Keeping the Past alive, One Story at a Time
June 11, 2022

Nick Carter and The Crime of the French Cafe Pt 2

Nick Carter and The Crime of the French Cafe Pt 2

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In this episode, we continue the casefile of Nick Carter and The Crime of the French Cafe, as it appeared in The New York Weekly, published in 1893 by Street & Smith. This story is now part of the public domain. It was taken from the online library at Project Gutenberg website: http://gutenberg.org  and fully available to distribute and download absolutely free.

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Transcript
WEBVTT

00:00:00.179 --> 00:00:00.780
Hey, everyone.

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Welcome back to forward into the past.

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I'm JC Rede, your host and narrator.

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And I'm very excited to pick up where we left off last time for the next part of the Nick Carter story, the crime of the French cafe written in 1893.

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Originally published in street and Smith's story paper called the New York weekly.

00:00:22.170 --> 00:00:23.969
Written by Nicholas Carter.

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Nicholas Carter, the writer of the Nick Carter stories was a pseudonym created by Ormond G Smith.

00:00:31.679 --> 00:00:35.549
Who initially devised the character of Nick Carter for his father's publishing house.

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John Russell, Correale an in-house writer for street and Smith fleshed out the detectives for story and the next two.

00:00:44.250 --> 00:00:51.299
And then due to demand for new Nick Carter stories, turned over the writing duties to over a dozen different writers.

00:00:51.929 --> 00:00:59.579
The demand for Nick Carter stories were soon so high that street and Smith soon gave Nick Carter his own weekly magazine.

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Unfortunately for Nick Carter and us as an effect.

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Although he was immensely popular.

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As I mentioned to the last podcast, he has appeared in well over 4,000 stories.

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His star faded into obscurity.

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And from the research I've been able to cobble together.

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There were a few different issues that came up over time.

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And we'll discuss those in future podcasts.

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Luckily for us, there are several university libraries that have digitized thousands of story papers, dime novels, and pulp magazines.

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Including the Nick Carter stories.

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And as always, I tip my hat.

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I always imagine I'm wearing a fedora.

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To project Gutenberg, whose team of volunteers continues to save these public domain digital images and convert them into full fledged eBooks available to download and read easily on any device, whether it's a phone, a tablet, or just a computer screen.

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Hopefully I'm doing the Nick Carter stories, justice in order to keep his exploits alive.

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let's see, as we continue, where we left off last time in the crime of the French cafe.

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In the last episode, an unknown woman was left murdered in a French cafe in what was known as the Tenderloin district.

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More on that name in a later episode.

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Famous detective Nick Carter witnessed an unknown person leaving the cafe and entering a cab, going to some unknown destination.

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Gaspard the head waiter at the cafe claims to remember the face of the man and the private dining room, where the murder took place.

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And now he and Nick have traced this man steps back to the elevator train.

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Where Gaspard identifies the man at a distance.

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Chapter three.

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John Jones.

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I want to you.

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Whispered Nick.

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How many luckless criminals have been startled by those words.

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How many have seen the prison or the gallows rise before them at the sound?

00:02:59.229 --> 00:03:03.610
In this case, however, the word seemed to produce less than the ordinary effect.

00:03:04.229 --> 00:03:09.569
The man to whom they were addressed, turned suddenly toward the detective, but did not trick or tremble.

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I beg your pardon said he.

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I didn't quite understand what you said.

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The man's coolness made Nick even more in doubt about Gaspard's identification.

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After boarding the train, they had walked through it hurriedly and in the car next to the engine Gaspard had clutched Nick's arm whispering.

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There is your man.

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The person indicated was well-dressed rather good-looking and about 35 years old.

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There was nothing particularly striking about his appearance.

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It would've been easy to have found dozens of such men on lower Broadway any day.

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Nick fear to mistake.

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But yes, Bard was sure.

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I never forget a face.

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He said, That is the man who I saw coming out of room B.

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That is the murderer.

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The man was standing up and holding onto one of the straps.

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His profile was turned to them.

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Nick waited until he turned and showed his full face.

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The detective was bound to give gas Bard every chance to change his mind.

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But he remained firm.

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And at last, Nick approached the accused and suddenly whispered those terrifying words in his ear.

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Having done.

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So.

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He was obliged to carry it through.

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Therefore, when the stranger asked Nick to repeat what he had said, The detective in a low voice in audible to anyone else in the car.

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Told him what the accusation was.

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This is ridiculous.

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Said the man, I read the story of this affair in the papers this morning, but I am not connected with it in any way.

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If you arrest me.

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You must be prepared to take the consequences.

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I guess we can manage the affair quietly.

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Sit Nick.

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And give you no trouble at all.

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I suppose you were going downtown to business.

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Yes.

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Well, I will go along too.

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If you don't mind.

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By holding means.

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So the man.

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And he looked much relieved.

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I understand what your duty is.

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He continued.

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Since this imported French jackass has made this charge, of course you will have to look into it.

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Come down to the office and make some inquiries and then go up to my flat.

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I was at home last evening after eight o'clock.

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What did you do before that?

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I had dinner with my wife and then put her aboard a train.

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She's gone away on a visit.

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Whereas she gone.

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No, sir, none of that.

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I don't propose to have a detective go flying after her to scare her to death.

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She keeps out of this mess.

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If I have any say about it.

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But if you're arrested, she'll hear about it and come back to the city.

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I'm not going to be arrested You're too sensible a man to do such a thing.

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I can see that.

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Ah, here we are.

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We get off at Franklin street.

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My place of business is just a little way up the street toward Broadway.

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They left the train.

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Nick was beginning to feel that a mistake had been made.

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This man's easy manner and perfect confidence were hard to square with the idea of his guilt.

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By the way set the suspect as they descended the stairs.

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I forgot to give you my card.

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He handed it to Nick as he spoke and the detective read this.

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Mr.

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John Jones.

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Alan Morse and Jones, electrical fixtures, the sunlight lamp.

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What did I tell you?

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Exclaim Gaspard, who was looking over Nick shoulder.

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It is that name?

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It is the name that was on the register.

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He is the man.

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But Nick took a different view.

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He was of the opinion that Mr.

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Jones had presented very strong evidence of his complete innocence.

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Anybody else might've signed himself, John Jones, but the real John Jones never.

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It would be mighty hard to convince a jury that a man meditating murder had recorded his correct name for the benefit of the police.

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The coincidence was certainly astonishing, but it was in Jones's favor.

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They walked over to the office of Alan Morrison Jones.

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Mr.

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Allen was there.

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Ah, good morning, Mr.

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Allen said Jones.

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My name has gotten me into trouble.

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Again.

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How is that?

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Did you hear about that French restaurant murder last night?

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Mm, well, I glanced at the story in one of the papers.

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This Frenchman here is a waiter at the place.

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He saw me in an elevated train just now and told this other man who was a detective.

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That I was the potty who took that woman to that restaurant.

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That was bad enough, but when they found out what my name was, they convicted me immediately.

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It appears that the visitor to the restaurant sign, the very uncommon name of John Jones on the books.

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Why what the devil exclaimed Allen looking rapidly at poor gas Bard who is shaking in his shoes.

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Don't you know, this as a serious matter.

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What do you mean.

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He is the man cried gas, barred.

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If I were dying, I would swear with my last breath that this is the man.

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But who is the woman?

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I asked Allen turning to Nick.

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And what is she to do with my partner?

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That I cannot say replied, Nick.

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She has not been identified.

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And then you have absolutely nothing to go upon, except this fellow's word.

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Nothing.

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Why this is nonsense.

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Perhaps so said, Nick, but you will admit that I would be false to my duty if I did not make an investigation.

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And investigate all you wish left Jones, but don't bother me any more than you have to.

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This is my busy day.

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I'm going right away.

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I said, Nick All I want to of you that you will give me your address and meet me at your home in the latter part of the afternoon.

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Mary well, so Jones.

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And he scribbled on a piece of paper.

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I'll be there at half past four.

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O'clock.

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Nick, thank Mr.

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Jones for his courtesy and immediately withdrew.

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But he did not go far.

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In a convenient doorway.

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He wrote a note to chick on the back of the scrap of paper, which Jones had given him.

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And sealed it in an envelope.

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Then he sent gas Bard with it to chick who was on the lookout in the Undertaker's room where the body lay.

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Having dispatched this message.

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Nick changed his disguise and kept watch over the establishment of Alan Morris and Jones.

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Nothing of importance happened until a little afternoon when a reply came from chick.

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Translated from the detective cipher it read as follows.

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The address is that of a good flat house.

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Jones lives there with his wife.

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They have been there only two months.

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Nobody in the house knows anything about them.

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They had one servant who was taken sick about two weeks ago and carried to a hospital where she died since then they have lived absolutely alone.

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There was nobody in the house who'd seen Mrs.

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Jones, his face.

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She always wore a heavy veil.

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The only description I could get tallied with that of the body.

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The principal point was the hair.

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I have just found a woman who saw Mr.

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And Mrs.

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Jones go out yesterday afternoon.

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She remembers Mrs.

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Jones's dress.

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The description agrees with that found on the corpse.

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Jones carried an alligator skin traveling bag.

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Nobody saw either of them come back to the house.

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But Jones evidently slept there.

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I shall take the woman who saw them go out to the room where the body lies.

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Will send Patsy down with the result of this effort at identification.

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I believe it will show the woman to be Mrs.

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Jones.

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I send this that you may have warning chick.

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Nick read this note and then glanced across the street toward the office of Alan Morrison Jones.

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Through the window, he could see Jones, calmly writing a letter.

00:10:40.759 --> 00:10:42.919
Could it be possible that this man was guilty of?

00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:44.000
So hideous a crime.

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Half an hour past.

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And then came the second message as follows.

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Identified as Mrs.

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Jones.

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Chapter four.

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All sorts of identifications.

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I'm sorry to tell you, Mr.

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Jones, that the body of the woman murdered last night has been identified as that of your wife.

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So spoke Nick.

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And this time Jones calmness was not proof against the surprise.

00:11:10.629 --> 00:11:12.039
It can't be possible.

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He explained leaping from his chair.

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I am so informed, said Nick, and I must place you under arrest.

00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:22.450
But there must be some infernal mistake here.

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Said the accused.

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I know that my wife is all right.

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This must be somebody else.

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A lady living in the same house with you has recognized the body.

00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:36.379
I don't care if she has nobody in that house knows my wife.

00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:39.000
Is there anybody in the city who does know her.

00:11:39.649 --> 00:11:41.120
I can't think of anybody.

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How about the grocer with whom you traded.

00:11:44.909 --> 00:11:47.700
Our servant attended to all that till she was taking sick.

00:11:48.179 --> 00:11:50.220
Since then I've done what little there was to do.

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We've eaten most of our meals at restaurants.

00:11:53.879 --> 00:11:54.750
What restaurants.

00:11:55.710 --> 00:11:57.120
Oh all around.

00:11:57.419 --> 00:12:01.169
There's The Alcazar for instance, where we have sometimes dined together.

00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:03.299
Does the headwaiter there know her.

00:12:04.289 --> 00:12:06.179
I suppose he would remember her face.

00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:07.799
He doesn't know the name.

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All right.

00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:10.769
I'll have him look at the body.

00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:13.110
But man, you're going to let me look at it.

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Aren't you exclaim Jones.

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That would settle it.

00:12:16.409 --> 00:12:17.279
I should think.

00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:18.850
I'll take you there now.

00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:21.669
And we will try to get somebody from the Alcazar at the same time.

00:12:22.320 --> 00:12:24.389
Nick took the prisoner at once to the Alcazar.

00:12:25.139 --> 00:12:27.090
The headwaiter remember Jones's face.

00:12:27.750 --> 00:12:30.779
He had seen him dining with a lady who had beautiful light hair.

00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:33.289
The three went to the undertakers rooms.

00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:36.629
Nick watched Jones narrowly as he approached the body.

00:12:37.320 --> 00:12:39.480
He started violently at the first sight of it.

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Then he became calm.

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The hair is wonderfully, like he said, But there is no resemblance between the two faces.

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That is true gentlemen.

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Said the headwaiter.

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This is not the lady.

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On the contrary said a voice close beside them.

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I believe that this lady was your wife, Mr.

00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:00.230
Jones.

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All the color went up, Jones his face as he turned quickly toward the man who had spoken.

00:13:05.414 --> 00:13:06.279
Ah, Mr.

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Gottlieb.

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He said.

00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:10.210
I am surprised to hear you say that.

00:13:10.585 --> 00:13:10.914
Mr.

00:13:10.914 --> 00:13:14.004
Gottlieb is the grocer from whom the Joneses bought their supplies.

00:13:14.054 --> 00:13:16.345
said chick who had advanced to Nick's side.

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I was not aware that you had ever seen my wife said Jones, looking searchingly at the grocer.

00:13:23.365 --> 00:13:25.554
I never saw her plainly said Gottlieb.

00:13:26.034 --> 00:13:29.394
She came into my store once or twice, but always closely veiled.

00:13:29.725 --> 00:13:30.924
So I cannot be sure.

00:13:31.075 --> 00:13:34.105
And of course, If you insist that this is not your wife's body.

00:13:34.434 --> 00:13:35.544
I must be mistaken.

00:13:36.174 --> 00:13:37.465
You are mistaken, sir.

00:13:38.195 --> 00:13:39.284
said Jones coldly.

00:13:39.745 --> 00:13:40.495
He turned to Nick.

00:13:41.085 --> 00:13:41.445
Mr.

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Gottlieb has sealed my doom for the present.

00:13:43.995 --> 00:13:45.014
He said with a smile.

00:13:45.644 --> 00:13:46.875
I am ready to go with you.

00:13:47.524 --> 00:13:49.625
Nick took his prisoner to police headquarters.

00:13:50.495 --> 00:13:54.034
The police had, meanwhile sent Patsy in quest of Harrigan, the Coachman.

00:13:55.504 --> 00:14:01.745
Jones was taken into the superintendent's room and a dozen other men were assembled there waiting for the arrival of the cab man.

00:14:02.975 --> 00:14:04.985
Harrigan was very nervous when he appeared.

00:14:06.615 --> 00:14:11.615
Youse fellas are trying to do me out of me, license said he, but I'm telling you I was all right.

00:14:11.615 --> 00:14:12.184
Last night.

00:14:12.544 --> 00:14:17.524
I wasn't half so paralyzed as you think I was, show me your man and identify him.

00:14:18.125 --> 00:14:20.315
Harrigan was led into the superintendent's room.

00:14:21.125 --> 00:14:25.534
When he saw how many men were there, he seemed to be a great deal, taken a back.

00:14:26.134 --> 00:14:29.945
But he put a bold face on the matter and promptly advanced saying.

00:14:30.934 --> 00:14:31.684
This is the man.

00:14:32.294 --> 00:14:37.215
Nick made a gesture of disappointment and then he laughed and the superintendent with him.

00:14:38.144 --> 00:14:40.154
The man whom Harrigan had selected.

00:14:40.485 --> 00:14:41.684
Was chick.

00:14:42.825 --> 00:14:45.855
It was evident that the cab man was going on pure guesswork.

00:14:46.634 --> 00:14:47.894
Being sharply questioned.

00:14:48.195 --> 00:14:52.424
He confessed that he had no idea how his fare of the previous night looked.

00:14:53.014 --> 00:14:58.894
I'll give it to your dead straight, said he at last, I don't know whether the mug was white or black.

00:14:59.134 --> 00:14:59.475
Say.

00:14:59.495 --> 00:15:00.815
He might've been Chinese.

00:15:01.475 --> 00:15:03.014
I believe that fellow is faking.

00:15:03.725 --> 00:15:05.975
Set the Sergeant to Nick as Harrigan left the room.

00:15:06.585 --> 00:15:09.044
No he's straight enough, I guess said Nick.

00:15:09.615 --> 00:15:13.565
He's not the sort of man who would have been led into a game of this kind.

00:15:14.195 --> 00:15:18.365
Nick then proceeded to question the prisoner in the presence of chick and the superintendent.

00:15:19.174 --> 00:15:23.134
His answers were straightforward enough, but they threw little light upon the affair.

00:15:24.304 --> 00:15:28.355
The only subject, which he refused to discuss with the whereabouts of his wife.

00:15:28.894 --> 00:15:30.034
When questioned about her.

00:15:30.335 --> 00:15:32.284
He invariably declined to speak.

00:15:32.875 --> 00:15:34.644
She's gone on a little pleasure trip.

00:15:34.764 --> 00:15:37.105
He said, and I want her to enjoy it.

00:15:37.585 --> 00:15:39.054
This affair will be all over.

00:15:39.054 --> 00:15:43.585
When she gets back, she will never hear of it where she is at that says it should be.

00:15:45.445 --> 00:15:49.014
Nick returned to his house, where he was informed that a visitor was waiting for him.

00:15:49.615 --> 00:15:54.654
He found a gentleman somewhat under 40 years of age and apparently in prosperous circumstances.

00:15:54.955 --> 00:15:56.215
Pacing the study floor.

00:15:56.815 --> 00:16:03.174
The visitor was evidently greatly excited about something for his hands trembled and he started nervously when Nick entered.

00:16:03.804 --> 00:16:04.149
Mr.

00:16:04.149 --> 00:16:04.495
Carter.

00:16:05.304 --> 00:16:06.115
He said anxiously.

00:16:06.865 --> 00:16:07.825
Can I trust you fully.

00:16:08.195 --> 00:16:08.835
Nick laughed.

00:16:09.784 --> 00:16:11.225
I shan't do anything to prevent it.

00:16:11.514 --> 00:16:11.904
He said.

00:16:12.504 --> 00:16:15.115
Will you swear to keep what I shall tell you a secret.

00:16:16.254 --> 00:16:17.304
No, sir, I will not.

00:16:18.445 --> 00:16:20.004
The man made a despairing gesture.

00:16:22.254 --> 00:16:25.075
I suppose that your business was always strictly confidential.

00:16:25.284 --> 00:16:25.705
He said.

00:16:26.315 --> 00:16:28.465
So it is, but I take no oaths.

00:16:29.075 --> 00:16:29.945
I didn't mean that.

00:16:29.945 --> 00:16:30.455
Exactly.

00:16:30.455 --> 00:16:31.475
But, but.

00:16:32.585 --> 00:16:35.794
The man hesitated, stammered, and was unable to proceed.

00:16:36.414 --> 00:16:37.014
Come sir.

00:16:37.524 --> 00:16:38.815
said Nick be calm.

00:16:39.355 --> 00:16:41.274
Tell me plainly what you want me to do for you.

00:16:42.264 --> 00:16:43.945
It isn't for me, it's for.

00:16:44.995 --> 00:16:46.105
For a friend of mine.

00:16:46.745 --> 00:16:47.284
Very well.

00:16:47.794 --> 00:16:48.995
What can I do for your friend?

00:16:49.595 --> 00:16:52.985
He is accused of a terrible crime of which he is entirely innocent.

00:16:53.375 --> 00:16:54.294
I want you to save him.

00:16:54.644 --> 00:16:56.684
I have been asked to do that many times.

00:16:57.254 --> 00:16:58.754
And have you always succeeded?

00:16:59.304 --> 00:16:59.815
Oh, no.

00:17:00.384 --> 00:17:02.485
In several cases, the persons have been hanged.

00:17:03.384 --> 00:17:04.914
The visitor shuttered violently.

00:17:05.505 --> 00:17:10.994
I had heard, he said that you never failed to find the guilty persons and to save the innocent.

00:17:11.894 --> 00:17:12.765
That is the truth.

00:17:13.095 --> 00:17:15.875
It has been my good fortune to leave no case unsettled.

00:17:16.424 --> 00:17:19.335
But you said these innocent persons had been hanged.

00:17:19.904 --> 00:17:22.994
They were hanged said, Nick, but they will not innocent.

00:17:23.484 --> 00:17:28.484
Their friends assured me that the persons were entirely guiltless, but this was not true.

00:17:29.204 --> 00:17:32.384
And therefore, Nick continued looking straight into the man's eyes.

00:17:33.015 --> 00:17:38.894
I should advise you to be very sure of your friend's innocence before you put the case in my hands.

00:17:39.525 --> 00:17:41.295
The visitor looked very much relieved.

00:17:41.855 --> 00:17:43.295
I'm perfectly sure of it.

00:17:43.414 --> 00:17:46.265
He cried, my friend had nothing to do with this case.

00:17:46.865 --> 00:17:47.894
I'm glad to hear of it.

00:17:48.335 --> 00:17:48.785
Who is he?

00:17:49.234 --> 00:17:52.444
The man who has been arrested in this restaurant murder case.

00:17:52.934 --> 00:17:53.894
John Jones.

00:17:54.204 --> 00:17:56.424
That is the name he has given to the police.

00:17:56.894 --> 00:17:58.394
But isn't that his right name?

00:17:58.865 --> 00:18:01.325
I- I don't know, stammered the visitor.

00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:05.434
He must be a very particular friend of yours since you don't know what his name is.

00:18:06.005 --> 00:18:07.684
I never saw him in my life.

00:18:08.525 --> 00:18:09.724
Now, look here, Mr.

00:18:10.025 --> 00:18:12.454
Um, Hammond is my name.

00:18:13.005 --> 00:18:13.724
Well, Mr.

00:18:13.724 --> 00:18:14.115
Hammond.

00:18:14.565 --> 00:18:16.214
Your statements, don't hang together.

00:18:16.545 --> 00:18:18.825
You began by saying that this man was your friend.

00:18:19.194 --> 00:18:20.545
I didn't mean that exactly.

00:18:20.545 --> 00:18:21.714
But I sympathize with him.

00:18:22.105 --> 00:18:27.924
It must be terrible to be arrested for such a crime and to find the evidence growing stronger in spite of your innocence.

00:18:28.515 --> 00:18:30.134
How do you know that he is innocent?

00:18:30.605 --> 00:18:31.954
Before Hammond could reply.

00:18:31.954 --> 00:18:33.184
There came a knock at the door.

00:18:33.785 --> 00:18:34.535
Nick answered it.

00:18:35.065 --> 00:18:35.964
Come in Gaspard.

00:18:36.144 --> 00:18:37.914
He said throwing the door wide open.

00:18:38.875 --> 00:18:40.194
You sent for me and.

00:18:40.825 --> 00:18:42.474
Good God, who is this?

00:18:42.775 --> 00:18:43.494
You know him then.

00:18:44.125 --> 00:18:44.545
Yes.

00:18:44.545 --> 00:18:44.875
Yes.

00:18:44.875 --> 00:18:45.565
I know him.

00:18:45.924 --> 00:18:46.714
Cried Gaspard.

00:18:47.065 --> 00:18:50.184
He is the man who is in room a last night.

00:18:52.714 --> 00:18:54.994
Well, that adds a new wrinkle into the story.

00:18:55.805 --> 00:18:56.644
Who is Hammond.

00:18:56.825 --> 00:18:59.045
And what was he doing at the French cafe?

00:18:59.674 --> 00:19:03.545
If the woman is not John Jones's wife, then who is she?

00:19:04.204 --> 00:19:07.505
And what is the relationship between Jones and Hammond?

00:19:08.105 --> 00:19:15.694
These questions and more will be answered in the next exciting episode of Nick Carter and the crime of the French cafe.

00:19:16.944 --> 00:19:17.694
Hey folks.

00:19:18.025 --> 00:19:18.954
Thanks for listening.

00:19:19.315 --> 00:19:20.365
Once again, special.

00:19:20.365 --> 00:19:20.664
Thanks.

00:19:20.664 --> 00:19:26.755
Go out to the tireless crew of project Gutenberg for providing this and other amazing stories available.

00:19:26.785 --> 00:19:29.545
Absolutely free on the project Gutenberg website.

00:19:29.904 --> 00:19:33.565
That's gutenberg.org, O R G.

00:19:34.134 --> 00:19:36.234
Well, Until next time folks.

00:19:36.535 --> 00:19:37.434
Thanks for listening.

00:19:37.674 --> 00:19:40.704
Keep sharing your stories and be a good human.

00:19:41.214 --> 00:19:42.204
Bye for now.