The Trevor Case - free ebook by Natalie Sumner Lincoln

THE TREVOR CASE

By Natalie Sumner Lincoln Author of “C. O. D.,” “The Man Outside,” Etc. With Frontispiece by EDMUND FREDERICK A. L. BURT COMPANY PUBLISHERS - - NEW YORK Published by Arrangement with D. Appleton &amp; Company THE TREVOR CASE...

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CHAPTER I FACE TO FACE

A faint , very faint scratching noise broke the stillness. Then a hand was thrust through the hole in the window pane; deftly the burglar alarm was disconnected, and the fingers fumbled with the catch of the window. The sash was pushed gently up, and a man’s figure was outlined for a second against the star-lit sky as he dropped noiselessly through the window to the stair landing. For a few moments he crouched behind the heavy curtains, but his entry had been too noiseless to awaken the sleeping

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CHAPTER II THE SECRET OF THE SAFE

“H elp ! Murder! Murder!” The sinister cry rang through the house. Seated at the breakfast table, his daughter opposite him, the daily papers at his elbow, the Attorney General, hardly realizing the tragical interruption, sprang from his chair as the cry came nearer and the door burst open admitting his confidential secretary. “In God’s name, Clark, what is the matter?” he demanded, seizing the distraught man. “Father, Father, give him time, he is dreadfully upset,” begged Beatrice, coming aroun

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CHAPTER III AT THE MACALLISTERS’

M any called, but few were invited to attend Mrs. Van Zandt Macallister’s stately entertainments. Possibly for that reason alone her invitations were eagerly sought and highly prized by social aspirants. For more years than she cared to remember, official, residential, and diplomatic Washington had gathered on an equal footing in her hospitable mansion on F Street. So strictly did she draw social distinctions that one disgruntled climber spoke of her evening receptions as “Resurrection Parties,”

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CHAPTER IV THE INQUEST

T he dastardly murder created a tremendous sensation not only in Washington, but in every State of the Union as well. The Trevors were bombarded with telegrams and special delivery letters, and their house besieged by reporters. Mrs. Macallister was right; all fashionable society turned out to attend the inquest, and fought and struggled for admittance, rubbing shoulders with the denizens of Southeast Washington and Anacostia as they pushed their way into the Trevor mansion. The inquest was to b

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CHAPTER V THE SIGNET RING

E xcitement ran high among the spectators as they crowded into the rooms a few minutes before one o’clock. The burglar’s story had impressed them by its sincerity. But, if he was innocent, who could be the criminal? “Nelson knew how to play on people’s emotions and made up a plausible tale; but as the coroner says, he has given no proof to back his statement that Mrs. Trevor was killed before he entered the house,” said Philip White, in answer to one of Peggy’s questions. She and her grandmother

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CHAPTER VI THE VERDICT

S o totally unexpected had been the dénouement that for a few seconds the spectators sat stunned; then pandemonium broke loose. It was only after the coroner threatened to clear the rooms that quiet was restored. “Such violence is unnecessary,” said he, addressing Gordon. “I—I—beg pardon,” the young officer spoke with an effort. “Your statement was so utterly unbelievable, so astounding that I forgot myself.” “It is absolutely true, and can be proved by Doctor Davis and Detective Hardy, who was

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CHAPTER VII WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS

T ramp , tramp, back and forth, back and forth, went the restless footsteps. Would she never tire? Would she never stop? Alfred Clark bent lower until his eye was on a level with the keyhole of the closed library door. Suddenly the gong over the front door rang loudly. With a smothered exclamation, Clark glided quickly across the wide hall and entered the private office just as Wilkins came out of the dining-room. “Good afternoon, Wilkins. Can I see Miss Beatrice?” Peggy’s fresh young voice soun

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CHAPTER VIII THE CHALLENGE

J ust before midnight the Charity Ball, given annually for the benefit of the Children’s Hospital, was at its height. The long ballroom at the New Willard was almost too crowded for comfort, at least so thought the dancing contingent. “Come on over here out of the crowd, Peggy,” and Dick Tillinghast pointed to one of the deep window recesses. It looked cool and comfortable after the heat of the room, and with a sigh of relief Peggy sank back in its kindly shelter. She was beginning to feel weary

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CHAPTER IX “MAIN 6”

B uzz —buzz—sounded the alarm. Dick stirred, shivered slightly, and sat up. “May the devil fly away with you!” he muttered, addressing the clock. “I wish to thunder I could go to bed as sleepy as I wake up,” stretching himself, and vividly recollecting how many hours he had lain awake thinking of Peggy. His thoughts turned quickly to her challenge; with a bound he was out of bed; no time for loitering now—too much was at stake. Some hours later Dick was staring moodily at the snow and slush in f

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CHAPTER X CAUGHT ON THE WIRES

D ick was up betimes the next morning, stopping only long enough to swallow a cup of coffee and a plate of oatmeal. Then calling a cheery good-by to Mrs. Brisbane, he banged out of the front door and down the steps in such haste that he collided violently with “Uncle” Andy Jackson, the Brisbane factotum, who was busy shoveling the snow off the steps. “Laws, Marse Dick,” groaned Uncle Andy, picking himself up carefully. “’Pears like yo’ am in a hurry.” “Awfully sorry, Uncle,” said Dick, helping t

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CHAPTER XI BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

A loud rat-a-tat-tat startled Dick as he dressed in his room that night. On opening the door, he was much surprised to find General Long standing on the threshold. “Didn’t expect to see me, did you?” asked Long, smiling at Dick’s amazement. “Your very charming landlady told me I might come right up. By Jove! she has fixed you up in comfort,” and he looked enviously around Dick’s pleasant, home-like room. “This is something like,” sinking luxuriously into a huge lounging chair. “It’s mighty good

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CHAPTER XII BLIND CLEWS

“A nd what is your opinion, Tillinghast?” asked the Secretary. They were sitting alone the next morning in his private office. He had listened attentively to Dick’s detailed account of his interview with the Attorney General. “I believe Mr. Trevor’s statement,” he answered, looking squarely at Secretary Bowers. “And so do I,” heartily agreed the other. “Trevor had to buy Madame de Berriot’s silence. If the scandal had gotten out it would have meant social ostracism, not only for the guilty woman

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CHAPTER XIII THE THREAT

O n that same afternoon Beatrice sat in the library gazing with troubled eyes at a letter lying open in her lap. Suddenly she tore it into shreds and flung the pieces into the open fire. “How dare he?” she exclaimed aloud. “Beg pardon, Miss Beatrice,” said Wilkins, patiently. He had already addressed her three times. “What is it?” asked Beatrice, for the first time aware of his presence. “Detective Hardy is at the telephone, miss. He wishes to know if you can see him this afternoon.” “No, I cann

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CHAPTER XIV HAND AND PIN

“A nd so you are no nearer clearing poor Gordon than you were twenty-four hours ago?” said Long, thoughtfully. “Exactly,” answered Dick, glumly. The two friends were sitting in Long’s room at the New Willard, and Dick had been giving an account of his efforts to straighten out the tangled threads of the Trevor mystery. He was tired in body, and discouraged in mind. Even the fragrant Havana he was smoking gave him no comfort. Then his teeth came together with a snap, and he threw back his head de

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CHAPTER XV MAN PROPOSES

P eggy went to her room that night very cross and very sleepy. The Patterson dinner had been a very long and, to her, a very tedious affair of many courses and numerous pauses. “I never before worked so hard to make conversation,” she confided to her grandmother in the privacy of her pretty bedroom. No matter how late Peggy stayed out, she always found her grandmother awake and waiting for her when she returned. When no social engagements took her from home, Mrs. Macallister, who required very l

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CHAPTER XVI PLAYING WITH FIRE

I t was a very woe-begone Peggy who came into the drawing-room the next afternoon, and Dick looked with consternation at her pale cheeks and heavy eyelids. “Peggy! What have you been doing with yourself?” he exclaimed, detaining her small hand in his. “Sit down here,” patting the chair next her. Dick needed no second bidding. “I could not sleep—Granny was so upset,” she began, incoherently, “I simply had to send for you.” “Is Mrs. Macallister ill?” he demanded. “Oh, no. I gave her a dreadful fri

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CHAPTER XVII ACROSS THE POTOMAC

A fter getting his special story on the wires, Dick had only time for a hasty meal at a down-town restaurant. Then he hurried over to the Star office, and was soon at work in the city room. About half past nine his chief sent for him. “This is the busiest Saturday night we’ve had in years,” grumbled Colonel Byrd. “You know Dr. Gibson, superintendent of St. Elizabeth’s, don’t you?” Dick nodded assent. “Well, go over there as quick as you can and see if you can get him to talk. Word has just come

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CHAPTER XVIII NIP AND TUCK

B efore Dick, half stunned by his fall, could get upon his feet, the four masked men threw themselves upon him, and, despite his struggles, bound him hand and foot. They cleared away the débris made by him in his unlucky fall, and placed him in the cleared space. “Do you speak Italian?” asked the leader in fairly good English, as the men, after reconnoitering outside, returned and grouped themselves about their prisoner. “No,” lied Dick, calmly. “That is not so,” spoke up one of the men next the

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CHAPTER XIX THE CONFERENCE

“H ow my head aches,” groaned Dick, “and every part of my body.” He touched himself tenderly as he changed his position on the lounge. “It is not surprising,” said Long, dryly, “after the experience you went through last night, or rather early this morning. How I wish I had been with you, instead of sitting up and chatting small talk with a stuffy dowager. Just my beastly luck!” “You are a nice one to begrudge me such an adventure, after all the fighting you have seen,” retorted Dick. “I wish yo

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CHAPTER XX CASTING OF NETS

D ick was awakened out of a sound sleep the next morning by a loud banging on his door. “Come in,” he shouted, sleepily; then, realizing that the disturber of his peace could not crawl through the keyhole, he scrambled out of bed, unlocked the door and jerked it open. “I ax yo’ pardon, Marse Dick,” said Uncle Andy, bowing and scraping on the threshold, “but dis hyer note done come fo’ yo’, an’ de bearer am waitin’ fo’ an answer, sah.” As he spoke he handed Dick a sealed envelope and a small pack

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CHAPTER XXI FORGING THE FETTERS

D ick sat back in his chair and glowered at Hardy. “Do you know that your informant is at present a fugitive from justice?” he asked. “What!” cried the detective, springing to his feet in his surprise. “It’s a fact,” declared Dick. “The Secret Service men are after him. I expect to hear of his arrest at any moment.” Hardy sank back in his chair and mopped his red face. He had very much the appearance of a pricked gas balloon. “Would you mind putting me wise?” he asked, finally. “I’ve been so bus

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CHAPTER XXII AT THE TIME APPOINTED

D ick leaned limply against the high, glass counter, his cold fingers holding fast to the telltale chain. “Mr. Tillinghast.” He whirled around and found Hardy standing by his side. “I tried to see you at your office, but Colonel Byrd said you were at Stoneleigh Court. On going there, Mr. Blake’s servant told me I might catch you here. Chief Conner has received word that Clark was arrested this morning in New York on board an outgoing tramp steamer. He was disguised as an Italian stoker. Two Secr

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CHAPTER XXIII THE LIFTING OF THE CLOUD

“D urley , fill up Miss Beatrice’s champagne glass. I insist, my dear,” as Beatrice protested. “Your health needs such a tonic, and it can do you no harm. I promised your father that I would take good care of you, so you must prepare to do exactly as I say,” and Mrs. Macallister shook a warning finger at her guest. Peggy had called for Beatrice that afternoon and carried her home in the Macallisters’ landaulet. And already their tender but unobtrusive sympathy, and the cheery atmosphere of the h

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CHAPTER XXIV JOURNEYS END IN LOVERS’ MEETING

“B eatrice , dear, why did you secrete your broken hat-pin, and where did you get it after the murder?” demanded Peggy, finding courage at last to ask the question which had worried her so much. Then, seeing Beatrice’s open-eyed surprise, she added: “Your box caught when I opened my secret drawer on Friday night, and your cat’s-eye fell out. I instantly recognized it. But believe me, dear, I never for one moment thought you were connected with Mrs. Trevor’s death.” “She never did,” affirmed Dick

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