Nicholas Carter

“ Stealing into the grounds from the side street, he crept around the garage, then picked his way over the damp lawn, taking advantage of the deeper gloom under the trees, until he found shelter under a huge clump of rhododendrons a few feet from the driveway, and within easy view of the side veranda and the French window of the brightly lighted library.
Patsy arrived there just in time to see Peterson usher Nick into the room. Both were dimly discernible through the lace draperies and under the partly drawn shades.
“Gee whiz! there’s the new butler,” chuckled Patsy, when he caught sight of him. ”

“ Can you imagine a reason?”
“I can imagine a hundred reasons,” the Camera Chap replied gallantly. “If you’ll glance in a mirror, Miss Gale, you’ll discover a lot of them for yourself. With all his faults, your cousin is human, you know—and he isn’t blind.”
“Thank you!” said Melba, laughing and blushing. “But I am really serious, Mr. Hawley. I am quite sure that my cousin isn’t in love with me—in fact, as I was just saying to Fred, he cordially dislikes me. Besides, I happen to know that he’s in love with another girl—an actress in New York. ”

“ For while, as has been said above, Hawley’s snapshots appealed to the sense of humor of many, and were provocative of chuckles, there were as many more who saw the serious side of the situation, and were stirred to righteous wrath by the shameful conditions which the Bulletin had revealed to them.
These good people were in the habit of going to bed early, and therefore never would have discovered that the city was not being properly and faithfully policed at night if Carroll’s newspaper had not opened their eyes. ”

“ I have been talking by telephone to-day with a Philadelphia physician and chemist, an intimate personal friend, whom I know to be an expert in the use of all kinds of drugs, and thoroughly informed as to the peculiar qualities and effects of scopolamine. If there is any man who can determine positively whether it figures in this case, that man is Doctor Grost. I have described Madame Clayton’s condition to him and he is inclined to my opinion. He has consented to come to New York and see her, and he will be here to-morrow morning. ”

“ If I were you, chief, I’d assign a detective to watch that garage, in the hope that Hawley may come for the wheel.”
Hodgins nodded. “That’s not a half bad idea, young feller,” he graciously declared. “I can see that you’re your father’s son, all right. Cleverness surely does run in the Gale family. I am going to do as you suggest.”
So instead of going to the city hall, Hodgins turned about and went to police headquarters. Picking out two of his best detectives, he assigned them to watch the Invincible Garage, on Main Street, and to shadow whoever came there to claim a certain motor cycle. ”

“ Nick Carter now saw plainly that Mrs. Julia Clayton had suffered no bodily injury. That she was mentally affected, however, either crazed with horror, or in an abnormal condition resulting from other causes, and that any immediate attempt to evoke from her an intelligible explanation of the circumstances would prove utterly futile—these points were equally obvious to the detective.
Nick tried again, nevertheless, gently grasping her shoulder and saying even more impressively:
“The scar! What do you mean, Mrs. Clayton? Try to collect yourself. You surely recognize me—Nick Carter, the detective. ”

“ Mr. Rollo Garside smoothed his neatly plastered hair with his palms and looked as if he thoroughly agreed with the famous detective.
“Nevertheless, it seems incredible, Mr. Carter, utterly incredible,” he said tentatively. “What earthly cause can Madame Clayton have had, as she is called, to distinguish her from Mr. Chester Clayton, for standing in fear of Doctor Thorpe, even to the extreme extent of taking his life?”
“That may appear later,” said Nick.
“Possibly.”
“Physicians sometimes discover secrets, you know, from which they try to derive pecuniary advantage. ”

“ The Camera Chap laughed noncommittally. “Nice girl, isn’t she?” he said lightly.
“Nice? She’s regular peach!” The man winked at Hawley. “And rich, too—that’s more important than being nice. My frien’ Gale’s lucky fellow.”
The Camera Chap was amazed to hear this. Evidently, then, the girl to whom his talkative neighbor referred was not Melba. But the other’s next utterance caused him to change his mind.
“Don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t marry her, if she is his cousin,” the man exclaimed. “Nothing wrong in cousins marrying—especially when girl’s so rich.” ”

“ Nick said, more gravely. “Scopolamine is a drug with which the majority of physicians are not very familiar. That may be why those attending her have not suspected that it figures in this case. It first came into modern scientific use within the present generation.”
“How did you learn about it?” questioned Clayton.
“That is not material,” smiled Nick. “I make it a point to learn all about everything that can be applied to criminal uses. That’s part of my business.” ”

“ The advent of the motor machinery was mourned by no one more than Pete. He was unable to lead the machinery because it traveled so much faster than the horses. Several narrow escapes have taught him to remain on one side of the street. On two occasions the fire truck has felt the tear of the emergency brakes to keep from running down the dog, for he is as dear to the firemen as though he was their own. Age is telling on the animal, and he generally returns from an alarm riding on the machine. ”

“ Viewing Patsy in the bright light, moreover, he instantly penetrated that worn by the detective, partly because of the suspicion he already entertained.
“Just as I thought,” he cried quickly. “He is one of Carter’s push, that bright rat known as Patsy Garvan. Get his guns, Haley, and secure his hands behind him. Be sure you make them fast. Push up that window, Busby, and pull the curtain to the top. We’ll mighty soon find out what sent him here and where we stand.”
He tore off Patsy’s disguise while speaking, and his confederates hastened to obey his commands. ”

“ Patsy agreed. “But why do you feel so sure you are right in suspecting Clayton’s private secretary?”
“For several reasons,” said Nick. “First, Patsy, because we can find no one else to distrust. I have spent three days in a vain search for another suspect and a reasonable motive for this murder.”
“That’s true, chief. It sure has been a vain hunt.”
“Doctor Thorpe, I have learned, was a man of strong and sterling character. Suicide is out of the question. He is absolutely above suspicion, moreover, in so far as having given Madame Clayton any cause for shooting him. ”

“ With a fierce shriek, regardless of the weapon, he leaped at Chick Carter’s throat.
Chick met him halfway and tried to grapple him and avoid shooting him, but the weapon was discharged almost on the instant.
Margate’s muscles went lax, his knees gave way under him. He uttered one groan, with head drooping, then fell from the detective’s arms and rolled down the stone steps, shot through the heart.
“This way, boys!” Chick shouted, dashing through the hall. “Nail every man.” ”

“ Patsy dryly allowed.
“You are not the only one booked for a finish,” Margate quickly asserted. “It’s Nick Carter’s fault, not mine, that your death and theirs have become necessary. I could have played my game without that, if he had kept out of it.”
“You’re out to get part of Clayton’s fortune, are you?”
“Most of it, Garvan, would hit nearer the mark.”
“How can that be done?”
“It can be done, all right, in spite of Nick Carter and the slip-up of three nights ago,” Margate curtly predicted. “My likeness to Clayton makes it possible. It can be done like breaking sticks.” ”

“ The proprietor of the Bulletin smiled deprecatingly. “Of course, you’re not in my way, old man,” he said. “Don’t talk rot. It’s only because of the danger to yourself that I’m anxious to get rid of you. Don’t you realize that every minute you remain in this town you run the risk of being nabbed by the police and railroaded to jail? You can be sure Hodgins has already gone to court and sworn out a warrant for your arrest. ”

“ Melba laughed heartily. “Never mind, Fred,” she said soothingly. “Things will be coming our way soon. Judging from the hit your paper has made, you’re not going to be poor much longer, is he, Mr. Hawley?”
“I hope not,” the Camera Chap replied. “By the way, Fred, I’ve got a proposition to put up to you. It’s from your friend Mayor Henkle. If you’re tired of being poor, maybe you’ll be glad to accept the offer that he makes.”
With a twinkle in his eye, he proceeded to narrate his experience at the city hall, and Carroll received the news with great joy. ”

“ Although Carroll tried hard to persuade him to make an abrupt exit from the town of Oldham immediately after the publication of the sensational snapshots, Hawley persisted in lingering in the Bulletin office.
“I want to see the fun, Fred,” he explained. “The sight of the populace pouring in to buy papers and shower congratulations upon the editor is such a great treat that I can’t tear myself away. Just let me hang around and watch the harvest, and I’ll promise to keep quiet, and not get in your way.” ”

“ Peterson tapped lightly on the door of a side chamber. It brought the nurse into the hall—a slender girl in the twenties, with thin features, reddish hair, and shifty gray eyes. She nodded and smiled, with a quick glance at the private secretary.
“Thank you, Peterson,” Margate said quietly. “That’s all, my good fellow. You may go up to bed. I will turn out the light in this hall for you.”
“Very well, sir,” bowed Peterson, evidently unsuspicious. “Thank you, sir. Good night, miss. Good night, sir.”
“Good night, Peterson.”
The butler turned away and vanished up the servants’ stairway. ”

“ Dead men tell no tales.”
“So I have heard,” said Patsy, as complacently as if discussing the price of ice. “Nevertheless, Mr. Margate, I am glad that I have unmasked you. I will confess, too, that I was never more surprised in my life. So I am to be turned toes up, am I?”
“As sure as you are looking at me at this moment,” Margate coldly informed him.
“Well, that’s reasonably sure,” said Patsy. “I almost feel myself going. Before the final trick is turned, however, I really wish you would answer one question.”
“What question, Garvan?” ”

“ But I’m telling you the truth,” he added more mildly. “I ain’t come here now to arrest him. I’m here to invite him to come over to the city hall and see the mayor. His honor wants to have a talk with him—a friendly chat. If you don’t believe that’s on the level, you can get the mayor on the phone and ask him.”
“Oh, I guess I won’t bother,” said Carroll, still incredulous. “Tell the mayor that if he wants to see Mr. Hawley he’ll have to go to New York.”
“Do you mean to say that he’s gone back to New York?” exclaimed Hodgins uneasily. ”

“ Nick said, more forcibly. “We must make dead sure, in fact, that I am justified in suspecting him.”
“That is why you have established a new butler in the Clayton house,” observed Patsy, with an expressive grin.
“Exactly.”
“Does Clayton suspect his identity?”
“Not yet. I told him merely that I knew a man admirably qualified for the position. I had no difficulty in persuading Clayton to employ him on trial.”
“On trial, eh?” laughed Patsy. “Gee whiz! he’ll make good, chief, all right. My money goes on that.” ”

“ Keep him covered, mind you, and shoot him if he lowers a finger.”
“Let me alone for that,” growled Dunbar. “Get a move on, young fellow, or you’ll hear something drop.”
Patsy made no comments, nor offered any resistance. He followed Margate and Busby into the house, their two confederates bringing up in the rear. He heard one of them close and bolt the heavy door, while he passed through a dimly lighted passageway, and he presently found himself confronted by all four in the glare of the chemist’s laboratory.
Margate, in his apprehension and excitement, had not delayed to resume his disguise. ”

“ The success of the Bulletin’s exposé was even greater than the Camera Chap had predicted. Not only was the entire issue sold out, but the name of Carroll’s newspaper was on every tongue, which, of course, was a fine thing from the standpoint of future circulation; for the more a newspaper is talked about, the more it is read. ”

“ Nick replied. “I still am much in the dark. Peterson tells me there is no improvement in your mother’s condition.”
“No, none whatever,” Clayton said sadly. “She lies hour after hour like a woman in a trance. We have tried in vain to arouse her, or to evoke some sign of recognition. She——”
“We will talk of her a little later,” Nick interposed. “Tell me, instead, Clayton, how long you have been on the down grade. When did you first detect this change in your health?”
“About three months ago, Nick, as near as I can tell.”
“Did you consult a physician at that time? ”

“ I was just coming out to look for him.”
“By Jove, this is good news, indeed, Carter,” cried Margate, clapping the detective on the shoulder. “I’ll go in with you and make sure there is no mistake, and I then will rush back and relieve Mr. Clayton and his wife.”
“Good enough!” Nick exclaimed, as if utterly void of suspicion. “Lead the way, my man, and permit us to identify this woman. If the lady for whom we are seeking, you shall be well paid for what you have done.” ”

“ But both the composing-room and pressroom forces indignantly refused to listen to this sinister suggestion. They all liked their young employer, and admired him for the plucky fight he was making. There was not a man of them whose loyalty could be shaken. So this attempt proved as futile as had been the effort to bribe the Bulletin’s photo-engraver.
The other attempt was of a more violent nature. Just as the paper was going to press, a gang of hoodlums endeavored to force their way into the Bulletin Building, with the obvious intention of invading the pressroom, and smashing the forms. ”

“ Nick continued. “I sent Chick from the room and pretended to make Garside my confidant. I soon found that he was very willing to fix the crime upon Madame Clayton. For he not only agreed with all I said to that effect, but he no sooner found that I was forming that opinion, or supposed that I was, than he began to point out evidence and circumstances in support of it. All this, mind you, regardless of the woman’s lofty character and exemplary past. [Pg 19] ”
“I get you, chief,” nodded Patsy. ”

“ It was, plainly enough, the face of a man whose life had been a continuous round, not of enjoyments, but of disappointments, until his nature had soured and his soul rebelled, and early ambition died from his calloused heart. ”

“ Nancy Busby did not fear him.
“I’m here with a reason,” she retorted. “There’s a man at the front door to see you. [Pg 40] ”
“See me?” cried Margate, staring. “What man?”
“He says his name is Peterson, and as how he’s got a message for you.”
Nick Carter’s face did not change by so much as a shadow.
“Peterson!” Margate spoke, with a gasp. “Don’t be alarmed, mates. He’s the house butler. He must have seen me coming here, or this way. Wait while I see what he wants.”
“He will not keep you waiting long,” thought Nick, with grim satisfaction. ”

“ They are not overdrawn tales of bloodshed. They rather show the working of one of the finest minds ever conceived by a writer. The name of Nick Carter is familiar all over the world, for the stories of his adventures may be read in twenty languages. No other stories have withstood the severe test of time so well as those contained in the Nick Carter Stories. It proves conclusively that they are the best. ”