A MEETING WITH THE BARON--STARTLING DISCLOSURES--AGAIN
THE SPANISH MILLIONAIRE--SHADOWING DOWN FOR A CHAIN OF
STEEL--THE DRAFT--A TRIUMPHANT TRICK--A DENOUEMENT TO
COME.
The woman gave a start and also uttered an exclamation that was very
significant under all the circumstances, and after an interval she
added:
"This is all very strange."
"Yes, it is all very strange."
"How on earth any one could have _learned about that fortune_ is a
mystery to me."
Here was an admission that made our hero almost start and utter an
exclamation himself, and if the woman's remark meant what he had reason
to believe it did, once again had he given proof of his wonderful
acuteness.
"It is not more wonderful, _mother_, than the way we found it out."
Here was a second surprise for our hero. The baron had called the woman
mother, and the woman, as our hero knew, was Mrs. Richards.
"Something must be done at once, Mrs. Richards."
"What can we do but wait? The girl is buried; they can never secure any
evidence, and in case they do finally _it will be too late_."
"You know this detective?"
"I do."
"Very well, I must have time to think; I wish he were a gentleman."
"Why?"
"Then we could dispose of him."
The detective was getting a heap of information, but the information
only complicated the affair; but he had learned enough to make him feel
that he could carry the most pleasant assurances to Mrs. Speir.
The baron and the woman talked for some little time longer, but their
words conveyed no further positive information, and finally they
separated; and when once alone our hero had several problems to meditate
over. In the first place Mrs. Richards was not a German woman and yet
the baron had called her mother. Here was a mystery to solve. Jack did
visit Mrs. Speir and told her to be hopeful--ay, more than hopeful--but
he did not state the evidence on which his cheering words were founded,
but he set to work to investigate the Richards family. He learned in
good time that Mr. Richards was a well-known business man and a very
good man as far as was known. Our hero's informant, however, shook his
head when he came to speak of Mrs. Richards, and Jack asked:
"Was the lady ever married before she became the wife of Mr. Richards?"
The party questioned did not immediately answer. Jack pressed his
question, and the party asked:
"Why do you wish to know?"
"I have vital reasons."
The gentleman whom our hero was questioning was a lawyer, a very shrewd
man, who had the reputation of not being overscrupulous, but there were
reasons why he desired to oblige our hero, and after a moment he said:
"You will not use my information?"
"Not in any way to involve you."
"My communication," said the lawyer, "is confidential?"
"Certainly."
"She was married to a German who claimed to be a baron. He was a
worthless fellow; he may be living yet, but her husband, Mr. Richards,
does not know of her previous marriage. The younger children are his
children."
"There is a young man who is on very intimate terms with Mrs. Richards,"
said our hero, "known as August Wagner."
The lawyer made no remark and the detective asked:
"What do you know about him?"
"See here, I am getting into deep water."
"How?"
"You are up to something."
"I am, and if you do not give me the information I seek I shall look for
it elsewhere. I think, however, _you_ are bound to aid me."
"That young man, August Wagner, is her son by a former marriage. She
pretends he is only a friend; her husband does not suspect the
relationship."
Here was a bit of news that was very important and explained certain
seeming perplexities. In the first place the woman had at times shown
excellent feeling toward the baron, and then again she had apparently
maligned him. Jack could see now the occasion--it was done to blind Mr.
Richards. The woman was playing a double game.
"What have you to say concerning Mrs. Richards? Come, be open and frank
with me."
"She is a very ambitious woman; her husband is a man of comparatively
moderate means. She has spent a great deal of time in Europe. She was
living too fast for her husband, and he made her return to New York, and
she is now leading him beyond his means. Yes, she is socially very
ambitious, not here in America, but abroad. To tell the truth, I do not
believe her first husband is dead. She is leading a double life. She may
not be so much to blame, for I have heard that her first husband was, or
is, a contemptible fellow. She once had money in her own right, but the
baron squandered it all. Her son has lived most of his time in Germany,
and fortunately there is no family resemblance to betray the
relationship. The son resembles the father; is essentially German in
appearance, but he inherits from his mother a pretty bright intellect.
He is a shrewd fellow; his mother supports him clandestinely, and I
reckon he costs her a good round sum." The lawyer here lowered his voice
and said: "In fact, the woman has put herself in jeopardy by several
criminal transactions in connection with her son. They are carrying
forged notes, and at any time there may come an explosion and
disclosure."
"Do you think she would commit actual crime?"
"I do not think that she is a criminal by nature, but extravagance leads
to criminal acts, and when one commits one crime they are often driven
to commit others."
"You are right; but this family have come into considerable prominence
lately owing to the tragedy connected with the young lady who was
governess in their family."
"Ah! I see that is the part of it you are investigating?"
"Well, yes."
"I reckon that is all straight enough in one way."
"In one way?"
"Yes."
"What way do you mean?"
"The girl committed suicide."
"You think so?"
"Yes, and the evidence proves it."
"Yes, I know, but why should she be driven to suicide?"
The lawyer remained silent.
"Come, you have an idea," said our hero.
"I may have an idea, yes, but that's all."
"What is your idea?"
"I am perfectly willing to give you facts; I have no right to advance my
suspicions. I may be wrong."
"I can tell you what you suspect."
"No doubt."
"You think the young baron had something to do with the girl's death."
"I understand she was young and handsome. He is young and handsome; it
is probable that he may have had indirectly something to do with her
death. I know one thing--his mother would never permit him to marry the
girl. She is playing him off for a baron and seeks to marry him to a
rich wife. I believe she will succeed. It will be fortunate for her and
her son also if they succeed--indeed, certain matters are being held
back in that contingency, that I know."
The detective had made great advances and he determined to work a great
game, and within a few days he made the acquaintance of August Wagner
under the disguise of the rich Spaniard, and as they both spoke French
there was little trouble in their intercourse. Jack played his cards
well, made a great display of money, and one day he advanced matters to
a crisis. He had forced the lawyer to furnish him further details
concerning the money transactions of the baron and his mother, and set
matters in motion so that it became necessary for the baron to have some
ready cash. Well, very well and skillfully had Jack played his game, and
one day he and the baron were at dinner. The baron was being fooled and
he had not worked the same game on the Spaniard that he had worked on
the detective. On the contrary, he pretended to be very rich and
possessed of great sums of money; he even assumed to be richer than the
baron. As stated, the crisis arrived; the baron and our hero were at
dinner. The baron appeared to be greatly depressed, and the Spaniard
observed it and said, speaking in French:
"My good friend, you do not appear to be in good spirits to-day?"
"I am not."
"I am sorry; I wish I could do something to cheer you up."
"My remittance failed to come."
"Aha! that is nothing."
"Not materially, and yet I am very much inconvenienced."
"Indeed; possibly I can come to your rescue."
"I would not dream of letting you do so."
"Why not?"
"Oh, no."
"But it would be a pleasure."
"Really?"
"Why, certainly."
"I cannot borrow from you, but if you would accept a draft on
Berlin----"
"Why not?"
"For quite a sum?"
"Why not, if the draft is good?"
"I have a friend, a very rich gentleman, who has dealings with my banker
in Berlin; he will make a draft for me. His name is Richards, a
well-known business man here in New York."
"My friend, you will offend me if you go into details. No, no, it is not
necessary. Have you the draft?"
"Not with me; I can get it."
"Ah, yes; but, my dear baron, you will indorse it?"
"I will, certainly."
"That is fine. I care not who makes the draft, your indorsement is
sufficient for me."
"Have you such confidence in me?"
"Why not?"
"Then we may do better."
"Any way."
"I will get a draft accepted by my friend here in New York; I will
indorse it and I will take care of it."
"Any way, my dear friend; I am only too glad to be of service to you."
"You are very kind."
"Why not--are we not good friends. And I have not many friends in New
York. How much will you need?"
"Two thousand dollars."
"You shall have it at once--indeed, I feel ashamed to accept your note,
but you see I must do so merely as a matter of business, that is all. If
the amount were less I'd not permit you to give me the draft on your
good friend. Let me see, what is the name--did you say Richards?"
"Yes."
"Oh, I see; he will accept the draft payable in sixty days. Ah, that is
it; and you will make the draft?"
"Yes."
"Good, very good; the money is ready for you any time. I am so glad to
oblige you--why not?"
The baron was an actor, but the detective was a better one, and it was
agreed that they were to meet the following morning, when our hero would
have the money ready. Meantime, the detective as known to the baron had
most singularly been in evidence even within three minutes after
parting from the Spaniard. The baron met the detective, or rather he
thought he did, but alas! it was just that part of the game where the
twin brother of Jack, Gil, the excellent aid, came in. Of course Gil had
his instructions well rehearsed, and he played his part with splendid
address and cuteness. The baron was being outmaneuvered in every
direction, while thinking that he was playing a winning hand.
On the morning following the incidents recorded the baron met the
Spaniard, and strange to say, only a minute previously he had met the
detective. Jack had the money all right, "why not?" and the baron had
the draft, and in the presence of the detective he indorsed it. We may
add in the presence of Gil also, for our hero had so arranged his plans
that his brother was a witness, and after the money had been paid over
and Jack had the draft in his possession, he invited the baron to
breakfast with him. The baron was in high glee, excused himself, but
said he would meet Jack and have lunch with him.
Our hero sauntered over to the elegant home of Mrs. Speir. The latter
had suffered the most intense agony during all this time, and it had
preyed upon her health. Our hero had learned that Mrs. Speir was a very
lovely woman, and well fitted to adorn a mansion. On the occasion when
Jack appeared he found Mrs. Speir seated in her library. There were
tears in her eyes, and as the detective entered a photograph slid off
her lap and fell to the floor. The detective leaped forward to restore
it, and as he raised it from the floor he caught a glimpse of the face,
and he stood gazing in rapt and intense admiration.
"I did not mean that you should see that," said Mrs. Speir.
"You did not mean me to see it?"
"Not at present."
"But I have seen it."
"I cannot help it."
"One question: Whose portrait is that?"
"It is a portrait of Amalie."
"Your child?"
"Yes."
"She is indeed a beautiful girl," came the declaration.