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HN 3GF5 -
KD
11435
PEMBROKE-MASON
4 AFFAIR. 4
GEORGE-BARTON


КТА 35-


Denne
LOOD
By GEORGE BARTON
The following, each, $1.65
THE PEMBROKE MASON
AFFAIR
THE AMBASSADOR'S TRUNK
THE MYSTERY OF THE
RED FLAME
THE STRANGE ADVENTURES
OF BROMLEY BARNES
PERDERECESSES REDES
REBRODERBEREDE
The following, each, $2.50
CELEBRATED SPIES AND
FAMOUS MYSTERIES OF
THE GREAT WAR
THE WORLD'S GREATEST
MILITARY SPIES AND
SECRET SERVICE AGENTS
D
THE PAGE COMPANY
53 BEACON STREET, BOSTON






“HER HANDS TREMBLED AS THE WHITE LIPS MOVED TO
FRAME THE WORDS” (See page 121)


che
LEMBROKE MASON
AFFAIR
BY
GEORGE DARTON
Author of
*The Ambassador's Trunk* "The Mystery of
the Red Flanie," "The Strange Adventures
of Brorley Barnes," “ Celebrated Spies
and Famous Mysteries of the Great
War," * The World's Greatest
Military Spies," ac,
ILLUSTRAND BY
CHARLES E MEISTER
TIIE PAGE COMPANY
BOSTON :: MDCCCCXX





D
The
PEMBROKE MASON
AFFAIR
A
BY
GEORGE BARTON
Author of
“The Ambassador's Trunk,” “The Mystery of
the Red Flame,” “The Strange Adventures
of Bromley Barnes," “ Celebrated Spies
and Famous Mysteries of the Great
War,” “ The World's Greatest
Military Spies,” etc.
ESCENDENDO DESDE DONDES DESDE
ILLUSTRATED BY
CHARLES E. MEISTER

OR
SPE
VISIT
THE PAGE COMPANY
BOSTON. :: MDCCCCXX
enemy


KD 11435
iiiLEGE
Copyright, 1920,
BY THE PAGE COMPANY
All rights reserved
First Impression, January, 1920
Second Impression, March, 1920
Third Impression, May, 1920
THE COLONIAL PRESS
C. H. SIMONDS CO., BOSTON, U. S. A.


TO
MY FRIEND
PETER J. HOBAN
AS A REMINDER OF THE OLD
NEWSPAPER DAYS





CONTENTS
PAGE
·
·
·
·
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·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
· ·
·
·
·
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·
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· ·
·
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·
CHAPTER
I NOVEMBER THE NINTH . . . . . . . 1
II A FLASH OF LIGHTNING . . . . . . 16
III BROMLEY BARNES . . . . . . . 29
IV THE SYMBOL . . . .
V THE BARRIER . . .
VI FLOYD GRAVES . . . . .
VII A FAMILIAR QUOTATION . .
VIII THE FACE IN THE MIRROR . .
IX IN THE NET . . . . . . .
X THE WARNING . . .
XI MADAME THEBA . . . . . ..
. . 152
XII MARIAN DECIDES
XIII John FAIRCHILD . . . .
XIV THE THIRD PHOTOGRAPH .. . . . 205
XV BARNES SMOKES A CIGAR . . . . . 219
XVI THE MAN IN BLACK . . .
XVII MORE MYSTERY . . . .
XVIII THE BONDS . . . . . . . . .
XIX THE TEST . . . .
XX AT BAY . . . . . . . . . . 273
XXI THE SUSPENDED SWORD . .
. . . 291
XXII CRAIG's SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . 313
XXIII WALTER MAKES A Wish . . . . . 321
·
·
· ·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
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·
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·
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--
----


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
I
“HER HANDS TREMBLED AS THE WHITE LIPS
MOVED TO FRAME THE WORDS” (see page
121) . . . . . Frontispiece
"ENTERED THE LIBRARY OF THE HOUSE” . . 15
“THE YOUNG WOMAN CAST ASIDE ALL PRETENSE
AT DIGNITY” . . . . . . 164
“ PULLED OUT A LITTLE PEARL-HANDLED RE-
VOLVER” . . . . . . 288
'THEY ... WERE UTTERLY OBLIVIOUS OF THE
PRESENCE OF THE OLD MAN” . . . 330





THE PEMBROKE MASON
AFFAIR
CHAPTER I
NOVEMBER THE NINTH
PEMBROKE MASON sat in the library of his hand-
some home in Washington, on the night of the ninth
of November, studying the brief of a case which he
was to argue before the Supreme Court of the
United States on the following morning.
He was a notable man in many ways. Having
won fame and fortune in the practice of the law, he
was almost ready to retire, and to enjoy the autumn
of his life in study and travel. The newspapers
pictured him as the greatest corporation lawyer in
the country and the leader of the American bar.
He never made that claim, and when he heard it
always shrugged his shoulders in good-natured pro-
W


The Pembroke Mason Affair
test. It is certain that he ranked among the ablest
men in his profession and he had the peculiar dis-
tinction of having won eight successive cases before
the highest legal tribunal in the land. The ninth
was to be heard on the morning of the next day and
the prominence of the advocate, and the circum-
stances surrounding it, combined to give it nation-
wide prominence.
Pembroke Mason had led an eventful and stormy
life. He had fought his way to the front with
courage and shrewdness and all that he possessed of
wealth and standing he owed to his own unaided
efforts. Shortly after being admitted to the bar he
entered politics and in the course of time became the
District Attorney in the county of his birth. At
the time there was a struggle going on between the
chief railroad of that section and a secret organiza-
tion of its employees. It was the world-old story
of the fight between labor and capital, only in this
instance a number of unscrupulous men had obtained
control of the employees, and had incited them to
violence and to murder.
S


The Pembroke Mason Affair
more
tion. He soon abandoned criminal practice for the
more congenial and more lucrative civil work, and
in time became the accepted authority upon railroad
and corporation law, founding the firm of Mason,
Graves and Company. He was offered a seat upon
the bench of the United States Supreme Court, and
was invited to enter the cabinet of the President,
but he declined both, saying in his whimsical way,
that he could not afford to accept.
He was a widower, and without children. He
lived in Washington because he liked the Capital
City, and because his work was centered there. He
was a man of domestic tastes and he purchased an
old-fashioned and very comfortable house which he
transformed into a real home. The housekeeper
was an elderly and far removed relative, and the
chief ornament, a favorite niece, was an orphan.
The library was a large room on the second floor,
filled with books and works of art. Standing by
one of the windows it was easy to see the dome of
the Capitol, rising majestically toward the sky, and
looking in another direction, one could discern the
as ce
was a


November the Ninth
city of magnificent distances spread out in all of its
beauty and glory.
It was in this room that Pembroke Mason sat
studying the papers in the famous Midland and
Western railroad case. For the first time in his
legal career he seemed to be in doubt concerning the
result of a big case. For this undoubtedly ranked
among the biggest cases that had come before the
Supreme Court. If the court decided that the rail-
road did not have the legal right to operate the rich
ore mines which it owned the results would be dis-
astrous to the stockholders. If, on the contrary,
Pembroke Mason won his case, the corporation
would be in an unassailable position for all future
time. Naturally a situation of this kind invited
manipulation of the stock market, and the air was
filled with rumors. The eyes of all were upon the
great lawyer. Those who were trying to depress
the stock and those who were endeavoring to sus-
tain it felt that their fate lay in the hollow of this
man's hand. No general, leading an army into bat-
tle, no diplomat negotiating a treaty between strug-


6 The Pembroke Mason Affair
gling nations, could have felt a greater sense of
responsibility.
To add to his troubles he had heard conflicting
stories regarding the good faith of those who were
supposed to be interested in the outcome of the case.
Pembroke Mason had always prided himself upon
being eminently practical, and yet on the eve of the
great struggle, his imagination threatened to rout
his good sense. The night before he had dreamt
that he had fallen into a great dark pool of water
from which he vainly tried to escape. The borders
of this pool were slippery and slimy and scores of
malignant and grinning faces stared at him through
the darkness. He tried to grasp at straws, but each
time he secured what seemed to be a hold one of the
demons pushed him back into the water. It was
when he was going down for the last time that he
awoke with a shiver and a scream.
The memory of this nightmare ran through his
mind as he endeavored to fix his attention on the
brief that had been prepared by Walter Miles, his
assistant. Pembroke Mason had a strong, proud


November the Ninth
face, one that a sculptor would delight to reproduce,
but the recollection of young Miles had the effect of
bringing wrinkles to his smooth forehead. Only
that day this young man had dared to dispute with
him concerning a matter of law. He was indignant
and there had been strong words between them.
Miles had made an impossible demand. He
frowned now, as he thought of it, and for the tenth
time assured himself that he would win this case as
he had won his preceding cases. Then he thought
of his niece and his brow cleared. Marian Cooper,
he felt, was born to shine in the world, and he
intended that she should marry a man who had made
his mark.
In the midst of his thoughts there came a
gentle tap on the door and Marian Cooper en-
tered the room. His gloom vanished at once.
It was as though a ray of sunshine had pene-
trated his mind and dissipated all of his difficul-
ties. Marian was of medium size, had black
hair, a clear complexion, a pugnacious nose and
bright, quick eyes. She hurried over to his side


November the Ninth
“ Did he really do that?" she interrupted.
“Why, I --"
But he cut her short, as if sorry he had men-
tioned the name.
“Now, now, my dear, if you really want to help
me you will go right to bed, and promise me that I
shall not be disturbed again to-night. I've got to
work, and if necessary I'll stay up until midnight.”
Just the suspicion of a pout appeared on her rosy
lips, but she obeyed at once. She ran her fingers
through his white hair, kissed him, and then grasped
his hand in masculine fashion. It was her method
of telling him that she wished him luck on the fol-
lowing day.
“Good night,” she cried, as she retreated toward
the door, “and promise me that you will not stay
up any longer than you can help.”
“I promise," he said, with a smile that lightened
his fine face.
She stood there, with her hand on the knob of the
door, leaning over and looking at him in elfish
fashion.


10 The Pembroke Mason Affair
“ There is something else," she cried; "tell me
that this will be your last case — win or lose. That
you will stop working yourself to death and take the
rest you have been promising yourself for so many
years."
His eyes glistened suspiciously. Her interest was
so genuine. Everybody else wanted him to work.
There were so many people in the world with axes
to grind. But she thought only of his comfort and
his happiness. He was touched and when he re-
plied there was a break in his voice:
“I promise to do what you say — win or lose.”
She smiled back at him with eyes that could melt
as well as flash. The next moment the door closed
softly, and he was alone with his thoughts.
He did not find these thoughts as pleasant as
Marian had been. He picked up the brief again,
but he could not concentrate his mind upon its con-
tents. He glanced in the large mirror which cov-
ered half the side of the wall. What he saw was
reassuring. A distinguished-looking gentleman
with snow-white hair, and an undeniable air of


November the Ninth
11
authority. This was the great Pembroke Mason
before whom the busy men of the world bowed with
deference. The man who was looked upon as a
tower of strength. He gave a gesture of impa-
tience. How little the world really knew of the real
man. He looked around at his well-filled book-
shelves. He was a famous collector of rare and
famous books, and he had been able to gratify his
whims to the fullest extent. How much pleasure
he had been able to get from these silent companions.
Next to Marian they were his dearest friends. But
this must not go on. He would have to get down to
work. He pressed a button on the side of his desk.
The door opened and a servant entered.
" Briggs,” he said, “I do not think you need
stay up any longer. I may be engaged for several
hours. You may retire when you like."
Briggs was one of those most invaluable of men
- a perfect servant. He bowed slightly and his
face was expressionless. When he spoke it was in
even measured tones.
“Very well, sir, but if you don't mind I will wait


12 The Pembroke Mason Affair
up for the next hour. There may be telegrams.
You may remember that you said you expected
something of the kind, sir."
“ That's true, but it is almost too late for any-
thing now. However, do as you please. Only
remember that I'm not to be disturbed under any cir-
cumstance. I must work and I need perfect quiet.”
" Very well, sir -- but young Mr. Miles, if he
should call?”
"Oh, yes, but if he should come it would be on
important business, and, as you know, he has a latch
key. But admit no one else.”
“No one, sir."
“No one — unless it should be John Fairchild.”
He smiled at his own witticism. Fairchild was
the great multi-millionaire who lived in New York,
and who never deigned to call upon any one, not
even the famous lawyer to whom his legal interests
were intrusted. Briggs knew this quite as well as
his master, and the knowledge of it caused the ghost
of a smile to flicker across his sedate countenance.
The door closed and once more Pembroke Mason
eve


November the Ninth
18
turned to the brief which lay before him. He read
it through this time and it seemed to satisfy him.
But he was nervous and ill at ease, and the line of
argument which ordinarily came to him with so
much ease seemed to elude him in the most provok-
ing manner. He laid it down and raising the palm
of his hand he began to study it with the greatest
attention. He looked at the lines of the hand time
and again and then gave a deep sigh. For some
reason he could not feel easy. His mind was trou-
bled. He felt a presentiment of impending doom.
After a time he turned out the lights, so that the
only illumination came from the green-shaded lamp
on the desk. Then he closed his eyes and tried to
think.
Outside the wind began to howl. The weather
had been threatening before, and now it turned into
a fierce storm. It developed by degrees until it
became a perfect gale. Presently came the rumble
of thunder, followed by flashes of lightning. It was
terrifying, and once it sounded as though the old-
fashioned house had been struck by forked electric-


14 The Pembroke Mason Affair
ity. For hour after hour it continued as though
another deluge had come to sweep the earth away,
and all the while the house which contained the great
lawyer was dark and silent. The only sign of light
came from the green-covered table lamp in the
library. There was something ominous and suggest-
ive about that unexpected and almost unprecedented
storm.
It was daylight when it abated, and then came that
strange tranquillity which usually succeeds the fierc-
est outbursts of nature. It was the calm which fol-
lows the storm, that curious silence which comes
after the upheaval of the elements.
Marian Cooper was not a timid girl, but the thun-
der and lightning had kept her awake during the
greater part of the night. When the storm ceased
she arose and looked out of the window of her
room. The city was deserted. The inhabitants
were sleeping peacefully. Most of them, no doubt,
were unconscious of the fierce tumult of the night,
as most of those who live routine and well-orderec
lives are unconscious of the storms that rage in the
was
TO



“ ENTERED THE LIBRARY OF THE HOUSE”.





November the Ninth
15
hearts of their less fortunate neighbors. The girl
dressed hastily and made her way to the second floor
and entered the library of the house.
A moment later a loud shriek was heard from
behind the closed door — a shriek that was both
pitiful and tragic.
There were muffled sounds from different parts
of the house and in a few minutes the servants were
crowding into the library, with Mrs. Hanley, the
housekeeper, in the lead. They found Marian
Cooper, her arms clasped about the neck of the fa-
mous lawyer, sobbing convulsively. They gently
disengaged her, and the sight that confronted them
made the members of the little group draw back
with terror.
For Pembroke Mason sat in his big armchair,
holding the brief of his greatest case in his hand,
cold and rigid in death.


CHAPTER II
A FLASH OF LIGHTNING
The news of the sudden death of Pembroke
Mason swept across the country, as one reporter
graphically described it,“ like a prairie fire in an
August clearing.” The mere fact that the great
man had passed away caused the nation to pause and
catch its breath.
But, when it was hinted that foul play was sus-
pected, shocked amazement took the place of regret.
Stocks began to tumble and the securities of the Mid-
land and Western dropped below par for the first
time in its history. The case which Pembroke
Mason was to have argued before the Supreme
Court was postponed by request of a junior member
of the firm of Mason, Graves and Company. That
very natural proceeding was given a sinister signifi-
cance by the bears on the Stock Exchange, and the
16


A Flash of Lightning
17
credit of the big corporation was rocked to its very
foundations.
But in the early morning before the news went
out to the world a little group stood in the library of
the big house in front of that huddled figure in the
chair, and wondered what it all meant. Was it nat-
ural death, murder or suicide? None could answer,
and while they gazed helplessly at one another
Marian suddenly came to her senses and telephoned
for Doctor Grim, the family physician.
When he came, a few minutes later, carrying his
little black bag, the body had been laid on the large
leather couch in the corner of the library. The
moment he looked at that inanimate figure the doctor
shook his head sadly. Pembroke Mason had passed
beyond the reach of human aid.
But nevertheless the physician made a careful
examination of the body, and when he concluded
said that in his opinion death had been caused by a
shock. There were no signs of actual violence but
on the right side of the temple were several livid
marks. At first they seemed like black and blue


18
The Pembroke Mason Affair
disfigurations — a sort of lead-colored imprint on
the flesh. The doctor was puzzled.
"If he had fallen," he half mused to himself,
“his head might have struck the open grate and
caused these marks.".
Mrs. Hanley, who had been trying to comfort the
disconsolate Marian, looked up at these words.
She prided herself upon being a very practical
woman and she had a poor opinion of physicians in
general and Dr. Grim in particular.
"Doctor," she said, “haven't you thought of a
very obvious explanation ? "
"What's that?” he asked sharply.
“A stroke of lightning," was the prompt re-
sponse. “Those zig-zag marks look for all the
world like lightning wounds. I had a nephew
struck by lightning once and the marks were just
like those on Mr. Mason's head."
The physician stared at her musingly — and said
nothing.
" I've got another reason for thinking it was a
flash of lightning,” she continued with energy. “I


A
19
Flash of Lightning
ise
couldn't sleep last night for the storm. It had me
scared to death and I was afraid the house was
going to be struck. It must have been one o'clock
this morning when I heard an awful peal of thunder
and a blinding flash of lightning. I was shaking
with fear and I waited to see the house catch on
fire. It was on this side of the library too, and it
could easily have killed Mr. Mason as he sat there
in his chair."
Dr. Grim was making a second examination of
the discolored spot while the housekeeper was speak-
ing. Presently he replied, in slow, measured, pro-
fessional tones.
"From my experience I would say that this
wound - if we can call it a wound - was not
caused by a lightning flash. These things are not
easily determined, but if it came from the lightning
it would be likely to show something like a burn.
You know what I mean, a sort of scorched sub-
stance. Now, I don't insist that this is positively
the case because there have been instances of this
kind where the skin was not broken."


20 The Pembroke Mason Affair
Mrs. Hanley sniffed audibly. Having conceived
a theory she was not going to have it brushed aside
by the mere opinion of an expert - especially when
the expert did not seem very sure of himself.
“Well, all I've got to say,” she declared, “is that
if that isn't the mark of lightning no one was ever
killed by lightning."
They were interrupted by a rattling at the front
door, and from the sound of voices below it was
evident that the police had arrived. The police, in
this instance were represented by Jim Craig, a cen-
tral station detective, and two of his assistants.
He made his way up stairs without any ceremony,
and once in the room, he looked about him in an ac-
cusing way, and said:
“Well, what seems to be the difficulty?” .
The“ difficulty" was explained to him as quickly
and as clearly as possible. His red face became
still more florid as the narrative proceeded, and at
its conclusion he cleared his throat, and turning to
Briggs - Briggs happened to be the nearest one to
him - cried :


A Flash of Lightning
21
“Why did you move the body before the police
arrived? Don't you know that it's all wrong to do
that? How do you expect us to apprehend the
criminal if you destroy the evidence ? "
Briggs, already pale from the excitement of the
occasion, turned a shade paler at this tirade.
“No sir, I didn't know that, sir. I- I thought
- we thought it might be better if the — if Mr.
Mason was placed on the couch.”
The detective evidently did not think it worth
while to reply to this statement for he began to ex-
amine the room, to test the fastenings of the win-
dows and to look around the floor. There were
no signs of a struggle, and everything seemed to be
in place, except that a book lay on the floor. It was
a volume from a set of Shakespeare, and had evi-
dently been taken from the bookcase which was
partly open. The detective gave it a kick with the
toe of his boot.
“What's that?” he inquired.
“It's one of Mr. Mason's books, sir," responded
Briggs, who felt that he was called upon to answer,


22
The Pembroke Mason Affair
Sau
“I suppose that he must have been reading it.”
“Humph!” grunted the central station man, “I
don't suppose he could have been killed with a book,
do you?”
The servant, who altogether missed the dry humor
of the criminal hunter, shook his head:
“I hardly think so, sir; leastwise, I never heard
of anything of the kind.”
Craig looked up quickly and suspiciously. But
the gravity of the man was unmistakable. He was
not committing the unpardonable offense of making
sport of the police. Craig cleared his throat again,
after the manner of a vocalist who is about to sing,
and said:
"I'll have to examine everybody in the house.
I'll take you one at a time, and I want you to be per-
fectly frank with me. If you're not, you'll all be
sorry.”
" This is Miss Cooper, Captain,” said Dr. Grim,
indicating the girl," and, as you probably know,
she is a niece of Pembroke Mason.”
Craig nodded amiably. The fact that he was not


A Flash of Lightning
23
a captain did not abash him in the least. On the
contrary, he felt that it was a very natural mistake
and he felt kindly toward the doctor. He put out
a large, hairy hand to Marian and said:
“Glad to meet you, Miss, and I'll try not to worry
you any more than I can help. But you know if
we're going to apprehend the criminal we've just
got to ask questions.”
The white-faced girl nodded, and arranged to
give the detective a little room near the library
where he could send for the witnesses and question
them to his hearts content. Before entering the
sanctum he turned to the two policemen:
“One of you guard the front and the other the
back, and if any one leaves this house without my
permission I'll hold you responsible.”
Marian Cooper was the first one to be interro-
gated, and she told the little she had to tell without
breaking down. When she had concluded, Craig
sat in the room firing questions at the servants.
He fingered the seal on his heavy watch chain,
cleared his throat at the beginning of almost every


24
The Pembroke Mason Affair
came
m was
question, and succeeded in arousing the anger and
the fear of each of the witnesses by turn.
When he came out Dr. Grim was standing in the
hallway.
“I suppose, Captain,” said the physician pleas-
antly, “ you haven't any objection to my going?”
Craig smiled heavily.
“ Sure not, you've got professional duties to at-
tend. I know what that means, Doc. You go
ahead. I think we'll be able to get along without
you.”
“ Very well," and the doctor started away, but
returned in a moment to say, "might I ask if the
servants were able to throw any light on the puz-
zle?”
“Not at all, not at all. They've got solid ivory
for domes. I never met such a bunch of know-
nothin's. I think I've examined all of 'em. You
don't know of any one else, do you?”
"No," was the thoughtful reply, “unless you
could count Walter Miles a member of the house-
hold."


A Flash of Lightning 25
“Who's that?” asked Craig quickly, his little
eyes twinkling with sudden interest. “I never
heard of him before."
“I presume not,” was the smiling reply.
“Miles is a young lawyer who has been acting as
an assistant to Mr. Mason for some time. He
comes here — or did — frequently at night in or-
der to consult with his chief regarding pending law
cases. They tell me that Mr. Mason considered
him invaluable. There was never any ceremony be-
tween them, and you may understand his intimacy
when I tell you that he had a latch key to come and
go whenever he felt like it.”
“A latch key — to this house?”
“Why, yes, to this house. Is there anything
strange about that?”
Craig smiled craftily.
“ That depends upon how you look at it. But
I'm mighty anxious to talk to that young man. I'll
bet he can throw some light on this mystery. Do
you think he'll be here this mornin'?”
"I haven't the slightest doubt of it," was the


26 The Pembroke Mason Affair
reply. “It's a wonder he isn't here now. Surely
the news of this thing must be pretty well known
by this time.”
“ It'll be better known when I clap my hands on
the criminal. You can bet all you're worth that I'll
apprehend him.”
“ How are you going to do it?”
“ I've got my own way of doin' things,” he said,
with a trace of pride in his voice, “and if I do say
it, I've never known it to fail."
“What is it?" asked the doctor curiously.
“It's to apprehend your man as soon as possible.
Now, don't smile until I get through. I figger it
out that where a crime has been committed there
must be a criminal. And where there is a crime
and a criminal there must be suspicion. Well, I
keep my eyes and ears open and when the finger of
suspicion points at a certain party — whether the
party be male or female — I just go and naturally
apprehend that party. Fair, of course it's fair.
Nothin' could be fairer. Now, whenever a crime
has been committed there is also an alibi. The


A Flash of Lightning
27
question is whether the party who has been put un-
der arrest can furnish an alibi. If he's innocent
he can get one without any trouble. If he's guilty,
why even then some of 'em can give you an alibi.
But in the meantime the party that's been appre-
hended will struggle like a fish trying to get out of
a net. And what's the result? We've stirred up
the waters, and we're sure to get the guilty
man.”
“ But,” exclaimed the amazed doctor, “ you mean
to say you arrest your man before you get your
evidence! Suppose you should convict the wrong
man?”
Jim Craig smiled, as one smiles at the innocence
of very young children.
“Doc,” he said paternally, “ that wouldn't hap-
pen once in a thousand times.”
"All the same," murmured the listener, “ I'd hate
to be the thousandth man.”
The detective smiled again in that indulgent
fashion.
“I'm going to apprehend my man in this case,


28 The Pembroke Mason Affair
and you watch and see if my system isn't pretty
nearly perfect.”
The doctor nodded his assent, but the look of
skepticism had not left his face as he reached the
front door. He had his hand on the knob when
he saw Marian Cooper in an alcove in the hallway.
She beckoned to him.
" Doctor,” she said in a whisper, “ I have a feel-
ing — a sort of an intuition that my uncle has been
murdered.”
“I feel that way, too,” admitted the physician.
“In that case,” she said, the dark eyes flashing
dangerously, “I intend to do all in my power to
discover the murderer. As proof of my determina-
tion I have just telephoned to Bromley Barnes, beg-
ging him to come and see me as soon as possible.”
“But the detective — the man in the other
room?”.
The girl shrugged her shoulders.
"I- I suppose he will do all that he can. But
I propose to pin my faith on the man who has never
yet failed.”


CHAPTER III
BROMLEY BARNES
BROMLEY BARNES was lying on a couch in his
cozy apartments overlooking the Capitol when he
received the message from the bereaved home of
Pembroke Mason. The old investigator had been
chuckling over the humor of Artemus Ward, and
he laid the book aside with a grimace of disgust.
Would he never be permitted to enjoy himself in
peace and quiet? Apparently not. But any dispo-
sition to shirk was overcome when he learned that his
famous legal friend was dead, and that the niece of
the dead man needed his help.
In a few minutes he was ready to step into his
little plum-colored automobile. He was the same
old Bromley Barnes, looking as trim and as care-
fully dressed as a banker, and with the energy and
eagerness of a young college athlete. He did not


Bromley Barnes
31
don't you think the police are capable of handlin'
the case ?”
“ Sure," retorted the veteran,“ but I'm a friend of
the family and — and they thought I might be of
some assistance to you.”
Craig did not know just how to take this state-
ment. His little eyes blinked savagely, and then
he said in a tone of heavy condescension.
“I guess there isn't anything you can do at pres-
ent. I may call on you later. I've talked with all
of the people in the house, and I've squeezed 'em as
dry as oranges. It's an inside job all right, and I
expect to apprehend my man within the next twenty-
four hours.”
“ You don't mind my looking around, do you?”
The detective gave a grin, and rubbed the back of
his big hand across the end of his nose.
“Go ahead and enjoy yourself," he laughed.
"Get out your microscope and hunt for blood stains
on the carpet, only in this case there ain't no blood
stains. That's a puzzler, ain't it? An' try the
kitchen? You'll find some bread crumbs on the


32 The Pembroke Mason Affair
floor. Most kitchens have 'em. See if you can
tell whether they're from wheat bread or rye bread.
That'll be a regular scientific stunt. Go the limit.
Jim Craig won't stand in your way. This is a free
for all. Only while you're doin' the story book
business I expect to apprehend the criminal. I
s'pose you get me? No offense intended.”
- Barnes chuckled.
“I get you, and I am not in the least offended.
And I'm glad to see that you take such a cheerful
view of the matter. I'm sure that in the wind-up
there'll be glory enough to go round.”
Craig stared at him for a moment, and then pon-
derously made his way out of the house. As the
door closed, Barnes found himself being ushered
into the drawing-room where he discovered Marian
Cooper waiting for him. She was pale, but tear-
less, and gave him a clear and connected story of all
that had happened. The veteran was touched.
She seemed so small and so helpless and she was
making such a brave effort to control her feelings.
After she had concluded he expressed the sympathy


Bromley Barnes
33
me
uns
he felt, and promised that he would do everything
in his power to solve the mystery which surrounded
the death of her uncle. His words helped her im-
mensely, and when he arose she took his hand in a
mute but eloquent way. He was pleased. The
small hand had gripped his with unsuspected
strength. There was character in that hand, and
courage and constancy, and somehow he felt that
she was going to be helpful in clearing away the
seemingly insurmountable obstacles which stood in
the way of a solution of the case.
His first move was to go to the library and make
an examination of the body. He lifted the sheet
which covered the remains, and gazed with some-
thing like reverence at the face of the man he had
known for so many years. If anything, Pembroke
Mason looked more impressive in death than he had
in life. But the power with which he had swayed
men was gone. The voice which had been raised
to command was silent and the brain which had
dominated the legal world had ceased its functions.
Barnes was attracted by the livid marks on the fore-


34 The Pembroke Mason Affair
head, and he examined them carefully and at length.
How could they have come there? And what did
they mean? The flesh did not seem to be broken.
And yet death had evidently come through those
marks. A hundred questions flashed through his
mind, but none of them brought satisfactory replies.
Finally, with a sigh, he turned down the sheet, and
began to consider how he should begin his inquiry.
He decided to examine the servants, and he re-
solved to do it in the room with the remains of the
dead lawyer. That awful presence might have some
effect upon the witnesses. At least it would have
a tendency to bring forth truthful answers. He
thought grimly of the ancient superstition which
claimed that the body of the victim would bleed in
the presence of its slayer, but he dismissed the idea
as not worthy of serious consideration. Pulling
himself together, he touched a bell, and when it was
answered sent for Briggs.
The perfect servant entered the apartment with
trepidation. He shivered as he glanced in the di-
rection of the remains, and then by a gesture indi-


Bromley Barnes
35
cated that he was ready for the cross-examination.
Barnes spoke to him kindly, but the man had al-
ready been through so many examinations, that he
scarcely noticed the manner of the detective.
“Briggs,” began Barnes, “I have been told of all
the happenings of last night. I want to know what
occurred after you last spoke to Mr. Mason."
Briggs rubbed his chin reflectively.
“The first thing I remember after that, sir, the
the door bell rang and when I answered it I found
Mr. Graves on the steps."
"Mr. Floyd Graves ? ”
“Yes, sir.”
“He is Mr. Mason's law partner, if I am not
mistaken."
“Yes, sir, the very same.”
"Well, what happened?"
“He said he wanted to see Mr. Mason, but I
begged his pardon and told him that it was not pos-
sible for him to see Mr. Mason. I was in a rather
embarrassing position. Under ordinary circum-
stances I would have admitted the gentleman at


36 The Pembroke Mason Affair
once. You see, a partner has some rights, sir.
But then I remembered my instructions and how I
was not to admit any one under any circumstances.
And if you will pardon me for saying it, sir, Mr.
Mason was a man with a will of his own. When
he said that no one was to be admitted he meant ex-
actly what he said. I would not dare disobey his
instructions; no sir, not if the King of England had
applied in person. And that's what I told Mr.
Floyd Graves.”
“What did he say?"
“He seemed amused. He asked me what would
happen if he insisted upon seeing Mr. Mason and
I told him that the only man who could see Mr.
Mason was Mr. John Fairchild because Mr. Mason
had given me specific orders to that effect.”
“ What happened after that?”
“ His whole manner changed at the mention of
Mr. Fairchild's name and he asked me if we ex-
pected Mr. Fairchild. I told him we did not, and
that the orders were only in case Mr. Fairchild
should appear unexpectedly. He thought for a few


Bromley Barnes
37
moments and then became quite jovial, sir. He
complimented me on my devotion to duty and said
he would make it his business to inform Mr. Mason
that he had a jewel of a servant. Those were his
very words, sir,—' a jewel of a servant.'”
“ Very good, Briggs,” commented Barnes.
“Now, tell me what else happened before you re-
tired. I don't suppose you had any other visitors.”
“Oh, yes, sir,- we had another visitor."
The detective was all attention. He looked at the
perfect servant curiously as he talked.
“Who was the visitor?”
“Quite a distinguished gentleman, sir - no less
a person than Mr. John Fairchild.”
Barnes jumped from his chair at the mention of
the name. He raised his finger to attract the atten-
tion of Briggs.
“Do you realize what you are saying? Are you
certain that it was Mr. John Fairchild ?”
“Just as certain as I am that I am Amos Briggs "
was the complacent reply.
“How did you know it was Fairchild ?”


Bromley Barnes
39
and began to search for a card. I said 'never
mind, I know you, Mr. Fairchild.' He seemed
quite pleased at my recognizing him, and after
I had let him into the hallway I went up to the
library and told Mr. Mason that Mr. Fairchild had
arrived."
“What did Mr. Mason say?”
“Well, sir, when I entered the room I found him
studying the palm of his hand. It gave me quite
a start. It was so unlike Mr. Mason."
“How unlike him?”
"It's a little hard to explain, sir, unless you've
lived with Mr. Mason. He was always so busy and
so practical. And — and what he was doing seemed
dreamy and child-like, if I may use the expression,
sir."
“ You may, Briggs," said the detective with the
flicker of a smile, “and how did Mr. Mason take
your announcement?”
“ He seemed quite startled and asked me if I was
sure it was Mr. Fairchild. I said yes and he told
me to show him up. And as I did so Mr. Mason


40 The Pembroke Mason Affair
dismissed me for the night saying that he would
not need me any more.”
“Did you retire?”
“I did, knowing that it was Mr. Mason's wish.”
“ You did not hear what passed between them? ”
Briggs hung his head and hesitated.
“I know you didn't listen,” Barnes hastened to
add, “ but I thought you might have overheard their
opening remarks.”
“ The library door was closed at once and I started
for my room in the upper part of the house, sir.
When I was half way up the stair case I could hear
their voices, as though they were having a dispute.”
“ Could you catch any of the words ? ”
“Yes — yes, sir. I heard just one sentence.
Mr. Mason's voice was pitched quite high and he
said to Mr. Fairchild, 'You know my opinion of
you. I regard you as a scoundrel.'”.
“What else did you hear?”
“Oh, nothing, sir. I felt that I had heard too
much already and I hurried to bed. And that's all
I remember, sir."


Bromley Barnes
41
Barnes was silent for some moments after Briggs
had concluded his narrative.
“Briggs,” he said slowly, “ what you teil me is
very interesting — and important.”
“ Yes, sir, I felt that way about it myself.”
“Did you tell Mr. Craig — the city detective —
about Mr. Fairchild ?”
"I did — all except about overhearing that
strange sentence as I was going upstairs. When
I told Mr. Craig about Mr. Fairchild's calling he
smiled and said that Mr. Fairchild couldn't have
killed Mr. Mason and so he could be dismissed from
further consideration.”
Barnes scratched the bald spot on the top of his
head and smiled —
“That sounds just like Craig. Fairchild isn't
the man he expects to apprehend.”
"I didn't intend to conceal anything, Mr.
Barnes," protested the servant, “and if I am
put on my oath I'll repeat all that I have told
you."
" I'm sure of that, Briggs” was the soothing re-


42 The Pembroke Mason Affair
ply, “and I'm going to depend upon you to help me
if I need any further help.”
Two tears glistened in the eyes of the perfect
servant, and he tried to conceal the fact by pulling
out his handkerchief and blowing his nose violently.
“I-I feel the death of Mr. Mason,” he apolo-
gized, “ he was very exacting and his orders had to
be carried out to the letter, but I had great respect
for him — and I shall miss him.”
It did not take the detective very long to examine
the other servants. Mrs. Hanley, the housekeeper,
was very profuse and very irrelevant in her story.
She stuck tenaciously to her theory that Pembroke
Mason had been struck by lightning and insisted
that it must be so because her own nephew had once
met death in the same way.
After he had concluded the veteran had another
talk with Marian Cooper and told her what he had
learned from Briggs. She was not able to throw
any light on that phase of the subject. She had
never met John Fairchild but recalled that he had
visited their house on one historic occasion. He


Bromley Barnes
43
was not the sort of man to call on any one. If he
wanted to see people — no matter how distinguished
- he sent for them. While they were talking there
were sounds in the hall below and they heard the
voice of Jim Craig, saying:
“I'd like to see Miss Cooper — and I haven't any
time to spare.”
Marian went down stairs, followed by Barnes,
and they found the central station man pacing up
and down the drawing-room, evidently laboring un-
der great excitement.
“Well, Jim,” exclaimed the investigator, “it
looks as if you've discovered something."
“Discovered somethin'!” he snorted, his red face
fairly glowing. “Well, I should say that I have
discovered somethin'!”
“What is it? ” asked Marian wearily.
Craig cleared his throat in order to make his an-
nouncement with the proper elocutionary effect:
“It's just this; some one broke into Mr. Mason's
office in the Harding Buildin' last night and turned
everything topsy-turvy. The door of the safe was


44
The Pembroke Mason Affair
open and books and papers was spilled all over the
floor. They forced open his desk, too, and the con-
tents of it were turned upside down. The queer
part of the business is that they didn't pinch any-
thing. But I've come to one conclusion.”
“ What's that? ” asked Barnes.
“Just this, that the chap who broke into his of-
fices and the fellow that killed Pembroke Mason are
one and the same man.”
Bromley Barnes rubbed his bald head with the
palm of his hand and tried to think of John Fair-
child breaking into the office of Pembroke Mason
and afterwards murdering the lawyer.
But his imagination, vivid as it could be at times,
was not equal to the task.


46 The Pembroke Mason Affair
“I thought I oughter come and tell all I know.”
“What is it? ” asked Craig eagerly. “What do
you know? ”
“Well, mebbe it's not so much after all, but as I
was swinging along me beat last night I sees a fel-
low standing next to the tree box on the other side
of the street. He was a lookin' up at the winder of
the library of Mr. Mason's house — a lookin' as if
he expected to see somethin' come out of it. Well,
I pays no attention to him 'cause lots of tourists
come along and look at the houses of great men.
Even at night, too — why, honest, gents, you haven't
the slightest idee-a how many nuts is in the world.
Why --"
“ Never mind that,” interrupted Craig irritably,
“ tell us what happened ? "
“Well, I was a-comin' to that," was the aggrieved
response. “As I said, I didn't pay much attention
to him. I goes on over me beat an' when I gets
back I finds the nut still a-standin' there. I was
just about to say somethin' to him when he makes a
bee line for the door of the Mason house and rings


The Symbol
47
the bell. One of the servants answers it and there
is some talk and me fine feller shakes his head and
goes away. When he got on the other side of the
street he stops an’ looks up at the winder again, an'
shakes his head an' walks away."
“Did you get a good look at him? Could you
recognize him if you saw him again? ” asked Barnes.
“Well, you can just bet your last dollar I could.
That's my business to spot guys like that. He was
dressed all in black. He had on a black derby hat
an' a black overcoat. Why, you just mighta
thought he was a goin' to a funeral. He had a
smooth face an' was dark-complexioned. An'
that's about all I know.”
Barnes was thinking deeply, but Craig seemed to
be more irritated than pleased with what he had
heard.
“You go back to your beat,” he said to the police-
man, “and if we want you we'll send for you."
"All right, Cap," said the officer, saluting stiffly,
as he took his leave.
“These cops are all boneheads,” growled Craig.


48 The Pembroke Mason Affair
“If he had the sense he was born with he'd have
followed that man. But there's no use tellin' him
that. He wouldn't know what you were talkin'
about. But what I'd like to know is why Briggs
didn't tell us about this man comin' to the door.”
“Let's ask Briggs !” exclaimed Barnes, promptly.
“That's the easiest way of finding out."
So Briggs was summoned again, and when he ap-
peared he looked uneasily from Barnes to Craig
and then back again. The central station detective
almost barked as he demanded to know why the
perfect servant had not mentioned the man in
black.
" It was this way, sir,” he began, “ you didn't ask
me anything about him.”
“What do you mean - didn't ask you about
him?"
“I mean, sir, that I was asked to tell who had
called after I saw Mr. Mason for the last time.
This man called about eight o'clock in the evening,
and as Mr. Mason didn't see any one with whom
he did not have an appointment, I told him so, and
ey
man


The Symbol
49
he left saying he would try and see him at his office.
There were any number of callers early in the
evening – that is to say, the ordinary run that Mr.
Mason would not think of seeing. I thought you
only wanted to know of those who came after Mr.
Mason gave me his final orders.”
"He's right, Craig,” said Barnes amiably, “and
his explanation is entirely reasonable.”
"Maybe it is,” grumbled the other, "anyhow,
we'll have to take it. In the meantime, I'd like to
get my hands on that fellow, Walter Miles, who
was supposed to be Mason's assistant. I'll bet he's
goin' to play a star part in this little drama.”
"He's not supposed to be Mr. Mason's assistant.
He was his assistant. I can vouch for that myself.
I know the young man."
Craig was about to make some reply when he was
halted by the sound of voices in the hallway.
Barnes listened for a moment and then said smil-
ingly:
“ Talk about lawyers' assistants and they are
bound to appear. That's Miles just come in. Now


50 The Pembroke Mason or
Affair
you can quiz the young man to your heart's con-
tent.”
as a
nen
There was a mumbling of voices and both men
realized that Walter Miles was talking to Marian
Cooper, and trying to soothe her. The sight of
the young man had evidently caused her grief to
break out afresh and he was making a brave effort
to offer her some consolation. After a while there
was silence, and in a few moments the assistant to
the dead lawyer was confronting the two investi-
gators.
Walter Miles was of medium height, slender,
wiry, quick in his movements and with an assert-
ive manner. He had a prominent nose and a habit
of lifting his eyebrows when he heard anything that
was distasteful. He hurried in the direction of
Barnes and put out a hand which the old man
grasped in hearty style. The newcomer merely
nodded to Craig and glanced at him in challenging
style.
“ This is Mr. Jim Craig, of the city detective de-
partment,” said the veteran to the young man.
newcom
ILICI


•
51
The Symbol.
He nodded again, but quite coldly, as much as
to say that he did not especially care to meet Mr.
Craig. The attitude aroused the hostility of the
detective.
“I'm glad you came here," he said, “because it
saves me the trouble of goin' after you. There are
a few questions I want you to answer.”
“Very well,” he said calmly, “ go ahead."
Jim Craig seated himself with the air of a man
who needs all the support he can get. He fingered
the seal on his watch chain, crossed and uncrossed
his large feet, and then, clearing his throat, said:
“I understan' that you have a latch key to this
house. Tell us somethin' about that.”
“There isn't much to tell. Everybody knew of
it. It was an idea of Mr. Mason's. I frequently
came here at night, by appointment, to help him in
the preparation of special cases. I was never an-
nounced, and always went right to the library.”
Craig was silent for some seconds as if digesting
this reply. Then he spoke again, slowly, and in a
rather ponderous tone.


52 The Pembroke Mason Affair
“ Did you help him with any of his briefs last
night?”
“No, I didn't help him with anything last
night.”
“When did you last talk with him? Mind what
you say, because this is serious business.”
The young man lifted his eyebrows, indicating
that the storm signals were up and that an outburst
might be expected at any moment. Nevertheless he
replied calmly:
“ The last time I spoke to Mr. Mason was in his
office at five o'clock yesterday afternoon. It was
only for a few minutes and then I went home, leav-
ing him there alone.”
Craig thought for a few moments, and then he
said in an insinuating tone:
“What did you talk to him about ? ”
The eyebrows shot up and the face of the young
man flushed. He spoke angrily.
“I decline to tell you what we talked about. It
was a purely personal matter."
Bromley Barnes walked over and put his hands


The Symbol
53
on the shoulder of the young man in a fatherly man-
ner.
“Come, Walter,” he said gently, “ you must not
take that attitude. Craig is entirely within his
rights in asking that question. It is true that you
are not compelled to answer it unless you feel dis-
posed to do so, but —”
“Oh," broke in the central station man," he don't
have to say anything that will incriminate himself.”
Miles was on his feet now, his eyes blazing, and
the veins on his forehead standing out. He moved
in the direction of Craig.
"If you dare say that again, I'll punch your head.
Do you understand, I'll punch your head!”
"Don't get excited, Sonny, don't get excited,” was
the irritating rejoinder.
Barnes looked troubled and he glanced at Miles
appealingly. The young man caught the expression
on the old man's face, calmed down and said in an
emphatic way.
“I have nothing whatever to conceal, and I am
willing to answer any proper questions. What you


54 The Pembroke Mason Affair
have asked can have no bearing on the case — as
you call it."
“ That's for me to say," was the cool retort, “and
if you know your business you'll tell all you know.
I ask again what was your pow-wow about?”.
The young man looked troubled. He walked up
and down the room, with his hands in his pockets
and his brows knitted. He cast a furtive glance in
the direction of Barnes, but received no help from
that quarter.
“If you must know," he burst forth, “ I asked Mr.
Mason for the hand of his niece — Miss Cooper.
Now, I hope you're satisfied with a thing that is
purely personal."
Barnes looked surprised and startled. Craig was
actually grinning. He spoke again in the manner
of a cross-examiner.
“What did he say?"
Miles flushed to the roots of his hair. Both men
looked at him expectantly. The reply came forth
savagely:
“He refused his consent!”
manner


The Symbol
55
There was perfect stillness in the room. Barnes,
who was distressed, could hear the ticking of his
watch. Craig slowly crossed his legs.
“ What followed ?” he demanded.
“We had words,” was the bitter response. “He
said that he had higher aims for Miss Cooper, and
said that I was never to mention the subject again.
I lost my temper, and said that he would have to get
another assistant, because I was through with him.”
Craig fumbled with the charm on his watch chain
for some moments. He was trying to frame his
next question in the manner of a prosecuting at-
torney.
“Wasn't that a funny reason for leavin' Mr.
Mason — for chuckin' your prospects as a lawyer?”
"No, we had some differences of opinion regard-
ing my work.”
“ You mean that you'd squabbled before?”
“Yes, if you want to put it that way. Earlier
in the day I had given him the brief in the Midland
and Western case that he was to argue before the
Supreme Court to-day. I had worked hard on that


56
The Pembroke Mason Affair
were
nan-
brief, just as I had worked hard on other briefs for
him. I wanted him to take me in as a full mem-
ber of the firm on the first of the year. I was en-
titled to that, and he knew that I was entitled to it.
But he refused with a laugh and a sneer. I was
tired and disgusted. He knew that I cared for his
niece, and I determined to bring that matter to a
head. You know the result.”
“Still,” persisted Craig,“ don't you think you
were askin' a lot from such a big man — such an
able member of the bar?”
“ Able man — able member of the bar !” burst
forth the young man. " I'm getting sick and tired
of hearing those words. He was able, yes. He
had the ability to suck the last drop of brains and
work from those who surrounded him. They did
the grinding labor, they prepared the cases, and he
got the glory and the advertising. He was a great
mass of egotism, this great Pembroke Mason. He
loved the limelight. He always kept the center of
the stage, and to make himself shine all the more
he never permitted any one else to have the slightest


The Symbol
57
credit. That was the great Pembroke Mason —
the great I AM. And when he was through with
the instruments he needed he cast them aside cold-
bloodedly. And when I asked for that to which
I was entitled he was willing to throw me into the
rubbish heap like a sucked orange. The world
thought him the soul of honor, but beneath that mask
of amiability there was a relentlessness of purpose
that was heartlessness itself.”
Bromley Barnes was greatly distressed at this
outburst. Craig could scarcely conceal his satisfac-
tion. Miles, once he had relieved his overpent feel-
ings, sank on a chair, limp and dejected. The
central station man was shrewd, and he was too well
pleased with his own cleverness to thrust the probe
any further at this juncture. He assumed a con-
ciliatory tone. .
" Thank you, Miles, for what you've told us.
There is nothing more now. Maybe I'll quiz you
again.”
The youthful assistant arose wearily, and address-
ing the two men said :


58 The Pembroke Mason Affair
" I've promised to see Miss Cooper again, before
leaving the house, and if there is nothing more I'll
leave you."
He left the room, looking years older than when
he had entered. Jim Craig tried to hide his ju-
bilant feelings. He waved his big hand to Barnes,
with an air of assumed indifference.
“Well, old man, I've got to leave you for awhile.
I've got some work waiting for me at the office.”
Left alone, Barnes tried to think calmly of the
scene which had just taken place. Then his
thoughts reverted to the lifeless body of Pembroke
Mason which still lay on the couch in the library.
He went to it again and lifting the covering made
another careful study of the majestic head, silent
and cold in death. The livid marks on the forehead
engaged his attention. He looked at it through a
magnifying glass and then he pulled out a sheet of
paper, and a pencil, and made a rough drawing of
the black and bluish marks. The result was some-
thing like this:


The Symbol
59
For two or three minutes the old man sat there
looking at this hieroglyphic. He was sure that it
contained some hidden meaning. But what was it?
And how had it been so plainly imprinted upon the
forehead of the dead man? As a matter of fact,
it appeared like a tangle of half-blurred lines and
the design he made had appeared to him only after
great difficulty. There was something strangely
familiar about the cabalistic sign. It was not the
word painting of the ancient Egyptians although
there were some points of resemblance.
Before he left the death chamber Bromley Barnes
had reached one definite conclusion. It was that
the solution of the mystery of the sudden death of
Pembroke Mason was to be found through that
curious mark.
He was busy all of that day but eight o'clock in


60 The Pembroke Mason Affair
the evening found him tapping at the door of the
study of Professor Darlington, the world-famous
authority upon symbols of all kinds. The little man
with the iron-gray beard received the investigator
with open arms.
“My dear Barnes,” he declared, “ the sight of
your beaming countenance is a relief to my tired
eyes.”
en
om
Like most learned men, he was childlike in his
simplicity. He admitted, with a sigh, that he
spent too much of his time with inanimate things
and too little with living men and women of the
world. He insisted that a talk with Bromley Barnes
was a tonic to his wearied mind.
“But I see you so seldom,” he complained. “It
seems to be my fate to have so little of the company
of those I esteem the most."
The detective waved the compliment aside and
offered the learned one a cigar. But he would have
none of it.
“I find my pipe conducive to thought. Now, my
friend, let me know your difficulty for I know you


The Symbol
well enough to understand that you have come to
me with what you consider an unsolvable problem."
Barnes laughed.
“ I'll have to plead guilty. I have something
here that is all Greek to me. But to you I suppose
it will be as plain as the noon-day sun."
He produced his crude drawing and placed it in
the hands of Professor Darlington. The old
scholar glanced at the paper and smiled.
“ That is easy, my friend. It's nothing more or
less than the old Indian sign.”
“ The Indian sign?”
“ Precisely. We call it the Swastika — the best
known of all ancient symbols.”
“What does it mean?”
The Professor shook his white head.
“Ah, now you ask me to tell you in a few words
what has cost me years of study. This sign has
been found on the doors of tombs, engraved on
gems and even scratched on the barks of trees. Its
origin is lost in the mists of antiquity. But it has
been used in many of the ancient religions and is


62
The Pembroke Mason Affair
used particularly by the Indians. You will find a
full account of it in my book on symbols.”
“Yes, yes!” cried Barnes with a trace of impa-
tience, “but I come to you to spare myself long
study upon a subject that would be very hazy to me
at the best.”
The Professor nodded.
“I understand — but I think you underestimate
your intelligence. What is it you wish to know ? ”
“Is it a sign of good or bad luck?”.
The old scholar smiled again.
“ That is just as you wish to take it. It has been
used for both purposes. It has stood at different
times, with different peoples, for Heaven and Hell,
for good and evil. Some years ago I made a trip
into the remotest part of Catalina Island and found
there a cave temple used for solar worship. There
painted on the rocks was the Swastika, in deepest
vermilion.”
Barnes listened to this with absorbed attention.
He had touched on one of Professor Darlington's
hobbies and it was not easy to stop the flow of in-


The Symbol
63
formation that streamed from the mouth of the old
gentleman. During a pause he managed to inject
a query.
“Could this be used as a sign of revenge — could
it be used, for instance, by a secret society?"
The Professor inclined his head in ready assent.
" It would be just the sort of thing for that pur-
pose.”
It was late when Barnes left the study of his
learned friend. And all the way home he kept re-
peating to himself:
“ Could Pembroke Mason have been the victim
of an organization formed for the purpose of re-
venge?”


The Barrier
65
been a growing affection during the course of the
year or more in which they had come to know each
other, but it was not until this moment that she
fully realized how much he meant to her. She was
in sorrow and she longed to be comforted and the
only one with the power to do this was the young
man who had come into her life so easily and natu-
rally.
There had been no open avowal of love on either
side. They had simply "liked" one another, but
now Marian understood that this liking was soon
to develop into an overmastering affection. She
knew that her uncle was disposed to treat Walter
Miles lightly and pretended to ignore him as a suitor
for her hand, but she felt, with a pang, that if he
had only been spared she would have brought him
to her way of thinking.
But now, when she first discovered the intensity of
her feeling for Walter, this murder had come be-
tween them like a barrier, an invisible barrier pos-
sibly, but something that could be felt if it could
not be put in words. It began to dawn upon her
n


66 The Pembroke Mason Affair
numbed consciousness that the two men, in the last
few days at least, had been at arm's length and the
thought that she was the innocent cause of this
hostility gave her a pang of sadness that was al-
most too much to bear. While she sat and mused
there came a tap at the door and the ever-faith-
ful Briggs announced that Walter Miles had
called.
A moment later he hurried into the room in his
quick impulsive way. His eyes caught hers and
they held him with a sort of fascination. But the
next moment that feeling gave way to one of deep
compassion. She looked so sad and forlorn, such
a pathetic little figure in her unaccustomed mourn-
ing. He noticed that her eyes were larger and more
luminous than ever, that the fragile face seemed
whiter and thinner. There were black rims under
the eyes, too, and for the moment he scarcely knew
what to do or say. She relieved his embarrass-
ment by coming forward and shyly placing her hand
in his.
“It — it was awfully kind of you to come to


The Barrier
67
me," she half-whispered looking at him with misty
eyes.
“It — was natural,” he replied, trying to steady
his own voice," and I would give anything in the
world if I could be of real service to you at this
time.”
They sat down and there was some disconnected,
inconsequential talk. And amidst it all she felt the
presence of the unseen barrier that had come be-
tween them. She tried to banish it as one would
try to push aside the thing that threatens to ship-
wreck happiness. Miles, on his part, did not guess
the thoughts that were passing through her mind.
He saw only the curve of her lips, the wistfulness
of her eyes and the pathos of her drooping figure.
“ You must try to bear up,” he counseled. “ It's
terrible, I know, but time will heal this as it heals
all sorrows."
A gleam of hope came from her eyes. His voice
was reassuring. She knew very well that she would
become reconciled to the death of her uncle. But
could she banish the specter which persisted in


68 The Pembroke Mason Affair
coupling Pembroke Mason and Walter Miles.
There was a terrible something in the back of her
head which she felt must be an illusion, a nightmare,
anything but the truth. She smiled at the young
man to regain her confidence. She believed in him.
“Walter," she said presently, "please tell me
that there was nothing between my uncle and you.”
He hesitated for a moment.
“Why, no," he said slowly, “nothing except that
he did not encourage my feelings toward you.”
“I know that — but was there anything that -
that last night?”
Again he hesitated.
“I should say that we had a difference of opinion.
I've already said that.”
“But you quarreled ? "
He felt an odd pang in his heart.
“ Yes — we quarreled.”
She looked at him searchingly for some mo-
ments. When she spoke it was in a subdued voice.
“You — quarreled. Was it in this house?”
He stared at her in a puzzled way.


The Barrier
69
.“No," he said finally, “it was not in this
house."
Something between a sob and a laugh escaped
from her lips. She rocked to and fro in the primi-
tive way — the way of women in sorrow.
“Oh, I'm so glad to hear you say that — so very
glad!”
The weather had been uncertain that day and
there was a fire in the grate to take the chill off the
room. She leaned over now to warm her hands.
The light fell on her hair and he could see the
gleam of her white face. For the second time he
felt that wave of compassion and something like a
lump came into his throat. He took her hand and
it was stone cold.
“ Marian, dear,” he said with great tenderness,
“there isn't anything in the world I would not do
to make you happy. I'm sorry if anything I may
have done has added to your sorrow. But you must
not dwell upon this tragedy. It will do you more
harm than good. Try to forget it. The sun will
shine again and you will be happy."


70 The Pembroke Mason Affair
She looked at him. She tried to speak and fal-
tered.
“If I only could forget - if I could forget.”
She had risen in her agitation and moved across
the room. He followed her. He placed his hands
on her shoulder. She looked at him over her shoul-
ders. There was a strange light in her eyes — a
gleam of happiness mixed with perplexity. The
next moment he had his arms about her waist and
had pressed his lips to hers.
Her face flushed but she said nothing - did noth-
ing. He quickly released her and gave an apolo-
getic murmur. There was no constraint upon her
part. He prepared to depart. She took his hand:
“Walter,” she said, “ can you, will you tell me
all that took place on that — that night?”.
A look of pain contracted his face — he gave a
sort of shiver.
“ Marian,” he said with intensity," there is noth-
ing I can say that will throw any light on this mys-
tery. Say that you believe me.”
“I believe you,” she repeated in colorless tones.


The Barrier
171
A minute later he had left the house and gone into
the street. She stood in the bay window looking
after him until he had disappeared from sight. She
gave a shiver in spite of the fact that the fire in the
grate was now burning brightly. The thought of
Walter brought a tinge of color to her cheeks for
a moment but when she thought of the mystery of
that dreadful night she went pale again.
Was it to remain forever as a barrier between her
and the man she loved ?


CHAPTER VI
FLOYD GRAVES
The law firm of which Pembroke Mason had been
the shining light, occupied a suite of rooms on the
tenth floor of the Harding Building Bromley
Barnes made his way there on the morning follow-
ing his talk with the authority on symbols. It was
early and the only person he found was Samuel
Brown, the faithful bookkeeper of the firm, who had
been in its employ since its formation. He was
looking terribly distressed, but the sight of the vet-
eran investigator brought a look of relief to his
haggard face.
“Oh, Mr. Barnes,” he exclaimed, “ I'm so glad
to see you! I'm almost beside myself over the
dreadful news. It's so hard to realize what has
happened. When I left Mr. Mason he was as well
and as hearty as you are at this minute."
72


Floyd Graves
73
The detective nodded.
" It's as much of a surprise to me as it is to you,
Brown. But I understand that you have had a little
excitement at the office.”
“Yes, sir, some one broke into the place, and
things have been upset in the queerest way. The
strange part of it is that nothing is missing.”
“ That is queer," admitted the old man, “but are
you all alone?”
“Yes, sir, but I'm expecting Mr. Graves here at
any minute now. He just telephoned that he was
coming. He wants to help if he can, although it
will deprive him of the vacation he had planned.”
“A vacation?”
“Yes. Probably you do not know about it, but
Mr. Graves was about to leave the firm. He says
that he was tired of the routine work he had to do,
and that he was going to quit the law, and spend his
time traveling. He must have reached this conclu-
sion suddenly, because I did not know anything
about it until a few days ago. Maybe — maybe the
conditions here did not suit him. I - I hope you


The Pembroke Mason Affair
will not think I am disloyal, but Mr. Mason was not
an easy man to get along with. Mr. Graves has
great ability, and I imagine that he was getting tired
of playing second fiddle.”
“But I understand that Mr. Graves was an inti-
mate friend of Mr. Mason as well as his partner.”
“Yes, that is perfectly true. You may judge
how close they were when I tell you that Mr. Graves
was the guardian of Miss Cooper, the niece of Mr.
Mason. He looked after all of her business. He
was only saying the other day that he would be glad
when she became of age, so that he would be re-
lieved of the bother. This was the only thing that
tied him down to the office. Otherwise he might
have quit before. I think he was the sort of man
who would like to make a reputation for himself,
but, of course, that was impossible here, where Mr.
Mason was the star, and where all of the others
were subordinates."
Bromley Barnes scratched his head in perplexity.
This was the second man who had voiced the
same complaint against the dead lawyer. Truly a


76 The Pembroke Mason Affair
and smooth-faced and the upstanding manner of the
man gave him a sort of distinction. He had fierce
black eyes, and there was something theatrical in
his manner. It was no surprise to Barnes when he
learned during the conversation that Graves had
once aspired to be a thespian.
“ That was when I was young,” he laughingly
said, “and before the law drew me into its clutches,
and made itself my jealous mistress. Since then
I have been a sedate, well behaved, middle-aged
gentleman, acting as the conscience of the corpora-
tions. Many and many a time I have longed to
throw aside the restraint and become an irresponsi-
ble Bohemian. But Brown, here, will tell you that
we have had but little time for relaxation. Pem-
broke Mason has not been an easy boss, has he
Brown?”
The aged bookkeeper shook his head and said
guardedly:
“He was a very exact man, a very exact man.”
Floyd Graves laughed blithely.
“Why not say exacting and have done with it —


Floyd Graves
77
was
that he always demanded his pound of flesh. I
hope I am not shocking you, Barnes, but I am not
one of those who believe that we should slobber
over the dead just because they are dead. If I can't
speak well of a man during his life I'm not going
to praise him after death. Pembroke Mason was
a big man. There is no doubt about that. He was
a great lawyer, but part of his greatness and a good
deal of his reputation came at the expense of others.
If you study his career, and notice the road along
which he came, you will find it is strewn with the
wrecks of other men who had to be crushed because
they interfered with his masterful purpose. But
forgive me, I really didn't intend to go off in a
harangue like this. And I hope you won't get a
mistaken impression about my feelings toward
Mason. I have simply tried to explain why I would
not accord him undiscriminating praise."
Barnes had not only listened carefully, but he
watched Graves while he poured forth his feelings.
It was a curious thing that those who were most
intimately associated with the dead man were the


78 The Pembroke Mason Affair
ones that had the least to say in his behalf. The
relations of the detective with the great lawyer had
always been very cordial, and he had conceived a
very high opinion of the man. But in the face of
the testimony which was coming to him at first
hand, he began to wonder if he had not overesti-
mated the qualities of the famous one. At all
events Barnes determined that he should not allow
any preconceived notions to prevent him from
learning the truth. He turned to Graves
again.
“I hear that you were thinking of quitting the
law ? "
Graves bowed with much formality. .
“For once Dame Rumor is correct. I did in-
tend to quit the law. In fact I had made all ar-
rangements for leaving the city, and had actually
started when I heard the shocking news about
Mason. That brought me back. Business is dis-
tasteful to me, but I would be less than a man if
I did not place myself at the disposal of Miss Cooper
at this time.”
WS
a man


Floyd Graves
19
“You are the administrator of her father's es-
tate,” interrupted Barnes.
“I have that honor. It was Pembroke Mason
who induced me to accept that trust. So you will
see that he had some confidence in me. I mention
this, because I do not want you to misunderstand
my critical words of a moment ago.”
The veteran waved his hand as though dismissing
that phase of their conversation.
“Mr. Graves,” he said slowly, “I wish you would
tell me all about your last talk with Mr. Mason, and
about your call at his house on the night he — he
died.”
“With pleasure. Let me think, so that I may be
perfectly exact.”
As the partner of the deceased man said this
he sat down and bowed his chin on his hand in
a contemplative attitude. Barnes noticed that
he was fashionably attired and that he wore a
pair of dark kid gloves. The detective could not
resist the impression that the man was posing,
although his personality was so attractive, and


80
The Pembroke Mason Affair
his manner so pleasing that he could not find
fault.
“I must begin by saying that my active relations
with the law firm have been gradually growing less
and less. You know that, Brown?”
The clerk bowed assent.
“On the afternoon of that fatal night," continued
Graves, “I had a talk with Mason for the purpose
of disposing of all the work that was in hand. I
told him I wanted to leave the city the following
day and he agreed that this could be done without
inconvenience to the firm. Later in the evening
some other matters occurred to me and I thought
I would go over to the house and talk to him about
them. Briggs answered the bell, and he said that
Mr. Mason had instructed him to admit no one —
that is, no one but John Fairchild. Well, I was
amused. First at the idea of not being admitted to
see my old partner, and second at the preposterous
notion of John Fairchild coming to see Mason or
any one else -—"
" It may interest you," interrupted Barnes, '" to


Floyd Graves
81
know that Fairchild did actually call later in the
evening.”
Graves rose from his chair at this announcement.
The look of incredulity upon his face was most pro-
nounced. The detective laughed.
“I don't blame you for feeling that way about
it, but Briggs tells me that Fairchild called and that
he escorted him into the library.”
“Wonders will never cease — I would just as
soon expect a call from the late Czar of Russia.”
“Maybe that would be more probable. But I
am afraid that I interrupted your narrative.”
“There really wasn't any more to say,” resumed
Graves, “ for when Briggs told me that I left the
house and went home. I remembered that Mason
had this important case to argue before the Supreme
Court and I felt that it would be wrong to take up
his time on really trivial matters. That's all. The
following morning I started on my trip and at Balti-
more I heard of the death of Mason and immedi-
ately returned to Washington, and here I am." .
Barnes thanked him for his information and then


82
The Pembroke Mason Affair
proceeded to tell him what he had learned of the
death of his partner — all but the story of the In-
dian sign. That was a bit of special knowledge
which he proposed to keep to himself for the time
being. He did tell him of the admission of Walter
Miles, and of the young man's love for Marian
Cooper.
“I knew that Miles was sweet on Marian, but,
of course, I did not know that he was going to
broach the matter to Mason. You might have
thought that he would have come to me about that
subject. I rather sympathize with the young
man.”
“ Craig suspects Miles of complicity in the death
of Mason,” continued the detective, “but I can't
see it that way. He doesn't seem like that sort of
a chap."
“He has a violent temper," commented the other,
"and there is no telling what any of us might do
under trying circumstances. But, still, I agree with
you that he isn't the sort of a man who would be
likely to commit murder."


Floyd Graves
83
There was a pause for some moments and then
Barnes said:
“Mr. Graves, do you know of any eccentricities
of character in Mr. Mason that would be likely to
give us a clew in this case?”
“ I'm afraid I do not quite understand you,” re-
plied the lawyer with a smile.
“Probably I've expressed it badly. But do you
think there was any one that wanted to be revenged
on Mason? Any one that he might have wronged;
for instance I've been told that he was the direct
means of sending half a dozen men to the electric
chair. It was entirely in the line of his duty, of
course, and I'm not questioning that part of it.
Only, as you know, men who have been convicted
of crime sometimes have friends and relatives who
thirst for vengeance.”
Floyd Graves arose and paced up and down the
floor. Finally he halted in front of the detective.
“You have given me a suspicion which I hesitate
to put into words. It may be far — very far from
the mark, and yet it would appeal powerfully to the


84 The Pembroke Mason Affair
mind of an imaginative man. I presume that de-
tectives are such practical men that they would not
listen to anything which savors of the romantic."
“Here is one who is quite willing to listen to any-
thing — no matter how fantastic it may seem,” re-
torted Barnes.
“Well,” resumed Graves, “what you have said
reminds me of certain incidents in connection with
the men who were convicted of murder in the fa-
mous labor cases in which Mason was the prosecut-
ing attorney.”
“I would like very much to hear anything you
know about those cases,” said the detective.
Graves walked over to the window and looked
out on Pennsylvania Avenue. Then he faced
Barnes again and began.
“There was great bitterness over the results of
those cases. It was claimed, probably without jus-
tice, that these men were the victims of the law. On
the day they were sentenced to die the wife of one
of the condemned men arose in court and poured
forth maledictions upon the heads of all who were


Floyd Graves
85
concerned in any way in their convictions. The
poor woman was carried away by her relatives.
But the scene made a deep impression upon all who
witnessed it, and it was freely said at the time that
those who were responsible would meet with tragic
fates. The woman was taken ill soon after that and
died.”
“Well,” exclaimed Barnes, who was deeply in-
terested, “ did anything happen?”
“Not for a long time. But a year after the trial
the foreman of the jury was found dead in bed.
It was supposed to be a natural death, but the super-
stitious ones immediately seized upon the event to
say that the curse of the distracted woman was be-
ginning to get in its deadly work.”
“Well, was that all?”
"No, it was only the first of many strange oc-
currences. About six months later the chief wit-
ness for the prosecution was walking in the park
when he was struck and killed by an automobile.
Every effort was made to locate him, but to no


86
The Pembroke Mason Affair
avail. Again those who are inclined to look for
the supernatural shook their heads and said that it
was not at all surprising. I do not pretend to take
stock in things of this kind, but my own impression
is that it was not an accident.”
Graves took another turn around the room, and
then resumed his narrative. He stood in the mid-
dle of the floor and he spoke with much feeling and
dramatic effect.
“Two years later the Judge who tried the case
was struck by lightning and died almost instantly.
Another year went by and the Sheriff who was
charged with the electrocution of the men started
off on the first vacation he had had in years. He
told some of his friends that he felt oppressed. He
was in good health and there was no domestic or
financial difficulties that should cause him to worry.
Nevertheless, he did worry. He was provoked with
himself but that did not alter the situation. He got
as far as Jersey City and took a ferry boat for New
York. It was dark and he stood near the edge of
the boat. On the way over some one heard a splash,


Floyd Graves
87
but thought nothing of it at the time. When the boat
reached the New York side the man was gone.
Nothing has ever been heard of him since that time.
Was he pushed overboard? Did he commit sui-
cide? No one knows and probably no one ever will
know."
Graves paused and Barnes stood looking at him
spellbound. The way in which he had recited these
simple facts was fascinating. His manner rather
than his words caused a chill to course up and down
the backbone of the detective. Bromley Barnes
had gone through some thrilling experiences in his
time, but he could not remember anything that had
impressed him so profoundly as the recital of the
story of the gruesome deaths of these four men.
He gazed at Graves intently and uttered the one
word.
“ Well?”
" I've told you the story and you may make your
own application,” was the reply,“ but if you want me
to do so I'll try. Put yourself in the place of Pem-
broke Mason. He was aware of all of the facts


88
The Pembroke Mason Affair
that I have given you. Might he not have thought
that his turn would come next? What I do know is
that he was not himself for days before his death.
He seemed to have lost his grip on himself. I no-
ticed this, and I guess others did too, but I did not
think much of it until this moment. Your mention
of the District Attorney brings it all back. Was
he brooding over that dramatic threat of vengeance?
If so, try and imagine his state of mind. How
would you feel under the same circumstances ?
Think of the sword suspended over your head con-
stantly. You never go to bed at night or get up in
the morning without wondering if the blade is
about to fall on your neck. You never go out in
the dark without wondering who is lurking behind
the tree boxes, and you dread turning the corner for
fear that some assassin may be lurking there in wait.
Pembroke Mason was a brave man, but the suspense
Bromley Barnes listened to this with the same
keen interest with which he had heard the story of
the strange deaths of the four men concerned in the


Floyd Graves
prosecution of the murderers. He was deep in
thought for some time and then he said to Graves.
“ I'm glad we came together. I have a feeling
that you are going to be of great help to me in this
case.”
The lawyer smiled.
“I do not want to seem conceited, but I can as-
sure you that you could not have a man who is better
fitted to go into this matter with you.”
“ Have you been to Mason's house yet?”
“No, I'm on my way there now, and only stopped
in here to see if I could be of any assistance to
Brown. I'll give you the next four or five days,
but after that I want to be excused, because I really
need to get away from Washington as soon as pos-
sible.”
Barnes agreed to this and a few minutes later the
two men started in the direction of the home of
the late Pembroke Mason.


CHAPTER VII
A FAMILIAR QUOTATION
al
WHEN Barnes and Graves reached the Mason
home Jim Craig was there putting Walter Miles
through what the central station man called “a
course of sprouts.” The detective had been on the
hunt of the man in black who stood on the sidewalk
looking up at the library window on the night of the
tragedy. He had not found him but had learned
some things about him that were of interest.
“ See here,” he was saying to Miles, “ did a fel-
low in a black suit call on Mr. Mason at his office
on the day of the murder ? "
" Such a man called," was the answer, “but he
did not see Mr. Mason. I think he was out at the
time. I asked him if I could be of any service to
him and he said no, that his business with Mr.
Mason was strictly personal.”
Craig looked at Barnes who had taken a seat, and
90


A Familiar Quotation 91
then from him to Floyd Graves. Presently he
spoke to Graves.
“Were you wise to that case where Mason sent
so many men to the chair?”
“ Yes,” he replied promptly, “ I was just discuss-
ing the matter with Barnes here, and wondering if
that case could have any possible connection with
the death of Mason.”
Craig tried to chew at the ends of his short-
cropped gray mustache, as he often did in moments
of perplexity. A forced smile played about the
corners of his mouth.
“Suppose you leave the wondering to me, and
just tell me the facts.”
Floyd Graves ignored the rudeness and related
what he had already told Barnes. But his narra-
tive lacked the fire and dramatic force with which
he had recited the same thing to the veteran in-
vestigator.
“Do you happen to know," continued Craig, "if
there were any indictments in that case that were
not tried?”


92
The Pembroke Mason Affair
" Just what do you mean —”
“I mean,” interrupted the detective, “ anything
touchin' on and appertainin' to the cases that were
tried.”
“Why, yes,” he answered, “now that you men-
tion it there were indictments found against five or
six other men that were never tried. If my memory
serves me right there was not enough evidence to
convict the men. Mason was the sort of man who
would not go ahead unless he was sure of success.
As a matter of fact they should have been dis-
charged. They were out on bail, but these indict-
ments hung over them like a cloud. I remember
that the officials of one of the labor organizations
asked Mason to have the indictments quashed, but
he refused to do so. The man who succeeded him
as District Attorney did not like to take the re-
sponsibility of making such a motion, because
Mason always hinted that new evidence would
come up that would be sufficient to convict the
men. I always doubted this and felt that Mason
was too obstinate to admit that he had made an
na


A Familiar Quotation : 93
error in having them indicted on insufficient evi-
dence.”
Craig was fingering the seal on his watch chain
while Graves was talking. When he had concluded
he said:
“Would a letter from Mason have done the busi-
ness — that is, quash the indictments ?”
“Yes, that would have settled the whole busi-
ness.”
The detective nodded, as if to say that was just
the point at which he had been driving. Then he
turned to Walter Miles, aggressively.
“Now, young fellow, I'll have a few minutes
with you. I've got one or two more questions to
ask you, and I want you to be on the level.”
Miles' face flushed, and his eyebrows went up
with the old storm-signal effect.
“From what you've said, and from what I've
heard,” continued Craig, “there wasn't much love
lost between you and Pembroke Mason?”
“ That's a matter I do not care to discuss," flung
back the young man angrily.


94
The Pembroke Mason Affair
“Well,” was the grinning reply, “it's a matter
I want to discuss all right. So I'm goin' to ask you
to humor me for a few minutes."
The hands of the young lawyer worked convul-
sively, as if he longed to twine them about the neck
of the central station man.
“Now," resumed Craig, “isn't it a fact that
you've had more than one dispute with Mason in the
last few days? ”
“I do not know what you mean by dispute,” ex-
claimed Miles, “ unless you mean a difference of
opinion. It is true that we differed on some points
of law in cases that were being considered during
the week. It is also true that I asked him to let me
go before the Supreme Court when there was a
favorable chance. I was admitted to practice be-
fore that body more than a year ago, but Mason
would never let me argue a case in that court. I
asked him to let me argue the Midland and Western
case.”
“What did he say to that ? ”
“He laughed in my face, and that made me angry,


A Familiar Quotation
95
and I probably said some things which I should not
have said.”
“Was it so very strange for a great lawyer to
refuse to permit a kid to argue such an important
case?”
“No," was the heated reply, “not under the cir-
cumstances. I had been slaving over that case for
six months. I gathered all of the facts. I drew
up the brief and I was so familiar with it that I could
have argued it in my sleep. I felt that I could have
distinguished myself. I might have made a reputa-
tion, but Mason wanted to hog all of the glory —”
“Maybe you'll have the chance to do it now,"
ventured Graves, in a soothing voice.
Craig laughed; a dry, uncomfortable laugh.
“ I'm afraid the boy won't have time for any-
thing of that kind for — for some time.”
“What do you mean by that remark?” flashed
Miles, his face reddening, and his hands working
spasmodically.
“ I'm not here to answer questions,” snapped the
detective. “I'm here to ask them. Now, isn't it


96 The Pembroke Mason Affair
a fact that on the day before this affair you made a
threatenin' remark about Mr. Mason?”
“I—I don't know that I did,” murmured the
young man, faltering for the first time.
"Is it, or is it not a fact, that on the day I men-
tion, you got off some rough stuff to Mason and
then added : 'the world would be better off without
such men.'"
Walter Miles' face became grayish and he sat
there perfectly silent. Some moments passed.
Craig's jowl was pressed forward:
“ Answer my question,” he thundered.
“I refuse,” cried Miles in the tone of a man at
bay, “ I positively refuse."
The detective leaned back in his chair triumph-
antly.
“That's all,” he announced, “ that's all — for the
present."
Miles arose heavily and left the room. The three
men looked at one another and said nothing.
Barnes, who felt unaccountably depressed, left the
others and started up the stairway. He wanted to


A Familiar Quotation
97
make a final examination of the death chamber.
He walked slowly, pondering on what he had heard.
About half-way up he noticed a white object in the
semi-darkness. He stooped and picked it up. It
was a small square card. When he reached the
light he saw that it was one of the business cards of
Pembroke Mason. He turned it over and saw some
writing in lead pencil — the handwriting of the de-
ceased lawyer.
Once in the library Barnes walked over to the
window and made a second examination of the
card. The writing on it was dim and scrawly as
though it had been done hurriedly. The old man
peered at it intently and then the writing became
fairly legible.
It was only a line and it read:
“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”
That and nothing more. Yes, there were some
other scrawls in the corner of the card. Just the
numerals: III-1.
The investigator looked at the familiar quotation
stupidly. He laid the card down and mopped the


98
The Pembroke Mason Affair
top of his bald head with his handkerchief, although
the weather was very cold. He tried to think of
some plausible explanation for this odd bit of writ-
ing, but nothing satisfactory presented itself. It
was a puzzle, and like many other phases of the
strange affair it threatened to baffle him.
He happened to glance in the large mirror on the
rear wall of the library and he found himself star-
ing into his own perplexed countenance. The cold
gray eyes wrinkled with amusement and brought
forth a quizzical smile. It was a reminder that he
was taking himself too sadly and that if he was to
accomplish anything it would have to be in his old
touch-and-go fashion. While he was meditating
upon his latest find he heard footsteps in the hall
and the next moment Floyd Graves and Marian
Cooper entered the room. They had evidently been
talking about Mason because the man looked very
sober and the girl's eyes were red, as if from weep-
ing. Without a word Barnes handed the card to
Graves. The lawyer looked at it with a startled
air.


A Familiar Quotation
99
“What is this?” he asked finally.
“ That's what I'd like to know," was the dry re-
sponse.
“Where did you get it ? ”
“ I found it on the stairway as I came up a few
minutes ago."
Graves shook his head.
“It's meaningless to me — I suppose it's of no
importance.”
“ It's the handwriting of Pembroke Mason."
“So I see, but what significance does that give
it? I have no doubt we can find all sorts of things
in the handwriting of Mason."
“Yes, but to me, there's something cryptic about
this."
Marian, looking over the lawyer's shoulder,
studied the card.
“ It looks like one of uncle's reminders. You
know he had a poor memory and he was in the
habit of carrying little cards in his pocket to call
his mind to things which required his attention.
That looks like one of them. Most of them were


100 The Pembroke Mason Affair
scrawls that could not be understood by any one
but himself.”
Graves placed his black-gloved hand on the girl's
shoulder.
“My dear, that is probably the case in this in-
stance — and we'll never know what this means.
At all events, it doesn't matter much.”
“ It matters to me," persisted Barnes. “I think
this card has some meaning, and I'm going to find
it if I have to consult all of the puzzle editors of
the Washington newspapers."
Graves laughed soothingly.
“That would make puzzled editors of the poor
fellows. But hasn't it occurred to you that the ex-
planation — if there be one — would be very sim-
ple? For instance, might this not have been one of
several cards he was going to use in his argument
before the Supreme Court. You know what I mean
— little topical headings such as many public speak-
ers habitually use."
Barnes pursed his lips.
“Y-e-s," he said reluctantly, " that might be an


A Familiar Quotation
101
explanation, but somehow it doesn't fit in this case.”
“I think Mr. Graves has the right idea,” com-
mented Marian sagely.
The lawyer gave her a look of gratitude. He
seemed greatly pleased that the girl should agree
with him. His manner indicated that he wished to
have her good will.
But Barnes had grown strangely stubborn. He
turned the card over several times and looked at it
from every possible angle as though he were de-
termined to wring the secret from its white surface.
"By the way,” he cried suddenly, “ that's an aw-
fully familiar quotation. I can't remember the time
I didn't know it. But where does it come from?
Blest if I know.”
Floyd Graves laughed at the earnestness of the
old man. He spoke lightly.
“Well, I should say it was from the Bible - but
I wouldn't care to bet money on it.”
Barnes shook his head vigorously.
“No, it isn't from the Bible.” Then with an an-
noyed gesture he added: “Why is it when any


102 The Pembroke Mason Affair
one is in doubt about a quotation they always at-
tribute it to the Bible? ”
“That's easily answered," said Graves soberly,
“it's because the Bible is the most widely quoted
book that was ever written."
Barnes gazed at the lawyer as if he had not heard
him. His thoughts seemed to be elsewhere. He
turned to the girl.
"Maybe you know?”
“I do not,” she confessed, “but why not look it
up? We have a book of quotations in the room.”
“I must be getting old,” sighed Barnes. “I
never thought of that."
The next moment they had the book of references
and were turning the pages with the eagerness of
children playing a game. They turned to the in-
dex and began going down the first words of the
quotations.
“ Look for the word ' uneasy, suggested Mar-
ian.
They did, without result. Then Barnes turned
to 'crown, and at the very last of the references


A Familiar Quotation 103
he discovered : “crown; uneasy lies the head that
wears a.” He rustled the leaves back to the indi-
cated page and gave a cry of triumph.
“ It's just as I suspected,” he declared, “it's from
Shakespeare — the most wonderful of them all.”
"I concur in that verdict,” said Graves, “and
I'm glad the question is settled.”
“But it's not settled — that is the mystery of the
card isn't settled. Look here, the line is from King
Henry IV, Act Three and Scene One. There we
have the meaning of the marks in the corner of the
Card 111-1."
Marian was excited, but Floyd Graves stood look-
ing at Barnes with an expressionless face.
“Look in the bookcase!” cried the girl, “ Uncle
Pembroke was constantly reading his Shakespeare.”
Barnes turned the key of the handsome bit of
mahogany furniture and began scanning the titles of
the books. He halted before a handsomely bound
set of the Bard of Avon. There were many vol-
umes, probably twenty-eight or thirty, manufac-
tured in the most exquisite style. The titles of the


A Familiar Quotation
105
A look of pain crossed her face at this remark,
but it passed quickly, and she murmured:
“You are right.”
“ It surely could not have been taken away,” and
as he spoke the detective began a search of the room.
He examined every nook and corner. He looked
on the top of the bookcase and on all of the tables
and in every receptacle that might contain a book.
He finally got down on his hands and knees and felt
every part of the floor. Presently he gave a grunt
of satisfaction and pulled the missing volume from
beneath a corner of the bookcase. When he arose
his face was flushed and his trousers soiled. But he
hugged the book affectionately.
Going over to the table he laid it down and then
opened it in a ceremonious manner. Marian and
Graves stood on either side of him as he turned the
pages. In a few moments he came to the first scene
of the third act and began reading the text. Pres-
ently he reached the quoted line and then the puz-
zled look came back to his countenance.
· And no wonder, for the fine illustration which had
APP


106
The Pembroke Mason Affair
evidently faced that page had been torn from the
book!
Barnes mopped his bald head with his silk handker-
chief as was his wont in moments of perplexity and
excitement. He turned to Graves and spoke in a
low troubled voice.
“What do you make of it?"
The lawyer examined the book carefully and then
said in a positive way.
“ It has been mutilated — there's no doubt about
that. It's easily to be seen from the ragged edges
near the binding."
The detective turned the leaves and looked at the
other illustrations in the volumes.
"I should say these pictures were valuable.”
“ Yes,” said Graves, “ valuable and exceedingly
rare.”
Slowly, and with a sigh, Barnes closed the
Shakespeare and put it in the empty niche in the
bookcase. He walked up and down once or twice.
"I don't see that I can do anything more at pres-
ent,” he said finally. “Graves, you and Marian


CHAPTER VIII
THE FACE IN THE MIRROR
THE Coroner's jury "sat" on the body of the
dead lawyer in due course of time, and after solemn
deliberation, assisted by the Coroner himself, came
to the cautious conclusion that Pembroke Mason
had come to his death “ by means of a blow from
some blunt instrument in the hand, or the hands, of
some person, or persons, unknown.”
The funeral took place on that same afternoon,
and was as private and as unostentatious as
Marian could make it. Indeed, the deceased, who
was nothing, if not methodical, had provided for
every last detail of his final internment. Only the im-
mediate members of the family and a few close
friends attended. There was a sort of pathos about
it — the feeling that one who was so important in
life should attract so little attention in death.'
108


The Face in the Mirror 109
re
The moment the casket left the house there was
a sense of loss about the place. It brought home
the reality of death in a sharp manner. This feel-
ing is noticed with the humblest, but in the case of
Pembroke Mason it was accentuated a hundred
times and more. He had been so big, and powerful,
so forceful and so arrogant that his going left an
enormous void — for the time being. The great
house, without him, seemed like an empty shell.
The establishment seemed to be suddenly stripped
of its importance. The hushed manner of those
who attended the obsequies was but a reflection of
their inmost feelings. It was not a sense of be-
reavement — except in the case of Marian — but
rather a startled feeling that this person who had
been reverenced and feared by so many should be
discovered to be only a weak mortal who had to
die and be buried like the rest of mankind.
The will, which was read in the evening, left the
bulk of the estate to Marian Cooper, after making
provision for two almost forgotten brothers, and
the servants. Bromley Barnes and Floyd Graves


110
The Pembroke Mason Affair
remained at the house during the evening, mainly
for the purpose of cheering the girl who, outside of
Briggs, was the only one that gave evidence of real
grief at the untimely taking off of the great lawyer.
Walter Miles had attended the services at the house,
but he did not go to the cemetery, and did not show
himself at the house in the evening. Was it from
fear? Was it from a sense of delicacy?
About ten o'clock that night Jim Craig made his
appearance, puffing from the exertion of hurrying,
and displaying an unusual sense of importance.
He flung himself into an easy chair, with an air of
ownership, and crossing his large feet, said that he
had come for the purpose of asking Miss Cooper a
few questions. Floyd Graves, with a dignity that
became him very well, protested against subjecting
the girl to any further ordeal at that time.
“She has had a very hard day," he said, " and it
would be the refinement of cruelty to put her on the
rack again.”
“Who said anything about the rack?” demanded
the literal-minded man from the central station.


The Face in the Mirror 111
“ I've come here to get some information apper-
tainin' to the case an' I think I know my business
better than you do."
Graves bowed in courtly fashion as much as to
say that he would not think of disputing the ques-
tion of Mr. Craig's proficiency in his profession.
Bromley Barnes was annoyed and did not hesitate
to say so.
“I think Mr. Graves is entirely right, and I think
you should have the decency to let the girl alone on
this day of all days."
Craig pushed his jaw forward in the aggressive
way he had when any one attempted to interfere
with his purposes.
"I haven't asked for your advice — yet,” he said
angrily, “and, in the meantime, I'll do my work in
my own way. I've got a system and it's never
failed me and I'm goin' to carry it out in this case.
It looks to me as if both of you were takin' a great
deal on yourselves, and if you intend to butt in and
interfere with the course of Justice I -".
“Oh, bosh!” interrupted Barnes, “no one wants


112 The Pembroke Mason Affair
to interfere with the course of Justice. We
thought we might instill some gentlemanly in-
stincts —"
“That's enough of that !” blurted the detective,
“I don't need you to teach me manners --”.
The sight of Marian Cooper entering the room
caused him to halt. He had the grace to rise from
his chair and to greet her respectfully.
“What is the matter ?” she asked wearily. “If
it is about me I am here to answer for myself."
A look of triumph overspread the florid counte-
nance of the central station man. He gave the girl
what was intended as an ingratiating smile.
“That's just what I said, Miss !” he exclaimed.
“I simply wanted to ask you a few questions about
the case and your friends here seemed to think that
you was all in an'”
“Go ahead,” she interrupted sadly. “I'll try to
tell you anything you want to know.”
She sank into a chair and prepared for the ordeal.
She looked very pale and the whiteness of her face
was accentuated by her black dress. The contrast


The Face in the Mirror 113
between the burly detective and the frail girl was
most pronounced. The bright eyes were dim, and
the eyelids were red from weeping. Her hands
hung listlessly from her side and she presented the
appearance of utter helplessness. But if Craig no-
ticed any of these things he did not show it in man-
ner or words. He cleared his throat once or twice,
played with the ornament on his watch chain and
presently began.
“Since I talked with you last,” he began with
ponderous dignity, “I have learned some things
which may help us in this investigation. I have
been talkin' with the servants, and they gave me the
tip that you were up during the night of the — the
murder."
“Yes,” she answered listlessly, “I think I have
told you already that I went up to the library to see
my uncle before I retired for the night. He was
very busy. He had all of the papers of the case he
was to argue before the Supreme Court and he was
studying them. He told me that he would be up
for a long time. He gave me to understand that


114
The Pembroke Mason Affair
he might have to stay up all night. I wanted to
know if I could do anything for him, and he said
no, that he wished to be all alone. I begged him
not to stay up too late and said good night.”
“Yes, I know about that,” assented Craig, “but
I wanted to know what happened after that. Please
tell me as briefly as you can.”
“Why,” hesitatingly, “I went to sleep — or at
least tried to go to sleep."
Craig shifted his position and frowned. He
leaned his elbow on his knee and projected his big
chin forward in bull dog fashion.
“Yes, yes,” he said impatiently. “We know all
about that, but what I want you to tell me is what
happened after you got up."
“ Got up? ” she repeated, her lips trembling and a
look of fear coming into her sunken eyes.
“Yes,” he cried angrily. “Isn't it a fact that
you got out of bed early in the morning — say at
one or two o'clock and came down to the library?”
Her startled eyes sought Barnes and Graves but
they gave her no assistance. She grasped the arms


The Face in the Mirror
115
of the chair with such force that the knuckles of her
hands could be seen shining through the clear white
skin. Her confusion was only momentary and
then she addressed herself to the detective with an
unnatural eagerness.
“Why yes, I did get up during the night — or in
the morning, as you say. I haven't the slightest
idea what time it was, but it must have been late
because it surely was midnight when I first retired.
I was worried about my uncle. He did not act like
himself. The way he sat there staring at the palm
of his hand got on my nerves. I could not shut it
from my mind. No one knows how hard I tried to
sleep. I did get into a doze for awhile but I awoke
with a start. And somehow I could not rid my-
self of the notion that my uncle was in danger.
So I put on my bedroom slippers and a dressing
gown and went down to the library.”
She paused for a moment, and Craig looked at
her with narrowed eyes.
“Now," he said with significant emphasis, “ you
are tellin' me somethin' I wanted to know. You
rves.


116 The Pembroke Mason Affair
did not mention this before. Why have you tried
to hide it?”
She gave a shudder as if she had felt a sudden
chill.
“I—I didn't think it had anything to do with
the case, and, besides, I wasn't —”.
“Never mind explainin',” he interrupted with an
indulgent nod. “Tell us what happened after you
came down stairs ?”
She looked at him a little wildly and gave an hys-
terical laugh.
“Why — I guess nothing happened.”
“ Didn't you speak to your uncle at all? ”
A spasm of pain crossed her face and she shud-
dered.
“I think,” she said in a whisper, “ that my uncle
must have been dead then.”
“How do you know?”
“I don't know," she answered, her voice becom-
ing a little firmer. “ That is just the feeling I have
now when I look back on the incident. When I
reached the library I found that all of the lights were


The Face in the Mirror
117
out except the reading lamp on my uncle's table.
That was lowered and the room was in semi-dark-
ness. I walked in on tip-toe and uncle was so quiet
in his chair that I felt he must be asleep. I hesi-
tated for a moment debating whether to rouse him
or not and finally decided that it would be best to
let him rest where he was. So I tip-toed out
into the hall again, leaving him, as I supposed,
asleep.”
· Her fingers nervously sought for her handker-
chief and when she found the little bit of lace and
linen she applied it to her eyes.
There were several speechless seconds and then
the voice of Craig broke the silence.
“Well, what happened after that?”
“ Nothing — nothing else happened."
“ But did you see or hear anything out of the
ordinary?”
She looked at Barnes but his eyes were on the
ground. She turned to the detective and exclaimed
hysterically.
“I don't know what you mean by anything out


118 The Pembroke Mason Affair
of the ordinary — how can I answer such a ques-
tion?”
"By tellin' me the truth.”
For the first time since the interview began she
showed signs of defiance. The dim eyes brightened
and a spark of anger flew at Craig. But the next
moment she was limp and drooping.
" I'll answer your questions,” she said wearily.
“Did you see any one in the room besides Pem-
broke Mason?”
“No," she answered decidedly. “There was no
one else in the room."
Something about the way she spoke attracted the
attention of the three men. Bromley Barnes
watched her with sympathetic interest. Floyd
Graves was absorbed in the recital but the central
station man was pitiless. He arose from his chair
and bending over her he said sternly:
“Miss Cooper, there was some one else and I've
got to know who it was. I'm a patient man and
I'm not going to leave this house till I find out.”
She gave a cry, half laughing and half tearful.


The Face in the Mirror 119
“Do you believe in ghosts?” she exclaimed sud-
denly.
The unexpected question took the detective aback
for an instant. Then he said indulgently, “I don't
know — I never met one."
“Well, I think I must have seen one that night.
There was nothing tangible. That's why all of this
talk seems so useless.”
“ Come," said the detective in the voice that one
uses toward a spoilt child, “come, tell us what you
saw."
The girl crouched at the recollection of that tragic
night.
“I was passing along the hall,” she said in a
whispered voice, “and I happened to look into the
library. The large mirror is almost opposite the
door and I thought — I thought I saw a face in
the mirror.”
“That was probably the reflection of yourself,"
interjected Barnes blandly.
"No," she said dully. “It was not my face -
it was a man's face.”


120 The Pembroke Mason Affair
"Possibly that of your uncle,” suggested Floyd
Graves.
She shook her head.
“No, it did not seem real. It must have been
the effect of my imagination. I was terribly upset,
you know. But the face I thought I beheld in the
mirror frightened me — it was filled with mad rage,
pity, fright.” She was trembling as she arose from
the chair and started for the door.
" Miss Cooper,” exclaimed Craig, “ you must tell
us whose face you saw!”
“I can't do that — I'm not certain. It would
only be a wild guess."
She groped her way nearer the door and grasped
the back of a chair for support.
"I insist upon an answer!” thundered the un-
pitying inquisitor.
She was swaying with fright. She caught the
eye of Bromley Barnes.
“Marian," he said gently, “ you had better tell
him who you think it was. You have gone too far
to hold anything back.”


The Face in the Mirror
121
“But,” she replied huskily, “ I'm not sure.”
For a wonder the central station man softened his
voice.
“Tell us to the best of your knowledge and be-
lief,” he urged. “Who do you think it was?”
Her tortured face became grayish. Her hands
trembled as the white lips moved to frame the
words. Craig bent his head to catch the sound.
She spoke in a broken whisper.
“I— I think it was the face of Walter Miles!”
She gave a long sigh, the slight fingers loosened
their grip on the back of the chair, and she fell to
the floor in a heap.


CHAPTER IX
IN THE NET
JIM CRAIG left the Mason home and hurried to
the office of the chief of detectives in the City Hall.
He consulted some papers in the pigeon hole of his
desk and the information they conveyed caused a
smile to creep over his florid face. He picked up
a telephone book, and finding the desired number,
lifted the receiver and made his call. In a few mo-
ments there was reply.
“Is that Miles — Walter Miles ? ” asked the de-
tective.
The reply must have been affirmative, for the next
moment he added:
"I want you to come down to my room at head-
quarters at once. Sure, it's important or I wouldn't
ask you to come. I think I've got a clew to the
Mason murder, and I want you to come and help me
122


In the Net
123
out. Yes, all right, I'll stay here until you come.”
And the detective, pulling a stogie from his
picket, lit it, and leaning back in his swivel chair,
puffed away with the sense of relaxation a man feels
when he thinks he has completed a difficult piece of
work. He was alone in the room, but he had plenty
of company in his thoughts which appeared to give
him immense satisfaction. He finished the weed
and then lit another, and puffed away at it furiously
until the small apartment was filled with smoke.
From time to time he tilted his chair into an upright
position and glanced at the papers on his desk, and
each time the lines about his mouth assumed a more
complacent look. Finally there was a tap on the
door, and in response to his loud " Come in,” Walter
Miles entered the room.
The young lawyer wore a troubled expression.
His face had a worn look, and there was an absence
of his usual alert and agressive manner. He peered
at Craig through the clouds of tobacco smoke, and
then took the chair which the detective had indi-
cated with a wave of his big hand.


124 The Pembroke Mason Affair
“Well, I'm here,” he said in a tone that was far
from friendly. “What is that you want to tell
me?"
Craig gave a laugh that was devoid of merriment.
He crossed his clumsy feet and shooting a significant
glance at his visitor said:
“Son, you've got the wires twisted. I don't
want to tell you anything. Not a blessed thing.
I've sent for you to enlighten me regardin' one or
two things appertainin' to the case we have under
consideration."
The young man flushed, and exclaimed, with a
trace of irritation in his voice:
“You certainly haven't dragged me here at this
hour of the night to indulge in talk of that kind.
I've already told you all there is to tell.”
Craig looked at him mockingly.
“As to the hour of the night, you needn't let a
little thing like that bother you. We have no busi-
ness hours here. We never sleep. That's the
motto of this establishment. And as for tellin' me
all that you know, there's very few of us that tell


In the Net
125
that. Sometimes we keep the best things till the
last. I'm sure you must have kept a few surprises
under your hat for Jim Craig.".
"I don't know what you are talking about,” was
the dignified reply, “and if there is anything you
have to say to me I wish you'd say it and be done
with it.”
" I've got a good deal to say to you,” cried Craig,
suddenly dropping his bantering tone, and pushing
his jowl forward in the bull dog way that became him
so well, “ but it ain't half as interestin' as the things
I expect you to say to me. Now, we're goin' to get
down to brass tacks, you and me, and if you know
what's best for you, you won't try any funny busi-
ness with the law.”
Miles stared at him in an incredulous way, and
then, crossing his legs, leaned back in his chair, ex-
claiming :
“Please cut out the rest of the preface, Mr.
Craig, and let me know what you are driving
at."
The little eyes of the detective twinkled, and he


126 The Pembroke Mason Affair
fingered the charm on his watch chain. He cleared
his throat twice and began.
“ Young man, I want you to tell me just exactly
what your movements were on the night that Pem-
broke Mason was killed.”
"Oh," said Miles, with the faintest trace of relief
in his voice," that's what you're driving at, is it?
Well, I'll do the best I can. You know, of course,
that that was some days ago, and a man does not
always carry such details in his mind.”
“I know," was the dry retort, “but I guess you'll
agree with me that the day we are discussin' was a
very unusual day — even for a busy lawyer like
yourself.”
The young man ignored the sarcasm and replied
quietly:
“ It was late that afternoon when I left the of-
fice — some time between five and six o'clock. I
had one or two little errands to do. I remember
that I stopped and purchased a law book that I
needed, and after that I went to the little French
restaurant near the Treasury Department and had


In the Net
127
my dinner. As a rule, I meet some one there I
know, but none of my acquaintances were there,
and I dined alone. After that I went to my apart-
ments, and stayed there probably an hour. I know
that I carried the law book with me and left it in my
room. As I went out I met Mrs. Knowles, the land-
lady, and exchanged some commonplace remarks
with her. Then I went to my club, the Essex, and
remained there the rest of the evening. I smoked
and read and chatted with a number of the members.
I might recall the names of some of them if you
think that is necessary?”
“No," replied Craig, in an indulgent manner, “ I
guess that ain't necessary. Go on, what happened
after that?”
“Well, I went home, naturally. I suppose it must
have been around eleven o'clock. That, in a rough
way, is the story of how I spent my night.”
Craig smiled heavily. He took the stogie out of
his mouth, and flipped the ash from the end of it,
and then stared at the young man for several mo-
ments. Miles became uneasy at this prolonged look,


128
The Pembroke Mason Affair
which was evidently the effect he intended to pro-
duce. Finally he cleared his throat again.
“For a bright lawyer,” he commented, “ you seem
to have a blamed bad memory. Why don't you tell
me about your visit to Mason's house?”
“Oh, my visit to Mason's,” stammered Miles,
“why, I thought I told you before that I came and
went to his house without any ceremony. You
know I had a latch key.”
“That's just the point,” was the grim retort. “I
want to know about the adventures of that latch
key on that i- dentical night.”
The pale face of Walter Miles became whiter than
usual.
" I suppose I did go there — didn't I say some-
thing about that in my previous examination?”
“Not so it would make a deep impression on my
mind," commented Craig drily. “Now, as a mat-
ter of fact, didn't you go there very late? Didn't
you go there after you left the club? Didn't you
find yourself in the house — accidentally — between
midnight and two in the morning?"


In the Net
129
"I— that is — it could hardly have been that
late, could it?”
“That's just what I want you to tell me.”
“Well, now," was the stammering reply, “I-
I really could not tell you the exact time. I was
confused, that is to say, I didn't fix it in my mind.”
Craig tossed the stump of his cigar into the near-
est cuspidor, and turned to the young man, with
flushed face and glaring eyes.
“Maybe I can help you to fix the time. It was
clear till midnight. It was a bad night but it was
not raining up till that time. After midnight we
had an awful storm, with thunder and lightning. It
rained cats and dogs. No one who was out in it
could have mistaken that. Well, some time before
two o'clock in the mornin' you returned to your
lodgin's, and you was soakin' wet.”
" How do you know that?” cried Miles hotly.
“I don't,” was the placid answer, “but there are
others who know it. Your landlady, Mrs. Knowles,
for instance. She was scared by the storm and got
up to close the windows. And she saw you come in,


130 The Pembroke Mason Affair
looking like a drowned rat. Don't you think that
would be pretty good evidence before a jury?”
Walter Miles was trembling now, and the cold
sweat came out in beads on his forehead. There
was a startled look in his eyes. He spoke in a half
whisper.
" Is that all you've got?”
“ Not all,” responded Craig with unexpected
crispness. “We have a witness who met you at the
house that mornin'.”
“Met me at the house?” murmured the young
man.
“Yes," snapped the detective impatiently. “You
ain't denyin' you was there, are you?”
Miles shook his head sadly.
“No, I'm not — but I honestly didn't think it
would have any bearing on the death of Pembroke
Mason."
Craig's little eyes glistened with satisfaction.
“ You admit that you were there. That's
enough for me. Now, tell me why you went
there?”


In the Net
131
“I wanted to speak to Mr. Mason about — about
a certain matter.”
“What was it?”
“ You wouldn't understand,” replied the harassed
man, twisting and untwisting his hands in his agi-
tation.
“Well, that's for me to say," grinned the detec-
tive. “What was it?"
Miles jumped to his feet, his eyes burning with
anger and excitement.
"I refuse to say any more — you can do your
worst."
Craig reached over his desk and found a fresh
stogie which he proceeded to light with great de-
liberation. The pause enabled the young man to
get a grip on himself. He tried to collect his
thoughts, and the first thing that came to his mind
was what the detective had said of the witness who
saw him at the Mason house on that fateful morn-
ing. Who could it be? He was sure he had met
no one. He smothered his dislike for Craig to the
extent of making an appeal to the officer,


132 The Pembroke Mason Affair
“You — you spoke of a witness against me.
Would you mind telling me who it is ?”
“Why, no," replied Craig with a broad smile, “ it
was the little girl.”
“ The little girl?”
“Sure — Miss Cooper."
Miles' hands shook as he came closer to the de-
tective. His voice trembled as he spoke.
“Do — do you mean to say that Marian — that
Miss Cooper — gave you this information?”
“ Positively — and in the presence of two wit-
nesses.”
Walter Miles sank into the nearest chair and
buried his face in his hands. The clock on the
mantel ticked many times before he looked up again.
Craig, for the first time, felt a faint sense of pity
for his victim. The young man looked ten years
older. His face was haggard and care-lined. He
seemed incapable of making any further resistance.
He spoke to the detective.
“Do you want to ask me anything else?”
“Nope — I've got all I want.”


In the Net
133
Walter Miles arose heavily and made his way
to the door. He walked with unseeing eyes,
blundering from one side of the room to the
other.
“Wait a minute!”
The voice of Craig rang out with an air of un-
wonted authority.
The young man halted in a dazed sort of way.
The detective approached him and laid a heavy hand
on his shoulder. He cleared his throat and spoke
in his most official manner.
“Walter Miles — I arrest you for the murder of
Pembroke Mason!”
The young man stared at him with dull eyes. If
Craig expected to create a sensation he was mis-
taken. Miles was incapable of further emotion.
He did not protest. He groped his way back to the
chair and sat down mechanically. Presently he
raised his tired eyelids and said in an expressionless
voice:
“Does this mean that I am under arrest?”
“Certainly," was the indignant response. “Do


134 The Pembroke Mason Affair
you suppose I've been doing all this for the fun of
the thing ?”
" It hasn't been much fun for me," was the weak
reply.
Craig tossed his half consumed stogie away and
started toward the door. He spoke to Miles over
his shoulder.
“Come this way.”
Walter arose, with an effort, and followed the
detective. They came to a row of cells, provided
for untried prisoners. The central station man
opened the first one. It was clean and a comfort-
able looking cot occupied one side.
“There,” he said brusquely but not unkindly,
“I'll make it as pleasant as I can for you."
“ Yes,” cried the prisoner bitterly, "you've been
doing that from the start.”
"I've been doin' my duty," was the dogged re-
ply.
He paused for a moment at the door and Walter,
grasping at a straw, said:
“ What about my getting bail ?”


In the Net
135
Craig looked at him in undisguised amazement.
“What?” he cried. “You a lawyer and asking
a question like that?”.
The prisoner smiled wanly.
“ But,” added Craig, “if you want me to send
word to any of your friends I'll do it.”
The young man looked up eagerly.
" I'd like you to telephone Bromley Barnes. Will
you do that?”
The name grated harshly on the official ear.
“ All right,” he conceded grudgingly, “ I'll do it,”
and he left, slamming the cell door to with a dull
clang that resounded through the building.
Half an hour later Barnes was in the cell, talk-
ing to Miles and doing his best to comfort him in
his predicament. He was not surprised at the turn
affairs had taken but he was angry with Craig.
As he was leaving headquarters he met the detec-
tive.
“Well,” he said scornfully, “I see you've done
it.”
“Sure,” was the grinning reply. “It's the sys-


136 The Pembroke Mason Affair
tem I use, and it acts like clockwork. Didn't use
a microscope once either and haven't had a single
blood stain analyzed. It's just plain, simple, every-
day police work.”
"It's simple enough,” was the bitter retort,“ but
you haven't got a bit of proof against that boy.
You've just arrested him on suspicion. You haven't
got a thing but circumstantial evidence.”
Craig stared at the veteran in a pitying fashion.
“ Barnes,” he commented, “ you're talkin' like a
man in a trance. If you was a kid reporter or one
of them parlor socialists it would be different. But
you've played the game an' you've put many a crook
behind the bars. An' you know as well as I do that
circumstantial evidence is the best kind of evidence.
It's more reliable than direct evidence. A man may
be mistaken about what he sees and hears but when
you get a chain of circumstances, each one fittin' in
exactly with the others you have somethin' as sure
as fate. That's what I've got in this case.”
“Yes,” exclaimed the old man irritably, “and
your so-called circumstantial evidence has sent many
e
S
as sure


138
The Pembroke Mason Affair
in the beginning, that you're just a big bluffer and
bungler. I'll get the truth — and without your as-
sistance."
And, turning on his heel, the old man pulled his
hat down over his ears, and hurried from the build-
ing.


CHAPTER X
THE WARNING
WHEN Bromley Barnes sat down to breakfast
on the following morning he found a legal notice
awaiting him with the information that he had been
appointed Executor of the estate of Pembroke
Mason. He had not paid much attention to the
will of the deceased lawyer. He knew, in a gen-
eral way, that the estate had been bequeathed to
Marian Cooper, and that friends and relatives had
been provided for, but he was totally unprepared to
learn that he had been selected for the responsibility
of carrying out the wishes of his old friend.
"Men are uncertain quantities," said Mason in
his will, “ and he who puts his entire trust in them
leans upon a broken reed. I speak from bitter per-
sonal experience because some of those in who I
reposed unlimited confidence have basely betrayed
139


140 The Pembroke Mason Affair
me. Yet I am persuaded that there are exceptions
to the rule and in proof of this conviction I hereby
appoint Bromley Barnes, my old and valued friend,
to be the executor of my estate, feeling assured that
his high sense of honor and justice will insure the
carrying out of my last wishes.”
The veteran was deeply touched by this tribute
from a man who had the reputation of being hard,
cold and totally devoid of sentiment. They had
first met when Barnes was Chief of the United
States Secret Service, and each had been attracted
by what might be called the opposite virtues of the
other. Mason was a brilliant man, yet as practical
as the knob on a door. The detective, with all of
his common sense, was more inclined to be a
dreamer, and if given his choice would have pre-
ferred a couch, a pipe and a volume of Artemus
Ward, to the task of running down a gang of dull-
witted counterfeiters.
He shrank from the task of administering an
estate but the fact that an old established trust com-
pany had been designated as co-executor meant that


The Warning
141
the responsibility of the post would be shared and
that he would be relieved of many of the annoying
details of the work. He thought of Marian Cooper
and he determined to call on her at once.
Half an hour later the solemn-faced Briggs was
ushering him into the Mason home. The perfect
servant so far forgot his perfection as to indicate
that Marian was in the library and Barnes made his
way to that room unannounced.
She was seated before a table, near the window,
looking very frail and childish in her black gar-
ments. Her back was toward the visitor but one
glance at those bowed shoulders was enough to
tell him that she was suffering. When she heard
him she arose and turned and rushed toward him
with outstretched hand, as a child would greet a
parent.
"I'm so glad you came — I must have some one
to talk to me.”
He smiled down at the wan face and said as gently
as possible:
“You have heard the news?”


142
The Pembroke Mason Affair
She tried to keep back the unbidden tears as she
replied:
“Yes, and I think it's a sin and an outrage. How
can they do such terrible things ? ”.
“I think it's wrong, too,” he admitted with a
shrug of the shoulders, “ but appearances are against
him.”
“But you do not believe he would be capable of
doing such a dreadful thing ?”
"No," said the old man, with deliberation. “I
believe that Walter Miles is innocent.”
A narrow band of sunlight, streaming through
the window, illumined her face. It had been
chastened with suffering and at his words it lighted
wondrously. She grasped both his hands in her
delicate palms.
“You don't know how grateful you make me
feel. I'll never forget your goodness."
He made a gesture of dissent.
“You must not call it my goodness — it's just
ordinary common sense.”
“ Did he — did Walter say he was innocent?”


The Warning
143
Barnes shook his head.
“ He wouldn't even talk of that. His only con-
cern was of you."
Tears glistened in her eyes.
“And to think that I was the innocent cause of
his trouble. Oh, why did I say the dreadful
thing?”
The veteran put his arm about her shoul-
ders.
“Don't reproach yourself, my dear, you did the
only thing that could be done under the circum-
stances. If anything it was a mistake to hold it
back.”
“But I felt that to tell it would do Walter an aw-
ful wrong."
“Your feelings were perfectly natural and cor-
rect. He probably has some explanation for his
midnight visit but he declines to make it and of
course that handicaps us. However, Craig has
made out just as bad a case as it is possible to make
against Walter. We know the worst — there's
some consolation in that. We'll surely get hold of


144
The Pembroke Mason Affair
some end, some thread, that will enable us to un-
ravel this mystery.”
Her eyes glowed and a touch of color came into
her cheeks.
“ That means that you are going to work for
Walter?”
“Most assuredly. From now on it's you and I
and Walter against Craig — and the world.”
The tears ran down her cheeks but they were
tears of joy. The reaction from the strain had
come and she felt a sense of relief and strength.
Barnes paced up and down the room several times
and then paused in front of the girl.
“You know that I've been appointed Executor
of your uncle's estate. That means that I've got
the right to look through his private papers. Some
of them may give us a clew. Do you know where
he kept his personal effects?”
“Yes, in a little walnut box. No one else dared
look in that during his lifetime. I have the key
here and the box itself is in the safe.”
In five minutes they had the receptacle on the


The Warning
145
table and opened. It contained most of the per-
sonal odds and ends preserved by a busy man.
There were some childish mementos, the certificate
of his admission to the bar, a few personal letters,
a dozen or more menu cards where he had been the
speaker at public banquets, some newspaper clippings
recounting legal triumphs and one odd looking
letter postmarked “Schuylkill Haven, Pennsyl-
vania.”
The envelope was a cheap one and it was very
much soiled. His name and address were written
in what was evidently a disguised hand. The post
office cancellation was dated November the eighth,
1912, and in the ordinary course of business he
would have received it on the following day. In-
side of this envelope was a plain white card on
which was printed, rather than written, these words,
surrounded by a black border:
IN MEMORY OF
PEMBROKE MASON
NOVEMBER THE NINTH, 1913.


146
The Pembroke Mason Affair
Marian gave a shriek of dismay when she saw
the gruesome thing. She looked at the detective
appealingly.
"What do you make of it?”
“It's a warning,” he said soberly, “sent to him
for the purpose of intimidation."
" But the date," she persisted, “it's the date on
which he died.”
He nodded.
“That's the diabolical part of it. This note of
warning was sent to him just a year before the date
on which he actually died. It meant that if he did
not do as the sender wished that he would cease to
exist at the end of the twelve months."
“Horrible!” she cried with a shudder.
“Yes,” he mused, “ the strangest part of it was
that it was so well timed.”
“Don't you think this explains uncle's death? ”
Barnes shrugged his shoulders.
“ How can I say — yet? ”
“ Apparently they failed to intimidate him," con-
tinued the girl.


The Warning
147
“They could not do that," agreed Barnes.
“ Pembroke Mason was a fearless man. A threat
- even in that form — would make him more reso-
lute than ever.”
“You - you think this card has some signifi-
cance then?”
“Oh, yes, and while we are on the subject I
might as well tell you what Floyd Graves had to
say -"
Bromley Barnes stopped short for Briggs was
ushering Graves into the library.
“I hope I'm not intruding,” he began. “I
thought "
"Not at all,” interjected the detective. “I'm
glad you came in for we've just found a card that
may interest you."
He passed the bit of pasteboard to the visitor
who took it in his gloved hand and scrutinized it
from every point of view. His face became seri-
ous and as he handed it back he said:
“This fits in with what we talked about — the
scheme of vengeance.”


148 The Pembroke Mason Affair
“ Precisely.”
“ Does Marian know the story I told you?"
asked Graves.
“No, I was just about to tell her.”
“Go ahead.”
“I prefer that you do it,” said Barnes. “You
do those things so much better than I do."
The lawyer shot a glance at the detective, but if
he thought there was any irony in the remark the de-
tective's face undeceived him. He turned to the
girl and in concise, well arranged periods told her
of the tragic end of those who had been instrumental
in convicting the Pennsylvania murderers. And as
he concluded he said:
"If I'm not mistaken, Barnes, these trials oc-
curred in Schuylkill Haven."
“ They did,” replied the veteran.
All three thought of the post-mark on the soiled
envelope. Several speechless seconds passed.
Floyd Graves broke the silence.
: “Poor Mason,” he said in his most dramatic man-
ner. “Who knows what he suffered during the


The Warning
· 149
ome
last few days of his life. Picture the haunted man
waiting for his doom! Too brave to surrender,
too proud to hand the threatening card to the police.
It has lain in his drawer for nearly a year. He
knows the time has expired. It is a question of
hours, then minutes and presently seconds. He has
a loaded revolver at hand. If the worst comes to
the worst he will sell his life dearly.”.
Floyd Graves had taken the center of the room
by this time. His dark face was full of expression
and feeling. The fierce, black eyes were shining
like coals of fire under the stress of his emotion.
He raised the forefinger of his right hand to com-
mand attention.
“Hark!” he exclaimed. “There is a sound in
the library. I wonder if I can reproduce the scene.
Mason looks around but sees no one. The strain
is telling on his nerves. He can face an open
enemy but this mystifying, threatening, all envelop-
ing fear of fate fills him with terror. He wanted
to be alone and now he is alone. During his life
he had scoffed at religion but now he is terrorized


The Warning
151
and Graves, and leaving the house started off in
the direction of the law offices formerly occupied
by Pembroke Mason.


CHAPTER XI
MADAME THEBA
SAMUEL BROWN, the chief clerk of the establish-
ment, was puttering around the law office in a half
dazed way when Barnes burst into the room. The
old retainer was at a loss to know what to do with
himself. With Pembroke Mason dead, Walter
Miles under arrest and Floyd Graves spending most
of his time away from the office, the firm seemed to
be in a fair way toward extinction. The appear-
ance of the detective, therefore, was hailed with
something like enthusiasm, and when the veteran
investigator asked Brown if he could find a memo-
randum book of the deceased lawyer, or anything
in which he kept a list of names and addresses, the
clerk began the search with eagerness. Presently
he found a little red vest pocket book, containing
a number of names. Attached to these were the
152


Madame Theba
153
numerals used in telephone calls. One of these
stood by itself, with no corresponding name to
identify it.
“ That looks like the number I'm hunting for,"
said Barnes. “Suppose you call Central and ask
them to tell you who happens to be using that par-
ticular number. If they refuse, I'll use my persua-
sive powers." .
Brown did as he was requested. He was
switched to “ information" and there was quite a
wait before the reply came. When it did there was
a ripple of laughter from the operator. She in-
formed the clerk that “ Georgetown 9879-Y” was
the 'phone address of Madame Theba, the palmist.
It was precisely what Bromley Barnes wanted to
know. It did not take long to ascertain Madame
a's method of doing business. She only met
clients “ by appointment” and before Barnes had
quit the office he had made an appointment to call
on the lady at five o'clock that afternoon.
He prepared for the call with great deliberation.
He even went to the extent of providing himself
as
e.


154 The Pembroke Mason Affair
with an escort. Cornelius Clancy, his assistant and
general factotum, was accorded that honor. The
faithful one slipped an ivory-handled revolver in his
hip pocket, on the theory that you can never tell
what is going to happen in this uncertain world.
Barnes looked as spick and span as if he had come
from a bandbox when he left his bachelor apart-
ments and started in the direction of Georgetown.
His trousers were carefully creased, the opal was
in his green tie and the gray spats had the appear-
ance of having just come from the haberdashery.
He carried his tightly-rolled silk umbrella, which
took the place of the customary walking stick. The
old man walked with a springy gait, and with the
manner of one who has found the fountain of eternal
youth. The little plum-colored motor car which he
usually pressed into service when making his after-
noon calls was not taken from the garage. Instead,
he made use of the plebian but convenient trolley
system.
It was a few minutes before five, in the dusk of
the afternoon, when he arrived at the block of


Madame Theba
155
dwellings which contained the abiding place of the
palmist. It did not take long to discover the par-
ticular house. A card in the mail box in the hall-
way informed the visitor that Madame Theba was
to be found in the apartments in the second story
back. There was nothing except the name to in-
dicate that Madame was gifted with the power of
telling you your past and of reading the future.
The stairs creaked beneath the step of the investi-
gator, carrying out the impression that the house
was beginning to decay. It was quite evident that
the dwelling had seen better days. Query: — why
is it that houses in which fortune tellers make their
abode are always the sort of places that have seen
better days? The question shot whimsically into
the mind of the detective as he labored up the stairs,
but he made no effort to answer it.
Once on the landing he held a whispered conver-
sation with the faithful Clancy, and instructed him
to remain in the background, but not to show him-
self unless he was called. That point settled, he
opened the first door he came to and found himself


156
The Pembroke Mason Affair
in a sort of a reception room. There were any num-
ber of curtains and portieres in this apartment.
They were dingy and dusty and had a heavy, moldy
odor. Second query: - why do the curtains in
the rooms of those who tell the past and foretell the
future, nearly always have this ancient, if not fish-
like, smell? Barnes laughed to himself and made
no effort to get an answer. Clancy had followed
him into the room, and at a signal from the detec-
tive slipped behind a pair of the curtains. The in-
vestigator glanced about him, and discovered that
another door, which was closed, led to a second
room. He tapped on it lightly and instantly a shrill
voice called :
“ Come in.”
He entered and found himself in a moderately
sized apartment furnished in Oriental style. Like
the first room, it contained many curtains, and the
windows were shaded to shut out all natural light.
A table in the center of the room contained a crystal
ball. Another table on the side held a receptacle
from which a pungent incense was slowly arising.


Madame Theba
157
Looking beyond this he observed a divan, and seated
on this, with her legs crossed in Turkish fashion,
was a woman who answered to the description
of Madame Theba. She wore a bright gown
and a head dress which resembled a turban. A
curious veil covered her forehead and partly con-
cealed her eyes, which were bright and searching.
She lifted her right hand languidly and pointed
to a stool which was placed near the divan.
Barnes, hat in hand, approached courteously, say-
ing:
“ Madame Theba ? "
She bowed her head slowly, and said in a low
voice:
“Mr. Barnes, if I am not mistaken?”
“ You have divined rightly, madame,” responded
the veteran, with a twinkle in his cold gray eyes,
and his quizzical smile.
“You wish to consult me professionally?" she
ventured, in a tone that harmonized with the Ori-
ental surroundings..
“Yes,” replied Barnes graciously, but with a sig-


Madame Theba
159
tently. The old man could not help but notice that
the palm-reader's hand was soiled and that the fin-
ger nails needed attention. Query: why is it that
the hands of fortune tellers are nearly always dirty
and ill kept? Like the two preceding queries which
had assailed him, the old man let the question go un-
answered.
Barnes watched her intently as she went about the
preliminary part of the reading. She held the hand
of the detective in an oblique position, so that the
light from a red shaded lamp, could shine upon it.
She bent the fingers slightly so as to contract the
palm and accentuate the lines. She studied these
with the greatest care, and before she began to
speak she glanced at the face of the man before
her. He felt that her gaze was on him and he
presented an imperturbable countenance to her
scrutiny.
When she once began to speak she did so in a
rather positive way, never once hesitating for a
word. Yet what she had to say was delivered in
a sing-song voice, as if to convey the impression


160
The Pembroke Mason Affair
that something within her, something beyond her
will, were sending forth the message.
“ You want the truth,” she said, “ and you must
not be offended at anything I say. I merely inter-
pret what is written in your hands. I am simply
the vehicle by which you learn the past and future.
I will read the line of life to see what effect health
and the great events of life have had upon you; I
will examine the mounts to see what they say,
whether you are governed by instinct or by reason,
I will be governed by the colors of these signs, and
I will know that that which is clear and well-colored
relates to present circumstances and that which is
just visible, as it were, beneath the skin, relates to
future events. I will —”.
“If you will pardon me, Madame,” interrupted
Barnes, “I wish you would go on with the reading.
I have no desire to know how you reach your con-
clusions."
Madame Theba did not relish this protest. She
raised her eyebrows beneath her veil. Never-
theless, she proceeded directly to the task in hand.


Madame Theba
161
She lifted the right hand of the detective a
little higher, in order to get a better view of the
palm.
“ The thin, skinny palm,” she said, “indicates
timidity and a feeble mind. The palm before me is
not of that kind. Rather it is in proportion with
the finger, the thumb and the rest of the body, which
means that the mind is evenly balanced, ready to
accept impressions, appreciative, intelligent, and
capable of sustaining and directing the promptings
of the instinct. Being normal, it indicates a normal
disposition."
She proceeded from the palm to the fingers, and
pressing them with her own continued in the sing-
song voice:
“We have here fingers that are singularly smooth,
and which at first glance appear to be capable. Yet
smooth-fingered subjects often fail in their under-
takings through pursuing them too hotly and im-
pulsively. In this case the lines of the head and
the line of the heart are separated and this means
that such smooth fingers will carry into prompt and


162
The Pembroke Mason Affair
unconsidered action the false impressions of the
mind.”
Something like a suppressed laugh came from the
adjoining apartment, and the ripple of the curtains
caused Barnes to inwardly call down maledictions
upon the devoted head of Cornelius Clancy. But
the palmist was too much occupied to notice this
diversion, and she proceeded with her interpretation
of the right hand of the detective.
“These fingers also betoken a great love of detail,
a fondness which extends even to frivolity. It
shows a carefulness in dress and behavior, and a
dislike of slovenliness in others."
The cold gray eyes twinkled at this, and Barnes
smiled his most quizzical smile as he glanced at the
woman who was reading his hand. But she paid
no attention to him, and continued :
“Returning to the palm, we find the red lines
which indicate a sanguine temperament. The life
line is fairly long and that means that you will
probably live to the allotted three score years and
ten. There is a break in the line, which is a sign
NS
womai


Madame Theba
163
of illness. If there was a break in both the lines of
the right and left palms it would mean that there
was danger of death. Let me see the other.”
Barnes obediently put forth the other hand. She
glanced at the palm and said:
“Fortunately, the break does not occur in the
line of this hand, so that I am safe in saying that
you are likely —”
At this point Barnes roughly pulled his hand
away from the woman and arose, and pointed an
accusing finger at her.
“ I've had just about enough of this nonsense.
You think you have one of those superstitious fools
who frequent this place and who have more money
than brains. 1-"
Madame Theba had also arisen at this outbreak,
and standing she looked less imposing than when
she was seated on the low divan. Her lips curled
with scorn.
“Yes," she cried, “ you're like many others. You
come here to learn the future and when it does not
please you, you call the operator an impostor. I'll


164 The Pembroke Mason Affair
be willing to bet that she isn't half as much of an
impostor as you are.”
Barnes smiled.
“Madame," he said with a bow, “ I'd hardly call
myself an impostor, but I am quite willing to admit
that I am not what I seem. I am not an unsophis-
ticated seeker after knowledge, but an officer of jus-
tice who has learned more than you have told him.”
“What do you mean? ” she exclaimed with a look
of terror in her eyes. “Why did you come here?”
"I came to find out what I have already discov-
ered, and I think the five dollars I gave you was a
first-class investment. I have a witness to the fact
that you accepted money for this tomfoolery,” and
as he spoke the old man strode into the adjoining
room, and pulling thº curtains aside revealed the
grinning Clancy.
The young woman cast aside all pretense at dig-
nity. She glanced at Barnes and shrieked :
“You're contemptible, to play such a mean trick
on me. What have I done to deserve anything like
was a
this?"



THE YOUNG WOMAN CAST ASIDE ALL PRETENSE
AT DIGNITY”





Madame Theba
165
“Nothing, my dear, except taking the money of
the public under false pretenses.”
" I'm not taking the money of the public. I don't
even advertise. Those who come here come of their
own will — like you did. And as far as deceiving
any one is concerned I give them the worth of their
money. I'm practicing a science just as you're
practicing your business – and maybe mine's the
more respectable of the two.”
Barnes laughed.
“Go ahead, I like your spirit. But please don't
give me that rot about science."
“Why shouldn't I?” demanded the other hotly.
“Doctors tell things by feeling a man's pulse, listen-
ing to his heart and examining his head. Why
shouldn't we learn something by tracing the lines
in the palm of his hands? They must mean
something, and what is more expressive of a
man's character than his hand, his most useful
member, the member that is extended in greeting,
the _”.
Barnes held up his hand in protest.
2
S


Madame Theba
167
“I want to know when Pembroke Mason came
here to consult you?”
“To consult me?” she repeated, sparring for
time.
“Precisely; now don't tell me that he wasn't
here, for I know better. Tell the truth and it
will be better for you. Play fair with me and
nothing will happen to you."
She was silent for some moments. She took
the veil from her forehead and Barnes saw that she
was intelligent and good-looking. Presently she
reached a decision, and she spoke in a straightfor-
ward way.
“He was here about ten days ago."
The detective nodded. The information fitted
in with his preconceived theory. He spoke en-
couragingly:
“Now, tell me just what took place.”
She gave a wry smile and shrugged her shoul-
ders.
“ You might guess that. The usual thing. He
wanted to know his future, and I gave him the regu-


168
The Pembroke Mason Affair
10us man -
lation dope. The only thing that surprised me was
that such a big man — such a famous man — should
fall for that sort of thing."
“Did you know it was Pembroke Mason?”
“Not at the time, but when I saw the newspapers,
and looked at his picture I realized that it was the
great lawyer who had held out his hand for me to
examine with the same simplicity as the poorest
and most ignorant of my patrons.”
“Very good — did your reading please him?”
“No, I'm afraid that it troubled him.”
“What did you tell him particularly? ”
“Well, I informed him that he had a short life
line, and that seemed to bother him. I also told
him that the lines indicated that he was on the eve
of a great battle. I did not know what it was, but
I thought it was something which required a great
mental effort — that he had won eight similar bat-
tles, and was doomed to failure with the ninth.
When he heard that he left suddenly and called back
that he did not wish anything further.”
The detective watched the palmist as she told this


Madame Theba
169
story. He took her by the hands and said harshly:
“Now, Madame Theba, you didn't just invent
that rigmarole. That was prepared especially for
Pembroke Mason. I want to know who paid you
to tell him what you did tell him.”
The woman's face went pale. She glanced at
him in a furtive, hunted way.
“You said I wouldn't get into trouble,” she in-
sisted.
"Absolutely — only I must have the whole truth
and nothing but the truth.”
“I'll give it to you. About two weeks a stranger.
came here and had his palm read, and after he got
through he advised me to send one of my circulars
to Pembroke Mason. I laughed at the idea, but the
man said that Mason was just in the mood for that
sort of thing and only needed the suggestion to
bring him here. He told me to make use of that
thing about the ninth battle — to tell Mason that
he had won eight battles, but that he would lose the
ninth.”
“ Did he give you anything for doing that?”


170
The Pembroke Mason Affair
“He slipped me a ten-spot,” she answered sul-
lenly.
“And when he came here you did as you were
told ? ”
“Yes,” she said, “ but I didn't do a thing to hurt
him. You can't hook me up with his death in any
way. I read his palm according to the rules — and
then I added the stuff about the ninth case for good
measure.”
“Who was this man, Madame Theba ?”
“I haven't the ghost of an idea. I was only too
glad to get the business. I didn't ask any ques-
tions.”
“And you're sure you don't know who he was?”
“So help me God, I don't!” she cried with
fervor. “All I know is what I've told you, and I
guess the intention was to throw a scare into Pem-
broke Mason."
“And I guess you succeeded," said the old man
dryly, “but you can give me a description of the
man who slipped you the ten-spot, can't you?”
“Yes,” she answered eagerly. "He was a dark-


Madame Theba
171
complexioned man, with a smooth face, and a
squeaky voice. He was dressed in black and looked
very solemn. I would know him in a minute if I
met him again. But, say, I don't want to be
dragged into this thing. It would ruin my busi-
ness."
Barnes laughed.
“I wouldn't want to rob the public of your serv-
ices. But, understand one thing. I may need you
later. Can I depend on you?”
“ Absolutely," was the fervent reply. “If you
are on the level with me you can depend on me to
help to the limit.”
Barnes bowed in the manner of a Chesterfield.
“I'll bid you good afternoon, Madame Theba.
You have brains, and I would suggest that you
adopt a more reputable method of earning a living.
In the meantime, I thank you for what you have
told me and will call on you later."
She walked to the head of the stairs, and when
the two men had passed out of sight returned to
the inner room, where she picked up a cigarette,


172
The Pembroke Mason Affair
and lighted it, and, throwing herself on the divan,
indulged in deep thought.
Barnes and Clancy walked rapidly for the air
was eager and nipping. They proceeded in silence
for a long time, but as the dome of the Capitol hove
in sight, the young man turned to his chief and said:
“ You didn't get a whole lot out of that young
woman, did you?”
“ Con, my lad,” replied the old man, “this has
been a very profitable afternoon for me. I'm be-
ginning to see daylight — I'm beginning to see day-
light.”


CHAPTER XII
MARIAN DECIDES
WHEN Barnes reached his apartments overlook-
ing the Capitol he found a telegram from Henley,
the New York detective, who had assisted him in
many important cases, and who had been retained
by him to look after the New York end of the
Mason mystery. He had instructed Henley to call
on John Fairchild, in his name, and to ascertain
from him what had taken place on the occasion of
that last interview with Pembroke Mason. The
reply was before him, and it was evident that Hen-
ley had not spared telegraph tolls, in his desire to
make a complete and understandable report. It
said:
“ Have found it utterly impossible to get an in-
terview with John Fairchild. He refuses to see
detectives or reporters and will not discuss the
Mason case. Of course, as the story of his strange
visit to the deceased lawyer has not been published
in the newspapers, he is unaware of the fact that it
173


174 The Pembroke Mason Affair
is known to you. On one of my visits I sent a
penciled message to him, detailing the facts as they
are known to you, but he returned the note unread.
If you say the word I will force my way into him,
or I can secure the assistance of the New York
police, and in this way compel him to speak. But
I feel that I should not go as far as that without
obtaining definite instructions from you. Please
advise me at the earliest possible moment."
Bromley Barnes frowned as he read this unsat-
isfactory message. He had thought to save time
by having Henley interview the New York million-
aire and railroad man. The autocrat might ex-
plain his visit in a few words. On the other hand,
that midnight talk might have been fraught with
great consequences; might indeed, have had a direct
bearing upon the murder. It looked as if he would
be compelled to go to New York himself. But sup-
pose he should fail, as Henley had failed? As a
matter of fact it seemed that Henley had “balled”
matters up, as they say, in the expressive language
of the day. At all events there was nothing more
to be done at present. He had many threads to
gather in Washington, and after that he would give
his personal attention to Mr. John Fairchild, who


176 The Pembroke Mason Affair
First had come the reading of the life line, suggest-
ing illness or sudden death, and then the prophecy
that having won eight cases, he was now about to
lose his ninth. It was not difficult to imagine him
going over his triumphs one by one, and then re-
verting to the ninth case with a shudder.
For a moment Barnes felt a revulsion of anger at
Madame Theba. The thought that a charlatan had
the power of unnerving a man of brains and cour-
age made him furious. Yet it was a proof of that
vein of superstition which was to be found in the
greatest of men. Many of those who mocked at
the future life were the most abject when it came to
the test. Had Pembroke Mason been of this type :
How had he met his fate? And who was the man
who had inflicted the fatal blow ?
This line of thought brought him back to the
mysterious Indian sign. He was the one man who
knew of that, and yet up to the present he had
been unable to explain its significance. It was
true that Professor Darlington had pointed it out
as an emblem of Fate. But that, instead of


Marian Decides
177
solving the mystery, had only helped to deepen it.
Surely John Fairchild could not have been con-
nected with that phase of the case? He had
leaned upon Pembroke Mason in many a critical
stage of his career, and he could have no reason for
wishing his death. Yet could it be that Mason held
secrets which Fairchild wished to have buried in
the tomb? That was a fantastic possibility, but its
very weirdness caused the detective to brush it aside.
If Fairchild wished to get rid of Mason he would
engage some tool to do the vile work for him.
The idea was preposterous, and Barnes was angry
with himself for having entertained it even for a
moment. John Fairchild was a cold blooded in-
dividual, but no one could say that he was likely to be
a cold blooded murderer.
Could it be that the assassin had come at that
hour in order to get Fairchild and Mason together,
and had succeeded in wrecking his vengeance only
on the lawyer? Besides, who knew that Fairchild
was really alive? He had not attended the funeral
of the man who was numbered among his closest
was


178 The Pembroke Mason Affair
friends. Could it be that he was dead and that his
death was being kept a secret for stock market
reasons? Such deceptions had been practiced in
the case of Kings. In that case who had been
guilty of the double murder ? Was it the man in
black and where was he at the present time? At
this stage in his reasoning Barnes walked over to
the window of his room and threw it open.
“I'll have to have fresh air," he muttered to him-
self, “ to clear my mind of these fantastic and ut-
terly improbable images and notions.”
He felt more rational when he finally closed the
window and returned to his easy chair before the
fire. It was as though the cobwebs had been dusted
from his mind. He was about to think of the case
from another angle when the door was opened and
Clancy announced Marian Cooper. Barnes arose
eagerly to meet her.
“My dear child, you honor me by coming to these
prosaic rooms. But what brings you here? Has
anything happened ? ”
“No,” she replied, “but I just had to come and
m


Marian Decides
179
talk to you about this terrible thing. It has been
getting on my nerves.”
“ I'm not surprised,” laughed the detective.
“It's already on my nerves, and that is saying a
great deal for a case-hardened old chap like me.”
She asked him if he had learned anything new
and in reply he gave her a narrative of what he
had learned, including a recital of his séance with
Madame Theba. Marian's eyes opened wide at
this, and she seemed to feel that the mystery was all
but solved.
“It's good of you to think that,” said Barnes
drily, “but kindly look at this telegram."
He passed her the yellow slip that had come from
Henley and watched her expression as she read the
story of the New York man's failure. Her eyes
flashed as she returned the telegram.
"I don't like that,” she admitted, “but I'm sur-
prised that he should give up so easily. If I wanted
to see a man I'd see him, even though he were the
King of England.”
Barnes laughed gleefully.


180 The Pembroke Mason Affair
“That's the sort of talk I like to hear, even though
I feel that you are a little hard on poor Henley.
But come, you have something else on your mind,
haven't you?”
“Yes,” was the resolute reply. “I want to see
Walter Miles. I've wanted to see him ever since
he was arrested, and I've reached the point where
I simply must see him.”
“Well?” interrogated the detective.
"I—I didn't want to go alone, and I thought
you might go with me. Besides, there might be
some formalities about getting permission to see a
prisoner.”
“Y-e-s," said Barnes slowly. “I admire your
spirit, but do you think it would be exactly right for
you to call on him? You know you are the niece of
the man —"
“Yes, yes,” she exclaimed, impatiently, “I know
all that you are going to say. I've had it all out
with Mr. Graves. He talked to me and said that
as my friend he would not advise me to go to see
Walter. But what does he know about my feel-


Marian Decides
181
ings? What does anybody know? It's all very
well to sit down cold bloodedly and discuss ethics
at a time like this, but I think Walter needs me and
I'm going to see him in spite of anybody. And if
you're going to be like the rest I'll just go alone
and —”
“Now, now, little girl,” soothed the detective,
who saw that she was on the verge of tears, “I
haven't said that I wouldn't go with you. I can
imagine just how you feel, and I'm going to help
you out. And as proof of my sincerity, I'll put
on my hat and coat and go with you this very min-
ute."
Her face brightened, and there was a gleam of
joy from her moistened eyes. She reached over
and grasped his hand with the characteristic grip
which contained so much courage and constancy.
He patted her hand in a fatherly way, and for the
time it was difficult to tell which was the happiest,
the girl for her confidence in him, or the man for
the gratification which he obtained from her show of
confidence.


182
The Pembroke Mason Affair
Is this was a sort of state occasion, the detective
called the little plum-colored car into service, and
in a short time they were on their way to the local
detention house where Walter Miles was fretting
in forced confinement. On the way they discussed
the strange events leading up to and following the
murder of Pembroke Mason. The detective showed
the girl that while they had started on a number of
trails each one had led to a dead wall or a blind
alley.
“But the various threads are coming together
now," he commented, “and I'll be very much dis-
appointed if we are not on the eve of fresh revela-
tions, which will clear up the whole business.”
" It is all very hard to understand,” she said
wearily, “but I am sure of one thing and that is
that Walter is perfectly innocent.”.
“Have you talked with him?" asked Barnes in
surprise.
“No, I haven't seen him or heard from him since
he was arrested, but I just know that he couldn't do
a thing like that."
e
a


Marian Decides
183
ver
secure
Barnes laughed. “A woman's reasoning," he
remarked, “and yet your intuition may be a great
deal safer to follow than all the methods of the
police.”
“Well, I'm going to follow it,” she said decidedly,
"and the police may do as they please.”
By this time they had reached the station house,
where it only required a few minutes of time and
the exercise of Barnes' persuasive powers to secure
permission to see the prisoner. The Lieutenant
said that usually only the counsel of the prisoner
was allowed to see him in cases of this kind, but as
long as Miss Cooper wished it, and as long as Mr.
Barnes vouched for Miss Cooper — well, that was
all that was necessary.
The young man hastily arose from the cot where
he had been lying when the cell door was opened
and his visitors were announced. He was pale and
haggard and rather unkempt. He looked at his
callers in surprise, but when he saw Marian in the
rear of the detective his eyes lighted. She could
scarcely keep back the tears, and when she beheld


184 The Pembroke Mason Affair
how much he had changed in the short time of his
confinement her heart sank. They glanced at one
another for one speechless second, and then instinc-
tively she rushed toward him and sank into his em-
brace. No matter how much he had suffered he
was enjoying a moment of bliss. In all the time he
had known her he had never felt such an excess of
love toward Marian Cooper as he did at this mo-
ment. To feel her soft, warm arms about his neck,
to get the delicate perfume of her hair and to know
that his beloved had braved everything to come to
him was to enjoy a bliss that he had never antici-
pated.
Bromley Barnes, who was not only filled with
the milk of human kindness, but had a young
heart, turned aside in order that the two unfor-
tunates might have a few moments of happiness.
But they were so absorbed in their own selves that
they came very near forgetting the presence of the
veteran. He coughed loudly once or twice in or-
der to bring them to earth again and with that
Marian gently untwined her arms, and turned


Marian Decides
185
blushingly and with a consciousness of the fact that
she had been doing a very unconventional thing.
The man, too, betrayed a sense of shyness, which
was hardly to be expected from one who expected
to soon be a prisoner at the bar of justice.
“Marian," he said in a choking voice, “I was
sure that you would not believe that I was guilty."
“Now, Walter," exclaimed Marian with brim-
ming eyes, “we did not come here to talk of your
guilt or innocence! There's no question about that.
The question is how can we help you?"
“My,” said the prisoner, taking hold of her hands
and holding her at arm's length admiringly. “My,
but what a little business woman you've become.”
She crimsoned to the ends of her delicate ears.
“I hardly call this business," she protested.
“Not business," chimed in Barnes. “Well, I
call it business of the most important kind.”
" It's important enough,” she Began, “But —"
"Well,” interrupted the detective, “we don't
need to discuss that. What I want to know is
whether Walter is going to help us?”


186 The Pembroke Mason Affair
“Indeed I am!” cried Miles.
Barnes looked at him with a trace of skepticism
in his cold gray eyes.
“Very good,” he said. “Now, I understand that
you don't deny your late visit to Pembroke Mason."
“Not at all, but suppose we call it my visit to
Mason's home."
“ All right, but that sounds like a distinction with-
out a difference.”
“It isn't because I didn't see Mr. Mason."
“ That is you didn't talk to him.”
“Well — perhaps that is more accurate. At all
events I thought he was asleep and left the house
without seeing him.”
“ You intended to speak to him?"
“ I did.”
“ About an important matter?"
“Well – it seemed important to me.”
“When you left the club to find Mr. Mason were
you — angry?”
The eyebrows of the prisoner shot up in the old-
time fashion.


Marian Decides
187
“I was — very angry.'
Bromley Barnes nodded as much as to say that
he knew as much. When he spoke again it was with
great deliberation.
“Now, Walter, tell me exactly why you visited
Mason's house at that late hour ? "
The prisoner shifted uneasily. He gave a glance
at the troubled face of Marian Cooper and said:
“If — if you don't mind I'd rather not answer
that question at this time.”
Barnes frowned.
“You're making it very hard for — your
friends."
“ Possibly — and if you must know maybe I'll
tell you later."
Barnes buttoned up his coat and put on his hat.
He turned to Marian stiffly.
" Come,” he said, “there's no need of our staying
here any longer.”
She looked pleadingly at the young man but he re-
mained obdurate. She held out her hand timidly.
He grasped it fervently.


CHAPTER XIII
JOHN FAIRCHILD
SS.
S
It was seven o'clock in the morning when Marian
Cooper, attired in a gray traveling dress, and with
a black fur cape that intensified the whiteness of
her face, made her way to a parlor car on the New
York express. It was early — for Washington -
and the stillness of the great Union Station was in
contrast with the tumult which was raging in her
heart. She was alone, she had told no one of her
purpose, and the thing, aside from its importance to
Walter Miles, had all of the fascination of an ad-
venture. She was going to beard the lion in his
den, she was about to approach the unapproachable
John Fairchild, and call upon him to say the words
which would establish the innocence of Walter, and
probably solve the Mason mystery.
The train was late in starting, and then it seemed
189


John Fairchild
191
the car joined in the song in heavy, bass-like tones.
Her eyes were closed, but these reflections gave her
a feeling more akin to peace than anything she had
experienced since that awful morning when she had
rushed into the library and beheld the lifeless body
of Pembroke Mason.
She bought newspapers in the expectation of read-
ing something new about the murder, but to her
surprise the great tragedy was not even mentioned.
It had occupied the place of honor on the first page
for three consecutive days; after that it had been
retired to semi-obscurity in an inside section and
now, evidently, it had been relegated to oblivion.
The newspapers reflected public curiosity as well
as public opinion, and with no new evidence at hand
the makers, as well as the readers, of the morning
journals were through with the Mason mystery and
were yawning for some new sensation. She smiled
grimly. It was a restless and a feverish age. The
tragedy which would have once made a nine days'
wonder had, in this instance, been a matter of burn-
ing public interest for three paltry days.


192
The Pembroke Mason Affair
WS
nen
SS
Yet there was one phase of the case which, if
printed, would have aroused newspaper readers
from coast to coast. Suppose it were announced
that John Fairchild, millionaire and railroad king,
had visited Pembroke Mason at midnight — that he
was the last man who had seen the lawyer in life?
Marian was not sophisticated, so far as the ways
of the world were concerned, but she knew very
well that this bit of news would be eagerly devoured
by a public which was inclined to be very critical
toward the men of big business. Yet she — a
small, frail representative of humanity — possessed
this carefully guarded information, and she was
now on her way to confront the great capitalist, and
to demand an explanation of his secret interview
with her uncle.
These and a hundred other thoughts raced
through her brain as the train puffed and snorted
on its journey. Presently there was a slowing up,
the flashing of many lights in the semi-darkness of
a train shed, and the confused shouting of voices,
and she realized in a semi-conscious sort of way that


194
The Pembroke Mason Affair
of her life, and in quick succession there passed be-
fore her mental gaze, her dead uncle, Walter Miles,
Bromley Barnes, Floyd Graves and Jim Craig. In
the midst of these incoherent thoughts she heard
the conductor calling “all out for Philadelphia "
and instructing travelers to change cars for points
West.
She gave a sigh of relief at the thought of being
on the last part of the journey. She tried to collect
her thoughts and to determine just what she should
do and say when she met the man who was feared
by so many other men. It was no easy task. He
was very powerful and she was very weak, and the
slightest mistake might spoil everything, or as
Bromley Barnes had said in his whimsical way,
"might spill the beans.” She wondered if Brom-
ley Barnes would object to what she was doing.
Why should he? And she had left without see-
ing him for fear that he might disapprove of
the trip. Still some one would have to see Fair-
child, and who would be more likely to succeed in
this than the niece of the man who had held such


John Fairchild
195
confidential relations with him for so many
years?
It was at this point in her reverie that a new pos-
sibility assailed her for the first time, and caused a
shiver of apprehension to run through her frail
frame. Suppose the things that John Fairchild
would tell her would help to incriminate Walter
Miles ? Suppose he knew of things that might injure
the young man? The thought caused her to close her
eyes in dismay. She resolutely pushed the notion
aside and tried to think of other things. It was
treason to Walter to entertain such ideas, even for
a moment. And yet many a man as good and as
clean as Walter Miles had been wound up in the coils
of circumstances. She could have cried with dismay
and fright, but just at this point the train entered
the tunnel leading into New York City and her mind
was diverted by the movement among the passengers
and the cries of the baggage agents.
Presently the train pulled into the subterranean
depths of the Pennsylvania Railroad Station, and
she knew that the journey was at an end. She car-


198 The Pembroke Mason Affair
promptly tendered him the bit of pasteboard.
“I'd like to see Mr. Fairchild,” she said in a firm
voice, although inwardly she was quaking. The
butler halted for a moment and began hesitatingly:
“Have you an engagement with Mr. Fairchild ?
If not —"
"Mr. Fairchild knows me,” she retorted imperi-
ously. “Take my card to him.”
That touch of authority decided her fate. The
butler obsequiously escorted her to a small recep-
tion-room adjoining the hallway and then promptly
disappeared with her card. He was gone for some
time and the delay gave her an opportunity of col-
lecting her thoughts. There was a mirror on the
wall and she went to it and made a pathetic attempt
to arrange her hair. The face that confronted her
in the mirror startled the girl — it was so unlike
what she conceived herself to be. She saw a travel-
stained person with frightened eyes and a tired face.
She felt that this would not do, and by a supreme
effort of the will she pulled herself together and
tried to feel and act normally.
ne


John Fairchild
199
mau-
The wooden-faced butler returned to say that
Mr. Fairchild would see Miss Cooper in the li-
brary which was to the right of the first landing.
She made her way up the broad staircase, and found
the doorway leading to the library without any dif-
ficulty. The moment she stepped in the room she
was impressed with its immensity and seeming
bareness. It gave her the impression of a mau-
soleum. She glanced down its length and at the
far end saw an old man seated in a chair in lonely
state. She walked towards him, filled with trepi-
dation, and as she came opposite him he arose with
a ceremonious bow.
Nothing but the feeling of awe that possessed
her prevented the girl from giving an exclamation
of dismay. For the man who confronted her had
the appearance of a corpse. He was much taller
than she suspected and his clothes hung about him
as though they covered a skeleton. His head was
almost bald, his face devoid of the semblance of
hair and his skin the color of dried parchment.
The only sign of vitality was in his big black eyes


200 The Pembroke Mason Affair
le
and they glowed like coals of fire in their deep sock-
ets. He extended his hand to the girl and she no-
ticed that the blue veins bulged above the faded
and lifeless skin. He spoke in a low querulous
voice:
“Your name is familiar to me - and for that
reason I decided to see you."
"I am the niece of Pembroke Mason," she said
quickly, trying to conquer the feeling of antipathy
which possessed her.
" Why, of course,” he replied, smiling broadly
and displaying a marvelous set of false teeth. “I
might have known that. I remember you as a very
little girl.”
Marian could not decide whether the smile was
human or whether it merely added to the uncanny
appearance of this man of millions who had all that
money could buy and yet was bereft of the gift of
enjoyment.
He motioned her to a seat and resumed his posi-
tion on the throne-like chair.
“I was shocked at the — the death of Mason.
nan


JO
201
John Fairchild
It's dreadful that such things can happen. What's
the matter with the police? What's going to come
of it all anyhow ?”
“That's just what brought me —” she began but
he interrupted her in a nervous, irritable way.
“And you? What about you? I suppose he
provided for you?”
For an instant the sparks threatened to fly from
the bright eyes but she restrained herself.
“ Uncle has provided for me handsomely. His
affairs are in first-class order. That is what adds
to the mystery. My one desire is to find out how he
met his death. That is what brings me here."
John Fairchild drummed on the arms of his chair
with his bloodless fingers.
“ Brought you here — I don't understand. I've
been accused of almost everything, but no one ever
said I was a detective."
“ Still,” she said regaining her composure with
each passing moment, “ I think you can help me."
The live eyes in that dead face danced in their
sockets.


202 The Pembroke Mason Affair
“What do you mean, Miss Cooper ?” he de-
manded.
"I mean that you may help us to find the murderer
of Pembroke Mason by answering one or two ques-
tions."
The blazing eyes betokened anger. He arose, sat
down again and then exclaimed:
“What do you want to know?”
"First, what passed between you and my uncle
on the night of November the ninth?”
The millionaire rose to his full height and glared
down at the little figure in gray. He scrutinized
her closely to discover, if possible, whether she was
jesting. But there was only deep resolution in that
firm set face.
“What could have possibly passed between us?”
he asked.
“I don't know,” she said with a helpless gesture,
“only I feel that it must have been something very
important to make you call on my uncle at such a
late hour."
“On the night of November the ninth?"


John Fairchild
203
“ Yes."
He looked at her again, not unkindly.
“ You are evidently in earnest ?”
“I was never more so.".
“ Then I can answer you in a sentence. I did not
call on your uncle on that night.”
She was on her feet by this time, staring at him
in amazement.
“Not - not call on him?”
"No," he answered with a smile that contained
no mirth. “It would have been a physical impos-
sibility, for at that particular time I was in the city
of Buffalo.”
“Impossible!” she ejaculated.
His jaws became rigid.
“I am not in the habit of having my statements
questioned, but as you seem to be in distress I may
tell you that there are two lawyers, with whom I
was in conference in Buffalo, who can testify that
I was in that city.”
She turned from him hopelessly.


204
The Pembroke Mason Affair
“ I'm — I'm sorry I've troubled you. I've had
my trip for nothing."
He walked with her, the length of the mausoleum-
like library.
“Who said I was in Washington that night?”
“ Briggs, the servant at our house, said he ad-
mitted you."
John Fairchild made an eloquent gesture with his
skinny right arm.
“ Briggs is an ass!”
They had reached the door of the library by this
time. He extended his hand to her again and she
took it mechanically. He even walked into the
hallway with her.
"I'm really sorry that you have had this fool's
errand,” she heard him saying, “and I hope you
will say nothing of this foolish business. The news-
papers would gloat over it, and I hate publicity. I
hate publicity.”
The next moment she heard the massive brass
door sliding into its place, and she was in the sun-
light again.


206 The Pembroke Mason Affair
nounced in tremulous tones, “and — and I hope
you won't scold me.”
“My dear child!” he exclaimed.
“I-I was afraid you might not like it,” she
began with quivering lips, “ but when —”
He raised a protesting hand.
“Not a word,” he insisted, “ until you are rested.
The only thing I would dream of scolding you for
is taking such a long trip alone. You must be dead
tired, and I won't listen to anything until you have
had a chance to revive. If you say so, I'll come
back later in the evening.”
She smiled at his solicitude.
“Oh, no, I'm anxious to tell you all about it, and
if you will give me a half hour's grace I'll give you
the whole story.”
Barnes nodded assent and went into the library
to dip into a book while she hurried to her room,
and changed her dress and removed the stains of
travel. She had been practical enough to take her
dinner on the train, so that long before the appointed
time she joined the detective. The depression


The Third Photograph
207
which hung over her had partly disappeared, and
his buoyant manner helped to restore her normal
spirits.
“Now," he said, " tell me everything from the
beginning.”
“Well," she began, “ I started to think of what
you had told me concerning Henley's failure to
see John Fairchild, and I wondered if I could not
help you. I felt sure that he would not refuse to
see the niece of Pembroke Mason, and I determined
to make the effort. I took no one in my confidence,
because I was afraid that I might be dissuaded from
my intention. So I left early this morning, and
succeeded in seeing him, and here I am. Only I'm
afraid that I have been just as much of a failure in
my way as Henley."
“ That remains to be seen. Please let me hear
all that took place and then I'll be able to judge.”
So she proceeded with her story, while Barnes
listened to the recital with absorbed interest. She
told it with photographic detail, and as she had the
power of narrative in a highly developed form the


208 The Pembroke Mason Affair
detective could almost imagine himself present at
the unusual interview between the mighty financier
and the distressed girl. But it was when she told
of Fairchild's denial of having visited Pembroke
Mason on the night of November the ninth that
Barnes was unable to control his feelings. He rose
from his chair and paced the floor in an agitated
manner. She followed him anxiously, and then
cried in a pathetic voice:
“So, you see, I didn't help things at all. We are
no better off than before I went on the wild goose
chase.”
Her voice halted him. He stood before her, and
gave her that quizzical look from the determined
eyes.
" Marian,” he cried, “ you haven't failed at all!
You have succeeded! You have brought me the
most important information that has yet come out
of this case.”
She looked puzzled.
“ But he says he didn't call on uncle. Doesn't
that leave us just where we were before?”
m
mie


The Third Photograph
209
“On the contrary, it brings an entirely new ele-
ment of mystery into the business. If Fairchild
had said he did call, and given you an account of
an ordinary business interview, it would have meant
little or nothing, but when he says he was not even
in Washington on that night it opens a new field of
conjecture. Briggs is willing to swear that it was
Fairchild who called that night."
"Mr. Fairchild does not seem to think much of
the intelligence of Briggs,” she ventured.
“So I gathered from your story," smiled Barnes,
“nevertheless, I do not think that Briggs could have
dug that incident out of his inner consciousness.
From what I know of Briggs his powers of imagin-
ation are not highly developed. Either John
Fairchild called that night or it was some one
who looked enough like him to be his twin
brother.”
There was a silence of some moments between
them. Both were thinking. It was the girl who
spoke first.
“I hate to put it into words, but do you think that
vers


210 The Pembroke Mason Affair
mer
Mr. Fairchild could possibly have lied about such
an important thing?”
Barnes smiled indulgently.
“It was the very thought which was running
through my mind. You are probably aware that
Mr. Fairchild's reputation for veracity is hardly
nation-wide. If his own interests are at stake he is
likely to turn sharp corners."
“But he has two other men who are willing to
say that he was in Buffalo on that particular night.
He --"
"An alibi,” interrupted Barnes, “but that part
of it does not impress me very deeply. Less gifted
men than John Fairchild have gone to the trouble
to provide themselves with such a thing. Mind
you, I don't say that he has not told you the truth.
I'm only trying to think whether it would be to his
interest to do so in this particular case."
Once more Bromley Barnes began pacing the
room, and the girl, having exhausted her ingenuity
in trying to piece out the puzzle, left him to his
own thoughts. Probably half a minute passed, and


212
The Pembroke Mason Affair
vinced I am of that fact. The pioneer fails, and
then some one comes along and reaps all of the glory.
When this mystery is solved there will be some peo-
ple who will want to give me the glory, but I know
that you are entitled to the credit.”
She shook her head sagely.
“I know better than that, but if the thing is
cleared up I won't care much about claiming any
glory."
He was buttoning up his coat and preparing to
leave. He waved an apologetic hand in her direc-
tion.
“ I'll have to ask your pardon for leaving in such
an abrupt way, but I'm doing it for your sake as
much as my own. I must follow up this trail while
it is hot."
“Good-by, and guod luck to you,” she said fer-
vently, and she gave him a handclasp that indicated
faith and courage.
He started for the door, and then quickly re-
traced his steps.
" I'm forgetting the most important thing of all,"


The Third Photograph 213
he explained. “Where are your photographs -
that is to say the photographs of friends and mem-
bers of the family?”
She looked at him curiously, and then walked
over to a table, and lifted the lid of a handsome ma-
hogany box. She drew out a number of pictures,
cabinets, snap shots, and the other odds and ends
of the usual family collection. He went through
them rapidly. Presently he found one of John
Fairchild and slipped it in his inside pocket. He
resumed the search and in a few moments discovered
a kodak reproduction of the features of Walter
Miles. She watched him with troubled eyes as he
placed this in his coat with the other. Finally he
selected a third, which he did not permit her to see,
and this went to keep company with the photographs
of the financier and the young lawyer.
“Now," he cried heartily, “ we have our ammu-
nition dry and we're all ready for business. Keep
up a good heart, and have faith in me.”
He left the house and bent his steps in the direc-
tion of the business district. He passed along Penn-


214
The Pembroke Mason Affair
non
sylvania Avenue until he reached the Treasury De-
partment, and then rounding the corner made his
way to Fourteenth Street. In a few moments he
came to a small building, wedged in between two
larger ones. He walked into the hallway and
scrutinized the signboard until he came to a line
which read: “Morris Weed, Theatrical Cos-
tumer.” The directory announced that Mr. Weed
had his headquarters on the second floor, back; and
Barnes directed his movements up the narrow flight
of stairs to the large room where the costumer con-
ducted his business. He was there when the detec-
tive opened the door, a little man with a bald head,
and a shining, expansive face: ..
“Why, Mr. Barnes," he exclaimed, “I'm cer-
tainly glad to see you! You have an apology to
make to me. Why have you deserted me? You
hardly ever come here since you've left the Secret
Service.”
“Well, Morris,” said the veteran, good naturedly,
“ I've not been making many social calls lately, and,
as you probably know, I'm trying to avoid business.”


The Third Photograph 215
man.
“What's on your mind now ? ” quizzed the little
man. “Are you going to masquerade ? ”
“No, but if I was, you would be the man I would
come to see. If I'm not mistaken you are the only
person in this line of business in Washington ?”
“ Not the only one, Mr. Barnes,” was the guarded
reply, “but I think the best one in the business."
" I'm sure of that. Now, Morris, I want you to
help me out in a little matter in which I am inter-
ested.”
“ Anything you want to know," was the prompt
reply. “ I'll never forget how you helped me out
when I was in trouble.”
“Well, look on your books and see if you sold
or rented any costumes on the night of November
ninth.”
Almost before the detective had ceased talking
the costumer had his book on the desk and was skim-
ming through the pages. In a few minutes he
paused.
“I had a customer that night — and, so far as
the book shows, he was the only one.”


216 The Pembroke Mason Affair
SON
“Did he rent a costume?”
“No, he bought some articles outright - a black
slouch felt hat, a long black coat and a wooden-
handled umbrella.”
“Do you remember the man, Morris ? "
“Well, I can hardly recall exactly what he looked
like. But if I was to meet him again I think I'd
know him. I remember he said he wanted the
things for some private theatricals. He bought
some make-up stuff. Grease, powder, and what we
use for making lines on the face, and giving the ap-
pearance of old age. And now that we are talking
about it I recall that he bought a wig."
“A wig?”
“Well, it wasn't exactly a wig, but one of those
coverings to give the impression of a bald head.
He seemed to know all about it, too. Knew just
exactly what he wanted, which is uncommon with
amateurs, who are generally very troublesome to
wait on.”
Barnes rubbed his hands with satisfaction. He
turned to the costumer and said impressively:


The Third Photograph 217
“Now, Morris, I'm going to show you three pic-
tures — three photographs and I want you to tell
me if you recognize any of them. Be careful what
you say. Take your time and don't speak hastily.”
The detective put his hands in his pocket and
drew out the three photographs. He lifted up that
of John Fairchild to the light and said:
“Do you know that man?"
Morris Weed gazed at the picture in a puzzled
way and scratched his head in perplexity.
“There's something awfully familiar about that
face, Mr. Barnes, but I'll swear I never met the
man.”
“Very good,” said the detective, putting the first
picture away and then producing a photograph of
Walter Miles. “ Did you ever see this man?”
“Nope,” replied Weed promptly, “never saw
him in my life.”
Barnes replaced that one and then held up the
third photograph to the light.
“How about this chap?” he asked lightly.
“ Why," burst forth the costumer, " that's the


218 The Pembroke Mason Affair
very man that bought the things here on November
the ninth!”
“No doubt about it?”
“Not the slightest. I'd know him anywhere.
I'm willing to swear to that in any court of justice.”
Barnes gave a sigh of satisfaction, thanked his
friend for his information, and went out into the
night again. He had no desire to ride. He wanted
plenty of time to be alone and think, and as he
walked up Pennsylvania Avenue in the direction
of his bachelor apartments he was so elated he
could hardly refrain from bursting into song.


CHAPTER XV
BARNES SMOKES A CIGAR
BARNES was humming an air from one of the
popular musical comedies when he put his latch key
in the door. Clancy, who was there, reached for
the old man's smoking jacket. He shook his head
good-naturedly.
" I'm afraid I'm not going to tarry long, Con,
and before I forget it I want to give you a commis-
sion for to-morrow.”
“Yes, sir."
“You remember Madame Theba, don't you?
The palmist? ”
Clancy grinned broadly.
“It's not the likes of me that's goin' to forget
such a fascinating creature.”
“Well, you hunt her up in the morning and tell
her I'd like to see her at four o'clock in the after-
noon."
219


220
The Pembroke Mason Affair
room
was
“Where?”
“Here — in my rooms.”
“Do you think she'll come? You know she's a
business woman and has office hours of her own.”
“Oh, she'll come all right — needn't let that
bother you."
Barnes sat down at the table in the center of the
room and began to take little odds and ends out of
his pocket. Among them was the slip of paper
containing the crude drawing of the livid lines he
had detected on the side of the temple of Pembroke
Mason. He studied it intently as though its secret
might pass from the inanimate paper into his throb-
bing brain. He held it up to the light to get a bet-
ter view of the strange sign. He tried to get new
meanings out of it, but it seemed to defy him. He
turned to Clancy.
“Say, Con, hold this in your hand. I want to
see how it looks from a distance.”
The faithful one did as he was bid and Barnes
beheld something like this: -


Barnes Smokes a Cigar
221
Distance lent enchantment to the drawing, but
it did not satisfy the detective. He took the sheet
of paper from Clancy and carefully deposited it in
his wallet. He sat at the table for a long while,
thinking, and presently he pulled the telephone to-
ward him and asked for a number. He got it
promptly.
“Hello, is that Professor Darlington? Well,
Professor, I've been suddenly seized with the desire
to smoke a cigar with you. No, no, I like your
cigars better than my own. All right, I'll be with
you in less than half an hour."
He hung up the receiver, and rising, put on his
hat and coat.
“ Con, I'm going around to the Professor's for
a while. You might stay here if you have nothing
better to do. If any one calls me you'll know where


Barnes Smokes a Cigar 223
tender spot. I've made a study of rings for years
and I am now engaged in writing a book on the sub-
ject."
The aged man pattered toward the side of the
room with the enthusiasm of a boy and returned in
a moment with a pile of closely written manuscript.
He noted the look of dismay on the face of the de-
tective and said reassuringly:
“Never fear, my friend, I'm not going to inflict
this on you. But I want you to know that I'm pre-
pared to talk rings until you cry for mercy.”
Barnes laughed.
“I was sure I came to the right shop. Now, Pro-
fessor what I wanted to know about was curious
rings — signet, cameo and seal rings. What they
were used for in the old days. Do you get the
idea?”
“Certainly. I've got a few in my possession,
I'm not exactly a collector because I haven't the
money to indulge in such an expensive pastime, but
I have purchased a few in order to help me with
my history."


224
The Pembroke Mason Affair
The detective sent a cloud of smoke eddying
through the air and looked at his friend indolently.
“What have you got?” he asked.
“Well, I've got a seal ring that is said to have be-
longed to Charles I of England when he was Prince
of Wales. It is gold and has a setting of onyx,
with the initial letter cut upon the stone. There is
the sign of a crescent on top of the initial. Alto-
gether it's a very unusual piece of workmanship."
"Have you seen many of these signs and symbols
on rings?”
“Scores of them. They exist even to-day.
Why, one of the biggest men in this country, the
man who occupies the highest office in the gift of
the people, wears a seal ring with his initials in
Pitmanic short hand.”
“ That's a curious idea.”
“ Yes, but not an uncommon whim among rulers.
It is amusing and interesting to note the history
of such gems. For instance there was one notable
ring that belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots. It
descended from her to one of her grand-nieces.


Barnes Smokes a Cigar 225
This person in turn presented it to Archbishop Jux-
son who gave it to Charles II, who pawned it in Hol-
land for three hundred pounds, where it was bought
by Governor Yale who brought it to the United
States where it was sold at auction and bought in
by a private collector. How is that for history?"
Barnes gave one of his quizzical smiles.
“ It's wonderful — if it's true.”
“Oh, it's perfectly true," rattled on the Pro-
fessor in his enthusiasm, “and it's vouched for by
the present possessor of the ring. I might give you
other stories, for instance the one concerning the
signet ring of Shakespeare, which is now preserved
in his cottage at Stratford-on-Avon. I could tell
you a curious tale of the ring owned by the Shah
of Persia and —”
But Barnes held up a restraining hand :
“Not now, Professor, but I suppose you have
heard of a ring causing death.”
“Oh, often!” exclaimed Darlington riding his
hobby exultantly. “In mediæval times in Italy it
was quite the fashion. The poison ring was used


226
The Pembroke Mason Affair
by more than one titled scoundrel in order to murder
an annoying rival. This was worked by a secret
spring in the inside of the ring. The mere touch
of the deadly poison on the end of a sharp needle
caused instant death."
“Yes! Yes!” exclaimed Barnes. “I know all
about that! But what I am driving at is this;
would a blow from a ring on a man's finger be
sufficient to cause death?”
The Professor looked up with fluttering eyelids.
“Why, God bless my Soul! What a question !
Of course it could. I- I am not a medical man,
but I should say that a blow from a bare fist would
be sufficient to cause death, even without the ring."
“Would such a ring, if driven with sufficient
force, leave it's mark on the victim's flesh?”
Darlington laughed hysterically.
“ Barnes, it seems to me that you should consult
a doctor. But from my vague knowledge of such
things I should say yes. The mark would be rather
pronounced, too."
The detective sat still, puffing furiously at his


228
The Pembroke Mason Affair
COL
ece
two men smoked in silence for some moments.
Presently the telephone bell rang. The Professor
answered it.
“It's for you, Barnes,” he said, passing the re-
ceiver to the detective.
The veteran recognized the voice of Cornelius
Clancy at the other end of the wire.
“There's a call from police headquarters," it
said. “ Craig says he's got the man in black and
he wants you to come down right away.”
Barnes hung up the receiver and turned to his
host with an apologetic smile.
" I'm afraid I've got to leave you, Darlington,"
he said. “It's a call to duty and I've got to re-
spond.”
The Professor made a wry face.
“ You wanted to know about rings — and I've
only gotten started on the subject.”
Barnes smiled significantly.
“You haven't any idea how much I've learned
already."
"But your stay was so short.”


-
-
CHAPTER XVI
-
THE MAN IN BLACK
-
was
WHEN Barnes reached police headquarters he
found Floyd Graves in the hall-way, and appar-
ently laboring under unusual excitement. The
fierce black eyes were blazing, and the lawyer was
pacing the corridor nervously. He lifted the fore-
finger of his right hand when he saw the detective.
It was a signal that he wanted to talk to him before
he went into the station house.
Barnes stepped aside and glanced at the dark-
complexioned one with the interest of a man who
wonders what is coming next.
“Well, Graves,” he said, " they tell me that Craig
wants to see me.”
The lawyer gave a nervous little laugh.
“Maybe it might be more correct to say that I
want to see you. I suppose they've told you that
230


The Man in Black
231
VOT -
the man in black has been arrested? Well, they've
got him in there now, and they've been giving him
the third degree without success. Craig is inclined
to pooh-pooh the importance of this arrest. He's
obsessed with the idea that Walter Miles is the
man, says his system points that way and that he
has never — or hardly ever — known it to fail.
But I don't agree with him. I think this last ar-
rest is the solution of the whole business. It fits
in precisely with the threatening letter and all of the
other things that filled poor Mason with dread.”
“ You mean the card I found on the stairway —”.
“Yes,” interrupted Graves, "and that diabolical
death notice. Don't you remember the queer thing
that was found among Mason's effects."
“Remember it!” echoed the old man. “ Am I
likely to forget it?”
“No,” pursued the other, “and that is why I
was anxious to get you down here. I don't think
Craig relishes the idea of your butting in, but I'm
not very particular about his likes and dislikes. I
think you should be here and that's why I sent for


232 The Pembroke Mason Affair
saw
you. Now that you know the situation suppose we
go in and see the prisoner."
They walked in the little room occupied by the
police lieutenant. Craig was there, and when he
saw Barnes he gave a curt nod as much as to say
that while the presence of the veteran was not
wanted it would be tolerated. The old man grinned
at the central station operative and took off his hat
and coat with the air of a man who feels perfectly
at home. The flush of anger that passed over
Craig's face was a treat to Bromley Barnes.
He turned from the detective and looked at the
white-faced and frightened prisoner. The man sat
in a chair by a table directly beneath an electric lamp
which shed its radiance upon him. Two stools faced
this chair and the veteran had been in the game too
long not to understand that they had but recently
been occupied by two inquisitors trying to cork-
screw a confession out of the poor wretch. Barnes
seated himself and spoke to the tortured one.
“What is your name?”
He turned his startled eyes in the direction of


The Man in Black 233
the newcomer, hesitated for a moment, and then
said:
“Frank Hart.”
“ And your occupation?”
“Does that matter ?” he queried in turn.
“I think it does," replied Barnes gravely.
“ I'm the Secretary of the Amalgamated Work-
ers."
“Did you know Pembroke Mason?”
“Only by reputation.”
“Do you mean to say that you never met him?"
demanded Barnes.
"No, sir, I never met him. I knew him by sight
from seeing him in his automobile but I never got
the chance to speak to him. I called at his office
once but he was not in and I visited his house but
they refused to admit me."
" Ain't it true that you was hangin' 'round his
house on the night of November the ninth?” in-
terrupted Craig in a loud voice.
“ Yes,” said Hart meekly, “ that's just what I've
been telling Mr.- Mr.-”.


234
The
The Pembroke Mason Affair
“ Barnes,” filled in the old man, with a smile.
“ Yes,” continued the prisoner, " that's what I've
told Mr. Barnes. I pushed the electric button but
the servant said Mr. Mason could not be seen.”
“Now," said the old man gently, “ please tell us
why you wanted to see Mr. Mason?”
Hart moistened his lips with the tip of his tongue
and seemed about to speak. But he was speechless
and sat there staring wildly at the three men.
“He's an obstinate devil," blurted Craig.
“ We've asked him that question five times and
every time he suddenly goes deaf and dumb. If he
won't speak I'll find a way to make him."
The old man turned his cold gray eyes on the de-
tective.
“If you do it will be in a perfectly legal way,"
he retorted calmly. “I won't stand for any third
degree business.”
Craig's face flushed the color of a boiled lobster.
He swallowed hard.
“Don't forget yourself, Barnes,” he threatened.
“You're only here by courtesy.”


The Man in Black
235
The old man bowed with mock humility.
“Thank you, Mr. Craig — your courtesy is very
much appreciated.”
“Gentlemen,” pleaded Floyd Graves, “this sort
of thing won't get us anywhere."
“Well,” shouted Craig, pushing his chin forward
and pointing to Barnes aggressively, “ you brought
this man here?”
"I did,” admitted the lawyer, “and you said he
could question the prisoner."
“Well,” said Craig, setting back in his chair sul-
lenly, “let him fire ahead.”
Barnes turned to the white-faced one as though
there had been no break in the examination.
“Now, Mr. Hart,” he resumed," we're trying to
get at the bottom of this mystery and you may have
it in your power to help us. Will you do it?”
The terror in the man's eyes partly died out and
he murmured nervously.
" I'll try.”
“That's fine. Now, tell us why you wanted to
see Mr. Mason that night?”


236 The Pembroke Mason Affair
Hart's face worked convulsively for a moment
and then he said with an effort.
"I—I went to him on an errand of mercy.
There are six men under indictment for a crime they
never committed. A number of men were executed
for that crime. I don't know whether they were
guilty or not. I only know they had to pay the
penalty. But I'm sure the others are innocent.
The indictments have been hanging over their heads
for years. The present District Attorney is willing
to drop the cases. Everybody has agreed to that.
All we needed was the consent of Mr. Mason. I .
intended to plead with him to agree to the quashing
of the indictments. That was the only purpose of
my visit to his house."
"Have you any knowledge of how Mr. Mason
met his death?”
“None at all!” cried the prisoner excitedly. “I
swear before God that I had nothing to with his
death!”
There was a long pause, and then Barnes, speak-
ing with great deliberation, said:


The Man in Black
237
“Mr. Hart, about a year ago a threatening com-
munication was sent to Mr. Mason — a sort of
warning. Did you send it?”.
“I did not - I swear that I did not.”
“Do you know who did sent it?”
“No, I never heard of it until this moment. I
tell you once again that my motives were good. I
thought I might be able to touch the heart of this
man, although I have been told time and again that
he had a heart of stone. I -"
“We don't think it is necessary to go into that,”
interrupted Graves.
“All right,” said Hart dejectedly. “I was
simply trying to explain the way my people felt to-
ward him.”
“Your people?” interrogated Bromley
Barnes.
“Yes, I came here to see him on behalf of the
families of the members of the organization with
which I am connected."
“ Then there is nothing more you can tell us ? "
“No, sir."


238
The Pembroke Mason Affair
Craig arose with a yawn, and started for the ad-
joining room.
“For a man that hates the third degree,” he Aung
back, “you haven't got very far.”
Barnes turned to Graves and whispered :
“Keep him outside for a few minutes."
The lawyer wonderingly obeyed instructions, and
as the two men left, Barnes shut the door and turned
abruptly to Hart.
“Now, we're alone,” he snapped, “ tell me about
Madame Theba ? "
The man's face became as white as chalk, and
he trembled. He stood there for some moments,
speechless.
“Come!” exclaimed Barnes sharply, “we
haven't any time to waste. I've got Craig out of
the room so that you can talk freely to me. If you
don't take advantage of the opportunity it will be
your own fault.”
“Will — will you save me?” he quavered.
“ I'm not making any promises, but I think you're
merely a tool, and if you tell me everything it may


240 The Pembroke Mason Affair
God knows he showed very little mercy to anybody
during his life. I—"
"Never mind that,” broke in the old man with
a sign of impatience, “if we want to get an esti-
mate of the character of Pembroke Mason we won't
go to the men he convicted of crime.”
“But he never convicted me," was the spirited
reply. “I've worked hard all my life, and I never
wronged anybody. This business has been entirely
out of my line and I only undertook it as an act
of charity.”
“So you slipped a ten-spot to Madame Theba ?”.
commented Barnes with a touch of sarcasm in his
voice.
“That's true,” admitted the other, “but I never
anticipated the tragedy that has occurred, and I
don't believe yet that what I did had anything to
do with the man's death.”
The veteran looked the prisoner in the eye.
“Maybe you're right about that. Anyhow, as
I understand it, you did not have the chance to see
him."


The Man in Black
241
“No," was the reply, “I wasn't given the chance
to talk to him. As I've already said I called at his
office and at his home and failed to see him at either
place."
The sound of footsteps in the other room brought
the conversation to a sudden close. Hart clutched
at the coat sleeve of the veteran:
"I hope you'll stand by me," he pleaded.
"I won't say anything about this talk — for the
present," promised the old man. “If we get the
real murderer it may let you out altogether. I
wouldn't go as far as this if I didn't think you were
merely a catspaw in this business.”
: The door opened and Craig and Graves entered
the room. They had evidently been having a spir-
ited discussion. Barnes lifted his eyebrows in an
interrogating manner.
“ Craig still insists that Walter Miles is the man,"
remarked the lawyer.
The central station man shrugged his shoulders.
“What's the use of tryin' to argue with a man
who has a theory. That's all right for story book
u were


242
The Pembroke Mason Affair
detectives, but it don't go with me. I deal in facts.
That is why I hold my job. I've got my own sys-
tem and that system says that Miles has got to prove
his innocence. Until he does that I consider him
guilty."
“But surely you're not going to let Hart off scot-
free?" insisted Graves.
“Oh, no, we won't do that. We'll hold him as a
material witness. I'll lock him up for the present,
and if it's necessary in the future I'll guarantee to
squeeze the truth out of him.”
The turnkey was called and Hart was led to a
cell. Craig turned to the two men with a half-
bored air:
“Now, gentlemen, if this farce is over I've got
some real business to look after."
Barnes bowed with the air of mock humility
which always had the effect of irritating the central
station man.
“We're through, and we want to thank you for
your courtesy — your characteristic courtesy.”
A moment afterward they were in the street,


The Man in Black
243
walking in the direction of Barnes' lodgings.
“By the way, old man,” said Graves with much
friendliness, “how would you like to go to my
rooms and smoke a cigar and talk this matter over ?
I've got a fine Italian servant, an old fellow who
cooks a delicious Welsh rarebit. What do you
say?”
Barnes paused for a moment.
“ All right,” he said. “You may give me some
food for thought.”


CHAPTER XVII
MORE MYSTERY
The bachelor apartments of Floyd Graves were
a delight to the eye, and a comfort to the body.
The man had artistic ability of a high order, and
it was displayed to perfection in the furnishing of
the rooms. This was especially true of his books
and pictures which, while not numerous, displayed
taste and discrimination. The first object that
Barnes noticed when he entered the little sitting room
was a large-sized photograph of Pembroke Mason,
neatly framed and hanging on the far wall. The
picture was autographed and was another proof
of the intimacy which had existed between the two
men.
Graves drew up an easy chair for Barnes and then
pushed a button. The next moment Felix entered
the room with an air of respectful alertness. He
244


More Mystery
245
was slightly bent and had a shock of iron-gray hair.
His olive skin and his mannerisms betrayed his
nationality, even before he spoke in his rather pleas-
ing broken English.
“Felix," said Graves, with the easy familiarity
which is shown to some servants, “Mr. Barnes has
heard of your Welsh Rarebits, and I'd like you to
make one he'll never forget.”
The detective held up his hands in mock horror.
“Not quite that bad, Felix, I'm willing to have
the nightmare once for your sake, but I don't want
it to be a continuous performance.”
The servant smiled, showing a set of marvelously
white teeth.
“Felix,” he said, with outstretched hands, “ will
maka da best he can for Meester Barnes.”
He left the room, and as he passed along the
narrow corridor which fringed the apartment,
Graves excused himself for a moment to his guest
and went after the servant. He returned in a little
while, and took a seat opposite Barnes.
“A jewel of a servant,” he commented, “ but like


246 The Pembroke Mason Affair
jewels he must be watched occasionally. Don't
mistake that remark though. Felix has my entire
confidence and his devotion to me is touching. I
really believe that the fellow would die for me, if
necessary.”
“ That is unusual devotion,” said Barnes.
“Where did you get him? ”
Graves was silent for a moment. He knocked
the ash off the end of his cigar and spoke slowly.
“ There's quite a story to that. I did him a good
turn once, and he's never forgotten it. He was ar-
rested, charged with belonging to one of those
Italian vendetta societies, the Mafia or something
of that sort. I defended him in court and he was
acquitted. Now he's obsessed with the idea that the
rest of his life belongs to me. I'm mighty glad
to have him because he fits in exactly with my mode
of life; cook, valet and servant all rolled into one.
He's prepared some mighty good dinners for me
and most of my friends have an affection for the
man. All but Mason — for some reason that was
never explained he took a dislike to Felix, just as


248 The Pembroke Mason Affair
quietly left the room. Graves produced fresh
cigars and the two men smoked in the luxurious
manner that is only possible after an entirely satis-
factory meal. Graves was silent for a time. He
seemed to be thinking. Presently he spoke to the
detective with great earnestness:
“ Barnes,” he said, “ do you believe in the old
theory that murder will out ? "
The veteran blew a cloud of smoke in the air,
and watched it circle and eddy about before reply-
ing.
“Well,” he answered, “ that is a hard question
to answer categorically. I should say yes, and
when I say that I do not mean that all murderers
are captured and punished according to law. But
there is a higher law that punishes them, even in
this life.”
“ Yet,” persisted the other, “ I've heard that more
than fifty per cent. of the murderers in this country
go unpunished.”
“It depends on what you mean by unpunished.
I'll admit that the bungling of the police permits


More Mystery
249
many of them to escape the electric chair in the
United States."
“That's just the point I'm making," said Graves
in a rather triumphant way." I've contended that
a clever criminal is more than a match for a clever
detective — present company, of course excepted.”
Barnes waved aside the compliment.
“We're doing these things better than we did in
the old days. We no longer rely upon the obvious.
We're applying patient, common sense to the solu-
tion of mysteries. I'm not talking about fantastic
methods, or even scientific experiments, although
they will have their uses, but rather to thinking
processes. Let me try to make it clearer for you.
I know of a case where the only clew was an old
coat. Now it was an ordinary kind of garment, the
kind that is made by the thousands and sold by
ready-made clothing houses. The coat, merely as a
coat, was an impossible clew. What did the police
do? They put it in a bag and beat it vigorously.
Then they took the accumulated dust and analyzed
it chemically. It was found to be fine wood dust.


250
The Pembroke Mason Affair
Hence the coat must have belonged to a carpenter,
joiner or cabinet maker. Now, in the dust was
found particles of gelatine and glue. That made
it conclusive that the coat had belonged to a cabinet
maker. It was proven to be the case, and the man
was arrested, tried, convicted and sent to the electric
chair.”
“ That is interesting."
“It is more than interesting," laughed Barnes,
“because it is true.”
Graves spoke, after a thoughtful silence.
“Do you think you'll solve this Mason case ?”
“I think so — but time will tell.”
“What do you think of Craig — he seems posi-
tive that his system, as he calls it, is perfect?”
Barnes smiled quizzically.
“So you want my opinion of Craig? I don't
know just how to express it in order to do justice
to the man. Well, suppose you caught a flea, and
you shaved its eyebrows, and singed its wings. If
you did this you'd have Craig, as he appears to
han.
me."


More Mystery
251
Graves laughed with more heartiness than he had
shown during the entire evening.
“You do not think much of the police."
“I wouldn't put it that way. Say rather that I
don't think much of some policemen. Many of them
are fine fellows, with intelligence, but too many that
are assigned to detective work haven't got the wit
to get in out of the wet. But there's a change go-
ing on all the time, and eventually we will have
trained and observing men in all of the big cities.
In the meantime, as criminals are not very particular
about themselves we can't always be particular about
the men we send after them.”
Just as Barnes had finished speaking there was
a crashing sound and Graves slipped from the chair
on which he was sitting. Something had shot
through the window, and speeding across the room,
struck the photograph of Pembroke Mason, and
breaking the glass sent it in fragments to the floor.
The detective ran to the other man and helped him
to his feet.
“ Are you hurt?” he asked anxiously.


252
The Pembroke Mason Affair
“No,” he said, “only scared. I lost my balance
and fell over, but I'm not injured in the slightest."
The door of the room was thrown open and Felix
rushed in with white face and staring eyes.
“I justa heard a shot!” he cried, “what 'ees da
trouble?”
Barnes ran out of the room and into the corridor,
but no one was in sight. He came back a moment
later looking crestfallen.
"It came from the other direction," said Graves,
“ let's go over in the other wing."
They made their way to a sort of an “L” which
faced the windows of the dining room of Graves'
apartment and made a careful search, but without
result. The room directly across from the lawyer's
suite was tenantless, and locked in the bargain.
Barnes shrugged his shoulders.
“ More mystery,” he commented.
Graves looked troubled.
." It's perfectly in line with what I've already
told you about the warnings sent to poor Mason.
But why should they want to do anything against


254 The Pembroke Mason Affair
able to tell you something that may be interesting.
What do you say?"
“That your will is law,” was the genial reply.
“Until then good-by and good luck — and don't get
in the way of any stray bullets on the way home.”


256 The Pembroke Mason Affair
“It was like you to come,” he said, looking at
her with misty eyes, “ but you should not have run
the risk.”
“Risk?” she echoed.
“ Yes; you know you are the niece of Pembroke
Mason. What will people say?”
At the mention of the name she trembled slightly,
but instantly recovered. She spoke in a suppressed
voice.
“They will probably say the truth — that I love
n.
you."
“But,” he protested, his voice choked with emo-
tion, “it is for that reason I would spare you."
She glanced at him proudly.
“Walter, love has a special meaning for me —
it means service. I am here now to serve you, but
you must first tell me everything. You must ex-
plain why you came to uncle's house that — that,
night."
He looked at her for some moments.
" I'll tell everything — because you ask it."
Her answer was a kiss.


The Bonds
257
" It's — it's a painful story to tell to the niece of
Pembroke Mason.”
She sat down and quietly slipped her hand in
his.
The action, and the confidence it implied gave him
the courage he needed. He began in a composed
manner.
“ I've already told you how hard I worked at the
office, and how anxious I was to get the sort of
public recognition that was necessary for my fu-
ture success. Well, my labors were particularly
hard in the Midland and Western Railroad case.
I drew up the brief which was to be submitted to
the Supreme Court and I prepared the points which
were to be used in the argument. They were both
handed over to Pembroke Mason, and he was study-
ing them on that fatal night. I knew that if he
went into court and won a victory he would get all
of the credit. Please do not think that this was
merely petty jealousy on my part. It came from
the feeling that I was being used to further the
fame of a man who was already widely known, and


The Bonds
259
0
n wa
SS.
You know the story of how I went to the house.
I let myself in with my latch key and made my way
to the library. The lights had been turned down
and the room was in semi-darkness. I noticed a
figure sitting in a chair, a figure I presumed to be
that of Pembroke Mason. He seemed to be asleep.
Nothing could have been better for my purpose.
The papers - evidently the papers I was after —
were on the desk. All that was necessary was to
take them. But at that critical moment my purpose
failed me. I realized that I was placing myself in
the position of a common thief. The meanness and
the pettiness of the thing revolted me. I could not
go ahead. At that moment I imagined that I heard
some one coming toward the room -”.
“ That was I,” murmured Marian.
“So I learned afterward. Anyhow, I crept out
of the room, hurried down the stairs and left the
house. That is the whole story, and I'm glad that
I've told you. You can't think me any meaner than
I think myself.”
Marian did not speak. Instead she rose and
near


260
The Pembroke Mason Affair
placed her arms around the neck of Walter Miles.
There was a mist before his eyes.
“I never doubted your loyalty and faith,” he
said to her huskily, “but I dreaded the humiliation
of having to make that explanation in court.”.
“There is something else to tell," he said, “and
I do not think you will reprove me for it.”
“What is it?"
“Just this; the Supreme Court has consented to
receive the brief in the Midland and Western case,
and to act on it just the same as if Pembroke Mason
were there to argue the case. Samuel Brown, the
chief clerk in our office, was here this morning and
he has undertaken to deliver the brief and the notes
for the argument to the court. It is to be taken up
the day after to-morrow - or at least it is to be
handed down on that day. So that, after all, the
thing which I have desired so long is to be an ac-
complished fact. The Supreme Court is to take of-
ficial action on a case which has been prepared in
its entirety by me. If there is an adverse decision
it will be my failure. If we win I will know — al-


The Bonds
261
though the world will not — that it is my victory."
"I will hope and pray that you may win. In the
meantime, I'm not going to rest until you have been
cleared of all suspicion.”
“You're so good,” he said, " and I'm so helpless
in this place."
Before he realized it, the farewells had been said
and she was out of the place and on her way to the
law office of Pembroke Mason. There she amazed
the venerable chief clerk by demanding the key
of her safe deposit box in the Merchants' Bank.
It was hers, of course, to do with as she pleased —
yet he wondered. He was still wondering when she
had the key and was on the street headed for the
financial institution.
She remembered that her assets included ten ten
thousand dollar bonds. She would dispose of one
of these and it would give her ample funds to ob-
tain the best legal talent in Washington to obtain
the release of Walter Miles. After that she would
spend every penny she had in the world and scour
the earth until she had caught the murderer of her


282 The Pembroke Mason Affair
uncle. These thoughts were still in her mind when
she entered the bank and they were racing through
her brain when she turned the key and opened her
strong box. She went through it once, twice —
thrice. She felt for the moment that she had
stopped breathing. And no wonder.
The bonds were all gone!
The proper and natural thing under the circum-
stances would have been to have gone to the officers
of the bank and told them of her discoverey.
Instead of that she locked the box and leaving
the bank went to the apartments of Bromley Barnes.
She moved automatically, like one in a trance. She
told him the whole story — her visit to Walter
Miles and the discovery in the safe deposit vault.
He looked at her searchingly and she returned
his prolonged stare.
“ Marian,” he said, finally, “ the same name is on
the tips of both our tongues, but before we utter
it I wish to carry out a test I have arranged for this
afternoon."


CHAPTER XIX
THE TEST
It was dusk that afternoon when Barnes and
Clancy entered the musty apartments of Madame
Theba. She was lighting the incense on the side
table and giving the finishing touches to the setting
for the séance. The old man looked at her
shrewdly.
"Did you get him?” he asked.
“Yes," she answered, " but don't ask me how.
A woman in my business must have pals — and I've
got 'em. He thinks I know somethin'. Its going
to be a battle between us.”
While they were talking the creaking of the stairs
could be heard as of some one ascending. Barnes
and Clancy hid behind a portiere in the corner of
the apartment. The knob of the door turned and
a man walked in.
263


264 The Pembroke Mason Affair
It was Floyd Graves.
He nodded to the fortune teller and she pointed
to a chair. She took his hand and began reading
his palm in a sing-song voice. After this had gone
on for some time Madame Theba asked to see his
other hand.
" Is it necessary?” he asked, hesitatingly.
“ Absolutely," was the positive reply.
Unconsciously the lawyer half raised his other
hand. Madame Theba noticed that it was gloved.
“Remove your glove," she commanded.
He proceeded to do so. Barnes from his place
of concealment had overheard all of the conversa-
tion and at the last words he parted the curtains
slightly and peered out at Graves. The lawyer
moved deliberately and when he placed his hand in
that of Madame Theba, Barnes saw that he wore a
large ring on the third finger. It was of gold and it
contained a setting of onyx. The light from the
lamp in the ceiling shone upon the outstretched hand.
For just the fraction of a second the seeress turned
the palm downward. In that brief space of time,


266
The Pembroke Mason Affair
“ What do you mean?” he asked hoarsely.
“You have the Indian sign there – is it not con-
nected in some way with your life and your fate?”
He got up abruptly.
“What do you mean?” he repeated.
Instead of replying she closed her eyes and
pointed her finger at him. Presently she opened
them again and staring into vacancy recited mo-
notonously:
“I see a man seated in his library. The door
opens and his friend — his false friend — enters.
They have words, there is a struggle and in the end
the man is killed — by a blow from the ring
containing the Indian sign.”
While she talked the scene was so tense that
Barnes could hear the ticking of his watch.
Graves rose to his feet unsteadily. His dark face
had turned an ashen color. He grasped one of the
curtains of the divan and swayed to and fro, like
a frightened animal. Then his eyes narrowed
ominously and he exclaimed thickly:
“What what are you saying?”


The Test
267
She discarded her professional air. She tossed
her turban to one side and raised her veil. She
looked at him with avenging eyes:
“You know what I mean.”
“What is it?” he persisted with trembling lips.
She gave a shrewd glance in the direction of the
curtains at the other side of the room, and assuming
a tragic attitude exclaimed:
" Floyd Graves, I charge you with the murder of
Pembroke Mason!”
The color left his face, he gave a startled cry and
half slid to the floor. But the collapse only lasted
for a moment. Before she realized it he was on
his feet again and pointing a shaking finger at the
palmist.
“You she-devil!” he shrieked. “What is this?
Blackmail?”
At that moment he half turned and noticed the
swaying of the portieres at the other side of the
room. And in the same instant he caught a fleet-
ing glimpse of the cold gray eyes of Bromley
Barnes.


268 The Pembroke Mason Affair
Even in his agitation the meaning of the whole
thing flashed through his brain. In that instant his
resolve was made. He groped his way toward the
door, swaying from side to side. His trembling
fingers grasped the knob and in the twinkling of an
eye it was opened, and he had gone out, slamming it
behind him.
"He'll get away won't he?” demanded Clancy
of Barnes.
The veteran smiled indulgently.
“He will go straight to his apartments and that's
where I propose to arrest him. I've told Craig to
be there."
When they reached the street Graves was out of
sight. Barnes and Clancy jumped into the little
plum-colored car, but the mechanism was out of
order and it was ten minutes before they started.
Delays are dangerous and the detective did not like
them. But finally they reached the apartments of
the lawyer and entering the elevator were shot up
to the fifth floor. The door leading to the first room
of Floyd Graves' place was open. It was vacant.


The Test
269
The door leading to the next room was locked.
Barnes knocked. There was no response.
“Open the door," he shouted, “ unless you want
it knocked in!”
“Wan mo-ment. Wan mo-ment, eef you please.”
came a musical voice from the other side of the
door.
“That's Felix!” cried Clancy positively.
Barnes hammered at the door again.
“ All right, Meester,” came the soft voice, “eef
you will justa wait a second.”
They waited and then the lock was heard to turn
and the door opened. They rushed into the room
and found a bowed figure gesticulating with his
hands. The man was attired in a bath robe as
though he had risen hurriedly, and he was shaking
his thick head of bushy, iron gray hair. He lifted
his face for a moment and in the dimly lighted room
all that Barnes noticed was his shaggy eyebrows
and his nut brown skin. .
“Where's Graves ? " shouted the detective.
“Where's your master?”


270 The Pembroke Mason Affair
The bent figure shook his head sorrowfully.
“Meester, eef I know I tell you. He come in a
hurry. He justa grab everything and gona out of
the room jest lika madman."
The detective gave him a violent push and the
man staggered across the room. He raised his
hands protestingly, and as if to ward off a
blow.
“Don't try to fool us,” cried Barnes. “If you're
lying, it will go hard with you."
The other spread out his palms and then made a
sweeping gesture around the room.
“ Justa see for yourself, meester,” he said in a
tone of pathos.
Barnes and Clancy made a hurried search of the
apartment. No one else was there. The visitors
started for the door.
“Gooda-by," whined the bent one, " an' I am so
sorry.”
But suddenly Barnes gave a snort of triumph and
came into the room again.
He made a dash for the bent one who quickly


The Test
271
straightened. The two men grappled and Clancy
rushed toward them. Before any one realized just
what had happened the detective was flat on his
back on the floor and the soft-voiced person was
dashing through the outer room. He upset the
lamp on the table, tossed a chair in the path of
Clancy and shut and locked the outer door from
the outside. In the meanwhile Barnes had arisen,
looking foolish and crestfallen. He hurried to the
door where Clancy was frantically tugging at the
knob. Anger had multiplied the detective's
strength and giving the door one violent pull he
wrenched it from the weak lock, and it opened.
They ran into the hall, but the elevator had gone
down and by this time was at the street floor.
Barnes rushed for the stairway and started down
two steps at a time. Clancy, who was at his heels,
exclaimed, breathing heavily:
“Who would have dreamt that the old man had
such strength ? "
“Old man!” spluttered Barnes. “Why, you
doddering idiot, don't you understand? That


CHAPTER XX
AT BAY
“What are you going to do about it?" asked
Clancy, turning to the detective.
The veteran laughed in spite of his momentary
irritation. :
“The question of the ages," he commented.
“Well, to start with, I'm going back to his rooms
for a minute. He might have left some inkling of
his purpose there. You know the best of them slip
a cog now and then.”
They made their way up-stairs again. The ele-
vator seemed to be in trouble, and they climbed the
steps. The door of Graves' room was still open
and they went inside and began a search of the
premises. It was not a thorough search, by any
means, and it was not intended to be such.. Barnes
was intent upon finding some obvious clew. Pres-
278


274
The Pembroke Mason Affair
ently he noticed some papers upon a center table on
the inner room. They were chiefly advertising mat-
ter of Southern health resorts. Beside them was a
timetable on the Southern railroad. It had been
marked in pencil, as if for reference. The detec-
tive scanned it closely and found that the leaving
time of the midnight train had been heavily under-
scored. Clancy, who was looking over his shoulder,
gave a cry of delight.
“He's going to leave Washington by the mid-
night train. If we hurry to the Union Station we
may be able to head him off.”
Suddenly Barnes became conscious of some one
giving a long drawn sigh. It was not himself. It
was not Clancy. Who was it? He looked about
him shrewdly without changing his position. There
was no one in sight beside his assistant. Clancy, in
his agitation over the discovery of the timetable,
had started toward the door. Barnes raised his
finger to halt him, but to the wonder of the faithful
one he did not say a word. This deaf and dumb
performance greatly puzzled Clancy but he had


278 The Pembroke Mason Affair
floor in record time. As they emerged into the air
the young man turned to the veteran.
“We'll have to hustle if we expect to get to the
Union Station by midnight. Maybe it's too late
already."
Barnes glanced at the young man, and smiled.
“I haven't any intention of going to the Union
Station. That announcement was intended solely
for the benefit of our clever Italian friend. Our
game is to watch him and to follow him wherever
he goes. He's the sort of man who will be faithful
to the death. He realizes that Graves is in serious
trouble and his one thought will be to go to him.
Graves is not dressed for travel. In that make-up
of his he would be pinched before he fairly started.
He must stop somewhere to change his costume.
The question is where will he go. That's what
we've got to find out. The first and most important
thing is to get a conveyance."
At that moment a taxicab loomed up in the dis-
tance. Clancy hailed it at once. In an amazingly
short time the two men were in the machine and


At Bay
279
Barnes was giving instructions to the driver.
“A man will come out of that building in a mo-
ment or two. I want you to follow him wherever
he goes. Do not lose sight of him under any cir-
cumstances. Do you get me?”
“I get you," was the laconic reply.
The two passengers had hardly been comfortably
seated when a figure was seen to creep out of the
door of the apartment house, and look stealthily
up and down the street. The survey seemed to
satisfy him. He straightened his bent body and
walked to the curb. Seeing the taxi he hailed it.
The driver looked back over his shoulder to Barnes.
“ The guy wants this machine," he whispered.
“What about it?”
The detective reached his decision at once.
“ Take him — but keep him with you. He
mustn't know we are in here. Make any excuse
you can think of, but don't lose him."
While this conversation was going on the ve-
hicle was making its way to the curb. Felix gesticu-
lated to the driver.


280
The Pembroke Mason Affair
an
“I wanta your mee-chine at once an' in one big
hurry."
“Sorry," was the curt response, “but I've got
an engagement already."
Felix was wringing his hands.
“I am in soocha lot of trouble!” he exclaimed.
“Won't younga 'Merican man help me?”
“Where do you want to go?" asked the driver,
as if relenting.
“Usta to what you call the Greenmount Countree
Club."
“ I've got a lot of baggage in the back of the
car,” said the shrewd chauffeur,“ but if you're will-
ing to sit in front with me, I'll take you. It may
crowd you a bit, but I'll get you to the country club
all right. What do you say?".
“ You mak’ me veery glad an' I will do w'at you
say.”
Felix climbed on the seat with alacrity and the
machine started off at full speed. While the dia-
logue was going on between the driver and the
Italian, Barnes and Clancy had slid down on to the


At Bay
281
floor of the car and had managed to cover themselves
with heavy robes. It was uncomfortable, and
breathing was difficult, but neither of the men
thought anything of that. Barnes whispered to his
companion:
"He tricked us once, and now we'll turn the tables
on the rascal. Now not another word until we
get there.”
From that moment until they reached their des-
tination they did not speak. Felix was silent also.
He was evidently thinking of the possible adven-
ture which lay before him.
At that hour of the night the roads were clear
and the driver shot his car ahead regardless of
speed laws, and with a reckless disregard of life
and limb. Clancy smiled when he thought of the
undignified position of his companion. The old
man did not consider this phase of the business
at all, but he did wonder what would happen to
them if the taxicab should run into a fence rail
or an unexpected barn. Once or twice the car
skidded in an ominous manner and the men beneath


At Bay
283
“Yes, Felix," replied the old man. “I told you
that the game was up, but you wouldn't believe me.
We set the trap and you walked into it like an obedi-
ent little mouse. I couldn't guess where Graves
had gone but you've led us to him.”
The Italian stood staring at Barnes out of wide-
open eyes. He was dazed at the unexpected turn
of affairs. But he made a last pathetic effort to
protect his employer.
"I no understan' your langwadge. Felix 'ees
here to work at the club.”
Barnes shook his head.
“ You may work here, Felix, but that bluff won't
work. Clancy, you and the driver look after this
man. I'm going inside.”
The entrance to the club house was locked and
when Barnes pressed the button it was answered by
a sleepy looking steward. He opened the door on
a crack and peered out.
“ Well ? ” he interrogated.
“ Let me in and I'll tell you about it," was the
pleasant rejoinder.


At Bay
285
“ Just tell him that Felix is here. Then come
and let me know what he says."
The steward climbed the broad stairway to the
second floor. He returned very quickly.
“He says you are to come right up, sir."
The detective ascended the flight of stairs and
tapped at the door of the first room. A voice called :
“Come in.”
Barnes turned the knob and entered a rather large
apartment. There was a table in the center and
several cots along the side. At the far end of the
room a man was scrubbing his face at a wash basin.
His back was turned to the detective but between
splutterings he managed to say:
"Hello, Felix, old chap. You're a good sort all
right, but you shouldn't have come here.”
The newcomer made no reply but advanced until
he stood by the center table. The one light gave a
feeble illumination.
“What's the matter?” continued the man at the
wash basin. “ Can't you talk?”.
Still no reply.


286 The Pembroke Mason Affair
Floyd Graves turned around, rubbing his face
with a Turkish towel. He peered at his visitor,
slowly advancing to the center of the room. He
looked again and, as he recognized Barnes, the
towel dropped from his nerveless hands.
“You!” he gasped.
“Yes, Graves,” said the other pleasantly. “It's
I, and you've given me a merry chase."
The lawyer had cleaned off his make-up and his
face was ghastly pale. He spoke thickly.
“ Well, what do you want?"
Barnes smiled.
“First, I'd like my motor car, which you bor-
rowed without permission, and then I'd like you."
Graves stared at the detective in a dazed manner.
" Barnes," he said, “ you've got a bunch of cir-
cumstantial evidence, but you haven't an actual fact
to connect me with this murder."
The detective's eyes flashed and he spoke quickly.
“ I've never mentioned murder – a guilty mind
needs no accuser."
The other man began to adjust his collar with


At Bay
287
trembling hands. When he spoke, a moment later,
there was a quiver in his voice.
“But you set up the job with that she-devil of a
fortune teller — and you've followed me here."
Barnes nodded.
“ Yes, I've come to tell you what I've already
told Felix in your behalf — the game is up and
you'd better come back with me."
Graves retreated a few steps and then made a
rush for a side door. He grabbed the knob, but it
did not yield to his grasp. It had been locked from
the outside. Barnes stood near the door by which
he had entered, thus blocking the way of the fren-
zied man.
Barnes shrugged his shoulders, and spoke as
calmly as if he were engaged in a friendly discussion.
" And I give you notice that I'm going to take
you back to Washington with me. That's what
brought me here, and I'm not going to return empty-
handed."
Graves rushed forward, and attempted to push
him to one side. The veteran had anticipated the


288 The Pembroke Mason Affair
move and he met the assault with outspread hands.
The effect was to throw the fugitive back into the
room. It was all he could do to keep his footing
and he blundered from one side of the apartment
to the other. By this time the fright had left his
eyes and they held a look of bewildered rage.
“You've had your warning!” he shrieked.
“Move aside and let me pass.”
Barnes remained motionless.
The next instant the desperate man reached for
his hip pocket, and pulled out a little pearl-handled
revolver. He aimed it at the detective with shaking
hands and pulled the trigger. At the same moment
there was a tiny puff of smoke and a sharp report.
Barnes, with amazing swiftness had dropped to the
floor, and the bullet buried itself in the door behind
him.
Graves stood there shaking like a leaf in the wind.
For a moment he hesitated, then raised his weapon
and pointed it again.
“ I've — I've given you your chance and you
wouldn't take it !” he cried hysterically.



“ PULLED OUT A LITTLE PEARL-HANDLED REVOLVER”





At Bay
289
The veteran was on his feet by this time and as
he realized the purpose of the infuriated man he
reached quickly for his own pocket. His face was
white, but his hand was perfectly steady. He aimed
his pistol at Graves. Almost simultaneously there
came two reports. The detective winced, and a
spasm of pain crossed his countenance. Graves
groaned and fell to the floor.
The door was suddenly burst open and Clancy and
Felix rushed into the room. The Irishman turned
to his superior and cried:
“Are you hurt?”
Barnes moved his lips, but no sound issued from
them. Clancy, with a deft motion, stripped off the
overcoat and then the other coat of the detective.
There was a bright red spot on the sleeve of his
shirt. Clancy started to roll it up, but Barnes halted
him. He pointed to the fallen Graves with his unin-
jured hand. He spoke, in a jerky way.
“Go to him — I think he needs immediate atten-
tion.”
Felix was already kneeling by the side of his


290
The Pembroke Mason Affair
master. He bent his ear to the ashen lips. Graves
looked at him with a pitiful smile.
“Hello, Felix," he murmured in a scarcely audi-
ble voice, and then swooned.


296 The Pembroke Mason Affair
any of the applause. I took that good naturedly
for a while, but it was not long before I found that
this policy was affecting the financial side of the
arrangement. I had contracted expensive modes of
living. I belonged to three expensive clubs and I
was doing a great deal of entertaining at my rooms.
You may recall that I found a jewel of a valet and
servant in Felix -”
“I recall that very well,” interjected Barnes with
a shrewd smile.
“Well, Felix was somewhat of a chef in addition
to his other desirable qualities, and I did not spare
expense in entertaining my friends. It was not
long before I found difficulty in making ends meet.
To cap the climax, I went into the stock market on
one of those 'sure tips' we all receive from our
friends. I lost a large sum of money — larger than
I could stand, and it was at this stage of the busi-
ness that the real tragedy began.”
“My mind reverted to the trust funds that were
in my care," he resumed, “and I wondered, as so
many men before me have wondered, if I could not


298
The Pembroke Mason Affair
took ten ten-thousand-dollar bonds belonging to
Miss Cooper and sold them. They happened to be
unregistered bonds and it was easy to make the
transfer. The money I got from the bonds I put in
the stock of the Midland and Western. Then I
waited for the rise. It did not come. Instead of
that the stock went lower and I was kept busy rais-
ing money to cover the margins with my brokers.
At this point the suit was brought into the Supreme
Court — that is the suit to deprive the company of
its coal holdings — and Pembroke Mason had the
case.
“But now I come to the really tragic part of the
business. Pembroke Mason suddenly became inter-
ested in the state of Miss Cooper's finances. I think
his interest was aroused by the fact that Miles was
paying attention to the girl, and he wanted her to
make a more ambitious match. Anyhow, he began
to look into matters and one day he discovered that
the bonds were missing. I'll never forget the half
hour he had with me. I made all sorts of excuses
and promises of early restitution, but they had no


The Suspended Sword 299
effect upon Mason. He was the most cold-blood-
edly practical man I ever met in all my life. With
him it was always a case of your money or your life.
I tried to tell him that I had the stock of the Midland
and Western on margin and that his victory in the
Supreme Court would make that as good as gold.
But he would not listen and he died without knowl-
edge of that fact."
“What happened then?" asked Barnes.
"Mason took a night to think it over," continued
Graves, “and when he came down the next morn-
ing he had his plan of action all prepared. He was
the sort of man who left nothing to chance. His
first intention was to have me arrested and to blazon
my shame to the world. But he must have felt that
there was a chance of getting the money back for
he adopted another plan. It included three dis-
tinct things. First, I was to resign from the firm
at once. I agreed to that. Secondly, I was to give
up the practice of law, under pain of having the
matter reported to the Bar Association, and of being
formally denied the right of practice. I balked a


300 The Pembroke Mason Affair
little at that, but I finally consented. The last con-
dition was that I should make a written confession
of what I had done, and give it to him, with the un-
derstanding that if I made restitution, the confes-
sion would be destroyed. It was gall and worm-
wood, but what could I do? I was dealing with a
man without any bowels of mercy. Before I left
the office I had written and signed the hateful docu-
ment.
“The next moment the most startling thing of all
came. He said that he was about to put the con-
fession in a safe place where no one could possibly
find it, but that if I did not make restitution in full
before ten o'clock on the morning of November the
tenth, he would have me arrested, publish the con-
fession and prosecute me to the full extent of the
law. It was at that moment that the sword was
hung over my head — to stay suspended until I
nearly went mad with grief and anxiety. How I
made my way out of the office and reached my
rooms I will never know. All that I can remember
is that I was in a state of collapse and that when I


The Suspended Sword 303
U
ing. No one was there and I made a search of the
place. It seemed a futile business. I knew, how-
ever, that he had an odd way of keeping memo-
randa on cards and bits of paper — reminders that
he understood, but which would be Greek to any one
else. Might it not be that the hiding-place of the
confession could be located in this manner? Fi-
nally, when hope seemed all but gone, I was re-
warded. In the bottom of one of the drawers was
a little white card. On it was written, in Pembroke
Mason's handwriting the words, 'Uneasy lies the
head that wears a crown,' and below this the num-
erals, III-I.
“Here is where my familiarity with Shakespeare
came in to good advantage. I knew that the quo-
tation was from King Henry IV. I knew also that
Mason possessed among his treasures a remarkably
fine edition of Shakespeare, with each play in a
separate volume, finely illustrated. Years of asso-
ciation with the man had made me familiar with
his habits and thoughts and his eccentric way of
hiding personal things in out-of-the-way places.


306
The Pembroke Mason Affair
glass and saw the bald head, the bloodless face and
the leering mouth I was startled. If I had not
known better and had been suddenly confronted
with that countenance I would have sworn it was
the railroad king. Well, when I put on the slouch
hat, the long black coat and the rest of it, I looked
about as much like the real thing as an imitation
could be. Felix was in ecstasies. He was a born
artist - most Italians are — and nothing delighted
him more than an artistic piece of work.
“When I left my place that night I was John
Fairchild!
“When Briggs came to the door in answer to
my call he was almost prostrated with amazement.
That John Fairchild should deign to call at the
Mason house was to him a wonderful thing. I
wanted to give him my card. That was a pure
bluff. I really had no card, but the poor flunkey
would not think of giving me so much inconven-
ience. You see, like the rest of the world, he had
seen the pictures of John Fairchild in the news-
papers and he looked upon him as an old, a very
e
nven-


The Suspended Sword 307
old acquaintance. He went up-stairs at once, an-
nounced me and before I knew it I was being
ushered into the presence of Pembroke Mason.
“At first I know I fooled Mason. He was
amazed to see me and he put out his hand and
asked me to take a seat. I didn't do it. I couldn't
afford to sit down. First, it would have given
him too good an opportunity to study me, and,
secondly, because I wanted to get my hands on that
copy of Henry IV. That was my one thought
from the moment I entered the room. It kept
running through my head like a refrain, 'get the
confession! get the confession!! get the confes-
sion!!!' I spoke to him, imitating as best as I
knew how the curious pronunciation of John Fair-
child.
“ Mason, I've often heard of your rare edition
of Shakespeare. I'd like to have a peep at it.'
"He had been following me around the room
with his eyes. I opened the book case and ran my
fingers along the row of stately volumes until I
reached the Henry IV. I lifted it out and opened


308
The Pembroke Mason Affair
the book until I came to the page which contained
the oft repeated lines. It was as I expected. It
held the sheet of paper on which was written the
humiliating confession. At that moment Mason
sensed the fraud that was being practiced on him.
He gave a shout:
“Drop that book!'he cried.
“Why, Mason,' I began, sparring for time, 'I
don't know —
“'You damned scoundrel,' he shrieked in a fren-
zied voice. "You know my opinion of you. I re-
gard you as a scoundrel. How dare you come in
this house in such a disguise ? You'll suffer for
this, and I'll put you in the penitentiary if it's the
last act of my life!'
“He rushed at me and we engaged in a struggle.
I thought of the pistol in my hip pocket and I guess
I would have used it if I could have got my fingers
on it. But it was a hand to hand struggle and both
of us were too much infuriated to know what we
were doing
“The strength of that man was amazing. For


The Suspended Sword
309
a time I thought he had the better of me, but pres-
ently I got him around the waist and threw him to
the floor. I grabbed the paper and in my haste
tore out the illustration with it. The book fell on
the floor. I put the papers in my pocket and
started for the door. Before I realized it he was
up and after me. I turned and dealt him a blow on
the side of the temple. It must have been terrific
because it turned the ring on my finger. Anyhow,
he staggered and dropped to the floor like a log. I
- I thought he was merely knocked senseless but
afterwards I learned that he was — dead.
“ The rest you know. I escaped from the house,
was caught in that dreadful storm and got home
looking like a drowned rat. I burned the confes-
sion. I had been telling them at the office that I
was going on a vacation. To carry out that decep-
tion I left Washington the next morning and then
pretended I had turned back on hearing of the death
of Pembroke Mason.
“The world has known me as a care-free man,
too indolent to win distinction in his profession. I


312 The Pembroke Mason Affair
you struck him on the temple the imprint of those
queer lines was left on the flesh. To Craig and the
others it was simply a bruised, blurred mark that
might have been made by any heavy instrument.
But with some patience and effort I managed to de-
cipher it, and my friend, Professor Darlington, fur-
nished the interpretation.”
At this point Graves fell back exhausted from his
effort. Barnes closed the door softly and stepped
into the corridor. He saw a bent figure, crouching
near the threshold.
It was Felix.
Barnes tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to
the room.
“Go in,” he said, “I think he would like to see
you.”


CHAPTER XXII
CRAIG'S SYSTEM
Two hours after Floyd Graves had finished his
narrative it had been transcribed and signed.
Bromley Barnes placed the precious document in his
pocket and started for the central police station.
With the mystery explained he did not want Walter
Miles to remain under lock and key for a moment
longer than was necessary. He stepped out with the
elastic movement of a youth. His heart was buoy-
ant, his smile expansive and he was brimming over
with happiness.
Craig, who was in his office, greeted him with a
sour smile.
“Well,” he said, " what ails you now?”
The veteran smiled ironically, and tossed the con-
fession of Floyd Graves upon the desk of the cen-
tral station man.
313


Craig's System
315
Indian sign on Mason's head and you never told me
anything about it. That -".
“Now, now, Craig,” teased Barnes, “ don't play
the baby act. I didn't keep you from seeing the
marks. They were there for anybody to see,
but _”
“I ain't playing the baby act,” protested the der
tective growing red in the face, “only I'm saying
you had the cards marked on me. My system is
infallible. I've used it for thirty years and I ought
to know somethin' about it.”
“Then,” exclaimed the veteran incredulously,
“how is it that it failed to work in this case?”
Craig was silent for some time. Then a trium-
phant look crept into his little eyes.
“It didn't fail. It's worked like a charm.
Can't you see that? I said at the start the only
thing to do when a murder was committed was to
apprehend the offender. Get the fellow that did the
job if you can, but if you can't get him why just
naturally get some one else. You know how a fish
acts when its gets in the net. It squirms and tries


316
The Pembroke Mason Affair
to get out, and in doin' that it stirs up the water.
That's the case with the young fellow we've got in
custody. The minute he was apprehended why you
all got busy trying to prove his innocence. And in
doin' that you stumbled over the real murderer.
No sir, my system's perfect and I'm going to stick
to it until I get somethin' better. Your story-book
detective looks good on paper, but he don't get no-
where in real life.”
Barnes laughed heartily.
“ There's nothing theoretical about you, Jim,"
he declared. “You're a real detective. You never
forget anything and you never learn anything."
“What are you tryin' to do?” he cried, pushing
his jaw forward in a menacing manner. “Are you
tryin' to insult me?"
Barnes put out the palm of his good hand in a
deprecating manner.
“Not at all. Not at all. I was merely speaking
in a Pickwickian sense."
Partly mollified, the detective led the way to the
cell room, and in a few minutes Walter Miles was


318
The Pembroke Mason Affair
m
“Probably it is all for the best," commented the
old man. “He really had nothing to do with the
murder. Maybe you might have done something
with him for trying to scare Mason, but it's doubt-
ful. Anyhow, he'd have been an elephant on your
hands, and you ought to be glad he's gone."
Craig looked dubious.
“I like the way you say it,” he growled, “any-
how, I'll get after that fortune tellin' woman — that
Madame Theba. I'll teach her a thing or two.”
Barnes retraced his steps and shook the fore-
finger of his right hand in the face of the central
station man.
" Jim Craig, I want to serve notice on you.
Don't you dare to lay a finger on that woman. She
did more to clear up this mystery than any one else,
and I'm going to make it my business to see that
she is properly rewarded. I've pledged my word
to that and I'm going to keep it. In the meantime,
she's not to be disturbed. Her palm-reading shop
is closed and it's going to stay closed. But if you
try to harass her in any way I'll give out a statement
roman.


Craig's System
319
to the newspapers that will make you a laughing
stock, and may induce the Commissioners of the
District to put a competent man in your place. Do
you get me? I'm not indulging in any hot air. I
mean business. She is to be let alone. Do you
understand?”
There was a hot retort on the lips of the man
with a “system” but it remained unspoken. He
tossed the butt of his cigar in the cuspidor, and gave
Barnes a wintry smile.
"Oh, all right, if you want to have it that
way."
They passed out and as they reached the door the
old man glanced back over his shoulder and saw
Craig sitting moodily at his desk, chewing on the
end of his mustache and nervously fingering the
charm on the end of his heavy watch chain.
When the two men found themselves in the crisp
November air, Walter Miles gave a sigh of relief.
“My," he exclaimed, “but this feels good!
Washington seems different to me to-day. I feel
like a man who's been in a dungeon. I never


320
The Pembroke Mason Affair
imagined that a few days in a cell could have such
an effect upon a fellow.”
Barnes looked at him in a fatherly manner.
“I don't blame you for feeling that way, and I
think that after this experience the world is going
to seem better to you than ever.”
They had walked a few blocks, and Miles noticed
that they were headed for the business section of
the city.
“Where are we going?” he ventured. “If —
if you don't mind I think I would like to go and see
- and see —”
“That's all right, Walter," he said. “I know
just what is on your mind. It's perfectly natural
and I honor you for the feeling. But you are not
quite out of my hands yet. We are going to the
Harding Building now. After that, you will be
free to do as you please.”
And the old man and the young one wended
their way in the direction of the sky-scraper which
contained the law offices of the late Pembroke
W
.
Mason.


CHAPTER XXIII
WALTER MAKES A WISH
WALTER MILES' walk to the office was one of the
events of his life. He had never dreamt that a
short confinement in a cell would have the effect
of transforming the world – but it was transformed
for him. Everything seemed bright and gay and
everybody appeared to be perfectly delightful.
The elevator boy in the Harding Building insisted
upon shaking hands with him, an exhibition which
Walter took to mean an expression of confidence
and a welcome home.
But it was when he walked into the old familiar
offices that his emotion threatened to get the better
• of him. The place was decorated as for a festive
occasion and on his desk was a large bunch of
bright red roses. Everybody in the place, includ-
nean an
321


Walter Makes a Wish
323
portant matter, and — and it means a great deal
to me.”
" It's just as true as you're standing there,” as-
serted Brown with much solemnity. “I was in
court when the decision was handed down and I've
got a copy of the official decree. I knew you would
want to see it, and I knew that no one in Washing-
ton had a better right to see it, because if you'll ex-
cuse me for taking the liberty of saying it, I know
better than any one else that it was your brain and
talent that made that same decision possible. No,
no, you needn't shake your hand and wiggle your
fingers, I know what I'm talking about, and I know
that you drew up that brief and prepared the head-
ings for the argument. I know all this for I
handed the papers to the court with my own hand
and I'm sure that they didn't have another fact or
another scrap of paper to go on except the blessed
things that I gave them in the name of the firm.
It's a happy day for me because I know that you've
got what you deserve, and that's a great deal more
than most people get in this world of ours."


Walter Makes a Wish
327
deprived Marian of her fortune. I suppose you
wonder what became of the bonds.”
"I should say that they were gone beyond re-
call,” was the prompt reply.
“That's where you are wrong," retorted Barnes
with his whimsical smile. He turned to the chief
clerk, “ Samuel Brown, will you kindly take the
stand ? "
The faithful one went through the motions of a
witness going into the box.
“Now," said the detective, mimicking a lawyer,
“ tell the story in your own words.”
“There isn't much to tell,” replied Brown, “ex-
cept that Mr. Barnes came to me with power of
attorney from Floyd Graves, giving me full au-
thority to dispose of the stock of the Midland and
Western Railroad as I saw fit. In other words, he
virtually made me the administrator of the estate
of Miss Cooper.”
Walter laughed in a mirthless way.
“ You must have found a shrunken estate. Mid-
land and Western has been away below par."


328 The Pembroke Mason Affair
“Has been is the way to put it,” said the
shrewd, kindly old man,“ but that was yesterday.
To-day things are different. The moment the
news of the Supreme Court decision came out the
stock took a jump and is now above par. Mr.
Graves entrusted me with power to deal with his
brokers. I was to tell them when to sell. I did
so, and the amount that has been realized will
redeem every one of the bonds belonging to Miss
Cooper."
“ That was fine. Graves has certainly been try-
ing to play the man. But there must be a hand-
some profit for him besides."
. “Not a penny, sir, not for him. He particularly
let it be known that he did not want to make any
money out of the transaction if I should be fortunate
enough to sell the stock. He said that any excess
profit would be like blood money to him, and he
positively would not touch it. So his wishes have
been complied with as far as possible. I ordered
the sale at what I considered the right moment, but
even as it is there will be a little surplus. This


Walter Makes a Wish 329
amount, by order of Mr. Graves, is to go to Felix,
his servant."
Bromley Barnes turned to Walter Miles with
satisfaction brimming all over his face. He spoke
like a stage manager ringing down the curtain.
"I think, Walter,” he said, “ that this concludes
the performance. You will notice that we have
made a pretty clean job of it. I do not think any-
thing has been overlooked. Is there anything fur-
ther you can think of — anything you wish ?”
The young man looked about him in a hesitating
way.
" It may sound ungrateful,” he murmured, “but
there is just one thing lacking — just one person
who — who —”
Barnes grinned broadly and took the young man
by the arm.
“It does seem to take a lot to please some
people,” he said, “ but come this way with
me."
As he spoke, he opened the door leading to an
adjoining office and pulled Walter Miles after him.


330
The Pembroke Mason Affair
The young lawyer peered ahead — and almost ran
into Marian Cooper.
“Walter !” she exclaimed, stretching out her
arms.
“ Marian!” he cried, and the next moment they
were embracing one another, utterly oblivious of
the presence of the old man.
“I've overheard everything,” she said, “and —
and I think you are perfectly lovely to let uncle
have the credit of the great victory. You know, in
spite of everything, I was very fond of him. He
was good to me and I want to preserve his mem-
ory.”
“You're a darling!” ejaculated the young man,
“and if you didn't feel just that way about it I
wouldn't give a snap of my finger for you."
Bromley Barnes walked over to the window and
gazed intently at the dome of the Capitol which
loomed up majestically in the distance. He was
discretion itself, but he really couldn't help over-
hearing the murmured words.
“Walter, dear, I suppose you'll put out your sign


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