24 chapters
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24 chapters
I THE GIRL IN THE HANSOM CAB
I THE GIRL IN THE HANSOM CAB
Kenyon ate the good little German dinner which the Berlin always served, and looked amusedly out upon Broadway. “Apparently it’s the same old town,” said he. “A little more light, a few more people; but the same cocksureness, the same air of being the goal of all human effort.” With a smile, he lay back in his chair and watched the tide ebbing along. It was a November night and the pulse of Broadway beat heavily: the stream of life that flowed through the great artery was as flippant and as gari
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II THE DARK HOUSE IN SELDEN’S SQUARE
II THE DARK HOUSE IN SELDEN’S SQUARE
It was Kenyon’s idea, upon entering the cab, to afford himself an opportunity, out of earshot of the idlers, of bringing this bizarre situation to an end. But as before the girl gave him no chance. “When you left Rio,” she began, in a rather hesitating way, “you had but little money, I understand.” “That,” smiled Kenyon, “is very true.” And, for all the smile, he gazed at her searchingly. For it was a very odd thing that she should know so much about him. Within fifteen minutes she had told him
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III IN THE FACE OF STRANGE DANGERS
III IN THE FACE OF STRANGE DANGERS
In spite of Kenyon’s nonchalant ease and smiling face, his muscles were flexed for a swift rush. But this never came; both men arose and silently saluted him; then they resumed their seats once more. The puzzled expression that had come into Kenyon’s eyes in the cab, returned. But in that way only did he show it. His manner was as easy as before; he leaned negligently against a heavy table and smiled engagingly. All the time, however, his keen glances and rapid brain were gauging the quality of
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IV KENYON IS DRAWN DEEPER INTO THE MAZE
IV KENYON IS DRAWN DEEPER INTO THE MAZE
As the ex-lieutenant of Nunez followed the girl and Forrester from the room, he was both pleased and resentful. The pleasure came from the fact that he had judged correctly as to the charming reality under the icy veneer. “It’s all assumed,” he told himself. “The rôle of the haughty, suspicious woman is but a rôle. Beneath it is a nature as sweet as one could desire; I had a glimpse of it as she came in; it was only a glimpse but it was enough.” But why she wore this mask, and apparently for his
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V GARRY WEBSTER, OF CHICAGO
V GARRY WEBSTER, OF CHICAGO
Steele Kenyon placed his stick under his arm, and proceeded to draw on his gloves. “Quite an interesting night,” he said, coolly. “I had no idea that there was so much gratis entertainment in New York. It is really hospitable. Here a lonely stranger arrives in town; and immediately he is taken in hand and provided with diversion of an absolutely unique character. The thing is an inspiration.” He walked down the steps, and stood by the railing that ran along the front, gazing up at the building.
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VI KENYON HAS ANOTHER ODD EXPERIENCE
VI KENYON HAS ANOTHER ODD EXPERIENCE
The two young men sat regarding one another, vexedly. “Now was there ever such an aggravating thing before,” cried Webster, at last. “I felt sure that it would contain the old man’s name, and that our guessing was at an end.” He took the check from Kenyon’s hand and inspected it closely. “Whew!” he whistled. “Your services are placed at a pretty high figure, Kenyon. This calls for as many as ten thousand dollars. Apparently the parties whom you visited last night are not at all stinted for money
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VII THE BELLEVUE HOSPITAL PUZZLE
VII THE BELLEVUE HOSPITAL PUZZLE
“ Mr. Farbush ,” remarked Garry Webster, speculatively, “is more than likely the gentleman with the half-bald head and the vulture eyes. But just where does he enter in this thing, I wonder?” “There is no telling,” answered Kenyon. “It is not well to introduce all one’s characters in the first act, as every practical dramatist knows. Farbush has been held in reserve for the opening of act second, apparently; which reservation shows the hand of a craftsman of more or less skill.” There was someth
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VIII THE NIGHT GROWS THICK WITH WONDER
VIII THE NIGHT GROWS THICK WITH WONDER
At the surgeon’s words Webster fairly gasped his astonishment. But Kenyon’s face was unreadable. “A remarkable state of affairs, indeed,” said the young adventurer. “And without a doubt it has some equally surprising meaning if we could learn all the facts. But you said that you do not feel at liberty to tell us more, did you not?” “I do not know a very great deal more,” answered the surgeon. “These men are not yet able to be seen, I suppose—that is, the remaining two?” “No; and will not be for
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IX KENYON GOES BLINDLY ON
IX KENYON GOES BLINDLY ON
Through the dim, chasm-like streets Kenyon followed Forrester; and always there clung to him the feeling that there was lurking along, in the thicker shadows behind them, a soft-footed someone whose intentions were as unknown as him- or her-self. The section was strange to Kenyon. Overhead the mist seemed to cling stickily to a wilderness of fire-escapes, and by degrees the air became impregnated with a peculiar odor. “It’s decidedly Asiatic,” commented Kenyon, as he sniffed this. “Unless I am v
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X HONG YO STRIKES A BLOW
X HONG YO STRIKES A BLOW
Kenyon , following Faing Sen, found himself in a long passage similar to the one which led from the street, only more dim and evil-smelling. At the end of this, with much groaning and panting and showering of evil wishes upon the young man, the hag raised a trap-door and bid him go down. But he shook his head and motioned for her to go first. Her little eyes gleamed wickedly in the candle-light; but she went down into the cellar obediently, Kenyon following close behind. The place was damp and f
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XI THE SECOND NIGHT ENDS
XI THE SECOND NIGHT ENDS
At last the receding footsteps of the girl and Forrester died away altogether; Kenyon, in spite of his icy exterior, had been filled with a nameless dread, but now experienced a quick sense of relief. Hong Yo and Farbush stood looking at him, mingled wonder and rage in their faces. “Now,” spoke Kenyon, in a business-like tone, “if you will get rid of the worthy Sing Wang and his friends, I will come to the matter in hand.” “One moment.” It was Hong Yo that spoke and his slit-like eyes seemed eve
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XII AND THE THIRD NIGHT BEGINS
XII AND THE THIRD NIGHT BEGINS
The next day Kenyon had his belongings, which he had now generously added to, removed to a hotel some distance up town. “It has not the flare of the Waldorf,” he told himself, as he sat down to dinner, “and it’s not nearly so expensive. But it will do.” He was still pondering over the menu when who should enter the café but Webster. “Oh, I say, but this is luck,” exclaimed that young person, dumping himself into a chair at the opposite side of the table. “I got your notice of removal about an ho
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XIII KENYON MEETS AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE
XIII KENYON MEETS AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE
The voice growled something in an undertone that Kenyon could not understand. But he promptly took it as an invitation to enter, and so pushed open the door. A thick-shouldered man with a dark, bloated face was stretched upon a broken-springed sofa; and as Kenyon entered he lifted himself to a sitting position. “Who the hell are you?” he growled. Kenyon smiled. “There was a time, Gypsy, when you prided yourself upon your memory. It must have gone back on you of late years, if you don’t recognize
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XIV THE UNINVITED GUEST
XIV THE UNINVITED GUEST
The thick, sticky mist that sometimes blows uptown from the bay veiled Fifth Avenue; and a thin rain fell steadily. The lamps shot their pale rays mysteriously through the fog; cabs and busses rolled drippingly by; and soggy pedestrians hurried along under streaming umbrellas. The theatre crowds were on their way home, after their hour in the White Light restaurants; but in a little while their time had passed, and the avenue was silent and deserted save for a policeman who would now and then ap
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XV KENYON IN A NEW RÔLE
XV KENYON IN A NEW RÔLE
For a moment Kenyon literally held his breath. There was no movement, though his ears were strained to catch any sound. “Whoever it is,” he thought, “they are standing, listening, the same as I am.” With the greatest possible caution he drew back a step; the soft felt creepers prevented any noise and he exercised the greatest care that there should be no rustling of his clothing. He had retreated three or four steps when he touched the opposite wall; and as he stood listening he caught the creak
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XVI KENYON CALLS ON THE MAN FROM SAGINAW
XVI KENYON CALLS ON THE MAN FROM SAGINAW
Garry Webster sat in his rooms, a high-ball before him, and a fat black cigar burning between his fingers, when Kenyon was announced early next evening. Webster demonstratively shook him by the hand. “Sit down and drink something,” said he. “I’m about as glad to see you as I’ve ever been to seen anyone in my life. Why, it’s at least two nights since I dined with you.” Kenyon waved away the Scotch, but lit a cigar. “Why all the pleasure?” he inquired, calmly. “Well, in view of your proceedings of
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XVII AT THE GIRLS’ CLUB IN MULBERRY STREET
XVII AT THE GIRLS’ CLUB IN MULBERRY STREET
Steele Kenyon found the Girls’ Club without a great deal of trouble. It was a new and solid-looking building and from top to bottom every window gleamed with lights. He made inquiries of a sergeant of police who happened along upon his round of inspection. The sergeant was a ruddy-faced, white-haired man with the hale look of that type of old New Yorker whose reminiscences never went above Canal Street. “That club,” said the silver-haired sergeant, “is one of the finest things in the city; and t
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XVIII KENYON SHOWS HIS METAL
XVIII KENYON SHOWS HIS METAL
For a moment Dallas Gilbert and Steele Kenyon stood looking into each other’s face in silence; each was reading a suspicion akin to their own. “I’m inclined to think that Anna has the packet,” stated Kenyon, slowly. “I am sure of it,” cried the girl. “Oh, I have always hated myself for not believing in her! She seemed so child-like in some things, and she is so clinging and pretty.” “Ah! Then there has always been a sort of distrust of her?” “Yes. I could not make up my mind, at times, that she
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XIX ON BOARD THE VIXEN
XIX ON BOARD THE VIXEN
The lines were let go and the boat shoved off; then the gasoline engine was started, and after a moment’s hesitancy in getting under way, the fleet craft buried its nose in the water and shot down the Harlem toward East River. “Now,” said Garry Webster, in a low tone to Kenyon; “now that there seems to be a moment in which we can take breath, what in the name of the fire-eyed gods does all this mean?” Kenyon laughed. “If you will come down into the cabin,” said he, “I’ll try and tell you about i
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XX BAFFLED
XX BAFFLED
The November mist had settled heavily upon the East River; and when they ran out into it, they could hear the foghorns and bells being tooted and rung all about them. “A bad night for making out any craft,” remarked the owner of the power-boat. “We can’t see more than a dozen feet on any side of us.” The man who attended to the engine suddenly lifted his head. “There goes the Piedmont ,” said he. “Well, if you can see her, you’ve got mighty good sight,” laughed Webster. “I sure would,” returned
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XXI KENYON BEGINS TO SEE THE LIGHT
XXI KENYON BEGINS TO SEE THE LIGHT
It had been after dawn when Kenyon reached his hotel, and he had slept all day. So it was about six in the evening when he arose and bathed and shaved and put on a well-fitting business suit of gray which his tailor had lately delivered. “I’ve been living in my evening clothes of late,” said he; “and it feels rather good to get into something else.” A knock came upon the door. “Come,” said he. A bell-hop opened the door, and said: “A gentleman to see you, sir.” Kenyon looked at the card. It cont
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XXII THE LIGHT GROWS STRONGER
XXII THE LIGHT GROWS STRONGER
The little party left the train at South Norwalk; it was shortly after nine o’clock when they engaged a carry-all from a liveryman and began the journey along the road which the youth from Saginaw indicated. “Rather a dark night,” commented Webster. “Like ink,” replied Philip Austin. A lamp hung at each side of the trap, and they projected their struggling rays for a very short space ahead; the horses, with ears cocked, jogged briskly along. The road, when they had left the town well behind, gre
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XXIII WHAT KENYON HEARD AND SAW
XXIII WHAT KENYON HEARD AND SAW
For a moment there was silence, then, as Kenyon watched, he saw long, shuddering spasms of laughter shake the emaciated frame of Hong Yo, while one yellow claw was weakly raised, pointing in ghoulish mirth at Forrester. Kenyon felt his skin prickle. “What a hideous beast!” he muttered, his face showing his repugnance. “If it were possible to see his soul, I wonder what it would look like?” “You were longing for our society, were you?” spoke Hong Yo, in his slow, careful English. “And we had all
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XXIV CONCLUSION
XXIV CONCLUSION
Garry Webster and Philip Austin were at dinner in the former’s apartments some few nights later, when Kenyon was announced. “Have a bite, old boy,” Webster incited. “We have some little things here that I know you’ll appreciate.” “Thanks, no; I’ve only stopped in to keep you from bothering me upon that confounded telephone of yours. I’ve not had a restful moment at my apartments for days. I’ve either been forced to listen to your frantic calls, or been in constant expectation of their renewal, e
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