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The Four-Fingered Glove
The Four-Fingered Glove
OR , THE COST OF A LIE BY NICHOLAS CARTER Author of the celebrated stories of Nick Carter’s adventures, which are published exclusively in the New Magnet Library, conceded to be among the best detective tales ever written. STREET & SMITH CORPORATION PUBLISHERS 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York Printed in the United States of America) Al rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign languages, including the Scandinavian. Bill Cody At a rough estimate there are 400 million civil
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CHAPTER I. “IF I AM GUILTY, CONVICT ME.”
CHAPTER I. “IF I AM GUILTY, CONVICT ME.”
The hands of the clock pointed at half-past five, one beautiful June morning, when Nick Carter, having just finished with his morning exercise and cold plunge, was told that there was a gentleman in the reception-room who wished to see him on matters of the utmost importance, as soon as he was at liberty to descend, and the servant who brought the message to her master passed a card through the partly opened doorway upon which was engraved in fashionable block lettering: REGINALD MEADOWS DANTON.
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CHAPTER II. THE QUARREL IN REGINALD DANTON’S ROOM.
CHAPTER II. THE QUARREL IN REGINALD DANTON’S ROOM.
“You seem to be very much in earnest in what you say, Mr. Danton,” said the detective. “I am very much in earnest, sir.” “Well, in the first place, suppose you tell me who is dead. Since you say that a murder has been committed and it is not unlikely that you did it, it is well to know something of the corpus dilecti . Who was murdered?” “Ramon Orizaba; my mother’s guest.” “Your cousin, is he—or rather, was he not?” “A kinsman of my mother’s so far removed that the ties of blood are very thin; s
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CHAPTER III. THE MYSTERY OF THE DEATH WOUND.
CHAPTER III. THE MYSTERY OF THE DEATH WOUND.
“I woke up with the feeling that somebody had called to me, and I started to a sitting posture on the couch before I was aware where I was. Then, of course, a glance told me my surroundings.” “And you still had the impression that somebody had called to you?” “Yes.” “Called your name?” “Yes; and by my middle name, which is never used outside my immediate family. My father, mother and sister always call me Meadow, or Med.” “And your cousin? Did he call you so, also?” “Rarely. Usually he addressed
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CHAPTER IV. TRYING TO FORGE HIS OWN FETTERS.
CHAPTER IV. TRYING TO FORGE HIS OWN FETTERS.
“What were your personal sensations while all this was taking place? How did you feel about it all?” asked Nick. “That is one of the strangest features of the case, Mr. Carter,” replied Danton, “for while I seemed to know all about everything, as correctly as if I had seen the crime committed, it never once occurred to me that I was myself the guilty party. That aspect of the case was not impressed upon me till afterward.” “When did it first occur to you?” “Wait, and I will tell you. Through all
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CHAPTER V. BROKEN LINKS IN THE CHAIN OF CLUES.
CHAPTER V. BROKEN LINKS IN THE CHAIN OF CLUES.
“What are the other questions, Mr. Carter?” asked Danton. “I merely want you to tell me in as few words as possible the other story you have referred to several times.” “It is only about Ramon Orizaba.” “That is why I wish to hear it.” “I first knew of his existence about five years ago; I think, also, that my mother heard of him for the first time then. He came to her, during my absence, with letters of introduction which are said to have established his relationship to her. I have never correc
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CHAPTER VI. THE PICTURE IN THE ROSE-GARDEN.
CHAPTER VI. THE PICTURE IN THE ROSE-GARDEN.
Nick Carter and his young client walked from the station to the Fells, and while they were on their way the detective took occasion to refer to another point that had been mentioned by Danton, and one to which he had especially objected at the time it was made. “In the beginning of our conversation this morning,” he said, “you used the expression that you had long ‘meditated’ killing Orizaba some day. Later, you told me about the needle, but I have not yet gone into that subject of meditation. I
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CHAPTER VII. THE DETECTIVE’S SEARCH FOR CLUES.
CHAPTER VII. THE DETECTIVE’S SEARCH FOR CLUES.
Greetings had scarcely been exchanged when they were interrupted by the appearance of young Danton’s valet, who approached them rapidly across the lawn, and, pausing while still some distance from them, called out in a low tone: “May I have a word with you, Mr. Reginald?” Danton swept one lightninglike glance upon Nick, and crossed over to where the valet was waiting. “What is it, Rogers?” he asked. “I had occasion to visit your rooms, just now, sir,” said the valet in a low tone, which was inau
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CHAPTER VIII. CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE WHICH MIGHT HAVE HANGED DANTON.
CHAPTER VIII. CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE WHICH MIGHT HAVE HANGED DANTON.
It was at this juncture that Nick called Doctor Pollock aside for a moment. “Doctor,” he said, “I would appreciate it if you would consent to do me a small favor in this matter.” “Very well, sir, what can I do?” replied the doctor. “I wish you would appear to accept whatever verdict Doctor Jackson sees fit to give concerning the events that have happened here this morning, and that when he takes his departure you would ride away with him but that you would return almost immediately, if you can d
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CHAPTER IX. THE MAN ON THE COUCH.
CHAPTER IX. THE MAN ON THE COUCH.
Mercedes Danton was not only herself convinced that her brother was a murderer, but she had convinced him of his own guilt. Doubtful at first, and yet half-believing that he might have unconsciously committed the act which deprived Ramon Orizaba of life, and later, aided by the reasoning of the detective, assured that he could not have killed him without knowing it, he was now thrown back into a worse condition of mind than ever, for here was one—his own beloved and loving sister—who saw him do
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CHAPTER X. THE VICTIM OF A NEMESIS.
CHAPTER X. THE VICTIM OF A NEMESIS.
Mercedes started to her feet with a cry of amazed delight, nor was Reginald’s joy less deep, although he remained quite still in his place on the bench. It was Mercedes who spoke first after the announcement made by the detective. “Then who was it whom I saw and believed to be my brother?” she demanded. “Ah!” said the detective, “that is another matter. I think, however, that we will experience very little difficulty in determining that question, when once I have had access to the lares and pena
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CHAPTER XI. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MERCEDES.
CHAPTER XI. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MERCEDES.
When Nick left Linden Fells he carried with him not only the heartfelt thanks of the Danton family, but also the sincere friendship of Reginald. Clever detective though he was, he could not quite define the queer little tingling feeling in the region of his heart when the picture of Mercedes Danton, as he had first seen her in the rose-garden, recurred to him. In one thing his calculations had failed. The headquarters detectives did not succeed in arresting Rogers. Although they promptly respond
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CHAPTER XII. A STRANGE LEAVE-TAKING.
CHAPTER XII. A STRANGE LEAVE-TAKING.
The detective strode on in silence for some distance before he replied, and then he said, very slowly: “I have seen very little of your sister, Reginald, but what I have seen of her, and what I know of her character, assures me that she would never even consider the taking of a step of the kind you mention without good and sufficient reason. Furthermore, I feel sufficient personal interest in her to make it my duty to find her and ask her for her side of the story, so now, if you will come into
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CHAPTER XIII. MERCEDES’ FLIGHT FROM HOME.
CHAPTER XIII. MERCEDES’ FLIGHT FROM HOME.
The meeting between the detective and Reginald Danton took place shortly before dark on the evening of the last Sunday in June and, therefore, at about six o’clock. After an hour passed together, during which Danton could give Nick but little more in the way of information than that which has already been recorded, the young man took his departure and the detective was left alone to think over the incidents of the afternoon. He had agreed with young Danton that he would go out to the Fells early
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CHAPTER XIV. LITTLE STRAWS SHOW THE DIRECTION OF THE WIND.
CHAPTER XIV. LITTLE STRAWS SHOW THE DIRECTION OF THE WIND.
“Do you mean, sir,” asked Sarah, “that it might not have been my mistress who was in the carriage when I supposed that I was bidding her good-by?” “Yes. I mean that it might not have been your mistress, although we must act for the present on the hypothesis that it was she. Supposing that it was, the fact of her holding her handkerchief to her mouth while she was talking to you would lead one to suppose that she had some reason for wishing to conceal some emotion from you, would it not?” “I supp
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CHAPTER XV. THE BEAUTIFUL FACE OF ISABEL.
CHAPTER XV. THE BEAUTIFUL FACE OF ISABEL.
“When did Isabel Benton first make her appearance in the household?” “About a year ago—perhaps a little more.” “Who recommended her?” “I do not know. She came one afternoon and entered at once upon her duties. Nobody offered me any word of explanation and I sought none.” “Naturally. Did her duties conflict with yours at all?” “Not at all. I attended my mistress’ person. Isabel was more of a waiting maid, constantly in attendance. My duties were in the bedchamber and with the wardrobe; hers were
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CHAPTER XVI. IN HOURLY PERIL OF DEATH.
CHAPTER XVI. IN HOURLY PERIL OF DEATH.
“Sarah,” said the detective, rising and crossing the room two or three times, “the acts connected with the tragedy which occurred at the Fells two weeks ago are still fresh in your memory, are they not? I refer, of course, to the murder of Orizaba by Mr. Reginald’s valet, Paul Rogers. You recall all the circumstances, do you not?” “I think so, sir.” “Now, I want to recall to your attention several things you have told me, to which you have not attached much importance. I want to group them toget
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CHAPTER XVII. A QUESTION OF FOUR LIVES.
CHAPTER XVII. A QUESTION OF FOUR LIVES.
Sarah tottered back into a chair after Nick had ceased speaking, and she remained there, with her head resting in her hands, and quietly sobbing until the detective addressed her again. “Come, come, Sarah, this will not do at all,” he said. “Remember what I said to you—that I shall be at the Fells in the morning. You can have from now until then to think over all that we have talked about, and to decide upon the importance of the additional knowledge you can supply. I think, by morning, you will
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CHAPTER XVIII. UP AGAINST IT IN EITHER CASE.
CHAPTER XVIII. UP AGAINST IT IN EITHER CASE.
“I was never so astonished in my life,” said Danton, as they walked arm in arm together along the hotel corridor. “Of course, I have heard that you could step up and hold conversations with your best friends without once giving them a chance to recognize you, but I never believed it, you know. I always thought that sort of thing was what the boys call ‘Sherlock-Holmesing,’ don’t you know. Very pleasant to read about, but not an element of real life. Just speak again, won’t you, for I am not sure
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CHAPTER XIX. THE PLOT FOR MANY MILLIONS.
CHAPTER XIX. THE PLOT FOR MANY MILLIONS.
“You have told me nothing of the real relation of Ramon Orizaba to your family, save that he was a distant cousin,” began Nick slowly, “and it is not necessary, in order to carry out my theory, that you should do so. The point is that he was a relation, however distant, and on your mother’s side, since you have told me that she is of Spanish descent.” “Correct. He was——” “Never mind; we will call him a distant cousin. I think, Danton, if he had shaved off his mustache and the pointed beard he wo
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CHAPTER XX. THE PLOTTERS BROUGHT TO BAY.
CHAPTER XX. THE PLOTTERS BROUGHT TO BAY.
It was past one o’clock when the detective had finished his story, and, as he brought it to an end, he glanced at his watch, then shut it to with a snap, and announced that it was time to act. “I know the plan of the interior of this house quite well,” he said, to Danton, “and it will be comparatively easy for me to unlock the door so that you can gain admittance to those rooms. There are five rooms in the suite, and I merely wish you to satisfy yourself that Mercedes is there, or is not there,
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CHAPTER XXI. NICK DISCOVERS A NEW MYSTERY.
CHAPTER XXI. NICK DISCOVERS A NEW MYSTERY.
With the principal actors in the plot of death for the Danton millions safely in the hands of the law, Nick Carter began to breathe more freely. He followed closely the trial of the accused murderer to see that no loop-hole for escape from conviction was taken advantage of by the accused man. He had long conferences with the district attorney and laid before him all the necessary facts in the conspiracy, avoiding, as far as it was possible, dragging the family into the case. In this he had the h
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CHAPTER XXII. DISCOVERY OF THE WILL.
CHAPTER XXII. DISCOVERY OF THE WILL.
After Nick had made himself known the lawyer was quite willing to visit the house of Mr. Peters, as the detective suggested, but he admitted that he did not have any confidence that Nick would be able to trace the missing document. “I have searched the house from cellar to garret, and can find no sign of the will,” said Smart, with confidence. “I do not believe that it is in the house now, if it still exists.” “Another look will not do any harm, if you have no objections,” said Nick. “None in th
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CHAPTER XXIII. THE MURDERER ESCAPES.
CHAPTER XXIII. THE MURDERER ESCAPES.
It lacked but a few moments of the time when the train that was to convey Rogers to Sing Sing would pull out of the Grand Central Station. A closed carriage was driven hurriedly under the glass canopy which stretches between the station proper and the annex. There were two men on the box—the driver and a special officer in citizen’s clothes; and there were two men inside the hack. One of these latter was also an officer; the other, Paul Rogers, who was to meet the fate that had been allotted to
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CHAPTER XXIV. NICK ON DECK AGAIN.
CHAPTER XXIV. NICK ON DECK AGAIN.
Against beautiful Mercedes Danton and her family, as well as Nick Carter himself, Rogers had taken an awful oath of vengeance. How terrible that oath was, how carefully he had considered it and planned for its fulfilment, we are soon to know. There were two coincidences connected with the escape of Rogers. One was the arrival of Nick Carter at the Grand Central Station at nine o’clock on the same evening, and the other the incoming of the steamship Oceanic , which passed Fire Island at about the
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CHAPTER XXV. THE UNFOLDING OF ROGERS’ PLOT.
CHAPTER XXV. THE UNFOLDING OF ROGERS’ PLOT.
“Mr. Carter,” continued Morgan, after a short pause, “I suppose it would be a sort of paradox to say that there could be such a thing as a square crook, but if there ever was a crook who tried to be on the square as far as his business would permit, Tom Morgan is that chap.” “It is something of a paradox, Red,” laughed Nick. And then he added seriously: “Why do you not shake the business and be on the square all round?” “Too late, sir—too late. There is too much past and not enough future in min
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CHAPTER XXVI. BURGLAR MORGAN’S BIGGEST HAUL.
CHAPTER XXVI. BURGLAR MORGAN’S BIGGEST HAUL.
“Morgan,” said Nick, “have you any information which can lead you to form an opinion or express a belief concerning the method which Paul Rogers intends to employ in removing me from the pale of existence?” Morgan grinned. “Would you mind saying that all over again, and saying it slow?” he asked. “But never mind. I’ll try to reply to it in my own way. “You see, Mr. Carter, the fact is that this thing is much more serious than you imagine. If it hadn’t been, you can bet your life that I wouldn’t
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CHAPTER XXVII. GETTING IN ONE DEAL AHEAD.
CHAPTER XXVII. GETTING IN ONE DEAL AHEAD.
When the detective was left alone he sat for many moments turning over in his mind the story he had just heard, and in doing so he recalled a circumstance which had been dormant in his recollection for a long time. He remembered the occasion when Mercedes’ maid, Sarah Kearney, had been interviewed by him in that same room, and he recalled the fact that he had accused her at the time of keeping back a part of her story. The circumstances which had followed upon that occasion had developed so rapi
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CHAPTER XXVIII. NICK CARTER’S LITTLE COUNTERPLOT.
CHAPTER XXVIII. NICK CARTER’S LITTLE COUNTERPLOT.
Nick Carter recalled vividly his first encounter with Mercedes Danton. He remembered that it had been in the early morning and among the roses at Linden Fells; and he remembered also that he had learned in other ways that she was fond of rising early in the morning, and upon this habit he had calculated to afford him an opportunity for an interview with her before her father and mother should appear on the deck of the steamer. Indeed, he argued that it was extremely doubtful if they appeared at
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CHAPTER XXIX. IN THE HOUSE AT LINDEN FELLS.
CHAPTER XXIX. IN THE HOUSE AT LINDEN FELLS.
An entire week had passed since the arrival of the steamer which brought the Dantons home to America, and during that time not a single sign of Paul Rogers or his following had been made manifest. Nick Carter’s watchfulness did not, however, abate in the slightest degree, for he reasoned that the conspirators were merely biding their time, and he smiled to himself also, when he recalled the conversation he had held with Red Morgan in which that worthy had informed him of the numerous oaths again
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CHAPTER XXX. PAUL ROGERS’ BLOW FOR MILLIONS.
CHAPTER XXX. PAUL ROGERS’ BLOW FOR MILLIONS.
For a moment after the detective asked the question, Mercedes stared in open-eyed amazement into his face. Then she slowly lowered her eyes until their gaze had settled upon a figure in the carpet, and she replied with the one word: “Yes.” She did not ask why he had put the question. She waited for the next one which she seemed to know would follow upon the first. “How long have you known that he was not dead?” asked Nick. “Always,” she replied, still with her eyes lowered. “At least, I knew alm
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CHAPTER XXXI. ONE MAN AGAINST SIXTY-FIVE.
CHAPTER XXXI. ONE MAN AGAINST SIXTY-FIVE.
The mother of Mercedes was not dead, and the story told of the accident, which had befallen her, was so direct and clear that it seemed to have happened quite naturally. It was, in short, nothing more than a repetition of numberless other accidents of the kind. The horses had been restless from the start, and the coachman had found it difficult to manage them. One of them in particular had acted as if “possessed of the devil” from the very moment when they left the stable. The drive had been a l
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CHAPTER XXXII. PAUL ROGERS’ LAST STRUGGLE.
CHAPTER XXXII. PAUL ROGERS’ LAST STRUGGLE.
Eleven o’clock had just tolled from the tower of the town hall in the village, three miles away, when Nick Carter saw a shadow cross the path near to the spot where he was sitting, and he started to his feet and bounded forward with the suddenness of the leap of a panther. He seized the man from behind and forced him to the earth, at the same moment attempting to grasp his throat, thus to shut off all chance of his calling out and thus summoning assistance; but in the darkness he missed the man’
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