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JOE LESLIE’S WIFE
JOE LESLIE’S WIFE
OR A SKELETON IN THE CLOSET BY ALEXANDER ROBERTSON, M.D. Author of “ Gold-Maker of Lisbon ,” “ Little Sweetheart ,” “ Phantom Smuggler ,” “ Diana Thorpe ,” “ Frozen Hearts ,” “ Nora’s Legacy ,” etc. CHICAGO THE HENNEBERRY COMPANY 554 Wabash Avenue CHAPTER PAGE I The Office of a New York Detective 17 II Two of a Kind 28 III The Tell-tale Scrap of Paper 39 IV The House on Twenty-seventh Street 50 V The Man Dressed as a Bull-fighter 61 VI Marian 73 VII A Brand from the Burning 83 VIII The Jehu Adds
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CHAPTER I THE OFFICE OF A NEW YORK DETECTIVE
CHAPTER I THE OFFICE OF A NEW YORK DETECTIVE
The little clock in the dingy office of Eric Darrell was just pointing out the hour of four when there came a rap on the door. Within the proprietor sat alone, his feet elevated upon the top of a desk, and from his position it was evident that his thoughts were far away, for although he took an occasional whiff at his cigar, it was in an absent-minded way. At this summons, his interest was at once aroused—his feet came down from their elevated position, and an expression appeared on his face th
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CHAPTER II TWO OF A KIND
CHAPTER II TWO OF A KIND
The pretty little lady came very near swooning when she heard this. Darrell arose from his chair. “Come with me through the inner office,” he said in low tones. She followed him, trembling like a leaf, and looking back as though she expected the door to be broken in, and an angry husband to make his appearance on the scene. “He must have followed me—he will be so angry—oh! what shall I do—how shall I look him in the face again?” she moaned. “He need not see you now—here is a door that lets you o
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CHAPTER III THE TELL-TALE SCRAP OF PAPER
CHAPTER III THE TELL-TALE SCRAP OF PAPER
Darrell had by this time come to the conclusion that he was entering upon one of the oddest cases in his experience. He had his sympathies aroused also, and while he generally worked for conviction, in this instance it would be otherwise, his desire being to prove the parties innocent. Presently Leslie went on: “I pretended to go to my office, but, instead, hovered in the neighborhood, sometimes in the drug-store on the corner. “Thus I have discovered that regularly every morning at ten o’clock,
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CHAPTER IV THE HOUSE ON TWENTY-SEVENTH STREET
CHAPTER IV THE HOUSE ON TWENTY-SEVENTH STREET
This was what might with considerable propriety be called a contretemps . If Joe Leslie recognized the writing as that of his wife, the game was up. He had no doubt had many letters from her during their courtship days, and knew the style of the chirography well. One thing favored Darrell. Any one who has endeavored to write with gloves on will bear witness to the fact that as a general rule they could not swear to their own hand when cold. So the chances were about ten to one that Joe could not
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CHAPTER V THE MAN DRESSED AS A BULL FIGHTER
CHAPTER V THE MAN DRESSED AS A BULL FIGHTER
When Eric Darrell left the little grocery on the corner, it was with a bad feeling at his heart. It seemed as though a cold, clammy hand had suddenly come in contact with that member of his anatomy, and chilled it. Could this thing be? If Joe Leslie turned out to be that moral leper, a bigamist, Darrell believed he would never put any trust in human nature again. Did it not look like it? Nothing was lacking. Good heavens! even the names were almost alike—Leslie and Lester. He was horrified—dazed
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CHAPTER VI MARIAN
CHAPTER VI MARIAN
He need not have been so alarmed. True, the blood seemed to leave Lillian’s face, and she gasped for breath, but a moment later she appeared so calm that even the detective was amazed. His admiration increased, for he saw this woman was no pretty doll, to faint at the first breath of adversity. “Do you know this as a fact, Mr. Darrell?” she asked in steady tones. “I do not, positively, and I think we ought to give Joe the benefit of the doubt.” “I shall do more than that. Until with his own lip
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CHAPTER VII A BRAND FROM THE BURNING
CHAPTER VII A BRAND FROM THE BURNING
The detective was a man. He admired courage and grit, no matter in whom it was found, and when he saw the Spanish bull fighter holding his own against the number who had assailed him he could not but express this feeling. It seemed as though these young bloods were furious because the other kept his partner to himself, and allowed her to dance with no one else—it is always the case that a pack of such hot heads may be found at a public gathering, and trouble often ensues. Perhaps the Lady of Car
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CHAPTER VIII THE JEHU ADDS TO THE MYSTERY
CHAPTER VIII THE JEHU ADDS TO THE MYSTERY
It gave Eric Darrell a strange feeling to hear Joe talk in the vein he did. Of all men on earth—or women either—he despised a hypocrite. Could he believe Joe sincere in what he said about deceit, when such a load of suspicion was resting over his own head? Eric was badly rattled. He believed and yet doubted. Something must soon come up to decide the question one way or another. On the way to his rooms, where Joe was to put him down, the latter fell asleep in the corner, so no words passed betwee
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CHAPTER IX JOE’S SECRET
CHAPTER IX JOE’S SECRET
Mike Crotty was on deck. Eric readily found him. The man was a stranger to him, but there is a mystic tie between the detectives and police in a great city—they work in harmony. Soon the two men were conversing with the greatest freedom. Crotty had often heard of Detective Darrell, and was only too glad to supply any information that lay in his power. He remembered meeting the hackman and spoke of the bells ringing out the midnight hour. There could be no mistake. When Eric left the officer, h
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CHAPTER X THAT MEERSCHAUM PIPE
CHAPTER X THAT MEERSCHAUM PIPE
In his time Eric Darrell had seen many strange sights, and experienced odd sensations; but the spectacle that now presented itself to his wondering eyes created a feeling within him such as had never yet come upon him. He gaped in amazement, scarcely able to believe his senses. To such a high pitch had his expectations been drawn that he looked for something of a startling nature. The shock was tremendous, and yet it rather proceeded from a sudden revulsion of feeling, than because the scene exc
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CHAPTER XI ALL IS FORGIVEN
CHAPTER XI ALL IS FORGIVEN
Joe Leslie never felt so mean in all his life as when he approached his house up town on this evening. He knew he had been playing a miserable part in deceiving his wife with regard to his smoking, but subterfuge was something generally foreign to Joe’s nature, and this made it seem all the worse to him. Still, he did not sneak along in a cringing way. Never had he walked more uprightly—for he could look people in the face now, at least, and was determined to make a clean breast of it. Lillian
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CHAPTER XII THE OPIUM JOINT
CHAPTER XII THE OPIUM JOINT
Eric Darrell watched the man whom he had thus met on the platform of the elevated station. He wondered what magical power Paul Prescott possessed over Joe Leslie’s wife. The man was odd looking, as a genius is ever supposed to be, but there was nothing about him to indicate that he might be a masher or a heart-breaker. Darrell looked him over, taking a mental measurement of the man, as he had a dim idea the time might be near at hand when they would be on opposite sides. The other left the trai
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CHAPTER XIII A TERRIBLE DOOM
CHAPTER XIII A TERRIBLE DOOM
Before Eric Darrell had been in the place ten minutes he made a discovery that had a strong bearing on the case. This was in reference to the artist. Paul Prescott had shown all the signs of an opium smoker’s eagerness to have a draw at the subtle drug when he came in. Nevertheless, Eric had already decided that much of this was assumed. His own experience showed how such a thing could be; hence, he believed another might copy the same signs of distress with equal success. Then Prescott had a re
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CHAPTER XIV ANOTHER LINK IN THE CHAIN
CHAPTER XIV ANOTHER LINK IN THE CHAIN
All these things had flashed through Darrell’s mind with a rapidity that lightning alone could equal, for there is nothing more rapid than thought. He maintained his suave manner. “I have come this morning, Mrs. Leslie, for several things. In the first place I wish to congratulate you on the fact that Joe’s terrible secret, as I made it out, was after all so simple a thing. Your wifely trust and devotion had their reward and I can appreciate the feeling of satisfaction you now possess because
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CHAPTER XV COMPARING NOTES
CHAPTER XV COMPARING NOTES
Joe was in. When the detective sent his card by the same clerk whom he had helped Joe rescue from the clutches of the gamblers, he was shown to the private office. Here he found his friend seated at his desk, and busily engaged with a pile of letters that had come in the morning mail. Joe greeted him cordially and begged him to wait a few minutes, when he would be through with his task. This suited the detective exactly, since it gave him a chance to watch the other. He was able to read a face p
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CHAPTER XVI THE LOCKED SARATOGA
CHAPTER XVI THE LOCKED SARATOGA
The detective was not yet through. He wished to find out a few other things connected with the case, through information which Joe alone could give. When the latter had told his story concerning what had happened at his house on the preceding night, he had touched lightly on the incident of the closet. The keen detective had however made a mental note of the circumstance, and he was bound to know more of the matter. “What sort of a closet is it?” he asked. “Quite a roomy affair.” “You keep what
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CHAPTER XVII THE ARTIST IS DEFIANT
CHAPTER XVII THE ARTIST IS DEFIANT
“Come in!” said a voice. Eric opened the door. An odor of tobacco greeted him. Prescott, in his studio dress, was before a painting, putting some touches here and there. So interested was he that he did not turn his head when the door closed. Darrell looked at the painting and was charmed—it was a glimpse of the Delaware Water Gap, and so true to nature that one could almost believe he was on the spot. Finally the artist stepped back a pace. “There! that is done. I beg your pardon—” and he whe
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CHAPTER XVIII FORTUNE’S FAVORS
CHAPTER XVIII FORTUNE’S FAVORS
At least luck favored him and Eric could not say anything against the sudden whirl of the wheel that had left him in such an advantageous position. He was naturally anxious to scan the note he held and learn its contents. Looking around he saw a candy and ice cream saloon near by, where many ladies and few gentlemen passed in. He believed, as the fall day was warm, that he could enjoy a plate of cream, so he entered, selecting a table in a corner that was isolated. Here he gave his order, and wh
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CHAPTER XIX THE TIME DRAWS NEAR
CHAPTER XIX THE TIME DRAWS NEAR
For once Joe Leslie was thoroughly aroused, and the detective knew he need have no fears of him again. Whatever he was given to do he would carry out to the letter. So they noted with something of satisfaction that the day was drawing to a close, and the night coming on, for their hour could not be reached until darkness had for some time settled down over the great city. Both were anxious to have the thing over. It did not give them much pleasure, and all their satisfaction arose in the thought
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CHAPTER XX FOR PLUNDER
CHAPTER XX FOR PLUNDER
At about a quarter to nine Darrell once more sauntered past the house. He could see into the parlor, as the inside shutters were turned, and with a number of others he was attracted by the bright scene. Although perhaps he would not confess it, the bachelor detective was eagerly hoping for even a fleeting glimpse of Marian. He got it too. After having seen the photograph Lillian had shown him, he knew he could not be mistaken. The girl stood for half a minute in direct focus from his place of ob
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CHAPTER XXI THE COTTAGE BEYOND THE HARLEM
CHAPTER XXI THE COTTAGE BEYOND THE HARLEM
Sometimes things do not run quite as smoothly as we hope for. The best laid plans of mice and men often go wrong—there’s many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip. So it happened on the present occasion. It was all owing to a certain clock which had taken a notion to get ahead of its fellows and was some ten minutes fast. A lamp set Chicago on fire. So this unlucky clock upset the beautiful plans of the wily detective, as he believed, and came near leaving him in the lurch. By chance he was down ne
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CHAPTER XXII ALMOST
CHAPTER XXII ALMOST
Again the detective showed his knowledge of the animal—man. The driver had been thinking of this very thing, and as the artist came out of the hack first he made a great ado over helping him. At the same time he started to say: “You’d better be careful, sir—there’s—” At this moment came a pinch on his arm from the detective, and he realized that the other was up to his little game. “What’s that?” demanded Prescott. By this time Eric had managed to touch one of the jehu’s hands with the barrel o
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CHAPTER XXIII THE MESSENGER WITH GOOD NEWS
CHAPTER XXIII THE MESSENGER WITH GOOD NEWS
Eric Darrell might have been frozen—he seemed so petrified with surprise. Instead of Lillian’s sweet face, marked by horror, he saw that of the dashing widow, Mrs. Collingwood, she with whom Prescott had communicated in the opium joint. It dawned upon the detective. All along there had been a great mistake—many things remained to be explained away, but the one main point was assured—Lillian must be innocent of the charge. He was a man of extraordinary sense, as well as a man of action. Recoverin
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CHAPTER XXIV CONCLUSION
CHAPTER XXIV CONCLUSION
At sight of his friend Joe held out his hand warmly. “Eric, old man, I have wondered where you have been. Everything has gone wrong. She is still here, and yet the hour is long past—that villain must have backed out.” “No, he carried out his plans to the letter; he had his carriage waiting, ran off with a lady at ten o’clock, at eleven was married to her in a cottage beyond the Harlem, and is now a Benedict as well as yourself, Joe—but it was not your wife he was after.” “Not my wife?” slowly,
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