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AGAINSTODDS
ADetectiveStory
BY
LAWRENCEL.LYNCH(E.MURDOCHVANDEVENTER),
AUTHOROF
'SHADOWEDBYTHREE,''ASLENDERCLUE,''ADEADMAN'SSTEP,''MOINA,'ETC.
*****
CONTENTS.
CHAPTERPAGE
I.'CHICARGOGITSMYMONEY'1
II.'ITOLDMYTALEOFWOE'12
III.ACONUNDRUM25
IV.'ICAN'TMAKEMYSELFLIKEHIM'35
V.'IT'SALLAMIRACLE'44
VI.'ACRIMINALHUNT'54
VII.'ITWASGREENBACKBOB'63
VIII.'STRAIGHTFROMTHESHOULDER'75
IX.INDISGUISE82
X.CARLMASTERS92
XI.'IDISLIKEAMYSTERY'101
XII.'MOREDANGEROUSTHANHATE'111
XIII.FACETOFACEWITHDELBRAS122
XIV.MISSING--CARTEBLANCHE131
XV.THEKINGOFCONFIDENCEMEN142
XVI.THATLITTLEDECOY150
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XVII.'THOSETWOWOMEN'155
XVIII.'IFYOU'LLFINDONE,I'LLFINDTHEOTHER'166
XIX.'STRANGE!MISTAKEN!HEARTLESS!'172
XX.'WEMUSTUNDERSTANDEACHOTHER'178
XXI.'LETMELAUGH!'191
XXII.'THEREISDANGER--NEAR!'202
XXIII.'YOUARESUFFERINGINMYSTEAD'215
XXIV.'ITISOURFIRSTCLUE'222
XXV.'IT'SASNARE'228
XXVI.ACOLUMBIANGUARD234
XXVII.'I'DSWEARTOTHEMHANDSANYWHERE'238
XXVIII.'NOWDOWN!'249
XXIX.'FIRE!FIRE!FIRE!'257
XXX.'ITSHALLNOTBEALLSUSPENSE'263
XXXI.SIRCARROLLRAE267
XXXII.FOUNDDEAD272
XXXIII.'AMERCYFULDISPENSAYSHUN'281
XXXIV.'EUREKA!'293
XXXV.AFTERALL302
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AGAINSTODDS:
ADETECTIVESTORYOFTHEWORLD'SFAIR
CHAPTERI.
'CHICARGOGITSMYMONEY.'
'Eure a!'
ItwasI,CarlMasters,ofthesecretservice,socalled,whoutteredthisexclamation,althoughnotapersonoftheexclamatoryschool;andsmallwonder,forIwasstandingbeneaththedomeoftheAdministrationBuilding,andIhadbutthathourarrivedattheWorld'sFair.
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Iwasnotthereasasight-seer,notonpleasurebent,andeventhosefirstmomentsofarrival,I newwell,werenottobewasted.
IhadcomehitherstraightfromtheTerminalStation,see ingthisstately eystonetothegreatFair,nottosteepmysensesandfillmyeyeswithbeautyinmyriadforms,buttosee outthegreatmanwhosemasterfulhandwastocreateformethepassportwhichwastobemy'opensesame'toallwithinthisfairWhiteCity'swalls;butwhenIstoodbeneaththatloftydoubledomeandloo edaboutme,Iforgotallbutthebeautyallaround,andgazeduponthenoblerotundathroughthewesternentrance,where'Earth,'majesticbutuntamed,amasterpieceofgiantstatuary,guardsonemassivepillar;andthesame'Earth,'yetnotthesame,conqueredyetconquering,addsherbeautytothestrengthofthecolumnopposite--totheeast,whereNeptunesports,classicasofold,aroundabouttheoctagonalinteriorwithitssplendidarches,itsfrescoesandgilding,itsmedallionsandplatesofbronze,whereingleamed,goldenandfair,thenamesoftheworld'sgreatestcountriesatitsgildedpanels,supportedbywingedfigures,andbearingengravenuponeachshiningsurfacetherecordofsomegreatevent.Itsmedallionsandgracefulgroups,allegoricalorsymbolic,allmountinghigh,andhigher,untililluminatedbytheopal-li ecircleoflightatthesummit,Dodge'sgreatpicturecrownsthewhole,withitscirclingprocessionofartsandsciences,godsand
muses,nymphsandgraces,andApollosradiantinthemidst.Smallwonderthat,forgettingallbutthescenebeforeme,mylipsshotoutthesingleword'Eure a!'andsmallerwonderthat,havingventedmyadmirationinsound,Ibecameawareofthefactatonce,andrememberednotonlywhoIwas,butwhatIwas,andwhyIwasthere.
Itwasscarcelytena.m.,buttherewerepeopleallaboutme,andmyexclamationcausedmorethanoneeye,inquiring,amused,cynical,orsimplystupid,toturntowardmewhereIstood,nearthecentreofthegreatrotunda.
'Bigthing,ain'tit?'
Iturnedmyhead,alittlerattledatthenoticeIhadthusbroughtuponmyself,andsawstandingclosebesidemeamanwhosegarb,nolessthanhisnasalutterance,proclaimedhimaYan ee,andasonofthesoil.Ihadseenhimuponmyentrance,standingbeneaththedome,withhisheadthrownbac atapainfulangleinanefforttoreadoneofthebrazenplatesabovehim,onehandtightlygraspingahalf-inflatedumbrella--longpastitspalmydays--andtheotherfiercelygrippedaboutthehandleofashawl-strapdrawntightaroundahandlelessbas et,bynomeanssmall,andbristlingatthetopwith
nobbyprotuberanceswhichtoldbuttooplainlyoftheluncheonunderthepictorialnewspapertieddownwithabundantlashingsofblue'Sha er'yarn.
'Bigthing,indeed!'Evidentlymyburstofenthusiasmhadbroughtuponmethisoverture,nodoubtmeanttopavethewaytofurtherconversation;andIanswered,afterasinglequic glanceatmyneighbour,asblandlyasAhSinhimself.
'Yes,sir,'resumedtheman,withabris nod,'it'sabigthing!When'twasfirsttal edupIwasagooddealsotonhavin'itinNooYorState.I'dbeenthere,yesee,twentyyearsagoonmyweddin'trip;Iwaslivin'inPennsylvanythen.But,Lor!NooYor couldn't'a'done
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thishere!No,sir,shecouldn't.Chicargogitsmymoney--notthatI'vegotmuchonit,'withanervousstartandashruggingmovementasifheweretryingtodrawinhispoc etsandobliteratealltracesofthem.'Idon'tneverbelieveincarryin'moneytosechplaces.'Then,asifanxioustogetawayfromadangeroussubject,heas ed,'Beenherelong,stranger?'
'Abouthalfanhour.'
'M--um!I'vedonebetterthanthat;beenheretwohullhours.ComeinononeofthemVillageGrovecablecars,andcomeplumthroughMiddlewayPleasants.M--um!butthey'resome,themfurrenfellers;onlyitseemstometheyain'tnoneedofsomanyofthemniggersofallshades,dressedupli eCallathumpiansonFourthofJuly,andstandin'roundineverybody'sway.'
Iwasnottheretoimpartinformation,andIletthehonestsoulbabbleon.Hehadbrawnyshouldersandaningenuousface,butIfeltsurehehadbroughtwithhimmoremoneythanwaswiseorneedful,andthathewouldcometogriefifhecontinuedtodenythepossessionofmoney,withhistell-talefaceflatlycontradictinghiswords.
ButIwasnowrecalledtomyselfandmyownaffairs;anddroppingafewpolitelymeaninglesswords,Ileftmyfirstacquaintanceandmade
mywaytowardthepavilionatthecorner,whereIhadbeentoldIshouldfindthe'maninauthority'whomIsought.
Puttingmyquestiontoaguardintheante-room,Iwastoldthatthemaninauthoritywasabsent--wouldbeabsenttwohours,perhaps;and,notmuchlothtopassalittletimeinthatsplendidrotunda,stoodgazingaboutthebeautifulCourtofHonour,withitsfountains,statues,glitteringandfairfaades,ripplinglagoons,andsnowyandsuperbperistyle,statue-crownedandgleaming,withblueLa eMichigan,sun- issedandbreeze-tossed,stretchingawaytothehorizoninpulsatingperspective.
Fairerthananydreamitloo edthatfairMayday,withJustice,
goldenandglorious,risingfromoutthewaves,splendidasasungoddess,anddominatingalltherest.
AsIturnedaway,havingloo edandloo edagain,IsawmyfirstWhiteCityacquaintanceseateduponasettleintheshadowofoneofthemammotharches,hisbas etbetweenhis neesandhisumbrellabetweenhistwoclaspedhands.Hewastal ingjustasamiablyandfran lyasbefore,andthistimehehadforaudienceadappermanwithathinfacethatmighthavebeenoldoryoung,andwhichIdisli edatsight.Hewasexceedinglywelldressed;heloo edveryrespectable,buthealsoloo edsmugandsophisticated--toosophisticated,Ithought,tobereallysowellentertainedasheseemedtobewithmyrusticfriend'sconfidences.
ForafewmomentsIwatchedthetwo,totheexclusionofthegoldenJustice,theperistyle,everything;andthen,thesettlebeinglong,andthetwobeingitssoleoccupants,Imovedaround,goinginandoutunobservedamongthecrowd,andseatedmyselfupontheendofthebench,unseenbymyfriend,whosatwithhisbroadshouldersandbacsquarelytowardme,andaffordinganamplescreenbetweenmyselfandhiscompanion.
IhavewonderedsincejustwhatactuatedmetodowhatIdid;butI
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onlyrecallnowavagueremembranceofasmallblac boo ,seeninmemoryasinavision,andaflutteringpagewhichseemedtoblazonforththequestion,'AmImybrother's eeper?'Theboo ?--itwasburiedindeadhandslongago;andthewords?--theyhadnotbeenprintedintheboo moreindeliblythanuponmymemory.
Whyshouldthesightofthishomely,honestrusticbringbac thesethings?Ididnot now;butIseatedmyselfintheshelterofhisbroadbac ,andaffectedtobeabsorbedinanoteboo andthebronzedplatesuponthewallsaboutme, eepingmeanwhile,withoneear,sufficientlyclosenoteupontheirconversation,andlettingmymindwander.
Whatastrangescene!Outuponthelagoonswiftelectriclaunchessweptby,andgondolas,slower,butgracefulandpicturesque,glidedtoandfro,theirlitheboatmenswayingtothesweepofthesingleoar.
Whydidthesharp-eyedlittlewomanopposite,onthebenchintheshadowofthegoddessofAir,eyemeso eenlyandsolong,dividingherattention,infact,betweenmyselfandayoungmotherwithtwotiredchildren,scarcemorethaninfantsboth?
YonderwenttwoTur s,bearingbetweenthem,swayingbetwixttwolong
poles,agenuineTur
ishpalanquin,andcrying,'Hi!hi!'tothosewhoobstructedtheirdirectlineofmarch.
Wherewasthemanofauthority?Iloo edatmywatch,andmythoughtscamebac tomyselfandmyownaffairs.
'Anhourandahalftowait!IwonderifBrainerdisontheground,andwhathewillsayofourjointunderta ingwhenwemeet;foryoucanbynomeansestablishaprecedentbywhichtojudgeofBrainerd'sthoughtsanddeedstocome.Howwillourwor prosper?Shallwefinditeasy?andshallwesucceed?'
ForDaveBrainerdandI,bothprofessionaldetectives,'man-hunters,'
ifyouwill,weresenttothisWhiteCityonatwofoldmission.
Itwasnotourfirstwor together,andatfirstwedidnotenterintoitwithenthusiasm.
'Masters,Brainerd,'ourchiefsaidtousonemorning,'theyaregoingtowantalotofgoodmenatthatWorld'sFair;Ithin I'dbetterputyoubothonthelist.'Andthiswasallthatwassaidthen,butwhenwewereoutofhispresenceDaveexploded.
'Wantstosendustowatchlittleboys,loo afterladies' erchiefs,andhuntuplostbabies,doeshe?'hebegan,inafume.'It'snotmeselfthat'lldoit;d'yehear,Masters?I'llgoli ethebiggest
gentlemanofall,orli
ethesleuthIam,butnochild-rescuingand id-coppingforme!Lethishonourgiveus,'withatheatricalgesture,'afoemanworthyofoursteel.'
Nothingcameofthiswhimsicaltirade,andawee hadpassedbeforethechiefspo eagainuponthesubject.Thenwewerebothcalledintohisprivateoffice,andhesaid:
'Boys,wehavejustfoundouttoacertaintythatGreenbac BobandhispalsaregoingtooperateattheWorld'sFair.I'vealready
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promisedthemmoregoodmenthanIli etospare,butwecan'tletBobandhiscrowdslip.Ididnotreallymeantosendyou,eitherofyou,withtheothers;butthisissomethingworthwhile.'
'Ishouldsay!'bro einDave,whowasnorespecterofpersons,unlessperhapsitmighthavebeenofDaveBrainerd.'Doyoumeantotellus,Cap,thatthedandyFrenchmanisinit?'
'Heisverymuchinit.HecrossedfromCalaisonthelastboatinhothaste,andI'mmuchmista enifthewholegangisnotalreadyonitswaytotheWhiteCity,thoughheonlyreachedthissidethenightbeforelast;andthere'sanotherpartywhomaygiveussometrouble.Wedon't nowhim,butheissaidtobeanall-roundbadone,justcomeoverfromCalaiswiththisDelbras.IwishIcouldgiveyouevenadescriptionofhim.'
Greenbac Bobwasacounterfeiter,orsoitwasbelieved,forhewassobold,soshrewd,andsogenerallysuccessful,thatnooneasyethadbeenabletoentanglehiminthemeshesofthelaw;thoughsamplesofwhatwasbelievedtobehishandiwor hadbeenpassedfromhandtohand,andtravelledfarbeforetheyhadbeenchallenged,andtheirjourneyssummarilyendedinthecabinetofourchief.Bobwas nownasagambler,too,andmorethanoncehadhebeenwatchedandshadowedbecauseofsomeilldeedconnectedwithhisname;wehadseenhis
face,andhispictureadornedtherogues'gallery.Delbras,however,wasli elytogiveussometrouble;wehadseenhim,itistrue,butitwasonlyafleetingglimpse,withthepossibilitythathewasatthemomentcleverlydisguised.
OfDelbraswe new,first,thathewasandhadbeenforyearstheoccasionalpartnerorconfederateofthecounterfeiter,andpresumablyacounterfeiteralso;next,thathewassetdownintherecordsoftheLondonpoliceas'dangerous';andlast,thathehadcrossedtheocean,leavingParis,whichhadgrown'toohottoholdhim,'andwasavowedlyenroutefortheWorld'sFair,itwasthoughtuponmischiefintent.
ThislastitemcametoourchiefdirectfromtheFrenchpolice,
togetherwiththeinformationthattwoorthreediamondrobberieswhichhadoccurredintheFrenchcapitalduringthepreviouswinterwerelaidathisdoor,althoughithadbeenthusfarimpossibletobringthetheftshometohim.
ConcerningGreenbac Bob--thefellowwas nowntousbynoothername--wefeltquitesanguine;wehadseenhim,wehadhisphotographandhisfulldescriptionaccordingtotheBertillonsystem,and,onceseen,hewouldhardlybelosttosightagain,orsoweflatteredourselves.DelbraswemustidentifythroughBob,oraswebestcould;andthethirdmemberofthe'gang'--well,agreatdealmustbelefttochance,asusual.
Thismuchwe
newofDelbras:hewas'handsome,educated,familiarwiththewaysofgoodsociety,andnotaneasybirdtocatch.'ThisfromtheFrenchpolicecommissaire.
'Apinchbec gentleman,eh!'hadbeenDaveBrainerd'sscornfulcommentuponhearingthis.'Theworstsettodealwith;I'drathertac leastraightout-and-outeranyday.'
RecallingthisspeechofDave'sbroughtmythoughtsbac totheoldquestion,'Wherewashe?'Andthenthedialogueatmyelbowarousedmy
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flaggingattention,andbroughtitbac tomyrusticacquaintanceandthesmugpersonageathisside.
'Wal,now,Ihadn'tthoughtofthat,butnow'tyoumentionit,'twasagoodidee;andtheywouldn'tchangeittotheeatin'-house?'
'Notthere.'Thesmugman'stoneswerelowandcautious.'Pardonme,but--don'tspea tooloud,myfriend--themerementionofmoneyisli elytoattractsomesharpertoyou.No,theyrefusedmethere.Yousee,Ianticipatedsomedifficultyinsidethegates,soIhadtriedjustbeforeentering;butthemanatthedes refused,andverycurtly,too.Iwantedtoenteratonceinordertomeethalfadozenyoungmenfrommytownwhoaresortofundermycare.'
'Orphans?'
'Notquite.TheybelongtomyBibleclass,yousee,'Mr.Smugexplainedmodestly;'andIhadpromisedtobeattheTerminalStationincasetheyarrivedbytheearlytrain.'
'Wharfrom,d'yesay?'withawa eninginterest.'I'maSunday-schoolteachermyself,whenI'mtohum.'
'Indeed!It'saveryinterestingandusefulwor --labouringforsouls.
Ah,theycomefromMarshall,inIowa.''Don'tsay!Why,I----'
'Buttheydidnotarrive;theirtrainhadbeendelayed.But,asIwasabouttotellyou,ifIhadnotchancedtohaveinmypossessionarollofbills,putinmycarebythefatherofoneoftheyoungerlads,Imighthavebeen eptoutsideforsometimelonger.'
'How'sthat?'
Ihadbeenalittlepuzzledatthisdialogue,andwaslosingmyinterestsomewhatwhenitreachedthispoint,andIpric edupmyears
anew,whileIcontinuedtocopyinscriptionsandjotdownmemoranda.
'Itseemsalmostli econfessingtoabreachoftrust;butthereseemednootherway,andso,steppingtooneside,Itoo outthepac ageofmoneybelongingtomyyoungfriend.Ihadcounteditinhisfather'spresence,and newthatitcontainedontheveryoutsideoftherollatwodollarbill.Itoo thisandprocuredmytic et.OfcourseIshallexplaintohimandreplaceitatonce.'
'Incourse!but--youwasa-saying----'
'IbegantotellyouhowIlearnedwheretogotogetmoneychanged.Ihadentered,youmust now,attheCottageGrovegateopeningupon
Midway,andwal
ingtowardtheeastIsoonmetaguard.'Hehaddrawnacigarfromhispoc etwhilespea ing,andhenowturnedtowardme.Ihadlightedaweeduponseatingmyselfnearthem,andasheutteredapolite'Pardonme,sir,'Ismo edcalmlyon,whileIcopieduponafreshpageofmynoteboo thelegend,'Jennerdiscoveredtheprincipleofvaccinationin1796,'puttinganelaboratefinalflourishafterthedate.
'Sir!Yourpardon;mayItroubleyouforalight?'Alighttouchofhishandaccompaniedthewords,andIturnedslowly,favouredhimwith
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aloo ofaswell-managedstupidityandinquiryasIcouldmuster,drewfrommypoc etalittleear-tube,and,adjustingittomyrightear,said,'Hey?'
Againthefellowmade nownhiswant,andthen,apparentlyconvincedthatIhadnotbeenalistener,heresumed,somewhathurriedly,Ithought:
'AsIwassaying,Imetaguardandas edhimwheretogotogetabillexchanged;hementionedoneortwoplacesalongwayoff,andthen,happeningtothin ofthearrangementmadefortheaccommodationofforeigners,hecourteouslydirectedmetooneoftheagentsquitenearathand.'Heallowedabigpuffofsmo etoescapehislipsveryslowly,andadded,asifitwerethefinalword,'Thoseagenciesforhomeandforeignexchangeareagreatconveniencetotravellers.'
'Whatairthey?'demandedmyrustic.'Neverheerdon'em.'
'Really!Why,theadministrationhasarrangedasystemofagencieswhicharesuppliedwithacertainsuminsmallban -notes,greenbac s,whichtheyareauthorizedtoexchangeforforeigncurrency;and,fortheconvenienceofMidwayPlaisance,oneoftheseagentsisestablishedinMidway,neartheTur ishVillage.Onemay nowhimbyasmallbluebadgewithasilverstampintheformofahalf-dollar
souveniruponhiscoat.''Oh!'
'Heprovedveryaffable--theguardassuredmeIwouldfindhimso;andastheotheragenciesweresofaraway,Itoo advantageofhisgoodnature,andinsteadofexchangingtendollars,Igothimtoputahundred-dollarbillintofiftycrispnewtwo-dollarbills,fresh,li eallthisexchangemoneyfromtheGovernmenttreasury--apart,infact,ofthatgreatoutputoftwo-dollargreenbac sissuedbytheGovernmentatthesametimeasthesouvenircoins,asyounodoubtremember.'
No,therusticdidnotremember,butneitherdidhedoubt.Hewasfullofexclamationsofwonderandadmirationatthewor ingsofsowonderfulandgenerousaGovernment;andthencametheclimax.WouldMr.SmugdirecthimtothisaffableagentuponMidway?etc.
'AsIwassayingatfirst,Idon'tlugmuchmoneyaroundwithmetosechplacesasthishere,butwhatlittleI'vegotain'tquitedividedupenoughtobehandy;Idon'tmindgettin'afiftyintonewGover'mentgreenbac smyself.Mywife'n'mearecountin'onstayin'onhereaconsid'ableofaspell,maybe,an'smallchangeishandiest.'
'It'spositivelynecessary,'declaredSmug,gettingupquic ly.'I'll
showyoutheplace,andtheman;andthenImustbeloo
ingformyyoungmenagain.'
Ihadnotloo edforthisconclusion,butastherusticaroseIclosedmynoteboo andmadereadytofollowthem.Iwasallagogtoseethisamiabledealerinbrand-newGovernmentnotes.
Asthecountrymanturnedtowardhisguide,thesmallsharp-facedwoman,whohadeyedussolongandoftenfromherbenchalmostopposite,arosewithamovementsuggestiveofsteelsprings,andmade
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herwaytowardus,wavingherumbrellatoattractattention.Imovedrapidlyaside,inanticipationofthesweepinggestureofarmandumbrella,whichdislodgedatallman'shatandsentitrollingtothefeetofafris ymaiden,fromwhenceitwasrescuedbySmug,whorestoredit,withaplacatingword,andsoavertedanunpleasantness.Meanwhilethewomanhadreachedherhusband'sside,andafewquicwordshadpassedbetweenthetwo.Thenagesture,andanotherwordortwo,evidentlymeantforanintroduction,broughtthesmugstrangertohernotice,andthethreeturnedtheirfacestowardthePlaisance;butnotuntilIhadheardhersaytoherbetter-halfassheclungtohisarm,whileSmugopenedawayahead,'Itellyouhe'saconfidenceman,andI nowit.I'vebeena-watchin'him!'
Followingthethreeatalittledistance,anddiscreetly,Ismiledatthewoman'srusticcleverness;andneverdidmansmilemoremista enly.
CHAPTERII.
'ITOLDMYTALEOFWOE.'
IfollowedthetrioastheywentrapidlypasttheTerminalStation,andhalted,laughinginwardly,whileMr.Smug,asIhadmentallynamedthemanwhosegameIwaswatchingsointently,stoodfidgetingbeforethegreatgoldendooroftheTransportationBuildingwaitingforthesharp-eyedwomantoexhaustherecstasies,andforhermorestolidhusbandtoclosehiswide-openedmouthandrememberhiserrandtoMidwayPlaisance.
Asformyself,Icouldhavegazedatthismarvelofdoorwaysandhaveforgottenallelse;andIwasnotsorrythatthesmallfarmeresshadawillofherown,andthatthiswillelectedtostay.
Oh,thatsuperbeasternfaade!Neverbeforehasitsli
ebeenseen.Neverinsuchasettingandinsuchgiganticproportionswillweseeitagain.
ButweleftitatlastandmadeaslowandhaltingprogresspastHorticulturalHallononesideandthesunlitlagoonontheother;andhere,overcomebythegrandeurofitall,thewomanofthepartysatdown,withherfacetowardthewater.
''Tain'tno indofuse,pa!'shedeclaredloudly.'I'mgoin'tosetdownbythela eforaminit;Iguessthere'llbesometwo-dollarbillsleftinMidwayyetwhenwegetthere.I'veheardtellofthemlovelylaggoonsestillI'machin'toseeone;andI'mjestgoin'to
setrightheretillonegoesby.Land!justseethemstoneanymals,andallthemold-fashionedstonefiggersoffol s!'Pearstomethey'speopleenoughaliveandfris y,'thoutstic in'allthemstonemenaroundsodretfullib'ral;thoughtheyloo well'nough,fur'sI
now.'Shecasthereyesallabouther,andthenbec onedtoSmug,standinguneasilyintherear:'Say,can'tyoushowmeonesinglelaggoon?'
Smugcamenearer,andwavedhishandcomprehensivelytowardtheshiningwatersbelowthem,andsouthwardwhereared-sailedChinese
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jun layatanchoroppositetheTransportationBuilding.
'Thatisalagoon,madam,'hesaid,affablybutlow.
'Umph!It'snobetter-loo in'thanouroldmudscow!Comeon,father.'Andtheyresumedtheirlineofmarch,butnotuntilinturningtota ealastloo atthebelittled'laggoon'hersnappingsmalleyesencounteredminefrowningly,andIsaidtomyself,'Shesawmeintherotunda;canshesuspectthatIamfollowingthem?'
Contrarytomyexpectation,shedidnotcallahaltuponenteringMidway,butwentstraighton,stillclutchingherspousebythearm,whilethesmugonewal edsedatelyatherfartherside;shepassedthedivers'exhibit,thebeautycongress,theglassdisplays,andpacedsteadilyon,hereyesriveteduponapalanquinbornebytwowaddlingTur s;andwhenthisancientconveyancehadpausedbeforetheTur ishBazaar,then,andonlythen,didshepauseorta efurtherheed.
Asthebearersgentlyloweredthechair,andstoodbesideitatease,shesnatchedherhandfromherhusband'sarm,andhurryingtowardsthefront,peeredwithinthecurtainedbox.
'Landofgracious!'sheejaculated,'andIs'posedtheywascarryingoneofthemharums,noless,intheoutlandishthing!'Then,stooping
toreadwithnear-sightedeyesthelegend,'Onehour75cents,one-halfhour50cents,tenminutes15cents,'sheturnedagaintoherbetter-half:'Come,pa,let'sgetthatchangerightquic ;I'mgoin'torideinthatthingifIdropoutthroughthebottom.'
TherewasacrowdintheTur ishBazaar,butoursmugfriendledthewaytoanangleofthebuildingwherethehaw erswereunusuallybusy,andIdrewnearenoughtoseethathewasnowloo ingcovertlyallabouthim,andforalittleseemedataloss.
'Kum-all-ong!Kume-mol-o-ng!Ku-m-m-m!'
Theshrilllong-drawn-outcrycausedhimtoturnsuddenly,andto
elbowhisway,withhispreyathisheels,towardasmallrailed-inspace,wherein,seatedonaTur ishottoman,alittlehigherthanthegenuine,wasaswarthymanwithbeetlingbrows,bigrollingblaceyes,andafiercemoustachebristlingunderneathahoo ednose.Heworearedfez,muchas ew,andhisAmericantrousersandwaistcoatwereenlivenedbyatennis-sashoforangeandredandasmo ing-coatfacedwithvividgreen.Hewassmo ingadecoratedTur ishpipe--'Toor- aish,'hecalledit--andalowtableandsundrydecoratedboxesandpac ageswerehissolestoc -in-trade.
'Kum-all-ong!hereiterated.'Kum-esee-eme-e-esmo e!Easy--so--nonoise;so!Soo-vy-nee-yra;Toor- aishsoo-vy-nee-yrmatches!'Ateverypausea'soo-vy-nee-yrmatch'wasstruc ,deftlyandwithoutnoise,
andabigpuffofsmo
ewassentcirclingabovehishead.
'Bah!'exclaimedMrs.Rustic,turningaway,'ifyou'vebroughtmeherejusttoseeaTur eymansmo eabigpipe,AdamCamp,youmayjestta emehomeag'in.'
Ashoutoflaughterfollowedthissally,andassheturnedawayIfanciedthatIsawaquic loo exchangedbetweenthemanofthepipeandoursmugguide.Whetherthisweretrueornot,IobservedthatSmugnolongerseemedeagertohastenthemonward,andIsawanother
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thing--thewoman,inturningfromthemanofthesouvenirmatches,hadoncemorefixedhereye,throughasuddenopeninginthecrowd,uponmyself;andimmediatelyaftershehadwhisperedsomethingintheearofherspouse,whichsomethinghesoonafterrepeated,orsoIfancied,tohis indfriendSmug.
Ihadfollowedthem,trustingtothecrowdandmys illasan'artfuldodger,'uptothismomentquiteclosely;butInowfellbac ,andwithdrewmyselfalittledistancefromtheaislewhereallthreewerenowloitering,thewomanexaminingwithwonderingeyesmarvellousTur ishslipperswithturned-uptoes,andolive-woodbeadsandbracelets,profferedbyfierceMohammedansinbaggytrousersandtasselledfez,orbyswarthy,oily-s innedgirlswithbushyhairandgarmentsofOrientalcolouring,orintailor-madegowns,andwiththeubiquitousfezasabadgeoftheiroffice--orservitude;rugsanddraperies,attarofrosesingildedvials,souvenirspoons,filigreeingiltandsilver,toysofun nownformandname,cloyingTur ishsweets,foreignstamps,coins,relics,allcameunderherunsophisticatedeyes,whileherspousegazeduponMoorishdaggers,swordsofstrangewor manship,saddlesandstirrupsofsingularform,andmuchstrangegearandgaytrappings,theuseofwhichhecouldneverhaveguessedbutforthelearnedexplanationsofhisnowcarelesslyamiableguide.
TheyhadgazedsolongthatIhadbeguntogrowimpatientandtowonderhowthistamechasewouldend,whenthetriodrewupatapointwherethelongarcadeturnssharplytorightandleft,andwhereatoneoftheintersectionsavendorofsingularly-carvedcanesandstic swasmounteduponastooldrapedwithOrientalrugs,andsohighandslenderthatoneloo edtoseetheoccupanttoppleandfallfrommomenttomoment.Hewasabrown-facedfellowofsmallstatureandaslitheasanIndian,andhewasjugglingrec lesslywithapairofgrotesquecarvenstic s,cryingthewhile:
'He-uryou-urur!He-uryou-ur-ur!Soo-vy-neer!Soo-vy-neer!Gen-oo-ineTeer- eesh--gen-oo-ine!Come-mon!come-mon!Teer eesh--gen-oo-ine;onlytreedoll-yeer!'
Asmartyoungman,breathingofopulenceinairandattire,camebris lyforwardandhelduphishandtoreceivebothstic s,withaharlequinbowfromthedar -eyedOriental,whoworeaspruceblacbroadclothsuit,inhonourofAmerica,andaredfez,inloyalty,doubtless,tothelandoftheSultan;andthenmyinterestbecamesuddenlyandwidelyawa e.
Theyouthchosebetweenthetwocanes,andhandedupinpaymentawornfive-dollarbill,andafterafeintatsearchingforthecorrectamountthemanofthefezbentdownandplacedinhishandacrispnewtwo-dollarban note;atthesamemoment,almost,friendSmugtouchedthearmofFarmerCamp,andIsawthetwoturntheirheadstowardthe
southernwing.IhadmademywaysonearthemthatIcouldhearthewordsofthefarmer,whoevidentlyhadnosubduedtones,andafteralongloo towardthesouthentranceIheardhimsay:
'Thathim?Why,heloo sli eoneofthesefellers!'
AndthenIsawhisguide'slipsmoving,andcaughtthefinalwords,'aneducatedOriental.'Inanothermomenthehadmovedhurriedlyforwardandputouthishandtostopthemanwho,withheadveryerect,andcrownedwithablac andgoldembroideredfez,wascoming
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towardhim,butwitheyeslevelledupontheactiveyoungmanupontheloftystool.Heworeaseveresuitofblac ,relieveduponthebreastoftheclose-buttonedPrinceAlbertcoatbyabluesatinbadge,bearinguponitsupperhalfasilver-giltsouvenirhalf-dollar,anduponthelowerportionatinyfac-simileofaGovernmentban note.
Hepausedasthesmugyoungmanaddressedhim,andloo edintohisface,atfirstwithindifference,almostamountingtoannoyance,thenwithgrowingrecognition,andfinallywithablandandcondescendingsmile.Heworealongandflowingbeard,andtheblac clothfez,unli etheredone,wasnotra ishlyseton;butIrecognisedhimatonce.
Itwasthemanwiththe'soo-vy-neermatches,'quic lyanddeftlymetamorphosedtoescapetheunobservantoruntrainedeye,butthesame,notwithstanding.Andnowmyinterestgrewapace.I newthatatlastwewereinthepresenceofthatpowerfulofficialwhodispensedvirgintwo-dollarnotestotheunwittingforeignerornative;andAdamCampwasabouttobemulcted.
Ihadformednoplanofaction.Ihadbeeninterested,first,inthewelfareofAdamCamp,andthenthementionofthesenewGovernmenttwo-dollarbillshadarousedinmethedesire,strongerforthemomentthananyother,toseethis'agent'whosedutyitwastoma eeasythe
pathofthestrangerandalieninourmidst.Andnowoursmugfrienddemonstratedhisabilitytodoquic wor whenoccasionrequired.
Throwingcautiontothewinds,Idrewclosebehindthewoman,andheardtheintroductionofCampandthecasestatedbriefly.
Smughadventuredtobringthischanceacquaintance,etc.,whodesiredali efavourtothatconferreduponhimselfnotlongsince.Mr.Campdesiredtoexchangeaban note,saytenortwentydollars,perhaps,forsmallerbills,forconvenienceattheFair,etc.
Themanofthebadgeloo
edcloselyatFarmerCamp,whowasbowingli eamandarin,andthenbac athisspouse.
'Youcanvouchforthisperson?'heas edwithatouchofseverity,andinexcellentEnglish.
'Pardonme;wearemerepassingacquaintances,butIshouldthin ----'
Heofthebadgedrewhimselfupwithastatelygesture.
'Wearenotpermittedtojudgeforourselves,'hesaid;'ourGovernmentrequiresomesortofvoucher,as,forinstance,abancertificate,cheque-boo ,evenareceiptorletter.'
BeforeFarmerCampcouldpullhimselftogetherandreply,hiswifeinterfered,ta ingaswiftstepforward.
'Ifyouwantdoc yments,mister,'shesaidtartly,'IguessI insupply'em.I'vebroughtourweddin'stiffy it,andourlettersfromthechurchtoNeeponsit,andourfireinsurancepapers.'Shelaidasuggestivesatin-glovedhanduponherbosomandtossedherhead.'Ididn'tcountonnobody'sta in'ustobeanybodyelsewhenIbrung'em,butIdidn'twant'emlost,caseoffireoranything.'
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The'agent'putuparemonstranthand,andCamphastenedtoproducealetterfromhisbrotherinNebras a,whichwasgracefullyaccepted;andsooverpoweredwasCampatsomuchcondescensionthatheopenedaplumpwallet--carriedinabreastpoc ethighup,andevidentlyofhomemanufacture--anddrewfromit,aftersomedeliberationandawhisperedwordwithhiswife,aonehundreddollarbill.
'Iguesswemightjestaswellbrea that.'Hewasextendingthebill,andthehandofthenoweageragentwasoutstretchedtograspit,whenIsteppedquic lytohisside.
'Pardonme,sir,'Isaid,withmybestair.'Couldyoutellmewheretheban islocated?Iamtoldthatthereisoneonthegrounds.'Thefourpairsofeyeswerefulluponme,andI newthatbythreeofthemIwasrecognised.'Iamanxioustogetsomemoneychanged,'Iwentonglibly,butwithameaningglanceatthe'agent,''tobuysomesouvenirmatchesdownhere,andI'mtoldthere'scounterfeitmoneycirculatinghere.'
Iwasplayingabluffgame,andI newit,forasyetIhadnotsecuredmycredentials;butwhenIsawtheswartfaceoftheshamagentchangetoasic lyyellow,andSmugbegintodrawbac andlooanxiouslyfromlefttoright,Iwasinwardlytriumphant;but,alac !
itisonlyinfictionthatthecleverdetectivealwayshasthebestofit,andatthismomenttherecameanunexpecteddiversion.
Campstillstoodwiththebillinhishand,open-mouthedandevidentlypuzzled;andnowhiswife,whohaddrawncloserandwaspeeringintomyface,turneduponhimquic ly.
'AdamCamp,putupthatmoney!'shecried.'I nowthisfeller;Iseenhimtal in'toyoubac therebytheAdministrationBuildin';andhe'sbeenwatchin'andfollerin'useversence.I nowhim!Inanotherminutehewould'a'grabbedyourmoneyandrunforit.'
Therewasasuddenmovement,ashiftingofpositions,aminglingof
exclamationsandaccusations,withthewoman'stonguestillwaggingshrilly,andheardthroughall.PeoplecrowdedaboutusandabraceofColumbianguardscamehurryingup.
'Whatisit?'
'Anyonebeenrobbed?'
InstantlythehandsofSmugandhisconfederatebegantoslapanddigintotheirpoc ets,whilethewomanansweredeagerly:
'Allonus,li eenough!He'sapic poc etoraconfidenceman.Iseenhimfollerin'us.I've ep'aneyeonhim.'Andthencameacryfrom
Smug.
'Mywallet!'
Heturneduponme,callingwildlytotheguards,'Searchhim!'
Intomynearestpoc etwentaglovedhand,andwhenitcameout,there,sureenough,wasabrownleatherwallet.
'Hereitis!'criedone.
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'Lord-a-massy!'
'Itoldyouso!'
'Runhimin!'
Iwasthecentreofasmallbedlam,andIshutmylipstightlyandinwardlycursedmyinterestinallrustics,andparticularlytheCamps.Iwasfairlytrapped.Isawmyposition,andheldmypeace,whilethetworascalstoldtheirtale,ma ingsurebytheirvolubilitythattheCampsdidnottelltheirs.Onlyasthetwoguards,oneoneitherside,turnedtoleadmeaway,IsaidtoSmug,'Weshallmeetagain,myfinedecoy;'andtotheshamagentasIpassedhim,'Betterstic toyourmatches,myfriend.'
Inwardlychafing,Imarchedthroughthecrowdbetweenmytwocaptors,bringingthemtoamomentaryhaltaswecameabreastoftheplacewherethesouvenirmatcheswerehaw ed,andseeingthere,asIhadanticipated,anewfacebeneaththeredfez.
ThenIspo etomycaptors:
'Men,youhavemadeamista eforwhichIcan'tblameyou.Ta eme
beforeyourchiefatonce,andIwillnotonlyprovethis,butma
eitworthyourwhiletobecivil.'
Foranswerthetwomerelyexchangedglances,andhurriedmeon,and,convincedoftheuselessnessoffurtherremonstranceuntilIhadreachedsomeoneinauthority,Istrodeonsilently.
Attheentrancetothegreatanimalshowtherewasadensecrowd,andforamomentwewerebroughttoahalt.Standingupontheedgeofthemassofbobbingbonnetsandheavingshoulders,IcouldseeinthemidstofthethrongtwoTur ish-fezzedheadswildlydodgingandstrugglingtowardus,andamomentlaterafullbassvoicecalledimpatiently:
'Goahead!Getoutofthis,can'tyou?'
Istartedatthesoundofthebig,impatientvoice,andstoodwithmyeyesriveteduponthespotfromwhenceitseemedtocome.Amomentlaterthetworedheadshademergedfromthecrowd,andwiththemasedan-chair,which,evidently,theyfoundnoeasyload.AstheyshuffledpastmeIstartedagain,soviolentlythatmytwocaptorscaughtatmewithrestraininghands.
Atthesameinstanttherewasaquic exclamationfromtheswingingchairandaperemptoryordertohalt.
'Masters,Isay!Stop,youinfernalheathens!Stop,Isay!Openthisoldchic en-coopandletmeout!'
AstheastonishedTur sslowlyandwithseemingreluctancesetdowntheirchairandliberatedtheirprisoner,myguardsmadeaforwardmovement.
'Stop,youfellows!'calledthenewcomer,inthesameperemptorytone.'Whereareyougoingwiththatman?'
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Asheflunghimselffromthechairhetossedacointothebearers,andpromptlyplacedhimselfsquarelyinthewayofmytwoguards.
'Masters,'hebegan,'whatinthenameofwonder----'
'He'sourprisoner,'bro einoneofmycaptors;andatthewordDaveBrainerdthrewbac hisheadandlaughedasonlyDavecould,seeingwhichmyindignantescortmadeanotherforwardmovement.
'Stop,youyoung--don eys!'Davethrewbac hiscoat,andatsightofthesymboluponhisinnerlapelthetwoyoungmenbecamesuddenlyandrespectfullystationary.'Now,'pantedDave,stillsha enwithmerriment,'w-whathashedone?'
Istoodsilent,enjoyingsomewhatmyguards'evidentdoubt,andwillingtoletDaveenjoytothefullthisjo eatmyexpense,andafteramoment'shesitationoneoftheguardsreplied:
'Hepic edapoc et,theysay.'
'Oh,theydo?Well,myyoungfriends,Ican'tblameyoumuch;heisasuspicious-loo ingchap,butreallyhe'squiteharmless.Youcanturnhimovertomewithaclearconscience.I'llrunhimin.'Andhelaughedagain,andtappedhiscoat-lapel.'Really,boys,you'vemadea
regularblunder.Thispalofmineisentitledtowearthissamebadgeofaristocracy,onlyheseemstohavewanderedoutforoncewithouthiscredentials.Howdidithappen,Carl?'
Butnowmyimpatiencebro eoutafresh,andIturnedtotheguards.
'Loo here,'Isaidhurriedly,'thosetwofellowswhocalledyouupandpretendedtoberobbedarefinewor ers,andIbelievecounterfeiters.Iwaswatchingthemwhiletheywereropingthatoldcountryman.Ifyouwanttorepairablunder,gobac ,seeifyoucantracethemen,ortheoldmanandhiswife,andreporttoyourchief.'
Theywereverywillingtogo;andwhenwewerefreefromthemmy
friendindulgedinanotherlongandheartylaughatmyexpense.
'Jove!Carl,butit'stherichestthingout--thatyou,acracdetective,comingherewithextraordinaryrightsandprivileges,shouldbenabbedbyacoupleoftheseyoungcollegeladsattheverybeginning;it'stoofunny.Howdidithappen?Whocausedyourarrest?'
'Anoldwoman,'saidIshortly,feelingthatthefunwasquitetooone-sided.Butseeingtheabsurdityofitall,and nowingthatDavewouldhaveitalloutofmesoonerorlater,Idrewhimoutofthecrowd,andundertheshadowoftheviaductjustbehindus,andstandingasmuchaspossiblealooffromthethrong,Itoldmy'taleofwoe.'
BeforeIhadreachedtheendDavewashisseriousselfoncemore--adetectivealertand een.
'Youaresure,'hebeganeagerly,'thattheoldfarmerwasnotoneofthem?'
Ismiled,thin ingofMrs.Campandthe'laggoons.'
'Perfectlysure.Itwastheoldwoman'squic eyesthatdidforme,'I
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replied;'shehadseenmeoncetoooften,andhersuspicionswereonthealert.Idaresayshesawa"confidenceman"ineverypersonwhocamesuspiciouslynearthem,butawomanpalcouldnothaveplayedonewhitbetterintotheirhands.'
Davemadeasuddenstart.'Loo here,'hesaid,'I'mgoingtotryforaloo atthosefellows!I'vegotasortoffeelingthattheymaybelongtoourgang,someofthem--thatmatch-vendernow;theother,yoursmugfriend,istooshort,asyoudescribehim,tobeeitherofourmen;buttheagent,andthatfellowwiththecanes--describethemalittlemoreindetail,butbequic ,too;andtheoldfol s--ofcoursethey'reta eninanddoneforbeforenow;butI'dli etomeetthatoldwoman,justonyouraccount.I'mgoingstraighttothatTur ishvillage;andyou?'Hebegantolaughagain.
'Oh,I'mgoingbac totheAdministrationBuilding,'Isaidwithagrimace,'assoonasI'vedescribedyourmenforyou.Idon'tfeelinclinedtowanderaboutthismysteriousanddangerousWhiteCityanymoreuntilIamfittedoutwithatrade-mar .Itisnotsafe--forme.'
FiveminuteslaterDavewasonhiswaytothesceneofmyabsurdescapade,andIwashasteningbac totheplacewhichInevershouldhaveleftuntilIhadmademybowbeforethe'maninauthority,'andhadbeendulyprovidedwiththevoucherwhichwouldopenformeall
doorsandcommandtheaidorobedienceofguards,guides,etc.;until,infact,Ihadbeendulyenrolled,andhadta enran asoneofthe'specials,'whowentandcameatwillandreportedatpleasureoratneed.
OnmywayIsoundlyberatedmyselfformyfollyinventuringsorec lesslyandwithoutauthoritytointerfereinbehalfofasheep,whenbesiegedbywolves,andindangeroflosingnomorethanhisfleece.
IhadlostallinterestinFarmerCamp,andfeltnotaspar ofphilanthropyinmywholebeing.
ButtheWhiteCitywasaplaceofsurprises,andFarmerCampandIweredestinedtomeetagain.
AsIapproachedtheviaductwhichseparatedtheMidwayPlaisancefromtheWorld'sFairproper,withmymindthusoutoftune,andwasabouttopassunder,asharpgutturalcryclosebesidemecausedmetoturnquic lyabout.
'Ta- aca-ar-h!La-dee,la-dee!'
'Ah--h--h!'
Thefirstcry,orwarning,camefromthethroatofagrinningTur ,
oneofanumberofpalanquin-bearers,andthelastfromthelipsofatallgolden-hairedgirlwhohadbeenwal ingsomewhatslowly,andquitealone,justbeforethem,inthepathshehadchosentota eandto eepwithoutswerving.Therewerehalfadozenofthempatteringalonginlinebetweentheirvacantswingingpalanquins,andtheyhadevidentlylearnedthat,beinga'partoftheshow,'theymightclaimand eeptherightofway.
TherascallyTur hadutteredhiscryofwarningwithoutintheleastslac eninghisshufflingtrot,andastheladyutteredthesingle
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frightenedsyllable,Isawthatoneofthepolesinthebearer'shandshadstruc herwithsuchforceastosendherreelingtowardme.
Throwingoutonehandforhersupport,Ithrustbac thenowsurlybearerwiththeotherwithsuchforceastothrowhimbac uponhispolesandbringthewholecavalcadetoamomentaryhalt.Atthesametimeaguardcameupandorderedaturntotheright.
'Youfellowsarenotrunninginatramway,Mr.Morocco,andyou'llfindyourselvesswitchedontoaside-trac ifyoutrythemonopolybusinessonfreeAmericancitizens--see!'Thelastword,emphasizedwithasharpshovetotheright,waseasilycomprehendedbythegloweringsonsofAllah,andtheymovedon,silent,butdartingblacglancesfromundertheirheavybrows.
Meanwhilethefaironehadrecoveredherpoiseanddignity,andthan edme,inthesweetestofvoices,formyslightassistance,andIhadfoundtimetonotethatshewasmorethanamerelyprettyblonde.
AtthatmomentIwassurethatIhadneverseenamorecharmingface,thoughshegavemeonlyaglimpseofit;andwhensheturnedaway,andthecrowdaboutus,attractedforthemoment,separatedagainintoitsvariouselements,Istoodgazingafterherforamomentasstupidlyastheveriestschoolboysmittenatsightofhisfirstlove,andthen,
turningtogomyway,andlettingmyeyesfalltotheground,Isawjustatmyfeetasmallleatherbag,orwhatiscalledbytheladiesa'reticule.'Itlayupontheveryspotwheretheyoungladyhadbeensorudelyjostled,andIpic editupandturnedtoloo afterher.Shehaddisappearedinthecrowd,andafterfollowingthewayshehadta enfortwoorthreebloc s,andfindingthecrowdmoredenseandthetrailhopelesslylost,Iturnedatlastandwentbac ,bestowingthelittlereticuleinmylargestpoc et,andgraduallybringingmythoughtsbac tomyownaffairs,andthoseofGreenbac BobandtherascalDelbras.
CHAPTERIII.
ACONUNDRUM.
Ihadnotgonefaronmywayafterdecidingthatthelovelyblondehadquiteescapedme--infact,IwasoncemoreabouttopassundertheviaductoppositetheWoman'sBuildingandwhichseparatedMidwayfromthegroundsproper--whenatallfigureinblueappearedatmyelbow,andfelleasilyintomysomewhathastystridewhilesaying:
'Youwillpardonme,Ihope,forintruding,andletmesayhowmuchI
appreciatedandenjoyedthesuddenwayinwhichyouhaltedthatTur
justnow.Itwasscientificallydone.'
Iturnedtoloo atthespea er.Hiswordswerecourteouslyuttered,andI newhimatoncebyhisblueuniformforoneofthosecollege-bredguardswhohavehelpedsomuchtoma ethegreatFairasuccesstoquestion-as ingvisitors.Hewasatall,handsomefellow,withaneyeasbrownashishair,andashonestanddirectasthesun'sraysatthatverymoment,andIrecognisedhimalmostatonceastheguardwhohadhastenedtolendhisaid,andhadsenttheTur sto
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theright-about,therebeingnothingelsetodo.Achurlcouldnothaveresistedthatpleasanthalf-smile.
'Itwasnothing,'Isaidcarelessly;'thefellowwaswantonlyheedless.'
'Itwasaveryprettyandscientificturnofthewrist,'heinsisted,'and--yes,thosefellowsatfirstwereobsequiousenough;now,someofthem,havingfoundouthowill-manneredtheAmericansdarebewithoutbeingbeaten,areapingourmanners.I--Itrusttheyoungladywasnothurt?'
Thebigbrowneyesturnedfrommeasheputthequestion,forthatitwas,andIsawadull-redflushrisefromhisthroatanddyehisfacetotheverytipofhisjauntyvisor.Idetected,too,anoteofanxietyinthemellowvoicethathecouldnotquitesuppress.
'Idon't now,butfancynot--notmuch,atanyrate.'Wehadcomeoutfromtheshadowoftheviaduct,andhehaltedasIspo e.Ichec edmystepsalso,andIchec edmyspeechtoo.Theanxietyinthevoicewasreflectednowintheface.Iwassmilingslightly,andthroughmymindflittedafragmentofdoggerel:
'Oh,there'snothingsoflirtatious
Asthebowldsoldierboy!'Suddenlythebrowneyescamebac tomyface,openandclearasday.
'Ioweittomyself,'hesaid,withsuddendignity,'toexplain.Atthemomentwhensheturnedaway,Irecognisedtheyoungladyasanacquaintance,andwasnaturallyinterestedto nowifshehadreceivedanyhurt--theblowseemedasevereone.Isawyoupic upherbagandstartinpursuit,andwhenyoucamebac Iventuredtoaddressyou.Icouldnotfollowfar;thisismybeat.'
'Isee!'Iwasquitewonbytheyoungfellow'sfran andmanlyairandhishandsomeface;'andI'msorryIcan'tenlightenyou.Ididnot
findthelady.'
'Oh!'Therewasaworldofdisappointmentinthisonesyllable,andbeforehecouldutteranotheranewvoicebro eintothedialogue.
'Pardonme,please!But'--alittlepant--'butIsawyoupic upmyfriend'sbag,and--andshewassofatiguedaftertheshoc thatIranbac .'
Thespea erstoppedhere,andforseveralsecondsseemedoccupiedinrecoveringherbreath.Shewasasmallandplumpbrunette,welldressed,andwearingadashingsailor-hatofblac ,wide-brimmedandadornedwithtwoaggressive-loo ingscarletwings;thisandthered
veildottedwithblac
whichpartiallyconcealedthefacewasallthatIhadtimetonotebeforeshespo eagain,comingclosertomeandaltogetherignoringthegood-loo ingguard.
'Shewassostartledandnervousaftertheshoc thatshesatdownneartheJavaVillage,andIcamebac themomentIcouldleaveher.'Sheshotaglanceoverhershoulder,andturnedherloo squarelyupontheguard,whohaddrawnbac apace.'Achair-boy,'shehurriedon,'waitingneartheLibbeyGlassWor ssawyoupic upthebag,andtoldusthewayyouhadgone.Willyoupleasegivemethebag?'
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Ihadbeenstudyingthelittlebrunettewhileshetal ed,andInowsaid:
'Iamverysorryyourfrienddidnotcomeinperson.Shedidnotseemmuchhurt.'
'Shewasnot,andshewouldhavecomewithme,only----'Againshecasthereyesinthedirectionoftheguard,whostillstoodloo ingbothanxiousandillatease,andforamomentsheseemedtohesitate.Inthatmomenttheguard'sfinefaceflushedagain,andthensetitselfincold,resolutelines.Heliftedhishandinsalutetome,and,withoutasecondglanceatthelittlebrunette,strodebactowardtheviaduct.
Thefaceofthegirlshowedinstantrelief,andsheputoutherhand.
'Thebag,please!'
'Excuseme,'Ianswered,'butreallyIcan'tletthelady'spropertyoutofmyhandswithoutsomethingtoproveyourrighttoit.Sincetheladyissonear,ifyouwillpermit,Iwillgobac withyou.'
'Howdare'--shethrewbac herhead,andherblac eyesdarted
annihilation--'howdareyou,sir!BecauseIcondescendtoaddressyou,toobligeanacquaintance,doyoufancyIwillacceptyourescortandpoc etyourinsult?Notfortenthousandleatherbags!'Sheturneduponherheelandwentswiftlybac towardsMidway,andafterwatchingherforamomentIresumedmyoften-interruptedmarch,smilingasIwenttothin howthecleverlittlebrunettehadbeenthwarted.ThatshewasanadventuressIdidnotforamomentdoubt.Shehadseenthedroppedbag,ofcourse,andhadnotedmypursuitofitsowner,anditsfailure,andshehadcounteduponma ingmeaneasydupewiththatassuredlittledemandofhers.ButIwasnotquiteastrangertoher
ind.Perhapsifthegood-loo ingguardhadnotbeensosuddenlyputtoroutImighthaveturnedtheyoungladyovertohim;suchoffenderswerehislegitimatecare.ButasIthoughtofhereasy,
self-possessed,goodsocietyair,andtheblac
eyesso
eenandsophisticated,andthenofhisfran ,ingenuousface,Ialmostlaughedaloud.Shewouldhavelaughedathisauthority,andslippedthroughhisfingerseasily.
Howquic lyhehadturnedawayatthefirsthintthatshefoundhispresenceatourbriefinterviewundesirable,flushingli eaboy,too!
OfcourseIreadilysawwhysheshouldprefertoma eherlittleattemptwithoutwitnesses,especiallythoseclothedwithameasureofauthority;andyethehadseemedtogoawayreluctantly.
AndthenIrememberedhisexplanationorexcuseinhavingfollowedand
addressedme.Hehad
nowntheyounglady--ownerofthebag.Why,ofcourse--hewantedtohearofherfurther,fromthelipsofthissupposedgirlfriend.
'Poorfellow!'Ithought,beginningtoimaginealittleromancethereintheWhiteCity;andthenIturnedmyselfaboutwithasuddenjer .
Truly,mywitswerewool-gathering.Confoundthatlittleadventuress!Hehadturnedawaysosuddenly,andhe newtheownerofthebag.Iwouldfindhimatonce--hewasnotfaraway--andIwouldwashmyhands
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ofthatlittleblac bag.
Butitwasnottobe.Ihadexpectedtofindmyhandsomeguardeasily,andIdidnotfindhimatall.Afterahalf-hourspentinprowlingupanddown,Iencounteredafileofguardsmarchingbris ly.Icaughtatmywatch,andthenscoffedatmyself.Ofcoursemyguardhadgonetodinner;Iwoulddoli ewise,andthen,whenmyotherandmorepersonaldutieshadbeendischarged,Iwouldloo uptheguard.Itwouldbequiteeasy.
ThearrangementsforourcomfortduringourstayintheWhiteCityhadbeencompletedinadvanceofourcoming,andDaveandIhadbeenquarteredtogetherinacosylittleapartment,whichwecouldreacheasilyandasquietlyasifitwereanisolateddwelling,insteadofbeingintheverycentreofallthebeautyandbustleoftheFair.
Havingpaidmyrespectstothe'maninauthority,'andafterhehadmademefamiliarwiththeinnerwor ingsofthesplendidsystembywhichtheWhiteCitywastobewatchedoverandprotected,andacquaintedwithsomeofmyco-wor ers,Iwasreadyforaheartyluncheon,andthenIfoundmyselfmyownmasterfortheremainderoftheday,oruntilfouro'cloc ,whenDaveandIweretomeetbyappointmentattheFerrisWheelandtemptitsdangerstogether.
Ofcoursemyfirstattempt,afterluncheon,wastofindmyhandsomeguard;butwhilegood-loo ingyoungfellowsandpoliteyoungfellowsinblueuniformsweretobeseenoneveryhand,theonefaceforwhichIloo edwasnowherevisible.Istillhadthelostbaginmyouterpoc et,whichIwatchedjealously,foritsbul couldbebuttooplainlyseen;andwhenDaveandIfoundourselvesmovingslowlyupwardatthetipofoneofthosegiantspo esofthebigwheel,hefixedhiseyeuponthispoc et,andas edwithagrin:
'Gotanextraluncheonincasewearestrandedinmid-airuntilpasttheChristiandinner-hour?'
OfcourseItoldhimthestoryofthefind--butbriefly,formyeyes
werebusywatchingthepeopleinthegroundsbelowgrowlessandlessinsize,untiltheyseemedli efliesmovingabouteccentrically,thelegsofthemenseemingtojer aboutconvulsively,andloo ingautomaticfromthatheight.
TherewasmuchtoamuseusinMidway,oronit;foratfirstthestreet,withitsstrangepopulation,wasspectacleenough,andwedidnotthin oftheblac bagagainuntilwefoundourselvesoccupyingisolatedplacesupontheloftyseatsinHagenbec 'sgreatanimalshow,andbeingserenadedbyanexcellentband,whilewewatchedtheentryofthehappyfamily.
Wehadenteredatatimemidwaybetweentheclosingofoneperformance
andthebeginningofanother,andwefounditacomfortableplaceinwhichtoexchangeexperiencesandcomparenotes.
MyfirstquestionhadbeenoftheCampsandtheirswindlingfriends,butDave'sreportwasscant.Hehadseenthemanofthecanes,butthesellerof'soo-vy-neer'matcheswasnolongerheofthebigmoustacheandgoodlyheight,butasmallelderlyTur ,whopipedwea lyandpliedhiscallinglistlessly.TheCamps,Smug,thegentlemanlyagent,allhaddisappearedfromoffMidway.Iwasnotsurprisedatthis,neitherwasIdisappointed;andhavingsaidasmuch,Itoo upthe
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parableofmylatestadventureuponMidway,tellingofmyencounterwiththeguardandthelittlebrunette,andlettingmyfun-lovingfriendenjoyanothergoodlaughatmyexpense.
'Imustsay,Carl,oldfellow,thatsofarasIhavetracedyourcareerthisfirstdayattheFair,youhavenotshoneoutbrilliantly.Butnevermind,partner:"abadbeginning"--you nowtherest.Oh,arewetohavealoo atthebag?'
Ihaddrawnitforthandplacedituponmy nee.Itwasasmallreceptacleoffinestalligator-s in,withanoutsidepoc et,andhavingattachedtoitthetinychainandhoo bywhichithadbeensecuredtotheyounglady'sgirdle.Itclosedwithasilverclasp,andintheopenoutsidepoc etwasafinewhitehand erchiefwithsomeinitialsembroideredinonecorner.
'J.J.,'readDaveslowly.'Thatdon'ttellusmuch,doesit,oldman?'
Iloo edaboutme.Therewasnoonenearus,andontheoppositesideofthebigpavilionthebandwasplaying'AftertheBall.'Ipressedthesilverclasp,andthebaglayopeninmyhand.
'Gad!'exclaimedDave.'Thewomanwhoownsthatisasdaintyasa
princess.'Hewasquiteright.Thelittlebagcontainedonlyasmallsilver-handledpen nife,adaintytabletandpencil,aglove-buttoner,asecondlittlehand erchief,fineandsmoothlyfolded,andtwoletters.
WhenIhadta enoutthesearticlesonebyoneandlaidthemonmy nee,Davetoo thebagfrommyhandandturneditupsidedown.
'Nothingmore,'hesaid,sha inghisheadsagely.'Notabitofcandy;notapowder-pufforperfumesachet.Well,well!Carl,theownerofthislittlearticle,whoeversheis,besidesbeingdaintyandwithout
vanity,isaverycleverlittlewoman,andI'llwagershe'spretty,too.'
Thisoutbrea wassoli eDavethatIonlysmiled,whileIunfoldedthehand erchiefandshoo itoutovermyunoccupied nee.Inonecorner,inexquisitelydaintyembroidery,werethetwoinitials'J.J.,'andwhenDavehadshutthebagandloo edagainattheclosedclasp,hediscovered,finelycutonthemetal,thesameinitials.
'J.J.,'musedDave;'thatsuggestsanynumberofcharmingpersonalities--Juliet,Juno,Jessica.'
'Jane,orJemima,'Isupplemented,ta inguponeoftheletters.
Itwaspost-mar edBoston,andboredatethreedaysbefore,butitgaveusnofurtherinformation.
Throughthename,acrossthemiddleofthesquareenvelope,halfadozenheavylineshadbeenpencilled,andtheseinturnchec edthroughwithlittleverticaldashes;belowwerethes etchily-drawnsupports,whichindicatedabridge,anduponthisbridgeaprocessionofpeoplevaguelyoutlinedastobody,butelaboratedastofacetosuchadegreeofartisticclevernessthatDaveutteredanexclamation
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ofdelight.
'Anartist,uponmysoul!Loo atthosefaces!Gad!butthatiswelldone!Therearetypesforyou,andhardlymorethanthumb-nailportraitsatthat.Butit'sspoiledtheaddress;wecan'tgetJ.J.'snameoutofthat.'
Itwasquitetrue;underthecrossedlinesformingtheplatformofabridge,evidentlyas etchofoneofthestructuresspanningthelagoons,thenamewasquiteconcealed,butbelow,throughthewavingwater-linesandthecurvesofthearch,wecouldreadandguesstheremainderoftheaddress,thus:
'--------------------,'Chicago,'Illinois.'MassachusettsBuilding,World'sFair.'
Iputthisletterdownandtoo uptheotherenvelope.Uponthiswaswrittenawoman'sname,nothingmore,neithertown,county,norstate.
'Conundrum?'commentedDaveovermyshoulder.Justthentherewasasuddenblarefromtheband,andaroarthatalmoststartledmysophisticatednerves.
Iturnedmyeyestowardthearena,whereasplendidwhitehorsenowstood,caparisonedinasortofarmouruponbac andnec ,andpawingimpatiently,whilehewaitedoppositeasortofportableplatformhigherthanthehorse'sbac ,andgailycushionedanddecorated.Agreattawnymalelionwasintheactofleapingfromthegroundtothishighperch.Ihadseenmanyexhibitionsofanimalintelligenceandtraining,butwhenthis ingoflions,utteringasecondmightyroar,leapedtothebac ofthewaitinghorseandrodeabouttheringli eatrainedrider,leapedthroughahoopheldinthemouthofabigspottedboarhound,andotherwiseacquittedhimselfli eanaccomplishedrider,Iforgottheconundrumofthelittleblac bag,andmymissionattheWorld'sFair,andloo edandapplauded,andwas
simplyoneoffivehundredsight-seers.
Itwasuselesstocontend;thecharmwasuponus;thefirstdayattheFairhadusatlastinthrall,andwewatchedthetrainedlions,tigers,bears,andpumas,admiredtheponies,applaudedthedogs,andwonderedatthepluc ywomantrainer,withoutathoughtbeyondthepassingmoment.
Thefeverlasteduntilnighthadfallen,untilwehadtrundledfromendtoendofMidwayinapairofwheeledchairs,visitedtheDahomeyVillage,theOstrichFarm,theChineseTheatre,andthelittlecommunityofquaint,shy,industriousJavanese,leavingitstillinthespiritofadventure,andsauntering,afteradinnerinOldVienna,
hereandtherethroughaveritablefairyland,glittering,glistening,shining,radiantfromthesplendiddomeoftheAdministrationBuilding,withitsgirdlesoffire,itsgreatstatuesshiningunderthegoldenglow,andthelagoonswiththeirlightsandshadows,theirgondolasglidingtoandfrobetweenfloweringban sorilluminatedfaades,withfountainsplaying,musicfillingtheair,andeverywherelaughter,merryvoices,andgaythrongsofenchantedpleasuresee ers.Whatwonderthatwelingeredlong,andthatitwasonlywhenwewereshutbetweenfourwalls,thelightsout,theWhiteCityasleep,thatIthoughtagainofJ.J.andherlostletters;andnow,asIthought,
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thefairblondfaceseemedtorisebeforeme,andIsawagaintheslimfigureflitpastmeonMidway.
Brainerdlaysleepingnearme,andIthoughtofhiscomment,'Aconundrum?'Whynotsearchfortheanswerinthesewhitebillets,and,findingit,ta ethelittleblac bagtothebureauofthe'lostorfound'?
Itoo upthebag,openedit,hesitated,andputitdown.WhyshouldIreadthoselettersfromastranger,andtoastranger?Ileanedoutofthewindowanddran inthelovelinessallaboutme,illuminatedbyafaintyoungmoon.
'Aconundrum?'Itoo uptheletterpost-mar edBoston,andslowlydrewout--ah,itwasmorethanamereletterthatmyhandtouchedthatnight.Ihadputmyfingeruponathreadintheweboffate!
CHAPTERIV.
'ICAN'TMAKEMYSELFLIKEHIM.'
Iamnotsuperstitious,andIcertainlyhadnointimationthenoftheparttheseletterswouldsoonplayinmyWorld'sFairadventures,noroftheuseIshouldma eofthem;butIopenedthatletterwithanuncomfortablefeelingofcuriosityandinterest,andwithoutevenpausingtoloo againatthetinygrotesquefacesofthatlittlebridgeprocessionsoartisticallys etchedupontheenvelope.
Theletter,li eitscover,wasdatedfromBoston,andwasjustfourdaysold.
'Justreceived,'Isaidtomyself,asItoo upthewrappertoloo attheChicagopostmar .'Yes,camelastnight.Shemusthavereadit
thisverymorning,sittinguponsomeoneofthoseshadedseatsonWoodedIsland,andafterreadingitshemusthaveamusedherselfbycopyingthepeoplepassingoverthenearestbridge.Ergo,shemusthavebeenalone.'Mydetectiveinstinctswererousingthemselves;alreadyIwashalfunconsciouslyhandlingthatunreadletterasifitwerea'feature'ina'case.'
Shewasalone,too,whenwemetonMidway;thatis,Isawnocompanion.Coulditbepossiblethattheyoungladywasreallyaloneinthisdenselypopulatedplace?Howabsurd!Iloo edattheletteragain.
Itwaswritteninabeautifulflowinghand,andIsaid,aftera
moment'sscrutiny,'Writteninhasteandunderexcitement.'Therewereeightcloselywrittenpages,andhavingbeguntheirperusal,Ireadtotheendwithoutapause.Theletterwassigned'HildaO'Neil,'andtherewasnostreetnumbernorpost-officebox,onlythenameofthecityfromwhenceitcame,Boston.
HildaO'Neilwasthenamewrittenonthesecondletter,thisandnothingmore;butthisnolongersurprisedme.MissO'NeilwasaNewYor girl,andaguest,atthetimeofwriting,ofthesisterofheraffianced,inBoston.ThisyoungmanwasalreadyinChicago,ma ing
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arrangementsforhisfamily,whoweretocomeassoonasinformedbyhimthatapartmentsinthealreadycrowdedcitywereinwaiting.Theywere'allreadyfortheflitting,'andwerenowwonderingwhy'Gerry'didnotwirethem.Hehadwrittenthathisplans'werenearcompletion,'andthatheshouldtelegraphthemintwoorthreedaysatthelatest,atthetimeofwriting.Thethreedayswerejustabouttoexpire,hencetheexcitementvisibleinthepenmanshipofMissO'Neil.Betwixtimpatienceandanxietysheconfessedherself'growingreallyfidgety,'especiallyas'Gerry'wasalwayssoprompt,'andthen--don'tthin mesilly,dear--but,really,Chicagoissuchawic ed,dangerousplace,especiallynow.'
IsmiledasIreadthisparagraph,andthoughtofMaster'Gerry'doubtlessgivinghimselfalastdayortwooffreedomfromescortduty,andoffun,perhaps,onMidway.Decidedly,detectivesarenotseers.
Andthesecondletter.Sincethefirstdidnottellmehoworwheretofindtheownerofthelittlebag,thislettermust.Andhername--wouldthatberevealed?Iopenedthemissiveandreaditthrough,withsomesurpriseandagreatdealofadmiration.
Ihadbeenrightinmyconjecturesofthewriter.Ifoundhernamesignedinfullatthebottomofherlastthic sheetofcreamy
note-paper;shehadpennedtheletterinherownroomthatverymorning,andhadhelditunsealedandonlyhalfaddresseduntilshehadappliedatherStatepost-officefortheexpectedletterfromherfriend,andthishavingbeenreceived,shehadthrustthenewly-writtenmissiveintothelittlebag,hoping,doubtless,soontomeethercorrespondent,whomightnowbeontheway,andtotellherstory--forthelettercontainedastory--which,doubtless,shewouldmuchprefertodo.
Andnow,somuchcanafewwrittenpagesdo,IalmostfeltthatI newJuneJenrys,forthatwashername,andherfriendHildaO'Neil.
MissO'Neil'sletterhadtoldmefirstsomethingaboutherself:that
shewasapettedandsomewhatspoiledonlydaughter;somethingofanheiress,too,ifonemightjudgefromherprattleaboutcharmingandcostlycostumesandaratherrec lessexpenditureofpin-money;andthatshewasbetrothedtoGeraldTrent,ofthegreatBostonfirmofTrentandSons,withthefullconsentandapprovalofallconcerned.Whatlifecouldbemoreserene?Young,fair,rich;aloverandmanyfriends;andnowenroutefortheWorld'sFair,toenjoyitinherlover'ssociety.Happygirl!theonlylittlespec uponherfairhorizonwhenshepennedthatletterwasthefactthatherdearestfriendandschoolmatewasnotquitesohappy.
AndJuneJenrys?Thetwolettersta entogetherhadtoldmethis:Shewasanorphan,andwealthy,leftinherteenstotheguardianshipof
anaunt,herfather'swidowedsister,awomanoffashionparexcellence.Duringherniece'sminoritythisladyhadtyrannizedallshewould,andnow,MissJenryshavingrecentlycomeofage,sheyettyrannizedallshecould.Theauntwaseagertomateherniecetoamanofherownselectionandaheavypurse.Thenieceuntilrecentlyhadloo edwithsomefavouruponayoungman,handsomeenough--evenMissO'Neiladmittedthat--andagentlemanbeyondquestion,butwithnovisiblefortune.Ashorttimebefore--butIwillletMissJenrystellthismuchofherownstory,quotingfromthefourthpageofherletter:
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'Ididnotmeanitso,really,Hildadear,althoughithasseemedsotoyou.Yousee,IexpectedtomeetyouinBostonerethis,andthatissomuchbetterthanwriting;andnowImustwriteafterall,andinsteadofitsbeingfrommeinBostontoyouinNewYor ,itisfrommehereinthe"WhiteCity"--suchacity,Hilda!--toyouinBoston,andatNellieTrent's.
'Well,youmust nowthis,thatitwasjustafterAuntCharlhad"washedherhandsofme,"matrimoniallyspea ing,forthe--well,forthelasttime;andIwasfeelingveryhighandmighty,andAuntCharlquitesubdued,forher,thatwegaveareception,thelastbeforeLent.Ofcoursehewasthere,andIhadmadeupmymindthatdaythatIwouldbehonestwithmyownheartinspiteofAuntCharl."I'msurehecaresforme,"Isaidtomyself,and--well,I newIli edhimalittle.I newheonlywaitedfortheopportunitytospea ,andwhileIwouldhavediedratherthanhelphimma eit,Isaid,"Ifhedoesfindthechance--ifhedoesspea ,orwhenhedoes--well!"
'Ishallneverforgetthatnight!AuntwasgoodenoughtosaythatIwasloo ingmyverybest.IamsureIfeltso.Butofcourseauntspoileditall--herprettyspeech,Imean.
'"June,"shewheedled,"thathandsomeMauriceVoisinwillbehere,and
Ihappento
nowthatheadmiresyouverymuch.CharlieWiltbysaysheisnoendofaswellinParis,andthatheisreallyarichman,whopreferstobemodest,andavoidsfortune-huntinggirls.Youareoldenoughtosettledown,andwithyourfortuneandhisyoumightbealeaderinParisiansociety.There'snoplaceintheworldwheremoneyandgoodloo stogetherwilldosomuchforoneastheywillinParis."Thin ofit,Hilda!IfIhadnotfeltsoatpeacewithalltheworldjustthen,therewouldhavebeenan--occurrencethenandthere.ButIheldmytongue,andwaseveninclinedtobealittlesorrythataunt'ssillytal wasma ingmefeelagenuineantipathyforM.MauriceVoisinofParisrenown;andreallyatthattimeIhardly newtheman.Heiscertainlyrathergood-loo ing,inadar ,Spanishfashion,andheistallerandsomehowmoremuscular-loo ingthanthe
typicalFrenchman.Heiscertainlypolished,shinesalmosttoomuchformyli ing;butthatmaybe,really,AuntCharl'sfaultratherthanMr.V.'s.Thatnight,atleastbeforesupper,Ihadnowordorthoughtagainsthim.
'ButImustgetonabouthim,andI'llma eitveryshort.You nowhowourconservatoryisarranged,andthatlittlenoo justattheentrancetothelibrary,wherethepalmsaregrouped?Well,Ihaddancedwiththemboth,andhehadjustas edmetogowithhimintotheconservatory,"tositoutawaltz,"whenM.Voisincametoclaimit.Ihadforthemomentforgottenit,andhehadonlytimetosayjustoneword--"after."
'Well,I'llbecandid,ifitdoeshumiliateme;afterthatwaltzIeludedM.Voisin,leavinghimwithAuntCharl,andwentintotheconservatory.
'Itwassoearly,andthedancersstillsofresh,thatnoonewasthereasyet.Ihadbeenstoppedonceortwiceonmyway,andwhenIenteredtheconservatorybywayofthedrawing-room,Ifanciedforamomentthatsomeonewasstandingintheshadowofthepalms,justinsidethelibrarydoor;butIwenton,andreachedthenoo withoutbeingobserved.Isatdown,quiteoutofsight,thin ingthatifhe
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enteredfromtheball-roomthemostdirectwayIshouldseehimfirst.Imaginemysurprise,then,whenalmostinstantlyIheardamovementontheothersideofthemoundoffairypalms,andthenattheveryfirstwordcamemyownname.There!Iwillnotrepeattheshamefulwords,butitwashisvoicethatownedtoanintentionto"honour"mewithaproposal,becausehisfinancesweregettinglow,andhemustchoosematrimonyastheleastoftwoevils,etc.WhileIsatthere,unabletomove,andhalfstunnedbythisawfulinsult,suddenlytherewasaquic rustling,ahalf-stifledlaugh,somewhisperedwords,andthenanothervoicewhichIdidnotatfirstrecognise,said,verynearme,"Ah,good-evening,Mr.--a--Lossing!Charmingspot,really."Thentherewasanothermovement,somelowmutteredwords,andthesoundoffootstepsgoingacrossthemarbletowardthelibrary.Thensuddenly,rightbeforeme,appearedM.Voisin.Icouldnotconcealmyagitation,andgavethesameoldhac neyedreason--heat,fatigue,suddenfaintness.M.Voisinhastenedinsearchofwater,andIdroppedmyfaceuponmyhands,tobearousedthenextmomentbyhisvoice,agitated,hurried,ma ingmeaproposal.Thensomethingseemedtonervemetofury.Isprangup,and,standingerectbeforehim,said:
'"Mr.Lossing,asIamunfortunatelynotinthematrimonialmar et,IfearIcannotbeofassistancetoyou,muchasIregretthatthelowstateofyourfinancesisdrivingyoutosopainfulastep.Allowmetopass!"BeforehecouldreplyIhadsweptpasthim,andmeetingM.
Voisinjustbeyondthepalms,Itoo
hisarmandwentbac
totheball-room.Hilda,prideandangerheldmeupthen,forIfullybelievedhimthemostperfidiousofmen.Butsince,muchasIhatemyselfforit,therearetimeswhenIdoubttheevidenceofmyownsenses,andcannotbelievethatheeversaidthosewords.Thenextmorning,whilemyangerstillblazed,hesentmealetter,whichIreturnedunopened.Thatisall,Hilda.Helefttownthesameday,Ihavebeentold.
'Andnowyouunderstand,doubtless,whyIamhere.M.Voisin,ofcourse,wasnottoblame,butIcouldnotdisconnecthimfromtherestofthehatefulexperience;andsoatthebeginningofLentIpac edmytrun sandsetoutforthecountryandAuntAnn'satGreenwood.Dear
AuntAnn,whoissounli
eAuntCharl!'
ThenfollowedsomedetailsoftheirarrivalattheWorld'sFairandanamusingaccountofthegoodlady'sfirstimpressions,whichweresolargeandsoastoundingthatshewasobligedto'"remainathomeandta etheentiredaytothin thingsoverin."Thin ofit,Hilda,shutupli eahermitjusttwobloc sfromthegate!Isnotthatli enobodyonearthbutsweet,slow,obstinate,countrifiedAuntAnn?--ofwhom,than heaven,Iamnotonebitashamed,inspiteofherSha erbonnet.ButIcan'tloseadayofthiswonder,andfortunatelydearAuntAnnneverdreamsoftabooingmysight-seeing.WhenIproposedtocomealonethismorning,thedearsoulsaid:
'"Well,Ishouldhopetheecould.Onlytwostraightbloc
sbetweenhereandthegateatFifty-seventhStreet,andiftheecanmanagetogetlostwithallthoseguardsandguides,tosaynothingofthemapsandpictures,theeisastupidniece,andtheemayjustgobac tothyAuntCharlotteHavermeyer."IfAuntCharlcouldonlyhearthat!Well,dear,IhavepromisedmyselfahappytimeherewithAuntAnnwhensheisnotoccupiedwithhermeditations,andyourselfsoon,andwithoutAuntC.;but,alas!everybodywillvisittheFair;andyesterday,uponMidway,whomshouldIseebutM.Voisin!HewasattiredasIhaveneverseenhimbefore,quitenglige,you now,andwearinga
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Tur ishfez.Itwasverybecoming.Hedidnotseeme,andforthisIwasthan ful.IdidnotcometotheWorld'sFairtoseeM.Voisin,andeventopleaseAuntCharlIcan'tma emyselfli ehim.'
Iputdownthisletterandsmiledoveritssweetingenuousness,andsingularlyenoughIjoinedthefairwriterinheartilydisli ingM.Voisin.
'Hewasaltogethertooconvenientlynearatthesceneofthatunluc yproposal,'Imutteredtomyself,andthenIturnedtotheotherletter.IwantedtoseewhatIcouldma e,betweenthetwo,outofyoungLossing.
'Ihaveas edyoutwice,'MissO'Neilwrote,'aboutyouraffairwithyoungMr.Lossing.Yourauntisentirelyataloss,onlyshedeclaressheissurethatyouhaverefusedhim,andthatinsomewayhehasoffendedyou;andIthoughthimalmostperfect,a nightsansreproche,etc.;andheissohandsome,andfran ,andmanly.Whathappened,dear?Itissostrangethatheshouldvanishsoutterlyfromsocietywherehewasmadesomuchof;andnooneseemsto nowwherehewent,orwhen,orwhy,orhow.Gerrysayshewasaperfectcompanion,"andashonourableasthesun."There,I'llsaynomore.'
Myreadingwasbro eninuponatthispointbyaprolongedchuc le,
andIloo
eduptoseeBrainerdwideawa
eandstaringatme.'Well,'hequeriedpromptly,'haveyoufoundouthername?'
'Yes;itisJuneJenrys.'AsIspo eIreturnedMissO'Neil'slettertoitsdecoratedenvelope,andreplacedthetwointhebag.'I'lltellyouaboutthem,'Isaid,asIputitaside.SomehowIfeltasuddenreluctanceatthethoughtofseeingthosetwolettersinthehandsandundertheeyesofaninveteratejo erli eDave.'I'mnowiserinthematterofaddress,however.'AndthenItoldhimthepurportofthelettersinthefewestwordspossible.
'Doyou now,'saidDave,whenIhadfinishedmyrecital,'Idon't
li
ethatVoisin,notevenalittlebit.Ithin
he'sabadlot.'
Ismiledatthis.TherewasnotajotofromanceinDaveBrainerd'sma e-up,andnotagreatdepthofimagination;buthewasthe eenestmanonatrail,andtheclearestreasoneramongalargenumberofpic edandtrieddetectives.Itamusedmetothin thatbothhadbeensimilarlyimpressedbythismanashehadbeensetbeforeus;butImadenocomment,andtodrawawayfromasubjectwhichIfeltitbeyondourprovincetodiscussIas ed:
'Dave,whatdidyoumeanthisafternoon,whenweopenedthatbag,bysayingthattheownerwasacleverwoman?Uponwhatdidyoufoundthatremar ?'
'Why,uponthefactthatshedidnotputherpurseinthatconvenient,butconspicuous,littlebag;inconsequenceofwhichsheis,orwas,onlyslightlyannoyed,insteadofbeingseriouslytroubledatitsloss.Bytheway,orrathertogooutoftheway,doyou nowthattheyhaveintheFrenchGovernmentBuildingaveryfineandcompleteexhibitionoftheBertillonidentificationsystem?Iwanttogettoitbrightandearlyinthemorning.'
Imovedtohissideandsatdownuponthebed.Wewerebothadmirers
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ofthisfinesystem,andforsomemomentswediscussediteagerly,aswehaddonemorethanoncebefore;andwhenIputmyheaduponmypillowatlast,itwaswithJ.J.andherinterestsconsignedtoasecondaryplaceinmymind,thefirstbeinggivenovertothiswonderfulFrenchsystem,theprideoftheParispoliceandterroroftheFrenchcriminal.
Butwelittle nowwhataday,oranight,maybringforth.
Someonerappedatourdooratanunpleasantlyearlyhour,andthesummonsbroughtDaveoutofbedwithabound,andinanothermomenthadputallthoughtofthepreviousnightoutofourheads.
'Willyoucometothecaptain'sofficeatonce,gentlemen?'saidavoiceoutside,andIcaughtaglimpseofaguard'sblueuniformthroughthehalfopeneddoor.'There'sbeenabigdiamondrobberyrightunderournoses,andthey'recallingoutthewholeforce.'
CHAPTERV.
'IT'SALLAMIRACLE.'
Itwasevenasthesummoningguardhadsaid,andtheSecretServiceBureauwasinaveryactiveconditionwhenBrainerdandmyselfarrived.
Alreadytelephonemessageswereflying,orhadflown,tothevariousdistricts,andateverygate,than stothealmostperfectsysteminstitutedbySuperintendentBonfield,shrewdand een-eyedmenwereonthealertforanyandallsuspiciouspersonages,andwoetothosewhosedescriptionswerewrittendownintheboo softhesecretservicemen.Theymustbeabletogivegoodaccountofthemselves,ortheirlibertywouldbebrief.
Itwasnotdifficulttoguesswhymyfriendandmyselfhadbeensopromptlysummoned,inspiteofthefactthatalreadymorethanthreehundredmen,traineddetectives,fromourownlargecitiesandfromabroad,wereupondutyhere.
Itwasbecausetheywereonduty,everymanathispost,whateverthatmightbe,andbecauseBrainerdandmyself--havingnewlyarrivedandbeingforthemomentunoccupied--werebothnearandavailable.Because,too,wewerespecials,thatis,notsubjecttoroutineorders.
Therobberyhadreallybeenalargeone,andaboldone.
Acollectionofgems,cutanduncut,belongingtoaforeignexhibit,andplacedalmostinthecentreofoneofthosegreatwell-guardedbuildings,mustbe,onewouldthin ,proofagainstattac .Carefullysecuredintheirtraysandboxes,shutandloc edbehindheavyplatesofglassinbronzedironframes,guardedbydaybytrustedemploysalwaysundertheeyeofmanagerorexhibitor,andbynightbyaguardofdrilledwatchmen,whatcollectioncouldbesafer?
Nevertheless,atnighttherespar ledinthosecrystalprismsalittle
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silverleafwithslightlycurvededges,holdingwhatloo edli eatinyheapofwater-drops,congealedandspar ling,shotthroughbyawintersunbeam;severallargerdiamonds,uncut,butbrilliantandofgreatvalue;someexquisitespecimensofpin topaz,andonegreatlimpid,gleamingemerald,theprideofthefinecollection.Thisatnight.Inthemorning--theywerenot.
Wesatdown,asmallgroup,forwedidnotholdcouncilintheouteroffice,norwithonesuperfluousmember,andbegantofindorma eforourselvesastarting-point.
Thewor hadbeendoneverydeftly.Oneoftheglassplateshadbeencutoutclosetothebronzeframe,andthegemsremoved;butthatwasnotthestrangepartoftheaffair.Intheirplacescounterfeitgemshadbeenput,carefulimitationsoftheoriginals,andtheglassplatehadbeendeftlyputinitsplaceagain.
'Ah!'saidthefussyandhalf-distractedlittlemanwhorepresentedthegreatforeignhousesoneatlydefrauded,'Ah!ifIhadnotcomedownthismorning,notoneothairwouldhaf now.Iamtheoneonlyexpairt.See!Iampraisantwentheplaiceisun-cloase.Istantnear,wensoomsingma eabeegchoc '--hemeantshoc orjar--'antrichttownfallsoutthe lass.WenIhafzeenit,Igoquee antloo atdozeshems.Ach!I nowitawal--'tisfawlzeawal--efferystonzes!'
Thatwasthestory.Theyhadfoundtheglasscut,andfalsegemsinplaceofthetrue.
Whenwehadstemmedthetideofthisforeigneloquence,whichwasnotforsometime,Ias ed:
'Howmany nowofthis?'
'Nopottyatallonlee----'
'Notmorethanhalfadozen,'bro einthechiefofthebureau.'Ofcourseitwouldn'tdo!Thesearenotthethingsthatweli etolet
thepublicinto.Itwouldn'tharmonize.'
'Ah-h-h!'aspiratedthelittleman.'Itwouldtriveawayawalthetiamontmershantstogetheer!U-u-og!'
'Rightyouare,'murmuredDave;andtheninaloudertone,'Canyoutrustyourpeopleto eepsilent?'
'Ah!neffearfe-ur;tay nowitisfortaregoo-et.'
'Wherearethey?'
'Theattendants?'queriedthecaptain.'Twoareinchargeofthe
pavilion,whichremainsclosed.Lauschherewasveryclever;hesentformeatonce,meantime eepingeverythingundercover;andwhenIsawhowthelandlay,Iorderedclosemouthsallaround,andputupacard"Closedforrepairs."ThenIsentforyou,andwecamebac here.Ofcourseyouwillwanttoseetheplace.'
'Theplaceandthepeople,'Isaid,somewhatimpatiently;'andwecan'tgetitovertooquic .'
Wespentthreeofthelongmorninghoursinviewing,firstthecase
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wheretherealgemshadbeen,andnexttheshamsthathadta entheirplace;thenthesurroundings,andlast,andonebyone,thepeopleengagedabouttheLauschpavilion.TheywereallViennese,spea ingtheEnglishlanguagefairlywell,farbetterthanMr.Lauschhimself;andafterwehadquestionedthemcloselyandcarefully,weclosetedourselvestogetheranddiscussedthefew'points'sofargathered,ifpoints,uponinvestigation,theyprovedtobe.
'Carl,'chuc ledmyfriendwhenwewereatlastalone,'oneofourmissionshereatthegreatColumbianExpositionwastohuntdiamondthieves--eh!'
Ofcoursehismeaningwasplaintome,butIchosetodifferwithhim;therewasnobetterwayofrousinghiswits.
'Ofalltheexpertthievesonthetwocontinents,theonlyoneswhowillnotcomeherewillbethosewhosefacesareineveryrogues'galleryintheland,'Ireplied.'Itwouldbetoomuchgoodluc tofindBobandDelbrasmixedupinthisdeal.'
'Andyet,'declaredhe,'Iamwillingtowagerthatit'sthewor ofDelbrasetal.Whobuthewouldhavepreparedhimselfwithafullassortmentofpastejewels.Honestly,oldman,don'tyouagreewithme?'
'Yesterday,'Ireplied,'IwasreadytoswearthatGreenbac BobandhisfriendDelbraswerecirculating,perhapsissuing,thosetwo-dollarGovernmentnotes.'
'Andwhat'stohinderyouthin ingsostill,eh?'
'Onlythatitwouldbetoomuchofafairystorytofindourwor cutoutforusinsuchaway.'
Davethrewonesturdylegacrossthechairnearesthim,andsettledhimselfinhisfavouriteattitudeforanargumentativediscourse.
'Youngman,'hebegan,'ifyoucanfindanythingconnectedwiththisWhiteCitythathassprungoutofthela eandtheprairiethathasnotatouchoftheArabianNightsaboutit,Iwantto nowwhereitis.Canyoushowmeanythingmorefairyli ethanthisfairycity,built,asithasbeen,intheteethoftime?'
'Oh----'
'Itellyouit'sallamiracle,anineteenth-centurymiracle!Tocomedowntofacts,now,youandIcamehereexpectingtofindGreenbacBob,didn'twe?'
'Yes,ofcourse.'
'AndwehavegoodreasontobelievethatDelbrasisalsohere.Notmuchmiracleaboutthat,you'lladmit.'
'No,'Iassented, nowingthathemustreachhisclimaxinhisownway.
'No;Ishouldsayso!Buthereisamiracle,aregularWhiteCitymiracle.IwonderifDelbrasandcompany nowthat--leavingacoupleofthousandofblue-coatedColumbianguardsoutofthequestion,and
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they'rebrightfellows,letmetellyou--thereareherethreehundredandoddpic eddetectives,asquadateverygate,andeverygateandeverydistrictconnectedbytelephonewiththemainofficehere.Letasuspiciouscharacterappear,clic goesthenearesttelephone,sendingtheman'sdescriptiontoheadquarters,andthen,clic ,clic ,clic ,toeverydistrict,everygate,everyman,goesthissamedescription.Oh,thecroo swhosefacesare nownwillfindawarmwelcomehere!It'sonlythefinewor ers,whohavebeensosuccessfulthattheyarenotwell nown,whocanma ehayinthisplace.'
'Allthesame,'Iheresubmitted,'forsuchfellowsasDelbrasandhisil ,who nowtheworldonbothcontinents,thisisapromisingfield,inspiteofthetelephonesystemandthedetectivesinplainclothesateverygate.'
'Ashow?'
'Tothemanwhocanspea severaltongues,andisanadeptatdisguise,thisFair,withitscitizensfromeveryclime,willbeabetterplaceforconcealmentthanLondon,Paris,andNewYor rolledintoone.'
Davegaveutterancetoalong,lowwhistle,andjer edhimselftoanuprightposition.
'You'rerightagain!'hecried.'Come,let'sgetdowntobusiness.What'syourideaaboutthisrobbery?'
'Aboutthesameasyours,Ifancy.'
'Andwhat'sthat?'
Itoo outmynoteboo ,whereinIhadjotteddownthemostimportantitemsoftestimonyelicitedfromtheLauschattendants,saying:
'Getoutyournotes,Dave;let'sseehowtheyagree.'Daveproducedhisownbriefernotes,andIbeganrunningmyfingerslowlydownthe
pages.
'Itwasdoneduringtheday.'
'Ofcourse!'impatiently.
'Andslowly--thatis,alittleatatime.'
'Howslowly?'
'Well,forinstance,Lauschhimselftoldofayoungwomanwhowasmuchta enwiththepin topazdisplay--youremember?'
'Yes;'beginningtosmilebehindhisboo
.
'Hesaidthatsheworeacoatwithadeepcape,andthatsherestedonearmuponthecase.'
'Well,Ididwonderwhatthewoman'sdresshadtodowithit.'Gad,butyouquestionedthosepeopleuntilIbegantofeelsorryforthem.Whatfigure,now,isthedressli elytocut?'
Ilaughed.
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'Inthiscaseletussupposethattheyoungwomanisoneofthegang.'
'Oh!'
'Andletusfancythatwhileshepeeredatthepin topaz--yourememberLauschtoldusthatsheexcusedhernearnessbysayingthatshewasverynear-sighted?'
'That'sso.'
'Well,whileloo ingatthegems,withherfacebentoverthecase,onearmupontheedge,andwiththevoluminouscapeoutspread,whatistopreventherusingtheotherhandandarmtodrawadiamondpointslowlyandheavilyalongtheglass,closetothemetal?'
'ByJove!whatindeed?'
'Andwhymaynotthisactberepeated,threeorfourtimes,say,bythesamewoman,slightlychangedastodress,asshecouldhavebeen?Lausch,yourecall,accostedher.'
'Yes.'
WhenDavegrewlaconicI
newhimtobealmostconvinced.'Youwillrecallhoweachoftheattendantsrememberedoneormoreinstancesofpersonslingeringlongnearthegems,orcrowdingsocloseastoattracttheattentionofsomeofthem.'
'Umph!'
'AndLauschdistinctlyrememberedhowagood-naturedguardcametohisaidjustashewasabouttoclosehisexhibits,andstoodwithhisbac tothecase,andhisarmscarelesslyoutspreadupontheedgechaffingwithagroupoflatesight-seers,and eepingthemfromannoyinghim(Lausch)whilehemadethingssecure.NowIdon'tsay
thatitwasdone,butIcanseehowthatguardmighthaveplayedintothehandsofthegang,whomighthavebeenathandthreeorfourstrong.Observe,thecaseswerehighattheinnersidesandshallowatthefront,andwhilethetopsheetofglass,forpurposesofdisplay,wasalargeone,thoseformingtheoutersideweresmallandsetintostoutbronzedsquaresnottoexceedseveninchesindepthandteninlength.Now,wewillnotethatthebac ofthecase,besidesbeinghigherthanthefront,isnotofglass,butofwood,toadmitoftheuseofamirrorforlining,andtodoubletheshowandglitterofthegems.'
'Upon--my--word!'
'Nowletussupposeourguardasstandingbeforethecaseanddirectlyinfrontofthediamonds.Heisfacingoutward,andbeforehim,hoveringclose,aresomeothers,twoorthree,ormore.Ontheothersidesoftheoctagonalpaviliontheotherassistantsarebusy"closingup."Lauschinpersonpresidesatthesmallsafeinthecentreoftheplace.Now,whileheisbusy,withhiseyesavertedforamoment,ahandthrustundertheoutstretchedarmoftheguardmaygentlypresssomethingadhesiveagainstthealreadycutglassandpullitout,andsoon,whenLauschbendsdowntoopenthesafe,ortoplacesomearticletherein,thehanddrawsoutthelittletrayofgems;it
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wassmall,andcouldhavebeenconcealedunderoneofthosewrapsthrownconvenientlyacrossthearm.Now,alittlerusetosubstitutethefalsegemsandreplacetheglassundertheguard'sconcealingarm,andthethingisdone.Ifitallhappenedattheclosinghour,whenthebigbuildingwasshadowyandonecouldseeclearlyonlyashortdistance,wheneveryexhibitorwasoccupiedwithhisown,andvisitors,forthemostpart,wereintentuponreachingthenearestexit--itwasboundtosucceed.Ofcoursethisisalltheory,but----'
'It'stheexplanationofthattheft,orI'masinner!'criedDave,jumpingupandbeginningtopacethefloornervously.'Carl,oldman,I'llneverchaffyour"bumpofimagination,"afterto-day.I'mreadytobeginwor onjustthattheory.'
'Steady,steady,Dave.'
'Allright,sir;atleastwecanma eabeginning--wecanfindthatguard.'
'How?'
'Ta ehisdescriptionfromLausch--findoutwhowasdetailedhere----'
Iputupmyhand,andhestopped--staring.
'Dave,thereisnotaColumbianguardontheforcewhowould,orcould,haveplayedthatpart--ifitwasplayed.Itwassimplyoneofthebandwearingaguard'suniform.'
Myfriendsatdownoppositeme,andforsometimenotawordpassedbetweenus.Thenhetoo uphisnoteboo ,and,drawingasmalltabletowardus,said:
'Let'sgooverthegroundslowly,andseeifthereisanythingheretocorroborateyourtheory,ortopointtoanyotherconclusion.'
AndnowI newthatDavewasfixed,sofarashisopinionswere
concerned,andthatwhilehemightdeclarehimselfconvincedbymywisdom,hehadbeenallthetimesimplyestablishinghisownconvictions,andthathewasnowreadyforearnestwor .
Itwassometimebeforewecameoutfromthesuperintendent'slittleinnersanctum,butwewerenowquitereadytobeginourcampaign;andwhenweweregivencarteblancheastomethods,andwerepromisedasmanymenaswemightneedforthewor ,wecouldas fornothingmore,orbetter.
Ourfirstdemandwasperemptory.Theremustbenopublicity;nowordoftherobberymustreachthevigilantreporterswhowereeverywhereinsearchofnews.
Next,wecausedanaccuratedescriptionofGreenbac Bobtobesenttoallthegatesanddifferentdistricts,withordersforaninstantreportofthefactshouldhebeseen,andthatonceseenhemustbeconstantlyshadowed.
BeforewelefttheplacewehadarrangedwithLauschtoputamanofourownchoosingintothepavilion,whosebusinessitwouldbeto eepconstantwatchoverhispeople.Forwhilehewasreadytovouchfortheirhonesty,wewerenot;rather,wewerenotwillingtoletany
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possibilityofaclueescapeus.Asecondmanwasplacedwherehecouldcultivatethesepeople,andasmuchaspossibleoutsideofbusinesshours.Notthatweexpectedmuchfromthis,forwehadseennoslightestsignofdishonestyamongthesepeople,whoseemedtoshunallsocietyandtohavenoacquaintancesoutsidetheirownpavilion.
Afterconsideringlong,wedecidednottobringthenameofDelbrasintothecase,ortoattempttosetanywatchuponhimintheregularway.To'locate'Delbrasshouldbeourownespecialwor ,andtofreshenourmemorieswereviewedtheinformationfurnishedourchiefbytheFrenchcommissaire.
Sofaraswas nowntherewasnopictureofhimextant,andtheFrenchreportdescribedhimaboutasfollows:
'Nationality,French;age,probablyaboutthirtytothirty-threeyears;height,sixfeet,ornearly;weight,onehundredandseventy-fivepounds,approximate;figuregood;squareshoulders,militaryair;features,regular;thinlipped;chinsharplypointed;wearsattimesheavybeard,atothersmoustacheandgoatee;eyesdar ,calledblac ;hairsame,heavy,andsometimeswornquitelong;handswell ept,withlongslenderfingers;spea sEnglishperfectly,accomplished,etc.;asmalltriangularscarupontempleclosetoroots
ofhair.KnowntohavebeeninParisandLondoninearlywinter,andtohavecrossedtoNewYor aboutJanuary1st.ReturnedtoParissometimeinMarch,andcrossedlasttoNewYor inearlyMaybysteamerNormandie.'
'Well,'hadbeenDave'scommentaswereperusedthissummaryofM.Delbras,'hemaydisguisehimselfinmanyways,buthecan'tchangehisheightverymuch,northecolourofhiseyes,norhis"regularfeatures"'--Dave'sfeatureswerenotstrictlyregular,anditwasawea nessofhisalwaystoresentthisdescriptivephrase--'norhisslimfingers,northescaronhistempleclosetotherootsofthehair.'
WehadspentalongmorningintheroomsoftheSecretServiceBureau,andaswewereabouttota eleave,withbutastepbetweenusandtheouterdoor,itwashastilyopenedandaguardentered,followedbytwopeoplewhomIrecognisedasFarmerandMrs.Camp.Withabac wardstepandaquic glanceatDave,Iturnedanddeliberatelyseatedmyself.
Theonlyoccupantsoftheouterofficeatthemomentoftheirentryweretheofficerincommand,whohadjustaccompaniedusfromtheinneroffice,andthesubordinatewhowasinchargeofthisouteroffice,wherecomplaintswerereceivedandfirsthearingsgranted.
Ihaddrawnbac quic ly,buttheeyeofMrs.Campwasstill een,
thoughsheloo
edatriflesubdued.
'Thegoodland!'sheejaculated,catchingatherhusband'sarm.'Here'soneof'emnow,Camp!They'vecaughthim,anyhow!'
ThewordsfurnishedDavewithacluetothesituation,andhedroppedintoachairbesideme,and,afteronedrollloo inmydirection,gavehimselfuptoafitofsilentmirth.
Meantimetheguardhadadvancedwithdignityandannouncedtothe
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officeratthedes :
'Thismanhasacomplainttobring,sir.'
'Wait!'ItwasMrs.Camp,standingdeterminedlynearthedoorofentrance,whospo e.'Aforeyouma eacomplaint,AdamCamp,aboutaras ilthatain'there,s'poseyoujestma esurethatthishereonethatishereinourmidstdon'tgitaway.'
CHAPTERVI.
ACRIMINALHUNT.
Now,IhadtoldtheofficerincommandmybeliefandsuspicionsconcerningthecounterfeitbusinesswhichIbelievedwasgoingonaboutus,andhadbeentoldthattwoofthecounterfeitbillshadalreadybeenbroughttohisnoticeandcapturedwithinthewee ;andDavehadinsisteduponhishearingthestoryofmyabsurdarrestbytheguards,andnowitonlyneededaloo fromme,andthesightofDave'sconvulsedface,toma ethesituationplaintohim.Hestepped
forward,butbeforehecouldspea
anewthoughthaddartedintoDameCamp'sactivemind.
'La!'shefinished,'Is'pose,cometothin ,he'sbeenbroughtherenowtobetried,ain'the?'
Withtheshadowofasmileuponhisface,theofficerturnedtowardthefarmer.
'Whatisyourcomplaint?'heas edcourteously;andheshotmeaglancewhichI newmeant,'Lethimtellhisownstory.'Andnow,beingauthorizedtospea ,FarmerCampbegantotell,inhisownhomelyway,thestoryofthe'greenbac swindle,'ashetermedit.
WhenhehadreachedthepointinthenarrativewhereImademyunluc
yattempttorouttheswindlers,heturnedtowardme.
'I'vehadanideesence,thoughmywifedidn'tagreewithmemuch'--herecameanaudiblesnifffromMrs.Camp--'thatthishereyoungmanmight'a'meantwell,afterall,andwewusalittlemitehasty;but,yesee,he'dbeena-loo in'atussolong,an'mywife'dbeena-noticin'it,havin'hermind indo'sotli eonconfidencepeopleandsech,thatshefelt indo'oneasyathissharploo s--theywusso een,shesaid,an'soquic toloo away,shegotnervous,andsaidshefeltasifhewusa-loo in'rightintermypoc ets.'
'Therenow,Camp,youneedn'tbea-excusin'me!Istic termyidee.
Anyonecanseethattheyoungfellerain'tinnocent,elsesomebody'd'a'spo efurhim,fustoff----'
HereDaveexplodedaudibly,andtheofficerchec edherwithamotionofhishand.
'Letmesettlethispointatoncebytellingyou,madam,thatthegentlemanyouhaveaccusedisanofficerhighinhisprofession,andsentheretoprotectthepublicandloo aftercriminals.Hehadbutjustarrived,anditwasbecauseofthisthathewaswithouthis
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officer'sbadge,whichwouldatoncehaveputthosementorouthaditbeenwornanddisplayedtothem.Letmetellyounow,topreventfurthermista es,thatthedetectivesuponwhomwerelyingreatestemergenciesarealwaystobefoundincitizen'sclothes,andtheyarenotli elytodisplayabadge,exceptwhennecessary.'
LongbeforetheendofthisspeechconsternationwaswrittenalloverthefaceofAdamCamp,buthiswifewasmadeofsternerstuff,andwhenherbetterhalfhadstutteredandflounderedhalfthroughasufficientlyhumbleapology,directed,ofcourse,towardmyself,shebro einuponhiseffort,nowhitabashed:
'There,Camp,it'seasyenoughterseehowwecameterma esechamista e,andI'msuretheyoungmanwillbearnomaliceto'ardacoupleoffol soldenoughterbehisparients.'Twasthemsharp-loo in'eyesthatsetmeternoticin'ye,whenyouwasloo in'overCampfustoff,downtotheAdministrationBuilding,andwhenyouwentan'sotdownonthesetteebyhim,an'thengotupan'followedussofur,whatwasItothin ?Youwasa-watchin'ussureenough,onlyyoumeantwellbyit.But,landsa es!insechaplace,whereeverybodyistryin'toloo outfurnumberone,Ididwhatloo edmydooty.I'mwillin'toas yerpardon,though,andIain'tgoin'terbearnomalice.'
Overwhelmedbythismagnanimity,Imurmuredmythan
sandcompletesatisfactionwithheramendehonorable,andtriedtoturntheoccasiontosuchprofitasmightbebyquestioningthemanalittle.
'Youweresayingthatyouchangedabill,orwereabouttodoso.Didthemanma eanydifficultyafterIleftyou?'
'No,sir.Heseemedina indofahurry,andmadeouttobeonsartinwhetherhecouldsparesomuchsmallmoney,ashecalledit.Butfinallyhecountedoutarollofbills,andhadmecountthemafterhim.'
'There--inthecrowdwhereyoustood?'
'Wal,no.Hetoo ustoonesidealittle--rightinbehindtheplacewherethelittlemanwasa-sellin'canes--sortofupag'instapartition,andtherewemadethedic er.'
'Andheleftyourightaway?'queriedtheofficerincharge.
'Yes--jestaboutasquic ashecould.'
'Andtheother,'Ias ed,'themanwhotoo youtothisagent--themanwiththelargeSabbath-schoolclass?'
'Oh!heas edustogototheterminusstationwithhimandseehis
youngmen;butmywifewantedtoseethings,andwejestwentasfurasthedoor,outofperliteness.'
'Andwhendidyoudiscoverthatyouhadbeenswindled?'
'Wal,M'riarwantedtorideinoneofthemcoopythingswithaman-hossbehindandbefore;andwhenshegotreadytogetout,whichwaspurtysoon,Igiveoneofthemfellersatwo-dollarsoovyneerbill,buttheymadeagreatjabberingaboutit,andM'riarsays,saysshe,"Iguesstheyain'tgotthechange;"soIfishedoutsome
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pennies,andadimeandtwopostagestamps,andafterabittheytu'emandwaddledoff.Thenwegottoloo in'upanddown,andwedidn'thavenomore'casiontousemoney--M'riarwassobusyseein'thefol sandtheirclo's--tillwegothungry,andthencometherumpus.WhenIcometopaythebill,theywasareg'larhowl,an'wecomemightynearbein'marchedofftothecalaboose,same'syouwas.TheysaidthebillIoffered'emfirstoff,an'alltherest,wascounterfeit.'
UntilnowBrainerdhadta ennopartinthedialogue;butnow,withaquic glanceinmydirection,heas ed;
'Willyoudescribethemanwhogaveyouthemoney--thesupposedagent?'
Camppondered.'Wal,'hebegan,'hewastall,'smuchassixfoot,Ishouldsay,an'hiseyeswereblac an'big.Hishairwasconsid'ablelong,andhehadagooddealofitonhisfaceinabigbushymoustache.Hehadaslimnose--andheworeabigdi'mondonhislittlefinger.'
'Didyounoticehishands?'
'M--no.'
'Wal,Idid!'interposedhiswife.'Iseenthedi'mond,ef'twasadi'mond.Hishandswaswhite--realwhite,'longsideofhisface,andtheyloo edli ereg'larclaws;sechlongfingersandpointednails.'
'Ah!'Daveshotmeaglancefullofmeaning.'Now,Mrs.Camp,youseemaveryobservingwoman.Willyoudescribetheotherman--thegentlemanwiththeSabbath-schoolclass?'
Thewoman'sheadbecameevenmoreerect,andherloo morefirmandconfidentthanbefore.'Yes,'shesaidatonce;'Ican.'Shecasthereyesabouther,and,seeingavacantchairnearherinterlocutor--theonelatelyvacatedbymyself--sheseatedherselfdeliberately,andbegan:
'Hewasn'tmuchtoloo at;aboutasbigasyou,mebbe,andabout
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