MR. BARNES'S TRAP.
It must not be supposed from what has been related, that Mr. Barnes had
lost any of his old time skill. That he did not yet quite understand the
case upon which he was working, is little to be wondered at when it is
remembered that less than two days had elapsed since the robbery had
occurred, and that a great part of this time he had necessarily been
absent from the city upon another case.
After his disappointment at discovering that the button which he had
found was less valuable than he had at first supposed, he had decided
upon a mode of procedure from which he hoped to gain much. He had seen
many men flinch when brought unexpectedly into the presence of their
murdered victim. He knew that many in a fit of passion, or even in cold
blood, might have the nerve to take human life. Few resisted a shudder
when shown the ghastly, mutilated, perhaps decomposing corpse. When he
left the hotel that morning it was about ten o'clock. Whilst he had been
convinced by Mr. Mitchel that the button found at the scene of the
murder was not one of the original set, or rather that it could not be
proven that it had been, he was equally satisfied, that the fact that
it presented a portrait of Miss Remsen was significant. Thus, after all,
it was possible that Mr. Mitchel had murdered the woman, or at least he
had visited the apartment. In either case, supposing that he knew the
woman was dead, it would be idle to take him up three flights of stairs
to confront him with the body, for that would give him ample premonition
of what was about to occur, and he would readily control his
countenance. This is what the detective did:
He went at once to the coroner, and told him enough to have him render
his assistance. Therefore during the time which had elapsed, the coroner
had impanelled a jury, taken them to the scene of the crime, and then
adjourned the inquest, leaving the doctors to perform the autopsy. The
body had been taken down to a room on the first floor which opened
directly on the main hall. Here it was laid out upon a table, so placed
that the gaping wound and now hideous face would at once meet the gaze
of any one entering. The doctors had been instructed to postpone their
work until the arrival of the detective. Thus Mr. Barnes knew, as he led
the way down stairs, that his trap was set. As they reached the main
hall, he spoke:
"Gentlemen, I am about to ask a favor of you. You were both on the train
when the robbery was committed. There is a question in relation to it
which I should like to ask both of you, and hear each answer separately.
Would you oblige me?"
"With pleasure," said the Frenchman.
"I have already told you that you may ask me any questions," said Mr.
Mitchel.
"Thank you." Turning to the hall-boy, who of course had been taught his
part, he continued: "Can we find a room where we can talk privately for
a few minutes?"
"Yes sir; step this way," and the boy led them towards the one where the
corpse lay.
"Mr. Mitchel," said Mr. Barnes, "will you wait a few minutes? I will not
detain you long." Mr. Mitchel bowed, and the Frenchman followed the
detective into the room, the boy closing the door after them. Nothing
was to be seen save the table bearing the body, the doctors being hidden
in a room beyond. Mr. Barnes stopped near the corpse and simply gazed
steadfastly at Mr. Thauret, who in turn looked intently at the murdered
woman. Not a muscle moved to show any agitation. Mr. Barnes waited; but
apparently nothing was to happen; yet he was determined that the other
should speak first, that he might draw some deduction from his words.
Therefore he maintained a stolid silence. Two minutes passed, which
seemed an age, and then the Frenchman gave the detective a genuine
surprise. Looking him straight in the eyes he said in the coolest tones
imaginable:
"How did you discover that I am a physician?"
"I don't understand you," said Mr. Barnes, not knowing what the man was
aiming at.
"Mr. Barnes, you brought me into this room saying that you wished to ask
me a question. When I entered and saw this corpse, I knew at once that
your pretended questioning was but a subterfuge. I wondered why you
brought me in here, and whilst thinking it out, I kept silent. So have
you. Very good. All I can make of it is, that this woman having been
murdered, and knowing that I am a physician, you wished an expert
opinion in the case. I wondered how you had discovered that I have a
medical education, and so I asked you the question. Do I make myself
plain?"
"Quite so," said the detective, coldly, and much disappointed. "My reply
must be that I did not know you to be a physician, and that I did bring
you in here to ask a question."
"Indeed! Then what is it?"
"I wish you to tell me who this woman is."
"You overrate my ability. I never saw the woman before. Is there
anything more you wish to say?"
"Nothing."
"Then I will wish you good-morning." With a polite bow, and drawing on
his glove, Mr. Thauret started to leave the room. Mr. Barnes quickly
stepped in front of him, determined that he should not have a chance to
warn Mr. Mitchel. Opening the door, he then let him pass, thus keeping
his eyes on the two others. Mr. Thauret bowed formally to Mr. Mitchel
and passed out. Then the latter followed Mr. Barnes into the presence of
the dead woman. If Mr. Thauret was undisturbed at the sight which met
him, it was not so with Mr. Mitchel. He had scarcely observed what was
before him, than with an ejaculation of horror he stepped closer to the
corpse and exclaimed:
"My God, Mr. Barnes, what does this mean?"
"What does what mean?" said Mr. Barnes, quietly.
The two men stared at one another a few moments, when Mr. Mitchel,
suddenly lowering his eyes said, "I'm a fool," and once more turned to
look at the corpse. Presently he turned and said, with all of his old
time composure:
"You said you wished to ask me a question! What is it?"
"I wish you to tell me who this woman is?"
"Was, I suppose you mean. She was Rose Mitchel."
"Ah! Did you know her?"
"I agreed to answer but one question. I have done so."
"You have admitted that you knew her."
"You will find it difficult to prove that."
"Oh, shall I? I have witnesses. Gentlemen, please come forward." A door
at the farther end of the room opened, and two physicians entered. The
detective continued, "What have you to say now?"
"That I am most profoundly indebted to you for having enabled me to
prove what has happened, and also that you have so soon let me know that
we are not alone." Mr. Barnes bit his lip at this taunt, and Mr.
Mitchel, turning to the doctors, continued, "Gentlemen, I am delighted
to know that you have overheard what has occurred. You may be called
upon to give testimony. If you will remember, I think that you will
admit that Mr. Barnes asked me who this woman is. Correcting his
grammar I replied, 'She was Rose Mitchel.' Am I accurate?"
"Quite so," said one of the doctors.
"Mr. Barnes claims that I have admitted that I knew the woman. I claim
that I have merely admitted that I knew her name, which is a very
different thing."
"You admitted more than that," said the detective testily, "for you must
have known more than her name to be able to give a name to this dead
body."
"You are quite right, Mr. Barnes, I must also have known her face. In
the same way I know both name and face of Lillian Russell. Were I to
identify her dead body, would that prove that I was a personal
acquaintance?"
"Certainly not, but you cannot claim that this woman was known to you in
that way, for she was not a public character."
"How do you know that?"
"Well then, was she?"
"That is another question, and I decline to answer it, at least before
witnesses. If you will walk with me as far as my hotel I will do the
best I can to explain to you how I could identify this corpse without
having been acquainted with the woman herself."
"Of course I will go with you, for explain this you must"; and together
the two men left the building.
They walked across to Fifth Avenue and down that thoroughfare for
several blocks in silence. Mr. Mitchel was evidently thinking over the
position in which he found himself, and Mr. Barnes was satisfied not to
hasten the explanation. He thus gave himself time to make a few mental
notes, which if written down would have read as follows:
"Why did both of these men start when I said that the jewels were hidden
off the train. It might be because both knew that to be a fact. If a
fact, Thauret might have known it, because he himself may be the thief.
In that case, either Mitchel is an accomplice, or he saw the other man
hide the satchel at some station. Could Mitchel himself have hidden the
satchel? How could he have done so when I watched his section all night,
unless of course I fell asleep, which is not probable. It follows then
that I must discover what acquaintanceship exists between these men, in
order to determine whether they are in league together.
"Next, as to the murder. It is odd to find both men possessing the means
of admittance to the house. It is odd that both were undisturbed and
plainly incredulous when I suggested that the woman might have been
murdered to obtain the jewels. If Thauret killed the woman his demeanor
in the presence of the corpse was simply miraculous. He showed not the
least agitation. On the other hand he admitted that he has a medical
education. Physicians are less excited by cadavers, and what is more
significant, a physician would know how to find the jugular vein with a
pen-knife. Still it is not difficult to sever that vessel without
special knowledge. As to Mitchel, his behavior is more mysterious. Had
he committed the crime, knowing his extraordinary ability to control
his emotions, I had a right to expect him to be calm before the corpse.
Yet he was much excited, and went towards the body for a closer
scrutiny. Murderers usually shrink away from their victims. In spite of
that he gave the woman's name, and it tallies with that which she
herself had claimed. Now, if he was willing to tell me the name, and if
he committed the crime, why did he remove the names from all the
garments? Why, unless Rose Mitchel is an alias, and the real name is
thus kept secret? I may ask him some of these questions."
At this point Mr. Mitchel addressed his companion:
"Mr. Barnes, I should like to know of what you have been thinking as we
walked, and I suppose you have a similar curiosity regarding my own
thoughts. I mean to gratify you. I have been endeavoring to view my own
position from your point of view, to guess what your deductions are from
my behavior in the presence of that dead woman."
"I cannot give you my deductions," said Mr. Barnes, "for the simple
reason that I have adopted none as yet. It has always been my practice
to avoid deciding upon a theory too early. A detective with a theory
will invariably be tempted to work to prove his assumption. I work to
discover the truth. Therefore I avoid theories."
"Good! I see that my opinion of detectives, as expressed in the
conversation which you overheard, must be modified. I still think I am
right in the main, but you are an exception to the general rule."
"Mr. Mitchel, I don't care for compliments. You are at present in a
very suspicious position. You said you could explain how you were able
to identify that woman."
"I will do so. First let me state that I never saw her but once before
in my life. The story is very short. I have been in this city less than
two years. I became engaged to Miss Remsen last winter. About a month
later I received a letter signed Rose Mitchel, which informed me that
the writer could divulge a secret in relation to my family which would
cause Miss Remsen to break with me. A price was named for silence, and a
photograph enclosed that I might be able to recognize the woman, for she
boldly announced that she would call in person for the money. She did
so, and I have never seen her again till to-day."
"Can you prove this story?"
"I will show you the letter and the photograph if you will come with me
to the Garfield Safety Vaults."
"I will go with you at once. Did you pay the money demanded?"
"I did."
"Do you not know that it is suspicious for a man to submit to blackmail?
It tends to prove that he is in the blackmailer's power."
"That is correct. I was in this woman's power."
"That is a serious admission, now that she has been murdered."
"I know it. But here we are at the vaults."
The two men entered the building, and Mr. Mitchel obtained the key to
his compartment. He never took it away from the place, for he thought it
safer in the keeping of the officers of the vaults. Descending into the
great strong room, he took a tin box from his drawer, and then went into
a little private room provided with a table and chairs. Opening the box
he took out several packages which he laid on one side. Amongst these
the detective was amazed to see a red Russia-leather case bound around
with a strap, upon which appeared the name MITCHEL, in gold letters.
Could it be possible that this was the case containing the missing
jewels?
"Ah! Here it is," said Mr. Mitchel. "Here is the photograph." He handed
it to Mr. Barnes, who saw at once that it was the picture of the dead
woman. "And here is the letter. Shall I read it to you?" Mr. Barnes
assented with a nod. His thoughts were mainly upon the red leather case.
Mr. Mitchel read aloud:
"MR. R. MITCHEL,
"DEAR SIR:
"You will be surprised to receive this from one, of whom perhaps
you know little, but who knows much concerning your family. So
much, that were she to tell all she knows, your high-toned
sweetheart would send you adrift in a jiffy. Some say that silence
is golden. So it must be in this case. If you wish me to keep
silent, you must be ready to pay me ten thousand dollars on
Thursday night, when I shall call for it. I send my photograph,
that you may know I am the writer when I call. You see I am not
afraid to do this, because if you call in the police, I will simply
tell my story and you will be ruined. I may go to jail, but that
does not worry me much, as there are worse places. So be ready to
receive me on Thursday night. Yours truly,
"ROSE MITCHEL."
Mr. Mitchel handed the above to Mr. Barnes, who read it over carefully,
examining the envelope and postmark, both of which proved that the
letter was genuine and a year old.
"Did you give her the amount demanded?" asked Mr. Barnes.
"I must explain what I did. When I received that letter, it was plain
that there would be nothing to lose by receiving the woman and hearing
her story. I determined not to give her any money; therefore, when she
called, of course I did not have any such sum. After listening to her I
changed my mind. I found that, through certain papers which she had, and
which she did not hesitate to show me, she would be able to ventilate a
scandal which might result just as she adroitly prophesied. I mean in
the rupture of my engagement. Naturally I wished to avoid that. When I
told her that she should have the money if she would call again, she
became furious. Said I had tricked her, and now wanted a chance to hand
her over to the police, etc. I saw that I must settle with her at once,
and did so on these terms. I agreed to give her cash enough to go to
Europe, and the balance in jewels."
"In jewels?" cried Mr. Barnes, startled.
"Yes, in jewels. You are surprised; but that is because you do not know
my hobby. I am a collector of jewels. I have half a million dollars'
worth in these vaults. Therefore, whilst I had no such amount in cash as
ten thousand dollars, I could easily give her three diamond rings, which
I did, with a letter to a Paris jeweller, who would purchase them from
her. Thus was I rid of the woman, part of the agreement being that she
should never return."
"Mr. Mitchel, a man of your intelligence must have known that such
promises are not kept by that class of people."
"True, but I obtained from her all the documentary evidence which she
had, so that I rendered her powerless to annoy me further. You said
awhile ago that it was a serious admission for me to make that I was in
this woman's power. I suppose you meant that such a fact supplied a
motive for this murder. Now you see that this is not true since I can
prove that I released myself from that position a year ago."
"How can you prove that?"
"I have the woman's receipt, in which she states that for the sum of ten
thousand dollars or its equivalent, she delivers to me family documents,
etc."
"Have you the documents still?"
"I prefer not to reply to that question."
"Very good, but answer me this one. Where did you obtain this leather
case, and what does it contain?" As he said this the detective picked
up the case and held it before Mr. Mitchel's eyes. That gentleman was
evidently confused for a moment, but finally answered:
"It contains some jewels."
"Jewels? That is what I thought. May I examine them?"
"Not with my permission."
"Then I must do so without," and with a quick movement the case lay open
on the table. It was lined with black satin, and contained gems similar
to those described in the paper found in the dead woman's pocket. What
seemed more important however, was a piece of writing-paper upon which
Mr. Barnes found an exact copy of the list and description which he had
in his pocket. The detective noticed with astonishment that though Mr.
Mitchel had refused to permit this examination of the contents of the
case, he made no effort to prevent it, and now sat back looking on in
the most unconcerned way.
"Mr. Mitchel," said Mr. Barnes, "why did you object to my looking into
this case?"
"I never show my jewels to--strangers. It is wrong to tempt people."
"You are impertinent, sir! What do you mean?"
"I mean that I regulate my life by rule. This is one of my rules, and
though I do not doubt your honesty, you are a stranger to me and so come
within the operation of my rule."
"Your cool impudence will not avail you in this instance. These are the
stolen jewels."
"Indeed! Do you discover that, as you claim to have detected the thief,
simply by looking at them?" Mr. Mitchel assumed that sarcastic tone
which had several times irritated the detective.
"Have done with child's play," said Mr. Barnes. "I have a list of the
lost jewels, and this case with its contents accurately matches the
description. What is more, this list in your possession, is the
fac-simile, of the one which I have in my pocket."
"Ah! Now we come to tangible facts and leave the realm of psychology,"
said Mr. Mitchel leaning forward, with evident interest. "Let me
understand this. You have a list of the stolen jewels. That paper is a
fac-simile of this one here. The description too tallies with the case
and jewels. Is that right?"
"That is quite right. Now can your remarkable inventive faculty fashion
a story to meet this emergency?"
"Mr. Barnes, you do me an injustice. I am no romancer. That is the
difference between myself and the criminal class, with which you deal.
Those poor devils commit a crime and depend upon a sequence of lies to
clear themselves. On the contrary I follow this rule: 'Refuse to answer
all questions, or else answer truthfully.' Now in this case there are
some points, as puzzling to me as to yourself. Them I shall not attempt
to explain. One of them is how you can possibly have a duplicate list of
my jewels, for these are mine I assure you."
"Here is the list," said the detective, taking it from his pocket and
comparing it with the other; "and by heavens," he continued, "the
writing is the same."
"That is interesting, let me look," said Mr. Mitchel. With which he
arose, walked around to the other side of the table and stood leaning
over the detective. "You see, I do not ask you to let me take your paper
from you. You might suspect that I would destroy it." Mr. Barnes handed
both papers to him without a word. Mr. Mitchel bowed as he took them and
returned to his seat. After a moment's careful examination he handed
them back saying:
"I agree with you, Mr. Barnes. The writing is the same. What deduction
do you draw from that fact?"
"What deduction! Why I found this description of the stolen jewels in
the pocket of a dress belonging to Rose Mitchel."
"What? Do you mean to say that she was the woman who was robbed?" The
blank amazement upon Mr. Mitchel's face disconcerted Mr. Barnes, for if
he did not know this, the mystery seemed deeper than ever.
"Do you mean that you did not know it?" asked Mr. Barnes.
"How should I know it?"
This caused a silence. Both men stopped a moment to consider the
situation. At length Mr. Barnes said coldly:
"Mr. Mitchel, I am under the painful necessity of placing you under
arrest."
"Upon what charge?"
"Upon the charge of having stolen jewels, and perhaps of having
murdered Rose Mitchel."
"Are you in a hurry to take me with you?" asked Mr. Mitchel coolly.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because if not, I should like to ask you one or two questions."
"You may do so."
"First, then, as the robbery was committed on a moving train, will you
tell me how you suppose it to have been accomplished, since the
passengers were searched?" Mr. Barnes had his own idea on this subject
which he did not choose to tell. He thought it well, however, to pretend
that he had still another theory. At least he could observe how Mr.
Mitchel received it.
"As you say, all were searched. The first was Mr. Thauret. Nothing was
found. Let us suppose a case. This man Thauret was in the same carriage
with the woman Rose Mitchel. When the train stopped at New Haven,
suppose that he took the satchel, left the train and passed it to you
through the window of your section, thinking that only his carriage
would be searched. After his own examination, he left the train at
Stamford. Why may he not have tapped upon your window and have received
back the satchel?"
"That would make him my accomplice. You are wrong. I do not know the man
at all."
"You admitted having met him when Miss Dora Remsen introduced him to
you."
"Once only. At a gaming table. That is why I was displeased to see him
in the home of my intended. Passing the robbery then, for despite my
denial you may think your explanation correct, and a jury might agree
with you, let us come to the murder. Do you suppose a man would make a
wager to commit a crime, and then go to the extreme of killing a woman."
"I do not! But having committed the robbery, and then having discovered
that this woman, who you say has blackmailed you, had actually taken an
apartment in the same building with your affianced, you may have gone
there to urge her to leave, and have killed her to save yourself."
"Plainly you do not know me. There is one point in what you say which is
interesting. Did I understand that this woman had an apartment in the
Thirtieth Street building."
"Certainly, and you knew it."
"You are mistaken. Let us return to the jewels. You think that these are
the missing gems. If I prove to the contrary, will you agree not to
place me under arrest?"
"With pleasure," said the detective, feeling safe in the idea that what
Mr. Mitchel offered to do was an impossibility.
"Thank you. That gives me my freedom, in exchange for which courtesy I
promise you all the assistance in my power in finding the murderer."
Saying which Mr. Mitchel touched an electric-button and when it was
answered sent a message up-stairs asking Mr. Charles to come down. In a
few moments, that gentleman appeared.
"Mr. Charles," said Mr. Mitchel, "would it be possible for me to enter
these vaults without your knowledge?"
"It would be impossible for any one to enter here without my knowledge,"
said Mr. Charles.
"You keep my key, do you not?"
"Yes, sir."
"Have I ever taken it out of this building."
"No, sir."
"Then you think it impossible that I should have been able to have a
duplicate key, and to have entered here without your knowledge?"
"An utter impossibility, sir."
"Can you remember when I was here last?"
"Certainly. It was about two weeks ago, when you told me that you were
going to Boston."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Charles. That is all." Mr. Charles retired and
Mr. Mitchel looked at Mr. Barnes with a smile, saying:
"You see you are wrong again. The jewels were stolen yesterday morning,
and I have not been to this place since, and therefore could not have
placed them in this box. Are you satisfied?"
"No. If you were able to commit the robbery on the train, whilst I
watched your section all night, and to have succeeded in getting the
jewels away although you were searched, you are ingenious enough to have
found a way of getting here without the knowledge of Mr. Charles. Or,
he may be paid to lie for you. I feel too sure that these are the gems,
to be so readily convinced to the contrary."
"So you did watch me that night. Well, I am sorry you had so much
trouble. I must give you further proof? Very good. Examine these." He
took out a package of letters and from them extracted a bill-of-sale,
dated five years previous, in which was once more an accurate
description of the jewels and case. In addition there was pinned to it a
receipt from the New York Custom House for the duties paid, which paper
was also dated back. This was evidence which Mr. Barnes could not
refute. Plainly this particular set of jewels belonged to Mr. Mitchel.
"That is sufficient. It would be folly to arrest you when you could show
those documents to any judge and be released. At the same time, I shall
not forget the coincidence of these two lists, and that one of the
button."
"By the way, Mr. Barnes, would you mind saying where you found that
button?"
"In the room where the woman was murdered."
"No wonder you valued it. I am surprised that you should have presented
it to Miss Remsen." There was a twinkle in Mr. Mitchel's eye which
annoyed Mr. Barnes, but he made no reply. Mr. Mitchel continued:
"In consideration of your not placing me under arrest, Mr. Barnes, I
will give you a hint. I made that wager with my friend Randolph
yesterday morning, that is to say December 2d. I have until January 2d,
to commit the crime about which the bet was made. Should you come to the
conclusion that I am not guilty of either of those now engaging your
attention, it might enter your head that I still have a crime on hand,
and it might pay you to watch me. Do you catch the idea?"
"There is little danger of your committing any crime during the next
month without my knowing of it," said Mr. Barnes.
"Now let us change the subject. Do you see this ruby?" taking a large
ruby from the case before them. "I am thinking of having it set as a
present to Miss Remsen. Will she not be envied when she wears it?"