Nick Carter smiled amusedly when Frank Paulding, having fairly snatched
the card and read it, straightened up in his chair and stared at him
with almost ludicrous astonishment.
“Nicholas Carter!” he exclaimed; “the New York detective! Good
gracious!”
“Is it so very amazing?” the detective asked dryly.
“Yes, by Jove, it is,” said Paulding, pulling himself together. “I
do, indeed, know you by name, and who does not? Let the circumstances
be what they may, too, I am very glad to become acquainted with you.
I am not blind, nevertheless, to the fact that your visit is rather
significant; decidedly so, in reality, in view of your duplicity and
covert insinuations that----”
“That you know something about Todd’s sudden death,” Nick put in,
checking him. “Don’t let that annoy you. I did so, Mr. Paulding, only
to assure myself to the contrary. I have succeeded, too, completely.”
“But what was the occasion?” Paulding questioned. “I don’t see, Mr.
Carter, why you thought I knew anything about it.”
“I did not really think so,” Nick said dryly. “I foresaw, however, what
others possibly will think, sooner or later, and I wanted to look at
you and take your measure before circumstances might make it difficult
for me to do so with absolute certainty. He is a wise man and keen, you
know, who anticipates coming events.”
“By Jove, I fail to get you, Mr. Carter,” Paulding said more seriously.
“Take my measure, eh? What others will possibly think? Say, you
don’t--you don’t mean that--that Gaston Todd was killed, do you? Not
that he was--murdered?”
Nick glanced at the door, to be sure that he had closed it. He then
replied more impressively:
“I am a stranger to you, Mr. Paulding, but you will make no mistake in
meeting me halfway and taking my advice. I frequently am a good friend
to have in time of trouble.”
“I know of none I would rather have,” Paulding said quickly.
“That goes, does it?”
“You bet it goes.”
“What now passes between us, then, must be strictly confidential,” said
the detective. “You must, moreover, be governed by my instructions. You
will presently see, I think, that that will be the only wise course for
you to shape. If you are not inclined to meet me in this way----”
“But I am,” Paulding cut in earnestly. “I’m not blind. I now see there
is something wrong, Mr. Carter, and that you are here in my behalf. I
would be more than a fool, sir, if I did not take advantage of your
offer. I promise in advance to do what you direct.”
“Very good,” Nick said approvingly. “You will not regret it.”
“But how am I in wrong?” Paulding asked anxiously. “Has a crime been
committed? Was Todd murdered?”
“I think so,” said the detective.
“Good heavens! Is it possible that I am suspected of----”
“One moment, Paulding, and I will tell you about it.”
He then stated the circumstances briefly, in so far as he had figured
in the case, and then added pointedly:
“You now can see why I wanted to talk with you, Paulding, and get your
measure.”
“Yes, yes, I see,” Paulding nodded. “But how did you know that I passed
Todd in the corridor just before he died, or was killed? I saw no one
else. I am sure, too, that no one saw me. How did you know I had just
left there?”
“For two reasons,” Nick replied. “One, because you told me so.”
“I told you so?” Paulding stared perplexedly.
“In effect,” smiled the detective. “You said you had passed Todd about
fifteen minutes ago, and I knew that was just about when his body was
discovered.”
“Ah, I see. You are a keen reasoner, Mr. Carter. You said there were
two reasons, however.”
“The other can be briefly stated: Todd did not look to me like a man
who had dropped dead of any organic trouble. He looked like a strong
and healthful fellow. I very soon suspected murder; and, after having
been told of your fight with Todd in the Country Club last night, I
reasoned that you had just met him, perhaps, and been seen by some
person who, for some reason and knowing all of the circumstances,
had taken advantage of them to craftily kill Todd and fix the crime
upon you, assuming that you had not done it. That’s why I lost no time
in sizing you up from personal observation. I wanted to do so before
you heard of Todd’s death, in case you were innocent, of which I was
quickly convinced. Have I made it plain to you?”
“Perfectly plain, Mr. Carter,” Paulding said earnestly. “I am more than
grateful. I don’t know how I can repay you for your interest in me, a
stranger----”
“Don’t speak of that,” the detective interrupted. “I am interested in
serving justice, mind you, and am taking what seems to be the best
way. I am not absolutely sure that Todd was murdered. An autopsy will
determine that. If he was, at such a time and in such a public place,
without any disturbance or any superficial wound, it was accomplished
by most extraordinary means and by a knave of exceeding boldness and
ability, who may be equally as skillful in hiding his identity and
covering his tracks. That’s why I have tackled the case in the bud, so
to speak, in anticipation of what may follow.”
“I understand,” said Paulding. “It now is perfectly plain.”
“We’ll get right down to business, then, for I wish you to answer a few
questions,” Carter replied.
“As many as you wish, Mr. Carter, and to the best of my ability.”
“Very good. Todd appeared to be waiting for some one, you have said.”
“Yes. That was my impression.”
“Do you know for whom, or how long he had been there?”
“No, neither.”
“Do you know of any person whom he visits, who has rooms or an office
in that building?”
“I do not. He was not the type of man I fancied, Mr. Carter, and we
never have been good friends.”
“I was told that he was a popular clubman.”
“He was, I admit, and there are many who liked him.”
“What was the trouble between you last evening?” the detective
inquired. “I was told----”
“I can tell you in a nutshell,” Paulding interrupted. “He spoke of a
young lady in terms that no gentleman should have used. I called him
down, Mr. Carter. One word led to another, and we nearly came to blows.
That’s all there was to it, however, for others interposed and Todd
immediately left the clubhouse. I did not see him again until we met
this morning in the Waldmere Chambers.”
“Do you know anything against him, so far as his character and habits
are concerned?”
“Well, no,” said Paulding, after a moment. “He was somewhat dissipated
at times and in with the fast set. He gambled more or less on the
quiet, and I know he was friendly with other women while paying
attention to----”
“To Miss Thurlow,” put in Carter, when the lawyer hesitated. “Her name
was mentioned to me, also, and the fact that a bitter rivalry existed
between you and Todd.”
“Well, there is some truth in that,” Paulding admitted, flushing.
“Regardless of my affection and whether she really cares for me, Mr.
Carter, I never considered Todd a fit man for Edna Thurlow. I would
not have permitted him to visit a sister of mine, if I had one. Edna
is young, however; only nineteen, and it’s not difficult for a man of
Todd’s type to deceive an inexperienced girl. I do not mean by that,
Mr. Carter, that he would not have cared to marry her. He was out to
get her, if possible, and----”
“So are you, Paulding, aren’t you?” Nick interrupted. “Tell me frankly.”
“Yes, indeed, I am, Mr. Carter, if she’ll have me.”
“Do you think she will?”
“I hope so, think so, in fact, though I have not yet ventured to
ask her. Bear in mind, Mr. Carter, that she is wealthy, prominent
socially, and a very beautiful and accomplished girl, while I am only
a struggling lawyer, bucking up against a hard game, and with only
patronage and income enough to keep me going. But I’ll make good, all
right, and then----”
“I think you will, Paulding,” the detective again interposed. “Let
it go at that, now, for my time is limited. I wish to give you a few
instructions, which you must follow to the letter.”
“I will do so,” Paulding assured him. “You may rely upon that.”
“Much may depend upon it,” Carter said impressively. “As I have said,
nevertheless, I am not absolutely sure that Todd was murdered. Nor,
if he was, am I sure that you will be seriously involved, or even
suspected. I think you may be, however, for the reason stated, and you
must in that case do precisely what I direct.”
“I certainly will, Mr. Carter,” Mr. Paulding again said earnestly.
“To begin with, then, say nothing about this interview, or the fact
that we have met and that I am interested in the case,” Nick directed.
“Do not confide in any one, not excepting Miss Thurlow, even, in case
you are arrested and charged with the crime.”
“Good heavens! Do you anticipate that?” Paulding asked anxiously.
“It is possible, if not probable,” the detective replied. “You must,
in that case, do precisely as if we had not met. Say not a word about
me until I countermand these instructions. My presence in Madison is
not generally known, and, while looking into this matter, as well as
other business that brought me here, I may derive an advantage from
concealing the fact.”
“I understand, and will act accordingly.”
“You may assert your innocence, employ another lawyer, get bail if you
can, and all that--but not a word about me.”
“That goes,” Paulding nodded. “I’ll be as dumb as an oyster.”
“Very good,” said Carter, extending his hand and rising to go. “I
will make it a point to see you as soon as possible, in case you are
arrested, but do not under any circumstances send for me. On the other
hand, do not fear that I will desert you. I shall know all that is
going on and will be hard at work for you.”
“That’s good enough for me,” declared Paulding, warmly pressing the
detective’s hand. “You can bank on me, Mr. Carter, let come what
may--as I’m going to bank on you.”
“Good enough, then,” the detective added. “We’ll wait and see how the
cat jumps.”