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25 chapters
ILLUSTRATED Copyright, 1911, by MOFFAT, YARD AND COMPANY New York Published October, 1911
ILLUSTRATED Copyright, 1911, by MOFFAT, YARD AND COMPANY New York Published October, 1911
CHAPTER I CHAPTER II CHAPTER III CHAPTER IV CHAPTER V CHAPTER VI CHAPTER VII CHAPTER VIII CHAPTER IX CHAPTER X CHAPTER XI CHAPTER XII CHAPTER XIII CHAPTER XIV CHAPTER XV CHAPTER XVI CHAPTER XVII CHAPTER XVIII CHAPTER XIX CHAPTER XX CHAPTER XXI CHAPTER XXII CHAPTER XXIII CHAPTER XXIV Mrs. Collins He looked about him in a bewildered way She felt herself seized with a desire to weep She did not repel the arm he put around her waist...
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CHAPTER I
CHAPTER I
Did she come to threaten or to plead? The question, darting swiftly through his mind as his eyes took in the unfamiliar outline of her figure, produced a storm of agitation which left him gazing stupidly at her, with fixed eyes in which surprise and terror mingled. He had never seen her before—his first moment of survey impressed that clearly on him. Yet her presence in his home at this compromising hour signified that she was involved, remotely or intimately, in his own tangled affairs. The tho
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CHAPTER II
CHAPTER II
The domestic life of George Collins and his wife was a daily lie which fooled no one. For five years they had lived completely estranged beneath the single roof that sheltered both, yet trying desperately to conceal their conjugal infelicity from the world. But the eyes of the world are too keen and penetrating when it comes to other people's affairs, and such painful efforts as the Collinses made to appear reconciled to each other were measured and appraised at their true worth. Marriage is a c
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CHAPTER III
CHAPTER III
A premeditated killing wherein the murderer makes no provision to protect himself from the sure consequences of his act, requires a certain amount of perverted courage. Neither Mrs. Collins nor her brother credited Collins with the possession of even this low courage—at least not in sufficient degree to induce him to relinquish the comforts of freedom for the inconveniences of a prison. So they offered no objection to his departure, permitting him to leave without a word, as though they were ent
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CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER IV
What had become of Herbert Whitmore? Like a thief in the night he had slipped out of his Fifth Avenue home, disappeared from his business, vanished like a specter, while the domestic tragedy of the Collinses paused in anticipation of his reappearance. Beard, the confidential secretary, had taken possession of his employer's office, and to all inquiries regarding Whitmore's absence, made the same reply: "He is gone indefinitely on a business trip." Not even the persistent Collins was able to elic
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He looked about him in a bewildered way
He looked about him in a bewildered way
"You knew Mr. Whitmore?" the coroner inquired mildly. "Yes, I was his confidential secretary," the answer came in weak tones. The coroner and the two detectives exchanged significant glances. "Then you are Mr. Beard?" the former inquired. "Yes." "Can you throw any light on the murder—have you any idea as to who could have done it?" As the weighty import of the query slowly dawned on Beard's consciousness, his face contracted until it took on the expression of one whose mental vision is gradually
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She felt herself seized with a desire to weep
She felt herself seized with a desire to weep
There was an awkward pause, which was broken by Greig: "This lady, Miss Strong, has valuable information." She turned her moistened eyes on Britz, who, through half-closed lids, was endeavoring to appraise her. Keen student of human nature that he was, quick as he was to gather those little details of personal appearance which, to the trained eye, reveal with pitiless accuracy the innermost character of a human being, Britz was unable to form any satisfactory estimate of her. Outwardly, she had
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CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VII
Britz recovered gradually from his astonishment. Advancing to the couch he examined the lifeless form of the woman, noting that the shot which killed her had entered the mouth and probably penetrated to the base of the skull. A small pearl-handled revolver gleamed ominously from the floor, about seven or eight feet from the lounge. Britz picked it up, examined it, then deposited it on a convenient table. As the detective moved about the apartment, his activity seemed to arouse the others from th
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CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER VIII
Although Britz permitted his assistant to find welcome rest after the crowded activities of the day, he did not allow himself the same pleasant relaxation. He felt no craving for sleep. His faculties were too tensely alert for slumber, an inexhaustible spring of energy kept him fresh and active. There were certain channels in this mysterious case which had thus far been entirely neglected. It was necessary to explore them at once, lest they vanish overnight. Britz proceeded to the Night Court, w
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CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER IX
The development of crime detection in the last decade has followed closely along the line of industrial development. Just as no great commercial establishment can long survive without systematic management, so no great detective force can develop efficiency with chaos on the throne. Centralization, through closer and ever more close systematization, has not only been the tendency, but the great phenomenon of the modern industrial world. The same condition obtains to-day in the police profession.
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CHAPTER X
CHAPTER X
Three days later Britz and Greig returned from Atlanta. It had been a tiresome journey, fifty-five hours of the seventy-two having been spent in a Pullman coach. But the information which they had obtained kept their energies awake. So that when their train drew into the new Pennsylvania station at ten o'clock, they hastened through the illuminated corridors and out into the refreshing night air, with elastic steps and excitement in their eyes. A telegram sent en route had kept Manning at his de
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CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XI
Fresh as the early morning dew that hung, a gentle, swaying silver mantle above the ceaseless currents of the North River, Britz awoke and for a long time permitted his eyes to feast on the restful picture offered by the now deserted Riverside Drive. Reluctantly he withdrew his gaze from the alluring vista that spread from his window—the graveled walks, the well-kept lawns sloping down to the stream, the wide stretch of shimmering water sending slanting shafts of silver against the rocky base of
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CHAPTER XII
CHAPTER XII
Like one inspired by a great purpose, Britz moved with the human current down Broadway. It pleased him to think that he had converted Miss Burden's confiding love into an instrument of justice; that by its means he would establish ere another hour had sped, the innocence or the guilt of Beard. What her own feelings in the matter might be, did not concern him. He might deplore the necessity of causing an innocent woman to suffer; but if it were necessary for the accomplishment of his end—well, la
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CHAPTER XIII
CHAPTER XIII
Fortune had turned her back on Britz on two critical occasions. First, Julia Strong had eliminated herself as a factor in the investigation of the Whitmore murder. Next, Lester Ward had been permitted to disappear at the very moment when he might have been induced to shed light on the crime. Since all crimes must be proved through witnesses, the loss of two of the most important ones was a staggering blow to Britz. It did not diminish his confidence in himself nor in his belief that he would eve
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CHAPTER XIV
CHAPTER XIV
As the police withdrew from in front of Ward & Co.'s office, the crowd returned. It flowed into the corridor of the office building, a sullen, silent mob, full of repressed anger that required only the slightest spark to transform it into a roaring flame. They massed about the locked door, gazing at the lettered panel as at a corpse. Out in the street newsboys were crying the failure of the banking house. They did a brisk business. Mourners everywhere are feverishly anxious to read of th
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CHAPTER XV
CHAPTER XV
On hearing the ominous word, arrest, Mrs. Collins trembled and grew cold. She looked entreatingly from the detective to the lawyer, as if seeking some explanation of this new and entirely unexpected blow. Britz, noting the helpless bewilderment of the woman, experienced a painful contraction of heart, as if it were ordained that he must share the suffering which he had inflicted on her. Presently she lifted her face to his in a look of silent protest, and he felt a stinging sense of shame at the
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CHAPTER XVI
CHAPTER XVI
At a window of the Cosmos Club, overlooking Fifth avenue, two men were seated. It was dusk, and thick shadows filled the unlighted clubroom, concealing the faces of the men from the countless eyes of the men and women passing in parade beneath the window. From where they sat the two men could observe the endless procession in the street, while keeping an eye on the door leading from the room into the main corridor of the big clubhouse. One of the men—the younger of the two—appeared uneasy over s
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CHAPTER XVII
CHAPTER XVII
Collins obeyed. Not voluntarily, but because he was unable to resist the domination of the detective's will. Also, a terrible fear had gripped his heart, producing a terror that sobered him and gave him command of all his faculties. "Who are these men?" inquired Britz, nodding toward Cooper and Fanwell. "Friends of mine," growled Collins. "I wish to speak with you, Collins," said the detective. "Do you want them to remain?" "I do." "You prefer to have witnesses present?" "I wouldn't talk to you
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CHAPTER XVIII
CHAPTER XVIII
Collins and the lawyer exchanged questioning glances. What new trick was this detective about to play? The positive tone employed by Britz in announcing that he had hooked his fish, worried them. The provoking coolness of the detective aggravated them beyond measure. "Evidently you are preparing to draw in a whole netful of fish," said Luckstone experimentally. "I didn't cast a net," Britz informed him. "I threw out single lines. Do you wish to be present when I draw them in?" "I shall be glad t
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CHAPTER XIX
CHAPTER XIX
The first thing Britz did the following morning was to call the Chief of Police of Atlanta on the telephone. "Yes, I've arranged for the writ of habeas corpus," said the Atlanta chief in response to Britz's questions. "I've also induced the Federal district-attorney not to oppose the man's discharge. Yes, I also saw the prisoner last night at the jail. He's worried to death that he'll be rearrested and given a long term for aiding Whitmore to escape." "I've helped the Federal authorities when th
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CHAPTER XX
CHAPTER XX
Manning and Greig settled themselves comfortably in their chairs, prepared to listen to a long recital. The extraordinary methods which Britz had pursued in the conduct of the investigation had puzzled and alarmed them. To the chief it had looked as if Britz were running around in a circle, hopelessly bewildered, mistrusting every palpable lead as a new pitfall. There were reasons for Manning's anxiety. The department could not afford to "fall down" on this conspicuous case. Public interest had
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CHAPTER XXI
CHAPTER XXI
Both Britz and Manning were skilled in the art of concealing their emotions. Their brains might be working furiously, their hearts throbbing with excitement, they might be laboring under the greatest stress of mind, yet they were able to command a placid exterior, unruffled as polished ivory. Their conduct as they entered the Police Headquarters the following morning gave no suggestion of the strain which they were undergoing. Their faces reflected none of the anxious expectancy with which they
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CHAPTER XXII
CHAPTER XXII
The words came like a stunning blow where a verbal counter-argument was expected. Luckstone and his clients sat like beings who felt the ground slipping from under them, yet were helpless in the paralyzing fear that had seized them. The coroner's eyes traveled from Britz to Manning and Greig, as if seeking confirmation of the detective's statement. But he found only amazement written in their features. Coroner Hart was the first to recover from the surprise occasioned by Britz's revelation. He b
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CHAPTER XXIII
CHAPTER XXIII
Thus far Britz, Luckstone and Coroner Hart had occupied the center of the stage. To them had fallen all the speaking parts. The others had played silent roles, but now one of them was suddenly called to participate actively in the drama. He failed to respond. Beard, far from embracing the opportunity to enlighten the coroner, clung all the more desperately to silence. And in this attitude he was encouraged by a nod from Luckstone. "Beard, you have nothing to hide," urged Britz. "Why don't you ta
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She did not repel the arm he put around her waist
She did not repel the arm he put around her waist
Now that Beard had finished, everyone experienced a welcome sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted off their minds. "I've come across many cases of wonderful nerve, but nothing to equal the pluck of that man Whitmore!" exclaimed Manning, unable to contain his growing admiration for the dead merchant. "And he was one of the mildest-mannered men I ever met!" joined Beard. The coroner, who had been making notes, now looked up at Britz. The detective's face had relaxed into an express
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