June 14, 2022
Nick Carter and The Crime of the French Cafe, Pt 3
This episode features chapters 5 and 6 of The Crime of the French Cafe, which was published in 1893 in the weekly Story Paper, The New York Weekly.
This story was taken from the Project Gutenberg e-book, The Crime of the French Cafe and Other Stories. It is in the public domain, and falls outside of any copyright, and can be distributed freely.
Theme written by Bernard Kyer for this podcast. Follow the link for more info. https://www.bardmediamusic.com/
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Transcript
WEBVTT
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Hey everyone.
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Welcome back to another episode of forward into the past.
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I'm your host and narrator JC Rede and today we're going to be picking up where we left off in the Nick Carter mystery story.
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The crime of the French cafe written way back in 1893.
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Exactly.
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As it appeared in the street and Smith published weekly story paper, the New York weekly.
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Now, before we head back in time, as it were, I'd like to circle back to something that I had to look up and share with you.
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In the very first chapter, the very first line, as a matter of fact, The author gives the description of the French cafe.
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And that it is located in what he says is the Tenderloin district.
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To be honest for me.
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One of the joys of reading stories like this is finding moments where as I'm reading aloud, I come across a line that makes me pause and go.
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What the hell is this guy talking about?
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And I end up going down that proverbial rabbit hole and end up with useless trivia like this.
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That until I created this podcast, the only time I got to use it is when I would win a game of trivial pursuit because I happen to know the definition of a word, like jodhpers.
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Anyway, back to the point at hand.
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The writer mentioned the setting of the story as the Tenderloin district.
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So what's up with that.
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Honestly, I could probably do a whole episode based on the information I found about this area, but I will condense it as much as I can.
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As I mentioned just a minute ago.
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The story was written just before the turn of the 20th century.
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And it appeared in what was known then as a story paper with the title of the New York weekly.
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So it seems quite obvious that the Nick Carter stories take place in New York city around that particular time.
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And.
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In that particular time, there was a Tenderloin district in New York city, which existed from around 1870 to approximately 1910.
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Now, this area was located in Manhattan and at that time was the home to many glamorous and ritzy, hotels, and home to the theater district before it moved to its current location.
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The Tenderloin district was bordered on the north by 42nd street.
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On the south by 24th street on the east by fifth avenue and on the west by seventh avenue.
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From the Northwest corner to the Southeast corner.
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I ran Broadway.
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So in this section of Manhattan anchored by glamorous hotels and the original theater district.
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And just east of hell's kitchen was a centralized entertainment district.
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Because wherever live theater exists.
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True back then as well as now.
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Ancillary businesses pop up, serving that clientele.
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The hotels lined fifth avenue.
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Big theaters up and down Broadway and just west of that up and down sixth and seventh avenue.
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We're numerous restaurants, cafes, gin, joints, dance halls, pool halls, gambling halls.
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And of course, Brothels.
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There were so many legitimate and illegitimate businesses that police in that area were bribed to look the other way.
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During this time.
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Any red light district in the United States, meaning of course, areas of the city that had houses of ill repute became known as Tenderloin districts.
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Okay.
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JC.
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That's all well and good.
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But where did the name come from?
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Oh, okay.
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Legend has it that the name came from a New York city police captain by the name of Alexander clubber Williams.
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When clever Williams was transferred to a police precinct in the heart of this district.
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He said.
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I have been eating Chuck steak ever since I've been on the force.
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And now I'm going to have a bit of Tenderloin.
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Chuck steak, of course being one of the cheapest cuts of meat.
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Compared to the Tenderloin being one of the priciest.
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And just what made such a change in his eating habits?
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Of course all that money flowing everywhere within that district.
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Clubber Williams retired a millionaire.
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Now, eventually the theater district moved further uptown taking with it.
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All of the entertainment hotspots.
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The Tenderloin district, as it was now known.
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Eventually became a faded memory aided with the advent of the first world war.
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As of course the story papers faded to.
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And with them, our hero, Nick Carter.
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And so we move forward into the past.
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Again, revisiting the case files of Nick Carter and the crime of the French cafe.
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In the last episode, our master detective Nick Carter was visited by a man who claimed that John Jones, the main suspect in the murder of the woman found at the French cafe is not who he claims to be.
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But Gaspard the headwaiter at the cafe has already identified the man as John Jones.
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So who is who.
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And who is the woman who was murdered at the cafe.
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Well, let's find out as we delve forward into the past.
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Chapter five Patsy's tip.
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Gaspard's declaration produced a stunning effect upon Hammond.
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At first, he seemed thunderstruck.
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There was a look in his face, which made Nick say to himself, it isn't true.
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But whether the accusation was true or false, Nick knew at once that Hammond recognized Gaspard.
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Yet, he couldn't be a regular visitor to the place because Gaspard had said that he had never seen either of the two men before the fatal evening.
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Therefore as Hammond had recognized Gaspard, he must be the man who was in room a because the man in room B had not seen the headwaiter according to Gaspard's story.
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Hammond after the first shock of surprise recovered his nerve wonderfully.
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He calmly took a chair and sat there in deep thought for nearly five minutes.
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He paid no attention to questions.
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Finally, he looked up and said, I don't know why I should try to deny it to you.
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There is no charge against the man in room a.
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None, whatever said Nick.
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He is wanted merely as a witness.
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It occurred to me that you might have some theory of a conspiracy in which both men were concerned.
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I never thought of it.
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Then I am not to be put under arrest.
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Certainly not.
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Unless some new evidence appears and I do not expect it.
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Very well.
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I was the man in room a.
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And who was the lady?
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I decline to mention her name.
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She has nothing to do with this case.
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You will easily understand that I do not wish to bring a lady's name into a tragedy of this kind.
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I can understand that.
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Now tell me why you feel so sure of this man, Jones's innocence.
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Will you promise to keep me out of this affair as much as you can.
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Why do you wish it?
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What are you afraid of?
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Well, said Hammond looking very much embarrassed.
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I'm a married man.
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A very respectable sort of a fellow and the lady with whom I dined was not my wife.
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It's all right.
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You know, my wife is not a jealous woman.
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But the thing would not look well in print.
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I won't make this public.
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If I can help it, Mr.
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Hammond.
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Not that I have much sympathy for you.
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You shouldn't have been there.
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But the publicity would annoy your wife and do nobody any good.
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Thank you.
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said Hammond with a grim smile.
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Now I will tell my story.
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There is very little to tell.
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We arrived before the other party, we heard them go into room B.
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Bye and bye, I went out into the hall to find the waiter, who didn't answer my ring.
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I saw this man pointing to Gaspard, at the desk and should have spoken to him.
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But just then the waiter hove into sight at the end of the hall.
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So I went back.
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Uh, just as I was closing the door of our room, I heard the man come out of room B.
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I didn't see him, but I know that he went down the front stairs for I heard his footsteps and also heard the door shut.
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The waiter came in and finally went out again.
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We were just ready to leave the place when we heard the pistol shot in the other room.
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Then we got out of the house just as fast as we could.
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It was cowardly perhaps, but I knew that something terrible had happened and I didn't want to be mixed up in it.
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Of course, I wanted to keep the lady out of it too.
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And.
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And.
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Well, you can see that there were many reasons why I should have decided to make tracks.
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You know that the man was not in room B when the shot was fired.
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said Nick.
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I'm sure of it.
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He might've come back.
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No, the front door makes a loud noise when it is shut.
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I should've heard him if he had come in that way.
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And if he had come the other way, this man would've seen him.
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You didn't see him at all.
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Did you.
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No.
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So you can't say whether Jones was the man.
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Uh, no.
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But I'm sure he wasn't the murderer.
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You think it was suicide?
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I'm sure of it.
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How could it have been anything else?
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The woman was alone.
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There might've been somebody else in the room.
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No our waiter told us that the party consisted of only two.
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You mean Corbut?
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I believe that's his name, the fellow who disappeared.
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How do you account for his disappearance?
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I don't, but perhaps he was afraid of being mixed up in the affair.
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He may have had a record, which won't permit him to go before the police, even as a witness.
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How could he have got that cab?
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I've thought a good deal about that.
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It was mentioned in the papers.
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I believe he may have slipped out the front way, called the cab, and then gone back to get something.
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Perhaps he went back for his clothes, but didn't dare take them.
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And how about the cab man's story of the man who engaged the cab?
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The cab man's a liar.
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That's plain enough.
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I'm afraid he is.
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Now Mr.
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Hammond.
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Uh, could either Corbut or this man Gaspard have got into room B without your knowing it.
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Easily.
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Great heavens.
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I never thought of that.
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One of the may be the murderer.
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Gaspard at these words turned white as a sheet.
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He was so frightened that his English, which was usually very fluid deserted him, and he mumbled protestations of innocence in his mother tongue.
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Thank you, Mr.
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Hammond said Nick, without appearing to notice Gaspard's distress.
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I have no more questions to ask, but I would be obliged to you if you would wait here a few minutes for me.
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Nick went into another room where he knew that Patsy was waiting.
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A set of signals is arranged in Nick's house, by which he always knows when one of his staff gets in.
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Patsy said, Nick.
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There's a fellow upstairs whom you will have to shadow.
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Gaspard.
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No.
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Uh, a man who calls himself Hammond.
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Gaspard has identified him as the man who was in room a.
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Look here, said Patsy, am I a farmer?
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Or is this man Gaspard the greatest living identifier?
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What do you mean?
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Why it strikes me that he picked out his men a good deal too easy.
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If it's all straight, I'd like the loan of his luck for a few days.
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That identification on the elevated station looked to me like a fake.
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I don't believe he ever intended that you should get hold of the man.
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In my opinion.
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He simply running around, identifying everybody he sees.
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But this man Hammond admits it.
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Is he telling the truth?
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No.
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Said Nick with a peculiar smile.
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I don't believe he is.
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Well then Gaspard's a liar.
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And if he's lied here, he may have done the same thing in Jones's case.
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Nick looked shrewdly at his youthful assistant.
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He is very fond of this bright boy and gives him every chance to develop his theories in those cases, in which he's employed.
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come my lad.
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Said the famous detective.
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Uh, tell me what has you set against Gaspard?
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He's going to skip.
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Is that so well, this is serious.
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It's a fact, I got it from one of the men in the restaurant.
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My man was told of it by Corbut.
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Corbut?
00:12:50.611 --> 00:12:51.152
Yes.
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And there's another suspicious circumstance.
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There's a French woman who is going to give little old, New York the shake at the same time as Gaspard.
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They're going back to sunny France together.
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Now, nobody knows this, but the man I talked with.
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Gaspard thinks that Corbut was the only one who knew it.
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So it was for Gaspard's interest in case he really did this job and lifted some valuable plunder off that woman to get Corbut out of the way.
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Did he pay Corbut to skip first?
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And is he now identifying Tom Dick and Harry for the purpose of bothering us and keeping us busy.
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Until he can light out.
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It's worth looking into said Nick.
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At any rate, you stick to Gaspard.
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I'll put somebody else on to Hammond.
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Chapter six, Mrs.
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John Jones.
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Nothing of great importance occurred in the case until the next afternoon when Nick was at police headquarters.
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He was talking with superintendent Byrnes.
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The identification of that woman gets stronger all the time said the superintendent.
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I'm beginning to think she really is the wife of our prisoner.
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Hmm, it looks so, said Nick.
00:13:58.351 --> 00:14:00.182
At that moment, a card was brought in.
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The superintendent looked at it and whistled softly.
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Then he handed the card to Nick who read the name.
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The two men exchanged glances and both smiled.
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Mrs.
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John Jones said, Nick.
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Well, this puts a new face on the matter.
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It's a great case was the reply.
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I'm mighty glad you happened to be on the scene at once.
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He turned to the officer who had brought the card and directed that Mrs.
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Jones should be admitted immediately.
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A pretty young woman entered.
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She was of about the same height as the unfortunate victim of the tragedy in the restaurant and much like her in build.
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The faces did not resemble each other in outline.
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But the coloring was similar.
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There was a faint resemblance in the large light blue eyes.
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The hair was of the same peculiar shade and nearly as luxuriant.
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But nobody would have ever mistaken one woman for the other.
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After a fair look at their faces.
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The costumes, however, we're positively identical.
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Mrs.
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John Jones to all appearances wore the very same clothes as Nick had seen upon the woman in room B.
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Mrs.
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Jones was evidently very nervous, but she made a fine attempt to control herself.
00:15:14.576 --> 00:15:16.375
You have my husband under arrest?
00:15:16.375 --> 00:15:17.755
I believe she said.
00:15:18.265 --> 00:15:19.586
And he is accused.
00:15:19.645 --> 00:15:22.255
They say of killing me.
00:15:23.605 --> 00:15:26.456
She tried to smile, but it was a rather ghastly effort.
00:15:27.385 --> 00:15:29.696
The superintendent motioned the woman to a seat.
00:15:30.216 --> 00:15:30.635
Mr.
00:15:30.635 --> 00:15:32.015
John Jones is here.
00:15:32.375 --> 00:15:32.885
He said.
00:15:33.005 --> 00:15:34.446
And he is suspected of murder.
00:15:34.905 --> 00:15:36.046
I have read about it.
00:15:36.166 --> 00:15:37.005
Replied the woman.
00:15:37.615 --> 00:15:43.186
There certainly appeared to be evidence against him, but of course you must be aware that I know him to be innocent.
00:15:43.535 --> 00:15:43.975
How?
00:15:44.395 --> 00:15:47.066
Because I was with him when the crime was committed.
00:15:47.635 --> 00:15:51.956
At half past seven o'clock of the evening, we were walking toward the great central Depot.
00:15:52.676 --> 00:15:54.025
We had dined in our flat.
00:15:54.535 --> 00:15:57.355
The people who say they saw us go out tell the truth.
00:15:57.865 --> 00:15:59.395
But we came back.
00:16:00.115 --> 00:16:04.076
It was my intention to take an afternoon train, but I decided to wait.
00:16:04.615 --> 00:16:06.505
So we came back and had dinner.
00:16:07.046 --> 00:16:09.686
Nobody saw us go in or out of the flat.
00:16:10.495 --> 00:16:17.005
After dinner, we walked to the Depot and I took the eight, 10 train for my home in Maysville, 10 miles from Albany.
00:16:17.875 --> 00:16:22.735
I arrived in Albany Wednesday morning and remained there with friends throughout the day and night.
00:16:23.275 --> 00:16:28.346
Then I went to Maysville where I heard the news and came back at once.
00:16:29.035 --> 00:16:30.985
The superintendent touched his bell.
00:16:31.405 --> 00:16:34.375
Two minutes later, John Jones was brought into the room.
00:16:34.691 --> 00:16:36.291
Amy! exclaimed he.
00:16:36.431 --> 00:16:37.600
How came you here?
00:16:38.711 --> 00:16:41.561
He ran up to her and they greeted each other affectionately.
00:16:42.191 --> 00:16:45.821
The woman who had controlled herself up to this point, burst into tears.
00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:48.250
Jones turned in wrath toward Nick.
00:16:48.691 --> 00:16:51.600
Haven't we had enough of this infernal nonsense.
00:16:51.691 --> 00:16:56.730
He exclaimed you have raised the devil with my business and scared my wife into a fit.
00:16:57.000 --> 00:17:00.990
Now, let me out and arrest the Amir of Afghanistan.
00:17:01.260 --> 00:17:03.541
He had more to do with this affair than I did.
00:17:04.681 --> 00:17:05.820
Nick did not reply.
00:17:06.090 --> 00:17:08.671
But he made a secret sign to the superintendent.
00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:11.520
You are at Liberty.
00:17:11.550 --> 00:17:11.820
Mr.
00:17:11.820 --> 00:17:13.560
Jones said burns calmly.
00:17:14.040 --> 00:17:17.310
I regret that it was necessary to detain you so long.
00:17:17.901 --> 00:17:20.510
I have no complaint to make against, you said Jones.
00:17:20.631 --> 00:17:23.540
It was that man's work and he shall pay for it.
00:17:24.320 --> 00:17:25.371
He scowled at Nick.
00:17:25.580 --> 00:17:30.711
And then after bowing to the superintendent walked out of the room with his wife on his arm.
00:17:31.280 --> 00:17:32.211
Shall I call a man.
00:17:32.601 --> 00:17:33.260
Said burns.
00:17:33.570 --> 00:17:35.201
If you please, said Nick.
00:17:35.790 --> 00:17:37.530
Uh, my force is pretty busy.
00:17:38.580 --> 00:17:39.290
Musgrave.
00:17:39.570 --> 00:17:40.560
said the superintendent.
00:17:41.611 --> 00:17:44.371
A man appeared so suddenly that he seemed to come out of the wall.
00:17:45.721 --> 00:17:48.661
Shadow the couple that has just left here said burns.
00:17:48.990 --> 00:17:49.921
You are under Mr.
00:17:49.921 --> 00:17:52.080
Carter's orders until dismissed by him.
00:17:53.161 --> 00:17:54.300
Musgrave turned to Nick.
00:17:56.131 --> 00:17:58.221
I have no special instructions, said Nick.
00:17:58.651 --> 00:18:00.840
Except that you keep your eyes on the woman.
00:18:01.361 --> 00:18:04.810
The officer saluted and vanished almost as quickly as he had come in.
00:18:05.371 --> 00:18:09.631
At half past seven o'clock that evening musgrave was on guard outside the flat.
00:18:09.961 --> 00:18:12.631
The address of which had been given to Nick by Jones.
00:18:13.451 --> 00:18:18.361
An old man selling papers came along the street, calling extra in a cracked voice.
00:18:19.111 --> 00:18:20.280
Musgrave bought a paper.
00:18:20.820 --> 00:18:23.221
Well said the newsman in Nick Carter's voice.
00:18:23.701 --> 00:18:24.810
What have you to report?
00:18:25.046 --> 00:18:28.016
From headquarters, they went to an employment agency on sixth avenue.
00:18:28.405 --> 00:18:30.566
They engaged a colored girl as a servant.
00:18:31.016 --> 00:18:33.655
Then they came straight here and the girl followed them.
00:18:34.016 --> 00:18:34.405
Mr.
00:18:34.405 --> 00:18:34.736
And Mrs.
00:18:34.736 --> 00:18:36.326
Jones have not been out since.
00:18:37.435 --> 00:18:38.155
Are you sure of that?
00:18:38.935 --> 00:18:39.445
Perfectly.
00:18:39.746 --> 00:18:42.145
There is no way to get out of that house from the rear.
00:18:42.546 --> 00:18:43.675
How about the fire escape.
00:18:44.076 --> 00:18:46.655
There is only that one on the side, which you can see.
00:18:47.076 --> 00:18:49.895
The little yard back of the house is walled in by buildings.
00:18:51.066 --> 00:18:51.635
So Mr.
00:18:51.635 --> 00:18:51.965
And Mrs.
00:18:51.965 --> 00:18:53.135
Jones must be inside.
00:18:54.006 --> 00:18:54.605
Yes.
00:18:55.496 --> 00:18:56.195
And the girl.
00:18:57.276 --> 00:18:57.965
She is out.
00:18:58.506 --> 00:19:03.726
She has been going on errands half a dozen times, but usually to the grocers or the butchers round the corner.
00:19:04.296 --> 00:19:05.945
I don't know where she has gone this time.
00:19:06.155 --> 00:19:07.836
She's been out about a quarter of an hour.
00:19:08.885 --> 00:19:09.486
All right.
00:19:10.056 --> 00:19:11.016
I'm going over there.
00:19:11.576 --> 00:19:14.665
Nick changed his disguise to that in which Jones had seen him.
00:19:15.056 --> 00:19:19.965
He did it in the hall of the flat house while waiting for the door to be opened in answer to his ring.
00:19:20.115 --> 00:19:21.736
Jones met him on the upper landing.
00:19:22.276 --> 00:19:24.865
Look here! said Jones when he recognized Nick.
00:19:25.496 --> 00:19:27.056
Isn't this going a little too far.
00:19:27.355 --> 00:19:28.405
What do you want now?
00:19:28.885 --> 00:19:29.996
I would like to ask Mrs.
00:19:29.996 --> 00:19:30.986
Jones a few questions.
00:19:30.986 --> 00:19:32.336
If you have no objections.
00:19:32.965 --> 00:19:34.675
I object very seriously.
00:19:35.115 --> 00:19:36.915
Will you ask her if she is willing to see me.
00:19:37.435 --> 00:19:38.605
No, I won't.
00:19:38.976 --> 00:19:41.076
Then I shall have to use my authority.
00:19:41.586 --> 00:19:42.635
Uh, don't do that.
00:19:43.266 --> 00:19:44.556
Come now be a good fellow.
00:19:44.976 --> 00:19:46.385
Amy is sick with all this worry.
00:19:46.415 --> 00:19:47.766
She's just gone to bed.
00:19:48.346 --> 00:19:49.685
Let her alone until tomorrow.
00:19:50.855 --> 00:19:52.115
I will said Nick.
00:19:52.685 --> 00:19:53.135
Good night.
00:19:53.645 --> 00:19:58.536
He descended the stairs and rejoined Musgrave, who was standing in a dark place on the opposite side of the street.
00:19:58.875 --> 00:20:01.965
Have you seen a light in that window asked Nick pointing to the flat.
00:20:02.715 --> 00:20:03.135
No.
00:20:03.445 --> 00:20:07.256
Then Jones lied to me a minute ago when he said that his wife had just gone to bed.
00:20:07.705 --> 00:20:10.316
That window is in the principal bedroom off the flat.
00:20:10.885 --> 00:20:12.086
There's been no light there.
00:20:12.715 --> 00:20:14.125
Then they fooled you Musgrave.
00:20:14.336 --> 00:20:14.905
What do you mean?
00:20:15.715 --> 00:20:16.885
I mean that Mrs.
00:20:16.885 --> 00:20:18.115
Jones is out.
00:20:19.165 --> 00:20:20.395
Oh, it can't be possible.
00:20:20.895 --> 00:20:21.465
It's true.
00:20:21.826 --> 00:20:24.125
She's gone out disguised as her own servant.
00:20:24.455 --> 00:20:25.385
I can't believe it.
00:20:25.655 --> 00:20:27.185
Why the girls black as your hat.
00:20:27.695 --> 00:20:29.826
That's why they engaged her, in my opinion.
00:20:30.096 --> 00:20:31.476
It made the trick easier.
00:20:31.836 --> 00:20:33.635
A black face is a good disguise.
00:20:33.965 --> 00:20:35.526
But I'm going to be sure about it.
00:20:36.056 --> 00:20:36.655
How.
00:20:37.155 --> 00:20:39.615
I'm going to see whether the colored girl is in the flat.
00:20:40.145 --> 00:20:41.046
How can you get in.
00:20:41.496 --> 00:20:42.816
I'm going down the air shaft.
00:20:43.145 --> 00:20:45.185
The servant's room opens on that shaft.
00:20:45.605 --> 00:20:50.276
They'd have made her go in there so her light won't show as it would, if she were in the kitchen.
00:20:50.766 --> 00:20:54.665
Nick went to an engine house nearby where he secured a coil of knotted rope.
00:20:54.816 --> 00:20:56.915
He wished to make his investigation secretly.
00:20:57.215 --> 00:21:03.056
So as not to put Jones on his guard, It would not have been safe to get into the flat by the ordinary methods.
00:21:03.685 --> 00:21:06.895
By using the fire escape of the building next door to the flat house.
00:21:07.135 --> 00:21:08.425
Nick got to the roof.
00:21:09.026 --> 00:21:13.826
The top of the air shaft was covered with a framework in which large panes of glass were set.
00:21:14.236 --> 00:21:15.316
Nick removed one of them.
00:21:15.796 --> 00:21:19.965
Then he made his rope fast and crept through the space where the glass had been.
00:21:20.566 --> 00:21:22.635
The Jones's flat was next to the top.
00:21:22.786 --> 00:21:24.526
So Nick had a short descent.
00:21:25.125 --> 00:21:28.816
But there was an awful stretch of empty air under him as he hung there.
00:21:29.445 --> 00:21:36.736
The shaft went to the basement floor, about 70 feet below the level of the window, which opened into the room occupied by the Jones's new servant.
00:21:37.605 --> 00:21:39.046
He found that window readily.
00:21:39.536 --> 00:21:41.875
One glance through it was enough to satisfy him.
00:21:42.425 --> 00:21:44.586
There sat the colored girl, reading a book.
00:21:45.215 --> 00:21:47.226
Nick's suspicions had been correct.
00:21:47.836 --> 00:21:50.955
Naturally, he did not delay very long in the air shaft.
00:21:51.375 --> 00:21:54.195
He had a hard climb to make hand over hand to the roof.
00:21:54.806 --> 00:21:58.465
The instant that his eyes rested on the girl, he began the ascent.
00:21:59.125 --> 00:22:06.236
He had gone up less than six feet when the rope suddenly gave way and he found himself plunging downward through the shaft.
00:22:07.615 --> 00:22:10.016
Have we seen the last of Nick Carter.
00:22:10.496 --> 00:22:11.441
Where has Mrs.
00:22:11.441 --> 00:22:13.135
Jones gone and why?
00:22:13.586 --> 00:22:17.786
And who is the mysterious woman who is still at the center of this case?
00:22:18.326 --> 00:22:26.786
The answer to these questions and more will be found out in the next thrilling chapter of Nick Carter and the crime of the French cafe.
00:22:28.266 --> 00:22:31.175
Well, things are getting very interesting.
00:22:31.715 --> 00:22:38.346
And before we go, I'd like to thank once again, the hardworking crew over at project Gutenberg for keeping this story.
00:22:38.405 --> 00:22:39.875
And so many others.
00:22:40.145 --> 00:22:45.395
Alive and well, Hop on over to their website to check out all their amazing stories.
00:22:45.635 --> 00:22:49.955
That's gutenberg.org O R G.
00:22:50.435 --> 00:22:52.596
Well, until next time, folks.
00:22:52.925 --> 00:22:53.915
Thanks for listening.
00:22:54.096 --> 00:22:57.425
Keep sharing your stories and be a good human.
00:22:58.145 --> 00:22:59.256
Bye for now.
00:00:00.887 --> 00:00:01.637
Hey everyone.
00:00:02.027 --> 00:00:05.746
Welcome back to another episode of forward into the past.
00:00:06.227 --> 00:00:14.207
I'm your host and narrator JC Rede and today we're going to be picking up where we left off in the Nick Carter mystery story.
00:00:14.506 --> 00:00:19.216
The crime of the French cafe written way back in 1893.
00:00:19.516 --> 00:00:20.146
Exactly.
00:00:20.146 --> 00:00:25.336
As it appeared in the street and Smith published weekly story paper, the New York weekly.
00:00:26.146 --> 00:00:32.837
Now, before we head back in time, as it were, I'd like to circle back to something that I had to look up and share with you.
00:00:33.457 --> 00:00:39.996
In the very first chapter, the very first line, as a matter of fact, The author gives the description of the French cafe.
00:00:40.417 --> 00:00:45.426
And that it is located in what he says is the Tenderloin district.
00:00:46.326 --> 00:00:47.676
To be honest for me.
00:00:47.887 --> 00:00:55.387
One of the joys of reading stories like this is finding moments where as I'm reading aloud, I come across a line that makes me pause and go.
00:00:55.987 --> 00:00:58.296
What the hell is this guy talking about?
00:00:59.106 --> 00:01:04.117
And I end up going down that proverbial rabbit hole and end up with useless trivia like this.
00:01:04.287 --> 00:01:14.496
That until I created this podcast, the only time I got to use it is when I would win a game of trivial pursuit because I happen to know the definition of a word, like jodhpers.
00:01:15.417 --> 00:01:17.516
Anyway, back to the point at hand.
00:01:18.147 --> 00:01:22.316
The writer mentioned the setting of the story as the Tenderloin district.
00:01:22.677 --> 00:01:24.326
So what's up with that.
00:01:25.706 --> 00:01:33.626
Honestly, I could probably do a whole episode based on the information I found about this area, but I will condense it as much as I can.
00:01:34.406 --> 00:01:35.966
As I mentioned just a minute ago.
00:01:36.236 --> 00:01:40.046
The story was written just before the turn of the 20th century.
00:01:40.436 --> 00:01:47.037
And it appeared in what was known then as a story paper with the title of the New York weekly.
00:01:47.637 --> 00:01:54.746
So it seems quite obvious that the Nick Carter stories take place in New York city around that particular time.
00:01:55.557 --> 00:01:56.007
And.
00:01:56.576 --> 00:02:06.537
In that particular time, there was a Tenderloin district in New York city, which existed from around 1870 to approximately 1910.
00:02:07.186 --> 00:02:19.046
Now, this area was located in Manhattan and at that time was the home to many glamorous and ritzy, hotels, and home to the theater district before it moved to its current location.
00:02:19.826 --> 00:02:23.576
The Tenderloin district was bordered on the north by 42nd street.
00:02:23.877 --> 00:02:30.026
On the south by 24th street on the east by fifth avenue and on the west by seventh avenue.
00:02:30.687 --> 00:02:33.447
From the Northwest corner to the Southeast corner.
00:02:33.477 --> 00:02:35.187
I ran Broadway.
00:02:35.817 --> 00:02:42.356
So in this section of Manhattan anchored by glamorous hotels and the original theater district.
00:02:42.806 --> 00:02:47.787
And just east of hell's kitchen was a centralized entertainment district.
00:02:48.296 --> 00:02:51.356
Because wherever live theater exists.
00:02:51.836 --> 00:02:54.086
True back then as well as now.
00:02:54.627 --> 00:02:58.437
Ancillary businesses pop up, serving that clientele.
00:02:59.046 --> 00:03:01.026
The hotels lined fifth avenue.
00:03:01.747 --> 00:03:07.926
Big theaters up and down Broadway and just west of that up and down sixth and seventh avenue.
00:03:08.287 --> 00:03:15.157
We're numerous restaurants, cafes, gin, joints, dance halls, pool halls, gambling halls.
00:03:15.366 --> 00:03:17.826
And of course, Brothels.
00:03:18.426 --> 00:03:26.016
There were so many legitimate and illegitimate businesses that police in that area were bribed to look the other way.
00:03:26.826 --> 00:03:28.056
During this time.
00:03:28.477 --> 00:03:37.657
Any red light district in the United States, meaning of course, areas of the city that had houses of ill repute became known as Tenderloin districts.
00:03:39.187 --> 00:03:39.606
Okay.
00:03:39.606 --> 00:03:40.116
JC.
00:03:40.567 --> 00:03:41.856
That's all well and good.
00:03:41.947 --> 00:03:44.227
But where did the name come from?
00:03:44.826 --> 00:03:45.546
Oh, okay.
00:03:46.176 --> 00:03:53.826
Legend has it that the name came from a New York city police captain by the name of Alexander clubber Williams.
00:03:54.217 --> 00:03:58.356
When clever Williams was transferred to a police precinct in the heart of this district.
00:03:58.687 --> 00:03:59.646
He said.
00:04:00.396 --> 00:04:03.787
I have been eating Chuck steak ever since I've been on the force.
00:04:04.026 --> 00:04:07.296
And now I'm going to have a bit of Tenderloin.
00:04:07.926 --> 00:04:10.657
Chuck steak, of course being one of the cheapest cuts of meat.
00:04:10.926 --> 00:04:13.747
Compared to the Tenderloin being one of the priciest.
00:04:14.317 --> 00:04:17.737
And just what made such a change in his eating habits?
00:04:18.846 --> 00:04:23.737
Of course all that money flowing everywhere within that district.
00:04:24.387 --> 00:04:26.976
Clubber Williams retired a millionaire.
00:04:27.757 --> 00:04:31.747
Now, eventually the theater district moved further uptown taking with it.
00:04:31.956 --> 00:04:33.937
All of the entertainment hotspots.
00:04:34.807 --> 00:04:37.706
The Tenderloin district, as it was now known.
00:04:38.007 --> 00:04:43.297
Eventually became a faded memory aided with the advent of the first world war.
00:04:43.656 --> 00:04:46.117
As of course the story papers faded to.
00:04:46.596 --> 00:04:49.747
And with them, our hero, Nick Carter.
00:04:50.617 --> 00:04:53.466
And so we move forward into the past.
00:04:53.466 --> 00:04:58.627
Again, revisiting the case files of Nick Carter and the crime of the French cafe.
00:04:59.617 --> 00:05:12.846
In the last episode, our master detective Nick Carter was visited by a man who claimed that John Jones, the main suspect in the murder of the woman found at the French cafe is not who he claims to be.
00:05:13.567 --> 00:05:19.416
But Gaspard the headwaiter at the cafe has already identified the man as John Jones.
00:05:19.716 --> 00:05:21.966
So who is who.
00:05:22.507 --> 00:05:25.206
And who is the woman who was murdered at the cafe.
00:05:26.137 --> 00:05:30.367
Well, let's find out as we delve forward into the past.
00:05:33.247 --> 00:05:35.857
Chapter five Patsy's tip.
00:05:37.867 --> 00:05:41.286
Gaspard's declaration produced a stunning effect upon Hammond.
00:05:41.916 --> 00:05:43.956
At first, he seemed thunderstruck.
00:05:44.586 --> 00:05:48.877
There was a look in his face, which made Nick say to himself, it isn't true.
00:05:49.716 --> 00:05:56.526
But whether the accusation was true or false, Nick knew at once that Hammond recognized Gaspard.
00:05:57.076 --> 00:06:05.026
Yet, he couldn't be a regular visitor to the place because Gaspard had said that he had never seen either of the two men before the fatal evening.
00:06:05.586 --> 00:06:17.107
Therefore as Hammond had recognized Gaspard, he must be the man who was in room a because the man in room B had not seen the headwaiter according to Gaspard's story.
00:06:17.677 --> 00:06:22.177
Hammond after the first shock of surprise recovered his nerve wonderfully.
00:06:23.197 --> 00:06:27.797
He calmly took a chair and sat there in deep thought for nearly five minutes.
00:06:28.307 --> 00:06:30.166
He paid no attention to questions.
00:06:31.156 --> 00:06:35.557
Finally, he looked up and said, I don't know why I should try to deny it to you.
00:06:36.156 --> 00:06:38.646
There is no charge against the man in room a.
00:06:39.197 --> 00:06:40.697
None, whatever said Nick.
00:06:41.476 --> 00:06:43.247
He is wanted merely as a witness.
00:06:43.706 --> 00:06:48.297
It occurred to me that you might have some theory of a conspiracy in which both men were concerned.
00:06:48.817 --> 00:06:49.627
I never thought of it.
00:06:50.096 --> 00:06:52.947
Then I am not to be put under arrest.
00:06:53.846 --> 00:06:54.687
Certainly not.
00:06:55.286 --> 00:06:58.377
Unless some new evidence appears and I do not expect it.
00:06:59.516 --> 00:07:00.086
Very well.
00:07:00.656 --> 00:07:02.516
I was the man in room a.
00:07:03.146 --> 00:07:04.197
And who was the lady?
00:07:05.276 --> 00:07:06.807
I decline to mention her name.
00:07:07.137 --> 00:07:09.086
She has nothing to do with this case.
00:07:09.387 --> 00:07:14.127
You will easily understand that I do not wish to bring a lady's name into a tragedy of this kind.
00:07:14.596 --> 00:07:15.586
I can understand that.
00:07:16.007 --> 00:07:20.326
Now tell me why you feel so sure of this man, Jones's innocence.
00:07:20.916 --> 00:07:23.617
Will you promise to keep me out of this affair as much as you can.
00:07:24.086 --> 00:07:24.807
Why do you wish it?
00:07:25.406 --> 00:07:26.336
What are you afraid of?
00:07:27.237 --> 00:07:30.237
Well, said Hammond looking very much embarrassed.
00:07:30.617 --> 00:07:32.536
I'm a married man.
00:07:32.817 --> 00:07:38.507
A very respectable sort of a fellow and the lady with whom I dined was not my wife.
00:07:39.346 --> 00:07:39.976
It's all right.
00:07:39.976 --> 00:07:42.646
You know, my wife is not a jealous woman.
00:07:43.127 --> 00:07:45.737
But the thing would not look well in print.
00:07:46.326 --> 00:07:47.557
I won't make this public.
00:07:47.557 --> 00:07:48.607
If I can help it, Mr.
00:07:48.607 --> 00:07:48.906
Hammond.
00:07:49.447 --> 00:07:51.247
Not that I have much sympathy for you.
00:07:51.726 --> 00:07:52.836
You shouldn't have been there.
00:07:53.346 --> 00:07:57.127
But the publicity would annoy your wife and do nobody any good.
00:07:58.326 --> 00:07:58.867
Thank you.
00:07:59.197 --> 00:08:00.666
said Hammond with a grim smile.
00:08:01.086 --> 00:08:03.096
Now I will tell my story.
00:08:03.456 --> 00:08:05.197
There is very little to tell.
00:08:06.036 --> 00:08:09.427
We arrived before the other party, we heard them go into room B.
00:08:10.057 --> 00:08:15.036
Bye and bye, I went out into the hall to find the waiter, who didn't answer my ring.
00:08:15.336 --> 00:08:21.547
I saw this man pointing to Gaspard, at the desk and should have spoken to him.
00:08:21.877 --> 00:08:25.216
But just then the waiter hove into sight at the end of the hall.
00:08:25.956 --> 00:08:27.396
So I went back.
00:08:27.937 --> 00:08:32.917
Uh, just as I was closing the door of our room, I heard the man come out of room B.
00:08:33.876 --> 00:08:41.017
I didn't see him, but I know that he went down the front stairs for I heard his footsteps and also heard the door shut.
00:08:41.767 --> 00:08:44.736
The waiter came in and finally went out again.
00:08:45.216 --> 00:08:49.927
We were just ready to leave the place when we heard the pistol shot in the other room.
00:08:50.797 --> 00:08:53.647
Then we got out of the house just as fast as we could.
00:08:54.366 --> 00:09:01.057
It was cowardly perhaps, but I knew that something terrible had happened and I didn't want to be mixed up in it.
00:09:01.897 --> 00:09:04.506
Of course, I wanted to keep the lady out of it too.
00:09:04.746 --> 00:09:05.106
And.
00:09:05.917 --> 00:09:06.366
And.
00:09:07.297 --> 00:09:12.216
Well, you can see that there were many reasons why I should have decided to make tracks.
00:09:12.716 --> 00:09:15.777
You know that the man was not in room B when the shot was fired.
00:09:16.177 --> 00:09:16.697
said Nick.
00:09:17.366 --> 00:09:18.206
I'm sure of it.
00:09:19.106 --> 00:09:20.126
He might've come back.
00:09:20.846 --> 00:09:24.206
No, the front door makes a loud noise when it is shut.
00:09:24.687 --> 00:09:26.817
I should've heard him if he had come in that way.
00:09:27.297 --> 00:09:30.716
And if he had come the other way, this man would've seen him.
00:09:32.067 --> 00:09:33.187
You didn't see him at all.
00:09:33.206 --> 00:09:33.567
Did you.
00:09:34.557 --> 00:09:35.126
No.
00:09:36.147 --> 00:09:39.076
So you can't say whether Jones was the man.
00:09:39.866 --> 00:09:40.706
Uh, no.
00:09:41.456 --> 00:09:43.947
But I'm sure he wasn't the murderer.
00:09:45.236 --> 00:09:46.437
You think it was suicide?
00:09:47.366 --> 00:09:48.147
I'm sure of it.
00:09:48.407 --> 00:09:50.147
How could it have been anything else?
00:09:50.356 --> 00:09:51.856
The woman was alone.
00:09:52.417 --> 00:09:54.496
There might've been somebody else in the room.
00:09:55.187 --> 00:09:59.417
No our waiter told us that the party consisted of only two.
00:10:00.197 --> 00:10:01.126
You mean Corbut?
00:10:02.147 --> 00:10:04.307
I believe that's his name, the fellow who disappeared.
00:10:04.976 --> 00:10:06.986
How do you account for his disappearance?
00:10:07.856 --> 00:10:12.086
I don't, but perhaps he was afraid of being mixed up in the affair.
00:10:12.567 --> 00:10:16.976
He may have had a record, which won't permit him to go before the police, even as a witness.
00:10:17.557 --> 00:10:19.057
How could he have got that cab?
00:10:20.256 --> 00:10:21.937
I've thought a good deal about that.
00:10:22.356 --> 00:10:23.947
It was mentioned in the papers.
00:10:24.817 --> 00:10:29.706
I believe he may have slipped out the front way, called the cab, and then gone back to get something.
00:10:30.006 --> 00:10:33.236
Perhaps he went back for his clothes, but didn't dare take them.
00:10:33.807 --> 00:10:37.167
And how about the cab man's story of the man who engaged the cab?
00:10:37.596 --> 00:10:38.886
The cab man's a liar.
00:10:39.126 --> 00:10:40.157
That's plain enough.
00:10:40.657 --> 00:10:41.677
I'm afraid he is.
00:10:42.157 --> 00:10:43.147
Now Mr.
00:10:43.177 --> 00:10:43.657
Hammond.
00:10:44.076 --> 00:10:48.876
Uh, could either Corbut or this man Gaspard have got into room B without your knowing it.
00:10:49.417 --> 00:10:49.986
Easily.
00:10:50.826 --> 00:10:51.846
Great heavens.
00:10:51.846 --> 00:10:52.956
I never thought of that.
00:10:53.346 --> 00:10:55.267
One of the may be the murderer.
00:10:56.407 --> 00:10:58.986
Gaspard at these words turned white as a sheet.
00:10:59.557 --> 00:11:08.047
He was so frightened that his English, which was usually very fluid deserted him, and he mumbled protestations of innocence in his mother tongue.
00:11:09.216 --> 00:11:09.937
Thank you, Mr.
00:11:09.937 --> 00:11:13.236
Hammond said Nick, without appearing to notice Gaspard's distress.
00:11:13.986 --> 00:11:19.687
I have no more questions to ask, but I would be obliged to you if you would wait here a few minutes for me.
00:11:20.297 --> 00:11:23.557
Nick went into another room where he knew that Patsy was waiting.
00:11:24.336 --> 00:11:29.616
A set of signals is arranged in Nick's house, by which he always knows when one of his staff gets in.
00:11:30.177 --> 00:11:31.437
Patsy said, Nick.
00:11:31.797 --> 00:11:34.376
There's a fellow upstairs whom you will have to shadow.
00:11:34.826 --> 00:11:35.517
Gaspard.
00:11:36.086 --> 00:11:36.537
No.
00:11:36.807 --> 00:11:38.697
Uh, a man who calls himself Hammond.
00:11:39.096 --> 00:11:42.326
Gaspard has identified him as the man who was in room a.
00:11:42.917 --> 00:11:45.736
Look here, said Patsy, am I a farmer?
00:11:45.736 --> 00:11:48.527
Or is this man Gaspard the greatest living identifier?
00:11:48.947 --> 00:11:49.687
What do you mean?
00:11:50.057 --> 00:11:53.807
Why it strikes me that he picked out his men a good deal too easy.
00:11:54.256 --> 00:11:57.496
If it's all straight, I'd like the loan of his luck for a few days.
00:11:57.826 --> 00:12:01.547
That identification on the elevated station looked to me like a fake.
00:12:02.147 --> 00:12:04.756
I don't believe he ever intended that you should get hold of the man.
00:12:05.356 --> 00:12:06.197
In my opinion.
00:12:06.326 --> 00:12:09.116
He simply running around, identifying everybody he sees.
00:12:09.687 --> 00:12:11.537
But this man Hammond admits it.
00:12:12.096 --> 00:12:13.057
Is he telling the truth?
00:12:13.657 --> 00:12:14.197
No.
00:12:14.557 --> 00:12:16.177
Said Nick with a peculiar smile.
00:12:16.476 --> 00:12:17.826
I don't believe he is.
00:12:18.256 --> 00:12:19.756
Well then Gaspard's a liar.
00:12:19.846 --> 00:12:23.326
And if he's lied here, he may have done the same thing in Jones's case.
00:12:23.817 --> 00:12:25.947
Nick looked shrewdly at his youthful assistant.
00:12:26.517 --> 00:12:32.486
He is very fond of this bright boy and gives him every chance to develop his theories in those cases, in which he's employed.
00:12:33.096 --> 00:12:33.767
come my lad.
00:12:34.307 --> 00:12:35.287
Said the famous detective.
00:12:35.677 --> 00:12:38.956
Uh, tell me what has you set against Gaspard?
00:12:39.346 --> 00:12:40.216
He's going to skip.
00:12:40.767 --> 00:12:43.346
Is that so well, this is serious.
00:12:43.907 --> 00:12:47.177
It's a fact, I got it from one of the men in the restaurant.
00:12:47.626 --> 00:12:49.567
My man was told of it by Corbut.
00:12:49.807 --> 00:12:50.427
Corbut?
00:12:50.611 --> 00:12:51.152
Yes.
00:12:51.451 --> 00:12:53.552
And there's another suspicious circumstance.
00:12:53.761 --> 00:12:58.481
There's a French woman who is going to give little old, New York the shake at the same time as Gaspard.
00:12:59.011 --> 00:13:00.782
They're going back to sunny France together.
00:13:01.322 --> 00:13:04.172
Now, nobody knows this, but the man I talked with.
00:13:04.572 --> 00:13:07.292
Gaspard thinks that Corbut was the only one who knew it.
00:13:07.951 --> 00:13:15.871
So it was for Gaspard's interest in case he really did this job and lifted some valuable plunder off that woman to get Corbut out of the way.
00:13:16.802 --> 00:13:18.481
Did he pay Corbut to skip first?
00:13:18.902 --> 00:13:24.182
And is he now identifying Tom Dick and Harry for the purpose of bothering us and keeping us busy.
00:13:24.422 --> 00:13:25.591
Until he can light out.
00:13:26.182 --> 00:13:28.011
It's worth looking into said Nick.
00:13:28.522 --> 00:13:30.611
At any rate, you stick to Gaspard.
00:13:31.072 --> 00:13:32.721
I'll put somebody else on to Hammond.
00:13:35.672 --> 00:13:37.322
Chapter six, Mrs.
00:13:37.322 --> 00:13:38.192
John Jones.
00:13:39.542 --> 00:13:44.642
Nothing of great importance occurred in the case until the next afternoon when Nick was at police headquarters.
00:13:45.182 --> 00:13:47.182
He was talking with superintendent Byrnes.
00:13:47.782 --> 00:13:51.861
The identification of that woman gets stronger all the time said the superintendent.
00:13:52.221 --> 00:13:55.072
I'm beginning to think she really is the wife of our prisoner.
00:13:55.621 --> 00:13:57.572
Hmm, it looks so, said Nick.
00:13:58.351 --> 00:14:00.182
At that moment, a card was brought in.
00:14:00.782 --> 00:14:03.331
The superintendent looked at it and whistled softly.
00:14:04.111 --> 00:14:06.662
Then he handed the card to Nick who read the name.
00:14:07.261 --> 00:14:10.261
The two men exchanged glances and both smiled.
00:14:11.402 --> 00:14:11.881
Mrs.
00:14:11.881 --> 00:14:13.652
John Jones said, Nick.
00:14:14.042 --> 00:14:16.442
Well, this puts a new face on the matter.
00:14:17.042 --> 00:14:19.201
It's a great case was the reply.
00:14:19.761 --> 00:14:22.351
I'm mighty glad you happened to be on the scene at once.
00:14:23.491 --> 00:14:26.701
He turned to the officer who had brought the card and directed that Mrs.
00:14:26.701 --> 00:14:28.412
Jones should be admitted immediately.
00:14:28.892 --> 00:14:30.302
A pretty young woman entered.
00:14:30.871 --> 00:14:36.745
She was of about the same height as the unfortunate victim of the tragedy in the restaurant and much like her in build.
00:14:37.586 --> 00:14:39.985
The faces did not resemble each other in outline.
00:14:40.255 --> 00:14:42.235
But the coloring was similar.
00:14:42.775 --> 00:14:45.806
There was a faint resemblance in the large light blue eyes.
00:14:46.466 --> 00:14:50.515
The hair was of the same peculiar shade and nearly as luxuriant.
00:14:51.115 --> 00:14:54.086
But nobody would have ever mistaken one woman for the other.
00:14:54.385 --> 00:14:56.155
After a fair look at their faces.
00:14:57.056 --> 00:15:00.385
The costumes, however, we're positively identical.
00:15:00.926 --> 00:15:01.316
Mrs.
00:15:01.316 --> 00:15:07.645
John Jones to all appearances wore the very same clothes as Nick had seen upon the woman in room B.
00:15:08.605 --> 00:15:08.966
Mrs.
00:15:08.966 --> 00:15:14.005
Jones was evidently very nervous, but she made a fine attempt to control herself.
00:15:14.576 --> 00:15:16.375
You have my husband under arrest?
00:15:16.375 --> 00:15:17.755
I believe she said.
00:15:18.265 --> 00:15:19.586
And he is accused.
00:15:19.645 --> 00:15:22.255
They say of killing me.
00:15:23.605 --> 00:15:26.456
She tried to smile, but it was a rather ghastly effort.
00:15:27.385 --> 00:15:29.696
The superintendent motioned the woman to a seat.
00:15:30.216 --> 00:15:30.635
Mr.
00:15:30.635 --> 00:15:32.015
John Jones is here.
00:15:32.375 --> 00:15:32.885
He said.
00:15:33.005 --> 00:15:34.446
And he is suspected of murder.
00:15:34.905 --> 00:15:36.046
I have read about it.
00:15:36.166 --> 00:15:37.005
Replied the woman.
00:15:37.615 --> 00:15:43.186
There certainly appeared to be evidence against him, but of course you must be aware that I know him to be innocent.
00:15:43.535 --> 00:15:43.975
How?
00:15:44.395 --> 00:15:47.066
Because I was with him when the crime was committed.
00:15:47.635 --> 00:15:51.956
At half past seven o'clock of the evening, we were walking toward the great central Depot.
00:15:52.676 --> 00:15:54.025
We had dined in our flat.
00:15:54.535 --> 00:15:57.355
The people who say they saw us go out tell the truth.
00:15:57.865 --> 00:15:59.395
But we came back.
00:16:00.115 --> 00:16:04.076
It was my intention to take an afternoon train, but I decided to wait.
00:16:04.615 --> 00:16:06.505
So we came back and had dinner.
00:16:07.046 --> 00:16:09.686
Nobody saw us go in or out of the flat.
00:16:10.495 --> 00:16:17.005
After dinner, we walked to the Depot and I took the eight, 10 train for my home in Maysville, 10 miles from Albany.
00:16:17.875 --> 00:16:22.735
I arrived in Albany Wednesday morning and remained there with friends throughout the day and night.
00:16:23.275 --> 00:16:28.346
Then I went to Maysville where I heard the news and came back at once.
00:16:29.035 --> 00:16:30.985
The superintendent touched his bell.
00:16:31.405 --> 00:16:34.375
Two minutes later, John Jones was brought into the room.
00:16:34.691 --> 00:16:36.291
Amy! exclaimed he.
00:16:36.431 --> 00:16:37.600
How came you here?
00:16:38.711 --> 00:16:41.561
He ran up to her and they greeted each other affectionately.
00:16:42.191 --> 00:16:45.821
The woman who had controlled herself up to this point, burst into tears.
00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:48.250
Jones turned in wrath toward Nick.
00:16:48.691 --> 00:16:51.600
Haven't we had enough of this infernal nonsense.
00:16:51.691 --> 00:16:56.730
He exclaimed you have raised the devil with my business and scared my wife into a fit.
00:16:57.000 --> 00:17:00.990
Now, let me out and arrest the Amir of Afghanistan.
00:17:01.260 --> 00:17:03.541
He had more to do with this affair than I did.
00:17:04.681 --> 00:17:05.820
Nick did not reply.
00:17:06.090 --> 00:17:08.671
But he made a secret sign to the superintendent.
00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:11.520
You are at Liberty.
00:17:11.550 --> 00:17:11.820
Mr.
00:17:11.820 --> 00:17:13.560
Jones said burns calmly.
00:17:14.040 --> 00:17:17.310
I regret that it was necessary to detain you so long.
00:17:17.901 --> 00:17:20.510
I have no complaint to make against, you said Jones.
00:17:20.631 --> 00:17:23.540
It was that man's work and he shall pay for it.
00:17:24.320 --> 00:17:25.371
He scowled at Nick.
00:17:25.580 --> 00:17:30.711
And then after bowing to the superintendent walked out of the room with his wife on his arm.
00:17:31.280 --> 00:17:32.211
Shall I call a man.
00:17:32.601 --> 00:17:33.260
Said burns.
00:17:33.570 --> 00:17:35.201
If you please, said Nick.
00:17:35.790 --> 00:17:37.530
Uh, my force is pretty busy.
00:17:38.580 --> 00:17:39.290
Musgrave.
00:17:39.570 --> 00:17:40.560
said the superintendent.
00:17:41.611 --> 00:17:44.371
A man appeared so suddenly that he seemed to come out of the wall.
00:17:45.721 --> 00:17:48.661
Shadow the couple that has just left here said burns.
00:17:48.990 --> 00:17:49.921
You are under Mr.
00:17:49.921 --> 00:17:52.080
Carter's orders until dismissed by him.
00:17:53.161 --> 00:17:54.300
Musgrave turned to Nick.
00:17:56.131 --> 00:17:58.221
I have no special instructions, said Nick.
00:17:58.651 --> 00:18:00.840
Except that you keep your eyes on the woman.
00:18:01.361 --> 00:18:04.810
The officer saluted and vanished almost as quickly as he had come in.
00:18:05.371 --> 00:18:09.631
At half past seven o'clock that evening musgrave was on guard outside the flat.
00:18:09.961 --> 00:18:12.631
The address of which had been given to Nick by Jones.
00:18:13.451 --> 00:18:18.361
An old man selling papers came along the street, calling extra in a cracked voice.
00:18:19.111 --> 00:18:20.280
Musgrave bought a paper.
00:18:20.820 --> 00:18:23.221
Well said the newsman in Nick Carter's voice.
00:18:23.701 --> 00:18:24.810
What have you to report?
00:18:25.046 --> 00:18:28.016
From headquarters, they went to an employment agency on sixth avenue.
00:18:28.405 --> 00:18:30.566
They engaged a colored girl as a servant.
00:18:31.016 --> 00:18:33.655
Then they came straight here and the girl followed them.
00:18:34.016 --> 00:18:34.405
Mr.
00:18:34.405 --> 00:18:34.736
And Mrs.
00:18:34.736 --> 00:18:36.326
Jones have not been out since.
00:18:37.435 --> 00:18:38.155
Are you sure of that?
00:18:38.935 --> 00:18:39.445
Perfectly.
00:18:39.746 --> 00:18:42.145
There is no way to get out of that house from the rear.
00:18:42.546 --> 00:18:43.675
How about the fire escape.
00:18:44.076 --> 00:18:46.655
There is only that one on the side, which you can see.
00:18:47.076 --> 00:18:49.895
The little yard back of the house is walled in by buildings.
00:18:51.066 --> 00:18:51.635
So Mr.
00:18:51.635 --> 00:18:51.965
And Mrs.
00:18:51.965 --> 00:18:53.135
Jones must be inside.
00:18:54.006 --> 00:18:54.605
Yes.
00:18:55.496 --> 00:18:56.195
And the girl.
00:18:57.276 --> 00:18:57.965
She is out.
00:18:58.506 --> 00:19:03.726
She has been going on errands half a dozen times, but usually to the grocers or the butchers round the corner.
00:19:04.296 --> 00:19:05.945
I don't know where she has gone this time.
00:19:06.155 --> 00:19:07.836
She's been out about a quarter of an hour.
00:19:08.885 --> 00:19:09.486
All right.
00:19:10.056 --> 00:19:11.016
I'm going over there.
00:19:11.576 --> 00:19:14.665
Nick changed his disguise to that in which Jones had seen him.
00:19:15.056 --> 00:19:19.965
He did it in the hall of the flat house while waiting for the door to be opened in answer to his ring.
00:19:20.115 --> 00:19:21.736
Jones met him on the upper landing.
00:19:22.276 --> 00:19:24.865
Look here! said Jones when he recognized Nick.
00:19:25.496 --> 00:19:27.056
Isn't this going a little too far.
00:19:27.355 --> 00:19:28.405
What do you want now?
00:19:28.885 --> 00:19:29.996
I would like to ask Mrs.
00:19:29.996 --> 00:19:30.986
Jones a few questions.
00:19:30.986 --> 00:19:32.336
If you have no objections.
00:19:32.965 --> 00:19:34.675
I object very seriously.
00:19:35.115 --> 00:19:36.915
Will you ask her if she is willing to see me.
00:19:37.435 --> 00:19:38.605
No, I won't.
00:19:38.976 --> 00:19:41.076
Then I shall have to use my authority.
00:19:41.586 --> 00:19:42.635
Uh, don't do that.
00:19:43.266 --> 00:19:44.556
Come now be a good fellow.
00:19:44.976 --> 00:19:46.385
Amy is sick with all this worry.
00:19:46.415 --> 00:19:47.766
She's just gone to bed.
00:19:48.346 --> 00:19:49.685
Let her alone until tomorrow.
00:19:50.855 --> 00:19:52.115
I will said Nick.
00:19:52.685 --> 00:19:53.135
Good night.
00:19:53.645 --> 00:19:58.536
He descended the stairs and rejoined Musgrave, who was standing in a dark place on the opposite side of the street.
00:19:58.875 --> 00:20:01.965
Have you seen a light in that window asked Nick pointing to the flat.
00:20:02.715 --> 00:20:03.135
No.
00:20:03.445 --> 00:20:07.256
Then Jones lied to me a minute ago when he said that his wife had just gone to bed.
00:20:07.705 --> 00:20:10.316
That window is in the principal bedroom off the flat.
00:20:10.885 --> 00:20:12.086
There's been no light there.
00:20:12.715 --> 00:20:14.125
Then they fooled you Musgrave.
00:20:14.336 --> 00:20:14.905
What do you mean?
00:20:15.715 --> 00:20:16.885
I mean that Mrs.
00:20:16.885 --> 00:20:18.115
Jones is out.
00:20:19.165 --> 00:20:20.395
Oh, it can't be possible.
00:20:20.895 --> 00:20:21.465
It's true.
00:20:21.826 --> 00:20:24.125
She's gone out disguised as her own servant.
00:20:24.455 --> 00:20:25.385
I can't believe it.
00:20:25.655 --> 00:20:27.185
Why the girls black as your hat.
00:20:27.695 --> 00:20:29.826
That's why they engaged her, in my opinion.
00:20:30.096 --> 00:20:31.476
It made the trick easier.
00:20:31.836 --> 00:20:33.635
A black face is a good disguise.
00:20:33.965 --> 00:20:35.526
But I'm going to be sure about it.
00:20:36.056 --> 00:20:36.655
How.
00:20:37.155 --> 00:20:39.615
I'm going to see whether the colored girl is in the flat.
00:20:40.145 --> 00:20:41.046
How can you get in.
00:20:41.496 --> 00:20:42.816
I'm going down the air shaft.
00:20:43.145 --> 00:20:45.185
The servant's room opens on that shaft.
00:20:45.605 --> 00:20:50.276
They'd have made her go in there so her light won't show as it would, if she were in the kitchen.
00:20:50.766 --> 00:20:54.665
Nick went to an engine house nearby where he secured a coil of knotted rope.
00:20:54.816 --> 00:20:56.915
He wished to make his investigation secretly.
00:20:57.215 --> 00:21:03.056
So as not to put Jones on his guard, It would not have been safe to get into the flat by the ordinary methods.
00:21:03.685 --> 00:21:06.895
By using the fire escape of the building next door to the flat house.
00:21:07.135 --> 00:21:08.425
Nick got to the roof.
00:21:09.026 --> 00:21:13.826
The top of the air shaft was covered with a framework in which large panes of glass were set.
00:21:14.236 --> 00:21:15.316
Nick removed one of them.
00:21:15.796 --> 00:21:19.965
Then he made his rope fast and crept through the space where the glass had been.
00:21:20.566 --> 00:21:22.635
The Jones's flat was next to the top.
00:21:22.786 --> 00:21:24.526
So Nick had a short descent.
00:21:25.125 --> 00:21:28.816
But there was an awful stretch of empty air under him as he hung there.
00:21:29.445 --> 00:21:36.736
The shaft went to the basement floor, about 70 feet below the level of the window, which opened into the room occupied by the Jones's new servant.
00:21:37.605 --> 00:21:39.046
He found that window readily.
00:21:39.536 --> 00:21:41.875
One glance through it was enough to satisfy him.
00:21:42.425 --> 00:21:44.586
There sat the colored girl, reading a book.
00:21:45.215 --> 00:21:47.226
Nick's suspicions had been correct.
00:21:47.836 --> 00:21:50.955
Naturally, he did not delay very long in the air shaft.
00:21:51.375 --> 00:21:54.195
He had a hard climb to make hand over hand to the roof.
00:21:54.806 --> 00:21:58.465
The instant that his eyes rested on the girl, he began the ascent.
00:21:59.125 --> 00:22:06.236
He had gone up less than six feet when the rope suddenly gave way and he found himself plunging downward through the shaft.
00:22:07.615 --> 00:22:10.016
Have we seen the last of Nick Carter.
00:22:10.496 --> 00:22:11.441
Where has Mrs.
00:22:11.441 --> 00:22:13.135
Jones gone and why?
00:22:13.586 --> 00:22:17.786
And who is the mysterious woman who is still at the center of this case?
00:22:18.326 --> 00:22:26.786
The answer to these questions and more will be found out in the next thrilling chapter of Nick Carter and the crime of the French cafe.
00:22:28.266 --> 00:22:31.175
Well, things are getting very interesting.
00:22:31.715 --> 00:22:38.346
And before we go, I'd like to thank once again, the hardworking crew over at project Gutenberg for keeping this story.
00:22:38.405 --> 00:22:39.875
And so many others.
00:22:40.145 --> 00:22:45.395
Alive and well, Hop on over to their website to check out all their amazing stories.
00:22:45.635 --> 00:22:49.955
That's gutenberg.org O R G.
00:22:50.435 --> 00:22:52.596
Well, until next time, folks.
00:22:52.925 --> 00:22:53.915
Thanks for listening.
00:22:54.096 --> 00:22:57.425
Keep sharing your stories and be a good human.
00:22:58.145 --> 00:22:59.256
Bye for now.
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