into worked as industriously as any news- believing that their intelligences were paper reporter, taking extensive notes

fit to try such an intricate case, but of all his cases. they couldn’t deceive him. There were the usual preliminaries. Having robbed the jury of their self- First there was the lengthy process of esteem by this means, Mr. Middleheath empanelling a jury, with the inevitable would proceed to put them on good accompaniment of challenges and ob- terms with themselves again by insinu- jections, until the most unintelligent- ating in persuasive tones that the case looking dozen of the panel finally found was one calculated to perplex the most themselves in the jury box. Then the astute legal brain. He frankly con- clerk of arraigns gabbled over the

fessed that it had perplexed him at first, charges : wilful murder of Roger Glen- but as he had mastered its intricacies thorpe and feloniously stealing from the the jury were welcome to his labo- said Roger Glenthorpe the sum of riously acquired knowledge in order to three hundred pounds. To these help them in arriving at a right de- charges the accused man pleaded “not cision. Mr. Middleheath’s junior was guilty” in a low voice. The jury were Mr. Garden Greyson, a thin, ascetic- directed on the first indictment only, looking lawyer, whose knowledge of and Sir Herbert Templewood stood up medical jurisprudence had brought him to address the jury. ;:

The Shrieking Pit 91

Sir Herbert knew very little about the Ann, the servant the two men who had ; case when he did get up, but his junior recovered Mr. Glenthorpe’s body from did, pit testi- and what Mr. Braecroft didn’t the ; the Heathfield doctor, who know he got from the crown solicitor, fied as to the cause of death; Superin- who sat behind the barristers’ table, tendent Galloway, who gave the court ready to lean forward at the slightest the result of the joint investigations indication and supply any points which of the chief constable and him- required. assisted, Her- self at inn Police were So Sir the ; Constable bert ambled comfortably along, reserv- Queensmead, who described the arrest; ing his showy paces for the cross-ex- and Inspector Fredericks, of Norwich, amination of witnesses for the defense. who was in charge of the Norwich Sir Herbert commenced by describ- station when the accused was taken ing the case as a straightforward one there from Flegne. In order to save which would offer no difficulty to an another witness being called, counsel intelligent jury. It was true that it for the defense admitted that the ac- rested on circumstantial evidence, but cused man had registered at the Grand that evidence was of the strongest na- Hotel, Durrington, under a wrong ture and pointed so clearly in the one name, and left without paying his bill. direction, that the jury could come to Mr. Middleheath cross-examined no other conclusion than that the pris- none of the witnesses for the prosecu- oner at the bar had committed the mur- tion except the last one. Counsel’s der with which he stood charged. cross-examination of Inspector Fred- With this preamble, the crown prose- ericks consisted of two questions, in- cutor proceeded to relate the circum- tended to throw light on the accused’s stantial evidence against the accused, state of mind after his arrest. Inspector with the deliberate logic of the legal Frederick declared that, in his opinion, brain, piecing together incidents, in- Penreath was quite calm and rational. terpreting clews, probing motives, and Mr. Middleheath’s opening address fashioning the whole tremendous ap- to the jury for the defense was brief paratus of circumstantial evidence with and; to sharp legal ears, vague and un- the intent air of a man building an un- convincing. Although he pointed out breakable cage for a wild beast. As that the evidence was purely circum- Colwyn had anticipated, the incident at stantial and that, in the absence of di- the breakfast table of the Durrington rect testimony, the accused was entitled hotel was dropped from the prosecu- to the benefit of any reasonable doubt, tion’s case. he did not attempt to controvert the That part of the presentment was statements of the crown witnesses or confined to the statement that Penreath suggest that the prosecution had not es- had registered at the hotel under a tablished its case. His address, com- wrong name, and had left without pay- bined with the fact that he had not ing his bill. The first fact suggested cross-examined any of the crown wit- that the accused had something to hide nesses, suggested to the listening law- the second established a motive for the yers that he either had a very strong subsequent murder. defense or none at all. The point was Sir Herbert Templewood concluded left in suspense for the time being by his address in less than an hour, and Mr. Justice Redington suggesting that, proceeded to call evidence for the prose- in view of the lateness of the hour, cution. There were nine witnesses counsel should defer calling evidence that strangely assorted pair, the inn- for the defense until the following day. keeper and Charles, the deaf waiter; As a judicial suggestion is a command, 92 Detective Story Magazine the court was adjourned accordingly, tinuing till her death ten years ago. For the judge first warning the jury not to some years the attacks were slight, try to come to any conclusion or form without convulsions, but gradually the an opinion as to what their verdict disease became well developed, and sev- should be, until they had heard the evi- eral attacks in rapid succession ulti- dence for the prisoner. mately caused her death. In the wit- When the case was continued next ness’s opinion epilepsy was a hereditary day the first witness called for the de- disease, frequently transmitted to the fense was Doctor Robert Greydon, an offspring if either or both parents suf- elderly country practitioner, who stated fered from it. that he practised at Twelvetrees, Berk- “Have you ever seen any signs of shire, and was the family doctor of the epilepsy in Lady Penreath’s son—the Penreath family. In reply to Mr. Mid- prisoner at the bar ?” asked Sir Herbert, dleheath he stated that he had fre- who began to divine the direction of the quently attended the late Lady Pen- defense. reath, the mother of the accused, for fits “Never,” replied the witness. or seizures from which she suffered “Was he under your care in his in- periodically, and that the London spe- fancy and boyhood ? I mean, were you cialist who had been called into con- called in to attend to his youthful ail- sultation on the occasion had agreed ments ?” with him that the seizures were epileptic. “Yes, until he went to school.” “I want to give every latitude to the “And was he a normal and healthy defense,” said Sir Herbert Temple- boy?” wood, rising in dignified protest, “but I “Quite.” am afraid I cannot permit this con- “Have you seen him lately?” asked versation to go in. My learned friend Mr. Middleheath, rising to reexamine. must call the London specialist if he “Yes.” wants to get it in.” “And did you then notice ' a marked "I will waive the point, as my learned change in him?” friend objects,” said Mr. Middleheath, “Very marked indeed. He struck me satisfied that he had “got it in” the as odd and forgetful at times, and oc- jury’s ears.” “I will content myself casionally he seemed momentarily to with asking Doctor Greydon whether, lose touch with his surroundings. He from his own knowledge, Lady Pen- used to be very bright and good-tem- reath suffered from epilepsy.” pered, but recently he has been irritable “Undoubtedly,” replied the witness. and moody, nervous, and very silent.” “One moment,” said the judge, look- The little doctor was then permitted

his existence depended. “May I take it that there was noth- The next witness was Miss Constance ing terrifying in his behavior—nothing Willoughby, who gave her testimony in to indicate that he was not in his right low, clear tones and with perfect self- mind ?” possession. It was observed by the "No,” replied the witness slowly.' feminine element in court that she did "He did not frighten me, but I was not look at her fiance, but kept her eyes concerned about him. He certainly

steadily fixed on Mr. Middleheath. Her looked ill, and I thought he seemed a story was a straightforward and simple little strange.” one. She had seen Mr. Penreath, to “As though he had something on his whom she was engaged, several weeks mind?” suggested Sir Herbert. before the date of the murder. He “Yes,” said the witness. had then been moody and depressed, “Were you aware that the accused, and had had lapses into absent-minded- when you saw him before he departed ness and periods of intense nervous- for Norfolk, was very short of money?” ” ness. She did not question him about “I was* not. If I had known his illness, as she thought he did not “You would have helped him—is that want to talk about it. He told her he what you were going to say?” asked intended to go away for a change until Mr. Middleheath, as Sir Herbert re- he felt well again. He had not made sumed his seat without pursuing the up his mind where to go, but he point. thought somewhere on the east coast, “My aunt would have helped Mr.

where it was cool and bracing, would Penreath if she had known he was in suit him best. He would write to her, monetary difficulties.” he said, as soon as he settled anywhere. “Thank you.” Mr. Middleheath sat She did not see him again and did not down, pulling his gown over his shoul- hear from him or know anything of his ders. movements till she read his description The witness left the stand. in a London paper as that of a man The appearance of Sir Henry Dur- 94 Detective- Story Magazine wood as the next witness indicated to influence the subject was capable of crown counsel that the principal card committing the most violent outrages, for the defense was about to be played. even murder, without being conscious Sir Henry represented the highest of the act. trump in Mr. Middleheath’s hand, and “There is no doubt in your mind that if he could not score with him the the accused man had an attack of petit game was lost. mal in the breakfast room of the Dur- Sir Henry seemed not unconscious rington hotel the morning before the of his importance to the case, as he murder?” asked Mr. Middleheath. stepped into the stand and bowed to the “None whatever. All the symptoms judge with bland professional equality. pointed to it. He was sitting at the His evidence was short but to the point, breakfast table when he suddenly and amounted to a recapitulation of the ceased eating and his eyes grew fixed. statement he had made to Colwyn in The knife which he held in his hand Penreath’s bedroom on the morning of was dropped, but as the attack increased the episode in the breakfast room of the he picked it up again and thrust it into Grand Hotel, Durrington. Sir Henry the table in front of him—a purely au- related the events of that morning for tomatic action, in my opinion. When the benefit of the jury, and in sonor- he sprang up from the table a little ous tones expressed his professional while afterward, he was under the in- opinion that the accused’s strange be- fluence of the epileptic fury and would havior on that occasion was the result of have made a violent attack on the people an attack of epilepsy— mal, com- sitting at the next table if I had not bined with furor epilepticus. seized him. Unconsciousness then The witness defined epilepsy as a supervened, and, with the aid of an- disease of the nervous system, marked other of the hotel guests, I carried him by attacks of unconsciousness, with or to his room. It was there I noticed foam without convulsions. The loss of con- on his lips. When he returned to con- sciousness, with severe convulsive sciousness he had no recollection of seizures, was known as grand mal; the what had occurred, which is consistent transient loss of consciousness, without with an epileptic seizure. I saw that convulsive seizures, was called petit his condition was dangerous, and urged mal. Attacks of petit mal might come him to send for his friends, but he re- off at any time, and were usually ac- fused to do so.” companied by a feeling of faintness and “It would have been better if he had vertigo. The general symptoms were followed your advice. You say that it sudden jerkings of the limbs, sudden is consistent with epilepsy for him to tremors, giddiness, and unconscious- have had no recollection of what oc- ness. The eyes became fixed, the face curred during this seizure in the hotel slightly pale, sometimes very red, and breakfast room. What would a man’s there was frequently some almost au- condition of mind be if, during an at- tomatic action. In grand mal there was tack of petit mal, he committed an act always warning of attack in petit violence, murder, for example?” an ; Af say mal there was no warning, as a rule, “The mind is generally a complete but sometimes premonitory giddiness blank. Sometimes there is a confused and restlessness. Furor epilepticus was sense of something, but the patient has a medical term applied to the violence no recollection of what has occurred, displayed during attacks of petit mal, a in my experience.” violence which was much greater than “In this case the prisoner is charged that of extreme anger, and under its with murder. Could he have committed :

The Shrieking Pit 95 this offense during another attack of Durwood, at least, believed in his own furor epilepticus and recollect nothing evidence, and took himself very seri- about it afterward? Is that consist- ously as a specialist. Like most stupid ?” ent men who have got somewhere in life, “Yes, quite consistent,” replied the Sir Henry became self-assertive under witness. the least semblance of contradiction, “Is epilepsy a hereditary disease?” and he grew violent and red-faced “Yes.” under cross-examination. He would “And if both parents, or one of them, not hear of the possibility of a mistake suffered from epilepsy, would there be in his diagnosis of the accused’s symp- a great risk of the children suffering toms, but insisted that the accused, from it?” when the witness saw him at the Dur- “Every risk in the case of both per- rington hotel, was suffering from an

sons being affected ; some probability in epileptic seizure, combined with furor the case of one.” epilepticus, and was in a state of mind “Thank you. Sir Henry.” which made him a menace to his fellow Mr. Middleheath resumed his seat, creatures. It was true Sir Henry quali- and Sir Herbert Templewood got up to fied his statements with the words “so cross-examine. far as my observation goes,” but the qualification was given in a manner XVI. CHAPTER which suggested to the jury that five THE END OF THE TRIAL. minutes of Sir Henry Durwood’s ob- M OT only did Sir Henry Temple- servation were worth a month’s of a wood disbelieve the evidence of dozen ordinary medical men. the specialist, but he did not think the Sir Henry’s vehement insistence on witness believed in it either. Sir Her-, his infallibility struck Sir Herbert as a bert did not think any the worse of the flagrant violation of the rules of the witness on that account. It was one of game. He did not accept the protesta- the recognized rules of the game to al- tions as genuine thought Sir Henry ; he low witnesses to stretch a point or two was overdoing his part and playing to in favor of the defense, where the so- the gallery. He grew nettled also, and cial honor of highly respectable fam- with a sudden access of vigor in his ilies was involved. tone, said

Sir Herbert saw in the present de- “You told my learned friend that it fense the fact that the hand of his ven- is quite consistent with the prisoner’s erable friend, Mr. Oakham, had not malady that he could have committed lost its cunning. Mr. Oakham was a the crime with which he stands charged,

very respectable solicitor, acting for a and remember nothing about it after- very respectable client, and he had wards. Is that a fact?” called a very respectable Harley Street “Certainly.” specialist—who, by a most fortuitous “In that case, will you kindly explain circumstance had been staying at the how the prisoner came to leave the inn same hotel as the accused, shortly be- hurriedly, before anybody was up, the fore the murder was committed—to morning after the murder was com- convince the jury that the young man mitted? Why should he run away if was insane, and that his form of in- he had no recollection of his act?” sanity was epilepsy, a disease which had “I must object to my learned friend prolonged lucid intervals. describing the accused’s departure from Sir Herbert made one mistake in his the inn as ‘running away,’ ” said Mr. analysis of the defense. Sir Henry Middleheath, with a bland smile of pro- —

96 Detective Story Magazine test. “It is highly improper, as no- bined with furor epilepticus, for a man body knows better than the crown to commit murder, conceal the body of prosecutor, and calculated to convey an his victim, and remember nothing about altogether erroneous impression on the it afterwards?” minds of the jury. There is not the “Quite consistent, though the prob-

slightest evidence to support such a ability is, as I said before, for him to statement. The evidence is that he saw have some hazy recollection when he the servant and paid his bill before de- came to his senses, which would lead parture. That is not running away,” l to his leaving that place as quickly as » Very well; I will say hastened he could." away,” replied Sir Herbert impatiently. “Would it be consistent with petit “Why should the accused hasten away mal for a man to take a weapon away from the inn if he retained no recol- beforehand, and then, during a, sudden lection of the events of the night?” fit of petit mal, use it upon the unfor- “He may have had a hazy recollec- tunate victim?” tion,” replied Sir Henry. “Not of the “If -he took the weapon for another act itself, but of strange events hap- purpose, it is quite possible that he pening to him in the night—something might use- it afterwards.” like a bad dream, but more vivid. He “I should like to have that a little may have found something unusual clearer,” said the judge, interposing. such as wet clothes or muddy boots “Do you mean, to get the weapon for for which he could not account. Then another, possibly quite innocent pur-

he would begin to wonder, and then, pose, and then use it for an act of vio- perhaps, there would come a hazy recol- lence ?” lection of some trivial detail. Then, as “Yes, my lord,” replied Sir Henry. he came to himself, he would begin to “That is quite consistent with an at- grow alarmed, and his impulse, as his tack of petit mal.” normal mind returned to him, would be “When a man has periodical attacks to leave the place where he was, as of petit mal, would it not be possible, soon as he could. This restlessness is a by observation of him between the at- characteristic of epilepsy. In my opin- tacks, or when he was suffering from ion, it was this vague alarm, on finding the attacks, to tell whether he had a himself in a position for which he tendency to them?” could not account, which was the cause “No, only in a very few and excep- of the accused’s leaving the Durring- tional cases.” ton hotel. His last recollection, as he, “In your opinion epilepsy is a heredi- told me at the time, was entering the tary disease?” breakfast room; he came to his senses “Undoubtedly.” in his bedroom, with strangers about “Are you aware that certain eminent him.” French specialists are of the opinion “Does not recollection return com- that hereditary influences play a very pletely in attacks of petit mol?” small part in epilepsy ?” “Sometimes it does; sometimes not. “That may be.” Sir Henry dis- I remember a case in my student days missed the views of the French physi- where an epileptic violently assaulted a cians with a condescending wave of his man in the street—almost murdered fat white hand. him, in fact—then assaulted a man who “That does not alter your own opin- tried to detain him, ran away, and re- ion ?”

membered nothing about it afterwards.” “Certainly not.” “Is it consistent with petit mat, com- “And do you say that because this The Shrieking Pit 97 man’s mother suffered from epilepsy the lips was a distinguishing mark of the chances are that he is suffering from epilepsy. it?” “It generally indicates an epileptic “Pardon me, I said nothing of the tendency,” replied Sir Henry. kind. I think the chances are that he Sir Herbert Templewood, on behalf would have a highly organized nervous of the Crown, proceeded to call rebut- system, and would probably suffer from ting medical evidence to support the some nervous disease.” Crown contention that the accused was “How often do attacks of petit mal sane and aware of the nature of his occur?” asked Sir Herbert. acts. The first witness was Doctor “They vary considerably, according Henry Manton, of Heathfield, who to the patient—sometimes once, a week, said he saw the accused when he was brought into the station from Flegne by sometimes monthly ; and there have been cases in which the attacks are sep- Police Constable Queensmead. He arated by months.” seemed perfectly rational, though dis- inclined to talk. “Are not two attacks in twenty-four “Did hours unprecedented?” you find any symptom upon him which pointed to his having re- “Unusual, but not unprecedented. cently suffered from epilepsy of any The excitement of going from one place kind?” asked Sir Herbert. to another find walking miles to get “No.” there would be a predisposing factor. “Do you agree with Sir Henry Dur- Prisoner would have been suffering wood that between attacks of epilepsy, from the effects of the first attack when the patient would exhibit no signs of he left the Durrington hotel, and the the disease?” asked Mr. Middleheath. excitement of the change and the “What do you mean by ‘between the fatigue of walking all day would have ” attacks ?’ been very prejudicial to him, and ac- “I mean when he had completely re- count for the second and more violent covered from one fit and before the attack.” next came on,” explained counsel. “How long do the after-effects last “I quite agree with that,” replied the —of an attack of petit mal, I mean?” witness. “It depends on the violence of the at- “How long does it usually take for a tack. Sometimes as long as five or six man to recover from an attack of epi- hours. The recovery is generally at- lepsy ?” \ tended with general lassitude.” “It depends on the severity of the “There is no evidence to show that attack.” the prisoner displayed any symptoms of “Well, take an attack serious enough epilepsy before the attack which you to cause a man to commit murder.” witnessed at the Durrington hotel. Is “It may take hours—five or six it not unusual for a person to reach the hours. He would certainly be drowsy age of twenty-eight or thereabouts and heavy for three or four hours af- without showing any previous signs of terward.” a disease like epilepsy?” “But not longer—he would not show “There must be a first attack—that symptoms for thirty-six hours?” goes without saying,” interposed the “Certainly not.” judge, testily. “Then, may I take it from you, doc- That concluded the .cross-examina- tor, that, after the five or six hours’ tiqn. Mr. Middleheath, in reexamina- recovery after a bad attack, an epilep- tion, asked Sir Henry whether foam at tic might show no signs of the disease 98 Detective Story Magazine

—not even to medical eyes—till the next very wide. He talked learnedly of the attack ?” difficulty of diagnosing epilepsy except “I should say so,” replied the wit- after prolonged observation, and cited ness. “But I am not an authority on lengthily from big books—which a court mental diseases.” constable brought into court one by one “Thank you.” —on symptoms, reflex causes, auras, The next witness was Dpctor Gilbert grand mal, petit mal, Jacksonian epi- Horbury, who described himself as lepsy, and the like. medical officer of His Majesty’s prison, The only admission of any value that Norwich, and formerly medical officer Mr. Middleheath could extract from of the London detention prison. In Doctor Horbury was a statement that reply to Sir Herbert Templewood, he while he had seen no symptoms in the said he had had much experience in prisoner to suggest that the latter was cases of insanity and alleged insanity. an epileptic, epileptics did not, as a rule, He had had the accused in the present show symptoms of the disease between case under observation since the time attacks. he had been brought to the jail. He “Therefore, assuming the fact that was very taciturn, but quiet and gentle- Penreath is subject to epilepsy, you manly in. his behavior. His tempera- would not expect to find any symptoms ture and pulse were normal, but he slept of the disease during the time he was badly, and twice he complained of pains awaiting trial?” asked Mr. Middle- in the head. Witness had seen no signs heath, eagerly following up the opening. which suggested, to his mind, that pris- “Possibly nothing that one could oner was an epileptic. In reply to a di- swear, to,” rejoined the witness, in an rect question by Sir Herbert Temple- exceedingly dry tone. wood, he expressed his deliberate pro- Mr. Middleheath essayed no more fessional opinion that accused was not questions but got the witness out of the suffering from epilepsy in any form. box as quickly as possible, trusting to Epilepsy did not start off with a bad his own address to remove the effect of attack ending in violence—or murder. the evidence on the mind of the jury. There were first premonitory symptoms At the outset of that address he pointed and slight attacks extending over a con- out that the case for the Crown rested siderable period. upon purely circumstantial evidence, From this point of view the witness, and that nobody had seen prisoner com- a dour, gray man, refused to be driven mit the murder with which he was by cross-examination. He contrived, charged. The main portion of his re- too, to convey the impression that his marks was directed to convincing the own observation of accused, covering jury that the prisoner was the unhappy a period of nine days, was a better guide victim of epileptic attacks, in which he for the jury in arriving at a_ conclusion was not responsible for his actions. Mr. as to the accused’s state of mind than Middleheath scouted the theory of mo- Sir Henry’s opinion, formed after a tive, as put forward by the Crown. It single and limited opportunity of diag- was not fair to suggest that the treas- nosing the case. He also managed to ury note which the accused paid to the infer, in a gentlemanly professional servant at the inn was necessarily part way, that Sir Henry Durwood was de- of the dead man’s money which had dis- servedly eminent in the medical world appeared on the night of the murder as a nerve specialist rather than as a and had not since been recovered. The mental specialist, whereas witness’ own fact that accused had been turned out of experience in mental cases had been the Grand Hotel, Durrington, for not The Shrieking Pit 99 paying his hotel bill, was put forward laid particular emphasis on the evidence by the Crown Nas demonstrating that he of Sir Henry Durwood, whose name was in a penniless condition, but that was known throughout England as one assumption went too far. It might well of the most eminent specialists of his be that a man of accused’s social stand- day. Sir Henry, Mr. Middleheath ing would have a pound or two in his pointed out, had seen the prisoner in a pocket, although he might not be able fit at the Durrington hotel, and he had to meet a hotel bill of thirty pounds. emphatically declared that the accused , “Can you conceive of this young was an epileptic, with homicidal ten- man, this heir to an old and honorable dencies. Such an opinion, coming from name, with everything in life to look such a quarter, was, to Mr. Middle- forward to, committing an atrocious heath’s mind, incontrovertible proof of murder for three hundred pounds?” the prisoner’s insanity, and he did not continued Mr. Middleheath. “The see how. the jury could go behind it in traditions of his name and race, his up- coming to a decision. bringing forbid the sordid possibility. Sir Herbert Templewood’s address Moreover, he had no need to commit a consisted of a dry marshaling of the crime to obtain money. His father, facts for and against the theory of in- his friends, or the woman who was to sanity. Sir Herbert contended that the be his wife, would have instantly sup- defense had failed to establish their plied him with the money he needed, if contention that the accused man was not they had known he was in want. To a in his right mind. He impressed upon young man in his station of life three the jury th^ decided opinion of Doctor hundred pounds is a comparatively Horbury, who, as physician of the met- small sum. Is it likely that he would ropolitan receiving jail, had probably a have committed murder to obtain it? wider experience of epilepsy and in- “On the other hand, the prisoner’s sanity than any specialist in the world. recent actions strongly suggest that his Doctor Horbury, after nine days’ close mind has been giving way for some time observation of the accused, had come to past. The fatal taint of inherited epi- the conclusion that he was perfectly lepsy, which was in his blood, has be- sane and responsible for his actions. gun to manifest itself. His family doc- Mr. Justice Redington commenced tor and his fiancee have told you that his summing up by informing the jury his behavior was strange before he left that in the first place they must be sat- for Norfolk; since coming to Norfolk isfied that the prisoner was the person it has been unmistakably that of a man who killed Mr. Glenthrope. He did not who is no longer sane. Was it the con- think they would have much difficulty duct of a sane man to conceal his where- on that head, because, although the evi-

abouts from his friends and stay at a dence was purely circumstantial, it hotel, without money, till he was turned pointed strongly to the accused, and the out, when he might have had plenty of defense had not seriously contested the money, or at all events saved himself charge. Therefore, if they were satis- the humiliation of being turned out of fied that the accused did cause the death the hotel, at the -cost of a telegram? of Mr. Glenthorpe, the only question And why did he subsequently go miles that remained for them to decide was across country to a remote and the state of the prisoner’s mind at the wretched inn, where he had never been time. If they were satisfied that he was before, and beg for a bed for the night? not, however, insane at the time, they Were these the acts of a sane man?” must find him guilty' of murder. If In his peroration Mr. Middleheath they came to the conclusion that he was 100 Detective Story Magazine

insane at the time he committed the a disease like epilepsy. Doctor Horbury, act, they would return a verdict that on the other hand, had declared that the he was guilty of the act charged against prisoner showed nothing symptomatic him, but that he was insane at the time. of epilepsy while awaiting remand. In His lordship painstakingly defined Doctor Horbury’s opinion, he was not the difference between sanity and in- an epileptic. Therefore the case re- sanity in the eyes of the- law; but, solved itself into a direct conflict of though his precise and legal definition medical testimony. called forth appreciative glances from “The contention for the defense,” the lawyers below him, it is doubtful continued his lordship, leaning forward whether the jury were much wiser for and punctuating his words with sharp the explanation. After reviewing the taps of his fountain pen on the desk in

evidence for the prosecution at consid- front of him, is this : ‘Look at this case erable length, his lordship then pro- fairly and clearly and you are bound to ceeded, with judicial impartiality, to come to the conclusion that this man is state the case for the defense. The case not in a sound frame of mind.’ The for the prisoner, he said, was that he prosecution, on the other hand, say: had been strange or eccentric for ‘The facts of this case do not point to some time previous, that his eccentricity insanity at all, but to deliberate mur- deepened into homicidal insanity, and der for gain.’ The defense urge fur- that he committed the act of which he ther: ‘You have got to look at the stood charged, while suffering under an probabilities. No man in the prisoner’s attack of epilepsy, which produced a position, a gentleman by birth and up- state of mind that led the sufferer to bringing, the heir of an old and proud commit an act of violence without un- name, with a hitherto unblemished derstanding what he was doing. In reputation and the prospects of a long view of the nature of this defense the and not inconspicuous career in front jury were bound to look into the pris- of him, would, if in his senses, have oner’s family and hereditary history, murdered this old man.’ That is a mat- and into his own acts before the mur- ter for you to consider, because we do der, before coming to a conclusion as know that brutal crimes are commit- to his state of mind. ted by the most unlikely persons. But The defense, he thought, had proved the prosecution also allege motive, and sufficient to enable the jury to draw the you must consider the question of mo- conclusion that Lady Penreath, the tive. It is suggested—and it is for you mother of the prisoner, was an epilep- to consider whether rightly or wrongly tic. The assertion that the prisoner suggested—that there was a motive in himself was an epileptic rested upon killing this man, because the prisoner the evidence of Sir Henry Durwood, was absolutely penniless and wanted to for the evidence of Miss Willoughby get money. and the family doctor went no further “Gentlemen, you will first apply your than to suggest a slight strangeness or minds to considering all the evidence, departure from the prisoner’s usual and you will next consider whether you demeanor. Sir Henry Durwood, by are satisfied that the prisoner knew the reason of his professional standing, was difference between right and wrong so entitled to be received with respect, but far as the act with which he is charged he had himself admitted that he had is concerned. You must decide had no previous opportunity of diagnos- whether he knew the nature and quality ing the case of the accused, and that it of the act, and whether he knew the dif- was difficult to form an exact opinion in ference between that act being right, The Shrieking Pit 101

and that act being wrong. The law London. One never knows, of course. presumes him to be of sane mind and If the jury remain out over an hour I

able to distinguish between right and think we will pull it off.” wrong, and it is for him to satisfy you, But the jury returned into court after if he is to escape responsibility for this an absence of forty minutes. The act, that he could not tell whether it was judge, who was waiting in his private right or wrong. If you are satisfied of room, was informed, and he entered the that, you ought to say that he is guilty court and resumed his seat. The jury of the act alleged but insane at the time answered to their names, and then the

it was committed. If you are not sat- clerk of arraigns, in a sing-song voice,

isfied on that point, then it is your duty said: to find him guilty of murder. Gentle- “Gentlemen, have you agreed upon men, you will kindly retire and consider your verdict? Do you find the prisoner your verdict.” guilty or-not guilty of willful murder?” The jury retired, and there ensued a “Guilty!” answered the foreman, in period of tension, which the lawyers a loud, clear voice. employed in discussing the technicali- “You say that he is guilty of murder, ties of the case and the probabilities of and that is the verdict of you all ?” an acquittal. Mr. Oakman thought an “That is the verdict of us all,” was acquittal was a certainty, but Mr. Mid- the response. dleheath, with a deeper knowledge of “James Ronald Penreath,” continued the ways of provincial juries, declared the clerk, turning to the accused man, that the defense would have stood a and speaking in the same sing-song better chance of success before a Lon- tones of one who repeated a formula don jury, because Londoners had more by rote, “you stand convicted of the imagination than other Englishmen. crime of willful murder. Have you “You never can tell how a muddle- anything to say for yourself, why the headed country jury will decide a highly court should not give you judgment of technical ^base like this,” said Sir Her- death according to law ?” bert peevishly. “I’ve lost stronger cases The man in the dock, who had turned than this before a Norfolk jury. Nor- very pale, merely shook his head. folk men are clannish, and Horbury’s The judge, with expressionless face evidence carried weight. He is a Nor- and in an expressionless voice, pro- folk man, though he has worked in nounced sentence of death.

To be continued in the next issue of DETECTIVE STORY MAGAZINE, out next Tuesday, December 17th. Do not forget that, as the magazine comes out every week, you will not have long to wait for further chapters of this exceptional serial.

LAW VERSUS WEALTH

\X7E sometimes hear it said that justice at the present time is such that it V ’ favors always the rich, and that if a man has sufficient money, he can generally have sentence fpr almost any offense which he commits, at least light- ened, if not suspended. If such be the case—we will not attempt to discuss it here—there is a certain similarity to former times, for, according to old Roman law, a citizen was inviolable. Before he could receive corporal punishment he

must be reduced to the rank of a slave ; while in France, during the Middle Ages, a noble could not be punished until he had been reduced from his rank. —

"4 Harry H. Dean*

LITTLE bell tinkled very ness. Some one was creeping softly softly and Stanlaw, sitting up the stairs. Then the waiting man in his cozy den, reading, heard the sluff-sluff of soft-soled shoes promptly came to attention. along the hall. He knew a window was being raised Now Stanlaw knew the intruder somewhere below stairs. He was sure must pass his door before entering any he was to have a visitor. He had ex- one of the second-floor rooms. He pected, even hoped for, this man to put waited, breathing softly, as he listened in his appearance for the past several to the man making his almost noiseless nights. Now he had come. Stanlaw way along the hall. knew that, just as he knew the exact Suddenly Stanlaw saw a denser blur reason for his coming. in the darkness that choked the door- Herbert Stanlaw was a man a little way leading to the hall. Once more past thirty years of age—a tall, his hand found the .switch, gave this a straight, athletic individual, with a turn, and the room suddenly was rather handsome face, tanned to a rich flooded with a blinding white light. brown by much living in the open; a There, framed in the doorway, stood broad forehead, black hair, and keen, a man. The lower part of his face was dark eyes. He had about him the air covered by a black mask, his cap was of a man who enjoys life immensely pulled low over his eyes, but he was of one who was in the habit of extract- blinking in the sudden, staggering glare. ing a large amount of enjoyment from Stanlaw still sat in his chair beside the little, everyday things, as well as his reading table, his right arm out- from the ones of greater proportions. stretched, a heavy automatic pistol in He was wealthy, educated, and had his hand, carefully covering the man traveled much, often pushing his way to before him. some little-known spot of the earth, “Come in,” he said pleasantly. seeking rare curios and studying the The burglar stumbled forward and language and customs of some almost- Stanlaw motioned him to a chair. extinct people. He still was a student When he was seated, Stanlaw contin- and spent much of his time in investi- ued: gation—anything which offered a new “No doubt, my friend, you know angle of research. This work often led something about guns. If you do, you him along strange lines and brought to will recognize the one which I have him many amusing experiences. trained on you at present as being of a Stanlaw now had laid aside his book very fast, very deadly type. I dislike and sat tensely listening. From some- to pay myself the compliment but I

where below stairs he caught a faint, will say that I know how to use it. almost imperceptible sound—like the Last year I won first honors in the tri- tread of a cat that stalks a mouse. State revolver shoot. Now, may I He snapped off the switch of his trouble you for any weapons which you reading lamp, leaving the room in dark- may happen to have concealed about Without Influence 103

your person ? Remember, no tricks, “What ! Don’t you mean to turn ’em either.” loose on me ?” For a moment the burglar looked Genuine amazement expressed itself steadily into Stanlaw’s eyes. He evi- in the man’s words. dently saw in the calm, cool man before “That is exactly the meaning I tried him one with whom it would be folly to convey,” Stanlaw replied. “You see, to trifle, for he brought forth from his I rather welcome your coming. I took coat pockets a blackjack and a pistol, your gun simply as a matter of precau- the latter almost identical with that tion. I know exactly what you have which Stanlaw was holding. He threw come for, but I cannot know to what the blackjack on the table, theft ex- means you might resort in order to tended the pistol, butt first, to Stanlaw, achieve your ends.” making a mock bow as he did so, “I fail to get you exactly,” the burglar Stanlaw took the gun and placed it confessed. on the table, his own close beside it. “You know, do you not, that I have “That is better,” said he. “I think in my possession a very valuable ruby we can talk now without danger of in- —a stone that has quite a history—and terruption.” one that you would, no doubt, prize “Well, since you have me at your very highly?” mercy,” the stfanger began, “I suppose “I do.” the next thing for you to do is to call in “And you’ve come for that ruby?” the police.” “Frankly speaking, I have.”

“Oh, no,” Stanlaw assured him, “the “And, just as frankly ^speaking, it is next thing for me to do is to ask you to yours.” remove your cap and mask.” “What !” His fingers toyed with the butt of the Again amazement was written large heavy automatic. in the burglar’s face. Without a moment’s hesitation the “I said the ruby was yours. It now man removed his cap and took away the rests in that cabinet over there in the piece of black cloth which had con- corner, third drawer from the top, cealed the lower part of his face. right-hand side. Remember the loca- Stanlaw noted, with a little thrill of tion. I shall ask you to go for it in a satisfaction, that this was not the ordi- little while.” nary type of burglar. The fellow was The man sat speechless. He plainly well dressed and he had about him an showed that this was something he had unmistakable air of refinement. His not expected. face was rather sharp and he had a “But,” Stanlaw continued, “before thin, straight nose, reddish-brdwn hair, you go for the ruby I wish to tell you and bold, brown eyes. His lips were a little story. I assure you it will not thin, almost colorless, and his mouth take a great while, and, as you still drooped slightly at the corners. His have the greater part of the night be- well-kept hands, with their long, blen- fore you, need have no fear of the po- der fingers, were as white and shapely lice, and—I trust—are quite comfort- as those of a woman. They were the able, I can see no reason why you hands of an artist almost. should object to listening. “And now, my friend,” Stanlaw was “You see, I wish to make this thing saying, “I can tell you that, in so far as perfectly clear to you; and, as this you are concerned, I have no business story, which I am about to relate, has with the police. I shall deal with you to do with this- same ruby, it is one alone.” which you should know, since you in- 104 Detective Story Magazine tend to have the stone in your pos- servant showed them into an almost session when you leave this room.” bare room where, on a low divan, re- The man settled himself more com- clined a man of incalculable age. His fortably in his chair and smiled, say- yellow skin was dry and seamed and ing: “Go to it.” cracked like leather that has been ex- Stanlaw pushed matches and a pack posed to the elements for a long period of cigarettes across the table toward the of time. His hair was gone and his burglar, at the same time lighting one hands, with their thin, bony fingers and himself. He then went on: long, pointed nails, were like the talons “A good many years ago, when my of some bird of prey. His legs were great-grandfather was a young man, withered and he could not walk, but in he, in company with three others of an his eyes there burned an unquenchable equally adventurous nature, were trav- fire, and his tongue still retained its eling in the interior of China, and while powers. A great book lay open on the there they heard of a mandarin in one floor at his side , while the pungent of the upper provinces who possessed odor of incense, burning in a tall cen- what was said to be the finest ruby in ser, filled the room. the whole world. “My great-grandfather, who spent “Now I am going to be entirely frank some little time in China and who knew with you, and while one always should a bit of the language, carried on the speak reverently of the dead, I am go- conversation with the old man. He told ing to tell you that my great-grand- the mandarin they had heard of the father was a bad sort. He was a man wonderful ruby which he had in his who, when he really wanted a thing, possession, and asked that they be al- would stop at nothing which would aid lowed to look upon the priceless stone. him to carry out his desire. “At this the old man became very “Well, as I said, my great-grand- much agitated. He replied that none father and his companions heard of this but the faithful servants of his own wonderful ruby. Of course my ances- gods had ever looked upon the sacred

tor wanted it, as did each of the others. fire which burned in the heart of the But they pooled their interests and ruby and which had been there since started out to get the stone, my great- the beginning of the world. grandfather trusting that, by fair means “The ruby, so the old man said, had

or foul, it would come into his hands in been given to the first man of his fam- the end. ily, when the world was still young and “When the four adventurers reached the race but beginning, by the daughter the city wherein lived the mandarin of a great Chinese deity, who had who owned the wonderful ruby, they found it one day while walking by the found that it was going to be a difficult sea. There was not in the world enough

task .to obtain an audience with the old money to buy it, and my great-grand- gentleman, to say nothing of getting a father, still insisting that he must see glimpse of the famous ruby. the ruby, was ordered from the place. “The mandarin was a very old man. “At first he refused to go but sud- He had come to be looked upon as a denly something caused him to turn and prophet by his people, and thus was glance to the rear. What he saw there held in great esteem. seems to have brought about a swift de- “At last, however, by some method cision. A curtain had parted in what known only to themselves, the adven- before had appeared to be a portion of turers obtained an audience with the the wall of the room, and in that space mandarin. Arriving at his house, a there stood a man who was tall and Without Influence 105 powerfully built—a giant almost—with so doing he would be able to allay the a long, naked blade in his hand. The terrible agony which was being inflicted four adventurers, realizing that the mo- upon his body. ment for their departure had arrived, “First they stood the old man on his hastily left the room. head for long periods of time, always “Having the story of the wonderful demanding the ruby. When they found ruby confirmed by the old mandarin this was of no avail they tied his hands himself only made them more deter- behind him, twisting his arms until they mined to possess the stone, so they at were almost tom from their sockets. once set about perfecting their plans Notwithstanding that the old man had for securing it. told them such dogs as they could not “First they must arrange to get safely inflict pain upon one protected by the away. This they accomplished by se- gods as he was, his old, mummy-like curing the services of several natives of face twisted itself into the most hor- an adjoining province, who happened to rible grimaces, and it seemed that his be in the city at the time and who eyeballs were being forced from their agreed, for a certain sum in gold, to cavities. guide them safely across the border. “This also failed. Then they placed the real problem of se- their victim in chair one of the men “Then came a ; curing the ruby. How were they to en- sat before him with a leveled revolver ter the mandarin’s house? And how and counted off the time, swearing that were they to find the stone, once they at the tenth count he would fire. had forced an entrance, not knowing “Several times they tried this, but it where it was concealed? brought no results. They were grow- “Then it was that my great-grand- ing tired, as well as desperate, so my father, who seems to have possessed the great-grandfather told the old man- brains of the party, decided that the darin he should have but one more only way to secure the stone would be chance. He still refused to reveal the to enter forcibly the mandarin’s room, whereabouts of the stone, you see, and slay the guard, if there was a guard, the adventurers well knew if they and then compel the old man to reveal killed him they would never discover the whereabouts of the ruby. it. That was the only reason they had “Well, they succeeded in getting into spared his life so long. the room. The big man again was “This time they stretched the old there, but was surprised before he could man on the floor ; my great-grandfather defend himself. He went down at the took a long, keen knife, held it directly first blow from the butt of a revolver over the heart and began to press in the hands of my great-grandfather. down. The sharp point sank into the The old man, who still was on the di- old mandarin’s flesh and blood began to van, was quickly seized by one of the flow from the wound, but still he would party, who clapped a heavy hand over not speak. his mouth, thus preventing any outcry. “Then it was that my great-grand- “They' then demanded the ruby, and father, becoming terribly angry, said the old mandarin, of course, refused to with an oath that the old man should make known its whereabouts. never speak again. With this he seized “Then, their anger running wild be- the mandarin’s tongue, drew it out to

cause they had been foiled at this point its full length, then severed it. in the game, they began a system of tor- “And as he did so something fell ture calculated to make a man give up from the old man’s mouth and rolled anything which he might possess, if by upon the floor. One of the party bent — !

106 Detective Story Magazine down and picked up this thing. It was States and went to his old home to live. the great ruby, all wet and sticky! Shortly after arriving there he died a “Then, though there were in the very singular and painful death. His room only the four adventurers, the . body appeared to have been burned unconscious guard, and the old man- from head to foot. The ruby then went darin, who seemed to be breathing his to my grandfather. He took the stone last, there came a voice in their midst, to the river, intending to dispose of it and this voice, thin and high-pitched as by tossing it into the water. He was had been that of the old man, put upon found some time later, drowned, and that stone a curse so terrible that the the ruby was picked up on the shore faces of all four of the men blanched near the point where he was last seen with fear, though but one among them alive. After this the stone went to an could understand the awful significance uncle of mine, then in succession to of the words uttered. two of his sons. All have died sudden, “Death, violent, hideous, damnable, and, in most cases, violent deaths. The he invoked upon whosoever should un- stone now has come into my possession, dertake to keep in his possession that and I am confident something of the stone. Upon some would death fall in- sort will in a short time happen to me,

stantaneously ; upon some would it unless I can dispose of the ill-fated come like a lingering, withering blight, thing.” causing them to pray for the release There was silence in the room, save which would be for many, many days for the little clock on the mantel, that denied them. ticked out its monotonous measures of “The man who had picked up the time. ruby suddenly crumpled in a heap on “I think,” Stanlaw said at last, “that the floor. He died without a word. is about all. If you are ready to do so, Then another of the adventurers, with you may now get the ruby.” an oath, tore the stone from the dead The man hesitated, looking at Stan-

man’s hand, wrapped it in a bit of oiled law in a startled sort of way. Seeing

silk and concealed it about his person. this, Stanlaw took both guns from the With that he and the two others left table, dropped them into a coat pocket, hurriedly. then went to the cabinet in the corner “On the way to the coast this man of the room. He pulled out one of the was bitten by a viper. He lived sev- small drawers and returned with it to eral days, tormented by an intense suf- the table. From this drawer he took a

fering, finally dying in great agony. leather case, opened it, and there, This left but my great-grandfather and wrapped in many folds of oiled silk, one other of the original quartet. This was the great ruby. He unwound the other man had taken the ruby from his covering, exposing the stone to view. dying companion. “Take it up,” he told the man. “A few days later he was stricken The fellow did so, then dropped it with a slow fever, deserted and left to quickly. His thumb and index finger, die in the jungle by my ancestor and where they had come in contact with the native guides. My great-grand- the stone, were stained the color of father had, of course, lifted the ruby, blood and he swore that he would get safely “Ugh !” He shivered, wiping his out of China with the precious stone fingers on a handkerchief, which he that no heathen curse could have power then threw upon the floor. “You to bring harm to him. couldn’t hire me to take that thing.” “Well, he finally reached the United Without another word Stanlaw re- Without Influence 107 wound the silken covering about the fear, especially fear of the supernatural, ruby, replaced it in its leather case, then is the ruling element of the world.” dropped it back into the cabinet drawer. Midnight came and Stanlaw decided “I think I’ll be going,” suddenly an- he had best make the rounds of his nounced .the burglar. “Since I’ve lower floor before retiring. The win- thought of it, I didn’t come for your dow whereby the would-be burglar had ruby, anyway. I merely thought I did. entered must be attended to and the I wonder if you’d let me have my gun. front door fastened. Rather costly things now, you know.” With these things in mind he went

“Certainly; take it along,” Stanlaw down the stairs to the lower floor. told him, handing over the gun. “It First he entered his dining room, and looks like a good one, and you may the sight which fell upon his eyes there have need of it some time. You can go caused him to halt with a sharp gasp of out by way of the front door, as it is astonishment. not fastened. Sorry you will not take Stanlaw always had been rather the ruby. Good night.” proud of his collection of old silver, cut The burglar immediately went glass, and rare and beautiful china, through the doorway, and Stanlaw owning many pieces of value. heard him hurrying along the hall and Practically everything worth taking down the stairs. A little later the clos- was gone. A small safe, built into the ing of the front door told him the man wall and which had been concealed be- had gone. hind the buffet—wherein the more val- Once more Stanlaw seated himself in uable pieces were kept—now stood open his big armchair beside his reading table and empty. and lighted another cigarette. Then it was that Stanlaw saw a note “Well,” he mused, “my. friend, spread out on the dining table. It had Jimmy Steele, certainly did an excellent been hastily scrawled with a lead pen- job on that story he wrote for the Sun- cil. Taking it up, he read: day Courier, in which he described the Dear Friend: I feel that I should not fabulous ruby which I was supposed to leave your house without first expressing a keep lying around as though it were a few words in appreciation of your kindness. bit of colored glass. That was a bully good story you told me about the old ruby. Of course I did not be- “I was sure the story would bring lieve a word of it but it had a convincing one, it some and did—a fine specimen. ring, all right. Just as soon as I saw the The old ruby has practically no value ruby I knew it was worthless. It has a flaw but the story I told the man so impreg- in it a blind man ought to be able to dis- cover. But, as you will have learned by this nated him with a sense of fear that he time, our little expedition has not been alto- would not have taken the thing for gether without profit. While I was being worlds. That was a brilliant idea of so well entertained in your room, my part- Steele’s—putting the heavy, red ink on ner was very busy below stairs. Thanks for the stone. The fellow really believed giving him plenty of time. We both wish you better luck in the future. it was blood. — “Anyway, to-morrow I must write Slowly the tense muscles relaxed and my old friend, Professor Cosgrove, the a smile spread itself over Stanlaw’s result of my experiment, as this will be face. - another link in the long chain of evi- “Well,” he said thoughtfully, “I

dence which he already has gathered, guess I’ll not write Cosgrove, after all. and will add weight to his claim that The joke seems to be on me!” :

SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS. TN the bungalow she occupies at Furmville with Marla Fulton, her sister, Mrs. George Withers Is murdered and her Jewels stolen. Lawrence Bristow, also a member of the Furmville resort for consumptives, Is appointed by Chief of Police Greenlcaf to investigate the crime. Sam Braceway, a famous Southern detective, in love with Miss Fulton, also takes up the case. His suspicions fasten upon Henry Morley, teller In a Washington bank, while Bristow Is determined to convict Perry Carpenter, a negro. A statement from Lucy Thomas, Mrs. Withers' maid, and bits of white skin found under Perry’s finger nails support Bristow’s case against the negro. Roddy, a bell J>oy, tells Braceway that Morley entered the Brevord Hotel twice the night of the murder, once with a beard and once clean-shaven. However, Abrahamson, a pawnbroker, believes that George Withers, husband of the murdered woman, pawned some of the missing Jewels. Morley, Bristow, and Brace- way go to Washington, where, after being shadowed by assistants of Braceway, Morley is arrested. Ills story of the night of the murder contradicts Withers' statement. Bristow, having returned to Furmville, receives a cryptic telegram from Braceway.

CHAPTER XXVI. as a result of the advertising he had re- FOR A CONFERENCE. ceived. He made his decision at once. For HE next morning was the the past two days the Loutois kidnap- crowded beginning of the big- ing had commanded big space in the gest day in Bristow’s life, and newspapers, and he was familiar with m the trip to the library to con- the story. Emile Loutois, junior, young sult the “Encyclopaedia Britannica” to son of the wealthiest sugar planter in find out the meaning of Braceway’s Louisiana, had been spirited away from telegram, was delayed. The hired au- the pavement in front of his home. It tomobile was waiting in front of Num- had been done at twilight with striking ber Nine when a second telegram came, boldness, and no dependable trace of a bulky dispatch, «crawled with a pen the kidnapers had been found. across several pages. The messenger boy was waiting on

Dated from New Orleans, it read the porch. Bristow typewrote his reply on a sheet of note paper: Reward of five thousand dollars for dis- covery of my seven-year-old son within next Terms accepted. Starting for New Or- six days. Kidnaped last Friday night. No leans at once. clew so far. Am most anxious for your help. On his way to the door, he stopped Will pay you two thousand dollars and ex- and reflected. He went back to the penses and, in addition to that, will pay you typewriter and sat down. not the reward money if you are successful. Will He had pay the two thousand whether you' succeed yet found out the real meaning of the or not. City and State authorities will give Braceway message; and he did not pro- you all the help needed. at if Come once pose to leave Furmville until he was as- possible. Wire answer. Emile Loutois. sured that nothing could be done to It was characteristic of Bristow that blur the brightness of his work on the he was not particularly surprised or Withers case. elated by the request for his services. It He realized, and at the same time re- was the kind of thing he had foreseen sented, the tribute he paid Braceway :

The Winning Clew 109 through his hesitancy. The man was ous detail, concluding with his convic- a clever detective and, if left to domi- tion that Morley, although a thorough nate Greenleaf unopposed, might easily scoundrel, was innocent of any hand in focus attention on a new theory of the the murder. crime—not that this could result in the “I wish I could agree with you,” said all acquittal of the negro ; but it might de- the old man. “I wish we could sat- prive him, Bristow, of the credit he was isfy our minds and take the evidence now given. against the negro as final. But we Wouldn’t it be well for him to stay in can’t. At least, I can’t. I can’t believe Furmville another twenty-four hours? anything but that the disguised man, There was Fulton, the murdered the one with the beard, is the one we’ve woman’s father—Bristow wanted to got to find.” learn how fully he approved of Brace- “You still think that man is Morley?” way’s refusal to accept the case against “I do—which reminds me I came up Perry Carpenter. Moreover, it seemed here to tell you something I got from essental now that he discover the Maria, my daughter. She told me she whereabouts of Withers. And twenty- had talked with you quite frankly. Well, four hours could hardly change any- she recalls that once she and this Morley thing in the kidnaping case. were discussing the wearing of beards He tore up what he had written, and and mustaches; and he made this re- rattled off mark: ‘One thing about a beard, it’s ” Held here twenty-four hours longer by the best disguise possible.’ Withers case. Start to New Orleans to-mor- “That is interesting, Mr. Fulton. row morning. Terms accepted. Anything else?”

As he handed it to the boy, he saw “Yes. He had a good deal to say to Mr. Fulton coming up the steps. He that general effect. He said even a greeted the old gentleman with easy, mustache, cleverly worn, changed a smiling cordiality and pushed forward man’s whole expression. That struck a chair for him, giving no sign of im- me at once, remembering that the jewels patience at being delayed in his trip were pawned in Baltimore by a man to the library. who wore a mustache. Then, too, Mor- The simple dignity and strength of ley said something about the value of Fulton’s bearing was even more im- eyebrows in a disguise, substituting pressive than it had been during their bushy ones for thin ones, or vice versa. first talk. The lines were still deep He had the whole business at his in his face, but his eyes glowed splen- tongue’s end.” didly, and this time, when he rested his “He said all that, in what connec- hands on the chair arms, they were tion—crime ?” steady. “She can’t recall that. She merely “I’ve come to beg news,” he an- remembers he said it. I thought you’d nounced, his apologetic smile very win- like to know of it.” ning. “Of course. We can’t have too that’s always true. the “Just what news?” asked Bristow. many facts ; By “I’ll be glad to give you anything I way, sir, can you tell me where Mr. can.” Withers is?”

“The real results of your trip ; that’s The reply was confident. “In At- what I’d like to know about. I got no lanta..” letter or telegram from Sam Braceway Seeing that he knew nothing of his this morning, no report at all.” son-in-law’s disappearance, Bristow Bristow told him the story in gener- dropped the subject, and asked: !

110 Detective Story Magazine

“What is Miss Fulton’s belief now? “No,” Fulton said; “I don’t. What She still thinks Morley is the man ?” do you mean ?” The old man hitched his chair closer “That ypu, Withers and Praceway to Bristow’s and lowered his voice. are afraid Withers may be accused, di- “She says a curious thing, Mr. Bris- rectly accused, of the murder of his tow. She declares that, if Morley isn’t wife.” guilty, George Withers is.” “Ah ! They’re saying that, are "And you?” they?” The old man struggled for self-control. “And you were going to “Oh, the talk about George is ab- ?” surd 1” say—what

“Simply this : The negro’s the guilty "But,” urged Bristow, his smile per- man. There can’t be any question of suasive, “for the sake of argument, if ” it, Mr. Fulton. The facts speak for circumstances pointed to him as themselves, and facts are incontroverti- “I'd spend every -dollar I have, use ble. As surely as the sun shines, Car- the last atom of my strength, to send penter killed your daughter. Why, him to the chair 1” Fulton interrupted then, continue this gossip, slander which with surprising heat. “No suffering, besmirches Withers and is bound to at- no torture, would be too much for him tack your daughter’s name?” —if that’s what you mean to ask me. “What do you mean ?” returned Ful- If I even suspected him, I’d subject him ton, little wrinkles multiplying about to an inquiry more relentless, more his eyes. “Be a little more specific, searching, more merciless than I’d. use please.” with anybody else!” “I mean, what do you and Withers His nostrils expanded curiously. His gain by letting Braceway keep this eyes flamed. thing before the public?” “Mr. Bristow,” he said, menace in Fulton leaned far forward in his his low tone, “no punishment ever de- chair, his lower lip thrust out, his eyes vised by man could be sufficient to pay blazing. for, to atone for, the horror, the enor- “No, sir!” he exclaimed. “I’ll never mity, of the destruction of such a call Braceway off! They’re gossiping, as was. woman my daughter Mercy? are they ? They can gossip until they’re I’d him no if show mercy he lived a blue in the face. What do J care for thousand years!” public opinion, for gossip, for their leers “I understand your feeling,” Bristow and whispers? Nothing—not a snap said with striking sympathy. “You’re of the finger! What I want is venge- perfectly right, of course. And what I ance and I make no secret of it. I was leading up to is this : Although we want vengeance for my daughter’s suf- know that the idea of Withers’ guilt is fering and death ! And I’ll have it absurd, he’s being made to suffer. Call Braceway off? Sneak away into You’ve seen intimations, almost direct retirement and quit hunting for the statements, in the newspapers. People man ? Not while there’s breath in me are talking disagreeably. “I’m going to see this thing through. “They’re saying that Braceway, em- Make no mistake about that, Mr. Bris- ployed by you and Withers, is persecut- tow. And it will be through when we ing this bank thief in the hope of build- get the man who robbed and killed her ing up the murder charge, so that, if —just then, and no sooner!” the case against Carpenter falls down, He paused and bit on his lips. Morley will be the logical man to be put “Understand me, Mr. Bristow,” he on trial. You see?” continued, his tone more moderate, “I — :

The Winning Clew Ill meant no criticism of you; I know how cumstances, he would not have cared faithfully you’ve worked. I realize for the intense and interested scrutiny even that you have proved your case. with which the girl at the desk favored

But I can’t accept it, can’t accept it him. The attitude he took gave her that’s all. You’ll forgive an old man’s ample opportunity for a study of the temper.” back of his head. Bristow carried the argument no fur- Opening the volume, he turned to the ther. He saw that Fulton, and Withers, first reference, page 506, column 2, line too, would follow Braceway’s lead. 15 to line 17. At the first word he drew

it Consequently, he was confronted with a quick breath ; was sharp enough to the necessity of keeping up the idiotic sound like a low whistle. He read: duel with the Atlanta detective. Albino, a biological term (Lat. albus, Moreover, he sensed the viewpoint white), in the usual acceptation, for a pig- of the dead woman’s family. They mentless individual of a normally pigmented race. were averse to believing she had been the victim of an ordinary agent, a negro Putting his finger on the top of the burglar. Remembering her beauty and second column, page 506, he counted charm, her cleverness and lovable qual- down to line 17, and read ities, they preferred to think that some Albinism occurs in all races of mankind, great emotion, or a terrific gift for among mountainous as well as lowland dwell- crime, had ended her life, cut short her ers. And, with man, as with other animals, brilliant existence. it may be complete or partial. Instances of the latter condition are very common among People, he meditated, find foolish and the negroes of the United States and of bizarre means of comforting them- South America, and in them assumes a pie- selves when overwhelmed by great bald character, irregular white patches being scattered tragedy. Very well, then; let it go at over the general black surface of the body. that. After all, it was not his funeral. If they preferred to crucify themselves Before he began to think, he read the still further and for nothing, it was passages carefully a second time. Then their own lookout. He would make no he continued to hold the book open, more attempts to simplify things. staring at it as if he still read. Accompanying Fulton to the side- The importance ofi-the words struck walk, he climbed into the automobile him immediately. He grasped their and, in a few minutes, was in the li- meaning as quickly and as fully as he brary asking for the first volume of the would have done if Braceway had stood

last edition of the “Encyclopaedia Bri- beside him and explained it. The skin tannica.” His limp proclaimed his of a white person and that of an albino identity, and the young woman at the show up the same under a microscope desk, recognizing him, got the book for —white. If a man had under his finger him with surprising promptness. nails particles of white skin, he could His habits of thought were such that have collected them there by scratching he had not wasted energy during the an albino as well as by scratching a morning in idle speculation as to what Caucasian, a white woman. he would find. In fact, he attached but Lucy Thomas was an albino. He

little importance to Braceway’s mes- was certain of that, did not question it sage. He had dismissed it the night be- for a moment. Braceway had assured fore as a queer dodge on the other’s himself of that before sending the tele- part to bolster up his view of the case. gram. He went to a desk in a remote part Perry Carpenter had had a fight or a of the reading room. Under any cir- tussle with her in securing the key to — ' : —

02 Detective Story Magazine

Number Five the night of the murder, Perry’s confession yes it- would have — ; and in the scuffling he had scratched made a difference then. her. That, at least, would be Perry’s “Let the heathen rage !” he thought, story and Lucy’s. Braceway had been remembering the bitter stubbornness certain of that also before wiring to with which Braceway and Fulton de- him. nied the negro’s guilt. As a matter of fact, Braceway had Braceway’s withholding the aiuino in- known all this before they had started formation, playing him for a fool, re- for Washington and had kept it back, curred to him, and the accustomed flush laughing up his sleeve. The thought on his cheeks grew deeper. He would

him, finally thor- it nettled made him not forget that ; he would pay back oughly angry. He compelled himself with interest. to weigh the new situation carefully. He turned to the Loutois case. Going Well, what of it, even if Lucy were to his typewriter, he made a list of New

an albino and Perry had scratched her? . Orleans, Atlanta, and New York news- Did that affect materially the case papers. against Perry? There was still evi- “Mattie,’’ he called, “I want you to go dence to prove that he had been to the down to a news stand, the big one; I Withers’ bungalow. He had confessed think it’s at the corner of Haywood it himself. And the lavalliere incidents and Patton.” and the blouse buttons substantiated it He handed her money. still further. “And here’s a list of the papers you’re The albino argument was by no to get. Ask for all of them published means final, could not be made definite. since last Friday. Be as quick as you The fact remained that there had been can. I’m in a hurry.” scratches on the murdered woman’s When she came back, she brought hand and that particles of a white per- also the early edition of the Furmville son’s skin had been found under Perry’s afternoon paper. He glanced at it, finger nails. That was not to be denied. looking for Washington or Baltimore Of course, the negro’s attorney could news of Braceway’s activities. He argue that these particles had come found it on the front page. The head- from Lucy Thomas, not, from Mrs. lines, written with that journalistic Withers. cleverness which says a great deal by in- But it would be only an argument. timation without definitely stating any- The jury would pass judgment on it thing, read and he was willing to leave it to the FINDS NEW EVIDENCE ON WITH- jury. Ninety-nine men out of a hun- ERS MURDER. MORLEY dred would laugh at the Lucy Thomas GUILTY, OR—WHO? idea. Whereabouts of Murdered Woman’s Hus- He closed the book, took it back to band Not Known—Braceway Predicts the desk and thanked the young woman. New and Amazing Disclosure. There was nothing in his appearance to The dispatch itself was: indicate disappointment. In fact, he Washington, D. C., May 14.—That an en- felt none. the time he reached home By tirely new light will soon be thrown on the he had gone over the whole thing once brutal murder of Mrs. Enid Fulton Withers, more and dismissed it as of no real con- beauty and society favorite of Atlanta and sequence. Braceway’s discovery, or his Washington, became known here to-day. Samuel S. Braceway, probably die ablest making the discovery known, had come private detective in this country, left this too late. city yesterday afternoon for Furmville, If it had been brought opt ahead of North Carolina, the scene of the crime, after :

The Winning Clew 113 he had completed an exhaustive investiga- why should he hurry back to Furm- tion in of more or less here and Baltimore ville? There was nothing new here. obscure matters related to the murder. Po- He shrugged his shoulders and lice officials here state that the negro, Perry Carpenter, now held in the Furmville jail unwrapped the bundle of out-of-town for the crime, will never go to trial. papers. This, they claim, will be but one result of “It’s like ‘button, button, who’s got the work Braceway did here and in Balti- the button ?’ ” he thought. “Morley or more. The detective himself was reticent they’ll when interviewed just before he caught his Perry? Perry or Morley ? And train, but, as he stood on the platform, nob- all get back to where I started; they’ll bily dressed and twirling his walking stick, indict Perry, try Perry, condemn Perry, he the picture of confidence. was electrocute Perry.” “I think you’re safe in saying,” he ad- Remembering late he had re- mitted, “that the Withers’ case hasn’t yet how been settled. We’re due for some surprising ceived the albino message the night be- disclosures, unless I miss my guess.” fore, he concluded that Braceway had “Can you tell us anything about the sus- filed it in Washington during the after- picions directed against Henry Morley?” he noon, with instructions that it be sent was asked, reference being made to the night Washington bank clerk who is already under as a message. His resentment charges of embezzlement here. against Braceway flared up again. “It’s Morley or—somebody else,” Brace- “Amazing disclosure,” he mentally way said smilingly. “Anybody can study the quoted the headlines. “We shall see facts and satisfy himself on that point.” what shall see. Perhaps it will “Who’s the somebody else?” we come “We’ll know pretty soon. In fact, things as an amazing disclosure to him that should develop in less than a week, consid- I’ve been on the sound side of this ques- erably less than a week.” tion all along.” One of the interesting side lights on this He began the work of cutting from mysterious murder case, it was learned this morning, is that the whereabouts of her hus- the papers'the accounts of the Loutois band, George S. Withers, of Atlanta, is at kidnaping. As he read them, he built present unknown. Dispatches from Atlanta up a tentative outline showing who the he disappeared from there the morning say kidnapers were and where they prob- his wife’s funeral took place. Advices from ably had secreted the boy. He grew Furmville are that he is not there with his father-in-law and sister-in-law. Braceway absorbed, whistling in a low key. said yesterday he knew nothing of Withers’ So far as he was concerned, the whereabouts. Withers case was a closed incident. Beneath the Washington dispatch Early in the afternoon he called was one from Atlanta Greenleaf on the telephone, and an-

nounced : Inquiry made here to-day failed to disclose where George S. Withers, husband of the “I’m leaving town for a few days to- victim of the brutal crime at Furmville, morrow mornifig.” North Carolina, is now. He left this city “Again! What for?” the chief asked. the morning Mrs. Withers was buried, ac- “They’ve asked me to work out thal cording to his friends, but said nothing as kidnaping case in Orleans—the to his destination or the probable length of New time he would be away. Loutois child.”

The Atlanta authorities were asked by the ! it “Good I’m glad to hear ; I con- Washington police to locate him if possible. gratulate you.” No reason for the request was given. Greenleaf was sincerely pleased. He There was a smile on Bristow’s lips felt that he had sponsored and de- when he tossed the paper to one side. veloped the lame man as a detective. Braceway, he deduced from the article, “Thanks. Before I go, I want tc was having his troubles making the have a talk with you. We might a; ” Morley theory hang together. And well go over everything before : ;

114 Detective Story Magazine

“That reminds me. I was just about her. And his voice, as he spoke to her, to call you up, but your news made me was all a vibrant tenderness. He real- forget. I’ve a wire from Braceway; ized that he had found and finally made just got it. He filed it at Salisbury, on certain his happiness, had done so at the his way here. Let me read it to you very moment of making public his “ ‘Have all the stuff I can get on greatest professional triumph. Withers case. Can not go further be- For his visit to her he had stolen a fore confering with you, Bristow, Ful- half hour from the rush of work that ton, and Abrahamson. Please arrange had devolved upon him since reaching meeting of all these at Bristow’s bunga- Furmville a few hours ago. He found low eight to-night. Withers not with her as he had expected; she had ful- me. filled his prophecy that, in following her “That fits in,” Bristow commented own ideals, she would take her place in “lets me start for New Orleans on the the world as a fascinating personality, a late night train.” lovable woman. “Wonder what he’s got,” the chief But, while he studied and praised her said. “Do you know ?” new charm, he was conscious—more “No. And I don’t believe it amounts keenly so than ever before—that his to anything. Still, if he wants to talk, success would affect her greatly, would we might as well hear it.” challenge all her strength and courage.

“Sure! You can count on me. I’ll And yet, even if it hurt her, it had to be there.” be done. It was his duty, and the con- “All right,” said Bristow. “I’ll see sequences would have to take care of you at eight, then.” themselves. He went to the sleeping porch and Although, in her turn, she studied lay down. him with the fine intuition of the “ ‘Withers not with me.’ ” The last woman who loves, she got no intimation words of the telegram lingered in his of his worry. He had determined not mind. “Why did he add that? What’s to burden her with the details in ad- that to do with a conference here to- vance. If what he was about to do night ?” should link her dead sister with a piti- Suddenly the answer occurred to him. less and published scandal, she would !” “It’s Withers he thought, at first meet it bravely. only half credulous. “He’s going to put Unless he had been confident of that, it on Withers—he’s going to try to put he could not have loved her. His task

it on Withers.” was to hand over to justice the guilty He paused, thinking “wild” for a man, and not even his concern for the moment, so great was his surprise. woman he would marry could interfere “It was Withers he was after from with his seeing the thing through. the start—was it?” After it was all over, he would come back to comfort her. Their new hap- CHAPTER XXVII. piness would counterbalance all un- A STARTLING ACCUSATION. pleasantness. N the faces of Braceway and Maria A glance through the window showed Fulton was the expression that an- him Greenleaf and Abrahamson com- nounces a happy and perfect under- ing slowly up Manniston Road. It was standing between lovers. The light of eight o'clock. A few moments later he surrender was in her eyes, contented and Mr. Fulton joined them on the side- surrender to the man who, because of walk. They went at once to Number his love, had asserted his mastery of Nine. —

The Winning Clew 115

Bristow received them in his living seriously. “As a matter of fact, the room, the table still littered with news- negro’s not guilty.” paper clippings on the Loutois kidnap- “You mean that’s your position,” ing. Bristow quoted back to him, his smile “If the rest of you don’t mind,” indulgent. Braceway suggested, “we’d better close “Yes. Carpenter’s not guilty, and the windows. We’ve a lot of talking to Morley’s not guilty.” do, and we might as well keep things Mr,, Fulton, who had the chair im- to ourselves.” • mediately on the lame man’s left, was The effect of alertness which he al- frankly curious and anxious. ways produced was more evident now “Before you go any further, Brace- than ever. He kept his cane in con- way”, he interrupted testily, “can you tinual motion. While the four other tell us where George Withers is?” men seated themselves, he remained “I can say this much,” replied Brace- standing, facing them, his back to the way after a pause. “For reasons best empty fireplace. known to himself. Withers refused to “Each of you,” he said, “is vitally in- join us here. He could have done so terested in what I’ve come here to say if he had wished.” my solution of the so-called Withers What he said sounded a direct ac- mystery. I asked you to have this con- cusation of Withers. Fulton eyed him ference because it affects each of us incredulously. Bristow took off his directly.” coat and settled himself more com- His eyes shone; his chin was thrust fortably in his chair; he was in for a in as he had expected last forward ; every ligament his body long story, and, was strung taut. And yet there was night, the dead woman’s husband, not nothing of the theatric about him. If Morley, was to be incriminated. he felt excitement, it was suppressed. Greenleaf, lolling back in a rocker Determination was the only emotion of near the folding doors of the dining which he gave any sign. room, gazed at the ceiling, making a “First, however,” he said in his light show of his lack of interest. conversational tone, “how about you?” Abrahamson, nearest the porch door, He indicated with a look Greenleaf and was the only auditor thoroughly ab- Bristow. .“Have you anything new, sorbed in the detective’s story and at anything additional ?” the same time unreservedly credulous. With the windows shut, it was notice- “But you know where he is?” Ful- ably warm and close in the room. Tak- ton persisted.

his coat, tossed it chair ing off he to the “Yes ; approximately.” which had been meant for him. In his The Jew’s sparkling eyes darted from white shirt, with dark trousers belted the speaker to the faces of the others. tightly over his slender hips, he looked A pleased smile lifted the corners of his almost boyish. mouth toward the great, hooked nose. “No.”. Bristow answered the ques- He had the air of a man who anticipates tion. “The chief and I went over unusually pleasant entertainment. everything yesterday. We couldn’t find “But I don’t want to waste your a single reason for changing our time,” Braceway continued, taking pe- minds.” culiar care in his choice of words. ?” . “About Carpenter “When I began work on this case, I “Yes—his guilt, of course.” thought either the negro or Morley “You mean that’s your position, might be the murderer. I changed my yours and the chief’s,” Braceway said mind when I came to think about the —

116 Detective Story Magazine mysterious fellow, the man with the Furmville. The blackmailer was the brown beard and the gold tooth, the in- only one who had had access to the dividual who was clever enough to ap- victim on the three different occasions pear and disappear at will—at will and of which we know the work was all by ; without leaving a trace—so long as he the same hand. Find the blackmailer, operated at night or in the dusk of and I would have the murderer. early evening. “I know now who he is. “I soon agreed with Mr. Fulton that “Five years ago there was a striking he was the murderer. Not only that, sort of individuality that had im- but he had remarkable ability, which he pressed itself on the minds of a good employed for the lowest and most crim- many men in Wall Street, New York inal purposes. I first suspected his city. Although penniless at the outset identity right after my interviews with of his career and, in fact, never really Roddy, the colored bell boy, and Mr. rich, he had made a good deal of money Abrahamson, the pawnbroker.” then and had spent it as fast now and ; “Excuse me,” Bristow interposed; as he got it. “but wasn’t it Abrahamson who told “He was brilliant, thoroughly un- you the bearded man looked like With- scrupulous, absolutely without honor. ers ?” He did the ‘Great White Way’ stunt Greenleaf grinned, appreciating the the restaurants, the roof gardens, lame man’s intention to take the wind pretty actresses, and jewels and cham- out of Braceway’s sails by giving pagne. Because of his uncertain habits, credit to Abrahamson for the informa- he never had an office of his own. He tion. always operated through others. His “Yes, he told me that,” Braceway earning power was a gift for judging answered, nettled by the interruption; the market and knowing often when to and added, “Let me finish my state- ‘bear’ and when to ‘bull.’ ment, Bristow. You can discuss it all “This gift was no fabulous thing. It you please later on. But I’d prefer to was real a majority of the times he

get through with it now. tried to use it, and because of it he was “Having suspected the identity of the able to live high and put up a good front disguised man, I was confronted with without working. This was the situa- two jobs. One was to prove the iden- tion up to five years ago. Observe the tity beyond question the other was to man’s character and the pleasure he ; show, by irrefutable evidence, that the took in running crooked. disguised man committed the murder. “With a little study and the usual As I said, my theory took shape in my amount of industry and concentration, mind that afternoon in my room in the he could have been a power in the fi- Brevord hotel. Everything I’ve done nancial world. That, however, did not since then, has been for the purpose of appeal to him. He liked the excite- getting the necessary facts. I have ment of crime, the perverted pleasure those facts now.” of playing the crook. He looked at Greenleaf and Bristow, “Early in nineteen-thirteen, a little

making it plain that he expected their more than five years ago, the crash hostility to anything he had to say. came. He was arrested, charged with “My suspicion grew out of my be- the embezzlement of thirty-three hun- lief—really my conviction—that I must dred dollars from the firm which em- find the man who had blackmailed Mrs. ployed him. The name of the firm was Withers in Atlantic City and Washing- Blanchard & Sebastian. He had stolen ton and, for the third time, here in more than the amount mentioned, but ” : —

The Winning Clew 117 the specific charge on which action was rather flattering sketch of a part of my taken was the theft of the thirty-three own life.” hundred dollars. Greenleaf, with jaw dropped and “This man’s name was §plain. thinking powers paralyzed, stared at “There was a delay of a few hours in him. Old man Fulton, many winkles arranging for his bail so that he about his eyes, leaned forward as if to wouldn’t have to spend the night in a spring. cell. While in his cell, he remarked Only Abrahamson, his smile broaden- “ ‘This kind of a place doesn’t suit ing, his cavernous eyes alight, was free me. It’s as cold as charity. I’ll be out from surprise. He had now the air of of here in an hour or so, and, if they greatly enjoying the performance he ever get me into a cell again, they’ll had been invited to see. have to kill me first. Once is enough.’ Braceway, his shoulders flung back, “He made good on his boast. They his figure straight as a poplar, watch- didn’t get him into one again. He ing Bristow with intense caution, grew jumped his bail ten days before the suddenly into heroic mold. The red date set for his trial. Since then the glow from the setting sun streamed police have, so far as they know, never through the window to his face, em- laid eyes on him. They had a photo- phasizing the ardor in his eyes. He graph of him and, of course, an ade- took a step forward, became dominant, quate description: high aquiline nose; menacing. firm, His white-clad arm shot out so that compressed mouth ; black and un- usually piercing he pointed with accusing finger to the eyes ; black hair ; al} his features imperturbable Bristow. sharp-cut ; broad shoulders and slender, athletic figure. Those are “That man there,” he declared, con- ” some of the details I recall. In tempt in his stern voice, “is the thief Fulton cried out—the sound of it and the murderer!” was not so much a groan as it was the For a moment the incredible accu- shrill, indefinite protest of a child sation stunned the entire group. against pain—and put the fingers of his “Mr. Braceway,” said Bristow, look- right hand to his forehead, shielding ing now at Fulton and Greenleaf,' “is his face. The description of the fugi- suffering a delusion.” tive had brought instantly to his mind The two men, however, afforded him the face of George Withers. no support. They kept their eyes on “Indulge me for just a few moments Braceway. They gave the effect of more, Mr. Fulton,” Braceway said. falling away from some evil contagion. “Splain eluded the pursuit. His flight “Because,” Bristow continued, “I and disappearance were perfectly have been the innocent victim of planned and carried out. As I said just trumped-up charges of embezzlement now, he was—a brilliant, a very brilliant by the crookedest men in a crooked man and—• business, he accuses me of murder ” Bristow again interrupted the recital. when On his face was a smile which did not “Shut up!” cpmmanded Braceway, reach to his eyes. For the past few dropping his hand to his side. minutes he had been thinking faster He flashed the pawnbroker a quick than he had ever thought in his life, glance. and had made a decision. Abrahamson leaned over and rapped “What you’ve told us,” he said with his knuckles on the door to the calmly, his gaze taking notice of no porch. It opened, admitting two police- one but the detective, “is, in effect, a men in uniform. 118 Detective Story Magazine

“I took the liberty, chief,” Bracevvay to the chief. “Do you want them here, apologized, “of requesting them to be and now?” here. I knew you’d want them to do “It might be—er—as well, and fair, the right thing, and promptly.” you know. Yes.” Greenleaf gulped and nodded ac- Abrahamson swung the porch door quiescence. Stunned as he was, the de- shut. The two policemen stood back of tective’s manner forced him into be- Bristow’s chair. Greenleaf, still be- lieving the charge. wildered himself, laid a calming hand Bristow’s smile had faded. But, save on Fulton’s shoulder. The old man for a pallor that wiped from his cheeks was shaking like a leaf. their usual flush, there was no evidence “All right,” agreed Braceway. “I of the conflict within him. So far as can give you the important points in a any notice from him went, the police- very few minutes.” men did not exist. CHAPTER XXVIII. One of them stepped forward and AT BAY. laid a hand on his shoulder. DELAXED, swinging his cane slowly He ignored it. ' in his right hand, Braceway leaned “Perhaps,” he said, sarcasm in his against the mantel. He addressed him- voice, his eyes again on Braceway, “it self to Fulton and Greenleaf, an oc- will occur to you that I’ve a right to casional glance including Abrahamson know why this outrage is committed.” in the circle of those Once more he commanded Greenleaf for whose benefit he spoke. with his gaze. “The chief of police will Bristow listened now in unfeigned hardly sanction it without some excuse, absorption, estimating every statement, without a shadow of evidence.” weighing each detail. The tenseness of The man’s self-control was marvel- his pale face showed how he forced his ous. He seemed the only one in the brain to concentration. room able to grasp and play upon the “Having decided that the bearded situation. man and the murderer were the same,” “Yes.” Greenleaf complied waver- Braceway began, “I asked myself this ingly. “Er—that is—er—I suppose question : ‘Who, of all those in Furm- you’re certain about this, Mr. Brace- ville, is so connected with the case now way ?” that I am warranted in thinking he did “Let’s have it! Let’s have it all!” the previous blackmailing and the more demanded Fulton, articulate at last, his recent murder?’ And I eliminated in clenched hands shaken by a palsy of my own mind everybody but Lawrence rage. Bristow. He was the one, the only one, Bristow, with a careless motion, who could have annoyed Mrs. Withers brushed away the policeman’s hand. one and four years ago, respectively, “By all means,” he said, imperturb- and also could have murdered her. able still “I demand it. I’m not guilty ; “Morley was at once out of the reck- of murder. Not by the wildest flight of oning; he had known the Fultons for the craziest fancy can any such charge only the past three years. To consider be substantiated.” the negro, Perry Carpenter, would have Greenleaf, noting his iron nerve, his been absurd. Withers, of course, was freedom from the slightest sign of beyond suspicion. Everything pointed panic, was dumfounded, and believed in to Bristow. his innocence again. “With that decision, last Wednesday “I have the proofs.” Braceway spoke afternoon I went to Number Five and —

The Winning Clew 119 got all the finger prints visible on the the arrival of the physician who was polished surfaces of the chair which summoned, Bristow had ^ordered a bell was handled, overturned, in the living boy to wrap the ‘blood-stained’ hand- room the night of the murder. For- kerchief and towel in a larger and tunately this polish was inferior enough thicker towel and to have the whole to have been made gummy by the rain bundle burned at once. This, he ex- and dampness that night; and, in the plained to the boy, was because of his stress of the few days following, had desire that nobody be put in danger of been neither dusted nor wiped off. contracting tuberculosis. “Bristow did not touch this chair the “By bribing the porter who had been morning the murder was discovered. directed to do the burning, I got a look In fact, he cautioned everybody not to at both the handkerchief and the towel. touch it. They were soaked right enough, thor- “Reliable witnesses say he didn’t oughly soaked—in red ink. touch it between then and the time I “The physician was easily deceived got the finger prints. He declares he because, when he came in, all traces *of was never in the bungalow before he the so-called blood had been obliterated. entered it in response to Miss Fulton’s Altogether, it was a clever trick on cry for help. Bristow’s part. “I found on the chair the finger prints “His motive for staging it and for ar- of five different persons, four after- ranging for a long and uninterrupted ward identified: Miss Fulton, the cor- sleep was clear enough. There was oner, Miss Killy, the nurse, and Lucy something he wanted to do unobserved, Thomas, Mrs. Withers’ maid. The something so vital to him that he was fifth I was unable to check up then. willing to take an immense amount of

“I did so later, in Washington. trouble with it. Golson’s detective bu- “It was identical with the print of reau let me have the best trailer, the Bristow’s fingers on the glass top of a smoothest ‘shadow,’ in the business table in his hotel room there. I didn’t Tom Ricketts. depend on my own judgment for that. “At my direction he followed Bris- I had with me an expert on finger tow from the Willard Hotel to the elec- prints. And finger prints, as you all tric car leaving Washington for Balti- know, never lie. more at one o’clock. Reaching Balti- “All this established the fact, beyond more at two-thirty, Bristow pawned the question, that Bristow had been secretly emeralds and diamonds at two pawn- in the living room of Number Five be- shops. He caught the four o’clock elec- fore, or at the time of, the commission tric car back to Washington, and was in of the crime.” his room long before six, the hour at He paused, giving them time to ap- which his nurse, Miss Martin, was to preciate the full import of that chain of wake him. facts. “On the Baltimore trip he had a left For the space of half a minute, the leg as sound as mine and wore no brace room was a study in still life. The of any kind. He did wear a mustache sound of Fulton’s grating teeth was dis- and bushy eyebrows, which changed his tinctly audible. Bristow made a quick appearance tremendously. ' Also, he had move, as if to speak, but checked the changed the outline of his face and the impulse. shape of his lips. “In Washington,” Braceway re- “While he was in Baltimore, I sumed, “he had a hemorrhage. It was searched the bedroom in which he was a fake—a red-ink hemorrhage. Before supposed to be asleep. : —

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“Miss Martin, in whom I had been “And that gave me my knowledge of obliged to confide, helped me. We her being a partial albino. She has found in the two-inch sole of the left patches of white skin across her shoul- shoe, which of course he did not take ders, and Perry, in struggling with her with him, a hollow place, a very serv- for possession of the key to Number iceable receptacle. In it was the bulk Five, had scratched her there badly. of the missing Withers’ jewelry, the That, I think, disposes of the finger- stones unset, pried from their gold and nail evidence against Carpenter. platinum settings. “The rest followed as a matter of “They are, I dare say, there now.” course. An examination of Major The two policemen stared wide-eyed Ross’ collection of circulars describing at Bristow. He was, they decided, the those ‘wanted’ by the police of the vari- “slickest” man they had ever seen. ous cities for the past six years revealed “You see why he executed the trick? the photograph of Splain. Bristow has It was to establish forever, beyond the changed his appearance somewhat possibility of question, his innocence. enough, perhaps, to deceive the casual Plainly, if an unknown man pawned the glance—but the identification was easy. Withers’ jewelry in Baltimore while “I then ran over to New York and Bristow slept, exhausted by a copious got the Splaifi story. I knew he was hemorrhage, in Washington, his case so dead sure of having eluded every- was made good, his alibi perfect. body that he would stay here in Furm-

“You can appreciate now how he ville. But, to make it absolutely sure, built up his fake case against Perry I sent him yesterday a telegram to keep Carpenter, his use of the buttons, his him assured that I was working with creeping about at night, like a villain him and ready to share discoveries with in cheap melodrama, dropping pieces of him. And I confess it afforded me a the jewelry where they would incrimi- little pleasure, the sending of that wire nate the negro most surely, and his ex- —I was playing a kind of cat-and- ploitation of the ‘winning clew,’ the mouse game.” finger-nail evidence. Bristow put up his hand, demanding “Furthermore, he gave Lucy Thomas attention. When Braceway ignored the a frightful beating to force from her gesture, he leaned back, smiling, de- the statement against Perry. In this, risive. he was brutal beyond belief. I saw that “Morley’s embezzlement and its con- same afternoon the marks of his blows sequences gave me a happy excuse for on her shoulders. They were sufficient keeping on this fellow’s trail while he proofs of his capacity for unbridled was busy perfecting the machinery for rage, for inhuman treatment of a Perry’s destruction. The man’s self- ” weaker person. The sight of them assurance, his conceit strengthened my conviction that, in a “I’ve had enough of this !” Bristow similar mood, he had murdered Mrs. interrupted violently, exhibiting his Withers.” first deep emotion. “Wait one min- “The negro lied!” Bristow spoke at ute!” he insisted harshly, seeing that last, his words a little hurried despite Braceway was about to speak again. his surface equanimity. “I subjected “Wait !” He slid forward to the edge her to no ill treatment whatever. Any- of his chair and turned to Greenleaf. way”—he dismissed it with a wave of “Haven’t you had enough of this drool ? his hand—“it’s a minor detail.” What’s the man trying to establish, any- Braceway, without so much as a how ? He talks in one breath about my glance at him, continued having changed the outline of my face ! —

The Winning Clew 121

and the shape of my mouth, and in the “This is no place for an argument of next second about recognizing as me the case.” Braceway cut him short a photograph which he admits was crisply, and turned to the pawnbroker. taken at least six years ago “Mr. Abrahamson, tell us what you “It’s an alibi for himself—an excuse know about this man.” for not being able to prove that I’m “It is not much, Mr. Braceway,” the the man who pawned the jewelry in Jew replied; “not as much as I would

Baltimore 1 It’s thinner than air like. I’ve seen him several times ; once !” wild in my place when he was fixed up with But Greenleaf’s defection was now a mustache and so forth, and twice complete. “Go on,” he said to Brace- when he was fixed up with a beard and way. The more he thought of the full a gold tooth; once again when he was extent to which the embezzler had sitting out here on his porch.” gulled him for the past week, the more Abrahamson talked rapidly, punc- he raged. tuating his phrases with quick gestures,

“Not for me 1 I don’t want any more enjoying the importance of his role. of the drivel!” Bristow objected again, “Mr. Braceway,” he explained smil- his voice raucous and still directed to ingly to Greenleaf, “talked to me about Greenleaf. “What’s your idea? I ad- the man with the beard—talked more mit I’m wanted in New York on a than you did, chief. You know Mr.

trumped-up charge of embezzlement. Braceway, how quick he is. He talked This detective, by a stroke of blind luck, and asked me to try to remember where ran into that—and, as I say, I admit it. and when I had seen this man with the “You can deal with that as you see gold tooth. I had my ideas and my as- fit; that is, if you want to deal with it sociation of ideas. I remembered—re- after what I’ve done for law and order membered hard. That afternoon I took and for you, in this murder case. a holiday—I don’t take many of those can’t “But you be crazy enough to —and I walked past here. ‘I bet you,’ take any stock in this nonsense about I said to myself— —not out real loud, you my having been connected with the understand ‘I bet you I know that crime. Exercise your own intelligence, man.’ And I won my bet. I did know man ! Do you mean to say you’re going him. to let him cram this into you?” “This Mr. Splain and the man with He got himself more in hand. the beard are the same, exactly the “Think a minute. You know me same.”

well, chief. And you, Mr. Fulton, “Bristow’s smile was tolerant, as if you’re no child to be bamboozled and he dealt with a child. But Fulton, his turneH into a laughingstock by a de- angry eyes boring into him, saw that, tective who finds himself without a case for the first time, there were tired lines —a pseudoexpert on crime, who tries tugging at the corners of his mouth to work the age-old trick of railroading It was an expression that heralded de- a man guilty of a less offense!” feat, the first faint shadow of despair. Seeing them unmoved, he voiced his “You have my story, and I’ve the last, desperate point. facts to prove it a hundred times over,” “If I had been guilty, if I had mur- Braceway announced. “Why waste dered and robbed, if I had had the jew- more time ?” elry on me, would I have been insane "For the simple reason,” Bristow enough to waste a moment here ? , And said, “that I’m entitled to a fair deal, ” would I have taken up detective work as an honest a career?” On the word “honest” Braceway 122 Detective Story Magazine — turned with his electric quickness to tempt “he’s the king of all the crooks Greenleaf, and, as he did so, Bristow known to my experience. By openly leaned back in his chair, as if deter- parading his pursuit of breakers of the mined not to argue further. His face law, he secured secretly his opportunity assurped its hard, bleak calm; his cold to excel their basest actions. By pub- self-control returned. licly defending the honest, he was all “Now, get this!” Braceway’s incisive the more successful in the practice of tone whipped Greenleaf to closer at- his own perfidy. And he made of his tention. “You’ve an embezzler and fine devotion to innocence a fantastic murderer in your hands. He admits screen to hide his guilt. one crime; I’ve proved the other. The “As a liar, he was superb. Deception rest is up to you. Put the irons on was his greatest talent. He disguised

him. Throw him into a cell ! You’ll be his face so as to unmask his soul in proud of it the rest of your life. Here’s safety; he hobbled his body that he the warrant.” might unleash more easily the festered He drew the paper from his hip children of his brain; he simulated

pocket and tossed it to the chief. disease to spread abroad more surely “Get busy,” he insisted. “This man’s the pestilence of his true self.” the worst type of criminal I’ve ever en- Bristow drew a long breath audibly. countered. Not content with black- He was like a man who reaches an im- mailing and robbing a woman, he mur- portant decision—reluctantly. He had dered her; not satisfied with that he not heard all of Braceway’s words. deliberately planned the death of an in- “He sank so low,” the denunciation nocent man. A coward himself, he was continued, “that he tried to make the afraid to take the ordinary chances of father of Mrs. Withers his accomplice, escaping detection. advising him to put a stop to my pursuit of the criminal. the effrontery “He never wanted anything except To of trying to win the confidence of his that which was rotten 1” Braceway ^victim’s sister, he added the arrogance went on with the heat and in the style of seeking to counsel the father of her that had characterized him as a speaker whom he had destroyed. It was his when he practiced law. “He regarded rule to use the privileges of friendship his study of crime as a means of self- as tools for betrayal. He mimicked perfection ; his highest ambition was to love in order to gratify his avarice and achieve ; the lowest form of vileness ; the he aped decency to promote depravity. most profound of all his regrets was for He ” a lost opportunity to make more hideous Quicker than thought, Braceway the ugliness of evil; the height of his lunged forward with his cane and envy was for any one who added to struck the hand Bristow had lifted treachery a new and unsuspected ter- swiftly to his throat. blow sent a ror!” The pocket knife clattering to the floor. A Bristow gave the face of every man policeman, picking it up, saw that the in the room a keen, brief examination, opened blade worked on a spring. even craning his neck to note the ex- The lame man sank back in his chair. pressions of the two policemen behind The gray immobility of his face had him. His own face became a shade broken up. The features worked curi- more dreary; he had not found, in his ously, forming themselves for a second scrutiny, the thing he sought. to a pattern of mean vindictiveness. His ^“Without exaggeration”—the detec- right hand still numbed by the blow, he tive poured out his accumulated conr took his handkerchief with the left and :

The Winning Clew 123 flicked from his neck, close to the ear, Braceway and Greenleaf watched a single red bead. him closely. They had the idea that he The interference had been barely in still contemplated suicide, that he time. sought to divert their attention from Bristow had himself in hand again himself by interesting them in what he instantaneously, although his lips wrote. They remembered the boast he moved grotesquely in an attempted had made in the cell in New York. smile. If he should try to break from the “Search him,” Braceway ordered one room or make a move toward self-de- of the officers. struction, they would be ready for him. He submitted to that. When he looked at Braceway, his face was bleak. CHAPTER XXIX. “You’ve got me,” he said in a THE CONFESSION. tone thoroughly matter-of-fact. “I’m through—I’ll give you a statement.” \1/ITH surprising rapidity Bristow “You mean a confession?” worked, tearing from the ma- “It amounts to that.” chine and passing to Braceway each

“Not here.” Braceway refused half-page as he finished it. He wrote curtly. “We’ve no stenographer.” triple-space, breaking the story into

“I’d prefer to write it myself, any- many paragraphs, never hesitating for a way,” Bristow insisted. “It won’t take choice of words. me fifteen minutes on the typewriter.” “My name is Thomas F. Splain. Seeing Braceway hesitate, he added “I am forty years old. “You’ll get it this way, or not at all. “I am 'wanted’ in New York for em- Suit yourself.” bezzlement.

The detective did not underestimate “Fear is an unknown quantity to me. the man’s stubborn nerve. I have always had ample self-confi- “I’m agreeable, chief,” he said to dence. The world belongs to the im- Greenleaf, “if you are.” pudent. “Yes,” the chief agreed. “It’s as “There are two classes of men: those good here as anywhere else.” who make mistakes and call them ex- in perience greater Darkness had grown the room. ; and those who make Abrahamson and the policemen pulled mistakes and are called criminals. My down the window shades. Greenleaf classification is obvious. turned on the lights. “I learned long ago that no man is at Bristow limped to the typewriter and heart either grateful, or honest, or un- sat down, the detective on his right, Ful- selfish.” ton at his left. The others, Greenleaf With a turn of the roller, he flicked in the foreground, formed a group fac- that off the machine and, without rais-

ing him across the machine. Braceway ing his head, passed it to Braceway. The

opened the drawer of the typewriter detective, still vigilant, glanced at it long

stand and saw that it contained noth- enough to get its meaning and handed ing but sheets of yellow “copy” paper it to Fulton. When it was offered to cut to one-half the size of ordinary let- Greenleaf, he shook his head. ter paper. The chief’s rage had reached its high “This document,” said Bristow, evil point. To his realization of how per- looking and cool, “will be a classic in fectly he had been duped, there was police annals for many years.” added the humiliation of having two Every trace of agitation had left him. members of his force as witnesses of Color crept back into his cheeks. its revelation. 124 Detective Story Magazine

“If he makes a move,” he thought mirable. I mean a solid, complete tooth savagely, fingering the revolver in the of gold, garish in the front part of the side pocket of his coat, “I’ll kill him, kill mouth. It unfailingly changes the ex-

him certain.” pression; frequently it degrades and

The man at the machine wrote on, ap- brutalizes the face. Try it. parently unconscious that the father of “Using my crooked nose as an every-

his victim stood at his side, accumulat- day precaution, I always straightened it ing in a trembling hand the written for night work. Forestier taught me proofs of the murder. The murderer, that—great man, Forestier; marvelous although he raised his eyes to none of with noses. I cannot forbear this brief them, bared his feelings by the expres- tribute to him. He is now piling up a sion of his face. fortune as make-up specialist for The curl of his lip lampooned normal motion pictures in Los Angeles—has a humanity. His features were an ara- secret preparation with which he besque of hate. And yet he conveyed ‘builds’ new noses. A great man. also the impression of calmness, in- “Changing the color of my eyes was scrutability. something beyond the police imagina- “I have enjoyed life,” he wrote. “I tion. am enjoying it now. “I got the trick from a man in Cin- “The ‘pursuit’ by the police has never cinnati—another great character. Hom- annoyed me. Policemen are incredibly atropine is the basic element of his prep- stupid. I have invariably acted on that aration. Some day women will hear of theory—successfully. it and make him rich. He deserves it.” “Cleverness never reaches its perfect Fulton, after he had read that, looked flower on top of bull necks. Square at Braceway out of tortured eyes. This toes never indicate piercing wit. turning of his tragedy into jest defied “Pardon a brief excursion into my his strength. private history. After leaving New “That’s enough of that.” Braceway York, I was caught in a street accident raised his voice above the clatter of the in Chicago, suffering a broken nose. typewriter. “Get down to the crime, Thanks to my physicians—an incompe- or stop!” tent lot, these doctors—I emerged with “By all means,” Bristow assented. a crooked nose. Flicking from the roller the page he “That was a help. I then had all my had already begun, he tore it up and in- teeth extracted. Knowing dentistry, I serted another. His face, by the slight- saw the possibilities of disguise by est of changes, emphasized his ferocity. wearing differently shaped sets of teeth. “I met Enid Fulton six years ago at “Note my heavily protruding lower Hot Springs, Virginia. She fell in love lip—and, at rare intervals, my hollow with me. cheeks. “She had the highest ideals and no “Also, there’s your gold tooth mys- experience; and ideals and ignorance !” tery—solved light the primrose path to folly. Braceway, reading the page, resented “I had always known that a rich its flippancy. woman’s indiscretions could be made to “Suppose,” he said, “you cut out the yield big dividends. She was a victim ” funny business and confine yourself to of her facts.” Braceway’s grasp caught the writer’s “I’m in dead earnest,” Bristow an- hands. swered, not lifting his head, and wrote: “Eliminate that !” he ordered sternly. “As a disguise, the gold tooth is ad-< “It’s not necessary.” The Winning Clew 125

Bristow, imperturbable, his motions “Finally my patience was exhausted. quick and sure, tore up that page also, Last Monday night, or early Tuesday and started afresh: morning, I told her so quite clearly. “Later she believed I had embezzled “She objected, argued, pleaded with in order to assure her ease and luxury me. All this was in whispers. The from the date of our marriage. necessity of whispering so long irritated “Her exaggerated sense of fair play, me. of obligation, was an aid to my repre- “Her. refusal, flat and final, to part ” sentations of the situation. My state- with the jewels en ments were logical—consequently, ir- For the first time since he had been resistible. connected with the Withers case Brace- “Although she no longer loved me way, reading that, felt anger so intense and did love Withers, my hold on her that his hands trembled and his eyes —rather, on her purse—could not be blurred. broken. Fulton, reading it in his turn, gave “She gave me the money in Atlantic no sign. He was like granite. He was City and Washington. You ask, per- trying to think of a way to inflict upon haps, what I did with it. I played the the murderer a new and prolonged market, and lost. I no longer had my agony. “ cunning and judgment in dealing with enraged me.” The long, white stocks. fingers rapped out the words. “It was “To some, that may seem retribution. then that I made the first big mistake of I regarded it as an example of how the my life. brain is affected by a change of environ- “I lost my temper. Men who cannot ment. control their tempers under the most “I came here as soon as I had learned trying circumstances should let crime of her presence in Furmville. At first, alone. They will fail—inevitably. she was reasonable. Abrahamson “I killed her—a foolish result of the knows that. I pawned several little folly of yielding to my rage. things with him. “In the matter of taking a life, res- "At last, to my utter amazement, she titution is out of the question. One grew obstinate. She argued, as has al- cannot deal in resurrections—an awk- ” ready ward human limitation. In his absorption he let the finished “Self-preservation becomes the main page drop to the floor. Before Brace- thing; all the voices of the night urge

way picked it up, he was on the next one to it. one. “Standing there and looking at her, I “ been suggested in this inquiry, thought with all the clarity I could com- that, if she pawned any more of her mand. In a second, I perceived the ad- jewels, she would be unable to redeem visability of throwing the blame upon them. Her father had failed in busi- some other person.” ness and could not produce the required The faces of Braceway and Fulton cash. mirrored to the others the horror of the “That was true, but I had to have stuff they were reading. The scene funds. Several times I pointed this out taxed the emotional balance of all of to her when I saw her in Number Five, them. The evil-faced man at the type- always after midnight—for my own writer, the father getting by degrees the protection as well as hers. description of his daughter’s death, the “She loved her husband. That sur- policemen waiting to put the murderer prised me. It still surprises me. behind bars 126 Detective Story Magazine

Abrahamson, peculiarly wrought returned immediately and rectified the upon by the tenseness of it all, wished mistake. he had not come. His back felt creepy. “Before departing this last time, I

He lit a cigarette, puffed it to a torch switched on the lights to assure myself and threw it down. that I had left only the clew to the Bristow wrote: negro's presence, none to my own.” “Mechanically my fingers went to a “That explains Withers’ story of his pocket in my vest and played with two struggle at the foot of the steps. We metal buttons I had picked up in my really had it. He was a weakling; kitchen the day before, Monday. gave me no trouble. “I pause to point out that opportunity “Morley’s story of seeing two men never tires of befriending the resource- descend the steps was, I have no doubt, ful. also perfectly true. He first saw the “I knew the buttons had come from negro—who did, as he has since con- the overalls of the negro, Perry Car- fessed, get as far as the porch—and he then making first exit. penter. It would be easy to drop one saw me my the ordinary course the there, the other on the floor of my “In of events, to chair, kitchen, where I had originally found negro would have gone the and them. That would be the beginning of my plan would not have had a flaw. identifying him as the murderer. “But there were complications I did not foresee. “He had been half drunk the day be- “Morley’s theft and clamor for fore. His life was of no account. Mine money from Miss Fulton, Withers’ was—naturally. jealousy, and my own extra precaution “The rest was simple. You know of appearing with beard and gold tooth about it—dropping the lavalliere links in the Brevord Hotel, so as to shift sus- back of Number Five, placing the laval- picion to a mysterious ‘unknown’ in liere in the yard of his house, and so on. case of necessity—all these things left “I had one piece of luck which, of too many clews, presented an embar- course, I did not count on when I first rassment of riches. adopted this simple course. That was “If I had known of them in advance, when Greenleaf asked me .to help him either Morley or Withers would have in finding the murderer. A confiding paid the penalty for the crime. The soul your Greenleaf and insured by — — negro woultj never have received my at- nature against brain storms. tention. turn a godsend. I had “Such a was “Braceway, too, would have been become the investigator of own my harmless but for my trying to fortify crime. are familiar with the later You my defense through the trip to Balti- details. more. “I will mention, however, that I made “Frankly, I underestimated him. He a second trip to Number Five. is the first detective or policeman I ever “Having come back here in safety, knew to have even the promise of I perceived I had left there without the cleverness. jewels she was wearing and without “Here I may mention that my decis- those in her jewel cabinet. ion to go into detective work was real. “She had brought this cabinet into My competitors’ lack of brains would the living room to show me how her have insured my success. supply of jewelry had been depleted. “Another personal reference—my

“To murder and not get the fruits of health. I have no game leg ; never have

it, is like picking one’s own pocket. I had. The brace made it easy for me ; :

The Winning Clew 127

to transform myself into an agile, pow- “I have no regrets. Nothing in my erful manJn my ‘private’ work.” life calls for repentance. With a quick, unexpected motion, he “I think, if I had the chance all over dropped his hands from the typewriter again, I would kill Lucy Thomas in- to the seat of his chair, grasping its stead of beating her into panic for her edges tightly on each side. His atti- signature to a statement. All harmless tude indicated either that he merely in- women are dead. tended to draw the chair closer to the “But for the albino discovery by machine, or, with equal probability, that Braceway, my conviction would have he set himself for a leap into the center been impossible. The case against of the room. Perry was too strong. Involuntarily each of them responded “Still, it is as well this way as an- to it; their bodies inclined toward him, other. I should never have served the like stalks of wheat moved by the wind time for embezzlement. and, for a moment, they held their for- “A free life is a fine thing. I suspect ward-leaning positions. They might that death, perhaps, is even finer. have been figures woven in a tapestry. “A man might be guilty of worse He laughed mirthlessly, his features things than murder—regrets, for in- apparently unmoving, his upper eyelids stance. !” drawn almost shut by his downward “The world and I are quits. Selah gaze and making his face a waxlike mask unrelieved even by the light of He handed the last page to Braceway, his eyes. leaned back in his chair, put up his arms Abrahamson shivered. and yawned. The glance with which “I have no tuberculosis, never have he swept the faces of those before him had.” Bristow resumed his writing. was arrogant. It had a sinister audac- “I have a normally flat chest. Slug- ity. They saw in the pale composure gish veins and capillaries in my face, of his features a hint that, even now, he caused by my having suffered pathologi- might inflict upon the world further cal blushing for ten years, cause a per- evil, greater crime. manent flush in my cheeks. “The confession’s complete,” Brace- “That was enough to fool the physi- way told Greenleaf, clipping his words cians. short. “Take him away.” “I have said my first great mistake The chief turned to the policemen. was losing my temper with Enid With- “Wait,” the detective added, produc- ers. ing a pen. “My second was my laughter in the “Oh, the signature,” Bristow said cab the night Braceway and I ques- coolly. “I forgot that.” tioned Morley. I knew he was holding He took the typewritten pages back something, but I never dreamed it roughly from Fulton, and in a bold, was his knowledge of my having done free hand wrote at the bottom of each the murder. "Thomas F. Splain.”

"That laugh was suicidal, for it was “I'm ready,” he_ announced, rising the disarming of myself by myself. from his chair so that he jostled Fulton “Why did I use the same disguise, the unnecessarily. beard and the gold tooth, more than The old man, his self-control broken once? Put it down to my innocent lit- at last, struck him with open hand full tle craving for the dramatic. To me in the face. His fingers left three red and those like me, the usual is never in- stripes across the murderer’s cheek. teresting, never worth while. Before Braceway could interfere, : :

128 Detective Story Magazine

Bristow checked his impulse to strike a second. In trying to put the front back, and gave Fulton a long, level look. collar button into the fresh shirt, he “You’re welcome to it,” he said broke off its head. finally, jeering him; “welcome, old man. “Come on, muttered the chief. “You I guess I still owe you something, at don’t need a collar, anyway.” that.” “Not so fast 1 I’ve more than one col- “Put the irons on him,” ordered lar button.” Greenleaf. He put his hand into a pin-tray and “First, though,” Bristow said cas- picked up another. It had a long shank ually, as if going out for an evening at and was easily manipulated because of the theater, “I’d like to have a clean the catch that permitted the movement collar, linen some clean ; and I want to of its head, as if on a hinge. get rid of this brace.” “This is better,” he said, fingering it, “Never mind what you want!” unhurried as a man with hours to throw Greenleaf said, a shade more purple away. !” with rage. “Get a move on ! Get a move Green- Bristow turned to Braceway and leaf muttered again, tightening his hold said until it was painful. “You’re right. The stuff’s in the sole Bristow, apparently bent on throwing of this shoe.” off this rough grasp on his left arm, “Let’s take charge of that now,” the swiftly raised his right hand, with the detective directed the chief. button, to his mouth. The two of them, each grasping one For the fraction of a second his eyes, of his arms, hustled him with scant bright and defiant, met Braceway’s. The ceremony back to his bedroom. He detective, reading the elation in them, removed his trousers and unbuckled the shouted belt and straps of the steel brace. “Look out!” Greenleaf put his hand into the shoe There was a click. And Bristow and tugged at the inner sole. flung away the button as Braceway “Opens on the outside,” prompted caught at his hand. Braceway, “underneath, near the in- “I beat you after ” He tried to step.” boast.

The chief, after fumbling with it a But the poison, quicker than he had moment, got it open. The jewels thought, cut short his utterance. His streamed to the floQr, a little cascade of eyelids flickered twice. He collapsed radiance and color. He picked them up, against Greenleaf and slid, crumpled, to getting down on all fours so as not to the floor. miss one. “Cyanide,” said Braceway. “He had

"*‘Don’t be unreasonable,” ' Bristow it in the shank of that collar button.” complained as he slipped on another Greenleaf bent over him. shoe. “Let me have a clean shirt and “It’s quick, all right,” he announced. collar.” “He’s dead.” “Be quick about it.” Braceway con- Braceway touched the body with his sented, his voice heavy with contempt. cane, so that it rolled over, turning the Greenleaf, holding him again by one pallid face to the light. arm, shoved him toward the bureau. He “Too quick,” he said, a thriving dis- got out of his shirt, Greenleaf shifting gust in the words, “and too easy—too his grasp so as not to let go of him for good for him.”

THE END. ^ Robert WintoiL Author of “Monkey See, Monkey Do," “Hag-ridden," etc. ^^““ NE—two—three.” your gems. Death is coming near, but Old Steven Brunt cackled they shall not tear you away from me. 0 and mumbled to himself as he I will cheat them all.” turned his withered, shaking Still maundering and apostrophizing palm sideways and, one by one, allowed himself and his treasures, the old man three sparkling gems to fall on the gathered up his diamonds and re- table. luctantly dropped them into a worn and “Three beauties.” He gloated with greasy leather bag. He then tucked the senile, quivering lips. “Three drops of bag inside his dirty gray shirt and crystalized light of sun and moon! patted his thin, bony chest. When I die, you pretties shall go with “Safe,” he mumbled. “No one me into the deep, cool grave. In the knows, no one guesses that poor old darkness, safe from the desire of some Steven is worth a pile of money. Now grasping stranger, you will stay with I wonder if that derned girl has been me until dust returns to dust.” spying on me. Trying to peek through The old man’s maudlin monologue the keyhole or listenin’ to what I was spent itself in foolish, vague, and half- saying. I ain’t been talkin’ loud,

crazed mutterings. His rheumy eyes though ; an’ Susan’s a fool, anyhow.” blinked with cunning avariciousness as Standing by his table, the old man he sought to feast his gaze with the gnawed nervously at his broken, discol- scintillating glitter of his precious bau- ored finger nails. The haunting dread bles. He grumbled weakly and his that his secret might be betrayed by shriveled fingers groped uncertainly for some careless act of his own was again his hoard. It seemed to him that the upon him. The pleasure that he ob- radiance of the stones that had been tained by contemplating and pawing the comfort of his lonely, selfish hours, over his stones was more than counter- was not so brilliant as it had been. balanced by the condition of terror that “My eyes must be goin’ back on me,” always came over him with redoubled he muttered. “I shed blood for you, intensity after he had indulged his and now you won’t shine for me like weakness. The stolen diamonds were you used to do. It ain’t my eyes; it’s his pride and joy. Also, they were a you that have grown dull. What’s the burden and source of never-ceasing matter with you? Sparkle up, pretty anxiety.

things ! . I murdered a man to get you. Shuffling over to the_ bolted dooi», Nobody knows that you are in my pos- Steven bent stiffly and peered at the pa-

session. Shine, little fireflies ! You per that he had rammed into the key- have been bathed in blood, Shine for hole. the old man who has kept you warm on “It ain’t been touched,” he whis-

his heart for more than twenty years. pered ; and with slow care quietly Bah! Your light is dim. Steven, a slipped back the bolt. shadow is creeping between you and There was a crafty, vicious gleam in —

130 Detective Story Magazine

his faded eyes as he opened the door “Ride about in a leemousine an’ dress ” with sudden quickness. It was his in- in velvet an’ tention to surprise the girl he constantly A wheezy gust of merriment was old suspected of spying on him; but, even Steven Brunt’s greeting of Susan’s had Susan been at the door, the old strange announcement. He cackled and man would not have caught her. He leered at her angry, flushed face and thought his movements were soundless, took no heed of the dangerous look in that he had given no hint of his ap- her cold eyes. proach to the door; but he was greatly “Don’t make me laugh,” he pleaded mistaken. Deaf to the noise of his own with mock concern. “You won’t never footsteps and blind to the many oppor- ride in no gas tank ’cept it be a patrol tunities he had given the girl for discov- wagon or a hearse. Shove over the ering his secret, old Steven lived in a bread an’ quit tryin’ to be funny.” fool’s paradise. Going slowly to the While he ate his food and gulped the top of the stairs, he raised his voice in lukewarm coffee that Susan poured in a querulous call. the tin cup that stood at his elbow, old “Susan! Is supper ready?” Steven further elaborated on the girl’s From the kitchen below came the future. It was part of his evening re- sound of chair legs scraping on the un- creation to taunt Susan and tease her covered boards. The door opened and with brutal words, to the point of tears. a shaft of lamplight illumined the fig- With the meanness of a diseased na- ure of a short, thick-set girl. She stuck ture, the old man delighted to torment her hands on her hips and stared up at Susan; but, although he tried to prod the crabbed features of her step- her with stinging words, he failed to father. bring a flash of rage into her sullen “Don’t ask fool questions,” she said dark eyes. brusquely. “You know as well as I do It takes two to quarrel, and after a that it’s been ready this hour an’ more. while Steven tired of his one-sided You heard me thump on the ceiling. argument. Crouched over the stove, his Come on down. I’m sick of waitin’.” thoughts reverted to the girl’s peculiar An attack of rage seized the old man, assertion. and when he stood in the bare, untidy “Lee-mousine,” he muttered in puz- kitchen he shook a threatening fist in zled disgust. the girl’s face. Now and again his hand rose stealth- “Don’t you get fresh with me,” he ily to his chest and he convinced him- said loudly. “Don’t I feed you, clothe self by touch that his prized gems were you ? Ain’t it my money that pays for safe in their hiding place. your keep? You that is so dumb an’ "Pretty things,” he whispered stupid that you can’t even get a job at drowsily. “Nobody dreams that old washin’ dishes.” Steven is mighty rich. Nine thousand "Aw, shut up,” retorted Susan, slam- dollars apiece. Three nines are twenty- ming a blackened dish on the table. seven. Twenty-seven thousand dollars “Shove some of them beans in yer jaw in shining diamonds—safe and warm.” and chaw on the moldy pork you ex- Ignoring the old man’s mutterings, pect me to eat. But don’t chew the rag Susan stacked the dirty dishes in the with me. I’m fed up with your nasty, sink, and, leaving them to be washed mean ways. I’m a fool ? Sure I am later, she silently went out the back ” fer stayin’ around when I might door. Susan had a date, and when she ‘Might what?” asked the old man reached the corner of the house, the jeeringly. smell of cigarette smoke acquainted her For Pretty Things 133 with the fact that her friend was wait- pressure of a skillfully applied jimmy. ing for her. Silent as a cat, Jim crossed the kitchen, “Old man asleep ?” inquired a drink- listened for a moment at the door of husky voice. Susan’s room, and climbed the stairs. “As usual,” replied the girl. “And He had made up his mind that whatevei as usual you have been boozin’. Keep there was worth stealing, would be hid- away from me, Jim; you’re a beast.” ' den in the old man’s room. The boll

“I only had a couple of glasses,” pro- that Steven never failed to push into its tested Jim. “That ain’t going to hurt a socket did not delay Jim’s entry more feller none. Say, I pulled off a cinch than fifty seconds. Accustomed to last night. Listen. I got a wad as big^ forcing an entrance where steel doors as my fist. Get yer hat an’ let’s take in . and bars blocked his way, Jim found a show. Come on, you black-eyed this as easy to accomplish as the open- !” cutie, be a sport ing of a box of candy would be to a “Nothing doin’,” retorted the girl. child. “Tell me about last night. What did The light of Jim’s torch flitted about you get ?” the room and, in its passing, rested mo- “A hatful of watches an’ rings,” mentarily on the bed. Partly covered boasted Jim. “Got away like a bird.” by a torn quilt, the old man lay on his “Did you hock them?” back, snoring. The light did not rest “Not on yer life, kid. Say, I ain’t on him for more than a few seconds, such a simp, to take a risk like that.” but Jim’s darting, searching gaze missed Jim leaned closer; but although the no detail. He saw enough to cause him girl allowed his arm to encircle her to snap off his light and step nearer to ample waist, she proved to be in no the bed. Gently feeling, his fingers mood for lovemaking and light talk. crept over the old man’s chest and She wanted to know how he disposed closed around the leather bag. He held of stolen property. Jim talked little, a knife ready to cut the string that was but thought a lot. looped about. Steven’s scraggy neck. “I’ll bet a dollar,” he reflected, “that The deed was as good as done, the bag ole miser has somethin’ hid away that’s all but in Jim’s possession, when a worth havin’ and she wants to get hold metallic clatter on the floor caused the of them. Sue was mighty anxious to old man to wake with a shrill scream find out the name of a fence. Do I butt of alarm. Startled by the accident, Jim in an’ put one over on her, or do I not ? stepped back and his heel came down I’m sick of her, anyway, an’ I may as on the cylindrical torch, that had fallen well get something out ’of it before I from his pocket and betrayed his pres- cut loose.” ence. He tried to save himself from During the next three hours, Jim slipping, but the old man’s clutching kept his foot on a brass rail; Taut, al- fingers hampered his efforts to recover though he drank frequently, he exer- his' balance. He fell and dragged with cised care to keep his head. him the cursing old man. A furious “Got another little job on hand,” he struggle followed. confided to the bartender. “Good biz, Crazed by rage and fear of discov- maybe ; dunno yet. Gotter take a ery, Jim let loose all his strength in chance of landin’ a lemon once in a bestial brutality. He secured a murder- while.” ous clutch on the old man’s throat, and Soon after midnight the back door of his hold did not relax until he felt his Steven Brunt’s ramshackle frame house victim become suddenly limp. creaked slightly and yielded to the Then, when it was too late, Jim let ;

132 Detective Story Magazine

the body fall and groped for his torch. The third shot found lodgment in the The bulb glowed and revealed the hor- murderer’s knee. He floundered and

ror that his hands had done. sprawled on his face ; his race was “D-dead !” he stutttered. The look done. of victory was wiped from his face as At the station house, Jim listened bit- he stared down at the distorted features. terly to a mocking story. He had killed He felt no remorse for his deed, but a man, pledged his own life to atone- in common with other murderers, he ment in the electric chair, for—nothing. showed the cowardly streak in him and The gems that Steven had fondled and trembled with heart-gripping panic. He played with, were only paste duplicates jerked himself erect, ready to take in- of the diamonds that he had doted on. stant flight. Then again the leather bag It was Susan who told the surprising caught his eye and greed nerved him to story.

wrench it free. “I stole ’em over a month ago,” she “May as well have what I come for,” confessed. “My stepfather left his bag he muttered callously. He was amazed on his table and I took the real dia- and joyful when he opened the bag and monds and put in three imitations that the three stones glittered in his hand. I had picked out of a brooch I bought “I’ll bet he stole ’em,” muttered Jim on purpose fer when my chance should and little knew that he was near the come. Fer years I knew he had ’em. truth, and that fate had chosen him as He half starved me an’ never give me an instrument of vengeance for the a moment’s peace. I was goin’ to sell ” crime that Steven Brunt had committed ’em an’ run away. Now over twenty years ago. “Me fer the “Curse you !” exclaimed Jim. “All woods,” he added, and padded softly to along you’ve been stringin’ me. That’s the door. “Must have made a racket. why you wanted to find out the name ” If that derned girl woke up I’ll have to of a fence. That’s ” do another job. I “Enough !” the lieutenant interrupted A door slammed below. Jim heard sharply. “That’ll be all from you now. a quick rush of feet and a woman The rest can wait until the morning. screaming in abandonment to hysteria. You’ll get all that is coming to you, “Sue!” mumbled Jim. Crouched in later. Hand over the diamonds, young the dark, he strove to collect his woman. We’ll look up their history and alarmed thoughts and plan a way of see if we can place them where they be- escape. He could frame no idea ex- long.” cept the pressing necessity for flight. When the real and the false stones He blundered down the stairs, frantic were ranged on his desk, the lieutenant to get out. summed up Susan’s part. “A clever A man’s shout and Susan’s accus- girl,” was his comment. “No wonder ing, repeated outcries of “Murder! the old man didn’t discover the trick That’s him!” rang out simultaneously she played on him. They’re exactly the as Jim tore down the street. As he ran, same size and his eyes were failing him. he glanced over his shoulder. I suppose she counted on that. The “She’s got a cop!” He gasped, then real ones must be worth a pile of money. plunged on, unheeding the policeman’s I guess we won’t have much of a job to order to stop. trace them back to their rightful Bullets began to spatter on his trail. owner.” : ;

j/' Ronald Oliphanf

••When Cats Came Back," “No Luck," etc.

TH his deep chest, massive trict. There was no way of tracing shoulders, fresh, ruddy com- the sender. The envelope was addressed plexion, conventionally tail- merely to The Inspector in Charge of ored blue suit, and large, the Detective Bureau, Police Head- well-polished black sjioes, Barker, head- quarters, City. quarters detective, felt decidedly out of There was only one thing to do place in the babbling, fashionable crowd namely, to send a man to investigate on that thronged the lobby of the Apollo the night designated. Hence the pres- Theater to hear and witness the ence of the unpretentiously clad Barker premiere of the new operetta, “Lurana.” in the midst of the gathering of butter-

Edging his- way skillfully through the fly pleasure seekers. crush of rainbow-hued femininity, im- “Lurana” was a new operetta com- maculately clad officers of army and posed by the gifted Italian, Signor navy, and a sprinkling of “tombstones” Giuseppe Miro. A Miro first night was and swallowtails, Barker reached the always attended by a crowd of fashion- ticket-taker, presented his pasteboard, ables. The critics waxed enthusiastic and passed into the auditorium. He over his musicianly scores, and burbled was not at the theater for the purpose and burbled about the mantle of Mozart of enjoying himself, but was following and Offenbach and Sullivan. At the up an extremely vague, indefinite clew same time they made uncomplimentary to a case that had baffled him and his references to Broadway’s favorite one- superiors for a year past. In his pocket- finger composers, who were the signor’s book was a half sheet of note paper rivals in the light-opera and musical- bearing the following message in hand- comedy fields. printed characters Of these things Barker knew little or nothing, and cared less. refinement If you want to discover the person guilty The of the Seagram murder, attend the opening and delicacy of a melodic theme, the performance of “Lurana” next Monday eve- nuances of skillful orchestration, the ning. originality and freshness of a musical The communication was unsigned. idea, had no special significance in his The paper was of a standard brand that practical, square-toed life. could be purchased at any one of hun- It was nearly curtain time. The chairs dreds of stationery stores throughout were beginning to fill, the musicians to the city. The postmark was that of a drift into the pit reserved for them. station in the heart of the business dis- The sound of tuning up and trying out 134 Detective Story Magazine

string, wood, wind, and brass mingled seem to be robbery, for nothing was with the hum of small talk, the swish of disturbed. The composer’s desk con- silken dresses and the dull bang of seats tained a number of the rough manu- being dropped into place. script pages on which he had been work- Barker was in the fifth row of the ing, but so far as the police could tell, orchestra at the extreme right, up nothing was missing. No one had against the stage boxes. It was an ad- heard a sound, but this was to have vantageous position/ commanding a been expected, because Seagram had view of practically the entire lower been assigned a room where he would floor, a good portion of the first balcony, be entirely unmolested. This room was and even the front rows of the second situated along a corridor with the linen balcony. storeroom and a number of unoccupied With vision alert for anything of sig- apartments, so that Seagram could, if nificance, the detective mentally re- he liked, strum away at his piano far viewed the Seagram mystery, and into the night without disturbing or wondered how such a crime could in being disturbed. This isolation was un- any way be connected -with the refined, fortunate, and it greatly handicapped fashionable gathering in which he was the police in their investigation. More- now placed. It had been an odd and over, it gave the murderer a clean

thorough inexplicable case, apparently twelve-hour start, at least, as it was simple, and yet hopelessly baffling. not until nearly noon of the following Seagram was a composer who had day that a chambermaid, entering to had a great deal of success, and was tidy the room, found the unfortunate rated as a master of his craft by those composer cold in death. who knew. It was while an operatic Everything pointed to the theory that competition was in progress that the he had been attacked from behind. killing had occurred. Seagram had Those who knew him believed that he taken a room in the Wellington Hotel had been so absorbed in his music that in order to secure quiet, and to enable he had not heard the stealthy footsteps himself to concentrate on the work of at his back, or been aware of the pres- writing his offering in the contest. The ence of another, until the treacherous affair was under the auspices of some blade was thrust into his body. He was musical society. The reward for the in the habit of becoming totally winner was a ten-thousand-dollar lump wrapped up in his work, and the cash prize, a royalty on every perform- chances were that this fact had pre- ance, assurance of a production at the vented him from making any struggle Metropolitan Opera House, and world- or outcry. wide fame. The leading composers of The murderer had been clever, and the country had entered the lists, but in also fortunate. He had left no clew, Seagram’s chances for success were not even the knife with which the deed very favorably regarded. was done. During the early morning It was about six weeks before the hours a heavy rainfall had washed away date when the manuscripts had to be any 'footprints or other traces that he in the hands of the judges that Seagram might have made in his passage over the was found dead at his piano in his roof and the fire escape. It had been a hotel. He had been stabbed in the back. simple matter to climb upstairs unseen The murderer had apparently entered and reach the roof, then to descend the by means of a fire escape leading over iron ladder, enter Seagram’s room, com- the roof, struck the fatal blow, and got mit the crime, and go back the same away undetected. The motive did not way. The locale was made to order. The Accusing Melody 135

The police had been entirely at sea. he raised his arm, and the overture was Other composers who feared Seagram’s begun. rivalry in the contest were watched and The piece was about half finished questioned, but every one could give a when Barker, who had been carefully satisfactory account of his doings on scanning each addition to the audience, the night of the tragedy, and there was gave a slight start. The cause was a no evidence against any of them. fair-haired, rather good-looking man, By the time Barker had turned these probably forty years of age, who was facts over in his mind for the thou- being shown to his seat at the moment sandth time, the seats on the lower floor by the girl usher. It was Graffan, the of the theater were about three quar- winner of the opera contest, from which ters filled. The musicians were all at death had eliminated Seagram as a com- their posts. Their final tunings were petitor. He had the aisle seat in the finished. They were awaiting the ar- same row as Barker. He had never rival of the conductor and the first rap been suspected because he was a dark of his baton to call them to order for horse in the race. No one knew of him, the opening measures of the overture. no one expected anything wonderful At last a burst of applause announced from him; yet he had turned out a the presence of Signor Miro in the or- score that unquestionably had been the chestra pit to conduct the opening per- best submitted to the judges. There formance. He bowed gracefully in ac- was nothing to connect him with the knowledgment of the ovation, brush- murder, although when his name was ing aside a wavy black forelock that had announced as winner, the police had strayed on to his. forehead. He was of devoted a little time to looking over a handsome Latin type, with an ex- his antecedents, and making him ac- tremely sensitive, delicate face, large, count for his actions on the night of expressive eyes, and rather high cheek- the crime. bones. His figure was slender, but gave To Barker’s mind, his presence this the impression of strength and wiriness. evening in conjunction with the mys- Barker’s sharp glance took in every terious warning note that had come to detail of his form, from the mass of headquarters was significant; yet in it- dark hair to the vanishing point where self it was not. There was every the chairs in front cut off the view of i>eason why he should be sufficiently in- his exquisitely creased trousers at about terested in Miro’s new work to come to the level of the knees. He had seen the initial performance. Miro before. The composer had been No sooner was Graffan seated than questioned when the murder of Sea- Barker’s attention was attracted to a gram was under investigation. There couple just entering a lower-tier box on had been no suspicion against him. The the opposite side of the house. It was alibi furnished by his valet was con- only for a moment that the detective got vincing. In any event, there was no a glimpse of the newcomers, as the motive in his case for the deed, as his lights were lowered the next instant offering had been about sixth in merit preparatory to the rise of the curtain. on the judges’ list. He was not, there- For his quick vision' recognition was fore, in a position to profit by Sea- instantaneous. The man was George gram’s taking off. Silver, the dead composer’s favorite With an alert movement, Miro swung nephew, who had benefited not a little around from the audience and faced by his will, and who had, incidentally, the musicians. A sharp rap of the been helped out of rather a bad finan- baton brought them to attention. Then cial hole by the legacy. He was a thin, 136 Detective Story Magazine

dark, dissolute-looking fellow of thirty and Barker was alert for every possible or so. With him was his wife, an over- development. dressed, fussy little woman of the ex- The first act passed without note- tremely blond type that some men find worthy occurrence. There was a tumult irresistibly alluring. Barker was not of applause when the curtain fell, and one of these. it was raised again and again to permit the principals to take their calls. Signor “Lurana” proved to be a conven- Miro participated in the ovation, com- tional operetta of rather more than the ing before the footlights and bowing his average musical pretentiousness. There acknowledgments of the plaudits of his was the usual chorus of merry villagers, host of admirers. “Lurana” Svas a the beautiful heroine, the handsome success—at least as far as the first night hero, the brigand, the comedians, the went. There was a flush in his sallow ingenue. cheeks. His hair was just the least bit The heroine came on toward the mid- rumpled. There was a gleam in his dle of the first act. It struck Barker fine dark eyes. It was Miro’s night, and at once that there was something famil- any one could see that he was thrilling iar about her face and figure, in spite with the glory of his triumph. Con- of the make-up. He consulted the trary to usual custom, he came on by program by the glare from the stage. himself for his curtain calls after the Then he remembered. The singer was performers had finished making their billed as Ruth Guardia, but Barker’s bows. all-embracing mind recollected that There was nothing to excite suspicion this was the stage name of the mur- during the intermission. Everybody be- dered Seagram’s wife. haved in an absolutely normal manner. She was of a compelling style of dark Certainly no one had the aspect of a beauty; about her eyes was a dreamy murderer. The sender of the anony- quality; in her voice a velvety lan- mous note was just as much a mystery guor, and in her every movement was an as ever. No clew to^his or her identity undulant grace that inevitably thrilled had thus far revealed itself. Barker and attracted. She was of medium had to admit to being “stumped,” as he height, a woman of rarely command- expressed it. ing, magnetic personality. He settled himself with a slightly The house, which had hitherto been peevish grunt for the second act. The a trifle apathetic, came to life at once. musicians had returned to their places This woman held its sympathies, its at- and the curtain was jusf going up again. tention, its interest from the very first This act was as uneventful as its pred- note of her opening aria. She sang ecessor. The plot of the operetta was well she acted superbly ; ; she was the developed a little more. Frankly, finished artiste. Even Barker, a man Barker did not know what it was all of somewhat unrefined, coarse-grained about. He was far too deeply en- tastes, was not unmoved by her. He grossed in the real, vital, human prob- sensed the presence of a genius which lem which he had come to the theater he could not qtflte appreciate. He this evening in the hope of solving, realized the diva’s potent charm. lured by the promise of the anonymous Then he began wondering. This was missive. the fourth person in the theater who, Again the curtain came down. The to his certain knowledge, had been en- second act was over. The principals meshed in the toils of the Seagram case. and the composer took a lot more calls. Truly it was an interesting situation. ,The enthusiasm was unbounded. Barker The Accusing Melody 137 was beginning to feel bored—and also The white-robed figure came forward skeptical. Perhaps, after all, it was toward the footlights, instrument in just some fool practical joke one of his hand. Her dark hair fell in a loose brother officers with a depraved sense mass over her shoulders. Her eyes ap- of humor was playing at his expense. peared to be closed. With a majestic This time he left his seat during the movement she drew the violin to her intermission and mingled with the chin and commenced to play. The au- crowd in foyer, promenade, and smok- dience leaned forward spellbound. The ing room. He had been told that in melody drawn from the strings was this sleek, well-fed, prosperous gather- soft, pleading, exquisitely tender. The ing of first-nighters, there lurked a beautifully molded arm that wielded cowardly murderer. His keen eyes the bow seemed gifted with a rare in- scanned hundred faces. of terpretative power; it seemed to draw a # Many them were shallow, weak, lacking the very soul out of the instrument, and character, firmness, resourcefulness. to send it vibrating through the auditor- Yet he could not pick out one as typi- ium in a flood of sound that caused the cally criminal. He got a good look at listeners to catch their breath and to Silver, the nephew, in the smoking feel a tightening of the throat, so true room. The man’s hand trembled a lit- and sincere and appealing was its tle as he lit his cigarette, but that was emotional content. Truly it was a not an abnormal symptom in the case dream melody, a piece of the very of a high liver such as he knew the man fabric from which dreams are made. It to be. was little more than a gentle breath, There was nothing suspicious about so softly did the player draw the bow

Graffan when the detective jostled him across the strings, yet it held the vast slightly at the head of the stairs. The gathering entranced with its wistful, man seemed perfectly placid. Calm- ethereal loveliness. eyed, almost phlegmatic, he suggested The number was finished. The ap- anything but the high-strung, tempera- plause, hushed for a moment, then mental master of music he had shown broke forth in a delirious hurricane, a himself to be. frenzy of enthusiasm. The curtain fell So absorbed was Barker in his phy- three times. It would not do. The siognomical study of the_people that he crowd would not be satisfied with a did not notice that the musicians were mere bow from the woman who had in their places and the house being rendered the inspired music with such darkened for the third act. He was perfect taste. There must be an encore. late getting into his seat and had to The curtain went up and stayed up. apologize for stumbling over the knees The orchestra, at a sign from the leader, of a portly dowager, her daughter, and played the introductory bars, and the a subdued man in evening clothes, who solo was recommenced. It had pro- was probably the daughter’s husband. gressed about half way when there was The first part of the third act showed an unexpected interruption. From the fair Luranafs sleeping chamber. somewhere among the shadows of the The stage was darkened, and as the darkened stage a man’s figure crept to- scene drew to a close, the singer re- ward the player, with arms outstretched. tired to sleep, only to arise after a short His face was invisible. His outlines interval and play on the violin a melody were indistinguishable in the gloom sur- which she was supposed to dream. It rounding the solitary white figure was a sort of sleep-walking scene, with standing prominently out in the spot- the dream melody as the climax. light. He entered the illuminated :

138 Detective Story Magazine

circle, reached out gently, and took both taken much, at that moment, to start a bow and violin from the woman’s un- panic. The people were nervous, high- resisting fingers. Still he kept his face strung, frightened. They were in the averted, but he muttered gruffly. So right frame of mind to be stampeded. deftly was the instrument transferred Just at the psychologically*correct in- from one pair of hands to the other stant the thing happened. It was not a that there was not more than a mo- scream, nor was it a groan. It hardly ment’s break in the continuity of the resembled any known sound that the melody before the intruder had taken human vocal organs can produce; and

it up where the actress had left it off. yet it was of human origin—a cry As soon as he had possessed himself of wrung from a tortured, overwrought, the violin, he retired into the darkness guilty soul, the wail of a conscience- again. His touch was just as stfre and driven wretch in whom fear of the un- firm, just as soft and tender, just as canny and the supernatural had broken fervidly eloquent as the woman’s had down and brought to the verge of con- been. There was a moment, as the fession. At last the voice became strains died away almost to a whisper, articulate when those in the front rows of the or- “Stop it, Seagram! For the love of chestra could catch his muttered words. Heaven, stop it!” !” “My melody 1 My melody he kept The orchestra trailed off into a dis- repeating. cordant murmur, and was silent. Only The audience, at first mystified, came the violin on the stage continued to to the conclusion that the change of play amid the gradually increasing players was part of the plot, and after hubbub in the audience, as women a momentary gasp of astonishment, set- pleaded to be taken away, and men tled back to enjoy the strange, haunting growled indignantly and called for the melody to the conclusion of its second lights. In the confusion the spotlight rendition. man apparently lost his head and Barker, however, was sitting up in his switched off the one ray that had chair, tensely alert. His instinct told hitherto furnished the sole illumination him that the moment for which he had for the house. Absolute darkness been waiting all evening was at hand. reigned. Yet he was puzzled to understand the After what seemed a terribly long ten significance of the occurrence on the minutes, but was in reality only a few stage. If he could only see who the moments, the house electrician turned

man was 1 on the lights, the lone violinist vanished As if in answer to his wish, the spot- somewhere among the shadows of the light operator gave his big lamp a turn stage, and the curtain was brought and sent the glare fully on the player. down. Every one gave a start of horror, and an exclamation half of amazement, half Behind the scenes the prima donna. of fear passed through the audience. Ruth Guardia, lay back in a chair in One woman gave a little, hysterical her dressing room in a half-fainting giggle. The face of the man on the stage condition, but there was a gleam ol was ghastly. His eyes appeared glazed. triumph in her splendid dark eyes, and A crimson streak marred the white of an expression of achievement lay on his shirt-front. A wild, unearthly look her finely molded features. rested on his features. Barker recog- She turned to her maid who was nized him instantly. So did many others draping a filmy piece of lace over hei in the gathering. It would not have bodice for the next scene. — —

The Accusing Melody 139

“It was wonderful, Marie!” she ex- ure of his opera in the contest as a re- claimed rapturously. “Wonderful! My sult of his distraught frame of mind. scheme worked to perfection. The de- Then there was the melody that had !” tective has him now betrayed his secret to Ruth Guardia. At the very moment she spoke, Bar- “I knew that it would be my undoing, ker was half lifting, half dragging a but I couldn’t help myself. It was al- moaning, whining, cowering creature ways singing in my mind, the dream into a taxi at the stage door. He melody in the dark scene of the third got his captive into the car and gave the act. It was the only thing I took from driver a curt order. Seagram’s score. I varied it only a “Police headquarters! little. It forced me, drove me to write It did not take long, once the tension it into my new operetta, ‘Lurana.' I had been broken, to secure a complete was haunted by it night and day. Now confession. The apparition of what ap- I feel free of it. It has done its workl peared to be the murdered Seagram—in It has avenged its creator!” reality an actor violinist made up for the part, and coached by Ruth Guardia The final scene of “Lurana” was combined with the havoc wrought by a played through for those of the au- guilty, ever-gnawing conscience, had dience who remained. Few of the shattered the prisoner’s nerve, and he spectators grasped the significance of was like wax in the hands of the de- the episode in connection with the play- tective. The whole truth came out ing of the dream melody; in fact, the ambition to win the operatic con- hardly any one in the audience noticed test; the knowledge that Seagram was that Signor Miro was missing from the the better man; the trip over the roof leader’s desk, and that another wielded and the fire down escape ; the cowardly the baton during the second half of the blow in the back; the stealing of part last act. In the morning when they of Seagram’s manuscript, and the read the papers and learned of the manufactured alibi. Finally he told of signor’s arrest and indictment for the the loss of his own skill and inspiration Seagram murder, they remembered after committing the deed, and the fail- and understood.

DENTISTS AS INSANITY EXPERTS I N recent years we have heard much about the testimony given by experts on 1 mental diseases, in numerous cases where the guilty person’s plea was that, for some cause or other, he had been temporarily insane at the time the crime was committed. Now a hitherto unsuspected reason for insanity has been brought to light, which may result in the addition of dentists to the corps of experts called upon as witnesses in many murder trials. Doctor Harvey A. Cotton, medical director of the New Jersey State Hos- pital for the Insane, at Trenton, has announced, after eleven years’ work with the patients in that institution, that the primary cause of many cases of insanity is bad teeth. Poison generated by the unhealthy teeth spreads, after several years, throughout the body, causing insanity, and finally, death. Doctor Cotton’s discovery may, perhaps, influence also the treatment of those convicts who from time to time rebel without warning and commit acts of violence in prison. % C. C. Andrews

HE river was a weak little bons, the babies- by their toes, and1 the stream for most of its length, boys by nothing at all, they might be but it widened and deepened spasmodic, too,” said Miss Bosanquet. where the bridge spanned it, On the present occasion the long and, seeming to be fed by fresh springs, summer dusk was so far advanced that foamed over the bowlders whicH at this the last straggler was probably safe in point formed its hard, uneven bed. The bed, and Miss Bosanquet was not at her bridge was probably stronger than it writing table, being engaged with a visi- looked, or it would have been swept tor—with her most frequent visitor, the away long ago for the river, when the rector. should in at the ; That he drop rains swelled it, had been, known to .bungalow once or twice a week, was a overflow so far as to touch the oak matter of course. That he should say palings of the bungalow garden. what he had just said, was not. On a post against these palings, under “Again! My dear friend! Oh, a little green wooden gable, hung a life please ” she expostulated. preserver, rope, and boat hook. These, She stood looking at him, a woman like the bungalow, were the property of who possibly had once been more beau- Miss Bosanquet. Once a tiny village tiful—who certainly could never have child, trotting at the side of a hardly been more charming. Her dress of larger sister, had slipped upon the dark heliotrope, flowing softly over the bridge, and, falling, had its little life perfect curves of her tall figure, suited dashed out before her helpless eyes. admirably the thick twists of the bright, The life preserver had resulted, as well fair hair that had not a stripe of gray, as the often-renewed white paint upon the pure, blond tints of the strong, the handrail, and the half-yard band sweet face that had hardly a line. It upon the unprotected side of the planks. was not, as a rule, a grave face—or, at A couple of hamlets lay upon the far- least, was one that readily grew gay; ther side of the wood, and the bridge eyes and lips were alike quickly alert being the nearest road to both village with a delightful humor. They were so and schoolhouse, the small passers now, for all her reproachful tone. The were many—so many, and so blood- rector—he was a highly personable one, curdlingly reckless, that Miss Bosan- handsome, kindly, portly, as a rector quet, seated at her writing table near an should be—sighqd. open window of the charming apart- “My dear,” he said gently, “you know ment that was drawing-room and study I shall aways go on hoping.” ' in one, sometimes declared that she had “I hope not. For I think it is four her heart in her mouth twenty times a times—isn’t it? that I have told you I day. shall never marry,” said Miss Bosan- “The reviewers are rather fond of quet. complaining that I’m spasmodic. If “Is it impossible that your mind they lived opposite that bridge, and saw should change? Have you forgotten ” the girls hanging on by their hair rib- that when your niece marries ” ;

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"Dahlia? I don’t believe she thinks plained why he seldom contradicted her, of it. She’s so young yet. And there’s rector though he was. He broke the her voice—she will have her profes- silence by changing the subject again. sion,” said Miss Bosanquet rather “Miss Dahlia is quite well, I trust?” quickly. “Perfectly, thanks. She is dining at “You would be very lonely—miss Pinecrest to-night. There is a rather her-— big party of big people—a senator "Terribly! You see, I don’t deny it. among them, if I’m not mistaken. Mrs. But I have always my work.” Holroyd sent quite a gushing invitation ” “Would that suffice? Suppose the child was delighted. They want her "We change the subject? Do! Help to sing, of course.” me with my last chapter,” said Miss “She is an acquisition anywhere,” de- Bosanquet brightly. clared the rector gallantly. If the words were abrupt, the man- “Quite so. But I am not sure that I ner atoned for them; and the rector, care to have her made a convenience of. taught by experience, was wise enough Oh, you are dining there, too. Of to accept the finality of the tone. He course ! A pleasant evening. Must changed his own promptly. "Is it you go? Good-by,” said Miss Bosan- troubling you?” he asked. quet pleasantly. “As usual.” She laughed a little The rector departed, and 'she sat on whimsically. “I have my public, you alone, her eyes fixed absently upon the know, and my public 'expects a certain blank manuscript page on which “Chap- thing of me—the conventional happy ter the Last” was written in her firm, ending. Absolutely absurd in the pres- clear hand. Then a burst of music ent case, treating the woman as a hu- filled the bungalow; Dahlia’s glorious man creature and not an impossible young soprano rang out superbly. In a simulacrum of perfection. You know moment she came in. the story. Don’t you think so?” “Ready' at last, Aunt Claudia. I

“H’m ! We are obliged to allow that thought Harriett would never finish forgiveness,” began the rector, it must fussing with my hair. But it looks be admitted a little pompously. stunning, I think, don’t you? Shall I ?” “Pooh ! You are not in the pulpit, do she asked. my good friend. You know well She turned herself slowly around for enough there are some things that no inspection. Beyond an occasional turn man should be forgiven, and that no of expression, there was no likeness be- woman should forgive. Forgiveness! tween the two, for Dahlia was slight Can that unmake, remake, obliterate? and small and dark, with a vivid rich- Women know very well that it can’t. ness of color and bloom and an eager And yet it is chiefly women who, if I vivacity of manner. She was very give it them, will whimper over an un- pretty—in a year or two more she natural reconciliation and an impossible would be lovely. Miss Bosanquet ad- happiness.” justed the ribbon that bound her little There was a moment’s silence. The dark head. rector filled it with a little cough—a dis- "You look very nice, darling. I creet sound. That the woman he de- rather wish, though, that we had sent sired to marry was a successful novelist for a conveyance from Grant’s; I undoubtedly added to his admiration of hardly like your walking.”

her. But it was not the reason why he “Just through the wood? Why, it’s loved her. A modest perception that nothing—no distance, and as dry as a her brains far bettered his perhaps ex- bone. And Mrs. Holroyd will send me —

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home,” returned Dahlia, pulling the votedly down to the pink hood that long gloves up her slim girl’s arms and moved at his shoulder as daintily grace- putting on her cloak. “You might walk ful as a flower. But when she turned, with me instead of Harriett, Aunt Claudia Bosanquet almost ran, moving Claudia. It’s a lovely evening. Do, with a most uncharacteristic roughness dear,” she said affectionately. Then and haste, not pausing until she she laughed. “That last chapter will dropped, breathless, into the chair by never be finished to-night, anyhow, you her writing table. know.” “I might have known !” she said begun, either, “Or I guess. Yes, I aloud. “Oh, I mght have known ! Why think I will come,” said Miss Bosan- should she escape?” Her eyes fell quet. upon the blank manuscript page, blank A long scarf of black lace was thrown but for its heading. She laughed bit- over chair; she it a folded about her terly. “The last chapter ! As though head and shoulders, and the two went that could be written to the story of !” out, crossing the bridge. The wood was any of us fcy any hand but Death’s very quiet; the path wound wide and She sat looking before her, listening white between the trees. At the first to the rush of the river—a melancholy curve of it the girl checked with a little sound in the gathering gloom. It was cry at the sudden appearance of a fig- fully an hour later, and it had grown ure—Randal Holroyd, heir of the Hol- as dark as the June night would grow, royd estate and fortune. He was quite when she roused herself and rang for young—not more than four-and- the lamp. She snatched up her pen twenty; his handsome, boyish face when the maid had withdrawn, and be- showed flushed and eager in the dusk. gan to write, filling page after page at His bow was divided, but his eyes were a reckless speed, hardly halting for a only for Dahlia. word. Then she read it over. It was

“I thought you might be walking good ! Oh, it was good ! She knew over, Miss Conroy, and that if so, you that. But, all the same, it was the sort would let me look after you. It’s a of thing that “her public” wouldn’t bit lonely if you’re nervous. So good stand. She tore the sheets across and of you to come! Wonderful, isn’t it? threw the pieces down—not thus was And—and we needn’t trouble your her last chapter to be written. Then, aunt to come any further, perhaps,” he invaded by a sudden irritation and im- said. patience, she got up. “There was not the very least need “I’ll go out,” she said aloud. “I shall !” for you to come. I should scarcely be do no good to-night scared of a rabbit or a squirrel. But The black lace scarf still lay upon her but I shall be quite all right, it Aunt shoulders ; she wrapped over her head Claudia, you know,” said Dahlia. and went out. A thin, faint moon was The toss of her dark head matched rising above the trees; the night was the cool indifference of her tone, but her utterly quiet. Over the bridge she little face was rosy. Claudia Bosan- sauntered on slowly, following the path quet looked from one to the other, and that she and Dahlia had trodden. Pres- her own face whitened under the ently, from somewhere in the wood, shadow of the black lace; an odd little came a little, piteous, shrill scream of gasp escaped her. She stood quit.e still, terror and pain, perhaps from a rabbit watching the two young figures as they caught by some night-prowling canine, moved away, Randal carefully carrying and, with an involuntary exclamation

Dahlia’s music, his fair head bent de- of distress, she stood still. But for this ! — ;

The Last Chapter 143 check she would probably not have seen Was there any other hurt? There the marks in the dust. Doing so now, seemed no signs of any. she felt herself thrill and shiver with an A few yards away was a little pool instant premonition of what they were, she wet her handkerchief, and, kneel- for the moonlight showed them red. ing down, laid it on his forehead. His She hardly needed to stoop down, to thrown-up arm concealed the lower half touch the one—the largest—that was of his face. She gently removed it, and nearest to her foot, to look at her dab- the sudden gasping intake of her breath bled fingers. Blood left her with lips apart, staring. He “Oh !” she cried. stirred, made a moaning sound, and she She looked at the marks, trailing ob- got slowly upon her feet, while her face, liquely from left to right of the path. under the shrouding black lace, grew Here there was a spot, here more spots, white and stiff. His eyes opened, saw here, where she stood, almost a little her ; he struggled up on his elbow, and pool, and beside them, in the dry dust, she spoke. was the print of feet. Somebody “You fainted,” she said, and her or had dragged them- voice in its harshness was one that man . woman— selves across, wounded and bleeding, Dahlia would hardly have recognized,

little it and but a time before ; witness her although was so quiet ; never had she stained finger-tips. Here upon the been prone to outcry. He looked up at grass was a blot of red. Whoever it her, a vague figure in the moonlight, was had gone this way. and glanced about him confusedly as To do whatever there was to be done his strayed senses came back. “You with neither fuss nor hesitation had al- fainted and fell here,” she said. ways been a matter of course with “Fainted?” He struggled up a little

Claudia Bosanquet ; now the thought more, and in a moment half laughed. that she might encounter tramp or beg- “Of course—I remember. Fainted, did gar did not for an instant deter her. I? That was the sight and smell of the She was not timid. The fact that here blood. I always was a fool in that way probably help was needed, which she *—never could stand it. I was—caught could render, sufficed her. in a trap.” She hurried along the narrow path “Yes, I saw. There should be no that wound in among the bushes, came traps in the wood. They are not al- little clearing, out upon a and gave a lowed ; James Holroyd does not permit cry. For in the center, the moonlight it. This one must have been excep- ” bright upon it, lay a huddled figure. tionally strong

Even before she bent over it she real- “It was.” ” ized that this insensible man was “Your ankle is badly torn

neither tramp nor beggar ; his clothing “I saw that much. If you would ” told as much, and the hand that lay kindly give me your hand palm upward was delicate, long-fin- Miss Bosanquet gave him her hand. gered, hardly less white than her own. With a struggle he got upon his feet. A moment’s examination Showed Then she composedly put back the what was his injury—one sock, torn shrouding lace—it fell down on either away above the ankle, was soaked in side of her colorless face like two crimson, the flesh all mangled and folded sable wings—and looked at him. jagged from the bottom of the trouser He started, and fell back with a gasp ; leg two triangular pieces of cloth were of amazement. wrenched clean out. The foot had been “Claudia! Good Heaven! Is it—is caught in a trap. Why had he swooned ? it you?” !

144 Detective Story Magazine

“As surely as you are Archer Brad- “that this is a thousand times more ley,” said Miss Bosanquet. than I deserve from you.” “You—recognized me?” “We need not discuss that, I think,” “Yes, I recognized you,” said Miss said Miss Bosanquet coldly. “You had Bosanquet. better sit down. I will get what is “Who would have thought of it ?” He necessary.” scanned her from head to foot—seemed He sank into the chair to which she to subdueMris astonishment in a shrug pointed, and she went out into the hall. and a half-laugh. “Well, if I had been The kitchen was at the other end of the anyone else, you would have bound up bungalow, and the two maids were shut my wounds in true Samaritan fashion, up there, she knew; their voices were no doubt. But I’m afraid I can hardly audible as she glanced that way. That expect you to do it for me.” was well, she thought, since' no one “I expected to find a tramp. I should must know that Archer Bradley, of all have done what I could in that case. men, was under roof of hers again. There is no reason why I should not do How small the world was—how small the same now. I can hardly leave you she said to herself wonderingly, as she as you are, more than a mile from the got water and towels, sponge and band- village,” said Miss -.Bosanquet coldly. ages, and carried them in. , “If you choose to come to my house The stiff whiteness had left her face ” with me now; though a little pale, it bore al- “You live here, then?” most its usual sweet, composed serenity. “Yes, close. Tie this handkerchief He looked covertly at it, at the luxuri- round your ankle. You shcfuld have ant coils of her bright hair, at her grace- done so before; it has bled terribly. ful figure, and an odd compound of ex-

And perhaps you haifl better take my pressions grew upon his own. It was a arm,” said Miss Bosanquet. handsome face still, curiously attractive, Bradley obeyed. He needed the sup- in a sense curiously young, although the port, for he limped painfully, and more lines about the eyes and mouth were than once stopped with a wince and deep, and the close-cut dark hair was sound of pain. But the silence was streaked with gray. He spoke sud- broken in no other way until they were denly, but with the touch of hesitation on the bridge. He looked down at the and deprecation more pronounced in his tumbling water, foaming over its bowl- manner. little,” he der-strewn bed ; in the perfect night “You have changed very stillness its noise was loud. said, “astonishingly little! And it is “The river seems deep here,” he said twenty years, I think.” involuntarily. “It is twenty-one years. I live a quiet “Very deep, and the current is swift life, that may be the reason,” she an- —that is the house.” swered composedly. “Let me see your The light of the lamp shone out with ankle.”

a rosy glow from between the curtains The wound was a bad one ; the teeth of the long, open window as they went of the trap had mangled and lacerated up the path. Bradley paused as they the flesh cruelly. She glanced up pres- entered, looking at his conductress. ently. They were almost of a height; he was “It might have been meant for a not a tall man. man,” she said. “It must have been “I suppose I may as well have the strong enough to hold one.”

' grace to acknowledge,” he said, with his “It did hold one longer than I liked,” former half-laugh and shrug in one. said Bradley. — —

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“You must have tried to drag your- pens are that ! I make a livelihood and self away, surely?” save a little. It is more than many can “Yes. For the first minute—like a say.” fool—I couldn’t think of, couldn’t re- “You are—not married?” !” member, the way to free myself.” “Married “The man who set it was probably The word carried more than denial close by. You should have called for a very volume; the whole of the

help. You did not?” woman’s life story was in it. For the “No, I didn’t call,” said Bradley. first time she looked at him straight and “Whoever he may be, he will get into full, as he looked back at her, and the trouble for setting it in the wood,” said fire in her gray eyes was bright. He Miss Bosanquet. saw the woman whom he had desired, She fastened the bandage with firm, pursued, won, tired of, deserted—who, deft white fingers, carried away the possibly, had been but an episode among sponge and basin, and came back. He episodes. She saw the man, whom, a sat .looking about the pretty, flower- raw girl, she had worshiped utterly, decked room, every detail of which had learned through anguish to doubt, spoke of the prosperous well-being of scorn, despise not less utterly, but who its owner. She took up the lace scarf, remained the only man who had ever and threw it round her shoulders and counted with her for good or bad. Her over her head. Nothing could have eyes withdrew and turned away in a been more calmly indifferent than her moment, but his continued upon her; manner and tone. a new expression grew in his face, a “It is unfortunate that there is no lurking satisfaction that he had at last vehicle of any kind here,” she said, “but struck this one flash of fire out of her. the distance to the village is not far, But his tone was humble. and I can show you the path from “I suppose I was a scoundrel, Clau- the garden gate.” dia. No, I know I was. I left you “Thank y^u.” He stood up, hesitated. broke my word—behaved most dis- ” A hint of chagrin in his expression was gracefully repeated in his voice. “You—you “But naturaliy,” said Miss Bosan- don’t ask me anything about myself, quet, and looked at him quietly. “A Claudia 1” woman who trusts a man as I trusted “No,” said Miss Bosanquet simply. you asks him to deceive her, leaves her- “You don’t care to know, I suppose?” self to his mercy and his honor. If

“It is certainly no concern of mine.” they chance to be nonexistent, it is

“Oh, quite so 1 Perhaps, however, of not much use to cry out. I had lost you may be able to give me credit for my voice; my hopes of making money being glad to find you so prosperous, as and a name were over. Why should is evidently the case.” He hesitated you have kept your promise to make me again. “You—did not go back to the your wife? You were ambitious, and to your profession?” you had the chance of marrying a rich “No, that remained impossible.” She woman. What you did was quite nat- made a gesture as if to forestall fur- ural.” ther questioning. “I write,” she said “At any rate, I didn’t marry her,” curtly, “since you are curious.” muttered Bradley half sullenly. The ?” “Write ! Do you he glanced round calm of her voice was barbed with again. “Ah! And you are rich, then, something keener than mere scorn, and ?” no doubt he had reddened under it. “But no “Rich? Few who depened upon their doubt you know that?” ! —

146 Detective Story Magazine

“No it did not concern me. But I and mortification. With the word, ; am glad, for her sake,” said Miss Bos- loudly uttered, there was a change in anquet. his look as swift as his movement, and “You’ll never forgive me, Claudia?” Claudia Bosanquet stopped dead. A “No. There are some things one woman checked a pace-length from a does not forgive,” said Miss Bosanquet. precipice might have borne such a face, “Well, it serves me right, I suppose!” might have made the wild, breathless He gave his half-laugh and shrug. “You gesture with which she almost clapped cared for me too much, poor girl her hand upon her mouth. Her dilated And I broke your heart, spoiled your eyes, beyond her control, looked at a life ” She turned round upon him. table upon which stood a large photo- “No !” she said. graph of Dahlia—the girl wore a white “No?” Thrown out, he stared at her. dress, and carried a big rose wreathed “No; oh, no!” She almost smiled; hat; a ribbon was twisted through her there was a gleam of faint, tolerant dark hair. She made a picture of smil- in irresistible ing amusement her eyes ; the youth, beauty, and sweetness. Brad- humor that was part of her twitched ley saw it, stared at it, pointed to it. her lips. “I suppose,” she said quietly, “Who is that ?” he asked slowly.

“that it flatters a man’s vanity as noth- “She is my niece,” said Miss Bosan- ing else can do to believe that her love quet. Her clenched hand pressed hard

for him must needs be a woman’s all. on the table; it seemed that the whole Women know better; they realize that force of her was in the words. “She !” there are other things —many. ‘It is my niece sounds like a heresy, doesn’t it? But “Your niece? Your sister Alice’s sister’s it’s true—it’s true ! You did not break your only —daughter?” She it nodded dumbly, and he half my heart, Archer ; was too strong, as laughed. my life, believe me, was too good a “I'm afraid it won’t do, Claudia! Do !” thing to be spoiled for such a one as you think it will ? Look you.” She paused, with a little shake of He moved to stand beside the photo- her head, and smiled again. “You have graph. No one examining the two pictured me, I suppose— if you ever faces, thus seen side by side, could have thought of me at all —as lying always failed to see the resemblance between under the shame you put upon me? them ; almost feature for feature they Wrong—all wrong! A woman who were alike. For a moment the woman meekly submits to expiate endlessly a strove to meet the man’s eyes, strove girl’s folly is but a poor creature whose to maintain her steady poise, then, as if suffering is largely self-made. I paid all the strength were suddenly smitten for mine—yes—and having paid I put out of her, dropped upon a chair and it away, would have no more of it. I hid her face. He made a movement as have worked, struggled, succeeded in if to go to her, checked it, and waited. the past twenty years, won myself a She raised her head and stood up, her place in the world, a place with those self-control regained. “She has never who know me, that I hope I deserve to known,” she said. “You understand hold. They have been, take them all that she has never known?” in all, happy years. We have both been “Neither have I, for that matter. I ” ” happy—we are happy. We never even suspected. If I had- “We?” Bradley cried. He broke off, and looked at the photo- His attitude of indifference, as he lis- graph again narrowly. “You mean she tened, had been plainly a pretense, not has always believed herself to be your ?” at all hiding his involuntary surprise niece The Last Chapter 147

“Always. As she always shall do. wood she had been no paler. Bradley

As everybody has always done. Not raised his eyebrows ; his half smile had the faintest shadow of the truth has a cool power in it that was a sinister ever touched her, I thank Heaven.” charge. She paused, as though searching for “I see you understand,” he said sentences that should convey the most quietly. “I can’t claim, unfortunately, in the fewest words. “Alice was an to have been a good father, but perhaps angel to me—I never had from her the that is not all my fault. If I had known reproach of so much as a look. She before or after I left you—never mind never held up her head after her hus- that. Surely it is only natural that I band’s death—she was never strong, should wish to see and know my daugh- like me. Even if her child had not fol- lowed she would hardly, I think, have “See her? Know her?” made shift to live—as it was I “Why not?” said Bradley. can’t speak of it! Her child died. “And that she should see and know “There was a name and place left you ?” ownerless and vacant for my child, who “Well, I suppose the one involves the ?” had neither. I gave her the name, I put other, does it not her into the place. It was all quite “You mean that ? You dare mean it ? easy—there was not three months’ dif- That you will claim her? Tell her the ference in the ages of the two, and we truth? Blast her for life with the dis- were abroad. I came back with my grace of it? Shame me in her eyes? niece. No one suspected—nobody ever Ruin all that I have worked for for has done so; least of all the child her- twenty years and won for her sake ? self. Sometimes she has envied girls You threaten me with that?” with mothers. Well, I have borne to “Threaten? That’s an ugly word. hear her do that ! But that doesn’t mat- And are you not taking too tragic a ter. She is Dahlia Conroy, the daugh- view of it?” ter of my sister and her husband, with “Too tragic? It would kill her, or the proof of her birth to show if the worse than kill her!” As she stared at need should ever arise. I don’t know him still her wild eyes grew calmer; why I trouble to tell you all this; you the extraordinary strength that was in have not the slightest claim to hear it. her rallied again. “I will deny it! In I will show you the path to the village. a sense I have lied for her all her life,

As I said, it is not far.” and I will lie again. I will deny it, Her tone had been growing more and every word.” more steady, her manner more and “What then? Look at my face as it more composed. As she made a ges- is before you and her face there, and ture that at once put the matter aside, say—once the thought is put into her and motioned him to pass out at the head—if you think she will believe window before her, Bradley shook his you.” head. He pointed to the photograph. Miss “Do you mean,” he asked slowly, Bosanquet did not glance at it—it had “that you expect me to go—to be dis- told her enough already. She flung missed like this?” back the shrouding lace from her head “Expect ?” She stared at him. as though it suffocated her; blindly she “Don’t you think it is groped for chair taking a great a ; dumb, she dropped deal for granted, Claudia!” into it. There was silence, broken only “What—what do you mean ?” by the rushing of the river. Bradley The words came breathlessly; in the stood watching her. Eor the moment I ;;

148 Detective Story Magazine she was conquered, and he knew it. “A burglary ? At Pinecrest ?” Then his face changed and softened “Yes—while we were at dinner. Mr. with a return of its better look, and he Holroyd-thinks it must have been a suddenly moved across to her. planned thing by some gang to get hold “I suppose I’m a scoundrel, Claudia,” of the jewels brought down for the he said hoarsely. “You have reason to party—you know how enormously val- say so, Heaven knows ! Scoundrel or uable they must be. They would have not, I’m utterly alone in the world—as I gone,' every one of them, but they’d deserve to be, of course, and, I swear to been talking about that wonderful you, as wretched a man as there is in it. stone, called the Shah’s Ruby, which You cared for me once—you won’t belongs to Mrs. Longstreet, and she deny that—and the girl’s my child as sent her maid to bring it down to us to well as yours. You don’t want her to see. She found the door locked, heard know. Keep it from her. Be what you somebody moving inside, and screamed' should have been before ever she was. —he must have got out by the window !” Marry me there was a ladder-thing hanging from

“Marry you?” She was amazed. it. Only one of the servants heard her, “Why not? For her sake! Oh, I and he ran out just in time to see two don’t ask it for mine ! And you can af- figures rushing away. He gave chase ford to despise it—I see that. We to one, but lost him in the plantation. would go abroad—I want to get out of The girl came shrieking into the dining the country. I—I’d keep straight— room—wasn’t it terrifically exciting? swear I would. She need never know Everybody rushed out then, of course, a word. She would not suspect if she but couldn’t see anything of the second ” was told nothing, and man. It was Mr. Holroyd who found “Ah!” cried Miss Bosanquet. “Lis- that he’d been caught in the trap.” ten! She is coming!” “The trap? Caught in a trap?” The gate clicked there rapid fell ; came a Claudia Bosanquet back against run of light feet upon the path. At the the table; no words can paint the hor- farther end of the room a door opened ror of her ashen face. Dahlia nodded, into another; she had barely time to unseeing ; she was taking off her cloak. hurry him through and close it when “Yes. Didn’t I say that Mr. Holroyd Dahlia appeared at the window. Breath- had had some set on the lawn? It less and pale, the pink hood fallen back seems Mrs. Longstreet joked when she from her head, she stood panting be- came about being sure she would be fore she could speak. With an ejacu- robbed one of these days, and you know lation, a swift movement, Miss Bosan- how awfully nervous he is. Yes, the quet caught her by the shoulders. thief was certainly caught in it—there “Child, what’s the matter? Why were scraps of cloth in the teeth. He ?” have you come like this ? And alone must have been dreadfully torn in get- “No, no !” Dahlia said panting. “The ting away; there was blood on the rector and Mr. Holroyd came with me grass—ugh, horrible ! He made off to the bridge. They’ll be here directly, into the wood. We traced the marks I expect. They went back into the right across it to a place this side of the wood to—to look.” She paused; she broad path. That is, the rector and was too excited to note the stiff pallor Mr. Holroyd did, and I kept with them of the face above her, and the light Mrs. Holroyd was too upset to think of

from the shaded lamp did not reach it. a motor car for me. They have gone “Oh, Aunt Claudia, what do you think ? back to see if they can trace them any !” There’s been a burglary further. It may help the police; Mr. —; —

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Holyrod phoned for them directly, of The frozen, staring stillness of her face course. Is that their voices ? I’ll bring broke up; she seized him by the arm. them in to tell you all about it, shall I ?” “He must not see you !” she whispered Miss Bosanquet nodded—it was the vehemently. “He is her love—Dahlia’s jerking motion of a clockwork figure lover! I knew it only to-night. And and the girl, with a little ripple of ex- she loves him; I saw it in her face. cited laughter, ran out. In a flash Don’t you see. If he knew His Claudia was across ,to the inner door father is bound up in pride of birth and and had flung it open. Then she needed place as such men are. He may let his to say nothing; his face showed that son marry my niece; he would die be- Bradley had heard. They looked at fore he would let him marry my daugh-

each other for a moment before the ter. Oh, go, go ! I’ll hold my tongue

woman spoke. no need to tell you that ! This way, or “It is true?” she asked. “True?” she will see you. Take the path to the He nodded. “Yes—it’s true.” right when you are clear of the garden ” “You have sunk to this—have and you will come to the village. Oh, I She was voiceless. He smiled with a don’t know whether it is of any use to sort of weary bravado. say to you—leave this life—be honest. “Sunk? You had better say—have I But do if you can—if you can!” chosen ? It would be nearer the truth. An outer door opened from the Plainly, I turned thief because honesty second room; she had hurried across and a pittance were not to my taste. If and thrown it open. Bradley paused

I am laid hy the heels over this, it won’t on the threshold and looked at her. be the first time the key has been turned “No chance of that,” he said with a on me. That’s the state of the case, laugh. “Once a scoundrel, always a

if you want to hear it.” scoundrel ! I shall die one when my “You have—been in prison?” time comes, you may be sure. Welly if “And shall be again in all probabil- it were of any use to say I was sorry,

ity.” He half laughed. “Oh, I suppose I’d say it. As it isn’t, good-by, I was always a scoundrel, Claudia, long Claudia.” before I played the scamp to you Limping, but swift, he was gone in there’s a black drop in my Wood some- the shadows. She flung the door to, where, I think. If you had said yes to slipped the bolt, and ran into the other me just now, if this hadn’t come out, room, dropping breathless into the chair I should have meant to run straight and by her writing-table; for a moment her should have failed, most likely. Most head fell forward upon it; a great !” likely ? Pooh ! I know I should Some shivering took her. Then she sat up sound outside, real or fancied, made hurriedly at the sound of Dahlia’s ap- him turn towards the window swiftly proaching feet. The girl came in flushed and pause to listen. “Enough of that,” and eager. he resumed hurriedly. “You don’t in- “They don’t seem to be coming, Aunt tend to give me away—that’s under- Claudia. Perhaps they have found !” stood ; all you want is that I take my- him self off as quickly as may be. The “Him?” said Miss Bosanquet. sooner I do it the better for myself, be- “The man who was hurt in the trap. fore those fools of police come along. He can’t have got so very far—do you What did the girl say about the parson think he could? We thought there coming? If he or the other she was were more footmarks on the path, you ” speaking of should see me here know, but it wasn’t light enough to be “See you here? Randal Holroyd?” certain; they seemed to lead this way, ;

150 Detective Story Magazine the rector said. You haven’t seen any face flushed and wrathful. Entering, horrid-looking man about, have you, he put Dahlia aside as though she were dear?” nothing, approaching the tall figure be- ‘‘My dear child! I have been writ- hind her. “My dear lady, you know, of ing.” course, that they have caught this “Oh, your last chapter! Of course,” burglar scoundrel? He has the out- said Dahlia. She came nearer to the rageous insolence to declare that you light. “Wasn’t it most awfully excit- know him!” ing, Aunt Claudia? I wonder if the “That I know him !” Miss Bosanquet police are searching the wood yet? Mr. repeated like an echo. Dahlia gave a Holroyd thought they’d motor over. I cry. do hope they catch him, don’t you ? Pefc “He says so—that it is all a mistake haps he is the one who was actually in declares that he is an old friend, and the room. I think he must be, because has been spending the evening with !” ? if in will What’s that Listen you ; that they bring him you An outburst of sounds broke the si- confirm it.” lence—the voices and feet of men. They “That I shall confirm it!” repeated came from the rear of the bungalow. Miss Bosanquet again. .She made a One voice, loud and excited, was that blind motion to move to Dahlia and of young Holroyd. As the woman stopped ; the police were at the window, started up and the girl turned toward were in the room. Bradley was be- the window, he ran in. tween two detectives, each holding him “I beg your pardon, Miss Bosanquet. by an arm. For an instant his eyes But Miss Conroy has told you, of met hers—did they threaten or beseech? course, about the flare-up we’ve had? The man designated as “lieutenant,” in !” They’ve caught the fellow charge of the detectives, bowed to her. “Oh!” cried Dahlia. “Really? The “I beg your pardon, madam. As a police ?” matter of form, and just to save time, “Rather,” said Randal. He looked at perhaps, you won’t mind answering the her; neither had eyes for the ghastly question. You don’t know this party, face behind them. “Dropped upon him of course, though it did seem as if he not a dozen yards away from the garden came out of your garden ?” He pushed prisoner forward, with the gate,” he said rapidly ; “saw him the and sneaking off among the trees. Lucky, other hand coolly tilted up the lamp- wasn’t it? No doubt about it being the shade. “If you’ll have the goodness to scamp—his ankle’s hurt—tied up—been take a look at him—hallo ! If I didn’t in the trap safe enough. Not a bit the think I’d heard the voice, out there! !” sort of looking fellow you’d—hallo But it was pretty dark, and my eyes The noise of feet and voices was are not as they used to be. It’s you, is drawing nearer, plainly approaching it? Whew!” through the bungalow garden. The rec- He slapped his leg, staring at the tor’s voice suddenly separated itself figure revealed in the sudden flow of from the other voices, raised and in- light. Bradley’s eyes had gone past him dignant. to where Dahlia stood. She gave a lit- “Preposterous !” he said angrily. tle gasp and drew back to young Hol- “Abominable! An absurd lie on the royd’s side, returning the look; fright, face of it ! You must see that for your- shrinking, and curiosity were all in her self, lieutenant. Ridiculous! Bring pretty face. the man in. I insist upon it !” He ap- The rector gave an exclamation. peared at the window, his handsome “You know him?” he cried. : —

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“Know him, sir?” The lieutenant down to the gate, and the girl sprang laughed. “Well, rather! It’s precious and caught her round the waist. few of us who don’t know Gentleman “He’s in the river ! He pushed away Jeffcott. Though that’s not his right the detectives and slipped or jumped name, I believe. An old hand, and a I don’t know which! Oh, oh!” she clever one—that’s what he is. Well, shrieked. that being the case, you’re not going to There was a wild rush of figures ?” stick to it that you know this lady, eh from the bridge, and incoherent cries Bradley slowly turned to him. of this direction and that. The rector “I admit I’m beaten,” he said com- shouted for a boat-hook and a rope, and posedly. “Wasn’t aware that you were Randal ran and brought them, but in the country these days, Saunders. If clouds had obscured the moon, and I had spotted you out there, I should there was a delay of many minutes. not have tried my—little ruse. Your Though had there been none, it would memory for voices is fetter than mine.” have availed nothing. Leap or slip, the He paused. “I have not, of course, the head had struck a bowlder with a blow honor of knowing the lady.” that had fractured the skull, and the “Why make so outrageous a state- force of it had dislocated the neck; it ment?” began the rector hotly. was a dead man they laid upon the He laughed. “My dear sir, a man bank. will tell almost any lie to save his skin. Claudia Bosanquet stood back while This means five years, Saunders, I sup- the tumfllt of question, answer, and ex- pose, eh?” clamation surged about her; she had “That’s about it,” said the lieutenant given only one cry. In a few moments easily. “Lucky if it’s no more, with all the men but one had hurried away your record. You’re wanted for more to bring what was necessary, and the than this little shine, you know. And rector with them. Young Holroyd was if you take my advice, you won’t talk.” whispering to Dahlia; he had brought

His hand went to his pocket, pulled out the pink cloak and wrapped it round something out. “Now I’ve got a car her, for the girl was shivering and half waiting over the bridge—good thing, crying. The remaining detective stood too, as you’re not in walking trim—and apart staring across the river, a stolid the sooner you come along the better.” statue of indifference. v With a nod Bradley held out his Claudia moved slowly forward to the hands, clasped together. The lieuten- dripping figure on the grass. She looked ant, with cool dexterity, snapped the down at the face ; the moonlight, bright handcuffs on; without a glance in the again now, showed it almost undis- direction of the girl or woman he figured it was only a very little ; wound walked out between the detectives. The from which the crimson stream ran lieutenant and the rector went out talk- thin. She had said she would never ing, the and two young people in a forgive, and had meant it ; she had no moment followed, whispering together. remorse, but the girl would never know, Claudia, left alone, did not stir—she and the dead lay piteous. Of a sudden stood with a face blank as a sleep- she bent down, her cheek touching the walker’s. The tramping steps died cheek that had lain on her bosom when away. she was young; she kissed the lips Then came a sound like a great about which some warmth of life splash, a shouting of men’s voices, and lingered still. a scream from Dahlia that rang shrilly Dahlia, seeing, gave a cry of amaze- over all. Claudia rushed out, darting ment and remonstrance 152 Detective Story Magazine

” !” “Aunt Claudia ! Why—why “Don’t, darling he whispered eager- she exclaimed. ly. “You know I love you, Dahlia. Miss Bosanquet looked up into her Don’t, sweetheart !” daughter’s face. “There may be some He drew the little head to his shoul- woman who has loved him or who does der and kissed it, and the girl clung to love him,” she said. “That is why, my him, sobbing. Doing so, she turned dear.” alike from the father she had never The black fall of lace hid her face known and the mother she was never to as she rose to her feet. Bewildered, recognize. touched, excited, Dahlia burst outright Claudia Bosanquet stood with veiled into tears, and Randal suddenly put his face and shrouded head bent down, like arms around her. a widow of old time.

JUNIOR POLICEMEN OF NEW YORK DEALIZING that a healthy, mischievous boy may easily develop into a gangster ' under evil influence, and thus progress into criminality, Captain Sweeney, of the fifteenth police precinct, New York City, hit upon an excellent plan to instill a love for law and order into a lad’s heart. He organized a junior police force to which the boys of his district between eleven and sixteen were admitted, provided they lived up to specifications. The conditions of membership were to accept the ideals of the organization, which are : Be honest be trustworthy ; ; be loyal helpful ; be ; be polite ; be obedient ; be brave. In addition, each member of the force was required to take the following pledge : “I promise on my honor to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the law to obey the motto ; and the rules and regulations of the Junior Police Force of New York; to keep and never to misuse my Junior Police badge, and to surrender it upon demand to the chief of the force.” The duties of the Junior Police were; To prevent swearing and vulgar lan- in streets guage the public and public places ; to prevent the building of bonfires in the streets ; to prevent boys from breaking windows and street lamps and from defacing buildings and sidewalks with chalk; to prevent boys from smoking cigarettes and playing crap; to prevent boys from engaging in dangerous or unlawful playing; to prevent persons placing encumbrances or obstructions on fire escapes; to prevent the mixing of ashes, garbage, and paper; to see' the garbage cans are kept covered, and that ash and garbage cans are promptly re- moved from the sidewalk when emptied ; to request persons to keep the sidewalk and areaway in front of their buildings clean, and not to throw refuse into the street ; to make special efforts to perform the duties relating to fire escapes, ash cans, and sidewalks at their own homes, and to see that their parents and rela- tives do not violate the laws and ordinances; not to enter any building for the purpose of carrying out their duties. The boys of the Sweeney precinct took enthusiastically to the scheme, and more than a hundred joined the Junior Police. They were given uniforms, brass buttons and braid, and all the dazzling insignia of office. Plenty of physical training was also given these “kid cops.” They were taught to swim, box, wrestle, and give first aid. Weekly lectures were a part of the system, on subjects of the city’s health and general police ordinances. Altogether, a most excellent plan for boys of crowded cities, and we would wish to see it fostered in every one of our large centers of population. !

HILE it is possible, to a certain extent, to read between the lines of the notices we print in the Missing Department, and to observe there the W tragedy, the heart-longing, the despair that lie behind many of and them, no one can appreciate the depth of the emotion experienced by those who have the notices inserted, unless they have read the accompanying letters. It is hard to say which cases are the most urgent, so great is the range, the diversity of the announcements. It is a long cry from the chap who is seeking his bunkie, the fellow who slept with him on some far-flung expedition in the wilds of a distant land, to the pathetic effort of a mother, who in dire need years ago, having relinquished the legal right to her children, would now, in her old age, give—ah, what would she not give to press those children’s hands again, to look into their eyes Now, friends, Christmas is coming—just a trifle early?. Not at all! These are days of expedition, of “do your Christmas shopping early”—and we have a

suggestion to make. It is this : Look over the Missing Department in this issue, and see if you can’t make the bulliest Christmas gift that it has ever been your good fortune to present to any one. See if you can’t reunite at least two persons who long to be with each other again at this yuletide.

Dressed to the minute, swinging his stick, humming a bit of a song, giving the impression that, as far as he was concerned, this little old world was arranged

exactly as he would have it, a handsome young man walked leisurely down the corridor of a fashionable apartment house. At a turn in the hall an agitated servant stopped him. “I stepped out to—er—apprehend you before you entered. Mr. Broughton, my master, asked me to telephone you to kindly drop in and see him. Mr. Broughton, sir, has—if I may say so without discourtesy—has been acting in a very peculiar manner. He keeps weapons about, appears to be intensely nervous, ” whirls around at the slightest sound, talks in his sleep “My word!”

Yes, you have it. John Warwick is dipping gently into another escapade that will soon draw him into the vortex of a most exciting series of adventures. AT THE SPIDER’S COMMAND By JOHNSTON McCULLEY

the complete novel which will appear in next week’s issue, is the latest story of this popular series, and is fully up to any that have so far been published. As we told you in the last issue, there will be but two serials in Detective Story Magazine until further notice. This policy was decided upon at the suggestion of a number of our readers. Among those who will contribute short stories are Grace Bryan, James Edward Hungerford, Arthur P. Hankins, Carl Clausen, and Lucas Mortimer. Wire Tapping By GERARD LU1SI

Y^/IRE tapping is a very old game. It takes its name from the instrument which is attached to regular telephone wires and which enables the user to “listen in” on conversations over the regular wire. Crooks who are acquainted with race tracks are the operators of the wire- tapping game, and such gangs steal hundreds of thousands of dollars yearly. The leader of a band of wire tappers is usually well educated, of suave manner, and a good talker. He may have from one to fifteen helpers. When the gang finds the prospective sucker or easy mark, usually in some hotel or sporting place, one of the gang proceeds to gain his confidence. In many instances the “roper,” the one who does this work, is a woman. The victim is then introduced to the leader of the gang, who, he is given to Relieve, is an influential man, con- nected either with the telephone company, or himself the owner of a racing stable. The victim is informed that a fortune can be made by the simple means of tapping the telephone wires and getting the results of the races before pool rooms get them. Ip this way bets can be placed with a certainty of winning. He is then taken to a room especially fitted up for the purpose, and in- duced to place small bets on different horses—which bets, of course, he wins. The money handed him belongs to the gang, for in reality no wires have been tapped. Having won several times, the prospective victim is satisfied that he was lucky in having become acquainted with his new friends. Headquarters Chat 155

The gang then tells him that they have a sure tip on a horse. The result is that he places a large bet, turning the money over to a supposed bookmaker, with instructions to place it on a certain horse in a certain race. When the race is over, the victim finds that he has lost all his money. When he goes later to his new friends for sympathy he finds that they have disappeared and the room where the telephones were is closed up. ANSWERS TO READERS’ QUERIES

I. A. M.—You state that on August 1 st last station, and if so, did she meet any one your young sister set out to visit relatives in there ? a town one hundred and seventy-five miles Has she any relatives or friends in the from your home, but that she never reached towns from which the two letters were there, and that on September 2d your mother mailed? received a letter from her from another James A.—It is claimed that a Japanese in town, saying that she was well. Eleven days California counterfeited a number of five- later another letter wT as received, this time cent pieces—the ones which have the buffalo from a town two hundred miles distant from on one side and the Indian head on the other. the first, saying that she would be home The counterfeit is a good one, being almost some time, but not stating when. identical with the genuine five-cent piece, the As those are all the facts you have given only variation in appearance being a slight me I would like you to answer the following difference in the ground under the buffalo’s questions before I can advise you how to feet. No one is likely to notice this differ- proceed to locate her: ence unless it is pointed out, although it is Was it the first time your sister had ever easily discernible then. left home? Who suggested for her to go to Hunting- Everett M.—The rogues gallery is a col- ton? lection of photographs of convicted crimi- Did she leave home angry or in good nals, which the police of different cities keep humor? for future reference and identification. Is she a working girl or a home girl ? When an accused person is convicted, he is Was she engaged to any one? immediately photographed, finger printed, Is the man missing? and his Bertillon measurements taken. The If she was a working girl did she keep photographs, along with the Bertillon meas- company with any man working in the same urements and a list of his crimes, are placed place with her? in the rogues gallery. The finger prints are Did any of the family go with her to the placed in a separate file. 156 Detective Story Magazine MISSING

This department is offered free of charge to readers of the Detec- tive Story Magazine. Its purpose is to aid persons in getting in touch with others of whom they have lost track. While it will be better to use your own name in the notice, we will print it “blind” if you do not wish the publicity. You can also have the notice “double blind” if you prefer. This can be done by using nick- names of the mention of some odd incident. In sending “blind” notices, you must, of course, give us your right name and address, so that we can forward any letters that may come to you. We reserve the right to reject any notice that may seem to us unsuitable.' We will forward promptly any mail that is sent us.

If it can be avoided, please do not send us a “General Delivery” Post Office address, for experience has taught us that advertisers who are not more specific as to their address often have mail that we sent them re- turned to us marked “not found.” Also, when you change your address, please let us know.

Now, readers, help others as you, in your extremity, would like them to help you. The persons who have asked us to print the following notices are very anxious to get in touch with the ones they have mentioned. If you can assist them in doing so, lend a hand. When you get in touch with the person you are seeking, please let us know, so we can take your notice out.

fONNELLY, JOHN, who left Scotland with his 'T’RACY, MRS. MARION, last heard of about wife, Christina, about thirteen years ago, fifteen years ago in Seattle, Washington. and was last heard of at Buffalo, New York. He A close relative is anxious to learn her where- was a seaman on board transoceanic liners. If abouts. Any information will be thankfully re- you will communicate with the Missing Depart- ceived. - ment of the Detective Story Magazine you will learn something Interesting concerning one very WHITE, JOHN SOMMERVILLE, about forty- dear to you. six, light complected, around five feet six inches tall, who disappeared from his home in fTGAN, WILLIAM, last heard of in Boston some Detroit five years ago. His blind mother would time ago. Please write your friend Charley, receive most gratefully any news from or con- in cure of this magazine. cerning him. Address Missing Department in care of this magazine. LJUNTER, E., last seen in San Francisco about eight years ago. Your Aunt Minnie, and A/T ILLER, HENRY D., twenty-eight, who was uacle, and all, are most anxious to hear from born in, or he lived in, Bridgeport, Con- you. Dora is married. Write your mother in necticut ; was last heard of in Sparks, Nevada. care of this magazine, and relieve her anxiety. Some one who met you on the boat going from Guatemala to Panama, about four years ago, BARRINGER, MRS. LAVINA MAY (nie Sau- would like to hear from you. Address the Miss- cla), last heard of in Portland, Oregon, in ing Department for further particulars. July, 1916. Can any one furnish her present whereabout to her anxious sister, who wishes to T EWIS, WILLIAM L., who left his home in send her funds to return home? Address Mrs. Montgomery, Alabama, to go to Jacksonville, F. D. Lahey, 12 Dun Street, Plainfield, New Florida, with a friend, who is sixteen years old, Jersey. about five feet five inches tall, is dark com- plected, and has very long black eyelashes. Any QTONE, MRS. FRANK (n

BRUSH, C. S., who left Portland, Oregon, T AGOTA, NELLIE or ANNIE or MINIS^E, *-' twelve years ago, was last heard of in the latter now Mrs. Frank Jablonskis : last Washington, D. C.—Please write your son heard of in Cleveland, Ohio. The son of Sallle like Ad- Avery's wife ; I am very anxious to know you. Lagota would to communicate with you. (Any information as to his whereabouts will be dress Anthony Pavelkis, Box 78, Summit, gratefully received.) Illinois. — —

Headquarters Chat 157

sixty, who I rjUTTROFF, HERMAN MARTIN, AD EARSOLL, JOHN and NATHANIEL, whose has tattoo marks on his arms, and who was mother died at 210 West Thirty-first Street, last heard of about twenty years ago, when he Savannah, Georgia, and who was last beard of worked on ferryboats and lived on Garden Street. in Burrugah, Georgia, with their stepfather’s Hoboken, New Jersey, His nephew, Robert de mother.—Your cousin would like to locate you. Savoye, would like to learn his whereabouts. Write in care of this magazine. Address Mr. de Savoye, in care of this maga- zine. A DAMS, FRED RUSSELL, twenty-one, last heard of somewhere in Virginia. Please ELK, H. S., fifteen, five feet six inches tall, communicate D weighs about one hundred and twenty at once with the MiBSlng Depart- ment, in care of this magazine. pounds, has light hair and fair complexion. He disappeared from his home not long ago. Any information regarding his present whereabouts CTEVENS, HENRY, of Faison Depot, North Carolina, who will be greatly appreciated by his sister, Mrs. was last heard of in 1904, at No. 904 Counter Street, Portsmouth, Virginia. J. J. Abie, of Goss, Louisiana. Your youngest daughter, Lucy, .would like to hear from you. (Any one knowing his whereabouts UINN, JAMES F„ who lived in New York will do a great service by communicating with Q City in 1906, and in Taber, Panama, in the Missing Department of this magazine.) 1907. He is a plumber by trade.—An old friend is anxious to hear from you. Address L. B., 436, xpONTLEROY, LEROY, last heard of at Ada, Harriman, New York. Oklahoma, shortly after his marriage.—You will find something of interest to you if you com- who lived somewhere in municate with this magazine. 1,1lVT IRACLE, GLEN, Illinois. Mr. Miracle is five feet six inches tall, has black hair, brown eyes, and a small TJNDERWOOD,v WALTER BENJAMIN, twenty- scar on the right side of his chin. —Please ad- eight, who has brown eyes and very straight dress "Very, Very Anxious,” in care of this brown hair, and who left his home in American magazine. Falls, Idaho, six years ago.—Your mother wor- ries about you night and day. Ease her mind by writing 'M'OLAN, VICTOR, twenty-four, weighs around to her at No. 9 Corbett Avenue, Bing- hamton, New York. *-’ one hundred and sixty pounds, is dark com- plected was last heard of in Minnesota in 1914. ; PUMAN, LEON, came the —Victor, please write your sister. She has news ** who to United States for you. (Any information as to his where- about 1900, and who was last heard of in abouts will be appreciated.) Mrs. Wallace Bisbee, Arizona, in J906. He had one girl and MacDonald, Ardath, Saskatchewan, Canada. four boys. His daughter will welcome any word that will help to locate him. Address “Milka,” In care of this magazine. Preston, william jerome. who was a veteran of Civil to the War ; belonged Com- CTILL, WILLIAM, or his heirs. He had a A, 36th Regiment, Yates lived in w pany Phalanx ; brother named John, who came with him from Will County, Illinois. He had two sisters who England some years ago. Address any informa- married Jay and George Green, brothers, and he tion to Miss Leah M. Still, P. O. B. 426, La also had two younger sisters, Orpha and Emma. Porte, Texas. Mr. Preston's daughter, Ella Preston Schrum, of Long Beach, California, is very to anxious f)E YOUNG (or DE JONG), RINSE, was last hear from any of her father’s relatives. heard of In 1914, when he wrote from Ed- montom Alberta, that he was going to Peace D AKER, W. F. (BILL) fifty, five feet seven River County, Canada, with two friendB, to look inches tall, who was last heard of seven over some land. He intended to return- to Ed- years ago at Canton, Illinois. Your daughter monton shortly. Letters mailed to his old ad- "Bert” would like to hear from you. Address dress were returned to his people in The Neth- Mrs. Bertha May Baker, 526 Eighteenth Street, erlands. Please address any information about Moline, Illinois. him to this magazine.

(first name unknown), between the OLDEN, NICHOLAS, brother of James Hol- VfAUGHN fj1 ’ ages of twenty and forty, whose mother was den, of Dorwen, Lancashire, England, who separated from his father fifteen or twenty years was last heard of in San Francisco. He is about ago. Any information will be gladly received seventy or eighty years of age. When last heard by Rodney Fairbanks, of No. 201 N. Kenwood of he working as a master plumber. His was Avenue, Austin, Texas. nephew, William Charles Holden, would like to hear from him or his children. Address Mr. wife’s Holden at 66 S. Sixth Street, New Bedford, OHNSTON, WILLIAM THOMAS, whose Massachusetts. J name was Millia, and who was last heard of in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. lie was a life-insur- ance agent. Any information as to his where- D ROWN, EDITH, who was left in Wayne abouts will be greatly appreciated by R. J. County, Michigan, by her mother twenty- Owens, Star Hotel, Great Falls, Montana. eight yeurs ago, is anxious to get in touch with any relatives of hers that may be alive. Any CMITH, ROBERT ALEXANDER. last heard of help in her search will be appreciated. Please ° at No. 500 Pacific Street, San Francisco, Cali- address Missing Department. fornia, in 1913, when he was ready to go to Alaska.—Your sister Frances would like to hear , f' ALHOUN. ANNA, who married Henry Frank- from you. Address her in care of Detective Un Ingle at Camden, New Jersey, about Story Magazine, or at No. 2230 Balnbridge twenty-three years ago. Her son, who was born Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, some time later, and who saw her last at Norwich, Connecticut, PIKE, VICTOR, seventeen, who left Regina on when he was three years old, would like to hear A September 14, 1917, to go with a friend to from her. Address Henry F. Ingle, Jr., Route Wllliston, North Dakota. Write and let your Ralston, Oklahoma. 1, Box 36, mother and father know where you are, and relieve their anxiety ol mind about you. QM ITH, NORA MAY, who has dark hair and brown eyes, and Is very slim; last heard ol In R. last heard WATSON,TY 0„ who when of was Salisbury, North Carolina, when she was on her somewhere in Wyoming.—Your brother-in- way to Norfolk, Virginia, three years ago. Any law, P. J. Adams, of No. 404 West Eighteenth information will be appreciated by Anna Smith, St, Anniston, Alabama, is anxious to hear from of No. 865 Marietta Street, Atlanta, Georgia. you. — H

158 Detective Story Magazine

CMITH, FRED T., who lives la Chicago, and POULGER, FRED, about five feet three Inches ° who is aa engineer on the railroad. His u tall, weighs around one hundred and thirty- cousin, Mas. O. L. Habr, of No. 1008 Rhode live pounds, is of dark complexion, has brown Island Avenue, N. W., Washington, D. C., will hair and brown eyes. He was last heard of when appreciate any Information as to his present he left for the West In April, 1903. Any in- whereabouts. formation concerning him will be appreciated by an anxious son. Please address Donald E. M. OLIVER, EDGAR, or EDD O. HARR, who lived Boulgek, at No. 12 Florane Avenue, Haverhill, in Washington, D. C., about eight years ago, Massachusetts. when he left his wife and little son. If any one present whereabouts, they will con- EJARMON, MRS. JESSE X., n£e Frank, last knows his a fer a favor by communicating with Mas. O. L. a beard of five years ago, when living with Harr, of No. 1008 Rhode Island Avenue, N. W., her grandmother In St. Louis, Missouri. Her Washington, D. C. mother’s name now is Mrs. R. L. Tittle.—Your husband has just returned from France, and ARSDEN, EVELYN, adopted February 22, wishes to communicate with you. He has in- M 1905, by a family in Detroit. Evelyn, sured himself heavily in your favor, and expects — to write to mother in care of Detective Stobi go overseas again soon. He is a sergeant. Magazine. Address him at Ward 26. Letterman General Hospital, Presidio, of San Francisco, California. M ITCHELL (given name unknown), who iVA adopted a girl at Port Huron twenty-six Hanks, ARTHUR, last heard of at No. 414 years ago, and who is thought to have moved Kansas Avenue, Chlchasha, Oklahoma. Please to Wallaceburg, Ontario, and then to Detroit, communicate with the son of your busi- Michigan.—Please write Maud’s sister, Mbs. R. ness partner, A. E. Hutchins, in care of this Robinson, in care of Detective Stobi Maga- magazine. Father would like to hear from you. zine. I would like to hear from her. SHAW, CHARLES H„ who was last heard from CCHNEIDER, LOTTIE or EMMA, stepsister and _ in 1907, when living in Hoosick Falls, New kJ half sister of George Brown Bancker, who left York.—Your son John has settled down. He is Chicago for New York in the seventies, and was married and has a little daughter twenty months last known to be living on Lincoln Aveaue, Chi- old. He would like to hear from you. Address cago. Their mother died about 1882. Mr. him at No. 222 Natt Terrace, Schenectady, New Bancker’s daughters would like to hear from York. their aunts, if they are still alive. Address them ETTILLI, of Palisade, Jersey, in care of this magazine. P ALBERT, New A twenty-one years of age, who was a pupil of the New England Conservatory of Music, at pOXE, REYNOLDS CLEVELAND, last heard Boston, Massachusetts, five years ago. He is of in 1912 at the Bnooklyn Navy Yard, where five feet four inches tall, and has brawn eyes he was stationed there as a sergeant in the and chestnut hair. Your old parents are griev- marine corps. Any one knowing his whereabouts ing for you. Please write. please communicate with Private E. G. Coxe, Company B, 14 Bn. Ordnance Depot, Curtis Bay, A DAMS, JAMES B., thirty-four, over six feet a a Baltimore, Maryland. tall, weighs about two hundred pounds, has ' brown hair, blue eyes, and broad shoulders ; last pALVENS, WILBUR, who left his home In New seen In Lavonla, Georgia, in January, 1918. Any London, Connecticut, a few months ago. information as to his whereabouts will be ap- Mother Is very anxious for you. Please write. preciated by his wife and four little girls, who need his support and care. Address Mbs. Adams, PURCHARD, OSCAR A.—Will some one who Route 2, Lavonia, Georgia. knows the present address of a man by this name please communicate with “Ed." in care of PELYEA, MRS. S. C. or GRACE, who, when Detective Stobi Magazine? last heard of, was living with her mother and daughter in IadlaBapolls, Indiana. Any in- THOMPSON, FRANK CHARLES. Any one formation as to her whereabouts will be appre- knowing his whereabouts will confer a favor ciated by her son, Floyd C. Relyea, of No. 99 by writing to his sister, Mas. Robebt Sim, of Hunter Avenue, Albany, New York. Oxford Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia. P AKER, WILLIAM.—Write to me. Bill. Every- WANKS, MR. and MRS. MILO, last known to thing will be kept confident.— arold, Gen- a 1 have been living In St. Paul, Minnesota. eral Delivery, Los Angeles. California. An old friend is aaxlsus to hear from you. Please address the Missing Department in care of HINDMAN, EUGENE, about five feet seven a a this magazine. inches tall, has gray eyes ; was last heard of in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1914. Your sister pARFBNTBR, JIM, who left Georgia when a Lotta would like to bear from you. boy of seventeen. He was last heard of living in Buffalo Gap, Texas. He had one pOUSIN ED. H. M.—Your parents are wor- daughter named May and a sen who was killed ried. Forget the past. I am very sorry by a horse. He has a scar across his tongue. for you, and will be glad to help you in any way. Any one knowing his present whereabouts please Address me as in your last letter, or in care of notify his brother, C. N. Carpenter, in care of this magazine.—J. M. this magazine. ("''AN any one furnish the whereabouts of the P UTLER, MRS. ALICE, who was last heard of v" father of a girl who was adopted by Mr. and In Longview, Texas. Any information as to Mrs. Elmer Edmundson, of No. 418 Boston Street, her present whereabouts will he appreciated by Toledo, Ohio, when she was two weeks old? She her brother, A. B. Aveei, of No. 1269 Pine is now eighteen, and was born on the 12th of Street, Beaumont, Texas. May. Her father is thought to have red hair.

pONDON, THOMAS.—Will you please write to HERRING, DANIEL B. Think we can locate a a — your old college chum, W. C. Vandevbn, at M rs . o. S. Letters do not reach you at the 518 Church Street, Orrville, Ohio? old address. Please advise where we can com- municate with you. VARAS, MRS. ANNA, and her son WICK, a formerly of Youngstown, Ohio. Information CANBORN, JAMES E.—’Think we have located as to their present whereabouts wl|l he greatly your father. Letters addressed to Kelly Field appreciated by Mr. Charles Yaras, of No. 527 do not reach you. Please advise where we can Fourth Street, Parkersburg, West Virginia. communicate with you. —

Headquarters Chat 159

CWEENEY, JOHN P., about twenty-five, five CUTER, CHARLES A., and JESSIE, who moved u feet eight Inches tall, weighing around one ^ from Kansas City to Seattle, and from there hundred and sixty pounds, has gray eyes and to Oakland, California. Charles is twenty-four,

black hair, slightly gray ; formerly a resident heavily built, light complected, and is an elec- of Baltimore. Any information concerning him trician and a barber. Jessie is of dark com- will be greatly appreciated by some one who plexion, and is believed to have moved back to has an important message for him. Address Seattle. She was last heard from in 1915. An Missing Department, in care of this magazine. old and very dear friend is anxious to locate her. Any information will be greatly appre- D OBBE, PERRY, nineteen, of medium build, ciated.

dark complexion, and curly dark hair ; is greatly Interested in electricity last heard ; was ’~F HOMAS, GEORGE, fifteen, five feet four of in Chino, California has been seen since ± ; not inches tall, weighs one hundred and fifteen he left his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. Please pounds, has a dark complexion ; is known by tbe communicate with your old friend, Ernest, in nickname of “Lefty.” -He left his home in care of this magazine. Springfield, Massachusetts, September 13, 1917. His brother is anxious to locate him. Please REEDLOVE, LEW, thirty-four, five feet six R communicate with this magazine at once. inches tall, has brown eyes and black hair, and walks with a slight limp; has not been seen since he left Hutchinson, in LJ ILLEKE, or HILLOCK, FRANZ, half brother Kansas, August, 1 1913, for Pratt, Kansas, to return in a few of Clyde Douglas, of Indianapolis, Indiana, days. A very close relative is anxious to leam was last heard of three years ago somewhere his present whereabouts. Please address this in Michigan. Any information as to where he magazine. might be found will be appreciated by his nephew. Please address this magazine. LJ OLT, BENJAMIN, of Thurmond, West Vir- ginia, who was last heard of in Philadelphia, Send your address in care of Detective Pennsylvania, in 1913.—Your old friend, Rich- 1p — Story Magazine. F. Y. H. H. J. ardson. Snead, is anxious to hear from you. — Address any information in care of this maga- who a policeman in zine. RURKE, JOSEPH, was , New York City in about 1882, whose father’s name was Peter, and his mother’s Julia, and ("''AN any one furnish the whereabouts of a girl who came from Loch Roe, Ireland. or his named MARION, whose mother died in He heirs will learn something to their interest by Lansing, Michigan, when she was an infant, and was taken to Los addressing the Missing Department, in care of Angeles, California, by a fam- Detective Story Magazine. ily named Cheeney? Important news concern- ing a close relative of hers is being held for her. CHAW, SYLVESTER ELMER^thlrty-flve, has P RACE, NELLIE, last seen on Market Street, 0 light-blue eyes and a happy disposition. He Grand Rapids. Michigan, in 1901. An old is a railroad man ; last heard of in Iowa, in 1910. friend wishes to hear from you. For further in- —Remember the old cabin on the coast of Maine? formation address Missing Department, in care Write B. Chapman at the old address. of this magazine. D ELATIVES of QTACY, MINNIE. last seen in Argenta, ADA RAE, who was put in St. u \incent’s Orphan Home in Milwaukee twenty- Arkansas, in 1914, when she left for Oklahoma four years ago, and who was adopted from there City. Her sister Viola Is anxious to locate her. by the family of Maurice Crowe. Any informa- Please address her in care of this magazine. tion that will aid this girl in locating her people will be appreciated. A RNOLD, HOBSON, last heard of in Topeka, 1 Kansas.— Ilob, write your old pal, Jovett, Ur HUGH M., fifty-two, C 4 iTi who left his home same address. in Milledgville, Illinois, about eleven years ago, and was last heard of in Mendota. Illinois, some time later. Address any \\fEST, CARRIE, forty-seven, tall, tbin, has information con- ' ' dark hair and blue eyes ; was last heard from cerning his present whereabouts to this maga- zine. somewhere in Louisiana about eight years ago. Your daughter Eva (Mrs. Watkins) is anxious to hear from you. Write her in care of this ~~|3 AVIS, BERNARD ALEXANDER, who weighs one hundred and fifty pounds, is five magazine. feet seven inches tall, has blue eyes and brown hair, and is slightly r lame in his left leg, is a na- P RACY, THOMAS A., thirty-eight, a painter tive of West Virginia. Any information that by trade ; was last heard of in Reno, Ne- will lead his to whereabouts will be greatly ap- vada, eighteen months ago. Your brother is preciated by his wife, whose address is De- anxious to locate you. Write him in care of ronda, Wisconsin. this magazine.

“THE persons whose names appear in the following list have been inquired for at length A in past issues of this magazine, and so far have not been located. Further particulars can be learned by addressing Missing Department, in care of Detective Story Magazine : Michel Achatz, Mrs. Jane Affholder, Conrad Allunerier, Thomas and Manuel Alvarado, John Am, William Ayres, Marion Aaron, Dwight Franklin Anderson, B. L. Arnold, M. ^tlas, Peter Ambrose, James Jack Anthony, Jeff Baggett, Theodore Bair, Patrick and Michael Barry, Otto Berwing, W. M. Blackburn, “Vermont Blackie,” W. V. Blackford, ‘Boals,” John Boffard, Gorlich Bossert, Robert L. Boyd, “Bob Brady,” Frank A. Brandige, ‘Chick ’ Braun, Mr. and Mrs. T. Breeding, Elijah Wellington Brown, Violet and Daisy Buckler, Felix Bue, Roy Burke, Charles M. Burnett, William Burns, Harold Butler, Louis M. Button, Jess Baker, Guy Brittingham, Mrs. William Binns, James Brooks, John A. Burdett, Peter Bent and Rufus D. Jackson, Madison Ben, George N. Bonham, Jesse Beard, W. A. Bartley, Thomas S. Black, James T. Blake, Mrs. L. Billington, Ernest and Clayton Blake, Alec Boyd, John C. C., Joseph Caine, Leona Calmback, Louise E. Cameron, D. A. Campbell, John W. Campbell, Mrs. Mary Carper (nee Woodhall), Mrs. Mary Carter, George 160 Detective Story Magazine

Chamberlain, Mrs. Marshall Chambers, Thomas Codington, Billy Collier, William—or Wal- lace—Condra, William Cook, Albert E. Cooke, Frank T. Coolidge, Fred Craemer, Mrs. Ann Crawford, Charles Crawford, Alvin Crowe, Clara Cullison, Mrs. Mary Cummings, Doctor F. George Curtis, Mrs. L. D. Carr, Elizabeth Clark (or Sheeley), Mrs. Cora Coe, Raymond Cruise, Roy Couch, Lenora Cleveland, Rose Clifford, George W. Cavender, Almyi Crim, Edgar S. Crawford, Mrs. William Christian, Ben Roy Davis, Lillian Davis, Calvin J. Davis, Henry E. Day, Harry C. S. de Mare, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Dent, Thomas Dicker- son, Clarence T. Doyle, Sarah Dwinnells, Henry Dillard, Ella Marie Davis, C. E. Dodson, Marguerite Derthick, Edward Emrick, C. Melinda Engelhard, Charles Englebrecht, Rad- cliffe Evans, D. J. Ewing, Duncan Facey, Mrs. Anna Fay, Addis Emmette Ford, John Free- man, James R. Frey, William and Adele Rose Frey, Mrs. Rose Frazer, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Fox, Julius Ferry, Jack and Campbell Foye, C. R. D. Galbraith, George W. Gardner, Samuel Garfield, Wenzel Gill, Edna Adele Glendenin, Hugh Goyt, Florence Griffe, Henry

Grogan, Eugene J. Gartley, Leona Gordon, Rflth Grofton, “Rue” Haggerty, Andrew Ham- ilton, Frank, Charles, Arthur, and Matthew Haskins, William Ernest Haskins, William Hecning, Ervin F. Heindel, Fred Henndy, Albert Hoffman, William Hoffman, Mrs. Eliza- beth Hogeboom, R. E. Lee Haley, Rae Edmond Hoffman, Oma Helm, Emily Hagen, Mrs. Myrtle Hicks, Milton F. Hampton, Jorgen Hansen, Francis M. Hoffman, William Harri- son, George Harris, Roy Lee Hayes, Ernest Howard (Pinkie), Frank Hermoniski, Frank E. Heffernan, John Heine or Haynes, Ben Helland, Henry A. Henkin, Emil Hirt, John and William Jackson, Mrs. H. P. James, A. O. Jamison, Peter A. Jensen, Edward Johnson, James A. Johnson, John Werner Johnson, Samuel A. Johnson, W. E. Johnson, William Sherman Johnson, Benjamin F. Johnston, Stephen Johnston, Merlin Jones, Joseph H. Kelly, Lulu Kersharo, Charles Keslake, E. E. Killon, Howard King, Frank Knowlton, Roy W, Kelsay, Paul L. Kilgo, George H. Knight, David Landow, W. R. Lanning, William Lawscha, Frank le Dane, Claude Lent, Clayton J. Lewis, Edward Albert Libbey, Fred Locks, Harry Looy, Jerome jt-ord, Howard Lott, James Charles Lowry, Robert H. Loyd, Charles Lock- wood, Walter Loveland, Katherine Lawrence, Anton Lewis, Vernon Levy’s sister, Frank Lutz, Mrs. A. MacCarty, Mr. and Mrs. William McDonaugh, Hugh D. McGeary, Mrs; Belle McNew, William D. McCurdy, Lieutenant A. J. McGinley, A. A. McDonald, Edward Malven, T. Masterson, James Douglas Maxwell, “Tijole” McCloskey, Charles Floyde McCoy, George 'McDaniel, Florence McKay, William H. tyfentzer, James Edward Miller, Joe Miller, Tina Mitchell, James Walker Monday, Casey Moran, Harry Morris, Roger Moulton,

Jacob M. Mutzer, Clara Manteaze, Jack J. Mulcahy, Willim B. Metcalf, Thomas Murphy, Benjamin Matlack, Ivy and James Morgan, Jack Moulton, James Mathews, Amy Eleanor

Nutman, Rose O’Hare, Ernest Olson, Andres J. Ostrem, Lena Ott, Thomas F. Oldham, Leon Ouellette, Kenneth Birrell Paterson, Reverend J. W. Patterson, Mr. and Mrs. Charles William Pegler, Emma Perry, Wesley W. Peters, Mrs. Leroy R. Post, George A. Prentice, Frederick Priebe, William Purdom, James Pyrum, Charles F. Pendergrass, Earl Phillips, Port Pierson, John Jacob Pleaharty, Frederick T. Perry, Joseph Petelle, Pearl Quick, L. W Rakestran, Arthur Charles Reeves, Alonzo Reid, Elvira Remington, “Renchie,” Walter

Reynolds, Mrs. J. J. Riley, Joseph Rose, “Ross,” Mrs. Fannie Riffle, J. B. Roberts, James Herbert Ray, Helen C. Ray, Henry M. Rund, John Rankin, Fred Rieu, Ervin and Daniel Russell, Stella Irine and Florence May Rivenburgh, Robert and Paul Roush, Charles Rouse, John Ross, Mary Roth, John Rapidean, Harry Reynolds, Mr. and Mrs. Sacks, Elmer Sanborn, William H. Sanford, Fred C. Sargent, Albert Scholes, Mrs. Schwartz of Jersey City Heights, Walter D. Seagraves, Carrie May Senecal, Judd Seymore, Joseph P. Shar- rock, John Shevelin, Thomas E. Shumway, Willis H. Simms, Mrs. Sadie F. Sisson, Mrs Leona Small, James Smith, LeSeur G. and Melville Smith, Mrs. Pauline Mae Smith, Charles Sobel, George Stephens, Tabe Stonewald, Daisy Sutton, James S. Swain, Alice F., Beatrice C., and Fred Swyden, Bert Smith, Mrs. H. H. Stevens, Belle Sellner, Cecil Scott, James Schwartz, Michael Schultz, Mrs. Ollie Sullivan, Jerome Seward, Charles Wilkinson Sweeten,

Francis Marion Sallas, Walter J. Sleeper, Lillian Stradwick, Charles Sawyer, Robert Taux, Charles O. Taylor, William Teasdale, George B. Thomas, Lena E. Thompson, George M Toms, Michael Trovato, George W. Turner, William and Myrtle Turner, Olaf Tungeland, Jerome Thomas, Dean Tucker, Alfred Toler, L. N. Ussher, William M. Valencourt, Joseph Victor Vanderbilt, Mrs. Ida M. van Schaake, Marie Vetter, Chester Wayne Vedder, Ben- jamin van Deventer, George Valentine, Elizabeth Florence Wagner, William Robert Wal- ford, John Wall, Mary Alice Warren, Irma West, Charles F. Wheeler, J. T. Wiseman, Bertha Weber, Alfred Wood, James Franklin Wilson, Henry Wolfe, Flora Wead, Mrs. Anna Woods, William H. Ward, John W. Winn, L. Yohansen, and John Zachow. , —

“Think Beyond Your Job!” “There is not a man in power at the Bethlehem Steel Works today,” says Charles M. Schwab, in the American Magazine, ‘who did not begin at the bottom and work his way up. These leaders rose from the ranks. They won out by using their normal brains to think beyond their manifest daily duty. “Eight years ago Eugene Grace was switching engines. His ability to out-think his job, coupled with his. sterling integrity, lifted him to the presidency of our corporation. Last year he earned more than a million dollars. “Jimmie Ward, one of our vice-presidents, used to be a stenographer. But he kept doing things out of his regular line of duty. He was thinking beyond his job so I one. , gave him a better And he has gone up and up. The fifteen men in charge of the plants were selected, not because of M i p ——tub out iirnr^w^ , some startling stroke of genius, but because day in INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS ” ! and day out, they were thinking beyond theirjobs. BOX 3036, SCRANTON, PA. Explain, without obligating me, how I can qualify for the posi- tion, or in the subject, before which I mark X. What about you ? Are you satisfied just to hang on _ ELECTRICAL ENGINEER SALESMANSHIP where you are ? If so, rest assured that’s as far as you’ll Electric Lighting and Railways U_. ADVERTISING Electric Wiring Window Trimmer ever get. But if you want to be somebody, to climb to Telegraph Engineer _Show Card Writer Telephone Work Painter a position of responsibility, get ready for it. Do what Sign MECHANICAL ENGINEER Railroad Trainman you are doing now better than the men beside you and Mechanical Draftsman BILLUSTRATING Machine Shop Practice Cartooning train for the job ahead. You can do it—in spare time Toolmaker r_l BOOKKEEPER through the International Correspondence Schools. Gas Engine Operating Stenographer and Typist CIVIL ENGINEER Cert. Public Accountant For 25 years men of ambition with I. C. S. help Surveying and Mapping TRAFFIC MANAGER have been making spare hours the stepping-stones MINE FOREMAN OR ENGINEER Railway Accountant to STATIONARY ENGINEER Commercial Law successful careers. Last year more than 5,000 reported Marine Engineer GOOD ENGLISH that their studies had for them Ship Draftsman Teacher won advancement and ARCHITECT Common School Subjects increased salaries. In the Bethlehem Steel Works alone Contractor and Builder Mathematics Architectural Draftsman CIVIL SERVICE over 100 men right now are putting their spare time on Concrete Builder Railway Mail Clerk I C. S. courses and thinking ahead getting ready for Structure! Engineer AUTOMOBILE OPERATING PLUMRING AND HEATING Anto Repairing the better positions that surely await them. And over Sheet Metal Worker Navigation D Spanish Textile Oversee? or Supt. French 130,000 others in offices, shops, stores, mines and mills AGRICULTURE CHEMIST Poultry Raising I Italian and on railroads all over America are preparing in the I. C. S. way to take the next step upward. Name Present Join them! All you need is just ordinary brains, Occupation the will to do, and the firm resolve to think ahead the of Street job you now hold> The I. C. S. are ready to make the and No. rest easy. Make your start, take the first step right now. City Mark and mail this coupon. — State How One Evening’s Study Led to a $30,000 Job A Simple Method of Mind Training That Any One Can Follow with Results from the First Day

By a Man Who Made Formerly No More Than a Decent Living

DO not take the credit to myself his memory, and whatever progress becomes. Instead of study the whole I at all for attaining what my he accomplishes can be laid directly thing seemed like a fascinating game. friends term a phenomenal suc- to his powers of retaining in his mind The rest of my story is not an un- cess. It was all so simple that I be- the right things the things — that are usual one among American business lieve any man can accomplish prac- going to be useful to him as he goes men who have realized the value of tically the same thing «if he learns along. a reliable trained the secret. memory. My in- “Well, I was convinced. My mind come today is close to $30,000. It It came about in a rather odd man- was a ‘leaky pail.’ I started in at will reach that figure at the begin- ner. I had been worrying along in once to make my memory efficient, ning of our next fiscal year. And apxmt the same way as the average taking up a memory training course two years ago I scarcely made what man thinking that I was doing my bit which claimed to improve a man’s I now think of as a decent living. for the family providing . by them memory in one evening. What you I can never be thankful enough that with three square meals a day, when call my good fortune to-day I at- I mended that “leaky pail” and dis- an old chum of mine, Frank Powers, tribute solely to my exchanging a covered the enormous possibilities of suddenly blossomed out with every ‘leaky pail’ for a mind that retains a really good memory. evidence of great prosperity. the things I want to remember.” Naturally the first thing I did when ****** Send No Money I noticed it was to congratulate him and ask Roth’s him what had < Mr. fee for brought the Powers’ story set me thinking. personal instruc- evident change in his finances. tion to classes limited to fifty What kind of a memory did I mem- bers is $1,000. “Bill,” lie said, “it’s all conn*. so have? It the as But in order to se- was much same cure quickly I can//hardly nation-wide distribution for the % account for it that of other people, I supposed. * Roth Memory Mail in' myself. But the thing that has Certainly it never occurred to me Course a sin- gle season the publishers made such difference in my life late- that it was possible or even desira- have put the price at only five dollars, a lower fig- ly began with an article* I read a ble to improve it as I assumed that ure than any course of short time ago about training the a good memory was a sort of nat- its kind has ever been sold mind. ural gift. before, and it contains the very same material in permanent “It compared the average person’s But I began to observe myself form as is given in the personal mind to a leaky pail, losing its con- more closely in my daily work. The $1,000 course. tents as it went along, which if car- frequency with which I had to refer Don’t send any ried any distance would arrive at its to record or business papers con- money. Merely mail the destination practically empty. cerning things that at some previous coupon or write a letter and the complete time had come under my particular course will be sent, “The leak in the pail, the writer all charges prepaid, at once demonstrated, notice amazed me. The men for free was forgetfulness. He examination. If you are not entirely showed that around me who . were going about when memory fails, expe- satisfied send it back any time within rience, the thing we all value the same work as myself were no most five days after you receive it and highly, is worthless. He proved to different than I in this regard. this you will owe nothing. me that a man is only as good as And thought gave new signifi- cance to the fact that I had been On the other hand, if you are as performing practically the same sub- pleased as are the thousands of other ordinate duties at exactly the same men and women who have • used the salary for some three years. course, send only $5.00 in full pay- David M. Roth ment. You take no risk and you The whole thing hit have me pretty everything to gain, so mail the cou- When Mr. Roth first determined hard. I realized that probably pon now before this remarkable offer to exchange his leaky mind for one hundreds of sales had been lost be- is withdrawn. that would retain anything he wanted cause the salesman forgot some sell- ing point that would have closed the it to, it was because he found his FREE EXAMINATION COUPON order. Many decisions involving memory to be probably poorer than thousands of dollars had been made that of any man he knew. He could unwisely because the man responsible not remember a man’s name 20 sec- didn’t remember all the facts bearing onds. He forgot so many things that on the situation and thus used poor Jn&eptn&tntlforpormion judgment. There are he was convinced he could never suc- no greater Division of Business Education, words in the ceed until he learned to remember. English language de- scriptive of business inefficiency than Dept. 2912, 119 West 40th St., New York. Today there are over ten thousand the two little words, “I forgot.” people in the United States whom Publishers of The Independent ( and I reached decision. the rec- Harper's Weekly) Mr. Roth has met at different times a On ommendation of Powers. I got in most of them only riease send me the Roth Memory — once—whom he touch at once with the Independent will can instantly name on sight. Mr. Corporation which shortly before had Course of seven lessons. I either Roth can and has hundreds of times published the David M. Roth Method remail the course to you within five after its receipt or send you at dinners and lectures asked fifty of Memory Training. And then days came the surprise of life. With- or sixty men he has never met to my $5.00. in thirty minutes after I had opened tell him their names, businesses and the book the secret that I had been telephone jrag numbers and then after in need of all my life was mine. turning his back while they chang- Mr. Roth has boiled down the prin- ed seats, has picked each one out ciples of perfecting the memory so Address by name, told him his telephone that the method can almost be grasped at a glance. farther number and business connection. And the Ini you follow the method the more ac- curate and reliable your memory >s> Det.Stor. 12-10-18