"Alvarez woman and Moreno started for Boston on four-thirty train."Patsy."
"Alvarez woman and Moreno started for Boston on four-thirty train.
"Patsy."
"Moreno, too! That’s good."
Then addressing Chick, Nick said:
"You meet Moreno at the railroad depot. I have to go to Worcester by the six-forty train. And see here. If anything serious turns up, telegraph to me at the Bay State Hotel."
It was just nine o’clock when the Boston train rolled into Worcester station.
The ground was still covered with snow from the storm of a few days before; but it had been freezing hard, and now a heavy crust made walking rather pleasant.
Nick stood outside the depot for a moment, and looked at the sky and the snow-covered road, as if considering[Pg 34]whether he would walk to the hotel or ride. While he was thus engaged, he heard the rumbling of an incoming train.
"This is the New York express," said he, and he immediately withdrew into the shadow of the ticket office and watched the passengers as they came out.
There was the usual bustle and hurrying hither and thither that accompanies the arrival of a passenger train.
Thirty or forty persons came from the platform, grip or satchel in hand, and went out into the street, and finally there passed close to Nick the two individuals he most desired to see.
They were Anita and Moreno.
The latter was apparently giving her some very serious instructions.
But the gateman shouted:
"All aboard for Boston!"
Moreno hastily wrung Anita’s hand and rushed back to the train, and the lady gathered up her dress and went to the depot entrance.
Nick watched her board a cab and heard her order the driver to take her to the Bay State Hotel.
He followed leisurely on foot.
Having arrived at the hotel, he nodded to the clerk at the desk and asked to see the register.
"I want to see a lady who was to have arrived from New York to-day."
There were two recent signatures on the book.
One was in a delicate feminine hand, and read:
"Mrs. Rogers, New York."
The other was also in a woman’s writing.
It was:[Pg 35]
"A. Lord, Boston."
It was now evident that the "ask Rogers" in the Gonzales telegram meant, ask for Rogers.
The second entry was rather strange; but it did not puzzle Nick Carter. Addressing the clerk, he said:
"Can I see Mrs. Rogers?"
"Are you her brother, sir—Mr. Lord, for whom she registered?" asked the clerk.
"Yes," replied Nick.
"Her room is number 46; yours is 47, sir—right opposite."
"Thank you," said Nick.
The bell-boy led the way to room 47, and Nick immediately took possession and bolted the door on the inside.
"Now for it!" he exclaimed as he removed his hat and overcoat.
A few moments afterward there was a rap at the door.
He at once drew the bolt.
The door opened, and Anita Alvarez entered.
"I beg your pardon," she said, in perfect English. "That stupid clerk must have made a mistake!"
She was about to retreat immediately, but Nick stepped between her and the door, and said:
"I assure you, madame, the clerk made no mistake. Mr. Gonzales was unable to meet you here tonight. I have come from him——â€�
"Let me pass!" interrupted the woman, with an imperious gesture.
"You really must excuse me, madame!" said Nick, courteously. "I am Sam Rogers’ friend——â€�
"I do not understand you, sir," said[Pg 36]Anita, whose color had heightened at the mention of young Rogers’ name.
"Pray be seated, and I shall explain myself," said Nick, in his most gracious manner.
"I must insist upon your allowing me to leave this room instantly!"
She looked very beautiful at that moment, and Nick said to himself:
"It is no wonder young Rogers fell in love with her."
"Why do you detain me?" she cried, with increasing anger.
"I beg of you to keep calm," said Nick. "I have come as a messenger from your brother and Mr. Rogers."
"How am I to know this?"
"You must surely know, madame, that unless Gonzales told me where to meet you and had instructed me to assume the role of your brother, I would not be here."
This seemed so reasonable that she consented to be seated.
She then asked:
"Why did not my brother come himself?"
"He had to keep an eye upon the movements of Nick Carter, the New York detective."
That reply gave her confidence, and she said:
"Mr.—— eh. You haven’t given me your name."
"Rogers, madame. I am Sam’s cousin," coolly replied Nick.
"Oh, I suppose you came over from Philadelphia for the funeral."
"Precisely, madame. Sam has confided everything to me."
"He made an awful mistake in sending for that man, Nick Carter," said Anita.[Pg 37]
"I don’t agree with you."
"You don’t know him, Mr. Rogers. That man will be sure to ferret out the truth. What I told Sam to do was to engage an ordinary detective, and if he did that, suspicion would most surely fall upon Dr. Lord. However, Moreno and Manuel will probably be able to arrange matters."
Nick was becoming enlightened.
"I don’t think the doctor is out of the woods yet," said he.
"If he does get out, it is Sam’s own fault," said the lady, "and I will never allow him to marry Miss Bland."
"He did what he considered was for the best."
"Oh, he is too weak. But tell me what news you have from my brother?"
"Sam refuses to see him."
"I know it. That is why Moreno has gone to Boston."
"I don’t believe my cousin will have dealings with Mr. Moreno."
"If he does not, I shall at once go there and announce myself as his wife."
"If you do this, he will take steps to secure a divorce. Public sentiment would now be upon his side, and you would probably lose all."
"Ah! This is that Nick Carter’s work."
She became thoughtful for a moment and then cried:
"How stupid of Manuel to have bungled last night!"
"I do not understand you," said Nick, who, nevertheless, now discovered that the attack upon his life was planned by Moreno and the woman.
"I do not wish you to understand," said Anita, testily. "But you can tell Sam[Pg 38]Rogers that, unless he agrees to my proposition, he will never marry Miss Bland."
"He has deputed me to act for him, madame, and if you will tell me your final proposal, I shall be able to say directly whether or not he will accept it."
"I shall not alter my proposition in the slightest. I must have one hundred thousand dollars in cash. He cannot pay this unless the match between his sister and Dr. Lord is broken off, and the only possible way to break it off is to accuse the doctor of the murder of old Mr. Rogers."
"But the doctor might be acquitted!" interjected Nick.
"I don’t think so. Why, even Nick Carter, the detective, will have to swear that he found the point of the hypodermic syringe in Mr. Rogers’ wrist, and the broken syringe in the doctor’s room. That would convict him in any court. Besides, it is very unlikely that Miss Rogers would marry a man about whom there was even a suspicion of having murdered her father. However, you now know the only conditions upon which I will get a divorce, and unless Sam consents at once, in writing, I will proclaim myself his wife and will go to police headquarters and tell them about the poison that was injected into Mr. Rogers wrist."
"Sam loves his sister," said Nick.
"I know he does," interrupted Anita. "But if he loves himself or Miss Bland, who, you know, is worth half a million, he will be a man and do what I demand. He can give his sister the money she will lose by not marrying Lord out of Miss Bland’s fortune."
"I am afraid he will not comply with your demand," said Nick.[Pg 39]
"Has he any proposition to make?"
"Yes. He will guarantee to pay you the one hundred thousand dollars after you procure the divorce, and he is married to Miss Bland."
"Does he think I am a fool?" she cried, angrily. "But I know this is not his doing. He has confided in Nick Carter. It is that wretch who is advising him. It is well he does not know the entire truth."
"What do you mean, madame? Sam assured me that he knew everything about his father’s death."
"No, he does not. I am annoyed, Mr. Rogers. However, I have no more to say."
She paused for a few moments, and then, as if her whole being was inflamed with ferocity, she cried:
"Oh, if Manuel had only succeeded, I could force him to do my bidding!"
"Of course you refer to the fact that Sam would not see your brother", said Nick innocently.
"Yes."
As she uttered that word, she looked in a fright at Nick, and the thought flashed across her mind:
"Can he suspect what I mean?"
Nick’s features were perfectly impassive, however, and addressing him, she said:
"I have no more to say. You can give my ultimatum to your cousin."
"Very well, madame. After I have seen Sam, I shall communicate the result to Gonzales."
That the mystery connected with Mr. Rogers’ death was not known by the son, Nick was now convinced.[Pg 40]
His visit to Worcester had been very fruitful, however, and the great detective returned to Boston armed with facts that he knew would soon enable him to unravel that mystery.
From Anita’s passionate exclamations about himself, he learned that the Moreno gang would endeavor to get him out of the way, and he smiled grimly as he said to himself:
"They have a big contract on their hands."
A few minutes later he rang the bell at Dr. Lord’s door and handed the domestic one of his cards containing his real name and profession.
When the doctor made his appearance and saw Nick, he said:
"You have come early for your vial. But I must ask you to wait some little time, as a gentleman from New York has just called."
"Nick Carter?" interjected Nick.
The doctor started.
"How do you know that?" he asked.
Nick arose from his seat, took another card from his pocket, and, handing it to his bewildered companion, said:
"I am Nick Carter."
"You!" exclaimed the doctor, who dropped into an arm-chair and looked at his visitor with astonishment. "Why, Mr. Carter, you are just the man I wanted to see. I was about to telegraph for you. I am in serious trouble."
"I dare say it is about the Rogers murder case," said Nick.
The doctor was again astounded.
When he recovered his equanimity, he said:
"And the surgical instrument maker[Pg 41]scheme—what was the meaning of that, Mr. Carter?"
"I cannot explain to you, sir, why I adopt certain methods which I find necessary to employ in the business of my profession. It will, however, answer your question sufficiently to inform you that my adoption of the role of surgical instrument maker was connected with this same case concerning which you telegraphed for me. And now, sir, will you be good enough to state your business?"
"You seem to have divined it already."
"Then you do not require my services?"
"You have so surprised me, Mr. Carter, that I scarcely know what to say."
Nick was watching him narrowly.
"Shall I tell you what you want me for?" he asked.
"It would not surprise me one bit if you could. But, Mr. Carter, let me ask you one question: What do you know about the woman Alvarez?"
"Everything."
"Everything?"
"Yes, doctor. And now will you tell me what you know about her?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Perhaps I had better explain," said the doctor. "On the morning after Mr. Rogers’ death—some time after Dr. White and I had made our examination of the body, the woman Alvarez called. She insisted that she was Sam Rogers’ wife."
"Yes, they were married," interrupted Nick.
"Really?"
"Yes. But go on."
"She appeared to be terribly excited. She said she had evidence that her father-[Pg 42]in-law did not die of heart disease. I assured her that she was mistaken. Whereupon she took from her pocket a little vial similar to the one which I asked you to allow me to examine yesterday."
Nick was all attention.
The fruit was ripening fast, and he firmly believed that it would very soon be ready to pluck.
"I analyzed the contents," continued the doctor. "I discovered that it was indeed a terrible poison."
"What did the woman say when she showed you the vial?" asked Nick.
"She became very excited again, and said:
"‘I found this in my father-in-law’s room. You have poisoned him! I will have you arrested!’
"I was fearful of scandal, for I am to be married to Mr. Rogers’ daughter, so I tried to calm her. I said I would do anything to hush up the ridiculous suspicion."
"Ah!" sighed Nick, and the doctor continued:
"When I said that she screamed:
"‘You are guilty, or you would not make such a proposition. But I have here the proofs of your villainous crime to get hold of Miss Rogers’ money at once.’
"This annoyed me, and I requested her to leave the house at once, which she did. She returned again, however, that same evening. The moment I saw her the idea entered my mind that she came to blackmail me, and I determined to humor her—to find out, if possible, who she was. She came fully prepared this time. She said that a private examination had been made by young Rogers and it was dis[Pg 43]covered that his father had been poisoned. There was an appearance of truth in this; for, after her first visit, I wanted to make a more critical examination of the body, and Sam refused to allow it. You see, Mr. Carter, I was in a very delicate position."
"I should say so!" said Nick.
"Therefore," added Dr. Lord, "I listened to her without offering a word of denial or assent. Her plans were very cleverly laid, you see. She said that if I would consent to sign a certain agreement, she would bind herself not to disclose the fact about the vial or any of the other evidence, which she said she had in her possession, that directly pointed to me as Mr. Rogers’ murderer. I asked time to consider, though I had not the slightest intention of permitting her to blackmail me. She consented, and gave me until yesterday morning, when, she said, her brother would call."
"And he did call?"
"Yes."
"I know it. I saw him."
Dr. Lord really felt uncomfortable. He could not understand why or how Nick knew so much about the affair, unless it was that he was watching him. However, he continued:
"He brought with him the copy of an agreement. I told him that I could not decide just then, but that, in any event, I would not sign the agreement as it then stood. I wanted to see just how far he would go."
"Bravo!" interrupted Nick. "Did he leave a copy of the document with you?"
"No. I was just starting for Mr. Rogers[Pg 44]’ funeral, and he promised to come for my answer at ten o’clock to-day."
"He won’t be here," said Nick. "But I have heard enough, doctor. What do you wish me to do?"
"I want to be protected from this gang of blackmailers, but I do not want it made public."
"If young Rogers knows of it, it will be hard to hide the affair," said Nick. "I shouldn’t be surprised if he did, if that woman is his wife."
Dr. Lord looked the picture of misery.
He got up from his chair and walked up and down the room two or three times.
He then stopped suddenly before Nick Carter and cried:
"For God’s sake, do something—anything to prevent this outrageous lie reaching Miss Rogers’ ears! Let them take the money. Yes, I will add to it; but spare me my honor and my love."
He sat down, grief-stricken and miserable.
And then Nick went to him and extending his hand, he said:
"Brace up, doctor. You have nothing to fear, nor need you feel even worried."
The doctor took Nick’s hand in his and expressed his warmest thanks.
He was pouring out his gratitude, when Nick interrupted him by saying:
"Do you remember the terms of the agreement they wished you to sign, doctor?"
"Yes. It stipulated that upon condition[Pg 45]that the Alvarez woman or her brother would not breathe a suspicion about the finding of the hypodermic syringe point, I was to pay to her the sum of fifty thousand dollars on the morning of my marriage with Miss Rogers. I need not tell you that signing such a document would incriminate me and give them a perpetual handle for blackmail."
"You only know one-half of their scheming, doctor. But they are clever. They wished to make certain of at least one person from whom they could levy tax. However, the question of Mr. Rogers death must be sifted to the end, and if young Rogers is in any way implicated, I may need your assistance."
"You shall have it if it is necessary. But it strikes me, Mr. Carter, that the first thing to be ascertained is, was Mr. Rogers murdered?"
"I shall settle that question," said Nick. "It was I who found the point of the hypodermic syringe imbedded in Mr. Rogers’ wrist. It was undoubtedly broken off to complete the blackmailing scheme and attract suspicion to you. It was for that same reason the broken syringe was left here."
"That must be so," said the doctor, "and if he was murdered, it must have been by that woman."
"In my profession we do not jump at[Pg 46]conclusions so hastily," said Nick, evading the doctor’s remark.
Dr. Lord laughed at this sally, and Nick took up his hat as if about to leave.
"Before you go, Mr. Carter, can you tell me what was the appearance of the wrist in the locality where the syringe point was imbedded?"
"Yes. I observed it very carefully. Where the point lay, underneath the skin, the color was normal—except that one could detect the needle-like piece of silver, upon very close observation. But it was not that which first attracted my attention."
"What was it?" asked the doctor, who seemed to be intensely interested.
"It was the fact that, extending from the point of the needle upward, for a couple of inches, there was a marked discoloration."
"Thank you. This may be important, Mr. Carter. I shall consult with Dr. White about it."
Nick then bade the doctor good-by and turned his footsteps toward the Rogers mansion.
He had not gone many yards when he met his faithful assistant, Chick.
"Moreno is up at Rogers’ place," said Chick, "and Ida is at the hotel."
"Well, what other news, Chick?"
"Miss Rogers loves the doctor."
"Good! Keep an eye on Rogers and Moreno for a few minutes."[Pg 47]
Nick immediately returned to Dr. Lord’s house.
He hurriedly explained to the doctor why he had come back, and, two minutes later, a distinguished-looking Cuban left the physician’s residence.
He walked leisurely in the direction of the Rogers mansion.
Chick, who was accustomed to his chief’s wonderful disguises, noticed him approaching and came slowly toward him.
"As soon as I have entered the house I engage Jones, the butler, in conversation," said Nick, hurriedly.
He then entered the lawn of the Rogers villa and approached the front door.
"Can I see Mr. Rogers?" he asked, when Jones answered the bell.
"He is engaged just now, sir. But if you will give me your card——â€�
"Oh, never mind," interrupted Nick. "I shall wait for him."
The colored man showed him into the reception-room.
At that moment the door bell rang again.
It was Chick, and Nick Carter knew well that his clever assistant would keep Jones engaged until he again appeared.
Creeping noiselessly, he went along the hallway until he arrived at the library door.
Here he stopped and listened.
He heard the voices of two persons; but could not catch their conversation.[Pg 48]
The ornamentations on the key-hole, inside as well as on the hall side, prevented his hearing through that channel.
Looking upward, he noticed that the old-fashioned transom could easily be opened, and he was soon standing upon a hall chair with a good view of the interior of the room.
Sam Rogers was seated at a desk, and Moreno standing beside him.
The latter was speaking in a commanding manner; but his voice was so low that Nick could not detect his words.
He now proceeded to open the transom as cautiously and noiselessly as possible.
After a few moments he succeeded in opening it a few inches, and he then heard distinctly the conversation of Moreno and Rogers.
"It is utterly useless to go any further," said Rogers. "I will not swear an information against Dr. Lord."
"Was it Nick Carter advised you to make this decision?"
"No, sir. Mr. Carter does not know anything about this affair."
"Why did you engage him?"
"Anita told me to engage a detective."
"She told you to engage a private detective in Boston, to whom you were to point out the top of the hypodermic syringe, and suggest to him that it might belong to Dr. Lord. If you did that, Lord would have been at once arrested on suspicion. But you knew that Nick Carter would never make the arrest until he had[Pg 49]fully and perfectly investigated the case, and was absolutely certain of his man."
"I know that now. I did not know it when I engaged him."
"If you engaged him with the intention of directing his suspicion to Dr. Lord, why do you now refuse to make an information yourself?"
"Because I know Dr. Lord did not murder my father."
"What would you do if Anita made such a statement to the police?" said the Cuban.
The young man started at this cold-blooded suggestion.
He seemed to be in a perfect agony of mental torture.
Suddenly he stood up, and, facing Moreno, he said:
"If she dares to do such a thing, I would expose the whole affair."
"Have a care, Mr. Rogers," said the Cuban, fiercely. "Don’t go too far."
"I defy both you and her!" cried Rogers, who was now very excited.
It evidently did not suit Moreno’s plans to quarrel seriously with his companion.
He immediately changed his tactics and said:
"If Anita gave you a release to-morrow, how much would you pay for it?"
"To-morrow? Why, that’s impossible! But, see here, Moreno. If Mr. Carter arrests the doctor upon his own responsibility, I shall not interfere. That is all I can or will do in this direction. But I am[Pg 50]willing to guarantee Anita one hundred thousand dollars, to be paid after my marriage with Miss Bland, if she produces a decree of divorce before it. It is utterly useless to annoy me further."
"We will force you to do this!" hissed Moreno.
"Do your very worst! I am so weary of this disgraceful affair that I am perfectly prepared for any event."
"Very well, Mr. Rogers," said the Cuban, in a cold, cutting tone. "Anita will to-morrow come to Boston and proclaim herself your wife."
That shot told.
The young fellow threw himself into a chair and gave way to torturing reflections.
His position was indeed cruel.
Moreno knew well the effect of his blow, he looked at Rogers with a smile of triumph, and then took up his hat and pretended to prepare to leave the room.
He took a few steps toward the door, when Rogers suddenly cried:
"Stop!"
"Well, sir?" said Moreno, smiling grimly.
"Give me one week to consider."
"No, Mr. Rogers, not one day. You wish to consult with Nick Carter. I must have your answer now or you will never marry Miss Bland. If you are so anxious to avoid family scandal by saving your sister’s intended husband, pay the money right away. It will enable you to wed half a million."[Pg 51]
The young fellow struggled desperately between his honor and his feelings.
"Supposing I do consent," he said, at length. "You have agreed to produce a divorce from Anita upon receipt of one hundred thousand dollars. That will take some time."
"She is prepared to release you legally at once."
"At once?"
"Yes. If you consent to pay the money to-morrow, I shall telegraph to her to come here to arrange the affair. And now I shall not waste another moment. Do you consent? Or shall I allow her to come here and proclaim herself your wife?"
"I consent," said Rogers, in a solemn tone, as if he was passing his own death sentence. "Leave me now, Moreno. I am upset by this affair. I shall be ready to-morrow."
"Oh, no," said the Cuban, with a sardonic grin. "I shall not leave you now until our little business is transacted."
"Mr. Carter will be here shortly," said Rogers, looking the Cuban full in the face. "Perhaps you would not care to see him?"
"Oh, it does not make any difference, now that you have decided to settle up without waiting for Dr. Lord’s arrest. But I would advise you to dismiss Carter at once."
"Very well. I shall be glad to have this horrible affair ended. But[Pg 52]——â€�
He mused for a moment, and then continued:
"Mr. Carter has already interested himself in the case, and from what you tell me of his character, I fear he may want to probe it, with or without my consent."
"Ah!" said Moreno, "I did not think of that. Yes. He must be silenced."
"What do you mean?"
"Never mind, Mr. Rogers. We will attend to that."
As he said this, the door suddenly opened, and Nick Carter entered.
"You will attend to Nick Carter, will you?" said he.
Quick as lightning, and before Moreno could recover from his surprise, Nick caught his wrists with a grasp of iron and placed the handcuffs upon them.
"Now, Mr. Moreno," said he, "Nick Carter will attend to you. Come along!"
"Good heavens!" exclaimed the Cuban. "Where did you come from?"
"The moon, of course, but the place you are going to will be much nearer at hand."
Nick caught him by the arm and marched him out of the room.
Handing him over to Chick who was still conversing with the colored man, Nick said:
"Take this fellow to police headquarters."
He then turned to young Rogers.
The young man was bewildered from astonishment.[Pg 53]
He was positively dazed to learn that Nick knew about his arrangements with Moreno.
He could not understand how it was possible for him to have discovered it, and he looked at him in silence in the same manner as he would have looked at a supernatural being.
Nick saw that the young fellow was overwhelmed with surprise; but there was no time to be lost.
"Mr. Rogers," said he, "I want your presence at the Adams House at three o’clock. It is a matter of the greatest importance for you to be there. Don’t fail."
Surprises were pouring in so suddenly upon the young man that he was too bewildered to reply.
Nick took no notice of his amazement or silence. He repeated:
"Don’t forget. Adams House, at three o’clock."
He left Rogers seated in his library, still wondering how the affair happened.
Nick now hastened to the nearest telegraph office and sent the following dispatch:
"Mrs. Rogers, Bay State Hotel, Worcester: Manuel has seen Sam’s cousin. Settlement impossible unless with you, in person. Come on by first train. Meet me at Adams House. Ask for Rogers, room 75.Moreno."
"Mrs. Rogers, Bay State Hotel, Worcester: Manuel has seen Sam’s cousin. Settlement impossible unless with you, in person. Come on by first train. Meet me at Adams House. Ask for Rogers, room 75.
Moreno."
Five minutes later he was at Dr. Lord’s.
"Well, Mr. Carter," said the physician, "what can I do for you this time?"
"I simply called to ask you to meet me[Pg 54]in room seventy-five at the Adams House at three o’clock."
"I shall be there, Mr. Carter."
Nick did not delay one moment, but hastened to his hotel.
Here he lay upon a lounge and gave himself up to a moment of reflection.
"What a sell they will all get!" he mused. "But it will be an agreeable one. The poor doctor will be sold because his misery will end almost before it had begun.
"And young Rogers!
"Ah! He is a weak subject, and no mistake.
"If he hadn’t deceived me about the woman’s visits, I could have finished yesterday.
"However, he will feel sold when he learns how I have found him out, although he will, at the same time, be freed from his Cuban wife.
"As for the three Cubans!
"Well, perhaps the greatest surprise of all will be for them!"
At two o’clock precisely a lady knocked at the door of room 75, Adams House.
It was Anita Alvarez.
Nick Carter, alias Mr. Rogers, admitted her.
"How do you do, madame?" said Nick.
"Very well, thank you, Mr. Rogers. I[Pg 55]expected to find my brother, and—and a friend here."
"They will be here presently."
"My brother tells me that Sam will not accept the terms of the agreement."
"He will be here himself at three o’clock, madame. We shall then arrange everything connected with this matter."
"But cannot you tell me in the meantime what it is he particularly objects to?"
"I cannot see what good it would do. It will be much better to discuss the entire affair with him personally. But won’t you remove your heavy cloak and make yourself comfortable while you are waiting? By the way, wouldn’t you like a cup of coffee after your journey?"
"Yes, Mr. Rogers, thank you. If you would not mind, I should like a cup of black coffee and brandy."
Nick touched a bell.
It was answered by Chick, to whom Nick passed a note, saying, as he did so:
"Will you please bring some coffee and brandy at once?"
"Yes, sir."
The note contained the following message:
"Have Moreno and Gonzales here at 3:30. Admit Rogers first. Keep prisoners in your room until we need them."
Chick’s room was number 73, and had a door leading into Nick’s.
When the door closed, Nick took from his pocket the hat pin which he found in[Pg 56]Mr. Rogers’ room, and placed it on a chair close to his visitor.
"Does that pin belong to you, madame?" asked he.
She looked at it; then put her hand up to her hat to satisfy herself that the one there was not missing.
"Why, yes!" she cried. "I have missed that pin for some days. I wonder where it came from, or how it could have got here."
"It was found upon the bed with Mr. Rogers’ dead body."
She trembled and became pale and confused.
But recovering herself, she asked:
"Where did you say it was found?"
"Where you dropped it, madame."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you not remember the morning after Mr. Rogers’ death?"
"Yes."
"When you went to see the body with your husband?"
"No, sir. You are mistaken——â€�
"What?" said Nick. "Why, you told me that——â€�
"Oh, yes! I forgot."
The unfortunate woman was so bewildered that, in her confusion, she really believed she had told him.
"By the way, I hope you have the release for Sam ready," said Nick.
"Yes," said the woman, who was now feeling particularly uncomfortable.
But just then the waiter arrived with[Pg 57]the coffee and brandy, and the diversion relieved her.
She little guessed how badly she needed a stimulant just then.
Nick looked at his watch.
It wanted but a few minutes of three o’clock.
"When did you see your husband last?" he asked, suddenly.
"Last night—eh, I mean—eh, not since his father’s death."
"There is one thing that Sam has concealed from me," said Nick.
"What is that?"
"Was his father really murdered by Dr. Lord? Or was it by somebody else?"
"You know well," said Anita, regaining her self-confidence, "that no other person could have done it."
"Then you believe," said Nick, adroitly, "that that syringe was charged with poison solely for the purpose of murdering Mr. Rogers."
"I know it."
The moment she uttered these words she recognized her mistake, and would have given worlds not to have spoken them.
But, although Nick had now secured the last link of his chain of evidence, he gave no outward sign that he attached any importance to it.
He was about to continue when someone knocked at the door.
"Come in!" said Nick.
Sam Rogers entered.[Pg 58]
"Anita!" he cried, in amazement.
"At your service, sir!" coldly rejoined the lady.
"Be seated, Mr. Rogers," said Nick.
Anita looked at Nick nervously.
"That man would not call him Mr. Rogers, if he was his cousin!" was the thought that flashed through her mind.
Rogers was clearly as much mystified as was Anita.
But his perplexity was not mixed with fear.
She was trembling with fear of an unknown something which her imagination was unable to define.
She looked at Nick with an expression that mingled indignation and appeal.
Her suspense was really becoming unbearable, and Nick saw it.
"Better cut this act short," he muttered.
Turning to Rogers, he said:
"Mr. Rogers, that woman is not your wife."
"Liar!" thundered Anita.
"Keep your temper, madame," said Nick. "Your real husband will shortly be here. As Mrs. Moreno, you cannot be Mrs. Rogers."
"My God!" she cried. "How did you learn this? Who are you?"
Not heeding her question, Nick continued:
"I have learned much more, madame, that you will be even less pleased to listen to."[Pg 59]
"Is this true?" asked Rogers, in a whirl of delighted amazement.
"Yes, Mr. Rogers. You may set your mind at rest on that point."
Just then the door opened, and Chick announced:
"Dr. Lord!"
The woman trembled from head to feet when she saw the doctor.
Rogers also felt very uncomfortable.
"Have the others arrived?" asked Nick.
"Yes, sir. They are in the next room."
"Is Waldo with them?"
"Yes, sir, and another man."
"Send them in guarded."
The door between Nick’s room and his assistant’s was immediately opened, and Moreno and Gonzales were marched in, handcuffed to the two detectives.
"Nick Carter!" cried both prisoners, simultaneously.
"Yes, gentlemen," said Nick. "I shall now explain why I have invited you all to be present at this meeting."
No one uttered a word.
Everybody was too much astonished.
But they were even more astounded when Nick said:
"Everybody in this room knows, in part, a good deal of what I know concerning Mr. Rogers’ death, and the criminal events surrounding it; but not one of you can even guess all that I do know.
"In the first place, Mr. Rogers was not murdered.[Pg 60]
"Three people in this room knew, from the very beginning, that he was not murdered.
"These are Anita Moreno, Manuel Alvarez and the conspirator in chief, Moreno himself."
Had a thunderbolt fallen in the room it could not have caused more consternation and amazement.
Nick then continued, in the same cool manner:
"There was an intention to murder him, however; but luckily nature stepped in and claimed Mr. Rogers before this crime could be committed.
"This intended murder was planned by Moreno and was to have been executed by the woman, his wife, who is guilty of bigamy for entering into a marriage ceremony with Mr. Rogers.
"The plan was to incriminate Dr. Lord, and thus create a lever for blackmail.
"When Anita Moreno went to Mr. Rogers’ home—to murder him—and found that he had died the night before of heart disease, she nevertheless inserted the needle of this hypodermic syringe in his wrist and injected some of Mr. Moreno’s famous poison into it."
Here he held aloft the syringe.
"She then broke off the point in the wound, hoping that the doctors would find it and naturally suspect the family physician of having used the dreadful poison it contained.
"But she was ignorant of the fact that[Pg 61]after death hypodermic injections will not be distributed through the system, as the blood has ceased to circulate.
"For this reason I noticed that the wrist was discolored by the poison, and that fact has guided me throughout.
"She then visited Dr. Lord and left the broken syringe upon his bureau.
"There is no necessity to recite the clever scheme of blackmail which was to have been put into execution.
"Every one in this room knows the particulars.
"But every one here does not know, nor does the lady herself, that the vial of poison from which the syringe was charged was dropped by her at the Providence depot and picked up by me.
"And lastly, only the three prisoners know that Alvarez attempted to murder your humble servant at midnight on Mr. Rogers’ lawn.
"And now what should we do with these criminals?
"Dr. Lord, you have the best right to dictate.
"What is your sentence?"
"Spare them," generously cried the doctor.
"Just what I expected you to say," said Nick.
"Yes, we will set them at liberty.
"But upon one condition.
"They must return to Cuba; for if within three days any one of them is[Pg 62]found in the United States, every one of the crimes of which I hold the proofs against them will be charged to the law’s limit."
When the three culprits took their departure, Nick Carter’s face became once more severe, and, turning to Sam Rogers, he said:
"You should not have lied to me!"[Pg 63]
That was all; and the great detective then escaped from the outpouring of gratitude of the two men, whose happy future he had insured.
THE END.
The next number will contain "Nick Carter under the Knife; or, The Little Giant Among the Body-Snatchers."[Pg 64]
[Pg 65]
198—Nick Carter Under the Knife; or, The Little Giant Among the Body-Snatchers.197—The Little Glass Vial; or, A Beautiful Blackmailer Brought to Bay.196—A Man of Wood; or, Who Killed Dr. Startle?195—Nick Carter’s Grateful Client; or, Saving the Honor of the Old Man’s Boy.194—Nick Carter on the Bowery; or, A Crippled Cracksman’s Detection.193—Nick Carter on the Inside; or, No Chance for the Coroner.192—Nick Carter in Frisco; or, Instructed by a Newspaper Personal.191—Wanted for Embezzlement; or, What Became of the Treasurer.190—Nick Carter’s Slippery Quarry; or, The Case Against ’Frisco Jim.189—Nick Carter’s Proofs; or, Bad News for the Guilty.188—Nick Carter at the Races; or, Two Kinds of Lead Pipe Cinch.187—The Best Detective in the Country; or, A Prompt Reply to a Telegram.186—Nick Carter Rescues a Daughter; or, The Junior Partner’s Strange Behavior.185—Nick Carter Saves a Reputation; or, A Button Worth a Fortune.184—Shielding a Murderer; or, Nick Carter’s Dealings with an Avenger.183—Saved from the Penitentiary; or, Three Cheers for Nick Carter.182—The Blood-Stained Check; or, Nick Carter in the Dissecting-Room.181—In the Clutch of the Law; or, Nick Carter’s Chain of Evidence.180—The Government Custom’s Swindle; or, Nick Carter’s Work for the U. S. Treasury.179—Nick Carter’s Beautiful Decoy; or, The Diamond Duke of Chicago.178—Nick Carter Arrests a Client; or, The Body Found in the Flat.177—Nick Carter’s Dumb Assistant; or, The Man with a Dead Brain.176—Nick Carter Behind the Counter; or, A Peck of Pawn Tickets.[Pg 66]175—Nick Carter’s Pointer; or, A Hungry Dog’s Dinner.174—By Whose Hand; or, Nick Carter Advertises for a Cab-Driver.173—Caught in Six Hours; or, Trouble in Room No. 46.172—Burglar Joe; or, Nick Carter’s Leap in the Dark.171—Nick Carter’s Little Shadow; or, The Man with the Yellow Dog.170—Caught by Electricity; or, Nick Carter Bags an Old Offender.169—Unmasked by Nick Carter; or, An Attempt at Blackmail.168—Nick Carter’s Second Sight; or, A Dumfounded Prisoner.167—Nick Carter Makes a Loan That Brings Him Big Returns.166—Nick Carter Prevents a Disturbance, and Loses a Disguise.165—Nick Carter in a Hole; or, A Plan to Catch Him That Didn’t Work.164—Nick Carter Off the Track, but Has Another String to His Bow.163—Nick Carter Jumps a Train, and Takes Big Chances.162—Nick Carter Saves a Life, and Earns a Woman’s Gratitude.161—Nick Carter Corners a Bank President; or, A Balance That Was Crooked.160—Nick Carter’s Steamer Trunk; or, A Crime in Mid-Ocean.159—Nick Carter’s New Uniform; or, A Bribe That Was Expected.158—Nick Carter and the Sawdust Man; or, An Investment That Caused Trouble.157—Nick Carter as an Expert; or, A Battery That Was Tampered With.156—Nick Carter’s Silent Search; or, A Drive at a Fake Detective.155—Nick Carter’s Curious Client; or, A Criminal with More Gall than Sense.154—Nick Carter Settles a Conspiracy; or, A Telegram That Wasn’t Signed.153—Nick Carter’s Midnight Caller; or, A Case Concluded Before Daylight.152—Nick Carter’s Fake Murder Case; or, The Plan to Wipe Out the Agency.[Pg 67]
Back numbers always on hand. If you cannot get our publications from your newsdealer, five cents a copy will bring them to you, by mail, postpaid.
STREET & SMITH, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK.[Pg 68]
There is a line of classics for youth—the books your fathers read—the books you want to read—the books the boys and girls will read and like as long as the English language endures. They have done more to shape the mind of American boys for the last fifty years than any others. We refer to the writings of Oliver Optic, Horatio Alger, Edward S. Ellis, Lieut. Lounsberry, James Otis, William Murray Graydon, etc. These names are familiar wherever the American flag floats.
Unfortunately, they have heretofore been procurable only in expensive binding at from $1.00 to $1.50 each. The average boy has not got $1.50 to invest. Ten cents is nearer the price. We have made the ten cent book the leader with the elder readers. Now we are going to do the same thing for the boys, and give them their favorites in a form in every respect equal to our well-known Eagle and Magnet Libraries, at the uniform price of ten cents. Thousands of boys have asked us to issue this line. Thousands more are ready to buy it on sight. There is no line like it in the world. We can justly call it the Medal series, as every book will be a prize winner. It will contain no story that the boys have not approved as a "standard." They have bought them by the thousands at $1.00 and upwards, and now they can get them forTEN CENTS A COPY.[Pg 69]
[Pg 71]
OTHERS EQUALLY GOOD TO FOLLOW.
Order them at once. If you cannot get them send to us. Remember these are 12mo books, printed from new plates, with elegant covers, and are the "real thing" and only TEN CENTS A COPY.[Pg 72]
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In scores of cases the secret of beauty is Ayer’s Hair Vigor.
J. C. Ayer Company,Practical Chemists,Lowell, Mass.
If your druggist cannot supply you, send us $1.00, and we will express a bottleto you, all charges prepaid. Be sure and give us your nearest express office.