The Crime of the French Cafe and Other Stories
by
Nicholas Carter
Part 4 out of 4
Chick promptly returned the answer:
"He seems to be telling the truth."
Then Deever turned toward the new witness.
"Mr. Haskell, Mr. Colton," said he, in hasty introduction. "Now,
Haskell, tell what you know."
"Wait," said Nick, "who is this man?" And he pointed to Chick.
"He's a fellow that knows my brother. We met him just below, and brought
him along to help in the identification. There are two more coming."
"Then you purpose to disinter your brother's body at once?"
"Of course I do."
"You have no tools."
"The others will bring them. That's what they're after."
"Where is the place?"
"The hospital garden. Haskell, tell your story. But, no; I'll tell it
for you to save time."
He took Nick by the arm and led him along the hospital wall on the
southern side of the ground. They followed the wall in the direction of
the river, until they came to the corner.
Between them and the river was a large piece of ground nearly as wild in
appearance as it was a hundred years ago. Many trees and bushes grew
upon it.
"This place," said Deever, "is a sort of lovers' walk. Any pleasant
evening in summer you can see dozens of couples walking down that path.
"Haskell was here Monday evening with a young lady. They sat for a while
on the trunk of a fallen tree, looking off toward the river.
"It was nearly eleven o'clock when Haskell walked home with her. Then he
discovered that he had lost his knife. He had been whittling the
tree-trunk with it.
"It was a good knife, and he thought it worth while to go back and try
to find it. He went back, and after quite a hunt, found it beside the
tree.
"By this time it was after midnight. On his way home he passed the spot
where we are now standing.
"Just as he got here, he heard a peculiar noise on the other side of the
wall. It seemed strange that anybody should be at work in the garden at
that hour, but the sound was as if somebody was using a shovel.
"Haskell has more curiosity than a woman. He resolved to find out what
was going on inside that garden.
"The wall here is pretty high, as you see, but with the help of a piece
of board he climbed up so that he could look over. Now, Haskell, tell us
just what you saw."
Chick and Haskell had come up just as Deever finished his introduction
to the story.
"I saw Dr. Jarvis digging," said Haskell.
"How did you know it was he?" asked Nick.
"He had on his dressing-gown and cap," Haskell replied. "I guess pretty
near everybody who lives up this way knows those things."
"What did you do?"
"I watched him a couple of minutes. He seemed to be hard at work digging
a hole. I never thought then that it was a grave."
"Could you see how big a hole he was making?"
"No; he was under the shadow of the trees. I could hardly see him at all
there, but just as I got on the top of the wall, he came out for a
second or two into the moonlight. Then I saw the old cap and
dressing-gown."
"Did you see any object lying upon the ground which looked like a body?"
"No; it was dark under the tree. The body was probably there."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, it couldn't have been anywhere else."
"How do you know there was any body ?"
"Mr. Deever has told me about his brother. I take it for granted that
the doctor was burying him."
"Did you tell anybody about this occurrence?"
"No."
"Why not? It was strange enough."
"I didn't think it was strange for him. Everybody knows that the doctor
is a sort of crank. When I saw who it was, I just slid down off the wall
and went home. I never would have thought of it again if Mr. Deever
hadn't spoken to me about his brother."
"You can point out the spot where the doctor was digging?"
"Sure."
"We will make an examination at once."
"I thought you'd find out that murder had been done," said Deever.
"You'll find out, if you stick to me, that I pretty generally know what
I'm talking about."
"That's right," said Haskell.
"Here come your friends," said Chick, who had not spoken up to that
time.
Two men were seen coming from St. Nicholas avenue. They carried spades
and pickaxes.
Thus reinforced, the party proceeded to scale the wall. Just as they did
so, the moon, which had been very bright, was obscured by a heavy cloud.
It was in darkness, then, that they descended into the garden.
But Haskell seemed to be in doubt about the direction to be followed. He
started off at once.
They had gone less than a hundred feet when suddenly Haskell shrank
back. Deever, who was next to him, ran against him violently.
"What's the matter?" whispered Deever, in an anxious tone.
"There's somebody here ahead of us."
All looked where Haskell pointed, and they were able to make out the
figure of a man standing in one of the numerous paths which wound
through the garden. He appeared not to have noticed the advancing party.
"He isn't ten feet from the grave," whispered Haskell. "It's under that
tree right beside him."
At this moment the moon broke through the cloud. Its light fell round
the figure in the path.
It was Dr. Jarvis.
Nick's first thought was that this was another sleep-walking wonder, but
in a second this idea was dispelled.
The doctor saw the intruders. He uttered an exclamation, and seemed
about to retreat in the direction of the hospital. Then summoning up his
courage, he paused, and confronted them as they came forward.
"Who are you?" he asked, in a trembling voice.
"I'll soon show you who I am?" cried Deever, angrily, "and I'll show
these gentlemen what you are, in a few minutes."
"Lawrence Deever!" cried the doctor.
"Yes; I'm Lawrence Deever," was the reply, "and I've come to find my
brother."
"You are a fool and a knave," the doctor exclaimed. "Your brother is not
here."
"We'll see about that."
"I order you to leave this garden."
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," said Nick, stepping forward. "I have
the proper authority, and what we shall do here will not harm you."
In a few words he showed Dr. Jarvis the futility of resistance. Nick
explained in a few words the evidence of Haskell, and made no attempt to
conceal its true bearing upon the case.
He spoke with his customary calm and steady tone, and his words seemed
to reassure the doctor.
"The fellow is a liar and the tool of a liar," said the doctor, glaring
at Deever. "I shall challenge you to find that body in this garden."
"It's here, unless you've taken it away," said Deever, roughly. "Now,
Haskell, show us the spot, and we'll go to work."
Thus urged, Haskell, who had hung back, as if afraid, stepped forward
with no sign of hesitation, and pointed to the ground under one of the
trees.
"He was at work just under this long limb," said Haskell.
Nick bent down to examine the ground. It was a flower-bed which looked
as if it had recently been sown.
The spot was excellently chosen for concealment. It was impossible to
tell whether the earth there had recently been disturbed.
Deever seized a spade and began to dig. He was a man of enormous
strength, and he worked furiously.
The two men who had brought the tools joined in the work, but they did
less than half as much as Deever alone.
In an incredibly short time the hole was four feet deep. Then Nick
suggested that they proceed with greater caution.
"The body," he said, "was probably buried without protection. If you
strike it with your spades you may increase the difficulty of
identification."
Thus warned, Deever's two assistants worked with care, but Deever
himself continued to ply his spade like a madman.
Not knowing the exact spot, they dug a hole much larger than a grave,
and thus the three men were able to work at the same time with
advantage.
Suddenly Deever cried:
"Here it is!"
His spade had struck something more solid than the soft earth.
All sprang forward, and the doctor uttered a cry as of terror.
Hastily the earth was removed from the buried object, until it could be
lifted to the surface.
Chick stepped forward, and brushed the last of the earth from the face
with his handkerchief. Then it was dragged to where the moon shone full
upon it.
A murmur arose from the little party. The face of the dead man was cut
and mangled with many wounds.
"It's Pat," said one of those who had assisted in the digging. "There's
no doubt about it."
"Yes," said Haskell, who was shivering with fear, "I recognize the
clothes he had on."
"He's got no coat," said one of the men; "where's that?"
"It was hanging on a tree in this garden," said Deever.
Then he bent forward over the corpse, and took from around the neck a
string to which a little cheap locket was attached.
"He always wore that, poor boy," said one of the men.
Deever turned to where Dr. Jarvis stood. The face of the doctor was
whiter than paper, as the moon shone down upon it.
"What do you say now, Jarvis?" said Deever, coldly. "Do you confess your
crime?"
The doctor recovered himself with a mighty effort.
"No," he cried. "I deny all responsibility for this man's death."
CHAPTER V.
THE BODY ON THE SLAB.
Nobody seemed to be much impressed by Jarvis' declaration of innocence.
The finding of the body in the exact spot indicated by Haskell looked
like conclusive proof. Added to this was the doctor's presence beside
the grave in the dead of night.
"It's a plain case," said Deever, turning toward Nick. "Will you make
the arrest now?"
Dr. Jarvis shuddered as these words were spoken. It was easy to see that
he was on the verge of despair.
"Let's not go too fast," said Nick.
"What stronger proof can you possibly desire?" exclaimed Deever.
He seemed to be dazed with surprise at Nick's delay, but Dr. Jarvis
plucked up his courage.
"I wish first to examine the body," said Nick.
He bent over the corpse which lay in the bright moonlight. The cause of
death was evident at a glance. The head had been beaten and cut in a
frightful manner.
"See," said Deever, bending over the body, "these wounds were made with
a spade."
"They have that appearance," said Nick.
"Why, it's as plain as the nose on your face," exclaimed Deever, utterly
losing patience.
He seized a spade from the ground and applied it to the wounds.
"The first blow, the one which killed him," said Deever, "was struck
with the side of the spade on the top of the poor boy's head. It was a
terrible blow."
Nick examined the wound. It was plain that no person could live a
minute after receiving such a fearful injury.
"The other blows," Deever continued, "were some of them made with the
side, and some with the tip of the spade.
"I can see just how it happened. Pat angered Jarvis with the words that
Klein heard. Jarvis rushed upon him, knocked him down with the spade,
and then beat him like a maniac in his rage."
"And then buried him, eh?" said Nick, in a doubtful voice.
Chick looked inquiringly at his chief. He had never seen Nick conduct a
case in that way before.
Instead of taking the lead in the investigation, the great detective
seemed to wait for suggestions. After his first glance at the body, he
had stood irresolute, as if he could not make up his mind about the
value of the evidence.
This conduct of his chief interested Chick deeply.
"Watch Nick Carter," he said to himself, "and you'll always be learning
something."
"Of course he didn't bury him then," Deever replied to Nick's question.
"Haskell saw him digging the grave after midnight."
"Where do you suppose your brother's body was in the meantime?" asked
Nick.
"Hidden in the garden somewhere."
Nick shook his head.
"There is no place in the garden where it could have been hidden. I have
searched the place thoroughly."
"He may have taken it into the hospital; into his laboratory, perhaps."
"That can't be," said Nick. "You remember that Burns met the doctor
coming in from the garden. If he had already brought in the body he
wouldn't have come out again. On the other hand, the body couldn't have
been in the garden, or Burns would have seen it. He looked all around
for your brother."
For the first time Deever looked puzzled. He hesitated a long time
before he replied. Then he said:
"Jarvis must have thrown Pat's body over the wall. He must have hidden
it among the bushes in the direction of the river."
"Yes," Nick rejoined; "that seems probable."
"Well," cried Deever, "will you make the arrest?"
"I think not. The evidence does not seem to warrant it."
Deever threw up his hands in utter amazement.
"Not sufficient!" he exclaimed. "What remains to be proved?"
"I should like some evidence bearing on the question where the body was
hidden during the evening, and how it was got back to the garden."
"You don't mean to say that you will wait for that before taking this
man into custody?"
"Yes," said Nick, slowly; "I shall wait for that."
"But, meanwhile, how will you guard against his escape?"
"I will take him back to the hospital, where one of my assistants is
waiting. I will put him in charge of that officer, who will remain with
him until I feel justified in taking him to headquarters."
"Then you practically put him under arrest," said Deever, with evident
satisfaction.
"Yes; but it will not be known except to us who are here. I expect your
friends to be silent for the present."
"I'll answer for them," said Deever. "I know them all well, except that
man--where is that man?"
He looked around for Chick, but that individual had disappeared. He had
caught a glance from Nick when the latter had spoken of his assistant
at the hospital, and had immediately slipped away under the shadow of
the trees.
"That fellow will give it away," cried Deever. "That's what he sneaked
for. He'll sell the news to the papers."
"If he does we can't help it," said Nick. "And as for you, I judge that
you would not be sorry if he did."
"You are right," said Deever, looking grimly at Dr. Jarvis, "the sooner
this murderer is held up before the public the better I'll be pleased."
"I shall be sorry," said Nick, "and yet perhaps it will not make much
difference. In the meantime we will do what we can to keep the secret on
our part."
Deever chuckled. It was evident that he regarded the secret as already
out, and that he was entirely satisfied.
"Now come with me," said Nick to Jarvis, "and you others wait for me
here."
He led the doctor to his room in the hospital, where, of course, they
found Chick, in a different disguise, waiting for them.
Jarvis acted like a man in a trance, he was so thoroughly overpowered by
the horror of his situation. In his room, he seemed to forget the
presence of the two detectives. He flung himself down upon his cot, and
appeared to sink almost instantly into a stupor.
After a word or two with Chick, Nick made his way back to the little
group around the dead body.
"Get a carriage up to the wall," said Nick, "and remove the corpse to
your house. I will see a coroner, and get the necessary permit. I will
be answerable for the removal in advance of the permit."
In spite of Deever's distrust of Nick, the great detective's manner,
when he spoke with decision, was such as to secure instant obedience.
The body was carried to the wall; two men were left to guard it, while
Deever, with Klein, went for the carriage.
Nick separated himself from the party. He did not go to see a coroner,
however. He went to Lawrence Deever's house, which he entered secretly,
and searched from top to bottom, but without finding anything of
interest.
Then he went to his own house, where he waked Patsy.
"Go to Lawrence Deever's country-house near Nyack," he said to his
youthful assistant. "Watch it, and see that no man leaves it."
Morning was breaking as Nick secretly entered St. Agnes' Hospital, and
made his way to Dr. Jarvis' room.
He pushed the door open softly, believing that the doctor would be still
asleep, and Chick on guard.
The room was empty.
Nick was at first amazed, and then he reflected that it was quite
possible that some disclosure of the prisoner had led Chick to accompany
him in search of evidence.
He passed out into the laboratory. It was darker at this hour of dawn
than at midnight with the moonlight in it.
The sheeted figure still lay upon the slab. Was it a body obtained in
the usual way, under the sanction of the law, or had it a criminal
history? Nobody knew better than Nick the secrets that may lurk in the
dissecting-room.
With such thoughts, he paused a moment beside the body. He was about to
lift the sheet in order to satisfy some doubts which still lingered in
his mind when he was attracted by a slight noise in the cellar.
He quickly stepped to the head of the stairs. Certainly there was some
person below.
Nick cautiously descended the steps. The electric lights were not
shining, but the furnace sent up a glow in which the surrounding objects
were dimly visible.
The first of these objects to command Nick's attention was no other
than the white face of Dr. Jarvis bending over the furnace.
He had removed some portion of the arch above the raging fire, and just
as Nick's eye fell upon him, he put a human arm into the white flame.
In that fierce heat it was almost instantly consumed, and only the
faintest smell of burning flesh escaped into the cellar.
The corpse from which the arm had been taken lay upon the floor. Nick
could not see it plainly, but his heart leaped wildly.
There was but one explanation of Dr. Jarvis' conduct.
Under the cloth in the laboratry above, Nick had seen the outline of a
body.
Whose, then, was this man giving to the flames?
It could not be any but Chick's!
Evidently the doctor had, by some fiendish trick, succeeded in
overcoming his powerful watcher, and he was now removing all trace of
the body, preparatory to his own flight to the ends of the earth.
The horror of this thought was almost too much for Nick's iron nerves.
If this was Chick's body, all human help was now vain.
What should be done to secure the most certain retribution?
Plainly the corpse, or what remained of it, must be recovered before the
fire had completely made away with it.
Nick was about to leap forward, and interrupt the dreadful work which
was in progress under his eyes, when suddenly a new inspiration came to
him.
With a bound as noiseless as a tiger's, he was at the top of the stairs.
In another instant he stood beside the sheeted form upon the slab.
He withdrew the cloth.
The body was Chick's.
CHAPTER VI.
THE LAST LINK IN THE CHAIN.
Nick's first glance at the body of Chick took a weight like a mountain
of lead off his heart.
Chick was bound and gagged.
This was enough to make Nick certain that no serious harm had come to
him, but he was instantly made aware of it in another way.
Cautiously Chick lifted an eyelid. A less acute observer than Nick would
not have seen the movement.
The eye opened wide, and then it winked. Chick was all right.
"Shall I cut this rope?" asked Nick.
Chick spoke straight through the gag with very little trouble.
"It isn't necessary," he said. "I can get loose at any moment. Dr.
Jarvis is not an expert at tying knots, though there are some other
things that he understands pretty well."
"How did this happen?"
"It was a clever trick," said Chick. "He threw some kind of a drug into
my face. If I hadn't known--thanks to your teaching long ago--just what
to do in a case of that kind, I should have gone to sleep in a second.
"As it was, the drug made my head swim. But I kept it out of my lungs,
and pulled through.
"Of course, I pretended to be unconscious, for I wanted to see what he
would do. He tied me up rather clumsily; gagged me exceedingly well; and
laid me on this slab, after removing a headless body.
"He went down into the cellar, and I slipped my bonds and followed him.
I found him getting his furnace ready.
"Knowing what he would do, I got back to my downy couch here, pulled the
bed-clothes over me, and waited.
"He came back and got the body of my predecessor and took it down
cellar. Of course, he is burning it. Look out! He's coming!"
Chick quickly replaced the sheet.
Nick could see that beneath it Chick slid his hands again within the
rope that had been used to bind him.
Then Nick sprang toward the door of the doctor's room, pushed out a case
of instruments from the wall, and got behind it.
Dr. Jarvis went to Chick's side, lifted the sheet, and looked at the
quiet face.
Then he felt of the rope, but it seemed to be tight.
He replaced the sheet, and came toward the door beside which Nick was
concealed.
No sooner had Jarvis passed within the room than Nick came out of his
hiding-place and followed the doctor.
Jarvis was engaged in putting a few articles into a small bag. His back
was toward the door, but he heard Nick's entrance and turned quickly.
He sprang to his feet with a cry. Then his hands fell to his sides. He
was the picture of despair.
"I see," said Nick, "you were preparing to run away."
Jarvis made no answer.
"That would have been the most foolish thing you could do," said Nick.
"It would have been equivalent to confession."
"And why not?" groaned the doctor.
"Do you admit your guilt?"
"No, I do not," said Jarvis firmly; "but everything is against me."
"Well, we will consider that subject later. What did you intend to do
with my friend yonder?"
He pointed through the open door toward Chick.
"Nothing," said Jarvis. "I intended simply to leave him there. He would
not have been discovered till I had got a good start."
"I believe that you did not intend to injure him," said Nick. "I suppose
he might as well get up now."
He uttered a peculiar call. Chick instantly sat up under the sheet. Then
he threw it aside, got down from the slab, and advanced toward Nick and
Jarvis, removing his gag and bonds as he did so.
Jarvis regarded this performance with wonder.
"You should take some lessons in tying knots," said Nick.
"And now," he continued, "we will take you to my house."
"Arrest me?"
"I would hardly call it by that name, unless you prefer it."
"But I am innocent."
"That question we will pass for the present. There is one link wanting
in the chain of evidence against you. I shall supply that link, and then
we will see what comes of it."
With a hasty movement, Dr. Jarvis took a little vial from his pocket,
and raised it toward his lips.
But Nick had been watching. He struck the vial from the doctor's hand,
and it went flying through the window.
"If you will give me your word of honor not to attempt suicide again,"
said Nick, calmly, "I will not handcuff you."
Jarvis hung his head.
"Your word will bind you for three days, no more," said Nick.
"I promise," said the doctor.
"Remove your dressing-gown and cap," said Nick.
Jarvis complied with the request, and Nick received the articles from
his hands. Leaving the care of the prisoner to Chick, he carried the
dressing-gown to the window.
"Ah!" said he, "you have torn the dressing-gown."
"Where?" asked the doctor.
"It is ripped under the arms," Nick replied, "and the cloth is strained
beside each shoulder seam on the back."
"I was not aware of it," said Jarvis.
"Put it on again," said Nick, and the doctor obeyed.
Nick studied his figure carefully. He made Jarvis assume a number of
positions, and at last seemed satisfied.
Chick was not possessed of the information to fully understand these
maneuvers, but he knew by his chief's manner that the subject was of the
first importance.
After the doctor had been clothed properly for the street he was taken
to Nick's home in a closed carriage.
Then Nick and Chick had a few words in private.
"That last link which I spoke of," said Nick, "must be supplied by you."
Chick nodded.
"The land back of St. Agnes' Hospital, as you know is a sort of lovers'
walk," Nick continued.
"It is."
"If the body of Patrick Deever was hidden there, and was removed to the
garden by night, somebody may have seen it done."
"And that somebody," said Chick, "may not come forward without being
urged."
"Right."
"I think I can manage it, if there is any witness. Of course, there may
be none."
"I will bet you a dollar to a doughnut that such a witness appears
whether you get him or not."
Chick looked hurt for a minute, and then he caught a gleam in Nick's
eye.
"I begin to understand you," said he.
"Your plan," Nick went on, "is to circulate among the young men who
whisper their love in the paths of that particular region. Find who was
there on Monday night. It is not easy, but you can do it."
"I will get about it at once," said Chick.
After this conversation, Nick went to see Lawrence Deever.
"Poor Pat's body is in the house," said he, meeting Nick at the door;
"but I have kept my promise to you."
"Nobody knows of it, then?"
"Not from me or any of my friends."
"That is as it should be."
"I begin to believe," said Deever, "your idea is to spring this thing on
old Jarvis complete. Make the case iron-clad; tie him up double and
twisted; and then let it come out in the papers."
His eyes shone with malignity.
"I was surprised," he continued, "to see nothing about it in the papers
this morning. Why do you suppose that fellow skipped out of the garden?
Who was he, anyway?"
"Didn't you know him?" said Nick, who always escaped a falsehood when he
could.
"No, I didn't."
"He may have run away, because he couldn't stand that horrible sight any
longer, and he may have been ashamed to confess that his nerves were so
weak."
"Perhaps. It doesn't matter. What is to be done to-day?"
"The only evidence I now require," said Nick, "is something to show that
your brother's body was hidden in the vacant lot and brought into the
garden by Jarvis."
"Why do you need that? But never mind; I will see what can be done."
They separated then, and until evening Nick saw neither Deever nor
Chick.
But about six o'clock he met Chick by appointment in Deever's house.
Deever himself was not present.
Chick was accompanied by a young man and a pretty young woman.
He presented them as Margaret Allen and Henry Prescott. Both lived on
One Hundred and Thirty-fifth street, Prescott in a boarding-house and
Margaret with her father.
By the secret sign Chick communicated his belief--founded, of course,
upon investigations which he had made--that Prescott and Miss Allen were
present to give true testimony.
"These two witnesses," said he, in conclusion, "will supply the only
link in the chain which has been missing up to this time."
CHAPTER VII.
THE MAN WITH THE SACK.
"I will have your story first," said Nick to Prescott. "I will not
subject Miss Allen to the annoyance of questioning, unless it is
necessary."
"We are engaged to be married," said Prescott, beginning his story with
evident embarrassment.
"And the course of true love does not run smooth," said Nick, with a
smile.
"No, it does not," responded Prescott. "Her father is strongly opposed
to our marriage. However, as both of us are of age, it will take place.
"We have been obliged to meet secretly, and we have frequently walked,
in the evening, in the grove back of St. Agnes' Hospital.
"We were there Monday evening, and we remained much later than we should
have done. We had many things to talk about.
"It must have been midnight when we left the place. As we were walking
slowly up one of the paths we became aware that a man was approaching
from behind us.
"Not wishing to be seen, we stepped aside among the trees and waited.
"The man came on up the path, and by the moonlight which struggled
through the branches of the trees we saw that he was carrying a great
sack.
"I instantly suspected that some crime was afoot. My first thought was
that this was a grave-robber carrying a body.
"I supposed that he had brought the body to the shore of the river in a
boat, and was carrying it to one of the doctors in the hospital.
"We allowed him to pass us, and then we followed him. He went to the
wall surrounding the hospital grounds.
"Choosing a place where there is a bank of rubbish against the wall, he
lifted the sack to the top. Then I knew that it could not contain a dead
body."
"How did you know that?" asked Nick.
"Because he lifted it so easily. What was in the sack I do not know, of
course. There was some crooked business about it, I have no doubt, but
it was not a body that he had there, because, by the way he handled it,
I saw that it could not weigh over fifty pounds, and the sack was too
large to have only a child's body in it."
"What did you do?"
"We watched him lay the sack on top of the wall, and then climb up. He
dropped the sack into the garden, and let himself down from the wall. We
paid no further attention to the matter.
"It made Margaret very nervous, but I proved to her, by the weight of
the sack, that her suspicions regarding its contents were unfounded."
"Did you know the man?" asked Nick.
"I hardly like to answer that question."
"Why not?"
"I am afraid of doing somebody an injustice."
"You have a suspicion, then?"
"I have."
"Was the man Dr. Jarvis?"
"I cannot say. I do not know him."
"But his dress--"
"I see that it is useless to try to conceal anything from you," said
Prescott. "The man wore the peculiar cap and dressing-gown which
everybody knows for the doctor's."
"There is no doubt about it," said Miss Allen. "It was Dr. Jarvis."
"I thank you very much for your evidence," said Nick.
"But why do you want it?" asked Prescott. "I have heard a rumor that
Patrick Deever has disappeared. This is his brother's house. Is the
doctor suspected of having murdered him?"
"He is," said Nick.
"Then I see the bearing of my story upon the case; but I assure you that
that bag did not contain Patrick Deever's body. It was too light."
Prescott spoke with decision. Out of the corner of his eyes Nick could
see Chick struggling with this phase of the evidence. Chick was too good
a detective not to know that one little fact of that kind is worth a
hundred that lie too near the surface.
"You can do me only one more favor," said Nick, addressing Prescott and
Miss Allen. "Do not under any circumstances mention what you have seen
without my permission."
"You can trust us for that," said Prescott, with a smile, "we are by no
means anxious to have our connection with this affair made public."
The two witnesses withdrew, leaving Nick and Chick together. They were
silent for several minutes, and then Nick said:
"Well, Chick, the chain is complete."
"It is," was Chick's reply, "and in all my experience I have never seen
a plainer case made out against any man."
"You mean from a jury's point of view."
"Certainly."
"What do you think of it?"
"I wish you'd tell me just what you think of it, Nick."
"I guess we shouldn't be found to differ a great deal," said Nick, with
a smile. "This is my view--but hold on. Here comes Deever."
Indeed Deever was at that moment entering the house.
He was accompanied by a young man of a very unpleasant appearance. To
Nick's eyes he seemed a born thief.
"Well," said Deever, entering the room, "here we are."
"You mean that the case is complete," said Nick.
"Absolutely."
"This witness whom you have brought supplies the link that was wanting?"
"He does."
"I shall be glad to hear his story."
"His name," said Deever, "is John Flint."
"Where are you employed, Mr. Flint?" asked Nick.
"I ain't doing nothing just now," said Flint.
"What do you know about the disappearance of Mr. Deever's brother?"
"I don't know anything about it, but I saw something Monday night which
Mr. Deever wants me to swear to."
"And you are willing?"
"Yes, I am willing; but I don't want to get into court if I can help
it."
"I told him," explained Deever, "that we would try to keep him out of
court. He thinks it might lose him a job he wants to get. There's
evidence enough without his, the Lord knows."
"I will hear you now," said Nick.
"The way of it was this," said Flint. "Monday night, about midnight, I
was down in the vacant lot of St. Agnes' Hospital. I was just looking
for a fellow I heard had gone down that way."
"That was Klein," said Deever.
"I walked up the street, and had just turned the corner of the wall
when I saw a man coming up under the trees. He was carrying a big bag.
"I kept out of sight, and watched him. I thought at first that there was
some crooked work, but the man with the bag didn't seem to be afraid.
"He came up to the wall in a place where there was some rubbish piled
against it, and lifted the bag on to the top of the wall. Then he
climbed up himself and let the bag down into the garden. That's all I
know about it."
"Did you notice how the man was dressed?"
"He had on a loose, long coat--a queer sort of thing--and a little round
cap on his head."
"That will do," said Nick. "I am much obliged. It will not be necessary,
I think, for you to testify to these facts in court."
"There's enough without it," said Deever. "You'll take Jarvis to
headquarters now, won't you ?"
"Well, no," said Nick. "I hadn't thought of it."
"I'll be doubly and eternally--"
Deever's wrath and surprise choked him.
"Never mind," he said, at last, mastering his rage. "Come along, John.
And you get out!"
"With all the pleasure in life," said Nick, quietly walking toward the
door.
Chick had slipped away at Deever's approach. Nick met him outside.
"What did Deever's witness say?" asked Chick.
"He told exactly the same story as Prescott."
"I'm surprised to hear it."
"Why?"
"Prescott, in my opinion, told the truth."
"So I believe."
"And Deever's man--I got a glimpse of him--struck me as a liar in the
first degree. I took him for a man Deever had hired, in order to hurry
up his vengeance on Dr. Jarvis."
"But as they told the same story, and Prescott can have no connection
with Deever or the other man, it must be true."
"Right; but the meaning of it--"
Chick paused. Suddenly a flash came from his eyes.
"I have it!" he cried.
"That's good," said Nick. "Now, if you'll follow Deever, I'll go back to
Dr. Jarvis."
Accordingly Nick hurried home. He found Jarvis in a state of great
mental anguish.
"It is an extraordinary fate," he cried, as soon as Nick appeared,
"which has twice brought these Deevers into my life to make me
miserable."
"You have had to do with them before?" asked Nick.
"Yes, and in a way that is beyond belief."
"Explain yourself."
"This man, Lawrence Deever," said the doctor, with a groan, "had the
incredible presumption to make love to my daughter."
Nick could not help smiling.
"What did you do about it?" he asked.
"I sent him about his business in a hurry."
"Was that all?"
"No; and I'm ashamed to say it. There is no possible way of accounting
for the conduct of women. My daughter actually took this fellow's part."
"But nothing came of it?"
"No, sir. I am master of my own household."
"So your daughter really loved this man?"
"No; it was only her obstinacy. They became acquainted in some way. I
don't know how. The fellow called at my house. I made my daughter
promise never to speak to him, but it was a most unpleasant affair
throughout. I thought Deever would murder me.
"It seems strange, perhaps, that I should speak of it in the midst of
the terrors that surround me, and yet I can't help thinking of the whole
affair as one freak of fate."
"And now tell me the truth about his brother and yourself," said Nick
earnestly.
"I will," replied the doctor.
At this moment a messenger was announced. Nick knew that the matter must
be of the greatest importance, or he would not have been interrupted in
his conference with his prisoner.
It proved to be a message from Superintendent Byrnes asking Nick to come
to his house as soon as he could.
CHAPTER VIII.
BEFORE THE SUPERINTENDENT.
As Nick expected, he met Chick outside Superintendent Byrnes's house.
"Go to Jarvis," said Nick. "He is going to tell the whole story.
Personate me in this disguise."
Chick nodded and vanished.
Within the house Nick found Deever in the superintendent's presence.
Deever's face was red, and he looked like a man who had been kicking a
stone wall until he is tired.
"Mr. Deever has lodged a complaint against you, Mr. Colton," said the
superintendent, with a twinkle in his eye.
"What's the matter?" asked Nick.
"He says that you ought to have had this man Jarvis electrocuted by this
time."
"I have proceeded with great caution," said Nick.
"Yes, you have," said Deever. "You have been very careful to shield
Jarvis at every step. He's a rich man, Jarvis is!"
"Deever," said the superintendent, sternly, "I have delayed answering
your complaint until this time because I wished to have Mr. Colton
present to hear what I said.
"And, now, what I have to say is this--don't you venture to hint at the
shadow of a suspicion of his integrity. I am entirely satisfied with Mr.
Colton's conduct. I. sutstain him absolutely. I have put this case in
his hands, and there it stays."
Deever quailed at these words, but his natural obstinacy came to his
aid.
"I can get a warrant for Jarvis' arrest," he said.
"Go ahead and do it, and make a fool of yourself," replied the
superintendent.
"With your permission," said Nick, "I advise Mr. Deever to remain here.
Meanwhile we will send a messenger for the witness, John Flint, whose
testimony seems to me to be of the greatest importance."
"Proceed just as you wish," said Byrnes.
The messenger was summoned, and dispatched.
While they waited for him Nick reviewed in the presence of the
superintendent and Deever the evidence against Jarvis.
Some of it, as the reader knows, was news to Deever. He seemed surprised
to find the case supported and strengthened by the man whom he suspected
of trying to weaken it.
"I call that plain enough," said he, when Nick had finished. "I will
withdraw my charge against Mr. Colton, if some action is now taken."
"No action will be taken except on his advice," said the superintendent.
Deever became excited again. He ran over the evidence, and insisted on
an immediate arrest.
Nick said nothing, and the superintendent maintained the calm of an iron
statue.
When Deever had exhausted himself, Nick spoke.
"I promise you an arrest in one hour," he said.
At this moment a card was brought in and handed to the superintendent.
"From Chick," he said aside to Nick. "He and Jarvis are waiting. What do
you say?"
"Let them come in," said Nick.
They were admitted. Chick, as the reader is prepared to learn, appeared
as the exact counterpart of Nick.
Deever was struck dumb with astonishment at the sight, and the doctor's
eyes nearly fell out of his head.
Byrnes smiled, and muttered "clever."
"Which of these two men do you complain of, Mr. Deever?" he asked,
enjoying the man's mystification.
But Deever did not reply, except to mutter something about the
interference of the devil in earthly affairs.
Dr. Jarvis, with some effort, recovered some portion of his composure.
"Well, sir," said the superintendent, addressing him, "I suppose that
you have something to say to me."
"I have, sir," replied Jarvis; "and no man could be charged with a more
painful disclosure."
"Speak up."
"I am guilty of the murder of Patrick Deever."
This confession produced no perceptible effect upon Nick, though the
reader cannot have failed to perceive that the great detective had been
working with a conviction of the doctor's innocence.
Of all the persons in the room, Deever exhibited the strongest emotion.
He gasped, sprang to his feet, and then sat down again heavily.
"What do you say to that?" he exclaimed, turning to Nick.
"I am waiting to hear Dr. Jarvis' story," Nick replied.
"Yes," said the superintendent, "let us hear all about it."
Dr. Jarvis tried to speak, but the words would not come. He staggered
and fell half-fainting into a chair.
"I cannot tell it," he said, when he had somewhat revived. "Wait till I
am stronger."
"Perhaps that will not be necessary," said Nick.
"No, no; why should it?" said the prisoner, in a faint voice. "I
confess, and that is the end of it."
"However, we would like to know more fully about this affair," said
Byrnes, and he looked inquiringly at Nick.
"Let me tell the story," said Nick to Jarvis. "If I am right, you have
only to nod. That will do for the present occasion. We are not taking
testimony."
"But how do you know--" Deever began.
The superintendent cut him short.
"Proceed, if you please," said he to Nick, and then he fixed his eyes
upon Dr. Jarvis.
"In the garden of the hospital," Nick began, "about half-past six
o'clock on the evening of Monday last, you had high words with Patrick
Deever, who was working under your direction."
Dr. Jarvis nodded, as Nick paused.
"He was somewhat intoxicated, and his language was very abusive. You
replied in violent reproval, and he started forward, as if about to
attack you."
Again the doctor made a sign of assent.
"You seized a spade--"
"It was in my hand," the doctor interrupted, feebly.
"That is right; correct me whenever I am in error. You raised the spade
and struck Deever upon the head.
"He fell to the ground, and you, bending over him, were horrified to
find that he was dead; or, rather, that he seemed to be.
"Exactly how he came to life I do not know, but it must have been while
you were in the midst of your terror, and beginning to wonder what you
would do with the body."
"How do you know all this?" asked the doctor, faintly.
"It is simply the only explanation of all the facts. The witness Klein
heard the quarrel and the blow. That blow did not fall upon you, and
there was nobody else present but Patrick Deever.
"Now, then, he suddenly came to himself. He sprang up. You were amazed.
You advanced toward him.
"Believing that you intended to renew the attack, he ran away. He scaled
the garden wall, and fled through the little grove toward the river."
"You are reading my mind," exclaimed the doctor, whose amazement acted
as a restorative.
"No, I am not. How else could he have got out? On one side was Klein, on
the other St. Nicholas avenue, with many people who would have seen him.
He escaped toward the river."
"Then you didn't kill him, after all?" asked the superintendent.
"Of the remainder of that fatal affair," said Dr. Jarvis, "I have only
one explanation to give, and that will seem miraculous.
"His body was found buried in the garden. I was seen to bury it. I was
seen carrying it there by night.
"But upon my soul, I did not know that I did it. The evidence has
convinced me, that is all.
"And this is the explanation: Patrick Deever, after escaping from the
grove, must have fallen and died. I must have gone there in my sleep,
have found the body, and brought it back to the garden.
"My habit of sleep-walking is well known. I have done things which, from
a scientific point of view, were far more marvelous than this."
"Nonsense!" cried Deever; "you were wide enough awake. Superintendent
Byrnes will not swallow that story."
"Is it any more wonderful," said Nick, "than what I saw the doctor do in
his laboratory?"
The story of that night he had already told to Deever and the
superintendent.
"Very little, if any," said Byrnes.
"I passed that night, or supposed that I passed it, at my home," said
the doctor. "I took an opiate, and seemed to sleep. But I had dreams of
murder and the hiding of dead bodies. I must have walked. It was fate."
"But the wounds upon the body? How about them?" asked Byrnes.
"They must have been made while he was pounding the body down into the
earth," said Deever, quickly.
Then he turned to Nick.
"You promised me an arrest within the hour," he said; "now let me have
the satisfaction of seeing it formally made."
"Wait," said Nick. "I have yet several minutes; and here is the witness,
John Flint."
The man was brought in as Nick spoke. He seemed to be somewhat alarmed.
"What's wanted?" he said.
"Only a little formality," said Nick. "As you do not wish to appear in
court, we desire to take your sworn testimony at this time."
The sweat stood out on Flint's forehead, but when the proper
arrangements had been made, he took the oath and told his story.
"And now, Dr. Jarvis," said Nick, "it is my very agreeable duty to
recommend that you be discharged from custody."
"What!" cried Jarvis and Deever in the same breath.
"Superintendent Byrnes, I appeal to you," Deever exclaimed.
The face of the superintendent was perfectly calm.
"The case is in Mr. Colton's hands," he said, simply.
"What did you mean, you villain," cried Deever, turning to Nick, "by
talking about an arrest?"
"I will keep my promise," said Nick. "I will keep it doubly. There is
yet one minute of the hour. I arrest you, John Flint, for perjury, and
you, Lawrence Deever, for the subornation of perjury."
CHAPTER IX.
THE OTHER SIDE OF A "PLAIN CASE."
As may readily be supposed, the emotions excited in the various persons
present differed widely.
But of the two who rejoiced, it is hard to say that Chick was second to
Dr. Jarvis. The smile which settled down upon Chick's face was beautiful
to behold. He was the image of satisfaction.
"I had it right," he said, and hugged himself.
The doctor in the meanwhile sat in a sort of delightful trance. Just
what had happened he could not have told anybody, but he perceived that
he had sailed out of all his difficulties.
Flint and Deever, of course, protested loudly, but the superintendent
promptly "shut them up."
"Don't you dare to say a word, either of you, till I hear the inside of
this whole case," said he.
"It is one of the finest examples of the dangers of circumstantial
evidence that I ever saw," said Nick. "No jury that ever sat in the box
would hesitate a moment to convict Dr. Jarvis, yet he is entirely
innocent.
"The principal confusion, in my own mind, was a result of the doctor's
belief in his own guilt. That is why he bribed me, believing me to be
Cleary. By the way, here is your five thousand dollars, doctor."
He handed the package of bills to the astonished physician, who could
only gasp, "You? you?"
"Yes; I played Cleary," said Nick. "That affair and your attempt to
elude Chick amount to no more in the case than that they indicate your
own belief in your guilt.
"Now, what is against that belief? In the first place, you would never
have disposed of the body by burial. Having that acid, unknown to
chemists, in which flesh dissolves like water, you would have used it.
"Your sleep-walking adventure proved to me what you would have done
under similar conditions, if awake.
"Having seen that, I had only to be present at the digging up of the
body to have a fairly reliable theory of your innocence. Why should you,
possessing that acid and that furnace, mutilate a man's face and head
with a spade? You had far better means of preventing an identification.
"But the body was buried in the garden. The question is, by whom? To
answer that we pass on to the story of the bringing of the body through
the vacant lot, and hoisting it over the wall.
"The testimony of Prescott I regard as reliable. Chick's investigations
satisfy me as to the man's character and motives. Then we acquit the
doctor at once."
"This is nonsense," cried Deever. "I will not be silent any longer."
"Yes, you will," said Byrnes, in a voice that secured obedience.
"It acquits the doctor, I say," continued Nick. "He could never have
lifted that body to the top of the wall. There's a physical
impossibility in the way of a belief that he is guilty.
"It takes a very strong man to raise a dead body weighing one hundred
and seventy-five pounds above his head in the manner described by
Prescott. We shall have to work down to that strong man before the case
is proven."
Nick looked significantly at Lawrence Deever. That look was understood.
"You're a liar and a scoundrel," screamed Deever, beside himself with
rage.
He sprang upon Nick.
Nobody raised a finger to interfere.
The superintendent and Chick calmly awaited the inevitable issue. Flint
dared not go to the assistance of his patron.
It was all over in a few seconds.
Deever lay upon the floor, fettered, and Nick stood over him.
"The strong man in the case has been found," said Nick. "I'm willing to
admit that you gave me hard work, Deever."
"So it was he that buried the body?" asked Byrnes.
"Yes; I suspected it at once," responded Nick. "It was his deliberate
intention to throw the crime upon Dr. Jarvis.
"He stole the doctor's cap and dressing-gown on Monday night, and then
returned them when the job was done. But they showed the signs of hard
usage.
"You remember, doctor, that I carefully examined them. It was plain that
a much larger man than the doctor had worn them.
"The seams in the back and around the arms were strained, and some of
them had burst. This was only a hint, of course, but it fitted the
remainder of the case.
"The strongest indication, however, was the way Deever secured
testimony. I had only to hint that I wanted to cover a point, and he
immediately went out and secured the witness."
"But most of them told the truth," said the superintendent.
"Yes," Nick admitted, "there he was wonderfully helped by fate. It
happened that he was seen at just the right moments, when he was
playing the part of Dr. Jarvis.
"If he hadn't been so impatient it would even have been unnecessary for
him to produce this man Flint. Chick secured real witnesses who were
much better.
"And there we come to the point where we are sure about Deever. Prescott
and Miss Allen told the truth. Flint, prompted by Deever, told exactly
the same story.
"Therefore, Deever must have known precisely what the facts were.
Investigation convinces me that he could have known them in only one
way--by being himself the person who performed the acts described."
"Do you mean to accuse me of murdering my brother?" demanded Deever.
"Certainly not," said Nick. "Do you remember the question I asked you on
the first day of the investigation? I asked, 'Who has been murdered?'"
"Well?"
"I answer that question now. Nobody has been murdered. Your brother is
alive. There is nothing the matter with him, except a scalp wound. The
body found was a substitute which you procured. It was you who made the
wounds with the spade."
"This is all bare assertion," cried Deever, who, in irons, sat upon the
floor with his back against a chair. "You cannot prove what you say."
"Let me first explain how the trick was done," said Nick, coolly. "Your
brother, after he had somewhat recovered from the effects of the blow he
had received, went to your house.
"He wished you to help him get revenge upon Dr. Jarvis. You had your own
grudge against him on account of your unsuccessful suit for his
daughter.
"You saw the chance of a deeper revenge than your brother had any idea
of. You then planned this whole conspiracy. He was to go away forever.
You were to remain, and make this charge against the doctor."
"It is an infernal lie," shrieked Deever. "Where is my brother? I demand
that you produce him."
"Your brother is now hidden in your house at Nyack. It was vacant. You
told him to go there, until you could make arrangements to get him
safely away. As to the body, you bought it of a grave-robber."
"How do you pretend to know that?" asked Deever, scornfully.
"As to the body, I can produce the man who sold it. As to your brother,
I know where he has gone, because no other course was practicable; and
because I have had word that he is there."
"I defy you to prove it," cried Deever. "I am willing to let the
question of my guilt or innocence rest on that event. He is not there."
There was a peculiar light of triumph in Deever's eyes as he spoke. It
did not escape Nick's observation.
The shrewd detective saw at a glance that Deever believed his brother to
have already escaped.
Could it be possible? In any event, Nick would not evade the other's
challenge.
He felt that his reputation was at stake, but he did not hesitate.
"If I do not produce him in twenty-four hours," said Nick, "I will
withdraw my charge against you."
CHAPTER X.
NICK'S REPUTATION AT STAKE.
As Nick made the bold assertion of his power to produce Patrick Deever
alive, both Chick and the superintendent looked at him with something as
near doubt as anybody who knew Nick Carter could feel in any of his
statements.
They both saw that Deever felt sure of his brother's escape, and they
could not help seeing that there was many chances in favor of it.
But Nick was undismayed. He put his trust in Patsy's fidelity.
"I shall hold you and Flint under arrest," said Superintendent Byrnes to
Deever. "Dr. Jarvis, you may go when you wish."
Nick, Chick and Dr. Jarvis left the room, after the last-named had
expressed his thanks to those concerned in his deliverance.
Nick went at once to Nyack. It was very late when he reached there.
He made his way to the house of Lawrence Deever, which stood some
distance from the centre of the town.
There was no sign of Patsy about the place. The house seemed to be
deserted.
Nick easily effected an entrance. He searched the house thoroughly.
There were signs of the recent presence of Patrick Deever. He had done
some rude cooking. The remnants of the food which he had prepared were
visible.
But the man himself was not to be found. The method of his exit,
however, Nick discovered.
A window in the end of the house, farthest from the street, was wide
open, and beneath it, with the aid of his lantern, Nick found the
foot-prints of a man who had leaped from the window.
Unquestionably that man was Patrick Deever.
The footprints could be traced a little way. They led toward a hedge
which separated the property from a large, vacant tract south of it.
Nick could see where some person had recently broken through this hedge.
And here he made a more important discovery, which gladdened his eyes.
Beside the hedge were Deever's foot-prints, and another's. The second
must be Patsy's.
Passing through, Nick saw a wide field with a grove at its end. The
foot-prints were very faint, but it seemed that Deever had started in
the direction of that grove.
Nick hurried thither. He searched through the little clump of trees with
the utmost minuteness, till at last, on the farther side, in a bit of
soft ground, he found the foot-prints.
They still led in the direction of the river. Following such faint clews
as he could find, Nick continued the search till dawn broke.
* * * * *
"Uncle Jimmy" Redwod has boats to let in Nyack. He has a boat-house on
the river bank from which a flight of steps leads down to a long "float"
extending into the river.
His boats are moored to that float, or anchored near the end of it. He
has several fine, fast cat-boats, of which he is very proud.
Uncle Jimmy was overhauling his boats about six o'clock on the morning
after the events just described, when a man, whom he had never seen
before, came somewhat hurriedly down the steps, and said he wished to
hire a cat-boat.
"I want the fastest boat in the fleet," he said.
Uncle Jimmy looked the stranger over carefully. There was a bandage
around his head. Uncle Jimmy suspected that something was wrong, but
that, after all, might not be any of his business.
"Get the Clio ready for this man," Uncle Jimmy shouted to an assistant
at the far end of the float.
"Ay, ay, sir," said the man.
The Clio was lying with her nose against the float, and there was
nothing to do but hoist her sail.
However, the stranger seemed impatient of even this delay.
When the sail was up, he jumped into the boat, and prepared to get under
way.
But Uncle Jimmy's assistant had hold of the "painter," or rope, by which
the Clio had been fastened to the wharf.
"Avast there!" he said. "Mr. Redwood don't let his boats go out that
way."
"What do you mean?" demanded the stranger with the bandaged head.
"He won't let you go out alone. How does he know that you will bring the
boat back?"
"Nonsense. I want to go by myself."
"He wants to take her out himself," called the assistant to Uncle Jimmy,
who stood near the end of the float talking with another tarry old salt.
"He can't, and that settles it," said Uncle Jimmy.
"Shall I go with him?" asked the assistant, who held the Clio's painter.
"No; let Dick, here, go."
Dick, thus delegated to the duty of skipper, rolled down the float with
the gait of an old sailor, and got aboard the Clio.
The stranger with the sore head grumbled, but he could not help
himself. He insisted, however, on taking the helm as the Clio moved out
from the float.
She was scarcely a hundred yards away when a young man, panting with
haste, rushed down the stairs from the boat-house. The reader would have
known Patsy by his activity, despite his disguise.
"I want a boat," he cried out.
"Quite a run o' business for so early in the morning," said Uncle Jimmy,
calmly. "What sort o' boat do you want?"
"I want one that can overhaul the one that just left the float."
"I ain't got it," said Uncle Jimmy. "The Curlew is about even with her,
but they ain't one o' them that can outsail her."
"Then give me the Curlew, and do it in a hurry," cried Patsy.
"By whose orders, I'd like to know?"
Patsy was in no mood for trifling. He showed Uncle Jimmy in less than
two seconds that obedience would pay well.
The Curlew also was hauled in to the float, and Patsy was aboard of her
and clear of his moorings before anybody could stop him, or even get in
with him.
A brisk southerly wind was blowing in from the sea.
By the course which the Clio was taking Patsy guessed that it was the
intention of her occupants to "beat" down the river against the wind.
Meanwhile, in the Clio, the man with the bandaged head was in a fever of
excitement. He crowded the boat for all she could stand, but he seemed,
on the whole, to be a clever boatman.
The old salt watched him critically for a few minutes, and then seemed
to be satisfied.
Presently he began to notice the anxious glances which the man at the
helm cast over his shoulder at the pursuing boat.
"You seem to be anxious to outrun that feller," he said at last.
Patrick Deever, for it was he, nodded his head and set his teeth. The
old sailor looked long and earnestly at their pursuer.
"Wall, ye ain't doin' of it," he said, at last.
"Is she gaining?" asked Deever, nervously.
"She be," said the tar, calmly.
"I thought this was the fastest of Redwood's boats."
"So she be," was the answer; "but the Curlew's overhauling her this
time."
"What's the matter?"
"The other feller's the best sailor, that's what's the matter. I don't
know who he is, but he's a skipper from away back."
For some minutes Deever kept silent. From time to time he glanced
astern.
There was no doubt about it; the Curlew was gaining.
"Can you get any more speed out of her?" he said at last, in
desperation.
"Reckon I kin," said the tar. "Shall I take her?"
"Yes, and if you outrun them I'll give you a hundred dollars."
"All right."
The grizzled seaman took the helm. In ten minutes it began to look blue
for Patsy and his chief. The Clio had reasserted her superiority. She
was slowly dropping the Curlew astern.
When they tacked on the other side of the river the Clio had doubled her
lead. In an hour the Curlew was half a mile behind.
"Where are ye bound?" asked the old tar.
"There's a vessel anchored in the harbor. I'll show you where. You're
to put me aboard and keep still about it. The hundred is yours, and as
much more to go with it."
They were nearly abreast the Battery, when suddenly the police-boat was
seen heading toward them.
"That's the 'Patrol,'" said Deever. "Give her a wide berth."
Instead of complying, the boatman put his helm over, and stood straight
toward the tug.
"Here!" cried Deever; "what does this mean?"
"It means," said the boatman, "that you're my prisoner, Patrick Deever.
I am Nick Carter."
Ten minutes later they were both aboard the police-boat, and in another
hour Nick had redeemed his pledge to produce Patrick Deever alive before
the superintendent.
"I'd have had him, anyway," said Patsy, afterward. "He turned on me in
the woods up there in Nyack and knocked me down, and tied me.
"He thought I was done, but I wasn't. I was just going for a tug when
you ran him aboard the police-boat.
"At any rate," he said in conclusion, "it's some satisfaction to know
that it was you, and not he, that outsailed me."
The two Deevers were punished in due course for conspiracy, and Flint
for perjury.
"On the whole," said Superintendent Byrnes to Nick, "I think that was
about the prettiest work I ever saw. The most puzzling thing in the
world, I've noticed, is apt to be a perfectly plain case."
THE END.
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