The Man from London

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 102, 30 April 1903, Page 6

The Man from London

By; NICHOLAS CARTEB, anther of "Lady Velvet," "Brought to Bay," "Within the To__," *Fig_i__g Against Millions," etc.

CHAPTER XXVHL

A FAKE DETECTIVE. "Yes," assented Nick, "it is 'the doctor.'" Chick's eyes began to glow. He did not have to think back far to place the individual betrayed by the photograph. "We ought to he able to find him easily," he said. "Oh! I am assured I can locate him, no matter where he is." Nick spoke in a way that convinced Chick that he had some definite ideas concerning his whereabouts. "Let us see first, however, if we care to look him up at all," suggested Nick. The detective ran hastily over the papers and letters in the box just given into his possession by Miss Lura Mason. Chick was silent during the inspection, but he was ready and waiting for information as Nick scanned the last inclosure. "What does it tell?" asked Chick. "Nothing direct. It looks as though for the space of several weeks previous to his disappearance Mason was being drawn under the influence of this doctor, if the photograph connects with a certain 'Rogers.'" "A sure indication of crooked work." "He was being led into some trap." "The doctor's specialty!" "With some specious "scheme of money making as the bait." "You don't know what?" "Not yet." "Then you intend to find out!" "Chick, I think I shall find out," assented Nick, thoughtfully. "I am interested in this girl; it may be a matter of professional duty." "Will you look up Mason in England ?" "Not until I am satisfied that he ought not to be neglected" A tap sounded on the door. In a second Nick's desk was cleared of box and papers. As the door opened the eyes of the detective were turned thither. A stranger was shown in,- Chick looked in a puzzled way at the intruder. His dress, his beard, and his mysterious actions were of an exaggerated type, and at once suggested an effort at disguise. "Who is this?" asked Nick 'I wish to see you, Mr Carter." "I am here, sir." "In private—strictly." "Indeed! I have the honour of meeting—" "I shall tell you when we are—alone!" answered the visitor, in a dramatic way. He glanced at Chick. The detective's assistant, half smiling, left the room. The newcomer stepped forward, as if treading on eggs. He directed suspicious eyes at curtains, bookcases, doors and windows in an amusingly mysteriqus manner He sat down, first casting a searching glance under the desk—even into the waste paper basket. Nick had eyed him critically just once —after that the detective betrayed little curiosity, although he was strictly attentive. "You seem troubled," he suggested "Only cautious, Mr Carter!" "Why?" "We detectives can't be too careful, you know." "Oh!" said Nick, "you are a detective, then?" "I am!" answered the visitor,, trying to look important. "You wouldn't know it, Mr Carter, but I am completely disguised" "Possibly!" "I don't usually wear glasses, only for the occasion." "Is that so? Let me inform you that one eyebrow has become unglued, and your left whisker is slightly awry." The detective's visitor adjusted the straying eyebrow and the unsteady whisker He sank back- in his chair with great assurance after this performance. "We professionals can't be too particular," he observed, sapiently. "Nor too quick in getting down to business," hinted Nick. "Ah! that's so. Well, Mr Carter, I have come to see you—" "Thanks!" "In the interest of a client." "You said you were a detective" "Yes." "From—Central?" 'Well—no." i "What line, then?" "Bank" "Oh, you are a bank detective?" "That is it. Now you would never think it, Mr Carter, shrewd as you are— but you and I stood face to face not an hour since!" "Why yes," said Nick, "I remember" "Ehr" exclaimed the .other, with a start. Nick was coolly setting some pens in prder . "I said I. remember." "You remember!" muttered his visitor, striking an attitude aghast. "Certainly." "You—remember!" "Don't I say so, man!" "You do, but—" "It was in the counting room of the Greene institution, uptown." "Well!" "You are the person who challenged my right to enter." "Till I knew who you were You recognize me?" "Certainly. And you hunted me up disguised —* "Not to fool you." "You couldn't do that" "I see it, and never thought of trying." "Then —why this disguise?" "Oh, I do that regularly." "You do?"

"On the street." "Why?" "To conceal my real looks; it isn't prudent to be known in our particular calling by every Tom, Dick and Harry." "My time is limited," said Nick, with a glance at his watch. "You have business with me?" "Important." "Name it." "Well, then, as I said, I am a bank detective." "Experienced, I suppose." i "Why, yes. I was a year at the Produce Exchange Bank, and I did soinein* dividual work on one or two big forgery cases." "Turn up much?" "Too deep for me." "Ah!" "Lately I have been associated with the Greene establishment." "How long?" "Well, so far, only a day or two." "I see—routine duty." "Oh, no!" "No big forgeries there, I hope?" inquired Nick. "Well, almost as bad." "Indeed!" "Yes—let me tell you." "Do so." The fake detective steadied himself for his disclosure. This gave Nick time to think. As to the status of Bis visitor, that the superficial fellow had long since betrayed. Nick saw that he was an irresponsible person, with no record or real official standing. He had probably drawn a janitor's salary at the Produce Exchange Bank, posing aa a special watchman during the rush houis of business. That he had a distinct motive in hia present visit, its promptness clearly evidenced. Anything concerning Nathan Greene was interesting to the detective at present, and he resolved to give the caller plenty of rope. Nick, as he keenly scanned the man's face, instinctively believed that he was getting ready to tell him a falsehood. "This is why I have come/ said the fellow, finally, and stopped. "What is?" pressed Nick. "On account of my Greene connection." "Well?" "I'm not watching the bank." "Oh, I thought you were." "No." "What are you watching, then?" "Greene." "What for?" "That's what I was "hired to do." "By whom?" "Greene himself." "Can't you be a little more explicit?" "Why, I mean that I am guarding' him." "Why did you not say so in the first place?*' "Well, that's what I am doing." "Does he need guarding?" "I guess he does." "From whom —enemies?" "No—cranks." "They bother him?" "They have. Why! one fellow has been writing him threatening letters for a month." "And you have nailed him, I pose?""No,_but I expect to. Another covered him with a revolver in an alley near his home and wildly demanded half his fortune to float a new speculation." "Did he get it?" "Hardly!" "You were near?" "Near and -vigilant!" "Did you get him?" I didn't," confessed Nick's visitor, humbly. "I see," said Nick. "Now, then, why do you tell mo all this?'' "I want you to help me," "Oh, you do?" said Nick. "Yes —I want to make a record. When I ran against you to-day and got acquainted-—" "H'm!" "I thought, 'Here is the chance of my lifetime.' I hunted you up pretty quick." "Go on," "One of these cranks I know by sight. I think I know where he hangs out. I didn't know but that, out of professional courtesy, you would take a stroll with me —say to-night—and help me round him up." Nick scrutinised his caller penetratingly without seeming to do so. He tried to divine his game. He was not a fine worker, but he had the audacity to plan to get into his company through a ruse, and hoped to incidentally gain his confidence. . Greene, Nick believed, was back of the scheme, but he could not at present conjecture wherefore. "I am busy to-night," said Nick, after a moment's reflection. "Then to-morrow night?" "I hardly think I can help you." "Oh, yes, you can!" "Very well —I will consider it. I shall be at the bank to-morrow morning." "And we'll make an appointment?" "Maybe." "I shall hope so, Mr. Carter!" The detective sat reflecting deeply for some moments after his visitor had left him. A scheme was on the books—in behalf of Mr. Banker Greene. "What it is," Nick said to himself, calmly, "will develop at my next visit to the bank." Nick arose and called to Chick. He recited the details of the interview. "What is he after?" questioned the detective's assistant. "We will find out in its turn," predicted Nick. "Chick, you might look up this fellow in a general way." "Yes." "I will be back here to-morrow morning in time to go to the bank with Miss j Mason." "You are going away, then?" "For a few hours." • "Where to?" "Sing Sing." Chick indulged in a strange stare. "Might I ask what for?" I am going to find; out the whereabouts of Dr. Purdue." ■; "But he is not at Sing Sing?" "He is not, Chick; but his old partner in crime is—Aiden Lee.'? • _ .' "Isee."" ;.: - . . . ' -:.- f . "And L count on an interview with this same Alien Lee as likely to result in the immediate locating of the original of that

photograph given to, me by Mies Lura Mason." ' if-" '■ (To be continued daily.)