Aug. 5, 2024
Nick Carter and the Kidnapped Heiress, Pt 4
In this thrilling episode, Nick Carter and Patsy must unravel a complex case involving a robbery, kidnapping, and a daring rescue mission. Governor Bradley's secrets are exposed as the detective duo races against time to save his daughter and recover stolen papers. Action-packed and full of twists, this episode showcases Nick's investigative prowess and Patsy's heroism. Tune in to follow their relentless pursuit of justice in this high-stakes adventure.
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Transcript
WEBVTT
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Hi, friends and welcome again to another exciting episode of Forward Into The Past.
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I'm J.C.
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Rede, your host and narrator and today we're finishing up the final episode of the thrilling mystery from 1903 entitled Nick Carter and the Kidnapped Heiress or The Return of a Great Ransom.
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In the annals of publishing history, few names loom as large as Street and Smith.
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This pioneering American publisher founded in 1855 left an indelible mark on the landscape of popular fiction and help shape the contours of modern storytelling.
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Street and Smith's greatest contribution came through their popularization of the pulp magazine format.
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These inexpensive mass produced periodicals became a breeding ground for new genres and storytelling techniques.
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The company's flagship titles, such as the shadow and doc Savage not only captured the public's imagination, but also laid the groundwork for the superhero genre that would later dominate comic books and eventually blockbuster films.
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The pulp formats demands for rapid engaging narratives fostered a new breed of writers skilled in crafting tightly plotted action packed stories.
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This emphasis on pacing and hooks continues to influence contemporary fiction, television and film.
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Many of the narrative techniques honed in the pages of street and Smith's publications, cliff hangers, serialized storytelling, and character archetypes remain staples of modern entertainment.
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Moreover Street and Smith played a crucial role in the development of genre fiction.
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Their magazines provided a platform for science fiction, fantasy Western and crime stories to flourish, helping to define and refine these genres.
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The company's willingness to experiment with new ideas and formats allowed emerging voices to find their audience, including such luminaries as Isaac Asimov and Dashiell Hammett.
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The legacy of street and Smith extends beyond the printed page.
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Their characters and storytelling approaches have been adapted countless times for radio, film, television and digital media.
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The pulp aesthetic they championed continues to influence visual storytelling from graphic novels to video games.
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In essence.
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Street Smith's influence on modern storytelling is a Testament to the power of popular fiction to shape cultural narratives and storytelling conventions.
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Their innovative approach to publishing and commitment to accessible, exciting stories, helped democratize literature and laid the foundation for much of our current media landscape.
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And speaking of exciting stories, let's cap off the finale of one of street and Smith's earliest successes.
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Nick Carter and the Kidnapped Heiress or The Return of a Great Ransom.
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Chapter seven, the mystery of George Snell.
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Nick Carter had said goodbye to his bright young assistant at about half past 10 of an evening.
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He gave a little further thought to the case that night for he knew that it was in good hands.
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I shall probably hear from the boy in the morning.
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He thought as he went to bed, No message came from Patsy in the morning because the young man had been too much occupied in watching Snell and Leonard in the Jersey city station to send one.
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But a message came from Dinsmore that gave Nick a bit of a surprise.
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It was as follows.
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Important robbery just reported.
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I don't know if it is the one you referred to last night, but it is very important and mysterious.
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Wish you would come on.
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Nick took the next train for the west.
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Dinsmore's telegram was sent from Manchester, the capital of Wenonah and there, of course the detective went.
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The journey was without incident and was made as rapidly as possible, considering that there are no through trains between New York and the distant Canadian town.
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Dinsmore met him at the station.
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I've got a telegram for you.
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He said as soon as they had shaken hands, It was forwarded from New York after you left.
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Nick opened and read it.
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It was the one Patsy had sent from Chicago to say that he was going with Snell to Helena.
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All right, said Nick.
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Now what's the case.
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It was reported by the Lieutenant governor.
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replied Dinsmore, governor Bradley being away.
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His absence makes the thing very peculiar and I don't understand it at all.
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How you should know in New York that a robbery had taken place in Manchester before anybody here suspected such a thing is quite a mystery.
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I believe Nick responded.
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That I begin to see how that happened.
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But go on.
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Some state papers have disappeared.
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That's it.
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And that's what makes me suppose it is the same affair that you seem to have in mind when you telegraphed from New York.
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Anything else?
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Do you mean anything else stolen?
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No, not that I'm aware of, but the papers are very important.
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I thought you ought to come on, as you seem to know something of the matter.
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No, I'm afraid.
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I don't, but I'm interested.
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You say there's been no abduction or kidnapping?
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I didn't say so, but I know of no such case.
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Well, then tell me all that you know about the loss of the papers.
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Well, there's very little.
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The Lieutenant governor called me up late on the night you telegraphed me.
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In fact.
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I think it was about two hours after I had sent my answer.
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Dinsmore, said he.
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There's been a very strange robbery or something that looks very much like it.
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Some papers that cannot be of value to ordinary thieves, but for which the government would pay a handsome reward, have disappeared.
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I asked him when they were taken.
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I have no idea.
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He answered.
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I only discovered the loss this afternoon.
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Then I asked him why he had not called on me sooner.
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'cause he replied, we've been hunting high and low for the papers.
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We supposed they must be somewhere in the government building.
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But we've looked everywhere.
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They're gone and that's all there is to it.
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I thought of your telegram, Nick, but said nothing.
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After I had asked the usual questions about where the papers were kept and so forth, I inquired if he had any suspicions.
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The questions seem to make him uneasy.
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I cannot suspect anybody.
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He replied.
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I remembered you Nick.
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And I said, well, that means that you suspect everybody.
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Aha.
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And what did he say to that?
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Asked Nick.
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Hah.
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He smiled in a queer way and simply said, Well?
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Of course I pressed him to be frank with me, but didn't succeed at first.
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Finally though he let the cat out of the bag in kind of a roundabout way.
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I saw that he actually suspected Governor Bradley himself.
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Well, exclaimed, Nick.
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That's rather interesting.
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Yes and mysterious.
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I'll tell you a fact or two, without stopping to say how I squeezed them from the Lieutenant governor.
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Some six or seven weeks ago a man unknown here called on governor Bradley.
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We know that his name was Leonard and that he and the governor had been in some sort of business deal together years before.
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That much is known because a part of their conversation was accidentally overheard.
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Nobody thought anything of it at the time, of course, for it all seemed natural and straight enough.
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The Lieutenant governor heard Leonard asking about some papers of some kind.
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They're safe.
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Governor Bradley told him.
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That's all well enough for you to say Leonard responded, but I'd rather keep them myself.
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Then I'd know.
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Dinsmore paused.
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Does anybody know what the governor said to that?
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He was heard to say something to the effect that would give Leonard the whip hand.
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The men were evidently on bad terms.
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And that is all that is known of that matter.
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Now, sometime later, it is rather more than three weeks ago, governor Bradley left town.
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He hasn't been back since.
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Is there anything strange in that.
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Well, no, not exactly.
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He went away openly enough, told everybody that he was tired and needed rest.
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That was natural.
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He also told the Lieutenant governor secretly that he was going to travel without letting anybody know where he was.
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I don't want to be bothered with letters.
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He said, Well, that was natural enough too.
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Wasn't it?
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Yes, I suppose so, but just now the Lieutenant governor is putting two and two together and I can see that he is suspicious.
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He hasn't said so in so many words, you understand, but that's what he feels just the same.
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You haven't told me all, Dinsmore.
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No, not quite.
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Governor Bradley told the Lieutenant governor that he would manage to be within reach at all times, but that has movements and address must be kept private.
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I will take the name of George Snell said he, and keep you informed where you may telegraph to me if anything of real importance comes up.
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So for some days, the Lieutenant governor received a telegram every day saying Snell, auditorium, Chicago, or Snell, planters, St.
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Louis and so forth.
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Then there was a break of a few days after which came the word that Snell was at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York.
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Meantime, nothing happened that the Lieutenant governor couldn't attend to alone.
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Then came the discovery that papers were missing.
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As soon as it was certain that the papers had disappeared, the Lieutenant governor telegraphed the fact to Snell and told him in the same message that the matter would be placed in my hands.
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If the Lieutenant governor had thought twice, he would've called me up before wiring to Bradley alias Snell.
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But he didn't think quick enough.
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And since that time, not a word has been heard from George Snell.
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And there you are.
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I see said Nick.
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It's very interesting.
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When does the next train go to Helena Montana?
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To Helena?
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Well, there's no direct train to that point in any case, but what the mischief do you want to go there for?
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Because that's where governor Bradley is, or at least where he went.
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I think Dinsmore that I shall have to hunt for your governor as well as for the thieves who stole the papers.
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I hope I may find the governor alive.
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Good gracious.
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Look up the trains, please.
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I want to catch the first that goes.
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With a wondering face, Dinsmore studied a railway guide for a few minutes.
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Presently, he looked at his watch.
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Well, there's a train in half an hour.
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He said, That will get you pretty well started and you can probably make connections that will take you through so as to reach Helena in about 30 hours.
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Will that do?
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How can I tell?
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I must take that train and I think Dinsmore, it would be as well if you should come along too.
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Yes, I'll do that gladly.
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Anything to do to get ready.
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No.
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Well then.
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Let's start for the station.
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They went out and on the way Nick asked.
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Dinsmore, do you know anybody in Manchester whose name is Cecil West?
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Uh, slightly.
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replied Dinsmore.
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A friend of yours?
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No, I never saw him.
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What sort of a man is he?
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Tip-Top from all I hear.
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Not rich, you know, but honest and industrious.
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First rate fellow in every way.
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By the way he's in love with the governor's daughter Estelle.
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So.
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Yes.
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And the old man won't have him.
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He's sent the girl away so as to keep them meeting.
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The governor sent his daughter away, did he?
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That's what I hear.
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She dropped out of sight after a big party at the governor's house some five weeks ago and it is understood that she was packed off to visit a distant aunt or something in the hope that she would forget young West.
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I wonder if West hears from her.
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Mused, Nick.
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Well, if he does, he doesn't say so.
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Oh, of course not.
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Nothing more was said on this subject and Dinsmore did not suspect what was in the detective's mind.
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Nick asked one other question about the case.
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I understand that nothing has been reported except the theft of government papers.
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Is that right?
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Yes.
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And I have wondered a little for in your telegram to me, you mentioned jewelry.
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Yes, I did.
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I heard some was taken.
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Nick, said Dinsmore who gave you the tip about all of this?
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The detective looked at his old friend in the eyes for a moment and answered quietly.
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Governor Bradley.
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The deuce you say, why didn't you jump on the case?
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Because I didn't know, till I arrived in Manchester, that it was the governor who called on me.
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He said his name was Snell.
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I doubted it, but I had no suspicion as to who he really was.
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I could see that he was holding some facts back and that made me turn him down.
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That was where Bradley made a bad mistake.
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The detective and Dinsmore made good connections and arrived in Helena at six o'clock in the evening, the following day.
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They began at once to trace the men they wanted to find.
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Dinsmore made inquiries for a man answering the description of governor Bradley.
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Nick knowing that Patsy must've come to Helena hunted for some trace of him.
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He had the more difficult task for Patsy of course, had been disguised when he arrived in town.
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And as Nick presumed, he changed his disguise almost daily.
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Calculating from the telegram, Nick reckoned that Patsy must've reached Helena on a certain day and by a certain train.
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He asked men employed at the station about the passengers who arrived that day.
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From one, he got a tip as to a man who might be Patsy who left his grip at the station and walked away.
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The grip was sent for later, the man said, and was taken to a street that he named.
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Nick went to that street.
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He walked the length of it twice.
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There was no good hotel on it, but several boarding houses and any number of saloons.
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Among others was Bronco Bill's.
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Nick looked at it each time he passed.
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It was not the first one he entered, but after dropping in at two or three other places, he entered Bronco Bill's place.
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Just as the proprietor was telling a customer about a shooting scrap that had taken place there recently.
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They wanted to make the Tenderfoot dance, said Bill grinning.
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But durn me, if he didn't make them dance and holler'afore he got through with them.
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Such shootin' I never did see.
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I thought t'would be the last to Bronco Bill's house, but the young stranger just brought them crazy galoots to their senses in no time.
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Say he hit a dime.
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And Bill went on to tell the whole story.
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That's Patsy.
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Said Nick to himself as he slowly put down a glass of beer at the other end of the bar.
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I wonder how long it will take Dinsmore to follow his trail to this joint.
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Nick sat down to wait and had supper meantime.
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Shortly after nine o'clock Dinsmore came in, looking sour and hopeless.
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Ah, there you are.
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He said.
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I've been looking for you.
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Why didn't you come in here then?
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Said Nick.
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Because I didn't expect to find you here.
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I seemed to trace a man who looked like the governor to this hole several times.
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Plenty said they had seen such a man hanging around, but the governor wouldn't put up in such a place, not he.
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It's exactly where he put up just the same said Nick.
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Who told you that?
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I guessed it.
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My assistant has been here and he wouldn't stay in such a place either.
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Unless there was business in it.
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The business that brought Patsy here was.
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Nick did not finish.
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Instead, he caught up a newspaper and held it in front of Dinsmore.
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Read it, he whispered.
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And don't show your face.
00:15:44.889 --> 00:15:46.750
Four men were coming in from the street.
00:15:47.169 --> 00:15:50.950
One of them was the man whom Nick had known as George Snell.
00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:56.009
As the detective was now disguised, he did not hesitate to show his face.
00:15:56.659 --> 00:16:03.980
It looked however, as if his disguise would have been unnecessary, for Snell walked quickly across the room, and out by a door at the back.
00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:06.049
One of the four went with them.
00:16:06.769 --> 00:16:09.559
The other two stepped up to the bar and called for drinks.
00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:13.490
Snell came back in a short time with the man who had gone out with him.
00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:16.120
Have something asked the man at the bar.
00:16:16.769 --> 00:16:18.230
No replied Snell.
00:16:18.389 --> 00:16:19.110
Let's be going.
00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:21.409
The four then went out at once.
00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:24.220
Great Scott whispered Dinsmore.
00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:26.320
That was governor Bradley's voice.
00:16:27.009 --> 00:16:28.809
Of course it was, replied Nick.
00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:29.590
Come on.
00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:34.259
They kept on the track of the four men and followed them to a house in a quiet street.
00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:36.750
There was a light in the kitchen windows.
00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:39.549
Crooked work here, whispered Dinsmore.
00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:41.850
Absolutely, replied Nick.
00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:44.009
We must get a line on it if possible.
00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:50.330
They had not gone very near the house, presuming that there might be men on guard who would give warning to the others.
00:16:50.929 --> 00:16:59.570
It seemed best to try to get at the kitchen windows from behind and accordingly, they went around to another street, through a yard and over a fence.
00:17:00.049 --> 00:17:04.549
This took some time, but the lights were still there and all was quiet within.
00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:09.940
Although the curtains were down, they managed to get a glimpse inside through a small hole.
00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:16.329
It was just enough to show a good, many tough looking men around a table with Snell in the middle.
00:17:16.990 --> 00:17:19.180
He was counting out a big roll of bills.
00:17:19.829 --> 00:17:24.150
Buying back the papers whispered Nick and paying the ransom for his daughter.
00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:25.160
What?
00:17:25.250 --> 00:17:26.089
You don't mean?
00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:26.670
Ms.
00:17:26.670 --> 00:17:28.079
Bradley was kidnapped.
00:17:28.230 --> 00:17:29.009
That's what I mean.
00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:32.740
Ah, if the governor had had the sense to tell me the whole truth.
00:17:33.390 --> 00:17:34.259
Nick was thinking.
00:17:34.910 --> 00:17:37.349
There are a good many of them, whispered Dinsmore.
00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:40.220
Shall we go to headquarters for a squad of police?
00:17:40.869 --> 00:17:42.759
No, they'll be through in a minute.
00:17:43.130 --> 00:17:46.069
We must make a bluff and they'll think they're surrounded.
00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:49.339
You go to the front door and I'll tackle them here.
00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:51.680
Chapter eight.
00:17:52.099 --> 00:17:52.730
The ransom.
00:17:54.230 --> 00:17:58.160
Harry had brought down what the leader of the gang had called the goods.
00:17:58.730 --> 00:18:01.430
This was a parcel of papers done up in red tape.
00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:07.519
It was laid on the kitchen table and Snell began to count out the money that he had shown a few minutes before.
00:18:08.170 --> 00:18:09.789
I have$40,000 here.
00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:10.539
He remarked.
00:18:11.190 --> 00:18:12.299
Ought to be twice that.
00:18:12.690 --> 00:18:13.470
Growled the leader.
00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:16.039
That was the price agreed on with Leonard?
00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:16.490
Wasn't it.
00:18:17.140 --> 00:18:17.680
Go ahead.
00:18:18.329 --> 00:18:19.750
You haven't produced the goods.
00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:25.430
Snell or rather Governor Bradley stopped counting out the money and looked straight at the leader.
00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:27.269
Plank down that money.
00:18:27.890 --> 00:18:29.160
ordered the leader harshly.
00:18:29.809 --> 00:18:33.650
Just then there was a furious knocking at both the back and front doors.
00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:34.910
Loud voices.
00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:37.190
There seemed to be a dozen of them were crying.
00:18:37.609 --> 00:18:39.289
Surrender in the name of the law.
00:18:39.940 --> 00:18:43.779
We're done! Gasped the leader starting up and lifting his revolver.
00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:46.089
And by thunder, I know who done it.
00:18:46.329 --> 00:18:48.609
You Harry, you sneak with your argument.
00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.789
I haven't given you away, Hamilton.
00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.630
Cried Harry.
00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:52.589
I swear.
00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:56.279
He got no further for Hamilton, the leader, fired.
00:18:56.849 --> 00:18:59.430
Harry groaned and staggered to the cellar door.
00:18:59.890 --> 00:19:02.140
He grasped the handle to keep from falling.
00:19:02.589 --> 00:19:06.910
It turned, the door opened, and he plunged headlong down the stairs.
00:19:07.569 --> 00:19:10.299
All the other men were starting up in great confusion.
00:19:10.950 --> 00:19:11.970
Kill the governor.
00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:12.750
They cried.
00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:14.730
No! shouted Hamilton.
00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:17.450
There'll be more in him than anything else.
00:19:17.803 --> 00:19:18.823
Take him with us.
00:19:19.472 --> 00:19:21.153
Then he added in a lower tone.
00:19:21.663 --> 00:19:22.772
Side door boys.
00:19:22.923 --> 00:19:24.333
Nobody seems to be there.
00:19:24.442 --> 00:19:25.893
They've forgotten the side door.
00:19:26.542 --> 00:19:29.673
He seized the governor as he spoke and pushed him from the room.
00:19:30.423 --> 00:19:34.022
Others helped, and both the Governor and Leonard were hustled out.
00:19:34.653 --> 00:19:39.182
All the things on the table, money and papers were swept off by somebody.
00:19:39.833 --> 00:19:44.032
The door crashed in and the next instant Nick Carter leaped into the room.
00:19:44.583 --> 00:19:47.682
He was greeted by a pistol shot from one of the ruffians.
00:19:48.212 --> 00:19:48.903
It missed him.
00:19:49.553 --> 00:19:52.373
Many voices were heard calling, ordering, cursing.
00:19:52.863 --> 00:19:54.653
Dinsmore rushed in from the front.
00:19:55.303 --> 00:19:55.722
Heaven.
00:19:55.782 --> 00:19:56.333
He gasped.
00:19:56.712 --> 00:19:58.932
The governor's voice! He's calling for help.
00:19:59.413 --> 00:20:00.792
After him Nick, and rescue him.
00:20:01.442 --> 00:20:03.182
Together they made for the side door.
00:20:03.782 --> 00:20:08.403
They overtook some of the gang there and Nick laid them flat with giant blows from his fists.
00:20:08.732 --> 00:20:09.573
Then they went on.
00:20:10.292 --> 00:20:14.073
Over a fence at a little distance, a number of men were seen climbing.
00:20:14.722 --> 00:20:16.843
A pistol shot from Nick dropped one.
00:20:17.492 --> 00:20:18.722
The rest ran on.
00:20:19.373 --> 00:20:27.022
Nick and Dinsmore dashed off in pursuit, their one hope being to rescue the governor who had foolishly tried to do his own detective work.
00:20:27.673 --> 00:20:31.633
Patsy felt as if a fearfully heavy blanket lay upon him.
00:20:32.282 --> 00:20:34.952
Slowly for, he was less than half awake.
00:20:35.192 --> 00:20:37.712
He put up his hands to brush the blanket away.
00:20:38.363 --> 00:20:40.432
It was too heavy, and he wondered.
00:20:41.083 --> 00:20:43.242
Then he opened his eyes.
00:20:43.913 --> 00:20:48.292
It was rather a dark place and a rough unfinished ceiling overhead.
00:20:48.942 --> 00:20:52.212
He saw that first naturally for he was lying on his back.
00:20:52.863 --> 00:20:55.722
By jumbo, he muttered, beginning to remember.
00:20:56.173 --> 00:20:57.313
I thought I was dead.
00:20:57.962 --> 00:21:05.173
He looked down, raising his head a little and saw with horror that what he thought was a heavy blanket was the body of a young man.
00:21:05.823 --> 00:21:08.222
There was an open knife in the young man's hand.
00:21:08.873 --> 00:21:14.932
It's the fellow they called Harry said Patsy to himself, sitting up now and carefully lifting the body away.
00:21:15.583 --> 00:21:17.383
What the mischief does it all mean?
00:21:18.032 --> 00:21:19.893
His memory was returning fast.
00:21:20.343 --> 00:21:24.873
He recalled now that he had been carried down to the cellar to be suffocated with gas.
00:21:25.383 --> 00:21:26.942
That was early last night.
00:21:27.512 --> 00:21:31.053
It was now day as he could tell from the light at one dusty window.
00:21:31.702 --> 00:21:33.742
Besides the cellar door was open.
00:21:33.923 --> 00:21:36.863
The one opening into the passage through which he had been taken.
00:21:37.512 --> 00:21:41.292
His hands had been bound so hard that he could not loose them.
00:21:41.653 --> 00:21:43.272
And now they were free.
00:21:43.923 --> 00:21:45.573
How in the world did that happen?
00:21:46.222 --> 00:21:49.133
He looked at the cord that had been around his wrists.
00:21:49.673 --> 00:21:51.413
It was cut through.
00:21:52.063 --> 00:21:55.782
Nothing could be clearer than the smooth mark of a sharp knife.
00:21:56.432 --> 00:21:59.222
The detective looked at the knife in Harry's dead hand.
00:21:59.873 --> 00:22:00.502
That's it.
00:22:00.742 --> 00:22:01.673
He said softly.
00:22:02.333 --> 00:22:05.932
The poor fellow tried to save me and he came pretty near doing it.
00:22:06.583 --> 00:22:11.262
He tried to take the knife from Harry's hand, but the stiffened fingers held it tight.
00:22:11.913 --> 00:22:13.442
His own knife was in his pocket.
00:22:13.623 --> 00:22:16.202
And with that, he cut the cord around his ankles.
00:22:16.863 --> 00:22:17.823
Then he got up.
00:22:18.472 --> 00:22:22.972
His head still swam and he was weak, but his strength came back rapidly.
00:22:23.623 --> 00:22:26.603
Going to the wall he found the gas jet.
00:22:27.252 --> 00:22:29.292
The cock had been turned square off.
00:22:29.942 --> 00:22:30.992
Harry did it.
00:22:31.472 --> 00:22:32.103
He whispered.
00:22:32.853 --> 00:22:33.603
Poor fellow.
00:22:34.063 --> 00:22:37.242
I remember how he couldn't stand the idea of my being murdered.
00:22:37.722 --> 00:22:42.413
His coming in and leaving the door open ventilated the place so I didn't die of suffocation.
00:22:43.063 --> 00:22:43.692
Poor chap.
00:22:43.962 --> 00:22:44.772
He meant well.
00:22:45.343 --> 00:22:47.083
I wonder how he came to be shot.
00:22:47.732 --> 00:22:51.932
And shot he was, as the detective could see from the wound in the young man's breast.
00:22:52.583 --> 00:22:54.623
Patsy stood still for a full minute.
00:22:55.272 --> 00:22:55.813
Hang me.
00:22:55.813 --> 00:22:56.532
He exclaimed.
00:22:57.133 --> 00:22:59.682
If it doesn't seem as wonderful as if I was dead.
00:23:00.333 --> 00:23:01.742
He felt for his revolver.
00:23:02.532 --> 00:23:08.982
One had been taken away from him, but he had the other, and with this in his hand, he went upstairs.
00:23:09.732 --> 00:23:11.383
The house was very still.
00:23:12.032 --> 00:23:15.782
In the kitchen, he found overturned chairs and other signs of disorder.
00:23:16.432 --> 00:23:17.962
There was a ruction of some kind.
00:23:18.202 --> 00:23:18.863
He concluded.
00:23:19.512 --> 00:23:25.782
He wasn't sure just what he ought to do and decided that before he tried to form a plan, He would explore the house.
00:23:26.432 --> 00:23:31.353
Nothing attracted his attention in the rooms of the ground floor, and it was the same on the next floor.
00:23:32.042 --> 00:23:35.343
They were ordinary rooms furnished very cheaply.
00:23:35.992 --> 00:23:44.452
The detective looked into the bureau drawers, not because he was expecting to find anything, but to see if there was any evidence that the house was regularly occupied.
00:23:45.103 --> 00:23:45.762
There was none.
00:23:46.212 --> 00:23:47.803
All the drawers were empty.
00:23:48.452 --> 00:23:51.752
Opening a door, he found himself at the foot of the stairs to the attic.
00:23:52.403 --> 00:23:54.143
Might as well take it all in, he thought.
00:23:54.752 --> 00:23:55.923
And he started up.
00:23:56.573 --> 00:23:59.873
The third step was loose and came up when he put his foot in it.
00:24:00.522 --> 00:24:02.053
At once he pulled the board away.
00:24:02.702 --> 00:24:05.462
He saw something that made his eyes bulge.
00:24:06.113 --> 00:24:15.482
A box had been made beneath the step, and lying in it were two packets of papers done up in red ribbon and a great quantity of money in big bills.
00:24:16.242 --> 00:24:24.553
He took out and counted twenty$1000 bills and 20,000 more dollars in bills of five and 100.
00:24:25.202 --> 00:24:25.623
Ooh.
00:24:25.982 --> 00:24:28.442
He whistled sitting down and looking at his find.
00:24:29.093 --> 00:24:30.252
A sound startled him.
00:24:30.823 --> 00:24:31.873
It came from above.
00:24:32.532 --> 00:24:35.173
A faint, weak voice a woman's apparently.
00:24:35.772 --> 00:24:37.272
It seemed to be calling for help.
00:24:37.923 --> 00:24:41.673
Patsy stuffed the money in his pockets and bounded up the attic stairs.
00:24:42.393 --> 00:24:44.762
Under the unfinished loft on a couch of blankets.
00:24:45.063 --> 00:24:46.803
He saw a young woman lying.
00:24:47.452 --> 00:24:51.563
She was tied to the place so that she could turn over only with difficulty.
00:24:52.212 --> 00:24:53.833
Good gracious! He cried.
00:24:54.133 --> 00:24:54.853
Who are you?
00:24:55.333 --> 00:24:56.143
What does this mean?
00:24:56.502 --> 00:24:57.492
Have you been hurt?
00:24:58.143 --> 00:25:02.792
No, she answered weakly, but I am so weak and hungry.
00:25:03.222 --> 00:25:06.673
They haven't given me anything to eat or drink for more than a day.
00:25:07.393 --> 00:25:08.772
I suppose they've forgotten me.
00:25:09.413 --> 00:25:11.573
I am Estelle Bradley, sir.
00:25:11.992 --> 00:25:18.403
If you would only get word to my father, he is the governor of Wenonah and I know that he would reward you.
00:25:19.053 --> 00:25:19.833
Don't try to talk.
00:25:19.863 --> 00:25:20.012
Ms.
00:25:20.042 --> 00:25:21.752
Bradley interrupted Patsy.
00:25:22.252 --> 00:25:25.012
He was stooping to cut the cords that bound her to the floor.
00:25:25.663 --> 00:25:30.492
When this was done he helped her to her feet, and then downstairs.
00:25:31.242 --> 00:25:35.593
On the way he took the papers he had seen in the box and put them in his pockets.
00:25:36.242 --> 00:25:45.722
She told him when he explained that he was a detective, how she had been deceived by a message that was supposed to be sent by her lover, Cecil West.
00:25:46.373 --> 00:25:49.913
It was handed to me during a party at my father's house, she said.
00:25:50.452 --> 00:25:54.563
And it told me that Cecil was lying, dangerously wounded, not far away.
00:25:55.103 --> 00:26:01.462
I went at once to see him and was seized by rough men who brought me here and have kept me ever since.
00:26:02.113 --> 00:26:05.383
Patsy took her to a hotel where they had breakfast.
00:26:05.873 --> 00:26:10.883
Then knowing nothing of Nick's journey to the west, he arranged for taking her home.
00:26:11.532 --> 00:26:18.192
They started on a train that left Helena just as Nick and Dinsmore returned after a successful chase of the ruffians.
00:26:18.843 --> 00:26:26.583
It had taken them most of the night, but they had rescued the governor and caught three of the gang, though Hamilton, the leader, had escaped.
00:26:27.232 --> 00:26:34.012
Leonard had been shot through the heart by the leader when it came to the last fight out in the Hills miles beyond Helena.
00:26:34.663 --> 00:26:42.913
The governor confessed bitterly that he and Leonard had been engaged in a business that could not be called quite square years before.
00:26:43.563 --> 00:26:53.073
For my reputation, said the governor, I had to keep certain papers and Leonard wanted them fearing that I would give them up some time, and so ruin him.
00:26:53.853 --> 00:26:55.053
We feared each other.
00:26:55.803 --> 00:26:59.403
So I hired a band of ruffians to steal the papers.
00:26:59.883 --> 00:27:05.252
They not only stole mine, but without knowing it a number of government documents also.
00:27:06.002 --> 00:27:07.803
Then to make a complete job of it.
00:27:08.103 --> 00:27:09.633
They kidnapped my daughter.
00:27:10.282 --> 00:27:13.823
I dared not trust my secrets to the police or to you, Mr.
00:27:13.823 --> 00:27:14.212
Carter.
00:27:14.903 --> 00:27:23.542
When Leonard found that the ruffians would not give up the papers without an immense ransom that he was unable to pay, he told me what he had done.
00:27:24.192 --> 00:27:30.192
It was for the interest of both of us to keep the matter dark and he thought he could drive a bargain with the thieves.
00:27:30.972 --> 00:27:35.113
So I got together all the cash I could and we tried it.
00:27:35.833 --> 00:27:41.083
We went from city to city, but whether Leonard saw the leader anywhere, I do not know.
00:27:41.813 --> 00:27:45.982
At last I told him that I should give the matter to Nick Carter.
00:27:46.633 --> 00:27:48.792
Leonard threatened to kill me if I did so.
00:27:49.442 --> 00:28:04.663
He nearly succeeded as perhaps, you know, At last, he said, we should find that gang in Helena, and that by this time they would be willing to come to my terms,$40,000, their first bid having been for 100,000.
00:28:05.313 --> 00:28:13.722
We came to Helena, Leonard taking a different route from Chicago in order to give the word to the gang who he said were mostly at the north.
00:28:14.472 --> 00:28:20.222
I came here and went, as he told me to a low saloon where I stayed till he came.
00:28:20.893 --> 00:28:23.323
And the rest, you know, Not quite all.
00:28:23.573 --> 00:28:24.063
said Nick.
00:28:24.742 --> 00:28:27.053
Wasn't there a man on your track all this time?
00:28:27.702 --> 00:28:28.603
Not that I know of.
00:28:28.752 --> 00:28:31.692
Though yesterday, a stranger was found spying on us.
00:28:32.173 --> 00:28:33.163
The gang killed him.
00:28:33.813 --> 00:28:35.623
How, when, where?
00:28:36.212 --> 00:28:37.653
demanded Nick anxiously.
00:28:38.303 --> 00:28:41.682
Governor Bradley told him about the way the stranger was put down the cellar.
00:28:42.333 --> 00:28:45.782
And I was there! thought Nick with deep sorrow.
00:28:46.563 --> 00:28:47.913
Perhaps in time to save him.
00:28:48.563 --> 00:28:50.452
I wish I had let the governor go.
00:28:51.103 --> 00:28:55.423
They went to the house and found it deserted by all, save the dead Harry.
00:28:56.073 --> 00:29:02.113
What Nick saw though, the open knife, the cut cords, convinced him that Patsy had made his escape.
00:29:02.762 --> 00:29:11.942
But the case did not seem to be finished for the valuable papers and the governor's daughter were still missing to say nothing of the great ransom that had been paid down.
00:29:12.593 --> 00:29:17.813
So Nick went with the governor to Manchester and there found Patsy Ms.
00:29:17.813 --> 00:29:21.022
Estelle and all that the governor had been looking for.
00:29:21.673 --> 00:29:29.363
It is supposed that one of the gang hid the papers and the money in the box under the stairs during the confusion of the attempt to escape.
00:29:30.012 --> 00:29:32.803
It was a clever move, said Nick discussing it.
00:29:33.282 --> 00:29:37.903
For the rascal must have known that some, if not all of the gang would be captured.
00:29:38.292 --> 00:29:40.782
And it would be foolish to have the stuff captured with them.
00:29:41.292 --> 00:29:46.962
So he took the chance of hiding it, meaning to go back sometime, next day probably, and get it.
00:29:47.613 --> 00:29:50.883
Governor Bradley offered to pay Nick and Patsy for their services.
00:29:51.532 --> 00:29:54.202
I don't think we want any pay, replied Nick.
00:29:54.692 --> 00:29:58.623
We've had a good time out of it and we weren't engaged on the matter at all.
00:29:59.022 --> 00:30:01.423
But I would like to ask two favors.
00:30:02.073 --> 00:30:04.173
They shall be granted said the governor.
00:30:04.903 --> 00:30:05.532
First, then.
00:30:06.073 --> 00:30:10.212
When you have detective work to do in the future, don't try to do it yourself.
00:30:11.563 --> 00:30:13.212
That's easy, laughed the governor.
00:30:13.722 --> 00:30:16.002
You may be sure I shan't try that sort of thing again.
00:30:16.653 --> 00:30:22.472
The second, said Nick, is that you consent to the marriage of your daughter and Cecil West.
00:30:22.923 --> 00:30:24.303
He is a fine young man.
00:30:24.553 --> 00:30:26.609
I yield! Interrupted governor Bradley.
00:30:27.029 --> 00:30:28.920
I will send for West at once.
00:30:29.569 --> 00:30:33.380
He kept his word and the young people were married, not long afterward.
00:30:34.029 --> 00:30:41.740
Nick and Patsy meant to return at once to New York, but they were detained in the west for some time longer by another case.
00:30:42.099 --> 00:30:46.569
Which brought them against some of the gang they had just met.
00:30:48.069 --> 00:30:48.849
Well friends.
00:30:49.329 --> 00:30:54.400
Thanks for tuning into Forward Into The Past, where we bring classic stories back to life.
00:30:55.059 --> 00:31:00.220
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00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:30.869
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00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:35.940
Keep sharing the stories and be a good human.
00:31:37.049 --> 00:31:38.160
Bye for now.
00:00:00.630 --> 00:00:06.269
Hi, friends and welcome again to another exciting episode of Forward Into The Past.
00:00:06.900 --> 00:00:07.589
I'm J.C.
00:00:07.589 --> 00:00:20.760
Rede, your host and narrator and today we're finishing up the final episode of the thrilling mystery from 1903 entitled Nick Carter and the Kidnapped Heiress or The Return of a Great Ransom.
00:00:21.410 --> 00:00:26.960
In the annals of publishing history, few names loom as large as Street and Smith.
00:00:27.559 --> 00:00:38.929
This pioneering American publisher founded in 1855 left an indelible mark on the landscape of popular fiction and help shape the contours of modern storytelling.
00:00:39.579 --> 00:00:45.719
Street and Smith's greatest contribution came through their popularization of the pulp magazine format.
00:00:46.500 --> 00:00:54.000
These inexpensive mass produced periodicals became a breeding ground for new genres and storytelling techniques.
00:00:54.479 --> 00:01:10.290
The company's flagship titles, such as the shadow and doc Savage not only captured the public's imagination, but also laid the groundwork for the superhero genre that would later dominate comic books and eventually blockbuster films.
00:01:11.069 --> 00:01:20.909
The pulp formats demands for rapid engaging narratives fostered a new breed of writers skilled in crafting tightly plotted action packed stories.
00:01:21.390 --> 00:01:28.260
This emphasis on pacing and hooks continues to influence contemporary fiction, television and film.
00:01:28.909 --> 00:01:40.909
Many of the narrative techniques honed in the pages of street and Smith's publications, cliff hangers, serialized storytelling, and character archetypes remain staples of modern entertainment.
00:01:41.629 --> 00:01:47.659
Moreover Street and Smith played a crucial role in the development of genre fiction.
00:01:48.319 --> 00:01:59.209
Their magazines provided a platform for science fiction, fantasy Western and crime stories to flourish, helping to define and refine these genres.
00:01:59.959 --> 00:02:11.229
The company's willingness to experiment with new ideas and formats allowed emerging voices to find their audience, including such luminaries as Isaac Asimov and Dashiell Hammett.
00:02:11.879 --> 00:02:16.139
The legacy of street and Smith extends beyond the printed page.
00:02:16.629 --> 00:02:25.379
Their characters and storytelling approaches have been adapted countless times for radio, film, television and digital media.
00:02:26.030 --> 00:02:33.229
The pulp aesthetic they championed continues to influence visual storytelling from graphic novels to video games.
00:02:33.740 --> 00:02:34.490
In essence.
00:02:34.849 --> 00:02:43.719
Street Smith's influence on modern storytelling is a Testament to the power of popular fiction to shape cultural narratives and storytelling conventions.
00:02:44.259 --> 00:02:55.870
Their innovative approach to publishing and commitment to accessible, exciting stories, helped democratize literature and laid the foundation for much of our current media landscape.
00:02:56.349 --> 00:03:03.819
And speaking of exciting stories, let's cap off the finale of one of street and Smith's earliest successes.
00:03:04.150 --> 00:03:10.000
Nick Carter and the Kidnapped Heiress or The Return of a Great Ransom.
00:03:11.500 --> 00:03:15.099
Chapter seven, the mystery of George Snell.
00:03:16.599 --> 00:03:22.000
Nick Carter had said goodbye to his bright young assistant at about half past 10 of an evening.
00:03:22.650 --> 00:03:27.780
He gave a little further thought to the case that night for he knew that it was in good hands.
00:03:28.430 --> 00:03:30.319
I shall probably hear from the boy in the morning.
00:03:30.409 --> 00:03:41.949
He thought as he went to bed, No message came from Patsy in the morning because the young man had been too much occupied in watching Snell and Leonard in the Jersey city station to send one.
00:03:42.599 --> 00:03:46.860
But a message came from Dinsmore that gave Nick a bit of a surprise.
00:03:47.610 --> 00:03:48.870
It was as follows.
00:03:49.520 --> 00:03:51.379
Important robbery just reported.
00:03:51.439 --> 00:03:57.050
I don't know if it is the one you referred to last night, but it is very important and mysterious.
00:03:57.409 --> 00:03:58.520
Wish you would come on.
00:03:59.169 --> 00:04:01.180
Nick took the next train for the west.
00:04:01.969 --> 00:04:08.360
Dinsmore's telegram was sent from Manchester, the capital of Wenonah and there, of course the detective went.
00:04:09.009 --> 00:04:18.879
The journey was without incident and was made as rapidly as possible, considering that there are no through trains between New York and the distant Canadian town.
00:04:19.529 --> 00:04:21.120
Dinsmore met him at the station.
00:04:21.769 --> 00:04:23.180
I've got a telegram for you.
00:04:23.329 --> 00:04:28.160
He said as soon as they had shaken hands, It was forwarded from New York after you left.
00:04:28.810 --> 00:04:30.160
Nick opened and read it.
00:04:30.610 --> 00:04:35.980
It was the one Patsy had sent from Chicago to say that he was going with Snell to Helena.
00:04:36.629 --> 00:04:37.970
All right, said Nick.
00:04:38.220 --> 00:04:39.750
Now what's the case.
00:04:40.399 --> 00:04:42.230
It was reported by the Lieutenant governor.
00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:45.259
replied Dinsmore, governor Bradley being away.
00:04:45.709 --> 00:04:50.329
His absence makes the thing very peculiar and I don't understand it at all.
00:04:51.120 --> 00:04:58.949
How you should know in New York that a robbery had taken place in Manchester before anybody here suspected such a thing is quite a mystery.
00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:01.430
I believe Nick responded.
00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:03.779
That I begin to see how that happened.
00:05:04.079 --> 00:05:04.949
But go on.
00:05:05.370 --> 00:05:07.350
Some state papers have disappeared.
00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:08.689
That's it.
00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:14.240
And that's what makes me suppose it is the same affair that you seem to have in mind when you telegraphed from New York.
00:05:14.889 --> 00:05:15.670
Anything else?
00:05:16.319 --> 00:05:17.699
Do you mean anything else stolen?
00:05:18.389 --> 00:05:21.600
No, not that I'm aware of, but the papers are very important.
00:05:21.870 --> 00:05:24.990
I thought you ought to come on, as you seem to know something of the matter.
00:05:25.639 --> 00:05:26.300
No, I'm afraid.
00:05:26.300 --> 00:05:28.040
I don't, but I'm interested.
00:05:28.550 --> 00:05:30.740
You say there's been no abduction or kidnapping?
00:05:31.389 --> 00:05:34.180
I didn't say so, but I know of no such case.
00:05:34.829 --> 00:05:37.589
Well, then tell me all that you know about the loss of the papers.
00:05:38.319 --> 00:05:39.399
Well, there's very little.
00:05:39.939 --> 00:05:42.850
The Lieutenant governor called me up late on the night you telegraphed me.
00:05:43.240 --> 00:05:43.839
In fact.
00:05:44.139 --> 00:05:46.810
I think it was about two hours after I had sent my answer.
00:05:47.459 --> 00:05:48.689
Dinsmore, said he.
00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:52.639
There's been a very strange robbery or something that looks very much like it.
00:05:53.149 --> 00:06:00.050
Some papers that cannot be of value to ordinary thieves, but for which the government would pay a handsome reward, have disappeared.
00:06:00.699 --> 00:06:02.110
I asked him when they were taken.
00:06:02.860 --> 00:06:03.670
I have no idea.
00:06:03.699 --> 00:06:04.360
He answered.
00:06:04.959 --> 00:06:06.939
I only discovered the loss this afternoon.
00:06:07.589 --> 00:06:10.230
Then I asked him why he had not called on me sooner.
00:06:11.009 --> 00:06:14.610
'cause he replied, we've been hunting high and low for the papers.
00:06:14.910 --> 00:06:17.579
We supposed they must be somewhere in the government building.
00:06:17.879 --> 00:06:19.500
But we've looked everywhere.
00:06:19.769 --> 00:06:21.810
They're gone and that's all there is to it.
00:06:22.459 --> 00:06:24.829
I thought of your telegram, Nick, but said nothing.
00:06:25.480 --> 00:06:32.439
After I had asked the usual questions about where the papers were kept and so forth, I inquired if he had any suspicions.
00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:35.439
The questions seem to make him uneasy.
00:06:36.089 --> 00:06:37.470
I cannot suspect anybody.
00:06:37.470 --> 00:06:38.129
He replied.
00:06:38.779 --> 00:06:39.949
I remembered you Nick.
00:06:40.040 --> 00:06:43.430
And I said, well, that means that you suspect everybody.
00:06:44.079 --> 00:06:44.620
Aha.
00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:46.129
And what did he say to that?
00:06:46.420 --> 00:06:47.050
Asked Nick.
00:06:47.819 --> 00:06:48.019
Hah.
00:06:48.569 --> 00:06:51.540
He smiled in a queer way and simply said, Well?
00:06:52.189 --> 00:06:55.910
Of course I pressed him to be frank with me, but didn't succeed at first.
00:06:56.329 --> 00:07:00.230
Finally though he let the cat out of the bag in kind of a roundabout way.
00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:04.569
I saw that he actually suspected Governor Bradley himself.
00:07:05.220 --> 00:07:06.899
Well, exclaimed, Nick.
00:07:07.259 --> 00:07:08.430
That's rather interesting.
00:07:09.079 --> 00:07:10.670
Yes and mysterious.
00:07:11.269 --> 00:07:15.800
I'll tell you a fact or two, without stopping to say how I squeezed them from the Lieutenant governor.
00:07:16.529 --> 00:07:20.839
Some six or seven weeks ago a man unknown here called on governor Bradley.
00:07:21.439 --> 00:07:27.980
We know that his name was Leonard and that he and the governor had been in some sort of business deal together years before.
00:07:28.430 --> 00:07:32.509
That much is known because a part of their conversation was accidentally overheard.
00:07:33.230 --> 00:07:38.060
Nobody thought anything of it at the time, of course, for it all seemed natural and straight enough.
00:07:38.709 --> 00:07:42.519
The Lieutenant governor heard Leonard asking about some papers of some kind.
00:07:43.170 --> 00:07:43.829
They're safe.
00:07:43.860 --> 00:07:45.089
Governor Bradley told him.
00:07:45.740 --> 00:07:50.569
That's all well enough for you to say Leonard responded, but I'd rather keep them myself.
00:07:50.629 --> 00:07:51.620
Then I'd know.
00:07:52.269 --> 00:07:53.350
Dinsmore paused.
00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:56.129
Does anybody know what the governor said to that?
00:07:56.779 --> 00:08:00.529
He was heard to say something to the effect that would give Leonard the whip hand.
00:08:01.100 --> 00:08:03.259
The men were evidently on bad terms.
00:08:03.259 --> 00:08:05.509
And that is all that is known of that matter.
00:08:06.019 --> 00:08:11.509
Now, sometime later, it is rather more than three weeks ago, governor Bradley left town.
00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:13.649
He hasn't been back since.
00:08:14.300 --> 00:08:15.769
Is there anything strange in that.
00:08:16.420 --> 00:08:17.800
Well, no, not exactly.
00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:22.269
He went away openly enough, told everybody that he was tired and needed rest.
00:08:22.540 --> 00:08:23.709
That was natural.
00:08:24.310 --> 00:08:30.430
He also told the Lieutenant governor secretly that he was going to travel without letting anybody know where he was.
00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:32.929
I don't want to be bothered with letters.
00:08:32.960 --> 00:08:35.669
He said, Well, that was natural enough too.
00:08:35.669 --> 00:08:36.120
Wasn't it?
00:08:36.769 --> 00:08:44.049
Yes, I suppose so, but just now the Lieutenant governor is putting two and two together and I can see that he is suspicious.
00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:49.419
He hasn't said so in so many words, you understand, but that's what he feels just the same.
00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:51.580
You haven't told me all, Dinsmore.
00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:52.950
No, not quite.
00:08:53.440 --> 00:09:01.779
Governor Bradley told the Lieutenant governor that he would manage to be within reach at all times, but that has movements and address must be kept private.
00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:10.389
I will take the name of George Snell said he, and keep you informed where you may telegraph to me if anything of real importance comes up.
00:09:11.080 --> 00:09:20.529
So for some days, the Lieutenant governor received a telegram every day saying Snell, auditorium, Chicago, or Snell, planters, St.
00:09:20.529 --> 00:09:21.820
Louis and so forth.
00:09:22.470 --> 00:09:29.250
Then there was a break of a few days after which came the word that Snell was at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York.
00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:33.289
Meantime, nothing happened that the Lieutenant governor couldn't attend to alone.
00:09:34.070 --> 00:09:36.950
Then came the discovery that papers were missing.
00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:47.580
As soon as it was certain that the papers had disappeared, the Lieutenant governor telegraphed the fact to Snell and told him in the same message that the matter would be placed in my hands.
00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:54.659
If the Lieutenant governor had thought twice, he would've called me up before wiring to Bradley alias Snell.
00:09:55.309 --> 00:09:56.690
But he didn't think quick enough.
00:09:56.779 --> 00:10:00.320
And since that time, not a word has been heard from George Snell.
00:10:01.009 --> 00:10:01.940
And there you are.
00:10:02.590 --> 00:10:04.139
I see said Nick.
00:10:04.750 --> 00:10:05.710
It's very interesting.
00:10:06.460 --> 00:10:08.590
When does the next train go to Helena Montana?
00:10:09.240 --> 00:10:09.870
To Helena?
00:10:10.440 --> 00:10:15.990
Well, there's no direct train to that point in any case, but what the mischief do you want to go there for?
00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:19.940
Because that's where governor Bradley is, or at least where he went.
00:10:20.419 --> 00:10:25.460
I think Dinsmore that I shall have to hunt for your governor as well as for the thieves who stole the papers.
00:10:25.789 --> 00:10:27.740
I hope I may find the governor alive.
00:10:28.389 --> 00:10:29.259
Good gracious.
00:10:29.909 --> 00:10:31.080
Look up the trains, please.
00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:32.879
I want to catch the first that goes.
00:10:33.529 --> 00:10:37.580
With a wondering face, Dinsmore studied a railway guide for a few minutes.
00:10:38.029 --> 00:10:39.559
Presently, he looked at his watch.
00:10:40.210 --> 00:10:41.919
Well, there's a train in half an hour.
00:10:42.039 --> 00:10:50.070
He said, That will get you pretty well started and you can probably make connections that will take you through so as to reach Helena in about 30 hours.
00:10:50.279 --> 00:10:50.940
Will that do?
00:10:51.590 --> 00:10:52.370
How can I tell?
00:10:52.750 --> 00:10:57.840
I must take that train and I think Dinsmore, it would be as well if you should come along too.
00:10:58.490 --> 00:10:59.840
Yes, I'll do that gladly.
00:11:00.490 --> 00:11:01.750
Anything to do to get ready.
00:11:02.259 --> 00:11:02.649
No.
00:11:03.350 --> 00:11:03.720
Well then.
00:11:03.909 --> 00:11:05.019
Let's start for the station.
00:11:05.669 --> 00:11:07.799
They went out and on the way Nick asked.
00:11:08.389 --> 00:11:13.049
Dinsmore, do you know anybody in Manchester whose name is Cecil West?
00:11:13.700 --> 00:11:14.990
Uh, slightly.
00:11:15.110 --> 00:11:16.049
replied Dinsmore.
00:11:16.490 --> 00:11:17.299
A friend of yours?
00:11:17.990 --> 00:11:19.309
No, I never saw him.
00:11:19.580 --> 00:11:20.720
What sort of a man is he?
00:11:21.370 --> 00:11:22.610
Tip-Top from all I hear.
00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:25.340
Not rich, you know, but honest and industrious.
00:11:25.580 --> 00:11:27.080
First rate fellow in every way.
00:11:27.559 --> 00:11:30.259
By the way he's in love with the governor's daughter Estelle.
00:11:30.909 --> 00:11:31.419
So.
00:11:32.070 --> 00:11:32.490
Yes.
00:11:32.490 --> 00:11:33.840
And the old man won't have him.
00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:36.820
He's sent the girl away so as to keep them meeting.
00:11:37.470 --> 00:11:39.210
The governor sent his daughter away, did he?
00:11:39.990 --> 00:11:40.830
That's what I hear.
00:11:41.129 --> 00:11:51.960
She dropped out of sight after a big party at the governor's house some five weeks ago and it is understood that she was packed off to visit a distant aunt or something in the hope that she would forget young West.
00:11:52.610 --> 00:11:54.379
I wonder if West hears from her.
00:11:55.009 --> 00:11:55.700
Mused, Nick.
00:11:56.350 --> 00:11:57.879
Well, if he does, he doesn't say so.
00:11:58.529 --> 00:12:00.059
Oh, of course not.
00:12:00.710 --> 00:12:05.570
Nothing more was said on this subject and Dinsmore did not suspect what was in the detective's mind.
00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:08.590
Nick asked one other question about the case.
00:12:09.240 --> 00:12:13.139
I understand that nothing has been reported except the theft of government papers.
00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:13.889
Is that right?
00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:15.049
Yes.
00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:19.220
And I have wondered a little for in your telegram to me, you mentioned jewelry.
00:12:19.870 --> 00:12:20.620
Yes, I did.
00:12:21.009 --> 00:12:22.210
I heard some was taken.
00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:27.159
Nick, said Dinsmore who gave you the tip about all of this?
00:12:27.809 --> 00:12:31.919
The detective looked at his old friend in the eyes for a moment and answered quietly.
00:12:33.299 --> 00:12:34.259
Governor Bradley.
00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:37.669
The deuce you say, why didn't you jump on the case?
00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:42.820
Because I didn't know, till I arrived in Manchester, that it was the governor who called on me.
00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:44.919
He said his name was Snell.
00:12:45.370 --> 00:12:48.639
I doubted it, but I had no suspicion as to who he really was.
00:12:49.039 --> 00:12:52.970
I could see that he was holding some facts back and that made me turn him down.
00:12:53.419 --> 00:12:56.179
That was where Bradley made a bad mistake.
00:12:56.830 --> 00:13:03.070
The detective and Dinsmore made good connections and arrived in Helena at six o'clock in the evening, the following day.
00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:06.159
They began at once to trace the men they wanted to find.
00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:10.690
Dinsmore made inquiries for a man answering the description of governor Bradley.
00:13:11.340 --> 00:13:15.450
Nick knowing that Patsy must've come to Helena hunted for some trace of him.
00:13:16.110 --> 00:13:21.570
He had the more difficult task for Patsy of course, had been disguised when he arrived in town.
00:13:21.929 --> 00:13:26.110
And as Nick presumed, he changed his disguise almost daily.
00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:33.629
Calculating from the telegram, Nick reckoned that Patsy must've reached Helena on a certain day and by a certain train.
00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:38.070
He asked men employed at the station about the passengers who arrived that day.
00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:44.250
From one, he got a tip as to a man who might be Patsy who left his grip at the station and walked away.
00:13:45.029 --> 00:13:49.350
The grip was sent for later, the man said, and was taken to a street that he named.
00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:51.389
Nick went to that street.
00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:53.490
He walked the length of it twice.
00:13:54.149 --> 00:13:59.490
There was no good hotel on it, but several boarding houses and any number of saloons.
00:13:59.940 --> 00:14:01.970
Among others was Bronco Bill's.
00:14:02.730 --> 00:14:05.370
Nick looked at it each time he passed.
00:14:06.149 --> 00:14:13.259
It was not the first one he entered, but after dropping in at two or three other places, he entered Bronco Bill's place.
00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:18.899
Just as the proprietor was telling a customer about a shooting scrap that had taken place there recently.
00:14:19.549 --> 00:14:22.580
They wanted to make the Tenderfoot dance, said Bill grinning.
00:14:23.090 --> 00:14:26.539
But durn me, if he didn't make them dance and holler'afore he got through with them.
00:14:26.929 --> 00:14:28.730
Such shootin' I never did see.
00:14:29.450 --> 00:14:35.990
I thought t'would be the last to Bronco Bill's house, but the young stranger just brought them crazy galoots to their senses in no time.
00:14:36.350 --> 00:14:38.299
Say he hit a dime.
00:14:38.950 --> 00:14:40.929
And Bill went on to tell the whole story.
00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:42.450
That's Patsy.
00:14:42.870 --> 00:14:46.889
Said Nick to himself as he slowly put down a glass of beer at the other end of the bar.
00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:51.049
I wonder how long it will take Dinsmore to follow his trail to this joint.
00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:54.340
Nick sat down to wait and had supper meantime.
00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:59.139
Shortly after nine o'clock Dinsmore came in, looking sour and hopeless.
00:14:59.789 --> 00:15:00.870
Ah, there you are.
00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:01.679
He said.
00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:03.389
I've been looking for you.
00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:05.330
Why didn't you come in here then?
00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:06.500
Said Nick.
00:15:07.149 --> 00:15:09.129
Because I didn't expect to find you here.
00:15:09.610 --> 00:15:13.720
I seemed to trace a man who looked like the governor to this hole several times.
00:15:14.250 --> 00:15:19.759
Plenty said they had seen such a man hanging around, but the governor wouldn't put up in such a place, not he.
00:15:20.409 --> 00:15:23.350
It's exactly where he put up just the same said Nick.
00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:24.929
Who told you that?
00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:26.429
I guessed it.
00:15:26.820 --> 00:15:30.279
My assistant has been here and he wouldn't stay in such a place either.
00:15:30.549 --> 00:15:31.960
Unless there was business in it.
00:15:32.350 --> 00:15:34.299
The business that brought Patsy here was.
00:15:34.950 --> 00:15:36.269
Nick did not finish.
00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:40.350
Instead, he caught up a newspaper and held it in front of Dinsmore.
00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:42.679
Read it, he whispered.
00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:44.240
And don't show your face.
00:15:44.889 --> 00:15:46.750
Four men were coming in from the street.
00:15:47.169 --> 00:15:50.950
One of them was the man whom Nick had known as George Snell.
00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:56.009
As the detective was now disguised, he did not hesitate to show his face.
00:15:56.659 --> 00:16:03.980
It looked however, as if his disguise would have been unnecessary, for Snell walked quickly across the room, and out by a door at the back.
00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:06.049
One of the four went with them.
00:16:06.769 --> 00:16:09.559
The other two stepped up to the bar and called for drinks.
00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:13.490
Snell came back in a short time with the man who had gone out with him.
00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:16.120
Have something asked the man at the bar.
00:16:16.769 --> 00:16:18.230
No replied Snell.
00:16:18.389 --> 00:16:19.110
Let's be going.
00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:21.409
The four then went out at once.
00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:24.220
Great Scott whispered Dinsmore.
00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:26.320
That was governor Bradley's voice.
00:16:27.009 --> 00:16:28.809
Of course it was, replied Nick.
00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:29.590
Come on.
00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:34.259
They kept on the track of the four men and followed them to a house in a quiet street.
00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:36.750
There was a light in the kitchen windows.
00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:39.549
Crooked work here, whispered Dinsmore.
00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:41.850
Absolutely, replied Nick.
00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:44.009
We must get a line on it if possible.
00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:50.330
They had not gone very near the house, presuming that there might be men on guard who would give warning to the others.
00:16:50.929 --> 00:16:59.570
It seemed best to try to get at the kitchen windows from behind and accordingly, they went around to another street, through a yard and over a fence.
00:17:00.049 --> 00:17:04.549
This took some time, but the lights were still there and all was quiet within.
00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:09.940
Although the curtains were down, they managed to get a glimpse inside through a small hole.
00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:16.329
It was just enough to show a good, many tough looking men around a table with Snell in the middle.
00:17:16.990 --> 00:17:19.180
He was counting out a big roll of bills.
00:17:19.829 --> 00:17:24.150
Buying back the papers whispered Nick and paying the ransom for his daughter.
00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:25.160
What?
00:17:25.250 --> 00:17:26.089
You don't mean?
00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:26.670
Ms.
00:17:26.670 --> 00:17:28.079
Bradley was kidnapped.
00:17:28.230 --> 00:17:29.009
That's what I mean.
00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:32.740
Ah, if the governor had had the sense to tell me the whole truth.
00:17:33.390 --> 00:17:34.259
Nick was thinking.
00:17:34.910 --> 00:17:37.349
There are a good many of them, whispered Dinsmore.
00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:40.220
Shall we go to headquarters for a squad of police?
00:17:40.869 --> 00:17:42.759
No, they'll be through in a minute.
00:17:43.130 --> 00:17:46.069
We must make a bluff and they'll think they're surrounded.
00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:49.339
You go to the front door and I'll tackle them here.
00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:51.680
Chapter eight.
00:17:52.099 --> 00:17:52.730
The ransom.
00:17:54.230 --> 00:17:58.160
Harry had brought down what the leader of the gang had called the goods.
00:17:58.730 --> 00:18:01.430
This was a parcel of papers done up in red tape.
00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:07.519
It was laid on the kitchen table and Snell began to count out the money that he had shown a few minutes before.
00:18:08.170 --> 00:18:09.789
I have$40,000 here.
00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:10.539
He remarked.
00:18:11.190 --> 00:18:12.299
Ought to be twice that.
00:18:12.690 --> 00:18:13.470
Growled the leader.
00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:16.039
That was the price agreed on with Leonard?
00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:16.490
Wasn't it.
00:18:17.140 --> 00:18:17.680
Go ahead.
00:18:18.329 --> 00:18:19.750
You haven't produced the goods.
00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:25.430
Snell or rather Governor Bradley stopped counting out the money and looked straight at the leader.
00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:27.269
Plank down that money.
00:18:27.890 --> 00:18:29.160
ordered the leader harshly.
00:18:29.809 --> 00:18:33.650
Just then there was a furious knocking at both the back and front doors.
00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:34.910
Loud voices.
00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:37.190
There seemed to be a dozen of them were crying.
00:18:37.609 --> 00:18:39.289
Surrender in the name of the law.
00:18:39.940 --> 00:18:43.779
We're done! Gasped the leader starting up and lifting his revolver.
00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:46.089
And by thunder, I know who done it.
00:18:46.329 --> 00:18:48.609
You Harry, you sneak with your argument.
00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.789
I haven't given you away, Hamilton.
00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.630
Cried Harry.
00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:52.589
I swear.
00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:56.279
He got no further for Hamilton, the leader, fired.
00:18:56.849 --> 00:18:59.430
Harry groaned and staggered to the cellar door.
00:18:59.890 --> 00:19:02.140
He grasped the handle to keep from falling.
00:19:02.589 --> 00:19:06.910
It turned, the door opened, and he plunged headlong down the stairs.
00:19:07.569 --> 00:19:10.299
All the other men were starting up in great confusion.
00:19:10.950 --> 00:19:11.970
Kill the governor.
00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:12.750
They cried.
00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:14.730
No! shouted Hamilton.
00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:17.450
There'll be more in him than anything else.
00:19:17.803 --> 00:19:18.823
Take him with us.
00:19:19.472 --> 00:19:21.153
Then he added in a lower tone.
00:19:21.663 --> 00:19:22.772
Side door boys.
00:19:22.923 --> 00:19:24.333
Nobody seems to be there.
00:19:24.442 --> 00:19:25.893
They've forgotten the side door.
00:19:26.542 --> 00:19:29.673
He seized the governor as he spoke and pushed him from the room.
00:19:30.423 --> 00:19:34.022
Others helped, and both the Governor and Leonard were hustled out.
00:19:34.653 --> 00:19:39.182
All the things on the table, money and papers were swept off by somebody.
00:19:39.833 --> 00:19:44.032
The door crashed in and the next instant Nick Carter leaped into the room.
00:19:44.583 --> 00:19:47.682
He was greeted by a pistol shot from one of the ruffians.
00:19:48.212 --> 00:19:48.903
It missed him.
00:19:49.553 --> 00:19:52.373
Many voices were heard calling, ordering, cursing.
00:19:52.863 --> 00:19:54.653
Dinsmore rushed in from the front.
00:19:55.303 --> 00:19:55.722
Heaven.
00:19:55.782 --> 00:19:56.333
He gasped.
00:19:56.712 --> 00:19:58.932
The governor's voice! He's calling for help.
00:19:59.413 --> 00:20:00.792
After him Nick, and rescue him.
00:20:01.442 --> 00:20:03.182
Together they made for the side door.
00:20:03.782 --> 00:20:08.403
They overtook some of the gang there and Nick laid them flat with giant blows from his fists.
00:20:08.732 --> 00:20:09.573
Then they went on.
00:20:10.292 --> 00:20:14.073
Over a fence at a little distance, a number of men were seen climbing.
00:20:14.722 --> 00:20:16.843
A pistol shot from Nick dropped one.
00:20:17.492 --> 00:20:18.722
The rest ran on.
00:20:19.373 --> 00:20:27.022
Nick and Dinsmore dashed off in pursuit, their one hope being to rescue the governor who had foolishly tried to do his own detective work.
00:20:27.673 --> 00:20:31.633
Patsy felt as if a fearfully heavy blanket lay upon him.
00:20:32.282 --> 00:20:34.952
Slowly for, he was less than half awake.
00:20:35.192 --> 00:20:37.712
He put up his hands to brush the blanket away.
00:20:38.363 --> 00:20:40.432
It was too heavy, and he wondered.
00:20:41.083 --> 00:20:43.242
Then he opened his eyes.
00:20:43.913 --> 00:20:48.292
It was rather a dark place and a rough unfinished ceiling overhead.
00:20:48.942 --> 00:20:52.212
He saw that first naturally for he was lying on his back.
00:20:52.863 --> 00:20:55.722
By jumbo, he muttered, beginning to remember.
00:20:56.173 --> 00:20:57.313
I thought I was dead.
00:20:57.962 --> 00:21:05.173
He looked down, raising his head a little and saw with horror that what he thought was a heavy blanket was the body of a young man.
00:21:05.823 --> 00:21:08.222
There was an open knife in the young man's hand.
00:21:08.873 --> 00:21:14.932
It's the fellow they called Harry said Patsy to himself, sitting up now and carefully lifting the body away.
00:21:15.583 --> 00:21:17.383
What the mischief does it all mean?
00:21:18.032 --> 00:21:19.893
His memory was returning fast.
00:21:20.343 --> 00:21:24.873
He recalled now that he had been carried down to the cellar to be suffocated with gas.
00:21:25.383 --> 00:21:26.942
That was early last night.
00:21:27.512 --> 00:21:31.053
It was now day as he could tell from the light at one dusty window.
00:21:31.702 --> 00:21:33.742
Besides the cellar door was open.
00:21:33.923 --> 00:21:36.863
The one opening into the passage through which he had been taken.
00:21:37.512 --> 00:21:41.292
His hands had been bound so hard that he could not loose them.
00:21:41.653 --> 00:21:43.272
And now they were free.
00:21:43.923 --> 00:21:45.573
How in the world did that happen?
00:21:46.222 --> 00:21:49.133
He looked at the cord that had been around his wrists.
00:21:49.673 --> 00:21:51.413
It was cut through.
00:21:52.063 --> 00:21:55.782
Nothing could be clearer than the smooth mark of a sharp knife.
00:21:56.432 --> 00:21:59.222
The detective looked at the knife in Harry's dead hand.
00:21:59.873 --> 00:22:00.502
That's it.
00:22:00.742 --> 00:22:01.673
He said softly.
00:22:02.333 --> 00:22:05.932
The poor fellow tried to save me and he came pretty near doing it.
00:22:06.583 --> 00:22:11.262
He tried to take the knife from Harry's hand, but the stiffened fingers held it tight.
00:22:11.913 --> 00:22:13.442
His own knife was in his pocket.
00:22:13.623 --> 00:22:16.202
And with that, he cut the cord around his ankles.
00:22:16.863 --> 00:22:17.823
Then he got up.
00:22:18.472 --> 00:22:22.972
His head still swam and he was weak, but his strength came back rapidly.
00:22:23.623 --> 00:22:26.603
Going to the wall he found the gas jet.
00:22:27.252 --> 00:22:29.292
The cock had been turned square off.
00:22:29.942 --> 00:22:30.992
Harry did it.
00:22:31.472 --> 00:22:32.103
He whispered.
00:22:32.853 --> 00:22:33.603
Poor fellow.
00:22:34.063 --> 00:22:37.242
I remember how he couldn't stand the idea of my being murdered.
00:22:37.722 --> 00:22:42.413
His coming in and leaving the door open ventilated the place so I didn't die of suffocation.
00:22:43.063 --> 00:22:43.692
Poor chap.
00:22:43.962 --> 00:22:44.772
He meant well.
00:22:45.343 --> 00:22:47.083
I wonder how he came to be shot.
00:22:47.732 --> 00:22:51.932
And shot he was, as the detective could see from the wound in the young man's breast.
00:22:52.583 --> 00:22:54.623
Patsy stood still for a full minute.
00:22:55.272 --> 00:22:55.813
Hang me.
00:22:55.813 --> 00:22:56.532
He exclaimed.
00:22:57.133 --> 00:22:59.682
If it doesn't seem as wonderful as if I was dead.
00:23:00.333 --> 00:23:01.742
He felt for his revolver.
00:23:02.532 --> 00:23:08.982
One had been taken away from him, but he had the other, and with this in his hand, he went upstairs.
00:23:09.732 --> 00:23:11.383
The house was very still.
00:23:12.032 --> 00:23:15.782
In the kitchen, he found overturned chairs and other signs of disorder.
00:23:16.432 --> 00:23:17.962
There was a ruction of some kind.
00:23:18.202 --> 00:23:18.863
He concluded.
00:23:19.512 --> 00:23:25.782
He wasn't sure just what he ought to do and decided that before he tried to form a plan, He would explore the house.
00:23:26.432 --> 00:23:31.353
Nothing attracted his attention in the rooms of the ground floor, and it was the same on the next floor.
00:23:32.042 --> 00:23:35.343
They were ordinary rooms furnished very cheaply.
00:23:35.992 --> 00:23:44.452
The detective looked into the bureau drawers, not because he was expecting to find anything, but to see if there was any evidence that the house was regularly occupied.
00:23:45.103 --> 00:23:45.762
There was none.
00:23:46.212 --> 00:23:47.803
All the drawers were empty.
00:23:48.452 --> 00:23:51.752
Opening a door, he found himself at the foot of the stairs to the attic.
00:23:52.403 --> 00:23:54.143
Might as well take it all in, he thought.
00:23:54.752 --> 00:23:55.923
And he started up.
00:23:56.573 --> 00:23:59.873
The third step was loose and came up when he put his foot in it.
00:24:00.522 --> 00:24:02.053
At once he pulled the board away.
00:24:02.702 --> 00:24:05.462
He saw something that made his eyes bulge.
00:24:06.113 --> 00:24:15.482
A box had been made beneath the step, and lying in it were two packets of papers done up in red ribbon and a great quantity of money in big bills.
00:24:16.242 --> 00:24:24.553
He took out and counted twenty$1000 bills and 20,000 more dollars in bills of five and 100.
00:24:25.202 --> 00:24:25.623
Ooh.
00:24:25.982 --> 00:24:28.442
He whistled sitting down and looking at his find.
00:24:29.093 --> 00:24:30.252
A sound startled him.
00:24:30.823 --> 00:24:31.873
It came from above.
00:24:32.532 --> 00:24:35.173
A faint, weak voice a woman's apparently.
00:24:35.772 --> 00:24:37.272
It seemed to be calling for help.
00:24:37.923 --> 00:24:41.673
Patsy stuffed the money in his pockets and bounded up the attic stairs.
00:24:42.393 --> 00:24:44.762
Under the unfinished loft on a couch of blankets.
00:24:45.063 --> 00:24:46.803
He saw a young woman lying.
00:24:47.452 --> 00:24:51.563
She was tied to the place so that she could turn over only with difficulty.
00:24:52.212 --> 00:24:53.833
Good gracious! He cried.
00:24:54.133 --> 00:24:54.853
Who are you?
00:24:55.333 --> 00:24:56.143
What does this mean?
00:24:56.502 --> 00:24:57.492
Have you been hurt?
00:24:58.143 --> 00:25:02.792
No, she answered weakly, but I am so weak and hungry.
00:25:03.222 --> 00:25:06.673
They haven't given me anything to eat or drink for more than a day.
00:25:07.393 --> 00:25:08.772
I suppose they've forgotten me.
00:25:09.413 --> 00:25:11.573
I am Estelle Bradley, sir.
00:25:11.992 --> 00:25:18.403
If you would only get word to my father, he is the governor of Wenonah and I know that he would reward you.
00:25:19.053 --> 00:25:19.833
Don't try to talk.
00:25:19.863 --> 00:25:20.012
Ms.
00:25:20.042 --> 00:25:21.752
Bradley interrupted Patsy.
00:25:22.252 --> 00:25:25.012
He was stooping to cut the cords that bound her to the floor.
00:25:25.663 --> 00:25:30.492
When this was done he helped her to her feet, and then downstairs.
00:25:31.242 --> 00:25:35.593
On the way he took the papers he had seen in the box and put them in his pockets.
00:25:36.242 --> 00:25:45.722
She told him when he explained that he was a detective, how she had been deceived by a message that was supposed to be sent by her lover, Cecil West.
00:25:46.373 --> 00:25:49.913
It was handed to me during a party at my father's house, she said.
00:25:50.452 --> 00:25:54.563
And it told me that Cecil was lying, dangerously wounded, not far away.
00:25:55.103 --> 00:26:01.462
I went at once to see him and was seized by rough men who brought me here and have kept me ever since.
00:26:02.113 --> 00:26:05.383
Patsy took her to a hotel where they had breakfast.
00:26:05.873 --> 00:26:10.883
Then knowing nothing of Nick's journey to the west, he arranged for taking her home.
00:26:11.532 --> 00:26:18.192
They started on a train that left Helena just as Nick and Dinsmore returned after a successful chase of the ruffians.
00:26:18.843 --> 00:26:26.583
It had taken them most of the night, but they had rescued the governor and caught three of the gang, though Hamilton, the leader, had escaped.
00:26:27.232 --> 00:26:34.012
Leonard had been shot through the heart by the leader when it came to the last fight out in the Hills miles beyond Helena.
00:26:34.663 --> 00:26:42.913
The governor confessed bitterly that he and Leonard had been engaged in a business that could not be called quite square years before.
00:26:43.563 --> 00:26:53.073
For my reputation, said the governor, I had to keep certain papers and Leonard wanted them fearing that I would give them up some time, and so ruin him.
00:26:53.853 --> 00:26:55.053
We feared each other.
00:26:55.803 --> 00:26:59.403
So I hired a band of ruffians to steal the papers.
00:26:59.883 --> 00:27:05.252
They not only stole mine, but without knowing it a number of government documents also.
00:27:06.002 --> 00:27:07.803
Then to make a complete job of it.
00:27:08.103 --> 00:27:09.633
They kidnapped my daughter.
00:27:10.282 --> 00:27:13.823
I dared not trust my secrets to the police or to you, Mr.
00:27:13.823 --> 00:27:14.212
Carter.
00:27:14.903 --> 00:27:23.542
When Leonard found that the ruffians would not give up the papers without an immense ransom that he was unable to pay, he told me what he had done.
00:27:24.192 --> 00:27:30.192
It was for the interest of both of us to keep the matter dark and he thought he could drive a bargain with the thieves.
00:27:30.972 --> 00:27:35.113
So I got together all the cash I could and we tried it.
00:27:35.833 --> 00:27:41.083
We went from city to city, but whether Leonard saw the leader anywhere, I do not know.
00:27:41.813 --> 00:27:45.982
At last I told him that I should give the matter to Nick Carter.
00:27:46.633 --> 00:27:48.792
Leonard threatened to kill me if I did so.
00:27:49.442 --> 00:28:04.663
He nearly succeeded as perhaps, you know, At last, he said, we should find that gang in Helena, and that by this time they would be willing to come to my terms,$40,000, their first bid having been for 100,000.
00:28:05.313 --> 00:28:13.722
We came to Helena, Leonard taking a different route from Chicago in order to give the word to the gang who he said were mostly at the north.
00:28:14.472 --> 00:28:20.222
I came here and went, as he told me to a low saloon where I stayed till he came.
00:28:20.893 --> 00:28:23.323
And the rest, you know, Not quite all.
00:28:23.573 --> 00:28:24.063
said Nick.
00:28:24.742 --> 00:28:27.053
Wasn't there a man on your track all this time?
00:28:27.702 --> 00:28:28.603
Not that I know of.
00:28:28.752 --> 00:28:31.692
Though yesterday, a stranger was found spying on us.
00:28:32.173 --> 00:28:33.163
The gang killed him.
00:28:33.813 --> 00:28:35.623
How, when, where?
00:28:36.212 --> 00:28:37.653
demanded Nick anxiously.
00:28:38.303 --> 00:28:41.682
Governor Bradley told him about the way the stranger was put down the cellar.
00:28:42.333 --> 00:28:45.782
And I was there! thought Nick with deep sorrow.
00:28:46.563 --> 00:28:47.913
Perhaps in time to save him.
00:28:48.563 --> 00:28:50.452
I wish I had let the governor go.
00:28:51.103 --> 00:28:55.423
They went to the house and found it deserted by all, save the dead Harry.
00:28:56.073 --> 00:29:02.113
What Nick saw though, the open knife, the cut cords, convinced him that Patsy had made his escape.
00:29:02.762 --> 00:29:11.942
But the case did not seem to be finished for the valuable papers and the governor's daughter were still missing to say nothing of the great ransom that had been paid down.
00:29:12.593 --> 00:29:17.813
So Nick went with the governor to Manchester and there found Patsy Ms.
00:29:17.813 --> 00:29:21.022
Estelle and all that the governor had been looking for.
00:29:21.673 --> 00:29:29.363
It is supposed that one of the gang hid the papers and the money in the box under the stairs during the confusion of the attempt to escape.
00:29:30.012 --> 00:29:32.803
It was a clever move, said Nick discussing it.
00:29:33.282 --> 00:29:37.903
For the rascal must have known that some, if not all of the gang would be captured.
00:29:38.292 --> 00:29:40.782
And it would be foolish to have the stuff captured with them.
00:29:41.292 --> 00:29:46.962
So he took the chance of hiding it, meaning to go back sometime, next day probably, and get it.
00:29:47.613 --> 00:29:50.883
Governor Bradley offered to pay Nick and Patsy for their services.
00:29:51.532 --> 00:29:54.202
I don't think we want any pay, replied Nick.
00:29:54.692 --> 00:29:58.623
We've had a good time out of it and we weren't engaged on the matter at all.
00:29:59.022 --> 00:30:01.423
But I would like to ask two favors.
00:30:02.073 --> 00:30:04.173
They shall be granted said the governor.
00:30:04.903 --> 00:30:05.532
First, then.
00:30:06.073 --> 00:30:10.212
When you have detective work to do in the future, don't try to do it yourself.
00:30:11.563 --> 00:30:13.212
That's easy, laughed the governor.
00:30:13.722 --> 00:30:16.002
You may be sure I shan't try that sort of thing again.
00:30:16.653 --> 00:30:22.472
The second, said Nick, is that you consent to the marriage of your daughter and Cecil West.
00:30:22.923 --> 00:30:24.303
He is a fine young man.
00:30:24.553 --> 00:30:26.609
I yield! Interrupted governor Bradley.
00:30:27.029 --> 00:30:28.920
I will send for West at once.
00:30:29.569 --> 00:30:33.380
He kept his word and the young people were married, not long afterward.
00:30:34.029 --> 00:30:41.740
Nick and Patsy meant to return at once to New York, but they were detained in the west for some time longer by another case.
00:30:42.099 --> 00:30:46.569
Which brought them against some of the gang they had just met.
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Well friends.
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Thanks for tuning into Forward Into The Past, where we bring classic stories back to life.
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If you enjoyed listening to today's episode, please take a moment to leave a review or a rating.
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Your feedback helps others discover our show and keeps these timeless tales alive.
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As you know, I'm very passionate about sharing these public domain gems and your support makes it possible.
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If you'd like to contribute financially, visit my, Buy Me A Coffee page.
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Whether you choose to become a monthly supporter or make a one-time donation, every contribution helps me continue our journey through literary history.
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Well friends until next time.
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Thanks for listening.
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Keep sharing the stories and be a good human.
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Bye for now.
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