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The Detective’s Clew
The Detective’s Clew
Transcriber’s Notes The cover image was provided by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain. A Table of Contents was provided by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain. Punctuation has been standardized. Most abbreviations have been expanded in tool-tips for screen-readers and may be seen by hovering the mouse over the abbreviation. This book was written in a period when many words had not become standardized in their spelling. Words may have multiple spelling variations o
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CHAPTER I. THE BROTHER’S MESSAGE.
CHAPTER I. THE BROTHER’S MESSAGE.
“Ah, I know that would be your way,” was the reply, “but I could not do it. He is my father’s brother.” “Yes, and a model brother, too. His course has entitled him to so much respect that I should think you would be considerate of his feelings.” The tone was impatient and ironical. “But I am here for reconciliation, you know. They have been like strangers so long—never holding any communication with each other—and on his dying bed my father enjoined me to go to him and tell him how it all came a
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CHAPTER II. GEOFFREY HAYWOOD.
CHAPTER II. GEOFFREY HAYWOOD.
Mr. Haywood’s manner, now that he was unobserved, lost something of its calm and unruffled exterior. He got up and paced the room, evidently much disturbed in mind. “By Heaven!” he thought, “I must find out the object of this visit. There is too much at stake to be off guard a moment. If the old man should find out the part I took in his quarrel with his brother, I would in all likelihood be disturbed in my present snug berth. That cannot be the object of Carlos, though. The colonel will never
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CHAPTER III. “SEVEN O’CLOCK.”
CHAPTER III. “SEVEN O’CLOCK.”
“So soon, eh?” laughed Leonard, gazing around into his face. “What do you mean?” asked Carlos, starting. “Why, you haven’t seen her half an hour yet.” “Pshaw!” exclaimed Carlos. He made no further reply, nor could his cousin induce him to enter into conversation during their entire walk to the hotel. Little did Leonard care for this. He whistled merrily, and walked along in undisturbed spirits. When they arrived at the hotel he asked the clerk if there were no sources of amusement in Dalton—it w
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CHAPTER IV. A FIGHT AND A FLIGHT.
CHAPTER IV. A FIGHT AND A FLIGHT.
“Great Heaven! who are you and why did you kill him?” “Silence!” was the reply, given in a fierce whisper, and accompanied by a terrible oath. “Don’t repeat that. I say you killed him. And here’s the evidence of it.” He wiped the dagger, which was still bloody, on Carlos’ coat and vest, leaving great red stains. “What is that for?” asked Carlos. “You’ll find out when the spots are discovered. They’ll be pretty bad evidence against you. Ha! that makes you wince. But there is one thing more. I hav
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CHAPTER V. THE WRONG MAN.
CHAPTER V. THE WRONG MAN.
He strained his eyes to look ahead, but the gathering clouds prevented him from discerning objects at any distance. Then he halted and listened. A faint rumbling of wheels greeted his ear, but it was not sufficiently distinct for him to determine from what direction it came. He concluded that it must be toward the village, and again lashed his horse and urged him ahead. HE STRAINED HIS EYES TO LOOK AHEAD, BUT COULD NOT DISCERN OBJECTS AT ANY DISTANCE. As he entered the streets of Dalton he began
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CHAPTER VI. UNDERGROUND.
CHAPTER VI. UNDERGROUND.
“Confound it, you should not have to call them. Why didn’t you get ready for action when you heard my first whistle?” “Didn’t suppose there was going to be any trouble of this kind. You ought to have watched him more careful——” “Well, well. Never mind that now. He is pulling away fast, and every moment is precious.” “Yes, we’re coming. Can’t you tell a fellow what kind of a job it is, Snags?” “No, not till I see Roake. I don’t know much about it myself yet. Only it’s life or death to get that ch
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CHAPTER VII. IN STRANGE QUARTERS.
CHAPTER VII. IN STRANGE QUARTERS.
“I always give in when I am obliged to,” replied Leonard; “never otherwise. And now I’d like to know among what sort of a crew I have fallen, and what the whole thing means?” “Oh, it won’t be long before you’ll have all the information you want, and more too. Now come with me. Step along.” Leonard hesitated, and looked around him—the light of the lantern held by Snags enabling him to take a dim view of his surroundings. “One, two, three, four, five,” he counted. “If there were not more than thre
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CHAPTER VIII. THE ARREST.
CHAPTER VIII. THE ARREST.
“Where’s your cousin?” demanded a third. “Yes, tell us that! Where were you both all night?” Others ran to the spot, until there was a crowd around the carriage. “Gentlemen,” said Carlos, “I know what you are talking about, but I am innocent——” “Oh, yes, of course. But you were not in bed last night, as a peaceable citizen should be!” “I went to Knoxtown to a concert——” “Yes, he looks like a man that has been to a concert, doesn’t he?” “Wait till I explain. I returned by the road that passes Col
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CHAPTER IX. GEOFFREY HAYWOOD’S MOVEMENTS.
CHAPTER IX. GEOFFREY HAYWOOD’S MOVEMENTS.
“Oh, sir, something terrible has happened at Elm Grove!” “You astonish me. What is it? Is somebody ill?” “Much worse than that. Colonel Conrad has been murdered.” “ What! ” Mr. Haywood’s astonishment was genuine. His face blanched with horror. “We found him dead in his study, with an awful cut in his neck.” “Barker, you terrify me. Tell me all about it. How did it happen?” “No one knows how it happened, sir. It was done in the dead of night. Miss Florence is fairly wild, and the two women-serva
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CHAPTER X. THE PRISONER AND HIS CAPTORS.
CHAPTER X. THE PRISONER AND HIS CAPTORS.
“Snags must have asked you for it. Tell me what he said.” “I have nothing to tell. What do you suppose I know about it? You are aware that Snags captured the wrong man when he took me. Find the right one, and seek the information of him.” “I believe that you are lying—that you know more than you will tell.” “I can’t help what you believe. Search me, if you wish, and see if you can find anything you want.” Roake paused, apparently, in doubt what course to pursue. At last he said: “Well, your cous
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CHAPTER XI. THE EXAMINATION.
CHAPTER XI. THE EXAMINATION.
“The letter is from your cousin. It is very brief.” He handed it to Carlos, who read it eagerly. “He is a prisoner, but unharmed. He is safe, but cannot help me. Oh, where can he be?” “That is more than I can even conjecture. There is some mystery about it. I cannot help thinking it is connected in some way with the murder.” “How can he have found out about the murder and my arrest? He cannot be very far away.” “It is all a riddle.” Carlos read the few words again. He turned the paper over. “It
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CHAPTER XII. THE NEW YORK DETECTIVE.
CHAPTER XII. THE NEW YORK DETECTIVE.
“Yes? Well, you’ll find Dalton a very pleasant stopping-place.” “So I should judge. You people here have managed this case very well.” “The murder of Colonel Conrad, you mean?” “Yes. There is not a doubt that the prisoner is guilty. Excuse me, my dear fellow”—to Carlos—“for speaking so plainly, but I can see it in your eye. Can’t you?”—to the officer. “Yes, indeed! I said so all along.” Officer George Johnson was flattered at the idea of holding converse with one so high up in the business as to
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CHAPTER XIII. STRANGE DISCOVERIES.
CHAPTER XIII. STRANGE DISCOVERIES.
He stepped to the door of his apartment. The torrent seemed to be just outside and very near, and little streams of water ran along on the ground at his feet. He shouted, but there was no response. Was he to be ingulfed by the water and drowned in that dismal cave, with no one in the outside world the wiser for it? The thought was enough to fill one with dismay. He walked from side to side of his prison, with the faint hope that there was some means of escape that had hitherto escaped his attent
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CHAPTER XIV. THE CUSTOM-HOUSE DETECTIVE.
CHAPTER XIV. THE CUSTOM-HOUSE DETECTIVE.
9 —— Street, Jersey City. On the other was written, in a scrawling hand: “32 Main street, Dalton.” These he decided, with a purpose which will appear hereafter, to leave where he had found them. Then, setting sail directly for the city, he sought a convenient place for landing. He was accosted by no one save a man in a small boat, who proved to be a custom-house officer. The man asked him some questions, scanned the yacht closely, and then moved off again, satisfied that he was not a runner in o
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CHAPTER XV. FREE.
CHAPTER XV. FREE.
Carlos realized that he was incurring a great risk. He might be rushing into the very arms of pursuers; for that there would be pursuers was, of course, not to be doubted. It was even possible that the officer from whom he had escaped had discovered his loss in time to transfer himself to the returning train, the one on which Carlos was now riding. He might lay his hands on him at any moment. Carlos was aware that he faced this possibility, as also that of there being those present at the Dalton
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CHAPTER XVI. A REFUGE.
CHAPTER XVI. A REFUGE.
“It might have been for fear it would furnish a clew to detection.” “No—the only way in which it could be used in that way would be to match it to the larger paper from which it was torn, and that could easily be destroyed.” “True; but it is strange. The words ‘seven o’clock’ do not amount to much. They probably have only a casual meaning.” “Perhaps; but I must caution you not to repeat them where they will be heard. Leonard said in his note, as I told you, that they would give the murderer all
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CHAPTER XVII. A GLAD MEETING.
CHAPTER XVII. A GLAD MEETING.
“Does it? I should think so. I’ll let you hear it again. Now do you know me?” A look of intelligence and gladness gradually crept over the face of Carlos. He could not be mistaken; he was not. It was his cousin, Leonard Lester. The reader has already recognized the disguise in which Mr. Stark, the detective in the Boston custom-house, had arrayed him. The violent hand-shaking and extravagant ejaculations of joy which the cousins indulged in, need not be here recorded. When the first greetings w
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CHAPTER XVIII. GEOFFREY HAYWOOD’S SECRET JOURNEY.
CHAPTER XVIII. GEOFFREY HAYWOOD’S SECRET JOURNEY.
Then Mr. Haywood emerged from his store again, carrying a small satchel in his hand, and proceeded to the railroad depot. Within ten minutes he was on board the train which was carrying Carlos from Hillsdale and on to safety. But, as has been before stated, he had no knowledge or suspicion of the presence of the escaped prisoner. The station at which he alighted was perhaps a mile from the village which it was designed to accommodate. At that late hour there was no hangers-around present; they
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CHAPTER XIX. THREE INTERVIEWS.
CHAPTER XIX. THREE INTERVIEWS.
“I had the honor, I may say, of conducting whatever legal transactions he was engaged in.” “Exactly. You drew up his deeds, mortgages, conveyances, and—his will.” “Yes, sir.” “You are aware, I suppose,” said Haywood, “that on the morning of the discovery of the murder, an envelope directed to yourself was found on his table.” “I am aware that such was the case.” “But it contained no letter.” “It contained no letter,” said Mr. Tibbs. “Had he consulted you lately on any business matters of import
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CHAPTER XX. AN ADVENTURE THAT BEFELL THE REV. MR. WITHERS.
CHAPTER XX. AN ADVENTURE THAT BEFELL THE REV. MR. WITHERS.
“With that discovery,” said Mr. Withers, “the secret of Colonel Conrad’s murder will be brought to light.” “Undoubtedly—if we ascertain the whole truth.” “And the meaning of the words ‘seven o’clock.’” “Yes, if they have any meaning.” “What shall be the first step?” inquired Mr. Withers. “I have decided,” replied Mr. Stark, “to adopt the plan you suggested, of getting possession of the deaf mute who is employed at Rocky Beach. I will lay before you my manner of accomplishing it.” The mode of
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CHAPTER XXI. FLORENCE DARLEY.
CHAPTER XXI. FLORENCE DARLEY.
“I don’t know whether he invented anything new or not. He made a very curious rat-trap, that caught six rats alive, and left them facing each other in a little circle of wire stalls. And then he got up a model of a mowing-machine and gave it to some farmer, who, I believe, had one made on a larger scale and got it patented. But the most wonderful thing was the large clock in his study. He worked for months on it, and put it up, frame and all, himself. It is fastened to the wall and cannot be mov
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CHAPTER XXII. THE NEW MUSIC-TEACHER.
CHAPTER XXII. THE NEW MUSIC-TEACHER.
It is not strange that Karl’s heart rose on meeting this gentleman face to face, and that he felt considerable agitation. Distressing possibilities at once rose in his mind, and he scanned the visitor’s face. Mr. Haywood was stately and serene as usual, and said, in his smooth-toned voice: “ Mr. Zikoff, I believe?” “Yes, sir. Vill you have one seat?” “Thank you; I think not. I came on a short matter of business in behalf of a young lady. Miss Florence Darley, of Elm Grove, wishes you to do her
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CHAPTER XXIII. A STRANGE REVELATION.
CHAPTER XXIII. A STRANGE REVELATION.
“Exquisite!” murmured Florence, in a low voice, as the last chord died away. “It is the Liebeslied of Henselt—‘love song’ you call it in English,” he said, turning toward her and gazing intently into her face. “Oh, Florence, it is a wonderful story, told in a marvelous language. It breathes the tale of my secret—my precious, cherished secret—that cannot be spoken in words! In music only may it be confessed—in music only may be revealed to you the——” A sudden pallor overspread his face, a spasm o
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CHAPTER XXIV. DANGER AND MORE EXPOSURE.
CHAPTER XXIV. DANGER AND MORE EXPOSURE.
“This is fearful!” muttered Carlos, moved to compassion. “I am very sorry, unutterably sorry. Let me tell you at once——” “Do not tell me,” she moaned. “You are disgusted with my presumption; you need not say the words.” “I must say them,” said Carlos, firmly, yet gently. “Your wild dream must be dispelled at once. It is preposterous; it is unaccountable to me.” “Oh, Carlos Conrad——” At this second mention of his true name he recoiled, and realized the fact that his secret was known. “Why do you
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CHAPTER XXV. GEOFFREY HAYWOOD AT WORK—A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.
CHAPTER XXV. GEOFFREY HAYWOOD AT WORK—A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.
“Yes, I understand all that,” said Florence. “You will continue to live here at Elm Grove?” “I suppose so. The place is dear to me. About it are associated all the pleasant remembrances of my life. Yes, I shall remain here.” “Pleasant memories do indeed cluster around it, Florence—pleasant to me, as well as to you. I loved my uncle, and shall always revere his memory. But this is not all. It is in this house that I have met and known one who has answered my ideal of all that is pure and lovely,
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CHAPTER XXVI. A DARK NIGHT’S WORK.
CHAPTER XXVI. A DARK NIGHT’S WORK.
No one was in sight. He paused and made sure of this, for he had the sense to know that he was ill, and that if any of the attendants of the hotel should observe him they might prevent his going farther, or follow him. He hastened to the outside door, and walked into the cold air. In fact, they were grateful to his heated brow, and, with refreshed, stimulated feeling, he bent his footsteps rapidly from the hotel. Notwithstanding his half delirious condition, he had a fixed definite purpose, as w
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CHAPTER XXVII. ON THE TRACK.
CHAPTER XXVII. ON THE TRACK.
“No; his eyes and his wits were at work, though his ears were useless and his utterance fettered. He has given me in writing a minute description of the mysterious person, and it answers exactly to Haywood’s appearance. Besides there will be Jessup’s evidence.” “Ay,” said Mr. Stark; “and you now see that I was right in keeping Jessup’s agency in the matter a secret from Carlos Conrad. Had your cousin known of his presence and mission in Dalton, he might have seriously retarded his progress. Jes
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CHAPTER XXVIII. VICTORY.
CHAPTER XXVIII. VICTORY.
“Will he recover consciousness before he dies? It is important that we hold some conversation with him if such a thing is possible.” “I think he will be conscious for a short time. Yes, he is struggling now. His chest heaves—his eyes open.” And the surgeon administered a stimulant to Snags. The latter looked around with a wild, vacant stare. “Who are you all?” he asked. “Where is Roake? Where is the captain? Where—let me see—oh, yes, I remember—we were attacked, and must have been beaten. For yo
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CHAPTER XXIX. CONCLUSION.
CHAPTER XXIX. CONCLUSION.
“Sir!” said Haywood, with a lame assumption of indignation, “I do not understand you.” “And I,” said Leonard, unable to restrain his excitement, “charge you with willfully conspiring against the life of a fellow-citizen by withholding evidence that would have acquitted him on a wrongfully preferred charge of murder!” “Leonard Lester!” gasped Haywood. “Yes, it is I. Look at me well, for you will soon be out of the way of looking at honest men’s faces.” “Gentlemen, what ridiculous farce is this? W
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Catalog.
Catalog.
No. 4 —The Twin Detectives, by K. F. Hill. No. 5 —The Masked Detective, by the author of “Old Stonewall.” No. 6 —Old Stonewall, by the author of “The Masked Detective.” No. 7 —The Chosen Man, by the author of “Old Stonewall.” No. 8 —Little Lightning, by Police Captain James. No. 9 —Old Mortality, by Young Baxter. No. 10 —The Post-Office Detective, by Geo. W. Goode. No. 11 —The Maltese Cross, by Eugene T. Sawyer. No. 12 —The Dog Detective, by Lieutenant Murray. No. 13 —Darke Darrell, by Frank H.
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