An Artist in Crime.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 11, 16 June 1894, Page 13

An Artist in Crime.

(By Roderigues Ottolengui.)

[Copyright.] Synopsis of Previous Chapters : Two friends, Arthur Eandolph and Eobert Leroy Mitchel, while travelling from Boston to New York, have a discussion as to the usefulness of the detective force. Mitchell wagers that he will commit a crime and es oape detection for a given period. Barnes, a famous detective, overhears the conversation. At a later stage in the journey a lady is robbed of her jewels, and all the passengers except Mitchel allow themselves to fee searched. Mitchel ultimately allows himself to be searched, but without result. The woman who claimed to have lost the jewels was soon after found murdered in her bedroorn during the night. Two men were seen leaving the place during the evening—Mitchel being one of them. Mr Barnes discovers a clue. A trap is laid for Mr Mitchel, who_ comes through the ordeal successfully, leaving *Mi Barnes very much where he was before. Mr Barnes follows up the button clue, but without success. Mr Thauret re-appears on the scene, and Mr Barnes is introduced to Mr Mitchel’s sweetheart. CHAPTER VIII. .LUCETTE. Two days after the events just related, Emily Remsen’s maid announced that, she had jnst received news that her mother was very ill, and that she had been notified to go to Ijer at once. Her mother,she said, lived in the country. She wished to go at the earliest possible moment, and begged that her cousin, Lucette, -should be allowed to attend to her duties till her return,which she hoped would be in a very few days. Asked if her cousin was competent, she said ,yes, and especially apt at arranging the lair, having sarved an apprenticeship with a French hair-dresser. Indeed the girl’s real name was Lucy, but she had changed it to Lucette, to pretend that being French she was necessarily a good maid. In Miss Remsen’s mind this changing of her name was nothing in the girl’s favour; but as her own maid was thus suddenly taken from her, and as this other was ottered at once, she agreed to the proposal. Lucette arrived during the afternoon, and Miss Remsen was delighted with her. Expecting a talkative, intrusive person, assuming Frenchified mannerisms, she was surprised to find a quiet, unpretentious creature, who immediately showed herself to he well acquainted with the duties required of her. Within the first twenty-four hours she found herself so much better served than by her absent maid, that she almost wished that the mother would require her for a long time. Dora, too, was charmed with Lucette.

“ Queen,” said she the next after' noon, “what do vou think of your new maid ?” “Who ? —Lucette ?” answered the sister. “Oh I think she does very well.”

“ Does very well ? Why, Queen, she is a jewel. If you do not appreciate her, I wish you would bequeath her to me when Sarah returns.”

“Oho ! So my young 1 miss wants a maid to herself, does she P” “Oh no! Not especially, but I want to-keep Lucette in the family. She is a treasure. Dressing the hair is not her only accomplishment either, though I never saw yours look more beautiful, She has just arranged the table for our ‘ afternoon tea,’ and I never saw anything like it. It is jnst wonderful what that girl can do with a napkin in the way of decoration. “ O yes,” said Emily, “ Lucette is clever ; but don’t let her know that we think so. It might make her less valuable. Now tell me, Dora dear, who is coming this afternoon P” “Oh ! The usual crush I sup-

pose.’ “ Including Mr Randolph P” “ Queen, there is a mystery about liim. Let me tell you. In the first place, he has not been here for over a

week, and then yesterday I saw him coming down Fifth Avenue, and, would you believe it ? jus-t as I was about to bow to him, he turned down a side street.”

“He did not see you, my dear, or he would surely have spoken. He would have been too glad. “ Well, if he did not see me, be must have suddenly contracted near sightedness ; that is all I have to say.” Shortly after, company began to arrive, and very soon the rooms were filled by a crowd which is aptly described by the term used by Dora. One goes to these affairs partly from duty and partly from habit. One leaves mainly from the instinctive sense of self-preservation inherent in all.

Dora was besieged by a number of admirers, and took pleasure in avoiding Mr Randolph, who was assiduous in his attentions. He seemed anxious to get her off into the seclusion of a corner, a scheme which the young lady frustrated without appeariog to do so.

Mr Thauret was also present, though he did not remain very long. He chatted a short time with Emily on conventional subjects, and then w’orked his way to the side of Dora, where he lingered longer. He said several pretty things to her, such as she had heard already in different forms fiom other men, but with just a tone, which seemed to indicate that he spoke from his heart rather than from the mere passing fancy of pleasing. It was very skilfully done. There was so little of it, that no one, certainly not an inexperienced girl like Dora, could suspect that it was all studied. Yet after he had gone, and the company was thinning out, Mr Randolph found his long-sought opportunity, and sat down for a teie-a-teie with Dora. He began at once: “ Miss Dora, why do you allow a cad like that Frenchman to make love to you ?” “Are you alluding to my friend, Mr Thauret P” She accentuated the word “ friend ” merely to exasperate Mr Randolph, and succeeded admirably. “He is not your fxnend. In my opinion he is nobody’s friend but his own.”

“ That has been said of so many that it is no new idea.”

“ But do be serious, Miss Dora. You must not allow this fellow to worm his way into your circle, and more than all, you must not allow him to make love to you.” “ You surprise me, Mr Randolph. I had no idea that Mr Thauret was making love to me. I could relate everything that he said, and it would scarcely bear out.your assumption.” “ That is only his cunning. He is too shrewd to speak plainly, so soon ”; and yet this young philosopher was not wise enough to see that he was damaging his own cause by putting ideas into the girl’s mind which had not yet entered there. “Why, Mr Randolph, you are really becoming amusing. You are like Don Quixote fighting windmills. You imagine a condition and then give me a warning. It is entirely unnecessary I assure you. Mr Thauret was not acting in any such way as you impute to him.”

“ You are not angry with me I hope. You know what prompted me to speak ?” “ No, I fear I am not so clever as you at reading other people’s motives.”

“ But surely you must have guessed that ” “ Gruessed what ?” Dora looked at him so candidly, that he was abashed. It was his opportunity to declare himself, and he might have done so, had not Mr Mitchel entered the room at that moment. Seeing him, Mr Randolph thought of the peculiar position he would be in if his friend were proven to be a criminal. For this reason he hesitated, and thus lost a chance which did not recur again forja very long time. He replied in a jesting tone, and soon after left the house. The company had departed. Dora

had gone to her own room, leaving Mr Mitchell and Emily alone together. “ Emily, my queen,” said Mr Mitchel, taking one of her hands caressingly within both of his, so they sat upon a tete-a-tete sofa, “ I almost believe that I am dreaming when I think that you love me,” “ Why so, Roy r 1” “ Listen, little woman. lamin an odd mood to-night, and I wish very much to talk to you. May I?”

For answer she touched him lightly, lovingly, on the face with her disengaged hand, and bowed assent. “ Then listen while I make my confession. lam different from other men, much as I count you different from all women. I have met many, in all the capitals of Europe, and here in my own country. I have never been affected by any, as I was by you. In the first instant of meeting you I had chosen you for my wife. When I asked for you, I had not the least idea that you would refuse, until having spoken, I saw the bold audacity of my words, and for half an instant the idea lived with me that i was too presumptuous.” “ You were not, my Roy. Like you I have passed lovers by, as unaffected as by the ocean breezes. When I met you, I said to myself: ‘ This is my master.’ ”

“ God bless you? Emily. Let me continue. I have chosen you to be my wife. As heaven is my witness, I shall never deceive you in aught. But—and this is the hard test which your love must endure —I may be compelled at times to keep you in ignorance of some things. Do you think that your love is great enough to believe that when I do so it is from love of you, that I keep a secret from you ?” “ Eoy, perhaps this is conceit, but if so, still I say it. A weaker love than mine would say to you, ‘ I trust you, but I love you so that you need not hesitate to share your secrets with me.’ I tell you that I trust you implicitly. That lam content to hear your secrets or not, as your own judgment and love for me shall decide.”

“ I knew that you would speak so. Had you said less I should have been disappointed v I will tell you then at once, that there is a secret in my life which I have shared with no one, and which I am not willing yet to reveal to you. Are you still .content ?” “Do you doubt it P Do you think that I would make an assertion only to draw back from my boast as som as tried ?”

“ No, my Queen, but it is asking much to ask a woman to marry whilst there is a secret which cannot be told. Especially when there are those who may believe that there is shame or worse, concealed.” “ No one would dare to so misjudge you 1” “ Indeed, but you are mistaken. There are those who do not count me as irreproachable as I may seem to you. What if I were to tell you that a detective watches me night and day ?” “ Oho P That would not frighten me. i'ou have explained all about your wager. I suppose Mr Barnes is keeping an eye on you. Is that it ?” “ Partly that, and partly because he thinks that I am connected with this murdered woman. To a certain extent he is right.” “ You mean that you knew her ?” “ Yes.” Mr Mitchel paused to see whether she would ask another question after his admission. But she meant all that she had said when asserting that she trusted him. She remained silent. Mr Mitchel continued : “ Naturally Mr Barnes is desirous of learning how much I know. There are urgent reasons why I do not wish him to do so. You have it in your power to aid me.”

“ I will do so !” “ You do not know what it is that I wish,” “ I do not care what it is. I will do it if you ask me.” “You are worthy of my love.” He drew her gently towards him, and kissed her lightly on the lips. “ I say it not in egotism, for I love you as

much as man may. Were you unworthy—l should never love agaia.” “ You may trust me, Roy." Her words were simple, but there was a passion of truth contained in their utterance.

“ I will tell you at once what I wish. For it must be done promptly. You must be ready—who is that ?” Mr Mitchel spoke the last two words in a sharp tone, rising from his seat and taking a step forward. The large room was but dimly lighted, th© gas having been lowered to please Emily who abhorred well - lighted rooms. ■ At the further end some one was standing, and had attracted Mr Mitchel’s attention. It was Lucette r and she replied at once :

“ Your mother sent me to know if you were ready for supper, Miss Emily P” “Say that we will be in, in a few minutes,” implied Emily, and Lucette left the room.

“ Who is that girl ?” asked Mr Mitchel.

Emily explained how the new girl had been engaged, and Mr Mitchel speaking in a much louder tone than was necessary, said: “ She seems to be a quiet, good girl. Rather too quiet, for she startled me coming in so noiselessly. Shall we go in ? What I have to say will keep. It is something I wish you to da for me the day after to-morrow.” After supper Mr Mitchel took the two girls and their mother to the theatre, much to the delight of the latter, who was always shocked whenever Emily went unattended by a chaperone. The party walked going and coming, and as Dora and her mother were ahead, Mr Mitchel had ample time to explain to his fiancee the favour which he wished her to do for him. When leaving the house that night he said :

“ You will not see me again for a couple of days. Keep well till then.”

Lucette, who had overheard this remark, was, therefore, rather astonished to see Mr Mitchel walk in the next morning as early as ten o’clock. She was still more surprised to have her mistress announce that she was going out. What puzzled her most of all was that Emily went out alone, leaving Mr Mitchel in the parlour. In fact this seemed to give her so much food for reflection that, as though struck by the conclusions arrived at, she herself prepared to go out. As she was passing along the hall, however, the parlour door opened, and Mr Mitchel confronted her.

“ Where are you going, Lucette P” “ I have an errand to do, sir,’’ she replied with a slight tremor. “ Come into the parlour first. I wish to speak to you.” She felt com- • polled to obey, and walked into the room, Mr Mitchel opening the door and waiting for her to pass through. He then followed, after closirg the door behind him, locking it and taking the key from the lock. “ Why did you do that ?” asked Lucette angrily. “You forget yourself, Lucette. You are a servant, and good servants such servants as you have proven that you know how to be, never ask questions. However, I will answer you. I locked the door because I da not wish you to go out of this room.” “ I won’t be locked in here with you.” Do not be afraid. You need not get excited, I am not going to hurt you in any way.” “ Then why have you brought me , in here ?” “ Simply to keep you in here till—well, say till 12 o’clock. That is two hours. Do you mind p” “ Yes, Ido mind. I won’t be kept in here alone with you for two hours.” “ You amuse me. How will you prevent it ?” Lucette bit her lip, but said nothing. She saw that there was no help for her. > She might scream, of course, but Mrs Remsen and Dora had gone out before Emily. She and Mr Mitchel were alone in the apartment. She might attract the attention of the porter, or of people in the street. Jls this idea occurred to her she glanced toward the window. Mr Mitchel di-

vined her thoughts in a moment. “ Don’t try screaming, Lacette,” said he, “ for if you do, I will be compelled to gag you. You will find that very uncomfortable for two hours.” “ Will you tell me why you wish to keep me nere ?” “I thought I did tell you. The fact is, I do not wish you to do that little errand of yours.” “ I don’t understand you.” “ Oh, yes, you do. You are not such a fool as all that. Now, my girl, you may as well bow to the inevitable. Make yourself comfortable till twelve. Read the paper, if you wish. There is an interesting account of the murder case. r lhe woman, you know, who was killed in the flat upstairs. Have you followed it F” “No, I have not,” she replied snappishly. “ That is strange. Do you know, I took you to be just the person who would have a deep interest iyi that kind of thing.” “ Well. I am not.”

For the next lavo hours not a word passed. Mr Mitchel sat in a large arm-chair and simply Avatched the girl with an aggravating smile upon his face. In fact the smile was so aggravatingthat after encountering it a few minutes, Lucette did not look at him again, but rivetted her gaze upon the opposite side of the street. At last the clock chimed twelve. Instantly the girl arose. “ May I go now ?”

“ Yes, Lucette, you may go now—and do your little errand —that is if it is not too late. And by the way, Hucette, Miss Remsen asked me to say to you that she will not need your services after to-day.” “Do you mean that I am dismissed ?”

“ Not exactly that. I said you would not be needed. You see Miss Remsen thinks you come into and go out of rooms with too little noise. She is very nervous, and it startles her to find you in her presence without having heard you enter.” “You are a wretch!” replied Xiucette in a passion, as she darted through the door which Mitchel had unlocked, and ran downstairs and out of the house.

“ X was right,!’ thought Mr Mitchel, as he sat down once more.

Lncette hurried across to Broadwai', and went into the district telegraph office at the corner. Hastily scribbling a few lines on a form she asked for a boy, and gave him a coin with the instruction to “ hurry.” She then went down to Madison Square and waited there—l was about to write patiently —but really the word would not apply. She sat on a bench. Jumxjed up in less than five minutes, walked about for a while, and then sat down again, rej eating this over and over, till it was plain that she was in a bad humour —a very had humour.

At last she saw a man approaching her and hurried to meet him, It was Ylr Barnes. He, too, looked excited. “Well, what is it? Why are yon here ? he asked. “ I am dismissed !” “ Dismissed ? Why P ’

“ I don’t know why, but that devil Mitch el is at the bottom of it. He lecked me up for two hours this morning’, and then told me Miss Remsen would not need me any fnrtbe-. I felt like scratching his eyes out.” She then told the story to the detective, winding up with, «Prom what I did catch of their conversation last night, I think he has made a confidant of his sweetheart. He aske 1 her to help him and -just as he was about to tell hex* what to do, somehow he saw me and closed np like a clam. I think now it had something to do with the child. “ By heaven, you ai’e right. I see it all. I bad just returned from that house, when I got your note and came up here. I went to the school this morning, pretending that I wished to place a'child there. Then, after a while, I asked if my friend Mr Mitchel’s daughter, Rose, was not at school.' ‘ Yes,’ replied the woman, in charge, 4 but she has just left ns. * Left you,’ said I, ‘ when ?’ ‘ About

ten minutes a go. Her mother ealled for her in a carriage and took her away.’ Don’t you. see, whilst you were locked up in that room, Miss Remsen went down and removed the child.”

“ But Miss Remsen is not her mother ?”

“ No, stupid. Haven’t you any sense left at all F Are you going to be a bungler all your life F This comes of your disobedience. You let Mitchel see you ip the elevated train, and now you find out laoaa' smart you were.” “Nonsense, he never recognised me.” “He did. I was a fool to trust such an important matter to a woman.” “Oh ! Avere you F Well, that woman is not such a fool as you think. I have that button back.”

“Ah ! Good ! How did you manage it F” “ They all Avent to the theatre last night, and I just hunted through Miss Remsen’s things till I found it in one of her jewel-cases. Here it is.” Saying which, she handed to the detective the cameo button which he had found in the room Avliere the murder had been committed. He saAv that it was the same, and AA r as somewhat comforted to haA'e it back. “ Has Mr Mitchel made Miss Remsen any present lately ? ” he asked. “Yes, he gave her a magnificent ruby last night. Miss Remsen told me that it AA’as worth a fortune, and it looks it.” “ How was it set F” “It is ma.de into a pin to he Avorn in the hair.”

“ Well, I have no further use for you at present. Go home, and be sure to keep a still tongue in your head. YMn have done enough mischief already.” “ Haven’t I done any good ? I think you are veiy mean.” “ Yes, you have done some good. But you will find that in this world one failure counts against three successes. Remember that.” CHAPTER IX. THE DIARY 01’ A DETECTIVE. . It was the morning of the New Year. Mr Barnes was seated in an arm-chair by his own firesrfte at his cosy home on Staten Island. In his hand he held a diary, whose pages he was study!ng Before peeping over his shoulder to read with him, it will be best to give a slight insight into the state of mind which led him to take up the book on this particular day. After the clever manner in which he had discovered that a young girl existed, whose name was Rose Mitchel, and who was supposed to be the daughter of Mr Robert Leroy Mitchel, and after the equally clever- trick by which the girl was removed beyond his ken, Mr Barnes had come to one conclusion. This was, that it was necessary to keep such a strict watch upon Ml- Mitchel, that if he had not already committed the crime, about which he had wagered, he should not be able to do so and avoid detection. For Mr Barnes began to have some feeling in the matter beyond the mere fulfilment of duty. He was being thwarted by this man at every turn, and this made him doubly determined not to allow him to win that bet. Therefore he had removed Wilson from the post of watching MiMi tchel, and had replaced him by men viho were thoroughly skilful. Wilson and another he set to spy upon the movements of Miss Remsen, for he hoped to find the child through her.

Being the first of January, and therefore the last day upon which Mr Mitehel could commit his crime, within the conditions imposed, always supposing that he had not already done so, Mr Barnes wished once more to go over the reports sent to him by his various spies, in order that he might be assured that no mistakes had been made. He began to read at: “ Dec. 15. Mitehel left his hotel early, and. went over to Hoffman House. Remained there two hours,

and came out accompanied by Thauret, They walked up to the White Elephant, and spent the morning playing billiards. Dined together at Delmonico cafe , and separated at two o’clock. Mitchel then went to his livery stab ! e and obtained a horse and light waggon. They are his property. Drove slowly along Madison Avenue and stopped at Thirtieth Street apartment-house. S . “ No sign of Miss Remsenall morning. She has a new maid. Her girl Sarah returned yesterday, but her mistress refused to take her back. Evidently she recognises that the girl was bribed to go into the country and to recommend Lucette as her cousin. About 2.30, Mitchel drove up in his light wagon. Accox-ding to orders, I prepared to follow them, that they might not visit the child, eluding us by driving. Obtained a cab, and was waiting in it as the two turned into Madison Avenue and staited up-town. Easily kept them in sight without exciting suspicion, but learned nothing, as they simply drove up through the Park, along St. Nicholas Avenue and home again down the Boulevard and Riverside drive. He remained at the Remsens’ till ten o’clock. Then went straight to his hotel. W .

“ Dec. 16. Mitchel spent his morning at his club. Afternoon in his hotel. Evening at Miss Remsen’s. S .

“ Miss Rernsen and her sister spent the morning shopping. The afternoon paying calls. The evening at home. W . “ Dec. 17. Mitckel's actions same as yesterday, except that Thauret called on him at his hotel daring the afternoon and was with him an hour. S .

“ Miss Remsen, her sister, and two other young ladies went to Brooklyn in the afternoon, but simply visited the large stores there. At home in

the evening. W . “Dec. 18. Mitchel and Thauret together in the morning. Mitchel and Miss Rernsen out walking in afternoon Mitchel and Thauret at club in the evening. I bribed doorman and succeeded in getting in disguised as one of the servants. Mitchel and Thauret played whist, playing as partners. They lost about a hundred dollars. Went home together. S -.

“Miss Rem sen indoors ail morning’. Out on Fifth Avenue with Mitchel in the afternoon. During their absence Thauret called. W . “ Dec. 19. Mitchel and Thauret played poker all afternoon in one of the rooms of their club. Both lost. There were four others in the game. One of these won heavily. I have discovered that this is undoubtedly the man who was Thauret’s whist partner on the night when Randolph thought that he detected them cheating. He also answers the description of the man who left the jewels at hotel in New Haven. His name is Adrian Fisher. ’ In the evening Mitchel and Thauret were in a box at the opera with the Remsen family. S

“ The Miss Remsens gave an afternoon tea. Mr Randolph called and remained after supper. Went to the opera with the ladies in the evening. W-

“ Dec 20. Mitchel in his hotel all day. He and Thauret went driving in the afternoon. I followed them in a light waggon. At the road house in the Park, they alighted and had a bottle of wine. Talked together earnestly. Saw Mitchel give Thauret a roll of money. In the evening they played whist as partners at the club, and again they lost. S . u JS T o sign of the Miss Remsens till afternoon, when a young lady culled, and the three went to matinee at Daly’s. Evening they spent at home. W

“ Dec. 21. Mitehel attended worship at St. Patrick’s Cathedral with the two Miss Remsens. Afternoon remained in his hotel. Evening at

the Remsens. S ——-. “ Miss Remsen and her sister at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the morning. At home the rest of the day. W .

“ According 1 to instructions I have made inquiries about Adrian Fisher. He is a man of good family, but poor. Belongs to two fashionable clubs. Plays cards for money frequently, is a good player and seems to earn a living off of his friends. Has no relatives living, except a sister, who is a cripple. He is very fond of her and treats her with great kindness. It is a mystery how he manages to support her as comfortably as he does. They live together in a small flat at ——

East Fiftieth Street. It was he who introduced Thauret at the club, and. had him made a member. He was out of town from. Dec. Ist to Dec. 4th. Q .”

At this point of his reading* Mr Barnes laid down his book and thought a moment. These questions, occurred to him. “Is this man Fisher the tool of Thauret P He is poor, and a cardplayer. He is well born and has a sister to support in a style suitable to her birth. Has Thauret induced him to play, that together they may fleece the other members of the club ? It looks like it, but why this sudden intimacy with Mitchel ? Or is that less sudden than we know, and have they been long acquainted P Again, is Fisher the man who leceived thesatchel from one of these men, and. then took it to the hotel in Hew Haven ? He was out of town at thetime. Why did he place the satchel in the hotel, and then abandon it ?' After securing the plunder, why did. he thus lose it P Was he suddenly overtaken by his conscience and becoming aware of the fact that Thauret was using him as a tool in a piece of criminal work, did he take this method of clearing himself, and of allowing the jewels to be returned to theirowner as soon as found in the hotel ? This would account for Thauret’shaving left the train at Stamford, intending perhaps to return to Hew Haven and meet his confederate. Fisher, meanwhile, having abandoned. the scheme and returned to Hew York, Thauret was thwarted. But who killed the woman ?” Mr Barnes resumed his leading. “ Dec. 26. Mitchel arose early, and called for Miss Rem sen at eleven o’clock. Together they went to the home of Mr and Mrs Van Rawlston, at Fifth, Avenue near Forty-eighth Street. They remained nearly an hour, and then sepaiated when they came out. Mitchel ate luncheon at the Brunswick, where he was joined by Thauret. They went to the club in the afternoon and played whist. They lost money. Mitchel for both, and took an 1.0. U. from Thauret for his share. Randolph was in the game. There is a growing coolness between Randolph and Mitchel. They barely speak when they meet. It is evident that no love is lost between Randolph and Thauret. In the evening the three men were in the Rem sens’ box at the opera. S . ‘* Miss Remsen accompanied Mitchel to Mrs Van Rawlston’s in the morning, and left him when they came out. She made several calls, mainly upon well-known fashionable society leaders. Something is evidently on the tapis. It occurred to me that the missing child might have heen placed in the care of the Van Rawlstons. Therefore in the afternoon I allowed R— — to follow the young ladies on a shopping expedition, whilst I interviewed the policeman on the beat. He is acquainted with the Van Rawlston’s maid, and will send a report to you to-night. The ladies went to the opera in the evening. W .

“Mr and Mrs Van Rawlsfcon have three children, all younger than four-

teen, and only one a girl, the youngest. The Miss Remsen who called was a Miss Emily Remsen. She was accompanied by a Mr Robert Mitchel. They came to beg Mrs Van Rawlston to allow a society to which the young lady belongs to give an entertainment in her house. % The entertainment ia to be New Year’s night. Policeman 1666. “ Dec, 23. Mitchel and Thauret went to a costumer’s on Union Square. When they had left I called there and

said that I was a friend of Mr Mittchel’s and wished a costume made for the same entertainment. The plan worked, and by adroit questioning I discovered that there is to he an Arabian Night festival on the night of the New Year. It is to be a costume masquerade, and Mitchel has promised to send all of the men to his costumer for their dresses. He ordered an Ali Baba dress. Thauret left no order, •Baying he would not attend. lordeied an Aladdin costume. If you do not decide to attend I can countermand the order, but I thought you might find it advantageous to be present. With Aladdin’s wonderful lamp you might shed some light upon the mystery. Pardon the joke. The afternoon and evening were spent by Mit•chel and Thauret at their club. Again they played whist and again they dost. S .

“ The young ladies spent the morning at a fashionable dressmaker’s on Madison Avenue. I have picked up i»n acquaintance with a servant girl who lives in one of the flats in Thirtieth Street house, and from her I learn that Miss Eemsen’s new maid tells her that the affair at the Van Rawlston’s house will be a costume masquerade, all parties assuming ■ characters from the Arabian Nights. Miss Emily Remsen will appear as -Scheherezade. W .

Mr Barnes turned two pages at this point, evidently considering that nothing of special moment was contained in the reports covering the next few days. He began again. “ Eec. 30. Mr Mitchel came out -of his hotel at ten o’clock, and crossed over to Jersey City, taking an express for Philadelphia. 1 of course took same train. S . “ The Miss Remsens were at home .all day. They are busy on their costumes for the coming entertainment. W .

“ Dec. 31. Telegram from Philadelphia. ‘ Mitchel at Lafayette Hotel. Is ill in bed. Doctor in attendance. Sent a telegram to Miss Remsen telling her that he cannot be on hand tomorrow night.’ S . “ Thauret went to Union Square ■ costumer yesterday and obtained the All Baba costume ordered for Mitchel. Me gave the costumer a letter which he had received from Mitchel, dated Philadelphia yesterday. It reads : 4 Friend Thauret, I am suddenly taken ill. Don’t let the Remsens know that it is anything serious. Oblige sne, if possible, by attending the Arabian Night festival. I enclose my invitation and a note to Mr "Van Rawlston, which will introduce you. You may wear my costume, and the -costumer will give it to you if you present this. You were to have gone cat of town I know, but if you wish to do me a favour I hope you will change your plans and take my place. I do not wish Miss Remsen to be entirely unattended. Therefore be with ter as much as you can. She will be dressed as Scheherezade. ‘ (Signed) Mitchel.’ “ I obtained this from the costumier 2>y saying I am a detective shadowing a criminal. Q- .” (To be continued).